Hong Kong: CE attends Dongguan bay area forum Chief Executive John Lee today met Guangdong Provincial Peoples Congress Standing Committee Vice-Chairman Xiao Yafei and attended a Greater Bay Area (GBA) forum in Dongguan. Mr Lee and Mr Xiao, who is also the CPC Dongguan Municipal Committee Secretary, exchanged views on further promoting co-operation between Hong Kong and Dongguan, and the development opportunities in the bay area. Mr Lee noted that Hong Kong and Dongguan have been maintaining seamless collaboration with remarkable achievements. On advancing logistics connectivity, the Airport Authority Hong Kong has set up the Hong Kong International Airport Logistics Park in Dongguan to promote the sea-air intermodal cargo transshipment mode, enhancing the international connectivity of GBA cargo services. The park also further improved the international competitiveness of the manufacturing as well as import and export industries in the bay area. The Chief Executive stressed that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will press ahead with the construction of a permanent facility for the logistics park, with the first-phase construction to be completed by the end of next year. On education co-operation, the first phase of campus construction of the City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan) was completed in August last year, and the university is currently working at full steam in preparing for its official establishment. Mr Lee expressed his hope that the university, upon its official commissioning, will contribute to the nurturing of innovative and internationalised top-notch talent for the country with its first-class educational resources and strengths in various disciplines. He also said he hopes that Hong Kong and Dongguan will continue to maintain close co-operation under the principles of complementarity and mutual benefits, and make greater contributions to the construction of an international first-class bay area for living, working and travelling. In the afternoon, Mr Lee attended the 2024 GBA iForum. While addressing the forum, he said GBA Mainland cities have a strong industrial foundation, and Hong Kong has the distinctive advantage of enjoying the strong support of the country while being closely connected to the world under one country, two systems. As the bay area progresses towards high technology and high value-added development, Hong Kong will fully leverage its dual roles of super connector and super value-adder, with a view to connecting the bay area and the international market, and providing Hong Kongs high value-added professional services to the bay area. In the evening, Mr Lee visited the forums exhibition area and attended the forum dinner to exchange views with political and business leaders as well as representatives of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau enterprises. Speaking at the dinner, he expressed his hope for Hong Kong enterprises to make good use of the GBA as the best point of access to actively participate in the bay area development, and contribute to the countrys high-quality development. Mr Lee will return to Hong Kong tomorrow. This story has been published on: 2024-01-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. China unveils plan to promote phosphorus utilization Xinhua) 09:35, January 04, 2024 BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- China has recently released a plan to improve the utilization of phosphorus resources, aiming for greater effectiveness and efficiency in the years ahead. By 2026, the country is expected to see consistent improvements in the innovation, eco-friendliness and safety of its phosphorus chemical industry, coupled with a remarkable increase in the output of high-end phosphorus products, according to the plan issued by eight state organs including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the National Development and Reform Commission. The plan also anticipates steady progress in deepening cross-regional cooperation and solidifying industrial and supply chains. It outlines development objectives centered on innovation-driven growth, industrial structure optimization, green development and the cultivation of industrial clusters, while also specifying measures for achieving these goals. China is the world's largest producer of phosphate ore and phosphorus chemicals, boasting vast resources and a well-rounded industrial system in this sector. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Former Gary deputy mayor Trent McCain, announced on Thursday that he will be returning to the Harvard Law School faculty to teach in its Winter Trial Advocacy Workshop (TAW). McCain served under former Mayor Jerome Prince, who left office last month. I am thrilled to return to Harvard Law, McCain wrote in a statement. Teaching the nations best and brightest aspiring lawyers is so energizing. McCain first joined the Harvard Law TAW faculty in 2014 after working with Harvard Law professor and Gary native Ronald S. Sullivan, Jr. on a civil rights case. He left in 2019, when then Mayor-Elect Jerome A. Prince tapped him to be the citys top lawyer. In 2021, Prince named McCain deputy mayor. I am delighted to have the Deputy Mayor return to the teaching faculty of TAW, Sullivan wrote. Trent is a superb advocate and equally impressive teacher. The TAW is a three week intensive course in trial analysis, skills, and techniques. Prince was unseated in the citys May 2 primary by then state Sen. Eddie Melton, who was sworn in as mayor on Dec. 30. Melton has replaced the deputy mayor role with a chief operating officer, and named Gary school board member Michael Suggs to the role. Melton removed McCains wife Akilia from the school board on Dec. 31, replacing her with Glenn Johnson, the former president of the board of Lake Ridge Schools. Habersham County officials said a four-vehicle crash is now under investigation by the Georgia State Patrol. One person was hospitalized. According to county officials, units from Habersham County Emergency Services, the Habersham County Sheriffs Office, Demorest Fire Department, Demorest Police Department, and Clarkesville Police Department responded to the wreck on Ga. 365 Wednesday night. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] A county information officer said a call was received at 6:44 p.m. regarding the wreck on Ga. 365 at Demorest-Mt. Airy Highway. They said the wreck was spread across the intersection on the northbound side and another vehicle near the start of the southbound turn lane. TRENDING STORIES: As a result, the road was shut down for more than an hour and traffic was detoured. Officials said all four vehicles sustained disabling damage and had to be towed away, while one person was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville for medical treatment. Georgia Department of Transportation maintenance personnel helped tow operators clean up the widespread debris to allow a quick reopening on the highway, according to the county. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A 51-year-old Oregon man was arrested after he allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl in Fresno, according to the Fresno Police Department. Police say on December 30, officers responded to a report of a possible kidnapping of a 12-year-old girl. Investigators say they discovered that the girl met 51-year-old James Ellis, from Oregon, on a social media app about a month ago. During their online communication, police say Ellis allegedly told the victim he wanted to have sexual intercourse with her. 51-year-old James Ellis Police say Ellis picked the victim up from her home and took her to a parking lot where he sexually assaulted her. The victims family member tracked her whereabouts through her cell phone and located the suspects vehicle in a parking lot. Investigators say the vehicle was occupied by Ellis and the victim. The family member demanded that Ellis release the victim. Instead, police say Ellis fled the scene in his truck, with the victim still inside. Ellis eventually dropped the victim off at a gas station when he realized the family member continued to follow him. Police say officers located the vehicle, detained Ellis, and he was arrested. Ellis has bailed out and is known to travel to California often for work. Due to this, officials say they have released his mugshot in the interest of public saftey. If you have any information contact the Fresno Police Department at (559) 621-7000. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com. What do Kansas Citians (and food writers) have to look forward to in 2024? A barbecue dive bar, more of your favorite specialty tacos, and Kansas Citys first omakase sushi restaurant, to name a few. To celebrate the new year and all it aims to bring, we gathered 15 of the Kansas City areas most anticipated restaurant openings. Whether or not we continue our New Years resolutions and gym memberships into February, one things certain: Well be bringing you the updates and tasting the food from these restaurants and more all year long. See you there? Vitas Place. Underdog Wine Co. owners Ryan and Jenny Sciara will open a small neighborhood wine bar at 5514 Oak, just around the corner from their Brookside shop. Projected opening: early January. Whole Harvest. A Kansas City-based meal delivery service is opening its first restaurant. The Leawood spot at 4853 W. 117th St. will have a health focus, serving zucchini bread, loaded sweet potatoes, lentil pancakes, edamame dip and more. Projected opening: second week of January. Whole Harvest Kitchens kelp noodles with tea leaf tahini, cabbage slaw, edamame, shiitake mushrooms, sambal and sesame. Tiki Taco. With two locations in Kansas City, Tiki Taco will open its first spot on the Kansas side at 7514 W. 80th St. in Overland Park. The restaurant will serve the same customer favorites: crunchy tacos, nachos, burritos and more. Projected opening: January. 1981 K-Chicken. The old Steves Villa Capri, an Italian restaurant at 10412 Mastin St., will soon become a Korean chicken restaurant and bar. This is the first concept from longtime friends Kue-Jin Hwang, Sung Jo and Kyoungmin Kim. Hwang says opening a restaurant has been their dream for years. Projected opening: January. Aqua Pennys. The owners of the popular Park Place Thai restaurant Bamboo Pennys are opening a seafood and oyster bar concept in the same Leawood shopping center. Aqua Pennys will be open for lunch, dinner, happy hour and brunch. Projected opening: February. A rendering of the new Aqua Pennys opening in Leawood. Lotties Get Down. The Nashville-based firm behind the Westport music venue Tin Roof will open this Southern-fried chicken concept at 4057 Pennsylvania Ave. The building was previously Mickeys Hideaway, and, before that, McCoys Public House. Projected opening: early 2024. The Blue Palm. Owners Dan Doty, Roxie Danner and Houston DeFoe are planning a tiki bar in the Strawberry Hill space Mockingbird Lounge vacated this fall at 204 Orchard St. in Kansas City, Kansas. Projected opening: early 2024. Green Dirt on Oak. Sarah Hoffmann, artisan cheesemaker and owner of Green Dirt Farm in Weston, will open a Crossroads fine-dining restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and her award-winning cheeses at 1601 Oak St. The spot will have a rooftop deck, an event space and a production facility. Projected opening: early 2024. Green Dirt Farms new Crossroads restaurant will feature its cheese on sandwiches and cheese boards. Osteria Bianchi. Las Vegas culinary transplants Josh and Kelly Bianchi plan a traditional Italian restaurant in the former Trago Bar & Tapas space at 9261 N.E. 83rd Terrace, near Liberty. Dishes planned include a tonnarelli cacio e pepe pasta, wood-fired pizzas and a pork trio (braised pork belly, roasted pork loin and crispy carnitas) served with spaetzle and red wine-braised cabbage. Projected opening: early 2024. Meddys. The Wichita-based Mediterranean restaurant, which already has locations in Brookside and Prairie Village, is expanding again, this time to Lenexa, on the southwest corner of West 88th Street and Maurer Road. The restaurant offers shawarmas, hummus plates and salads, inspired by owner Alex Harbs Lebanese culture. Projected opening: March. Sushi Kodawari. Austin transplant Karson Thompson plans to open Kansas Citys first omakase restaurant at 2100 Central St. The fine-dining sushi experience will also be one of the citys smallest restaurants, with just an eight-seat counter offering two seatings per night. Projected opening: spring. Carne Diem. Husband-and-wife pair Louis Guerrieri and Sarah Nelson, who opened the small-plates restaurant Ombra in 2022 at The Village at Briarcliff, are planning this upscale meat market and seafood counter just down the road, at 4179 N. Mulberry Drive. Projected opening: spring. The Fresh Mediterranean Co. This Middle Eastern restaurant started inside a Lawrence Cenex gas station, serving chicken shawarma, falafel, hummus and gyros. It is expanding into a fast-casual concept, owner Hanif Lakhani said, and taking over the space at 3904 Bell in Kansas City, where dBronx Authentic Deli and Pizzeria closed in 2022. Projected opening: spring. Night Goat. Fox and Pearls Sunday barbecue pop-up is getting its own permanent space in the West Side restaurants basement, at 2139 Summit. Expect a honky-tonk dive bar setting with barbecue sandwiches and tacos on the menu. Projected opening: late spring or summer. Night Goat, a Sunday barbecue pop-up inside Fox & Pearl, will get its own space in 2024. Enjoy Pure Food + Drink. Staci Cross, who owns a health restaurant in Leawoods Mission Farms, is expanding her concept to Lenexa. The new restaurant will be part of a project dubbed Restaurant Row near 87th Street and Renner Boulevard. Projected opening: September. Three civilians were injured, including a 15-year-old girl who is in critical condition, after Russia attacked Snihurivka, Mykolaiv Oblast on Jan. 3, city administration head Ivan Kukhta reported. The blast wave caused damage to some residential houses on the outskirts of the city. Read also: Russian night attack targets Mykolaiv Oblast, air defense intercepts one missile "At 17:45 Snihurivka was attacked with three S-300 missiles. A woman, two men guarding humanitarian aid at a warehouse, and a 15-year-old girl were injured. She's in critical state right now, reported Mykolaiv Oblast Administration head, Vitaliy Kim. "Several residents received injuries of varying degrees of severity. An underage girl is among them...All relevant services are working on-site," Kukhta said. Read also: Liberation of Crimea could shield Kherson, Mykolaiv, Odesa from Russian attacks ISW 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 Bristol Borough is in the midst of an economic transformation, with more businesses and restaurants opening. But regular flooding issues at the Mill Street Wharf and in the municipal parking lot that serves multiple businesses along Mill and Radcliffe streets, including the Bristol Riverside Theatre, is creating a catch-22. To keep flood waters out of its Mill Street municipal parking lot, the borough would have to build a $15 million flood wall, said borough Manager James Dillon. But that's largely out of the question because people couldn't see the Delaware River in this historic river town's Mill Street business district "unless they walked on top of the wall," Dillon said. Will rains cause flooding in Bristol Borough? That's the dilemma the borough faces as it prepares for another major storm expected this weekend. The National Weather Service in Westampton, New Jersey, has issued a hydrology report warning of more heavy rainfall, or snow, on its way. And there could be a second heavy rainfall event next week. When the parking lot behind Mill Street flooded from recent rains, borough police went to the theater to alert patrons that their cars were in danger of water damage. "They were giving us names of people whose cars were in danger so we could find what seats they were in and let them know. It was an extraordinary level of care and concern. As far as I know everyone was fine, the cars were all fine, and our wardrobe supervisor handed out socks to everyone in the audience who got wet moving their cars," said the theatre's Producing Director Amy Kaissar in an email. More: Bristol gets $1M to fix riverfront lot flooding; hopes improvements will ignite business The borough has already spent a $1 million grant to replace drains and check drain valves as well as repave the parking lot, but Dillon said that won't prevent water from getting onto the property when the river rises and low-lying areas start to flood. Borough Emergency Management Coordinator Merle Winslow said the drain work alleviated 80% of flooding in the parking lot during normal rainfalls, but with major coastal storms, the winds from the north and northeast directions are pushing the water from the river into the borough at high tides. And, he said, the reservoirs at the upper ends of the Delaware River in New York are sometimes allowed to drain to avoid flooding there but it sends the water down to Bucks County and can add to the flooding here during significant storms. How to be aware of Bristol Borough flooding Delaware River Basic Commission spokeswoman Kate Schmidt said the municipal parking lot in Bristol is in the flood plain. "The river at that location is tidal, and flooding occurs there frequently. The parking lot has signs warning motorists that there is a risk of flooding, and folks using the parking lot should have general awareness of flooding potential. Borough officials alert community members when there is an elevated risk." Despite the risks, motorists still park in the municipal lot when it's difficult to find other open spots in town close to the business attractions, Winslow said. He advises people to sign up for alerts to weather and river conditions on the Nixle system by texting BristolBoro to 888777 or by visiting https://local.nixle.com/register/. He said many of the businesses along Mill and Radcliffe streets that have flooded now know to look for the alerts and some have used sand bags to keep water out of their basements. Army Corps of Engineers readies report on Bristol flooding The borough received a grant to have the Army Corps of Engineers study its hydrology at the Otter and Adams Hollow creeks to see if there are ways to help keep the water out of town. The Army Corps released a report in November on flooding near the creeks, but Winslow said the flooding behind Mill Street is a separate issue. And the borough still needs to discuss with the corps and other experts how to address and fund fixes for the flooding. "This study was completed at a level of detail to allow decision makers in Bristol Borough to develop and consider courses of action to address flood risk problems described in this study. Further study will be required to create plans to design and implement structural or non-structural solutions to manage flood risk problems and achieve the objectives outlined here," the report states. And Gov. Josh Shapiro has gotten involved in Bucks County flooding issues following a fatal flood last summer affecting Lower and Upper Makefield. The state has set up a task force to help residents pay for flood insurance premiums. Bristol is also on the state's radar. "At Governor Shapiros direction, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) is also working on helping Bristol Borough with several applications to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for flooding mitigation projects," said Manuel Bonder, spokesperson for the governor. And the Delaware River Basin Commission is working with PEMA on a series of workshops "to support counties in advancing their hazard mitigation project applications for FEMA funding approval in the Middle Delaware which includes Bucks County," Schmidt said. This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bristol Borough continues to struggle with flooding at Delaware River The student identified as the Perry High School shooter posted a photo of himself on TikTok shortly before police say he shot multiple people and then turned the gun on himself. Dylan Butler, 17, of Perry attended the high school where the shooting happened about 20 minutes before school was scheduled to start Thursday, the first day of school after the winter break. Police said Butler shot six people, including a sixth-grader who died. A photo of Dylan Butler in the 2021-22 Perry High School yearbook. Dylan Butler posts on TikTok before shooting Before the shooting, Butler had posted a selfie on the social media platform of him in a bathroom stall with a blue duffle bag by his feet. The caption read "now we wait." Live updates: Sixth grade student killed in Perry school shooting; five other victims shot The TikTok post, which has since been taken down along with Butler's social media accounts, was accompanied by the song "Stray Bullet" by rock group KMFDM. The song infamously was used on the personal website of Eric Harris, one of the shooters of the Columbine High School massacre in 1999. Butler had more than 250 followers before his account was shut down. Butler made numerous social media posts "in and around the time of the shooting," Assistant Director of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Mitch Mortvedt said. Investigators are looking into those posts as part of the investigation, he said. A law enforcement official briefed on the investigation said federal and state investigators were interviewing Butlers friends and analyzing Butlers social media profiles, including posts on TikTok and Reddit. Investigators have also found other photos Butler posted posing with firearms, according to the official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity. Dylan Butler is the son of Jack Butler, the manager of the Perry Municipal Airport and former public works director for the city of Perry. Calls to the suspect's parents, Jack and Erin Butler, were not immediately returned Thursday. IED found at the school after the shooting Dylan Butler was found in the school of "what appeared to be the shooter with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Mortvedt said. Police found and disposed of an IED found in the school. Butler had a pump action shotgun and a small caliber handgun. Perry High School's principal, Dan Marburger, is reportedly among the victims of Thursday morning's shooting at the school. Police did not release any victim names. What should people do if they see posts like this? Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Alex Dinkla said after an afternoon news conference that if anyone sees disturbing social media posts they should call 911. "Report it. Let authorities know," Dinkla said. "If you see something, say something. That's always a good lesson I think everybody should always go by. You never know when it might affect or change somebody's life or save somebody's life." This story will be updated. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Jose Mendiola is a reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach him at jmendiola@dmreg.com. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa school shooting suspect Dylan Butler posted on TikTok before shooting Two Cal Poly students accused of shooting guns on campus plead not guilty Thursday morning to multiple charges related to the November incident. Charles Hojaboom and Brandon Pham were arrested by Cal Poly police Nov. 11 after officers found the two students along Poly Canyon Road in possession of a shotgun; a loaded, concealed pistol; and a knife, Cal Poly spokesperson Matt Lazier told The Tribune at the time. The officers also found a nearby campus sign with bullet holes, he said. Both Hojaboom and Pham originally posted bail Nov. 12, the day after they were arrested. But Hojaboom was taken back into custody after a Dec. 14 court hearing in which San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Timothy Covello found Hojaboom was a danger to the public and increased his bail to no bail. Texts and videos show the two students shot guns on campus at least four times, court records showed, including into the ceiling of Hojabooms dorm room. Cal Poly student Charles Hojaboom listens to a hearing in San Luis Obispo Superior Court Jan. 4, 2024. Hojaboom and fellow student Brandon Pham are accused of firing guns on campus multiple times. At Thursdays hearing, Federman additionally found that because Pham showed compliance with the terms of his bond, does not have a criminal history, demonstrated good conduct and was forthcoming with authorities, he constituted a low danger to the public. Because of that, Federman did not to make any changes to Phams $20,000 bond, denying a bail increase request by the prosecution. Restraining orders prohibiting Pham from entering Cal Polys campus and from being able to legally buy a gun remain in place, as both defendants waived their rights to speedy trials as part of their not guilty plea. Cal Poly student Brandon Pham listens at a hearing in San Luis Obispo Superior Court on Dec. 20, 2023. Pham and Charles Hojaboom are accused of firing guns on campus multiple times. Phams bail conditions were also modified in December, meaning violating the restraining order would send him back to jail. Federman set Pham and Hojabooms pre-preliminary hearing meeting dates for Jan. 18 at 8:30 a.m. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Two horses were stolen from a Miami home and slaughtered for their meat, according to the Miami-Dade Police Departments Agricultural Investigations Unit. Investigators said an unknown suspect(s) went into the victims fenced property and took two adult male horses off the residential property on Southwest 168 Street between 9 p.m. on Tuesday and 9 a.m. Wednesday. Lakeland nurse charged with poisoning neighbors pets: PCSO The bodies of the horses were later found near the home and appeared to have been butchered for their meat, officials said. The owner of the horses told NBC affiliate WTVJ, Were they watching me? They must have, they knew the perimeter, they knew how to even get out. It was a tight spot to get out, she said. Honestly, they catch these people, there will be 10 more behind them, its never going to stop. The investigation is ongoing. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. NORTON SHORES, Mich. (WOOD) The deer hunting season is over for most of the state, and with total harvest numbers down, the issues caused by deer herds in urban areas are only expected to increase. Local governments across West Michigan are weighing their options to deal with the problem. Norton Shores officials say the citys deer management program, which ended on Jan. 1, was a success, with hunters harvesting an additional 45 deer. We didnt know what kind of response we were going to get, Norton Shores Parks and Recreation Superintendent Brian Clarke said. We got an overwhelming response, actually, for volunteers to come in and do the deer hunt with us. Does Grand Rapids have a deer problem? City considers help from DNR Clarke says the archery hunt was completed by the most experienced 30 volunteers to ensure parks would remain open during the hunt. Archery hunting requires individuals to be much closer to the deer in question, which ensures public safety. The deer arent afraid of you. They have no fear, Clarke said. I mean, theyll stand in the street or whatever and its a danger to pedestrians. Its a danger to cars. According to Michigans Department of Natural Resources, there has been a decrease of nearly 30,000 kills in the deer harvest for the 2023 season. While Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties have extended their urban archery season, the rest of the 80 counties across the state have ended their season. Kent Co. leads state in deer-involved crashes: MSP data Meanwhile, incidents of car-deer crashes or near-crashes continue to rise across the state something Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley knows all too well. A beautiful white truck was parked in the middle lane, Kepley said during a public safety committee meeting for the city of Grand Rapids. I said, Are you okay? And he said Yeah, I hit a deer.' Kentwood, Grand Rapids and several other neighboring communities are working together with the DNR to come up with a regional response to the deer herd problem. I dont want to put drivers at risk for the huge population of deer, Kepley said. And how do we do this? How do we handle this? I think the best thing is information, information, information. The Kent County cities previously said they expected to meet with a DNR official at the end of 2023. Their findings will likely be presented during this months committee meeting. At this time, a cull isnt out of the question for the area. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Jiangjun Village, located in the green hills of Bishan District, in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, was once a dreary place during winter, plagued by poverty and a dwindling population. However, the winter scene is much brighter these days, thanks to an injection of tourism and artistic facilities that have given this little village a new lease of life. Art galleries, museums, theaters and homestays can now be found nestling among the small cottages, while pigsties and cowsheds have been converted into western-style restaurants and teahouses. In 2021, the local government, Sichuan Fine Arts Institute and several other institutions established an artist rural construction pilot project centred on a dilapidated village courtyard called "Lotus Cave." The project involved the building of 10 core art areas, aiming to integrate the new artistic facilities with the local living environment, village culture and local characteristics. When the project was first launched, Lotus Cave was very run down, consisting of a collection of residential buildings in a poor state of repair, many of them empty. "The total population here is 151 people, but only 21 people live here permanently, and most of them are the elderly and left-behind children," said Su Chenghong, the first secretary of the village Party committee. "Seven of the 24 buildings are in a dilapidated condition, and most of the remaining habitable brick houses are empty." However, according to Su, the Lotus Cave courtyard has been largely transformed by the hard work of artists and local villagers. The art museum in the center of the village used to be a dilapidated house with collapsed structures and overgrown with weeds, according to villagers. During the renovation work, the original building frame was restored and part of the adobe wall was preserved. Villager Gan Xiaxue, 50, worked in a leather-shoe factory for nearly 30 years. With the completion of the art courtyard, she chose to stay in her hometown and use her existing skills to become a leather artist. She now divides her time between making leather handicrafts for the tourists and working as a barista at the new coffee shop. "I used to be reluctant to buy bags, so I often made leather waste into various bags and pendants. Artists who came to the village encouraged me to combine this craft with art and make leather crafts for sale," said Gan. "Now I work at home, earning nearly 50,000 yuan (about 7,042 U.S. dollars) a year, which is stable and reassuring," Gan added. More and more exhibitions and art activities are being held at the Lotus Cave these days, attracting tourists from far afield. Gan said that the new injection of life has also tempted many villagers who moved away to come and take a look. "Many people can't believe that plays and exhibitions normally only found in big cities can be seen in our hometown, and everyone is very happy," Gan said. According to Su, the project has brought villagers and artists together to give Jiangjun Village an injection of creative energy. "Many villagers used to think that art was far away from them. Now, everyone can not only appreciate but also participate in art activities," Su said. New command and control and a separate 30 mm-cannon equipped variant of the Marine Corps amphibious combat vehicle are expected to arrive at units in early 2024. That variant is one of four designs either fielded or under production by BAE Systems out of its York, Pennsylvania, facility, Defense News reported. The amphibious combat vehicle personnel variant arrived at Marine units in 2021 to replace the legacy amphibious assault vehicle, which has been in service since the 1970s. More than 200 amphibious combat vehicle personnel variants had been built by mid-2023, and 139 of those had been delivered to either operational or training units. Corps to update training for new amphibious vehicles after mishaps Planners expect the command and control version, dubbed the ACV-C, to reach initial operational capability by March 2024, Col. Tim Hough, program manager for Advanced Amphibious Assault, told Defense News. The ACV-C began production in 2022 but stalled following testing and design review problems. Defense Department officials noted in a January 2023 report that the variant was not operationally effective as a mobile command post. They cited a lack of enough secure beyond-the-line-of-sight (BLOS) voice and data nets to support the command and control mission. Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACV) with Co. D, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, move in a convoy at the conclusion of Marine Air Ground Task Force Warfighting Exercise (MWX) 2-21 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Feb. 20, 2021. (Sgt. Courtney G. White/Marine Corps) But by July 2023 the manufacturer, BAE Systems, had resolved concerns and the vehicle was in full-rate production. The same Pennsylvania production plant at the time was building three ACV-30 vehicles. The ACV-30 is equipped with a 30 mm cannon. Those three vehicles will be used for operational testing as the Corps decides the final details of the ACV-30s design. Mark Brinkman with BAE Systems told Defense News that the company will deliver ACV-30 vehicles to the Marines in early 2024 for testing. Officials expect the ACV-30 to reach initial operational capability by mid-2026. That means a minimum of one Marine unit will be equipped with enough vehicles, parts and training to conduct an overseas deployment. Marines operating with any of the ACV variants will still need to keep at least one version of the old AAV in the inventory for at least a few more years. Thats because the new recovery variant, or ACV-R isnt expected to reach its initial operational capability until late 2027 or early 2028. Marines must rely on the AAV recovery variant for field maintenance until its replacement arrives. A restructured infantry battalion will spend 2024 experimenting with new capabilities and added medical staff as the Corps rethinks the role of infantry for the future fight. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, out of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, California, were tasked in 2023 with conducting the second phase of the services infantry battalion experiments. In the first phase of experiments, the Corps experimented with three different sizes of infantry battalions to add new tech and reduce the number of Marines in the Corps base unit of independent combat operations. For nearly four decades the size of the infantry battalion has hovered near 965 Marines and sailors. That was down from more than 1,000 Marines in the standard infantry battalion during the Vietnam War. But following Force Design 2030 changes initiated by former Commandant Gen. David Berger, the Corps sought to shrink the battalions footprint. And the smaller battalions came after the Corps cut its total number of active duty infantry battalions down from 24 to 21 between 2020 and 2023. Planners ran through multiple exercises and events with three different battalions: 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, with a 735-Marine battalion; 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, at Camp Pendleton, California, with an estimated 930 Marines; and 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, at Marine Corps Base Hawaii with a mixed version of the smaller and larger battalion setup. The new battalion will hold 811 Marines and 69 Navy support personnel. Two battalions transitioned to the 811-Marine model in summer 2023, officials told Marine Corps Times. The remaining battalions are on the following schedule: two in fiscal year 2024; three each in fiscal years 2025 and 2026; four each in fiscal years 2027 and 2028 and the final three in fiscal year 2029. Phase I Infantry Battalion changes included: Removing snipers from the battalion and instead creating a scout platoon to conduct some of the past functions of snipers in the headquarters & service company. Increased headquarters & service company capacity, such as added radio operators, a motor transport officer and chief, administrative clerks, warehouse clerks and food service specialists. Reorganized rifle company elements into a weapons platoon manned with machine gunners, mortarmen and antitank missile gunners. Added medical training and personnel for improved casualty care in austere locations where immediate medical evacuation may not be available. Increased 81 mm mortar platoon with two additional, for a total of four fire direction centers and organic precision fire section personnel in each rifle company. Added signals intelligence and electronic warfare capabilities at the company level. Enhanced command and control, sensing, lethality and sustainment experimentation. Experiments to reduce cognitive load on leaders at all levels, including a new course for company noncommissioned officers on running 21st-century combat operations. Removal of the assistant squad leader and one rifleman from each squad. The squad now contains 13 Marines instead of the previously configured 15 Marines. Source: Marine Corps Each of the three rifle companies within the new battalion contain operations, signal, logistics, electronic warfare and medical sections. In June 2023, Col. Christopher Bronzi, then-director of the Marine Corps Warfighting Labs Experiments Division, told Marine Corps Times that the new battalion configuration sought to meet the increased need for precision strike, counter-drone and electronic warfare capabilities the force requires to compete against peer adversaries such as the Chinese military. The new setup will provide enhanced sensing, command and control, lethality and sustainment for the battalion, an increased capacity to sense, make sense and strike the enemy, he said. Phase II experiments seek to add an Navy corpsman to each squad, added electronic warfare capabilities, water purification and organic electrical power generation as well as work on unmanned tactical resupply. Those are all efforts to make the battalion self-sustaining as planners and analysts expect such units to be dispersed across wide ranges with much less outside support than units counted on in the past. Ola Gipson thought the city must have made a mistake earlier this year. She received a bill in her mailbox for $10,383 to repair cracks in the sidewalk outside her Valley Hi home. They trying to give us a heart attack, Gipson said. How are you gonna blame us for the cracks? It is not that bad and I dont think we should have to pay it at all. I asked them to waive us because were seniors, but no. Gipson, 73, is a U.S. Postal Service retiree. She and her husband Charles bought the home, on the corner of a quiet residential street in 1999, and are on a fixed income, she said. In just under two years, the city has sent bills to 2,300 Sacramento property owners charging them about $8 million to repair sidewalks outside their properties. The ownership of the sidewalk in front of a home gets confusing because the city and thereby its residents holds a right of way to use them. However, state law dictates that owners of lots shall maintain any sidewalk in such condition that the sidewalk will not endanger persons. Single-family and duplex homeowner bills range from a few hundred bucks to nearly $20,000. A disproportionate number of mandatory sidewalk repair bills go to property owners in the citys economically disadvantaged areas, such as Valley Hi, Meadowview and Noralto, according to a Sacramento Bee review of city and census data. About 56% of city sidewalk repair invoices since January 2022 went to property owners in census tracts where the median income is lower than $79,000, which is roughly equivalent to the citywide median income. Repairs in these poorer areas tended to be more expensive. The bill for repairs in those neighborhoods was roughly $4.9 million, or about 61% of the amount billed by the city. The average invoice in poorer areas was about $3,800, or about 5% of the annual income of a household earning the median for the city. For commercial parcels, the bills go all the way up to $75,903 for a single property. That includes properties owned by large out-of-state corporations but also small business owners, such as Oak Parks Plant Foundry, which was hit with a $15,000 bill earlier this year. The Gipsons ended up hiring a private contractor to fix the sidewalk so the city will not place a special assessment on the property. But dozens of other Sacramento property owners have special assessments now, due to unpaid sidewalk bills. Ola Gipson holds a letter in November from the city of Sacramento asking her to pay $10,838 to replace the sidewalk in front of her home in the Valley Hi neighborhood. For the fiscal year that ended in June, the city placed special assessments on 132 properties ranging from $60 to $7,000, according to a city staff report recently submitted to the City Council. Homeowners with unpaid special assessments can be penalized the same way as if they have unpaid property taxes. If taxes are not paid, the county fines the property owner. After three or more years of delinquency, the county could sell the property in a tax sale. Property owners cant appeal a sidewalk bill, but those who are noticed with special assessments have the option to protest, city spokeswoman Gabby Miller said. No notices were protested the current fiscal year, which started July 1, 2022. What triggers a sidewalk repair bill? A few houses down from the Gipsons, Emma Moore received a bill from the city for $9,090 to repair small cracks and holes in the sidewalk. Exactly what triggered the citys action in Moores case is unknown, Miller told The Bee. The process generally starts with an anonymous complaint of a defective sidewalk, followed by a city inspection in both directions up to 75 feet from the site to see if it is safe for pedestrians and to prevent the homeowner from being sued. If a bill is sent, the amount the city includes in the bill is the amount the homeowner is charged if it chooses to have the city contractor repair the sidewalk, Miller said. Homeowners also have a choice to hire another licensed contractor to repair it instead. Moore bought her duplex in 2004, where she lives with her two kids and two grandchildren, ages 3 and 15. Like Gipson, Moore assumed the citys sidewalk bill must have been sent by mistake. Desperate to get the bill decreased, Moore called the city inspector to come back out and reinspect the sidewalk, which appears to lack major damage, cracks or holes. Charles, left, and Ola Gipson stand in November near the white arrows a Sacramento city inspector painted on the portions of the sidewalk that the city wanted replaced. The Gipsons hired a private contractor to save some money on the proposed $10,383 bill. He showed me this three-inch crack and said, if someone was walking through here with a cane and it got caught in this little hole, and he tripped, you would be liable for it, Moore said. Moore was warned that if she did nothing, she risked a lien. Moore, who works as an educator at the Crocker Art Museum, felt she had no choice but to pull it from her savings, delaying her retirement. When we got the letter, it caused for worry, worry, worry, Moore, 64, said. We dont even feel the sidewalk is our responsibility. We feel its the citys. In the end, she chose to hire a contractor on her own, bringing her expected bill down from $9,000 to between $5,000 and $6,000, she said. Whos doing it differently? Not all California cities charge property owners for sidewalk repairs. While San Francisco, Fresno and San Jose also charge property owners, Los Angeles does not charge for initial repairs. San Diego often pays a portion of the bill to ease the burden on property owners. Los Angeles received federal funding to fix sidewalks in the 1970s, and kept paying after the funding ran out, according to the Los Angeles Times. A large backlog of sidewalk repairs and a class action lawsuit led city officials to pledge more than $1 billion for sidewalk repairs in the mid-2010s. The city also adopted a fix and release policy at the time pledging to fix a sidewalk, issue a limited warranty and then turn over responsibility for maintenance to the property owner. A pedestrian in Los Angeles avoids a sidewalk that badly needs repair in 2021. The city agreed in 2015 to spend $1.3 billion on sidewalk repair over three decades when it settled a lawsuit filed by disability rights advocates. San Diego launched a new program this month that waives permit fees of up to $2,100 for sidewalk repair projects. The city also allocated about $300,000 to fix sidewalks in underserved areas. Sacramentos sidewalk policy has been in the city code since 1978, and was last amended in 2010, when council allowed a temporary repair method called grinding, which is typically 30% cheaper, Miller said. To shift the cost fully to the city would require council action. The citys Fine and Fee Justice program, started last year, is designed to lessen the cost burden of various city fees on low-income residents. But the program currently only covers a portion of the fees for getting a vehicle back after its towed by police not sidewalk bills. After reviewing The Bees findings, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said he would ask the city auditor to look into the issue. Its never a bad idea to review a long-established practice, and Ill be asking our city auditor to take another look at our complaint-driven sidewalk repair process to make sure that it is not unfairly burdening the people who can least afford to pay, Steinberg said in a statement. Karen Reads defense attorneys are seeking to have communications between the Norfolk County District Attorneys Office and federal authorities made public. The request comes weeks after 25 Investigates reported that Norfolk DA Michael Morrissey had sent a letter to the Department of Justice in May, requesting that the federal probe of the Karen Read case be transferred out of Massachusetts, based on potential conflicts with the U.S. Attorneys Office in Boston. Morrisseys letter provides the first official confirmation that the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Massachusetts is looking into the arrest and prosecution of Read, whos accused of striking her Boston police officer boyfriend John OKeefe with her Lexus SUV and leaving him to die in a snowstorm. OKeefes body was found just after 6 a.m. on Jan. 29, 2022, outside the Canton home of another Boston officer named Brian Albert. Police charged Read with second-degree murder and said she struck OKeefe while driving in reverse after dropping him off at the Albert home following a night of drinking. The Norfolk DAs office wants that letter and others, that Morrisey and his first assistant exchanged with federal authorities in Boston and at the Department of Justice in Washington D.C., impounded. The DAs office shared the letters with Reads Defense team on December 4th as discovery. Discovery is the formal process for exchanging information in a court case. The communications include a letter Morrissey sent to Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston FBI office on November 22, 2023, according to the defense. The substance of that letter has not been revealed. In addition, Morrisseys lead prosecutor sent letters to Acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Josh Levy, in June and November of 2023. DA Morrissey posts video condemning the alleged ongoing harassment of witnesses in Karen Read case In those letters, Norfolk County First Assistant District Attorney Lynn Beland requested any findings in the federal probe that could impact the state prosecution of Read on her second-degree murder charge, according to the defense filing. In a public footnote about that communication, the Norfolk DAs office wrote that Acting U.S. Attorney Levy responded that he understands the DAs office has important discovery obligations and he will be back in touch, as circumstances dictate, the defense filing states. In their opposition motion, Reads lawyers describe the letters to Levy as fishing for federal grand jury materials under the guise of fulfilling NDOAs (Norfolk District Attorneys Office) discovery obligations to Ms. Read, and they have asked that all the correspondence be made public in Reads case file. 25 Investigates has reported a federal grand jury has questioned people identified by the DA as witnesses in the Read case. Reads lawyers claim shes been framed in a wide-ranging conspiracy by witnesses and law enforcement. When asked about the defenses opposition to impounding the letters, a spokesperson for the DAs office told Boston 25 Investigative Reporter Ted Daniel, The Commonwealth is comfortable that those matters can be adequately addressed at the hearing in Norfolk Superior Court on Friday. 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 Forty young Peking Opera enthusiasts performed the Peking Opera classic Prosperity Brought by the Dragon and the Phoenix to celebrate the new year on Jan. 1 in North China's Tianjin. The performers had an average age of eight, with the youngest being only four years old. Among them, dozens were kindergarteners making their debut on the Peking Opera stage. The Prosperity Brought by the Dragon and the Phoenix is a vintage work known for its majestic and lively scenes, large cast, and themes of the Chinese nation's journey of formation through diversity and unity. It is a beloved choice for families during the holiday season. According to Gao Hang, the artistic director of the show, this particular repertoire was performed once again by the child actors of the Cathay Future Teenagers and Children's Peking Opera Troupe after a hiatus of over 30 years. This performance involved a modest adaptation of the original play, condensing its length to two and a half hours. Zhao Qian, deputy chairman of the Cathay Future Foundation, expressed the foundation's commitment to promoting Peking Opera arts among children and fostering their profound love for national cultural art forms. In a petition filed on Wednesday, Donald Trump's lawyers ask the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the Colorado Supreme Court's determination that he is disqualified from that state's presidential primary ballot because he "engaged in insurrection" by inciting the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. The petition suggests several plausible reasons for rejecting that attempt to enforce Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which was originally aimed at preventing former Confederates from returning to public office after the Civil War. Section 3 says: "No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability." UCLA election law expert Richard Hasen describes Trump's petition as "a strong legal document" that "raises some serious, difficult questions" about how to interpret and apply that language. Here are seven of those questions: 1. Is Section 3 self-executing? Under Section 5 of the 14th Amendment, "the Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article." But the Colorado Supreme Court concluded that Section 3 is "enforceable as a constitutional disqualification without implementing legislation from Congress." In an influential 2023 law review article, University of Chicago law professor William Baude and University of St. Thomas law professor Michael Stokes Paulsen reach the same conclusion. While Congress could pass legislation to enforce Section 3, they say, that does not mean the provision has no effect without such legislation. That interpretation seems consistent with the second sentence of Section 3, which says Congress can "remove such disability," implying that the disqualification is otherwise automatic. But Congress did enact legislation aimed at enforcing Section 3 against former Confederates during Reconstruction, although it later approved broad amnesties that removed those disabilities. Dissenting Colorado Supreme Court Justice Carlos A. Samour Jr. argued that Section 3 is not self-executing, citing Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase's 1869 opinion to that effect. The Colorado Republican State Central Committee (CRSCC), in its own Supreme Court petition, argues that "Congress, and Congress alone, can enforce Section Three." It says the only plausibly relevant current statute is 18 USC 2383, which makes insurrection a federal crime and adds that anyone convicted of it "shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States." But as the CRSCC notes, Trump "has not been indicted under Section 2383, let alone tried and convicted," which it says "would be required to trigger application of Section Three." Trump's petition says that argument is "worthy of consideration" by the Supreme Court. But "even if section 3 does not require enforcement legislation to have effect," his lawyers say, "the lack of such legislation deprives the courts of judicially manageable standards." Echoing a concern that Samour raised, they note that the 14th Amendment does not say who has the authority to determine whether a candidate is disqualified under Section 3 or what standard of proof should apply. "The terms 'engage' and 'insurrection' are unclear and subject to wildly varying standards," they say. "The result is that 51 different jurisdictions may (and have) adopted divergent rulings based on different standards on the same set of operative facts." 2. Is the presidency a civil office "under the United States"? Although the answer might seem obvious, Section 3 specifically mentions senators, representatives, and presidential electors but not the head of the executive branch, who you might think would have been at the top of the list if that position was supposed to be included. "To find that section 3 includes the presidency, one must conclude that the drafters decided to bury the most visible and prominent national office in a catch-all term that includes low ranking military officers, while choosing to explicitly reference presidential electors," Trump's petition says. "This reading defies common sense." University of Richmond law professor Kurt Lash makes the same point. "It would be odd to stuff the highest office in the land into a general provision that included everything from postmasters to toll takers," he writes. "At best," he argues, "the text of Section 3 is ambiguous regarding the office of president." The original draft of Section 3 did specifically mention the president and the vice president, but those references were ultimately removed. Although that change seems like evidence that Section 3 does not cover the presidency or the vice presidency, the Colorado Supreme Court cited an exchange between two senators that suggests otherwise. The revised Section 3 "does not go far enough" because ex-Confederates "may be elected President or Vice President of the United States," Sen. Reverdy Johnson (DMd.) complained during the congressional debate over the 14th Amendment. "Why did you omit to exclude them?" Sen. Lot Morrill (RMaine) reassured Johnson: "Let me call the Senator's attention to the words 'or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States.'" Johnson conceded that "perhaps I am wrong as to the exclusion from the presidency," adding, "no doubt I am," but "I was misled by noticing the specific exclusion in the case of senators and representatives." 3. Is the president "an officer of the United States"? That phrase refers to the prior status of someone disqualified under Section 3. Again, it may seem obvious that the category includes the president. But Trump's lawyers note that "the phrase 'officer of the United States' appears in three constitutional provisions apart from section 3, and in each of these constitutional provisions the president is excluded from the meaning of this phrase." The Appointments Clause "requires the president to appoint ambassadors, public ministers and consuls, justices of the Supreme Court, and 'all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law.'" The Commissions Clause "requires the President to 'Commission all the Officers of the United States.'" Since the president "does not (and cannot) appoint or commission himself," Trump's lawyers argue, those clauses imply that the president is not "an officer of the United States" under the Constitution. Similarly, the Impeachments Clause says "the President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors." Trump's lawyers say that language likewise suggests Trump was not "an officer of the United States" when he served as president. 4. Did Trump take an oath to "support the Constitution"? That language tracks with the oaths taken by members of Congress, state legislators, and "all executive and judicial officers," as specified in Article VI. But the presidential oath, described in Article II, is worded differently, requiring the oath taker to "preserve, protect and defend" the Constitution. The Colorado Supreme Court thought that amounted to pretty much the same thing, saying "the language of the presidential oath" is "consistent with the plain meaning of the word 'support.'" But Trump's lawyers argue that the difference in wording underlines the distinction between the president and other government officials. "The drafters of section 3 had before them both the Article VI and Article II oaths," they say, "and they chose to apply section 3 only to those who took Article VI oaths." 5. Was the Capitol riot an "insurrection"? Two weeks after the riot, Indiana University law professor Gerard Magliocca, who in 2020 wrote "the first scholarly account" of Section 3, said he was "unable to find any particularly helpful authority" on the question of what counts as an "insurrection." In the 1860s and 1870s, he noted, "everyone understood that the insurrection in question was the Confederacy, and no thought was given to what other insurrections might look like." Magliocca nevertheless thought the Capitol riot could plausibly be described as an insurrection, since "the mob was seeking to halt or overturn a core constitutional function at the seat of government, which can reasonably be described as an attempt to replace law with force." More recently, he has taken a firmer stance, telling Boston's NPR station, "I think that January 6 constitutes an insurrection within the meaning of Section 3." Trump's lawyers unsurprisingly take a different view. Given the historical context, they say, "'insurrection' as understood at the time of the passage of the Fourteenth Amendment meant the taking up of arms and waging war upon the United States." That is notably different, they argue, from what happened at the U.S. Capitol in 2021 or from what happened the previous year in Portland, Oregon, where "violent protestors targeted the federal courthousefor over 50 days, repeatedly assaulted federal officers and set fire to the courthouse, all in support of a purported political agenda opposed to the authority of the United States." Such incidents, they say, reflect "a long history of political protests that have turned violent," which are a far cry from what Section 3's framers had in mind. 6. Did Trump "engage in" an "insurrection"? "I think that former President Trump engaged in insurrection before and on January 6," Magliocca says. So do Baude and Paulsen, who make an originalist case for a broad reading of Section 3 that they say clearly covers Trump's conduct. In reaching the same conclusion, the Colorado Supreme Court relied heavily on the final report from the House select committee that investigated the riot and the testimony of Chapman University sociologist Peter Simi. Simi opined that Trump "developed and employed a coded language based in doublespeak that was understood between himself and far-right extremists, while maintaining a claim to ambiguity among a wider audience." Since Trump was speaking in code when he gave his inflammatory pre-riot speech at the Ellipse, the court reasoned, divining his intent requires going beyond the surface meaning of his words. He may have talked about "peacefully and patriotically" marching on the Capitol, the majority said, but "his violent supporters" knew what he really meant. And when he urged them to "fight like hell," they knew he meant that literally. As Trump's lawyers note, Simi's testimony was based solely on the January 6 committee's report and his interpretation of Trump's public speeches. Simi conceded that he was not in a position to say what was "in President Trump's mind" when he gave his speech at the Ellipse. When asked whether he had "evidence that it was President Trump's intention to call them to action," Simi replied that his testimony "is not addressing that issue." Yet "the district court used Simi's testimony to support its factual finding that President Trump intended to incite violence," Trump's petition notes, and the Colorado Supreme Court agreed with that conclusion. 7. Is Section 3 a bar to running for office? Baude and Paulsen argue that Section 3 "can and should be enforced by every official, state or federal, who judges qualifications" of political candidates. In this case, they say, that means all of those officials have a duty to exclude Trump from the ballot. But Trump's lawyers argue that Section 3 "merely bars individuals from holding office, not from seeking or winning election to office." They note that "Congress can remove a section 3 disqualification at any time," which means it could "remove that disability after a candidate is elected but before his term begins." These complications might make you wonder whether Trump's opponents are relying on the wrong amendment to stop him from running for president again. Given his continued insistence that he actually won reelection in 2020, the 22nd Amendment seems more promising. The post 7 Reasons Trump's Lawyers Say He Is Not Disqualified From Running for President appeared first on Reason.com. A 75-year-old man accidentally set himself on fire when he tried using a lighter to open a bag of chips, a Georgia official said. The fire broke out at about 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 3 in Dalton, a spokesperson for the city said in a news release. When firefighters arrived at the apartment complex three minutes later, they found the man and the recliner he was sitting in had been burned in a blaze. Maintenance workers helped limit the fire with a hose until firefighters arrived, officials said. In their investigation, firefighters said they learned the man had used the lighter when he couldnt open the bag of chips with his hands. He sustained third-degree burns on roughly 75% of his body, city officials said. He was rushed to a hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee, then transferred to a burn center. Dalton officials said they didnt know which burn center he was moved to or what his condition was as of Jan. 4. Some chips are flammable because they are primarily made of carbohydrates and oil, CNET reported in 2022. Theyre high in calories and fat, which makes them conducive to starting fires, according to a study conducted at the University of Greenwich. Dalton is in northwest Georgia, about 90 miles northwest of Atlanta. Woman shot and set on fire dies, Mississippi cops say. Officials look for suspect Unusual Tesla fire requires 36,000 gallons of water to put out, Alabama officials say Young brothers ages 4 and 5 die in mobile home fire, South Carolina coroner says Deputy shot by man during a fiery standoff over stolen cigarettes, Florida cops say The number of injured in a Russian attack against an industrial facility in Kropyvnytskyi, Kirovohrad Oblast, on the morning of Jan. 4 has risen to eight, the State Emergency Service said. One person was reported as killed. The injured victims, who are employees of the enterprise, suffered shrapnel wounds and have been provided medical care, Governor Andrii Raikovych noted. Falling debris damaged several buildings and set fire to a car, which firefighters promptly extinguished, the State Emergency Service said. Ukraine's energy operator, Ukrenergo, later said that the enterprise damaged in the attack was its repair and production facility. The person killed and four of the injured were Ukrenergo's employees, the company said. Overhead lines were also reportedly damaged by falling debris, resulting in outages. The governor reported on the attack earlier on Jan. 4, initially saying that one person was killed and one injured. At around 2:20 p.m. local time, the Air Force warned that another missile was heading toward the city. Kropyvnytskyi, with a population of around 220,000, is the administrative center of Kirovohrad Oblast in central Ukraine. Read also: French Foreign Ministry on Belgorod strike: Russia bears full responsibility for human casualties Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. At least 1,645 Belarusian men and women have been detained for expressing anti-war views since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 82 of them have been convicted of criminal offences and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 1 to 23 years. Source: the Belarusian human rights centre Viasna Details: Human rights activists say that 13 individuals in Belarus have been convicted of railway sabotage and given a total sentence of 199.5 years of imprisonment. At least 35 people have been convicted of sharing photos and videos of Russian military equipment in the media, and 13 individuals have been sentenced for intending to fight on the side of Ukraine. At least 26 individuals have been prosecuted for publicly condemning Russian aggression, donating to Belarusian volunteers, and supporting Ukraine. People in Belarus are persecuted for openly supporting Ukraine and arrested under the administrative offences code. Belarusians can be detained for: expressing support for Ukraine on social media, using the Glory to Ukraine salute, displaying the Ukrainian flag in their social media avatars, singing the Ukrainian national anthem in karaoke, sharing old photos that include the Ukrainian flag, writing "No to war!", laying flowers at the Ukrainian embassy, and wearing blue and yellow ribbons. Support UP or become our patron! SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Were halfway through the week, and were now moving into a much more active weather pattern that will take us through at least the next seven days. Our first storm system will move through Wednesday. Given its track, moisture will favor the southern two-thirds of the state with scattered showers. Most of what well see will be snow, however, in lower elevation portions of southern Utah like St. George, well mainly see rain. Weather advisories issued for southern Utah ahead of Wednesdays storm Theres a winter weather advisory for the southern mountains now in place and that will run through Thursday evening. In northern Utah, while the chance of wet weather isnt all that high, a few isolated showers will be possible from later Wednesday through the first half of Thursday. Any moisture up north will favor the high country and the further north of I-80 you go, the less likely it is youll find wet weather. Outside of any rain or snow, skies will be mostly cloudy with daytime highs that run in the 30s and 40s for most across the state. Even though the chance of any wet weather is low up north, increased winds will help mix our inversions out and weve already seen decent improvements in air quality with more of that in store. Snow accumulations through Thursday will again favor the southern half of the state. In general, the southern mountains will likely see between 5-10 inches while the central mountains could land between 3-8 inches with locally higher amounts in both instances. Southern and central valleys could get between a trace and 4 inches of snow. St. George is expected to see mainly rain. In Northern Utah, the chance of seeing any snow lessens the further north you go, but northern mountains could see up to 4 inches while the Cottonwoods could see a little bit more if everything comes together. IF northern valleys get snow, minor accumulations cant be ruled out. Even though accumulations in valleys are not likely to be significant, tricky travel conditions will be possible, especially tonight through Thursday morning. The storm system will begin to move east of Utah from Thursday morning into the afternoon. The chance of spotty snow showers will gradually dwindle as daytime highs come down by about 5-10 degrees in most locations. Thursday night looks quiet, but that calm will be short-lived. A quick hitter of a system will drop in the from the northwest on Friday and this storm looks to favor northern Utah with a chance for decent accumulations. Our active weather will continue to roll on as we move through the weekend into next week with what is becoming increasingly likely in a strong storm dropping in over the weekend, then another quick hitter by the middle of next week. This storm looks like it will bring widespread snow to the Beehive State as temperatures dive below seasonal norms. Well continue to fine tune all the specific details of these storms and keep you posted! With Utahs 4Warn Forecast both on-air and online you can stay on top of all the weather changes the Beehive State has to offer! We are Good4Utah! For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Gays resignation Tuesday, which marked the shortest tenure for a president at the Ivy League institution, followed weeks of criticism for plagiarism allegations and her handling of antisemitism on campus. Prominent civil rights activists are rallying behind Claudine Gay following her resignation as president of Harvard University in what they believe is a racist attack on Black leaders, particularly women. Politico reported that Gay, the first Black woman to lead the Ivy League institution, announced her resignation on Tuesday following weeks of criticism for plagiarism allegations and her handling of antisemitism on campus. Those who had relentlessly campaigned to oust me since the fall often trafficked in lies and ad hominem insults, not reasoned argument, Gay wrote in the New York Times Wednesday. They recycled tired racial stereotypes about Black talent and temperament. They pushed a false narrative of indifference and incompetence. My inbox has been flooded with invective, including death threats. Ive been called the N-word more times than I care to count. Claudine Gay speaks during a hearing of the House Committee on Education on Capitol Hill last month. Gay, the first Black woman president of Harvard University, announced her resignation on Tuesday. (Photo by Mark Schiefelbein/AP, File) Her resignation letter and a statement from Harvards governor board, which stood behind her presidency, said she faced personal attacks and threats fueled by racial animus, according to Politico. President Gays resignation is about more than a person or a single incident, Rev. Al Sharpton said in a Tuesday statement. This is an attack on every Black woman in this country whos put a crack in the glass ceiling. Sharpton, who called the departure an assault on the health, strength and future of diversity, equity and inclusion, fired back at Harvard alum and billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, who was among Gays leading critics as he urged her to step down and implied that her race partially motivated her hiring. Most of all, Sharpton opined, this was the result of Bill Ackmans relentless campaign against President Gay, not because of her leadership or credentials but because he felt she was a DEI hire. The civil rights activist, radio show host and MSNBC political analyst shared plans for his group, the National Action Network, to protest Thursday at Ackmans New York headquarters. Recommended Stories University Presidents Testify In House Hearing On Campus Antisemitism Featured When Dr. Claudine Gay was under attack, Black Harvard alumni rallied to save her job Natasha S. Alford Claudine Gay antisemitism hearing News Fox News host says Harvards Black president fails to address campus antisemitism TheGrio Staff Politics Harvard president apologizes for remarks on antisemitism as pressure mounts on Penns president Associated Press News St. Louis suburb scrutinized after 2014 shooting death of Michael Brown to pay $2.9M Associated Press Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron News Daniel Cameron, who oversaw Breonna Taylor case, appointed CEO of anti-woke group TheGrio Staff Marla Frederick becomes first Black woman to lead Harvard Featured Marla Frederick becomes first Black woman to lead Harvards divinity school TheGrio Staff University Presidents Testify In House Hearing On Campus Antisemitism Featured Claudine Gay, white outrage and the myth of the diversity hire Michael Harriot If he doesnt think Black Americans belong in the C-Suite, the Ivy League, or any other hallowed halls, said Sharpton, well make ourselves at home outside his office. Ackman consistently shared his disdain for Gay on his X account and penned an open letter to Harvard condemning her for not denouncing the October Hamas assault on Israel in her initial statement. President Gay resigned because she lost the confidence of the University at large due to her actions and inactions and other failures of leadership, Ackman posted on X on Tuesday as he addressed backlash regarding his involvement in Gays resignation. Gay resigned because it was untenable for her to remain President of Harvard due to her failings of leadership. Last month, Morehouse College President David Thomas criticized Ackman for remarks on X in which he stated that Harvards presidential search committee would not consider a candidate who did not meet the DEI offices criteria. Mr. Ackman and others are right to call attention to issues of antisemitism at his alma mater where he attended as a Jewish student, Thomas noted on LinkedIn, Politico reported. To turn the question to the legitimacy of President Gays selection because she is a black woman is a dog whistle we have heard before: black and female, equal not qualified. We must call it out. Never miss a beat: Get our daily stories straight to your inbox with theGrios newsletter. The post Activists see Claudine Gays resignation as Harvard president as a racist attack appeared first on TheGrio. In 2022, when the performing arts scene in China was facing the unprecedented challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese and Russian artists worked together to bring out a Chinese version of the Russian musical Anna Karenina, which toured China and became a hit. Now, as everything returns to normal and live performances are booming once more, the original version of the Russian musical is on tour in China. From Dec 1 to Jan 27, the Russian musical visits nine cities, including Beijing, Harbin in Heilongjiang province, Hangzhou in Zhejiang province and the Sichuan provincial capital, Chengdu. "We released the Chinese version of the musical Anna Karenina during the pandemic," says the Russian director of the musical, Alina Chevik. "I could not come to China, so I attended rehearsals online. That was the main difficulty of the work, which was an unforgettable experience. "I believe that art has no boundaries. We may speak different languages, but when we become one team, burning with one idea and dedicated to one task, all our differences become insignificant. We have many differences in understanding the work process, but the fact that we are willing to meet each other in solving any problems is very valuable and is the main thing in any collaboration." The musical, Anna Karenina, was adapted from Leo Tolstoy's iconic novel, and follows the dramatic and ill-fated love story between the married protagonist and a dashing military officer, Alexey Vronsky. The characters struggle with overwhelming love and betrayal, passion and duty, hope and desperation. Directed by Chevik and choreographed by Irina Korneeva, the Russian musical premiered in 2016 in Moscow with a score by Roman Ignatyev and a libretto by Yuri Kim. Over 40 songs of the musical feature a wide range of genres, such as pop, rock and opera. The choreography also covers different styles, such as classical ballet and contemporary dance. The main location of the musical is a train and many scenes take place against the backdrop of the train and the railway station. Throughout the performance, a huge wheel suspended from the ceiling turns, which serves a reminder of the destiny and fate of the protagonist. The director says that she first read the novel in school and the inner struggles of the married and in-love Anna Karenina were "incomprehensible" to her at that time. "Several years later, I read the novel again. Then, every one of her actions irritated me, and I hated her with all my soul. Before the staging, I read the novel once more, and suddenly I felt sorry for Anna. It seemed to me that I understood her passionate protest. I felt as if I sensed her desire to be happy. I understood that there is a bit of Anna Karenina in every woman. I understood, accepted, and loved her," Chevik says. "Tolstoy's novel is vast. Of course, we had to sacrifice some characters and plotlines," the director adds." Our librettist and poet Yuri Kim did an excellent job. We strengthened Anna's storyline, bringing her to the forefront, which allowed for a greater understanding of her tragedy." As a director, Chevik says that she is a "sincere follower" of Stanislavsky's system (highly influential system of theater training developed over years of trial and error by the Russian actor, producer, and theoretician Konstantin Stanislavsky). "For me, the most important thing is the truthful existence of the actor onstage, the honesty of their experiences and emotions. In my musicals, I try to combine the classical Russian school of experiential theater with the visual effectiveness and technological sophistication of the show," Chevik says. Anfisa Kirillina, who plays the titular role in the musical, says that "Anna is sensitive and brave. Before she met Vronsky, she didn't understand love, even though she got married and became a mother. Love means the whole world to her so she decided to leave her husband and her child to pursue her true love. At the same time, she is fearful and struggles inside. Her fate is tragic, but that's her choice. Her character is rich in complexity." During the Beijing stop, six shows were staged within four days, from Friday to Monday, attracting packed audiences who celebrated the new year by having a theater experience. "The most striking part of the production was the sets and costumes, which evoked the lavish excess of the 19th-century Russian aristocracy," says an audience member surnamed Mo, who watched the original version of the Russian musical in Beijing on Friday. "The scenery in the musical transitions seamlessly from the train station to the concert hall and the ice rink. I really enjoyed this reimagining of the timeless classic," Mo adds. American actor Mickey Rourke announced on his Instagram on Jan 1 that he was supporting a $1 million fundraiser through the NGO One World Aid Alliance to support building homes in the front-line city of Kherson. The One World Aid Alliance charity fund is run by the actor's friend from Mykolaiv, Dmytro Korniychuk, who has been working with Rourke for ten years. Read also: French Actress Eva Green displays a scarf from a special collection of Ukrainian artists "I know you [Ukrainians] are going through a lot of very terrible s**t," Rourke said. I have an assistant and a friend who has been working with me for 10 years. Dima is from Ukraine, and I love him very much. He has 12 family members in Ukraine. My message to all the people in Ukraine is that this has nothing to do with bulls**t politics. Our goal is to rebuild homes in Kherson and provide a safe place to the families who have lived through these difficult times. We are trying to raise $1 million and help all the people who are in bad shape and are really suffering. Read also: Renowned Ukrainian actor, director Andrew Pavlenko dies from war wounds The actor previously said in 2020 that he wants to be buried in Ukraine. Mickey Rourke willed that his grave be located in the village of Zahirtsi, Khmelnytskyi 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 (KRON) Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) was in Salinas Wednesday morning where he received an endorsement from the United Farm Workers union. The endorsement was another boost for Schiff in his bid to win the United States Senate seat occupied for decades by the late Dianne Feinstein. Im proud to receive the endorsement of United Farm Workers! Schiff posted on Facebook. Rain or shine, farm workers feed the nation. In the U.S. Senate, I look forward to working arm in arm with UFW for better pay and safer working conditions for these essential workers who put food on our table. UFW is the largest farmworkers union in the country, representing thousands of workers across the State of California. Recent polls have seen Schiff gain ground as a clear front runner in Californias Senate race. According to a Public Policy Institute of California poll from mid-November, Schiff was supported by 21% of those surveyed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Mayor Adams administration filed a lawsuit Thursday charging that 17 charter bus companies owe New York City at least $708 million for dropping off tens of thousands of migrants in the five boroughs as part of a controversial program launched by Texas Republican governor. The suit, submitted in Manhattan Supreme Court, alleges that the mostly Texas-based companies violated New Yorks Social Services Law by contracting with Gov. Greg Abbotts administration to bus more than 33,600 migrants from the Lone Star State to the Big Apple with little or no coordination with city officials since 2022. The state law holds that anyone who knowingly brings a person to New York for the purpose of making him a public charge is responsible to support him at his own expense. Thereby, the suit argues the bus operators should be on the hook to reimburse the city for the $708 million it has so far spent on providing shelter, food, health care and other services for the thousands of migrants they transported to New York City. Governor Abbotts continued use of migrants as political pawns is not only chaotic and inhumane but makes clear he puts politics over people, Adams, a centrist Democrat, said in a video message from City Hall. Todays lawsuit should serve as a warning to all those who break the law in this way. The bus operators named as defendants could not be immediately reached for comment. In a statement issued by his office, Abbott blasted the new lawsuit as baseless and said Adams administration deserves to be sanctioned by a court for filing it. Its clear that Mayor Adams knows nothing about the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, or about the constitutional right to travel that has been recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court, the governors statement said. Every migrant bused or flown to New York City did so voluntarily, after having been authorized by the Biden administration to remain in the United States. As such, they have constitutional authority to travel across the country that Mayor Adams is interfering with. Abbott, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, started sending migrants to New York and other liberal cities at the outset of the asylum seeker crisis in 2022 in a bid to highlight what he considers Democrats overly lax immigration policies. Adams and other Democrats have blasted Abbott for the move, saying hes putting migrants lives at risk and using them as political pawns. Other states, including Democrat-run ones like Colorado, have also sent migrants to New York, but Adams says the Abbott operation is different because Texas refuses to give city officials any heads up on buses arriving. Thursdays lawsuit was filed on the Adams administrations behalf by Steve Banks, a former commissioner of the city Department of Social Services. Banks, who brought the suit pro bono in his capacity as a special counsel at the Paul, Weiss law firm, is also fighting the Adams administration in Manhattan Supreme Court over its attempt to suspend the citys right-to-shelter mandate. In that case, Banks is helping the Legal Aid Society and the Coalition for the Homeless argue against the Adams administrations claim that the city should be absolved of its right-to-shelter requirements amid the migrant crisis. Kayla Mamelak, a spokeswoman for Adams, said theres no conflict in Banks representing the administration in one migrant crisis-related case and fighting it in another. Its two completely unrelated cases, she said. The legal action against the bus companies comes as Adams is fighting on multiple fronts to stop Abbott from continuing his migrant busing program. Last week, the mayor issued an executive order that requires bus companies to give his administration at least 32-hours notice before they drop off migrants in the city. The order also set a strict time window for when buses can drop off migrants only between 8:30 a.m. and noon on weekdays. Any bus companies that violate the order can be fined or have their vehicles impounded under the order. Some bus companies have found a workaround from Adams order by dropping off migrants in New Jersey, where theyre shepherded onto city-bound trains. On Tuesday, Adams said he hopes New Jersey municipalities close to New York City follow his lead on setting strict rules around when bus companies can do migrant drop-offs. Everyone that has that train line that leads into the city, everyone in the municipalities around us they should do the same [executive order], he told reporters. According to the latest data from City Hall, the Adams administration has spent around $3.5 billion on sheltering and providing services for the tens of thousands of mostly Latin American migrants who have arrived since spring 2022. Nearly 70,000 migrants remain in city shelters. New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) on Thursday announced he is suing more than a dozen bus and transportation companies that bused migrants to the city amid an ongoing debate over handling an influx of migrants at the southern border. The citys suit, filed against 17 charter companies, is seeking $708 million to cover the costs of caring for migrants sent to the Big Apple over the past 20 months. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) began sending buses carrying migrants who crossed the U.S. southern border to Democratic-led cities in April 2022 in protest of the Biden administrations handling of the situation at the border. An estimated 33,600 migrants have been sent directly to New York City since Abbott began sending the buses, Adamss office said. New York City has and will always do our part to manage this humanitarian crisis, but we cannot bear the costs of reckless political ploys from the state of Texas alone, Adams said in a statement. Today, we are taking legal action against 17 companies that have taken part in Texas Governor Abbotts scheme to transport tens of thousands of migrants to New York City in an attempt to overwhelm our social services system. Adams claimed these companies have violated state law by not covering the cost of care for the migrants, whom he says are being treated like political pawns by Abbott. The suit points to Section 149 of the New York Social Services law, which requires any person who knowingly brings, or causes to be brought a needy person from out of state into this state for the purpose of making him a public charge shall be obligated to convey such person out of state or support him at his own expense. The suit comes nearly a week after Adams issued an emergency executive order restricting migrant bus arrivals into the city. The order required bus operators who knew they were transportation migrants to the city with fares paid for by a third party to provide notice at least 32 hours ahead of their arrival. Adams has repeatedly sounded the alarm over the past year, calling for more resources to help the city deal with the migrant influx, claiming the city does not have enough resources to deal with the influx of migrants. The city has been under a state of emergency since October 2022 in the wake of the unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Abbott on Thursday railed against what he called the baseless suit. Its clear that Mayor Adams knows nothing about the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, or about the constitutional right to travel that has been recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court, Abbott wrote in a statement. Every migrant bused or flown to New York City did so voluntarily, after having been authorized by the Biden Administration to remain in the United States. As such, they have constitutional authority to travel across the country that Mayor Adams is interfering with. The governor argued that the suit should be sanctioned and Adams may be held legally accountable for violations. Asked earlier in the day about the backlash from some city mayors in an an interview with Fox Business Networks Varney & Co, Abbott said they should be embarrassed because it is utter hypocrisy. For all for one, all these mayors of sanctuary cities. And they say, Oh, bring us your migrants, Abbott continued. And we sent them migrants and now theyre complaining about it. It shows theyre hypocrites. It shows that Democrats truly are a party against illegal immigrants, except when its confined only to states like Texas. Abbott argued small towns in Texas, such as Eagle Pass and Del Rio, have no capability of dealing with these illegal immigrants. Adamss lawsuit alleges the 17 defendant companies knowingly implemented Governor Abbotts publicly articulated plan without any regard for the individuals they were transporting or an effort to help manage this humanitarian crisis. His office said these buses have engaged in bad faith conduct where the bus and transportation companies profit from the situation. Updated at 6:00 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (Bloomberg) -- The African Union and the US called on Ethiopia and Somalia to de-escalate tensions in a region thats situated on the approach to a global shipping choke-point. Most Read from Bloomberg A diplomatic spat erupted this week when Ethiopia, the worlds most-populous landlocked nation, signed a pact with Somaliland, a breakaway enclave of Somalia, to give the nation access to the Red Sea. Somalia rejected the accord calling it an act of aggression against Somalias sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Somalilands Council of Ministers issued a stern warning that it would take appropriate action against those who tried to disrupt or oppose the memorandum of understanding, it said in a statement. The African Union and the US joined the European Union in weighing in on the dispute thats brewing near a route that accounts for 12% of global trade the Bab El-Mandeb strait, which leads to the Red Sea and Suez Canal. While the AU asked both parties to respect each others territorial integrity, the EU reminded Ethiopia of the importance of Somalias sovereignty and the US urged them to engage in dialog. The AU Commission Chief Moussa Faki Mahamat called on the two countries to refrain from any action that unintentionally may lead to a deterioration of the good relations between the two neighboring eastern African countries, according to a statement on its website Wednesday. The US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said we join other partners in expressing our serious concern as well about the resulting spike in tensions in the Horn of Africa. The US recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia within its 1960 borders. The agreement announced in Addis Ababa on Monday, days after Somalia agreed to resume talks with Somaliland following years of deadlock, will grant Ethiopia a 50-year lease to establish a naval base and commercial maritime services on the strategically important Gulf of Aden. In exchange, Somaliland will get a stake in Ethiopian Airlines. Somalilands council of ministers said in the statement Wednesday, Ethiopia will also recognize its sovereignty. Ethiopia has said the government will make an in-depth assessment of whether it would grant recognition to the breakaway region. (Updates with US comments from paragraph one. An earlier version corrected day of week in paragraph five.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. LANSING, Mich. (WOOD) A Grand Haven man has been charged with nine felonies after reports of Meijer mPerks points being stolen, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced at a Thursday news conference. Nicholas Mui, 22, has been charged with one count of conducting a criminal enterprise, one count of using a computer to commit a crime and seven counts of identity theft, Nessel said. The first two charges are 20-year felonies, while identity theft is a five-year felony. Meijer customers and mPerks account holders had their mPerks accounts compromised, login credentials sold online and their accrued purchase points stolen and used fraudulently, Nessel said at the news conference in Lansing. In April and May 2023, Nessel said, Meijer received complaints from customers of vanishing points on mPerks accounts. A joint investigation involving Meijer, the AGs FORCE team and the Michigan State Police led authorities to find encrypted chats in foreign online markets, where mPerks account credentials were being offered for sale, advertised with the corresponding points contained within each account, Nessel said. Among the sellers, Nessel said, investigators identified a primary suspect: Mui. While executing a search warrant at Muis Ottawa County home, authorities found a significant amount of evidence and seized over $20,000 in cash, as well as $460,000 in digital currency wallets, according to the attorney general. Its alleged that Nicholas Mui obtained hacked login credentials, cross-referenced those credentials for access success with the mPerks infrastructure and then sold those login credentials username, email address, password and PIN on the internet for the wrongful use of buyers, Nessel said. And the purchasers of those login credentials then used those point balances to fund their own purchases from Meijer. Investigators believe they have apprehended the main operative and driver of this sophisticated, widespread criminal enterprise with the charges against Mui, according to Nessel. While the Grand Haven resident has been charged with seven counts of identity theft, correlating to victims from Bay, Emmet, Ingham, Kent, Livingston, Marquette and St. Joseph counties, Nessel said there are many more victims. Its apparent this crime was committed against hundreds of accounts and Meijer customers, she said. According to the attorney general, Meijer has taken on the cost of the thefts. All verified theft victims have been reimbursed for their lost points, she said. Meijer has reinstated the full previous balance of accrued points to the affected customers suffering thefts, at a corporate loss estimated to exceed a million dollars. Nessel said investigators do not believe Meijers platform was hacked. Rather, they believe the login credentials came from other data breaches on separate platforms, particularly a major breach of health app MyFitnessPal that happened years ago. Consumers should heed this warning and exercise smart password discipline, Nessel said. If youre notified of a data breach, any data breach, you should be changing your login credentials not just with that breach point platform, but also with any other accounts for which youve used the same login credentials. Mui was arraigned Dec. 27 in 59th District Court. His next court appearance is set for Jan. 9. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. The removal of mangroves along the shoreline of an Anna Maria Island home is raising concerns among residents and environmental advocates as state officials investigate. The property owners, a Massachusetts couple that owns a real estate and development company, said they had permission to remove the mangroves and plans to eventually install a seawall. The site on Gull Drive, where they are building a three-story home, was previously issued a permit by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) that allowed for limited removal of mangroves before the seawall installation. I get that people might be upset with mangrove removal. But thats not our issue. FDEP has told me that we had all right to take the mangroves out, said Jackie Sharp, one of the homeowners. Were just trying to build a house and stay within regulations, Theo Sharp said. The project had not yet received permits required to install a seawall by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) or the City of Anna Maria when a contractor started chopping up a large fringe of the protected marine trees in early December, alarming neighbors. FDEP is now investigating whether the mangrove removal was within the bounds granted by the state. In an email available in public records, an FDEP official noted that the removal, which was performed by a local contractor, may not have followed best management practices designed to protect the environment. Protected under Florida law, mangroves provide numerous benefits to the coastal ecosystem and the people who live there. The states Fish and Wildlife Research Institute notes they provide habitat and nursery grounds for fish, stabilize the shoreline, protect against storm surge and help maintain water quality by trapping sediment and removing pollutants. Despite their benefits, the state permits mangrove removal in some instances, such as seawall and dock installations. A turbidity barrier was recently installed along the shore of an Anna Maria property where a seawall is planned. Residents said the barrier was not in place during the recent removal of mangroves, allowing fill dirt to run off into the watershed. Residents report mangrove cutting The mangrove removal came to the attention of local authorities when Anna Maria residents reported it in early December. Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said the city received a complaint on Dec. 4 about extensive removal and alteration of mangroves at the property. The home is located along a network of water channels from Tampa Bay that reach the interior part of the barrier island. As a result of this complaint, City staff visited the property and confirmed that mangroves had been removed and fill dirt had been added in its place, Murphy wrote. This scope of work is associated with building permit ACC22-000153 to build a seawall, which has not been issued. The city posted a stop-work order on Dec. 6, Murphy said. However, watchful residents soon saw the mangrove removal resume. Images sent to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection by the City of Anna Maria show the extent of a mangrove removal that is under investigation by the state. Ronnie Leto, who lives across the water from the property, said he was hanging Christmas lights on Dec. 12 when he saw construction equipment rip through the mangroves again, despite the stop-work order. When he couldnt find anyone at Anna Maria City Hall, Leto tracked down a sheriffs deputy. Leto said the deputy went to the property and told the contractor to stop. The next day, city staff visited the property and found that someone had removed the stop-work order and workers were again taking out mangroves, Murphy said. The stop-work order was later reposted by city officials. City officials also alerted FDEP of the mangrove removal, including photos. It is our understanding that the Army Corps and FDEP agencies are currently investigating and the stop-work order for the seawall remains posted, Murphy said in an email on Friday. Leto estimates that a little more than half of the propertys mangroves were removed. I am trying everything possible to stop the complete removal of the rest of the mangroves that exist within ... that property line, Leto said. Were losing our natural environment. He also opposes the installation of a seawall. Nothing is going to grow there, Leto said. A project description submitted to USACE said that about 200 square feet of mangrove would be impacted. After reporting the mangrove removal and speaking to a local news outlet, Leto said he received an ominous message from the contractor performing the mangrove removal. A screenshot shows a message that Anna Maria resident Ronnie Leto said he received from a contractor after reporting the removal of mangroves along the shore of a property where a new home is being constructed. The number has been removed for privacy. A screenshot of a text provided by Leto reads: Red tag lifted and mangroves are gonna get executed just like the DEP gave me exemption. The text message came from a phone number that belongs to Frank Agnelli, one of the operators of Bradenton building company Mason Martin, according to a records search. Agnelli did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Was mangrove removal authorized? The Florida Department of Environmental Protection regulates mangrove trimming and removal in Florida. State legislators preempted that authority from local governments, which may apply to take back the role of enforcing mangrove protection rules. For example, Pinellas County and Hillsborough County officials conduct their own mangrove enforcement. FDEP issued an exemption for the site in September 2022 allowing for the construction of a seawall, approximately 116 feet long and two feet wide, as well as 815 square feet of fill material to level land behind the seawall. The exemption also allowed for limited mangrove alteration and removal ... within the footprint of the seawall, FDEP spokesperson Brian Humphreys said in an email. But FDEPs exemption letter notes that permits from other agencies may have been required before construction began. In this case, the installation of a seawall also required permits from the City of Anna Maria and USACE. In a large majority of cases, if a property owner is doing something that affects the water of the United States, they will also have to submit to USACE, USACE spokesperson David Ruderman said. That permit is still in the application process and has not been approved. Images sent from the City of Anna Maria to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection show the extent of a mangrove removal that is under investigation by the state. As you are aware, the Corps is currently reviewing your request for a permit to construct a seawall, a USACE representative wrote to Jackie Sharp on Dec. 13. The attached pictures show a potentially unauthorized activity, that is, the removal of mangroves. I will be coordinating with our enforcement manager, but he is currently out of the office for the holidays. Please cease any additional work within waters of the United States, including but not limited to, mangrove removal. In response, Sharp said that she had been trying to get in touch with USACE for months regarding the status of the permit application. We have tried to be diligent about complying with any requests that you may have, but we cannot do that when you will not communicate with us, Sharps email said. I am unaware of the unauthorized activity you are referring to but look forward to working with you to resolve any issue that exists in a timely manner. FDEP is now investigating the construction activity at the site. Humphreys said an investigation report could be released as soon as this week. If it is determined that unauthorized mangrove alteration has occurred, DEP may pursue enforcement against all responsible parties, Humphreys wrote. On Dec. 21, USACE was still determining whether it had the resources to visit the site for an inspection. We do not have the staff to oversee every single case, Ruderman said. An update on USACEs investigation was not available Wednesday morning. Property owners respond The Sharps said the plan to install a seawall was inspired by a neighboring property. There are a lot of other seawalls around, Jackie Sharp said. Its an aesthetic thing. Its upsetting to me that were in this situation. Were getting bullied over this. She said that people who are concerned about the impacts of mangrove removal should take it up with government officials and agencies who regulate it. Were in compliance, as far as we can tell, Theo Sharp said. However, the couple said they are considering keeping the remaining mangroves intact. Waterkeepers: Trim mangroves, dont remove them Environmental advocates with Suncoast Waterkeeper argue that owners of waterfront homes should consider trimming mangroves rather than removing them. Why would you want to take the mangroves out in the first place? said Suncoast Waterkeeper chairman Rusty Chinnis. With the proper trimming, you can still get your view, protect the shore from erosion and protect the habitat. When left intact, mangrove trees provide benefits to the environment and people. Mangroves serve as nurseries for game and sport fish, stabilize coastal shorelines and improve water quality, FDEPs guide to trimming mangroves says. Mangroves have a vital role in healthy ecosystems and the economic wellbeing of coastal communities. Leto says the mangroves also provide a snack for manatees passing through the channel. The mangroves are the life of this island and the waterways of Florida, Leto said. Why is everybody coming here to see this if were going to destroy it? My fight is to draw the line right here and stop it from happening all around. For those that do plan to trim mangroves, there are best practices that can protect the health of the trees, and professionals who know the best methods. Resources are available on FDEPs website at FloridaDEP.gov. In some cases, a permit is required to trim the trees. Chinnis also encouraged local governments to explore assuming the role of mangrove protection from the state. Manatee County could take over this regulation, Chinnis said. Theyre our mangroves, and theyre disappearing. Chinnis said he is working on an education program about the importance of mangroves for local real estate agents, who could then pass the knowledge on to new residents. Suncoast Waterkeepers also has a program called Eyes on the Suncoast that encourages residents to report signs of pollution and other water quality issues, like unauthorized mangrove removal. The strengths of the Russian army include its air force and the number of personnel, while its weaknesses lie in leadership, morale, and inability to conduct ground operations, White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby said at a briefing on Jan. 3. Read also: White House pushing for plan to seize Russias frozen $300 billion report He [Putin] still has a sizable amount of his air force available to him, a sizable amount of his ground mechanized capability available to him, said Kirby. And, of course, his while his navy has been challenged in the Black Sea, its really only been the Black Sea fleet that has been affected. Kirby pointed out Russia's advantage in manpower and that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, unlike Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, does not have to answer to his society for significant human losses. Read also: Top security official calls on world to supply arms to ensure Ukraine defeats Russia He has gone through an enormous amount of manpower in the last two years of war, and we know that hes going to continue to try to throw manpower at it, Kirby added. Regarding Russias weaknesses, Kirby identified command, control, leadership, and morale as abysmal and absolutely at the dirt floor. That's why Russia relies on strikes from a distance, according to Kirby. When they engage the Ukrainian forces on the ground, theyre not having much success, said Kirby. For so the so-called ballyhooed counteroffensive that they were going to launch themselves, theyve really achieved nothing in recent weeks and months. The Russian army still hasn't learned the lessons that a modern army should have learned after two years of war. Kirby reminded that Russia is forced to turn to other countries to replenish its supplies of artillery shells, missiles, and drones. On Jan. 2, Russia launched a new massive attack on Ukraine in several waves. In total, Russia used more than 130 long-range weapons: 35 Shahed drones over the night, then 99 missiles in the early hours of the morning. Ukrainian air defense destroyed all Shaheds and 72 out of 99 missiles. On Dec. 29, Russia fired 158 missiles and drones at Ukraine. Air defense forces shot down 114. They recorded hits on civilian targets in several large cities Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Lviv, which borders Poland. Read also: Photo report shows the aftermath of Russias largest missile and drone attack of the war Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The Air Force said Wednesday the voice and data recorder -- often called the black box -- from a CV-22 Osprey that crashed in late November off the coast of Japan has been located, a major find as the service investigates the incident that killed all eight airmen aboard. Lt. Col. Rebecca Heyse, a spokeswoman for Air Force Special Operations Command, told Military.com that the black box "will be transported to laboratories for data retrieval" and that officials "expect the analysis process to take several weeks." Seven of the eight remains of the airmen have been recovered and publicly identified, and search efforts are still underway Wednesday for the remains of Maj. Eric Spendlove, 36, of St. George, Utah. Read Next: Into the History Books: Last Marine Corps Scout Snipers Graduate amid Service's Planned Redesign Heyse added that "the vast majority of the aircraft was recovered" by the Navy's USNS Salvor and it has been taken to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan to be examined as part of the ongoing investigation. The Air Force told Military.com last month that its Osprey aircraft are still crucial to operations but will remain grounded until they're deemed safe to fly following the crash -- the service's most deadly. The Osprey went down during a training mission off of Yakushima Island on Nov. 29 and triggered a grounding of all Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy V-22s. As of Wednesday, that stand down was still underway. An initial investigation after debris was fished from the ocean indicated a mechanical failure in the Air Force special operations Osprey, raising new questions about the safety of the aircraft amid a mysterious clutch issue that has plagued the V-22 for over a decade. The investigation into the crash in Japan is still ongoing, but the revelation that it could be a mechanical issue with the Osprey raises concerns amid a recent history of mishaps and deadly incidents. While the specific circumstances and cause of the Nov. 29 Osprey crash remain unknown, the incident marks the deadliest CV-22 crash in the Air Force's history and the largest loss of life on the service's airframe, according to Air Force Safety Center data. Prior to the training crash in Japan, three service members and a civilian contractor died when an Air Force Osprey crashed in April 2010 in Afghanistan, according to Air Force Safety Center Data. The cause could not be determined by an investigative board. Since the Osprey's first flight in 1992, it has been involved in numerous crashes, accidents and mishaps, leading to more than 60 deaths. Just two months prior to the Nov. 29 Osprey crash, two Marine V-22 Ospreys in Japan diverted on Sept. 14 within just two hours of each other due to "cockpit caution indications" in the aircraft while flying near where the Air Force Osprey crashed. Related: Deadly Osprey Incidents Mount as Air Force Investigates Potential Mechanical Issue in Japan Crash To celebrate the upcoming Year of the Dragon, a paper-cutting exhibition themed on China's dragon culture, showcasing exquisite works from 100 folk artists nationwide, kicked off at the Beijing Fengshang Art Museum on Monday. The exhibition, co-hosted by the Institute of Natural and Cultural Heritage Research at Nanjing University, the China National Culture Foundation, the bureau of culture and tourism in Beijing's Dongcheng district and the Beijing Dongcheng District Culture Center, will run until Jan 29. "The dragon is the totemic symbol of the Chinese nation, representing wisdom, courage, strength, prosperity and auspiciousness," said Chen Jing, deputy director of the Institute of Natural and Cultural Heritage Research at Nanjing University. After nearly a year of preparation, the organizers have collaborated with paper-cutting inheritors of intangible cultural heritage and folk artists from across the nation to produce hundreds of artworks centered around the theme of dragon culture. A curated selection of 200 exquisite pieces, mainly depicting dragons in different forms and styles, is now on display at the inaugural exhibition in Beijing. Subsequently, the exhibition will embark on a tour, visiting locations such as Shenzhen, Guangdong province, and Linfen, Shanxi province. WASHINGTON Last spring, the Pentagons Test Resource Management Center received requests from two program offices to provide support for upcoming hypersonic flight tests one over the Atlantic Ocean and one over the Pacific. The flights would be 10 days apart. In the past, the testing community wouldnt have been able meet that demand, according to George Rumford, TRMCs director. It would take weeks and sometimes months to reposition the ships the Pentagon has traditionally relied on to track hypersonic test vehicles in flight and ensure the programs had the proper instrumentation in place. One of those programs would have been told that they need to sit on their hands for weeks, if not months, waiting for us to arrange the infrastructure to support their test, Rumford told C4ISRNET in an interview. But this time, Rumfords team had a new capability available a fleet of three uncrewed Range Hawk aircraft equipped with sensors and instrumentation to support hypersonic flight tests from the air. The drones, part of a program called SkyRange, provide the Pentagon with a flexible, airborne testing infrastructure. Rumford and his office declined to name the systems that were tested, but said that because of SkyRange, which became operational last year, TRMC was able to support the quick turnaround that the programs needed. With SkyRange, our nation was able to do a hypersonic test in the Atlantic and in a matter of days do a hypersonic test in the Pacific, he said. That is a significant accomplishment. The U.S. military is investing in hypersonic research and development efforts aimed at fielding weapons and aircraft that can travel and maneuver at speeds above Mach 5. Access to flight test support and ground test infrastructure has been a significant limiting factor in that development, and the Pentagon has been working in recent years to change that. Growing the SkyRange fleet In 2022, the department set a goal to increase its hypersonic flight test cadence from about 12 events per year to 50, or about one per week. Rumford said TRMC is prioritizing efforts like SkyRange that bring the speed and flexibility to hopefully help the department achieve that goal over time. The aircraft that make up the SkyRange fleet are called Range Hawks decommissioned RQ-4 Global Hawks, once used by the Air Force for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The first three of these aircraft are older, Block 10 models that have been converted to track overhead systems. In fiscal 2023, SkyRange supported 10 hypersonic flight tests, and Rumford expects that to grow to more than 15 in FY24. The SkyRange fleet is also poised to grow in the coming years as TRMC and Northrop Grumman, which built the Global Hawk, convert retired Block 20 and 30 Global Hawk models into the Range Hawk configuration. Those conversions will begin this year and by FY25, SkyRange should have additional Range Hawks in its fleet to support hypersonic testing, Rumford said. Flying testbed The Pentagon is investing in other efforts beyond SkyRange to boost hypersonic flight and ground testing. Through the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed program, or MACH-TB, TRMC and the Navy are working with industry to create a flying testbed that can validate subsystems, advanced materials and other technologies as a system is being developed. Rumford noted that prior to MACH-TB, programs rarely had opportunities to validate that individual systems and components could function in a hypersonic flight environment before a full-up flight test. In a typical hypersonic flight test, there might be more than a dozen things flying for the first time, all having risk associated with them, all bundled into that big flight test, he said. MACH-TB can provide a flying testbed in a repeatable, affordable environment. TRMC is also working with the Defense Innovation Unit to funnel emerging technology into MACH-TB through the Hypersonic and High-Cadence Airborne Testing Capabilities program, dubbed HyCAT. The intent of that is to try to discover innovative approaches that are extremely affordable, reusable, that can possibly provide things that we currently dont have today, make some tech maturity investments in them, and then once that once that technology matures, we will transition it from HyCAT to the MACH-TB program, Rumford said. On the ground side, TRMC is investing in improvements to government-owned test facilities and is partnering with private sector organizations to address shortfalls in propulsion testing for air-breathing hypersonic vehicles and aeroshell materials for boost-glide systems. Rumford highlighted a test and integration company called CUBRC, based in New York, that provides hypersonic testing services and is looking to make its wind tunnels more representative of a hypersonic flight environment. There are some facilities that we are investigating, planning development strategies to refurbish and bring back online so that they can be able to meet our hypersonic needs, Rumford said. Ambulances line up in front of a headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Force after it was hit by an airstrike in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. The Popular Mobilization Force - a coalition of militias that is nominally under the control of the Iraqi military - announced in a statement that its deputy head of operations in Baghdad, Mushtaq Taleb al-Saidi, or "Abu Taqwa," had been killed in the strike. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban) BAGHDAD (AP) A U.S. airstrike on the headquarters of an Iran-backed militia in central Baghdad on Thursday killed a high-ranking militia commander, militia officials said. Thursdays strike comes amid mounting regional tensions fueled by the Israel-Hamas war and fears that it could spill over into surrounding countries. It also coincides with a push by Iraqi officials for US-led coalition forces to leave the country. The Popular Mobilization Force, or PMF, a coalition of militias that is nominally under the control of the Iraqi military, announced in a statement that its deputy head of operations in Baghdad, identified as Abu Taqwa, had been killed as a result of brutal American aggression. A U.S. defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide information that has not yet been publicly released, confirmed details of the strike Thursday, saying that Abu Taqwa was targeted because he was actively involved in attacks on U.S. personnel. Abu Taqwa was identified as a leader of the Harakat al-Nujaba group. That group, one of the militias within PMF. was designated a terrorist organization by Washington in 2019. Iraqi military spokesman Yehia Rasool said in a statement that the Iraqi army blames the U.S.-led International Coalition Forces for the unprovoked attack on an Iraqi security body operating in accordance with the powers granted to it by the Iraqi military. The primary mission of the U.S.-led coalition is to fight the Islamic State, the Sunni extremist militant group that continues to carry out periodic attacks in Iraq despite having lost its hold on the territory it once controlled in 2017. Since then, the coalition has transitioned from a combat role to an advisory and training mission. The PMF, a group of Iranian-backed, primarily Shiite militias, were also key in the fight against Islamic State after it overran much of Iraq in 2014. The PMF is officially under the command of the Iraqi army, but in practice the militias operate independently. Thursday's strike killed two people and wounded five, according to two militia officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. One of the officials said al-Saidi was driving into the garage of the headquarters affiliated with the Harakat al-Nujaba militia, along with another militia official, when the car was hit, killing both. Heavy security was deployed around the location of the strike on Baghdads Palestine Street, and Iraqi war planes could be seen flying overhead. An Associated Press photographer was eventually allowed access to the scene of the strike, where he saw the remains of the charred car. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, a group of Iranian-backed militias calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has carried out more than 100 attacks on bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria. The group has said the attacks are in retaliation for Washingtons support of Israel in the war against Hamas that has killed more than 20,000 people in Gaza, and that they aim to push U.S. forces out of Iraq. Thursday's strike is likely to increase calls for a U.S. departure. Last week, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani who came to power with the backing of Iran-linked political factions but has also attempted to maintain good relations with the U.S. said that his government is is proceeding to end the presence of the international coalition forces. The strike also comes two days after a suspected Israeli drone strike in the suburbs of Beirut killed Hamas deputy leader Saleh Arouri. Asked whether Israel had involvement in Thursdays strike in Baghdad, an Israeli military spokesperson declined to comment. Associated Press staff writers Ali Jabar in Baghdad, Tara Copp in Washington, Bassem Mroue in Beirut and Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem contributed to this report. A U.S. airstrike in Baghdad on Thursday killed a high-ranking leader of an Iran-backed militia involved in recent attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria, the Pentagon has confirmed. The strike targeted Mushtaq Talib al-Saidi, also known as Abu Taqwa, the leader of the Harakat al-Nujaba militia group, Defense Department spokesman Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters. The attack also killed another militia member. It is important to note that the strike was taken in self defense [and] that no civilians were harmed and that no infrastructure or facilities were struck, Ryder added. The strike comes amid fears that mounting regional tensions fueled by the Israel-Hamas war could spill over into surrounding countries. It also coincides with a push by Iraqi officials for US-led coalition forces to leave the country. Officials from the Popular Mobilization Force, or PMF, a coalition of militias that is nominally under the control of the Iraqi military, were first to announce that its deputy head of operations in Baghdad, who they identified as Abu Taqwa, had been killed as a result of brutal American aggression. That group, one of the militias within PMF, was designated a terrorist organization by Washington in 2019. Iraqi military spokesman Yehia Rasool said in a statement that the Iraqi army blames the U.S.-led International Coalition Forces for the unprovoked attack on an Iraqi security body operating in accordance with the powers granted to it by the Iraqi military. The primary mission of the U.S.-led coalition is to fight the Islamic State, the Sunni extremist militant group that continues to carry out periodic attacks in Iraq despite having lost its hold on the territory it once controlled in 2017. Since then, the coalition has transitioned from a combat role to an advisory and training mission. The PMF, a group of Iranian-backed, primarily Shiite militias, were also key in the fight against the Islamic State after it overran much of Iraq in 2014. The PMF is officially under the command of the Iraqi army, but in practice the militias operate independently. Thursdays strike killed two people and wounded five, according to two militia officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. One of the officials said al-Saidi was driving into the garage of the headquarters affiliated with the Harakat al-Nujaba militia, along with another militia official, when the car was hit, killing both. Heavy security was deployed around the location of the strike on Baghdads Palestine Street, and Iraqi war planes could be seen flying overhead. An Associated Press photographer was eventually allowed access to the scene of the strike, where he saw the remains of the charred car. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, a group of Iranian-backed militias calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has carried out more than 100 attacks on bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria. The group has said the attacks are in retaliation for Washingtons support of Israel in the war against Hamas, which has killed more than 20,000 people in Gaza, according to reports. The group has stated that they aim to push U.S. forces out of Iraq. Thursdays strike is likely to increase calls for a U.S. departure. Last week, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani who came to power with the backing of Iran-linked political factions but has also attempted to maintain good relations with the U.S. said that his government is is proceeding to end the presence of the international coalition forces. The strike also comes two days after a suspected Israeli drone strike in the suburbs of Beirut killed Hamas deputy leader Saleh Arouri. Asked whether Israel had involvement in Thursdays strike in Baghdad, an Israeli military spokesperson declined to comment. Associated Press staff writers Ali Jabar in Baghdad, Tara Copp in Washington, Bassem Mroue in Beirut and Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem contributed to this report. Bruce Ford photographs new Akron Public Schools board members Summer Hall, left, and Barbara Sykes Thursday at the Sylvester Small Administration Building. The Akron Board of Education which will soon decide on a redistricting plan and whether to put two levies on the November ballot kicked off the new year Thursday by swearing in two new members and an incumbent, all elected by voters in November. New faces include former State Rep. Barbara Sykes and Akron city employee Summer L. Hall, who will continue to work in Mayor Shammas Malik's administration. They replace former Board President Derrick Hall and board member Valerie McKitrick, whose terms ended Dec. 31. Incumbent Rene Molenaur, a former school teacher who now helps University of Akron faculty design their online courses, was also sworn in after winning the seat she was appointed to by the board in April. The swearing-in happened during a special meeting Thursday. The boards first regular meeting is Tuesday. The agenda wasnt available at press time, but it may involve a third draft of a proposed redistricting plan that has pleased, outraged and confused some parents and community members. New Akron Public Schools board member Barbara Sykes gets a kiss from her husband, Ohio Sen. Vernon Sykes, after she takes the oath of office from him Thursday at the district's administration building. A presentation of the redistricting plan is available online at akronschools.com/district/district-information/redistricting. The plan changes where some students attend school to accommodate both long-planned building closures and school overcrowding on the citys north side. The most recent version of the plan shows that Barber Community Learning Center in the East cluster of schools would gain elementary school students from Harris-Jackson CLC, which is operating at 130% capacity. Superintendent Michael Robinson in December said that after listening to feedback at the community presentations, administrators decided there was enough capacity to allow older students to remain at Jennings and North CLC. "So now, we are proposing that they go to Barber in upper elementary, but they can go to Jennings and North for middle school and high school. They don't have to come to East, not unless they just want to go," Robinson said in mid-December. Akron Mayor Shammas Malik, left, talks with Akron Public Schools Superintendent Michael Robinson Jr. before a meeting Thursday to swear in new members at the Sylvester Small Administration Building. Cluster boundaries proposed in the initial version of the plan, however, may not match the ultimate school assignments, especially regarding the North and East clusters, he warned. The biggest concern most parents expressed centered on transportation and services to students, particularly those in the North cluster, which has a high percentage of immigrants who require translators to assist with learning. All families in Akron Public Schools have the option to request their children attend any school in the district, though they may have to provide transportation, and the district has the option to deny requests. If the school board approves a plan, families impacted by boundary shifts could request changes to their children's assignments during a special open enrollment period between Jan. 29 and Feb. 9. The district has invited those with questions to email administrators at redistrictingquestions@apslearns.org. More: Akron Public Schools adjust redistricting plan following public meetings, feedback Will Akron Public Schools put 2 levies on the ballot? The other larger issue facing the school board this year is finances and whether to pursue two levies. School spending during the next fiscal year, which begins in July, was projected to run a deficit, according to the most recent five-year forecast. In September, the board approved cutting $15 million of expenses to avoid going into the red. But Chief Financial Officer Steve Thompson last year told the board theyd need both those cuts and a levy for the district to remain financially sustainable. Thompson offered one scenario that included a 7.2-mil operating levy in addition to a 1.7-mil permanent improvement levy to fund the construction of a new building for North High. Together, the levies would generate $27 million annually. Akron Public Schools board member Rene Molenaur speaks after taking the oath of office Thursday at the Sylvester Small Administration Building. Its unclear when the board will vote on whether to pursue the property tax increases. During the campaign last year, the new school board members voiced support for a North High School during their campaigns. They did not, however, commit to supporting a levy to fund it. 'Do your best, be your best' The meeting to swear in new member lasted less than half an hour and was packed with politicos, history and a few happy tears. Malik was there, along with local judges and the political dynasty that is the Sykes family. Ohio state Sen. Vernon Sykes swore in his wife, Barbara Sykes, with their daughters, U.S. Congresswoman Emilia Sykes and Akron school administrator Stancy Sykes at her side. Sykes also swore in Molenaur, who noted all of the change thats happened since she was appointed to the position last year. If the board was a rock band, wed be looking for a new name, Molenaur joked, vowing to make her job about we, not me. And Akron City Council President Margo Sommerville swore in Hall, who fought back tears as she thanked those who supported her. Hall whose aunt is school namesake Helen Arnold said every day before she puts her daughter on the school bus, she tells her, Do your best, be your best. Layla Hall-Brandon, 9, who had been holding her moms hand, stepped to the mic after her mothers speech and echoed the words her mom repeats to her. Shes been the best mother she can beand Im super happy she won school board, Layla said. Akron Public Schools board members, from left, are Carla Jackson, Rene Molenaur, Summer Hall, Job Perry, Diana Autry, Barbara Sykes and Bruce Alexander. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Barbara Sykes, Summer Hall, Rene Molenaur join Akron school board Theuda Nmosa Tusajiwe, a seamstress in Birmingham, Alabama, always had a unique style that seemed to turn heads whenever she went out with friends. Decades later, she turned her love of fashion into reality by launching her business in Woodlawn called Nmosa Designs and Fabrics. I started sewing when I was 16. Which I love with every fiber of my being; I love sewing more than anything, Tusajiwe said in an interview with AL.com. Everytime we walked into the club, people just waited to see what we had on. It was so exciting. Thats when I started sewing. I fell in love with it out of a need because I could never, ever find anything for me in the stores that was long enough or stylish enough. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nmosa Fabrics (@nmosafabrics) Tusajiwe grew up in Sipsey, a small town in Walker County, Alabama. She recalled the community having fewer fashion stores, prompting her and a friend to create their own stylish threads. Fashion, style, outlet stores, we were far removed from everything. We didnt have any fashion sense in that community, but my girl friend and I were very fashionable. We were just not satisfied with the ordinary, she said. Tusajiwe did things her own way. She changed her name 28 years ago from Linda Annette Sims. She said the name was too country and decided to change it. Her name, Theuda Nmosa Tusajiwe, is derived from Swahili, according to AL.com. The outlet reported that it means benevolent, charitable, and blessed by God. I changed my name because it fits who I am. It describes who I am as a person. African names describe your character or what you strive to be, things you want to develop in your character, Tusajiwe said. At the time, Tusajiwe and her friend started making outfits with the help of the only person in their community who knew how to sew. They later saved money, bought their own sewing machine and made new outfits to go dancing, according to AL.com. Tusajiwes love for sewing continued after graduating high school. She then entered the military and held fashion shows in the barracks to showcase her talent. It was just something that never left me. Every aspect of my work has been centered around sewing, she said. During her time in Germany, Tusajiwe got married and then moved back to Birmingham to start a family. However, that did not stop her from incorporating sewing into her life. With time, she continued to hone her craft and worked in different alteration shops across the city. In her late 30s, she became the first Black woman to work as a costume designer at the Birmingham Childrens Theater. While Tusajiwe enjoyed working there, she had always dreamed of working for herself. I never could, ever work for anyone too long. I could only stay for a short period of time. I left that job, which was a good job, to open up my own shop, she said. I was never satisfied working for somebody else because Im working and contributing all my skills, and all of my time and all of my energy into somebody elses business. I wanted to do my own thing. Tusajiwe pursued her dream and opened her own shop in 2018. Two years later, she found a large building in Woodlawn to expand her business. She makes dresses, tailors and alters clothing, and teaches one-on-one sewing classes, per to AL.com. While she may have her own business, Tusajiwe has more things she wants to accomplish. She hopes to receive financial aid to grow her business, own the building shes currently renting her shop in, and team up with others to launch a clothing line. We want to do all those things but it takes time, it takes a lot of patience and it takes a team of people to do it, not only the people that work in the building, but the people that help support us and keep up afloat when things get hard. And they do get hard, she said. We want to be here and we feel like we deserve it because weve earned it. Tusajiwe gives back to the Birmingham community by offering services for almost any occasion, including funerals, proms and even custom-made items. But she mostly finds joy in knowing her grandchildren look up to her. I love being a Black woman business owner because I think it speaks to a lot of young people who come in and see me do this. Thats really why I want to set a good example for them to see that its possible, Tusajiwe said. I would love to be a mentor to other Black women who have a love for this industry. You are here: Business China has recently released a plan to improve the utilization of phosphorus resources, aiming for greater effectiveness and efficiency in the years ahead. By 2026, the country is expected to see consistent improvements in the innovation, eco-friendliness and safety of its phosphorus chemical industry, coupled with a remarkable increase in the output of high-end phosphorus products, according to the plan issued by eight state organs including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the National Development and Reform Commission. The plan also anticipates steady progress in deepening cross-regional cooperation and solidifying industrial and supply chains. It outlines development objectives centered on innovation-driven growth, industrial structure optimization, green development and the cultivation of industrial clusters, while also specifying measures for achieving these goals. China is the world's largest producer of phosphate ore and phosphorus chemicals, boasting vast resources and a well-rounded industrial system in this sector. Angry German farmers prevented Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck from leaving a ferry on Thursday, apparently annoyed by a row over subsidies which Berlin hoped it had countered. The farmers blocked the jetty in Schluttsiel in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, a police spokesman told dpa. The Green Party's Habeck, who is also Economy Minister, had to return to the island of Hooge instead where he was apparently on holiday. A spokeswoman for Habeck told dpa that he had been happy to talk to the farmers. "Unfortunately, the security situation did not allow for a dialogue with all farmers, and the offer made by Minister Habeck to talk to individual farmers was unfortunately not accepted," she said. The row came after Germany's coalition government decided to gradually decrease fuel subsidies for farmers over the next couple of years, rather than cut them all at once as had been planned, a government spokesman said. Chancellor Scholz, Habeck and Finance Minister Christian Lindner had also agreed to abandon a planned cancellation of the motor vehicle tax exemption for agriculture, the spokesman added. The cuts were part of a package of measures intended to plug a multi-billion euro gap in the government budget following a landmark top court ruling at the end of last year that sent the coalition's financial plans into disarray. But the original plans had triggered massive protests from farmers and were also controversial within the coalition of the Social Democrats (SPD), Greens and pro-business Free Democrats (FDP). The German Farmers' Association had called for a week of action against the planned cuts starting on Monday and stuck to the call despite the government changes. A major demonstration is planned in Berlin on January 15. Farmers' president Joachim Rukwied said the coalition should withdraw the proposals completely. According to the government, the rate of fuel relief for farmers will now be reduced by 40% in 2024. In 2025 and 2026, there will be a further annual reduction of 30%, meaning that there will no longer be a subsidy in 2026. Scholz, Habeck and Lindner agreed on savings in the 2024 budget in mid-December after lengthy negotiations. Following the court's verdict, they had to plug a financial gap of around 30 billion ($32.3 billion) in the core budget. Farmers with their tractors demonstrates at a farmers' association rally against the German government with a poster reading "War destroys Ukraine & Gaza. Stefan Puchner/dpa Less than two weeks after the International House of Prayer of Kansas City permanently separated from its founder amid a sex abuse scandal and its executive director resigned, another leader at the global prayer ministry is stepping down. David Sliker is leaving his position as president of IHOP University after seven years of faithful service, the organization announced Wednesday night on social media and its website. David is also stepping down from the IHOPKCs Executive Leadership Team, effective immediately, the statement said. This was a mutual decision made in the best interest of the IHOPKC community and Davids family. We honor Davids service and dedication. He is loved by the IHOPKC community and he remains in good standing with this spiritual family. Sliker has been a senior leader at IHOPKC for more than 20 years, according to his bio. The executive committee of IHOPKCs board of directors, along with the Executive Leadership team and IHOPUs leadership team, unanimously agreed to appoint Matt Candler as the universitys new president, the statement said. Matt and his leadership team will be communicating all the necessary information with the faculty and students in the coming days, it said. Thank you for continued prayers in this season. The action comes as the 24/7 charismatic prayer movement continues to grapple with the fallout from sex abuse allegations against Mike Bickle that surfaced in late October. The allegations were presented to IHOPKC leaders on Oct. 24 by former leaders Dwayne Roberts, Wes Martin and Brian Kim. The current leadership team then called a meeting to inform staff on Oct. 27. They originally described Bickles alleged actions as misconduct, then later said the allegations were unsettling and involved sexual immorality. The leaders said Bickle had been asked to step away from public ministry to allow for a proper inquiry to be conducted. The day after IHOPKC leaders told the staff about the allegations, Roberts, Martin and Kim issued a statement describing the incidents as clergy sexual abuse and said they found the allegations to be credible and long-standing. But on Nov. 15, IHOPKC leaders released a report of their initial findings involving the case. The report discounted some of the allegations brought forth by the former IHOPKC leaders. The former leaders said in a response that IHOPKCs initial findings and other public statements have been replete with mistruths and obfuscation. The truth is that multiple witnesses over the last 2+ years have brought concerns regarding wrongful contact with Mr. Bickle and women who are not his wife to the ELT (executive leadership team) and to the concerned leaders, which many eyewitnesses have corroborated, the response said. On Nov. 30, The Roys Report, a Christian media outlet, published an online story featuring an interview with Bickles main accuser. The woman, whom the report referred to as Jane Doe, said that Bickle sexually abused her from 1996 to 1999, starting when she was 19 and he was 42. She said Bickle told her repeatedly that God had spoken to him, saying his wife was going to die and that they would then be married. She said that during that time, Bickle gave her a key to his office, put her up in an apartment and had sexual interactions with her. On Dec. 22, IHOPKC announced that it was immediately, formally and permanently separating from Bickle, saying it had confirmed a level of inappropriate behavior involving the well-known leader. People will surely wonder about the details, but IHOPKC does not have permission from those individuals to share details where they are being vetted further by an independent investigator, IHOPKC spokesman Eric Volz said at the time. The privacy of any person impacted by misconduct is tantamount, and this only amplifies IHOPKCs conviction that a complete investigation should be conducted into the allegations of clergy abuse by Mike Bickle. In that same announcement, Volz revealed that IHOPKC Executive Director Stuart Greaves had resigned and stepped down from the organizations board of directors. No explanation was given for the resignation. Last week, Volz told The Star that Greaves resignation was a mutual, amicable decision made in the best interest of his family and the IHOPKC community. IHOPKC also recently confirmed that Brad Tebbutt, an IHOPKC staff member who was the subject of a 2018 independent investigation into sexual misconduct allegations, had left the organization. IHOPKC leaders announced last month the hiring of a third-party firm to conduct an independent and impartial investigation into the allegations against Bickle. But that investigation has been bogged down in controversy, with alleged victims and their advocates questioning how the law firm IHOPKC hired Lathrop GPM could be impartial. They pointed to a list of accomplishments on the firms website, saying it proudly touts its representation of defendant organizations (including but not limited to the Catholic Church) in sexual abuse related litigation. Volz said last week that the investigation was well underway and still pending, and as such, we cannot comment further on the matter. Bickle, 68, issued his first public statement on the allegations on Dec. 12, admitting that he had sinned and my moral failures were real. But he was vague on details. In a lengthy note on X, formerly Twitter, Bickle said his inappropriate behavior occurred more than 20 years ago, but he did not admit to engaging in any sexual misconduct. With a very heavy heart I want to express how deeply grieved I am that my past sins have led to so much pain, confusion and division in the body of Christ in this hour, Bickle wrote in a letter addressed to Family and Friends. I sadly admit that 20+ years ago, I sinned by engaging in inappropriate behavior my moral failures were real. (I am not admitting to the more intense sexual activities that some are suggesting). An NV investigation released on December 31st shows that he National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO) have sent mixed comments on the existence of criminal cases related to envelope salaries for Servant of the People party MPs. Read also: Old management style prevents Zelenskyy from firing Tatarov and Shurma, expert says The long-form investigation can be found on the Ukrainian-language NV site. NABU refused to explain the fate of the testimony and materials provided by MP Anton Polyakov, who died in October 2021, and his colleague Hanna Skorokhod, saying only that no written statements from them were received and that they were not currently investigating any cases related to it as of December 2023. However, it is known from open sources that at least one case was indeed opened at NABU. Oleksiy Honcharenko of the opposition party European Solidarity received confirmation in 2019 that the Bureau was investigating a case related to the possible receipt of undue benefits by members of the Servant of the People (No. 52019000000001034). Read also: White House finds no evidence of widespread corruption or misuse of US-supplied weapons in Ukraine A former NABU official familiar said that detectives and SAPO prosecutors conducted covert investigative actions and gathered evidence on illegal envelope payments over several years. Read also: Former State Property Fund official charged with corruption Everyone already knew about these payments. If it werent for the full-scale invasion, we would have received definitive confirmation, said the former Bureau official. SAPO did not deny investigating envelope salaries but referred to this information as classified. According to the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine, pre-trial investigation information can only be disclosed with the written permission of the investigator or prosecutor and to the extent they deem possible. Given the above, providing the requested information is impossible, SAP responded to NVs inquiry. Read also: Court detains ruling party MP for attempted bribery NV was able to find out from an influential SAPO employee that prosecutors and detectives were conducting undercover investigations against representatives of the ruling party, but stopped these activities after Feb. 24, when the payments stopped. Prosecutors and detectives conducted covert investigative actions regarding Servant of the People MPs but halted this activity after Feb. 24, 2022, as payments ceased, according to an influential SAPO employee. 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 Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley speaks to voters in Spirit Lake, Iowa, in December. A strong showing in the Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses could better position Haley to snatch her party's nomination from her onetime boss, Donald Trump. Retiree Reggie Alt handed a handwritten seven-page memo detailing her ideas for how to beat former President Trump to one of former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley's aides. Then she grasped Haley's hands and offered the GOP presidential candidate some "Star Wars"-themed advice: Think of Obi-Wan Kenobi. You are our only hope, the 68-year-old Algona resident told Haley. At a recent campaign event in Spirit Lake, Iowa, Nikki Haley supporter Reggie Alt, 68, right, told the candidate, "Think of Obi-Wan Kenobi. You are our only hope," Haley laughed and wrapped her arms around the former receptionist. Haley needs the support of caucusgoers such as Alt, an independent voter who said she has supported presidential candidates of both parties over the last half a century, if she hopes to narrow former President Trump's massive lead in state and national polls ahead of this month's Iowa caucuses. A strong showing in the Jan. 15 contest could better position her to snatch her party's nomination from her onetime boss. "Haley has a strong chance if Trumps campaign collapses, said Dianne Bystrom, director emerita of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State University. Shes a candidate who checks all the boxes shes a very good communicator, a very skilled debater, she has excellent television ads, and she comes across as strong and articulate. Nikki Haley speaks to a packed house at Okoboji Barn in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Haley is enjoying a boomlet of sorts. Her poll numbers have risen in recent weeks, larger crowds are attending her events, she has won prominent donors and endorsers, and a recent Wall Street Journal survey showed her beating President Biden by 17 percentage points in a hypothetical contest the biggest margin for any GOP candidate in the field. Increased scrutiny including of Haley's failure to mention slavery as a cause of the Civil War during a town hall in New Hampshire last week has followed. Her prospects of actually reaching the general election still look grim. Trump swamps Haley and the rest of the GOP field in national and early-state polls, including South Carolina, where she served as governor for six years. The top item in a recent campaign missive lauding Haleys Week of Wins was a Fox News headline that asked: Would New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununus endorsement of Haley would make a dent in Trump's massive lead in GOP presidential primary race? Aside from nicknaming Haley birdbrain, Trump and his allies largely ignored her until recent weeks. Last month, a super PAC backing the former president launched a television ad in New Hampshire that distorts her gubernatorial record on a state gas tax. The ad shows video of Haley saying she opposed such a tax and then saying she supported one, while omitting that she said she would support such a measure only if the state's income tax rates were cut by 2%. As Haleys prominence has grown, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, once viewed as the top Republican challenger to Trump, and his allies have attacked the former ambassador as beholden to Wall Street, questioned her conservative bona fides and cast aspersions about her tenure as governor. But neutral observers argue that if everything breaks Haleys way, she has a narrow path to the GOP nomination. The shoes of a supporter of presidential candidate Nikki Haley next to a campaign sign. Nikki Haley campaign materials. Supporters have a wide choice of apparel emblazoned with Nikki Haley slogans. Nikki Haley signs are prepositioned for supporters at an Iowa campaign stop by the Republican presidential candidate. If she finishes strongly in Iowa, and by strongly, I would say second place ahead of DeSantis its plausible she can come to New Hampshire and say, Look, New Hampshire, its either me or Trump,' said Dante Scala, a political science professor at the University of New Hampshire. The author of Stormy Weather: The New Hampshire Primary and Presidential Politics said Haley has an edge in the Live Free or Die State over the other Republicans running. She has found a niche in New Hampshire among moderate voters, independents, people who have serious doubts about Donald Trump and dont want him to be the nominee again, Scala said, adding that such voters are also drawn to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christies candidacy but find Haley more likable. A poll of likely voters released by St. Anselm College last month found Haley rising in the state, winning the backing of 30% to Trump's 44%. Haley doubled her support since the last poll, while the former president held steady. Christie lagged behind at 12%, with the rest of the GOP field further behind. Kevin Boyens, 67, of Everly, Iowa, says he is an independent who will caucus for Nikki Haley. Vincent Bedard, left, and Erik Kruse of Bloomington, Minn., pose for a photo with Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley holding their 3-week-old baby Dominik Kruse. Doug Gross, a Republican Des Moines lawyer who recently endorsed Haley, said he expects Trump to win Iowa. But if Haley has a strong showing in second place, that would give her momentum going into New Hampshire, he said. Then you have a shootout in her home state of South Carolina, he said. Thats as good as it could get for Nikki Haley. Gross is among Haleys backers who wish she had spent more time in Iowa, though he is hopeful that a recent endorsement by Americans for Prosperity, a conservative group with a significant presence in the state, could give her an organizational boost. Haley, whose debate performances and voter town halls are spiked with a mix of Southern charm and acerbic wit, attempts to connect with Iowans by highlighting her own small-town roots. I was born and raised in a small rural town in South Carolina: 2,500 people, two stoplights, Haley said recently, standing in front of an enormous green John Deere tractor and stacked bales of hay in a shed in Waukee, Iowa. You couldnt think about doing something wrong without somebody telling your mama. Rolls of hay on a flat landscape Windmills and hay bales dot the Iowa landscape on the road between Sioux Center and Spirit Lake following the Nikki Haley campaign. In the waning weeks before the caucuses, Haley is pressing her electability against Biden as well as her foreign policy credentials and traditional neocon views notable bona fides at a time of Russias ongoing onslaught against Ukraine, Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and growing concerns about Chinas intentions in East Asia. Such views cemented the support of Michelle Garland, a 52-year-old college psychology professor, after she saw Haley speak at a tony restaurant in Clear Lake. To use a word in Yiddish, she has chutzpah. She's genuine. She's authentic, said Garland, an independent voter. She doesn't say what people want to hear. She says what she feels. And if you don't like that, well, you can go elsewhere. A question-and-answer period takes up the bulk of the former ambassadors campaign events. Haley spends more time talking to voters, taking selfies with supporters and signing campaign mementos such as her book With All Due Respect: Defending America With Grit and Grace than she does delivering her stump speech. These are traits that have traditionally been key to winning the hearts and minds of Iowa voters. She could be your best girlfriend. Like, you know, we can open up a bottle of wine or have a coffee together and we would find just the human kind of association together, said Claudia Ewald, 65, after asking Haley to sign a picture of them and her husband Dave at the Waukee gathering. Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley talks with a man wearing a cap identifying him as a Korean War veteran after her event at Waukee, Iowa. Haley spends more time interacting one-on-one with voters at her campaign stops than she does speaking onstage. The picture was taken at a 2021 fundraiser for Gov. Kim Reynolds, the first time Ewald met Haley. She was instantly smitten, saying Haley was a woman who was solid, who could be a consensus builder. Her national security [background] was her primary strength, Ewald said, before adding that she made a point of seeing other candidates including DeSantis, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy before making a decision. Nikki just kept coming up on top. She's a very genuine person. Haley does not overtly focus on her gender, despite it being an undercurrent in the first presidential election since the Supreme Court overturned federal protection of abortion rights. But her remarks whether about her role as a military wife and mom, firing back at her GOP rivals when they make gendered statements, or calling for a badass woman to be elected to the White House appear to be aimed at the suburban female voters who could swing this years election. Nikki Haley speaks in Spirit Lake, Iowa, in December. This message and attitude have previously resonated with Iowan voters, noted David Kochel, a veteran GOP strategist who has advised Reynolds, as well as Iowa's Sen. Joni Ernst and Rep. Ashley Hinson. Iowa has elected a number of candidates who sound a lot like Nikki Haley strong conservative women, Kochel said, adding that Haleys message is compelling. Now the question is is there enough time? Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Atlanta Police Department released a crash report that involves a MARTA bus operator who is accused of slapping a man in front of his kids after a fender bender. According to the report, on Dec. 23, officers were dispatched to an accident at the intersection of 16th Street and Spring Street in Midtown. When officers arrived, they were met by Sean Harris, who was with his wife and two kids. Harris told officers he was driving straight on Spring Street in the middle lane when a MARTA bus hit his car on the drivers side. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Harris told police in the report that the MARTA bus was making a wide left turn, causing his vehicle to be pushed into another lane. The report added that medical officials evaluated his wife at the scene because she was complaining of an injury. According to Willie Nash, the MARTA bus operator, he was also going straight on Spring Street and was turning left onto 16th Street when Harris stopped him near the MARTA Arts Center Station. Nash claimed he did not know he had hit Harris vehicle. Harris told Channel 2s Michael Seiden that after he tried to flag down the bus in vain, he followed the bus to the Arts Center stop. Harris said when he confronted Nash about the collision, He just started berating me with the words of profanity and yelling at me and calling me racial slurs. A video posted on YouTube by Harris of the encounter shows him asking Nash to speak with a supervisor and then showing Nash slapping the cell phone out of Harriss hand. TRENDING STORIES: Moments later, the video shows Nash hit Harris in the head. MARTA officials sent Channel 2 Action News the following statement regarding the incident: On Saturday, Dec. 23, a bus and car were involved in a minor accident near Arts Center Station and both drivers got out of their vehicles and the incident escalated. The bus operator has been relieved of duty pending a disciplinary investigation. While Atlanta Police is handling the case as a traffic-related incident, MARTA Polices Criminal Investigations Unit has also opened an investigation. MARTA does not condone this type of behavior from employees and requires operators to undergo recurring de-escalation training to defuse these types of situations. Nash faces charges of simple battery, aggravated assault, and first-degree criminal damage to property. He has been cited for failure to maintain lane in the crash investigation. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: AUSTIN (KXAN) A suspect was taken into custody Thursday morning after the Austin Police Department had to call the SWAT team out to a hotel in northeast Austin. An APD public information officer said during a briefing that police received a 911 call around 1:46 a.m. reporting a domestic disturbance in a hotel room at the Homewood Suites on Center Lake Drive. The caller also reported there were guns and knives in the room. That area is between West Parmer Lane and McAllen Pass off Interstate 35 in northeast Austin. This embedded content is not available in your region. APD arrived at the scene around 1:51 a.m. The suspect refused to open the door. APD said a woman could be heard from inside the room saying police were not needed, but officers attempted contact for about 20 minutes before backing away. APDs SWAT team responds to scene on Center Lake Drive, off Parmer Lane in North Austin, early the morning of Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) APDs SWAT team responds to scene on Center Lake Drive, off Parmer Lane in North Austin, early the morning of Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) APDs SWAT team responds to scene on Center Lake Drive, off Parmer Lane in North Austin, early the morning of Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) Another 911 call from inside the same room came in around 2:22 a.m., and the caller said they needed police because the suspect wouldnt let anyone out of the room and said the suspect was armed, according to APD. Police attempted to contact the suspect again around 2:30, and the suspect started making threats to harm his family and officers. APD then called in SWAT. The SWAT team, negotiators and other specialized units responded to assist, and the suspect was ultimately taken into custody. The APD PIO said the incident was brought to peaceful resolution. There were around seven people in the hotel room, according to APD. This was the second SWAT call overnight that APD responded to. The other was on East Stassney Lane just hours before this one began. SWAT call ends; man dies of self-inflicted gunshot wounds The PIO said police were a bit strained due to the two separate SWAT calls overnight and that they had to call in additional SWAT personnel to help with the SWAT call at the hotel. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. This photo taken on Jan. 2, 2024 shows a container being loaded onto a container ship named "WAN HAI 357" at the Dalian port in northeast China's Liaoning Province. [Liaoning Port Group/Handout via Xinhua] A container ship, named "WAN HAI 357," arrived at the Dalian port in northeast China's Liaoning Province on Tuesday, marking a regular container ship route linking the port and the west coast of South America has been launched. The ship loaded with 3,000 twenty-foot-equivalent unit (TEU) containers of goods, such as bananas and white prawns, left the Guayaquil port in Ecuador on Dec. 28. The route links the Dalian port with ports in Colombia and Ecuador as well as other major ports on the west coast of South America. The entire journey now takes only 25 days, saving at least seven days compared to the previous transportation mode via transit shipment service. This will expedite the entry of cold chain goods, such as seafood and fruits, from South America into the northeast China market. The new route is operated once a week by WAN HAI LINES Ltd., a Taiwan company, with six 3,000-TEU container ships. According to Li Xiaoguang, general manager of Dalian Container Terminal Co., Ltd. of Liaoning Port Group, which is in charge of Dalian port, there are currently 105 container ship routes from Dalian port, reaching more than 300 ports in over 160 countries and regions around the world. An Ohio appeals court has sided with several people who called a Cincinnati police officer racist in social media posts. The First District Court of Appeal issued its opinion Dec. 27, ruling that it was right for a lower court to dismiss Officer Ryan Olthaus's lawsuit. Olthaus sued four people in 2020 after he was called "white supremacist kkkop" and other offensive terms on Facebook. Two complaints were filed with the Citizen Complaint Authority against him stating he used a white supremacist hand sign the OK symbol at city hall while people lined up to speak about reducing the police budget. In March, Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Megan Shanahan dismissed the lawsuit. She said the posts and complaints were constitutionally protected opinions that could not be proved or disproved. Under Ohio law, defamation is a false and offensive statement of fact. Citing prior case law, the appeals court upheld Shanahan's ruling saying however offensive an opinion may be, the remedy is not in the hands of judges but in the competition of other ideas. Judge Megan E. Shanahan In the opinion, written by Judge Pierre Bergeron, he said calling someone or their actions racist is obviously subjective and said Olthaus made no arguments about how he could prove or disprove the intention of his actions. "We recognize and appreciate Officer Olthaus' point that the allegations of white supremacy were incredibly damaging to him, personally and professionally," Bergeron wrote. "Social media has the capacity to ruin lives with the click of a button, but courts do not exist to referee debates on those platforms, nor could we do so consistent with the First Amendment and the Ohio Constitution." Cincinnati's Citizen Complaint Authority earlier this year said Olthaus violated departmental policy with the lawsuit by discouraging citizens from filing complaints. The non-binding recommendation of the authority was sent to the city manager's office. On Thursday, the city manager's office said the recommendations of the CCA regarding Olthaus were part of a larger report that is still under review. Olthaus' lawyers told The Enquirer there are no current plans to further appeal the case. They said they were successful in getting the initial injunction, which temporarily barred the defendants from releasing personal information about Olthaus, which was a primary goal of the lawsuit. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Appeals court: Citizens who called officer racist did not violate law TAMPA Suzy Lopez, clad in red, gripped a microphone and smiled as she gazed at the crowd of law enforcement officials, prominent defense attorneys and government lawyers. They listened intently as she recounted how she got to be Hillsborough Countys state attorney. She spoke of the 17 years she spent as a prosecutor, and the seven months thereafter that she was a county judge. It was then that Gov. Ron DeSantis made one of the boldest moves in Florida political history, she said. The conservative Republican governor suspended her predecessor, the progressive Democrat Andrew Warren, and appointed her to replace him. From the crowd came a whistle. Well done! someone shouted. This was in late November in a banquet room adjacent to the Hotel Haya in Ybor City. Lopez, 47, was there to officially launch her campaign to be elected to the office she already leads. She drew significant support for a first-time candidate, who for the last 17 months has endured criticism from some who say she holds the office illegitimately. She spoke with candor and confidence. She spoke as though she anticipated shed be running against Warren. Yet, as election season gets underway, it remains unclear whether he, or anyone, will challenge her. DeSantis suspended Warren in August 2022 for statements he signed pledging not to prosecute cases involving abortion or transgender health care, and policies he had that discouraged prosecuting some low-level crimes. A federal judge later opined the suspension was wrong, but concluded he lacked the authority to reinstate Warren. Warren espoused a criminal justice philosophy of reforming the system to ensure that the guilty are held accountable but treated fairly, to correct practices that burden the poor and to guard against prosecutorial mistakes. Lopez, instead, brings a more traditional brand of toughness: the pursuit of stiff consequences for criminals, a heightened emphasis on sympathy for victims, an unbridled embrace of law enforcement. She spoke with pride about how she got where she is. I am proud to live in a state where we have a governor who says he will not conduct social experiments in the state attorneys office, she said. Experience and politics As she campaigns, Lopez has sought to set herself apart while touting her background and firsthand courtroom experience. There are slogans: Back to basics. Safer with Suzy. There is the emphasis on her local roots, perhaps as a way to contrast herself with Warren, who came to Tampa three years before he ran for state attorney. Lopezs grandfather, she said in her campaign speech, came here in 1912 from Spain. I was born on Buffalo when it was Buffalo, she likes to say, referring to the days when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard was known as Buffalo Avenue. She grew up in South Tampa and attended Tampa Preparatory School and Plant High School. Her only forays elsewhere were to Middlebury College in Vermont, where she studied psychology and political science, and Suffolk University in Boston, where she got her law degree. Shes comfortable in courtrooms, particularly the ones in the Hillsborough Courthouse Annex, where she has spent the bulk of her career. She pops in almost every morning, wandering from court to court, chatting with fellow prosecutors, meeting with crime victims. She keeps an eye on cases that get media attention. But she also watches lower-profile trials. And occasionally, shell do the work typically reserved for new prosecutors, reading out the case names listed on the morning docket, or handling the first court appearances for the days latest arrestees. She seems less at ease when she has to speak off the cuff. In one-on-one chats with a reporter, she often prefaces her responses to questions with off the record. But she seldom responds with much beyond platitudes. We follow the law, is a frequent refrain. When a reporter queried her office last summer about whether she planned to continue prosecuting drug overdose cases as homicides a practice that her predecessor embraced she issued a statement saying only that drug dealers would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. (Lopez has subsequently brought multiple new drug-induced homicide cases and has made fentanyl prosecutions a priority.) She remains a hearty ally to the governor. When DeSantis in March came to Tampa to stage an event dubbed Exposing the Book Ban Hoax, Lopez provided the venue in the state attorneys office auditorium. After DeSantis in August suspended Monique Worrell, the Democratic state attorney in Orlando, Lopez issued a statement supporting the governors decisive action, which she said was the unfortunate result of another prosecutor who wants to create laws instead of enforcing them. When a man named Jimmie Gardner was arrested in November on a human trafficking charge involving a 16-year-old girl, Lopez put out a news release the same day. It highlighted the fact that Gardner is the brother-in-law of Democratic Georgia voting rights activist Stacey Abrams. The release also noted that Gardner was exonerated in 2016 after 27 years in prison for a rape he did not commit. Of course, many politicians do this sort of thing. Warren was no exception. When he was still state attorney, Warren appeared with Sheriff Chad Chronister at a news conference announcing the arrest of an evangelical church pastor, lambasting him for holding services amid the early COVID-19 lockdowns. (Warren later dropped charges against the pastor.) Later that summer, Warren staged a news conference to announce he wouldnt prosecute a group of Black Lives Matter protesters whod been arrested for unlawful assembly in downtown Tampa, an act that drew criticism from the citys police chief. And, more than once, Warren lobbed public criticisms at DeSantis. Such actions made him more than a few enemies and likely contributed to his ouster. The same office, a new vision Since she took over, Lopez has made few personnel changes at the top. Gary Weisman, who joined the office as Warrens chief of staff and policy adviser in 2017, serves in the same role with Lopez. Weisman was a civil attorney and a familiar face in Tampas legal community before joining the state attorneys office. A Republican, he helped keep the office working amid the uncertainty that followed Warrens ouster. Hes close with Sheriff Chronister. Judges and lawyers greet Weisman warmly when he appears in their courtrooms. Hes the second-highest-paid employee at the state attorneys office. He makes only slightly less than Lopez herself, who draws the $212,562 annual salary common to all state attorneys and public defenders. Rounding out the offices top leadership are Kimberly Hindman and Renee Muratti. They serve as the chief assistants managing the day-to-day workings of the offices felony divisions and misdemeanor and juvenile sections. Both served in the same jobs when Warren was there. Both are registered Democrats, but also longtime prosecutors in the office. Lopez brought back Jay Pruner, the widely respected longtime homicide prosecutor who retired in 2021. After a year away, Pruner returned to the office as the felony bureau chief. Another high-level holdover is Justin Diaz, the senior felony administrative chief, who prosecutes some of the offices highest-profile and complex criminal cases. The most visible changes Lopez has made are geared toward prosecutorial policy and communication with the public. She has increased the offices pursuit of capital punishment. As of December, the office had filed notice of intent to seek the death penalty in at least 10 ongoing cases involving 12 defendants. Five death penalty prosecutions were pending when Warren left office. She reversed policies Warren enacted that advised prosecutors to avoid pursuing cases for low-level, nonviolent crimes like trespassing or prostitution except in specified circumstances. The reason we focus on low-level crimes is to ensure that low-level criminals dont become experts on how to commit more crime, Lopez said at her campaign kickoff. With the same rationale, she has taken a harsher posture toward juvenile defendants accused of violent crimes. Before she took office, the trend had been to move away from bringing adult charges against juveniles. I wish we didnt have to, Lopez, at her campaign event, said of prosecuting juveniles as adults. Those are the toughest decisions that we make in our office. But the truth is that wishing is not a prosecutorial strategy. Some kids must face adult consequences when they victimize our community. She stood with Tampa police Chief Lee Bercaw at a November news conference to announce a murder charge against 14-year-old Kadyn Abney, who is accused of shooting a bystander amid an early-morning Ybor City gunfight in which two people were killed and more than a dozen injured. He is no stranger to the juvenile justice system, but he will no longer be treated as a juvenile, Lopez said. When you shoot and kill an innocent person, your age does not matter. Will voters have a choice? Although Warren filed candidate paperwork, he has yet to say officially whether he will run to be reelected as state attorney. If he does, he will have a tough fight against Lopez. Her initial campaign contributions topped $100,000. Her supporters include Sheriff Chronister, former Tampa police chief Brian Dugan, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, former State Attorney Mark Ober, and numerous retired judges, Republican lawmakers and prominent defense attorneys. Chronister introduced her at her campaign kickoff, crediting her with restoring law enforcements faith in the justice system. Although rumors have circulated about other potential candidates entering the race, no one has said publicly that they will. If no challenger emerges by the April qualifying deadline, Lopez will automatically secure a four-year term. Until then, she continues to make herself a familiar face to the public. A day after her campaign kickoff, she spoke at a Cafe con Tampa event at the Portico coffee shop in downtown Tampa. About 60 people listened as she spoke about her background, her work, her support for law enforcement and her efforts to get to know community organizations. Toward the end, someone asked a question: Was Warrens suspension and her appointment good for democracy? Lopez spoke carefully and sternly. If people dont like how she got into office, she said, she would tell them to look at what she has accomplished. Weve rebuilt our relationships with law enforcement that were not in existence, she said. Weve given a voice to victims and weve held offenders accountable. So thats what weve done. What is good for democracy we have a governor who made a very bold move. Our Constitution not only allows him to do what he did, but gives him the duty to do that. Former Maricopa County, Ariz., Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was previously pardoned by former President Trump, said Thursday he has reached the number of signatures needed to qualify as a candidate for mayor in a Phoenix suburb. According to a press release posted to his account on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Arpaio needs 297 nominating signatures to qualify as a candidate for mayor of Fountain Hills. The release said Arpaio has reached 594 signatures, the maximum petition signature limit. I am extremely thankful and honored for the support of the citizens of Fountain Hills recognizing my wisdom, principles, and leadership, Arpaio said in a statement in the release. Together, we will steer Fountain Hills to a safe and bright future! The former sheriff was convicted of criminal contempt in July 2017 for disregarding a judges order to cease detaining people solely on suspicion of immigration status. However, Trump pardoned him in August of the same year. Throughout his time as Sheriff, Arpaio continued his lifes work of protecting the public from the scourges of crime and illegal immigration, the White House said in a statement at the time. Sheriff Joe Arpaio is now eighty-five years old, and after more than fifty years of admirable service to our Nation, he is a worthy candidate for a Presidential pardon, the statement added. Trump also noted the news and celebrated the pardon in his own X post at the time. I am pleased to inform you that I have just granted a full Pardon to 85 year old American patriot Sheriff Joe Arpaio. He kept Arizona safe! Trump said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) An Arkansas sheriffs deputy was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant and a suspect is in custody, Arkansas State Police said Wednesday. State police said Stone County Deputy Justin Smith was shot Tuesday afternoon at a home about 5 miles (8 kilometers) north of Mountain View while trying to serve Clinton Hefton with a misdemeanor terroristic threatening warrant. Mountain View is about 79 miles (128 kilometers) north of Little Rock. State police, which is investigating the shooting, said early evidence indicates that Hefton, 52, resisted arrest and shot at Smith. The deputy was found fatally shot by officers who responded to reports of shots fired. Officers later took Hefton into custody at the home after a brief standoff, state police said. Hefton is being held at the Cleburne County jail with charges pending. The jails inmate roster did not indicate an initial appearance had been set. At this time, we ask that everyone pray for Deputy Smiths family and all of his law enforcement brothers and sisters, Stone County Sheriff Brandon Long said in a news release. A Stone County deputy died in a shooting in 2019 in Leslie, about 77 miles (124 kilometers) north of Little Rock, when responding to a domestic welfare check. The suspect in the shooting was also fatally shot. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Arkansas lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill that would increase funding for federal recreation areas. The Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong Act, or LAKES Act, would allow U.S. Army Corps of Engineers facilities to keep 80% of recreation fees collected. Currently, Corp of Engineers facilities can not retain fees, unlike U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service sites. The act was introduced by Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04) on Dec. 22, 2023. Westerman was joined by fellow Arkansas Republican Rep. Steve Womack (AR-03) and Democrat Jared Huffman (CA-02) in introducing the bill. Arkansas tourism on post-pandemic $9.2 billion upswing, new state director named The LAKES Act would also allow the Corps to enter into agreements with nonprofits to operate and maintain Corp facilities. It would also allow local managers to make operation and maintenance decisions about facilities under their control. Companion legislation in the Senate is co-sponsored by Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jon Tester (D-MT) and Steve Daines (R-MT). According to figures from the U.S. Department of Commerce, outdoor recreation is 2.5% of the Natural States GDP. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has pointed to outdoor recreation as a driver for the Natural States tourism revenue. Arkansas tourism booming, boosting state economy Westerman and Womack acknowledged the economic role of recreation in introducing the LAKES Act. Outdoor recreation is among one of the top economic drivers in the U.S., especially in states like Arkansas, Westerman said. Because of discrepancies in current federal law, managers of some of our favorite outdoor recreation sites have to jump through bureaucratic hoops to maintain and manage the sites. The Corps is one of the largest outdoor recreation providers, with nearly 257,000 facilities across 43 states, according to Westermans office. Womack spoke to the efficiencies provided in the act. Under current federal law, local managers of recreation sites we all know and love, such as Beaver Lake and Table Rock Lake, must cut through endless bureaucratic red tape to maintain and operate these sites effectively, Womack said. The LAKES Act would rectify this by allowing the Army Corps to retain recreation fees collected onsite, keeping maintenance and operations decisions out of the hands of federal bureaucrats and into the hands of the local managers who know these sites best. A letter supporting the legislation undersigned by 26 outdoor recreation equipment manufacturers has been received by Westerman and Huffman. It cites the historic underfunding of Corp programs. Arkansas general revenue $200 million plus above projections at fiscal year halfway point The act has been Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. A 19-year-old and his father have been arrested in connection with the killings of a pregnant Texas teen and her boyfriend after their bodies were found last week in a car in San Antonio, authorities said Wednesday. Christopher Preciado was arrested on suspicion of capital murder in the deaths of 18-year-old Savanah Soto, who was nine months pregnant, and 22-year-old Matthew Guerra, the San Antonio Police Department said in a news release on Facebook. Preciados father, Ramon Preciado, 53, was arrested on charges of abuse of a corpse, the release said, accused of helping his son move the bodies. CNN is working to determine whether Christopher Preciado and Ramon Preciado have legal representation. The younger Preciado is being held on $1 million bond, Bexar County court records show. Bond for his father was set at $100,000, with a hearing scheduled for February 6. There was no hearing date listed for Christopher Preciado. We do expect more charges to be pending, San Antonio police Sgt. Washington Moscoso said at a news conference Wednesday night, adding the killings appeared to be a narcotic-related deal that went bad. Detectives would work with the Bexar County District Attorneys office to determine if there will be any charges related to the unborn baby, Moscoso said. The case had been listed as a capital murder due to the death of an unborn child, San Antonio police Lt. Michelle Ramos told CNN last week. From left, Christopher Preciado, 19, and Ramon Preciado, 53. - San Antonio Police Department The bodies of Soto and Guerra were found, each with a gunshot wound, in a car parked near a San Antonio apartment complex on December 26, police had said. The bodies may have been there for possibly three or four days, Police Chief William McManus told reporters last week, describing the crime scene as very, very perplexing. Soto, who was past her delivery date, was reported missing by her family when she missed an essential medical appointment, according to police in Leon Valley, Texas. Guerra was Sotos boyfriend, family members told CNN affiliate KSAT. The arrests came days after San Antonio police asked for the publics help finding two persons of interest seen in surveillance video that captured a pickup truck and the victims vehicle driving up to each other in the area where the bodies were found, then driving away. One of the key pieces of evidence that we did collect at the scene was Savanahs cell phone. That was handed over to our technology team, who was able to download some information on there, Moscoso told reporters Wednesday. Then with the help of federal investigators, we were able to get enough information, and so that information was given to our detectives today, Moscoso said. The information pointed authorities to the possible location of the pickup truck and ultimately to the two suspects home, Moscoso said. The father answered the door he knew why the police were there (and) cooperated fully with the investigation, according to Moscoso. Father and son were then interrogated by police, and detectives were able to get a warrant signed by a judge, Moscoso said. This is a developing story and will be updated. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A father and son have been arrested in the shooting deaths of a pregnant Texas teen and her boyfriend, San Antonio police announced late Wednesday. Savanah Nicole Soto, 18, and her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra, 22, were reported missing in late December before they were found dead in Guerra's car several days later. The couple disappeared a day before Soto, who was 9 months pregnant, was scheduled to be induced to give birth. Both Soto and Guerra were found with gunshot wounds. Police say they charged Christopher Preciado, 19, with capital murder and Ramon Preciado, 53, with abuse of a corpse for allegedly helping Christopher move the bodies after the killings. San Antonio police released photos of Christopher Precaido, left, and Ramon Precaido, arrested in connection with the shooting deaths of Savanah Nicole Soto and Matthew Guerra. / Credit: San Antonio Police Department Police Sgt. Washington Moscoso told reporters Ramon didn't participate in murders, which happened on Dec. 21, just before midnight. Moscoso said the two were the only suspects being sought. More charges are possible with respect to the unborn baby, he added. Moscoso said a botched drug deal was apparently involved. A key piece of evidence, Moscoso pointed out, was Savanah Soto's cellphone, whose data the U.S. Secret Service helped analyze. When police showed up at Ramon's home, Moscoso noted, Ramon knew why they were there and, after Ramon and Christopher were interrogated, police had enough information to seek an arrest warrant Soto's family praised the arrests. Her mother posted on Facebook that the arrests were "justice" for her daughter, unborn grandchild, and Guerra. "God is great!!! Great work SAPD," her aunt, Lara Cordova, texted CBS News. "Justice will be served for my Niece Savanah & Baby Fabian & Matthew" Police released video last week showing what they described as two persons of interest. One person was seen driving a dark Chevy Silverado with a bed cover, and another was seen driving Guerra's Kia Optima. San Antonio Police Department Chief Bill McManus said last week the video was recorded "very close to" where the bodies were found and a few days before they were discovered. He said at the time he didn't know if the two people in the video had any connection to the victims. He said police don't believe the person seen driving the Optima was Guerra or Soto. Two GoFundMe pages set up for the couple had raised over $23,000 as of Thursday morning. Unsealed Jeffrey Epstein court documents name accusers, world leaders and Hollywood stars Houthi militia defies U.S. warning with 25th Red Sea attack Supreme Court sets swift schedule for Trump Colorado ballot case The first China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) themed "connecting the world for a shared future" kicked off in Beijing on November 28, 2023. The world's first national-level exhibition with supply chains as its theme, the expo was divided into five areas representing five major supply chains and related services smart vehicles, green agriculture, clean energy, digital technology, and healthy life. It also had a supply chain service exhibition area. The expo brought together 515 domestic and foreign enterprises and institutions, including 53 Fortune 500 companies. Among them are specialized enterprises that produce new and unique products in some specific fields, hidden champion enterprises, and small and medium-sized enterprises with competitive technologies. More than 200 cooperation agreements and intention agreements with a total value of over RMB 150 billion were signed. A new impetus "The global supply chain is undergoing a restructuring, and China is leading a new model of green transition and development," Maersk North Asia's chief representative Jens Eskelund told China Today in Maersk's booth at the expo. For Maersk, a Denmark-based integrated logistics company, like other Fortune 500 companies and multinationals, the CISCE was a new opportunity for cooperation in new energy and intelligent networking with Chinese and global partners. The expectation was that it would create new impetus for the stability and sustained development of green industrial and supply chains globally. In July 2023, Maersk debuted its green methanol-powered containership, the first in the world. Green methanol is environmently-friendly and considered as a substitute fuel for ships. "It proves that energy transition is not just a possibility, but has been put into reality," Eskelund said. "The global logistics industry emits 3.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, and the international shipping industry accounts for about three percent of the global carbon dioxide emissions. It is our duty to address the challenge of climate change." In the future, he foresees a huge demand for green methanol. "We are confident that China has great potential to become a leading global supplier," he added. Maersk has signed memorandums of cooperation on green methanol procurement with many Chinese partners. "Maersk is very much looking forward to cooperating with Chinese fuel producers and ports to promote green energy transition. We are optimistic about the future prospects of decarbonization." Maersk plans to achieve net zero emissions in all its businesses by 2040 and provide customers with green solutions. Eskelund said China's dual carbon goal peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 is consistent with Maersk's decarbonization goals. "Green development is a common goal of Maersk and its Chinese partners, which also reflects the common interest of both sides," he said. In May 2023, Eskelund was elected president of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China and promised to play a greater role in promoting China-EU ties. He told China Today that climate change is just one of the common challenges that need global collaboration for resolution. "I believe that China and the EU will continue to maintain dialogues and work together to find solutions for all these challenges," he added. A perfect platform "Interconnection is our common interest and the reason for us to join in this Expo," said Mate Pesti, Hungarian ambassador to China, at the opening of the Hungarian pavilion at the CISCE on November 29, 2023. He indicated that interconnection was Hungary's reason for joining the expo. An example of interconnection was about Chinese battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL) building a factory in Debrecen in east Hungary. "The project is of great significance to Hungary and will further strengthen Hungary's position as the center of the European automotive industry," Pesti said. The 7.34 billion-euro project is expected to become the largest battery factory in Europe. It will be CATL's second factory in Europe after the first one in Germany. Hungary has a long history of automobile manufacturing, with developed supporting industries and abundant raw materials. In addition, its location in Central Europe gives it outstanding geographical advantages, which have attracted a large number of vehicle manufacturers. A factory in Hungary enables CATL to respond to customers promptly. China and Hungary have close economic and trade cooperation. Hungary is an important participant in the cooperation mechanism between China and Central and Eastern Europe and is also an active player in the Belt and Road Initiative. Many other European companies were also looking forward to deepening cooperation with China at the CISCE. On the sidelines of the Global Supply Chain Innovation and Development Forum held together with the CISCE, Tomasz Szypula, president of Poland's National Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises, talked about the Polish government prioritizing energy transition in view of rocketing energy prices. The government is paying much attention to energy storage factories, biomass production, and wind power plants, Szypula told China Today in an exclusive interview. "We need to gain energy independence, and clean energy is an important way to reach the goal," he stressed. He also said that Polish entrepreneurs hope to deepen cooperation with Chinese companies in clean energy. Poland, the largest energy market in Central Europe, can become a leader in clean energy through cooperation with China. Szypula sees the CISCE as a perfect platform for promoting and exhibiting new key technologies, products and services in the upstream, midstream, and downstream of global supply chains. "It is also an opportunity to strengthen our ties with the Chinese entrepreneurs, business partners, and agents cooperating with us, and bring the exhibitors which are interested in business expansion in the EU back to Poland," he added. Innovative collaboration The smart automotive industrial chain was a highlight of the CISCE. Over 80 companies in the upstream, midstream, and downstream of the smart automotive industrial supply chain showcased their cutting-edge technologies and advanced products and services, covering diverse aspects of new-energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturing. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, China exported 995,000 NEVs during the first 10 months of 2023, a year-on-year increase of 99.1 percent. According to the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the Chinese automotive industry has established a complete industrial supply chain, with outstanding advantages in new energy, battery technology, and smart operation. This has facilitated the transition of China from a single automobile consumer country to a major exporter of automobile technologies. At the CISCE, CATL showcased its superfast charging EV battery. Vehicles using it can travel 400 km on a single charge of 10 minutes. The new technology attracted IEE.S.A., a global manufacturer and supplier of advanced sensor technology for automotives headquartered in Luxembourg. Michael Matthias Olk, business development manager of sales, marketing and innovation at IEE S.A, told China Today that his company was a hidden champion in automotive sensor technology. It has an 18-year-old subsidiary in China that uses production equipment from Europe while the raw materials are purchased in China. "The whole production is a good example of the cooperation between domestic and foreign partners on the global industrial chains," Olk said. He gave the example of their car seat sensor VitaSense. If children are locked in the car or have been left there for long due to parents' negligence, VitaSense can sense their presence and trigger a warning. Olk hopes to explore the possibility of CATL and the IEE cooperating on both the European and Chinese markets. Data from the expo organizer indicated that one-third of the exhibitors had met more than 10 supply chain partners at the CISCE. Many exhibitors looked forward to strengthening communication with potential partners and translating cooperation intentions into reality. The exhibition center had an intellectual property and legal services workstation. Sun Mingyan, director of intellectual property at CATL, had personally applied for an invention patent and a trademark registration at the expo. According to him, as a globalized enterprise, CATL's products and services are available in more than 100 countries and regions worldwide, and an important task of intellectual property is to transform innovation advantages into competitive advantages. "Intellectual property protection can motivate enterprises in the industrial and supply chains to increase investment in technological innovation, which has a positive effect on the stability of the industrial and supply chains," said Long Chuanhong, head of the Patent and Trademark Law Office at the CCPIT. Long added that strengthening intellectual property protection helps to create a market-oriented, legally-based business environment. It plays an important role in attracting foreign-funded enterprises, especially those with core technologies in key areas, to invest and develop in China, and thus contributes to the stability and resilience of the global industrial and supply chains. Policeman at the offices of Conservative MP Mike Freer after the suspected arson attack on Christmas Eve - NIGEL HOWARD MEDIA Two people have been charged in connection with an alleged arson attack at the constituency office of Mike Freer, the Conservative MP. Firefighters were called to the office of the Finchley and Golders Green MP just after 7pm on Christmas Eve to reports that a shed was on fire. While nobody was hurt in the incident there were concerns among the large Jewish population in the area that the incident could be connected to the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza. But the Metropolitan Police said a man and woman had now been charged with arson with intent however the matter was not being treated as a hate crime. Conservative MPs office in Finchley was hit by suspected arson attack on Christmas Eve Paul Harwood, 42, and Zara Kasory, 32, both of no fixed address, were arrested on Wednesday and are due to appear before Willesden magistrates court. They have also been charged with a further count of arson without intent, in relation to a fire behind a restaurant in Long Lane in Finchley at around 11pm on Christmas Eve. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: Police are aware of widespread reporting and concern in the community and can confirm the incident involving Mr Freers office is not being treated as a hate crime. Mr Freer has been informed. 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. Smoke spreads on a road following an explosion after artillery shells fell in Nansan Smoke spreads on a road following an explosion after artillery shells fell in Nansan BEIJING (Reuters) -China has protested to Myanmar over five people injured after artillery shells lobbed during battles between its ruling junta and rebel groups strayed into a small town near their border, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday. Armed conflict has surged in Myanmar's north between the military and rebel groups since late October, spurring calls for ceasefire from neighbouring China, which has even facilitated dialogue between the two sides. "China ... strongly deplores the Chinese casualties caused by the conflict and has already lodged serious representations with the relevant parties," said Wang Wenbin, the spokesperson. "China once again asks all parties to the conflict to cease fire and stop fighting, and take measures to prevent the recurrence of such vicious incidents," Wang told a regular news briefing. China would take the necessary steps to safeguard the lives and property of its citizens, he added. Earlier, the state-controlled Global Times newspaper said five people in Nansan, a subtropical town near Myanmar, were taken to hospital after being wounded on Wednesday by the stray shells. A video of the incident circulated on social media by the paper showed one person lying on a pavement as people shouted, "Call the police!" In the video, the paper added that officials in Zhenkang, a city in the southwestern province of Yunnan, had confirmed shelling had strayed from Laukkai, in Myanmar's northern region of Kokang, at about 2:00 p.m. (0600 GMT) on Wednesday. The incident comes after China's embassy in Myanmar urged its nationals last week to leave Laukkai as soon as possible, citing growing security risks. RESTIVE REGION For years, Kokang in Myanmar's Shan state has been a volatile and restive region. In 2015, shells from the area also landed across the border in Yunnan amid fighting between Myanmar government troops and rebels, injuring one Chinese and four Myanmar nationals and angering Beijing. Some battles took place as close as 500 m (540 yards) from the China-Myanmar border at the time. In 2009, clashes in the same area forced tens of thousands to flee across the border into China, Chinese state media and rights groups have said. In mid-December, the United Nations estimated more than 660,000 people had been displaced in Myanmar since Oct. 27, and put the corresponding nationwide total at a record 2.6 million. China has urged citizens to avoid travel to northern Myanmar, and advised those already there to seek safety or return home. (Reporting by Ryan Woo, Andrew Hayley and Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) ASHEVILLE The night her son, Elijah Timmons III, was shot and killed in a Hendersonville parking lot, Patricia King remembers being awakened by a call from her daughter saying Timmons had been shot. By the end of the night, the mother would end up in handcuffs while the man who shot and killed her child has been exonerated in a self-defense claim based on one surveillance footage clip, while none of the many witnesses in the parking lot that night have come forward to testify. After speeding to the Henderson Crossing Plaza parking lot from Candler in the early morning hours of Nov. 24, King said the only thing she saw was her sons head and hand hanging out of a white sheet and all she thought was "get to your son." Im thinking, Get to your baby, see your baby, grab your baby, King told the Citizen Times in December. I jumped out of my car and ran for my son. King said the next thing she knew, she was slammed on the ground by Hendersonville Police Department officers, face first. My arms were being yanked from me and pulled so they could put handcuffs on me, King said. So, theyre wrestling me, Im screaming and hollering, Im hearing people say, thats his Mama, thats his Mama. Patricia King sits in her home, sharing about her son, Elijah Timmons III, who was shot in killed in a Hendersonville parking lot Nov. 24. Initial reporting: Asheville man found shot to death in Hendersonville parking lot, suspect at large: police The mother said her breath eventually escaped her and she attempted to tell the officers that she couldnt breathe. Im saying over and over that I cant breathe, King said. And finally, I lifted my head off the pavement just enough for me to say, I cant breathe, and I heard one of the cops say, oh , she cant breathe, turn her over, turn her over. King claims that after she was turned over, officers dragged her on the concrete to the point where her pants fell below her backside, while feet away from where her son lay. She said she suffered bruising on her ankles, knees, back and elbows from the interaction and still has heightened anxiety surrounding that night. King said not a single person helped to pull her pants up while she was in handcuffs until she was taken to the Henderson County Detention Center and asked for a woman officer to help her, according to King. Bruises on Patricia King's ankle, visible after her arrest by Hendersonville Police Department officers. The way it was characterized to me is that she arrived on scene and ran past the crime scene tape, Hendersonville Chief of Police Blair Myhand told the Citizen Times. What I was told happened is that she punched a Henderson County Sheriffs deputy in the face, and she kicked another one in the groin. Yet, King said there was no crime scene tape set up in the area of the parking lot where she entered, and it wasnt until after she was in handcuffs that officers placed a string of tape to block off the area. She also asserts that she never laid a hand on any officer, saying, My mission was to get to my child. I dont know why theyre saying I hit them other than the fact that they have to say something because they arrested me for nothing. Previous investigation update: Police investigating shooting death of Asheville man in Hendersonville as murder; suspect? Myhand told the Citizen Times that he cannot say for certain in this case without watching all the video evidence, but his officers typically inform someone on why theyre being arrested before leaving a scene. However, King said that no one told her why she was being arrested and what her charges were before she was taken to the detention center or while she was waiting there for hours to see a magistrate. I was just like, why are yall doing this? Why am I being arrested? Would you do this if this was somebody that looked like you? I was saying anything to try to get an answer or understand why I was being arrested," King said, adding that she feels the way officers treated her was inhumane. Bruises can be seen on Patricia King's elbow after her arrest by Hendersonville Police Department officers. King was eventually charged with assault on a government official and resisting a public officer. She has a court date of Jan. 18. Myhand confirmed that King submitted a complaint against the Hendersonville police officers and an internal investigation will ensue, once the mother is ready to be interviewed regarding her claims. "All camera footage is being reviewed as part of the complaint investigation process," spokesperson Allison Justus with the city of Hendersonville told the Citizen Times. Shooting ruled as self-defense: Police: No charges in fatal shooting of Asheville man; shooter's name not released When the Citizen Times asked Henderson County District Attorney Andrew Murray if he had reviewed any footage of the mothers arrest, he said, I know nothing about the moms arrest. The only way I knew is when I met with her, she told me that she had been arrested that night. That case is not ripe yet, Murray said, regarding the mother's arrest. I expect its not into the system to the point where wed look to review it and talk to officers and see their bodycam and make decisions. Its not to that point. Murray said Kings first appearance date on Jan. 18 would be the first chance for them to figure out whats going on and what the officer has. More: Fletcher man's death after being tasered, punched, restrained by police not a crime: DA More: Henderson County Sheriff's Office: No bodycam video of deputy striking 5th-grader, pinning with knee Myhand said there have only been two disciplinary actions against officers in the past 12 months, one of whom is no longer with the department. The other was not working the night of the incident, Myhand said. Its a very sad situation, I totally understand how a mother would be very distraught having just learned that her son was dead in a parking lot, Myhand said. But we control crime scenes so we can collect the correct evidence and have a successful prosecution months and sometimes years later. More details into the shooting The Hendersonville Police Department, in consultation with the District Attorneys Office, determined that Timmons shooter acted in self-defense based on surveillance footage, as announced in a Dec. 12 news release from the city of Hendersonville. Timmons, who lived in Asheville, was 30 years old and had three young children. In the surveillance video, Timmons allegedly raises his hand in a manner that is consistent with someone shooting a firearm and a flash of light comes from his hand, Myhand said. The shooter then immediately returns fire, shooting Timmons in the head, who falls to the ground, according to Myhand. The firearm found near Timmons by police officers was determined to have been fired based on a shell casing matching the gun. Elijah Timmons III Timmons' girlfriend, Tyshala Pea, said she was with him the entire night at a club in the shopping plaza called Orchard Bar and Grill. She told the Citizen Times that she was pulling the car to the front of the parking lot when she saw Timmons walking out of the club backwards followed by a crowd of people coming toward him. I drove my car over there, and he was fighting one dude, but once he settled down everybody else was hitting him, Pea said. The crowd migrated (into the parking lot) and as all this is going on you can hear the other guys saying, were going to be airing this out, basically saying theyre going to be shooting. A 911 call made to the Henderson County Emergency Services, obtained by the Citizen Times, confirms reports of a fight having broken out in the Henderson Crossing Plaza. Pea said by the time she drove her car to the front of the parking lot, she saw the shooters arm go up and Timmons fall to the ground. She said she ran over to him to say my goodbyes, and people were trying to pull her off him, including people she didnt know. When asked if the police found any evidence that Timmons was surrounded by multiple people before the shooting, Myhand said No, but we do know that he and the shooter were in a physical altercation prior to the shooting happening. Elijah Timmons III sits with three of his four children. He has a 12-year-old son, 10-year-old son, 6-year-old son and 1-year-old son, according to his mother. In my opinion, is this self-defense in the truest sense of it? Probably not, Myhand said. But again, the DA and our folks believe theres no way in the world you could prosecute the shooter for a crime when hes shooting back after someones shooting at him. I was consulted, I reviewed evidence with law enforcement, Murray said. I reviewed the video and I concur, based on the available evidence that it was self-defense pending any other evidence materializing. 'No respect for Black lives' King said that she feels the way she was treated the night of her son's death and the fact that no charges were pressed against her son's shooter comes down to a lack of respect for the Black community. She said the officers involved in her arrest were all white. I feel like the reason they are doing this is a spit in the face, like yall are from Asheville, we are from Hendersonville, we dont have time for yalls mess," King told the Citizen Times, adding that she was treated "like an animal" at the scene of the crime and at the Henderson County jail. "Their idea is to cause havoc in the community. Theyre not doing their job and have no respect or regard for Black lives. Myhand said there were dozens of people in the parking lot that night, but not a single person has come forward with any information. The Hendersonville Police Department said they will not release the identity of the shooter or the surveillance video. Justus said the location of the surveillance footage will also not be released. Thats one of the biggest tragedies of this entire situation is that a mother believes her son was unjustly killed and will not get the justice that she believes that he deserves, Myhand said. Because if there is evidence that shows that this was actually not a self-defense case, we would 100% want to see that, and we would make the appropriate charges if warranted. But people just arent willing to talk to us. Anyone with evidence or new information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Hendersonville Police Department at 828-697-3025. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through the Hendersonville Police Department App which can be downloaded from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store by searching Hendersonville PD. King is holding a silent protest from 1-5 p.m. Jan. 5 in honor of Timmons. The "peaceful and silent" protest is meant to show support for "our lost children and mourning mothers, as well as asking for accountability from the police and the DA," according to a pamphlet obtained by the Citizen Times. The vigil will be at the Hendersonville Courthouse, 200 N. Grove St. Suite 163. Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at rober@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville mother arrested on night of son's fatal shooting The killing of a top Hamas official in Beirut and a shock explosion that killed dozens of mourners of a top Iranian general are challenging efforts to contain fighting on multiple fronts in the Middle East from exploding into a larger war. Its not yet clear what connection, if any, there is between the suspected Israeli assassination against Hamass No. 3 official, Saleh al-Arouri, in Beirut on Tuesday, and a mass casualty bombing Wednesday at the memorial ceremony for Qassem Soleimani, the top Iranian military commander who was killed by the U.S. in 2020. The latest attacks come amid a high-stakes aerial tit-for-tat between the U.S. and Israel on one side and Iranian proxy groups across the region on the other, which have exchanged regular fire over the three months that Israel has prosecuted its war in the Gaza Strip, since Hamas launched its brutal Oct. 7 terrorist attack. This is a multiplicity of conflicts happening all at once, with of course Israel-Hamas being the central one, said Mona Yacoubian, vice president of the Middle East and North Africa Center at the U.S. Institute of Peace. I think there are very valid concerns that it could escalate further, she added. While the various actors may be calibrating their responses, and calibrating their reactions as a way to forestall a significant regionwide conflict, theres no guarantee thats going to work. The Biden administration, while supporting Israels right to eliminate Hamas, has sought to contain the fighting in the region from expanding into a much larger conflict involving Iran or Hezbollahs army in southern Lebanon a force with between 50,000 to 100,000 fighters and an arsenal of an estimated 200,000 rockets, including long-range and precision guided munitions. We remain incredibly concerned, as we have been from the outset of this conflict, of the risk of this conflict spreading into other fronts, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Wednesday. I wouldnt say that our concern is any higher today than it has been from the beginning; its been something weve been intensely focused on. Miller rejected that the U.S. was involved in the explosions in Iran where more than 80 people are believed to have been killed and said the U.S. had no reason to believe Israel was involved either. But he would not make a similar statement related to the apparent assassination of Arouri and six other Hamas officials in a drone strike. I dont have an assessment to make about who was responsible for that incident. Ill leave it to the government of Israel to speak to their actions, Miller said. Neomi Neumann, former head of research for Israels internal security agency, or Shin Bet, said that its unlikely Israel was involved in the bombing in Iran suggesting opposition groups within Iran or other terrorist groups were a more likely culprit. But the assassination of Arouri, while not publicly claimed by Israel, signals a major strategic and psychological blow to Hamass leadership, and an important step toward Israels stated goal of wiping out the U.S.-designated terrorist group. From the Israeli [point of view] he should die, said Neumann, now a visiting fellow with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. He should die because in the last two years he was responsible for a lot of terrorist attacks that were carried out from the West Bank, which he was in charge of; he was part of the leadership, part of this architecture, this effort to unify all these fronts in order to weaken Israel. Arouri, who was 67, was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2015 for facilitating the transfer of hundreds of thousands of dollars to Hamass military wing for the purchase of arms and storage facilities for weapons. In June 2014, Arouri publicly praised and announced Hamass responsibility for the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank, a terrorist attack that fueled one of the deadliest wars between Israel and Hamas until Oct. 7. Arouri was deputy head of political affairs for Hamas and viewed as a potential successor to Hamass political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, and a major rival of Hamas military head Yahya Sinwar, the architect of the Oct. 7 attacks against Israel, who is believed to be in hiding in the Gaza Strip. He was very unique, Neumann said, adding Arouri was charismatic and able to bridge gaps and tensions that had earlier taken place between Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, a contrast to the more serious and unlikeable Sinwar. Sinwar is a nasty guy, people dont like him, Neumann said. Arouri is the nice guy not regarding Israel but he can deal with everybody, hes admired and people look at him as a leader. Hezbollahs leader Hassan Nasrallah honored Arouri in a speech Wednesday, saying his killing in a Beirut suburb and Hezbollah stronghold would not go unanswered. Nasrallah also marked the anniversary of the U.S. killing of Soleimani. But even as Nasrallah has allied Hezbollah with Hamas, analysts say he is faced with a dilemma on whether to escalate fighting with Israel over targeted attacks on Palestinian leaders. Although Nasrallah has said before, if something happened on the earth of Lebanon, they will react. But I think now both Iran and Nasrallah think to themselves, its not worth making war with Israel because of Saleh al-Arouri, Neumann said. If there is a decision to retaliate, Neumann continued, Hezbollah would likely strike outside Lebanon and wait until the situation is not as fragile and unstable as it is now. Yacoubian, of the U.S. Institute of Peace, said Hezbollah and Nasrallah are not interested in a regionwide war or a large-scale conflict directly with Israel. Still, there is likely pressure on Hezbollah to respond to the alleged Israeli attack, raising pressure on all sides to avoid dangerous escalation. Mark Regev, a senior Israeli official, while not claiming responsibility for the Arouri killing, made a point to say that the Hamas leaders death was not an attack against Hezbollah or Lebanon an apparent effort to tamp down tensions. Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, also doubted a link between the Arouri killing and the attack in Iran, saying that the bombing in Iran has the hallmarks of either a Jihadist or separatist group attack on Iran, both of which have occurred in the past against the regime but never on this scale. Still, he pointed out Iran is attempting to widen the war in the region by encouraging attacks on U.S. positions in Iraq, Syria by its proxy militias and through the Houthis in Yemen. The goal is to generate more risks associated with Israel continuing the war against Hamas, he said, warning that an escalation in the short term may occur over efforts for Iran to save face and respond. And the Biden administration has sought to counter a wider conflict by increasing its military posture in the region, while also sending warnings publicly and privately through intermediaries in the region. Efforts at deterrence have to be multifaceted, Yacoubian said. Force posture is really important, and perhaps some signaling kinetically, although I think one has to be very careful. But that must be paired I would argue with back-channel communications, with diplomacy. This story was updated at 10:29 a.m. on Jan. 4 to reflect updated casualty figures released by authorities in Iran. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. AUSTIN (KXAN) An Austin startup has built one of the worlds first automatic tattooing devices. Blending man and machinery, Blackdot is now tattooing customers at its studio in East Austin. The first customer to receive a custom design was Kevin Rose, a technology entrepreneur who flew in from Los Angeles to receive his tattoo. PREVIOUS: High-tech tattoo startup in Austin launches automated device It literally looks like theres a picture thats been put onto my arm, its just insane, he said. No ones done this type of high-resolution tattooing before. With dozens of dots the size of a human hair, the Blackdot device discovers each clients skin characteristics. Blending man and machinery, Blackdot is now tattooing customers at its studio in East Austin. These dots are compared against its skin database to determine which settings number of punctures and puncture depth will yield the perfect black dot for that clients preferred tattoo location. When that needle actually hits the skin, its way less painful than a traditional tattoo, Rose added. Keeping roots in east Austin: Meet the couple behind Black-owned business Ink Empire Blackdot founder and CEO Joel Pennington says his technology can replicate works of art through a digital database. Were able to upload artwork into our device, he said. We create it into stippling, which is high density dots and then we execute it with surgical precision. With this futuristic technology now operating in Austin, we asked local tattoo artist Donny Mann who works at Moms Tattoos on South Lamar his thoughts on how this could transform his industry. Its a little strange for us to know that theres a machine out there, thats doing the same thing we are, he said. However, Pennington insists he isnt trying to replace tattoo artists. Instead, he says his technology is offering access to a new revenue stream through their digital marketplace. Every time we render one of their designs into a tattoo, artists are able to get a royalty from that, Pennington said. So, it actually enables them to scale up within an industry with a relatively low ceiling. Mann believes that would be beneficial to his business. It would be an extra side hustle almost, he said. Most tattoo artist have second jobs anyways, because were painters and do other artistic stuff on the side. Austin-based tattoo startup Blackdot, is already booked out with appointments until March while tattooing two to three people per week. As for Rose, his new tattoo features three sparrows custom designed by Austin artist Tyler Hobbs symbolizing something special. Im really excited to be a part of the future of tattooing, he concluded. Keep in mind, these tattoos come at quite a cost, with a total price range between $1,000 to $10,000 for design fees and execution. Yet, thats not slowing down Blackdots launch, as the startup is already booked out until March while tattooing two to three people per week. Tattoo-seekers can apply to receive a custom design on Blackdots website. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Body and security camera footage released Wednesday by the Austin Police Department provided further details of last month's shooting on Sixth Street in which officers killed a man who attempted to bring a handgun inside a club and then pointed it at officers and bystanders. Many of the details shown in the video footage were previously released, such as that Trei Michael Adriec Hernandez was told he could not enter the Soho Lounge on East Sixth Street because he had a weapon. The bar employee told officers that Hernandez did not want to be searched before entering the bar. That employee then told officers, He cant get in. Hes got a weapon on him, which can be heard on the video footage. More: Two shootings in Austin in under seven hours as city reels from mass killing two weeks ago When Austin police officers approached Hernandez, he pulled out a gun, and as an officer reached to grab it, Hernandez pulled away and pointed his weapon at officers, according to the Police Department. Detective Christopher Bell, officer Thomas Childress and officer Bradley Smith each fired numerous shots at Hernandez, striking him multiple times, according to the department. As Hernandez lies on the ground after being shot, officers can be heard shouting at him to "drop the gun." Hernandez, who police said also fired his weapon, died at the scene. Austin police investigate Dec. 17 at the scene of a shooting that left one man dead on East Sixth Street. The Police Department on Wednesday released some body and security camera footage of the shooting. Three other people were injured by the shooting, one of them with serious injuries, according to police. Whether the police or Hernandez caused the injuries is still being investigated, the department said. Each of the three officers has since been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation. The Police Department did not release body camera footage Wednesday from two of the officers who shot Hernandez. Instead, the department released the video footage from two other officers who were present but did not fire their weapons, stating that their videos provided a "clearer visual" of what happened. Representatives with the Police Department did not immediately respond to a list of questions sent by the American-Statesman, including how many gunshots officers fired, whether police had determined why Hernandez tried to enter the bar with a gun and whether the bystander with serious injuries has recovered. A press release sent Wednesday said the details so far are "preliminary," as the department is still "very early in the investigation." This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin police bodycam video shows moments before Sixth Street shooting The world's first coin to be struck in 2024 highlights Australian space exploration history. "Out of this World - Australia in Space" was chosen by the Royal Australian Mint as its 2024 theme "to showcase Australia's history and significance as one of the earliest nations to launch its own satellite." The coin's reverse, or tails side, depicts an Australian astronaut on a spacewalk and the launch of WRESAT-1 on a modified U.S. Redstone rocket in 1967. The satellite, which carried upper atmospheric radiation measurement experiments, established Australia as the seventh nation to put a satellite into orbit and the third country to launch from its own territory, after the Soviet Union and United States. The coin's design also includes Earth, with the Australian continent clearly visible, and the moon, the latter an homage to the country's role in relaying the live television signal during Apollo 11, the first moon landing, and to an Australian-built robotic rover that will explore the lunar surface as part of NASA's Artemis program. Though not stated by the mint, the astronaut could be a nod to Andrew Thomas, the first Australia-born career astronaut to fly into space and who performed a spacewalk on his third of four spaceflights with NASA. The depiction could also be a reference to Paul Scully Powers, the first Aussie to launch into space, but as an oceanographer flying as a payload specialist on a U.S. space shuttle. Related: Australia votes to name its 1st moon rover 'Roo-ver' a golden coin in a black case is held up for display Along the border of the coin's reverse are inscribed the words, "rovers, technology, rockets, astronauts, satellites, communications, GPS, astronomy, exploration and discovery." The mint worked with the Australian Space Agency to design the coin. "Space is critical to our everyday lives, as well as solving some of the greatest challenges we face and the agency is ensuring Australia plays its part. Space is also a global effort, and the agency supports Australian organizations by working with partners like NASA, the European Space Agency, Japan's JAXA and more," reads the folder that comes with the 2024 coin. The 1-inch (25 millimeterS) aluminum bromide coin weighs 0.3 ounces (9 grams) and has the legal tender of one dollar. Though it is a collectible, it is not a limited edition. The uncirculated coin is also the first commemorative to feature the effigy of King Charles III on its obverse, or heads side. two men and a young girl hold up a coin and certificate RELATED STORIES: Australia launching moon rover on NASA Artemis mission as soon as 2026 Australia just flew its own 'vomit comet.' It's a big deal for zero-gravity space research Coin honoring Sally Ride, first US woman in space, enters circulation In celebration of the new year and new coin, the Royal Australian Mint held a drawing for the right to strike the first coin. Izzy Zaharis, a 12-year-old girl from Wollongong, was the winner. She and 99 others who gathered in Canberra were able to press their own coin to take home, complete with a certificate of authentication from the mint. Monday's (Jan. 1) release was only for the gallery press coin. Additional finishes will be released in early February, including a $10 gold proof, a $1 silver proof and an uncirculated four-coin set. Follow collectSPACE.com on Facebook and on Twitter at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2024 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat, speaks at a meeting attended by the country's publicity officials in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 3, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Cai Qi, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), called for the thorough study and full implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture on Wednesday. Cai, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat, made the remarks at a meeting attended by the country's publicity officials. Cai called on the officials to focus on the foremost political task of equipping Party members and educating the people with the Party's new theories. He said that related efforts should be made to provide solid ideological guarantees, powerful inspiration and favorable cultural conditions for building China into a stronger country and rejuvenating the Chinese nation on all fronts. He said that it is necessary to follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, acquire an accurate understanding of new situations and tasks, and open up new horizons continuously for communication work. Cai underlined the importance of consolidating and building on the achievements of the Party's theoretical study program, and of focusing on confidence-boosting and consensus-building to create new momentum in mainstream public opinion. He also called for efforts to apply China's core socialist values extensively, ramp up the country's production of excellent cultural works, enhance its preservation and inheritance of cultural heritage, and deepen exchanges and learning among different civilizations. For culture, Party leadership should be upheld to ensure that the Party's publicity, as well as its ideological and cultural work, progresses in the right direction, Cai said. Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting and delivered work plans. Li urged the publicity officials to make efforts to understand and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Culture in depth, improve their capabilities to guide public opinion, and work to gain fresh perspectives and make new accomplishments in publicity, ideological and cultural work. The Polish-Ukrainian border will not be open to Ukrainian goods and the embargo on exporting them to Poland is to continue indefinitely. Source: Polish Agriculture Minister Czesaw Siekierski at a press conference following a meeting with representatives of the All-Polish Association of Farmers Unions and agricultural organisations on 4 January; Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Poland "The borders will not open, the embargo on Ukrainian products is indefinite - until it is lifted," Siekierski said. The Polish minister stressed the importance of negotiations with the protesting farmers to develop the best solutions. Czesaw Siekierski said he supports the protesters demands, although they must be adapted to the current legislation in Poland, including EU legislation. He also reiterated that the Polish government is prepared to meet all the farmers requirements. However, the legal authorisation of all their demands will take time, Siekierski said. "There is no reason to believe that what I promised will not be carried out," Siekierski pledged. Background: On 4 January, farmers from the organisation Oszukana Wies (Deceived Village) resumed their protests and blockade of the Medyka-Shehyni checkpoint, which had ceased on 24 December 2023. Roman Kondrow, the organisation's leader, told Polish media that the organisation had not received written confirmation that its demands would be met, so the protest action would continue. The farmers started their protest on 23 November 2023 and stopped it a month later. Polish agriculture minister Czesaw Siekierski visited Medyka on Christmas Eve and assured the farmers that their demands would be met. The Polish farmers are insisting on receiving written assurances from the Polish government that their demands will be met. They are demanding the cancellation of an agriculture tax rise, easier access to soft loans to maintain the liquidity of their farms, maize subsidies in the amount of 1,000 zlotys (approx. US$240) per hectare, and the regulation of conditions for importing food from Ukraine. On Wednesday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stressed the importance of ending the blockade, especially in the face of escalating bombing and increasingly intense Russian military action. He believes that these arguments will have a better chance of being heard when Poland is no longer a country that blocks borders. Support UP or become our patron! RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) Many bars in North Carolina will be subject to new food-safety requirements this year, as owners consider whether to make costly upgrades to be able to keep serving food to customers. Under a new law, bars that serve Temperature Control for Safety food will be required to obtain a permit similar to what restaurants must already do and undergo inspections. The change in (the law) will provide affected bars the benefit of standards that better protect the public from foodborne illness, wrote N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services spokesperson Kelly Haight in an email. She added that bars considered private clubs remain exempt. The new law also does not apply to bars that serve non-TCS food such as nuts or bars that only use TCS food as a garnish on drinks. The state has made changes recently to how a bar is legally defined and what establishments are considered private. Once that occurred, Jason Ruth, co-executive director of the N.C. Bar Owners Association, said his group anticipated the state would change the requirements for bars to match restaurants, removing an exemption the bars had from inspections. Its hard to make an argument to be completely honest that you should be allowed to serve oysters and steaks and lobsters, as an example, and not have the same regulation that a restaurant has. And, it is in the interest of the public for those people to be protected, said Ruth. Regarding the exemption that had been in place, Ruth said, I think the (General Assembly) probably did not intend that. So, its probably a course correction to be completely honest with you. He said a key concern many bar owners had was the cost to improve their facilities to meet the states standards for restaurants and to complete that work by Jan. 1, when the law was set to take effect. The state has extended the deadline to March 27, Haight said. This is going to put a very big price tag on the folks who are serving food across the state in the bar industry. And, we did as well as we could and worked with DHHS on this. It was an inevitable reality that was going to occur, said Ruth. Randy Wilson, who owns Sharkys Place in Raleigh, said itll cost him thousands of dollars to make the renovations and other changes necessary to continue serving food. He said hell have to knock down walls to expand his kitchen, make the bathrooms brighter, get new flooring the cooler and get updated architectural drawings of the bar, among other things. Whats gonna happen is, I think, more unintended consequences. People will have to close their kitchens without being able to afford new walls, new equipment, he said. Wilson said he supports taking steps to ensure food safety but has also grown frustrated by the states regulations changing more than once. You play by the rules, but they constantly over the last couple of years change the rules faster than you can keep up with them, he said. He also pointed out many in the industry have struggled since the COVID-19 pandemic and now face the prospect of this added cost. Health officials say the new regulations will also give customers more information about places where they choose to eat. They should see a sanitation card prominently displayed at the front of the bar that shows it is permitted, its been inspected, Chrystal Swinger, director of environmental health for the Mecklenburg County Health Dept., told Queen City News. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com. The leadership turmoil engulfing Harvard University is putting a major Democratic Party figure on the defensive. Penny Pritzker, a former Obama Cabinet official, current Biden appointee and longtime Democratic megadonor, on Wednesday rejected calls to step down from her role at the top of Harvards most powerful governing board. It comes a day after the resignation of university president Claudine Gay. She stepped down amid growing controversies over her handling of campus antisemitism in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel and allegations of academic plagiarism and as some civil rights activists accused the concerted far-right campaign to oust Harvards first Black leader as being motivated by racism. Pritzker, who led the presidential search that selected Gay last year, is now facing her own scrutiny about her future at the helm of the Harvard Corporation and as Republicans cheer on the chaos shrouding the university. Senior fellow Penny Pritzker is not resigning, a university spokesperson said in a statement to POLITICO on Wednesday. The announcement comes after Bill Ackman, a hedge fund manager and outspoken critic of Harvards handling of claims of antisemitism, called on Pritzker, the former U.S. Commerce secretary, to resign over the handling of Gays hiring and ultimate exit from the Ivy League school. The Board Chair, Penny Pritzker, should resign along with the other members of the board who led the campaign to keep Claudine Gay, orchestrated the strategy to threaten the media, bypassed the process for evaluating plagiarism, and otherwise greatly contributed to the damage that has been done, Ackman wrote in a lengthy screed on X, formerly known as Twitter. Call it the battle of the billionaires. Ackman and Pritzker both sit on the Forbes billionaire list and are noted political donors to Democratic candidates. They are also both Jewish Americans and Harvard alums. Others on the right also called for Pritzkers ouster this week, including former Trump administration official Ric Grenell and Christopher Rufo, the conservative activist who helped orchestrate the successful campaign to take down Gays leadership of Harvard. Pritzker was recently tapped by President Joe Biden to serve as special representative for Ukraines economic recovery. Shes also the sister of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who announced soon after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that Illinois unequivocally stands with Israel. The Pritzkers have long supported Jewish causes. JB Pritzker was the force behind building the Illinois Holocaust and Education Center, donating millions to the center. Penny Pritzker has spoken at events supporting the U.S. Holocaust Museum. She had worked on President Barack Obamas campaign before being named to head Commerce. Those close to Pritzker defended her handling of what is undoubtedly a thorny campus crisis. Bruce Andrews, former deputy secretary of Commerce under Pritzker, said he had spoken with Pritzker about her views on Gay. He added that she told him Gay was a really high quality candidate for president and a good leader. Regarding issues around Israel and Palestine, Andrews recalled Pritzkers trip to Babyn Yar in Ukraine, where Jews were massacred in 1941, while at the Commerce Department and her familys personal history with antisemitism. He has spoken to her at least twice since the issue has taken hold at Harvard. She was trying to figure out how to do the right thing and how to make sure that [Harvard] balanced what are a whole bunch of really complicated dynamics, Andrews said. Youve got students with multiple sets of views. You got faculty youve got alumni with multiple sets of views. You have donors with multiple sets of views. You now have the dynamic of Congress weighing in and sort of trying to be part of university oversight. This is a Rubik's cube of multiple stakeholders, he added. At Harvard, Pritzker is the first woman to lead the Harvard Corporation, which led the presidential search that ultimately selected Gay. Pritzker has been on the board since 2018 and became senior fellow in 2022. She had previously served on another governing board at Harvard, the Board of Overseers. Amid the crisis, the school has benefited at least somewhat from her connections. Pritzker had brought in PR giant Edelman to help Harvard. CEO Richard Edelman was in Massachusetts to assist in the schools strategy. Pritzker has also found herself in the crosshairs of congressional lawmakers. In December, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), the chair of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, sent Pritzker a letter asking for documents related to plagiarism allegations against Gay. The letter cites that Harvards federal funding is conditioned upon the schools adherence to the standards of a recognized accreditor, which in Harvards case requires efforts against plagiarism. Pritzker has sat on Harvards Corporation since 2018 and in 2022 became senior fellow, a role similar to board chair at other universities. She previously served on another governing board at Harvard, the Board of Overseers. Higher education is under attack, and I like a challenge, Prizker said of her Harvard role in a January 2023 Bloomberg interview with David Rubenstein, a fellow billionaire, Democratic donor and a colleague on the Harvard board at the time. Shes done an excellent job under very challenging circumstances, said Alan Solow, a longtime friend who served as co-chair of the Obama reelection campaign with Pritzker. And Im not in a position to second-guess any of the decisions that either she or the board has made because nobody on the outside has the full view of the facts that she or the board does. When youre leading an organization, you do the best you can to get the decisions right, he added. Theres no guarantee of 100 percent perfection, and nobody should be held to that. Shes in a very difficult situation, and if I had to choose somebody to try to manage through and provide leadership in a difficult situation, Penny would be at the top of my list. Daniel Lippman contributed to this report. PANAMA CITY The Bay County Sheriff's Office has arrested Lindsey Robert Stuart, 38, of Panama City, a Bay District Schools teacher accused of multiple sex offenses against a student. According to a sheriff's office news release issued on Thursday, on Jan. 2, the agency's Criminal Investigations Division began investigating allegations that Stuart was having a romantic relationship with a student while he worked at a local high school. The school was not named. "BCSO investigators spoke with the student who admitted to being involved in a lengthy romantic relationship with Stuart which began when she was in the eighth grade," the sheriff's office said in the news release. "The student told investigators Stuart engaged in sexual intercourse with her at the school during school hours and would pick her up from her house to have sex with her in his vehicle." Investigators said they found hand-written letters Stuart wrote to the girl in which he said he was "in love" with her and admitted being physically intimate with her. Bay District Schools released a statement about the arrest. "We are deeply troubled to learn of the recent arrest of a teacher within our district," the statement says. "The employee submitted a resignation effective December 1, 2023. However, Superintendent McQueen has rejected this resignation and will recommend the employees termination to the School Board at its January 9th meeting. The Superintendent is moving forward with termination with all deliberate speed." Previous crime news: Bay County school teacher charged with possessing hundreds of child porn images and videos According to the BCSO release, Stuart is charged with offenses against students by an authority figure, two counts of sexual battery by a person in custodial authority, and lewd or lascivious battery. He was booked into the Bay County Jail and as of Thursday was awaiting first appearance hearing in court. This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Multiple sex charges filed against Bay District Schools teacher The omission lead to furious claims that Jews were being written out of history. - Peter Mountain BBC promotional material for a Sir Anthony Hopkins film about the kindertransport omitted the term Jewish, leading to furious claims that Jews were being written out of history. The new release One Life tells the story of Sir Nicholas Wintons efforts to save hundreds of children from the expanding Nazi regime, most of whom were Jewish. But the website of the films co-producer BBC Film omitted the word Jewish from information about the new release, stating only that Sir Nicholas rescued 669 children. Promotional material has now been edited Fellow producers See-Saw films used the same wording on its website, as did distributors Warner Bros. HMV and a string of cinemas across the UK, including the Peckhamplex in London, posted on X, formerly Twitter, to promote a film they described as a tale of a man who helped save Central European children from the Nazis. Promotional material has now been edited to describe the children as predominantly Jewish, after accusations that their identity was being erased. The new release tells the story of Sir Nicholas Wintons efforts to save hundreds of children from the expanding Nazi regime - Handout Daniel Sugarman, the director of public affairs at the Board of Jewish Deputies, wrote online that were getting written out of our own history. Descriptions updated HMV apologised in a post on X, saying: We understand how this choice of wording could be interpreted and we have updated it to say that Sir Nicholas Winton rescued 669 predominantly Jewish children from Nazi-occupation. Descriptions of the film on the websites of Warner Bros and the BBC were updated to include the phrase predominantly Jewish children. Sir Anthony plays an older Sir Nicholas in the film, which depicts the moment on Thats Life, hosted by Dame Esther Rantzen, when he was surprised on air by the people he rescued from Czechoslovakia. List of vulnerable children Sir Nicholas had drawn up a list of vulnerable children on the eve of the countrys annexation by Nazi Germany, and arranged transport to Britain and safe homes for them on their arrival. His achievements were largely unknown until Dame Esther revealed them to a wider audience live on television, when she asked members of the studio audience to rise to their feet if their lives had been saved by Sir Nicholas efforts, prompting dozens of people to stand up and begin to applaud his efforts. Sir Nicholas, who was dubbed a British Schindler after German humanitarian Oskar Schindler, died in 2015 aged 106. 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 Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, learns about development of the laser industry while visiting HGLaser Engineering Co., Ltd. in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Jan. 3, 2024. Li made an inspection tour in central China's Hubei Province from Tuesday to Wednesday. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese Premier Li Qiang called for more efforts to foster new productive forces, promote high-quality development, and get this year's economic work off to a good start during his inspection in central China's Hubei Province. In his tour on Tuesday and Wednesday, Li also stressed the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the implementation of the arrangement made at the Central Economic Work Conference. In Yichang City, Li visited the Gezhouba Dam to listen to reports on the Yangtze River conservation, the Three Gorges waterway, and the planning of a new canal. He said more should be done to unleash the benefits of the Yangtze River's shipping, water conservancy, ecology, and cultural tourism. Li urged local enterprises to push forward technological innovation, advance green development, and constantly move up the industrial and value chains. In Wuhan City, Li inspected the development of the flash memory chip and laser industries and vowed more targeted policy support to translate even more technological achievements into productivity. On a visit to a national mapping and remote sensing lab, Li encouraged researchers to make greater breakthroughs in core technologies and contribute more to China's technological self-reliance. In Ezhou City, Li pointed out the Ezhou Huahu Airport has clear advantages and favorable conditions to develop into an international air cargo hub and called on the airport to better serve the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the country's building of a new development pattern. Li also called on Hubei officials to take active and solid steps and make new contributions to national development with new achievements in high-quality development. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee's proposal to expand school vouchers statewide is broadly popular, according to the results of a new Beacon Center poll. The poll, conducted by the conservative-leaning think tank between Dec. 14 and 28, asked respondents whether they would oppose or support expanding the Educational Savings Account program, described as allowing eligible K-12 families to "use a portion of their per-pupil funding on certain educational expenses such as private school tuition, tutoring, education therapy, or other educational purposes." Beacon found 68% of respondents support Lee's plan to expand the Educational Savings Account program, with just 19% opposing the move. Support was highest among Republicans at 85%, though a majority of both independents and Democrats support the plan. A slight majority of respondents said they would be more likely to vote for a legislator who backs ESA expansion, 52%, versus 12% who said it would make them less likely to vote for a legislator. Lee's plan, called the Education Freedom Scholarship Act, would give up to $7,075 each to 20,000 students to attend private or home schools, with a plan to expand universal eligibility in 2025. Gov. Bill Lee proposes a new statewide school choice program, Education Freedom Scholarship Act, at the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. Senate race State Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, is holding a commanding lead in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate against Memphis activist Marquita Bradshaw, according to the poll. Among Democratic voters, 41% would support Johnson over Bradshaw's 11%. Still, a plurality of voters at 45% are still undecided in the race. "Despite a large number of undecided voters and a more limited sample size, Gloria Johnson is in an excellent position in the Democratic primary against 2020 Senate candidate Marquita Bradshaw," Beacon spokesperson Mark Cunningham said. "It is clear that Johnson's ad spending and financial advantage over the rest of the Democratic field has started to pay off. While a 30-point advantage is certainly substantial, there is still a lot of time left before election day and with a plurality of Democratic primary voters undecided, there is still plenty of room for movement in this race." The Beacon poll surveyed 1,302 people and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.66 percentage points. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Beacon Center poll finds support for voucher expansion in Tennessee NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A new poll from the Beacon Center of Tennessee indicates there is strong support for the expansion of Gov. Bill Lees Education Savings Account (ESA) program. The poll, released Thursday morning, saw 68% support for the expanded voucher plan, with 71% of likely voters in favor and 20% of likely voters totally opposed when asked if they would support or opposed expanding educational choice statewide. Nineteen percent said they were opposed, and 13% said they werent sure, according to the poll. According to the polling data, the sample size used was 1,302 Tennesseans, with 950 identifying as likely voters and 352 identifying as other. (Courtesy: The Beacon Poll) Broken down further, the results showed large support for the program: Strongly support: 35% Somewhat support: 34% Somewhat oppose: 12% Strongly oppose: 7% Not sure: 13% | READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County Respondents also said they would also be more likely to vote for their legislator again if they voted to expand the ESA program statewide, with 51%. Much more likely to vote for them: 19% Somewhat more likely to vote for them: 32% No change in my likelihood of voting for them: 27% Somewhat less likely to vote for them: 6% Much less likely to vote for them: 11% I am not sure: 11% (Courtesy: The Beacon Poll) When it comes to education in Tennessee generally, less than half of those surveyed said they were totally satisfied with the way things are going at 48%. Broken down further, only 12% were very satisfied; 36% were somewhat satisfied; 27% somewhat dissatisfied; 12% were very dissatisfied for a total of 39% dissatisfied. Twelve percent were not sure, according to the poll. To view the full results of the poll, click here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Netizens support suspension of TV host for comments on Japan quake Global Times) 09:48, January 04, 2024 A host from a broadcasting station has been suspended after making inappropriate remarks about the earthquake in Japan, with experts noting that public figures and people from both countries should refrain from provocative remarks. Hainan Broadcasting Station (HMG) said on its WeChat account on Tuesday evening that given Xiao's inappropriate remarks on his personal social media account, HMG is currently conducting an investigation, during which Xiao will be suspended. According to media reports, Xiao released a video on Monday, stating that the earthquake was retribution for the country. The news sparked discussion among netizens, with most supporting the handling of the case as they believe the occurrence of natural disasters should be greeted with sympathy. Public figures like Xiao should exercise caution in their statements, Li Haidong, a professor from the Institute of International Relations at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a small group of netizens agreed with Xiao's statement and believe that HMG should not punish him. Li told the Global Times that the incident reflects the emotions of some individuals among the public, given the historical issues in China-Japan relations. Sensitive incidents between China and Japan sometimes occur. People from both countries should avoid provocative remarks and cherish people to people exchanges, the expert said. According to the Xinhua News Agency, the death toll had risen to 62 in the central Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa as of 8 a.m. local time on Wednesday, after a series of powerful earthquakes hit the area in central Japan, with aftershocks and more damage reports coming in. China has expressed condolences to Japan regarding the earthquake and is willing to provide necessary assistance for earthquake reliefefforts, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a press conference on Wednesday. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) The Biden administration on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against Texas over its controversial immigration law that gives local law enforcement in Texas the authority to arrest migrants, arguing the state cannot run its own immigration system. The move comes after the Justice Department threatened last week to sue Texas if it didnt back down from the measure. It marks the second legal action against the state this week, as President Joe Biden and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott spar over the handling of the US-Mexico border. In December, Abbott, a Republican, signed into law Senate Bill 4, which also gives judges the ability to issue orders to remove people from the United States. The White House has slammed the law which is slated to take effect in March as incredibly extreme. In its lawsuit, the Justice Department argued that the measure undercuts the federal governments exclusive authority to enforce immigration law. Its efforts, through SB 4, intrude on the federal governments exclusive authority to regulate the entry and removal of noncitizens, frustrate the United States immigration operations and proceedings, and interfere with U.S. foreign relations. SB 4 is invalid and must be enjoined, the complaint, filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Texas, states. The Justice Department requested that the measure be blocked. SB 4 is clearly unconstitutional, Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said in a statement. Under the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution and longstanding Supreme Court precedent, states cannot adopt immigration laws that interfere with the framework enacted by Congress. The Justice Department will continue to fulfill its responsibility to uphold the Constitution and enforce federal law. CNN has reached out to Abbotts office for comment. Earlier this week, the Biden administration asked the Supreme Court to allow it to remove razor wire at the US-Mexico border that was installed by Texas. The dispute is over whether the Border Patrol has the legal authority to cut concertina wire on the banks of the Rio Grande. The state of Texas sued last year to stop the wire cutting, saying it illegally destroys state property and undermines security in order to assist migrants in crossing the border. A federal appeals court ordered Border Patrol agents to stop the practice while court proceedings play out, and the Justice Department has now filed an emergency application, asking the Supreme Court to overturn that decision. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President Bidens reelection campaign dropped its first advertisement of 2024, focusing on preserving democracy to mark the anniversary of the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol. The 60-second spot, entitled Cause, is narrated by Biden and argues that former President Trump, the GOP primary front-runner, has made efforts to erode American democracy and excuse and even promote political violence. Ive made the preservation of American democracy an essential issue of my presidency, Biden said in the ad. Now, something dangerous is happening in America. Theres an extremist movement that does not share the basic beliefs in our democracy. The half-million-dollar ad blitz will run for a week on national television news and local evening news in key swing state television markets, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Shorter versions of the ad will run on digital platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Connected TV, the campaign said. The ad was dropped a day ahead of the presidents planned speech on democracy to mark the third anniversary of Jan. 6, 2021. Biden is set to travel to the Philadelphia area on Friday for his first campaign event of the year, during which he will emphasize the threat he says Trump poses to democracy. The speech was moved from Saturday to Friday due to the incoming winter storm in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions. Biden-Harris 2024 campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez, in a statement on Thursday, argued Trumps platform is extreme and undermines elections, weaponizes the government, and parrots dictators. Over the last three years, MAGA Republicans havent shied away from the Big Lie theyve doubled down. This ad serves as a very real reminder that this election could very well determine the very fate of American democracy, she said. The Hill has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Biden moved his speech on democracy, marking the anniversary of Jan. 6, up a day due to the incoming winter storm in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions this weekend. The president was set to travel to the Philadelphia area on Saturday to mark the third anniversary of the riots at the U.S. Capitol. On Wednesday evening, the White House announced that Bidens trip was moved from Saturday to Friday. Due to impending inclement weather in the Philadelphia area this weekend, the Presidents campaign speech near Valley Forge on Saturday, January 6 will be moved to Friday, January 5, Bidens campaign spokesman Kevin Munoz said on X, formerly known as Twitter. Cities along the East Coast, including Washington, Philadelphia and New York City, are expected to be hit with major storms from Saturday to Monday, which some meteorologists are predicting could be the biggest winter storms seen in the areas in two years. Bidens speech in Valley Forge, Pa., which is outside of Philadelphia, will be his first campaign event of the year and he is expected to emphasize the threat that former President Trump poses to democracy. He will use the Jan. 6 anniversary as a symbol of what the Biden campaign says is an ongoing fight for democracy. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Friday President Biden will mark the third anniversary of the attack on the U.S. Capitol with a speech near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The historic landmark was a turning point in the Revolutionary War. Where Americans came together to fight for our democracy hundreds of years ago, said Kevin Munoz, a representative of the Biden campaign. The President plans to talk about what he calls threats to democracy. Munoz says we can expect Biden to go after what the campaign calls extreme Republican policies. The Biden team says democracys future is on the ballot in November. We want to make sure every American has the freedoms that weve fought for, he said. Conservatives say President Biden and Democrats are the real threat to democracy. I think when hes talking about a threat to democracy, he must be looking in the mirror because if theres any threat to democracy, its the actions of his administration and his supporters, said Hans von Spakovsky of the Heritage Foundation. Von Spakovsky points to efforts by some democratic leaders to push former President Trump off the ballot in several states. That is a real current threat to democracy, he said. Trump and the RNC are appealing the decisions to remove Trump in Colorado and Maine, but the issue wont be settled until the Supreme Court weighs in. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. WASHINGTON With reproductive rights and border security emerging as some of the top issues in the 2024 presidential election, the White House is picking more and more legal fights with Texas and its Republican governor, Greg Abbott. In a stark acknowledgement of the seething animosity between one state and the federal government, Abbott has bluntly said: Biden is destroying America. Texas is trying to save it. The duel gives both sides a powerful foil as they seek to motivate voters ahead of the November elections: Republicans are aiming to paint President Joe Biden as a boogeyman responsible for record-high illegal crossings at the southern border, while Democrats are trying to cast the GOP as a party intent on taking away abortion rights and refusing to accept any meaningful solutions on the border in order to keep the issue alive and score political points. Over the coming months, the Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments in a lawsuit brought by the Biden administration to protect broad access to the abortion pill mifepristone after anti-abortion groups and doctors in Texas challenged its legality following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Meanwhile, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that Texas can ban emergency abortions even though the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says a federal statute takes priority over state laws prohibiting the procedure. Also on Tuesday, the Biden administration asked the Supreme Court to allow federal Border Patrol agents to cut through or move razor wire Texas installed on the U.S.-Mexico border as part of a controversial effort by the state to prevent illegal border crossings. The Department of Justice gave Texas until Wednesday to say it would not enforce the states new law, SB 4, which would soon allow state law enforcement officers to arrest and deport migrants. The DOJ calls the law unconstitutional and says it interferes with federal law enforcement operations. Late in the day, the DOJ filed a lawsuit. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton vowed to fight it, posing to social media that Texas has the sovereign right to protect our state. The more recent legal battles come after a federal appeals court in December upheld a lower courts ruling ordering Texas to remove buoys on the Rio Grande that the state had installed to block illegal border crossings. Also, Paxton is leading 20 states in suing the Biden administration over a federal migrant parole program announced last January. The flurry of court brawls between the Biden administration and the Lone Star State has been intensifying especially as more cities and suburbs across the country complain of the increasing toll that the record migrant influx has taken on their budgets. Just this week, Denvers mayor said the city is preparing to spend 10% of its general fund budget this year on the migrant crisis. Still, when asked about its response to the backlash from city leaders, the White House has repeatedly placed the blame squarely on Abbott. We have said before that Gov. Abbott has showed just how little regard or respect he has for human beings with some of the tactics that he has employed from Texas by chartering buses or flights in an uncoordinated fashion with interior cities, a senior administration official said. And we have been clear that we need policy changes, that our immigration system is broken and that we need everybody to come together around actual solutions rather than political stunts. Democrats have criticized Abbott for using the displaced migrants as pawns, even sending buses filled with them to Vice President Kamala Harris home in Washington. On MSNBCs Morning Joe on Wednesday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas blasted Abbott for refusing to cooperate with other governors and other local officials and called it a remarkable failure of governance. For his part, Abbott has seemed to relish taking on the White House, making it a main part of his political brand. In 2012, while he was Texas attorney general, he told delegates at the state GOP convention that his job was simple: I go the office. I sue the federal government. Then I go home. During the Obama administration, another Texas official, Paxton, sparred with the White House often, including over gun rights and environmental protections. On Wednesday, Abbott renewed his criticism of the administration and Mayorkas, writing on X, formerly known as Twitter: The REAL reason illegal immigration records are being set is because Biden refuses to enforce immigration laws. We will send more buses and planes. We will continue building the razor wire walls that Biden wants to tear down. His comments coincided with a group of House Republicans, including Speaker Mike Johnson, traveling to Eagle Pass, Texas, on Wednesday to tour the border. In response, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates called out the GOP for refusing to pass the presidents $105 billion supplemental funding request, which would include some $14 billion for border security measures. Actions speak louder than words, Bates said in a written statement. House Republicans anti-border security record is defined by attempting to cut Customs and Border Protection personnel, opposing President Bidens record-breaking border security funding, and refusing to take up the Presidents supplemental funding request. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The names of acquaintances and associates of wealthy financier Jeffrey Epsteinincluding that of former U.S. presidents and British royaltywere released on Wednesday evening in a set of court documents that were part of a suit against Ghislaine Maxwell in 2015. The documents, the first in more than 200 that are expected to be unsealed over the next few days, are part of the defamation lawsuit filed by victim Virginia Roberts Giuffre. Maxwell has previously called Giuffre a liar after she alleged that Epstein and Maxwell had abused her. (That case was eventually settled in 2017, but Maxwell was later sentenced to 20 years in prison for recruiting young girls for Epstein to sexually exploit in a criminal investigation of Epsteins acts after his death.) Names of figures that were previously associated with Epstein, such as Prince Andrew and former presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, were mentioned in the court documents, but there was little new information outside of what was already known to the public. Some documents had previously been released in other court cases, while Epsteins high-profile contacts have been covered extensively in the media. In December, U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska ordered the documents to be released, though she gave people until Jan. 1 to appeal the order in case they did not want their name to be revealed. The names of victims who were minors when they suffered abuse were not released, though some have previously spoken out about Epsteins actions in media interviews. Heres what to know. What the documents reveal For the most part, the documents say little about the actions taken by individuals outside of Epstein, though there is a 2016 deposition from Johanna Sjoberg, one of Epsteins victims, that mentions politicians and figureheads in the U.S. and abroad. While celebrities like Bruce Willis, Cameron Diaz, Cate Blanchett, Kevin Spacey, Naomi Campbell, and Leonardo DiCaprio are also mentioned in the records, they have not been accused of helping Epstein in any capacity. Sjoberg was only asked if she had met the aforementioned people, which she denied. Connections to Epstein previously led high-level executives to resign from their positions, including Barclays chief executive Jes Staley. Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent suspected of scouting girls for Epstein, killed himself in a Paris jail in 2022 while awaiting trial for rape accusations. The documents on Wednesday confirmed the scale of both Epsteins alleged sex-trafficking ring and his powerful social network. Prince Andrewthe younger brother of King Charles IIIwas one of the names referenced in the documents, mentioned by a witness for touching her breast. Andrew was also previously accused of raping Giuffre when she was a teenager. After a lawsuit filed by Giuffre in 2021 and amid growing public pressure, Andrew was forced to relinquish his military titles and public dutieseven as he repeatedly denied the allegations. The two settled the lawsuit in 2022 after Andrew paid Giuffre an undisclosed sum of money. The case against Epstein Jeffrey Epstein was a convicted sex offender who would lure young girls under the impression that they would be giving him massages that would then become increasingly sexual in nature, according to the 2019 indictment against him. Jennifer Araoz, one of the victims, said that Epstein would invite her to his house and pay her hundreds of dollars after her visit. While they initially spoke about her life and goals, he later became abusive, Araoz said. Epstein had long avoided facing any consequences for his actions. He was first investigated for sexual misconduct in 2005 after a woman claimed that he had molested her teenage stepdaughter. Palm Beach police eventually charged Epstein with counts of unlawful sex with a minor in May 2006, but then State Attorney Barry Krischer sent the case to a grand jury, which indicted him with one count of soliciting prostitution. The charge was minor, leading to much criticism and causing the FBI to open a federal investigation against Epstein. But Epstein ended up serving a short 18-month sentence in 2008 for recruiting an underage girl for prostitution after he struck a plea deal with U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta to avoid being charged with any federal crimes. Epstein later came back under scrutiny in 2018, after the Miami Herald looked at Acostas role in negotiating a short sentence for Epstein. In July 2019, Epstein was arrested after federal prosecutors looked at his behavior between 2002 and 2005. The case against him revealed that the victims, some as young as 14, were paid to provide sexual services to him and his friends, and to recruit other young girls to his circle of victims. Epsteins employees would also sexually abuse the young girls. He was facing charges for sex trafficking and conspiracy in July 2019 when one month later, he died by suicide in a New York federal jail. The investigation continued after his passing, leading prosecutors to convict Maxwell for sex crimes in connection to her dealing with Epstein. Here are other names high-profile mentioned in the documents: Bill Clinton The former president was mentioned in the documents released on Wednesday, in Sjobergs testimony that Epstein had told her Clinton likes them young, referring to girls. She also said that she knew Epstein had dealings with Clinton but did not know they were friends until later media reports. The former presidents ties with Epstein has long been the subject of media scrutinyintensified in the wake of the financiers indictment. The two had connected while Clinton was working on his nonprofit group the Clinton Foundation, and in 2002, they took a trip to Africa on Epsteins private jet. In 2019, Clintons office said that the former president did not know about Epsteins terrible crimes, and that he had not spoken to Epstein in well over a decade. A spokesperson for Clinton told CNN on Wednesday that it has been nearly 20 years since President Clinton last had contact with Epstein. Records show that Giuffres attorneys wanted to get a deposition from Clinton. Giuffre, the plaintiff in the defamation lawsuit against Maxwell, did not accuse the former president of doing anything with her, but attorneys saw Clinton as a key person who can provide information about his close relationship with Defendant and Mr. Epstein and disapprove Ms. Maxwells claims. Donald Trump The former presidentwhose relationship with Epstein was also widely reportedwas also mentioned in Sjobergs 2016 deposition. Sjoberg testified that she and Epstein once made an impromptu stop in Atlantic City due to poor flying weather. Asked if she had given Trump a massage, Sjoberg said no. Trump once called Epstein a terrific guy, but later said he had a falling out with him. I dont think Ive spoken to him for 15 years. I was not a fan of his, Trump said in 2019. Michael Jackson Sjoberg recalled meeting late musician Michael Jackson at Epsteins house in Palm Beach, but said no when asked if she had massaged him. Sarah Kellen Kellen, Epsteins former assistant, was named in testimonies of victims detailing their encounters with Epstein. She was said to have helped schedule his massages, which his victims said was a euphemism for sexual services. A judge had described Kellen as a criminally responsible participant in Epsteins scheme. But Kellen was never charged and has remained out of the public eye. Kellen said through a spokesperson in 2020 that she herself had been sexually and psychologically abused by Epstein for years. Jean-Luc Brunel Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent suspected of scouting girls for Epstein, killed himself in a Paris jail in 2022 while awaiting trial for rape accusations. Giuffre said in her deposition that she was sent by Maxwell to have sex with Brunel at many places. The documents also say that Brunel would bring girls as young as twelve "to the United States for sexual purposes and farm them out to his friends, especially Epstein." Bill Richardson Bill Richardson, the former governor of New Mexico who died in September, was also mentioned. Giuffre said in her deposition that Maxwell had instructed her to give Richardson a massage. In 2019, a spokesperson for Richardson denied he ever met Giuffre, according to Las Cruces Sun News. Leslie Wexner Leslie Wexner, the billionaire founder of L Brands (which owns Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works), was also mentioned in Maxwells deposition. When asked if she had ever provided Giuffre with an outfit of a sexual nature to wear for Les Wexner, Maxwell said categorically no. Epstein was Wexner's money manager and a trustee of the Wexner Foundation During an L Brands investor conference in Sept. 2019, Wexner called Epstein's action "abhorrent." Wexner says he cut ties with Epstein in 2007. Glenn Dubin Hedge fund manager and billionaire Glenn Dubin was mentioned in the documents, with Giuffre testifying that Ghislaine told me to go to Glenn Dubin and give him a massage, which means sex, Giuffre said in her deposition.. Dubin has previously denied Giuffres allegations. Dubins wife, Eva Andersson-Dubin, was also referenced in the unsealed documents. Maxwell said in her deposition that she was friends with Andersson-Dubin. Alan Dershowitz Alan Dershowitz, Epsteins lawyer, was also mentioned in the newly-released records. The documents say that Epstein forced a minor to have sex with the former Harvard law professor multiple times. The documents also say that Dershowitz was an eye-witness to the sexual abuse of many other minors by Epstein and several of Epsteins co-conspirators. Dershowitz would later play a significant role in negotiating the NPA on Epsteins behalf. NPA stands for non-prosecution agreement, which allowed Epstein to avoid serving a severe sentence when he was first charged with soliciting a minor for prostitution. Of course Im on that list, I was his lawyer. I flew on his plane, said Dershowitz in a Youtube livestream after the list came out. Marvin Minsky Computer scientist and former MIT professor Marvin Minsky was also mentioned in the documents. Giuffre said she was asked to have sex with Minsky when he went to Epsteins island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Back in TIME Contact us at letters@time.com. Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell are pictured with Bill Clinton at the White House during his time as president - The Mega Agency Bill Clinton put pressure on Vanity Fair not to cover allegations about Jeffrey Epstein, the Duke of Yorks accuser claimed in newly released court documents. Virginia Giuffre, who accused the Duke of abusing her as a teenager, a claim he strongly denies, discussed selling a now infamous photo of the pair to Vanity Fair in a 2011 email exchange with another journalist. The exchanges are among a tranche of almost 1,000 legal documents related to the convicted paedophile Epstein made public by a US court on Wednesday. In one email, Ms Giuffre was encouraged by a journalist to let Vanity Fair purchase the photo of the Duke with his arm wrapped around her waist. Ms Giuffre was encouraged by a journalist to let Vanity Fair purchase the photo of the Prince with his arm wrapped around her waist She was also advised to include the phrase sex trafficked in any potential accompanying statement to the magazine. However, Ms Giuffre replied she was concerned about how Vanity Fair might approach the subject because of Epsteins far-reaching influence. She wrote that Mr Clinton had walked into VF (Vanity Fair) and threatened them not to write sex trafficking articles about his good friend JE (Jeffrey Epstein). There is no evidence to support the claims and they were strenuously denied by a representative for Vanity Fairs longtime former editor, Graydon Carter, said: This categorically did not happen. Questions raised over why Vanity Fair spiked abuse allegations made against Epstein as early as 2003 Questions have previously been raised over why Vanity Fair spiked abuse allegations made against Epstein as early as 2003. The pieces author, US-based journalist Vicky Ward, has claimed that Epstein convinced Vanity Fairs then-editor, Graydon Carter, not to publish claims by two accusers. Ward claimed Carter told her that he believed Epstein, after the late financier visited the magazines office to exert pressure. Carter disputed the claims to the New Yorker in 2022, stating that Ward attempted to add the abuse claims very close to publication and the magazine did not feel she had credible evidence that would stand up in court. Mr Clinton, 77, did not reply to a request for comment regarding Vanity Fair but his spokeswoman repeated his previous statement that he knew nothing of Epsteins crimes and did not visit his private island, as Ms Giuffre has claimed. Lawyers for Ghislaine Maxwell said their clients focus is on the upcoming appellate argument asking for her entire case to be dismissed and that she has consistently and vehemently maintained her innocence. Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008. He took his own life while awaiting trial on further sex trafficking crimes in 2019. 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. Flash Japan's transport authorities on Wednesday started probing the cause of a collision between a Japan Coast Guard aircraft and a Japan Airlines (JAL) passenger plane at Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Tuesday evening, which led to over 300 flight cancellations. Firefighters work at the site of an aircraft collision at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 2, 2024. The Japan Airlines Flight 516 heading from New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido Prefecture to Tokyo's Haneda Airport collided with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft after landing at Haneda Airport, the report said. (Xinhua/Hu Xiaoge) The Japan Transport Safety Board, the government-affiliated agency in charge of probing serious accidents involving airplanes, trains and ships, examined the aircraft wreckage during the day while police also inspected the accident site. The safety board reported that it had retrieved the flight and voice recorders of the Coast Guard aircraft and was still searching for those of the JAL plane, which had flown from New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido Prefecture, according to local media outlets. A Haneda air traffic controller had permitted the passenger plane to land on a runway before the crash took place, and had ordered the coast guard aircraft to "hold short of the runway," national broadcaster NHK reported, citing sources with Japan's transport ministry. The plane's crew members had told the company that they proceeded with the landing after confirming with air traffic control and that there were no abnormalities with the aircraft during the flight, national news agency Kyodo quoted JAL as saying on Wednesday. The crash forced the airport to shut down all runways for several hours on Tuesday evening, leading to cancellations of 226 flights to and from Haneda, affecting over 40,000 passengers. Despite the reopening of three runways on Wednesday, about 100 flights are still expected to be scrubbed on the day, disrupting the travel plans of 19,000 passengers. At around 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday, JAL Flight 516, an Airbus A-350, was landing on Haneda's C-runway when the Coast Guard flight MA-722, a Bombardier Dash-8, collided with it, with both aircraft catching fire. Television footage on Tuesday showed a large burst of fire erupting from the side of the JAL plane as it taxied on a runway. The area around the wing then caught fire. The footage seen an hour later showed the blaze engulfed the aircraft. Five of the six crew members aboard the MA-722 were confirmed dead, while the captain who managed to escape earlier was severely injured. The Coast Guard plane, which belongs to the Haneda Airport base, was taxiing on the runway to transport relief goods for quake-hit areas in Niigata Prefecture after a series of temblors of up to 7.6 magnitude struck central Japan on Monday afternoon, according to Coast Guard spokesperson Yoshinori Yanagishima. Meanwhile, all 367 passengers and 12 crew members on board the JAL flight escaped from the airplane while it was on fire without life-threatening injuries after the collision. The Tokyo Fire Department said it took more than eight hours to extinguish the fire following the crash. Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks will perform together 7 p.m. June 21 at Soldier Field, according to an announcement Thursday morning by concert promoter Live Nation. Tickets are on sale to the public at 10 a.m. next Friday, Jan. 12 via TicketMaster.com, a Live Nation subsidiary. A Citi Cardmember presale begins Jan. 8, a Verizon Up presale Jan. 9. The concert was announced at a press event at Soldier Field also attended by Chicago Park District CEO and general superintendent Rosa Escareno, and is being billed as a One Night Only in Chicago event. Joel and Nicks have previously appeared together at similar Two Icons, One Night stadium concerts, though this will be their first time together in Chicago. Also at Soldier Field this summer: Kenny Chesneys Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour with Zac Brown Band and guests Megan Moroney and Uncle Kracker (June 15; tickets now on sale at www.soldierfield.com) Rolling Stones: Hackney Diamonds 24 tour (June 27 and 30; tickets on sale at www.soldierfield.com) George Strait with Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town (July 20; tickets on sale at www.soldierfield.com) Metallica: M72 tour (Aug. 9 and 11; tickets on sale at www.soldierfield.com) P!NK Summer Carnival (Aug. 24; tickets on sale at www.soldierfield.com) dgeorge@chicagotribune.com OPINION: Former Harvard President Claudine Gays resignation is now a reminder of the irreconcilability of successful Black womanhood with powerful, wealthy and predominantly white institutions. Editors note: The following article is an op-ed, and the views expressed are the authors own. Read more opinions on theGrio. Reading of Dr. Claudine Gays resignation Tuesday from the Harvard presidency, the words of Audre Lorde in the poignant poem A Litany for Survival come to mind: For all of us / this instant and this triumph / We were never meant to survive. A presidency that for many of us stood in and outside of academia as a symbol and actualization of the possible quickly became a demonstration of the power of forceful campaigns that coalesced against Black women leaders. Her resignation is now a reminder of the irreconcilability of successful Black womanhood with powerful, wealthy and predominantly white institutions. Even when you have all the accolades, all the knowledge, all the skills and attributes, it is hard to know the way forward. How is success achievable when the scrutiny is so vast and extensive? This is how we die, even if it may have felt for a moment that we triumphed. The challenges of being a Black woman and woman of color academic are well documented. National statistics display severe underrepresentation of Black faculty. The National Center for Education Statistics shows that in the fall of 2021, only 6% of faculty were Black and 6% were Latino. Underrepresentation is but one problem. For those who do make it, academia proves to be a tough terrain. Women, faculty of color and first-generation faculty face grave challenges in navigating university structures that inhibit advancing to and beyond tenure, promotion and achieving overall fulfilling and successful careers. In a synthesis of 252 scholarly publications on the topic of faculty of color in the academy, the authors of Faculty of Color in Academe: What 20 Years of Literature Tells Us sum up the challenges facing faculty of color as undervaluation of their research interests, approaches and theoretical frameworks; student challenges to their credentials and intellect in the classroom; isolation/marginalization; and perceived biases in hiring processes. More recent qualitative and testimonial scholarship paints a fuller picture that faculty of color, and Black women specifically, are, as one volume aptly notes, presumed incompetent. During the 2020 racial justice awakening, Black academics reported exhaustion when the claims for diversity collided with their experiences, according to an Inside Higher Ed article. One leader described that institutions need to examine how white supremacy culture is baked into the structures and practices of the campus. As hard as it is being a Black woman faculty, becoming and being a Black woman leader reveals the iron bars above the glass ceiling. The public view may think of an academic career path as cryptic at worst but rather comfortable. More accurately, the path is arduous and long. At every turn through four years of undergraduate education, four to six years of masters and doctoral work, dissertation writing and defense, getting an academic position, six plus years of tenure probationary period, tenure and promotion reviews that scrutinize every word you have said and written, and ongoing considerations for promotion, professional advancement and consideration for leadership there are hoops to jump, points to prove, checks to cross. For underrepresented scholars, and particularly for Black women, there are also gender and racial biases to challenge. Every step of the way research shows that every single one of these steps is more pronounced and taxing for people of color. For the few Black women academics who find their way to leadership positions inevitably by demonstrating talent, skill, qualification, impact and vocation success is hard-fought. Academic leadership remains largely white and inhospitable to Black women. According to an American Council of Education survey that oversampled presidents of color, only 5.4% or 3% of all university presidents are Black or Latina women, respectively. Black women academic leaders report greater scrutiny and the need to prove and validate their qualifications. The scrutiny manifests in multiple ways. Black women university presidents exhibit a longer time between aspiration to presidential leadership and application, and they report less overall transparency from universities and boards about expectations and institutional conditions. And the scrutiny and challenges come at great personal and professional cost. As a Black Puerto Rican-Dominican Caribbean Latina scholar currently serving as a departmental chair, I know the academic path. Being an undergraduate at Harvard in the 1990s always came with questions within and beyond about capacity, belonging, being intelligent enough and being an affirmative action student. The questions havent stopped, though they might have changed in style. Later, in my first graduate department, I was asked to leave by a department that, at the time, saw most students of color as incapable of earning a Ph.D. Indeed, I have managed to disprove many but not all of these structural blocks to continue an academic career. The questions, as a scholar and a leader, nonetheless, creep in. The educational road for academics of color through political climates continues to make us susceptible to whatever adaptable policies, practices and language of racism emerge, whether its the attack on affirmative action, diversity, equity and inclusion, critical race theory or accusations of being a diversity hire, or unprofessional behavior and incompetence, etc. The story of racism is not only about how scholars of color are overly scrutinized. It is also about how our non-Black counterparts hardly ever face the same levels of scrutiny. How many Harvard presidents works have been scrutinized at such levels as Claudine Gays? Given the documented widespread racial disparities in evaluation across a wide variety of societys institutional settings, it is not hard to understand the disparate lens applied to research. As scholars of race know, the findings about racial disparities are numerous and conclusive. Being aware of the vast landscape of racial disparities proves daunting. When I consider putting myself up for professional scrutiny of any ilk, I think of the experiences of Black people and people of color in all sectors. The personal, health and professional costs of such relentless sieges and discrimination are as true for the common citizen as they are for the academics and academic leaders. I can only imagine the professional and personal dimensions of the storm that has enveloped Dr. Gay. Her and the Harvard Corporations letter briefly hint at the racial content of the attacks. I can not imagine what kinds of attacks have been privately levied at Dr. Gay from the moment of her appointment as Harvard president. More than a century ago, a young African-American man from Massachusetts by the name of William Edward Burghardt Du Bois became the first African-American to earn a Masters and a Ph.D. degree from Harvard after earning a college degree there in 1890. W.E.B. Du Bois would bring great glory to Harvard, but only in hindsight. For many years and into the 21st Century, Du Bois has been recognized as the founder of the NAACP and perhaps most famously known for making an impossibly prescient declaration in 1903 that the problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line. More recently, as a corrective to the history of American science, Du Bois has been lauded as one of the founders of American sociology. Praise for Du Bois is unending, though, in his time, Du Bois struggled to get an academic position in the top institutions such as the one that trained him. His published study on the Black community in Philadelphia, Philadelphia Negro, conducted as a temporary assistant in sociology at the University of Pennsylvania, is now celebrated as a masterpiece of social scientific research. On the occasion of honoring the 150th anniversary of Du Bois birth, the Harvard Gazette describes him as one of Americas intellectual giants and a revolutionary thinker far ahead of his time. On the topic of attending Harvard, Du Bois famously said: Im in Harvard, not of it and, upon completion of his Ph.D., The honor, I assure you, was Harvards. With the rabid political and social push to undo the gains in inclusion that Claudine Gays appointment as president signaled, universities and all institutions need to decide who they want to be. If they value a democratic, inclusive and diverse society, they need to do the work and take preemptive, actionable steps to safeguard those values. This means taking responsibility and educating themselves in the machinations of gendered racism to understand the protections and support needed to ensure the success of Black and underrepresented leaders, students, staff and faculty. And they have to be firm, clear and unapologetic about how unacceptable the alternative is for all, and especially our future generations. No amount of evidence is sufficient to convey the devastating impact that comes from Claudines Gay resignation. Are we, as Lorde reminds us, not meant to belong and survive in these environments, despite the gains we have supposedly made across centuries? I hope that history will prove Du Bois point right and that Harvard remains proud and does the work to retain the honor of naming Claudine Gay as president and signaling to the world, and to those of us who have an affiliation with the university, that we indeed are of and not merely in those institutions. One way or another, we will survive, as we have always, even when we werent meant to. Zaire Z. Dinzey-Flores is a sociologist and urban planner specializing in the study of race, class, and the built environment. She is currently an associate professor in sociology and the Department of Latino and Caribbean studies, where she serves as chair. She is the author of Locked In, Locked Out: Gated Communities in a Puerto Rican City (University of Pennsylvania Presss, 2013). Never miss a beat: Get our daily stories straight to your inbox with theGrios newsletter. The post This is how Black women leaders do not survive appeared first on TheGrio. By Bhargav Acharya and Siyabonga Sishi PRETORIA (Reuters) -South African former Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius was released on parole on Friday, nearly 11 years after murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in a crime that shocked a nation inured to violence against women. Pistorius - dubbed "Blade Runner" for his carbon-fibre prosthetic legs - shot 29-year-old model Steenkamp dead through a locked bathroom door on Valentine's Day in 2013. He has repeatedly said he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder when he fired four shots into the bathroom at his Pretoria home, and he launched multiple appeals against his conviction on that basis. In a statement shared by the Steenkamp family lawyer on Friday, Reeva's mother June said: "There can never be justice if your loved one is never coming back, and no amount of time served will bring Reeva back." "We, who remain behind, are the ones serving a life sentence," June Steenkamp said, adding her only desire was to be allowed to live in peace after Pistorius' release on parole. Pistorius, now 37, spent about eight and a half years in jail as well as seven months under home arrest before he was sentenced for murder. A parole board in November decided he could be freed after completing more than half his sentence. South Africa's correctional services department said in a short statement that Pistorius had become a "parolee, effectively from 5 January 2024" and was now at home, without specifying where that was. A monitoring official will keep an eye on him until his sentence expires in December 2029, whom Pistorius will have to inform if he seeks job opportunities or moves to a new address. GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE Pistorius will also be required to continue therapy on anger management and attend sessions on gender-based violence as part of his parole conditions, the Steenkamp family has said. June Steenkamp said the conditions imposed by the parole board had affirmed her belief in the South African justice system as they send out a clear message that gender-based violence is taken seriously. But a local women's rights organisation said the Pistorius case showed there was a lack of accountability for perpetrators and inadequate justice for victims of violence in the country. "We are talking about somebody's life that's been taken... The fact that someone can walk out free eight years later, it tells us that it's not that big of a deal," spokesperson for Women For Change, Bulelwa Adonis, told Reuters. Adonis said an average of 12 women are murdered in South Africa every day. While some South Africans see Pistorius' punishment as too lenient, others feel he has served his time. "Let the man go home, he's done his time, and remember, it's also about being reintegrated back into society," 42-year-old Pretoria resident, Kefentse Botolo, told Reuters. Local media expect Pistorius to live at the home of his uncle Arnold in a wealthy Pretoria suburb, where a crowd of reporters gathered in front of the gate on Friday. A spokesperson for the department of correctional services said Pistorius had been dropped off in the morning "at an entrance unfamiliar to everyone" but did not confirm where. His lawyer did not immediately respond to messages or phone calls seeking comment. FROM PARALYMPIC STAR TO CONVICTED MURDERER Pistorius was once the darling of the sports world, and a pioneering voice for disabled athletes, for whom he campaigned to be allowed to compete with able-bodied participants at major sports events. In August 2012, months before shooting his girlfriend, Pistorius became the first double amputee to compete at the London Olympics, where he made it to the 400 metres semi-finals. He won two gold medals at the Paralympics. He was first jailed for five years in October 2014 for culpable homicide by a high court. After his prosecutors appealed that ruling, the Supreme Court of Appeal found him guilty of murder in December 2015. But he only got six years when he was sentenced in July 2016, despite prosecutors arguing for a minimum sentence of 15 years. Then in November 2017 the Supreme Court of Appeal more than doubled his sentence to 13 years and five months, describing his earlier term as "shockingly lenient". Pistorius met Reeva's father Barry Steenkamp in 2022 in a "victim-offender dialogue", an integral part of South Africa's restorative justice system. Based partly on how indigenous cultures handled crime long before Europeans colonised South Africa, restorative justice aims to find closure for affected parties in a crime, instead of merely punishing perpetrators. (Reporting by Bhargav Acharya, Siyabonga Sishi, Shafiek Tassiem, Siphiwe Sibeko, Thando Hlophe and Ihsaan Haffejee in Pretoria, Anait Miridzhanian and Sisipho Skweyiya in JohannesburgEditing by Alexander Winning, Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo, James Oatway, Tim Cocks, Shri Navaratnam and Ros Russell) Secretary of State Antony Blinken is departing Thursday evening for the Middle East with an intensive diplomatic agenda as tensions have spiked surrounding Israels war against Hamas. The assassination in Lebanon of a top Hamas leader on Tuesday, a terrorist attack in Iran on Wednesday and attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and on commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea have put the region on heightened alert over the potential breakout of a wider conflict. Blinkens stops include Turkey, Greece, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Israel, Egypt and a visit with the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. The secretarys itinerary highlights the main players the U.S. is relying on to exert influence and help lower the temperature in the region. It is in no ones interest, not Israels, not the regions, not the worlds, for this conflict to spread beyond Gaza, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Wednesday. Top Stories from The Hill The secretarys trip will focus on Israels war against Hamas, protection of civilian lives in the conflict zone, increasing humanitarian delivery to Palestinians in Gaza and efforts to secure the return of more than 100 hostages still held by Hamas. It will mark the fourth time Blinken has visited the Middle East and the fifth time hes been in Israel since Hamass Oct. 7 attack that triggered the retaliation in the Gaza Strip. Miller said that the secretary will discuss with partners immediate measures to increase substantially humanitarian assistance to Gaza and the delivery of commercial goods. Blinken will discuss with Israeli officials the ongoing military campaign against Hamas, and steps to the next phase of operations, to include allowing Palestinians in Gaza to return to their homes and neighborhoods. The Biden administration has staked out a position as Israels strongest ally as it prosecutes its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip amid international pressure to implement a cease-fire, even as the U.S. has raised concerns about the high death toll for Palestinians in Gaza and tensions in the West Bank. Countries such as Turkey, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt are playing different roles in working as mediators with Hamas or exercising influence with other players, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, or Iran and Iranian-backed proxies, such as the Houthis in Yemen, who have engaged in back-and-forth strikes with Israel and the U.S. but have not escalated by engaging in a full-fledged war. In Turkey, Blinken will discuss efforts for the Turkish government to complete ratification of Swedens accession to NATO and will hold discussions in Greece about support for Ukraine and protecting regional maritime security. We dont expect every conversation on this trip to be easy. There are obviously tough issues facing the region and difficult choices ahead, Miller said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. FILE - Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks at the State Department, Dec. 7, 2023, in Washington.Blinken is heading to the Middle East for the fourth time since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October as once-abated fears about a regional conflagration are surging with attacks and assassinations in the Red Sea, Lebanon, Iran and Iraq.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) WASHINGTON (AP) As the Biden administration grapples with an increasingly tense and unstable situation in the Middle East, Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to the region this weekend for the fourth time in three months on a tour expected to focus largely on easing resurgent fears that the Israel-Hamas war could erupt into a broader conflict. With international criticism of Israel's operations in Gaza mounting, growing U.S. concerns about the end game, and more immediate worries about a recent explosion in attacks in the Red Sea, Lebanon, Iran and Iraq, Blinken will have a packed and difficult agenda. He leaves just days after a suspected Israeli attack killed a senior Hamas leader in Beirut and, while a White House spokesman said nobody should be shedding a tear over his death, it could further complicate Blinkens mission. We dont expect every conversation on this trip to be easy," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. "There are obviously tough issues facing the region and difficult choices ahead. But the secretary believes it is the responsibility of the United States of America to lead diplomatic efforts to tackle those challenges head on, and hes prepared to do that in the days to come. Blinken leaves late Thursday on his latest extended Mideast tour, which will take him to Turkey, Greece, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank and Egypt. Apart from Gaza-specific priorities he will bring to Israel including pressing for a dramatic increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, a shift toward less intense military operations and a concerted effort to rein in violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank by Jewish settlers Blinken will be seeking regional assistance in calming the situation. It is in no ones interest, not Israels, not the regions, not the worlds, for this conflict to spread beyond Gaza, Miller said. The key elements to preventing this will be deterring attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels on commercial Red Sea shipping, deterring attacks on Israel by Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah and deterring attacks on U.S. military facilities and interests by Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria. Yet, U.S. influence with Iran is minimal and it must rely either on its own military deterrence or on partners to make the case with Iran that a regional war would be catastrophic. Strategically, Iran is winning, said Paul Salem, head of the Washington-based Middle East Institute. He said Hezbollah and the overall network of Iranian-allied groups are pleased with what the current level of hostilities has achieved. Iran is sitting pretty, he said. It doesnt need to do anything dramatic. It is kind of on the winning side. Since the Gaza war erupted with Israel's response to the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, the Biden administration has been seriously concerned about a potential spread in the conflict. It had breathed a sigh of relief in the weeks following the start of the the Israeli operation, when it successfully counseled Israeli officials not to mount pre-emptive strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon and sent two aircraft carrier strike groups to the eastern Mediterranean to serve as a deterrent. Two and a half months later, though, the chances of a regional war have increased with Israel determined to strike Hamas operatives and leaders no matter where they are. Meanwhile, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and pro-Iran militias have been stepping up attacks on U.S., Israeli and international interests. As with his previous Mideast visits, Blinken will be concentrating on expanding humanitarian aid to Gaza, pressing Israel to minimize civilian Palestinian casualties, pushing for the release of hostages held by Hamas and stressing the importance of planning for the administration of a postwar Gaza. But, his agenda has been clouded by recent developments, including a drone strike attributed to Israel that killed Hamas deputy leader Saleh Arouri in Beirut's southern suburbs, explosions in Iran that targeted a memorial service for U.S.-assassinated Revolutionary Guard commander Qassem Suleimani, a drone attack on a pro-Iranian Iraqi militia group in Baghdad and U.S. and allied responses to Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. For example, the first speech by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah during the Israel-Hamas war, nearly a month into the conflict, was widely seen by analysts as telegraphing that his group had no interest in engaging in a full-on war with Israel. On Wednesday, however, following the killing of Arouri, Nasrallah took a more belligerent tone and appeared to be making a case to the Lebanese people that a wider war might be necessary. Nasrallah said Hezbollah had so far calibrated between the need to support Gaza and to take into account Lebanese national interests, which have limited its military involvement. But he said in the event that war is launched on us, then Lebanese national interests require that we take the war to the end, without limits. On Thursday, an armed unmanned surface vessel launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen got within a couple of miles of U.S. Navy and commercial vessels in the Red Sea before detonating, just hours after the White House and a host of partner nations issued a final warning to the Iran-backed militia group to cease the attacks or face potential military action. And, in Baghdad on Thursday, a U.S. airstrike on the headquarters of an Iran-backed militia killed a high-ranking commander, identified as Abu Taqwa, with the Popular Mobilization Force, or PMF. A U.S. defense official said Taqwa was targeted because he was actively involved in attacks on U.S. personnel. An Iraqi military spokesman, Yehia Rasool, said the Iraqi army blames the U.S.-led International Coalition Forces for the unprovoked attack on an Iraqi security body operating in accordance with the powers granted to it by the Iraqi military. The primary mission of the U.S.-led coalition is to fight the Islamic State, the Sunni group that many believe was behind Wednesday's bombing in Iran. ___ Abby Sewell in Beirut, Lebanon, and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed. FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with human rights leaders at the State Department in Washington WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will depart on Thursday for the Middle East, including a stop in Israel, as the United States continues diplomatic consultations on the Israel-Gaza conflict, a senior U.S. official said on Wednesday. The official, briefing reporters on condition of anonymity, said U.S. diplomatic envoy Amos Hochstein will also travel to Israel to work to soothe tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Blinken leaves Thursday night "for stops in a number of capitals, including Israel," the official said. The official provided no further details. U.S. President Joe Biden spoke by phone to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in recent days as he works to improve access to Gaza for humanitarian aid and gain the release of hostages held by Hamas. (Reporting By Steve Holland; Editing by Lincoln Feast) In November 2022, Adam Frisch surprised most pundits in Colorado and around the country when he was 546 votes away from besting Representative Lauren Boebert, a Republican from Silt, in a district assumed safe for Republicans. A few months after the election, some statewide Democratic groups launched efforts to engage voters in Boeberts district but on Dec. 27, she announced she is joining the crowded Republican primary to replace Rep. Ken Buck in the states 4th Congressional District, which includes much of the Eastern Plains and parts of the Front Range suburbs. The Chieftain spoke with two Colorado organizations that have launched campaigns in Boeberts original district, which includes the Western Slope, the San Luis Valley and the Pueblo region, to see what her move to another district means for their efforts. Rocky Mountain Values sign Rocky Mountain Values will continue holding Boebert's 'feet to the fire' A Denver-based dark money nonprofit called Rocky Mountain Values (RMV) first formed in 2019 to target former U.S. Sen. Corey Gardner, a Republican from Yuma, according to the Colorado Sun. The group launched an initial television ad blitz in the Pueblo area in June 2023, featuring a Pueblo veteran who said that Boebert has voted against lowering prescription drug costs and supported a plan cutting social security. Amber Miller, the spokesperson for Rocky Mountain Values, told the Chieftain that RMV spent approximately $1 million last year on advertising, mostly in the Pueblo area. Most recently, RMV commissioned a six-part choral rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas with amended lyrics that poke at Boebert. Miller said that the group is going to continue its efforts to hold Boebert accountable for her votes on economic issues, but the scope of their marketing this year is not yet finalized. RMV could follow Boebert over to her new district, but that is still to be determined and would depend on what funding the group can secure, Miller said. The question is open to us of how we might want to expand our work, but (Boebert) is still the congresswoman in District 3 she still has votes she's going to be casting throughout this session and we're going to be there to hold her feet to the fire, Miller said. As a nonprofit registered with the Internal Revenue Service, Rocky Mountain Values is not required to disclose its donors. The group has advocated against Republican politicians but is not directly affiliated with any political party. Colorado Democratic Party 'doubling down' on 546 Project Just days after the first ad from Rocky Mountain Values started to hit Pueblo airwaves, the Colorado Democratic Party launched a major initiative of its own. The 546 Project, named after Frischs tight margin of loss, started in June of last year with the goal of re-engaging voters in the 3rd District who didnt vote in the 2022 midterms. Boebert was a frequent target at the virtual press conference announcing the initiative. But Shad Murib, the chair of the Colorado Democratic Party, told the Chieftain that the aim of the project has always been bigger than Lauren Boebert. We are doubling down on the 546 Project because the entire goal that we have is not just to beat any single member of Congress, but to build long-term infrastructure that elects community-minded folks to office across the state, from the U.S. Senate to city councils, Murib said. Murib said that a part-time staffer for the project, which is being funded by the partys operating budget, is starting very soon in Pueblo. He said that they will still be working in western and southern Colorado to support the eventual Democratic nominee Grand Junction Mayor Anna Stout is running against Frisch in the partys primary. Gunnison veterinarian Debby Burnett left the race in August 2023 and political newcomer Adam Withrow is now running as an unaffiliated candidate. But Democrats will also work in Colorados 4th Congressional District, not only to defeat Boebert, but to work on electing more Democratic candidates at all levels of government. The great thing about Lauren Boebert and I hesitate to say anything good about her is that she inspires action from people, from Republicans, Democrats and unaffiliated. The energy that we're getting from folks all across CD4 to step up and be even more active is exactly why Boebert was going to lose CD3, Murib said. It's no secret that's a more conservative, red-leaning part of the state, Murib said, adding that his goal as party chair has been to help Democrats compete in areas of the state where they havent as much in the past. Anna Lynn Winfrey covers politics for the Pueblo Chieftain. She can be reached at awinfrey@gannett.com. Please support local news at subscribe.chieftain.com. This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: How liberal organizations are reacting to Boebert's departure from CO-3 LITTLE ROCK, Ark. The Pulaski County Courthouse reopened midday Thursday after reports of a bomb threat led to evacuations of the building earlier in the morning. The reports of the bomb threat came in shortly after opening statements began for a hearing between the Arkansas Board of Corrections and Attorney General Tim Griffin. #NEWS: Covering the Board of Corrections and Attorney General hearing today. Evacuated from courthouse 5 minutes into opening statements for a bomb threat. Stay tuned for updates on the hearing. @KARK4News @FOX16News pic.twitter.com/UKLGSqbq30 Samantha Boyd (@samanthaboyd98) January 4, 2024 Pulaski County officials released a statement shortly after saying that the Pulaski County Juvenile Court and the Pulaski County District Court were also evacuated. Teams from the Pulaski County Sheriffs Office and the Little Rock Police Department conducted a search and law enforcement officials confirmed that nothing was found. Arkansas Board of Corrections suspends Secretary of Corrections Joe Profiri in constitutional issue, requests TRO against Gov. Sanders Officials have not released any additional information on the incident. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. Flash Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday sent a message of condolence to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida over the strong quakes hitting Japan's prefecture of Ishikawa. In his message, Li said he was shocked to learn of the strong quakes in the prefecture, which caused heavy casualties and property loss. On behalf of the Chinese government, Li expressed deep condolences for the deceased, and offered sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured. Li said he believes that under the leadership of the Japanese government, the people in the disaster-hit areas will be able to overcome difficulties and rebuild their homes as soon as possible, adding that China is willing to provide necessary assistance to Japan in earthquake relief. A woman holds up a poster of the late Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone attack in 2020 in Iraq, during a commemoration for him at the Imam Khomeini grand mosque in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Two bombs exploded Wednesday at a commemoration for a prominent Iranian general slain by the U.S. in a 2020 drone strike, Iranian officials said, as the Middle East remains on edge over Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) TEHRAN, Iran (AP) For Iranians backing the country's theocracy, whose icons since the Islamic Revolution have been stern-faced clergymen, Gen. Qassem Soleimani represented a popular figure of national resilience in the face of four decades of U.S. pressure. For the U.S. and Israel, he was a shadowy figure in command of Iran's proxy forces, responsible for fighters in Syria backing President Bashar Assad and for the deaths of American troops in Iraq. Solemani survived the horror of Irans long war in the 1980s with Iraq to take control of the Revolutionary Guards elite Quds Force, responsible for the Islamic Republics campaigns abroad. Relatively unknown in Iran until the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, Soleimani's popularity and mystique grew after American officials called for his killing. A decade and a half later, Soleimani had become Iran's most recognizable battlefield commander, ignoring calls to enter politics but growing as powerful, if not more, than its civilian leadership. The warfront is mankinds lost paradise, Soleimani said in a 2009 interview. One type of paradise that is portrayed for mankind is streams, beautiful nymphs and greeneries. But there is another kind of paradise. ... The warfront was the lost paradise of the human beings, indeed. A U.S. drone strike killed Soleimani, 62, and others as they traveled from Baghdad's international airport on Jan. 3, 2020. The Pentagon said then-President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. military to take decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing a man once referred to by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a living martyr of the revolution. His name again drew international attention on Wednesday, as two bombings targeting a commemoration marking the fourth anniversary of his slaying killed at least 84 people and wounded 284 others. The extremist Islamic State group, a battlefield foe of Soleimani, claimed responsibility Thursday for the attack. These hard-hearted criminals could not tolerate the love and enthusiasm the people had to visit the shrine of their great commander, Qassem Soleimani, Khamenei said in a statement after the attack. Let them know that the soldiers of ... Soleimani will not tolerate their vileness and crimes. Soleimani's luck finally ran out in 2020 after he was rumored dead several times over the years. There was a 2006 airplane crash that killed other military officials in northwestern Iran and a 2012 bombing in Damascus that killed top aides of Assad. Rumors again circulated in November 2015 that Soleimani had been killed or seriously wounded leading forces loyal to Assad as they fought around Syrias Aleppo. As tensions between the U.S. and Iran increased after Trump pulled out of Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers, Iranian officials quickly vowed to retaliate. While Soleimani was the Guard's most prominent general, many others in its ranks have experience in waging the asymmetrical, proxy attacks for which Iran has become known. Trump through his gamble has dragged the U.S. into the most dangerous situation in the region, Hessameddin Ashena, an adviser to Irans former President Hassan Rouhani, once wrote. Whoever put his foot beyond the red line should be ready to face its consequences. Details of Soleimani's early years remain few. Born March 11, 1957, Soleimani grew up, Iranians say, near the mountainous and historic Iranian town of Rabor, famous for its forests, its apricot, walnut and peach harvests and its brave soldiers. The U.S. State Department has said he was born in the Iranian religious capital of Qom. Little is known about his childhood, though Iranian accounts suggest Soleimanis father was a peasant who received some land under the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the monarch who was toppled in the 1979 Islamic Revolution. By the time he was 13, Soleimani was working construction, later as an employee of the Kerman Water Organization. After Irans Islamic Revolution swept the shah from power, Soleimani joined the Revolutionary Guard. He deployed to Irans northwest with forces that put down Kurdish unrest. Soon after, Iraq invaded Iran and began the two countries' long, bloody eight-year war. The fighting saw Iran send waves of lightly armed troops into minefields and the fire of Iraqi forces, including teenage soldiers. Solemanis unit and others also were attacked by Iraqi chemical weapons. Amid the carnage, Soleimani became known for his opposition to meaningless deaths on the battlefield. He wept with fervor when exhorting his men into combat, embracing each individually. For several years after the Iraq-Iran war, Soleimani largely disappeared from public view, something analysts attribute to his wartime disagreements with Hashemi Rafsanjani, who served as Irans president from 1989 to 1997. But after Rafsanjani, Soleimani became head of the Quds Force. He also grew so close to Khamenei that the Supreme Leader officiated the wedding of the generals daughter. As chief of the Quds Foce or Jerusalem Force Soleimani oversaw the Guards foreign operations and soon would come to the attention of Americans following the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. In secret U.S. diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks, U.S. officials openly discussed Iraqi efforts to reach out to Soleimani to stop rocket attacks on the highly secured Green Zone in Baghdad in 2009. Another cable in 2007 outlines then-Iraqi President Jalal Talabani offering a U.S. official a message from Soleimani acknowledging having hundreds of agents in the country while pledging: I swear on the grave of (the late Ayatollah Ruhollah) Khomeini I havent authorized a bullet against the U.S. U.S. officials at the time dismissed Soleimanis claim as they saw Iran as both an arsonist and a fireman in Iraq, controlling some Shiite militias while simultaneously stirring dissent and launching attacks. U.S. forces blamed the Quds Force for an attack in Karbala that killed five American troops, as well as for training and supplying the bomb makers whose improvised bombs made IED improvised explosive device a dreaded acronym among soldiers. In a 2010 speech, U.S. Gen. David Petraeus recounted a message from Soleimani he said explained the scope of Iranians powers. He said, Gen. Petraeus, you should know that I, Qassem Soleimani, control the policy for Iran with respect to Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza and Afghanistan, Petraeus said. The U.S. and the United Nations put Soleimani on sanctions lists in 2007, though he continued to travel. In 2011, U.S. officials named him as a defendant in an outlandish Quds Force plot to allegedly hire a purported Mexican drug cartel assassin to kill a Saudi diplomat. The attention the West gave Soleimani only boosted his profile at home. He sat by Khamenei's side at key meetings. He famously met Syria's Assad together with the supreme leader but without Iran's then-Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, sparking a short-lived resignation by the top Iranian diplomat. Polling data at the time routinely showed Soleimani rated more favorably than other public figures, according to the Center for International Studies at the University of Maryland. But Soleimani refused entreaties to enter politics, even as elections saw lackluster turnout and widespread protests against the country's theocracy began sweeping Iran and intensified in the years after his death. Just before Wednesday's anniversary, Khamenei met with Soleimani's family showing his continued prominence. Soleimani's greatest notoriety arose from the Syrian civil war and the rapid expansion of the Islamic State group. Iran, a major backer of Assad, sent Soleimani into Syria several times to lead attacks against IS and others opposing Assads rule. While a U.S.-led coalition focused on airstrikes, several ground victories by Iraqi forces featured photographs of Soleimani leading them without a flak jacket. "Soleimani has taught us that death is the beginning of life, not the end of life," one Iraqi militia commander said. ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. ___ EDITOR'S NOTE: This story, initially published Jan. 3, 2020, has been updated to incorporate details of Wednesdays attack on a commemoration marking the fourth anniversary of Soleimani's killing. The top administrator at St. Marys Home for Children has stepped down following a critical report that described the North Providence residential treatment center for youth as having significant safety concerns and abusive living conditions. Carlene Casciano-McCann built a 30-year career at St. Marys, serving as the homes executive director since 2008. Episcopal Bishop W. Nicholas Knisely, chairman of St. Marys board of directors, announced Casciano-McCann's departure Thursday, a day after The Providence Journal revealed the findings of a 119-page report by the state Office of the Child Advocate. From left, singer-songwriter Jeffrey Osborne, St. Mary's Home for Children Executive Director Carlene Casciano-McCann and Osborne's nephew Terrell Osborne, holding a photo of a check that Jeffrey Osborne presented to St. Mary's Home in 2013. [Andrew Dickerman/The Providence Journal, file] Legislative leaders call for hearings after bombshell report Meanwhile Thursday, leaders in the state's House and Senate called for legislative hearings into the operations at St. Marys, noting their deep concern over the issues raised in the report. The report, based on an eight-month investigation, portrayed the home for about 30 traumatized and high-risk youth in state care as often chaotic and sometimes violent. Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio and House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi said the findings called for legislative hearings to, as Ruggerio said, ensure accountability and determine if additional legislative action is necessary. The report chronicled instances of children being assaulted by other children, sometimes sexually, staff fired for misconduct, children being injured in restraints, at least one on-campus drug overdose, and administrators who admonished other workers for raising issues about resident safety that could cause trouble for St. Marys. One parent of a resident told investigators from the child advocate's office of being told their child had gone missing last summer and arriving at St. Marys to find bikers searching the campus for the missing child. The report said "the bikers informed this family of places in the woods the kids run off to and that they helped locate two boys the week before" who had left the campus. Bikers Against Child Abuse invited to campus In June, St. Mary's invited members of Bikers Against Child Abuse onto the campus to serve as a deterrent to human traffickers. The arrangement was made without the knowledge or approval of the state Department of Children, Youth & Families, which places children in the home and is ultimately responsible for their care. Members of Bikers Against Child Abuse in Arizona wearing their motto on their black leather vests and T-shirts: "No child deserves to live in fear." According to the child advocates report, St. Marys administrators failed to ensure that appropriate clearances and background checks were completed prior to the club members arrival. Investigation started after suspected overdose The child advocate's office began investigating in April after a 17-year-old girl was found unconscious from a drug overdose on the bathroom floor of a residential unit. A rescue crew administered two doses of Narcan to revive her. A three-member team of investigators from the child advocates office interviewed staff, residents and the parents of children in the home, and reviewed hundreds of pages of documents and emails, as well as hours of video footage of common areas in the Fruit Hill Avenue center. Last February, state officials announced a new partnership with St. Marys to build an $11-million, 12-bed facility on the agencys North Providence campus for adolescent girls needing psychiatric care. The facility would be completed by November 2024 with an anticipated opening date sometime in spring 2025. More: Overdoses, assault and restraints: Inside a damning report on St. Mary's Home for Children St. Mary's board makes management change In a written statement Thursday, Bishop Knisely said St. Marys board of directors learned about the details in the child advocates report last month as it was being finalized and began meetings with officials at DCYF and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. As soon as the board learned that St. Marys needed to do better for Rhode Islands children, we committed to working actively with our state partners to make significant changes in St. Marys management, child safety procedures and protocols, and staff recruitment and training, Knisely said. St. Mary's Home for Children in North Providence. Toward that end, the bishop announced that the board had appointed Charles A. Montorio-Archer, an experienced executive leader of childrens services organizations, as interim executive director effective Jan. 8. He is most recently president and CEO of One Hope United in Chicago, according to a spokeswoman for the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island. As we enter a new season of leadership at St. Marys, the whole board has confidence that Charles will bring the energy, focus and management expertise that our organization needs to serve Rhode Islands most vulnerable children and youth, Knisely said. Charles is committed to redoubling our commitment to providing the best possible treatment and care for children facing serious issues that include psychiatric illness, sexual abuse and trafficking, and special education needs. We are delighted to welcome him to the St. Marys team. We are grateful for Carlenes deep care for St. Marys and the children of Rhode Island, and we wish her well in retirement, Knisely said. Casciano-McCann did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment on the days events. St. Marys Home opened its doors in 1877 as an orphanage within the Episcopal diocese. According to the home's website, it maintains five residential units with a total occupancy of 37 children, between the ages of 6 and 18, though some residents stay until they age out of the DCYF system at 21. DCYF has contracted with St. Marys for psychiatric residential treatment services since 2019. But on Wednesday, a DCYF spokeswoman said the department had imposed a ban on further placements until further notice because significant issues remain at the home. Contact Tom Mooney at: tmooney@providencejournal.com This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: St. Mary's Home for Children head replaced after bombshell report A Boston man remains behind bars Wednesday after being charged with raping a woman and then assaulting several police officers who attempted to arrest him on New Years Day, according to Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden. Milthon Correa-Regifo, 45, is charged with rape, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (shod foot), resisting arrest, two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14, and two counts of assault and battery on a police officer. Around 2:16 a.m. on Monday, the 26-year-old victim approached a Massachusetts State Trooper near Ashburton Place and told him that she had just been raped inside a Bowdoin Street apartment. The victim told police that Correa-Regifo bit her on the buttock before raping her. Officials said as the woman and trooper were speaking, a man identified as Correa-Regifo, emerged from the apartment and walked toward them. The woman said to police yeah, it was him. Correa-Regifo became belligerent when the trooper approached and an off-duty Boston police officer assisted in attempting to arrest the suspect. Correa-Regifo violently resisted arrest both at the scene and at Boston Police Area, where officers attempted to book him. He screamed at officers, attempted to bite them, and spit at them, said Hayden. Several officers sustained minor injuries during the struggle with the suspect. This is yet another example of how quickly a situation can escalate and how unpredictable each minute of a police officers life can be. Im thankful that neither the victim or the officers sustained serious injuries, but clearly, an incident like this has repercussions above and beyond any physical injuries for sexual assault victims, Hayden said. Correa-Regifo will return to court on January 31 for a probable cause hearing. The victims of any crime, including domestic or sexual violence, should call 911 in an emergency. SafeLink, a statewide DV hotline, can be reached at 877-785-2020. SafeLink is answered by trained advocates 24/7 in English, Spanish and Portuguese, as well as TTY at 877-521-2601. Help is also available for members of our LGBTQ+ community experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence through The Network/La Red by calling 617-742-4911 or 800-832-1901. 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 Priest Julio Lancellotti works on a food line for the homeless, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, April 3, 2020. The archdiocese of Sao Paulo said Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, it is shocked by a decision of the citys council to open way for an investigation on Lancellotti, who leads an initiative to feed and shelter the homeless, chiefly in the crime-ridden region known as Crackland. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) A right-wing Brazilian politicians push to have the Sao Paulo government investigate a city priest has prompted a strong defense from Roman Catholic leaders and government leaders who praised the clergyman's work with the homeless. The Rev. Julio Lancellotti, 75, ministers to the homeless in one of the roughest neighborhoods of Brazil's largest city, a crime and drug-ridden area of Sao Paulo commonly known as Crackland. But Sao Paulo council member Rubinho Nunes alleges the priest also illegally works on behalf of an unnamed non-profit organization to promote Brazils leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva an allegation Lancellotti denies. Nunes needs the votes of a majority of the 55-member council in two votes to launch the probe and gathered the support of 24 of his colleagues as of this week, ahead of their next session in February. But the effort has now drawn vocal pushback from the Roman Catholic archdiocese, Lula's administration and celebrities and four of those council members had withdrawn their support by Thursday. The archdiocese said in a statement late Wednesday that it was perplexed that Lancellotti's behavior was being put in doubt." It said his merciful work for the poorest and most suffering people in our society must continue. Lancellotti, who has been an outspoken supporter of Lula, separately defended his work as a pastoral action of the archdiocese and said he does not belong to any non-profit organization. Brazil is scheduled to hold nationwide mayoral elections this year. Allies of Lula and those of former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro are expected to square off in many of the countrys 5,565 cities, with Sao Paulo as the biggest prize. Lula came out in defense of Lancellotti on Thursday on social media channels, in which the president posted a picture of himself being kissed on the forehead by the priest during a visit last year. Thank God we have people like Father Julio in Sao Paulo. For many, many years he has dedicated his life to giving some dignity, respect and citizenship to people on the streets, Lula said. He dedicates his life to following Jesus example." Many celebrities in Brazil also joined the opposition to the investigation on social media and urged people to donate to Lancellottis initiatives. They started the hashtag #Padre_Julio_E_Amor ("Father Julio is Love," in Portuguese) on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter. I cant understand what moves a councilman to open an investigation against someone who dedicates his life to help those who need the most, said chef Paola Carossella, who is also a popular local TV host. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america A federal judge has begun releasing the names of more than 150 of Jeffrey Epsteins victims, associates, opponents and alleged co-conspirators. The names are scattered among a trove of once-sealed documents that describe the sex trafficking ring Epstein operated from his Palm Beach mansion and beyond. Prominent figures such as Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton and Donald Trump appear among the records, though none beyond Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell are directly implicated in the crime. U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska noted that many of those named in Wednesday's 900 plus-page document dump have already been identified over the course of Maxwell's criminal trial. The records do, however, offer glimpses into compelling moments throughout the now-settled defamation lawsuit against Maxwell. Unredacted transcripts of Epstein's madam and victims' depositions among released documents The lawsuit stems from Maxwell's attempt to discredit one of several teens she recruited and groomed for abuse. Virginia Giuffre, who in 2001 worked as a 16-year-old spa attendant at Mar-a-Lago, said Epstein forced her to have sex with Prince Andrew and other prominent men after Maxwell lured her into the Palm Beach financier's circle. Maxwell said Giuffre lied about the abuse, prompting Giuffre to sue her in 2015. Though the case was ultimately settled, months of pre-trial proceedings generated the wealth of material judges have been releasing since 2019. The lengthiest of those in Wednesday's batch were deposition transcripts. Maxwell's were often combative. She adamantly denied grooming underage girls for Epstein and seemed to grow impatient when Giuffre's lawyer posed the question again. "Have you ever said to anybody that you recruit girls to take the pressure off you, so you won't have to have sex with Jeffrey?" attorney Sigrid McCawley asked. "You don't ask me questions like that," Maxwell replied. "First of all, you are trying to trap me, I will not be trapped. You are asking me if I recruit. I told you no." She denied remembering certain events, even those recorded on flight logs and in photographs, and offered no explanation for what opposing counsel would later call her "convenient forgetfulness." She suggested Giuffre had heard about other victimized girls and decided to hop on the band wagon. Another woman who Maxwell recruited said she believed Giuffre Where Maxwell cast Giuffre as a liar, witness Johanna Sjoberg described her as lost. Sjoberg said she met Giuffre in 2001 on a trip to New York with Epstein and knew Giuffre was underage because she wasn't allowed into a casino. At the time, I had the impression that she did not have a family, or she had walked away from her family," Sjoberg said. "And it seemed to me, you know, they (Epstein and Maxwell) had just sort of adopted her, not as a child, but they would take care of her. She told the attorneys she believed Giuffre. Sjoberg also said shed met David Copperfield at Epsteins house, where he "did some magic tricks." She also said Copperfield asked whether she was aware that girls were getting paid to find other girls, but that the magician didnt specify whether the girls in question were underage. Donald Trump, Bill Clinton named in docs but not accused of crime Sjoberg, who said she was recruited by Maxwell while she was sitting on Palm Beach Atlantic University's campus in West Palm Beach, also spoke briefly about Clinton and Trump. Both have denied knowing about Epstein's crimes. Sjoberg described a planned trip to New York with Epstein and Maxwell in 2001. Sjoberg said their flight was diverted to Atlantic City in New Jersey, which prompted Epstein to suggest calling Trump. "Jeffrey said, 'Great, we'll call up Trump and we'll go to' I don't recall the name of the casino, but 'we'll go to the casino,'" Sjoberg said. She also told lawyers that Prince Andrew once touched her breast while she posed for a photo at Epstein's mansion in New York, and that Epstein "said one time that Clinton likes them young, referring to girls." Trump made a similar comment about Epstein during an interview with New York Magazine in 2002. He called the financier a "terrific guy" who likes "beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side." He backtracked in 2019, telling reporters he "wasn't a fan" of Epstein. Unveiled documents part of lawsuit against Epstein's longtime confidante Though Giuffre's lawsuit against Maxwell was settled and sealed in 2017, the Miami Herald successfully fought to have the names and documents associated with it made public. Judges released hundreds of documents contained in the court filings on Aug. 9, 2019, one day before Epstein died in prison, and have steadily released more since then. Wednesday's batch included previously redacted testimony, including that of Rinaldo Rizzo, a former chef for Epsteins billionaire friends Glenn and Eva Dubin. He said a 15-year-old Swedish girl told him Maxwell threatened her and confiscated her passport to try to make her have sex with Epstein while on his private island. Rizzo also said Maxwell instructed a group of girls as young as 14 to play a kissing game with and for Epstein. Virginia Giuffre (center) says she was forced at age 17 by Jeffrey Epstein to have sex with Prince Andrew at the London home of Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence at a Tallahassee prison where she teaches etiquette to fellow inmates for helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls. Epstein pleaded guilty to two state prostitution-related charges in 2008 and served 13 months in a work-release program at the Palm Beach County Jail. Federal prosecutors in New York charged Epstein with sex trafficking in July 2019. He was found hanged in his jail cell less than a month after his arrest. Palm Beach Post reporters continue to review the newly released documents. Check back for updates. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Epstein names and documents released, former presidents among them Flash Russia's first giant panda cub born at Moscow Zoo in August was named Katyusha, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said on Wednesday. The name was selected among the votes in a name contest which attracted over 380,000 participants, Sobyanin said on social media, adding that the name Katyusha finally won out. He disclosed that the four-month-old panda cub is in good health. "Katyusha is now four months old, has a lot of teeth and walks very well. She recently had a routine check-up and weighed 8.67 kilograms and was 79.5 centimeters long including the tail," he said. Katyusha's father and mother are Ru Yi and Ding Ding, which were sent to Russia in 2019 in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia. A murder case that began four years ago with the discovery of the lifeless body of an 11-year-old boy in a Northern California basement ended Thursday morning with an online video-conferencing call, as an El Dorado Superior Court judge sentenced the childs father to 15 years to life in prison for his sons death. Judge Vicki Ashworth formally sentenced 38-year-old Jordan Thomas Piper for the 2020 death of his only son, Roman Lopez, whose body was found in a storage bin in the basement of his fathers Placerville home. In October, Piper unexpectedly changed his plea days before a scheduled hearing to determine whether he would stand trial. Piper pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Romans death. The judge told Piper it was his responsibility as a father to raise Roman, to make this small child into the finest young man that he couldve been. You absolutely utterly and completely not only failed in that respect, but it was at your hands that he was abused to the point where he had bruises on his wrist from being zip-tied to his bed, Ashworth said. He was zip-tied at times in the closet, was given an over amount of sodium or salt in his diet, forced to wear diapers at the age of 11 years old. Piper has been in custody without bail since Feb. 4, 2021, when he and his wife Lindsay Marie Piper, Romans stepmother, were arrested. The El Dorado County District Attorneys Office accused the couple of child abuse that led to the boys death. It wasnt as if he was a human being to yourself and Ms. Piper but rather an object and nothing more. An inconvenience, if you will, Ashworth told the father. It was through those callous actions that, unfortunately, Roman died and does not have the ability to live a full, complete and meaningful life. Lindsay and Jordan Piper are seen in booking mugshots provided by the Placerville Police Department. The father and stepmother of Roman Lopez were arrested Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, in connection with the 2020 death of the 11-year-old. Both have been convicted of murder. On Thursday, Piper was not in the El Dorado County courtroom for his sentencing. He is incarcerated in a federal prison in Milan, Michigan, serving a sentence for sexually exploiting a girl crimes discovered as authorities investigated his sons death. Piper participated in Thursdays sentencing via online video conferencing. He sat at a table wearing a tan-colored prison inmate uniform. He only briefly spoke during the nearly 90-minute hearing to inform the judge that he understood the terms of his sentencing. Boy reported missing in Placerville Roman was reported missing from his home Jan. 11, 2020. Officials later revealed that investigators found Roman deceased inside a storage bin in the basement of the Pipers rented Placerville home hours after the boy was reported missing. Piper and his wife were arrested and charged with second-degree murder. They also were charged with child abuse likely to cause great bodily injury or death and causing cruel and extreme pain for revenge, extortion or sadistic purpose, according to a filed criminal complaint. Roman Lopez, 11, was found dead Saturday, January 11, 2020, in Placerville after he was reported missing. He had recently moved to the area from Michigan, according to a friend of the family. The boys father was charged with an additional count of willfully failing to provide food, clothing, shelter and medical attention to the boy. His wife was charged with a separate count of willfully having mingled a poison and harmful substance with food, drink, medicine, and pharmaceutical product and placed a poison and harmful substance in a spring, well, reservoir and public water supply knowing it could cause injury. In May 2022, Lindsay Piper changed her plea to no contest to the murder charge, the District Attorneys Office has said. She was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. As of Thursday, the 41-year-old mother was serving her state prison sentence at the Central California Womens Facility in Madera County. Other than the murder charges, the additional charges the Pipers faced were dropped in accordance with the plea agreements they made with prosecutors. Jordan Piper, the father of Roman Lopez, enters the courtroom on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021 at El Dorado Superior Court in Placerville. Jordan Piper deserves nothing Before Jordan Piper was formally sentenced, members of the boys extended family and others close to him spoke about the child and the impact his death has had on them. Those who spoke during the hearing also participated via the video conference; they were not in the courtroom. Romans mother, Rochelle Lopez, died at the age of 34 in 2021. Erin Rice, Lopezs best friend, spoke in court about the anguish the mother suffered while unsuccessfully trying fighting in court for custody of her son. Rice said Piper began inflicting his abuse on the boy years before his body was found. Jordan Piper deserves nothing; no freedom, no sunlight, Rice said. Rice and Lopez served together in the U.S. Army in tours of duty in Iraq. Rice said Piper kept the boy away from his mother as she repeatedly made legal attempts to ensure her son was being cared for, but the father would move with the boy to other states to avoid any court intervention. She said the mother learned of her sons death days after his body was discovered, but that Piper never informed the childs mother her son was dead or even that he was missing. The mother would only later learn that her son had been mistreated, malnourished and tortured, Rice said. A memorial stands in front of the home of Roman Anthony Lopez on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. The 11-year-old Placerville boy was found dead Sunday after going missing Saturday. Lopez was last seen Saturday morning at his home on Coloma Street. The Placerville police are investigating the incident as a suspicious death. The boys family on Thursday said the child weighed 42 pounds at the time of his death, which is what he weighed when he was 9 years old. They also said boys mother collapsed after seeing her son in a coffin at a funeral home, realizing how small his body looked for his age. Piper also served in the military, Rice said, but she refuses to refer to him as a soldier. She said Piper doesnt exemplify the loyalty duty, helpless service, honor, integrity and personal courage that is the foundation who they are as soldiers. Hes a monster. Hes manipulative, and he is selfish, Rice said. Hes a shell of a man with no moral compass or value. He knew what he was doing was wrong and did it anyway for years and did nothing to stop it. Jackie Farah, Jordan Pipers mother and the childs grandmother, said listening to people speak Thursday, you would think I raised a monster. But she directed blame at her sons wife, saying she shouldve questioned her son and his wife more about her grandsons care. I come here as Romans grandmother first, Farah said during Thursdays hearing. I cannot begin to tell you the grief I have over the death of my grandson. Farah said all she ever wanted was for Roman to feel loved and secure, but her sons work as an electrical lineman took him away from home and left his wife as the gatekeeper for information on how her grandson was doing. She said she shouldve communicated directly with her son. I failed at that responsibility and I will take that to my grave that I wasnt able to see what Lindsay was doing, Farah said. I do not believe that Jordan killed my grandson, but he failed to protect him. She said she knows her son loves Roman, misses him and talks about the boy constantly, but her son has to be held accountable for this. Child in custody dispute used as a pawn, family says Relatives of the boys mother and his fathers second wife said Piper used Roman as a pawn in the custody battle, because Rochelle Lopez didnt love Piper anymore. They said he vindictively kept the boy hidden from everyone, especially his mother, to get back at her. Jennifer Morasco, who was married to Piper for three years and was Romans stepmother, said having to leave behind Roman when she ended her marriage in 2013 broke her heart. She said Piper pursued women after Rochelle Lopez rejected him to fulfill his sons need for a mother caregiver, but, more importantly, to make the boys mother jealous. He only wanted custody (of Roman) so he wouldnt have to pay child support, Morasco said Thursday. Jordan forced Roman to call any and every woman he was ever with mommy. And all Rochelle ever wanted was to be with Roman, and Jordan dedicated his life to making sure that didnt happen. Richard Lopez, the boys grandfather and his mothers father, said he and his wife repeatedly offered to care for Roman if Piper didnt truly want him. But all Piper wanted was to make his daughters life miserable, Lopez said. The grandfather said Piper chose to homeschool his son and moved Roman from state to state to avoid questions about child abuse from school officials and neighbors. The extent he went to keep Roman out of sight. But we all know now it was to hide the truth, the neglect, Lopez said about Piper. You let your only son go without love, food, shelter, kindness, family, friends and school. Investigators find videos of girl In a separate, federal case in October, Jordan Piper was sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexually exploiting a girl at his homes in Tuolumne and El Dorado counties from late 2019 through early 2020. As the Placerville Police Department investigated his sons death in 2020, law enforcement seized a digital camera and other digital devices. Investigators searched cellphones and found evidence that Piper secretly recorded videos of the underage girl. The FBI said investigators found many videos that depicted the girl using the bathroom and bathing. The girl was living in Pipers Groveland home at the time. Piper sent the girl sexually explicit text messages from Dec. 16 to Dec. 24 of 2019, concerning a sexual Christmas gift, and offering her $250 to use it, according to a filed FBI affidavit. Investigators found more than 430 explicit images of the girl. In March, Piper pleaded guilty to the child sexual exploitation charge. As part of the federal sentence, the judge ordered Piper to serve 7 years of parole and register as a convicted sex offender. Tasha Paris Chalfant, Pipers attorney, represented him in the federal exploitation case and the El Dorado County murder case. In court documents filed in the federal case, she wrote that Piper was the sole source of income for his family, which included his wife, son, four stepchildren and three foster children. The defense attorney also said her client felt tremendous financial and personal stress and used nonprescribed pills and drank alcohol after work each night. He completely lost himself as well as his moral compass, and he has tremendous remorse and shame for his conduct in this case, Chalfant wrote in the sentencing recommendation in the federal case. California prison sentence On Thursday, Judge Ashworth made it clear that Piper will be placed on a custody hold and returned to California once he is done serving his federal prison sentence. The state Parole Board will then decide whether he is eligible for parole, since his sentence for the murder charge carries a potential life sentence. If Piper is granted release from custody in California, Ashworth said he would have to remain on parole for the rest of his life and be subject to further incarceration for any parole violations. There is no measure of justice which is gonna completely balance the scales, said Deputy District Attorney Jay Linden. It is with this plea in this resolution, we hope to bring some of the closure to the victims. Several members of the boys family asked the judge to order Piper to serve a consecutive state prison sentence, meaning his punishment for the childs death would only begin after his federal sentence was completed. But Ashworth told the family she was bound to the plea deal and its agreed-upon sentence. My hope is that you think of Roman every single day that you are in custody, Ashworth told Piper moments before ending his sentencing hearing. And I hope that his memory, quite frankly, haunts you for the rest of your days. A murder case that began four years ago with the discovery of the lifeless body of an 11-year-old boy in a Northern California basement ended Thursday morning with an online video-conferencing call, as an El Dorado Superior Court judge sentenced the childs father to 15 years to life in prison for his sons death. Judge Vicki Ashworth formally sentenced 38-year-old Jordan Thomas Piper for the 2020 death of his only son, Roman Lopez, whose body was found in a storage bin in the basement of his fathers Placerville home. In October, Piper unexpectedly changed his plea days before a scheduled hearing to determine whether he would stand trial. Piper pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Romans death. The judge told Piper it was his responsibility as a father to raise Roman, to make this small child into the finest young man that he couldve been. You absolutely utterly and completely not only failed in that respect, but it was at your hands that he was abused to the point where he had bruises on his wrist from being zip-tied to his bed, Ashworth said. He was zip-tied at times in the closet, was given an over amount of sodium or salt in his diet, forced to wear diapers at the age of 11 years old. Piper has been in custody without bail since Feb. 4, 2021, when he and his wife Lindsay Marie Piper, Romans stepmother, were arrested. The El Dorado County District Attorneys Office accused the couple of child abuse that led to the boys death. It wasnt as if he was a human being to yourself and Ms. Piper but rather an object and nothing more. An inconvenience, if you will, Ashworth told the father. It was through those callous actions that, unfortunately, Roman died and does not have the ability to live a full, complete and meaningful life. Lindsay and Jordan Piper are seen in booking mugs provided by the Placerville Police Department. The father and stepmother of Roman Lopez were arrested Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, in connection with the 2020 death of the 11-year-old. On Thursday, Piper was not in the El Dorado County courtroom for his sentencing. He is incarcerated in a federal prison in Milan, Michigan, serving a sentence for sexually exploiting a girl crimes discovered as authorities investigated his sons death. Piper participated in Thursdays sentencing via online video conferencing. He sat at a table wearing a tan-colored prison inmate uniform. He only briefly spoke during the nearly 90-minute hearing to inform the judge that he understood the terms of his sentencing. Boy reported missing in Placerville Roman was reported missing from his home Jan. 11, 2020. Officials later revealed that investigators found Roman deceased inside a storage bin in the basement of the Pipers rented Placerville home hours after the boy was reported missing. Piper and his wife were arrested and charged with second-degree murder. They also were charged with child abuse likely to cause great bodily injury or death and causing cruel and extreme pain for revenge, extortion or sadistic purpose, according to a filed criminal complaint. Roman Lopez, 11, was found dead Saturday, January 11, 2020, in Placerville after he was reported missing. He had recently moved to the area from Michigan, according to a friend of the family. The boys father was charged with an additional count of willfully failing to provide food, clothing, shelter and medical attention to the boy. His wife was charged with a separate count of willfully having mingled a poison and harmful substance with food, drink, medicine, and pharmaceutical product and placed a poison and harmful substance in a spring, well, reservoir and public water supply knowing it could cause injury. In May 2022, Lindsay Piper changed her plea to no contest to the murder charge, the District Attorneys Office has said. She was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. As of Thursday, the 41-year-old mother was serving her state prison sentence at the Central California Womens Facility in Madera County. Other than the murder charges, the additional charges the Pipers faced were dropped in accordance with the plea agreements they made with prosecutors. Jordan Piper, the father of Roman Lopez, enters the courtroom on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021 at El Dorado Superior Court in Placerville. Piper and his wife entered a not guilty plea on the charges and will return to court on Dec. 17. The prosecutors added an amended criminal complaint charging each of them with one count of murder in the 11-year-old boys death. The couple was arrested in February on child abuse charges. Jordan Piper deserves nothing Before Jordan Piper was formally sentenced, members of the boys extended family and others close to him spoke about the child and the impact his death has had on them. Those who spoke during the hearing also participated via the video conference; they were not in the courtroom. Romans mother, Rochelle Lopez, died at the age of 34 in 2021. Erin Rice, Lopezs best friend, spoke in court about the anguish the mother suffered while unsuccessfully trying fighting in court for custody of her son. Rice said Piper began inflicting his abuse on the boy years before his body was found. Jordan Piper deserves nothing; no freedom, no sunlight, Rice said. Rice and Lopez served together in the U.S. Army in tours of duty in Iraq. Rice said Piper kept the boy away from his mother as she repeatedly made legal attempts to ensure her son was being cared for, but the father would move with the boy to other states to avoid any court intervention. She said the mother learned of her sons death days after his body was discovered, but that Piper never informed the childs mother her son was dead or even that he was missing. The mother would only later learn that her son had been mistreated, malnourished and tortured, Rice said. A memorial stands in front of the home of Roman Anthony Lopez on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. The 11-year-old Placerville boy was found dead Sunday after going missing Saturday. Lopez was last seen Saturday morning at his home on Coloma Street. The Placerville police are investigating the incident as a suspicious death. The boys family on Thursday said the child weighed 42 pounds at the time of his death, which is what he weighed when he was 9 years old. They also said boys mother collapsed after seeing her son in a coffin at a funeral home, realizing how small his body looked for his age. Piper also served in the military, Rice said, but she refuses to refer to him as a soldier. She said Piper doesnt exemplify the loyalty duty, helpless service, honor, integrity and personal courage that is the foundation who they are as soldiers. Hes a monster. Hes manipulative, and he is selfish, Rice said. Hes a shell of a man with no moral compass or value. He knew what he was doing was wrong and did it anyway for years and did nothing to stop it. Jackie Farah, Jordan Pipers mother and the childs grandmother, said listening to people speak Thursday, you would think I raised a monster. But she directed blame at her sons wife, saying she shouldve questioned her son and his wife more about her grandsons care. I come here as Romans grandmother first, Farah said during Thursdays hearing. I cannot begin to tell you the grief I have over the death of my grandson. Farah said all she ever wanted was for Roman to feel loved and secure, but her sons work as an electrical lineman took him away from home and left his wife as the gatekeeper for information on how her grandson was doing. She said she shouldve communicated directly with her son. I failed at that responsibility and I will take that to my grave that I wasnt able to see what Lindsay was doing, Farah said. I do not believe that Jordan killed my grandson, but he failed to protect him. She said she knows her son loves Roman, misses him and talks about the boy constantly, but her son has to be held accountable for this. Child in custody dispute used as a pawn, family says Relatives of the boys mother and his fathers second wife said Piper used Roman as a pawn in the custody battle, because Rochelle Lopez didnt love Piper anymore. They said he vindictively kept the boy hidden from everyone, especially his mother, to get back at her. Jennifer Morasco, who was married to Piper for three years and was Romans stepmother, said having to leave behind Roman when she ended her marriage in 2013 broke her heart. She said Piper pursued women after Rochelle Lopez rejected him to fulfill his sons need for a mother caregiver, but, more importantly, to make the boys mother jealous. He only wanted custody (of Roman) so he wouldnt have to pay child support, Morasco said Thursday. Jordan forced Roman to call any and every woman he was ever with mommy. And all Rochelle ever wanted was to be with Roman, and Jordan dedicated his life to making sure that didnt happen. Richard Lopez, the boys grandfather and his mothers father, said he and his wife repeatedly offered to care for Roman if Piper didnt truly want him. But all Piper wanted was to make his daughters life miserable, Lopez said. The grandfather said Piper chose to homeschool his son and moved Roman from state to state to avoid questions about child abuse from school officials and neighbors. The extent he went to keep Roman out of sight. But we all know now it was to hide the truth, the neglect, Lopez said about Piper. You let your only son go without love, food, shelter, kindness, family, friends and school. Investigators find videos of girl In a separate, federal case in October, Jordan Piper was sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexually exploiting a girl at his homes in Tuolumne and El Dorado counties from late 2019 through early 2020. As the Placerville Police Department investigated his sons death in 2020, law enforcement seized a digital camera and other digital devices. Investigators searched cellphones and found evidence that Piper secretly recorded videos of the underage girl. The FBI said investigators found many videos that depicted the girl using the bathroom and bathing. The girl was living in Pipers Groveland home at the time. Piper sent the girl sexually explicit text messages from Dec. 16 to Dec. 24 of 2019, concerning a sexual Christmas gift, and offering her $250 to use it, according to a filed FBI affidavit. Investigators found more than 430 explicit images of the girl. In March, Piper pleaded guilty to the child sexual exploitation charge. As part of the federal sentence, the judge ordered Piper to serve 7 years of parole and register as a convicted sex offender. Tasha Paris Chalfant, Pipers attorney, represented him in the federal exploitation case and the El Dorado County murder case. In court documents filed in the federal case, she wrote that Piper was the sole source of income for his family, which included his wife, son, four stepchildren and three foster children. The defense attorney also said her client felt tremendous financial and personal stress and used nonprescribed pills and drank alcohol after work each night. He completely lost himself as well as his moral compass, and he has tremendous remorse and shame for his conduct in this case, Chalfant wrote in the sentencing recommendation in the federal case. California prison sentence On Thursday, Judge Ashworth made it clear that Piper will be placed on a custody hold and returned to California once he is done serving his federal prison sentence. The state Parole Board will then decide whether he is eligible for parole, since his sentence for the murder charge carries a potential life sentence. If Piper is granted release from custody in California, Ashworth said he would have to remain on parole for the rest of his life and be subject to further incarceration for any parole violations. There is no measure of justice which is gonna completely balance the scales, said Deputy District Attorney Jay Linden. It is with this plea in this resolution, we hope to bring some of the closure to the victims. Several members of the boys family asked the judge to order Piper to serve a consecutive state prison sentence, meaning his punishment for the childs death would only begin after his federal sentence was completed. But Ashworth told the family she was bound to the plea deal and its agreed-upon sentence. My hope is that you think of Roman every single day that you are in custody, Ashworth told Piper moments before ending his sentencing hearing. And I hope that his memory, quite frankly, haunts you for the rest of your days. California Governor Gavin Newsoms recent campaign to raise his visibility through foreign trips, commentary on national issues, and the recent debate with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has achieved its goal. People and statisticians are looking closer at Newsom, his leadership, honesty, and the state he continues to brag about. This proves the adage that, when you stick your head up above the wagon train, youre going to catch some arrows. Newsom has discounted the continuing proof of an exodus out of California by once core businesses like high tech and the wealthy and high wage earners Californias unbalanced income tax system depends on for the majority of state revenue. The U.S. Census Bureau recently released an update that California lost another 75,400 residents in the last 12 months. More importantly, when you balance the incoming and outgoing numbers, the state suffered a net loss of 158,200 tax returns during 2020-2021. Those numbers led to a severe decline in revenue that meant a 25% drop in revenue for the 2022-23 tax year. This decline isnt just a result of lower incomes; it is the wealthiest and biggest taxpayers leaving the state. Newsoms response to this issue is. Dont count us out yet. He doesnt just advise potential voters to not count us out, he promises to bring what he has done to and for California to the entire USA. Is it merely a coincidence that, as the Public Policy Institute recently reported California possesses some of the countrys highest taxes at a time of much greater tax competitiveness when twenty-nine states have cut individual or corporate income taxes in the last three years. California is one of a handful to have raised taxes. Less reported is the outflow of companies and associated assets as the tech sectors and financial firms have continued to relocate to areas in the South and Southwest. It has been estimated that both California and New York have each lost Since the pandemic, $1 Trillion in assets as financial giants have left those states. This has also caused a ripple effect in the glut of empty commercial office space in the once bustling financial centers like San Francisco and Los Angeles. When those companies move, so do the jobs that staff them. The other major issue that has plagued California's growth is the cost-of-living, specifically housing. Yes, gasoline and other staples have always been higher here because the legislature likes to overtax everything we need to live, eat and work here. But recently, the cost of affordable housing has been as big a driver of people relocating as higher taxes. The liberals who run the legislature have and will continue to try everything possible to encourage high-density housing in every corner of the state except those cities populated by wealthy donors like Malibu or Hillsborough. They would have every inland community rezone property to allow four to six homes per acre. Most of those countries are resisting these new rules to save their way of life. But the drive of working people to find lower-cost areas to live is fueling historic price increases in some of our state's traditionally least expensive areas. Young professionals, who can now work from home, can relocate to the hills, valleys, and mountains inlandlowering their cost of living and improving their environment. That is why rental properties in more non-metropolitan areas have increased significantly. The L.A. Times they are reported that anything coastal in California is hardly affordable compared to the national average. A few comparisons to the national average San Francisco- 169.6%, L.A.-Long Beach- 148.8%, San Jose 174.9%, San Diego- 140%. Relocate to Bakersfield, and its a mere 111.5% more than the national average. As a former business owner, I would look at the issue of an unaffordable product that is losing customers and say, Yes, I need to cut expenses and reduce prices. Yet, our political leadership takes the exact opposite tack. We now have a $619 billion budget deficit entering 2024. California will offer medical care to all undocumented immigrants (formerly known inappropriately as illegal aliens) as of January 1 at a cost estimated to eventually top $3 billion. Over 800,000 migrants illegally crossed the border in December alone. Where would you head if you could assure yourself and your family of benefits and medical care just for moving to the state? A new law that Newsom proudly signed last week will restrict legal gun owners further, making every neighborhood and business much safer. New rules to make your pork products much more costly took effect Jan. 1 and of course, the minimum wage went up. All of these improvements are promised to make life better for you here in the Golden State. The only thing left is to figure out how to balance the books to keep on spending what looks like a continuing anemic revenue source. That sounds like a new round of surreptitiously clever taxes, fee hikes, and a federal bailout of two, loudly supported by all unions, coming soon. What other choice does a good liberal have? See, the future isnt that hard to predict when you know the players. This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Californias future bleak because of Gavin Newsom [Source] California's Instructional Quality Commission is set to implement an expanded curriculum in K-12 classrooms to integrate lessons on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history. About the initiative: The commission is eyeing to include comprehensive AANHPI history lessons in the statewide K-12 history-social science curriculum, reported the Sacramento Bee. According to the California Department of Education, the process of developing the educational framework is expected to take approximately three years. About AB 1354: The initiative follows the passing of Assembly Bill 1354, which was introduced by Assemblyman Mike Fong and signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom last September. According to Fong, the legislation aims to spotlight the societal contributions of AANHPI communities in the state and nation's historical education. AB 1354 specifically requires the instructional commission to consider incorporating "examples of racism, discrimination and violence against Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. into the curriculum. Trending on NextShark: Ali Wong and Steven Yeun make Golden Globes history with Beef win Fighting anti-Asian hate: The initiative has gained support from organizations such as the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association and Stop AAPI Hate. With over 15.5% of California's population belonging to AAPI communities, supporters argue that accurate teachings can be a powerful tool against racism and hate crimes. Advocates are now urging legislators nationwide to adopt similar measures and ensure a more inclusive representation of AANHPI history in American education. Similar legislation across states: In July 2021, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Teaching Equitable Asian American History Act (TEAACH Act), marking a historic moment as the first state to mandate public schools to include a unit studying the "events of Asian American history." In May 2023, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 1537 mandating AAPI history inclusion in the state's K-12 curriculum, effective July 1. Trending on NextShark: Jo Koy responds to criticisms after hosting the 2024 Golden Globes Wisconsin legislators, led by Sen. Jesse James, introduced SB 240 in April 2023, proposing mandatory instructional programs on Asian Americans, specifically spotlighting Hmong Americans. Meanwhile, New York State legislators introduced SB S5963 in May 2023, currently under review in the Senate Education Committee, emphasizing the growing recognition of the imperative for accurate AAPI historical representation. Trending on NextShark: American Born Chinese canceled by Disney Plus after 1 season Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! Law enforcement in California handcuffed and detained Black and Indigenous residents during traffic stops at significantly higher rates than white people in 2022, according to data released on Wednesday. The annual racial profiling report from a state board analyzed 4.5m vehicle and pedestrian stops conducted by 535 law enforcement agencies, the first time departments from across the state contributed data. The findings suggest there are persistent and severe racial disparities in overall stops and searches; transgender Californians are disproportionately impacted; and youth of color are heavily policed and frequently stopped in schools. Some key findings: Black residents were stopped the most, making up 5.4% of the states population, but 12.5% of stops. Latinos were also disproportionately stopped, making up 32.4% of the population, but 42.9% of stops. White and Asian American residents were stopped at lower rates than their proportion of the population. Native Americans were searched most frequently compared with all racial groups, in 22.4% of stops, nearly twice the rate of white people, who were searched in 12.4% of stops. Native Americans were also handcuffed at the highest rate of all groups at 17.8% of stops, compared with less than 10% for white people. Black residents were detained on the curb or in a patrol car at the highest rate, at 20.2% of stops, and also ordered to exit their cars more frequently than all other groups, at 7.1% of stops. Black residents were also issued a sole charge of resisting arrest at a rate more than three times the state average, making up 19.2% of those cases. The data suggests broad bias in police stops of people of color, a trend that has been repeatedly documented in government and advocacy groups reports. Discriminatory policing can come in the form of pretext stops when an officer pulls someone over for a minor infraction and then uses the stop to investigate other potential offenses, such as searching for drugs. In 75% of all stops, officers reported that they ultimately took no action. And while white people were less likely to be searched than nearly all other racial groups, they were the most likely to be found with contraband or other evidence of crimes when they were searched. Police also took actions against trans people significantly more frequently than cisgender people: roughly 50% of all trans people stopped by police were either searched, detained, handcuffed, ordered out of their cars or had other actions taken against them, while that rate was 27.4% for cis men and 19.1% for cis women. The racial and gender data is based on officers perceptions of their identities. The research is conducted by the states Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory (Ripa) board, which includes academics, civil rights advocates and law enforcement leaders. The scale of data that California is collecting allows us to say definitively that profiling exists it is a pervasive pattern across the state, said Andrea Guerrero, co-chair of the Ripa board, in a statement. Youth stops The boards research this year, the report said, also suggests youth with disabilities, including youth experiencing mental health crises, are particularly vulnerable to police violence and are at higher risk of intrusive police contact, use of force, and death during police encounters. Officers reported making 6,441 stops of students on K-12 public campuses in 2022. The Kern county high school district in the Central Valley conducted 545 stops of students, the most in the state. The Los Angeles sheriffs department had at least 132 deputies assigned to schools at some point in 2022, and they conducted 245 stops of students. The most common reason for stopping students was reasonable suspicion of a crime (3,705 cases, representing 57.53% stops). At least 1,143 students (17.75% of stops) were stopped to determine whether student violated school policy, the report found. Black students were handcuffed on campus at rates nearly double their counterparts: Black youth were handcuffed in 20.03% of stops. The rate was 11.73% for Asian Americans; 11.07% for Latinos; and 9.13% for white students. In 10 stops in 2022, officers reported using pepper spray. The report also found that California school districts reported a larger number of law enforcement officers than social workers and more security guards than nurses in 2018, the latest data available when the report was written. There are also 19 school district-run police departments across the state, which are separate from municipal police agencies, and the majority of students in those districts are youth of color. School-based law enforcement officers in white suburban school districts more often [view] students as charges to be protected, and school-based law enforcement officers in urban districts with a larger number of Black students more often [treat] students as criminals to be feared, the report said, citing research on campus police. The report recommends that school districts require staff to obtain approval from administrators before reporting students to police in non-emergency matters and that lawmakers prohibit police from using force to detain, apprehend or overcome resistance of students who are fleeing in low-level disciplinary cases. The authors also recommend that police and school security officers be prohibited from using mechanical restraints on students unless they pose a serious risk of harm to themselves or others. We have our priorities wrong, said Jerlene Tatum, an education advocate in Long Beach. If we had additional school counselors and psychologists, we wouldnt have to depend on law enforcement as much. Police are there to police. Theyre not there to educate, inspire, engage and support a child to advance in their academics. After a school officer in Long Beach fatally shot an 18-year-old girl in 2021, Tatum was part of a group of parents that organized for reforms and dismantling of armed forces on campuses. Theres a trauma that comes with being handcuffed, she said, adding, And it contributes to the cradle-to-prison pipeline. If our young people encounter police in school, it can create a record for them that probably should not be created, and it puts them on a negative pathway. This article was amended on 4 January 2024 to clarify that the claim about schools having more officers than social workers was based on data from 2018, the latest data available when the report was written. This is a photo of a math class at Emery High School in California. This article was originally published in CalMatters. For most K-12 student groups in California, test scores have been maddeningly flat since the pandemic. But for Black students, stagnant scores have been particularly frustrating: Black students math and English language arts scores inched downward for most grade levels last year, notching some of the lowest scores among any student group. At least one district, however, has reversed that trend. Emery Unified, a small district tucked between Berkeley and Oakland in the east Bay Area, saw its Black students who make up 45% of the student population, one of the highest rates in the state show dramatic gains from 2022. Math scores nearly doubled over last year and English language arts scores far surpassed pre-pandemic results. Chronic absenteeism dropped 8.4 percentage points, far more than the state average. I saw those scores and I was elated, said Jessica Goode, principal of Emery High School. All the work weve done has paid off. Its been a challenge theres no road map because almost no ones ever done this successfully. Support The 74's year-end campaign. Make a tax-exempt donation now. At Emery Unified, the proportion of Black students meeting test standards trends upward Black students make up almost half the student body at the small district in the east Bay Area. Emery Unifieds scores are still far below average, but theyre trending upward at a time when scores statewide are unchanged or slipping backward. The number of Black students meeting or exceeding the state English language arts standards jumped more than 12 percentage points last year, from 24% to 37%, and the math scores climbed from 9% to 15%. Statewide, Emerys Black students outperformed their peers by a wide margin in English, and crept close to the state average for Black students in math. Even though the scores are relatively low, the turnaround is worth celebrating, said Tyrone Howard, an education professor at UCLA. I see these pockets of hope, these glimmers of possibility, and think, how can we replicate this? Howard said. Emery Unified is on my radar, and its important to find out whats happening there. Black students have long trailed other groups academically, Howard said, because they tend to attend schools with less experienced teachers, and are more likely to be homeless, in foster care or living in poverty all factors that can hinder a students ability to focus in class. Howard said racism plays a role, as well. Low expectations and a lack of resources for Black students plays just as much a factor as anything else, Howard said. Related Black, Latino Students See 4-Year Completion Drops But Community College Gains For years, some advocates said Californias method of funding schools left many Black students without the additional resources they need. Through the Local Control Funding Formula, the state gives extra money to districts based on student poverty levels and other criteria, not based specifically on students race or ethnicity or the needs at individual schools. To address this, Gov. Gavin Newsom last year added a provision to the formula known as the equity multiplier, which allotts more money to districts based on student turnover and high rates of low-income students at specific school sites. The change doubles the percentage of Black students who will receive extra funding, according to Catalyst California, an education advocacy group. Black teachers also play a big role in Black students success, research has shown. Emery Unified has long prioritized hiring Black teachers, far outpacing the state average. More than 30% of Emery Unifieds teachers are Black, compared to just 3.9% statewide. According to a 2018 study from the National Bureau of Economic Research, Black students who had at least one Black teacher in the early grades were 13% more likely to graduate and 19% more likely go to college than their Black classmates who didnt have a Black teacher. Black teachers also tend to have higher expectations for their Black students, and are less likely to view them as disruptive or inattentive, studies show. How Emery Unified boosted test scores Efforts to turn things around at Emery High began long before the pandemic. Goode and her staff started meeting regularly to look closely at student performance data and curriculum, giving extra attention to students who were struggling. The school also shifted to a grading for equity system, which focuses more on assessing students knowledge at the end of the grading period rather than their classroom behavior or whether they turned homework in on time. The new system helped motivate students and gave teachers a better idea of how students were progressing, Goode said. Another tactic thats helped: paying teachers extra money to stay after school and tutor students. The school also started taking students on college tours around California, bolstering its skilled trades program and expanding its mental health resources. I hated school so much when I was a teenager, Goode said. Thats always been my goal here: I dont want these students to hate school. I want them to have options, both in school and after they graduate. Jesus Herrera, a math teacher at Emery High, credited the surge in math scores to his close collaboration with the schools other math teacher. The two started meeting daily to align their lesson plans and set consistent, higher standards, ensuring smooth transitions from algebra to geometry and beyond. Seeing the improvements has been gratifying, Herrera said. I like teaching, and this shows were doing a good job, Herrera said. Jordan King, a high school junior, at Emery High School in Emery on Dec. 13, 2023. (Pablo Unzueta/CalMatters) Jordan King, a junior at Emery High who is Black, said he appreciates the small, close-knit campus culture, and that most of his teachers are Black or Latino. Theres so many people of color in leadership roles. They understand what students go through, the struggles, King said. Theyre not biased when they teach history, for example. And theyre nice people in general. Related How Are Californias Students Doing? New School Dashboard Is Out King, whos on the schools debate and track teams, hopes to go to college after he graduates. As the student representative on the school board, hes considering pursuing politics, law or history. He credits his teachers with inspiring him to excel. I definitely push myself more than I used to. I go to tutoring all the time, missing track or debate if I have to, King said. I want to make my family proud, let them know they raised a scholar, a good kid whos going to achieve things. A focus on writing skills At the elementary school, principal Samantha Burke credits three initiatives for the turnaround in test scores and chronic absenteeism. The first is a focus on writing skills, starting before students can even read. In kindergarten, students write stories by drawing pictures, gradually adding words and short sentences, to develop story-telling skills. In older grades, students practice a variety of writing styles, such as opinion pieces, fictional narratives and expository pieces, with increasing complexity. For example, an assignment for third-, fourth- or fifth-graders might be to write a multi-paragraph story about a celebration, followed by instructions to add plot twists, suspense and a surprise ending. Burke and her staff came up with the idea because they noticed that during remote learning, students were reading a bit, but doing very little writing because teachers werent able to offer individual guidance. We found that focusing on writing has helped students with reading, too, Burke said. They learn spelling, vocabulary, grammar, patterns. Its had so many benefits. Elementary English language arts scores jumped 5 percentage points, from 33% meeting or exceeding the standard in 2022 to 38% last year. High school students collaborate on a math problem for finals week at Emery High School in Emery on Dec. 13, 2023. Emery Unified School District is one of the bright spots from the recent statewide Smarter Balanced K-12 test results. (Pablo Unzueta/CalMatters) Another change focused on accountability. Teachers started showing students their standardized test scores, and Burke met with each student individually to discuss the results and set goals. Students who scored at or above grade level standards were honored with awards and celebrations. It was highly time consuming but it created higher expectations. Students understand they need to do the best you can, Burke said. You could see a shift. Students started taking school more seriously. The third initiative focused on attendance. The school hired an attendance clerk to follow up with families who struggled to get their kids to school. School officials also planned regular events to make school more fun, such as pool parties, ice cream days, dance and capoeira martial arts classes and family nights with bingo and movies. Chronic absenteeism was still high last year 33% but declined more than 8 percentage points from the previous year. When I saw our scores, there was a sense of relief, Burke said. These practices were building, theyre not for naught. Were on the right track. Now we have to continue moving the needle. This story was originally published at CalMatters.org. I dont get the fuss, exactly. After all, were talking about a freakin chili dog chain. Then again, Ive never eaten at Wienerschnitzel. I relish the opportunity. Soooo since Idaho Statesman readers have contacted me for updates, and threads keep popping up online, heres the scoop on the latest California fast-food phenomenon set to invade Idaho. Construction is underway on a Weinerschnitzel restaurant in Meridian, on Ten Mile Road near the intersection of West McMillan. Barring no major setbacks, Wienerschnitzel anticipates opening the location in the second quarter of this year, according to Ted Milburn, director of U.S. franchise development. That was as of this week. The restaurant will have a drive-thru and a modest amount of inside seating. This dogs got all the things, Wienerschnitzel wrote on X, formerly Twitter. The Junkyard Dog is topped with our world-famous chili, American cheese, grilled onions, golden fries and zesty mustard for a tasty adventure you dont want to skip! If all goes according to plan, it will be the first of three Wienerschnitzels in the area. A local Boise franchisee has signed a deal covering Ada and Canyon counties, Milburn previously told the Idaho Statesman. In addition to hot dogs, chili cheese fries and sandwiches, Wienerschnitzel also sells Tastee-Freez soft-serve ice cream in the form of shakes, cones and sundaes. Tastee-Freez is owned by the same parent company, Galardi Group. Based in Irvine, California, Wienerschnitzel operates more than 300 franchise stores in 11 states with the vast majority in California. Founded in 1961 by John Galardi with a single location in Southern California, its website explains, Wienerschnitzel has grown to be the worlds largest hot dog chain serving more than 120 million hot dogs a year; and were uber famous for our delicious secret-recipe chili that we like to smother on fries, hot dogs and burgers. Although most Idahoans dont realize it, this isnt Wienerschnitzels first excursion into the Gem State. When I first wrote about the planned Meridian store, history-savvy readers let me know that the chain was in Boise a few decades ago, only to disappear years later. Since tons of Treasure Valley transplants are from California, the renewed hunger for Weinerschnitzel in Idaho is understandable. I grew up in Southern California, explained a commenter in a recent Facebook thread, and went there all the time in the 70s in Hermosa Beach! Best chili dogs! Cant wait! Wienerschnitzel is horribly delicious, another wrote on Reddit. Love their chili, even though I suspect toxic waste as a primary ingredient. GET IN MY BELLY. Now thats funny. Will the Treasure Valleys lust for fast food ever be satisfied? Dont count on it. Im hoping for a White Castle next! lobbied a Facebooker. Flash The international community needs to work together and support each other in response to the current crisis and work for a better future, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday. It was reported that in an interview on Jan. 2, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned against fragmentation of the global economy along geopolitical lines due to increasing national security restrictions, with countries gravitating towards separate blocs led by the United States and China. Allowed to continue, she said this could ultimately reduce global GDP by 7 percent. When asked for comments about relevant reports, Wang told a daily press briefing that there is only one planet we call home and one common future for humanity. "What's needed most is solidarity, and what should be avoided most is fragmentation," he said. Wang said trade war, tech war, or decoupling, severing of industrial and supply chains, and de-risking are all essentially designed to politicize trade issues and be used as weapons to perpetuate certain country's primacy, hold back emerging markets and developing countries in their development efforts and deprives the 7 billion people of the right to a better life. "This is neither virtuous nor sustainable. Ultimately, it is the overall interest of the international community that will take the toll and no single country can be spared," said Wang. The spokesperson noted that the world will not retrogress to a state of isolation and exclusiveness, and still less can it be deliberately divided. Any beggar-thy-neighbor move, bloc-confrontation mentality, and arrogant sense of supremacy are doomed to failure. China would like to work with all parties to champion universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, firmly reject de-globalization and overstretching of security concepts, oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, uphold the equality of rights, opportunities, and rules among all nations, protect the right of all countries to equal development and advance common development and prosperity, Wang said. A senior Education Department official and the departments only Palestinian American political appointee has resigned over Joe Bidens response to the war in Gaza. Tariq Habash, who sent his resignation letter on Wednesday, is at least the second high-ranking Biden administration official to resign in protest over the Israel-Palestine war. The actions of the Biden-Harris Administration have put millions of innocent lives in danger, most immediately for the 2.3 million Palestinian civilians living in Gaza who remain under continuous assault and ethnic cleansing by the Israeli government. Therefore, I must resign, Habash said in his letter. I mourn each and every loss, Israeli and Palestinian. But I cannot represent an administration that does not value all human life equally. Nearly all of the 2.3 million people living in the Gaza Strip have been displaced due to Israels unrelenting bombardment of the region. Palestinians were forced to flee to designated safe zones, only for Israel to bomb those areas as well. Almost 22,500 Palestinians have been killed, the majority women and children. Some organizations, such as the nonprofit Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, put the death toll at nearly 30,000. South Africa asked the International Court of Justice in late December for an urgent order declaring that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in its nearly three-month assault on the Gaza Strip. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby criticized South Africas lawsuit on Wednesday as meritless, counterproductive, and completely without any basis in fact whatsoever. I cannot be quietly complicit as this administration fails to leverage its influence as Israels strongest ally to halt the abusive and ongoing collective punishment tactics that have cut off Palestinians in Gaza from food, water, electricity, fuel, and medical supplies, leading to widespread disease and starvation, Habash said in his letter. Over the last three months, our government has aided in the indiscriminate violence against Palestinians in Gazaover 22,000 civilians killed, thousands more buried under rubble, and the vast majority displaced from their homes. Despite claims that Israels focus is on Hamas, its military actions simultaneously persist across the West Bank where there is no Hamas governing presence, with hundreds of Palestinians killed in the West Bank before October and hundreds more killed since. Additionally, thousands of Palestinians have been detained, arrested, and held without charge or triala violation of international humanitarian law. Meanwhile, the President has publicly questioned the integrity of Palestinian death counts frequently used by our own State Department, the United Nations, and numerous humanitarian non-governmental organizations. Our representatives at the United Nations have repeatedly voted against the vast majority of the international community, including vetoing resolutions calling for a ceasefire. And administration leaders have even repeated unverified claims that systematically dehumanize Palestinians. Here is my resignation letter in its entirety. My words: pic.twitter.com/xv9oVn94Vt Tariq Habash (@tariqhabash_) January 4, 2024 Habash is now the second Biden official known to have resigned in protest over the administrations response to the situation in Gaza. Josh Paul, who had worked at the State Department for 11 years, resigned in October, slamming the government for its one-sided policy that prioritized Israel at the expense of Palestinian civilians. I cannot work in support of a set of major policy decisions, including rushing more arms to one side of the conflict, that I believe to be short-sighted, destructive, unjust and contradictory to the very values that we publicly espouse, Paul said in a statement. Also in October, a director of the United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights resigned, condemning the organization, the U.S., and Western media for their stance on the war. Craig Mokhiber, who had worked with the U.N. for more than three decades, called the situation in Gaza a text-book case of genocide. Once again, we are seeing a genocide unfolding before our eyes, and the Organization that we serve appears powerless to stop it, he said. Read Tariq Habashs full letter here. A Tennessee caregiver is accused of stealing patients debit cards for her own gambling habits, investigators said. Multiple home care patients in Maury County noticed there was money missing from their bank accounts, which led to an investigation in June, according to a Jan. 4 news release from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The agency received complaints that the patients caregiver may have been behind the spending, according to TBI. The 38-year-old woman was using some of her patients debit cards to make fraudulent, personal charges for online gambling, investigators said. The Maury County grand jury then indicted the caregiver Dec. 14 on four counts of financial exploitation of an elderly or vulnerable person and four counts of theft of $1,000 or less. The woman turned herself in to the Maury County Sheriffs Office about two weeks later, investigators said. She was released on a $10,000 bond, according to TBI. Maury County is about 50 miles southwest of Nashville. Teen steals Kia and flees from cops, then kills 1 in crash, Indiana police say Accused burglar hails an Uber as his getaway vehicle, Colorado police say Nurse stole painkillers meant for patients, replacing them with saline, Texas cops say SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) The San Francisco Police Department is investigating an incident in which multiple vehicles were set on fire on New Years Eve. Officers responded on Sunday at approximately 9:27 p.m. to the 300 block of Park Street regarding reports of multiple vehicle fires, police said. At the scene, officers spoke with witnesses who said they saw people set the vehicles on fire and then immediately flee the scene. KRON4 obtained an image of a man running from the flames holding a gas can. The San Francisco Fire Department received calls from 911 dispatchers reporting a vehicle on fire. The caller, SFFD said, saw someone near the vehicles but did not give a description. Firefighters arrived on the scene and found multiple cars burning. Thieves ram-raid San Francisco bank, steal cash After the fires were extinguished, firefighters determined that four vehicles had been damaged. SFPD and SF Fire investigators are working together to investigate the cause of the fires, officials said. No arrests were made as of Wednesday night. Supervisor Hillary Ronens office said she will host a meeting with residents and police on Thursday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Semafor Signals Insights from Foreign Affairs, South China Morning Post, and Soochow University NEWS Fewer students and researchers in the United States are developing expertise on China, which could be a big problem for the future of diplomacy between Washington and Beijing, a new article argues. In an op-ed for the Washington Post, Princeton University China scholar Rory Truex details how declining funding for language and research institutions, misperceptions about Americans safety in China, and the securitization of bilateral ties means fewer American students are enrolling in China studies programs, putting the U.S. at a disadvantage as the two superpowers duel for global dominance. We must do more than invest in weapons and semiconductors. We must invest in understanding, Truex argued. U.S. lawmakers and institutions are offering some solutions to the academic crisis, but they may not be enough to combat the problem. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Collaborative scientific research is an essential form of diplomacy Sources: Foreign Affairs Universities have historically helped in lowering international tensions and encouraging mutual understanding between global superpowers, according to former MIT professor Leo Rafael Reif. U.S. and Soviet universities pursued scientific research and collaboration all throughout the Cold War, with academics proving crucial in helping draft bilateral arms control. China certainly presents new national security challenges not seen during the 20th century, Reif explained, but American universities already have rigorous codes and training for how to collaborate on sensitive research. Scientific cooperation is an essential form of diplomacy, because it generates open-mindedness, patience, and fellow feeling. Chinas restrictions on academic freedom arent helping Sources: South China Morning Post, Liuxue Magazine, Semafor Beyond general surveillance concerns, many interested in studying China fear that their field of research is too politically sensitive to pursue, one academic told the South China Morning Post. Even foreign-run institutions based in China have begun acquiescing to Beijings narrative, with some university administrators now stressing the importance of the Communist Party in education. China scholars in the United States who cant travel to China previously relied on openly accessible databases, but Beijing restricted foreigners from using one of the countrys top research portals last year. One scholar told Semafor that the move would only fuel misperception of how Chinas government and society operate. Some scholars are moving to Taiwan instead, but there are drawbacks Sources: Axios, Soochow University As Beijings foothold on China studies fades, some researchers have relocated to Taiwan. The U.S. government and American universities have also sought to bolster the islands reputation as a destination for scholarship. Lawmakers are pushing institutions to support the U.S.-Taiwan Education Initiative, a program to help American students learn Mandarin from Taiwanese teachers, which is framed as a replacement for China-funded Confucius Institutes that have been shut down in recent years. Major research centers like Texas A&M, Arizona State University, and Purdue University have all pledged to create new exchange programs with Taiwanese universities. But some people complain that Taiwan is not an adequate replacement for being on the mainland, where they can conduct field studies and access historical archives. Weve only seen Chinas development through the TV and internet, said one Soochow University economics student who opted to study abroad in Beijing in 2016. Its a completely different experience living there. ASHLAND, Ohio (WJW) Ashland police are investigating a tragic case of animal abuse they said involved life-threatening injuries to a cat by locking it in a box and shooting the cat in the head, they said. Attention shoppers: Credit card skimmers found in local Giant Eagle stores Ashland County Prosecutor Christopher Tunnell announced that a complaint has been filed against 50-year-old Christopher Paul Ferrell. The complaint charges Ferrell with cruelty to animals, also known as Goddards Law, and unlawful possession of dangerous ordinance, both felonies of the fifth degree, Ferrell added. Tunnell said that on Dec. 30, concerned citizens approached an Ashland police officer to say they found a cat locked in a litter box that was taped shut and thrown in a dumpster. Officers said the cat was severely injured. A veterinarian clinic performed emergency medical treatment for the animal but it was determined the cat was suffering from blunt force trauma and a penetrating wound to the head believed to be from a pellet gun, Tunnell said. It was determined the cat was beyond care and was euthanized. Officers investigated and arrested Ferrell. Police said they found a pellet rifle, as well as several firearms. One of the seized firearms is alleged to be a sawed-off shotgun, with a shorter length than what is allowed under Ohio law. This firearm is the basis for the possession of dangerous ordnance, according to Tunnell. It is inconceivable to me how anyone would find it necessary to beat an animal. Out of this tragedy, however, Ashland County can take heart that the Ashland Police Department, Laura Bailey, The CatHouse Feline Sanctuary, and veterinarians like Dr. Schwanst are ready to help, Tunnell said. Some charcuterie meat sold in Ohio recalled Ferrells bond was set at $25,000. His initial court appearance was Jan. 3. Tunnell asked anyone who wishes to donate to help abused cats can do so at The Cat House Feline Sanctuary in Ashland. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Montgomery has several convictions and had breached restraining orders telling her to stay away from the cats An alleged catnapper jailed for trying to lure a neighbours pets into her home by rattling a box of treats has been told to move house or face more prison time. Angela Montgomery, 50, insisted that cats were hers and ignored repeated warnings to stop interfering with the animals at a retirement complex in North Yorkshire. In November, she was jailed for 12 weeks, having previously received a four week suspended sentence for breaching a court order. But now a frustrated judge has warned her that if she does not move away from the area she could be sent to prison again. Residents at Winston Court in Norton-on-Derwent, North Yorkshire, said she had made their lives a misery since moving into the complex. She was accused of rattling a box of treats to lure her neighbours pets into her flat, refusing to accept they were not hers, even though they were micro-chipped. Montgomery insisted they had originally belonged to her and her late mother and had simply been taken in by her neighbours. But she ended up in court last May accused of using threatening words and behaviour and was handed a restraining order that demanded she stay away from the cats. Montgomery failed to heed the warning and breached the order six times, ending up in front of the same judge on each occasion. York Crown Court was shown doorbell camera footage that showed her calling for one of the cats. Time in prison for rattling cat treats Last autumn, she was given a four-week suspended jail term for breaching the order, but ended up in court again a short time later, when she was sent to prison for 12 weeks. The day after she was released from prison she was accused of having breached the order again. Eleanor Guildford, prosecuting, said on November 30 that Montgomery, who has 13 previous convictions, was spotted on CCTV outside her neighbours window at about 1pm. She continued to appear going back and forth until around 7pm that day, the court was told. The footage showed her walking past the property and calling for a cat while trying to avoid being picked up by the camera. Ms Guildford said the incident caused the neighbour significant harm and resulted in them phoning the police. But Rhianydd Clement, defending, said Montgomery genuinely believed the cats were hers, with one belonging to her late mother. Ms Montgomery tells me they are her cats, Ms Clement said. She said Montgomery had not had a chance to engage with probation services and mental health support since being released from prison at the end of November. The defence barrister said Montgomery is now taking steps to seek counselling for the bereavement of her mother and anger management. Judge Sean Morris, the recorder of York, issued Montgomery with a final warning, telling her to move away from the housing association property or face further jail time. Judge Morris, told her: You have already served some time in prison for rattling cat treats. He said he would defer sentencing until June 18 to give her an opportunity to demonstrate she was complying with the order and also to allow her time to find a new home. The judge said moving home was the only way to cure this problem. He said that if she breached the order again he would jail her for a considerable length of time which would mean she would lose her flat anyway, adding: So, look for somewhere else. She just wouldnt stop Neighbours at the retirement complex said she had made their lives a misery. One of the residents said her disabled neighbour to whom the cats belonged had been left extremely distressed by her actions. She explained: She became convinced that her neighbours cats were actually hers and its caused a really awful situation for him, she simply wont leave it alone. She is always trying to entice the cats into her flat and despite warnings from the court she just wouldnt stop and it caused him understandable anxiety. He was forced to put up two CCTV cameras either side of his door and didnt know what she was going to do next. He has been physically assaulted by her while walking from his flat on two crutches, it was distressing for him and even the people who witnessed it. Another neighbour added: Its very clear that she needs help and support. People here are hoping she pays attention to the judge and moves but it would only shift the problem elsewhere unfortunately. There was no sign of Montgomery at her flat which had a Cats Protection League sticker in the window and a porcelain cat on the doorstep. 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. With the cost of living on the rise in the Midwest and beyond, many Kansas City residents may be finding it difficult to pay their utility bills. Making upgrades to your homes efficiency or the appliances you use could offer a double-pronged solution: These improvements can lower your bills, and some local utilities provide rebates to help you pay for the upgrades. Heres a look at some of the rebate opportunities available in the metro and how you can apply. Efficiency rebates Insulating your home against the outdoor elements can help keep the warmth in during the winter and the cold air in during the summer. Electricity giant Evergy offers rebates of up to $400 for air sealing measures and up to $650 for ceiling insulation when these upgrades are installed by one of the companys authorized contractors. Spire also offers its customers rebates of up to $300 for air sealing and up to $500 for ceiling insulation. Using water efficiently can also help reduce your monthly utility bills and water-saving tools like faucet aerators and leak detection tablets are available for free through a program called Leak Stoppers. Operated by the nonprofit Bridging the Gap, this program is available to low- and moderate-income households and includes an in-person efficiency inspection along with a free water-saving kit and other perks, like energy-efficient lightbulbs and hot water pipe insulation. Appliance rebates Natural gas utility company Spire offers rebates for new natural gas appliances to heat your water and your home. If youre in the market for a new furnace, water heater or boiler, you can get up to $450 back from Spire when you upgrade to a more energy-efficient model. These appliances could also lower your future natural gas bills. Evergy also offers rebates for new energy-efficient appliances, including central air conditioners, heat pumps and efficient water heaters. Homeowners who upgrade to a new energy-efficient heating or cooling system can save up to $1200. Technology rebates During the chilly winter months, its nice to come home to a warm, cozy living space. But leaving your heat on when you arent home can waste energy and bulk up your bills. Programmable smart thermostats are a convenient solution and Evergy offers them to some electricity customers for free. You dont need to own your home to qualify for this program, and your new thermostat will even connect to a mobile app that you can use to check and adjust your homes temperature remotely. Rather than spend upwards of $150 on a programmable thermostat, simply sign up on Evergys website to have one sent to your home. Kansas Gas Service, which serves many areas in southern and eastern Kansas, including parts of Johnson and Wyandotte counties, offers a rebate of $3,000 for customers who purchase a vehicle that runs partially or fully on compressed natural gas. Visit the utilitys website for more information. Do you have more questions about energy efficiency programs or utility costs in Kansas City? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com. Flash Two explosions near the burial site of Iran's slain general Qassem Soleimani killed at least 95 people and wounded more than 210 others on Wednesday, reported local media. The blasts occurred as many people gathered at the cemetery in Iran's southeastern city of Kerman to mark the fourth anniversary of Soleimani's death in a U.S. drone strike. The first blast was about 700 meters from Soleimani's tomb and the second was a kilometer away, according to the official IRNA news agency. Rahman Jalali, the deputy governor of Kerman province for political and security affairs, said the explosions were carried out by "terrorists," the IRNA reported. Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network said the cause of the blasts was still under investigation and that rescue teams were at the scene. It added that most of the injuries were caused by overcrowding and panic. The Iranian government has declared Thursday a day of national mourning. Soleimani, one of the most powerful military commanders in Iran, was killed on Jan. 3, 2020, near Baghdad's international airport in a drone strike ordered by then-U.S. President Donald Trump. He was buried in his hometown of Kerman after a funeral that drew millions of mourners across Iran. Iran denounced the assassination as "state terrorism" and vowed revenge. Following the latest incident, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said the attackers will face "a harsh response." Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said that, "Undoubtedly, the perpetrators and leaders of this cowardly act will soon be identified and punished." U.S. officials, meanwhile, rejected any suggestion that it or its ally Israel was behind the deadly blasts. "The United States was not involved in any way. And the suggestion to the contrary is ridiculous. And No. 2, we have no reason to believe that Israel is involved in this," Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters Wednesday. The United Nations, European Union, and several countries including Russia, Turkiye, and Germany denounced the blasts. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms and said those responsible must be brought to justice, according to a statement issued by the UN chief's office. In a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell strongly condemned the deadly incident, and extended condolences to the victims' families and the Iranian government and people, wishing a speedy recovery for the injured. According to a statement from the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin had sent a message to Khamenei and Raisi, saying that Russia strongly condemns terrorism in all forms and reaffirms its commitment to the uncompromising fight against it. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a phone call with Raisi, condemned the twin attacks "targeting civilians," reiterating his call for Iran to act jointly in the fight against terrorism. It was also decided at the phone talk to postpone Raisi's visit to Turkiye, originally scheduled for Thursday, "to a later date," said Erdogan's office, which was also confirmed by Mohammad Jamshidi, the Iranian president's deputy chief of staff for political affairs. "We are deeply saddened by the many deaths in today's explosions in Kerman, including many children," Germany's Foreign Ministry wrote on social media platform X. "We condemn this act of terror." The people of Iran deserve a future in peace and security, the ministry added. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther is set to be sworn in for his third term on Saturday. Pencil sharpener museum? Nations largest collection to reopen in Ohio The mayor will officially be sworn in with an inauguration ceremony on Jan. 6 at COSI. The Ginther Inaugural Committee sent invites to his inauguration, promising family fun at COSI. The event is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the swearing-in ceremony taking place at the COSI main stage at 2 p.m. While tickets are free, there were a limited number available. Tickets come with a free food voucher. Ginther is beginning his third term after a November election saw him face off against Joe Motil. The incumbent mayor defeated Motil with 64.08% of the vote. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. A Jesuit-run private high school in the Cincinnati region won't remove Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy from its board of trustees, the board's chairman said Wednesday. Ramaswamy's controversial comments on the campaign trail have prompted some St. Xavier High School alumni to call for the school to oust Ramaswamy from its 25-member board of trustees. "The board acknowledges the sincerity and honest intentions of those urging Mr. Ramaswamys removal from our board of trustees," St. Xavier High School Board of Trustees Chairman Nick Vehr said in a statement sent to The Enquirer on Wednesday afternoon. "However, we have concluded that any action we initiate, beyond having already agreed to his sabbatical, could be interpreted as participating in or intervening in a political campaign. Therefore, we will not, and have no plans to, take any action regarding Mr. Ramaswamys status as a member of the board of trustees on sabbatical." Ramaswamy graduated from St. Xavier in 2003 as valedictorian. While he remains listed as a member of the St. Xavier High School's Board of Trustees, Ramaswamy has been on sabbatical from the board and has not participated in any board activities since launching his campaign, according to Vehr, a 1977 St. Xavier graduate. Tim Mulvey, a 2001 St. Xavier High School graduate who worked on Capitol Hill, thinks his alma mater in suburban Cincinnati should cut ties with Ramaswamy. "The real question is for St. X: Will they jeopardize their legacy by allowing such a dangerous demagogue to remain on their board of trustees?" Mulvey wrote in a letter to the editor published Dec. 23 in The Enquirer. "No one in the schools history has posed a greater threat to the so-called 'Long Blue Line.' Its decision time on North Bend Road." A photo of Vivek Ramaswamy from his 2002-2003 senior yearbook at St. Xavier High School Ramaswamy's comments in debates and a town hall that the Jan. 6, 2021 riots at the Capitol appeared to be an "inside job" crossed a line for Mulvey, he told The Enquirer on Tuesday. Mulvey worked as the communications director for the U.S. House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. Ramaswamy has voiced support for the conspiracy theory that federal law enforcement agents helped instigate the storming of the Capitol. There is no evidence to support this claim. "Its been debunked over and over again," Mulvey said. "Those sorts of comments are dangerous. They are the sort of misinformation that encourages distrust in our election system and perpetuates the notion that the 2020 election was stolen, and a host of other really damaging, potentially violent inciting lies that are exactly what led to the violence of Jan. 6 in the first place." When asked by The Enquirer what the St. Xavier High School Board of Trustees has heard from the public regarding Ramaswamy, Vehr said they've heard from alumni on both sides. "Were getting mixed feedback," Vehr said. "Lots of people are proud that a graduate of St. X High School is running for president of the United States, and lots of people feel challenged by some of the positions that the candidate has taken." High school officials have said very little about their alumnus-turned-presidential candidate. The school denied any interviews with teachers for a profile The Enquirer did of Ramaswamy in October, citing fear of losing the schools nonprofit status. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Why St. Xavier High School won't remove Ramaswamy from its board Semafor Signals Insights from The Independent, Euronews, and The Telegraph NEWS The twin bombings in Iran Wednesday, heightened tensions in the Red Sea, and the assassination of a key Hamas leader in Lebanon have experts sounding the alarm that the Gaza war risks turning into a larger regional war. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other top diplomats are due in several Middle East countries next week in an effort to mitigate tensions. There are growing calls in Israel and Iran to expand war efforts, but analysts believe the political consequences of engaging in a full-blown conflict would be detrimental to both countries. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Israel has crossed a red line with Hamas leader assassination, but it could backfire Sources: The Independent By killing Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri, Israel has taken the calculated step of crossing a red line, wrote The Independents global affairs editor Kim Sengupta. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is signaling to Israels foes that he is ready for the consequences' as he extends military operations outside Israels borders. But it also shows that Netanyahu needs symbolic victories with Hamas nowhere near defeated and Israel facing international condemnation for the rising death toll of Palestinian civilians. But the assassination could backfire for Netanyahu, Sengupta argued, given that Arouri was a key player in hostage negotiations, and following his death, Hamas said it will end talks with Israel. This could further fuel anger from the hostages families at the Israeli government. Iran under pressure to escalate war with Israel, but that could spur revolution against the Islamic Republic Sources: Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecrafts Trita Parsi, Euronews Iran has so far refused to engage in open warfare with Israel, wrote Iranian foreign policy expert Titra Parsi, but Israels ongoing attacks are putting strain on Tehrans long-game strategy of fighting with Israel through proxy groups like Hezbollah. Growing voices within Iran are arguing that the absence of a strong response undermines Irans deterrence, Parsi said, adding, This is a very dangerous moment as the prospects of a wider conflict grow more likely by the day. However, Tehrans involvement in a war against Israel and the U.S. could be politically disastrous for the Islamic Republic, given that the widespread dissatisfaction with the government, coupled with a conflict, could fuel a revolution to topple the regime, Iranian political commentator Bijan Ashtari said. The country is completely devoid of peoples support, he said. Growing presence of warships from different countries is endangering the Red Sea Sources: The Telegraph The Red Sea is getting really dangerous now, wrote former UK Navy Commander Tom Sharpe. But its not only because of Houthi attacks on the crucial shipping route. Governments across the world are sending their warships to the Red Sea, and every time a new warship or task force arrives and acts independently, the risk of miscalculation goes up, Sharpe argues. When a potential missile is detected, warship crews only have about 30 seconds to shoot down the projectile, but the Red Sea is now full of drones, military planes, and helicopters from governments that have sent their resources there, all while commercial aviation continues flying in the area. Having to be on alert 24/7 exhausts crews which risks the accidental downing of a non-Houthi military asset. That no sailors have been killed or ships sunk is down to good luck Sharpe wrote, but how long will that luck hold? Charles Griggs will be the new director of community initiatives charged with helping the city reimagine the Jax Journey, a former crime prevention program, the administration announced Thursday. Mayor Donna Deegan created the position upon taking office and initially appointed Lakesha Burton, a former Jacksonville Sheriffs office assistant chief and candidate for sheriff. Burton resigned in October to care for her husband following a medical emergency. Deegan said she looked forward to Griggs stepping into the critical role. He brings vast knowledge and experience in both city government and the Jacksonville Journey, Deegan said in the Thursday statement. Relaunching this vital program is a top priority of our administration and it will be in good hands with Charles at the helm. Woods: For Lakesha and Greg Burton, this isn't a sad story. It's a chapter in love story. Lakesha Burton resigns from Deegan's administration due to family health concerns More on Jax Journey Mayor-elect Donna Deegan's transition team looks to create 'new' Jax Journey Griggs worked with the former Jacksonville Journey Oversight Committee before the program was disbanded in 2017. Deegans transition teams discussed the reinvention of the program and ultimately recommended the city establish a Jacksonville Journey Forward program and Oversight Committee. In his role, Griggs will promote the initiatives focused on a comprehensive approach to public safety centered around crime prevention and intervention and provide oversight to the citys related current programs. He previously worked as president of Eighth & Whitner Group LLC and director of communications and community engagement for the Florida Department of Health in Duval County. He is a board member of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. and previously served on the Jacksonville Human Rights Commission and Arts in Public Places Commission. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Charles Griggs to replace Lakesha Burton in Deegan administration MATTHEWS, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Two drug dealers received lengthy prison sentences this week after pleading guilty in a case involving an overdose death, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of North Carolina announced. Matthews resident Patrick Tylicki, 32, will serve 12 years and Charlotte resident Gregory Kirk, 28, will serve nearly 20 years after both men pled guilty in 2022. Court records showed that on January 26, 2021, both men sold drugs (fentanyl) to a person who later died from an overdose. Both men knew about the death and continued to deal drugs, and ultimately were caught by undercover agents. A warrant served on Kirks home unveiled approximately 10,000 units of fentanyl and 13 pounds of pot. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A man who defrauded a Charlotte law firm out of more than $250,000 in real estate closures received a hefty prison sentence on Thursday, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of North Carolina announced. Florida resident Pierre Almonor, 51, will serve over four years in prison after he was convicted in 2022 of money laundering and conspiracy. Court records stated that from 2014 through 2017, Almonor arranged to have hundreds of thousands of dollars in real estate closing proceeds fraudulently wired into foreign bank accounts. One of those victims was a Charlotte law firm that received a bogus email in connection with the closing of a piece of Charlotte real estate and was ultimately defrauded into wiring over $250,000, the indictment stated. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Flash Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in Naqoura, Lebanon, on Jan. 3, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah warned on Wednesday night to attack Israel "without restraint" if Israel expands its attacks against Lebanon, local TV channel al-Manar reported. Nasrallah made the remarks in a televised speech to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the assassination of top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone attack on Jan. 3, 2020. Meanwhile, Nasrallah said the assassination of Saleh al-Arouri, Hamas' deputy chief, and other Hamas officials in Beirut a day earlier was "a dangerous crime." He said the current confrontation on Lebanon's southern border has been limited, considering the priority of protecting Lebanon's stability and security. However, "if Israel expands its attacks ... all our power will be used to attack Israel; we do not fear the war, and we are not hesitant about it; otherwise, we would have stopped fighting on the southern front," he said. The Lebanon-Israel border witnessed increased tension since Oct. 8 after the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Israel in support of the Hamas attacks on Israel the previous day, prompting Israel to respond by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie said in a new ad that he was wrong to support former President Trump, now his rival for the GOP nomination, back in 2016. I have an admission to make: Eight years ago, when I decided to endorse Donald Trump for president, I did it because he was winning. And I did it because I thought I could make him a better candidate and a better president. Well, I was wrong. I made a mistake, Christie tells the camera in the minute-long clip. And now, were confronted with the very same choice again, Christie said, citing Trumps lead in the polls. Christie has become an outspoken Trump critic and pitched himself as the top Trump alternative in this years race, calling out the former president for not taking part in the partys debates and sounding alarms about a second Trump term. He said last week that Trump would burn America to the ground. Hes also been firm in saying he wouldnt pardon Trump if he were convicted of a crime, as the former president campaigns amid multiple legal battles. But Christie has struggled to get closer to Trump in the polls, where Trump leads even his closest challengers by double-digits. The Hill/Decision Desk HQ polling average shows Christie at just 3.3 percent support nationally in the Republican primary, while Trump leads with 64.1 percent. Still, Christies team has said its ready for the long haul, and the former New Jersey governor in the new ad dismissed calls for the GOP candidates trailing Trump to drop out of the race. Donald Trump will sell the soul of this country, Christie warned in the video. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. From the Boiling Frogs on The Dispatch One thing that distinguishes adults from children is our ability to manage our emotions. The desirable course isnt always the sensible course: Adults understand that in a way children dont. In theory. Less so in practice. For instance, once it became clear that former Harvard President Claudine Gay had plagiarized passages in some of her work, the plainly sensible course for her peers was to stop defending her. Preserving public faith in academia and the integrity of scholarship, especially at an institution as august as Harvard, should have mattered more than saving Gays job. Zero tolerance for unethical behavior, no matter who does it was the obvious position. The problem for Gays colleagues and their ideological allies in American media is that they despise the right-wing activists who exposed Gays plagiarism, particularly culture warrior extraordinaire Christopher Rufo. The sensible course was to cut Gay loose but the desirable course, which these alleged adults couldnt resist, was to grasp for excuses to spite their political enemies by denying them a coveted scalp. They couldnt manage their emotions. And because they couldnt, theyve made a pitiful spectacle of themselves following Gays resignation. Bad-faith allegations of racism, idiotic complaints about conservatives weaponizing plagiarism against, er, plagiaristsits a juvenile temper tantrum by some of the luminaries of American intellectual life. In the end, not only did they fail to save Gay, they revealed that their actual unspoken ethical standard for plagiarism is lots of tolerance for unethical behavior depending on who does it. Adults nowadays actually arent very good at separating whats sensible from whats desirable, particularly when political passions are inflamed. Thats the story of Gays resignation. And its the story of this years Republican presidential primary, too. Whatever else you want to call it when a candidate is indicted on a gazillion criminal charges and promptly gains a gazillion points in the polls, sensible aint it. Emotion, not reason, is the hallmark of the adults in this particular room. I have a confession, though. Ive been struggling lately myself with condoning whats sensible over whats desirable with respect to the coming primaries. Whats sensible, clearly, is for the anti-Trump vote to consolidate behind a single challenger. That challenger should be Nikki Haley, as shes the only candidate in the field within 25 points of Trump in any race. The less competition there is for Trump-skeptical voters, the easier consolidation will be. Which means Chris Christie needs to go, the sooner, the better. It would be sensible. But would it be desirable? Maybe he should hang in there after all. Chris Christie is a friend. But his race is at an absolute dead end, New Hampshires Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, a Haley supporter, said in a recent interview. Chris is only talking about Trump. Thats it, hes kind of a one-man show. And I know he says he wants to stay in the race to speak the truth about Trump, but that translating to votes in a primary is a very different thing and hes hit a ceiling. All true. Since mid-November, Christie has been stuck at 10 percent in Sununus home state while Haley has risen to a hair shy of 25. Ron DeSantis has underperformed egregiously there, choosing to focus on Iowa instead, yet hes still just a point behind Christie in the RealClearPolitics average of New Hampshire polling. Theres no longer any scenario in which the former governor of New Jersey wins that state, if ever there was. Even if you contrive a scenario in which Haley, DeSantis, and Vivek Ramaswamy all drop out, handing Christie a one-on-one death match with Trump, his gruesome unfavorability among Republican voters would ensure a Trump landslide. Sununus also right that Christie spends most of his time talking about Trump. Consider a few quotes from his recent television ads. December 15: Im in this race because the truth needs to be spoken. He is unfit. December 28: Im the only one saying Donald Trump is a liar. January 3: Dont mention his name. Dont criticize him. Dont do anything. I cant stand by and silently acquiesce to that. When Christie was asked on Wednesday about Sununus criticism, he replied by bringing upwhat else? I remember when Chris used to care about Donald Trump, he said of Sununu. Hes the guy who came, I think, to the Gridiron Club and said that Trump belongs in a mental institution. And now hes saying that hed vote for him if he were the nominee. On Wednesday, he compared Trump to Jefferson Davisunfavorably. As a longstanding Never Trumper, I admire the zeal of his (too recent) conversion. But theres nothing in any of this that resembles a strategy to actually win the primary. What Christies doing might more aptly be described as an anti-strategy. The more he dogs Haley as a wimp who wont speak the truth about Trump as boldly as he will, the more contemptuously his base of Never Trumpers in New Hampshire may come to view her. He could poison her ability to win them over even if he does ultimately quit the race before Primary Day. Guess which candidate would benefit if that happens. Hint: Its the same one whom Christie famously endorsed in 2016. In other words, Chris Christie isnt doing whats sensiblehes doing what he finds desirable. Speaking truths that the cowards around you dare not speak is exhilarating, particularly when it has moral force. The scorn hes received from devotees of one of the worst political figures in American history must feel to him like a badge of honor. And the attention hes gotten from the media for his crusade is doubtless gratifying, especially since this is his last hurrah as a political candidate. Theres a powerful appeal to the type of campaign hes running. But if his goal is to prevent Donald Trump from being reelected president, dividing the anti-Trump vote in New Hampshire for the sake of truthbombing a hostile Republican electorate is, shall we say, a curious way to achieve it. Haley, not Christie, is the one whos behaved sensibly by declining to criticize Trump in ways that would alienate most Republican voters and render her unviable. Consider, for example, this new soundbite from one of her latest town halls, in which she finally took the fight to Trump. To Christie, taking the fight to him would mean calling him an insurrectionist sociopath and probable felon who can never again be trusted with power. To Haley, it means grumbling about deficits. Shots fired Nikki Haley finally calls Trump out over his ads calling her High Tax Haley. I see the commercials that you see, and Ive noticed that President Trump is giving me some attention and I appreciate that, because that means he sees what were seeing, but in his pic.twitter.com/Ll0Oknlm2g Christopher Webb (@cwebbonline) January 3, 2024 She knows Trump is loathsome. Shed surely love to say so. (Her disgust bubbled to the surface briefly after January 6.) But shes forced herself to do whats sensible, not whats desirable. And because she has, theres a small chance that shell win New Hampshire and a teeny tinyyet non-zerochance that shell win the Republican nomination. Adults tend to perform more competently than children and this case is no exception: If the Trump era ends this spring, well owe it to Nikki Haleys self-discipline, not Chris Christies self-indulgence. If Christie refuses to quit, however, were facing a disaster in which Haley not only loses a close race in the northeast that she might have won had he exited beforehandbut which anti-anti-Trump partisans would inevitably exploit to justify their continued membership in this disgraceful party. Trump wouldnt have won the nomination if he hadnt won New Hampshire and he wouldnt have won New Hampshire if not for Never Trumper Chris Christie. Its still a normal party! We can support it in good conscience. So its settled. Christie should get out, right? Well, not so fast. The problem with asking Christie to quit the race for strategic reasons is that doing so implicitly validates cowardice as the sensible approach to Trump. I think hes a smart guy. He wants to have a voice in this party, Sununu said of Christie in an interview this past weekend, urging him to drop out. So I just think hes going to make the right decision in the end. He wants to make sure this party comes together. On Wednesday, in a piece for The Bulwark, Will Saletan took righteous exception to that: When Sununu advises Christie to make a quick calculation and bow out so that this party comes togetherand so that Christie can continue to have a voice in this partyhe isnt just telling Christie to yield to Haley. Hes inviting Christie to be more like her. Hes encouraging Christie to practice the same craven self-preservation that gave Trump power over the GOP in the first place. In other words, Christie is right. [Haley is] a coward, Saletan concluded. The political case for Haley is the moral case against her. Correct. Haley the adult is also Haley the coward, another careerist refugee from the pre-Trump GOP willing to trade moral clarity for the sake of ambition. Shes a willing participant in the conspiracy of silence within the Republican establishment about how dangerous a second Trump presidency would be. And shes been rewarded for that cowardicesomething this newsletter and this publication typically and justly detestswith growing support among Republican voters. Compare her views with Christies on whether Trump should be pardoned. A leader needs to think about whats in the best interest of the country, Haley said last week. Whats in the best interest of the country is not to have an 80-year-old man sitting in jail that continues to divide our country. Thats a defensible position on the merits, but it stinks of fear and cynicism coming from a candidate who has resolved never to offend Trumps voters. And it amounts to rewarding Trumps ethic of intimidation by placing him above the law post-conviction, not knowing what he might encourage his supporters to do if he isnt freed. Now heres Christie. Joy Behar: "If you became president, would you pardon him?" Chris Christie: "No! one of the things you have to do is look at the person; the person has to accept responsibility for what they did. Do you think Donald Trump will ever accept responsibility for anything he did?" pic.twitter.com/dDkgpWWPEV Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) January 3, 2024 How is a Never Trumper supposed to process those two answers and feel comfortable sacrificing Christie to aid Haley? How are we in a position in which a candidate who couldnt bring herself to say the word slavery when discussing the Civil War is somehow the last best hope for a saner GOP? Ive written many times about the current Republican hostage crisis, in which populists threaten to blow up the party if they dont get their wayi.e., if Trump doesnt get his wayand gutless conservatives meekly acquiesce to their demands, terrified that Democrats will benefit if they dont. By challenging Trump, Haley is trying to end that crisis in her own way. But the way shes gone about it, declining to confront the hostage-takers about their most corrupt civic impulses, suggests that it wont end even if she prevails. Shell simply become a political hostage herself, forever anxious about crossing an illiberal base without whose support shell be doomed in a general election. Haley is the candidate of accommodation. Christie is the candidate of schism. If you think the party is beyond saving, or doesnt deserve saving given the state its in, you cant help but appreciate having just one figure in the race barking at the hostage-takers about how contemptible they are. At this point, I doubt Chris Christie cares a whit about having a voice in the GOP after the primaries are over, let alone wanting to bring it together behind Trump. Why would he, when his insistence on telling the truth has made him a pariah among all but 10 percent or so of the Republican electorate? Hes so toxic due to his candor about Trump that him endorsing Haley would very plausibly do her more harm than good. Chris Sununu, of all people, should know how little it means to have a voice in the current Republican Party. Last year, unable to make the case frankly that Trump is unfit for office, he resorted to claiming instead that Trump was unelectableand looked ridiculous doing so, as thats never been less true. He also declined to run for reelection as governorafter passing on a winnable Senate race in 2022because he knows that Trump bears a grudge against him and that zombified Republican primary voters therefore would have borne one too, never mind his solid conservative record in office. Remaining in this party at this point isnt desirable and, under such circumstances, doesnt seem particularly sensible either. If you want the GOP to reform, only a fracture on the righta mutual hostage crisis, we might call itthat leads to electoral disaster would force populists to sober up. Nikki Haley winning New Hampshire after Chris Christie drops out and then getting obliterated in South Carolina and in the Super Tuesday states doesnt do that. It achieves nothing. Except, perhaps, reminding populists that even a united normie front in the party is no match for MAGA. But if that argument for Christie staying in doesnt grab you, theres a more practical one. If Trump loses next fall, I suspect his defeat will owe more to Chris Christie than to Nikki Haley. Which seems counterintuitive. If hard feelings on the right over the primary linger into November, typically we attribute them to divisions between the nominee and his top challenger. Thats Haley. Christie is a nonfactor in the race. No one expects Haley to lead any sort of principled resistance to Trump, though. Shell endorse him quickly after dropping out, not wanting to squander the goodwill she earned with Republican voters this cycle ahead of 2028. Most of her supporters will turn out for him in November with her enthusiastic encouragement. Its Christies voters who are going to be doing some deep thinking about the general election. There can be no accommodation with Trump or with his Republican enablers. Thats his message. Thats why hes refused to quit the race. It seems to have resonated with the 10 percent or so of GOP voters who still view him favorably. Ten percent is a big share in a country where presidential elections lately tend to be decided by a few thousand votes across a few battleground states. It wouldnt shock me if Chris Christie ended his political career this summer by endorsing Joe Biden at the Democratic convention, giving his primary supporters one last nudge about the stakes of the coming election. He, more than any other figure, created a permission structure for normie Republicans to support Trump when he made his endorsement in 2016. Supporting Biden this year would be a bookend to that, offering a permission structure for the anti-Trump rump on the right to refuse to support him this time. Until then, his decision to stick around in the GOP primary rather than yield to the sane but cowardly Haley can be read as a signal to those voters about how they should approach the coming election. No to Trumpand no to a party establishment that knows better but is willing to serve him anyway. Christie might matter more than Haley in the end. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie blasted radio host Hugh Hewitt during a contentious interview Thursday, faulting him for a lack of substantive questions. The contentiousness set in after Hewitt asked the former New Jersey governor, a critic of former President Trump, whom he would vote for in a general election between Trump and President Biden. If its Donald Trump, Republican nominee, against Joe Biden, Democratic nominee, who will Chris Christie vote for? Hewitt asked Christie during the interview. At this point, I wouldnt vote for either one of them, Christie responded. What would you do? Hewitt pressed the former governor of New Jersey. Id vote down-ballot, he replied. But then, youd abdicate? Hewitt asked. I mean, Hugh, this is not news. Ive been saying this from the beginning. Im the guy who didnt raise my hand on the stage when they asked me if you would support him if he was a convicted felon, Christie exclaimed. Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie delivers a speech about drug addiction at Hope on Haven Hill, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Rochester, N.H. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) The Republican then took a shot at the radio host. So I dont understand how were in I have to tell you the truth, Hugh. You have interviewed me probably a hundred times. Ive never had a less substantive interview with you in my life, Christie said. But its actually the most substantive interview, Hewitt said. Were down to the quarter stretch. No. This is, this is not news, Hugh. I didnt raise my hand in August, but you think youre making news here, then youre not paying attention, Christie shot back. Top Stories from The Hill Christie has made criticisms of Trump a major theme of his campaign and, like the rest of the GOP field, trails the former president by double digits in most primary polls. Hewitt, a conservative pundit who hosts a widely syndicated show on the Salem Radio Network, was one of three co-moderators for the third GOP primary debate late last year, which was hosted by NBC. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The University of Northern Iowa announced Wednesday that Chuck Grassley of Iowa, both the longest-serving current U.S. senator and member of Congress, will turn his collected papers from his 43 years in office over to his alma mater's library. Grassley, a Republican, and wife Barbara also endowed a new faculty position, the university said in a news release. Donna R. Hoffman will be the inaugural UNI Chuck and Barbara Grassley Professor of Political Science. Grassley, 90, initially elected to the Senate in 1980 and reelected in 2022 to his eighth term, became the longest-serving senator still in office with the January 2023 retirement of Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont. Leahy, who chose not to seek reelection in 2022, had served since 1975. Grassley is sixth on the all-time list of longest senate service. Leahy's retirement also ended Grassley's tie with him as the longest-serving current member of Congress. Grassley served three terms in the U.S. House before his election to the Senate, bringing to 49 years his total time in office to date. Prior to going to Washington, Grassley served from 1959 to 1975 in the Iowa Legislature. His papers from that period and his House service already are in the UNI Rod Library's archive. From October: University of Northern Iowa gets largest gift in its history. How will it be used? The university said he will turn over his Senate papers when he leaves office. Grassley has not said whether he will seek a ninth term when his current one ends in 2029. He would be 95, the second-oldest senator in U.S. history after South Carolina Republican Strom Thurmond, who was still in office when he died at age 100 in 2003. Speaking for himself and his wife, Grassley said, We hope scholars and students will use my Senate papers as part of their research and teaching. With this gift, we hope to support the teaching and research mission of the University of Northern Iowa, allowing scholars and students the academic freedom to explore American government and public policy. Its more important than ever that students learn to rigorously analyze political issues and develop the ability to discuss them with others, including those with whom they disagree, he added. Hoffman's biography on the UNI website lists her research interests as presidential-congressional relations; presidential rhetoric; realignment theory; social and political change in the American electorate; southern politics; and art, politics and culture. Senator and Mrs. Grassleys gift confirms their trust in our commitment to preparing the next generation of public servants and citizens who understand that the continued functioning of our democracy isnt automatic, but requires concerted effort and education, Hoffman said in the university news release. Chuck Grassley is a native of the tiny town of New Hartford, about 10 miles from the university's campus in Cedar Falls. In his long Senate tenure he has been has served as chair of powerful committees, including finance and judiciary, placing him at the nexus of many noteworthy debates. He was president pro tem of the Senate from 2019 to 2021. We are most grateful for Senator and Mrs. Grassleys time-honored commitment to the University of Northern Iowa, said University of Northern Iowa President Mark Nook. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Chuck Grassley Senate papers to reside at University of Northern Iowa One person has been killed and one injured in Russian strikes on Katerynivka, Donetsk Oblast. Source: Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote from Filashkin: "One person was killed and one injured in Katerynivka, Marinka hromada, as a result of artillery shelling. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories ed.]" Details: On the morning of 4 January, the Russians attacked Marinka, Avdiivka and Kurakhove hromadas, damaging the houses of peaceful residents. Filashkin noted that everyone who remains in frontline settlements risks becoming yet another target for the Russians. Support UP or become our patron! Flash People walk past destroyed buildings in Gaza City, on Jan. 2, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye said on Wednesday that the Gaza Strip, which has been under an intense Israeli military assault for nearly three months, is witnessing an "unprecedented state of hunger and starvation." Ishtaye told a weekly cabinet meeting in Ramallah that the situation in Gaza is "shocking to us and the world" as infants have no milk while "children are searching for a living in long lines" and not getting their share. Ishtaye accused Israel of deliberately blocking food supplies to Gaza and preventing people's access to food, saying it has targeted their daily calorie intake with "the cannon of crime." He warned that the people of Gaza have become weak and prone to diseases and epidemics. He said famines are not caused by a lack of food, but by a lack of access to food. Ishtaye said the goods that entered Gaza only met eight percent of the people's needs, and called on the world to "drop food with parachutes and pressure Israel to open the crossings to allow food in." WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) A political fight four decades in the making is coming to a head in the New Year. House Republicans are vowing to play hard ball to ensure Trump era immigration policies are part of a deal to secure the border. During a visit to the Texas-Mexico border Wednesday they demanded the final text include changes to the countrys asylum laws and renewed construction of the border wall. We know what works, its not rocket science, said newly elected Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La). After border crossings spiked in recent weeks, Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas) compared the situation at the border to war times and threatened extreme consequences if Republican demands are ignored. If that means having to shut down the governmentdo it said Van Duyne. The visit comes as bipartisan negotiations between senators and the White House resumed this week in Washington. The same group tried but failed to strike a deal before the holidays. We think those negotiations are headed in the right way, said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre. The Biden administration says its prepared to boost security to fix a broken immigration system but argue House Republicans are being unreasonable. Theyre talking to themselves, said Jean Pierre. Were in regular touch with Senate Republicans who are at the table with us having a real conversation about a bipartisan agreement. Progressive Democrats are also frustrated over negotiations. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) says immigration groups and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus have been left out of talks. As a result, he says hes concerned the White House could cave to Republican pressure to change asylum laws. Itll be more of a border crisis if we get rid of parole and some of the legal ways for people to come into the United States, said Rep Khanna. Im not hopeful the way this process is going. Without buy-in from the House Republicans, a path forward is uncertain and could more broadly jeopardize aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. CHICAGO -- Ten years ago, Beth Beyers youngest child walked out to Lake Michigan on a mild winter day and cried. The Lincoln Park resident thought her son would be excited about spending time outdoors, but the seventh grader was distraught thinking about what the unseasonably warm weather meant for the world and its climate. I was like, Wow, youre taking this in a way that I had no idea, Beyer remembers saying. Since, Beyers advocacy and nonprofit work has allowed her to keep her ear to the ground and share what she learns from other environmentalists with her two sons to ease their eco-conscious minds. She is the executive director of The Technology Alliance, which makes new technologies available to local underserved communities, and also works with the Chicago Wilderness Alliance. We need to figure out how we channel this anxiety, she said. How do we create hope? Beyer recounted this during a Climate Cafe, one of a few gatherings that Chicago psychotherapist and clinical social worker Libby Bachhuber has helped organize for those struggling with the emotional burdens of climate change: from anxiety to grief, from guilt to shame. Many mental health professionals agree the most effective way to deal with the difficult feelings brought up by the enormity of the climate crisis might just be to slow down, pay attention to those feelings as uncomfortable as they may be and talk through them with other people. Unless we can process our internal responses to climate change, we are not going to be able to respond appropriately to it, Bachhuber said. After joining the regional team for the Climate Psychology Alliance North America, Bachhuber trained last year on how to hold small group sessions. She is planning three cafes in the next three months. She organized the recent Climate Cafe at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum alongside Haven Denson, coordinator for the museums Chicago Conservation Corps program, which trains community leaders in grassroots organizing and climate action. Denson said many young people like her Gen Z peers are mentally checked out when it comes to climate issues. Everybody that I talk to is mostly ready to give up. All we hear is doom and gloom, Denson said. We may as well just give up, its already too late. And the numbers back this up. A study published in the medical journal The Lancet in 2021 found that almost half of Americans surveyed between the ages of 16 and 25 were very worried or extremely worried about climate change and thought humanity was doomed because of it. That is why I think this is so important, having these spaces where we can not only talk about solutions, but also just talk about (how) we are in this together, were not isolated, its OK to feel this way, Denson said. To acknowledge these feelings and emotions, to actually process them so that we can then move on and find those solutions. Ecological anxiety and grief Some may dismiss eco-anxiety, or fear of environmental catastrophe associated with climate change, as one more term in a long list of therapy speak buzzwords related to psychotherapy and mental health that are often used excessively and incorrectly. But just in the last decade, the number of Americans alarmed by climate change has doubled to more than one-third of the population, according to the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. People tend to come in and they are worrying a lot, said Marilee Feldman, founder and clinical director of the Life Counseling Institute in Willowbrook and Park Ridge. She is also the Illinois regional coordinator for the Climate Psychology Alliance North America, which trains psychotherapists to address climate issues and concerns. Feldman said clients often ask themselves: Where should I live? What is the future? What will it be like for my children? Another feeling particular to the climate crisis is ecological grief; a great sadness about the loss of nature and species, about a lack of safety and about unfulfilled potential. These and other overwhelming feelings can be exacerbated by a sense of isolation, according to Feldman. So, that just adds fuel to the fire, she said. A growing number of climate-aware psychotherapists are hoping to help their patients move past denial and into climate resilience. By accepting reality, people can sort through complex feelings and grow able to tolerate them. Anxiety, grief and despair, anger and rage can all be transformed by talking with other activists, joining a support group, meeting a climate-aware therapist into productive action. I think theres hope here, in terms of really becoming more adaptive, dealing with all those thoughts, feelings, body sensations, Feldman said, to where you take that anxiety, you take that grief and all of that upset, these emotions that are very powerful, and you channel (them) into your love for this world and making things better and figuring out whats important to you. Guilt and shame According to The Lancet study, about 42% of young people surveyed in the United States felt guilt and over 44% felt shame in relation to climate change. An associate professor of environmental ethics in the Divinity School at the University of Chicago, Sarah Fredericks said deep shame can cause people to hide or retreat and become paralyzed, unable to act. Guilt and shame in the context of climate change first piqued the ethicists curiosity when she lived in Texas a decade or so ago. She owned an old home that she wanted to renovate in an ecologically conscious manner, so she began perusing blogs and websites about eco-friendly design. But Fredericks also found many people online who were plagued by guilt, in response to doing something wrong, and shame, or having negative feelings about ones whole self. For instance, someone felt bad about driving a minivan around town, someone else was embarrassed to admit they used air conditioning regularly, and yet another person would always forget to bring reusable bags to the grocery store. It was interesting to me, because people kept using this language that I would think of as very religiously coded language, Fredericks said. They would say things like Im an eco-sinner, or Im a bad person. They were judging themselves. And I thought, as a religious studies scholar: Is that whats going on here? Are these people affiliated with particular religious traditions? Are they not? Wheres this language coming from? At the time, however, there was basically no existing academic literature documenting this phenomenon; her peers and colleagues told Fredericks it made no sense for people to feel that way as individuals since climate change is a systemic problem. But the more she read and studied discussion boards, websites and books to learn what people were doing about these feelings, Fredericks realized there seemed to be something affirming and validating when people helped others put their guilt and shame into perspective; mistakes were recognized as such and not as an indictment on a persons morality. As individuals we exist in communities, and wouldnt be able to exist without our communities, Fredericks said. But a lot of the environmental guilt and shame relate to our community. There are structures in our community financial, infrastructural, physical, social that shape who we are. So we need community responses. And we need community support, the kind of cheerleading or moral support that friends and community and families can offer us. Sitting with differences Participants at the recent Climate Cafe at the nature museum were asked to bring a natural object that illustrates their connection to climate issues. Carolyn Vazquez brought her 10-year-old daughter, Bella. Well, shes natural! she remembers saying with a chuckle. Shes my object because shes the future. What am I leaving her? For Vazquez, looking out for the environment is a personal and professional endeavor. The Auburn Gresham resident is a community activist and the CEO of hemp manufacturing company Think ReHemption which advocates for sustainable, organic and climate-smart agricultural practices. After the conclusion of their Climate Cafe and still sitting in a circle, Vazquez and Beyer organically and almost inevitably waded into a conversation about race. Both women, similar in age but with distinct backgrounds, share a passion for the environment and hope to get their communities involved in these issues. Vazquez pointed out that most of her neighbors in Auburn Gresham have basic needs like access to food and concerns like gun violence, matters so urgent they can divert attention from environmental problems. There are young, African American youth and parents, families who are concerned about it, but you dont see them, Vazquez said. You dont hear about them. Nor do they feel empowered enough to get a bunch of people who really dont want to hear that language, who are worried about different stuff. And because suburban and North Side communities dont see as much violence, she said, their residents might have more time, energy and resources to direct toward climate advocacy. The playing ground will never be equal, Vazquez added. But Beyer herself feels challenged by the fact many people in her Lincoln Park neighborhood dont feel connected to one another. Some of us dont even know whats going on, she said. Theres no forum for it. I think these are tough conversations sometimes, and people come from different places. So (with) this small group, she gestured to the Climate Cafe participants and facilitators, I think were going real far. It just helps to get insight. Bachhuber sat to the side, quietly listening. She finally spoke after a lull in conversation. Its challenging, all over in different spaces but including in environmental spaces, to sit with the reality of these differences, how deep they run, and how psychologically they affect us, she said. Theres a universality to (climate change), but theres also a specificity to it, of how different communities are affected. (This conversation) is kind of cool because to me, this is some of the work that needs to happen. I dont think this solves with us just being separate and not figuring out how to sit with the discomfort of differences. Rebecca Weston, co-president of the Climate Psychology Alliance North America, noted that some people may think or suggest climate anxiety is an experience limited to white, middle-class people who are concerned about losing summer homes or getting insurance on their coastal properties. But thats not true, she argued. The people who are most worried about climate change are people of color, predominantly women of color, she said. The people who are most active around these issues are people of color. The people who are most advocating for policy change are people of color. So to suggest that climate anxiety is just a feeling of the wealthy elite is not correct. As an activist, Vazquez said she often finds herself mentally tired and drained from trying and failing to get people in her neighborhood, which has historically suffered from disinvestment, to pay attention to environmental issues. I feel like these moments help you connect in a safe space where you feel like you can really talk to people, she said. From individualism to community When Ren Dean, the owner of Skunk Cabbage Books, was drawing up a business plan for the Avondale bookstore, one of their main goals was to create a place where folks could talk about their collective futures in the context of climate change. So Dean began a book club for nature-focused writing. I personally was really feeling like I needed a space, a physical space, to talk to other people and figure out how to find each other and how to support each other, Dean told the Tribune. How do we engage with this in a way that isnt so paralyzing, that feels like theres something we can do and (theres) ways we can support each other? Dean said the group had been reading a lot of good writing about grappling with the immensity of climate anxiety and how community could offer a starting place to begin processing these difficult feelings. But they were also itching to find a space to talk about their mental and emotional experiences instead of just reading about them. Theres reading that and recognizing that thats the answer, Dean said, and then theres the next step of: How do I do that? It felt really big and hard for me, personally. Which is why Dean jumped at an opportunity a few months ago, when Bachhuber reached out with the idea of holding a Climate Cafe at the bookstore. It was a really kind of perfect thing for us to host, Dean said. We have a very individualistic culture that puts people in a really difficult position as they start to process climate change and learn about it in isolation, Bachhuber explained. And our culture of individualism is part of the problem, its part of what got us into this situation in the first place. Talking through their shared feelings and emotions on climate change can help folks untangle themselves from individualistic approaches to the climate crisis, which can oftentimes feel futile and discouraging. We were raised that way, Vazquez said. How do we say, Hey, theres enough pie for all of us, to solve this problem? Urban Air Adventure Park will host a grand opening event for the new Harrisburg location. The new building is located at 4200 Derry St., Harrisburg, at the junction of I-83, Route 322 and I-283 in the same plaza as Home Depot. The event is being held at 10 a.m. Jan. 6. The first 200 guests in line to purchase a Platinum or Ultimate pass will receive free basic access to the park for one year. Some of the key attractions include Sky Rider, Go-Karts, Virtual Reality and Warrior Course. For more information on the company, visit UrbanAirParks.com. Urban Air Adventure Park will host a grand opening event for the new Harrisburg location. The facility features zip lines, rope climbs, virtual reality, laser tag, trampolines and other attractions. Opening The Breakfast Store: 380 W. Market St., York The Breakfast Store, located inside Penn Market, is now open. The stand offers breakfast and brunch options, including $5 breakfast sandwiches. Expanding Wagman has purchased 3265 Farmtrail Road, York. After construction and renovations, the company plans to make this the new main office in York for Wagman, Inc., Wagman Construction, Inc. and Wagman Heavy Civil, Inc., including Wagmans Geotechnical Operation for the north, according to a news release. The office relocation will allow for long-term expansion plans for Wagmans Field Service Center, which maintains its equipment fleet at the current 3290 North Susquehanna Trail campus. Wagman has been based in York County since 1902. The current building at 3265 Farmtrail Road was originally built by Wagman Construction. In addition to the location, it has a better space to work with and it features additional parking and green space with a walking path. Wagman is working with Warehaus on design. Wagman Construction will be the contractor for the renovations. Closing MLR Ministries Clearance Center: 4185 N. George St. Extended, Manchester MLR Ministries Clearance Center is closing. The MLR Consignment Stores in Manchester and Red Lion will remain open. The announcement was made on Facebook. The last day of business will be Jan. 15. Sales are underway to clear the last of the store's inventory. Artemis Vintage: 113 S. Duke St., York Artemis Vintage: 113 S. Duke St., York Artemis Vintage in the Royal Square District is closing. The company's other location, Boho-Bella in York's Market District, will remain open. The announcement was made on Facebook. Rite Aid: 105 Old York Road Rite Aid will be closing its Old York Road location amid the companys Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing last year. This location will close on Jan. 11. The closing joins other locations that are closing, including those on Cumberland Parkway and Wertzville Road in Mechanicsburg. Hundreds of Rite Aid stores nationwide have or plan to close as part of the bankruptcy. Personnel Vincent Cannizzaro, founding director of York Colleges Arthur J. Glatfelter Institute for Public Policy and the Master of Public Policy and Administration program, will serve as the new executive director for Pennsylvania Economy League Central LLC, based in Harrisburg. The League, a non-partisan, nonprofit public policy organization founded over 85 years ago, has regional membership in York, Lancaster, Williamsport, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Reading, Altoona and Allentown, and conducts work statewide, according to a news release. Vincent Cannizzaro, founding director of York Colleges Arthur J. Glatfelter Institute for Public Policy and the Master of Public Policy and Administration program, will serve as the new executive director for Pennsylvania Economy League Central LLC, in Harrisburg. C.S. Davidson Inc. Jordan T. Good has been named C.S. Davidson Inc.s new chief administrative officer, effective Jan. 1, according to a news release. Good succeeds John A. Klinedinst, PE, retiring from the engineering firm on Dec. 31, 2023, after 50 years of service. Jordan T. Good has been named C.S. Davidson Inc.s new chief administrative officer Donegal Insurance Group Donegal Insurance Group has announced that Dan DeLamater has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, effective this month. This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Comings and Goings: Artemis Vintage closing Russia has doubled the amount of attacks against Ukrainian forces in the southeastern sector over the past day, said Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi on Jan. 4. Tarnavskyi is the head of the Tavria group of Ukraine's military that is fighting in some of the hottest spots on the front, including the ongoing battle for Avdiivka. Over the past day, Tarnavskyi said that Russian forces in the sector had launched almost 900 artillery barrages, 25 airstrikes, and dozens of assaults on Ukrainian positions. As a result of the clashes, Russia suffered heavy losses, including 423 personnel and 72 pieces of military equipment. Russia intensified its attacks against Avdiivka in early October, reportedly suffering heavy losses in an attempt to encircle the front-line town just kilometers from the occupied city of Donetsk. Ukrainian forces have continued to defend the now-destroyed town and largely prevented Russia from securing significant gains. Avdiivka remains a primary direction of Russian attacks in the area, Tarnavskyi said on Dec. 27, but Russian forces likely want to avoid actually entering the city and engaging in the type of brutal street combat that was seen in the battle for Bakhmut. Russian forces eventually captured the city of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast after months of grueling urban combat in May 2023, suffering tens of thousands of casualties in the process. Fighting around Bakhmut has nonetheless continued. Read also: Ukraine war latest: 230 Ukrainians freed from Russian captivity in large-scale prisoner exchange Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. PORT HURON The Community Foundation of St. Clair County has announced it has elected a new board chair. St. Clair resident Patti Manley effectively became the new board chair on New Year's Day. She follows Hale Walker, who completed a two-year term as the foundation's chair. "The foundation is an amazing group of more than 200 volunteers and a dedicated staff of 11 whose focus is to match the wishes and vision of our donors with the needs, challenges and opportunities within our community," Manley said in a press release. Manley is originally a Port Huron native, but has lived in St. Clair with her husband, Tom, for the past 20 years. She started with the McBride-Manley & Co. in 1988 and will celebrate 42 years with the firm this year. She joined the Community Foundation in 2016 and has served on its Finance Committee and main Grants Committee. Manley also has history volunteering with United Way, National Association of Career Women and River District Hospital. Walker will remain active in the Community Foundation and is busy with his other business ventures in and around the Port Huron area. He is one of the founders of Michigan Mutual and is also the Co-Chair of the regional Blue Meets Green coalition. Walker said in the press release that he is looking forward to the continued growth and impact of the Community Foundation. "Our donors and grantmaking committees were very busy in 2023," he said. "Last year our grantmaking topped $4.7 million and scholarship awards topped $500,000 for the second year in a row." Joining Manley as officers of the Foundation in 2024 are Vice Chair Bill Schwarz, Treasurer Will Oldford and Secretary Steve Schweihofer. Other members of the Executive Committee include Walker and at-large members Cliff Thomason and Korissa Kramer. Other newly elected board members include Randa Jundi-Samman, Sushma Reddy and Lindsey Adams-Fitchett. The Community Foundation of St. Clair County is the largest and oldest foundation in Michigans Thumb Region, having been founded in November 1944. Its total assets heading into 2024 exceed $100 million and include over 300 endowments as well as property and buildings such as the Blue Water River Walk, Knowlton Museum and its offices in downtown Port Huron. Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com. Subscribe: Follow more stories from the Blue Water Area. Subscribe to the Port Huron Times Herald. This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Patti Manley named Community Foundation of St Clair County board chair DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) Plans to build a condo tower next to Cameron Mitchells upcoming upscale hotel and restaurant in Dublins Bridge Park have been scrapped. Crawford Hoying announced last month the developers collaboration with Cameron Mitchell Restaurants for a mixed-use project in Bridge Park will now feature an office building instead of condos. The tower was planned to sit next to a boutique hotel with a new Cameron Mitchell restaurant, to be located southeast of the State Route 161 roundabout at Riverside Drive and West Granville Road. New central Ohio restaurants opening in 2024 Brent Crawford, Principal at Crawford Hoying, told Columbus Business First the development company is negotiating with some pretty significant leases for more office users at Bridge Park. We think because of the prominent corner that it holds, the interest weve had and people wanting to be in this market, we think it makes a perfect office location, he said. Crawford Hoying and Cameron Mitchells development will expand Bridge Park southeast of the State Route 161 roundabout. (Courtesy Photo/Crawford Hoying) The office space on the 3.8-acre site will span 90,000 square feet, according to an agreement approved by Dublin City Council on Nov. 21. A central concourse will connect the building to Mitchells hotel housing 115 rooms, 14,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, and a 370-space parking garage. After nearly 30 years in business, the development is Mitchells first foray into the hotel industry. The boutique hotel will be a one-of-a-kind, culinary-forward lifestyle hotel concept with multiple outdoor spaces, an event and conference center and several unique food options. This will undoubtedly be one of the premier hotels in the Midwest, combining the legendary culinary experience were known for with a preeminent hospitality focus, said Mitchell in a release. Weve been working on this project idea with Crawford Hoying for years, and not only will it be the best hotel in the city, but it will also be a place for Columbus residents and visitors alike to gather, celebrate, dine, and relax. Rag-O-Rama suddenly closes in Clintonville Construction on the development could begin this year, when the Columbus-based restaurant group is expected to open several other projects across central Ohio. Mitchell is opening a Del Mar location at 4089 The Strand East in Eastons north district, according to city permits. The concept is taking over the former home of Bon Vie, which closed after its parent company filed for bankruptcy, and marks Cameron Mitchells third Del Mar location and second in central Ohio, the first operating in the Short North since 2019. Butcher & Rose, Mitchells new Downtown steakhouse, will open this summer on the ground floor of 155 E. Broad St. at Preston Centre, the building previously known as the PNC Plaza. Columbus developer Edwards Cos. is transforming the building, one of several high-profile efforts underway to convert downtown towers for new uses. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer are moving closer to an agreement to set overall funding levels for the federal government, according to congressional sources. But that doesnt mean a government shutdown will be averted later this month. Agreeing on an overall spending level is a key first step in funding the government and aides to Johnson and Schumer have spent weeks trying to reach a deal on that number. But once that number is agreed upon, then Congress will have to either pass funding bills to keep the government open through September or a stop-gap measure known as a continuing resolution to extend funding and avoid a shutdown. Thats where things can get sticky. The two sides will have to agree on which federal programs to fund and not fund and already many House Republicans are calling for provisions to clamp down on immigration at the southern border. If not, they say, they should shut down the government and not approve more funding until the White House agrees to their demands. When lawmakers return next week, theyll have just 10 days to avert a partial government shutdown. The first deadline is January 19 for military construction, the Food and Drug Administration, agriculture, veterans affairs, and housing and urban development programs. Funding for the rest of the government expires on February 2, including for key agencies like the Pentagon, Labor Department, Health and Human Services and the Homeland Security Department. Johnson and Schumer have been negotiating over whether to set spending levels consistent with the bipartisan law to raise the national debt limit last June. That agreement called for funding levels at $1.59 trillion with $886 billion for defense. But that deal faced backlash from House conservative hardliners demanding deeper cuts. Johnson and Schumer have been negotiating spending cuts as part of this agreement, according to congressional sources. House Republicans are looking to accelerate IRS cuts and claw back unspent Covid-19 aid funds as part of their cuts. Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Schumer sounded optimistic that a shutdown could be averted and deal over funding levels would be reached. Weve made real good, good progress in that regard and were getting quite close, Schumer said. Im hopeful that we can get a budget agreement soon, and Im hopeful that we could avoid this shutdown. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com America is facing its greatest constitutional crisis since the Civil War. I know, journalists exaggerate sometimes. But as rock critic Greil Marcus said of punk rock half a century ago, this is actually happening. And if sanity doesnt prevail, this crisis will affect all of our lives, whether we are paying attention to it or not. Is this really unprecedented, as journalists like to say? Heres the evidence. There has never been a major presidential candidate on trial, let alone charged with 91 criminal counts in four cases, as well as a massive civil fraud case against his business. Our Constitution doesnt provide for this situation. There has never been a presidential candidate who attempted a coup, or whatever it is that former President Donald Trump tried to do on Jan. 6, 2021; and while the 14th Amendment bans someone who has engaged in insurrection or rebellion, state courts are divided on whether that applies to Trump. And there has never been a presidential candidate who has proposed specifically unconstitutional and undemocratic actions, as Trump has now promised to undertake. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, there has never been a time at which at least a third of the country believes lies as big as the ones Trump continues to tell: that the 2020 election was stolen from him by massive fraud, that there is a vast governmental and media conspiracy against him, that all the charges are fake. The Constitution never contemplated such a vast campaign of mass deception; in its day, landed white men wrote pamphlets for one another. All of this is new, and frankly, our country isnt made for this not for the Trump candidacy, and even less for a second Trump presidency. The Constitution cant stop him, the criminal justice system cant stop him, and sane Republican voters cant stop him. His second campaign, and potential second term, will test bedrock American principles like at no other time in our history. And when these multiple raging fronts crash together, nobody can say for sure if our system will hold together. Here are the four challenges America will face this year and what might (or might not) stop an avowed authoritarian from leading the country. 1. The Constitution Wont Stop Trump Lets start with Trumps latest legal challenge (but, due to the way its being considered, potentially the first that will be resolved), which is the Colorado Supreme Courts ruling (echoed by the Secretary of State of Maine) that Trump engaged in insurrection or rebellion and is barred from office by Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. In a 133-page opinion, the court laid out a persuasive case for why Trumps conduct before, during, and after the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol qualifies as an insurrection. But as persuasive as that case may be, its hard to believe that this particular Supreme Court will endorse it. First, millions of voters would see this as the greatest judicial power grab in American history, even if the grab is really the court exercising its constitutionally-granted authority. It is arguably even more dramatic than the Bush v. Gore decision of 2000, because the court would be throwing a major-party frontrunner off the ballot in all 50 states before a vote is even tallied. This would be bigger than the Watergate cases, Dred Scott, Roe, or Brown. It would be historic, and would likely lead to violence. For this reason, any justice would proceed cautiously, giving as much benefit of the doubt to Trump as possible. Even if the court werent dominated by conservatives, a case of this magnitude isnt played out on a level playing field. And there is a lot of room for interpretation. Must a disqualified official be convicted of insurrection? No one has ever decided that; Trumps defenders say yes, his opponents say no. Is the president a public official covered by the text of the 14th Amendment? Probably, but again, no one has ever decided that. Its hard to see the Supreme Court making so much new law in such a high-profile case. Second, this Court is dominated by originalists, who espouse an interpretive theory that tries to define ambiguous terms according to how they would have been understood at the time they were written 1865, in this case. At that time, the meaning of insurrection was clear: The 14th Amendment was passed in the wake of the Civil War, and was directed at former Confederates. As bad as they were, is Jan. 6, and Trumps months-long campaign to overturn the 2020 election, really like the Civil War? On the other hand, even some conservative law professors have noted that, during the Civil War era, the term insurrection was understood broadly. And then there are the partisans, like Justice Clarence Thomas, whose own wife was in frequent communication with the insurrectionists on Jan. 6. If there were any binding ethics rules at the Supreme Court, Justice Thomas would have to recuse himself from this case. But there arent and he wont. You, I, or some esteemed state court justices may well answer those questions in a way that would block Trump from office. But it doesnt matter what we think. It matters what at least five Supreme Court justices think, because theyre the ones who will decide if the 14th Amendment requires states to throw Trump off the ballot. And what are the chances of that? Zero. Trump will be on the ballot. 2. The MAGA Base Will Still Vote for a Felon Now lets look at those four criminal cases. On the face of it, this situation is at once absurd and, yes, unprecedented. No former president has ever been criminally charged before. And while Trumps legal strategy in all the cases has been to delay everything as long as possible, its quite possible that at least some of these cases will be resolved before the election. First, Trump faces 40 federal charges related to stealing classified documents, which would be a slam-dunk case were it not for the judge in charge of it, Judge Aileen Cannon, who is not merely a Trump appointee but who has issued several questionable decisions indicating a strong bias in Trump and the MAGA movements favor. The trial is scheduled for May, but expect it to be delayed. Second is the federal election interference case, brought by special counsel Jack Smith, in which Trump is accused of fraudulently trying to create slates of fake electors and pressuring Vice President Mike Pence to recognize them (or at least delay the certification of President Joe Bidens victory). This trial is set for March, if Trump is not found to be immune from prosecution. He has argued that his statements and actions constitute protected free speech. Third is the Georgia election interference case, in which Trump and numerous co-conspirators are charged with racketeering, forgery, soliciting public officers to violate their oaths of office, and other crimes, all in connection with the 2020 election. This case is least likely to be heard before the election, but it has a twist: Since its a state case, it can be tried and heard even if Trump is president. Finally, Trump faces 34 charges in a New York criminal case about falsifying business records to conceal hush money paid to Stormy Daniels (probably the weakest case of the four), and is a party to a civil case about widespread fraud at the Trump Organization that may shut down his business for good. So, it is entirely foreseeable, and even likely at this point, that Trumps unprecedented trial for attempting to overturn the 2020 election will begin on March 4, 2024, and then the next day Super Tuesday he will lock up the Republican nomination for president. It is even possible (though less likely) that he will be found guilty of some of the federal or state charges against him in 2024, and will be running for president as a convicted felon. (Its unlikely that hell be literally sitting in jail, as he will surely appeal any conviction.) And if he wins? This would be new territory, constitutionally speaking. Presumably, Trump will immediately call off all the federal cases against him (itself a constitutional crisis that the Constitution does not contemplate), and its not clear whether hell comply with Georgias state case,or with court orders against him. Not since Marbury v. Madison (1803) has the rule of law been so threatened. Now, everyone is innocent until proven guilty. But the more you dig into these cases, the more the evidence accumulates that Donald Trump has engaged in massive criminal activity and tried to steal an election. Any other candidate would have withdrawn from the race under such a cloud. But not Trump. Rather, aided by right-wing medias greed and Republican politicians fear, he has convinced nearly a third of the country that all of this is just a witch hunt, to use his favorite phrase, and that the core institutions of civil society the courts, the so-called deep state, responsible news media, scientific and academic institutions are part of a vast conspiracy theory to undermine America. For the MAGA base, the charges against Trump are evidence not of Trumps guilt, but of the judicial systems corruption. Each successive indictment shows that the deep state, liberal elites, and/or global pedophile ring are out to get Trump, and each successive episode only seems to deepen that resolve. Its not even politics anymore, so much as sociology and psychology: a classic example of groupthink, a cult of personality, and the way demagogues can weaponize the angriest and most reactive aspects of human nature. MAGA rage reflects a profound spiritual rot, and if you have these people in your family, you know how cancerous it is. It cannot be dislodged. It is a flaw in human psychology. It is appalling. Whether Trump wins or loses, this cancerous mistrust of how we distinguish true and false, friend from foe, will last for decades. Theres no both-sidesing this conspiratorial mindset: Sure, the Left has its extremes too, but this paranoid conspiracy theorizing has captured the Republican party, aided by increasingly incendiary rhetoric that would be unthinkable even a decade ago. This isnt going away. 3. Sane Republicans Have No Control of the Situation Now, the MAGA base is not the same as the Republican Party. Actually, the GOP is composed of three, roughly equal parts: the populist base; Christian conservatives (who often overlap with the base); and the basically normal conservatives, plutocrats, quasi-libertarians, and moderates who controlled the party from World War II until 2016. So will the sane Republicans stop him? No. Heres a funny thing about dictators: They often take power with only a minority of public support. To start with the most infamous, Adolf Hitler lost his last real election, coming in second place to German president Paul von Hindenburg in 1932. Even when the Nazi party gained power in parliament, causing Hindenburg to appoint Hitler chancellor in January, 1933, they had only won 37 percent of the popular vote. And if you look at history, there has always been some share of American and European populations usually between 15 and 30 percent who have supported right-wing populist nationalism. Know-Nothing nativists in the 19th century. The jingoistic nationalism around World War I. The Christian Front and American pro-Nazi sympathizers in the 1930s. McCarthyism. The John Birch Society. For all of American history, there has been a reactionary far-right movement in America, often animated by fundamentalist religion, obsessed with the populist fever dream that the real America is being undermined by shadowy outsiders within. It is the paranoid style of American politics, as Richard Hofstadter observed in the McCarthy Era. And it has never gone away. Roughly the same percentage of people in European countries today support hard-right, know-nothing, anti-intellectual nativist populists: neo-fascists in Italy, Orbans nationalists in Hungary, anti-immigrant reactionaries in France. The trouble is that sometimes these people actually win elections, especially when the opposition is divided. This happened in 2016, when Donald Trump won the Republican primary with 44 percent of the votes, and would happen again this year even if Trumps various opponents together won a majority of votes (which they are currently not projected to do anyway).Thanks to efforts by MAGA Republicans, most GOP primaries are winner take all, so if Trump wins only 40 percent of the vote in Florida, say, he gets 100 percent of Floridas delegates. Even if his opponents wanted to unite against him at the convention, they wouldnt be able to do so. Trump has the GOP nomination in the bag. And then comes the general election, which Trump could win even with a minority of the popular votes if enough left-wing and independent voters disenchanted with Biden either vote for a third-party candidate or just stay home. And then theres electoral college, an anti-democratic constitutional compromise made to secure slaveholding states entry into the union. The electoral college favored those states (electors are allocated based on population, not the number of voters), and today favors smaller states that tend to be more conservative. Its no coincidence that the two times a popular vote loser won the electoral college in the last hundred years, that candidate was a Republican. And part of the problem is that Trump speaks to the deep resentment, fear, and loss of status that many white Americans have experienced over the last few decades. Ironically, he couples this populist demagoguery with plutocratic fiscal policies his tax cuts enriched the 1 percent more than any single tax measure in American history. But no one pays attention to that. His supporters feel he speaks for them, speaks like them, captures their patriotism, outrage and resentment in a way no pencil-pushing moderate ever will. Like the authoritarians named above, Trump whips up fury and rides it to electoral success. Meanwhile, Trump is aided and abetted by a right-wing media ecosystem that, as the Dominion Voting Systems case showed, is apparently motivated primarily by ratings and money. The greed of the Murdoch family alone will go down in history as one of the great betrayals of civil responsibility. They know this guys a grifter, a criminal, and a cheat, and sometimes they say so out loud. Yet they continue to spread the lies that benefit him. Even if only a minority of Americans buy into it. 4. If Trump Wins, America Will Never Be the Same So, in 2024, things will get weird: Were looking at multiple potential criminal trials of a presidential candidate, a cascade of incendiary rhetoric, and an incumbent president who many Americans either dislike or simply believe is too old to serve another term. Now, there is one ray of hope. Trumps indictments (and perhaps convictions) may rile up the base, but they alienate moderates and independents. And there is now strong polling data to suggest that if Trump is convicted of serious crimes, enough swing voters will turn against him that he will lose the election. But if he wins, Trumps radical plans for 2025 will reshape the country in ways that represent perhaps the most profound constitutional crisis of all. Dont take my word for it. Read about Project 2025, the MAGA rights plan to purge thousands of civil servants and replace them with party loyalists, to take a wrecking ball to the administrative state, to end the Department of Justices independence and indict Trumps political enemies, and to roll back all climate crisis mitigation measures that have been put into place. Read about the MAGA Rights planned assault on science at the CDC, EPA, and other agencies, and its attacks on higher education. Pay attention to what these people are planning to do. Ponder the effects of these plans on immigrants, the courts, racial justice, trans kids, abortion rights, economic inequality and insecurity (particularly for young people), the role of science, higher education, and foreign policy, in which American isolationism and idiocy mean that Putin and Xi gain power on the global stage. Or just ponder the climate crisis: 2023 was the hottest year on record, but Trump and MAGA media outlets are still denying that climate change is even real, and Trump has promised to double-down on coal and other fossil fuels. Its staggering. I admit that, despite my own significant amounts of privilege, I may be in denial about the possibility of Trump winning. As a queer person, I worry about my family, whether my same-sex marriage will be protected, whether my parental rights will continue or not, whether my trans friends will be able to access health care. As a rabbi, I worry about the increase in antisemitism (which is still much worse on the Far Right than on the Far Left) and Trumps proximity to white supremacists like Nick Fuentes. As a journalist, I worry about Trumps promise to come after the people in the media, who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig the elections, were going to come after you. But maybe all that fear is good once it spreads. Remember, the Biden campaign is playing a waiting game. They arent making their case yet; theyre not going on the attack until the election season gets going in earnest. And I think once they do, people will pay attention. After all, precisely the populations who would be most harmed by Trump people of color, younger people, people living with financial precarity, immigrants are often the most alienated from the political process right now. Often this is for very good reasons: they may be turned off by the gerontocracy on both sides of the aisle, or angry about Bidens policies on Israel/Palestine, or well aware that even liberal economic policies wont stop the crushing loss of opportunity that young people face every day. Or they may simply be too exhausted, distracted, or focused on getting through the day. But when the stakes of this election are more clear, they will put aside their entirely justified qualms and vote accordingly. This isnt some policy disagreement, or some facile claim that theres no difference between the two major parties. This is a profound national and constitutional crisis, and I really believe that folks will rise to the occasion when the occasion demands it. At least, I hope we will. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone The Wider Image: How much plastic are you eating? The Wider Image: How much plastic are you eating? By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK (Reuters) - Consumer Reports has found that plastics retain a "widespread" presence in food despite the health risks, and called on regulators to reassess the safety of plastics that come into contact with food during production. The non-profit consumer group said on Thursday that 84 out of 85 supermarket foods and fast foods it recently tested contained "plasticizers" known as phthalates, a chemical used to make plastic more durable. It also said 79% of food samples in its study contained bisphenol A (BPA), another chemical found in plastic, and other bisphenols, though levels were lower than in tests done in 2009. Consumer Reports said none of the phthalate levels it found exceeded limits set by U.S. and European regulators. It also said there was no level of phthalates that scientists confirm is safe, but that does not guarantee the safety of foods you eat. Phthalates and bisphenols can disrupt the production and regulation of estrogen and other hormones, potentially boosting the risk of birth defects, cancer, diabetes, infertility, neurodevelopmental disorders, obesity and other health problems. Among tested supermarket foods, Annie's Organic Cheesy Ravioli contained the most phthalates in nanograms per serving, 53,579, followed by Del Monte sliced peaches and Chicken of the Sea pink salmon. Elevated phthalate levels were also found in products such as Cheerios, Gerber baby food and Yoplait yogurt, and several burgers, nuggets and fries from Wendy's, Burger King and McDonald's. Consumer Reports also found variations among similar products. The 33,980 phthalates in nanograms per serving in Wendy's Crispy Chicken Nuggets, for example, was more than four times the level in McDonald's Chicken McNuggets. "That tells us that, as widespread as these chemicals are, there are ways to reduce how much is in our foods," said James Rogers, who oversees Consumer Reports' product safety testing. The consumer group said a reassessment by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other agencies of the risks of plasticizers is "overdue and essential." Polar raspberry lime seltzer was the only tested product containing no phthalates. General Mills, whose brands include Annie's, Cheerios and Yoplait, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Burger King and Wendy's did not immediately respond to similar requests. Chicken of the Sea and Del Monte said they do not add phthalates to their food, and receive similar assurances from their suppliers. Del Monte also said that phthalates are "widespread in the environment." Gerber and McDonald's said they follow regulatory requirements, and require rigorous testing for chemicals in packaging. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Sandra Maler) A group of sewing contractors stole nearly $600,000 in wages meant for garment workers employees who receive some of the lowest wages in the country, federal officials said. Now, the California employees are owed more than $1 million, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Los Angeles contractor Good Cash LLC and three related entities, owned by Ramon Tecum, Marisela Romero and Joseph Delao, didnt pay 165 employees overtime, the agency said in a Jan. 3 news release. Theyre also accused of issuing fake checks and altering payroll records. Former California Deputy Labor Commissioner Conrado Gomez was heavily involved in the Good Cash LLC businesses and is accused of trying to help the owners hide the wage theft, according to officials. McClatchy News contacted the California Department of Industrial Relations, which employs state labor commissioners, for comment on Jan. 4 and didnt receive an immediate response. McClatchy News was unable to reach Good Cash LLC, its owners or Gomez for comment. Gomez, Tecum and Romero interfered with federal investigators by posing as garment employees and shutting off the power of a worksite while officials executed an inspection warrant, the Department of Labor said. When the trio did so, they ordered employees to leave the facility, according to officials. Company supplied by the contractors agrees to pay up Investigators learned the Good Cash LLC contractors supplied apparel for Beyond Yoga, a company headquartered in Los Angeles, officials said. The Department of Labor banned the shipment of Beyond Yoga apparel made by the contractors underpaid employees outside California because the apparel was considered hot goods, according to the agency. Hot goods are merchandise made in violation of minimum wage, overtime, or child labor regulations and cannot be shipped out of state, according to federal law, the release said. During 40-hour workweeks, 165 people employed by the contractors worked an average of 52 hours each week, but they didnt receive overtime pay, officials said. When officials alerted Beyond Yoga to the contractors wage violations, the company agreed to make good on its contractors legal obligations, officials said. Beyond Yoga has agreed to pay $582,317 in back wages and an equal amount of damages that are owed to the 165 workers, the Department of Labor announced. McClatchy News contacted Beyond Yoga for comment on Jan. 4 and didnt receive an immediate response. Meanwhile, Good Cash LLC and its entities Good Cash Inc., Premium Quality Apparel LLC, and Premium Quality Apparel Inc. must pay $200,000 in civil money penalties for violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, officials said. The required payment was ordered by a consent judgment filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, according to officials. The garment industry employment model involves multiple layers of contractors and sub-contractors and leaves workers vulnerable to wage theft and exploitation, Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division Administrator Jessica Looman said in a statement. This case demonstrates that the Wage and Hour Division will hold to account employers across the supply chain to ensure that workers receive the pay they have earned and the rights they are afforded by the law, Looman added. In 2021, Good Cash LLC contractors were cited for similar violations, according to the Department of Labor. This led to officials recovering $29,413 in back wages for nine workers, officials said. That same year, officials assessed $3,921 in penalties for the contractors in a different investigation, according to the release. As a result of the current case, Beyond Yoga will update its code of conduct for garment contractors as part of a compliance agreement, which requires the company to follow the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Department of Labor said. Over $161 million waits for thousands of workers. How to tell if youre owed money Starbucks closed more than 20 stores in union-busting move, feds say. What to know Mexican restaurant chain denied $11.4 million in wages, overtime to workers, feds say The shift could leave the internet devoid of possibly the most disarmingly cute name possible for a pervasive surveillance tool. If youve ever wondered why the ad you saw for sunglasses on your phone suddenly appears again on your laptop, third-party cookies are likely the culprit. Now, after four years of false-starts and backpedaling, Google is finally making good on its promise to phase out pesky third-party cookies . Starting this week, some 30 million people, or around 1% of global Chrome browser users, will have the notoriously persistent trackers turned off by default. That could adversely affect advertisers ability to collect sensitive information about those users and to serve them ads for products that seem to ravenously follow them from site to site. Googles eventual cookie phase-out could mark one of the single greatest disruptions to the online economy in memory. Googles limited cookies phase-out, which its calling a Tracking Protection test, is the first step in a massive plan to phase out the trackers for all Chrome users by the second half of 2024. The search giant wants to replace cookies, long a major point of concern for privacy advocates due to their invasives, with a series of more privacy preserving tools within its Privacy Sandbox. Google has held off on emptying the cookie jar for years due in large part to concerns for marketers and advertisers who feared a sudden switch away from the 30-year-old industry standard could gut their profitability. Ready or not, Google is moving forward. With the Privacy Sandbox, were taking a responsible approach to phasing out third-party cookies in Chrome, Googles VP of Privacy Sandbox Anthony Chavez said in a blog post . What are cookies anyway? Cookies, which are small snippets of text sent to Chrome or other browsers from websites youve visited, are the primary trackers underpinning much of the modern internet. Every time you load a website, it will check to see if its previously left a cookie with you. These trackers can help users stay logged into a site or help a site remember what users leave in their shopping carts. But other, more personal details like your phone number and email address may also be stored in cookies, which can essentially function like unique identifiers following you as you surf the web. The 1% of Chrome users selected for Googles Tracking Protection should receive a notification when they log onto Chrome with the title browse with more privacy. Users will also see an eyeball logo tucked away in their URL search bar to signify that the new tracking protections are on. If a site repeatedly fails to load because it cant work without the banned cookies, users may be prompted with an option to temporarily re-enable the trackers. Some of this, Google admits, is still a work in progress. As we work to make the web more private, well provide businesses with tools to succeed online so that high quality content remains freely accessible, Chavez added. Big Techs clash over cookies Privacy advocates have long criticized third-party cookies due the amount of highly specific personalized data they can include. Large tech firms like Facebook, and Google itself, have faced pushback for letting advertisers direct ads to users whove expressed racist sentiments. That coincided with a growing public uneasiness over the types and amount of data governments and private companies are able to siphon up. To that point, a whopping 81% of US adults surveyed by Pew Research this year said they were concerned about how companies use data they collect about them. Some browsers, like Apples Safari and Firefox, already moved to block third-party trackers by default years ago. Apple went a step further in 2022 with the release of its App Tracking Transparency feature, which prompts iOS users with a notification when an app attempts to track their activity. That tool alone, which is part of a larger societal shift away from cookies, reportedly cost Facebook around $10 billion in lost advertisement sales in 2022. Googles Privacy Sandbox: Privacy preserving or tracking with another name? When cookies are finally eliminated for all Chrome users by the end of 2024, they will be replaced by an initiative Google calls its Privacy Sandbox . In a nutshell, Google says the new initiative will use a variety of application programming interfaces (APIs) that send anonymized signals stored in a users Chrome browser to send information to advertisers. The sandbox aims to reduce cross-app tracking while still allowing ads to support free access to online services. One of the more important of those APIs, which Google calls Ad Topics works by placing Chrome users into certain categories based off of all the websites theyve viewed. Advertisers, and even Google itself, won't be able to see any specific users exact browsing history of personal identifiers. Instead, they will know a certain user is interested in a specific topic. Those topics include categories with names like Fan Fiction, Early Childhood Education, and Parenting. In theory, this new framework should still give marketing firms access to valuable user data necessary to generate effective targeted ads while bolstering personal privacy protections. The most significant item in the Privacy Sandbox is Googles proposal to move all user data into the browser where it will be stored and processed, Permutive Marketing Director Amit Kotecha said in a previous interview with DigiDay. This means that data stays on the users device and is privacy compliant. This is now table stakes and the gold standard for privacy. Naturally, many marketers arent thrilled about losing one of their most valuable pieces of online tracking technology. US broadcasters alone, according to a recent report from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), estimate they may lose $2.1 billion annually as a result of the change. Others wished Google had provided a longer transition period. The timing remains poor, IAB Tech Lab CEO Anthony Katsur said in a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal. Launching it during the industrys greatest revenue-generating part of the year is just a terrible decision. A Google spokesperson told PopSci they were confident companies could effectively adapt to the changes. "We are confident the industry can make the transition in 2024 based on all the tremendous progress we've seen from leading companies, who have indicated publicly they've either started testing or plan to do so in January, the spokesperson said in an email. On the other side of the coin, some consumer privacy advocates whove long called for an end to cookies worry Googles replacement still falls short and ultimately amounts to a similar form of online tracking with a different name. Google referring to any of this as privacy is deceiving, Electronic Frontier Foundation Security and Privacy Activist Thorin Klosowski wrote in a recent blog post . Even if it's better than third-party cookies, the Privacy Sandbox is still tracking, it's just done by one company instead of dozens. Klosowski went on to say tech firms like Google should work towards creating a world completely free of behavioral advertisements. How will browsing the web change without cookies? Googles decision to phase out cookies essentially rewrites the rules for advertising on the internet and may amount to one of the single greatest disruptions to the online economy in recent memory. It also wont really mean all that much for the vast majority of everyday users. If the switch away from cookies works as intended, Chrome users can continue browsing the web in much the same way as they did before, albeit with an underlying layer of stronger privacy. The bulk of the noticeable changes here will fall on developers, not users. Cookies arent really being purged entirely either. First-party cookiesthe type that help you stay logged into certain websites shouldn't go away as a result of the changes . Still, the elimination of third-party cookies does amount to a tectonic shift in the way the internet works which means some sites are likely to break or experience issues during the transition. Maybe more importantly, the shift could leave the internet devoid of possibly the most disarmingly cute name possible for a pervasive surveillance tool. The sun rises above Earth as seen from a space station in orbit. As the world continues to experience a worsening climate crisis with record-breaking temperatures, scientists have developed a new, highly reflective glass coating that may help cool a rapidly warming Earth. In theory, the coating a slurry-like mixture of inexpensive glass and aluminum oxide particles could reflect high amounts of sunlight off of the surfaces on which it is painted, such as roofs of buildings and roads. Laboratory tests have shown it to reflect up to 99 percent of solar radiation back into space. If it pans out, the "cooling glass" could be a promising way to lower temperatures across Earth, researchers behind the new glass say. "This 'cooling glass' is more than a new material it's a key part of the solution to climate change," Xinpeng Zhao, a research scientist at the University of Maryland who led the new study, said in a statement . "This could change the way we live and help us take better care of our home and our planet." Related: These scientists want to put a massive 'sunshade' in orbit to help fight climate change While most surfaces release heat naturally Earth, too, cools itself by shedding heat into space, especially on clear nights the newly developed coating accelerates that process by reflecting sunlight within the so-called atmospheric transparency window. That window is a range of the electromagnetic spectrum that can pass through Earth's atmosphere and escape into space without increasing its temperature, effectively using space as a heat sink. Cooler weather created by the cooling effect of the glass and/or other climate change-fighting measures could help create would then prompt people to reduce using air conditioners, Zhao told Space.com. RELATED STORIES: NASA's new greenhouse gas detector will help track down 'super-emitters' from space Climate change has pushed Earth into 'uncharted territory': report NASA confirms summer 2023 was Earth's hottest on record The team's new ceramic-based paint, which comes in four colors, is novel in that it is durable for at least 30 years, thanks to its ability to withstand temperatures up to 1,832 degrees Fahrenheit (1,000 degrees Celsius) as well as exposure to water and even flames, according to the new study. "In that sense, I think this is certainly an interesting, potentially effective strategy," Aaswath Raman, a professor of materials science at the University of California, Los Angeles, who was not involved in the new study, told Space.com. Ultimately, the new coating will have to "compete with a range of existing approaches that have also shown potential for long durability." The new research is described in a paper published in the journal Science. Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago has filed a defamation lawsuit against a local Spanish-language radio station, claiming his reputation was damaged by comments its host and a city commissioner made about an ethics inquiry into the mayors purported familial financial ties to a trailer park at the center of the citys battle to annex a nearby unincorporated enclave. The lawsuit, filed in late December, alleges that Actualidad 1040 AM radio host Roberto Rodriguez Tejera and Commissioner Ariel Fernandez falsely claimed during an on-air segment in February that Lago was the subject of a Miami-Dade Ethics Commission investigation for a potential conflict of interest. At the time, Lago was under a preliminary review, which the agency does not consider to be an investigation. The lawsuit, which names Actualidad Media Group LLC as the sole defendant, says the comments caused a deterioration of Lagos personal and business reputation in the community, humiliation, embarrassment and ridicule. The mayor is seeking at least $50,000 in damages, although he did not specify how he arrived at that number. The lawsuits filing landed at the tail-end of a year in which Lago had multiple disputes with media critics, including a heated exchange in which Lago threatened to sue Miami documentary filmmaker Billy Corben for defamation, and Corben accused Lago of anti-Semitism for repeatedly calling him by his legal last name, Cohen. He also described local outlets, including the Miami Herald, as propaganda. The threshold for a sitting elected official to win a defamation lawsuit is high. In a statement to the Herald, Lago said that he is suing Actualidad in his personal capacity in order to protect my reputation as a business owner and as a member of this community. Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of our democratic society, providing citizens with access to information and fostering an informed public discourse is a very important bedrock principle of our country, Lago said. However, with this freedom comes the responsibility to exercise it judiciously and ethically. He added that his decision to sue stems from my firm belief that the media should be held to account when they cross the line. Rodriguez Tejera told the Herald the accusations are without merit, describing the lawsuit as posturing. He added that he looks forward to the discovery process. It was not our intention, and we were not looking for it, Rodriguez Tejera said, but it is always good to have an opportunity to have a politician under oath when we ask them questions regarding their public actions and decisions. Lawsuit allegations During the radio segment in question, Rodriguez Tejera and Fernandez, who was a candidate at the time and running the Gables Insider blog, were discussing the mayors efforts to annex Little Gables, an unincorporated enclave on the citys northern border. According to a transcript included in the complaint which was first reported by Political Cortadito Rodriguez Tejera suggested there was an investigation into Lago after the mayor signed a sworn affidavit in 2022 proclaiming neither he nor any of his immediate family members had a business interest in annexing Little Gables. But critics pointed out that at the time, Lagos brother, Carlos Lago, was a registered lobbyist in Miami for a company that owns a trailer park in Little Gables that was the topic of redevelopment discussions during a previous bid to annex the neighborhood. READ MORE: Coral Gables says expansion wont doom trailer park, but annexation anxiety persists A spokesperson for the law firm where Carlos Lago works previously told the Herald that the mayors brother only represented the company for one project back in 2015 in Miami, and that his registration became effectively inoperative thereafter. He withdrew his lobbyist registration for the company on March 6 days after the Actualidad segment aired on February 27. In the lawsuit, Lago points out that, contrary to comments made on air, he was not under investigation by the Ethics Commission. He was, however, under a preliminary review that had begun 10 days prior to the Actualidad segment, according to Jose Arrojo, executive director of the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust. That review, concluded in October, determined that Lago did not knowingly make a false statement, and that the preliminary fact-finding did not merit further scrutiny, effectively closing out the matter. Arrojo told the Herald the distinction between a review and an investigation is important, because the lesser designation is designed to prevent the unfair smear effect that the label under investigation could have on a public official. If Mr. Lago advises that he was never under investigation, Arrojo said in an email, then this is accurate. Lago also alleged that Rodriguez Tejera and Fernandez had no factual basis for their claims because such reviews are confidential and exempt from disclosure until a determination is made, though its not uncommon for protected information to leak. Its also unclear what sparked the review to begin with. According to Arrojo, there wasnt an individual complaint that prompted it, but rather contacts from more than one party that made general allegations regarding development projects in the Gables including the Little Gables and Mr. Lagos connections to developers or lobbyists. Political backdrop In April, the City Commission experienced a shakeup after two candidates who were vocal critics of Lago Fernandez and Melissa Castro won against Lagos chosen candidates. Since then, multiple split votes have divided the commission in recent months, with Lago occasionally being on the losing side. The tension reached a crescendo in October when the commission voted to censure Lago after he insulted his colleagues on Spanish-language media, including saying Fernandez and Commissioner Kirk Menendez live off their wives. At the time the mayor made those comments, Menendez typically a Lago ally had recently become a swing vote on the commission. READ MORE: Coral Gables city commissioners give themselves 78% raises and $8,400 car allowances In the lawsuit, Lago alleges that the radio station knew that Fernandez was going to make that false statement on the air before he uttered the defamatory charge. In fact, the complaint alleges, the Radio Station invited Fernandez as a guest on the Show because Fernandez was prepared and planned to make those false accusations on the air. Commissioner Ariel Fernandez during a Coral Gables City Commission meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, at City Hall in Coral Gables. Reached by phone Wednesday, Fernandez did not immediately recall the radio segment, but said the lawsuit is reminiscent of actions taken by dictators in Cuba and Venezuela. He needs to grow thicker skin, at the end of the day, Fernandez said of the mayor. He pointed to the shifting dynamics on the City Commission. Vince Lago doesnt like that, Fernandez said of the changes. So hes trying to find a way to silence his opponents and take full control as the despot that he was before the April elections. The FBI evidence response team searches a wooded area in North Fairmount Wednesday where the dismembered body of a woman was found in November. A head was discovered during Wednesday's search of a site where a woman's dismembered torso was found in November, officials said. Hamilton County Coroner Lakshmi Sammarco said the search and rescue teams in North Fairmount found the head off of Sutter Avenue about three blocks away from where the remains were found on Nov. 5. Sammarco said her office is working to determine if the head matches the torso. With her background in radiology, Sammarco performed CT scans on both the head and the torso. Once those images are processed, it could be possible to match them, she said. DNA testing and other forensic testing is being performed, Sammarco said. Additional body parts are still missing, and Sammarco has given approval for a search and rescue team to continue combing the area on Friday. More: Police, coroners debunk rumors of 'Cincinnati serial killer,' dismembered bodies After the discovery of the torso in November, Sammarco said the dead woman is Black and was likely in her late 20s or early 30s. She had no tattoos or identifying markings on her body. She said investigators believe she died Nov. 3 or 4, only a few days before her body was discovered. An FBI team, search and rescue team, as well as Cincinnati police, did another search of the area on Wednesday because they had still not identified the woman. Investigators have also reported that the woman was likely pregnant about two years ago, but it is unclear if that pregnancy went to term. The woman's death is being investigated as a homicide. Officials are asking anyone who might be missing a family member or friend to contact Cincinnati police or CrimeStoppers at 513-352-3040. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Coroner: Head found during search of area where woman's torso was found. SAN DIEGO The gravitational forces of the moon and the sun will, once again, draw in some of the highest tides of the year next week. Expected to return to San Diegos coastline on Thursday, Jan. 11 and Friday, Jan. 12, the first king tides of 2024 will be pulled inward with heights up to 7 feet, according to Sea Grant California. This comes shortly after a period of high surf advisories, which prompted several coastal closures last week, as well as damage to local piers and other disruptions along local beaches. Large waves up to 12 feet tall, with sets up to 18 feet, pounded Southern California for days. How mindfulness helps reduce stress, according to UC San Diego professor Unlike high surf, which is created as strong winds blow directly onshore, king tides are a result of how far away the Sun, Moon and Earth are from each other. It is Thursdays New Moon phase as well as the exact placement of the moon in regards to Earth that causes king tides. As explained by Sea Grant California, a New Moon occurs when the Earth, Moon, and Sun are near alignment (the moon is located between the Sun and Earth). This alignment causes an increase in the gravitational pull called spring tides. Larger tidal events king tides occur when these spring tides occur at the same time as a perigee, or when the Moon is in its closest position to Earth. This only happens about three or four times a year. Here are the tide tide predictions for Scripps Institution of Oceanography Pier in La Jolla for January 2023, according to Sea Grant California: Date Day of Week Time Height (feet) High or Low 01/11/2024 Thursday 8:20 a.m. 7.2 feet High 01/11/2024 Thursday 3:41 p.m. -1.7 feet Low 01/12/2024 Friday 9:04 a.m. 7.2 feet High 01/12/2024 Friday 4:21 p.m. -1.7 feet Low If you plan on visiting the coast, you might notice flooded parking lots in the mornings or exposed reefs or rocks in the afternoons, depending on the area. For those who are interested in learning more about king tides, the San Diego Audubon Society will be hosting an event at the Kendall-Frost Marsh on Friday from 8-10 a.m. Attendees will get an overview of sea level rise, the birds that rely on disappearing marsh habitat, and tools for documenting or reporting king tides. Looking beyond January, the cosmic phenomenon of king tides is expected again Feb. 9-10. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Two men are facing prison time after pleading guilty to COVID fraud, the U.S. Attorneys Offices for the Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina announced this week. Stanly County resident Brantley Forrestt is awaiting a sentence after pleading guilty to filing fraudulent tax returns and Charlotte resident Donte Clements, 35, will serve 10 years and pay nearly $1 million in restitution to victims after pleading guilty in 2022 in a COVID-19 wire fraud scheme. Court records showed that from 2020 to 2021, Clements knowingly, and fraudulently received and cashed COVID-19 unemployment insurance payments from a woman who was working as a claims agent contractor. Clements and the woman diverted nearly $1 million to themselves, court records stated. Clements also pled guilty to cocaine charges and gun possession as a felon. Court records showed that from 2017 through 2021, Forrestt owned a fence company and concealed over $2 million from the IRS. The concealment also resulted in Forrestt benefiting from COVID relief payments, which caused a tax loss of more than $500,000, documents stated. Forrestt will be sentenced in April. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) Multifamily housing development in the Austin area is on fire. Roughly 18,000 multifamily units were built during the first nine months of 2023, according to commercial real estate firm Partners. In the third quarter alone, production nearly doubled compared with the same period in 2022, from 3,996 to 7,508 units built. But that huge increase in supply has led to a decline in occupancy rates, which fell to roughly 89% in the third quarter from 92% in the year-ago period, Partners reported. The increase in supply in the Austin area mirrors national trends, with markets from coast-to-coast becoming less competitive because of a record amount of new apartments and rental units delivered. That trend is expected to continue into 2024 and could mean slower growth in rental rates or even cuts. And as of November, the Austin-Round Rock metro area ranked No. 2 in the nation for percentage declines in rental rates, with a year-over-year decrease of about 6%, according to RealPage Inc. data. The average monthly asking rent in Austin in the third quarter of 2023 was $1,608, down from $1,653 in the second quarter. Read the full story at Austin Business Journal. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. A Connecticut man who is charged with murder in connection to the shooting death of Delano Dela Gray in 2007 is set to face a jury soon, more than 10 years after he was arrested. Donald Raynor, now 38, was arrested on June 14, 2013, six years after Gray was shot and killed on the streets of Hartford. Raynor, whose bond is now set at $1.5 million, has been incarcerated since that day. On Jan. 8, Raynor will return to a Hartford courtroom for one of his last pre-trial hearings, with jury selection in his case scheduled to start next month. He is charged with murder and has pleaded not guilty, still maintaining his innocence. This will be the third time he has faced a jury in connection to Grays killing. Grays mother told a judge years back that it was agonizing to see her sons case go to trial twice. Raynors case was first tried before a jury in 2014, but ended in a mistrial due to a hung jury. The next year, he went to trial again. He was found guilty and sentenced to 60 years in prison, records show. That conviction was overturned by the state Supreme Court in 2020, but a combination of COVID-19 related court closures and delays due to lab reports and ballistics testing have kept him behind bars since then. In a letter to the Courant sent from jail just before the start of the new year, Raynor said he is hopeful for what 2024 has in store. He hopes the next jury he faces will not find him guilty. I hope that in 2024 in the upcoming hearings that that state will be exposed and that I will be exonerated, said Raynor, who feels he has been wrongfully detained for the past decade. The victims death Police were called to 97 Enfield St. on June 18, 2007, for reports of a shooting. They found Gray, 22, lying in a driveway with multiple gunshot wounds to his chest and head. The area was littered with shell casings and multiple nearby vehicles had been peppered with bullets, according to a warrant affidavit for Raynors arrest. Police said Gray was a known member of the Ave street gang, which was operating in the area of upper Albany Avenue and Vine Street. The gang was in direct conflict with a rival gang, Money Green Bedroc, which investigators said had been pushing their own drug sales into the Aves territory. Raynor, also known as Amen or Don Juan, was the recognized leader of Money Green Bedroc, investigators said in the warrant affidavit. They cited multiple documented police reports, conversations with various state, local and federal law enforcement sources, and communications between gang members, including intercepted jail letters from known members and phone calls and internet postings, that allegedly confirmed Raynors leadership. Raynor is feared and respected by members and associates of the enterprise, as well as by rival gang members, because of his willingness to engage in violence, police said in the warrant affidavit. Investigators included confessions in the warrant affidavit from a cooperating coconspirator, who told police he was driving when Raynor allegedly shot and killed Gray. He said they had gone out that night looking for someone to shoot, the affidavit says. We decided to go look for someone that we might have had beef with in the past. We were not just looking to shoot anyone on the street. We were looking for someone that might shoot Donald or me if they saw us out, he told police in a series of statements. We were not looking for anyone specifically other than looking for someone that would shoot us and we figured we would shoot them first. He reportedly recounted the shooting to police, according the the warrant affidavit: It was about 2 in the morning and Donald wanted to shoot Delano because Delano had shot at Donald like a year before, he said, describing Raynor as being in the backseat with a high power rifle. Donald put down the back window on the drivers side, hung out the window and shot at Delano like 10 times as I drove slowly past, he said. I seen Delano fall and I drove off. He told police the two went back to Raynors apartment and watched a news report about a killing on Enfield Street. And we knew it was Delano, he told police.. Investigators said in the warrant affidavit that they were able to verify multiple parts of statements, including the number of shots fired. Raynor and his family have taken issue with the credibility of the informants statements to investigators. Raynor last appeared in court in December, with members of his family filling the courtroom, as they have for every court appearance for a decade. His brother, Byron Raynor, said he has a big support system that has been there every step of the way. Theres always somebody there. Hes never been in court by himself, said Byron Raynor. But the family is left frustrated, confused, and feeling frozen in time by the continued delays. Were just kind of in a limbo situation and it makes no sense to us or to him, Byron Raynor said. Byron Raynor said it has been a long road for their family, including Raynors daughter, who was 10 when her father was arrested and is now an adult. Were flabbergasted by this, said Byron Raynor, who was hoping his brothers bond would be lowered to an affordable amount. If he could fight from the outside it would be so much better for him. At the December hearing, Raynors defense attorney, Trent LaLima, asked a judge to reduce his bond so he could be with his family while he awaits trial. This is an extremely long time for a case to be awaiting trial, LaLima said, adding that Raynors family and friends, and a former teacher, were willing to support him until his trial begins, if he were to be released on bond. LaLima argued that Raynors case represents an unusually long period of time of pre-trial detention. Each additional day between now and trial, he still will never get that back, he said, noting there more than three years since his conviction was overturned. In the last year alone, there have been numerous delays of Mr. Raynors retrial, much of which has been attributed to delays in lab testing of firearms. LaLima said he was notified on May 30, 2023 that firearms would need to be retested. Lab reports were only finally received Nov. 29,. 2023, resulting in another six month delay for LaLima to get the materials and begin preparations for trial, he said. LaLima asked the judge to reduce Raynors bond to $750,000, arguing the current bond amount is unreasonable and more than necessary to ensure the safety of the public and the defendants attendance in these proceedings. Judge David P. Gold denied the request to reduce his bond. He said $1.5 million was still considered a reasonable bond given the nature of the case. Gold acknowledged that his case has lasted an unusual length of time. I realize that the procedural history of this case is probably unique in the sense that the case was 6 years old at the time of the original arrest, he said. But he upheld the bond as Raynor faces a possible sentence of life in prison if convicted, he said. Donald Raynor said he often feels defeated, but remains hopeful as he awaits his next trial. The feeling that envelopes my very essence of being locked up for 10 year and 6 months without an upheld conviction are mixed. First is that Im hopeful and optimistic, as it proves the oppression of the state and the fortitude of the human spirit. No matter how much power they exert over me they cannot seem to subdue my resistance to searching for Justice, he said in his letter. Donald Raynor and his brother have been hopeful before. Byron Raynor said that when the Supreme Court reversed the appellate courts judgement and ordered a new trial, he was as hopeful as hes been since his brother was first put behind bars. When Donald Raynor appealed his case, an appellate court affirmed his conviction, but the Supreme Court found the appellate court improperly upheld the decision to deny Raynors motion for a Porter hearing during his trial. The purpose of a Porter hearing in Connecticut is to determine what evidence is reliable and relevant. Donald Raynors request for a porter hearing concerned ballistic evidence. Investigators and prosecutors had relied heavily on evidence that linked Donald Raynor to a specific rifle, .223-caliber Kel-Tec firearm, that evidence shows was used in Grays killing. In the warrant for Donald Raynors arrest, investigators said that through a tip from an informant gang member, police seized 8 firearms from a garage on Eastford Street that was being used as a weapons storage unit for members of Money Green Bedroc and members of a North End gang called West Hell. Police seized a rifle that was matched to shell casings from Grays killing. They found the rifle in a duffle bag with a pair of rubber coated gloves, which were tested for DNA, and came back with a hit: Raynors DNA was reportedly on the gloves, records show. So many things that dont make sense to us Grays case was also featured in the states cold-case playing card project, in which decks of cards are sold to prison inmates with information about unsolved homicides and missing persons cases printed on each card. Raynors arrest came after an inmate gave police information about Grays killing. In his appeal, Raynor had argued that reports issued by the National Academy of Sciences called into question the reliability of firearm examinations. He asked for a Porter hearing to determine whether ballistic evidence in his case was admissible, and it was denied. The Supreme Court also found that evidence introduced about a shooting on Baltimore Street eight months after Grays killing that reportedly involved the same rifle, was too prejudicial for the jury to hear. Evidence that Raynor was allegedly involved in the Baltimore shooting using the same weapon only minimally increased the probability that he was the shooter who used that weapon eight months prior during the Enfield Street murder, the Supreme Court said in its opinion. There was no evidence to suggest that the Baltimore Street shooting was motivated by or related to the earlier Enfield Street murder, the Supreme Court said in their decision. The Supreme Courts opinion, said Byron Raynor, was a ray of light in a dark decade. It was a huge relief, he said. It didnt last. In 2020 when the Supreme Court vacated the sentence, that was a big deal. I thought that was going to shed more light on this, we figured he would already be home or be offered a deal or something. But that has not been the case. Its been very very stressful, theres still hope obviously, but there are so many things that dont make sense to us. They have beat around the bush for 10 years. Raynor told the Courant that if he were found not guilty or exonerated, he planned to study law and advocate for people who are wrongfully convicted or incarcerated. Reputed Gang Leader Gets 60 Years In 2007 Slaying Grays family could not be reached for comment. At Raynors last sentencing, Grays mother Shirley Harris asked the judge to sentence Raynor to the maximum punishment. In a statement read by the prosecutor, she told the judge if he gets 100 years, it still would not be enough. According to an obituary for Gray, he was engaged and was planning to leave Connecticut later that summer to go to school in New York. Montana Sen. Steve Daines (R) and the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) have filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of former President Trumps appeal to stay on the ballot in Colorado. Dainess amici curiae or friend-of-the-court brief is part of a broader Republican backlash against the Colorado Supreme Courts 4-3 ruling that Trump violated the Constitutions insurrection clause, the first time in history it has been used to disqualify a presidential candidate. Daines, the chair of the Senate Republican campaign arm, argues the Colorado Supreme Courts ruling breaches the Constitutions bedrock guarantee of American democracy. Daines and the NRSC wrote that they have a unique and profound interest in the case because they support and seek to uphold the rights of all American citizens to vote for the candidate of their choice, arguing the Colorado court decision deprives Americans of that right. They argue that even if Section 3 of the 14th Amendment bars Trump from holding office, it does not bar him from appearing on the ballot, and that it is solely the prerogative of Congress to disqualify him from the Oval Office if he wins the election. So even if the Colorado Supreme Court were correct that President Trump cannot take office on Inauguration Day, that court has no basis to hold that he cannot run for office on Election Day and also seek removal for any alleged disqualification from Congress if necessary, they wrote. Daines announced last month he would file a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court asking it to reverse the Colorado courts decision, which he called a disgrace to our country and our democracy. He also donated $5,000 from his leadership political action committee to Trumps legal defense fund. Daines is the only elected member of the Senate GOP leadership to have endorsed Trump, but the former president is swiftly racking up endorsements in Congress. This week, the No. 2- and No. 3-ranking members of the House GOP leadership, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (La.) and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (Minn.), endorsed Trump. Other Senate Republicans have criticized the Colorado courts decision, including Sen. Thom Tillis (N.C.), who is proposing legislation to explicitly give the Supreme Court sole jurisdiction to decide claims of eligibility arising out of section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Senate Republican Conference Chair John Barrasso (Wyo.), the third-ranking Senate GOP leader, last month blasted the Colorado Supreme Court as a liberal activist court and denounced its ruling as a blatant, political attempt to silence American voters. The Senates top two Republican leaders Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) and Senate GOP Whip John Thune (S.D.) havent commented on the Colorado courts ruling. The 14th Amendment, adopted after the Civil War, states that no person shall hold any office in the United States if they, after previously taking an oath to support the Constitution, engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the Constitution or gave aid and comfort to its enemies. Trump asked the Supreme Court on Wednesday to keep his name on the ballot in Colorado and other states, such as Maine, where the secretary of state announced last week that Trump would be removed from the primary ballot. Trump argued in a legal filing that the Colorado Supreme Courts decision will likely be used as a template to disenfranchise tens of millions of voters nationwide, noting the Maine secretary of state had already used it as justification for unlawfully striking him from that states ballot. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Charlie Adelson, the Fort Lauderdale periodontist serving life behind bars for his role in the 2014 murder of Dan Markel, is appealing his conviction. Adelson, Markels former brother-in-law and the fourth person convicted in the murder-for-hire plot, was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy and solicitation Nov. 6 after an eight-day trial at the Leon County Courthouse. Last month, Circuit Judge Stephen Everett sentenced him to life in prison. Adelson is being held at the Northwest Florida Reception Center Annex in Chipley while he awaits assignment to a state prison. On Dec. 31, Adelsons appellate lawyer, Michael Ufferman of Tallahassee, filed notice of appeal of the judgment and sentence. The 1st District Court of Appeal received notice of the appeal from the circuit court on Tuesday. Ufferman has yet to file Adelsons initial appellate brief, which would detail any alleged errors by the judge and recommend remedies that could include a new trial. In an interview, Ufferman said that once the entire record from the Adelson proceedings is filed from pretrial hearings and jury selection through the trial itself and sentencing he has 90 days to review it and put forth his arguments. At this point, its just premature for me to discuss the substance of the issues well be raising on appeal, he said. Ufferman added that he has been in touch with Adelsons lawyers, Dan Rashbaum and Kathryn Myers of Miami. Theyve been wonderful to work with, he said. They told me that they will be available for me to pick their brain moving forward, and Ill certainly take them up on that. My initial starting point is I want to get the record and the transcripts and review everything cover to cover. Jurors returned guilty verdicts against Adelson after only three hours of deliberations in a trial marked by damning wire taps in which he and others talked about the murder, the investigation and an undercover FBI agent posing as a blackmailer. One week after the trial wrapped, his mother, Donna Adelson, was arrested on murder charges in the death of Markel, her former son-in-law. She was taken into custody at Miami International Airport after she and her husband tried to board a flight to Vietnam with one-way tickets. Markel, a law professor at Florida State University, was fatally shot July 18, 2014, in the garage of his Trescott Drive home. The murder happened after a bitter court fight between Markel and his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, over issues that included custody of their two sons. Three others, Sigfredo Garcia, the shooter, Luis Rivera, a Latin Kings gang member who drove the getaway car, and Katie Magbanua, Charlie Adelsons ex-girlfriend, were all previously convicted in Markels murder. Rivera, who flipped on his friends in a cooperation deal, got 19 years in prison. Garcia and Magbanua are serving life sentences. Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@tallahassee.com or 850-599-2180. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Charlie Adelson files appeal of conviction for Dan Markel murder Cameron, who lost his gubernatorial bid in Kentucky and served as attorney general until Jan. 1, has been appointed to helm the nonprofit 1792 Exchange. The Black former Kentucky attorney general who failed to prosecute Breonna Taylors killers has taken on a new role. Daniel Cameron has been named chief executive officer of the 1792 Exchange, a group that strives to oppose woke capitalism, according to the Louisville Courier Journal. Daniel Cameron, former Kentucky attorney general, will head a nonprofit, the 1792 Exchange, that sees dangers of ESG (environmental, social and governance) policies. (Photo: Jon Cherry/Getty Images) The nonprofit organizations website states that its goals are to steer public companies in the United States back to neutral on ideological issues and to inform Congress about the dangers of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) policies. Im honored to serve as the CEO of the 1792 Exchange, Cameron said in a press release, where I will continue meaningful work to put an end to the anti-American ESG agenda that threatens to take over our corporations and change the fabric of our country. A spotlight report is reportedly put out by the 1792 Exchange to assess a companys likelihood of canceling a contract or client, or boycott, divest, or deny services based on viewpoints or beliefs. Recommended Stories Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron News Daniel Cameron, who oversaw Breonna Taylor case, appointed CEO of anti-woke group TheGrio Staff Republican Presidential Candidates Attend First In The Nation Leadership Summit Featured Tim Scott, Daniel Cameron and the business of selling souls Michael Harriot Politics Daniel Cameron loses bid to be Kentuckys first Black governor Gerren Keith Gaynor Elections Election Day 2023 could see Black history and early signs for 2024 Gerren Keith Gaynor Elections Pam Stevenson says election to be Kentuckys first Black female AG is winnable Gerren Keith Gaynor Black MAGAs, Black Trump supporters, theGrio.com Featured Black MAGAs are a clear and present danger David A. Love Elections Daniel Cameron, a rising GOP star, embroiled in tough Kentucky primary fight Associated Press Featured Kentucky apartment complex discriminated against Black renters with housing vouchers, complaint claims TheGrio Staff Nathan Estruth, its founder, believes Cameron is the perfect person to serve as CEO, stating I simply cannot imagine a more capable and qualified chief executive to help us safeguard free exercise, free speech, and free enterprise. Cameron faced widespread backlash for failing to secure charges directly against the officers involved in the death of Breonna Taylor, a Black woman shot and killed during a police raid at her Louisville apartment in March 2020. Critics accused him of lacking transparency and failing to pursue justice vigorously enough. A Republican who lost the Kentucky governors race in November to Democratic incumbent Gov. Andy Beshear, Cameron served as attorney general until Jan. 1. According to the Courier Journal, Russell Coleman took the oath of office on Tuesday. Never miss a beat: Get our daily stories straight to your inbox with theGrios newsletter. The post Daniel Cameron, who oversaw Breonna Taylor case, appointed CEO of anti-woke group appeared first on TheGrio. China to keep scaling new heights with self-reliance in new year 09:51, January 04, 2024 By He Yin ( People's Daily Yachts sail on the waters near Sanya, south China's Hainan province, Jan. 1, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Ye Longbin) In his 2024 New Year message, Chinese President Xi Jinping reviewed the remarkable achievements China has made, encouraging the Chinese people to forge ahead with resolve and tenacity, steadfastly advance Chinese modernization, build a community with a shared future for mankind, and make the world a better place for all. His message presented to the world a prosperous and thriving China, as well as the country's global vision and a strong sense of responsibility. In recent days, the international community has paid high attention to China's tourism during the New Year holiday, witnessing a vibrant and bustling China in the booming tourism market. In 2023, China's economy continued to rebound and improve, injecting new momentum into global economic recovery. Recently, several international institutions have raised their expectations for China's economic growth. The international community generally believes that China still remains the largest engine of global growth, and it is expected to contribute around 1/3 of global economic growth in 2023. It is reported that Chinese shipbuilding companies received 59 percent of global shipbuilding orders in 2023, ranking first for three consecutive years. Statistics from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers show that China's automobile production and sales are expected to reach around 30 million units in 2023, with the production and sales of new energy vehicles exceeding 9 million units. The export of automobiles is expected to reach nearly 5 million units. The automotive industry has become a major driving force for industrial growth. A China-Europe freight train departs from the China-Kazakhstan (Lianyungang) logistics cooperation base in east China's Jiangsu province for Central Asian countries, Jan. 1, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Wang Jianmin) An article published on the website of Pakistani newspaper The Nation noted that the spotlight has undoubtedly shifted to the East on the global economic stage. The year 2024 will bring more encouraging news from China on all fronts. On Jan. 1, China's first domestically built large cruise ship embarked on its maiden commercial voyage. This milestone reflected China's burgeoning innovative drive and vibrant development, as well as the C919 large passenger airliner entering commercial service, the Shenzhou spaceships continuing their missions in space, the deep-sea manned submersible Fendouzhe reaching the deepest ocean trench, Chinese trendy brands being highly popular with consumers, the latest models of Chinese-made mobile phones gaining market success, and the rise of Chinese new energy vehicles, lithium batteries and photovoltaic products. "Everywhere across our country, new heights are being scaled with dogged determination, and new creations and innovations are emerging every day," said Xi in his New Year message. The Chinese nation is a nation that is brave and adept at innovation. China is committed to the strategy for invigorating China through science and education, the workforce development strategy, and the innovation-driven development strategy. It has the confidence and ability to achieve high-level technological self-reliance, explore new areas of development, and continuously create new driving forces and advantages for development. "China has gone from being the world's factory to becoming the global frontrunner in nearly every important industry of the future," said Russian political analyst Dmitry Kosyrev. Robotic arms weld vehicle bodies in a workshop of a carmaker in Jimo district, Qingdao, east China's Shandong province, Dec. 28, 2023. (People's Daily Online/Liang Xiaopeng) On the first day of 2024, the free trade agreement between China and Nicaragua officially came into effect. Besides, dairy products from New Zealand have been allowed to enter China duty-free, marking the removal of all remaining tariffs agreed upon in the free trade deal between the two countries. In the new year, China will continue to expand high-level opening-up and constantly create new opportunities for the world with its own development. The Chengdu FISU World University Games and the Hangzhou Asian Games hosted last year deeply impressed the world with the profound essence of Chinese civilization. The 78th United Nations General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution designating the Lunar New Year (the Spring Festival) as a UN floating holiday, which showcases the influence of the Chinese culture. In the coming year, China will continue to promote mutual learning, harmonious coexistence, and mutual achievements among different civilizations, and foster understanding and friendship among people from different countries. In 2023, China established diplomatic relations with Honduras, established or upgraded partnerships with more than 10 countries, and continuously deepened and expanded a global network of partnerships based on equality, openness, and cooperation. In the new year, the country will continue working hand-in-hand with other countries to walk a path of great virtues and build a better future for humanity. Chinese modernization is the modernization of peaceful development, which benefits the Chinese people and promotes the modernization of all countries. In the coming year, China will continue striving with dogged determination to scale new heights, employing Chinese modernization to write a new chapter in human progress, and making new contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind and an even better world for all. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) Queen Margrethe II of Denmark arrives at the residence. Queen Margrethe II intends to abdicate on January 14, the 83-year-old says in her televised New Year's address. Sven Hoppe/dpa Danish Queen Margrethe II travelled by horse-dawn carriage from her residence to Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen for the last time as reigning monarch before abdicating later this month. Danish television showed on Thursday morning crowds gathered in the snow and freezing weather to wave at Margrethe, 83, as she travelled past in her gilded carriage to an annual New Year's reception with about 1,000 guests. The monarch's carriage ride from her residence at Amalienborg Palace to Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish government, is a tradition. In 2025, however, it will not be Margrethe but her son Frederik who will be sitting in the carriage - if he keeps up this tradition. In her New Year's address on Sunday, Margrethe stunned Danes by announcing that she would be stepping down as queen after 52 years on the throne. She cited a back operation last year as the main reason. While she had made it through the operation well, but it had given her pause for thought about the future, the queen said. The 55-year-old crown prince will take over the throne as King Frederik X on January 14. The daughter of a former Broward mayor could spend decades in federal prison after being accused of fleecing thousands of dollars in campaign funds. Richelle Holness faces conspiracy to commit wire fraud and fraud in connection to emergency benefits charges, according to a Dec. 27 court filing out of the Southern District of Florida. The alleged fraud occurred from April 2019 through October 2020, when Holness was the treasurer for her fathers campaign. Her father Dale Holness served as Browards mayor from 2019 to 2020. In 2021, he narrowly lost the Democratic primary race to fill the late U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings vacant seat. Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness Holness, court records say, was responsible for maintaining the campaigns bank account. Prosecutors say that Holness diverted funds from the campaign account to unlawfully enrich herself. The scheme operated by Holness issuing checks from the campaign accounts to individuals and later filing memos that falsely stated the money was used for services like consulting, printing and data processing, according to prosecutors. The filing outlines several transactions, totaling at least $30,000. The recipients of the checks would then cash them in and return the funds to Holness, either through Cash App or another check, court records state. The money swindled went to personal expenses, such as liquor, fast food, airline tickets and clothing, according to court records. On a few occasions, it was used to pay the lease of a real estate business her father owns in Plantation. In the court filing, prosecutors also accused Holness of making bogus statements, like claiming that she was unemployed as result of the pandemic, on an application for COVID-19 relief funds. Its unclear how much money Holness may have obtained from the program. Holness, however, isnt the only family member to have faced federal fraud charges. In 2022, Damara Holness, a Broward political consultant and daughter of former mayor Dale Holness, was sentenced to a year and eight months in prison. Damara pleaded guilty to stealing $300,000 from a federal program meant to help small businesses struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic. Richelle Holness will appear before a judge in Fort Lauderdale federal court on Jan. 10. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison on each charge. Deputies arrested a pair of convicted felons suspected of stealing from several properties in the High Desert. Deputies arrested a pair of convicted felons suspected of stealing from properties in the High Desert. Hesperia sheriffs deputies identified the suspects as Megan Vasquez, 34, of Apple Valley and Miguel Hernandez, 31, of Hesperia. At around 4:17 p.m. on Tuesday, Hesperia deputies responded to a report of an unknown person in a blue Toyota Avalon stealing property from the homeowners front yard in the 18000 block of Birch Street. During the response, deputies noted the vehicle description and recalled that a blue Toyota Avalon had recently been identified by numerous community members on the Neighbors by Ring app for its involvement in similar situations, police said. While searching the surrounding area, detectives located the suspected Toyota, conducted a traffic stop and found Hernandez and Vasquez inside the vehicle, authorities said. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a loaded handgun and mail addressed to victims, sheriffs officials said. Hernandez and Vasquez were found to be convicted felons. They were arrested and booked at the High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto on suspicion of felon in possession of a firearm, sheriff's officials stated. Investigators believe Hernandez and Vasquez have stolen from multiple residents. Authorities have released the duo's photographs in hopes of identifying additional theft victims. Investigators thanked fellow community members for their vigilance and use of the Neighbors by Ring application. Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the Hesperia sheriffs station at 760-947-1500 or sheriffs dispatch at 760-956-5001. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to contact the We-Tip Hotline at 800-78CRIME (27463) or wetip.com. This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Deputies arrest two convicted felons suspected of stealing A Georgia deputy was killed during a high-speed chase across state lines when another officer struck him with a police car, authorities said. Eric Minix, 31, died in the early hours of Jan. 4 from the crash in Alabama, the Coweta County Sheriffs Office said in a news release. The Georgia sheriffs office described Minix as a dedicated Deputy and K9 Officer, but more importantly, he was a friend to everyone who knew him. Minix was involved in the pursuit of a suspected stolen vehicle that led from west Georgia into Lanett, Alabama, on Interstate 85, authorities said. After a PIT maneuver brought the vehicle to a stop, Minix was getting out of his patrol car to take the suspect into custody when an officer with the Lanett Police Department fatally struck him, according to the Alabama Department of Law Enforcement. The Lanett officer also hit the Dodge Challenger they were chasing, which authorities said was driven by a 25-year-old man from Florida. The man was taken into custody, and the Alabama Department of Law Enforcement took over the investigation, police said. Minix, who became a Coweta deputy in 2021, had a wife and three daughters, the Georgia department said. We have lost a good deputy. We have lost a good man. We have lost a good friend, the Coweta County Sheriffs Office said. The Lanett officer was placed on administrative leave pending investigation, police said. My prayers are with the loved ones of Deputy Sheriff Eric Minix of Coweta County, who was tragically killed in the line of duty today, Georgia congressman Drew Ferguson said in a statement. Please keep Erics family and the Coweta County community in your prayers as they mourn the tragic loss of such a dedicated public servant. Coweta County is part of the Atlanta metro area. EMT giving aid at car crash killed by passing vehicle, cops say. Beautiful soul Truck driver crushed to death while picking up gravel shipment, Texas officials say Beloved firefighter among 2 killed when gunman fires on pickup truck, Indiana cops say Crash victim is run over by passing vehicle and dragged 3 miles, Wisconsin cops say Two men accused of ramming a sheriffs deputy vehicle with a stolen car and later leading deputies in a pursuit have been arrested, authorities announced. The incident unfolded on Dec. 31 just after 1 p.m. when a deputy assigned to Riverside County Sheriffs Departments Lake Elsinore Station located the stolen vehicle in the area of Cervera and Prairie Road in Wildomar. When the deputy attempted a traffic stop on the stolen vehicle, the suspects turned the car around and intentionally drove into the deputys drivers side door, prompting the deputy to fire his weapon at the suspects, according to a RCSD news release. The deputys vehicle was disabled and the two men, described male Hispanics, fled on foot northbound on Prairie Road and entered a silver Chevy Impala and drove away. Stolen vehicle suspects ram, disable deputy vehicle Later the same afternoon, just before 5 p.m. deputies from Riverside Sheriffs Major Crime Unit and Lake Elsinore Enforcement Team located two men in the area of Temecula who matched the description of the suspects in the earlier incident. Meat market thief wearing Dirty Bird hoodie flees on scooter Deputies attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle failed to yield, and a pursuit was initiated, authorities said. When the two suspects eventually exited the vehicle and attempted to escape on foot, they were captured. One of the suspects had injuries consistent with the deputy-involved shooting that had occurred earlier in the day, the release stated. Both suspects were taken to a local hospital for treatment and remain in custody. The identities of the two men are being withheld while the investigation is ongoing, the sheriffs department said. The deputy whose vehicle was rammed sustained minor injuries during the incident. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. TAUNTON Do you have gently worn winter coats in the closet that your children have outgrown? Consider donating them to Dermody Cleaners' 31st annual Coats for Kids Campaign. The campaign seeks to outfit needy children in the Greater Taunton area with coats this winter season. We want the coats to be in good wearable condition so the kids can put it on immediately, Terry Dermody, owner of Dermody Cleaners, said. We dont want to repair any holes in the coat or replace any zippers. The initiative involves collecting and cleaning donated coats at no cost and distributing them to those in need through the Saint Vincent de Paul Society's Center on Washington Street in Taunton. We dont have a target age for helping kids in need, he said. A kid could be 16 or 17 years old. A need for coats is out there, no matter the age." Dermody Cleaners owner Terry Dermody holds his grandsons, Emmett (left) and Brooks Dermody. Winter coat donations can be dropped off at any of the Dermody Cleaners locations: 34 Cohannet St., Taunton, 648 County St., 330 Bedford St. in Lakeville, and the Press Club on Route 6 in Somerset. Dermody said while his company hosts the winter coat collection campaign in January, they accept coat donations throughout the year. Since its inception, the Coats for Kids drive has successfully cleaned and donated over 50,000 coats. Increasing need for winter coats among migrant children in Taunton area Dermody said the population of migrant families with children from warm-weather nations has increased in the Taunton area, creating an even greater need for winter coat donations. The demand for coats has always outpaced the supply of coats no matter how the economy is doing, he said. At one time, we had a slight oversupply of coats and shipped them to Texas. But with migrants coming to all areas, I think there is an ever-increasing demand for coats among families with little kids. St. Vincent de Paul Society volunteer Jean Desrosiers examines winter coats donated by Dermody Cleaners in January 2019. . Taunton area businesses and schools support Coats For Kids Campaign Dermody said Rockland Bank has joined the efforts this year, as well as the ongoing support of the Cranberry County Chamber of Commerce, Crossed Sabers Ski & Sport in Raynham, Berkley Middle School, the Segregansett County Club, and the Taunton Extended Day Care. "For over three decades our community has united to ensure that every child stays warn during the winter months," he said. "The Coats for Kids Drive is not just about providing warmth, it's a testament to the enduring spirit of generosity that defines our community. With the support of our loyal customers and community partners, we are making a real impact." Terry Dermody owner of Dermody Cleaners looks over some donated children's coats during the 2017 coat drive. Coats For Kids Campaign is an expression of appreciation for Taunton Dermody said the Coats for Kids Campaign is done annually to demonstrate his gratitude for how Taunton has helped Dermody Cleaners thrive in the community. We have been around for over 66 years, he said. My family has benefitted from serving this community. We want to do what we can to give back constructively. We felt it was worthwhile for us to use our facilities to help needy kids in the area. Kids are innocent victims of the economy, family structure, and so on. If we can help them stay warm, we have done something good. This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Dermody Cleaners' Coats for Kids Campaign collects gently worn coats Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) avoided saying if he would support any federal gun control regulations Thursday, when a school shooting in Iowa resulted in multiple injuries. DeSantis, who has focused much of his presidential campaign in the Hawkeye State ahead of its first-in-the-nation caucuses, also voiced support for Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R), who has endorsed him, and local law enforcement after the shooting. I dont support infringing the rights of law-abiding citizens with respect to the ability to exercise their constitutional rights, DeSantis said in an NBC News interview. I know these [regulations] can be used to try to target things, and a lot of the things that are proposed would not have even prevented any of these [shootings]. The shooting at a high school in Perry, Iowa, injured multiple students and resulted in the death of the gunman, The Associated Press reported Thursday. Students described a traumatic experience at the school. The Florida governor said lawmakers should focus on mental health in order to combat school shootings, while noting that a motive is unclear in the Perry incident. For whatever reason, there are people in our society that really get a kick out of doing this, DeSantis said. And you have people that put it online and do all that. And thats an underlying sickness in society. And I think that involves things like mental health. We obviously have a responsibility to create safe environments, he continued. Federal government is probably not going to be leading that effort, I think it is more of a local and state issue. He pointed to his record in Florida, where he led the states legislative response to the Parkland, Fla., school shooting that killed 17 people in 2018. One of the things Ive done as governor of Florida was respond to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas [High School] shooting that happened before I was governor. We got a recommendations report, and weve done over a billion dollars for school security and involves a lot of different things, he said. But as the father of three young kids who are in school first grade, kindergarten and pre-K all we want is parents to have safety in the schools. So weve put a lot of emphasis on this, he added. The shooting comes just over a week before the Iowa caucuses, set for Jan. 15. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Another year dawns, promising another 12 months brimming with potential when it comes to travel. Our priorities might be different in terms of trips some of us plump for hiking through untouched landscapes, while others are all about experiencing destinations through the unique prism of their food scenes but The Independents travel team are all equally excited by the prospect of exploring new corners of the world in 2024. Some places are obvious contenders for our hard-earned tourism pounds thanks to big, showstopping, landmark events; some are less attention-grabbing, but have piqued our interest thanks to more understated, under-the-radar charms that offer the allure of bigger-name rivals without the crowds. Whatever manner of wanderlust youre currently experiencing, heres our selection of destinations to sate it for 2024: from world-class cities to blissfully rural regions where nature reigns supreme. Read more on travel inspiration: Aurillac, France Build it and they will come. The 2024 version of that aspiration is: put a place on the map by launching a night train, and see who turns up. Until French Railways (SNCF) announced that Aurillac in southern France would be the next destination for a sleeper service, I harboured no ambition to visit the prefecture of the Cantal department. Now, though, I can barely wait to board the train at Paris Austerlitz for a 13-hour, 350-mile overnight journey through the heart of France to Aurillac. This garrison town, population 28,000, is perched at 600m above the Mediterranean which is 160 miles away. It is protected by a ninth-century chateau (though the Volcano Museum it houses appears closed until June). Aurillac is also well placed for a journey south to the coast via the amazing Millau Viaduct, which I have yet to cross. A visionary transport secretary may be a mere aspiration in the UK, but Frances ministre des transports, Clement Beaune, sees Aurillac as just the start in reconnecting the nation de nuit. Simon Calder Kent, UK Kent has numerous vineyards and wineries (Getty Images/iStockphoto) OK, Ill hold my hands up I live in Kent. But I rarely stray further than my town of residence, Folkestone, or the surrounding coastal spots, something thats definitely going to change in 2024. That is, in part, due to some major wine tourism openings happening in the next year. Opportunties to swill and swallow will increase when Domaine & Evremond in Kent premiers its first fizz in September the first time a Champagne House, in this case Champagne Taittinger, has planted its own vines in the UK along with the launching of a winery visitor centre in late 2024. Tudor Peacock has also opened as a Kent wine emporium offering tastings, events and a wine bar in a Grade II listed building in the village of Chilham; plus Wine Tours of Kent is running new Twilight Tours. Helen Coffey Nordland, Norway Whirlpools of the maelstrom of Saltstraumen, Nordland (Getty/iStock) Ive wanted to return to Norway since chasing the Northern Lights from Tromso to Svalbard in early 2019. Nordland has been firmly on my go-to list since then, a county strewn with mountains, forests and lakes that bonds southern Norway with the remote north, cut through by the border of the Arctic Circle. The largest town in the region, Bod, is one of the European Capitals of Culture (the first above the imaginary Arctic line), with a bumper programme of more than 1,000 events. Id use Bodo as the gateway to the rest of Nordland, making journeys through the phenomenal Lofoten archipelago (over the meandering E10 road, via the bridges and undersea tunnels that carve up the Norwegian Sea), as well as hiking around fjords, visiting Sami landmarks and, of course, hoping to see the aurora borealis. If you want a show-stopping place to stay, the architecturally magnificent Six Sense Svart, on the Helgeland coastline, is due to welcome guests in 2024. Benjamin Parker Oran, Algeria When South Sudan separated from Sudan, Algeria became Africas biggest country. International tourism has hardly troubled the nation, but it is gradually opening up with a visa-on-arrival arrangement for visitors accredited with a local travel firm. In 2023 I visited for the first time and found classical ruins devoid of other tourists and the breathtaking eastern city of Constantine a joy after the hard work of appreciating the capital, Algiers. But I have yet to explore the much-praised second city, Oran, with its spectacular Mediterranean location and mix of Islamic and French architecture. SC Prague, Czech Republic The capital of the Czech Republic is hardly a hidden gem, and yet I have somehow never managed to make it to this famously beautiful city, with its baroque and Gothic architecture, charm-steeped old town and castle, and wallet-friendly food and drink options. Thats set to change in 2024, when an extended sleeper train service will make it far easier for this flight-free travel editor to reach by rail. From 25 March, European Sleeper will broaden its existing night train connecting Brussels, Amsterdam and Berlin to finish up in Prague. HC Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico Santa Elena in Yucatan, Mexico (Getty Images/iStockphoto) In December 2023, the Tren Maya, 900 miles of partially elevated railway that chugs through Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula (crossing five states), carried its first passengers, and should be fully operational by February 2024; it was travel writer Laura Sanders who grabbed my attention ahead of the inaugural trip with her comprehensive overview to all things Mexico mega train. What the new 22.5bn route represents is an easier way of getting to the heavy hitters that visitors love, such as Chichen Itza and Tulum, but also less-seen ruins, many overgrown with jungle, and Pueblos Magicos, culture-rich hubs officially recognised as magical towns all while travelling in a train carriage, which beats a bus any day. Theres been controversy in Mexico over the environmental and social impact of such an enormous transport project, so my advice is to tread lightly and try to support local communities as you step off at some of the 34 stations. BP Niagara Falls, Canada/US Niagara Falls: the perfect spot to experience an eclipse (Getty Images) On 8 April 2024, the Great American Eclipse will sweep across North America from the Pacific to the Atlantic. During the course of that magical Monday, the path of totality in which the moon blots out the sun will cross alluring locations from Mexico to Canada. While eclipse guru John Mason will be in southern Texas to maximise the chance of clear skies, I have instead bought a C$25 (15) rail ticket from Toronto to Niagara Falls on the appointed morning. The aim: to dodge the eclipse-hunting traffic and find a location whose surroundings will make up for any disappointment if the weather is overcast. This concept worked for Dieppe in 1999 a great day out on the beach beneath the cliffs, despite the untimely presence of cloud cover. And with New York State a few steps away across the Rainbow Bridge (from Canada, not Dieppe), I have a choice of nations from which to witness the greatest natural show on (and off) earth. SC Paris, France Paris is gearing up to host the worlds premier sporting event (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Already an incredibly attractive city break prospect thanks to its proximity to the UK, the French capital gets an extra injection of va-va-voom for tourists in 2024 thanks to its very high-profile hosting of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics this summer. Tickets are still being released for various events for reasonable prices, but even you dont manage to get of a slice of the sporting action, its worth going just to soak up the atmosphere plus the City of Light is always a beguiling setting for a chic weekend away. And its just a 2h 16m hop on the Eurostar away from London. HC Dorset, UK When I was younger, we never really went on holiday. Growing up in west Dorset, we lived where people wanted to go on holiday. It captivates me still, though Ive moved away, from the countys gigantic golden cliffs to the rolling hills that inspired Thomas Hardy. With a wonderful baby boy getting (terrifyingly) close to making an entrance, Im excited to whisk the little man out of London and give him an early West Country fill. Dorset is brilliant for children of all ages offering a swannery, steam train, Monkey World, fossil hunting, long days on the sand (or pebbles) and has more than its fair share for adults, such as consistently good places to eat (Dorshi in Bridport, The Ollerod in Beaminster) and plenty of decent places to lay your head. It will be a getaway of apple cake and Black Cow vodka between nappy changes and lullabies and I cant think of a better place to do it. BP Detroit recorded 252 homicides in 2023 it's the city's fewest since 1966, when there were 232 homicides in Detroit, the city announced Wednesday in a two-hour news conference with numerous federal, state, and city law enforcement agencies and community leaders. That homicide total is an 18% drop from last year, when the city recorded 309 homicides. That's 57 fewer Detroiters killed, Detroit Police Chief James White and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan emphasized Wednesday. "These are bodies. These are people. These are lives. This is trauma that didn't happen," White said. "But we're certainly not patting ourselves on the back I think we all agree that it is entirely too violent in our communities ... we've got a lot of work to do. This is not a victory celebration. This is really doubling down on the work." Detroit police released 2023 figures on crime statistics Jan. 3, 2024, revealing that the city recorded its fewest number of homicides since 1966. While the total number of people killed was the lowest since 1966, today's homicide rate per capita is much higher than it was then. The city's population was 2.5 times larger in 1966. An estimated 620,376 people live in Detroit, according to 2022 U.S. Census data. The homicide rate in 2023 was about 41 homicides per 100,000 residents. In 1966, when 1.58 million people lived in Detroit, the rate was roughly 15 homicides per 100,000 residents. Still, White said in his 28 years with the Detroit Police Department, and the two-and-a-half years he's served as chief, he's never been more proud. Larcenies up, carjackings down Overall, violent crime in Detroit decreased 0.6% in 2023 (assaults increased by about 1%), but property offenses rose 4.6% due to an 11% increase in larcenies, according to Detroit police data. There were about 16% fewer nonfatal shootings in 2023, according to the data that's 804 nonfatal shootings in 2023 compared to 955 the year prior. Carjackings in Detroit saw the greatest decrease in 2023, at 33.5%. Detroit police touted a reduction in carjackings reported in the city in 2023, releasing figures and graphics Jan. 3, 2024. The progress in 2023 was a collective effort emphasized by White and other leaders in law enforcement, including U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison and community leaders like Quincy Smith of Ceasefire and Alia Harvey-Quinn of Force Detroit. "If we just had access to resources, right? Access to opportunities, right? Maybe we can really start to turn this thing around. And that's what's been happening, but we have to continue," Smith said. "Flood the streets with opportunity. Flood the streets with resources. Flood the streets with job opportunities." Local, federal law enforcement initiatives The city began celebrating the drop in homicides, described as historic, in early December. Last month, and again on Wednesday, law enforcement agencies touted increased funding and numerous partnerships and initiatives they say have driven homicide numbers to decline. Those partnerships include: The "One Detroit" partnership with local and federal law enforcement and Detroit community leaders focused on combatting and preventing violent crime in Detroit's most violent neighborhoods, specifically targeting the 8th precinct on the west side and the 9th precinct on the east side. The initiative was announced in April 2023. The city's "ShotStoppers" community violence intervention program, launched in the summer of 2023, which provided funding to six grassroots organizations in Detroit in an effort to reduce gun violence in the city's most violent neighborhood. Another coalition between federal and local law enforcement and community leaders targeting a COVID-19 backlog of felony gun cases in Wayne County Circuit and 36th District courts. Summer enforcement strategies implemented by Detroit police, which included more officers downtown, crowd control strategies and cracking down on curfews for minors. We all share the same goal, and that is achieving peace in the communities and neighborhoods in the city of Detroit," Ison said. "What we saw this year was all of us taking a part in that. Ison said in the 8th and 9th precincts, where the OneDetroit partnership is focused and has assigned federal prosecutors, homicides have decreased 17%, nonfatal shootings decreased 18% and carjackings decreased 63%. More than 160 people were charged federally in 2023 in those precincts, including members of the Vice Lords gang, Ison said. There were over 1,750 felony arrests made, over 450 search warrants executed, and over 1,250 guns taken from the streets, Ison said. Partnerships with the courts and law enforcement have cut the felony gun case backlog by 80% over the last two years, from 2,098 in October 2021 to 426 in December 2023, according to the city. Detroit Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison said that results so far from the city's "ShotStopper" program have been promising: three community violence intervention, or CVI, organizations out of six that were selected to receive federal funding have seen 50% reductions in shootings in their neighborhoods, he said. Force Detroit is one of those organizations. "There's a quote that says ... 'the child that doesn't experience the love of the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.' And CVI is an opportunity to feel that warmth," said Harvey-Quinn of Force Detroit. "We partner with people in the community who are driving violence, and help them reimagine their lives." Andrea Sahouri covers criminal justice for the Detroit Free Press. She can be contacted at 313-264-0442 or asahouri@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit records fewest homicides since 1966, but rates remain high Alfredo Aliaga, 92, is pictured during his 24-mile rim-to-rim hike of the Grand Canyon on Oct. 14 and 15, 2023. Alfredo Aliaga, 92, is pictured during his 24-mile rim-to-rim hike of the Grand Canyon on Oct. 14 and 15, 2023. A 92-year-old man is now the oldest person on record to have conquered the Grand Canyon's 24-mile, rim-to-rim hike. Guinness World Records confirmed the feat on Tuesday, about two months after Alfredo Aliaga walked for 21 hours over two days to complete the hike, which began on the Grand Canyon's North Rim and ended on the South Rim as observers cheered him on. "We both started screaming and jumping up and down," Aliaga's daughter, Anabel Aliaga-Buchenau, told USA TODAY on Wednesday about the moment that she and her daughter first saw that his record had been confirmed. They then called Aliaga on Facetime, who had seen the Guinness World Record's story earlier in the day but didn't realize it was the official confirmation. "It was very funny," Aliaga-Buchenau said. Now that he knows it's confirmed, "he feels happy and very proud," she said. In his first interview following the accomplishment back in October, Aliaga told USA TODAY that finishing the rim-to-rim hike felt amazing and said that it's never too late to do something big, even in your 90s. After all, he said, it's "only one step after the other." Alfredo Aliaga, 92, takes a break on his ascent of the Grand Canyon on Oct. 15, 2023. How hard is the rim-to-rim hike of the Grand Canyon? The rim-to-rim hike of the Grand Canyon, also known as R2R, is among the top bucket-list experiences for avid hikers. It takes training, stamina and careful planning. A typical R2R that starts on the North Rim involves 5,700 feet of elevation loss during the first leg, and 4,400 feet of elevation gain for the last 9.6 miles. "Less than 1% of the six million annual visitors embark on this hike and most prepare for months, even years," according to the Rim to Rim Club. A place of extremes, many hikers have succumbed to sweltering temperatures in the canyon, while others have gotten caught in snow or slipped on ice. An average of about 12 people die at the Grand Canyon every year, and around 900 have died there since the 1800s, according to an unofficial tally by Michael P. Ghiglieri and Thomas M. Myers, authors of "Over the Edge: Death in the Grand Canyon." Although Ghiglieri and Myers found that the leading cause of death in the canyon are helicopter and airplane crashes, followed by falls, deaths from environmental conditions like heat have been on the rise in recent decades. A land of extremes, the Grand Canyon National Park can prove to be treacherous to those on foot, whether it's high temperatures or icy trails. In September, 55-year-old Ranjith Varma of Manassas, Virginia, became unresponsive during a rim-to-rim hike and later died after bystanders and then rescuers performed CPR on him, according to the National Park Service. In November, 65-year-old James Handschy of Oracle, Arizona, used a personal locator beacon to summon help while he was attempting to hike from the South Rim down to the Colorado River and back, according to the Grand Canyon National Park. Rescuers found Handschy unresponsive and he was pronounced dead. How did Alfredo Aliaga complete the rim-to-rim hike at his age? Aliaga beat the previous record-holder for the oldest person to have hiked the Grand Canyon rim to rim, John Jepkema of Craig, Colorado completed his hike over five days at the age of 91 in 2019. He died last March. Aliaga trained for the hike by walking three hours every day in Berlin, where he lives with his son. He didn't do any mountain training but figured the long walks would help prepare him for the hours and hours he would need to be on his feet. Aliaga said there are three reasons he's so healthy at the age of 92. "I have a routine, three things that I do every day and that is enough to be strong, happy and healthy when you are so old," he said. "The first one: Eat healthy food, drink water with it ... The second one, just 30 minutes each day walking. If you can do more, very good, but 30 is enough. But every day!" The third recommendation, he said, is the most important one: Sleep eight hours every night, going to bed and getting up at the same time every day. Aliaga said he began his three-step method when he was 74 so it's never too late. "We are willed by Mother Nature to move, and if you are eight hours sitting in a chair, you cannot be healthy," he said. "We must move." Alfredo Aliaga, 92, is pictured during his 24-mile rim-to-rim hike of the Grand Canyon on Oct. 14 and 15, 2023. More about Alfredo Aliaga Aliaga was born on Aug. 28, 1931, in a tiny village in northern Spain called Mozota, which had no running water when he was a boy, said Aliaga-Buchenau, a longtime resident of Charlotte, North Carolina, and a professor of German and comparative literature at the University of North Carolina. During the Spanish Civil War which broke out in 1936 Aliaga's parents sent him to live with his aunt and uncle on a sheep farm in the mountains, where he helped shepherd the animals, said Aliaga-Buchenau, who also did the rim-to-rim hike with her father. Aliaga spent time in the military, worked for a telephone company and at the age of 25, immigrated to Germany to study geology. There he met his wife Ingrid, then became a pharmaceutical rep and the couple settled down with their two children in Northeim in central Germany, about halfway between Berlin and Frankfurt. In their retirement, Aliaga and his wife began traveling the world on a shoestring budget, bringing their tent and hiking poles to places like Machu Picchu, Mount Everest Base Camp and the Grand Canyon. They once went on a 2,000-mile bike ride from Finland to Germany. Aliaga lost his adventure buddy in 2006 following 39 years of marriage when Ingrid died of Lou Gehrig's disease, or ALS, at the age of 76. "My dad would say, 'Oh, how about if we do this?'" Aliaga-Buchenau said. "And she would say, 'Yes, let's go!' She was always ready to take on the next adventure." After his wife's death, Aliaga "was a shell of his former self, having taken care of Ingrid 24/7 for two years," his daughter said. Ingrid and Alfredo Aliaga are pictured during one of their many adventures before she died of Lou Gehrig's disease in 2006 at the age of 76. How the Grand Canyon helped Alfredo Aliaga find his joy again To help him heal after Ingrid died, Aliaga decided to return to all the places he had been with her. At the top of his list was the Grand Canyon. He took his daughter and his then 9-year-old grandson Nick to the natural wonder, where they camped for the night and left a paper origami crane in Ingrid's memory (family and friends made her 1,000 cranes as she lay dying and threw them on top of her grave at her funeral). Since then, Aliaga has returned to the canyon repeatedly and has done various rim-to-rim hikes. He's been so many times, his daughter said, that rangers and other hikers recognize him. Ahead of his most recent trip, KNXV-TV in Flagstaff, Arizona, reported about Aliaga's record attempt, and that story was posted in a rim-to-rim hiking group with more than 70,000 members on Facebook, further solidifying the 92-year-old's fame. Aliaga could barely get into a good rhythm because of all the people stopping him during his most recent hike. "(There were) a lot of people asking me, 'Oh, you are Alfredo. May I get a picture with you?'" Aliaga said. "We lost a lot of time making pictures, and they (would say), 'Oh, you are my hero, you are my inspiration.'" 'You made our day, Alfredo' Alfredo Aliaga Burdio, 92, is pictured during his 24-mile rim-to-rim hike of the Grand Canyon on Oct.14 and 15, 2023, along with (from left to right) witness Peter Todd, son-in-law Jurgen Buchenau, daughter Anabel Aliaga-Buchenau, and witness Julian Coiner. On a post in the Facebook group about Aliaga's hike, about a dozen people shared the photos they took with the nonagenarian. "You made our day, Alfredo!" one user wrote along with a selfie with a beaming Aliaga. Another posted their photo with Aliaga and wrote: "I felt like I was meeting a celebrity!" A video shared with USA TODAY of Aliagas final steps on the rim-to-rim hike shows dozens of people cheering him on as he nears the end. We heard about you and wanted to see you, one person told him. Another shouted: Youre our idol! We love you! The cheers appeared to give Aliaga a boost as he lifted his trekking poles higher and brought them down with force with each new step. As he finished 21 hours of hiking, Aliaga raised each pole in the air and declared: We did it! What's next for Alfredo Aliaga? Alfredo Aliaga Burdio, 92, poses with a medal commemorating his 24-mile hike of the Grand Canyon on Oct. 14 and 15, 2023. Buchenau, Aliaga's son-in-law, told USA TODAY that the Aliaga plans to do a rim-to-river-to-rim in May with his family and another rim-to-rim in October, "health permitting." Aliaga told Guinness World Records that he'd also love to conquer another record by hiking the Aconcagua in Argentina, the Cotopaxi or the Chimborazo, both of which are in Ecuador. For now, the Grand Canyon still has his heart. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 92-year-old Alfredo Aliaga is oldest to hike Grand Canyon rim to rim The Disney Day Drinkers Club found itself in an uproar after its mascot, a trash bin nicknamed Binny, was relocated, The Wall Street Journal reported. The club, known as D3 and intended for adults who drink at the Disney World bars, deemed Binny their mascot in 2021, when a Roman Catholic priest blessed a nondescript trash bin as the clubs official mascot. The club has amassed 85,000 members on its Facebook page, and bars at Disney have offered members secret menu items. But when Disney moved the bin to a new location in the park in September, the Facebook group exploded. In December, Disney moved the bin back to its original location, but soon after, the bin was again moved to a new location, the Journal reported. Skip Sher, who founded the D3 club, told the paper that the parks bring back childhood memories, adding, Thats really magical as an adult, especially when you introduce a few cocktails. Read it at The Wall Street Journal Read more at The Daily Beast. OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) Oakland police officers exchanged a moment of solace over their emergency dispatch police radios when a suspected killer was apprehended and taken into custody. The man accused of gunning down Oakland Police Department Officer Tuan Le was found and taken into custody just after midnight on Jan. 2, according to police dispatch audio. OPD confirmed at a press conference Wednesday that 27-year-old Mark Demetrious Sanders of Tracy is Les suspected killer. A second man, Allen Starr Brown, was also charged with murder, and a third, Sebron Ray Russell, received other charges in connection to the incident, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price said. An OPD officer can be heard announcing over dispatch audio to his fellow on-duty officers, I just want to advise everybody, that the killer of Officer Tuan Le is in custody. Please take care of each one of you. The police scanner traffic continues, To all the officers working since that night and the dispatchers, thank you. Dispatch audio: Here's the moment police officers were alerted over the radio that Tuan Le's suspected killer was taken into custody. Full story: https://t.co/Ag7pVBsK9K pic.twitter.com/NJVqSVOua9 Amy Larson (@AmyLarson25) January 3, 2024 Sanders was arrested in Livermore and booked into jail on charges including first-degree murder, burglary, assault with a firearm, and conspiracy to commit a crime, Santa Rita Jail inmate records show. Le was killed in the line of duty on December 29 while he was attempting to stop a group of burglars running out of a business near Jack London Square, interim police chief Darren Allison said. One person in the group opened fire on Le and a second undercover officer, Allison said. Le died hours later in a hospital from gunshot wounds. Oakland Police Officer Tuan Le (Image courtesy Oakland Police Department) All suspects at the scene evaded arrest. OPDs officers ended 2023 and embarked on 2024 mourning their fallen officer. They worked around-the-clock to identify every person who fled from the burglary and homicide scene. Police made several arrests in connection to the case, according to OPD spokesperson Paul Chambers. Our officers continue to work tirelessly to bring justice to the Le family, he stated. Oakland Police Officers Association President Barry Donelan said one key suspect was apprehended in Livermore, 35 miles east of Oakland. Additional suspects remain at large, OPD said. Sanders is scheduled to make his first court appearance in the Oakland courthouse on Thursday morning. He is currently being held in custody without bail and was charged with murder under special circumstances. OPD said he has a criminal history that includes violent crimes. Law enforcement agencies around the Bay Area, including Vallejo, Livermore, and San Francisco police departments, have been helping OPD with its around-the-clock investigation. Thank you to the members of the Oakland Police Department and allied law enforcement agencies who have worked tirelessly to bring about the swift arrests of suspects involved in our brothers murder, Donelan wrote. So far, police have not released how many people have been arrested in the investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Join Sarah, Steve, Jonah, Mike, and Andrew Cline, president of the free-market Josiah Bartlett Center, at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, New Hampshire, for a meet-and-greet gathering at 6 p.m. ET on January 17, 2024just days before the states primary elections. You can expect plenty of casual socializing before and after the main programming: a one-hour Q&A session with Sarah, Steve, Jonah, Mike, and Andrew. Theyll talk about the news of the day, the upcoming primary election in New Hampshire, and give an update on all things Dispatch. So, be sure to bring your questions! Ticketswhich cost $20will first be available exclusively for Dispatch members. We hold these regional events for two reasons. First and foremost: to meet and thank the people who pay our salaries and make The Dispatchs journalism possible. But we also want to expand our community, so we strongly encourage members to purchase tickets for friends or family members who might be interested in what were doing. We look forward to seeing many of you in Concord very soon for a great conversation and a drink or two! Registration information can be found below. Where: Grappone Conference Center, 70 Constitution Avenue, Concord, New Hampshire, 03301 When: January 17, 2024, at 6 p.m. ET Registration: https://thedispatchnewhamp.splashthat.com/ Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. Doctors are unsure if the police officer who was shot by a man during a standoff on Milwaukee's northwest side Tuesday has lost full mobility in his leg. Milwaukee Police Officer Dan Morrell, 38, suffered a broken femur and nicked artery after he was shot in the leg and the Milwaukee Police Association announced Wednesday that doctors are unsure of his recovery time, in addition to potentially losing full mobility in his leg. According to police, Morrell was shot by the suspect on the 1800 block of West Fairmount Avenue, almost across the street from Lincoln Park, following reports that a man had a gun. Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said the man shot at police on two different occasions. Each time officers returned fire. On the second occasion, Morrell was struck. Four children were inside the home at the time, Norman said. The shooting led to a standoff that lasted another 2 hours when the suspect initially did not let children inside the home leave. Norman said the children were eventually released safely and the suspect, a 25-year-old man, was arrested without further incident. The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office has not announced charges for the man. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Morrell and his wife who will have to take off of work to take care of him while he recovers. MPA will also be setting up a fund through milwaukeefallenheroesinc.com/fallen-heroes-funds. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee police officer injured in shooting has long recovery time Previously sealed court documents relating to Jeffrey Epsteins alleged sex crimes started to be unsealed Wednesday. New York Judge Loretta Preska last month ordered the release of the names of approximately 150 people who were included in previously redacted parts of a settled civil suit against Ghislaine Maxwell, Epsteins associate and former girlfriend. The names from the suit, filed by one of Epsteins victims, were originally withheld on the grounds of privacy About 40 documents from the case against Maxwell were unsealed Wednesday, The Associated Press noted. The filing of these documents ordered unsealed will be done on a rolling basis until completed, a court order dated Wednesday said. Preska previously ruled that the documents could begin being made public on Jan. 1. Two Does requested that their names remain under seal, court documents show. Several of the people named in the newly unsealed documents had already made their names and stories public, NewsNation reported. Additionally, the names of victims who were children when they were subject to the abuse and who have requested to remain anonymous will not be made public, the AP noted. The initial release adds to swirling speculation about who could be named as a possible co-conspirator of Epsteins. Attorney Alan Dershowitz, who previously represented Epstein, earlier this week pushed for the release of the names, claiming that he has done nothing wrong. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while being held in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence on similar charges. NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Numerous court documents identifying associates of notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were made public on Wednesday. Some of the high-profile names in the court documents include Prince Andrew, the former US president Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and David Copperfield. Related: Who was Jeffrey Epstein and what are the court documents about? These associates just-unsealed names were contained in court documents filed as part of Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffres lawsuit against Ghislaine Maxwell; the documents include excerpts of depositions and motions in this case. The British socialite was convicted in December 2021 of sex trafficking and similar charges for procuring teen girls for disgraced financier Epstein. Prior to the unsealing, the names were listed in court papers as variants of J Doe. Many of the names are people who had been publicly identified as Epstein associates prior to this unsealing. The inclusion of a name in this list does not mean that said associate has been accused of wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. Among the names are people mentioned in passing at legal proceedings In a deposition, Maxwell appears to say that Andrew visited Epsteins Island in the US Virgin Islands. Epstein has been accused of abusing numerous girls on this island. Were you present on the island when Prince Andrew visited? Maxwell was asked. She responded in the affirmative and, when asked how many times, she said: I can only remember once. When asked if there were any girls on the island at that time, Maxwell insisted: There were no girls on the island at all. No girls, no women, other than the staff who work at the house. One document included a deposition given by Johanna Sjoberg, whom Maxwell allegedly procured for the purpose of performing sex acts on Epstein. Sjoberg said in her deposition that Epstein said one time that Clinton likes them young, referring to girls. In 2019, Clintons spokesperson Angel Urena denied claims made about Clintons involvement with Epstein and wrote in a statement on Twitter that President Clinton knows nothing about the terrible crimes Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to in Florida some years ago, or those with which he has been recently charged in New York. Clinton notably had an 18-month long affair with Monica Lewinsky, his then 22-year-old intern, during his first term as president. He was 49 years old. Sjoberg also said that the late musician Michael Jackson was at Epsteins Palm Beach mansion, and that she met the famed magician David Copperfield. Did you ever meet anybody famous when you were with Jeffrey? she was asked. I met Michael Jackson at [Epsteins] house in Palm Beach. Asked whether she massaged Jackson, Sjoberg said: I did not. As for Copperfield, Sjoberg said that he attended dinner at one of Epsteins homes and he did some magic tricks. Did you observe David Copperfield to be a friend of Jeffrey Epsteins? she was asked. Sjoberg replied in the affirmative. Did Copperfield ever discuss Jeffreys involvement with young girls with you? she was also asked. He questioned me if I was aware that girls were getting paid to find other girls. Copperfield, she said in the deposition, didnt tell her any specifics of that question. Did he say whether they were teenagers or anything along those lines? she was also asked. He did not. Donald Trump, whose association with Epstein has been widely reported, was also mentioned in the documents; the former US president is not accused of wrongdoing. In Sjobergs deposition, she said that they went to one of Trumps casinos in Atlantic City when a storm prevented Epsteins plane from landing in New York City. Jeffrey said, Great, well call up Trump and well go to I dont recall the name of the casino, but well go to the casino. Asked at one point whether she ever gave Trump a massage, Sjoberg said no. The deposition also includes Sjobergs account of allegedly meeting Prince Andrew at Epsteins New York home. Ghislaine asked me to come to a closet. She just said, Come with me. We went to a closet and grabbed the puppet, the puppet of Prince Andrew, she said in the deposition. And I knew it was Prince Andrew because I had recognized him as a person. I didnt know who he was. And so when I saw the tag that said Prince Andrew, then it clicked. Im like, thats who it is. Sjoberg and Maxwell then returned to the living room with the puppet. I just remember someone suggesting a photo, and they told us to go get on the couch. And so Andrew and Virginia sat on the couch, and they put the puppet, the puppet on her lap, Sjoberg recalled. And so then I sat on Andrews lap, and I believe on my own volition, and they took the puppets hands and put it on Virginias breast, and so Andrew put his on mine. Sjoberg said she went to bed shortly thereafter. Did you hear Ghislaine Maxwell tell Virginia to do anything while you were in that room? she was asked. Sjoberg replied: No. Giuffre, who claimed that Epstein and Maxwell forced her into a sexual encounter with Britains Prince Andrew at age 17, had sued the publishing heiress for defamation after claiming the accuser lied. Giuffre settled her lawsuit against Maxwell in 2017. In 2021, Giuffre sued Prince Andrew over the alleged sexual abuse. The suit settled in early 2022. Andrew has always strenuously denied any wrongdoing. As part of the settlement, he agreed to donate to Giuffres victims rights charity. The documents release is among several tranches of filings in Giuffres civil case that were unsealed following the Miami Heralds years-long effort to make them public. Giuffre did not make allegations of wrongdoing against Clinton. In one set of documents released in July 2020, Giuffre claimed that Maxwell participated in Epsteins sexual abuse of teen girls. These documents were released several weeks after Maxwells arrest for her involvement in Epsteins sex trafficking. Giuffre claimed that Maxwell lured her into Epsteins perverse orbit under the false pretense of work as a professional masseuse. Instead, Giuffre said, Maxwell trained me as a sex slave, according to a filing in that set of unsealed court papers. The documents released in July 2020 also provided insight into Maxwell and Epsteins relationship. In a January 2015 email exchange, Epstein told Maxwell: You have done nothing wrong and i woudl [sic] urge you to start acting like it go outside, head high, not as an esacping [sic] convict. go to parties. deal with it. In another 2015 email, Epstein tells Maxwell she can issue a reward to any of Giuffres friends to prove her allegations are false, including what Epstein said was a new version of a claim that the renowned English theoretical physicist Steven Hawking had participated in an underage orgy in the Virgin Islands. Hawking, who died in 2018, has not been accused of a crime related to Epstein. A large collection of documents in Giuffres civil case were also unsealed in August 2019. Those papers included accusations, since denied, that global leaders were participants in Epsteins trafficking ring. Epstein was arrested on 6 July 2019 for sex trafficking. He was found dead in his jail cell on 10 August of that year; authorities determined that he hanged himself. Maxwell was sentenced in June 2022 to 20 years imprisonment. She has maintained her innocence and is appealing her conviction. Asked for comment on the documents unsealing, Maxwells attorneys, Arthur L Aidala and Diana Fabi Samson, said: Ghislaine Maxwell took no position on the courts recent decision to unseal documents in Giuffre v Maxwell as these disclosures have no bearing on her or her pending appeal. Ghislaines focus is on the upcoming appellate argument asking for her entire case to dismissed, they also said. She is confident that she will obtain justice in the second circuit court of appeals. She has consistently and vehemently maintained her innocence. The Old School order combination for the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Jailbreak model features an F8 Green exterior dressed up with 20-by-11-inch Warp Speed Satin Carbon wheels, Satin Chrome Hellcat badging, Hammerhead Grey seats and seat belts on the interior, and much more customized content. Dodge owners have been in an uproar in recent days over a dealership's treatment of a Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 customer. In short, it looks like the dealer sold the car out from under an active-duty servicemember while they were deployed, defamed him, and then lied to Dodge about what it had done. Don't worry, things end well, but the path to this happy ending is a shining example of why car dealers are so widely distrusted. The story begins at Mac Haik Dodge in Flowood, Mississippi. Previously, we have covered the Mac Haik dealer network for its price-gouging on limited-run performance cars like the Chevy Corvette Z06 . With the Dodge Challenger exiting production, and the 1,025-horsepower SRT Demon 170 sending it off, Mac Haik evidently expected a payday from the strictly limited-edition Challenger. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtKJV59VBMM As outlined in videos from drama YouTuber "Butter Da Insider" and a story from StellPower , Mac Haik in Flowood took an order for a Demon 170 in F8 Green from an unnamed servicemember at a $50,000 markup. One video includes a photo of a Monroney sticker with a blurred-out name, alleged to belong to the servicemember who ordered the car. Their Challenger was scheduled to be delivered while they were overseas, so they reportedly arranged to have it picked up by family members this month. At some point though, this same Mac Haik franchise allegedly promised another Demon 170 customer a car in Triple Nickel. But that car had allegedly been sold to someone else already, so when this customer showed up after driving eight hours to see the car, the dealer offered them the pending-delivery F8 Green car for more than what the servicemember agreed to pay. A deal was struck, and the happy new owner went to Facebook to share their excitement for their new purchase. However, the servicemember who originally ordered the car was in the group where this boast was shared, and the two quickly figured out what had happened. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCM0_5gYu28 When this story spread, it appears Mac Haik employees tried to do some damage controlpoorly. Screenshots allegedly taken in the private Facebook group where much of this unfolded show William LaGrange, the general manager of a Mac Haik Chrysler franchise in Texas, denying many of these allegations. He claimed no such car was ever ordered in the servicemember's name (even though a Monroney suggesting such has been shared online), and accused the F8 Green's intended original recipient of lying about being in the military. The YouTuber who shared images of LaGrange's comments says Mac Haik employees told them that they've been instructed to let this all blow over. But at some point, the news made its way to Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis , whom StellPower reports reached out to both parties for their versions of the story. The dealer reportedly claimed to have smoothed everything over, but the servicemember contested this, reportedly saying they were not offered an acceptable resolution. 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody in F8 Green with dual carbon stripes. Dodge Unfortunately, this all went down after the Challenger had exited production ; it wasn't possible to build a new car to replace the one that had been ordered. No cars across the nation's inventory matched the ordered spec, either. The customer who unknowingly bought the F8 Green car arranged to return it to Mac Haik, but with some miles now on it, it wasn't the car the servicemember paid for. Still, this story has a happy ending. Dodge held on to 40 Demon 170s to reward its top dealers with, but it plucked one Pitch Black example from the batch. It'll be sent through Dodge's Jailbreak program , repainted F8 Green in factory quality, and built to match the original spec the servicemember ordered. This will all be done at no charge, and the car will be sold at MSRP. On top of that, Jay Leno will handle the delivery ceremony at his garage. All's well that ends well in the "brotherhood of muscle." Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis delivers a Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 to Jay Leno. Dodge "Many other owners and the guy who purchased my original vehicle have reached out and offered their own solutions," the servicemember told StellPower. "I've had many people offer up their own cars to me for purchase. The guy who purchased mine even offered to spend more money to buy another one if I wanted to buy mine from him. The brotherhood is real." "All those options were well received, and I was grateful for everyones willingness to help but it wasn't on them to fix. It should have been on the dealership to fix." Got a tip or question for the author? You can reach them here: james@thedrive.com Changes involving housing laws will come to California in the new year, but not all of them will go into effect at the same time. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed bills into law in 2023 that will go into effect throughout 2024, including new eviction laws, a security deposit cap and changes to credit history rules for renters and landlords. Mike Nemeth, a spokesperson at the California Apartment Association, said lease agreements will be affected by the new laws depending on when laws go into effect and when your lease is signed. Laws like the security deposit measure which takes effect in the summer would only affect new leases since a security deposit wouldnt be collected on an existing lease, Nemeth wrote in an email to The Sacramento Bee. Here are new laws California renters should know: How does new California law limit security deposit costs? On Oct. 11, Gov. Newsom approved Assembly Bill 12, which will prevent landlords from charging renters two to three times the amount of monthly rent as a security deposit, the bill states. Renters in California can no longer be asked for a security deposit larger than one months rent for leases signed on or after July 1. Already existing leases will not be affected by this new law. How do new state laws change evictions? Two new laws affect how evictions are handled in California. Senate Bill 567 will change the requirements for performing so-called no fault just cause tenancy terminations under existing law. Beginning April 1, landlords will not be able to evict tenants with the hopes of moving in their own family members if there is no other space vacant on the landlords property. If no other space is available, the landlord can lawfully evict a tenant but must prove they are moving in family members within 90 days after the tenant is evicted and that they will occupy the unit for at least one year. Assembly Bill 1418 will prohibit a local government from having tenants evicted or penalized because of the tenants association with suspected criminal activity or other nuisance activity. This new law will go into effect Jan. 1. Other California renter laws and when they start Credit history If someone applying for a lease has a government rental subsidy, such as Section 8, Senate Bill 267 prohibits rental property owners from using an applicants credit history to determine their financial eligibility without offering them the opportunity to provide evidence of legal means to pay rent instead. Under the new law, if the applicant is able to verify that they can afford to pay rent, the landlord is required to consider them during the application process regardless of their credit history. The bill will go into effect Jan. 1. Screening fee receipts As opposed to hand-delivering or mailing a receipt for a screening fee, Assembly Bill 1764 will allow landlords and people applying to become tenants to use email as long as both parties agree. This law will go into effect on Jan. 1. Micromobility devices Senate Bill 712 prevents landlords from prohibiting their tenants from owning and charging electronic bikes and scooters in their apartments as long as the batteries comply with safety standards. If the device does not meet these standards, landlords can require the tenant to have insurance for the device and store it outside the unit. These new regulations will take effect Jan. 1. Disabilities Assembly Bill 1620 allows local governments that have enacted rent control to maintain the same rent amount if the tenant requests to move to a more ideal or smaller unit due to a permanent disability related to mobility. If there is no elevator on the floor of the tenants current rental unit, the landlord must allow the move as long as the new unit is in the same building, shares the same owner and does not require renovation to comply with Californias Health and Safety Code. This law will go into effect Jan. 1. Trespass letters Senate Bill 602 allows property owners to extend a no trespass letter from 30 days up to one year or for an amount of time determined by a local jurisdiction. If a no trespass letter is on file, landlords wont need to go to court to have law enforcement evict an individual who claims to be a legal tenant. The bill will be effective Jan. 1. What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com. Claudine Gay has resigned as president of Harvard University, though she will keep her job as a faculty member in the political science departmentand her $900,000 a year salary. That's something of an achievement, given that her misdeeds were academic in nature: Gay was caught plagiarizing numerous passages from other scholars. But in some corners of the media, the fact she committed plagiarism matters much less than the reality that it was conservative writers who caught her. The Washington Free Beacon's Aaron Sibarium (a reporter at a right-leaning news website) performed the lion's share of the digging; Christopher Brunet (a conservative writer), Christopher Rufo (a conservative writer and activist), and Phil Magness (a libertarian economic historian) also made important contributions. Astonishingly, some mainstream standards-keepers have decided that the ideologies of the accusers have essentially discredited the accusations. Cue the Associated Press (A.P.), which posted the following, remarkable observation on X (formerly Twitter): "Harvard president's resignation highlights new conservative weapon against colleges: plagiarism." Harvard president's resignation highlights new conservative weapon against colleges: plagiarism https://t.co/GiVkT3LgUo The Associated Press (@AP) January 3, 2024 The tweet is doubly wrong: It inadvertently suggests that plagiarism is the weapon conservatives are wieldingas if conservatives are committing plagiarismwhen the so-called weapon is actually plagiarism allegations. But in either case, the framing is ludicrous. Conservatives did not invent this idea; on the contrary, many mainstream journalists have made entire careers out of digging up speeches, books, and articles written by conservatives, and checking them for plagiarism. To take just one prominent example, consider Andrew Kaczynski, a reporter for CNN. Kaczynski is a prolific discoverer of plagiarism committed by conservatives. He exposed conservative television personality Monica Crowley, rightwing Sheriff David Clarke, and many others. Was his work ignored because it is, on some level, politically motivated? Of course not. (To his credit, Kaczynski criticized the A.P.'s framing; CNN has made worthwhile contributions to the Gay plagiarism story.) To make things abundantly clear, the media has never chosen to ignore a plagiarism scandal or write it off as trivial or unfair, merely because the accuser has a political agenda. Plagiarism allegations derailed the 1988 presidential campaign of then Sen. Joe Biden (DDel.), who was accused by The New York Times and others of copying elements of a speech by British Labour Party Leader Neil Kinnock. Biden also copied from both John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, and "did something very stupid"his wordsin law school, when he stole five pages from a law review article and submitted them as part of a legal brief. You would have to have been born yesterday to think that allegations of plagiarism are a new political weapon invented by conservatives. Alas, other aspects of the media narrative surrounding Gay's ouster are just as depressing. Multiple commentators have decided that Gay was ultimately forced out because of racism. New York Times opinion writer Mara Gay (no relation, as far as I know) said that Gay's critics were actually attacking "diversity" and "multiculturalism." "You can see and hear the racism," she said on MSNBC. The Times' Nikole Hannah-Jones expressed similar sentiments. Rev. Al Sharpton said the departure of Gay was an attack on "every black woman." Ibram X. Kendi, an anti-racist scholar, blamed a "racist mob." Is it racist to demand that the president of Harvard University be held to the same standard as other faculty members? The same standard as her students? Harvard takes plagiarism very seriously when students are concerned. As one member of Harvard College's Honor Council wrote in an editorial for The Harvard Crimson: "There is one standard for me and my peers and another, much lower standard for our University's president." Saying that Gay was ousted because she's a black woman is insulting to hardworking scholars of all races and sexes. She was the president of the most elite educational institution in the country, and was finally held accountable for obvious and verifiable academic wrongdoing. And she's still going to be teaching. The post Does A.P. Really Think Conservatives Invented Plagiarism Accusations? appeared first on Reason.com. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) panned the Department of Justices (DOJ) suit over the states new immigration and border security law, calling it outrageous while pledging to continue to repel migrants from the state. We are actually involved in three legal actions with the Biden administration right now where the Biden administration is trying to stop Texas from denying illegal entry into the country, Abbott said Thursday during an interview with Fox Business Networks Varney & Co. If the Biden administration would put that time into securing the border, as opposed to stopping Texas from securing the border, then we wouldnt have a problem whatsoever, Abbott continued. But because Joe Biden and the Democrats refused to secure the border, Texas has and we will continue to erect barriers, repel migrants, as well as bus and fly migrants to New York, Chicago and other places like that. The DOJ on Wednesday filed suit against the Lone Star State, asking a federal judge to rule that Texass new border security law violates the U.S. Constitution and to stop the state from enforcing the law. The law, called Senate Bill 4 or S.B. 4, was enacted last month and has been scheduled to take effect March 5. The bill would permit any Texas law enforcement officer to arrest those suspected of illegal entry into the country. Upon arrest, migrants would either have to agree to a judges order to leave the U.S. or face misdemeanor charges of illegal entry. The federal government claims the law is a violation of the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, pointing to a 2012 Supreme Court ruling Arizona v. United States when the countrys highest court decided federal immigration laws often trump state law even if there isnt a direct conflict. The federal government is responsible for regulating immigration and controlling international borders, but Abbott, along with some other state leaders, claim the Biden administration is not doing enough to curb the influx of illegal migrants. S.B. 4 is Abbotts latest move to protest the federal governments border policies. Over the past year, Abbott has sent buses and flights of migrants to Democratic-led cities along with authorizing more construction for the border wall. Some mayors of these so-called sanctuary cities have taken aim at Abbott for sending migrants to their cities. When asked about these mayors Thursday, Abbott told Fox Business, Its just stunning that these mayors are blaming me, as opposed to the president of the United States, because its the president of the United States that has the authority to fix this, just like President Trump was able to fix it. Abbott repeated claims that Biden, alongside Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, is not applying the laws already passed by Congress to stop the flow of migrants. And thats exactly why Texas has taken matters into our own hands. And we are building our own border wall, Abbott said, later pointing to the states installation of razor wire along the southern border. Officials with the Biden administration have pushed back against the wire, arguing it could have serious on-the-ground consequences for border patrol agents and migrants coming into the U.S. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Justice Department sued Texas on Wednesday to block a controversial law that would allow police to detain migrants who illegally cross the U.S. border and authorize judges to order their deportation. The Texas law is set to take effect in March. The DOJ lawsuit, filed in a federal district court in Austin, alleges that the measure is unconstitutional because the authority to regulate immigration and manage international borders belongs to the federal government. Under the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution and longstanding Supreme Court precedent, states cannot adopt immigration laws that interfere with the framework enacted by Congress, said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta in a statement. The policy, signed into law in December, is the latest in a series of efforts by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and fellow Republicans to test the limits of states' authority to tighten border security and stem illegal immigration. Abbotts office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A previous lawsuit challenging the immigration law filed by the American Civil Liberties Union is currently pending in a federal district court. DUNNELLON City officials appear open to the idea of picking one of their own as mayor and simultaneously filling a vacant city council seat. The consensus among city officials at Wednesday's workshop is for recently appointed council member Walter Green to become mayor. The process is similar to what was done for former Mayor Wally Dunn when he moved from council member to the mayor's seat. For Green, a resignation letter would be drafted and Green would announce he was resigning his council seat. Then, council members would vote to elevate Green as mayor. Then, the plan is to select someone to fill the empty council seat. Once installed as mayor, Green said, he will be willing and able to serve the city. A full-time substitute teacher at Dunnellon High School, Green said although he's busy with his day job, he would not mind being the mayor again. Walter Green Green served as mayor several years ago before resigning after it was alleged he accepted gifts from vendors for the city. Though the Florida Commission on Ethics cleared Green of accepting any prohibited gifts, it found he had solicited gifts. He was fined and publicly censured and reprimanded by then-Gov. Rick Scott. What happens now? Will DeSantis replace dozens of local officials who resigned ahead of a new disclosure law? Council member Tim Inskeep suggested the council extend the application process before filling the empty council seat. Council members Rex Lehmann and Chuck Dillon felt they already have applicants for the job and should just pick a replacement from the pool. The candidates are Art Jones, Adam J. Nichols and former council member Valerie Hanchar. Lehmann and Dillon felt the discussion to fill the vacancy has gone on long enough and it's time to fill the slot. Dillon said he has tried to recruit people from the community but there's no interest. This process became necessary when Dunn and former council member Julianne Mendonca resigned because they did not want to file the controversial Form 6, which requires elected officials to publicly declare their assets and liabilities. Dunnellon City Council man Rex Lehmann The form has caused small cities and towns to lose some or in the case of the Town of Reddick all of their council members and mayors. There wasn't a vote at Wednesday's Dunnellon gathering because it was a workshop. The regular city council meeting is scheduled for Monday. At that time, council members will make a decision and take action. In other city news Also at the meeting, council members had a discussion on whether to purchase software for the police department that would provide security for the building. A picture of the police department taken late last year during a ceremony The technology features facial recognition and license plate readers. The cameras would be installed both inside and outside the police department and could be accessed by police officials 24/7. An official from Verkada gave a presentation to the council. For five years, the company would charge a little more than $18,500, and for 10 years, it would be close to $25,000. Before the workshop, city officials had a chance to discuss a bike lane proposal with their counterparts from Marion County. Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Vacant Dunnellon seats could be filled at next meeting On the first day of 2024 the day after working New Years Eve former Bull City Ciderworks bartenders Courtney Carroll and Ariel Dale said they and another employee were fired. Dale and Carroll said they were not given specific reasons for their firings. The firing of the three bartenders on New Years Day has led to a social media backlash against the Durham-born cidery and prompted a response on Instagram from the company. In response to emailed questions, Bull City Ciderworks co-owner John Clowney confirmed three of the Durham taprooms 11 employees were fired for specific actions, but declined to specify the events that led to the firings. Bull City Ciderworks in Durham released three employees who worked at the taproom, Clowney said in an email. The employees were released because of actions that were inconsistent with company policies & protocol. The employees were directly notified that the dismissal was as a result of these actions, they were not arbitrarily dismissed as indicated on some social media platforms and comments. After her firing, Carroll posted on the Durham subreddit that she and other Bull City employees had just been fired on New Years Day. The thread has been one of the pages most active topics this week, leading to dozens of comments. Clowney defended the timing of the firings. While we never want to lose team members around the holidays, the timing was consistent with our discovery of the actions requiring dismissal of these employees, he said in an email. Cidery has expanded across NC Bull City Ciderworks began with a Durham taproom and cidery in 2014. That Elizabeth Street location closed in 2016 to make way for the new Durham Police headquarters. The company moved production to Lexington and has since opened new taprooms in Durham, Cary, Greensboro and Wilmington. Last month Bull City Ciderworks sold its Lexington property for $2.8 million to a Wilmington-based developer. Clowney said the cidery signed a long-term lease for the site and that the company is not negotiating to be sold. Bull City Ciderworks is still independently owned and operated by the founders (2 of which are Durham natives and 1 from the Triad), and is not in any discussions for a disposition or merger, Clowney said in an email. Bull City Ciderworks had redeveloped the Lexington property to the extent the company planned on investing in the real estate. The property has been sold to a NC buyer who plans on further developing the remaining approximately 60k SF of space on the property. Bull City Ciderworks has entered into a long term lease for our portion of the property as we are committed to the space and our communities where we operate. Firings and social media response a surprise Clowney said that the company has been surprised by the social media response to the firings, noting that similar decisions in the past didnt lead to negative reviews and comments online. We dont take staffing and operating decisions lightly, and have always strived to create a welcoming and safe work environment for all of our employees, and the best establishment and experience for our customers, Clowney said in an email. It has been a very concerning and disappointing 24hrs dealing with the untruthful and negative comments online. As a small business we have always strived to be a meaningful part of all of our communities, and it is very disappointing that we operate in an environment where online mobs try to bully good businesses trying to make good decisions. Dale said she worked her last shift at Bull City on what was supposed to be her day off. She said Carroll called amid a chaotic scene at the taproom, where the former bartenders said they were minutes from opening at noon, tasked with hosting a childrens event and overseeing contractors working on the space. I had never had a day at Ciderworks where I wanted to walk out, but that was an extremely frustrating day, Carroll said. I had to make slime for a kids event at noon. I didnt know how to make slime. The ingredients were Instacarted at 11:56 a.m. and the event started at noon. Carroll started working at Bull City in June after being a regular at the taproom for months. She said it was the community within the taproom that made her want to work there. Before the firing she said she averaged three shifts per week. It really became a huge community that was really valuable and thats why its so upsetting to have this happen, Carroll said. Ive met some of my very best friends there. Like Carroll, Dale was a regular before an employee. Its one of the reasons I fell in love (with Durham), she said. When Carroll asked for help on New Years Eve, Dale said she didnt hesitate. I love the place and try to help out when I can, Dale said. The two said they hosted the childrens event, managed the contractor work, served pints of cider to customers and that Dale worked to book food trucks to fill in when two others had canceled. The next day they said they found out separately that they were fired from the taprooms regional manager. I asked why I was fired on a holiday, Dale said. And was told she didnt want to do it over the holidays. I said today is a holiday. Dale, who grew up in Durham and had moved back last year from New York, said that the bar had helped make the city a home. It breaks my heart, Dale said. Its a mourning situation for all of us. Mother and daughter Sheila and Jessica Queenan have been left more than 800 out of pocket after easyJet applied the wrong passport rules and ruined a birthday trip to the Canary Islands. On 21 May 2022, they arrived at Gatwick airport for an easyJet flight to Lanzarote, where Sheila Queenan was planning to celebrate her 68th birthday. Both women had passports that complied with the post-Brexit rules for British travellers to the European Union. But ground staff working for easyJet turned Sheila Queenan away, wrongly insisting her passport was not valid. After Brexit, the UK government negotiated for British passport holders to be treated as third-country citizens, subject to the EUs two rules on validity: Under 10 years old on the day of departure to the European Union At least three months remaining on the intended date of return Sheila Queenans passport met both conditions. Jessica Queenan said: My mother was denied boarding at the gate. I wasnt going to leave her at the airport and then travel alone on our holiday. We were left standing at the gate with no other explanation. Once back at home, I contacted easyJet to explain what had happened and request reimbursement and compensation for our ruined trip which was their responsibility because they had incorrectly denied her boarding. The airline was fully aware of the correct post-Brexit passport rules for Europe. Six months earlier, after detailed discussions with the relevant European Commission officials in Brussels, The Independent had provided the information to easyJet together with full research notes and contact details so the airline could verify the rules for itself. EasyJet finally started applying the correct rules in April 2022. Yet Sheila Queenan was wrongly denied boarding a month later. The airline then doubled down, blaming the passenger for having an out-of-date document. A customer services agent wrote: I have validated your passport and can confirm that the passports expiry date has been extended and we do not accept extended passports. It is unclear what the agent meant: Sheila Queenans passport was perfectly normal. It was valid for 10 years and five months as many passports issued before 2018 were. The agent then added a false condition for British passports: It must be valid for at least six months after the day you plan to depart. Sheila and Jessica went to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to seek recompense for their losses of 1,322, plus denied boarding compensation of 350 each. Jessica Queenan said: I do not think this was an unreasonable request for a holiday that never took place. When an airline wrongly denies boarding to one member of a party, it has been standard practice that they compensate all the affected travellers, even though this is not legally required. EasyJet made an offer of 489 comprising the 350 compensation plus the airfare for Sheila Queenan but nothing for her daughter without admitting liability. The adjudicator, AviationADR, was due to rule in December 2022. But the decision took a further year. The adjudicator eventually ruled that Sheila Queenan was due only 489, as originally offered by easyJet. Jessica Queenan said: I have been so devastated by the whole experience, from being treated like a criminal at the departure gate to all the time spent trying to get this resolved. A spokesperson for easyJet said: Following our offer of compensation for Sheila Queenan, the ADR provider decided that this was the right amount to pay and we will always adhere to their decision. I nearly choked on my cornflakes when I read that Britains historic buildings could soon be blighted by solar panels. Picture it now, the quizzical look on the faces of bewildered tourists as they gaze upon our most majestic structures, covered in photovoltaic systems, and wonder whether we have collectively lost our minds. Currently, people whose homes are listed or in conservation areas must apply for individual building consent to make upgrades. But ministers are now considering relaxing planning rules in order that councils can give blanket permission for green technologies to be installed across whole areas. Of all the ways in which our maddeningly bureaucratic, arbitrary and restrictive planning system could be softened, why this? Around 10 per cent of people in their early-30s are still living with their parents because they cannot afford to get on the housing ladder. Yet Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove last month confirmed he would be watering down housing targets for local authorities. Rental prices are soaring, up over 6 per cent in the year to October 2023. Yet the Renters Reform Bill will only tinker at the margins while doing nothing to increase housing supply. Health and safetyism is, predictably, making matters worse: residential developments in London, for instance, will have to be fitted with windows up to 60 per cent smaller than elsewhere in the UK to comply with regulations designed to help avoid overheating. How conflicted local authorities may soon feel as they wave through unsightly net zero additions. For years, petty planning officials have been a thorn in the side of homeowners looking to make modest improvements to their homes, with applications for double glazing, or to repaint the exterior of listed buildings, being refused. Extensions involve byzantine regulations which can only be navigated by experts, driving up costs, while failure to secure permission for some upgrades can result in a prison sentence of up to two years. Even changing the light fittings or touching up pointing on some listed homes requires permission from the conservation police. These tweaks to the rules wont fix this broken system. Historic England (HE) a quango which receives around 90 million a year from the Government and is responsible for listing buildings may have defended it on grounds that improving the energy efficiency of historic homes is necessary for their long-term survival. But this rather begs the question: why are heat pumps involved, given recent warnings these devices are unsuitable for our stock of Victorian and other period properties? In general, all buildings built before 1700 are listed, as are most dating from 1700-1850. It speaks to the contradictions and absurdities that will inevitably arise when a target we may not even need is pursued with such unwarranted fanaticism. Britain has a long and proud history of preserving ancient buildings. In 1560, an Elizabethan proclamation forbade the defacing or breaking of monuments of Antiquity. From 1700, followers of the Picturesque movement cultivated a love of ruins. In 1865, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings was founded by William Morris. Perhaps this is compatible with Net Zero. Perhaps the historical and beautiful features of these homes will be properly protected, as HE has insisted. But the example of Kings College Chapel at Cambridge, where solar panels were installed last year in an act of utter cultural vandalism, hardly gives cause for confidence. 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. Mr Noboa, right, was sworn in as Ecuador's new president in November - JONATHAN MIRANDA/AFP Ecuador will build two new maximum security prisons styled on a mega-jail capable of housing 12,000 inmates created by El Salvadors authoritarian leader. The move comes as part of a push from Daniel Noboa, the newly elected president, to curtail a surge in drug trafficking and gang-related violence. He said on Thursday that the new prisons would be exactly the same as a facility set up by Nayib Bukele, his counterpart in El Salvador, who has led a controversial campaign targeting gangs. The prisons will allow for the division, proper isolation of people, Mr Noboa said. For all the Bukele lovers, it is an identical prison, the 36-year-old added. The two new jails will be built in the Amazon province of Pastaza, and in Santa Elena on the Pacific coast, with construction starting on Jan 11. Mr Noboa, who took office in November, said the sites had been chosen as they were far away from the most violence-ridden parts of the country, such as the port city of Guayaquil, where drug-related gang violence has led to brutal prison massacres. The president has said his plan is to separate the most dangerous prisoners in a bid to stop the gang wars behind bars that have led to some 460 deaths since 2021. Mr Noboas announcement came a day after he outlined a proposed referendum on tougher measures against organised crime. Long a peaceful haven between Colombia and Peru, Latin Americas top cocaine exporters, Ecuador has seen violence explode in recent years as enemy gangs with links to Mexican and Colombian cartels vie for control. The murder rate quadrupled between 2018 and 2022, with last year the most violent on record: a total of 7,500 homicides in a country of about 18 million people. The mega-jail in El Salvador constructed under Mr Bukeles watch is capable of housing more than 12,000 prisoners. His government frequently shares images of inmates packed into the jail, and has faced criticism from rights groups over its treatment of prisoners. Critics of Mr Bukele, who is seeking re-election this year, argue his strong-arm tactics are misguided and say El Salvador cannot arrest and jail its way out of its security problems. Ecuador currently has some 30,000 inmates, according to a 2022 penitentiary census. Mr Noboa has said that to reduce the number of prisoners, he plans to deport some 1,500 foreigners, mainly from Colombia, Peru and Venezuela. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Ecuadors President Daniel Noboa wants voters to approve measures to revamp the governments response to a surge in crime after the nation suffered its bloodiest year ever in 2023. Most Read from Bloomberg Its possible to combat crime, to have a judicial system that responds with harsher and firmer sentences, and, above all, to create new jobs for Ecuador, Noboa, 36, said in a video message Wednesday summarizing the referendum that hed promised during last years presidential campaign. Ten of the 11 questions he submitted late Tuesday to the Constitutional Court for legal review address crime by involving the military against transnational criminal organizations. The draft package of questions for voters also will seek harsher sentences in cases of terrorism and its financing, organized crime including drug trafficking and murder for hire. The national murder rate soared to 46.5 per 100,000 residents in 2023, up from 25.9 per 100,000 residents in 2022, according to newspaper El Universo. In late December, Ecuadors congress approved a constitutional reform to allow the military to cooperate with the national police without requiring an emergency presidential decree. After a probe last month revealed that a drug gang bribed prosecutors and judges, the referendum draft also calls for an audit of judges assets. The referendums lone question unrelated to crime is whether to allow casinos to reopen after they were closed following a 2011 referendum. Noboa didnt include questions on pressing economic issues like the future of fuel subsidies or more flexible labor regulations. If approved by the court, the vote will go ahead in the first week of March in Ecuadors ninth referendum since 2006. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The beginning of a new year makes me feel nostalgic. It marks the anniversary of my return to Cincinnati from Washington D.C. to start what I consider a dream job serving as editor of my hometown paper. Yes, I still embrace the term the paper, even though the vast majority of The Enquirer's audience engages with us on a smart phone. Not every news provider can claim that moniker, which represents more than 180 years of serving Greater Cincinnati and has always stood for much more than ink on newsprint. Working as an editor at USA TODAY was a thrill, but I missed the intimacy of local news and the impact it can have when done right. The paper can and should be a force for good in the community. So it is with great pride we present our annual Community Impact Report, a roundup of the journalism that made a difference last year, in both big and small ways. Leading the report was our investigation into the violence and neglect plaguing Ohios youth prisons and detention facilities. Working with our sister newspaper, the Columbus Dispatch, and other publications in the USA TODAY Network Ohio, our investigation revealed systemic failures that have resulted in injuries to inmates and prison staff; neglect and chaos caused by staff shortages; and in rare instances, deaths that occurred while children were in custody. [ SPECIAL REPORT: Chaos, violence and neglect plague youth prisons and detention centers ] The impact was immediate at least from the governors office. One day after the report was published, Gov. Mike DeWine announced the formation of a task force assigned to overhaul the system. Youve highlighted some very horribly tragic stories that I think anybody can relate to, DeWine said of our investigation. Its now time for a reset, or a re-look, at (the Department of Youth Services) and the whole system. As we reported this week, members of that task force, led by former DYS director Tom Stickrath, have been on a listening tour. Recommendations to improve conditions and outcomes arent expected until the spring. In the meantime, our reporting will continue. You have my word on that. The Chattanooga Choo Choo Another way I gauge impact is by counting the emails and phone calls I get in response to our reporting. (Did I mention there is in an inherent intimacy with local news?) By that measure, our coverage of the ballot measure seeking citizen approval to sell the Cincinnati Southern Railway was far and away the most impactful work we did. Some proponents of the plan went has far as to say we nearly sabotaged the sale. Id like to address that head on because I think its off the mark. Paul Muething, president of the Cincinnati Southern Railway Board, hands Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval documents during a town hall hosted by The Enquirer before residents voted in November to sell the railway to Norfolk Southern. Community engagement events are a key part of The Enquirer's commitment to holding elected leaders accountable to the public they serve. Did we give voice to the opposition who pushed for the city to continue leasing the railway to Norfolk Southern? Of course we did. Thats our job. Democracy is messy. The group behind the sale, the city-appointed board that oversees the railway, was forced to meet their critics head on and show their work behind projections that investing the sale proceeds would bring more money for infrastructure maintenance. If they were hoping for a pass from The Enquirer which, for the record, endorsed the sale they were rightfully disappointed. The measure passed. And while I reject the idea we nearly sabotaged the plan, I will admit to playing an important role in ensuring city residents knew the potential risks and rewards tied to their vote. Local journalism plays a vital role in maintaining an informed electorate which is essential to the health of our democracy. If you are one of our subscribers, either digitally or to the paper, thank you. Your investment in local news contributes to the impact of our efforts. If you havent subscribed yet, I invite you to give us a try. Were starting the year off with some special offers that provide unlimited access to our exclusive reporting. Just go to Cincinnati.com and click on the "Subscribe" link in the upper right corner. As always, I value your feedback and suggestions. Let us know what stories we should tackle this year to continue making a difference. Community support The Enquirer proudly supports nonprofit organizations and other community programs through in-kind advertising, partnerships and employee volunteerism. Here are some of the organizations we support: American Cancer Society ArtsWave Cincinnati Cincinnati NAACP Cincinnati Parks Foundation Cincinnati Reds Community Fund Cincinnati Rotary Jefferson Awards Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber Great Living Cincinnatians Dan Beard Council BSA Neediest Kids of All Thanksgiving Day Race United Way of Greater Cincinnati Wish List Enquirer Executive Editor Beryl Love writes a biweekly column that takes you behind the scenes at The Enquirer. Occasionally, he shares his thoughts on local issues, particularly as they pertain to a free press and open government. Love also serves as regional editor for the USA TODAY Network Ohio. Email him at blove@enquirer.com. He cant respond personally to every email, but he reads them all. Beryl Love This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Enquirer editor Beryl Love introduces Enquirer Community Impact Report Making meaningful progress in the lives of New Yorkers, for the second year running, murders and shootings have gone down. And unlike 2022s drops, 2023s homicides down 11% year over year, shootings down 24% were accompanied by declines in most other types of crime. Unfortunately, there were exceptions: Assaults went up modestly, and car thefts jumped significantly. Anytime a person is shot or robbed or raped or killed, the rippling ramifications to families and neighborhoods (its disproportionately poorer areas where such crimes happen) are profound. We dont often talk about the positive dividends of having many fewer such ruptures, but they are worth celebrating. Even as Mayor Eric Adams struggles on many fronts, even though all this may be happening largely because COVID and its concomitant disruptions keep fading, the bending of this trendline is the sign of a mayoralty with a beating heart. May it continue; may it accelerate. The drop is a partial rejoinder to those who said New York couldnt get safer unless and until Albany wholly scrapped misguided bail reforms passed in 2019 and amended thrice since. Its a rebuttal to those who say that migrants bring crime; even as they arrived in record numbers, the city grew safer. And its a corrective to those on the left who were absolutely sure that a bad Supreme Court gun law ruling in mid-2022 would usher in fresh waves of bloodshed. It is theoretically possible we might have seen ever sharper drops if the opposite had happened in each case. But in this reality, living is getting safer. Take that, congressional Republicans, who just got more egg on their faces after contriving a ridiculous April 2023 field hearing to try to embarrass Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg and make New York, a place safer than the backyards of many GOP congressmen, look like a Democratic hellhole. Nor is New York an anomaly, as it has been many other years. Last year, across America, declining crime was a widespread urban story. In a sample of 175 American cities compiled by independent criminologist Jeff Asher, murder is down by almost 13% among the sharpest drops on record. Federal data says other categories of violent crime are down too. Property crime is also moving in the right direction. As we kick off an election year in which Republicans, including the liar likely to be at the top of the GOP ticket, insist that the United States and especially its cities are overrun by illegal immigrants and woke leftists who refuse to enforce the law, Americans need to know that Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, Baltimore and other major metropolitan areas are increasingly places where seniors can safely walk to the pharmacy and kids can safely walk to school. There are painful exceptions chief among them Washington, D.C., which gets outsize attention thanks to its symbolism and proximity to the levers of federal power but the rule is heartening. Thanks to some combination of ingrained pessimism and bad reporting and demagoguery by public officials, a majority of Americans think crime is rising. Theyre wrong. Under Donald Trump, homicides and other violent crime went up. Under a Democratic president named Joe Biden and Democratic mayors of many ideological stripes, American carnage is falling. Those facts dont care about your feelings. ___ Kentuckians can purchase and possess medical cannabis under conditions laid out in a 2022 executive order from Gov. Andy Beshear, and beginning in 2025, theyll be able to obtain medical marijuana cards thanks to a new state law. So, if you are using medical marijuana in Kentucky in accordance with either the new law or existing executive order, can your employer drug test and fire you if test positive? Even if its off the clock? The short answer is yes. While other states, like California, have recently extended employment protections to their residents, Kentucky has not. To understand why, lets take a look at the extent (or lack) of employee protections in the executive order and state law. How does the governors executive order apply to this issue? We took up this question early last year, when several of our readers wrote to us with questions about whether they could be terminated from their job, even if they followed the governors executive order to the letter. At the time, we reached out to attorney Michael Bouldin of Covington, who deals with medical marijuana and cannabis law in his legal practice. Much of what he had to say then still applies, even in light of the separate state law on medical cannabis use. Beshears administration has said his executive order will stand until the new law goes into effect in January 2025. What the governor essentially did with his executive order is declare he will grant a pardon to anyone convicted of marijuana possession, provided they followed all the requirements laid out in the executive order. As Bouldin pointed out, Kentucky is an at-will employment state, and this remains true. Essentially, your employer can terminate you at any time for any reason or no reason at all, provided its not illegal and there is no employment contract that says otherwise. You cant be fired for your age, race, religion or similarly protected class, but that doesnt include medical cannabis use. Therefore, if you have been charged, you can be fired, Bouldin previously told the Herald-Leader. What (the executive order) will do is allow that individual that meets the requirements to have the (court) case not only dismissed, but a pardon will have it expunged off your record. To sum it up, the executive order offers a measure of legal protection against criminal prosecution. Your employer can still enforce a zero-tolerance policy, even if youre not using medical cannabis on the clock. Does KYs new medical cannabis law have protections for employees? Under Californias new law, employers are required to test for marijuana use among employees with tests that determine current impairment, not just previous use. Kentuckys new medical cannabis law does not include a similar requirement. As laid out in the law itself, and summarized by one labor law firm, employers can continue to enforce their drug-free workplace and zero-tolerance policies. Some key provisions of the law include the following: The law does not require an employer to permit or accommodate the use, consumption, possession, transfer, display, transportation, distribution, sale, or growing of medicinal cannabis in the workplace. The law also states employers wont be prohibited from establishing and enforcing a drug testing policy, drug-free workplace, or zero-tolerance drug policy. Employers are still free to include any contract provisions that prohibit the use of medicinal cannabis by employees. They may also categorically restrict or prohibit the use of equipment, machinery, or power tools by an employee who is a registered qualified patient, if the employer believes that the use of such equipment, machinery, or power tools by an employee who is a registered qualified patient poses an unreasonable safety risk. The law does not specify what type of drug testing employers must use, only that they must be good faith determinations of impairment. That includes behavioral assessments of impairment, followed by testing with an established method. If the employee is found to be impaired, then the burden of proving non-impairment shall shift to the employee to refute the findings of the employer, according to the law. So, while the law will legalize medical cannabis in Kentucky, its scope is limited. The list of qualifying medical conditions for cardholders includes cancer, epilepsy, chronic and severe pain, multiple sclerosis, chronic nausea or post-traumatic stress disorder. Whats more, employers are still free to restrict the use of medical cannabis by their employees, in the workplace and outside of it. Do you have a question about marijuana in Kentucky for our service journalism team? Let us know via the Know Your Kentucky form below or email us at ask@herald-leader.com. The job of journalists is to keep watch, to investigate and to report. That keeps readers informed and holds people and organizations accountable. And sometimes change comes about as a result of a news story or investigation. Thats why they call it the power of the press. The impact from a story may be big, like changes in a law or procedure. Or it may be small, such as helping to build support for a cause or provide much-needed recognition. Throughout 2023, The Enquirer had an impact on Greater Cincinnati in big and small ways. In the cases of the following examples, change came about in response to one of our stories or a series of stories. Here are some examples of Enquirer stories that made a difference in the past year. Ohio youth lockup investigation spurs action from Gov. Mike DeWine The Enquirer and USA TODAYs network of Ohio newspapers published a report in November on an eight-month investigation of Ohios juvenile prisons and detention centers. The 12-page special section appeared in newspapers across the state and online. State Bureau reporter Laura Bischoff and more than a dozen journalists from The Enquirer, Columbus Dispatch, Akron Beacon Journal and Canton Repository scoured public records, interviewed more than 100 children, parents and employees, and documented what happens to kids behind bars. What they found is that Ohios juvenile detention system is not working. The investigation uncovered that troubled youth who were sent to jail for what might be their last chance at turning their lives around before they become adults instead found a more dangerous situation inside. Roxanne Gillenwater hugs her one-year-old granddaughter, Brielle, whom she cares for, at the gravesite of her daughter, Alana Richardson, 17, who died in January 2023 while in custody at the Central Ohio Youth Center in Marysville. The day after the report was published, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called for a special working group of experts to examine the problems identified in the report. DeWine praised the reporting, saying, Youve highlighted some very horribly tragic stories that I think anybody can relate to. Its now time for a reset, or a re-look, at DYS [Department of Youth Services] and the whole system. But Democratic lawmakers went further, demanding an investigation of the department as well. The Ohio Correctional Institution Inspection Committee has called for hearings to question the department's director. House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, said: This report shows the Ohio Department of Youth Services has failed the hundreds of kids its meant to rehabilitate and protect, failed their families and failed the hard-working men and women who work at these facilities. Video helps get police gun range moved at last Residents of Lincoln Heights had been complaining for decades about the noise coming from a nearby police gun range disturbing the neighborhood. Reporter Scott Wartman wrote about the complaints and a call for cease fire in 2020, and The Enquirer produced a video showing what it sounds like to have gunfire ring out so near to peoples residences. Plans to possibly relocate the Cincinnati Police gun range were slow to develop as city and county officials worked out a new location and who would pay the cost. Finally, in January, the city of Cincinnati and Hamilton County announced plans for a new police training center and gun range for both the Cincinnati Police Department and Hamilton County Sheriffs Office, to be located in Colerain Township. This rendering shows the sniper range in the proposed combined gun ranges for the Cincinnati Police and Hamilton County Sheriff's Department. The location for this training facility is on a rural stretch of East Miami River Road in the far western part of Colerain Township. Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus and Hamilton County administrator Jeff Aluotto both credited The Enquirers coverage with helping to make the change happen. During a commission meeting they aired the Enquirer video of gunfire echoing throughout the Lincoln Heights neighborhood. That video is pretty powerful, Driehaus said. Enquirer uncovered details of railroad sale agreement Cincinnati voters in November approved the citys sale of the Cincinnati Southern Railway, what had been the only railroad owned by a municipality, to the Norfolk Southern Corp. for $1.6 billion. Throughout the process and campaign to approve the sale, reporter Sharon Coolidge kept an eye on proceedings and reported on secret meetings of the five-member oversight board, e-mail exchanges and documents. Voters decided to sell the Cincinnati Southern Railway to Norfolk Southern for $1.6 billion. Using public records documents obtained by The Enquirer including some that the city had previously redacted Coolidge revealed that a transaction fee agreement between the railway board and Norfolk Southern would cause taxpayers to lose $500,000 and might be a violation of a city charter amendment. The railway board then voted to change the deal with the railroad buyer to comply with the charter. The transaction fee issue first reported by The Enquirer was included in a lawsuit filed by Tom Brinkman, a former state lawmaker acting as a citizen, against the railway board. The board agreed to pay $100,500 to settle the lawsuit. Air Force veteran and Holocaust survivor honored after profile Sometimes the effect of a news story is more personal. Lisa MacVittie (right) and her granddaughter Jenny Lowrance (left) attend an event with the American Legion. After reading Victoria Moorwoods profile on Lisa MacVittie, a then-90-year-old Holocaust refugee and Air Force veteran, members of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Ohio Society, Sons of the American Revolution contacted The Enquirer to reach out to MacVittie. The LAOHSSAR presented MacVittie with the Quilt of Valor, a handmade quilt bestowed upon a veteran. She and her granddaughter, also an Air Force veteran, were honored at the societys annual meeting in May. Public turns out for meeting on fate of historic Butler County farmhouse When Erin Glynn reported on Butler County MetroParks plan to demolish a vacant 1871 farmhouse in the Antenen Nature Preserve that had historic ties to a prominent Butler County family, she also spoke with Susan Antenen, who was working to save the house. A 1871 farmhouse in Four Mile Creek Park was set to be demolished. It was Antenens family who had donated the property to MetroParks to be used as a nature preserve. Her mother, Anne Antenen, had been Hamiltons first female mayor. They had restored the farmhouse in the 1980s and lived there before donating the land and the house, which was built by a member of the Hueston family. After the story ran, there was a big public turnout at the next parks board meeting, with several people addressing the board about the plans for the historic house, many with suggestions for how to preserve it. MetroParks is now accepting bids for the house, which would have to be moved to a new site. "It's not fancy, but with love it could be a wonderful house for somebody in the New Miami or Seven Mile area," Antenen said. Future of Downtown Cincinnati project included reader input The Enquirer embarked on a year-long series called The Future of Downtown Cincinnati, headed by real estate reporters Sydney Franklin and Randy Tucker, that examined the city centers past and present plus future developments to get a clearer picture of what is to come. Over the past several months, The Enquirer analyzed data, looked at day-to-day downtown living, asked who has returned to work and who has moved in since the pandemic. Ricardo Grant, founder of Paloozanoire, Club LoVe, Gallery At Gumbo and Cinema OTR, speaks during the The Enquirer's Future of Downtown panel at the Contemporary Arts Center in December. The project has also been about hearing what others have to say. The Enquirer answered reader questions (Is Downtown safe?), conducted polls to see why people visit Downtown and why they stay away, and co-sponsored a public forum to discuss the top issues facing Downtown Cincinnati. With the publics input, the project had a wider view of the future of Downtown. Vaping stories shed light on regional problem The Enquirer spent six months investigating vaping among children and teens in the region. Reporters found vaping is pervasive in southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky schools the biggest disciplinary problem schools face today, according to one principal. Medical experts offered advice for parents. Physicians and school officials told The Enquirer they were sharing the stories with the families they serve. Enforcement of laws barring vape sales to youth under age 21 is inconsistent, and half of all local tobacco retailers cited in the past few years for selling to minors are located within 1 mile of a middle or high school, an Enquirer analysis found. Ohio lawmakers in the GOP-controlled Statehouse remain divided on the issue. In December, the House voted to override Gov. Mike DeWine's veto of legislation preventing cities from passing flavored tobacco bans. The day before, a House committee passed a bill to increase penalties for tobacco retailers who sell to minors. Wish List connects those in need with people who can help The 2023 Wish List campaign marked the 37th year The Enquirer partnered with United Way of Greater Cincinnati on the holiday fundraiser that supports local families and individuals in need. People responded generously after reading eight Wish List stories, which including Anita Thompson, who is raising two grandchildren formerly in foster care; Chris Sechrest, a developmentally disabled grocery worker in need of a smart watch; and Marvilise, a 14-year-old living in a group home. After wishes are granted, remaining funds assist other needy people throughout the year. As of Jan. 3, contributions stood at $47,787. The total will rise as United Way continues to process December checks. Donations for the 2023 Wish List will be accepted until Jan. 31 at uwgc.org/wishlist. Jackie Borchardt and John Johnston contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Enquirer Community Impact Report 2023 FILE - A man crosses himself while bathing in the water during a traditional Epiphany celebration as the temperature dropped to about -24 degrees (-11,2 degrees Fahrenheit) near the Achairsky monastery outside Siberian city of Omsk, Russia, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. Water that is blessed by a cleric on Epiphany is considered holy and pure until next year's celebration, and is believed to have special powers of protection and healing. The Russian Orthodox Church follows the old Julian calendar.. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Sofiychuk, File) Christians around the world will mark the Epiphany on Jan. 6 with a series of celebrations that go from parades and gift-giving for children to the blessing of water. The holiday is also called the Feast of Epiphany, Three Kings Day and Theophany. Why is it known with different names? Some Western Christian churches know the feast day as Three Kings Day. It recalls the visit of three Magi, or wise men, to the infant Jesus, and their sense of wonder at the encounter. It is the 12th day after Christmas and closes the Christmas season. Eastern traditions call it Theophany, and they focus on the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. Orthodox Christians also know it as the Baptism of Christ. What does Epiphany mean? The Greek word epiphaneia means appearance or manifestation, and it refers to the manifestation of Jesus to the world, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. How is it celebrated? The day is often celebrated by Catholics in Spain with parades that include decorative floats carrying people dressed as the biblical kings who brought gifts to the infant Jesus. Children in Spain and in some parts of Latin America traditionally unwrap holiday gifts that elsewhere in the world are delivered by Santa Claus on Christmas Day. Greeks celebrate Epiphany with blessing of the waters ceremonies across the country, which is primarily Orthodox. In Bulgaria, some observers plunge into rivers and lakes to retrieve crucifixes, in an old ritual marking the feast of Epiphany, also known as the Apparition of Christ. By tradition, a crucifix is cast into the waters of a lake or river. It's believed that the person who retrieves it will be freed from evil spirits and will be healthy through the year. After the cross is fished out, the priest sprinkles believers with water using a bunch of basil. When is it celebrated? Orthodox Christian churches in Bulgaria, Greece and Romania celebrate the feast on Jan. 6. But for Orthodox Churches in Russia, Serbia and Ukraine that follow the Julian calendar, Epiphany is celebrated on Jan. 19, as their Christmas Eve falls on Jan. 6. What is the origin of Epiphany? It originated in the Eastern church and originally included a celebration of the birth of Jesus, according to Encyclopedia Britannica, which in its entry says that by the fourth century, the church in Rome began celebrating Epiphany separately on Jan 6. __ 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. Jeffrey Epstein knew things about Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton that, if they had been revealed to the public, could have blown up the 2016 presidential race, the late pedophiles younger brother told the New York Post on Wednesday. Heres a direct quote: If I said what I know about both candidates, theyd have to cancel the election. Thats what Jeffrey told me in 2016, Mark Epstein said. The 69-year-old property developer declined to provide further details on the alleged scuttlebutt. Trump ran in the same circles as Epstein on the Palm Beach scene of the 1990s, and was also a frequent guest on his private jet, flying the so-called Lolita Express at least seven times, according to flight logs. Clinton has not been directly linked to Epstein, but her husband became a good buddy of the disgraced financiers after they were introduced in the 90s. In a 2016 deposition part of a trove of documents unsealed on Wednesday, Epstein accuser Johanna Sjoberg said that hed once told her that Clintons preferences for girls skewed young. Read it at New York Post Read more at The Daily Beast. This article is part of The D.C. Brief, TIMEs politics newsletter. Sign up here to get stories like this sent to your inbox. The political commentariat went into overdrive on Wednesday evening, floating stories of faceless teenaged girls who had their blood harvested, a Muslim Brotherhood conspiracy to infiltrate the highest levels of the American government, a hit job ordered against a jailed millionaire with an enviable Rolodex, and a Hollywood cabal of sexcapades. The catalyst: almost 1,000 pages of still-semi-redacted documents a federal judge ordered to be released in a civil case related to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender whose decades of proximity to the rich and powerful has provided easy way for bad-faith actors to paint their preferred targets as accessories or co-conspirators in his horrifying misdeeds, even when the evidence behind such claims is embarrassingly thin. The highly anticipated document dump did not include any so-called client list from Epstein, whose death in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while waiting trial on other sex-trafficking charges was ruled a suicide. But that didnt stop the blatantly partisan, choose-your-own-adventure response. While the documents detail some horrifying anecdotes of abuse and exploitation, those details were by and large already public knowledge. The nuggets of new information involve few actual provable accusations about anyone beyond Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epsteins co-conspirator who was sentenced to federal prison for her role in helping Epstein sexually exploit and abuse multiple underage girls. Maxwell was also the target of a civil lawsuit in 2015 that the latest documents stem from. The plaintiff in that suit said she had to work as Epsteins sex slave. They settled in 2017. The initial batch of documents have a bevy of bold-faced names: Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, Prince Andrew, Michael Jackson, Stephen Hawking, and David Copperfeld. But the docs dont level any criminal accusations at any of them and, in the case of Trump, seem to exonerate him. These are the types of work-product files that are generally passed back and forth among lawyers without sending social media platforms into a tailspin. Another tranche of documents is expected to dribble out over coming days, likely with more names of people who spoke to lawyers about the civil suit or who were mentioned in passing in depositions. In short, theres a lot of sizzle here, but so far little new substance. In an ideal world, that would silence some of the more bizarre theories that have gained ground in recent years. Instead, it shows the limits of partial transparency. To be clear: as a journalist, I am all for transparency and disclosure. Theyre the backbone of a credible system where the governed believe they can trust those atop the system, where those with power are invested in the system, too, and all can agree to a common set of facts and norms, such as children shouldnt be sex workers and victims have a right to privacy. Journalists have stood at the ready to reveal what our leaders dont. But in an age in which online communication has made everyone with a smartphone into a sleuth, things can quickly snowball into absurdity at best and danger at the more likely. As evidenced by the Epstein disclosures, partial transparency comes with inherent dangers and is a threat to the strongest arguments inherent to the case for disclosure. It reveals all too well our bias toward buzz, regardless of the facts. And, the main reason these documents should be read with a careful eye is that they are vastly incomplete, despite their bulk. Yes, the depositions are full of salacious details. For instance, one victim recalled Epstein told her former President Bill Clinton likes them young, referring to women. He is not accused of any wrongdoing in the documents. No jury heard these witnesses in this civil case, and a fight over opening up these interviews has gone on for years. Some of the worst claims are based on memories of conversations with Epstein, who is no longer around to corroborate his side of the story. A judge might have treated other aspects of the tales as hearsay and blocked jurors from hearing any of this at all. The docs, though, offer up a perfect proof point for critics to say that the system is rigged. It allows those so inclined to point a klieg light at the us-versus-them dynamic that colors so much of our politics, magnifying every ugly cranny and mean-spirited flaw. Here we have private jets, private islands, alleged sexual abuse, and bottomless pockets for plugged-in individuals to rub elbows with other fancy names. This is the problem when guilt-by-association becomes the M.O. of the masses. Politically and in factual investigations, its a useful tool. As a shortcut to declarative judgments, its generally garbage, and without real evidence, patently unfair. Thats why the ongoing release of these documents is a move in the right direction toward understanding the cases in the Epstein orbit but hardly sufficient to start rendering verdicts. But theres a more consequential reality on display in these documents: it feeds notions of conspiracy theories centered on absurd, discredited, and not-so-vaguely racist tropes. Down one classic rabbit hole, Hillary Clinton and her loyal adviser Huma Abedin were running a child sex-trafficking ring from the basement of a D.C. pizza shopone that lacks a basement and already has been the scene of vigilante efforts at justice. In another, the whole system ended in a jail-cell hit job to silence Epstein from naming names, and that then-Attorney General Bill Barr signed off on it to protect his boss, Trump. Now, before you think this exists only in far-flung corners of America, consider this finding in the latest Washington Post poll released Thursday: a full quarter of this country thinks the FBI was behind the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol, including more than 3-in-10 Republicans and 44% of Trump voters. As the country glides toward the three-year anniversary, the widely televised attempt to keep Trump in power through political violence has become yet the latest example of how facts are irrelevant to reality. All of this still comes back to a bigger central problem: there have been relatively few consequences for powerful men and women who took advantage of young women and girls, creating a social vacuum from which many see as proof of a justice system so fully rigged and corrupt that it casts people like Epstein as nearly super-human in their reach and influence. To focus on the wild, discredited, and partisan notions that are dominating most of this conversation is to disrespect all those victims. But in an environment that treats everything like a partisan contest, even tales of sexual exploitation can fall to gamification. Make sense of what matters in Washington. Sign up for the D.C. Brief newsletter. Write to Philip Elliott at philip.elliott@time.com. The presidential run-off between Mr Trump and Mrs Clinton has been discussed by Mark Epstein in relation to his disgraced brother - REUTERS/Rick Wilking Jeffrey Epstein once boasted he had information about Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton that would have derailed the 2016 election if it were made public, his brother has claimed. The late, disgraced financiers links to the rich and famous have been underscored in a vast number of legal documents made public by a US court on Wednesday. However, Epsteins younger brother, Mark, 69, has suggested his ties with powerful figures went further than has been disclosed. Heres a direct quote: If I said what I know about both candidates, theyd have to cancel the election. Thats what Jeffrey told me in 2016, Mr Epstein told The New York Post. The New York-based property developer said his sibling never disclosed the details of what he knew. While Mrs Clinton was not known to spend time with Epstein, her husband was known to be a friend of the billionaire. Epstein made at least 17 visits to the White House, presidential logs show, and Mr Clinton also flew on Epsteins private jet making trips to Europe, Asia and Africa in 2002 and 2003. Mr Epstein said his brother made a mistake by travelling with Mr Clinton as it drew attention to his activities. Jeff first took Clinton and I think it was Chris Tucker and some other people to Africa which was a mistake my brother made by doing that, because prior to that he was under the radar; nobody was looking at him. But when he flew Clinton there, it was like whos this guy flying Clinton? Mr Clinton, whose name came up several times in the first tranche of unsealed Epstein documents, has not been accused of any wrongdoing. His spokesman Angel Urena said in July 2019, when Epstein was arrested, that Mr Clinton knows nothing about the terrible crimes that Epstein was accused of. He said it has been nearly 20 years since the pair last had contact. Ive known Jeff for 15 years Mr Trump, whose Mar-a-Lago resort was 1.5 miles from Epsteins Palm Beach villa, flew on his private jet at least four times. The Republican frontrunners name was also mentioned in this weeks court documents. He has also not been accused of any wrongdoing. Mr Trump told New York magazine in 2002: Ive known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. Hes a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it Jeffrey enjoys his social life. Mr Trump said in 2019 he only knew Epstein because everybody in Palm Beach did and that he had not spoken to the late billionaire in 15 years. The Telegraph has contacted representatives for Mr and Mrs Clinton and Mr Trump 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. Court documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and unsealed this week include the names of several prominent figures. Among them: former President Bill Clinton and former President Donald Trump. Neither Clinton nor Trump was accused of any wrongdoing in the new material, the first batch of which was released by a federal court on Wednesday evening. Where did the documents come from? A photo of Epstein and girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell at a news conference in 2020. (John Minchillo/AP) The documents which total nearly 1,000 pages were part of a 2015 defamation lawsuit brought against Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell by Virginia Giuffre, one of their accusers. (Maxwell was convicted of child sex trafficking in 2021.) In the documents, Giuffre alleged that many of the sexual encounters occurred under the guise of massages that Maxwell, a British socialite, procured for Epstein and others. Giuffre claimed that while she was a teenager, Epstein and Maxwell pressured her into sexual encounters with powerful men, including Prince Andrew. Giuffre reached an out-of-court settlement with Andrew, who denied her allegations. U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska ordered the unsealing of the documents in mid-December, saying that most of the information and names in them were already public. What do they say about Clinton and Trump? The newly unsealed documents include the transcript of a 2016 deposition in which a second accuser, identified as Johanna Sjoberg, testified that Epstein "said one time that Clinton likes them young, referring to girls." She did not elaborate. Sjoberg testified that Epstein told her he would take her to Trump's Atlantic City casino but did not allege any wrongdoing. She also said in a deposition that Prince Andrew had touched her inappropriately at Epstein's mansion in New York. In all, Clinton's name appears 73 times in the documents unsealed Wednesday; Trump's name appears four times. Vanity Fair staffers deny claim Clinton tried to squash Epstein story Former President Bill Clinton and Epstein. (Lev Radin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images, Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty Images) A second trove of unsealed documents released Thursday contained an email in which Giuffre claimed that Clinton tried to stop Vanity Fair from publishing a story about Epstein's sex trafficking of girls. In the email, dated May 30, 2011, Giuffre said she was considering speaking to the magazine for a story it planned to publish on Prince Andrew, but that she was concerned because "B.Clinton walked into VF and threatened them not to write sex-trafficing articles about his good friend J.E." Graydon Carter, Vanity Fair's editor in chief at the time, denied the claim, telling the Telegraph that "this categorically did not happen." And Vicky Ward, a former Vanity Fair contributing editor who profiled Epstein in 2003, told CNN she wonders if Giuffre was conflating the incident with one that did happen, when Epstein appeared at the magazine's offices after he learned two sisters had spoken to Ward about their alleged abuse. "The fact checker who was fact-checking my piece at the time sent me an email saying, 'Oh my god he's standing here in the office,'" Ward said, adding that the allegations were subsequently cut from the piece that was ultimately published. What was Clinton's relationship with Epstein? The former president has acknowledged that he had flown on Epstein's plane and had met with the jet-setting financier on several occasions. In previously released court documents, Giuffre said that she met Clinton on Epstein's private Caribbean island, but did not accuse him of any wrongdoing. Clinton denied ever visiting the island, and Giuffre later retracted the claim. In 2019, after Epstein was arraigned on federal sex-trafficking charges, Clinton's office released a statement saying the former president knew "nothing about the terrible crimes" Epstein was accused of. Epstein hanged himself at the Metropolitan Correctional Center a month later. What was Trump's relationship with Epstein and Maxwell? Donald and Melania Trump, Epstein and Maxwell at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla., in 2000. (Davidoff Studios/Getty Images) Trump and Epstein were longtime friends well before Trump became president. "I've known Jeff for 15 years, Trump told New York magazine in 2002. "Terrific guy. He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side." In 2005, Epstein was arrested in Palm Beach, Fla., on charges he paid a 14-year-old girl for sex. In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida to state charges of soliciting and procuring a person under age 18 for prostitution. Under the terms of a secret agreement his attorneys cut with then-Miami U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta, Epstein was sentenced to 13 months in county jail, with daily work-release privileges, and a related federal probe into potential crimes was dropped. He was required to reach financial settlements with dozens of his victims and register as a sex offender, but Epstein could have faced up to life in prison if he had been convicted on federal charges. Recommended reading After the plea agreement was revealed in a bombshell 2018 Miami Herald investigation, Trump defended Acosta, then his labor secretary, but distanced himself from Epstein, saying he "wasn't a big fan." In 2020, while Maxwell was awaiting trial for helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls, Trump was asked for his thoughts about the case. "I don't know. I haven't really been following it too much. I just wish her well, frankly. I've met her numerous times over the years, especially since I lived in Palm Beach," Trump told reporters at the White House. "But I wish her well, whatever it is." In 2021, Maxwell was convicted and later sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. What other prominent names appear in the documents? Lawyer Alan Dershowitz. (Richard Drew/AP) Other boldfaced names that appear in the documents unsealed Wednesday include Alan Dershowitz, a lawyer and former Harvard Law professor; Bill Richardson, former New Mexico governor; Glenn Dubin, a billionaire hedge fund manager; Les Wexner, billionaire founder of Bath & Body Works; and Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent who killed himself in jail in 2022 while awaiting trial on charges he raped young girls. Could the people named in the documents face any criminal or civil liability? Not for merely being named. "There is likely going to be a spectrum of involvement with respect to all the individuals identified," Tom Bosworth, founder of Bosworth Law and an attorney for catastrophic injury victims, told Yahoo News. "Whether there is criminal or civil liability for any one person will depend heavily on the particular facts of each case." [Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that Giuffre later retracted the claim that she met Clinton on Epstein's private island.] Jeffrey Epstein told his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell she could offer a financial reward to friends of his accuser Virginia Giuffre if they could help prove her allegation Stephen Hawking had engaged in an underage orgy was false. Newly released court documents reveal that the paedophile financier had sent an email in 2015 showing that he was happy to issue a reward to counter her claims, shortly after Ms Guiffre filed a civil claim in the US. Sent to disgraced British socialite Ms Maxwell, he said: You can issue a reward to any of Virginias friends, acquaints, family that come forward and help prove her allegations are false. The strongest is the Clinton dinner, and the new version in the Virgin Islands that Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy. Stephen Hawking at a conference in the Caribbean held by Jeffrey Epstein (Supplied) The Cambridge professor had previously visited Epsteins private Caribbean island in 2006 as part of a conference funded by the billionaire, with pictures showing him at a barbecue on Little St James. This occurred months before Epstein was first charged with child sex offences, which included procuring a minor for prostitution. Professor Hawking, who died in 2018 aged 76, is one of more than 170 people who have been named after a US judge ordered that documents relating to Epstein could be made public. The first tranche of documents was released on Wednesday evening with high-profile figures such as the Duke of York and former US President Bill Clinton featuring heavily. Also published among the court documents as part of Ms Giuffres civil claim against Maxwell was the transcript of the socialites videotaped evidence given under oath. During her interview, known in the US as a deposition, Maxwell claimed she could only recall Prince Andrew on Epsteins island once. Documents containing the names of 170 of Epsteins associates are being made public (REUTERS) Andrew stepped down from public life after the furore over his friendship with Epstein and paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case to Ms Giuffre, a woman he claimed never to have met. The duke was cast out of the working monarchy and no longer uses his HRH style after Ms Giuffre, who was trafficked by Epstein, accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17. He strenuously denies any wrongdoing. Asked whether any girls under the age of 18 were present on that one occasion, Maxwell replied: There were no girls on the island at all. No girls, no women, other than the staff who work at the house. Girls meaning, I assume you are asking underage, but there was nobody female outside of the cooks and the cleaners. Former US president Bill Clinton features heavily in the released documents (Netflix) In other documents, Maxwell could be seen sending an email in January 2015, shortly after a civil claim had been filed against her, in which she described herself as out of my depth. She added: I have already suffered such a terrible and painful loss over the last few days that I cant even see what life after press hell even looks like statements that dont address all just lead to more questions what is my relationship to Clinton? Andrew on and on. One site where the documents were being released on Wednesday evening crashed within minutes, warning that the server might be overloaded prompting a tweet from Ms Giuffre which read: We broke the website. The deposition of a woman named Johanna Sjoberg was also published as part of the documents. She previously claimed Andrew touched her breast while sitting on a couch inside the US billionaires Manhattan apartment in 2001, while giving testimony in May 2016. Epstein sent an email to Ghislaine Maxwell saying he was happy to issue a reward to Ms Guiffres friends (VIA REUTERS) The incident is alleged to have taken place when Ms Giuffre and Ms Sjoberg, were at Epsteins house off Fifth Avenue in New York. Ms Sjobergs deposition made reference to a puppet being placed on Ms Giuffres breast at the same time believed to be Andrews Spitting Image puppet. Buckingham Palace previously said the allegations are categorically untrue. During the same interview, Ms Sjoberg also said Epstein had told her that former President Bill Clinton likes them young, referring to girls. Ms Sjoberg said: I knew he had dealings with Bill Clinton. I did not know they were friends until I read the Vanity Fair article about them going to Africa together. Epstein was found dead in his cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges (U.S. Department of Justice) Asked if Epstein had ever talked about the former president, Ms Sjoberg said: He said one time that Clinton likes them young, referring to girls. In 2019, Mr Clintons spokesman said he knew nothing about the terrible crimes Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to and that the pair had not spoken in over a decade. The spokesman also said Mr Clinton had never been to Epsteins island, called Little St James, his ranch in New Mexico nor his house in Florida. Another former US president, Donald Trump, also featured in Ms Sjobergs deposition after she said Epstein had called him and visited one of his casinos due to his private plane being diverted. Maxwell has been jailed for 20 years and is appealing her sentence in November (PA) Ms Sjoberg said: Jeffrey said, Great, well call up Trump and well go to I dont recall the name of the casino, but well go to the casino. Epstein was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan in August 2019 while he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges, with his death ruled a suicide. Maxwell has been imprisoned since July 2020, despite numerous attempts from her defence counsel to have her released on bail. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison at the federal court in the Southern District of New York in June 2022. The socialite indicated her desire to appeal shortly after her conviction with her lawyers claiming victims had faded, distorted and motivated memories. Her appeal is currently scheduled to be heard in November next year. Billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein once told one of his victims that Bill Clinton likes them young, according to dramatic testimony revealed in court documents unsealed for the very first time. Dozens of Epstein associates were unmasked on Wednesday after a judge ordered the unsealing of court documents in a now-settled lawsuit brought by abuse victim Virginia Giuffre against Epsteins accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell . Among the hundreds of pages of filings, another victim Johanna Sjoberg spoke about what she knew about Mr Clintons ties to Epstein as part of a 2016 deposition that also made allegations against Prince Andrew. Under sworn testimony, she said that Epstein had told her the former president liked girls young. [Epstein] said one time that Clinton likes them young, referring to girls, she testified. When asked if she knew Mr Clinton was a friend of Epstein, she said: I knew he had dealings with Bill Clinton. I did not know they were friends until I read the Vanity Fair article about them going to Africa together. However, Ms Sjoberg testified that she never met Mr Clinton, never saw him on Epsteins Caribbean island and never saw him being flown in a helicopter by Maxwell. In total, Mr Clintons name appears at least 73 times in the first batch of documents released on Wednesday. There is no indication that the former president is involved in any wrongdoing and is not accused of any crime. The Independent has reached out to Mr Clintons representative for comment. Jeffrey Epstein and Bill Clinton pictured together (Netflix) His spokesperson told CNN on Wednesday that it has now been nearly 20 years since President Clinton last had contact with Epstein and denied that the former president ever had any knowledge of Epsteins crimes. Flight logs have previously revealed that Mr Clinton flew on Epsteins private jet in 2002 and 2003 to destinations outside the Caribbean. Ms Giuffre has claimed she once met Mr Clinton on Epsteins Caribbean island. Several more documents and names are expected to be released over the coming days. Ms Giuffre filed the defamation lawsuit against Maxwell in 2015, after she accused her of lying about the years-long abuse she had suffered at the hands of Epstein and some in his inner circle. The suit was settled in 2017 but was placed under a protective seal with the identities of those named in the filings kept under lock and key. The Miami Herald sued for the release of the sealed documents while Maxwells legal team sought to block it. Around 2,000 pages of documents were first unsealed in 2019, with further documents released over the following years. But, this current trove of documents remained sealed and the names of hundreds of people associated with the dead paedophile were kept secret, known only as Jane and John Does. Epsteins Caribbean island Little St James (PA) Then, in a landmark ruling last month, US District Judge Loretta Preska ruled that the trove of documents could be released and the names unsealed in full after 1 January. While the federal judge ordered the names of several Epstein victims to remain anonymous, she said that there was no legal justification to keep the names of Epsteins associates redacted as John and Jane Does. This has now paved the way for several famous figures to find themselves tied to the notorious disgraced financier. Many have previously been connected to Epstein in media reports, lawsuits and Maxwells trial testimony. Some of the documents have already been released in part or in full as part of other court cases, the judge said. An individual being named in the documents does not necessarily mean they are accused of any wrongdoing. Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019. Maxwell was convicted of child sex trafficking in 2021 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. WEST SENECA, N.Y. (WIVB) A slice of New York States Empire State Teacher Residency Program funds have been awarded to Erie 1 BOCES. As part of the $4.8 million in second round awards, Erie 1 BOCES was given a huge portion, in the form of $3.12 million. The $30 million Empire State Teacher Residency Program works to provide matching funds for school districts to create residency programs for graduate-level teacher candidates. Proposals were accepted through the end of June. New York State seeks to rebuild its teacher workforce including through recruiting and retaining teachers throughout the state to resolve the ongoing teacher shortage, New Yorks Workforce Development website says. The newly awarded money will be used to support 104 teacher residents, Erie 1 BOCES said, noting their partnership with 21 local school districts. They said theyre looking forward to working with local universities Buffalo State, Canisius, Niagara and University at Buffalo. The funds from this grant allow the teachers to follow the model of other prestigious professions, Steve Graser, Erie 1 BOCES director of professional development and instructional technology resources, said. These residencies are full-year, paid mentorship opportunities, no different than internships offered in other industries. Latest Local News Evan Anstey is an Associated Press Award, JANY Award and Emmy-nominated digital producer who has been part of the News 4 team since 2015. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell at the European Union Leaders' Summit in Brussels, Belgium on December 14, 2023 European countries must enhance their military support to Ukraine, especially with long-range missiles, the EUs chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, wrote on X (Twitter) on Jan. 3. Borrell described his recent talks with Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski as "productive," saying about they shared "growing concerns" about the escalating Russian air assaults on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. Read also: Russia will be held to account for its war crimes - EU top diplomat "We agreed on the necessity to strengthen our military support to Ukraine, particularly in the form of long-range and anti-aircraft missiles," the EU's top diplomat wrote. The two diplomats also discussed strategies for enhancing anti-sanction measures. They addressed the potential risk posed by the substantial increase in European exports to third countries, which could potentially find their way into Russia through re-export channels. Read also: NATO to hold a meeting on Russias recent wave of missile attacks on Ukrainian cities Earlier on January 3, Sikorski himself advocated for the provision of long-range missiles to Ukraine, specifically for targeted strikes on Russian territory. On Jan. 2, Russia launched a new massive attack on Ukraine in several waves. In total, Russia used more than 130 long-range weapons: 35 Shahed drones over the night, then 99 missiles in the early hours of the morning. Ukrainian air defense destroyed all Shaheds and 72 out of 99 missiles. On Dec. 29, Russia fired 158 missiles and drones at Ukraine. Air defense forces shot down 114. They recorded hits on civilian targets in several large cities Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Lviv, which borders Poland. 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 According to British historian Timothy Garton Ash, there is currently no situation that could lead to a frozen conflict in Ukraine or a negotiated settlement with Russia. In his view, Europe should wake up and do enough for Kyiv to ensure Ukraine's victory. Source: Financial Times The article was written by British historian, journalist and author Timothy Garton Ash. He is the author of the book Homelands: A Personal History of Europe. Quote: "For a start, we must be clear where things stand on the ground in Ukraine. There is no stalemate of the kind that might lead to a frozen conflict or negotiated settlement, as some in the west naively hope. Rather, we are in the middle of a long, complex war that will probably last until at least 2025, if not longer. Neither side is giving up; either can still win, but not both." Details: It is noted that the choice made in the next few months by the democracies that support Kyiv, i.e. Ukraine's Western partners, will be crucial for the outcome of the conflict. The author believes that the West is currently doing enough to prevent Ukraine's defeat but not enough to help it win. The article adds that in 2024, the partners could provide Kyiv with the tools to regain more territory and convince Russia that it cannot win: "That is the only path to a lasting peace." In his opinion, Ukraine should be provided with more air defence immediately, with more long-range missiles, including German Taurus and US ATACMS, so that Ukraine can continue to push back Putin's Black Sea Fleet. In the long run, a necessary condition for victory will be more intensive training of Ukrainian troops and a rapid, significant increase in industrial production of weapons and ammunition. In conclusion, the historian believes that the responsibility thus falls on Europe, as it is, after all, about the defence of a European country. He also compared the New Year's messages of European leaders. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak did not even mention the war in his laudatory report on his government's successes, which was obviously aimed at this year's general election. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz touched on it only in passing before moving on to the sacred topic of the German economy. Donald Tusk, the new Prime Minister of Poland, devoted his speech entirely to the restoration of democracy in the country. French President Emmanuel Macron, focusing on the theme of French pride, proposed a "rearmament of European sovereignty", including "to stop Russia and support Ukrainians". But it was Finnish President Sauli Niinisto who delivered the most important message: "Europe must wake up". Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was surprisingly blunt: "Ukraine lacks ammunition. Europe has not delivered what is needed. We will press for more European production. Its urgent. And the Danish F16s will soon be in the air. The war in Ukraine is also a war for the Europe we know." The historian believes that this is exactly the language we need. Support UP or become our patron! Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has issued a warning that Russia may launch an attack on Europe in the next few years, reported Polish news outlet Rzeczpospolita. There should be no doubt that, from a strategic perspective, Europe is a target of Russian aggression, he added. "This will happen when Russia's military advantage becomes evident," he said. Read also: The Polish Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Radosaw Sikorski, have prepared an appeal to NATO. This comes in response to an incident on December 29 when, during Russia's attack on Ukraine, a Russian missile flew into Polish territory. "We will seek to mobilize and utilize all available diplomatic means and persuasion to make the entire EU understand that without radically strengthened military efforts, we will lag far behind, Tusk said. Therefore, one thing is certain: Europe will be subject to a direct Russian attack in the next few years. 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 By Tom Balmforth LONDON (Reuters) - Russian hackers were inside Ukrainian telecoms giant Kyivstar's system from at least May last year in a cyberattack that should serve as a "big warning" to the West, Ukraine's cyber spy chief told Reuters. The hack, one of the most dramatic since Russia's full-scale invasion nearly two years ago, knocked out services provided by Ukraine's biggest telecoms operator for some 24 million users for days from Dec. 12. In an interview, Illia Vitiuk, head of the Security Service of Ukraine's (SBU) cybersecurity department, disclosed exclusive details about the hack, which he said caused "disastrous" destruction and aimed to land a psychological blow and gather intelligence. "This attack is a big message, a big warning, not only to Ukraine, but for the whole Western world to understand that no one is actually untouchable," he said. He noted Kyivstar was a wealthy, private company that invested a lot in cybersecurity. The attack wiped "almost everything", including thousands of virtual servers and PCs, he said, describing it as probably the first example of a destructive cyberattack that "completely destroyed the core of a telecoms operator." During its investigation, the SBU found the hackers probably attempted to penetrate Kyivstar in March or earlier, he said in a Zoom interview on Dec. 27. "For now, we can say securely, that they were in the system at least since May 2023," he said. "I cannot say right now, since what time they had ... full access: probably at least since November." The SBU assessed the hackers would have been able to steal personal information, understand the locations of phones, intercept SMS-messages and perhaps steal Telegram accounts with the level of access they gained, he said. A Kyivstar spokesperson said the company was working closely with the SBU to investigate the attack and would take all necessary steps to eliminate future risks, adding: "No facts of leakage of personal and subscriber data have been revealed." Vitiuk said the SBU helped Kyivstar restore its systems within days and to repel new cyber attacks. "After the major break there were a number of new attempts aimed at dealing more damage to the operator," he said. Kyivstar is the biggest of Ukraine's three main telecoms operators and there are some 1.1 million Ukrainians who live in small towns and villages where there are no other providers, Vitiuk said. People rushed to buy other SIM cards because of the attack, creating large queues. ATMs using Kyivstar SIM cards for the internet ceased to work and the air-raid siren - used during missile and drone attacks - did not function properly in some regions, he said. He said the attack had no big impact on Ukraine's military, which did not rely on telecoms operators and made use of what he described as "different algorithms and protocols". "Speaking about drone detection, speaking about missile detection, luckily, no, this situation didn't affect us strongly," he said. RUSSIAN SANDWORM Investigating the attack is harder because of the wiping of Kyivstar's infrastructure. Vitiuk said he was "pretty sure" it was carried out by Sandworm, a Russian military intelligence cyberwarfare unit that has been linked to cyberattacks in Ukraine and elsewhere. A year ago, Sandworm penetrated a Ukrainian telecoms operator, but was detected by Kyiv because the SBU had itself been inside Russian systems, Vitiuk said, declining to identify the company. The earlier hack has not been previously reported. Russia's defence ministry did not respond to a written request for comment on Vitiuk's remarks. Vitiuk said the pattern of behaviour suggested telecoms operators could remain a target of Russian hackers. The SBU thwarted over 4,500 major cyberattacks on Ukrainian governmental bodies and critical infrastructure last year, he said. A group called Solntsepyok, believed by the SBU to be affiliated with Sandworm, said it was responsible for the attack. Vitiuk said SBU investigators were still working to establish how Kyivstar was penetrated or what type of trojan horse malware could have been used to break in, adding that it could have been phishing, someone helping on the inside or something else. If it was an inside job, the insider who helped the hackers did not have a high level of clearance in the company, as the hackers made use of malware used to steal hashes of passwords, he said. Samples of that malware have been recovered and are being analysed, he added. Kyivstar's CEO, Oleksandr Komarov, said on Dec. 20 that all the company's services had been fully restored throughout the country. Vitiuk praised the SBU's incident response effort to safely restore the systems. The attack on Kyivstar may have been made easier because of similarities between it and Russian mobile operator Beeline, which was built with similar infrastructure, Vitiuk said. The sheer size of Kyivstar's infrastructure would have been easier to navigate with expert guidance, he added. The destruction at Kyivstar began at around 5:00 a.m. local time while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was in Washington, pressing the West to continue supplying aid. Vitiuk said the attack was not accompanied by a major missile and drone strike at a time when people were having communication difficulties, limiting its impact while also relinquishing a powerful intelligence-gathering tool. Why the hackers chose Dec. 12 was unclear, he said, adding: "Maybe some colonel wanted to become a general." (Editing by Mike Collett-White and Timothy Heritage) For years, Delaware has struggled with the development of offshore wind farms along the state's coast. Last month, Delaware's future use of the renewable energy source became more certain, and several projects will be moving forward in 2024. Gov. John Carney and US Wind began informal negotiations about using Delawares shore to support Delmarva wind projects. The Biden administration wants to install 30 gigawatts of wind power in the United States by 2030 and Delaware has a goal to reach 40% renewable energy usage by 2035. Offshore wind is often touted as a renewable energy solution to reach these goals, but ideological divides and economic factors often hamper progress. Heres what to know about the possibility of offshore wind development in Delaware, including a look at changes that were made this past year. Carney moving forward with US Wind A large wind turbine in Massachusettes. On Dec. 19, Carney announced the beginning of negotiations between Delaware and US Wind regarding two of its projects, Marwin and Momentum Wind. Both projects would need to use Delaware's shore to connect to the power grid. If US Wind is to move forward with its Maryland projects, they have to get Delawares permission to use 3Rs Beach in the Delaware Seashore State Park to connect the turbines to the existing Delmarva Indian River substation facility near the Indian River Power Plant. On Dec. 20, US Wind purchased 140 acres of land surrounding the nearby NRG Energy powerplant substation for around $20 million. The power plant itself was not included in the sale. US Wind will pay Delaware a lease payment of $350,000 per year, with a 3% increase every year. The informal agreement also prohibits construction between May and September to ensure that the park can be used by the public. Public information sessions will be held, but there are no specifics as of yet. US Wind also claims the projects will: Reduce electric utilities by $329 million over the 20-year contract term, the equivalent of reducing the average residential ratepayers annual electric bill by $9. Increase the reliability of the local electric grid and reduce congestion costs to Delaware ratepayers. The company will provide $200 million in funding for upgrades to the transmission system around the Delmarva peninsula. An additional $40 million will be paid to the state for dredging local waterways for the sake of boaters and the Inland Bays ecosystem, workforce development and other programs for environmental stewardship and resilience funds. US Wind gave a formal presentation to the Delaware Association of Coastal Towns, which includes Henlopen Acres, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach, to talk about the community benefits. Some of the benefits include US Wind supplementing each town with around two million dollars per year over the next twenty years as well as other grid and transmission upgrades. The association representing Delaware's coastal towns will evaluate the offer and proceed with discussions in their public meeting processes. Other recent developments This move follows a year of other political moves aimed at bringing offshore wind to the First State. A bill passed in August directed the states environmental agency to work with transmission company PJM to study the possibility of offshore wind development, creating a report for the governor and General Assembly about the findings. The federal government is also eyeing Delawares waters as a site for developing offshore wind. In August, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced that more than 100,000 acres off the coast of Delaware had the green light to potentially be used for offshore wind farm development. A majority of the area's rights are controlled by US Wind The area sits between around 12 and 30 miles off the Delaware Bay, a spot that is mainly used for surf clam and scallop fishing. For a farm to be approved, Delaware would first have to choose a developer, draft up policies and regulations and ensure that the farms can be connected to an electrical grid on shore. No official leases or partnerships have been made. What projects are in the works? Skipjack, Orsted This map shows where an offshore wind lease area is along Delaware's coast. The yellow portion is where the Skipjack Wind Farm will be placed. Danish energy company Orsted has been investing in East Coast offshore wind for years. In November, the company announced that due to financial and supply chain complications, they would be discontinuing two of their New Jersey projects. Skipjack, Orsted's Delmarva venture, is still continuing to advance. Skipjack project details: Located 20 miles off the Delaware coast The project will generate enough energy to power more than 300,000 homes Expected to begin commercial operations in 2026 Marwin, US Wind Marwin and Momentum Wind are the two US Wind projects that will need to use Delaware's coast to connect to the Delmarva Power facility. Both are situated more off the Maryland coast. The federal office in charge of managing offshore wind is expected to approve or disapprove the plans for US Wind to develop in this area by the end of 2024. 22 turbines more than 20 miles offshore Covers around 80,000 acres Could power more than 92,000 homes for a year Approved by Maryland in 2017 Momentum Wind, US Wind 55 turbines, more than 15 miles offshore Could power 250,000 Maryland homes Planned to start generating in 2026 Delaware's offshore wind history Fenwick Island State Park sits mostly empty on a breezy November day. A proposed plan would upgrade the park's amenities in exchange for allowing a Denmark-based company to build a offshore wind connection facility on 1.5 park acres. Offshore wind has been a big maybe in the state for over a decade. In 2008, Delmarva Power signed a deal to buy offshore wind power in a project that would have built dozens of turbines and powered over 50,000 homes. The deal fell apart a few years later due to financing issues. A working group was established by Carney in 2017 to study opportunities for Delaware to become a base for offshore wind development. Two years later the state quietly signed a memorandum of understanding with Orsted, which outlined a plan to lease 1.5 acres of Fenwick Island State Park to the company in exchange for $18 million in upgrades. The plans were never put in motion since it required the go-ahead from the federal government to use federal waters. Nonetheless, a public meeting in Sussex County was attended by over 200 residents concerned about the future of their communitys land and waters. Molly McVety covers community and environmental issues around Delaware. Contact her at mmcvety@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @mollymcvety. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Offshore wind in Delaware: Carney opens more talks with wind company Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday asked the Supreme Court to reverse the Colorado Supreme Court's decision to exclude him from the state's 2024 ballot based on the "insurrectionist clause" of the 14th Amendment. His legal team argued that if the ruling stands, it would mark the first time in the history of the United States that the judiciary has prevented voters from casting ballots for the leading major-party presidential candidate." The Colorado Supreme Court based its ruling on a post-Civil War provision of the Constitution, which bars anyone who "engaged in insurrection or rebellion" from holding public office. The landmark decision marked the first time in history that the disqualification clause has been used to render a presidential candidate ineligible for the White House. With the Supreme Court under intense pressure to resolve the issue of whether Trump can be disqualified from holding public office, this case poses several unique legal questions. Two of the central issues involve settling whether the language in the constitutional provision applies to individuals running for president and who gets to decide whether someone engaged in insurrection. In our system of government of the people, by the people, [and] for the people, Colorados ruling is not and cannot be correct, Trumps lawyers wrote in the filing. This Court should grant certiorari to consider this question of paramount importance. His team argued that the court should "return the right to vote for their candidate of choice to the voters." The state's highest court overturned a prior ruling in which a judge asserted that while Trump had engaged in insurrection by inciting a riot at the Capitol, the former president is exempt from the insurrection clause of the 14th Amendment, noting that it explicitly lists all federal elected positions except the presidency. The state court had already put its decision on hold allowing Trump to remain on the ballot if he appealed. The Colorado Republican Party had already appealed the state court's opinion to the Supreme Court. Trump has also appealed a similar decision to a Maine state court, which prohibited him from the primary ballot under the same constitutional provision in question in the Colorado case. Likewise, the decision could make its way to the Supreme Court. I expect that the Colorado decision will affect all the cases being raised on this issue, Laurie Levenson, a law professor at Loyola Marymount University, told Salon. I dont think the Supreme Court wants to handle this issue in a piecemeal fashion. As Trump's filing thrusts this explosive case into the nation's highest judicial body, a Supreme Court with a 6-3 conservative majority including three justices appointed by Trump himself is poised to influence a broader initiative to disqualify the GOP presidential front-runner from other state ballots in the lead-up to the 2024 election. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, the government watchdog group that brought the ballot challenge in Colorado, said it has already requested that the ourt move quickly to provide voters the answers they need about this urgent question." Legal experts remain divided on how quickly the justices will rule on the matter and how they may ultimately reach a final decision. But while the big question about whether or not Trump is eligible to be on the ballot is of significant importance, it's also just as imperative that the Supreme Court answer that question in the right way, James Heilpern, practicing appellate attorney and a senior fellow at BYU Law School, told Salon. Several examples show that both at the time of the Founding and the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment, the term "officer of the United States" clearly encompassed the presidency, Heilpern pointed out, referring to his research. These include an act of Congress that specifically identifies the president as an officer of the United States and presidential proclamations that specifically identify the president as the "chief executive officer of the United States" or "chief civil executive officer of the United States. In his brief to the Colorado Supreme Court, Trump stated that despite the many words and citations that treat the President as an officer not one authority holds that the President is an officer of the United States no case, no statute, no record of Congressional debate, no common usage, no attorney general opinion." However, Heilperns research suggests otherwise. The Postal Act of 1799, for example, specifically identifies the president as an officer of the United States. The language clearly states which officers of the United States should be granted a franking privilege the ability to send mail by their signature rather than by postage listing both the president and vice president as officers of the United States. There are also several presidential proclamations written by President Andrew Johnson, who was in office during the drafting and ratification of the 14th Amendment. In these proclamations, he referred to himself as either the "chief executive officer of the United States" or the "chief civil executive officer of the United States," Heilpern explained. In their research, Heilpern and co-author Michael Worley found a couple of instances in the impeachment trial of Johnson where the president is implicitly or explicitly referred to as an officer of the United States. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. The argument that the president is not an officer of the United States is based on two assumptions, Heilpern said. First, several scholars have argued that the term officer of the United States is a term of art. In other words, they're arguing that the term officer of the United States, electively as an entity, means more than the sum of its parts. But from analyzing a treasure trove of documents that were produced at the time of the founding, the researchers learned that the phrase officer of the United States was not being used as a term of art. Instead, it was being used simply to designate any old federal official. The term officer of the United States in the 1789 Constitution is not a term of art, Heilpern said. It thus applies to all officers of the United States, as a standard textualist interpretation of the phrase implies. There is no doubt that the person who holds the office of President of the United States becomes an officer of the United States when the person takes the Presidential Oath. Donald Trump was an officer of the United States. For the Supreme Court to claim otherwise, would be a bad way to resolve this case, he added. In general, the court is likely to rule for Trump, but not decide the issue of insurrection, David Schultz, professor of political science at Hamline University, told Salon. It will argue that either the insurrection clause is not self-executing or it does not apply to the president or that the clause only applied to factors around the Civil War, Schultz predicted. Trumps legal team has argued that even if the provision could be applied to the former president, he did not participate in insurrection on Jan. 6, referencing a lengthy history of political protests that escalated into violence. This may be their best argument, Levenson said. It is unclear what has to be proved, and how, to show the former president engaged in insurrection since Trump has not been criminally charged with this crime, leaving him room to argue he did not engage in such behavior. I think the historical record shows that this question of whether the president is an officer of the United States isn't a viable avenue for the Court to avoid the thornier and frankly much more important issues of whether the Fourteenth Amendment is self-executing and whether the president's actions on January 6 qualify as insurrection," Heilpern said. Explosions were heard in Kropyvnytskyi, Kirovohrad Oblast during an air raid alert on Jan. 4, Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne reported. The Air Force warned of a missile approaching the city. Civilians were urged not to post photos and videos of the attack on the Internet by Kirovohrad City Military Administration head, Andriy Raikovych. He also promised to release details later. An air raid alert was announced in Kirovohrad Oblast at 9:37 a.m. EET. The Air Force reported enemy aircraft active in the southeastern Ukraine, as well as the threat of air weapons. Read also: The air raid alert was cancelled at 10:10 a.m. Explosions were heard in Kropyvnytskyi, Kirovohrad region, during the nationwide air raid alert. Russia carried out another massive attack on Ukraine in several waves starting in the evening of Jan. 1-2. Ukraine eliminated all 35 Shakhed attack drones in the first wave, while missiles, including ballistic Kinzhals, were launched from 16 Tu-95MS strategic bombers in the second wave. This story is developing. 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 Explosions have been reported in Yevpatoriia and Sevastopol, two cities in temporarily occupied Crimea. Russias Defence Ministry is claiming that 10 missiles have been destroyed over the peninsula. Source: Krym.Realii (Crimea.Realities, a project by Radio Liberty); local Telegram channels; Russian Defence Ministry on Telegram Details: According to the so-called "governor" of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, Russian air defence was allegedly deployed in the city. Razvozhayev wrote that "several aerial targets were shot down": "A house on Hlukhova [Street ed.] was hit by missile wreckage. According to early reports, there is one casualty. Some pieces from the aerial targets fell around Mostova Street, on the northern side, in the area of the Monastyrske Highway and Fediukhin Heights. Emergency services are working at the scene." Telegram channels are reporting that one Ukrainian missile was apparently shot down, while a second hit a military unit (communications command post) at Yukharina Balka in Sevastopol. According to eyewitnesses, ambulances and firefighters are working at the scene. The Russian Defence Ministry claims that at around 17:20 Moscow time, "an attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack using aircraft-guided missiles on [infrastructure] facilities" in Crimea was thwarted. Russian officials allege that 10 missiles were shot down over the peninsula. Explosions have also been reported in Yevpatoriia. Witnesses said they heard and saw a missile before the explosion. The Telegram channel Krymskyi Veter (Crimean Wind) is reporting, citing eyewitnesses, that an air defence military base was struck near Zatyshne, Saky District, which is close to Yevpatoriia. Ambulances are on their way there. Support UP or become our patron! Tom Cush didn't initially think much when he spotted a slowdown on Route 16 near Delaware's border with Maryland last week. There were a handful of people on the shoulder of the Sussex County road and a few cars had pulled over. Cush assumed there'd been a fender-bender or something of the like. As he drew closer, however, he saw something in the middle of the road a bird, it looked like. He soon realized it wasnt just any bird. It was a large, beautiful bald eagle. I was like, Holy smokes, Cush said of the encounter, which occurred on Dec. 28 as he was headed to his Annapolis home. I was astounded by how big the bird was. Slowing down, Cush intended only to snap a photo or two of the eagle from his car. But his awe won out and he pulled over to get a better shot. Thats when he realized that local residents had set up a quasi-roadblock to ensure the eagle was safe from passing traffic. The animal was clearly injured, he said, its mate anxiously circling above. Bald eagles mate for life unless one dies or theyre otherwise separated, according to the National Audubon Society. The birds nesting season began in Delaware last month. In the few minutes he spent outside his car, Cush overheard someone say that theyd been in touch with a bird rescue organization that was coming to get the eagle. At least one person also called 911, it was later learned, and a dispatcher contacted Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research. Satisfied with his photos and given it certainly seemed like the people that lived right there were on top of it Cush returned to his car and drove home, forgetting about the images for about a day. He had no way of predicting, when he finally posted the photos online, just how much attention the encounter would receive. I pray its OK Cush, who is no avian expert, had initially taken the photos for his wife, whom he calls a semi-serious birder. His mother-in-law, by contrast, is a serious birder. Still, he appreciates the animals and had previously joined a Facebook page for Delaware birding. While hed never posted before, he assumed group members would also enjoy seeing his snaps of the eagle. Within minutes of sharing the photos, Cushs post began receiving attention. Hope all's OK now, one person wrote. Oh no, I pray its OK, another commented. An injured Bald Eagle sits on Route 16 in Sussex County on Dec. 28, 2023. Just more than an hour later, a volunteer at Tri-State Bird Rescue who works downstate wrote that she had taken the bird to the Newark-area rescue that morning. Lisa Smith, the nonprofits executive director, told Delaware Online/The News Journal this week that the woman and another volunteer are trained and experienced in transport and had kept the eagle overnight until it could be driven two hours north. The clinic began caring for it immediately. At the time, however, the volunteer didnt know much about the birds condition. No update yet, she wrote. The lack of details led to intense speculation about what had happened as well as concern for the eagles mate. I feel sorry for the mate left behind not knowing what happened to its partner, one woman wrote. Others echoed her. Three days after Cushs post, which had by then received hundreds of interactions and dozens of comments, Tri-State Bird Rescues clinic director entered the comments section. The eagle was alive, she said, but its injuries were complicated. It was not yet out of the woods. 'Nesting real estate is fierce' Nearly a week after Cushs encounter, some details about the eagle remain elusive. Smith, Tri-State Bird Rescues executive director, said the bird is likely female based on its size, though the nonprofit hasnt yet taken exact measurements. Females are usually larger than males, she said. While its not precisely known what happened to the bird, its injuries are consistent with being hit by a car. It doesnt have any broken bones, Smith said, but does have internal injuries and harm to both its eyes. TRI-STATE BIRD RESCUE: Tour the Newark-area center and learn about the group's work During surgery, the clinics wildlife veterinarian repaired several external wounds. Blood tests also showed the bird suffered from elevated levels of lead, which Smith said is common in bald eagles. Like other birds or prey, theyre scavengers and can ingest fragments of lead ammunition from animal carcasses or gut piles. The exposure to lead ammunition is especially common during the hunting season. A neurotoxin, lead can affect a birds perception and coordination, Smith said. Delaware Birding | Came across this guy diving from Lewes to Annapolis on Thursday afternoon | Facebook She added that its possible the elevated blood lead levels contributed to the eagle being hit by a car, though we cant know that for sure. Smith said though the eagle was moved to an outdoor enclosure Wednesday, it is somewhat high-strung and hasnt been eating well in captivity. This, however, may be more because its breeding season than the injuries. As an adult bird, she is ready to defend territory and breed, Smith said. While its not yet clear how the eagle will progress, Smith said the rescue is guardedly optimistic about the bird and hopes to release her to the wild. Its impossible to know, though, what will happen to the mate. If she is released soon, they may pick up where they left off, Smith said, noting that she would be released on-site. The bird, she reiterated, is high-strung and there would be a significant risk of injury to the animal if it had to ride in a carrier for two hours. She added that the bird could make it back down to the Sussex County/eastern Maryland area within two days. But its also possible her mate will have already found a new mate, Smith said. The bald eagle population has rebounded tremendously in the past 30 years (and ) there are now more adult bald eagles in the area than there are suitable nesting territories. Competition for prime bald eagle nesting real estate is fierce. Though its unlikely that the nearly 8,000 people who have interacted with Cushs post will ever receive closure in this case, Cush said hes found the whole experience particularly remarkable. I wish I was, like, an influencer I could make a couple of nickels off this, he joked. Growing serious, his tone changed to one of awe. I was so amazed at the outpouring of concern, he said. "It was nothing other than, 'I bet there's people that would appreciate these pictures.'" DELAWARE BACKYARD BIRDS: What's the most sighted feathered friend in January, other months MAN CHARGED: Delaware man's video with severed bald eagle's foot lands him in federal court. Got a tip? Send to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com or 302-324-2785. For all things breaking news, follow her on X at @izzihughes_ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Injured Delaware bald eagle, distressed mate garner online concern Claim: George Washington died before dinosaurs were discovered. Rating: Rating: True Context: Though humans have likely lived alongside dinosaur fossils for millennia, a fossilized dinosaur bone was first described in 1842 more than 40 years after the death of George Washington. That George Washington died before it was discovered that dinosaurs existed is a claim that has circulated in online channels for years. A simple Google search revealed that this claim has been shared online since at least 2018, with similar iterations having been shared on Reddit, Quora, TikTok, Instagram and X, including the below post that had received over 8,000 likes as of this publication: George Washington died in 1799, the first Dinosaur fossil was discovered in 1824. George Washington never knew Dinosaurs existed. Shower Thoughts (@ShwrThght) March 18, 2020 This is True. According to the National Constitution Center, the former president died on Dec. 14, 1799. Meanwhile, the first official scientific description of Dinosauria occurred in 1842, writes the University of California Museum of Paleontology. But as the Biodiversity Heritage Library concedes, humans have likely lived alongside dinosaur fossils for thousands of years. Legends of dragons, for example, are thought by some to have been inspired by dinosaur bones. Megalosaurus was the first dinosaur to have been officially described in the scientific literature in 1842, writes the Natural History Museum. However, its thought that fossils of the now-extinct carnivorous therapod which once stood 30-feet tall were discovered nearly two centuries previously. At the time, however, they were mistaken as the femur bones of giant humans. Lets take a walk through time. A large bone discovered in an Oxfordshire quarry was recorded by naturalist Robert Plot in a 1677 edition of The Natural History of Oxford-shire, according to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. Included was an illustration of the then-unnamed bone, as well as a description that suggested the bone resembled that of the lower part of a human femur. At first, Plot suggested that the bone belonged to an elephant. After further examination, he concluded that it likely belonged to an ancient, giant human. Nearly a century later in 1763, English physician Richard Brookes reviewed Plot's work in his compilation of books, A New and Accurate System of Natural History. In it, Brookes agreed that the fossil belonged to a human albeit, a different body part entirely. Thus, the now-defunct "Scrotum humanum" became the official documented name. It appeared in volume five of Brookes' book when he wrote that the stones have been found exactly representing the private parts of a man. (The Natural History of Oxfordshire/Public Domain) It wasn't until 1842, more than four decades after the passing of Washington, that biologist Richard Owens published the class Dinosauria for the first time in his book, Report on British Fossil Reptiles. Three genera were used to define this new grouping: the carnivorous Megalosaurus, the herbivorous Iguanodon, and the armored Hylaeosaurus. Based on illustrations like the one above, many scientists agree that the bone described belonged to that of a Megalosaurus. However, neither Plot nor Brookes described it as such, and as the fossil is now lost, its origination story is likely equally gone. Sources: British Association for the Advancement of Science., and British Association for the Advancement of Science. Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. 1841, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/104191. ---. Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. 1841, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/104191. Brookes, R., and R. Brookes. A New and Accurate System of Natural History. Printed for J. Newbery, 1763, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/111943. Brookes, R. (Richard). A New and Accurate System of Natural History .. London, Printed for J. Newbery, 1763. Internet Archive, http://archive.org/details/newaccuratesyste05broo. Brookes, Richard. The Natural History Of Fishes And Serpents, Including Sea-Turtles, Crustaceous And Shell Fishes, With Their Medicinal Uses: Illustrated With Cuts. LEGARE STREET Press, 2023. Dinosauria: How the terrible Lizards Got Their Name. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/how-dinosaurs-got-their-name.html. Accessed 3 Jan. 2024. George Washington Died before Dinosaurs Were Discovered - Google Search. https://www.google.com/search?q=george+washington+died+before+dinosaurs+were+discovered&oq=george+washington+died+before+dinosaurs+were+discovered&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCDU5ODZqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#ip=1. Accessed 3 Jan. 2024. Https://Twitter.Com/ShwrThght/Status/1240370454075858944?Lang=en. X (Formerly Twitter), https://twitter.com/ShwrThght/status/1240370454075858944?lang=en. Accessed 3 Jan. 2024. Hylaeosaurus. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/dino-directory/hylaeosaurus.html. Accessed 3 Jan. 2024. Iguanodon. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/dino-directory/iguanodon.html. Accessed 3 Jan. 2024. Magazine, Smithsonian, and Joseph Stromberg. Where Did Dragons Come From? Smithsonian Magazine, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/where-did-dragons-come-from-23969126/. Accessed 3 Jan. 2024. Plot, Robert. The Natural History of Oxford-Shire : Being an Essay toward the Natural History of England. Oxford : at the Theater ; London : at Mr. S. Millers, 1677. Internet Archive, http://archive.org/details/naturalhistoryof00plotuoft. ---. The Natural History of Oxford-Shire : Being an Essay toward the Natural History of England. Oxford : at the Theater ; London : at Mr. S. Millers, 1677. Internet Archive, http://archive.org/details/naturalhistoryof00plotuoft. Robert Plots Lost Dinosaur Bone. Tetrapod Zoology, 16 Dec. 2022, https://tetzoo.com/blog/2022/12/12/robert-plots-lost-dinosaur-bone. The Birth of Dinosaurs: Richard Owen and Dinosauria. Biodiversity Heritage Library, 16 Oct. 2015, https://blog.biodiversitylibrary.org/2015/10/the-birth-of-dinosaurs-richard-owen-and-dinosauria.html. The Dinosauria. https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/taxa/verts/dinosauria/index.php#:~:text=The%20term%20%22Dinosauria%22%20was%20invented,dinosaurs%20known%20at%20the%20time. Accessed 3 Jan. 2024. The Mysterious Death of George Washington | Constitution Center. National Constitution Center Constitutioncenter.Org, https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/the-mysterious-death-of-george-washington. Accessed 3 Jan. 2024. TikTok - Make Your Day. https://www.tiktok.com/@kingoftieland/video/7240164297303756075?lang=en. Accessed 3 Jan. 2024. Why Did George Washington Never Know Dinosaurs Existed? Quora, https://www.quora.com/Why-did-George-Washington-never-know-dinosaurs-existed. Accessed 3 Jan. 2024. https://blog.biodiversitylibrary.org/2015/10/the-first-described-and-validly-named-dinosaur-megalosaurus.html. Accessed 3 Jan. 2024. Updates: Jan. 4, 2024: A date/math error was corrected. Marvin Sanderlin knows it will be easy to show the U.S. Department of Agriculture discriminated against him when he applies for the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program, or DFAP. The federal agency already admitted it in writing. Part of the Inflation Reduction Act, DFAP is meant to pay farmers who were discriminated against by the USDAs loan programs. The USDA has a long and well-documented history of discriminating against Black farmers like Sanderlin, although DFAP payments are available to anyone who faced discrimination in the loan programs. Sitting in his truck early in the morning, Sanderlin, who farms corn, wheat and soybeans near Stanton, Tennessee, opened a dust-coated leather satchel and pulled out a 30-page, carefully kept letter from a USDA monitor. On the last page, the monitor concludes Sanderlin suffered a fundamental miscarriage of justice. USDA loans he received from 1981 to 1985, the monitor said, were less than they should have been and the denial of a loan he sought in 1990 should be reconsidered. Why should we have to go back and prove anything to the USDA now? They have already admitted it themselves. Thats stupid, he said. Marvin Sanderlin, a multi-generational Black farmer, poses for a portrait next to a site where he gathers lumber in Stanton, Tenn., on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. Sanderlin, who turned 69 in December, spent a year in the '90s getting that letter. But it was not the only time he faced discrimination as a Black farmer in Tennessee. Nor was it the only time he fought back. He joined a group of farmers that in 2002 staged a sit-in at the USDA office in nearby Brownsville. We wanted fairness. They were turning all the Black folks down. They pretty much put us all out of business, he said. Everything is changing Sanderlin turns his whole body to look to the side. His neck hasnt moved since a tree he was logging fell on his head. The doctors said the injury should have paralyzed Sanderlin, or killed him. But a few months after he got out of the hospital, he was back at work. Sanderlins house is on Joe Sanderlin Road, named for his dad. His grandfather was the first one in the family to farm. And Sanderlin will proudly tell you about how many Black farmers still work the land around him in Haywood County. But he has seen the number of Black farmers in West Tennessee dwindle over the years. Everything around Sanderlin is changing. The massive, $5.6 billion BlueOval City plant, where Ford will make electric trucks, is rising up amidst the fields Sanderlin and others farm. The back roads Sanderlin drives daily are rutted from traffic and heavy machinery. Lots that were recently in the middle of nowhere are now up for sale as commercial properties. Marvin Sanderlin, a multi-generational farmer, looks through the paperwork he will be submitting to the Disadvantaged Farmers Assistance Program while sitting in his truck at the site where he gathers lumber in Stanton, Tenn., on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. Thats going to be the worst nightmare Haywood County has ever seen, that Ford plant, Sanderlin said. Sanderlin has a strip of land the state wants to expropriate for a road, but he is fighting for a higher price. Land is suddenly valuable in Haywood County. How much money Sanderlin might get from the DFAP program is unknown. It depends on how people in a room far away from Haywood County judge his application. It also depends on how many farmers apply for a piece of the $2.2 billion budgeted for the program. Sanderlins hopes for the DFAP program are modest. He just wants a little debt relief on money he owes the USDAs Farm Service Agency. If they write that off, I wont ask for anything else, he said. It aint that much. He declined to disclose the amount of the debt. The future of farming These days, Sanderlin is thinking about his adult sons, Matthew and Joseph, and how they will make a living from farming. My days are finished. Im done. Im just out here because I love being out here, he said. Agrotourism, he thinks, is the future of farming in Haywood County. But his sons, he knows, will have to find their own way as farmers. They will have to figure out how to make a living doing something they enjoy. He does tell his boys to never borrow money from the USDA. He doesnt want them to ever deal with that agency. Thats what I shelter them from, he said. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: USDA discrimination payments: A Black farmer's long fight for justice ST. FRANCOIS COUNTY, Mo. A Farmington man faces 26 felonies in a child sex crimes investigation, accused of several crimes dating back to 1995. St. Francois County prosecutors have Patterson with 18 counts of statutory sodomy, seven counts of statutory rape and one count of child molestation. Authorities issued a warrant for Jackie Patterson, 65, on Dec. 29, 2023. When is Missouri & Illinois getting snow? Tracking the storms According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, the charges stem from incidents reported from 1995 to 2002. At least 24 charges link Patterson to crimes involving a child less than fourteen years old and two charges to a confidential victim less than seventeen years of age. The Daily Journal Online in St. Francois County reports that Patterson was a local business owner. Patterson is jailed in St. Francois County without bond, per Missouri court records. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. Police arrested and charged a father and son early Thursday in connection with the killing of a pregnant teenager who was about to give birth and her boyfriend in San Antonio last month. Christopher Preciado, 19, was charged with capital murder while his father, 53-year-old Ramon Preciado, was charged with abuse of a corpse for allegedly helping to move the bodies of Savanah Soto, 18, and Matthew Guerra, 22, who were found shot dead in a car. A conviction for capital murder is punishable by the death penalty or life imprisonment. The San Antonio Police Department confirmed the charges in a statement and said more charges are pending, possibly relating to the death of the unborn child. Savanah Soto. (via Facebook) Sgt. Washington Moscoso said in a news conference that Sotos family raised the alarm when she missed an appointment to be chemically induced to give birth, a procedure typically offered to women who are past their due date or if there is a medical risk. Detectives believe the deaths were related to a narcotics deal that went bad, he said. The two suspects were filmed being led by officers past waiting media into a car in a clip shared by police after midnight. The two bodies were found on Dec. 26 in a Kia Optima car belonging to Guerra, but the alleged murders took place five days earlier, just before midnight on Dec. 21, Moscoso said. Both died from gunshots to the head, the Bexar County medical examiner said. Investigators are unsure where the alleged murders happened, but police said that the couple were killed and then taken to a street outside an apartment complex, where they were found. Moscoso confirmed that Ramon Preciado wouldnt be charged as an accomplice as he was not present at the time of the alleged murders. Sotos death has left her family stricken with grief and comes 19 months after her 15-year-old brother, Ethan Soto, was shot dead in what has been described as a dispute over money. An image from security camera footage from near the crime scene, released by police and showing Guerra's Kia Optima. (San Antonio Police Dept. / via X) Moscoso said Sotos cellphone was recovered from the car and that, with the help of the U.S. Secret Service, police were able to download enough information to identify and locate the suspects car, which was shown in security camera footage near the crime scene. That 79-second clip, shared by police in an attempt to generate leads on the case, showed one man driving a dark Chevrolet Silverado and another driving Guerras Kia. The two appear to speak to each other before driving off in separate directions. They did a little bit of surveillance on the vehicle, determined which house it belonged to, went and knocked on the door, the father answered the door and knew why the police were there he cooperated with the investigation, Moscoso said. Moscoso added that the case had generated a huge amount of interest and generated much misinformation and speculation about who may be responsible. These are the only suspects were looking for, he said. She was scheduled to be induced and she didnt make her appointment, which is why the family went to the police to file a missing persons report, he said. It was not immediately clear whether the two suspects had legal representation. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Last month, the Fayetteville City Council settled for $200,000 with former Police Chief Gina Hawkins, who said in an Aug. 4 letter that she was the victim of gender and racial discrimination. The move headed off a potential lawsuit by Hawkins, who left the Fayetteville Police Department last February. But lingering tension on the council shows the matter is not settled among all members. During a Tuesday work session, Councilwoman Courtney Banks-McLaughlin made a motion to formally censure Mayor Mitch Colvin and Councilman Mario Benavente for what she says are their actions that led to the city payout. Both the mayor and (the) council member should be held accountable for these actions as well as this misconduct, she said before the vote. As a representative of the city we must lead by example; we must be transparent. The motion failed after receiving no support from other council members. Colvin and Benavente did not vote, on the advice of legal counsel. Councilwoman Courtney Banks-McLaughlin signs documents after taking the oath of office during the Fayetteville City Council inauguration ceremony at Fayetteville State University on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023. On Tuesday, January 2, 2023, she made a motion to censure Mayor Mitch Colvin and Councilman Mario Benavente related to a $200,000 settlement the city paid to former Police Chief Gina Hawkins. Banks-McLaughlin said on Wednesday the motion did not go as she had hoped, but she would do it again because it was the right thing. I was hopeful that there would have been some support, she said, maybe one or two. But I kind of figured it wouldnt go through." She described herself as transparent and said she believed in holding people accountable. In anything that we do there's consequences, she said, adding that a censure would let the public know we dont condone this. That was the hope. Unfortunately, it looks as if my colleagues do condone things like this taking place in a work environment. More: Troy Williams: Former Fayetteville police chief allegations should concern us all Colvin: Banks-McLaughlin trying to boost race for NC house Colvin and Benavente have denied Hawkins allegations. On Wednesday, Colvin said that Banks-McLaughlins move caught him off guard. He said she had not made a peep about her thoughts on the settlement during council discussion surrounding the Hawkins letter. The only explanation that makes sense is she is using the move to boost her race for a North Carolina House seat, the mayor said. Banks-McLaughlin has announced her intention to run for the District 42 seat in the state legislature. Colvin noted that his brother, Michael Colvin, is one of her opponents in the Democratic primary. Mayor Mitch Colvin speaks at the Passing of the Keys ceremony for the new Day Resource Center on King Street, Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. On Tuesday, January 2, 2023, Fayetteville City Councilwoman Courtney Banks-McLaughlin made a motion to censure Colvin and Councilman Mario Benavente related to a $200,000 settlement the city paid to former Police Chief Gina Hawkins. Its unfortunate that got brought into our business, he said. Colvin said he did not believe the issue of the settlement would linger. He said people he had talked to were more interested in what the council could get accomplished in the next two years. The council held elections in November; the new terms started in December. Thats certainly my focus, he said. Hopefully she can share those same sentiments, and when we get to work, lets do the business of the citizens and leave the other stuff at the door. Benavente: Hard feelings could linger, slow down progress Benavente also said Wednesday he thought McLaughlins campaign for a House seat drove her to propose the censure. I think this is motivated by gathering some attention, he said, the wrong kind of attention, though. He said he could not recall her submitting a council member's request to add an agenda item in years. That should be something that we use to bring up an idea that would benefit the city, not necessarily as a way to have five minutes of a political talking points, he said. Benavente said his biggest disappointment over the failed motion that there would be hard feelings from Banks-McLaughlins side and potentially slow progress on shared agenda items such as homelessness, fully funding an Office of Community Safety and youth gun violence. Fayetteville City Council Member Mario Benavente asks questions during a special meeting, called on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023 to address youth gun violence. On Tuesday, January 2, 2023, Councilwoman Courtney Banks-McLauhlin made a motion to censure Councilman Mario Benavente and Mayor Mitch Colvin related to a $200,000 settlement the city paid to former Police Chief Gina Hawkins. I was kind of counting on her support in moving these issues forward in the next two years, he said. He said that the councilwoman, in her remarks after the motion failed, blamed everyone on the council, calling them all guilty in a later TV interview. She tried to burn every possible bridge, he said. Banks-McLaughlin challenged the idea that the progress would slow on issues. That almost made me laugh, she said. Ive always advocated (on) homelessness, she said. She asked where Benavente was when she proposed adding beds to the Day Resource Center, which the city opened last year downtown. Where were you at? Why did you vote that down? she asked. Banks-McLaughlin: Its not about politics but doing the right thing Banks-McLaughlin also pushed back against her colleagues contention that she made her motion because of politics. She compared the idea to spitting in her face and said it was a direct contradiction to how she conducts herself on the council. For them to say that out of anything, it was like, 'Thats all you guys got? Thats all you have?' She said: Ive always stood on the right side. If its something thats wrong, Im going to jump in front of it. Im going to try to get it handled. Chief Gina V. Hawkins, center, talks to the media after Assistant Chief Kemberle Braden, right, was named as her replacement as Fayetteville Police Chief during a press conference at city hall on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. Hawkins left the department in February of 2023. In December, the city settled accusations she made against Mayor Mitch Colvin and other city officials over what she called a hostile work environment. She also scoffed at the notion that she hadnt spoken about the Hawkins letter and settlement before now, noting that all the council members were advised by the city attorney not to speak about the matter. Two sides on the former police chief allegations Hawkins, who began her tenure as chief in 2017, said in her August letter that she had suffered in a hostile work environment that included instances of Colvin screaming at her about her departments performance during the June 2020 protests over George Floyd, which ended in riots downtown. She said Benavente verbally attacked her in conversations about city priorities, among several other accusations leveled at city officials. Myron B. Pitts Banks-McLaughlin made the formal motion at a December meeting to offer the settlement. Benavente and Deno Hondros were the only two of 10 members on council to vote against it. Benavente said Wednesday he did so because he thought the council should not have agreed to spend an outrageous amount on what he said was a demand letter that presented no evidence. He said a lawsuit, if one were even filed, would have generated headlines over the course of many months but would have made revealed that all of the allegations were bogus. If this went to court, it would have gotten dismissed on day one, he said. But Banks-McLaughlin said Wednesday she believes the allegations. Myron B. Pitts can be reached at mpitts@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3559. This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville councilwoman says censure attempt was about accountability A series of hoax bomb threats on Wednesday prompted evacuations and lockdowns at multiple state capitols across the country, including Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, and Montana. The Federal Bureau of Investigation declared Wednesday's bomb threats a hoax. They said they had "no information to indicate a specific and credible threat," but are working with state, local and federal law enforcement agencies to find out more. The FBI takes hoax threats very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk, the FBI said in a statement. According to CNN, the anonymous sender of the emailed bomb threat to at least 23 states wrote that they had bomb threats in "your state Capitol." Michon Lindstrom, a spokesperson for the Kentucky Secretary of States office, told the news outlet that a mass email was "sent to several (Secretaries of State) and state offices across the country." The threat illuminates a recent rise in cases of swatting against public officials. Swatting entails the interception of harassing calls or messages to 911 operators to prompt police involvement. How did government officials respond to threats Wednesday? No damage was done to state capitol buildings after the series of threats and several government officials have reported they are safe. Investigations into the threat are ongoing. In Kentucky : "While everyone is safe, (Kentucky State Police) has asked everyone to evacuate the state Capitol and is investigating a threat received by the Secretary of States Office," wrote Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on X, formerly known as Twitter. In Mississippi : This is an ongoing investigation and there is no further threat to the Capitol or surrounding buildings, Bailey Martin, a spokesperson for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, told The Associated Press. In Montana: "Montanas Capitol building reopened within two hours after a sweep of the building was completed and the threat was found not to be credible, said Megan Grotzke, spokesperson for the Department of Administration, to AP. Swatting cases against politicians are on the rise Several public officials were the subject of swat calls over the holidays. Some recent cases include: On Christmas, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia was the target of swatting. I was just swatted. This is like the 8th time. On Christmas with my family here. My local police are the GREATEST and shouldnt have to deal with this, Greene wrote in a post on X. Republican Rep. Brandon Williams of New York said on X he was also the target of swatting. "On Christmas, someone swatted my home in an attempt to silence or frighten me and my family," he wrote. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida was also the victim of swatting, The Guardian reported. "Last night, while at dinner with my wife, cowards swatted my home in Naples," Scott wrote on X. "These criminals wasted the time & resources of our law enforcement in a sick attempt to terrorize my family. Scott said he was going to "make sure that the cowards who make these calls & waste law enforcement resources to terrorize & harass their targets will face real consequences." Contributing: Associated Press Contact Kayla Jimenez at kjimenez@usatoday.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @kaylajjimenez. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hoax bomb threats prompt evacuations at multiple state capitols A Michigan State Police trooper and his dog walk along Ottawa Street next to the Capitol Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. State Police have turned the investigation over to the FBI. LANSING The Michigan State Police turned over to the FBI their investigation of Wednesday's Capitol threat. Lt. Rene Gonzalez, a state police spokesperson, said on Thursday that the Capitol has reopened and MSP's investigation "has been turned over to the FBI." Gabrielle Szlenkier, a spokesperson for the FBI in Michigan, declined to comment on the investigation. "The FBI takes hoax threats very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk," Szlenkier wrote in an email. "While we have no information to indicate a specific and credible threat, we will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to gather, share, and act upon threat information as it comes to our attention." Michigan's Capitol was one of several around the country that closed temporarily on Wednesday after receiving a threat. The Associated Press reported that at least eight other state capitols closed, including Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi and Montana. Michigan's threat came through an email sent around 7:45 a.m. to the Michigan State Capitol Commission, state police said. The threat was not considered credible, but the building was closed for hours as a precaution while it was searched and the investigation began. Contact reporter Matt Mencarini at 517-377-1026 or mjmencarini@lsj.com. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: FBI takes over investigation of threat to Michigan Capitol Despite hand-wringing mainstream media coverage calling it "controversial," the most remarkable aspect of the debate over whether Donald Trump should be banned from accessing the ballot is how one-sided it is. Once you start reading about legal arguments on each side, what becomes swiftly clear is there is no good argument for keeping Trump in the race. The 14th Amendment to the Constitution, as both Colorado's Supreme Court and Maine's secretary of state have correctly decided, is clear in its language: Anyone who has "engaged in insurrection or rebellion against" the U.S., after taking an oath of office, is forbidden from running again. There's no use pretending Trump didn't engage in insurrection in his two-month campaign to overthrow an election. Even Trump's lawyers don't really contest that he did it, which is why they resort to a nonsensical argument that the presidency isn't an office of the United States. This is an obviously dumb argument from people who are out of ideas. Most arguments for allowing Trump on the ballot rely on treating the Constitution's clear guidance as merely optional. They claim it's vaguely "undemocratic" to deny Trump supporters their number one pick going into the election. This also falls apart under the slightest scrutiny. Even more Americans would like a chance to vote for Barack Obama again, but he can't run because of term limits. Millions would love to vote for Taylor Swift, but she isn't old enough. If those minor restrictions can be honored, surely the much more pressing need to keep a man who is running to end democracy off the ballot is valid. As Perry Bacon of the Washington Post noted, "The real affront to democracy is Trump, not officials following laws intended to keep people like him from gaining power." He also reaffirms this is not a "partisan" claim, as no one is trying to boot Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla. or former Gov. Nikki Haley, R-S.C. from the ballot. So bereft of any legal argument for keeping Trump on the ballot, there is always the argument of last resort: Taking their butt-smelly orange master off the ballot will draw a "backlash" from MAGA. Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only. There are two camps making this argument: outright Trump supporters and bed-wetting centrists who don't want to face up to the fact that we live in perilous times that require unprecedented action to save our democracy. Of the first camp, there is little to say. They're Trump supporters and therefore incurably dishonest. The latter, however, is gaining traction with their short-sighted stance that prioritizes their immediate fear of being yelled at over the long-term dangers to our democracy. For instance, Jonathan Chait of New York offered a typical knock-kneed argument, writing that disqualifying Trump "would be seen forever by tens of millions of Americans as a negation of democracy." What is this "would" you're talking about, Jon? The voters in question are MAGA voters, who already claim that democracy was ended in 2020. Polling shows fewer than a third of Republican voters accept that President Joe Biden won in 2020. If the concern is that they'll latch onto some conspiracy theory about how Democrats stole "their" democracy, and thus they're justified in using illegal and violent means to regain control, guess what? They're already there. The Hill published an article recounting the largely anonymous "concerns" that other Democrats supposedly have: That this will somehow hurt Biden. Voters will allegedly "recoil at efforts to throw the leading contender for the GOP nomination off the ballot" and "end up more likely to vote for him." Well, if he's disqualified, then they can't vote for him. But the larger assertion that there's some mass of would-be Biden voters who will switch to Trump is shaky at best. On the contrary, seeing Trump face an actual consequence for his attempt to overthrow democracy would likely convince any fence-sitters out there to take Trump's crimes seriously. One of the reasons Trump is even able to muddy the waters about his own behavior is this lack of official punishment, which allows some folks to believe what he did can't be that serious if no one is doing anything to hold him responsible. Ultimately, it comes down to this: Who cares if MAGA voters are mad? They're always mad. MAGA means you live in a perpetual state of unjustified grievance. If they aren't whining about Trump being thrown off the ballot, they're whining about tap-dancing Christmas routines or Taylor Swift taking pictures with her cat. Every morning, there's a new excuse for why it's time to end democracy and replace it with a Trump-led fascist state. The only difference here is that, unlike a Taylor Swift cat photo, taking Trump off the ballot is a meaningful step towards preserving democracy. I suspect a lot of the fear of "backlash" comes from a more unspeakable place than mere mean tweets or unjustified fears about the outcome of the 2024 election. A lot of this, I suspect, is about violence. We all saw what happened on January 6, when Trump whipped up a mob in order to stay in power. We all know it's only by sheer luck no one was outright murdered that day, though many lost lives. People fear something worse will happen if those MAGA people get organized to violence again. As Zack Beauchamp wrote at Vox this week, "Trumps most fanatical followers have created a situation where challenging him carries not only political risks but also personal ones," and this threat of violence "is quietly reshaping American politics." It's almost certainly a factor in the pretzel logic being rolled out by officials and judges who have defied the plain reading of the law to keep Trump on the ballot. And it's a fear that is vibrating off every "don't poke the bear" argument against applying the law to Trump by denying him another shot at the White House. We were reminded of the threat Wednesday, when multiple state capitols were evacuated due to bomb threats. But, by keeping Trump on the ballot, all that we're doing is temporarily delaying MAGA violence. As Brynn Tannehill wrote Wednesday at the New Republic, polling data shows "an unbreakable plurality of the GOP explicitly wants fascism." These are folks "who believe they should be forever atop the social and political order because of their race and/or religion and are angry at society for changing." You cannot placate such people. All you can do is beat them. Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only. The hand-wringers claim they want this, but by beating Trump at the polls instead of through rule of law. But the very same people who will throw a fit if Trump is removed from the ballot will go absolutely haywire if he loses another election. They will claim it was "stolen" and use it as a pretext for violence. They already hate democracy, and won't like it any better if they lose again. January 6 should remove all doubt that losing at the polls is enough to quell MAGA violence. And if Trump wins or successfully steals the next election? MAGA won't be placated then, either. As Trump has indicated, the goal is "retribution." Fascists are infamously sore winners, who react to seizing power by lashing out violently against everyone they hate. The longer we put off dealing with the issue of MAGA's violence, the more their sadism will fester and expand. The only way to limit the damage is nip this in the bud sooner rather than later. The good news is we do know what prevents MAGA violence, and it's not rolling over and giving them what they want. It's the opposite: punishing violence with swift certainty. Fear of consequences is the only thing that checks these folks, who otherwise let their outrageous sense of entitlement justify all sorts of transgressions against basic morality. We've seen this since January 6, where widespread arrests and convictions of the rioters has done a great deal to tamp down MAGA enthusiasm for another riot. On the flip side is Trump, who hasn't yet faced any meaningful consequences for January 6. As a result, he's doubled down on his violence, calling for it so routinely that it doesn't even make the news anymore. And when one of his followers acts, such as the man who tried to murder the husband of then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Trump gloats about it and publicly longs for more. His impunity is seeping back into his followers, and will get worse if they start sensing that they have won illegitmate victories by force, such as keeping him on the ballot with threats. It boils down to this: You don't stop MAGA violence by giving in, but the opposite. You stop it by fighting back and holding people accountable. Removing Trump from the ballot, as the law requires, is a first step. It sends a strong message to MAGA: This is what happens when you use violence to get your way. By not taking his name off the ballot, states are signaling that they will accede to violent threats. We should not be surprised if rewarding MAGA violence means we see more of it. HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD) Runners need not worry about slipping on ice during a winter 5K taking place in downtown Holland this February. The first Holland on Ice Snowmelt 5K will take place Saturday, Feb. 3 during downtowns two-day Holland on Ice event, downtown Holland announced Wednesday. Because of the areas snowmelt system, participants will not need to worry about snow and ice during the race. The Holland on Ice Snowmelt 5K is a great opportunity for local families to get outside and get active this winter, Kemri Hilton, the coordinator for Holland Parks and Recreation, said in the release. Racers can take advantage of Downtown Hollands heated sidewalks, which essentially guarantees a safe and hazard-free course, while also enjoying the impressive ice carvings along the route, courtesy of the Holland on Ice festival happening Downtown Holland that weekend. Without snow, winter sports park hopes synthetic ice draws visitors Registration for the 5K is open now for $35 until Jan. 15, after which registration will cost $40. Participants will receive a winter hat and a medal, along with refreshments. The race will start at 8 a.m. at the Eight Street Market Place. People can also enjoy watching professional ice carvers during the Holland on Ice event, and kids under the age of 7 can participate in a .2 mile Kids Mini Melt at 9 a.m. that Saturday. For more information and to register, go to hollandrecreation.com. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Chinese railway police rescue more than 300 abducted women and minors in 2023 Global Times) 10:40, January 04, 2024 Chinese railway police had solved over 49,000 criminal and public security cases, apprehended 21,000 fugitives on official wanted lists, seized more than 930 kilograms of drugs and rescued more than 300 abducted women and minors from the beginning of 2023 to December 10, 2023, as a result of strengthening management of railway stations, trains, and public safety. In order to disrupt serious violations of law, rail crimes, and thoroughly investigate into and rectify all types of public security risks, the railway police organized and carried out a special operation across the summer months to combat in particular bullying, molesting and illegal soliciting. In addition, the Chinese railway public security organs have also carried out exchanges with railway law enforcement authorities in Spain, Laos and other countries to explore and promote international law enforcement cooperation, providing a strong guarantee for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. In a bid to solve potential problems from the source and take a comprehensive approach to address issues of public safety, the railway police cooperated with relevant localities, departments and enterprises along rail lines to jointly carry out the special operation. During the action, the public security organs strictly implemented various security measures, comprehensively strengthened the public safety management of the railway lines, investigated and remediated more than 37,000 hidden dangers, investigated and dealt with more than 6,400 illegal acts, effectively building a strong railway security environment. Over the past year, the railway public security officials have achieved the goal of one train, one officer on the passenger trains through police deployment, team training, and scientific and technological empowerment, with the efficiency of officers deployed on passenger trains significantly increasing. The railway police focused on the travel peak during the Spring Festival, the May Day holidays and the National Day holidays, implementing a range of emergency plans, strengthened the joint work of public security on railways and roads, and the joint prevention and control of police and enterprises to ensure the safe and smooth flow of railways and the safety of passengers. Meanwhile, the railway police persisted in promoting the standardization of law enforcement. Through strengthening law enforcement training in various forms, enhancing all the polices literacy of law, strengthening law enforcement supervision and management, the trust in railway public security organs law enforcement efforts has been further enhanced. Throughout 2023, the railway public security organs had achieved positive results in safe railway construction to effectively guarantee the safety of peoples railway travel, an indispensable part of the countrys effort to crack down on violations and crimes against women and minors. According to the statistical monitoring report of 2022 Program for the Development of Chinese women 2021-2030 issued by Chinas National Bureau of Statistics on December 31, 2023, China has adhered to and has been improving the long-term mechanism for anti-trafficking efforts that integrate prevention, crackdowns, rescue, resettlement and rehabilitation. In 2022, public security authorities launched special campaigns to disrupt crimes involving the abducting and trafficking women and children, and solved 970 cases of abducting and trafficking women throughout the year. A total of 37,000 rape cases were solved, while 17,000 cases of organizing, forcing, luring, sheltering or introducing women to prostitution were exposed. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) HAVERSTRAW - A federal judge has dismissed a legal action seeking to block a residential synagogue and overrule a federal law aiming to protect religious liberty. The case involved residents opposed to a synagogue at 62 Riverglen Drive. Haverstraw officials had approved K'hal Bnei Torah of Mount Ivy's plan to convert the single-family house into a synagogue. Ruling: Federal judge dismisses legal action to block synagogue in Haverstraw and challenge federal law A property at 62 Riverglen Street in Thiells was the topic of a Nov. 10, 2021, Haverstraw Town Planning Board public hearing. The owners, Congregation Khal Bnei Torah of Mount Ivy, are seeking variances to expand the building for a neighborhood synagogue. The Orthodox Jewish congregation's attorneys argued for dismissal of the legal action. They cited the constitutional protection of religion, specifically the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000. Attorneys for three neighbors behind the legal challenge countered that RLUIPA is not only not applicable but is flawed law that discriminates in favor of religion. The lawsuit challenged RLUIPA's constitutionality and cited the federal government and the congregation. The residents also argued the synagogue posed a public nuisance due to traffic and parking. Federal judge outlines dismissal U.S. District Court Judge Cathy Seibel tossed the legal action on the grounds the court lacked jurisdiction over the case involving the federal government. In an opinion released on Wednesday, Seibel noted the United States had sovereign immunity from the claims of the residents, whom she found failed to establish any independent jurisdictional basis for their claims. "It is, of course, axiomatic under the principle of sovereign immunity that the United States may not be sued without its consent and that the existence of consent is a prerequisite for jurisdiction, Seibel wrote in her 14-page decision. She also wrote the United States would have to waive its sovereign immunity and has not. Attorneys for neighbors John and Tina Coritsidis and Kareen McKenzie, agreed the United States has not waived sovereign immunity, Seibel wrote. But Seibel disregarded their contention that exception to sovereign immunity applies because they challenged the constitutionality of a statute and the United States has intervened in this litigation to endorse and uphold the constitutionality of RLUIPA so it can be enforced in favor" of the congregation and against the neighbors' claims. "In so doing, plaintiffs misstate the law and distort the facts," Seibel wrote. On March 30, 2023, the neighbors amended their complaint and dropped RLUIPA claims. Instead, they asserted the congregation's actions constitute both a private and a public nuisance. The congregation's attorney, Weil, Gotshal & Manges in Manhattan, moved to dismiss the complaint for lack of jurisdiction and failure to state a claim. The law firm also argued the neighbors lacked standing, failed to allege a proper basis for subject matter jurisdiction, and allege any plausible claim for private or public nuisance. The neighbors have 30 days to appeal Seibel to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Their attorney Elliot Pell didn't immediately respond. Pell has said "RLUIPA shouldnt count in this case, and RLUIPA shouldnt count in any case. Not how its written. Pell said he believed the Haverstraw case could lead to the U.S. Supreme Court revisiting the constitutionality of the RLUIPA statute. Congregation sues after Planning Board rejection The synagogue proposal has been contentious for a few years. The congregation applied for land use approvals in 2021. A Joint special meeting of the Haverstraw town board and planning board was held to vote on a settlement deal in a land-use federal lawsuit by K'hal Bnei Torah of Mount Ivy at town hall in Thiells Feb. 13, 2023. Legal action: Synagogue sues Haverstraw after plan rejected; cites religious discrimination, RLUIPA After the Planning Board rejected their proposal, the congregation filed legal action in 2022 citing RLUIPA and state law. The congregation's lawsuit cited antisemitic comments from a neighbor during a Planning Board hearing that drew rebuke on the local, state and national levels. Other residents said the synagogue would change the character of the neighborhood. A large crowd attends a joint special meeting of the Haverstraw town board and planning board to vote on a settlement deal in a land-use federal lawsuit by K'hal Bnei Torah of Mount Ivy at town hall in Thiells Feb. 13, 2023. The Haverstraw Town Board settled with the congregation. The settlement called for the town to pay $235,000 of the congregation's legal fees and for a slight reduction in the synagogue's size. The stipulation agreement also states that no one admits any wrongdoing. Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at slieberm@lohud.com Twitter: @lohudlegal Read more articles and bio. Our local coverage is only possible with support from our readers. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Haverstraw NY synagogue challenge dismissed by federal judge Global manufacturer and supplier of various food products under the brand Vici, Lithuanian company Viciunai Group has been added to the list of international sponsors of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Source: National Agency on Corruption Prevention of Ukraine (NACP) which created this list Quote: "After the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the representatives of the Viciunai Group promised that the company would leave the Russian market but Vici still has not stopped its production in Russia, is looking for new employees and pays significant taxes into the budget of the aggressor." Details: Reportedly, back in March 2022 the head of the Lithuanian group, Sharunas Matioshaitis, claimed that the company would leave the Russian market in 3-4 months. Instead, Viciunai is still doing business in Russia as usual without any staff cuts, successfully protecting the Russian trademark in court, continuing hiring staff to its affiliates and thus supporting the labour market in Russia. For instance, Vichunai-Rus Ltd is the largest company of the Viciunai Group, it has 1,500 employees. It is located in Kaliningrad Oblast in Russia, and its net profit increased by 156% (up to US$20 million) in 2022. BaltCo Ltd, an affiliate of Viciunai, is an official representative of the company in Russia. It provides services of transporting the products of fish culinary, fish processing, surimi and sea products. Its net profit in 2022 was US$2.5 million. "While such brands as Vici are in the Russian market, despite all the war crimes of the Russians, the world keeps getting a wrong signal that Russia remains a part of international economic processes. Likewise, Russians see that the democratic world has not turned its back on them, so [to them it looks like ed.] they are doing everything right," Oleksandr Novikov, Head of the NACP, explained. Background: The company is a global manufacturer and supplier of various food products. Specifically, Viciunai Group is the largest processor of surimi in the world and one of the largest and most economically powerful manufacturers of sea products in Europe. Its main office is located in Lithuania, and its plants operate in Lithuania, Spain, Estonia and Russia. NACP is a body responsible for the development of the compliance system in the private sector. During the compliance procedures, counteragents are subject to inspection for honesty, including for adhering to the norms of socially responsible entrepreneurial activity in accordance with the OECP standards. The International Sponsors of War list on the War&Sanctions portal is a powerful reputational tool for achieving transparency in supply chains on the international arena and exit of international businesses from Russia, and therefore for decreasing financial and technological capacity of the terrorist state to kill Ukrainians. One of the pressure leverages of the platform is cooperation with the World-Check database, which is being used by banks and insurance companies for risk assessment. This is why the consequences of being on the list for global companies are worse than continuing to do business with the aggressor state. Support UP or become our patron! One of my best friends, Jim, in South Bend, died of an unusual intestinal cancer. This experience moved me to explore the issue of medical aid in dying. Is MAID ethical and moral? Is it the right and justified choice for some individuals? After a time unfortunately, Jims cancer progressed with a vengeance leaving him with extensive intestinal obstructions. Further chemo would be of little help, and further surgery was impossible. Toward the end, my friend couldnt receive any real nutrition and could only tolerate water. He lost 65 pounds in 10 weeks and was essentially skin over bone. Jim was Catholic and very religious. He was a splendid husband and father to his nine children. He worked hard, was responsible and was a good citizen. He was a good man. The best. When I last saw him, I told him that I envied both his courage and his faith. Jim had no doubt that in passing, he was entering the next phase of his life and that he would be with God. Jims character and faith sustained him. His religious beliefs would not allow him to consider anything but a natural death. So, he never would have considered MAID. And of course, its not legal in Indiana. Ten states and the District of Columbia have now legalized MAID. Oregon was first in 1994. The Oregon law has worked well and has served as the model for other states. Generally, these laws have a minimum patient age of 18, and the individual must have a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less. The patient must be mentally competent and capable of making health care decisions without impaired judgment (including from depression). These laws require two concurring physicians opinions concerning diagnosis, competence and compliance with the law, and the patient must be informed of other alternatives. There are safeguards against coercion. The prescription medications utilized are self-administered; this is not euthanasia. New Mexico led the way in making changes to Oregons original law, including a shortened mandatory waiting period after the patients MAID request before receiving aid-in-dying prescriptions (from 15 days to 48 hours). Although unmanageable symptoms despite optimal hospice care is a reason to utilize MAID, autonomy and maintaining dignity are the primary reasons MAID is chosen. These patients want control, without dependence on others for care. My elegant 92-year-old dear friend, Kathryn, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, was a very intelligent, worldly and gracious person. She and her husband enjoyed fascinating Foreign Service careers with the State Department. My wife and I loved our many dinners with wonderfully engaging conversation at her home. When multiple medical problems, including multiorgan failure, caught up with Kathryn, she made a different decision from Jims but a decision very much right for her. She chose MAID to die with dignity on her own terms surrounded by family and close friends. MAID is controversial, but dynamic, in the medical community. The American Medical Association has now affirmed that physicians can provide MAID according to the dictates of their conscience without violating their professional obligations. The American Academy of Family Physicians recently changed its position to one of neutrality. Although it will be a long time before Indiana considers MAID legislation, the majority of the Americans support MAID for terminal illness. Is MAID a slippery slope, an unconscionable act or a caring act of compassion? Difficult questions. A former resident of South Bend, Dr. Richard Feldman is an Indianapolis family physician and is a past Indiana state health commissioner. Email him at richarddfeldman@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Medical aid in dying brings difficult questions The Florida Highway Patrol has offered troopers a longer leash to chase fleeing vehicles at high speeds, a notable shift at a time when many other agencies across the country are enforcing limits on the high-profile tactic. Effective Dec. 22, suspects no longer need to have committed a felony, DUI or be driving recklessly in order for a pursuit to be initiated, according to the document posted on FHPs website. Instead, a chase can begin as soon as someone begins fleeing, so long as troopers believe its safe and appropriate to do so. The change was one of many differences between the prior version of the pursuit policy that became effective in Oct. 2022 and the new one, including: Allowing troopers riding motorcycles to initiate pursuits Dropping a prohibition on chasing suspects riding motorcycles unless the suspect committed a violent felony Allowing troopers to drive through stop signs and red lights without stopping Allowing troopers to drive on the wrong side of a divided highway when they believe theres an imminent danger to the public Deleting guidelines about posted speed limits, including strict limits around toll booths Encouraging troopers to join another agencys pursuit upon the request of the other agency. Before, a supervisor needed to check whether the chase complied with FHP policies. Allowing troopers to chase suspects across state lines on any occasion, instead of just felonies that excluded fleeing from police Read: Survey shows the state of human trafficking safehouses in Florida The biggest difference between the old policy and new, however, was the tone it set. Whereas the overview to the 2022 policy began by warning of the dangers of high-speed pursuits, the 2023 version dropped much of the safety talk to later in the document. Emergency responses and vehicular pursuits of fleeing suspects are critical to the effective enforcement of laws, preservation of law and order, and preservation of life, the new policy overview stated. Violators who make a conscious decision to flee from law enforcement also make a conscious decision to put the community, the member(s), and the public in danger. FHP leaders declined to comment or explain why they believed the relaxed rules and shift in tone were necessary. While a hallmark of action movies and routine assignment for Los Angeles-area helicopter pilots, high-speed chases are controversial, even within police departments. The United States averages one fatal pursuit-related crash every day, a recent Department of Justice study showed. A third of pursuits ended in a crash, and up to 17% of them led to an injury or fatality. Read: Orlando VA embraces new innovative therapy, Esketamine, for treating depression in veterans While the suspects are most likely to be injured or killed, 24% of so-called negative outcomes happen to passengers in the fleeing vehicle, law enforcement officers or innocent bystanders, the study found. The DOJ report encouraged agencies to limit pursuits to violent felony offenders and cases where officers believed the public was in imminent danger and called for a national pursuit standard. They were saying that the benefit of the chase wasnt worth the lives, police consultant Dr. Randy Nelson said, of agencies he works with. Nelson called on FHP to be transparent about its change and explain why troopers needed to engage in more chases, especially in the era where cameras and license plate readers can help troopers identify a suspect for a later arrest. He said this type of change needed to have buy-in from the community. Those days are behind us unless they have statistics that show that our citizens are losing their lives or being injured because were not pursuing or failing to pursue, he said. Central Florida officers already considered FHP to be one of the more aggressive agencies in respect to chases before the changes were implemented. Read: OnePULSE Foundation officially dissolves Most local agencies restricted pursuits to violent felonies after a 2001 chase led to the death of Sarah Marie Phillips, whose car was rear-ended while stopped at a spike strip set up by Orange County deputies. Her father, Jim Phillips, founded PursuitWatch, a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating unnecessary police pursuits. There are safer ways to do police pursuits, PursuitWatch spokesman Lucas Aragon said. Its not worth someones loved one to be killed. Aragon lost his sister in 2010 when a fleeing driver t-boned her car while she was waiting at an intersection. The driver had just robbed a bank, and tellers had placed a GPS tracker inside the bag of money so officers could locate him. He said hed never heard of a department loosening its pursuit policies since he became involved in advocacy work. Its become sort of like pastime for Americans to watch on TV, he said. These are real people who lives are affected, all because someone decides that they think they can outrun the police and they never do. Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Dave Kerner provided Channel 9 with the following statement Friday: Florida State Troopers are some of the most highly trained and experienced law enforcement officers in the nation when it comes to pursuit and vehicle operations. Under Governor DeSantis, Florida law enforcement leads as a law and order state and holding dangerous criminals accountable for their destructive behavior. FHPs revised Pursuit and Emergency Response policies empowers Troopers to hold fleeing felons accountable while protecting Floridians by ensuring pursuits are ended as soon as possible through P.I.T, intentional contact, aviation asset interception, and self-termination of the pursuit. It aligns our policies with the authorities granted by state law. Most importantly, and while many states shy away from holding dangerous felons accountable for their decisions, the Florida Highway Patrol seeks to use every tool and tactic available to ensure dangerous felons end up in jail and off our streets. FHP is investing over 20 million dollars in enhanced vehicle operations training facilities and nearly 7 million in new aviation assets designed to intercept fleeing felons. FHP will continue to work with and assist our partner agencies to keep Florida safe. Finally, we put focus and emphasis on the destructive behaviors of reckless fleeing felons, instead of excusing or ignoring their behaviors and decisions. Floridians have the right to be and protected on their roadways and highways, and we appreciate the support of the many communities we serve as we work to hold those accountable who wish to do harm to us all. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. NEW PHILADELPHIA The Fifth District Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of former Dover Mayor Richard Homrighausen on a theft in office charge. The ruling was issued on Tuesday. Homrighausen was convicted in November 2022 in Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court of theft in office, dereliction of duty and four counts of soliciting improper compensation related to fees he collected for officiating at weddings. He appealed his conviction to the Fifth District Court of Appeals in February 2023. At a hearing in Cambridge in September, the former mayor's attorneys argued the trial court made several errors. First, they argued that because the city of Dover had no legislation establishing fees for weddings, the city had no claim on the money Homrighausen received for performing weddings. Therefore, his conviction on theft in office and dereliction of duty charges should be reversed. Nick Homrighausen, and his father, Richard P. Homrighausen, former mayor of Dover, listen to oral arguements in his appellate case brought before the 5th District Court of Appeals, Tuesday, Sept. 12 at the Guernsey County Courthouse. Second, they argued that conviction on theft in office and dereliction of duty charges preclude Homrighausen being found guilty of soliciting improper compensation. For Homrighausen to be convicted of theft in office, he had to lawfully receive money on the city's behalf. To convict him of soliciting improper compensation, he had to unlawfully receive money on his own behalf. The appeals court judges overruled Homrighausen's attorneys and upheld the decision of the Common Pleas Court. Regarding the fees, the court ruled that the evidence from the trial established that Homrighausen knew he was not entitled to keep the money. The judges also ruled that the two verdicts are not mutually exclusive. The ruling was signed by Judges Patricia A. Delaney and John W. Wise. The third judge who heard the appeal, Andrew J. King, concurred in part on the decision and dissented in part. "In my view, the city was not the 'owner' of the fees he collected," King wrote. "I also conclude that the newlyweds appeared to receive proper consideration for their fees and were not unlawfully deprived of their property." Homrighausen did not respond to a call for comment. Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com. This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Appeals court upholds conviction of former Dover mayor Photo: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine The Russians are trying to conduct an offensive on different fronts around the city of Bakhmut, specifically towards the settlement of Chasiv Yar, and heavy fighting is ongoing near the settlement of Bohdanivka. Source: ISW report from 3 January Details: A Russian blogger claimed that on 3 January, the Russian forces had advanced northeast of Bakhmut but there were no confirmed changes on this section of the front. He claimed that the Russian forces had resumed attacks on the northeastern and eastern flanks of the settlement of Vesele (about 18 km to the northeast from Bakhmut), and posted a map purportedly showing that Russians had advanced in these areas. So far the ISW have not observed any visual confirmations of advances of Russian troops near Vesele. However, according to the analysts, the Russians have recently advanced northwest of Bakhmut. Geolocation footage posted on 2 January shows that Russian forces, likely units from the 98th Airborne (VDV) Division, advanced north of the O0506 Bakhmut-Khromove road between Bohdanivka and Khromove. Several milbloggers also claimed on 3 January that Russian forces had advanced northwest of Bakhmut in wooded areas along the O0506. Ukrainian Ground Forces Commander Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi noted that intense fighting was ongoing near Bohdanivka and that Russian forces were trying to advance towards Chasiv Yar (west of Bakhmut). Russian milbloggers also claimed that Russian forces advanced southwest of Bakhmut near Klishchiivka and Kurdyumivka, although the ISW has not observed visual confirmation of Russian gains in this area. Russian and Ukrainian sources reported positional engagements northwest of Bakhmut near Bohdanivka and Khromove, west of Bakhmut near Ivanivske, and southwest of Bakhmut near Kurdyumivka, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka. Units of the Russian 98th and 106th Airborne Divisions and units of Russia's Northern Fleet are reportedly continuing to operate in the vicinity of Bakhmut. Support UP or become our patron! SPRINGFIELD, Ill. Representatives for Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican challengers led by former President Donald Trump filed petitions Thursday to gain a spot on Illinois March 19 partisan presidential primary ballots. Representatives for two other Republican candidates, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley, also were in line to file candidacy petitions when the doors to the State Board of Elections opened at 8 a.m., starting a two-day window for presidential candidates and their delegate slates to file for the ballot. Candidates who filed first thing Thursday earned a chance for the top ballot spot, while candidates who wait until 4 p.m. Friday to file earn a chance for the bottom spot. As of midday, the only other Republican candidate to file was little-known Ryan Binkley, a Dallas, Texas, businessman and pastor. Bidens nominal Democratic challengers, U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota and Marianne Williamson, filed petitions for the presidential preference portion of the ballot but did not put in paperwork for any delegates. About two dozen people stood outside the board of elections office before the doors opened, many of them supporters or delegate candidates for former president Trump. Myles Nelson, a Trump delegate candidate, said that its a foregone conclusion Trump will be the Republican nominee, but that his supporters need to work hard nonetheless. We have to just keep fighting in the general election, trying to change peoples minds, make them realize the disastrous policies of Joe Biden and the Democrats, Nelson said. Theyre scared to death of the thought of him getting back in office and Making America Great Again. Smaller groups lined up for Haley, a former governor of South Carolina, and DeSantis. Cynthia Lamar, a delegate candidate for DeSantis from central Illinois, said she thinks Republicans generally agree on the big issues, even while supporting different candidates. Primaries are tough. You know, your best friends on the other campaign, Lamar said. But were all, as far as in Sangamon County, everybodys a good sport and supportive of each other. Chris Dunn, a delegate candidate for Biden, said that despite the countrys political polarization, the different presidential camps remained cordial as they waited to file. Liz Brown-Reeves, another delegate candidate for Biden, agreed. Look, you can be professional and cordial. We do this at the statehouse everyday, said Brown-Reeves, a veteran State Capitol lobbyist. But, you know, fundamentally we are very different and I think the president supports all people. While the signature requirements for both Democratic and Republican presidential candidates are identical, each requiring between 3,000 and 5,000 signatures of valid voters, the process for nominating convention delegates differs significantly. Illinois Republicans will send 64 delegates to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee from July 15-18, with 51 of them directly elected in the March GOP primary. The top three delegate candidate finishers in each of the states 17 congressional districts, running as pledged to a candidate or uncommitted, earn a spot at the national convention. GOP voters also will select the same number of alternate delegates, who serve if a nominated delegate cannot participate in the convention. State Republican Chair Don Tracy and the states GOP national committeeman and committeewoman are automatically delegates, and another 10 at-large delegates will be selected at the partys state convention in May. The 51 elected delegates are bound to support the candidate to whom they are pledged. The 13 party officials and at-large delegates must support the winner of the statewide presidential preference voting. Trump, DeSantis and Haley all filed full delegate slates Thursday. Trumps candidates included Steve Balich of Orland Park, the Will County Board Republican leader and Homer Township supervisor; Chicago 2nd Ward GOP Committeeperson Eloise Gerson; and downstate U.S. Rep. Mary Miller of Hindsboro, a member of the far-right Freedom Caucus. Filing as Trump delegates in the downstate 12th Congressional District were U.S. Rep. Mike Bost of Murphysboro and unsuccessful 2022 GOP candidate for governor Darren Bailey of Xenia. Bailey is challenging Bost in the March primary and both candidates have been soliciting Trumps endorsement. Delegate candidates for DeSantis included Shannon Adcock of Naperville, president of Awake Illinois, a conservative group that has fought battles over public school and library materials; DuPage County GOP chair and county board member Jim Zay of Carol Stream; Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau; state Sens. Dave Syverson of Rockford and Sue Rezin of Morris; and former Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis. Haleys delegate candidates included Elizabeth Doody Gorman, former Cook County Board member and former county GOP chair; state Sens. Don DeWitte of St. Charles and Dan McConchie of Hawthorn Woods; and state Rep. Ryan Spain of Peoria. A Republican presidential candidate needs the support of an estimated 1,235 delegates nationally to win the nomination. But its questionable whether Illinois primary will be relevant to either partys presidential nomination by the time ballots are cast. Super Tuesday is March 5, two weeks before Illinois primary, when 15 GOP primaries and caucuses will be held including contests in delegate-heavy California and Texas. If Super Tuesday fails to decide the matter, Illinois primary date is shared with the key presidential election states of Ohio and Florida. The formal filing of candidacy papers on behalf of Trump opens the door to a challenge of his qualifications for the office under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution based his role in fomenting the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capital. Challenges in some states have been dismissed but Colorado and Maine have both bumped Trump from the ballot. Trump is appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court a ruling by the Colorado Supreme Courts Democratic majority that he is disqualified from the presidency under the Constitutions insurrection clause, which was primarily used to prevent supporters of the Confederacy from holding office after the Civil War. Trump also is appealing to a state court a ruling by the Maine secretary of state that he be removed from the primary ballot. Under Illinois law, Trumps petition package must include a statement of candidacy in which he provides a notarized signature affirming that he is legally qualified for the office he is seeking. After Trumps papers were filed Thursday, a group of five voters filed an objection asking the State Board of Elections to disqualify him from the primary ballot. The elections board previously has said the matter is for the courts or the Illinois legislature to address. The objectors are backed by Free Speech for People, an organization that has pursued efforts nationwide to have Trump disqualified from state ballots. Biden, facing only nominal opposition within his party, needs to win an estimated 1,895 of pledged Democratic delegates on the first ballot when the party holds its national convention in Chicago from Aug. 19-22. Bidens full slate of delegate candidates included many Democratic state lawmakers and several Chicago aldermen. Also filing were Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea of Springfield and Robert Reiter, the president of the Chicago Federation of Labor. The Democratic delegate process is governed by national rules regarding race and ethnicity, sexual identity, youth and people with disabilities. A total of 177 nominating delegates from Illinois will be attending the partys national convention. Of those, 96 will be elected in the March primary from the states congressional districts, with the number of delegates ranging from three to eight based on past Democratic turnout. A Democratic presidential candidate must get at least 15% of the votes in the presidential preference voting within the congressional district to be entitled to a delegate. The delegates are awarded proportionally by the preference vote in each district, and an effort is made to provide an even number of men and women. Candidates who identify as nonbinary are counted separately. The 96 district delegates chosen by voters will meet on April 29 to approve 32 at-large delegates and 19 party leaders and elected officials such as Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. Gov. J.B. Pritzker, U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and the states 14 U.S. House members and Democratic National Committee members from Illinois are among another group of 30 automatic delegates. _____ (Rick Pearson reported from Chicago.) _____ A tractor-mower inside a maintenance building at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg caught fire overnight. According to Westmoreland County 911, the fire started around 1 a.m. Pitt Greensburg officials told Channel 11 a tractor-mower caught fire and that the blaze was extinguished in less than 30 minutes. The only damage reported was on the mower and the smoke damage to the building. No one was hurt in the blaze. Pitt Greensburg is investigating the origin of the fire alongside the Hempfield Fire Department. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Officer shot multiple times in Monroeville; suspect in custody Code Blue in effect for Allegheny County, City of Pittsburgh starting Thursday night PHOTOS: Officer-involved shooting in Monroeville prompts major police response VIDEO: Hundreds gather to honor fallen Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts A fire that badly damaged the South Florida home of Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was accidentally started by a child playing with a lighter, officials say. The fire started Wednesday afternoon in a bedroom at the home in Southwest Ranches, about 23 miles west of Fort Lauderdale, according to Davie Fire Rescue Fire Marshal Robert Taylor. Fortunately, all occupants of the home were able to evacuate safely, and there were no injuries, Taylor told CNN. Hill left practice early after he was alerted about the fire, according to multiple reports. In earlier areal video shot by CNN affiliate WSVN, Hill could be seen standing outside as firefighters worked to extinguish the flames. Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins. - Rich Storry/Getty Images/File Crews responded to the home Wednesday around 1:53 p.m. after receiving a 911 call from the residence, Taylor said. At least 20 units from the Davie Fire Rescue, Southwest Ranches Fire Department and Broward County Sheriffs Office Fire Rescue responded to the scene. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com (FOX40.COM) A group of pro-Palestine demonstrators showed up at the California State Capitol in Sacramento on Wednesday, calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The protesters caused a disruption during the first session of the year for the California legislature, causing lawmakers in the Assembly to adjourn for the day. The Assembly plans to reconvene on Thursday morning. The moment a group demanding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza interrupted the first California State Assembly Legislative Session of the year. @FOX40 pic.twitter.com/rGaoDJTrJq Zach Boetto (@FOX40Zach) January 3, 2024 The large group of protesters were dressed in black shirts and were singing and chanting inside the Capitol rotunda. While chanting, they hung up black and red-colored banners from the second floor of the rotunda. Outside of the chambers, about 100 to 200 protesters sat inside the capitol, also chanting and holding signs. Wednesday was the first time California lawmakers reconvened at the State Capitol in 2024. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. Records released Wednesday provide a deeper look into the sprawling sex trafficking activities of financier Jeffrey Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell and those who say they saw nothing even as they enjoyed the couples company and largess. The records were unsealed in response to years-long litigation by the Miami Herald and its parent, McClatchy. Though none of the records directly implicate anyone beyond Epstein and Maxwell in illegal or improper activities, witnesses mostly young women testified that Epstein bragged about his sexual prowess with virgins and boasted of his long list of famous acquaintances, including former presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, Prince Andrew and the late Michael Jackson. The records were immediately seized upon by partisans on either side of the political and cultural divide, who posted social media attacks on Trump or Clinton even though their connections with Epstein have long been known. New revelations Among new revelations in documents unsealed Wednesday: A witness, Johanna Sjoberg, testified in a deposition that she met David Copperfield at one of Epsteins residences and that the magician asked her if she knew that girls were getting paid to find other girls. Sjoberg, who was in college, recalled seeing another younger girl at dinner with Copperfield, and recalled thinking she appeared to be of high school age, but she wasnt certain. The Miami Herald was unable to reach Copperfield for comment Wednesday night. Sjoberg, who worked for Epstein for five years, said she once overheard Epstein talking on the phone about famed hairdresser Frederic Fekkai. I heard him call someone and say Fekkai is in Hawaii. Can we find some girls for him? Sjoberg testified during a deposition. Fekkai couldnt be reached late Wednesday for comment, but he has denied knowing of Epsteins conduct in the past. Sjoberg said she never met Bill Clinton, but that Epstein told her they were friends. He said one time that Clinton likes them young, referring to girls, Sjoberg told lawyers during the deposition. And Sjoberg recalled a 2001 visit to one of Trumps casinos in Atlantic City. After their plane was forced to land in Atlantic City instead of New York, Sjoberg recalled that Epstein said, Great, well call up Trump. The two men socialized together in Palm Beach. It isnt clear whether she ever actually met Trump and she said that she never gave him a massage. Epstein was known for requiring three massages a day from young women and girls recruited for him by staff at any of his several houses. A spokesman for Trumps presidential campaign didnt respond immediately to a request for comment. Other names in Epsteins world included Michael Jackson, whom Sjoberg said she met at Epsteins Palm Beach estate, and model scout Jean Luc Brunel, once a Miami Beach bon vivant. A longtime associate of Epstein, Brunel was found dead of hanging in 2022 in a French jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The Miami Heralds original Perversion of Justice series: The documents released Wednesday stem from a 2015 defamation lawsuit Epstein victim Virginia Roberts Giuffre brought against Maxwell. The suit was filed after Maxwell called Giuffre a liar for accusing Epstein and Maxwell of serial sexual abuse The case was settled in 2017, with Maxwell reportedly paying millions to Giuffre. Jeffrey Epstein sexually abused underage girls in this waterfront estate in Palm Beach, victims say. The Miami Herald first sued to have the records released in 2018 and the court has released several tranches of documents since then that have painted a detailed portrait of Epsteins abuse of hundreds of girls and Maxwells role in facilitating that abuse. Many of the names in the records were redacted, and the Herald pushed to have those redactions lifted. More names to be revealed Wednesdays release is the initial batch of court records that will be unsealed in the days ahead. The names of about 150 J. Does are to be unsealed, although some were already widely known and reported. The first batch on Wednesday included Clinton, Trump, Brunel, Copperfield, Fekkai and Thomas Pritzker, executive director of the Hyatt Hotel Corp. Giuffre had previously testified in the case that she was directed by Epstein and Maxwell to have sex with Pritzker, who has denied her allegation. The records included several full depositions that had not previously been public, subpoenas, witness lists and court motions. The latest release caps years of legal wrangling involving lawyers for Giuffre, Maxwell and several of the individuals previously identified as J. Does. The impetus for the unsealing was the Miami Heralds 2018 Perversion of Justice series, which detailed how Epsteins high-powered legal team negotiated a remarkably lenient 2008 plea agreement for the financier after he was accused of sexually abusing dozens of high school girls in Palm Beach. Under the terms of the deal, which was kept secret from the victims, Epstein pleaded guilty to two state solicitation charges. He would ultimately serve a 13-month sentence in a private wing of the Palm Beach County Jail, allowed to leave for 12 hours a day to work out of a nearby office. Photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell presented by U.S prosecutors during Maxwells sex trafficking trial. Following the Heralds reporting, federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York brought sex trafficking charges against Epstein in July 2019, leading to his arrest. The following month, he was found dead in his New York prison cell in what has been ruled a suicide. In July 2020, Maxwell was arrested and charged with facilitating Epsteins abuse and, in one case, participating in the abuse herself. She was convicted in December 2021 on five of six charges related to sex trafficking and sentenced to 20 years in prison in June 2022. Maxwell, 62, currently lives in a federal prison in Tallahassee. Her appeal of the verdict and sentence is pending. Maxwell is the only associate of Epstein who has been prosecuted for her role in facilitating his abuse. Epsteins death came one day after earlier redacted documents from the Giuffre-Maxwell lawsuit were released. Giuffre alleged in those documents she was coerced into having sex with some of the worlds most powerful and wealthy men, including former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell, former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Pritzker all of whom denied the claims. Subsequent releases have included the two depositions Maxwell gave in the case in which she denied knowledge of Epsteins abuse and her role in recruiting and grooming girls for his abuse. Maxwell vehemently denied ever giving anyone a massage, which contradicted the sworn testimony given at trial by one of her victims, Annie Farmer. Those depositions formed the basis for perjury charges initially brought against Maxwell at the time of her arrest, which were put on hold until after her sex trafficking trial. Maxwell had fought to keep the court depositions sealed, arguing that it would prejudice her trial. Jeffrey Epsteins home on the island of Little St. James in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Maxwell had said that she had little contact with Epstein after he was released from jail in Palm Beach County in 2009, but other records releases provided evidence that the pair remained in contact far longer. In one 2015 e-mail, for example, Epstein wrote to Maxwell, You have done nothing wrong and I would urge you to start acting like it. The latest release of documents included a 2015 e-mail in which Epstein proposed that Maxwell offer rewards to friends and acquaintances of Giuffre willing to discredit her. Maxwell said in her deposition that she never acted on that advice. But even as the documents saw the light of day, many secrets have remained buried by heavy redactions. Why were the documents secret? Legal experts said the documents should have never been secret in the first place. Our court system is an open system, and there shouldnt be a secret docket. If a document is filed and made part of the public docket, it should be made public, said David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor. Marci Hamilton, CEO of Child USA, a non-profit focused on ending child abuse, said she believes the newly released documents could lead to future legal charges or lawsuits against some of the perpetrators named in the documents, particularly those accused of crimes in New York City, which is allowing previously expired sex assault civil claims to go forward through March 2025. I have no doubt that both the state attorney general and the district attorney in New York City are going to be looking at this carefully, she said. In the absence of further criminal charges, some of Epsteins victims have won victories in civil court cases and been compensated through a fund established for victims. J.P. Morgan Chase settled a class-action lawsuit last year brought by Epsteins victims, which had argued that the bank had facilitated Epsteins abuse by continuing to do business with him even after his first conviction. The bank agreed to pay the victims $290 million. The bank also reached a settlement for $75 million with the U.S. Virgin Islands over its connection to Epstein. The multimillionaire owned an island there, flying in famous friends, elite scientists and young women. Virginia Giuffre A fund established with proceeds from Epsteins estate paid out $121 million in 2021 to more than 135 people. Giuffre in 2022 reached a settlement with Prince Andrew after filing a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault; the settlement is believed to be worth 12 million pounds or roughly $15 million. Giuffre had also previously reached a settlement with Epstein. She admitted in a settlement with famed defense attorney Alan Dershowitz, once part of Epsteins legal team, that she might have been mistaken in accusing him of sexual abuse. When Henrik Fisker made his return to auto manufacturing in 2023, he decided to use the direct-sales model, like many of his fellow electric vehicle startups. Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid all cut the dealership middleman out of the equation, selling cars directly to the customer, and Fisker wanted to do the same with his new namesake EV company. However, after realizing the difficulties such a sales model brings, he's decided to go back to the traditional dealership system. According to the Wall Street Journal , Fisker is currently working to open 50 dealerships in the United States this year. With 50 dealerships, the very new, very unknown company will have an easier time reaching customers and getting people to actually buy cars. Of the 10,142 Fisker Ocean electric SUVs built last year (its first year of production), less than half were sold. Much of the problem has to do with customers' inability to actually see the car in person, as Fisker only has showrooms in Los Angeles and New York. Fisker Some people dont want to drive three hours or fly to another state to see a vehicle, said Fisker. Shocking. There's also a matter of inventory. With only two showrooms and more than 50% of Fisker's production going unsold, the company is on the hook to store and maintain the inventory. Why is Fisker having a hard time, while Tesla , Rivian , and Lucid are making the direct-sales model work? Some of it might have to do with where each brand's cars are made. Fisker outsources Ocean production to Magna Steyr in Austria, while the other three EV startups build their cars themselves, in the U.S. So maintaining inventory might be easier for the U.S.-based companies. Between storing and expenses, Fisker learned that it costs the company thousands of dollars per vehicle. I saw that number, I realized, shoot, we can actually afford to give somebody else a margin and take care of all that, he said. Fisker It's interesting to see Fisker reverse course. With most new EV brands eschewing dealers for a more modern, direct approach, it initially seemed natural for Fisker to do the same. Especially when even legacy automakers have expressed their desire to do so, and dabbled in it when most people were home during the pandemic. However, legacy automakers are big enough and have the resources to accommodate unsold inventory and carry those cars on their books. Maybe for a small global company like Fisker, the traditional dealership model actually works best, at least in the U.S. Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com 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 Fascination with Florida's bald eagles continues worldwide, especially with a camera poised over a North Fort Myers nest. Patience paid off Dec. 31 when an eaglet emerged. Unfortunately, a second egg in the nest never hatched. Eagles have been making a comeback across Florida. Here's how to watch them, what you can't do, and how many there are. How many bald eagles are in Florida? Florida has one of the densest concentrations of nesting bald eagles in the lower 48 states, with an estimated 1,500 nesting pairs, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Nesting territories are clustered around several significant lake, river, and coastal systems throughout the state. Florida ranks third in the U.S. for nesting bald eagles Alaska and Minnesota, hold the No. 1 and No. 2 spots in the U.S. for the highest numbers of nesting bald eagles. Florida ranks third in the nation, according to Audubon Center for Birds of Prey. Are bald eagles endangered? In August 2007, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the bald eagle from the list of federally endangered and threatened species. after their numbers met or exceeded recovery goals. The FWC removed the bald eagle from the Florida list of threatened species on April 9, 2008. Monitoring surveys indicate that the population of bald eagles continues to do well, both nationally and in Florida. The bald eagle was removed from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's endangered species list and the FWC imperiled species list in 2007 and 2008, respectively. The bald eagle is still protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, along with the Florida bald eagle rule. Bald eagles came back from threat of extinction Forty years ago, our national symbol, the bald eagle, was in danger of extinction throughout most of its range, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Habitat destruction, illegal shooting, and the contamination of its food source, largely as a consequence of DDT, decimated the eagle population. The ban on DDT, along with habitat protection through the the Endangered Species Act, helped the birds recover. Bald eagles were removed from the endangered species list in August 2007 and their population has continued to grow ever since, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act continue to provide protections not only for bald eagles, but golden eagles, too. If eagles aren't considered endangered, are they still protected? Yes, the eagle is still protected by both the FWC and the USFWS. The Florida eagle rule (68A-16.002, F.A.C.), and two federal laws continue to protect eagles, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Florida bald eagle population explodes after DDT ban The Florida bald eagle population and eagle nests have been protected through science-based land management, regulation, public education and law enforcement, according to FWC. After DDT Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane was banned in 1972, Florida's eagle population increased more than 300 percent over 24 years. That marks three generations of bald eagles. Found a bald eagle nest? Here's what to do and how to find known nests To determine if a nest has been documented by the FWC, visit the FWC Historical Bald Eagle Nesting Areas map, where you can search the nesting database. Report a new or previously undocumented bald eagle nest location to the Audubon EagleWatch Program. To learn more about the EagleWatch Program, visit their website. How to report violations of bald eagle regulations If you suspect a violation of the regulations protecting bald eagles, report it to FWCs Wildlife Alert Program. Potential violations can be reported by calling 888-404-3922 or by submitting information online. Report dead or injured bald eagles If you find a dead or injured bald eagle, contact the FWCs Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 or a local wildlife rehabilitator for assistance. Tips for viewing bald eagles For the safest way to watch or photograph eagles, the FWC suggested the following Eagle Watching Etiquette: Use binoculars or a spotting scope to observe eagles closely. Photographers should use telephoto lenses. Do not stand directly under an eagle nest or in close view of the eagles. The recommended viewing distance is at least 330 feet. Once parked safely off the road, remain in or near your vehicle. Do not make loud or sudden noises. Avoid yelling, car door slamming, or horn honking. Move quickly and quietly to any designated observation areas. Never try to make eagles fly or stand up at the nest. Always ask permission before entering private property. Keep pets at home Want to mount a camera over an eagle nest? There are guidelines to follow The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has developed the following guidelines for the use of cameras at bald eagle nests These guidelines should be followed to avoid disturbing nesting eagles, and cameras should not be installed at nests without first obtaining permission from the landowner. Drones should not be flown within 1,000 feet of a bald eagle nest during the nesting season in order to avoid injury to eagles or disturbance to nesting pairs. A federal permit for a camera is not needed if: It is installed and maintained following responsible protocols, The activity will not result disturbing the bald eagles. The camera needs to be installed outside the breeding season when the nest is inactive. Installation or maintenance of the camera should not be undertaken during the nesting season. Make sure camera is installed by a qualified, knowledgeable person who has eagle/raptor expertise and arborist or nest entry experience. This person should be experienced in how to install the camera at a safe distance from the nest so that it does not interfere with eagle activity, their safety or integrity of the nest site. They should also be familiar with how to camouflage the camera and protect it from the elements. Have a project and not sure if it'll disturb bald eagles? The recommended buffer distance from an eagle nest is 660 feet. Before starting any project that has the potential to impact a bald eagle nest such as land clearing, construction, timber harvest check the FWC Historical Bald Eagle Nesting Areas map for documented eagle nests in the area. The database is not comprehensive and does not take the place of an onthe-ground survey, but it is a good place to start. Where do Florida bald eagles build their nests? Bald eagles in Florida begin building a nest or start gathering materials for a nest in late September or early October. Eagles begin laying eggs as early as October or as late as April. Bald eagles in Florida strongly prefer living native pines, with 75 percent of all eagle nests surveyed during 2006 built in living native pines, according to the FWC. Nearly all bald eagle nests in Florida are built within 1.8 miles of water. Territory size varies depending on habitat and prey density but is thought to be anwhere from 0.6 to 1.2 square miles. Eagle pairs often build more than one nest, which allows them to move to an alternate nest while remaining in their territory. Most clutches of eggs in Florida are laid between December and early January. Most nests contain two eggs and incubation lasts about 35 days. Nestlings in Florida fledge, or become able to fly from the nest, at around 11 weeks and remain with their parents near the nest for an additional four to 11 weeks. Do Florida bald eagles migrate? Most of Florida's breeding bald eagles, especially those nesting in the extreme southern areas, remain in the state year-round, according to FWC. What do Florida bald eagles eat? Florida bald eagles eat a wide variety of prey. Their primary prey includes various fish and waterfowl species. Most prey is captured from the surface of the water, but bald eagles often harass ospreys in flight to drop fish that they have captured. Bald eagles in Florida are known to scavenge carcasses along roadways or garbage at landfills. How long do bald eagles live? The record lifespan for a bald eagle in the wild is 28 years. You can't keep a dead bald eagle or its feathers The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act prohibits possession of dead eagles and eagle parts, which includes eagle feathers. If you find a dead eagle, ask yourself the following questions: Do you suspect the eagles death was intentionally caused by a human? Do you believe the eagle was electrocuted? Do you believe the eagle was shot or poisoned? Does it appear feathers or any body parts have been intentionally removed from the eagle? If the answer to any of the above questions is yes, you should call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement office at: 844-397-8477. Even if you only find eagle feathers, these feathers can't be kept, but must be transferred to the National Eagle Repository unless otherwise approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Bald eagle trivia for you This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida bald eagles. Where to find them, viewing tips, what to know U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell D-Calif., said Wednesday that he will not be threatened after a 72-year-old man from Florida was arrested over accusations he left the congressman voicemails stating he was going to kill him and his children. File Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI Jan. 4 (UPI) -- A 72-year-old Florida man has been arrested and charged with threatening to kill Rep. Eric Swalwell and his children, federal prosecutors said. Michael Shapiro of Greenacres, Fla., made his initial appearance in court Wednesday after being arrested earlier that morning. A copy of the complaint obtained by ClickOrlando.com accuses the senior citizen of leaving the Democratic congressman for California five threatening voicemails on Dec. 19. Excerpts of the voicemails reproduced in the complaint allege the man told Swalwell that he's "gonna come after you and kill you." The voicemails also referenced Swalwell's alleged connections to a suspected Chinese spy. His ties to the suspected spy Christine Fang were investigated by the bipartisan House Ethics Committee. Its investigation was completed in May, following which it took no disciplinary action against the Democrat. Though the Justice Department complaint does not mention Swalwell by name, the congressman confirmed he was the subject of Shapiro's threats. "No threat is going to stop me from representing my constituents. MAGA Republicans have chosen violence over voting and this is what it looks like," he said on X, formerly known as Twitter, referring to the initialism for the Make America Great Again movement of former President Donald Trump. "But I'm not going away and neither should you." Floridas Surgeon General said Wednesday the government should stop giving mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The Florida Department of Health said Dr. Joseph Ladapo released the following statement: The FDAs response does not provide data or evidence that the DNA integration assessments they recommended themselves have been performed. Instead, they pointed to genotoxicity studies which are inadequate assessments for DNA integration risk. In addition, they obfuscated the difference between the SV40 promoter/enhancer and SV40 proteins, two elements that are distinct. DNA integration poses a unique and elevated risk to human health and to the integrity of the human genome, including the risk that DNA integrated into sperm or egg gametes could be passed onto offspring of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine recipients. If the risks of DNA integration have not been assessed for mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, these vaccines are not appropriate for use in human beings. Providers concerned about patient health risks associated with COVID-19 should prioritize patient access to non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and treatment. It is my hope that, in regard to COVID-19, the FDA will one day seriously consider its regulatory responsibility to protect human health, including the integrity of the human genome. In the spirit of transparency and scientific integrity, State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo will continue to assess research surrounding these risks and provide updates to Floridians. Risks cited by Ladapo have been labeled as misinformation by federal officials. Action News Jax reached out to the Food and Drug Administration and it shared the following statement: The FDA stands firmly behind the safety, effectiveness and manufacturing quality of the approved and authorized COVID-19 vaccines, and respectfully disagrees with the Florida Surgeon Generals opinion. With over a billion doses of the mRNA vaccines administered and following very careful review of all the available scientific evidence, the FDA has not identified safety concerns related to the sequence of, or amount of, residual DNA. In general, while concerns have been raised previously as theoretical issues, the available scientific evidence regarding the mRNA vaccines strongly supports the conclusion that the vaccines are safe and effective and have a highly favorable profile of benefit to risk. Additionally, it is simply a fact that millions of lives have been saved because of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, which most Americans undergoing vaccination have received (Two Years COVID Vaccines Prevented Millions Hospitalizations Deaths | Commonwealth Fund). Perpetuating references to information about residual DNA in COVID-19 vaccines without placing it within the context of the manufacturing process and the known benefits of the vaccine is misleading. Please refer to FDAs letter to Dr. Ladapo for an explanation along with references. As stated in the letter, the challenge we continue to face is the ongoing proliferation of misinformation and disinformation about these vaccines which results in vaccine hesitancy that lowers vaccine uptake. Given the dramatic reduction in the risk of death, hospitalization and serious illness afforded by the vaccines, lower vaccine uptake is contributing to the continued death and serious illness toll of COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it is keeping a very close eye on how the health care system is dealing with an increase in cases. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [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. Tronix Repair & Games is moving out of the Flour Bluff area and relocating to a new spot off South Padre Island Drive. The business will have a soft opening Friday. A grand opening will occur sometime in February. The local video gaming store has been at the Flour Bluff location for about five years and grew out of the space, owner Jose Aragon said. Tronix Repair & Games, a local video game store, relocated from the Flour Bluff area. The store will have a soft opening Friday, Jan. 5, 2024. The main reason we moved was because of space, Aragon said. The new location, located at 4738 S. Padre Island Drive, is nearly three times larger than its old site. We grew out of that place very quickly, Aragon said. Video games are on display at the new location of Tronix Repair & Games Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Customers can expect some new things at the new Tronix. Aragon said there will be video game and trading card game tournaments in the future. As well, some secrets are in the works but people will have to wait until Aragon makes a formal announcement. Aragon said he hopes Tronix will bring people together. Video games are on display at the new location of Tronix Repair & Games Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. I enjoy video games and collecting Pokemon cards, Aragon said. Its been a big part of my life. Tronix is here to bring people together, connect and hang out. Im trying to build a gaming community. For more information on Tronix, visit tronixcc.com. RELATED COVERAGE More: Places to explore: Check out these seven new businesses in Corpus Christi More: TGI Friday's in Moore Plaza closes doors after 26 years John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or X @johnpoliva. Consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to the Caller-Times. This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Tronix Repair & Games moving to new location As kids go back to school and families return to a post-holiday routine, flu season is on track to be a rough one in some states, especially in the Southeast and parts of the West, doctors say. And the peak may still be a long way off, according the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thirty-three states are reporting high to very high case counts of influenza-like illnesses, and there have been about 4,500 flu-related deaths, including those of 20 children, since the 2023-24 season began in October. Flu began to take off around Thanksgiving in Louisiana, which has one of the worst outbreaks in the country, said Dr. David Janz, the director of medical critical care services at University Medical Center New Orleans. About 20% of his critically ill patients are sick from influenza. Flu cases are "increasing at a much faster rate that they had post-Thanksgiving," said Janz, who treats adults. "By some measures, here in Louisiana, this looks like it's probably going to be our worst influenza season since at least the 2009 H1N1 outbreak." That was one of the most severe flu seasons in decades, with an estimated 12,000 deaths nationally. Back then, H1N1 was a new flu strain, and it hit children particularly hard. In subsequent years, H1N1 has circulated seasonally, including this year. Janz warned that other states should prepare for the flu virus, which is spreading fast at the same time as Covid and other respiratory viruses. "This is not just a Southern issue," he said. Already, a number of states in the Northeast and the Midwest are reporting increases. Outpatient respiratory illness activity map determined by data reported to ILINet. (CDC) This time last year, flu cases had already peaked and were declining. Now, flu levels continue a steady path upward in the New Year. Although ER visits among school-age children dipped last week while kids were home for winter break, flu overall isn't dropping anywhere. The current season looks to be "pretty typical," Dr. Mandy Cohen, the head of the CDC, said in an interview Wednesday. "While we're still on the upswing," Cohen said, "we're not see any big surges." The CDC estimates that there have been at least 7.1 million flu illnesses this season, with 73,000 hospitalizations. At least 14,732 people were admitted to the hospital for flu in the week that ended Dec. 23. According to Cohen, there is no indication that the rises in flu or other respiratory illnesses like Covid are straining hospital systems yet. Most patients sick enough to be hospitalized and die from flu are ages 65 and older. Children, too, can get severely ill from flu, and it can be especially dangerous for kids ages 5 and younger. ER visits for flu among babies ages 1 and under rose significantly during the week that ended Saturday, the CDC reported. North Carolina, which is in the midst of "very high" flu activity, has reported three pediatric deaths this year already matching the number of children who died in the state during all of last year's flu season, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. "We are definitely seeing a surge in cases of influenza right now," said Dr. Jonathan Miller, the chief of primary care pediatrics for Nemours Children's Health. "A lot of sick kids, a lot of sick families coming out of the holidays when everybody was getting together." The Nemours system includes children's hospitals and dozens of pediatricians in Delaware, Florida and Pennsylvania. Dr. Amina Ahmed, a pediatric infectious diseases expert at Atrium Health Levine Children's in Charlotte, North Carolina, said she has also noted the steady uptick in pediatric flu cases. Those young patients typically come in with fevers, cough and often either runny noses or sore throats, Ahmed said. Both Ahmed and Miller of Nemours said that, anecdotally, it seems that the kids sick enough to be hospitalized with flu didn't get this year's flu shot. "These kids are pretty much all unvaccinated," Ahmed said. "The uptake on the influenza vaccine wasn't as robust as we would have hoped." According to a CDC survey, just 43.9% of kids ages 6 months to 17 years received the flu shot this year. The survey estimated that about the same percentage of adults 43.8% said they got the shot. The percentage tends to be lower in states like Louisiana, where Janz estimates that just 30% to 40% had had their flu vaccines. Cohen said this year's flu shot does seem to cover the influenza strains that are circulating: mostly H1N1, an influenza A strain. And, she said, there is still time to get the shot. "We have weeks and weeks" of flu season to go, she said, "and maybe even a couple of months." Along with vaccinations, the CDC recommends: Getting tested for flu and Covid when you're sick. There are antiviral medications for both illnesses, and they are best when given early. Practicing regular hand-washing. Staying home and away from others when you're sick. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Ukraine's Foreign Ministry condemned an event on the "rebirth" of Mariupol after Russia's brutal siege, planned by an Italian pro-Russian association, as propaganda and a provocation, Ukrainska Pravda reported on Jan. 4, citing Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oleh Nikolenko. The Russian Cultural Association of Emilia Romagna announced on Jan. 3 that an event would be held in a civic hall in Modena on Jan. 20 about Russia's "rapid reconstruction" of Mariupol in Donetsk Oblast. The city came under siege by Russian forces between February and May 2022, leaving thousands dead and reducing the city to rubble. Satellite images showed the expansion of mass graves near the city in the months following the start of Russia's occupation. The Facebook post about the event, written in Italian and Russian, refers to the "liberation" of Mariupol by Russia. The event lists Russian Ambassador to Italy Dmitry Shodin as a speaker. Another speaker is Eliseo Bertolasi, an Italian pro-Kremlin journalist who claimed to be a foreign observer of Russia's sham referendum in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine in September 2022. Nikolenko told Ukrainska Pravda that the Foreign Affairs Ministry has already instructed the Ukrainian Embassy in Rome to prepare an official appeal. "At an official level, Italy resolutely supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. And we expect that there will be an appropriate reaction to this propaganda event," Nikolenko noted. According to news outlet Modena Today, Paolo Zanca, a local official, said that Modena Mayor Gian Carlo Muzzarelli should "clarify the municipality's position regarding the invasion of Ukraine." "Mariupol is the symbol of the unspeakable horrors of Putin's ogres, not least the bombing of the Drama Theater with 600 civilians murdered, many of whom were children. It was one of the worst war crimes committed since the Russian invasion, as also recognized by Amnesty International," Zanca told Modena Today. Senator Enrico Borghi posted on X that it was "unacceptable" that such an event is being organized in a public place. "A pro-Russian association launches its propaganda on Mariupol, a Ukrainian city razed to the ground by Putin, in a public hall in Modena. The attempt to subvert the truth, to pollute communication, and now even to glorify reconstruction continues," Borghi said. Lawmaker Lia Quartapelle also said she hoped that the mayor of Modena would react. "When we say that we must protect ourselves from interference, it also means avoiding giving public spaces to propaganda initiatives for Russia carried out on the backs of Mariupol, a city devastated by Putin," Quartapelle posted on X. Muzarelli responded to Quartapelle on X that the event has received no financial support from the local council. It is not a "municipal conference, there is no municipal patronage," but "I will check what I can do," Muzarelli wrote. "Our position alongside the invaded country has been very clear from day one," the mayor said. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Editors note: This story was updated at 9:55 p.m. EST with additional information from court. SALT LAKE CITY Attorneys clashed Thursday in a Utah courtroom over opposing characterizations of a fight between two commercial airline pilots in which the co-pilot allegedly threatened to shoot the captain for suggesting they divert the flight for a passengers medical emergency. Former Delta Air Lines pilot Jonathan J. Dunn, 42, made his first federal court appearance Thursday in Salt Lake City after he was indicted by a grand jury on Oct. 18, 2023, and charged with interfering with a flight crew. His lawyer, John W. Huber, who was once Utahs top federal prosecutor, tried to characterize the altercation as a misunderstanding, while prosecutors described it as a grave offense. The heated argument had erupted in the cockpit of a 2022 flight from Atlanta to Salt Lake City, on which Dunn was the first officer, or co-pilot. The captain, who is not named in court documents, had proposed diverting their commercial flight to Grand Junction, Colorado, if the passengers condition worsened, the U.S. Attorneys Office alleges. Dunn objected and threatened multiple times to shoot the captain, whom he accused of going crazy, the documents state. If convicted, Dunn could face up to 20 years in prison. Judge Jared C. Bennett set his trial date for March 12. Dunn acknowledged threatening the captain but said his remarks were intended as a joke, according to new court documents detailing the altercation. The captain did not perceive the threats as a joke and told authorities that he was concerned Dunn would use his firearm to relieve him of command of the aircraft. Huber, Dunns attorney, argued Thursday that he should not be considered dangerous, reminding the judge that his client has no criminal history. The new court documents reveal that Dunn seemed to recognize the gravity of his actions, telling Delta officials, This could have been much worse. In hindsight if I had been threatened, I would not be able to operate. Dunn, of Rapid City, South Dakota, had been authorized by the Transportation Security Administration to carry a firearm on board. The TSA has since revoked that authority, and Delta says Dunn no longer works for the airline. The program authorizing some pilots to carry guns on domestic flights emerged as an security measure after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, said Ross Aimer, an aviation expert and the CEO of Aero Consulting Experts. After the government realized it would be too expensive to have an air marshal on every flight, it allowed pilots such as Dunn to volunteer for a training program to become federal flight deck officers. Participating pilots must be vetted and attend a training course at a federal law enforcement center in New Mexico before theyre authorized to carry a gun on board, according to the TSA. And all pilots undergo regular medical exams in which theyre required to disclose whether they have depression or anxiety, as well as their use of medications, drugs and alcohol. There are extensive protocols attached to how you carry this weapon, Aimer said of the officers training. Youre not supposed to take it out of the cockpit, or even out of the holster, unless its absolutely necessary. All commercial pilots receive training on how to calmly settle disagreements and are required to immediately report if a colleague is showing signs of any concerning behavior, he said. The altercation occurred on the last leg of a three-day cross-country rotation that Dunn and the captain completed together. The captain reported having problems with Dunn questioning his decisions throughout the entire rotation and attempting to be, what he called a right-seat captain. Dunn is an Air Force Reserve lieutenant colonel who was demoted from his previous position for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. The Air Force suspended his access to sensitive information and to the air operations center because of the midflight altercation, a spokesperson said. His indictment came a few days before an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot riding in a cockpit jump seat tried, midflight, to shut off the engine of a Horizon Air jet. Joseph David Emerson, who told police he was suffering from depression and had taken psychedelic mushrooms, was subdued by the captain and co-pilot and arrested after the plane diverted to Portland, Oregon. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder in an Oregon state court. The judge outlined conditions that would allow Dunn to return home before the trial prompting him to turn and smile at his wife and four young children. His two daughters shared nervous glances throughout the hearing while his youngest son squirmed on his moms lap. Bennett instructed Dunn to remain at his current residence he has been living at his in-laws house in South Dakota and to surrender his passport as well as any firearms. He cannot access guns before the trial or contact any witnesses in the case. Former CIA Director John Brennan said Thursday that he is optimistic the U.S. has good intelligence that can mitigate dangers from Houthi rebels. I do think [the] United States, along with the U.K., and other actors are going to take actions to mitigate the potential danger that the Houthis pose, Brennan said Thursday on MSNBC. And I do think that we have good intelligence about where some of these Houthi weapons systems are located. From the beginning of the current conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, Houthi rebels have launched many attacks on merchant ships and vessels. The U.S., alongside other allies, warned the Houthi rebels about additional attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea on Wednesday, calling recent ones illegal, unacceptable, and profoundly destabilizing. Let our message now be clear: we call for the immediate end of these illegal attacks and release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews, the U.S. and the allies said in a joint statement. The Houthis will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and free flow of commerce in the regions critical waterways, it added. The statement also said that the attacks in the Red Sea threaten innocent lives from all over the world and constitute a significant international problem that demands collective action. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The family of Eddie Bernice Johnson accused the Baylor Scott & White health system of neglecting the late congresswoman after she recovered from a September back surgery. The Johnson family said Thursday that they plan to sue the health system and that they believe Johnsons treatment at a Baylor Scott & White rehabilitation hospital in September contributed to her death. Johnson, the pioneering Black nurse, state lawmaker, and U.S. representative from Dallas, died Sunday at 89. After undergoing back surgery in September, Johnson was recovering at the Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation in Dallas, according to a statement from the Johnson familys lawyer, Les Weisbrod. On Sept. 21, when Johnsons son went to visit his mother at the hospital, he found her lying in her own feces and urine, according to the statement. Johnsons son said his mother had been pushing the call button for a prolonged amount of time begging for help with no response, according to the family. Today's top stories: Homeowner renovating house finds hand grenade in kitchen drawer South Main businesses cry out over Fort Worth parking problems Judge finds no national security threat in Lockheed dispute with F-35 contractor Get free alerts when news breaks. Three days after her son found her, one of Johnsons surgery scars began having copious purulent drainage, according to doctors notes provided by the family. Laboratory wound culture reports showed that organisms in the scar were directly related to feces, according to the familys statement. Weisbrod, the familys attorney, said he had sent a required pre-suit notice letter to Baylor Scott & White, which must be sent 60 days before a lawsuit is filed. Weisbrod is hopeful that the Baylor entities will seek to settle this matter before a lawsuit is filed, he said in a statement. After Johnsons infection was repaired, she moved to a skilled nursing facility on Oct. 18 before returning to her home for hospice care on Dec. 18. Johnson was the first Black member of Congress from Dallas and the first registered nurse to serve in Congress. A spokesperson for the health system said in an email: Congresswoman Johnson was a longtime friend and champion in the communities we serve she is an inspiration to all. We are committed to working directly with the Congresswomans family members and their counsel. Out of respect for patient privacy, we must limit our comments. Baylor Scott & White operates the largest nonprofit health care system in Texas, according to its financial disclosure documents. The system includes 51 hospitals throughout the state. It is one of the largest health care systems in the Dallas-Fort Worth region, along with Texas Health Resources and the Hospital Corporation of America. Former Harvard president Claudine Gay attacked her critics and warned about broader efforts to "unravel public faith in pillars of American society," after resigning Tuesday following months of turmoil. My hope is that by stepping down I will deny demagogues the opportunity to further weaponize my presidency in their campaign to undermine the ideals animating Harvard since its founding: excellence, openness, independence, truth, Gay wrote in a New York Times op-ed published Wednesday. Gays resignation followed months of scrutiny of her handling of antisemitism at the university, following the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, which intensified after her testimony before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce in December. Politicians and activists on the right have touted Gays resignation as a victory, crediting a coordinated pressure campaign aimed at her and other presidents of elite universities. Former University of Pennsylvania president Liz Magill resigned in December after similar criticism of her congressional testimony. In the op-ed, Gay acknowledged that she had made mistakes in the aftermath of the attacks, but warned that the campaign against her had been about more than just her presidency and Harvard. "Trusted institutions of all types from public health agencies to news organizations will continue to fall victim to coordinated attempts to undermine their legitimacy and ruin their leaders credibility," Gay wrote. Gay has also faced allegations of plagiarism, which she addressed in the op-ed, writing that the citation errors should not obscure a fundamental truth: I proudly stand by my work and its impact on the field. She further warned about potential damage to universities if they continue to get caught up in political disputes. College campuses in our country must remain places where students can learn, share and grow together, not spaces where proxy battles and political grandstanding take root, said Gay, who will remain a faculty member at the university. A Georgia state senator is joining the race for an open congressional seat. Mike Dugan, a Carrollton Republican, filed papers with the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday to start raising campaign contributions for the 3rd Congressional District. The seat is opening up because four-term incumbent Drew Ferguson announced in December that he would not seek reelection. The solidly Republican district hugs the Georgia-Alabama state line as far south as Columbus and includes some areas south of Atlanta as far east as Barnesville and Griffin. Dugan was first elected to the state Senate in 2012 and said he would resign Thursday, which would trigger a special election for his seat. It is time to get back to a government that works for the people, and I would be honored to be the voice that represents Georgias 3rd Congressional District, Dugan said in a statement. Dugan rose to Senate majority leader in 2019 but lost a 2022 bid to become president pro tem, the top post elected by the members. That left his influence downgraded, and Dugan expressed unhappiness with how Carroll County was split in the special redistricting session that ended in December. Dugan is a former Army Ranger and paratrooper who retired as a lieutenant colonel in 2008 after more than 20 years of service. More recently he has worked as a construction contractor. The Republican field in the race already includes state Rep. David Jenkins of Grantville, a farmer and retired Army helicopter pilot; Jim Bennett, a party activist from Carroll County who has criticized Ferguson as insufficiently conservative; and Michael Corbin, who previously ran for Congress in Gwinnett County. Other Republicans who could run include state Sen. Matt Brass of Newnan; former state Rep. Philip Singleton of Sharpsburg; state Sen. Randy Robertson of Cataula; Brian Jack, a former White House political director for President Donald Trump and former aide to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy; and Chris West, who lost a bid for southwest Georgias 2nd Congressional District in 2022 to longtime Democratic incumbent Sanford Bishop. West recently moved from Thomasville to Newnan. Democrat Rodney Moore is also running. The congressional primary is May 21, and a runoff for the Republican nomination would be June 18 if needed. The general election is Nov. 5. Editors note: The writer is a former N.C. governor responding to Progress is being rolled back at UNC, other universities, (Dec. 27 Opinion): All my adult life I have been a Republican. At the peak of my political career, I was considered a fairly clear conservative voice and a party builder. Now, I cant keep up with the thinking of todays fire-breathing right-wingers, who dispose of the likes of me as Republican in Name Only (RINO). Im OK with that, for at least I dont get mixed up with the MAGA wing. Former Gov. Jim Martin But I must confess to reading your liberal Charlotte Observer and News & Observer opinion content, especially from my progressive friend Issac Bailey. I know Bailey to be fair-minded and tolerant of some wrong ideas of us conservatives. Bailey is among those whose well-crafted opinions can help any conservative understand the challenge of thoughtful debate. He might even enjoy a modest correction here. Like, where did he get his message in his Dec. 27 column about UNC System Board of Governors member Lee Roberts being appointed interim chancellor at UNC-Chapel Hill? The headline said, Progress is being rolled back at UNC... The headline could have been, Progressivism is being rolled back. Baileys op-ed glowed with the aura of partisan excess. What he scorns is the audacity of Republicans who think the University system belongs to us all. It was OK when Democrats (whether conservative or progressive) ran North Carolinas entire system of public universities for more than a hundred years, with only token input from Republicans and other unwelcome minorities. Should that bias continue to exclude Republicans from academic leadership? My friend knows better than that. He imagines that no one should be chosen who didnt come up through the faculty or administrative ranks. Its just inconvenient for Republicans if they have not been favored for advancement within any Democratic regime. Should we wait until a few conservative faculty and administrators can pass a DEI pledge despite its intended thought control, in hope that maybe one might qualify? No wonder some faculty furiously oppose Republican attempts to introduce a small degree of ideological balance to the curriculum. Was it not enough that Interim Chancellor Roberts had served as North Carolinas state budget director? That would seem almost as valuable for understanding UNC finances as Bill McCoys few years as vice president for finance before he was named Interim chancellor in 1999. Great choice, too! As for the curious idea of excluding those with government or business backgrounds from university leadership, where does that come from? Was former Gov. Terry Sanford a good president of Duke University? I would say so, even though we didnt agree on much. How about my friend Judge Tom Ross? Before he was president of the University of North Carolina, was he a good president of Davidson College? I believe he truly was. What about former UNC presidents Dick Spangler and Erskine Bowles, or former Gov. Bob Scott as president of the North Carolina Community College System? Outstanding one and all. Their limited prior academic careers did not disqualify them. Nor should that have deprived UNC of their leadership. I suggest maybe other credentials and competencies were needed then as now. Jim Martin is a former member of Congress (1973-84) and was governor of North Carolina from 1985-1993. Imagine being a young person trying to live a brave and honest life as your true self, and then your family casts you out because of your sexual orientation. Moved by the plight of these youth, two generous philanthropists and the Our Fund Foundation joined in an inspiring project with the Sunshine Cathedral, SunServe, and the FLITE Center to create The Sunshine Pride House. The doors to this new, safe haven in Fort Lauderdale opened Jan. 1. It provides shelter, counseling, education and life skills to unhoused LGBTQ+ young adults left adrift by unsupportive families. The journey to help began in 2020, when two donors on separate paths, yet sharing the same vision, were introduced to the Our Fund Foundation, South Floridas only LGBTQ+ community foundation. Michael Kalb, who championed the project from the beginning, contacted The Our Fund Foundation to discuss what could be done. I was profoundly moved and greatly saddened after witnessing numerous young people getting kicked out of their homes, Kalb said. Inspired by the compassionate nature of my two daughters, I committed myself to taking action and am incredibly heartened with how weve been able to work together to provide safe housing, as well as the critical wrap-around services. Fort Lauderdale resident Terry Merlin was simultaneously struck by the stories and statistics surrounding the plight of unhoused LGBTQ+ young adults and felt compelled to take action. He was fortuitously introduced to Kalb and the Our Fund Foundation by the FLITE Center. Merlin matched Kalbs generous donation to secure the funds to fully purchase an existing property and retrofit it into The Sunshine Pride House. I knew the numbers already were staggering, and when the pandemic hit the situation became even worse, Merlin said. I made inquiries about opening a shelter for LGBTQ+ youth and am so grateful to have been introduced to Michael and these incredible non-profit partners. The Sunshine Pride House is a six-bedroom, four-bathroom, 2,854-square-foot duplex that can house up to 12 LGBTQ+ young adults. The Sunshine Cathedral organization has more than 50 years of experience owning and managing properties and is the agency that formally acquired and owns the shelter. Our congregation immediately expressed interest in supporting LGBTQ unhoused youth, a crisis that has grown over time, said Robert Griffin, executive minister of the Sunshine Cathedral. When we learned that the Our Fund Foundation was working on this issue, we quickly signed on as the lead agency to make this vision a reality. Collaboration with SunServe and FLITE Center was the driving force behind the projects early success. The team at SunServe empowers young people by fostering connections with peers, teaching life skills, facilitating access to social support services and exploring educational and employment opportunities. FLITE Center is the statewide expert at offering comprehensive access to services for unhoused young people. LGBTQ+ unhousedness has been a major issue for years, and there hasnt been an effective program anywhere yet. We are changing that now, said Tony Lima, CEO of SunServe. Christine Frederick, CEO of FLITE Center, said The safety and wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ young people we serve is our No. 1 priority, and we help to ensure their welfare is secured through The Sunshine Pride House initiative. According to a Covenant House survey, LGBTQ+ youth make up only seven percent of the total U.S. youth population, yet they comprise an astounding 40 percent of all young people who are unhoused in the U.S. They face greater risks of high levels of hardship, including higher rates of assault, trauma, trafficking and early death. Its been our privilege to make meaningful introductions and serve as the facilitator for this multifaceted project, said David Jobin, president & CEO of Our Fund Foundation. The generous support from Michael and Terry serves as a beacon of hope and is a powerful testament to the transformative influence individual donors can have on marginalized communities. While The Sunshine Pride House physical property is paid for, there are ongoing operating costs to support the programs and services required to reintegrate the young people into the greater community. For more information or to make a donation of any size, you can go to www.theourfund.org or call 954-565-1090. . FPL donates EV kits for Go-Kart race In December, representatives from Florida Power & Light surprised local high school teams with parts and pieces for the electric go-karts they are building in the Electrathon America program. The company is hoping to electrify passion for STEM by donating the EV kits. The goal is to see which school can build the most efficient electric go-kart through races against other Florida high school teams. FPLs Robert Mantilla said the kit giveaway at Miami Coral Park Senior High was especially meaningful for him. I think that giving back to the community is really important. I happen to be an alumni here at Coral Park, and as a result of coming to this school I felt very confident that I would be an engineer. I was able to achieve that goal and now I work for FPL. Through the Electrathon America program, students design, build and race their electric vehicles while they get hands-on opportunities to apply creativity in a practical setting. They also learn teamwork, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Coral Park Senior High students are building an electric go-kart for racing competition with a kit donated by FPL. Miami Coral Park senior Jake Daniel said he is grateful for the amazing opportunity. Im very happy FPL came out here to help us out and give us these kits. I cant wait to jump in. Learn more about Electrathon at FPL.com/education. Write to ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com with news for this column. Four children died after a house fire broke out in the Somers, Connecticut duplex pictured above (AP) A house fire claimed the lives of four children in Somers, Connecticut, on Tuesday. The four children all under 12 years old were inside their two-family home when a fire broke out on 2 January, Somers Fire Marshal John Roache said in a statement to The Independent. Officials are still investigating the cause of the fire. When responders arrived Tuesday evening, the front of the house was engulfed in flames, authorities said at a Wednesday press conference. Firefighters extracted two children from a second-floor window, Mr Roache said. One of those children died at the scene, while the other passed away at a nearby hospital, he said. Soon after, responders found two more children dead inside the home. There were seven people one adult and six children in the residence when the fire broke out, according to Mr Roache. The adult and two children survived. Four residents on the other side of the duplex also survived, according to USA Today. It took more than two hours to extinguish the flames, Mr Roache said. He attributed the rapid spread of the fire to the homes old age and its several concealed spaces. Somers First Selectman Tim Keeney told NBC Connecticut the family had trouble escaping because of items blocking the doors. Its a tremendous loss for the town, Mr Keeney told the outlet. Those who would like to support the family can send funds via mail to The Angel Fund, located at 619 Main St. in Somers, Connecticut, Mr Roache said. A new state requirement for local elected officials has led to at least four resignations in two Volusia County cities. Its known as form six and it forces city leaders to disclose in-depth financial information. Read: Local sex offender deemed incompetent to stand trial, released from latest arrest State leaders, County council members and sheriffs in Florida, all fill out these forms. At the local level, leaders have said its not relevant especially because they dont get paid much to be in their positions. Read: SpaceX successfully launches, lands Falcon 9 rocket Bill OConnor was a council member in Orange City for seven years and was planning to run for Mayor. He was joined by Cassandra Jones in his decision to step down. Read: Brevard County mother to run for school board seat after her sons hazing incident They want me to register, or list everything I own thats over a thousand dollars. That means guns, jewelry, everything. It is ridiculous, said OConnor. Over in Daytona Beach Shores, Vice Mayor Mel Lindauer and Commissioner Richard Bryan made the same move. OConnor believes sharing the information in a small city, is a safety issue. Everything we own thats over $1,000 is now available for the general public. Sorry, for the $10,000 I made a year being a council member, it wasnt worth it, said OConnor. Anyone who did not want to disclose finances would have had to resign by the first of the year. All remaining members will now have to fill out the form. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A Fox News host on Thursday emphasized Donald Trump's inclusion in the list of names mentioned in the newly unsealed court documents pertaining to child trafficker and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. "Fox & Friends" began its Thursday morning show diving into reports about the 40 files and over 900 pages of court documents related to a 2015 civil lawsuit made public on Wednesday that disclosed the names of more than 100 people allegedly connected to the disgraced financier described as his associates, victims or affiliates. Former President Bill Clinton, lawyer Alan Dershowitz and magician David Copperfield seemed to be the most noticed among those named in the documents, but former President Trump, according to Mediate, has largely evaded the spotlight garnered from the documents' release. Following a brief news report, the talk show's panel mostly approached the subject with caution, but host Steve Doocy highlighted a New York Post report about Epstein's brother, Mark Epstein's, claim that his brother suggested to him that he had incendiary information on both the Clintons and Trump. His brother, Mark Epstein, spoke to The New York Post a couple of days ago, Doocy said. Mark Epstein, the brother, said Jeffrey told him once, quote, If I said what I know about both candidates running in 2016' meaning Hillary and Donald Trump 'theyd have to cancel the election. He did not elaborate what that meant, however. Doocy then referenced an alleged victim who testified that Jeffrey Epstein informed her Bill Clinton "likes them young" and that in one instance when she was traveling on Epstein's plane, they made an unplanned stop in Atlantic City, Epstein said, "Great, were going to call up Trump," and they went to visit the billionaire at a casino. But she wasnt sure which casino it was, host Ainsley Earhart said, to which Doocy replied, "They didnt know that. But they did know it was Trump. Trump and Clinton are not accused of any wrongdoing. Trump previously lauded his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein in a 2002 profile in New York Magazine. Ive known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy, Trump told the magazine at the time. Hes a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it Jeffrey enjoys his social life. Trump and Clinton were among the dozens of powerful men linked to the convicted trafficker through the court documents, which Manhattan-based federal Judge Loretta Preska ordered unsealed last month. According to NPR, the documents also refer to Prince Andrew, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, actor Kevin Spacey, the late New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and former Vice President Al Gore, among others. Their presence in the documents does not translate to evidence of wrongdoing or mean that any of them have been accused of wrongdoing. Many of the most prominent individuals named in the documents were already known to have ties to Epstein because of his previous court cases and media disclosures. Most of those named publicly have denied wrongdoing or previous knowledge of Epstein's criminal acts. These newly unsealed records do, however, provide more details on the highly publicized case and new salacious allegations about these powerful men's behavior, NPR notes. Federal prosecutors said Epstein, whose decades of private financial work served a secretive list of wealthy clients, also ran an underage sex-trafficking ring based in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida. He allegedly hatched a plot to identify and exploit "dozens" of vulnerable young women and girls, some of whom were 14 years old, that began around 1994 and lasted until at least 2004. In civil lawsuits that came later, some of his victims claimed that Epstein instructed them to have sex with a slate of powerful men. He arranged sexual encounters for "numerous prominent American politicians, powerful business executives, foreign presidents, a well-known Prime Minister, and other world leaders," one suit filed in 2014 claimed. The newly unsealed records naming associates of Epstein were originally compiled as part of a 2015 civil lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed she was one of Epstein's underage victims. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Bill Clinton's name appears frequently in the documents, with another mention alleging that the former president took a trip with Epstein to Thailand. Angel Urena, a spokesman for Clinton, said it had been nearly 20 years since Clinton had last had contact with Epstein, who died in 2019, and that the former president has never been accused of any wrongdoing. Urena also referred NPR to a previous 2019 statement on behalf of Clinton responding to the allegations of ties to Epstein. "President Clinton knows nothing about the terrible crimes Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to in Florida some years ago, or those with which he has been recently charged in New York," the statement began. Statement on Jeffrey Epstein. pic.twitter.com/98ha9YYd1l Angel Urena (@angelurena) July 8, 2019 As early as 2005, local, state and federal authorities in Florida probed Epstein's alleged illicit sexual activity involving minors. After thorough negotiations with prosecutors, Epstein dodged federal prosecution and was allowed to plead guilty to relatively minor state charges involving prostitution and prostitution involving a minor. He was given an 18-month sentence, much of which took place in a Florida work-release program. Epstein, who was released in 2009, continued to move in circles with influential, wealthy and powerful people. A Wall Street Journal investigation released last month found that following his conviction, the then registered sex-offender was often accompanied "by attractive women in their late teens or twenties" to meetings with celebrities, billionaires and politicians. The Miami Herald's 2018 expose of Epstein's crimes and legal deal-making made Epstein's world come crashing down, and the then-66-year-old was arrested in July 2019 on federal sex-trafficking charges. Officials in the Department of Justice said he died by suicide in prison a month later while awaiting trial. Fox News anchor Jesse Watters welcomed a tarot card reader on his show, Jesse Watters Primetime, on Jan. 2 to predict the 2024 presidential election, and things went left after the psychic predicted a sense of loss for Donald Trump. Watters guest was The English Psychic Paula Roberts, and after she was asked to predict the twice-impeached former presidents future for 2024 with her tarot cards, she turned over a card that appeared to be the Grim Reaper. The English Psychic Paula Roberts appears on the Fox News program Jesse Watters Primetime and predicts A sense of loss for Donald Trump in 2024. (Photos: @JesseBWatters / X / Getty Images) Uh-oh, Watters exclaimed as Roberts turned over the card. What is that? Roberts answered that she recognized that she was on Fox before she said, A sense of loss. A sense of loss. She then tried to sugarcoat the prediction by saying, Its very specific. Its a sense of loss. Its as if, um, he may be thinking more about what hes lost and not still taking full advantage of what he still has. Thats a great interpretation, replied Watters as Roberts laughed, Its true. I didnt make it up. After being asked to predict President Joe Bidens future in 2024, she turned over a card and said, Lots and lots and lots and lots of money. Lots of money, which prompted Watters to ask, from China? Roberts replied, Oh, you are cheeky. I didnt say from where. Watters shared a clip of the interview on X with the caption, A psychic tells Primetime her 2024 tarot card reading predictions. She sees loss in Trumps future, lots of cash in Bidens future, a baby in my future and a lot of happiness for America. A psychic tells Primetime her 2024 tarot card reading predictions. She sees loss in Trump's future, lots of cash in Biden's future, a baby in my future and a lot of happiness for America. pic.twitter.com/CRlC0uyHe4 Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) January 3, 2024 Despite being impeached twice and indicted for trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, Trump is currently the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. The disgraced ex-president was indicted four times the first time being last March in Manhattan for allegedly paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels back in 2016. Trump was also indicted last June by a federal grand jury in Miami, Florida after he took classified national defense documents from the White House and resisted giving the documents back to the government. Trump was indicted again in Washington, D.C., for his attempt to exploit the violence and chaos at the Capitol by calling lawmakers to convince them to delay the elections certification, as reported by CNN. Trump was impeached for the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol that resulted in the deaths of five people. The former president was also indicted in Atlanta, Georgia, last August for election interference after he called the Georgia Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, and asked him to find the votes he needed to win. Roberts also predicted that Watters would have a baby in the future and America would have great happiness and contentment in 2024. French hair stylist and honoree Frederic Fekkai arrives at the 2013 Style Awards at Lincoln Center on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013 in New York. (Photo by Ben Hider/Invision/AP) A hairstylist to the stars was named in recently unsealed documents releated to Jeffrey Epstein. In a May 2016 deposition, an Epstein accuser was asked if she heard him talk about Frederic Fekkai. She said she heard him mention him. Fekkai did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Frederic Fekkai hairstylist to the stars, proprietor of his eponymous haircare line, and rehabilitator of lifestyle brand Bastide was named in newly unsealed court documents related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The documents, hundreds of pages of which were released on Wednesday, are expected to name 170 associates (some connections others apparent victims) of Epstein and Maxwell. Additional documents are expected to be released on Thursday, a source told Business Insider's Jacob Shamsian. It is unclear what relationship, if any, Fekkai had with Epstein. Fekkai did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside of regular business hours. Business Insider tried to reach several emails associated with Fekkai along with a public relations firm that has worked with his haircare line. In a May 18, 2016, deposition with Epstein accuser Johanna Sjoberg, she was asked by attorney Sigrid S. McCawley: "Did you ever hear or observe Jeffrey talking on the phone about Frederic Fekkai?" "I heard him call someone, and say, Fekkai is in Hawaii," Sjoberg responded over the objection of the attorney for Maxwell, Laura A. Menninger. "Can we find some girls for him?" "And what was your reaction to that?" McCawley asked. "Well, I was massaging and I didn't have a reaction," Sjoberg replied in the sworn deposition. "I tried to remain reactionless the whole five years." The deposition was related to a civil suit filed by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre against Maxwell, Epstein's ex-girlfriend and "Madame." The suit was settled in 2017, but multiple interested parties have been fighting to unseal the case. US District Judge Loretta Preska has been unsealing the documents, including those released on Wednesday. Maxwell was later tried and found guilty of multiple counts of sex trafficking in 2021. She is currently serving a 20-year sentence. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 in a federal jail in Manhattan, while awaiting trial on charges related to sex trafficking. He pleaded guilty in 2008 to Flordia state charges of soliciting a minor for prostitution for which he served less than 13 months in prison and was registered as a sex offender. Fekkai lives in Aix-en-Provence, France, with his wife Shirin von Wullfen where they operate the Bastide shop, according to a 2023 Goop piece. Read the original article on Business Insider Rishi Sunak has made stopping the small boat Channel crossings one of his five priorities - Yui Mok/PA A French spending watchdog has criticised Britain for failing to do enough to help prevent small boat crossings. The French court of auditors said the UK had not adequately cooperated with France to stop the transport of migrants across the Channel. It said the intelligence provided by the British to French police was very general, not usable and very piecemeal and claimed the UK was not passing on enough information about migrants or the boats and engines being used by people smuggling gangs. The criticism came in a 141-page report that also revealed major flaws in efforts by France to combat illegal migration. It said Frances interception rate for stopping boats leaving its shores had changed little in 2021 and 2022, despite the extra millions of pounds provided by Britain. Key units to fight people smuggling were underfunded and understaffed, and border officials were criticised for failing to screen, record and store the data of migrants crossing into France illegally. Just 10 per cent of illegal migrants earmarked for expulsion were actually being thrown out of the country. The Home Office said the auditors report was out of date and did not accurately reflect our current working relationship, including intelligence sharing, with France. Former minister Tim Loughton, a member of the home affairs committee, said: It is ironic the French authorities are complaining they are not getting enough from UK agencies except for the record 480 million subsidy the French police are getting from the British taxpayer, yet the intervention rates show no improvement. Border Force are meticulous in scrutinising all evidence from arriving migrants, including origin of lifejackets and dinghy engines to help tracing back to smuggling gangs, yet it is down to the French to execute [warrants] against criminals mostly based in France. They really need to do a better job of recording and detaining all those entering France illegally rather than constantly blaming others. The British taxpayer is being scammed by the French government, and it is time we saw real results from our subsidies. The report said that despite a joint declaration in November 2022 to improve efforts to dismantle crime gangs, the auditors found the British do not communicate usable intelligence information on the departures of small boats and provide primary, very general information that is not cross-checked. Information seems very piecemeal about the condition of arriving migrants, the references or serial numbers of boats and engines, and nationalities. The relationship between France and the United Kingdom is therefore unbalanced in terms of exchanges of information and intelligence, it said. A lifeboat makes its way towards migrants crossing the Channel on a small boat - Ben Stansall/AFP The auditors noted that Britain had provided nearly 200 million between 2018 and 2022 to substantially boost the number of Border Force officers as well as the new three-year 480 million deal, but said preventing crossings was complex. Between 2021 and 2022, the rate of thwarting crossings varies little and is settled at around 56 per cent, it said. However the UK believes the interception rate needs to hit 80 to 90 per cent to render the people smugglers business model unviable. Migrants gather on a beach after they failed to illegally cross the English Channel to reach Britain - Bernard Barron/AFP It also revealed how a new centre to tackle the gangs, which was supposed to be staffed with 75 soldiers and staff from other government departments, had only been provided with one of the 42 gendarmerie pledged, while other ministries had not yet sent any of the agents promised. It said illegal migrants arrested by police after crossing borders did not have their fingerprints taken or their documents scanned, even though they would be useful later with a view to expulsion. Despite significant investment, border guards were not well enough organised while prefectures, the civil servants responsible for deporting illegal migrants, were overloaded, regularly committed legal errors and missed deadlines. They were unable to provide defence lawyers to counter legal challenges by migrants. Despite the existence of administrative detention, only a small minority around 10 per cent of people who have been ordered to leave the country leave, said the auditors. Natalie Elphicke, the MP for Dover, said: This report yet again underlines the urgent need for closer intelligence co-operation and a comprehensive agreement where Britain and France act together to secure the Channel. That means sharing intelligence, stopping the boats leaving French shores in the first place and returning boats to France. That would bring a swift end to the small boats crisis. A Home Office spokesman said: We continue to work closely with French partners at all levels, helping to drive forward improvements in the prevention of crossing attempts, both on the beaches and long before they reach them. This relentless action has seen crossings fall by 36 per cent in the last year. More than 26,000 of these dangerous, illegal and unnecessary crossing attempts were prevented in 2023 thanks to our strong partnership with France. 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. French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a press conference during the second day of the EU Summit. -/EU COUNCIL/dpa French President Emmanuel Macron plans to attend the memorial service for former German interior and finance minister Wolfgang Schauble. This was confirmed to dpa by the Elysee Palace on Thursday. The German parliament intends to host the service, ordered by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, on January 22 in the Bundestag in Berlin. Hundreds of guests from Germany and abroad are expected. German magazine Stern said Macron would give a speech about the former Bundestag president, although the Elysee Palace in Paris did not comment on this. Schauble - who helped devise German reunification and pressured Greece into austerity during the eurozone debt crisis - died aged 81 on December 26 after a long illness. He will be buried on Friday in his home town of Offenburg. RABAT, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Moroccan army units and law enforcement authorities arrested about 87,000 undocumented migrants in 2023, most of them from sub-Saharan Africa, the army's General Command said Wednesday. The army said in a statement that the arrests were part of its efforts to monitor borders and maritime areas and combat cross-border threats. The statement also said that the army provided rescue and assistance to more than 22,000 migrants who were in distress on makeshift boats in Moroccan territorial waters in 2023. Morocco has become a transit country for African migrants who want to reach Europe for better living conditions. The army said it intercepted more than 1,100 migrants who tried to reach the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in northern Morocco on New Year's Eve. A new route that runs through the West African Atlantic coasts to the Spanish Canary Islands also attracted more migrants in 2023. The Spanish Commission for Refugees said migrant arrivals to the islands increased by 140 percent in 2023 compared to 2022. Natural gas supplies to China via the Power of Siberia pipeline have surged by 1.5 times since the beginning of 2024, Russian media agency Interfax reported on Jan. 4. Russian gas monopolist Gazprom supplied 22.7 billion cubic meters of gas to China in 2023, exceeding Gazproms contractual obligations by 700 million cubic meters and marking a 1.5-fold increase from 2022s 15.4 billion cubic meters. Gazprom said that in early January 2024, the company brought daily gas supplies to China to a fundamentally new level, and on Jan. 2, this new level was surpassed, setting a historic record for daily pipeline gas exports to Chinese consumers. Read also: Kyiv to cut off Russian gas transit to Europe at end of 2024 For 2024, there exists a contractual commitment for Russia to supply 30 billion cubic meters to China, following the 22 billion cubic meters in 2023. By 2025, the Power of Siberia pipeline aims to achieve full export capacity, reaching 38 billion cubic meters annually. At the end of December 2023, Gazprom inaugurated new extraction capacities crucial for the planned increase in exports to China. These capacities are situated in the Kovykta field in Irkutsk Oblast and the Chayanda field in Yakutia. Read also: China exacts even larger discount on Russian gas as primary importer of sanctioned resource Previously reported projections indicate that Russian pipeline gas deliveries to EU countries for 2023 will decrease by 65%, totaling approximately 20-25 billion cubic meters. This represents a sevenfold reduction compared to the pre-war 2021, when the company supplied 140 billion cubic meters. 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 GCSE English exams will no longer need to be handwritten under plans by one of the countrys largest assessment boards. From 2025, pupils taking both English Language and English Literature with the exam board Edexcel will be allowed to type their answers. The move, which experts have warned must not signify the beginning of the end of handwriting for children, aims to make it easier for pupils to edit their answers and simpler for papers to be marked. Up to 125,000 GCSE English candidates around 20 per cent will have the choice to complete their exam either on-screen or by hand under the plans which are being reviewed by the Department for Education and Ofqual. Pearson, the company which runs Edexcel, hopes to be able to offer an on-screen option for all GCSEs by 2030 to increase accessibility for students. Benefits all students Sharon Hague, the managing director for Pearson Schools, said: On-screen is a better experience for students who need accessibility adjustments. Students can zoom in to increase font size and choose colour filters on-screen during exams, something their schools or colleges would otherwise need to request in advance of their exams. She added: On-screen brings benefits for all students too. They can highlight and annotate information, cut and paste text and make easy edits to their answers. Its what many students are used to doing when they work at home and in the classroom, and its undoubtedly how they will work in their careers too. Students are asking for the choice to take exams onscreen. In summer 2023 we had 15,000 typed responses for GCSE English alone as part of access arrangements or a preferred way of working. We fully welcome continuing the important discussion on the investment and support required to ensure all schools can be in a position to offer on-screen options. This is a whole sector challenge and we will play our part. Warning of loss in handwriting skills However, experts stressed the importance of maintaining handwriting as part of childrens literacy toolbox and warned of the dangers of the loss of the skill. Mellissa Prunty, the chair of the National Handwriting Association and divisional lead for occupational therapy at Brunel University, told The Telegraph: Handwriting is very important for young children when learning to read and spell. It has a deeper level of processing as you have to map the sound of a letter, to the visual representation of the letter and then produce the sequence of strokes to write the letter. It supports these early literacy skills. She added that educators must therefore promote a hybrid world where we have a number of skills in our literacy toolbox, the ability to write by hand, type and of course text. It is not about one over the other. It comes as a number of the UKs major exam boards have taken steps towards digital assessment. Last month, Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations announced it would offer a digitally assessed GCSE in computer science for pupils starting their course next year. Meanwhile, AQA, the countrys largest exam board, is aiming to roll out on-screen exams and it hopes that students will sit at least one major subject digitally by 2030. The reading and listening components of GCSE Italian and Polish would be the first to move to digital exams in 2026, according to the proposals by AQA. Disadvantage gap a challenge Headteachers have warned of the dangers of a move to online assessments widening the disadvantage gap between pupils. Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: The move towards online assessment is positive and overdue, but does not come without challenges including the ongoing disadvantage gap between those who may have more access to technology at home and therefore more familiarity with its demands. Its vital that schools are clearly guided through this process and have the necessary resources to put in place the digital infrastructure they need to deliver online exams going forward. Peter Thomas, a former GCSE principal examiner and a spokesperson for the National Association for the Teaching of English, told The Telegraph: The move to online is worrying because it puts a premium on those kids who have the facility for keyboarding as a form of written communication. Lots of kids are whizzes at using a keyboard for gaming and leave parents mystified by their expertise. But when it comes to reproducing the conventional communications in sentences and paragraphs I think that the QWERTY board is not as familiar to them as other forms of digital communication. He added: I think it would be better to have sloppy handwriting in an exam and have speed than to hold everything up to get the same sort of response required on a keyboard. If children dont take handwritten exams, they will never learn to write By Annabel Heseltine The decision by Pearson Edexcel to fast-forward its plans to enable all pupils to take both their English Literature and English Language GCSEs on a computer by 2025 is at best crass and disingenuous; demonstrating a lack of understanding of what the board already provides. At worst, it disempowers an entire generation. Would you ask your child to learn to drive in an automatic car? In all likelihood, they will be driving automatics for most of their lives but, if they cannot resort to a manual, they are forever confined to the restrictions of an automatic. They have lost another mechanical skill and so are disempowered. Similarly, a child who doesnt have to prepare for handwritten exams will never learn to write. By encouraging all GCSE students to take their exams on a computer, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) and the Department for Education which have allowed this are signalling that writing by hand is unimportant. The knock-on effect of this is obvious. The hours spent learning to write will be removed. Teachers will no longer care if a childs handwriting is illegible. Grammar will no longer be important as computers will signal and correct mistakes without teaching children the whys and wherefores. Of course, Ofqual will deny this, saying grammar and handwriting will still be taught. But who are they kidding? We all know that in this competitive world where children are taught to pass a test, not for the benefit of a well-rounded education, it will simply fall off the tick box agenda. For some, taking exams by computer is a necessity. I am the mother of four neurodiverse children with learning difficulties, ranging from autism and dyslexia, to dyspraxia and processing difficulties. They have all been using computers from the age of seven. Their learning differences slow down the process of communication between brain and paper. So to place neurodiverse children on an even footing with their neurotypical classmates they are encouraged to use computers. They are also given additional time for exams. But by allowing all children to use a computer in exams, the chance of creating an even playing field is wiped out. They are not the only group of children who will be disadvantaged. Nobody has forgotten the heartbreaking stories during Covid of children from poorer backgrounds trying to access their curriculum without a computer. Once again we are seeing a badly thought-out policy which will only exacerbate the education gap. The knock-on effects of discarding the skill of cursive handwriting cannot be underestimated and I use the word skill deliberately. Writing longhand trains the mind in functional specialisation, improves fine motor skills and memory so that even children who are neurodiverse benefit from learning to write alongside their neurotypical schoolmates. Annabel Heseltine is editor of the education magazine School House. 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. Conservative attorney George Conway and MSNBCs Jen Psaki tore into two top Republicans who endorsed Donald Trump for president this week even though the former president helped sabotage both lawmakers bids to become House speaker. On Wednesday, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) said in a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter, that he was proud to endorse Trump for president. A day earlier, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) endorsed Trump in a similar statement on X. Both men had thrown their hats in the ring during the chaotic House speaker race last year. In a lengthy Truth Social blast at the time, Trump called Emmer a RINO, an acronym for Republican in name only, and said voting for him would be a tragic mistake. Emmer voted to certify the 2020 election results, which Trump has falsely claimed were rigged. When Scalise was up against Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) for the job, Trump endorsed Jordan and cited Scalises cancer diagnosis as a concern. I never cease to be amazed at how willing these people are to sacrifice their honor and their dignity to worship this man and keep a job, Conway said on MSNBCs Morning Joe Thursday. Its not worth being a member of Congress if you have to kowtow to a psychopath like this, he added. Psaki, who served as President Joe Bidens first White House press secretary, said the lawmakers look pathetic and spineless. Their dignity is looking, you know, is being questioned here for good reason, she said. Its sad and pathetic, and its an addiction to Donald Trump by the core of the Republican Party, she added. Trump leads the GOP presidential pack by a significant margin, even though he has been criminally indicted four times on dozens of felony counts. Nonetheless, few elected Republicans have been willing to criticize him, and even his presidential rivals are reluctant to go after him. Watch the segment below on MSNBCs Morning Joe. Related... German carbon emissions fell to a seven-decade low as Europes biggest economy scaled back coal production, according to a report released by think tank Agora Energiewende. The report projected emissions in 2023 at 673 million tons, down 73 million metric tons from 2022 and about 46 percent below 1990 levels. The figure is the lowest output for Germany since the 1950s, according to the think tank. Germany, which has set a goal of net zero emissions by 2045, retired its last three nuclear power plants in 2023 after a broader, years-long phaseout of nuclear energy. Meanwhile, coal-fired electricity generation in the country fell to a six-decade low last year, according to the report, largely because of increased imports and lower demand. A combination of an economic slowdown and international crises, such as the ongoing war in Ukraine, also contributed, with energy-intensive production falling 11 percent, outpacing the 0.3 percent overall economic shrinkage. Lower electricity production from lignite coal resulted in 29 million fewer metric tons of carbon dioxide last year, compared to 15 million fewer metric tons from hard coal-fired power generation. However, the report also determined the majority of the cuts are not the result of long-term renewable energy buildouts that will result in permanent reductions. About 15 percent represents such permanent cuts, compared to about 50 percent from short-term impacts, like reduced electricity prices. Meanwhile, the report found, Germany is likely to miss its European Union climate targets due to nearly flat emissions from the building and transportation sectors last year. The country will have to pay fines or buy emissions certificates from its fellow EU member states if it fails to meet those goals. 2023 was a two-speed year as far as climate protection in Germany is concerned: the energy sector notched up a climate policy success with its record level of new renewable power, taking us closer to the 2030 target. However, we dont consider the emissions reductions seen in the industrial sector to be sustainable. The drop in production due to the energy crisis weakens Germanys industrial base, Simon Muller, director of Agora Energiewende Germany, said in a statement. Moving those emissions abroad, Muller added, will not result in any net benefit to the climate. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (C) and Reiner Haseloff (L), Minister President of Saxony-Anhalt, on their way to flood-affected areas in Sangerhausen. On the same day, Chancellor Scholz and Saxony-Anhalt's Minister President Haseloff will visit the flood area around the Helme and talk to volunteers. Jan Woitas/dpa German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has promised support to the areas in Germany hit by floods, including for the subsequent repair of the damage, during a visit to one of the affected regions. "It is clear that this will only be possible together, and this must also be done in a spirit of solidarity in Germany," he said during a trip to the state of Saxony-Anhalt on Thursday. Several regions in Germany and other parts of north-western Europe have been struggling with floods for about two weeks now. Scholz had already visited flooded areas in Lower Saxony on New Year's Eve. The chancellor said he was impressed by the solidarity across state borders in the fight against the floods. "I think that shows that we can stand together in Germany." Scholz was greeted in Sangerhausen by a group of around 10 people shouting slogans such as "criminal" and "go straight back." He was accompanied by Environment Minister Steffi Lemke and Saxony-Anhalt's State Premier Reiner Haseloff. On site, Lemke pointed out that in the medium and long term, municipalities, federal states and the German government need to agree on how to better prepare for such events. "The water needs space, you can see that up close here," she said. It will also be about "how help can be provided, where help is needed, financially, but also in other ways." A state of emergency was declared in the Mansfeld-Sudharz district shortly before New Year. The River Helme had burst its banks in places. Several towns along the river are currently under threat. In other states too, especially in Lower Saxony, the emergency services have been battling the mass of water for days. Many water gauges in Lower Saxony and parts of Bremen continue to indicate the highest reporting level. French relief workers built a mobile dyke in the northern German town of Winsen an der Aller on Thursday to protect the community against flooding. France had offered the German state of Lower Saxony a team consisting of 39 specialists through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. About 600 metres of a 1.2-kilometre-long dyke system are to be built by the crew. The flood situation is still very critical, Lower Saxony's Interior Minister Daniela Behrens said. This is a great sign of great international solidarity, especially since France is also currently dealing with floods, Behrens said. Meanwhile, the German Weather Service (DWD) has warned of continuous rain. It is now set to get colder. "The precipitation in the plagued flood areas is decreasing more and more and turning into snow," the DWD announced. Winter is returning with the weather getting increasingly cold and icy, it said. The effects of the sub-zero temperatures on the flooded areas remain unclear. Emergency services had warned people not to go near the flood water, but not everyone heeded this warning. In Hanover, a large contingent of up to 100 people plus boats, divers, drones and a helicopter were deployed because they thought a person was helpless in the water, according to the fire brigade. Witnesses later reported that they had seen a swimmer in a wetsuit and swimming cap. He got out of the water and rode away on his bike. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (C) in conversation with Andre Schroeder, District Administrator of Mansfeld-Suedharz, during a visit to the central sandbag filling facility in Berga. On the same day, Chancellor Scholz and Saxony-Anhalt's Minister President Haseloff will visit the flood area around the Helme and talk to volunteers. Jan Woitas/dpa Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz (R) talks to Karsten Hauschild from the DLRG in the flood area at the confluence of the Weser and Aller rivers. Scholz took a sightseeing flight in an air force helicopter to gain an impression of the flooding situation in the north of Lower Saxony. Arne von Brill/dpa Flood affected regions of the German state of Saxony-Anhalt are expecting Chancellor Olaf Scholz to visit on Thursday and see their plight first-hand. He had already visited flooded areas in Lower Saxony on New Year's Eve. This time, the chancellor will be accompanied by Environment Minister Steffi Lemke and Saxony-Anhalt State Premier Reiner Haseloff. Together, the politicians want to find out about the flood situation in Oberroblingen, a district of Sangerhausen. An appointment is planned at the dyke at the Helme bridge, which is in danger of collapsing - together with the District Administrator of the Mansfeld-Sudharz district, Andre Schroder. This will be followed by a discussion with the incident commander, the emergency services and the mayors of the affected municipalities. Scholz, Lemke and Haseloff will then travel to a sandbag filling station in the village of Berga and talk to volunteers. A state of emergency was declared in the Mansfeld-Sudharz district shortly before New Year. The River Helme had burst its banks in places. Several towns along the river are currently under threat. In other federal states too, especially in Lower Saxony, the emergency services have been battling the masses of water for days. Many water gauges in Lower Saxony and parts of Bremen continue to indicate the highest reporting level. Although it is expected to remain largely dry on Thursday, the situation threatens to worsen in some places after the continuous rain of the past few days. The catchment areas of the Aller, Leine, Oker, Hase and Hunte rivers are affected. "We are still in an extremely critical situation and we are fully focussed on combatting the floods," said Lower Saxony's Minister President Stephan Weil on NDR television on Wednesday evening. Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz walks along a flooded area. Scholz took a sightseeing flight in an air force helicopter to gain an impression of the flooding situation in the north of Lower Saxony. Arne von Brill/dpa The skull of a dead cow and a poster with the slogan "If there are no more farmers, your plates will remain empty" are attached to a tractor at a farmers' association rally against the German government's austerity plans. Stefan Puchner/dpa Germany's coalition government has decided to gradually decrease fuel subsidies for farmers over the next couple of years, rather than cut them all at once, a government spokesman said on Thursday. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck and Finance Minister Christian Lindner had also agreed to abandon a planned cancellation of the motor vehicle tax exemption for agriculture, the spokesperson added. The cuts were part of a package of measures intended to plug a multi-billion euro gap in the government budget following a landmark top court ruling at the end of last year that sent the coalition's financial plans into disarray. According to the government, the rate of relief will now be reduced by 40% in 2024. In 2025 and 2026, there will be a further annual reduction of 30%, meaning that there will no longer be a subsidy in 2026. The original plans had triggered massive protests from farmers and were also controversial within the coalition of the Social Democrats (SPD), Greens and pro-business Free Democrats (FDP). The German Farmers' Association had called for a week of action against the planned cuts starting on Monday and stuck to the call despite the government changes. A major demonstration is planned in Berlin on January 15. Farmers' president Joachim Rukwied said the coalition should withdraw the proposals completely. Scholz, Habeck and Lindner agreed on savings in the 2024 budget in mid-December after lengthy negotiations. Following the court's budget verdict, they had to plug a financial gap of around 30 billion ($32.3 billion) in the core budget. Farmers with their tractors demonstrates at a farmers' association rally against the German government with a poster reading "War destroys Ukraine & Gaza. Stefan Puchner/dpa NANNING, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- A batch of coated ivory board worth about 430,000 yuan (about 60,098 U.S. dollars) was packed up at Guangxi Sun Paper Board Co., Ltd. in Beihai, a coastal city in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region before the New Year holiday. The products are expected to arrive in Indonesia in about 15 days. "With the certificates of origin under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), our goods will enjoy a tariff reduction of nearly 20,000 yuan when clearing customs in Indonesia," said Liu Ning, director of the company's export customs affairs. In 2023, the company applied for nearly 200 certificates of origin under RCEP, which have significantly helped the company explore new advantages in foreign trade and expand their market in Indonesia, Liu added. The RCEP, which entered into force on Jan. 1, 2022, comprises 15 Asia-Pacific countries, including 10 ASEAN member states and their five trading partners, namely China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand. The RCEP took effect for Indonesia on Jan. 2, 2023 and has enabled the country to implement new trade regulations. In accordance with the commitment of the RCEP agreement, Indonesia will implement immediate zero tariffs on 65.1 percent of products originating from China, and China will also implement immediate zero tariffs on 67.9 percent of products originating from Indonesia since the effective date. Based on the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), Indonesia will add zero-tariff treatment to more than 700 Chinese products, including auto parts, motorcycles, televisions, clothing, shoes and plastic products. China will also cut taxes on more products from Indonesia, such as pineapple juice, canned goods, paper products and auto parts, further opening up its market to Indonesia. Over the past decade, economic and trade cooperation between China and Indonesia has become increasingly closer. The trade volume between China and Indonesia increased from 50 billion U.S. dollars in 2013 to 150 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. China has maintained its status as Indonesia's largest trading partner for 10 consecutive years. The RCEP has become an important driving force for the growth of foreign trade among members of the agreement. Notably, it has injected new vitality into China's economic and trade cooperation with Indonesia. Data from China's Embassy in Indonesia showed that in the first 10 months of 2023, bilateral trade between China and Indonesia reached 114.5 billion U.S. dollars, and in the first three quarters, China invested 5.6 billion U.S. dollars in Indonesia, up nearly 8 percent year on year. JAKARTA, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has increased its export target to China to 70 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, an Indonesian government official said Thursday. Director General for National Export Development of the Ministry of Trade Didi Sumedi told a press conference that from January to November 2023, the total export value to China was 56.57 billion dollars, and it is estimated to reach 60 billion dollars after the December data comes out. These figures will still be lower than that of 2022 which reached 65.9 billion dollars due to the decline in global commodity prices, according to Sumedi "As an effort to reach the target, this year we will add several programs to China. For example, we plan to work with several provinces in China to be able to showcase our products there in all related exhibitions," said Sumedi. He also said the government remains optimistic that Indonesia's exports are still strong and competitive in the global market. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has proposed sensible limits on school vouchers. But you wouldn't know it from some people's reactions. That thud you heard this week? That was the sound of the school voucher squad, falling over in a hyperventilated heap over the idea of putting a few controls on the states runaway school voucher program. You know, school vouchers? The program that was projected to cost us $65 million this year, when it was approved for universal use in 2022, and instead is approaching $1 billion? This week, Gov. Katie Hobbs proposed a plan aimed at adding accountability and transparency to the year-old universal voucher program the one that allows any parent to collect $7,300 or more every year to help cover their private school tuition or home schooling costs. And well, you can imagine the response. Hobbs will 'dismantle' ESAs? Not exactly Gov. Hobbs is once again trying to dismantle the ESA program used by 72K students, one ESA mom tweeted. She attended private school but wants to stop other families from having that option. The Governors proposal will take away the Empowerment Scholarship from tens of thousands of Arizona students and negatively impact low-income and special needs families the most, wrote another. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs is launching a direct attack on their families and the beginning of a government takeover of private and home-based education, the Goldwater Institute warned. I picture those fine taxpayer watchdogs over at the Goldwater Institute gasping into a paper bag. Imagine suggesting that private schools funded with public money institute some basic safety and accountability measures. No wonder they think something's afoot I do understand their suspicion that something stinky is afoot. It took Republicans a decade to usher in Arizonas first-in-the-nation universal voucher program running right over the objections of voters who in 2018 trounced a plan for a far more modest voucher expansion. And just a year ago, Hobbs was calling for a repeal of universal vouchers. But the neophyte governor had her head handed to her by Republicans, and she ultimately signed a budget that not only didnt scale back vouchers but allowed unfettered growth in the runaway program. So now comes Hobbs with her comeback plan, an eight-point proposal pitched as a way to make the program more accountable and transparent one that Republican legislators already have declared dead on arrival. Not all of Hobbs proposed regulations for ESA-funded schools are needed. Parents who are opting out of public schools are also opting out of public protections, after all. Her plan to require that teachers be fingerprinted and meet minimal educational standards should be dropped. I expect that most legitimate schools do this, anyway, and as for the rest? Well, its the parents choice whether they want their kids to attend schools where teachers are vetted and meet minimal academic standards. These ideas deserve a fair hearing But other parts of Hobbs plan should get a fair hearing. What is wrong with suggesting that children have to actually attend a public school before they can score an Empowerment Scholarship Account to flee that school? Surely, that shouldnt be a problem for a program that was sold to the public as a way for poor and middle-class students to flee failing public schools. Unless it never really was about poor kids and failing schools? What is wrong with Hobbs call to end spending on luxury expenses over $500? Superintendent Tom Horne insists all ESA expenses are individually reviewed by the Department of Education to weed out frivolous requests. That just makes it all the more alarming that our money is being approved for things like ski passes and trampoline time and lessons in how to drive a Lamborghini. Or apparently not, according to the guy who oversees ESAs for the state. The ESA program is not going to regulate where parents should seek services for their children, including driving schools, ESA Executive Director John Ward told ABC 15, whose reporters dug into the expenses last fall. While you may think this may not be a good use of that familys ESA funding, at the end of the day, they get a fixed amount of money, and if thats how theyre going to choose to use it, thats their prerogative. We should know how our money's spent What is wrong with proposing that private schools not be allowed to gouge parents by jacking up tuition by 10% or 20%? An analysis by the nonprofit Hechinger Report found that some private schools across the state hiked their tuition by thousands of dollars once ESAs became available, making it even more unreachable for all those poor and middle-class kids that vouchers were supposed to benefit. And what is so horrifying about the idea of requiring annual state audits of the program, much as public schools are audited, so that we know how our money is being spent? Hobbs has a solid voucher plan: Don't back away from it In what universe is it a good idea to have a billion dollars in public funds floating about and virtually no controls? (Beyond the Lamborghini loving bureaucrats over at DOE.) We may not have a problem with now, with 72,000 students getting ESAs. But what about in five years, when the number is double or triple that as more and more people realize there is free money for the taking with virtually no strings attached? Does the GOP want vouchers to survive? Love em or hate em, school vouchers aren't going away any time soon. Democrats need to understand that. But if Republicans want their signature program to survive long term, they shouldnt close their eyes to the possibility that without at least some controls this thing could blow up in their faces in the future, empowering the state to take drastic action. Remember Alt Fuels, the generous tax credit program that provided subsidies to purchase vehicles that used alternative fuels to reduce pollution? The $10 million program that was headed toward $680 million as consumers figured out a way to use the money to buy luxury, gas-guzzling SUVs? You dont remember it? Exactly my point. Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @LaurieRoberts or on Threads at @laurierobertsaz. Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Katie Hobbs won't kill school vouchers. In fact, she might save them Republican Governor Glenn Youngkins proposed personal income tax cuts would disproportionately benefit wealthy Virginians while creating a multi-billion-dollar revenue shortfall over the next two years, according to analysis by The Commonwealth Institute. Youngkin included a 12% reduction in income tax across the board in his budget proposal, released in December. That cut would reduce personal income tax from 2% to 1.75% for the lowest tax bracket, and 5.75% to 5.1% for the highest tax bracket. That reduction in income tax alone would cost Virginia $3.46 billion over two years according to analysis by The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, a left-of-center non profit organization that focuses on fiscal and policy research in Virginia. To stem that loss of revenue, Youngkin included proposals to expand sales tax to new economy products, like digital streaming services and downloads and plans to increase the states sales tax 0.9%, from 4.3% to 5.2%. The governor has also proposed a $300 million cut to K-12 education, compared to current spending, over the next two years. Rodrigo Soto, revenue campaign manager at The Commonwealth Institute, said the proposed cuts to K-12 education would partially pay for the $3.46 billion revenue shortfall that is anticipated if the governors proposal were to pass as is. The governor's office disputed the institute's analysis and claimed that Youngkin's budget includes "the largest per-pupil education investment in the history of the Commonwealth." "TCIs incorrect claims show a fundamental lack of understanding of education funding in the Commonwealth," Christian Martinez, Youngkin's spokesperson, said. Potential cuts to already struggling K-12 schools A Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission report released over the summer found that Virginia schools already receive less K12 funding per student than the 50-state average, the regional average, and three of Virginias five bordering states. For all the governors bluster about restoring excellence, historic investments in education, and parents mattering, his proposed cuts to K-12 education in the face of such overwhelming need speak volumes about how much he truly cares about our students success. James J. Fedderman, president of the Virginia Education Association, said in a statement following the release of the governors budget in December. Sen. Louise Lucas (D - Portsmouth), incoming chair of the Commonwealths Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, said that the governors proposed budget is dead on arrival in a post on X (formerly Twitter) in December. He says he is focused on the future of the Commonwealth, but he is really only concerned with lining the pockets of billionaires, she said. Disparate levels of tax relief In his address to the General Assemblys Joint Money Committee in December, Youngkin called his budget a part of a bold, necessary path forward. Virginia is on the verge of winning the fierce competition among our peer states for jobs, innovation, residents, and opportunity, he said. According to the Commonwealth Institute, Youngkins proposed personal income tax cut would offer a household that makes more than $2 million annually nearly $13,000 in income tax relief, compared to a household that makes around $50,000 annually which would see just over $100 in income tax relief. Our analysis shows that actually the wealthiest will benefit the most from this, not the people struggling to make ends meet month to month, Soto said. If the governor was truly focused on helping people make ends meet and the day-to-day living expenses, we would have seen incredible investments in Virginias public K-12 education. The General Assembly will put forward their own budget proposals, which Soto anticipates could look vastly different than what the governor has proposed, once the legislature convenes for the 2024 session. Youngkin will continue to have veto leverage in negotiations after the Democratic-controlled legislature puts forward its version of the budget. This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Virginia governor's proposed budget could create a revenue shortfall Russian forces struck Kharkiv with two S-300 missiles late on Jan. 3, damaging civilian infrastructure in the city center, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported. According to preliminary data, there were no casualties, Syniehubov said on Telegram. First responders are working on the spot, he added. Several explosions were heard in Kharkiv at around 10:30 p.m. local time and earlier in the evening, as reported by Suspilne news outlet. Russia has recently intensified its attacks against Ukraines northeastern city of Kharkiv, just 30 kilometers from the Russian-Ukrainian border. Russian forces struck Kharkiv several times with Iskander missiles on Jan. 2, killing a woman and wounding 52 civilians, including six children. Later in the evening, Russia again attacked the city, damaging an educational facility. Another Russian mass attack against Kharkiv on Dec. 30 wounded 28 civilians, including two children and a foreigner, according to Syniehubov. Read also: Russia launches largest air attack on Ukraine since start of full-scale war Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A Grand Haven man has been arrested and arraigned following an investigation into stolen mPerks accounts, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Thursday, Jan. 4. LANSING A Grand Haven man has been arrested and arraigned following an investigation into stolen mPerks accounts, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Thursday, Jan. 4. The investigation was announced in December after several Meijer customers reported missing points in their mPerks accounts. mPerks is Meijers loyalty and rewards incentive program. Nessel announced Thursday that Nicholas Mui, 22, of Grand Haven, was arrested in connection to the systematic theft and sale of account access information tied to mPerks accounts. Mui was arraigned in 59th District Court in Kent County on Dec. 27, 2023. More: Were your mPerks points stolen? Michigan has a task force investigating He's charged with conducting a criminal enterprise and using a computer to commit a crime, both 20-year felonies. Mui is also charged with seven counts of identity theft, each a five-year felony. Its alleged that Mui obtained login credentials from a separate data breach, unrelated to Meijer, then cross-referenced those credentials with the mPerks infrastructure. He then allegedly sold those login credentials on the internet. Purchasers of the credentials then used point balances to fund their own purchases from Meijer. Consumers should heed this warning and exercise smart password discipline, Nessel said. If you are notified of a data breach, you should be changing your login credentials not just with that breach point platform, but also for any other accounts for which you use the same login credentials. Additionally, consumers should be changing their passwords at regular intervals, and not employing the same usernames and passwords across multiple platforms. Meijer was alerted to the thefts by consumers. An investigation involved Meijer corporate investigators, the Michigan State Police Fraud Investigation Section and the FORCE Team. A search warrant was executed in September, resulting in over $400,000 in cash and cryptocurrency seized in connection to the alleged operation. Subscribe: Receive unlimited access to your local news coverage Meijer reinstated the full previous balance of affected customers. The current calculated loss exceeds $1,000,000, according to Nessels office. This theft operation affected hundreds of Meijer customers and mPerks account holders, and cost the grocery chain over $1,000,000, Nessel said. It is our belief we apprehended the main operative and driver of this sophisticated, widespread criminal enterprise, and Im grateful for the partnership between my FORCE Team, the Michigan State Police and Meijer. Mui is due back in court Jan. 9 for a probable cause conference. Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Grand Haven man arrested for stealing, selling mPerks login info An image from surveillance footage shows Justin Jordan, 32, holding two guns in the middle of the street in a southeast Salem neighborhood. Jordan was later killed in a police standoff. Three law enforcement officers who fired their weapons Nov. 24 killing a 32-year-old man after he pointed a handgun at officers responding to a disturbance in an east Salem neighborhood were justified in using deadly force, a Marion County Grand Jury ruled on Wednesday. Salem Police Officer John Parmer, Oregon State Police Trooper Andrew Tuttle, and Marion County Sheriff's Deputy Caleb Mott were found justified in using deadly force against Justin Lee Jordan, according to a prepared statement from the Marion County District Attorney's Office. The grand jury met for two days to review witness testimonies and evidence and found that the "use of force was necessary" to defend police and that Jordan committed and attempted to commit violent felonies against multiple people on Arabian Ave SE, the statement said. Ring camera footage taken shortly before the shooting shows Jordan in what appears to a mental health crisis. In the footage, he yells, kicks the door and simulates cutting his throat and shooting himself in the head. The investigation showed Jordan pointed a gun at residents five times, at law enforcement four times, and he fired his weapon four times. This image from surveillence footage shows Justin Jordan, 32, pointing a gun at a bystander driving through a southeast Salem neighborhood. Jordan was later killed in a police standoff. Suspect points gun at officers four minutes after they arrive on scene The district attorney's office released on Thursday the following sequence of events from a Keizer Police Department investigation and testimony presented to the grand jury: Emergency dispatchers received a call at 10:57 a.m. from a resident stating a man later identified as Jordan was throwing items around a trash can. The resident was checking the air pressure in his vehicle's tires when Jordan went back into his house and came out with two handguns. While on the phone with dispatch, the resident said he heard a gunshot and saw Jordan holding two guns to his head while kneeling in the street. Marion County Sheriff's deputies sent to the area arrived at 11:04 a.m. By then, multiple calls had been made , including one about Jordan shooting at a woman's car at 11 a.m. The woman didn't suffer any injuries, but her vehicle was hit and had multiple bullet holes. After Jordan shot at her, he walked back down Arabian Ave SE and pointed a gun at another resident. The arriving officers saw Jordan waving a pistol and yelling and began attempting to negotiate. Between 11:05 and 11:07 a.m., two cars attempted to drive northbound on Arabian Ave SE, where Jordan was standing. Jordan told the first car to "get back" while pointing a pistol at the driver. He approached the second vehicle and pointed a gun at the driver through the windshield. Jordan then walked over to the driver's side and pointed the gun at the window. Bullet holes are shown on a truck shot at by Justin Jordan, 32, who was later killed in a police standoff outside in a southeast Salem neighborhood. The driver backed up the car and left. Officers saw Jordan holding two handguns as he walked toward them. The officers warned Jordan, saying, "Drop the gun," "We do not want to hurt you," "Get on the ground," and "We do not want to shoot you." Jordan did not comply and pointed one of the pistols directly at the officers. The three officers then fired. A gun recovered from the scene that was used by Justin Jordan, 32, who was later killed in a police standoff outside in a southeast Salem neighborhood. Multiple officers tried to render aid to Jordan, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Jordan was shot three times, including a fatal shot to his chest, according to an autopsy conducted by State Deputy Medical Examiner Ariel Viramontes. No bystanders or police officers were injured. For questions, comments, and news tips, email reporter Christian Willbern at cwillbern@statesmanjournal.com This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Marion County grand jury clears 3 officers in using deadly force A judge dismissed a Boise Pride Festival security guards lawsuit against the city and police department, effectively ending the saga involving the city, the security guard and a festival protester. Charles Rehdorf, a high school teacher from Caldwell and contracted security guard for Boise Pride, filed a lawsuit in August. He alleged that the city and the Boise Police Department were negligent in responding to a Sept. 10, 2022, incident that led to an altercation between Rehdorf and protester who opposed the festival, an annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. According to Rehdorfs account, he noticed the protester, Martin Bettwieser, inside the venue holding signs against the Pride Festival and recalled that Bettwieser had previously been removed for trespassing at the festival and was not welcome by the organizers. Rehdorf said he asked Bettwieser to leave, but Bettwieser remained and began aggressively harassing, chastising, and berating vendors for participating in Pride Fest, according to the lawsuit. The 2022 festival generated controversy. The Idaho Republican Party chair, Dorothy Moon, and other far-right figures condemned a pride event for children, and multiple sponsors pulled their participation, the Idaho Statesman previously reported. When Rehdorf asked Boise police for help removing Bettwieser that Saturday, he said police declined to assist him. Rehdorf said in the lawsuit that he felt that he had to remove Bettwieser from the area. As Rehdorf was trying to remove Bettwieser, he fell off a curb and became irate, Rehdorf said in the lawsuit. Later, police officers let Bettwieser go and arrested Rehdorf for misdemeanor battery, Rehdorf said. Months later, a judge dismissed the charges against Rehdorf, according to previous Statesman reporting. An attorney for the city of Boise, Megan Larrondo, filed a motion to dismiss Rehdorfs lawsuit, saying that the city merely issued a permit for the Boise Pride event and did not organize or operate it, so it cannot be held liable for any problem that arose from the event. Idaho Code says a government entity is not liable for any criminal intent or negligence that arises from a permitted event. Larrondo also said in her motion that the lawsuit arose from a public demonstration, for which the city cannot be held liable. Idaho Code provides an exception to liability from suits arising from a public demonstration, Larrondo said in court documents. She also said that the Boise Police Department cannot be sued as a separate entity from the city because of an Idaho Code section that allows lawsuits only against political subdivisions, which are any county, city, municipal corporation, health district school district, etc. Fourth District Judge Derrick ONeill in Boise ruled in favor of the city, saying it could not be held liable for what happened to Rehdorf, according to court documents. Max Williams, Rehdorfs attorney, agreed to dismiss the lawsuit against the department, according to court documents, though he continued to argue that the city was liable. In a statement to the Statesman, Williams said Thursday that he and Rehdorf were disappointed by the judges dismissal of our claims. The city of Boise is absolutely immune, Williams said. It is a sad day when innocent citizens can be dragged through the mud by inaction and reckless policing without being made whole. The city and the Legislature care more about money then (sic) they do about taking care of their Citizenry. He said they are exploring options and may appeal the judges ruling. ONeill dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice on Nov. 30, meaning Rehdorf cannot refile the lawsuit in Ada County. Boise Pride security guard acquitted of battery charge after altercation with protester Mother of man fatally shot by Boise police files civil claim ahead of possible lawsuit GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - Former Guatemalan President Otto Perez entered house arrest after being imprisoned since 2015 on a corruption conviction, his lawyer said on Thursday. Perez, a retired general, governed the Central American nation from 2012 until 2015, when he was forced to resign with just four months left in his term amid protests over graft scandals. The ex-president left prison on Wednesday evening, his lawyer, Cesar Calderon, told Reuters. "He left happy to be able to be with his family after eight years," Calderon said. To leave prison and enter house arrest, Perez had to pay a $38,000 bond and put up two properties worth $1.2 million as collateral, Calderon said. In late 2022, Perez was sentenced to 16 years in prison on charges of illicit association and customs fraud. Alongside his Vice President Roxana Baldetti, who remains imprisoned, Perez was accused of leading a customs fraud network that stole some $3.5 million in state funds during their administration. The case, known as "La Linea," was originally investigated under the now-defunct International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), backed by the United Nations. Perez was sentenced to another eight years in prison last year on money laundering and fraud charges in a separate case. Under Guatemalan law, Perez was allowed to enter house arrest after serving half of his sentence on good behavior and payment of the fine. (Reporting by Sofia Menchu; Writing by Kylie Madry; Editing by Sandra Maler) Have you seen this stolen dog? Detectives with the Gwinnett County Police Department are asking for the publics help in locating a stolen French Bulldog. Louie was locked inside his owners car while it was parked outside a business at 6655 Crescent Drive near Norcross on Friday, Dec. 8. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Louies owner was inside the business for 15 minutes and when she returned to her car, she saw someone had smashed her window and stole 3-year-old Louie. If you have information on this crime, please contact detectives at 710-513-5300. You can remain anonymous and submit a tip to Crime Stoppers by calling 404-577-TIPS (8477) or by visiting www.StopCrimeATL.com. Crime Stoppers tipsters are eligible for a cash reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment in this case. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis are running out of time to catch former President Trump in the GOP primary. The next few weeks will be critical for both GOP presidential candidates, who each trail Trump by a wide margin in swing state and national polls. Haley, a former South Carolina governor and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, has narrowed the gap with Trump in New Hampshire, which holds its primary Jan. 23. But she still trails him by double digits. DeSantis, the Florida governor, is perhaps in an even tougher spot. He has made Iowa a critical state for his campaign, but polls suggest he is in a battle for second place with Haley in Iowa. Both are well behind Trump, who has sought to leave no doubt in the Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses. There are multiple debates and back-to-back town halls that could allow Haley or DeSantis to close the gap. But if neither can make significant progress in that window, it could be curtains. The campaigns literally hinge on the next three weeks, each of them, said Jim Merrill, a New Hampshire-based Republican strategist. For each of them, its going to be important to try and break through, either with a win or a very strong second that gives them the momentum to continue on beyond Iowa and New Hampshire, Merrill said of Haley and DeSantis. Strategists are skeptical about whether a non-Trump candidate has a chance at beating the former president outright in the key early states on this months schedule. But they argue theres still time as well as an urgent need for Haley and DeSantis to seize some momentum in the lead-up to Iowas GOP caucuses and New Hampshires first-in-the-nation Republican primary. This is always the decisive month in presidential politics. You either win Iowa or New Hampshire, or you go home, said GOP strategist Alex Conant. The Hill/Decision Desk HQ polling average shows Trump leading with 51.6 percent in Iowa, followed by DeSantis and Haley at 18 and 17.1 percent, respectively. In New Hampshire, the polling average puts Haley at 26.7 percent, ahead of DeSantiss 8.3 percent but still behind Trumps 43.7 percent. The voting contests in Iowa and New Hampshire, together with the first-in-the-South primary in South Carolina in February, may decide the GOP presidential race by early March. The margins between first, second and third place in those states could signal which candidates have enough wind in their sails to continue toward Super Tuesday in March. Failing to secure a competitive finish in the first three races could sound alarms that its time for certain candidates to step out. If DeSantis doesnt finish in a strong second place in Iowa, it would be tough to go on to New Hampshire, where Haley appears to have an edge, argued Iowa-based Republican strategist Jimmy Centers. Haley, on the other hand, may also need to make an assessment after New Hampshire about whether its worth it to keep campaigning in the February primary of her home state of South Carolina in New Hampshire, Centers said. If former President Trump is able to garner north of 50 percent here in Iowa, and then put together a large win in New Hampshire as well, its a tough, tough march towards South Carolina for his rivals, Centers said. Conant underscored that even a distant second-place finish for DeSantis in Iowa would make it hard for the campaign to find a path forward. Either way, its hard to see a scenario where Trump wins the first two states and goes on to lose big come Super Tuesday, Conant argued. But if Haley or DeSantis can beat Trump in either of the January contests, it could become a different ballgame. To really reshape the race, they need to beat him in one of the first few states. It seems unlikely that either one of them is going to gain the momentum they need by losing to Trump, Conant said. If they dont beat him in the early states, it doesnt get any easier in the later states. Thats why the busy January schedule in the run-up to Iowa and New Hampshire is so important for both the Florida governor and former South Carolina governor, observers said. On Thursday, DeSantis and Haley are set to take part in separate town hall events hosted by CNN in Des Moines, Iowa, airing back-to-back. Next week, Fox News will host Haley on Jan. 8 and DeSantis on Jan. 9 for two more town halls in the Hawkeye State. On Jan. 10, just five days before the Iowa caucuses, CNN plans to host a Republican presidential debate in the state. Haley and DeSantis qualified for the CNN debate, while fellow candidates Chris Christie and Vivek Ramaswamy, who made the RNCs fourth debate stage last month, didnt make the cut. Trump has qualified but is skipping the event so far, passing on all the partys this cycle and will instead participate in a Fox News town hall as counterprogramming. In New Hampshire, ABC is planning a Jan. 18 debate, and CNN has set another for Jan. 21. Alongside the crowded calendar of high-profile debates and town halls, Trumps rivals continue to crisscross the early states for their events. Its make-or-break these next couple of weeks, said Centers, the Iowa strategist, adding that anythings possible at this point, especially given the looming debates. The lineup of events is going to have a chance to either create momentum or halt momentum, said Merrill, the Republican strategist from Granite State. As they head toward on-air showdowns this month, Haley and DeSantis have been attacking each other, but strategists say theyll also have to focus in their upcoming debates and town halls on making their case against the front-runner. Thats been complicated to accomplish as the former president campaigns as a de facto incumbent amid multiple legal battles and criminal indictments, which hes largely painted as political attacks against him, often prompting his competitors to come to his defense. Last month, Colorados Supreme Court ruled to disqualify Trump from appearing on the states 2024 Republican primary ballot over his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and his GOP rivals largely condemned the move. Any other candidate in any other race: if your opponent gets indicted, you use that against them, quite obviously. Not only have they not done that, theyve used the same language and rhetoric Trump has, said Republican strategist Doug Heye of the former presidents rivals. Heye argued Haley and DeSantis are running a strategy of hope, waiting in the wings for the former president to be undercut by his legal battles but contended theyve not done anything to make that happen on their own. Trump notably won New Hampshire and lost Iowa in the 2016 presidential primaries, but he appears to be growing stronger in the Hawkeye State this time around. One way or another, youve got to make a convincing case that you deserve to be the last non-Trump candidate standing. That youve got the momentum, the numbers, the showing on the ground, the financial wherewithal to go on beyond Iowa and New Hampshire, said Merrill. And it is very difficult for me to see a scenario where, the day after New Hampshire, both Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley are still in this thing heading to South Carolina. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. BEIJING, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin expressed deep condolences on Thursday over the passing of Pakistan's former foreign minister Sartaj Aziz, hailing his outstanding contribution to China-Pakistan relations. Aziz, also former finance minister and adviser to the prime minister on foreign affairs, passed away in Islamabad on Tuesday. "Mr. Aziz was a seasoned politician, strategist and economic expert of Pakistan, and an old and good friend of the Chinese people," Wang said at a regular news briefing. Wang said that Aziz was dedicated to the prosperity of Pakistan, worked hard and passionately to promote China-Pakistan relations, and made outstanding contributions to China-Pakistan friendly cooperation, especially the launch and construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. "We express our deep condolences over the passing of Mr. Aziz and sincere sympathies to his family," the spokesperson said. Hamas has blamed Israel for an explosion that killed its deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut on Tuesday. The group said Al-Arouri, one of its founders, was killed by an Israel Defense Forces drone in a "cowardly assassination". It added that the blast in Lebanon highlighted Israel's "failure" to "achieve any of its aggressive goals in the Gaza Strip". Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for the incident. For Israel, the explosion also risks escalating already heightened tensions with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which has said the "dangerous development" will not "go without a response or punishment". 'A serious blow' Even before the war in Gaza, the rhetoric maintained by Hezbollah was that any assassination by Israel on Lebanese soil would initiate a "harsh" response, said Amos Harel at Haaretz. However, things "look a bit different now, in light of the war", and though Hezbollah has "paid its dues" with daily attacks on Israel across its border, it has carefully limited them to "remain below the level of war" and avoid escalation. Following through on its promise to respond would undo that, reducing its "room to manoeuvre and increase the chances of a mutual miscalculation". A "significant response" from Hezbollah over the alleged assassination would potentially send the "conflict spiralling into an all-out war on the northern border", agreed The Times of Israel, something both sides may have initially wanted to avoid. What may be different about this particular killing, however, is that al-Arouri was "regarded as close" with the Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and was scheduled to meet him the day after his death. The location of the attack, in Beirut's southern suburb of Dahiyeh, "a neighbourhood that is a stronghold" for Hezbollah, is also important, said Nicole Johnston at Sky News. The strike there represents a "serious blow" to the Iranian-backed group "on their home turf", and could be the moment that intensifies the fighting from the "calibrated and contained" approach it has had so far. 'Campaign of assassinations' The killing of Al-Arouri is the "first strike in a campaign of assassinations overseas" that Israel has promised since the Hamas attack on 7 October, said Jason Burke in The Guardian. As an "influential" leader and Hamas's "main link" to Iran and Hezbollah, Al-Arouri was almost certainly a "carefully chosen" target, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu telling the press in November that he had instructed the Mossad to take out key Hamas leaders "wherever they are". Though immediate questions turn to the nature of the Hezbollah response, the assassination will "alarm the wider Middle East" and stoke "fears attacks like this could happen anywhere, at any time", added Johnston at Sky News. There are "top leaders of the political wing of Hamas" located in Qatar as well as Lebanon, and they are known to "frequently visit Egypt and Turkey", potentially spreading the reach of the war in Gaza. The consequences of assassinations are "often very unpredictable", concluded Burke, and the "strategic fallout" for Israel "could be very significant". Israel's risk in killing Al-Arouri in Beirut could lead to a situation it has "sought to avoid", fighting in a "two-front war" with Hezbollah and Hamas. This article was originally published in Honolulu Civil Beat. Sen. Lorraine Inouye was confident Hilo High School would have a new parking garage for its gymnasium by the end of 2024. The school, which is over 100 years old, already lacked sufficient on-campus parking, Inouye said, and having a garage was essential in case the gym needed to serve as an emergency shelter during a tsunami or fire. An architect had begun drawing up plans for the garage before Inouye learned around November that the Department of Education aimed to lapse the $7.4 million allocated for the project along with over $450 million intended to improve facilities at other schools statewide. Its kind of a crazy situation, Inouye said. Support The 74's year-end campaign. Make a tax-exempt donation now. DOE has over $2 billion in unspent capital improvement program funds at school facilities, but it remains unclear how or when the buildup of money will result in campus improvements. DOE has roughly $880 million obligated in contracts for ongoing projects and another $1.2 billion that will lapse by 2026, according to the departments website. DOE leaders have proposed that the Legislature allow $465 million to lapse, but the department has until June to spend the money. Some lawmakers have argued that unfinished school projects should take priority in the new year. Before you embark on new projects, youve got to take care of the old projects, Sen. Donna Mercado Kim told DOE leadership at a recent Senate briefing. On Oahu, Farrington High School is losing out on over $57 million that would have gone toward the construction of a new gym, music building and other campus facilities. The lack of resources for schools, like Farrington, that serve low-income communities only increases families distrust of public schools and encourages flight from the public education system, said Rep. Ernesto Sonny Ganaden, who represents the Kalihi district. For many of us who represent Title I schools, the CIP list isnt pork barrel, its not pet projects, Ganaden said. These are necessary updates to infrastructure. While CIP funding for schools has increased in recent years, DOEs spending has been unable to keep pace. The Covid-19 pandemic only worsened matters, introducing additional delays in the permitting and construction process for school projects. At this time, the department has approximately 180 projects under construction and an unspent $130 million in planned projects that it was unable to start over the past three years. Increasing Funds, Declining Expenditures While senators recently criticized DOEs limited oversight and communication when it comes to handling CIP projects, legislative appropriations may have also contributed to the departments buildup of funds over time. Since 2016, the DOEs CIP appropriations have steadily increased, with the department receiving nearly $1 billion in the 2021 to 2023 fiscal years. Many legislators want to fund attention-grabbing CIP projects, such as new gymnasiums or auditoriums, for schools in their districts, said Cheri Nakamura, director of the Hee Coalition. But, she said, as appropriations for new CIP projects accumulate, it can make it more difficult for DOE to manage projects that are ongoing. With approximately 20% of Hawaii schools over a century old, the state needs to better prioritize facility projects, especially when some campuses are in need of immediate repairs to broken bathroom faucets or leaking roofs, Nakamura added. Legislators also need to balance their own priorities with the DOEs capacity for construction and project management, added Rep. Amy Perruso. Currently, DOEs office of facilities and operations has just over 70 job vacancies. We do need to make sure that we have the capacity and (the projects) are truly what the school leadership needs and wants, and legislators are not supplanting DOE work with our own projects, Perruso said. As CIP appropriations rose over the past several years, the departments spending fell. Up until 2018, the department typically spent 70% or more of its appropriated CIP funds. But in the following years, the department spent less and less of its CIP budget, until it spent less than 1% of its appropriations in the 2023 fiscal year. Several factors have contributed to the recent spending slowdown, said deputy superintendent Curt Otaguro. In particular, the Covid-19 pandemic created supply chain shortages and delays in the permitting process, he said, adding it could take a year and a half to receive a permit for a school CIP project. DOE faced another roadblock in spending CIP funds earlier this year when legislators denied the departments request for nearly $150 million in project completion funds. While these funds help to cover unexpected costs that may arise in the construction process, the Legislature appropriated no money in the 2023-25 biennium budget. House finance chair Kyle Yamashita said in an emailed statement that the decision stemmed from legislators concerns that the department had too many inefficiencies and improper project planning when it came to building school facilities. DOEs CIP budget already far surpassed the funding allocated to other departments, he said. The denial of the funding aligns the DOE with other Departments in executing its capital improvement projects in a prudent and consistent manner, Yamashita said. Potential Solutions Not all state departments have faced the same challenges with spending their CIP funds in recent years. During the pandemic, the University of Hawaii went gangbusters on construction, said Jan Gouveia, vice president for administration. With the exception of two projects, the university plans to encumber the entirety of its CIP budget totaling over $300 million, Gouveia said. We dont lapse money, Gouveia said, although she acknowledged the university has seen a decline in its CIP appropriations in recent years. Gouveia attributes the universitys success to the reorganization of its facilities and procurement offices in 2016. Before the reorganization, Gouveia added, there was no way to easily track the status of ongoing CIP projects and appropriated funding. DOE now faces similar considerations around its possible reorganization. In last months Senate briefing, Otaguro said no one in the department is responsible for overseeing CIP projects from beginning to end. Senators pointed to DOEs lack of central organization as contributing to the departments struggles to spend its CIP funds. At the briefing, Ways and Means Chair Donovan Dela Cruz said senators may introduce legislation in the coming weeks proposing changes to DOEs office of facilities and operations. But some officials are more hopeful about the departments ability to improve. Over the past few months, DOE has worked on a comprehensive review of its facilities and real estate assets, said Board of Education Chair Warren Haruki. From this review, the department can revise its processes of encumbering and spending its CIP funds as necessary, Haruki added. Its going to take a long period of time to reap the benefits of this, Haruki said. Chad Farias, executive director of the School Facilities Authority, believes his agency can also help to expedite the spending of CIP funds and the completion of school projects in the coming years. SFA was created in 2020 with the intention of overseeing schools CIP projects. Right now, Farias said, SFA primarily handles construction projects for charter schools and public preschools. But as the agency expands, it intends to take responsibility for all CIP funds allocated for public schools within the next two years, Farias said. He said he plans to revise the process of selecting vendors for CIP projects, using a prequalified construction method that could reduce the time for awarding bids by up to 80%. DOE already uses this process for smaller projects, Farias added, but hes hopeful that SFA could scale up this approach and apply it to more CIP projects. These changes will take time, Farias said. But he believes Hawaii schools have the ability to spend all of the CIP funds they receive from the Legislature. Im not afraid of failing, Farias said. Im only afraid of not getting the opportunity to try. The legal stage is being set for a hearing to determine if what many have dubbed "The Trial of the Century" may result in a retrial for convicted murderer and fallen South Carolina lawyer Richard "Alex" Murdaugh. This week there is movement afoot and legal motions aplenty in the double murder case of Murdaugh, who was convicted of the June 7, 2021, murders of his wife and son and sentenced to two life sentences on March 3, but has since petitioned the court for a new trial based on allegations of jury tampering against court official Rebecca Hill. A status conference and a hearing have been scheduled, the S.C. Supreme Court has issued court orders removing any contact with Colleton County officials, and pre-hearing briefs and motions have been exchanged this week between Murdaugh's criminal defense attorneys and prosecutors with the S.C. Attorney General's Office, which prosecuted all of Murdaugh's state grand jury cases. Here is the latest. Stan Mitchell, visiting from out of town, holds a Jesus saves cross as Alex Murdaugh arrives at the Colleton County Courthouse before the fourth day of his trial on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023. Murdaugh was convicted for killing his wife and son. Hearing, status conference set for Murdaugh in state capital An evidentiary hearing on the allegations against Colleton County Clerk of Court Hill, accused of multiple instances of trying to influence the jury as well as allegedly committing ethics violations before most recently admitting plagiarism in her recent book on the Murdaugh trial, has been scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 29, tentatively at the Richland County Judicial Center in Columbia. Alex Murdaugh swears to tell the truth before he takes the stand during his trial for murder at the Colleton County Courthouse on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, in Walterboro, South Carolina Before this hearing, there will be a public status conference at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 16 at the Richland County Judicial Center. This conference, originally set for Jan. 15, was rescheduled due to the Dr. Martin Luther King holiday and, in part, due to the visit of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, said court media liaison Jay Bender. Bender added that the court's media guidelines, which will include the possibility of public streaming and TV broadcasts, will be announced later this week. Supreme Court takes case entirely out of Colleton County Judge Clifton Newman, an Upstate circuit judge, presided over Murdaugh's six-week, double murder trial in Walterboro and handed down the life sentences. Newman has since recused himself from the case, and in a Dec. 18 court order, S.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Donald W. Beatty ordered that Judge Jean Hoefer Toal, retired Chief Justice, be assigned "exclusive jurisdiction" over Murdaugh's motion for a new trial. Chief Justice (Ret.) Jean Hoefer Toal will now oversee Alex Murdaugh's legal quest for a new trial. On Jan. 3, Chief Justice Beatty issued an order that all "documents, orders, and correspondence" related to Murdaugh's motion for a new trial must be filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court of South Carolina, and not in Colleton County where the murder case was venued. "Because Defendant's motion for a new trial contains allegations related to the conduct of the Colleton County Clerk of Court, I find it would be inappropriate for documents in this case to be filed in Colleton County," wrote Chief Justice Beatty. The ruling also stipulates that Judge Toal file any orders with the Clerk of the Supreme Court, and not in Colleton County. Alex Murdaugh attorneys file 'Pre-Hearing Brief" On Jan. 3, Murdaugh's defense team, lead by Richard Harpootlian and Jim Griffin, filed a 21-page "Pre-Hearing Brief" that reinforces its position that Hill attempted to taint the jury's opinion of Murdaugh and violated his right to a fair trial to seek fame and fortune in her book, "Behind the Doors of Justice." In this brief, Murdaugh's attorneys argue several points, and petition the court for several demands: Murdaugh does not need to show actual bias on the part of any juror to obtain a new trial. "If Mr. Murdaugh proves his allegation that Ms. Hill communicated with the jury about the evidence presented by the defense during his murder trial, South Carolina and federal law require that Mr. Murdaugh receive a new trial, irrespective of whether the Court believes the outcome of the trial would have been the same had Ms. Hills jury tampering not occurred," states the brief. To prove his case, Murdaugh only needs to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that Hill made statements to at least one deliberating juror about the merits of the evidence presented at trial, regardless of what other jurors or alternates testify to. Murdaugh plans to use Hill's emails, text messages, and telephone records, testimony from court staff, testimony and documentary evidence from persons involved in the production of her book, complaints against Hill and the results of investigations into her wrongdoing, which could include ethics and plagiarism allegations. Murdaugh alleges that emails released to journalists in response to FOIA requests show that Hill was sending emails directly to prosecutors and law enforcement witnesses for the State during the trial about the merits of testimony from defense witnesses under examination at that moment. Attached to this brief are exhibits of evidence that include copies of those emails, which were not shared with Murdaugh's defense team. Hill should not be allowed to invoke her Fifth Amendment rights if questioned during the Jan. 29 hearing because she has already signed an affidavit denying the allegations. Murdaugh requests that the state produce its discovery evidence for Murdaugh to prepare for the hearing. Murdaugh requests that jurors and Judge Newman, if needed, be questioned "in camera," and not publicly, during the hearing, with other witnesses questioned in open court. Murdaugh argues that counsel for non-parties should not be permitted to participate in these proceedings, nor should they be allowed to offer legal filings on the matter. Attorney Eric Bland, who has represented several of Murdaugh's financial victims and now represents four jurors involved in the murder trial, has requested to participate in the status conference and hearing. Murdaugh is objecting to that. Alex Murdaugh's attorneys Phillip Barber, from left, Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin speak at a news conference after filing an appeal of Murdaugh's double murder conviction on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, in Columbia, S.C. The attorneys say the elected clerk of court influenced jurors by telling them not to be fooled by the defense's evidence during the trial and had private conversations with the jury foreperson. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins) ORG XMIT: RPJC102 State responds to Murdaugh, asks for juror protective orders Also on Jan. 3, attorneys for the S.C. Attorney General's Office and the State Grand Jury filed a motion for discovery as well as a "Pre-Hearing Brief in Opposition" to Murdaugh's request for a new trial. This brief argues: Murdaugh is not required an evidentiary hearing on these matters because not one juror who deliberated on his case has indicated that their verdict was affected by improper contact with Hill. The primary party making allegations was booted off the final jury for violation of court rules and did not deliberate. Murdaugh must not only have the burden of proof that these jury tampering allegations occurred, he must also prove that he was actually prejudiced by those actions. Finally, the State filed a motion seeking a protective order to keep the identities of the jurors, and their juror-related personal information, secret during this entire process. Throughout this post-conviction process, Murdaugh has denied that he killed his wife, Maggie, and younger son, Paul, and Hill, while admitting plagiarism, has denied jury tampering allegations. This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Hearings set, new motions filed in Alex Murdaugh jury tampering case Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and other elected officials and organizations are reacting with shock and sadness to a shooting at Perry High School Thursday morning that injured five people and left two dead. The student identified as the shooter died of what investigators believe is a self-inflicted gunshot wound, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. Six people were shot at the high school on Thursday morning before the shooter turned the gun on himself about 20 minutes before school was scheduled to start, Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante said at a news conference. More: Multiple people shot at Perry High School on Thursday; police say shooter dead Here's what Iowa officials are saying. Gov. Kim Reynolds: 'Our hearts are broken' Gov. Kim Reynolds said her prayers are with the families in Perry following the shooting. "Our hearts are broken by this senseless tragedy," Reynolds said in a statement on social media. "Our prayers are with the students, teachers & families of the Perry Community." "I have been in contact with law enforcement agencies & am continuing to monitor the situation," she added. "I will be joining their press conference today." Our hearts are broken by this senseless tragedy. Our prayers are with the students, teachers & families of the Perry Community. I have been in contact with law enforcement agencies & am continuing to monitor the situation. I will be joining their press conference today. Gov. Kim Reynolds (@IAGovernor) January 4, 2024 Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg: 'Sending heartfelt prayers' Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg said in a social media post that he is "sending heartfelt prayers for the entire community of Perry." Sending heartfelt prayers for the entire community of Perry. https://t.co/rT98P9YoZV Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg (@IALtGov) January 4, 2024 U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn says he's 'beyond angry' at the shooting U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, who represents Perry in Congress, said he was "beyond angry" at the shooting. After todays tragic attack at Perry High School, Ive remained in close contact with first-responders who have indicated to me that the school is now secure," Nunn said in a statement. "As a parent and community member, Im beyond angry. My heart, and my commitment to holding those accountable, is with the community of Perry. We have a duty to protect our children, families, and educators." "I remain in touch with first responders and local leaders in Perry, and I will continue to monitor the situation closely. We will not rest until there is full accountability for this heinous act of violence," Nunn added. Democratic legislators: 'Our hearts go out to the families' Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, opened her remarks at a legislative forum Thursday morning by addressing the shooting shortly after 9 a.m. "I want to start by just extending condolences to those in Perry, Iowa," Jochum said. "I know that we are still waiting for more details on what happened there, but I think I can speak for all the Democrats and actually everybody in the state of Iowa that our hearts go out to the families, whatever has occurred there. And we will wait for more detail on that as well." House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, said she didn't want to discuss suggestions for gun policy changes in Iowa without knowing more about what happened in Perry. "Its fair to say that at this point we dont know whats happening in Perry and so we dont know what the impact of legislation in this state or gun policy in this state is on what happened in Perry," she said. "So right now were focused on monitoring whats happening there and Id rather keep the students and the faculty and the families as the focus right now on the Perry incident until we know what happened." In a Thursday afternoon statement, Konfrst said "my heart goes out" to the family of the sixth-grader who was killed and to the families of the others who were injured. "We are all shaken and devastated by what happened this morning," she said in the statement. "It will take time to heal, and we will support the entire Perry community in whatever way possible." "Gun violence has become far too common in our country today," Konfrst added. "When the investigation is complete, its our job as state lawmakers to do all we can to prevent mass shootings like this from happening again." U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley: The violence at Perry High School is 'heartbreaking' Iowa's U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley wrote on social media Thursday that the "Perry community is strong" and pledged to help if additional federal resources were needed. "Today's appalling violence at Perry HS is heartbreaking," Grassley wrote. "Barbara and I are grateful for quick response by school officials & law enforcement to protect students (and) restore safety." U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst: 'Join us in praying for the safety and recovery of those involved' "My team is in touch with officials in Dallas County about the heartbreaking situation at Perry High School," Ernst said in a statement shared on social media. "Join us in praying for the safety and recovery of those involved. Thank you to law enforcement for the swift response." Attorney General Brenna Bird: 'My heart aches for the families' Attorney General Brenna Bird said she was devastated by the shooting. "Im devastated by the senseless and horrific shooting at Perry High School this morning," Bird said in a statement. "As a mother, my heart aches for the families of all students and staff impacted." "We thank the officers who acted swiftly and courageously to restore safety," Bird added. "And we will continue to work with law enforcement and first responders to offer our support and assistance. Our prayers go out to the students, the teachers, their families, and the entire Perry community." U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson: 'I am sending my prayers to the Perry community' U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, who represents Iowa's 2nd Congressional District in northeast Iowa, said she and her team are monitoring the situation in Perry. "I am sending my prayers to the Perry community, especially to the families, classmates, and friends of the victims," Hinson said in a statement shared on social media. "This is a horrific and senseless tragedy. No parent should have to get that phone call and no child or teacher should be afraid to go to school." U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra: 'We are heartbroken by this tragic violence' U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, who represents the 4th Congressional District in western Iowa, said he and his wife are praying for the families in Perry. "Lynette and I are praying for the students, teachers, and families of the Perry community," Feenstra said in a statement shared on social media. "We are heartbroken by this tragic violence, and appreciate the swift response by law enforcement and emergency personnel. All of Iowa stands behind Perry." Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart: 'I am so sad' Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart expressed her condolences for the Perry community in a statement. "I am so sad and so sorry that the Perry community is living this nightmare that has happened far too often across our country," Hart said. "Our schools have always been places of hope and support, where students go to learn new skills and gain the experiences that lead them to future success. Our students should be able to focus on creating brighter futures for themselves while they are in their classrooms, not looking for escape routes, hiding places, or fearing for their safety. The Perry community deserves better. Iowa deserves better." State Auditor Rob Sand: 'I am sickened by today's horrors in Perry' "As a father, I am sickened by today's horrors in Perry," Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand said in a statement. "Thank you to educators and law enforcement for their work to protect kids. Every Iowan can offer thoughts and prayers for the Perry community, but elected officials with the power to reduce senseless violence must do more." ISEA: 'Heartbroken by this tragedy' We are heartbroken by this tragedy and know that words cannot express the sorrow we feel for the victims and the pain that everyone in the community feels, said Iowa State Education Association President Mike Beranek and Vice President Joshua Brown in a statement late Thursday morning. The two called Perry High School a place for learning, growth, and friendship. Iowas public schools are the heart of all our communities; today, our hearts are shattered, Beranek and Brown said. We will continue to be a source of strength for one another during this challenging time, and in the face of this tragedy and so many before it, it is helpful to remember the values that truly bind us together resilience, hope, and love. Iowa Firearms Coalition condemns Perry shooting Dave Funk, president of the Iowa Firearms Coalition, called for Iowa to improve school security and allow trained school staff to carry guns on school grounds. "Our prayers are with the Perry community following this morning's act of evil," Funk said in a statement. "Iowa must, finally, harden soft-targets and empower school staff who love their children enough to protect them to do so. Signs don't stop evil, good people do." Two northwest Iowa schools, in Spirit Lake and Cherokee, previously approved policies allowing trained staff to carry guns within their schools. But the districts later rescinded the policies to prevent being dropped by their insurance carrier. Iowa House lawmakers passed a bill last year that would have stopped insurers from denying coverage to a district based solely on whether they adopt a policy of allowing staff to be armed. But the bill was not taken up in the Senate and did not become law. March For Our Lives Iowa: 'Your inaction is killing us' March For Our Lives Iowa, a gun violence prevention group, released a statement offering condolences to the families in Perry and urging Iowa lawmakers to pass new gun laws. "March For Our Lives Iowa offers condolences to those in the Perry area who are affected," the group's leadership said in a statement. "This shooting occurs just two years after the shooting at East High School in the Des Moines metro area and one year after the shooting at Starts Right Here, a non-profit organization for at-risk youth in downtown Des Moines. March For Our Lives Iowa is outraged by the recent events and will remain determined in our fight for gun violence prevention." "With gun violence on the rise in Iowa, MFOLIA demands the Iowa State Legislature support its communities and school systems that are currently facing the threat of gun violence," the statement said. "Youth leaders at MFOLIA send an unequivocally clear message to their legislators: Your inaction is killing us. This recent tragedy proves how dangerous the proposed omnibus gun bill, which would allow guns to be stored in cars on school properties, is to Iowans. Legislators must pass gun safety policies outlined in our 2024 Legislative Agenda in this upcoming legislative session as well as oppose this harmful omnibus bill. MFOLIA will not stop fighting for justice and a safer Iowa. We plead and urge Iowans to contact their legislators and continue speaking out about the injustices of the current gun legislation." Des Moines superintendent: 'Let's be sure to support each other' Des Moines Superintendent Ian Roberts sent out an email Thursday morning assuring families the districts public safety team was monitoring the situation closely. While we have not heard many details of the situation at this time, our hearts and thoughts are with everyone in Perry today, Roberts said. "While today will continue as a normal school day at DMPS, lets be sure to support each other. If staff or students need some space to talk, our counselors are standing by to provide support. And while this incident appears to be isolated to Perry, lets all continue to be aware at all times of anything that may be a threat to the safety and well-being of anyone in our care. As a school district, DMPS invests considerable resources to make our schools as safe as possible, but it takes all of us working together to make them effective. "Again, please keep our colleagues and everyone in Perry in your thoughts today as we learn more details of what happened this morning." Perry Education Association: 'We are grief-stricken and plan to stand together in the face of this tragedy' The Perry school district's teacher's union released a statement promising to support the community through its grief. The Perry Education Association will continue to support our community as we work together to comfort and heal, officials wrote in the release. Our schools and the students and families filling our hallways and classrooms are our heart and soul. We are grief-stricken and pledge to stand together in the face of this tragedy and work to rebuild and grow again. Iowa Department of Education Director: 'We stand ready to support the Perry community' Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow pledged to support the Perry community in a statement. "Our hearts are with all those impacted by the shooting that took place at Perry High School this morning," she said. "Our most fundamental commitment to students, families and teachers is to ensure their safety at school. We stand ready to support the Perry community as they grieve and respond to this tragedy." City of Des Moines: 'Such events occur far too often' The city of Des Moines shared a statement on social media saying city officials' hearts go out to the Perry community and that they've been in close communication with Perry officials. "Tragically, such events occur far too often across numerous communities throughout the nation," the statement said. "The incident at Perry High School today is an intolerable occurrence that demands our collective attention. Safeguarding the well-being of our youth, families and all community members is a responsibility we must all contribute to." "We commend the local school officials and first responders throughout the area for the swift and professional response to today's crisis," the statement added. "Yet, we recognize that their efforts pale in comparison to the anguish endured by the victims' families and the Perry community. It is imperative that, collectively and at every level, we take decisive action to prevent future tragedies." Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Kim Reynolds, Chuck Grassley, Zach Nunn, respond to Iowa school shooting Six people were shot at Perry High School on Thursday morning by a 17-year-old who then killed himself. One of the victims, a sixth grade student, died. Five other victims, including an administrator, were injured. The shooting happened about 20 minutes before school was supposed to start when students from the adjoining middle school were at the high school for a breakfast program. The updates below are from Thursday. For Friday's updates, visit our latest live coverage of the Perry High School shooting. Police respond to Perry High School in Perry, Iowa., Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Police say there has been a shooting at the city's high school.(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Student: Friends unhurt but in a state of shock Speaking with reporters after a news conference, Samuel Hernandez, 16, a junior, said he tried to walk into the school when a teacher escorted him out and told him there was shooting inside. "She's escorting me out saying 'Don't go in because we don't want you to get hurt,'" Hernandez said. He said he did not know anyone who got shot and his friends were unhurt but in a state of shock. About eight hours after the shooting, he said he was still shocked. "It doesn't seem real," Hernandez said. "It's crazy. Expect the unexpected. None of us expected it to happen out of nowhere." The school district has not told students when they will go back to school, Hernandez said. Perry High School junior Samuel Hernandez, center, listens to a news conference following a shooting at Perry High School, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, in Perry, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Sixth grade student dies; five others injured Police said six people were shot at the high school early Thursday morning, one of whom was a sixth grade student who died. The suspect, 17-year-old Perry High School student Dylan Butler, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in the school, Assistant Director of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Mitch Mortvedt said at an afternoon news conference. Police found an improvised explosive device in the school, which the Iowa State Fire Marshal disarmed. The suspect was armed with a pump action shotgun and a small-caliber handgun, he said. Five students and an administrator also were shot and survived. Police did not identify the victims but the Register has confirmed Principal Dan Marburger as one of the victims who was shot. As of about 2 p.m. one victim was in critical but not life-threatening condition. The other four victims were in stable condition, Mortvedt said. All evidence so far indicates Butler "acted alone," Mortvedt said. He would not speculate on Butler's motive. The shooting happened at the high school, which shares a building with the middle school. There was a breakfast program in the lunchroom so there may have been students from both schools there at the same time, Mortvedt said. At the news conference, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said Thursdays tragic event has shaken the entire state to its core. She also commended the quick response of law enforcement, which she credited as saving lives. In all, approximately 150 law enforcement officers from local, county, state and federal agencies responded. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation. "The law enforcement response was swift and immediate," Mortvedt said. Suspect posted to TikTok prior to shooting Dylan Butler posted a photo of himself on TikTok shortly before police say he shot multiple people and then turned the gun on himself. Assistant Director of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Mitch Mortvedt said the suspect also made numerous social media posts "in and around the time of the shooting." Investigators are looking into those posts as part of the investigation, he said. More: 17-year-old Perry High School shooting suspect posted photo on TikTok before shooting Iowa flags ordered to half-staff Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff immediately on Thursday and to remain at half-staff until sunset on Sunday in support of students, families, teachers and staff at Perry High School and the Perry community, according to a news release from the governor's office. Watch latest police briefing Police gave an update at 3 p.m. near the high school. Watch it here: Mother: 8th-grade son called while running from school Andrea Tunink first heard the news of a shooter at Perry High School when her son called her while he was running out the back door. Aiden called me from the school as hes running out the back door, saying Theres a shooter, theres a shooter at the school. Im running out the door. Im fine, but theres a shooter at the school, Andrea Tunink said. Her son, Aiden, is in eighth grade at Perry Middle School and was at the school for an early morning basketball practice. Aiden and his friends were eating breakfast in the middle school lunchroom when they heard the gunshots, though they didnt realize what they were. Read more of his story: Perry mother recounts phone call from 8th grade son: 'There's a shooter at the school' Polk County hospital: Victims, families reunited Polk County Healthcare Systems said in a statement at 12:30 p.m. that the Dallas County Sheriff's Office has confirmed all families of the victims transported to Iowa Methodist Medical Center and MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center have been reunited as of Tuesday afternoon. Polk County health officials declined to share further details on the status of those patients. LifeServe Blood Center posted on X Thursday it has sent additional blood products to area hospitals to help treat victims of the Perry High School shooting. The organization said it is seeking more donations, which can be scheduled online at http://lifeserve.info/schedule or by calling LifeServe at 800.287.4903. More: Shooting at Perry High School: What we know Students barricaded themselves in counselor's office High school senior Ava Augustus said she was in a counselor's office, waiting for hers to arrive, when she heard three shots. She and other people barricaded the door, preparing to throw things if necessary, with a window being too small for an escape. And then we hear Hes down. You can go out, Augustus said through tears. And I run and you can just see glass everywhere, blood on the floor. I get to my car and theyre taking a girl out of the auditorium who had been shot in her leg. Student said she heard gunshots and ran Rachael Kares, an 18-year-old senior, was wrapping up jazz band practice at 7:37 a.m. she had just looked at her watch when she and her bandmates heard what she described as four gunshots, spaced apart. We all just jumped, Kares said. My band teacher looked at us and yelled, Run! So we ran. Kares and many others from the school ran out past the football field, as she heard people yelling, Get out! Get out! She said she heard additional shots as she ran, but didnt know how many. She was more concerned about getting home to her 3-year-old son. At that moment I didnt care about anything except getting out because I had to get home with my son, she said. Sheriff: Multiple people injured Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante said police responded to an active shooter early this morning before school started. He said there are multiple injuries but "it's still unclear exactly how many are injured and what the extent of those are. But were working on that right now. He said they have confirmed who the shooter was but will not release any other information at this time. The shooting started at about 7:37 a.m., about 20 minutes before school starts. Infante said the situation could have been much worse if school had been in session at the time of the shooting. FBI agents from the Omaha-Des Moines office are assisting with the investigation led by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. UnityPoint Health officials confirmed two gunshot victims from Perry High School were transported via ambulance to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines Thursday morning following the incident. MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines confirmed "some" patients were transported to the hospital from Perry High School early Thursday morning, and that all families of victims have been unified. Hospital officials declined to provide further details on the number of victims or their status. Teacher reports seeing principal shot Two teachers said Dan Marburger, the principal of the high school, was shot. "I work in the school ... and two of my three children were supposed to be in the high school at that time," said Holly Killmer, a teacher for Perry Middle School. "How do you wrap your mind around sending them back into that environment? How do they do that? It's just so traumatic." Killmer said students took shelter at Perry Lutheran Homes, an assisted living community near the school. "We were told to go home, but we were also told we could get our cars out which is not true we can't get our cars out," Killmer said. "Watching parents come up .... as we're (evacuating) over here within minutes, parents pulling in here and screaming and crying and hugging their kids. It was more than I can handle." Download the free Des Moines Register app and turn on notifications to follow continuing coverage of this story. Also sign up for the Daily Briefing to get the biggest updates directly in your inbox each morning. This breaking news coverage is being provided for free as a service to the community. Subscribe to the Des Moines Register to support the local journalists covering this story. Gov. Reynolds issues short statement Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds posted on X at 11:35 a.m., Our hearts are broken by this senseless tragedy. Our prayers are with the students, teachers & families of the Perry Community. Reynolds added, I have been in contact with law enforcement agencies & am continuing to monitor the situation. I will be joining their press conference today. Our hearts are broken by this senseless tragedy. Our prayers are with the students, teachers & families of the Perry Community. I have been in contact with law enforcement agencies & am continuing to monitor the situation. I will be joining their press conference today. Gov. Kim Reynolds (@IAGovernor) January 4, 2024 Republican presidential candidates, campaigning in Iowa, weigh in Hours after the shooting, Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis said gun violence should be addressed at the state and local level without any new federal restrictions on firearms. "We obviously have a responsibility to create safe environments," DeSantis said in an exclusive interview with the Des Moines Register and NBC News. "The federal government is probably not going to be leading that effort, I think it is more of a local and state issue, but we've shown how it's done in Florida." Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who was in Perry on Thursday morning for a prior scheduled campaign event, continued with the event but declined to give a speech, instead participating in a prayer with members of the community. He also took questions from attendees in a roundtable, and "mostly talked about mental health and (the) national conversation around school safety," deputy communications director Zach Henry told the Register. "We pray for the victims of the tragic shooting," Ramaswamy posted on X. We pray for the victims of the tragic high school shooting in Perry, Iowa. I happened to be there today right after it happened, we canceled our event and converted it to a prayer & open conversation. Strikingly, the first two people who spoke to us each said they werent pic.twitter.com/bw3VoXPvoF Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) January 4, 2024 Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley briefly shared her thoughts on X on the shooting in Perry. She plans to be in Iowa to campaign tomorrow. "No parent, student, or teacher should have to wake up and face news about a school shooting," she posted. "My heart aches for the victims of Perry, Iowa and the entire community." Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who plans to hold a campaign event in Sioux City tonight, said on X: Anytime there is an attack in a school our hearts ache because of the children and families impacted by the violence. We need to get all the facts but we need to do what it takes to protect children What we know about the Perry High School principal Perry High School's principal, Dan Marburger, is reportedly among the victims of Thursday morning's shooting at the school. Two teachers and a student said Marburger was shot. More: What we know about Perry's high school principal, who was reportedly shot Thursday morning What we know about Perry High School Perry has a population of about 8,000 residents. The high school is part of the 1,785-student Perry Community School District and the middle school is in the same building. Thursday was the first day back in school for students following the holiday break. Here's a look at details about the school and community: More: What we know about Perry High School, the scene of an Iowa school shooting Have there been other school shootings in Iowa? The shooting in Perry comes nearly a year after two students were killed at an alternative school in Des Moines. Here's a look at past school shootings in Iowa: More: A history of Iowa school shootings Iowa lawmakers weigh in on school shooting in Perry U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, who represents Perry in Congress, said he was "beyond angry" at the shooting. After todays tragic attack at Perry High School, Ive remained in close contact with first-responders who have indicated to me that the school is now secure," Nunn said in a statement. "As a parent and community member, Im beyond angry. My heart, and my commitment to holding those accountable, is with the community of Perry. We have a duty to protect our children, families, and educators." "I remain in touch with first responders and local leaders in Perry, and I will continue to monitor the situation closely. We will not rest until there is full accountability for this heinous act of violence," Nunn added. More: 'Our hearts are broken': Kim Reynolds, Iowa officials react to shooting at Perry High School Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, opened her remarks at a legislative forum Thursday morning by addressing the shooting. "I want to start by just extending condolences to those in Perry, Iowa," Jochum said. "I know that we are still waiting for more details on what happened there, but I think I can speak for all the Democrats and actually everybody in the state of Iowa that our hearts go out to the families, whatever has occurred there. And we will wait for more detail on that as well." House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, said she didn't want to discuss suggestions for gun policy changes in Iowa without knowing more about what happened in Perry. "Its fair to say that at this point we dont know whats happening in Perry and so we dont know what the impact of legislation in this state or gun policy in this state is on what happened in Perry," she said. "So right now were focused on monitoring whats happening there and Id rather keep the students and the faculty and the families as the focus right now on the Perry incident until we know what happened." Iowa's U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley wrote on social media Thursday that the "Perry community is strong" and pledged to help if additional federal resources were needed. "Today's appalling violence at Perry HS is heartbreaking," Grassley wrote. "Barbara and I are grateful for quick response by school officials & law enforcement to protect students (and) restore safety." Rita Hart, chair of the Iowa Democratic Party, released a statement that read: I am so sad and so sorry that the Perry community is living this nightmare that has happened far too often across our country. Our schools have always been places of hope and support, where students go to learn new skills and gain the experiences that lead them to future success. Our students should be able to focus on creating brighter futures for themselves while they are in their classrooms, not looking for escape routes, hiding places, or fearing for their safety. The Perry community deserves better. Iowa deserves better. Perry Police Chief Eric Vaughn hugs a fellow officer after a news conference about a shooting at Perry High School on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Multiple people were injured and the shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. ISEA: 'Heartbroken by this tragedy' We are heartbroken by this tragedy and know that words cannot express the sorrow we feel for the victims and the pain that everyone in the community feels, said Iowa State Education Association President Mike Beranek and Vice President Joshua Brown in a statement late Thursday morning. The two called Perry High School a place for learning, growth, and friendship. Iowas public schools are the heart of all our communities; today, our hearts are shattered, Beranek and Brown said. We will continue to be a source of strength for one another during this challenging time, and in the face of this tragedy and so many before it, it is helpful to remember the values that truly bind us together resilience, hope, and love. Perry canceled classes Friday; vigils scheduled The Perry Community School District has canceled classes Friday, according to its districtwide communication system. Counseling services will be available at the Perry Public Library from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday. The New Day Assembly of God, 2313 First Ave., has invited the community to come together at the sanctuary at 6 p.m. Thursday. A prayer vigil will be held at Wiese Park, 1800 Pattee St., at 6 p.m. Another will be held at 7 p.m. at Crossroads Church, 2810 First Ave. Dad reports son injured in shooting, son saw principal get shot Kevin Shelley said his son, Zander, 15, was grazed by two bullets while in a school hallway. He left the school at about 8:30 a.m. and went to his nearby home, Kevin Shelley said. He described his son's injuries as minor. Kevin Shelley said his son said he saw the principal get shot. "My son was inside, said he heard gunshots and immediately started running," Kevin Shelley said. "They got into a classroom with a teacher that kept them hidden and safe." Zander broke his glasses as he was running away, his father said. More: Father rushes to Perry High School after getting chilling text from son, who witnessed shooting Perry teachers told to go home All staff have been released to go home, according to a message sent on the districtwide communications system. "Do not return to the building. More information will be available later," the text said. More: What we know about Perry High School, the scene of an Iowa school shooting Nearby school district lets students out early Woodward-Granger, a school district about 11 miles east of Perry, is releasing its students early due to the shooting after it was in a shelter-in-place. The "reunification process" with students and parents began at 9 a.m. The district also has canceled evening activities. Dispatcher tells police multiple injured, scanner traffic says The first call from dispatch was at about 7:37 a.m., according to a recording from the police scanner. Dispatchers said they had access to school cameras and reported seeing something in the west hallway. A dispatcher advised first responders of "reports of multiple subjects injured at this time." An unknown first responder advised dispatchers that he encountered a "male subject down in the hallway appears to be self-inflicted" and that he was "showing other victims." He later advised that he was outside of Room 308 and "subject that's down is deceased." Call for two medical helicopters went out at 7:46 a.m. Students evacuated from Perry High School High school students were evacuated to Perry Lutheran Homes and the Iowa National Guard Armory. Teacher Holly Killmer said the nursing home was so kind and had tissues and snacks out for the students. Parents told to meet students at elementary school Police on scene are telling parents to pick up their students at the elementary school, about a mile west of the high school. Police respond to Perry High School in Perry, Iowa., Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Police say there has been a shooting at the city's high school. Parent reports trying to get their student Erica Jolliff said that her daughter, a ninth grader, reported getting rushed from the school grounds at 7:45 am. Distraught, Jolliff was still looking for her son Amir, a sixth grader, one hour later. I just want to know that hes safe and OK, Jolliff said. They wont tell me nothing. School board member 'praying' for those involved When reached by phone, Perry School Board member Travis Landgrebe, who has a son in sixth grade, said he could not "confirm nor deny" any reports. Landgrebe did confirm his son was home and unharmed. I am "praying for all involved," Landgrebe told the Des Moines Register in a phone interview. The Associated Press contributed to this report. This is a developing story and will be updated. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa shooting updates: Suspect, 6th grader dies in shooting (FOX40.COM) The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck recently announced a Sacramento stop on its 2024 tour across the U.S. The all-pink cafe on wheels reportedly showcases all things Hello Kitty and carries exclusive treats and collectibles to celebrate the Hello Kitty brand. Fans of Hello Kitty can look forward to edible goodies and limited-edition merchandise, including hoodies, t-shirts, glass mugs with sprinkle handles, lunchboxes, totes, thermos, hand-decorated cookie sets, and more, according to a recent press release. The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is scheduled to pop up at Arden Fair Mall from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Jan. 6 near Sears and Forever21. After the Sacramento stop, the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck will continue its 2024 West Coast Tour with two stops in the Bay Area; Fremont on Jan. 13 and San Bruno on Jan. 20. Concerts, live events happening at Sacramento-area venues in 2024 Since the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck made its debut in October 2014, the cafe on wheels delighted thousands of fans from all over the U.S., and drew crowds of up to hundreds of Hello Kitty lovers at each stop, according to the press release. The release continued, To date, two Hello Kitty Cafe trucks have traveled to more than 100 cities across both coasts from Los Angeles, Seattle and Houston to Chicago, New York and Miami. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. [Source] Hennessy has launched a flagship store in Shanghai, its first in Asia. Where it is: The new flagship store is located at Taikoo Li Qiantan, a high-end retail spot in Shanghai. The business will serve to deepen the cognac maker's dialogue with Chinese consumers, parent company LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton said in a recent news release. "With this exceptional store in Shanghai, Hennessy anchors its engagement with Asian consumers, inviting cognac lovers on an exceptional journey around cognac that is perfectly aligned with growing demand for high-end products and services," the news release noted. What to expect: Designed around the concept of Crafted by Men, Forged by Time, cognac enthusiasts can expect an immersive experience at the store, with a "Master Blender Table" serving as a time capsule that tells the stories of eight generations of Hennessy Master Blenders. Trending on NextShark: Man whose life story inspired May December calls Netflix film a ripoff The space features the full range of Hennessy products, from the classic Hennessy V.S.O.P and Hennessy X.O. to rare editions such as Hennessy Paradis and Hennessy Richard. Tasting and personalization services are also offered. Not its first Shanghai business: Ahead of its flagship store, Hennessy opened its first-ever concept bar, dubbed BLENDS by Hennessy, in Shanghai on Sept. 25, 2020. Situated at the Bund 18, the bar offers a range of cocktails that recount the brand's history, as well as special events and other services. Collaborations: The opening of the Shanghai flagship store came on the heels of a recent collaboration between Hennessy and Got7s Jackson Wang. The Hennessy V.S.O.P x Team Wang saw the K-pop star visiting the Chateau de Bagnolet in Cognac, France, where he uncovered Hennessy secrets and invited viewers to explore the brand's history. Trending on NextShark: Ali Wong and Steven Yeun make Golden Globes history with Beef win Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! Editor's note: This article was updated to show that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, according to most liturgical tradition. A previous version of this article misstated where Jesus was said to be born. The end of the Christmas season will bring another day of celebration for many Austin residents. Jan. 6 marks Dia de los Reyes Magos, or Three Kings Day, a celebration that arrives in conjunction with the Christian holiday of the Epiphany. It is a popular celebration of the Nativity story widely observed in Spain and different parts of Latin America. Some of the Latin American traditions have influenced the celebration of the holiday in the United States. "It is not a liturgical celebration; it's one of familial and lay significance," Sister Lucero Espitia, an Austin-based nun in the Catholic Disciples of Lord Jesus Christ order, said in Spanish. Is Dia de los Reyes a celebration of the Epiphany? Not exactly. Both terms refer to Christian Nativity story. In it, three kings also referred to as wise men or magi arrive to Jesus birthplace in Bethlehem. Their arrival marks the first manifestation of the messiah to Gentiles, or non-Jewish people, a significant moment of universality in the evangelical narrative. This is celebrated as the Epiphany in the Roman Catholic and other Western church traditions, like Anglicanism and Lutheranism. The religious holiday is commemorated on different days by different churches. In the Roman Catholic Church, for example, it is the second Sunday after Christmas. It is a day of obligation, or a day where church members are expected to attend Mass. Dia de los Reyes is a lay festival based on this scene of the Nativity story, but with traditions that are not directly dictated by the Roman Catholic Church. It always falls on Jan. 6. A sweet, circular cake called a Rosca de Reyes is a popular Dia de los Reyes treat. What are the traditions? In Mexico, the tradition often includes a Rosca de Reyes. The circular sweet cake is adorned in sugar crusts and fruit candies. The cake can be sliced horizontally in half and filled with milk or chocolate creams. Popular tradition says the breads form and decoration represent a jeweled crown. Many of the Mexican traditions are most celebrated in that country's capital and central regions, according to Espitia. Tiny plastic molds of the baby Jesus are also commonly baked into the rosca. Traditionally, those who find the figurine in their slice are expected to partake in some portion of the Dia de Candelaria traditions on Feb. 2, such as hosting, preparing foods like tamales or taking the figurine to Mass, according to ACI Prensa, a Spanish-language news arm of the Roman Catholic Church. Gift-giving also comes with the holiday, either through exchange or from the tradition of leaving gifts at the shoes of children. In Puerto Rico, Charlotte Lopez Diaz grew up in a household where her family left out wine and grapes for the kings on the night before. They also collected grass and left it in a shoe box, as food for the kings' camels. "What my mom would do is scatter the grass everywhere so it looks like they came," said Lopez Diaz, now a staff member at the Puerto Rican Cultural Center in Austin. How will it be celebrated in Austin? The tradition of roscas is continued in Austin within the city's Mexican and Mexican American populations, and they can be found at several bakeries. Francisco Flores, the owner of La Reyna bakery, said that his small shop expects to sell about 200 roscas this year. For all of the area's Mexican bakeries, the day marks an important final surge of Christmastime sales, he said. The son of a baker in the Mexican state of Guanajuato, Flores said he has seen roscas steadily grow in popularity since he first moved to Austin about 15 years ago. The cream- and jelly-filled variations especially have become more common. The Puerto Rican Cultural Center will host a music and dance performance on Jan. 21 to mark the holiday that will include a gift giveaway by the three kings. Where to buy a Rosca de Reyes: Five Austin Bakeries that will sell them This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Why do we celebrate Dia de los Reyes, a look at history and traditions? HARBIN, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- The rail freight volume passing Manzhouli, China's largest land port in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, exceeded 21 million tonnes in 2023, logging a decade high, according to the China Railway Harbin Group Co., Ltd., which administers the port, on Thursday. The figure was an increase of 35.4 percent from the previous year. Among the total rail freight the port handled last year, the volume of ore powder and coal rose by 45.9 percent and 109 percent year on year, respectively. To improve the customs clearance and reloading efficiency at the port, the group has improved infrastructure facilities and optimized relevant procedures, reducing the average time of reloading freight train goods by nearly an hour. Kansas lawmakers return to Topeka next week to begin their annual legislative session. The House and Senate are scheduled to gavel in at 2 p.m. Monday for what is expected to be a largely ceremonial first day. Here's what to know ahead of the 2024 legislative session. Members of the Kansas Legislature return to Topeka next week for the start of session. When is the 2024 Kansas legislative session? The session begins at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, and can last for 90 days. The exact timetable is generally fluid, with a three-week break in April. The Legislature is expected to adjourn by early May, though the exact date changes from session to session and hinges in large part on how many veto override attempts there will be and how long it takes to finalize the budget. When is the governor's State of the State speech? Gov. Laura Kelly answers questions by the media last month as lawmakers prepare to kick off the 2024 legislative session Monday. Gov. Laura Kelly is scheduled to deliver the State of the State address at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. The speech is in the House, addressing a joint session of the House and Senate along with Kansas Supreme Court justices in attendance. The governor is likely to highlight policy priorities for the legislative session. Her budget proposal is expected to be unveiled on Thursday. How do I figure out who my Kansas legislator is? The Kansas Senate has 40 members, while the Kansas House has 125. You can look up who represents you in both chambers at www.kslegislature.org. Shawnee County currently has three seats in the Senate and eight seats in the House. All three senators are Republicans, while the House delegation has three Republicans and five Democrats. All 165 legislative seats will be up for election in November. How does a bill become law in Kansas? If you remember "Schoolhouse Rock," this will feel familiar. Legislators will introduce bills, which are sent to the relevant committee. The committee chair has wide latitude in determining which legislation gets a hearing and moves forward, and often bills are altered or just abandoned in this stage. Once legislation is voted out of committee, it goes to the floor, where lawmakers can deliberate and further amend the bill if they so choose. A final vote is held and, assuming a majority of members vote in support, it moves to the other chamber. The process is then repeated in the other chamber. If the bill passes in its original form, it heads to the governor for consideration. If it is amended, the original chamber will decide whether to approve, or concur in, the changes. Another option is for legislators to request a conference committee, where members from both chambers come together to hash out a solution. Once approved by both chambers, the governor can either sign the bill, veto it or allow the legislation to become law without her signature. If vetoed, the bill is not dead a two-thirds majority of both chambers can override the governor's veto, meaning the legislation becomes law. New laws typically go into effect on July 1, but sometimes legislation is set to become effective earlier. An important note: Often numerous policy items are consolidated into one bill as session nears its end for the sake of efficiency. For instance, a single tax bill can contain several changes to the tax code. There is also the controversial practice of "gut and go," where a piece of legislation is replaced in its entirety with unrelated bill text and moved on, making it more difficult for the public to track what is happening in the Statehouse. Who will be in charge at the Kansas Legislature? House Speaker Rep. Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, shakes hands with Gov. Laura Kelly alongside Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, at the start of the governor's 2023 State of the State address. Republicans maintain a slim supermajority in both chambers of the state Legislature, meaning they can theoretically override vetoes by Kelly, a Democrat, as long as too many members do not defect. Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, will be back for another session as presiding officer in the Kansas Senate, as will Senate Majority Leader Larry Alley, R-Winfield, and Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa. Also returning to their leadership positions are House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, who is joined by House Majority Leader Chris Croft, R-Overland Park, and House Speaker Pro Tempore Blake Carpenter, R-Derby. On the Democratic side, there is House Minority Leader Vic Miller, D-Topeka. How can I attend sessions of the Kansas Legislature? Members of the public can go to www.kslegislature.org to find more information on visiting the Statehouse, find their elected officials and see schedules for floor debate and committee meetings. If you are unable to travel to the Statehouse in person, all legislative floor debates and committee hearings are once again available to watch on the Legislature's YouTube page. How can I submit testimony on a bill in Kansas? Members of the public are allowed to submit testimony on pieces of legislation in committee. Once a person has identified the bill they are passionate about, they should determine which committee the legislation resides in. The exact timeframe for submitting testimony generally varies from committee to committee, but conferees typically must send the testimony to the committee assistant anywhere from 24 hours to several days before a hearing is scheduled to take place. The specifics about a committee's policy on accepting testimony can be found in the committee rules. Those details, as well as contact information for committee assistants and legislators themselves, can be found at www.kslegislature.org. What if I want to learn more about Kansas government? The Topeka Capital-Journal has you covered. Our two Statehouse reporters, Jason Alatidd and Jack Harvel, will be in the halls of the capitol day in and day out, reporting on what you need to know. You can follow them on X at @Jason_Alatidd and @JackHarvel and find their work every day at cjonline.com and in The Topeka Capital-Journal. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Here's what to know as Kansas lawmakers return to Topeka for 2024 The head of Hezbollah swore there would be a response and punishment by the Lebanese militant group to a Tuesday airstrike in Beirut that killed a Hamas deputy chief. In a televised speech on Wednesday, Hassan Nasrallah blamed flagrant Israeli aggression for Saleh al-Arouris death in the densely populated Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh, according to Al Jazeera. The strike, which Nasrallah called a major, dangerous crime about which we cannot be silent, also killed six other members of Hamas, The Washington Post reported. The action marks the first strike to directly hit Beirut in almost three months of border skirmishes between Hezbollah and the Israeli Defense Forces. Israel had not publicly claimed responsibility for the strike as of Wednesday, but Nasrallah promised in his speech that Hezbollah would fight with no rules if Israel formally launched a war on Lebanon. Read it at Al Jazeera Read more at The Daily Beast. Helicopters fly to designated airspace China Military Online) 10:53, January 04, 2024 Helicopters attached to an aviation brigade under the PLA 71st Group Army lift off in formation for round-the-clock flight training in late December, 2023. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Li Jingyou) A helicopter attached to an aviation brigade under the PLA 71st Group Army lifts off for round-the-clock flight training in late December, 2023. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Li Jingyou) Helicopters attached to an aviation brigade under the PLA 71st Group Army fly to designated airspace during round-the-clock flight training in late December, 2023. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Li Jingyou) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) HANOI, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam posted a budget collection of 1,717.8 trillion Vietnamese dong (nearly 70.5 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023, down 5.4 percent year on year, local media reported Thursday. Domestic revenue over the months rose 13.5 percent from the same period of last year to 1,439 trillion dong (59 billion dollars), while the revenue from import-export activities decreased by 25.4 percent to 213 trillion dong (8.7 billion dollars), said local newspaper Bao dau tu (Investment), quoting the latest statistics from General Statistics Office. Vietnam's budget spending in 2023 stood at 1,731.9 trillion dong (71.08 billion dollars), up 10.9 percent year on year. Regular spending stood at 1,058.6 trillion dong (43.4 billion dollars), up 3.2 percent year on year. According to a recent report by the country's Ministry of Finance, the state budget deficit for 2023 is estimated at 4 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). Vietnam aims to have a state budget collection of 1,700.99 trillion dong (69.8 billion dollars) in 2024, according to a resolution on the state budget passed by the National Assembly last year. Honolulu on Monday became the first American city to require that bars, nightclubs and restaurants carry the anti-overdose medication naloxone. Naloxone is a necessary tool these days in light of the national opioid epidemic, Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, a member of Honolulu City Council, old the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. It should be available and accessible in as many places as possible, in the same way we have fire extinguishers and defibrillators in case of emergencies. This new law will not only save lives, it will hopefully set an example for other cities throughout the United States, he added. The drug, known by its trade name Narcan, is hailed by law enforcement and medical professionals as a critical tool in preventing opioid overdose deaths. It was first distributed for over-the-counter use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in early September. Naloxone is a critical tool in addressing opioid overdoses and todays approval underscores the extensive efforts the agency has undertaken to combat the overdose crisis, said Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDAs Center for Drug Evaluation and Research in March. The drug is deployed using a nasal spray that can revive a person going through an opioid overdose. Hawaii has the sixth-lowest opioid death rate per capita compared with other states, with 221 people dying of opioid overdoses in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. An Osceola County community is honoring a 13-year-old boy who died suddenly over the holidays. Students and staff at Horizon Middle School wore red on Wednesday because it was Xavier Cooleys favorite color. He died Christmas Eve from a heart condition known as Aortic Dissection. According to the Mayoclinic, thats a tear in the bodys main artery which is rare but most common in men over aged 60. Idiana McGill spoke to us on behalf of Xaviers family. Shes his mothers longtime best friend. He was her golden child He was just such a cheerful, friendly boy, said McGill. McGill said the Horizon Middle School student was an active middle child in a tight knit family. He actually for a whole year rode his bicycle to and from school every day. So thats why this was kind of like a shock. He was such a healthy boy, said McGill. According to McGill, Xavier had been hanging out with friends on Christmas break when he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. Read: What I lived through is real: Former Capitol Police sergeant reflects on Jan. 6 attack He kept saying that his pain was below his chest, above the stomach area, said McGill. Less than 24 hours later, he had passed away at the hospital. The family discovered afterwards it was due to Aortic Dissection. If youre not looking for it, and its not found quickly, it can become very, very deadly, said Shawn Sima, the Impact Director for Who We Play For, a non-profit that exists to eliminate preventable and sudden youth cardiac death. Sima said the condition is often not picked-up during a typical physical but can occasionally be detected following an electrocardiogram also known as an EKG. Its a quick and often lifesaving test that evaluates the heart. According to Sima, Aortic Dissection is often associated with hereditary conditions such as Marfans syndrome and Ehlers Danlos syndrome. Read: Orlando VA embraces new innovative therapy, Esketamine, for treating depression in veterans If your child is complaining of any kind of chest pain, chest discomfort, numbness or tingling in their arms, shortness of breath, or dizziness, especially if theyre passing out or collapsing, you should not ignore that, said Sima. Xaviers family wants people to pay attention to those symptoms as they too work to learn more about the condition. They hope to raise awareness about Aortic Dissection in the aftermath of Xaviers death. As they laid Xavier to rest on Wednesday, the family expressed appreciation for the community support theyve received thus far. They also reflected on the fun-filled life Xavier lived. He was always a goofball. Always making faces always trying to make people smile and laugh he was loved by so many people, said McGill. Read: Century-old Central Florida church faces closure while waiting for hurricane assistance from FEMA The family has created a GoFundMe to cover funeral expenses. You can find the GoFundMe page here. Read: Orlando VA embraces new innovative therapy, Esketamine, for treating depression in veterans Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A Horseheads church has won a major court battle in its fight to overturn portions of a 2022 state law that prohibits firearms in houses of worship, among other restrictions. The Concealed Carry Improvement Act was passed by the state legislature and signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2022. Among the provisions of the new law is establishment of areas considered "sensitive," where concealed weapons can't be carried, even by licensed individuals. The legislation immediately spawned several lawsuits that challenged its constitutionality. The legal challenges included a suit filed by His Tabernacle Family Church in Horseheads and its founding pastor, Micheal Spencer. In response, a U.S. District Court judge a year ago imposed an injunction prohibiting the state from enforcing the gun-free zone rule for churches while the lawsuits play out, and the state appealed that ruling in January 2023. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals in December affirmed the earlier ruling and left the injunctions in place. The court made it clear that the U.S. Constitution grants the right of self-defense for all Americans and houses of worship cannot be disarmed," said Jeremy Dys, Senior Counsel for First Liberty Institute, which brought the suit on behalf of His Tabernacle. "No American should be forced to sacrifice one constitutionally protected freedom to enjoy another," Dys said. Why Horseheads church, others are challenging New York state gun law The Concealed Carry Improvement Act was passed in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. That landmark case struck down the state's previous law, which required a person to demonstrate a specific need before they could be granted a permit to carry a handgun. The new law creates a list of "sensitive places" including churches, hospitals and other public gathering places where concealed weapons are banned outright, but allows many businesses and other property owners to determine for themselves if they want to allow firearms or not. In court documents, Spencer indicated he feels a moral and religious duty to take reasonable measures to protect the safety of those who enter the church, adding prior to the new ban, he regularly carried a concealed handgun on church property and encouraged other properly licensed security volunteers and congregation members to carry firearms as well. Allowing concealed carry would protect worshippers "from the kind of violence that other houses of worship across the country have suffered," Spencer wrote in court filings. Because the new law applies differently to places of worship than to most other privately-owned businesses and properties, the appellate court ruled it is neither neutral nor generally applicable, and therefore unconstitutional. "At this stage, the state has not demonstrated that allowing church leaders to regulate their congregants firearms is more dangerous than allowing other property owners to do the same," the court opinion stated. "It's hard to see how the law advances the interests of religious organizations, as a whole, by denying them agency to choose for themselves whether to permit firearms." Read the full opinion from the Second Circuit Court of Appeals here: https://firstliberty.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NY-Gun-Opinion.pdf. Spencer was pleased that, for now, federal courts have agreed with his church's position on concealed carry. "We are grateful that the court protected our First Amendment freedoms to make decisions about the safety of our congregation," he said. Horseheads church lawsuit one of many against NY's gun law The Second Circuit Court of Appeals combined four separate lawsuits, including the one filed by His Tabernacle Family Church, into one as it considered whether the Concealed Carry Improvement Act violates the U.S. Constitution. The other three cases are Antonyuk v. Chiumento (referencing acting state police Superintendent Dominick Chiumento), Hardaway v. Chiumento and Christian v. Chiumento. In Antonyuk, the plaintiffs challenged the restricted locations provisions of the new law on First Amendment compelled speech and Second Amendment grounds. Hardaway involves two church pastors, one in Niagara Falls and one in Buffalo, who both possess concealed carry licenses and claimed the law prohibited them from being armed in their places of worship. Christian involves an individual licensed to carry a concealed firearm who challenged the restricted locations provision on Second Amendment grounds. Environment New York's latest fracking proposal promises cleaner method. How experts rated it Gun rights advocacy organizations the Firearms Policy Coalition and the Second Amendment Foundation are both plaintiffs in Hardaway and Christian as well. Lawsuits also challenged other aspects of the Concealed Carry Improvement Act, including a provision requiring applicants for permits to disclose their social media accounts, and one that restricts concealed carry on private property held open to the general public. The appeals court upheld injunctions against enforcements of those provisions as well. What happens next As with the other cases, His Tabernacle's court victory is only temporary, and the merits of the challenges to the Concealed Carry Improvement Act still have to be litigated while the injunctions remain in effect. The appeals court decision upholding the preliminary injunctions emphasized that point, stating the ruling was not a finding on the merits of the case, but rather addresses only the likelihood of success on the merits. The next move is up to the state, according to First Liberty Institute legal counsel Ryan Gardner. "We are currently awaiting a decision by the state of New York regarding whether it will appeal the Second Circuits decision," Gardner said. "We anticipate that decision to be made in January." Follow Jeff Murray on Twitter @SGJeffMurray. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Federal court upholds injunction in Horseheads church NY gun lawsuit Novembers fatal shootings of an unarmed security officer and former patient inside the New Hampshire state psychiatric hospital could lead to a major policy change that most other hospitals in the state have considered and rejected: armed security guards. In interviews, security officers at several hospitals cited concerns that a firearm in a volatile situation could exacerbate, not mitigate, safety risks to patients, visitors, and staff. And they cautioned that a gun in a hospital setting could take away from what should be a welcoming and therapeutic environment. Even with what they described as an increased prevalence of workplace violence against staff, from verbal abuse and threats to hitting and choking, the security officials expressed a preference for other safety measures, such as stun guns, pepper spray, handcuffs, and ongoing de-escalation training. John Duval, head of security at Concord Hospital, said the number of code gray calls for aggressive, out-of-control individuals dropped from 30 in 2017 to five this year, in part by increasing security standbys in cases where staff anticipate a problem. Officers were unarmed during those 14,870 standbys this year, he said. For me, thats an example of, as a precautionary measure, we utilize security to de-escalate, Duval said. He said the hospital has at times placed an armed Concord police officer outside the room of a patient who poses a threat. Catholic Medical Center has adopted a patient code of conduct in hopes of curbing the daily assaults and hostile comments staff are experiencing. Catholic Medical Center in Manchester has also chosen not to use armed hospital security except in extreme cases where it calls in a Manchester police officer. Security staff assist medical staff in really close proximity to patients, said John Patti, a retired Manchester police officer who oversees security at the hospital. To have a firearm that close to patients, I think its certainly risky. Mental health advocates have voiced similar concerns following the deaths of officer Bradley Haas, whom many patients and families knew by first name, and John Madore, who had been a patient at the New Hampshire Hospital and worked as a peer counselor. Susan Stearns, executive director of NAMI New Hampshire, also cited a concern that guns in treatment hospitals could retraumatize patients whove been involuntarily committed and transported to the hospital by armed police officers, possibly in shackles. There is absolute broad consensus that it would be dangerous to both patients and staff to have firearms allowed on patient units, said Stearns. In a situation that is volatile, the risk of a firearm being used is really significant. I am really concerned, frankly, that it would be used on a patient. The Department of Safety announced the security changes just 11 days after the Nov. 17 shootings, far too quickly, some have said, given that law enforcement was still investigating the incident. It is unclear, though, when the Department of Health and Human Services intends to enact the policy change and arm its security officers with firearms. When safety officials announced their security recommendations, they said the policy change was in progress. Their additional recommendation that the state hospital hire armed private security guards was also in progress, they said. Jake Leon, spokesman for DHHS, did not provide a timeframe, saying only that the department is at the beginning of implementing the recommendations. It is also unclear whether security officers would carry firearms in patient areas, but that appears to be a possibility. The hospitals security officers, according to the departments recommendations, would carry firearms throughout the hospital to mitigate any threats occurring within the (New Hampshire Hospital). The new armed private security officers would be stationed at the hospital entrance to screen patients, visitors, and staff, according to the recommendations, but also be used to assist hospital security officers throughout the campus. That concerns Stearns and NAMI New Hampshire families who have visited loved ones at the state hospital. They talked about how intimidating it would be to have someone whos carrying a firearm there at the door and how that would have certainly added to their experience in terms of anxiety and concern, Stearns said. And we really want to be careful that were not criminalizing people with mental illness. Her community saw Hass as part of the hospital therapeutic team, not a security officer, she said. A NAMI New Hampshire volunteer told Stearns how helpful hed been when she had encountered him at a security checkpoint while visiting her son. He talked to her about things that were OK (to bring in) and then made other suggestions of things she might want to bring next time, Stearns said. Just, you know, really caring. Leon said: Any changes made to enhance security will be evidence-based and trauma-informed and balance quality care and safety. The department intends to get input from a diverse group of stakeholders, he said. Stearns said she has already shared her thoughts. Those include ensuring private security guards be trained in handling behavioral health crises just as hospital security officers are. Leon said in an email they would. And shes asked the department to reach out to families and individuals who have personal experiences with behavioral health challenges. Hospital workers in harms way Fatal attacks in health care settings are rare. Between 2011 and 2018, 156 health care workers were killed at work nationwide, nearly 29 percent of them by a relative or partner, according to the most recent federal Department of Labor data. Fourteen percent of victims were killed by a patient. Relatives or domestic partners were the most frequent perpetrators of fatal violence against health care workers between 2011 and 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Nonfatal violence and hostile words, however, are not rare. In 2018 alone, the federal Department of Labor recorded 15,230 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses among health care workers. The majority of incidents took place in hospitals, particularly psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals, according to the federal data. In describing the security needs of a behavioral health hospital, Leon cited that distinction. The New Hampshire Hospital is unique in the population it serves, so it is hard to compare its policies to those of other hospitals, he said. Patti had been with the Manchester police for years when he was named director of security at Catholic Medical Center a decade ago. He said he was shocked to see the behavior hospital staff were experiencing. An extreme outlier would be what happened up at New Hampshire Hospital, Patti said. On a regular basis, we have staff who get punched, kicked, bitten, spit on, and verbally abused. According to the 2018 data from U.S. Department of Labor, staff at behavioral health hospitals experience far more non-fatal workplace injuries than staff in other professions. Terrence OHara was no less taken aback when he became director of security and transportation at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover in 2020 after 22 years as a Tucson, Arizona, police officer. Once I got into health care and saw it on a daily basis, I was like, Holy smokes, OHara said. The volatile people that come in the emergency room, whether theyre under the influence of alcohol and drugs, or suffering from a mental health crisis, or a combination of all three, the volatility and violence that you see on a daily basis is certainly stunning. The challenge is knowing how to prepare for those incidents and how best to respond. Security officials said those decisions require detailed data collected over time that tracks not only what, where, how, and when an incident happened but why. Concord Hospitals Duval said, for example, a patient who is agitated and acting out due to dementia and one acting out of anger call for different security responses. Without that information, its impossible to meaningfully identify patterns of violence, security vulnerabilities, and opportunities for improvements, security officials said. While hospitals track that information internally, according to their own procedures, there is no statewide data to understand what is happening across hospitals and how hospitals are responding. Thats changing. Patti helped write legislation in 2022 that created a commission to gather statewide data on the prevalence and type of hostile and violent behavior health care workers are experiencing. That commision held its first meeting last month and will report out its findings, said Duval, the vice chairperson. Balancing accessibility and security In a national poll last year, the American College of Emergency Physicians asked emergency department physicians to rank options for improving security in their hospitals. Communicating and enforcing security plans and increasing security measures such as cameras, visitor screening, and visibility of security officers topped the list. Arming officers was not a suggested option, and doing so is rare in New Hampshire. Police respond to Novembers shooting at New Hampshire Hospital. At the state hospital, an armed state trooper assigned to campus shot and killed Madore after he killed Haas. Tyler Dumont, spokesman for the Department of Safety, said state police have had troopers on the hospital grounds since 2022, due to a shortage of hospital security officers. Elliot Hospital in Manchester has an armed Manchester police officer in its emergency room at all times, but that is unusual. At the Elliot, we have a robust security team that is supported by a partnership with the Manchester Police Department, said hospital spokeswoman Dawn Fernald. As an organization that is open for care 24/7, we need to balance our ability to be accessible and available to care for patients needs at all hours with our ability to offer a secure environment for our patients. At Wentworth-Douglass, OHara may assign two unarmed security officers to monitor a patient who clinical staff anticipate may be dangerous. Doing so can discourage violent behavior and, if a patient does act out, contain the threats with an immediate response. In 2022, the hospital adopted a patient code of conduct that warns patients there will be consequences for physical and verbal threats; assaults; sexual and vulgar words; and disrupting another patients care. Dovers Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, which is part of the Mass General Brigham network, has adopted a patient code of conduct in response to violence toward its staff. OHara said patients get a warning and a hardcopy of the policy after a first offense. Depending on the circumstances, they may be discharged after subsequent offenses, he said. Catholic Medical Center has similar warnings throughout its building. Just because theyre in these four walls of the hospital, it doesnt mean that they can act whatever way they want to. They are still expected to behave in a certain way, with civility and respect, Patti said. Concord Hospital rewrote its security policy in 2022 and focuses on awareness and readiness and teaches staff techniques on how to respond to hostile words and threats. The more that employees are individually empowered to react, I think thats the most powerful strategy, Duval said. The cameras, access control, all those are great tools and we have our share of them here, but even those resources are limited. When you empower each employee to be ready as an individual and with a variety of choices, to me thats the strength of how to respond to workplace violence in conjunction with the other things that are certainly valuable. This story was originally published by the New Hampshire Bulletin This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Should hospital guards carry guns? NH hospital says yes To start the new year, 3-month-old Reece Prater is hospitalized with RSV more than 300 miles from home at Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas, because it was the closest pediatric intensive care bed available. His mother, Marni Prater, told CBS News that Reece was on oxygen "almost immediately" after getting to the hospital. "His breathing was quickly getting worse and heavier," she said. Back home in Amarillo, Reece's 3-year-old brother is sick with the flu. Cases like theirs are overwhelming children's hospitals. Dr. Laura Romano, a hospitalist at Cook Children's Medical Center, told CBS News that in one 24-hour period, the hospital's emergency rooms and urgent care centers had seen "over 600 kids." "That's a kid being checked in every two minutes to be seen by a provider," she said. It's not just Texas seeing this type of patient load. Across the country, there have been more than 73,000 flu hospitalizations and more than 45,000 deaths including 20 children so far during the 2023/2024 flu season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fewer than 50% of children in the U.S. have received this year's flu vaccine, the lowest rate in five years. And while RSV infections are dropping, flu and COVID-19 cases continue to rise. Romano said Cook Children's Medical Center has had to open a second unit that was being renovated to deal with the influx of patients. "Sometimes we have kids who are waiting to go to our ICUs who are waiting in the emergency room because we do not have any beds available," she said. With kids heading back to school after the holiday break, hospitals are bracing for another wave of pediatric patients. As for Reece, his mother said she was feeling some relief after getting good news from the doctor. "She said he's been off oxygen for 40 minutes and he's doing really well," Marni Prater said. Passenger jet collides with Japan coast guard plane, killing 5, Japanese state TV reports Names of more than 150 people connected to Jeffrey Epstein to be unsealed FBI investigates fiery New Year's Day crash in Rochester, New York YORK, Pa. (WHTM) Firefighters responded to a second-alarm house fire in York on Thursday afternoon. According to Ted Czech with York County Emergency Management, the fire began at 829 East Poplar Street and spread to a second address in the duplex. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News According to Goodwill Fire Company #1 in York Township, heavy smoke was showing from the second story duplex when firefighters arrived. Images shared on social media by Greater York Professional Fire Fighters IAFF Local 2377 showed firefighters on the roof with smoke and embers showing. Fire officials say theyre looking at the rear of the second story and a cause is under investigation. This is a developing story. Stay updated on the latest from abc27 News For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House Republicans used a border trip Wednesday to signal a more aggressive approach on border and migration policy, setting the tone for a January legislative agenda that could be dominated by those issues. Republicans threw cold water on the slow-going Senate negotiations on migration policy changes and hyped up a coming impeachment effort against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas while a few in the House GOP tease forcing a government shutdown if their border demands are not met. The GOP border focus comes at the start of an election year, but also as encounters with migrants have hovered at some of their highest levels as was on display at a House GOP press conference with around 60 members on the border in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Wednesday. A C-SPAN camera captured small groups wading through the Rio Grande from Mexico into the U.S. as Republicans gathered to speak to the press. Johnson dug in on his insistence that the Senate, which is in the midst of border policy negotiations as a condition of approving supplemental aid to war-torn Ukraine, should take up a House GOP-passed border bill that Democrats have dismissed as a non-starter. The H.R. 2 Secure the Border Act would, in part, limit asylum protections. H.R 2 is the necessary ingredient. Why? Because it has provisions that fix each of these problems, and these things work together, Johnson said at the press conference. For example, you couldnt just reform the broken asylum process and allow this parole system to remain broken. It would be a giant loophole that would not solve the issue. While the Biden administration has expanded the use of parole powers that allow for the temporary entrance of those who may not otherwise meet immigration requirements, asylum laws require allowing those who pass an initial screening to enter the U.S. to pursue their claim. Narrowing asylum laws is one of the top demands of GOP senators negotiating with the White House to limit migration. The stance on H.R. 2 puts Johnson on a collision course with the Senate. Earlier Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) signaled that hard line would sink any border deal. The only way were going to get any of this done is in a bipartisan way. When the House clings to H.R. 2 as the only solution Were not going to get a deal, Schumer said. Its very nice you go to the border, but the way to get something done is work, as we are in the Senate, on a bipartisan solution to the border crisis, Schumer said. I hope the Speaker will realize that if he wants to solve the problem on the border. Asked in a CNN interview after the press conference if he would accept any kind of compromise from the Senate, Johnson said he was not going to answer hypotheticals and renewed his call for President Biden to take executive actions to stem the flow of migrants on the border. The White House, for its part, said the president has done everything that he can without congressional action. It is not just supplemental Ukraine funding that could be rocked by hard-line stances on the border in the House GOP. With government funding deadlines looming on Jan. 19 and Feb. 2, some rabble-rousing Republicans are threatening to force a shutdown over the border. No more money for this bureaucracy of his government until youve brought this border under control. Shut the border down, or shut the government down, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) told Fox News from Eagle Pass on Wednesday. But Johnson, asked about the possibility of a shutdown, did not go that far. We have been working in earnest and in good faith with the Senate and the White House virtually every day through the holiday trying to come to an agreement And let me tell you what our top two priorities are right now. In summary, we want to get the border closed and secured, first; and we want to make sure that we reduce nondefense discretionary spending, Johnson said. But rather than legislation, the biggest activity with a border focus in the House this month could be impeachment. Republicans are pledging to move forward with impeachment proceedings against Mayorkas starting with a hearing next week. The greatest domestic threat to the national security and the safety of the American people is Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, House Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green (R-Tenn.) said in the press conference. Green plans to hold several hearings dedicated to reviewing Mayorkass performance ahead of marking up an impeachment resolution that would boot him from office. It will be the first time since the late 1800s that Congress has seriously mulled removing a cabinet official from their post. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said the House GOP is wasting valuable time and taxpayer dollars pursuing a baseless political exercise, and that there is no valid basis to impeach Secretary Mayorkas. Without citing specifics, Green accused Mayorkas of violating court orders and subverting immigration laws. GOP lawmakers have also accused Mayorkas of lying to Congress accusations largely based on disagreements as members have questioned him on whether the border is secure. While some Republicans such as Green have claimed Mayorkas is derelict in his duty to manage the border, its not clear that is an impeachable offense or even a legal term outside its use in the military. Republicans have also claimed Mayorkas has violated the law, failing to meet the standards of the Secure Fence Act, which defines operational control of the border as a status in which not a single person or piece of contraband improperly enters the country. During a Tuesday appearance on MSNBC, Mayorkas said he would cooperate with any impeachment effort but stressed he was staying focused on his work, including Senate negotiations. I joined the bipartisan group of senators to work on a legislative solution to a broken immigration system. I was on the Hill yesterday to provide technical advice in those ongoing negotiations. Before I headed to the Hill, I was in the office working on solutions. After my visit to the Hill, I was back in my office, working on solutions, Mayorkas said. Al Weaver contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. With the beginning of 2024, top Republicans are lining up behind Donald Trump, perhaps acknowledging a fact that much of D.C. has resisted since the summer: That the primary was over before it began. Among them are a handful whose careers Trump derailed just months ago. Trump denies that he played a role in encouraging the great House Speaker Defenestration of 2023, though Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), the man driving it, spoke vaguely about how his conversations with the former president led him to feel great confidence that he did the right thing. And though Trump may not be directly responsible for the implosion of Kevin McCarthys speakership, he placed his thumb on the scale once the voting got going, backing some candidates for the job and knocking back others. Perhaps no one was knocked back more aggressively than GOP whip Tom Emmer (R-MN). I have many wonderful friends wanting to be Speaker of the House, and some are truly great Warriors, Trump wrote on Truth Social. RINO Tom Emmer, who I do not know well, is not one of them. He fought me all the way, Trump added of Emmer, who had endorsed him in 2016 and 2020, but voted to certify the results of the 2020 election. Voting for a Globalist RINO like Tom Emmer would be a tragic mistake! he concluded. Trumps aides then sent that post to members of Congress to make sure they saw it. Within hours, Emmer withdrew from the race. Yet earlier today, Emmer endorsed Trumps 2024 run. Its time for Republicans to unite behind our partys clear frontrunner, he wrote on X. Emmer is, of course, not alone. GOP leadership is lining up behind Trump despite the humiliation they suffered due to actions of his acolyte, Gaetz, earlier this year and, in the case of Emmer, the humiliation heaped on him by Trump personally. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), another failed speaker candidate, endorsed Trump yesterday. While not subjected to as aggressive a treatment by Trump as Emmer, he, too, was thrown under the bus by the former president, who backed Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) in the speaker chaos instead, claiming concern about Scalises health. I like both of them very much. But the problem, you know, Steve is a man that is in serious trouble from the standpoint of his cancer, Trump told Foxs Brian Kilmeade. I mean, hes got to get better for himself. Scalise had announced in August that he was diagonosed with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, and described his case as very treatable. For his part, Kevin McCarthy got on the phone with Trump weeks after the ordeal, and listened as the former president listed his reasons for not calling Gaetz off. Per The Washington Post, which broke the news of the McCarthy-Trump summit: During the call, Trump lambasted McCarthy for not expunging his two impeachments and not endorsing him in the 2024 presidential campaign, according to people familiar with the conversation. When he recounted this call to sources who spoke to the Post, McCarthy claimed he responded with bravado: F you, he claimed he told the former president. McCarthy endorsed Trump early last month. The Best Of TPM Today The New Argument That Might Save Trumps March Trial Date Yesterdays Most-Read Story A Presidential Election Unlike Any Other Is Upon Us What We Are Reading FBI calls bomb threats that led to brief lockdowns and evacuations of some state capitols a hoax AP Harvard Cant Have a President Who Plagiarizes. But America *Can* Have a President Who Coups. The Bulwark Former U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores accused of cribbing others pictures of Mexican food as her own cooking Texas Tribune WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) House Republicans criticized President Joe Biden Wednesday for what they call a catastrophe at the southern border. At the same time, the White House accuses the group of dodging the opportunity to address the issue. Republicans say making changes at the border is necessary and inaction is a threat to the countrys national security. House Speaker Mike Johnson and more than 60 House Republicans from across the country took a tour of the southern border. The situation here and across the country is truly unconscionable. We would describe it as both heartbreaking and infuriating, said Johnson. The trip gave lawmakers an opportunity to hear from border patrol agents as well as put pressure on the president to put strict immigration policies in place. The administration has done next to nothing to protect the border, but weve all seen with our own eyes, theyve opened the border wide to the entire world, added Johnson. Congressman Marc Molinaro of New York said, The President has to enforce the law, use the tools he has at his disposal, and we need to adopt strong border security, like H.R. 2 The White House fired back at House Republicans saying this has been an issue for decades and urged Congress to bring bipartisan action forward. We need Congress to provide the resources we need to manage the border. Under our current authorities, we have asked for billions of dollars, said Blas Nunez Neto, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Border and Immigration Policy. Texas Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales say money isnt the answer. No amount of money will end this border crisis. It has to be policy changes, he said. Even though the Senate is currently negotiating a deal that would include border security, Speaker Johnson said the House bill passed months ago checks all the boxes. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) House Republicans say securing the border is their top priority in 2024. 60 House republicans went to Eagle Pass, Texas to call on the Biden administration to change their border policies. They say a recent surge of migrants arriving at the border is proof President Joe Bidens border management is failing. This trip comes at a critical time, as Congress is still in search of a border compromise, and the White House says any change to border policy is up to Congress. Its been an eye opener. One thing is absolutely clear, America is at a breaking point, said House Speaker Mike Johnson. Last month, border officials reported the highest monthly total of migrant encounters on record, Republicans blame that on the Biden administration. The Biden administration needs to end catch and release. And they need to deport people by the thousands not by the dozens, said Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas). But the Assistant Secretary for Border and Immigration Policy at the Department of Homeland Security says its up to Congress to fix immigration. We need Congress to provide the resources we needwe have asked for billions of dollars, said Blas Nunez Neto. So far Congress has failed to pass the $13 billion dollars in border security President Biden requested. They ought to give me the money I need to protect the border, Biden said as he arrived at the White House after returning from a vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Border communities say they cant wait any longer. Terrell County Texas Sheriff Thad Cleaveland says lawmakers need to set politics aside. Its a catastrophe. We got to get beyond that word crisis its absolutely a catastrophe, he said. Lawmakers are scheduled to return from holiday recess next week. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. SANAA, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group on Thursday rejected a joint statement issued by 12 countries condemning Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, and vowed continued targetting of "Israel-linked commercial ships" in the waters. The Houthi Spokesman Dhaifallah al-Shami said in a statement that it is "a moral failure and a miserable attempt to cover up the crimes of Israel," considering "America and Western countries are supporting Israel in committing more genocides against the Palestinian people." He stressed that the armed group would continue attacking what it called "Israel-linked commercial ships" until Israel ends the conflict and siege on the Palestinian enclave of the Gaza Strip. On Wednesday, the governments of Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Britain and the United States issued a joint statement, condemning Houthi attacks against commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea, and calling for the immediate end of the attacks and release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews. "The Houthis will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and the free flow of commerce in the region's critical waterways," the joint statement warned. Since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023, the Houthi militia has escalated their attacks on Israel-linked ships, demanding that food and medicine aid be allowed to enter the Gaza Strip. The Iran-backed Houthis control much of northern Yemen, including Sanaa and the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, where the group has held the Galaxy Leader, a Japanese-operated cargo ship linked to an Israeli company, and its crew, since they were seized on Nov. 19, 2023. The United States along with other Western countries formed last week a multinational maritime coalition to secure the ships transiting the Red Sea from the Houthi attacks. The U.S. naval forces responded to a distress call from a merchant boat in the Red Sea reporting being under a Houthi attack, sinking three Houthi boats, and killing its 10 fighters. A significant number of companies are already rerouting their ships around South Africa to reduce their risks, which takes an additional 10 days to journey on average and negatively impacts international trade and costs of freight, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Arsenio Dominguez said earlier this week. The Houthis launched an unmanned surface drone against commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea early Thursday morning as the US Navy commander in the region said he sees no sign of the attacks abating. The attack with the unmanned surface vessel (USV) marks the first time the Houthis have used this type of weapon since they began targeting merchant vessels in the southern Red Sea following the beginning of the war in Gaza. The USV traveled from Yemen into international shipping lanes clearly with the intent to do harm before detonating, said Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of US Naval Forces Central Command. It wasnt clear if a specific ship was targeted, and the USV exploded without causing damage to any ships or injuring any crews. It is the 25th Houthi attack on ships in the Red Sea since November 18th, Cooper said. The attacks are almost certain to continue, Cooper said, prompting the US to create a multinational coalition to defend crucial shipping lanes in the Red Sea and through the Bab el-Mandeb straight. The Yemen based Houthis, are believed to have been armed and trained by Iran, and there are fears that their attacks could escalate and fuel a wider regional conflict. And as the attacks continue, with major shipping and oil companies avoiding the area, there are real concerns about the impact on the global economy. There are no signs their irresponsible behavior is abating, Cooper told reporters in a briefing Thursday morning. Last month, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the start of Operation Prosperity Guardian with the goal of deterring Houthi attacks and safeguarding shipping lanes. Cooper said the coalition now consists of 22 countries and is expected to grow. Since the beginning of the operation, the operation has shot down 19 drones and missiles launched from Houthi territory, as well as sinking 3 Houthi small boats, Cooper said. Although there was a maritime presence in the Red Sea prior to Operation Prosperity Guardian, it was episodic at best, Cooper said, because it wasnt necessary. But the sheer number and frequency of Houthi attacks require a persistent presence there. There are currently 5 warships from different countries in and around the Red Sea, as well as manned and unmanned reconnaissance aircraft and fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier contributing to the effort, Cooper said. The Houthis began launching the attacks soon after the start of the Gaza war, claiming they were targeting ships with ties to Israel as they stood in solidarity with the Palestinian people. But most of the last dozen attacks had no connection to Israel at all, Cooper said, even as it draws more nations into the situation. The US assesses that 55 nations have direct connections to the ships that have been attacked, whether through the flagging state of the ship, the nationality of the crew, the ships origin and destination, or the vessels ownership. The impact of these attacks spreads across the globe, and as weve said, this is an international problem that requires an international solution, Cooper said. There is no specific information that US warships have been directly targeted in the attacks, Cooper said, but he noted that many of the attacks have been in the vicinity of US ships, which take defense actions to protect themselves and the commercial vessels. In response to the threat to shipping, the Navy is in frequent communication with commercial vessels as they transit the Red Sea. We do provide a lot of advice in terms of best practices of when to transit, when not to transit, where to transit, how to do that, how to communicate with us, said Cooper. About 1,500 merchant ships have transited the Red Sea since the operation began, he said, even as some of the worlds biggest shipping companies have decided to avoid the critical waterway over security concerns. Asked about an Iranian warship in the southern Red Sea, Cooper said he was not concerned. Iran has routinely had an auxiliary ship and a combatant ship in the area for the last 3 years, and the warship presents little additional threat. That vessel has been present, said Cooper. They represent little concern today. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com FILE - U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, who heads the Navy's Bahrain-based 5th Fleet, speaks at an event at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 21, 2023. The top commander of U.S. naval forces in the Middle East says Yemens Houthi rebels are showing no signs of ending their reckless attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. But Vice Adm. Brad Cooper said in an Associated Press interview on Saturday that more nations are joining the international maritime mission to protect vessels in the vital waterway and trade traffic is beginning to pick up. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell, File) WASHINGTON (AP) An armed unmanned surface vessel launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen got within a couple of miles of U.S. Navy and commercial vessels in the Red Sea before detonating on Thursday, just hours after the White House and a host of partner nations issued a final warning to the Iran-backed militia group to cease the attacks or face potential military action. Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Navy operations in the Middle East, said it was the first time the Houthis had used an unmanned surface vessel, or USV, since their harassment of commercial ships in the Red Sea began after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. They have, however, used them in years past. Fabian Hinz, a missile expert and research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the USVs are a key part of the Houthi maritime arsenal and were used during previous battles against the Saudi coalition forces that intervened in Yemen's war. They have regularly been used as suicide drone boats that explode upon impact. Most of the Houthis USVs are likely assembled in Yemen but often fitted with components made in Iran, such as computerized guidance systems, Hinz said. At the United Nations, U.S. deputy ambassador Christopher Lu said at a emergency Security Council meeting on Wednesday that Iran has supplied the Houthis with money and advanced weapons systems, including drones, land attack cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. He said Iran also has been deeply involved in planning the Houthis' attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. He said the United States isnt seeking a confrontation with Iran, but Tehran has a choice. It can continue its current course, Lu said, or it can withhold its support without which the Houthis would struggle to effectively track and strike commercial vessels navigating shipping lanes through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. This raises questions as to whether any action against the Houthis would also address Iran's role in any way, which could risk widening the conflict. A statement Wednesday signed by the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom gave the Houthis what a senior Biden administration official described as a final warning. Let our message now be clear: we call for the immediate end of these illegal attacks and release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews, the countries said in the statement. The Houthis will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and free flow of commerce in the regions critical waterways. Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder would not say whether any military action would follow Thursday's launch of the sea drone. Ill let the statement speak for itself, which, again, represented many nations around the world and highlighted that if these strikes dont stop, there will be consequences, Ryder said. Since late October, the Houthis have launched scores of one-way attack drones and missiles at commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea. U.S. Navy warships have also intercepted ballistic missiles the Pentagon says were headed toward Israel. Cooper said a total of 61 missiles and drones have been shot down by U.S. warships. In response to the Houthi attacks, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in December announced Operation Prosperity Guardian, with the United States and other countries sending additional ships to the southern Red Sea to provide protection for commercial vessels passing through the critical Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Cooper said 1,500 commercial ships have been able to transit safely since the operation was launched on Dec. 18. However, the Houthis have continued to launch missiles and attack drones, prompting the White House and 12 allies to issue what amounted to a final warning Wednesday to cease their attacks on vessels in the Red Sea or face potential targeted military action. Cooper said Operation Prosperity Guardian was solely defensive in nature and separate from any military action the U.S. might take if the Houthi attacks continue. The U.S., United Kingdom and France are providing most of the warships now, and Greece and Denmark will also be providing vessels, he said. ___ Associated Press writer Jack Jeffery in London and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report. Houthi rebels used an unmanned suicide boat in the first attempted attack of its kind by the Iran-backed group against commercial ships in the Red Sea. US officials said the group deployed an unmanned surface vessel (USV) packed with explosives into a major shipping lane off the coast of Yemen on Thursday morning. The Iran-backed group has regularly targeted vessels there in recent weeks. The craft exploded away from any other ships, but Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, who commands US naval forces in the Middle East, said the attack was concerning. This was a one-way attack, [by an] unmanned surface vessel that had launched from Houthi-controlled territory, had transited out to international shipping lanes, clearly with the intent to do harm, he added. He said the boat had come within a couple of miles of a US ship and that we all watched as it exploded. It comes as Yemens Iran-backed Houthi forces continue their attacks on commercial ships travelling through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait into the Red Sea a major route that accounts for 10 per cent of global seaborne trade. Houthis have launched 25 attacks on commercial vessels in the region since Nov 18, forcing major shipping companies to re-route ships travelling from Asia to Europe around the African continent. The latest attack suggests the group intends to continue to attack in the area, despite warnings from an international naval coalition led by the US. The US and UK are understood to be considering launching proactive strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, following the spate of attacks on commercial ships that have seen shipping prices soar. BP, the global oil giant, has said it will no longer ship oil through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, raising concerns that the price of consumer petrol could also be affected. Houthi officials say their forces are targeting vessels in a show of support for Hamas amid the war in Gaza. The group is aided by Tehran, which has previously used it as a proxy to attack its enemies in the Middle East. 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. In Mississippi, the path to treatment for a serious mental illness may run through your local jail even if you have not been charged with any crime. In 2023, Mississippi Today and ProPublica investigated the practice of jailing people solely on the basis of possible mental illness while they wait for help through the civil commitment process. We found that people awaiting treatment were jailed without criminal charges at least 2,000 times from 2019 to 2022 in just 19 counties, meaning the statewide figure is almost certainly higher. Most of the jail stays lasted longer than three days, and about 130 were longer than 30 days. Some people have died after being jailed purportedly for their own safety. Every state has a civil commitment process in which a court can order someone to be hospitalized for psychiatric treatment, generally if they are deemed dangerous to themselves or others. But it is very uncommon for people going through that process to be held in jail without criminal charges for days or weeks except in Mississippi. So far, we have spoken with people who were jailed solely on the basis of mental illness, family members of people who went through the process, sheriffs and jail administrators, county officials, lawmakers, the head of the Department of Mental Health and experts in mental health and disability law. We have filed more than 100 records requests and reviewed lawsuits and Mississippi Bureau of Investigation reports on jail deaths. We plan to keep reporting. If youd like to share your experiences or perspective, please email Isabelle Taft at itaft@mississippitoday.org or call her at (601) 691-4756. Here are five key findings from our reporting so far: 1. People jailed solely on the basis of mental illness are generally treated the same as people accused of crimes We spoke to more than a dozen Mississippians who were jailed without criminal charges. They wore jail scrubs and were often shackled as they moved through the jail. They were frequently unable to access prescribed psychiatric medications, much less therapy or other treatment. They had no idea how long they would be jailed, because they could get out only when a treatment bed became available. They were often housed alongside people facing criminal charges. One jail doctor told us the people going through the commitment process were vulnerable to physical assault and theft of their snacks and personal items. They become a prisoner just like the average person coming in thats charged with a crime, said Ed Hargett, a former superintendent of Parchman state penitentiary and corrections consultant who has worked with about 20 Mississippi county jails. Some of the staff that works in the jail, they dont really know why theyre there Then when they start acting out, naturally they deal with them just like they would with a violent offender. A woman going through the civil commitment process, wearing a shirt labeling her a convict, is transported from her commitment hearing back to a county jail to await transportation to a state hospital in north Mississippi last spring. 2. Jails can be deadly for people in crisis At least 14 people have died after being jailed during the commitment process since 2006, according to our review of lawsuits and records from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. Nine died by suicide, and three died following medical care that experts called substandard. Most recently, 37-year-old Lacey Handjis, a Natchez hospice-care consultant and mother of two, died in a padded cell in the Adams County Jail in late August. Her death was not by suicide and is still under investigation. Mental health providers we spoke with said jail can exacerbate symptoms when someone is in crisis, increasing their risk of suicide. Jail staff with limited medical training may interpret signs of medical distress as manifestations of mental illness and fail to call for additional care. After three men awaiting treatment died by suicide in the Quitman County jail in 2006, 2007 and 2019, chancery clerk Butch Scipper no longer jails people going through the commitment process. His advice to other county officials: Do not put them in your jail. Jails are not safe places. We think they are, but theyre definitely not for people who are mentally ill. Brandon Raymond died in the Quitman County Jail in 2007 while awaiting a rehab bed. His sister, Stacy Raymond, has few pictures of her brother; she got this one from a Facebook memorial post. She said if she had known he would die so young, she wouldve taken more photos. She described him as big-hearted, always happy and a devoted father to his son. 3. Mississippi is a stark national outlier Mississippi Today and ProPublica surveyed disability rights advocates and state behavioral health agencies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Nowhere else did respondents say people are routinely jailed for days or weeks without criminal charges while going through the involuntary commitment process. In three states where respondents said people are sometimes jailed to await psychiatric evaluations, it happens to fewer people and for shorter periods. At least a dozen states ban the practice altogether, while Mississippi law allows it when there is no reasonable alternative. In Alabama, a judge ruled it unconstitutional in 1984. National experts and disability rights advocates in other states used words like horrifying, breaks my heart and speechless when they learned how many Mississippians are jailed without criminal charges while they wait for mental health care every year. Cassandra McNeese, left, and her mother, Yvonne A. McNeese, in Shuqualak, Mississippi. Cassandras brother, Willie McNeese, has been held in jail during civil commitment proceedings at least eight times since 2008. Cassandra McNeese said Noxubee County officials told her jail was the only place they had for him to wait. This is who you trust to take care of things. Thats all you have to rely on. 4. Despite a 2009 state law, there has been almost no oversight of jails that hold people awaiting treatment In 2009, the legislature passed a law requiring any county facility that holds people awaiting psychiatric treatment through the commitment process to be certified by the Department of Mental Health. The department developed certification standards requiring suicide prevention training, access to medications and treatment, safe housing and more. But the law contains no funding to help counties comply and no penalties if they dont. Only a handful of counties got certified, and after 2013 the departments efforts to enforce the law apparently petered out. As of late last year, only one jail out of 71 that had recently held people awaiting court-ordered treatment was still certified. There is no statewide oversight or inspection of county jails. After we asked questions about the law, the Department of Mental Health sought an opinion from the Attorney Generals Office, which opined that it is a mandatory requirement that the agency certify the county facilities, including jails, where people wait for treatment. In October, the department sent letters to counties informing them of the ruling and encouraging them to get certified. It is waiting for counties to initiate the certification process, even though it knows exactly which jails have held people after their hearings. Department leadership, including Director Wendy Bailey, have emphasized that they have limited authority over counties and cant force them to do anything. A padded cell used to hold people awaiting psychiatric evaluation and court-ordered treatment at the Adams County jail in Natchez, Mississippi. Lacey Robinette Handjis, a 37-year-old hospice care consultant and mother of two, was found dead in one of the jails two padded cells in late August, less than 24 hours after she was booked with no criminal charges to await mental health treatment. 5. The practice is not limited to small, entirely rural counties According to data from the DMH, 71 of the states 82 counties held a total of 812 people prior to their admission to a state hospital during the year ending in June. According to state data and our analysis of jail dockets obtained through public records requests, the two counties that jail the most people during the commitment process are DeSoto and Lauderdale together home to three of the states 10 largest cities. DeSoto has one of the highest per capita incomes in the state and Lauderdales is above average. Meanwhile, some smaller, rural counties dont jail people during the process or do so very rarely. Guy Nowell, who served as chancery clerk of Neshoba County until the end of 2023, said the county arranged each persons commitment evaluations and hearing to take place on the same day to eliminate waits between appointments. If no publicly funded bed is available after the hearing, the county pays for people to receive treatment at a private psychiatric hospital. A brief summary of the civil commitment process: The civil commitment process (also called involuntary commitment) begins when someone usually a family member, but under state law it can be anyone files paperwork with the county chancery clerks office alleging that another person is so sick that they are a danger to themselves or others. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are common diagnoses, but not everyone who gets committed has a serious mental illness. Then the person can be taken into custody by county sheriffs deputies. They may wait at a medical facility for evaluations, a hearing and treatment or if no publicly funded bed is available, they can sit in a jail cell with no criminal charges, receiving minimal care in the midst of a mental health crisis, until a treatment bed opens up. The Department of Mental Health says the process from initial evaluation to court hearing should take seven to 10 days, but it can take longer. If the judge orders someone hospitalized, they typically join the waiting list for a state hospital or crisis bed. Last fiscal year, the average wait time in jail for a state hospital bed after a hearing fell to just under five days from more than eight days the year before as the Department of Mental Health reopened state hospital beds. Its not clear how much time Mississippians spend jailed without criminal charges before their commitment hearings. Legislation passed last year requires counties to report to the DMH about where people are held both before and after their hearings, so more information should be available soon. This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. FLEMINGTON Jeff Kuhl, the new director of the Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners, said at Tuesday's reorganization meeting that while the county's property tax rate will "freeze" in 2024, the county will embark on new programs to aid local municipalities. Kuhl, who previously served on the Raritan Township Committee, said, "I am calling a new era of partnership to assist and support our local governments, with the goal of building a stronger future for all residents of the county. He said the commissioners will "leverage" the county's financial condition to create two $1 million funds for grants to Hunterdon's 26 municipalities. One fund will be earmarked for road projects, safety signage, stormwater management and other infrastructure work. The other fund will go toward local parks improvements, he said. "Having served on a local governing body, I know that our municipal governments are the ones on the front lines in protecting the quality of life and keeping Hunterdon County a great place to live," Kuhl said. Hunterdon County officials gathered for the annual reorganization meeting on Tuesday. Front row from left, Commissioner John Lanza, Deputy Director Susan Soloway, Commissioner Director Jeff Kuhl, Commissioner Shaun Van Doren and Commissioner Zach Rich; Back row from left, Sheriff Fred Brown, Clerk Mary Melfi, Surrogate Heidi Rohrbach and Prosecutor Renee Robeson. This year will be the sixth in a row the Hunterdon County property tax rate will remain flat. However, that does not mean overall property tax bills will stay the same as well. The county tax is just part of the overall quarterly tax bill that also includes taxes for schools, both local and regional; municipalities, which funds police protection and local roads among other services; libraries and open space. The county tax, depending on the municipality, usually ranges from 10% to 15% of the total property bill. More: Hunterdon County office building may be converted into self-storage facility In 2023, the county tax rate to fund the $108.3 million county budget was 31.5 cents per $100 of property valuation, the same rate as it was in 2018. Kuhl also emphasized that preserving land has been and will continue to be a priority." I am the sixth generation of my family on the same farmstead in Raritan Township," Kuhl said. "And I have been a lot of places in my life, but I have never been anywhere else that I would want to call home but Hunterdon County, Gods country as my father called it, and I am sure many of you feel the same. Kuhl's father, the late Henry Kuhl, served as chairman of the Hunterdon County GOP for 35 years. Kuhl said the county will come to the aid of farmers "by challenging some of the onerous state restrictions on farming. Susan Soloway was elected the board's deputy director and Shaun Van Doren was sworn into a third term on the board. Later this month Van Doren will also be sworn in as the 83rd president of the New Jersey Association of Counties. Hunterdon County's new surrogate, Heidi Rohrbach of Clinton Township, the wife of former Representative Leonard Lance, was sworn into office by retired New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Jaynee LaVecchia. Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Hunterdon County NJ property tax rate will freeze in 2024 Willie Williams served nearly 45 years in prison for a Florida shooting he didnt commit, lawyers say. Now, his conviction has been overturned. Williams was sentenced to life in prison after a 1975 attempted murder and robbery of a Jacksonville produce store, the Innocence Project of Florida said in a release Jan. 3. It has been more than 48 years since I was originally arrested for this crime, Williams said in the release. I always knew that I was not the shooter but I didnt have the evidence to properly defend myself. Prosecutors at the time relied on a key witness, who identified Williams as the shooter, the IPF said. But Williams counsel didnt know the witness had forgotten Williams face and was only able to identify him after being hypnotized, IPF attorneys said. Williams was released on parole in June 2020 after 44.5 years in prison, according to the IPF. The State Attorneys Office began a conviction integrity review in 2021 after Williams said he was wrongfully convicted. During the review, the office learned prosecutors failed to disclose key evidence that would have undermined the victims identification the only evidence against Williams at his trial, attorneys with the IPF said. IPF attorneys Brandon Scheck and Seth Miller took up Williams case after this information was discovered. Other witnesses gave conflicting testimony, but the state relied on the hypnotized witnesss identification, the IPF said. The States case rested solely on this identification from one of the victims and in closing argument the State indicated to the jury that it should believe this identification because the victim would never forget the shooters face, attorneys said in the release. Attorneys for Williams argued that had the evidence of the witnesss hypnosis been disclosed, Williams could have been acquitted. The State concedes this newly discovered evidence entitles Williams to post-conviction relief, a spokesperson for the State Attorneys Office told McClatchy News in a statement. The attorneys office also said the Florida Supreme Court ruled that hypnotically refreshed memory was unreliable and consequently inadmissible as evidence of guilt. As a result, the State will not refile the charges from 1975 against Williams. In a Jan. 3 hearing, nearly five decades after Williams was convicted, a judge quickly vacated the convictions of robbery and attempted murder, the IPF said. Williams expressed gratitude for the IPF and the State Attorneys Office for their work in overturning the convictions. I am so thankful that I can finally put this injustice behind me and move on with my life, Williams said. Police framed 18-year-old and wrongly sent him to prison for 34 years, lawsuit says False DUI arrest leads to $400,000 settlement for wrongly accused driver, lawsuit says 17-year-old sentenced to life in prison exonerated 20 years later. I was relentless For the past two weeks, the experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have been denied access to the reactor halls of units 1, 2, and 6 of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the IAEA said on Jan. 3. "This is the first time that IAEA experts have not been granted access to a reactor hall of a unit that was in cold shutdown," reads the organization's statement. "This is where the reactor core and spent fuel are located. The team will continue to request this access." Five of the plant's six reactors remain in cold shutdown, while unit 4 is in hot shutdown "to produce steam and heat, including for the nearby town of Enerhodar, where most plant staff live," according to the IAEA. Ukraine's state nuclear energy company Energoatom says keeping the fourth reactor in a hot state violates the way the reactor should be operated. The IAEA also said its experts remain unable to gain access to some other parts of the plant, including the turbine halls of units 3, 4, and 6 and the reactor rooftops. They have continued to hear regular explosions "some distance away from the site," the IAEA added. Read also: Locals near Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant brace for potential disaster: It would be the end of us The Zaporizhzhia plant was forced to rely on diesel generators overnight on Dec. 2 during a blackout after the 330 kV backup and 750 kV main power lines were cut off. "Frequent power cuts have remained a source of serious concern for safety and security at Europe's largest nuclear power plant as it needs electricity to cool its reactors and for other essential functions, even when all reactor units have been shut down," the IAEA said in its latest update. Russian forces have occupied the Zaporizhzhia plant, located on the east bank of the Dnipro River in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, since March 2022. Throughout the full-scale invasion, the plant has been repeatedly disconnected from the Ukrainian power grid due to Russian attacks on the country's energy infrastructure. The International Atomic Energy Agency has staff based at the nuclear plant on rotation since September 2022 to monitor the situation. Read also: Life near Russian-occupied nuclear plant: I dont know if tomorrow will come Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Authorities are accusing a 40-year-old Idaho man of stealing a single-engine airplane in Las Vegas and landing the aircraft near the old Barstow-Daggett Airport in California. A 40-year-old Idaho man stole a single-engine airplane in Las Vegas and flew into the Barstow area, local authorities said. The incident began at about 6 p.m. on Dec. 30, when Air Force search and rescue called plane owner Jeff Cohn after they received a notification from his aircraft's emergency location transmitter, sheriffs officials stated. A beacon signals a downed aircraft when activated. However, Cohn said he was not flying his 2020 Kitfox fixed-wing aircraft. Cohn immediately drove to his hangar in North Las Vegas and discovered that his aircraft was not there. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Barstow station received a call at about 6:48 p.m. from the Federal Aviation Administration advising that the aircraft had landed near the Barstow-Daggett Airport. Operated by San Bernardino County, the small, 96-year-old airport is located north of Interstate 40 and roughly 15 miles east of Barstow. Deputies responded to the scene and spotted Damian Zukaitis taxiing the aircraft on Minneola Road and heading back toward the nearby airport. During the investigation, Damian fled on foot and was later detained. Deputies coordinated with North Las Vegas Police and the FBI to determine whether the aircraft was stolen. The aircraft was valued at about $80,000, sheriffs officials said. According to the planes owner, the aircraft was found with part of a marijuana joint on the floor and numerous beer cans and bottles in the cockpit, FOX5 reported. When authorities asked to move the plane, it could not fly back to North Las Vegas due to a damaged propeller and engine. The owner found a binder opened up to a specific page with instructions on landing in an airport in Corona, FOX5 stated. Zukaitis was arrested and booked at the Barstow jail on suspicion of bringing stolen property into the state and taking an aircraft without the owner's consent, sheriffs officials said. The North Las Vegas Police Department, which handles the investigation, said its uncertain how Zukaitis could steal the aircraft. Police officials stated that on Dec. 27, 28, and 29, there were reports that other airplanes had attempted to be broken into at the North Las Vegas Airport. Investigators suspect Zukaitis was responsible for those incidents as well. The Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Security Administration are also investigating. This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Idaho Man suspected of stealing plane in Las Vegas, flying to Barstow PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Two people who died have been identified after they were involved in an accidental crash as the respective operators of a motorcycle and a car in Clark County last month, officials said. The Clark County Medical Examiners Office released the details of a collision that occurred on Northeast 72nd Avenue and 101st Street on Dec. 20. The motorcyclist was identified as 21-year-old Conner Alan Springer, of Battle Ground, while the car operator was identified as 37-year-old Brenda Velasquez, of Vancouver. The manner of both deaths was listed as accident, though it was noted that the helmeted Springer had struck the vehicle with his motorcycle. Portland Thorns sold to RAJ Sports by Merritt Paulson Springers cause of death was listed as blunt trauma of head, neck and torso. Similarly, Velasquezs cause of death was listed as blunt trauma of head and torso. A previous release from Clark County Sheriffs Office said several other passengers were injured in the accident, though no new update has been released about them. Clark County deputies originally received a call about the crash around 6 p.m. on Dec. 20. However, the two individuals had died by the time first responders arrived, officials said. The injured passengers were taken to a local hospital with what was described at the time as minor injuries. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk suggested last week that he agrees with the assertion that Western civilization is doomed without Christianity. Nzube Olisaebuka Udezue, a British rapper also known as Zuby, posted on X last Friday that he thinks "the West is absolutely screwed if it loses Christianity." I don't think I've ever said this publicly and directly but I think the West is absolutely screwed if it loses Christianity. Explaining this in full would require an entire book. But I've thought about it a lot over the years and reached this conclusion. It's like removing the ZUBY: (@ZubyMusic) December 29, 2023 "Explaining this in full would require an entire book," continued Udezue, who boasts 1.1 million X followers and has professed to be a Christian. "But I've thought about it a lot over the years and reached this conclusion." Udezue, who was born in London to Nigerian parents, said removing Christianity from Western culture is like "removing the foundations of a building but pridefully expecting it to remain standing forever ... All while enemies both inside and outside are trying to knock the building over." He went on to liken the West's historically dominant religion to its "immune system," and said the presence of a Christian majority in the West has served as "a form of herd immunity" that has benefited both Christians and non-Christians alike. "You can't just have a cultural and moral vacuum," he added. "It goes against the laws of human nature." Udezue's initial tweet, which drew 1.7 million views and 28,000 likes, also prompted a response from Musk, who wrote: "I think youre probably right." I think youre probably right Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 30, 2023 "Amen!" replied Udezue, who interviewed Musk on his "Real Talk with Zuby Podcast" last June. Musk has touched on his views of Christianity and religion before, though has stopped short of professing orthodox faith in Jesus Christ. In a 2013 interview, he told "The Office" star Rainn Wilson that while he has devoted his life to the "advancement of humanity," he said he doesnt "really worship anything," and that he neglected to pray even when he almost died of malaria. During an interview with the popular Christian satire site The Babylon Bee in December 2021, Musk was asked if he would accept Jesus Christ as his "personal Lord and Savior." Musk, who was baptized and received Communion while growing up in South Africa, replied that he admires "the principles that Jesus advocated," such as "treating people as you wish to be treated." Things like turn the other cheek are very important, as opposed to an eye for an eye. An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind, Musk said, echoing Mahatma Gandhi." As Einstein would say, 'I believe in the God of Spinoza,'" he also said, suggesting he adheres to deist beliefs. But hey, if Jesus is saving people, I mean, I wont stand in His way. Sure, Ill be saved. Why not? Musk added. In response to a tweet from an apparent Muslim user on X urging him to confess a Creator in May 2022, Musk wrote: "Thank you for the blessing, but Im ok with going to hell, if that is indeed my destination, since the vast majority of all humans ever born will be there." Originally published by The Christian Post People inspect the rubble of a building in southern Gaza on Wednesday as Israeli forces intensified their military campaign to dismantle and destroy Hamas in the Palestinian enclave on Thursday with attacks in Khan Younis. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Palestinian officials said on Thursday that 125 people died and 318 injured during Israel's latest assaults over the past 24 hours while Israel's military announced the death of an opposition leader. Gaza's Ministry of Health said on Facebook that the latest deaths bring the death toll of Palestinians to 22,438 with 57,614 wounded since the start of the conflict on Oct. 7. The ministry claimed that 70% of the deaths are of women and children. The totals don't identify which may have been part of Hamas fighters. Gaza officials said that the Israeli military has killed 326 health professionals and has destroyed 121 ambulances, limiting their ability to care for the injured. They claimed that Israel intends to target more than 200 health facilities in Gaza, including 30 hospitals and 53 health centers that are out of service. The Israel Defense Forces said on Thursday it killed Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Mamdoh Lulu in an airstrike. Smoke billows over Khan Yunis city in the southern Gaza strip during Israeli bombardment on Wednesday, January 3, 2024. IDF said it killed five Hamas fighters in the city as the Palestinian Red Crescent said its headquarters there were targeted. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI "[Lulu] served as an assistant to the heads of the northern region of the Gaza Strip in the Palestinian Islamic organization, and was in contact with senior officials of the organization's headquarters abroad," the Israel Defense Forces said on X, formerly Twitter. "Lulu was killed in an attack by an IDF aircraft, led by the Fire and Intelligence Center in the Southern Command and directed by the Shin Bet and the Intelligence Division." People inspect the rubble of a building where the displaced Palestinian Jabalieh family were sheltering after it was hit by Israeli bombardment in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday. Israel also struck targets in Lebanon amid increased attacks on Hezbollah. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI The IDF said earlier that they killed five fighters from Hamas and destroyed an arsenal belonging to the group amid a stepped-up military campaign in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. Troops of the 4th Brigade Combat Team called in an Air Force airstrike that killed three fighters attempting to plant a bomb among Israeli positions and killed two more holed up in a building nearby, Israel Defense Forces said in a post on X. "A fighter jet attacked a weapons warehouse of the terrorist organization Hamas in the same area of the city." The Palestinian Red Crescent Society also said Thursday the IDF had struck its facilities in the city for the second time in two days, killing at least one person and injuring several others. "IDF targeting the PRCS headquarters in Khan Younis which has led to the killing of one person and 6 injuries," the relief organization said in an update on X. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a situation report that the Al Amal hospital and PRCS in Khan Younis were bombed multiple times throughout Wednesday, but said it could not confirm casualty numbers. Hundreds of displaced families that had been sheltering in the building and PRCS headquarters had attempted to evacuate following the first bombing on Tuesday in which five deaths were reported, including a five-day-old baby. A training center run by PRCS within the hospital complex was severely damaged in that attack. On a visit to Al-Amal, OCHA and the World Health Organization witnessed first-hand the displacement of civilians and the extensive damage to the hospital where an estimated 14,000 people were sheltering at the hospital at the time of the attack The ReliefWeb roundup also said the U.N. and other humanitarian agencies had been prevented from delivering urgently needed life-saving humanitarian assistance north of Wadi Gaza for the past three days by Israeli forces either blocking or delaying access. The convoys were bringing medicines that would have provided vital support to more than 100,000 people for 30 days, as well as eight trucks of food for people facing "catastrophic and life-threatening food insecurity." "Humanitarian organizations are calling for urgent, safe, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access to areas north of Wadi Gaza, which has been severed from the south for more than a month." However, OCHA acknowledged ongoing fierce fighting was also a factor. Meanwhile, at the other end of Israel overnight and into Thursday, Israeli forces hit Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon despite the group's leader, Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, warning Israel would pay a very high price for a war on its northern neighbor. An Air Force fighter jet struck a Hezbollah observation post and military infrastructure in the Maron al-Ras district followed shortly afterward by an attack on an anti-tank squad in the same area," the IDF said in a social media post. During the night, IDF forces fired mortars to "remove a threat" on the Israel-Lebanon border in the Rav A Taltin area, according to the update. In a live video broadcast from a rally commemorating the late Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani on the anniversary of his assassination in a 2020 U.S. drone strike, Nasrallah threatened Hezbollah would fight Israel with no "limits, ceiling, rules or restraints." "Who thinks of [engaging] in a war with us, he will regret it if God wills," Nasrallah said adding that such a wider war would be "very, very, very costly." A former terrorist who was associated with the Fatah political party and the Palestinian Liberation Organization before converting to Christianity in the 1990s believes the Israel-Hamas war is preparing many Muslims in Gaza to become Christians. Taysir "Tass" Abu Saada, 73, told Israeli-American journalist Joel C. Rosenberg during an interview that aired on the Trinity Broadcasting Network over the weekend that he believes the scale of violence and destruction roiling the Middle East is "not normal" and an indication that the "end of time" is quickly approaching. But Saada also has hope the conflict is causing many Muslims in the region to become disillusioned with Hamas and radical Islam, thereby leading them to be more open to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As a former Palestinian Muslim born in Gaza, Saada is preparing to move back to Gaza after the war is over to be part of the "harvest." "Hamas is an ideology that is spread among many people, not only in the Gaza Strip but all over the world," Saada said. "However, God has a plan. And I believe the Arabs' and the Jews' plan is also part of that, and that is where my hope is." Saada, who wrote the autobiographical Once an Arafat Man, recounted in testimony for JewishRoots.net how he became consumed with rage toward Jewish Israelis and others following the 1967 Six Day War. After his family moved to Saudi Arabia and Qatar when he was still young, he eventually ran away to join Fatah and fight under Yasser Arafat, the former chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization. He would become a sniper, an assassin and Arafat's personal driver. "After the Six Day War, I felt as if I was having a nervous breakdown, and my hatred just grew and grew," Saada remembered in his testimony. "I did not understand how we could lose so many wars against Israel. We were bigger than Israel in numbers and size, we had more equipment everything we had was more than they had, but still, we lost the wars against them." "I was thinking that once again, our leaders sold us to the Jews," he added. "That was when I decided to go and fight for our land, which I believed was ours." After his family found him and forced him to return to Qatar, repeated violence and legal troubles led his father to urge him to continue his education in the West. Saada traveled to the United States in 1974, where he married an American woman and met a Christian named Charlie, who would ultimately share the Gospel with him after befriending him for over 19 years. Saada remembered that in 1993, he was spiritually suffering when Charlie finally opened up to him about his Christian faith. In his testimony, he said Charlie told him that if he wanted to experience peace of mind, he had "to love the Jews." "I completely froze and asked him how he could even think of such a thing to love the Jews?" Saada wrote. "He knew I hated them. For me, as for most Arabs, a good Jew was a dead Jew." Ed and Lisa Young open up about daughter's death, working through griefUnmuteDuration 28:21/Current Time 0:05Advanced SettingsFullscreenPauseUp Next Saada said that he was frightened and reluctant when Charlie opened the New Testament to read John 1:1 to him, but remembered that as soon as Charlie had read the verse about the divinity of Jesus Christ, he began violently shaking before fainting. When he regained consciousness after experiencing a supernatural experience during which Jesus appeared to him in a bright light, he immediately surrendered his life to Him, he said. Saada's wife and son also became Christians. Saada recounted to Rosenberg how he returned to Israel in 2003, knowing he would be arrested because he felt that Jesus called him to confess his violent sins to the Israelis, as well as his change of heart. After 14 hours of interrogation, an Israeli colonel allowed him to go. Saada grew emotional telling the story of how he told a heavily-armed Israeli soldier that he once fought for Arafat but had since become a Christian and wanted to pray for him. The soldier began to cry and asked to hug him, he said. Since becoming a Christian, Saada and his family founded Hope for Ishmael, an Evangelical outreach to Muslims and Seeds of Hope, a humanitarian nonprofit that provides necessities to impoverished people in the Middle East. Saada told Rosenberg that many non-Christians in the region are encountering Jesus in dreams and that his sources on the ground now ministering to Palestinians in Gaza anticipate that the spiritual harvest "is going to be huge" in the wake of the conflict. "That is why I am back in the Holy Land, to move to the Gaza Strip and take part in rebuilding," Saada said. "I believe with all the destruction, with all that happened, with the hardship the Palestinians have gone through, they cannot sit back but will ask, 'Why?'" "God is going to do a lot of work, and I want to be a part of that," he added. Originally published by The Christian Post When state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters declared last month he is seeking to change what he called Oklahomas woke information literacy standards, more than a few people wondered what exactly information literacy standards are and how they are developed. Walters cultural crusade has spotlighted a topic that, while it might be misunderstood by those not familiar with education jargon, is a key measurement of how students learn, particularly since technological advances have given today's students quick and convenient access to more information than previous generations ever enjoyed. Dana Belcher, the director of the Linscheid Library at East Central University in Ada and the current president of the Oklahoma Library Association, said information literacy is a traditional term for the standards taught by a certified school librarian. Information literacy standards also are referred to as media or digital literacy, Belcher said. These standards reflect skills concerning how to access, evaluate, create with and ethically share information, Belcher said. A more accurate term today is school library learner standards that focus on several shared foundations of learning beyond information literacy: inquiring, including a variety of perspectives to gain understanding, curating information resources, collaborating with others to solve problems, ethically engaging with information, and exploring and innovating. These are life skills that help our students become college and career ready, as well as informed citizens. State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters has announced plans for a new program for "information literacy," saying the old one is too "woke." Certified school librarians who are required to have earned at least a masters degree assess information literacy standards while teaching, and many school library standards are assessed as part of subject-area state assessments, including English Language Arts, Belcher said. Since the 1920s, the American Library Association or the American Association of School Librarians (one of the ALAs divisions) have worked to create and update information literacy standards and those standards commonly are used by state education departments across the U.S. The AASLs most recent edition of school library standards was released in 2018 after several years of research by school librarians from across the country.In Oklahoma, the OLA and its division, Oklahoma School Librarians, traditionally have worked with the Oklahoma State Department of Education to lead professional development of state standards, with the last update coming in 2007, when Democrat Sandy Garrett was entering the last of her five terms as state schools superintendent. Its those standards Walters, a Republican, called woke. Why Ryan Walters says he wants to change the current information literacy standards In his announcement, Walters said the current standards constituted "taxpayer-funded, woke indoctrination of our children in Oklahoma. Without providing examples, he criticized the association for fighting against "filtering of internet pornography in libraries" and attacking "parents who just want libraries to protect children and reflect their communities." Walters has a history of disagreement with the ALA. In April, Walters sent state lawmakers a list of 190 books focused on LGBTQ+ themes that he found offensive books that appeared on the ALAs Rainbow Book List, which promotes stories that represent experiences of LGBTQ+ youths. Walters has referred to his rules proposal as the first such rejection of ALAs activist, left-wing standards to be adopted by a public education system. It said the proposed rules take a tiered approach, aligning skills with appropriate grade levels. State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters meets Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, with the House Appropriations and Budget Education committee, about his budget for Oklahoma State Department of Education funding. The news release announcing Walters proposal also said the focus of the new standards would be solely on skills, which encompass the inquiry process while incorporating modern elements like artificial intelligence. What to know about Ryan Walters' proposed new standards The proposed rules include sections covering prekindergarten through second grade, third grade through fifth grades, sixth through eighth grades and ninth through 12th grades. Each section has four topics Question and Plan, Research and Explore, Collect and Organize and Share and Reflect, with multiple objectives under each topic. According to the draft document, the proposed new rules were developed using Ohios Library Guidelines for Learners from the Ohio Department of Education and Oklahoma Academic Standards for English Language Arts, developed in 2021. Walters said the new standards he was proposing "will help ensure our kids have the tools they need to make sound decisions in the ever-evolving information age. Oklahoma will be a leader in preparing our students for the digital future.Not long after Walters announcement, state Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, released a statement supporting Walters and also criticizing the ALA. Like Walters, Banning didn't explain specifically how the news standards would differ from the old and why they would be an improvement. Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby "I commend Superintendent Walters for rejecting the American Library Association standards, Banning said. In my experience with the Superintendent, I have found him to be transparent and forthcoming with information, and we've had a great working relationship. Walters was sworn into office a mere 11 months ago. He is actively working to enhance our education system, addressing long-standing challenges that desperately need improvement. Why should parents care about the change? Belcher said they should want their children to be able to access information and evaluate it for accuracy and validity. Citing a study from the Stanford Graduate School of Education, Belcher said researchers found students often have trouble differentiating between sponsored content and news reports. More than ever, the study said, "information floods young peoples smartphones, tablets, and computers." The same study also found students have trouble determining political bias in their information sources, Belcher said. If we want our children to be active participants in our democracy, then we need strong, research-based school library standards to be taught in our schools. Parents should expect information literacy standards to be just as robust and timely as other content areas, such as science, social studies and English Language Arts. The new standards are posted on the state Education Department website. Before the proposed new rules could take effect, they would have to go through a public-comment period (which runs through Jan. 17) and then receive approval by the state Board of Education, state Legislature and governor. In a statement issued the day of Walters announcement, the ALA said it remains focused on ensuring that our current information literacy standards meet academic rigor and that we continue to strive to make Oklahoma a top 10 state in literacy and that it looks forward to reviewing the proposed standards and working collectively with Superintendent Walters and legislative leadership to ensure that our children have a world-class education. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Why Ryan Walters wants Oklahoma information literacy standards changes Will Melbourne, left, was struggling with anxiety and depression at the time of his accidental death The parents of an autistic teenager who died from an accidental overdose say they were forced to investigate how he died because of delays over his inquest. Will Melbourne, 19, died after mistakenly taking metonitazene, a strong synthetic opioid he bought on the dark web, but his family had to wait three years for his inquest. During that time, they were helped by a barrister, acting pro bono, who helped them investigate their sons death. We thought the inquest system was there to give us answers, his mother Sally Melbourne told the BBC. Instead, we felt blocked at every turn. It was outrageous that we had to take the investigation on ourselves. Their case follows the disclosure by The Telegraph last month that 5,000 bereaved families have been waiting more than a year for an inquest even though they are normally required to be completed within six months of a death. This is double the number before the pandemic with a third of them being forced to wait more than two years before securing a verdict on their loved ones deaths. Some are said to have been forced to wait for up to seven years. Solicitors specialising in representing bereaved parents said it lengthened families anguish and could also undermine justice because witnesses would be less likely to be able to recall the detail of events. Judge criticises unacceptable funding The figures were revealed by Judge Thomas Teague, the chief coroner, who said they largely stemmed from the chaos caused by the Covid-19 pandemic when inquests had to be adjourned because of restrictions to combat the spread of the disease. But he also criticised some local councils for unacceptable levels of funding that compounded the problems that coroners faced in trying to reduce the backlogs. Mrs Melbourne and her husband John, from Cheshire, said the long wait for the inquest into their sons death put their lives and their grief on hold. At the pre-inquest hearing, the family were told that the court was short-staffed and had a backlog of 500 cases, which had built up over the pandemic. They said they only discovered what drug their son had taken before he died, on 18 Dec 2020, after investigating his death with one of his friends including examining photographs that showed the scene of Wills death. They said a vital piece of evidence the packet of blue pills found next to Wills body was not tested until they raised it with the coroners court a year after his death. Will was self-medicating for his anxiety and had used the dark web to buy what he believed were oxycodone, an addictive opioid that helps ease the symptoms of anxiety. But after investigating it themselves, his parents found out that the two blue pills he took, marked M30, were not oxycodone but metonitazene a synthetic opioid hundreds of times stronger than morphine. Their sons blood sample was destroyed after the company storing it went into administration, and by the time it came to the inquest, the family said they felt traumatised by the whole process. He just wanted an escape Described by those who knew him as a genius, Will had been hoping to study mathematics at Cambridge. His parents said he was funny, passionate and loved his friends and family. He was also autistic and battled with crippling social anxiety. Diagnosed at the age of eight, his parents said he received little support from any services. They said the world could be extremely challenging for Will, and by the time he was in his mid-teens, his anxiety had developed into severe depression. He just wanted an escape from the pain, his mother said. He was self-medicating with drugs. Warrington Coroners Service said it was not permitted to comment. A government spokesman said: We are determined to ease the burden on grieving families and have taken decisive action to reduce coroners caseloads which increased as a result of the pandemic. This includes changing the law to make it faster and easier to establish a death is from natural causes without the need for a post-mortem and investing 6.15 billion to help local authorities services, including coroners, recover. 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 first and most visible test of Republican candidate support in the 2024 presidential election is the Iowa caucuses, which take place on Jan. 15, 2024. This year, even though Democrat Joe Biden is not facing a serious challenger for renomination, the Democrats had already decided to move their first test to South Carolina on Feb. 3, 2024. While Iowa does not control who becomes the candidate of each party, Iowans choices almost always end up matching the rest of the nation. One of the architects of the modern Iowa caucuses, which began in 1972, wrote that the significance of the caucus was unanticipated. Never in our dreams did we realize we would be first in the nation, nor did we ever expect anyone outside Iowa would pay much attention, retired Iowa State University engineering professor Richard Seagrave wrote. Seagrave said that it wasnt political calculation that led to the choice to run the caucuses early in the election year. It was the immense amount of paperwork needed to document caucus proceedings with only a slow mimeograph machine that led to the choice of such an early caucus date. Remember that we had no user-friendly computers or high-speed copy machines in 1972, wrote Seagrave. The significance of first-in-the-nation placement did not become clear until a barely known governor of Georgia, Jimmy Carter, came to Iowa in 1976 to test the waters for a presidential run. That year, Uncommitted got 14,508 votes (37%). Carter came in with 10,764 votes (27%) but was declared the winner. He went on to get the nomination and win the presidency. The fact that a relative unknown spending little money but lots of time and face-to-face campaigning could win was surprising. Why a caucus? Before the modern system for choosing presidential candidates was invented, the mechanism since 1832 for nominating presidential candidates had been a national political convention of each party. Voters in each state convention elected delegates to the national convention. A caucus is one way state party leaders picked whom to send and whom those delegates should support. Chicago Mayor Richard Daley at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Daleys response to violence at the convention led to major political reforms. AP/Jack Thornell, File Political bosses, such as Huey Long from Louisiana, William Boss Tweed of New York, James Michael Curley of Boston and Tom Pendergast from Kansas City, had the real power in the 19th and early 20th centuries through their political organizations. Bosses offered aid housing, medical care, food, clothing to people before government services became common. Pendergast once told The New York Times, When a poor man comes to old Toms boys for help we dont make one of those damn fool investigations like these city charities. No, by God, we fill his belly and warm his back and vote him our way. A vestige of that political era lasted into the second half of the 20th century, when the actions of Chicagos longtime political boss, Democratic Mayor Richard Daley, led to a profound change in the presidential candidate selection process. The 1968 Democratic National Convention took place in Chicago, a city tightly controlled by Daley. His operatives had long seen to it that people voted for Daley and his chosen candidates. But 1968 was a year of violence related to race and the Vietnam War. Riots disrupted the convention. Mayor Daley used his police force to crush the protests. Daley then bullied delegates to nominate his favored candidate, Vice President Hubert Humphrey, even though Humphrey didnt win a single primary election. All of this was covered live on television. The violence and bias threatened to taint the Democratic Party. 1968 provokes reforms The Democratic Party created the McGovernFraser Commission in 1968 in response to the events in Chicago. The new rules changed the partys presidential nominating process in an attempt to make them more systematic and transparent, as well as to encourage more participation by minority groups, young people and women roughly proportional to their numbers in states. It was these reforms that launched Iowas caucuses in 1972. In 1976, the Iowa Republican Party followed the Democrats and began holding caucuses on the same early date. That increased the visibility of the Iowa caucuses out of proportion to their actual numeric influence in the nominating convention. In 2020, for instance, Iowa sent only 49 delegates out of the estimated total of 4,594 Democratic delegates. In fact, the caucuses are in large part a media event and a beauty contest, as scholars Hugh Winebrenner and Dennis J. Goldford have suggested. One memorable caucus occurred in 2004, when Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, who came in third, was cheering on his supporters as he contemplated a national campaign. But a microphone malfunction amplified his enthusiasm. What become known as the Dean Scream tanked his candidacy. Another took place in 2008 when a first-term U.S. senator, Barack Obama, won the Iowa caucuses, propelling him to a hard-fought nomination and two terms in the White House. And in 2016, Democratic Socialist Bernie Sanders almost beat Hillary Clinton in Iowa. Sen. Barack Obamas surprise win in the 2008 Iowa caucuses helped propel him to the presidency. AP/M. Spencer Green How they do it On caucus night, Republican voters gather at precinct meeting places that have included schools, libraries, churches, fire stations and even peoples homes. In 2020, Democrats also had satellite caucuses, with some even held overseas. There are speeches by supporters who gather into groups for each candidate. The numbers in each group are counted. Once the viable groups have been declared, a complex mathematical calculation determines how many delegates are allocated to each surviving candidate. In Republican caucuses, attendees vote and the delegates are apportioned according to the statewide results. The Iowa caucuses become a tradition The Iowa caucuses have become a political tradition because the media devotes so much attention to the candidates activities in Iowa and then to how they perform on caucus night. Criticisms have emerged. Iowas small and mostly white population has subjected the caucus to the charge that it is not representative of the nation as a whole. A 2019 USA Today/Suffolk University poll attested to that concern: While 57% of respondents liked that the opening contests in Iowa and New Hampshire forced candidates to talk directly to voters, 52% thought that the two states didnt reflect the nations diversity. There is also a concern that caucuses are difficult events to participate in because voters must attend personally and at night. The turnout rate of eligible voters is low, hovering around 10%, while primaries normally have turnouts of 35% or more. In 2020, there was renewed debate about how Americans should select their candidates for president. Caucuses are now generally in disfavor, with many states moving to primaries. This is an updated version of an article originally published on Jan. 1, 2020. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Steffen W. Schmidt, Iowa State University Read more: Steffen W. Schmidt 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. A shooting at Perry High School on Thursday morning comes after Iowa has invested in school safety in recent years, including on improving building security and reporting threats. Six people were shot Thursday morning in the Perry shooting, said Mitch Mortvedt, assistant director of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. The suspect, 17-year-old Dylan Butler, also died of what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, he said. Live Updates Multiple people shot at Perry High School on Thursday; police say they know shooter What has Iowa done to improve school safety in recent years? Gov. Kim Reynolds announced in June 2022 that Iowa would spend $100 million of federal funding on school safety measures, including conducting vulnerability assessments on schools, providing active shooter training, hiring staff at the Department of Public Safety and creating new ways for schools to report and monitor threats of violence. As part of the initiative, schools could receive $50,000 each to improve building security. What is Safe+Sound? In March 2023, Iowa launched an app, called Safe+Sound, that students and school staff could use to anonymously report tips about school violence, students in crisis, self-harm and other incidents. The app is monitored by trained dispatchers who vet the information and pass it along to law enforcement or school administrators, as appropriate. At that time, state officials said they had also ordered 1,253 emergency radios for officials in K12 schools around Iowa, conducted 1,500 school safety assessments and had heard from 513 schools who were interested in a $50,000 grant to improve building security. Lawmakers passed a law in 2018 requiring Iowa schools to have plans in place for emergency events, including active shooters. What kind of gun restriction does Iowa have? Iowa lawmakers have loosened gun restrictions in the state in recent years, including passing a 2021 law allowing people to buy and carry handguns without a permit. The 2021 law also expanded who can carry weapons on school grounds to include off-duty police officers and reserve officers, in addition to on-duty officers. For anyone else, carrying a gun on school grounds is illegal. Download the free Des Moines Register app and turn on notifications to follow continuing coverage of this story. Also sign up for the Daily Briefing to get the biggest updates directly in your inbox each morning. This breaking news coverage is being provided for free as a service to the community. Subscribe to the Des Moines Register to support the local journalists covering this story. Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: What Iowa has done to improve school safety before Perry shooting A 17-year-old suspect opened fire at Perry Middle and High School in Iowa on Thursday morning, killing a sixth-grade student and injuring five others, police said. The shooter identified as student Dylan Butler was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities revealed at an afternoon press conference. They also said an improvised explosive device was discovered in the school, located around 40 miles northwest of Des Moines. Law enforcement officials added the suspect was armed with a pump action shotgun and a handgun. Social media posts Butler made around the time of the shooting suggest he acted alone, authorities said. Among the injured are four students and a school administrator. The shooting comes days before the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 15, which will mark the start of the 2024 Republican primary election. Our live coverage has now ended. LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER 22 updates Education Secretary Miguel Cardona 'devastated' over Perry High School shooting U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona posted a message Thursday evening on the school shooting in Perry, Iowa. Im devastated over the shooting at Perry High School today. Just last month I visited Perry, Iowa and met the amazing students, teachers, and leaders that make up the community. Its hard to think of how that community is mourning today.Perry, IA @usedgov is with you. Secretary Miguel Cardona (@SecCardona) January 4, 2024 Iowa governor orders flags at half-staff Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in the state to be lowered to half-staff on Thursday following the shooting at Perry High School. I have ordered all flags to be lowered to half staff in support of the Perry community. This senseless tragedy has shaken our entire state to its core. I want this community to know that every Iowan stands with you.https://t.co/gCLpf9idW1 Gov. Kim Reynolds (@IAGovernor) January 4, 2024 Asked about Iowa school shooting, DeSantis refuses to back new federal gun restrictions DeSantis speaks during a campaign stop in Waukee, Iowa, Wednesday. (Charlie Neibergall/AP) Thursday's deadly school shooting comes less than two weeks before the Iowa caucuses. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is hoping for a strong finish in the state, responded to news of the shooting that left a sixth-grade student dead and five other people injured by saying he did not back new federal gun restrictions. I think it is more of a local and state issue. But weve shown how its done in Florida. The things that weve done have been very, very effective," DeSantis said in a Thursday interview with NBC News and the Des Moines Register. "I dont support infringing the rights of law-abiding citizens with respect to the ability to exercise their constitutional rights," DeSantis added. Read more at NBC News. Perry High School principal among shooting victims Perry High School's principal, Dan Marburger, was among those injured in Thursday's shooting, according to reports from ABC and the Des Moines Register. "This morning our state is grieving after learning of a school shooting that took place at Perry High School," the Easton Valley Community School District said in a statement posted on Facebook. "Sadly, we have also received information that one of our former East Central graduates, Dan Marburger, was one of the victims injured in the incident. We have not confirmed the extent of his injuries so we wanted to send out a message asking for thoughts and prayers for him and his family. Dan has served as a principal for the Perry Community School District since 1995." Police ID Perry High School shooter In an afternoon joint press conference on Thursday, Mitch Mortvedt, assistant director of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, identified the Perry High School shooter as 17-year-old Perry High School student Dylan Butler. When police arrived, Butler was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Mortvedt. He said Butler was armed with a pump action shot gun and a hand gun. An improvised explosive device, determined by law enforcement to be safe, was also found on the scene. The gunman evidently acted alone. Mortvedt said that a sixth-grade student at Perry Middle School was killed in the shooting. Four of the surviving victims were students, and another was a school administrator. Mortvedt added that Butler had made social media posts at and around the time of the shooting. The investigation is ongoing. Hospitals say victims reunited with families Per the Des Moines Register, Polk County Healthcare Systems said in a statement that the Dallas County Sheriff's Office confirmed that all victims taken to Iowa Methodist Medical Center and MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, have been reunited with their families. Press conference scheduled The Iowa Department of Public Safety has scheduled a joint press conference for 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT to "provide an update on the active shooter event that occurred" on Thursday morning. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said earlier Thursday that she would join law enforcement agencies at the press conference. Multiple people being treated at nearby hospitals Multiple people were transported to nearby hospitals after the shooting on Thursday morning, according to the Polk County Medical Coordination Center. Police said at an earlier press conference there were "multiple gunshot victims" at Perry High School. "We're still unclear exactly how many are injured or what the extent of those are, but we're working on that right now," Dallas County, Iowa, Sheriff Adam Infante said. 'New year, same horror' A man and children leave the McCreary Community Building after being reunited following a shooting at Perry High School, in Perry, Iowa, Thursday. (Charlie Neibergall/AP) Kris Brown, president of the Brady gun violence prevention organization, released the following statement after the school shooting in Perry, Iowa: New year, same horror. These students were returning to campus after their holiday break only to be met with gun violence that has uniquely plagued their generation. No child should have to hide in their classrooms fearing for their lives. No teacher should have to stand guard over their students potentially shielding them from bullets. No parent should have to fear that any day they send their child to school could be their last. 2024 should not start this way for the students of Perry High School or any student in our nation. Our hearts are with all the affected students, teachers, school staff, parents, and community members. This year as with every year we are resolved to end this deadly epidemic and free America from gun violence. Students describe hearing gunshots, seeing blood on floor A police cruiser sits outside Perry Middle School and High School following Thursday's shooting. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Ava Augustus, a senior at Perry High School, told the Associated Press that she was in a counselor's office when she heard three shots. She and other people in the room barricaded the door. And then we hear: Hes down. You can go out, Augustus said. And I run and you can just see glass everywhere, blood on the floor. I get to my car and theyre taking a girl out of the auditorium who had been shot in her leg. Another student, identified as Carlos, told NBC News that he heard "a couple of bangs" and saw fellow students running but "thought it was like a prank." White House decries nation's latest school shooting: 'When will enough be enough?' White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during the daily press briefing at the White House on Thursday. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) At the top of Thursday's briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Biden is "tracking the shooting at Perry Middle and High School in Iowa." "Our hearts break for the families of the victims in yet another act of senseless gun violence," Jean-Pierre said. "We are grateful for the brave first responders who are on the scene." She added: "It's only the fourth day in the new year and we are already faced with another horrific school shooting, and the question that we ask is, when will enough be enough?" Iowa governor: 'Our hearts are broken' Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds addressed Thursday's school shooting in a post on X, formerly Twitter. "Our hearts are broken by this senseless tragedy," Reynolds wrote. "Our prayers are with the students, teachers & families of the Perry Community." The governor said she would be joining law enforcement agencies at a press conference later Thursday. Our hearts are broken by this senseless tragedy. Our prayers are with the students, teachers & families of the Perry Community. I have been in contact with law enforcement agencies & am continuing to monitor the situation. I will be joining their press conference today. Gov. Kim Reynolds (@IAGovernor) January 4, 2024 Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley tweets about 'heartbreaking' shooting The Republican senator from Iowa called this morning's shooting in Perry "appalling" and "heartbreaking." "Barbara + I are grateful for quick response by school officials &law enforcement to protect students +restore safety," he tweeted. "The Perry community is strong& will band 2gether thru hard time." Todays appalling violence at Perry HS is heartbreaking Barbara + I are grateful for quick response by school officials &law enforcement to protect students +restore safety. The Perry community is strong& will band 2gether thru hard time Im here 2help if addtl fed resources needed Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassley) January 4, 2024 Report: Suspect is dead The Associated Press, citing a law enforcement source, reported that the school shooter has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. During a news conference this morning, Dallas County, Iowa, Sheriff Adam Infante said the shooter was identified, but he did not release any more information. Classes canceled Friday According to the Des Moines Register, the Perry Community School District has canceled all classes Friday following the shooting at Perry High School and is offering counseling services today at the Perry Public Library. Prayer vigil planned for tonight Crossroads Church in Perry, Iowa said in a Facebook post that it is planning a prayer vigil for 7 p.m. today, Thursday. The church invited the entire community to gather together in response to the shooting. Police: 'No further danger to the public' Dallas County, Iowa, Sheriff Adam Infante speaks outside Perry High School in Iowa on Thursday. (Andrew Harnik/AP) At an abbreviated press briefing, Dallas County, Iowa, Sheriff Adam Infante said police received reports of an active shooter at the school at 7:37 a.m. local time. The first officer arrived within minutes, he said, and "located multiple gunshot victims." "We're still unclear exactly how many are injured or what the extent of those are, but we're working on that right now," Infante said, adding: "There is no further danger to the public. The community is safe. We're just now working backward trying to figure out everything that happened and then make notifications." School had not started yet when the shooting occurred, Infante said, "so luckily there [were] very few students and faculty in the building." Another briefing is expected later this afternoon. FBI, ATF involved in school shooting response The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Des Moines office said Thursday that its agents have responded to the scene of the shooting in Perry, Iowa, to assist the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. An alert posted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in Kansas City, Mo., said that its agents were assisting police in the response to the shooting at Perry High School. Photos show large police response Police respond at Perry High School in Iowa on Thursday. (Andrew Harnick/AP) Images captured by Associated Press photographer Andrew Harnick show a massive law enforcement response to Thursday's shooting at Perry High School. Andrew Harnick/AP Andrew Harnick/AP Andrew Harnick/AP Andrew Harnick/AP "It was the most scared Ive been in my entire life" Kevin Shelley told the Associated Press that his 15-year-old son, Zander Shelly, a student at Perry High School, happened to be in a hallway waiting for classes to start when he heard gunshots. He made it to a nearby classroom but was grazed twice. He then texted his dad. It was the most scared Ive been in my entire life, Kevin Shelley said after telling his boss he had to run. Ramaswamy: Pray for the community in Perry Pray for the community in Perry, Iowa this morning. Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) January 4, 2024 Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who was campaigning in Perry, Iowa, ahead of the Iowa caucuses, asked his followers on X, the social media site formerly as Twitter, for prayers. "Pray for the community in Perry, Iowa this morning," he wrote. The shooting comes less than two weeks before the Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses. Officials confirm 1 dead Police respond to the scene of a shooting at Perry High School in Perry, Iowa, Thursday. (Andrew Harnick/AP) ABC News reports that at least one person was killed and at least two other people were injured in the shooting Thursday morning at Perry High School in Perry, Iowa. Law enforcement officials told ABC News that the scene is now "secured." DES MOINES, Iowa Hours after multiple people were shot at a high school in Perry, Iowa, Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis said gun violence should be addressed at the state and local level without any new federal restrictions on firearms. "We obviously have a responsibility to create safe environments," DeSantis said. "The federal government is probably not going to be leading that effort, I think it is more of a local and state issue, but we've shown how it's done in Florida." Multiple people were shot at Perry High School on Thursday morning, Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante said at a news conference. DeSantis commented on the developing situation Thursday in an exclusive interview with Des Moines Register Chief Politics Reporter Brianne Pfannenstiel and NBC News correspondent Dasha Burns in the Register's newsroom. It's part of the news organizations' "Closing Arguments: Iowa" series. DeSantis recalled the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, when a former student opened fire and killed 17 people. DeSantis began his first term as governor in 2019. Since then, he said, Florida has spent more than $1 billion on school security. DeSantis also signed a bill to lower the threshold for capital punishment after the Parkland shooter was spared the death penalty. "People can count on me to hold criminals accountable, be very serious about holding accountable people that represent a danger to society, but at the same time, protecting their constitutional rights," DeSantis said Thursday. DeSantis pointed to an "underlying sickness in society" that leads to individuals committing violent acts. "For whatever reason, there are people in our society that really get a kick out of doing this. That's an underlying sickness in society, and I think that involves things like mental health," he said. What has Ron DeSantis done on guns, school safety in Florida? Florida has passed several laws since the 2018 Parkland shooting to prepare schools for future emergencies. Schools are required to partner with law enforcement agencies to hire an armed officer for every school facility, and a 2023 law allows schools to request a firearm detection dog. After the Parkland shooter was spared the death penalty by a divided jury, DeSantis changed Florida's law and eliminated the unanimous jury requirement for capital punishment. Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sits for an interview with Brianne Pfannenstiel of the Des Moines Register and Dasha Burns of NBC News in the Des Moines Register Newsroom, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. At the same time, DeSantis and the Republican-led legislature have also made changes to the state's firearm laws. Since the late 1980s, Florida has barred its cities and counties from enacting gun restrictions that are tougher than whats in state law. In 2021, DeSantis approved a measure that further firmed up that ban, expanding a law passed 10 years before that could force local governments in Florida cough up as much as $100,000 in damages if theyre successfully sued for a local gun regulation. Last year, DeSantis also signed a law to loosen regulations on carrying a concealed weapon in Florida. Known as "permitless carry" or "constitutional carry," the law allows anyone who can legally own a gun to carry a concealed weapon without a permit, although guns are still prohibited on school grounds. And bills filed for the upcoming legislative session in Florida include a Republican-backed proposal that inserts a loophole in the background check requirement for firearm purchases. It would enable a buyer to take possession of a gun without a law enforcement check of disqualifying conditions. DeSantis says 'warning signs' need to be detected earlier, but government must respect due process Florida is one of more than 20 states with "red flag" laws, which allow authorities to temporarily confiscate an individual's firearms and prevent them from buying more, if that person is deemed a danger to themselves or others. In Thursday's interview, DeSantis spoke about the importance of identifying dangerous people before they act. He said there were "so many warning signs" about the Parkland shooter in 2018 that "everyone knew he was the one who did it." Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sits for an interview with Brianne Pfannenstiel of the Des Moines Register and Dasha Burns of NBC News in the Des Moines Register Newsroom, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. However, the Florida governor did not propose a federal red flag law, and he cautioned about the importance of due process before any person has their guns confiscated. DeSantis said he supports current laws to prohibit convicted felons and people with severe mental illness from owning firearms. But he wouldn't support a federal law to further restrict the the sale or ownership of guns, or federal laws to confiscate firearms. "I don't support infringing the rights of law abiding citizens with respect to the ability to exercise their constitutional rights," DeSantis said. DeSantis disagreed with Donald Trump's statement in 2018 that authorities should "take the guns first, go through due process second." Red flag laws require a judge to sign off on a petition before law enforcement may confiscate weapons. "I mean, the whole purpose of due process is you have the right to property not just firearms, any property," DeSantis said. So, what happens when someone is mentally ill, has access to firearms, and may present a danger to themselves or others? DeSantis has called for increased institutionalization of people with severe mental illness. "What you find in some of these people is clearly, you know, they have trouble functioning in society. There's massive warning signs," he said Thursday. "Of course, there needs to be due process before you would (commit them to an institution). But that used to be done in this country with much higher frequency." Brianne Pfannenstiel and James Rosica contributed reporting. Katie Akin is a politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at kakin@registermedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @katie_akin. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: After Iowa school shooting, Ron DeSantis pitches no new gun restrictions A U.S. airstrike in Baghdad killed the militia leader of an Iranian-backed group, in a move that Iraqi officials said escalated tensions in the region. Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed the strike, saying forces took appropriate measures to safeguard American forces. It is important to note that the strike was taken in self-defense, he said. No civilians were harmed. Iraqs Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strong condemnation of what it called a blatant attack on an Iraqi military headquarters. The attack on a security formation linked to the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and subject to the authority of the state is a dangerous escalation, the statement reads, and we affirm that Iraq reserves its right to take a firm stance and all measures that deter anyone who tries to harm its territory and its security forces. The U.S. airstrike targeted the leader of Iranian-backed militia group Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba (HHN). The strike hit near a security headquarters in the capital of Baghdad, according to Iraqi officials. U.S. officials said the strike hit a vehicle in Baghdad, according to media reports. Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of militia groups, said the strike killed HHN leader Mushtaq Taleb al-Saidi, along with at least one other Iraqi official. Five others were wounded. Yahya Rasoul, a spokesperson for the commander in chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, also condemned the attacks in a statement on Telegram. We consider this targeting a dangerous escalation and assault on Iraq, far from the spirit and letter of the mandate and the work for which the international coalition was created in Iraq, Rasoul said. The U.S. has been attacked more than 100 times in Iraq and Syria from Iranian-backed groups since late October, shortly after the Israel-Hamas war broke out. The Iranian-backed Houthis have also attacked commercial ships and U.S. boats in the Red Sea 23 times since November. The Middle East has been tense this week after an Israeli strike killed a senior Hamas official in Lebanon and a deadly bombing in Iran killed dozens of people, though its not clear who was behind the Iran attack. The Iraqi government is aligned with Iranian-backed militia groups in the country, including the HHN. Updated at 4:03 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Quarterhorse, the uncrewed hypersonic test aircraft project , from aviation startup Hermeus, has completed ground testing in its dynamic iron bird form, a ground-based test rig used to prove various systems and their integration. The milestone comes as Hermeus works toward a planned first flight before the end of this year. Hermeus announced today that it had finished test work involving its dynamic iron bird, also known as Quarterhorse Mk 0, which it describes as its first fully integrated vehicle. This non-flying prototype was used for validating all major aircraft subsystems in a real-world environment. An accompanying video shows different portions of the construction phase as well as the Mk 0 rolling down the runway during tests. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M35y-sZz1r8 The Mk 0 is the first of four aircraft planned for the Quarterhorse program, which Hermeus says will eventually yield a vehicle capable of beating the SR-71 s absolute speed record for an air-breathing crewed aircraft 2,193.2 miles per hour, achieved on July 28, 1976. Bearing in mind that the Quarterhorse is uncrewed, the idea of beating that longstanding record is not entirely accurate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY6nsTGqFSQ Beyond that, Hermeus aspires to have Quarterhorse reach hypersonic speeds typically considered anything above Mach 5. A rendering of an operational Quarterhorse flying through the air at high speed. Hermeus The company says it designed and built the Quarterhorse Mk 0 in just six months, and that all its test objectives were completed in 37 days of testing. Among the objectives completed were: Demonstrating remote command and control taxiing Evaluating radio frequency (RF) latency and ground handling qualities of the integrated systems Demonstrating proper state of the vehicle and flight deck during lost link Demonstrating human factor evaluations and pilot-in-the-loop steering and controls Hermeus The testing took place at the Air Forces Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) in Tullahoma, Tennessee. Hermeus chose to do the testing here since it allowed the team to interface directly with Air Force range and regulatory authorities. This was the first time our flight test team had an opportunity to work in a deployed test campaign with external stakeholders, said Hermeus Vice President of Test, Don Kaderbek. The more the team works together and establishes their battle rhythm, the smoother flight testing will go. Leveraging rapid and iterative design is how Hermeus will accelerate aircraft development on timelines that are relevant to our customers, added Hermeus CEO and co-founder, AJ Piplica. Test campaigns measured in days instead of months or years, represent the pace required to mature hypersonic technology and field transformative aircraft. The company plans to incrementally increase the complexity of the four aircraft as the program progresses. After Mk 0 comes the first flight vehicle, Quarterhorse Mk 1, now under construction and scheduled to fly in 2024. The Mk 1 will be used for remote takeoff and landing trials and is not apparently planned to trial high-speed flight. This will be the domain of the subsequent Quarterhorse Mk 2, intended to reach supersonic speeds below Mach 3. Finally, Quarterhorse Mk 4 will hit speeds beyond Mach 3 and, as Hermeus states, demonstrate turbojet-to-ramjet mode transition in flight and break the all-time airspeed record held by the SR-71. The iterative design and development roadmap proposed by Hermeus for the Quarterhorse program. Quarterhorse An aircraft billed as a prototype was previously rolled out in November 2021, as The War Zone reported at the time . It remains not entirely clear if that prototype at least intended, at some point, for flight, although the latest wording suggests that the Mk 1 is still being built. The aircraft shown in November 2021 lacked a rudder, and there were no other obvious flight control surfaces. It also appeared to lack any sort of landing gear. The Hermeus Quarterhorse prototype lights its afterburner during the rollout in November 2021. Hermeus Nevertheless, the aircraft started its engine during the rollout ceremony and set it to full afterburner, as seen in the video embedded here . This was, however, not the first time that Hermeus had conducted a ground test of the engine used by Quarterhorse, a so-called turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) design. A TBCC engine combines a ramjet or scramjet optimized for very high speeds with a more traditional jet turbine, which can be used for takeoff, landing, and other lower-speed portions of flight. The conventional turbine portion of Hermeus TBCC is a General Electric J85 turbojet , as used in the Air Forces T-38 Talon jet trainer, among others. Hermeus TBCC engine prototype running during a test. Hermeus You can read more about the advantages that a TBCC powerplant brings to Quarterhorse in this previous story. Having the Mk 0 test campaign run out of the AEDC is also no coincidence bearing in mind the involvement of the Air Force in the wider Quarterhorse program. In August 2021 the company announced that it had secured some $60 million in funding from the Air Force and venture capital firms to support the Quarterhorse flight test program. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU4TlFGjh2E Ostensibly, the Air Force invested in Hermeus as part of a broader effort to explore potential future hypersonic and supersonic executive transport aircraft concepts . Clearly, however, there is potential for the various technologies involved to be used in other applications . In the past, Hermeus has talked about the potential of leveraging its technologies for military missions including the transport of time-critical cargo and reconnaissance. In these cases, a mid-size autonomous aircraft would be planned, which would follow on from the current Quarterhorse project. Notably, the U.S. military has repeatedly looked at options for rapidly delivering military cargo around the globe, and there have been persistent references made to a potential future hypersonic and strike reconnaissance aircraft . Even acting as a testbed for hypersonic technologies or as a surrogate hypersonic target could be military-related missions for a reusable high-speed aircraft like Hermeus' creation. Aside from the military potential of designs like this, Hermeus has said that its Quarterhorse program is primarily aimed at commercial markets, with the promise of the fastest reusable aircraft in the world. A concept for a future hypersonic transport aircraft from Hermeus. Hermeus If Quarterhorse proves successful, Hermeus has said it hopes to embark on a larger passenger airliner of the kind that could whisk paying passengers across the Atlantic. This kind of son of Concorde concept has been something of a holy grail ever since the retirement of that classic design. So far, however, it has failed to yield any practical hardware . Obviously, there are significant challenges ahead, but it will be fascinating to see whether Hermeus manages to buck that trend. If it does, and if it eventually fields a reusable hypersonic aircraft, the U.S. military will certainly be paying very close attention. Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com ISIS has claimed responsibility for the deadly twin blasts near the burial site of slain military commander Qasem Soleimani in southern Iran. At least 84 people were killed and 284 injured in the blasts on Wednesday, state-run news agency IRNA reported, in what was the deadliest attack in Iran since its 1979 revolution. ISIS media wing Al-Furqan issued a statement on Thursday more than 24 hours after the explosions claiming two suicide bombers, who are brothers, had detonated their explosive vests as Shiite mourners gathered for the fourth anniversary of the assassination of Soleimani near his grave in his hometown of Kerman. The statement, titled And Kill Them Wherever You Find Them, named the two bombers and said they targeted a gathering of polytheists near the grave of their dead leader Soleimani. ISIS considers the Shia branch of Islam to be heretical and has targeted shrines and religious sites in Iran previously. The group offered no further proof and their account of the blasts differs from that given by Iranian media. The death toll provided by ISIS was also significantly higher than that reported by Iranian officials. Iran did not immediately comment on ISIS claim of responsibility. But Irans official state news agency IRNA, as well as its English-language state media outlet Press TV, both reported on the ISIS claim of responsibility. Both referred to the group by its Arabic name Daesh, with IRNA posting a screenshot of the terror groups claim that has appeared on multiple ISIS forums. Press TV added in their reporting that in a statement posted on its affiliate Telegram channels, the Islamic State had claimed that two of its members had detonated explosive belts. Irans interior minister said the two blasts happened in short succession, with the second, deadlier blast coming as others rushed to help the wounded. Another state media outlet, IRINN, said the first explosion was caused by a bomb placed in a suitcase inside a car and appeared to have been detonated remotely rather than being caused by a suicide bomber. Videos showed large numbers of people running in the area after the explosions, bloodied bodies on the ground and ambulances driving through the packed crowds. Iran declared Thursday a day of mourning and President Ebhrahim Raisi canceled a scheduled trip to Turkey. The two blasts took place around 20 minutes apart, Iran's interior minister said. - MEHR NEWS/AFP/Getty Images Accusations flew in the time between the blasts and ISIS statement. Irans President Ebhrahim Raisi blamed Israel for the explosions and warned it would pay a heavy price. The Israeli military told CNN it had no comment on the matter. Prior to ISIS statement, analysts and a US official had speculated that the blast had the hallmarks of a terror attack. It does look like a terrorist attack, the type of thing weve seen ISIS do in the past. And as far as were aware, thats kind of I think our going assumption at the moment, the official said. Soleimani, formerly one of Irans most powerful men, was killed by a US airstrike ordered by former President Donald Trump at Baghdad International Airport on January 3, 2020. Known as Irans shadow commander, he was head of the Revolutionary Guards Quds Force, an elite unit that handles Irans overseas operations and was deemed to be a foreign terrorist organization by the US. He masterminded Iranian military operations in Iraq and Syria. This is a developing story and will be updated. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com ISIS has claimed responsibility for a deadly Iran bombing that killed more than 80 people and wounded scores more. ISIS, seen as a terrorist group by most of the world, said in a widely circulated statement that suicide bombers detonated explosive belts in the middle of the crowd that had gathered in the southeastern Iranian city of Kerman. ISIS, an anti-Shia and anti-Iranian faction, has fought against Iran for years across the Middle East, and though largely defeated, it maintains a presence in the region. Attacks in Lebanon, Iran inject new volatility into Middle East A U.S. official on Wednesday said the working theory is that ISIS carried out the bombing, saying it was consistent with previous attacks. The bombing killed 84 people and wounded more than 140 more in one of the deadliest attacks in Iran since 1979. Iranians were gathered at the tomb site of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was slain in a U.S. drone strike in 2020. Iran has vowed a harsh response to the attacks and has identified the bombing as carried out by terrorists. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The occupiers loaded the motorized skid with charges from UR-77 and aerial bombs Russian forces continue to use an ISIS terrorist tactic of sending explosives-laden armored vehicles toward Ukrainian positions, as seen in a video posted by Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Butusov on Telegram on Jan. 4. "Loaded with UR-77 and FAB charges, a Russian MT-LB kamikaze is trying to make a passage in the minefield near Novomykhailivka in the direction of Maryinka, he wrote. The effect is rather dubious: the vehicle removes anti-tank mines and at the same time creates an anti-tank trench. Russian forces have also recently adopted tactics used by Hamas militants, using soldiers on motorcycles and hiding in special "cocoons" to attack Ukrainian positions, but this tactic did not yield the desired results either. Read also: Photos show remains of Russian IFV carrying dummy soldiers, revealing new deception tactics used Russian invasion forces are attempting to trick the Ukrainian military in the area of Krynky on the east bank of Kherson Oblast with the help of dummy soldiers, a member of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported on his Telegram channel Hovoryat Snayper on Dec. 21. By placing stuffed dolls on the armor of infantry fighting vehicles, the Russians are attempting tosimulate assault operations to mislead Ukrainian command about the direction of their attacks. Read also: Russian troops use Ukrainian POWs as human shields during assaults video 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 Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blamed evil and criminal enemies of the Islamic republic and promised a harsh response - Sare Tajalli/AFP Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for twin bombings in Iran that killed 84 people at a memorial ceremony for Qassim Soleimani, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps general. In a statement on Telegram, IS said two of its members activated their explosives vests among crowds that had gathered to honour the Iranian commander who was killed in a US drone strike four years ago. It said the attacks were part of efforts to disrupt Irans alleged expansionism in the Middle East. It was already suspected that the extremist Sunni group may have carried out the attack, because it was a sworn foe of Soleimani and his Shia Revolutionary Guards. Iranian officials previously said the first blast on Wednesday was launched by a suicide bomber, adding they suspected the second was very probably another suicide bomber. After initially announcing 100 deaths in the attack, which wounded hundreds of others at the scene of the memorial near Soleimanis tomb in Kerman, Iranian authorities revised the toll to 84. People light candles at the scene of Wednesdays explosions - Vahid Salemi/AP IS has previously launched attacks on the tomb of Ayatollah Khomeini, and on the Iranian parliament in Tehran. It has also attacked a military parade in Ahvaz and mounted a gun attack in October 2022 at a shrine in Shiraz. Wednesdays incident was the deadliest of its kind to hit Iran in years. Some including top Iranian officials initially pointed the finger at Israel, Irans arch-nemesis in the region. However, experts said this was unlikely as Israel has typically focused its attacks in Iran on nuclear scientists and facilities, rather than mass civilian gatherings. Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had on Wednesday blamed evil and criminal enemies of the Islamic republic, without naming them, and vowed a harsh response. Mohammad Jamshidi, president Ebrahim Raisis deputy chief of staff for political affairs, also claimed in a post on social media that the responsibility for this crime lies with the US and Zionist [Israeli] regimes, and terrorism is just a tool. The United States rejected any suggestion that it or its ally Israel were behind the bombings, while Israel declined to comment. The United States was not involved in any way, and any suggestion to the contrary is ridiculous, said Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesman. We have no reason to believe that Israel was involved in this explosion. Kasra Aarabi, a senior analyst from the United Against a Nuclear Iran campaign group, said Tehran may use the bombing as a pretext for further military action against IS, which remains a threat in the region despite losing most of its territory. Expect IRGC to target ISIS with display of force (poss new weapons) aimed at signalling Israel/US, he wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter. [The] regime will also propagate its conspiracy theory that ISIS is a Mossad product enabling IRGC to claim targeting ISIS is akin to striking Israel. 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. A view of the scene after explosions at a commemoration ceremony next to the tomb of Iran's Revolutionary Guards chief of foreign operations Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in the Saheb al-Zaman mosque. With around 100 people dead, Iran's government called the blasts a terrorist attack. The causes of the deadliest attack in the 45-year history of the Islamic Republic remain unclear. Fars/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa The terrorist militia Islamic State has claimed responsibility via its usual propaganda channels for the devastating attack in the Iranian city of Kerman that left more than 80 dead. According to the statement, two attackers detonated their explosive belts during mourning ceremonies on Wednesday to mark the anniversary of the death of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. In the attack near Soleimani's tomb on Wednesday, 84 people were killed and 284 injured in two powerful explosions. The German government and the European Union condemned the attack as an act of terrorism. It was the deadliest attack in the 45-year history of the Islamic Republic. A view of the scene after explosions at a commemoration ceremony next to the tomb of Iran's Revolutionary Guards chief of foreign operations Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in the Saheb al-Zaman mosque. With around 100 people dead, Iran's government called the blasts a terrorist attack. The causes of the deadliest attack in the 45-year history of the Islamic Republic remain unclear. Fars/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Explosions during ceremony commemorating the death of late General Qassem Soleimani, in Kerman DUBAI (Reuters) - Islamic State claimed responsibility on Thursday for two explosions that killed nearly 100 people and wounded scores at a ceremony in Iran to commemorate commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed by a U.S. drone in 2020. The group posted a statement on its affiliate Telegram channels. (Reporting by Clauda Tanios; Editing by Alex Richardson) A view of the scene after explosions at a commemoration ceremony next to the tomb of Iran's Revolutionary Guards chief of foreign operations Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in the Saheb al-Zaman mosque. With around 100 people dead, Iran's government called the blasts a terrorist attack. The causes of the deadliest attack in the 45-year history of the Islamic Republic remain unclear. Fars/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa The terrorist militia Islamic State claimed responsibility via its usual propaganda channels on Thursday for the devastating attack in the Iranian city of Kerman that left more than 80 dead. According to the statement, two suicide attackers detonated their explosive belts during mourning ceremonies on Wednesday to mark the fourth anniversary of the death of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. In the attack near Soleimani's tomb, 84 people were killed and 284 injured in two powerful blasts. It was the deadliest attack in the 45-year history of the Islamic Republic. Islamic State is a Sunni Muslim organization which views Shiite Muslims as heretics. Iran is a predominantly Shiite state, the biggest in the world. The UN Security Council condemned the bombings as a "cowardly terrorist attack." "The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security," the UN said in a statement. "The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers, and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice." The European Union also condemned the attack as an act of terrorism. Iran's IRNA news agency had earlier reported that evaluation of video surveillance had led investigators to the conclusion that a suicide bomber was behind at least one of the explosions. Iran's emergency services on Thursday put the death toll at 84. In the immediate aftermath of the attack on Soleimani's mourners, the number of dead had been put at over 100. The head of Iran's National Medical Emergency Organization, Jafar Miadfar, attributed the confusion surrounding the casualty figures with the condition of the bodies. Iran's government called it a terrorist attack. But the leadership in Tehran had reacted cautiously and avoided apportioning blame. Soleimani, who had led the Quds Force of Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), was killed in a US drone strike in Iraq in 2020. Before Islamic State's claim of responsibility, the State Department rejected speculation the US was involved in the attack and said there was no reason to believe Israel was behind it either. Also before the Islamic State's statement, an editorial in Iran's arch-conservative Kayhan newspaper blamed Israel for the attack. There are many reasons to assume "that the Zionists were involved in the terrorist explosions." The authors demanded swift revenge, warning that failing to retaliate could lead to other attacks, perhaps in the capital Tehran. Israel is currently at war with the Sunni Islamist militant group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip and murdered over 1,200 people in terrorist attacks on Israel on October 17. Iran has long said it is an arch-enemy of the Jewish state and wishes it to be wiped off the planet. A view of the scene after explosions at a commemoration ceremony next to the tomb of Iran's Revolutionary Guards chief of foreign operations Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in the Saheb al-Zaman mosque. With around 100 people dead, Iran's government called the blasts a terrorist attack. The causes of the deadliest attack in the 45-year history of the Islamic Republic remain unclear. Fars/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa A view of the scene after explosions at a commemoration ceremony next to the tomb of Iran's Revolutionary Guards chief of foreign operations Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in the Saheb al-Zaman mosque. With around 100 people dead, Iran's government called the blasts a terrorist attack. The causes of the deadliest attack in the 45-year history of the Islamic Republic remain unclear. Fars/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Semafor Signals NEWS The Islamic State (IS) on Thursday claimed responsibility for deadly bombings at the memorial service of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani on Wednesday. The explosions near Soleimanis grave killed nearly 100 people and spurred fears of the Israel-Hamas war spreading in the Middle East. According to reports, the group posted a statement on its affiliated Telegram channels and a pro-IS website. U.S. officials earlier said that preliminary intelligence also pointed to IS as behind the attack. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. War in Gaza is unlikely to be reviving IS Sources: The New York Times, Foreign Affairs American officials said it is unlikely IS wanted to frame Israel for the bombings or set off a wider war, the New York Times reported. Since the onset of the war in Gaza, analysts have also predicted that Israels conflict with Hamas would not revive IS because the two factions are deeply at odds ideologically. While IS supports the elimination of Israel, it condemns Hamass political wing for participating in what it describes as the polytheism of democracy i.e., at odds with its purist Salafi ideology. IS also disagrees with Hamass ambition for a Palestinian state, seeing it as incompatible with its goals of worldwide Islamic dominance led by religious rather than political leaders, according to Cole Bunzel, a fellow at Stanfords Hoover Institution. Worst time for weak IS to strike Iran for propaganda purposes Sources: New Lines Magazines Hassan Hassan, Journalist Alison Tahmizian Meuse ISIS now is a shell of its former self, wrote New Lines Magazine editor-in-chief Hassan Hassan, adding that the political and sectarian climate is vastly different in the Middle East compared with in 2017, when IS killed 17 in twin attacks on the Iranian parliament building and Ayatollah Khomeinis mausoleum in Tehran. With the region on edge over the Gaza war, now is the worst time for the group to attack Iran simply for propaganda purposes, Hassan wrote. Meanwhile, journalist Alison Tahmizian Meuse said IS is taking a cheap shot against Iran by attacking now, adding that the group look like stooges. Iran sends mixed signals on success of defeating IS Sources: Al-Monitor Tehran has repeatedly taken credit for the full elimination of IS and the collapse of its self-described caliphate , according to Al-Monitor. But that rhetoric has been walked back in recent weeks, with at least one Iranian general acknowledging the continued presence of IS in Iraq. The Iranian military in December held a large-scale drill near the border with Iraq, a sign that its intelligence services were worried the group may seek to attack again. Irans Shiite government has declared its intent to stop the spread of Sunni terrorist organizations such as IS, with one Iranian general last month saying the Revolutionary Guard will nip in the bud any move by Sunni extremist groups. The Islamic State took responsibility for a pair of suicide attacks Wednesday that killed dozens of people commemorating the four-year anniversary of the death of Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps commander Qasem Soleimani. File Photo by Majid Asgaripour/UPI Jan. 4 (UPI) -- The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for twin bombings Wednesday that killed dozens of people near the tomb of Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps commander Qasem Soleimani. The explosions took place as Iranians in the city of Kerman marked four years since Soleimani's assassination by a U.S. drone in Baghdad in 2019. Initial reports suggested 103 people had been killed but medical officials have reportedly updated the number to 84. According to the New York Times, the Islamic State took responsibility for a "dual martyrdom operation" in a statement posted to Telegram channels associated with the group. Iranian Vice President Mohammad Mokhber told reporters that Iran would take "retaliatory action from the hands of Suleimani's soldiers," The Guardian reported. Iranian officials said they have closed the border with neighboring Afghanistan, which has a significant Islamic State presence. On Wednesday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei also vowed revenge over the attacks. "The enemy should know the soldiers of Soleimani's bright path won't tolerate their vileness and crime. The hands stained with the blood of innocent people and the corrupt, evil minds that misdirected them will definitely be the target of a severe pounding and a deserving retribution," Khamenei posted to X Wednesday. Smoke rises during Israeli strikes in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip - AHMED ZAKOT/REUTERS The Israeli military has said it is dismantling Hamas command and control centres in Gazas key southern city of Khan Younis. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its troops had killed a number of Hamas fighters in the area and had significantly damaged the groups terror infrastructure during recent operations. Col Mickey Sharvit, commander of the Kiryati Brigade, said there was no innocent infrastructure in the areas in which the IDF is operating amid mounting calls for the Israeli military to do more to safeguard civilians. We encounter terror in almost every home, in hospitals and schools. Our forces even eliminated terrorists who emerged from an underground [tunnel] in a school, he said. The update came as fresh Israeli shelling killed 14 Palestinians in Khan Younis, including nine children, according to Gazas Hamas-run health ministry. Gaza residents also said Israeli planes and tanks had bombarded three refugee camps in the centre of the enclave during attacks that were heavier than those experienced for several days. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the claims. 04:12 PM GMT Today's liveblog now closed Thanks for following todays liveblog. We will be back tomorrow with all the latest updates. 04:12 PM GMT Time-span for diplomatic resolution with Hezbollah 'limited,' says Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant, Israels defence minister, has said that the time-span for a diplomatic resolution with Hezbollah is limited. Mr Gallant told Amos Hochstein, a US diplomatic envoy, that Israel would prefer to resolve the military conflict with Hezbollah through diplomatic means, but the time span for this is limited. Mr Hochstein, an adviser to Joe Biden, is working to soothe tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, a senior US official told Reuters. 03:52 PM GMT Watch: Heavy gunfire as hundreds mourn Haman deputy leader at funeral in Beirut 03:26 PM GMT US and France call to 'avoid escalation in Lebanon and Iran' Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, and Catherine Colonna, French foreign minister, agreed to seek steps to avoid wider conflict in the Middle East following strikes in Lebanon and Iran, the US State Department said. In a telephone call the day before, the two top diplomats discussed the importance of measures to prevent the conflict in Gaza from expanding, including affirmative steps to de-escalate tensions in the West Bank and to avoid escalation in Lebanon and Iran, Matthew Miller, State Department spokesman, said. It comes ahead of another trip to the Middle East by Mr Blinken, his fourth since Hamas fighters infiltrated Israel and carried out a major attack on October 7, triggering massive Israeli retaliation in the Gaza Strip. Emmanuel Macron, the French president, called on Israel to avoid escalation earlier, particularly in Lebanon, where Israel was suspected to be carrying out a strike on Tuesday that killed a senior Hamas leader. 03:15 PM GMT Children led through Hamas tunnels, IDF reveals 02:46 PM GMT Pictured: A young relative mourns over the bodies of families at the morgue of the Nasser medical centre in Khan Younis A young relative mourns over the bodies of families at the morgue of the Nasser medical centre in Khan Younis - AFP 02:37 PM GMT Hundreds mourn Hamas deputy leader at Beirut funeral Hundreds of people attended the funeral of Hamas number two Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut who was killed during a strike on Lebanon that has been blamed on Israel. Calling on Hamas to avenge his death and the killing of five other members of the Palestinian militant group on Tuesday, the mourners gathered at a mosque to recite the prayer of the dead before marching to Shatila refugee camp, where three of the Hamas members were to be buried. The coffins of the three, Aruri, Azzam al-Aqraa, of the Hamas military wing Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, and Mohammad al-Rais, were draped in Palestinian and Hamas flags. A machine gun was laid on top of each coffin and heavy gunfire rang out as the funeral procession made its way to the cemetery, drowning out chants of Allahu Akbar (God is Greatest) by mourners waving Palestinian flags and those of Hamas ally Islamic Jihad. Abu Obeida, bomb Tel Aviv, the mourners shouted, addressing the Gaza spokesman of the Hamas military wing by his nom de guerre. 02:09 PM GMT Saudi Arabia and Qatar condemn Israeli ministers calls for Gazan' emigration Saudi Arabia and Qatar have strongly condemned comments by two Israeli ministers calling for Palestinians to emigrate from the Gaza Strip. Israels national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for a solution to encourage the emigration of Gazas residents and the re-establishment of Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip on Monday, a day after far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich made similar comments. Saudi Arabia categorically condemns and rejects the comments of the two ministers, the foreign ministry said in a statement. The nation called on the international community to act in the face of the Israeli governments persistence in violating international law through its statements and actions. Qatar, which played a mediating role in the temporary truce between Israel and Hamas at the end of November, also condemned in the strongest terms the comments made by the two ministers. The Israeli government under prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not officially suggested plans to evict Gazans or to send Jewish settlers back to the territory since the war broke out in October. 01:40 PM GMT Houthi attacks must stop, says Cameron Yemens Houthi rebels must stop their illegal attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea or action will be taken, Lord Cameron has said. Its not to do with Gaza, its not to do with Israel, Britains foreign secretary told reporters on a visit to Pristina, Kosovo. This is about the freedom of navigation. This is about the ability of ships to carry their cargo. The world economy, every economy, will suffer if ships keep coming under attack in this illegal and unacceptable way. And these attacks need to stop or actions will be taken. 01:25 PM GMT Pictured: A Palestinian amputee whose parents were killed in an Israeli strike receives treatment in Rafah Palestinian girl Eman Al-Kholi, whose limb was amputated after being wounded in an Israeli strike that killed her parents, lies on a bed as she receives treatment at the European Hospital, in Rafah Palestinian girl Eman Al-Kholi, whose limb was amputated after being wounded in an Israeli strike that killed her parents - ARAFAT BARBAKH/REUTERS 01:00 PM GMT Israeli forces search house to house in West Bank city Israeli forces searched houses in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the occupied West Bank city of Tulkarm on Thursday, detaining hundreds of people suspected of militant activities, the military said. Tulkarm, the location of one of the main crossing points between the West Bank and Israel, has seen repeated raids by security forces since the October 7 attack by Hamas. According to residents, Israeli forces detained at least 120 people and demolished three houses, including one belonging to a member of the Tulkarm Brigades, an armed militant group linked to the Palestinian faction Fatah. In a statement, the military said: IDF forces continue to operate, alongside other Israeli security forces, in a broad divisional operation to suppress terrorism in the Nur Shams refugee camp in Menashe. The Tulkarm Brigades said fighters were exchanging fire with the Israeli forces. 12:22 PM GMT Iran holds day of mourning for 84 killed in twin blasts Iran observed a day of mourning on Thursday for the at least 84 people killed when twin explosions ripped through a crowd commemorating the slain Revolutionary Guards general Qasem Soleimani. The death toll was revised down from around 100 the day after what Iranian authorities labelled a terrorist attack, which also left hundreds wounded near Soleimanis tomb in the southern city of Kerman. No one claimed responsibility for the explosions in Iran, which has suffered deadly attacks in the past from jihadists and other militants. The country has also seen the targeted killings of officials and nuclear scientists, thought to be at the hands of Israel. The blasts ripped through crowds who had come to honour Soleimani, four years after a US drone strike in Baghdad killed the veteran senior commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, blamed evil and criminal enemies of the Islamic republic on Wednesday, without naming them, and vowed a harsh response. 11:58 AM GMT UN High Commissioner 'disturbed' by Israeli statements on plans to transfer civilians from Gaza Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has said he is very disturbed by high-level Israeli officials statements on plans to transfer civilians from Gaza to third countries. Very disturbed by high-level Israeli officials' statements on plans to transfer civilians from #Gaza to third countries. 85 percent of people in Gaza are already internally displaced. They have the right to return to their homes. Int'l law prohibits forcible transfer of protected pic.twitter.com/LMFxa9ur9N UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) January 4, 2024 11:39 AM GMT Pictured: Warning leaflets are dropped by Israeli forces over Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip Warning leaflets are dropped by Israeli forces over Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip - AFP 10:59 AM GMT Funeral of senior Hamas leader to take place at 3pm The funeral of slain Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri will take place at 3pm this afternoon in the Lebanese capital Beirut, according to a Hamas official, reports Lizzie Porter, in Jerusalem. Arouri will be buried after a ceremony at the Imam Ali mosque in the Tariq al-Jadida area of Beirut, the official said. The deputy head of Hamas politburo and leader of its operations in the occupied West Bank was assassinated in an Israeli drone strike in Beiruts southern suburbs on Tuesday night. Israel is unlikely to attack the funeral procession, which would be seen in Lebanon as a further provocation. Tensions between the two countries are already on a knife edge with daily cross-border exchanges of fire as Lebanese militants Hezbollah fight in solidarity with Hamas gunmen in Gaza. 10:34 AM GMT Biden appointee quits over administration's 'blind eye to Gaza atrocities' A senior Biden education official has resigned, claiming the administration was turning a blind eye to atrocities committed in Gaza. Tariq Habash, who was a political appointee, said he could not represent an administration that does not value all human life equally. Mr Habash, a Palestinian American, wrote in his resignation letter: I cannot stay silent as this administration turns a blind eye to the atrocities committed against innocent Palestinian lives, in what leading human rights experts have called a genocidal campaign by the Israeli government. He added: I cannot be quietly complicit as this administration fails to leverage its influence as Israels strongest ally to halt the abusive and ongoing collective punishment tactics that have cut off Palestinians in Gaza from food, water, electricity, fuel, and medical supplies, leading to widespread disease and starvation. It marks the first resignation of a political appointee over Mr Bidens Israel policy. Mr Habash was a policy advisor in the Education departments Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development. 10:12 AM GMT UN Security Council members call for Houthis to stop attacks on shipping Members of the UN Security Council called on Yemens Houthis to halt their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, saying they are illegal and threaten regional stability, freedom of navigation and global food supplies. Addressing the councils first formal meeting of 2024, members also demanded that the Houthis release the Galaxy Leader, a Japanese-operated cargo ship linked to an Israeli company, and its crew, which the group seized on November 19. Some members urged the council to take action to halt the Houthi missile and drone attacks. But the body took no formal steps in the open session before going into closed consultations. The United States believes the situation has reached an inflection point, Chris Lu, a US representative to the United Nations, told the council. These attacks pose grave implications for maritime security, international shipping and commerce, and they undermine the fragile humanitarian situation in Yemen, threatening aid deliveries to the war-torn country, Mr Lu said. 09:55 AM GMT Analysis: Why Iran and Hezbollah are cautious of escalating the war with Israel At 6pm Beirut time, the world tuned in to listen to Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Hezbollah, the regions foremost militant group. Would he unleash a hellfire of rockets on Israel in revenge for Tuesdays killing of a Hamas delegation on Lebanese soil, or would he hold off? And what of the twin explosions that ripped through a crowd in the Iranian city of Kerman on Wednesday, killing more than 100 civilians near the grave of the slain Revolutionary Guards general Qassem Soleimani? Would that also be attributed to Israel and, if so, might Iran order its proxy Hezbollah and Nasrallah to launch a major assault on Israel? Read more from Paul Nuki here 09:35 AM GMT Pictured: Protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza gather in the rotunda of the Capitol in California Protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza gather in the rotunda of the Capitol - Rich Pedroncelli/AP Protesters calling for a ceas-fire in Gaza disrupt the first day of the California legislative session in Sacramento on January 3 - Rich Pedroncelli/AP 09:20 AM GMT Intense shelling around Al-Amal hospital, says Palestinian Red Crescent This video shows the intense shelling around Al-Amal Hospital and the PRCS's headquarters in #KhanYounis, causing a state of panic and fear among the displaced individuals.#Gaza#NotATarget#IHL#AlAmalHospital pic.twitter.com/9nJR5zeS4Y PRCS (@PalestineRCS) January 4, 2024 09:08 AM GMT 'No clear desire for Hezbollah to go to war with Israel and vice versa' Neither Hezbollah nor Israel want a war, a US official has suggested, amid growing fears of a wider regional conflict. From everything that we can tell, there is no clear desire for Hezbollah to go to war with Israel and vice versa, said the official, speaking on the condition of anonymity. In a speech in Beirut on Wednesday, Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, vowed that his powerful Iran-backed Shiite militia cannot be silent following the killing of Hamas deputy Saleh al-Arouri on Tuesday. Nasrallah said his heavily armed forces would fight to the finish if Israel chose to extend the war to Lebanon, but he made no concrete threats to act against Israel in support of Hamas, Hezbollahs ally also backed by Iran. Israel neither confirmed nor denied assassinating Arouri but has promised to annihilate Hamas. 08:59 AM GMT Blinken to visit Middle East amid heightened regional tensions Anthony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, will visit the Middle East on his fourth trip to the region since the October 7 attack. The top US diplomat will leave Thursday evening from Washington on a trip that will include Israel, the US official said, on condition of anonymity. It will mark Mr Blinkens fourth trip to the region and fifth to Israel - excluding a visit accompanying President Joe Biden - since Hamas militants carried out the deadliest-ever attack inside Israel on October 7, triggering massive retaliation. Ahead of the announcement of Mr Blinkens visit, Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesman, echoed the fears of many across the Middle East about the Israel-Hamas war expanding. It is in no ones interest - not in the interest of any country in the region, not in the interest of any country in the world - to see this conflict escalated any further than it already is, Mr Miller said. 08:51 AM GMT US imam shot outside New Jersey mosque dies An imam who was shot on Wednesday outside a mosque in New Jersey has died, the US states attorney general said, adding that the killing did not initially appear to be driven by bias or domestic terrorism. Hassan Sharif was shot multiple times near a mosque in Newark, just west of New York, before being taken to hospital where he later died, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said. We do not yet know the motivation for this crime [but] the evidence collected thus far does not indicate that this was an act motivated by bias, or an act of domestic terrorism, said Platkin. He added that in light of global events, and with a rise in bias that many communities are experiencing across our state - particularly the Muslim community - there are many in New Jersey right now who are feeling a heightened sense of fear. The state is home to 300,000 Muslim Americans, he said. 08:51 AM GMT Pictured: Residents of Al Nusairat and Al Bureije refugee camps begin evacuation Residents of Al Nusairat and Al Bureije refugee camps drive in a vehicle as they begin to evacuate following an Israeli warning of increased military operations in the camps - MOHAMMED SABER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/Shutterstock 08:48 AM GMT China 'deeply shocked' by Iran twin blasts China said it was deeply shocked by twin bomb blasts that killed at least 95 people in Iran, with whom Beijing has close ties. The two explosions on Wednesday - labelled a terrorist attack by Irans state media and regional authorities - sparked fears of a widening conflict in the region. Wang Wenbin, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, said Beijing was deeply shocked by the serious terrorist attack... which resulted in heavy casualties. We express our deep condolences to the victims and our sincere sympathy to the injured and the families of the victims, he said at a regular press conference. China opposes all forms of terrorism, strongly condemns terrorist attacks and firmly supports Irans efforts to maintain national security and stability, he added. Iran blamed the blast on Israel and the United States and its supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed a harsh response. The United States has denied involvement. 08:47 AM GMT Good Morning Good morning and welcome to todays Israel-Hamas liveblog. We will be guiding you through all the latest updates. 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 Israeli army says it has killed several Hamas members in tunnels in the south of the Gaza Strip. A tunnel system several hundred metres long has been destroyed and Hamas' combat and command capabilities in the area around the city of Khan Yunis has been significantly reduced, the army added. The information could not initially be independently verified. According to Colonel Miki Sharvit, 20 suspected Hamas terrorists were killed in one tunnel alone. The Jerusalem Post newspaper quoted him as saying almost the whole area was made up of military infrastructure. Israel is under heavy international pressure because of the many civilians killed in the Gaza war and the massive destruction of civilian infrastructure. According to the Hamas-controlled health authority in the coastal strip, more than 22,400 people have died so far and more than 57,600 have been injured. Israel is trying to wipe out Hamas after Islamist terrorists killed over 1,200 people in attacks on the Jewish state on October 7. From Thursday next week, Israel will have to answer for the military operation before an international court for the first time. South Africa had sued Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, accusing it of genocide. The initial hearings have been scheduled for January 11 and 12. The Israeli army said on Thursday it had killed several Hamas members in tunnels in the Gaza Strip, while also acknowledging 136 hostages remain unaccounted for. Israel has been waging war on militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip since Islamist terrorists attacked the Jewish state from there on October 7, killing over 1,200 people and taking nearly 200 hostages. A tunnel system several hundred metres long has been destroyed and Hamas' combat and command capabilities in the area around the city of Khan Yunis have been significantly reduced, the Israeli army added. The information could not be independently verified. "(We) completed a targeted activity at a Hamas compound in central Gaza, where they identified several tunnel shafts leading to a network of hundreds of meters of Hamas tunnels," the army said about another raid in a separate post on social media platform X. It also said Islamic Jihads chief of operational Staff, Mamdouh Lolo, had been hit by an Israeli aircraft in northern Gaza. Islamic Jihad is another militant group working with Hamas in Gaza. According to Colonel Miki Sharvit, 20 suspected Hamas terrorists were killed in one tunnel alone. The Jerusalem Post newspaper quoted him as saying almost the whole area was full of military infrastructure. Another Israeli army spokesman said 136 Israeli hostages abducted by Palestinian militants remain in the Gaza Strip. However, it remained unclear how many hostages might be dead. According to the military's findings, three civilians who were previously reported missing are now considered kidnapped, army spokesman Daniel Hagari said. The Israeli military recently reported the number of hostages remaining in the Gaza Strip as being at 133. Israeli media reported that 23 of the 136 abductees were already dead. It was initially unclear whether they were killed on October 7 or only after they had been abducted and what caused their deaths. In December, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office reported 20 deaths among those abducted. According to Israeli information, a total of around 240 people were kidnapped on October 7 in the unprecedented attack by Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups on border towns in Israel. A total of 105 hostages were released at the end of November as part of a deal between the Israeli government and Hamas. In exchange, Israel released 240 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons. After receiving huge global sympathy after the events of October 7, Israel is now under heavy international pressure because of the many civilians killed in the Gaza war and the massive destruction. According to the Hamas-controlled health authority in the coastal strip, more than 22,400 people have died and more than 57,600 were hurt. From Thursday next week, Israel will have to answer for the military operation before an international court for the first time. South Africa had sued Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, accusing it of genocide. The initial hearings have been scheduled for January 11 and 12. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel through the Middle East again in the coming days in light of the Gaza war. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller announced that a longer trip was planned than previously took place with stops in Turkey, Greece, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank and Egypt. Blinken will set off immediately. Miller said talks in the coming days would centre on efforts to bring more humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, free the remaining hostages from Hamas and improve the protection of Gazan civilians. Israel must do more to reduce tensions in the West Bank, he added. The comments came as Israel said it had ended a raid on the Nur Shams refugee camp in the West Bank after more than 40 hours. Eleven people were arrested in the anti-terror operation, the army said. Hundreds of suspects were questioned and Israeli forces also confiscated weapons and destroyed explosive devices. Palestinian reports said several people were injured by beatings from Israeli forces during questioning. When asked, the Israeli army said it was investigating the allegations. Media and eyewitnesses indicated that the army left behind massive destruction in the camp. The Health Ministry in Ramallah said a 29-year-old man was also killed in confrontations during another Israeli army operation in the town of Tamun in the north of the West Bank. Israel's army regularly carries out raids in the West Bank, and these have become more frequent since the start of the Gaza war. According to military reports, an Israeli soldier was seriously injured by an explosive device during another raid in the north of the bigger Palestinian territory, which is controlled by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in contrast to the Hamas-held Gaza Strip. How much longer Hamas will control Gaza remains to be seen. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant believes that peaceful Palestinians - possibly from the West Bank - will be responsible for the Gaza Strip after the end of the war. "Hamas will not govern Gaza and Israel will not exercise civilian control over Gaza," he said. A third possible front in the war is also brewing in Lebanon. Thousands of Palestinians and Lebanese, mainly followers of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement, took part on Thursday in the funeral procession of slain Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut. The apartment in which al-Arouri was allegedly killed by Israel on Tuesday was an old office used by the Palestinian Islamist organization, according to Hezbollah sources in Lebanon. Smoke rises over buildings following an Israeli air strike. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa Yoav Gallant has told the United States that Israel would not tolerate Hezbollah on its border post-Oct 7 - Maya Alleruzzo/AP Israels defence minister warned on Thursday that there is only a short window of time for a United States-led diplomatic push to secure Hezbollahs removal from its border and prevent a new front opening in the north. The comment came as some fighters in the Lebanese terrorist groups elite Radwan force, set up to infiltrate Israel, pulled back from the border, Israeli military sources told The Telegraph. Yoav Gallant told Amos Hochstein, the US special envoy, that Israel would not tolerate the militant group on its border post-Oct 7 and that an inflection point was fast approaching where it would be removed by either diplomatic or military means. There is only one possible result a new reality in the northern arena, which will enable the secure return of our citizens, Mr Gallant told Mr Hochstein, who arrived in Israel on Thursday in an urgent bid to prevent a new Israel-Lebanon war. Yet we find ourselves at a junction. There is a short window of time for diplomatic understandings, which we prefer. We will not tolerate the threats posed by the Iranian proxy, Hezbollah, and we will ensure the security of our citizens, he added. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, repeated the message to Mr Hochstein, saying that the return of Israeli citizens to their homes in the north was one of the main goals of the war. Dozens of towns near the border have been evacuated for fear of a cross-border incursion. Tensions in the north have soared following a drone strike in a Hezbollah stronghold in southern Beirut on Tuesday that killed several senior Hamas operatives, including Saleh al-Arouri, the groups deputy political leader. American, French and British diplomats are now rushing to try to negotiate the implementation of UN resolution 1701, which calls for the establishment of a demilitarised zone between Israel and the Litani river in southern Lebanon. The resolution was agreed by both sides following the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war but never properly implemented or enforced by the UN. As tensions on the border have escalated since Oct 7, with daily rocket attacks and an estimated 140 Hezbollah and other militants killed, France has launched a concerted diplomatic push in Lebanon but has largely been rebuffed. Mourners at a funeral of three Hezbollah fighters in Kafr Kila, Lebanon. Tensions on the border have escalated since Oct 7 with an estimated 140 Hezbollah and other militants killed - Ali Hashisho/Xinhua News Agency/eyevine A visit by a French envoy in early December resulted in a venomous attack on Emmanuel Macron, the French president, in the Hezbollah-affiliated Al Akhbar newspaper. The narcissistic French president didnt get even for a moment that the Arabs all know the limits of Frances power, it said. But the man likes to play with the big boys, and despite France not holding cards enabling it to sit at the table, its president jumps up from the back benches and asks to give him a position. Israeli military analysts are sceptical that a meaningful diplomatic solution can be reached and that Israel would be alert to the charade of compliance with 1701. An Israeli fighter jet hits a Hezbollah position in southern Lebanon - Twitter Brigadier general (Res) Assaf Orion, a former head of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) strategic division and a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, said that some of Hezbollahs Radwan forces had been withdrawn from the border area but that was probably for tactical reasons. He said that the IDF remained massively deployed in defensive positions along the border, adding: Theres no use in keeping a fast assault force in place when youre not going to use it and when your surprise is gone, so they are falling back. The same thinking would probably prevail longer term, Mr Orion said. They will say were fully committed to [resolution] 1701 and you must stop Israelis aggression and all that jazz. But the actual action the troop deployment will be mostly affected by Israels force employment and not by diplomacy. A diplomatic agreement may be enough to return the 80,000 residents of the evacuated Israeli towns and kibbutzim to their homes along the Lebanon border but whether it would suffice for the Israeli defence establishment was not yet clear, Mr Orion said. He said that there has been a transformation in the countrys thinking about security post-Oct 7; Israel had misjudged Hamass intentions before the attack and had pledged not to make the same mistake again. Israel is calling for a United States-led diplomatic push to secure Hezbollahs removal from its border - JALAA MAREY/AFP It had said that it would not tolerate militarily capable terrorist groups camped on its borders, while its military philosophy had shifted from degrade and deter to degrade and defeat, Mr Orion added. A senior official in the Biden administration told reporters on Wednesday that Mr Hochstein had met with Abdallah Bou Habib, the Lebanese foreign minister, and that the United States has a diplomatic effort underway to help resolve some of the tension between Israel and Hezbollah, without elaborating further. Hezbollah meanwhile was reported to be demanding political reassurances within Lebanon in return for the implementation of resolution 1701. A senior Lebanese military commander inferred that it was trying to secure the Lebanese presidency in return for its cooperation. The presidency is not a consolation prize, neither at the level of the domestic situation, nor in terms of the strategic equations, Samir Geagea, the leader of the Lebanese Forces, is reported to have said. The implementation of [resolution] 1701 has nothing to do with the presidential post in any way whatsoever, he stressed. As attacks continue, diplomats are trying to establish a demilitarised zone in southern Lebanon - AFP Mr Gallant is reported to have pushed to attack Hezbollah immediately after Oct 7 but was talked down by the United States, which wanted time to assemble a naval task force in the area to bolster Israels air defences. He may now push again to open a new front in the north Israels towns in the north have already been evacuated, the fighting in Gaza is slowing, the American task force remains in place and there remains popular support for the war in Israel. Nevertheless, Hezbollah is a much more formidable force than Hamas in terms of numbers, professionalism and capability. Its arsenal of rockets, many precision guided, is said to number up to 150,000 more than enough to overwhelm Israels Iron Dome air-defence system. Mr Orion said that the scale of a war in Lebanon had yet to be fully internalised by the Israeli public and would not be taken lightly by any political leader. As [the Israeli politician] Benny Gantz used to tell the general staff [of the IDF]: operations we do when we can, wars we do when we must. On Thursday, more than 1,000 mourners attended the funeral of Arouri in Beirut, calling on Hamas to avenge his death. A machine gun was laid on top of his coffin and those of two other Hamas military wing commanders also killed in the Israeli drone strike. 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. If any lesson is to be drawn from the assassination of a senior Hamas commander in Beirut this week, it is that Israel never wavers in its quest to hunt down and destroy its foes. The Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann, a major architect of the Holocaust, no doubt believed that he would never be held to account for his crimes after he fled to Argentina and made a new life for himself. That was until his whereabouts were finally identified by the Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal, leading to his eventual capture by an elite unit of Israels Mossad intelligence service. Eichmann was smuggled back to Israel, where in 1962 he was convicted of war crimes and hanged. Israel adopted a similarly uncompromising approach to the Palestinian terrorists responsible for carrying out the massacre of Israeli athletes participating in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. While the PLO faction responsible for the atrocity quickly dispersed, they were eventually hunted down by Israeli spymaster Zvi Zamir, the mastermind behind Operation Wrath of God, the mission to target those responsible for the Munich attack. This embedded content is not available in your region. Now the people behind the terrible atrocities committed against Israeli civilians on October 7 by Hamas look set to suffer the same terrible retribution, as Israels security forces intensify efforts to achieve their objective of wiping the Palestinian terrorist group from the face of the earth. While Israel has a long-standing policy of not commenting publicly on intelligence operations it conducts overseas, Hamas was quick to blame the Israelis for Tuesdays carefully-targeted assassination of Saleh Al-Arouri, the deputy head of the terror groups politburo, who had a $5 million US bounty on his head. Despite being based in Lebanon, where he was responsible for coordinating ties between Hamas and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorist organisation, Israeli and US national security officials believe Arouri was involved in the funding and training of the Hamas terrorists who carried out the October 7 attacks. Arouris assassination in Beiruts Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs comes at a time when Israel is intensifying its efforts to dismantle Hamass command structure. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) claim to have already killed several high-ranking Hamas terrorists during its assault on Gaza. Moreover, the fact that Israel appears willing to extend its campaign into neighbouring countries suggests that Israeli security officials are determined to eliminate Hamas leaders wherever they may be located. Israels message to Hamas echoes the warning issued by former US president Ronald Reagan to a previous generation of Palestinian terrorists: you can run, but you cant hide. Nor, it seems, is Israel intimidated by the dire warnings issued by prominent world leaders that its efforts to eradicate Hamas could lead to a wider escalation in the conflict. There have, it is true, been numerous threats made by Iran and its allies to turn the Gaza conflict into a broader Middle East war if Israel maintains its offensive. Indeed, within hours of Arouris demise, Hezbollah said that the killing of a top Hamas terrorist in a Beirut suburb that the organisation controls will not go unanswered or unpunished. Even though the IDF has prudently placed its forces in northern Israel on high alert, the dire threats made by Hezbollah and its allies are likely to be little more than bluster. Both Hezbollah and its Iranian paymasters have issued similar warnings in recent months, but they have not amounted to anything as they have little interest in provoking a direct confrontation with Israel. On the contrary, Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made it abundantly clear during his meeting with Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in November that Iran had no intention of going to war with Israel, complaining that Hamas had failed to give Tehran prior warning of its attack plans. Hezbollah, too, has been reluctant to provoke a major confrontation with Israel, rightly fearing that its extensive military infrastructure in southern Lebanon would suffer the same fate as Hamas in Gaza. The only notable action that has been taken by Irans allies in support of Hamas has been the attacks on international shipping by the Houthi rebels in Yemen, which are being contained by the presence of Western warships in the region. The ability of Hamass key allies to support its war against Israel is being undermined, moreover, by their own domestic difficulties. Yesterdays bomb attack on a crowd marking the anniversary of the 2020 assassination of Revolutionary Guard commander Qasem Soleimani illustrates the Iranian regimes enduring fragility. In Lebanon, meanwhile, the parlous state of the countrys economy means that any attempt by Hezbollah to open a new front against Israel would simply inflict more misery on the long-suffering Lebanese people. Israels enemies are in no position to become involved in a direct conflict, knowing that, if they did so, they would be roundly defeated. 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 Israeli government is inviting Kentucky lawmakers to bear witness to the crimes against humanity of the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack in an exclusive closed door screening in Frankfort in mid-January. An emailed invitation sent on behalf of Consul General to the Southeastern U.S. Anat Sultan-Dadon to lawmakers says the 45 minutes of footage was compiled and released by the Israel Defense Force for the purpose of allowing for leaders to bear witness to the atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists on that day. The screening is to take place 6 p.m. Jan. 17. The location was not provided to lawmakers until after their RSVP. The invitation was confirmed to the Herald-Leader by multiple lawmakers. Rep. Daniel Grossberg, D-Louisville, said the invitation was initiated by the consulate and was sent to all state lawmakers and constitutional officers. Grossberg, who is Jewish, co-chairs the Kentucky-Israel Caucus alongside Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield. In a Wednesday email to House leadership, Grossberg wrote Tichenor had already secured the approval of Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester. Grossberg acknowledged the footage would be difficult for some to watch, as it would include actual murders, rape, torture, beheading, lighting people on fire and more. In Judaism, we are instructed to do two things: Bear witness, and act, he wrote in the email. It isnt always easy, and no one will judge you if this is too much. But if you can handle it, I encourage you to do so. On Oct. 7, terrorists from Hamas launched deadly attacks inside Israel, killing 1,200 people. The ensuing war in the region has left more than 20,000 Palestinians dead, and more than 100 Israeli hostages remain kidnapped by Hamas. Bearing witness to the crimes against humanity that have been committed is our shared responsibility, the invitation said. The video contains raw and unedited footage, including the documentation of murders and other visually disturbing scenes. Lawmakers were told they could not bring their phones, watches or any other recording devices into the screening. They could, however, discuss what they had seen after the event. Grossbergs email said such a briefing is quite rare. We are only the second in the Southeast to get it behind Georgia, he wrote. Grossberg also said the news media would receive an invitation to the briefing and be invited to report on it. Journalists would also not be allowed to record, his email said. This cannot be leaked and glorified in the internet, he wrote. As the reported death toll of the Israeli invasion of Gaza tops 22,000, senior Israeli politicians have grown more explicit in their goal for the Palestinian enclave: the movement of a large number of Gazans out of Gaza entirely. The rhetoric has garnered charges of ethnic cleansing and forced displacement, and a rare rebuke from U.S. officials. But there are no signs of the calls losing steam within Israel. What needs to be done in the Gaza Strip is to encourage emigration, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Sunday. Referring to Gaza as a ghetto, he added: If in Gaza there will be 100,000 or 200,000 Arabs and not 2 million, the entire conversation on the day after will look different. The following day, Smotrich referred to the Jewish settlement of the territory as important and said Palestinians should be encouraged to leave the Gaza Strip. The idea of expelling or encouraging the voluntary migration of Palestinians from Gaza, once a fringe view held by extremists like Meir Kahane, has become normalized in Israeli society since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that resulted in the deaths of some 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 240 more, according to Israeli officials. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said Monday that the current war presented an opportunity to concentrate on encouraging the migration of the residents of Gaza. Such a policy, he added, was a correct, just, moral and humane solution. And last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told one lawmaker whod called for voluntary immigration from Gaza that he was working to facilitate that movement. Our problem is [finding] countries that are willing to absorb Gazans, and we are working on it, Netanyahu said. One unnamed senior source in Israels security cabinet (Smotrich and Ben Gvir are both members) told Zman Israel, The Times of Israels Hebrew sister site, Congo will be willing to take in migrants, and were in talks with others. Israeli military action has already forcibly displaced the vast majority of the population within Gaza, which itself consists mostly of Palestinian refugees from the 1948 ArabIsraeli War and their descendants. Throughout the recent bombardment and invasion of Gaza, Israel has repeatedly urged civilians to move further south within the territory only to strike thoseareas as well. Infrastructure in Gaza, from homes to bakeries to hospitals, has been devastated, and the territory faces widespread medical need and looming famine. The bottom line is that, in Gaza, pretty much everybody is hungry at the moment, Arif Husain, the chief economist at the United Nations World Food Program, told The New Yorker recently. Some in Israel including parliamentarian Ram Ben Barak, co-author of a Wall Street Journal opinion article calling for international relocation programs for tens of thousands of Gazans have stressed that their proposals would be voluntary. But Israels military campaign in Gaza, featuring what President Joe Biden last month called indiscriminate bombing, has left few safe options left for Gazans wishing to remain in the territory, which is about the size of Philadelphia. In that context, critics say, voluntary migration amounts to illegal forced displacement. Its so cynical to call it voluntary migration, Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, told Democracy Now on Friday. She added: Its forced displacement. Its a crime against humanity ... . It should be stopped. Its shocking to see the silence of the international community in the face of these unfathomable ideas. Also last week, Jordans King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi met and reiterated their complete rejection of all attempts to liquidate the Palestinian issue and forcibly displace Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, according to Jordan News Agency. And on Wednesday, Josep Borrell Fontelles, the European Unions high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, condemned Ben Gvir and Smotrichs comments, writing, Forced displacements are strictly prohibited as a grave violation of [international humanitarian law] & words matter. Its so cynical to call it voluntary migration.' Its forced displacement.Francesca Albanese, U.N. special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories The Biden administration, Israels chief ally and weapons supplier, showed no signs of cutting off arms sales to Israel due to the migration rhetoric, even though the calls were at odds with U.S.priorities for the region. On Friday, the State Department announced that it had yet again circumvented Congress to sell Israel roughly $147.5 million worth of 155-millimeter artillery shells and related components. Still, U.S. officials did condemn the language: Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesperson, said Tuesday that the U.S. rejects the statements from Ben Gvir and Smotrich, calling the rhetoric inflammatory and irresponsible. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, amplified that sentiment with a statement of her own. But the statements appeared weak to some observers. I wonder which speaks louder, former State Department lawyer Brian Finucane observed: [The State Department] continuing to authorize US arms transfers to Israel, including the 155mm artillery shells approved via emergency procedures on Friday or issuing sternly worded statements. Israeli politicians quickly answered the question. I really admire the United States of America but with all due respect, we are not another star in the American flag, Ben Gvir said, adding: The emigration of hundreds of thousands from Gaza will allow residents [of the border area] to return home and live in security and protect [Israel Defense Forces] soldiers. Smotrich, for his part, referenced a poll that he said indicated more than 70% of the Israeli public today supports a humanitarian solution of encouraging the voluntary immigration of Gaza Arabs and their absorption in other countries. Smotrich did not say where the figure came from, though at least one recent poll showed similar figures. (In 2016, Jewish Currents noted recently, a Pew poll found that almost half of Israeli Jews either agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, Arabs should be expelled or transferred from Israel.) Theyre not alone: Israels intelligence minister and several members of the Israeli Knesset have also called for the international community to take in Gazans via voluntary migration. Some Israeli politicians have also explicitly called for the re-establishment of Israeli settlements in Gaza, another idea that has gained steam since Oct. 7. (Israel withdrew its settlers from the Strip in 2005.) And one recent Jerusalem Post opinion piece, by an Israeli geographer, referred to Egypts Sinai Peninsula as an ideal location to develop a spacious resettlement for the people of Gaza. Gazan objections to such a plan, the geographer Joel Roskin argued, can be chalked up to their desire to destroy Israel. Historian William Dalrymple observed, Open calls for the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians of Gaza are becoming ever more frequent in Israel. The Palestinians have been reduced to subhumans, to be shot, starved, dispossessed, subjugated, tortured, bombed, abused and expelled with barely a shrug. CLARIFICATION: This article has been updated to reflect the refugee status of Palestinians living in Gaza. Related... Experts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have indicated that Russia may be using the prisoner exchange on 3 January to show that it is "interested in operating within the bounds of international law and norms" against the background of previous abuses against Ukrainian prisoners of war (PoWs) in violation of the Geneva Convention. Source: ISW Details: Russia and Ukraine held a PoW swap on 3 January, which became the largest ever during the full-scale war yet and the first official exchange of prisoners of war since August 2023. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that more than 200 Ukrainian servicemen and civilians, including servicemen from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the Navy and the State Border Guard Service, had returned from Russian captivity to Ukraine. Dmytro Lubinets, Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, later clarified that 230 Ukrainian servicemen had returned as part of the 49th exchange of prisoners of war since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Lubinets and Zelenskyy noted that many of the Ukrainian prisoners of war had fought and had been captured on Zmiinyi Island and in Mariupol, suggesting that these soldiers had been in Russian captivity for almost two years. As a result of the exchange, 248 Russian servicemen returned to Russia, according to the Russian Ministry of Defence, which also expressed gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for their mediation of the deal. Russian sources disagreed on the exact number of Ukrainians who returned as a result of the exchange: some claimed that there were 173, and others that "up to 230." The Russian Defence Ministry was commended by military bloggers in Russia for securing the return of a higher proportion of Russian prisoners of war to Ukrainian ones. According to Russian sources, this was long overdue after the highly "unpopular exchange" of prisoners of war in September 2022, in which 215 Ukrainian prisoners, including captured commanders of the Azov brigade, whom Russia had initially promised to hold until the end of the war, were exchanged for 55 Russian prisoners of war and political prisoners, including Putin's personal friend, the pro-Russian Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk. It is noteworthy that Russia has expressed a desire at this time to participate in the biggest POW exchange since the full-scale war's inception and the first exchange in nearly five months. On 17 November 2023, Petro Yatsenko, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, stated that Russia had suspended the exchange of prisoners in the summer of 2023 for an unspecified reason. The ISW notes that over the past few weeks, there have been multiple instances in which Russian forces have used Ukrainian PoWs in ways that clearly violate the Geneva Convention on prisoners of war. These incidents include the use of a battalion of former Ukrainian PoWs in ongoing hostilities, the use of Ukrainian prisoners of war as human shields, and the summary execution of Ukrainian PoWs who surrendered and were obviously unfit for combat. The Institute's analysts speculate that the Russian leadership chose this particular time to hold such a large prisoner exchange in an effort to discredit reports of Russian abuses against Ukrainian POWs and portray Russia as a country that complies with international law and norms. The timing of this prisoner exchange may be part of a larger information campaign by Russian high-ranking officials, according to ISW estimates, who are frequently very interested in portraying Russia as adhering to humanitarian and other legal norms. To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 3 January: Russia and Ukraine conducted a prisoner of war (POW) exchange on 3 January in what was the largest POW exchange of the war to date and the first official POW exchange since August 2023. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated on 3 January that Ukraine plans to increase its defence industrial base (DIB) output six-fold in 2024. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba announced on 3 January that the NATO-Ukraine Council (NUC) will hold an emergency meeting in response to Russias recent mass air strikes against Ukraine. NATO member states continue initiatives to support Ukrainian operations in the air domain. Kremlin-affiliated mouthpieces may be setting information conditions to blame the West for a potential future conflict in the Arctic. Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev characterised Russia as Kazakhstans "main partner and ally" in an interview published on 3 January despite recent efforts to distance Kazakhstan from Russia. Russian forces made confirmed advances near Avdiivka and Donetsk City as positional engagements continued along the entire line of contact. The Donetsk Peoples Republics (DNR) "Vostok" Battalion stated on 3 January that the unit will continue to operate subordinated to Rosgvardia and will not be impacted by the Russian militarys reported dissolution of the "Kaskad" operational combat tactical formation of the DNRs Internal Affairs Ministry (MVD). Russian authorities continue efforts to integrate occupied Ukraine into Russia using infrastructure projects and social outreach programmes. Support UP or become our patron! People stay at Togi Elementary School in the town of Sikamachi, Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, two days after they evacuated to the shelter due to a powerful earthquake that rocked a wide area of the prefecture and its surrounding areas. -/YNA/dpa Emergency services in Japan are continuing to look for survivors of Monday's severe earthquake, with more than 50 people still missing, the Japanese news agency Kyodo reported on Thursday. It is feared that many people are still under the rubble in the badly affected coastal town of Wajima on the western peninsula of Noto, where a large marketplace burned down and houses were destroyed. It is a race against time for the search and rescue teams, as the first 72 hours are regarded as extremely critical for survivors after an earthquake. In Tokyo, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called for a "comprehensive effort" to save as many lives as possible. The death toll has continued to rise. According to Japanese media reports, at least 78 people have died in Ishikawa Prefecture, which was the hardest hit. Since the violent earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.6, the region by the Sea of Japan has been shaken by more than 150 aftershocks. In Taiwan, the government announced on Thursday that it will donate 60 million Japanese yen (about $420,000) for disaster relief. It also announced a special disaster relief account for private donations from the Taiwanese people to further help Japan. Japan marked the first business day of the New Year on Thursday. Business owners and employees went to holy places, seeking blessings for good fortune. The Kanda Myojin shrine in Tokyo was one such gathering place. View comments By Kiyoshi Takenaka WAJIMA, Japan (Reuters) - Hotel chef Makoto Wakabayashi was among those in Wajima hoping for a banner year as visitors returned to the scenic, seaside town that weathered more than two years of pandemic gloom. Those dreams came apart in minutes of violent shaking on New Year's Day, when the strongest earthquake to strike Japan in 13 years and multiple aftershocks devastated the city and claimed dozens of lives. Days later, buckled roads continue to hamper the influx of aid, while rescuers search for survivors among the flattened structures. Among the badly damaged buildings is Wakabayashi's employer, the seaside Hotel Koshuen. The total toll on lives and industry in the region from the 7.6 magnitude quake is far from known. But it is already clear that Wajima - renowned for its fisheries, lacquerware, and markets - faces a long road to recovery from not just the quake but a massive fire in a major tourist centre. Tourism was just making a comeback from the COVID-19 crisis, Wakabayashi said, but he worries this quake may be a knockout blow. "It's absolutely bad," Wakabayashi, 62, told Reuters at a community centre now serving as an evacuation centre. He was among some 600 people of all ages packed into the building's three floors, where many slept on tatami mats and plastic sheets. Nearby was the nine-story Hotel Koshuen, one of the biggest accommodation centres in the city and boasting hot spring baths with views of the ocean. The upper floors were the most damaged as the force of the quake moved up the building, he said. "Parts of walls came off and ceilings came down," Wakabayashi said. "I believe it will take half a year to a year to fully refurbish all the guest rooms." Tourism was a bright spot for Japan's economy last year as infection controls were lifted and the weak yen lured international travellers. Inbound arrivals in October exceeded levels in 2019 for the first time since the pandemic clamped down international travel. Wajima, about 450 km (280 miles) northwest of Tokyo, has always been more of a draw for domestic visitors. Just 15 minutes by foot from the Hotel Koshuen and near the evacuation centre lays Wajima's famed "Asaichi" morning market, a 1,000-year old shopping district with some 200 stalls selling seafood, snacks and crafts. Now much of it lays in ruin after a conflagration set off during the earthquake. "Wajima's morning market is one of Japan's top three," Wakabayashi said. "The fire practically destroyed it, as well as the houses of many who work there, just when the crab season is about to arrive." The veteran chef counts himself luckier than many Wajima residents who lost their homes, as he lives in an apartment provided by the hotel. He endured a substantial cut in wages during the pandemic, as both he and his employer held out for a recovery in tourism. "Customers were bound to come back following the end of the pandemic," Wakabayashi said. "But now, hotels need to do costly repairs. I'm not sure if they'll be able to keep their employees." (Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka in Wajima; Writing and additional reporting by Rocky Swift in Tokyo; Editing by Stephen Coates) Previously redacted names of disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epsteins expansive network of friends and business associates have been revealed this week in the form of nearly 1,000 pages of court records, which were unsealed on Wednesday. Many names of these associates and those in the inner circle of Epstein who died in jail awaiting federal sex-trafficking charges in 2019 had been formerly redacted from court documents. Related: Jeffrey Epstein: documents linking associates to sex offender unsealed In anticipation of these revelations, social media had been abuzz with speculation as to what they will yield. To help paint a clearer picture of why this matters, heres what we know about the documents. Who was Jeffrey Epstein? A millionaire known for associating with celebrities, politicians, billionaires and academic stars, Epstein was initially arrested in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2005 after he was accused of paying a 14-year-old girl for sex. Dozens of other underage girls described similar sexual abuse, but prosecutors ultimately allowed the financier to plead guilty in 2008 to a charge involving a single victim. He served 13 months in a jail work-release program. Some famous acquaintances abandoned Epstein after his conviction, including former presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, but many did not. Epstein continued to mingle with the rich and famous for another decade, often through philanthropic work. Reporting by the Miami Herald renewed interest in the scandal, and federal prosecutors in New York charged Epstein in 2019 with sex trafficking. He died by suicide in jail while awaiting trial. The US attorney in Manhattan then prosecuted Epsteins former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, for helping recruit his underage victims. She was convicted in 2021 and is serving a 20-year prison term. What are these records about? The documents being unsealed are part of a lawsuit filed against Maxwell in 2015 by one of Epsteins victims, Virginia Giuffre. She is one of the dozens of women who sued Epstein saying he had abused them at his homes in Florida, New York, the US Virgin Islands and New Mexico. Giuffre said the summer she turned 17, she was lured away from a job as a spa attendant at Trumps Mar-a-Lago club to become a masseuse for Epstein a job that involved performing sexual acts. Giuffre also claimed she was pressured into having sex with men in Epsteins social orbit, most famously with Britains Prince Andrew. All of those men said her accounts were fabricated. She settled a lawsuit against Prince Andrew in 2022. That same year, Giuffre withdrew an accusation she had made against Epsteins former attorney, the law professor Alan Dershowitz, saying she may have made a mistake in identifying him as an abuser. Giuffres lawsuit against Maxwell was settled in 2017, but the Miami Herald went to court to access court papers initially filed under seal, including transcripts of interviews the lawyers did with potential witnesses. About 2,000 pages were unsealed by a court in 2019. Additional documents were released in 2020, 2021 and 2022. This next batch of records had remained sealed because of concerns about the privacy rights of Epsteins victims and other people whose names had come up during the legal battle but were not complicit in his crimes. What is in the documents? US district judge Loretta A Preska, who evaluated the documents to decide what should be unsealed, said in her December order that she was releasing the records because much of the information within them was already public. Some records have been released, either in part or in full, in other court cases. Much of the rest involve topics and people who have been exhaustively covered in nearly two decades worth of newspaper stories, TV documentaries, interviews, books and testimony at Maxwells criminal trial. The people named in the records include many of Epsteins accusers, members of his staff who told their stories to tabloid newspapers, people who served as witnesses at Maxwells trial, people who were mentioned in passing during depositions but are not accused of anything salacious, and people who investigated Epstein, including prosecutors, a journalist and a detective. There are also boldface names of public figures known to have associated with Epstein over the years, but whose relationships with him have already been well-documented elsewhere, the judge said. One of them is Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent close to Epstein who was awaiting trial on charges that he raped underage girls when he killed himself in a Paris jail in 2022. Giuffre was among the women who had accused Brunel of sexual abuse. Clinton and Trump both factor in the court file, partly because Giuffre was questioned by Maxwells lawyers about inaccuracies in newspaper stories about her time with Epstein. One story quoted her as saying she had ridden in a helicopter with Clinton and flirted with Trump. Giuffre said neither of those things actually happened. She has not accused either former president of wrongdoing. The judge said a handful of names should remain blacked out in the documents because they would identify people who were sexually abused. The Associated Press contributed to this report British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell may be serving a 20-year jail sentence for running a pyramid scheme of abuse and trafficking girls and young women for sex but the Jeffrey Epstein saga continues to have an afterlife. More than four years after the disgraced financier died by suicide in his prison cell, a New York District judge announced the impending unsealing of a trove of documents revealing the names of more than 150 of his associates. The legal files are part of a long-running defamation lawsuit brought by Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre against his former fixer and convicted child trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell in 2015. The case was settled in 2017, but Judge Loretta Preska later issued an order to release materials connected to the case in December 2023. The documents identify individuals whose names had been previously redacted, including alleged victims, people not accused of wrongdoingand absent third parties. Since Maxwells conviction in December 2021, there have also been developments in a parallel case, another civil lawsuit from Ms Giuffre claiming that Prince Andrew had sex with her knowing she was underage after she was trafficked by Epstein and Maxwell. In January 2022, a federal judge allowed the case, where Prince Andrew has denied wrongdoing, to go to trail but the accused eventually elected to settle with Ms Guiffre out of court, despite vehemently protesting his innocence. Looming behind all this, however, is a shocking event from 2019 that has left few who follow the case closely with closure. In 2019, Epstein died by suicide in prison before he could be put on trial for trafficking charges of his own. As the story continues to unfold, heres what you need to know about the circumstances of his death. How did Jeffrey Epstein die? Epstein died on 10 August inside the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York, where he was confined ahead of a pending trial for allegedly recruiting dozens of teen girls to engage in sexual acts with him and his friends. He was facing up to 45 years in prison if he was convicted. Epstein was found with a noose made out of a bedsheet and the authorities ruled the death a suicide. Why is there scepticism about Epsteins death? Since the 66-year-olds death, speculation has run rampant that Epstein did not kill himself, though authorities ranging from the medical examiner to former US attorney general Bill Barr have publicly declared that Epstein did take his own life. But the rumours that the disgraced billionaire had in fact been assassinated began almost immediately. One of his lawyers, Reid Weingarten, said he had met with Epstein shortly before he died and remarked: We did not see a despairing, despondent, suicidal person. The attorney argued instead that Epsteins body, found with broken bones in his neck, which can also occur during strangulation, showed evidence far more consistent with assault. Then-president Donald Trump piled in as well, retweeting a conspiracy theory tying the death to Bill Clinton, who had flown on Epsteins private jet dubbed the Lolita Express, as had numerous other figures in the worlds of politics and entertainment including Mr Trump himself. The death also set off fevered speculation online, where the story overlapped with the themes of the increasingly influential QAnon conspiracy movement, which believes a cabal of paedophilic Democratic and media elites are conspiring to harm children. Mr Barr, however, said he personally reviewed security footage of Epsteins cell and said no one else was present during the death. "I can understand people who immediately, whose minds went to sort of the worst-case scenario because it was a perfect storm of screw-ups," he told the Associated Press in 2019 . Jeffrey Epstein (US Department of Justice/PA) There were other factors that raised eyebrows as well, including Epsteins repeated comments to prison psychologists that he was mentally sound and not contemplating suicide. Why would you ever think I would be suicidal? I am not suicidal and I would never be, Epstein told one prison official, adding that as a Jew, it was against his religion. I have no interest in killing myself, Epstein declared on another occasion, saying he was a coward who would not do that to myself, according to Bureau of Prisons documents reviewed by The New York Times. Whats more, even after an apparent suicide attempt in July and growing concern from prison psychologists he would try again, the two guards set to monitor him have admitted to lapses, including l ying on documents about whether they had checked his cell the night of his death. What did the investiagtion into Epsteins death find? In June 2023, the Bureau of Prisons and Department of Justice released a scathing report of their investigation into Epsteins death. The report found that multiple prison staff members failed to check on the disgraced financier in the hours leading up to his death despite him being on suicide watch. Under Bureau of Prison (BOP) policy, staff are required to check on all inmates in solitary confinement at least once every 30 minutes. In a clear violation of this policy, no checks were made for almost eight hours from around 10.40pm on 9 August until around 6.30am on 10 August when the prolific sex offender was found dead. Staff at the Manhattan jail also failed to assign Epstein a fellow inmate in his cell and left him with access to additional bed linen which he used to kill himself, the report finds. These failings came even after Epstein was believed to have attempted suicide on 23 July about two weeks before he died. The OIGs investigation and review identified numerous and serious failures by MCC New York staff, including multiple violations of MCC New York and BOP policies and procedures, the report states. The OIG found that MCC New York staff failed on August 9 to carry out the Psychology Departments directive that Epstein be assigned a cellmate, and that an MCC New York supervisor allowed Epstein to make an unmonitored telephone call the evening before his death. Additionally, we found that staff failed to undertake required measures designed to make sure that Epstein and other SHU inmates were accounted for and safe, such as conducting inmate counts and 30-minute rounds, searching inmate cells, and ensuring adequate supervision of the SHU and the functionality of the video camera surveillance system. The damning report states that a combination of negligence, misconduct, and outright job performance failures all contributed to an environment where one of the BOPs most notorious inmates was provided with the opportunity to take his own life. Despite the damning list of failures, the watchdog concluded that there was no evidence to contradict the FBIs finding that there was no crime involved in his death. We did not find, for example, evidence that anyone was present in the SHU area where Epstein was housed during the relevant timeframe other than the inmates who were locked in their assigned cells, the report states. The report adds: All staff members who were interviewed by the OIG said they did not know of any information suggesting that Epsteins cause of death was something other than suicide. Likewise, none of the interviewed inmates provided any credible information that Epsteins cause of death was something other than suicide. Autopsy findings were also consistent with suicide, the report said. It is unclear when Epstein was last checked on or when his cell was last searched. The report reveals that prison staff not only violated policy by failing to carry out the required checks but also falsified documents to appear as though more checks had been carried out. Two officers were later charged with falsifying BOP records but the charges were later dropped. A judge later approved a deal that would see the two guards who failed to monitor Epsteins cell avoid jail time and instead get community service. The names of possible friends, associates, witnesses and victims of the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein have been released in newly unsealed court documents. Also in the news: Israel was on high alert for retaliatory strikes after the killing of a top Hamas military leader in Lebanon. What to know about a new insulin price cap. I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. Do you think you could do the 75 Hard challenge? Here's the news to know Thursday. Clinton, Trump on Epstein list, but no wrongdoing alleged More documents and names are expected to be released on Thursday as part of a lawsuit brought by a victim of disgraced sex trafficking financier Jeffrey Epstein. Why the list matters: The hundreds of sealed court filings about Epstein include other top figures in entertainment, politics and business. The figures have not been charged with any crime. Their inclusion in the list only constitutes a possible association with Epstein and/or his former girlfriend and convicted accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, as a witness, victim, plaintiff, or as a business or social contact. Documents released late Wednesday named former President Bill Clinton repeatedly, although he is not accused of any wrongdoing. He was the topic of an argument over the credibility of a witness who said she saw the former president when he was a guest of Epstein. Trump's name also appears in a document in which Epstein is quoted as saying he would invite the then-real estate mogul to join him at a casino. In another document, a witness said she was never asked to engage in sexual relations with Trump. False details about a flight log, altered images and claims about Epstein's girlfriend: The trial and associates have long been fruitful ground for misinformation. More than 100 die in blast at gravesite of Iranian general killed by US Explosions at an event honoring a prominent Iranian general slain by a U.S. airstrike killed at least 103 people and wounded over 140 others, Iranian state-run media reported Wednesday. A senior official called the blasts a "terroristic" attack, at a time of high tension in the Middle East because of the Hamas-Israel war and repeated provocations from Iran-backed militias. The blasts struck an event marking the fourth anniversary of the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who died in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq in January 2020. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Read more What's the chance of an escalation of the Israel-Hamas war? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to track down Hamas leaders wherever they are based. The site where two explosions in quick succession struck a crowd in the southern Iranian city of Kerman on January 3, 2024. More news to know now What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here. House Republicans to begin impeachment proceedings against Mayorkas House Republicans are set to move forward with impeachment proceedings against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in a massive escalation of their attack on Democrats over the migrant crisis at the southern border. Mayorkas is currently involved in delicate Senate border talks and has pushed for President Joe Biden's proposed supplemental package that included foreign aid along with changes in border policy. The DHS replied in a statement that the effort had "no valid basis." Read more More than 60 House Republicans traveled to Eagle Pass, Texas, to tour the southern border on Wednesday, dialing up pressure on the White House and Democrats over the migrant crisis at the border. The Justice Department sued Texas Gov. Greg Abbott over state law allowing migrant arrests and deportations. A migrant surge at the border adds to Biden's 2024 election woes. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas speaks with reporters during a news conference at the Department of Justice on Dec. 6, 2023, in Washington. An insulin $35 cap price is now in effect A price cap on insulin from one of the three major manufacturers took effect with the start of the new year, giving more Americans with diabetes more affordable treatments. The price cuts will reduce the cost of the drug for most patients to keep payments around $35 through either price caps or savings programs. Analysts, politicians and patient advocates have increasingly criticized drug manufacturers for the prices set for insulin, and some say more needs to be done given the millions of Americans who need the drug. Read more Keep scrolling Hundreds of migrants in Denver tent city evicted Hundreds of migrants living in an illegal tent city near downtown Denver were evicted Wednesday by police and officials who offered them apartments, group shelter space or bus tickets to leave. The encampment sprung up several months ago and occupied the spaces between sidewalks and streets for multiple blocks. Many of the migrants are Venezuelans seeking asylum and work permits, but are scheduled for court hearings as far out as 2029. Read more Migrants carrying their belongings walk though an illegal tent encampment as city officials close it down in Denver, Colorado on January 3, 2024. Photo of the day: The new pink Starbucks x Stanley cup is selling out fast People have flocked to Target since the release of the winter pink Starbucks x Stanley cup, arguing with one another, waiting in long lines, camping out overnight to get a chance to purchase the cup as soon as the store opened. Here's how you might still be able to get one. Shopping frenzy over special edition Stanley cups Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com or follow along with her musings on Twitter. Support journalism like this subscribe to USA TODAY here. Associated Press contributed reporting. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jeffrey Epstein, Israel-Hamas war, Iran, migrant, border, Starbucks: Daily Briefing The guests to Epsteins islands came from across the world and from the highest ranks of society: celebrities and scientists and members of royal families, touching down in a private jet and then boarding a helicopter to the island. Its owner liked to call it Little St Jeff. The locals called it Paedophile Island. But what is the truth about Little St James, the 75-acre private paradise in the US Virgin Islands that billionaire sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein once called home? A criminal complaint from the attorney general of the US Virgin Islands described it as the perfect hideaway and haven for trafficking young women and underage girls for sexual servitude, child abuse and sexual assault. On this island, the complaint says: Epstein and his associates could avoid detection of their illegal activity from Virgin Islands and federal law enforcement, and prevent these young women and underage girls from leaving freely and escaping the abuse. The island featured in Ghislaine Maxwells sex trafficking trial in December. She was convicted of five sex-trafficking charges and was sentenced to 20 years behind bars plus a $750,000 fine on Tuesday, 28 June. Finally, in May 2023, it was sold to a wealthy investor for less than half of its original asking price, with the hope of turning it into a luxury resort. Here is everything we know about Little St James and what Epstein did there. Where is Jeffrey Epsteins island and what is it like? Little St James is a small island fringed by coral reefs in the bright blue waters of the US Virgin Islands, with sheltered inlets and forested groves rising to dramatic windswept ridges and craggy cliffs. It lies just off the south-eastern tip of St Thomas, one of the Caribbean archipelagos three main islands. The Virgins were purchased from Denmark by the US government at the height of the First World War in order to stop them being used as a German submarine base. Today, many financial experts regard them as a tax haven, with huge discounts on corporation tax and personal income tax available to companies based there. It was in the Virgins that Epstein registered as a sex offender in 2010, following his first conviction for child prostitution in 2008. He also based his shell companies in a small unmarked office in a seaside strip mall on St Thomas, alongside a Sams Mini-Mart and a salon called Happy Nails. In 1998, he bought Little St James from venture capitalist Arch Cummin via a shell company, reportedly paying just under $8m (6m). The new owner quickly scoured away all the native vegetation and replaced it with 40-foot palm trees. Starting in 2007, Epstein began a massive programme of building and remodelling that drew suspicion from local officials. His main compound nearly doubled in size, sprouting into a plush mansion with an outside terrace connecting the master bedroom and the swimming pool, along with a desalination system. Satellite photos show a sprawling network of terraces, cottages, beach houses, swimming pools, docks, utility buildings, a helipad, a tennis court, slipways, some kind of enclosed lake or lagoon, and various huts of unknown purpose, all connected by palm-lined roads where golf buggies ferried guests from place to place (a journey across the island reportedly took about five minutes). Stunning drone footage posted on YouTube offers a closer look, with a huge sundial at the centre of the island big enough to walk around on and two tall American flags posted at opposite ends of the island. At the other end from Epsteins manor is a squat, boxy blue and white striped structure often referred to as a temple, surrounded by a terrace with a red labyrinth motif. It previously had a golden dome and two gold statues on its roof, which were reportedly torn off in Hurricane Maria. But seriously, what's up with this weird temple thing on Jeffrey Epstein's private island? pic.twitter.com/njxfg2HahN Jon Gabriel (@exjon) July 9, 2019 The building differs greatly from Epsteins original planning permit for an octagonal music pavilion and has become a lightning rod for fevered speculation. Theorists have variously described it as the entrance to an underground lair, an altar to an Egyptian deity, a burial ground for his parents, or a site of ritual sexual abuse, but an investigation by Business Insider concluded that it was most likely a private study and music room for Epstein. In 2016, Epstein also bought the neighbouring island of Great St James, about twice as large at 165 acres, allegedly pretending that the real buyer was a Dubai businessman named Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. He wasnt well received, one St Thomas resident told the Associated Press. People think hes too rich to be policed properly. What was life like on the island? In the days before his 2008 conviction, Epstein would visit Little St James two or three times a month, staying several days at a time. One former employee described it as a Zen-like retreat where the financier would stroll around in flip-flops, with meditative music playing from speakers and the women often sunbathing topless. There were always women, of course: frequently attractive, sometimes suspiciously young, on the arms of Epstein or one of his many guests or, sometimes, ferried over in groups aboard a 38-foot boat called the Lady Ghislaine, reportedly after Epsteins longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell. The island had a staff of about 70, from groundskeepers and gardeners through laundry ladies to on-call boat captains. They wore black or white polo shirts and were sworn to strict secrecy, with instructions to stay out of Epsteins sight when doing their work. They were also forbidden to enter either of Epsteins two offices in the main manor, one of which housed a closely guarded steel safe. According to The LA Times, Epstein also had an enthusiasm for pirate treasure, his name for old rum bottles and crockery found about the island. He would pay servants between $100 and $1,000 for interesting finds in good condition. A screenshot from a TikTok video in which an urban explorer scopes out the blue and white temple (TikTok/@braccozz) He was a very kind man and, while I dont approve of things hes been accused of, I liked him very much, Miles Alexander, who together with his wife Cathy ran the island between 1999 and 2007, told The Daily Mail. Our job was about discretion. We have a clear conscience that we didnt witness anything untoward. The South African couple described how Epstein did not like to eat meals in front of people, instead taking snacks to eat in his room where he would also receive daily massages. Disturbing him there was absolutely forbidden, although they did once find a box of sex toys while he was out. When they were hired, the Alexanders say they were told: What Jeffrey Wants, Jeffrey gets. Who did Epstein host on his island? Of course there were always guests. Among the famous names reportedly hosted by Epstein were theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, Nobel laureate Lawrence Krauss, comedian Chris Tucker, actor Kevin Spacey, Victorias Secret magnate Les Wexner, model Naomi Campbell, former Tony Blair aide Lord Peter Mandelson and Prince Andrew of the United Kingdom. It has been claimed that Bill Clinton was also a guest, though he denies ever having been there. Donald Trump reportedly flew on one of Epsteins private jets, but it is unclear if he visited the island. The magician David Copperfield is even said to have proposed to supermodel Claudia Schiffer there. Guests would arrive on one of Epsteins Gulfstream jets at Cyril E King Airport on St Thomas, in a private area separate from the main runway. They would then be shuttled to Little St James on one of Epsteins black helicopters. Renowned British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking enjoys a barbecue on Jeffrey Epstein's Caribbean island Little St James while attending a conference on St Thomas in March 2006 (Tim Stewart News Limited) Epstein was fond of treating the guests, reportedly paying for a submarine to be modified to give a sea bed tour to Professor Hawking, who had never been underwater before. One former employee described it as like a five star hotel where nobody paid. Cathy Alexander remembers Prince Andrew as one of the more gracious visitors, describing him as great fun and very undemanding. One day he returned from the beach in great mirth: one of his companions had stepped on a sea urchin and he had urinated on her foot to salve it. Ms Alexander recalls him slipping her a $350 tip, which was unexpected, because other guests didnt. In January 2024, up to 200 Epstein associates are expected to be unmasked after a judge ordered the unsealing of court documents in a lawsuit brought by Ms Guiffre against Maxwell. Many of the documents, to be unsealed anytime from 1 January, have previously been publicly released though names were redacted. In December 2023, US District Judge Loretta Preska ruled that there was no legal justification to keep the names redacted as John and Jane Does. This has paved the way for several famous figures to find their names publicly linked to Epstein some of whom may be alleged visitors to the island. Didnt anyone notice Epsteins alleged sex trafficking? Certainly they did. From the start, locals on St Thomas whispered darkly about Epsteins activities, calling his private jets the Lolita Express. When scuba divers swam near the island, security guards would reportedly appear to patrol the edge of the water. At one point, Epstein was ferrying about 200 workers back and forth every day to build his projects. When he was there, it was keep to yourself and do your thing, one of them told the AP, adding that the mogul would sometimes give away old material or surplus material. Airport staff on St Thomas could see who Epstein was bringing with him on the Express. On multiple occasions I saw Epstein exit his helicopter, stand on the tarmac in full view of my tower, and board his private jet with children - female children, a former air traffic controller told Vanity Fair. My colleagues and I definitely talked about how we didnt understand how this guy was still allowed to be around children. We didnt say anything because we figured law enforcement was doing their job. That is regrettable, but we really didnt even know who to tell, or if anyone really cared." Another airstrip employee said: Thered be girls that look like they could be in high school. They looked very young. They were always wearing college sweatshirts. It seemed like camouflage, thats the best way to put it. I could see him with my own eyes. I compared it to seeing a serial killer in broad daylight. I called it the face of evil... It was like he was flaunting it. Sometimes the girls would be carrying shopping bags from designer brands such as Gucci and Dior. The Alexanders also grew suspicious. They looked like they had stepped out of an underwear catalogue, Cathy told The Mail. They walked around with very few clothes on or lounged around by the pool with nothing on. It was like that most of the time. I was concerned about their ages. A few of them looked very young and I couldnt help but wonder if their mothers knew where they were. Miles Alexander added that he had sometimes had to refuse Epsteins requests to smuggle in female guests by boat without logging their names and passport numbers with the government of St Thomas. The couples unease grew until they finally quit in 2007. In our final meeting, [Epstein] told me I had always been his conscience, Alexander said. Im certainly battling with my conscience now. What really happened on Epsteins island? That is the subject of multiple ongoing court cases, but the accusations are shocking. According to a lawsuit filed by Prince Andrews accuser, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, Little St James was the centre of a worldwide grooming scheme in which recruiters working for Epstein targeted young women who were open to abuse and manipulation, played on their hopes and fears, dazzled them with displays of vast weath and power and then force them to have sex with clients while keeping them in line with threats and blackmail. Ms Giuffre says that Prince Andrew sexually abused her on Little St James when she was 17, which the prince unequivocally denies. Andrew and Ms Giuffre settled her lawsuit against him on 15 February, bringing an end to the protracted legal case in New York court. The Virgin Islands attorney generals office makes similar claims, saying: Between 2001 and 2019 the Epstein Enterprise transported underage girls and young women to the Virgin Islands, who were then taken via helicopter or private vessel to Little St James where they were deceptively subjected to sexual servitude, forced to engage in sexual acts and coerced into commercial sexual activity and forced labour. To accomplish his illegal ends, Epstein formed an association with multiple defendants and others (both companies and individuals, who were willing to participate in, facilitate, and conceal Epsteins criminal activity in exchange for Epsteins bestowal of financial and other benefits, including sexual services and forced labour from victims. In fact, the complaint describes Little St James as just one step in a worldwide web of private flights that ferried sex trafficking victims to London, Paris, Tangier, Granada, St Louis, Palm Beach, Atlantic City and beyond. It says some victims were as young as 12. The complaint also alleges that Little St James served as a prison for the victims, with Epstein controlling all communication with the outside world. It says one 15-year-old tried to escape by swimming, but Epstein organised a search party, recaptured her and confiscated her passport. Remember, he owns a whole island, said attorney general Denise George in 2020. So it wasnt a situation where a child or a young woman would be able to just break away and run down the street to the nearest police station. One alleged victim told CBS News that she had been raped in Epsteins office in St Thomas and that he had a gun strapped to the bedpost in his bedroom on Little St James. The complaint says Epstein kept a computerised list of underage girls in or near the Virgin Islands who could be brought to the island. Why didnt anyone do anything? Authorities made several attempts to investigate Little St James. As a sex offender, Epstein was required to re-register every year and officials did try to visit the island in 2018 to verify his address. But according to the attorney general's complaint, Epstein refused the officers entry at the dock, claiming it was his front door and insisted on meeting them in his office on St Thomas. He also made employees sign confidentiality agreements that banned them from talking to law enforcement and required them to report any inquiries to Epstein. Monitoring a sex offender with his own private islands and the resources to fly victims in and out on private planes and helicopters represented unique challenges and allowed the Epstein Enterprise to limit scrutiny, the complaint says. In addition, both Little St James and Great St James are protected areas due to their coral reefs and wildlife. Local planning officials suspected Epstein of exceeding his building permits and the attorney general's complaint says that he was fined thousands of dollars for breaking environmental rules, yet that kind of money was nothing to Epstein. New York prosecutors announce their case against Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell (AFP/Getty) In fact, the complaint argues that Epstein's purchase of Great St James was simply a ruse to hide what was happening on Little St James. The Epstein Enterprise purchased the island for more than $20m because participants wanted to ensure that it did not become a base from which others could view their activities or visitors, it says. Epstein purchased these properties to further shield his conduct from view, prevent his detection by law enforcement or the public, and allow him to continue and conceal his criminal enterprise. A criminal enterprise In December 2022, the US Virgin Islands filed a lawsuit in a federal court in New York against JPMorgan Chase alleging the Wall St bank had been complicit in helping Epstein traffic vulnerable women and girls into sexual servitude at his two secluded islands. The USVIs attorney general alleged JPMorgan helped pull the levers through which Epstein paid his network of enablers and victims. Epstein withdrew as much as $750,000 a year in cash from JPMorgan accounts even after the late paedophile had been red flagged by the bank as a child sex offender, attorneys for the territory alleged in the lawsuit. JPMorgan rejected the allegations and tried to shift blame for Epsteins crimes onto high-ranking USVI officials. Their lawyers claimed that the USVI shielded him from accountability while reaping the benefits of his wealth. In early 2023, the USVI quietly began issuing subpoenas for the banks top executives and other powerful, peripheral figures who were dragged into the case. Among them were JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, Tesla CEO and Twitter owner Elon Musk, and Googles co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin. There is no suggestion that any of the men were involved in Epsteins offending. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said he did not recall ever hearing about Epstein until after his arrest in 2019 (Associated Press) When Mr Dimon was quizzed under oath by USVI attorneys in late May, he said he did not recall ever hearing about Epstein or his sexual misconduct until after his arrest in 2019. Mr Dimon, a Wall Street power player who has expressed an interest in running for president, said he first heard about Epstein when the story blew wide open. According to a transcript of the video deposition, Mr Dimon was confronted with an email from Epsteins former assistant suggesting the pair were scheduled to meet as far back as 2010. He replied emphatically that he had never had an appointment, never met, or never known Jeff Epstein. In court filings in May, JPMorgan accused the islands and senior officials of enabling Epstein to commit his crimes. Lawyers for the bank claimed high-ranking USVI officials had been bought off by Epstein and actively worked with him while reaping the benefits of his wealth. He gave them money, advice, influence, and favors. In exchange, they shielded and even rewarded him, they wrote. JPMorgan also claimed that Epstein had bankrolled a USVI officials political campaign who later awarded him tax breaks. Then in September, weeks before the case was due to go to trial, JPMorgan announced it had settled the case for $75m without admitting it was at fault. In a statement, the bank said it would pay $55m to Virgin Island charities and anti-trafficking organisations, and $20m to cover the island territorys legal expenses. What will happen to the island now? Epstein died in prison in 2019, in what authorities have ruled to be a suicide. In June 2023, a scathing US government report laid bare a catalogue of errors leading to his death, but confirmed the orginal assessment. After that, for nearly two years, the fate of Little St James and Great St James were was in limbo after the government of the US Virgin Islands asked a judge to give it control of Epsteins old assets. The billionaires executor fought that request, saying they want to use his assets to set up a relief fund for sexual assault victims, and asking the government to unfreeze his two islands so they can sell them off. Ms George countered by accusing them of mismanaging the estate and paying for lawyers, landscaping, and helicopter fees, but not the brave women who have stepped forward to participate in the compensation fund. But in November 2022, the US Virgin Islands reached a settlement with the Epstein estate, which agreed to pay the government $105m and half the proceedds from an eventual sale of the islands, plus $450,000 to epair environmental damage. Authorities said that Epstein had removed the ruins of old colonial structures from the days of slavery. With the path to a sale now clear, investor Stephen Deckoff announced on 3 May 2023 that he would buy both islands for $60m, with the hope of opening a 25-room luxury resort by the end of 2025. That money was less than half of the $125m asking price that was originally attached to the islands. In the meantime, Little St James has become a hotspot for morbid tourists, urban explorers and social media influencers attempting to access the island and make videos. Travelers frequently ask about it, and some local boat operators make it part of their tours. In November 2021, Google removed a number of offensive prank reviews from the islands listing on Google Maps after they were brought to the tech giants attention by The Independent. Vernon Morgan, a taxi driver on St Thomas, told the AP that he would rather people left it alone. It brought some kind of notoriety to the Virgin Islands, he said. We would much rather that the Virgin Islands be seen in a different light. This article was originally published in November 2021, and has been updated since then with new information. It was amended on 2 January 2023. It previously inaccurately stated that Bill Gates was among the peripheral figures who had received a subpoena from the USVI, but he did not. Stephen Hawking at a barbecue on Jeffrey Epstein's Caribbean island in 2006 while attending a conference organised by the financier Jeffrey Epstein told Ghislaine Maxwell she could offer money to Virginia Giuffres friends if they could help prove an allegation that Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy was false, newly released filings suggest. In an email written in 2015, the financier suggested that Ms Giuffre had made claims involving the British physicist and the former US president Bill Clinton. Epstein said the strongest claim was that Mr Clinton had dined on his private island, which the former president has adamantly denied. The email read: You can issue a reward to any of Virginias friends, acquaints, family that come forward and help prove her allegations are false. The strongest is the Clinton dinner, and the new version in the Virgin Islands that Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy. Hawking photographed on Epsteins private island In 2015 photographs emerged which showed Hawking was hosted on Epsteins private Caribbean island before the billionaire was first charged in 2006. Pictures showed Cambridge professor at a barbecue on Little St James and taking a boat cruise and submarine tour. Hawking was one of 21 internationally-renowned scientists attending a conference on gravity in March 2006 which was funded by Epstein. He died in 2018 aged 76, more than four decades after first being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a condition which slowly paralysed him. 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. Jeffrey Epstein once suggested calling Donald Trump to organise a trip to a casino during an unscheduled trip to Atlantic City, court filings claim. The former president has distanced himself from Epstein, despite their friendship in the 1990s, and has claimed he is not a fan of his. However, deposition documents detail how Johanna Sjoberg, who has accused Epstein of sexual abuse, described a planned trip to New York with the financier, Ghislaine Maxwell and Virginia Giuffre in 2001. Ms Sjoberg told lawyers the flight was later diverted to Atlantic City in New Jersey prompting Epstein to suggest calling Mr Trump. She said: As we were flying, Jeffrey said, Why dont you go sit in the cockpit to check out the landing? So we were sitting there, and the pilots told me to go back and tell him that we cant land in New York and that we were going to have to land in Atlantic City. Ms Sjoberg added: Jeffrey said, Great, well call up Trump and well go to - I dont recall the name of the casino, but - well go to the casino. Donald Trump with Prince Andrew in 2019 - AP Mr Trump and Epstein moved in the same social circles in the 1980s and 1990s, and in 2002, Mr Trump told New York Magazine: Ive known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. He added: It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. At Maxwells trial in 2021, one of Epsteins anonymous accusers said they were introduced by him to Mr Trump when they were 14 years old. A photo taken in 2000, the year before Ms Sjobergs trip to Atlantic City, shows Mr Trump, his then-girlfriend Melania, Epstein and Maxwell at the former presidents Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. But the former president later said he only knew him like everybody in Palm Beach knew him, adding that he threw him out of Mar-a-Lago and that the pair had a falling out. Following Epsteins arrest in 2019, then-president Trump said he was not a fan of the financier. It is thought the pair fell out over their rival bids for a house in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2004 the year before Epsteins first arrest on prostitution charges. Joseph Luzinski, the trustee who was selling the house after its owner declared bankruptcy, said both had lobbied him to agree to their bids and claimed the other did not have the money to buy it. Asked about the reason for their dispute, after Epsteins arrest, Mr Trump, said: The reason doesnt make any difference, frankly. 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. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) The Idaho man charged with killing his pregnant wife and young son pleaded not guilty Wednesday to three counts of murder. In a virtual hearing, 48-year-old Jeremy Best pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and three enhancements for the use of a weapon during a commission of a crime, East Idaho News reported. Standoff at Taylorsville business ends after man shoots self Best answered questions from Judge Dane Watkins concerning the details of the charges against him. He appeared calm, in contrast to a Dec. 4 hearing where he was visibly agitated and emotional. Last month, a grand jury in Teton County indicted Best in the deaths of his wife, Kali Randall, their unborn child, and their 10-month-old son, Zeke Best. According to the charging documents, Best shot his wife several times on Nov. 30, killing her and their unborn baby. He then allegedly kidnapped his young son and killed him with a knife. The childs body was found on Dec. 2. If convicted of the murder charges, Best faces the death penalty. Best is next slated to appear in court on March 14. He was recently deemed fit to stand trial after undergoing a competency test. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphys administration considered setting aside $5 million in federal Covid-19 aid for a rapid response plan for migrants coming into the state from the southern border last summer but the plan never came to fruition, according to records and his office. That proposal, mentioned in a June application to use relief funds and obtained by POLITICO through a public records request, was in anticipation of an influx of migrants with the lifting of so-called Title 42 restrictions a month earlier. New Jersey is seeing migrants bused to the state en route to New York City, although it is unclear what level of state involvement there will be. The Democratic governor said Wednesday the arrivals by bus from Texas the past week is a manageable situation and stressed that most migrants were not staying in the state. The records offer a glimpse how the Murphy administration could address migrants entering the state should the situation escalate. The Title 42 policy, which was started by the Trump administration and carried through the Biden administration until May 2023, allowed for asylum-seekers to be turned away at the southern border on public health grounds. That happened an estimated 2 million times while the policy was in place during the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result of the federal [public health emergency] ending, Title 42 has also been rescinded, the application, signed by the state Department of Human Services' acting chief financial officer at the time, said. Border arrivals are expected to increase and NJ is on the top list of states for migrant arrivals. This plan has been put in place in the event NJ receives an influx of migrant arrivals by bus or other means." Murphy spokesperson Tyler Jones, referring to the $5 million requested by Human Services, said in a statement to POLITICO that to date, no American Rescue Plan funds have been distributed for this purpose. Twenty-six buses carrying about 1,200 migrants from the southern border have been sent to train station stops in New Jersey the past week, Murphy said Thursday at an unrelated event, to sidestep New York City rules limiting when bused migrants can arrive there. It has highlighted the gridlock in Washington on immigration reform while forcing Democrats to live up to their rhetoric embracing immigrants or risk appearing hypocritical to voters who will decide the presidency and control of the House in November. New York Mayor Eric Adams, for example, has said migrants are draining city resources and will destroy his city, and his public criticism of Biden has severely damaged the relationship between the Democratic president and mayor of the countrys largest city. The major Democratic-led cities of New York and Chicago have been popular destinations for Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and even Democrat-run governments to send migrants over the last year. Local orders over the past month in those two cities have restricted arrival times for bused migrants, leading buses to drop them off in neighboring municipalities as a workaround. Long before the publicized migrant drop-offs at train station stops in New Jersey, though, state officials planned for an influx of migrants. The application from DHS proposed spending the $5 million to help coordinate mass shelter activities including shelter, food, crisis counseling and as needed wrap-around social services for newly arrived individuals. Funds will be utilized to support these activities in the event this plan is activated, the application said. The $5 million pales in comparison with what other Democratically controlled governments have spent on the migrant crisis. Chicago recently set aside $95 million in federal pandemic moneyto address migrants sent to the city. New York City is expected to spend a total of $12 billion on migrants over the course of three fiscal years and has said federal assistance has fallen short of demand. The New Jersey application also mentions a migrant task force put together by the governors office, although the existence of such a task force has not been publicly acknowledged and the governor's office declined to comment on it. That proposal came about two months before the Biden administration considered a South Jersey airport as a potential relocation spot for migrants from New York City, which Murphy who once said New Jersey would be a sanctuary state under his watch said was not feasible. Murphys office declined to comment on whether such a proposal could come back or if it has resurfaced due to migrants passing through the state en route to New York City. Murphy, when asked by a reporter Wednesday whether he had a plan to deal with more migrants coming into the state, said: There is a plan in place, and that is that New York City has the federal resources in place. Adams office did not seem to agree. While we are grateful for the help our federal partners have provided thus far, simply put, its not enough, Adams spokesperson Kayla Mamelak said in a statement to POLITICO. We need meaningful financial help, expedited work pathways, and a national resettlement strategy. Murphy has been diplomatic with his public comments about immigration, saying its shameful Congress has not addressed much-needed reform while also decrying the actions of Abbott. "The last thing we need is governors like Greg Abbott doing political stunts, he said. This is not a time for stunts, this is a time to figure out a solution that's broad and comprehensive. A spokesperson for Abbott, in a statement to POLITICO, said Murphy should redirect his frustration towards Biden. Instead of complaining about migrants passing through New Jersey on the way to their final destination in New York City, Governor Murphy should call on his party leader to finally do his job and secure the border something he continues refusing to do, Abbott spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris said in a statement. Until President Biden steps up and does his job to secure the border, Texas will continue transporting migrants to sanctuary cities to help our local partners respond to this Biden-made crisis. The fall 2023 semester marked another year of record enrollment at Indiana University, with 47,527 students enrolled in the Bloomington campus. The IU Bloomington student population has increased more than 9% in the past five years. As IU has grown, who is enrolling has shifted. According to IUs annual enrollment survey, New England states, including New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts, have nearly doubled in enrollment at IU. Enrollment from neighboring midwestern states such as Illinois, Wisconsin and Ohio has remained relatively stable. The above map shows percent changes in IU's enrollment population by state between 2018 and 2023. Dark blue indicates increases in enrollment, while white shows decreases. The New England area saw growth in enrollment population, while growth in the Midwest generally slowed. Several western states also sent more high school graduates to IU. Texas rose from IUs No. 9 most-enrolled state to No. 8, and both Nevada and Colorado nearly doubled their enrollment. The changes reflect not only a continuing trend at IU of fewer homegrown Hoosiers enrolling between 2018 and 2023, the share of in-state students fell from 52% to 48% of the student body but suggest a shift in the universitys national presence, appealing to regions outside of the Midwest in ways previously not seen, aside from highly populous states like New York, California and Texas. Growth in enrollment from New England The increase in enrollment from New England is most likely a result of high costs of tuition in the region. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), between 2020 and 2021, the New England region made up eight of the 10 states with the highest cost of in-state tuition in the country, with Vermont, New Hampshire and Connecticut charging the most. According to NCES, in-state tuition in Vermont, New Hampshire and Connecticut ranges from $28,000-$30,000 a year, and out-of-state costs range from $32,000-$41,000. Out-of-state tuition at IU is approximately $40,000 a year, according to IUs cost calculator. A 2019 report by the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee found those same three New England states experienced some of the highest rates of brain drain defined in the report as the share of highly educated adults who leave their birth state minus the share of adults who remain in the country. Stagnancy and decline in the Midwest While enrollment at IU from New England states grew in recent years, growth from Midwestern states remained relatively slow, and in some cases even declined. IU's most-enrolled states between 2018 and 2023 2018 2023 1. Indiana: 22,828 1. Indiana: 22,677 2. Illinois: 3,848 2. Illinois: 4,278 3. California: 1,049 3. New Jersey: 1,475 4. New Jersey: 858 4. California: 1,394 5. Ohio: 807 5. New York: 1,107 6. New York: 787 6. Michigan: 915 7. Michigan: 627 7. Ohio: 910 8. Florida: 502 8. Texas: 858 9. Texas: 428 9. Florida: 604 10. Pennsylvania: 425 10. Pennsylvania: 524 Enrollment growth coming from Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky and Wisconsin was less than 20%, with Ohio falling from IU's No. 5 most-enrolled state in 2018 to No. 7 in 2023. Two Midwestern states saw comparatively significant growth at IU; Michigan grew in enrollment by approximately 45% between 2018 and 2023, and Minnesota grew by 51%. Michigan also rose from IUs No. 7 most-enrolled state to No. 6. Record enrollment for Indiana Though increases to IUs out-of-state and international attendance has decreased the overall share of Indiana residents in the student population, IU is still achieving record enrollment from Indiana residents themselves. In fall 2023, IU enrolled 9,550 new undergraduates, a record-breaking 5,161 of whom were from Indiana. Between 2018 and 2023, IUs in-state undergraduate enrollment increased by more than 3%, with students coming from all 92 of Indianas counties. However, IUs in-state graduate enrollment has continued to fall in recent years. In fall 2023, IU enrolled 2,950 graduate students from Indiana, more than 20% less than in 2018. Reach Brian Rosenzweig at brian@heraldt.com. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Where do the 2023 Indiana University students call home? Amongst Democratic and progressive voting circles, there arguably has been no politician more popular over the last two years than John Fetterman. The statuesque 68 figure has catapulted himself from mayor of the small town of Braddock, Pennsylvania, and a vocal fan of Bernie Sanders' presidential candidacy in 2016, to a competent lieutenant governor under Tom Wolfs leadership in the Keystone State. And of course, Fettermans rising star status reached its zenith when he defeated the clown show that was TV personality Dr.Oz. Fetterman's focused yet funny campaign offered an effective template for Democratic candidates to use against Republicans: tell casual voters of politics, in direct and creative ways, about their conservative opponents hypocrisy. Fetterman became even more beloved in left-leaning circles due to the abhorrent, ableist attacks from the right over his various health scares. There was Ozs shameful desperation in trying to use Fettermans May 2022 stroke to convince voters that the tall man wasnt physically capable of being a senator and Laura Ingrahams theory that Fetterman's hospitalization for feeling lightheaded 10 months ago was part of a strategic political calculation plot by Fetterman's wife to transform him into a national sympathetic figure and even an inspirational champion. The eternal conspiracy theorists of QAnon believed that Fetterman had a body double impersonating him. And as if he needed any more people to view him as a rare, relatable personality in the millionaire-filled, out-of-touch Senate, Fettermans desire to casually dress in the chamber instead of adhering to its stupid dress code drew levels of ire from not only Republicans but also his fellow members of the Democratic Caucus. His response to his colleagues unanimous resolution to reinstate the formal attire rules was a timely, cheeky reply with actor Kevin James' viral shrug meme, perfectly summing up how Fetterman is hip to pop culture. But as the tragic war on Gaza continues to unfold, Fetterman finds himself as the latest in a long list of Democratic politicians sadly punching left. As calls for Benjamin Netanyahus Israel to adhere to a ceasefire against not only Hamas but Palestinian lives have grown louder and louder from progressive and the left online populace, only to fall on deaf ears, Fetterman has been proud to fully back any militaristic decision from the Israel Defensive Force (IDF). 11 days into the war, the 54-year-old announced his unwavering no perspective to any ceasefire. The many progressive supporters of Fetterman in Pennsylvania and throughout the country, who were the backbone reason he was elected, and gave him their impassioned support through the conservative echo chambers hatred of him, were alarmed at his tweet and urged him to reconsider his hawkish take, most notably 16 former staffers on his Senate campaign. He refused to relent on that position and decided to anger his core backers even more by wavering the Israel flag while they protested in front of him outside of New Yorks junior Senator Kirsten Gillibrands office. That same day, he told a pro-Palestine U.S. veteran protester that she should be protesting Hamas instead. When 411 anonymous Congressional staffers signed a letter advocating for their bosses to agree to a ceasefire in Gaza, Fettermans chief of staff Adam Jentleson sent a letter that stated staffers were prohibited from making public statements everywhere. That letter angered the Congressional Progressive Staff Association, who fired off a response on Twitter/X saying, Not-so-gentle reminder no office can prohibit you from signing onto an anonymous letter or survey if you do so using personal time and resources, no matter what they tell you. As the days have gone by, Fetterman has only increased his dismissive approach toward anti-war progressives over this literal life-and-death crisis. He called a Philadelphia group of pro-Palestine supporters pathetic for protesting in front of an IDF-supporting restaurant whose former employee alleged she was fired by the owner for her contrasting views. And he went on CNN last week to blame those on TikTok for producing warped views of the war and feeling they arent reflective of history and actually the way things absolutely are. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Fetterman stridently declared to Politico last week, I would be the last man standing to be absolutely there on the Israeli side on this with no conditions. Somewhere, forever hawk and enemy of progressives Joe Lieberman would be flattered by Fetterman matching his sentiments. To that point, Fetterman has plainly stated: Im not a progressive. Regardless of whatever perspective you feel about the war on Gaza, Fettermans rude, gruff side of his personality was always a major concern. During the primary campaign, he was dogged by questions of whether he has the temperament to be a consistent advocate for all. And for him to not even seriously consider whether he should be on the side of wanting the least amount of death, when possibly 20,000 people have lost their lives, is apathetic behavior. Apathy begets apathy, perhaps from the heart of his own voting block. It was already bad enough that he called justified votes against funding Israels Dome by the likes of the Squad, including the only Palestinian-American in Congress, Rashida Tlaib, fringe and extreme. But he has debased himself further in acting like he wants to replace Joe Manchin or Kyrsten Sinema for most left-loathing annoying centrist in the Senate. He wont be back on the ballot until 2028, but Fettermans abrasive attitude repels parts of the Democratic base as we head into the presidential and congressional elections of 2024. With Joe Biden currently having his lowest approval ratings ever, Fetterman has contributed to giving progressive Americans another reason to not get excited about those we elect and have high hopes for. By turning his back on those who cared the most to have his back, the Pennsylvania giant of a senator has unfortunately come up so very small here. A federal judge is allowing a challenge to New Yorks assault weapons ban to proceed after he denied a motion to dismiss the lawsuit Thursday. Two people supported by gun rights advocacy groups sued New York officials in December 2022 over the states ban on assault weapons, saying the law was infringing the right of law-abiding, peaceable citizens to keep and bear commonly possessed firearms for defense of self and family and for other lawful purposes. U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas sided with the individuals bringing the lawsuit in a ruling released Thursday, denying state officials motion to dismiss the case. Attorneys for New York officials filed a motion in the Southern District of New York to dismiss the complaint in May, arguing that the court does not have the jurisdiction to address the plaintiffs claims. The state officials legal team said the individuals fail to establish that any injury-in-fact is traceable to the assault weapons ban because they do not say they hold a license required to buy a semiautomatic rifle. Karas dismissed the defendants arguments in the ruling. While there may be serious questions about Plaintiffs exemption argument, the Court need not address that question here because Plaintiffs adequately allege standing under Defendants interpretation of the statute, Karas wrote. Put simply, Defendants have failed to explain how invalidating the Assault Weapons Ban would have no effect on the ability to obtain licenses for those same weapons, Karas added later in the ruling. The attorneys for the state officials also contended that the lawsuit should be dismissed because the individuals have not proved that they have suffered an injury-in-fact. Karas also pushed back on the argument, saying that the individuals have also demonstrated that they face a credible threat of enforcement if they follow through with attempting to acquire assault weapons. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A federal judge on Wednesday ruled the U.S. Military Academy at West Point can continue considering race in its admissions process, denying a request to block affirmative action policies in the school. In a ruling filed Wednesday in the Southern District of New York, Judge Philip Halpern rejected a groups request for a preliminary injunction that wouldve put a halt to the schools race-conscious admissions practices. Halpern said the group, Students for Fair Admissions, did not meet the burden of proof on several grounds to grant the injunction. Halperns ruling comes as part of a lawsuit from Students for Fair Admissions, the group behind the lawsuits that prompted the Supreme Courts landmark affirmative action ruling last year. The high courts ruling did not apply to military academies in the U.S., prompting the group to seek an extension for West Point. The group, led by conservative legal strategist Edward Blum, asked a judge to ban West Point from considering or knowing an applicants race when making decisions for admissions, arguing the use of race in the process is unconstitutional and violates the aspect of equal protection in the Fifth Amendment. In a pair of rulings last June, the Supreme Court essentially put an end to affirmative action in higher education across the country when it struck down the race-conscious admissions policies of Harvard University and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, ruled the high courts decision does not apply to military academics in light of the potentially distinct interests that such schools may present. West Point did not immediately respond to The Hills request for comment. In a statement to The Hill, Blum said the group is reviewing the judges opinion and will be taking the next steps to stop the unfair and unconstitutional racial preferences at West Point. Blums group has filed a series of challenges to schools admissions practices over the years and often recruits plaintiffs to file such challenges. Its suit against West Point is on behalf of two anonymous plaintiffs, who are described in court filings as two white male high school students looking to apply to West Point in the coming years. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Trump asks U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate Colorado ruling over his ballot eligibility Xinhua) 11:07, January 04, 2024 WASHINGTON, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate a recent ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court, which removed him from the state's 2024 presidential primary ballot. Two weeks ago, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Trump, who is the 2024 Republican frontrunner, isn't an eligible presidential candidate, with a vote of 4-3. The ruling cited a U.S. constitutional provision prohibiting people who have engaged in "insurrection" from federal office. Lawsuits in Colorado, as well as some other states, argue that Trump should be disqualified from ballots because he engaged in inciting the Capitol Hill insurrection on Jan. 6 of 2021, in an attempt to block the 2020 presidential election victory of Joe Biden. The Colorado Supreme Court's ruling marked the first time a U.S. state court agreed that Trump should be disqualified from the 2024 presidential election citing the rarely used insurrection clause. The Trump campaign said earlier that it would ask the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the ruling, which would be placed on hold until Jan. 4, one day before the state's primary ballot was to be certified. It was unlikely the high court would resolve the case as quickly as this week, according to a CNN report. Last week, Maine's Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, barred Trump from the primary ballot, making Maine the second state to block the former president from running again. Trump appealed the decision in the state court on Tuesday, and could turn to U.S. Supreme Court as well. Both states hold their primaries on Super Tuesday, March 5, but ballots must be printed "well before then," according to The Washington Post. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A Utah judge dismissed on Wednesday the case against a woman accused of murdering professional bull rider in September 2022. At a justification hearing, Judge Mark Kouris dismissed the charges against LaShawn Denise Bagley, 23, concluding that she was justified in her actions, documents filed in Third District Court show. Woman accused of murdering professional bull rider released on bail after year in jail The case was dismissed with prejudice, with the judge noting the state did not present clear and convincing evidence the defendant was not justified. Bagley had been charged with first-degree murder and nine felony counts of discharge of a firearm in the shooting death of bull rider Demetrius Allen, known professionally Ouncie Mitchell, on Sept. 12, 2022. At a hearing last August, her attorneys argued that she was acting in self-defense, believing that someone was trying to break into her Salt Lake City apartment. According to court documents, Bagley was with Allen and another person at a bar earlier that evening. She left the other two to go home, but they later tried to get into her apartment, as Allens expensive rodeo gear was inside. Investigators said Bagley called 911 several times that night. On one call she allegedly told the operator, Theyre beating on my window. Shortly after, she fired shots from inside her apartment, striking Allen multiple times. He died at the hospital. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Julianne Moore said in an interview with Harper's Bazaar that life is too short to throw it away on just one thing - DAVID ROEMER/HARPER'S BAZAAR UK Julianne Moore says she really wants to have it all happy marriage, close friends, a thriving career at the age of 63. The two-time Golden Globe winner believes the key to this is simple: dont spend too much time apart from those you love. In an interview with Harpers Bazaar for its February 2024 issue, she said: Life is really short, and I dont want to throw it away on one thing, you know? I really do want to have all of it. I dont have kids at home. I dont want to be away for months at a time without my husband. Moore talks about playing multi-dimensional characters like Gracie who became infamous for having an affair with a 13-year-old boy - DAVID ROEMER/HARPER'S BAZAAR UK I want a community, I want to be with my family, I want to see my girlfriends and I want to do nuanced, interesting, compelling work and be able to support myself. Life is really short. The mother of two whose youngest daughter, Liv Freundlich, is 24, touched on how both her children have flown the nest to go off to college. Moore spoke about the struggles she faced in getting into character in her latest hit film May December, where she plays a mother, Gracie, who became infamous earlier in life for having an affair with a 13-year-old boy. In the film, Indie actress Elizabeth Berry (played by Natalie Portman) comes to Gracies home to study her for an upcoming film about the scandalous affair. The February issue of Harpers Bazaar UK is on sale from Jan 4 - DAVID ROEMER/HARPER'S BAZAAR UK Moore said: I started digging around with the part, trying to figure it out, but I was like, oh my God, this is so hard! Gracie is a person whos really tortured. Its dark stuff. What was interesting to me was the distance between the narrative she projects, of this great love story and the choice she was compelled to make out of love, and what actually happened. The transgression is so vast that theres a tremendous amount of tension and emotional volatility underneath. The February issue of Harpers Bazaar UK is on sale from Jan 4. 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 Justice Department on Wednesday sued Texas over a new law that lets state and local police arrest migrants who illegally cross the border, the latest legal battle between the Biden administration and Gov. Greg Abbott over immigration. In the lawsuit, filed in federal court in Austin, prosecutors said the Texas statute violates the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, which holds that federal law takes precedence over state law and details the existing framework for removing and imposing federal criminal penalties on those who enter the country illegally. The U.S. must speak with one voice in immigration matters, prosecutors wrote. They also argued that the new law would intrude on the federal governments exclusive authority to regulate the entry and removal of noncitizens, frustrate the United States immigration operations and proceedings, and interfere with U.S. foreign relations. The Justice Department asked the court to declare the law invalid and to block Texas from enforcing it before it takes effect March 5. The Justice Department last week threatened legal action against Texas over the measure, signed last month by Abbott, a Republican, which makes it a criminal offense to enter the state illegally. The new law makes it a misdemeanor to enter or attempt to enter Texas from a foreign country at any location other than a lawful port of entry. It also would allow state courts to order noncitizens to be removed from the U.S. A spokesperson for Abbott did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the lawsuit Wednesday evening. After the Justice Department threatened to sue last week, Abbott wrote on X that the Biden administration not only refuses to enforce current U.S. immigration laws, they now want to stop Texas from enforcing laws against illegal immigration. The lawsuit is the latest salvo in a battle between Abbott and the Biden administration over migrant crossings. Abbott previously ordered the installation of a 1,000-foot floating barrier near Eagle Pass and for the placement of razor wire near the Rio Grande to stop migrants from entering the state after having crossed the river from Mexico. A federal appeals court ruled last month that the state must remove the buoy barrier, while the Biden administration this week asked the Supreme Court to allow federal authorities to cut or move the razor wire after an appeals court said agents could not do so unless there was a medical emergency. Abbotts office has also bused thousands of migrants out of Texas to Democratic-led cities like New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Denver, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., to protest the Biden administration's immigration policies. Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill have also pummeled the White House over its border policies. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and dozens of other House Republicans traveled to Texas' southern border Wednesday and highlighted record migrant crossings after U.S. Customs and Border Patrol reported encounters with roughly 300,000 migrants at the southwest border last month. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Detectives are investigating Kansas Citys first homicide of 2024 after a man was found suffering from unknown bodily trauma in the yard of a home Wednesday night, a police spokeswoman said. Officers responded to a medical call shortly before 10 p.m. where they met emergency medical workers in the yard of a home in the 2600 block of Agnes Avenue in the Washington-Wheatley neighborhood of Kansas City, said Officer Alayna Gonzalez with the Kansas City Police Department. The emergency medical workers were rending aid to the victim who was believed to have been suffering from a medical condition. It was later determined the victim was suffering from some type of trauma, Gonzalez said. The victim has been identified as 70-year-old Vonzell Bryant, she said. Homicide detectives are investigating the Bryants death as a homicide. A person of interest has not been identified and no one was in custody, Gonzalez said. Detectives and crime scene personnel were collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. Anyone who was in the area at the time is asked to call the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS (8477). There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted to the TIPS Hotline. People can also call homicide detectives at 816-234-5043. The mans death comes after Kansas City experienced its deadliest year on record. In 2023, 185 people were killed, according to data kept by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings. Previously, 2020 was considered the citys deadliest year when there had been 182 killings. There is a new addition to one metro Atlanta police department. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Kennesaw Police Department announced their newest officer, K9 Halo. K9 Halo is a one-and-a-half-year-old Belgian Malinois from the Netherlands. TRENDING STORIES: On Thursday, K9 Halo was introduced to the mayor and city council. According to the department, K9 Halo will live, work and play with his partner, Ofc. Burns. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: A bill filed in the Kentucky legislature would ban local governments from prohibiting landlords from discriminating against people who use federal housing vouchers and other types of payment for rent. The bill comes as the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council is set to debate an ordinance banning discrimination by landlords based on source of income later this month. The local proposal would prohibit landlords from advertising they dont take certain types of housing vouchers, including Housing Choice vouchers, formerly referred to as Section 8. Those vouchers can be used to pay rent or part of rent by lower-income renters. Councilman David Sevigny, one of the sponsors of the local legislation, said the council will still take up the issue despite the potential state legislation. Sevigny said the council will likely vote on the proposal at a Jan. 23 Social Services and Public Safety Committee meeting. Sevigny said there is no guarantee the state legislation will pass. The council has been discussing the issue for months, including holding a public hearing on the proposal in November. Louisville is the only other Kentucky city with a similar ban on discrimination against renters who use other means other than income to pay rent. Source of income bans can also cover other types of payment including alimony, child support or social security. Rep. Ryan Dotson, R-Winchester, filed House Bill 18 earlier this week. The bill not only prohibits local governments from enacting source of income bans but would also prohibit governments from collecting emergency service fees from landlords if there is a tenant in a building. Dotson previously said this fall he would file the legislation. It had not yet been assigned to a committee as of Wednesday. Dotson did not immediately return an email asking for comment. Those who back a source of income ban say too few landlords in Fayette County take federal housing vouchers or types of payments. Homeless people have been stuck on the streets and in shelters because service providers cant find housing using vouchers or other types of funding. Landlords who have opposed the ban say taking federal housing vouchers is often a cumbersome and unreliable process. Some have said rents will rise so landlords wont have to take vouchers. Supporters have countered cities and states with source of income bans have not seen rents rise more than cities and states that dont have bans. The clerk of Owsley County has been indicted on charges of tampering with public records and official misconduct, according to Attorney General Russell Coleman. A grand jury in Franklin County indicted Shanna Oliver, 41, of Booneville on Wednesday, Coleman said in a news release. The release said the tampering charge is a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison. The misconduct charge is a misdemeanor. The indictment charges that Oliver illegally refused to deliver public records from her office to the Kentucky Department of Vehicle Regulation, and that she failed to do her duty by not sending paperwork on the purchase of a trailer to the department, according to Colemans office. Oliver can stay in office while the charges are pending. She was not available for comment Thursday morning. Dakota Stamper and Matt Easter, detectives with the Attorney Generals Office, investigated the case. County clerks in Kentucky are elected and handle a range of duties, including vehicle licensing, preparing bills for taxes that help support local school systems and county governments, and conducting elections. Oliver has faced a number of critical audits. An audit released in 2020, for instance, pointed to a number of shortcomings in Olivers office, including not completing required reports, not properly reconciling the bank account and not preparing some tax bills on time. Another audit released in 2019 also cited a number of problems, including that Oliver didnt prepare franchise tax bills until long after they should have been prepared, meaning local agencies such as the school system, the library and the health department didnt receive tax revenue on time. The county clerk is not fulfilling her duties as an elected county official . . . and does not have adequate controls in place to ensure financial reporting is timely, complete, and accurate, the auditors office said in one report. Oliver was a deputy clerk under the prior officeholder, Sid Gabbard, whose bookkeeping was so bad that auditors werent able to express an opinion on the accuracy of his financial statements for a decade. Gabbard resigned in June 2013 after being indicted on charges related to audit findings. He entered an Alford plea to charges of filing false tax returns and abuse of public trust, meaning he did not admit guilt but acknowledged there was sufficient evidence to convict him. A judge sentenced Gabbard to eight years in prison, but probated the term under a deal for Gabbard to pay delinquent taxes and $61,118 in restitution. Oliver was appointed to replace Gabbard and has held the office since. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) warned about the risks the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) could have on the working class and called for federal policy that would give workers power over decisions about AI in an op-ed published Thursday in The New York Times. Khanna, who represents a district that includes Silicon Valley, wrote that while AI will undoubtedly bring benefits to the economy, the real challenge is figuring out how to center the dignity and economic security of working-class Americans during the changes to come. The Democratic Party cannot claim to be the party of the working class if we allow A.I. to erode the earnings and security of the working class, he wrote. In addition to having a voice and guardrails, Khanna said that workers should have a share in company profits. He said that workers, like many chief executives, should receive compensation based on profits and the companys performance, rather than just on hours worked. Its the only way workers can fully thrive as A.I. increases Americas productive capacity, he wrote. He also wrote that federal policy should require that public companies have active worker participation when they make decisions based on how AI will change jobs. The impact of AI on jobs, and how it may displace workers, has emerged as a key concern in discussions about AI regulation. So far, Congress has yet to take legislative action to regulate AI. As lawmakers continue to weigh proposals about labor and other impacts of AI, workers in certain industries are crafting their own rules. The Writers Guild of America secured AI protections for union members in October as part of contract negotiations with Hollywood studios. The protections give power to members over how AI is used. SAG-AFTRA followed in November, securing AI protections in their union contract with studios as well. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Officials are searching for the shooter in the killing of an imam outside a Newark, New Jersey, mosque, as they work to determine what led up to the slaying of the man remembered as a beacon in his community. Imam Hassan Sharif was shot several times outside the Masjid Muhammad-Newark on Wednesday just before the dawn prayer, authorities said. The imam, the mosques prayer leader, died hours later at a hospital. It does not appear that the Imam was a victim of a biased crime or that this is related to terrorism, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II said at a Wednesday news conference. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said while evidence found so far doesnt point to bias, investigators dont yet know what motivated the shooting. Authorities asked members of the public to come forward with any information Wednesday as police looked for video surveillance from the area. We dont yet know all the details, but here is what we do know: Imam Hassan Sharif stood with the people of this city, and we will stand with him and his family, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka said in a release Wednesday. The killing comes amid increasing reports of threats, violence and hate speech against Muslim and Jewish Americans since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October. The increase has had Muslims on high alert. Rewards totaling at least $35,000 are being offered for information in the deadly shooting, including a $25,000 reward through CrimeStoppers, the Essex County Sheriffs Office told CNN. The Council on American-Islamic Relations and its New Jersey chapter on Thursday offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who shot and killed Sharif. Due to the unprecedented spike in anti-Muslim bigotry and violence we have witnessed in recent weeks, local, state and national law enforcement authorities must thoroughly investigate the shooting of Imam Hassan Sharif and keep the Muslim community safe, Nihad Awad, CAIRs national executive director, said in a statement. A spokesperson from the sheriffs office told CNN on Thursday there had been no developments in the investigation following Wednesdays news conference. A large crowd gathered in Newark Wednesday to mourn Sharif, taking to the streets and chanting, stop the killing. Members of the community arrive at the Masjid Muhammad-Newark following the shooting of Imam Hassan Sharif on Wednesday. - Eduardo Munoz/Reuters If the imam is not safe at the masjid, none of us are safe, one person told the crowd. Daud Haqq, president of the Tri-State Imams Council, told CNN affiliate WABC he was shaken by his friends death. My heart is really hurting over him, Haqq said. This creates that sense of distress or a sense of fear. I know that in light of global events and with a rise and bias directed at many communities were experiencing across our state, but particularly the Muslim community, there are many in New Jersey right now who are feeling a heightened sense of fear or anxiety, Platkin said. Authorities had already ramped up security around mosques and other places of worship statewide, Platkin said. Since October 7, weve had heightened presence in and around houses of worship for frankly, for all of our religious communities, but particularly for our Muslim and Jewish communities. Platkin said Wednesday. Today, weve made outreach to Muslim communities both in Newark but also throughout the state of New Jersey and we will be providing, as we have been for the past several months, any resource that they need to feel safe. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy also sought to reassure the states Muslim community on Wednesday. At this point, we do not have any information about the perpetrators or motivations behind this incident, but I know law enforcement will provide updates as appropriate, Murphy said in a release. Imam protested against gun violence Sharif, who won praise for his leadership and efforts to combat violence in the community, said in an August Facebook post he had been held at gunpoint outside the mosque that day. Every morning as my daily routine, I go to the masjid to offer Fajr salat (prayer) this morning out of all was a definite test, as I get out of my vehicle heading inside I was approached by an unwanted guess who thought it was a good idea to come behind me an put a gun to my head, Sharif wrote in the August 8 post. The imam said he was able to fight the gunman off and take the weapon from his hand. He then tried to pull the trigger, but the gun did not fire, he wrote. Imam Hassan Sharif was described as a beacon in New Jersey. - Masjid Muhammad-Newark mosque He was a community advocate who protested against gun violence continuously. He supported the city in all of his efforts in helping to keep our cities safe. It is with deep loss that the city will mourn his absence, Newark Public Safety Director Fritz G. Frage said at Wednesdays news conference. Sharifs mosque is part of the citys safe surrender program, meaning fugitives can turn themselves in to authorities there to reduce risks of violent interactions, Frage said. Sharif was resident imam of Masjid Muhammad-Newark for about five years, and was involved in interfaith efforts in Newark, Frage said. He supported the city with all of his efforts and helping to keep our city safe, Frage continued. It is with deep loss that the city will mourn his absence. The New Jersey branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations called Sharif a beacon of leadership and excellence. As always, and irrespective of this specific incident, we advise all mosques to keep their doors open but remain cautious especially given the recent spike in anti-Muslim bigotry, the group said. Sharifs friend Aneesah Abdullah raced to the mosque as word spread of the shooting, WABC reported. I got up out of my bed and drove from South Jersey, just to say a prayer for him, Abdullah told the station. Hes a wonderful human being. I have nothing negative to say about him and I dont think anyone in the community will. He did everything for churches and mosques and synagogues. In addition to his leadership at the mosque, Sharif had worked as a transportation security officer at Newark Liberty International Airport since 2006, according to the Transportation Security Administration. We are deeply saddened to learn of his passing and send our condolences to his family, friends and co-workers, TSA said. CNNs Caroll Alvarado, David Williams and Celina Tebor contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Russia recently used North Korean ballistic missiles in Ukraine and is seeking Iranian missiles, a top White House official said Thursday. "Our information indicates that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea recently provided Russia with ballistic missile launchers and several ballistic missiles. On Dec. 30, 2023, Russian forces launched at least one of these North Korean missiles into Ukraine, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters, adding that Russia launched further missiles days later. The first missile landed in an open field. The U.S. is still assessing the damage caused by the second launch, Kirby said during a White House briefing. We anticipate that Russia will use additional North Korean missiles to target Ukraines civilian infrastructure and to kill innocent Ukrainian civilians, he continued. The partnership between the two countries is a result of their shared isolation on the global stage, and shows how Russian President Vladimir Putin has been forced to seek new avenues to support his offensive in Ukraine. Kirby also confirmed Tuesday that Russia is seeking Iranian missiles, which was previously reported by the Wall Street Journal. The missiles would enhance the Kremlins ability to target Ukraines critical infrastructure and could be delivered to Russia as soon as the spring, but U.S. officials dont believe the deal has been finalized. The Biden administration says that the U.S. weaponry provided to Ukraine "is being used appropriately on the field of battle," John Kirby, a White House spokesperson for national security, told reporters on Jan. 3. "Weve seen no indication that theres been some widescale corruption or misuse by the Ukrainian military," Kirby said. The U.S. has provided approximately $44.2 billion in military assistance since Russia launched its full-scale invasion against Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, and more than $47 billion in military assistance since Russias initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014. In September, the U.S. sent personnel to Kyiv to evaluate the use of American military aid, according to the U.S. Defense Department Inspector General's Office report. The team has been working at the U.S. embassy in Kyiv on evaluation and oversight. "We added expertise and individuals to the team in Kyiv specifically for accountability purposes. And the Ukrainians understand our need for accountability," Kirby explained. "They share that, and they have made it clear that theyre willing to work with us on accountability measures for all the systems that are being provided." Read also: PM Shmyhal: Ukraine to reduce need for external financing in 2024 Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. From the G-File on The Dispatch Hey, Dont worry, this newsletter isnt about Jeffrey Epstein. But given recent developments, I think the Epstein story could be useful for an uncomfortably plausible thought experiment. Consider the following hypothetical (and its just a hypotheticalplucked from the headlines, as they used to say about Law & Order). Imagine Jeffrey Epstein invited lots of important people to his house, on his plane, andalmostto his creepy Sex Dungeon Island. (I was going to make a Scooby Doo joke about how he would have gotten away with it, too, if not for those meddling kids. But, ick.) Anyway, lets assume Epstein hadnt been thwarted and he and his darkest-timeline version of Fantasy Island were still up and running. More important people came to the island. More gross, illegal, and evil stuff ensued. Oh, and lets assume that all of the guests were Democrats or famous liberals. Lets say this goes on for a good while until, finally, one of the following scenarios unfolds: One of Epsteins former buddies, lets call him Sam Bankman-Fried, rats him out to the FBI in order to get a plea deal in his own fraud case. A conservative activist with famously controversial methods helps spark a conservative news outlet into uncovering the whole thing. Matt Gaetz, furious that he couldnt finagle an invite, finally decides that if he cant play nobody can. A poor housekeeper who had no idea what she signed up for when took a job on the Caribbean private resort contacts the authorities the first moment she can, rejecting all manner of threats and bribes. She is motivated entirely by moral outrage and disgust. Now, if we were in a seminar on ethics, I might ask you to open your bluebooks and write an essay on the comparative ethics of the four hypothetical whistleblowers. It might be interesting to debate the ethics of Scenario 2 compared to Scenario 4. But honestly, like a lot of academic ethics discussions, I doubt Id find the debate all that relevant to anything that matters. The housekeepers motives are clearly the most laudable. Now lets imagine were in a seminar at the Columbia Journalism School and I asked you to write a story and headline with the above facts. A headline that would get an F from me? Conservatives Find New Weapon to Fight Democrats: Sex Trafficking and Rape. This is basically how the Associated Press and Politico covered the Claudine Gay resignation last night. Its also how a vast number of progressives have reacted to the story. Now, I am the first to concede sex trafficking and rape are way, way, way, way, worse than plagiarism or even mealy-mouthed legalistic equivocations about calls for genocide. But the similarities are instructive. As far as I can tell, nobody has offered a remotely persuasive defense of what Gay did on the merits. Harvard has tried, finding regrettable duplicative language in what was clearly a slapdash investigation that seems a lot like an attempt at a pretextual exoneration from Aaron Sibariums exhaustive reporting for the Washington Free Beacon. In other words, theres been a Stakhanovite effort to move the debate to the motives of the accusers. On December 20, the New York Times reported on then-new revelations of plagiarism. Charles Fried, a professor at Harvard Law School, was honest in how he saw the issue. Its part of this extreme right-wing attack on elite institutions, said Charles Fried, a professor at Harvard Law School and a former solicitor general in the Reagan administration. The obvious point is to make it look as if there is this woke double standard at elite institutions. If it came from some other quarter, I might be granting it some credence, he said of the accusations. But not from these people. I feel a little sheepish pointing this out to a legendary lawyer and legal professor like Fried, but the law has dealt with these sorts of feelings for centuries. Most star witnesses in mob cases are these people called mobsters. Some are even hardened murderers looking to get out of life sentences and into witness protection. Prosecutors would dearly love to have nuns and Boy Scouts as witnesses but, alas, such people are rarely invited into social clubs where pertinent conversations about murder and extortion are conducted. Judges and juries are expected to take motivations into account. Theyre also supposed to judge the veracity of questionable witnesses by looking at corroborating facts and evidence. You know who else is supposed to do that? Everyone else. Just because you dont like the messenger doesnt mean the message is wrong. If Sid Blumenthal, Steve Bannon, or someone else I have unbridled contempt for declared that Bill Clinton or Donald Trump confessed to murdering someone, Id surely be skeptical because they are inveterate dissemblers and disinformation peddlers. But if they brought incontrovertible evidence to back up their claim, I wouldnt say the videotape should be ignored. In other words, motives are entirely legitimate considerations for figuring out trustworthiness and the burden of proof. But they dont erase proof. I find it amazing that so many journalists fall for this kind of framing. Mark Felt, aka Deep Throat, was by most accounts a bit of a striving jerk and jobsworth. Theres very little evidence that he spilled the beans to Bob Woodward because he was imbued with an overabundance of patriotism and fidelity to the Constitution. As Max Holland, the author of Leak: Why Mark Felt Became Deep Throat, writes Felt didnt help the media for the good of the country, he used the media in service of his own ambition. That doesnt mean Woodward did anything wrong. In political journalism most sources have some motives that fall outside the category of pure do-goodery. Rival campaigns, disgruntled staffers, strivers-on-the-make, blame-dodgers: These are the lifeblood of most scoops. Good journalists try hard to take the motivations of sources into account, but if the facts back up the sources claims, they run with it. Now, sure, its an interesting story that conservatives were out to get Claudine Gay. But its not like Chris Rufo has a time machine that allowed him to go back to the 1990s and force her to plagiarize whole paragraphs. Sibarium didnt make Gay do anything, he revealed what Gay did. You know what would have happened if Gay hadnt muffed her testimony to Congress? No one would have looked at her scholarship (or scholarship). And if Gay had never plagiarized, shed still be the president of Harvard. But enough about journalism. Its no surprise to me that Al Sharpton declared, This is an attack on every Black woman in this country whos put a crack in the glass ceiling. This is the sort of thing Sharpton always says (about left-wing blacks). And given that he became a national figure by leeching off a fake hate crime, it shouldnt shock anyone that his concern for the facts is less than exacting. But hes hardly alone. Ibram X Kendi insists that Gay was taken out by a racist mob. The question to assess whether this was a racist attack isnt whether Dr. Gay engaged in any misconduct, Kendi hilariously contends. The question is whether all these people would have investigated, surveilled, harassed, written about, and attacked her in the same way if the Harvard president in this case would have been White. I. Think. Not. Maybe that should read, I thinknot. Just in the last six months, the white president of Stanford lost his job when his shoddy academic work was revealed, and the white female president of the University of Pennsylvania was forced out for giving an equally craptacular performance at those congressional hearings alongside Gay. What Kendi doesnt spell out is his implied position, which is that if the accusations were motivated by racism, that invalidates the accusations. But it seems pretty obvious thats what he thinks. And that is really stupid. It doesnt matter if David Duke provided evidence of Gays plagiarismthe issue would still be whether she was a plagiarist. The standards at stake here are Harvards, not the accusers. Noah Rothman catalogs more of this desperate effort to make Gay into an innocent victim/martyr at the hands of racists. And while I could bang out another 1,000 words on how all of this is of a piece with the effort to construct self-serving narratives, organizing myths, and vital lies, I think that point is pretty obvious. Take the L. Instead, I want to make a more basic point. Sometimes people on your side screw upor worse. This is true not just in politics but in every sphere of human endeavor, from organized religion to social justice movements. You know why? Because the agents of human endeavors are humans. And humans are flawed. It is also a natural human reaction to cringe and squirm when someone on your team makes your team look bad. Its also normal to want to shoot the messenger, particularly when you hate the messenger or think the messengers act in bad faith. Not wanting to give the other team the satisfaction of chalking up a win is part of life. I am hardly immune to such feelings. I will even defend such feelings. If you have a very low opinion of someone, that low opinion can be a powerful motivator to debunk or dispute allegations. Journalism, academia, the law, and politics depend on these kinds of motivations to call B.S. on revelations that often turn out to be too goodor badto be true. For instance, I dont take the word of the Southern Poverty Law Center or Media Matters at face value, ever. My attitude toward them is the product of years of experience. But sometimes the Southern Poverty Law Center or Media Matters is right about bad actors on the right. Refusing to acknowledge that just because you dont want to give people you dont like the satisfactionor because you think your fans expect such refusalsis a slippery slope to hackdom and moral corruption. This is also a huge problem at scale. So many of our political debates can be explained by this dynamic. It is not in fact true that Gays resignation is a threat to other black women in positions of power. In fact, the way these things usually work suggests the opposite. That the left is so angry about thiswrongly in my opinionit makes it less likely another prominent black woman will be thrown under the bus anytime soon. And, again, just as it would be unimaginable that Gay would have been ousted absent her own bad conductin the 1990s and in her congressional testimonyits now even more unimaginable that a female black president of some school would be ousted without any solid reason. It is possible that the left will redouble its longstanding efforts to retaliate by going after someone on the right. But thats a different subject (and it will be hard to pull off given how conservative-free our elite institutions are). But by all means, go hunting for plagiarists if you want. The point here is that the segment of the left circling the wagons around Gay would be much better off in the long run if they just took the loss. If you believe that theres no trade-off in quality or qualifications when pursuing diversity, the last thing you should do is insist that the standards of excellence are racist only when black people fall short of them. You should express your disappointment in this specific incident, insist its a regrettable exception to the rule, and move on. People like Kendi are free to insist that Gay was taken out by a mob. And Id be the first to concede that there was a mob-like feeding frenzy about Gays plagiarism. But there was also a mob-like frenzy on the part of her defenders. And in this contest, the anti-Gay mob had the facts on its side. Its fine to regret that the mob you dont like won. But if you let that regret push you into arguing that the facts werent facts, mob loyalty is asking too much of you. A lot of media bias is fueled by this kind of groupthink. If Fox News makes a big deal about this or that, a lot of media outlets seem to think we shouldnt give them the satisfaction by treating this or that as a big deal, too. Our political culture is so shot-through with a mob mentality and the slippery-slope-panic that fuels mobs its often lost on people that these sorts of things often lead to sticky slopes. The lesson the left drew from Al Frankens resignation from the Senate wasnt to keep going after misbehaving Democrats, it was to regret the precedent. In the 1980s, some judicial nominations and other appointments were thwarted by an obsession with past pot-smoking. The result was to take pot-smoking off the list of disqualifications. I think it would be regrettable if academia followed through on the effort to take plagiarism off a similar list, but that seems more likely to be than an endless stream of plagiarism-driven defenestrations. But that doesnt mean defenestrating bad apples is necessarily bad. Right now, Donald Trump is the runaway frontrunner because a lot of people have convinced themselves that it would be an unbearable concession to the enemy to ditch him. When the FBI searched Mar-a-Lago, people like Mike Huckabee insisted that the party should nominate Trump by acclamation just to deny the left or deep state the satisfaction. I cant tell you how stupid I think this is. Even if you concedewhich I emphatically do notthat hes being railroaded and did nothing wrong, arguing that his victimization requires nominating him for the presidency is tribal nonsense. Richard Jewell, the falsely accused Atlanta Olympics bomber, was treated terribly by the feds. That doesnt mean the GOP should have nominated him for president. In the first Trump impeachment Republicans said, constantly, that removing him from office would overturn the 2016 election. No, it would have made Mike Pence president. And, you could argue that the country and the party would have been much better off as a result. Similarly, if Democrats had thrown Clinton out of office in his impeachment, they would have gotten Al Gore as an incumbent president in 2000. And I think the Democrats would have been much better off for that. But impeachments are just an extreme version of this groupthink conviction that you cant give the enemy the satisfaction of a win. Trump would be so much more valuable to Trumpists and the GOP generally as a martyr than as an actual nominee or president. Similarly, Biden could help his partyand arguably the countryif he announced, tomorrow, he wasnt running (particularly if Democrats could maneuver Kamala Harris out of the way). His presidency would be in vastly better shape if hed borrowed a page from Bill Clinton and Sister Souljahd various extremists. Trump would be less frightening to people outside his cult if he were capable of denouncing his whackjob sycophants and boosters for any reason other than a lack of personal loyalty. Successful movements, parties, and institutions know when to throw away bad apples. Dumb mobs respond by saying bad apples are actually good. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. Your slice of the headlines in Ukraine. Daily. Thursday, January 4, 2024 230 Returned Home in Prisoners Exchange, Including Defenders of Azovstal and Snake Island 224 Ukrainian POWs and six civilians have returned home after a prisoner exchange with Russia, announced President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Jan 3. Berlin decries Russian strikes on Ukraine, but Scholz still opposes supplying Taurus missiles to Kyiv Berlin is still not ready to provide Taurus cruise missiles to Kyiv, German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said, at the same time condemning Russia's recent attacks on Ukraine and calling them a war crime, German Tagesschau reported on Jan. 3. Poland maintains Ukraine grain import ban, proposes new trade rules to EU The ban on imports of Ukrainian grain to Poland will remain in place until new rules are developed at the EU level, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Czeslaw Siekierski has said in an interview with TVP Info. Ukrainian energy system holding up to Russian assault The Chairman of the Board of Ukrenergo Volodymyr Kudrytskyi announced on the air of the national telethon on Jan 3 that Russias winter attacks will not be able to destroy the Ukrainian energy system. Nearly same number of Ukrainians who left country in 2023 returned Opendatabot The first 11 months of 2023 saw over 32 million border crossings in Ukraine, with only a 1% difference between the number of departures and returns, the open data platform OpenDataBot reported on Jan. 3, citing data from the Ukrainian Border Guard. Booster from Russian air defense missile smashes through roof into childs room in Belgorod A video showing part of a Russian Pantsir surface-to-air missile lying a child's room after smashing through its roof in Belgorod on Jan. 2 underscores the danger city residents face not so much from Ukrainian missiles and drones, but from Russias own notoriously ramshackle air defense system. Blinken and Cameron discuss British-American efforts to aid Ukraine U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron held a telephone conversation to discuss support for Ukraine, the State Department reported on Jan. 2. NATO to supply more ammunition for Patriot air defense system The NATO Procurement and Supply Agency reported on Jan 3 that four member countries Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, and Spain have signed an agreement to purchase about 1000 missiles for Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems Russia using internet registration to force passportization in occupied Ukraine Russian authorities in the temporarily occupied territories (TOT) continue to force passportization of locals by creating additional restrictions for those who refuse a Russian passport, Ukraines National Resistance Center (NRC) reported on Jan. 2. Kyiv suburb Vyshneve bore brunt of Russian attack 2 dead, 700+ in need, 184,000 lost power Vyshneve, a suburb of Kyiv, suffered the highest number of damaged apartment buildings from the massive Russian missile attack on Tuesday, Jan. 2, announced the Kyiv Regional State Administration. 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 By Brendan O'Brien (Reuters) - A Nevada man convicted of attempted assault vaulted over a judge's bench in a Las Vegas courtroom and attacked her as she was about to sentence him to prison, in chaotic scenes captured on courtroom video. The violence unfolded in Clark County District Court on Wednesday after Judge Mary Kay Holthus denied probation to Redden, 30, in a felony assault case and was preparing to hand down a prison sentence. Moments before the attack, Redden had asked the court for leniency, saying he did not deserve jail time. Video shows Redden jumping head first over the judge's bench as she attempted to scramble out of the way. Two men and a uniformed court officer tackled and punched Redden, as he yelled expletives and hurled punches before being dragged away. Holthus looked stunned as she emerged from behind the bench. She sustained injuries and was being monitored, a court spokesperson told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The nature of her injuries were not specified. A courtroom marshal was hospitalized after suffering non-life-threatening injuries, the Review-Journal reported. Court officials and lawyers involved in the case were not immediately available for comment. Redden was in custody in the Clark County jail on Thursday. He faces several battery and intimidation of a public officer charges related to Wednesday's attack, online jail records showed. He was in court on Wednesday for sentencing in a previous case in which he pleaded guilty to one count of attempted battery with substantial bodily harm. Redden served prison time after he was found guilty of attempted theft in 2019 and then in 2021 for domestic battery, online court records showed. (Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; Editing by Alexandra Hudson) LAS VEGAS (KLAS) North Las Vegas police released body-camera video of a deadly officer-involved shooting involving a Las Vegas man and a 9-year-old child on New Years Eve. The incident started on Dec. 31, in the 1300 block of Putnam Avenue near Civic Center Drive and Carey Avenue at 7 p.m. North Las Vegas police investigate deadly New Years Eve officer-involved shooting The suspect was identified as 39-year-old Javier Flores of Las Vegas. He was killed following the confrontation with police. On Dec. 31, the North Las Vegas Police Department said it received multiple reports about an argument involving a man armed with a gun at home in the area. Before officers could arrive the man drove away from the home. Javier Flores, 39, was killed in an NLVPD officer-involved shooting on Dec. 31, 2023. (NLVPD) After speaking to witnesses officers learned that the man was armed with two guns while threatening several people at the home and left in his vehicle with a 9-year-old child. Around 8 p.m., police also received a report of another argument with an armed man at a home on 2800 Taylor Avenue near Lake Mead Boulevard and Statz Street. Officers soon learned the armed man was Flores, the same suspect from the incident on Putnam Avenue. North Las Vegas police found a gun with bullets in Javier Flores possession at the time of the officer-involved shooting on Dec. 31, 2024. (NLVPD) When officers arrived at Taylor Avenue, Flores had already left the area but returned home after 8 p.m. in his vehicle. The officers involved in the shooting were identified as Officer Ty Tolar who was hired by NLVPD in 2004, Officer Forrest Walker who was hired by NLVPD in 2018, and Officer Jesus Cruz who was hired by NLVPD in 2022. North Las Vegas police released body-camera video of a deadly officer-involved shooting involving a Las Vegas man and a child on New Years Eve. (NLVPD) In the body-camera video released by police, the officers can be heard telling Flores to stop his truck and put his hands in the air in both English and Spanish. Flores was then seen in the video opening up his door and walking toward officers as police continued to tell him to put his hands up in the air and stop, police stated. Flores did not comply with several officers commands and walked toward Officer Cruz while pulling out a gun and pointing it toward the police, according to NLVPD. Three officers then fired hitting Flores. He was then taken to a local hospital for treatment and was later pronounced dead, according to police. Officer Cruz fired six gunshots, Officer Tolar fired 10 gunshots, and Officer Walker fired 8 gunshots, according to NLVPD. No police officers or bystanders were injured in the shooting. North Las Vegas police released body-camera video of a deadly officer-involved shooting involving a Las Vegas man and a child on New Years Eve. (NLVPD) Per NLVPD policy all three officers were placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Flores had a lengthy criminal history which included past charges in 2020, including assault with a deadly weapon, discharging a gun where others are endangered, and child abuse. North Las Vegas police released body-camera video of a deadly officer-involved shooting involving a Las Vegas man and a child on New Years Eve. (NLVPD) Had Flores survived the shooting he would have faced several charges including assault with a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon on a protected person, assault with a deadly weapon on a victim over 60, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, battery with a deadly weapon, battery with a deadly weapon on a victim over 60, child endangerment, hit and run. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. The final Ukrainian female Marine to be held in Russian captivity Halyna Fedyshyn has been freed in the latest prisoner exchange, according to the Commander of the 36th Marine Brigade, Major Serhiy Volynskyi, on Facebook on Jan 3. Read also: From Azovstal siege to Taganrog hell: Valeria Subotinas journey through captivity Halyna defended the city of Mariupol from the Russian attack and fought out of the Illych and Azovstal metallurgy plants. Fedyshyn spent almost two years in captivity, noted Volynskyi. "Not just soldiers returned to their native land, but real Heroes who endured incredible trials and remained loyal to their country and ideals...They deserve rest, respect, and deep gratitude from each of us," commented Volynskyi. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that a combat medic from the 36th OBrMP, while in captivity, continued to speak Ukrainian and that her Russian captors simulated releasing her for exchange several times, but each time returned her to confinement. Read also: Russia plans to fight in Ukraine until 2026, seeks to capture major cities German intelligence Military medic Galina Fedyshyn was captured on April 12, 2022, along with other soldiers of the 36th who were defending Azovstal. Read also: Russian GRU General promised Azov Battalion security guarantees before Azovstal surrender The exchange of prisoners on January 3, 2023, is the largest since the beginning of the Russian invasion. Ukraine returned home 230 citizens, including 224 soldiers and six civilians. Read also: President Zelenskyy: Prisoner exchanges are made possible by capturing occupiers It took place after a very long pause in exchanges. The previous one occurred on August 22, 2023 - when 22 soldiers returned home. In mid-November 2023, the Commission on Deprivation of Personal Freedom recorded the imprisoned status of 4,337 people, including 3,574 military personnel and 763 civilians. 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 Embattled Colorado congresswoman Lauren Boebert just picked up a key endorsement that revealed much about the current dynamics of the House Republican Caucus. The right-wing representative recently announced that she would switch districts and move her family across the state in order to run in a more Republican-friendly congressional race next year; now, she does so with the endorsement of the speaker of the House. Mike Johnson announced his support for Ms Boebert in the 4th districts Republican primary on Thursday. I am proud to endorse and fully support her campaign for Colorados 4th congressional district, wrote Mr Johnson in a press release blasted out Thursday morning by the Boebert campaign. Nowhere in Mr Johnsons statement or the press release itself noted that Ms Boebert was not running for re-election in her own district. She briefly addressed that decision in a video message over the holidays, while not giving a reason for the move. What sparse polling there is, however, indicates that Ms Boebert was up for a rocky bid for a third term after a year of ugly, personal fights with her Republican colleagues in the House of Representatives and a humiliating news cycle centred around her removal from the audience of a live-action performance of Beetlejuice after cameras caught her allegedly groping her date during the show. She won a second term in 2022 by less than 600 votes. Ms Boebert now awaits a decision on her face by the 4th districts Republican voters in a crowded primary race set for June. Her alliance with Mr Johnson will likely give her a boost, both in terms of fundraising and some institutional support, but she faces significant hurdles regardless: The chairman of her states Republican Party even ridiculed her move to the 4th district in a recent TV interview, and appeared to suggest that she would be a vulnerable candidate in a GOP primary. But her endorsement from Mr Johnson does reveal one thing: The continued pressure that Mr Johnson faces to maintain alliances with far-right members of his caucus who often do not get along with the Republican centre. Now with just a seven-seat majority in the lower chamber, Mr Johnson needs to keep up warm relations with just about every single member of his caucus in order to both maintain his position as speaker and pass legislation. Democrats have shown no willingness to help save a Republican speaker like Mr Johnson from revolts within his own caucus that could end in his removal. The House and Senate are gearing up for a series of government funding deadlines approaching in the coming 60 days; the two chambers are also working on reaching a deal on the issues of funding for Ukraine, Israel, and border security along the US-Mexico divide. Conversations on those issues have resulted in little progress so far. Lawmakers are set to return to the House next week. Local, state and federal law enforcement leaders on Thursday credited Baltimores roughly 20% drop in homicides last year to collaboration between agencies and a continued focus on illegal guns. The city ended 2023 below 300 killings for the first time in almost a decade prompting a pair of news conferences this week for officials to discuss their roles in the decline. A day after Mayor Brandon Scott highlighted his administrations comprehensive violence reduction strategy, local law enforcement leaders took their turn, joined by the director of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Local leaders of agencies such as the U.S. Attorneys Office, States Attorneys Office, Baltimore Police, Maryland State Police, FBI, DEA and ATF pointed to teamwork among law enforcement whether through joint task forces, the sharing of gun tracing information, or recently established monthly meetings between city police and prosecutors. And ATF officials, including Director Steven Dettelbach, emphasized the role that targeting guns has played in the fight against violent crime. The Triple-C gang case, for instance, began with matching shell cases identified through the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, known as NIBN, according to the ATFs special agent in charge of the Baltimore Field Division, Toni Crosby. Information from a NIBN lead led ATF and Baltimore Police to identify dozens of other crimes and contributed to charges that were first unsealed in 2021 against numerous members of the gang, Crosby said. One of them, Correy Cawthorn, was sentenced in court Thursday, officials said. Crosby called that sentencing the result of relentless investigative work. Many decades ago, the feds and the state and locals, they might work together, but I remember people saying, This is a one-way street. You can give us information, but were not going to share with you,' Dettelbach said. Now, our whole system is set up to send leads out to state and local law enforcement. Baltimore officials announced last month that the city was suing the ATF, alongside gun control advocates Everytown Law, over a rejected data request about the histories of guns used in Baltimore crimes. Scott argued at the time that to target gun dealers, his administration needed information such as the top 10 sources of guns or the average time-to-crime statistics documenting how long it takes from a guns legal purchase to when it is used in a crime. The request was denied due to the Tiahrt rider that the ATF says blocks it from releasing information about firearms traces to individuals or agencies aside from law enforcement or prosecutors. On Thursday, Dettelbach said the agency was bound by federal laws and court interpretations of those laws, when it comes to sharing trace information. But, he said, among law enforcement, these things are shared routinely, and theyre used to make criminal cases. Erek Barron, the U.S. Attorney for Maryland, and Baltimore States Attorney Ivan Bates also pointed to collaboration, including the number of gun cases picked up by federal prosecutors. Barron said his prosecutors jointly screen gun cases to identify the worst of the worst to take federally. In 2023, Barron said, more Baltimore City cases were taken for federal prosecution under the national Project Safe Neighborhoods program than in any other year in the past 15 years. Barrons office provided statistics for Project Safe Neighborhoods showing 89 cases in 2023 referred by the ATF in which federal firearms charges were brought against Baltimore City defendants. That was more than any year since 2006, and higher than 2022s 66 cases and 2021s 61. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) railed against the White Houses criticism of Republicans handling of the border situation, calling the remarks a joke and beneath the White House. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates on Wednesday accused Republicans of exacerbating the crisis at the southern border ahead of a group of House Republicans trip to the southern border, led by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.). Asked about Batess comments on NewsNations The Hill, Lawler said, Thats such a joke and, frankly, beneath the White House to put out a statement like that. The reality is this House Republicans are the only ones that have done anything on border security this year, Lawler continued. We passed H.R. 2 seven months ago, the strongest border security measure in the history of Congress. The H.R. 2 Secure the Border bill is a sweeping package passed by House Republicans in May. The package included limits to asylum protections, provisions to resume construction of the border wall, and an expansion of the qualifications for refugee status, among other changes. So the failure here is on the part of the administration, whose policies have exacerbated the crisis, Lawler said, adding later, This is a crisis of their own making. And it is a dereliction of duty on the part of [President] Joe Biden, [Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro] Mayorkas and frankly, [Democratic New York Sen.] Chuck Schumer, as the majority leader. Earlier Wednesday, Bates on behalf of the White House took a dig at House Republicans, arguing the conference has an anti-border security record after they obstructed Bidens border proposals and voted against border security funding. He pointed to the GOPs lack of support for Bidens supplemental funding request which included new border security funds and funding for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific and the presidents plans to modernize the immigration system. Lawler was among a delegation of about 60 Republicans who visited the southern border near Eagle Pass, Texas, on Wednesday, to address their concerns over the influx of migrants at the border. Lawler said the lawmakers witnessed migrants crossing the border and spoke with Customs and Border Patrol agents about the numbers behind the crossings. Senators and the White House have negotiated for weeks over a deal for border security changes that would also unlock funding for Ukraine. So this is a real crisis that needs to be addressed, and the administration needs to take it seriously and the negations have to be in good faith, Lawler said, adding the Senate negotiations are seemingly halfhearted and mealy-mouthed at best. The White House did not immediately respond to The Hills request for comment. NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Four months after three Bedford Police officers fatally shot a Bedford man who accelerated his car toward an officer on foot, Lawrence County Prosecutor Samuel Arp II said he determined the officers actions were justified in the preservation of life. Arp said in a statement posted to Facebook on Dec. 28 that he had responded to the scene on Sept. 28, the night Daymon Hubbard died, and contacted the Indiana State Police (ISP) to conduct an investigation. In making his decision, Arp said he reviewed an 86-page police report from the ISP, and examined body camera footage, toxicology reports, photographs from the scene, previous incident reports related to the residence, and post-incident interviews with the officers involved. The Herald-Times has requested the ISP report. Daymon Hubbard, 47, died Sept. 28, after Daymons mother and brother went to the Bedford Police Department. According to Arp's statement, Sondra Hubbard said Daymon had entered her residence that evening and threatened her, saying if she ever went to the police that he would kill her. Dongwook Ko sentenced: Two crimes, two counties, two judges, 34 years in prison Arp said within the past two years, Bedford police had responded to several complaints from Sondra Hubbard about her son, including threats of violence, suicide and possession of illegal narcotics. Daymons brother, Shayne Hubbard, told officers at the station that they, better find Daymond before he does, according to the statement. Arps statement repeatedly misspelled Daymon Hubbards name, referring to him as Daymond Hubbard. A post made to Kin Hubbards Facebook account Daymon Hubbards brother on Oct. 3 says Sondra Hubbard had gone to Bedford police that evening to ask the police to help contain Daymon during his schizophrenic episode. Officers then accompanied Sondra Hubbard to her residence to help safely remove her husband from the residence. When officers arrived, Daymon Hubbard was driving through the backyard. Arp's statement says officers initiated contact with Hubbard and attempted to have him exit his vehicle; he refused and reportedly became verbally combative. The post to Kin Hubbards account says, Daymon was unarmed, terrified and definitely confused about what was happening. According to the statement, Hubbard then fled the area in his vehicle. The statement says when officers tried to pin Hubbards vehicle in using their patrol vehicles, Hubbard placed his vehicle in reverse, striking a police car. Hubbard then turned and accelerated forward toward an officer who was on foot. The statement says that's when the officers shot Hubbard and his vehicle. Officers then requested medical attention for Hubbard, who was driven in an ambulance to IU Health Bedford Hospital, where he died later that night. Arps statement says toxicology reports from blood taken at the time of Hubbards death showed a blood alcohol level of .097% and indicated the presence of amphetamine. Arp said in his statement that he had determined the officers actions were justified in the preservation of life, and said he was releasing all evidence collected back to the control of ISP, which may dispose of it in accordance with state law. Members of Hubbards family could not be reached. According to an obituary published online by Day & Carter Mortuary in Bedford, Hubbard is survived by his three children, his parents, David and Sondra Hubbard, and his three siblings. Reach Brian Rosenzweig at brian@heraldt.com. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Lawrence County prosecutor says police shooting of Bedford man justified By Scott Morgan and Joseph Ax PERRY, Iowa (Reuters) -A sixth-grade student was killed on Thursday morning and five other people wounded when a 17-year-old opened fire at an Iowa school on the first day of classes following the winter break, law enforcement officials said. The suspect was identified as Dylan Butler, a student at Perry High School, officials said at a news briefing. He was found dead with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound by responding officers. Police also discovered an improvised explosive device when searching the high school, Mitch Mortvedt, an assistant director with the state Department of Criminal Investigation, told reporters. Members of the state fire marshal's office and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives rendered the device safe. The Iowa shooting, on the district's first day of classes in 2024, is part of a national epidemic of gun violence in U.S. schools that has worsened in recent years. There were 346 incidents in which a gun was brandished or fired at school or a bullet hit school property in 2023, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database. That was the highest of any year in the website's data, which goes back to 1966, and represented the third record-setting year in a row. Four such incidents have already taken place in 2024, just four days into the year, according to the site. Perry, a town of about 7,900, is about 40 miles (64 km) northwest of Des Moines, the state's capital city. The middle and high schools share a single campus. The attack took place just after 7:30 a.m. (1330 GMT), before most students and faculty had entered the building. Butler was armed with a pump-action shotgun and a handgun, Mortvedt said. Butler made several social media posts around the time of the shooting, Mortvedt said without offering specific details. The shooter's motive was under investigation, he said. Four of the wounded victims are students, and the fifth is a school administrator, said Mortvedt, who declined to release any names. Another school district, Easton Valley, issued a statement saying it had received word that Dan Marburger, the high school principal, was the administrator shot in the attack. One victim was in critical condition but did not appear to be facing life-threatening injuries, Mortvedt said, while the other four were in stable condition. "This senseless tragedy has shaken our entire state to the core, and I want this community to know that every Iowan stands with you" Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said at the new briefing. FBI agents from the Omaha-Des Moines office were assisting in the investigation, and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland was briefed on the shooting, a Justice Department spokesperson said. "We cannot allow these tragedies to continue," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. "We have to do something." Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy had been scheduled to hold a rally in Perry but changed the event to an in-person prayer meeting after reports of the shooting, a campaign spokesperson said. Iowa will hold the first statewide contest for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination in 11 days. "Pray for the community in Perry, Iowa this morning." Ramaswamy said on the X social media platform. (Reporting by Scott Morgan in Perry, Iowa, Helen Coster in New York, Brendan O'Brien in Chicago, Rich McKay in Atlanta, Jeff Mason in Washington and Joseph Ax in Princeton, New Jersey; Writing by Joseph Ax; Editing by Chris Reese and Alistair Bell) LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A daycare worker in Lebanon County is facing charges of child abuse for allegedly assaulting a toddler. State Police in Jonestown said in a criminal complaint that, Angela Bender, 58, of Lebanon, allegedly admitted in an interview that she hit the child in the face multiple times after she got angry. In June, Troopers learned that a three-year-old child was injured at daycare when Bender claimed she dropped them in a bathtub, the criminal complaint shows. The child was taken to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Center for treatment. Abandoned dogs recovered from Cumberland County campground The doctors report at the hospital showed that the toddlers injuries were consistent to child abuse, and not a drop, the criminal complaint states. Troopers say there was bruising all over the toddlers face and it had a subconjunctival hemorrhage in her left eye. Bender told police that she was changing the child in the bathroom and got mad when they started blowing on her face. This is when Bender said she squeezed the childs face and then hit them multiple times, according to the complaint. Bender faces two felony charges of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania Court records show that Bender posted her unsecured bail that was set at $5,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 18. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Lee Anderson said Nigel Farage was a stronger leader than Mr Tice because he formed a rapport with voters - John Lawrence Lee Anderson has called Richard Tice a pound shop Nigel Farage amid rising tensions between the Conservatives and Reform UK. Mr Anderson, the deputy chairman of the Tory Party, urged Mr Tice, the Reform UK leader, to pipe down after his stinging criticism of the Government at a press conference on Wednesday. Mr Tice Reform leader said the Conservatives and Labour were two sides of the same socialist coin and that he believed voters wanted to punish the Tories for breaking Britain. His insurgent Right-wing party whose policies include abandoning net zero targets and a one in, one out approach to immigration is currently polling at almost 10 per cent, and some experts expect it to seriously harm Tory prospects at the general election. Speaking to GB News, on which he is a presenter, Mr Anderson said: I get on with Richard reasonably well, but I would say this hes not Nigel Farage, hes not the leader that Nigel Farage was. I agree with one of my constituents, who said to me earlier today he is a bit of a pound shop Nigel Farage. I think he needs to pipe down a little bit because if the unthinkable happens and next year, we do get a Labour government and Richard Tice is on his media platforms saying what a disaster Starmergeddon and what a disaster the Labour Party are, I shall be reminding Mr Tice it was him that helped them get elected. Mr Tice also used his speech on Wednesday to turn his fire on Labour, claiming Sir Keir Starmer would usher in Starmergeddon by causing Britain to run out of money. Much of the coverage of the event, however, centred on the absence of Nigel Farage, the honorary life president of Reform, who remains undecided about a return to front-line politics. Hitting back at Mr Anderson on Thursday morning, Mr Tice told the Telegraph: I like Lee he wears his heart on his sleeve, and his comments suggest he is very worried about Reform. Is he jealous that I am a pound shop when he is just 30p Lee? Mr Anderson was nicknamed 30p Lee by his political opponents after he told MPs there was no massive use for his local food bank scheme and that people could cook for themselves for as little as 30p per portion per day. Repeating his criticisms of Mr Tices wealth, Mr Anderson, the MP for the Red Wall constituency of Ashfield, in Nottinghamshire, added: Its alright for the likes of Mr Tice, hes got a bob or two, hes probably a millionaire. He can go back to his little penthouse overlooking the Thames. If Labour do win the election, he can shut his curtains and get on with his life. Mr Anderson also called Mr Tice Reforms answer to Diane Abbott, the former Labour shadow home secretary who had a series of gaffes during the past two election campaigns. Hes just saying ridiculous things Hardly anyone in Ashfield has actually heard of Richard Tice, and he hasnt got that connection, he said. With Nigel Farage, you could go and have a drink with him, you could have a pint with him Tice hasnt got that. The Tory chairmans tirade came just a day after he described Mr Tice as a great man who had his heart in the right place and was correct in pretty much 80 per cent of views he expressed. In November, Mr Tice insisted no Conservative MPs had been promised money to defect to Reform after Mr Anderson was recorded claiming he was offered a lot of money in order to switch sides. 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. At Mishawaka High School, absences are more than missed classes; they signify a call for support in a time of need. Recent data highlights a worrying trend of absenteeism at Mishawaka High School, where 34% of students in the district were chronically absent during the 2022-2023 school year. That is down from the previous year, which saw 43.9% of students chronically absent from school, but is still high. Indiana's chronic absenteeism rate remains over 8% higher than it was before the pandemic. Studies consistently link student attendance to academic performance. For every additional day missed, there is a decline of 0.68 in grade point average. Moreover, students missing school significantly disrupt the classroom environment, preventing peer collaboration and stifling the educational community we aim to create. The implementation of a multi-tiered support system within the school structure stands as the most promising solution. This strategy includes reinforced counseling services, accessible health resources (physical, mental, etc.) and targeted mentorship programs tailored to individual student needs. Similar programs deployed in districts have shown an increase in student attendance rates, and a substantial improvement in overall student engagement. If we want these statistics to change, then it is imperative to unite and take action. Sign petitions, engage local authorities and advocate for the necessary resources to combat absenteeism. Every student's presence matters; let us stand together to ensure they feel supported and valued in their educational journey. Dakoda Shannon Student, Mishawaka High School A choice In "Women After All," Melvin Konnor explains how agriculture changed humans into genocidal killers. During hundreds of thousands of years as hunter-gatherers, humans evolved as a relatively peaceful species. When we invented agriculture, just a few thousand years ago, we suddenly had something worth killing for. The archeological record shows agriculture and genocidal warfare developing hand-in-hand. One group would attack another, kill the men and enslave the women and children. The most effective killers and rapists had the most opportunities to pass on their genes. In the Siberian Silver Fox Domestication Experiment, we learned that selective breeding can quickly tame a wild species or turn it into vicious hounds from Hell. But how can we tame the human race? The answer is simple. In a modern civilized society, women have more freedom to decide who will father their children. This makes all the difference. Women are more likely to choose Mister Rogers than Atilla the Hun. The way to make the human race kinder and gentler is to protect women's right to choose. The evolutionary process is not complete, as a quick glance at the news will verify. But I think the process is well on its way. As bad as things are today, history teaches us that things used to be much worse. I take hope in the belief that time is on the side of the good guys. Dave Coyne Goshen Accomplishments Is it possible that future historians may proclaim that our president, Joe Biden, after some 50 years in politics, should claim two accomplishments his ability in destroying the Democratic Party and, most important, destroying the American dream? Anthony M. Oliva Mishawaka Misleading Mike Braun: Stop misleading us with your Indiana governor TV commercials. What can you do to send illegal immigrants home? Youre running for governor, not president. And what the heck is a woke mob? Greg Lenburg Plymouth This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: At Mishawaka High School, chronic absences are calls for support To the editor: I have friends who are Palestinian. I have Israeli friends. The cost of this war for residents of the Gaza Strip is extremely high. The price that the Israelis are paying is also exorbitant, although they may not realize yet how much this fight will cost them. ("Netanyahu says Gaza war on Hamas will go on for 'many more months,' thanks U.S. for new weapons sales," Dec. 30) My oldest son fought in Iraq as a member of the U.S. Army. There, he participated in urban warfare, kicking in doors and clearing out buildings. He killed at least one man up close and personal. My son came back changed, and not in a good way. Israeli soldiers are doing exactly the kind of bloody work my son did in Iraq. They will come home after the war damaged in mind and spirit, if not physically injured. Israel may win this war, but in many ways, it will be a pyrrhic victory. They might very well have an entire generation of young people return maimed in some way. I have seen how that can happen. Francis Pauc, Oak Creek, Wis. .. To the editor: To those who question or deny the right of Israel to exist, I ask, had there been an Israel at the time of the Nazi regime, would the Holocaust have happened? Early in the Nazi period, Jews attempted to leave Germany, but many were turned away from other countries and sent back to die in extermination camps. A state of Israel would have given them a haven. Allied bombers were never ordered to strike extermination camps. An Israeli air force would have made them priority targets. The existence of a strong Jewish state makes another Holocaust far less likely. The response to the mini-Holocaust perpetrated by Hamas on Oct. 7 demonstrates that because there is an Israel, Jews can no longer be slaughtered with impunity. Morris Schorr, Woodland Hills .. To the editor: How ironic it would be if Israel, a nation established in the wake of the Holocaust, should now be the perpetrator of another genocide. My grandparents, who died in the concentration camps in Poland, would have been very happy to see the formation of a Jewish state. But that feat was accomplished at the expense of the land and freedom of another people, the Palestinians. This blind spot on the part of the powers that be at the time ultimately brought about Hamas. I don't believe there is anything in Jewish beliefs that advises keeping one's knee to the neck of one's downed enemy and cutting off his breath. I have always supported Israel's right to exist how could I not? But I see no reason why, if the will exists, that Palestine could not also exist. One thing is for certain: War is not the answer. Karl Lisovsky, Venice This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A Little River bar that reopened this week after a fatal shooting on New Years Eve has upped its minimum age limit for those wanting to come inside. Drinking Class Sports Bar and Grill, 3389 Highway 9 East, posted Wednesday on its Facebook group page that the bar is now requiring women to be 25 or older to enter and men to be 30 or older. The Drinking Class Sports Bar and Grill in Little River has changed its minimum age to enter the bar after a deadly shooting New Years Eve. Two men were killed and two others injured. Jan. 4, 2024 Several attempts to speak with a manager or owner at Drinking Class were unsuccessful. A person answering the phone Thursday said the manager wasnt there and that he didnt know when he would come in. The change comes after two men under the age of 21, the legal drinking age in South Carolina, were shot and killed at the bar on Dec. 31. James Myron Bellamy, 20, and Kron Fox, 19, were killed in the shooting that also injured two others. No arrests have been made by Horry County Police in the case. Attempts to contact the victims families were unsuccessful. Drinking Class Bar and Grill announced that it reopened on Jan. 3 at noon. David Nappi, an administrator for the bars Facebook page, announced the new age restrictions several hours before the bar reopened. The Drinking Class Sports Bar and Grill in Little River has changed its minimum age to enter the bar after a deadly shooting New Years Eve. Two men were killed and two others injured. Jan. 4, 2024 Those commenting on the bars post said that the bar had previously only allowed patrons 21 years of age and older but underage people would still enter. The shooting happened at the Little River bar on Dec. 31 after 11 p.m. The events of the night are unclear and Horry County Police has not released information on who fired the shots or why. Bellamy was taken to Sea Coast Hospital where he died from his injuries. Fox died on the scene. Two other people received non-life threatening injuries. This embedded content is not available in your region. A security guard with a military background has been arrested after a man opened fire at a cinema, a house and a newsagent in a series of shootings in Liverpool. Armed officers arrested 49-year-old Leslie Garrett at a property in Fazakerley early on Thursday morning in connection with the attacks. Assistant Chief Constable Jenn Wilson, of Merseyside Police, declared a major incident and said it was the first time the force had had to deal with something of this nature on the streets of Merseyside. No one was injured in the shootings, but children were left terrified when the Showcase Cinema in Croxteth was put into lockdown after two staff members were threatened by the gunman. Neighbours said Mr Garrett had previously worked as a security guard at the cinema, although neither Merseyside Police nor Showcase Cinemas confirmed this. He was arrested on suspicion of possession of a Section 1 firearm with intent to endanger life and robbery, was taken to a police station on Merseyside, where he remains in custody. The shootings began at 8pm on Wednesday, when police were called to the News and Booze store, known as Sanghas, on Lower House Lane, Norris Green, after reports that a man had threatened the assistant and demanded money before opening fire. CCTV footage from inside the shop shows a man wearing a green hooded jacket and flip-flops staring down the barrel of what appears to be a shotgun and firing a single shot before walking outside empty-handed. The shop assistant was not injured but was left extremely distressed by the ordeal, police said. Fifty minutes later, police received reports of more shots being fired at the nearby Showcase Cinema at Stonedale Retail Park, Croxteth. Police locked down the Showcase Cinema after shots were fired - Iain Watts/Liverpool Echo A man armed with a gun was reported to have threatened two members of staff in the foyer and fired a number of shots into the air outside before escaping in a car. When footage of the gunman inside the shop emerged, locals speculated that the firearm could be an L1A1 self-loading rifle, although witnesses at the cinema described seeing a shotgun. The Telegraph understands the suspect had been working in security and previously served in the Armed Forces. Craig Moorhead was leaving the cinema after watching Wonka with his 14-year-old daughter and her friend when armed police entered the building and ordered a lockdown. Mr Moorhead, of Walton, said he was terrified and that staff were in shock after seeing the gunman. Police were called to the store after reports that a man had demanded money before firing a gun - Iain Watts/Liverpool Echo He told BBC Radio Merseyside: As we came out, we heard all these sirens and the armed response units said we all had to go back inside. I was terrified for the kids the young girl on the desk was in shock as she saw the guy firing the gun outside. Mr Moorhead said police escorted small groups to their cars after they had been kept inside the cinema for 45 minutes. A spokesman for Showcase Cinemas thanked police for their swift response, and said they were helping officers with their investigation. Further reports were received that gunshots were heard at a property on Malpas Road, Croxteth, at about 10.20pm. At 4.46am, armed officers raided a property in Fazakerley and arrested a man after using a Taser to subdue him. A police van and cordon were in place outside the property on Thursday. Two members of staff at the cinema were reportedly threatened before the man fired a number of shots into the air outside - Iain Watts/Liverpool Echo One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said she heard officers arriving at the property in the early hours of the morning. I heard a lot of commotion, she said. There were lots of police, and some with dogs. It was quite scary. Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: The man was ex-forces and ex-security. A police officer stationed in a van outside said the house was being treated as a crime scene. Later officers using a low loader took away a grey Ford Focus hatchback which had been parked outside the bungalow. A similar-looking vehicle featured on Mr Garretts Facebook page last year, captioned: Working and living in my car for nearly 4 weeks. Assistant Chief Constable Wilson said in a statement: I can report that a 49-year-old man has been arrested following three firearms discharges in the Croxteth and Norris Green areas last night. Thankfully incidents like this, involving a single offender in three separate shootings in close proximity and quick succession, are extremely rare, and this is the first time we have had to deal with an incident of this nature on the streets of Merseyside. The shocking and distressing impact these incidents will have had on the shop assistant, the staff at the Showcase Cinema and those filmgoers who found themselves in a lockdown situation in the complex after shots were fired outside the cinema, and the residents of Malpas Road, cannot be underestimated. Officers were on the ground immediately following the first incident and were able to respond swiftly to the subsequent discharges, and a male was identified, located and arrested on suspicion of all three discharges within 13 hours. High-visibility patrols will remain in the area to reassure members of the local community. 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. Sign up for CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. Rammed earth portions of the Great Wall of China built by compressing natural materials with soils have been regarded as a weak point in its structure. But these swaths of the iconic landmark developed a natural line of defense against the looming risk of deterioration, a new study has found. These soil surfaces on the Great Wall are covered by a living skin of tiny, rootless plants and microorganisms known as biocrusts that are a source of the heritage sites staying power, according to soil ecologist Matthew Bowker, a coauthor of the study published December 8 in the journal Science Advances. (Biocrusts) are common throughout the world on soils of dry regions, but we dont typically look for them on human-built structures, said Bowker, an associate professor at Northern Arizona University, in an email. Past studies have found lichen and moss biocrusts to be a destructive threat to modern heritage stone structures due to the microbial communities long-term impacts on aesthetic value, production of acid and other metabolites, and alteration of microenvironments, which may cause erosion and rock weathering. Those findings have led to the removal of plants growing on the top of parts of the Great Wall. But the effects of biocrusts look different for earthen landmarks, and communities of cyanobacteria and moss actually increase the Great Walls stability and improve its resistance to erosion, according to the new paper. Biocrusts are very widespread on the Great Wall," study coauthor Bo Xiao says, "and their existence is very beneficial to the protection of it. - Courtesy Bo Xiao Examining samples taken from over 300 miles (483 kilometers) across eight rammed earth sections of the site built during the Ming Dynasty between 1368 and 1644, the study authors found that more than two-thirds of the area is covered in biocrusts. When the researchers compared the stability and strength of samples layered in biocrust with samples sans Earths living skin, they discovered that samples with biocrusts were as much as three times stronger than those without. They thought this kind of vegetation was destroying the Great Wall. Our results show the contrary, said study coauthor Bo Xiao, a professor of soil science at China Agricultural University. Biocrusts are very widespread on the Great Wall and their existence is very beneficial to the protection of it. Like a blanket Made up of components such as cyanobacteria, algae, moss, fungi and lichen, biocrusts dwell on the topsoil of drylands. Covering an estimated 12% of the planets surface, the communities of tiny plants and microorganisms can take decades, or longer, to develop. Forming miniature ecosystems, biocrusts stabilize soil, increase water retention, and regulate nitrogen and carbon fixation. They are able to do so partly thanks to a dense biomass, which acts as an anti-infiltration layer for soil pores under the right conditions, as well as a natural absorption of nutrients that promote salt damage. The secretions and structural layers of biocrusts also intertwine to form a sticky network of aggregating soil particles that promote strength and stability against corrosive forces threatening the Great Wall, according to the new study. Forming miniature ecosystems, biocrusts stabilize the soil, increase water retention, and regulate nitrogen and carbon fixation. - Courtesy Bo Xiao Climatic conditions, the type of structure and type of biocrust all play a role in a biocrusts protective function, with its reduction of erodibility much greater than its risk of weathering, the researchers found. Compared with bare rammed earth, the cyanobacteria, moss and lichen biocrust-covered sections of the Great Wall exhibited reduced porosity, water-holding capacity, erodibility and salinity by up to 48%, while increasing compressive strength, penetration resistance, shear strength and aggregate stability by up to 321%. Of the bunch, the moss biocrusts were found to be the most stable. (Biocrusts) cover the Great Wall like a blanket that separates the Great Wall from air, from water, from wind, Xiao said. Working to keep water out and prevent salt buildup, the biocrusts resist chemical weathering, he noted, producing substances that act as a glue for soil particles to bind together against dispersion, making soil properties stronger. Biocrusts role in an uncertain future Most of the communities that make up a biocrust start from a single organism that grows and makes the environments it grows within suitable for others. Although they are still vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, these constantly evolving organisms are expected to deploy internal mechanisms to adapt to future extremes, said Emmanuel Salifu, an assistant professor at Arizona State University who studies nature-based solutions for sustainable engineering. That inherent adaptability makes biocrusts great contenders for nature-based interventions to address structural conservation in our warming world, said Salifu, who was not involved with the new study. Even if we have warmer temperatures, they are already suited to performing in those conditions, he said. We hypothesize that they will be better able to survive if we engineer their growth at scale. Wind erosion, rainfall scouring, salinization and freeze-thaw cycles have led to cracking and disintegration across the thousands of miles of structures that link together the Great Wall, which is at risk of severe deterioration and vulnerable to collapse. Rising temperatures and increasing rainfall could also result in a reduction of the walls biocrust cover. The studys authors contend their work makes a case for exploring the possibility of cultivating biocrusts to help preserve other rammed earth heritage sites. - Courtesy Bo Xiao Still, the wider construction industry remains divided over the historic conservation potential of biocrusts, according to Salifu. The conventional idea is that biological growth is not great for structures. It affects the aesthetics, it leads to degradation, affects the overall structural integrity, he said. However, there is a lack of concrete research that supports those conclusions, Salifu added, noting that the jury is still out on that. Salifu sees the new study as evidence of the potential advantages to engineering biocrusts for the conservation of earthen heritage sites though that is still an emerging field. The research establishes that the natural communities of plants and microorganisms have the capacity to improve the structural integrity, longevity and durability of earthen structures like the Great Wall of China, Salifu said. The paper goes a long way in further pushing the hand on the clock in bringing the industry closer to where we might be able to start thinking about (engineering biocrusts), he noted. The studys authors also say their work makes a case for exploring the possibility of cultivating biocrusts for preservation of other rammed earth heritage sites worldwide. Beyond its status as a tourist destination that draws millions of visitors each year, the Great Wall has great cultural relevance, which is why the biocrusts preserving it are so significant, Xiao said. The Great Wall is the cultural center of Chinese civilization, he told CNN. We should do our best to protect it for our next generations. For our children, for our grandchildren. Ayurella Horn-Muller has covered climate change for Axios. Her debut book, Devoured: The Extraordinary Story of Kudzu, the Vine That Ate the South, is due out in the spring. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A child was arrested after they allegedly brought a loaded gun to school Thursday. Just before noon, deputies were called to North Dayton School of Discovery for reports of a gun being on school grounds, according to a media release. Staff immediately found the student who reportedly had the loaded gun in their locker and secured it. >> Iowa school shooting: 1 dead, 5 injured in shooting, officials say School staff took all the necessary action to keep both students and faculty safe once they learned a gun was on school property, according to the release. A juvenile was arrested and booked into the Juvenile Justice Center for carrying a concealed weapon and illegal conveyance of a weapon. There is no ongoing threat to the school, the release states. The identity and age of the student was not released. We will continue to follow this story. A man locked up for almost 45 years for a robbery-shooting at a Jacksonville produce store had his conviction erased Wednesday because a key witness was hypnotized before testifying against him. Circuit Judge Lindsay Tygart vacated the 1976 attempted-murder conviction against Willie L. Williams Jr., who had been freed from prison on parole in 2020 and had asked prosecutors to help clear his name. I am so thankful that I can finally put this injustice behind me and move on with my life, Williams, now 79, said in a release from the Innocence Project of Florida, a legal nonprofit that challenges improper convictions. I always knew that I was not the shooter but I didnt have the evidence to properly defend myself. I am so grateful to the State Attorneys Office for diligently reviewing my case and discovering the key evidence to show that I was wrongfully convicted, the statement quoted Williams saying. Willie L.Williams Jr. Floridas Supreme Court has ruled since the conviction that hypnotically refreshed memory is unreliable and inadmissible at trial, said State Attorneys Office spokesman David Chapman. Because the evidence wasnt admissible, prosecutors werent filing charges again, Chapman said. Before his parole, Williams had been serving life in prison after being convicted of two counts of robbery and two of attempted murder for shootings that happened Oct. 8, 1975 inside Weconnett Produce near Wesconnett Boulevard and Timuquana Road. After 43 years: FREE AT LAST Two men had driven to the business and one waited outside while the other entered the store, where police said a woman who was the only employee was shot in the head after handing over about $50, according to court records. A man who thought the bangs he heard were hammering walked in during the holdup and was also made to give up his wallet, then shot in the head as well. The robber got back to the car, but police chased it to Beaver Street downtown, where Williams was arrested trying to run, a police report said. Another man, Alfred Mitchell, fled into a house and shot himself fatally in the head, the report said. Williams told police he had given Mitchell a ride to the Westside because Mitchell said he needed to pick up a check and that he had no idea a robbery would happen. But both people who were shot at the store survived and a jury convicted Williams after the male victim identified him as the gunman in what the judge for that trial called clear and unequivocal testimony, according to court files. When the State Attorneys Office revisited the case in 2021, however, staff in its conviction integrity review division found previously undisclosed and exculpatory information about police hypnotizing the shooting victim, Innocence Project attorneys told Tygart in October. The Innocence Project filing said the State Attorneys Office contacted the man who had been shot and were told his memory blacked out after being shot and he could not remember anything about the robbery prior to being hypnotized. The filing said Williams original defense lawyer told the State Attorneys Office he was never told the shooting victim was hypnotized, but that prosecutors records from the 1976 trial and later contained two notes indicating prosecutors were aware. Legal knots: Overturned convictions raise questions Williams lawyers argued that not sharing information about the hypnosis violated his right to know about evidence the government knows that might point to his innocence, undermining the whole trial. The State Attorneys Office told Williams the findings from its review in May, and Innocence Project Legal Director Brandon Scheck praised current prosecutors for coming forward with information that should have been shared long ago. It is important that when it becomes clear that a conviction was procured through unconstitutional means, that all parts of the system the state, defense and court move swiftly to right that, Scheck said. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Behind bars 44 years, Jacksonville man, 79, has shooting case dropped Where can you fly for cheap from Oklahoma City for Spring Break? As Oklahomans welcome the new year, many are writing down those New Year's resolutions. Some people want to lose weight, organize their home better or read more books. Traveling is another popular resolution for those with an adventurous spirit, and it's never too early to start planning your 2024 trips. To help you out, here are all the cities to which you can catch a nonstop flight from Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport: Atlanta Fly nonstop from OKC to Atlanta with Delta. Austin Fly nonstop from OKC to Austin (Texas) with American Airlines and Southwest. Charlotte Fly nonstop from OKC to Charlotte (North Carolina) with American Airlines. Chicago Midway Fly nonstop from OKC to Chicago Midway with Southwest. Chicago O'Hare Fly nonstop from OKC to Chicago O'Hare with American Airlines and United. Dallas-Fort Worth Fly nonstop from OKC to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport with American Airlines. Denver Fly nonstop from OKC to Denver with Frontier Airlines, Southwest and United. Destin-Fort Walton Fly nonstop from OKC to Destin-Fort Walton (Florida) seasonally with Allegiant. Houston Hobby Fly nonstop from OKC to Houston Hobby with Southwest. Houston Intercontinental Fly nonstop from OKC to Houston Intercontinental with United. Las Vegas Fly nonstop from OKC to Las Vegas with Allegiant and Southwest. Los Angeles Fly nonstop from OKC to Los Angeles with Allegiant and American Airlines. Miami International Fly nonstop from OKC to Miami International (Florida) with American Airlines. Minneapolis Fly nonstop from OKC to Minneapolis with Delta. Nashville Fly nonstop from OKC to Nashville (Tennessee) with Southwest. New York LaGuardia Fly nonstop from OKC to New York LaGuardia with American Airlines and Delta. Orlando Fly nonstop from OKC to Orlando (Florida) with Frontier Airlines and Southwest. Orlando-Sanford Fly nonstop from OKC to Orlando-Sanford seasonally with Allegiant. Phoenix Fly nonstop from OKC to Phoenix with American Airlines and Southwest. Salt Lake City Fly nonstop from OKC to Salt Lake City with Delta. San Antonio Fly nonstop from OKC to San Antonio with Southwest. Seattle Fly nonstop from OKC to Seattle with Alaska Airlines. St. Louis Fly nonstop from OKC to St. Louis with Southwest. Tampa Fly nonstop from OKC to Tampa (Florida) with Breeze and Southwest. Washington National Fly nonstop from OKC to Washington National with American Airlines and Southwest. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: See where you can fly nonstop from OKC in 2024 (BCN) Santa Clara County Fire Department officials said they are still investigating a three-alarm fire that occurred in Los Altos on Christmas Day. Around 4:50 a.m. on Dec. 25, crews were alerted to reports of smoke coming from a commercial structure located at 4600 El Camino Real in Los Altos. Along with the Mountain View Fire Department, county firefighters responded to the area and found heavy smoke coming from the first floor of a two-story, 20,000-square-foot commercial building. Around 5:10 a.m., a second alarm was called, with additional firefighting resources and manpower arriving. They then entered the building to both fight the fire and confirm there was no one inside in need of rescue, the countys fire department said. At 5:22 a.m., a third alarm was called and the Mountain View Fire Department and Palo Alto Fire Department sent additional resources. The blaze extended to the roof of the structure, forcing crews to get out of the building due to the risk of the roof collapsing. According to the Santa Clara County Fire Department, firefighters resumed battling the blaze from the outside of the building until the fire was declared under control at 1:53 p.m. No injuries were reported. The county fire department said it is working with Los Altos officials, building owners, tenants, and insurance companies on the investigation. Eastbound lanes of El Camino Real in the area are expected to remain closed until the week of Jan. 23 while crews demolish and remove the remnants of the building, Caltrans officials said Tuesday. Copyright 2024 Bay City News, Inc. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A man who has been arrested 27 times and reportedly has an extensive record was apprehended again this last Thursday, Dec. 28 for being wanted on four outstanding criminal warrants, according to the El Paso County Sheriffs Office. EPCSO: Man arrested for extensive history of vehicle thefts The Sheriffs Office says Armando Bejarano, 37, was wanted on four outstanding criminal warrants including charges of theft of property by the Sheriffs Office, theft of property by the Horizon City Police Department, evading arrest and evading with a motor vehicle by the Socorro Police Department. Armando Bejarano, 37. Photo: El Paso County Sheriffs Office. The total bond amount for these charges were set at $71,500 and Bejarano was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility. However, the Criminal Jail Magistrate reduced Bejaranos bond on Saturday, Dec. 30 to $41,500 despite his extensive arrest record, according to the Sheriffs Office. Bejarano posted bond on Sunday, Dec. 31 and was released from jail. The Sheriffs Office says throughout the year of 2023, Bejarano was arrested 27 times with the majority of his arrests being related to property-related crimes, aggravated assault, weapons, and narcotics offenses. Despite Bejaranos extensive criminal history, he has been granted personal recognizance bonds and has had his bond reduced on multiple occasions, the El Paso County Sheriffs Office said. The El Paso County Sheriffs Office says it remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of the community by apprehending individuals who threaten public safety. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. HANOVER TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A man is being charged after police say he angrily shot out a womans windshield of her vehicle while firing a gun from the second-floor window of a home. The Hanover Township Police Department states 22-year-old Anthony Pascoe, Hanover Township, was arrested and jailed without bail after shooting at a woman from the upstairs window of his home in the 200 block of Harrison Street. According to the affidavit, Pascoe accused the victim of damaging a tire on his vehicle and asked her to come to his house Tuesday around 5:30 p.m. The victim states she went to Pascoes car, thinking he was inside, heard a gunshot, and fled back to her car as a bullet broke through the front windshield, as stated in court documents. The victim turned and saw Pascoe hanging out of a second-floor window, aiming a handgun at her, causing her to speed off as Pascoe fired more shots, police stated. Arrest made, one injured after Wilkes-Barre shooting Investigators said they searched Pascoes home and found three long guns and a handgun. Pascoe was charged with the following; Aggravated assault Simple assault Reckless endangerment Shooting into an occupied vehicle and criminal mischief Pascoe remains in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility on the charges with a preliminary hearing on January 17. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. ST. LOUIS A man accused of arson last year in the City of St. Louis faces a felony charge. Gerald A. Sansoucie, 60, is linked to an arson at a home on Pennsylvania Avenue in late May. Missouri expecting two rounds of winter weather According to a probable cause statement released Wednesday, Sansoucie admitted to intentionally throwing an incendiary device onto the roof of a home. Court documents allege he was outside attempting to scare one of the victims who was sleeping inside the building. The event was captured on surveillance video. Authorities have issued a warrant for Sansoucies arrest and ordered him to be held in custody without bond. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. As if to prove the point of the felony battery charge against him, the defendant lunged at the Nevada judge. In a video released of the sentencing hearing by the Las Vegas Review Journal the same day Jan. 3 Deobra Delone Redden can be seen leaping over the defense table and the judges bench and landing on top of Judge Mary Kay Holthus. Several jail officers and courtroom staff members then wrestle him to the floor. In the moments before Reddens outburst, Holthus, a Clark County District judge, was sentencing him on an aggravated battery charge, according to KTNV. Judge Holthus was injured but not hospitalized and a courtroom marshal was hospitalized for a bleeding gash on his forehead and a dislocated shoulder, according to The Associated Press. According to the outlet, Redden now faces multiple new felony charges, including battery on a protected person. Judge Holthus was elected to the state court bench in 2018 and again in 2022 following a long career as a lawyer, according to The Guardian. The violent scene reminds onlookers that judges are often the targets of threats and violence. In July 2020, Roy Den Hollander, a self-proclaimed antifeminist lawyer, went after Judge Esther Salas and her family, according to ABC News. Authorities said Hollander attacked the judges New Jersey home, killing Salas son and injuring her husband. According to the outlet, U.S. Marshals say that inappropriate communications or threats against federal judges, prosecutors and court officials have been on the rise for years, jumping from 926 threats and inappropriate communications in 2015 to 4,449 in 2019. Bloomberg Law reported that the number of substantiated threats against federal judges alone a group of only 870 nationwide climbed from 178 threats in 2019 to 311 in 2022. There were more than 280 reported threats in the first three months of 2023. Men struggle for gun after argument over $50, TN police say. One charged with murder Accused attacker challenges woman to shoot him and she does, Missouri police say Pastor tries shoving wifes co-worker at McDonalds into a deep fryer, NC police say A woman told Channel 9 that on New Years Day, a man exposed himself to her on an east Charlotte greenway. Community on alert after assault on Midtown Charlotte greenway I feel like if I had not thought to take the pictures immediately, that CMPD may not have been able to identify him with just my description alone, Heather Bigham said. She was walking her dogs in a somewhat secluded part of the Little Sugar Creek Greenway near the trailhead at Belmont Avenue. I just think this person is disgusting and hope he gets arrested, she told Channel 9. Bigham believes the suspect initially drove by and then slowed down. He spotted me walking, she said. He then parked his car across the street, got out of his car, followed me down the greenway with my dogs. Bigham said it wasnt until she snapped the photos that she confronted him. He pulled down his jacket to kind of make it seem like he wasnt doing what I saw him doing, Bigham said. As soon as I said, Im calling the police, and had my phone out taking pictures of him, it kind of clicked for him and he turned around and ran. Bigham said she sent CMPD the photos and it appears that helped them identify a 26-year-old suspect. Channel 9 obtained a criminal summons for him for the offense of indecent exposure. Its just important. I know everyone talks about safety on the greenway and maybe not walking alone or walking in groups, but the greenways are pretty populated, she said. There are tons of people that walk alone, and we shouldnt feel like we have to walk with a partner. CMPDs Sex Assault Unit is investigating. Channel 9 is not yet naming that suspect. There are some discrepancies with his name on the court documents we obtained. We reached out to CMPD for some clarity. Right now, all that CMPD is saying is that this is an active investigation. This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates. VIDEO: Community on alert after assault on midtown Charlotte greenway A man found guilty of showing a teenage girl pornography has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. According to the Hall County Sheriffs Office, on May 29, 2023, Joshua Allen Nutting, 38, of Cleveland, Georgia, was among a group of people at a gathering at a home on Belton Bridge Road in the small town of Lula, Georgia. At the home, Nutting showed a 16-year-old girl pornographic images on his cell phone and performed an indecent act in her presence. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Investigators said he also gave her a Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) vape cartridge multiple times at the home. Nutting was charged with two counts of child molestation and one count of delinquency of a minor. On Dec. 12, 2023, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 20 years of probation for the first child molestation count, another 10 years in prison and 20 years of probation for the second child molestation count, and 12 months in prison for the delinquency of a minor count, which will be served concurrently with his second charge. He is now a registered sex offender. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: KANSAS CITY, Mo. Kansas City police said someone killed a man late Wednesday night near 26th and Agnes, but how he died is a mystery. Someone called Kansas City police to that neighborhood just before 10 p.m. Wednesday night, KCPD reports. Camera captures NYE celebratory gunfire in Kansas City neighborhoodagain When officers arrived, they found a man in a yard suffering from some type of bodily trauma. Paramedics tried to help him, but he died on the scene. The man was identified as 70-year-old Vonzell Bryant. The circumstances of the incident are being investigated, but officers are treating it like a homicide. Anyone with information is asked to call the police or reach out to the tips hotline at 816-474-TIPS. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. The family of a Missouri woman is suing an apartment complex and its security company after a lawsuit says she was killed and wheeled past a security guard. The family of 63-year-old Carolyn Jenkins says apartment complex officials should have never allowed her death to happen in the first place because they failed to adequately screen the man accused of killing her. They are seeking at least $25,000 from each accused party. In 2001, David Harvey moved into the Metropolitan Village Apartments in St. Louis, where Jenkins also lived starting in 2020, according to a lawsuit obtained by KSDK. At some point, the two became involved in a romantic relationship, the court document said. The relationship between the two ended, however, and Jenkins reported that Harvey was harassing her by illegally entering her apartment, going through her personal items, and accessing her apartment with a key which was obtained from the management of Metropolitan Village Apartments, the lawsuit said. Jenkins complained to apartment management and told them about the break-ins and harassment, which should have been caught on security cameras, according to the lawsuit. Despite her repeated complaints, which included filing a police report against David Harvey, Carolyn Jenkins needed to change the locks on her apartment, the lawsuit said. But Harvey would enter her apartment again, according to the lawsuit. On Aug. 11, 2022, with the help of a worker at the apartment complex, Harvey entered Jenkins apartment and killed her, the lawsuit said. She had gone down to get her mail and the murderer followed her back up to her apartment and killed her there. Our private autopsy revealed that she was stabbed seven times, Jenkins daughter, Carla Smith, told KSDK. McClatchy News reached out to the Metropolitan Village Apartments, Sansone Group, LLC, and Anthonys Empire Security, LLC, which are the parties listed in the lawsuit on Jan. 4 but did not immediately hear back. Security just sat there When Harvey followed Jenkins to her apartment, he rushed before she could close the door, the lawsuit said. Several minutes later, he is seen on video surveillance footage leaving the apartment and locking the door, detectives told the news outlet. Then, two men are accused of going into the apartment around 2 a.m., loading her body onto a dolly and wheeling it outside, KSDK reported. Police said the other man with Harvey was John Day, who worked at the apartment complex, KSDK reported. The lawsuit said Harvey took Jenkins body out of the building on a cart, past a security guard and dumped her body in an alley. The security just sat there, monitor above her head, she never moved she just sat there, Smith told KTVZ. It was 2 or 3 oclock in the morning, she never asked, what are you doing? What is that? Nothing, my mothers foot was dragging. Jenkins family called police the day she was killed when they didnt hear from her, the news outlet reported. Police said they found her apartment in disarray with a small pool of blood inside but did not find her, KTVZ reported. After a week of still no word, the family called the police a second time. After that call, police found Jenkins body in a wooded area behind the apartment complex, KTVZ reported. Who is responsible? The lawsuit says Harveys criminal record should have barred him from living in the apartment complex, which makes the complex liable for Jenkins death. Because the apartment complex was under agreement with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, tenants were supposed to be screened and meet certain requirements. In 2015, Harvey was charged with first-degree murder of a pregnant woman. Prior to this, he had several other charges including first-degree assault and possession of cocaine, the lawsuit said. During the term of a lease at Metropolitan Village Apartments, any criminal activity that threatens the health, safety, or right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other tenants, or any drug-related criminal activity on the premises engaged in by the tenant of any unit shall be cause for termination of tenancy, the lawsuit said. However, Harvey was not evicted, despite the charges he faced while he was a tenant. The lawsuit also states the security company was required to monitor the video cameras in the hallways for any suspicious activity that should be investigated, and failed to do so. Both Harvey and Day have been charged in connection to Jenkins death, KSDK reported. Day admitted to his role in helping move Jenkins body, according to a police report, KTVZ reported. He is set to be sentenced in April. Harvey is set for trial in March. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Salem police have identified the man who was shot and killed outside a nightclub on New Years Day, according to authorities. Ricardo Lopez-Cruz, 29, has been identified by the Salem Police Department as the shooting victim, who was discovered deceased from a gunshot wound around 3:15 a.m. Monday morning, officials said. We need ambulances in our community: Firefighters improvise rescues amid paramedic shortage Police had arrived at the scene in the parking lot outside Le Leyenda nightclub at 3260 Portland RD NE in response to a call of a man with a gunshot wound. The next day, detectives arrested a Woodburn resident related to the case, authorities say. The 34-year-old Guadalupe Ortiz Cervantes was arrested without incident on Jan. 2 with the assistance of the Woodburn Police Department, police say. She was lodged at the Marion County Jail on charges of hindering prosecution and was slated to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon at the Marion County Criminal Court Annex. Salem authorities announced at 6 p.m. that the homicide suspect had turned himself in to Roseburg police. Julio Cesar Sanchez-Sanchez, age 36 of Salem, turned himself in to Roseburg Police Department officers this afternoon. Sanchez is currently lodged at the Douglas County Jail pending transfer to the Marion County Jail on charges of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon, officials said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. A Texas father was fatally shot on Saturday protecting his 4-year-old son during a daytime home invasion. Juvenal Antero, 24, was identified as the victim of a fatal shooting after two people forced their way into his familys apartment, Dallas police said in a press release. Juvenal Antero, 24, was shot and killed in Dallas on Saturday. Juvenal Antero, 24, was shot and killed in Dallas on Saturday. According to the release, police responded to reports of a shooting at around 2:40 p.m. They found Antero had been shot and took him to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries. Police said the suspects left the home following the break-in. In an email to HuffPost on Thursday, a police spokesperson said there had been no update in Anteros case. Anteros wife, Elizabel Cardenas, described the incident in an interview with ABC affiliate WFAA, saying she and their 4-year-old son were home at the time. Cardenas told the outlet the two individuals knocked on their door asking for a plunger before forcing their way into the home. Im slamming the door on his hand, and Im holding the door with all the strength that I could pull, Cardenas said. According to Cardenas, Antero grabbed his gun and jumped in front of their 4-year-old to protect him, but was shot. We were his everything. We were all that mattered to him, Cardenas said. Cardenas told NBC affiliate KXAS-TV she is 11 weeks pregnant, and that her husband was excited to see sonogram images and hear the unborn childs heartbeat at an upcoming appointment. My son keeps asking me, when is my dad going to be alive again? Things that no child is supposed to witness or supposed to ask, Cardenas told KXAS. I dont wish this on anyone. Related... SACRAMENTO - The father of the 10-year-old accused of shooting and killing another 10-year-old is now being held at no bail at the Sacramento County Jail. Arkete Davis, 53, appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday afternoon. The judge said he was a danger to the public after the district attorney's office laid out all the evidence. CBS13 spoke with the family of 10-year-old Keith Frierson, commonly known as KJ, who was shot and killed over the weekend. His mother, Brittani Frierson told CBS13 that she got a call from the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office on Wednesday that Davis' 10-year-old son who was arrested for her son's murder is being released on Thursday. "If my heart wasn't already broken, the strength I had, it just crushed me," said Brittani. "She gets to get her baby tomorrow and hold him, hug him, and tell her baby it's OK. But when I went outside, my baby was gone. He had no chance." The District Attorney's Office could not confirm this since he is a minor, but sent this statement: "Based on the facts currently known, the sole criminal liability and responsibility for the child's death lays exclusively with this Defendant. Given this is a pending case, our ethical obligation prevents us from making any comment at this time. Additionally, juvenile matters are confidential as mandated by California law." Investigators said that KJ was playing outside with his 6-year-old buddy when another 10-year-old boy went to get a pack of cigarettes for his dad from his car, pulled out a gun and pulled the trigger. Davis is accused of trying to cover up the crime by throwing the gun in a garbage can. In court Wednesday, CBS13 learned from the evidence the district attorney's office provided that the gun was loaded when it was disposed of. That is why the judge said that Davis created a further danger to the public. Davis was read six charges, including child endangerment, felon in possession of a firearm and trying to cover up the crime. His bail was initially set at $500,000, but the district attorney's office asked for $1 million, then laid out this evidence: Davis directed the child to a location with a loaded firearm The defendant knew the gun was not locked and easily accessible. Davis knew the child knew he had a gun, as the investigation found that his son was overheard saying, "I told you my dad had a gun." Davis had a stolen weapon. Davis is a felon who is prohibited from having a firearm. After learning of the child's death, Davis then took the gun, placed it in a paper bag and threw it in a public trash can. The People's position from this evidence they listed was that Davis had a disregard for the safety of the community. After hearing this evidence, the judge decided on the no bail without prejudice and set the next court date for Friday, Jan 5. at 8:30 a.m. for a bail motion in Department 61. According to public records, Davis has had a criminal history over the past 30 years in California and Texas for multiple things, including drug offenses and theft by check. Local Attorney Justin Ward said that the way the charges currently stand and if they add a great bodily injury enhancement to the child endangerment charge, Davis could be facing up to 10 years and four months behind bars. Names of more than 150 people connected to Jeffrey Epstein to be unsealed FBI investigates fiery New Year's Day crash in Rochester, New York Court releases documents naming Jeffrey Epstein contacts A Sacramento mother, already heartbroken over her 10-year-old sons shooting death in Foothill Farms over the weekend, said Wednesday her remaining strength evaporated upon learning the accused killer another 10-year-old child will face no charges. They broke my heart they crushed me, Brittani Frierson said, surrounded by her family and a Sacramento activist. It broke me. Frierson sobbed the news outside the Sacramento County Main Jail while waiting for the accused killers father to be arraigned. The father, 53-year-old Arkete Davis, answered, Yes, maam once during the hearing in which his defense attorney entered not guilty pleas to six counts on his behalf. Davis is charged in Sacramento Superior Court with having a firearm that a child could easily access, leading to the death of another minor; two counts of child endangerment; having a firearm as a felon; having ammunition when prohibited from doing so; and destroying evidence. His 10-year-old son, who has not been publicly identified, is accused of firing the gun that killed Keith Jhay KJ Frierson on Saturday. Family and friends of Keith Jhay KJ Frierson rally outside Sacramento County Main Jail on Wednesday to seek justice in KJs shooting death. From left to right are Nina Trepagnier, KJs godmother; Rhonda Ladd, KJs grandmother; Brittani Frierson, KJs mother; and Berry Accius, a Sacramento activist and the founder and CEO of Voice of the Youth. Frierson said the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office told them the child suspect wont face charges. Shelly Orio, a spokeswoman for the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office, did not answer a question about whether the child would face charges. She referred to a statement issued by the District Attorneys Office, which said its ethical obligations prevent it from making any comment and that juvenile matters are confidential under California law. Based on the facts currently known, the sole criminal liability and responsibility for the childs death lays exclusively with (Arkete Davis), the District Attorneys Office said in a statement. Sheriffs deputies were called about 4:30 p.m. Saturday to the 4700 block of Greenholme Drive in Foothill Farms and found KJ Frierson bleeding from his head and neck, a news release said. Davis and his son were arrested at the scene after being located at an apartment complex. Deputies said the 10-year-old boy went to his fathers car to get cigarettes and found a gun. Hes accused of firing it once, hitting Frierson, after losing a bike race in the townhome complex where the boys lived. Prosecutor Paris Coleman argued in court to increase Davis $500,000 bail to $1 million because his charges relate to KJs murder. However, there is no murder charge because California law dictates there must be malice behind a killing and prosecutors didnt believe facts supported this finding, Coleman said. He added Davis deliberately directed his child to the gun despite knowing it wasnt locked or secured. Davis then allegedly took the gun with ammunition and threw it in a trashcan, the prosecutor argued. It was Davis wanton and reckless behavior, Coleman said, that has led to the loss of one child and negatively altered the life of another. Court Commissioner Alicia D. Hartley set a bail hearing for Friday to allow Davis attorney to respond to the prosecutors arguments. However, Hartley said Davis will be held on no bail until that hearing because his actions showed he didnt understand the dangers behind disposing a gun inside the trash can. The gun was found by sheriffs deputies, who accused Davis of trying to dispose of it. He was prohibited from having a gun, the Sheriffs Office said. The family and friends of Keith Jhay KJ Frierson, 10, pray outside the Sacramento County Main Jail on Wednesday after watching the man accused in KJs shooting death appeared in court. The suspect, Arkete Davis, is accused of six counts related to the death of KJ. Frierson and her family gasped and cried during the arraignment and while listening to Coleman describe Davis alleged behavior. His mother gets to hold her baby and tell him Its OK, Frierson said of the suspect. But when I walked outside, my baby was gone. My baby was gone. He had no chance. KJs family created a GoFundMe page to give the 10-year-old a dignified farewell, family wrote on the crowdfunding website. PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan. A 60-year-old Iowa man has been sentenced in the 2021 killing of a 70-year-old Prairie Village man. A Johnson County jury found Michael Balance guilty last October of second-degree murder in the death of John Hoffman. Balance was originally charged with premeditated first-degree murder. Balance was sentenced Thursday in Johnson County court to 51 years and six months in prison. Hoffman was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds in May 2021 in his apartment near 75th Street and Mission Road. Court records say Balance had been living with Hoffman temporarily for about two years before Balance shot and killed him. Neighbors said they heard gunshots and tried to reach Hoffman by phone to check on him. Some saw Balance leaving the apartment but said he didnt react and sped away in his car, court records say. According to charging documents, Balance said he was going through a mental health crisis before he showed up at Hoffmans apartment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. NEPHI, Utah (ABC4) The man who randomly shot at drivers along I-15 in November 2021 was sentenced Tuesday to prison after pleading guilty to five attempted murder charges. Adam Lloyd Gheen, 21, was sentenced to five terms of one to 15 years at the Utah State Prison for the five counts of attempted murder. The judge ordered the sentences to be served consecutively, court documents state. 4 teens rescued after thick fog covers Antelope Island State Park trail Gheen was initially charged with five first-degree felony charges of attempted murder and five class A misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief threatening human life, but as part of a plea deal, the misdemeanor charges were dismissed and the attempted murder charges were reduced to second-degree felony charges, court documents state. On Nov. 30, 2021, Gheen gained access to a firearm with the intent to shoot at people on I-15, court documents state. Early that morning, he reportedly shot the gun at five different vehicles. According to Utah Highway Patrol, the vehicles were traveling between Nephi and Scipio in Juab County when they were shot at. Gheen shot at the first vehicle two different times, hitting both the driver door and the front fender, court documents state. Gheen shot at the second vehicle once, hitting the driver door just underneath the window, shattering the window, court documents state. He shot at the third vehicle once, hitting the driver door just below the window. The bullet entered the vehicle and grazed the victims chest, causing her pain, court documents state. Gheen shot at the fourth vehicle twice. The first bullet entered through the drivers side window and hit the victim in the shoulder, passing through and exiting out of his back, court documents state. This victim required treatment at a local hospital. The second bullet reportedly hit the trailer the victim was pulling. He shot at the fifth vehicle once, hitting the rear drivers side door, court documents state. Each of these shots damaged the victims property and endangered their lives, as they were driving at freeway speeds, court documents state. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) A 20-year-old man shot several times Wednesday night at a Pizza Hut has died from his injuries. Anthony Hairston died Friday, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiners Office. Police responded about 10:30 p.m. to the Pizza Hut at 5526 Turney Road, according to a news release from Police Chief Mark Kaye. Thats just across the street from the Garfield Heights Police Department. Do not attempt to catch Large cat on loose: Local PD This embedded content is not available in your region. Officers found Hairston at the store. A FOX 8 News camera spotted several evidence markers in the store and around the entrance: FOX 8 Photo FOX 8 Photo FOX 8 Photo FOX 8 Photo FOX 8 Photo Cat locked in box, shot in head: Police Officers arrested an 18-year-old Garfield Heights man several blocks from the scene. Detectives are currently investigating the incident and charges have not been filed at this time, Kaye wrote. This appears to be an isolated incident with both males knowing each other prior to the altercation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. More details have emerged regarding a suspect shot by police in Killingly Saturday afternoon. According to the State of Connecticut Office of the Inspector General, Rhode Island authorities had put out a broadcast that a subject wanted in connection with a robbery was operating a Mercury Marquis Connecticut license plate C257810. Connecticut State Trooper Joseph Godbout spotted the vehicle at a Mobil gas station at 599 Hartford Pike in the Dayville section of Killingly. The operator, later identified as Ruben Muller, was outside the vehicle. When Godbout asked Muller for his license, Muller said he did not have it and fled across the parking lot toward a Taco Bell restaurant. A 56-second body camera video was released of the encounter, which starts from the moment Godbout puts his cruiser in park through the point where the trooper radio's 'shot fired.' Ruben Muller runs into a truck that was entering the Taco Bell lot. Godbout pursued Muller and discharged his taser, causing Muller to fall briefly in the middle of the Taco Bell drive-thru. Muller quickly got up and continued to flee. At the driveway for Taco Bell, Muller ran into a truck that was entering the Taco Bell lot and fell again. Godbout attempted to taser Muller again. Muller then reached into his ankle area and pulled out a revolver. Godbout fired one shot, striking Muller in the chest area. Ruben Muller falling after being tased. Medical assistance was provided to Muller at the scene. He was initially taken to Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam and later to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. He was a patient at UMass Memorial Medical Center as of Wednesday afternoon. The Office of the Inspector General, Connecticut State Police Eastern District Major Crime Squad, and the Windham Judicial District States Attorneys Office are conducting the investigation. How to watch the video for body camera footage of the police shooting in Killingly The body camera video is posted on the YouTube page of the Office of Inspector General and can be viewed here. This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Body cam video of police shooting in Killingly released by Conn. IG HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) A man wanted for attempted murder in Pennsylvania was arrested in Harrisburg, State Police say. Umar Presbery, 29, of Delaware County, was wanted for an attempted murder after an incident in Tinicum Township. According to Troopers, a stolen GMC Terrain that was involved in the incident was recovered in Leigh County Tuesday morning. Troopers say that Presbery was the last person to use the vehicle. Lebanon County daycare worker charged with assaulting toddler It was about an hour later that morning when Troopers say they got a report of a stolen 2001 Subaru Outback from a driveway, along Old 22 near Route 737 in Berks County, which was just four miles from where the GMC was abandoned. Presbery was then found in the Subaru around 4 p.m. and taken into custody, Troopers say. He was then lodged in Dauphin County Prison on cash bail set at $20,000 on a felony charge of receiving stolen property, online court records show. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter In Delaware County, online court records show that other than attempted murder, Presbery faces felony charges of aggravated assault, robbery and theft. He also faces misdemeanor charges of recklessly endangering another person and possession of an instrument of crime with intent to use it. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Editors note: This is the third in a series of stories talking to Carroll County mayors about the past year and looking ahead at plans for 2024. Manchester Mayor Melinda Smith has spent the last seven months getting acclimated to her new position. Smith was elected in May to a four-year term that expires in 2027. In the new year, Smith said planned upgrades to the towns wastewater treatment plant are a top priority for town officials. The town began the first phase of testing and evaluating the plant in 2020, and intends to complete an Enhanced Nutrient Removal upgrade to reduce pollution that can harm life in the Chesapeake Bay. When nitrogen and phosphorus are not filtered out of wastewater, they travel back through the Chesapeake Bay watershed and act like fertilizer for algae blooms that harm species such as fish and crabs. CDM Smith, an engineering and construction firm, is in the early stages of designing plant upgrades, at a cost of $1.77 million. The Maryland Department of the Environment is funding a portion of the costs. We asked the mayor, who is retired from her full-time career as an insurance agent, to reflect on the past year and look ahead to 2024. What were the citys top accomplishments in 2023? I started my term for mayor in May 2023. We have spent the first seven months reviewing the current makings of the town, and trying to put new plans in effect to make our town even better. I had to first review and learn the way things were handled and see if there is a more efficient way to handle them. Of course, handling the day to day occurrences within the town. Even though I spent eight years on the council (2013-2021), being mayor comes with a lot more responsibility. I look forward to starting the new year off with fulfilling some of our new ideas. What are the top priorities and issues the town is facing in 2024? This year, we are continuing to plan for upgrading some infrastructure on our wastewater treatment plant. This is a huge project that needs to be taken care of for the residents of the town. I would like to start to put together a Main Street revitalization. While this will not be done overnight, we will be working behind the scenes to get things moving forward. We will be speaking with residents on Main Street to work together on this project. How is the towns working relationship with county government officials? I enjoyed working with Carroll County government and look forward to a great working relationship in the future. Working together, we can make things happen. NEW YORK Twenty-four people were hurt Thursday when a No. 1 train leaving the W. 96th St. and Broadway subway station jumped the track after a collision with another train, MTA and Fire Department officials said. About 300 people were aboard one of the trains, while the other had been stalled as subway workers repaired vandalism, said MTA officials. Both trains were moving slowly when they collided, officials said, and none of the injuries were reported life-threatening. Service was suspended along the bulk of the No. 1, 2 and 3 lines in Manhattan as a result during the evening rush hour. My hope is we will have service restored tomorrow for rush hour, but I cannot guarantee that, NYC Transit President Richard Davey said. The incident happened at the busy Upper West Side subway stop shortly after 3 p.m., with the crew of one of the trains reporting to the MTAs control center that it felt like (the train) was hit from behind, transit sources told the Daily News. Davey said the No. 1 train collided at low speed with another subway train taken out of service because several of its brake cords had been pulled. The vandalized train had four transit workers aboard. They were trying to fix it, Davey said. The vandalized train had been taken out of service two local stops south, at W. 79th St., and was headed uptown on the local track on its way to the 240th St. Yard for repairs, transit sources said. Uptown No. 1 trains were briefly routed off the local track via the express track so they could avoid the vandalized train meaning they bypassed the W. 79th St. and W. 86th St. stations. Two passengers on the No. 1 during Thursdays crash confirmed to The New York Daily News that the train had gone express before the incident. North of W. 96th St., the Nos. 2 and 3 trains veer away from Broadway and head northeast into Harlem, while the No. 1 train continues its local journey northward up Broadway. For the No. 1 train to go from the express tracks to its normal route on the local track, it would have had to pass over switches just north of W. 96th St. That is when it collided with the vandalized train, which was making its way to the W. 240th St. yard in the Bronx, a transit source told the Daily News. It was just really scary, said Evelyn Aguilar, 19, a passenger on the No. 1 train who was on her way home to Brooklyn. Peoples belongings flew across the train, she said. My head hit the window of the door. (Then) I hit my head on the pole. Its a miracle that no one was seriously injured, she added. There was a sudden jolt forward, then a sudden jolt back, said another passenger, Ava Stryker-Robbins, 17, who was in the No. 1 trains first car. We heard from (crew) walkie-talkies that thered been a collision. People were scared, she added. But most people were more concerned about getting to their destination. Several hundred passengers on a third train, stranded after power was cut, were also evacuated at W. 96th St. Davey, the transit boss, said Thursday that the cause of the crash remained under investigation. At this point theres nothing to suggest that it was equipment related we will obviously look at human factors as well, he said. At this point, from what we can tell, the equipment was working as intended. ______ Maricopa County officials on Wednesday confirmed an independent auditor is digging into allegations of financial mismanagement by School Superintendent Steve Watson. The review is being conducted by Heinfeld, Meech & Co., a Tucson-based firm that specializes in governmental and nonprofit auditing. Their two-phase audit will include a reconstruction of Watson's financial activity and a review of budgeting, finance and procurement practices. County supervisors commissioned the firm in October and officials expect a report in the spring, said county spokesperson Fields Moseley. Maricopa County Superintendent Steve Watson The news comes after county supervisors alleged in May that Watson repeatedly flouted standard accounting principles, misreported funds and failed to submit audited financial statements for the accommodation school district his office runs within the time frame required by state statute. That district currently administers Hope Academy, a high school that serves roughly 80 students with unique challenges, including youth in the foster care system. County officials also said Watson may have to repay up to $2.8 million in juvenile detention center education program funds to the Arizona Department of Education and $1.6 million in grant money to the federal government because his office failed to report program operations accurately. Money for juvenile detention education was improperly comingled with money for Hope Academy, county staff said. Watson has long denied the claims. He said the county isn't looking at the district's most recent financial reports while analyzing the numbers and that the accommodation district is always working to comply with financial practices. Watson said he repeatedly asked county staff to create a fund for juvenile detention money to avoid comingling it with Hope Academy finances, but they never did. He agreed to a forensic audit after a two-hour public back-and-forth with county supervisors during a May budget meeting. Spokesperson Tim Sifert said the School Superintendent's Office is "assisting diligently" with the review and anticipates "the first deliverables from the audit later this month." Watson and his staff "don't expect any major findings," Sifert said. County officials estimate the audit could cost up to $160,000. Sasha Hupka covers county government and regional issues for The Arizona Republic. Do you have a tip? Reach her at sasha.hupka@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @SashaHupka. Follow her on Instagram or Threads: @sashahupkasnaps. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Maricopa County School Superintendent Steve Watson under audit A Marine veteran held hostage in Iran for more than four years has filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Justice after FBI allegations reversed a decision that had awarded him $20 million from a fund for victims of state-sponsored terrorism. Attorneys for Amir Hekmati filed the federal civil lawsuit on Dec. 19. They claimed that Hekmati has been denied his due process rights to counter claims made by the FBI and they challenged the decision of the special master who oversaw the victims fund. FBI agents claimed that Hekmati gave misleading answers when interviewed after his release and four unnamed sources indicated that Hekmati approached Iranian officials and offered them classified information from his work as a defense contractor after his military service. Hekmati has denied the accusations for years and has never been charged with a crime. I have never witnessed such a complete breakdown of the rule of law. As a citizen of this country, Mr. Hekmati was entitled to certain fundamental rights of due process, Emily Grim, one of Hekmatis attorneys, wrote Marine Corps Times in an email statement. The government deprived him of those rights by revoking his award based on false, anonymous, hearsay allegations. This, from a Fund that is intended to compensate victims of terrorism not revictimize them. Justice department spokesman Terrence Clark declined to comment on the lawsuit. Hekmati joined the Marines in August 2001. His primary MOS was a rifleman, but he spoke Farsi and was trained in Arabic while in service. He deployed to Iraq in 2004 as a translator. Hekmati left the Corps as a sergeant when his enlistment ended in 2005. After his discharge, Hekmati started a translation company, Lucid Linguistics, LLC in 2006. He later worked on multiple defense contracts as a civilian and served on an Army Human Terrain Team with U.S. units in Iraq and Afghanistan from September 2010 to May 2011. Hekmati was born in the United States, but his parents are from Iran. Because of his background, he held dual citizenship in both countries. In 2011 he applied for and was granted permission by Iranian government officials to travel to the country to visit his ailing grandmother. During the visit he was arrested by Iranian officials, who claimed he was a CIA spy. He was imprisoned, brutally tortured, and sentenced to death by hanging, according to court documents. After being held for four and a half years by Iran, he was released along with other detainees in January 2016 as part of the Iran nuclear deal. Later that year, Hekmati sued the Iranian government in federal court and received a $63.5 million judgment. He applied for compensation from the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund. The funds then-Special Master Kenneth Feinberg granted him an award of $20 million, the maximum payout available. Feinberg approved an initial payment of $839,000 in December 2018. In the most recent lawsuit, Hekmati and his attorneys are arguing that the special masters reconsideration violated his constitutional right to due process because he was not able to counter accusations made against him by the FBIs sources. [Hekmati] had no chance to confront or interview these sources, or to address basis for their accusations, Grim wrote. The Constitution and the Administrative Procedures Act guarantee him the right to do all of these things. Mr. Hekmati is asking for new proceedings before the fund that provide him with these protections. Feinberg previously oversaw fund payments to victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The fund was created to compensate victims of state-sponsored terrorism using funds and assets seized by the justice department from state sponsors of terror such as Iran. But the payment never came. Hekmatis attorneys contacted the justice department and were told the department was seeking a reconsideration of the award. Mr. Hekmati served his country bravely in combat, Grim wrote. He was falsely imprisoned and brutally tortured in Iran for nearly five years. He was able, under U.S. law, to hold his Iranian captors to account, and he was awarded just compensation by our court system. Now, when he is trying simply to move forward with his life, he is being victimized again by his own Government. In January 2020 Feinberg reversed his decision, revoking Hekmatis award, saying that information provided by the justice department alleged Hekmati had visited Iran to sell classified information. Hekmati has denied those allegations. Over the following months, Hekmatis attorneys queried the justice department about the basis for the decision and information that supported the allegations. FBI agents interviewed Hekmati after his release from Iranian custody in 2016 and later claimed that he gave evasive, false and inconsistent statements. In the documents, FBI officials also claimed that four anonymous sources indicated that Hekmati approached Iranian officials and offered them classified information. Hekmati and his attorneys deny this and point out that he has never been charged with a crime, which is what such acts would be considered, they argued. The first of two lawsuits, brought in federal claims court, argued that the law did not allow the government to reconsider an applicants eligibility for payment from the victims fund after the special master made the initial decision. In late 2022, the federal court ruled that it did not have the jurisdiction to rule on matters involving the special masters decisions on the victims fund. Terri Rimmer uses her computer to search for remote jobs in her Fort Worth apartment on Sept. 9. A blackout curtain on the window helps keep the room cool. Rimmer said the trauma from the February 2021 winter storm caused her to shut off her air conditioning last summer when the state grid operator asked Texans to reduce electricity use. Evan L'Roy for The Texas Tribune Bitcoin mining machines are seen in a warehouse at the Whinstone bitcoin mining facility in Rockdale in October 2021. Riot Platforms reported in a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission that its Whinstone operation was entitled to receive roughly $125.1 million for its power sales during the February winter storm under an agreement that it entered into in April 2021. MARK FELIX/AFP, HODELETE60 / TNS An immersion area for bitcoin mining machines outside Houston-based Lancium in November 2022. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer Bitcoin mining machines in the development area of Lancium in November 2022 in Houston. The Houston-based company launched a platform that enables its bitcoin mining operations and data center to ramp down their power usage automatically in response to tight grid conditions Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer When the news broke that bitcoin mining company Riot Platforms made $32 million by reducing or being willing to reduce if needed its energy use last August in Texas, the outrage was immediate. The states grid operator had frequently asked Texans to conserve electricity during sweltering summer heat, and many saw their power bills soar as they tried to stay cool. Meanwhile, the state grid operator and an electricity provider effectively gave millions to a company whose industry is notorious for using gobs of electricity. Riot made that giant sum of money because of how the states electricity market is designed. Companies that use large amounts of power, such as manufacturers or petrochemical plants, have long profited in similar ways. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There are two ways that large power users can make money on the states main power grid, according to industry experts. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which operates the grid, pays large industrial users that promise to reduce their power consumption as needed, giving ERCOT some wiggle room in case a power plant unexpectedly fails or power demand is higher than forecast. A company such as Riot also can profit by buying power at negotiated rates ahead of time retail power companies allow big companies to lock in prices that way then selling it back into the state market when energy prices soar during extreme heat or cold. In Riots case, when electricity prices soared during the summer heat wave, Riot sold power back to TXU, a Dallas-based electricity provider, which sold it back to the grid. In a September statement that was later deleted from its website, Riot characterized its actions as helping to stabilize the grid. Riots windfall highlighted for everyday power consumers just how much the Texas market can benefit businesses. Critics saw particular problems with cryptocurrency. Lee Bratcher, president of the Texas Blockchain Council, a group promoting cryptocurrency growth and innovation in Texas, said in an email that cryptocurrency operations can benefit the grid because they are able to reduce or completely shut down their operations quickly. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bitcoin miners can use excess power overnight and on days where demand is normal, and they can turn off on very hot or very cold days when power is scarce and electricity prices are high, Bratcher said in an email. But Mandy DeRoche, deputy managing attorney in the clean energy program at Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law group, said crypto mining businesses shouldnt be praised for reducing power on the grid when they are using so much to begin with. I think that the rewards for their behavior are so lucrative and unfair, DeRoche said. Its like were bending over backwards to give money to the (crypto) miner for putting the strain on the grid and the system in the first place. China, which was one of the largest crypto mining hubs in the world, banned crypto mining in 2021, concerned about virtual currencies being used for criminal activity and disrupting financial systems. Cryptocurrency operations began opening in Texas, which as of March was home to five of the 10 largest bitcoin mines in the U.S., according to an April investigation by the New York Times. A sweetheart deal Some industry experts have advocated for Texas residents to be able to reap the same sort of benefits for using less power at critical times. Called demand response, its a way for power companies to pay or credit customers who agree to reduce their power usage when demand is high by adjusting their thermostats or timing their energy-intensive activities like charging electric vehicles or running pool pumps at times when power demand is low. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Electricity providers such as Austin Energy and Reliant already have programs that pay customers to let the providers adjust their smart thermostats when necessary, but the benefit is small. For residential customers, that typically translates to one-time bill credits that can range from $25 to $85. Ed Hirs, a University of Houston lecturer and energy market expert, said hes worried that more bitcoin mines coming to the state will mean higher electricity prices for Texans. Why cant I get $5 a kilowatt an hour for shutting down my power? Hirs said. Why are these guys getting a sweetheart deal? This summer, one of the hottest in recorded Texas history, Fort Worth resident Terri Rimmer said she conserved because she feared power being cut altogether. Rimmer remembers losing electricity for five days during the deadly 2021 winter storm, when ERCOT called for power cuts to millions of Texans because power generators failed in the extreme cold and the remaining power sources couldnt keep up with demand. Rimmer said temperatures dropped as low as 25 degrees in her home during the power outage. She bundled up in layers of clothing and blankets and shared her bed with her cat to stay warm. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Meanwhile, Riot Platforms reported in a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission that its Whinstone bitcoin mining operation was entitled to receive roughly $125.1 million for its power sales during the February winter storm under an agreement that it entered into in April 2021. This summer, when ERCOT warned of tight grid conditions because of unprecedented power demand, Rimmer, 57, turned off her air conditioning, closed her blinds and blackout curtains, and put an ice pack on her chest to try to stay cool. Sweat glistened on her face. I wasnt like this before, Rimmer said. I didnt conserve until that winter storm hit. Its truly traumatizing. For me, it changed how I do things. Earning more from the grid Bratcher said there are more than 20 industrial-scale crypto mining operations in Texas that can collectively consume up to 2,300 megawatts of energy a day enough to power about 460,000 homes during times of high demand in Texas. They house computers that run constantly to produce cryptocurrencies, decentralized digital currencies used as alternatives to government-backed, traditional currencies. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Crypto miners essentially compete to solve complex math problems that, when verified, produce one Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency that the companies can either hold as an asset or sell. The more computers they have and the longer they run, the better their chances of solving the problem the fastest. Essentially, every miner is running the exact same algorithm, and it really is just a matter of luck, said Samantha Robertson, a member of the corporate strategy team for Bitdeer, another Bitcoin company with an operation in Rockdale. In order to increase your chances, it makes sense to have these computers running at scale. But if the value of Bitcoin is low and the cost of electricity is high, crypto companies can make more money selling power than mining Bitcoin. In August 2023, Riot reported selling 300 Bitcoins for net proceeds of $8.6 million. Meanwhile, the company said it earned $24.2 million in credits to its electric bill for selling power back to the grid. In September 2023, Riot said it earned $9 million in net proceeds from Bitcoin sales and $11 million in credits for selling power back to the grid. Robertson said Bitdeer and other cryptocurrency companies are not doing anything different than other industries by selling power back to the grid when demand and prices rise. Quite frankly, were just playing by those rules, Robertson said. Because of how much power cryptocurrency mines use and how quickly they can reduce their power consumption which can help relieve stress on the grid when demand is high it is important for ERCOT to work closely with them, ERCOT President and CEO Pablo Vegas said in a September interview. Im interested in their operating characteristics, Vegas said. The electricity-selling agreements between retail power companies like TXU and cryptocurrency businesses like Riot arent public, so its difficult to discern exactly how the companies are benefiting from the current ERCOT rules, said DeRoche, of EarthJustice. Theres very little regulation. Theres no reporting standards, DeRoche said during a September virtual press conference featuring cryptocurrency opponents from different organizations. It makes it difficult to track and to get a complete picture of the total impacts. Eric Goff, a member of an ERCOT task force that was formed to help manage power demand from large industrial users, said ERCOT has proposed rules to have large power users such as bitcoin mines register with ERCOT so it could track their impacts on the grid. The rules dont have a specific deadline to be implemented, he said. Environmental advocates also argue that there is a less energy-intensive way, called proof of stake, to create Bitcoin that doesnt require computers to run so many calculations. The Texas Coalition Against Cryptomining held a weeklong protest in October to oppose Riots plans to build a cryptocurrency operation near the Central Texas city of Corsicana. Coalition founder Jackie Sawicky faulted crypto businesses for failing to reduce their energy use. Why are we tolerating this? Sawicky asked in an interview. Its insane. Residential demand response In Texas, at least seven electricity providers, including San Antonios CPS Energy, Austin Energy and Reliant, offer residential demand response programs that typically let the providers remotely adjust customers smart thermostats a few degrees during critical periods when energy demand is high. Customers have to sign up for the programs. Other companies such as OhmConnect are working with smart plugs in homes. Don Whaley, senior adviser to business at OhmConnect, said customers can plug devices such as refrigerators, lamps and other ordinary household electrical appliances into the smart plugs, allowing the company to adjust power consumption remotely when necessary. While tens of thousands of Texans participate in programs where they agree to reduce energy use Austin Energy said its program has 33,000 active smart thermostats, while Reliant said 100,000 customers are enrolled in its program the amount paid to residential customers is small. Most companies give their customers credits that reduce their electricity bills. For example, Reliant and Direct Energy give a one-time $25 credit for enrolling in the program, Austin Energy offers a $50 credit for enrolling and a yearly $25 credit for staying, and CPS Energy customers receive an $85 enrollment credit and an additional $30 for each year they participate. Other companies incentivize through point systems. OhmConnect customers can earn points or currency called Watts that can be traded in for real money, gift cards or to make a donation to charity. Gexa Energys Green Rewards program gives residential customers Active Saver Rewards points that customers can redeem as credits to lower their power bills. Octopus Energy, a Houston-based retail electricity provider that has a startup-feeling office with exposed brick, said its Texas customers can sign up for programs that allow Octopus to adjust smart home thermostats and electric vehicle chargers based on power prices, which enables them to offer lower-cost power. ERCOT is also running pilot projects in the Dallas and Houston areas that let people with Tesla Powerwall batteries sell their extra electricity onto the state grid when its needed. This concept is known as a virtual power plant and works by adding up lots of small power resources to create a meaningful amount of supply. Texas Public Utility Commissioner Will McAdams said in an August interview that ERCOT needed to use all available strategies to get power onto the grid. It was now or never, McAdams said. We needed to get this off the ground and allow our very interested Texas consumers to better engage in the ERCOT system. Critics such as energy consultant Doug Lewin say the Public Utility Commission needs to get to a point where it can expand the pilot projects and make the concept a permanent part of how the grid works. Lewin also urged the PUC to implement regulations that enable all residential customers to benefit from reducing power use on the grid just like large customers do. This is absolutely critical if were going to have either a reliable or affordable grid, Lewin said. A study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, a nonprofit research advocacy group, found that if Texas implements statewide demand response and energy efficiency programs for residential customers and businesses from 2024 to 2030, Texas could reduce peak summer electricity demand by 15 gigawatts and the peak winter demand by 25 gigawatts. Residential load is a small thing. Whaley said. But if we start getting this general acceptance to where people go, Oh OK, yeah, I can go from 72 to 78 degrees for an hour because thats what the grid needs, then you start seeing real reductions in the market, to start seeing real impact. Amid the surge in knife crime in London and with shoplifting reaching almost epidemic proportions, it might be thought that the capitals police had enough to do. In addition, burglaries routinely go unsolved despite the insistence of sundry home secretaries that every crime should be investigated. But as we report, the Met is being recruited for a role beyond its immediate domestic duties to investigate Israel for alleged war crimes committed in Gaza. Travellers arriving at Londons Heathrow and other airports are greeted with a poster appeal for witnesses to report allegations to Scotland Yard. The inquiry is being conducted by the War Crimes Team within the Met Police, supporting a long-running investigation against Israel by the International Criminal Court (ICC), based in the Hague. While the ICC is also charged with investigating allegations of war crimes committed by Palestinian factions, the Mets appeal has caused serious concern among British Jews and threatens a diplomatic rift with Israel. It risks the Met being accused of supporting one side in the war with Hamas, an impression that is not helped by the forces failure to crack down forcefully enough on pro-Palestinian demonstrators, glorifying terrorism on the weekend marches through the capital. Met officers were also seen tearing down posters of Israeli hostages in Gaza. While the Met is obliged to arrest anyone arriving in Britain against whom an international war crime warrant has been issued, it is questionable whether it should be actively soliciting information in this way. In particular, it must avoid looking one-sided, with only Israelis targeted. 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. FloatMe Corp. and CEO Joshua Sanchez, shown in 2022, have been sued by the Federal Trade Commission over allegedly deceptive acts. Jessica Phelps In a 2022 interview, FloatMe CEO Josh Sanchez marketed his business as an alternative to payday lenders. Sanchez and FloatMe have been sued by the Federal Trade Commission over deceptive acts. Jessica Phelps San Antonio cash-advance company FloatMe Corp. has engaged in deceptive acts to lure in customers, charge them without their consent and thwart those who try to cancel their membership, federal authorities allege in a lawsuit filed Tuesday. The Federal Trade Commission sued FloatMe and its co-founders, Joshua Sanchez and Ryan Cleary, over alleged unlawful business practices. It wants a federal court in San Antonio to issue a permanent injunction against future violations and order the defendants to pay $3 million. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The fintech company didnt respond to a phone call and email seeking comment Thursday. The company has yet to file an answer to the lawsuit. Through an app, FloatMe provides customers with cash advances on their wages not loans. It has operated by charging a $1.99 monthly membership fee, which allows customers to request small advances of no more than $50 that they repay when their upcoming paychecks hit their bank account. FloatMes website shows the monthly membership fee has recently increased to $3.99. It also says the FloatMe app has been downloaded more than 2 million times. Many workers seeking cash advances are in a financial bind and need money quickly. To create an account, customers authorize FloatMe to access their bank account balance and transaction histories. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The FTCs complaint said the company limits the amount consumers can receive at sign-up to at most, $20. And despite assertions that most customers will receive higher advances if they remain enrolled, less than 5% of consumers received more than $20 in the most recent quarter, the FTC said, including the emphasis. And only one half of 1% of consumers actually received a $50 float during that time. Only after customers enroll do they learn that they must meet certain income thresholds to obtain an advance, the FTC said. FloatMe, however, excludes certain income including from gig work, commissioned or tipped work, pensions, military benefits and government assistance programs the FTC said in its lawsuit. As a result, it added, at least tens of thousands of paying FloatMe customers have been prevented from requesting a cash advance because of these undisclosed eligibility requirements though they are still charged fees. The company is accused in the suit of unfair discrimination. According to the FTCs complaint, FloatMe CEO Sanchez cited cash constraints in a message to Cleary that FloatMe needed to abandon prior plans to give $50 cash advances to consumers upon enrollment. Big backing About two years ago, the Express-News reported that FloatMe had garnered $49.1 million in financing including $25 million in debt financing since June 2019. Its not clear whether FloatMe has raised additional capital since that article. Advertisement Article continues below this ad FloatMe has acknowledged in internal documents and communications that it is lying to consumers when it claims that customers cash advance limits will be increased automatically by its system, the FTC said in its complaint. The companys director of operations instructed support agents to avoid granting increases for newly joined consumers even if they have a ton of income, the lawsuit said. FloatMe also has advertised to customers that they can receive emergency cash and Money in minutes for free or with no hidden fees. But the FTC said customers can only receive money instantly if they pay a hidden $4 fee. Consumers who want to avoid an additional fee must wait up to three days for the cash advance, the FTC said. Currently on its website, FloatMe appears be upfront about the fees it charges for an instant advance. The fee ranges from $3 for a $10 advance up to $5 for an advance of $30 or more. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The FTC also has alleged that FloatMe charges many customers without their consent. They included multiple subscription fee charges in the same billing period and charges for repayments made earlier than agreed, the FTC said. Some were hit with charges for canceling their subscription. FloatMe also makes it difficult for customers to cancel their membership, the FTC said. Sanchez admitted in internal documents that the company designed its cancellation process so that it could reap more subscription fees, the lawsuit said. In 2020, the FTC said, Cleary admitted that the companys customer support department lacked the staff to timely process cancellation requests. It only had 2 people actively handling customer [support] despite 40,000 people using the app, the lawsuit said. The friction-filled cancellation path was part of FloatMes growth strategy, as Sanchez admitted, according to the suit. Consumers have complained that FloatMe has ignored their cancellation requests and continued to charge them, the suit added. Advertisement Article continues below this ad FEDERAL CRACKDOWN: CFPB proposes stricter rules for payday and auto title lenders The FTC has accused FloatMe of violating the Restore Online Shoppers Confidence Act, which took effect in 2010, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, which prohibits discrimination against credit applicants. Startup winner Sanchez pitched the idea for FloatMe at a startup challenge at Geekdom, a coworking space in downtown San Antonio, and won $13,000 in 2017. Sanchez, in a 2022 interview, said FloatMe doesnt charge late fees or penalties, or use a collection agency to track down customers who dont repay an advance. Nevertheless, consumer advocates have expressed wariness of cash-advance companies because they arent regulated like payday lenders. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Various Metropolitan Library locations are hosting festivities in support of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL). Dolly Day is being held on Partons birthday, January 19, at participating libraries in the Metropolitan Library System. LOCAL NEWS: Enthusiasts prep for upcoming Eagle Watch events Each library is hosting free Dolly-themed activities in celebration of her birthday and the DPIL book gifting outreach program in Oklahoma County, which provides one free book to children from birth until their 5th birthday. According to the Metro Library System, each metro location is hosting certain activities such as: Guitar-Take-Home Kit : Select library locations will be hosting a Dolly Day Guitar-Take-Home Kit on January 19. Participants can take home an all-ages guitar-themed notebook kit to explore writing, music, and creativity inspired by Dollys Imagination Library journey. Locations include Almonte Library, Bethany Library, Capitol Hill Library, Del City Library, Downtown Library, Edmond Library, Luther Library, Midwest City Library, Ralph Ellison Library, Southern Oaks Library, The Village Library, Warr Acres Library, and Wright Library. The Little Engine That Could Scavenger Hunt : Various library locations will host a scavenger hunt featuring The Little Engine That Could, the first book children receive from DPIL. Locations include: Bethany Library, Choctaw Library, Del City Library, Downtown Library, Edmond Library, Harrah Library, Jones Library, Midwest City Library, Northwest Library, Ralph Ellison Library, Southern Oaks Library, The Village Library, Warr Acres Library, and Wright Library. Pop-Up Photo Booths: Participants can snap and share photos in pop-up booths at select library locations, sparking creativity and spreading the joy of Dolly Day. Tag @metrolibraryok and use #DollyDay to join the online festivities. To learn more about Dolly Day celebrations, visit metrolibrary.org. To learn more about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, visit imaginationlibrary.com. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Mexican authorities rescued 31 migrants abducted near the U.S. border, officials confirmed Wednesday. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, a spokesperson for the Mexican presidents office announced the 31 migrants were rescued after they were abducted Dec. 30, 2023. The abduction took place in the state of Tamaulipas. Jesus Ramirez Cuevas, the spokesperson, thanked the coordinated effort of the Tamaulipas government, the state attorney generals office, the defense ministry, the national guard and the secretary of security and citizen protection for the rescue. They are already in the hands of the authorities and are undergoing the corresponding medical examination, the spokesperson wrote on X, attaching several photos, including one of an ambulance and another of several migrants, including one holding a stuffed animal toy. Mexican Interior Minister Luisa Maria Alcalde also celebrated the rescue of the migrants in a Wednesday post on X, writing, Governor Americo Villarreal has just informed us that the 31 migrants kidnapped in Tamaulipas were rescued safely. Thanks to the State authorities, the national guard and the armed forces, she added. Federal Security Secretary Rosa Icela Rodriguez said armed and masked men stopped a bus traveling on a highway that connects the border cities of Reynosa and Matamoros, according to The Associated Press. She said the migrants were from Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Honduras and Mexico. Four Colombians were among the abducted, the countrys president said. Officials tracked migrants cellphones, reviewed surveillance video footage from the bus and scanned the area by helicopter in searching for the abductees, the AP reported. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Mexico reopened its embassy in Ukraine, according to the Office of the President of Ukraine on Jan 3. The head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, also spoke with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, Alicia Barcena, and thanked her for supporting Ukraine and its territorial integrity. Read also: Russia funds anti-Ukraine propaganda in Latin America US State Department "These steps open a new page in the countries' bilateral relations," he emphasized. Read also: Mexico calls for Russia's participation in Ukraine peace summit in Saudi Arabia During the conversation, the parties paid particular attention to ways of more broadly intensifying relations between Ukraine and Latin America. Most foreign embassies have not resumed operation, or full operation, since evacuating Kyiv during the Russian siege of the city. 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 LANSING Pay phones, once a fixture on busy street corners and in public places such as bars, shopping malls, and airports, are increasingly difficult to find in Michigan. There are now only 260 pay phones in Michigan outside of prisons and jails, according to the Michigan Public Service Commission. Three pay phones rest inside the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. That's down from 1,400 in 2015 and about 60,000 in the mid-1980s, according to past reporting by the Free Press. Pay phone providers are required to register with the MPSC, but that's about it. There is no public reporting of how many of the registered pay phones are actually working, and the MPSC isn't charged with inspecting pay phones to make sure they have a dial tone. But the disappearance of pay phones has continued to accelerate. In what is truly a sign of society's changing times, the past president of the Michigan Pay Phone Association, which has been dissolved, is now in the cannabis business. An empty pay phone box stands outside a restaurant in north Lansing. Actual working pay phones are increasingly difficult to find. "I haven't seen any (pay phones) in a long, long time," said Greg Andrick, who was head of the now defunct Great Lakes Telephone Co. when he led the association. Detroit Metropolitan Airport, which had about 200 working pay phones in 2015, has none today and hasn't had one for several years, spokesman Matt Morawski said. The Greyhound bus station near downtown Detroit, which used to have a bank of pay phones, no longer has a single one. And there are no pay phones in any state of Michigan building in Lansing, said Laura Wotruba, a spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. This is one of two pay phones on the wall of the 36th District Court in downtown Detroit. Neither phone had a dial tone. The Free Press found two pay phones in the lobby of the 36th District Court in Detroit, but couldn't get a dial tone on either one. There is one working pay phone in a Detroit residential neighborhood, on 23rd Street, just south of Breckenridge, and it's free. It's a Futel phone, provided by an Oregon-based company that believes "denial of telephony services has long been a tactic used against undesirable populations, and our devices will counteract that," according to the Futel website. A free working "pay phone" stands on a quiet residential street in west Detroit. It's provided by Futel, an Oregon-based nonprofit organization. The disappearance of pay phones has been most rapid in the southern part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula and slower in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, where cellphone service is spottier. If in fact there are 260 working pay phones in Michigan, that represents one for about every 38,000 people. But in the Huron County village of Pigeon, in the northwest of Michigan's Thumb, the three working pay phones represent one for roughly every 400 residents. Pigeon Telephone Co., an arm of Agri-Valley Communications, has one pay phone in the municipal parking lot downtown and two more at the middle and high schools, spokesman Richard Kuhn said. There is also a fourth Pigeon Telephone pay phone inside a bar in the northern Michigan village of Twining, in Arenac County, Kuhn said. A local call only costs 25 cents, but "they are very rarely used these days," Kuhn said. "There are times we will go an entire year and only collect a few dollars from a pay phone." The company views the pay phones as a community service and expects to continue them as long as they are working, he said. Repairs would be a problem, because of difficulty getting parts, he said. Nine companies are registered as public pay phone providers in Michigan, but only seven of them say they have active pay phones, according to MPSC data. The largest, PTS Communications, Inc., reports having 109 phones. The smallest, Upper Peninsula Telephone Co., says it has just one. Three pay phones sit inside the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit on Dec. 9, 2023. "I think there's a need for them, in certain environments," said Michael Keane, director of national field operations for PTS Communications in San Ramon, California. He says the next report his company files with the state will show fewer than 100 active PTS public phones. Tom Keane, the PTS founder and chief executive, said his company has now moved into other businesses involving the distribution of ice cream and other profits and he doesn't expect the pay phone business to grow. They are still important in areas where there is poor cellphone service and in certain rehabilitation facilities where the management does not like the clients to bring their personal phones, he said. "I doubt we're losing money (on pay phones), but we're not making money," he said. According to the MPSC, there are still a little over 3,000 pay phones at Michigan prisons and county jails. Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @paulegan4. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan pay phones are quickly disappearing WASHINGTON President Joe Biden began this election year between two political fires. He needs to secure the southern border to mitigate a major liability and he needs Congress to approve additional funding for Ukraine to prevent a top foreign policy achievement from collapsing. Its theoretically possible for Biden to solve both problems at once since House Republicans who traveled to Texas Wednesday to draw attention to the border issue are demanding action in exchange for approving more aid to Ukraine. But while Biden has been asking Congress for more funding for Border Patrol agents, immigration judges and to help the cities hosting migrants, Republicans want new immigration restrictions that many Democrats oppose. Migrants cross the Rio Bravo river, known as Rio Grande in the United States, into the U.S. through Mexico. U.S. border police have in recent weeks reported approximately 10,000 crossings by migrants every day, many of them fleeing poverty and violence in Central America. Exacerbating Bidens longstanding border problems has been the arrival in recent weeks of more than 10,000 migrants per day at the Southwest border. Every year we see an ebbs and flowing and thats what were seeing at this time, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday of the increase, while also accusing House Republicans of playing politics instead of working with Democrats to address the problem. Were trying to deal with this issue, she said. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., countered that Biden has all the authority he needs right now under existing federal law to stop this madness. House Republicans are planning a hearing next week on whether to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his management of the border. `Let them work!' Biden fast-tracks work authorization for migrants who cross legally As the political battle raged Wednesday, Yenny Cordoba waited at an El Paso, Texas, Amtrak station to board a bus to Chicago, paid for by the state of Texas. The 42-year-old Colombian mother had traveled with her 17-year-old daughter and three other family members to the U.S. borderline. Shed seen images of a river of people crossing the dangerous now heavily trafficked jungle linking her country to Panama. She figured she, too, could make the trek and would be accepted at the U.S. border. We dont have any criminal history. We contribute to society, she said. The dream is to work and to send my daughter to school, safely. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks while standing with Republican members of Congress, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. The Biden administration is waging a losing battle with smuggling networks and social media messaging that tell migrants the path to the U.S.-Mexico border is clear. Although the administration has ramped up deportations and expedited removals, and opened limited legal pathways to the country, its not been enough to stop people facing violence or economic insecurity from following their hopes for a brighter future. Democrat-led cities including New York and Chicago have been clamoring for help supporting the tens of thousands of migrants arriving, often bused in from the Texas border. El Pasos historic Union Station, with its stately red-brick steeple, is an occasional Amtrak stop. But the parking lot was buzzing Wednesday with buses chartered under Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts Operation Lone Star. Migrants arrived from local shelters and signed up inside the station for rides to Chicago, Denver and New York. Texas Division of Emergency Management officials looked on as migrants waited their turn to board. Every state in America is now a border state, Johnson said in Eagle Pass, Texas, where he was joined by dozens of GOP lawmakers. Former President Donald Trump weighed in with an opinion piece in the Des Moines Register, arguing the most urgent task facing the next president is ending Joe Bidens nation-wrecking nightmare on our southern border. Migrants carrying their belongings walk though an illegal tent encampment as city officials close it down and evict everyone on Jan, 3, 2024. I am the only candidate who will stop this invasion and I will do it on day one, wrote Trump, the front-runner for the GOP nomination to challenge Biden. Polls show voters trust Trump more than Biden to address immigration and secure the border. And immigration is rising in importance as a bipartisan concern, according to an AP-NORC poll conducted at the end of last year. House Republicans feel like they're in a position of strength at this point, said Chris Haynes, a political scientist at the University of New Haven and co-author of the book Framing Immigrants News Coverage, Public Opinion, and Policy. Republicans are confident they can take a hard line and not be punished by the voters, Haynes said, because of how complicated immigration policy is for Americans to understand. Its easy to grasp that masses of migrants are reaching the border. Its harder to appreciate the various factors involved and how to address them, he said. Migrants are taken into custody by officials at the Texas-Mexico border, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. While Biden has threatened to veto a House-passed border and immigration bill, hes talking with Senate Republicans about a possible compromise. Republicans have been seeking tighter standards for asylum seekers, expanded expedited removals and restricting Bidens ability to admit classes of migrants on an emergency basis. Jean-Pierre expressed optimism Wednesday that Democrats can reach a bipartisan deal. Its being hammered out, she said. We think its heading in the right direction. While it is very important for Bidens reelection chances to get control of the border, it is even more important for humanitarian reasons, says Elaine C. Kamarck, a senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution and member of the Democratic National Committee. "The situation there is dangerous for everybody. It's unhealthy, she says. And the border apparatus we have is overwhelmed. Chelsea from Nicaragua looks on after crawling through a hole made in the razor wire to cross into Eagle Pass, Texas. Dozens of migrants arrived at the US-Mexico border on Sept. 22, 2023, hoping to be allowed into the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has recorded more than 230,000 encounters at the border each of the past four months. In fiscal 2023, CBP reported nearly 2.5 million migrant encounters at the southwest border a historical record. Sent Rodriguez, 38, left Colombia with his Venezuelan partner and her 7-year-old daughter. They crossed through the Darien Gap jungle and traveled overland to Mexico. Corrupt Mexican law enforcement or people posing as such extorted them multiple times on the way to the U.S. border, he said. Mexico is so difficult, he said. The police extorting you, with the threat that theyll deport you. I was in the military in Colombia. I know when the police are corrupt. The family turned themselves in to Border Patrol. U.S. border officials processed them separately but they reunited at an El Paso shelter, by chance, and were waiting to board the charter bus to Chicago. Rodriguez received a notice to appear in court in 2024; his partner, 32-year-old Maria Garcia, received a court date in 2028. Thousands of other migrants, pushed by smugglers, are crossing the border between ports of entry in remote spots including Sasabe and Lukeville, Arizona; or at the border in Jacumba, California, said Yael Schacher, Refugees International director for the Americas and Europe. Politicians tend to think they have a lot more control over migration than they actually do, she said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Migrant border surge adds to Biden's election liability The Air Force has found the flight voice and data recorder commonly known as the black box from the deadly CV-22B Osprey crash off the coast of Japan in November, the service revealed Wednesday. The piece of equipment is a major find for the Air Force, as it could give investigators a view into what caused the accident that killed all eight airmen aboard. The black box will be transported to laboratories for data retrieval and follow-up analysis of that data, a process officials expect to take several weeks, Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) spokesperson Lt. Col. Rebecca Heyse said in a statement to The Hill. The Air Force has recovered the remains of seven of the eight airmen killed on Nov. 29 off the coast of Yakushima Island in southwestern Japan during a routine training flight to Okinawa. Search efforts are still underway for the lone missing service member, Maj. Eric Spendlove. AFSOC said a preliminary review of the accident indicates a potential materiel failure, meaning a mechanical flaw with the aircraft likely caused the crash, but the cause is still unknown, and the investigation is ongoing. Heyse noted that the vast majority of the aircraft has since been recovered by the salvage ship USNS Salvor and has been transported to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni where it will be inspected as part of the ongoing investigations. The militarys entire Osprey fleet has also been grounded since Dec. 6, pending an investigation into the safety of the aircraft, with no updates on the grounding as of Wednesday. The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, meanwhile, in late December launched an investigation into the Osprey program, which has experienced four deadly crashes in the last two years alone. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Ukrainian forces struck a Russian military command post near Sevastopol in Russian-occupied Crimea at around 3 p.m. Kyiv time on Jan. 4, the Strategic Communications Directorate of Ukraines Armed Forces reported. Over the recent months, Russian-occupied Crimea saw an uptick in Ukrainian attacks in an attempt to disrupt Russian logistics and derail its southern defenses. The Ukrainian military didnt provide any further details on the targeted facility and the consequences of the strike. Multiple explosions were heard in Sevastopol and "a very powerful one" in Yevpatoriia in the afternoon of Jan. 4, Suspilne news outlet reported, citing Crimean residents. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that its forces shot down 10 Ukrainian missiles over Crimea. Mikhail Razvozhaev, the head of Sevastopol's illegal Russian occupation government, called the attack the largest in recent times. According to Razvozhaev, remains from missiles fell on a house near the seaside, allegedly injuring a man, as well as in other parts of Sevastopol. The Kyiv Independent couldnt verify any of these claims. Before the Ukrainian militarys confirmation, pro-Ukrainian local Telegram channel Crimean Wind wrote, citing locals, that one of the missiles hit a Russian command post in Sevastopol and another Russian military facility near Yevpatoriia. Ukraines military hasnt yet commented on the explosions in Yevpatoriia. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Wednesday's annual meeting of Millcreek Township auditors was about more than setting the 2024 compensation for Millcreek Township supervisors. A township resident called on two of the township's three auditors to resign for "unethical" support for the political opponent of Supervisor Jim Bock in 2023. Sue Weber, of Norris Drive, asked Auditors Kevin McCabe and Kathy Fatica to resign for supporting Bock's opponent, Sam Comfort, for Millcreek supervisor in last year's municipal election. Bock defeated Comfort to win re-election for a second term. McCabe financially supported Bock's opponent and served on a committee hosting a fundraiser for him, said Weber, a former Millcreek Township supervisor and former Erie County controller. Millcreek Township auditors have set township supervisors' salary for 2024. Fatica attended Comfort's candidacy announcement, hosted a fundraiser for him, and wore a campaign button supporting him at a public event, Weber said in a letter that she read to auditors. Fatica is a former Erie County Councilwoman who won election in November for a first term as Millcreek auditor. "Township Auditors who become involved in the political arena of the very Supervisors whose salaries they set are not acting in the best interest of the taxpayers and voters who elected them," Weber said. Weber called the auditors' political participation "unethical though not illegal" and complimented Auditor John Groh for choosing not to publicly endorse a candidate in last year's supervisors' race. "Two out of three (members of) the Board of Auditors (are) now officially biased against Mr. Bock," Weber said. "Rather than sit in judgment of someone you have openly deemed unfit to hold office and employment with Millcreek Township, I suggest you resign from your positions as Auditors." McCabe declined to comment on Weber's suggestion. Fatica told the Erie Times-News that, "When you support a specific candidate, it does not mean that you think the other candidate is not qualified." Pennsylvania law does not prohibit auditors and other elected township officials from participating in political campaigns or supporting political candidates. Questioning township treasurer's void Auditor John Groh asked why supervisors have not appointed a treasurer for 2024. "I was at the Board of Supervisors' meeting yesterday, and I have a concern, a question. I'm not sure exactly how I want to phrase it," Groh, a former Millcreek Township supervisor, said Wednesday. "I observed that there was not an appointment or reappointment of a township treasurer. Has the treasurer from last year resigned or retired?" Groh asked Bock, who attended Wednesday's auditors' meeting, to explain why the appointment was tabled. Bock said that he was approached about the issue by fellow Supervisor Dan Ouellet an hour before Tuesday's meeting. Ouellet, Bock said, "came in and said, quote, '(Supervisor) Kim (Clear) and I have decided not to reappoint Mark Zaksheske (as treasurer).' "This is the first I had heard about this. I had no clue this was even happening. I was not happy. It's wrong and it should be corrected," Bock said. Bock's account "is not totally factual," Ouellet told the Erie Times-News. Ouellet also attended Wednesday's auditors' meeting. He declined to comment further. Clear was out of town this week and did not attend the auditors' meeting. She participated remotely in Tuesday's supervisors' meeting, when she voted with Ouellet to table the appointment of a township treasurer. Bock voted against the motion. Zaksheske should be reappointed, Bock told the Erie Times-News. "He is a CPA. He has worked for the township for eight or nine years. And he has a lot of experience with municipal finance," Bock said. Zaksheske is on paid administrative leave since it has not been determined if he will be reappointed to the job or if someone else will be hired. "I hope that this matter of appointing or reappointing a treasurer will be an action before the board of supervisors" next week, Groh said. Supervisors' salary set Township supervisors will receive a 2.25% pay increase in 2024. Their annual salary will be $86,150. Groh voted against the increase, which was based in part on pay provided for employees holding similar positions in similar townships. Cranberry Township, which was considered similar to Millcreek, is a Home Rule municipality that employs a township manager rather than elected supervisors to oversee operations, Groh said. "So the salary comparison on that is a little off," Groh said. 'We're not comparing apples to apples on that. I just want that known for the record that it's unfair to compare that." Millcreek supervisors work as municipal managers, Fatica said. "I think it's fair that township supervisors in their capacity should probably get the same increase as management since that is their primary role," Fatica said. McCabe is chairman of the Millcreek Board of Auditors this year. Groh is vice-chairman. Fatica serves as secretary. All three were appointed to the positions by unanimous vote of the three-member board. How much more will you pay? Millcreek Township taxes are going up this year Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@timesnews.com. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Millcreek auditors set supervisors' pay, resist call for resignations Milwaukee's County Executive David Crowley will no longer be running unopposed this spring election cycle, after frequent political candidate Ieshuh Griffin made it last minute onto the ballot. In October, Crowley announced he was seeking a second, four-year term, after notching winning approval of a 0.4% sales tax bump and an increase in state shared revenue last year, as well as pushing for investments in mental health services, transit and housing. "When I first ran for this seat, one of my priorities was focused on getting Milwaukee County back on that fiscal footing that we needed," Crowley previously told the Journal Sentinel. "That's what we've been able to do within the past three years. Knowing that we've gotten all this done, within my first term, I still believe that there's so much work to do." The Crowley campaign declined to comment about Griffin running against him. Griffin, who ran against Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and five others in a seven-way race for mayor in 2022, is also running for mayor again in addition to two Milwaukee aldermanic seats (districts 3 and 15). "I call David Crowley just a smiler. All he does is smile," Griffin told the Journal Sentinel. "They don't address the real issues that are going on." Griffin's committee name is "The Poor People's Piece of the Pie Campaign." "I'm of the community, for the community, by he community and about the community. That's something he (David Crowley) is not," she said. "I'm ready to make change by breaking the chains." This head-to-head matchup join races in the Milwaukee area in the Feb. 20 primary election and April 2 general election, including multiple seats on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors and the City of Milwaukee's Common Council as well as Milwaukee mayor and city attorney. A then-two-term legislator, Crowley beat out state Sen. Chris Larson and was sworn into office on May 4, 2020, outside of his home and with spectators masked and social distancing at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. He succeeded former County Executive Chris Abele, who announced his departure from office after nine years. Abele invested $767,000 into ads and mailers for Crowley's 2020 campaign. Crowley recently signed off on a $1.37 billion recommended 2024 budget in November, which say investments in county services compared to cuts seen in years prior. "I just want folks to know that we're keeping Milwaukee County residents at the heart of every decision that we make," Crowley told the Journal Sentinel following his announcement seeking re-election. Griffin has run consistently for various offices over the years, and previously ran for state Assembly in 2010 under the slogan, NOT the whitemans bitch." Possible battle for Milwaukee County Comptroller Liz Sumner For now, current County Supervisor Liz Sumner, who is not seeking re-election for her seat on the County Board, is the sole candidate for the county's comptroller after Scott Manske announced he would not re-run for his position in October of last year. Michael S. Harper, who filed to run against Sumner, has yet to be certified for ballot placement following flagged deficiencies in his paperwork. He could not be reached for comment. "When we're looking to determine the sufficiency of the signatures on the nomination pages there are certain mandatory fields and the jurisdiction is one of them and that box was left blank on his nomination papers," Michelle Hawley, Milwaukee County's elections director, told the Journal Sentinel. Harper has until Friday to submit his statement of economic interests, according to Milwaukee County ordinances. Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors sees multiple races The Jan. 2 deadline saw a flood of potential new candidates running for seats on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, which previously saw a handful of supervisory incumbents running unopposed. Supervisors Liz Sumner, Ryan Clancy, Peter Burgelis, Anthony Staskunas are not seeking re-elections. Seven of the positions on the County Board have multiple candidates running in primary election. District 1: Anne O'Connor, co-founder of Bay Bridge, a Whitefish Bay organization that works to raise awareness about racial and cultural bias, is the lone candidate seeking to replace Sumner. District 3: Incumbent Sheldon A. Wasserman is facing a challenge from public defender Alexander Kostal. District 4: Advocate Ronald Jansen and community organizer Jack Eckblad are seeking the seat that will be vacated by Ryan Clancy, who is also a state representative. District 9: Real estate agent Danelle Kenney filed papers to run against incumbent Patti Logsdon. District 15: Sky Z. Capriolo, a senior marketing manager, was the lone candidate seeking the seat being vacated by Burgelis, who is running for Common Council. District 16: Justin Bielinski, communications director for state Sen. Chris Larson, was the lone candidate for the seat being vacated by Anthony J. Staskunas. District 18: Two people have filed papers to challenge incumbent Deanna Alexander. They are teacher and community organizer John Martin "Marty" Hagedorn and Citizen Action of Wisconsin organizer Brandon Williford. Alexander has until Jan. 5 at 5 p.m. to submit her statement of economic interests to formally be certified for ballot placement. A Feb. 20 primary will narrow the field to two. Deficiencies flagged in paperwork for County Board candidates Three districts could see a face-off between the supervisory incumbent and their opponent. District 12's Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez could face Ryan Antczak, who ran for election to the Wisconsin State Assembly to represent District 9, but lost in the general election on Nov. 8, 2022. He ran as a Republican. However, his paperwork was flagged by county staff. "He completed the paperwork on partisan nomination paperwork forms and this is a nonpartisan office," Milwaukee County Clerk George Christenson told the Journal Sentinel. "That's a deficiency identified by my staff and we're seeking to receive direction from the (Elections) Commission regarding ballot access." The County's elections commission will be reviewing his paperwork Jan. 5 in order to determine his ballot placement for the election. Supervisor Steve F. Taylor, who until recently failed to disclose his employment in his ethics filings, could also face a challenger, Andrew Matias. Matias, however, also flubbed on his nomination paperwork. Records show that the circulator had signed the paperwork on an earlier date than the nomination signatures. "There are a handful of circumstances where deficiencies can be cured with an affidavit," Hawley said. Matias has until Friday to submit an affidavit to cure those signatures. To date, Matias has 174 valid signatures, 26 short of the required minimum to get ballot placement. The issue has not been brought to the Elections Commission as of yet unless Taylor issues a challenge, Christenson said. Caroline Gomez-Tom, who has represented District 14 since May, could be challenged by a familiar face, Angel Sanchez, who also ran against her in the special election to fill the seat. The special election called after Dyango Zerpa resigned in January following series of concerns about his attendance at County Board and committee meetings, questions about his campaign finance reports and his firing as a state legislative aide. Gomez-Tom carried 66% of the vote over Sanchez, according to unofficial results. In 2000, Sanchez served one term as a Milwaukee alderman and has also made several conservative challenges for seats on the city's Common Council, the state Assembly and state Senate. Sanchez has until Friday to file his statement of economic interests. For now, incumbents who are potentially running unopposed include: the board's longest-serving supervisor, Willie Johnson, Jr., in District 2; Sequanna Taylor in District 5; Shawn Rolland in District 6; Felesia Martin in District 7; Steve Shea in District 8; Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson in District 10; Kathleen Vincent in District 11; and Priscilla E. Coggs-Jones in District 13. Contact Vanessa Swales at 414-308-5881 or at vswales@gannett.com. Follow her on X @Vanessa_Swales. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: David Crowley, County Board supervisors face election challengers A missing Ohio teen was found 1,000 miles from home when her World of Warcraft video game account was activated in the home of a 31-year-old man in Florida, a sheriffs office said. Investigators from the FBI reached out to local law enforcement in Dunnellon on Jan. 3 for help with a missing persons case of a 16-year-old girl from Ohio, according to a Jan. 4 news release from the Marion County Sheriffs Office. Agents tracking the teens online activity had noticed the girls World of Warcraft account, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game, had been logged into in Florida after she was reported missing, the sheriffs office said. Another gaming account, belonging to 31-year-old Thomas Ebersole, had been active from the same home address, deputies said. When deputies went to Ebersoles home, he first said that he didnt know the teen, but later said he was in a romantic relationship with the 16-year-old, according to the sheriffs office. Ebersole told deputies he had driven up to Ohio to meet her and then drove them back to Florida, according to the sheriffs office. He said he was going to hide her in his home with plans for her to become his wife, deputies said. Ebersole showed deputies messages on Discord, an online messaging platform, that described his plan to meet the teen in Ohio and engage in sexual activity despite knowing that he was committing a crime, the sheriffs office said. Ebersole was arrested on charges of traveling to meet a minor to engage in sexual activity, interfering with child custody and sheltering an unmarried minor, deputies said. Dunnellon is about 90 miles north of Tampa. Stranger strokes childs head in Walmart out of sexual frustration, Florida cops say Man vanishes on New Years Eve then family receives disturbing texts, Ohio cops say Mom vanished leaving date 11 years ago, Florida group says. Body found near Disney World Missing father found killed and buried by son in backyard garden, Alabama police say Artists from home and abroad chase dreams in Jingdezhen, China's porcelain capital People's Daily Online) 13:09, January 04, 2024 Walking through Sanbao village, Jingdezhen city, east China's Jiangxi Province, one is immediately immersed in a world of ceramics. Inside a studio nestled in an alley, designer Wu Anran adds a small flower to her ceramic artwork. "Every year, I create a series of ceramic artworks based on Chinese zodiac animal signs. As 2024 marks the Year of the Dragon in the lunar calendar, I have already received orders from several companies. The first batch of dragon-inspired ceramic products is about to be sent out," Wu said to Sheng Jingjing, director of the Jingdezhen Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism. In 2011, Wu graduated from the Department of Ceramic Design under the Academy of Arts and Design at Tsinghua University. Two years later, she came to Jingdezhen to start to work in the ceramics industry. In 2020, she established her own ceramics design studio. Wu Anran (left), introduces ceramic artworks that she designed to Sheng Jingjing. (Photo/Guan Xiaodong) At night, an artistic atmosphere permeates Taoxichuan's cultural and creative block. The creative market attracts tourists from far and wide with its diverse collection of ceramic artworks. More than 400 booths sell handmade ceramic artworks there. "No one leaves Taoxichuan empty-handed," said Sheng. This place has been transformed from a former porcelain factory, and the red houses, chimneys, and ancient kiln sites have become iconic landmarks that tourists must visit. Tourists visit the Taoxichuan Ceramic Culture Creative Park in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Photo/Liu Jie) "I used to have a booth here too. During peak seasons, daily sales could reach several thousand yuan (1 Chinese yuan equals about $0.14)," recalled Wu. Over 60,000 individuals are currently pursuing their dreams in Jingdezhen, including more than 5,000 foreigners. To further support these people in pursuing their aspirations, Jingdezhen has implemented measures to encourage innovative entrepreneurship. Young ceramics artists showcase and sell ceramic products in the Taoxichuan Ceramic Culture Creative Park in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Photo/Jiang Yushi) "We offer monthly subsidies for employment or entrepreneurship to college graduates who choose to stay. Qualified foreign talents can enjoy the same benefits as their local counterparts in terms of housing, medical services, accommodation, travel, and transportation," explained Sheng. "Anyone working with ceramics will want to come to Jingdezhen," said Stan from the Democratic Republic of Congo. "Producing a ceramic piece overseas, one needs to do the work of 20 people, but here in Jingdezhen, I can fully concentrate on excelling in my craft," he expressed. Young artists from home and abroad exchange ideas at Taoxichuan International Art Center in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Photo/Jiang Yushi) (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) North American Development Banks board of directors appointed John Beckham as managing director. He previously served as the banks deputy managing director. Courtesy/North American Development Bank The board of San Antonio-based North American Development Bank has appointed John Beckham to serve a four-year term as the banks managing director. Beckham had served as deputy managing director for the past three years. He succeeds Calixto Mateos Hanel, who held the post since late 2019. NADBank provides financing, including loans and some grants, to support development of environmental infrastructure in the southern United States and northern Mexico. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The bank ended 2022 with about $344 million in financing approved to support 11 projects, according to its most recent annual report. It has supported projects to to prevent, control or reduce environmental pollutants and improve the drinking water supply or protect plants, with the intent to improve human health and promote sustainable development. The bank is equally funded by both governments and was established by legislation that was part of the North American Free Trade Agreement, signed in 1992. I am honored to assume the position of CEO of NADBank and will continue working to advance its environmental mission and consolidate the institution as a binational leader in supporting the transition to a greener economy through innovative financing and more robust partnerships with stakeholders, Beckham said in a statement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Beckhams appointment coincides with the boards approval of the 2024-28 strategic plan, which it said reaffirms its continued focus on investment in water infrastructure to better manage this shared resource along the border and address wastewater problems. The plan sets ambitious targets for growing the Banks project portfolio over the next five years, Beckham added. Before joining NADBank, Beckham served as chief investment and operating officer for asset management firm MicoVest in Bethesda, Md. He also worked for 18 years at the Inter-American Investment Corp., now IDB Invest, where he held various positions. For the second straight day, bomb threats disrupted legislative business in the Mississippi State Capitol Building on Thursday when bomb threats were also sent to the Mississippi Supreme Court and to the Hinds County Circuit and Chancery Court buildings. Federal Bureau of Investigations and Mississippi Department of Public Safety Information Officers Marshay Lawson and Bailey Martin told the Clarion Ledger all four buildings, as well as other places throughout the state, were evacuated and locked down at approximately 9 a.m. Thursday. Martin posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, at 11 a.m. Thursday that the lockdown was lifted at the capitol and the supreme court buildings. Also at approximately 11 a.m. Thursday, Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones posted to X, "All is clear at both the Hinds County Circuit Court and the Chancery Court Buildings. Courthouses and all entities are back open for normal business activities." A Capitol Police officer stares at the dome of the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, as they deal with a second consecutive day of bomb threats to the state house and to the Carroll Gartin Justice Building, which houses the state supreme and appellate courts. Lawson told the Clarion Ledger the bomb threats are under investigation and that anyone with information regarding the incident should report it to local law enforcement. "While we have no information to indicate a specific and credible threat, we will continue to work with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to gather, share and act upon threat information as it comes to our attention," Lawson said. "We urge the public to remain vigilant, and report any and all suspicious activity and/or individuals to law enforcement immediately." Martin declined to disclose further details about the investigation. Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch walks past the Mississippi State Capitol as the Capitol Police respond to a bomb threat at the statehouse and the Mississippi Supreme Court building in Jackson, Miss., Thursday morning, Jan. 4, 2024. The police were dealing with the second consecutive day of threats. Legislators' responses After the lockdown was lifted, several legislators shared concerns about future bomb threats. Sen. Walter Michel and Sen. Chuck Younger, who represents parts of Jackson, Madison and Lowndes counties, respectively, said most senators feel safe knowing both incidents have been hoaxes, but more threats will only disrupt and delay the legislative process in the future. "It's unfortunate that bomb threats are occurring but that's just the world we live in," Michel said. "If it starts happening a lot on deadline days when we are trying to get bills done, that could be a very big problem." Capitol Police respond to a bomb threat at the Mississippi State Capitol and the Mississippi Supreme Court building, background,, Thursday morning, Jan. 4, 2024, in Jackson, Miss. Sen. David Blount said he is confident MDPS and Capitol Police will find who made the threats and hopeully prevent it from happening in the future. "We've got a lot of confidence in MDPS and law enforcement here," he said. "This is disruptive, but we can get back to normal." On Wednesday, the Mississippi Capitol was one of six state capitol buildings that had bomb threats emailed to the state capitols forcing evacuations. The FBI has said Wednesdays bomb threats were hoaxes. It was unclear if any other state capitols or buildings received bomb threats on Thursday. Reporter Lici Beveridge contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MS State Capitol building under second bomb threat in two days ST. LOUIS The FBI is still searching for Harry S. Trumans swords, which were stolen over 37 years ago from Independence, Missouri. On March 24, 1987, around 6:30 a.m., the Truman Presidential Library was broken into, and several items were stolen, including three ceremonial swords and two daggers given to President Truman by the Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Saud and the Shah of Iran. The thieves broke into a display case in the lobby. Photo by: FBI Photo by: FBI Photo by: FBI Photo by: FBI Photo by: FBI Billy Joel and Sting coming to Busch Stadium for September concert According to the FBI flyer, the two suspects were believed to be aware of the librarys security procedures. The theft took only minutes, and the suspects fled through a window. The stolen items were valued between $700,000 and $1,000,000 in 1978. The search is still ongoing, and the FBI is now offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the recovery of the items. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News If you have information about the artifacts stolen from the Truman Presidential Library, please contact the FBIs Kansas City Field Office directly at (816) 512-8200. You may also reach out to your local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. (AP/KTVI) A bomb threat emailed to officials in several states early Wednesday briefly disrupted government affairs and prompted some state capitol evacuations. Federal officials quickly dismissed the threats as a hoax, reporting that no explosives were found among the state capitols. Missouri and Illinois were among several states whose Capitol buildings received bomb threat Wednesday morning. Billy Joel and Sting coming to Busch Stadium for September concert The Missouri Department of Public Safety tells Nexstars Missouri Capitol Bureau reporter Emily Manley that the Missouri state capitol in Jefferson City did not go into lockdown, despite the threat. Missouri did receive a threat this morning. It was assessed following standard operating procedures and determined to not be credible, said a Missouri DPS spokesperson. In Illinois, the secretary of state acknowledged a bomb threat to the state capitol in Springfield and sent the following statement to Nexstar affiliate WCIA: The Departments Hazardous Device Unit conducted sweeps of the interior and exterior of the Capitol as well as the public areas of the adjacent Howlett, Stratton and Archives buildings on the Capitol grounds as a precautionary measure. The investigation revealed no evidence supporting the credibility of a threat and no imminent danger was identified. Nevertheless, the Secretary of States office takes these threats very seriously and is working with other law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of employees and the public and to determine the source of the threat. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi and Montana were among the states that evacuated statehouse offices or buildings. The FBI said it was aware of numerous hoax bomb threats at state Capitol buildings, but had no information to indicate a specific and credible threat. The bureau said it was working with state, local and federal law enforcement to gather, share and act on information. The FBI takes hoax threats very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk, it said in a statement. The closures were brief and disruptions minimal in most states. NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. The Missouri House speaker is under an ethics investigation. Hard-right senators could derail work in the state Senate. Lawmakers running for higher office may seize on floor debates to boost their campaigns. As the Republican-controlled Missouri General Assembly began its annual legislative session on Wednesday, GOP infighting in all parts of the Capitol threatens to thwart action on a variety of key issues. But House Speaker Dean Plocher, a St. Louis-area Republican, tried to project confidence, even as a House committee investigates him behind closed doors amid a myriad of scandals, including revelations that he received government reimbursements for expenses already paid by his campaign. Thats all just doom and gloom and drama, Plocher, a candidate for lieutenant governor, told reporters as he was flanked by a crowd of GOP lawmakers. I want to get past the drama. I believe the drama is going to be behind us shortly, Plocher said. Now, what the Senate does, thats their ballgame. Lawmakers are already concerned by the looming expiration of the states Federal Reimbursement Allowance, which funds Missouris Medicaid system. Some lawmakers expect partisan fights to erupt over renewal of the tax, which occurred in 2021 and forced lawmakers into a special session. Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, a Columbia Republican, said it will be clear fairly early in the session whether Republican senators can work together and stop some of the infighting that has plagued the chamber over the last three years. Well see, Rowden said in a phone interview. I think if everybody focuses on policy, we can have a good year. If people care more about their futures or settling political scores or whatever, then, you know, it may not be so good. While Democrats have welcomed the failure of several GOP-led priorities due to Republican infighting, Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, an Independence Democrat, said its bad for Missourians. When theyre fighting, were not getting things like child care. Were not raising teacher salaries. Were not giving benefits out to senior citizens, whatever it might be that Missourians need or want the thing of the day or moment, Rizzo said. I dont know if anybody really wins when they fight, but the Missouri taxpayers certainly lose. Plocher, during his opening speech on the House floor, outlined several Republican priorities this year, including recruiting and retaining police officers, stemming the fentanyl crisis, reviewing Missouris property tax assessment process and a so-called parents bill of rights a familiar slogan for legislation that would allow parents to push back against classroom lessons surrounding race and LGBTQ issues. But just a year after Missouri lawmakers left Jefferson City without passing some of their major GOP-led priorities, including an attempt to make it harder to amend the state constitution, divisions remain among Senate Republicans. A hard-right faction of senators, formerly called the Conservative Caucus, have rebranded as the Missouri Freedom Caucus. State Sen. Denny Hoskins, a Warrensburg Republican running for Missouri secretary of state, said in a text that the groups members which include six senators and at least four representatives welcome all Republican lawmakers who want to support and push forward the Missouri Republican Party Platform. Hoskins attacked Rowden, saying he would rather negotiate with Democrats to water down conservative priorities instead of working with Freedom Caucus members to pass conservative bills. On the House side, Rep. Tony Lovasco, an OFallon Republican, said lawmakers are generally less likely to accomplish things during an election year in which some will use floor debates and cameras to campaign. Im a little pessimistic, he said. I think theres also a lot of cases where people are running against their colleagues for various seats, in which case, theyre in a kind of perverse situation and people are going to use that strategically. House Republicans are also awaiting the results of an ethics investigation into Plocher that is expected to examine his campaign finances as well as his firing of his chief of staff, who may have been a whistleblower and alleged threats against a House staffer related to his push for an expensive IT contract. Any time a speaker is an outgoing speaker in his last term, I think hes less effective, Lovasco said. So I think hes got that working against him, you know, from day one. Whether the news and the headlines or whatnot affects the caucus cohesiveness, I mean, that remains to be seen. State Rep. Dan Houx, a Warrensburg Republican, voiced more optimism than some of his colleagues. Every time Ive been up here in an election year and people go oh, you cant get anything done, it always seems like we do get a lot of stuff done, Houx said. I dont believe that pessimistic side of it. Missouri Democrats, who typically have to work with the fractured GOP majority to advance their priorities, enter the session with several key issues of their own, including boosting teacher pay, increasing money for K-12 schools, pushing for stricter gun laws, increasing access to child care and attempting to repeal the states near-total ban on abortion House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat running for governor, acknowledged the upcoming elections, as well as a lot of things that have happened over the past few months, pitting our Senate and House chambers against each other more so than usual. We are apprehensive to what the Republican majority will be able to accomplish this year, Quade told reporters. But we are hopeful that there may be some room for some bipartisan things. For Rizzo, the Independence Democrat, this year will decide which direction the Missouri Republican Party goes in. The session, along with upcoming elections, will dictate what the Republican (Party) looks like in the state of Missouri for the next 10, 20 years, he said. Missouri lawmakers reconvened Wednesday for the start of the 2024 legislative session. Republican and Democratic caucuses shared their legislative priorities for the session, which include limiting foreign farmland ownership, improving public safety, childcare and education Members of the Missouri House of Representatives gather for the start of the legislative session in Jefferson City on Jan. 3, 2024. Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher led the session with a speech identifying key areas of focus for the upcoming year. He acknowledged the concerns, voiced by many ahead of the session, about accomplishing legislative goals in an election year. We are all here because we believe in public service, Plocher said. Let us place statesmanship and the welfare of the people before petty politics and personal interest. I know we can work together and get things done. Weve done it before, well do it again. With many members of the Missouri House and Senate running for reelection or a higher office in 2024, some lawmakers and elected officials have been pessimistic about the session. Additionally, an ethics investigation is currently underway that is widely understood to involve Plocher and allegations that he sought improper reimbursement from the House for campaign funds used on legislative trips and other related expenses. Plocher, who is running for lieutenant governor in 2024, dismissed any such concerns about his own personal office, indicating to reporters that he still had the support of the House Republican caucus members gathered around him at the press conference following adjournment of the House. Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher delivers remarks to reporters on Jan. 3, 2024 in Jefferson City following the start of the legislative session. The House Republican caucus indicated its intentions to once again turn its focus to implementing school choice, a measure that failed to pass the Missouri Senate in the last session. Achieving the American Dream often begins with good education, and I think we need to offer parents choices, Plocher said. We did that last year. We offered open enrollment, but never got through the whole process. We're going to tackle that again this year. Also among the issues that the caucus hopes to pursue is revising the initiative petition process to make it more difficult to make changes to the Missouri Constitution through ballot measures. In the past few years, voters repeatedly have bypassed the Republican-controlled legislature, expanding Medicaid and legalizing marijuana through this method. I firmly believe our constitution should not be amended as easily as it is, and I think our voters need to be informed in a transparent process on how that initiative should be vetted, Plocher said. I believe there needs to be a higher threshold and a higher standard to pass that. Currently, there are competing ballot initiatives seeking to reinstate abortion rights in Missouri, something that the Republican caucus is opposed to. If lawmakers approve a measure to revise initiative petitions, it would also have to be approved by voters. The timing of this vote and a potential vote on an abortion measure are key things to watch in the upcoming year, if both measures make it on a 2024 ballot. One item that must be passed in 2024, if the state hopes to retain its federal funding for Missouris Medicaid program, is the federal reimbursement allowance, or FRA. Since this is a must-pass bill, unrelated amendments have been tacked on in the past, causing lawmakers to squabble and resulting in a special session in 2021. Missouri House Minority Speaker Crystal Quade delivers remarks to reporters on Jan. 3, 2024 in Jefferson City following the start of the legislative session. House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, who is running for governor in 2024, is concerned that failure to pass the FRA could result in funds being drawn from other vital areas of the state budget. If we do not pass the FRA, we will be out so much money, Quade said. Where's that money gonna come from? Public education? General revenue? When we have the conversation about the FRA, it's not just about making our Medicaid program solvent, it's about making sure that we are funding all of the things necessary. Other priorities for the House Democratic caucus, for which Quade delivered comments, include boosting teacher pay, reducing violent crime, strengthening gun laws and restoring access to reproductive health care. However, Quade recognizes that, with a Republican dominated legislature, accomplishing some of these issues will be a steeply uphill battle. We are apprehensive to what the Republican majority will be able to accomplish this year, Quade said. More: What Greene County senators Hough and Trent hope to accomplish in the statehouse in 2024 In the Missouri Senate, a new Freedom Caucus has formed with members of the now defunct Conservative Caucus, who made up roughly half of the Republicans in the chamber. Quade hopes that some of the more moderate conservatives who dont belong to the Freedom Caucus will choose to work across the aisle with Democrats to pass legislation in the best interest of Missourians. Many attribute the small number of bills passed in 2023 to the division among Senate Republicans, who fought bitterly in the final days of the session. The continued fracturing of the Republican supermajority just continues a testament to show why voters need to elect more Democrats and bring balance back to our state so we can actually govern and get some stuff done, Quade said. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri lawmakers share priorities as 2024 legislative session starts JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. The state of Missouri plans to join in on making it easier for low-income families and school-aged children to eat while school is out. Summer EBT is set to be implemented this year, and Missouri is one of 39 states, territories, and tribal nations to have chosen to participate. The remaining states do have the option of deciding whether theyd like to get involved. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will fund the states through federal grants and provide eligible students with reduced and free lunches, with $40 per month in benefits during the summer. Billy Joel and Sting coming to Busch Stadium for September concert The plan cannot become final until a management and administration objective is submitted to the Food and Nutrition Service by February 15. Among the barriers to finalizing the plan is the lack of final guidance from the USDA, according to the Missouri Department of Elementary, Missouri Department of Social Services, and Missouri Department of Secondary Education. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.), a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, announced Thursday he will retire at the end of his term. It has been an honor to serve the great people of the Third Congressional District and State of Missouri these past several years. However, after a lot of thoughtful discussion with my family, I have decided to not file for re-election and retire at the end of my term in December, Luetkemeyer, 71, said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter. As we tackle the many challenges we face, I hope we remember what someone once said, that the greatness of our country is not found in the halls of Congress but in the hearts and homes of our people, Luetkemeyer said. That assessment is still true today. As we look into the future, I believe if we work hard, stay together, and believe in ourselves our best days are indeed still ahead. Luetkemeyer, who joined Congress in 2009, was seen as a top contender to replace retiring House Financial Services Committee Chair Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), who is also retiring at the end of the term. Luetkemeyer is the chair of the Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions. Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.), the vice chair of the committee, is seen as another strong contender to be its next chair if Republicans keep the House GOP majority. Missouris 3rd Congressional District that Luetkemeyer is vacating, which includes areas to the north, south, and west of St. Louis, is a solidly Republican district. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A group of former Sedgwick County 911 dispatchers are making a public appeal for county leadership to remove Emergency Communications Director Elora Forshee from her post, citing deficient training standards and a toxic work culture in the department. Fifteen former employees signed an open letter that was distributed Wednesday, accusing Forshee of slashing training to the point that it jeopardizes public safety for more than 500,000 residents who rely on the countys emergency services. In a written response, Sedgwick County said all 911 training programs meet or exceed the statewide standards established by the Kansas 911 Coordinating Council. The former employees, who left the department in the last three years, said training was drastically cut back and restructured, leading to a decline in our ability to perform our duties effectively. The lack of thorough and adequate training for emergency dispatchers leads to life-threatening errors during crises a risk no citizen should have to bear. Forshee, who has been with the department since 2004 and took over as director in 2015, was not made available to respond Wednesday. The county disputed the former employees allegations on her behalf. There have been changes in training schedules, but there has been no compromise of training standards, the statement reads. Emergency Communications relies on a blended learning environment of classroom and on-the-job training for new employees. In this very complex profession, employees are tested to proficiency in the classroom before they can move into on-the-job training where they have to also demonstrate proficiency before being released. The county said proficiency standards for dispatchers have not been lessened or modified in any way on Forshees watch. In the letter, former employees also contend Forshee fostered an oppressive work environment, characterizing her leadership as tyrannical, discriminatory. Dispatchers cannot navigate both the very real gravity of public safety and the personal abuses Forshee enacts, they wrote. The county denied a claim that 911 employees were fired for taking medical leave time, and citing personnel reasons, declined to comment on alleged abuses committed by Forshee. Heightened scrutiny The open letter comes as scrutiny mounts over 911s handling of an October apartment fire where 22-year-old Paoly Bedeski died trapped in her room after county dispatchers failed to communicate potentially life-saving information about her location to firefighters at the scene. Bedeski was the first caller to alert 911 to the fire. A recording of the call shows she stated her apartment number twice, but Forshee said at a press conference last month that the call-taker could not understand her. She later confirmed the call-taker had GPS coordinates showing Bedeski inside the apartments and did not use a playback function to listen back to the call. At the recommendation of the 911 advisory board, the Sedgwick County Commission voted in December to initiate a comprehensive study on Emergency Communications handling of the Oct. 13 apartment fire, including why it took dispatchers more than 17 minutes to transmit firefighters request for a second alarm. (U)nder the current leadership of Sedgwick County Emergency Communications, its become clear that facing a community crisis is not our only prerogative, as the internal crisis in the department is reaching a boiling point and mistakes are being made, the former employees wrote in their letter. Mistakes that many of us have been warning the department about for years. Mistakes have now cost the life of Paoly Bedeski. The letter goes on to say that communication training officers have been vocal about needing more classroom training and more time with their trainees but that their appeals have been ignored. The county said in response that trainers always have the option to ask for more time or an extension for a trainee. It is not uncommon that Emergency Communications has extended training by trainer request. Continued education for trainers and all staff is a priority for 2024. The county statement also noted there are 108 budgeted full-time-employee positions in the Emergency Communications division and 16 vacancies. The former employees are calling for an investigation into their allegations, the re-institution of adequate training, and the ultimate removal of Forshee and anyone complicit in her behaviors. The Wichita firefighters union, which first went public with concerns about 911 dispatchers handling of the Brookhollow Apartment tragedy, is also calling for Forshee to be terminated. These former 911 employees signed the letter: Jewell Smith (Crocker), Dawn Adams, Ellen Brackeen, Rosemary Cole, Brandon Clifton, Alyssa Parker, Kim Chenault, Brianna Oliver, Tina Griffin, Jordan Carver, Katherine Garris, Andrew Benson, Dominic Saisi, Emily Colquette, Courtney Putman Two children watched their mom collapse to the ground as their father held a semi-automatic rifle, Minnesota authorities say. I would like to report a murder, a man told a 911 dispatcher following the Dec. 28 shooting near Dassel, according to a criminal complaint. The man on the other end of the phone was Bryan Demarais, a 35-year-old father who was admitting to the killing of his wife, Kayla Demarais, court records show. Kayla Demarais was discovered dead in the home, having been shot repeatedly in the head, according to the Meeker County Sheriffs Office. Her husband surrendered at the scene. The shooting stemmed from an argument between the couple over financial problems and ongoing marital issues, authorities said. Their children, ages 11 and 8, were in the oldest childs bedroom playing video games when they heard the argument, the kids said in an interview with deputies. The children said they heard a gunshot, then witnessed their mother fall to the ground. Call 911, the mother told her children after being shot, the 8-year-old said in her interview, according to the court documents. But the father said he would call 911 on his own. He closed the door on his children and ordered them to keep it shut, according to the complaint. The children, according to the sheriffs office, continued to hear a barrage of gunfire. The father eventually called authorities as his wifes lifeless body lay on the living room floor, court records show. An autopsy later revealed she was shot in the head and back. Multiple firearm casings were discovered in the living room near Kayla Demarais body, the sheriffs office said. A bullet also entered the bedroom of the couples 8-year-old child. Bryan Demarais was charged with second-degree murder and two counts of child endangerment, according to the complaint. He was placed in the Meeker County Jail. The children were removed from the home through a bedroom window. Dassel is about 55 miles northwest of Minneapolis. Woman doesnt show up for work and is found shot dead, PA cops say. Husband charged Husband shoots wife and brother-in-law while visiting from Florida for wedding, cops say Estranged husband kills wife getting home from work, then stabs woman, Texas cops say Aji mango ceviche and a Vampiro cocktail are part of the menu at Colette at The Phipps, a rooftop restaurant next to Paramour just north of downtown San Antonio. Mike Sutter/Staff A dish called Lobster Sushi Arepa incorporates crispy rice, lobster, sriracha mayo and avocado at Colette at The Phipps, a rooftop restaurant next to Paramour just north of downtown San Antonio. Mike Sutter/Staff Colette at The Phipps is a rooftop restaurant next to Paramour just north of downtown San Antonio. Mike Sutter/Staff Kobe Crispy Rice incorporates Kobe beef, crispy sushi rice, caviar, capers and Dijon mustard at Colette at The Phipps, a rooftop restaurant next to Paramour just north of downtown San Antonio. Mike Sutter/Staff A seating area between the rooftop restaurants Colette at The Phipps and Paramour just north of downtown San Antonio served as the temporary home of Colette a few days before New Years Eve. Mike Sutter/Staff Ratatouille is made with squash, morita pepper sauce and chicharron prensado at Colette at The Phipps, a rooftop restaurant next to Paramour just north of downtown San Antonio. Mike Sutter/Staff Carnitas dumplings are stuffed with pork carnitas, scallions and sesame seeds with dipping sauce at Colette at The Phipps, a rooftop restaurant next to Paramour just north of downtown San Antonio. Mike Sutter/Staff Colette at The Phipps is a rooftop restaurant next to Paramour just north of downtown San Antonio. Mike Sutter/Staff You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm. Its the best one-line review I could imagine for Colette at The Phipps, the rooftop restaurant that opened in the summer next door to Paramour. And the restaurant wrote the line itself. Not itself, really. Its a quote from the pioneering French author Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, the namesake and inspiration for this self-described union of French, Latin American and Asian culinary styles. And it appeared next to the first chapter of the menu, the Cold & Raw section, the only chapter heading that came close to describing the food contained within. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What are we to make of Close to Your Heart or Hope Costs Nothing or Live in the Moment? Where do you put Lasagna Birria Duck or a Lobster Sushi Arepa or $30 gold-leaf tacos? I dont know. And neither, it seems, does Colette at The Phipps. Colette at The Phipps is a rooftop restaurant next to Paramour just north of downtown San Antonio. Mike Sutter/Staff WORST OF THE WORST: The 10 worst things I ate in San Antonio in 2023 Colette at The Phipps 102 Ninth St., fourth floor of The Phipps building, 210-779-1774, coletteatthephipps.com Quick bite: Rooftop restaurant and bar with a River Walk view, advertising a blend of Asian, Latin American and French styles Hours: 6 p.m.-midnight Wednesday-Saturday Price range: Dishes divided into style categories from $15 to $75; sides, $10-$14; desserts, $16-$18 Alcohol: Cocktails, sake, wine and beer Excellent Good Fair Poor Bad Express-News critics pay for all meals. When it opened in June, Colette seemed like the kind of place San Antonio needs. Ambitious, playful, experimental. A place that capitalizes on the rooftop glam of Paramour, with the sunset sky above and the River Walk below. A place unafraid to drop full-on DJ remixes of San Antonios greatest culinary hits with global guest spots. Carnitas dumplings, pozole ramen, horchata ratatouille. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But thats the thing about a place that brands itself as a mashup of French, Latin American and Asian food. Sometimes you get one, sometimes you get none and sometimes you get all three. And sometimes you get a We Are the World mashup where its all Cyndi Lauper and no Michael Jackson. Or maybe Forrest Gump, because I never knew what I was gonna get. One night, the host said chef Darlen Narvaez was transitioning to a new menu that would leave much of the old two-page menu behind. So I opted for a four-course preview menu. Another night, working from the full menu, I was told the kitchen was out of half the things I intended to try. A plate of rib-eye tacos called Taco Lust includes a Gouda cheese crust, handmade blue corn tortillas, wasabi sauce, charred corn and gold flakes at Colette at The Phipps, a rooftop restaurant next to Paramour just north of downtown San Antonio. Mike Sutter/Staff The third time was the least charming,as I arrived to find the restaurant space closed without notice. The host explained that Colettes open-air field kitchen was being renovated, then guided me to an improvised conversation pit on the Paramour patio, where I could order from a menu trimmed to six plates. I understand that restaurants are organic things, and things happen. And I admire improvisation. But three times? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Colette already is a leap of faith, a purely outdoor space subject to San Antonios frustrating cocktail of scorching heat, historic freezes and hurricane rains. On a perfect night, its all breeze and birthday parties and Bee Gees, and the staff brings a sense of earnest engagement. They wheeled over space heaters, made cocktails in sugar-skull cups and unveiled dishes with the sweep of wicker-dome cloches over water-stained cocktail trays. But at some point, it has to be about the food, and thats where Colettes grand experiment turned into a game of Name That Influence, the same game we play when we try to make sense of a new band, the one that sounds like the Black Crowes doing Bananarama. The menu includes, clockwise from left, the Siesta cocktail, a beet salad, duck birria lasagna and fosforera seafood stew at Colette at The Phipps, a rooftop restaurant next to Paramour just north of downtown San Antonio. Mike Sutter/Staff If something is shaped like the South American foldover called an arepa, is that enough to call it an arepa? If you can pretend the arepa shell is sushi rice fried as hard as fast-food hashbrowns, then sure. Then stuff it with lobster and avocado and sriracha mayo and call it a Lobster Sushi Arepa, a lobster roll born in the same lab as a Marvel villain. BEST OF THE BEST: San Antonios Top 25 dishes of 2023 Advertisement Article continues below this ad A creation called Gigi Causa drawing from the author Colettes most famous work and the layered Peruvian casserole dish took 10 steps to get nowhere in particular. The menu used three lines to describe what Id call a ring of wet tuna salad with mashed potatoes. A petite Le Creuset pot of ratatouille was unrecognizable as ratatouille, a thin layer of squash slices fanned out over chicharron prensado, all of it ravaged by salt, a $27 side dish masquerading as an entree. A dish called Gigi Causa incorporates yellowfin tuna, mashed potatoes, aji amarillo, kewpie mayo, tomatoes and microgreens at Colette at The Phipps, a rooftop restaurant next to Paramour just north of downtown San Antonio. Mike Sutter/Staff As long as were quoting one-name French icons, lets throw in one from Coco Chanel: Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off. South America turned up again in a Venezuelan fosforera, a seafood stew wrong in every way. Pale popcorn shrimp, grainy bubble-gum calamari rings and two lonely mussels swam in a stock that missed whatever mark it intended. Not quite cioppino, not quite gumbo, not quite bouillabaisse. Duck Birria Lasagna sounded like one of those fridge-magnet word games, a clown car of styles welded together in one cheesy clump. Ive seen Instagram pictures of Colettes Kobe Crispy Rice, pictures that suggested vibrant red beef tartare on neat mahogany planks of crispy rice with caviar. Not even close. My camera must be off, because mine was brain-colored mush on rock-hard blocks. With caviar. If youre looking for it, its in the section called Hope Costs Nothing. Yes, but the Kobe Crispy Rice? Thatll cost you $45. Tax, gratuity and hope not included. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Colette at The Phipps is a rooftop restaurant next to Paramour just north of downtown San Antonio. Mike Sutter/Staff Colettes mango ceviche offered some relief, a floral topical layering of marinated shrimp and fresh mango braced by citrus. And the rib-eye steak laid across a trio of tacos with blue-corn tortillas and a Gouda cheese crust almost made the $30 price tag for Tacos Lust seem more justified than the gold flake layered on ridges of grilled corn. Can we say goodbye to gold leaf already? The fact that we can eat it doesnt mean we should, even if it matches our golden throne. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners asked a group of Oregon lawmakers to ban public drug use at an annual legislative breakfast held on Jan. 3. During the meeting, Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards asked the group of 13 lawmakers to give Multnomah Countys district attorney more power to better prosecute offenders for drug crimes. She also requested additional funding for addiction treatment and recovery services. The goal is to give the Courts an authentic and effective alternative to sending people with substance use disorders to jail, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners said in a statement. World class attraction: Portland unveils plans for Old Town skatepark Multnomah Countys lack of public defenders has also affected the countys ability to prosecute people for drug crimes, the county said. Addressing the crippling shortage of public defenders is also a priority a request echoed by District Attorney Schmidt, the board said. Because people charged with crimes have a constitutional right to an attorney, the shortage of public defenders has led to felony cases being routinely dismissed by the courts. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Investigators have arrested Awes Singko Rapet, 21,on a capital murder charge in connection with a fatal shooting at a Fredericksburg convenience store. Courtesy Fredericksburg Police D Investigators have arrested a man on a capital murder charge in connection with a fatal shooting at a Fredericksburg convenience store. Awes Singko Rapet, 21, was arrested late Wednesday by officers with the Fredericksburg Police Department and the Texas Rangers. He faces a charge of capital murder and is being held at Gillespie County Jail, according to Fredericksburg police. Rapet was arrested at a local motel. No city of residence is listed in public records. Rapets quick apprehension would not have been possible without all the phone calls, emails, and Crimestoppers tips received by law enforcement from our community, the Fredericksburg Police Department said in a social media post. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police say Rapet entered the Kwikchek store at 1001 Texas 16 at 11:47 p.m. Tuesday. He was wearing white gloves and carrying a duffel bag. He walked to the back of the store, out of view from the stores surveillance camera for several minutes, Fredericksburg police Lt. Derek Seelig said. Rapet then walked to the front of the store wearing a white skull mask and brandishing a firearm and demanded the clerk hand over the money in the cash register, according to police. The clerk complied and Rapet left the store, according to police. The clerk was not harmed, police said. Police previously said Rapet fired his gun inside the store, and the body of Arthur Cortez, 48, of Fredericksburg, was found outside the store, police said. Cortez was not a store employee, police say. Editors Note: The video above is previous coverage on Casey Anthony. (WJW) Hours before his polygraph results were to be aired for a national audience, George Anthony was spotted outside his Florida home Thursday, FOX News reported. Casey Anthony, who was acquitted of her daughters 2005 murder, has blamed her daughters 2008 death on her father. 80s rock musician charged in girlfriends murder Caylee Anthony, 2, was reported missing by her grandmother, Cindy Anthony, in Orlando on July 15, 2008. Caylee hadnt been seen for a month at the time. The childs remains were found that December about half-a-mile from the Anthonys home. Prosecutors argued that Casey Anthony suffocated her daughter with chloroform and taped the 2-year-olds mouth shut. A jury found Casey Anthony not guilty of murder, manslaughter and child abuse in 2011. ORLANDO, FL JULY 07: Casey Anthony smiles before the start of her sentencing hearing on charges of lying to a law enforcement officer at the Orange County Courthouse July 7, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. Anthony was acquitted of murder charges on July 5, 2011 but will serve four, one-year sentences on her conviction of lying to a law enforcement officer. She will be credited for the nearly three-years of time served and good behavior and will be released July 13. (Photo by Joe Burbank-Pool/Getty Images) ORLANDO, FL JUNE 30: Casey Anthony listens to the testimony of Krystal Holloway, who claims to have had an affair with Anthonys father, during her murder trial at the Orange County Courthouse on June 30, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. Anthonys defense attorneys argued that she didnt kill her two-year-old daughter Caylee, but that she accidentally drowned. (Photo by Red Huber-Pool/Getty Images) ORLANDO, FL JULY 17: Casey Anthony (C) leaves with her attorney Jose Baez (L) from the Booking and Release Center at the Orange County Jail after she was acquitted of murdering her daughter Caylee Anthony on July 17, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. It was unknown where Casey Anthony was going after the release. (Photo by Red Huber-Pool/Getty Images) ORLANDO, FL JULY 5: Casey Anthony reacts to being found not guilty on murder charges at the Orange County Courthouse on July 5, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. At left is her attorney Jose Baez. On the right is attorney Dorothy Clay Sims. Casey Anthony had been accused of murdering her two-year-old daughter Caylee in 2008. (Photo by Red Huber-Pool/Getty Images) ORLANDO, FL JULY 07: Casey Anthony smiles before the start of her sentencing hearing on charges of lying to a law enforcement officer at the Orange County Courthouse July 7, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. Anthony was acquitted of murder charges on July 5, 2011 but will serve four, one-year sentences on her conviction of lying to a law enforcement officer. She will be credited for the nearly three-years of time served and good behavior and will be released July 13. (Photo by Joe Burbank-Pool/Getty Images) In an interview last year, Casey Anthony said that her father George Anthony had sexually assaulted Caylee and killed the child to cover it up. Youve got your daughter thats accusing you of some pretty horrific things, retired FBI special agent George Olivo, told FOX News. Father and son charged in killing of pregnant teen If they claim that they didnt do anything, its like the old saying goes, youre darned if you do and youre darned if you dont. If you say nothing, those same critics will say, Well, there you go. They didnt say anything, so they must be guilty. And if they speak up then critics will say, Theyre trying to capitalize on it, Olivo said. In response to Caseys accusations, George and Cindy Anthony underwent polygraph tests on-camera to answer the lingering questions. Casey Anthonys Parents: The Lie Detector Test, airs Thursday night on A&E at 9 p.m. EST. In a clip released before it airs, George Anthony is asked about the sex assault accusations and Caylees death. Video shows his emotional reaction. Watch the video here Olivo said polygraph tests are 85 to 90% accurate. Caylees murder remains unsolved. She would be 18 now. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. FILE PHOTO: Protest marking the second anniversary of Myanmar's 2021 military coup outside Myanmar Embassy, in Bangkok FILE PHOTO: Protest marking the second anniversary of Myanmar's 2021 military coup outside Myanmar Embassy, in Bangkok (Reuters) - Myanmar's military government will release 9,652 prisoners, including 114 foreigners, under an amnesty to mark the country's independence day, state media reported on Thursday. The Southeast Asian nation has been in turmoil since the military seized power in February 2021, reversing a decade-long democratic experiment, and used deadly force to crush protests. "With the intention of maintaining relations with other countries and on humanitarian grounds, 114 foreign prisoners will be pardoned," the junta said in a brief announcement on state media. "They will be deported." In the country's commercial capital Yangon, groups of people gathered outside Insein Prison waiting for prisoners to be released, local media reported. Among those still imprisoned is Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been appealing sentences adding up to 27 years in detention after being convicted of a string of offences ranging from incitement and election fraud to corruption. She denies all the charges. The military insist she has received due process by an independent court. Authorities typically release some prisoners to mark the day when Myanmar declared independence from British rule. (Reporting by Reuters staff, editing by Devjyot Ghoshal) People wait outside Insein Prison in Yangon for the release of relatives. As part of a new mass amnesty, the military junta in Myanmar has announced the release of around 9600 prisoners, including 114 foreigners. Yu Yu Lin/dpa Myanmar's junta granted amnesty to more than 9,652 prisoners on Thursday, according to a statement from the military-backed broadcasting channel. The prisoner release took place on the 76th anniversary of its independence from the United Kingdom. About 114 foreign prisoners were included in the amnesty, according to statement from the military. It said they were released to maintain friendly relations with other countries. But details of these prisoners remained unknown. Moreover, details of the political prisoners released are also unknown. Their family members were waiting in front of the Insein Prison, the most notorious prison in the country. "More than 20 buses have already entered the prison. More than 700 people are waiting in front of the prison as they heard the amnesty news," a family member told dpa. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), an aid organization in Myanmar, the military has detained more than 25,730 people in the past two years, with nearly 20,000 still in detention. At least 4,277 were killed by the junta. A bus drives onto the grounds of Insein Prison in Yangon to bring out released prisoners. As part of a new mass amnesty, the military junta in Myanmar has announced the release of around 9600 prisoners, including 114 foreigners. Yu Yu Lin/dpa People wait outside Insein Prison in Yangon for the release of relatives. As part of a new mass amnesty, the military junta in Myanmar has announced the release of around 9600 prisoners, including 114 foreigners. Yu Yu Lin/dpa Paterson would become one of six cities in New Jersey to create community crisis response teams under a proposed state law partly named after Najee Seabrooks, who was shot and killed by city police last March. The bill, also named for Drew Washington, who was killed in a Jersey City police shooting this year, gained approval from a state Senate committee on Thursday afternoon and is expected to get approval from the full Legislature next week. Supporters say the community response teams would save lives by de-escalating the type of mental health crisis situations that in the past ended with fatal shootings by police officers. Published March 7, 2023 Participants in a rally for Najee Seabrooks outside of Paterson City Hall on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. This legislation is critically needed because it is clear that the police, despite their enormous resources and training, are not the most effective responders to mental health crises, said the New Jersey Violence Intervention and Prevention coalition. The tragic police killings of Najee Seabrooks in Paterson and Drew Washington in Jersey City argue for much greater investment in community-led strategies that are rooted in public health and proven to heal communities and away from system approaches that focus on punishment and inflict harm, said the Violent Intervention Coalition. What would the law do? The law would allocate up to $2 million for community groups to create crisis response teams in six counties Passaic, Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex and Camden. Under the criteria, Paterson along with Jersey City and Newark would be among the sites. The Paterson Police Department declined to comment on the proposed Seabrooks law. The bill does not include details on exactly how the crisis teams would operate. For example, it doesnt say whether they would substitute for police in 911 mental health calls, or if the community groups would handle cases in which someone in crisis were brandishing a gun or knife. Supporters of the legislation testified on Thursday that the parameters of the program would vary from county to county based on each communitys needs and wants. Watch now: Life and controversial death of Najee Seabrooks is subject of new documentary Paterson Healing Collective could operate crisis response team The Paterson Healing Collective, or PHC, the violence intervention organization for which Seabrooks worked when he was killed, looms as the likely community group to operate the crisis response team in Passaic County. Formed in 2020, PHCs main role has been helping violence victims and preventing retaliation. Seabrooks got involved after he was the victim of a Paterson street shooting in 2021. Seabrooks had called Paterson police for help last March, saying during his 911 calls that he was afraid someone was trying to kill him. City patrol officers responded to the apartment where he was barricaded inside a bathroom and allowed him to speak through the door to his mother. But she was unable to persuade him to come out of the bathroom, video recordings of the incident showed. Eventually, the police departments emergency response team officers with riot helmets and shields took control of the scene and tried to get Seabrooks to come out. After almost five hours, he bolted from the bathroom, lunging at the police with a knife in his hand, and was fatally shot. During the standoff, Seabrooks contacted PHC members with his cellphone and asked them for help. But the police would not allow them inside the apartment. Najee Seabrooks case full coverage: From the Paterson police shooting, to Platkin takeover Paterson Healing Collective member testifies Among those who testified in favor of the Seabrooks bill during the Senate committee hearing on Thursday was Quan Hargrove of the Healing Collective, who recalled being called by his friend to come to the bathroom confrontation. I was there because he asked me to come, Hargrove told the Senate panel. However, I was not afforded the opportunity to help my dear friend. Hargrove testified that he pleaded with the police to let him speak with Seabrooks but was denied. I wonder if I had been given the opportunity would the outcome have been different, Hargrove said. Seabrooks cousin, Nicole Ricketts, also testified at the hearing. Ricketts said that Black and brown people endure what she called preventable police violence in disproportionate numbers. Casey Melvin of the Healing Collective told the Senate committee that hundreds of people from Paterson support the creation of the crisis response teams. Besides establishing pilot programs, the proposed law also would create Community Crisis Response Advisory Councils in the six counties. Joe Malinconico is editor of Paterson Press. Email: editor@patersonpress.com This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Najee Seabrooks law in NJ for crisis response teams advances LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The man who stole a Las Vegas police vehicle while naked and then crashed it, injuring two people, pleaded guilty Wednesday and could serve two to 20 years in prison. Clyde Cabulisan, 29, pleaded to charges of DUI resulting in substantial bodily harm and stop required on a signal of a police officer resulting in bodily harm, records said. He originally faced 10 charges. As part of a plea deal, a judge could sentence Cabulisan to 2-20 years in prison, documents said. Prosecutors will not make a recommendation at Cabulisans sentencing. Police arrested Cabulisan after a wild Halloween night where he was captured on video naked and physically fighting with a police officer near Buffalo Drive and Blue Diamond Road. Cabulisan then stole the officers patrol vehicle and led police on a chase that ended with a crash into another vehicle. In November, Ricoh Abrera, the passenger in the vehicle Cabulisan struck, told 8 News Now that he was left with a fractured neck, difficulty breathing, lots of bruising, and was unable to move the right side of his body. Clyde Cabulisan appears in court on several charges including DUI on Nov. 7, 2023. (KLAS) Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson told 8 News Now shortly after Cabulisans arrest that the man was either under the influence of alcohol or drugs and attempted to run from the crash scene. Wolfson said Abrera and the other victim suffered life-long injuries. A judge has the final say in the sentence. Judges often sentence defendants to anywhere from 2-6 years in similar cases. Sentencing was scheduled for February. Once out of prison, Cabulisan must have a breath ignition interlock device put on any car he owns or operates for up to three years. If he violates probation upon relation, Cabulisan could face further prison time. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. The names of more than 170 Jeffrey Epstein associates were just unsealed. Powerful associates like Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, Glenn Dubin, and Jean Luc Brunel are in the documents. The list of names also includes many of Epstein's victims. A federal judge in New York has unsealed the identities of about 170 associates of Jeffrey Epstein as part of a long-running lawsuit between one of his accusers and his sex-trafficking partner, Ghislaine Maxwell. The documents are being posted to the public court docket on a rolling basis, with the first batch unsealed Wednesday evening. A source familiar with the rollout told Business Insider that additional documents naming more of Epstein's associates would be published on Thursday. Former President Bill Clinton is perhaps the biggest name disclosed in the documents thus far. He was previously identified as "Doe 36" and was named in dozens of redacted court filings. He didn't object to unsealing the documents naming him, and the documents don't level any new accusations of wrongdoing. In one newly unsealed document, an excerpt of a deposition given by Maxwell, Maxwell said she didn't know how many times Clinton flew on Epstein's private jet but that she was "sure" he had a meal while flying on it. Elsewhere, an Epstein accuser testified she didn't see Clinton on the financier's notorious private island in the US Virgin Islands, contradicting previous reporting. And in another deposition, a victim of the pedophile said Epstein told her Clinton liked girls "young." The documents also bring fresh scrutiny to Prince Andrew, a longtime friend of Epstein who said he cut ties with him in 2010. Another Doe whose name was unredacted was Johanna Sjoberg, one of Epstein's victims who previously said the prince fondled her at his Manhattan mansion. Many on social media and cable news have speculated that the list contains a comprehensive secret cache of the dead pedophile's friends and perhaps descriptions of their lurid acts but the reality is more complicated. The names include some powerful people tied to Epstein. But the list also includes the identities of some of his victims, household staff, and other people whose names incidentally came up in the course of a long-running court case between Virginia Roberts Giuffre and Maxwell. In court documents, these people were previously identified as John or Jane Does. One of the Does, for example, previously identified as "J. Doe 005" in court documents, is Carolyn Andriano. Andriano testified against Maxwell at her criminal trial, describing in excruciating detail how she trafficked her to Epstein for sex beginning when she was 14 years old. She said in court that Epstein engaged in sexual activity with her more than 100 times and that he said she was "too old" for him after she turned 18. Andriano testified using only her first name but gave her full name in an interview with the Daily Mail after the trial. The judge who ordered her name to be unsealed cited that interview as a reason to now make her name public in the earlier court documents. Andriano, a 36-year-old mother of five, died of an apparent overdose in May, The Daily Beast reported. Another previously sealed name, "Doe 185," is Courtney Wild. She led a legal battle to invalidate Epstein's controversial 2007 plea deal with federal prosecutors and has given multiple media interviews about her experience with Epstein. Two other Does 63 and 64 are Annie and Maria Farmer, two sisters who have accused Epstein of sexual abuse. Annie Farmer testified at Maxwell's trial, and both have given media interviews about their experience. Out of the more than 170 anonymous Does whose names were scheduled to be unsealed Wednesday, two received extensions allowing them to continue fighting in court to remain anonymous. One of them, "Doe 107," is also one of Epstein's victims, whose lawyer has argued in court filings that she should be able to keep her privacy. The identity of the other, "Doe 110," is not yet clear. We've seen a lot of these records before Epstein died in a Manhattan federal jail while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges in 2019. Maxwell, one of his ex-girlfriends, was found guilty at trial in late 2021 of trafficking girls to Epstein for sex and sexually abusing some of them herself. She's serving a 20-year prison sentence in Tallahassee, Florida. Before the criminal charges, Giuffre brought civil lawsuits against both of them, accusing them of trafficking her. Epstein settled her lawsuit against him in 2009 for $500,000. The lawsuit against Maxwell, brought later, was settled in 2017, but not after a pitched court battle that included numerous depositions and a discovery process that dredged up emails, flight manifests, news articles, and other records related to Epstein, Maxwell, and Giuffre. Since the settlement, the civil case has experienced a long afterlife as various parties have sought to unseal the records. Virginia Roberts holds a photo of herself at age 16, when she says Palm Beach multimillionaire Jeffrey Epstein began abusing her sexually. Emily Michot/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Alan Dershowitz has sought to get numerous filings unsealed, arguing they would disprove Giuffre's misconduct accusations against him as well (the two settled a large number of lawsuits and counter-lawsuits against each other and their lawyers in 2022, with Giuffre stating she "may have made a mistake" saying Epstein trafficked her to Dershowitz). The Miami Herald litigated to unseal documents, some of which were used for its explosive series about how Epstein negotiated a light plea deal on misconduct accusations around 2007 with prosecutors in Florida. The right-wing influencer and conspiracy theorist Michael Cernovich also hired a lawyer to try to unseal documents that he had posted on social media. US District Judge Robert Sweet, who originally oversaw Giuffre's lawsuit against Maxwell, died in 2019, leaving the task of unsealing documents to US District Judge Loretta Preska, who took over the docket. The process has been a yearslong slog. Preska has weighed different priorities, including the public's presumption of access to court documents versus the privacy interests of people whose names have come up in litigation. In December, for example, she ruled that Andriano, Wild, and the Farmer sisters waived any rights to privacy after giving media interviews. During the efforts to unseal this batch of records, Preska gave the Does a January 1 deadline to raise any new objections to unsealing their identities. Now that that deadline has passed, lawyers for Giuffre and Maxwell have been ordered to confer and then publish unsealed versions of the documents on the court docket. Sigrid McCawley, an attorney for Giuffre at the law firm Boies Schiller Flexner, told BI the newly unsealed documents helped explain "how Epstein operated his vast, global sex trafficking enterprise and got away with it for decades," which "resulted in unspeakable harm and devastation to the lives of countless girls and young women." "The public interest must still be served in learning more about the scale and scope of Epstein's racket to further the important goal of shutting down sex trafficking wherever it exists and holding more to account," she said. "The unsealing of these documents gets us closer to that goal." The Epstein Doe names include some powerful people Many documents in the Giuffre v. Maxwell lawsuit have been unredacted in different places at different times. The result is that some documents which can be as benign as an already-public Daily Mail article about Epstein's former friend Prince Andrew or as explosive as one of Maxwell's deposition transcripts form a sort of puzzle where journalists can put together more complete versions by looking at unredacted portions in different places on the court docket. That means that journalists have been able to figure out the identities of many Does even before they were officially unsealed. As BI previously reported, "Doe 183" whose lawyer fought vociferously in secret court filings to keep his identity under wraps was connected to Les Wexner, the billionaire former L Brands CEO who gave Epstein billions of dollars in the 1990s and 2000s. (Wexner has said he wasn't aware of Epstein's misdeeds and cut off ties with him when he was convicted of soliciting girls for prostitution in 2007.) Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at a party. Dave Benett/Getty Images Many of the Doe parties turned out to be victims. In a previous round of unsealing, Preska disclosed the names of Emmy Tayler and Sarah Ransome, both of whom have spoken out about being victims of Epstein. It didn't make sense for their identities to remain private, Preska said, because Tayler had filed lawsuits related to her association with Epstein, and Ransome had written a book about her experience being trafficked by him. The current unsealing round comes after Preska announced on December 18 that she would unseal the largest batch yet, listing about 50 pages of Does going up to "Doe 187." Since the identities of some of those Does have been previously made public including "Doe 183" that left about 170 Does remaining to name. Preska said she'd give 14 days from her December 18 ruling to allow any Does to come forward and contest the unsealings. Two have since come forward. A lawyer for "Doe 107" said she lived in "a culturally conservative country and lives in fear of her name being released." Preska has given her until January 22 to provide additional documentation to bolster that argument for privacy. Another anonymous person, identified as "Doe 110," also asked for an extension to file court documents requesting privacy. Preska said Wednesday that she would rule on that "in due course." It isn't clear whether "Doe 110" is also a victim or someone else affiliated with Epstein. Among the other unsealed names is Dershowitz (originally "Doe 24"), who has said for years that documents related to him should be made public. As the Daily Mail previously reported, "Doe 162" was identifiable as Sjoberg, who gave interviews that corroborated some of Giuffre's claims about Prince Andrew and said the British royal fondled both of them at Epstein's Manhattan mansion in 2001. Prince Andrew has denied the allegations and settled a civil sexual-misconduct lawsuit Giuffre brought against him in 2022. The Miami Herald previously reported that powerful people whose names would be unsealed included Glenn Dubin, the hedge fund executive with a close relationship to Epstein (his wife testified in Maxwell's defense at her trial), and the modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel, who also killed himself in jail, in France, before his rape trial. Some of the Does appear to be linked to Epstein's powerful associates but weren't necessarily implicated in wrongdoing. "Doe 8," for example, is Doug Band, a former aide for Bill Clinton. Preska pointed out that he gave a long interview with Vanity Fair about his interactions with Epstein. In the interview, Band said he sought to push Epstein out of Clinton's orbit but that Clinton continued to spend time with him anyway. Correction: January 4, 2024 An earlier version of this story misspelled one of the names disclosed in a previous unsealing. It's Emmy Tayler, not Emmy Taylor. Read the original article on Business Insider The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) filed a complaint Wednesday accusing SpaceX, Elon Musks rocket company, of unlawfully firing eight former employees who drafted and circulated an open letter detailing workplace concerns. The letter, circulated in 2022, criticized Musks actions and the allegations of sexual harassment against him, claiming they were negatively contributing to the companys reputation. The letter also said the company was failing to live up to its No Asshole policy and its policy against sexual harassment. The letter, whose authorship was not known at the time it was first reported, called on SpaceX to publicly address and condemn Elons harmful Twitter behavior, to hold all leadership equally accountable for bad behavior, and to clearly define what exactly is intended by SpaceXs no-asshole and zero tolerance policies and enforce them consistently. The NLRB on Wednesday alleged an employer at SpaceX told other staff that the open letter was the reason the eight former employees were discharged from their positions. The NLRB also alleged the employer discouraged participation in the open letter and restricted distribution of the letter, even threatening discharge if employees engaged in protected concerted activities. In the complaint, according to the NLRB press release, the agency claimed the employer at SpaceX interrogated other employees about the letter and told them not to discuss those interviews. The SpaceX employer also created an impression of surveillance, including by reading and showing screenshots of communications between employees, the NLRB said. The NLRB is seeking a settlement ahead of a scheduled hearing on March 5 this year. The complaint comes at the end of an investigation and is not a decision from the board, the NLRB said. The NLRB general counsel said it was seeking reinstatement and back pay for the employees. Anne Shayer, an attorney who represented the eight former SpaceX employees in filing unfair labor practice charges against the company, praised the complaint, writing in a statement, The NLRB has spoken: SpaceX violated our clients workplace rights. This kind of flagrant violation of the law cannot be allowed to go unchecked. We look forward to trial. At SpaceX the rockets may be reusable but the people who build them are treated as expendable. I am hopeful these charges will hold SpaceX and its leadership accountable for their long history of mistreating workers and stifling discourse, said Paige Holland-Thielen, one of the employees who brought the case. Another charging party, Tom Moline, said, I had no doubt that the NLRB would recognize SpaceXs actions for what they were: feeble attempts to punish, intimidate, and silence me and hundreds of other workers who simply sought to improve workplace conditions and address the toxic culture set by Elon Musk, enforced by Gwynne Shotwell, and enabled by all levels of SpaceX leadership. We will not be silenced, and I am confident that SpaceX will be held accountable for their illegal actions. SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. "Voyager" by San Antonio artist Steven DaLuz is part of the Lunar Codex, a collection of works from thousands of creatives around the world, launched in time capsules to the moon. The first moon-bound capsule will liftoff Jan. 8 on the Peregrine lunar lander. Courtesy Steven DaLuz "Becoming" by San Antonio artist Steven DaLuz is part of the Lunar Codex, a collection of works from thousands of creatives around the world, launched in time capsules to the moon. The first moon-bound capsule will liftoff Jan. 8 on the Peregrine lunar lander. Courtesy Steven DaLuz "Rip" by San Antonio artist Steven DaLuz is part of the Lunar Codex, a collection of works from thousands of artists around the world, launched in time capsules to the moon. The first moon-bound capsule will liftoff Jan. 8 on the Peregrine lunar lander. Courtesy Steven DaLuz The oil and metal leaf paintings of San Antonio artist Steven DaLuz often feature an ethereal figure floating above a luminist landscape with gray clouds and gilded sunlight, halcyon images that evoke words such as "angelic," even "cosmic" and "celestial." Soon, several of those heavenly bodies will gaze upon the Earth from the planet's oldest, only natural satellite. About a dozen of DaLuz's works are going to the moon (that's right, the moon) as part of the Lunar Codex, a series of time capsules containing the miniaturized works of more than 30,000 contemporary artists, writers, musicians and filmmakers from more than 160 countries. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The first moon-bound capsule will ride shotgun aboard the Peregrine lunar lander, scheduled to launch Monday from Cape Canaveral, Fla., with United Launch Alliances Vulcan rocket. San Antonio artist Steven DaLuz will have several of his paintings in the Lunar Codex. Eliot VanOtteren There are works represented from all over this planet, said DaLuz, who has also curated several exhibits whose artists were added to the codex. Its a cross-section of creativity that humankind is producing. Art of our time, on Earth, exactly. The Peregrine lander should touch down Feb. 23 in Sinus Viscositatis, or Bay of Stickiness, a region adjacent to the Gruithuisen Domes in the moon's largest impact crater on its near side. The lander will remain on the moon's surface, with the codex enclosed in a special MoonBox cannister by the courier company DHL. The MoonBox is bolted to the lander framework. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A rendering of the Peregrine lunar lander, which is slated to launch Jan. 8 to the moon. The lander by Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic will carry payloads that include the Lunar Codex. Astrobotic A graphic showing the journey of the Peregrine lunar lander to the moon. The lander is scheduled to launch Jan. 8 and land on the moon on Feb. 23. Astrobotic Plenty of historic firsts are riding on the mission besides DaLuz's paintings and the accompanying works. The launch marks the first under NASAs Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, which taps commercial spacecraft to make cargo runs to the moon. Peregrine is the first lander mission of Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic, which seeks to become the first commercial company to successfully land a spacecraft on the lunar surface. If successful, it will be one of the first U.S. lunar landings since the final mission of the Apollo program in 1972. The boxy lander, which stands a little more than 6 feet tall, will carry around 20 payloads, including several from the NASA program. According to Astrobotic, some of those payload teams have missions that include finding signs of water-ice near the lunar surface and demonstrating a rover swarm. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Lifted High" by Chicago- and Miami-based artist Sergio Gomez is one of several thousand pieces in the Lunar Codex, a series of moon-bound time capsules containing miniaturized versions of works from more than 30,000 artists around the world. Sergio Gomez / Lunar Codex Then there are those items such as the Lunar Codex designed to showcase humanitys more creative side, and with several Texas talents to boot. In addition to DaLuz, the codex also features winners and finalists of The Bennett Prize, a $50,000 award for women artists given by San Antonio art collectors Steven Alan Bennett and his wife, Elaine Melotti Schmidt. San Antonio science-fiction writer and San Antonio College professor Kim Wells also has works in the codex. Naturally, Space City will have a place in the capsule, too. The Lunar Codex has work by Houston sci-fi author Terry R. Hill, who also is employed as NASAs digital engineering program manager at Johnson Space Center. Other Houston talents include artists Tricia Moszkowicz and Laura Spector. The Lunar Codex is the star-crossed creation of Samuel Peralta, a former physicist in Toronto who has worked for 30 years in nuclear energies, optical semiconductors and software through his private company, Incandence. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lunar Codex founder Samuel Peralta at his home in Mississauga, Ontario, in July 2023. Peralta has curated more than 30,000 works by artists, writers, filmmakers and musicians around the world, which are being sent to the moon as miniaturized files in time capsules. The next Lunar Codex is scheduled for a Jan. 8 launch aboard the Peregrine lunar lander from Cape Canaveral, Fla. Lance McMillan/Toronto Star via Getty Images Peralta dreamed up the codex in 2020 during the early days of the pandemic, when just about all artists were locked out from venues to showcase their talents. "A Ring of Bright Water" by Canadian artist Heather Horton is one of several thousand pieces in the Lunar Codex, a series of moon-bound time capsules containing miniaturized versions of works from more than 30,000 artists around the world. Heather Horton / Lunar Codex Peralta, who is a poet as well as an artist and musician, pondered a way to uplift creatives around the world during the global pandemic. What better place than literally above it all with the Earth's most ancient muse? So it started with that, a way to bring some light into the darkness that was that era, he said. But its more than just that to an artist. A piece of yourself will achieve immortality. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That immortality comes via two main technologies. Most Lunar Codex music and video pieces are stored digitally on radiation-shielded memory cards about the size of a fingernail. Static works such as text and paintings get the analog treatment on Nanofiche, a nickel-based spin on microfiche that archives media on a disc the size of a dime or a quarter. Dime-sized nickel Nanofiche can save 500 images. The tech will carry thousands of works for the Lunar Codex, a series of moon-bound time capsules containing miniaturized versions of works from more than 30,000 artists around the world. Courtesy Lunar Codex Microphotograph of nickel Nanofiche showing RGB channels for images. Nanofiche is one the technologies used for the Lunar Codex, a series of moon-bound time capsules containing miniaturized versions of works from more than 30,000 artists around the world. Courtesy Lunar Codex Both formats can contain multitudes. The memory cards each hold a terabyte or two of data, Peralta said, while an inch-high stack of Nanofiche discs carries the equivalent of a stack of paperbacks five stories high. Technically, Peregrine marks the second Lunar Codex launch. The first was in November 2022 aboard Artemis I, the unmanned moon-orbiting test flight. A third launch is slated for mid-February, followed by a fourth in the summer, both using a SpaceX launch platform for a trip to the moon's southern hemisphere. Then in November, a fifth launch will take the codex to the lunar south pole, this time via SpaceX with Astrobotic's larger Griffin lander. When it came to landing artists for the codex, Peralta started off contacting writers he knew from a series of speculative fiction anthologies he published as one of Incandences first projects. Then he turned to visual artists from his personal art collection and from more than 30 contemporary galleries he has curated. Each talent he contacted had the same initial reaction. I really thought it was a joke, DaLuz said. I was surprised by it, then thoroughly delighted and extremely honored. DaLuz recalled curating an exhibit and catalog for a show he did with San Antonios AnArte Gallery. The works landed in the appropriately titled PoetsArtists magazine. Peralta contacted the editor and publisher, who gave him carte blanche for any selections to add to the Lunar Codex. I got the pleasure of notifying these artists, Were going to the moon! DaLuz said. DaLuz said its fabulous Peralta is, in essence, recording this snippet of time with creatives around the world, featuring contemporary works by indigenous peoples as well as industrious nations all waiting to be discovered on the Earth's nearest outer space neighbor. I dont think Sams efforts are fully understood yet because we dont fully understand the cosmos, said Bennett, who along with his wife became part of the Lunar Codex crew when Peralta included their Bennett Prize catalogs in the moon-bound materials. Sam and the Lunar Codex are on the cutting edge of globalizing human activity. I guess thats the wrong world. Universalizing human activity. San Antonio art collectors Elaine Melotti Schmidt and her husband Steven Alan Bennett are behind the Bennett Prize, an award for women artists. Works they've curated are part of the Lunar Codex, a series of moon-bound time capsules containing miniaturized versions of works from more than 30,000 artists around the world. Courtesy Steven Alan Bennett Bennett half-joked he hopes any aliens who happen upon the Lunar Codex on the moon make the trip to Earth to see the actual works in person. Then he stressed the project shows the moon in a whole new light. Not as a barren rock or potential military base but as a repository of cultural artifacts accessible in the future to anyone, human or otherwise, who might be interested in human culture. Peralta would agree. If we actually establish colonies on the moon, these will be artifacts that will be useful for future generations, he said. It will be like when we go to the pyramids and we read the hieroglyphics, or we unroll scrolls that have Greek mythology. And as Hill sees it, returning to the moon means writing a new chapter about the Earth's most storied companion. The first time and also the last time (we went) to the moon so far, we went as explorers just to see if we could do it, he said. Now when were returning, were returning not just as the United States but taking corporate America with us and also some international partners. (So) now were going back to stay, in theory. Houston science fiction author Terry R. Hill also works as NASAs digital engineering program manager, stationed at Johnson Space Center. His writing will be part of the Lunar Codex. Courtesy Terry R. Hill This repository of work is meaningful because the first time we went in peace, Hill added. And this is the aggregation of the human spirit, of humanity. None of Hills writings incorporate the moon, though a few include traveling to Mars and the dwarf planet Ceres, located in the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. He sees the moon as the perfect training ground for that inevitable trip to the Martian planet. When I first got to NASA I had a button that said MARS OR BUST in the late 90s, he said. Ever since that time, its kind of been our plan to test our technology on the moon before going to Mars. In the meantime, Peralta just locked down works for that fifth Lunar Codex launch, which will include an anthology with one of Hills stories as well as another painting by DaLuz. The title of that next DaLuz piece destined for the heavens: Between Worlds. A new lawsuit filed in federal court argues that prohibiting nonlawyers from providing some legal advice violates the First Amendment. In North Carolina, as in most states, even advising someone on how to fill out a basic legal form can sometimes be considered the unauthorized practice of law a Class 1 misdemeanor. This suit, brought by the North Carolina Justice for All Project and the national Institute for Justice, argues that UPL laws unfairly restrict speech and deprive residents of opportunities for less expensive legal advice. Fundamentally, advice, no matter what subject its about, is speech, and its protected by the First Amendment, Paul Sherman, JFAPs lawyer, told The News & Observer. Attorney General Josh Stein is named as the defendant in the lawsuit, with plaintiffs asking the court to block him from enforcing parts of the states UPL prohibition. Trouble affording legal help For several years now, JFAP has pushed the State Bar and the legislature to relax UPL laws, potentially creating a limited licensing system that would allow paralegals and other legal experts to assist with eviction, restraining orders, divorce and other common legal issues. Instead of paying exorbitant retainers for bar-certified lawyers, the advocates say, people seeking advice could potentially pay smaller fees for help from people with limited licenses. JFAPs founders, Alicia Mitchell-Mercer and S.M. Kernodle-Hodges, are both Bar-certified paralegals who say they spent years seeing clients who were unable to afford the legal help they needed. I would constantly witness people calling in to schedule an appointment and hear their dismay at hearing that its going to cost $300 an hour to speak with a lawyer, Mitchell-Mercer, who currently serves as a project manager for a law firm in Charlotte, said. Kernodle-Hodges, who is a program coordinator for the Wake County Legal Support Center, said she is limited in how much help she can give clients for fear of breaking the states UPL laws. Im restricted in the legal support center for what I can share, what I can say, she said. ... I cant discuss statute. I have to be really specific, but not too specific as to appear that I am giving legal advice. What other states have done Since 2021, Kernodle-Hodges and Mitchell-Mercer have worked together to push for changes to UPL laws, noting that other states have had some success with expanding the legal industry. Some states, such as Arizona, have the position of legal document preparer, which allows nonlawyers to assist with basic legal forms, but still prevents them from giving legal advice. Washington State has limited license legal technicians, who are allowed to assist with family law matters without being Bar-certified lawyers. JFAP met resistance when trying to push these changes within the State Bar and the legislature, though. Mitchell-Mercer and Kernodle-Hodges served on a Bar committee that studied regulatory reform, including UPL changes, but it never led to substantive action. They later submitted a proposal to legislators, but were unable to find a lawmaker willing to sponsor a bill. Now, with the matter headed to court, JFAP aims to get a judge to rule that the states current UPL prohibition is unconstitutional, potentially creating a new limited licensing system in North Carolina. You wouldnt want to pay a surgeon to take your blood they have phlebotomists for that, Mitchell-Mercer said. So were just looking to be able to help people in those limited capacities where you dont need someone who is at the very top of the legal profession handing out full-service advice. North Carolina public schools continue to fall short on having the number of personnel needed to meet growing student mental health needs. A state report presented Wednesday shows that schools dont meet the nationally recommended ratios of school counselors, school nurses, school psychologists and school social workers. This comes at the same time that students are still recovering from pandemic learning loss and are experiencing a rise in mental health issues. Our students challenges around attendance, mental health and learning are interconnected and mutually reinforcing so they require a holistic and integrated response, said State Board of Education chair Eric Davis. I urge all of us to focus our energies on actions and solutions that can meet these challenges. Schools fall short of national ratios On Wednesday, the state board received the 2023 School Mental Health Policy Report, which included school staffing ratios as of 2022. According to the report: Theres one school nurse for every 833 students instead of a nurse at every school.. Theres one school psychologist for every 1,979 students instead of for every 500 students. Theres one school counselor for every 361 students instead of for every 250 students. Theres one school social worker for every 1,033 students instead of for every 250 students. Having enough support personnel will help reduce chronic absenteeism, according to Ellen Essick, the state Department of Public Instructions section chief for healthy schools. She said it will also allow teachers to spend more time on instruction instead of being asked to do mental health checks. When we have the right people in place, teachers can do their jobs, Essick told the state board. Its part of that whole school, whole child framework where everybody needs to be involved for students to be successful. Melissa Plum, a social worker at Lynn Road Elementary School in Raleigh, packs book bags with food for students in the Backpack Buddies program in this 2015 file photo. North Carolina schools dont meet nationally recommended ratios for school social workers. Wheres the money for more staff? Theres been some increased state funding for additional school instructional support positions in recent years. Schools have also used federal COVID aid to hire more mental health staff.. But its unclear if schools will ever reach nationally recommended staffing ratios. Most school districts have plans to hire additional support personnel, according to Essick. But she told the state board it all comes down to what the schools can fund. Theyre doing the best they can with what they have, Essick said. The plan developed by an education consultant in the long-running Leandro school funding lawsuit calls for providing enough funding to meet the staffing ratios for nurses, counselors, social workers and psychologists. But the Leandro plan is up in the air after the state Supreme Court blocked a trial judges order to fund the plan. The courts Republican majority will hear arguments in February about whether to reverse the prior Democratic majoritys order allowing the money transfer. In this 2012 file photo, school nurse Patty OBrien examines a student at Ballantyne Elementary School in Charlotte. North Carolina falls short of the nationally recommended ratio for school nurses. Mental health issues rising The past few years have seen multiple reports and statistics showing North Carolina youth are undergoing a mental health crisis. The percentage of high school students who reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness rose from 28% in 2011 to 43% in 2021. The percentage of high school students who seriously considered attempting suicide during the past 12 months rose from 19% in 2019 to 22% in 2021. The percentage of female high school students who seriously considered suicide rose from 15% in 2011 to 30% in 2021. A lawsuit filed by a dozen North Carolina school districts against social media companies says suicide rates for youth have increased 57% over the past decade, and emergency room visits for anxiety disorders have increased 117%. School-based health centers praised Essick said one way schools can address the needs of students is to open health centers. She highlighted the work of Wilson Area School Health Centers (WASH), a partnership of the countys school system and health department. WASH operates centers in three high schools and a middle school to serve school employees and students, with the permission of their parents. The centers provide healthcare services and is working on adding a mental health component. The Healthcare Foundation of Wilson has provided $1.65 million to help operate the centers. WASH should be something available to all students in all North Carolina schools, according to Lane Mills, superintendent of Wilson County Schools. It does make sense for our families and our students, Mills told the state board. Its been a huge way to keep teachers in schools, students in schools. On Dec. 13 the city of Chicago amended a bus safety ordinance, threatening to tow and impound buses that refuse to comply with the safety protocols by dropping passengers off late at night, or dropping migrant passengers off at a designated landing zone. In the weeks following, more than 5,000 migrants were dropped off in surrounding municipalities prompting several suburbs like Rosemont, Cicero and more recently Hinsdale, to pass similar ordinances cracking down on rogue buses. Since Dec. 14 the DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (OHSEM) tracked 72 buses dropping off 2,988 migrant passengers across the county leaving local authorities scrambling to organize transportation efforts to the designated landing zone in Chicago. The OHSEM has been the lead coordinator between DuPage, its communities and neighboring counties, DuPage County Board Chair Deborah Conroy said in an interview with Pioneer Press. So far, weve been very fortunate, weve had no incidents, you know, its all been done very, very well, Conroy said. Our partnership with the other collar counties emergency managers has been amazing, law enforcement, Metra police, everybodys working together. In an email response to questions from Pioneer Press, DuPage County officials said OHSEM is collaborating with local municipalities, police departments, Metra police, and its collar county and Chicago colleagues in keeping open lines of communication as buses arrive to ensure all asylum-seekers can get to Chicagos landing zone as quickly as possible. Illinois has a single landing zone for migrants at 800 S. Desplaines Street, near the citys Ogilvie Transportation Center, and Union Station where many of the migrants are sent to from the suburbs. This has become a humanitarian issue, Conroy said. These folks primarily, young families are on these buses, many of them get off at these Metra stations and dont even understand theyre not in Chicago yet, have to get on a train and then take the train into the city. The governor [of Texas] has chosen to play politics with peoples lives. According to DuPage County officials, all of the migrant bus arrivals have been unannounced. Gov. [Abbott], I think, premeditatedly planned this to try to cause chaos over the holidays, Conroy said, accusing the Texas Governor of targeting predominantly democratic areas. Conroy requested Gov. J.B. Pritzker supply the county with buses in the event someone is dropped off away from a metra station, but expressed concern over statewide coordination efforts. I dont think anybody, I dont think the press, I dont think the state, I dont think anybody knew what was going on here in DuPage County over the holidays. Since August 2022, when Texas began busing migrants to Chicago, the city has recorded more than 29,000 people and 636 buses arriving. The DuPage County Board has no plans to pass a similar ordinance as Chicagos, Conroy said. Its not the right thing to do; its not going to prevent folks from coming, its just going to create more chaos as to where theyre going to end up. Neri Oxman, a tenured MIT professor and the wife of billionaire Harvard donor Bill Ackman, plagiarized passages of her 2010 doctoral dissertation, a review by Business Insider claimed. Ackman relentlessly called for the resignation of Harvard President Claudine Gay over plagiarism allegations, tweeting that Students are forced to withdraw for much less. As it turns out, Oxman engaged in a similar pattern of plagiarism in her dissertation, according to Business Insider, plagiarizing from papers found in Nature, the Royal Society of London and a 1998 book published by Claus Mattheck, a German physicist. Oxman responded to Business Insiders story via X, formerly Twitter, saying she was double checking her work to determine if there are indeed any errors. When I obtain access to the original sources, I will check all of the above citations and request that MIT make any necessary corrections, she said. I regret and apologize for these errors. I was forwarded an email this morning from a reporter at Business Insider who noted that there are four paragraphs in my 330-page PhD dissertation: Material-based Design Computation, which I completed at @MIT in 2010,https://t.co/6LE1O4FiiL where I omitted quotation marks Neri Oxman (@NeriOxman) January 4, 2024 Read it at Business Insider Read more at The Daily Beast. Just days after it was taken off exhibit and as its external tank is scheduled for its brief return to flight, NASA's retired space shuttle Endeavour is heading under wraps. With the new year getting underway, the California Science Center in Los Angeles is expecting to complete its unprecedented "Go for Stack" campaign, ultimately taking Endeavour vertical to create the world's only exhibit of a fully authentic, 20-story-tall space shuttle as last seen on the launch pad. Endeavour, with its twin solid rocket boosters and external fuel tank, is set to become the star attraction of the science center's new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, which is slated to open in the next few years. "On Tuesday [Jan. 2], we are starting the work to remove the west wall of the pavilion where Endeavour had been on display for the past 11 years," said Jeffrey Rudolph, president and chief executive officer of the California Science Center, in an interview with collectSPACE.com. "The wall has to come off to move Endeavour out. It is the same way we moved her into the pavilion back in 2012." Related: 2nd rocket booster lifted into place for space shuttle Endeavour LA exhibit artist's rendering of a space shuttle inside a musuem Although the wall was designed to be removed, work must first be done to detach exhibit items and disconnect electrical connections. External Tank-94 (ET-94), NASA's last remaining space shuttle fuel tank built for flight, must also be moved from its temporary storage site on the south lawn of Exposition Park to make room for Endeavour to be rolled out. "We are also starting to prepare ET-94 for its move, which involves taking down the fencing and scaffolding that currently surrounds it," said Rudolph. The science center announced on Tuesday that is targeting Jan. 10 to begin the tank's move. The largest component of the space shuttle stack, the 154-foot-long (47 meters) orange tank will be loaded onto a self-propelled modular transporter for its relatively short trip from beside the California Science Center to the work site for the new air and space center. The 65,000-pound (29,500 kilograms) tank will then be hoisted by crane above the partially erected walls of the museum and then lowered between the exhibit's two solid rocket boosters, which were similarly installed in December. Unlike the boosters, though, the tank's lift will be conducted overnight, with first motion slated for sometime after 10 p.m. PST on Jan. 11 (12 a.m. EST or 0500 GMT Jan. 12), pending acceptable weather conditions and other safety concerns. a space shuttle's orange external tank sits outside surrounded by scaffolding "Once we go vertical, it is the point of no return. We have to finish it at that point," Dennis Jenkins, the project manager for the California Science Center's space shuttle Endeavour display, told collectSPACE. "We'll carefully monitor the weather. We won't lift until we're ready. And once we lift, we are there for the duration." Assuming everything goes as planned, the move and lift of Endeavour will follow a similar schedule of a multi-day transport and overnight lift in the coming weeks. First, though, the winged orbiter needs to be shrink wrapped. "We decided in the last minute literally, at the last minute to shrink wrap Endeavour," said Jenkins. "We're worried about her getting dirty. Our experience with the solid rocket boosters is that after a couple of days, they were filthy, which is to be expected on a construction site." "We decided that Endeavour would not appreciate that," he said. a space shuttle orbiter is wrapped in white plastic RELATED STORIES: Space shuttle Endeavour arrives at its new LA museum home Rocket booster parts arrive in LA to stand up space shuttle Endeavour exhibit NASA's space shuttle program in pictures: A tribute Unlike the metal walls of the boosters, which can be easily washed, cleaning the orbiter's heat shield tiles and thermal blankets is a more complicated ordeal. For the same reason, NASA covered space shuttle Atlantis in plastic after moving it into its display building at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. "Unfortunately, it will impact the visuals of the stacking because you won't see the orbiter the way a lot of people probably expect, but it will be much better for the vehicle. Endeavour will be a white blob as it gets lifted," said Jenkins. The shrink wrap, which will be added to Endeavour before it rolls out of its former display pavilion, will stay on the vehicle until after construction of the Oschin Air and Space Center is complete and work needs to get underway to configure the space shuttle for its public debut. Follow collectSPACE.com on Facebook and on Twitter at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2024 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved. This is a classic view of The Window in the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park Photography by Deb Snelson/Getty Images A 43-year-old adult male collapsed and was unresponsive during his stay at Chisos Mountains Lodge. The man was visiting Big Bend National Park with his family and was originally from Dallas. According to a press release by the National Park Service, Big Bend National Park's Communications Center received a call requesting emergency assistance on Sunday, Dec. 24 at approximately 2:45 p.m. A team of park rangers, park volunteers, and employees of the Chisos Mountains Lodge reached the patient within minutes and began to administer CPR. A helicopter was called in from Fort Stockton to provide emergency transport for the patient. Unfortunately, all efforts to resuscitate the patient proved unsuccessful. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dueling pronouncements by the leaders of the House and Senate Wednesday showed how Congress could be sleepwalking into a partial government shutdown later this month. At a much-hyped appearance at the Texas border with Mexico, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said House Republicans wanted their entire immigration restriction bill passed, even as, back in Washington, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), the Senate majority leader, said that wasnt going to happen. As the leaders first public remarks in the new year, they highlighted another emerging round of political chicken after Congress avoided possible shutdowns in October and November. In October, Democrats were willing to jettison needed military aid for Ukraine for a temporary funding bill, while in November, House Republicans coming off a bruising intraparty fight over who should be speaker, let Democrats carry a bill to fund the government. We want to get the border closed and secured first, and we want to make sure we reduce non-defense discretionary spending, Johnson told reporters at a press conference in Texas. While Johnson said there had been negotiations almost every day through holiday break, he also said in response to a separate question that House Republicans werent interested in seeing only portions of their immigration bill, H.R. 2, passed. H.R. 2 is the necessary ingredient. Why? Because it has provisions that fix each of these problems and these provisions work together, he said. In Washington, where a small group of senators and White House officials continue to try to negotiate a supplemental spending bill that would include border provisions as well as aid to Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region, Schumer warned House Republicans against overreach. If the House clings to H.R. 2, Schumer told reporters, Were not going to get a deal on the supplemental spending bill. He also made it clear his strategy is to get an agreement with Senate Republicans he hopes the House GOP will accept. We want to get the Senate to come to an agreement first, he said. While the supplemental bill with international military aid is a separate negotiation than the annual spending bills that need to be passed by Jan. 19, a delay in getting to agreement on the first could lead to the talks getting combined as the government edges nearer to a shutdown. There is an appetite among House Republicans to shut down the government as at least a sign of seriousness about stopping illegal immigration. Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), a member of the rightwing House Freedom Caucus, posted on social media, Congress must refuse to fund this corrupt administration unless the border is restored. #HR2. The agencies funded only through Jan. 19 include the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Energy, Transportation, Treasury, as well as Housing and Urban Development. In wrapping up his answer about whether House Republicans were willing to vote to shut down the government if there were no border changes, Johnson reiterated they want a secure border and to cut spending outside of the Pentagon. Too early to prejudge any of that, but Ill tell you were resolved on those priorities, he said. Related... Prince Andrew has once again made headlines as claims that he groped a womans breast at paedophile Jeffrey Epsteins home have been made public. Just days after his appearance on Christmas Day alongside King Charles III, he has been repeatedly named in a tranche of newly released documents, which allege that he had participated in an orgy with underage girls. The court evidence forms part of a 2015 defamation case brought by Virginia Guiffre against disgraced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, who procured girls for the disgraced financier to abuse. Andrew made a rare public appearance on Christmas Day with the royal family (AFP via Getty Images) The Duke of York has repeatedly denied the allegations, with Buckingham Palace previously saying that all accusations were categorically untrue. These latest revelations come after he appeared alongside the Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales and his two daughters at the annual Christmas service walkabout at Sandringham. Since stepping down from public life after his friendship with the convicted sex offender brought about a PR disaster for the monarchy, Andrew has made few public appearances but is believed to hold out hopes of a royal comeback. Speaking to The Independent, royal expert Richard FitzWilliams said the princes desire for a return to public life was hopeless, given that his presence causes ongoing embarrassment for the British monarchy. Andrew is in the headlines and once again it makes it very uncomfortable publicity for the royal family, he said. Part of this problem is his attitude generally towards royal life and life itself, simply because his outlook in past years has been so entitled. The royal family has a problem that just wont go away. He makes news whenever he appears. The Duke pictured with his accuser Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell (US District Court - Southern Dis) In 2019, he was cast out of the royal family and no longer uses his HRH title after Ms Guiffre, who had been trafficked by Epstein and Maxwell for sexual purposes, accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17. Evidence in the latest batch of documents to be released claims that one victim, known as Jane Doe #3 was forced to have sexual relations with this Prince when she was a minor in London, New York and Epsteins private island. Epstein instructed Jane Doe #3 that she was to give the Prince whatever he demanded and required Jane Doe #3 to report back to him on the details of the sexual abuse, it reads. Andrews friendship with the financier first came into scrutiny in 2011, after photographs emerged of the two walking in Central Park during a visit to New York, despite Epstein being convicted of child sex offences three years previously. Andrews disastrous Newsnight interview came days before he stepped down from public duties (BBC/PA) The first allegations by Ms Guiffre appeared in 2015, in which she claimed to have had sex with the prince on three occasions, including a trip to London in 2001 when she was 17 years old. She claimed that Epstein paid her $15,000 for the sexual encounter, and she was pictured with Andrew with his arm around her waist. Following Epsteins suicide in custody while awaiting trial, Andrew participated in a car crash interview with Emily Maitlis for BBC Newsnight, in which he said he did not regret their friendship given the useful opportunities it had provided. He denied having sex with Ms Giuffre by claiming he had been at PizzaExpress in Woking and that claims of him sweating while dancing were untrue due to him temporarily losing the ability to sweat after an adrenaline overdose during the Falklands War. Within days, Buckingham Palace announced he was suspending his public duties and was to step down from all 230 of his royal patronages. After he was sued by Ms Guiffre, who accused him of sexual assault, he settled the case out of court and is estimated to have paid 12m, with a signficant donation going to her charity for victims of abuse. Jeffrey Epstein killed himself while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges (EPA) In the latest twist, US Judge Loretta Preska ruled that documents relating to more than 170 people who were either associates, friends or victims of Epstein should be made public. They include the evidence of Johanna Sjoberg, who claims the prince touched her breast while she sat on his lap at the US billionaires Manhattan home. In her 2015 testimony, Ms Sjoberg said Maxwell called her to an upstairs closet, and showed her a puppet of the prince. I just remember someone suggesting a photo, and they told us to go get on the couch, she recalled. And so Andrew and Virginia sat on the couch, and they put the puppet, the puppet on her lap. And so then I sat on Andrews lap, and I believe on my own volition, and they took the puppets hands and put it on Virginias breast, and so Andrew put his on mine. With more documents due to be released in the coming weeks, Mr Fitzwilliam said that Andrews hopes for a royal return were delusional. The facts are, that in the court of public opinion, there is no confidence in him at all. Whereas he hasnt been convicted of anything, the popularity polls place him so low it barely exists. When Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley answered a question last week in which she stated that the American Civil War was fought over "government, rights and freedoms," she was correct. Yet, like most politicians, when she realized that the popular answer should have been "slavery," she modified her answer. She should have stood her ground. Hear me out. This column is hardly indifferent to slavery. Slavery is the most morally reprehensible institution in history. Far from being indifferent to the history of slavery, I embrace the two pillars of modern libertarian thought, both of which are antithetical to slavery. They are natural rights and the non-aggression principle. Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley campaigns in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she told the crowd that she was running for president: For my husband Michael and his military brothers and sisters. They need to know their sacrifice means something and that we do love our country. The former teaches that our rights come from our humanity, no matter where our mothers were when we were born, no matter what our skin color is, no matter our intellect or income, no matter what the government says. The latter teaches that all initiated aggression, whether by force or threat or deception, whether by individuals or groups or government, is morally illicit. Slavery profoundly violates both of these principles. It was and is Americas Holocaust. Yet, when it comes to the interrelationship between slavery and the American Civil War, most Americans have their history backward. Because it is nearly always written by the winners, history nearly always makes the winners look good. The American Civil War is no exception. Starting with its very inaccurate name, the war fought on American soil between Americans from 1861 to 1865 was not a civil war. A civil war is a violent contest for control of a central government. The War Between the States was not fought for control of the federal government. It was fought, like all wars, over power and wealth. No less an authority on the reasons for the war than Abraham Lincoln acknowledged many times during his presidency that the war was fought to preserve the union, not to eradicate slavery. This should come as no surprise to students of the era who have objectively studied it. That would exclude most of us whose grade-school education was in government schools. In government schools, we all learned that Lincoln freed the slaves. He didn't. They were freed by the 13th Amendment, which was ratified in December 1865, eight months after the war ended and Lincolns death. What about the Emancipation Proclamation? In government schools, we all learned that by that document, the slaves were set free. They weren't. The Proclamation did not have the force of law on civilians, as it was a military order issued to troops by Lincoln in his capacity as commander in chief so as to enable the Union Army to conscript slaves into the Army against their will from one form of slavery to another. Moreover, the Proclamation expressly prohibited the Army from interfering with slavery and thus preserving it in the five border states; fully one-third of the Confederacy. In government schools, we learned that Lincoln was anti-slavery. He wasn't. In the earliest days of his presidency, he championed the Corwin Amendment the Republican Congress's original 13th Amendment which Congress passed and sent on to the states. Had its ratification not been interrupted by the war, it would have enshrined slavery in the Constitution. The same Congress that moved to abolish slavery as soon as the war ended had moved to protect it before the war started; this is history bent and rewritten by the victors. In war, power means control of someone elses land and wealth means seizing someone else's assets. The initial verbal and military salvos in the war were over whether the states covetous of tariff revenues seized by the feds could voluntarily leave the union and resume collecting tariffs; hardly a novel concept at the time, but in a government school, you probably never heard this. Both Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the Declaration of Independence, and James Madison, who wrote the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, argued that the states can leave the union. And the ratifiers of the Constitution believed the threat of five of the initial 13 states to secede if a bill of rights were not quickly added to the Constitution. Jefferson's and Madison's arguments were twofold. First, they argued that the states never consented to congressional legislation that was unconstitutional and so the sword of Damocles threat of secession was baked into the Constitution so as to hang over Congress and thereby keep Congress within the confines of the Constitution, lest it lose states and their tax bases. Second, they argued that the decision to join the union was the voluntary choice of folks in the several states, and what they did voluntarily, they can undo voluntarily. Lincoln argued that when the states joined the union, something miraculous happened; and that miracle bound them to each other irrevocably and to the union "forever." This is sophistry. If the people cannot freely enact legislation that negates legislation previously freely enacted, then they are slaves to democracy by the dead. Slavery was the most radically immoral use of government power in the history of the world. But its history was long and deep, and its overwhelming evils were not fully acknowledged until well after the war was concluded. If you read the letters Union soldiers sent home during the war, they rarely mention slavery. They were preoccupied with killing fellow Americans in order to end the war and come home. Now, back to Nikki Haley. A wise answer would have stated that historians rarely agree on the causes of war, and wars look very different 150 years after they have ended than they do when facing the barrel of gun. But historically, she was correct all wars implicate freedom. History is made by its participants, but it is written by historians generations afterward. Not all of them are intellectually honest, and many want to shape the perception of the past in order to influence events in the future. No less a tyrannical war lover than Napoleon recognized this when he quipped that history is not a record of the events before us. History is what people think took place before us. Thinking people recognize that the causes of war are often many and ill-defined. But reasonable people should be able to disagree reasonably. And intellectually honest people should stand by their principles, though the heavens fall. Andrew P. Napolitano, a former New Jersey Superior Court Judge, has published nine books on the U.S. Constitution. To learn more, visit JudgeNap.com. Andrew P. Napolitano This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Nikki Haley, American history and intellectual honesty Nikki Haley was pressed on Fox News Wednesday to explain her recent failure to mention slavery when asked to state the cause of the Civil War. I want to visit this because its going to continue to come up. And the reason that it has is maybe you havent put it to bed yet, host Harris Faulkner said to the Republican presidential hopeful. The Fox News host pointed to criticism from Black conservatives and asked Haley, What have you learned? Haley claimed, What I should have said immediately was that the Civil War was about slavery. But I just assumed that that was a given. She brought up the fact that, when she was governor of South Carolina, she authorized the removal of the Confederate flag from statehouse grounds in 2015 after a racist mass shooting that killed nine Black churchgoers in Charleston. (She had been reluctant to address the issue for years prior, however, and had previously defended the flag). Really, the media is the only one that has talked about this issue, Haley added of her slavery omission. Harris pointed out, No, thats actually not true. Haley went on, insisting that not one person on the ground in New Hampshire or Iowa are talking about it. Ive done multiple town halls. That also isnt true. The day after the incident, a voter asked Haley a question, offering her an opportunity to redeem yourself after last nights slavery thing. Nikki Haley on her viral Civil War/slavery response: Really, the media is the only one that has talked about this issue. Fox News @HARRISFAULKNER: No, thats actually not true. Haley: Not one person on the ground in New Hampshire or Iowa are talking about it. pic.twitter.com/lMbYQROwNH The Recount (@therecount) January 3, 2024 That morning, following fierce backlash overnight, Haley had backpedaled, telling a New Hampshire radio station the Civil War was obviously about slavery. She also claimed the person who asked the question was a Democrat plant. Faulker acknowledged the plant accusation but suggested it was irrelevant, noting that Haley declined to cite slavery as the cause of the war even when prompted by the voter. Whatever, Faulkner said. Its a question put to you, and on a re-ask, what would you have me say about slavery was your answer. Haley said it was a mistake and her campaign was moving on. I should have said slavery, she said. I didnt do it. I immediately the very next day came out said, I was wrong. Ill do that. Were moving on. Related... Nikki Haley told New Hampshire voters they correct the Iowa caucus results, prompting criticism from her opponents. We have an opportunity to get this right, Haley said at a Jan. 3 campaign event in New Hampshire, according to The Citizen. And I trust every single one of you. You know how to do this. You know, Iowa starts it. You know that you correct it, Haley said. And then my sweet state of South Carolina brings it home. More politics news Will gas prices spike in US as cargo ships are attacked in Mideast? Experts weigh in Trump barred from Colorado ballot by court but do voters agree? What new poll shows Haley, the former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina governor, has gained momentum in the Granite State, surpassing Ron DeSantis for second place behind former President Donald Trump, according to FiveThirtyEight. Her movement continues to grow by the day, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, who endorsed Haley, wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. In response to Haleys comments, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds wrote in a post on X, I trust Iowans to make their own decisions. No corrections needed! Reynolds endorsed Ron DeSantis, who is currently polling in second place in Iowa behind Trump, according to FiveThirtyEight. Haleys closing argument is insulting Iowans by saying their votes will need to be corrected, Andrew Romeo, a DeSantis campaign spokesperson, wrote in a post on X. Meanwhile, Ron DeSantis is closing strong in Iowa by outworking and outorganizing the competition day in and day out, Romeo added. DeSantis has bet big on Iowa, traveling to all of the states 99 counties, according to the Iowa Capital Dispatch. Haleys comments come just days before the Iowa caucuses, which take place on Jan. 15, followed by the New Hampshire primary, scheduled for Jan. 23. Historically, New Hampshire residents have been more likely to vote for the eventual Republican nominee than Iowans, according to NPR. Since 1976, five GOP nominees have won the New Hampshire primary, while three have won the Iowa caucuses, according to the outlet. Nikki Haley as Trumps VP? She doesnt reject idea, says they worked well together With 2024 primaries looming, heres how Biden, Trump and challengers are performing Cities saw historic drop in homicides in 2023, data tracker says. Numbers are clear WASHINGTON (AP) Nikki Haley's rivals for the Republican presidential nomination are ratcheting up their attacks on her as Iowa's first-in-the-nation voting draws closer. The barbed news releases, attack ads and amped up back-and-forth come as the former South Carolina governor and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis battle for a distant second place to former President Donald Trump with less than two weeks until Iowa's leadoff caucuses. DeSantis and Haley each appeared on CNN Thursday night for separate town halls in Iowa. For months, Trump has trained his focus on DeSantis, who has long argued that hes the partys best chance at unseating Trump from atop the field. But in recent weeks, Trump's campaign has increasingly shifted its target to Haley, calling her a sellout and criticizing her stances on taxes and the U.S.-Mexico border. Her campaign on Thursday said Trumps attention to Haley, who served as his United Nations ambassador, reflects his concern that she is gaining on him. DeSantis, who is preparing to face off against Haley next week in their first one-on-one debate, jumped on Haley, too, for telling a roomful of likely voters Wednesday night in New Hampshire the first-in-the-nation GOP primary state that they would have the opportunity to correct the decision made by Iowa caucusgoers. The comment could signal that she not only doesn't expect to win Iowa but that she doesn't expect to place second to DeSantis. You know, Iowa starts it, said Haley. You know that you correct it ... and then my sweet state of South Carolina brings it home. DeSantis campaign called Haley's comments insulting to Iowa voters. In a radio interview Thursday, he said her characterization was disrespectful. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, who has endorsed DeSantis, posted on X, I trust Iowans to make their own decisions. No corrections needed! Asked by CNN Thursday night about her characterization of the caucuses and drawing an initial groan from the crowd Haley made light of her comments, saying the early states have a friendly rivalry, faulting politics for being too serious and too dramatic and pointing out, If I didnt love Iowa, I wouldnt keep coming to Iowa." DeSantis has also been critical of Haleys omission last week of slavery when a voter asked her about the causes of the Civil War a response she walked back 12 hours later. You know, I noticed that Nikki Haley has had some problems with some basic American history, DeSantis said last week in Iowa. Haley was asked again about her Civil War answer Thursday night, giving a wide-ranging response that ran from facing discrimination as a girl of Indian descent growing up in rural South Carolina to her push as governor that the state remove the Confederate battle flag from its Statehouse grounds. Moments later, DeSantis' campaign posted a clip on X with the comment, DAY 9 of Nikki Haley trying to clean up her Civil War gaffe. It also pointed to a quote from her response: I had Black friends growing up. Trumps conservative allies have recirculated an old clip of the then-South Carolina governor urging an audience not to reference people who entered the U.S. illegally as criminals." Those comments came a month after Trumps 2015 launch speech, in which he said immigrants from Mexico are bringing drugs and crime with them. Make America Great Again Inc., Trumps super PAC, sent out a release blasting Haleys 2015 border comments without pointing out when they occurred. In her presidential campaign, Haley has argued for more border security, visiting the U.S.-Mexico border and arguing that we need to do whatever it takes to actually stop this inflow of illegal immigrants." On Wednesday, Trumps campaign went up with an ad characterizing Haley as weak on immigration and lumping her in with President Joe Biden in opposing Trump's commitment to a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. In response, Haley's campaign sent out a fact check, pointing out that she had said in 2015 that more than a wall was needed to secure the border and that, as governor, she had fought to implement E-Verify. That program required South Carolina employers to substantiate workers' permission to work legally in the state something she has pledged to take nationwide if elected president. Haley's campaign said Trump's increasing focus on her showed that he was getting nervous. Donald Trump must be seeing the same Nikki momentum were seeing, and hes clearly threatened, spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas said. This is a two-person race between Nikki and Trump. ___ Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP ___ Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in Washington contributed to this report. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has filed a complaint against SpaceX, accusing it of unlawfully firing eight employees involved in writing a letter that called Elon Musk's behavior on social media "a frequent source of distraction and embarrassment." According to the filing, the company committed an unfair labor practice when it fired the workers for "engaging in protected concerted activity at work." It also accused SpaceX of interrogating at least one employee about the letter, as well as about the identities of their colleagues and the nature of their "concerted protected activity." In addition, the complaint said SpaceX created an "impression of surveillance" by showing an employee screenshots of a Signal group chat several employees were a part of. The open letter at the center of this case was calling out Musk's "harmful Twitter behavior" before he acquired the website now known as X. In particular, the employees raised concerns about the crude jokes he made on X about the sexual misconduct accusations against him, which SpaceX settled for $250,000. The letter asked the company to hold leadership accountable for their actions and to condemn harmful behavior. The employees involved in writing the letter circulated it within the company in mid-2022. According to The New York Times, SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell reprimanded them within a few hours of sending it out and told them to "stop flooding employee communication channels immediately." Five employees were reportedly fired the next day, and four others were fired over July and August. Only one of them didn't take part in filing the unfair labor practice complaint. "At SpaceX the rockets may be reusable, but the people who build them are treated as expendable," Paige Holland-Thielen, one of the fired employees, told The Times. "I am hopeful these charges will hold SpaceX and its leadership accountable for their long history of mistreating workers and stifling discourse." The case is slated to go before an administrative judge on March 5, though the company could settle before it takes place. If the NLRB decides that the company has violated labor laws, it can order SpaceX to reinstate workers and to give them appropriate backpay. SpaceX could appeal the decision to the board and then to a federal court, though, so it could be a long journey for the employees involved. Musk has been at odds with the NLRB for years through his other companies. The board previously accused X of illegally firing an employee who pushed back against his return-to-office policy. Meanwhile, Tesla has dealt with several NLRB complaints, including one accusing the automaker of illegally terminating employees in retaliation for union activity. No Labels, the centrist political group planning to offer a bipartisan unity ticket for the 2024 presidential election, may not actually have a Democrat on its ticket, one of its top leaders said in a video recording of a recent event that was obtained by HuffPost. One of the things weve also gotten asked about is theres, of course, Republicans, Democrats, theres also independents and their presence on the ticket, Ryan Clancy, chief strategist for No Labels, said in a Dec. 20 Zoom event titled Common Sense Talks With Ryan Clancy. And what if its a Republican and an independent? I think thats certainly possible, he said. Clancy was responding to an attendee who raised a concern shared by many Democrats as No Labels prepares to launch a third-party presidential candidate: They will function as a spoiler, taking Democratic and independent votes away from President Joe Biden and boosting presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump. Its clearly a touchy subject for the group, which for much of the past year has been fending off growing fears that it would tilt the election to Trump. Were not spoiling anything, former Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat who joined No Labels last year to coordinate efforts to get on state ballots, told The Guardian on Saturday. Nixon said at the Zoom event that the group has so far secured a slot for a No Labels presidential candidate on 12 of the 50 state ballots. Right now were on our way to moving forward, he told event attendees. And we will. But Clancys squishiness over which party or parties will even be on its ticket certainly suggests that No Labels is scrambling to figure out what, exactly, it will ultimately offer the American electorate. This comes after the group announced in November that it was abandoning its in-person presidential convention, originally set to kick off after Super Tuesday in March, and instead is opting to carry out its candidate selection process virtually, giving itself more time to sort itself out. And amid this vague sense of movement, it was clear from the December Zoom event that even No Labels supporters and financial backers are worried theyll end up helping Trump. Many of the questions that Clancy fielded were related to making sure that No Labels doesnt give Trump an advantage in November. One attendee, Will from Alabama, said for him it was absolutely the number one priority in 2024 that Trump not get reelected. Another attendee, Paula, said shed been a long supporter of No Labels but looking at the groups plans for a bipartisan ticket, she was having trouble trying to figure out how this is going to not reelect Trump. When an attendee named Martha asked Clancy about the idea of No Labels ditching its bipartisan unity ticket and instead putting up two center-right candidates to ensure that the group doesnt pull more votes from Biden than Trump she proposed two Republicans, Sen. Mitt Romney (Utah) and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley Clancy said that was a great question and a really interesting point that we should consider. We might end up with two independents on it in the end, he added. Another No Labels official on the call straight-up confessed that he is nervous about the group being a spoiler for Trump. Love everybody at No Labels, said John Leonard, the treasurer for No Labels in Raleigh, North Carolina. But I support what Will and Paula were saying earlier.... I really worry about the prospect of Biden losing support and Donald Trump being inadvertently elected in the Electoral College. Asked why No Labels wouldnt include a Democrat on its bipartisan unity ticket, Clancy told HuffPost on Wednesday that the group has always been open to other options. Nothing has changed, Clancy said in a statement. No Labels has said from the beginning our intent is to offer our ballot line to a unity ticket featuring a Democrat and a Republican, he said. But well be open to an independent being on the ticket if we think that gives the ticket the best chance to win. "We're not spoiling anything!" Jay Nixon of No Labels said in a recent interview about a third-party presidential candidate being, in effect, a spoiler for Donald Trump to win in 2024. But it sure looks like No Labels has moved its goalposts since it first touted its third-party ticket as an insurance policy if Biden and Trump end up being the 2024 nominees, in light of both being generally unpopular. The group has gone from promising a unity ticket with no commitment to which party would be at the top, to telling donors it would pick a Republican for president and presumably a Democrat for vice president to now opening the door to a Republican leading the ticket with an independent for vice president, or even two independents on the ticket. No Labels casts itself as nonpartisan and does not typically reveal its donors. But it has received significant funding from a prominent GOP megadonor, Harlan Crow, who also helped the group bring in more than two dozen other donors, according to the New Republic. Possible candidates for the group to back include former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), retiring Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and even former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang. Romney has ruled out joining the groups ticket. At Decembers Zoom event, Clancy did allow for the possibility that the group wouldnt run a candidate at all if it couldnt produce a ticket that it believes could win the 2024 election outright. We wont put up a ticket, Clancy said. It is only worth doing if you have got an absolute first-class ticket that can capture the imagination of the public. Related... Fire Chief Charles Hood confers with other staff members in attendance. A bond reduction hearing is scheduled for Thursday morning for Emond Johnson, accused of arson and murder in the death of San Antonio firefighter Scott Deem at Criiminal Magistrate court Thursday, July 18,2019 Ronald Cortes/Contributor SAFD Chief Charles Hood (right) join officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other local and health officials for a news conference regarding COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. The press conference acknowledged that one individual quarantined at JBSA-Lackland has been confirmed with the Coronavirus and has been hospitalized to treat the symptoms of the virus. None of the other quarantined individuals have been diagnosed with the illness according to officials. Kin Man Hui/Staff photographer Fire Chief Charles Hood address question on departments bid to become an accredited agency. The San Antonio Fire Department has been named a candidate by an international fire agency for a rare accreditation status. Currently, only 10 percent of the U.S. population is protected by agencies accredited through the Commission of Fire Accreditation International, an organization made up of 11 public safety agencies. Fire Chief Charles Hood and outgoing City Manager Sheryl Sculley will discuss the department's bid to become an accredited agency on Friday, February 1, 2019 at Public Safety Headquarters, 315 S Santa Rosa Ave, Ronald Cortes/Contributor Fire Chief Charles Hood speaks during the victim impact portion of the trial of Emond Johnson, the man accused of setting his gym on fire in 2017 which led to the death of firefighter Scott Deem Johnson plead guilty during hearing in front of Judge Kristina Escalona in the 186th District Court Tuesday afternoon. Robin Jerstad San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood repeatedly made comments about female genitalia, leading to a city investigation into his conduct and his decision Wednesday to retire in the face of possible termination, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Hood, who took the helm at the fire department in April 2007 and was the city's first African American fire chief, admitted to uttering a phrase on multiple occasions that included a vulgar word for a vagina, the sources said: "P---- always wins." The comments led to an outside investigation conducted by Rick Garza with the law firm Jackson Walker. City Manager Erik Walsh said the comments violated a city directive that prohibits employment discrimination, harassment and sexual harassment, in addition to fire department rules and regulations. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "The Chief admitted to making comments that are vulgar, disrespectful, and demeaning to women and disruptive to the professional operations of the SAFD," Walsh said in an email to fire department employees. "This conduct cannot be tolerated." Deputy Chief Christopher Monestier will temporarily be in charge of the department, Walsh wrote. An interim Fire Chief will be named next week, and a national search for a fire chief will follow. "The SAFD is recognized as a high performing team with more than 1,800 firefighters committed to public service," Walsh wrote in the email. "We all have the responsibility of conducting ourselves professionally exhibiting appropriate workplace behavior and language." Joe Jones, president of the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association, said in an email to union members that Hood left the department "in disgrace." He said Hood was "afforded the dignity of retirement in lieu of termination." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Mayor Ron Nirenberg, in a statement, said he supported Walsh's decision in pursuing an independent investigation into the comments. "The City of San Antonio should be an equitable, safe, and productive workplace, and I will continue to encourage staff to do all it can to achieve that goal," Nirenberg said. "No matter the department or environment, people will be treated with equal respect and dignity in our city. District 8 City Councilman Manny Pelaez said there is no place for "bad behavior that violates the handbook." "We have to set an example as professionals and set the tone, especially a city that espouses values of dignity and respect," he said. "Erik has had the unfortunate responsibility of having to police behavior that should not happen at the upper echelon of leadership. I believe that Erik exercised his judgment confidently." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Previous controversy This is not the first time that Hood has been reprimanded for conduct relating to women. In 2020, city officials found that Hood violated three city policies when he posed for photos with a mostly nude woman covered in sushi at a firefighters birthday party. In the photos, Hood is seen kneeling on the floor next to the woman lying on a table. The front of her body is partly covered in sushi, flowers and leaves. She does not appear to be wearing any clothes underneath the display. Hood, who was not wearing a uniform, holds a piece of sushi with chopsticks in his right hand in the photos. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I think I want me some tuna, Hood is heard saying in a live photo, a feature on iPhones. READ MORE: San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood defends posing for photo eating sushi displayed on nude woman The use of a nude female as a platter for sushi called body sushi or naked sushi is part of the Japanese practice of nyotaimori, which in recent years has been criticized for objectifying and degrading women. While Hood apologized at the time to anyone offended by the photos, he defended his decision to pose. It would be like me taking a picture with a flamenco dancer in Vegas or a Spurs dancer at Top Golf where the Spurs dancers happen to be, Hood said at the time, referring to a popular driving range and entertainment venue. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I think the majority of people in this community know my character, and Im a man of integrity, Hood said. And its just a picture. It was more or less a family event. So it was just completely painted wrong. An outside attorney hired by the city to investigate the circumstances surrounding the photographs said Hood clearly violated a department policy that prohibits employees from engaging in activities, both on and off duty, that create a negative public perception of the Fire Department. After the incident, Walsh sent Hood a letter of discipline, asking him to explain how he plans to handle future complaints about gender or racial discrimination. In response to Walshs directive, Hood said his staff would develop a training course on the value of different cultures and perspectives, establish a female mentoring program and expand recruitment initiatives directed at young ladies. The fire department is overwhelmingly male. In 2020, 89 of the department's 1,757 firefighters or 5.1 percent were women. Hood also emphasized at the time how all employees must treat each other with respect. He said he planned to adhere to the same standards. Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday appealed the Colorado ruling barring him from the states primary ballot to the Supreme Court. The Colorado Supreme Court last month found that Trump engaged in an insurrection on Jan. 6 and was barred from appearing on the ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment a post-Civil War provision barring insurrectionists from office. Trumps lawyers in a filing asked the U.S. Supreme Court to put his name back on the ballot, arguing it would "mark the first time in the history of the United States that the judiciary has prevented voters from casting ballots for the leading major-party presidential candidate. Trumps team called on the court to "return the right to vote for their candidate of choice to the voters, arguing that only Congress has the authority to determine who is eligible for the presidency. Trumps team also disputed that he engaged in insurrection, citing a "long history of political protests that have turned violent." Legal experts criticized Trumps filing starting with the very first line, which noted that it is a fundamental principle of the Constitution that the people should choose whom they please to govern them. No shame. No decency, tweeted former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance, alluding to Trumps own efforts to disenfranchise voters after his 2020 loss. This is, quite literally, the first thing Trump's lawyers write: it is a fundamental principle that the people should choose whom they please to govern them. No shame. No decency. https://t.co/waf83QzPQ9 pic.twitter.com/sLLEM8i6in Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) January 4, 2024 The sort of gall that the brief represents, it's really, I think, shocking, former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann, who served on special counsel Bob Muellers team, told MSNBC. It's really sort of beyond the pale and legally wrong. Donald Trump is charged with, essentially, disenfranchising, trying to disenfranchise 80 million people, Weissmann said. Conservative attorney George Conway went through the indictment on MSNBCs Morning Joe on Thursday. "This is a bizarre document, and I think it reflects the weakness of Trump's position, he said. "He is throwing stuff up at the wall, or throwing stuff up in a zoo cage, and seeing what would stick, Conway said, noting that Trump lacks real appellate advocates on his legal team and that the filing is effectively channeling Trumps narcissism. "The third reason, I think, is the fundamental weakness of his position. The fifth point in this brief, point five, Roman numeral five, is he didn't engage in insurrection. It is not number one. The reason is, it's because his arguments are very, very weak. If you look at the question in terms of President Trump should be removed from the ballot, it's kind of a shocking notion to those of us who haven't lived, until now, in an era where public officials engage in insurrection. But it was familiar to the people who enacted the 14th amendment, he said. "When you go through the issues one by one by one, the way lawyers are supposed to, his case looks terrible," he added. CNN legal analyst Elie Honig, a former federal prosecutor, noted that Trumps argument that he did not engage in insurrection is a weak argument. First on the facts but second, the Supreme Courts not going to touch that, he said. Theyre not a fact-finder, they dont do trials. They generally wont make that kind of finding. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Honig said it is unclear how the court might look at Trumps arguments that the matter should be left to Congress or that he was not given due process in the Colorado case. "And then the fourth argument is this claim that the term 'officers,' as it's used in the insurrection clause, doesn't include the president. I tend to side with Colorado and [the plaintiffs] on that one. You can carve that up linguistically either way but just [on] common sense, how could it not apply to the president? Honig questioned. "All of this is new whatever happens here, we're all going to learn together." 1.3.24 915 PM CNN's @kaitlancollins w/ CNN contributor and Former Nixon White House Counsel @JohnWDean and CNN Senior Legal Analyst @eliehonig Topic: Insurrection 101 (5 Minutes) pic.twitter.com/fJnpjT1Kau Jeff Storobinsky (@jeffstorobinsky) January 4, 2024 A North Carolina pastor was taken into custody and later released on bond following a brutal assault of a McDonalds employee who allegedly disrespected his wife, a manager-in-training at the fast-food restaurant. The incident unfolded after the ministers wife called her husband and complained that her co-workers were teasing her on the job. A police report states that on Thursday, Dec. 28, Dwayne Waden, 57, came to his wife Latoya Wadens workplace in High Point, North Carolina. The couple says the husband told her to get her stuff and clock out so they could leave. Dwayne Waden was charged after attacking a McDonalds cook who he claimed disrespected his wife. (Photos: Getty Images/Facebook/ Dwayne Waden ) Then, he claims, he saw the cook on duty follow her and continue to disrespect his wife, which prompted Waden to confront him. Based on eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage, authorities report that the High Point resident placed his hands around the cooks neck, pushed the cooks head toward the deep fryer, and proceeded to punch him in the face multiple times. Other McDonalds employees prevented further harm by stepping in and pulling Waden away from the cook. As a result of the incident, the victim sustained a large contusion to the forehead and right eye, along with scratches on his neck, police reported, according to CBS News. When EMS arrived, they checked out the victim over. Despite his injuries, he was not taken to the hospital. The Elevated Life International Ministries pastor, Dwayne Waden, was apprehended by the High Point police and charged with assault. He was later released on a $1,000 bond. The couple characterizes the incident as stemming from workplace mistreatment directed at Wadens wife, who began working at the South Main Street McDonalds in May 2023. She went to the back to get her keys. When she went to the back to get her keys, a gentleman came from behind, which was a manager, mouthing off at me and disrespecting my wife, Dwayne said to WFMY News. Adding, I approached him and said, What youre not going to do is disrespect my wife in front of me. When I did that, he got in my face. When he got in my face, I pushed him, and when I pushed him, he grabbed me, so when he grabbed me, we went to tussling and stuff of that nature, and the floor was real slippery, so I kind of bear hug him, and when I bear hug him, he punched me in the back of my head. When he punched me in the back of my head, I commenced to swinging, the pastor continued. The McDonalds fired the wife. The owner of the franchise said in a statement, The safety and security of our employees and customers is our top priority. He added that he was appalled by this act of violence in his establishment, and he and his staff are cooperating with the authorities regarding the incident. Waden, who also works as a semi-truck driver according to his Facebook, says his intent was just to get his wife and leave the place, but things regretfully went too far. This is a learning experience going forward. Dont let people pull you into their chaos moving forward - just walk away, he said. Student rally in support of a ceasefire in Gaza at UTSA on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas. At noon, students walked out of classes in solidarity with Palestine. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News The San Antonio City Council wont take up a Gaza cease-fire resolution at its first meeting of the year, as had been expected, and instead will push the vote to February. Mayor Ron Nirenberg notified council members of the change, requested by District 8 Council Member Manny Pelaez, on Wednesday. I will work with the city manager to schedule the special meeting for a date to be determined in February, Nirenberg wrote in a memo to council. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Council was expected to debate and vote on a one-sentence resolution on Jan. 11. The resolution was to read, at least in part: The City of San Antonio is calling for an immediate and permanent cease-fire in Israel and Palestine and the return of all hostages immediately, according to a copy that Pelaez provided to the Express-News. Pelaez, District 2 Council Member Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and District 5 Council Member Teri Castillo had requested a Jan. 11 special council meeting to take action on the resolution. Pelaez, a likely mayoral contender in 2025, said he sought the delay to allow time for San Antonios Jewish, Palestinian and Muslim communities, among others, to air their concerns. He said he has been contacted by the Jewish Federation of San Antonio, the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio and area imams. Some people have expressed frustration and anger and all spectrums of emotion because one, they believe that City Council shouldnt be dipping its toe into geopolitical issues, Pelaez said. Two, they feel like the conversation is too difficult, too painful and too raw for us to take up. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Some are concerned that the draft resolution doesnt condemn Hamas, Pelaez said. Others want it to condemn Israel. Castillo and McKee-Rodriguez were the earliest supporters on council of a cease-fire resolution. Castillo said Pelaez sought to delay the vote to ensure that he would be present for it. In a Dec. 22 email to the mayor asking that the special meeting be pushed back to February, Pelaez noted that he would be out of town for much of January. I respect that, and I want to ensure that all council members are present to have this really important discussion regarding the need for a cease-fire between Israel and Palestine, Castillo said. McKee-Rodriguez did not return a request for comment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Moureen Kaki, a co-founder of San Antonio for Justice in Palestine, helped Pelaez craft the resolution language. Kaki said SAJP wasnt formally notified by Pelaez, the mayors office or anyone else on council about the delay. The delay doesnt impact people who are opposed to this and people who are for this resolution in the same way, Kaki said. For people like myself who are for this resolution passing, every day that this gets delayed is another day that we have to, as Palestinians, endure watching our people go through a genocide to the silence of our City Council members and to the inaction of our federal government. Kaki worries the delay will give opponents of a cease-fire resolution more time to rally council members to vote against it. Nammie Ichilov, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio, urged the council last month to reconsider passing such a resolution. In the nearly three months since Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people, Israels bombardment of cities, towns and refugee camps across the Gaza Strip has killed more than 22,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Ministry of Health. About 70% of those killed are women and children, the ministry has said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad City councils in Atlanta, Detroit, Oakland and Seattle, among other cities, have passed cease-fire resolutions. If San Antonio follows suit, it will be the largest U.S. city to do so, Kaki said. For the people who think this is irrelevant for City Council to do, I would ask them to consider that there is a symbolic meaning of having the seventh-largest city in the United States put out of a call for a cease-fire, Kaki said. Wed also be the first city in Texas to do it, too. The push to get the council to adopt a cease-fire resolution is an act of desperation after efforts to pressure the U.S. government to call for an immediate halt to Israeli bombing of Gaza have gone nowhere. In early December, the United States vetoed a United Nations resolution backed by almost all other Security Council members, as well as dozens of other countries, demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. This is sort of a last-ditch effort for San Antonians to say, were trying to find every avenue of pressure possible to get our government to do something about this, Kaki said, and this includes having our city representatives speak for the constituents who want to see the cease-fire happen. WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) Officials celebrated the completion of a traffic project in Williamson County Thursday morning. Williamson County and Liberty Hill Independent School District officials held a ribbon-cutting to mark the completion of the County Road 258 extension. The project constructed a new two-lane roadway from US Highway 183 to Sunset Ridge Drive and included a connection at Questa Trail, according to the county. Officials celebrate completion of County Road 258 extension project (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) Officials celebrate completion of County Road 258 extension project (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) Officials celebrate completion of County Road 258 extension project (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) Officials celebrate completion of County Road 258 extension project (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) Officials celebrate completion of County Road 258 extension project (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) Officials celebrate completion of County Road 258 extension project (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) Officials celebrate completion of County Road 258 extension project (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) Officials celebrate completion of County Road 258 extension project (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) The contractor, Joe Bland Construction, started the project in December 2022. The project cost $5.8 million and was funded by voter-approved road bonds and $670,000 by Liberty Hill ISD for turn lanes at the proposed high school. Developer Bruce Nakfoor also contributed two acres of right-of-way to the project. This completed roadway is an example of a great partnership and will make access between US 183 and Ronald Reagan more efficient and also provide better access to Liberty Hill ISDs Legacy Ranch schools, Precinct 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. An Ohio law allowing people to carry concealed guns without training or permits hasn't immediately led to increased violence in the streets or more injured police officers, a new study found. In June 2022, Ohio allowed individuals 21 and older to carry concealed firearms without taking a class or obtaining a permit. Republican lawmakers passed the changes and GOP Gov. Mike DeWine signed it into law over the objections of law enforcement, Democrats and mayors. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican, said a new study from his office and Bowling Green State University examining crimes involving firearms shows Ohio's new concealed carry law isn't the problem. "The surest takeaway is that it didn't really have an impact on gun violence," Yost said in an interview. "Implementation of constitutional carry did not cause an uptick in gun violence as was predicted by several local mayors." However, many local leaders remain concerned that changes to state law, including concealed carry, have made firearms more accessible, easier to buy and sell and harder to get out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them, said Keary McCarthy, executive director of the Ohio Mayors Alliance. What was the impact of Ohio's concealed carry changes? The Center for Justice Research study reviewed data on crimes involving firearms, technology that records shots fired and instances of police officer injuries and deaths in eight of the state's largest cities. The study did not look at suicides involving firearms because the data were inconsistent, Center for Justice Research Director Melissa Burek said. "In sum, our observations of the trends pre- and post-PCL (permitless carry law) lead us to surmise that to date, the effects of the PCL are minimal on crime rates involving firearms, number of shots detected, and law enforcement officer injuries and deaths and generally show a decrease," researchers wrote. Other findings included: Crimes involving firearms declined significantly in Akron, Columbus and Toledo between June 2021 and June 2023. The rate of gun crimes increased slightly in Cincinnati and Dayton during that time. The law changed in June 2022. The concealed carry law change did not appear to have "any appreciable effect" on law enforcement injuries or deaths in those eight cities. The study had some limits, including the length of time reviewed (one year before and after the law took effect) and its scope (suburban and rural areas were not part of the study). The study did not account for other factors that could have impacted the numbers, such as policies or programs the cities implemented. Its going to take a little bit more time, from a research standpoint, to really see and obviously control for some other factors that might be coming in there, Burek said. It also takes time for Ohioans to realize laws have changed and adjust accordingly, she said. "A more informative analysis would be to examine the impact of state law changes over a longer period of time on access to firearms across all demographic groups," said McCarthy with the Ohio Mayors Alliance. "And to determine if there are any corollaries between firearm access and gun death rates in Ohio. We welcome the opportunity to work together on such an analysis." However, Yost said the study was long enough to draw this conclusion: "The change in the law didn't create a Wild West. Society and human beings will continue to change over time, and I think it's worth continuing to watch this." Nationwide, research is mixed on the impact of concealed carry laws, the Ohio researchers noted. A recent analysis from the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions suggested that dropping concealed carry training and permits led to an increase in gun assaults. What comes next? Both Yost and the mayors can agree that gun violence remains a problem in Ohio. "The takeaway from this needs to not be that gun violence isn't a problem," Yost said. "It's a big problem and it needs to be addressed." Yost said one solution is mandatory prison time for convicted felons found with guns they are prohibited from having. "You are now a two-time lawbreaker and you have a gun. It is a very reasonable thing to say that we should keep you off the streets." Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. Get more political analysis by listening to the Ohio Politics Explained podcast This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: AG Dave Yost: Ohio concealed carry law 'didn't create a Wild West' The State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio serves nearly 493,000 active, inactive and retired Ohio public educators. STRS Ohio is one of the largest public pension funds in the country. (Columbus Dispatch photo by Doral Chenoweth III) Photo taken Dec. 26, 2018. Ohio's second largest public pension system put its director on leave, is fielding hundreds of public records requests from a mysterious entity and faces another pivotal board election in 2024. In November, an anonymous letter purporting to be from State Teachers Retirement System employees accused Executive Director Bill Neville of bizarre, harassing and violent behavior. The Ohio Attorney General's office, which represents state pension funds, hired an outside firm to investigate the allegations. A report is expected as soon as February. Neville's attorney, Rex Elliott, said in a written statement: "There is no truth to the allegations in the letter which is likely why the author did not disclose their name. If there was any truth to the allegations the person who wrote the letter would have come out of the shadows and filed a legally protected complaint to Human Resources. Bills personnel file and his record at STRS plainly demonstrate that this is nothing more than an attempt to force Mr. Neville out of STRS." Who is Bill Neville? STRS hired Neville more than 19 years ago, named him chief legal officer in 2018 and appointed him as executive director in 2020. The board twice granted one-year contract extensions for Neville so his job as executive director runs through June 2027. His annual salary is $318,000. A review of his personnel record, obtained through a public records request, shows he consistently received positive job performance reviews. Absent from the lengthy file are any records alleging misconduct until the anonymous letter emerged. William J. Neville The letter comes at a time when the 11-member board is divided over Neville's leadership. In February 2023, the board deadlocked 5-5 over a no confidence vote in Neville. Board comments on Neville's 2021 performance evaluation praised him for improving communications and called him a "consummate professional." But things took a turn in his 2022 and 2023 reviews where board member comments showed a deep division over whether Neville is the right leader for the pension fund. "Members are angry for the most part and demand change. It is beyond repair with the current leadership," one commenter said in the 2023 review. Another commenter said: "Bill knows his true north as it relates to his responsibility to this system and the people it serves. He is unwavering in that regard. I highly rate his performance and his strategic acumen in the face of naysayers and tough economic times." Anonymous records requests flood pension fund The state's five public pension systems are subject to Ohio's open records laws that allow people to request records without identifying themselves or giving a reason why they want the information. Since Sept. 9, 2022, STRS received 328 requests from an anonymous emailer that uses the handle "UhOhSPGo," according to the pension fund's public records log. That makes up 54% of the 608 requests received by STRS during that time period, according to the log. UhOhSPGo wanted a variety of records, such as public records and visitor logs, Neville emails, board election results and meeting attendance, senior staff evaluations, and other items. An email sent to the address did not prompt a reply. In 2022 and 2023, STRS received 782 records requests, up from 237 in 2020 and 2021. Teachers to pick board member this spring The board is a combination of elected and appointed trustees. Activists have been mounting a board takeover, electing board members who are more sympathetic to their complaints about transparency, senior leadership, staff bonuses, and the suspension of the cost-of-living allowances for retirees. The activist faction was on the brink of holding a majority of the seats. But Gov. Mike DeWine tipped balance of power on the board when he removed his appointee, Wade Steen, and replaced him with G. Brent Bishop prompting Steen to file a lawsuit. This spring, teachers will elect a fellow teacher to the board seat currently held by STRS Board Chairman Dale Price. Price hasn't said if he's seeking reelection. Teacher unions and retiree groups are expected to endorse candidates. "We're looking for someone who'll do their homework, ask questions and push the system to restore benefits in a fiscally responsible way," said Melissa Cropper, president of the Ohio Federation of Teachers. Brunswick City School District high school government teacher Michelle Flanigan is circulating petitions to run for the seat. She declined to comment on her goals for STRS until after she is interviewed by interest groups, including the Ohio Federation of Teachers. STRS Ohio said members who pull petitions to run for board seats is confidential until the paperwork is filed. How did STRS get to this point? The discontent has been building for a decade. In 2012, legislators approved a pension reform package that required public employees to work longer for fewer benefits. Starting in 2013, STRS retirees received lower cost-of-living allowances and then in 2017, the cost-of-living allowances stopped. The cuts were made to help shore up the pension fund. A one-time cost-of-living allowance of 3% was restored beginning in July 2022 but it's still not back to what retirees want. Ohio Retirement for Teachers Association and STRS Watchdogs became very active and vocal about the fund's management. They paid $75,000 for an outside consultant to comb through STRS records and write a highly critical report. And they helped elect new members to the STRS board. Dean Dennis of ORTA and the watchdogs said they want board members who are prudent and responsive to the teachers and retirees. "It's sad that the board is divided. We certainly need to be putting our energies toward making the system work for its members," Dennis said. Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. Get more political analysis by listening to the Ohio Politics Explained podcast This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: STRS Ohio pension fund faces pivotal election, investigation Jeremy Douthit, 36, was arrested and charged in the shooting death of Jorge Armando Espinosa, 31, after police found the body dumped in Medina County. Medina County Sheriff's Office A San Antonio man confessed to killing a 31-year-old man and dumping his body in Medina County, according to authorities. According to the Medina County Sheriffs Office Facebook, Jeremy Douthit, 36, has been charged with murder and abuse of a corpse. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Medina Sheriff Randy Brown said the body of Jorge Armando Espinosa was found with three gunshot wounds shortly before 2 p.m. Dec. 27 off the side of County Road 371 in West Bexar County. During the investigation, authorities were led to Douthits San Antonio address, where he later confessed to shooting and killing Espinosa, the post states. District 6 Councilmember Melissa Cabello Havrda offers comments during a City Council special session in Council Chambers on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas. Thursdays meeting was councils last work session ahead of the Dec. 7 vote on a proposed increased CPS rate. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News District 10 Council Member Marc Whyte drove City Council colleague Melissa Cabello Havrda home from a North Side restaurant on Friday night about two hours before he was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated. He seemed normal to me, said Cabello Havrda, who has represented District 6 on the West and Northwest sides since 2019. I wouldnt have got in the car with him if I thought there was any impairment. She and the first-term council member had visited El Mirasol, a popular Mexican restaurant at the upscale Alon Town Centre shopping and dining center on the North Side, and nearby Myrons Prime Steakhouse that night. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Her comments to the San Antonio Express-News differed from a previous account provided by her chief of staff, Victor Landa. Hed said the council member spent time with Whyte only at El Mirasol, and he didnt mention that Whyte had driven her home. It was just a miscommunication, she said. Whyte, 43, was arrested shortly after 11 p.m. An officer with the San Antonio Police Departments DWI unit pulled the council member over after seeing him driving erratically in the eastbound lanes of the Northeast Loop 410 access road just south of San Antonio International Airport. According to a police affidavit, Whyte told the officer he had consumed three beers that night: one at El Mirasol, a second at Myrons next door and another at the Thirsty Horse Dance Hall & Saloon. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Whyte also told the officer that he was sober, the affidavit says. He was released from the Bexar County Jail early Saturday. His bail was set at $2,000. A court hearing is scheduled for Jan. 30. A night out Cabello Havrda, who has said she intends to run for mayor in 2025, said she arrived at El Mirasol between 4 and 5 p.m. Whyte arrived later. He said he landed at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston after a family trip in Australia at 10:30 a.m. He drove back to San Antonio and got to town around 3:30 p.m. before meeting Cabello Havrda and others at El Mirasol between 5 and 5:30 p.m. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cabello Havrda said she, Whyte and a few other companions whom she declined to identify walked over to Myrons at one point for food and drinks, then returned to El Mirasol. Both restaurants are part of Alon Town Centre on Northwest Military Highway. When they got back to El Mirasol, the friends made plans to go to the Thirsty Horse, which is also on Northwest Military Highway, a little more than a mile south of the two restaurants. But Cabello Havrda, who said she was tired and not feeling well because of allergies, wanted to go home. Knowing she might drink, she had taken an Uber to the restaurant. Whyte said Cabello Havrda felt sick, wasnt in a position to drive and asked me to drive her home. I dont want any of the blame for this to be placed on Councilwoman Havrda, the Northeast Side council member said. It was my decision to drive, and I did so because I did not feel intoxicated. I shouldnt have driven. But again, that was my choice. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Both he and Cabello Havrda are attorneys. She said she wasnt sure what Whyte ate or drank. For her part, she said she had one drink, likely a gin and tonic, at El Mirasol and another at Myrons. Cabello Havrda said shed never visited El Mirasol before that night and that she was meeting up with old friends and Whyte. Whyte dropped her off at her home between 9 and 9:30 p.m. Advertisement Article continues below this ad District 1 Council Member Sukh Kaur was also at El Mirasol on Friday night, though with a different group. She said she talked with Whyte for a whole 30 seconds. Kaur said she was home by 7 p.m. for a holiday dinner with her staff. All three serve on City Councils Public Safety Committee, which handles policies related to fire and police protection. Cabello Havrda is the committees chair. Erika Prosper, Mayor Ron Nirenbergs wife and the senior director of customer insights at H-E-B, was also at El Mirasol that night. But she wasnt part of Whytes group; she was having dinner and exchanging presents with friends of hers, according to Bruce Davidson, Nirenbergs communications director. Cabello Havrda and Kaur stopped her table by to say hello, but Prosper had no interaction with Whyte. Nirenberg was not at the restaurant. I spoke with Councilman Whyte and appreciate his willingness to immediately acknowledge his behavior, but his actions cannot be condoned, the mayor said in a statement earlier this week. Representatives of the public should be held to a higher standard and a further course of action will be determined once more details of the case come to light. However, Nirenberg hasnt said whether hell seek to reprimand the District 10 council member. City Council likely will discuss Whytes actions in a closed-door meeting next week. Whytes predecessor in District 10, Clayton Perry, drank 14 alcoholic beverages in four hours at a North Side bar on Nov. 6, 2022, and then crashed his Jeep Wrangler Rubicon into a Honda Civic and fled the scene, according to police. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Oregon State Police are asking for the publics help identifying a serial road-sign vandal that cut down at least 9 different signs along US 97, OR 218 and OR 293 sometime between Dec. 15 and 20. The removed signs were found discarded on Highway 293 near milepost 3. A photo of the recovered road signs shows that most of them were removed with clean cuts made to the signs metal posts. OSP Captain Kyle Kennedy told KOIN 6 News that investigators are unsure about the type of tool used during the vandalism spree. DRUNKY, URM0MM: Every personalized license plate rejected by the Oregon DMV in 2023 Most of the damaged signs were cut clean from their metal and wood poles. (OSP) Fixing the damaged Oregon Department of Transportation signs is expected to cost $500 per sign. Anyone who may have information about the crimes is asked to contact OSP. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Former U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores is running to retake the South Texas seat that she initially won in a June 2022 special election. LM Otero, STF / Associated Press In a bizarre microscandal that some have dubbed GrubGate, a former GOP congresswoman who is running for her old seat in South Texas is being accused of routinely stealing photos of Mexican food from other social media accounts and passing them off as her own cooking. Earlier this week, Mayra Flores, the first Mexican-born woman to serve in Congress, posted a photo on social media that she described as gorditas de masa with the caption, the Ranch life with family is the best. Soon after, a user on X, formerly known as Twitter, pointed out that that the image was previously posted on a Facebook page, Visit Guyana, in March 2022. Others said the food in the photo was not gorditas de masa. That prompted the conservative website Current Revolt to dig further into Flores social media accounts, where they found numerous other posts in which Flores used others photos of campfire cooking or homemade tortillas to illustrate her own idyllic life on a ranch. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As a proud Latina who knows how to cook, homemade Mexican food tastes better from a gas stove, she wrote alongside one photo of eggs and tortillas on what appears to be a wood-burning stove. The photo was initially posted on Facebook in 2021 by a Spanish-language magazine. The Tribune separately reviewed Flores Instagram and found at least two such instances in the last year, including one post from July in which she shared a photo of meat and tortillas on a grill with the caption, Joe Biden is not invited to the carne asada in both English and Spanish. A reverse image search found that the exact photo was posted a year prior by a Facebook page for tourism in Tamaulipas the state in Mexico where Flores was born. In another post, she praised the simple things in life like a good breakfast alongside a photo that was first published two years ago by a Mexican food photographer. In a text message on Wednesday, Flores said it wasnt her intention to mislead. The photo simply reminded me of my upbringing in Mexico and childhood, she said. I deleted the tweet to clear up any confusion. I actually spend my Christmas at ranch with my In-Laws. Happy New Year! Advertisement Article continues below this ad Asked to specify which of the photos she was referring to, Flores suggested that the Tribune focus on the border crisis. She also changed her handle on X amid the criticism and has been blocking people on social media throughout Tuesday and Wednesday who have accused her of falsely passing the photos of cooking off as her own. The George Santos of the (Rio Grande Valley), wrote the campaign for U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, whom Flores is currently challenging. Transport development brings convenience, prosperity to rural China People's Daily Online) 13:30, January 04, 2024 Shen Xiuqiao is a bridge builder who works at the construction site of the Zangke River bridge, a section of the Nayong-Qinglong Expressway in southwest China's Guizhou Province. The Zangke River bridge is expected to slash travel time between the two banks of the river from one hour to just one minute after it is completed. Shen said his name carries the high expectations that his father has for the local transportation. The Chinese characters xiuqiao in Shens name mean "building bridges" in English. Shen said that his father hoped that one day a bridge can be built to make it convenient for local villagers to travel, adding that his father's dream has now come true, and the lack of a bridge that could make life easier for local residents has become a thing of the past. Guizhou, the only province in China without plains, is renowned for its towering mountains and deep valleys. The formidable terrain has historically posed obstacles to travel, and the outdated transport infrastructure significantly hindered local economic and social progress. The Nayong-Qinglong Expressway, which is under construction, symbolizes a fast train that carries the hopes of the people in mountains for enhanced connectivity and prosperity. Furthermore, its Zangke River bridge not only facilitates smooth vehicular movement but also provides travelers with breathtaking views. Photo shows the Zangke River bridge under construction in southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee) China has built the world's largest high-speed railway network, the largest expressway network, and world-class port clusters. The Chinese people have experienced the changes brought about by transportation and are enjoying increasingly convenient travel services. Data released by China's Ministry of Transport shows from January to November 2023, China's transport sector saw a fixed-asset investment of 3.6 trillion yuan ($507 billion). The country constructed 1,700 kilometers of new high-speed railways, upgraded or transformed over 7,000 kilometers of highways, and expanded the operational mileage of its urban rail transit by 360 kilometers. From January to November 2023, the country's inter-regional passenger traffic reached 55.59 billion, and the traffic volume of the country's expressways hit 11.48 billion vehicles. During the same period, China renovated over 160,000 kilometers of new rural roads, with an investment exceeding 455.5 billion yuan. On Nov. 26, 2023, the Lijiang-Shangri-La Railway was officially opened to traffic. With the arrival of a Fuxing bullet train at the Shangri-La Station, located in the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Yunnan Province, the area at an average altitude of 3,380 meters became connected to the national railway network. This development finally put an end to the lack of railway connectivity in the region. The Lijiang-Shangri-La Railway handles over 180,000 passenger trips in its first month of operation. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee) Before the opening of the Lijiang-Shangri-La Railway, the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture faced significant poverty. However, this transformative railway has brought about a remarkable change, propelling the region towards a modern way of life for its diverse ethnic groups. Gerong Peichu, a Tibetan trainee conductor born in 2001, expressed his joy at the accessibility of the railway in Shangri-La. He pledged to work diligently to showcase the beauty of his hometown through the railway. The Lijiang-Shangri-La Railway has not only made travel more convenient for the local population but also significantly shortened travel time and distances. As a result, the time needed for goods transportation has been significantly reduced, particularly benefiting the global distribution of local beer. Moreover, the railway has enabled the worldwide availability of Matsutake mushrooms, a local delicacy harvested from the mountain forests. The Lijiang-Shangri-La Railway handled more than 180,000 passenger trips and transported over 23,000 tonnes of goods as of Dec. 26, 2023, a month after its inauguration, according to the China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co., Ltd. From January to November 2023, the fixed-asset investment in the country's railway sector reached 640.7 billion yuan, a 7.4-percent increase from the previous year. As of Nov. 30, 2023, the total operation mileage of China's railway network exceeded 155,500 kilometers, including 43,700 kilometers of high-speed railways. Rural roads make travel more convenient for rural residents. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee) (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Ramon Preciado, 53, is arrested on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, by the San Antonio Police Department in connection to the fatal shootings of pregnant teen Savanah Soto and her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra. His son, Christopher Preciado, 19, was also arrested and charged with capital murder, while Ramon was charged with abuse of a corpse, according to SAPD Sgt. Washington Moscoso. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Christopher Preciado, 19, center, is arrested on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, by the San Antonio Police Department in connection to the fatal shootings of pregnant teen Savanah Soto and her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra. Christopher will be charged with capital murder. His father Ramon Preciado, 53, was also arrested and charged with abuse of a corpse, according to SAPD Sgt. Washington Moscoso. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Ramon Preciado, 53, sits in the back of a San Antonio Police Department vehicle on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, after being arrested in connection to the fatal shootings of pregnant teen Savanah Soto and her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra. His son, Christopher Preciado, 19, was also arrested and charged with capital murder, while Ramon was charged with abuse of a corpse, according to SAPD Sgt. Washington Moscoso. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Christopher Preciado, 19, center, is arrested on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, by the San Antonio Police Department in connection to the fatal shootings of pregnant teen Savanah Soto and her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra. Christopher will be charged with capital murder. His father Ramon Preciado, 53, was also arrested and charged with abuse of a corpse, according to SAPD Sgt. Washington Moscoso. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Christopher Preciado, 19, is surrounded by news media as he is put into a San Antonio Police Department vehicle on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, after being arrested in connection to the fatal shootings of pregnant teen Savanah Soto and her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra. Christopher will be charged with capital murder and Ramon charged with abuse of a corpse with more charges pending, according to SAPD Sgt. Washington Moscoso. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Ramon Preciado, 53, right, is arrested on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, by the San Antonio Police Department in connection to the fatal shootings of pregnant teen Savanah Soto and her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra. His son, Christopher Preciado, 19, was also arrested and charged with capital murder, while Ramon was charged with abuse of a corpse, according to SAPD Sgt. Washington Moscoso. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News SAPD Sgt. Washington Moscoso briefs the news media on the arrests of a father and son, Ramon Preciado, 53, and Christopher Preciado, 19, on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in connection to the fatal shootings of pregnant teen Savanah Soto and her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra. Christopher will be charged with capital murder and Ramon charged with abuse of a corpse. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Savanah Soto, 18, with boyfriend Matthew Guerra, 22, was expecting her first child. Courtesy Family members at a vigil for Savanah Soto at Kenwood Park on San Antonio's near North Side. From left to right, Serenity Corona, Laura Cordova, Joanie Wasil, Gloria Cordova, Stasia Corona, and Gerald Corona. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Pregnant teen Savanah Soto and her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra, were killed in a drug deal gone awry, according to police. A father and son were arrested in connection with the fatal shootings late Wednesday. Christopher Preciado, 19, was charged with capital murder. Christopher and his father, Ramon Preciado, 53, were charged with abuse of a corpse and concealing human remains. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Christopher did the killings, Sgt. Washington Moscoso said. His father helped him try to hide the car and victims. Soto, 18, and Guerra, 22, went missing Christmas weekend. The couple was found days later shot to death in Guerras car, prompting a hunt for their killer. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After the bodies were found, Guerras family told police he was involved in selling drugs and often posted pictures on social media of the drugs and cash. They told police people wanted to rob the boyfriend, and it was stated that he had been shot at before, states an affidavit supporting the arrests. Ramon Preciado, 53, is arrested on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, by the San Antonio Police Department in connection to the fatal shootings of pregnant teen Savanah Soto and her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra. His son, Christopher Preciado, 19, was also arrested and charged with capital murder. San Antonio Express-News Christopher Preciado told police that Soto and Guerra drove to his home to sell him marijuana. He said Guerra pointed a weapon at him and that he shot Soto first and then Guerra while wrestling for the gun, the affidavit states. However, the affidavit states his story was inconsistent with Guerra's and Sotos gunshot wounds and the evidence collected at the crime scene. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Preciados are believed to be the men seen in an undated video released last week by police. The footage shows Guerras vehicle and a black truck. A man resembling Ramon Preciado can be seen getting out of the truck and talking to someone in Guerras vehicle. He then took a white towel and wiped the car door before they both drove off. Always fake news. Yall guys are always one-sided. You dont even know whats going on, Ramon Preciado said as he was walked to a police vehicle after his arrest. His son kept quiet. Police believe that Soto and Guerra were already dead inside the vehicle at the time the video was taken. Moscoso said they were killed Dec. 21 just before midnight. Moscoso said that among the evidence recovered from the car was Sotos cellphone and that police were able to use the phone to locate the suspects vehicle. After they found the truck, they set up surveillance to determine where the suspects lived. Once they did that, they knocked on the door. He said the father answered and knew why police were there. The suspects were cooperative. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Soto and Guerra were killed elsewhere before the car was abandoned with the bodies at an apartment complex in the South Texas Medical Center area, about 3 miles from where the couple was last seen. The apartments are a few blocks away from the Preciado home. Moscoso said misinformation has been blowing up online but that the Preciados are the only suspects police were looking for. Many names thrown out there they didnt have anything to do with these murders, he said. Soto's and Guerras families immediately went to social media to express relief. They caught the MFs that killed our babies. Justice for Savanah, Baby Fabian, Mathew, posted Sotos mother, Gloria Cordova. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And Raquel Guerra, Guerras stepmother, posted: Our prayers have been answered. She tagged the post with #justiceforsavanahmatthewfabian. Yesss thank you Jesus, texted Mariana Delgado, Sotos sister-in-law. The disappearance Soto grew up on the West Side. She met Guerra through mutual acquaintances when she was 16 and a sophomore at Holmes High School. She dropped out of school soon after. At the time of her death, Soto was working in an elder care home. She was due to give birth to a baby boy the weekend before Christmas, and she had already given him a name: Fabian. It would be her first child, and she had celebrated with friends and family members at a baby shower. Photos from the event show Soto and Guerra in a room filled with white, green and gold balloons in front of a poster that declared: Its a boy! Soto was scheduled to be admitted to Stone Oak Methodist Hospital at 6:30 a.m. Dec. 23, to have labor induced. She never showed up, and calls to her cellphone went unanswered. That evening, her mother posted a message to Facebook pleading for help finding her daughter. If you see her please reach out to me and lmk (let me know) where you seen her. Im worried about her safety ... Prayer for my baby girl, Cordova wrote. Sotos relatives spent that weekend searching the Leon Valley apartment complex where Soto and Guerra lived and putting up missing-person posters. On Christmas Day, the Texas Department of Public Safety issued a Coordinated Law Enforcement Adult Rescue alert for Soto, describing her as an individual in imminent danger. An accompanying photo showed Soto standing beside a baby stroller. The alert said she was last seen around 2 p.m. Dec. 22 outside her apartment in the 6000 block of Grissom Road. She was reported to be in a gray 2013 Kia Optima. Her family says the last time they spoke with her was through text the night before. TIMELINE: What we know about the deaths of Savanah Soto and Matthew Guerra A heinous act On Dec. 26, the Optima was found in the parking lot of an apartment complex on the Northwest Side about 3 miles from where Soto was last seen. Inside the car were two bodies. The Bexar County Medical Examiners Office identified them as Soto and Guerra. Soto was in the front passenger seat, and Guerra appeared to have been dragged into the back seat. Police officers at the apartment complex on the Northwest Side where the bodies of Savanah Soto, 18, and her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra, 22, were found. Jacob Beltran Both had been killed by gunshot wounds to the head, the medical examiner said. In Guerras case, it was a contact gunshot wound, indicating the muzzle of the gun was held directly against his head. Police Chief William McManus said investigators believe that Soto and Guerra were killed elsewhere and that the car was brought to the Colinas at Medical Apartments in the 5900 block of Danny Kaye Drive. He said the bodies had been there three or four days. Police described the case as a capital murder investigation with three victims: Guerra, Soto and her unborn child. Under the Texas Penal Code, capital murder is a murder that involves any of a number of aggravating factors, including the killing of more than one person or a child younger than 10. Clearly, it was a heinous act. It was unspeakable, McManus said. Persons of interest On Dec. 28, the San Antonio Police Department released a security video showing two persons of interest in the case and appealed for the publics help in identifying them. The video shows two vehicles pulling up side by side in the parking lot of the Colinas at Medical Apartments. One of the vehicles is a dark Chevrolet Silverado with a bed cover. The other is the 2013 Optima that belonged to Guerra and Soto. A screenshot of security footage released by the San Antonio Police Department, showing two "persons of interest" in the killings of Savanah Soto, 18, and her boyfriend, Michael Guerra, 22. Courtesy of SAPD In the undated video, a burly man in a sleeveless white T-shirt is seen getting out of the pickup and handing something to the driver of the Optima. The two men speak briefly before driving off in different directions. Family friction While both families grieved, members of Guerras family took to social media to condemn what they described as speculation that they were implicated in the couples disappearance and death. The speculation appeared to stem in part from Guerras criminal record and history of domestic abuse. He pleaded guilty to a charge of domestic violence causing bodily injury in connection with an assault on Soto on Christmas Day 2022. He was sentenced to a years probation. Sotos aunts said she was so badly injured that she had to be hospitalized. Everyones portraying us like we had something to do with my brother and my sister-in-law missing, and first of all, we do not. We have nothing to do with this. We promise yall. I dont like how the internet is making us look like criminals, Guerras older brother said on Facebook. Guerras father, Gabriel Guerra, said he understood from investigators that his son and Soto were both shot behind the ear, execution-style. He did hang out with some of not-the-best crowd, the elder Guerra said of his son. Hed been in some trouble. But he said he did not know of anyone who would want to harm him. Mom, dont be late Sotos family described her as an outgoing, bright and selfless young woman who was excited to be a mother. Two aunts, Laura Cordova and Cindy Martinez, said Soto matured quickly through her pregnancy. As her delivery date approached, her bags were packed, a room was ready and she looked forward to her newborn. The night she disappeared, she told Gloria Cordova, Mom, dont be late for Saturday, Martinez said. Savanah Soto's aunt, Anjelica Soto, left, comforts Alexis Soto, Savanahs sister, at a vigil for the pregnant teenager, who was found dead of a gunshot wound alongside her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra, 22. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Martinez said she worked with Soto at Brookdale, a senior living center. Soto had stopped working to have her baby but planned to return. She aspired to become a nurse. Before she disappeared, Sotos mother helped her pack a bag for her scheduled hospital stay, and Soto had her nails done. She has a lot of family that loves her, Martinez said of Soto. Shes going to be really missed. Around 1.25 million people in the UK are thought to suffer from an eating disorder and around one in ten are thought to have anorexia - iStockphoto People with anorexia are more likely to wake up early, a study suggests. Some diseases and conditions are linked to circadian rhythm, with the body clock connected to either the morning or evening. And while depression, binge eating and schizophrenia are associated with staying up later, a new study shows that anorexics are more prone to being morning people. It is the first time a link has been found between mornings and anorexia nervosa, however previous studies found connections to circadian rhythm before. Data shows that people with the eating disorder often wake early and also experience insomnia. Genetic data from more than 70,000 people looked for links between chronotype and anorexia and found a link between the two. However, the statistical analysis was unable to determine which way the association goes, and whether it was the morning tendency or anorexia that caused the other. The scientists called for more powerful and diverse studies to be run in order to shed more light on the topic. Our findings implicate anorexia nervosa as a morning disorder in contrast to most other evening-based psychiatric diseases and support the association between anorexia nervosa and insomnia as seen in earlier studies, said senior author Hassan Dashti, from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), USA, an assistant professor of anaesthesia at Harvard Medical School. Past research has suggested a possible connection between eating disorders and the bodys internal clock, or circadian clock, which controls a wide range of biological functions such as sleep and affects nearly every organ in the body. In the new study researchers looked at genes associated with anorexia, the bodys internal clock, and several sleep traits including insomnia. Researchers discovered a two-way association between genes associated with anorexia and genes associated with morning chronotype, waking early and going to bed early - iStockphoto They found a two-way association between genes associated with anorexia and genes associated with morning chronotype, waking early and going to bed early. The findings suggest that being an early riser could increase the risk for having anorexia, and having anorexia could lead to an earlier wake time. However, the study did not define what time an early riser would wake up, with researchers instead saying that they tend to be natural early risers compared to the general population, with many things influencing when we wake up. Anorexia is an eating disorder and mental health condition characterised by individuals trying to maintain as low a body weight as possible by avoiding food or over exercising, or both. Around 1.25 million people in the UK are thought to suffer from an eating disorder and around one in ten are thought to have anorexia. The study, published in Jama Network Open and led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), in collaboration with University College London and the University of the Republic in Uruguay, also revealed a link between anorexia and insomnia risk. Experts say more research is desperately needed into new prevention strategies and treatments for anorexia which has one of the highest death rates of psychiatric diseases. Hannah Wilcox, lead author of the study and researcher at MGH, said: The clinical implications of our new findings are currently unclear; however, our results could direct future investigations into circadian-based therapies for anorexia nervosa prevention and treatment. 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. Police gave few details on the homicide, but they said a child was found dead in the Frontera Crossing apartments on the Southwest Side. Tetra Images/Getty Images/Tetra images RF San Antonio police said a 6-year-old girl was found dead Wednesday inside a Southwest Side apartment. Police responded to a disturbance around 3 p.m. in the 13000 block of Watson Road at the Frontera Crossing apartments, near Southwest Legacy High School and Somerset Road. According to Sgt. Washington Moscoso, officers arrived at a very chaotic scene where they had to separate witnesses and those potentially involved. It was once they entered the apartment that officers found the dead child. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The medical examiner identified her Thursday as Hosanna Sancho. There was no gun or gunshot wound to the victim, Moscoso said, but the child did have trauma around her torso. A nude woman who was running around the complex when police arrived was arrested in connection with the death. She was later identified as Nephiterea Nicole Sancho, 36. She has been charged with capital murder of a child under 10 years old. Moscoso said she was a family member, but he would not specify their relationship. The Travis County Sheriff's Office seized 15.5 kilos of methamphetamine, the equivalent of about 34 pounds, during the drug bust. Daniel Kaesler / EyeEm/Getty Images/EyeEm The Travis County Sheriff's Office made its largest methamphetamine seizure in 20 years in October after discovering about 34 pounds of the drug during a trafficking investigation. The Sheriff's Office began investigating Juan Jose Cardenas-Flores in August after receiving information about a possible "large-scale" drug trafficking operation, according to a press release from the department. Officials also connected Cardenas-Flores to a robbery that was under investigation by the Austin Police Department. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A state robbery warrant for Cardenas-Flores, as well as a search warrant, were issued when collaboration with the DEA Task Force and Austin Police Department yielded new information on the case. Both were executed on Oct. 5, when deputies discovered firearms and 15.5 kilos of methamphetamine, the equivalent of about 34 pounds. The meth also tested positive for fentanyl, according to the sheriff's office. SAN DIEGO A high-speed chase of a murder suspect on southbound Interstate 5 ended in San Diego County Thursday morning after making its way down from the Los Angeles area. California Highway Patrol had been in pursuit of the suspect since just after 9 a.m. when a gray Honda Civic took off with an armed suspect believed to be connected to a murder investigation. The chase ended just after 10:45 a.m. in Encinitas after the driver pulled off I-5 onto side streets with CHP behind. As the driver attempted to make their way to the northbound lanes, CHP says officers performed a pit maneuver, stopping the sedan on an the Birmingham Drive on-ramp. The suspect, who was in the passenger seat of the vehicle, was taken into custody. No further details were immediately available about the incident that prompted the chase or the suspect. During the pursuit, the Civic was recorded reaching speeds near 150 miles per hour on the freeway, according to CHP. The suspect was also seen throwing items out of the vehicle onto the roadway while the chase was ongoing. Police say officers will be combing through parts of I-5 for those items throughout the day. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego. Governor Greg Abbott listens as House Speaker Dade Phelan and talks about a new broadband access bill coming before the state legislature during a press conference at Hamshire-Fannett Elementary School Monday. Photo made Monday, March 29, 2021 Kim Brent/The Enterprise Kim Brent/The Enterprise Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton looks up at the gallery during the first day of his impeachment trial in the Texas Senate chambers at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023. The Texas House, including a majority of its GOP members, voted to impeach Paxton for alleged corruption in May. (Juan Figueroa/Pool via The Dallas Morning News) Juan Figueroa/Staff Photographer State Rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Houston, waits to ask a question as debate on HB1 begins on Friday, November 17, 2023. The omnibus education bill faces two dozen amendments in the House. Left to right are Representatives Drew Darby, Ellen Troxclair, Jared Patterson, James Frank and Briscoe Cain. Bob Daemmrich Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, left, Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dade Phelan at a press at the Texas State Capitol, Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Stephen Spillman/for Express-News The November election is still more than 10 months away, but in Texas, most contests will be settled well before then. Early voting kicks off in just weeks for the March 5 primaries, which will decide the Democratic and Republican nominees in races up and down the ballot, from president to county constable. Advertisement Article continues below this ad With these all-important primaries fast approaching, here are three trends to watch, each of which carries major stakes for the future shape of Texas politics. Can Abbott change the math on vouchers? In the 2018 primaries, Gov. Greg Abbott targeted three GOP lawmakers who had voted to restrict his power to appoint donors to state boards. Two of the three easily survived despite him backing their opponents. The Republican governor will look to improve his track record this year as he again tries to unseat lawmakers from his own party this time over their opposition to school vouchers. Abbott made it his top priority last year to give families taxpayer dollars to enroll their children in private schools, but the proposal ran into a wall of opposition from Democrats and 21 largely rural Republicans in the Texas House, meeting the same fate as other voucher bids over the years. Abbott already has begun endorsing primary challengers to the 16 members of that GOP contingent who are seeking reelection. And he has thrown his support behind Republicans running for the handful of open seats, aiming to replace each retiring anti-voucher incumbent with someone who supports the policy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Abbott will need to net at least 13 more pro-voucher members to reach a 76-vote majority. That would mean flipping more than half of the seats held by anti-voucher Republicans many of whom represent areas where there are few accredited private schools, if any. Jon Taylor, a political science professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio, said Abbott is going against the grain in trying to supplant rural incumbents who have consistently won reelection while opposing vouchers. The man barnstormed the state for close to 10 months, held four special sessions on top of a regular session, and could not get this done, Taylor said. To think that somehow hes going to then turn around, spend tons of money and get people to win the Republican primaries and therefore change the context I cannot see him getting enough picked off. Abbott will have plenty of help in his quest to unseat anti-voucher Republicans. The American Federation for Children, a longtime voucher advocacy group, has pledged through its new super PAC to spend at least $10 million in support of school choice champions and against opponents in legislative races around the country. And a new group launched over the summer called the Family Empowerment Coalition PAC will focus specifically on Texas races. How much clout does Ken Paxton have? Abbott isnt the only Republican looking to reshape the House. Attorney General Ken Paxton is aiming to unseat a number of GOP members in retaliation for voting to impeach him in May in some instances pitting his preferred candidates directly against the governors. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In one race, Paxton is backing Bianca Gracia, president of the Latinos for Trump political group, in her primary challenge against state Rep. Briscoe Cain of Deer Park. Cain, vice chair of the Texas House Freedom Caucus, is widely seen as one of the Legislatures most conservative members, though he also served on the impeachment board of managers. Far more is at stake than Paxtons own political clout. The attorney general is generally supporting primary challengers who are openly hostile to House Speaker Dade Phelan, a Beaumont Republican whom Paxton and his allies have accused of leading the impeachment effort to distract from the Houses insufficiently conservative legislative record. If enough Paxton-supported candidates depose Phelans incumbent GOP allies, Taylor said, the speakers control of the gavel could be in jeopardy by January 2025, when members will convene for the next regular session and elect a speaker for the next two years. But even then, theres no guarantee that Phelans critics could muster up enough votes to replace him with someone more conservative. The irony is that since Phelan took over as speaker in 2021, the Legislature has seen perhaps its most conservative stretch of lawmaking in history, with GOP policy wins that include the nations strictest anti-abortion laws, an overhaul of Texas elections, bans on critical race theory and various laws regulating school library materials, social media and diversity offices at state universities. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Still, Phelan and his allies have taken flak for failing to pass certain priorities of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who oversees the more staunchly conservative Senate. The relationship between Patrick and Phelan also has devolved to the point of holding up, or killing, certain GOP bills. Phelan, who faces a Paxton-backed primary challenge of his own, found success last cycle protecting House incumbents who were challenged from the right. In the 2022 primaries, he backed 19 Republican members who were targeted by Defend Texas Liberty PAC, a group bankrolled by Midland oilman Tim Dunn and Cisco fracking billionaire Farris Wilks. The right-wing duo is known for using their deep pocketbooks to support libertarian-style social conservatives. The group failed to pick off any of the 19 members, though it is expected to play a major role again in this years primaries, with both sides ready to spread millions of dollars across the primary battlefield. Will some Democrats pay a price for siding with Republicans? With essentially every GOP-controlled seat in the Legislature out of reach, some Democrats are turning to primaries involving their own members who have broken with the party on high-profile issues. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Among them are two Houston Democrats, state Reps. Shawn Thierry and Harold Dutton, who voted with Republicans earlier this year to ban gender transition care for minors and bar transgender college athletes from competing on the teams that match their gender identity. They also backed a GOP bill aimed at prohibiting books in public school libraries that include sexually explicit material, which critics charged would end up banning LGBTQ literature because it was too vaguely worded. Both have defended the votes, saying they were following the will of a majority of their constituents. Dutton, one of the longest-tenured members of the Legislature, often is at odds with his party. He sparred with fellow Democrats in 2021 when, as chair of the House Public Education Committee, he revived a version of the bill restricting which teams transgender athletes could join at schools below the college level. Dutton at first said the move was a consequence for another Democrat spiking his bill that would have cleared the way for state education officials to replace Houston Independent School Districts elected school board, though he later offered a different explanation. Earlier this year, Dutton was the only Democrat to abstain from voting on Paxtons impeachment, arguing the process was abbreviated to the point that it encroaches on due process. He also sparked controversy in March when he resigned from the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, accusing its chair of engaging in stank leadership. The intraparty acrimony has left Dutton vulnerable to competitive primaries, a new phenomenon for the longtime Democrat who was first elected to his northeast Houston district in 1984. Hes eked out his last two primary races by fewer than 500 votes and now faces pressure over his authorship of the bill that ultimately allowed for the states takeover of Houston ISD. He faces competition this year from a trio of Democratic opponents: retired educator Joyce Chatman, pastor Clint Horn and former Harris County Department of Education trustee Danny Norris. Renee Cross, senior executive director at the University of Houstons Hobby School of Public Affairs, said that Dutton is more battle-tested than Thierry, who has faced little serious competition during a far briefer stint in office. I dont think Rep. Dutton is in any great danger, Cross said.He has had opponents before, particularly after hes been very outspoken on controversial issues. (Left to right) Destiny Hernandez, Divina Hernandez, Natalie Long, Anita Eggert, and Ken Rose wait for their appointments in the waiting room at the Leon Valley DMV on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 in San Antonio. Many people said they waited about one to two hours for their appointments. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News (Right to left) Sara Soto waits with her children Ivanka Soto, 6, Leonardo Soto, 8, and Jacqueline Soto, 7, in the waiting room to update her address at the Leon Valley DMV on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 in San Antonio. Soto said she waited about one and a half hours for her appointment. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Lisa Palkin, License Permit Specialist Lead, meets with Sara Soto, right, and her children, right to left, Ivanka Soto, 6, Leonardo Soto, 8, and Jacqueline Soto, 7, at the Leon Valley DMV on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 in San Antonio. Soto said she waited about one and a half hours for her appointment. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News People wait in line in the lobby at the Leon Valley DMV on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 in San Antonio. Many people said they waited about one to two hours for their appointments. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News People wait in the waiting room at the Leon Valley DMV on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 in San Antonio. Many people said they waited about one to two hours for their appointments. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Long wait times persist for appointments at many Texas Department of Public Safety drivers license offices, despite a new online system and a more than $400 million investment made over the last decade. Customers in North and Central Texas must wait weeks or even months for an appointment, state data show. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Some have taken out their frustration online. Made an appointment for 9 still sitting here at 1010. Great way to spend your birthday, one reviewer wrote on Yelp recently. During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, DPS revamped its system for drivers license services. To cut down on long lines at offices, the new system lets Texans make appointments online. Yet because of staffing shortages and a large influx of people moving to the state, officials said, Texans can face long waits to schedule appointments at many offices. And even then, in some cases people still must wait a half hour or longer once they get inside, data show. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I came back to Texas for terrorism and counterterrorism and organized crime, and I stay up at night worrying about drivers licenses, DPS chief Steve McCraw said at a Senate Finance Committee hearing in February. Theres not one time that Ive come here when weve asked for resources and the Legislature has not recognized the importance of drivers licenses and provided resources, McCraw said. Weve been optimistic and sometimes overly optimistic that with less we can do more. Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, noted that drivers license services are often the first interaction that new Texans have with the state government. Although Paxton said she doesnt see lines wrapped around the block the way she did five years ago, problems persist, she told McCraw at the hearing. Instead of being able to do more with less, it almost looks like weve been able to do less with more, she said. Making the problem worse, nearly one-third of Texans who make drivers license appointments dont show up, DPS spokeswoman Ericka Miller wrote in an email. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She also noted the department has trouble finding people to staff the offices. In the current job climate, we face challenges finding qualified applicants to fill open positions at driver license offices across the state, which greatly reduces the number of appointments offices can offer, Miller said. The state-provided information on wait times is constantly updating, but when the data was downloaded ahead of the holidays, it showed that the drivers license offices with the longest waits statewide to secure appointments to renew or replace drivers licenses are southwest of San Antonio in the city of Pearsall with a 63-day wait. Some locations are far less busy than others. For an appointment to get a new drivers license, the statewide average wait was about three weeks as of December, while the average wait for a renewal or replacement was generally under two weeks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In San Antonio, the Leon Valley Mega Center had a 32-day lag for appointments and a 40-minute wait once there. The General McMullen office was a 27-day wait and a 25-minute average in-office wait. Southeast was a 26-day wait and a 26-minute wait in-office, and the Pat Booker office was a 44-day wait with an 11-minute average wait in-office. The offices with the longest in-person waits statewide included the Pflugerville Mega Center, Fort Worth South and Austin North each longer than an hour. Long in-office wait times were the exception, however. The statewide average was about 10 minutes. Appointments can be made six months in advance, Miller said. Some can renew their licenses online, and most can renew as far in advance of that date as two years. They are able to check eligibility to do so online. A Customs and Border Protection officer talks on a megaphone to migrants in a detention area Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Eagle Pass as a surge of migrants push across the border. William Luther Migrants wait to be processed by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol after they crossed the Rio Grande and entered the U.S. from Mexico, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. Eric Gay/AP The Biden administration on Wednesday sued to block a new Texas law that empowers state officials to essentially deport people who are suspected of crossing the border illegally, setting the stage for a major legal battle that could wind up in the U.S. Supreme Court. The widely expected move came days after the Justice Department warned Gov. Greg Abbott that it would challenge the law, known as SB 4, if Texas decided to enforce it. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, alleges that Texas efforts intrude on the federal governments exclusive authority to regulate the entry and removal of noncitizens, frustrate the United States immigration operations and proceedings, and interfere with U.S. foreign relations. Abbott, who signed the bill into law last month, is listed as a defendant, along with Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw. Advertisement Article continues below this ad SB 4 creates a new class of illegal entry state crimes that would authorize police to arrest people they suspect of unlawfully entering Texas from Mexico between ports of entry. Judges could then order their departure from the country, which if refused would trigger a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. READ MORE: Houston lawmaker stands behind viral outburst over GOP border bills The law isnt set to take effect until early March, but critics have long warned it will lead to racial profiling and appears to run afoul of a key 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that restricts states from enforcing immigration laws. The lawsuit could trigger a test of that opinion, known as Arizona v. United States, before a conservative court reshaped by former President Donald Trump. The Biden administration cited the case near the top of its filing, noting the high court found that the U.S. government has broad, undoubted power over the subject of immigration and the status of noncitizens. Even if the law has the same aim as federal statutes, the U.S. Department of Justice argued, it would still allow Texas to bring criminal charges against immigrants that could frustrate federal policies. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Republican lawmakers have consistently argued the law is constitutional. Theyve disputed charges that SB 4 clashes with federal immigration law, contending that it deliberately tracks the language of existing statutes while exempting people whove been granted asylum and other forms of legal status Some Texas Republicans, including Attorney General Ken Paxton, have been openly searching for a legal path to challenge the Arizona ruling for years. Shortly after the DOJ lawsuit was filed on Wednesday, Paxton vowed to fight it, contending that Texas has the sovereign right to protect our state. SB 4 was created to address the endless stream of illegal immigration facilitated by the Biden administration, Paxton, a Republican, posted on X, accusing Biden of dismantling border security at the US-Mexico border. The law marks a major escalation of Texas ongoing border crackdown, the scope of which has been limited by the Arizona decision. Under the banner of Abbotts Operation Lone Star initiative, state officials have spent much of Bidens first term operating a catch-and-jail program to arrest migrants on state misdemeanor trespassing charges. They have also targeted people transporting migrants in their cars, charging them with felonies such as human smuggling. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Abbott has said the program is intended to deter migrants from entering the country without proper documentation, though he has also repeatedly slammed Biden for the record number of crossings that have continued apace under Operation Lone Star. Texas is already locked in two other legal battles with the Biden administration over Abbotts border crackdown. Last month, a federal appeals court granted the states request to bar Border Patrol agents from cutting or moving state-owned razor wire along the Rio Grande. The Justice Department appealed the ruling on Tuesday. Republican members of Congress arrive via bus at a the Texas-Mexico border, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson is leading about 60 fellow Republicans in Congress on a visit to the Mexican border. Their trip comes as they are demanding hard-line immigration policies in exchange for backing President Joe Biden's emergency wartime funding request for Ukraine. Eric Gay/Associated Press U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, right, is briefed by Texas Department of Public Safety chief Steve McCraw, left, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. Johnson is leading about 60 fellow Republicans in Congress on a visit to the Mexican border. Their trip comes as they are demanding hard-line immigration policies in exchange for backing President Joe Biden's emergency wartime funding request for Ukraine. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Eric Gay/Associated Press Texas Department of Public Safety chief Steve McCraw, center, stands with officials as they wait for the arrival of Congressional members, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson is leading about 60 fellow Republicans in Congress on a visit to the Mexican border. Their trip comes as they are demanding hard-line immigration policies in exchange for backing President Joe Biden's emergency wartime funding request for Ukraine. Senate negotiators in Washington are plugging away in hopes of a bipartisan deal. The number of illegal crossings into the United States topped on several days last month. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Eric Gay/Associated Press Migrants are taken into custody by officials at the Texas-Mexico border, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson is leading about 60 fellow Republicans in Congress on a visit to the Mexican border. Their trip comes as they are demanding hard-line immigration policies in exchange for backing President Joe Biden's emergency wartime funding request for Ukraine. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Eric Gay/Associated Press Republican members of Congress walk adjacent to the Rio Grande at the Texas-Mexico border, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson is leading about 60 fellow Republicans in Congress on a visit to the Mexican border. Their trip comes as they are demanding hard-line immigration policies in exchange for backing President Joe Biden's emergency wartime funding request for Ukraine. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Eric Gay/Associated Press Republican members of Congress look on as migrants cross the Rio Grande at the Texas-Mexico border, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson is leading about 60 fellow Republicans in Congress on a visit to the Mexican border. Their trip comes as they are demanding hard-line immigration policies in exchange for backing President Joe Biden's emergency wartime funding request for Ukraine. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Eric Gay/Associated Press WASHINGTON Amid bipartisan talks on a possible federal border security package, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and more than 60 other GOP congressional members traveled to Eagle Pass on Wednesday to draw a hard line on what can pass the chamber. Our position is very clear, and we have made that very clear for seven months, Johnson said, calling legislation that passed the chamber last year with no Democratic support and has gone nowhere in the Senate the necessary ingredient. That bill would reinstate many Trump-era policies. It would greatly restrict who can claim asylum and how they can do it, in part by banning asylum to anyone who crosses the border between ports of entry and anyone who traveled through a third country on their way to the U.S. but did not seek asylum there. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thats whats necessary to fix the problem, Johnson said while flanked by dozens of House Republicans during a news conference in front of the Rio Grande. Its not just House Republicans opinion. Its based on the informed opinions of the people here on the ground, and that is what theyve told us, and they have reiterated this over and over and over. Desperately they have asked us to help them solve this problem not just for South Texas, but for the entire country. The trip the 21st congressional tour hosted by U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, a San Antonio Republican who represents Eagle Pass illustrated the difficulty in reaching an agreement on border policy, long a thorny political issue that has been exacerbated by record crossings since President Joe Biden took office. Eagle Pass also has been the epicenter of Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts latest border security crackdown, in which the state has arrested thousands of migrants on trespassing charges and plans to begin directly deporting migrants this spring. Johnson touted Abbotts efforts as heroic even as the Justice Department sued the state over the new law allowing police to arrest migrants who enter the U.S. illegally. A deal has eluded Senate negotiators for weeks, even as Biden has said he would make significant policy concessions on the border to secure more funding for Ukraine. Republicans in both chambers have said they will not support additional aid without major changes on the border. And many in the House GOP have said they would oppose any new spending bills without those measures, even as a looming government shutdown is just weeks away. Biden, meanwhile, has said he would veto the House bill, which he deemed too extreme. The legislation also would significantly restrict who could be paroled into the U.S., barring the Homeland Security Department from allowing groups of migrants to enter the country, as the Biden administration has done for Ukrainians and Afghans, as well as some Venezuelans, Cubans, Haitians and Nicaraguans. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The White House said this week it is optimistic that Senate negotiators can strike a deal and slammed Johnson for playing politics with the border trip. Theyre playing political games, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. Theyre doing political stunts. Jean-Pierre accused House Republicans of obstructing a $106 billion supplemental funding request from the White House with aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, as well as more than $6 billion in border security funding. Weve got to do something, Biden said Tuesday night. They ought to give me the money I need to protect the border. The House GOPs border trip, Johnsons first as speaker, came as border crossings have dropped considerably after setting records, with more than 300,000 migrants reportedly apprehended in December. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Biden administration officials said there were fewer than 500 crossings on Monday in the Del Rio sector, which includes Eagle Pass. The administration reopened an international bridge there Tuesday that had been closed since last month. Gonzales noted that just two weeks ago, thousands were crossing into the same park where the GOP held its news conference. He said a processing facility the group toured was overflowing with more than 6,000 migrants at the time. We were at the brink of massive catch and release; and when that happens, our communities get turned upside down, Gonzales said, stressing that what starts in Eagle Pass quickly reaches San Antonio and other communities throughout the country. President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden exchanged congratulatory messages marking the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between their nations. However, the messages carried underlying tensions as Xi issued a stern warning about the reunification of Taiwan with the Communist nation, as per Daily Mail. Xi-Biden Diplomatic Exchange in Tense US-China Relations In his message, President Xi acknowledged the historical journey of both countries, highlighting their ability to weather challenges and progress together, contributing to global peace, stability, and prosperity. Emphasizing mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, Xi urged that these principles should guide their relationship in the new era. Xi also recalled the pivotal moment in 1979 when Washington officially recognized Beijing, severing diplomatic ties with Taipei. He contended that the ensuing relationship not only improved the well-being of both nations but also played a role in advancing world peace. In response to the recent developments, President Biden has sent a congratulatory letter, acknowledging the important effect of the bilateral relationship on various aspects such as prosperity, opportunities, and global well-being. In a statement, President Biden conveyed his unwavering dedication to advancing the achievements of his predecessors and nurturing the bond between the two countries. Within the delicate state of US-China relations, the exchange of pleasantries takes place. In November 2023, a meeting between Xi and Biden took place, which had the effect of stabilizing overall ties between the two parties. However, it is important to remember that despite this beneficial outcome, fundamental disagreements continue to exist. In a number of contentious issues, we find China's close association with Russia, its stance on Taiwan, and the trade restrictions imposed by the United States on China. During the San Francisco summit, Xi assured Biden that there would be no invasion of Taiwan in the coming years. However, on December 20, Xi openly conveyed his intention to reunite Taiwan with mainland China, raising concerns about the fragility of the situation, according to RBC Ukraine. Read Also: North Korea Warns of Further Escalation Amid Rising Tensions with the US Xi Jinping Stresses Diplomacy and Forward Vision In a recent statement, President Xi stated the importance of establishing diplomatic relations, placing a high value on the necessity of mutual respect and cooperation as the guiding principles for major nations such as China and the United States. During the meeting, he made mention of the "San Francisco vision," a forward-looking plan that outlines a roadmap for their future. He emphasized the need to establish shared understandings in order to foster stable and sustainable development in their relations. Xi expressed his willingness to collaborate with Biden to steer the course of China-US relations, benefiting both countries and contributing to global peace and development. Biden, in his message, recognized the positive impact of the diplomatic ties established in 1979 on the prosperity and opportunities of the US, China, and the world. He pledged responsible management of this critical relationship and expressed eagerness to advance the US-China ties based on the progress made by their predecessors and through ongoing discussions. The commemorative messages, while formal and diplomatic, underscore the complexities and challenges inherent in the bilateral relationship, particularly concerning Taiwan and geopolitical tensions, Big News Network reported. Related Article: China Aimed To Influence US Federal Elections in 2022, Intelligence Agencies Claim China's Immigration officials said that throughout the New Year holiday period, arrivals and departures from the mainland returned to pre-COVID levels, exceeding expectations. Amid New Year Holiday In a report by South China Morning Post, the National Immigration Administration said Tuesday, January 2, that there was a fivefold rise compared to the previous year, with 5.18 million crossings throughout mainland China between December 30, 2023, and January 1, 2024. It amounts to 1.73 million people entering and leaving the country per day, which is more than the 1.56 million predicted by the government. It brought the number of passengers arriving and departing to the same level as in 2019, before the COVID-19 outbreak in China. With 135 million trips taken countrywide during the New Year break, domestic travel also made a strong comeback, according to figures from the tourism ministry. That was a 155.3% increase from the previous year's level and a nearly 10% increase from 2019 levels before the pandemic. From the New Year's holiday in 2019, tourism revenue increased by 5.6%, and from the same period in 2022, it increased by a factor of three. During the holiday, 2.51 million people entered mainland China, and 2.67 million left, according to the immigration department. See Also: Xi Jinping, Joe Biden Extend Diplomatic Cheers; Chinese Leader Offers Peaceful Coexistence Between China, US Diplomatic Relations This news comes at a time when Beijing is attempting to revive its flagging economy, which has taken a blow due to the COVID-19 pandemic, by actively courting tourists from across the world. The government said on Monday, January 1, that there was a 28.5% increase from the previous month in the number of travelers arriving in December 2023, with almost 214,000 individuals traveling from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. The increase was a direct result of a new policy that went into effect on December 1, 2023, that permits citizens of the six nations to visit China for a maximum of 15 days without a visa, up until this coming November 30. Immigration statistics show that over 77% of the six nations' citizens who entered China last month did so for business, pleasure, or sightseeing and that over 55% of those citizens entered China via visa-free routes. The government has said that all Chinese border checkpoints have been instructed to adequately staff and establish communication channels in order to facilitate the visa-free policy's seamless implementation and to enhance exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and foreigners. As part of its attempts to strengthen ties, China also made it easier for United States travelers to apply for visas starting Monday, as reported by Reuters. At a meeting in San Francisco in November 2023, Chinese Leader Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden reached an agreement to enhance visa processing, boost flights, and facilitate more travel and personal contacts between the two nations. See Also: China Appoints Former Navy Chief With South China Sea Expertise to Defense Minister Back in the year 2022, Elon Musk bought Twitter now known as X. Today, Fidelity, a financial services company, reported that X is now worth 71% less than when Musk bought the platform for $44 billion. One could argue that there's a touch of irony here because Fidelity "was a part of the investment group that helped Musk take over Twitter in a deal consisting of $33.5 billion in equity" according to an article by Fox Business. In another article from The Guardian, it was stated "Fidelity's estimate would place the value of X at about $12.5bn." Neither X nor Fidelity has responded to Fox Business's request for comments. Some Background on Elon Musk and Twitter Before Musk made the move to purchase the platform, he criticized it for its left-leaning views and that it had been cultivating a "woke mind virus". Once purchased massive layoffs were to follow and everything with the former blue bird icon was removed from office spaces. In a tweet on October 27th, 2022 Musk went into his motivation for buying Twitter stating "The reason I acquired Twitter is because it is important to the future civilization to have a common digital town square where a wide range of beliefs can be debated in a healthy manner, without resorting to violence. There is currently great danger that social media will splinter into far right-wing and far left-wing and far left-wing echo chambers that generate more hate and divide our society." Soon after Musk started going to work on X, Meta, once known as Facebook, introduced its platform known as Threads which seemingly combines both Instagram and Twitter leading to a back and forth between Musk and Meta founder, Mark Zuckerberg. Finally, last year in response to advertisers breaking away from the platform, X, Musk simply said "Go F*** yourself" during an interview at The New York Times Dealbook Summit. He then went on to state "What this advertising boycott is going to do is, it is going to kill the company. And the whole world will know that those advertisers killed the company. China continues to improve business environment for stronger economic vitality 13:58, January 04, 2024 By Zou Xiang ( People's Daily U.S. biotechnology company Moderna recently set up a company in Minhang district, Shanghai. Moderna's agent lawyer obtained the business license just an hour after relevant authorities received the final document required for business registration. "Minhang's efficiency has secured crucial development time for the company," the lawyer said. From coastal to inland regions, continuously optimizing services and improving efficiency are building powerful momentums for China to further enhance its business environment. Customs officers in Huaibei, east China's Anhui province visit a local electronics company to offer guidance on customs affairs. (People's Daily Online/Xiao Benxiang) Business environment is an important factor in stabilizing market confidence, stimulating economic development, and promoting high-quality development. Just like sunlight, water, and air are essential for human survival, a good business environment is indispensable for businesses. Various regions and departments in China have been continuously optimizing the business environment based on the actual needs of enterprises, helping them overcome obstacles and thrive. In the first three quarters of 2023, the number of newly established private enterprises in China exceeded 7.06 million, a year-on-year increase of 15.3 percent. In the first 11 months of 2023, the number of newly established foreign-invested enterprises in China reached 48,078, growing 36.2 percent from a year ago. According to a report on China's business environment for foreign investors in the third quarter of 2023, more than 80 percent of surveyed foreign-invested enterprises expressed satisfaction with China's business environment. The continuously optimized business environment provides strong support for fostering and stimulating the vitality of business entities and promoting high-quality development. Enterprises are in the best position to judge whether a business environment is good. East China's Anhui province has launched a platform that enables streamlined approvals for companies. As long as they provide accurate information, they can receive funds swiftly. In Dongying, east China's Shandong province, a 2.5-billion-yuan ($352.39 million) wind power project received personalized and proactive services from relevant departments, from planning to construction. Businesses are expected to experience a greater sense of fulfillment and confidence when they operate in a favorable business environment. Workers manufacture lithium batteries in a workshop of a company in Hai'an, east China's Jiangsu province. (People's Daily Online/Zhai Huiyong) In a sense, the optimization of business environment is also a process of deepening reforms and overcoming entrenched interests. China has been focusing on removing market barriers, transforming government functions, improving service quality and efficiency, and promoting institutional innovation, with an aim to break bottlenecks, establish long-term mechanisms, and strengthen institutional foundations, so as to ensure continuous improvement of business environment and effectively stimulate market vitality and social creativity. The rule of law is the best business environment. From optimizing legislation to strengthening the removal of unfair provisions in administrative regulations, and to canceling and adjusting 33 penalty items in areas such as industry and informatization, housing and urban-rural development, China has taken solid steps in building a business-friendly environment through the rule of law. China protects the legitimate rights and interests of various types of ownership enterprises, including state-owned, private, and foreign-funded enterprises, equally under the law. It promotes the improvement of institutional norms in areas such as property rights protection, market access, fair competition, and social credit. China not only creates a stable, transparent, standardized, and predictable legal environment for all types of business entities but also injects strong impetus into building a new highland for opening-up and promoting high-quality economic development. It was stressed at the recently held Central Economic Work Conference that China will continue its efforts to foster a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized. Optimizing business environment is an essential component of consolidating and enhancing the positive momentum of economic recovery, and continuously promoting qualitative and quantitative economic growth. By stimulating vitality through the optimization of business environment and accumulating momentum through institutional innovation, the Chinese economy is steadily moving toward high-quality development. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) Tom Girardi, a high-profile former attorney, has been found competent to stand trial on charges of embezzlement, following allegations that he stole more than $15 million from his clients. US District Judge Josephine L. Stanton made the announcement on Tuesday, January 2, despite Girardi's Alzheimer's and dementia diagnoses in 2021, as per The Independent. Tom Girardi Faces Criminal Charges in California, Chicago This decision means that the 84-year-old disbarred attorney will face a jury on criminal contempt and wire fraud charges in Orange County, California. Girardi also faces separate federal charges in Chicago. Girardi's mental competency hearing in September 2023 was not without incident, as he reportedly directed profanity towards a prosecutor. The outburst was perceived by the prosecution as evidence that Girardi was aware of his circumstances and felt he had "nothing to lose." The legal troubles have had a significant impact on Girardi's estranged wife, Erika Jayne, known for her appearance on "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." Jayne expressed her desire to move on from the situation, acknowledging the painful wound reopening every time someone mentions Girardi. The couple's separation in November 2020 was followed by a class-action lawsuit against Girardi's previous law firm, Girardi Reese, accusing them of misusing funds meant for the families of plane crash victims. Jayne has expressed her support for the victims and met with individuals who alleged that Girardi misused their settlement money. She has also spoken about his health decline and the fact that he still believes he is practicing law while residing in a memory care facility. Despite the challenges surrounding their separation, Jayne emphasized that she is mourning the end of their 20-year marriage and the real moments of sadness that come with that, according to US Magazine. Read Also: US Ford Carrier Strikes Houthi Militant Group Heading Home for First Time Since Rise of Israel-Hamas War Girardi's Competency Concerns Post Initial Assessment Girardi was previously declared fit by a court-appointed psychologist in June, but his competency has been questioned by his attorneys. The co-founder of Girardi & Keese, a now-bankrupt law firm, gained further attention as he appeared on "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" alongside Jayne. Girardi was disbarred in 2022 following allegations of misusing funds and has been indicted on wire fraud charges. Prosecutors claim that he swindled clients out of more than $18 million, including funds intended for the families affected by the 2018 Lion Air Flight 610 crash in Indonesia. Later, he faced additional wire fraud counts in a separate criminal case in Chicago. If convicted, Girardi could face up to 20 years in prison. He is currently free on a $250,000 bond. Others involved in the scheme, including the former firm's Chief Financial Officer, Christopher Kamon, and Girardi's son-in-law, David Lira, are also facing similar charges. The finding of Girardi's competency to stand trial comes after a report by neuropsychologist Dr. Diana Goldstein concluded that he is competent for trial. However, the basis and full analysis of this conclusion remain undisclosed and under seal. On the other hand, California forensic and clinical psychiatrist Dr. Nathan Lavid stated in a sworn affidavit that Girardi suffers from late-onset Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Girardi's brother, Robert Girardi, has been acting as his brother's conservator since a mental evaluation conducted in February 2021. As the legal proceedings continue, Girardi's competency ruling marks a significant development in the high-profile case that has garnered attention both for its legal complexities and its impact on the lives of those involved, Daily Mail reported. Related Article: Producer Nigel Lythgoe Faces Second Sexual Assault Lawsuit From 'All American Girl' Contestants Israel escalated its vigilance against Hezbollah on Wednesday, January 3 after killing off senior Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri in a targeted drone strike in Beirut. However, the implications of the latest operation leading to a wider war involving Hezbollah remained unclear, the Associated Press reported. This would only change if Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah would choose to respond. He previously vowed to retaliate for any Israeli targeting of allied militant leaders in Lebanon and was expected to deliver a speech later on Wednesday at 18:00 local time (16:00 UTC). Hezbollah called the strike "a serious attack on Lebanon, its people, its security, sovereignty and resistance." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly vowed to hunt down Hamas leadership wherever they might be. Read Also: US Condemns Israeli Minister's Plan for Palestinians To Emigrate From Gaza Israel vs. Hezbollah Imminent? Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters have been exchanging fire almost daily over the Israeli-Lebanese border since Hamas's October 7th attack in southern Israel. Despite this, Nasrallah appeared reluctant to escalate the war in order to avoid a repeat of the 2006 war that heavily bombed Beirut and southern Lebanon, which happened to be Hezbollah's stronghold. While Israeli officials have denied its involvement in the operation, Israeli and US officials told several reporters - on the condition of anonymity - that Israel was behind the strike. The only statement chief Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told reporters was that they were "on high readiness for any scenario." Israel claimed to have killed a number of mid-level Hamas leaders within Gaza ever since October 7. Al-Arouri was the right-hand man of Hamas's supreme political leader Ismail Haniyeh and headed the group's presence in the West Bank. He was also a key liaison with Hezbollah. The US State Department listed him as a terrorist and offered a $5 million reward for information about him. In the aftermath of the drone attack, Haniyeh said that Hamas was "more powerful and determined" following the attack, which killed six other members of the group. "They left behind them strong men who will carry the banner after them," he said of those killed. Related Article: Hezbollah Leader Reportedly Killed in Israeli Drone Strike An Italian priest named the Rev. Ramon Guidetti was punished by his bishop following his remarks against Pope Francis in his New Year's Eve homily. ANSA first reported on the news, saying that Guidetti was delivering his sermon to a congregation at St. Ranieri's Church in Guasticce, a town in the Tuscan province of Livorno on the occasion of the first death anniversary of Francis's predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. In a video of the 20-minute homily, the priest referred to Francis as "Mr. Bergoglio," after the Argentinian pontiff's former name, Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He further described the pope as "a Jesuit Freemason linked to world powers, an anti-pope usurper." Don Guidetti went on to say that, unlike his predecessor - whom he described as "good Benedict" - Francis had a "cadaverous gaze, into nothingness," given the multiple the pope allegedly allowed the watering down of Catholic doctrine in his decade in the papacy. The pope recently drew both praise and criticism for his decision to approve blessings for same-sex couples despite Vatican doctrine chief Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez clarifying that blessing same-sex couples "does not validate or justify" their relationships. Read Also: Pope Francis Turns 87, Reveals Intention to be Buried in St. Mary Major Upon Death Another heroic Italian priest Don Ramon Guidetti, parish priest of San Ranieri in Guasticce, in the province of Livorno, said in his New Years Eve Sermon A usurper , a Jesuit Freemason, everyone knows that he is not the Pope but nobody does anything Bishop Simone Giusti pic.twitter.com/BcfzIinm3q January 2, 2024 Bishop Excommunicates Don Guidetti The congregation that listened to Guidetti burst into applause, but the response to his rhetoric was swift. The Guardian reported that Bishop Simone Giusti of Livorno issued an excommunication decree on the priest, saying that he "publicly committed an act of a schismatic nature" and ordered him to be "removed from the office of parish priest of St Ranieri in Guasticce." The bishop also warned other priests "not to participate in any of his celebrations or other cult practices" as they might also suffer a similar fate. Guidetti has been known locally to make anti-Francis remarks in the past, and said that he was proud to have been excommunicated, adding that it was "a mark of pride to be out of this church, which is a tyranny." "I am calm," he told Radio Domina Nostra, a radio show hosted by Alessandro Minutella, another priest who was excommunicated after attacking Francis. "But [I was] astonished at the speed at which the guillotine came down. I will frame the decree and hang it on the wall - it will be something I will boast about." Some of the pontiff's detractors believe that his appointment was invalid because of Benedict's abdication in 2013. Francis has been plagued by sickness in recent years and has often alluded to his own future resignation and funeral plans. When asked about his health in an interview in September, he quipped: "[I am s]till alive... although some want me dead." Related Article: Pope Francis Condemns Violence Against Women in New Year's Day Homily A Catholic organization in California filed a bankruptcy because of numerous lawsuits related to sex abuse claims. Many of these allegations even date back as far as the 1940s. The Roman Catholic group is partly blaming a change in California's state law in 2019. On Tuesday, Jan. 2, the Franciscan Friars of California announced that it filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy on Dec. 31. The religious organization filed bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Oakland. Here are other things you need to know about the issue of the Franciscan Friars. California: Catholic Org Files Bankruptcy Due to Sex Abuse-Related Lawsuits According to Fox News' latest report, the Californian Roman Catholic organization argued that they are facing almost 100 lawsuits linked to sex abuse accusations because of the state law change in 2019. The Franciscan Friars explained that the adjustment made in the state law allowed abuse survivors to file decades-old complaints, which were supposed to be prohibited because of the expiration of the statute of limitations. The Catholic organization's officials said that they were overwhelmed by the number of cases filed against them; both in terms of their ability to fairly compensate all abuse survivors and the human cost. "All of the claims are based on abuse that allegedly occurred at least 27 years ago, with several claims dating back to the 1940s," said the Franciscan Friars of California. The religious group said that they are facing a total of 94 claims; most of these are accusing friars who are already dead. "Of the six living friars, all have been long removed permanently from all public ministry and ministerial environments, and are living under strict third-party supervision," said the Franciscan Friars. Read Also: Catholic Priest From Philippines Arrested for Doubting Alleged Apparition of Virgin Mary Issues With Removing Statute of Limitations The change in California state law in 2019 that is causing problems for the Franciscan Friars is also quite the same as the adjustment that the New York state made. Recently, BBC News reported that New York Gov. Kathy Hochul temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for people who want to file sexual assault complaints. Although many advocates support the temporary Adults Survivors Act, many experts warned that it is leading to rising numbers of sexual abuse lawsuits, which could be false. They added that these plaintiffs might just be taking advantage of the Adults Survivors Act to generate quick money by falsely accusing other individuals, especially celebrities and politicians. Related Article: NY: Sexual Assault Lawsuits Increase Due to Adult Survivors Act Deadline; Advocates Call for Extension The United States government has debt surpassing $34 trillion for the first time in history. On December 29, 2023, the "total public debt outstanding" increased to $34.001 trillion, according to data released by the Treasury Department. The amount that the US federal government has accrued in outstanding borrowing throughout the course of its history is represented by that number, which is also called the national debt. This major attainment occurred just three months after the US national debt soared beyond $33 trillion due to the ever-increasing fiscal deficit. Maya MacGuineas, the head of the fiscal watchdog group Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, characterized the record number as a depressing achievement. In a report by CNN on Tuesday, January 2, she said that the US cannot stop borrowing despite the fact that the country's high debt levels pose risks to the economy and national security. Political Deadlock Republican and Democratic gridlock over the federal budget has escalated into frequent shutdown threats, and the national debt has emerged as a key topic of conflict. Republicans claim that the spending plans of President Joe Biden's administration are too costly, while Democrats contend that tax cuts favored by Republicans have reduced government income. A spokesman for the White House, Michael Kikukawa, blamed the increasing number on the Republican Party's long history of favoring large businesses and wealthy individuals at the expense of struggling households via cutbacks to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. According to Kikukawa, Biden proposed an initiative to lower the deficit by $2.5 trillion by reducing excessive expenditure on special interests, such as giant pharmaceutical and oil firms, and by having the rich and businesses pay their fair amount. See Also: Biden Administration Looks to Supreme Court in Texas Razor-Wire Border Dispute US Credit Rating The US credit rating has already taken a hit due to rising debt and political pandering, regardless of who is to blame. In August of last year, credit rating agency Fitch lowered the US national debt rating to AA+ from AAA, and financial service firm Moody's issued a warning last November that it could also revoke America's last pristine AAA rating. The highest issuer credit rating, AAA, indicates that the issuer has an exceptionally strong ability to fulfill its financial obligations. The Senate passed a temporary funding package last November in order to prevent a government shutdown, and now lawmakers in Washington have deadlines for passing permanent department budgets in January and February. Priorities, including the Energy Department, transportation, housing, veterans affairs, and military construction, have their budget extended until January 19 by that bill. Everything else in the government was covered up until February 2. Additional assistance for Israel or Ukraine was omitted. "We remain hopeful that policymakers will take further measures to reduce our borrowing either by raising taxes, reducing spending, or creating a fiscal commission - or ideally by doing all of the above," MacGuineas stated. See Also: US Prosecutors Urge Federal Appeals Court to Reject Trump Immunity Claim A new antibiotic excites many health experts after the drug successfully killed a drug-resistant bacteria during an animal test. Because of this, many scientists expect human trials to be the next step. For the past few years, doctors and other health professionals across the globe have been making efforts to create medicines that can combat anti-antibiotic bacteria. The arrival of the new class of antibiotics is a big deal because it was able to kill one of the deadliest drug-resistant bacteria; the Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (Crab). New Antibiotic Kills Drug-Resistant Bacteria According to The Guardian's latest report, the new class of antibiotic that successfully killed the Crab bacteria during the animal test is the Zosurabalpin. Scientists involved in the test said that the medicine was tested in mouse models of pneumonia and sepsis. This is a big deal for the medical industry since the drug-resistant Crab strains are considered a priority 1 critical pathogen by the World Health Organization. This bacteria is on the same level as the two drug-resistant forms of bacteria, specifically Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. "Crab is a significant cause of infection in hospitals, particularly in people who are on ventilators," explained Dr. Andrew Edwards from the Imperial College London. "While it is not an aggressive pathogen it is resistant to multiple different antibiotics, making it very difficult to treat," added Dr. Edwards. Andrew, who wasn't part of the new antibiotic research, said that since Crab strains are difficult to treat, the latest antibiotic test that successfully killed the bacteria is pretty exciting. He added that it provides confidence that the methods being used to find new classes of antibiotics can defeat drug-resistant bacteria. Read Also: Flu Surge: UK Struggles With Sharp Rise in Cases as Medical Professionals Join Strikes More Antibiotics Against Drug-Resistant Bacteria Arrive Aside from the latest Zosurabalpin drug, New Scientist recently reported that another new class of antibiotics was discovered. Scientists made this game-changing discovery, thanks to the help of artificial intelligence. Just like Zosurabalpin, the recently discovered antibiotic class also showed promising results. It effectively worked against both MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus. "Our [AI] models tell us not only which compounds have selective antibiotic activity, but also why, in terms of their chemical structure," said Broad Institute's Felix Wong, one of the involved health experts. If you want to learn more about this health breakthrough, you can click this link. Related Article: New Anti-Anti-Resistant Bacteria Antibiotics Discovered by AI! First One in Over 60 Years Earlier Wednesday, former Democrat, now Independent, presidential candidate, Robert F. Kennedy, has collected the necessary signatures to appear on the 2024 presidential election ballot in Utah. As reported by the Associated Press, Kennedy's campaign spokesperson, Stefanie Spear spoke on the development, revealing that "Utah is the first state where Kennedy's campaign submitted signatures and qualified for ballot access". Spear did not specify the day on which Kennedy would submit his candidacy. Kennedy as a candidate gained significant notoriety during the COVID-19 epidemic as he adopted various conspiracy theories that cooked up doubts surrounding the COVID-19 vaccination. He even has a published book,which would become a New York Times best-seller, titled "The Real Anthony Fauci". Another article from the Associated Press discussed how some of Kennedy's supporters had "bought multiple copies to drive sales ". Conversely, despite this Kennedy's book was successful in securing the title of being a bestseller with the book's Amazon page also touting "Over 1,000,000 copies sold despite censorship, boycotts from bookstores and libraries, and hit pieces against the author." On the matter of censorship, one of Kennedy's videos on YouTube was removed from the platform for breaking vaccine policy. In addition to this Kennedy's organization titled "Children's Health Defense" has a pending lawsuit filed against various news outlets including the Associated Press, "Accusing them of violating antitrust laws by taking action to identify misinformation, including about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccinations. What's Next For Kennedy? His recent victory in being able to appear on the 2024 presidential election ballot has great potential, even if it's only one state, to cause a big shake-up in the upcoming election as independent candidates have the potential to pull voters away from the two major parties. It also does not help that many voters today may not be particularly enthusiastic about either Biden or Trump. Given the escalating political polarization in America, the circumstances seem to present fertile ground for a centrist figure like Kennedy to rise up and potentially seize the presidency. Contrary to the claims made by some politicians, extensive research reveals that offshore wind farms do not pose a threat to whales, challenging the narrative surrounding their environmental impact." In recent months, the fight over the future of renewable energy has commanded a great deal of attention. Former President Donald Trump, has made claims suggesting that the construction of offshore wind turbines is the contributing factor in the harm and death of these giant animals. However, scientists say there is no credible evidence linking the offshore wind farms to whale deaths. According to the Associated Press the dispute emerged after 2016, when an unusually high number of whales were discovered dead or stranded along New England beaches. These incidents highlight the ongoing contentions between Republican politicians and advocate groups for protecting whales. Currently, there are two commercial offshore wind farms under construction in the United States. Danish wind energy developer rsted and the utility Eversource are building South Fork Wind, located 35 miles east of Montauk Point, New York. On Dec. 7, rsted announced that the first of its 12 turbines there is now sending electricity onto the grid. Vineyard Wind is building a 62-turbine wind farm 15 miles off Massachusetts. Both plan to open sometime this year, while other large offshore wind projects continue to procure permits. The U.S. also has two pilot projects that include five turbines off Rhode Island and two off Virginia. The Associated Press reported the Biden administration aims to power 10 million homes with offshore wind by 2030-- emphasizing a key piece of its climate objectives. DO U.S. WIND FARMS PLAY A ROLE IN CONTRIBUTING TO WHALE DEATHS? Experts at both federal organizations and environmental advocacy groups say there is no proof of a connection between offshore wind farms and recent whale beachings. In an email to USA TODAY, Marine Mammal Commission spokesperson Brady O'Donnell reiterated that there is "no evidence linking site preparation work for offshore wind farms with a number of whale deaths along the U.S. East Coast". Nonetheless, 23 whales have died on the East Coast since December 2022. Researchers at the National Oceans and Atmospheric Association have stated that this is a peculiar mortality rate for humpback whales. NOAA Fisheries spokesperson, Lauren Gaches said "no whale mortality has been attributed to offshore wind activities," in a press conference last January. Since scientists began looking into the phenomenon, post-mortem examinations show that 40% of the 178 humpback whales that died since 2016 had evidence of human interaction, such as ship strikes or entanglements. Gaches also pointed out that at least two of the whales that washed up on the East Coast in recent months were most likely hit by boats. The others could not be linked to a specific cause. U.S. scientists continue to collect data near offshore wind farms to monitor any potential impact on the mammals, including altered behavior or changes to migration routes. Doug Nowacek, a marine biologist at Duke University, notes that this research is still in its preliminary stages. Federal authorities and scientists noted the biggest threats to whales are shipping collisions and entanglement in fishing gear. There is also a concern for underwater noise pollution. WHY ARE POLITICAL GROUPS ALLEGING WIND FARMS CAUSE WHALE DEATHS? To try and stop projects, some within the Republican party were able to get the U.S. Government Accountability Office to open an investigation into the offshore wind industry's impacts on commercial fishing and marine life and requested a moratorium on the projects. David Hardy, group Executive Vice President and CEO of Americas at rsted believes these claims are "not scientific" but "very much politically-driven misinformation." Conservative public policy group, The Heartland Institute has also pushed back at offshore wind projects. Director of the Arthur B. Robinson Center on Climate and Environmental Policy, H. Sterling Burnett, indicated the wind projects are subject to unfairly lax regulatory restrictions compared to fossil fuel ventures. However, smaller anti-wind groups have organized within their coastal communities to oppose projects they feel jeopardize their lifestyle. Whale advocates continue to push for renewable energy as they say climate change is harming the animals and reduced dependency on fossil fuels would help solve that problem. In 2023, reports revealed that traffic congestion in the U.S. worsened in 2022. Experts said that although traffic levels in the United States are below the pre-pandemic period, millions of Americans are still negatively affected. In 2022, it was estimated that U.S. drivers lost an average of 51 hours a year because of traffic congestion, which is almost 1 hour per week. This is why many tech companies are making efforts to help the U.S. reduce its traffic congestion and here's how Google is doing its part. Project Green Light: Google to Use AI to Help Reduce US Traffic According to CBS News' latest report, traffic congestion not only affects the daily lives of people, but it is also harmful to the environment. Now, Google wants to help solve this issue using its new Project Green Light system. This new program relies on artificial intelligence and vast map databases. The Project Green Light system is designed by Google to effectively optimize traffic lights around the world. As of writing, Google is already using the new system in one U.S. city: Seattle. Google explained that the new anti-traffic project can provide suggestions to city engineers, which they can decide to implement or reject. "We had one case where we moved four seconds from a north-south street to an east-west street for a particular time of day, so then that can help reduce some of that stop-and-go traffic," said Seattle Department of Transportation Engr. Laura Wojcicki, one of the experts that used the Project Green Light. Read Also: China Crash: 17 Killed, 22 Injured During Road Traffic Accident as the Country Opens Up Back Following Intense COVID-19 Chaos How effective is Google's Project Green Light? New Atlas reported that Google's Project Green Light is quite efficient; being able to reduce stop-and-go traffic by up to 30%. Aside from this, the new system can also help lessen intersection emissions by 10%. Right now, Google is already partnering with more than 12 cities across the world. It's using Project Green Light to time recommendations on 70 different intersections. What's great about this new service is that Google offers it for free. Road engineers can use the Project Green Light system via a web interface. "It means a lot for drivers and it also means a lot for emissions," said Engr. Wojcicki. She also said that solving traffic congestion in intersections not only saves people time, but doing so can also help tackle the worsening climate crisis. Related Article: Will US Parking Fees Be Removed? Some Cities Already Ditching Them-Here's Why The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed and admitted that 25-year-old Israeli hostage Sahar Baruch was killed in Gaza during an attempt to rescue him from Hamas in early December. Local media reported on Wednesday, January 3 that they notified Baruch's family this week, but said it remained unclear whether he was killed by Israeli forces or by Hamas, which was a reversal of its December 9 statement that he was "murdered" by Hamas. Even then, however, the IDF noted that they were "still verifying and investigating the details regarding the place of his murder." According to The Times of Israel, two IDF personnel were severely injured during the failed rescue attempt. Read Also: Israel Expects Hezbollah Response After Killing Senior Hamas Leader in Beirut Bringing Sahar Baruch's Body Home Israeli officials believe that over 130 hostages remain in captivity in Gaza, including the corpses of those who have since died such as Baruch. However, US officials cautioned that there was no way to be sure how many of them remained alive. Israel, the US, Qatar, Egypt, and Hamas were still in negotiations surrounding another truce and a potential second wave of hostage exchanges, though little progress has been made. So far, no concrete developments have been secured as of writing. Baruch was abducted by Hamas on October 7 while he was at Kibbutz Be'eri. "It is with great sadness and a broken heart that we announce the murder of Sahar Baruch who was kidnapped from his home by Hamas terrorists to Gaza and was murdered there," Kibbutz Be'eri and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a joint statement. "We share in the unbearable grief of his parents, Tami and Roni, his brothers, Guy and Niv, his family and all his loved ones." Related Article: Gaza Hospital Served as Command Center for Hamas Before Israel Raid, US Claims Facts, evidence of Jimmy Lais collusion with foreign forces clear, legally persuasive 14:45, January 04, 2024 By Chen Qingqing ( Global Times The trial of infamous anti-China disruptor Jimmy Lai, also the founder of Next Digital Media, along with three companies associated with the Apple Daily newspaper, entered into its fifth day on Wednesday for alleged violations of the National Security Law (NSL) for Hong Kong. While some Western political figures attempted to refute allegations of conspiracy in Lai's case, legal experts believe that presenting evidence of Jimmy Lai's collusion with foreign forces will be legally persuasive. Based on the materials provided in the trial, the facts and evidence of Lai's collusion with foreign forces are clear, some experts said. The prosecutor on Wednesday presented several articles published by Apple Daily between 2019 and 2020, as well as quoting Lai's speeches. Some articles are considered to have demonstrated the defendant's promotion of hatred against the government. One article even mentioned calls for "governments worldwide to sanction Hong Kong officials and police who persecute Hong Kong residents." The prosecutor also referenced another article about global solidarity rallies in 22 cities, with themes urging immediate so-called democratic reforms by the government or else calling for international sanctions. On Wednesday afternoon, the prosecutor continued their presentation and played a video segment, including some interview clips of the defendant in which he mentioned the necessity for US support and suggested that the US should support Taiwan in imposing technological sanctions on the Chinese mainland. The prosecutor presented 161 articles involved in the case, of which 31 were published after the implementation of the NSL for Hong Kong. Justice Alex Lee Wan-tang requested clarification on which specific charges the referenced articles were related to. The prosecutor responded that the content of the 31 articles published after the enactment of the NSL for Hong Kong is pertinent to the charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and conspiracy to publish seditious publications. The prosecutor had earlier accused Lai of conspiring with activist Andy Li, paralegal Chan Tsz-wah, exiled figure Finn Lau, Britain-based rights campaigner Luke de Pulford, Japanese politician Shiori Yamao, US financier Bill Browder and others to lobby foreign countries for sanctions, Reuters reported on Wednesday. Some of the foreign political figures named in the national security trial of Lai tried to refute those allegations, according to the media report. The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China baselessly criticized the trial and said in a statement that "working with Mr Lai to uphold fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong would have been a matter of pride." The rebuttals of foreign figures and related individuals in the trial, who are evading the core question, further confirm Lai's intricate connections with foreign entities. "One wonders why these politicians and individuals would be so concerned about this case if there were no relations," Louis Chen, a member of the Election Committee and general secretary of the Hong Kong Legal Exchange Foundation, told the Global Times on Wednesday. Based on the materials provided in the trial, the facts and evidence of Lai's collusion with foreign forces are clear, Chen said. "Of course, until adjudicated by the court, he has the full right to defense and is free to say anything." It is believed that the trial will be impartial, fully reflecting Hong Kong's modern rule of law spirit and the professional standards of the judges, the legal expert said. On Wednesday, the Commissioner's Office of China's Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition toward those rebuttals of overseas political figures and group. These politicians are attempting to shield anti-China disruptors in Hong Kong, brutally interfere in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs, and blatantly trample on the basic norms of international relations. Their actions are unpopular and doomed to fail, a spokesperson from the commissioner's office said. Lai is a major planner, participant and behind-the-scenes instigator of the anti-China riots in Hong Kong, the spokesperson said, noting that as a proxy and pawn of foreign anti-China forces, Lai blatantly colluded with external forces to endanger national security and willingly served as a political tool for foreign forces to use Hong Kong to contain China. Hong Kong is a society ruled by law, where laws must be observed and law enforcement must be strict. Hong Kong's judicial departments handle cases fairly and according to the law, which is widely supported and appreciated by the public, the spokesperson said. "[The] prosecutor's opening statement in court yesterday, presenting evidence of Lai's collusion with foreign forces, is legally persuasive," Fu Kin-chi, director of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies and vice-president of the Hong Kong Basic Law Education Association, told the Global Times on Wednesday Fu criticized the rebuttals by related foreign politicians and individuals as lacking a factual and legal basis, accusing them of applying double standards, smearing the NSL for Hong Kong, and improperly interfering with Hong Kong's legal system and judicial independence. "They are trying to support and stand by Lai, a leader of anti-China and anti-Hong Kong riots, thus violating the spirit of the rule of law in Hong Kong. This constitutes a breach of international law and basic principles of international relations, and may even amount to contempt of court and obstruction of justice, deserving strong condemnation," he said. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Yemen's Houthi movement has come forward claiming they had "targeted" a container ship bound for Israel. This comes a day after the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the militant group had fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles in the southern Red Sea, according to Reuters. When asked about the Houthis' claim, the French shipping firm CMA CGM told Reuters the vessel was unharmed and had suffered no incident. The company also said the ship had been headed for Egypt, not Israel. The Houthi's military spokesman, Yahya Sarea, announced in a televised speech that the group had "targeted" the CMA CGM Tage Container Ship withholding any other details. Sarea did not elaborate on when or where the incident took place. He continued to say the Houthis had sent out warning messages to the targeted ship and that its crew chose to pay it no mind. During Sarea's speech, he issued a warning to the United States and doubled down on the Houthi's stance that these attacks will continue until aid is allowed to enter Gaza. "No U.S. attack will pass without a response or punishment," he added. Following the announcement, Al-Jazeera reported that the Pentagon indicated a US warship and multiple commercial ships faced an assault in the Red Sea . "We are aware of reports regarding attacks on the USS Carney and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and will provide information as it becomes available," the Pentagon stated. However, it was reported last week that missiles landed near a US warship after it helped an Israeli vessel that had been briefly seized by gunmen. Last month, the Houthis also seized a vehicle transport ship linked to Israel in the Red Sea off Yemen. The group still holds the vessel near the port city of Hodeida. Multiple commercial ships have felt the impact of the missiles in surrounding waters. According to the same Reuters article, The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Authority had also reported up to three explosions one to five nautical miles from a merchant vessel in the Bab al-Mandab strait, 33 nautical miles east of Eritrea's Assab, adding there were no reports of damage. The Reuters article also revealed that several shipping lines have suspended operations through the Red Sea waterway in connection to the attacks, resulting in a longer journey around Africa. Kenneth Smith, 58, was convicted for a murder-for-hire committed in 1988, and sentenced to death. He is now scheduled for execution in the state of Alabama on Jan. 25. This would be the first execution by nitrogen gas in the United States. Most U.S. executions are performed using lethal doses of a barbiturate. Barbiturates are a class of depressant drugs that are chemically derived from barbituric acid. They are prescribed to treat headaches, insomnia, and seizures. In Smith's case, the procedure is intended to deprive him of oxygen by using a face mask connected to a cylinder of nitrogen. In a statement obtained by Reuters, four U.N. Special Rapporteurs said the method could cause "grave suffering" and likely be at odds with the prohibition on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment. "We are concerned that nitrogen hypoxia would result in a painful and humiliating death," they warned. The United Nations experts have pressed the U.S. to halt its plans to use nitrogen hypoxia to kill inmate, Kenneth Smith. The Independent noted Smith's legal team also share similar concerns, specifically pointing to the US ban on "cruel and unusual punishments" as reason enough not to go ahead with the execution. After a mishandled execution involving Smith in 2022, any attempt to end his life should be deemed unconstitutional, said the legal team. The same Reuters article went on to reveal that Smith is one of two people alive in the U.S. who has survived an execution attempt via lethal injection. Officials tried and failed to administer the drugs despite there being a court order in place to block the execution. States that continue to authorize capital punishment have struggled in recent years to access the chemicals needed to effectively carry out lethal injection executions. This mainly stems from an agreement implemented by the European Union that bans the sale, as The Independent also revealed, of the required chemicals to the U.S. if they are intended for executions. Nitrogen hypoxia has not been tested as a method of execution. According to Forbes, experts have warned that there is "no scientific evidence" proving it will not cause "grave suffering." A federal judge is weighing whether to permit Smith's execution to proceed after hearing arguments from Alabama and Smith. Lawyers for the state dismissed Smith's concerns of distress and suffering, also touching on the potential of Smith falling into a vegetative state from the drug. They shut down such concerns citing the bans on cruel or unusual punishments do not prohibit all pain. It is not clear when the judge will rule on the case. Following the assassination of Hamas deputy leader, Saleh al-Arouri, the Chief of Lebanon's Hezbollah group, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, said the targeted killing of Arouri in Beirut will not go unpunished. Reuters confirmed Arouri, 57, who resided in Beirut, was the first senior Hamas political leader to be assassinated outside Palestinian territories since Israel began its offensive against the Palestinian Islamist group in response to its deadly rampage from Gaza into Israeli towns on Oct. 7. In a televised speech on Wednesday, Nasrallah blamed Israel for the attack and warned that his heavily armed forces would fight to the finish if Israel takes full war with Lebanon. Nasrallah vowed that his powerful Iran-backed Shi'ite militia "cannot be silent" in the wake of al-Arouri's killing, which he called "a major dangerous crime", though he made no concrete threats of action against Israel. "Whoever thinks of war with us, in one word, he will regret it. If war is launched against Lebanon, then Lebanon's national interests require that we take the war to the end," said Nasrallah. According to an Al-Jazeera article, Tuesday's strike hit the southern suburb of Dahiyeh, known for being a Hezbollah stronghold. Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari did not directly comment on al-Arouri's killing but said the military was "highly prepared for any scenario" in its aftermath. However, Al-Jazeera went on to report that on Wednesday, the chief of Israel's Mossad intelligence service vowed that the agency would hunt down every Hamas leader involved in the attack that took place on the 7th of October, no matter where they are. The attack that killed Arouri was the first in Beirut following exchanges of fire for months between Hezbollah and Israel. The strikes had previously been confined to Lebanon's southern border. Some Background Hezbollah and Israel last fought a major war in 2006. It essentially ended in a stalemate, however, analysts say Hezbollah has become a more formidable fighting force since with thousands of new and heavy weaponry along with other forms of ammunition. It was revealed in the aforemention Reuters article that, to date, more than 120 Hezbollah fighters and two dozen civilians have been killed on Lebanese territory, as well as at least nine Israeli soldiers in Israel. BBC reported that US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller revealed on Wednesday that Washington was not given advance notice of the strike in Beirut that killed Arouri. The report went on to say that a spokesperson for the UN's Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has "urged all parties to show restraint", going on to advise that "a wider conflict would have devastating consequences for both Israel and Lebanon". Meanwhile, amidst the rising tensions between Israel and Lebanon, the fighting in Gaza continues. The UN confirmed on Tuesday five people were killed in an attack on the Palestinian Red Crescent building in the southern city of Khan Younis. The total recorded Palestinian death toll, as reported from the Reuters article, from Israel's offensive had reached 22,313 by Wednesday, 128 of them in the past 24 hours, the Gaza health ministry said. Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has launched a scathing attack on South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. While Kim labeled Yoon as "foolishly brave," she surprisingly praised his liberal predecessor, Moon Jae-in, as "smart." Kim's statement, released on Tuesday, was in response to Yoon's New Year's Day address, in which he vowed to strengthen South Korea's military capabilities and enhance its alliance with the United States to counter the evolving nuclear threats posed by North Korea, as per Voice of America. Kim Jong Un's Sister Derides South Korea President In her statement, Kim expressed her admiration for Yoon's efforts to build up North Korea's military muscle, describing him as a "top-class person" deserving of praise. She contrasted Yoon with his predecessor, describing Moon as "sagacious and crafty," but criticized his policy of engagement, which she argued resulted in wasted time for North Korea in building up its military capacity. South Korea's Defense Ministry dismissed Kim's statement as "ridiculous," equating it to a criminal blaming law enforcement or innocent bystanders for their crimes. The ministry emphasized its commitment to swiftly responding to any North Korean provocations and maintaining a firm preparedness posture. While Yoon has sought to enhance military cooperation with the United States since assuming office in 2022, North Korea has been conducting a flurry of missile and weapons tests. Additionally, the regime has strengthened its ties with Russia, with some alleging that there is an exchange of artillery, equipment, and advanced technology for missile and space programs between the two nations. In November, North Korea launched what it claimed to be its first military spy satellite, and Kim Jong Un recently declared the intention to launch three more satellites in 2024 while further bolstering the country's nuclear arsenal. Kim's statement was seen as an attempt to undermine Yoon's North Korea policy and influence sentiment against him ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections in April. By asserting that Yoon's "foolishly brave" stance and "fanatical military confrontation posture" have contributed to North Korea's military programs, Kim sought to generate support for candidates opposing Yoon's approach, according to UPI. Read Also: US Ford Carrier Strikes Houthi Militant Group Heading Home for First Time Since Rise of Israel-Hamas War Mixed Signals on Moon Jae-in Amid Diplomatic Shifts Surprisingly, Kim offered contradictory remarks about Moon Jae-in, whom she called "very smart and crafty." This praise contradicted earlier statements in which she and her government strongly berated the former South Korean president. Moon's engagement policy was both praised and criticized. Supporters credited him with achieving cooperation with North Korea without major armed conflicts, while critics accused him of being a naive supporter of North Korea who inadvertently allowed the regime to advance its nuclear program while evading international sanctions. The breakdown of nuclear diplomacy between North Korea and the United States prompted North Korea to intensify efforts to modernize its nuclear arsenal. Consequently, South Korea and the United States, now led by President Yoon and President Joe Biden, respectively, have expanded their military exercises and increased temporary deployments of strategic assets. North Korea views these maneuvers as significant security threats to its regime. Experts believe that Kim Jong Un's frustration with the lack of strategic dominance on the Korean Peninsula has fueled his anger and may lead to an escalation of weapons testing ahead of the US presidential election in November. It is speculated that Kim believes he could secure major concessions, such as sanctions relief, if former President Donald Trump returns to the White House. However, experts maintain that even if Trump were reelected, North Korea would not likely achieve its desired outcomes. Nonetheless, given other pressing international issues, such as the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the Israel-Hamas conflict, there remains the possibility of another meeting between Trump and Kim, potentially resulting in concessions from the US side, Times Union reported. Related Article: Israel-Hamas Conflict: Dozens of Dead Palestinians Burried in Rafah Mass Grave in Southern Gaza Russia and Ukraine exchanged more than 500 prisoners of war in a major swap between the two warring nations after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) mediation efforts. The Wednesday announcement marks the first time that the two sides exchanged prisoners of war in nearly five months. Each side freed more than 200 individuals after what officials described as a complex negotiation involving UAE mediation. Russia-Ukraine Prisoner Exchange In a statement, Russia's Defense Ministry said that it received over 248 military personnel from Ukraine. On the other hand, Kyiv said that it brought home 230 people, 224 of whom were soldiers while the other six were civilians. They noted that it was the largest documented swap of troops so far. The UAE's foreign ministry also acknowledged its role in the exchange and said that the swap was only made possible by its "strong friendly relations" with the two countries. The Middle Eastern nation offered both further humanitarian efforts and to find a peaceful solution to the war, as per Reuters. Ukrainian authorities also released video footage that showed returning prisoners draped in the country's blue and yellow flag filing off a bus. They were also heard singing the national anthem and shouting the patriotic greeting "Glory to Ukraine." The majority of the individuals appeared to be in good health and one returnee shouted, "We are home! You didn't forget us!" The Russian Ministry of Defense released a similar video showing returning uniformed prisoners as they arrived in Belgorod riding buses. An unnamed man was heard saying, "I'll be home in five hours, roughly speaking, that's going to be a joy." The prisoner exchange comes despite a lack of talks on how to put an end to the 22-month conflict. The two sides have held several swaps since the early months of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The chief of Ukraine's military intelligence and head of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Kyrylo Budanov said that they managed to conduct a very complex exchange over a significant period, according to the Washington Post. Read Also: Russian Snipers Using American Scopes in Ukraine Largest Swap in Months In a video posted on social media, Budanov noted that the released Ukrainians included "a combat medic, defenders from Snake Island, Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Azovstal, border guards, police, national guard, and armed forces." However, Russian human rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova said that 75 of the Russian POWs were handed back "without an exchange." The remark implied that the main trade involved 173 Russian service members. An unnamed source was quoted as saying that the 75 Russians were released in exchange for five Ukrainian commanders from the Azov Brigade who returned to Ukraine in July last year. The Azov members were captured by Russian forces early in the conflict and were reportedly under house arrest under Turkey's supervision. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that there was a long pause in between exchanges of prisoners of war. However, he noted that there was no pause in the negotiations regarding the swaps. The president added that they seized every opportunity and tried all mediation options to bring citizens back home. Zelensky said that at every international meeting that can help the cause, they raised the issue of returning captives, said Business Insider. Related Article: Russian President Vladimir Putin Vows To Intensify Attack on Ukraine After Kyiv's Assault on Belgorod Authorities are investigating the fatal shooting of an Islam imam outside of a mosque in Newark, New Jersey, on Wednesday morning. Local officials said that the killing of the individual, identified as Hassan Sharif, was not motivated by bias or domestic terrorism. Throughout the morning, devout worshippers filed into Masjid Muhammad and prayed for the recovery of Sharif. However, his injuries were too severe and he was later pronounced dead. Islam Prayer Leader Fatally Shot In a statement, Aneesah Abdullah said that Sharif was a good person and that he could not think of anything wrong he had done to anyone else. Newark police noted that the victim was shot outside his own Mosque, which was located on South Orange Avenue and Camden Street, at around 6:15 a.m. Masjid leadership said that the gunman allegedly approached just after pre-dawn prayer. Law enforcement personnel added that the imam was hit more than once and was rushed to University Hospital where he was later pronounced dead that afternoon, as per CBS News. During a news conference, state Attorney General Matt Platkin said that investigators are still trying to determine the motive behind the fatal shooting. He said that they are not yet at liberty to discuss the details or progress of the investigative efforts. Platkin added that the evidence they have collected so far does not indicate that the crime was committed due to bias or by domestic terrorism. The attorney general said that he was aware that many people in New Jersey are concerned about a heightened sense of fear, or anxiety, at the news of the killing. The official noted that if there is any evidence that the crime was related to a hate crime, Islamophobia, or anything similar, it would be completely reprehensible and unacceptable in the state of New Jersey. Newark resident Paulette Williams also talked about the incident, saying that the crime in the area "has to stop." She noted that it had become ridiculous and that she could not take it anymore, suggesting that she plans on moving to a different state, according to ABC7NY. Read Also: Capitol Police Arrest Illegal Immigrant Carrying Brick, Knife, Machete After Showing 'Strange Behavior' Determining the Motive Investigators are now working to review security and city-owned street camera footage to determine whether or not they could spot an assailant. Officials were also able to retrieve bullet casings which are being analyzed. After news of Sharif's shooting was spread, some of those whose lives he touched raced to his mosque to pray for him. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said that transportation security officers (TSOs) serve diverse populations of travelers to secure the nation's transportation systems. The remarks came as Sharif has been working as a TSO at Newark Liberty International Airport since 2006. The agency added that they were deeply saddened to learn of the imam's passing and were sending their condolences to the victim's family, friends, and co-workers. The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), which is the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States also issued a statement following the incident. It said that they currently did not have information on the motive of the criminal, said Fox News. Related Article: Missing Florida Woman Found Dead in Pond Near Disney World After Vanishing 12 Years Ago The Israeli Supreme Court issued a ruling that ordered the delay of the implementation of a recusal law that would shield Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from being ordered to recuse himself from office. The high court's decision was made after justices argued that the law was passed to personally benefit the premier. The Supreme Court also ruled that the recusal law, which is an amendment to the quasi-constitutional Basic Law: The Government that was passed back in March, will now take effect only at the beginning of the next Knesset term. Delay of Israel's Recusal Law The majority had ruled that the purpose of the recusal law was simply personal in nature due to its stated purpose and timing. They said that it therefore constituted an improper use of the Knesset's power to pass and amend the country's quasi-constitutional Basic Laws. They ruled that this could be remedied by changing the implementation date of the legislation itself. The recusal or incapacitation law included a change to an ambiguity in Basic Law: The Government whereby the attorney general and the High Court could potentially have had the power to order a prime minister to recuse themselves from office, as per the Times of Israel. That could have possibly included a violation of a conflict of interest agreement such as one that Netanyahu has signed. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara in February warned the prime minister that he would be in violation of his conflict of interest agreement if he involved himself in his government's controversial judicial overhaul legislation. Petitions were subsequently filed to the Supreme Court asking it to instruct the attorney general to order Netanyahu to recuse himself. They argued that the prime minister was involved in legislation that could affect the identity of the justices who hear a likely eventual appeal in the Netanyahu trial. The coalition then passed legislation that stipulated that the power to declare the prime minister incapacitated lies with the government and the Knesset alone, based only on medical grounds. The latest ruling is the second time in the past week that the Israeli Supreme Court intervened in the legislation of Basic Laws. Read Also: Hezbollah Chief Says Hamas Leader's Death 'Won't Go Unpunished,' And ' Group Will Not Stay Silent' Benjamin Netanyahu's Judicial Overhaul Attempt The situation comes about a year after Netanyahu proposed a sweeping overhaul to the country's judiciary. It would, in effect, put it under his personal thumb. The proposal prompted mass protests that succeeded in blocking most of the overhaul attempt, according to Vox News. At the start of last year, Netanyahu had just returned to power after roughly one year in opposition. His new coalition, which is seen as the most far-right in the history of Israel, was united around one cause, reining in an independent Supreme Court that was seen as an obstacle to their ambitions. The previous ruling of the high court was made in an 8-7 decision that struck down Netanyahu's controversial amendment to a Basic Law on the grounds of "reasonableness." The development was unprecedented because the court had never thrown out one of Israel's Basic Laws. If it were not for Israel's current war against the Hamas militant group in Gaza, the Supreme Court's ruling would have precipitated a constitutional crisis. A professor of political science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Reuven Hazan said that there could have been an internal war, said CNN. Related Article: Russia, Ukraine Exchange Hundreds of Prisoners of War in Major Swap After UAE Mediation Efforts Some U.S. serviceman's family members were rescued from Gaza following a secret and coordinated operation facilitated by the U.S., Israel, and Egypt. An unnamed U.S. official, citing security protocol, informed the Associated Press that Zahra Sckak and her brother-in-law Farid Sukaik, an American citizen, were evacuated from Gaza on New Year's Eve. "The United States played solely a liaison and coordinating role between the Sckak family and the governments of Israel and Egypt," the official told the AP. The extraction involved the Israeli military and local Israeli officials who oversee Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, the outlet continued. There were few immediate details of the on-the-ground operation. It took place after the family, U.S.-based lawyers and advocacy groups had appealed numerous times to Congress members and the Biden administration to assist with the extraction. Some Background On The Mission The mission, as the AP report also revealed, is the only documented operation designated to evacuate American citizens and their immediate family members amidst the months-long devastating ground clashes and Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. Many individuals who fled northern and central Gaza via the Rafah crossing into Egypt sought refuge to the south in the initial weeks of the war. The AP article also explained that escaping from the central region has become increasingly challenging due to the heightened intensity of combat in the area. Those still left in the territory face a dangerous and often impossible trip to Egypt's border crossing out of Gaza, and a bureaucratic struggle for U.S., Egyptian, and Israeli approval to get themselves, their parents, and young children out of Gaza. According to an article published by The Messenger, there was no indication that American officials were on the ground in Gaza. The State Department, as published by The Mesenger, also reported that around 300 American citizens, legal permanent residents, and their immediate family members remain in Gaza, exposed to the dangers of ground battles, aerial bombardments, and the escalating threats of hunger and dehydration within the blockaded region. Zahra's husband, Abdella Sckak, was shot, The Messenger article went on to reveal, in the Israel-Hamas war as the family fled from a building hit by an airstrike. He succumbed to his wounds days later. One of their three American sons, Spec. Ragi A. Sckak, 24, currently serves as an infantryman in the U.S. military. At least one person was killed and an unconfirmed number of people injured in a shooting on Thursday morning (January 4) at Perry High School in Iowa. Multiple law enforcement officials briefed on the matter told NBC that the shooter was believed to be dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and might have been a student Officials at the scene also told ABC News at least two people were injured in the incident, and that the scene was now "secured." All of the details provided are yet to be confirmed as investigations are underway. Both the FBI's resident agent in Des Moines and ATF agents from Kansas City have responded to the scene to assist the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Read Also: New California Gun Law Facing Scrutiny in Court Sheriff: School Has Not Started Yet When Shooting Happened In an initial briefing with reporters following the shooting, Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante said that a deputy responded to the scene within 7 minutes of the school's request for assistance. He added that they located "multiple gunshot victims," but have not elaborated on how many and to what extent their injuries were. Infante also stated that school had not yet started when the shooting happened. "Luckily, there were very few students and faculty in the building, which I think contributed to a good outcome in that sense," he said. Officials added that they identified the shooter and that there was "no further danger to the public" without providing further information, stating that another news conference is scheduled later on Thursday. This is a developing story. Please follow HNGN for more updates. Related Article: [DEVELOPING] Shots Fired at Perry, IA High School Billionaire Harvard alum Bill Ackman, who was a driving force behind the push for the ousting of former Harvard President Claudine Gay, is pushing even harder. This time he's suggesting that the university board members who supported Gay should resign their positions as well in order to "restore the institution's reputation." "The Corporation Board should not remain in their seats protected by the unusual governance structure which enabled them to obtain their seats," Ackman wrote Tuesday in a 4,000-word post on X, following Claudine Gay's resignation. "The Board Chair, Penny Pritzker, should resign along with the other members of the board who led the campaign to keep Claudine Gay, orchestrated the strategy to threaten the media, bypassed the process for evaluating plagiarism, and otherwise greatly contributed to the damage that has been done," the hedge fund billionaire continued. "Then new Corporation board members should be identified who bring true diversity, viewpoint and otherwise, to the board." The CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management received his bachelor's and MBA from Harvard. He has also donated to the institution handsomely over the years. The Harvard leadership upheaval began when 34 student organizations signed a statement issued by the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Groups that blamed Israel's ongoing practice of apartheid in Gaza and the West Bank as the reason for the violence that unfolded on October 7. Ackman, whose only true influence over Harvard is financial, said he would do his "own research" into the situation and later admitted that antisemitism was not at the root of the problem, but an indicator of something greater. He then alluded that Harvard's current diversity, equity and inclusion policies are the real issue. "The more I learned, the more concerned I became, and the more ignorant I realized I had been about DEI, a powerful movement that has not only pervaded Harvard, but the educational system at large," he wrote. "I came to understand that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion was not what I had naively thought these words meant." What Is Ackman's Background? Ackman was a leading voice for calls to remove the former Harvard president, as well as University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill and MIT President Sally Kornbluth to resign following appearances at a House committee hearing on the rise of antisemitism at college campuses. Magill resigned her position not long after her appearance before the committee. MSNBC host and founder of the National Action Network Rev. Al Sharpton recently announced his organization would picket the office of Bill Ackman due to his actions in pressuring Claudine Gay to resign. Sharpton asserted in a statement that Gay stepped down as a "result of Bill Ackman's relentless campaign against" her, "not because of her leadership or credentials but because he felt she was a DEI hire." Ten Peaceful Pro-Life Heroes Facing Federal Charges Should be Commended "These pro-life heroes need and deserve our support, they have mine." -- Rev. Rusty Thomas, Director, Elijah Ministries Tucker Carlson highlighted the injustice of the federal charges these pro-lifers face during his Fox News program NEWS PROVIDED BY Elijah Ministries Jan. 4, 2024 WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following is submitted by Rev. Rusty Thomas, Director of Elijah Ministries: On Tuesday, January 16th, in the year of our Lord, 2024, ten gentle Christians will appear before a Federal Court to stand trial. They are being charge with a felony based upon the draconian F.A.C.E., Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances, so-called "law." This tyrannical law takes a misdemeanor charge, trespass, and applies federal penalties. They are facing over 10 years in a federal prison if found guilty. What was their crime? They trespassed for dear life. They were performing our government's duty, which our government betrayed by "legalizing" the murder of the preborn. Civil government's sacred trust before Almighty God is to restrain evil, protect life, and stop the shedding of innocent blood. Our Founding Father's bequeathed us a nation based upon this Biblical mandate. Thomas Jefferson our third president declared, "The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government." He was so convinced of this truth; he enshrined it in our Declaration of Independence, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." These gentle Christians were practicing the historic doctrine of interposition. Our nation was partially founded upon this doctrine and was used through the years to correct wrongs and end injustices like slavery and racial discrimination. This doctrine teaches when an oppressor arises to harm a victim; it is the obligation of a third party to stand in the gap to protect the victim from harm. This is the reason why they are being treated as criminals and suffering prosecution. In American jurisprudence, our nation once understood the "necessity defense." If someone walks by a fence with a sign that reads "No Trespass" and that person notices a toddler falling into the pool and is drowning, a higher law demands that person break the lower law to save the life of that child. This was the motive concerning their actions on behalf of babies in the womb who are made in the image of God. These gentle Christians need to be commended and not condemned for loving their neighbor as themselves and fulfilling the Golden Rule. SOURCE Elijah Ministries CONTACT: Rusty Thomas, 254-715-3134 Share Tweet Comprehensive supply ship performs replenishment-at-sea China Military Online) 16:49, January 04, 2024 Nanshui 978 water tanker under a naval service ship group of the PLA Navy sails on the sea during a four-day exercise in late December, 2023. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wu Huanqing) Comprehensive supply ship Weishanhu (Hull 887) under a naval service ship group of the PLA Navy performs alongside replenishment-at-sea during a four-day exercise in late December, 2023. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wu Huanqing) Speed boats attached to a naval service ship group of the PLA Navy approach a simulated war-damaged vessel to provide support during a four-day exercise in late December, 2023. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wu Huanqing) Speed boats attached to a naval service ship group of the PLA Navy approach a simulated war-damaged vessel to provide support during a four-day exercise in late December, 2023. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wu Huanqing) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) President Joe Biden will mark third anniversary with political speech as former President Donald Trump continues to hold campaign rallies. Former President Donald Trump will spend Saturday's third anniversary of the Capitol riot by holding two campaign rallies in leadoff-voting Iowa in his bid to win back the White House as reported by the Associated Press. To pay heed to the moment, President Joe Biden intends to visit a site near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, on Friday where George Washington and the struggling Continental Army endured a tough winter during the American Revolution, said the outlet. Biden campaign aides have explicitly indicated that they consider the Valley Forge address as part of their new strategy to highlight the existential threat they believe Trump poses. Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez revealed to The Hill in a media call, "We are running a campaign like the fate of our democracy depends on it. Because it does." The Hill also said that in recent months, former President Trump has referred to political opponents as "vermin," mused about using the justice system to impede future rivals, and told supporters he will be their "retribution." Thousands of Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, to stop the official certification of the Republican president's election defeat, resulting in millions of dollars in damage. Reuters reported four people died in the attack, and one Capitol Police Officer who fought against the rioters succumbed to his injuries the following day. Four officers have since taken their own lives and 120 others were injured. Trump has been impeached by Congress and faces federal charges for his extensive attempts to overturn the 2020 election and has been kicked off ballots in Colorado and Maine due to his role in inciting the Capitol attack. Lawyers for Trump have argued his involvement in the insurrection and continue to dispute his remarks to supporters on the day of the 2021 riot saying they were protected by his constitutional right to free speech. Reuters went on to reveal Trump's campaign advisers, Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles released a memo on Tuesday outlining their view of the presidential race. They blamed Biden for legal indictments of Trump and for judicial decisions to declare Trump ineligible for the ballot. "Please make no mistake: Joe Biden and his allies are a real and compelling threat to our Democracy," they wrote. "In fact, in a way never seen before in our history, they are waging a war against it." However, views overall of the attack have hardened along partisan lines. According to the latest Reuters poll, Trump holds a 2-point lead in a head-to-head matchup, 38% to 36%, with 26% of respondents saying they were unsure or might vote for someone else. The poll also showed that Trump is currently the frontrunner for the Republican nomination by a wide margin. Biden's campaign also announced an advertising push set to debut Saturday with a spot centering on the Capitol attack. His re-election campaign plans to run the 60-second ads on national television news and local evening news across the nation. Daniel Ziblatt, a government professor at Harvard University and co-author of the book "How Democracies Die," remarked, "When each side starts talking about the other as a threat to democracy - whatever the reality is - that's a sign of a democracy that's deconsolidating." In response to the recent attacks on cargo ships from Houthi rebels, as seemingly a sign of solidarity with Hamas, the U.S. launched Operation Prosperity Guardian to provide security for the ships. Multiple countries have also joined the task force. However, the attacks have continued. In light of the recent attacks, the U.S. has called upon the UN Security Council to take action against the Houthi rebels. In an article from CTVnews, International Maritime Organization Secretary, General Arsenio Dominguez, "told the council that as a result of the Houthi attacks, around 18 shipping companies have rerouted their vessels around South Africa to avoid the risk of being hit. Some 15 percent of international trade goes through the vital Red Sea area, and rerouting ships around the Cape of Good Hope represents an additional 10-day journey negatively impacting global trade, and increases freight rates. In the same article, it's also reported that in another statement to the council U.S. Deputy Ambassador, Christopher Lu, "Stressed to the council that the Houthis have been able to carry out the attacks because Iran has supplied them with money and advanced weapons systems including drones, land attack cruise missiles and ballistic missiles" which disregards UN sanctions continuing with "We also know that Iran has been deeply involved in planning operations against commercial vessels in the Red Sea". There is also a united statement from the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Making for 13 countries total with 7 of those 13 being superpowers. According to the report from the Associated Press, the united statement is as follows: ""Let our message now be clear: we call for the immediate end of these illegal attacks and release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews,". The countries went on to say, "The Houthis will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and free flow of commerce in the region's critical waterways." The conflict within the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas has resulted in widespread consequences on multiple levels and is placing a new level of stress on several countries thousands of miles away. It's still unclear whether Iran will cease its support for the rebels or if the UN themselves will take action. In 2024, Houston will be home to a slew of new restaurants that reflect the citys diverse dining scene. West African favorite ChopnBlok plans to open its brick-and-mortar space following a successful run at Post Houston. Both heavy hitters and first-time restaurant owners will debut concepts ranging from upscale tavern fare focused on the Gulf Coast to comforting Cantonese cooking. The citys love for sushi will keep growing, and there will be no shortage of Tex-Mex. Its worth noting that restaurant opening dates are a moving target, but here are the 21 restaurant openings, in alphabetical order, the Chronicles food team is most excited about. Feel free to let us know what weve missed. Azumi Rendering of design details of Azumi, a new Japanese restaurant coming to River Oaks District Atlas Restaurant Group Houstons ever-expanding list of Japan-inspired restaurants will welcome Azumi this spring in River Oaks District. It replaces Ouzo Bay and is a part of the Atlas Restaurant Group, which operates Marmo and Loch Bar, and is describing the concept as modern Japanese. 4444 Westheimer; atlasrestaurantgroup.com/property/azumi-houston Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bar Bludorn Alexandra Pena is the executive chef of Bar Bludorn Julie Soefer Chef Aaron Bludorn and his business partners, wife Victoria Pappas Bludorn and Cherif Mbodji, are preparing to open Bar Bludorn in the Memorial area within the next few months. The upscale tavern, headed by chef Alexandra Pena, will aim to lure Memorial-area residents (and fans of restaurants Bludorn and Navy Blue, no doubt) with French-inspired Gulf Coast cuisine. 9061 Gaylord; barbludorn.com ChopnBlok This fast-casual take on West African fare has been popular in Post Houston food hall. It finally gets a brick-and-mortar location, expected to open in the second quarter of this year, according to a restaurant representative. 507 Westheimer; chopnblok.co Advertisement Article continues below this ad Credence + Sidebar Levi Goode's forthcoming restaurant Credence will celebrate Texas culinary traditions and live-fire cooking Jody Horton When this restaurant and its speakeasy concept Sidebar debut, it will be the first openings under prolific restaurateur Levi Goodes newly launched lifestyle brand. Whether its a seafood tower or roasted swordfish, many of the dishes are cooked over live fire to reflect the menus theme focused on regional American fare with a South Texas twist. Bone marrow, dry-aged duck and other dishes are cooked inside a hearth are just a few examples. As for Sidebar, its offerings include classic cocktails and wines to pair with dry-aged steaks, oysters, caviar and other steakhouse-like indulgences. 9757 Katy Freeway; credencehtx.com Cyclone Anayas Cyclone Anayas, the Houston Tex-Mex favorite, will launch its seventh opening in 2024 Michael Ma Nearly 60 years since debuting in Houston, this Tex-Mex staple plans to debut its seventh location in early spring. The menu will continue to uphold the mini-chains reputation as a primer in Texas regional American cuisine, so expect pool-size margaritas, large enchilada plates and sizzling fajita platters. 3736 Westheimer; cycloneanaya.com Advertisement Article continues below this ad Duck N Bao Peking duck at Duck N Bao Yelp This Chinese restaurant, popular for its soup dumplings and Peking duck, will open its third location. Owners Grace and Leo Xia plan to debut a modern space in Rice Village in the spring. Some fine-dining touches are expected, such as adding caviar service to the Peking duck service and shaved truffles for dumplings. 5215 Kelvin; ducknbao.com Franks Americana Revival A rendering of the new Frank's American Revival at the Alexan in River Oaks Frank's American Revival The decade-old River Oaks favorite is slated to reopen a few blocks away in July 2024 inside the Alexan, an upscale apartment building. A new space doesnt mean nostalgia will be forgotten, as owner Mike Shine still plans to offer modern American favorites, running from the popular buttermilk fried chicken to jumbo lump crab cakes. 3015 Weslayan; frankshouston.com Advertisement Article continues below this ad Happy Go Lucky Hawaiian shaved ice and frozen cocktails will be on offer at this Heights spot opening in the spring. Its slated to offer a drive-thru and walk-up service with a patio. 2102 N. Shepherd; happygoluckyhtx.com Hong Kong Food Street A go-to destination for Cantonese fare in Asiatown, this family-owned restaurant recently announced its coming back this year after closing in the early days of the pandemic. An exact location hasnt been revealed, but ownership shares with the Chronicle that plans are in the works for a move to Katy. HOUSTON EATS: The Chronicles top 100 restaurants Advertisement Article continues below this ad KP's Kitchen A likeable neighborhood staple, KP's Kitchen offers crowd favorites like burgers, baby back ribs, Gulf crab cakes and more. In a new 3,800-square-foot location in Bellaire, however, a full bar will emerge for the first time. What remains the same is that kids eat free on Tuesdays and founder Kerry Pauly will continue donating 10 percent of food sales on Wednesdays to local charities and schools. 5427 Bissonnet, #400; kps-kitchen.com Leos River Oaks This forthcoming restaurant is what Houstonians expect of a River Oaks opening: an opulent 5,100-square-foot space focused on fine dining, with a menu of steaks and seafood. Culinary Khancepts, the hospitality group resurrecting the historic River Oaks Theatre next door, has appointed former GJ Tavern chef Tim Reading for the late spring opening. 2009 W. Gray; leosriveroaks.com Little Rey A rendering of Little Rey, slated to open in Houston in 2024 Michael Hsu Office of Architecture Ford Frys Atlanta import, which was slated to debut early this year, has delayed its opening until later in 2024, according to a spokesperson. When it does swing open its doors, expects migas breakfast tacos, queso and margaritas. 2345 Mid Lane; littlerey.com Advertisement Article continues below this ad Manditos Baja tacos from Manditos Kirsten Gilliam The hospitality group Palacios Murphys playbook of Tex-Mex classics centered on tacos al carbon, fajitas and burrito bowls and plenty of margaritas took off in Round Top when Mandito's debuted there in 2018. After opening in Bellaire last year, a new Katy location is set for early 2024 in an expansive cantina-style space with a larger to-go section for the restaurants popular large-format fiesta packs. 9910 Gaston, Suite 200, Katy; manditostexmex.com Maven Coffee + Cocktails An espresso martini from Maven Coffee Co. Chloe Kissner What started as a small stand specializing in third-wave coffee and craft cocktails inside Minute Maid Park will expand to its first standalone brick-and-mortar location come spring. Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. joins business partners Juan Carlos Martinez de Aldecoa and Blake Fertitta, one of billionaire Tilman Fertittas three sons, to open at Silver Street Studios. The space will start off as coffee shop during the day and turn into a cocktail den naturally, its already popular for its espresso martinis and carajillos. 2000 Edwards; mavencoffeecompany.com Maximo Canteen Heirloom maize masa (nixtamalized and ground in house) will be featured at Maximo Canteen under chef Tony Luhrman Tony Luhrman Restaurateur Benjy Levit adds a Mexican concept to his roster of restaurants, which includes Local Foods, the French-leaning Eau Tour and the bar Lees Den. In the former El Topo space, chef Tony Luhrman will stay on as a partner and continue offering handmade tortillas using nixtamalized corn for tacos and in other dishes cooked with live fire. Look for it to open in the spring. 6119 Edloe; instagram.com/maximohtx Mayahuel Chef Luis Robledo Richards of Nixt, a Mexico City-based restaurant group, will be one of the chefs to open Mayahuel in Autry Park Fernando Gomez Carbajal Chefs Luis Robledo Richards and Atzin Santos made a splash in 2023 when they partnered with Underbelly Hospitality to open Comalito at the Houston Farmers Market. At Autry Park, the mixed-used development off Allen Parkway with a slew of restaurants, including Annabelle Brasserie and Auden, they are partnering with Culinary Khancepts to bring yet another Mexico City-inspired restaurant. This time theyre expanding on street foods with regional dishes that pay homage to the agave plant a nod to the restaurants name, which refers to the Aztec goddess of agave and fertility. Its projected to open in the spring. 811 Buffalo Park Drive MORE FROM BAO ONG: Team behind H-Town favorites Bludorn and Navy Blue reveals name of new restaurant, appoints chef Molihua Chef Ho Chee Boon poses for a photograph at Empress by Boon, his first restaurant in San Francisco on Friday, June 4, 2021. He's set to open in Houston with Molihua. Nick Otto/Special to The Chronicle When chef Ho Chee Boon opens Molihua one of several concepts he plans to debut in the Medical Centers Blossom Hotel it will be the citys most luxurious destination for dim sum and sushi. Houstonians may recall the former Yauatcha, which Boon helped open, where expertly crafted dumplings took center stage. The second-floor restaurant, expected in early 2024, will also offer sushi and dessert to round out the menu. 7188 Bertner; blossomhouston.com/dining Phat Eatery An array of Southeast Asian dishes from Phat Eatery Jenn Duncan Phat Eatery in Katy, where chef Alex Au-Yeung landed a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination for his hawker-style Malaysian cooking, is expecting to debut in February in The Woodlands. A larger 7,800-square-foot space will include more private dining rooms and a full bar, but expect the same hit dishes, like roti canai, beef rendang and stir-fried noodles. 2290 Buckthorne; The Woodlands; phateatery.com The Pit Room A barbecue spread from the Pit Room The Pit Room This popular barbecue joint will expand to a second location in Memorial City in the springtime. A sweeping 2,600-square-foot patio complements the new spot with a larger kitchen and food menu, including an ice cream sandwich bar to bookend a meal of Central Texas-style barbecue. 10301 Katy Freeway; thepitroombbq.com The Pizza Place Pizza is the next act for the team behind the Burger Joint and the Taco Stand, which will soon break ground for construction. This Heights restaurant is targeting a fall opening and plans to serve pizza, pastas, salads and gelato. 2124 N. Shepherd PostScript HTX A rendering of the dining room at PostScriptHTX GAP Concepts An explosion of pink will punctuate the Shops at Arrive River Oaks when PostScript HTX debuts, likely in the first quarter of this year. GAP Concepts, a Dallas-based group led by Veeral Rathod and Obi Ibeto, have an Instagram-friendly space in the works full of cocktails and champagne (including a Press for Champagne doorbell). Chef Bryan Caswell is overseeing the food menu. 2800 Kirby, Suite A132; postscripthtx.com PKL Social Shoppers inside The Woodlands Mall for Black Friday deals on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in The Woodlands. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Mango has opened its first Texas location at Memorial City Mall in west Houston. Mango A rendering of a proposed Gloria's Latin Cuisine restaurant in the 18400 block of the North Freeway in Shenandoah. Gloria's Latin Cuisine/Handout The Woodlands Mall on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in The Woodlands. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Global retailer Mango offers women's merchandise at its new Memorial City location. Mango Shoppers inside Macys during Black Friday in The Woodlands Mall on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in The Woodlands. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer After several new retailers opened amid The Woodlands' holiday season, even more restaurants, services and eateries are scheduled to open in the new year. From a national smoothie chain to a late-night dessert shop, new Woodlands Mall options and a new food service grocer, here are nine new businesses set to open in 2024: Midnight Cravingz New dessert shop Midnight Cravingz seeks to satisfy a late-night sweet tooth with dishes ranging from caramel-drizzled lotus cookies to nutella-topped brownies, all paired with soft serve ice cream. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Inspired by a literal late-night craving for BJ's Restaurant's pizookies, founder Yousif El-Samman and partners Yaser El-Samman and Abdulrahman Mostafa wanted to bring an all-hours snack option to the area. The group has since amassed more than 20,000 Instagram followers, Yousif El-Samman said. "When the world sleeps, cravings creep...we look forward to satisfying your cravings every night," Yousif El-Samman told the Chronicle in a statement. The shop opened in October at its commercial kitchen space at 1544 Sawdust, Ste. 602 and is open 7 p.m.-2 a.m. at a pop-up at 314 Sawdust. The owners plan to soon open a food truck and permanent location nearby. Pure Green Cochran's Crossing residents Lisa and Rick De Armas plan to open Texas' first Pure Green franchise by the first week of March. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The New York City-based smoothie chain serves health-conscious options including smoothies, acai and pitaya bowls, cold pressed juices and specialty toasts, all organic and locally-sourced from Austin. The couple hopes the shop will combine health-conscious foods with a welcoming interior complete with hanging chairs, books and board games. "Living here in The Woodlands, with Iron Man and all the fitness centers, we were looking for something...that would bring health and wellness to The Woodlands," Lisa De Armas said. "We stumbled upon Pure Green and both just fell in love with it." Pure Green will be located in the Alden Bridge Shopping Center and will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. In the meantime, the couple will participate in The Woodlands' Taste of the Town event and Market Street's Health and Wellness Fair as it looks to reach new customers. Its a Secret Med Spa Its A Secret Med Spa will open a 2,837-square-foot location at Lake Woodlands Crossing in February, the company said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Based in Dallas, the company said its nine-location medical spa chain is a "sanctuary where tranquility meets luxury" and is Texas' top provider of Botox, fillers and Morpheus8. The spa will also provide body sculpting services and laser treatments at its new "hidden oasis" in The Woodlands, according to the company. The company is offering a 20 percent discount on customers' first visit to celebrate its grand opening. Gloria's Latin Cuisine Dallas-based Salvadorean-meets-Tex-Mex chain Gloria's Latin Cuisine is set to open its fourth Houston-area location in The Woodlands. The 8,500-square-foot restaurant will be its 23rd location in Texas. Menu items include pupusas, chimichurri salads, Cuban roasted pork, or lechon asado, and Tex-Mex favorites from tamales to chimichangas. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The fusion restaurant is planned at the 18400 block of Interstate 45 in Shenandoah. Gordons Food Service Food service grocer Gordon's Food Service will soon open its sixth Houston-area location at the strip center at 522 Sawdust near The Woodlands, according to a sign in front of the building. The Michigan-based food distribution brand has provided ingredients to restaurants, the hospitality industry, schools and healthcare institutions for 125 years and is the largest of its kind in North America, according to its website. Mango Spanish clothing line Mango will continue its Houston-area expansion with a new 3,916-square-foot space in The Woodlands Mall, according to data from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The now-global brand opened its first Texas location at Houston's Memorial City Mall in August 2023. L'Occitane en Provence France-based skincare chain L'Occitane en Provence will soon open in The Woodlands Mall, according to the mall's website. The brand offers skincare, bath and hair products with a focus on natural ingredients and environmental consciousness. The brand also has a location on Market Street. Suit Warehouse Men's fashion brand Suit Warehouse is coming to The Woodlands Mall, according to the mall's website. The Katy-based store supplies mens suits, slacks, dress shirts, ties, hats, cuff links, belts, and accessories to stores around the world. Thyme to Dine Streatery Chef Andrew Lafave and wife Alejandra relocated their New England seafood food truck Thyme to Dine Streatery to the Gosling Food Truck Park in Spring on Dec. 23 The couple opened the food truck in 2016 in Florida and decided to move to the Houston metro after going on vacation in the area. Curated by Lafave, a Le Cordon Bleu graduate, Thyme To Dine's menu includes lobster rolls, sandwiches and mac and cheese, Maryland crab cakes, fish and chips, po'boys and caesar salads. A missing teen in Angleton has been located, police say. Houston Chronicle A 13-year-old girl from Angleton whose disappearance set off an Amber Alert Wednesday evening has been located, police said. Angleton police received a 911 call Tuesday about the missing teen, the department said in a news release. When officers spoke to the caller, they were told that she ran away and was last seen around 2 p.m. at her home. NO CHARGES: Grand jury reaches decision on diner who shot robber at Houston taqueria Advertisement Article continues below this ad Investigators did obtain a video of what is believed to be the teen walking down the street near her home with a backpack shortly before she went missing, Angleton police said. The Amber Alert was issued around 4 p.m. Wednesday by the Texas Department of Public Safety "out of an abundance of caution," authorities said. Clifton Clark, left, with his sisters Vera Clark and Dinah Clark, talk CJ Connelly, right, with the Harris County Public Defender's Office, about the case involving their brother, Michael Clark, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, in Houston. Michael Clark, who was convicted in 2015 of capital murder in the 2011 shooting that killed convenience store clerk, Syed Hussain, has been granted a new trial. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer A photograph of Michael Clark, who has been jailed for a decade in the murder of a conveinance store clerk, and his sisters Donna K. Clark, left, and Vera Clark from 2019 Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Houston. The public defender's office believes Michael Clark to be innocent and are starting the process to seek that relief in his case. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer CJ Connelly, left, and Bob Wicoff, right, both with the Harris County Public Defender's Office wait with Vera Clark, third from left, and her brother Clifton Clark, to enter court for the case involving their brother, Michael Clark, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, in Houston. Michael Clark, who was convicted in 2015 of capital murder in the 2011 shooting that killed convenience store clerk, Syed Hussain, has been granted a new trial. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Police took a photo of the black do-rag on the sidewalk following the 2011 gas station shooting. Harris County Public Defender's Office Vera Clark, second from left, and her brother Clifton Clark, wait to enter court for the case involving their brother, Michael Clark, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, in Houston. Michael Clark, who was convicted in 2015 of capital murder in the 2011 shooting that killed convenience store clerk, Syed Hussain, has been granted a new trial. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Clifton Clark, left, with his sisters Vera Clark and Dinah Clark, talk CJ Connelly, right, with the Harris County Public Defender's Office, about the case involving their brother, Michael Clark, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, in Houston. Michael Clark, who was convicted in 2015 of capital murder in the 2011 shooting that killed convenience store clerk, Syed Hussain, has been granted a new trial. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer A Houston man who has spent more than a decade behind bars in the 2011 death of a Fifth Ward gas station clerk has been granted a new capital murder trial after additional DNA testing pointed to a suspect jurors never heard about. The December ruling by the Court of Criminal Appeals brought Michael Clark, 65, back to the Harris County Jail on Tuesday from prison. He spent three years in jail without bail while awaiting his first trial and then about eight years imprisoned on a life without parole sentence. His return to Houston is intended for Clark to have bail set and to learn the next step of his pending case. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Clarks siblings, who believe a 2015 jury wrongfully convicted him, sat in the 177th District Court on Thursday hoping to see Clark emerge from an inmate holdover room to stand before a judge. He remained in custody and out of sight as the judge postponed bail discussions for another day. It was a disappointment, his sister, Dinah Clark, said. Were still looking forward to him getting home. MOST NOTABLE COURT CASES OF 2023: Antonio Armstrong Jr. and David Temple among years biggest cases. The granting of a new trial effectively means members of the Harris County Public Defenders Office who have been championing his post-conviction case will hand Clark over to a new attorney for his case to proceed. The office lacks lawyers on the regional list of attorneys eligible to handle pre-trial capital murder cases. Bob Wicoff, head of the public defenders post-conviction division, tried recommending lawyers for Judge Robert Johnson to appoint to Clarks case, but the judge had other ideas. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Im going to exercise my judicial discretion like Ive been doing for the past couple of years, said Johnson, on the bench since 2016. The judge is expected to appoint an attorney to handle Clarks case going forward. COURT IN 2024: Here are the most interesting upcoming court cases. Police arrested Clark a year after the death of 28-year-old Syed Hussain after tying his DNA to a discarded do-rag the suspected gunman dropped. Investigators considered other suspects but did not gather enough evidence at the time to consider someone other than Clark in connection with the shooting in the 5400 block of the East Freeway. A DNA test of the same evidence in 2021 concluded that DNA from Clark and two others had been on the head covering. The district attorneys office agreed with Clarks lawyers about seeking a new trial but stopped short of endorsing exoneration. The prosecution argued the DNA evidence did not outright exclude Clark as a suspect in the shooting, going on to suggest that Clark may have orchestrated the fatal robbery if he did not physically carry it out, according to court filings. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At past hearings, prosecutors have alleged that Clark may have been the ringleader of robberies in the years before his conviction. He had medical issues that impacted his ability to walk, records show. Wicoff had urged the appellate court to find Clark innocent of the clerks death. The courts ruling does not mention Clarks innocence claim and bases its conclusion on advancements in DNA testing since the original conviction. One of the alternative suspects, Eddie Thomas, allegedly confessed to killing the clerk but died in an unrelated homicide before Clarks trial, according to court records. Macario Garcia, second from left, joined hundreds of fellow Stephen F. Austin High School students who walked out to protest conditions at the East End campus on Oct. 20, 1989, in Houston. Carlos Antonio Rios/Houston Chronicle Macario Garcia talks about how student speech has changed since he helped lead a student walkout as an 18-year-old Austin High School student to protest poor learning conditions at the school in Oct. 1989. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Macario Garcia, now in his 50s, was an 18-year-old senior at Austin High School when he helped lead a student walkout to protest poor learning conditions at the school in Oct. 1989. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Macario Garcia, now in his 50s, was an 18-year-old senior at Austin High School when he helped lead a student walkout to protest poor learning conditions at the school in Oct. 1989. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Macario Garcia, then 18, along with hundreds of fellow Stephen F. Austin High School students who walked out to protest conditions at the East End campus on Oct. 20, 1989, in Houston. Steve Ueckert/Houston Chronicle Macario Garcia, center, joined hundreds of fellow Stephen F. Austin High School students who walked out to protest conditions at the East End campus on Oct. 20, 1989, in Houston. Carlos Antonio Rios/Houston Chronicle Macario Garcia, right, joined hundreds of fellow Stephen F. Austin High School students who walked out to protest conditions at the East End campus on Oct. 20, 1989, in Houston. Carlos Antonio Rios/Houston Chronicle Macario Garcia, center, and a group of fellow Stephen F. Austin High School students confronted HISD community relations director Joyce Garza about the issues they faced after walking out in protest of conditions at the East End campus on Oct. 20, 1989, in Houston. Carlos Antonio Rios/Houston Chronicle Macario Garcia, center, and a group of fellow Stephen F. Austin High School students confronted HISD community relations director Joyce Garza about the issues they faced after walking out in protest of conditions at the East End campus on Oct. 20, 1989, in Houston. Carlos Antonio Rios/Houston Chronicle Principal Otilia Urbina speaks to students through a bullhorn during a walkout at Stephen F. Austin High School on Oct. 20, 1989, in Houston. Bruce Bennett/Houston Chronicle Principal Otilia Urbina speaks to students through a bullhorn during a walkout at Stephen F. Austin High School on Oct. 20, 1989, in Houston. Bruce Bennett/Houston Chronicle When students at Stephen F. Austin High School in Houstons East End returned from summer break in 1989, they faced institutional disarray. Many instructors, equipped with outdated textbooks, taught multiple classes at a time, some in classrooms that were over capacity by dozens; others had classes with no students at all. Classes were scheduled inside broom closets and bathrooms. Eager to learn but lacking the resources, the predominantly Latino student body at Austin High revolted. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hundreds of teenagers walked out on Oct. 20, 1989, sparking a successful student-led effort that amplified their grievances, improved conditions at the school and ousted its principal. Thirty-four years later, as the states takeover of Houston ISD continues to reshape the district, the East End is again facing upheavals drawing the ire of hundreds of students, parents and residents from the surrounding community. Dozens have spoken out against the changes in the neighborhoods schools with protests of their own that echo the walkout of 1989. But in 1989, such collective action from a hodgepodge of mostly Latino self-described misfit students no less was unprecedented. Frustration took over, said former student spokesperson Macario Garcia, who was a senior at Austin High during the walkout. The administration at the time was trying to cover up the sun with a finger. HOUSTON EDUCATION: HISD will potentially start 2024 school year two weeks earlier than usual Advertisement Article continues below this ad Didnt have the tools First: Macario Garcia, center, joined hundreds of fellow Stephen F. Austin High School students who walked out to protest conditions at the East End campus on Oct. 20, 1989, in Houston. Second: Macario Garcia, now in his 50s, was an 18-year-old senior at Austin High School when he helped lead a student walkout to protest poor learning conditions at the school in Oct. 1989. Garcia, then 18, remembers struggling in school, but he was shocked when he was assigned to a remedial-level English class at the beginning of the 1989-90 academic year. The other English classes were too crowded, he soon realized. Along with the scheduling blunders and outdated teaching materials, computer classes didn't have computers, and many students worried they wouldnt get their diplomas on time because their wonky course loads sometimes included classes that didnt count toward their graduation, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It wasnt that the educators were bad; it was that they didnt have the tools, said Garcia, now in his 50s. Everybody was falling through the cracks because the whole thing was cracked. Kathy Koch had been an English teacher for two years in 1989. Underfunding and overcrowding defined the years leading up to the walkout, she said, as immigrant families settled in Houston after fleeing the civil war in El Salvador and the Latin American economic crisis that became known as La Decada Perdida, or The Lost Decade. These shifts and the growth of Houstons Latino population led to enrollment at Austin High growing from about 1,900 in the early 80s to nearly 3,000 by the end of the decade, according to an HISD history of the school. As Austin High and its challenges grew, parents and the surrounding community began lobbying the district for a Hispanic educator to replace principal Ernest Baker, a former science teacher who had led the school since 1975. Superintendent Joan Raymond chose Otilia Urbina in 1988, elevating a former elementary school principal with no prior experience running a high school. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Koch, who remembered being assigned to teach four subjects during one period and being told to juggle dozens of students at a time, said her administration didnt familiarize themselves with the school and set the stage for the scheduling mistakes that plagued students and teachers. You would be in the middle of teaching your four classes in one room, and a counselor would bring in all new students and take the ones you had, the now-retired teacher said. Urbina, in comments to reporters at the time, said she inherited the chaos that eventually enveloped Austin High and blamed the wacky schedules on chronic underfunding and the lack of computers at the school. Koch and her fellow educators aired their grievances to Urbina and school administrators just weeks into the academic year in a letter signed by dozens of teachers. Some would meet up at weekly happy hours after school to discuss how they could force administrators to improve the conditions at Austin. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And then the students followed. A knock, then a flood Garcia doesnt remember how he became one of the faces of the protest, but he remembers what inspired it. Days before the walkout, a couple of students began a class discussion after watching an episode of the 1980s teen drama 21 Jump Street, in which a group of high schoolers walked out in protest of a new principal. The galvanized students, recognizing the parallels between their reality and the hit television series, began organizing. From left to right, Javier Sanchez, Jeannie Gutierrez, Cedric Smith and Alma Rincon. The four Stephen F. Austin High School students helped organize a walkout in protest of conditions at the East End campus on Oct. 20, 1989, in Houston. John Everett/Houston Chronicle If there weren't protests, there still would be segregation, one of the students, Alma Rincon, told the Chronicle at the time. I thought that was the best way we could get things done. Scared to discuss their protest plans at school, the teens a group that Garcia described as an assemblage of nerds, artsy youth and popular kids from Houstons historically Latino neighborhood gathered at nearby bus stops to map out their demonstration. They handed out flyers made from scrap pieces of notebook paper. Administrators at the school warned students that they would face disciplinary action, with Urbina telling them over the schools public address system that participants would pay the full price, according to archived reports. Educators were also warned to keep their students in class, said former student Kathryn Flaschke Sanchez, then a junior. A lot of teachers, even though they couldn't support it because they were instructed not to, were still very supportive of us having a voice and having our needs met, Flaschke Sanchez said. Participants originally scheduled the walkout for Oct. 23, a Monday, but the students secretly planned to pull it off the Friday before to throw Urbina and the other administrators off and it worked. On the morning of the walkout, Garcia remembers sitting nervously in his classroom as the clock ticked closer to 8:45 a.m., the time the students planned to leave. His late mother waited in a car across the street in case her son got into trouble. A knock on his classroom door broke the silence. Garcia stood up and walked past his teacher, who shrugged and told him to do what you have to do, Garcia said. He and his peers banged on every classroom door in the school. Hundreds of the schools nearly 3,000 students chanting, Walkout, walkout, walkout! flooded the hallways. The administration didnt know what to do because they hadnt seen something like this, Garcia said. They couldn't understand how young people could achieve this knowing that we had very little power. REPORT CARD NEWSLETTER: Sign up for a weekly recap of everything happening in and outside of Houston ISDs classrooms One then-HISD employee, community relations director Joyce Garza, received an earful from Garcia and his friends as they aired their grievances that day. As word of the walkout spread around town, politicians like then-City Council member Ben Reyes joined the protesting students, and local news outlets swarmed the campus. Photos from that day show Urbina attempting to corral students from a second-floor window with a bullhorn while district officials tried to kick reporters off the campus grounds. First: Principal Otilia Urbina speaks to students through a bullhorn during a walkout at Stephen F. Austin High School on Oct. 20, 1989, in Houston. Second: Macario Garcia, center, and a group of fellow Stephen F. Austin High School students confronted HISD community relations director Joyce Garza about the issues they faced after walking out in protest of conditions at the East End campus on Oct. 20, 1989, in Houston. Immediate improvements Swift change marked the weeks after the walkout. New, fixed schedules arrived, along with piles of new textbooks in classrooms. Order, it seemed, returned to campus. Raymond also removed Urbina from her post after less than a year. The ousted principals tenure was not as effective as I hoped it could be, she told the Houston Post at the time. Austin High was put under the control of a district-appointed task force, and eventually, Rogelio Torres of Corpus Christi was made principal. He pledged to turn the school around and make it one of the best campuses in HISD. HISD Superintendent Joan Raymond undergoes questioning from Harris County Constable Victor Trevino during a tense November 1989 meeting with Austin High School students and parents. Richard Carson/Houston Chronicle He and Raymond made all the teachers at the school reapply for their jobs at the end of the school year. The superintendent, who was eventually fired by the HISD board in 1991, later reneged on the initiative, and many of those educators returned to the school in the fall. The next academic year began in 1990 with few hiccups, said former student Flaschke Sanchez, who became an educator and is now an education diagnostician at McKinney ISD near Dallas. The new principal was more receptive to hearing what the staff and students needed versus making decisions without input, she said. Demonstrations like the walkout the students of Austin High staged were rare in 1989. No longer. In the years since she graduated from as valedictorian and embarked on her schooling career, Flaschke Sanchez has noticed a shift in the dynamics between students and their educators. Students have more confidence to speak up, she said, and teachers and administrators are likelier to listen. At Austin High in early 2018, students walked out in support of an undocumented classmate who was arrested by a school officer after a scuffle with a student who reportedly called him a racial slur. Since the Texas Education Agencys takeover of Houston ISD this June, predominantly Latino schools in the East End have been the site of multiple student- and parent-led protests. In mid-September, dozens of parents at Cage Elementary and Project Chrysalis Middle School, top-ranked HISD schools located on the same campus, rallied in support of teachers who spoke out against state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles New Education System model. Under the NES model, parents said, students were falling behind in class and complaining of boredom or information overwhelm on a campus known for its fine arts programs and culture of college preparation. Hundreds of high schoolers at Eastwood Academy walked out of class in late October after their principal, assistant principal, counselor and librarian were removed from the campus, leaving some students feeling abandoned by the district. The 1989 walkout, Garcia said, showcased that Latino students could organize and demand better education and learning conditions. All it took was recognizing the need for change. You dont know that you deserve something, Garcia said, until you realize you dont have it. TGI Fridays on Gulf Freeway in Houston announces the official closure of the restaurant on Jan. 2, 2024. Octavia Johnson/Houston Chronicle TGI Fridays on Gulf Freeway in Houston announces the official closure of the restaurant on Jan. 2, 2024. Octavia Johnson/Houston Chronicle TGI Fridays announced Wednesday the closure of 36 "underperforming" locations, including restaurants in Houston and The Woodlands. Local news stations reported that the TGI Fridays at 12895 Gulf Freeway in Houston's South Belt Ellington community was listed to be officially closed. The restaurant was one of four locations to close in Texas. At the front doors of the restaurant Thursday, a printed-out announcement read, We regret to inform you that Fridays has made the difficult decision to close our doors at Houston Almeda, TX effective Jan. 2, 2024. We are extremely grateful to our loyal Guests and our Team Members at our Houston Almeda restaurant. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A printed sign placed on the front doors of the TGI Fridays on Gulf Freeway announces the official closure of the restaurant on Jan. 2, 2024. Octavia Johnson/Houston Chronicle The restaurant is near Chili's and the South Point Shopping Center. On the TGI Fridays website, a 404 error is displayed when searching for the Gulf Freeway location. FOOD NEWS: Best Houston restaurants, bars on the rail line to NRG The other Texas storefronts listed for closure are the one in The Woodlands, at 1105 Lake Woodlands Drive, one in Arlington at 1524 N. Collins St., and one in Corpus Christi at 5217 South Padre Island Drive, KHOU 11 reported. The company wanted to strengthen the franchise model and close underperforming stores to create an unprecedented opportunity for Fridays to drive forward its vision for the future, TGI Fridays U.S. President and Chief Operating Officer Ray Risley said in a statement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Our top priority has always been delivering a superior experience for each and every TGI Fridays guest, and we've identified opportunities to optimize and streamline our operations to ensure we are best positioned to meet and exceed on that brand promise," Risley said. TGI Fridays is offering more than 1,000 transfer opportunities, according to a news release. As of Thursday, the company had four job openings in Dallas: event sales agent, senior culinary director, IT help desk (level 1) and communications specialist. The company also announced that some TGI Fridays locations in the Northeast had been sold back to former CEO Ray Blanchette, according to the release. "As we continue along our path of transformation to revitalize the Fridays brand and implement a long-term growth strategy, we see a bright future for TGI Fridays," company CEO Weldon Spangler said in a statement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad KHOU 11 reported the entire list of stores closing nationwide, including in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Kitakyushu, Jan 04 ( News On Japan ) - A police officer was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly beating his 55-year-old sister to death at their family home in Kitakyushu City on New Year's Eve. The 57-year-old suspect who works for Fukuoka Prefectural Police is accused of repeatedly punching his sister in the face and causing her death on the night of December 31st at their home in Kitakyushu City. At the time of the incident, several family members were present at the home. The police officer, who was believed to have been visiting his hometown, reportedly had been drinking at a restaurant from the afternoon until about 9:00 PM. He has denied the allegations against him. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) First responders who arrived at the scene of a Russian missile attack on homes in the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa on Friday were themselves struck by a second missile, officials said. A paramedic and an emergency service worker were among the 14 people killed. A Starbucks location in Manvel. Kirk Sides / Houston Chronicle Starbucks customers now have the option to use reusable cups when ordering online or in the drive-thru line. The change was first implemented Wednesday, and customers who choose this option will save $0.10 on their orders. People could already use personal cups when ordering inside a Starbucks location. Starbucks is the first national coffeehouse brand in the United States to offer a reusable cup option on mobile orders. Advertisement Article continues below this ad WHERE TO GO: This region of Texas is a top travel destination, CNN Travel says Any personal cup can be used with all beverage formats eligible to be served. Customers just have to inform the Starbucks employees they want to use a personal cup. Baristas will make the beverages in custom-made "beverage craft smallware" for exact measurements before pouring the drink into the personal cup. At Starbucks, we envision a future where every beverage can be served in a reusable cup, Starbucks chief sustainability officer said Michael Kobori said in a statement. Offering customers more options to use a personal cup when they visit Starbucks marks tangible progress towards the future. We know our customers are passionate about the planet, and now, they can join us in our efforts to give more than we take, no matter how they order. Personal cups must be cleaned by its owners as baristas are not allowed to clean them. 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. The government of South Korea has excluded the Algeria-backed Polisario separatist group from the list of invitees to the 2024 Korea-Africa summit, dealing another hard blow to the Algerian regime. According to diplomatic sources, Morocco has been invited to take part in the event by Seoul which has affirmed that ONLY sovereign African states recognized by the United Nations are allowed to participate. The Republic of Korea has thus followed the footsteps of several other superpowers including Russia which has rejected the participation of the Polisario, a phantom entity, in its first and 2nd Russia-Africa summits. Many analysts are now wondering whether the Algerian authorities will attend the 2024 Korea-Africa summit or skip it to avoid humiliation as they did in several other international gatherings deepening their isolation and confirming they are a party to Sahara conflict. South Korea is planning an FTA with Morocco. It sees the country as a gateway to Africa and a key partner in the region. Thanks to its political stability, geostrategic position, economic performance, modern infrastructures and growing industrial clusters, Morocco has become a competitive manufacturing and exporting hub for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The chief of Hamas political bureau has thanked South Africa for launching a case against Israel at the United Nations top court, outlined in detail in a 84-page long application, in which Pretoria alleges that acts and omissions by Israel in its war waged in the Gaza Strip are genocidal in character. In a televised address broadcast on Tuesday (2 January), Hamas Ismail Haniyeh hailed the genocide lawsuit filed to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by South Africa against the occupying state for its crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, and genocide, adding that we appreciate the political and legal importance of this lawsuit. In its lawsuit, South Africa asserts that the magnitude of death and destruction in Gaza meets the threshold of the 1948 Genocide Convention. Pretoria also asked the ICJ to issue an interim order for Israel to immediately suspend its military operations in Gaza. Israel has rejected the accusations and promised to fight South Africa genocide accusation at The Hague-based ICJ. The state of Israel will appear before the International Court of Justice at The Hague to dispel South Africas absurd blood libel, a spokesperson for the Israeli Prime Minister, Eylon Levy, said, accusing Pretoria of giving political and legal cover to the 7 October Hamas deadly attacks on Israel, which triggered the latest three-month-long war in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We assure South Africas leaders, history will judge you, and it will judge you without mercy, Levy added. Sierra Leones former president Ernest Bai Koroma has been charged with treason, with officials saying the failed military coup in November that aimed to topple the West African countrys government was led mainly by his bodyguards The ex-president has been charged with four offenses for his alleged role in the attempted coup in which gunmen attacked military barracks, a prison and other sites in Sierra Leone on 26 November, freeing about 2,200 inmates and killing more than 20 people, a court in the capital Freetown said Wednesday (3 January). Koroma, who led the West African nation from 2007 to 2018, had been summoned for questioning in early November, with authorities saying he was an official suspect in the organization of the coup attempt. The charges were read out to the former president as some of his supporters cried in the courtroom. A total of 12 people have been charged with treason in connection with the coup attempt, including Amadu Koita, Kormas bodyguard. The courts decision could further escalate tensions in the West African country that have been simmering after the attempted coup and a contentious election in which President Julius Maada Bio was reelected for a second term in June 2023. Frictions have been on the rise in the country that is still recovering from a 1991-2002 civil war in which more than 50,000 were killed. A dangerous precedent has been set We are dragging a former head of state democratically elected on trumped up charges under a political vendetta, Koromas lawyer, Joseph Kamara, told the media. Gabon has secured a credit facility of $68.5 million to finance Projet Digital Gabon, a digital transformation project aiming at creating an environment conducive to accelerating digital transformation. The deal was signed late December by Mays Mouissi, Gabons Minister of Economy, and the World Bank Country Director for the Central African country, Cheick Fantamady Kante, Gabon Review reported Wednesday January 3. Digital transformation has been at the heart of the countrys economic and social transformation over the past decade, Kante said. This is essential to promote opportunities for all Gabonese citizens and residents. This will benefit individuals and businesses by improving the affordability, availability and quality of public service provision, he added. The project, to phase out in June 2026, also aims at modernizing legal identity systems (ID) and establishing modern, robust and digitized legal identification systems to provide all people in Gabon with unique and inclusive legal identification information that protects personal data and facilitates access to services. Gabon also expects, through the project, to achieve the digital transformation of public administration and selected services to improve their efficiency using digital solutions as part of a user-centric approach. The loan is the first deal between the two sides since the World Bank resumed in December 2023 its activities following several months of suspension following a military coup that removed former leader Ali Bongo Odimba. At least 900 Chadian fighters of the rebel coalition known as Union of Forces for Democracy and Development (UFDD) have returned home from Libya as part of 2022 Doha Peace Accord signed with the regime of the transitional leader Mahamat Idriss Deby. General Mahamat Nouri Allatchi, founder of the coalition, welcomed Tuesday January 2 the fighters at Faya, in the province of Borkou. They reportedly crossed into Chad onboard 79 pickups. They later headed to Moussoro where they are expected to lay down arms and take the Chadian army military train in view of their integration. Some of them will be enrolled in the public administration as part of the agreement. The 2022 accord took place following the death of the countrys autocratic leader Idriss Deby Itno in April 2021, killed amid combats with the rebels. Allatchis deputy, Mahamat Assileck Halat who also attended the ceremony, has been appointed minister of Urbanization in the new government unveiled Tuesday by the new Prime Minister and leader of the opposition, Succes Masra. UPDATED, Feb. 22, 2024, 3 pm: Corrects details of LB 894 as introduced. *** State Sen. Mike Jacobson won a new committee seat, named his 2024 priority bill and introduced half a dozen new bills as the Legislatures 60-day session got under way Wednesday. The North Platte lawmaker was named to the Unicamerals Executive Board at the end of a series of votes necessary because Sen. Tom Briese of Albion, the panels former chairman, resigned last fall to become state treasurer. Jacobson, starting his second full year as District 42 senator, quickly fulfilled a presession promise by declaring his carryover 2023 bill mandating two-person rail crews as his top priority for receiving floor debate this year. Legislative Bill 31, which would apply to major Class I railroads operating in Nebraska, remains in the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee. Jacobson backed off on seeking LB 31s advancement last session in the hope Congress or railroads themselves would mandate at least an engineer and a conductor aboard each train. Union Pacific agreed with its unions to keep two-person crews in Nebraska and other rural areas, but Burlington Northern Santa Fe has not reached a similar accord. Among Jacobsons first new bills Wednesday were measures to clear the way for North Platte and other cities to receive promised housing grants from COVID-19 funds (LB 850) and revamp eligibility for homestead exemptions on property taxes (LB 853). Veteran Sens. Tom Brewer of Gordon and Steve Erdman of Bayard were among other first-day bill introducers, as was sophomore lawmaker Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner. Ibach and five cosponsors, including both Brewer and Jacobson, also introduced Legislative Resolution 276 to urge Congress to shift Nebraskas portion of the Central-Mountain time zone line to put all counties east of the Panhandle on Central Time. The line currently runs along the Keith-Lincoln county line but divides Cherry County between the two time zones. Shifting the line would move the rest of that county and Grant, Hooker, Arthur, Keith, Perkins, Chase and Dundy counties into Central Time. Doing so would create greater consistency for commerce, transportation and communication in Nebraska and positively impact education, recreation, health care and religious worship in non-Panhandle counties, LR 276 says. Western flavor Grand Island Sen. Ray Aguilar, the Executive Boards 2023 vice chairman, easily won a 38-6 vote over Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh to succeed the departed Briese as panel chairman. Aguilar emphasized his senior service status among the 49 lawmakers as well as previous experience as chairman of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. He won a fresh District 35 term in 2020 after serving the district from 1999 to 2009. Sen. John Lowe of Kearney, with three years experience on the Executive Board, won a 31-15 vote over Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha to move up to vice chairman. Cavanaugh said she was running to prevent any senator from winning a leadership post without a contested vote. McKinney, one of the Legislatures two Black members, urged a vote for diversity at the top of the Legislatures top internal committee and noted that Omaha and Lincoln would be excluded from Executive Board leadership posts with Aguilars and Lowes elections. Senators whose Unicameral districts lie within the 3rd Congressional District subsequently named Jacobson to the boards vacancy from their caucus. The full Legislature agreed on a voice vote. The nine-member Executive Board oversees the Legislatures support offices and employees both during and between Unicameral sessions. Grant gone awry Jacobsons LB 850 rewrites definitions in 2022s Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act that derailed last Marchs $1 million grant to North Platte to set up a revolving fund for tearing down decayed homes and using their lots and long-vacant lots for new homes. Senators used part of Nebraskas share of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds for the grant program. But subsequent U.S. Treasury guidance led the Nebraska Department of Economic Development to tell grant winners they could receive only loans instead. Jacobson said his bill fixes the 2022 acts language to satisfy the Treasurys strictures. It says North Platte and other cities that won grants get first preference to receive the money this time. McCook also received a $1 million grant award in 2023 from the ARPA-funded program. Arnold was announced for a $222,770 grant. Among other things, Jacobsons homestead exemption bill would raise income and taxable-value thresholds for determining eligibility for the programs full or partial property tax exemptions. LB 853 also would enable partly disabled veterans to receive tax exemptions based on the percentage of their disability. Fully disabled veterans and their surviving spouses already are eligible, as are Nebraskans older than 65 and other qualified disabled property owners. The state repays counties for the property taxes lost to the exemptions. Sheriff qualifications LB 894, sponsored by Ibach and Seward Sen. Jana Hughes, says sheriffs candidates must have a state law enforcement officer certificate or diploma. Winning candidates must attend a sheriffs certification course at the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center in Grand Island and successfully complete it within eight months of taking office. Ibach told The Telegraph before the session that she would offer the bill in reaction to Dundy County voters Nov. 14 recall of elected Sheriff Clinton Smith after he failed to obtain law enforcement certification. Smith, elected in November 2022, had been a corrections officer and reserve deputy sheriff in Colorado. He didnt have Nebraska certification when sworn in and failed to secure one afterward, the Omaha World-Herald reported. Its the right cause for Democrats, even if its not an electoral cure-all. Photo: Jon Cherry/Getty Images Wherever possible, Democrats are backing efforts to put measures aimed at protecting abortion rights on the 2024 ballot; so far these efforts are underway in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, and South Dakota. Merits aside, the obvious political calculation is that abortion is a major issue where Democrats have a sizable advantage over Republicans, as evidenced by the unbroken winning streak of the pro-choice cause in ballot tests since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. So pushing them in multiple states can help Democrats win in 2024, right? Perhaps, or perhaps not, argue Alice Miranda Ollstein, Jessica Piper, and Madison Fernandez at Politico. After looking closely at past abortion ballot measures where contests for public office were also being held, they reached the conclusion that abortion on the ballot didnt help the Democratic Party generally: Voters decisively upheld abortion rights in every single case. But those margins were largely driven by Republican voters who also voted for GOP candidates. And Democratic turnout didnt consistently increase in states with abortion referendums compared to those without. Several Democrats who were on the same ballots as abortion measures lost their races. More interestingly, the Politico analysis suggests at least one case where a 2022 abortion ballot measure was thought to have clearly played a major role in a Democratic victory may have been misunderstood. That would be in Michigan, where voters approved an abortion rights constitutional amendment while electing Democrat Gretchen Whitmer as governor and also flipping control of the state legislature: The effects of the referendum are difficult to parse in Michigan. The states implementation of automatic and same-day voter registration likely also boosted youth turnout. And turnout was strong in both heavily Democratic and heavily Republican areas. Abortion rights outperformed Whitmers 10-point margin the most in heavily Republican areas, suggesting the significance of crossover voters who voted for abortion rights but against Whitmer on the same ballot. Its clearer that Democratic candidates stressing their pro-choice views had an advantage, all things being equal, over anti-abortion Republicans, whether or not there was a distinct ballot measure relating to the topic. But all things werent in fact equal in some cases where Republicans highly complicit in abortion restrictions (notably Florida governor Ron DeSantis and Georgia governor Brian Kemp) had no trouble dispatching pro-choice Democratic opponents. So, Democrats would be foolish to assume that an abortion ballot measure represents some sort of electoral silver bullet that makes victory in 2024 more or less inevitable. And for that matter, much as the abortion issue favors Democrats even in red states, candidates need to have a lot more to discuss in competitive races. That doesnt, however, mean that it is anything less than imperative that Democrats raise the flag for abortion rights on the 2024 campaign trail, whether or not it leads to an immediate partisan victory. There are two very basic reasons. First of all, over time, hammering away at this issue could either force Republican politicians to moderate their positions, reducing the threat to abortion rights at both the federal and state levels, or gradually convince pro-choice Republican voters who make up at least a third of the GOP rank and file that they need a new political affiliation. This is, in fact, how party realignment happens. Its not instantaneous, but it can be permanent. Second of all, and more to the point, in the post-Dobbs era, the only way to protect Democratic voters is to enshrine abortion rights in state constitutions, ending the threat that a Republican election victory could suddenly endanger this fundamental right. Eighteen states allow voters to initiate a constitutional amendment, and 49 give voters the right to approve or veto a constitutional amendment. It would be political and moral malpractice for Democrats to fail to take advantage of these avenues to vindicate the values and interests of their constituents. Sure, its possible to oversell the political opportunity associated with the abortion-rights cause at a time when so many other concerns not to mention actual candidates motivate voters, and where different states offer different landscapes in any given election. But its the righteous cause, and in the long run the winning cause, and that should be enough to keep Democrats on task. Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that the Justice Department is targeting him because he is President Bidens rival and that therefore he can do the same thing to Biden should he gain power. On Christmas Eve, with very little notice, Trump laid out in the most extensive detail to date the list of crimes he intends to charge Joe Biden with should he win the presidency: REMEMBER, if I dont have Presidential Immunity, then Crooked Joe Biden doesnt have it either, and he would certainly be Prosecuted for his many ACTUAL CRIMES, including illegally receiving massive amounts of money from foreign countries, including China, Ukraine, and Russia, paying off Ukraine to fire an unfriendly prosecutor, allowing millions of people to illegally Enter and Destroy our Country, SURRENDERING in Afghanistan, with Hundreds Dead, many Americans Left Behind, and handing over Billions of Dollars Worth of the Best Military Equipment anywhere on Earth, the Decimation of American Wealth through the Green New Scam, and so much more. The list begins with a series of debunked or unproved allegations numerous Republicans have made against Biden. There is no evidence that the president received money from China, Ukraine, or Russia, and even if the claims were proved, such payments would be sleazy but not criminal. Bidens support for firing an ineffective Ukrainian prosecutor was consistent with the position of the Obama administration, democracy activists, and international organizations fighting corruption and was in no way whatsoever criminal. The Fox News cinematic universe has tried to present these as scandals, but there is not a wisp of evidence of illegality. Trumps list proceeds to actions that are unconnected to criminal allegations even in the Fox News fever swamp: Bidens border policy, his withdrawal from Afghanistan, and his support for clean energy. There isnt even a pretense of scandal attached to these charges. Trump is simply claiming the Democratic Partys domestic and foreign-policy agendas are per se criminal. Does Trump really plan to go through with this? Theres not much doubt he intends to try. He has said as much in public. This is third-world-country stuff, arrest your opponent, Trump said at a rally last fall, and that means I can do that too. The Washington Post reported a couple of months ago that Trump has told advisers and friends in recent months that he wants the Justice Department to investigate onetime officials and allies who have become critical of his time in office, including his former chief of staff, John F. Kelly, and former attorney general William P. Barr, as well as his ex-attorney Ty Cobb and former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Mark A. Milley, according to people who have talked to him, adding that Trump also wants to prosecute officials at the Justice Department and FBI whom he deems insufficiently loyal. During Trumps term in office, he appointed a special counsel, John Durham, to prosecute the imagined Spygate conspiracy. Durhams effort floundered, resulting in two acquittals of his targets. But merely harassing targets with prosecution is itself an intimidating weapon. The Biden administrations response to Trumps flagrant abuses of power has been to restore the post-Watergate reforms. Instituted in response to the revelation that Richard Nixon had corrupted the Justice Department, the reforms created systems to insulate the department from presidential interference. Conservatives have not only refused to credit Biden for restoring these norms but insisted without any evidence whatsoever that he is actually directing the Justice Departments agenda. (They have ignored the departments indictment of Bidens beloved surviving son, Hunter, with charges that could bring up to 17 years in prison.) There is an intellectual rationale for this stance. The theory conservatives have embraced is that the Justice Department shouldnt try to wall itself off from politics. In fact, as we saw during the Trump administration, it is actively dangerous to have the prosecution power lodged in someone unaccountable to the public, argues National Reviews Dan McLaughlin. Biden deserves no credit for restoring post-Watergate norms, by this reasoning, because the norms shouldnt exist. But if we take this argument seriously, it has implications the right wouldnt enjoy. Theres no way to survive a system in which presidents wantonly use the Justice Department to harass their political critics while allowing their allies to get off scot-free. One way to avoid that authoritarian nightmare is to create firewalls within the Justice Department. The other way, the one conservatives like McLaughlin are gesturing toward, is to create that firewall through political accountability. What does political accountability mean? It means assuming the Justice Department will be controlled by the president and refusing to elect a president who will abuse that power. Trump is literally making public promises to abuse that power. He devoted his entire term to battering down the firewall between himself and the attorney generals prosecutorial power. The walls were barely holding by the time he left office. In a second term, they would be gone. McLaughlins clever attempt to deny Biden the credit for staying out of Merrick Garlands face simply circles back to the conclusion the semi-loyal right wishes desperately to avoid: The only way to save the Republic from authoritarian abuse is to support Trumps opponent. Japanese gov't mulls more support for quake-affected areas with 72-hour window closing Xinhua) 16:49, January 04, 2024 TOKYO, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government is planning to step up aid for affected areas after the devastating New Year's Day quakes left at least 82 dead and 80 unaccounted for with the critical 72-hour window closing on Thursday. Stressing a "push-type support" in which the government will send necessary supplies ahead of local requests, Kishida also indicated the government's intention of approving during a cabinet meeting scheduled on Jan. 9 a supplementary budget of around 40 billion yen (278.7 million U.S. dollars), nearly doubling the allocated amount of 23 billion yen for the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes. In a separate occasion on Thursday, Yoshifumi Matsumura, the minister in charge of disaster management, told the press that the "push-type support" has been expanded to cover 12 cities and towns in Ishikawa Prefecture. Previously, such support initiative was implemented only in severely affected cities and towns of Wajima, Suzu, Anamizu and Noto, and items such as blankets, portable toilets, generators, sanitary products and powdered milk have already begun to arrive, Kyodo reported citing the Cabinet Office. With time running out to find survivors before the 72-hour window closes, many were still believed to be trapped under rubble in the hard-hit coastal city of Wajima, where 48 deaths were confirmed so far. Earlier on Thursday, in response to the prolonged evacuation for victims of the quakes, it was announced that the number of Self-Defense Force personnel will be doubled from approximately 2,000 to 4,600 to enhance support in evacuation centers. He also appealed to the public to restrain the use of private vehicles as much as possible, as severe congestion in the transportation routes for relief supplies has hindered rescue efforts. A series of strong earthquakes, with a major one of 7.6 magnitude, on Monday struck at a shallow depth in the Noto region of Ishikawa. The Japan Meteorological Agency has officially named it the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake. Centered around 30 km east-northeast of Wajima, the devastating quake registered a maximum intensity of 7 on Japan's seismic intensity scale, which would make it impossible for people to stand. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Mayor John Whitmire speaks to city employees and union members at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Collaborator. Team player. Consensus builder. These are not qualities one might associate with the mayor of Houston. After all, this is a city where the term "strong mayor" characterizes not only our unique heliocentric style of government, but the manner in which we expect our leader to govern. It was striking, then, that shortly after John Whitmire was sworn in as Houston's 63rd mayor on Tuesday, he used his inauguration speech as a galvanizing cry for help. He shouted out incoming City Council members and even the new city controller a financial watchdog position that often becomes oppositional to the mayor as governing comrades who would "come together and make a real difference." He (jokingly?) needled Metro to collaborate with him on repairing roads "that their buses tear up." He suggested that our blue-leaning city reach "across the aisle," for help from the GOP-controlled state government in Austin, where he worked as a lawmaker for five decades. Most notably, he called for a genuine partnership with the Harris County government. Advertisement Article continues below this ad NEW LEADERSHIP: Meet the 6 new members of Houston City Council "When I was approached by Houstonians to run for mayor, they said, Whitmire, you can unite this city, and that's what I intend to do," he said. Perhaps Whitmire's deferential stance was simply an acknowledgment that the balance of power in Houston has shifted slightly. After all, he received fewer votes in both the general and runoff elections than a ballot initiative amending the charter to give the City Council more power over the legislative agenda. It now takes just three or more City Council members to place an item on the agenda that the mayor may oppose, and lawmakers have already used that enhanced power to prod Whitmire's predecessor, Sylvester Turner, into taking action on residents' inflated water bills. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Whitmire's mayoral victory is well-deserved It's also possible Whitmire's Kumbaya moment was an implicit acknowledgment that the scale of Houston's issues are too great for him to tackle by himself, particularly with a potential budget deficit looming. Basic services such as trash pickup have lagged behind schedule for years. Crucial infrastructure such as aging water mains routinely deluge our streets, and the city is repairing far fewer potholes than it did a year ago. Houston firefighters have been working without a contract for seven years. Crime rates, while trending downward, remain higher than prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Faced with these challenges, it's not surprising that Whitmire seeks a helping hand. He is a politician who views relationships as currency. He made a career out of forging alliances with Republicans in the Legislature to get bills passed. His campaign endorsements spanned elected officials from Congress to Harris County constables, and he received generous contributions from major GOP donors. It's certainly possible these strange bedfellows can help Whitmire turn Houston into a last bastion of nonpartisan governance in Texas. Yet Whitmire must first build a bond with Harris County officials namely Judge Lina Hidalgo, who endorsed his opponent, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, in the runoff. Hidalgo, who did not attend the inauguration, and the mayor needn't be best pals, but having a functional partnership is imperative. In his speech, Whitmire noted that county officials have "great responsibility" and that the model for county services ending at the city limits belong to a bygone era. Whitmire is already laying the groundwork to redefine that relationship as it pertains to fighting crime. He plans to convene a meeting with Houston Police Chief Troy Finner and leaders of the region's more than 80 law enforcement agencies to ensure "that no community is going unprotected." One of his top priorities is partnering with the Department of Public Safety to patrol our streets, primarily to assist with traffic enforcement, but also to serve warrants. We encourage the county to work with Whitmire on marshaling resources to solve overlapping problems. Reducing homelessness should be a priority, particularly as regional housing costs are on the rise. Whitmire has proposed combining services with the county and pooling funds to improve parks and libraries. Building more affordable housing, fixing damaged roads and improving flood control are all areas ripe for collaboration. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Photo: Davidoff Studios Photography/Getty Images For weeks, speculation has been building about which famous and powerful figures would be tarnished by the Jeffrey Epstein scandal when court documents from a years-old case related to the disgraced financier were made public. And while Epsteins black book contained a staggering number of A-listers and high-society pals, perhaps the biggest question surrounding the court documents unsealing is what they reveal about Donald Trump. The hype escalated on the afternoon of January 3, when Mark Epstein said that three years before his brother died in jail while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges, he told him he knew secrets that could blow up the presidential election between Trump and Hillary Clinton. Heres a direct quote: If I said what I know about both candidates, theyd have to cancel the election. Thats what Jeffrey told me in 2016, Mark Epstein told the New York Post. Wild stuff! But of course, Mark Epstein said he doesnt know what information his brother was referring to. And while Trump and Bill Clinton (who have both denied any Epstein-related wrongdoing) are both mentioned in the court documents that were made public a short time later, there was no smoking gun that could have upended a previous presidential race or Trumps current reelection bid. But questions about Trumps ties to Epstein persist, as the convicted sex offender is now a conspiracy-theory fixture, and more court records are set to be released in the coming days and weeks. Heres a running list of revelations from the newly unsealed documents, and what weve already learned about Trumps friendship with Epstein. . The newly unsealed documents are from Virginia Roberts Giuffres settled 2015 defamation lawsuit against Epsteins former girlfriend Ghislane Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison term for trafficking women and girls for Epstein to sexually abuse. Giuffre is one of dozens of women, some as young as 14, whom Epstein allegedly abused. Some documents were blacked out or sealed when the suit was settled in 2017 over privacy concerns. But in December 2023, federal Judge Loretta Preska ruled that most of the records would be made public, as most of the names were already public. The first 40 exhibits, totaling 943 pages, were released on January 3, 2024. Another 17 documents were unsealed on January 8. Seven more documents were released on January 9. (Read about the other figures listed in the new Epstein documents here.) . Trumps name appears four times in a deposition of Virginia Roberts Giuffre taken on January 16, 2016. She says that while shed heard that Trump had been in Epsteins home, she never saw him there herself and I dont think Donald Trump participated in anything. Trumps name is also mentioned in passing later in the deposition, when hes described as one of Epsteins famous friends. Giuffre testified that she was recruited into Epsteins sex trafficking ring by Maxwell, who approached her in 2000, when she was a 17-year-old working as a spa attendant at Mar-a-Lago. Trumps Florida resort comes up more than a dozen times in the newly released depositions, as Epstein and Maxwell are questioned about how they met Giuffre. But Giuffre has said she had no relationship with Trump beyond him being her employer. . One of the 17 exhibits unsealed on January 8 contains references to Trump but they are from emails an Epstein victim sent to a journalist that she later recanted. In emails exchanged with thenNew York Post journalist Maureen Callahan in October 2016, Sarah Ransome made a number of explosive allegations against famous men, saying her friend had sex with Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and Richard Branson on multiple occasions. She also said she had videos of the encounters but could not share them without her friends permission. In one of the emails, summarized below by attorneys representing Alan Dershowitz, Ransome said her friend was one of many girls Trump had sex with, claimed the friend regularly had sex with Trump at Epsteins mansion, and shared other NSFW details about Trumps sexual proclivities: Ransomes email that includes the claims about Trump appears later in the document, partially cut off: In the document, Dershowitzs attorneys use the emails to portray Ransome as a liar, noting that she made many outlandish claims to the journalist, such as saying shed reached out to the Russians for help and was approached, by Special Agents Forces Men sent directly by Hilary [sic] Clinton herself, in order to protect her presidential campaign. For example: In her final email to Callahan, Ransome says she wants to retract everything I have said to you and walk away from this. Callahan never published a story related to her allegations. Ransome also told the New Yorker in 2019 that she never had any videos. In her 2021 memoir, Silenced No More, Ransome explained why: I also told her I had video evidence of public figures participating in Jeffrey and Ghislaines pedophile ring. I didnt. I said I did because I was absolutely terrified that, once I went public with my story, Jeffrey and Ghislaine would find and kill me. I wanted to send them a message via the press: if you wage war on me, I will return fire by releasing my evidence. That would be my leverage, my way of protecting myself. As ABC News notes, while Ransome was involved in various lawsuits against Epstein, no evidence supporting these claims appears in publicly available court records: Ransome was deposed in 2017 as a witness in the Giuffre versus Maxwell litigation. No evidence supporting the allegations Ransome shared with the reporter was entered in the record of this case. The lawsuit Ransome filed in 2017 under the pseudonym Jane Doe 43 against Epstein, Maxwell and other alleged co-conspirators was settled the following year. Neither Clinton, nor Trump, nor Branson was accused by Giuffre, or anyone else besides Ransome, of any wrongdoing in the course of Giuffres defamation lawsuit against Maxwell. Ransome gave a victim impact statement in federal court at Maxwells sentencing that did not specifically mention Trump, or anyone but Epstein and Maxwell. . In short: not much. His name is mentioned only four times, in a May 2016 deposition of Johanna Sjoberg, one of Epsteins alleged victims, who said she was around him from 2001 to 2006. Sjoberg said that while flying on one of Epsteins planes, they made an unplanned stop in Atlantic City and went to one of Trumps casinos. She recalled that when she relayed the pilots message that theyd need to land in New Jersey, Jeffrey said, Great, well call up Trump and well go to I dont recall the name of the casino, but well go to the casino. Later, Sjoberg said she never gave Trump a massage. . Trump began palling around with Epstein in the late 80s but the depth of their friendship is a subject of debate. Footage unearthed by NBC News in 2019 shows the two men joking around and ogling women during a party at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in 1992. Trump and Epstein were also photographed together in 1992 and 1997. The now famous image below shows Trump and then-girlfriend Melania Knauss partying with Epstein and Maxwell at Mar-a-Lago on February 12, 2000. Photo: Davidoff Studios Photography/Getty Images In 2002, the mogul told New York, Ive known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy. Hes a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it Jeffrey enjoys his social life. On January 3, Trumps spokesperson Steven Cheung offered a terse statement on the new document release, telling Newsweek that any claims about Trumps relationship with Epstein were thoroughly debunked. In 2016 a woman who went by the pseudonyms Katie Johnson and Jane Doe in legal filings accused Trump of raping her in 1994, when she was 13, during an orgy held at Epsteins home in Manhattan. She accused Epstein of raping her as well. Three suits were filed over the same allegations; the first was dismissed for failure to properly state a claim the other two were voluntarily dismissed. The third case was withdrawn just days before the 2016 election, and the accuser canceled a press conference at the last minute. Her attorney, Lisa Bloom, said the woman had received death threats and She has decided she is too afraid to show her face She is in terrible fear. The circumstances around the case were bizarre, as Vox summarized at the time: It was the end of an incredibly strange case that featured an anonymous plaintiff who had refused almost all requests for interviews, two anonymous corroborating witnesses whom no one in the press had spoken to, and a couple of seriously shady characters with an anti-Trump agenda and a penchant for drama who had aggressively shopped the story around to media outlets for over a year. Those shady characters a former reality TV producer who calls himself Al Taylor and a Never Trump conservative activist named Steve Baer had been mostly unsuccessful in getting the media to bite. There are a few very good reasons for that, which the Huffington Posts Ryan Grim succinctly summed up: Taylor and Baer have been really sketchy about the whole thing, and since the accuser is anonymous, journalists cant do anything to verify her claims. The only journalist who has actually interviewed Johnson, Emily Shugerman at Revelist, came away confused and even doubting whether Johnson really exists. Trump has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than 20 other women over the years; those women were not underage and their allegations did not involve Epstein. In May 2023 a federal jury found Trump civilly liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll in the mid-1990s, and for defaming her when he denied her rape allegation in 2022. He was ordered to pay Carroll $5 million in damages, and is currently appealing the verdict. . Trump has claimed that he and Epstein had a falling out years before the financier was first arrested in Palm Beach in 2005, after he was accused of paying a 14-year-old girl for sex. (Though dozens of other underage girls accused Epstein of sexual abuse at the time, through a 2008 plea deal he served only 13 months in jail in a work-release program). There are reports that a battle over a choice Palm Beach property ended the friendship, but its unclear what exactly came between the two men. Days after Epstein was arrested on federal sex-trafficking charges in 2019, Trump downplayed their relationship while speaking to reporters in the Oval Office. He said he merely knew him like everybody in Palm Beach knew him, adding, I had a falling out with him. I havent spoken to him in 15 years. I was not a fan of his, that I can tell you. . During an August 2023 interview Tucker Carlson asked Trump if he believes that Epstein killed himself in jail. I dont know, said Trump, who seemed more interested in bashing his former attorney general Bill Barr. After more prodding from Carlson, Trump said he thinks its possible that Epstein was killed, but I think he probably committed suicide. Life with beautiful homes, beautiful everything, and all of a sudden hes incarcerated and not doing well, Trump said. A lot of people think he was killed. He knew a lot on a lot of people. Carlson confirmed hes among those who believe Epstein was killed, and Trump replied that a case could be made either way. This post has been updated. Crude oil prices moved lower today after the Energy Information Administration reported substantial fuel inventory builds for the week to December 29. In crude oil, the authority estimated an inventory decline of 5.5 million barrels for the last week of 2023. This compared with a weekly inventory draw of 6.9 million barrels for the previous week, when fuel inventories posted mixed inventory changes with gasoline stocks falling and middle distillate inventories swelling. A day before the EIA released its report, the American Petroleum Institute reported an estimated 7.4-million-barrel draw in crude oil inventories, accompanied by sizeable inventory builds in gasoline and middle distillates, both of over 6 million barrels. For the final week of 2023, the EIA estimated a gasoline inventory build of 10.9 million barrels, which compared with a decline of 600,000 barrels for the previous week. Gasoline production averaged 8.8 million barrels daily last week, which compared with 10 million barrels daily. In middle distillates, the EIA reported an estimated inventory increase of 10.1 million barrels for the week to December 29, which compared with a build of 800,000 barrels for the previous week. Middle distillate production averaged 5.1 million barrels daily in the final week of December, which compared with 5.1 million bpd for the previous week. Oil prices meanwhile have been creeping up amid an outage at Libyas largest producing field, Sharara and heightened tensions in the Middle East. The Sharara field has been blocked by protests while the latest in the Middle East is another attack by Yemens Houthis on a cargo ship in the Red Sea. Following these developments, Brent crude moved closer to $80 per barrel earlier today while West Texas Intermediate ticked up higher above $70 per barrel. Goldman Sachs said this week it expected Brent to trade in the range between $70 and $90 per barrel this year thanks to stable OPEC supply. The banks analysts added geopolitical factors remained a major risk for prices. ADVERTISEMENT By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: China is moving forward with a variety of investment and infrastructure projects in Central Asia designed to boost exports to the region and beyond. In Uzbekistan, Chinese executives are seeking to tighten their grip on the electric vehicle market. The Chinese firm Henan Suda signed a deal earlier in December with Uzbekistans Energy Ministry to build upwards of 50,000 electric vehicle charging stations around the country by 2033. Already in 2024, 2,500 charging stations are to be constructed. The project is projected to serve about 700,000 electric vehicles when fully built-out. During the first 10 months of 2023, China exported over 20,000 electric vehicles to Uzbekistan. Elsewhere, the Kyrgyz government has signed off on a $700-million project to build a trade hub in Kyrgyzstans Chui region. The project, to be overseen by an entity called Kyrgyz-Chinese Investment Holding Co., is envisioned as including a trade complex, exhibition center, warehouses and bonded trade zones, as well as housing and hotels. In a separate development, Bakyt Torobaev, the deputy chair of Kyrgyzstans cabinet, announced that a new border checkpoint along the Chinese frontier, called Bedel, is to be built in 2024, as well as a four-lane bridge at the existing Irkeshtam border checkpoint, the Sputnik outlet reports. Meanwhile in Kazakhstan, a Chinese company, Gezhouba Group Cement Co., Ltd., has signed an agreement worth $220 million to build a cement plant in the Almaty region. In addition, China is mulling a 110 million-euro investment in a major hospital project. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is considering a similar investment in the project, the Kursiv media outlet reports. The planned hospital would have 630 beds and be situated in Kokshetau, a regional center in northern Kazakhstan. The total cost of construction is estimated to be 467 million euros. By Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The price of Uzbekistan's most sought-after automobile gasoline, AI-80, has significantly risen since January 1 after the temporary suspension of excises on the fuel was allowed to expire. Prices at private gas stations currently stand at around 8,800 sums ($0.71) per liter. The zero-excise tax rate on local and imported AI-80 was introduced in December 2022 amid restrictions on the operations of gas stations selling methane, which is periodically in short supply in peak consumption periods. Many motorists in Uzbekistan run their cars on both methane and gasoline, and they typically base which fuel they use on the basis of need, price availability. The policy of limiting the working hours of methane stations has been in place since 2018 and is intended to alleviate shortages caused by demand for the same gas for heating in homes, schools, hospitals, and other public facilities. The country faced a particularly acute natural gas shortage as a result of abnormally cold weather last winter. Heating issues were reported across all the regions. Initially, the zero-excise tax rate was to remain in place only for a few months, but in March the president extended the tax break through to the end of the year to ensure price stability. Uzbekneftegaz, or UNG, a state-owned energy company, began importing AI-80 from Russia to plug the market deficit. The sharp increase in the cost of AI-80, which is commonly known as the peoples gasoline since it is cheapest and lowest-grade variety, in the middle of winter has predictably caused public discontent. But the government says that foregoing the fuel excise tax has been causing it undue revenue losses. The Energy Ministry estimates the shortfalls at around 1.2 trillion sum (about $100 milliion). This exemption has brought more benefits to business owners than to ordinary people, the ministry was reported as stating by news outlet Gazeta.uz. The ministry noted that some privately owned gas stations have been making a profit by reselling UNG-produced gasoline at a mark-up. The authorities have assured the public that reserves of gasoline, including AI-80, are sufficient to meet the demand and there will be no shortages of the type that have been regularly observed in recent years. Energy officials estimate that the daily demand for gasoline surges from around 5,000 tons to 8,000 tons during colder period. The bulk of that overall total around 7,500 tons is accounted for by AI-80. There is an environmental aspect to all this. As is it is lower-grade fuel, AI-80, poses greater risks than what is more typically sold in western Europe or the United States. Late last month, Sherzod Habibullayev, the head of Uzbekistans meteorological service, Uzgidromet, named AI-80 as one of the primary causes of air pollution in Tashkent, especially in winters. ADVERTISEMENT In 2020, UNG announced plans to discontinue the production of AI-80 which was supposed to happen after the modernization of existing oil refineries. It is unclear, however, what stage those efforts have reached. By Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: At the COP28 conference last month, climate activists were perhaps the most numerous demographic. Normally, this demographic focuses either on oil and coal or all three hydrocarbons, including gas. This time, a group of activists had a much more specific target: liquefied natural gas. Even more specifically, the target for 250 activist organizations was U.S. LNG. Last year, the United States became the world's largest LNG exporter, dethroning Qatar and Australia. It took the U.S. a little over a decade to do that, thanks to the shale boom that led to a surge in domestic gas supply. It was this abundance of supply that made it possible to turn the country into the world's largest exporter. The industry is not stopping, either. There are plans for more capacity in the coming years as demand for gasand specifically LNGremains robust despite pessimistic forecasts from the International Energy Agency. In this context of fast capacity growth, it was really only a matter of time before activists set their sights on LNG. According to one group representing people from poor communities on the Gulf Coast, the LNG industry expansion adds insult to injury for those who already live in the shadow of the massive Gulf Coast petrochemical industry and pay for it with their health. They call the Gulf Coast a "sacrifice zone," which until recently was dominated by the massive refineries that turn the crude oil into fuel and petrochemicals. Now, the LNG trains turning gas into liquid to be sent across the world have been added to the targets. "Because of what happened in Ukraine [they say] that American gas is freedom gas we're no longer being held hostage by Russia. Well we have a saying in the states: freedom ain't free . . . The price we pay for it is pollution," former refinery worker and community activist John Beard told the Financial Times last November. At the COP28 event, activists were blunter: they directly called on the Biden administration to stop approving new LNG facilities. "We urge the Biden administration to publicly commit during COP to no further regulatory, financial, or diplomatic support for LNG in the United States or anywhere in the world," the group said in a letter to the White House. This new gas-focused pressure is a tricky one for the Biden admin. It came into office with an ambitious climate change agenda, and it has largely stuck to itwith some notable exceptions, including LNG capacity approvals and the Willow oil project in Alaska. That's not all, either. The Biden admin has essentially celebrated LNGas did Europe until it saw the billas a means to reducing geopolitical allies' dependence on the new arch-enemy, Russia. This was bound to cause a stir among activists who happen to constitute a significant portion of Biden's voting base. On a more practical level, it is all just another instance of the battle between climate targets and market forces. Climate targets dictate a phaseout of all hydrocarbons, even gas, which is the smallest emitter. Market forces dictate energy security, which hydrocarbons provide. Reconciliation of these two is, to put it mildly, challenging. "The big question is: should the government step in to limit construction of new LNG facilities, or should it let the market decide if there is sufficient gas demand and financing for these projects to be built?" Ben Cahill, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told the FT back in November. "So far, the latter approach has worked well, but it's getting harder to sustain." In other words, for now, market forces are winning, but they won't keep winning forever if governmentsand specifically the U.S. governmentare serious about the energy transition. It's election year. Biden is running for re-election. His approval ratings are already dismal. Now, activists who typically vote Democrat are pushing for action against the LNG buildout that politicians widely consider to be a big positive for the U.S. as a global economic power. It's a tough spot to be in, torn between transition and energy security. The two appear irreconcilable, and indeed, they are at this point. If the transition away from hydrocarbons worked as intended, Germany, for instance, would not need so much gas with its massive wind and solar generation capacity. ADVERTISEMENT Yet the transition has not worked as intended, and even the most active builders of wind and solar have found themselves still very much dependent on oil and gas. And thanks to the U.S. and its LNG buildout, they have been able to secure the gas they need from a jurisdiction with which they don't have a geopolitical beefan important public image consideration in this day and age. Global natural gas demand is set to continue growing for the foreseeable future. LNG is the most convenient form of gas transport-wise. Demand for it will also grow in the coming years and likely decades unless activists prevail. If they do, it will be a major win for non-U.S. LNG producers. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Its that time again. As a new year begins, heres a look ahead at the big things that Im following for the upcoming year for China across Eurasia. But before unpacking all of that lower down, let's examine two big issues that will shape Chinas year as a whole: its struggling economy and Taiwan. Finding Perspective: 2023 was mostly bad news for the Chinese economy. The post-pandemic recovery never really took hold. Adding to that is a property crisis that has real estate giants on the brink of collapse, foreign direct investment leaving the country at an alarming rate, and widespread disillusionment among the population now that the days of uninterrupted high growth are over. Chinese leader Xi Jinping made a rare admission about the dire state of the country's economy during his New Years Eve speech. Acknowledging the headwinds facing the country, Xi admitted in the televised speech that some enterprises had a tough time. Some people had difficulty finding jobs and meeting basic needs. All these remain at the forefront of my mind, Xi said in his remarks, which were widely circulated by state media. We will consolidate and strengthen the momentum of economic recovery. The comments were the first time Xi has mentioned economic challenges in his annual New Years messages since he started giving them in 2013. Xi also used his speech to talk about Taiwan, which Beijing believes should be reunified with the Chinese mainland, ideally peacefully, though it does not rule out force. The Chinese leader said that Taiwan would surely be reunified with China, which he added was part of the same family as the island nation. Why It Matters: Those comments from Xi follow a similar line to past remarks, but they hold new weight with Taiwans presidential election set for January 13. Current Taiwanese Vice President Lai Ching-te, who serves under President Tsai Ing-wen and is a member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), holds a narrow lead in the polls. His election could lead to even starker cross-strait tensions. Lai is strongly opposed to the Chinese Communist Party, and while he wont call for formal Taiwanese independence, hes also said that Taiwans sovereignty is a fact. Its for these reasons that Beijing harshly criticizes him as a secessionist. Beijing has stepped up its rhetoric ahead of the election, and a Lai victory would likely prompt aggressive moves from Beijing, including naval maneuvers and airspace intrusions. How Beijing reacts will shape its year and have an impact on its economy and its relationship with the United States. Xi and U.S. President Joe Bidens November summit in San Francisco brought a cooling-off period to the relationship, but structural tensions mean that a new crisis could quickly heat things up again. One school of thought says that, given the internal difficulties facing China, Xi wont look to create new problems. ADVERTISEMENT Xi is hoping to slow U.S. curbs on tech exports that are hurting the economy, while Beijing is in the midst of a charm offensive across Europe aimed at taking advantage of European worries about another Trump presidency. A mini-crisis over Taiwans election could jeopardize that and sour any goodwill for China in the process. But Taiwan is also an intrinsic issue for Beijing, and Xi may feel that he has no choice but to react strongly in a way that will force the world to take notice. By RFE/RL More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: China returned to the number-one spot among LNG importers last year, with shipments rising 12% to almost 71 million tons, Bloomberg has reported, after analyzing tanker tracking data. The rebound in LNG shipments follows a weak 2022 when high LNG prices driven by Europes gas crunch dampened demand and made China seek more affordable alternatives to the liquefied fuel. China is seen remaining the biggest driver of LNG demand globally in the longer term, too. According to Rystad Energy, the country will see a 20% increase in demand for liquefied natural gas over the next two years, with the annual total hitting 84 million tons in 2025. This will soar further to 136 million tons by 2030, the consultancy also said. Depending on whether demand growth in China grows faster than new production capacity is added, we might see price wars yet again as Europe deepens its dependence on the liquefied fuel with more floating regasification terminals. Last year, there were worries Europe might find itself in a tight spot again with regard to gas as China went to the spot market to secure cargos for the winter, after signing several long-term supply agreements with U.S. and Qatar. For now, this has had no effect on European gas supply mostly because of relatively mild weather but the winter is not over yet and supply might yet tighten as the EU dips into its winter gas storage. China is also making sure to diversify its supply. It is a major client of U.S. LNG producers but it is also a big investor in Russias Arctic LNG 2 project, which was recently added to the U.S. sanction list. This reportedly led to a rare request by the Chinese side for a sanction exemption as it sought to remain an LNG buyer from both countries. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Following a warm autumn and a milder start to the winter, a prolonged cold snap will grip most of northwestern Europe later this week to last for most of January and to test Europes natural gas supply and energy infrastructure. Some of the biggest gas-consuming countries, Germany, the UK, and France, will see later this week temperatures plunging to below seasonal averages as freezing weather will settle on most of Europe for most of January, according to weather forecasters polled by Bloomberg. Northwest Europe will see below-average temperatures next week and at least until January 20, according to forecasts. The cold weather will put Europes energy systems and infrastructure to the test as it will result in higher electricity and gas consumption for heating. After the latest month-ahead outlooks on European weather were published earlier this week, Europes natural gas prices jumped by 5% on Wednesday. The February Dutch TTF Natural Gas Futures, the benchmark for Europes gas trading, had surged by 4.99% at $35.06 (32.10 euros) per megawatt-hour (MWh) as of 12:27 p.m. in Amsterdam on Wednesday. On Thursday, prices were at $35.69 (32.60 euros) per MWh as of 1:30 p.m. Amsterdam time. Despite the cold snap expected next week and the surge in prices earlier this week, European gas prices have been on a downward trend for months as high inventory levels across Europe make the market less nervous about supply shortages. The EU reached its target to fill sites to 90% of capacity months ahead of the deadline on November 1, and hit full storage levels ahead of winter season proper. European demand has been subdued in recent months due to slowing economic activity, but Europe still needs a lot of natural gas for space heating and power generation. ADVERTISEMENT European companies have been relying more on Ukrainian storage to hold natural gas and withdraw it from there once winter heating demand rose. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Germany imported the equivalent of 968 terawatt hours (TWh) of natural gas in 2023, down by 32.6% from the 1.437 TWh imports in 2022, as consumption also dropped, the countrys energy regulator Bundesnetzagentur said on Thursday. Norway was Germanys top natural gas supplier last year, delivering as much as 43% of the imported gas, followed by the Netherlands with 26% and Belgium, 22%, the Federal Network Agency Bundesnetzagentur said. Germanys now four operational LNG import terminals started up between December 2022 and December 2023 imported 7% of all natural gas imports into the country last year. Germany also continued to save natural gas in 2023, the regulator noted. Last year, gas consumption dropped by 5% compared to 2022, while compared to the average consumption in the period 2018 to 2021, gas demand in Europes biggest economy fell by 17.5% last year. Households consumed 16.4% less gas in 2023 compared to the 2018-2021 period, while industry consumption was 18.3% lower, according to the data the regulator released today. Currently, Germanys gas storage facilities are 91% full, according to Bundesnetzagentur. This is a very good basis for the remaining winter months, said the regulator, but added that filling the gas storage facilities would remain a challenge in 2024 due to the ongoing uncertainties in German gas supply. Germany and Europe are now less concerned about gas shortages, but regulators, companies, and governments continue to warn that European gas supply continues to be exposed to potential shocks. Despite reducing significantly its dependence on Russian gas, Europe remains exposed to natural gas supply and price shocks as it lacks any buffers in the system, the CEO of Germanys top utility, RWE, told the Financial Times in comments published last month. ADVERTISEMENT But we are not where we need to be because we shouldnt have an energy supply system which is without any margin or buffer, RWEs chief executive Markus Krebber told FT. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Mexicos state-run oil company Pemex said on Thursday that its newest refinerywith a nameplate processing capacity of 340,000 bpd, will process 243,000 bpd this year before achieving full capacity in 2025. The countrys newest refinery has been hailed as one of Mexicos President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors critical achievements on the countrys quest to sever the yoke of imported fuelsa large chunk of which comes from the United States. According to a presentation given by Pemex CEO Octavio Romero, the Olmeca refinery is expected to be producing 274,000 bpd of diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel by September, when President Obrador is set to leave officea feat that will help solidify his legacy. The presentation also said, however, that by years end, fuel output would dip to 208,000 bpd. For 2024, the new Olmeca refinery will increase Pemexs overall processing to 1.5 million bpda sizeable 40% increase over 2023 processing rates. The Pemex presentation estimated that the companys petroleum liquids production averaged 1.88 million bpd last year and that its proven oil reserves will stay at 7.4 billion boe in 2024. The Olmeca refineryalso referred to as Dos Bocas refinery, is located in the state of Tabasco and originally had an estimated cost of $8 billion. But billions in cost overruns and delays saw the price tag reach upwards of $12 billion by the time the project was complete. The refinery was originally scheduled to begin in mid-2022, but eventually delayed into late 2023. Olmeca has a total capacity of processing 340,000 bpd of crude oil and a production capacity of 170,000 bpd of gasoline and 120,000 bpd of diesel. U.S. energy exports to Mexico totaled $55.8 billion in 2022, according to the EIA. ADVERTISEMENT By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 04: Recently arrived migrants board a bus back to their temporary tent shelters at Floyd Bennett Field, a former airfield in Brooklyn, on January 04, 2024 in New York City. The isolated location on a road that leads to the Atlantic Ocean has forced migrants to depend on limited sources of transportation to get to schools, work or other locations. The 2,000-bed shelter, which opened in November to house migrant families, was chosen after the Eric Adams administration said hotels and other places of shelter had hit capacity, after New York became the main destination for buses from Texas. Spencer Platt/Getty Images NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 04: Recently arrived migrants board a bus back to their temporary tent shelters at Floyd Bennett Field, a former airfield in Brooklyn, on January 04, 2024 in New York City. The isolated location on a road that leads to the Atlantic Ocean has forced migrants to depend on limited sources of transportation to get to schools, work or other locations. The 2,000-bed shelter, which opened in November to house migrant families, was chosen after the Eric Adams administration said hotels and other places of shelter had hit capacity, after New York became the main destination for buses from Texas. Spencer Platt/Getty Images New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a news conference in the Blue Room at City Hall, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. (Jeff Bachner/New York Daily News/TNS) Jeff Bachner/TNS Migrants are checked in for a bus headed to San Antonio, at Mission: Border Hope in Eagle Pass, Texas, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. A surge of migrants crossing has been seen in the area. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott started busing migrants from South Texas to Chicago and New York in late August in response to what he called a lack of federal government action on the border issue. The arrival of migrants in New York City and Chicago came as a surprise. Migrants in Chicago have been housed at area hotels and the Salvation Army. After crossing the Rio Grande and surrendering to authorities, migrants are released to the shelter where they can buy a ticket to San Antonio for $50. Those with tickets to other destinations are taken to the airport or bus station in San Antonio. Those without tickets are taken to the San Antonio Migrant Resource Center. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News New York City Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Manuel Castro, center, welcomes migrants arriving at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on Sept. 6, 2023. Despite New York Mayor Eric Adams' recent rules restricting when buses can arrive, Southern states are sending buses of migrants to New Jersey, where many of them continue on to New York City. (Luiz C. Ribeiro/New York Daily News/TNS) Luiz C. Ribeiro/TNS FILE - Migrants queue in the cold as they look for a shelter outside a migrant assistance center at St. Brigid Elementary School on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in New York. Nervous officials in suburbs and outlying cities near Chicago and New York are giving migrants arriving from the southern border a cold shoulder. Edison, New Jersey, the mayor warned he would send people back to the border if they came to his city in buses. The moves come amid attempts to circumvent new limits on dropping migrants in the two cities, opening a new front in response to efforts led by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to pay for migrants to leave his state. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File) Andres Kudacki/Associated Press NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 04: Recently arrived migrants walk from their temporary tent shelters at Floyd Bennett Field, a former airfield in Brooklyn, on January 04, 2024 in New York City. The isolated location on a road that leads to the Atlantic Ocean has forced migrants to depend on limited sources of transportation to get to schools, work or other locations. The 2,000-bed shelter, which opened in November to house migrant families, was chosen after the Eric Adams administration said hotels and other places of shelter had hit capacity, after New York became the main destination for buses from Texas. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Spencer Platt/Getty Images A U.S. Border Patrol agent gathers migrants personal belongings after they surrendered to Texas National Guard by the Camino Real International Bridge in Eagle Pass, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022. A surge of migrants crossing has been seen in the area. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott started busing migrants from South Texas to Chicago and New York in late August in response to what he called a lack of federal government action on the border issue. The arrival of migrants in New York City and Chicago came as a surprise. Migrants in Chicago have been housed at area hotels and the Salvation Army. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News New York City is suing more than a dozen companies that have bused migrants from Texas at Gov. Greg Abbotts direction, the first major legal effort to thwart the Republicans campaign targeting Democratic cities. The lawsuit, filed in New York Supreme Court, accuses the 17 companies of violating a New York state law that penalizes anyone who knowingly brings, or causes to be brought, a needy person from out of the state into this state for the purpose of making him a public charge. New York officials are seeking $708 million from the companies the amount they say the city has spent to care for tens of thousands of migrants who have arrived from Texas. Abbott announced last week that the state had bused more than 33,600 migrants to New York City since August 2022. Advertisement Article continues below this ad New York City has and will always do our part to manage this humanitarian crisis, but we cannot bear the costs of reckless political ploys from the state of Texas alone, New York Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement. Abbott, a third-term Republican, began busing migrants to Washington, D.C., in April 2022 in an effort to draw President Joe Bidens attention to an unprecedented surge of migration across the U.S.-Mexico border. He expanded the operation to New York City later that year, calling the city the ideal destination for these migrants, who can receive the abundance of city services and housing that Mayor Eric Adams has boasted about within the sanctuary city. The lawsuit was filed by the citys Department of Social Services commissioner, Molly Wasow Park, as designated by the states penalty for bringing a needy person into the state law. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul backed the move, saying in a statement that if the companies are getting paid to break the law by transporting people in need of public assistance into our state, they should be on the hook for the cost of sheltering those individuals not just passing that expense along to hard-working New Yorkers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Abbott called the lawsuit baseless and said it deserves to be sanctioned. Every migrant bused or flown to New York City did so voluntarily, after having been authorized by the Biden Administration to remain in the United States, he said in a written statement. As such, they have constitutional authority to travel across the country that Mayor Adams is interfering with. Several of the bus and transportation companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A San Antonio-area bus charter company VLP Charter LLC of Von Ormy is among those named as defendants. Luciano Villpando, VLPs registered agent, hung up on a reporter when reached for comment Thursday. The Texas secretary of states website shows VLP hasnt filed a public information report since 2021. The lawsuit comes as New York and other major cities have sought to restrict the flow of buses bringing migrants from Texas and other states. Adams last week issued an executive order requiring charter bus companies to provide 32 hours notice before dropping off migrants in the city, along with information on whom they are transporting. The order also requires the companies to drop off passengers at designated locations during specific daytime hours after Adams office described 14 rogue buses with migrants arrived from Texas in a single night. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a statement, Adams office said many of the bus companies named in the lawsuit are evading compliance with the executive order by busing migrants to New Jersey train stations and then having the migrants take a train to New York City. Texas immigration policies also came under fire this week from the Biden administration, which sued to block a new Texas law that empowers state officials to essentially deport people who are suspected of crossing the border illegally. In response, Abbott said Biden would rather sue Texas for our efforts to secure the border than enforce federal laws that would eliminate this crisis. Texas will not back down, Abbott posted on X. We will continue to build new barriers, repel illegal crossings, and transport migrants to relieve overwhelmed communities. Patrick Danner contributed to this report. Houston-based petroleum refinery Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX) is actively discussing the sale of some of its assets, according to a Thursday statement made by the company's CEO. The plan to sell $3 billion of its non-core assets this year was hatched last year when the company said it would look to cut costs and assets in order to boost returns. According to Mark Lashier, there is no fixed timeline as to when a sale of these assets may occur. "We don't have (a) sense of urgency... It's really going to be a function of whether someone puts a greater value on these assets than we do," Lashier said on Thursday. 2023 was an unkind year for the U.S.-based refiner, seeing its profits plunge by 46% in the second quarter of the year, with adjusted earnings of just $1.8 billioncompared to $3.3 billion in Q2 2022. Its Q3 adjusted earnings were higher at $2.1 billion, but still failed to live up to analyst expectations. Its refinery utilization, however, was the highest in years at 95%. Then, in November, activist investor Elliott Investment Management snapped up a $1 billion stake in the refiner, citing the company's underperformance. The group submitted a letter to Phillips 66 outlining the ways in which it could do better and chastised the company for letting operating expenses get too high. But even before Elliot Investment Management bought shares in the refiner, Phillips 66 selected $3 billion in non-core assets for a possible 2024 sale. At the time, Lashier said the company had indeed identified which assets would go on the chopping block, but failed to disclose them. Lashier said the refiner wasnt in any rush and that for now, the assets provided the refinery good value. The Phillps 66 share price rose 34.63% over the past year to $135.55. ADVERTISEMENT By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Scientists long ago figured out that genetic changes give pathogens such as bacteria and viruses the ability to infect new species and develop resistance to drugs. But they didnt know what might allow prions the infectious agents that cause fatal neurodegenerative diseases, including chronic wasting disease in deer and mad cow disease in cattle to make such changes. Prions, pronounced pre-ons, are composed solely of proteins and lack any type of genetic material. Jason Bartz, a professor of medical microbiology and immunology in Creighton Universitys School of Medicine, said researchers have theorized that small numbers of prions with subtly different shapes, known as substrains, hiding out in the larger crowd might provide an opening for such changes. This fall, Bartz and his students published the first solid evidence that substrains are present in a prion mix in a stable rodent model and that administering anti-prion drugs can allow drug-resistant ones to emerge. The paper was published in September in PloS Pathogens, a peer-reviewed, open-access medical journal. As a result of that work, the National Institutes of Health recently awarded the team a five-year, $2.7 million grant that will allow them to apply the methods they developed to other basic questions about prions, such as how they infect other species. Prions can evolve like other microorganisms in that they respond to selective pressures and they can adapt to different environments, Bartz said. This idea of substrains just helps them more rapidly adapt to new environments. Such questions are important in an agricultural state like Nebraska, Bartz said. Exports of American beef dropped off to some countries for a time in the early 2000s after the first case of mad cow, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or BSE, was identified in the United States in 2003 in a cow imported from Canada. Chronic wasting disease, or CWD, was first discovered in Colorado in 1967 and was identified in Nebraskas Kimball County in 2000. Surveillance by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission detected 31 positive cases in deer from 603 samples collected in central and north-central Nebraska during the November firearm deer season. The agency has tested more than 57,000 deer and more than 400 elk for the fatal neurodegenerative disease since 1997. A total of 1,269 deer and 19 elk have tested positive for CWD to date. The agency noted that there is no strong evidence that chronic wasting disease, a prion disease that attacks the brains of infected deer, moose and elk, poses a risk for humans. Public health officials, however, recommend avoiding human exposure. People should remain cautious in how they handle, process and consume deer, avoiding butchering or processing deer in a way that could spread spinal cord or brain tissue to meat or the environment. Bartz noted that deer range with other animals, including cattle, sheep and pigs. While chronic wasting disease has not transmitted from deer to any of those species, there may be potential for such transmission to occur. Among other things, he and his students want to understand whether there is a risk of transmission. Wed like to understand at fine detail, how does that work? he said. If we know how it works, then we can try to prevent it. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of December 2023 For decades, drivers motoring east on Farnam Street have had to jog south around the old Mid City Bank building at 42nd Street and divert to Harney Street before continuing on their way. But soon the old bank building at the southwest corner of 42nd and Farnam Streets will be gone. Nebraska Medicine has begun the process of demolishing the vacant building, which it owns. The structure is considered unsafe. The work is expected to take about 10 weeks, said Brian Spencer, executive director of campus development and real estate and campus architect for Nebraska Medicine and the University of Nebraska Medical Center, its academic partner. The first five weeks will be devoted to asbestos abatement and the last five to demolishing the building and leveling the site. Barricades have been placed around much of the building. Spencer said he cant talk yet about traffic modifications and plans for the site but hopes to be able to do so soon. Were obviously excited about removing safety issues and cleaning up campus with a vision toward our long-term plans, he said. Indeed, the demolition appears to clear the way for the City of Omaha to eliminate the jog and allow traffic to continue through on Farnam Street. Currently, motorists who want to continue east on Farnam have to turn left on 42nd Street and then right a block later to return to that route. Austin Rowser, Omahas deputy public works director, said the city doesnt currently have any plans to end the jog. But the change probably is inevitable, he said. An upcoming study will focus on streets in the citys urban core. A number of projects will impact those streets, including a future streetcar line between the area and downtown Omaha and construction on UNMCs campus. For now, however, no major changes in traffic patterns are expected in the area surrounding the shuttered bank building, although some single-lane restrictions may be posted periodically during demolition. Mid City Bank failed in 2011, going bust on bad real estate loans. A new ownership group purchased its failed assets and renamed the institution Premier Bank, which currently has a location at 4318 Dodge St. and two others near 114th Street and West Dodge Road and 168th and West Dodge. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of December 2023 In the waning days of 2023, the State of Nebraska completed its first purchase of land in Colorado for a proposed canal that would bring water from the South Platte River in that state into southwest Nebraska. The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources purchased just shy of 90 acres east of Julesburg, Colorado, for nearly $90,000 on Dec. 29, according to property records in Sedgwick County, Colorado. Jesse Bradley, the departments deputy directory, confirmed that the purchase is Nebraskas first buy in Colorado for the proposed Perkins County Canal. Under a century-old compact with Colorado, building the canal would entitle Nebraska to 120 cubic feet per second of water from the South Platte River during the summer irrigation season and 500 cfs during the non-irrigation season. But the state must build the canal to secure the water. Nebraska lawmakers have set aside a total of $628 million for the project. Former Gov. Pete Ricketts made the project a priority during his last year in office, arguing that Nebraska could loss access to water if Colorado proceeded with plans to use South Platte water to meet the demands of its growing urban areas. Gov. Jim Pillen also has indicated support for the project. Bradley said the agency is homing in on a route for the canal and on potential reservoir locations, with a goal of having conversations with landowners in Colorado and Nebraska this spring that eventually translate into potential property acquisitions. The agency currently is about a year into its projected three-year design timeline. Agency officials held an informational meeting last month in Ogallala to update area residents. We dont have a line on a map ready to go out, he said. But were getting closer to that. Weve been focusing our efforts preliminarily in Colorado and now starting to look in Nebraska. Typically, he said, designers of such projects propose a draft route and see whether accommodations are needed to alleviate disruptions. Then they work to finalize it. Officials are trying to stay within the 100-year-old line of survey in the original compact, based on local topography and the fact that the canal flows by gravity. As much as possible, planners will work around potential obstacles such as interstate highways and cemeteries. The Sedgwick County property, Bradley said, potentially could be part of the canal route itself and serve as an ancillary construction site. The property was purchased from Ray Hendrix of Holyoke, Colorado. His son, Loren Hendrix of rural Holyoke, said the property is situated about a mile south of the point on Interstate 76 marking the border between the two states. The land represents a portion of two larger parcels, he said. The family runs cattle and harvests hay. Loren Hendrix said Nebraska officials initially talked about routing the canal through the property. He said he was concerned that the family might not get fair value for the land if Nebraska invoked eminent domain. He also wants to make sure adequate funds were available to care for his 90-year-old father. Bradley told attendees at the Ogallala meeting that the state prefers to reach fair land deals in both states, the North Platte Telegraph reported. In an interview, he noted that the state also is working with various federal agencies to determine permitting requirements for the project. There are a lot of steps to get a large project like this completed, Bradley said, and were still pretty early on. Omaha World-Herald's top news photos of 2023 The suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, has described the allegations and evidence brought against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) as invalid. Mr Onnoghen said this through his counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, on Friday. He is facing a six-count charge before the CCT for allegedly failing to declare his asset after 2005. The CJN, who was present at the tribunal on Friday, made the assertion as parts of arguments from his lawyers in their no-case-submission. After the prosecution closed its case at the last adjourned date, the lawyers representing the suspended Chief Justice, led by Mr Awomolo, said they would present their application for a no-case submission at the next hearing date. Mr Awomolo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, therefore highlighted several points to discredit the arguments of the prosecution. Regarding count one of the charge, Mr Awomolo said the CCB accused Mr Onnoghen of failing to declare his asset between 2005 to 2015. He added that there was no report of the CCBs investigation to back that allegation. Count one alleges that between 2005 to 2015, the defendant did not file any asset firm. No report of investigation to show that this is true. Pw 2 told the tribunal that there is a register and a director managing the register, where all declaration of asset are registered and kept. Neither the register nor the director, nor the departmental schedule officer were brought before the tribunal, Mr Awomolo said. Consequently, he said the allegation was a mere hearsay, irrelevant and useless. The defendant has no duty to show that he has filed forms. Where is the proof? There has not been any attempt by the prosecution to prove it, Mr Awomolo said. Regarding the documents presented as exhibits two and three, Mr Awomolo said the CCB confirmed that the declaration forms were not verified by the Bureau. He then added that the Supreme Court had ruled during a similar case involving the Senate President, that such verification was necessary. It is mandatory that the prosecution must prove that there is verification of exhibits and two and three They must show that exhibits two and three have been verified. Otherwise, without verification, there can be no allegation of false declaration or omission, he said. He read through sections of the Supreme Court ruling to suggest that the authorised person must have investigated the statement in the declaration form. Mr Awomolo also faulted the admissibility of the bank documents, stressing that they were addressed to an institution other than the parties involved in the matter. Mr Awomolo said the Supreme Court had held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the State Security Service (SSS) have no business being part of the investigation of the CCB. So it is illegal, Awomolo said. Mr Awomolo, therefore, described the documents as strangers. Exhibits four and five is not part of this proceedings, he said. Mr Awomolo added that the Bureau failed to produce a certificate to authenticate the computer generated documents presented in court. He said the failure of the prosecution to do so, rendered their documents inadmissible before the tribunal. Section 84 (2) (4) of the evidence act demands that there shall be a certificate issued by the maker of the computer generated evidence. Section 84 (2) and (4) are mandatory. Where there is non-compliance to the sections, the documents cannot be admissible. Responding, the prosecution lawyer, Aliu Umar, said the submissions of the prosecution that the documents were addressed to the EFCC can not be relied upon. According to Mr Umar, what mattered was the compliance of the prosecution to the necessary provisions for the trial of the defendant. The prosecution lawyer said the necessary procedures as laid down by the Constitution had been complied with. According to Mr Umar, the government has investigated Mr Onnoghen, applied to the tribunal for his trial and was granted permission to try the defendant. He described the lapses noted by Mr Onnoghen as internal comminnication procedures employed by the CCB. Mr Umar said the internal communication should not be weighed higher than the Bureaus right to prosecute, as contained in section 174 of the constitution, regarding the rights of the Bureau and sister agencies working with the office of Attorney-General of the Federation. Our first submission is that the internal memo of the CCB cannot override the procedures of the Constitution, Mr Umar said. Mr Umar added that the arguments brought forward by the defence that the prosecution failed to bring some witnesses should not be entertained. He submitted that the prosecution had offered to let the defence bring the said witnesses, but they declined, saying they did not need the witnesses. Mr Umar then added that the defence cannot turn around after declining to say that a witness was not brought by the prosecution. Mr Umar said the only point made by the prosecution is that Mr Onnoghen failed to declare his asset from 2005, till 2016. He then added that the other detail alleging high influx into Mr Onnoghens account was not part of their allegation. In reply on point of law, Mr Awomolo said the witness brought by the CCB had confirmed that the Bureau failed to comply with its own law. The three member panel of the tribunal, led by Danladi Umar, stood down till 1:30 p.m to rule on the no-case-submission The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this on Saturday in Abuja while fielding questions at the meeting with political parties and other stakeholders. Yakubu said that the deadline for the collection of PVCs and elections campaign by political parties according to the election timetable has passed. Campaign closed on Thursday, Feb. 14, and for the period that remains campaigns remain closed. All the other processes that remain in the main timetable remain closed, including the collection of PVC, except the conduct of the elections, he said. On why the commission did not consult party leaders before adjusting the dates of the elections, Yakubu said that it was due to the urgency and that Section 36 of the Electoral Act empowered the commission to do so. We have to take a decision and communicate because polls were supposed to open at 8a.m. and we took the decision at 2a.m, he said. Until then, Yakubu said, INEC was hopeful that elections would hold as scheduled. On whether the commission has enough fund should the elections be postponed again, Yakubu said that INEC is not complaining, adding that the commission does not intend to postpone any other election. On request for compensation to political parties for the change in dates, Yakubu said that INEC did not finance parties. From Mohammed Nasir Shuaibu BAUCHI Gov Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has donated one million naira each to the seven abducted children who were recently rescued from their captives in Kano and other States in the country. Governor Mohammed made the donation when he received the seven abducted children presented by the Bauchi State Police Commissioner, CP Auwal Musa Mohammed at Government House, Wednesday in Bauchi. Mohammed explained that the donations was for the children not their parents and government would ensure proper utilisation of the funds through the office of the First Lady and Bauchi State Orphans and Vulnerable Children Agency (BASOVCA). He directed the agency to compile all their data and ensure their enr back to school to learn their local languages and religion respectively. He equally ordered not to release the children to their parents until theyve signed an undertaking for not engaging into carelessly and reluctantly allowing their children to go out without close monitoring of their movement. The used the medium and call on all and sundry including Imams and Pastors to intesfy prayers and preaching during thir sermons at their respective places of worship. Recall that the video of the abducted children was last weeks going on viral on some social media which prompt the attention of the Bauchi State Governor his counterpart of Kano and Police swung into action which led to the arrest of the culprits. Earlier, the Commissioner of Police CP Auwal Musa Mohammed said the perpetrators have all confessed to the crime and the Police is sti investigating into the matter to get the raid of the remaining criminal. CP Auwal, however solicited for finance and logistics support from the Governor in fighting against the activities of the crime and criminality in the State. And later handed over the childerens to the Governor. The Commissioner of Police CP Auwal Musa Mohammed said the Police have identified invited the parents of all the seven children except one female child who her parents are yet to be identified. Related By Chunks Eke The Ozubulu Brothers Club in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, has honoured some prominent indigenes of the community for their role in community development. The awardees were presented with awards and certificates of merit/recognition for their various roles in both human and capital development which the club said had helped engender growth and open doors of opportunities for the youths of the community. Conferring the awards on the recipients yesterday at the Clubs Corporate Headquarters, Ozubulu, during its Diamond Jubilee and Grand Patron, Patrons Award Giving Ceremony, Chairman of the club, Nwora Isaac expressed the hope that the recognition would spur them to contribute to the attainment of the set objectives and to the greater good of the society and the community. Isaac explained that the club was more determined to rejuvenate and position itself to meet the challenges of development of modern society with a view to improving the human resource development of the youths and infrastructure. He said, We are determined more than ever before, to rejuvenate and reposition the club to meet the challenges of development of modern society, especially the human resource development of our teeming youths. We have also determined to develop an ICT centre which can be used by our youths who wish to improve their ICT skills and also as a Computer Based Test centre for JAMB examinations in Ozubulu, as there is none in the community presently. It is highly regrettable that our children go to other smaller communities around us to write CBT exams. While Nnewi has up to eight CBT centres, Ozubulu does not have one and that is why our children will always struggle to get postings to other communities to write exams with all the attendant risks. The awardees received various recognitions, some were awarded grand patron and patrons. These were illustrous children of the and also considered to have done the Ozubulu community proud in their chosen fields of endeavours. Among the awardees were Chief Gilbert Bravo Obi, who bagged the grand patronship award, among others. In an interview with journalists, one of the awardees, Obi, the Onwa of Ozubulu, said, I am happy that this great club found me worthy to pick me as one of its patrons. We will ensure all hands are on deck towards ensuring that the aims and objectives of the club in the area of community and youth development are achieved. The Ozubulu Brothers Club was founded around 1965 but it seemed to be derailing from its aims and objectives in recent times, but I am happy that the current leadership is rekindling hope and a lot of people are happy. We have quite a lot of projects to embark upon which we believe engender both human and capital development, especially for the youths. Related Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, has asked for help for ill actor Zack Orji. The minister issued the solidarity appeal following a visit to the actor in a private hospital in Abuja. According to the report, Orji was transported to the hospital over the weekend after allegedly collapsing in his toilet. However, in a statement released on Wednesday by her spokesman, Nneka Anibeze, offering an update on the actors condition, the minister stated that the actor underwent brain surgery. Musawa prayed for Orjis recovery while urging well-meaning Nigerians to rally behind him. Weve seen him entertain us and regard him as a national treasure. So the most we can do is guarantee that he receives the greatest treatment possible. We will also reach out to other well-meaning Nigerians to pray for him and support him in other ways to ensure that he survives this illness. He will be healed by God. We will do everything we can to help him. We ask for Nigerians collective prayers. Kanyidaily recalls that Zack Orji was hospitalised in Abuja, cant talk or talk after he slumped in toilet. Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie has taken down all the recent posts he made on social media against his estranged wife, May Edochie. KanyiDaily recalls that Yul recently resumed dragging May, who bore four children for him, accusing of allegedly manipulating the public against him. In an initial post, Yul alleged that May underwent breast enlargement surgery and a tummy tuck without her husbands consent. The actor also accused his wife of engaging in a romantic affair with a married man while manipulating people to harbor ill feelings toward him. He further criticized her for a social media post in which she claimed that 2023 took away her flesh and blood due to the death of their first son. In a subsequent post, Yul questioned who authorized Mays surgical procedures, expressing concern that he might have been accused of causing her harm if anything went wrong during the alleged surgeries. Today, the actor raised inquiries about Mays failure to return his bride price and why she has not removed his surname from her name. He also hinted at possessing more information about May but stated that he would refrain from divulging it out of respect for their children. All of Yul Edochies posts attracted criticism from Nigerians on social media, prompting him to delete them. The decision to remove the posts may signal a desire for privacy or a shift in the actors approach to handling the situation. Meanwhile, relationship expert, Blessing Okoro also known as Blessing CEO, has offered her support to Yul Edochie, against his ex-wife, May Edochie. KanyiDaily recalls that Yul recently resumed dragging May for allegedly manipulating the public against him, while accusing her of undergoing breast enlargement surgery and a tummy tuck without his consent. Reacting to the backlash tailing Yul Edochies rants, Blessing CEO advocated for an end to the online bullying directed at the actor. She provided insights into the complexities of conflicts, suggesting that the person who outwardly appears calm may be the one causing pain, while the vocal individual is often the one experiencing the pain. Stressing that Yul Edochies situation has profound roots, the relationship expert cautioned against hastily dismissing his expressions. Blessing expressed her frustration with societys tendency to label women as victims, emphasizing that the importance of understanding the nuances of each situation. Without directly addressing May Edochie, Blessing Okoro hinted that the online narrative might not represent the complete truth. She encouraged people to consider peoples mental health issues and discouraged bullying based on incomplete information. Blessing Okoro then shifted her focus to Sarah Martins, the ex-best friend of Judy Austin, Yul Edochies current wife. She expressed her intention to address the situation woman-to-woman, with the goal of teaching Sarah Martins a lesson for her alleged clout-chasing behavior. She wrote, Remember, I said this: The person who appears calm is often the one causing pain. The one feeling the pain is usually the loud one. How else does one express deep pain if not through shouting? Yul Edochies story is profound. Do that man a favor; remember if anything happens, and you come back to say, We are sorry; we did not hear your cry, God will punish you people. A man has been struggling to be heard, but as many Nigerians are, idiots, a woman always ends up being the victim. All I can say is women are daredevils; even those who comment rubbish on this post may be worse. A man is crying, and you wont listen. Just like Mohbad, once anything happens to him, you all start shouting for justice, looking for a body to perform an autopsy on. Mental health is real; stop bullying people when you dont even know the true story, online idiots. Tell Sarah Martins, or whatever her name is, the day I remember her, shell be stunned on Daddy Freezes live video. Thank God its in Enugu; we will handle it woman-to-woman since she likes clout. I will teach her the business very well. Silly girl who cant even express herself with proper language. Ndi Ala. KanyiDaily recalls that Grace Makun, the wife of fashion designer Yomi Casual, had advised May Edochie to change her surname. Politician, Opeyemi Falegan has urged actor Yul Edochies first wife, May to drop his name since hes not a good father. He took to his social media page to make the demand. According to him, if Yul is that bad, May shouldnt still be answering his name. Falegan wrote; If Yul is that bad why dont you drop his first name and last name? Men are meant to keep quiet right? U won pae us with depression? A lot didnt know how I survived 2 1/2 years ago, they couldnt believe it. Cos what was meant to bring me down actually elevated me. And I vowed to always be the advocate of men who would be willing to speak out. What was meant to silence me actually gave me a break through. Not every man has that grace. An officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service named, Aaron has been killed by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers in Jos, Plateau State. It was gathered that Aaron was shot dead by the gunmen on Tuesday night, January 2, 2024. Family members and neighbours confirmed the incident on Facebook. The deceaseds brother, Japhet Bishmang, said he was killed in an inhumane manner. Dear big brother, numerous good things to say about you. The fear of God in you is one of the qualities that makes you outstanding. A patriot and lover of the society. A loving father, husband, uncle, brother and friend, the deceaseds brother, Bishmang wrote. Youve been a unique source of inspiration and encouragement to me and many others. The hurt of living with the fact that you were killed in such inhumane manner is very deep and unbearable. But God is still in charge, He will comfort your wife and the entire family. He will comfort us all. Youll be missed by many. May your peaceful soul find eternal rest with the Lord. Ill miss you senior man. Nwedene stated that in Ebonyi State , once Family members return bride price, the children is no longer the mans own. A Nigerian journalist, Wisdom Nwedene, has sent a warning to Nollywood Actor, Yul Edochie over his recent post urging his estranged wife, May Edochie to return his bride price. Reacting in a post shared on Facebook, Nwedene stated that in Ebonyi State, once Family members return bride price, the children is no longer the mans own. According to him Anyone close to Yul Edochie should tell him that in Ebonyi State, once Family members return bride price, the children is no longer his own. And any man that comes to marry May will automatically own his children. Thats the traditional in Ebonyi State and he should trend with caution except he doesnt want the children he had with may. He further stated that; Before You Argue Blindly, This Is How It Done Traditional In Ebonyi State Where Yul Edochie Married His First Wife, May From If the man, thats Yul Edochie should carry his wife back to her parents house and tell her people that hes no longer marring again without taking any bride price from them. Then the children will become his, but if he takes the bride price back. The children wont become his own again. Because the money is for the replacement of the children. And if another man should pay bride price on May, he will be the owner of Yul Edochies children. Remember, before you argue blindly make inquiries. This is not Court matter. Recall that earlier today, Yul Edochie accused May of refusing to return the bride price he paid on her head despite seeking for a divorce. Former Sierra Leone President, Ernest Bai Koroma has been indicted over allegations of treason for allegedly attempting a coup. He has now been charged with four counts of treason. He was charged with four offences including treason for his alleged role in a failed military attempt to topple the West African countrys government in November, a court in the capital Freetown said on Wednesday, January 3. Last November, gunmen broke into a military armory and several prisons in Freetown, freeing almost 2,000 inmates. At least 18 members of the security forces were killed during the clashes. More than 50 suspects, including military officers, have been arrested so far. He has denied any involvement in the attack which killed about 20 people. The charges against Koroma were announced a day after a dozen people were charged with similar offenses in connection with the failed coup. There have been political tensions in Sierra Leone since President Julius Maada Bio was reelected for a second term in a disputed vote in June. Two months after he was reelected, police said they arrested several people, including senior military officers, for allegedly planning to use protests to undermine peace. He was charged with four offences including treason for his alleged role in a failed military attempt to topple the West African countrys government in November, a court in the capital Freetown said on Wednesday, January 3. Last November, gunmen broke into a military armory and several prisons in Freetown, freeing almost 2,000 inmates. At least 18 members of the security forces were killed during the clashes. More than 50 suspects, including military officers, have been arrested so far. He has denied any involvement in the attack which killed about 20 people. The charges against Koroma were announced a day after a dozen people were charged with similar offenses in connection with the failed coup. There have been political tensions in Sierra Leone since President Julius Maada Bio was reelected for a second term in a disputed vote in June. Two months after he was reelected, police said they arrested several people, including senior military officers, for allegedly planning to use protests to undermine peace. Popular Nigerian movie star, Yul Edochie has deleted all the posts that he made on Instagram to call out his estranged wife May Edochie. Recall that on Jan. 2, the actor had launched an attack on May, who bore 4 children for him. He continued the call out on Jan. 3. In all, Yul made 4 posts to call May out. In the first post, he accused May of having a married boyfriend. He also alleged that she had breast enlargement surgery and tummy tuck without her husbands consent. He also called her out for her post stating that 2023 took her flesh and blood because their first son died. Yul said the post was a manipulative one and was aimed at manipulating Nigerians to hate on him. In a follow-up post, he asked who gave May consent to undergo surgery. He said he would have been accused of killing May if she had died during the alleged surgery. Then, today, he questioned why she has not returned his bride price and why she has not dropped his surname from her name. In a fourth post, he said he still has a lot to reveal about May but he wont out of respect for his kids. All his posts elicited criticisms from Nigerians. Yul has now deleted them all. By Mohammed Suleiman. Irked by incessant abductions, and barbaric killings of innocent souls unabated, and solutions insights by bandits in different hot spots in Taraba state, some few days to his released from captivity, the Second Class Chief of Kwaji Chiefdom in Yorro local government area of Taraba State Alhaji Umaru Abubakar Nyala was sighted in a short video clip circularting on social media appealing to Taraba State government to negotiate with bandits for peace to reign in the state. Alhaji Umaru Abubakar Nyala, a pregnant wife and 21 others were abducted late last year by suspected kidnappers at Pupule town, headquarters of his Chiefdom. The bandits who kidnapped the traditional ruler, used him to send a message to the Taraba State government to negotiate with them. We are calling on the government to come to our aid and rescue our lives because of it injustice melted on Fulani community, threat to their peace, ejecting them from their places of abode and killing them like chickens almost on daily basis, as well massive destruction of their belongings, forcing them to fled to some places despite being Nigerians and even Tarabans. As he mentioned and querid isnt fulanis human beings? And are they not Nigerians, or are they animals? They are complaining about the inhuman torture melted on their parents which led them to become orphans. They should either take revange of what had happened to them or government should call them to a roundtable for negotiation. There should be no discrimination and no injustice. Another captive, identified as Reverend Ayuba MK Elkanah also spoke on the need to engage bandits in dialogue stressing that the bandits sought revenge for past wrongs but desired peace. He emphasised that despite their current plight, the bandits treated them well during captivity while reiterating the call for government intervention, stating, We were treated nicely. They didnt hurt us; they are all good to us. The government should come and do something about it. Recall that in his New Year message to the people of Taraba state, Governor Agbu Kefas stated that My administration is resolute in ensuring that the dividends of governance are felt by the people. Let me assure you that our dedication to the unity and development of Taraba remains unwavering Our government is truly a government by the people, of the people, for the people. On the security challenges facing the state at the moment, Governor Kefas was quoted as saying the security challenges that have touched the lives of some of our citizens is a constitutional responsibility that we take seriously. In the coming months of the year, we will redouble our efforts to make Taraba a safer haven for all. He pledged Every citizen across the 168 wards is an integral part of our collective journey towards prosperity. Related John Dramani Mahama, the flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been tipped to emerge winner of Ghanas presidential election in 2025. In the latest opinion poll conducted by Global InfoAnalytics for the 2023 year-end, Mahama leads with 53.2%, overshadowing the governing New Patriotic Partys candidate, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who trails at 29.6%. Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten, the former Trade and Industry Minister, secures 7.7% voter support, while 4.2% favor other candidates, and 5.3% remain undecided. Noteworthy is Mahamas lead in all regions, except the North-East, indicating a significant shift in voter sentiment. Surprisingly, Mahama now holds the lead in traditionally NPP-strong regions like Ashanti and Eastern, raising concerns about potential voter apathy within the NPP. Among first-time voters, Mahama maintains a strong lead with 51%, followed by Bawumia at 25%, and Kyeremanten at 8%. The poll reflects growing support for Mahama across various demographics. Key Policies and Concerns Shaping Voter Sentiment When voters were questioned about the slogans/policies that caught their attention, the 24-Hr Economy garnered 50% support, followed by Blue Economy/Digitization at 25%, Great Transformational Plan at 8%, and 17% expressing no preference. The poll reveals a prevailing sentiment that Ghana is headed in the wrong direction, with 68% of respondents sharing this view. On the presidents job performance, 63% disapprove, contrasting with 32% who approve. The majority of voters, 54%, believe their standard of living has worsened in the past 12 months, signaling economic concerns. The poll also indicates a surge in voters expressing dissatisfaction with their living standards, rising from 47% in October 2023 to 54% in December 2023. Parliamentary Elections and NPPs Prospects The poll predicts a potential majority for the NDC in Parliament, with 52% of voters intending to vote for NDC candidates, compared to the NPPs 31%. This shift signifies a considerable gain for the NDC since October 2023. On the question of whether the NPP can break the eight-year cycle, 60% of voters believe they will not, while 21% are optimistic about the NPPs chances. Confidence in Security and Electoral Institutions There is growing voter confidence in the Ghana Police Service, with 58% expressing trust in the force to manage the 2024 elections. Additionally, 54% of voters now have confidence in the Electoral Commission, signaling an improvement in public perception. Factors Dividing Ghanaians Politics emerged as the primary factor dividing Ghanaians according to 56% of voters, this was followed by ethnicity at 27% and religion at 17%. Role of Religion and Ethnicity in Voting Decisions While 76% of voters assert that a candidates religion will not influence their vote, 24% believe it will. Similarly, 74% state that ethnicity will not play a role in their voting decision, with 26% suggesting otherwise. Conducted between December 22nd and 30th, 2023, with 5,881 respondents across all 16 regions and 82 constituencies, the comprehensive poll provides valuable insights into the dynamics shaping Ghanas political landscape as the nation approaches the 2025 elections. Growing concerns are mounting across Nigeria as the fear of an impending surge in the price of petrol, known as PMS, looms large, causing distress among citizens. Since the subsidy was removed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29, 2023, the cost of living crisis has intensified. The average pump price of a liter of petrol is N610 in Lagos, N660 in Abuja, and neighboring states in the North Central geopolitical zone. In North West states like Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Jigawa, petrol is sold for up to N700 per liter. Independent marketers, who began importing fuel four months ago, have halted operations, citing the unprofitability of importing and selling at the current landing cost. Ukadike Chinedu, the Public Relations Officer of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), emphasized, So, if you consider the cost of diesel, dollar, and other international factors, the price of petrol in Nigeria should be around N1,200/litre, but the government is subsidizing it, which, to an extent, is understandable. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, the sole importer of products, countered rumors of a price increase, assuring the public of ample availability of PMS across the country. The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye, emphasized, There is no imminent increase in the cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. Despite the NNPCs assurances, apprehension about a possible price hike persists. Sources in the oil and gas industry revealed clashes between the NNPC Ltd and petroleum marketers IPMAN over the removal of subsidy on petrol. The return of the subsidy regime, reported by Daily Trust on September 21, 2023, sparked denials within government circles. However, critical stakeholders like the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) confirmed the return of the subsidy. PENGASSANs National President, Festus Osifo, insisted on October 6 that the Nigerian government had restored the subsidy on petrol, citing the cost of crude oil in the international market and the exchange rate. But NNPC Ltd responded, denying any subsidy and stating that they recover their full cost from imported products. Madres del Parque founder Maria Hernandez picks up trash from the ground at the Burnett Bayland Park, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Houston. Marie D. De Jesus/Staff photographer In Houston, neighborhood parks in poor condition are disproportionately concentrated in low-income, predominantly minority areas, a new city report reveals. Home to hundreds of city parks covering over 38,000 acres, Houston has fallen behind other large Texas cities in meeting residents' green space needs equitably, according to a recent study. A new ranking in the latest master plan for the Houston Parks and Recreation Department spotlights the disparities in park quality across neighborhoods. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Since drafting the departments last master plan in 2015, the city has added 12 parks and various other amenities, according to the latest report. Meanwhile, nearly 40% of Houstonians still live more than a 10-minute walk away from the nearest park, a measure commonly used by advocates nationwide to gauge park accessibility. Parks Department Director Kenneth Allen noted the severe challenges that Hurricane Harvey, Winter Storm Uri and other extreme weather events have posed to the city's park system in recent years. For the past eight years, things have happened in this city and across the nation that are unheard of and that we've had to deal with, Allen said during a City Council Quality of Life Committee meeting last month. At the same time, he added that during these emergencies, parks serving as warming and cooling centers and as supply distribution sites are definitely instrumental to families, neighborhoods and communities. New ranking shows disparities in park needs The latest master plan includes the citys first-ever ranking of its 186 neighborhood parks defined as parks sized from 1 to 15 acres by grading each parks quality and equity. The ranking considers various factors, such as the safety of the park, the conditions of its amenities, the population density and the health indicators of the residents living nearby. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Of the 30 neighborhood parks identified as having the greatest needs, seven are in District B and 12 are in District D. These two districts have the highest percentage of Black residents out of Houston's 16 City Council districts, according to U.S. Census data. District B also has the lowest median household income in Houston, at $36,087, while District D's median household income of $56,141 is slightly above the citywide average of $56,019, census data shows. Meanwhile, District C, centered in Montrose and the Heights, is home to 12 of the 30 parks ranked as having the lowest needs. The area, with a majority-white population, is the city's most affluent district, with a median household income of $114,144. District C Councilmember Abbie Kamin said the ranking does not encompass all relevant factors. The districts West Gray Adaptive Recreation Center, for example, is listed as a low-need park but offers key services for people with disabilities and requires additional support. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It's important to note that the needs of the center are dire, Kamin said during a City Council meeting Wednesday. We need to continue to look at options for how to make the improvements that are necessary. Houstons park funding structure invites scrutiny Houston is divided into 21 park sectors along freeways and city limits. By law, a Houston developer who builds 100 housing units needs to dedicate 1.8 acres of park space or pay a $70,000 fee in lieu of dedicating land. While the parks department budget primarily covers routine maintenance, the in-lieu of fees collected within a sector are allocated to a dedicated fund for constructing new parks and carrying out park improvements within each sectors boundaries. This funding scheme has resulted in substantial disparities across sectors with different levels of development, according to Ed Pettitt, an advocate with the Greater Third Ward Super Neighborhood. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For instance, Sector 14, covering wealthier neighborhoods such as River Oaks and Montrose, had $11 million in its dedicated fund by the last budget season in June, according to a published response from the administration of Mayor Sylvester Turner to inquiries by At-Large 5 Councilmember Sallie Alcorn. In contrast, Sector 11, encompassing parts of East End and Greater Fifth Ward, had only an $89,000 fund balance. We've redlined certain communities out of funding," Pettitt said during a city budget meeting this year. Mayor-elect John Whitmire promised during his campaign to bridge the gap in park accessibility between low-income and affluent neighborhoods. Recognizing local funding constraints, the longtime state senator said he would help secure funding from Austin by improving Houston's relations with the state government. He said he also would request that Harris County, tax increment reinvestment zones and local management districts take on more financial responsibility. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to the reported plan of former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, to contest the 2027 election. Recall that Daniel Bwala, a spokesman of the Atikus Presidential Campaign Council had earlier confirmed that the former Vice President would contest for President again in 2027. However, Bala Ibrahim, the APC Director of Publicity, ridiculed Atikus 2027 ambition, considering it the most laughable news of 2024. He confidently promised Atiku that he would be defeated again in the upcoming election. In an interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday, Ibrahim expressed his skepticism about Atikus political value and predicted a heavy loss for him in the 2027 presidential election. He emphasized that Atiku, who has attempted to become Nigerias president six times, does not pose a threat to the APC and advised him to quit politics, suggesting that he is being misled by aides and associates. Our party, which is the All Progressive Congress, thrashed Atiku not once, not twice. Even when we thought he had the energy and little credibility to make him viable to Nigerians, we defeated him completely, Ibrahim asserted. He dismissed the idea of Atiku being a force to reckon with, both presently and in the future. In response to the news of Atikus intention to contest again in 2027, Ibrahim stated, This is not an issue of concern to the APC at all. Atiku is not a force to reckon with. He has never been a force to reckon with and he cannot be in 2027 when he must have diminished in terms of political value. The APC publicity director also questioned the advisability of running against prominent APC figure Bola Tinubu, suggesting that Atikus political aspirations were based on misguided advice. He concluded, We have not gotten to the bridge, but when we get there we will cross it. Fresh details have emerged regarding how the factional Speaker loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, escaped the plot against him by former Governor Nyesom Wike and his strong allies. Ehie, a loyalist of Governor Fubara, resigned from his position and membership of the House, a move that was communicated through a letter dated December 29, 2023, and addressed to Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). That resignation was a masterstroke that helped him to evade the plan against him by Wike and his men who donated the Rivers State House of Assembly and retained control following the peace pact initiated by President Bola Tinubu. Before the political crisis in Rivers State, where disagreements between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, led to turmoil, Ehie held the position of the majority leader in the House. Amid the crisis, he emerged as the factional speaker, leading four members in his camp and declaring the seats of 27 pro-Wike house members vacant. However, following the peace pact signed in Abuja, thanks to the intervention of President Tinubu, Ehie not only resigned as the Rivers Assembly Speaker but also stepped down as a lawmaker. According to an anonymous source quoted by Daily Trust, Ehies decision to resign was influenced by factors beyond the peace resolution in Abuja. The source revealed that pressure from Wikes camp, which intended to humiliate him upon his return to the assembly, played a significant role in his resignation. Furthermore, the source disclosed that Ehies resignation was a strategic move to facilitate the implementation of the peace pact between Wike and Fubara. With the recognition of the 27 members of the assembly loyal to Wike as one of the eight resolutions in the peace pact, resigning became the only viable option for Ehie. There are indications that Ehie is being considered to replace Chidi Amadi, a Wike loyalist, as the Chief of Staff to Governor Fubara. The source mentioned, If Martins Amaehwule is recognized by Fubara, the best option left for Ehie is to resign if not he will have a very unfriendly House. The rumored appointment of Ehie as the Chief of Staff may potentially spark another phase of the ongoing power struggle between Wike and Fubara, especially considering the present Chief of Staffs association with Wike. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has approved the implementation of a Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy for all Nigerian Air Force personnel. While the Ministry of Defence has a Group Life Assurance Policy for military personnel, the Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, explained that the policy covers only the families of personnel killed in action and doesnt address medical expenses resulting from accidents. Gabkwet noted that the new policy aligns with the Air Chiefs command philosophy, aiming to sustain a highly motivated force through improved welfare and infrastructure renewal. The statement partly read, While several insurance policies administered by the Ministry of Defence and the NAF Investment Limited cover all NAF personnel, they do not, however, adequately address some hazards and challenges encountered in the course of the careers of personnel. The need to review and implement a specialized insurance scheme designed to address these hazards and unique challenges thus became imperative. He quoted Abubakar as stating that under the GPAIP, personnel of the NAF would be incentivized to give their utmost best with the assurance of adequate care in the event of disability or death during military operations or any form of accident. The former federal lawmaker left the APC in early 2023 due to his failure to secure the partys governorship ticket. He later joined the SDP and ran for the states governorship in 2023, securing just over 40,000 votes. He initially engaged the Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal but subsequently pulled back the petition, citing the states collective interest as the primary reason for his decision Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt following an SDP stakeholders meeting yesterday, Abe expressed their intent to rejoin the APC with an open mind, emphasizing their willingness to co-operate with everyone. He said: Basically, I called my people here today to intimate them of ongoing issues and to inform them that we are returning to the All Progressives Congress (APC), to join other well-meaning Nigerians to support the government of President Tinubu and do our own best to make sure that Rivers people are able to be part of the development at the centre and to also carry the state along. I believe that the responsibility of engendering peace in the party is that of all of us who are members of the party, regardless of whatever positions we hold or we dont hold. Tony Okocha has been a member of our team, which all of your are aware of and today, he is the Chairman of the party by the decision of the national. So be it. But, we are not in the APC because of any particular individual. We are in APC because we are founding member of this party and grassroot supporters for the President. We believe that it is proper that we be in the party to continue to give that full support to the Presidents developmental agenda. Tony Okocha is part of our team and he has been party of APC from the founding till this day. Like I said, by now, everybody who was part of the APC in this state should have learnt a thing or thing as par how we can make this party work. So, we are coming in open-minded and ready to work with everybody within the party. I believe that anybody who is sincerely interested in the progress of APC, WD should all be ready to work together for thx party. Kanyi Daily recalls that the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum (RELF) said that Governor Siminalayi Fubara does not possess the constitutional authority to execute the presidential peace resolution supported by President Bola Tinubu Police in Kano State have arrested a 24-year-old man, Chidera Ugwu, suspected of being a fraudulent medical practitioner specializing in terminating unwanted pregnancies. The spokesman of the command, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa disclosed this in an official statement According to him, on 20/12/2023 at about 1030hrs, the police received complaint from one Nura Balarabe of Tofa LGA Kano that one Ukasha Muhammed of Langel Village Tofa LGA Kano impregnated his 19-year-old sister and conspired with Chidera Ugwu and injected her to death. He stated that the suspects administered injections and drugs to the girl with the intention of causing a miscarriage, which tragically resulted in her death. The suspects were arrested and confessed to the crime. Investigations revealed that the said Chidera Ugwu is a fake doctor and has allegedly been administering fatal injections to pregnant women, leading to tragic consequences, he added Kiyawa emphasized that the arrest was a proactive measure by the command to protect the lives and well-being of all individuals within the state. Kanyi Daily recalls that the new Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf had vowed to reopen the murder case involving Alhassan Doguwa, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives. On Wednesday, there was huge celebration in Bauchi State as seven children, who were rescued from child traffickers, were joyfully reunited with their families. The children, sold for N2.8 million were rescued after the Nigerian police busted a child trafficking syndicate in Kano State, Northwest Nigeria. SaharaReporters on December 30, 2023, reported that the Nigerian police arrested members of a child-trafficking gang who steal and sell children taken from the North in the Southern part of the country. Members of the syndicate were paraded on Friday by the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Gumel. Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed took delivery of the kids on Wednesday from the Commissioner of Police, Auwal Mohammed and handed them over to their parents. If this barbaric act is not nipped in the bud, it is capable of bringing suspicion and mistrust between the different people in Nigeria. It is unacceptable for people to be stolen and sold, and their linguistics and their faith changed, just because of the money. I hope these are the only victims. I hope many others have not been mutilated or killed, the governor said. He, however, warned parents against abandoning their responsibility of catering for their children. The governor, who commended security agencies, pledged to provide necessary tools for them to do their job, as well as those addressing child rights issues. It was however observed that some of the rescued kids no longer spoke or understood their mother tongue. A series of coordinated blasts rocked the holy city of Shiraz in southern Iran on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, killing at least 73 people and injuring over 150. The explosions occurred near the Shah Cheragh shrine, a revered site for Shia Muslims and the mausoleum of a revered 9th-century Imam. The Islamic State (ISIS) group has claimed responsibility for the attacks through its Telegram channel, casting a shadow of fear and raising concerns about regional instability. This marks the deadliest attack in Iran since a 2017 assault on the Parliament building in Tehran. Initial reports suggest the blasts were likely suicide bombings carried out by multiple individuals. The explosions ripped through the bustling shrine complex during the busy Asr afternoon prayers, triggering widespread panic and chaos. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, battling flames and debris to reach the wounded. Hospitals in Shiraz were overwhelmed with casualties, some requiring urgent medical attention. Iranian security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a full-scale investigation. The blasts have left the city on edge, prompting heightened security measures across the country. Authorities are also investigating potential accomplices and collaborators who may have aided the attackers. The attacks have been met with widespread condemnation from world leaders and international organizations. Pope Francis offered his condolences to the victims families and called for dialogue and reconciliation in the region. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the despicable attacks and urged those responsible to be brought to justice. ALSO READ: 73 reported killed in Iran blasts near spymasters tomb The Iranian government has vowed to find and punish the perpetrators, declaring a national day of mourning. President Ebrahim Raisi visited the blast site and offered his support to the victims families. Iranian officials have also vowed a strong response to ISIS and its affiliates. The blasts have plunged Shiraz, a renowned center of Persian culture and tourism, into grief and uncertainty. The attack on a revered religious site has also deepened anxieties about sectarian tensions and regional instability. The Shiraz attack is likely to have a significant impact on the regional landscape. It could potentially escalate tensions between Iran and ISIS, with the possibility of retaliatory strikes. The attack also highlights the continued threat posed by terrorist groups in the Middle East and the need for international cooperation to combat terrorism. As the investigation continues and the city grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the world watches with concern and hopes for a swift resolution and lasting peace in the region. While ISIS has claimed responsibility, a thorough investigation is necessary to determine the full extent of the attack and prevent similar tragedies in the future. This news story aims to provide factual and objective information about the tragic events in Shiraz while respecting the victims and their families. It avoids sensationalism, inflammatory language, and speculation about the attackers motives. The focus remains on the impact of the attack, the ongoing investigation, and the collective efforts towards healing and finding justice. Governor Ademola Adeleke, at the first Executive Council meeting of the Osun State Government, urged members to redouble all efforts aimed at delivering excellent service to the people. The Council reviewed the activities of the state government in the past one year. The governor also informed council members of the composition of a discreet monitoring and evaluation team charged at preparing quarterly performance assessment reports of ministries and agencies under the state government. READ ALSO: Police tighten security in Edo, release phone numbers for public complaints Adeleke further enjoined cabinet members on the importance of unity and smooth working relationships between agencies and ministries of the state government as key to realizing the administrations objectives for the year. Governor Adeleke in a statement highlighted: Gov Ademola Adeleke @AAdeleke_01 Yesterday, after the inter-religious service at the government secretariat, we held the 2024 maiden state executive council meeting. We used the opportunity to review our activities for the past year and remind ourselves the importance of the year 2024 in our administrations quest to delivering our developmental agenda to the people of Osun State in all the sectors of the state economy. During my address at the meeting, I charged the cabinet members to redouble all efforts aimed at delivering excellent service to the people. I also informed council members of the composition of a discreet monitoring and evaluation team charged at preparing quarterly performance assessment reports of ministries and agencies under the state government. I enjoined cabinet members on the importance of unity and smooth working relationships between agencies and ministries of the state government as key to realizing our administrations objectives for the year. The council approved the appointment of six new traditional rulers with the elevation of 11 more traditional rulers to part II (recognized) status of the Chief Law, Cap 25, Laws of Osun state, 2002. In the heart of Lagos thrives an enigmatic figure, Com. Mustapha Adekunle, known to many as Tafa Sego. His resonating presence extends deeply within the intricate folds of the Lagos State National Union of Roads Transport Worker (NURTW), where his influence is paramount. Revered as a confidant of the esteemed MC Oluomo, Tafa Sego transcends the confines of the transport industry, casting a wide social net that stretches far beyond the motor parks. Presently holding the revered position of Treasurer within the association, Tafa Sego has been anointed as the forthcoming national Chairman of the Lagos Chapter, marking an impending shift in leadership. Despite stiff opposition from other top members vying for the same role, Segos favorability has sparked tensions within the association, nearly resulting in discord. Yet, in the face of adversity, divine providence intervened, affirming that when its ones time, no opposition can thwart destiny. Intervention by esteemed figures such as Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwoolu, Chief of Staff Mr. Tayo Ayinde, and His Royal Majesty, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi diffused the tensions, solidifying Segos endorsement. This resolution marks a turning point, heralding his forthcoming chairmanship while MC Oluomo transitions to steer the associations national affairs from Abuja. Beyond the realm of transport logistics, Tafa Segos influence extends as an esteemed liaison within Lagos social elite. His fair complexion and influential sway over the extensive motor parks of Lagos Island underscore his cultural influence, intertwining seamlessly with the citys vibrant fabric. A remarkable facet of Tafa Segos persona is his close alignment with numerous socialites, whose homage over the years speaks volumes about his integral role within Lagos social and cultural tapestry. His multifaceted persona not only encapsulates authority in the transport industry but also serves as a binding force, uniting the intricate layers of Lagos diverse communities through his compelling presence and influence. The unfolding narrative of Tafa Sego bridges the gap between transport, culture, and society, positioning him as a symbol of unity and leadership within Lagos vibrant landscape. As he gears up to ascend to the chairmanship, Tafa Segos journey embodies the merging currents of destiny and societal impact, marking a new chapter in the annals of Lagos NURTW. The operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are currently raiding the head office of the Dangote Group in Lagos over forex transactions with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). It was gathered that the EFCC officers are conducting a search on forex allocations to Dangote Group during the tenure of Godwin Emefiele as the CBN Governor. EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, declined comments on the development. But the development was confirmed to The Star on Thursday by top officials of the anti-graft agency, who craved anonymity. Our operatives are on a search of the company. So many things went wrong with the forex transactions under the CBN. Dangote Group is one of the beneficiaries of forex deals by the CBN. So we are looking into the books because of discoveries of illegal transactions. So it is part of the probe of CBN under Emefiele, he said. The source added that the anti-graft is probing the utilisation of forex made available to Dangote for the refinery project. Another source told The Star that several other companies are being probed over the forex transactions. It was gathered that the raid may not be unconnected to the activities of Jim Obazee investigative team appointed by President Bola Tinubu to examine past financial malfeasances in the CBN as part of measures to fortify Government Business Entities (GBEs). The invetigative team was mandated to take steps to ensure the strengthening and probity of key GBEs, further block leakages in CBN and related GBEs, and provide a comprehensive report on public wealth currently in the hands of corrupt individuals and establishments (whether private or public). Details later John Whitmire, left, visits with firefighters as the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association announced its endorsement of him in the Houston mayoral race on Sept. 29, 2023. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Mayor John Whitmire's administration announced it has resolved the city's years-long contract dispute with the firefighters union in a deal that includes $650 million in back pay and an up to 34% salary increase over the next five years. The two sides have been embroiled in a bitter legal battle ever since they reached a contract impasse in 2017. The citys roughly 4,000 firefighters have not had a contract during nearly all of former Mayor Sylvester Turners tenure. During this time, Turner gave the firefighters a three-year, 18% pay increases, but the raises have not been formalized in a contract until now. On Thursday, Whitmire, who has long positioned himself as an ally to the firefighters, announced the two parties have reached an agreement. The new deal would provide $650 million in back pay to address that gap, along with base pay hikes over the next five years for Houstons firefighters, who long have been underpaid compared to their counterparts in other Texas cities. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Here is a timeline of all the major developments in the dispute between the two parties. Negotiation challenges during the Parker administration The ongoing disagreement that took shape under Turners leadership can be traced back to a previous administration. In 2014, then-Mayor Annise Parker proposed several plans to pay Houston firefighters more in exchange for the firefighters relinquishing some control over their time-off scheduling. The goal was to cut down on overtime costs that were pushing the Houston Fire Department's budget over the limit, according to the Parker administration. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Union members overwhelmingly rejected it, with more than 90% voting against the proposal. With no new agreement reached, the existing contract remained in place when Turner became mayor in 2016. Contract talks failed, union filed lawsuit The city and the firefighters union began negotiating a new contract soon after Turner took office in 2016. The union requested a 20% pay raise over three years, but the city refused. The two sides eventually agreed to extend the existing contract until 2017. The two sides entered mediation in June 2017 but could not agree on a new contract. The union sued the city just days before the existing contract lapsed, accusing the Turner administration of failing to negotiate in good faith. Under state law, the city is required to compensate firefighters at a level substantially equivalent to that of their counterparts in the private sector. The firefighters' union contended that the city was failing to meet this standard. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The city, on the other hand, maintained that there is no private sector comparison for firefighters and argued that allowing a judge to determine their pay would be unconstitutional. Houston voters approved pay parity measure While the legal case was moving through the court, firefighters took their cause to the ballot box. In 2018, Houston voters passed a ballot proposition, 59% to 41%, to grant firefighters pay parity with police officers of similar rank and seniority. The proposition led to another legal battle. The Houston Police Officers Union quickly responded by suing both the city and the firefighters union to block the implementation of the new measure. The city of Houston took the polices side, contending in a legal motion that the pay parity measure was unconstitutional. Meanwhile, Turner and then-Controller Chris Brown estimated that the proposition would cost the city about $100 million annually. Turner also warned that the city might have to resort to laying off firefighters to balance these extra costs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Proposition shot down in court, layoffs avoided City Council had originally approved laying off over 300 firefighters and municipal workers in early 2019 to partially fund the anticipated raises for firefighters. The city, however, rescinded the layoff notices after a state district judge ruled the pay parity measure unconstitutional in May 2019. In 2021, an appeals court overturned the initial ruling, upholding the proposition. However, in March 2023, the Texas Supreme Court reversed the appeals court's decision, striking down the pay parity measure. At the same time, the Supreme Court sided with the union in a separate decision concerning the 2017 lawsuit, which stemmed from the initial contract stalemate. The judge rejected the citys claim that the judicial enforcement mechanism was unconstitutional. This decision allowed that case to continue to play out in court. City suspended firefighters union president In January 2021, amid ongoing legal disputes, Houston Fire Department Chief Sam Pena indefinitely suspended Marty Lancton, president of the firefighters union, from his position. The action was tantamount to a firing under the citys civil service rules. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The city argued that Lancton missed work on multiple consecutive days and failed to attend a mandatory re-orientation training. But Lancton said union presidents had historically been exempt from working their day-to-day job in order to deal with union business and called the suspension a political statement. Lancton filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. An arbitrator threw out the suspension later that year and requested the city reinstate Lancton. City Council approved 18% pay raises for firefighters The firefighters saw no raises between 2017 and 2021. In June 2021, City Council unanimously approved a proposal to increase Houston firefighters' salaries by 18% over the following three years, funded by federal stimulus dollars. Lancton raised concerns about the sustainability of using stimulus money for these pay increases. He continued to urge the city to formalize the raises through a contract and pay the firefighters for the full span of the dispute. Whitmire pushed binding arbitration bill through Texas Legislature In May 2023, then-state Sen. Whitmire, who was running for Houston mayor, successfully championed a bill in the Texas Legislature to mandate binding arbitration for similar contract disputes in the future. Turner said at the time that the bill may play well for some politically but could hurt the citys financial future. The Turner administration challenged the constitutionality of the bill shortly after. Judge rules on Whitmires bill, orders collective bargaining In December 2023, a state district judge affirmed the constitutionality of Whitmires legislation while ruling that it cannot be applied retroactively. The judge also ordered the two parties to start renegotiating the firefighters' contracts by mid-January 2024. Lancton called the court order a decisive legal victory and said it validated the unions long-held claim that the city has been unwilling to bargain with the firefighters. The Turner administration appealed the judge's decision in late December, two days before the outgoing mayor was set to leave office. New mayor drops appeal, starts contract talks Whitmire met with representatives from the firefighters union the day after his public inauguration. During the January meeting, he directed City Attorney Arturo Michel to withdraw the recent appeal, following through on his campaign promise to put an end to the years-long legal dispute, he said. After eight years of acrimony, we are finally headed in the right direction, Lancton said. It is hard to express how much it means to Houston firefighters and their families to have a leader who respects them and will follow through on what he says. Whitmire, firefighters union agree to $650 back pay deal The Whitmire administration announced in March that the two sides have reached an agreement to offer the firefighters $650 million in back pay, covering all years since 2017. The city said it would pay for the deal with a judgment bond, a court-ordered plan that would allow the city to spread the cost over decades, but has not released more details about the financing plan. The latest agreement would formalize the 18% raises firefighters received from the Turner administration. It will grant an additional 10% base pay hike this July, with possibly another 24% in raises over the course of the five-year contract. Lancton praise the deal, saying it is unlike any the firefighters have seen before. File Photo Benue State Government has set out Wednesday for the mass burial of victims of a tanker explosion at Ahumbe village, whose bodies have been burnt beyond recognition. Ahumbe is a village situated on Makurdi-Aliade Federal Highway in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State. It should be recalled that dozens were burnt beyond recognition in a tanker explosion. The Deputy Governor, Mr Benson Abounu, disclosed this in Makurdi, in a chat with newsmen. Abounu said the victims would be buried on Wednesday at the village where the incident occurred and identified bodies are allowed to be taken by their relatives for proper burial. As I am talking to you now the total number of deaths is 48, and we still have over 90 people who are receiving treatment across hospitals in the state. There were a good number of people who were burnt beyond recognition that even their relations, to pointedly say this is my relation, has become very difficult. Today we have decided that for people in this group, we are going to give them mass burial somewhere in Gwer Local Government, near Ahumbe, where the explosion took place. But any family that is able to recognize their loved ones can take them away and give them a benefiting burial. Unfortunately, the victims cut across ages, the youngest is about nine years old is in Aliade hospital, there is also an 11-year-old too at FMC Makurdi, the deputy governor explained. He described the explosion as shocking saying the survivors suffered between 30 to 90 per cent degrees burns. Abounu disclosed that the occupants of the Toyota bus, which silencer ignited the fire on the tar and resulted in the explosion, were coming from Cross River State, where they went for burial of a relative. He commended the Federal Road Safety Corps, Red Cross, Nigeria Police Force and Benue State Fire Service, for the humanitarian services they rendered during the unfortunate accident. He equally commended the various hospitals rendering medical services to the victims, noting that they commenced treatment of victims without demanding for money. He also assured the two fire service officials who sustained injuries while trying to assist victims at the scene of the explosion, that their services would not be in vain. Abouno said one of the fire officials was in the intensive care unit while the other, who suffered 30-degree burns, was being treated. The Nigeria Incentive Based Risk Sharing System for Agric Lending (NIRSAL), an economy diversification initiative championed by the Central Bank of Nigeria under the leadership of Godwin Emefiele and strengthened with huge resources has continued to be in the news for all the wrong reasons with allegations of misappropriation, cronyism, credit guarantees gone bad and the non-existence of Corporate Governance and proper procurement processes among others. Not long ago, a scandal broke out on a training jamboree to South Africa undertaken by NIRSAL for over a hundred staff anchored by the same set of people who have been conducting local trainings for them in Nigeria and which the staff privately complained of lacking depth. There was also the issue of the brother to the Managing Director who serves as his technical assistant usurping the finance and procurement functions at NIRSALcompletely shutting out Nigerians from benefitting from the procurement opportunities except for a few friends and family members. This same brother has also been fingered in illegal cash movements involving low cadre staff (including drivers and assistants) culminating in the arrest of a NIRSAL driver in Gombe earlier in the year. The report about the son to the Managing Director being the sole supplier of all computer related items is still out there and is yet to be countered as it is still in the public discourse and further exposes the nepotistic rot within the system. It is no longer news that the Managing Directors brothers and in-laws are full staff of NIRSAL and enjoying privileges not entitled to their position but the joke taken too far is one of them who is an Assistant manager being a signatory to NIRSAL accounts. Only recently, allegations of misappropriation was leveled against the Managing Director of the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agriculture Lending (NIRSAL), Mr. Aliyu Abbati Abdulhammed, over a princely sum of N342 million released to NIRSAL by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under its Anchor Borrowers programme (ABP) for a Southwest Maize Farmers Cooperative, Hope Concept Investment Cooperatives and Credit Union. Reports of poorly packaged Credit Guarantees abound and monies fully withdrawn with huge losses including a recent N5.2 bn wheat farm project that achieved less than 20% of the target output The Project Monitoring and Remediation Office (PMRO) of NIRSAL with supposed presence across the 36 states is also at the centre of a recruitment scandal and existence of ghost workers which has led to losses in millions of Naira. This PMRO as has been revealed is the conduit through which billions are being siphoned in active connivance with the Chief Consultant, Dr Ogidan who incidentally is spearheading the new NIRSAL Micro Finance Bank. It has become an issue of utmost national importance for the Police, EFCC, ICPC and even the office of the National Security Adviser to investigate NIRSAL and bring these economic saboteurs to justice. As the APC National Working Committee meets tomorrow to decide chairman Adams Oshiomhole fate i the party, the South-South chapter of the APC has registered its support for him amid calls for his resignation. The chapter made this known In a communique issued on Monday in Abuja after a meeting of the NEC members of the party from the zone in Abuja on Sunday night. They insisted the plot to remove Oshiomhole was the handiwork of some agents of destabilization within the party. The signatory to the communique include the Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, National Vice Chairman, Hilliard Eta, Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, Hon. Peter Akpatason, and thirteen other NEC members. The leaders also disassociated themselves from todays emergency NEC meeting convened by the National Deputy Secretary Victor Giadom. We agree that the National Chairman of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has done very well in the administration of the affairs of our great party, te document read in part. That under the leadership of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, we won the just concluded presidential elections, won majority of the seats in the National Assembly, and also won governorship elections in most states of the federation. That in line with the resolutions reached by the National Working Committee (NWC) of our party, we dissociate ourselves from the purported NEC meeting being summoned by Hon. Victor Giadom as he does not have the constitutional powers to summon NEC meeting. They also confirmed that said Hon. Victor Giadom is not a member of NWC, having resigned his position as deputy national secretary of the party to contest elections in Rivers State as deputy governorship candidate in the 2019 general elections. Nabena made the claim on Sunday, in response to a so-called caucus meeting by Edo Gov. Godwin Obaseki, Ministers Rotimi Amaechi and Festus Keyamo, and others. W implore all members of NEC to respect the decisions of the National Working Committee (NWC) of our party that the purported NEC meeting summoned by Victor Giadom is illegal and unconstitutiona,l the communique added. The zone also passed vote of confidence on President Muhammadu Buhari, commending him for his sterling leadership of the affairs of Nigeria. PV: 0 Former House of Representatives member and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State Hon. Kayode Amusan on Wednesday formally announced his defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress(APC). Amusan, who represented Abeokuta North, Obafemi Owode and Odeda Federal Constituency for eight years on the platform of PDP, said he is leaving former party for the ruling APC with over 50,000 thousand supporters he has been nurturing in the last 19 years. The property magnate, who was also the senatorial candidate of PDP in the last National Assembly election for Ogun Central, told reporters during a press briefing in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital that his defection would further boost the chances of Prince Dapo Abiodun succeeding Governor Ibikunle Amosun. Amusan said he knows the capacity of Abiodun as a successful entrepreneur and business man, saying he is the type of man the Gateway state required now to run the affairs of the state, urging his supporters and Ogun people to cast their ballot for the APC governorship hopeful. Another medical doctor has been found guilty of professional negligence at the resumed trial of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) Tribunal sitting in Abuja. Nwachukwu Vitalis is facing a one count charge of professional negligence, was charged for leaving his clinic open for service without any trained hand to attend to patient, leading to death of a patient who came in for treatment in his absence. Vitalis, who has been on suspension since 2016, pleaded not guilty when the case charge was read to him when hearing begun in April 2019. The Tribunal had convicted two other doctors on Monday for professional negligence and were slammed the maximum punishment of six- month suspension. MDCN on Monday resumed the trail of 14 medical doctors charged for misconduct. In its first case, the MDCN Tribunal convicted Doctor, Godwin Maduakor and Sunday Abiodun Ogafe Ojenuwah, for gross negligence. The other Doctors standing trial from the Asaba Medical Centre Delta state are: Oyefara Babatunde, Okoye Pascal Nnamdi, Anunnobi Chijioke Ralu, Adigba Ese Onodjohwoyovwe, Ogwu Robinson Onyekachukwu, Okoye Chukwuka and Iyiola Akeem Adewale. They are to defend themselves on charges of gross conduct of negligence in the management of a pregnant patient, Mrs. Rita Uche Ogbuego. They all pleaded not guilty when the case charge was read to them individually. Details soon Share this: Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has reacted to the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Election Petition Court on Wednesday. President Buharis victory in the 2019 presidential election was upheld by tribunal after it dismissed the petition filed by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The court ruled that Buhari was duly elected as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria during the presidential election held on 23rd February, 2019. The tribunal ruled that electronic transfer of results which was the crux of the oppositions petition did not take place at any level. The court also held that President Buhari was not only qualified but eminently qualified to stand for election based on his educational records. In addition, the tribunal dismissed the allegations of electoral malpractices and that there was no evidence of partiality on the part of security agents, nor was there widespread violence on election day. In its reaction on Wednesday by its director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, MURIC congratulated Buhari on his victory at the election tribunal. It said, We felicitate with President Muhammadu Buhari. It is a victory well-deserved. We dedicate this victory to the war against corruption. It is a victory for integrity, a victory for level-headedness and a triumph for democracy. We congratulate the Nigerian people for voting right. We commend the Nigerian proletariat for refusing to sell this country to the highest bidder. MURIC also commended the judiciary and appealed to the opposition to accept the judgement in good faith. But above all, we salute the Nigerian judiciary for coming out boldly and loudly to proclaim victory for conscience. We pay tribute to the temple of justice for refusing to engage in trade by batter. As we raise the curtain, we appeal to the opposition candidate who lost at the tribunal as well as his party to bury the hatchet and allow the Federal Government to settle down. This is not only the wisest thing to do at this stage but also in the interest of our great country, Nigeria. Some secondary school students and those of the University of Abuja have called on government at all levels to take action against global warming and climate change in the country. They made the call in Abuja at the commemoration of the Fridays For Future (FFF) Global Action Day, organised by the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP). FFF is an international movement of school students and young people demanding actions from government and multinationals in order to prevent further global warming and climate change. Mr Aliyu Sadiq, President, Geography Students Association, University of Abuja, said that the day gave students particularly young people the opportunity to act and proffer solutions to issues of climate climate change. We youths are demanding that government should intensify efforts to implement policies on climate change, Sadiq said. Miss Iwuh Nneka, a former member of Eco Club, Government Girls Secondary School, Dutse, who described students as leaders of tomorrow, stressed the need for them to be knowledgeable on climate change issues and proffer solutions to them. Nneka listed trees felling, indiscriminate dumping of waste and air pollution as factors responsible for climate change. We are using this opportunity to tell our leaders and people to take actions against these man-made activities., she said. Idika Shalom, a student of Government Secondary School, Kuje, urged Nigerians to desist from cutting trees, saying tree provides shade and oxygen for human survival. Grene Gbara, a student of Government Secondary School, Lugbe, presented a song to appeal to Nigerians not to pollute or harm the environment, adding that they should imbibe the habit of environmental cleanliness. The Executive Director of GIFSEP, Mr David Michael, urged governments to make solar accessible and affordable to Nigerians. Government should stop issuing coal mining licence and end gas flaring in the country. Our energy challenge can be solved with renewable energy. We are happy with the effort the government has made so far with its solar energy project in Bayero University Kano and Sabo Gari Market in Kano among others. Government should extend it to other rural communities that dont have electricity. We should not using generator all over polluting the environment, he said. Michael said that the event was to build capacities of the young ones particularly students in the FCT. We are delighted that for the first time students of University of Abuja also joined us. It is also aimed at creating awareness among the young people to continue put pressure on their parents, teachers and the society at large to take action on climate change, he said. According to him, government should stick to the implementation of Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We want government to improve on Nationally Determined Commitment to address climate change, he said. Mrs Rose Agbo, the Environmental Programme Assistant, Global Environmental Facility (GEF) stressed the need for the country to shift from fossil fuel to renewable energy. Agbo, who also described herself as climate reality leader, said that Nigeria should borrow a leaf from some advanced country that were going into the usage of electric cars. Let be a shift from fossil fuel to renewable energy, we have seen a developed country is going into electric cars. Government should put a stop to the use of coal. We are demanding for just solutions to the climate issues we are having. And this is an avenue ito pass message to our leaders that renewable energy is proven successful and it is cost effective, Agbo said. (NAN). BLOOMINGTON Blues music is not just guitar licks and mellow growls of an old soul. It takes masters of rhythm, and ears attuned by a fortune of musical experience. The Peoria Rhythm Kings are bringing it all Friday to Jazz UpFront in downtown Bloomington. Their style of blues draws from the genres epochs in Chicago and the Mississippi Delta. Lead vocalist and bassist Mike Stumpo and guitarist-vocalist Russell Miller joined me for a video interview Wednesday morning out of Dans Tow Bar in Peoria. They've been playing together for at least six years; this weekend in the Twin Cities, theyll perform along with keyboardist Doug Carr and drummer Jason King. Stumpo and Miller both live around Peorias East Bluff neighborhood. Theyve also played shows as the East Bluff All-Stars, with Millers son, Aaron Miller. Russell Miller said his son is about to go on tour to the Virgin Islands with his band Easy Riders. The Peoria Rhythm Kings name heralds the high standards that Stumpo and Miller said they expect from their bandmates. Stumpo said theyve got to be group players. If they dont play along, Miller said theyll make the experience uncomfortable. Stumpo said: You cant call yourself kings if you suck. He said they try to pick classic blues songs that are not overdone. So if you plan on requesting Sweet Home Chicago, Miller indicated you should probably have a tip ready in hand for the band. Their set lists are curated with an eclectic caliber, featuring gems like Jimmy Smiths Back at the Chicken Shack. When performing in 2022 for WTVP televised music series State & Water," they opened with She Caught the Katy (And Left Me a Mule to Ride). That song is a Taj Mahal and Yank Rachell original, and kicked off 1980 film The Blues Brothers. The Peoria band is also suited by the sounds of Ray Charles, Muddy Waters and Delbert McClinton. A trusted show-closer for the Peoria Rhythm Kings is John Hiatts song Riding with the King, which was famously recorded by B.B. King and Eric Clapton. Miller said they put their own spin on those covers, but they still make sure they're played well. They cover a blues rendition of Fly Me to the Moon," as well as Dont Think Twice, Its All Right by Bob Dylan. You better have a damn good pocket, said Miller, in symbolizing how securely the beat ought to be held. Thats when all the planets align, added Stumpo. From Brooks to Bobbye Stumpo, 71, was raised in West Chicago. He said his cousin Jim McPherson gave him his first guitar, and added that McPherson was also a close friend of Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart. When he was a kid, he said McPherson would get jamming with others in his aunts basement. He said his aunt wouldnt let him downstairs since they were drinking, but hed sit on the stairs and listen for hours. While living in Chicago, Stumpo said caught Lonnie Brooks show at Navy Pier in the late 1980s. Previously, he had been playing hard rock like Deep Purple, but Brooks show changed his life and his music genre. Never looked back, he continued. Dont Take Advantage of Me by Brooks is now part of the Peoria band's set list. Stumpo, who is retired from working as a carpenters union laborer, said he moved from Chicago to Canton in 1993, where his kids would be better served. While he didnt find much of a blues scene in Canton, Stumpo said Peoria more was more hopping. He said theres Dave Chastain, and Bernard Allison, son of Luther Allison. And, for at least two years, Stumpo said he played for the late Bobbye King. After her passing in 2008, the Peoria Journal Star described Bobbye King as the queen of the Peoria blues scene. Stumpo remembered King as a performer who had incredible stage presence and would tease people in the crowd. She always had a monologue going, he recalled. During our Wednesday's interview, Miller teased Stumpo with samples of his own stage banter (he joked: Mike is strong enough for a man, but made for a woman). But the blues guitarist also strongly credited Stumpos vocalist skills. Miller said the more one sings the blues, the more their voice changes. He said his own voice will sound different after a three-hour gig, and that builds up over time. Mike has done that a lot, plus Mike has a real good instrument to start with, Miller said. He sounds like a million bucks. Stumpo said he was inspired by the voices of Leon Russell and Joe Cocker. The Peoria Rhythm Kings' repertoire includes Cockers song Space Captain from the album Mad Dogs & Englishmen. These guys did their own thing, Stumpo said of Russell and Cocker. They werent trying to be anyone else. And thats how they sang the blues. Stumpo said you have to be true to yourself. And, Dont try to be anyone else. IF YOU GO WHAT: Peoria Rhythm Kings WHEN: 7-10 p.m. Friday WHERE: Jazz UpFront, 107 W. Front St., Bloomington TICKETS: $10 door cover fee Photos: Sweet Corn Blues Festival opens 082618-blm-loc-2cornfest 082618-blm-loc-8cornfest Celebrating corn, blues 082618-blm-loc-3cornfest 082618-blm-loc-6cornfest 082219-blm-lif-7cornfest 082618-blm-loc-4cornfest 082618-blm-loc-10cornfest 082618-blm-loc-5cornfest 082618-blm-loc-9cornfest BLOOMINGTON A jury trial is expected to start Monday in the case against the Minnesota man accused in the 2021 shooting death of a Bloomington resident. Kentrell D. Brown, 21, faces three counts of first-degree murder in the death of 26-year-old Natwan N. Nash, who was found March 7, 2021, at his apartment in the 2400 block of Clearwater Avenue in Bloomington, after police were called to a report of an unresponsive person. Authorities said Nash died from multiple gunshot wounds, but police at the time said there had been no reports of gunshots in the area. Brown was charged in this case two months later, served warrants while he was being held on unrelated offenses in the Olmsted County Jail in Rochester, Minnesota. On Thursday, Assistant States Attorney Mary Lawson and Assistant Public Defender Mackenzie Frizzell told Judge Jason Chambers they were ready to proceed to trial. Jury selection will start Monday morning, to be followed by opening statements either in the afternoon or Tuesday morning. The trial is expected to last up to two weeks. Brown will be back in court Friday afternoon, when Chambers will hear a final defense motion. 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 Jan. 4, 1924: Dozens were killed and cleanup efforts still underway after an explosion at the Corn Products Company plant in Pekin. The blast blew out the walls and buried men there were 72 workers in the plant at the time beneath tons of debris, with many left badly burned. "The horrors of war that you read about cant begin to compare with the awfulness of this thing," said Dr. Harold Vonachen, one of the first Peorians called to aid the injured. 75 years ago Jan. 4, 1949: The arrest here Monday of a Rockford man who has been writing threatening letters to President Truman, since his escape from Elgin state hospital last summer, ended an intense search by secret service agents. He was arrested Monday morning at Union Bus station. 50 years ago Jan. 4, 1974: Downtown Normal may well be the best site for a new Amtrak passenger station for McLean County, Bloomington Mayor Walter Bittner said Friday. But he will not support such a site until all possible locations are explored. 25 years ago Jan. 4, 1999: Beginning today, parents who want information about a daycare center's track record can call a toll-free number established by the state. The system is intended to make it easier for parents to find out if a facility, either in a school-like setting with dozens of children or an in-home facility that accepts just a handful, has had any substantiated complaints with the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services. Vintage Pantagraph newspaper ads for medicine, 'magic' remedies Clover Blossom Extract - Nov. 15, 1883 St. Jacobs Oil - July 14, 1887 Castoria - July 26, 1892 Rheumatic Ring - May 29, 1894 Beefmalt - May 29, 1894 Wakefield's Cough Syrup - Feb. 13, 1908 S.S.S. - April 23, 1908 Olive Tablets - Nov. 20, 1911 Cold-go - Dec. 11, 1911 Dr. Danby - Dec. 11, 1911 Allcock Plasters - March 2, 1917 Olive Tablets - Feb. 23, 1918 Laxative Bromo Quinine - Oct. 16, 1918 Bayer Tablets of Aspirin - April 24, 1919 Bayer Tablets of Aspirin - April 29, 1919 Snake Oil - Nov. 22, 1919 Beecham's Pills - Nov. 22, 1919 Snake Oil - Nov. 29, 1919 Doan's Kidney Pills - March 8, 1920 Bayer Tablets of Aspirin - Sept. 21, 1920 J.C. Hutzell's Eczema Treatment - Nov. 11, 1922 Gude's Pepto-Mangan - April 2, 1923 O-Joy Corn Wafers - March 4, 1930 Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescription - March 19, 1930 666 Tablets - March 25, 1930 Cuticura - March 25, 1930 Geo-Mineral - Dec. 8, 1948 Anacin - Jan. 16, 1963 Liquiprin - Aug. 27, 1970 Icy Hot - Nov. 20, 1977 Houston Mayor John Whitmire listens during a City Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at City Hall in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer In a major step toward reconciliation with the firefighters union, Mayor John Whitmire has asked the city attorney to drop an appeal that former Mayor Sylvester Turners administration filed just days before the change in city leadership. The city and the union had been embroiled in a bitter pay dispute for most of Turners tenure, and the firefighters have been without a contract since 2017. In December 2023, a judge rejected the citys request to dismiss the lawsuit and ordered the two sides to start contract negotiations within a month. The city appealed the judges decision Dec. 29. Whitmire, who has maintained close ties to firefighters throughout his political career, had been a vocal proponent of the firefighters union during his mayoral campaign. He promised help is on the way for firefighters and successfully championed a bill in the Texas Legislature in 2023 that mandates binding arbitration for such disputes. The judge ruled last month that the bill was constitutional but could not be applied retroactively. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On Wednesday morning, Whitmire met with leaders of the firefighters union and ordered City Attorney Arturo Michel to withdraw the recent appeal. I want the City to remove itself from the court process as much as possible and focus on resolving this long-standing dispute as fairly and quickly as possible, Whitmire said in a statement. I stated repeatedly on the campaign trail and in my inaugural address that our first responders will not have to fear court action during the Whitmire Administration. I am following through on that promise. Marty Lancton, president of the Houston Professional Firefighters Association, has long expressed optimism about Whitmires leadership and praised the new mayors swift action Wednesday. His union endorsed Whitmires mayoral bid last year. Within 72 hours of taking office, Mayor Whitmire is moving forward to implement the promises he made to Houston firefighters during the campaign, Lancton said. After eight years of acrimony, we are finally headed in the right direction. It is hard to express how much it means to Houston firefighters and their families to have a leader who respects them and will follow through on what he says. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Turner has previously warned of the fiscal consequences of additional pay raises for the firefighters. The binding arbitration bill may play well for some politically, but it will not bode well for Houston and its financial future, Turner said last year of Whitmires bill. At a time when we are trying to eliminate structural financial barriers, this bill imposes another structural barrier. BLOOMINGTON Project Oz, the Bloomington-based nonprofit organization that provides youth and family services, is planning to add an additional 2,700 square feet of space to its 1105 W. Front St. property. According to Project Oz's website, the expansion would provide homeless youth the opportunity to clean up and do laundry in a private, safe space while also offering a comfortable place to speak with an adult. In addition to the proposed expansion, the parking lot also would be expanded and would include access to North Morris Avenue. On Wednesday, the Bloomington Planning Commission recommended a site plan review for the project without opposition. The proposal is expected to come before the Bloomington City Council for a vote Jan. 22. According to its website, Project Oz is about three-fourths of the way to its $1 million fundraising goal for the project. The nonprofit also recently announced an increase in grant funds from the Illinois Department of Human Services, which will help to increase prevention and outreach services for at-risk youth. What every state received to support education for youth experiencing homelessness What every state received to support education for youth experiencing homelessness Where the funds go CHICAGO Buried at the edge of a Chicago Catholic cemetery are an elderly person's remains marked only by a cement cylinder deep in the ground labeled with the numbers 04985. The person died in 2015 at a nursing home not remembering much, including their own name. They went by Seven. Now police specializing in missing people and cold cases have discovered Seven's identity in one of the most unusual investigations the Cook County sheriff's office has pursued and one that could change state law. Using post-mortem fingerprints, investigators identified Seven as 75-year-old Reba C. Bailey, an Illinois veteran missing since the 1970s. The breakthrough is bringing closure to generations of relatives and friends. But whether they knew the name or the numeral, the investigation has unearthed more mysteries about how Reba, a Women's Army Corps veteran raised in a large family, became homeless with no recollection, aside from wanting to be identified as a man called Seven. Public records, interviews, newspapers and police work have offered some insight about the person with two lives, even with so much still unknown. Investigators say the next step is to honor them with a new gravestone and military honors. "That's a horrible circumstance that someone could die and no one knows who they are. That's why we pursue these cases so strongly, out of dignity," said Commander Jason Moran, who oversees the sheriff's missing persons unit. "A person deserves a name." Sheriff Tom Dart's office took on the case of Seven Doe the name in some official records last year. The office has gained notoriety for cold case work, including identifying victims of serial killer John Wayne Gacy. But Seven's case, involving a person who was unidentified both in life and death, is rare. "We never had anything like that before," Dart said. "This one is different and it just kept getting more different." Seven died from heart disease with dementia and diabetes as contributing factors, according to the Cook County medical examiner in 2015. Fingerprints taken at the time were run against police databases but there was no match. Seven was buried at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in the section for unidentified people. Eight years later, Cook County investigators took the case. Since foul play was ruled out, they started with the postmortem fingerprints, running them across multiple databases, including military records. A match came up for Reba, who enlisted in the Army in 1961. While all of Reba's five siblings are dead, she has more than half a dozen nieces and nephews. Most never met her, but they had heard of her. Rick Bailey, the son of Reba's late brother Richard, was "totally in shock" when he got a call from investigators about his long-lost aunt. "My dad had searched for years to try and find his sister," said Bailey, who is 65 and believes Reba's siblings would celebrate the news. "They would all be thrilled if they were here." Investigators were able to piece together parts of Reba's life. She was born in 1940, the daughter of a carpenter who often moved for work. Tragedy hit Reba's life at age 10 when she lost her mother in a car wreck that also left her, her father and her brother injured. About a decade after the accident, she joined the military, serving in Alabama, Texas and California. Investigators found she was briefly married to a fellow veteran, John H. Bilberry, who passed in 1989. Military records show she was honorably discharged in 1962 "due to marriage." What happened to Reba between returning from the military and showing up at a Chicago worker house with no memory remains a mystery. Relatives heard stories about a fight between Reba and her father, but there are different versions on what it was about. Some say it was about the decision to join the military. Others heard it was about sexual orientation. They also don't know what prompted the memory loss, the change in gender identity or the name Seven. Many people who might have had insight have died or knew Reba as Seven, a person with no past memories. Denise Plunkett found Seven on a cold day in the late 1970s on the porch of St. Francis Catholic Worker House. It is a hospitality house for people who are homeless and others who want to live in a community. Plunkett said the person she found spoke of themselves in the third person, called themselves a man and didn't answer personal questions. When asked their name, they would often say "Mr. Seven." Before too long, Seven became the house cook. When word of Seven's hearty casseroles and rice and bean dishes spread, crowds started lining up for meals. "Nobody could have done more to help the homeless," Plunkett said of Seven. Seven spent decades at the house before leaving in 2003 after a health scare. Seven passed out in the hallway, which doctors later said was diabetic shock, and was then moved to a nursing home for medical care. Since Seven didn't have a legal name or known family, Chicago police launched an investigation, but were unsuccessful. Seven became a ward of the state and died in 2015. Relatives who've learned more about Reba's later years have found comfort. "We know she was cared for," said Amanda Ingram, who would have been Reba's great niece. "That is the best that my grandfather could have ever asked for." Cook County investigators have updated the entry for Seven Doe in a federal database of missing people, adding Reba Bailey's name and photo. Their next step is a new gravestone and military honors in the spring. The case could also change Illinois law. The sheriff's office wants to amend the state's Missing Persons Identification Act to require postmortem fingerprints be checked against all available state and federal databases. The idea is a fuller search at the time of death could help identify people sooner. In Reba's case, family could have had the chance to plan funeral services. Dart's office is drafting legislation. Family members did consider moving Reba's body closer to family. But moving the body would be expensive and complicated. "We decided as a family not to disturb her," Rick Bailey said. "At least we know where she is now." ___ AP researcher Jennifer Farrar in New York contributed to this report. Photos: Illinois State Fair political days through the years 2012 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2007 State Fair 2008 State Fair 2008 State Fair 2009 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2005 State Fair 2004 State Fair 2003 State Fair 2003 State Fair 2006 State Fair 2007 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2018 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2021 State Fair 2021 State Fair CHICAGO When Jesus Rega got his high school diploma, he didnt get to walk across the stage. He couldnt. As classmates donned caps and gowns, he was bedridden after being hospitalized for a blood clot and too afraid to get in the car more complications in a long recovery after being shot in the head and stomach while waiting for the school bus outside his Back of the Yards home last January. Instead, Jesus, an autistic and nonverbal 22-year-old, celebrated with teachers and loved ones at the clubhouse of the southwest suburban neighborhood his family moved to after the Jan. 18 shooting. His parents ordered chicken and pizza, everything he likes, said his father, Philip Rega. In spite of the savored day, Jesus recovery has been bittersweet. The healing process was slow for the young man who cant speak but is quick to smile, hug and reach for a hand. After the shooting, crippling fears of essential everyday activities overwhelmed Jesus. The dread has largely faded, leaving something close to normalcy for the family. Still, among many small changes, Jesus paces around the house more than he used to, said his mother, Anna Rega. Theres nothing wrong with it, she said. I think its just remembering what happened. He doesnt understand. A long time to recover The assault began around 6:30 a.m. as Jesus and his younger brother, Demitri, a teenager who has similar special needs, waited with their father for the school bus. Suddenly, three attackers yelled gang slogans at the Rega men, then began to shoot. The assailants fired more than 30 bullets. Philip Rega, who later recalled seeing only the flame from the barrel of the gun, pushed Demitri to the ground for cover, but he didnt get to Jesus in time. Jesus, then 21, suffered gunshot wounds to his forehead and to his stomach, close to his heart, his father said. In the shootings immediate aftermath, doctors feared the former King College Prep student would lose vision and taste as Jesus was hospitalized in critical condition. Surgeries to remove bullet and skull fragments and to support his brain and cracked cranium came next. A procedure to install a shunt followed. Anna Rega visited her son in the hospital each morning during his initial six-week stay. She wasnt allowed to stay in the intensive care unit and still remembers coming home from the hospital at night to find her sons bed empty. Her other son, Demitri, would walk around the house and pop into Jesus room, apparently looking for his brother. A mother should never have to go through what we went through, she said. Jesus came home in late February, but quickly returned to the hospital with a blood clot in his leg. When he was again released in the early spring, the Regas decided to leave the Back of the Yards apartment where the boys were raised. The Regas used some of the nearly $40,000 theyd received in GoFundMe donations to move to a southwest suburb. Before leaving, Philip Rega had often been randomly harassed by gang members and ignored by police when he complained, he said. It got to the point where we just said, No, he said. I wanted them to be safe, Anna Rega said of the move. I didnt want to go through what I went through again. Jesus was weaker after his hospital stay. He couldnt leave his bed. He wouldnt shower, a change Philip Rega believes could be linked to the shower he took before leaving the house on the morning he was shot. The parents gave him sponge baths in bed and carried him to the shower. They changed their sons diaper in bed and fed him by hand. Hed push and whine as they tried to help. The biggest struggle was getting Jesus into the car. He had once loved the rides as much as he loves watching wrestling, SpongeBob and Shrek, but after the shooting, hed push, resist and walk away instead of getting into his seat. The struggles made medical appointments even more difficult. I dont know how his brain actually thought about it, Philip Rega said. It was traumatizing for him to get in and out of the car or even go anywhere. Jesus regained strength in physical therapy, though he still doesnt like to walk long distances. Many of his other apparently trauma-related changes gradually ended, his parents said. He finally got out of bed on his own one spring day when he saw his parents playing with one of their grandchildren. In May, he started showering again, and in June, he got into his grandmothers car by himself, another milestone. But other struggles lingered. Sometimes when he had to leave, hed point to his head and the door before heading back to his room, Anna Rega said. He continues to whine more than before, his mother said, and he comes to her bed during thunderstorms. He took a long time to recover, but Im just happy hes here, she said. Even as Jesus condition improves, his parents continue to think every day about what happened . One sticking point continues to haunt them: The man who shot Jesus is still out there, unidentified and uncharged. The thought makes Philip Rega want to rampage, he said. Ive been thinking about that day. I want to go crazy over it, Philip Rega said. I want to see the person who did it get what he deserves, justice. He needs justice. We need justice, especially him. (Jesus) didnt deserve what happened. Nobody does. He said Chicago Police Department officers misspelled Jesus name and left out the gunshot wound to his head on a police report. Philip Rega was interviewed the day of the shooting, and one officer checked on Jesus condition, but otherwise he hasnt heard about the case. They said they were working on it, and that was it, he said. There are no new updates related to the shooting, a CPD spokesperson confirmed Wednesday. Philip Rega said he believes officers are doing what they need to do but that more officers should be hired. In recent months, Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling has repeatedly stressed that the department will be more communicative with the victims of violent crimes and their families. Snelling emphasized training will stress the need to keep those families aware of developments. The father called on anyone who knows who shot his son to share information with police. Reflecting on the last year, gratitude for 911 operators and GoFundMe donors were at the top of Anna Regas mind. But she also continues to hold her own vision of justice: She wished the men who shot Jesus would have come to the hospital to see him, covered in tubes and cords, struggling to survive. Photos: Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2023 Brandon Johnson - 2023 Brandon Johnson - File Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 CHICAGO Lyric Porter wanted her life back. Born with sickle cell disease, she had a fever at age 5 that scarred her lungs and required her to roll an oxygen tank to school. When she was growing up, clogged blood vessels racked her body with stabbing sensations and forced her to be hospitalized again and again. When she learned of a new experimental treatment at the University of Chicago Medicine to alter her genes and possibly cure her, she decided to take it. The process itself was an ordeal, but more than a year later, at age 27, Porter is feeling better, has more energy and has stayed out of the hospital. I had to take the risk, she said. I wanted a better quality of life. And I lost so many friends who had sickle cell disease. Now, other patients may benefit from a similar new treatment. Federal regulators recently approved a groundbreaking protocol that has the potential to relieve some of the 100,000 Americans, most of them Black, who suffer from this lifelong disease. The University of Chicago is one of just nine medical centers nationwide initially approved to offer the therapy, with the University of Illinois at Chicago expected to do so early in 2024. Sickle cell causes not only debilitating pain, but also anemia, organ damage, strokes and, often, an early death. The new Casgevy treatment alters patients genes to produce healthy round red blood cells, rather than the crescent- or sickle-shaped cells that cause the disease. The treatment, by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., is the first therapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to use CRISPR/Cas9 gene therapy. CRISPR is a revolutionary tool that can cut and remove, add or replace DNA in targeted areas to address different genetic disorders. Its developers won the 2020 Nobel Prize in chemistry. In the case of sickle cell, the process switches a gene to produce fetal hemoglobin, which in effect replaces and dilutes the defective blood cells. The treatment is not yet being called a cure because the long-term effects are unknown. But in a trial of 44 patients, all the treatments worked, and 29 patients went two years without any severe blood clotting episodes. While many patients take hydroxyurea pills to try to manage sickle cell symptoms, the only long-lasting treatment previously had been a stem-cell transplant from a well-matched donor, typically a sibling. But the donation required suppression of the immune system that could cause severe complications. And in Porters case, she didnt have a full sibling match. While Porter did not use the Casgevy treatment, she used a similar and effective treatment by Novartis. Casgevy uses fresh stem cells, whereas the Novartis therapy that Porter underwent in a clinical trial used frozen stem cells, which created delays that led to the Novartis trial being closed, said Dr. James LaBelle, director of the Pediatric Stem Cell and Cellular Therapy Program at the U. of C.s Comer Childrens Hospital. LaBelle is optimistic in the Casgevy treatments potential to treat genetic disorders. This is the future of medicine in some areas, LaBelle said. Weve broken this glass ceiling now of using gene therapy to treat complex and debilitating diseases, which is really revolutionary. Gene therapy is difficult and time-consuming. In Porters case, it took three years of testing and procedures from the time she volunteered for a clinical trial until she got her treatment. She had stem cells filtered from her blood and sent away for the gene correction, then sent back and reinfused. In between, as with donor transplants, the patient must undergo high-dose chemotherapy to kill the faulty stem cells. The chemo made Porter sick, and she was hospitalized with an infection. She also still has chronic problems left over from her years with poor blood supply. The chemo can also cause infertility, so Porter had her eggs frozen for potential future use, a roughly $60,000 procedure that she said was covered by Medicaid. I want to do things normal young women are able to do, she said. I want children, I want to get married, I want to be a healthy mother and wife. In the long run, a big advantage to using ones own stem cells rather than a transplant is that it eliminates the need for immune suppression, which should keep patients healthier. At the University of Illinois at Chicago, Dr. Damiano Rondelli coauthored a study showing how gene therapy helped patients with sickle cell and another blood disease called beta thalessemia. UIC has some 600 sickle patients in what is believed to be one of the largest such programs in the nation. Rush University Medical Center officials also said they are closely monitoring the rollout of the new therapy and will strongly consider prescribing it once it becomes available. One major drawback of the Casgevy treatment is its cost, estimated at $2 million. With millions of sickle cell patients worldwide, many in poor areas of Africa, India and the Middle East, its likely to have limited availability. Porter had her treatment costs covered through a clinical trial, though she had to pay some expenses herself. But as with other transplants in the United States, the procedure usually depends on insurance for prior approval. Most of UICs sickle cell patients have Medicaid or Medicare, and it remains to be seen how they and other insurers will handle it. Rondelli hopes they will see it as well worth it because it will prevent hospitalizations and treatments that may cost as much or more over time. Ultimately, Rondelli said, both donated transplants and gene therapy can give patients freedom to live. One donor recipient began searching for a home to buy now that he was finally healthier. Patients find a new life they never knew they could have, Rondelli said. Gene therapy carries unknown long-term effects and potential risks, such as allergic reactions or tissue damage, or some cases of leukemia in the other newly approved treatment for sickle cell, Lyfgenia. The FDAs Dr. Nicole Verdun said gene therapy holds the promise of delivering more effective treatments, especially for rare diseases where the current treatment options are limited. Its been approved for treating one type of blindness. Eventually, researchers hope gene therapy may be applied to many genetic disorders, from cystic fibrosis to hepatitis B. For Porter, the treatment meant being able to travel without worrying so much about getting sick, or spending more time with friends and family. She advises anyone considering the procedure to do as much research on it as possible and have a stable support structure. Porter had to overcome excruciating pain and many missed days of school, but has a degree in broadcast journalism and is looking for work. As she wrote in a news article about her experience, battling sickle cell disease with resiliency has shaped me into the woman I am today. Photos: Illinois State Fair political days through the years 2012 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2007 State Fair 2008 State Fair 2008 State Fair 2009 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2005 State Fair 2004 State Fair 2003 State Fair 2003 State Fair 2006 State Fair 2007 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2018 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2021 State Fair 2021 State Fair As we enter a presidential election year, pundits are focused on the incessant drama criminal and otherwise swirling around a potential rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. But theres more at stake in particular, the U.S. Senate. Democrats enjoy a narrow 51-49 edge in the upper chamber thanks to three independents who align with the party. But the Senate electoral map presents challenges for Democrats while offering an opening for Republicans if they can overcome the partys recent track record of squandering opportunity. Only 11 of the 34 Senate races this fall involve incumbent Republicans, and all of those are in states that Trump carried in 2020. Meanwhile, Democrats must defend 23 seats, eight of which the nonpartisan congressional watchdog group Inside Elections rate as potentially vulnerable. Those include the seat held by Nevadas Jacky Rosen. The Senate majority is firmly in play, the groups publisher told The Wall Street Journal, and Republicans have a great opportunity to win control of the Senate. The obstacles mounted for Democrats when Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia announced late last year that he would not seek another term. His state has become solidly red in recent years and is almost certain to flip to the GOP. That leaves Democrats with, at best, a split chamber. Democratic seats in Montana and Ohio will also be difficult to hold. Yet the GOP has been here before. The party woefully underperformed in the 2022 midterms, barely eking out a House majority despite widespread skepticism from the electorate about the performance of a Democratic president. Republicans also lost one seat in the Senate during that election despite a generally favorable landscape. To avoid a repeat this year, Republicans would do well to field competent candidates who present a vision moving forward rather than a penchant for wallowing in past grievances. Such a vision would draw a stark contrast to this White Houses agenda of dependency and open borders by emphasizing the values of hard work, economic freedom, low taxes, reasonable federal regulation, border security and a sane immigration policy. Republicans will also have to neutralize the abortion issue, which has been a boon to Democratic turnout. It wouldnt hurt for the GOP to court independent voters who have grown despondent with gutter politics from both sides of the aisle by offering candidates who do more than appeal to party extremists while valuing statesmanship, respect and decorum. Eleven months is an eternity in politics, particularly when the potential presidential candidates are each carrying more Samsonite than an airport luggage carousel. But opportunity is ringing the doorbell for Republicans in the Senate. Will they hear it this time? Las Vegas Review-Journal Trading activities at the Central Business District (CBD), in Accra have started picking up after the yuletide. When the GNA visited the CBD Wednesday morning, a significant number of shops opened for business with some petty traders going about their usual hustle and bustle. The usual human and vehicular congestion that characterizes the CBD was absent as drivers navigated the streets with ease. However, unlike the CBD, business within the Ministries enclave is yet to pick up as its usually busy streets seemed deserted. The GNA brings you some scenes from the Ministries and the CBD. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has issued a report regarding its investigation into the alleged attempted bribery of members of the majority caucus in the Parliament of Ghana. According to the report released by the OSP, the Members of Parliament (MPs) involved refused to cooperate with the investigations. Based on the gathered intelligence and investigation of the activities of the identified suspect, whose name has been withheld Mr. XXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXX, the OSP has concluded that the evidence is not sufficient to sustain criminal charges. As a result, the Special Prosecutor has directed the closure of the investigation pertaining to allegations that a prominent and wealthy businessman attempted to bribe a section of the majority caucus of Parliament. The decision to not pursue criminal proceedings against the identified suspect is founded on the belief that such actions would serve no useful purpose at this time, as determined by the Special Prosecutor. However, the report notes that the investigation may be reopened should further facts and circumstances dictate. An important factor in the decision-making process was the requirement of the accusers input and testimony in the institution of criminal proceedings. The OSP highlights that the meeting in question occurred between the accuser, his undisclosed colleagues, and the suspect, and the events and details surrounding the meeting are known only to those present. Testimonies from the attendees are crucial for sustaining criminal charges, especially considering the apparent lack of recorded evidence of the meeting. The report states that the OSP obtained intelligence indicating that a wealthy businessman did attempt to offer money to a section of the majority caucus of Parliament with the aim of influencing their demand for the resignation or removal of Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta as Minister for Finance. However, it is observed that the monetary offer was rejected by the contacted Members of Parliament. The OSP is strongly inclined to believe that Mr. XXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXX is the businessman who made the attempt to influence the demands involving Mr. Ofori-Atta. The conclusion of the investigation by the OSP has shed light on the alleged bribery attempt within the Ghanaian Parliament. Although the case has not resulted in criminal charges, it has raised important questions about the integrity and transparency of political processes. As the report is made public, it remains to be seen how the implicated parties and the public will react to the findings. The OSPs decision to close the investigation underscores the challenges faced in pursuing such cases without the complete cooperation of those involved and the need for substantial evidence to support criminal charges. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) has announced that tie-breaking elections will be held on January 9, 2024, to resolve the identical vote count issue that occurred during the District Level Elections held on December 19, 2023. The tie-breaking elections will take place at the polling stations where the ties in votes were recorded. In a press release signed by the Acting Head of Public Affairs, Michael Boadu, the EC stated that 20 Electoral Areas for Assembly Members and 41 Electoral Areas for Unit Committee Members across the country had produced the same results for the contestants. As a result, the run-off elections have been deemed necessary in order to determine the winners in these specific Electoral Areas. According to the Electoral Commission, the decision to conduct tie-breaking elections is in accordance with the District Level Elections Regulations of 2015 (C.I. 89). The regulations state that in the event of a tie, a run-off election must be conducted to break the deadlock and determine the winner. The District Level Elections, which took place on December 19 to elect assembly members and unit committee members, saw a disappointingly low turnout. However, it appears that in some instances, candidates received an equal number of votes, prompting the need for additional voting to decide the winners. The ECs announcement has sparked both curiosity and anticipation among the affected candidates and their supporters. With the tie-breaking elections scheduled to take place at all polling stations where ties were recorded, voters in these specific Electoral Areas will have another opportunity to cast their ballots and potentially influence the outcome. As the nation gears up for the upcoming tie-breaking elections, all candidates and voters are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the electoral regulations and engage in peaceful and fair campaigning. The Electoral Commission remains committed to ensuring a transparent and democratic process in resolving the tied results and determining the winners in the affected Electoral Areas. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The founder and president of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has taken a swipe at President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo over recent happenings in the country. In a post shared on X, January 3, 2024, Cudjoe shared a conversation he had with someone he identified as KK. KK, according to the post, told the founder of IMANI Africa that President Akufo-Addo appears to be suffering from 'dead goat syndrome', recently. Cudjoe, in reply, said the president has no match when it comes to the dead goat syndrome. He indicated that even though former President John Dramani Mahama was the first person to say he had developed dead goat syndrome, Akufo-Addo is now miles ahead of him. KK: Franklin, it appears your dear friend the President has been ailing from the 'dead goat' syndrome for some time now. FC: Naaa he is the real GOAT of all dead goats! Hint: Greatest of All Time (GOAT) . John Mahama was the first to describe himself as a dead goat, he wrote. Mahamas dead goat syndrome comment: Former president Mahama, when he was in office, warned that he would not be shaken by the threat of strikes from labour unions as the country approached the 2016 Election. He said that many presidents allow themselves to be shaken by labour unions, who only want to take advantage of the election years with various demands. Often what happens is that in election years, trade unions and everybody sees that government is in a vulnerable place and so that is when demonstrates, agitations for an increase in pay and all that begins to happen. " I have seen more demonstrations and strikes in my first two years. I don't think it can get worse. It is said that when you kill a goat, and you frighten it with a knife, it doesn't fear the knife because it is dead already. "I have a dead goat syndrome," he said on March 11, 2015, while speaking to members of the Ghanaian community in Botswana. KK: Franklin, it appears your dear friend the President has been ailing from the 'dead goat' syndrome for sometime now. FC: Naaa he is the real GOAT of all dead goats! Hint: Greatest of All Time. ( GOAT) John Mahama was the first to describe himself as a dead goat. Franklin CUDJOE (@lordcudjoe) January 3, 2024 Source: Ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Gene-editing techniques have helped to identify a temperature tolerance factor that may protect wheat from the increasingly unpredictable challenges of climate change. Researchers in the group of Professor Graham Moore at the John Innes Center made the discovery during experiments looking at wheat fertility in plants exposed to either high or low temperatures. The paper, "DMC1 stabilizes crossovers at high and low temperatures during wheat meiosis," appears in Frontiers in Plant Science. Wheat fertility and therefore yield is highly influenced by temperature, particularly the initial stages of meiosis when chromosomes from parent cells cross over and pair to create seeds for the next generation. Meiosis in wheat functions most efficiently at temperatures between 1723 centigrade. It is known that developing wheat does not cope well with hot temperatures and can also fail during low summer temperatures. Identifying genetic factors that help stabilize wheat fertility outside optimal temperatures is critical if we are to breed climate resilient crops of the future. Previous research has indicated a major meiotic gene DMC1 as the likely candidate for preserving wheat meiosis during low and high temperatures. Researchers at the John Innes Center used gene-editing techniques to delete DMC1 from a variety of Chinese Spring Wheat, then carried out a series of controlled experiments to observe the effects of different temperatures on meiosis in the mutated plants. The experiments revealed that after approximately one week, the gene-edited mutant plants were significantly affected when grown at a temperature of 13C, with 95% of plants showing a decrease in crossover number. At the other end of the temperature scale, wheat plants grown at 30 also showed a reduced number of crossovers, compared to control plants. The results confirm the hypothesis that DMC1 is responsible for preservation of meiotic crossovers at low and, to a lesser degree, high temperatures. Given that the reduction in crossovers has significant effects on grain yield, these results have important implications for wheat breeders in the face of climate change. Professor Moore said, "Thanks to gene editing we have been able to isolate a key temperature tolerance gene in wheat. It provides cause for optimism in finding valuable new traits at a time when climate change is challenging the way we grow our major crops." The next stage of this research is to look for variations of DMC1 which offer greater protection to wheat, and to investigate how dosage and expression levels of this gene in wheat may influence protection against wider variations in temperature. Trials on temperature tolerance are taking place in Cordoba, Spain, where 3040C temperatures are regular, posing a threat to wheat fertility and yield. The study also highlights that DMC1 is a deeply conserved gene, controlling temperature tolerance in wheat and throughout the plant kingdom, including in other major crops. Previous research, cited in this study, into a species of Japanese newt, also shows that fertility is compromised in temperatures below 13 and that the temperature effect is related to DMC1 activity. This research follows the earlier breakthrough by the Moore group at the John Innes Center in identifying the wheat gene (ZIP4) responsible for correct chromosome pairing and preservation of wheat yield, but which also prevents the introduction of beneficial new traits from wheat wild relatives by suppressing chromosome exchange. Using gene editing technology, the researchers have split the dual function of ZIP4 so that it maintains yields but enables wheat to be more easily crossed with wild relatives. This could contribute genetic diversity in elite varieties, including traits such as heat resilience and disease resistance. Professor Moore added, "Climate change is likely to have a negative effect on meiosis and therefore on wheat fertility and ultimately crop yields, so screening of germplasm collections to identify heat-tolerant genotypes is a high priority for the future of crop improvement." More information: Tracie N. Draeger et al, DMC1 stabilizes crossovers at high and low temperatures during wheat meiosis, Frontiers in Plant Science (2023). DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1208285 Journal information: Frontiers in Plant Science Remembering the password for every single account you've made can be difficult, which is why tools like LastPass can be practical. The problem is that the password-managing app has experienced security issues before, which could put all your other accounts at risk. Stronger Passwords Required LastPass has had its cybersecurity questioned after it experienced a breach back in late December 2022, and then again in late February 2023. With the company's attempts to prevent another incident, users are now required to use longer master passwords. Preexisting users used to have the option to retain the shorter password they've had before, but the new policy no longer allows this. Customers will soon be forced to reach the 12-character minimum requirement, as reported by The Verge. In its biggest 2022 breach, hackers managed to copy information from the company's backup that had customer data such as end-user names, billing addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers, and IP addresses, said the company CEO, Karim Touba. Although an encrypted storage container was also copied, LastPass assured customers that it could not be opened due to the 256-bit AES encryption it had. These locked folders held customer usernames and passwords, and required master passwords to be opened. Fortunately, hackers never acquired the master passwords, especially since the company never stored or maintained them. The only way hackers would be able to obtain them was if customers gave them away, as per Bleeping Computer. In the February 2023 cyberattack, the bad actors breached LastPass by hacking into a DevOps engineer's home computer. The stolen data was also encrypted, but the hackers stole the decryption key as well. Read Also: Hackers Breached LastPass Cloud Storage, Customer Vault Data Stolen Creating and Protecting Your Password Using LastPass is a convenience that people need, especially if they cannot remember all the passwords for every account they have. All they have to do is have their master password more complex than others to make sure that every other data is protected. To create a password that's hard to crack, customers are encouraged to use a mix of letters, numbers, and characters. It would also be helpful to throw around uppercase letters and avoid using consecutive numbers like "123." Since LastPass already stores your other passwords, all you have to remember is your master password. Refrain from writing it down or storing the password on your devices through notes, to prevent the slim chance that threat actors might access them. There's only so much security LastPass can provide, and you'll also have to play your part in protecting your master password. Hackers might try to get this through other means as well such as phishing attacks or social engineering tactics. Avoid clicking on suspicious links that are sent to you, which can often be found in emails. You should also choose the apps you download carefully. Some of them include malware that gets to work after you download them and provide permission. If the app asks for permission it doesn't need, perhaps a calculator app that needs access to your photos, delete it immediately. If you can, download apps from trusted developers only to avoid being hit with malware or adware. Related: Hacker Breached LastPass Through DevOps Engineer's Home Computer 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: Habitus, thoracic and abdominal outgrowths of larvae of Palaeodictyoptera and Carbotriplurida. a Rochdalia parkeri (Palaeodictyoptera), habitus in dorsolateral view, No. MM L.11464 Manchester Museum coll., UK; b Idoptilus sp. (Palaeodictyoptera), habitus in dorsolateral view, GLAHM A.2680a Hunterian Museum, University of Glasgow, UK coll.; ce Carbotriplura kukalovae, habitus in dorsal view, Museum of Czech Karst coll. Beroun, Czech Republic; d detail of thoracic lateral outgrowths, e detail of abdomen with lateral outgrowths. Scale bars are a, b = 5 mm; c = 10 mm. Credit: Communications Biology (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05568-6 How did insect wings originate? This is a question that represents an unsolved mystery of insect evolution. Despite many years of research, it is still not entirely clear from which body structure insect wings actually evolved and what their original function was when they were not yet efficient enough to perform active flight. Scientists from the Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences (BC CAS) were also involved in looking for answers to these questions in newly discovered prehistoric fossils of an ancient group of insects. There are various hypotheses regarding the origin of insect wings. To some extent, they depend on the fact whether the common ancestor of winged insects lived in an aquatic or terrestrial environment. While several studies connect the origin of wings with the gills of some representatives of aquatic insects, the support of the terrestrial origin of winged insects is currently more prevalent. New evidence is provided by an international team of researchers with the participation of entomologists from the Biology Centre in a study just published in the journal Communications Biology. Czech scientists, together with their German colleagues, found in a quarry in Lower Saxony new Paleozoic fossils of the larvae of an ancient group of insects named Palaeodictyoptera from the Carboniferous period (extinct at the end of the Paleozoic). With their body structure, these larvae resemble a hypothetical winged insect ancestor and thus provide new clues to resolving this evolutionary mystery. In the fossils, scientists have discovered several adaptations for life in an aquatic environment, most notably several pairs of flattened projections on the sides of abdomen, that probably functioned as gills. In the larvae, they also observed three pairs of future wings on the thorax, the detailed structure of which is very similar to the aforementioned gill plates on the abdomen. It can, therefore, be assumed that these so-called wing pads also participated in the intake of oxygen from the aquatic environment. "Although our fossils certainly do not represent the ancestor of winged insectsthey are larvae, and the adults of this group already had fully functional wings, it is still a relatively ancient group of insects. Given the fact that the larvae of other ancient insect taxa such as mayflies and dragonflies are also aquatic, it supports the possibility that the aquatic environment played an important role in the very beginnings of the evolution of winged insects," suggests Pavel Sroka from the Institute of Entomology, BC CAS. "The first forms of flattened projections on the thorax, which gave rise to later wings, could thus have arisen as organs for breathing, functionally similar to what we see with the wing pads on our fossils," says Pavel Sroka. More information: Jakub Prokop et al, Thoracic and abdominal outgrowths in early pterygotes: a clue to the common ancestor of winged insects?, Communications Biology (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05568-6 Journal information: Communications Biology This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The tensions between the US and China made the global economy shudder in 2023. The ramifications of the Ukrainian war echoed beyond the country's border. In Africa, the coup d'etat in Niger and Gabon contributed to the global democratic retreat of recent years and the Hamas/Israel conflict has so far resulted in thousands of deaths. Such trends of global power tensions, open war, democratic decline and extreme job market fluctuations are likely to continue in 2024. With this in mind, here are five global geopolitical and economic trends to watch out for. Power shifts As the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) organization expands to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, its growing economic influence could dramatically change the global balance of power. From January 2024, Brics will represent about 46.5% of the world's population, US$30.8 trillion (23.7 trillion) about a third of global GDP and 45% of global oil production. A related economic consequence is that the Brics' expanded trade network can reduce their dependence on western markets, particularly through preferential trade agreements and possibly the use of a common currency. For countries that have been sanctioned by the west, such as Iran, becoming a Brics member increases their diplomatic options. This may make Brics attractive to other sanctioned countries. The Brics' expansion can also enable members to strengthen their impact by pursuing their political and economic interests more easily. Challenging the west may not take the form of direct confrontation, but occur by gradually moving away from current institutions such as the IMF. Global election cycle The list of general elections in 2024 includes countries from all continents and the participation of billions of people. At the core is the US election where former president Donald Trump is likely to be the Republican candidate. If re-elected, he may continue with his policy of "global engagement abstention" as evidenced by his past willingness to disengage from Nato. Such a stance may weaken the global economic and political system and contribute to the rise of other countries searching for greater global clout. Another important aspect emerging from the cornucopia of general elections is the potential erosion of democracy. In the US, for instance, there is talk of a possible Trump dictatorship. In Russia, a win by President Vladimir Putin can see him remaining as president until 2030 with the possibility of a further sixth term up to 2036 (or about 32 years in power). In other countries, such as El Salvador, some politicians are willing to circumvent their constitutions to be re-elected or to ban efforts to monitor elections, as is happening in Tunisia. Such practices are likely to weaken democratic institutions or constrain their development. Heightened tensions in the Middle East The Israel/Hamas war will continue to have repercussions beyond the Middle East. The risk of further escalation of the conflict regionally has intensified after an air strike in Beirut. Some nearby states, for example, have strongly condemned Israel's overall response to Hamas' attack. Jordan called that response a "war crime" and Egypt a "collective punishment." The war is likely to compound regional uncertainty and instability. Some evidence suggests that increasing political instability will also affect the health of the region's financial institutions. In turn, greater instability could increase refugee flows to the US and Europe. The latter will exacerbate the already tense political debate over immigration policy. The Israel/Gaza war is also likely to discourage investment in the Middle East and disrupt trade routes leading to increasing shipping costs. China's economic pressures Recently, China's economy has been described as a "ticking time bomb" as a result of slow economic growth, high youth unemployment, the property sector crisis, lower Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and weaker exports. Growth prospects are expected to remain "structurally weaker" with low consumer confidence and spending and declining external demand. Lower internal Chinese consumption means lower demand for raw material and commodities which, in turn, will affect larger exporters such as Australia and Brazil. Multinational corporations are likely to experience some negative impact on their profits as relocation of production and supply chain diversification continues as a result of trade frictions and armed conflicts. This may have a knock-on effect, not only on their suppliers but also on their workforce in terms of salary growth, if not, downsizing and job losses. More generally, the increased risks for China's economy will hit global growth, according to the OECD. Aging populations In 2022, Japan, Italy, Finland and Germany were among the countries with the greatest share of populations over 65 years of age and by 2050 it is projected that the list will include Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan. By 2050 the percentage of the world's over 60 population will increase from 12% to 22%. At the same time, life expectancy is increasing. Such a population trend has implications for social security and other parts of the economy. Demands on governments and health providers to deliver greater volumes of care will grow because of potential escalating risks of disease among the elderly. The ratio of workers to pensioners is falling which is also putting pressure on the sustainability of current pensions systems. In addition, there is evidence that the aging of the population affects labor productivity and labor supply. It can, therefore, have an effect on economic growth, trade, savings and investment. All in all, 2024 could be another rocky year. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Proper food safety procedures prevent foodborne illnesses and are vital to preventing crises in the food service and hospitality industries. A new study from researchers in the Penn State School of Hospitality Management found that the leadership style within an organization can influence how employees speak up to correct or prevent food safety issues. Research led by Heyao "Chandler" Yu, assistant professor and Elizabeth M. King Early Career Professor of Hospitality Management at Penn State, found ethical leadership has a stronger indirect impact on the prohibitive voice of employees, allowing them to speak up to other workers to preventor prohibitsomething potentially harmful. The research team also found that leadership that prioritizes food safety over productivity has a stronger indirect impact on the promotive voice of employees, meaning the ability for them to suggestor promoteimprovements. The team recently published its work in the International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Administration. "Food safety is incredibly important in the industry because it can save the lives of human beings," Yu said. Improperly followed safety procedures, which can include storing food incorrectly or not washing one's hands, could be especially dangerous for people with compromised immune systems, such as children and the elderly, according to Yu. To explore how leadership styles can impact how employees advocate for food safety, the researchers examined what motivates those who speak up. They found specific motivations can serve as a moderator between leadership style and how employees use their voice. "From social desirability, people have two motivations," Yu said. "Agentic motivation makes people feel empowered and knowledgeable. Communal motivation makes people not want to be disliked by others. Leadership can affect an employee's motivation, whether agentic or communal, to use either promotive or prohibitive voice." The researchers surveyed 239 food handlers and 66 restaurants in Taiwan, and they said the data can be applied broadly to other regions. With assistance from restaurant managers, food handlers who contacted food directly were asked to fill out an on-site survey about food safety. "At first, we believed both agentic and communal motivations were important for prohibitive voice," Yu said. "Through our research, we discovered it is more important for employees to feel psychologically secure and safe in speaking up about wrongdoingsor communal motivationthan it is for them to feel the motivation to show the poweror agentic motivation." Unlike promotive voice, which can more easily be recognized and interpreted as positive by supervisors and coworkers, prohibitive voice may not be as easily recognized or interpreted as positive even though it also stems from good intentions, according to Yu. "For prohibitive voice, managers need to build up an environment where employees can speak up when they see something being done incorrectly," Yu said. "Employees understand where that is coming from, so they won't take it personally. Ethical leadership promotes an environment that says we do things fairly and not to take things personally. This is for a collective benefit, not a personal benefit." The use of prohibitive voice can be riskier, as employees could take things personally if they were to be reported or stopped from doing something, which could damage relationships, according to Yu. "Building up a safe environment for people to fairly criticize each other's behavior or report issues of wrongdoing is important for food safety prohibitive behavior," Yu said. "If workers or managers can see something happening and point it out, they can prevent foodborne illness or a food safety crisis that could potentially bankrupt their company." The researchers also found a stronger bond between managers and employees strengthened the influence of both ethical leadership on prohibitive voice and leadership prioritizing food safety on promotive voice. Yu said these findings show leaders should develop strong relationships with their employees which can help ensure food safety procedures are followed by using promotive and prohibitive voice. "Leaders can be great people, but nothing will happen if they never talk to their employees or build up relationships," Yu said. "Leaders need to reinforce food safety, set a strong example and build good relationships with their employees. The goal cannot be achieved if any of these three factors are lacking." More information: Heyao (Chandler) Yu et al, The Differential Effects of Leader Food Safety Priority and Ethical Leadership on Food Safety Promotive and Prohibitive Voices: A Socially Desirable Responding Theory Perspective, International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Administration (2023). DOI: 10.1080/15256480.2023.2276953 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Graphical abstract. Credit: Nano Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c03222 Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease affect more than 270 million people worldwide. AD is the leading cause of dementia, resulting in memory loss due to atrophy of neurons in the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain that regulates learning and memory. Nanoparticles designed to carry drugs have emerged as a strategy for treating different diseases, but in the context of neurodegenerative disease, much of the research has focused on developing strategies for getting nanoparticles across the blood-brain barrier and into targeted regions of the brain. In a new study, an interdisciplinary team of researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed nanoparticles that are able to selectively bind to activated astrocytes and microglia cells that mediate brain inflammation in AD and found that both AD and aging strongly affect the ability of nanoparticles to cross the BBB and localize to the hippocampus. The BBB consists of a network of blood vessels surrounding the brain that tightly regulate what molecules (including drugs) can enter the brain. The BBB makes it difficult for nanoparticles carrying drugs to enter the brain, although nanoparticles can prevent the drugs from being "washed away" or losing their activity along the way when passing through the BBB. However, research has suggested that the BBB weakens with AD and age. This inspired a team of researchers led by Joon Kong (M-CELS leader/EIRH/RBTE), a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, and Hee Jung Chung (M-CELS), an associate professor of molecular and integrative physiology, to synthesize a nanoparticle that could take advantage of this compromised BBB, and bind specifically to reactive astrocytes and microglia cells in the hippocampus of AD affected individuals. "I think people have overlooked how the vascular permeability of the BBB changes with AD pathology," said Kong. "We thought, instead of putting peptides or proteins onto nanoparticles that can help them penetrate the BBB, as others have done, let's just make the nanoparticles small enough that they can take advantage of the leaky BBB and engineer these particles in a way that lets them remain in the brain in a stable manner." The nanoparticles are designed to bind to CD44, a cell surface protein that is produced by reactive astrocytes and microglia cells, more than neurons, especially during neuroinflammation, a hallmark of AD-afflicted brain regions such as the hippocampus. The advantage of nanoparticles binding to these CD44-expressing cells is that the nanoparticles are retained longer in the hippocampus rather than quickly being washed out, according to Kong. The researchers injected the CD44-seeking nanoparticles into both older and younger mice that either had AD or were healthy. They then looked at the distribution of nanoparticles in the hippocampus across the treatments. In the hippocampi of AD mice, they found high concentrations of nanoparticles regardless of age, though older AD mice had stronger concentrations than younger AD mice. The researchers say this was predicted and further demonstrates that the BBBs of those with AD are considerably weakened. Not only were the nanoparticles able to penetrate the BBB, but they were also retained for longer in the hippocampus, for at least 2 hours post-injection, with preliminary data suggesting even longer retention. In the brains of healthy young mice, no nanoparticles were found, meaning that their BBBs were intact. However, to the team's surprise, they found a significant amount of nanoparticles in the brains of healthy older mice, suggesting that the BBB weakens considerably with increasing age, even in those without AD. "This finding was surprising because the older mice in this study are equivalent to a human age of only about 60 years old," said Chung. "We knew there would be some leakiness of the BBB with age, but we thought there would be much less penetration of nanoparticles into the brain than we found. This highlights that there is age-dependent and disease-dependent penetration of the nanoparticles across the BBB to deep brain regions affected by AD." "This study offers valuable insights into advancing our understanding of nanoparticle transport to the brain in aging and Alzheimer's patients," said Kai-Yu Huang, a graduate student in Kong's lab. "It prompts us to think about the future strategies for the development of nano-scale drug carriers to target inflamed brain cells across different phases of aging-related brain disorders." According to the researchers, the next step is to try adding candidate drugs to the nanoparticles and see whether they could improve cognition and memory in AD mouse models. They are also planning to measure how long their nanoparticles can be retained in the brain, which could help provide longer and more consistent drug delivery to patients treated with nanoparticles in the future. The team hopes this finding will provide a guideline for how to design drug carriers in the future for treating diseases, both within the brain and beyond. "This extends beyond just the brain because this technology can be used for other diseases, not just brain disease," said Chung. "By modifying the surface moiety of nanoparticles, we can directly target different organs, given we know something specific to target within those organs. The use of nanoparticles in medicine has broad and innovative applications." The paper is published in the journal Nano Letters. More information: Gregory C. Tracy et al, Intracerebral Nanoparticle Transport Facilitated by Alzheimer Pathology and Age, Nano Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c03222 Journal information: Nano Letters This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain In a new study published in the Tidsskrift for omsorgsforskning (Journal of Care Research), researchers from the Regional Center for Obesity Research and Innovation (ObeCe) at St. Olavs Hospital and the University of Agder uncovered human rights violations in five assisted living facilities for people with developmental disabilities in Central Norway. According to data from the National Institute on Intellectual Disability and Community (NAKU), there are an estimated 19,500 individuals with developmental disabilities over the age of 16 in Norway. Data from 2017 reveals that around 80% of them reside in group homes. "In 4 out of 5 group homes we studied, residents were socially isolated during the pandemic. In one of the homes, 13 residents were isolated in their apartments from March to August 2021. Social isolation of people with developmental disabilities violates human rights and is illegal," says Postdoctoral Research Fellow Ellen Margrete Iveland Ersfjord from the University of Agder's Department of Health and Nursing Sciences. All five group homes were found to have violated human rights in various ways. Norway has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The researchers identified violations of several rights, most notably: The right to all human rights and fundamental freedoms (Article 1). The right not to be subjected to deprivation of liberty (Article 14) The right to the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination on the basis of disability (Article 25) In the new research article, it is revealed that staff at one of the group homes received instructions from the municipal medical officer to isolate the residents in their apartments. They were denied access to communal kitchens, living rooms, and other common areas for a period of six months in 2021. Staff utilized personal protective equipment when feeding and caring for the residents. When the manager and staff raised concerns regarding the appropriateness of this practice, they were instructed by the municipal medical officer to continue enforcing these measures. "It was distressing for the staff to isolate the residents, but they were directed to do so and followed the instructions given," says Associate Professor Hege Mari Johnsen from the University of Agder's Department of Health and Nursing Sciences. Another identified challenge was that this part of the health care services was not prioritized for digitalization, leading to significant communication difficulties among staff. Thirty staff members could be sharing two desktop computers, and many substitute staff members did not have work emails. The researchers emphasize that there is little reason to blame the staff in the group homes. "These are employees who want to perform their jobs well and create the best possible conditions for the residents. However, there is a lack of knowledge in this sector. Only 10% of employees in these services are social educators, and a third of them do not have education or sufficient knowledge about people with developmental disabilities. Even municipal medical officers do not have adequate knowledge about people with developmental disabilities," says Ersfjord. Human rights violations People with developmental disabilities living in group homes rent municipal apartments and receive municipal services. The municipal health care services in the five group homes investigated were lacking for a prolonged period during the pandemic, such as annual check-ups with their general practitioner and physiotherapy. Staff members had contact with the residents, which occurred either while wearing full personal protective equipment or with face masks and gloves. Hugging was also prohibited, so the residents did not have physical contact with others for an extended period of time. This did not apply to all five group homes continuously, but during different periods. A group home consists of apartments and common areas. In 4 of the 5 group homes investigated, the common areas were eventually opened, so the residents could interact with each other and the staff. Visitor restrictions were introduced at a later time or after the staff had been vaccinated. 'Chaotic conditions' The researchers conclude that numerous individuals with developmental disabilities encountered human rights violations. They call for increased knowledge about developmental disabilities within the health care sector. "In the early stages of the pandemic, managers at several group homes were unsure how to comply with the infection control regulations. The managers described chaotic conditions and receiving a multitude of different instructions. This resulted in widely differing interpretations of the infection control regulations," says Ersfjord. Staff members reported that the residents are still struggling with psychological repercussions. Shut out the world In one of the group homes, the manager opted for a completely different approach to isolating the residents within their apartments. Based on their professional knowledge and conversations with the residents, they decided to close the group home to all visitors. While the staff members could come and go, the residents were not allowed to leave the group home. This allowed the residents and staff to interact nearly unrestricted within the confines of the home. The manager chose to rather shut out the world. "In this way, the residents were able to cultivate a social community among themselves and the staff, which proved to be invaluable throughout the pandemic, especially given the prolonged closure of their day programs and recreational activities. Maintaining social contact with others is just as important for individuals with developmental disabilities as it is for others," explains Ersfjord. However, she also emphasizes that there is no legal basis for locking the front door in this manner. A call for increased knowledge One of the main findings of the study is that clear municipal contingency plans for assisted living facilities were lacking during the pandemic. Therefore, the researchers conclude that the government's measures were inadequate in ensuring the delivery of quality municipal services for individuals with developmental disabilities residing in group homes. At present, too much depends on the proactive initiatives of managers. "We cannot have it this way in future pandemics. This sector needs a major knowledge boost, from municipal medical officers to substitute staff. There was no justification for isolating individuals with developmental disabilities longer or in a different way than the general population during the pandemic. We must also ensure that they receive adequate health care services," says Ersfjord. More information: Ellen Margrete Iveland Ersfjord et al, Ansattes erfaringer og strategier for a opprettholde omsorg for personer med utviklingshemming som bodde i tilrettelagt bolig under covid-19-pandemien, Tidsskrift for omsorgsforskning (2023). DOI: 10.18261/tfo.9.2.2 Provided by University of Agder This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Tel-Aviv University A breakthrough achieved by researchers from four Israeli universitiesTel Aviv University, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Bar-Ilan University and Ariel Universitywill enable archaeologists to identify burnt materials discovered in excavations and estimate their firing temperatures. Applying their method to findings from ancient Gath (Tell es-Safi in central Israel), the researchers validated the Biblical account, "About this time Hazael King of Aram went up and attacked Gath and captured it. Then he turned to attack Jerusalem" (2 Kings 12, 18). They explain that, unlike previous methods, the new technique can determine whether a certain item (such as a mud brick) underwent a firing event even at relatively low temperatures, from 200C and up. This information can be crucial for correctly interpreting the findings. The multidisciplinary study was led by Dr. Yoav Vaknin from the Sonia & Marco Nadler Institute of Archaeology, Entin Faculty of Humanities, at Tel Aviv University, and the Palaeomagnetic Laboratory at The Hebrew University. The paper has been published inPLOS ONE. Prof. Lipschits said, "Throughout the Bronze and Iron Ages the main building material in most parts of the Land of Israel was mud bricks. This cheap and readily available material was used to build walls in most buildings, sometimes on top of stone foundations. That's why it's so important to understand the technology used in making these bricks." Dr. Vaknin added, "During the same era dwellers of other lands, such as Mesopotamia where stone was hard to come by, would fire mud bricks in kilns to increase their strength and durability. This technique is mentioned in the story of the Tower of Babel in the Book of Genesis: 'They said one to another, Come, let us make bricks and fire them thoroughly. So they used brick for stone' (Genesis 11, 3)." "Most researchers, however, believe that this technology did not reach the Land of Israel until much later, with the Roman conquest. Until that time the inhabitants used sun-dried mud bricks. Thus, when bricks are found in an archaeological excavation, several questions must be asked: First, have the bricks been fired, and if so, were they fired in a kiln prior to construction or in situ, in a destructive conflagration event? Our method can provide conclusive answers." The new method relies on measuring the magnetic field recorded and "locked" in the brick as it burned and cooled down. Dr. Vaknin said, "The clay from which the bricks were made contains millions of ferromagnetic particlesminerals with magnetic properties that behave like so many tiny 'compasses' or magnets. In a sun-dried mud brick the orientation of these magnets is almost random, so that they cancel out one another." "Therefore, the overall magnetic signal of the brick is weak and not uniform. Heating to 200C or more, as happens in a fire, releases the magnetic signals of these magnetic particles and, statistically, they tend to align with the earth's magnetic field at that specific time and place. When the brick cools down, these magnetic signals remain locked in their new position and the brick attains a strong and uniformly oriented magnetic field, which can be measured with a magnetometer. This is a clear indication that the brick has, in fact, been fired." In the second stage of the procedure, the researchers gradually "erase" the brick's magnetic field, using a process called thermal demagnetization. This involves heating the brick in a special oven in a palaeomagnetic laboratory that neutralizes the earth's magnetic field. The heat releases the magnetic signals, which once again arrange themselves randomly, canceling each other out, and the total magnetic signal becomes weak and loses its orientation. Dr. Vaknin said, "We conduct the process gradually. At first, we heat the sample to a temperature of 100C, which releases the signals of only a small percentage of the magnetic minerals. We then cool it down and measure the remaining magnetic signal. We then repeat the procedure at temperatures of 150C, 200C, and so on, proceeding in small steps, up to 700C." "In this way the brick's magnetic field is gradually erased. The temperature at which the signal of each mineral is 'unlocked' is approximately the same as the temperature at which it was initially 'locked,' and ultimately, the temperature at which the magnetic field is fully erased was reached during the original fire." The researchers tested the technique in the laboratory: they fired mud bricks under controlled conditions of temperature and magnetic field, measured each brick's acquired magnetic field, then gradually erased it. They found that the bricks were completely demagnetized at the temperature at which they had been burnedproving that the method works. Dr. Vaknin said, "Our approach enables identifying burning which occurred at much lower temperatures than any other method. Most techniques used for identifying burnt bricks are based on actual changes in the minerals, which usually occur at temperatures higher than 500Cwhen some minerals are converted into others." Dr. Eliyahu Behar added, "One of the common methods for identifying mineralogical changes in clay (the main component of mud bricks) due to exposure to high temperatures is based on changes in the absorption of infrared radiation by the various minerals. In this study we used this method as an additional tool to verify the results of the magnetic method." Dr. Vaknin added, "Our method is much more sensitive than others because it targets changes in the intensity and orientation of the magnetic signal, which occur at much lower temperatures. We can begin to detect changes in the magnetic signal at temperatures as low as 100C, and from 200C and up the findings are conclusive." In addition, the method can determine the orientation in which the bricks cooled down. Dr. Vaknin said, "When a brick is fired in a kiln before construction, it records the direction of the earth's magnetic field at that specific time and place. In Israel this means north and downward. But when builders take bricks from a kiln and build a wall, they lay them in random orientations, thus randomizing the recorded signals." "On the other hand, when a wall is burned in-situ, as might happen when it is destroyed by an enemy, the magnetic fields of all bricks are locked in the same orientation." After proving the method's validity, the researchers applied it to a specific archaeological dispute: was a specific brick structure discovered at Tell es-Safiidentified as the Philistine city of Gath, home of Goliathbuilt of pre-fired bricks or burned on location? The prevalent hypothesis, based on the Old Testament, historical sources, and Carbon-14 dating attributes the destruction of the structure to the devastation of Gath by Hazael, King of Aram Damascus, around 830 BCE. However, a previous paper by researchers including Prof. Maeir, head of the Tell es-Safi excavations, proposed that the building had not burned down, but rather collapsed over decades, and that the fired bricks found in the structure had been fired in a kiln prior to construction. If this hypothesis were correct, this would be the earliest instance of brick-firing technology discovered in the Land of Israel. To settle the dispute, the current research team applied the new method to samples from the wall at Tell es-Safi and the collapsed debris found beside it. The findings were conclusive: the magnetic fields of all bricks and collapsed debris displayed the same orientationnorth and downwards. Dr. Vaknin said, "Our findings signify that the bricks burned and cooled down in-situ, right where they were found, namely in a conflagration in the structure itself, which collapsed within a few hours. Had the bricks been fired in a kiln and then laid in the wall, their magnetic orientations would have been random." "Moreover, had the structure collapsed over time, not in a single fire event, the collapsed debris would have displayed random magnetic orientations. We believe that the main reason for our colleagues' mistaken interpretation was their inability to identify burning at temperatures below 500C. Since heat rises, materials at the bottom of the building burned at relatively low temperatures, below 400C, and consequently, the former study did not identify them as burntleading to the conclusion that the building had not been destroyed by fire." "At the same time, bricks in upper parts of the wall, where temperatures were much higher, underwent mineralogical changes and were therefore identified as burntleading the researchers to conclude that they had been fired in a kiln prior to construction. Our method allowed us to determine that all bricks in both the wall and debris had burned during the conflagration: those at the bottom burned at relatively low temperatures, and those that were found in higher layers or had fallen from the top at temperatures higher than 600C." Prof. Maeir said, "Our findings are very important for deciphering the intensity of the fire and scope of destruction at Gath, the largest and most powerful city in the Land of Israel at the time, as well as understanding the building methods prevailing in that era. It's important to review conclusions from previous studies, and sometimes even refute former interpretations, even if they came from your own school." Prof. Ben-Yosef added, "Beyond their historical and archaeological significance, ancient building methods also had substantial ecological implications. The brick firing technology requires vast quantities of combustive materials, and in ancient times this might have led to vast deforestation and even loss of tree species in the area." "For example, certain species of trees and shrubs exploited by the ancient copper industry in the Timna Valley have not recovered to this day and the industry itself ultimately collapsed once it had used up its natural fuels. Our findings indicate that the brick firing technology was probably not practiced in the Land of Israel in the times of the Kings of Judah and Israel." Other contributors include Prof. Ron Shaar from the Institute of Earth Sciences at The Hebrew University, Prof. Erez Ben-Yosef and Prof. Oded Lipschits from the Sonia & Marco Nadler Institute of Archaeology at Tel Aviv University, Prof. Aren Maeir from the Martin (Szusz) Department of Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology at Bar-Ilan University and Dr. Adi Eliyahu Behar from the Department of Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology and the Department of Chemical Sciences at Ariel University. More information: Yoav Vaknin et al, Applying thermal demagnetization to archaeological materials: A tool for detecting burnt clay and estimating its firing temperature, PLOS ONE (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289424 Journal information: PLoS ONE This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain There is a growing interest in sustainability among orchestras, ensembles and concert halls in Germany, in terms of reducing their environmental impacts, and in relation to programming, such as creating concert formats that engage with sustainability on a thematic level. Is the classical concert industry contributing to the broader transformation of society towards sustainability? RIFS researchers see room for improvement, finding that many institutions and orchestral musicians are not sufficiently self-critical in their approach to sustainability issues. For their study, Gina Emerson and Manuel Rivera conducted interviews with 25 members of a German orchestra, analyzed 13 interviews published on the blog of the Orchestra of Changea well-established sustainability initiativeand compared this material with six "examples of discourse," such as public statements, position papers and descriptions of institutional projects. This analysis, published in Soziologie und Nachhaltigkeit (Sociology and Sustainability), revealed significant barriers to change, with both the musicians and institutions primarily interested in specific aspects of sustainable development and largely uncritical of many industry practices. Self-criticism as a prerequisite for change According to the researchers, expressions of self-criticism are indicative of a transformative outlook. "The capacity for self-criticism is important as it enables actors to engage with the structures that shape their practice with the aim of contributing to complex change processes. The more self-critical actors are, the greater their awareness of their routinesand the more likely it is that they can facilitate transformations within their institutions," explains Emerson. While self-critical statements were rare in most of the institutional publications examined, the interviews with orchestral musicians revealed a broad range of thinking. The researchers identified three types: the Critically Motivated, the Willing and the Attentive. Core aspects of contemporary sustainability discourse were identified in all 25 interviews, albeit to varying degrees. Ecological limits figured in many of the interviews, but were rarely explicitly mentioned as "planetary boundaries" or "tipping points." Very few respondents mentioned the global implications of overshooting these boundaries. Aspects of justice, such as references to inequalities between different parts of the world or different generations, came up frequently among Critically Motivated and Attentive respondents. Overall, Critically Motivated respondents referred more frequently to global examples of climate change phenomena and were well-informed about both the core and more marginal aspects of sustainability. They were also more likely to question practices common in the classical music industry in relation to touring, for example. The Willing rarely voiced criticism of this kind and instead emphasized the social value of orchestral performance. When questioned about climate change, they frequently referred to their sadness at the destruction of nature. The Attentive differ from the Critically Motivated in two respects. They tend to have less pronounced feelings about the social mission of classical music, and they did not clearly affirm their own implication in the climate crisis or did not relate this responsibility to the orchestra, but to their roles outside the orchestrafor example as a parent or consumer. Social dimension of sustainability often neglected In the publicly accessible blog interviews, there was an even stronger tendency to reduce sustainability to environmental issues, while issues of justice were only addressed by a single interviewee. Respondents often emphasized the positive impact of classical music. "Overall, a desire for the classical music business to act as a role model was expressed in many of the interviews and documents. But this also reveals a certain dichotomy with respect to the societal relevance of classical music and performance: On the one hand, we see a certain commitment to sustainabilityeven if this is only in principle and in order to defend one's societal raison d'etre. "On the other hand, the priority afforded to musical excellence and 'high performance' is indicative of an impulse to withdraw from society and focus on the artsa sphere often assumed to be somehow inherently sustainable. And this contradiction hinders the emergence of a deep and transformative sustainability movement within classical music," says Rivera. According to the researchers, the historically established value of excellence and the aim of preserving a particular cultural tradition tend to perpetuate the status quo and hinder efforts to establish more sustainable practices in the classical music industry. More information: Gina Emerson et al, Selbstbestatigung und Selbstkritik durch Nachhaltigkeit im klassischen Musikbetrieb, Soziologie und Nachhaltigkeit (2023). DOI: 10.17879/sun-2023-5255 Provided by Forschungsinstitut fur Nachhaltigkeit Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam By Politico Staff Writer The Executive Secretary of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Mohamed Sheshu Sheriff said that the institution will be launching a Targeted Review Report on Unconstitutional Change of Government in Sierra Leone on the 1st of November 2023. Sheriff made this announcement on the 26th of October 2023 at an engagement with the media. Speaking on what to expect from the report, he said This report represents an extensive and participatory examination of the causes, consequences, and prevention of unconstitutional means of acquiring power in Sierra Leone since independence. The Executive Secretary added that the report looks at critical aspects of governance with emphasis on accountability, inclusivity, and the preservation of the nations democratic ideals. On the importance of the report, Sheriff said This landmark document represents more than just a collection of words on paper; it embodies our unwavering commitment to democratic principles, transparency, and the sanctity of the rule of law. He said the report is geared towards sparking curiosity, igniting meaningful discussions, and planting the seeds of awareness. He added that it is an opportunity for journalists and bloggers to arm themselves with questions and ideas in a bid to gain knowledge from the programme. Sheriff explained how the report will proffer recommendations to revitalize democratic institutions and advance good governance in Sierra Leone and the continent of Africa. Sheriff also disclosed that the idea to conduct the review was instigated by President Julius Maada Bio who also serves as Chairperson of the APR Forum of Heads of State and Government, adding that Bio had requested APRM to conduct his critical review in 2020. Highlighting the method used to gather data for the production of the review, he explained that the process was informed by relevant data, existing literature, and international best practices from other nations, amongst others. He noted that oversight was meticulously conducted by the APRM National. The review process itself was an all-encompassing effort, characterized by extensive consultations with a wide array of stakeholders. These stakeholders included representatives from the government, civil society, political parties, the private sector, media, academia, and traditional authorities Sheriff said, whilst highlighting those involved in actualizing the review. Sierra Leone has been a member of the APRM since 2004 when it joined the voluntary self-assessment and peer review process. APRM aims to foster good governance and socio-economic development across Africa. Established in 2003 by the African Union (AU), it serves as a powerful tool for mutual learning and the exchange of best practices among African countries. Copyright 2023 Politico (01/11/23) By Mabinty M. Kamara In a bid to strengthen its professional status, the Sierra Leone Teaching Service Commission (TSC) is set to introduce license system as requirement to practice the teaching profession in Sierra Leone. The process of registering and licensing teachers according to TSC officials would continue this year with World Bank support. Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the Teaching Service Commission, Sorie I. Turay, Chief Education Secretary at TSC said the African Federation of Teachers of which Sierra Leone is a member has said that the law for registration for the license is that there must be an assessment through an examination, to qualify a teacher for the license. He noted that the exam is not intended to fail anybody as long as you understand English Language which is the countrys major medium of exchange and basic Arithmetics. He added that there will be separate exams for the TCE, HTC and the rest, with the possibility of payment of a small fee that qualifies one into the system. We want to make the profession like any other profession, like the lawyers, the doctors, the engineers. Lawyers do take their exams, they go through the law school, and the engineers too have the Institute of Engineers. So there are processes you take to make you a professional. We too want to join the community so nations. We want to as Sierra Leonean teachers be able to teach in any other country with our qualifications and perform because we are part of a community of nations so our qualifications must also be recognized, he said. Turay was speaking at an engagement held between the Sierra Leone Teachers Union and the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) at the Hotel 5/10, Kissy in Freetown to sensitize teachers on their operations. He added that the consultant to agree on the bench marks of the exams is already in town and that the questions are computer based that will be generated by the system, adding that there will be as much questions in the bank that even if you are to take the exams twice, the questions will not repeat. He added that the TSC will be training teachers who teach children from primary one to three to get them equipped with the necessary skills needed for the children to learn better and faster. Speaking at the event, the President of the Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) Mohamed Sallieu Bangura, applauded the governments efforts in ensuring that the matters related to teachers welfare are considered important, but said that there was need for more to be done due to the economic trends of the country. We thank his Excellency for giving us the 30% increment but sir, with the rise in cost of living, we are still looking forward for more improvement in the salaries and conditions of service of teachers in this country, he said in a statement partly directed at President Julius Maada Bio. In response to the proposal of the Teachers regulating body, Theresa Saccoh, head of Conference of Head Teachers said as teachers, they welcome the idea of them being licensed to boost their professional capacities and that they are not afraid of exams because they are the ones that conduct examination for other professionals. However she said that if the license will equate their professional level to other professions like law, medicine and engineering, then they must consider improving their conditions of service like those professions. Copyright 2021 Politico Online , Cookies . cookies. The US headed the space race in 2023, successfully hosting 109 out of the record-high 210 orbital launches last year. Elon Musk's SpaceX contributed the most to the US number with 96 successful missions with its Falcon series rockets. China placed second with 66 accomplished launches. In contrast, Europe pales in comparison with only three contributions to last year's space flights. The US's record is the highest number of space liftoffs made in a single year, beating the Soviet Union's record of 108 rockets in orbit during the Cold War in 1982. Majority of the launches made by the US and China were payloads for service providers, particularly the Starlink constellation, as companies race to top on internet connection services. NASA has also been ramping up its space launches as it prepares for another attempt in sending astronauts to the moon. Also Available: NASA Unveils Trailer for Major Space Events in 2024 More Space Debris was Recorded in 2023 While the success of the rocket launches indicate better space innovations for countries, environmentalists and scientists have also raised concerns on the increase of space debris. At least 1 million space debris the size of a penny is currently orbiting Earth faster than a bullet, according to the World Economic Forum. These floating debris threaten to damage other operating satellites and can even disrupt entire missions. Experts believe the risk brought by these debris is expected to increase in the near future as more countries joins the second race to the moon. As of writing, at least 100 lunar missions are being planned by both government agencies and private companies. This is not to count other space launches for commerce, observation, and tracking. If no preventive measures were taken, the current 7,700 satellites could grow to several hundred thousand by 2027. Related Article: India Launches First Satellite to Study Black Holes US Lawmakers Push for Regulations on Space Debris The US has already passed a bill requiring NASA to establish an active space debris removal program "to improve the safety and sustainability of orbiting satellites and on-orbit activities." The Orbital Sustainability Act of 2023 (ORBITS) was passed unanimously by the Senate last October. However, no universal regulation has yet been placed to mitigate space debris from other countries. From a press release: The Capital District Transportation Authority is excited to welcome the Warren County community into the CDTA service area. On Jan. 1, Greater Glens Falls Transit became part of the CDTA transportation network. CDTA began the merger of GGFT earlier this year with the installation of CDTA bus stop signs along GGFT routes, which included adding more stops along routes. GGFT buses have also been branded with the recognizable CDTA blue and gold, and all GGFT employees now work for CDTA. Marketing and promotional materials have been developed, and CDTA social media channels have been introduced so that GGFT customers can transition to CDTA informational platforms. There have been no changes made to fares or routes. Below are the routes in the Greater Glens Falls service area: Route 402: Bay College between Ridge St. Terminal and SUNY Adirondack Route 404: Hudson Falls/Fort Edward between Ridge St. Terminal and Amtrak Station Route 405: Moreau/S. Glens Falls between Ridge St. Terminal, South Glens Falls, and Moreau Route 407: West Glens Falls between Ridge St. Terminal and West Glens Falls Route 411: Glen Street/Walmart between Ridge St. Terminal and Route 9 Walmart Route 412: Glen Street/Aviation Mall between Ridge St. Terminal, Aviation Mall, and Montcalm Apts. Route 419: Route 9/Lake George between Ridge St. Terminal and Lake George Village CDTA employees are looking forward to knowing the community and gaining operating experience in Warren County. From there, CDTA will assess changes or improvements that need to be made to offer better access throughout the Greater Glens Falls service area. The Warren County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution in May 2023 to join CDTA. In September, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation into law that allows Warren County to enter CDTAs transportation network. Warren County is the sixth county to join the Authority. The merger into CDTA will give customers in Warren County increased accessibility to transportation and mobility options throughout the Capital Region. To learn more about CDTA, visit www.cdta.org/warren or follow CDTA on social media. Saratoga Cannabis Co., a mother and daughter cannabis dispensary operation, promised cooperation and partnership with the City of Glens Falls as the pair hope to win approval for the retail cannabis business at 72 South St. The Saratoga Cannabis Co. is one of only 14 licensed Cannabis Adult Use Retail Dispensary awardees in New Yorks Capital Region. If approved, the shop will be the first approved in the City of Glens Falls. It will replace the former Dizzy Chicken restaurant. Wed obviously love to work with the citythats very important to us and making sure we have a working relationship that everyone is comfortable with. We do know this is the first in the area. We have to be open, to have flexibility, Brittany Cracco said. Last month, Belinda McPhee won approval for her cannabis store in Hudson Falls. For three years, Brittany Cracco has served as the General Manager of Dairy Haus Ice Cream in Saratoga, and Ice Cream Man in Greenwich, under her mother, Jody Craccos ownership. As a passionate advocate for cannabis use, it was Brittanys idea to get into the dispensary business. She will serve as Inventory Manager at Saratoga Cannabis. The Craccos hope to bring their family-run, responsible business philosophy to the Glens Falls cannabis market, according to Jody Cracco. To be honest, when Brittany came to me with this opportunity, I thought she was crazy, Jody Cracco said. However, that changed when she saw how well-regulated New York States cannabis retail restrictions are. I just couldnt believe the regulation. They can track right down to the bucket. Its mind-blowing. In order to do this right, it has to be that way, she added. Many of the issues the Glens Falls Planning Board had with the project were related to parking and traffic concerns, as well as safety and security. Most of those issues were eased by a comprehensive plan that includes a robust security system and a willingness to have security personnel working 24 hours, if need be. Were going to take every precaution with security, Jody Cracco said. Traffic and parking are an issue when discussing any new business in downtown Glens Falls. The demand of a cannabis dispensary could put a burden on the already limited parking options in the city, however, Saratoga Cannabis hopes to mitigate those issues with some solutions. The main way seems to be to keep the number of people in the store to a minimum at any one time. The company plans to use cutting-edge point of sale software to establish a digital queue system to minimize congestion in the store, allowing customers to wait in their vehicles until their order is ready. The company will also ensure a smooth operation by establishing an order-ahead functionality and appointment-based system to manage the high demand and limit foot traffic outside the building, according to the company. During the Planning Board meeting, Jody Cracco wished to correct an earlier report from The Glens Falls Chronicle that stated the business would have a lounge. We are not looking to open a lounge. I just wanted to correct that. People will come in and purchase and then leave, Cracco said of the report. New York State is very strict with the signage on cannabis dispensaries, prohibiting neon signs and wild colors. The signage at Saratoga Cannabis Co. will adhere to that with white signs with black lettering and a simple font, to go with frosted windows, according to Brittany Cracco. Basically as boring as can be, Cracco said of the states signage limitations. Saratoga Cannabis Co. is expected to be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. However, Cracco suggested they are open to other possibilities should the city disagree with those operating times. A cannabis dispensary could benefit the city in many ways, including sales tax revenue and a thriving business in the citys downtown corridor, according to the planning board. The site plan underwent a preliminary review from the Glens Falls Planning Board, but the Saratoga Cannabis Co. will have to return at a later date to get final site plan approval. The SUNY system had its first uptick in enrollment in a decade last year, but a report issued Tuesday recommends a broad series of moves to expand the systems research initiatives and increase its potential economic impact across the state, while reaching out to groups of potential students that typically drew little attention in the past. The report calls for investing in more faculty and research to strengthen programs in areas of projected growth namely artificial intelligence, biotechnology, the production of semiconductors and their packaging, sustainability and renewable energy. At UB, a historic hiring push to bolster research and diversity The idea is that more university-based research can help turn UB into a powerful force that can help grow the Buffalo Niagara economy. It recommends that SUNY do more to recruit students from populations not traditionally sought after, such as those from high adversity neighborhoods who need more support, but whose success would pay off in generational wealth and upward mobility. And it calls for the most financially challenged schools within the system to implement cost-savings plans to erase deficits running in the millions of dollars and balance their budgets, rather than rely on bailouts. The SUNY Report on Long-Term Enrollment and Financial Sustainability comes the year after Gov. Kathy Hochul provided the biggest injection of state aid for the State University of New York system $163 million with the requirement that SUNY follow up with an extensive summary of how its 64 campuses are faring and a roadmap for the future. ECC gets big boost from federal, state grants for student support SUNY Erie Community College made a big effort to go after state and federal grants this year, and it paid off with nearly $6 million in grants awarded for workforce development and student support initiatives. The 72-page report celebrates a 1.1% gain in total enrollment while calling for a variety of new strategies to make a SUNY education accessible to all New Yorkers and retooling programs to reflect todays students and their needs. The report called the increase a small annual jump that also represents a huge leap in reversing long-standing trends. It also called a 4.3% increase in undergraduate first-time enrollment a critical metric for forecasting future overall enrollment an even more encouraging development that signals a renewed interest and confidence in the value of SUNYs educational offerings. The report also addressed how SUNY can continue to grow and maintain enrollment, while also outlining strategies for long-term financial sustainability. It cites several SUNY schools that it tasked with devising their own sustainability plans to combat big deficits, including SUNY Fredonia, Buffalo State and SUNY Potsdam. Fredonia recently announced it would cut 13 low-performing degree programs, most in humanities subjects such as philosophy and languages, to address a $10 million shortfall, while Buffalo State imposed a hiring freeze to start reducing a $16 million deficit before a new president takes over in July. Fredonia to cut 13 degree programs to address $10M deficit Fredonia President Stephan H. Kolison Jr. on Wednesday presented a road map for the future including discontinuing 13 low-performing degree programs that currently serve 74 students. Fiscal health is everyones job, and SUNY is ensuring campuses have the resources they need to succeed and the support to make the tough decisions fiscal sustainability requires, the report says. Key enrollment targets for SUNY include scaling strategies for retention and completion that were developed and tested at City University of New York campuses and are being implemented at 25 more SUNY schools, including the University at Buffalo, Buffalo State and SUNY Erie Community College. The initiatives Advancing Success in Associate Pathways for two-year community colleges and Advancing Completion through Engagement for four-year bachelors programs target students eligible for federal Pell grants for high financial need. They also provide a slate of resources including additional tuition and fee support, travel and textbook expenses, personalized advisement, academic support and career development activities. Hochuls 2023-24 SUNY Transformation Fund provided $75 million for campuses to improve their support services using these programs. Students who need more support to succeed are now being viewed as investments in the states workforce and economic growth, rather than beneficiaries of charitable aid. 4 SUNY takeaways from Hochuls State of the State 2023 Gov. Kathy Hochul didnt spend much time talking about the SUNY system in this year's State of the State address, but she did include a passel of SUNY proposals in the accompanying 277-page book of 147 initiatives for a better New York. Its fundamental to both SUNYs goals and its mission that we work aggressively to help all New Yorkers understand we have a place for them, and help them claim that place, SUNY Chancellor John B. King said. Its particularly crucial to expand our outreach to historically underserved populations, from first-generation college students to older students to those hailing from urban and rural communities where college attendance has historically been low, he said. Equally important is to provide the supports students need to succeed once they enroll. The SUNY report lists 14 groups it will target for recruitment, including Pell-eligible students, first-generation college students, adults in the workforce, students with some college credit but no degree, veterans, student parents, formerly incarcerated students and students from high schools and neighborhoods with high levels of adversity. The report says 25 SUNY campuses are currently using Landscape, a free online tool provided by the College Board to assist colleges in targeting and assisting students from low-income backgrounds, high-crime areas, substandard housing and other barriers to stability that prevent them from completing their degrees. Besides supporting students through the ASAP and ACE programs, Hochuls budget directed $10 million in state aid to provide more mental health services this year. SUNY has expanded its Student Tele-Psychiatry Network to provide students at 56 campuses with free tele-psychiatry sessions. UB president announces $40 million gift for engineering school The donation will help UB build an engineering school building and support engineering research and education, University at Buffalo President Satish Tripathi said. Hochul devoted $1 million in operating funds to support food pantries and other strategies, such as helping students apply for SNAP benefits, at its state-run schools for the first time, the report says. SUNY schools will be looking to ensure that individual students have access to childcare, public transportation and other basic needs, as well as beefing up programs serving students with disabilities, the report says. To help fund the new initiatives, SUNY schools are directed to revisit their academic portfolios to ensure they are offering desirable programs that will help fuel workforce needs, including more short-term microcredentials for specific careers offered in partnership with business and industry pipelines. Soon, SUNY will have microcredential programs at 57 of its 64 campuses, and a catalogue of over 600 microcredentials, the report says. The largest number of new microcredential programs over the next decade are expected in business, management, and public administration (41% of campuses); health and related fields (32% of campuses); math, computer science, and information sciences (31% of campuses), and visual and performing arts and communications technologies (31% of campuses). UB welcomes 154 new faculty as it bulks up on research This semester, UB welcomed 154 new faculty from across the nation and around the world, in what it believes is the largest cohort of new faculty at UB since it joined the SUNY system in the 1960s. King recently formed four task forces to develop strategies for pursuing growth in the skyrocketing fields of AI, semiconductor packaging, biotechnology and sustainability/renewable energy, with an eye to identifying gaps that need to be filled for future economic growth. SUNY is also committed to Hochuls goal to increase the states health care workforce by 20% in 2027 through the combined efforts of SUNY academic programs and medical centers, the report says. SUNY also wants to be in the forefront of climate change action. In September, it launched a cross-campus Sustainability Advisory Council to devise a climate action plan that includes green workforce development. Hochul has also challenged SUNY and its two flagships, UB and Stony Brook, to double their research funding by 2030, including such strategies as investing in new and diverse faculty bringing existing research and grants. The report said the SUNY system is on track to increase its total research funding from $776 million this year to $1.5 billion by 2033. SUNY also wants to increase incentives for students to stay or go back to school, by offering credit for completed non-credit courses that could be built on to complete a degree. And SUNY schools will also make it easier for students to transfer credits for advanced placement classes they take in high school to college, and to move credits from community colleges to baccalaureate programs a move 20 campuses have initiated via the SUNY Transformation Fund, the report says. SUNY students of the future will also have more opportunities to participate in research internships, and eventually every student will experience an internship or other hands-on learning opportunity to better prepare them for the workforce, the report says. While 60% percent of employers prefer to hire graduates and workers with internship experience, a 2021 national survey found that only 35% of first-generation college seniors reported participating in an internship far lower than their peers, the report states. Many SUNY campuses are already investing additional state and federal aid into retention support, as well as applying for and getting more research grants. UB has increased its research spending by 20% in the past decade, to more than $425 million last year, and the university hired 154 new faculty in 2023 the campuss largest cohort in over 40 years, the report noted. In addition to last years aid infusion, commitments in the State Financial Plan for $54 million in SUNY funding in each of the next two years will fuel growth and stability across SUNYs state-operated campuses, the report says. Community colleges will benefit from a guarantee that they will receive at least the same amount of aid they received the previous year, after decades of underfunding in prior state administrations. The full report is available at SUNY.edu. ATLANTIC CITY The city has added two employees to a newly created department intended to help inmates reintegrate into their communities, Mayor Marty Small Sr. said Wednesday. Small named Michele Griffin as a program coordinator and Cornell "Bless" Davis as director of Atlantic City Reentry Services. They join Kamau Johnson, an assistant coordinator, and Brandan Hargrose, who is a program specialist in the department. The team members were hired through an Anti-Violence Out-of-School Grant awarded to the city by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, a spokesperson for the city said Thursday. The $2 million grant funds the city's anti-violence program, in addition to the new reentry services. This is a recurring grant the city applies for each year. The first application was made at the end of 2021 for $1.5 million. The goal of the Reentry Services program is to reduce the rate at which people relapse into criminal behavior by providing support for ex-offenders and their families to help them find jobs, housing, medical needs, substance abuse or mental health treatment, transportation, legal needs and other services. Reentry Services also will provide work readiness training, soft skills/specialized education, entrepreneurial and financial literacy services, client support and reentry planning services, the city said. For more information on Atlantic City Reentry Services, visit the department's website. NORTH WILDWOOD In April 2021, the city Planning Board gave a unanimous if reluctant yes to plans to dramatically reshape the citys bayfront, with new buildings, sweeping renovations to existing buildings and adding a new top floor to Marina Bay Towers on New York Avenue. The project was, in part, supposed to help fund repairs to senior housing in the high-rise building, and resolve about 15 years worth of tangled litigation over the property, which had been built more than two decades earlier as affordable housing for seniors. Even the applicant agreed the property was not in good shape. There had been multiple reports of leaks throughout the building, where a dwindling number of seniors still lived full time, and no reason to believe that those issues had been addressed in the meantime. With the approvals in place, there has been no sign of work on the property, with no indication that work on the new structures is likely to begin soon. Mayor Pat Rosenello and an advocate for the residents said there has been no indication that any repairs have begun, either. The owner of the building, Paul Cocoziello, could not be contacted for an interview. There was no response to a phone message, and the phone numbers for Marina Bay Towers and several businesses associated with Cocoziello were disconnected. The attorney who represented Cocoziello in front of the Planning Board in 2021, Sal Perillo, did not respond to a phone message either. Since the Planning Board approval 32 months ago, property values in North Wildwood have continued to climb, Rosenello said, indicating there would be a market for new condominiums overlooking Beach Creek. Nothing has transpired since then, Rosenello said. It is very, very unfortunate, the current state of that building. To have such a large parcel of bayfront not being very productive at all, its a shame. Olga Pomar, an attorney who has represented residents of the building, suggested Wednesday that it is likely Cocoziello could not find investors to fund the proposed work. But she, too, said she has little insight into the current conditions inside. One of her clients has died since the litigation was active, she said, and others have moved out of the property. One sign of life she reported: a planned status conference with Judge Michael J. Blee with those involved in litigation connected to the property. The lawsuits and counterlawsuits were active for about 15 years, covering most of the buildings existence. Pomar believes it likely that the owner will ask for permission to rent some units at market rate. Documents on file in City Hall in 2021 put the estimated cost of the first project at $12 million, with the second building coming in at an estimated $65 million. There is further work planned for additional buildings at the property, which spans two city blocks. Construction costs have risen sharply since the planning hearing. While plans are to complete market-rate units as part of the extensive expansion, the existing 143 units at Marina Bay Towers are restricted to use as affordable housing. Massive bayfront project planned for beleaguered Marina Bay Towers site NORTH WILDDOOD A year after reaching a settlement on a tangled lawsuit over the future of In testimony to the Planning Board in 2021, Cocoziello said repairing the senior housing units was the primary motivation for the expansion project. He said he would not have the funds to make the needed repairs without the project. At that time, between 20 and 30 of the units were occupied. Pomar believes that number is now fewer than 20. Its such a wasted resource, she said. Its a beautiful building in a beautiful location, and affordable housing is such a badly needed commodity. The towering structure looks much as it did two years ago, with some boards on the windows and some exterior indications of water damage, and some signs of life, with a few cars in the parking lot on a January morning. Rosenello pointed out that the building is still subject to inspection, and said to his knowledge there have been no citations issued on the property. Attempts to contact residents of the property for comment were unsuccessful. On Wednesday, two men working at the associated marina at the property had no information about when work could start at any of the proposed new buildings. At the 2021 Planning Board hearing, Rosenello said the building is in complete disrepair and that approving the project offered the best chance for repairs to take place to the existing units. Further complicating matters for the city, Pomar said, is that North Wildwood has included the affordable housing units at Marina Bay Towers in its fair share housing plan. North Wildwood Planning Board supports massive bayfront project NORTH WILDWOOD In two unanimous votes Wednesday, the citys Planning Board supported a mul Some neighbors opposed approving the expansion, but some residents of the existing building supported the plans in hopes of speeding the repairs to the current building. The approved plans call for the renovation of one floor of the existing building, followed by the addition of another story to allow for two-floor penthouse apartments. Under that plan, the completed building would have 105 affordable housing units and 60 units to be sold at market rate. The North Wildwood board also gave preliminary site plan approval to a second high-rise to be built next to the existing building, on a crushed-shell lot currently used to store boats for the marina. That building will include 144 residential units, four levels of parking underneath and a two-story penthouse. Plans are for those to be sold as condo units, with 60 to be used as condo/hotel units to be rented through a central management company. The boats remain in place on that lot, with no sign of preparation work there or anywhere else on the property. The application included plans for expansive new construction at the site as well as proposed renovations to the existing marina. With work planned in phases, the application included renovations and expansion to the existing boathouse, an additional 56-foot-tall retail and apartment building being described as a lighthouse, and a marina club and 333-seat restaurant to include a rooftop pool. Quad-Cities dog parks plan to reopen later this week after a month of closure over concerns of possible respiratory illness spread. Six dog parks in Bettendorf, Davenport Moline and Rock Island are set to reopen this weekend, according to city parks and recreation staff, after consulting with local veterinarians. Bettendorf and Moline plan to reopen their dog parks on Friday, and Rock Island and Davenport plan to open their dog parks on Saturday, according to each city. During the last week of November, Bettendorf, Davenport, Moline and Rock Island closed their dog parks because of growing concern over the possible spread of a mystery respiratory disease. According to news releases and Facebook posts by Bettendorf, Davenport and Rock Island, area parks and recreation staff consulted with local veterinarians and determined there was a limited number of cases throughout the month of December in Iowa and Illinois. Health experts and veterinarians across the U.S. reported an increase in the number of dogs sick for an unusually long time and have been scrambling to explain the recent surge in the past few months. Researchers at the University of New Hampshire are examining whether a new bacterium is causing infections, but some experts think the surge may be due to a combination of run-of-the-mill canine respiratory illnesses. "As a reminder, dog park users must follow all posted dog park rules including making sure their dogs are up to date on vaccinations and staying home if their dogs show signs of illness," the alerts stated. Where are area dog parks? Bettendorf Crow Creek Dog Park: 4701 Devils Glen Rd. Davenport Centennial Dog Park: 315 S. Marquette St. Robin Creek Dog Park: 4411 N. Marquette St. Moline Butterworth Dog Park: 15th Street and 8th Avenue Greenvalley Dog Park: 6009 50th Ave. Rock Island 28th Street and 78th Avenue West Update: This story has been updated as more cities have announced they plan to reopen their dog parks. PHOTOS: Canine Blood Bank of Quad-Cities asks for doggy donors DES MOINES Proposed rules meant to provide guidance to physicians for performing abortions under a new law that remains tied up in court are too vague and restrictive and would hinder efforts to recruit and retain physicians, doctors and opponents argued Thursday to the Iowa Board of Medicine. The warnings came during a public hearing in advance of the board meeting Jan. 12 to review feedback and further consider rules for the implementation of the law that would ban most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy. Lawmakers last year passed and Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law House File 732 which remains tied up in court during a rare special session of the Legislature. It would change the amount of time women have to seek an abortion from 20 weeks post-fertilization to as little as six weeks before many women know theyre pregnant. The legislation prohibits abortions after cardiac activity is detected in an embryo. The law quickly was stayed by a Polk County District Court judge, who granted a request from Iowa abortion providers to halt enforcement of the new restrictions until the laws constitutionality can be considered by the courts, while allowing the process that will draft rules for the laws implementation to continue. The proposed rules include specific guidance on how medical providers are to implement exceptions for rape, incest, fatal fetal abnormalities and medical emergencies contained in the new law. While the ban contains some exceptions for abortions, some Iowa physicians have warned the restrictions do not account for complications that occur during pregnancy, and would hinder their ability to provide care and respond to time-sensitive issues. There is no set of rules that ever adequately address the spectrum of pregnancy emergencies or private reproductive health decisions we are entitled to make for ourselves, Leah Vanden Bosch, of Des Moines, said during the hearing. Bosch said she struggled with severe depression and eating disorders, and chose to receive a safe and legal abortion due to medical concerns pregnancy would cause. Republican lawmakers and supporters of the law say the exceptions allow medical providers to exercise judgment and provide abortions when they believe one applies. Opponents contend the uncertainty and worry among physicians of potentially losing their medical license could prompt providers to put off abortions if they're uncertain. Under the proposed rules, to determine whether patients qualify for the exceptions for rape and incest, physicians would be required to gather details from women to determine when a sex act occurred, including if and when the act was first reported to law enforcement, a public or private health agency or a family physician. Doctors would be required to document the information in the patients medical records and make a good-faith assessment" that the woman is being truthful, and may require them to attest the information was true and accurate to the best of her understanding. Dr. Emily Boevers, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Waverly, said the rules mandate medically trained professionals to try to interpret legal concepts. Dr. Rebecca Shaw, an OB-GYN and associate professor at Des Moines University, speaking on behalf of the states sexual assault response teams, encouraged the board to consider input from sexual assault nurse examiners before implementing the rules. As for determining whether a fetus has an abnormality that in the physician's reasonable medical judgment is incompatible with life, doctors would be required to document diagnostic tests and procedures performed and their results, along with a description as to why they support the diagnosis. Sue Huppert, chief external and government affairs officer at Des Moines University, said she worries the rules would prevent the full scope of medical training necessary to practice in Iowa. The University of Iowa houses the only obstetrics and gynecology residency program in the state. However, Huppert, said there has been interest from other health care organizations to create another residency program in the state. She urged the board consider national accreditation requirements that are needed for the programs. Iowa has among the fewest OB-GYN specialists per capita of any state in the country, according to data from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. One-third of Iowa counties are considered maternity care deserts without a hospital or birth center offering obstetric care and without any obstetric providers, according to a 2022 report by the March of Dimes, a nonprofit focused on maternal and infant health. The lack of providers, particularly in rural areas, force expecting women to frequently take off work and drive long distances for appointments. Obstetrician gynecologists are already rare in Iowa, Boevers said. I do anticipate that adopting rules like these will make that situation even harder. Boevers said she is the only OB-GYN at the hospital where she practices, and has been unable to recruit another to replace two who retired. Treating our patients as people who need to be interrogated about their traumas, and treating providers as extensions of government needed to gather these details and document them in what should be records that reflect medical care, is going to jeopardize our ability to form a bond with our patients and provide them good care, she said. And its also going to jeopardize our ability to recruit and retain providers in the state. Steven Wahle, a physician and member of the board at of UnityPoint Health-St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, urged the board to provide better clarity to help avoid some of the risks that our provides face under these uncertain type of parameters. This is not a Democrat or Republican issue. This is a health care issue, Wahle said. ...Physicians are very risk averse. They have their patients interests in mind. And when theyre faced with this dilemma of not knowing whether theyre going to be adversely affected in their careers, making clinical decisions is not the appropriate direction they need to be faced with. Deb Ross of Rapid City might have died without life-saving equipment, including an automated CPR machine called a Lucas 3 device, that first responders used after she suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest. Now Deb is raising money to fund the purchase of a Lucas 3 device, and shes raising awareness about the need for more of them locally. Deb has launched a GoFundMe campaign to benefit Black Hawk Volunteer Fire Department so it can purchase a Lucas 3 device, a portable machine that performs automated chest compressions. A Lucas device takes the place of a person performing CPR and is more consistent than a person or team of people performing CPR. The GoFundMe campaign is aiming to raise $25,000. The cost of a Lucas 3 device is about $20,000 to $22,000. The price of Lucas machines makes them unaffordable for many volunteer fire departments. Currently, only five of the 20 volunteer fire department in Pennington County have a Lucas machine, according to Pennington County Fire Administrator Jerome Harvey. Each volunteer fire department is responsible for buying its own Lucas machine if it has the funds to do so. In addition to the GoFundMe, Deb plans to look for grants that could help fund Lucas devices. Currently, Harvey said the South Dakota Municipal League Workers Compensation Fund has first come, first served grant funds available for a Lucas 3, v3.1 Chest Compression System Model 99576, including the accessories of an external power supply and three rechargeable batteries. However, the grant does not exceed $4,000. A Lucas 3 device was vital to Debs survival on her nearly fatal day. Fortunately, Rapid Valley Volunteer Fire Department the nearest to Debs home has one. A significant benefit of a Lucas machine is that it frees emergency personnel to perform other essential medical care on the person in distress, according to Capt. James Bussell of Rapid Valley Volunteer Fire Department. On the afternoon of Sept. 15, Deb said she wasnt feeling sick or unwell, and didnt recall any indications that she was about to suffer a life-threatening medical event. I was at home. I sat down in my recliner and I woke up in the intensive care unit a day or two later. I had a complete cardiorespiratory arrest. Basically, I died, she said. A cardiorespiratory arrest is a sudden loss of breathing, heart function and consciousness, according to the National Library of Medicine. Debs husband, Jim, called 9-1-1 and started CPR, following instructions given by a dispatcher from Pennington County, Bussell said. The Rapid Valley Volunteer Fire Department and a medic unit from Rapid City Fire Department were sent to Ross home. When the first two firefighters arrived from Rapid Valley, they relieved Jim Ross and took over caring for Deb. Thanks to my husband and first responders, they saved my life. When the fire department got there, they put a Lucas machine on me, Deb said. It allows their hands to be free to do other stuff because I had to be shocked, I had to have breathing equipment. Without the Lucas machine, they wouldnt have time to do the other stuff I needed. Within five minutes of Jim Ross call, two more members of Rapid Valley Volunteer Fire Department arrived. According to Bussell, a Lucas 3 device was put into operation to perform chest compressions while firefighters attached an automated external defibrillator to Deb to deliver a shock. With the help of the Lucas 3 device, CPR, defibrillation and ventilation that breathed for Deb were all taking place simultaneously. Bussell said Deb was defibrillated a second time before the ambulance from Rapid City Fire Department arrived. Advanced life support measures took place on scene which restored Debs heartbeat before the ambulance headed for Monument Health Rapid City Hospital. Deb said she was in a medically induced coma on a ventilator for one day and remained hospitalized for several days. When Deb was released from the hospital, she learned about the Lucas 3 device that helped save her life. She was told that fewer than 10% of people who suffer a cardiorespiratory attack outside a medical setting survive it, and the use of a Lucas machine increases the chances of survival. I am blessed not to have neurological deficiencies because the Lucas machine kept my blood going to my brain, Deb said. Anybody that has the same cardiac event, I want them to have the opportunity to live as I did. Harvey said Pennington County volunteer fire departments go to more than 200 calls about heart or cardiac-related emergencies annually, though he said the actual number of cardiac events is higher because some calls that are initially about something else, such as an injury, turn out to be cardiac events. Lack of funding for equipment While on medical leave as she recovered from the cardiorespiratory attack, Deb and Jim Ross attended the annual pancake fundraiser at Black Hawk Volunteer Fire Department, where friends of theirs work. I said, I really want to see this Lucas machine that saved my life. I have no clue what it is or what it looks like, Deb said. Deb learned that Black Hawk VFD wants a Lucas machine but doesnt have funding to purchase one, and that prompted her to start a GoFundMe for them. Black Hawk VFD goes to an average of 10 to 15 cardiac arrest calls each year. The department covers about 36 square miles, including Summerset and some of unincorporated Meade County. I couldnt believe the machine that saved my life is not out there, Deb said. When you think about our volunteer fire departments, theyre usually on the outskirts of town [and farther from the hospital]. Kurt Klunder, fire chief at Black Hawk Volunteer Fire Department, said the department has been trying for the past couple of years to get a Lucas machine but has been unable to because of the cost. Once you put a Lucas machine on someone, it does perfect CPR until you shut it off or the battery goes dead, Klunder said. A Lucas machine battery lasts about 45 minutes. The American Heart Association says for every minute your heart is not pumping blood effectively, your life expectancy drops 10% per minute, he said. Deb hopes to raise awareness in the state legislature and possibly the state Department of Health about the need for more Lucas devices in Pennington County and elsewhere. Interior Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Cliff McClure said that fire department, which serves outlying locations including the Badlands, has been talking about the need for a Lucas machine for about three years but has not had the funding for one. Interior VFD responded to five cardiac calls three of which were in the Badlands in 2023. Weve been trying to get a Lucas machine, but its tough when youre a volunteer fire department. Youre not going to raise $20,000 at a pancake supper, McClure said. The Lucas machines ability to perform CPR for longer periods of time would benefit the department that McClure said is about 30 miles from the nearest ambulance and 80 miles from Monument Health Rapid City Hospital. Well get you the first line of defense to hopefully keep you alive and get you taken care of until we get that ambulance there, McClure said. I think [Lucas machines] are a great unit. If we can give somebody that chance at life, thats the biggest thing. If we got that Lucas machine on them, were keeping blood flowing and now somebody can concentrate on getting oxygen into their system and they still have a good chance. Easing the strain on first responders The Lucas machines role in emergency care also benefits first responders, for whom performing CPR takes a physical and mental toll. The machine maintains a consistent speed and depth of chest compressions, which people may struggle to do because of fatigue, weather conditions or distractions around them. Its tough on us. Youve got to rotate so many people when youre doing chest compressions, McClure said. The more tired anybody gets, are you effectively doing the compressions? Fatigue can affect first responders to the point that it becomes unsafe for them to continue CPR, Harvey said. If youre deep in the Badlands and its 110 degrees and youre trying to resuscitate this person and perform good quality CPR, youve got to take into account fatigue and the potential for injuries for rescue crews, Harvey said. Youre trying to do everything you can to give the person having an emergency the best possible chance of surviving. We dont want to endanger ourselves. Thats where I see these types of Lucas devices being particularly helpful the ability to help our people and manage fatigue and prevent injuries and make sure [patients] are getting quality chest compressions, Harvey said. It would be nice to have Lucas devices everywhere. Bussell said Rapid Valley Volunteer Fire Department has had a Lucas device since 2015. It provides high quality chest compressions at a rate of 102 beats per minute, per the manufacturer. Where a human provider performing chest compressions would most certainly tire after a short period of time, the Lucas device does not. Becoming fatigued results in lower quality chest compressions, thus lowering the amount of oxygenated blood delivered to the body. The Lucas performs optimal chest compressions throughout the event and allows rescuers the opportunity to focus on other essential tasks, Bussell said. In the intensity of a medical emergency, a Lucas machine frees first responders to hook up other equipment the patient might require. Not having to perform CPR themselves means first responders are available to talk to other agencies, such as another fire department, Life Flight or an ambulance thats coming to assist. If needed, first responders are also available to call a physician and receive medical instructions, McClure said. The physical demands of performing CPR are exhausting, causing wrist, back and abdominal muscle strain and sometimes injuries. After performing CPR, youre out for a day or two. Sometimes youve got to recuperate, McClure said. McClure said the mental strain on first responders is even higher than physical strain, and he believes Lucas machines can ease some of the mental stress. Its mental toll as well as physical, he said. [A first responder] can only take so much, especially if youre doing everything you possibly can and [the person] still dies The mental strain on responders is tough. A Lucas machine could help with that tremendously. Though McClure is grateful first responders now have greater access to counseling, the mental strain causes some responders to have nightmares, leave the profession or sometimes even die by suicide. First responders need support to do their jobs. Were there to save your life, but it takes a toll on first responders and their families, McClure said. To donate, go to https://gf.me/v/c/gfm/black-hawk-sd-volunteer-fire-dept-cpr-machine or take donations to Black Hawk Volunteer Fire Department between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or mail donations to the fire department at 6010 Peaceful Pines Road, Black Hawk, SD 57718. Imagine you are severely injured as a result of medical malpractice. You are permanently disabled, physically and emotionally, and will live with medical treatments and pain for the rest of your life. Your family life and intimate relations with your partner are forever shattered. You sue, and, after a two-week trial, the jury awards you $15 million in economic damages (those with quantifiable amounts like past and future medical expenses and lost wages) and $20 million in non-economic damages (those without a specific dollar value, but which are determined and awarded by the jury) for past and future pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of established course of life and loss of consortium. If you and the jury believe you are going to get the $20 million from the negligent partys insurers, think again! Since 1995, the Legislature has capped those damages at $250,000. And, thats all the insurers will pay! There is more to this than can be reasonably discussed within my word limitations here. But, besides being deprived of the money that will make the rest of your life more bearable and less stressful, you are being deprived of two constitutionally protected rights. First, Article II, Section 16 of Montanas Constitution guarantees that: Courts of justice shall be open to every person, and a speedy remedy afforded for every injury of person, property or character...Right and justice shall be administered without sale, denial or delay. This is known a full legal redress. Several Montana Supreme Court (MSCT) decisions prior to 1986 honored this plain and unambiguous language and held that Article II, Section 16 was a fundamental right, meaning that the legislature could not infringe this right without a compelling state interest. You were entitled to the full legal redress the Constitution guaranteed. But, in 1987, apparently to provide cover for employers being sued for wrongful discharge, the Legislature enacted the Wrongful Discharge From Employment Act which, among other things, expressly prohibited recovery of non-economic damages in wrongful discharge cases, ( 39-2-901,905 MCA). Worse, when this prohibition was challenged, the MSCT overruled previous case law, determined that Article II, Section 16 was not a fundamental right, and ruled that the Legislature had the power to impose the subject non-economic damage prohibition. Meech v. Hillhaven West, Inc., 238 Mont. 21 (1989), was legally flawed for reasons too numerous to discuss here. However, that decision opened the door for the Legislature to enact, in 1995, the cap of $250,000 on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases ( 25-9-411 MCA). Aside from its other errors, the Meech Court ignored precedent and the cardinal rule of constitutional construction: [Constitutional] language must be construed according to its plain meaning, and if the language is clear and unambiguous, no further interpretation is required...[we] give a broad and liberal interpretation to the Constitution. The intent of the framers of the Constitution controls and is determined from the plain language of the words used. Moreover, besides being deprived of the full legal redress that Article II, Section 16 guarantees, you are also being deprived of your right to a trial by jury, guaranteed in Article II, Section 26. In pertinent part, this section provides: The right of trial by jury is secured to all and shall remain inviolate... Again, this plain language empowers the jury not the Legislature to assess and determine non-economic damage amounts. The jury determines what constitutes full legal redress. The Meech Court created these injustices. Hopefully, an injured plaintiff will provide the present Court the opportunity to correct these errors. Note: Readers may also consider reading the five-part series focused on Montana's medical malpractice cap authored by Casey Conlon, Q2 News, Senior Reporter, Billings and MTN News. Read the final part (which contains internal links to the previous four), at: https://www.kxlh.com/mtn-investigates/malpractice-in-montana-the-future-of-the-cap.) Further, this subject is discussed in a law review comment authored by Alexander Blewett IV, at Montana Law Review, Volume 68, Issue 2, Summer 2007, Article 10, at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/mlr/vol68/iss2/10/ (Photo : Unsplash/Souvik Banerjee) LinkedIn is a solid professional network for job searches and an excellent social platform for organizations seeking partnerships, recruiting, and monitoring the competition. SEO techniques to improve your profile can boost visibility and attract potential employers or clients. It's crucial to craft a compelling headline and summary with relevant keywords, but using specific keyword-rich descriptions of your skills and experience, emphasizing industry-related keywords, and showcasing measurable achievements can improve your profile's SEO and position yourself ahead in this platform. What is LinkedIn SEO? LinkedIn SEO involves optimizing your LinkedIn page and posts to make them easily discoverable through LinkedIn search. LinkedIn SEO, much like techniques for boosting website rankings on search engines like Google, includes researching and incorporating relevant keywords throughout your LinkedIn page. These keywords convey the essence of your page, such as industry-specific terms or product details, and enhance the chances of potential customers and applicants finding your page or service quickly. Why is LinkedIn SEO Important? SEO is about improving content visibility on search engines. Selecting the right keywords and optimizing your content, such as including them in titles, increases the chances of people finding your page when searching for those keywords. LinkedIn SEO involves using keywords that convey the content of your profile, company page, or posts. READ ALSO: Reaching Out With Recruiters Through LinkedIn Will Get You Ahead of Your Application, Expert Says 5 LinkedIn SEO Optimization Tactics for Better Reach LinkedIn SEO involves more than just using the right keywords. Here are some actions you can take to enhance the SEO for your LinkedIn page. 1. Optimize Your Headline as an Elevator Pitch Your headline is among the initial elements people will see. While this can attract clicks, it might not be the most effective way to reach your audience. Instead, use keywords related to your company or industry in your headline. Keep it concise-one or two relevant keywords will suffice. 2. Customize Your URL LinkedIn will assign a default URL for your page, typically a string of numbers. You can modify the URL to include a keyword relevant to your industry or have your name if your company is already well-known in your niche to boost your LinkedIn page's SEO. 3. Optimize Your About Section In your About section, explain how your company stands out and why your product is an excellent choice for customers, and share your journey. You can use up to 2,600 characters, roughly translating to 371 to 650 words based on your choice of words. If you're unsure how to begin, use tools like Google Trends to discover trending keywords in your industry and incorporate these keywords into your About section. 4. Write LinkedIn Posts Optimized for SEO Try LinkedIn's article feature that allows you to host a blog on your LinkedIn page. This means you can explore industry-related topics more in-depth than in a regular post and help boost your SEO profile. Demonstrating expertise in this way can establish your brand as an authority in the field. 5. Keep Your Page Complete and Up-to-Date Completing every section of your LinkedIn page provides opportunities to add keywords, boosting your page's ranking. Ensure you fill in the following fields and include relevant information: Your tagline: Your tagline is your page or profile's elevator pitch. Keep it brief, but have one or two keywords that describe your work. About: Conduct keyword research to determine the best content for this section. Use it as a LinkedIn SEO to explain what you do and how you do it and highlight what makes you stand out from competitors. Website: Be sure to include your company's website in this field. Industry: Include your sector to help job seekers find your company's page more quickly. Specialties: You can add numerous keywords here, linking your company page directly to high-value search terms. Products: No matter what your product or service is, the Products tab is an excellent place for SEO. Adding a product lets you describe it in a paragraph, and LinkedIn users may add it as a skill on their profiles, expanding your reach. RELATED ARTICLE: How to Use LinkedIn for Recruiting and Lead Generation 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A Helena man who drove onto the state Capitol complex in late-July and caused nearly $7,000 in damage was sentenced Wednesday to five years in the Montana State Prison. Christopher James Yarns was charged with driving under the influence (fifth offense), a felony count of criminal endangerment and a felony count of desecration of a capitol, place of worship, cemetery or public memorial. Court documents said that he had a blood alcohol level of .158 during the time of the incident. Officers in the documents said that he placed four people in "substantial risk of serious bodily injury or death" who were seen in video footage of the incident. "This is a very serious incident that occurred, Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Mike McMahon said during the sentencing. Yarns apologized for his actions before McMahon imposed the five-year sentence. He was ordered to pay restitution based on the state's pre-sentencing investigation. Yarns was arrested about 10 a.m. July 29 after Helena police received a call of someone driving erratically on the Capitol complex at Sixth and Montana avenues. Officers said the defendant and his vehicle pulled four bollards out of the ground and damaged an outside staircase. The Flag Plaza area on the north side of Capitol Square sustained about $7,000 worth of damage to fixtures and landscape features, a spokeswoman for the Department of Administration, which oversees the grounds through its General Services Division, said in August. The $644,000 flag plaza honors Montanas Native Americans and was unveiled in October 2020. The eight tribal nation flags fly next to the U.S. and Montana flags on the north lawn between the grand staircase and the statue of Thomas Francis Meagher. A group of legislators lent their support Thursday to a ballot measure that would change general elections for several offices in Montana to be held by a majority vote. The states elections now are done by plurality vote, meaning whoever gets the most votes wins. But if the proposed initiative gathers enough signatures to make the ballot this fall and sees voter approval, later elections would be held by a majority. Majority voting is where a person must get more than half the total number of votes cast to be victorious. The measure is known as Ballot Issue No. 13. It's been submitted for the 2024 general election and is being reviewed for legal sufficiency before supporters could gather signatures to try to get it on the ballot. Our growing coalition believes strongly that it is ... important philosophically that the person that represents a group of constituents enjoys the support of the majority of people, said former Republican state Rep. Frank Garner, a sponsor of the proposal. We think that's important for a number of reasons, which also includes that it tends to provide for the opportunity for more collaboration, more inclusive representation for that group of people, and we think that is an important value in good government. Garner and other supporters said they felt majority elections would also dampen the voices of outside special interests trying to push the needle in Montana. They pointed to a handful of people elected to statewide office in Montana over the years without a majority of the vote and said they thought theyd still succeed under the system proposed. They also pointed to the Legislatures own requirement of majority winners for their leadership elections, and a similar process the state GOP adopted to elect its leadership after concerns over a plurality election several years ago. We think it is very important that we provide Montanans the opportunity to enjoy the right to decide whether they want to be represented by somebody who has the support of the majority or a minority of the people that they represent, Garner said. No one testified against the proposal, though state Sen. Wendy McKamey raised concerns, especially related to parts of the proposal that would be left up to the Legislature to implement. McKamey was the sole vote against supporting the measure. I frankly think that we're working fine with things as they are and the Constitution is difficult to change once it has been changed, McKamey said. I'm not going to say that we're treating our constitution like a science project, but it does feel a little bit like it here. The State Administration and Veterans Affairs interim committee's decision will show up on signature-gathering forms. Committee approval or disapproval of a measure cannot stop or advance it. Former Democratic legislator Tom Jacobson, of Great Falls, spoke in support of Ballot Issue No. 13, saying he thought it would make government function better. I also believe that the way we elect people in Montana right now undermines the ability of elected officials to put politics aside and solve problems, Jacobson said. Not every problem in our politics is solvable, but this one is. We can change the structure of how we elect people to better ensure elected officials are accountable to a majority of their constituents. The measure, if approved by voters, would be effective in 2025. It leaves some things for the Legislature to determine, such as what happens in the case of a tie or no winner. If the Legislature in 2025 does not step in to clarify those provisions, it could lead to litigation, according to a legislative staffer asked during Thursdays meeting about the possibility. Montanans for Election Reform is the group backing the measure. The same group has gotten approval to collect signatures for another election-related measure, which would provide for a top-four primary election. Attorney General Austin Knudsen initially rejected the measure as not constitutionally up to snuff. During the legislative session in 2023, lawmakers rejected a top-two primary system bill. Montanans for Election Reform has received nearly all its funding, totaling $185,000, from a Houston-based group called Action Now Inc. The organization is a political advocacy group that does not have to report its donors. It was founded by billionaires John and Laura Arnold and the group has engaged on several measures in other states as well. The organization's website says it supports ranked-choice voting, independent redistricting and open primaries. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester and several other Democratic lawmakers in tossup Senate races are asking the Biden administration to abandon plans for tougher air pollution standards for power plants. In a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, the senators requested the agency collaborate with unions and power plant owners on maintaining affordable, reliable power; protecting American energy independence; protecting jobs; and lowering emissions. Tester coauthored the letter with Sens. Sherrod Brown, of Ohio; Joe Manchin, of West Virginia; Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly of Arizona. Republicans have made flipping the seats in Arizona, Montana and West Virginia a 2024 priority. The Republicans benefit, Manchin has announced he wont seek re-election. Sinema has left the Democratic Party and is running as an Independent. At issue are EPA plans for tighter limits on power plant greenhouse gas emissions. Power plants account for 25% of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States. The proposed New Source Performance Standards for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units would require power plant owners to capture most carbon dioxide emissions within 16 years. Colstrip Power Plant is one of the nations biggest emitters of carbon dioxide pollution, with about 10.9 million tons emitted in 2021. Announcing the proposed limits in May, EPA Secretary Michael Regan said that innovative technology will be key to curbing greenhouse gases. But Tester and the other Democrats questioned whether the technology was far enough along to serve as a parachute for coal power. Regan suggested in May that technology standards would compel power plants to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 617 million metric tons by 2042. The pollution would likely be cut through best-available-science emissions controls, a pivot to cleaner burning fuels, or a combination of both. The possibility of tougher pollution standards was met with alarm by two owners of Colstrip Power Plant, namely NorthWestern Energy and Talen Energy, both of which are trying to acquire more shares of Colstrip from owners facing bans on coal power in Washington and Oregon. NorthWestern expects to double its owned coal power generation in Montana at the end of 2025 and indicated it would be looking for more Colstrip power if it became available. Kathleen Potter, Talen Energys senior environmental professional, told EPA the new standards would drive Colstrip into closure. Talen has significant concerns about the proposal, particularly as it pertains to existing coal-fired steam generating units. The concerns stem from the unique circumstances of Colstrip, said Potter, in testimony to EPA. Per the Proposal, Colstrip would be forced to either: (1) retire by the end of 2031; (2) retire by the end of 2034 but adopt an annual capacity factor limit by 20 percent from 2030; (3) retire by the end of 2039 and co-fire 40 percent natural gas from 2030; or (4) operate past 2039 and install CCS with 90 percent carbon dioxide (CO2) capture by 2030. For it to operate beyond 2034, Colstrip would need to make massive capital investments, including on supporting infrastructure such as pipelines, to co-fire natural gas or to implement CCS. Colstrip currently does not have any ability to implement either technology. Talen, the power plant operator at Colstrip, emerged from bankruptcy in late 2022. Potter told EPA that Colstrip would shut down rather than operate intermittently during times of peak demand. Montanas congressional Republicans, Sen. Steve Daines and Reps. Matt Rosendale and Ryan Zinke were quick to blast the EPAs proposed rule in May. Zinke suggested the rule would lead to high priced electricity and brownouts. The threat of shutdown over tougher pollution limits is similar to Colstrip owners response to the Clean Power Plan of the Barack Obama presidency. That plan proposed that each state as a whole meet tougher greenhouse gas emissions standards, which in Montanas case meant shutting down the two dirtiest of Colstrips four units. The Clean Power Plan died in court, while Colstrips Units 1 and 2 were shuttered for being uneconomical. But the politics of a Democratic president attempting to curb climate change, put the partys statewide elected officials on the hot seat in Montana. Steve Bullock, Montanas former Democratic governor, accused President Obama of moving the goalposts of climate change policy to Montanas disadvantage. Bullock was up for reelection in 2016 when EPA informed Montana it would have to cut carbon emissions by 21%. Votes in Rosebud Co. Colstrip is in Rosebud County, which combined with neighboring Big Horn County, comprise the heart of Montana coal country. Both counties have coal-fired power plants, though Hardin Generation Station in Big Horn County operates little to not at all. Both counties are home to Montanas largest, open-pit coal mines, which are also struggling. Big Horn Countys Decker Mine closed in early 2021 after losing its last powerplant customer. There were no takers for Decker Mine, which remains closed. The Absaloka mine, with mineral rights owned by the Crow Tribe of Indians, produced less than 2 million tons of coal in 2023 as its mainstay customer Sherburne County Generation Station in Minnesota transitions to solar power. In Rosebud County, the closures of Colstrip Units 1 and 2 have cut into the coal production of Rosebud Mine. EPAs proposed greenhouse gas emissions are just one of the pollution regulations on the horizon that could drive up the cost of operating Colstrip. There are tougher mercury air toxics emissions standards in the works, as well. Testers share of the vote in these two coal counties has been shrinking over the past three elections. Voting records show the Democrat won 55% of the vote in Rosebud County in 2006 when he unseated incumbent Republican Sen. Conrad Burns. In 2012, Tester won 48% of the vote. By 2018, he was down to 44%. In Big Horn County, Testers share of the vote has slid from 74% in 2006 to 64% in 2018. In the 2018 election, Republicans were trying out a new slogan Big Horn Countys American Indian majority: A war on coal, is a war on Indian families. M A Hossain The recent adjudication of Dr. Muhammad Yunus in the Labor Court stands as a seminal moment in the judicial annals of Bangladesh. Over the decades, he has consistently commanded a conspicuous global presence, drawing the attention of international media, luminaries, and dignitaries, while self-promoting as the 'savior of the poor' and the 'father of microcredit'. Notably, some Western leaders, including former US first lady Hillary Clinton, praised Yunus, in part because of his significant contributions to the Clinton Foundation. Despite accusations against Yunus of trapping millions of Bangladesh's poor in a spiral of debt through Grameen Bank and other microfinance initiatives, he is celebrated globally as a microfinance pioneer and founder of Grameen Bank, though his alleged exploitation of the poor has been largely ignored. The audacity exhibited by the Bangladesh Awami League government in eschewing the disapprobation of the Western powers has engendered a palpable commotion in the international sphere. However, lately beneath the surface, a series of controversies have marred the reputation of Yunus, his brainchild Grameen Bank, and its affiliated organizations, Grameen Telecom and Grameen Kalyan. One of the primary accusations facing Yunus and his affiliated entities revolves around financial irregularities, including tax evasion, embezzlement, and the misappropriation of funds from various affiliate organizations. The specific case involving Grameen Telecom, where a legal obligation to share 5 percent of profits with employees allegedly went unfulfilled, resulted in a case filed under Sections 4, 7, 8, 117, and 234 of the Labor Act in Bangladesh. This highlights the serious legal implications and underscores the need for a comprehensive investigation. The involvement of 106 Nobel Laureates, urging Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to halt legal proceedings against Yunus, adds a layer of complexity to the situation. While the laureates may argue that Yunus is being persecuted, critics maintain that this international support ignores the constitutional limits and may inadvertently undermine the rule of law. Bangladesh's government committee's findings in 2011, revealing rule breaches and fund misuse, further stress the importance of an unbiased examination of the allegations. Another significant point of contention arises from the alleged manipulation of Grameen Bank's ownership structure. Originally, members owned 60 percent of the shares, with the government holding the remaining 40 percent. However, investigations indicate that a 1986 amendment shifted the balance, giving 75 percent of the shares to the members and only 25 percent to the government. This apparent violation of Section 7 of the Grameen Ordinance raises questions about the transparency and legality of such changes. Legal experts in Bangladesh argue that the increase in paid-up capital by Grameen Bank lacks proper authorization. According to them, the power to increase paid-up capital rests solely with the government, and any unilateral action by the bank may constitute a breach of the law. The absence of documented evidence showcasing government authorization for the increase raises concerns about the adherence to legal procedures within Grameen Bank. The process surrounding the appointment of Muhammad Yunus as the Managing Director of Grameen Bank has also come under intense scrutiny. While the initial appointment by the government followed due processes, subsequent amendments shifted the responsibility to the Board of Directors. However, discrepancies in Yunus's appointment, including exceeding the age limit set by government employment rules, cast doubt on the legitimacy of his tenure. The violation of service rules, particularly the alleged absence of preapproval from Bangladesh Bank, adds another layer to the controversy. Yunus's classification as a public servant, as defined by the Bangladesh Penal Code, adds a legal dimension to the controversies. The 2011 review committee identified several breaches of service terms, including frequent absence, unauthorized foreign travel, and the acceptance of funds without proper permissions. The alleged concealment of Yunus's position while establishing affiliated ventures abroad further complicates the narrative. The controversies surrounding Muhammad Yunus, Grameen Bank, and Grameen Telecom present a tangled web of financial, legal, and ethical issues. While media and international support may cast Yunus as a victim, the evidence suggests a more nuanced reality. The intertwining of financial irregularities, ownership structure manipulation, and appointment controversies demands a thorough and impartial investigation. As these allegations continue to capture global attention, the need for accountability and adherence to legal processes remains paramount to ensure justice prevails over influential affiliations and international support. Yunus strategically showcased Jobra village and the narrative of Sufia as exemplary success tales, gaining significant international attention. Dr. Yunus got the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his role as a 'pioneer' of microcredit, and he exhibited Sufia's name as a symbol of success, though, unbeknownst to many, Sufia had succumbed to extreme poverty. Sufia, the first borrower from Grameen Bank, struggled after her husband's death, working in vegetables to sustain her family. Despite paying back loans, she never recovered her deposit. Danish journalist Tom Heinemann, internationally acclaimed, along with Weekly Blitz, unveiled the authentic narrative of Sufia's family, revealing their impoverished existence in makeshift huts. One of her daughters suffered a mental breakdown due to economic hardships and the burden of loans. Later, Yunus promised of financial assistance to Sufia's family, but his unfulfilled promises and misleading representations further highlight the stark contrast between the acclaimed microcredit pioneer and the harsh reality faced by those he purportedly aimed to uplift. According to media reports, a court in Bangladesh has sentenced the Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to six months in jail for violating the country's labor laws. Following the verdict, Yunus told reporters, "As my lawyers have convincingly argued in court, this verdict against me is contrary to all legal precedent and logic. I call for the Bangladeshi people to speak in one voice against injustice and in favor of democracy and human rights for each and every one of our citizens". Here again, an influential international figure like Dr. Yunus has reverted to his longstanding tendency of disseminating misinformation, and it is highly likely that he will continue leveraging international media coverage to mislead through his Western friends. In such instances, if global journalists are to uphold the ethical standards of their noble profession, they ought to diligently probe into Yunus's questionable actions. In doing so, rather than defending him, they may find themselves accusing him of deceiving millions of impoverished women in Bangladesh over the course of decades. In a civic society, the law must prevail and be equal for all. Geneva/Guwahati, 3 January 2024: With 140 journalists killed, 2023 was the deadliest year in ten years, Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), the global media safety and rights body, announced in Geneva on Wednesday. Two-thirds of the victims were in the Middle-East, with almost one killed every day in the last three months of the year in Gaza. The PEC strongly condemns all these attacks and sends its condolences to the victims' families and loved ones. It calls for those responsible for these crimes to be brought to justice as quickly as possible. Of the 140 media workers killed in 28 countries, at least 81 have been killed in the Gaza Strip since 7 October. Most of them are Palestinian working for different media outlets, including foreign media. They were killed in indiscriminate Israeli strikes, often in their homes, along with members of their families. The Asian region lost 12 journalists to assailants till the last day of December. Pakistan and India lost three scribes each, while Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Philippines have lost two media persons each in the year. "We condemn these indiscriminate strikes, which do not distinguish between civilians and Hamas fighters. While it is difficult to verify whether journalists were intentionally targeted or not, the Israeli army has systematically destroyed the Palestinian media in Gaza by bombing their offices and facilities," said Blaise Lempen, president of PEC (https://pressemblem.ch/casualties.shtml), adding that the UN should investigate the exact circumstances in which Palestinian journalists have been killed since 7 October. This is the highest media death toll in a conflict in such a short space of time. The PEC regrets that foreign media access to Gaza remains impracticable due to the security conditions, which prevents independent reporting from the parties to the conflict. Outside the Gaza Strip, 59 journalists have been killed in 27 countries. The situation did not improve in Mexico, where 9 journalists were killed, and deteriorated in Guatemala, where 5 murdered. Four journalists died in the war in Ukraine (1 Italian, 1 French, 2 Russians), as did 4 in Israel during the Hamas attack on 7 October. Three victims were recorded in Cameroon, Lebanon besides India and Pakistan. Two victims were reported in the following countries: Haiti, Nigeria, United States of America besides Bangladesh, Afghanistan and the Philippines. One journalist was killed each in Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Egypt, Honduras, Lesotho, Mali, Mozambique, Paraguay, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan and Syria. By region, the Middle East led the way with 64% of cases (90 deaths), followed by Latin America with 20, Asia with 12, Africa with 11, Europe with 4 and North America with 3. Compared with 2022 (116 killed), a year marked by the start of the war in Ukraine, the increase in the number of victims is just over 20%. In 2012, the deadliest year since the beginning of the century, 141 journalists were killed (including 35 in the war in Syria). Over the last five years (2019 to 2023), the most dangerous countries for media workers were the Gaza Strip (Palestine) with 81 killed, followed by Mexico with 61 and Ukraine with 39. Next comes Pakistan with 32 deaths, India 31, Afghanistan 29, the Philippines 19, Honduras 14 and Syria 14, followed by Haiti 12 and Somalia 10. Over the last ten years (2014 to 2023), 1,147 media workers have been killed, an average of 2.2 per week. The Geneva-based organisation includes in its statistics all journalists killed, whether or not their death was related to their professional activity. It is difficult to prove that a crime was committed in connection with a journalist's work without a full and independent investigation, which is often lacking. A large hole is gaping in a three-storey building and debris litters the street amid charred cars in south Beirut where a strike blamed on Israel killed the deputy leader of Palestinian militant group Hamas. The day after loud blasts ripped through the district from the drone attack that killed Saleh al-Aruri, armed men of Hezbollah were standing guard in the mainly Shiite Muslim area that is their stronghold. Local residents said they were surprised to learn that their busy street in the Lebanese capital housed the secretive Hamas bureau in a non-descript building next to a pharmacy and a sweets shop. Israel has not claimed the deadly attack but Hamas, the group behind the October 7 attack that sparked the Gaza war, and Lebanese officials have no doubt it was Israel who killed Aruri and six Hamas operatives. Beirut's southern suburbs have long been a stronghold of the Iran-backed Hezbollah armed group, but it is also an overcrowded residential area packed with civilians, shops and restaurants. "No one knew that there was a Hamas office here," said Ahmed, 40, who works in the nearby sweets shop. "I heard three explosions, at first I thought it was thunder," he told AFP in disbelief. Shopkeepers were sweeping glass shards off the road near the impact site on Hadi Nasrallah street, named after Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah's late son, who was killed in fighting with Israel in 1997. The Lebanese army cordoned off the perimeter and Hezbollah militants dressed in black civilian clothing kept watch nearby. "Three Israeli drone strikes targeted the building," said a Hezbollah official who requested anonymity citing security concerns. - 'Expecting the worst' - Rescuers affiliated with Hezbollah rummaged through the remains of cars damaged or charred by the strikes, in an empty lot facing the building. "I was at the dentist's, a few meters away," said resident Mohammad Burji, 46, who lambasted Israel for striking "in the middle of a residential area". Beirut's southern suburbs have "been caught in the past in a war of annihilation, just like Gaza," he said, referring to heavy bombing during the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. Aruri, one of Hamas's main military strategists, was the first senior official of the movement killed during the Gaza war, in the first strike on the Lebanese capital since hostilities began. Israel has accused him of masterminding numerous attacks. After spending nearly two decades in Israeli prisons, Aruri was freed in 2010 on the condition he went into exile. Local police captain Ali Farran said residents who have lived through the 2006 war "are now expecting the worst", adding that the predominantly Shiite Muslim area is home to 800,000 people. Several exiled Hamas leaders have found refuge in Lebanon, under the protection of their ally Hezbollah. Hamas official Osama Hamdan holds near-daily press conferences in the southern suburbs, which have also housed Bahraini dissidents and Iran-backed Yemeni rebels. - 'Serious assault' - On Tuesday, Hezbollah warned that Aruri's killing in their stronghold was "a serious assault on Lebanon" that "will not go unanswered or unpunished". Nasrallah was expected to give a highly anticipated television address later Wednesday. The Gaza war started after the Hamas attack on Israel killed around 1,140 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. The militants also took around 250 hostages. Israel has launched a relentless military campaign in Gaza that has claimed over 22,000 lives, according to the territory's health ministry. Amid the war, Israel and Hezbollah have traded near-daily cross border fire. More than 160 people have been killed on the Lebanese side, most of them Hezbollah members but also more than 20 civilians including three journalists, according to an AFP tally. On the Israeli side, at least five civilians and nine soldiers have been killed, according to figures from the military. Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari, after Tuesday's attack, did not directly comment on Aruri's killing but said the military was "highly prepared for any scenario" in its aftermath. By: Tajul Islam According to media reports, infamous microcredit mafia, Muhammad Yunus, who has pushed lives of millions of poor women in Bangladesh into extreme adversity and sufferings has been handed six month's imprisonment by a court in Dhaka. Following the pronouncement of the verdict, Yunus has resorted to his old tactics of hiding truth beneath lies with the ulterior motive of gaining public sympathy. It is anticipated, a number of influential friends of Muhammad Yunus, including former Secretary of State Hillaru Clinton shall join Yunus with a massive media assault targeting Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and ruling Awami League. It may be mentioned here that Yunus is one of the biggest donors of the Clinton Foundation. In the international arena, few figures have attained the level of reverence accorded to Muhammad Yunus, renowned as the 'father of microcredit' and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. However, the glittering facade of microcredit success stories and accolades hides a labyrinth of controversies surrounding Yunus and Grameen Bank, the institution he founded. This article undertakes a comprehensive exploration of the intricate issues, delving into the complexities of financial irregularities, ownership structure manipulation, appointment controversies, and the often-overlooked stories of microcredit recipients. At the center of the controversies surrounding Yunus and Grameen Bank lies a mosaic of financial irregularities that have gradually come to light. Allegations ranging from tax evasion to embezzlement and misappropriation of funds within Grameen Bank and its affiliated entities have raised serious legal concerns. A notable case revolves around Grameen Telecom, where the failure to share profits with employees has resulted in legal action under various sections of the Labor Act in Bangladesh. The 2011 findings of a government committee have only heightened the urgency for a meticulous investigation into rule breaches and fund misuse, effectively challenging the prevailing narrative of Grameen Bank as an unassailable force for societal good. The involvement of 106 Nobel Laureates advocating for the suspension of legal proceedings against Yunus has added an intriguing layer of complexity to the unfolding narrative. While some assert that Yunus is a victim of persecution, others contend that international support might inadvertently undermine the rule of law. The laureates' intervention, coupled with the weight of allegations against Grameen Bank, necessitates a closer examination of the ethical and legal dimensions surrounding Yunus's activities. This prompts essential questions about the accountability, transparency, and potential ramifications of influential affiliations in the realm of international development. A significant point of contention revolves around the alleged manipulation of Grameen Bank's ownership structure. Investigations reveal a subtle shift in share distribution in 1986, raising pertinent questions about the transparency and legality of these alterations. Legal experts argue that the apparent lack of proper authorization calls into question the integrity of Grameen Bank, intensifying concerns about adherence to legal procedures within the organization and the potential impact on the myriad beneficiaries it claims to serve. The process surrounding Yunus's appointment as the Managing Director of Grameen Bank stands under intense scrutiny. Discrepancies, including surpassing the age limit set by government employment rules and the alleged absence of reapproval from Bangladesh Bank, cast a pall over the legitimacy of his tenure. Yunus's classification as a public servant adds a legal dimension to the controversies, with allegations of breaches of service terms, unauthorized foreign travel, and the acceptance of funds without proper permissions. These layers of complexity demand a nuanced examination of the ethical and legal implications surrounding the leadership of Grameen Bank and its impact on its vast clientele. Muhammad Yunus' poster woman Sufia Begum's tale of extreme poverty and sufferings In the world of microcredit, through mockery, deception and unending falsehood, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus stands tall as a pioneer, with Jobra village and the success story of Sufia Begum as shining examples. Yunus projected these narratives to the international community, garnering tremendous attention and accolades, ultimately securing the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. However, behind the facade of success, there lies a heartbreaking story that transcends borders - a story of poverty, hardship, and the harsh realities of life. Sufia Begum, the first borrower of a microcredit loan from Yunus's Grameen Bank, was once celebrated as a symbol of triumph. Yet, almost a decade before the accolades and fame, Sufia quietly succumbed to the clutches of extreme poverty and the lack of essential medical care. Her death on January 16, 1997, left behind two daughters - Nurunnahar and Fazilatunnahar - struggling to survive in the harsh economic landscape. Sufia's husband had long departed during their daughters' childhood, leaving her as the sole breadwinner. Dealing in vegetables, Sufia managed to arrange marriages for her daughters, but even after marriage, the daughters remained close to their mother's homestead, maintaining a reciprocal relationship for earning and sharing livelihood. Taking a loan of taka 60 more than 25 years ago, Sufia embarked on a journey with Grameen Bank, depositing one taka per day. Despite repaying loans and taking subsequent amounts, she never retrieved her initial deposit. The economic hardships, coupled with pressure from the Grameen Bank loans, took a toll on Sufia's elder daughter, leading to a loss of mental balance. Today, both daughters and their families find themselves in the grips of poverty. Fazilatunnahar's two sons, employed as rickshaw-pullers, live in straw-roofed huts with their wives and children. Fazilatunnahar, still grappling with mental instability, expresses anger towards outsiders and journalists, lamenting the adverse effects of the loans. Nurunnahar, the younger daughter, faces similar challenges. Her husband abandoned her long ago, leaving her to raise two sons and a daughter. The elder son, a rickshaw-puller, supports the entire family in their small, dilapidated hut that cannot withstand the rainy season. The tale of Sufia Begum's family serves as a poignant reminder that behind the accolades and success stories in microcredit, there exist shadows of untold struggles. It prompts us to question the sustainability and real impact of such initiatives, urging a closer examination of the long-term consequences on the lives of those who were once hailed as success stories. Recent developments, including a court in Bangladesh sentencing Muhammad Yunus to six months in jail for violating labor laws, add another layer to the already intricate controversies. Yunus's response, claiming the verdict goes against legal precedent and logic, invites scrutiny into the intersection of legal issues and political dynamics. The call for the Bangladeshi people to speak against injustice and for democracy further complicates the broader implications of these legal battles, marking a turning point in the ongoing saga. The controversies surrounding Muhammad Yunus, Grameen Bank, and affiliated organizations weave a complex narrative of financial, legal, and ethical challenges. While international support may depict Yunus as a victim, a nuanced reality emerges upon closer inspection. The intertwining of financial irregularities, ownership structure manipulation, appointment controversies, and the often-overlooked stories of microcredit recipients demand a thorough and impartial investigation. As allegations continue to capture global attention, the need for accountability and adherence to legal processes remains paramount. Journalists, in their pursuit of truth, must critically examine Yunus's actions, considering the implications for millions of impoverished individuals in Bangladesh who have been directly impacted by the practices of Grameen Bank. In this unfolding saga, the quest for transparency, justice, and a comprehensive understanding of microcredit's real-world impact takes center stage. Author's bio: Tajul Islam, a senior journalist and Special Correspondent of Weekly Blitz writes on a broad-range of issues in local and international media. Follow him on X @tajulraj1 Kathmandu, Nepal, January 4, 2024: The seventh meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission meeting is going to commence from today in Kathmandu. The two-day meeting will be co-chaired by Minister for Foreign Affairs NP Saud and his Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishankar. For the purpose, Indian external minister Jaishankar has already arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday morning leading a India delegation. A Richmond man and woman pleaded guilty this week to assaulting a U.S. Postal Service carrier while he was delivering mail in the Mosby Court neighborhood. Quintin Morris Jr., 31, and Jumeka Jones, 21, pleaded guilty on Thursday and Wednesday, respectively, to charges related to a fight in May that officials said left the USPS carrier with a sprained neck and shoulder and cuts on his face. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, the altercation began after the carrier felt threatened by Jones dog, which was outside and off leash in the 1900 block of Accommodation Street. The carrier and Jones engaged in a verbal disagreement that escalated when Morris adopted a fighting stance and approached the carrier, officials said. Morris and Jones wrestled the carrier to the ground during the fight, officials said. Morris then punched the carrier, and Jones attempted to stomp on the carrier several times. Both Morris and Jones were arrested in May and charged with assault and battery, according to court records. They are scheduled for sentencing on April 16 and face a maximum penalty of eight years in prison. Neither Morris nor Jones, nor their attorneys, could be reached for comment. Nationally, robberies and assaults on USPS carriers have surged dramatically in recent years, jumping by 78% to nearly 500 in 2022, according to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Also in 2022, more than 5,300 carriers were attacked by dogs while delivering the mail. Aggressive dog behavior is a common safety concern USPS employees face, said USPS spokesperson David Coleman in a June news release, but ... pet owners can help support safe mail delivery. Coleman said pet owners should keep dogs inside the house or behind a fence, away from the door or in another room, or on a leash during mail delivery. Dog bites are entirely preventable, Coleman said. One bite is one too many. A spokesperson for the National Association of Letter Carriers, the union that represents non-rural USPS carriers, declined to comment on the incident, citing the ongoing nature of the legal proceedings. From the Archives: Scenes from Broad Street Broad Street Broad Street Broad Street Broad Street Broad Street Broad Street Broad Street Broad Street Broad Street Broad Street Broad Street Broad Street Broad Street Broad Street Broad Street Sean Sublette Meteorologist Follow Sean Sublette Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today The first substantial winter storm threat is heading to Virginia this weekend, but the specific details are just not there yet. And moreover, this will be the first in a series of three large storms that cross Virginia over the next 10 days. After some early morning clouds Thursday, fair weather continues through Friday evening with temperatures within a few degrees of normal. The first storm moves into southwestern Virginia early Saturday morning, spreading precipitation across the state, and ending within a few hours of dusk Saturday evening. The issue is the precipitation type. Temperatures at daybreak Saturday will be in the 20s, but through the morning, wind will begin to turn more from the south, and temperatures will approach and exceed freezing. But it will not be a uniform warm up. For metro Richmond, the storm may bring an hour or two of a wintry mix snow and sleet before changing to rain and continuing most of the afternoon. It will be a cold rain, with temperatures only creeping into the upper 30s in the afternoon. Rain ends in the evening, but a big temperature drop Saturday night is not expected. Temperatures by daybreak Sunday will hover a degree or so either side of the freezing mark, so there may be some icy patches on roads early Sunday morning. However, the sun will be back out and by midday, temperatures will return the 40s. Another half-inch to inch of rain is expected from the storm on Saturday, getting us near 10 inches of rain since the first of December. Once that storm goes by, Sunday and Monday look quiet, but the second storm moves across the state on Tuesday. This one looks warmer, meaning the chances for snow are lower than the first storm. Plus, more moisture appears to be involved with this one as there is more of an influence from the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. This Tuesday storm has the potential for 1-3 inches of rain in Virginia, keeping its snow much further north into Pennsylvania and upstate New York. After another break for a day or two, the third system follows for the end of the week and into the weekend, around Jan. 12-14. This far in advance, there are not many details other than a large storm system is expected during that window of time. Early signs suggest rain, but it is far too early to make any guarantees about precise timing or precipitation type. Nonetheless, it is something to keep tucked away in the back of your mind if you have plans for that weekend. As a positive, this series of storms will do wonders for the severe drought that continues in the Shenandoah Valley and the moderate drought that continues across Southwestern Virginia. But for those still itching for a big snow, the wait will probably continue into the second half of the month. PHOTOS: Ice on the James River over the past 70 years Virginia Capitol Police did a morning sweep of the state Capitol Wednesday after a widely blasted email bomb threat against unnamed statehouses landed in a state employees mailbox. The sweep found nothing. The sweep by an officer and a dog specially trained to detect firearms and explosives took roughly a half hour. We acted out of an abundance of caution, when the state employee forwarded the email, Capitol Police spokesman Joe Macenka said. The email did not include a specific threat against the Virginia state Capitol. The General Assembly is not in session, and the governors main office is in another building. But the email blast prompted officials in several states to evacuate their state houses, including Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi and Montana. Police found no explosives and federal officials quickly dismissed the threats as a hoax. The FBI said it was aware of numerous hoax bomb threats at state Capitol buildings, but had no information to indicate a specific and credible threat. The FBI takes hoax threats very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk, it said in a statement. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said on X that the Capitol was evacuated while state police investigated a threat received by the Secretary of States Office. Lawmakers were elsewhere for ethics training, but Secretary of State spokeswoman Michon Lindstrom said some candidate filings were disrupted. The mass email warned of multiple explosives that would go off in a few hours. Public safety officials locked down the Mississippi Capitol on the second day of the legislative session and the state Senate delayed its morning meeting. The building was evacuated and bomb-sniffing dogs circled before an all-clear was given. This is an ongoing investigation and there is no further threat to the Capitol or surrounding buildings, said Bailey Martin, a spokesperson for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. Other states including Wyoming, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri and Maryland received threats, but didnt close. Several public officials have been hit by swatting calls in recent days. Swatting is a prank call made to emergency services intended to bring a police response. Republican U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia was targeted by a fake emergency call on Christmas morning. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows was hit by a swatting attempt a day after she removed former President Donald Trump from the states presidential primary ballot under the Constitutions insurrection clause, a decision Trump is appealing. Other public officials targeted in recent days include Republican U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams of New York, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. Hundreds of swatting cases occur annually. PHOTOS: 307-foot crane in place for construction of new General Assembly building Downtown crane Monday Downtown crane Monday Downtown crane Monday Downtown crane Monday Downtown crane Monday Downtown crane Monday Downtown crane Sunday Downtown crane Sunday Downtown crane Friday Downtown crane Friday Leslie Chambers Mehta, a Chesterfield County attorney, has formally jumped into the 1st District congressional race, giving Democrats a choice between at least two candidates to challenge Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, in November. Mehta, 46, a civil rights attorney who works as chief of staff and counsel to the CEO of the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority, declared her candidacy on Thursday for the Democratic congressional nomination. Her announcement, four months after she publicly confirmed an interest in the seat, sets up a primary fight with Herb Jones, 65, a retired U.S. Army colonel and former New Kent County treasurer who lost to Wittman two years ago. The primary is in June. Mehta is focused on Wittman as she launches her campaign, accusing the congressman, in his 17th year, of being too closely aligned with former President Donald Trump, the front-runner to become the Republican presidential nominee in a potential rematch with President Joe Biden in November. I think the district is ready for something different, for change, Mehta said in an interview. Jones welcomed Mehta to the race. "I look forward to hearing her ideas for defeating Rob Wittman and hope she shares my commitment to strengthening eastern Virginia communities by fighting for us in Congress: ensuring our reproductive freedom, safety from gun violence, investment in public education, and our right to free and fair elections," he said on Thursday. Wittman, 64, is seeking his ninth full term in the U.S. House of Representatives, which he first entered in 2007 to succeed the late Rep. JoAnn Davis, R-1st. But the 1st District is much different than the region he represented before political redistricting at the end of 2021. The new district includes parts of Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover counties, where more than 55% of its voters live. The district covers all or part of 18 localities, including the Northern Neck, where Wittman lives; the Middle Peninsula; and much of the Peninsula as far east as Poquoson. The 1st District leans strongly Republican even Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat who previously served as governor, did not carry it in his landslide re-election in 2018 but Democrats are taking aim at Wittman as potentially vulnerable after a year of chaos over leadership fights in the Republican-led House. A lot of voters were discouraged and frustrated and felt left out by Rob Wittman, Mehta said of conversations shes had with 1st District residents last year. Both Mehta and Jones are African American, running in a district with a population thats more than 71% white. Jones lost to Wittman by 13 percentage points in 2022, after a late start in launching his campaign. Mehta, who lives in Moseley in Chesterfield, is former legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia. She has an extensive background in civil rights law and a strong personal interest in health care policy, motivated in part by the death of her eldest daughter, Brooke, in 2021 from Rett Syndrome, a rate genetic neurological disorder. I became a special needs mom, she said. A lot of the health care access issues became personal. Mehta is a member of the board of directors of the International Rett Syndrome Foundation, which advocates for medical research to cure the disorder. In October, Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, appointed her to the Rare Disease Council, an advisory panel in the Virginia Department of Health. In 2019, then-Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, named her to the Commission to Examine Racial and Economic Inequality in Virginia Law. I know how to work with people to come to common sense solutions, she said. Mehta served as clerk for then-Chesterfield Circuit Court Judge Cleo Powell, who later became the first African American woman to serve on the Virginia Supreme Court. She worked as legal director at the ACLU for more than two years, leaving in early 2018 to become chief of staff and counsel to CEO Joi Taylor Dean. Mehta has taken a leave of absence from her job at the RMTA to run for Congress. She has filed her statement of organization at the Federal Elections Commission and hired a campaign manager, Hannah Servedio, former political manager at REPRORising Virginia, an abortion rights advocacy group that was heavily involved in Virginias legislative elections last year. Abortion rights is among the issues that Mehta cites as reasons for challenging Wittman, along with his vote to decertify Pennsylvanias electoral votes in the 2020 presidential election on Jan. 6, 2021, after Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to block Congress from certifying the election results. Wittman said he voted against certifying Pennsylvanias electoral votes because of what he called unconstitutional procedures used there. He subsequently voted to certify the electoral votes of Arizona, another swing state that Trump disputed after the election. Wittman also condemned the violence at the Capitol that day, calling it a blemish on the nation. Mehta accused Wittman of kowtowing to President Trump and the extremist element of the party. Jones, who also is seeking the Democratic nomination in the 1st District, said Wittmans vote to decertify Pennsylvanias electoral vote was the catalyst for him to challenge the congressman two years ago. Mehta does not cite any differences with Jones, but said she is seeking the nomination based on her professional experience and record. I will let the people decide between my background and his, she said. Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan is sworn in on historic day Evangelicals have been taking a thrashing for the support many in their ranks have lent to Donald Trump. One can ignore the criticism as just more venom aimed at a group that was always outside the mainstreamor make some hard choices. Either way, things are about to get ugly. Tim Albertas new book, The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism, opens with the death of his father, Richard Alberta, an evangelical minister in suburban Michigan. He died in 2019, shortly after Tim published his previous book, American Carnage: On the Front Lines of the Republican Civil War and the Rise of President Trump. Alberta flew home for the funeral while that book was still making headlines, including attracting the ire of Rush Limbaugh. At the visitation, a number of friends, family, and church members proved more eager to cause friction over the book than share his grief. Some of it was playful, he writes, some of it was cold and confrontational. One man questioned whether I was truly a Christian. Another asked if I was still on the right side. All while Dad was in a box a hundred feet away. After the funeral, he discovered a letter from an elder at his dads church accusing him of treasonagainst both God and country. After reading the letter, he writes, I felt sick. His wife, less subtle, read it and shouted, What the hell is wrong with these people? Albertas new book is an effort to answer that question. Its the product of several years of in-depth reporting among ordinary Christians, pastors, and churches. The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory is the story of a shift in evangelicalism, and its central charactersthe ones portrayed most sympatheticallyare exasperated pastors, disillusioned institutional leaders, and weary church members. Then theres Alberta himself, whose posture is one of curiosity, occasional amusement, and (most often) bewilderment at the spectacles on display in American evangelicalism. Alongside these characters are the stars of the new American rightthe pastors, politicians, charlatans, and grifters who have made alarmism about politics, COVID, Trump, and/or QAnon features of their ministries and platforms. Alberta does an admirable job of taking the reader past the facade of their public personas, which more often than not reveals characters who are at once more complicated and more outrageous than they first appear. It also brings you into the lives and thoughts of the Christians in the pews, the ones changing churches because of COVID policy, concern over critical race theory (CRT), or a sense of insufficient concern by church leaders over the fate of our nation. Alberta begins his account with the story of the rise of Jerry Falwell Sr., who comes to life like a character in a Tom Wolfe novel. Complicated, with contradictory motivesat once true believer and door-to-door salesman. Fifty years later, the eccentricities of the characters are even largermore like characters from David Foster Wallaces dystopian Infinite Jest than Wolfes Bonfire of the Vanities. At a Mike Flynn rally in 2022, Alberta finds himself marveling at characters like Mike Lindell (the My Pillow guy) and the OnlyFans star who was warning of the nations moral decline, as well as Kash Patel, the former Trump aide who was selling an allegorical childrens book about the 2020 election called The Plot Against the King. Surely, Alberta wonders, some of these folks were in on the joke. And of course, they wereto the extent that they could laugh, cry, and storm the U.S. Capitol all on the same afternoon. In this way, they embody the spirit of Trump, whose manner of speaking intentionally blurs all distinctions between truth, lie, insult, and joke. As Hillary Clinton infamously said of Trump in 2016, Trump is fun, and it is among his superpowers that he can leave you laughing and in slack-jawed disbelief at the same time. This is reflected in the communities profiled by Alberta, where the truth or fiction of any given leaders statements are far less important than the ability to stir affections, signal loyalty, and most importantly, increase the velocity of the movement. It becomes abundantly clear in The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory that the crackpots and grifters have established a thriving industry, and that the gravity and momentum of the evangelical movement is in their favor. The question is, What do we do about it? Alberta doesnt offer prescriptions so much as he does the diagnosis, leaving the reader to sort some of this out for themselves. Serendipitously, on the day that I finished the book, National Review published a piece by my friend Andrew Walker: a scathing analysis of evangelicals who have focused on the negative aspects of their movement and its alliance with the new post-Trumpian right. I think Walker illuminates the prescription needed in light of the stories Alberta tells, although he does so unintentionally. Of Alberta, Peter Wehner, David French, and their like, Walker says: These journalists use their Evangelical credentials and powerful media platforms to scold other Evangelicals and warn of the looming threat that Evangelicalism poses to America. We are all, it seems, would-be insurrectionists more devoted to Donald Trump than to Jesus Christ. Weve sacrificed integrity and virtue for political power. We love America more than the Kingdom of God. These journalists are the only ones with any credibility left, they imply, because they possess the integrity, rectitude, and fortitude to see through the fog of Trumpism and tribalism. Walker admits that evangelicals have a problem with bizarre conspiracies and suspect charlatans, yet finds it unseemly for these journalists to use their platform as a bludgeon to pulverize Evangelicals for their alleged sins. He writes: The formula is this: Imply the worst about your fellow Christians and believe secular liberals are motivated by righteousness; empathize with leftist sentiment but give no hearing to those whom elites disenfranchise; dismiss the household of faith and ratify secularist suspicion of Evangelicals. For one must never allow those in the ruling class to become uncomfortable or be told that their own godless worldview is built on sand. Walker doesnt provide a constructive vision for dealing with evangelicalisms problems beyond noting that progressives are really dangerous and lots of conservatives didnt storm the Capitol on January 6. Overall, the piece reads a bit like someone complaining that its inappropriate to air the dirty laundry in front of your neighbors. Like I said, I think its unintentionally illuminating to Albertas project, and theres more than a little irony in finding this argument in the digital pages of National Review, since the example of William F. Buckley (its founder) is one we desperately need right now. Throughout his career, Buckley had to make difficult choices for the sake of the integrity of the conservative movement. In 1957, when anti-Semitism took hold at American Mercury, a publication run by conservative fellow travelers, Buckley banned any writer that published there from appearing on the National Reviewmasthead. Similar choices had to be made about members of the John Birch Society in the 1960s. In the 1980s and 90s, he parted ways with longtime editor Joseph Sobran and contributor Pat Buchanan over what he and others perceived to be their anti-Semitism. Each of these decisions were consequential, agitating subscribers, donors, and contributors. Those who objected werent necessarily anti-Semites, radicals, and conspiracy theorists, though; rather, they were concerned about the strength of the conservative movement and the need to keep a strong coalition. These decisions contrast starkly with the dynamics evident in the Trump years, where a yall come attitude toward coalition building has made Trump slow to condemn the likes of David Duke and the Charlottesville Unite the Right crowd. In this environment, its no wonder why David Bartons long-debunked attempts to Christianize Thomas Jefferson have thrived, or why disinformation about COVID vaccines, the 2020 election, and the war in Ukraine are so abundant. Like the gold plating on his escalator, Trumps unwillingness to police his own movement has offered a patina of credibility to crackpots and grifters, and its not in the nature of extremists to moderate over time. They are, at core, ideologically driven, and ideology will always expand its scope and intensity over time. And yet, when I read Andrew Walkers piece about Alberta, French, and Wehner, Ill admit that there was a small part of me that was sympathetic to the case he made. Theres something exhausting about the Trump years, and some days I dont want to hear anything else about the QAnon Shaman, Rudy Giuliani, or Mike Flynn. But the fact is that were a matter of months away from the very real possibility that Trump could be our next president (again), that Flynn could be our secretary of defense, Rudy our attorney general, and the QAnon Shaman could be the next ambassador to Canada. Ignoring the extremes of this movement is simply putting your head in the sand. Unfortunately, thats what a lot of conservatives seem ready to do, and its why I predict Walkers piece will be the first of many attacking books like The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory. I sense a rising tide of angst among conservative evangelicals that were anti-Trump in 2016. Theyre no more sympathetic to his boorish behavior and low character than before, but theyre embittered by the broadsides cast against evangelicals by the media, progressives, and Democrats. Theyre also genuinely concerned about issues like border security, gender ideology, abortion, and the integrity of the justice system. I get that, tooand share all those concerns. When Trump seems to be the only option the conservative movement has, its tempting to throw your hat in with him just to feel as though youre making a difference in reference to these other, troubling matters. If thats your temptation (or your choice), then Albertas booklike the other works Walker condemnswill be an irritant. It forces you to grapple with the ugly, downstream consequences of Trumps yall come movement. Truth telling and resisting the co-opting of the evangelical movement offers only the comforts of ruthless consistency. You can stand with Buckley on principlemaking the difficult decision of rejecting todays crackpots and grifters as conservatives have for decadesthen resign yourself to the fate of being a political minority and politically homeless. Rising extremism at both ends of the political spectrum may lead to chaos and violence in 2024, but by insisting on truth telling in a season like this, and by denying active or tacit support to a movement that undermines the integrity of the churchs witness, you gain the modest comfort of being able to watch the world burn and know that you, at least, did not light the match. Environmental regulators have fined an automotive parts manufacturer in Botetourt County $227,790 for violating state air pollution standards. Dynax America Corp. agreed to pay the civil charge and fix identified problems with its scrubbers, devices that remove contaminants from emissions before they are released from the plant's smokestacks. Inspections by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality found that Dynax operated without a renewed air permit for 55 days in 2019. Later tests showed excessive releases of hydrochloric acid on several occasions through 2022. Hydrochloric acid, a colorless gas with a pungent odor, is used in a variety of industries. It is listed by the federal Environmental Protection Agency as a hazardous air pollutant, meaning that it can cause serious health problems or adverse environmental impacts. Estimated emissions were as high as .48 pounds per hour nearly twice the limit of .25 pounds per hour allowed by the plant's state permit, according to a consent order recently posted to DEQs website. The highest reported 12-month total was 127 tons; the permit called for no more than 54.8 tons per year. "DEQ has not been made aware of any adverse impacts to the local community as a result of these permit violations, spokeswoman Julia Raimondi wrote in an email. DEQ air permit emission limits are calculated based on very conservative assumptions to ensure the protection of human health and the environment." It was at least the second time in the past five years that Dynax was cited for excessive releases of hydrochloric acid. In 2019, DEQ imposed a fine of $168,204 and ordered the company to take corrective action. The most recent enforcement action details several steps to be taken over the next two years, including enhanced testing, monthly progress reports, an evaluation of the production line and its scrubbers, and replacement of the equipment by October 2025. "Dynax has continuously worked towards achieving compliance through process changes, equipment replacement and upgrades, adding an additional scrubber, and hiring outside consultants to assist in finding a solution," the consent order states. A call to a company official who signed the document was not returned Wednesday. Although both Dynax and DEQ agreed to the findings and penalty outlined in the consent order, public comments will be accepted through Jan. 28 before final action is taken. Dynax is located in the EastPark Commerce Center near Bonsack. The Japan-based company manufactures friction-based parts for use in automobiles, which mainly consist of clutch discs, blades and synchronizer rings. The company was Botetourt County's third largest employer in 2023, according to the Virginia Employment Commission. HCA Healthcare plans to halt labor and delivery at its Blacksburg hospital April 1 citing a shortage of full-time OB-GYNS it hopes will be temporary. The outage will begin in fewer than 90 days at the LewisGale Montgomery hospital, whose maternity ward welcomed 400 babies last year, and as of now will be of an unknown duration, hospital spokesman Shayne Dwyer said. HCA has recommended the use of its Salem hospital instead as the health system grapples with what it called a challenging OB-GYN recruitment environment. Physician shortages are a significant issue in the United States, but have not forced the closure of a birthing center in the region in recent memory. All affected patients will be notified and consulted regarding their plan of care, according to Dwyer, who said staff began making those contacts Tuesday. HCAs statement made clear its hope that patients will remain with HCA. It is in the best interest of our patients to deliver their babies at our sister facility, LewisGale Medical Center, which delivers more than 1,200 babies each year, the for-profit, Nashville, Tennessee, company said. HCAs chief local competitor, Carilion Clinic, responded affirmatively when asked whether its New River Valley Medical Center near Radford could help take up the slack. Were happy to assist folks who want to stay in area, Carilion spokeswoman Hannah Curtis said. Curtis suggested affected patients consult their doctors on what to do. In terms of driving distance, Carilions alternative is closer for expectant mothers and fathers who live near the Blacksburg hospital. Its a 35-mile drive from it to the Salem medical center, while it is a 15-minute drive from it to Carilions hospital outside Radford. LewisGale Montgomery will continue to offer pre and post-natal services as well as womens health surgical procedures beyond April 1, Dwyer said. Dwyer was asked how many OB-GYNs serve LewisGale Montgomery and how many more are needed, to which he replied by email: We are actively assessing the needs of our community to determine appropriate physician coverage with a future goal of having OB/GYNs practice at multiple hospitals within the LewisGale Regional Health System. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis defines an OB-GYN as a doctor focused on the health of women before, during, and after childbearing years, diagnosing and treating conditions of the reproductive system and associated disorders. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reported in 2017 that an astronomical 40% to 75% of OB-GYNs were burned out or burning out from job demands. The pressures arise from high patient loads, the stress of baby delivery, inadequate insurance payments and legal risks. Too few doctors are entering the field to keep up with retirements. An assessment and forecast written in 2017 predicted that Virginia would have 1,300 OB-GYNs in 2030 and need 1,450, according to the workforce center, a unit of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Every year, between 17 million and 21 million people fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. For nearly every person who attends college, its a necessity at some point. The 2024-25 FAFSA will feature some big changes from previous years, and the Roanoke Higher Education Center is hosting an event to help anyone interested in applying through the process. From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 13, representatives from Virginia Tech, Radford University, Virginia Western Community College, Roanoke College and several other schools in the region will answer questions and help prospective students begin the process of filling out the updated FAFSA. Carla Jackson, the senior director for academic and student services at the Roanoke Higher Education Center, said that while students wouldnt finish their FAFSA in the allotted time, the event is geared toward giving people the tools they need to finish the application. People will break up into smaller groups to start the application process, Jackson said. Its near impossible to finish the application with the time we have, and thats not what were going for. The event was originally proposed a few years ago by representatives from Virginia Western Community College, working in conjunction with the Roanoke Higher Education Center. From its conception, it was meant to be open to all schools and all prospective students in Southwest Virginia, according to Jackson. The Roanoke Higher Education Center was proposed as a good neutral ground for everyone to come together for the event, Jackson said. The event, called FAFSA Fire by the organizers, will be the first of its type held in Southwest Virginia. Chad Sartini, the director of student aid, veterans affairs and records at Virginia Western Community College, said it would be an invaluable opportunity to educate people about the FAFSA process. This is the first-time colleges and universities from all across our area are coming together in one place to offer information and expert assistance with completing the FAFSA, Sartini said. We have an all new FAFSA this year, so this is a great opportunity to educate and assist our community on how to apply for financial aid for college. The changes to the FAFSA for the upcoming school year are meant to streamline the process. According to the Department of Educations Federal Student Aid website, with the update, 610,000 new students classified being from low-income households will be eligible for Pell Grants, government subsidized student aid that does not need to be paid back. Additionally, some applicants will be able to skip as many as 26 questions on the FAFSA online form, depending on their circumstances. Some prospective recipients may be able to complete the form in as little as ten minutes, according to a release about the changes. Pre-registration is required for the event, and anyone interested can register at https://www.education.edu/FAFSA/. The location for the event can seat 100 people and as of Friday was half-full of pre-registered attendees. By Cillian Sherlock, PA A 16-year-old boy has been released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of a number of offences as part of an investigation into the supply of illegal drugs linked to the East Belfast UVF. Detectives from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force arrested the boy following the search of a property in south Belfast on Wednesday. He was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A and Class C controlled drugs with intent to supply as well as possessing and transferring criminal property. The arrest follows an operation in March last year in which drugs estimated to be worth more than 130,000 (150,000) were seized in east Belfast. Two men, aged in their 30s, were charged with drug offences in relation to that operation. Detective Inspector Maguire said: This demonstrates the continuing commitment of the Paramilitary Crime Task Force to protecting communities and dismantling the supply of illegal drugs linked to East Belfast UVF. During the search today a further significant quantity of cash has been seized. Those involved in the so-called drugs trade are putting money straight into the hands of paramilitaries, whose only concern is financial gain and control. They care nothing about those lives and relationships that get ruined along the way. The fact that young or vulnerable people may be groomed and recruited, over months and years, into criminal behaviours is hugely concerning. The solution requires collective efforts, and Im keen to reiterate an appeal to anyone with information, or concerns, to please speak up. The boy was later released on bail to allow for further police investigation. The Paramilitary Crime Task Force is a multi-agency task force set up in the North to protect communities by tackling all forms of criminality linked to paramilitarism. It consists of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the UK's National Crime Agency and HM Revenue & Customs. The sale of vapes and e-cigarettes to children are being banned in Ireland. The ban covers the sale of nicotine inhaling products to those under the age of 18. It will be an offence to sell a nicotine inhaling product to a child, with a fine of up to 4,000 and up to a six-month term of imprisonment. Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly added that in 2024 he would commence the remaining measures in the Act (such as around advertising, a licensing system and vending machines) and he would examine the results of public consultation on the further regulation of e-cigarettes and on some innovative proposals in tobacco control. Art Assembly co-founder Magnus Renfrew discusses newly launched ART SG in Singapore, recent growth of Asia-Pacific art market By Park Han-sol In January 2023, ART SG became the latest addition to the rapidly expanding art fair calendar in Asia following its debut in Singapore. Billed as Southeast Asias largest international art fair, the inaugural edition attracted some 43,000 visitors from the region beyond the city-state, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, while also being dotted with collectors from China, Korea and Japan. Its sophomore iteration is set to return to the islands Marina Bay Sands expo and convention center from Jan. 18 to 21, hosting 116 galleries from 33 countries and territories. Among the participating exhibitors are eight prominent Korean players, including Kukje Gallery, Gana Art and Johyun Gallery, along with blue-chip dealers that have opened outposts in Seoul over the last six years White Cube, Lehmann Maupin, Thaddaeus Ropac, Whitestone Gallery, Tang Contemporary Art and Peres Projects. The fair will coincide with the citywide cultural celebration known as Singapore Art Week. Its packed event lineup includes the National Gallery Singapores blockbuster exhibition Tropical: Stories from Southeast Asia and Latin America and artist Ho Tzu Nyens first mid-career survey show, co-organized by the Singapore Art Museum and Seoul-based Art Sonje Center. Returning with a more ambitious roster, ART SG aims to establish itself as a hub fair that caters not just to its domestic constituency but to those in the wider Southeast Asia region home to a population of 650 million and many of the worlds fastest-growing economies according to the fair's co-founder Magnus Renfrew. In fact, Singapores growing relevance in economic and geopolitical contexts extends far beyond its own borders. Singapores status as the center of the wealth management market in Asia has been very much reinforced over the last few years, he told The Korea Times in a recent video interview. There has been a major influx of wealth from around the region, including mainland China and Hong Kong. One noteworthy indicator of this capital inflow is the surge in the number of family offices (private firms managing the assets of affluent clans) opening in the city-state which jumped from 50 in 2018 to 1,100 by the end of 2022, according to the Monetary Authority of Singapore. In addition to the wealth flowing into the island, Singapore holds a unique position in Asia as neutral territory due to its non-aligned nature and the widespread use of both English and Mandarin. People, not only from China but also from the international community in Europe and America, feel equally comfortable being there. It also has very strong transport links as a major trading port, he said. All these factors contribute to the islands position as an important nexus for the art world of Southeast Asia and beyond, in the eyes of Renfrew, who has over a decade of experience in the Asian art market as the founding director of Art Hong Kong, later reborn as Art Basel Hong Kong. Logic dictates that the region deserves one international fair that can be a catalyst for the market, connecting galleries from outside with the (fast-growing) local collectors. The fair is also about providing a credible platform for artists and exhibitors from Southeast Asia to be seen in a global context and gain the broader exposure that they deserve. This rationale is what led to the launch of ARG SG by the Art Assembly, an initiative co-founded by Renfrew. The Assembly currently runs six art fairs in the Asia-Pacific region, including Taipei Dangdai, Tokyo Gendai and India Art Fair. Is Asia's art-fair calendar getting too crowded? Events such as ART SG and Frieze Seoul represent a wave of newcomers in Asia's recently burgeoning art fair scene, joining a handful of established players like Art Basel Hong Kong. While some have voiced concerns about how saturated the art calendar in the region has apparently become within a short span of time, Renfrew pointed out that the emergence of new fairs is both a testament to and an opportune response to the unprecedented growth of the Asian art market over the last 15 years. The context has changed a lot since 2008, when we first launched Art Hong Kong. Many of the domestic markets around the region have grown since then and are now significant enough to warrant having their own international fairs, the Art Assembly co-founder said. In fact, one of the greatest potentials for expansion in the global market especially in terms of new collector bases being introduced to galleries and auction houses lies within Asia, he added. Singapore, for instance, serves as the hub for a hinterland of 650 million people in Southeast Asia. Likewise, Taiwan boasts one of the densest wealth bases in the world, with over 765,000 millionaires in a population of 24 million as of 2022, according to the latest UBS-Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report. And in recent years, the spending power of Asian collectors has played a key role in achieving record sales for the three leading auction houses, namely Christies, Sothebys and Phillips. I think its very important that we create fairs (in the region) as credible platforms that can really help people, who are perhaps taking their first steps in the collecting journey, to understand the importance of the gallery system, he noted. If we pull the camera back to see the bigger picture, Asia is home to half the worlds population, but it has only a handful of fairs with international standards of selectivity. To say that Europe deserves 15, 20 fairs (a year) and Asia none would be a somewhat strange position. This contrast becomes more evident when we examine the statistics. According to the Art Market 2023 report released by Art Basel and UBS, 347 fairs were held worldwide in 2022. The U.S. and Europe constituted 77 percent of the total number of events, while Asia accounted for just nine. In the post-pandemic era, Asia is going to be emerging to be front and center of geo-economic importance. And I think were going to be seeing a real leap forward in terms of the number of participants (in the region) engaged in and collecting contemporary art, he said. Renfrew believes that this shift is occurring in tandem with Western institutions recent initiatives to reevaluate their Euro-American-centric values and broaden their focus to include works by artists from diverse cultural and aesthetic backgrounds. "That is also something we will continue to witness the increasing representation of artists from Asia in the global mainstream, if you will." COLUMBIA The South Carolina Department of Commerce on Thursday released its 2023 industry recruitment results showing that from January to December 2023, the state announced total capital investment of $9.22 billion, the second-largest amount in state history. The investment represents 81 projects and 14,120 announced jobs. Once again, South Carolina has proven that it is among the best places in the world to do business, Gov. Henry McMaster said. Over the past year, our state proactively prioritized trends and topics that are crucial to maintaining a vibrant and competitive economy. Recording the second-highest year for industry recruitment in state history not only confirms the sustained interest for doing business here, but also signals to the global business community that South Carolina is a trusted partner for successful businesses. AESC Gregg Robinson Florence County Economic Development Partnership CEO Gregg Robinson speaks with AESC U.S. Managing Director Jeff Deaton during a Greater Flore The announced capital investment of $9.22 billion includes major investments in the states two leading industry sectors by total investment, Automotive, Electric Vehicles (EV) and EV Batteries with $4.3 billion investment, and Alternative Energy and Fuels with $1.56 billion investment. Notably, in 2023, there were three announcements with investments of $1 billion or more the highest such year in state history: Scout Motors Inc. is establishing its first manufacturing plant in Blythewood, which is near Columbia. At the Richland County site, the company will build all-electric, next-generation trucks and SUVs harkening back to the iconic Scout vehicles produced from 1960 to 1980. The companys $2 billion investment has the potential to create 4,000 or more permanent jobs. At full capacity, more than 200,000 Scout vehicles may be produced annually at the facility. Headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, Scout was formed to craft all-electric trucks and SUVs rooted in the same tradition that made the original Scout vehicle an American icon. The company is revitalizing a legend and returning manufacturing to American shores. The Blythewood Industrial Site, off Interstate 77, spans approximately 1,600 acres, with the plant itself occupying 1,100 acres. Vehicle production is targeted to begin by the end of 2026. Scout Motors is an independent U.S. company backed by Volkswagen Group. Albemarle Corporation, a global leader in transforming essential resources such as lithium and bromine into critical ingredients for mobility, energy, connectivity and health, plans to establish South Carolina operations in Chester County. The company will invest at least $1.3 billion and create more than 300 new jobs to construct a new Mega-Flex lithium hydroxide processing facility. The facility will support the surging demand for electric vehicles and other energy storage applications that use lithium-ion batteries. Albemarle is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and partners with customers to pioneer new ways to move, power, connect and protect, building a more resilient world where people and the planet thrive. QTS Data Centers (QTS), a leading global provider of colocation data center infrastructure and related services, plans to establish operations in York County. The $1 billion investment is the companys first South Carolina facility and will help establish a technology hub in York County. Data centers power the internet and the digital economy while serving as an economic anchor in the areas where they operate. The QTS campus will utilize carbon-free power when feasible and leverage industry-leading, water-saving technology that uses zero water for cooling its customers environments. The previous record of two projects with an investment of $1 billion or more in a single year was set in 2014 and tied again in 2022. Fourth on the list of top S.C. industrial investments for 2023 is AESC in Florence County. An electric vehicle battery technology company, AESC announced in December the expansion of its state-of-the-art battery cell facility. During the second of three potential phases, the Japanese company will invest $810 million and create 450 new jobs at the gigafactory. This new commitment follows AESCs initial announcement in December 2022 of $810 million and 1,170 jobs, combining for a total investment of $1.62 billion and 1,620 new jobs. After a record-breaking 2022, South Carolina has remained committed to ensuring its long-term economic competitiveness and growing reputation as an established destination for transformational industry, Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III said. Back-to-back years of strong industry recruitment reinforces South Carolinas commitment to the success of our existing and new businesses alike. Hackers stole more than $81 million worth of crypto assets from Orbit Chain Pierluigi Paganini January 03, 2024 January 03, 2024 Crypto platform Orbit Chain suffered a cyberattack, threat actors have stolen more than $81 million worth of cryptocurrency. Orbit Chain has suffered a security breach that has resulted in the theft of more than $81 million worth of cryptocurrency. Orbit Chain is a multi-asset blockchain platform that connects various blockchains through Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC). It aims to become a hub for the seamless transfer of assets and data between different blockchain ecosystems. The company launched an investigation into the incident with the help of the Korean National Police Agency and Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA). Orbit Chain team has developed a system for investigation support and cause analysis with the Korean National Police Agency and KISA (Korea Internet & Security Agency), enabling a more proactive and comprehensive investigation approach. Furthermore, we are also discussing close cooperation with domestic and foreign law enforcement agencies. states the company in a message posted on X. It also hired the blockchain security company ChainLight. The unauthorized transactions began on December 31, 2023. 0/ On December 31, 2023, at 9:07:59 PM UTC, an unauthorized transaction was detected in the @Orbit_Chain Ethereum L1 Vault, involving assets like DAI, USDC, USDT, ETH, WBTC. We are actively investigating this issue. pic.twitter.com/fKUi7bdHyk ChainLight (@ChainLight_io) January 1, 2024 Urgent Dear Orbit Bridge Users, An unidentified access to Orbit Bridge, a decentralized Cross-chain protocol, was confirmed on Dec-31-2023 08:52:47 PM +UTC. Further information regarding the issue will be updated. Orbit Chain (@Orbit_Chain) January 1, 2024 Researchers from blockchain security firm CertiK also alerted of suspicious withdrawals from the multi-asset blockchain platform. #CertiKSkynetAlert We have seen suspicious withdrawals from @Orbit_Chain In total, ~$82m worth of assets have been withdrawn into 5 wallets Suspicious wallet was initially funded via a 10 ETH withdrawal through EOA 0x70462bFB204BF3CcB0560f259072F8E3A85b3512 CertiK Alert (@CertiKAlert) January 1, 2024 Orbit Chain is working with other cryptocurrency exchanges in an attempt to freeze the stolen crypto assets. Some experts speculate the attack was launched by North Korea-linked actors who were involved in many other attacks against organizations in the cryptocurrency industry over the last years. Follow me on Twitter: @securityaffairs and Facebook and Mastodon Pierluigi Paganini (SecurityAffairs hacking, cybercrime) SIOUX CITY -- The Siouxland Chamber of Commerce is joining other independent Chambers of Commerce from across the country to host a first-of-its-kind civics competition that encourages Americans to engage in the educational pursuit of civics and citizenship and contributing to their communities. Organized in partnership with the Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the 2024 National Civics Bee is open to middle school students from public, private, charter and home schools in Iowa. The contest will be held in Sioux City for the very first time. Participating students are invited to take part in the first-round civics essay competition. A panel of local leaders will review and judge the 500-word essays and the top-20 scoring students will be selected to move on to the next round of competition, which is a live quiz event to test their civics knowledge. The Siouxland Chamber of Commerce will host this event at 7 p.m. March 4 at the RE/MAX City Centre, 712 Fourth St. The finalists and top winners will receive various prizes including $500 cash for the first-place student. Local winners will have the opportunity to compete statewide and the state winner will compete nationwide. "We are pleased to sponsor this event locally and enthused about this unique opportunity to help our young people learn more about the democratic process, representative government and the importance of informed citizenship," said Siouxland Chamber of Commerce executive vice president Barbara Sloniker. The deadline for student essay submissions is Jan. 8. For more information on the essay topic, competition rules and prizes and ways to submit essays, go to siouxlandchamber.com. SIOUX CITY It's been 21 years since F-16 fighter jets regularly streaked across Sioux City's sky. The F-16s were the final chapter of a long history of fighters based at the 185th Fighter Wing, Iowa Air National Guard, as the Sioux City unit was known at the time. The unit, now known as the 185th Air Refueling Wing, closed the book on that chapter on Dec. 5, with the retirement of Col. Kevin Alons, the last 185th member who flew the F-16 for the unit. "It's kind of funny how fast it creeps up on you that you're the old guy," Alons said of his marking that historic milestone. "It's kind of a link to the past and the history of the unit." A few pilots now at the 185th flew fighters while members of other units, but Alons, a rural Salix, Iowa, resident who served 28 years with the 185th, was the last of those who joined here and flew here. "It was kind of a golden age for the unit, for myself," he said. Retired F-16 pilot Kevin Alons Retired Col. Kevin Alons talks about his time flying F-16 fighter jets for the 185th Fighter Wing, as Sioux City's Iowa Air National Guard uni For civilians, it was a thrill to happen by the base when the F-16s were taking off with a roar and racing away. It was just as big of a thrill for Alons and the other pilots who flew them. "I think that's probably the best pilot-experience airplane ever made," Alons said, reminiscing of the aircraft's agility and performance. It responded so easily to the pilot's actions that Alons said it sometimes seemed as though the plane acted on his thoughts rather than his maneuvering of the controls. "You didn't fly it, you just thought it," he said. "It was something that was just thrilling to fly." Alons enlisted as a high school senior in 1986. Because of his love of tinkering with and fixing farm machinery, he joined the Guard as a jet engine mechanic, but his end goal was to become a pilot, following in his father's footsteps. "The fact he was flying, that was definitely part of it. I grew up watching Dad fly," Alons said. The late Brig. Gen. Dwayne Alons had been on active duty beginning in 1976 and flew the F-100 Super Sabre and A-7D Corsair fighters before the F-16s arrived in Sioux City in the early 1990s. By that time, Kevin Alons had completed pilot school. The two often flew together, practicing dogfighting tactics against each other and dropping bombs at training ranges. "That for me was the most special part of it," Alons said of his time flying the F-16. "It's something I'm pretty proud of, I got to fly with my dad and the unit." A demanding training schedule, plus training missions overseas and combat missions enforcing no-fly zones over Iraq during Saddam Hussein's regime, became a challenging time commitment for Alons. He left the service in 1999 so he could focus on his family and his full-time job as a computer software development consultant. By the time Alons rejoined the 185th in 2006, the fighters were gone, replaced by the bigger, slower KC-135 Stratotankers the 185th now flies. After some temporary duties, Alons returned to the skies, flying the fuel tankers from 2008 until his retirement. His flying days are far from over. He continues to fly his experimental airplane and does some flight instruction. He occasionally crosses paths with other retired F-16 pilots living in the area. They'll swap stories, reliving a much faster time that's a prominent part of the 185th's legacy. "I was proud of the fact I flew F-16s and glad I had the opportunity to do it," Alons said. SIOUX CITY At a presidential campaign event in Sioux City Wednesday afternoon, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wasted no time going after two of his challengers in the 2024 GOP primary, former President Donald Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. Trumps running on his issues, Haleys running on her donors issues, Im running on your issues, the two-term Republican governor told a crowd of about 100 people within the first minute of his remarks at Johnnie Mars Family Restaurant. Ron DeSantis campaigns at Johnnie Mars Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shakes hands with Peggy Eggerling, right, an attendee at his campaign event at Johnnie Mars Family Restaurant in Sio DeSantis sprinkled criticisms of Trump, in particular, throughout the 40-plus minutes he spent speaking to and taking questions from patrons of the popular diner. DeSantis accused Trump, who hasnt appeared in a GOP primary debate and has maintained a lighter campaign schedule in Iowa than his opponents, of making a mockery of this whole process by not showing up and answering peoples questions. He doesnt think he needs to, DeSantis said. Ron DeSantis campaigns at Johnnie Mars Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a campaign event at Johnnie Mars Family Restaurant in Sioux City, Iowa, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Ron DeSantis campaigns at Johnnie Mars Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a campaign event at Johnnie Mars Family Restaurant in Sioux City, Iowa, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Ron DeSantis campaigns at Johnnie Mars Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a campaign event at Johnnie Mars Family Restaurant in Sioux City on Jan. 3. DeSantis also said Trump, who endorsed his gubernatorial run in 2018, views himself as a ruler that youre supposed to serve. Its not how I view it. Im a servant of the people, DeSantis said. While talking about using every form of legal voting possible, DeSantis appeared to criticize Trump, who has previously attacked early voting and repeatedly pushed stolen election claims the Justice Department has alleged are false. I think too many Republicans have told people, well, just only vote on Election Day. Thats the only thing thats good. The problem is you can be banking votes up to that point. Some states have early voting for like a month. I dont like that. I dont think thats how it should be. Dont get me wrong. But if voting is open, you tell your people to go get their votes in. Ron DeSantis campaigns at Johnnie Mars Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a campaign event at Johnnie Mars Family Restaurant in Sioux City, Iowa, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Ron DeSantis campaigns at Johnnie Mars Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, upper right, speaks during a campaign event at Johnnie Mars Family Restaurant in Sioux City on Jan. 3. Ron DeSantis campaigns at Johnnie Mars Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to reporters during a campaign event at Johnnie Mars Family Restaurant in Sioux City on Jan. 3. Through Jan. 3, 2024, DeSantis is second in an average of Iowa polls found on the FiveThirtyEight data analysis website. Trump sits at 50% while DeSantis is at 18.4%. Haleys average is at 15.7%. Ohio businessman Vivek Ramaswamy is averaging 6%. Haley and DeSantis will appear at a debate on the Drake University campus in Des Moines on Wednesday, Jan. 10. Trump qualified for the debate as well but is instead appearing at a Fox News town hall which is being held at the same time as the DeSantisHaley debate. The Iowa caucuses are set for Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. Earlier in the day, DeSantis visited Council Bluffs and had an event scheduled in Sioux Center following the Sioux City stop. In December 2023, DeSantis campaign reported it had visited all 99 counties in Iowa. Ron DeSantis campaigns at Johnnie Mars Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis poses for a selfie with Chris Dekker during a campaign event at Johnnie Mars Family Restaurant in Sioux City, Iowa, Ron DeSantis campaigns at Johnnie Mars Attendees listen to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speak during a campaign event at Johnnie Mars Family Restaurant in Sioux City, Iowa, Wednesday, Ron DeSantis campaigns at Johnnie Mars Attendees ask questions of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during a campaign event at Johnnie Mars Family Restaurant in Sioux City, Iowa, Wednesday, DeSantis most-recent stop in Iowas fourth-largest city echoed the December trip he made to open a campaign office in town. During DeSantis time at the restaurant, he again raised the possibility of President Joe Biden being swapped out for California Gov. Gavin Newsom or another Democratic politician, stated Florida had lower suicide rates than California during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic because of less-restrictive lockdown measures and touted school choice legislation he signed into law. Per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Californias suicide rate in 2020 was 10 per 100,000 people (for 4,144 total). In 2021, the number was 10.1 per 100,000 people (4,148 altogether). Those figures for Florida were 13.2 per 100,000 in 2020 (3,135 total) and 14 per 100,000 in 2021 (3,351 people). As states such as Florida and Iowa have passed private-school assistance legislation, those opposed to the new laws have sought legal action. In November 2023, Education Week, a nonprofit news organization, reported Critics of the rapidly growing array of private school choice policies are increasingly turning to state courts to register their objections on constitutional grounds. Iowas educational savings accounts are being phased in over a three-year period and allow families to use public funds to pay for private school tuition. The state approved 18,893 applications for the program for the 2023-2024 school year. That number exceeded legislative predictions for the programs first year. Iowas Legislative Services Agency predicted around 14,000 applications would be approved in the first year, for a total cost of $106.9 million. SIOUX CITY While rallying for former President Donald Trump in Sioux City Wednesday night, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem called out a fellow governor and a former governor who are both running in the 2024 GOP primary. Gov. Kristi Noem rallies for Donald Trump South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem shakes hands with attendees during a rally she held to support former President Donald Trump at County Celebrati Noem, who was speaking to a crowd of about 500 people at the Country Celebrations Event Center, accused Nikki Haley, the governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017, of flip-flopping on a number of issues (such as support of Trump) and suggested Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis caved to lockdown pressures during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. "I've heard so many different versions of Nikki Haley and met so many different versions of Nikki Haley. I don't know who she is," Noem said. "When she was governor, she said she was not going to support raising the gas tax and then she introduced and passed one of the largest gas tax increases that there ever was. She said China was our friend, that we should be inviting them to invest in our country and build new partnerships with them. Now she's decided that they're our enemy. She said she was never going to run for president against President Trump and now she's running for president against President Trump. She defends you and then she attacks you." Wednesday, The Daily Beast reported that Haley said she never raised a gas tax in her state. She then went on to criticize Trump for proposing a 25-cent-per-gallon hike in the federal gas tax in 2018. Gov. Kristi Noem rallies for Donald Trump South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem throws souvenir hats depicting her name during a rally she held to support former President Donald Trump at Coun With respect to DeSantis, Noem, who's served as governor of South Dakota since 2019, said the two-term Florida governor rewrote the history of how he responded to the pandemic. Earlier in the day, DeSantis gave a speech at Johnnie Mars Family Restaurant in Sioux City and stated Florida had lower suicide rates than California in 2020 and 2021 in part because of less-restrictive lockdown measures. "Ron DeSantis closed his businesses down He closed his beaches down," Noem said. "When it was hard, challenging, political pressure, in times when everything mattered and your constitutional freedoms were threatened, Ron DeSantis caved to the pressure and we just can't afford to put someone as leader of the free world that caves in to political pressure." (Data from July 2021 showed South Dakota was 10th among U.S. states for COVID deaths per 100,000 people.) Jim Mendenhall, a Trump supporter from Salix, Iowa, who attended the rally, said he thought DeSantis was more of a "RINO" or "Republican in Name Only" than he would like. "(I) thought maybe he'd be a good vice president but now I think we need to have a conservative person in there with Trump and not someone who fights with him," Mendenhall said. As for why he was all in for the former president, Mendenhall said Trump's tenure was "very good for America and all the American people." To try and draw a contrast between Trump and DeSantis and Haley, Noem said the former was the only honest candidate in the GOP primary. "There's only one person that I trust to tell me the truth and to actually follow through and do what he says he's going to do and that's President Trump," Noem said. Noem decried other politicians who "think they're better" than the average voter but said Trump, who is a billionaire, doesn't think he's better than anybody. "He knows who he is. He's confident in who he is. He came down a golden escalator because that's the way he is. He never pretended to be anybody else other than who he is. And he doesn't think he's better than any of you," Noem said. Gov. Kristi Noem rallies for Donald Trump South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem rallies to support former President Donald Trump at County Celebrations Event Center on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024 At the start of the event, the Trump campaign said the former president, who lost the Iowa caucuses to Ted Cruz in 2016, would see a "historic victory on caucus night" in 12 days. For such a victory to happen though Noem said Iowans needed to "be bold and support President Trump." "You are literally determining the future of the United States of America," Noem said. "You look at where we were five years ago compared to where we are today. You could never have convinced me a country could change so fast. The issues we're fighting. The lawlessness. The destruction. The tearing apart of our country. It's happened so quickly. And it's because people did not stand up and, more importantly, I need you to decide tonight to be people who say yes when you leave those doors." With the caucuses set for Monday, January 15, Iowa polling averages show Trump with commanding leads over DeSantis, Haley and Ohio businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. At the same time, Trump is navigating 91 felony counts in four criminal cases in Washington D.C., New York, Florida and Georgia. In the Georgia case, in which Trump faces charges of violating the states anti-racketeering law by attempting to illegally overturn the results of the 2020 election, several of Trump's co-defendants took guilty pleas. Attorney Jenna Ellis, who was a part of Trump's reelection team, pled guilty to one felony count of aiding and abetting false statements and writings. Her plea came after fellow attorneys Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro pled guilty. Gov. Kristi Noem rallies for Donald Trump South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem talks with attendees after a rally she held for former President Donald Trump at County Celebrations Event Cente James Marion Miller Jefferson, S.D. James Marion Miller, 76, passed away on Dec. 30, 2023, at his favorite place on earth, the Miller Cabin on the Missouri River near Jefferson, SD. Jim was born to Marion and Ella Mae (Presuhn) Miller in LeMars, Iowa on August 25, 1947. Jim grew up and attended school in Remsen, Iowa. He was part of the first, seventeen-member, class to graduate from the newly combined Remsen-Union school district. Jim graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology and Psychology from the University of South Dakota (USD) in Vermillion. He originally met his love, Sandra (Peters), at a dance in Paullina, iowa and they dated for a short time. Years later Jim reemerged with a mustache. She agreed to a date on one condition he had to shave. Needless to say, he got his girl. They began their life together on Jan. 24, 1970 and the mustache returned! While both worked on their college degrees at USD in the early seventies, Jim and Sandi welcomed their daughter Kimberly. After Jim graduated and Sandi continued at USD, they moved to Sioux City and welcomed their son Ryan. In 1974, Jim and Sandi moved to South Sioux City, Neb., where they raised their family and lived until 2000 when they built their dream house in Wynstone development in Jefferson, S.D. Jim spent a successful forty-seven-year career in the insurance industry working in various leadership positions including manager of the Joe Morten Agency. Jim curated a substantial portfolio through his incredible work ethic and his unmatched dedication to his customers. He was known as a trustworthy and ethical businessman who cared about doing what was in the best interest of those he served. It was through these characteristics that Jim was respected and recognized as a mentor and leader in the industry. He retired in 2016. Throughout his career Jim also dedicated substantial time in service to the community. He was an active member of the Jaycees, served as a member of the South Sioux City School Board for nearly 20 years, and he was an inaugural board member of Heartland Counseling Services where he served for nearly 30 years. In addition, he served on various other nonprofit boards, Wynstone HOA, and was a supporter of Pheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited. When their kids were young, Jim and Sandi enjoyed many family trips to various National Parks and their love for traveling continued to destinations in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Hawaii, Mexico, and Alaska until they purchased their second home in Fort Meyers, Fla., where they enjoyed escaping the Iowa winters. Jim also participated in a semi-annual fishing trip to Lake Oahe in South Dakota with a group of good friends you could never be sure if they were going to catch more fish or more of a buzz when they were there! But since 1979, there was no better place for Jim than the Miller Cabin on the South Dakota side of the Missouri River where he'd spend most of the summer and still found his way up there the rest of the year to make sure the birds and squirrels had food. It was his special place that he shared with family and friends. It's where beachfront fires, boat and jet-ski trips up and down river, barbeques, fireworks, whippoorwills, other birds, squirrels, and hours on the deck watching the river flow were experienced. Jim was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He loved his wife for nearly 54 years, he carried a great deal of pride for Kim and Ryan and the life and families they have created, and he adored each of his granddaughters beyond words. He was one of the good ones and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Jim will be remembered by his wife, Sandi, his daughter Kim (Dana) Neal of Lawton, iowa, his son Ryan (Renee) Miller of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, and his four beautiful granddaughters, Sarah (Dalton) Bush of Kansas City, KS, Ashley Neal of Sioux City, Madison Neal attending college in Brookings, S.D., and Emerson Miller of Pleasant Hill. His sisters, Marilyn (Marv) Ekeren of Yankton, S.D., Judith (Phil) Letsche of Marcus, Iowa, and Caryn Barry of Marcus. Sisters-in-law, Ruth (Steve) Recker of Paullina, Iowa, and Jean Peters of Spirit Lake, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law Johnnie and Jeanette Peters, brothers-in-law Mike Barry, Bob Peters, and Dave Peters, infant granddaughter Sam Neal, and infant twin grandsons Cooper and Carter Miller. A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date. Cremation services are being facilitated by Christy-Smith Funeral Homes in Sioux City. Memorials may be directed to Heartland Counseling Services in South Sioux City, Neb. WASHINGTON Former President Donald Trump will spend Saturday's third anniversary of the Capitol riot by holding two campaign rallies in leadoff-voting Iowa in his bid to win back the White House. To mark the moment, President Joe Biden plans to visit a site near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, on Friday where George Washington and the struggling Continental Army endured a tough winter during the American Revolution. Biden's advisers say the stop in a critical swing state will highlight Trump's role in the Jan. 6 siege and give the Democrat a chance for him to lay out the stakes of this year's election. Weather concerns led Biden to move up his appearance from Saturday. With Biden and Trump headed toward a potential 2020 rematch, both are talking about the same event in very different ways and offering framing they believe gives them an advantage. The dueling narratives reflect how an attack that disrupted the certification of the election is increasingly viewed differently along partisan lines and how Trump has bet that the riot won't hurt his candidacy. Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying Biden's victory, and they forced lawmakers and then-Vice President Mike Pence to flee for their lives. Many Trump loyalists walked to the Capitol after a rally outside the White House in which the Republican president exhorted the crowd to "fight like hell" or "you're not going to have a country anymore." Nine deaths were linked to the attack and more than 700 people have gone to court for their roles in it. More than 450 people have been sentenced to prison. Federal prosecutors in Washington charged Trump in connection with the riot, citing his promotion of false and debunked theories of election fraud and efforts to overturn the results. Trump pleaded not guilty and continues to lie about the 2020 election. Trump has still built a commanding lead in the Republican primary, and his rivals largely refrain from criticizing him about Jan. 6. He has called it "a beautiful day" and described those imprisoned for the insurrection as "great, great patriots" and "hostages." At some campaign rallies, he has played a recording of "The Star-Spangled Banner" sung by jailed rioters the anthem interspersed with his recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Republican strategist Alice Stewart said that "a lot of Republican voters don't love Jan. 6, but they're not obsessed about it either" and may support Trump because they oppose Biden's economic policies. "Republican voters can hold two consecutive thoughts and say, 'Jan. 6, that wasn't great, but that doesn't affect my bottom line,'" she said. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, one of Trump's rivals for the Republican nomination, called Jan. 6 a "protest" that "ended up devolving," and has more recently said Trump "should have come out more forcefully" against the rioters. Another candidate, Trump's former U.N. ambassador, Nikki Haley, frequently tells crowds that Jan. 6 "was not a beautiful day, it was a terrible day." But views overall of the attack have hardened along partisan lines. In the days after the attack, 52% of U.S. adults said Trump bore a lot of responsibility for Jan. 6, according to the Pew Research Center. By early 2022, that declined to 43%. The number of Americans who said Trump bore no responsibility also increased to 32% in 2022 compared to 24% in 2021. A Washington Post-University of Maryland poll released this week found about 7 in 10 Republicans say too much is being made of the attack. Just 18% of GOP supporters say that protesters who entered the Capitol were "mostly violent," down from 26% in 2021, while 77% of Democrats and 54% of independents say the protesters were mostly violent essentially unchanged from 2021. A December poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, meanwhile, found that 87% of Democrats and 54% of independents believe a second Trump term would negatively affect U.S. democracy. Some 82% of Republicans believe democracy would be weakened by another Biden win, with 56% of independents agreeing. Biden's campaign also announced an advertising push starting Saturday with a spot centering on the Capitol attack. It's a theme Biden has returned to repeatedly. He marked the first anniversary of the riot in 2022 by standing inside the Capitol's National Statuary Hall which was flooded by pro-Trump rioters during the attack to suggest that his predecessor and his supporters had had "a dagger at the throat of America." Ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, the president repeatedly characterized Trump as a threat to democracy. That included a speech at Philadelphia's Constitution Hall, where he said that the "extreme ideology" of Trump and his supporters "threatens the very foundation of our republic." On the second anniversary of the attack in 2023, Biden awarded presidential medals to 14 people for their work protecting the Capitol during the attack and decried "a violent mob of insurrectionists." More recently, he said there was "no question" Trump supported an insurrection. "Not even during the Civil War did insurrectionists breach our Capitol," said Julie Chavez Rodriguez, manager of Biden's reelection campaign, in a call with reporters this week. "But, at the urging of Donald Trump, insurrectionists on January 6, 2021 did." Photos: Scenes from the second anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot State agency intends to seek compensation for restoration costs from vandalism suspects By Park Han-sol The walls of Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul, which were hit by graffiti twice in December, have been restored to near completion and were unveiled to the public, Thursday. The Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) announced its intention to seek compensation for the costs incurred in restoring the state-designated cultural property from the perpetrators an amount estimated to be at least 100 million won ($76,300). The agency also revealed strengthened measures to prevent future damage to heritage sites nationwide. Parts of the historic 14th-century palace were vandalized with spray paint on two separate occasions on Dec. 16 and 17. The total damage, which occurred on both sides of Yeongchumun, the palaces western gate, as well as the wall near the National Palace Museum of Korea, spanned 36.2 meters. Three suspects were apprehended in the following days. If convicted, they could face a minimum three years in prison, in accordance with the Cultural Heritage Protection Act. In a press conference on Thursday, the CHA officials reported that the restoration is approximately 80 percent complete, noting that the initial phase of treatment focused primarily on removing "spray contaminants." For the eight-day operation conducted between Dec. 16 and 28, the expenses for renting specialized equipment such as laser cleaners, steam washers and blasting machines, along with other consumables like protective gear and canisters, totaled over 21 million won. When combined with the yet-to-be-determined labor costs for the 234 conservation experts and government workers involved in the project, the estimated total is expected to reach at least 100 million won, according to Go Jung-ju, director of the Gyeongbokgung Palace Management Office. The CHA intends to claim compensation from the suspects once the total restoration cost is determined. Meanwhile, following the December incidents, a state-run survey of four of the major palaces, as well as Jongmyo Shrine and royal tombs from the 1392-1910 Joseon Kingdom revealed numerous other scribbles and engravings left behind over the years on the buildings columns and walls. The CHA will take stern measures when encountered with malicious acts of vandalism that are similar in nature to that of Gyeongbok Palace. We will also implement enhanced preventive measures against damage to heritage sites, in addition to raising public awareness through promotion and education, the agencys head Choi Eung-chon said. The agency will bolster security at major heritage sites by increasing patrols and installing additional surveillance cameras. By 2025, a total of 110 surveillance cameras will be added to monitor the outer walls of the four palaces, Jongmyo Shrine and Sajikdan Altar including an additional 20 for Gyeongbok Palace. Currently, there are 415 cameras positioned at 200 locations within the palatial grounds and 14 at nine locations on the periphery. Patrols will also be intensified. At Gyeongbok Palace, nighttime patrols will be increased to eight times per 24 hours this year from the previous two to four times. Cooperation with local police stations will be established to ensure continuous police patrols along the outer boundaries as well. To further raise public awareness regarding the protection of national heritage, the CHA plans to incorporate an anti-vandalism provision in its banners, leaflets and tickets, as well as on its online channels. In conjunction with these nationwide initiatives, the agency aims to encourage the public to actively report instances of vandalism through its website and a dedicated hotline. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Two bombs exploded and killed at least 95 people Wednesday at a commemoration for a prominent Iranian general slain by the U.S. in a 2020 drone strike, Iranian officials said, as the Middle East remains on edge over Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza. No one immediately claimed responsibility for what appeared to be the deadliest militant attack to target Iran since its 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran's leaders vowed to punish those responsible for the blasts, which wounded at least 211 people. The blasts were minutes apart and shook the city of Kerman, about 510 miles southeast of the capital, Tehran. The second blast sprayed shrapnel into a screaming crowd fleeing the first explosion. An earlier death toll of 103 was revised lower after officials realized that some names were repeated on a list of victims, Iran's health minister, Bahram Einollahi, told state TV. Many of the wounded were in critical condition, however, so the death toll could rise. The gathering marked the fourth anniversary of the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guard's elite Quds Force, in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq. The explosions occurred near his grave as long lines of people gathered for the event. Iranian state television and officials described the attacks as bombings, without immediately giving clear details of what happened. The attacks came a day after a deputy head of the Palestinian militant group Hamas was killed in a suspected Israeli strike in Beirut. The first bomb Wednesday was detonated about 3 p.m., and the other went off some 20 minutes later, the Iranian interior minister, Ahmad Vahidi, told state television. He said the second blast killed and wounded the most people. Images and video on social media appeared to correspond with the accounts of officials, who said the first blast happened about 765 yards from Soleimani's grave in the Kerman Martyrs Cemetery near a parking lot. The crowd then rushed west along Shohada Street, where the second blast struck less than a mile from the grave. A delayed second explosion is often used by militants to inflict more casualties by targeting emergency personnel responding to an attack. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the attackers will face "a harsh response," though he didn't name any possible suspect. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi added: "Undoubtedly, the perpetrators and leaders of this cowardly act will soon be identified and punished." Iran has multiple foes who could be behind the assault, including exile groups, militant organizations and state actors. While Israel has carried out attacks in Iran over its nuclear program, it has conducted targeted assassinations, not mass casualty bombings. A U.S. State Department spokesman, Matthew Miller, said American officials had "no reason" to believe Israel was involved in Wednesday's attack in Iran. Sunni extremist groups including the Islamic State group conducted large-scale attacks in the past that killed civilians in Shiite-majority Iran, though not in relatively peaceful Kerman. Iran also has seen mass protests in recent years, including those over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in 2022. The country also has been targeted by exile groups in attacks dating back to the turmoil surrounding its 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran has been arming militant groups over the decades, including Hamas, the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthi rebels. As Israel wages its devastating war in Gaza after Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks that left 1,200 people dead, both Hezbollah and the Houthis have launched attacks targeting Israel that they say come on behalf of the Palestinians. Israel is suspected of launching the attack Tuesday that killed a deputy head of Hamas in Beirut, but that attack caused limited casualties in a densely populated neighborhood of the Lebanese capital. Last week, a suspected Israeli strike killed a Revolutionary Guard commander in Syria. A Houthi spokesman, Mohammed Abdel-Salam, sought to link the bombings to Iran's "support for the resistance forces in Palestine and Lebanon," though he did not specifically blame anyone for the attack. In Beirut, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah called the people who died in the attacks "martyrs who died on the same road, cause and battle that was led by" Soleimani. The government of neighboring Iraq expressed condolences to the victims, and the European Union issued a statement offering "its solidarity with the Iranian people." Soleimani was the architect of Iran's regional military activities and is hailed as a national icon among supporters of Iran's theocracy. He also helped secure Syrian President Bashar Assad's government after the 2011 Arab Spring protests against him turned into a civil, and later a regional, war that still rages today. Ultimately, a drone strike launched by the Trump administration killed the general, part of escalating incidents that followed America's 2018 unilateral withdrawal from Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers. Today in history: Jan. 3 1959: Alaska 1961: Dwight D. Eisenhower 1967: Jack Ruby 1977: Apple Computer 1990: Manuel Noriega 2007: Gerald R. Ford 2008: Barack Obama 2012: Mitt Romney 2013: John Boehner 2013: Congress 2013: Sandy Hook 2013: Sandy Hook Elementary School 2017: Ford 2020: Qassem Soleimani 2021: Gerry Mardsen 2021: Nancy Pelosi 2022: Elizabeth Holmes 2022: Interstate 95 Take a look at trending topics for today, Jan. 3: Jeffrey Epstein list Hundreds of pages of unsealed documents from a lawsuit connected to accused sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein were publicly released on Wednesday. The documents are expected to include nearly 200 names, including some of Epsteins accusers, prominent businesspeople, politicians and potentially more. This is the first set of documents to be unsealed as part of a December 18 court order; more are expected as part of the order. CNN is now reviewing the documents. The documents are filings from a settled case brought by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, an American woman who claimed Epstein sexually abused her as a minor and that Ghislaine Maxwell, Epsteins former girlfriend, aided in the abuse. Read more about it here: Tyreek Hill Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill and his family are safe after fire rescue crews responded to a large fire at his South Florida home Wednesday afternoon. The house, which is located in Southwest Ranches about 30 miles northwest of Miami, was shown Wednesday on local station WSVN 7 News with a large amount of black smoke coming out of the roof as firefighters doused it with water. Hill had been at Dolphins practice as Miami prepares for its regular-season finale against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night, but he left after being told about the fire. Hill's agent Drew Rosenhaus told reporters that some family members were home at the time of the fire. Get more info here: Iran At least 95 people were killed in Iran Wednesday after back-to-back explosions at an event commemorating the 2020 slaying of a prominent general by the United States, Iranian officials said. More than 210 people were wounded in the attack, for which there was no immediate claim of responsibility. Heres what else is known and what remains unclear about the explosions: *** Get more of today's top news here: Luke Littler Aaron Rodgers DES MOINES A handful of Iowans expressed their opposition to a state law, and its proposed administrative rules, that prohibits books with descriptions of sex acts and instruction on gender identity in elementary schools during a public hearing on Wednesday. Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the law Senate File 496 last year that bans books with descriptions or visual depictions of any of a defined list of sex acts from school libraries. It also prohibits any instruction or curriculum on gender identity or sexual orientation from schools before seventh grade and requires school districts notify a students parent if the student requests to change their name or pronouns in order to affirm their gender identity, among other provisions. Penalties for the law were set to take effect on Jan. 1, but a federal judge temporarily blocked the most controversial portions last week after multiple groups sued state officials over the law. Commenters on Wednesday said the rules did not go far enough in clarifying the intent of the legislation and would lead to far too many books being removed from school library shelves. Iowans will have another opportunity to comment on the proposed rules on Thursday at 10:30 at the Grimes State Office Building in Des Moines. In his order blocking the law until the litigation is settled, U.S. District Court Judge Stephen Locher called its mandates wildly overbroad. The sweeping restrictions in Senate File 496 are unlikely to satisfy the First Amendment under any standard of scrutiny and thus may not be enforced while the case is pending, Locher wrote in the ruling. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Attorney General Brenna Bird said last week they were disappointed in the ruling and vowed to continue defending the law. Instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation has no place in kindergarten through sixth grade classrooms, Reynolds said. And there should be no question that books containing sexually explicit content as clearly defined in Iowa law do not belong in a school library for children. What do the rules say? Thomas Mayes, the Department of Educations general counsel, noted the injunction during Wednesdays public hearing and said any action that the state board takes in response to this public comment is, of course, bound by any current law. Should the law be allowed to take effect, the proposed rules would govern how schools must implement it and how the state would enforce penalties. While the rules are mostly in line with the text of Senate File 496, they clarify that a reference or mention of a sex act in a way that does not describe or visually depict the act is not prohibited from school libraries. The rules also only apply to a library that a school has direct control over, and schools with libraries that serve multiple grades must ensure that students only have access to material appropriate for their grades. On the portion prohibiting instruction on gender and sexual orientation, the department stipulated that a neutral statement regarding sexual orientation or gender identity does not violate the rules. The rules state a school board would receive a written warning on the first violation, and on the second violation, the superintendent and employees of the school could receive disciplinary action. Commenter calls rules weak and meaningless Five people, all opposing the law and current rules, spoke at the first of two public hearings on the proposed rules on Wednesday. Sarah Hayden Parris, a member of Annies Foundation, a group that opposes library book restrictions, said the rules are weak and meaningless, and the legislation was poorly written and discriminatory. She pointed to the judges injunction on the law as evidence it violates the First Amendment and said the rules do not go far enough in clarifying what is and is not allowed in school libraries. Even with the proposed rules, the law has a staggeringly broad scope, such that the dictionary and Iowa Code are likely prohibited books in Iowa schools, she said. There was no way the board could have successfully provided meaningful clarifications surrounding SF 496. Iowa Republicans have repeatedly defended the law as a measure to remove pornography and graphic sex from school libraries. Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley said in a statement when the law was challenged in court that Republicans stand behind it. The sexualization of children in schools does not have a place in Iowa," he said. "This is a responsible and reasonable law that I believe all Iowans could get behind if the far left and the media would stop playing politics and accurately represent what is actually in the law. School advocate requests stronger language Margaret Buckton, a lobbyist for the Urban Education Network and Rural School Advocates of Iowa, said at the hearing the department should add more clarification to the rules to ensure that classic literature that does not feature graphic sex is not removed from school library shelves. Buckton said the sex act prohibition should be altered to ban vivid or pornographic descriptions or graphic depictions of a sex act. She said that would make a clearer distinction between what is and is not allowed in school libraries. After passage of the legislation, the education committee chairs, the leaders of the House and Senate and the governor have all stated that the legislation was intended to prohibit pornography and obscenity in school libraries, Buckton said. The way the bill is drafted, it prohibits anything that is short of those definitions. Or it's vague, and we don't know. After the second round of public comments on Thursday, the proposed rules will go before the Legislature's Administrative Rules Review Committee. The committee is set to meet on Jan. 8, the first day of the legislative session, to review the rules. Inside the book-ban machine: The rise of 'parental rights' groups and their efforts to ban books Inside the book-ban machine: The rise of 'parental rights' groups and their efforts to ban books Conservative education groups have spread rapidly, frequently in areas with politically mixed populations New conservative book rating sites are fueling book bans Regional groups are also organizing to challenge books: About 1 in 6 complaints nationwide in 2022 were from St. Tammany Parish New state laws support attempts to restrict library materials DES MOINES Iowa statehouse Democrats will push to reverse a decision from state officials to opt out of a federal food assistance program for low-income children, party leaders said during a forum Thursday. House and Senate Democratic leaders made the remarks during the Iowa Capitol Press Associations annual Legislative Session Preview Forum. Republican leaders and Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds declined to attend the forum. The state Department of Health and Human Services announced in December that it would not participate in the 2024 Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children program. The program would have given $40 per child for each of the summer months for families who qualify for free and reduced lunch during the school year. Instead, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said the state would expand existing programs that leverage partnerships with community-based providers and schools who understand the needs of the families they serve. Federal COVID-era cash benefit programs are not sustainable and dont provide long-term solutions for the issues impacting children and families, Reynolds said in a statement in December. An EBT card does nothing to promote nutrition at a time when childhood obesity has become an epidemic. The HHS department noted the state would have been required to spend $2.2 million in administrative fees to cover their share of the program. On Thursday, Senate Democratic Leader Pam Jochum of Dubuque said she had reached out to Republican colleagues, who make up the majority in both chambers, asking them to join Democrats in reversing the decision to reject the aid. Some of the arguments the governor has made in terms of why she has rejected that funding just don't wash, Jochum said. They just dont wash. It has nothing to do with obesity, even though she may claim that. Democratic Sen. Izaah Knox issued a statement last week calling for collaboration among all stakeholders to address food insecurity in the wake of the states decision to opt out of the federal program. Republican Sen. Mike Costello, the vice chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, said its unlikely Republicans will pursue legislation to increase funding for food assistance for low-income families. He said he supports state officials decision to pass on the federal program and focus attention on existing state programs. The department has a lot of different programs for feeding children, Costello said. And they feel like they can work with the latitude they already have to meet those needs. In an email, Reynolds' spokesperson Kollin Crompton said the state is exploring using federal funds from the American Rescue Plan to incentivize school districts and other sites to participate in other federally-funded summer feeding programs, while asking other districts to expand their programs. The state will also explore ways to connect Medicaid-eligible Iowans with food assistance. He said existing state programs offer more nutritious alternatives to EBT cards, which do not have a nutritional requirement. "The Summer Food Service Program and the Seamless Summer Option, already run through the state, are required to provide Milk, fruits, vegetables, grains, and meats / proteins all based around age-appropriate meal patterns,' Crompton said. "These nutritional standards provide well balanced, prepared meals for children in a healthy, safe environment. Rep. Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights, who leads House Democrats, said she is skeptical there will be any support from Republicans to reverse the decision or expand funding for low-income families to make up for the federal dollars. I dont know that there are bipartisan opportunities, but Democrats are ready to work on those, Konfrst said. I just dont believe Republicans are willing to stand up to the governor on this really disastrous and offensive decision. A revolution brews in the Democratic Party, and it's not the usual left-wing threats to sabotage moderate Democratic candidates. It's the Democratic mainstream telling the fringe to go pound sand. The causes change. It used to be defunding police. Now it is the war in Gaza. Irritation among moderate Democrats has been growing for some time, but this issue has them breaking free. The self-liberating Democrats include John Fetterman, senator from Pennsylvania, and Ritchie Torres, congressman from the Bronx. Both have expressed strong support for Israel's efforts to dismantle Hamas. Both shrug at the displeasure of their party's radicals. Once regarded a progressive icon, Fetterman says he now doesn't care that the left doesn't like him. The left didn't like President Joe Biden either. And Biden not only beat Donald Trump in 2020, he vanquished their socialist Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primaries. For the record, Fetterman doesn't subscribe to the comic-book villain-versus-hero reading of the Gaza conflict. He stated, "Without destroying Hamas, there will be no enduring peace and a stable, two-state solution." But he also said, "I would be the last man standing to be absolutely there on the Israeli side on this with no conditions." Then there's Torres. Half-Black, half-Latino and gay, Torres provides the fringes with a solid checklist of approved identities. He's just too smart to hand his soul over to them. "There are few people in American politics who have been as visibly and vocally supportive of Israel as I've been," Torres said without apology. The activists staged a "Bronx Solidarity with Palestine" rally outside Torres' district office, as is their right. The group's spokesman, however, smeared Torres as a "visible spokesperson for defending Israeli cleansing against the Palestinian people." He then accused Torres of doing exactly what his group was doing, spreading "hate-rhetoric" against the other side. Not surprisingly, Torres has kept his distance from the left-wing "Squad," though its founder, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, represents his neighboring district. One of the Squad's members, Rep. Jamaal Bowman, may have some trouble getting reelected. Regarded as anti-Israel without nuance, he is being primaried in his district, most of it in the suburbs north of the Bronx. He is being challenged by George Latimer, the Westchester County executive. However one may cast blame for the latest Mideast tragedy, Bowman already earned removal over his stunt setting off a fire alarm in the House office building. Democrats at the time were trying to stall a Republican stopgap spending bill. Bowman said, "I thought the alarm would open the door," which we assume was a lie. More likely, he was working his inner juvenile delinquent. One of the far left's tools for grabbing attention is to block bridges and highways. Gaza war protestors did that in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Tacoma and elsewhere. And, of course, in New York, where they also briefly disrupted the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It is highly unlikely that the commuters taken hostage by their demonstrations were thinking, "Hey, I'm glad you ruined my day. Your cause must be just." No. They're not about winning minds. They're about getting audience. Performance is all. There's now a move among some to threaten Biden's reelection over his support for the elimination of Hamas. The fuller picture has Biden also pressuring Israel to pull back from attacks resulting in so many civilian deaths. Some on the left again talk about supporting third-party radicals who could spoil a moderate Democrat's ability to win. They did this with success in 2000 and again in 2016. The Democratic mainstream should stop trying to placate the children and replace them with centrist independents and Republicans done with the Trump show. Happily, that may have started already. In 2000, Eddie Vedder, the Pearl Jam baritone and outspoken proponent of abortion rights, threatened to move to a different country if George W. Bush were elected president. With three Supreme Court positions opening in the next administration, Im frightened to think of a Republican in office, he said. The same year, Alec Baldwin reportedly said hed leave if Bush won. So did the late director Robert Altman. Bush won. Vedder stayed. Baldwin stayed. Altman stayed. The right-wing joke about huffy posturing by celebrities was born. Indeed, the threat to leave the United States if X or Y is elected or B or T is usually both bombastic and empty. The common wisdom is its better not to make the threat at all. Its like divorce. Youre not supposed to mention it unless youre ready to follow through. But with pollsters telling us that dread tops the list of Americans feelings about the 2024 election, and with former President Donald Trump hoping for an explicitly dictatorial White House comeback, the prospect of decamping for more democratic shores has fresh appeal. Hollow threats are foolish. But its worth remembering a fundamental freedom: to move. Ive hardly ever thought about leaving the U.S. in political protest. Even after the elections of Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, whose politics diverged steeply from my own, expatriating didnt cross my mind. Those two were democratically elected by an American majority. Yes, being forced to accept presidents who were opposed by the majority of the American electorate George W. Bush in 2000 and Donald Trump in 2016 was demoralizing. Presidents who slide into the Oval Office courtesy of the ever-more-imbalanced electoral college, with flagrant assists from the Supreme Court (Bush) or the Kremlin (Trump) are terrible for morale in a democracy. Still, I havent yet fired up listings for rentals in Auckland, New Zealand or Vancouver. But accepting a leader who installs himself in the White House with a violent insurrection, as Trump tried to do just three years ago? Thats where the expatriation fantasy kicks in in earnest. In last years sweeping history of human civilization, The Dawn of Everything, authors David Graeber and David Wengrow propose that human society requires three priceless freedoms: to disobey, to reimagine society and to move away. To remember that we can indeed escape this country if the American experiment is hijacked is to send a signal to the nervous system that were still free in all three ways. Until all the borders and harbors and highways close, until every single plane is grounded and martial law instituted, were not stuck here. Its a deeply worthwhile practice of citizenship to visit the question of whether America has finally failed. After all, the origin story of many American families is escape. Consider it a thought experiment: What would it take for you to leave? According to Gallup, record numbers of Americans seriously considered leaving the United States during Trumps term. Sixteen percent said they wanted to split for good. This was considerably higher than during the administrations of George W. Bush (11%) and Barack Obama (10%). Most notably, 40% of women under 30 told Gallup in 2019 that theyd like to leave. According to data collected last year by the Washington Post, the desire to get out spiked again after Roe vs. Wade was overturned in June 2022. When I asked ChatGPT about emigrating to Canada I didnt exactly get the kindly Come on in! message Id hoped for. Instead, it told me to try my luck with the Canadian bureaucracy visas and family sponsorship, Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program. If you can find a foothold abroad, its easier than ever to support yourself in foreign lands. Pandemic-era workforces remain far-flung. Last year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that around 28% of private-sector establishments had employees teleworking some or all the time. You might be able to leave the U.S. and take your job with you. And plenty of people do leave. In 2020, a prominent American legal journalist took her family to Canada, where she grew up. Shes content no longer to live in the long shadow of our sold-out, far-right Supreme Court. A 26-year-old gay American, who presciently fled stateside political instability for Norway in 2019, convened a Reddit group called r/AmerExit to help others considering a move. One member, Richard Altfeld, headed to the Netherlands with his wife, Tiana Esperanza. A biracial couple, Altfeld and Esperanza were among other things fed up with American racism. The urge to escape, of course, isnt only felt by liberals. Another Gallup poll finds that pride in being American is at near-record lows for Republicans. If theyre casting around for new homelands, Republicans might look to Trump for inspiration. On the stump hes been lavishing praise on the dictatorships in Hungary, China, Russia and North Korea. His followers have at least four solid options for expatriation if President Joe Biden wins reelection. But, of course, actually leaving isnt easy. The hitch in moving to Canada may be bureaucracy. But the hitch in moving to the autocracies that are richest in Trumpian values is that they also tend to be hostile to immigrants. Skeptical Science New Research for Week #1 2024 Posted on 4 January 2024 by Doug Bostrom, Marc Kodack Open access notables Rapid Sea Level Rise in the Tropical Southwest Indian Ocean in the Recent Two Decades, Huang et al., Geophysical Research Letters: It has been reported that the sea level falls in the tropical Southwest Indian Ocean (SWIO) from the 1960s to the early 2000s. However, a rising trend of 4.05 0.56 cm/decade has occurred during the recent two decades with our analysis showing that manometric sea level contributes 41% to this sea level rise. 30% of this rise is due to steric sea level (SSL) change in the upper 2,000 m with SSL rise in the upper 300 m of secondary importance. Conversely, thermal expansion below the thermocline (3002,000 m), likely caused by water mass spread from the Southern Ocean, induces major contribution to SSL changes. Compared to existing studies demonstrating the contribution of thermal variations above the thermocline to sea level variability in the tropical SWIO, this study emphasizes the importance of ocean mass and deeper ocean changes in a warming climate. Projected soil carbon loss with warming in constrained Earth system models, Ren et al., Nature Communications: The soil carbon-climate feedback is currently the least constrained component of global warming projections, and the major source of uncertainties stems from a poor understanding of soil carbon turnover processes. Here, we assemble data from long-term temperature-controlled soil incubation studies to show that the arctic and boreal region has the shortest intrinsic soil carbon turnover time while tropical forests have the longest one, and current Earth system models overestimate intrinsic turnover time by 30 percent across active, slow and passive carbon pools. Our constraint suggests that the global soils will switch from carbon sink to source, with a loss of 0.220.53 petagrams of carbon per year until the end of this century from strong mitigation to worst emission scenarios, suggesting that global soils will provide a strong positive carbon feedback on warming. Such a reversal of global soil carbon balance would lead to a reduction of 66% and 15% in the current estimated remaining carbon budget for limiting global warming well below 1.5 C and 2 C, respectively, rendering climate mitigation much more difficult. Presenting balanced geoengineering information has little effect on mitigation engagement, Merk & Wagner Wagner, Climatic Change: Moral hazard links geoengineering to mitigation via the fear that either solar geoengineering (solar radiation management, SRM) or carbon dioxide removal (CDR) might crowd out the desire to cut emissions. Fear of this crowding-out effect ranks among the most frequently cited risks of (solar) geoengineering. We here test moral hazard versus its inverse in a large-scale, revealed-preference experiment (n ~ 340,000) on Facebook and find little to no support for either outcome. For the most part, talking about SRM or CDR does not motivate our study population to support a large US environmental non-profits mission, nor does it turn them off relative to baseline climate messaging, except when using extreme messengers and framings. Is it Up to Me or Them? Insights from an Experimental Study on Psychological Reactance Towards Climate Change Mitigation Appeals, Bilfinger et al., Environmental Communication: This study posits the hypothesis that the lack of an individuals engagement in mitigating climate change might be due to reactance, a motivational psychological state that occurs when ones perceived freedom to think or act is being threatened. In a 2 2 between-subjects experimental design (N = 623), we varied how mitigation recommendations for transportation were communicated (individual vs. policy appeal) in an online article. Additionally, we manipulated how directly the need to act was stressed (high- vs. low-controlling language). Outcome measures to capture reactance were perceived threat to freedom, counterarguing, and support for recommended mitigation efforts. Participants in the individual condition reported higher perceived threat to freedom, counterarguing, and showed lower support for the recommendations compared to those in the policy condition. In addition, high-controlling language increased perceptions of freedom threat. Results help clarify public responses to climate change mitigation appeals and offer insights about peoples perspectives on climate change mitigation. Substantial and increasing global losses of timber-producing forest due to wildfires, Bousfield et al., Nature Geoscience: One-third of global forest is harvested for timber, generating ~US$1.5 trillion annually. High-severity wildfires threaten this timber production. Here we combine global maps of logging activity and stand-replacing wildfires to assess how much timber-producing forest has been lost to wildfire this century, and quantify spatio-temporal changes in annual area lost. Between 2001 and 2021, 18.524.7 million hectares of timber-producing forestan area the size of Great Britainexperienced stand-replacing wildfires, with extensive burning in the western USA and Canada, Siberian Russia, Brazil and Australia. Annual burned area increased significantly throughout the twenty-first century, pointing to substantial wildfire-driven timber losses under increasingly severe climate change. Governing the net-zero transition: Strategy, policy, and politics, Meadowcroft & Rosenbloom, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: This paper applies insights from the literature on transitions in major consumptionproduction systems to clarify the nature of the challenge of moving to a net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emission society. It highlights critical features of transitions including their multiactor/multicausal logic, phased development, and distributive impacts. Because current systems are so dependent on fossil energy resources, and on GHG-emitting industrial processes and agricultural practices, multiple transitions across a range of distinct consumptionproduction systems will be required for net zero. The transformation of each system faces different barriers and enabling conditions and is influenced by varied nonclimate-related disruptions. Perspectives on funding structures, cross-cultural collaboration and institutional support needed to support the next generation of convergence climate scientists, Blaskey et al., PLOS Climate (opinion): Climate change presents interrelated ecological, social, economic, and political challenges. Successful adaptation and resiliency efforts require convergent research: an integrative approach that transcends disciplinary boundaries and brings together expertise from across diverse disciplines, nations, cultures, and knowledge systems [1]. Convergent research has emerged as an avenue to facilitate holistic insight into the rapid environmental changes in the Arctic, their ramifications on socio-ecological systems, and the formulation of sustainable mitigation strategies [2]. Given the emerging interest in convergent research approaches that include Indigenous communities by funding agencies [3], there is a need to identify necessary support required for Early Career Researchers (ECRs) to use these approaches. 120 articles in 51 journals by 835 contributing authors Physical science of climate change, effects Anthropogenic Carbon in the Arctic Ocean: Perspectives From Different Transient Tracers, Raimondi et al., Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023jc019999 Asymmetric Arctic and Antarctic Warming and Its Intermodel Spread in CMIP6, Zhang et al., Journal of Climate Open Access pdf 10.1175/jcli-d-23-0118.1 Observations of climate change, effects Global increase in tropical cyclone ocean surface waves, Shi et al., Nature Communications Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41467-023-43532-4 Increased diurnal temperature range in global drylands in more recent decades, Daramola et al., International Journal of Climatology Open Access pdf 10.1002/joc.8341 Recent human-induced atmospheric drying across Europe unprecedented in the last 400 years, Treydte et al., Nature Geoscience 10.1038/s41561-023-01335-8 Start&2023&4, Ivanov et al., Open Access pdf 10.3897/bdj.11.e100521.figure4 The impact of extreme heat on lake warming in China, Wang et al., Nature Communications Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41467-023-44404-7 Instrumentation & observational methods of climate change, effects Continuity between NASA MODIS Collection 6.1 and VIIRS Collection 2 land products, Roman et al., Remote Sensing of Environment Open Access 10.1016/j.rse.2023.113963 The 19912020 sea surface temperature normals, Yin et al., International Journal of Climatology Open Access pdf 10.1002/joc.8350 Modeling, simulation & projection of climate change, effects Buffering Effect of AtmosphereOcean Coupling on Intensity Changes of Tropical Cyclones Under a Changing Climate, Kanada & Aiki, Geophysical Research Letters Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023gl105659 Climate Change Response of Tropical Atlantic Clouds in a Kilometer-Resolution Model, Heim & Schar Schar, Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023jd038947 Effects of CO $$&2$$ vegetation forcing on precipitation and heat extremes in China, Chen et al., Climate Dynamics Open Access 10.1007/s00382-023-07046-5 Intense Tropical Cyclones in the Western North Pacific Under Global Warming: A Dynamical Downscaling Approach, Chih et al., Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres Open Access 10.1029/2023jd038598 Mutating ENSO Impact on Northwest Pacific Tropical Cyclones Under Global Warming, Shi et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023gl105864 Precipitation Scaling in Extreme Rainfall Events and the Implications for Future Indian Monsoon: Analysis of High-Resolution Global Climate Model Simulations, Varghese et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023gl105680 Robust changes in global subtropical circulation under greenhouse warming, Zhou et al., Nature Communications Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41467-023-44244-5 Simulation of extreme precipitation changes in Central Asia using CMIP6 under different climate scenarios, Huang et al., Theoretical and Applied Climatology 10.1007/s00704-023-04802-9 Advancement of climate & climate effects modeling, simulation & projection Asymptotic Matching between Weather and Climate Models, Miura et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society Open Access pdf 10.1175/bams-d-22-0128.1 Comparison of methods to estimate aerosol effective radiative forcings in climate models, Zelinka et al., Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Open Access 10.5194/acp-23-8879-2023 Validation of Two Newly Developed Albedo Schemes Based on the Observations Over the Region With Evergreen Broadleaved Forest in Southern China, Wang et al., Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 10.1029/2023jd038682 Cryosphere & climate change A New Method of Diagnosing the Historical and Projected Changes in Permafrost on the Tibetan Plateau, Li et al., Earth's Future Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023ef003897 A New Method of Diagnosing the Historical and Projected Changes in Permafrost on the Tibetan Plateau, Li et al., Earth's Future Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023ef003897 Drivers of contemporary and future changes in Arctic seasonal transition dates for a tundra site in coastal Greenland, Liu et al., Global Change Biology Open Access pdf 10.1111/gcb.17118 The Impact of Bare Ice Duration and Geo-Topographical Factors on the Darkening of the Greenland Ice Sheet, Feng et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023gl104894 Sea level & climate change Rapid Sea Level Rise in the Tropical Southwest Indian Ocean in the Recent Two Decades, Huang et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023gl106011 Paleoclimate & paleogeochemistry A Model-Data Comparison of the Hydrological Response to Miocene Warmth: Leveraging the MioMIP1 Opportunistic Multi-Model Ensemble, Acosta et al., Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023pa004726 Biotic Response of Plankton Communities to Middle to Late Miocene Monsoon Wind and Nutrient Flux Changes in the Oman Margin Upwelling Zone, Auer et al., Climate of the Past Open Access pdf 10.5194/cp-19-2313-2023 Clay minerals store organic carbon and cool Earths climate over millions of years, , Nature Geoscience 10.1038/s41561-023-01353-6 Detecting Paleoclimate Transitions With Laplacian Eigenmaps of Recurrence Matrices (LERM), James et al., Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology Open Access 10.1029/2023pa004700 Influence of plate reference frames on deep-time climate simulations, Zhang et al., Global and Planetary Change 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2023.104352 Biology & climate change, related geochemistry Active around the year: Butterflies and moths adapt their life cycles to a warming world, Habel et al., Global Change Biology Open Access pdf 10.1111/gcb.17103 Anthropogenic climate change drives non-stationary phytoplankton internal variability, Elsworth et al., Biogeosciences Open Access pdf 10.5194/bg-20-4477-2023 Atmospheric drying and soil drying: Differential effects on grass community composition, Huynh et al., Global Change Biology Open Access pdf 10.1111/gcb.17106 Benthic functionality under climate-induced environment changes offshore on the Antarctic Peninsula continental shelf, Mohd Nasir et al., Marine Environmental Research 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106341 Changes in evapotranspiration, transpiration and evaporation across natural and managed landscapes in the Amazon, Cerrado and Pantanal biomes, D'Acunha et al., Agricultural and Forest Meteorology Open Access 10.1016/j.agrformet.2023.109875 Climate impacts to inland fishes: Shifting research topics over time, Lynch et al., PLOS Climate Open Access pdf 10.1371/journal.pclm.0000326 Climate warming restructures food webs and carbon flow in high-latitude ecosystems, Manlick et al., Nature Climate Change 10.1038/s41558-023-01893-0 Human activity and climate change accelerate the extinction risk to non-human primates in China, Li et al., Global Change Biology 10.1111/gcb.17114 Intensified Structural Overshoot Aggravates Drought Impacts on Dryland Ecosystems, Zhang et al., Earth's Future Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023ef003977 Lake Superior's summer cooling of shorelines and adjacent inland forests: Implications for refugia of boreal forests and disjunct arcticalpine plants, Hillman & Nielsen, Ecology and Evolution Open Access pdf 10.1002/ece3.10833 More than 17,000 tree species are at risk from rapid global change, Boonman et al., Nature Communications Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41467-023-44321-9 Predicting microbial adaptability to climate change in the Anthropocene, Qian & Wang, Global Change Biology Open Access pdf 10.1111/gcb.17122 Projected climate and canopy change lead to thermophilization and homogenization of forest floor vegetation in a hotspot of plant species richness, Braziunas et al., Global Change Biology Open Access pdf 10.1111/gcb.17121 Role of Atlantification in Enhanced Primary Productivity in the Barents Sea, Noh et al., Earth's Future Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023ef003709 The vulnerability of World Heritage seagrass habitats to climate change, Losciale et al., Global Change Biology Open Access pdf 10.1111/gcb.17113 GHG sources & sinks, flux, related geochemistry A Greenhouse Gas Budget for Mexico During 20002019, Murray?Tortarolo et al., Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences 10.1029/2023jg007667 Carbon Stocks and Potential Greenhouse Gas Production of Permafrost-Affected Active Floodplains in the Lena River Delta, Herbst et al., Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023jg007590 Climate warming restructures food webs and carbon flow in high-latitude ecosystems, Manlick et al., Nature Climate Change 10.1038/s41558-023-01893-0 Differences in organic carbon accumulation in mangrove soils due to foraging by herbivorous crabs, Zhang et al., Marine Environmental Research 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106332 Elevation and temperature are strong predictors of long-term carbon accumulation across tropical Andean mountain peatlands, Hribljan et al., Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 10.1007/s11027-023-10089-y Impact of Marine Heatwaves on Air-Sea CO2 Flux Along the US East Coast, Edwing et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023gl105363 Net Methane Production Predicted by Patch Characteristics in a Freshwater Wetland, Sharp et al., Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023jg007814 Post-fire soil carbon emission rates along boreal forest fire chronosequences in northwest Canada show significantly higher emission potentials from permafrost soils compared to non-permafrost soils, Koster et al., Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution Open Access pdf 10.3389/fevo.2023.1331018 Projected soil carbon loss with warming in constrained Earth system models, Ren et al., Nature Communications Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41467-023-44433-2 Relative importance between nitrification and denitrification to N2O from a global perspective, Han et al., Global Change Biology 10.1111/gcb.17082 Relative increases in CH4 and CO2 emissions from wetlands under global warming dependent on soil carbon substrates, Hu et al., Nature Geoscience 10.1038/s41561-023-01345-6 Size matters: Aerobic methane oxidation in sediments of shallow thermokarst lakes, Manasypov et al., Global Change Biology 10.1111/gcb.17120 Spatial and temporal variations of gross primary production simulated by land surface model BCC&AVIM2.0, Li et al., Advances in Climate Change Research Open Access 10.1016/j.accre.2023.02.001 Standards and Open Access are the ICOS Pillars: Reply to Comments on The Integrated Carbon Observation System in Europe, Papale et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society Open Access pdf 10.1175/bams-d-23-0216.1 The Coastal Carbon Library and Atlas: Open source soil data and tools supporting blue carbon research and policy, Holmquist et al., Global Change Biology Open Access pdf 10.1111/gcb.17098 The Flux You Say?: Comments on The Integrated Carbon Observation System in Europe, Kowalski, Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society Open Access pdf 10.1175/bams-d-22-0274.1 Trade-off in the partitioning of recent photosynthate carbon under global change, Li et al., Global Change Biology 10.1111/gcb.17110 CO2 capture, sequestration science & engineering Performance evaluation of CO2 capture on using potential adsorbents in a CI engine exhaustAn experimental investigation, Ravi et al., Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology 10.1002/ghg.2256 Decarbonization Analyzing incentives and barriers to electric vehicle adoption in the United States, Javadnejad et al., Environment Systems and Decisions 10.1007/s10669-023-09958-3 Aquatic plant Nymphaea mexicana as a viable feedstock for second-generation biofuel production, Rashid et al., Environment, Development and Sustainability 10.1007/s10668-023-04310-w Can green hydrogen production be used to mitigate ocean deoxygenation? A scenario from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Wallace et al., Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change Open Access pdf 10.1007/s11027-023-10094-1 Decarbonisation Index (DCI): an LCA-based key performance indicator for the automotive industry, Neef et al., The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment Open Access pdf 10.1007/s11367-023-02247-w Evaluation and performance comparison of different models for global solar radiation forecasting: a case study on five cities, Ali et al., Environment, Development and Sustainability Open Access pdf 10.1007/s10668-023-04307-5 Sulfion oxidation assisting self-powered hydrogen production system based on efficient catalysts from spent lithium-ion batteries, Wang et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Open Access pdf 10.1073/pnas.2317174120 Geoengineering climate Presenting balanced geoengineering information has little effect on mitigation engagement, Merk & Wagner Wagner, Climatic Change Open Access pdf 10.1007/s10584-023-03671-5 Climate change communications & cognition American Perceptions and Attitudes about Domestic Climate Migrants and Migration, Harris et al., Weather, Climate, and Society 10.1175/wcas-d-23-0020.1 Experts and expertise in practices of citizen engagement in climate policy: a comparative analysis of two contrasting cases, van Beek et al., Climatic Change Open Access 10.1007/s10584-023-03659-1 Impact of climate change awareness on household attitude toward food waste reduction, Nwankwo-Ojionu et al., Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences 10.1007/s13412-023-00883-0 Is it Up to Me or Them? Insights from an Experimental Study on Psychological Reactance Towards Climate Change Mitigation Appeals, Bilfinger et al., Environmental Communication Open Access pdf 10.1080/17524032.2023.2296844 When Corporations Care: A Reassessment of the Debunking Paradigm in Environmental Communication, Aronczyk, Environmental Communication 10.1080/17524032.2023.2296836 Agronomy, animal husbundry, food production & climate change A systematic literature review of factors influencing the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices, Li et al., Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 10.1007/s11027-023-10098-x Assessment of impacts of adaptation measures on rice farm economic performance in response to climate change: Case study in Vietnam, Nam et al., Environment, Development and Sustainability 10.1007/s10668-023-04301-x Diversifying crop rotation increases food production, reduces net greenhouse gas emissions and improves soil health, Yang et al., Nature Communications Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41467-023-44464-9 Economic valuation of climate induced losses to aquaculture for evaluating climate information services in Bangladesh, Islam et al., Climate Risk Management Open Access 10.1016/j.crm.2023.100582 Effects of climate and winter cover crops on nutrient loss in agricultural watersheds in the midwestern U.S., Hamlet et al., Climatic Change 10.1007/s10584-023-03656-4 Examining the effects of climate change adaptation on technical efficiency of rice production, Liu et al., Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 10.1007/s11027-023-10092-3 Farmers perceptions of climate change affect their adoption of sustainable agricultural technologies in the Brazilian Amazon and Atlantic Forest biomes, Tanure et al., Climatic Change 10.1007/s10584-023-03657-3 How state governance can offer a new paradigm to energy transition in Indian agriculture?, Chatterjee, Energy Policy Open Access 10.1016/j.enpol.2023.113965 Net greenhouse gas balance in U.S. croplands: How can soils be part of the climate solution?, You et al., Global Change Biology Open Access pdf 10.1111/gcb.17109 Projected irrigation demand for large-scale rice granary under future climate scenarios based on CMIP6 multi-GCM ensemble: a case study of Kerian Irrigation Scheme, Malaysia, Nasir et al., Theoretical and Applied Climatology 10.1007/s00704-023-04812-7 Substantial and increasing global losses of timber-producing forest due to wildfires, Bousfield et al., Nature Geoscience Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41561-023-01323-y Sugarcane farmers perceptions of climate change and their adaptation methods in Fiji: adaptation for the industry or for their livelihood?, Rayman, Beyond the Bottom Line Open Access 10.1007/978-1-137-04513-3_2 The Impact of Livelihood Capitals on Farmers Adoption of Climate-smart Agriculture Practices: Evidence from Rice Production in the Jianghan Plain, China, Tong et al., Climate Risk Management Open Access 10.1016/j.crm.2023.100583 Hydrology, hydrometeorology & climate change A Comprehensive Biogeochemical Assessment of Climate-Threatened Glacial River Headwaters on the Eastern Slopes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Serbu et al., Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023jg007745 Higher emissions scenarios lead to more extreme flooding in the United States, Kim & Villarini, Nature Communications Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41467-023-44415-4 Influence of large-scale climate indices and regional meteorological elements on drought characteristics in the Luanhe River Basin, Li et al., Atmospheric Research 10.1016/j.atmosres.2024.107219 Modeling the Water Systems of the Western US to Support Climate-Resilient Electricity System Planning, Yates et al., Earth's Future Open Access pdf 10.1029/2022ef003220 Climate change economics Climate stress testing in the financial industry, Weber, Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability Open Access 10.1016/j.cosust.2023.101401 Compounding Uncertainties in Economic and Population Growth Increase Tail Risks for Relevant Outcomes Across Sectors, Kanyako et al., Earth's Future Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023ef003930 Dissecting climate change risk and financial market instability: Implications for ecological risk management, Ma et al., Risk Analysis 10.1111/risa.14265 The potential of wealth taxation to address the triple climate inequality crisis, Chancel et al., Nature Climate Change 10.1038/s41558-023-01891-2 Climate change mitigation public policy research Blinded by sunspots: Revealing the multidimensional and intersectional inequities of solar energy in India, Stock & Sovacool, Global Environmental Change 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2023.102796 Determinants of consumption-based and production-based carbon emissions, Emenekwe et al., Environment, Development and Sustainability 10.1007/s10668-023-04311-9 Differential carbon footprint resulting from cooking fuels: a cross-sectional study in rural and urban setup of Kalyani Region, District Nadia, West Bengal, Dey et al., Environment, Development and Sustainability 10.1007/s10668-023-04325-3 Experts and expertise in practices of citizen engagement in climate policy: a comparative analysis of two contrasting cases, van Beek et al., Climatic Change Open Access 10.1007/s10584-023-03659-1 Farmers perceptions of climate change affect their adoption of sustainable agricultural technologies in the Brazilian Amazon and Atlantic Forest biomes, Tanure et al., Climatic Change 10.1007/s10584-023-03657-3 Governing the net-zero transition: Strategy, policy, and politics, Meadowcroft & Rosenbloom, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Open Access pdf 10.1073/pnas.2207727120 Mitigating carbon emissions: the role of Chinese foreign direct investment in Ghana, Gyimah et al., Environment, Development and Sustainability 10.1007/s10668-023-04336-0 Policy options to mitigate the fiscal impact of road transport decarbonization: Application to Costa Rica, Victor-Gallardo et al., Energy Policy Open Access 10.1016/j.enpol.2023.113958 The landscape of European policies in the power sector: first-mover advantages, Govorukha et al., Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change Open Access pdf 10.1007/s11027-023-10081-6 The unfolding low-carbon transition in the UK electricity system, Pearson & Watson, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Open Access pdf 10.1073/pnas.2206235120 Transforming the grid for a more environmentally and socially sustainable electricity system in Great Britain is a slow and uneven process, Lockwood, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Open Access pdf 10.1073/pnas.2207825120 Who is most affected by carbon tax? Evidence from Chinese residents in the context of aging, Yu et al., Energy Policy 10.1016/j.enpol.2023.113956 Climate change adaptation & adaptation public policy research Adaptation requires attuning to shifting temporal patterns, Bremer et al., Nature Climate Change 10.1038/s41558-023-01899-8 Climate-resilient development in developing countries, Sanchez Rodriguez & Fernandez Carril , Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability Open Access 10.1016/j.cosust.2023.101391 Incremental and transformational adaptation to climate change among Indigenous Peoples and local communities: a global review, Zant et al., Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change Open Access pdf 10.1007/s11027-023-10095-0 The next generation of machine learning for tracking adaptation texts, Sietsma et al., Nature Climate Change 10.1038/s41558-023-01890-3 Climate change impacts on human health Identifying heat thresholds for South Africa towards the development of a heat-health warning system, Kapwata et al., International Journal of Biometeorology Open Access pdf 10.1007/s00484-023-02596-z Premature Deaths Due To Heat Exposure: The Potential Effects of Neighborhood-Level Versus City-Level Acclimatization Within US Cities, Shindell et al., GeoHealth Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023gh000970 Other Performance of Fire Danger Indices and Their Utility in Predicting Future Wildfire Danger Over the Conterminous United States, Yu et al., Earth's Future Open Access 10.1029/2023ef003823 Informed opinion, nudges & major initiatives Accelerating actions for leveraging a climate-neutral sustainable society, Kainuma et al., Sustainability Science Open Access pdf 10.1007/s11625-023-01445-7 Critical hydrologic impacts from climate change: addressing an urgent global need, Falk et al., Sustainability Science Open Access pdf 10.1007/s11625-023-01428-8 Editorial: Carbon sequestration in forest plantation ecosystems, Chen et al., Frontiers in Forests and Global Change Open Access pdf 10.3389/ffgc.2023.1343488 ESD Ideas: Arctic amplification's contribution to breaches of the Paris Agreement, Duffey et al., Open Access pdf 10.5194/egusphere-2023-810 Perspectives on funding structures, cross-cultural collaboration and institutional support needed to support the next generation of convergence climate scientists, Blaskey et al., PLOS Climate Open Access pdf 10.1371/journal.pclm.0000330 Tackling inequality is essential for behaviour change for net zero, Kukowski & Garnett, Nature Climate Change 10.1038/s41558-023-01900-4 The Future in Anthropocene Science, Keys et al., Earth's Future Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023ef003820 The potential of wealth taxation to address the triple climate inequality crisis, Chancel et al., Nature Climate Change 10.1038/s41558-023-01891-2 Thirty years of climate change research: A fine-grained analysis of geographical specialization, Debernardi et al., Environmental Science & Policy Open Access 10.1016/j.envsci.2023.103663 USChina science collaboration to solve global grand challenges, Beachy & Seto, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Open Access pdf 10.1073/pnas.2320207120 Obtaining articles without journal subscriptions We know it's frustrating that many articles we cite here are not free to read. One-off paid access fees are generally astronomically priced, suitable for such as "On a Heuristic Point of View Concerning the Production and Transformation of Light" but not as a gamble on unknowns. With a median world income of US$ 9,373, for most of us US$ 42 is significant money to wager on an article's relevance and importance. Here's an excellent collection of tips and techniques for obtaining articles, legally. Unpaywall offers a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox that automatically indicates when an article is freely accessible and provides immediate access without further trouble. Unpaywall is also unscammy, works well, is itself offered free to use. The organizers (a legitimate nonprofit) report about a 50% success rate The weekly New Research catch is checked against the Unpaywall database with accessible items being flagged. Especially for just-published articles this mechansim may fail. If you're interested in an article title and it is not listed here as "open access," be sure to check the link anyway. How is New Research assembled? Most articles appearing here are found via RSS feeds from journal publishers, filtered by search terms to produce raw output for assessment of relevance. Relevant articles are then queried against the Unpaywall database, to identify open access articles and expose useful metadata for articles appearing in the database. The objective of New Research isn't to cast a tinge on scientific results, to color readers' impressions. Hence candidate articles are assessed via two metrics only: Was an article deemed of sufficient merit by a team of journal editors and peer reviewers? The fact of journal RSS output assigns a "yes" to this automatically. Is an article relevant to the topic of anthropogenic climate change? Due to filter overlap with other publication topics of inquiry, of a typical week's 550 or so input articles about 1/4 of RSS output makes the cut. A few journals offer public access to "preprint" versions of articles for which the review process is not yet complete. For some key journals this all the mention we'll see in RSS feeds, so we include such items in New Research. These are flagged as "preprint." The section "Informed opinion, nudges & major initiatives" includes some items that are not scientific research per se but fall instead into the category of "perspectives," observations of implications of research findings, areas needing attention, etc. Suggestions Please let us know if you're aware of an article you think may be of interest for Skeptical Science research news, or if we've missed something that may be important. Send your input to Skeptical Science via our contact form. Journals covered A list of journals we cover may be found here. We welcome pointers to omissions, new journals etc. Previous edition The previous edition of Skeptical Science New Research may be found here. A federal court just set the stage for the Supreme Court to decide on the biggest abortion case since Dobbs. And at the heart of this case is a grim truth: Roes demise has transformed the judiciary into a kind of death panel that holds the power to elevate the potential life of a fetus over the actual life of a patient, Mark Joseph Stern writes. He breaks down whats at stake in this case, and why the judiciary is just going to keep being involved in the abortion debate. And speaking of SCOTUS: Robert Katzberg argues theres a way for the Supreme Court to take the sting out of a pro-Trump ballot ruling. And Todd Phillips catches us up on how the NRA has put yet another disastrous financial case before the high court. Better than nothingor not? In Arkansas, where theres a total abortion ban, a new abortion protection measure on the ballot could be a huge deal. But is settling for protections that are weaker than Roe was its own kind of defeat? Susan Rinkunas examines the potential broader consequences of enshrining weaker rights than the ones lost in 2022. A.I.s groundhog day The discussion around A.I. feels new and scarybut weve had this conversation many times before. Jane C. Hu looks to the past to give us some perspective on the latest technological genie that wont go back in the bottle. Advertisement Plus: A.I. came for our jobs, our art, and our souls. Now, Nicholas Lund writes, its coming for our birds. More (small) dollars, more problems Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Small-dollar political donations get a lot of credit. America loves the grassrootsat least a popularized idea of it, Ryan Teague Beckwith writes. But this practice has a darker side. Look closely at whos getting the most money from small donors and youll see how its fueling political extremism. The NFLs new worst owner is the billionaire who owns the Carolina Panthers. Alex Kirshner takes a look at what happens when a man with money drastically overestimates himself and sets a team ablaze with shocking efficiency. Crossing over After many years holding down a corporate job to get health insurance, Eden Robins quit to become a crossing guard. She explains why it was a fantastic decision. Were welcoming in the new year with a whole series of essays on quitting thingsor not. You can read the rest of them here. Today, Slate is PERFECTLY TUNED TO THE VIBES AND ENERGIES OF THE MOMENT much like the fictional Ikea omakase of Luke Winkies dreams. He argues that we need omakase for everything. Thanks so much for reading! Well see you back here tomorrow. The head of Korea's financial regulator said Thursday it has detected "circumstances" of naked short selling by foreign investment banks. Lee Bok-hyun, governor of the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), told reporters that the FSS will soon announce details of the illegal short selling activities. Lee declined to elaborate further, but the amount of the naked short selling, which is illegal in Korea, may be some tens of billions of won. Lee's remarks came after financial authorities imposed a combined fine of 26.0 billion won ($19.8 million) on two foreign investment banks BNP Paribas and HSBC late last month over alleged naked short selling between 2021 and 2022. "(Investigations) on most cases are nearly in final stages," Lee told reporters, adding the FSS will "soon explain the outcome of the investigations to the people and also reflect them on the ongoing move to reform the stock short selling system." (Yonhap) This story was originally published by Undark and has been republished here with permission. For years, Ron Low took pride in his ability to give his wife multiple orgasms in a single sexual encounter. This was possible, in part, because his erections lasted up to an hour. By the age of 38, though, he found himself wishing he could climax sooner. After one particularly unsatisfying night with his wife, he turned to the internet, where he soon found information that persuaded him that his troubles had a clear explanation: His penis was circumcised. I was missing the capability to experience the sexual sensations to the fullness that nature has seemingly designed us for, Low recently told Undark in an email. In the early days of his research, he found material suggesting that circumcision affects penile sensitivity and sex. Then he discovered forums where circumcised men were discussing techniques for regrowing the foreskin. Soon, Low was taking steps to reverse the surgery that had been performed on him as an infanttoo young, he pointed out, to give informed consent. Some men, meanwhile, have had a different journey. Lee Caddick was not circumcised as a child. He decided to get the procedure at age 48, after decades of suffering from a too-tight foreskin that made erections and sex both painful and embarrassing. Growing up in England, there had been few opportunities to talk earnestly about penises and sexual function. I wish I had got it done earlier, he said. It might have made a big difference in my life. Advertisement Male circumcision is one of the worlds oldest surgeries and remains one of the most common procedures today. It involves the removal of all or part of the foreskin, known as the prepuce, and can be carried out at any age for religious, medical, or other reasons. Rates of the procedure vary widely by country: from 71 percent of males in the United States to 21 percent in the United Kingdom, from 92 percent in Israel to less than 1 percent in Ireland, according to a 2016 estimate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some religions practice infant circumcision, but in the U.S., religious reasons account for just a tiny percentage of all newborns who get circumcised. Most parents arrange for their child to have the procedure for medical reasons. The American Academy of Pediatrics, or AAP, currently states that families should be given access to the surgery on the grounds that it may reduce the risk of acquiring certain infections. Complications are infrequent and generally minor, according to the AAP, particularly when the procedure is performed on newborns. Advertisement Yet the AAP did not issue a blanket recommendation, stating that the procedures health benefits are not great enough to warrant one. In fact, claims that circumcision improves health are increasingly the subject of heated, and occasionally acrimonious, debate. When Andrew Freedman, a California-based pediatric urologist, agreed to contribute to the AAPs policy statement, a friend who had worked on the previous task force warned him against it. The topic was too fraught. He said, Dont do it. Youll get death threats. The friend was not far off, Freedman said. After the policy statement was released, angry messages flooded his inbox: Twenty thousand people sent me emails suggesting I get cancer and die, he recalled. Advertisement Advertisement That anger stemmed in part from the fact that circumcisions medical benefits are not clear-cut. And for many men, being circumcisedor, for that matter, being uncircumcisedis not merely a question of medicine, but one of aesthetics, consent, bodily autonomy, and sexual pleasure. Theres a lot of mythology around it, said Caddick, referring to circumcisions influence on sex. You know, there are people who say their orgasms are more intense, which I think could be true. And there are other people who say you lose like 90 percent of your sensitivity. Scholarly research, it turns out, supports Caddicks impression that mens experiences with circumcision and sexual function vary widely. I think everybodys experience is different, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Research on circumcision is vast, spanning the fields of history, anthropology, psychology, medicine, and public health. Its taken me 12 years to get a handle on the literature, said Brian Earp, a medical ethicist at Oxford University. Its really, really hard to navigate because theres so much material going back so long, and its so politicized. The procedure may date back to the Paleolithic Age, as cave paintings from that period show possibly circumcised penises. Circumcision emerged as a medical intervention within Western medicine in 1870. An American surgeon named Lewis Sayre had been asked to evaluate a 5-year-old boy whose legs were partially paralyzed. During the evaluation, Sayre determined that the boys penis was imprisoned within the foreskin. He decided to circumcise the patient under anesthesia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within days, the childs health improved: Color returned to his cheeks, and he was able to walk with his limbs quite straight, according to the historian David Gollaher, whose book traces the history of circumcision. Sayre hypothesized that the procedure had somehow quieted the boys nervous system, thus returning the child to good health. There was, of course, no real evidence for such a connection between circumcision and the boys recovery from paralysis, but it didnt matter. From there, physicians began to hypothesize that circumcision could cure a wide range of maladies, Gollaher writes, including madness, epilepsy, and the temptation to masturbate. Circumcision also came to signify high social status because doctors, not midwives, could perform the surgeries. The historian Ronald Hyam observed that the procedure was considered particularly useful for British newborns, who might one day find themselves living in a far-away colony where their supposedly sensitive foreskins might not adapt well to the hot and humid climate. Advertisement Rates began to decline later in the 20th century as some countries created publicly funded health care systems. These systems typically required medical interventions to undergo a formal cost-benefit analysis, and circumcision rarely cleared the bar. When the U.K.s National Health Service was created in 1948, for example, administrators decided not to cover the procedure because physicians disagreed about its medical value. Advertisement Advertisement Over time, countries also started to weigh potential harms. In 2010, the Royal Dutch Medical Association, which represents doctors in the Netherlands, described circumcision as in conflict with a childs right to physical integrity. In Germany, an intense debate arose in 2012, when a Muslim boy was injured following a routine circumcision. Today, the procedure is legal, but German medical organizations have pushed for bans unless there is a medical indication. Advertisement The foreskin is densely packed with nerves that generate sexual arousal, said Christoph Kupferschmid, a pediatrician and chair of the Committee for Ethical Issues in the German Alliance for Child and Adolescent Health. For this reason, many European physicians recommend circumcision only when medically necessary. The U.S. has followed a different track, perhaps because its commercialized health care system left the decision up to parents and clinicians. The American Academy of Pediatrics does provide recommendations, but for about 50 years, its guidance has zigzagged. In 1971, the American Academy of Pediatrics found no medical need for routine circumcision. Nearly two decades later, in 1989, the group released updated guidelines suggesting that newborn circumcision has potential benefits. In 1999, it found insufficient evidence to recommend routine neonatal circumcision, leading Medicaid to stop covering the surgery in a number of states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This position was then updated again in 2012 to reflect the organizations view that the health benefits outweigh the risks by possibly protecting against urinary tract infections, penile cancer, and some sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. The issue has not been revisited by the AAP for the last decade, an unusually long span, given that the organization usually reaffirms or updates existing guidelines every five years, said Freedman, the U.S. urologist. He suspects that the AAP might be trying to just stay out of controversy for a little while. A spokesperson for the AAP said the organization was unable to comment. Advertisement When the American Academy of Pediatrics updated its guidance in 2012, it was in the aftermath of the AIDS crisis, which was particularly devastating in sub-Saharan Africa. Studies from the region had suggested that circumcision could reduce a mans chances of contracting HIV from a virus-positive woman. Initially, the public health world was skeptical, but as the data rolled in, many embraced the findings. Mass circumcision campaigns were carried out in several countries, prompting at least one researcher to refer to the studies that launched a thousand snips. Advertisement Robert Bailey, a professor emeritus of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of Illinois Chicago, conducted some of the earliest research. In the late 1990s, he surveyed Ugandan men and found that circumcised men engaged in riskier sexual behavior than those who were uncircumcised. This was an unexpected result, as previous research had suggested that circumcised men had lower rates of HIV. Word of Baileys findings spread to officials in Kenya, who invited him to work there. The situation in many communities was dire. Among the Luo people in the western part of the country, 38 percent of women coming to neonatal clinics were HIV positive, Bailey recalled. It was just horrible. Advertisement Working in a city called Kisumu, Bailey and his colleagues designed a study that began with 2,784 uncircumcised, or intact, men age 18 to 24. About half were assigned to a control group and half were circumcised. Both groups received HIV testing and medical exams, and were interviewed every few months for two years. The results were so strong that the study ended early. Forty-seven uncircumcised men tested positive for HIV, compared with just 22 who were circumcised. The protective effect of circumcision was 60%, Bailey and his colleagues wrote. Advertisement To spread the word, Bailey started giving talks. At first, the response was decidedly mixed. I was ridiculed for this, he said. Some researchers, he recalled, literally laughed in his face. Advertisement But subsequent trials in other African countries reached similar conclusions, convincing policymakers to take action. Today, more than 25 million men in east and southern Africa have been circumcised as part of the World Health Organizations HIV prevention program. The Clinton Health Access Initiative, which carries out circumcisions in Zambia, cites research stating that between 2008 and 2019, the policy prevented 340,000 new infections. Subsequent studies suggested that circumcision predominantly protected men who have sex with women from acquiring HIV. Male circumcision did not protect women from contracting HIV from their male partners, nor have studies conclusively shown that it shields men who have sex with men. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reasons for these differences remain somewhat unclear. Andrew Harman, a virologist at the University of Sydney School of Medical Sciences, noted that HIV is transmitted in moist, permeable environments, similar to that of the foreskin. Circumcision exposes the head of the penis, called the glans penis, which is drier and more skin-like. This dryness may stifle virus replication and confer a measure of protection during vaginal sex, Harman said. Anal sex is generally more abrasive than vaginal sex, scientists told Undark. That additional friction might explain why intact men who have sex with men dont experience a reduction in HIV transmission. In 2009, an expert review described the research on the effectiveness of circumcision for protecting heterosexual men from HIV as complete. But that conclusion has been disputed. Advertisement A 2022 study found circumcision did not protect against HIV in a population of more than 800,000 men born in Denmark between 1977 and 2003. Rates of syphilis, while very low, were also three times higher in circumcised men than the non-circumcised group. Additionally, the papers lead author, Morten Frisch, a doctor and sexual health epidemiologist at the Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen, argued that circumcision programs in Africa are unjustified nowadays, given the existence of new medications that dramatically reduce the risk of HIV infection. Advertisement Advertisement The enormous resources spent over the past 15 years to promote male circumcision programs could have been directed toward other public health initiatives, Frisch wrote in an email to Undark. (He stressed that this was his own view and not that of his institution.) Advertisement Bailey described Frischs paper as absurd. The vast majority of Denmarks HIV infections occur among men who have sex with men and among people who use injection drugs, he wrote in an email to Undark. Voluntary circumcision in adult men is recommended for reduction of risk of HIV acquisition in HETEROSEXUAL men, he wrote. In Africa most HIV infections are through heterosexual encounters unlike in Europe and the U.S. Other researchers have criticized Frischs conclusions on similar grounds. Some researchers say the benefits of circumcision go beyond HIV. For decades, Brian Morris, a professor emeritus at the University of Sydney, has worked to promote the health benefits of circumcision, which is only available in Australia at private health care clinics, where patients must pay for the procedure out of pocket. Advertisement Morris has likened circumcision to a vaccine, writing that the surgery is both low-risk and provides enormous public health benefits. In his view, the benefits include a reduction in the risk of genital cancers, skin conditions, and various infections. Speaking with Undark, Morris described perspectives opposing male circumcision as propaganda. Advertisement Advertisement Its a real pity, he said. The procedures opponents are fostering disease, suffering, and even death, he added. They refuse to see the truth. Other experts view Morris position with a degree of skepticism. Freedman, the U.S. urologist, said Morris is a solid scientist, but one who overstates the real-world implications of his findings. Consider penile cancer: Rates are quite low among intact men (in Ireland the disease affects roughly 1 in 66,000), and there are a variety of risk factors, including smoking and poor hygiene. Pediatric circumcision could reduce the incidence of penile cancer, said Freedman, but would it be worth the effort? To answer the question, one would have to weigh the benefits against the risk of medical complications while also considering a host of potentially important non-medical factors, such as culture, tradition, and respect for bodily autonomy. Ultimately, these are judgement calls that belong in the marketplace of ideas and the realm of persuasion, said Freedman. Advertisement Advertisement Freedman recalled being on an Australian television show discussing circumcision. Morris represented the pro-circumcision view while another researcher opposed it. Freedmans view was somewhere in between. He doesnt believe that bans are justified, but he also said its clear that circumcision is rarely medically necessary. When physicians are honest about this, he said, many parents decide not to circumcise their infants. If you just do benefits and risks and some sort of medicalized calculus, youre missing the point, said Earp, the Oxford bioethicist. He is broadly opposed to any non-voluntary modification of genitals regardless of sex, on philosophical as well as medical grounds. Whose body is it? he asked, speaking to Undark. And who should get to decide? Advertisement In 2022, Earp co-edited a special collection of papers that examined the cultural, legal, and ethical consequences of modifying an infants body when that infant cant provide informed consent. And its not just any part of their body, said Earp. Its their sexual anatomy, which were all taught we have a special dominion over and we have a special right to say no to. In 2019, Earp and more than 90 colleagues, part of the Brussels Collaboration on Bodily Integrity, published a statement on genital cutting. It brings together female, male, and intersex genital cutting and proposes a united ethical principle, he wrote to Undark. The document states that cutting a persons genitals without informed consent is a serious violation of their right to bodily integrity. Advertisement I think there are strong moral reasons to allow children of all family backgrounds (and sexes and genders) to be allowed to grow up free from genital cutting so they can make their own informed decision, he wrote by email. Translating these ideas into law without doing harm is not straightforward, he said. Education and raising awareness is vital so as not to inadvertently affect vulnerable or immigrant communities that practice circumcision. Earp added, there are many social policy levers that can, and often should, be pulled to discourage problematic practices apart from blanket criminalization, which has been proposed in Denmark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Muslims are the largest religious group to circumcise boys, a practice that dates back to the time of the Prophet Mohammed. In Islam, the procedure is viewed as an important religious ritual which also improves cleanliness. Circumcision is also traditionally understood as an obligatory practice in Judaism, where it marks the covenant between God and the Jewish people. Advertisement European antisemitism and Islamophobia have often taken the form of an obsession with, and pervasive dread of, circumcision, writes Jordan Osserman in his book Circumcision on the Couch. During both the Holocaust and as recently as 2020 during anti-Muslim riots in India men were forcibly undressed by perpetrators of genocide and ethnic cleansing who used circumcision status as a means of detection, Osserman writes. Anti-circumcision activists sometimes use language that touches on Islamophobic or antisemitic tropes, Osserman told Undark. He cited a comic book called Foreskin Man, which features a sinister-looking mohel, or person who performs Jewish circumcisions, and a blond superhero who comes to save the day. That was just a very crass example of how antisemitic tropes can play out, said Osserman. Advertisement But opposition to the procedure isnt inherently antisemitic, said Norm Cohen. In 2014, Cohen, who is Jewish, founded the Intactivist Circle, which aimed to promote grassroots activism against circumcision of minors on the grounds that it causes pain and trauma. The group is no longer active, and Cohen now works at the state level as executive director of NOCIRC of Michigan, Inc. His organization was just one of several so-called intactivist groups, which have existed since the 1970s. They argue that circumcision is a medically unnecessary procedure that hurts infants without conferring benefits. Advertisement A software engineer by profession, Cohen has spent the past 30 years educating parents about the origins of circumcision. Victorian-era Americans, after all, were notoriously skittish about human sexuality, and the surgery was promoted as a way to reduce masturbation. The goal at the time was to enforce moral cleanliness, said Cohen. Advertisement Advertisement Cohen said this history was obscured from him while he was growing up, replaced instead with what he characterizes as dubious claims about disease prevention and a lack of physical harm to the penis. Much of what Id been taught about circumcision was wrong, he wrote to Undark. This realization was followed by a period of anger about being harmed and cheated. These days, people seem more willing to scrutinize the procedure and discuss it openly, said Cohen, noting that its easier now to discuss sex in general. Before he was circumcised in August, Lee Caddick found sex painful and often embarrassing. His penis didnt work the way people might expect it to, he recently told Undark. Advertisement For most of his adult life, Caddick suffered from phimosis, a condition in which the foreskin is tight and cant be pulled back. Phimosis is found in nearly all newborns, but usually gets looser in the early years. By adulthood, about 1 percent of men have the condition, which can cause swelling, soreness, and pain while urinating or having sex. Advertisement Advertisement Nobody wants to go, Before we have sex theres like five things I need to tell you, said Caddick. It kind of kills the mood. In his 20s, he found that stretching exercises and prescription steroid cream could keep the problem at bay. But then he developed diabetes. Sugar would build up in his urine and get trapped beneath his foreskin, leading to painful infections and scarring. A urologist advised circumcision. The prospect was daunting. If it wasnt for the medical issue, I think Id have been too scared to go through with it, he told Undark. Advertisement The procedure took 30 minutes, recalled Caddick. It was conducted under a local anesthetic, with a medical curtain to conceal his view of the cutting. He was then sent home with a packet of bandages and instructions to take an over-the-counter medicine if he felt any pain. Advertisement Recovery wasnt simple, however, as adults usually experience more side effects than newborns. His skin was blotchy and swollen. He worried it might not return to normal. A Reddit group devoted to adult circumcision is full of such concerns, with men asking each other questions like 5 months: What can I do to reduce further swelling? Some people heal quickly, while others take more time. In a post from a couple of years back, one man complains of problems two years after his surgery. In a different post, someone notes that there is definite loss of sensitivity and men need to relearn how you jerk off and how you have sex. Advertisement Advertisement Caddick did recover, although he said it will be several months before the scarred skin is flexible again, and now says he wishes hed had the procedure when he was younger: It would have given him more confidence. I feel a lot more optimistic about sex in the future, he said, even at 48. While some men in the Reddit group get circumcised because of phimosis, others do it for aesthetic reasons. Some write of longing to be circumcised, of carrying the procedure in the back of their mind for years. One person wrote to Undark that circumcision made his penis more visually appealing, and was simply a worthwhile and easy personal improvement. Another posted, Its an upgrade, trust me. Advertisement Still, other men say sex is better with a foreskin. I hope your publication is interested in reporting the very specific and explicit reasons sex is better when the normal slack skin is present, Ron Low wrote by email. As Low explains it, the skin of a circumcised penis creates friction, lacks sensitivity, and has lost a key function: An intact penis slinky sheath leads to a unique gliding action during sex, he said. Advertisement Low was working as an industrial engineer in 2003 when he created a device to restore the foreskin. TLC Tugger, as its now known, includes a funnel-shaped piece of silicone that sits snuggly against the glans. Users stretch their remaining shaft skin over the silicone shell and secure it to the users knee using a tugging strap, applying a constant gentle tension that slowly stretches the skin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Low, the gentle tugging promotes the growth of new skin cells. Regrowing a full foreskin can take about 5 years. Its so gentle that you could forget youre wearing it, said Low, who said he still wears his at night. The TLC Tugger kit costs around $80 to $90 and is sold on a buyer-beware basis, similar to other non-medical devices, including penis extenders and sex toys, wrote Low in response to an Undark query. Since 2008, he said, his family has lived off the proceeds. Foreskin restoration tools, in fact, have become a cottage industry. Etsy offers an array of devices: a silicone retainer with a frenulum notch (a bestseller), the PeckerPacker starter kit, or the phimosis wearable manual stretcher for extending tight foreskin. Advertisement Christoph Kupferschmid, the German pediatrician, has known some men who used such devices. Skin can be stretched, he said, but you dont get back the nerves. You can pull on those nerves that are there, but you dont get back what is cut off. Jennifer Bossio, a clinical psychologist and adjunct professor at Queens University in Ontario, has conducted studies to better understand how circumcision may influence genital sensation as well as a persons sex life. These questions intrigued her because the existing research on the topic was fraught with bias, she wrote to Undark, adding that she felt her academic training would give her a neutral perspective on the topic. Advertisement Advertisement For one study, published in 2016, Bossio and her co-authors exposed circumcised and uncircumcised men to tactile, pain, and thermal stimuli. There was no difference between the two groups, leading the authors to conclude that neonatal circumcision had minimal long-term implications for penile sensitivity. Advertisement When it comes to the sexual satisfaction of mens partners, some of Bossios research indicates that gay men have a strong preference for intact penises while women have a slight preference for circumcised penises, but both groups reported being satisfied regardless of their partners circumcision status. Bossio said that after she published her 2016 paper, she was harassed by intactivists for years. Had I known how politically charged the topic was, she wrote in an email, I am not sure I would have embarked on the research. Asked whether distress among circumcised men appeared to be rising, Bossio said there isnt enough data to say. Its not all neonatally circumcised men who express high levels of distress. From what I can gather, there is a very small group of men who were neonatally circumcised who are highly distressed, and quite vocal online about it. Research on how circumcision status affects a mans sex life is inconclusive, she wrote, with some studies reporting that it decreases sexual function, others suggesting it improves it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bossio said that in her clinical practice, she is more likely to encounter men struggling with phimosis than with their circumcision negatively impacting sexual function. In the U.S., newborn circumcision rates fell from 65 percent in 1979 to 58 percent in 2010. In states where Medicaid no longer covers the procedure, rates have dropped precipitously. Out-of-pocket rates range from $500 for newborn circumcisions to $3,500 for adults, according to one website. The country could soon reach a tipping point, said Earp. Once the procedure becomes less common, parents will stop choosing the surgery as the default, thus pushing rates even lower. Advertisement Related From Slate The Controversial Debate Over the Right Way to Exercise Is Missing One Critical Thing Read More As circumcision rates in the U.S. decline, clinicians will encounter more and more uncircumcised penises. There remains a lack of knowledge about intact penises even among pediatricians, however, who are busy and sometimes squeamish, Freedman observed. Advertisement At birth, a male babys foreskin is attached to the head of the penis. Over the next few years, the foreskin begins to loosen and can be pulled back, or retracted, in order to clean the area. In the past, practitioners advised parents to retract the foreskin forcefully, or did it themselves. In 2022, the AAP published a patient education document on the correct care of the intact penis. It states that Forcing the foreskin to retract before it is ready can cause severe pain, bleeding, and tears in the skin. Advertisement When caregivers push back the foreskin of a childs penis, they also risk tearing the skin and causing long-term damage. John Geisheker, the executive director of Doctors Opposing Circumcision, told Undark that he had personally treated more than 1,500 cases of boys injured by forcible retraction in a medical setting. Forcible retraction before age 10 is invariably an injury, he wrote by email. Instead, the recommendation is to more or less leave the area alone. Greater awareness may be needed based on current trends, said Freedman, adding that hed be glad to work with anti-circumcision activists to spread knowledge on this issue. He takes issue with what he believes is an all-too-common notion that everyone should be circumcised. In an ideal world, he said, all penisesintact and circumcisedwould be welcome. A good travel management company can provide you with a travel program that is tailored to your needs, as well as travel arrangers to help you with all of your travel arrangements. They can also provide you with helpful tips and advice for business travelers. If youre looking for the best travel management services for your business, then look no further than the following 10 companies. What are Business Travel Management Companies and What do They Offer Business Travelers? BTMCs, provide services to their corporate clients to help manage their business travel. This can include providing software that tracks the expenses and itineraries of traveling employees, booking flights and hotels, arranging car rentals and other transportation, and providing customer service support during the travelers trip. This can be invaluable for companies that have many employees traveling for work regularly, as it helps keep track of all the costs and logistics associated with business travel. Additionally, BTMCs can often negotiate lower rates for their clients on various travel services. READ MORE: Travel Risk Management Tips Benefits of Using a Corporate Travel Management Company There are many benefits to using a corporate management company for travel, including these four: Expense management. BTMCs can help businesses keep track of their spending on business travel and provide software to help manage and automate the expense reporting process. Business traveler support. Corporate travel management companies can provide customer support to travelers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This can be helpful in the event of an emergency or last-minute changes to travel plans. Travel management solution. BTMCs can provide businesses with a complete travel management solution that includes booking flights and hotels, arranging transportation, and providing customer support. Lower travel costs. BTMCs often have access to discounts on flights, hotels, and other travel services that they can pass on to their clients. How to Grow Your Corporate Travel Program A company can grow its business travel program in a few ways, including using a business management company for travel. Business travel arrangers can help to make travel easier and more efficient for employees, which can save the company time and money. You can also educate employees on the benefits of using a travel management company in the travel program. And you can encourage employees to book their travel early. General Criteria for Choosing the Best Business Travel Management Company- Our Methodology Selecting the right business travel management company is crucial for streamlining your corporate travel needs. To assist you in this important decision, here are some general criteria to consider, along with a scale indicating their relative importance: 1. Expertise and Industry Experience (9/10): Extensive experience in corporate travel management. In-depth knowledge of the travel industry and its trends. Proven track record of successfully handling business travel for clients. 2. Cost Efficiency (9/10): Competitive pricing and cost-effective solutions. Ability to negotiate discounts with airlines, hotels, and other service providers. Transparent pricing structures with no hidden fees. 3. Traveler Support and Assistance (9/10): 24/7 availability for traveler support. Access to a dedicated travel advisor or consultant. Quick response time to resolve travel-related issues. 4. Technology and Booking Tools (7/10): User-friendly online booking platforms. Integration with expense management systems. Mobile apps for easy on-the-go bookings and itinerary access. 5. Customization and Flexibility (7/10): Tailored travel solutions to meet your specific business needs. Ability to accommodate last-minute changes or adjustments. Flexible policies that align with your companys travel policy. 6. Traveler Well-being and Safety (9/10): Implementation of traveler safety measures and risk management. Access to real-time updates and alerts during travel. Compliance with health and safety regulations, especially during emergencies. 7. Reporting and Analytics (7/10): Access to detailed reporting on travel expenses and patterns. Analytics tools to help identify cost-saving opportunities. Insights into traveler behavior and preferences for future improvements. 8. Global Reach and Network (7/10): A wide network of partners and suppliers worldwide. Capabilities to manage international travel seamlessly. Knowledge of regional travel nuances and requirements. 9. Client References and Testimonials (7/10): Positive feedback and references from current clients. Case studies showcasing successful travel management experiences. Reputation and credibility within the industry. 10. Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility (5/10): Commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly travel practices. Options for carbon offset programs or eco-conscious travel choices. Alignment with your companys sustainability goals. The 10 Best Travel Management Companies for Business Travel As businesses increasingly shift to a global marketplace, the need for efficient and cost-effective travel management has become more important than ever. In this new era of globalization, organizations are looking for travel managers who can help them navigate the higher prices and complex logistics of doing business internationally. Here are ten of the best travel management companies for businesses of all sizes: 1. TravelBank TravelBank offers a comprehensive corporate travel management solution with extensive industry experience that includes expense reports, money management, and booking. With TravelBank, businesses can save time and money while ensuring that their employees have a safe and seamless travel experience. 2. AMEX GBT If youre looking for an efficient and reliable way to handle your business travel, AMEX GBT is a great option with a fantastic reputation. Their risk alerts and direct communication during disruptions make them a dependable choice, while their pre-negotiated rates can save you money. Plus, their customer care operates at a rapid 15-second response time, so you can always get help when you need it. And if you need to cancel your trip last minute, FlexiPerk can get you up to 80% of your money back. 3. SAP Concur SAP Concur is a comprehensive solution for businesses looking to manage their travel spending. It offers a wide range of features, including booking tools, expense reporting, and invoicing. This makes it an ideal solution for companies that want to streamline their travel process and reduce their expenses. 4. CWT CWT is a 150-year-old company that has a global presence in 150 countries. So it has a fantastic reputation and a wealth of industry experience. It offers a business-to-business-for-employees platform thats reliable and easy to use. Their myCWT app is accessible on PC and mobile devices, and it allows travelers to book flights and make reservations at 800,000+ properties at special rates. 5. Egencia Egencia is a travel management software that can help businesses keep track of their travelers and their travel data. This can help ensure traveler safety and a smooth travel program. Egencia also offers reports and analytics so that businesses can see how their travelers are performing and where they can make improvements. 6. BCD Travel BCD Travel offers comprehensive travel management solutions for businesses of all sizes. With offices in 109 countries, BCD Travel is well-positioned to help businesses manage their travel needs worldwide. Their software suite includes three separate platforms that can be customized to meet the unique needs of your business. Additionally, BCD Travel offers access to APIs to integrate with their platforms, making it easy to get the exact solution you need. 7. CTM If youre looking for a comprehensive travel solution for your business, look no further than CTM. They provide online booking tools for corporate travel, making it easy to find a hotel and car rental. With CTM, you can get your business trip organized quickly and easily. 8. TravelPerk With the worlds largest inventory of travel options and partners with the biggest names in the business, TravelPerk can cater to your every need. Forget about hours wasted researching flights, hotels, and car rentals let TravelPerk do all the hard work for you. 9. FCM Travel Solution If youre looking for great deals on business travel, FCM Travel Solution is the perfect option. With over 650,000 hotel properties and major airline partnerships, FCM can offer you specially negotiated airfares and hotel rates. Plus, their FCM Connect suite of tools includes a powerful online booking tool and an expense management platform, making trip planning and tracking expenses a breeze. 10. TripActions TripActions has trusted partner connections and an easy booking process thatll have you on your way quickly and easily. Plus, if you need any help along the way, TripActions customer support is always happy to help. Company Key Features TravelBank Comprehensive corporate travel management, expense reports, money management, and booking. AMEX GBT Efficient and reliable business travel management, risk alerts, pre-negotiated rates, and responsive customer care. SAP Concur Comprehensive travel spending management solution, booking tools, expense reporting, and invoicing. CWT Global presence, accessible myCWT app, flight booking, and reservations at special rates. Egencia Travel management software for traveler tracking, travel data analysis, and reporting. BCD Travel Comprehensive travel management solutions, customization, and API integration. CTM Online booking tools for corporate travel, hotel, and car rental arrangements. TravelPerk World's largest inventory, partner connections, and automated travel booking. FCM Travel Solution Deals on business travel, 650,000+ hotel properties, airline partnerships, online booking, and expense management. TripActions Trusted partner connections, easy booking process, and responsive customer support. READ MORE: business travel tips Factors to consider when choosing a corporate travel management company When choosing the best corporate travel management solutions for a small business, there are a few key factors to consider. One of the most important considerations is the travel managers themselves what experience do they have and what is their knowledge of the travel industry advancements that can save money for your company? Additionally, its important to look at the companys commitment to traveler wellbeing. Are they offering features like loyalty rewards programs and 24/7 support? Finally, its also important to check out the companys ability to save you money. Can they offer discounts on airfare, hotels, and car rentals? By considering all of these factors, you can be sure that youre choosing the best travel management solutions for your business. Exploring a car rental franchise is an effective way to enter the automotive industry, offering a streamlined path to business ownership. Opting for a franchise in this sector typically includes support with inventory, setup, and marketing, coupled with the advantage of a well-known brand to foster customer trust. This guide explores the top car rental franchises, providing insights for those interested in starting their own car rental business. What is a Rental Car Franchise? A rental car franchise is an agreement where independent entrepreneurs operate a car rental service under a larger, established brand. The franchisor provides the franchisee with the right to use its brand name, business model, and operational support. In return, the franchisee pays an initial franchise fee along with ongoing royalties and marketing fees. This business model is particularly appealing in the car rental industry, as it allows franchisees to leverage the brand recognition and proven systems of the franchisor, which can be crucial in attracting customers in a competitive market. The Car Rental Industry Today The car rental industry, like many others, is currently navigating challenges such as supply chain disruptions and shortages of essential components like semiconductor chips. These issues have made maintaining a large and diverse vehicle inventory more difficult than usual. However, with travel gradually resuming and consumer demand for car rentals increasing, the industry is poised for a significant uptick in activity. This resurgence presents potential opportunities for rental car franchises, as there is likely to be a growing demand for convenient and reliable vehicle rental services. Entrepreneurs looking to invest in a rental car franchise should consider these market dynamics and the potential for recovery and growth in the sector. Why You Should Consider a Rental Car Franchise If youre considering different business opportunities in 2022, franchising a car rental company may be a perfect choice. Here are some specific benefits of opening a car rental business: High demand: People are starting to travel again, meaning demand for rental cars is high. Theres also a shortage of new vehicles due to microchip issues, so some consumers are going without their ideal vehicles and may need to rent more frequently. People are starting to travel again, meaning demand for rental cars is high. Theres also a shortage of new vehicles due to microchip issues, so some consumers are going without their ideal vehicles and may need to rent more frequently. Ability to start quickly: Starting a business from the ground up takes time. When you franchise, the groundwork is already started. So you can get off the ground quickly while theres still high demand in your area. Starting a business from the ground up takes time. When you franchise, the groundwork is already started. So you can get off the ground quickly while theres still high demand in your area. Built-in trust and brand recognition: Consumers often look for recognizable brands when booking important services like car rentals. Franchising allows you to align your small business with a nationwide brand they may already be familiar with. Consumers often look for recognizable brands when booking important services like car rentals. Franchising allows you to align your small business with a nationwide brand they may already be familiar with. Support from a nationwide brand: In addition to the brand name, franchising means getting support from corporate offices. This includes help with filling your lot and creating your price list. Read More: apps for renting a car Our Methodology: How We Chose the Best Car Rental Franchise In guiding potential franchisees towards successful car rental franchise ventures, we employ a specific set of criteria. These criteria are designed to assess the viability, profitability, and strategic fit of car rental franchise opportunities. Each criterion is rated on a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 indicates the least importance and 5 the highest importance: Brand Recognition and Reputation Importance: 5 A franchise with strong brand recognition can significantly impact customer trust and business growth. We assess the reputation and market presence of the franchise brand. Initial Investment and Ongoing Costs Importance: 4 The cost of starting the franchise, including fees, equipment, and inventory (vehicles), as well as ongoing operational costs, are key factors in the decision-making process. Market Demand and Location Importance: 5 We evaluate the demand for car rental services in the proposed location and the potential for market growth. Strategic location selection is critical for attracting customers. Franchisee Support and Training Importance: 4 The level and quality of support provided to franchisees, including operational training, marketing assistance, and business management, are crucial for the success of the franchise. Fleet Management and Maintenance Systems Importance: 4 Efficient management of the vehicle fleet, including maintenance, servicing, and updating of vehicles, is essential for the smooth operation of a car rental business. Technology and Innovation Importance: 3 The franchises adoption of technology, such as online booking systems and vehicle tracking, can enhance operational efficiency and customer experience. Compliance and Legal Considerations Importance: 4 Understanding and complying with legal requirements, including insurance, safety regulations, and consumer laws, is essential for the lawful operation of the franchise. Sustainability and Environmental Considerations Importance: 3 With growing environmental concerns, we consider the franchises efforts towards sustainability, such as offering eco-friendly vehicles or implementing green practices. By applying these criteria, our objective is to guide potential franchisees towards car rental franchise opportunities that offer not only financial viability but also align with market trends and operational best practices. Top Car Rental Franchise Options If youre ready to offer car rental services to your community, compare all the franchise opportunities available to find the best fit. Here are some top car rental franchises to consider. 1. National Car Rental National Car Rental is a top global car rental brand that also runs Alamo and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. All of these brands carry extensive trust and recognition. However, National does not currently franchise in the U.S. and Canada. So their franchise opportunity is only for international entrepreneurs. Franchise fees and startup costs and car rentals vary widely by country. 2. Hertz Corporation Franchise Hertz is one of the top airport car rental brands. And the Corporation also runs other popular brands Dollar, Thrifty, and Firefly. Benefits include a tech system and partnerships with airlines and hotels. The licensing fee varies from about $25,000 to $100,000 depending on fleet size, location, and potential for growth. The company prioritizes in-demand locations and offers support for franchisees. 3. NextCar NextCar launched in 2003 and currently has locations in a handful of states, including California, Maryland, and Florida. Theres still plenty of room for growth in new markets, including at in-demand spots like airport locations. Benefits include fleet buying assistance and preferred pricing. The franchise fee varies from about $20,000 to $100,000. 4. Avis Budget Group Franchise Avis Budget Group operates multiple car rental franchise brands, including Avis, Budget, Payless, and Zipcar. They offer a streamlined process to help new franchisees get up and running quickly and provide support throughout the licensing term. The initial fee varies widely, starting at around $25,000. 5. U-Save Car & Truck Rental U-Save Car & Truck Rental is a neighborhood franchise that can be run on its own or in conjunction with another business like a dealership or service center. The initial franchise fee and investment vary by location and fleet size; franchisees should have at least $60,000 in liquid assets. 6. Sixt Franchise Sixt is a European car rental brand that now has franchise locations throughout the world, including the U.S. This can allow entrepreneurs more flexibility in selecting high quality locations while still connecting with a trusted brand. The company specializes in luxury cars, trucks, and limousines. The initial investment and fees vary widely by location and fleet size. The franchise fee may be anywhere from 20,000 to 500,000. 7. Rent-A-Wreck Franchise Rent-A-Wreck specializes in used car rentals. Its one of the more affordable car rental franchise options available, because of the less expensive inventory. However, youll still need about $40,000 in liquid capital to invest upfront. 8. Priceless Car Rental Priceless Car Rental offers a franchise system with both standalone units and those run in conjunction with other businesses. They offer vehicle leasing, training, and marketing support, along with their recognizable brand. Franchisees should have at least $50,000 in liquid assets. And the franchise fee varies from $18,000 to $75,000. 9. Bates International Motor Home Rental Bates Motor Home Network offers motor homes and large travel vehicles instead of basic cars. This is an emerging market, as more consumers are looking for unique new ways to travel affordably. New franchise owners pay an initial franchise fee of between $17,000 to $35,000, aside from other startup costs like inventory. 10. Right Cars Right Cars runs a tech-focused car rental franchise business. Franchisees get access to proprietary AI technology, comprehensive data on consumer activity, and apps for renting a car. Franchise fees and startup costs vary widely by location. Comparison of Top Car Rental Franchises To assist you in navigating the car rental franchise landscape, weve compiled a comparison table that provides an at-a-glance view of various franchise options. This table highlights the initial investment, franchise fees, and unique benefits of each brand, helping you to make an informed decision. ranchise Name Initial Investment Range Franchise Fee Range Unique Features/Notes National Car Rental Varies by country Varies by country International opportunities, no US/Canada franchising Hertz Corporation Franchise Not specified $25,000 - $100,000 Tech system, partnerships with airlines and hotels NextCar Not specified $20,000 - $100,000 Fleet buying assistance, preferred pricing Avis Budget Group Franchise Not specified Starts at around $25,000 Streamlined process, multiple brands U-Save Car & Truck Rental Varies by location Not specified Can be combined with another business Sixt Franchise Varies by location 20,000 - 500,000 Specializes in luxury vehicles, international brand Rent-A-Wreck Franchise Not specified Not specified Specializes in used car rentals Priceless Car Rental Not specified $18,000 - $75,000 Leasing, training, marketing support Bates International Motor Home Rental Not specified $17,000 - $35,000 Focus on motor homes and travel vehicles Right Cars Varies by location Varies by location Access to proprietary AI technology How to Choose the Best Franchise to Set Up Your Car Rental Company When considering a foray into the car rental franchise industry, making the right choice can significantly impact your businesss success. Here are key factors to guide your decision: Consider Your Budget : The financial commitment required for a car rental franchise can be substantial. Assess your financial capabilities and determine the level of investment youre comfortable with. Well-known brands might offer greater earning potential but often come with higher setup costs. Alternatively, smaller or local franchises might offer lower entry costs. : The financial commitment required for a car rental franchise can be substantial. Assess your financial capabilities and determine the level of investment youre comfortable with. Well-known brands might offer greater earning potential but often come with higher setup costs. Alternatively, smaller or local franchises might offer lower entry costs. Look for Open Territories in Your Area : Your location choice is crucial. Check for available territories in your desired area. If major players like Hertz are already established in prime locations like airports, explore other franchises like Right Cars that may be open to setting up in nearby areas. : Your location choice is crucial. Check for available territories in your desired area. If major players like Hertz are already established in prime locations like airports, explore other franchises like Right Cars that may be open to setting up in nearby areas. Be Open to Growth Opportunities : Consider the long-term growth potential of the franchise. Opt for a system that supports expansion, such as offering opportunities for owning multiple units and providing ongoing operational support to help scale your business over time. : Consider the long-term growth potential of the franchise. Opt for a system that supports expansion, such as offering opportunities for owning multiple units and providing ongoing operational support to help scale your business over time. Compare Services and Offerings: Beyond basic training and marketing support, look into what other benefits each franchise offers. This could include support in vehicle procurement, technology for managing operations, or specialized marketing strategies. Align these offerings with your business needs and priorities. How Much Does It Cost to Open a Car Rental Franchise? The initial investment for a car rental franchise varies but is generally high due to the nature of the business. Factors such as location (premium areas cost more), the size of the rental fleet, and the brands market positioning play a role in determining the start-up costs. Typically, you might need to invest between $250,000 and $750,000 to get your franchise off the ground. This range includes costs for securing a suitable location, purchasing or leasing vehicles, and other operational expenses. Is a Car Rental Franchise Profitable? Car rental franchises can be profitable, particularly in locations with high demand for rental vehicles. Profitability depends on several factors, including the size and diversity of your vehicle fleet, the strategic location of your rental outlet, effective management, and the ability to adapt to market trends. Many franchise owners see annual profits ranging from $150,000 to $200,000, although this can vary based on the specific circumstances of each franchise. The start of a new year is the perfect opportunity for small businesses to apply for grants to help them meet major goals. If you need some financial assistance in 2024, there are several opportunities for small business grants that you can apply for this January. Read on for a full list. Iron County Small Business Grant Program Iron County, Utah is currently operating its Small Business Grant program to support economic development throughout the area. The Iron County Economic Opportunity Board and Cedar City Business & Innovation Center are facilitating the program, which will distribute $60,000 to businesses that meet the criteria. Interested businesses can fill out a pre-application with their basic information, and the county will sort applications that qualify for the financial aid. Applicants that pass the preliminary round will have the opportunity to fill out a detailed application for the grant program, which requires a one-to-one match. The deadline for pre-applications is January 12. Maui Federal Disaster Loans Maui businesses that were impacted by wildfires in 2023 have some extra time to apply for SBA federal disaster loans. The U.S. Small Business Administration recently extended the deadline for eligible businesses to apply for funds. Generally, there is a 45-day window following the FEMA registration period post-disaster. This gave residents and businesses until December 11 to apply for loans. However, the application period remains open thanks to the SBAs extension. And businesses do not need any extra documentation or explanation to continue to apply. Loans can provide up to $2 million per eligible business, which may cover costs related to disaster recovery or help mitigate future disasters. The deadline to apply for funding thanks to the SBAs extension is January 25. NASE Growth Grants The National Association for the Self-Employed is currently accepting applications for its NASE Growth Grants program. Eligible businesses and self-employed individuals who are NASE members can apply for $4,000 in grant funds. Since the programs launch in 2006, NASE has awarded nearly $1 million in funding to its members. This latest round is funded through partnerships with AARP and Dell Computers. The current application cycle will run through January, February, and March, with applications reviewed in April. The program then continues to run quarterly throughout the year. Transform Tucson: Changemakers Grant Program Tucson, Arizona and Groundswell Capital are teaming up to launch the new Transform Tucson: Changemakers Grant Program. The program includes $500,000 in total funds that will be distributed through multiple grants to serve a wide array of businesses. The Tucson Good Energy Grant Fund will provide up to $10,000 to businesses investing in green initiatives like solar panels or energy-saving appliances. The Upskilling Tucson Fund will award up to $10,000 for businesses investing in workforce development initiatives. The Keep Tucson Amable grant program offers up to $5,000 to businesses that create a positive social impact within the city. The [CREATE] Content With A Purpose grant will offer up to $2,000 for local filmmakers and content creators who produce a short documentary-style video highlighting a local Tucson business. The Groundswell Seed Fund will support new businesses through $5,000 startup grants. And the Groundswell Growth Fund will provide up to $10,000 to businesses looking to scale. Applications for these grants are expected to open in January 2024. Information forms are currently available online, so you can sign up to be notified when applications are being accepted. Amber Grant Foundation The Amber Grant Foundation is an ongoing program that supports women-owned businesses throughout the year. The program awards at least $30,000 in grants each month through various programs. To apply, you just need to share basic information about your business. And one application allows you to apply for all of the foundations grant programs. U.S. Small Business Administration State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) The Small Business Administration State Trade Expansion Program is a program that aims to help businesses interested in exporting. The SBA awards funds to offices in various states, and many of these awards have already been allocated. Interested businesses can apply for funds from their state to cover various expenses related to exporting, like international trade shows or training on international sales. IFundWomen Universal Grant The IFundWomen Universal Grant is an ongoing opportunity for women entrepreneurs. The organization partners with corporate sponsors like Visa, COMCAST, and Caress. There are various opportunities that come up throughout the year. The Universal Grant application is one form that business owners can fill out to apply for all relevant current opportunities and get updates about future ones. Looking for things to do in Bratislava? Explore the Fialkova Dolina protected area or watch a documentary by a Georgian director. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Meetup | Nature | Film Meetup (Source: Facebook - Make Friends events) Make friends in Bratislava January 9, at Andersen Cafe & Bar, Rajska 7 in Bratislava; from 19:00 till 22:00. Meet new people, speak with them in any language, and make new friends during the weekly event at Andersen Cafe & Bar. Here, follow the Facebook event and read all the necessary details and rules. https://sk.frame.mapy.cz/s/gutugopura Nature Small Carpathian forests (Source: Jana Liptakova) Trip to Fialkova Dolina Meeting point: January 6, at 9:00 in Dlhe Diely in Karlova Ves final stop of Buses 33 and 32. This Saturday, a group of foreigners will meet at 9:00 at the Dlhe Diely bus stop in Karlova Ves. The walk will start from there. The trip will take you to the Fialkova Dolina protected area in the Small Carpathians and Devin Castle and some local pubs. See the map below if you would like to go on the hike later. https://sk.frame.mapy.cz/s/legesomabo Film (Source: Staromestska kniznica Bratislava) In the glow of notes January 11, at 17:00 in Old Town Library (Blumentalska 10/a) The library will screen a documentary by Georgian director Alexander Koridzeo. The film tells a story about 10-year-old pianist Tsotne Zedginidze, compared to Mozart. The director delicately balances the perspective of a child prodigy with that of an outside observer, exploring the bitter reality of raising a child for whom stardom seems inevitable. https://sk.frame.mapy.cz/s/nuzozokosa If you have tips for free events in Bratislava or you would like to share your hiking or cycling trip ideas with readers, let us know at kseniia.husieva@spectator.sk. His page recorded millions of interactions in 2023. PM Robert Fico during an interview with the TASR news agency on December 20, 2023. (Source: TASR) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share President Zuzana Caputova may run the most followed Facebook page of all politicians in Slovakia, but it is the current Prime Minister and Smer party leader Robert Fico who ruled the most popular social media platform in Slovakia last year. Fico became the prime minister last October, less than a month after winning the September 30 early elections. Fico has the third highest number of Facebook followers after the president and Speaker Peter Pellegrini, a presidential hopeful and Hlas party leader. Caputova has more than 480,000 followers, Fico followed by more than 280,000 people. The number of Ficos followers increased the most in 2023, however. Facebook followers in 2023. (Source: FMK UCM) Almost 83,000 people decided to follow him, according to an analysis published by Ss. Cyril and Methodius University. Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (SNS/Zivot) was the second most successful politician in boosting his followers, by nearly 26,000 people. Two far-right politicians, MEP Milan Uhrik (Republika) and Milan Mazurek (Republika) also managed to markedly boost their base of followers. Mazurek belongs among the group of politicians with the highest number of published Facebook posts, including videos. He published 784 posts and 360 videos last year. Pellegrini came out on top in the category of posts with 914 on his page. He also shared the second highest number of videos (338) with followers. Facebook posts by selected politicians in 2023. (Source: FMK UCM) Facebook videos, including livestreaming, by selected Slovak politicians in 2023. (Source: FMK UCM) But it was the videos on Ficos Facebook page that recorded the most interactions: close to 5.2 million. The same goes for all posts, including videos, on the PMs page. As the analysis shows, Ficos page saw 1.6 million more interactions than in 2022. Posts on the prime ministers page were the most commented on and shared of all analysed profiles, too. People left 580,000 comments on the page and shared Ficos content 680,000 times. The analysis published by the university looked at the pages run by 12 politicians. People's response to videos posted by Slovak politicians in 2023. (Source: FMK UCM) People's response to posts by Slovak politicians in 2023. (Source: FMK UCM) Although Fico dominated Facebook in 2023, the number of interactions on his page did not reach as many interactions as Smer MP Lubos Blahas page with 11 million interactions in 2021. Facebook later banned the MP from the platform. Regardless, Ficos popularity on Facebook may explain why he refuses to communicate with critical media such as the Sme daily. The daily has recently analysed Facebook profiles of 62 politicians. Among other things, its analysis has shown that the popularity of new politicians, including the charged Smer MP Tibor Gaspar and Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Hlas), grew on Facebook in 2023. According to Google, last year people in Slovakia were keen to follow politics, including information about Fico. Stanley Tucci compared Slovak meat to pancetta. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share American actor Stanley Tucci had a gourmet experience several days before Christmas thanks to a beautiful piece of pork from Slovakia. On December 18, the award-winning filmmaker posted a kitchen video on social media in which he cuts and talks about Slovak bacon. He reveals that he got the piece of cured meat from a Slovak friend whos name is Martina. Its not dissimilar to pancetta or guanciale in Italy, he says about the bacon. At some point, he starts punching it. Why am I punching it? he jokes. Im not angry at it. Im excited about it. In a comment left below the video, his friend Martina wrote that she would bring Tucci the traditional bryndza sheep cheese the next time. What we know about foreigners in Slovakia, US actor eats Slovak bacon, and how to enjoy Bratislava over the weekend. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Good evening. Here is the Thursday, January 4 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes. Fico buys expensive Bratislava flat Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer) bought a flat in a lucrative part of Bratislava - near the Horsky Park and near the Calvary, writes the Hospodarske Noviny daily. He bought the flat at the end of last year. Fico has lived in the flat for some time now. However, he paid a rent to his party colleague Dusan Munko. Fico moved to the Sokolska Residence complex as early as 2021, according to the weekly Plus 7 Dni. The flat cost 600,000 at the time. Fico hasnt said how much he paid for the flat. For many years, Fico had lived in an expensive rented flat in the Bonaparte complex in Bratislava. The complex was then owned by the now convicted tax fraudster Ladislav Basternak. Later Fico lived in the Hilton hotel, which is owned by Smer oligarchs Juraj Siroky and Jozef Brhel, and in a mansion in the town of Vinosady. More stories from The Slovak Spectator website Politics: PM Robert Fico dominated Facebook in 2023, according to an analysis. PM Robert Fico dominated Facebook in 2023, according to an analysis. Food: A popular American actor tasted Slovak bacon. Here's what he said about it. A popular American actor tasted Slovak bacon. Here's what he said about it. Business: Nearshoring is one of several trends that have been observed in the industrial real estate market. If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you. FEATURE STORY FOR THURSDAY What we know about foreigners in Slovakia Slovakia has become a more attractive country for foreigners. (Source: Pixabay.) The 2023 report, which is based on data from the 2021 census and is published by the Statistics Office, shows not only the number of foreigners but it also provides more details about who these newcomers are. FREE BRATISLAVA EVENTS Looking for things to do in Bratislava? The primeval forest on the Zamok hill. (Source: Jana Liptakova) This Saturday, a group of foreigners will set out on a trip to the Fialkova Dolina protected area. But there are two other free events that you may want to go to. 5 other things that happened in Slovakia Slovakia will provide Ukraine with humanitarian aid worth 203,492. It will include generators, heaters, clothing and first aid kits, as well as food, bottled water and clothing. It will include generators, heaters, clothing and first aid kits, as well as food, bottled water and clothing. SNS party leader Andrej Danko is collecting signatures for his presidential candidacy. Around 10,000 signatures were collected during Christmas. Danko has not officially announced his candidacy. Around 10,000 signatures were collected during Christmas. Danko has not officially announced his candidacy. In 2023, 314,220 job postings were published on the Profesia job search website , 40,000 fewer than in 2022. , 40,000 fewer than in 2022. Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (SNS nom.) agrees to the construction of a terminal for liquefied natural gas in Bratislava. in Bratislava. Slovaks are increasingly importing used cars from abroad. Last year, 61,759 cars were imported, which is 743 more cars than in 2022. Cross-country skiers at the Rudolf Cilik Stadium on Skalka near Kremnica, central Slovakia, on January 2, 2024. (Source: TASR) WEATHER FOR FRIDAY: Clouds will not go anywhere tomorrow. Daytime temperatures will range from 3C to 11C. (SHMU) JANUARY 5 NAME DAY: Andrea. Thank you for subscribing and reading. It means a lot to us. P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk. Follow The Slovak Spectator on Facebook and Instagram (@slovakspectator). https://sputnikglobe.com/20240103/majority-of-israelis-want-netanyahu-out-of-office-once-gaza-conflict-resolved---poll-1115966431.html Majority of Israelis Want Netanyahu Out of Office Once Gaza Conflict Resolved - Poll Majority of Israelis Want Netanyahu Out of Office Once Gaza Conflict Resolved - Poll Sputnik International Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is shedding support at a breakneck pace amid the country's war in Gaza. 2024-01-03T22:20+0000 2024-01-03T22:20+0000 2024-01-03T22:16+0000 world benjamin netanyahu benny gantz israel hamas knesset jerusalem palestinians middle east israel-gaza conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/1a/1115814780_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_002feedb8941a1f87506094b060999b3.jpg The vast majority of Israelis want Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu out of office once the Palestine-Israel conflict is over. A new poll in Israeli media found that only 15% of Israelis continue to support the politician.Netanyahu has promised to crush Hamas after the Palestinian organization carried out a surprise attack on October 7, resulting in an estimated 1,139 Israeli deaths and - according to Israeli numbers, around 240 individuals being taken hostage.A retaliatory bombing and invading campaign undertaken by the Netanyahu government has to date killed 22,185 Palestinians, with two-thirds of the slain being women and children. The actions have been heavily criticized by human rights organizations, with many accusing Israel of war crimes, including ethnic cleansing and attempted genocide.Even before the campaign, Netanyahu was facing dropping poll numbers among Israelis. Prior to the Hamas attack, widespread protests in Jerusalem, against judicial reforms pushed by Netanyahu were commonplace. In July, media outlets reported his approval rating had fallen to 38% and estimated that if elections were held then, Netanyahus Likud party would lose between four and seven seats in the 120-seat Knesset. By early October, just days before the Hamas attack, Netanyahu's approval rating had dropped to just 28%.On Sunday, Gantz and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reportedly refused to accompany Netanyahu to a news conference without giving a reason. Netanyahu had canceled a similar meeting earlier that week, and some outlets have speculated that may have been a contributing factor.The poll from December found that 69% of Israelis want elections to be held as soon as the war is over. The more recent poll found that Benny Gantz, Netanyahus chief political opponent and current member of his war cabinet, received the most support from Israelis grabbing 23%. However, more Israelis, 30%, declined to name a preferred leader.Netanyahu has said that Israels campaign will continue for months longer. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230410/netanyahus-approval-rating-down-to-28-amid-judicial-fight-poll-1109322610.html israel jerusalem gaza strip Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ian DeMartino Ian DeMartino News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ian DeMartino israeli polls, what do israelis think about netanyahu, israeli elections https://sputnikglobe.com/20240104/epstein-files-unsealed-what-have-highly-anticipated-docs-revealed-1115969948.html Epstein Files Unsealed: What Have Highly-Anticipated Docs Revealed? Epstein Files Unsealed: What Have Highly-Anticipated Docs Revealed? Sputnik International Hundreds of documents connected to accused sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein have been unsealed, identifying multiple individuals, some of which include prominent politicians and notable public figures. 2024-01-04T06:04+0000 2024-01-04T06:04+0000 2024-01-30T10:34+0000 americas us jeffrey epstein ghislaine maxwell us virgin islands bill clinton virginia roberts giuffre sex trafficking legal system sputnik explains https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/02/1080036795_0:117:3227:1932_1920x0_80_0_0_2382da6d2b3e449d5021c2dcc2d43430.jpg The court began uploading the filings to public records systems late Wednesday, although heavy online traffic initially prevented access to the release.Last month, a federal judge ordered the release of nearly 200 names tied to the Epstein case, although two people requested their names remain sealed for the time being, due to the possibility of physical harm. The names include accusers and witnesses in the case.Epstein, a convicted sex criminal, died in 2019 while awaiting trial on new sex trafficking charges. The disgraced figure's ties to a number of celebrities and politicians from his work in the financial sector has fueled continued speculation about potential new ties to his alleged criminal activity.The latest filings include excerpts of depositions with former British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and Virgina Giuffre, who previously accused Maxwell of facilitating her sexual abuse after being introduced to Epstein, among other witnesses. Maxwell was sentenced in 2022 to serve 20 years in prison on a variety of charges, including sex trafficking for her involvement with Epstein's criminal doing.The unsealed documents do not specifically include a list of Epstein clients. It also does not directly equate named individuals with committing crimes. Additional names are expected to be released on Thursday.Bill Clinton & Donald TrumpThe court filings revealed that a witness had claimed that Epstein once indicated that former US President Bill Clinton, who was named over 50 times in the legal documents, favors "young" girls.The witness was identified as Johanna Sjoberg, who was allegedly recruited by Maxwell and went on to corroborate allegations made by Giuffre regarding the sexual abuse she experienced under Epstein and his associates. Sjoberg's deposition was held in May 2016.Did Jeffrey [Epstein] ever talk to you about Bill Clinton? Sjoberg was asked during testimony. He said one time that Clinton likes them young, referring to girls, she replied.In another section of the documents, Sjoberg noted it was known Clinton "had dealings" with Epstein, but that he hadn't been spotted at Epstein's infamous island in the US Virgin Islands, where it's alleged many underage girls were abused. Testimony from Maxwell relayed that she unaware as to how many times Clinton had flown on Epstein's plane.Clinton has previously said he was entirely unaware of Epstein's "terrible crimes."It was also detailed that former US President Donald Trump was never seen at Epsteins home or private island. In separate questioning, Sjoberg said she had never given any sexual favors or massages to the former president.However, she did note in her deposition that Epstein appeared to brag about his ties to the former commander-in-chief, suggesting he could call Trump and "go to the casino" that the pair had once visited.Not long after walls closed in around Epstein's operations and charges were filed in the matter, Trump relayed to the public that he was never a "fan" of Epstein and that he hadn't spoken to him for years.Celebrities & Notable FiguresAmong the dozens of named figures were musician Michael Jackson, who was spotted at Epstein's Palm Beach home, and magician David Copperfield who partook in one of the financier's parties.While it was pointed out that Jackson hadn't appeared to entertain any illegal behavior, Sjoberg did testify that Copperfield appeared to inquire about Epstein's operation during a party. In fact, Sjoberg recalled that the magician had "questioned me if I was aware that girls were getting paid to find other girls."Asked whether Copperfield had specifically mentioned "teenagers" or allude to any "specifics" of Epstein's criminal activity, Sjoberg said he had not.In response to a follow-up question, the witness detailed that Frederic Fekkai, known as a hairstylist for celebrities, had been named-checked by Epstein. "I heard him [Epstein] call someone, and say, Fekkai is in Hawaii. Can we find some girls for him?," she recalled.When questioned about her own reaction to the mention of Fekkai at the time, Sjoberg responded: "Well, I was massaging and I didn't have a reaction. I tried to remain reactionless the whole five years."Elsewhere in the deposition documents, actors including Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kevin Spacey, Cameron Diaz and Naomi Campbell were mentioned in passing during questioning on notable persons that may have come in contact with Epstein's operations. However, the witness in each instance said they never met any of the characters. "I would hope I would remember," was one response when asked about Blanchett or DiCaprio.In another portion of the deposition, notable scientific figure Stephen Hawking was identified in an email by Epstein, where he appeared to call on Maxwell to buy-off any associate's of Giuffre to disprove her claims - one that he alleged suggested Hawking played a role in an "underage orgy."While the new release does offer some new details of Epstein's operations, it also rehashes previously known ties between the New Yorker and his associates, such as Prince Andrew and lawyer Alan Dershowitz.Prince Andrew, who previously settled a lawsuit with Giuffre in 2022 but has refused to admit any wrongdoing, was described in one appearance where the UK royal placed his hand on a witness' breast during a photo with Giuffre and Maxwell.As for Dershowitz, who has been linked to Epstein for years and appeared to earlier welcome the release, testimony showed he had been name-checked by a Jane Doe and alleged to have had sexual relations with the individual when she was a minor. Giuffre had filed a lawsuit against Dershowitz but withdrew it in 2022 after admitting to a case of mistaken identity.Another previously named-dropped figure is Jean Luc Brunel, a former modeling agent with long ties to Epstein and who was found dead inside a jail cell in 2022 while awaiting sex trafficking charges. https://sputnikglobe.com/20211202/epstein-accuser-claims-sex-predator-took-her-to-meet-trump-when-she-was-14-alleges-no-wrongdoing-1091190680.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230714/us-virgin-islands-seeks-150-million-in-penalties-from-jpmorgan-over-ties-with-epstein-1111882435.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230531/new-docs-id-big-names-who-maintained-ties-with-epstein-long-after-child-sex-conviction-1110806816.html americas us virgin islands Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 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 what do epstein files reveal, who is named in new epstein files, what did jeffrey epstein do Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has slammed President Joe Biden for causing what he called a "decay of deterrence" as he voiced concerns over a "dangerous" security landscape marked by the authoritarian leaders of North Korea, China and Russia. During an interview with Fox News on Tuesday, Pompeo, who served as the top U.S. diplomat under then President Donald Trump from 2018-2021, took a swipe at Biden's foreign policy as Trump is seeking a second White House term in the November election. "President Biden has allowed such an accelerated rate of decay of our deterrence that we had built up in the four years that President Trump and I were serving," he said, stressing "dictators" and "authoritarian regimes" do not fear the United States. "A wide open southern border (and) a North Korean leader, a Chinese leader and a Russian leader who don't think that the U.S. will stand up and defend its most sacred values. ... It's a place that is a very dangerous country here at home as well," he added. Asked to comment on Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent remarks that his country's reunification with Taiwan was "inevitable," the former secretary stressed the need to oppose the idea of China taking the self-governing island democracy by force. "We need to make clear ... we are not going to let him take over an independent and free Taiwan by force in the Pacific," he said. "It will be a very dangerous thing for all of us, whether that's the Hawaiian islands, Alaska, Guam and all of these places." During his stint at the helm of the State Department, Pompeo engaged deeply in denuclearization negotiations with Pyongyang though the talks stalled following a no-deal Hanoi summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in 2019. (Yonhap) https://sputnikglobe.com/20240104/how-could-deadly-iran-bombing-reshape-emerging-middle-eastern-crisis--1115977714.html How Could Deadly Iran Bombing Reshape Emerging Middle Eastern Crisis? How Could Deadly Iran Bombing Reshape Emerging Middle Eastern Crisis? Sputnik International Powerful blasts killed 84 and left 211 injured on January 3, leaving many asking how they might shape Middle Eastern affairs in the near future. 2024-01-04T18:03+0000 2024-01-04T18:03+0000 2024-01-04T18:17+0000 us world middle east qasem soleimani ebrahim raisi washington quds force israel iran daesh https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/0b/0e/1081163985_0:0:3318:1867_1920x0_80_0_0_f53d164da59ea165e7b2f36ff1fa4a17.jpg Two explosions hit a procession moving towards Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani's tomb in the Iranian city of Kerman on Wednesday, claiming the lives of almost 100 people and leaving many more injured.Daesh* claimed responsibility for the bombing on Thursday, according to a post on the terrorist group's Telegram account. The New York Times pointed out that the Islamic State's announcement "dovetailed with American intelligence assessments" which had pointed to Sunni Islamists or Daesh (ISIS/ISIL) as potentially being behind the terror attack.Initially, Iranian authorities had hinted that the bombing might be linked to Israel's attack on Gaza, suggesting that Tel Aviv or Washington could have been behind it.Iran's Interior Minister Ahmad Vahdi had announced that the explosions came in response to the Axis of Resistance's actions against Israel's Gaza war, without naming any particular nation as being behind the attack, while President Ebrahim Raisi's deputy, Mohammad Jamshidi, was more direct, pointing the finger at Israel and the US."Washington says the US and Israel had no role in the terrorist attack in Kerman, Iran. Really? A fox smells its own lair first," Jamshidi wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "Make no mistake. The responsibility for this crime lies with the US and Zionist regimes (Israel) and terrorism is just a tool."However, the Wall Street Journal has insisted that Israel told allies that it wasn't involved in the attack, while US State Department spokesman Matt Miller has also asserted to press that Washington has "no reason to believe Israel was involved in this explosion." Miller added that the US did not have a hand in the blasts, either.For his part, former Israeli intelligence official and regional analyst Avi Melamed has suggested that several regional militant groups could have orchestrated the explosions.Meanwhile, Mahjoob Zweiri, a professor in contemporary politics and history of the Middle East with a focus on Iran and the Gulf region at Qatar University, insists that one should answer the question "cui bono" ("to whose benefit") while looking for the culprits of the terror attack.He believes the Israeli government may benefit from the unfolding confusion around the region's political status quo.The attack in Kerman coincided with the fourth anniversary of General Soleimani's killing in Baghdad, Iraq, by a US drone strike. Initially, Washington denied its involvement in the 2020 attack. However, in February 2020, the White House released a report justifying the general's assassination. In particular, the Trump government argued that the purpose of the strike was to "deter Iran from conducting or supporting further attacks against United States forces and interests" and to "degrade Irans and Quds Force-backed militias ability to conduct attacks."At the same time, the professor expressed doubts that Tehran would rush to retaliate in the aftermath of the Kerman bombing but will rather focus on pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza instead."I'm not sure that there will be any kind of expansion on the war and the current status quo. Again, it seems that neither Iran nor Hezbollah are interested in responding now. I think they would be observing the situation in Gaza and looking to see a long-term ceasefire," said Zweiri.In the wake of the Wednesday bomb attack, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei pledged a "harsh response" to those behind it. The attack was carried out just a day after Saleh al-Arouri, deputy head of the political bureau of Hamas, was killed in a drone strike in southern Beirut. Al-Arouri's assassination is widely believed to be committed by Israel, even though Tel Aviv has not taken responsibility for the killing. In December, Iran accused Israel of killing Sayyed Razi Mousavi, an Iranian general serving in the IRGC's Quds Force, in Syria. *Daesh (ISIS/ISIS/Islamic State) is a terrorist organization banned in Russia and many other countries. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240104/irans-top-diplomat-borrell-discuss-blasts-in-city-of-kerman-situation-in-gaza-1115970817.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240104/red-sea-crisis-is-direct-reflection-of-gaza-violence--russian-envoy-to-un-1115972078.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240104/dc-think-tank-israels-beirut-bomb-forces-hamas-hezbollah--iran-to-retaliate-1115976026.html washington israel iran Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova iran, kerman bombing, kerman blasts, arouri killing, israel, israel-hamas war, gaza war, palestine-israel conflict, daesh, biden administration, middle east crisis, ceasefire in gaza https://sputnikglobe.com/20240104/irans-top-diplomat-borrell-discuss-blasts-in-city-of-kerman-situation-in-gaza-1115970817.html Iran's Top Diplomat, Borrell Discuss Blasts in City of Kerman, Situation in Gaza Iran's Top Diplomat, Borrell Discuss Blasts in City of Kerman, Situation in Gaza Sputnik International Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and EU foreign policy chief Josef Borrell, in a telephone conversation on Wednesday, condemned the terrorist attacks in the Iranian city of Kerman and discussed the situation in the Middle East, including the Gaza Strip, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said. 2024-01-04T05:10+0000 2024-01-04T05:10+0000 2024-01-04T05:10+0000 world middle east iran qasem soleimani general soleimani us-iran relations hit new low after killing of general soleimani in baghdad european union (eu) josep borrell https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/07/14/1079933917_0:146:1280:866_1920x0_80_0_0_153c0b66fa7d2cc46c629582d56d1d7c.jpg Earlier on Wednesday, two explosions occurred at the entrance to the cemetery in Kerman during a ceremony on the fourth anniversary of the murder of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani. Iranian Minister of Health and Medical Education Bahram Eynollahi confirmed the death of 95 people in the twin explosion, while 211 other people have been reportedly injured in the blasts. The EU foreign policy chief offered his condolences to the families of the victims and Iran's government and people and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. Iran's foreign minister, for his part, thanked Borrell "for sympathizing with Iran over the Kerman attacks" and "referred to the necessity of the international community to fight different forms of terrorism." The officials also exchanged views on the latest developments in the region, including the situation in the Gaza Strip, the statement said. Soleimani, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force, was killed by a US drone strike in Baghdad on January 3, 2020. In response, Iran launched strikes on US bases in Iraq, including the al-Asad Airbase. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240104/iranian-supreme-leader-organizers-of-kerman-attack-will-be-met-with-strong-response-1115969491.html iran Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 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 iran, iran blasts, kerman blasts, soleimani explosion, gaza https://sputnikglobe.com/20240104/iraqi-armed-forces-blame-us-led-coalition-for-attack-on-militia-headquarters-in-baghdad-1115976553.html Iraqi Armed Forces Blame US-Led Coalition for Attack on Militia Headquarters in Baghdad Iraqi Armed Forces Blame US-Led Coalition for Attack on Militia Headquarters in Baghdad Sputnik International The Iraqi armed forces on Thursday accused the US-led international coalition of the deadly attack on the militia headquarters in Baghdad, calling it an "act akin to terrorist activities." 2024-01-04T13:50+0000 2024-01-04T13:50+0000 2024-01-04T13:50+0000 world middle east iraq baghdad https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107780/64/1077806457_0:120:1280:840_1920x0_80_0_0_65515056830b67a5c2c653f0af3d5552.jpg Earlier in the day, the regional news agency reported, citing sources, that three people, including Shiite commander Mushtaq Taleb al-Saidi, had been killed and six others injured in a drone strike against the headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in eastern Baghdad. Meanwhile, some other media reported about four people killed in the attack. "The Iraqi Armed Forces hold the Global Coalition Forces responsible for this unwarranted attack on an Iraqi security entity that is operating within the powers authorized by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces," the spokesperson for the Iraqi armed forces, Commander-in-Chief, Maj. Gen. Yehia Rasool, was quoted as saying by media. The Iraqi armed forces consider the attack as "a dangerous escalation and assault on Iraq," as well as "an act akin to terrorist activities," the spokesperson reportedly added. The PMF is an Iraqi organization that includes a number of different armed factions, most of them Shia Muslim. The Shia armed groups have intensified their attacks on bases of the US-led international coalition in Iraq, as well as US troops in Syria over the past months, as they consider the US complicit in the attacks mounted by Israel on Palestinian civilians. Washington, for its part, believes that the attacks are carried out by pro-Iranian groups. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240104/irans-top-diplomat-borrell-discuss-blasts-in-city-of-kerman-situation-in-gaza-1115970817.html iraq baghdad Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 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 middle east, iraq attack, mideast unrest, iraq terrorism https://sputnikglobe.com/20240104/justice-dept-sues-texas-over-law-allowing-police-to-arrest-migrants-entering-us-illegally-1115969171.html Justice Dept. Sues Texas Over Law Allowing Police to Arrest Migrants Entering US Illegally Justice Dept. Sues Texas Over Law Allowing Police to Arrest Migrants Entering US Illegally Sputnik International The US State Department announced it filed a lawsuit against the state of Texas in order to stop a new law allowing police to arrest migrants suspected of crossing the US border illegally. 2024-01-04T01:57+0000 2024-01-04T01:57+0000 2024-01-04T01:53+0000 americas us joe biden texas justice department white house lawsuit border security us-mexico border immigration policy https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/03/10/1082356209_0:211:2895:1839_1920x0_80_0_0_0932d814ae142838ec6a17476965a94b.jpg The law, which is set to come into effect in March, states that police officers can arrest migrants due to illegal entry anywhere in the state of Texas. In addition, local judges can order migrants accused of illegal entry to leave the United States.The Justice Department earlier warned officials that Texas' efforts were unconstitutional as it has been previously made clear that such matter falls under the responsibility of the federal government, not state."Under the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution and longstanding Supreme Court precedent, states cannot adopt immigration laws that interfere with the framework enacted by Congress," Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said in a statement.Additionally, the department outlined in the filing that the Texas legislation directly interferes with the US government's "conduct of foreign relations."Texas Governor Greg Abbott previously remarked in response to the department's warning that the Biden White House has "refused" to enact immigration laws to clamp down on the border crisis. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240103/us-house-speaker-border-situation-part-of-unmitigated-disaster-created-by-biden-1115966587.html americas texas Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 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 what is state of us-mexico border, us-mexico border crisis, growing illegal border crossings, doj lawsuit filed against texas https://sputnikglobe.com/20240104/russia-west-has-spent-200-billion-funding-ukraine-since-conflict-started-1115976174.html Russia: West Has Spent $200 Billion Funding Ukraine Since Conflict Started Russia: West Has Spent $200 Billion Funding Ukraine Since Conflict Started Sputnik International Western nations ramped up aid to Ukraine shortly after the start of the Russian special military operation. Moscow has repeatedly warned that such assistance adds to prolongation of the Ukrainian conflict. 2024-01-04T14:46+0000 2024-01-04T14:46+0000 2024-01-04T14:46+0000 world russia us west countries military aid assistance special operation mercenaries https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/04/1115975685_0:0:3078:1731_1920x0_80_0_0_b2c215248f18aa9c12f565b667838c81.jpg The 54 foreign countries providing military assistance to Ukraine have spent over $200 billion since the beginning of Moscows special military operation, the Russian Defense Ministry (MoD) said in a statement on Thursday.The MoD also said that a group of more than 500 US and NATO space vehicles is working in the interests of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. These include over 70 reconnaissance satellites, with the rest being commercial dual-use vehicles. In addition, more than 20,000 satellite terminals of the Starlink satellite system are available for Kiev.According to Moscow, a total of 13,500 foreign mercenaries most of them from Europe arrived in Ukraine to fight for the Zelensky regime. After about 6,000 mercenaries were taken out and more than 5,500 fled, only 1,900 "soldiers of fortune" remain in the special operation zone.The statement comes a day after White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby admitted that there is no more US money to provide military assistance to Ukraine.He was referring to the 54th Presidential Drawdown Authority package announced on December 27 and valued at up to $250 million. The package included additional munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missiles Systems (NASAMS) as well as more Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) for the US-supplied M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).When asked whether weapon supplies to Ukraine will stop should there be no congressional action, Kirby said "They would have to.The US and its NATO allies have been providing military support to Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian military operation. The Kremlin has repeatedly warned against continued arms deliveries to Kiev, stressing that such moves only fuel the conflict, adding that Western military equipment will be eventually destroyed. Moscow also cautioned that NATO countries are playing with fire by providing Kiev with arms.Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, for his part, has emphasized that any cargo that contains weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russia. According to him, the US and NATO are directly involved in the Ukraine conflict by supplying weapons and training soldiers in the UK, Germany, Italy and other countries.Moscow likewise has stressed that the Kiev regime is using mercenaries as cannon fodder, and that the Russian military will continue to target them all across Ukraine. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231207/is-ukraine-aid-dead-analyst-notes-growing-political-opposition-to-us-support-1115441694.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231218/pentagon-warns-congress-us-will-run-out-of-ukraine-aid-funding-by-december-30-1115667073.html russia west Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg russian special military operation, west's aid to ukraine, foreign mercenaries in ukraine, conflict in ukraine, exhaustion of us military aid to ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240104/russian-air-defenses-foil-ukrainian-attack-on-crimea---sevastopol-governor-1115976952.html Russian Air Defenses Foil Ukrainian Attack on Crimea - Sevastopol Governor Russian Air Defenses Foil Ukrainian Attack on Crimea - Sevastopol Governor Sputnik International According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Kiev regime forces carried out an attack against Sevastopol using guided air-to-ground missiles.The attack was successfully thwarted by regular Russian air defense units who shot down ten Ukrainian missiles over the Crimean Peninsula, the ministry added. 2024-01-04T15:07+0000 2024-01-04T15:07+0000 2024-01-04T16:31+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russia sevastopol ukraine crimea https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/104959/85/1049598511_0:190:2967:1858_1920x0_80_0_0_3ce789a283a5dce5a1750d24185ab7b1.jpg Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said that several Ukrainian airborne targets had been downed by Russian air defenses on Thursday according to preliminary reports. He also urged city residents to remain indoors to avoid getting injured by debris from the falling missiles and drones."The military is repelling an attack of the Ukronazis. According to preliminary information, several air targets have already been shot down. All services have been brought to a state of combat readiness. Sevastopol rescue service at the moment does not register damage to infrastructure," Razvozhayev wrote in a Telegram post.The governor added that a house on Glukhova Street was reportedly damaged by shrapnel and at least one person was injured.According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Kiev forces carried out the attack using guided air-to-ground missiles.The attack was successfully thwarted by Russian air defenses that shot down ten Ukrainian missiles over the Crimean Peninsula, the ministry added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240103/russian-air-defense-destroys-12-tochka-u-and-olkha-ukrainian-missiles-over-belgorod-region--1115957425.html russia sevastopol ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 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 sevastopol air raid, ukrainian missile attack https://sputnikglobe.com/20240104/russian-soldiers-safely-return-home-from-ukrainian-captivity-1115971101.html 248 Russian Soldiers Return Home From Ukrainian Captivity 248 Russian Soldiers Return Home From Ukrainian Captivity Sputnik International Russias Ministry of Defense reported that 248 Russian servicemen had been returned from Ukrainian captivity with UAE mediation and as a result of difficult negotiations. They are provided will all necessary medical and psychological assistance. 2024-01-04T05:43+0000 2024-01-04T05:43+0000 2024-01-04T06:23+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukrainian crisis ukrainian ultra-nationalists pow https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/04/1115971202_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_d783f1ed5e9626ee2a68626f5a69335a.jpg The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that 248 Russian servicemen were returned from captivity in Ukraine after difficult negotiations. The ministry added that the return of the Russian servicemen was made possible by the humanitarian mediation of the United Arab Emirates.All the released Russian servicemen will receive the necessary medical and psychological assistance. They will be transported by military transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces for treatment and rehabilitation in medical facilities of the Russian Defense Ministry, the statement added.Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova said 75 servicemen had been returned without exchange.The UAE Foreign Ministry on Thursday thanked the Russian and Ukrainian governments for their cooperation in the prisoner exchange."The Ministry expressed their appreciation to the governments of Russia and Ukraine for their cooperation and response to the UAE's mediation efforts to make the exchange process a success," the UAE Foreign Ministry announced.They noted that the successful prisoner exchange reflected the strong friendship of the United Arab Emirates, adding that it was one of the largest prisoner exchanges between the two sides since the start of hostilities. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240103/russian-air-defense-destroys-12-tochka-u-and-olkha-ukrainian-missiles-over-belgorod-region--1115957425.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 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's special miliatary operation, ukrainian crisis, russian soldiers home https://sputnikglobe.com/20240104/transcripts-reveal-japanese-coast-guard-not-given-takeoff-clearance-before-deadly-crash-1115968302.html Transcripts Reveal Japanese Coast Guard Not Given Takeoff Clearance Before Deadly Crash Transcripts Reveal Japanese Coast Guard Not Given Takeoff Clearance Before Deadly Crash Sputnik International The Coast Guard turboprop plane that collided with a landing Airbus A350 was not given permission to enter the runway, according to transcripts provided by Japanese authorities. 2024-01-04T00:43+0000 2024-01-04T00:43+0000 2024-01-04T00:39+0000 asia japan tokyo airbus coast guard japan airlines a350 plane crash https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/04/1115968146_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_85fc13c3867f20f31fd435e4c06df899.jpg Japanese authorities revealed on Wednesday that the Japan Airlines Airbus A350 that was hit by a Coast Guard turboprop plane on the runway had been given permission to land, but that there were no indications the Coast Guard plane was permitted to take off.On Tuesday, the De Havilland Dash-8 Coast Guard turboprop plane was scheduled to deliver aid to regions of the country that were hit by a devastating earthquake on Monday. Instead, it collided with the landing Airbus A350 at Tokyos Haneda airport.All 367 passengers and 12 crew members of the Airbus were able to escape the plane unharmed in a 20-minute evacuation which has been described as a miracle by Japanese authorities. The same cannot be said of the smaller plane: five of its six crew members were killed and the survivor, the captain, suffered major injuries. Some 14 passengers on the Airbus were injured, but they have been described as non-life-threatening.The Airbus burned for more than six hours on the runway after the accident, causing authorities to cancel 137 domestic and four international flights. Emergency flights and high-speed rail services were provided to reduce congestion.According to transcripts released by authorities, the Airbus was permitted to land, while the Turboprop plane was told to taxi to a holding point.The transcripts appear to contradict the captain, who said following the crash that he had been given permission to enter the runway.A US inspector bulletin stated that a string of lights, which would have told the pilot where to stop before the runway was inoperable. However, experts have pointed out there are other indicators, like reflective paint, that serve the same purpose.Experts have also told media outlets that airline crashes that are the result of one failure are rare and it is more likely there were several contributing factors. The investigation is still in its early stages and the Coast Guard planes voice recorder was recovered, which may provide more insight.The Japan Safety Transport Board (JTSB) is investigating the accident. Agencies from France, the UK and Canada, where parts of the two planes were produced, will assist in the investigation.Additionally, the Tokyo police are investigating if criminal negligence led to the crash, according to Japanese media outlets. An investigation unit has been established at the airport. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240102/five-people-on-board-japan-coast-guard-aircraft-died-following-collision---reports-1115946769.html japan tokyo Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ian DeMartino Ian DeMartino News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ian DeMartino japan plane crash, runway plane crash, coast guard crash in japan https://sputnikglobe.com/20240104/us-china-hold-separate-maritime-drills-as-tensions-persist-1115971467.html US, China Hold Separate Maritime Drills as Tensions Persist US, China Hold Separate Maritime Drills as Tensions Persist Sputnik International Territories in the South China Sea are claimed by an array of countries, including China, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The US regularly sends its warships to the region for so-called "freedom of navigation" missions. 2024-01-04T07:00+0000 2024-01-04T07:00+0000 2024-01-04T07:50+0000 china us philippines south china sea drills tensions relations military https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/04/1115970471_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_b178dc03684817e6633b24615535db53.jpg Chinese naval and air forces conducted patrols in the South China Sea, where the Philippines and the US are currently holding maritime drills amid ongoing tensions between Beijing and Manila in the area.The PLA noted that its forces were on "high alert" and "fully aware of and prepared for any military activities that disturb the South China Sea and create flashpoints." The Chinese military did not elaborate on the exact location of the patrols or the types of aircraft and warships involved.In a separate development, Manila sent four naval vessels, as well as multi-role and anti-submarine helicopters, to the South China Sea to participate in Philippine-US exercises, the second such drills in less than a month. The US sent an aircraft carrier, a cruiser, two destroyers and a multirole fighter jet.This comes amid tensions between Beijing and Manila that have flared in recent months over a series of confrontations in the South China Sea. These include accusations that China rammed a ship carrying the Philippine military chief of staff earlier this month.Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo then discussed "important opportunities" to strengthen bilateral ties..The US views the South China Sea as an international waterway and routinely defies Beijing with patrols by American and allied warships in the so-called freedom of navigation exercises, which the PRC denounces as "provocations". https://sputnikglobe.com/20231211/china-rebuffs-philippines-after-ship-collision-in-south-china-sea-1115516863.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231202/philippines-opens-new-monitoring-base-in-south-china-sea-amid-rising-tensions-1115338597.html china south china sea Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg the prc holds patrols in the south china sea, the us and the philippines conduct drills in tsouth china sea, tensions between beijing and manila over the south china sea https://sputnikglobe.com/20240104/uss-abrams-tanks-not-observed-on-battlefield-after-being-delivered-to-ukraine---reports-1115972480.html US's Abrams Tanks Not Observed on Battlefield After Being Delivered to Ukraine - Reports US's Abrams Tanks Not Observed on Battlefield After Being Delivered to Ukraine - Reports Sputnik International The M1 Abrams main battle tanks, which were delivered by the United States to Ukraine two months ago, have never been observed on the battlefield, the Forbes magazine reported, adding that the whereabouts of the combat machines were also unknown. 2024-01-04T07:43+0000 2024-01-04T07:43+0000 2024-01-04T07:43+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukrainian crisis us arms for ukraine https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102638/15/1026381507_0:36:3394:1945_1920x0_80_0_0_90828037ced1f0e61be8d0d7c76f0447.jpg In late September, the White House confirmed Abrams tanks started arriving in Ukraine. In total, the US administration vowed to give Kiev 31 Abrams tanks. However, the head of Ukraine's military intelligence service, Kyrylo Budanov, said that these tanks "will not live very long on the battlefield" in an ordinary combined arms battle. In a similar vein, Forbes reported on Wednesday that even the most well-armored tanks are vulnerable to attacks by first-person-view drones, adding that the Ukrainian military should modify the US tanks to make them more protected. The mods may include cages, slats and reactive armor, although the latter is unlikely be installed since it will add several tonnes to already heavy vehicles, the report said. Western countries have been providing military aid to Ukraine since the start of the Russian military operation. The aid evolved from artillery munitions and training in 2022 to heavier weapons, including tanks later that year and in 2023. The Kremlin has consistently warned against continued arms deliveries to Kiev, stressing that such moves only fuel the conflict and adding that Western military equipment will be eventually destroyed. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240104/ukraines-hodgepodge-of-nato-arms-proved-failure-long-before-arriving-on-battlefield-1115969643.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240103/leopard-2-tanks-supplied-to-ukraine-are-non-operational--german-mp-1115956739.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 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 special military operation, ukrainian crisis, us arms for ukraine, ukraine tanks North Korea strongly denounced a series of military drills that South Korea has conducted in the new year, warning that chances of a clash between the two sides will be the highest this year. The North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the South began the new year with "self-destructive" acts, referring to Army artillery exercises, naval firing drills and other maneuvers that South Korea's military has recently conducted. "There will be the highest risk of clashes this year, as invading forces, such as the United States and Japan, will crawl into the peninsula under the South Korean puppet group's plea and active cooperation and they will likely stage unprecedented provocative war moves such as a nuclear strike," the KCNA said. The report warned that South Korean "warmongers" will only face the "most painful moments they cannot even imagine" if they continue to stage confrontational moves against North Korea. This week, the South Korean Army carried out artillery and live-fire drills and the Navy also conducted exercises involving warships and aircraft in a bid to strengthen its defense posture against North Korea's potential provocations. At a year-end party meeting, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un defined inter-Korean ties as relations between "two nations hostile to each other" and ordered preparations for "a great event to suppress the whole territory" of South Korea in the event of a contingency. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240104/watch-russian-recon-group-decimate-ukrainian-outpost-1115974141.html Watch Russian Recon Group Decimate Ukrainian Outpost Watch Russian Recon Group Decimate Ukrainian Outpost Sputnik International Russias Ministry of Defense published a footage that shows reconnaissance group in combat action in special military operation zone. 2024-01-04T12:15+0000 2024-01-04T12:15+0000 2024-01-04T12:16+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukrainian crisis su-25 https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/04/1115973925_129:0:1697:882_1920x0_80_0_0_4ae065aedd96f6836186e7de14881054.png The servicemen used reconnaissance drones to locate the Ukrainian fortifications and transmit their location to Su-25 attack aircraft, which unleashed their firepower and obliterated the outpost."Usually we work with FPV drones, it is 100% guaranteed destruction. Also, we help our air forces by adjusting the target with reconnaissance UAVs and other tools of scouting the area," Russian servicemen explained.The Defense Ministry said in a statement that the pilots used the pitch-up maneuver, which increases the range of the missiles and helps evade enemy air defenses. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sergey Lebedev Sergey Lebedev News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Reconaissance group destroys Ukrainian outpost Sputnik International Reconaissance group destroys Ukrainian outpost 2024-01-04T12:15+0000 true PT0M49S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sergey Lebedev russia's special military operation, ukrainian crisis, su-25, russian uavs Northville Downs, which opened in 1944, kicks off its 80th anniversary of operations this Friday, Jan. 5. Northville will race 10 days from Jan. 5, 2024 through and including Feb. 3. Racing will be conducted every Friday and Saturday during this time frame except the third weekend of January when Northville will race Thursday, Jan. 18 and Friday, Jan. 19 to accommodate horsemen and women for the MHHA Banquet, which will be held on Saturday, Jan. 20. First race post time each race night will be 7 p.m. Opening night features a strong program with 10 races on tap including the co-featured $14,211 Open Trot and the $14,211 Fillies and Mares Open Pace. Northville Downs will continue to offer their ever popular dollar night at The Ville during each Friday live race night with $1 pop, live programs and popcorn, $2 hot dogs and beer and hamburger and cheeseburger specials. Full card simulcasting from the best harness and Thoroughbred tracks across the country will continue to be available seven days and nights each week from noon to midnight. As Northville kicks off its final racing season at The Ville, all employees, horsemen and women and any fans and patrons who enjoyed their last trip to Northville are welcome back to enjoy themselves for one final time as Northville bids goodbye to Michigans pioneer harness racetrack in its 80th and final year. (With files from Northville Downs) Jesse & Katie Belore's Princeton Farms welcomed its first foal of 2024 on Wednesday, Jan. 3. The foal is a healthy and vibrant colt, named Speed Me Up upon birth at 9 p.m. The colt is by Green Manalishi S out of the Cantab Hall mare Stop And Search, whose dam is a full sister to the Valley Victory trot winner and $600,000 earner Possess The Will. Speed Me Up, the first of 50 expected foals at the Princeton, Ont. nursery this season, was welcomed by Farm Manager Amber Lawson and named by Connor and Sawyer Belore after one of their favourite movies, Sonic The Hedgehog. Princeton Farms plans to post more photos of Speed Me Up, one of Canada's first foals of 2024, on its Facebook page where followers can stay updated with his journey, and keep up with the happenings of the farm. (With files from Princeton Farms) Velocity McSweets, coming off back-to-back solid tries in Open company, gets the top billing in Friday (Jan. 5) nights $7,895 feature for pacing distaffers. A nine-race card is on tap under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with first post set for 6:45 p.m. Velocity McSweets is a nine-year-old daughter of McArdie who is owned and trained by Jennifer Sabot and will once again have James Kennedy at the controls from the cozy rail slot. After coming in from Chicago, the bay miss rattled off two solid conditioned scores here to kick off the meet, on both occasions sitting back early and then making a big move past the half to get the job done. Stepping up to the Open level for her last pair, Velocity McSweets has turned in big miles while finishing secod to Starrzznstripes and then third behind Graceful Horizon after being shuffled. Taking her on Friday are Princessofthedawn with Nick Roland, Muffin Top with Mooney Svendsen, Bekkums Fancy Star and Jake Cutting, Wish I Had Thyme for Gerry Longo, Senga Nightmare with Ryan Grundy and Aint She Special for Luke Plano. Looking ahead to Sunday (Jan. 6) nights card, Halleysbigomet headlines the $20,658 Jack Williams final for pacing fillies and mares. Senga Nightmare continues to do her thing After blowing by her rivals when it counted last week, Senga Nightmare has now posed for snapshots following half of her six appearances at the meet for owner/driver/trainer Ryan Grundy. The newly turned six-year-old mare has a pair of Sire Stakes trophies on her mantle from two years ago and is just over the $160,000 earnings plateau. Ive had her since her first start up at Alberta and I guess you would just describe her as being workmanlike, noted Grundy. When she got here for this meet, she hadnt been racing at her best and she was able to get into some softer spots and build up her confidence. Senga Nightmare has used a strong late kick to get the job done in her recent victories, but her mentor notes she doesnt necessarily have to wait until the stretch to let loose. Its been mostly the draw and the way things have worked out, noted Grundy. If you look at some of her other wins, though, youll see she can make a move to the lead at the half and keep going. Grundy also pointed out that the track up in Alberta is limestone and Senga Nightmare is much more at home over a dirt course like Cal Expo. Shes certainly been driving him that point in her trio of victories at this stand. (With files from Cal Expo) DENVER (AP) Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a ruling barring him from the Colorado ballot, setting up a high-stakes showdown over whether a constitutional provision prohibiting those who engaged in insurrection will end his political career. Trump appealed a 4-3 ruling in December by the Colorado Supreme Court that marked the first time in history that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment was used to bar a presidential contender from the ballot. The court found that Trump's role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol disqualified him under the clause. The provision has been used so sparingly in American history that the U.S. Supreme Court has never ruled on it. Wednesday's development came a day after Trump's legal team filed an appeal against a ruling by Maine's Democratic Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, that Trump was ineligible to appear on that state's ballot over his role in the Capitol attack. Both the Colorado Supreme Court and the Maine secretary of states rulings are on hold until the appeals play out. Trump's critics have filed dozens of lawsuits seeking to disqualify him in multiple states. He lost Colorado by 13 percentage points in 2020 and does not need to win the state to gain either the Republican presidential nomination or the presidency. But the Colorado ruling has the potential to prompt courts or secretaries of state to remove him from the ballot in other, must-win states. None had succeeded until a slim majority of Colorado's seven justices all appointed by Democratic governors ruled last month against Trump. Critics warned that it was an overreach and that the court could not simply declare that the Jan. 6 attack was an insurrection without a judicial process. Trump's new appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court also follows one from Colorado's Republican Party. Legal observers expect the high court will take the case because it concerns unsettled constitutional issues that go to the heart of the way the country is governed. Your browser does not support the iframe HTML tag. Try viewing this in a modern browser like Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Internet Explorer 9 or later. Sean Grimsley, an attorney for the plaintiffs seeking to disqualify Trump in Colorado, said on a legal podcast called Law, disrupted that he hopes the nations highest court hurries once it accepts the case, as he expects it will. We have a primary coming up on Super Tuesday and we need to know the answer, Grimsley said. The Colorado high court upheld a finding by a district court judge that Jan. 6 was an insurrection incited by Trump. It agreed with the petitioners, six Republican and unaffiliated Colorado voters whose lawsuit was funded by a Washington-based liberal group, that Trump clearly violated the provision. Because of that, the court ruled he is disqualified just as plainly as if he failed to meet the Constitution's minimum age requirement for the presidency of 35 years. In doing so, the state high court reversed a ruling by the lower court judge that said it wasn't clear that Section 3 was meant to apply to the president. That's one of many issues the nation's highest court would consider. Additional ones include whether states such as Colorado can determine who is covered by Section 3, whether congressional action is needed to create a process to bar people from office, whether Jan. 6 met the legal definition of insurrection and whether Trump was simply engaging in First Amendment activity that day or is responsible for the violent attack, which was intended to halt certification of Democrat Joe Biden's victory. Trump held a rally before the Capitol attack, telling his supporters that if you dont fight like hell, youre not going to have a country anymore. Six of the U.S. Supreme Court's nine justices were appointed by Republicans, and three by Trump himself. The Colorado ruling cited a prior decision by Neil Gorsuch, one of Trump's appointees to the high court, when he was a federal judge in Colorado. That ruling determined that the state had a legitimate interest in removing from the presidential ballot a naturalized U.S. citizen who was ineligible for the office because he was born in Guyana. The provision has barely been used since the years after the Civil War, when it kept defeated Confederates from returning to their former government positions. The two-sentence clause says that anyone who swore an oath to support the Constitution and then engaged in insurrection cannot hold office unless a two-thirds vote of Congress allows it. Legal scholars believe its only application in the 20th century was being cited by Congress in 1919 to block the seating of a socialist who opposed U.S. involvement in World War I and was elected to the House of Representatives. But in 2022, a judge used it to remove a rural New Mexico county commissioner from office after he was convicted of a misdemeanor for entering the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Liberal groups sued to block Republican Reps. Madison Cawthorn and Marjorie Taylor Greene from running for reelection because of their roles on that day. Cawthorn's case became moot when he lost his primary in 2022, and a judge ruled to keep Greene on the ballot. Some conservatives warn that, if Trump is removed, political groups will routinely use Section 3 against opponents in unexpected ways. Biden's administration has noted that the president has no role in the litigation. The issue of whether Trump can be on the ballot is not the only matter related to the former president or Jan. 6 that has reached the high court. The justices last month declined a request from special counsel Jack Smith to swiftly take up and rule on Trump's claims that he is immune from prosecution in a case charging him with plotting to overturn the presidential election, though the issue could be back before the court soon depending on the ruling of a Washington-based appeals court. And the court has said that it intends to hear an appeal that could upend hundreds of charges stemming from the Capitol riot, including against Trump. A Taylorsville man was sentenced to a minimum of four years for helping his wife elude arrest after she shot and killed a Hickory furniture plant employee. Eric Parker, 64, pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to murder in the death of 51-year-old Phelifia Michelle Marlow. Parker received a prison sentence of 48 to 70 months during Catawba County Superior Court on Tuesday. Parker has already served roughly 2.5 years of the sentence. His wife, Tangela Parker, 52, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on Sept. 28. Tangela Parker was sentenced to 241 to 300 months in prison, which is roughly 20 to 25 years. Tangela Parker shot and killed Marlow on Jan. 13, 2021. The shooting happened around 2:30 p.m. at the TCS Designs building, Assistant District Attorney Timothy Gould said. TCS Designs is located at 1851 Ninth Ave. NE in Hickory. Both of the Parkers and Marlow were TCS Designs employees at the time, according to court documents. Officers were able to locate the victim in this case, whose name is Michelle Marlow, lying face down in a large pool of her own blood but barely still alive, Gould said in court. She had suffered a gunshot wound to the left side of her chest with an exit wound to her left arm and another gunshot wound entering the back of her head. Gould said Tangela Parker walked up to Marlows workstation during the middle of the workday. After being struck with the first bullet, Michelle turned and tried to run away, Gould said in court on Tuesday. But Tangela wasnt satisfied and shot Michelle in the back of the head as she was trying to run for her life. This caused Michelle to fall to the floor where she laid until the EMS arrived. Gould said Tangela Parker killed Marlow over a series of petty workplace arguments. Following the shooting, Eric Parker took the gun from Tangela Parker and the pair fled the scene. The Parkers were apprehended six months later in Arizona. Marlows sister Christina Walker spoke during Eric Parkers plea hearing on Tuesday. She cried as she spoke directly to Superior Court Judge Daniel A. Kuehnert. (Eric Parker) didnt want (Tangela Parker) being caught, Walker said. He didnt want her to go to jail for her actions, for her murdering my sister for no reason. Michelle Marlows husband Justin Marlow has pending lawsuits against Tangela Parker, Eric Parker and TCS Designs. The nominee to be the director of South Korea's spy agency said Thursday he sees North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's daughter, Ju-ae, as his "most likely successor," marking the agency's first assessment of her possible succession in the reclusive regime. Ju-ae, believed to be born in 2013, has gained the spotlight since Nov. 18, 2022, when her father brought her to the launch site of a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile in her first public appearance. Since then, her public activities have been centered on military events. North Korea's state media has begun calling Ju-ae Kim's "respected" daughter, changing its previous manner of naming her as his beloved or the most beloved daughter, fueling speculation she may be groomed as Kim's successor. "Based on analyses on her public activities and the level of the North's respect toward her since her public appearance, Kim Ju-ae appears to be the most likely successor," Cho Tae-yong, the nominee to lead the National Intelligence Service (NIS), remarked in a parliamentary report for his confirmation hearing. Still, he said the NIS leaves all possibilities open over the North's power succession, as North Korea's incumbent leader is still young and apparently has no health problems, and there are also many variables, including the existence of other siblings. Previously, the NIS said it is "too early" to determine that Ju-ae would be an heir apparent to succeed Kim Jong-un in a deeply patriarchal, male-dominated society. Cho said Kim is believed to have another child whose gender is unknown, without elaborating. Ju-ae is known to be Kim's second child, but there are no confirmed details about his children, such as their gender. The lack of information underscores the challenge of obtaining details about the inner workings of the Kim regime in a country considered an intelligence black hole. The isolated country keeps a tight lid on almost all information and denies its people access to the outside world, though some people near the border with China are believed to be using mobile phones smuggled from China. In March, 2023 the spy agency told lawmakers that it is looking into intelligence that Kim's first child is a son and it has yet to identify the gender of the third child. Last month, Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho said the North's leader appears to be "in a hurry" to bring Ju-ae to the forefront in a bid to demonstrate his commitment to the third hereditary power succession amid increased economic difficulties. Kim Jong-un took over the communist country following the death of his father, Kim Jong-il, in 2011. The late Kim inherited power from his father, the country's founder, Kim Il-sung, who died in 1994. Meanwhile, Cho said North Korea appears to see more need to conduct what would be its seventh nuclear test in a bid to flex its nuclear muscle and check the capabilities of its tactical nuclear warheads. "North Korea has been maintaining its Punggye-ri nuclear test site in a way that it could conduct a nuclear test at any time. When the country will press ahead with the nuke test will hinge on Kim Jong-un's political determination," he said. In March 2023, North Korea unveiled Hwasan-31 tactical nuclear warheads for the first time as its leader ordered an expanded production of weapons-grade nuclear materials for an exponential increase in the country's nuclear arsenal. (Yonhap) Editor's Note Donations to the Lonely Children's Fund can be mailed to the Iredell County Department of Social Services, 549 Eastside Drive, Statesville NC 28625. As of Dec. 29, the Lonely Childrens Fund has raised a total of $22,662 of the $30,000 goal. Were almost there! We know the community can continue to help us reach this goal. Were hopeful that the community will overflow this fund with their donations, as these children deserve the very best and normalcy. This year, the Lonely Childrens Fund was instrumental in providing money for each child in foster care. These funds were utilized to support foster parents with obtaining Christmas gifts for the children placed in their homes. In the month of December, The Iredell County Department of Social Services utilized this funding for the following: To purchase an ancestry.com test for a child in custody, to assist in locating potential family members. Dance classes for two young children. For a child to visit his mother, for the holidays. A middle school students 2023-2024 school yearbook. Clothing for children that entered custody and so much more! These funds are imperative in helping these children have the same opportunities as other children. Our children have experienced an overwhelming amount trauma; therefore, its imperative that they have these opportunities to grow, develop and blossom into the individuals that we know they can be. Your donation is critical in helping bring crucial resources and support to the most vulnerable children in our community. We would like for you to acknowledge that your donation is more than a gift; but yet, a declaration to all of the foster children in Iredell County. By donating, you are saying to our children, that they are significant and that they are loved unconditionally. By working together, we know, can reach this goal! Latest donations Iredell County Department of Tax Administration in memory of our co-worker, Wes Long, $1,775 In memory of Carole Darty, son Antjuan, Mother Ruthie, Sister Bloom, Brother Jeff and Neice April, $100 James and Michelle N. Vacca, $100 Roger and Annette Roark in honor of our children, $250 Gregory and Robin Wilson, $30 Bill and Wanda Furches in honor of our grandchildren, Lauren, Knox, Braxton, Kinsely, Harper and Grayson, $200 Elizabeth Powell, $50 In memory of Bradley Koepnick, Don and Peggy Koepnick, $1,000 Sandra and Lee Overcash in memory of Halbert and Hilda Rimmer, $100 James and Diane Smith in memory of Nathan William Black, $200 Lucille M. Harwell, $25 Terry Watts, $200 The weather pattern continues to stay alive into January. A nor'easter travels from North Carolina up to New York the weekend of Jan. 6-7. An even bigger storm will arrive for mid-next week. Meteorologists Joe Martucci and Sean Sublette share who sees snow and who rains for the weekend, takes a deep dive into next week's storm and explores how the polar vortex could influence the weather into the month on Snow Search. ABOUT SNOW SEARCH For longer range weather forecasts, tune into Snow Search with Meteorologist Joe Martucci of The Press of Atlantic City and Meteorologist Sean Sublette from the Richmond Times Dispatch every Wednesday. The two looks at the weather pattern for the following week, pointing out weather trends that could bring snow and cold to the Mid-Atlantic. A Marion man accused of murdering an Atkins man during an altercation in April has been indicted by a Smyth County grand jury. Following the killing, 32-year-old Jacob Seth Andreshak told Smyth County Sheriffs Office investigators he shot 39-year-old Charles Jonathan Wojciechowicz to stop Wojciechowicz hitting him. During the interview with SCSO Capt. Bill Eller, which was recorded and played at Andreshaks Nov. 30 preliminary hearing, Andreshak said he went to Wojciechowiczs Remington Lane home to hang out. The two were drinking and talking, he said, when the conversation turned to religion. He said he didnt know how it escalated, but the next think I know, he was shoving me out of his house, beating me in my head. Andreshak told Eller he didnt want to kill Wojciechowicz when he shot him. He said he pulled the trigger just to stop him. Despite the building of a self-defense argument, Judge Travis Lee, agreeing with the prosecution, said the hearing was only to determine if probable cause existed to certify the case to the grand jury. On Dec. 12, the grand jury determined enough evidence existed for the case to go to trial. Andreshaks trial date has not yet been set. Also indicted during the December session is 25-year-old Cameron Scott Finley, whos accused of slashing a womans chest. In a written statement, the woman said a man, who was later identified as Finley, had been talking to himself while sitting on the sidewalk. She said the man came up to her when she opened her passenger door, then rushed to the drivers side and yanked the door open. When she asked the man if she knew him, she wrote, he ran around the truck to me and said, No, but youre about to... He then slashed at her face, she wrote, saying that when she leaned back, I felt something burn my chest and he threw a couple punches and took off running. She said the man then came back without a sweatshirt he was previously wearing asking her, Maam are you okay, did he kill anybody else? Then he said something else and took off running again, she wrote. Marion Officer Josh Taylor wrote in a criminal complaint that Finely was located near South Commerce Street, where he was found on the ground, screaming. The subject displays signs of drugs/narcotics use, sweating profusely, eyes pinpoint and hallucinating, Taylor wrote. The grand jury indicted Finely on a malicious wounding charge. He is scheduled for his first circuit court appearance Jan. 22, 2024. Others indicted during the grand jurys December session include: Terry Neal Rhodes, 60, of Rural Retreat, was indicted on a strangulation charge. Timothy James Harris, 51, of Atkins, was indicted on charges of third-offense assault and battery of a family member, violating a protective order and statutory burglary. Corey Shane Lethcoe, 36, of Abingdon, was indicted on charges of assault and battery of a law enforcement officer, eluding police and using a smokescreen in a vehicle. Jason Eric Kidd, 49, of Chilhowie, was indicted on an assault and battery of a law enforcement officer charge. Robert Ray Andrews, 23, of Saltville, was indicted on a statutory burglary charge. Jackie Dale Atkins, 57, of Claudville, was indicted on charges of grand larceny of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a felon. David Anderson Eskridge, 40, of Abingdon, was indicted on a grand larceny charge. Stephanie Renay Miller, 39, of Rural Retreat, was indicted on a credit card theft charge. Glenn Robert Kidd, 48, of Marion, was indicted on a credit card theft charge. Dejuan Marquis Brewer, 33, of Marion, was indicted on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm while in possession of methamphetamine, escaping police custody and perjury. Tonya Nicole Gutierrez-Ruiz, 39, of Marion, was indicted on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of ammo by a felon and possession of a firearm while in possession of methamphetamine. Mickey Louis Holman, 31, of Marion, was indicted on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a felon. Jerry Michael Harris Jr., 50, of Marion, was indicted on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm while in possession of methamphetamine. Bradley Preston Tanner, 32, of Marion, was indicted on a charge of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Brandon Allen Snead, 33, of Marion, was indicted on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of fentanyl. Katelynn Brooke Sheets, 24, of Atkins, was indicted on a possession of methamphetamine charge. Rebecca Elaine Taylor, also known as Rebecca Bowman, 50, of Wytheville, was indicted on a possession of methamphetamine charge. Michael Shane Hurd, 49, of Marion, was indicted on a possession of methamphetamine charge. Billy Joe Davis, 37, of Marion, was indicted on a possession of methamphetamine charge. Kenneth Wayne Blizzard, 32, of Marion, was indicted on a possession of methamphetamine charge. Wesley Allen Banes Pennington, 38, unknown address, was indicted on a possession of methamphetamine charge. Jeannie Miranda Cook, 26, of Glade Spring, was indicted on a possession of methamphetamine charge. Those indicted will stand trial in Smyth County Circuit Court. Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria. On Thursday, media reports, citing US officials, suggested that the strike targeting a prominent Iraqi militia official linked to recent attacks on American bases in Syria and Iraq was orchestrated by the U.S. military. Meanwhile, an investigation reveals a surge in Israeli strikes against Syria, with 40 recorded in 2023, compared to 28 in 2022 and the same number in 2021. US military conducted strike, killed Iran-backed Iraqi militia official: Report The US military was behind the strike that killed a prominent Iraqi militia official on Thursday, according to media reports, citing US officials. A US official told Fox News, according to Al Arabiya Network, that Washington targeted the Iran-backed official in Baghdad, who the US believes played a key role in attacks on American forces in Iraq over the last few months. For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app. The US official said the operation was a precision strike on a vehicle believed to be transporting Harakat al-Nujaba official Mushtaq Talib al-Saidi. Asked about the attack, a US official stopped short of claiming responsibility but said: The United States is continuing to take action to protect our forces in Iraq and Syria by addressing the threats they face. US military officials were giving Baghdad time to rein in attacks by Iran-backed militias. Days before Christmas, the top US military general for the Middle East held talks with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to discuss potential responses, Al Arabiya English previously reported. After several weeks of attacks, US President Joe Biden had only ordered responses inside Syria in what analysts and former officials have described as largely symbolic strikes despite some of the attacks on US troops being in Iraq. American forces in Iraq and Syria have been targeted over 100 times since October 17, following the Hamas attack on Israel. But the US had avoided responding inside of Iraq due to an already frustrated Iraqi public sentiment towards Washington. The US military later targeted Iran-backed militias inside Iraq and killed several fighters on more than one occasion. Security forces arrest ISIS women attempting to escape al-Hol camp The Internal Security Forces (Asayish in Kurdish) on Thursday arrested three women and two children of ISIS families attempting to escape al-Hol camp, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on Thursday. SOHR said the women and children were taken to a security centre after their arrest. The al-Hol camp, controlled by the Syrian Kurdish Asayish, houses thousands of Iraqi, Syrian, and foreign ISIS families. On Dec. 28, security forces said they killed a senior ISIS official Abu Obeida al-Iraqi in Syrias al-Hol camp in a joint operation with the US-led coalition. SOHR said his wife was also killed in the operation. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the US-led coalition have consistently urged foreign nations to bring back their citizens, since the overcrowded al-Hol camp poses a security risk, and there are fears of indoctrination of children. The Iraqi government has recently repatriated several Iraqi families from the camp. U.S. strike kills militia leader blamed for Iraq attacks U.S. official The U.S. military carried out a retaliatory strike in Baghdad on Thursday that killed a militia leader it blames for recent attacks on U.S. personnel, a U.S. official told Reuters. Iraqi police sources and witnesses said a drone fired at least two rockets in eastern Baghdad at a facility used by the Iraqi militia group al-Nujabaa. Police and militia sources said the rockets hit a vehicle inside the Nujabaa headquarters and killed four people, including a local group commander and one of his aides. Health sources confirmed the death toll. The U.S. military has come under attack at least 100 times in Iraq and Syria since the Israel-Hamas war began in October, usually with a mix of rockets and one-way attack drones. The United States has 2,500 troops deployed in Iraq and 900 in neighbouring Syria in a bid to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State militants. The U.S. official said the strike hit the vehicle with the intention of killing the militia leader and that was accomplished. Israeli strikes in Syria increased by 40 percent in 2023 study The Syrian Jusoor Research Center, which bills itself as an independent research institution specializing in political, economic and social studies, this week published a detailed study of all Israeli attacks in Syria in 2023. The investigation found that 40 attacks were recorded in 2023, compared to 28 in 2022, and the same number in 2021. According to the research center, over the past year, attacks have been diverse and carried out by air, land and sea, with some of them carried out simultaneously against several areas of Syria. In total, 95 sites were struck and 297 targets destroyed, Jusoor said. According to the institute, this increase is directly linked to the expansion of Iranian activities in Syria and Tehrans attempt to make this country a base for its actions and those of its emissaries against Israel. According to the centers data, Israel intensified its attacks in Syria after the earthquake in the country and in Turkey earlier this year and after the October 7 terrorist attack. Iran took advantage of these events to increase the number of its military sites, for a total estimated today at 570, most of them in southern Syria. According to the report, in 2023, airstrikes were the primary means of Israeli military intervention in Syria and were carried out by F-16 aircraft and drones. Israeli air superiority caused heavy losses to Iranian militias, the institute said. Jusoor also claimed that Israeli ground incursions aimed at preventing militias from establishing themselves have taken place. Damascus and its region was the most attacked sector, followed by Aleppo and Quneitra. The pace of attacks against Iranian militias in Syria is expected to increase in 2024, the study concluded. They will focus on Iranian military advisers and aim to cut land and air logistics lines, Jusoor predicts, meaning Israel will continue to target military and civilian airports. House usurpers in regime areas deprive Syrians of their own property Enab Baladi published a detailed article which highlights a significant issue faced by Syrian property owners who have left their homes, particularly in regime-controlled areas. Many of these owners, like Mahmoud al-Asmi and Nihad al-Falouji, allowed displaced families or relatives to live in their properties for free or at nominal rents as a gesture of goodwill or to protect the properties from looting. However, they now face difficulties in reclaiming their properties. According to the report, homeowners who left Syria during the conflict find their properties occupied by others. These occupants often have connections with security branches, making eviction challenging. Property owners face legal hurdles and security risks in attempting to reclaim their homes. The lack of proper legal documents, fear of arrest for those opposed to the regime, and threats from occupants are common obstacles. Occupants of these properties often exploit the owners political positions and security situations to avoid eviction. This includes threats of harm to the owners relatives in Syria. Syrian laws, especially those enacted post-2011, complicate property rights. Laws targeting political opponents and anti-terrorism measures can lead to the freezing or confiscation of assets, affecting Syrians inside and outside the country. Recovering property, the report says, is a complex process, dependent on the propertys legal status and documentation. The presence of a real estate contract or title deed is crucial. However, lost or absent documents complicate matters, requiring legal assistance and sometimes involving risks to the appointee due to political affiliations. The article underscores the plight of Syrian property owners who, having fled for safety, now struggle with the usurpation of their properties and the complex legal and political landscape in Syria. This situation highlights the broader challenges of property rights and legal processes in conflict-affected areas. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized Turkey's commitment to preventing new conflicts between the Syrian regime and opposition factions, according to Shaam Network. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized Turkeys commitment to preventing new conflicts between the Syrian regime and opposition factions, based on the Astana track agreement with Russia and Iran. In an interview on the Turkish channel NTV, Fidan addressed the multifaceted nature of contact with the Assad regime, stressing the need for both direct and indirect engagement at various levels. He outlined Turkeys priorities in averting clashes between the regime and the opposition, emphasizing the prevention of new migration waves and fostering an environment that encourages reconciliation on both sides. Additionally, Fidan underscored the importance of adopting a political stance geared towards peace and future-building. Highlighting the PKKs tendency to exploit conflicts for its benefit, Fidan explained that Turkeys intensive diplomatic efforts aimed at conflict prevention align with its broader campaign against the PKK. He noted the significant intelligence and military initiatives undertaken to address this challenge. During a parliamentary discussion on the Foreign Ministrys 2024 budget, Minister Fidan reiterated Turkeys unwavering commitment to Syrias territorial integrity and political unity. He expressed Ankaras continued support for a political solution in Syria, particularly through adherence to the UN Security Council resolution for civil peace. Fidan emphasized ongoing efforts, both on the ground and at the negotiation table, in pursuit of these goals. Furthermore, he highlighted Turkeys determination to prevent the establishment of international terrorist entities in northern 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. Putin has issued a presidential decree extending citizenship to individuals from Syria, Ukraine, Yemen, Iraq, and Afghanistan who are enlisted in the Russian military, according to Zaman al-Wasl. Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a presidential decree extending Russian citizenship to individuals from Syria, Ukraine, Yemen, Iraq, and Afghanistan who are enlisted in the Russian military. According to Russian reports on Thursday, the decree encompasses foreign nationals who have entered into a contractual agreement to serve in the Russian armed forces and their family members. The official online portal for legal information states that the decree outlines simplified conditions for citizens of these countries, waiving requirements such as proficiency in the Russian language, knowledge of Russian history, or the standard five-year residency in Russia. The decree specifies that foreign citizens who signed a military service contract with the Russian Armed Forces during the special military operation period or are actively serving in the Armed Forces during this time are eligible to apply for Russian citizenship. TASS, the Russian news agency, notes that the decree also applies to Syrians born within the territory of the RSFSR, who were previously citizens of the USSR, along with their parents, spouses, and children. The application processing time for citizenship for these specific categories of foreign citizens is set not to exceed three months. Applicants for Russian citizenship, as per the decree, must undergo mandatory fingerprint registration and provide a certificate confirming their HIV/AIDS-free status. Additionally, spouses and children of foreign military personnel applying for Russian citizenship must submit medical certificates attesting to their non-consumption of prohibited substances and the absence of infectious diseases posing a threat to others. The initiation of Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 led to recruitment efforts targeting young men in various countries, including Syria. The network Suwayda 24 released a video on Tuesday purportedly showing young Syrians and Arabs recruited by Russia, receiving military uniforms before being deployed to the Ukrainian border for combat. Upon their arrival in Russia, these recruits reportedly swiftly obtained Russian passports. 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. In a significant reshuffle within the Syrian regime's security apparatus, President Bashar al-Assad has appointed Major General Qahtan Khalil as the new director of the Syrian Air Force Intelligence Department. In a notable shift within Syrias security structure, President Bashar al-Assad has named Major General Qahtan Khalil as the new head of the Syrian Air Force Intelligence Department, replacing Ghassan Ismail. This appointment of Khalil, notoriously known as the Butcher of Daraya for his alleged role in the 2012 Daraya massacre and accused of human rights violations including torture and detainee liquidation at Mezzeh Military Prison, marks a controversial change. Khalils history of brutal repression and sanctions under the U.S. Caesar Act contrasts with Ismails long-standing intelligence career, raising questions and mixed reactions about this strategic move, which reflects the Assad regimes complex interplay of loyalty and power within its military and intelligence sectors. Background: In a significant reshuffle within the Syrian regimes security apparatus, President Bashar al-Assad has appointed Major General Qahtan Khalil as the new director of the Syrian Air Force Intelligence Department. Khalil, a figure shrouded in controversy, succeeds Ghassan Ismail, who has been in the role since July 2019. Khalils appointment comes as a surprise to many, particularly given his notorious background and the recent decision to extend Ismails tenure. Khalil, known as the Butcher of Daraya, has been a prominent figure in the Syrian regimes Air Force Intelligence branch, where he previously held the rank of major general. His infamous moniker stems from his direct responsibility in the bloody Daraya massacre in the summer of 2012 in the Damascus countryside, a tragedy that left dozens of civilians dead. US sanctions: Beyond this, Khalils reputation is marred by allegations of involvement in the torture and liquidation of detainees in the Mezzeh Military Prison and the Air Force Intelligence Investigation Branch at Mezzeh Airport. His brutal methods in repressing political detainees have been widely condemned by human rights activists. In response to these actions, the United States imposed sanctions on Khalil in 2021 under the Caesar Act, targeting key military and security figures in the Assad regime for their roles in human rights violations. Prior to his latest appointment, Khalil served as Deputy Director of the Air Force Intelligence Department under Jamil al-Hassan. He was then promoted to head the security committee in southern Syria in October 2019, following his elevation to the rank of major general in July 2018. His role in southern Syria was part of a broader strategy by the Assad regime to tighten security control over the Daraa Governorate. Ghassan Ismail, Khalils predecessor, had a long history in the security sector, holding senior positions within Air Force Intelligence. His removal from the directorship, occurring three years after his official retirement age, has raised questions. Some speculate that the dismissal is linked to the October 2023 attack on the Homs Military College, which resulted in over 100 deaths. This incident highlighted potential flaws in the intelligence apparatus, possibly leading to the regimes decision to bring in Khalil. This appointment has been met with mixed reactions. While military accounts on social media have published expressions of congratulations, others view it as a troubling sign, given Khalils alleged involvement in past atrocities. The Assad regime has not made an official announcement regarding these changes, which is typical for amendments within its intelligence services. The broader implications of Khalils appointment are yet to unfold, but they signal a continued hardline stance by the Assad regime in dealing with internal security and dissent. The move also reflects the complex dynamics within the Syrian military and intelligence hierarchy, where loyalty and past actions play a significant role in shaping the leadership landscape. 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. WOODLAND As one of his last acts as Woodlands mayor, Will Finn let go two top city officials and a high-ranking police officer with severance packages because he thought the incoming mayor would treat them unfairly, a claim current Mayor Todd Dinehart denies and called a rumor. In an email last Friday to the Woodland City Council and city department heads, Finn announced he released City Administrator Peter Boyce and Woodland Public Works Director Tracy Coleman due to a new environment of hostility that would be coming forward as a standard daily practice. Finn said Dinehart was critical of Boyce and Coleman during the 2023 election cycle, so he would likely do the same now that hes taken the position. I felt Mr. Dinehart targeted them, as a result, putting them in an unsafe working environment, Finn said in an email. Dinehart told The Daily News Finn created disparaging rumors about him because Finn is upset he lost his seat. He said he's disappointed Finn let the officials go. Boyce and Colemans last day was on Dec. 31, according to Finns email, and Finn was replaced by Dinehart Jan. 1. Finn lost to Dinehart in November when Finn received roughly 30% of the votes. Tuesday night, Dinehart issued a brief press release saying the two terminations and an unbudgeted position led to an emergency special City Council meeting on Monday, which was New Year's Day. The meeting was an executive session, which means it was closed to the public, and the agenda states the council planned to discuss potential litigation. Community Development Director Travis Goddard said hes handling some of Boyces responsibilities, and Dinehart will select a new city administrator. At Tuesdays Woodland City Council meeting, Dinehart said hes working to fill the positions as fast as I can. Woodland Police Lt. Jennifer Ortiz was also let go after the Woodland City Council approved a budget that didnt include funds to pay for the position. Finn said he created the lieutenant position and faced resistance internally and externally. However, at Tuesday's meeting, City Council budgeted to replace the officer, Dinehart said. Boyce, Coleman and Ortiz received severance pay. Boyce and Coleman received six months, and Ortiz received three. Dinehart said the severance packages cost $200,000 from city reserves. With Ortizs departure, Finn said the Woodland police wellness dog program will end. Finn said before her departure, Ortiz secured a $50,000 grant to expand the Woodland Police Departments drone program. The former mayor also praised Coleman for securing millions in outside funding as public works director. He said Boyce and Coleman are at-will employees without a labor union to protect them. My greatest fear is leaving an unrepresentative employee in an unsafe working environment, said Finn. Finn said he enacted a portion of Boyce and Colemans contracts that released them from their respective duties. He also said everyone parted ways on positive terms. Any time theres a new change in administration, there are changes at the executive level. Youll see that with any government across our state and across the country, he said. Editor's note: This story was updated once The Daily News reached Mayor Todd Dinehart. Regional Health Officer Jay Miller will temporarily take over the duties of the county health officer, thanks to a contract with the Washington State Department of Health approved by the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners at a special meeting Wednesday. Miller will serve as a stopgap replacement for County Health Officer Alan Melnick and Deputy Health Officer Steve Krager, who resigned effective Sunday. The contract allows the county to request Miller's services in two-week increments for one year, preventing a disruption of services while the board of health searches for a new health officer. Over Rs. 10,300 crore were siphoned off from the country by cybercriminals since April 1, 2021, of which agencies managed to successfully block around Rs. 1,127 crore in the country, Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) said Wednesday. Over 4.52 lakh cyber crime cases were reported on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) in 2021, which rose by 113.7 per cent in 2022, with 9.66 lakh cases being reported on the portal, CEO of I4C Rajesh Kumar told reporters in an interaction here. I4C is a body established by the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide a framework and eco-system for law enforcement agencies for dealing with Cybercrime in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. We are now on WhatsApp. Click to join. Kumar said over 15.56 lakh cases were reported on NCRP in 2023, translating into 129 cyber crime cases reported per lakh population, which shows a "deceleration" of growth rate to 60.9 per cent as compared to 2022. "Rs. 10,319 crore has been reportedly lost in India from April 1, 2021 to December 31, 2023... We have managed to block Rs. 1127 crore, of which 9-10 per cent has been restored in the accounts of the victims," Kumar said. Giving details of cyber criminals, officials said around 50 per cent of cyber attacks are being committed by "gangs" operating from Cambodia, Vietnam, China and other countries. Citing difficulties in restoring amounts to the accounts of victims, Kumar said the government is framing new Standard Operating Procedures which are likely to come out soon to make it easier for victims to claim their money. Right now, a victim has to get a court order to get their money back with states like Gujarat and Karnataka leading the way where people are approaching Lok Adalats and magistrates to get their money. Highlighting trends of cyber criminals, Kumar said regions near Delhi are using Sextortion, online booking, OLX related crimes to trick the victims. Gangs operating from Jharkhand, etc, are using KYC expiry, Anrdroid banking Malware-type online scams to siphon off money from gullible individuals. He said other major cyber crimes are duping people of their money using investment applications and websites offering part-time jobs and Ponzi schemes, illegal lending applications and customer care centres. There were also vases of Android malware fraud by seeking OTPs to take control of victims' systems, impersonation by taking over social media accounts and sextortion. Listing recent successes against cyber criminals, Kumar said the Indian agency managed to thwart a major cyber attack targeting the G-20 website. Every minute 66, lakh hits were made using bots through a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack to disable it by flooding it with hits. Another success was when Indian agencies managed to bring back citizens from Myanmar, where they were taken in the lure of employment opportunities and held back against their will to commit cyber frauds across the globe, they said. Recently, a new software, 'Pratibimb', has been made accessible to state police forces on a project level that will enable them to locate cybercriminals operating in their area. The use of this software, coupled with quick reaction, has seen a massive reduction in cyber criminals operating from Jharkhand's Deoghar and Jamtara areas. "The software gives the location of origin of the call, jurisdictional police officer takes action on that along with this information about the point of sale of SIM. "Police officers in Jamtara and Deoghar are taking action on such information, which has resulted in 454 arrests last month," Kumar said. Also read these top stories: Gung-ho on AI Jobs ? A Nobel Prize winner has cautioned against piling into studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects. Says creative skills may thrive in a world dominated by AI . Check here. What is dropshipping? You buy a new phone case from an online retailer. The phone case arrives safely at your house, the online retailer makes a small profit and everyone is happy. Know what is going on here. Influencers Rising! Cinema or politics, chocolates or perfume... social media influencers cover it all and are set to spread their influence further and wider in 2024. Some interesting details in this article. Check it out here. South Korea expressed concerns Wednesday over Iranian-backed Houthi rebels' attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, as it took part in a U.N. Security Council (UNSC) meeting for the first time since it became a non-permanent member. South Korean Ambassador to the U.N. Hwang Joon-kook attended the meeting as Seoul chairs a UNSC sanctions committee on Yemen. The meeting came amid tensions caused by the Yemeni militants' repeated attacks in the sea, a crucial shipping lane for oil and other cargo. "We are particularly worried about the reckless and illegal attacks by the Houthis against the commercial vessels in the Red Sea," Hwang said. "The Red Sea is a crucial waterway for international trade and commerce. Any threat or hindrance to freedom of navigation recognized under international law is both unacceptable and unjustifiable," he added. Hwang also pointed out that the situation in the Middle East stands "at an immediate threat of escalation," as concerns have deepened over the possibility of the war between Israel and Hamas militants spreading into a wider regional conflict. "The perilous situation in Gaza is triggering fears of a series of spillovers," he said. "Thus, it is urgent to exert every effort to decrease the tensions in the region, including the Red Sea." This month, South Korea began its two-year UNSC term, along with other newly elected members Algeria, Guyana, Sierra Leone and Slovenia. On Tuesday, Hwang said that Seoul will request a UNSC meeting in the event of a North Korean provocation if need be. (Yonhap) Tata Tele Business Services (TTBS) has enhanced Smartflo UCaaS (Unified Communication as a Service), a voice solution integrated with Microsoft Teams, by adding support for the Operator Connect platform for Microsoft Teams Phone. Operator Connect takes Smartflo UCaaS to the next level, empowering customers to seamlessly connect their telephone numbers on Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) with Teams, revolutionizing the unified communication experience for businesses. Smartflo UCaaS with Operator Connect give users an unparalleled flexibility in connecting their telephone numbers with Teams, delivering a comprehensive communication solution. Speaking on this announcement, Mr. Vishal Rally, Sr. Vice President Product and Marketing, Tata Teleservices said, We are delighted to announce the integration of Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams with our Smartflo UCaaS solution, a major advancement in unified communication within Microsoft Teams. Smartflo UCaaS with Operator Connect bridges the gap between remote employees and the office, delivering an advanced communication experience, fostering stronger connections with employees and customers. This offering is a transformative asset for businesses, providing unparalleled flexibility with work from anywhere functionality, streamlined deployment, enhanced support, and cost optimization. Shruti Bhatia, Country Head, Modern Work and Surface, India and South Asia, Microsoft said, The integration of Operator Connect in TTBS Smartflo UCaaS solution is a significant step in empowering businesses with flexible and innovative unified communication within Microsoft Teams. This collaboration reflects our commitment to delivering greater efficiencies and productivity through seamless PSTN calling services. Our collaboration with TTBS reinforces our dedication to supporting businesses in their digital transformation journey with secure and cost-optimized solutions. Teams Phone provides complete calling capabilities, helping businesses to stay connected effortlessly and in the flow of their work. Benefits of TTBS Smartflo UCaaS with Operator Connect: Leverage TTBS existing telephony services : Operator Connect enables businesses to retain their existing TTBS telephony services, providing a seamless experience with a single Smartflo UCaaS interface integrated with Teams. : Operator Connect enables businesses to retain their existing TTBS telephony services, providing a seamless experience with a single Smartflo UCaaS interface integrated with Teams. TTBS-managed infrastructure : TTBS manages the PSTN calling services and Session Border Controllers (SBCs), relieving customers of hardware procurement and management, resulting in substantial cost savings. : TTBS manages the PSTN calling services and Session Border Controllers (SBCs), relieving customers of hardware procurement and management, resulting in substantial cost savings. Faster, easier deployment : Smartflo UCaaS with Operator Connect enables seamless assignment of phone numbers to users, all managed conveniently from the Microsoft Teams admin centre. : Smartflo UCaaS with Operator Connect enables seamless assignment of phone numbers to users, all managed conveniently from the Microsoft Teams admin centre. Enhanced support and reliability : TTBSs direct peering with the Microsoft cloud establishes a seamless, contiguous single network connection, ensuring enhanced reliability and call quality. TTBS offers technical support and SLAs enhancing the overall support experience. : TTBSs direct peering with the Microsoft cloud establishes a seamless, contiguous single network connection, ensuring enhanced reliability and call quality. TTBS offers technical support and SLAs enhancing the overall support experience. Roaming Capability: Users gain the added flexibility to carry their TTBS configured Teams number while roaming within India, ensuring uninterrupted communication, even on the move. Key Features of TTBS Smartflo UCaaS with Operator Connect: Call any telephone number : Smartflo UCaaS with Operator Connect users can effortlessly place calls to any telephone number, fostering seamless communication with Teams Phone. : Smartflo UCaaS with Operator Connect users can effortlessly place calls to any telephone number, fostering seamless communication with Teams Phone. Direct and assisted call transfer : Smartflo UCaaS with Operator Connect empowers users with both direct and assisted call transfer capabilities, streamlining call management. : Smartflo UCaaS with Operator Connect empowers users with both direct and assisted call transfer capabilities, streamlining call management. Smart call forwarding : Users can set up smart call forwarding, ensuring they stay connected regardless of their location. : Users can set up smart call forwarding, ensuring they stay connected regardless of their location. Parallel ringing across group : Improve responsiveness by setting up parallel ringing across a group of devices. : Improve responsiveness by setting up parallel ringing across a group of devices. Voicemail services : Smartflo UCaaS with Operator Connect includes reliable voicemail services, ensuring users never miss an important message. : Smartflo UCaaS with Operator Connect includes reliable voicemail services, ensuring users never miss an important message. Advanced call capabilities: Conduct ad-hoc and scheduled call conferences with ease through Teams. Conduct ad-hoc and scheduled call conferences with ease through Teams. Save on voice infrastructure : Smartflo UCaaS with Operator Connect eliminates the need for significant voice infrastructure investments, optimizing cost efficiency. : Smartflo UCaaS with Operator Connect eliminates the need for significant voice infrastructure investments, optimizing cost efficiency. Self-care management portal: Smartflo UCaaS with Operator Connect users can enjoy the convenience of a self-care management portal, allowing easy customization of communication preferences. The integration of Operator Connect with Smartflo UCaaS demonstrates TTBS commitment to democratising technology and empowering businesses with cutting-edge solutions. Smartflo UCaaS with Operator Connect service significantly enhances unified communication capabilities in Teams, enabling businesses to smoothly embrace the shift towards a more connected and digitally empowered future. TTBS has taken several initiatives in recent times to empower businesses with innovative and reliable solutions that help them build digital maturity and continue seamless operations in a flexible, scalable, and secure manner. The companys Smart Business Solutions portfolio comprises of Smartflo CCaaS suite, an advanced cloud communication suite integrated with omni-channel capabilities, SmartOffice a one-box start-up kit with voice, data, apps, storage and much more, Smart Internet Leased Line with built-in cloud security, SD-WAN iFLX an intelligently flexible solution for network optimization, and a comprehensive suite of cyber security solutions. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Future historians may well regard 2023 as a landmark in the advent of artificial intelligence (AI). But whether that future will prove utopian, apocalyptic or somewhere in between is anyone's guess. In February, ChatGPT set the record as the fastest app to reach 100 million users. It was followed by similar "large language" AI models from Google, Amazon, Meta and other big tech firms, which collectively look poised to transform education, health care and many other knowledge-intensive fields. However, AI's potential for harm was underscored in May by an ominous statement signed by leading researchers: "Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war." In November, responding to the growing concern about AI risk, 27 nations (including the UK, US, India, China and the European Union) pledged cooperation at an inaugural AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park in England, to ensure the safe development of AI for the benefit of all. To achieve this, researchers focus on AI alignmentthat is, how to make sure AI models are consistent with human values, preferences and goals. But there's a problemAI's so-called "dark secret": large-scale models are so complex they are like a black box, impossible for anyone to fully understand. AI's black box problem Although the transparency and explainability of AI systems are important research goals, such efforts seem unlikely to keep up with the frenetic pace of innovation. The black box metaphor explains why people's beliefs about AI are all over the map. Predictions range from utopia to extinction, and many even believe an artificial general intelligence (AGI) will soon achieve sentience. But this uncertainty compounds the problem. AI alignment should be a two-way street: we must not only ensure AI models are consistent with human intentions, but also that our beliefs about AI are accurate. This is because we are remarkably adept at creating futures that accord with those beliefs, even if we are unaware of them. So-called "expectancy effects," or self-fulfilling prophecies, are well known in psychology. And research has shown that manipulating users' beliefs influences not just how they interact with AI, but how AI adapts to the user. In other words, how our beliefs (conscious or unconscious) affect AI can potentially increase the likelihood of any outcome, including catastrophic ones. AI, computation, logic and arithmetic We need to probe more deeply to understand the basis of AIlike Alice in Wonderland, head down the rabbit hole and see where it takes us. Firstly, what is AI? It runs on computers, and so is automated computation. From its origin as the "perceptron" an artificial neuron defined mathematically in 1943 by neurophysiologist Warren McCulloch and logician Walter PittsAI has been intertwined with the cognitive sciences, neuroscience and computer science. This convergence of minds, brains and machines has led to the widely-held belief that, because AI is computation by machine, then natural intelligence (the mind) must be computation by the brain. But what is computation? In the late 19th century, mathematicians Richard Dedekind and Giuseppe Peano proposed a set of axioms which defined arithmetic in terms of logic, and inspired attempts to ground all mathematics on a secure formal basis. Although the logician Kurt Godel later proved this goal was unachievable, his work was the starting point for mathematician (and code-breaker) Alan Turing. His "Turing machine," an abstract device capable of universal computation, is the foundation of computer science. Deep structure of perception So, computation is based on mathematical ideas that trace back to efforts to define arithmetic in logic. But our knowledge of arithmetic exists prior to logic. If we want to understand the basis of AI, we need to go further and ask where arithmetic itself comes from. My colleagues and I have recently shown that arithmetic is based on the "deep structure" of perception. This structure is like colored glasses that shape our perception in particular ways, so that our experience of the world is ordered and manageable. Arithmetic consists of a set of elements (numbers) and operations (addition, multiplication) that combine pairs of elements to give another element. We asked: of all possibilities, why are numbers the elements, and addition and multiplication the operations? We showed by mathematical proof that when the deep structure of perception was assumed to limit the possibilities, arithmetic was the result. In other words, when our mind views the abstract world through the same "colored glasses" that shape our experience of the physical world, it "sees" numbers and arithmetic. Because arithmetic is the foundation for mathematics, the implication is that mathematics is a reflection of the mindan expression in symbols of its fundamental nature and creativity. Although the deep structure of perception is shared with other animals and so a product of evolution, only humans have invented mathematics. It is our most intimate creationand by enabling the development of AI, perhaps our most consequential. A Copernican revolution of the mind Our account of arithmetic's origin is consistent with views of the 18th century philosopher Immanuel Kant. According to him, our knowledge of the world is structured by "pure intuitions" of space and time that exist prior to sense experienceanalogous to the colored glasses we can never remove. Kant claimed his philosophy was a "Copernican revolution of the mind". In the same way ancient astronomers believed the sun revolved around the Earth because they were unaware of the Earth's motion, Kant argued, philosophers who believed all knowledge is derived from sense experience (John Locke and David Hume, for example) overlooked how the mind shapes perception. Although Kant's views were shaped by the natural sciences of his day, they have proved influential in contemporary psychology. The recognition that arithmetic is a natural consequence of our perception, and thus biologically based, suggests a similar Kantian shift in our understanding of computation. Computation is not "outside" or separate from us in an abstract realm of mathematical truth, but inherent in our mind's nature. The mind is more than computation; the brain is not a computer. Rather, computationthe basis for AIis, like mathematics, a symbolic expression of the mind's nature and creativity. Promethean fire What are the implications for AI? Firstly, AI is not a mind and will never become sentient. The idea we can transcend our biological nature and achieve immortality by uploading our minds to the cloud is only fantasy. Yet if the principles of mind on which AI is based are shared by all humanity (and likely other living creatures as well), it may be possible to transcend the limitations of our individual minds. Because computation is universal, we are free to simulate and create any outcome we choose in our increasingly connected virtual and physical worlds. In this way, AI is truly our Promethean fire, a gift to humanity stolen from the gods as in Greek mythology. As a global civilization, we are likely at a turning point. AI will not become sentient and decide to kill us all. But we are very capable of "apocalypsing" ourselves with itexpectation can create reality. Efforts to ensure AI alignment, safety and security are vitally important, but may not be enough if we lack awareness and collective wisdom. Like Alice, we need to wake up from the dream and recognize the reality and power of our minds. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain New research from a group including a University of Massachusetts Amherst engineer has helped identify the most important characteristics to increase adoption of ride-splitting platforms like UberX Share. "For this paper, we focused on a particular form of ride sharing called ride-splitting, which refers to services in which fares and rides are split among multiple strangers who are traveling in the same direction," explains co-leader of the study, Shannon Roberts, associate professor of mechanical and industrial engineering at UMass Amherst. The paper was published in the Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting. "With increased ride-splitting, we could have fewer emissions, better traffic, and cost savings," she says. "However, these gains will only be realized if a sizeable amount of the population forego traveling by their personal vehicles and use ride-splitting. If people continue to use Uber and Lyft where they are the single passenger, emissions will increase and traffic will worsen," she says. Along with UMass Amherst computer scientists, researchers from Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio and General Motors' Roberts surveyed more than 400 people. "The two computer scientists were focused on algorithm development to identify ways to match people in a ride-splitting situation whereas I was focused on gathering information about what makes people use this service," she says. This survey found that the characteristics of the ride itself were priorities. These included price (does ride-splitting make the cost significantly cheaper than riding alone?), specific ride scenarios (like commuting to work or driving to the airport) and speed (how fast people arrive at their destination). "In particular, people wanted fast trips," Roberts explains. "The way that current ride-splitting works is you pick up two to three people who get dropped off at various times with a somewhat circuitous route. People were interested in making sure that the route was as short as possible because they didn't want to be in the vehicle any longer than necessary, even though it was cheaper for them to share it with other people." This contrasts with previous research that found that demographics of fellow passengers (such as race, age, and gender) were top priorities for riders. Roberts suspects that the difference is because the survey takers were self-identified fans of Uber and Lift, recruited through Facebook. "Because they're already familiar with the service, it may be that they're more willing to overlook things like gender and social class as they're more interested in ride characteristics, like time and price," she says. Having a sense of knowing the other passengereither by knowing the other rider or having passenger-to-passenger rating systemwas more important than any of the individual demographics, essentially wrapping demographics into one metric, she added. "With a passenger-to-passenger rating system, we see that people are saying 'I want to be with a person who I feel comfortable sharing a ride.' They're not specifically saying 'I only want to ride with people who look like me,'" Roberts says. Ultimately, this will lead to better ride-share platforms. "It is critical for us to understand what will increase trust and make users more comfortable using these systems," she says. "Without such information, these services will not be used." She also hopes users of these services will also see this research. "I think making people more aware that the service exists, it won't dramatically increase your travel time, it's more energy efficient, and it's inexpensive, is really important." More information: Fangda Zhang et al, How Do People Prefer Ridesplitting? A Survey Study Focusing on Passenger, Matching, and Trip Characteristics, Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting (2023). DOI: 10.1177/21695067231195826 Russian Ambassador to South Korea Georgy Zinoviev arrived in Seoul on Thursday to take up his position as the new top envoy, diplomatic sources said. Zinoviev is replacing his predecessor, Andrey Kulik, who served as the ambassador to Seoul from August 2018. Zinoviev was appointed as the new top envoy to Seoul by Russian President Vladimir Putin last month and is expected to present the credentials to President Yoon Suk Yeol. Zinoviev is a career diplomat who has mostly worked in departments handling China and Asian affairs. He previously served as the director of the First Asia Department at Russia's foreign ministry. Russia's replacement of the top envoy to South Korea came as the bilateral relations between Moscow and Seoul became strained amid its war in Ukraine and international sanctions against Moscow that South Korea has joined. Russia is also suspected of engaging in illegal arms deals with North Korea in violation of U.N. sanctions. In a written interview with a local media outlet last month, Zinoviev, the then ambassador-designate, said South Korea is "one of the friendliest among unfriendly countries," expressing hope for the ties to improve and his intent to make every effort to achieve it. Zinoviev also noted that despite joining the U.S.-led sanctions against Russia, he feels that South Korea is trying to prevent a sharp curtailment of all ties with his country and continues to look for ways to "minimize the negative impact of Western restrictions" on bilateral cooperation. (Yonhap) Virginia Capitol Police did a morning sweep of the state Capitol Wednesday after a widely blasted email bomb threat against unnamed statehouses landed in a state employees mailbox. The sweep found nothing. The sweep by an officer and a dog specially trained to detect firearms and explosives took roughly a half hour. We acted out of an abundance of caution, when the state employee forwarded the email, Capitol Police spokesman Joe Macenka said. The email did not include a specific threat against the Virginia state Capitol. The General Assembly is not in session, and the governors main office is in another building. But the email blast prompted officials in several states to evacuate their state houses, including Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi and Montana, the Associated Press reported, Police found no explosives and federal officials quickly dismissed the threats as a hoax. The FBI said it was aware of numerous hoax bomb threats at state Capitol buildings, but had no information to indicate a specific and credible threat. PHOTOS: 307-foot crane in place for construction of new General Assembly building Downtown crane Monday Downtown crane Monday Downtown crane Monday Downtown crane Monday Downtown crane Monday Downtown crane Sunday Downtown crane Sunday Downtown crane Friday 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 South Korea's foreign ministry on Thursday strongly condemned deadly bomb explosions in the Iranian city of Kerman during a memorial ceremony for a former Iranian general. "Our government strongly condemns the bomb attacks that took place in Kerman, Iran, on Jan. 3, and expresses our deep regrets for the death of approximately 100 people and numerous injuries," the ministry's spokesperson, Lim Soo-suk, said in a statement. "The government expresses our deep sympathy and condolences to the victims and their families, and hopes for the swift recovery of the injured," he said. The government reaffirms its position that terrorist attacks cannot be justified under any circumstances, he added. At least 95 people were killed Wednesday in Iran's southeastern city of Kerman after two explosions went off near the burial site of Qasem Soleimani during a ceremony to commemorate the fourth anniversary of his assassination by the United States in 2020. (Yonhap) JACKSON Unrest over Teton County emergency response leadership is growing, and now gunning for the top. Seven weeks after a former fire chief first called for the current chiefs resignation, the drumbeat is growing louder for county commissioners to fire not only Stephen Jellie but also Jellies boss, County Administrator Alyssa Watkins. The county administrator should have completely handled this mess after making a really bad hire, Jackson Town Councilor Jessica Sell Chambers told commissioners Tuesday morning. Its time to fix this situation completely and either fire your sole employee or ask for her resignation. And she should give it, Sell Chambers said in front of a crowd of mostly firefighters, their family members and sheriffs office employees. Minutes later, two of the countys three fire battalion chiefs rose to speak about the erosion of trust and services under Jellies leadership, the latest in an extraordinary series of airing of grievances by firefighters and their supporters in public meetings. Sell Chambers who was not speaking for the town council but only for herself was one of several people who in recent weeks have stood up and interrogated county leaders about how the chief was hired, primarily citing his short, rocky tenure as fire chief and city manager in Ogdensburg, New York. The county chambers were full beyond capacity Tuesday, and more than 100 others logged into the meeting via Zoom. Audience members included Town Councilor Jim Rooks and state Rep. Andrew Byron, a volunteer firefighter. Sheriff Matt Carr also attended, in solidarity with firefighters. Uproar about the fire chief was not on the agenda. The meeting was the third time in less than a month that a group of firefighters and their family members turned out in force during public comment to ask for change, citing threats of firing and unsafe practices. Tuesday was the first public meeting, though, where critics explicitly called for Watkins ouster. After closing public comment, commissioners went into executive session. As is custom with public comment, commissioners largely did not respond beyond thanking audience members for showing up and commenting. Afterward, Watkins went into another meeting and did not return a call for comment. She previously has said she is uncomfortable speaking to the press and places a high priority on privacy for herself and her staff. Not all the focus during the 40 minutes was on the administrator. Ensuring recruitment or retention of all our members will not always equal efficiency, said Battalion Chief Matt Redwine, a 19-year member of Jackson Hole Fire/EMS. Redwine, who was visibly nervous speaking at the podium, spoke beside another battalion chief, Brian Coe. Coe described a joint town-county department scrambling to pick up pieces of shattered mental health, with members holding on by a thread and many who had drafted resignations being begged to stay. Besides internal issues, Redwine said external relationships were suffering. The chief effectively had barred leaders in the organization from going to meetings across the state, he said. The foundation of this organization and our ability to protect the community have never been more threatened than they are today, Redwine said. Reached by phone after the meeting, Jellie said he wouldnt comment generally on the discussion. He had been conducting captain interviews Tuesday morning and did not sit through the daggers in person, as he has previously. He then declined to answer specific questions over the phone and asked them to be put in writing. He did not respond to an email before press time. After the meeting, Redwine said Jellies communication in the past few weeks had been as clear as its ever been but was still completely dysfunctional. Emails to Jellie asking for an emergency meeting with fire leadership had been politely responded to, but such a meeting never was scheduled, Redwine said. Communication seems to be the common thread in complaints against Jellie, which started to pile up in emails to administration and the chief starting last spring. Commissioners are mulling hiring a PR consultant but havent looked at a contract. Our leadership needs a plan, Redwine said. Were making decisions by the seat of our pants, not following dispatch protocol. Sheriff Carr was sitting in the meeting alongside four other deputies in uniform. Carr emailed his staff yesterday to let them know he planned to attend in uniform to stand in solidarity with my brothers and sisters in the fire world. The sheriff, who started out as a volunteer ambulance driver and EMT, wrote that he was dismally disappointed in the way the commissioners and staff had handled the situation and said it speaks to larger issues in political leadership. Carr declined further comment when reached by phone after the meeting. Prior to Watkins hiring of Jellie, news stations in upstate New York documented the dramatic fallout from Jellies two years, punctuated by deep cuts to the fire department which he said were essential for city finances. Public meetings became unruly, even violent, against Jellie, and an arbitrator recently ordered payouts to firefighters. Shots between the union and town leadership spilled into social media and a defamation lawsuit against Jellie. While outcry is spilling over into the public setting, Teton County commissioners are continuing a series of private talks. Closing the door to talk personnel has become a mainstay on commissioners agenda. Looking forward, not all firefighters are despondent, said Austin Sessions, president of the Jackson chapter of the International Association of Firefighters. A letter from commissioners in late December called for more oversight on Jellies decisions including potential punishment and the formation of an advisory council to air dissent on internal changes. That seemed like a good compromise, Sessions said, if everything is implemented. So far, though, that hasnt happened. Without change, the public can expect more of the same, he said, though the union hadnt been alone in organizing public comment in recent meetings. According to a founding member of the Moran fire station, this is not the first time firefighters have struggled under an ill-suited leader. Paul Cote, former Fire/EMS volunteer and more recently county facilities manager, talked about the challenge of merging Jackson Hole Fire with Teton County EMS in 2004. We made a mistake, and we found ourselves in the very same position that you are in today, he said. It took the organization a year to move the leader out of that position, he said, and then literally it took us a decade to recover. Whats next for county leaders remains unclear. Commissioner Newcomb said after the meeting that he was still gravely concerned about what he saw as a lack of process, both for firefighters and for Watkins and Jellie. I dont think any staff should be on trial for a lack of that process, Newcomb said. Personnel complaints usually go through the human resources department, which is without a director after the third HR chief in three years left in December. Over the last few years, Leon Coldero has arguably become just as renowned for his insatiable cuisine as he is as an entertainer. Having spent four decades in entertainment, giving soca parang lovers hits that never get old, opening his restaurant was just a natural progression for Coldero, who used the downtime during the Covid-19 pandemic, to delve full throttle into the restaurant business. A new camera system is being installed along this countrys roadways with the aim of tackling traffic congestion and reducing the countrys crime. This was said yesterday by Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan, who spoke with the media at the intersection of the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway and Golden Grove Road in Piarco. The Military Manpower Administration (MMA) said Thursday it has created a cyber investigation team to step up monitoring on those who attempt to evade mandatory military service and crack down on draft dodgers. The MMA said the new team will look into those who post information on how to evade compulsory military service and individuals avoiding service through fraudulent screening and other measures. It is tasked with collecting and analyzing digital evidence. Under a revised military service law, which goes into effect in May, those who post and spread information regarding draft evasion will be subject to up to two years in prison or a fine of 20 million won ($15,277). The agency also launched a 20-member probe team under the branch overseeing Gyeonggi Province and Incheon to better monitor draft dodgers, raising the total number of special investigators to 60. The MMA said the latest measures are aimed at effectively dealing with a rising number of deliberate draft evasions as the pool of military conscripts is shrinking amid low birthrates. In March 2023, over 100 men were indicted on charges of intentionally avoiding military service by posing as epilepsy patients. All able-bodied Korean men are obliged to serve in the Army for 18 months, the Navy for 20 months or the Air Force for 21 months. (Yonhap) With ten people murdered between Thursday and Saturday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley took to Facebook yesterday to assure citizens that State agencies will not give up the fight to rid our streets and other places of the evil that is now widespread as a gun culture in Trinidad and Tobago. And in a voice note to the media, Commissioner of Police Erla Christopher said, We are determined to dismantle criminal gangs and make a difference in transforming impacted communities. The central executive, general council, staff and membership of the All Trinidad General Workers Trade Union wishes to extend its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the Honourable Basdeo Panday on his passing. Basdeo Panday Flashback, November 1995: Basdeo Panday, right, is sworn in as Prime Minister by then-President Noor Hassanali at Presidents House, Port of Spain. Whilst there may have been issues in the recent past between the union and Mr Panday with regard to the use of space at Rienzi Complex, those issues were purely professional and had nothing to do with our personal feelings, love, admiration and respect for the immense and insurmountable contribution that Mr Panday made to the social, political, legal and labour structures of Trinidad and Tobago. Mr Panday served as president-general of the All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers Trade Union from around 1973 to 1997, leaving to continue national service as the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. His contribution to the labour movement and his struggles on behalf of sugar workers and the working class not only produced better terms and conditions for workers as a whole, but laid the foundation for the children of sugar workers to enjoy a much better life than their parents ever did. More than his dedication, devotion and contribution to public service and national life, which is beyond compare, Mr Pandays struggles in labour and the political realm broke the psychological chains that kept many descendants of former indentures in mental bondage always believing themselves to be second-class citizens. In fact, his struggles made many Indo-Trinidadians and -Tobagonians finally accept Trinidad and Tobago as their home and as their motherland. It must never be forgotten that it was Basdeo Panday who took Hinduism into Parliament, Presidents House and the Prime Ministers residence. That Panday was never afraid to be a Hindu at a time it was perceived that an Indo Prime Minister, much less a Hindu Prime Minister, could ever be a reality. For that he will never be forgotten. As we salute and honour Mr Panday, as we pay our respects to a legend of a man, we must always remember that to achieve his dream of a united society, Basdeo Panday was instrumental in the formation of the National Alliance for Reconstruction as a political vehicle, designed to give tangible manifestation to the principles he had long advocated. Though he held a majority of seats and the support of an unwavering political base, Basdeo Panday generously declined the leadership of the NAR in 1986. In a Gandhian move he sacrificed his right to be Prime Minister at that time, in a bid to ensure victory at the polls and the manifestation of his long-sought dream of a society in which every race, ethnicity, colour and class could feel a sense of comfort and belonging. By 1988 developments within the NAR saw the illusive dream of national unity in shambles. When a senior NAR politician called Mr Panday a rum shop politician, he replied as only he could: Rum shop politics was the politics of the people because they could not afford champagne and caviar. And thereafter, the United National Congress was born out of the passion, the blood, the sweat, the toil and tears of its father, Basdeo Panday, to create a society based upon the principles of unity, equity, justice and fair play for all. In October 1988, at the Aranjuez Savannah, Panday received a mandate from over 30,000 supporters to find a new medium through which the dreams, aspirations and hopes of the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago could be achieved. Even then, Basdeo Panday, in a bid to ensure national unity and the equality of every citizen, called for a national front government: We need a national front government to mobilise our human resources... our job is to keep on working for national unity... while the electorate might be polarised on race, politicians must not now make worse what has been a historical tragedy. This was indeed the legacy of the man Basdeo Panday, a never-ending struggle for national unity and a Trinidad and Tobago where every creed and race and class could truly find an equal place. Surely when the history of this nation is objectively written, Basdeo Panday will go down as a legend, a legacy, one of the greatest sons, one of the brightest stars ever produced, by this nation, our Trinidad and Tobago. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Author Nirvan Maharaj is an attorney and president-general, ATGWTU. When Puerto Penasco restauranteur Mickey Medina heard the shuttered Lukeville port of entry would reopen Thursday, Jan. 4, he didnt believe it at first. Rumors of a reopening date have been swirling throughout the four-week closure of the Lukeville-Sonoyta border crossing the main route for Arizonans headed to the Mexican beach town known as Rocky Point even as the beaches emptied, and as businesses shut down or cut staff to compensate for the drop in tourism, he said. Medina, owner and head chef at Chef Mickeys Place, only started to celebrate when he heard the news came directly from U.S. officials. Now, the fine dining restaurant is stocking up on fresh steaks and seafood, and preparing for an expected boom in business in the tourism-dependent town. Were ready and were waiting, Medina said Wednesday. Our employees will go back to a full schedule of working, and maybe some overtime. Unlike many other restaurants, Medina said he was determined to keep his workers on the job throughout the holidays, albeit with reduced hours. Thank God it was only a month. Its been pretty tough down here, Medina said. I just took it one day at a time and hoped for the best every day. The Lukeville closure was one of a number of port closures along the U.S.-Mexico border in recent weeks, as U.S. border agents struggled to process a high volume of migrant arrivals. CBP said officers assigned to port duties were needed in the field to assist agents with processing migrants. On Tuesday CBP announced the reopening of the Lukeville crossing, about 150 miles southwest of Tucson, as well as the reopening of the Morely Gate pedestrian crossing in Nogales, which has been closed since late September for improvements. CBP will also reopen border crossings Thursday in Eagle Pass, Texas, and San Diego that it closed along with Lukeville to help with the surge in migrant arrivals at the southern border. The reopening comes a week after top U.S. officials met with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to discuss strategies to slow the high volume of migrant arrivals at the U.S. border. On Tuesday, Sonora Gov. Alfonso Durazo credited state and federal actions with the reopening of the Lukeville port. Im pleased that the efforts of the government of Mexico with that of the United States, led by our president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, have led to the reopening of this border, he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. I reaffirm my commitment to work hand in hand with the government of Mexico and Arizona, with actions and programs that provide humanitarian attention to the immigration issue, so that the different border ports of our state remain open for the benefit of all, mainly Sonorans. Businesses in Puerto Penasco depend almost entirely on tourism, and Christmastime and New Years Eve are typically great for business at local restaurants, Medina said. The Lukeville closure came at the worst time of year, he said. Fortunately Chef Mickey Places had a decent turnout from locals on Christmas Eve, Medina said, and a smattering of tables throughout the last month kept his business in the black. Beach lovers in Arizona celebrated the impending Lukeville reopening by making travel plans. Im just absolutely delighted, and surprised and blindsided, said Jane Simmers of South Phoenix, who owns a beachfront property in Rocky Point. The Dec. 4 port closure was a shock, and Thursdays reopening was similarly unexpected, said Simmers, who has been traveling to Rocky Point multiple times a year since the 1990s and is now a legal permanent resident of Mexico. I consider it home, she said. Simmers said shed intended to return this month to Rocky Point using the San Luis port of entry, but shes thrilled to be able to take the quicker, more familiar route through Lukeville as soon as she can. Right now, Im getting ready to talk to my husband about when were going to go next, she said. Rocky Point suffering Ruben Cordova, who studied in Tucson before moving to Rocky Point five years ago, said it will take a while for Rocky Point to bounce back. Just because the border opens doesnt mean everything is back to normal, he said Wednesday. Well probably get a rush this weekend. ... But theres a lot of people who got laid off and who knows if theyre going to get rehired or not. A Nogales, Arizona native, Cordova runs a tour guide service and massage studio in Rocky Point. He said he lost about $8,000 in revenue in December, due to cancelations following the Lukeville port closure. Cordova has been working with his friend, Rocky Point property owner Edie Stevenson, to raise money to help struggling workers and their families in the small resort town. Using donations made to a Go Fund Me account, Cordova hired 10 local families to make Penasco Strong bracelets, which theyve been selling for $10, $5 of which goes to the families and $5 to the local food bank, he said. Stevenson who divides her time between Rocky Point and Tucson, where she works as a registered nurse said she offered up a stay at her familys beach-front estate as part of a fundraising raffle, which ended up bringing in $12,000. The first raffle was so successful that others with property in Rocky Point have offered up their places for the next round of raffles, she said. Cordova said so far, the raffle funds have allowed him to distribute more than 800 food baskets, with enough supplies like beans, lentils, rice, tortillas and tuna to provide a weeks worth of meals, he said. The community of Puerto Penasco is tight-knit and eager to help one another through hard times, Stevenson said. Mom-and-Pop restaurants are taking meals out to locations where they know people are starving, she said. Pretty much everybody has stepped up so we can all go back to life as usual. Dangerous travel The Lukeville closure also forced travelers to take different, and sometimes unsafe, routes to get to Rocky Point, amid conflicting messages from U.S. agencies. CBP initially advised travelers to use the Nogales or San Luis ports of entry, instead of Lukeville. But multiple areas in northwest Sonora have been beset by violence in recent months and on Dec. 20, the U.S. Consulate warned Americans against travel to Rocky Point while the Lukeville port was closed, as the alternative routes were not safe. The updated guidance came a day after the Arizona Daily Star reported on three U.S. residents, including one American citizen, who were fired on while traveling at 2 a.m. on the highway between Altar and Santa Ana, in northwest Sonora, part of one of the recommended alternative routes to Rocky Point. Cordova created a Facebook page, called Caravan Rocky Point, to help prospective tourists coordinate ride-shares or multi-vehicle caravans to travel the new routes together. In December, he escorted more than a dozen caravans of vehicles from the border to Rocky Point, before stepping back and letting travelers organize their own caravans through the page, he said. Travelers should be aware of their surroundings and only travel by day in Sonora, particularly as violence between criminal groups has escalated in recent weeks, even in Sonoyta, directly across the border from Lukeville. On Dec. 29, local media in Sonora warned against travel on Highway 2 between San Luis and Sonoyta one of the recommended routes for travelers seeking to reach Rocky Point while Lukeville was closed due to gang violence. The Sonoran public security office said later that day that five criminals had been detained, and 13 vehicles with weapons inside had been seized, as a result of their security response. An operation coordinated by SEDENA (the Secretary of National Defense), National Guard, state police, AMIC (the states criminal investigative unit) and municipal police is active to preserve the tranquility of the inhabitants of the area, the state public security office wrote on X. The border town of Sasabe, Sonora has largely emptied in recent weeks due to criminal groups fighting for control of human smuggling routes in the area, the Star has reported. Online GPS navigators have continued to direct unsuspecting travelers to dangerous or impossible alternatives to the Lukeville port of entry, including through unofficial crossings on the Tohono Oodham Nation and through the small Sasabe port of entry, where travel is not recommended at this time. On Christmas Eve, an American traveling to Arizona from his home in Puerto Libertad, Sonora was wounded by gunfire, just north of Altar on Route 43. Craig Ricketts daughter, Brittany Sastrawidjaya, said her father normally enters Arizona through the Lukeville port of entry but as it was closed, his GPS device directed him to cross the border through Sasabe. Ricketts, driving midday in a Chevy Suburban vehicle, told his family he didnt see the shooters on the desert road where he was fired on, about 90 minutes south of Sasabe, and he sped away when he realized his vehicle was under fire. He was picked up by the Mexican National Guard before he was transported to the border and from there, flown to Banner University Medical Center in Tucson, his daughter said. Ricketts is recovering from a graze wound on his arm and a more serious wound to one of his lower legs, which resulted in a broken tibia and muscle damage, his daughter said. After three surgeries at Banner, her father is still facing a year-long road to recovery, she said. The shooting is under investigation, according to a spokesman for the Sonoran Attorney Generals office. NOGALES A March 21 trial date was set Wednesday for an Arizona rancher accused of fatally shooting a migrant on his property near the U.S.-Mexico border last year. George Alan Kelly rejected a plea deal offered by prosecutors Wednesday that would have reduced charges to one count of negligent homicide if he pleaded guilty, the Arizona Republic reported. Kellys trial in Santa Cruz County Superior Court is expected to last three weeks, the newspaper said. Kelly, 75, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and aggravated assault in the Jan. 30, 2023, shooting of 48-year-old Gabriel Cuen-Buitimea of Nogales, Mexico. Authorities said Kelly shot at a group of unarmed migrants who were walking through his nearly 170-acre cattle ranch in the Kino Springs area, and Cuen-Buitimea was among them. According to prosecutors, Kelly recklessly fired an AK-47 rifle toward the migrants, who were about 100 yards away from him. But Kellys lawyer said her client shot into the air above the migrants, and he feared for his and his wifes safety and the property. The other migrants werent injured and managed to escape back to Mexico. Cuen-Buitimea also entered the U.S. illegally several times and was convicted and deported, most recently in 2016, court records show. The shooting has stirred emotions as the national debate over border security heats up ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Culvers: Culvers location in Sierra Vista is being recognized as one of the chains top five. The Sierra Vista Culvers has been named a Gold Finalist in the annual Culvers Crew Challenge, which will crown a winner this month. Kevin and Sandra Adams are the owner-operators of the Sierra Vista Culvers, which opened in 2015. In the eight years since opening, the Adams restaurant has won the Crew Challenge once (2017) and reached the finals a record-setting seven times. In the Crew Challenge, restaurants compete in the areas of quality, service, cleanliness, hospitality, community outreach and team member training and development. Each of the five finalists will receive prize money, with $50,000 going to the national champion and $12,500 to each of the four runner-up restaurants. Winnings are shared between the restaurant managers and team members. 2023 Arizona Innovation Challenge: Ten companies have been selected as awardees for the Arizona Commerce Authoritys 2023 Arizona Innovation Challenge. The challenge aims to advance innovation and technology commercialization opportunities in Arizona by helping early-stage ventures scale. The 10 companies will participate in the Venture Ready Accelerator, another program of the Commerce Authority, connecting companies with serial entrepreneurs, high-level executives and subject matter experts. Participants will complete a series of panels and workshops within one year of the award. The Accelerator helps startups refine their business plans, improve go-to-market execution strategies and increase investor readiness. The Southern Arizona awardees are Macula Vision Systems of Oro Valley and Nobel Works of Tucson. The awardees were selected after pitching their startups in-person before a panel of investors on Nov. 17. Habitat for Humanity Tucson: Bank of America announced Habitat for Humanity Tucson as the 2023 Neighborhood Champion awardee for its work advancing economic mobility and building up underserved neighborhoods in Tucson. Habitat for Humanity Tucson will receive the opportunity to participate in virtual leadership training delivered by experts in the nonprofit sector on topics like human capital management, increasing financial sustainability and storytelling, and a $50,000 grant over two years. The award will allow Habitat for Humanity Tucson to scale significantly by decreasing the time it takes to build new homes. The city of Tucson is trying to claw back more than $100,000 in job-related incentives from self-driving truck developer TuSimple, after it shut down operations at a major facility on the citys southeast side. With partners including UPS, the U.S. Postal Service and truckmaker Navistar, TuSimple had been running paid test loads on Interstate 10 since 2017 from its site on East Old Vail Road using autonomous trucks with human monitors aboard. In 2021 and 2022, the company conducted completely autonomous, driver-out test runs between Tucson and Phoenix. In October 2022, San Diego-based TuSimple completed a major expansion of its research center and truck terminal on East Old Vail Road, from 6,800 to 50,000 square feet, and nearly doubled its local workforce to about 300 workers. TuSimple signed a Primary Jobs Incentive agreement with the city and was reimbursed $110,247 for construction sales taxes it paid, based on its capital investment of $8.5 million and creation of 104 new jobs at an average annual salary of nearly $99,000. But after an executive shakeup last fall and a subsequent decision to drop its nascent autonomous freight network, the company laid off most of its U.S. employees in Tucson, San Diego and Fort Worth, Texas. In June, TuSimple announced it was exploring strategic options including a sale of its U.S. assets, as it shifted its business focus to Asia. The city incentive agreement signed in February 2021 also required that TuSimple create 50 jobs at the new facility paying at least $54,932 annually and retain those jobs for five years, according to a Dec. 20 letter sent to TuSimple by Assistant City Attorney Regina Nassen. The company was still in compliance during a site visit by city officials in September, with about 70 remaining workers, the city said. But on Dec. 4, TuSimple Holdings said in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that it planned to lay off about 150 or about 75% of its remaining U.S. workforce. In early December, TuSimple also filed a notice with the state of Arizona under the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, indicating plans to lay off 42 workers in Tucson, after laying off a total of 243 local workers in separate actions in late 2022 and May 2023. Those latest job cuts put TuSimple into noncompliance with the terms of its agreement with the city, wrote Nassen, requesting full repayment of the incentive money. TuSimple declined to comment beyond its public filings. In an email reply to the citys letter provided by the city, TuSimple Deputy General Counsel Sierra Spitzer said she would make sure this gets passed along for payment. TuSimple Holdings publicly traded stock has tanked to below $1 per share recently and the company posted a loss from operations, including restructuring costs, totaling nearly $249 million through the first three quarters of 2023. The company, which raised about $1 billion in an initial public stock offering in 2021, still had about $777 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments at the end of the September, according to SEC filings. TuSimple faces several pending shareholder lawsuits alleging the company misled investors and may have improperly shared information with a Chinese hydrogen-truck startup linked to one of TuSimples founders. The company also has been subject of a probe by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States over improper sharing of autonomous vehicle technology that led to the removal of some of the companys Chinese board members under an agreement in 2022. The company said it anticipates that the remaining U.S. workforce will focus on winding down the companys U.S. operations, including through sales of U.S. assets, and assisting with the companys strategic shift to the Asia-Pacific region. TuSimple, which was founded by a group of scientists and entrepreneurs originally from China, also has development operations in China and recently began testing self-driving trucks in Japan. South Korea and the United States have staged a joint live-fire exercise near the border with North Korea to bolster their joint combat readiness, the Army said Thursday. South Korea's Capital Mechanized Infantry Division and the U.S. Stryker Brigade Combat Team from the 2nd Infantry Division were mobilized for the drills, which have been under way in the border city of Pocheon, 46 kilometers northeast of Seoul, since Dec. 29. It runs through Friday. The allies' first joint training of the year was aimed at bolstering combined operational capabilities against North Korea's military threats, the Army said. The drill involved 110 weapons systems from South Korea and the U.S, including K1A2 tanks, A-19 combat aircraft, Stryker armored vehicles and artillery systems. The exercise simulated A-10 combat aircraft's precision-guided strike on simulated targets, K1A2 tanks' firing and integrated tank-air defense shooting. The South Korean military has conducted a series of firing drills and other maneuvers this week, drawing sharp criticism from North Korea. On Thursday, North Korea's state media said South Korea began the new year with "self-destructive" acts, warning that chances of a clash between the two sides will be the highest this year. The South Korean military said it has heightened monitoring on North Korea's moves to deter potential provocations. "The North Korean military has been carrying out winter drills since the end of last year, a level similar to the previous years," JCS spokesperson Col. Lee Sung-jun said in a press briefing. The North usually kicks off regular military training in December, which continues through early spring and often involves artillery firing drills. (Yonhap) The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer: I always loved Woody Allens quip that half of life is showing up. To me, showing up is being aware of your life and what is in front of you. Similarly, the Buddhists notion of enlightenment begins with two steps: mindfulness, or the awareness of reality, and investigation of the nature of reality. So, being awake or woke is actively seeking a life of truthfulness and awareness. Black Americans have used woke to mean remaining alert to racial and social injustice. But, today, the notion of being awake is being skewed radically by far-right extremists using woke as a codeword for not honoring or expanding human rights. It is shorthand for asking us to resist the realities of history and experience. Stay asleep, my voters, and fear and hate those who are different. Let your minds be shut down to inquiry. Anti-wokeness, thus, is used to pave the way to fascism. Nikki Haley said wokeness was a virus more dangerous than any pandemic, hands down. Ron De Santis has been most vocal decrying wokeness. For example, he waged war on Disney for speaking up about a ban on gender discrimination. Florida has initiated a Stop Woke Act to limit freedoms. The Sunshine State is also a leader in banning books that might reveal the past wrongs of slavery or the experience of a transgender kid. DeSantis states Florida is where woke goes to die." However, if we are mindful, we can see that the attack on being woke is really an attack on diversity and the right to know. It is an attack on being informed, the facts, and the truth. The attack on being informed began shortly after Reagan was elected in 1980. I was working in public television, producing many public affairs programs. One of the first things Reagan did was to eliminate The Fairness Doctrine, a long-standing policy to ensure that any issue which affected the public interest should be discussed in the media from a variety of points of view. One of the most important parts of the infrastructure of democracy requires an informed electorate. Since the removal of The Fairness Doctrine, we have seen the rise of hate radio, Fox News, and unfiltered violent extremism on social media platforms. The rising tide of fascism is undergirded by the widespread use of propaganda. Being awake or woke to this reality and questioning it, seeking objectivity and diverse perspectives in studies of our history, being aware of our slide toward autocracy, and having necessary information in electing our leaders is critical to sustain our democracy. We should all be alert to what is presently being said by the right wing. The MAGA platform for 2024 is to shut down all checks and balances that would threaten their shift to autocracy. Trump is threatening to kill or jail his political enemies and anyone who is critical of his actions. He regards the media as treasonous and an enemy of the people. He wants to fire all the bureaucrats in government who are not loyal to him. If he becomes President again, he will not just escape his indictments, he will establish a new political order. He and his allies wish to dispense with or muzzle any part of the government that would check executive impulses: the Department of Justice, the military, the FBI, the FTC, the FCC. He also wants complete authority to impound funds appropriated by Congress if the executive branch does not agree with the expenditure. Hes already stacked the Supreme Court with far-right jurists. So, the far right wishes to eliminate all sources that would counter their power. This, my friends, is autocracy. It is in all our interests to stay woke. James D. Watts Jr. Tulsa World Scene Writer Follow James D. Watts Jr. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Margarets German Restaurant and Deli, which had been serving authentic German, Bavarian and Polish cuisine for more than 30 years, closed permanently on Dec. 30. The restaurant, at 5107 S. Sheridan Road, in the Farm Shopping Center, held a German Rummage Sale on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 31-Jan. 1, selling off such items as dishware and silverware to holiday decorations, condiments, bottles of beer and wine along with steins and stemware. Owner Angella Elwell, who took over the restaurant in January 2022 following the retirement of founder Margaret Rzepczynski, said in an email to the Tulsa World that she and the restaurant definitely faced challenges and hurdles during the past two years, but declined to elaborate, saying only It wasnt an easy decision to make, and Im sad for Tulsa. In November, the Tulsa World published a story about the future of The Farm Shopping Center, as a number of businesses there have closed or relocated, citing fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as increases in rent and maintenance fees required by the centers new owners. Rzepczynski and her husband, Andrew, came to the United States in 1982 to escape Communist-controlled Poland. She opened Margarets German Restaurant in October 1989. I was 34 when I opened, and I did everything, Rzepczynski said in a 2021 interview with the Tulsa World. I did the cooking, I did the dishes, everything. As time went on, Rzepczynski would expand the menu to include some dishes from her native Poland as specials, to go along with the traditional German dishes such as sauerbraten, various preparations of schnitzel and sausages, kassler rippchen (smoked pork loin), leberkaese (baked German bologna) and huhnerbrust (grilled chicken breast in a dark sherry mushroom sauce). When Elwell purchased the restaurant, she spent several months working with Rzepczynski to learn how to prepare the restaurants signature dishes. Margaret would rap my knuckles figuratively speaking if I added too much sage or not enough dill to a dish, Elwell said in a 2022 interview with the Tulsa World. But I came into this knowing that it was Margarets way or the highway. And I had absolutely no problem with that. French Laundry classic at Boston Deli The Boston Deli, 6231 E. 61st St., will have as the centerpiece of its first Thursday special of 2024 a classic recipe from the iconic restaurant the French Laundry a butter-basted half-chicken roasted with 40 cloves of garlic. It will be served with a warm potato salad made with coal-roasted potatoes, dill, onion and bacon, along with roasted baby carrots, parsnips, beets and red potatoes. The meal also includes classic French onion soup, flavored with sherry and topped with a crostini and melted Gruyere cheese, and chocolate mousse with raspberry whipped cream for dessert. Cost is $30 per person, and wine and beer pairings are available. The Chefs Special is available 5-8 p.m. Thursdays through the month of January. Reservations are required. To reserve: 918-492-4745, thebostondeli.com. Elmers offers special in honor of MLK Elmers Barbecue, 3316 S. Peoria Ave., will be offering specials in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose birthday will be commemorated Monday, Jan. 15. During the week of Jan. 15, Elmers will be offering its signature Badwich, an imposing creation with ribs, chopped beef, smoked bologna and a choice of hot links or smoked sausage, with two sides and a drink for $15. The sandwich, named in honor of the restaurants slogan of It be bad, regularly sells for $16.99. In addition, Elmers will offer a 15 percent discount on all orders during the month of January. elmersbbqtulsa.net. Kilkennys Stews & Brews Kilkennys Irish Pub, 1413 E. 15th St., has brought back its Stews & Brews menu for January, which includes 15 house-made soups perfect for the bleak midwinter. Selections include such traditional offerings as Irish stew, chili, chicken and dumplings and Kilkennys potato soup, as well as Guinness Irish onion soup, spicy peanut soup, chicken and lime tortilla soup, lobster and sweet corn chowder, Charleston clam chowder, roasted garlic soup with prosciutto and Gruyere cheese, and beer and cheese soup. Prices range from $5-$7 for a cup and $7-$9 for a bowl. The chicken and dumplings come in one size, at $13 a serving. Ones soup of choice can be served in a sourdough bread bowl for a $2 upcharge, and a grilled cheese sandwich can be added for an additional $5. tulsairishpub.com. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today As hinted at by district officials at the December Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting, several Tulsa Public Schools campuses will be under new leadership for the spring 2024 semester. Officials with TPS confirmed that pending board approval at Monday nights regularly scheduled meeting, Council Oak, Kerr and McClure elementary schools and Memorial High School will each have a new principal and John Hope Franklin Elementary School will have a new dean. As part of TPS presentation at the Dec. 21 Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Ebony Johnson announced that there would be midyear changes in some principal assignments and potentially reassigning central office staff to better support the districts 18 schools that are federally designated as needing Most Rigorous Intervention. Citing his prior experience as a middle school principal in Hennessey and Enid and as director of special education for Ponca City Public Schools, Doug Stafford will move from being interim principal of McClure Elementary School to an administrative role supporting the districts 10 secondary sites on the MRI list. With Staffords departure, Alexa Markarian will be named acting principal at McClure. She has been the assistant principal at the south Tulsa elementary school for three years and previously taught at Hawthorne Elementary. A 31-year employee of TPS, Mollie Miller will transition from being the principal at Kerr Elementary School to being the dean of students at John Hope Franklin Elementary School. The schools current acting principal, Erica Frasier, told the Tulsa World in the fall that the north Tulsa school started the year with multiple staff vacancies and that save for one special education teacher, the senior-most educators at her school had four years of classroom experience. With Millers shift to John Hope Franklin, Jennifer Thomas will move from Walt Whitman Elementary School to be the acting principal at Kerr. As of Wednesday, Thomas previous position had not been filled. McClure is on the MRI list. During the 2022-23 school year, both John Hope Franklin and Kerr elementary schools were designated by the U.S. Department of Education for the Comprehensive Support and Improvement list. The CSI designation is given to schools that score in the bottom 5% of all Oklahoma schools in at least one metric measured by the state report card, and schools have up to three years to work their way off the list before additional interventions are implemented. By comparison, the MRI designation is a three-year tag for schools that scored in the bottom 5% of all report card indicators. A TPS representative confirmed Wednesday that two additional leadership changes announced Tuesday were unrelated to Johnsons December remarks before the State Board of Education. Audrey Flowers, a 2021 Milliken Award winner, is leaving Council Oak Elementary School for a position outside the district. Robin Emerson, a former principal at Carnegie Elementary School and Broken Arrows Oliver Middle School, is slated to become acting principal starting Monday. Rebecca Grooms is leaving Memorial High School for a position with the districts Enrollment Center. Michelle Brown will be the sites acting principal. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) The tiny Aliquippa water authority in western Pennsylvania was perhaps the least-suspecting victim of an international cyberattack. It had never had outside help in protecting its systems from a cyberattack, either at its existing plant that dates to the 1930s or the new $18.5 million one it is building. Then it along with several other water utilities was struck by what federal authorities say are Iranian-backed hackers targeting a piece of equipment specifically because it was Israeli-made. If you told me to list 10 things that would go wrong with our water authority, this would not be on the list, said Matthew Mottes, the chairman of the authority that handles water and wastewater for about 22,000 people in the woodsy exurbs around a one-time steel town outside Pittsburgh. The hacking of the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa is prompting new warnings from U.S. security officials at a time when states and the federal government are wrestling with how to harden water utilities against cyberattacks. The danger, officials say, is hackers gaining control of automated equipment to shut down pumps that supply drinking water or contaminate drinking water by reprogramming automated chemical treatments. Besides Iran, other potentially hostile geopolitical rivals, including China, are viewed by U.S. officials as a threat. A number of states have sought to step up scrutiny, although water authority advocates say the money and the expertise are what is really lacking for a sector of more than 50,000 water utilities, most of which are local authorities that, like Aliquippas, serve corners of the country where residents are of modest means and cybersecurity professionals are scarce. Besides, utilities say, it's difficult to invest in cybersecurity when upkeep of pipes and other water infrastructure is already underfunded, and some cybersecurity measures have been pushed by private water companies, sparking pushback from public authorities that it is being used as a back door to privatization. Efforts took on new urgency in 2021 when the federal government's leading cybersecurity agency reported five attacks on water authorities over two years, four of them ransomware and a fifth by a former employee. At the Aliquippa authority, Iranian hackers shut down a remotely controlled device that monitors and regulates water pressure at a pumping station. Customers weren't affected because crews alerted by an alarm quickly switched to manual operation but not every water authority has a built-in manual backup system. With inaction in Congress, a handful of states passed legislation to step up scrutiny of cybersecurity, including New Jersey and Tennessee. Before 2021, Indiana and Missouri had passed similar laws. A 2021 California law commissioned state security agencies to develop outreach and funding plans to improve cybersecurity in the agriculture and water sectors. Legislation died in several states, including Pennsylvania and Maryland, where public water authorities fought bills backed by private water companies. Private water companies say the bills would force their public counterparts to abide by the stricter regulatory standards that private companies face from utility commissions and, as a result, boost public confidence in the safety of tap water. Its protecting the nations tap water, said Jennifer Kocher, a spokesperson for the National Association of Water Companies. It is the most economical choice for most families, but it also has a lack of confidence from a lot of people who think they can drink it and every time theres one of these issues it undercuts the confidence in water and it undercuts people's willingness and trust in drinking it. Opponents said the legislation is designed to foist burdensome costs onto public authorities and encourage their boards and ratepayers to sell out to private companies that can persuade state utility commissions to raise rates to cover the costs. This is a privatization bill, Justin Fiore of the Maryland Municipal League told Maryland lawmakers during a hearing last spring. Theyre seeking to take public water companies, privatize them by expanding the burden, cutting out public funding. For many authorities, the demands of cybersecurity tend to fade into the background of more pressing needs for residents wary of rate increases: aging pipes and increasing costs to comply with clean water regulations. One critic, Pennsylvania state Sen. Katie Muth, a Democrat from suburban Philadelphias Montgomery County, criticized a GOP-penned bill for lacking funding. People are drinking water that is below standards, but selling out to corporations who are going to raise rates on families across our state who cannot afford it is not a solution, Muth told colleagues during floor debate on a 2022 bill. Pennsylvania state Rep. Rob Matzie, a Democrat whose district includes the Aliquippa water authority, is working on legislation to create a funding stream to help water and electric utilities pay for cybersecurity upgrades after he looked for an existing funding source and found none. The Aliquippa water and sewer authority? They don't have the money, Matzie said in an interview. In March, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed a new rule to require states to audit the cybersecurity of water systems. It was short-lived. Three states Arkansas, Missouri and Iowa sued, accusing the agency of overstepping its authority and a federal appeals court promptly suspended the rule. The EPA withdrew the rule in October, although a deputy national security adviser, Anne Neuberger, told The Associated Press that it could have identified vulnerabilities that were targeted in recent weeks. Two groups that represent public water authorities, the American Water Works Association and the National Rural Water Association, opposed the EPA rule and now are backing bills in Congress to address the issue in different ways. One bill would roll out a tiered approach to regulation: more requirements for bigger or more complex water utilities. The other is an amendment to Farm Bill legislation to send federal employees called circuit riders into the field to help smaller and rural water systems detect cybersecurity weaknesses and address them. If Congress does nothing, 6-year-old Safe Drinking Water Act standards will still be in place a largely voluntary regime that both the EPA and cybersecurity analysts say has yielded minimal progress. Meanwhile, states are in the midst of applying for grants from a $1 billion federal cybersecurity program, money from the 2021 federal infrastructure law. But water utilities will have to compete for the money with other utilities, hospitals, police departments, courts, schools, local governments and others. Robert M. Lee, CEO of Dragos Inc., which specializes in cybersecurity for industrial-control systems, said the Aliquippa water authority's story that it had no cybersecurity help is common. That story is tens of thousands of utilities across the country, Lee said. Because of that, Dragos has begun offering free access to its online support and software that helps detect vulnerabilities and threats for water and electric utilities that draw under $100 million in revenue. After Russia attacked Ukraine in 2022, Dragos tested the idea by rolling out software, hardware and installation at a cost of a couple million bucks for 30 utilities. It was amazing, the feedback, Lee said. "You wonder, Hey I think I can move the needle in this way' ... and those 30 were like, 'Holy crap, no one's ever paid attention to us. No one's ever tried to get us help.'" Follow Marc Levy at www.twitter.com/timelywriter. WAJIMA, Japan -- Thousands of rescuers pressed on in their search for survivors of a New Year's Day quake that killed at least 77 people in Japan, hoping to save as many as they can within a three day survival window which ends on Thursday afternoon. "There's little time left until it's 72 hours since the quake," Masuhiro Izumiya, the mayor of hard-hit Suzu city, said on Wednesday evening at a regional disaster response meeting. "We really need to muster all of our remaining strength to continue rescue efforts." Survival rates drop off 72 hours after the quake, according to emergency responders. Severed roads and the remote location of the worst-hit areas have complicated rescue efforts. Nearly 600 tremors have hit the Noto peninsula since the main quake, raising fears of landslides and further damage to infrastructure. "Compared to other disasters the road situation into Wajima is very bad. I feel it's taking longer than usual for assistance to arrive," Shunsaku Kohriki, a medical worker, told Reuters in Wajima city. "I think realistically speaking the evacuees will have to live in really tough conditions for a while yet," he said. 100,000 houses without water The full extent of the damage and casualties remains unclear four days after the deadliest quake in Japan since at least 2016. Mayor Izumiya says 90 percent of houses in Suzu may have collapsed. All the deaths have been reported near the epicentre of the magnitude 7.6 quake in Ishikawa prefecture. More than 33,000 people have evacuated from their homes and about 100,000 houses have no water supply, officials in the area said. Around 30,000 households remained without power in Ishikawa, according to Hokuriku Electric. Mobile providers NTT Docomo, SoftBank, KDDI and Rakuten Mobile said connectivity was still patchy in some areas. As Japanese businesses return from the New Year holidays, manufacturers are also gauging the impact of the quake on their production lines. Display makers Japan Display and EIZO, as well as semiconductor firm Kokusai Electric said on Thursday they were repairing damaged factory facilities. Chip material maker Shin-Etsu Chemical said its plant in Niigata restarted part of its operations on Wednesday. Debris accumulates along Asaichi-dori street, which burned down due to a fire following an earthquake, in Wajima, Japan, January 4, 2024. Photo: Reuters Burnt buildings are among the debris along Asaichi-dori street, which burned down due to a fire following an earthquake, in Wajima, Japan, January 4, 2024. Photo: Reuters A man makes his way along Asaichi-dori street, which burned down due to a fire following an earthquake, in Wajima, Japan, January 4, 2024. Photo: Reuters TOKYO -- Three men were injured on Wednesday in a stabbing incident and taken to hospital after a woman wielded a knife on a train at Akihabara Station in Tokyo, Japanese police said. The police received an emergency call at just before 11 p.m. local time saying the woman had inflicted injuries with a knife on the Yamanote loop line, one of the busiest transport routes in the city, a Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson said. The woman was taken into custody and the condition of the three injured men was unknown, the spokesperson said. Kyodo news agency reported that none of the victims had suffered life-threatening injuries. Public broadcaster NHK initially reported that four people had been stabbed. East Japan Railway Company said the Yamanote loop line was briefly suspended due to "trouble on the train". Akihabara, traditionally home to retailers of electronics and gadgets, is a major tourism hotspot in Tokyo and has become synonymous with video games, comic books and outlandish fashion. Vietnam reported 125 food poisoning incidents that left 28 dead and more than 2,100 sick in 2023, according to data released at a food safety conference chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Pham Hong Ha in Hanoi on Wednesday. Health authorities across the country checked food safety regulation compliance at more than 382,000 businesses and discovered over 34,500 violations. Out of these, fines totaling VND44.4 billion (US$1.8 million) were imposed on over 12,000 businesses. Agriculture inspectors examined upwards of 19,300 agro-forestry-fishery manufacturing businesses, levying administrative fines worth over VND14.4 billion ($594,000) on roughly 1,600 facilities. Industry and trade authorities conducted inspections, addressing over 6,770 food safety violations. They imposed a total of VND36.3 billion ($1.4 million) in fines on violators and seized goods worth VND31.6 billion ($1.3 million). Among the above-mentioned 125 incidents related to foodborne illness, the country recorded several cases of botulinum poisoning. Botulism is a serious illness caused by clostridium botulinum, a poisonous bacteria which grows in badly preserved food. It is a rare disease, both in Vietnam and in the world, according to the Drug Administration of Vietnam. In 2022, the country logged 54 food poisoning events in which 1,359 people got sick and 18 lost their lives to foodborne illness. Speaking at the conference, Pham Khanh Phong Lan, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety, which began official operations on January 1 this year, said Vietnam had developed an appropriate legal framework on food safety management, but food safety regulations should be enforced in a more effective and substantive manner. Tran Thi Nhi Ha, director of the Hanoi health department, pointed out that the interdisciplinary teams tasked with inspecting businesses for compliance with food safety regulations lacked profound expertise in the field. Ha recommended the application of information technology to food safety management and the development of a nationwide food safety map. Authorities should also encourage local people to engage in activities which oppose food safety violations, He said. Concluding the conference, Deputy PM Ha said food safety issues remain complicated and alarming in Vietnam. He asked the central interdisciplinary steering committee for food safety to review the implementation of the 2010 Law on Food Safety while reinventing measures to raise public awareness about food safety. He also urged relevant ministries and agencies to facilitate the application of technology to their operations in order to make it easier for businesses and individuals to register to publish their food quality scores. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Banh Mi Phuong, a well-known bakery in Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam reopened its door on Wednesday after a three-month suspension over its role in a food poisoning incident which involved hundreds of customers in September 2023. Dozens of customers, mainly foreigners, have visited the bakery to buy Vietnamese sandwiches after Banh Mi Phuong announced its reopening on its Facebook fan page. Truong Thi Phuong, the Banh Mi Phuong owner, refused to talk about the incident, explaining that she wanted to focus on rebuilding her business. Earlier, she told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the food poisoning was an unexpected incident. During the suspension, the bakery focused on renovations, investing in machinery, developing new processes, and reviewing its food safety procedures. A leader from the Hoi An government said relevant units in the city had created favorable conditions for Banh Mi Phuong to resume its operations. In September last year, hundreds of customers reported suffering from food poisoning after eating banh mi, a type of Vietnamese baguette typically filled with cold meats, pate, and vegetables, bought from the bakery. The administration in Quang Nam Province on October 3 last year levied a VND96 million (US$3,962) fine and a three-month suspension on the bakery. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Following the investigation into a group of students attacking a teacher in a middle school classroom last November in Tuyen Quang Province, northern Vietnam, authorities have announced that the schools principal will be transferred and a warning has been issued to the teacher involved. Nguyen Duy Sang, principal of Van Phu Middle School in Son Duong District, Tuyen Quang, was found to have failed in fulfilling his duty as the head of the school by allowing a group of seventh graders to bully a female music teacher. The incident, captured in a viral video on social media, involved the students locking Phan Thi H., 38, in a classroom following her music class, verbally abusing her, and throwing a sandal at her head, resulting in her losing consciousness. Meanwhile, in another viral video, H. was filmed holding her sandal and chasing her students around the classroom. The incident happened at 10:30 am on November 29, 2023. Upon being notified of the incident, the Son Duong District administration promptly instructed relevant units to investigate and address the issue. It also imposed a 15-day suspension on Sang in order to facilitate the investigation. Results of the investigation, which have been made public, indicate that Sang failed to effectively implement his assigned responsibilities and authority, according to the Tuyen Quang Peoples Committee. This resulted in a lack of internal solidarity among school employees and teachers, impacting cohesion between the teachers and students. Sangs approach to student management allowed ethical violations; offended the schools honor and dignity; and countered the well-being of individuals. His failure to promptly address and report the incident led to severe consequences and public outrage, significantly undermining the school and education sectors prestige. Phan Thi H. recounts being bullied by her students. Photo: Nguyen Bao / Tuoi Tre Consequently, on December 25, 2023, Giang Tuan Anh, chairman of the Son Duong District Peoples Committee, issued a disciplinary warning to Sang and made the decision to transfer him to a new assignment. Nguyen Tien Quyen, principal of Van Son Middle School in the same district, was tapped to take over Sangs position at Van Phu Middle School. The Tuyen Quang Peoples Committee inspection findings also revealed that H. engaged in inappropriate communication with colleagues and students, violating pedagogical standards, while performing her duties. In the November 29, 2023 incident, she made derogatory remarks, holding her sandal and chasing students, as shown in videos on Facebook and TikTok. The provincial Peoples Committee affirmed that H.s actions violated teacher ethics and regulations, causing a serious negative impact on the reputation of teachers, the educational environment, and local security. On December 27, 2023, the chairman of the Son Duong District Peoples Committee issued a disciplinary warning to H.. The other individuals involved were not subjected to disciplinary measures, and the provincial Peoples Committee reported that the students concerned were reprimanded while some were given one-week suspensions. The Tuyen Quang Peoples Committee confirmed that normal teaching and learning activities have resumed at the school. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Supreme Court on Thursday finalized a guilty sentence for the operator of Bad Fathers, a website publicly blacklisting child support defaulters. The court upheld a lower court's decision and finalized its suspended ruling of a fine of 1 million won ($762.78) for the 61-year-old website operator, Koo Bon-chang. Koo was indicted on charges of defamation after sharing the photos and personal information of five parents on the name-and-shame website in late 2018, accusing them of defaulting on child support payments. They were among many others whose personal information was shared by Koo on the website, and the court case was initiated by the five victims who lodged a complaint against him. A district court had initially found Koo innocent, determining that his activities served public interests. An appellate court later struck down the decision, saying his activities constituted illegal "private" penalties. The court then sentenced him to a fine of 1 million won and suspended the sentence, taking into consideration the circumstances leading to his crime. (Yonhap) The Search for the Palace Letters tells the story of Professor Jenny Hocking, the historian who took on the Australian Government and HM Queen Elizabeth II in a landmark legal battle and won. The documentary tells the remarkable story of Professor Jenny Hocking, a historian who fought a landmark legal battle against the Australian Government, the National Archives and the British Royal Family in a bid to access Palace letters that revealed the story behind the dismissal of the Whitlam Government. Running for many years, the Palace letters case resulted in a stunning High Court victory and opened the secret archives on the Palaces role in the unprecedented dismissal of the Whitlam Government and overturned the powerful precedent of Royal Secrecy, enabling Australians to know their own history. Production credit: A Film Art Media production in association with VicScreen, ScreenWest, Lotterywest and Documentary Australia. Written and directed by Daryl Dellora. Produced by Sue Maslin. 8pm Monday on ABC. Arshad Ahmed, TwoCircles.net When the clock ticks 5 a.m., 32-year-old Savita gives one more look in the mirror, fixes her bindi (a red dot on the forehead), and leaves home in a hurry for work. She is a municipality sweeper in Hojai town in central Assams Hojai district. This is what I have been doing for the last 15 years, she said, her face beaming with pride. Savita is a Basfore, a Dalit, a nomenclature for the lowest Hindu caste, whose family lives on the towns outskirts in a squalid slum known as Harijan colony, home to about 45 other Dalit Basfore families, most of whom are employed as sanitation workers for the Hojai Municipality or in the towns private hospitals and clinics. Our whole generation, and the generations preceding us have spent their lives working as menial workers in the town, Savita said. In India, the sanitation workforce is predominantly made up of the Dalits. The case for Harijans is no different in Assam, Chandan Suklabaidya, a Silchar-based Dalit researcher, told Two Circles. Their segregation based on their caste coupled with little economic opportunities forces them to follow in their previous generations, he added. From Skilled Craftsmen to Cleaners The Bansfores, also spelled Bansphor or Basor, are a lower-caste Hindu community of people who trace their origins back to mainly Uttar Pradesh as well as in parts of Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. As traditional skilled artisans who make products out of Bamboo, meaning Baans in Hindi, the community received the Basfore title as a collective recognition for their close association with Bamboo craft. Data available from the state government showed that over 16,300 Basfores are living in Assam as per the 2011 census. However, Bhim Basfore, who heads the Safaikarmi Anuschit Jati Student Union a Harijan rights group in the state, says there are about 2.5 lakh Harijan Basfores living in Assam. However, few Two Circles spoke to could recount their ancestral migration to Assam. Even his [Amit Basfores] family wouldnt be able to explain when they settled here, Savita said, who is married to Amit Basfore. Shedding light on the communitys migration, Bhim Basfore says the community traces its first migration to Assam in 1838 under colonial British rule as migrant workers along with the Adivasi tribes from present-day Jharkhand. But while the British engaged the Adivasis in the Tea estates, they forced the Basfores to work as sanitation workers, he said. He also lamented how indentured sanitation work forced them to move away from their cultural roots. When Two Circles visited the colony in November this year, it witnessed the declining Bamboo craft in the settlement. This was reminiscent of the communitys vanishing art in other parts of India. The only time we make things out of Bamboo is during the Chhath Puja to sell in the market for money, said Savitri Basfore, showing a pile of bamboo tokris (Baskets) that went unsold. Premature Death in the Community One peek through Savitas colony reveals that the majority of the colony members, numbering over 250 people, are youngsters. According to the residents, men in the slum die early, some in their mid-40s and some even before retirement age. You will barely see any men and women in the colony surviving beyond age 60, Mithu Basfor, a colony member, said. According to a study published by the Center for Policy Research (CPR), a policy think-tank in India, the average life expectancy of sanitation workers is 40-45 years against the national average of 70 years. The reason, Mithu Basfore, explained is prolonged diseases that the sanitation workers succumb to because of working under harsh and hazardous conditions from a very early age. A study published by Madras Medical College said that nearly 69% of corporation sweepers suffer from multiple health issues, Times of India reported in 2018. Last year, we had a man aged 50-55, who died due to Tuberculosis (TB), Mithu Basfore said, adding the colony has as many as 20 people who are suffering from terminal disease. The lone surviving elderly person in the colony, Biyepi Basfore, a woman in her early 60s, feels death is always knocking at their door. The women live a little longer here as we do not have to do the work men do. But we know we will all die soon. Thats how things happen here, she said. You Sweeper, Dont Touch This Sunil Basfore, 26, is a fourth-generation sweeper in his family. Much of his day is spent visiting one house after another in the towns Bengali neighbourhoods. But when he returns home from work, he does not always have good stories to tell. He said casteist slurs are still hurled against him when he visits the Bengali-speaking community for work. When we go to clean their houses, they say, You sweeper, dont touch this, dont touch that, he recalled. Anil Basfore, who overheard Dilip discussing the Bengali communitys attitude towards them, added that there are mohallas (colonies) in the town where hotel owners still do not let them enter the hotels premises. They keep a separate cup for us and our children. We never question it. We have accepted our fate this way, he said. Suklabaidya, the researcher, opines that Assamese societies are typically steeped in caste pride and hierarchy. Caste in Assam is a low-key political discussion as ethnonationalism takes precedence over other political discourse, he said. Government Negligence and Children Dropping Out of School As sanitation workers under the municipality, the employees are paid between 4800 to 8700 rupees per month. The amount paid to them is an honorarium and does not come under the governments pay grade as they are not regularised workers under the municipality, said Gias Ali, General Secretary of All Assam Civic Bodies Workers Federation. For the community members involved in sanitation, the amount they receive is too little for them to alleviate their penury. How do you expect me to run a household in 4800 rupees? Dablu Basfore asked, who is a Municipality cleaner in the town. The abject poverty has also forced children and teenagers from the colony to drop out of school. 17-year-old Dhrup Basfore quit school three years ago and now works as a cleaner in a private hospital. So is the case with 11-year-old Pintu Basfore who does not go to school anymore. Without going to school, I will never be a big man, Pintu said. Ali says few Municipalities in the state have been regularised and of the 2000 safai karamcharis including cleaners and sweepers that work under these Municipalities, only a small number receive regular salaries. A Hojai Municipality official who requested anonymity said its because of the state governments lack of fund allocation that their job has not been regularised as government employees. Calls and texts to Kulashree Nath, director of Welfare of Scheduled Caste, did not elicit a response. The story will be updated if and when she responds. Bhim Basfore told Two Circles that the government has always neglected the Basfores a Scheduled caste community in Assam and deprived them of government schemes. The Harijan community has been treated as an othered group of people in the same way that the state treats the Muslims, Bhim remarked. Arshad Ahmed is an independent reporter based in Assam, India. He tweets @arshadreports. PARIS, January 03, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News: TotalEnergies (Paris:TTE) (LSE:TTE) (NYSE:TTE) has completed today the implementation of the agreements signed in March 2023 with Alimentation Couche-Tard ("Couche-Tard"). The transaction, based on an enterprise value of 3.1 billion (equivalent to more than 15 years of net cash flow on a post-tax basis), was finalized in two steps, on December 28th, 2023, with the transaction related to the network in Germany and on January 3rd, 2024, with the transactions related to the networks in the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium. TotalEnergies received a total cash consideration after adjustments and before tax of 3.4 billion (approximately $3.8 billion, including approximately $2.4 billion in December 2023). ADVERTISEMENT As announced, the transaction involved TotalEnergies' retail networks in the following countries: In Germany and the Netherlands , TotalEnergies sold 100% of its networks to Couche-Tard. In Belgium and Luxembourg, TotalEnergies and Couche-Tard formed a joint venture (TotalEnergies 40%, Couche-Tard 60%). TotalEnergies will continue to supply fuel to the service stations in these four countries for at least five years, notably from its refineries in Antwerp (Belgium) and Leuna (Germany). About TotalEnergies TotalEnergies is a global multi-energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, more sustainable, more reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in nearly 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people. @TotalEnergies TotalEnergies TotalEnergies TotalEnergies Cautionary Note The terms "TotalEnergies", "TotalEnergies company" or "Company" in this document are used to designate TotalEnergies SE and the consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" may also be used to refer to these entities or to their employees. The entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly owns a shareholding are separate legal entities. TotalEnergies SE has no liability for the acts or omissions of these entities. This document may contain forward-looking information and statements that are based on a number of economic data and assumptions made in a given economic, competitive and regulatory environment. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future and are subject to a number of risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any of its subsidiaries assumes any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information or statement, objectives or trends contained in this document whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information concerning risk factors, that may affect TotalEnergies financial results or activities is provided in the most recent Registration Document, the French-language version of which is filed by TotalEnergies SE with the French securities regulator Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), and in the Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Story continues View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240103388964/en/ Contacts TotalEnergies Media Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 99 l presse@totalenergies.com l @TotalEnergiesPR Investors Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 46 l ir@totalenergies.com A view of Worcester city centre flooded by the River Severn following heavy rainfall. A view of Worcester city centre flooded by the River Severn following heavy rainfall. More heavy rain was expected to hit large swathes of the UK as areas of Nottinghamshire and Gloucestershire were evacuated after Storm Henk caused flooding throughout the country. Large parts of Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire were underwater as Nottinghamshire County Council declared a major incident as water approached record levels. A statement on the county councils website said: Latest forecasts are currently showing that peaks along the River Trent could come close to the highest levels on record from the year 2000 and so Nottinghamshire County Council and its partner agencies are advising residents in areas along the Trent Valley to be prepared for flooding. It comes as the storm has caused power cuts, transport troubles, property damage and disruption across the UK. Hundreds of flood warnings were in place across England and Wales, while thousands of homes remained without power. On Thursday, the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for further rain covering the south of England from Cornwall to East Anglia that will last until 3am on Friday. Meteorologists also warned of more flooding to homes and businesses, road closures, difficult driving conditions and cancellations to train services. People play with a dog in front of the Tewkesbury Abbey by fields flooded by the River Swilgate after it burst its banks, in Tewkesbury. People play with a dog in front of the Tewkesbury Abbey by fields flooded by the River Swilgate after it burst its banks, in Tewkesbury. Storm Henk was named by the Met Office, in partnership with Met Eireann in Ireland and KNMI in the Netherlands, a practice which has been going on for nine years. Its the eighth named storm to hit the UK in three months. The Met Office submits name suggestions from the public, and names of those who help respond to severe weather. Met Eireanns names are inspired by famous scientists, while KNMIs names are usually Dutch and submitted by public visitors throughout the year which is where Henk came from. Story continues Yellow weather warning UPDATED Rain across parts of southern and eastern England Thursday 1200 Friday 0300 Latest info https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs Stay #WeatherAware pic.twitter.com/BNF625117R Met Office (@metoffice) January 4, 2024 Floodwater surrounds houses in Summer Way, Radcliffe-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, after a major incident was declared in the county on Thursday due to flooding from the River Trent caused by Storm Henk. Floodwater surrounds houses in Summer Way, Radcliffe-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, after a major incident was declared in the county on Thursday due to flooding from the River Trent caused by Storm Henk. It comes just days after parts of Wales and England were hit by Storm Henk, wreaked havoc in parts of western Europe. In Britain, a driver died after a tree fell on his car in western England. Gloucestershire Police said the man died in the incident near the town of Kemble on Tuesday afternoon. A severe flood alert, meaning a danger to life, was announced for the River Nene in Northampton in central England. Several residents were evacuated from houseboats and caravans at the nearby Billing Aquadrome. The UKs rail network was hit by flooding and power cuts, with many operators reporting ongoing issues. The strongest gales in the UK were recorded on the Isle of Wight, just off the coast in southern England, where wind speeds reached 94 miles per hour. Related... Instagram tourists seeking to get the perfect snap at UK beauty spots are being blamed for a spike in rescue missions on some of the countrys tallest peaks. Mountain rescue teams operating in the Lake District, Snowdon and Ben Nevis have all seen demand spike over the past 12 months. Phil Kirby, chairman of Langdale Ambleside Mountain Rescue in the Lake District, claimed the increase was because of Instagram tourism. Mr Kirby told The Times the term was picked up from his colleagues in Norway a few years ago and involves people seeing pictures of places on the internet and saying: Ive got to go and see that. Twelve mountain rescue teams operating in the Lake District were projected to have handled a record 714 emergency calls last year. For comparison, the average for the previous seven years was 602 and has never surpassed 681. The Llanberis mountain rescue team, which responds to emergencies on Snowdon, Waless tallest mountain, had recorded 305 incident by mid-December last year. That figure was a record for any single mountain rescue team in Britain. Before 2008 the team had never been called to more than 100 incidents in a year. Tourists flock to the Lake District and other UK beauty spots to get selfies (PA) Meanwhile, Lochaber, the team that operates on Ben Nevis, Britains highest peak, reached 158 rescues in mid-December, which was higher than the 154 recorded for the whole of 2022. Instagram is filled with pictures of people at beauty spots across the UK, with many trying to replicate images they have seen others posting on the social media app. Instagram has expanded peoples awareness of places they can go, Mr Kirby explained. They pick it up and think Ill go there but without the necessary preparation. Its just the way we are now. We have access to so many things we didnt have. And the trend is not just confined to the UK, with people posing in popular beauty spots across Europe and the rest of the world to create content for their Instagram accounts. A natural platform called the Pulpit Rock, offering impressive views over a fjord in Norway, has attracted huge amounts of unprepared Instagram tourists. Story continues People trek up to this thing and the weather changes, Mr Kirby added. Theyve had up to 30 people theyve had to get off. In December last year, a group of tourists who were warned against taking selfies in a Venice gondola capsized the boat in the water. The gondolier was attempting a difficult move under a bridge near St. Marks Square before he also fell into the murky canal. Local media reported that the group was moving around and standing up in the gondola to take pictures when the incident happened, ignoring the requests of the gondolier to remain seated. Footage posted to social media showed the tourists clinging to the side of the boat. Mountain rescuers in the UK have become so concerned about the trend that they have set up a website aimed at informing inexperienced climbers of the basic requirements before heading to a mountain. It provides advice on the correct clothing and footwear people should wear if they go climbing or visit a high peak and warns of how weather conditions can quickly change. Dr Richard Griffiths, chairman of Llanberis Mountain Rescue, said that volunteers were finding it hard to balance their commitment to help others with their personal lives amid the increase in call outs. He warned that volunteers may not be able to respond to those in need quickly as the service gets busier and busier. Prosecutors indicted Song Young-gil, a former leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), Thursday, over a cash-for-votes scandal surrounding the party's 2021 leadership election. The indictment by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office came about nine months since an investigation was launched into allegations that Song's campaign distributed cash envelopes totaling 66 million won ($50,366) to 20 sitting DPK lawmakers and other party members in the run-up to the party's leadership election in May 2021, which he ultimately won. Prosecutors suspect Song sourced the money through illegal political funds worth 60 million won he received from a businessman and Rep. Lee Sung-man, who worked for Song's campaign. The alleged money distribution eventually facilitated Song's razor-thin election victory over a competitor, prosecutors said. Song is also charged with taking 763 million won in illegal political funds and bribes between 2020 and 2021 via his support group, the Research Institute for Peace and Livelihood, from seven businesspeople, including a former chief of the Yeosu arm of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Prosecutors brought charges of illegal political funding and bribery against Song as they indicted him under physical detention. The former DPK head has been under prosecution custody since a court issued an arrest warrant for him on Dec. 18 and has been boycotting prosecution questioning since, claiming his innocence. Song has squarely denied the allegations, accusing prosecutors of "a politically orchestrated investigation" targeting him. With Song's indictment, prosecutors are widely expected to widen their investigation to identify sitting lawmaker recipients of the 20 alleged cash envelopes. So far, three lawmakers Lee who left the DPK in the wake of the scandal and two other DPK members have been either questioned or searched in connection with the scandal. (Yonhap) Confusingly, the most comprehensive flight comparison website, Skyscanner.net, does still list Ryanair - Alamy The battle between Ryanair and travel websites that try to sell its flights took a new turn this week. According to the airline, several major sites, including Kayak, Kiwi and Booking.com, last month removed all of its flights from sale. This means that as well as being unable to book, you wont be able to see information about Ryanairs fares or routes on these platforms. So why is this happening, and what does it mean for consumers? Ryanair has a long history of determination to control the sale of its flights and prevent online travel agents from screen scraping (capturing details of its fares and flights from its website) without permission or selling them on at a mark-up. For example, in 2019, after lawsuits in the US and Ireland, Expedia stopped listing Ryanair flights. Ryanair suggests that the latest move may be the result of a recent court case in Ireland, which granted the airline a permanent injunction against the company Flightbox. But it has also launched legal action in the US against Booking.com owner Booking Holdings and its subsidiaries (which include Kayak). When approached for details of its own rationale, Booking.com said it will not comment on the ongoing legal proceedings between Booking.com and Ryanair in the United States. The intricacies of inter-company lawsuits are of little interest to consumers, however what matters is what happens as a result, and these are the three key implications: Lower prices Ryanair said that as a result of the latest developments, its load factors (the proportion of seats sold on each flight) have dropped by 1-2 per cent in December and January. This may not seem much, but even a small fall can lead to a downturn in profits. Ryanair says it will respond by lowering fares where necessary a typical reaction from an airline that sees price as one of its primary marketing tools. We will never know for sure whether fares will be lower than they might have been, because so many factors are involved in pricing. But the latest move will definitely help to keep downward pressure on them. Story continues Finding the best fares A key problem for the consumer and potentially Ryanair is that if major airlines dont appear on well-known travel websites, it is harder to research and find the cheapest fares and most convenient routes. That is not a helpful trend. The most comprehensive flight comparison website, Skyscanner.net, does still list Ryanair. But overall, the airline will now appear on fewer sites. As well as its own platform, Kayak powers other important options, such as TravelSupermarket, for example. Protection Not much will change here, though there is no doubt that if you want to book flight-only arrangements for travel within Europe, your best bet is to do so directly with the airline (see below). But it remains the case that only package holidays and some types of discounted long-haul flights are automatically covered by financial protection laws. Booking directly with an airline could mean less hassle if something goes wrong or flights are cancelled - Alamy How to book the cheapest airfares International airfares work differently depending on whether they are short-haul (less than five hours) or long-haul flights. My advice for short-haul flights is always to book directly with the airline (or as part of a package holiday with a conventional travel agent). By all means compare fares with sites like Skyscanner, but once you have found one that suits you best, navigate directly to the airlines website. An online agent may as Ryanair suggests charge a premium, and if something goes wrong and your flight is cancelled, altered or other issues crop up, you may have problems sorting them out. The advice for long-haul flights is different; it is always worth checking fares and options with a reputable expert travel agent like Trailfinders, Flight Centre or Dialaflight. And you will probably do well to take the old-fashioned option of making a phone call to talk through your options there are so many different potential routes, fares and deals that you will nearly always find the best solution through a two-way conversation. 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. Mumbai: Sandeep Pandey, a renowned Social Activist and General Secretary of the Socialist Party in India, announced on January 1, 2024, his decision to return the Magsaysay Award and the degrees he received in the US, to protest the US role in Israels attack on Gaza. Sandeep Pandey obtained dual M.S. degrees in Manufacturing and Computer Engineering from Syracuse University, New York and PhD in Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Sandeep Pandey was conferred Magsaysay Award in 2002. Named after former Philippines President Ramon Magsaysay, the Magsaysay Award is funded by Rockefeller Foundation, and the category in which Sandeep Pandey received the award is funded by Ford Foundation, both American foundations. Sandeep Pandey has returned the Magsaysay Award as well as his Syracuse University and University of California degrees protesting the United States blatant support to Israel. In his statement announcing the decision, Sandeep Pandey held the United States singularly responsible for encouraging Israel to continue its aggression against Palestinians and also accused the US of shameless double standard. "I have to take the hard decision because I think the US is singularly responsible for encouraging Israel to continue its aggression against Palestinians, contrary to popular world opinion", he said. Below is his full statement explaining why he took this decision. When I received the Magsaysay Award in 2002, a little controversy was created due to my decision to participate in a protest outside the US embassy in Manila against the impending attack on Iraq, immediately a day after the award ceremony in which the award was handed over by the Philippines President. The then Chairperson of Magsaysay Foundation had tried to dissuade me from participating in the protest on the pretext that it would harm the reputation of the foundation. My contention was that the award mentioned my participation in a peace march in India for global nuclear disarmament from Pokaran to Sarnath in 1999, and hence, my anti-war position was well known. I had to honour the decision taken at a peace conference at the University in Manila, which, coincidentally, concluded on 31 August, the day Magsaysay Awards were handed over, to stage a protest at the US embassy as I was invited to the conference as well. After the protest on 1 September, a Manila newspaper, in an editorial, challenged me, saying that if I was the principled man that I would like them to believe, then I should return the award to the US embassy before returning to India. This made the decision easier for me. I returned the cash component of the award from the airport, which came from the Ford Foundation of the US, but in a letter to the Chairperson of Magsaysay Foundation, I said that for the time being, I was keeping the award as it was named after a former popular Philippines President and had been given in my country to personalities like Jayaprakash Narayan, Vinoba Bhave and Baba Amte, whom I considered as my ideals. I had mentioned in that letter that if the Magsaysay Foundation ever thought that I was harming their reputation too much, I would be happy to return the award as well. I think that the time has now come. Magsaysay Award is primarily funded by Rockefeller Foundation, and the category in which I received the award is funded by Ford Foundation, both American foundations. Given the role of the US in blatantly supporting Israel in the current offensive against Palestinian citizens, more than 21,500 of whom are dead and still continuing to sell arms to Israel, it has become unbearable for me to keep the award. I, therefore, am deciding to finally return the award too. I would like to apologise to the people of Philippines if they feel hurt because of President Ramon Magsaysays name associated with this award. My protest is only because of the American connection with the award. As I return the Magsaysay award, I also feel that I should relieve myself of the degrees I have obtained in the US. Hence, I am also taking a decision to return my Dual M.S. degrees in Manufacturing and Computer Engineering to Syracuse University in upstate New York and my PhD in Mechanical Engineering degree to the University of California at Berkeley. Incidentally, I was made conscious of the involvement of US academic institutions, especially their engineering and science departments, in defence projects during the protest on the Berkeley campus in 1991 against the US war on Iraq launched by senior President Bush. Professor Pravin Varaiya of Electrical Engineering, whose research area, Control Systems, was the same as mine, and who was a participant in the anti-war protests, made me realise that I was also unknowingly part of the war machine of the United States. Thus began my disillusionment with my research area, and I decided to change my research area once I began teaching at the Indian Institute of Technology at Kanpur in 1992. Again, let me make it clear that I am not against the American people or even the country. In fact, I think the US is one country which respects human rights the most and offers the best freedom of expression, but sadly, it is true only within the country. Outside the US, it seems to have little regard for human rights, especially of the third-world countries. If it respects justice, then it should stand with the side facing oppression in any war. It took the correct position in the Russian war on Ukraine, but when it comes to Israel against Palestine, it is inexplicable why the US chooses to turn a blind eye to the misfortunes and sufferings of the Palestinians and overlook the crimes of Israeli defence forces. Had it been any other country, it would have imposed sanctions against it, like it did along with the rest of the world against South Africa, when apartheid was still practiced there. I have to take the hard decision because I think the US is singularly responsible for encouraging Israel to continue its aggression against Palestinians, contrary to popular world opinion. It could have played the role of mediator, like it once did, and tried to negotiate peace between Israel and Palestine. The creation of the sovereign state of Palestine and its recognition by the United Nations as a full member is essential towards the solution of the problem. But it is strange that the US, which not very long back handed over Afghanistan, much bigger in area, to the Taliban on a silver platter, knowing very well that it was jeopardising the civil liberties of common Afghans, especially the women, parrots the Israeli position about Hamas being a terrorist organisation ignoring the fact that Hamas has won an election in Palestine, unlike the Taliban. I feel that it is the time to call out the double standards of the US government. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Views & Analysis Modis Attempt to Woo Christian Community We need to realize the strategy being employed by Modi and company to on one hand marginalize the Christian community and on the other to woo them for electoral benefits. Read More Thursday January 4, 2024 9:16 PM , Ram Puniyani On 25th December, Prime Minister Narnedra Modi invited many Christians for an interaction and to greet them. He lauded the community for their social work and hailed the inclusive teachings of Lord Jesus Christ. Also recalling his long association with the community leaders. A couple of days later in Kerala nearly two hundred Christians joined the BJP. The Hindu reports: A meeting of the BJP State leadership in Kottayam here on Monday decided to launch a 10-day-long Sneha Yathra, which seeks to win over the community by explaining its position on various issues, including the Manipur violence. At the same time, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan was on the dot when he stated: Things have reached such a pass in Manipur that a section of people Christian community cannot live We have seen the state Government and Central Government maintaining silence. (I E Jan 2nd 2024, Mumbai) As the next General elections are approaching the RSS-BJP have activated their attempts to woo the Christian community. As such the present plight of Christian community is reflected in various national-international reports and indices of religious freedom. Two incidents of persecution take place every day as per Vada Na Todo Abhiyan (Dont break your promise, Campaign). In UP "100 pastors and even ordinary men and women, are in jail under charges of illegal conversions when all they were doing was celebrating birthdays or conducting Sunday prayers." Government is also investigating agencies against Cardinal and Pastors as per the memorandum cited above. As per United Christian Forum, 302 attacks took place against Christians in the first seven months of 2022. A petition filed by Archbishop Peter Machado, National Solidarity Forum and Evangelical Fellowship of India states: The state has failed to take immediate and necessary action against groups that have caused widespread violence and used hate speech against the Christian community, including attacks at their places of worship and disruption of prayer meetings. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has for the fourth consecutive year declared India as a country of particular concern and asked the US Administration to make their policies accordingly. As per Open Doors: Since the current government came to power in May 2014 pressure on Christians has risen dramatically Hindu extremists attack others with impunity, using extreme violence in some area Increasing numbers of states are also implementing anti-conversion laws, supposedly to stop Hindus being forcibly converted to other religions, but in reality, they are often used as an excuse to harass and intimidate Christians Being a pastor is one of the riskiest vocations in the country today. Hindu extremists target them with violent attacks to sow fear in the wider Christian community. The present plight of Christian community is rooted in the Hindu Nationalist discourse where Islam and Christianity are regarded as foreign religions. RSSs second Sarsanghchalak, M.S. Golwalkar in his book Bunch of Thoughts states that Muslims, Christians and Communists are an internal threat to Hindu nation. The RSS propaganda in Shakhas is conducted on these lines. With the increase in intensity of Hindu nationalist activities the anti Christian violence began in the Adivasi areas to begin with. The propaganda was that Christian missionaries are doing conversion through force fraud and allurement. As such Christianity is one of the oldest religions of India. One account says that it began with St Thomas arriving on Malabar Coast and setting up a Church in AD 52. Other accounts date it to somewhere in 4th Century AD. Today the percentage of Christians in India, as per the population census, is 2.3% (2011). Interestingly there is constant drop in this from 1971 data, 1971- 2.60%, 1981-2.44%. 1991-2.34%, 2001- 2.30%, 1911-2.30% (Population census figures.) The constant propaganda on these lines led to rise in anti-Christian violence manifesting in Dangs (Gujarat, December 25 1998 to January 3, 1999). This was followed by the most ghastly burning alive of Pastor Graham Stains on the night of 22nd January 1999 by RSS affiliate Bajrang Dals activist Rajendra Pal aka Dara Singh , who is currently undergoing life term. This act was described by the then President of India Dr. K.R. Narayanan is the one belonging to the Worlds inventory of black deeds. Stains was an Australian missionary working in Keonjhar, Manoharpur, Orissa. When he was sleeping in the open jeep with his two sons Timothy and Philip, Dara Singh mobilized people to burn him, the charge was that in the garb of work for Leprosy patients, he was doing the conversion work. The Wadhva Commission formed in the aftermath concluded that Pastor Stains was not involved in the work of conversions and that there was no increase in the population of Christians in the area where he was working. The incidents of anti Christian violence continued in remote areas mostly around Christmas time. The violence which flared up in Kandhamal in August 25, 2008 was the most horrific and led to the killings of over 100 Christians, many acts of heinous rape and many Churches were burnt. The anti Christian violence is a low radar activity where the priests working in remote areas are apprehended when they are conducting the prayer meetings in particular. The Bajrang Dal and its clones obstruct these meetings and many of the priests are arrested and harassed. One such act of prolonged violence is currently going on in Manipur for the last seven months. The Kukis, who are predominantly Christians , are under the hammer with double engine sarkar, as Manipur and Center both it is BJP Government. The Prime Minister clearly indicated that controlling this ongoing anti Christian violence is not among his priorities. He has been travelling all over but no time for Manipur. The social activists and brave journalists have made some efforts to visit the area and douse the fire, but with an apathetic Government such deep cleavages cannot be repaired. The present effort of Prime Minister Modi is primarily aimed at image creation optics for electoral gains. In Kerala, many affluent Christians are being lured by this Hindu majoritarian politics. Surely some of the top Religious leadership is also tempted to associate with the present regime to save their skin from the pangs of ED-IT etc. We need to realize the strategy being employed by Modi and company to on one hand marginalize the Christian community and on the other to woo them for electoral benefits. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home India Urdu Kitab Mela is back, this time in Mumbai at much bigger scale Preparations for the 26th All India Urdu Kitab Mela to be held on R2 Ground, Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai from January 06 to 14, 2024 are in the final stage, the NCPUL said. Read More Thursday January 4, 2024 3:45 PM , ummid.com Staff Reporter [NCPUL Urdu Kitab Mela Malegaon (File Image/ummid.com)] Mumbai: The Urdu Book Fair, popularly known as Urdu Kitab Mela, organised every year by the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), is back with its 26th Edition all set for a grand inauguration on Saturday January 06, 2024 in Mumbai on a much bigger venue. Preparations for the 26th All India Urdu Kitab Mela to be held on R2 Ground, Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai from January 06 to 14, 2024 are in the final stage, the NCPUL said. The Mumbai City is hosting the Urdu Kitab Mela for the 4th time. But, special arrangement is made and all efforts are taken to make this years book mela a historic event, Ajmal Saeed, the Office-Incharge of the NCPUL who looks after the organisation of the Kitab Mela said. In Mumbai, Anjuman Islam is co-ordinating with the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) to make the 2024 Urdu Kitab Mela a grand success. Anjuman-I-Islam, Mumbai was founded in the year 1874 by a small group of Muslims led by Dr. Badruddin Tyabji - third President of the Indian National Congress (INC) and the first Acting Indian Chief Justice of Bombay High Court. Anjumans current President is Dr Zahir Kazi. Under his leadership, the Anjuman had hosted the Urdu Kitab Mela in 2009 and 2012 both the times at Saboo Siddique Polytechnic Ground in Byculla, Mumbai. The Anjuman hosted the Urdu Kitab Mela in the past at the Saboo Siddique Polytechnic Ground. But, our effort is to organise this years Urdu book fair at such a large scale that its resonance is felt globally, he said. The Urdu Kitab Mela in Mumbai will be inaugurated by Sahitya Akademi Secretary Dr. K. Sreenivasarao at 10:30 on Saturday January 06, 2024. Giving more details about the annual event, Ajmal Saeed said there will be a total of 185 book stalls showcasing more than 150,000 books on a variety of subjects. Arrangements have also been made to bring in more books on urgent basis if needed, Ajmal Saeed said. To make the event memorable for the visitors, all publishers have been mandated to give at least 10 per cent discount, he added. Ajmal Saeed also said that the NCPUL has planned to organise 31 cultural events during the 9-day Urdu Kitab Mela. These cultural events will be held in coordination with Anjuman Islam , and other cultural and social groups Gul Bootey, Urdu Karwan, Urdu Headmasters Association (AIITA), Pasban e Adab, Awami Idara, Urdu Gagan, Quiz Time, Kaawish Mumbai and others. A local commits comprising of Imtiyaz Khaleel , Farooq Syed, Farid Khan, AamirAnsari, Humayun Kabir, Imran Amin, Qasim Imam and Siddharth Shandilya has also been constituted to coordinate with the NCPUL and Anjuman Islam for the success of the 2024 Urdu Kitab Mela. The NCPUL had organised the 25th Edition of the Urdu Kitab Mela in Vaniyambadi, Tamil Nadu in January 2023 whereas the 24th Edition of the Urdu Book Fair was held in Malegaon in December 2021 . Mumbai and Malegaon are the two cities where the NCPUL Urdu Kitab Mela has been held more than once. Malegaon had hosted the Kitab Mela in 2014 as well. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home United States US: Imam shot dead outside mosque in Newark, New Jersey The shooting was reported at Masjid Muhammad in Newark at South Orange Avenue and Camden Street around 6:15 a.m. local time Wednesday. Read More Thursday January 4, 2024 12:12 PM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies [Police vehicles seen outside the two-story yellow and green complex of Masjid Muhammad in Newark, New Jersey.] New Jersey: Hassan Sharif, Transportation Security Officer at Newark Liberty International Airport who was also working as Imam, was shot dead outside the local mosque where he was leading daily Muslim prayers. The shooting was reported at Masjid Muhammad in Newark at South Orange Avenue and Camden Street around 6:15 a.m. local time Wednesday. "Multiple gunshot wounds" Sharif had bullet wounds in his abdomen and left arm. When police reached the incident spot, they found him lying in the parking lot around 10 feet from the mosque entrance with multiple gunshot wounds. Hassan Sharif was rushed to University Hospital in critical condition where he was pronounced dead later Wednesday afternoon, the local police officials said. Though the shooter is at large and the exact motives behind the incident is unclear, the brutal murder comes amidst the alarming increase in Islamophobic attacks in the United States since the outbreak of Israel-Palestine war on Oct 7. "Condolences pour in" Daud Haqq, the President of the Tri-State Imams Council, is shaken by the fellow Imam's brutal murder. "My heart is really hurting over him," said Haqq, before questioning the motive, "You're not afraid to attack an imam, how about the average Muslim?" Lisa Farbstein, a spokeswoman for the United States Transportation Security Administration where Sharif worked, also expressed condolences. We are deeply saddened to learn of his passing and send our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues", she said. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. The National Assembly sent two special investigation bills, one of which calls for looking into stock manipulation allegations involving the first lady, to the presidential office Thursday. The office of President Yoon Suk Yeol has said Yoon will veto the bills. One of the proposals mandates an independent counsel investigation into allegations first lady Kim Keon Hee was involved in the stock manipulation of Deutsch Motors, a BMW car dealer in South Korea, between 2009 and 2012. The other special probe proposal is about allegations that six prominent people of the so-called "5 billion club" were promised 5 billion won ($3.8 million) each from an asset management firm connected to a corruption-ridden development project in the Daejang-dong district in Seongnam, south of Seoul. The two proposals passed through the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea-controlled parliament last week. (Yonhap) HA NOI Without a long-term strategy and faster localisation, Viet Nam's energy sector could very well fall short in the competition for renewable energy market share on home ground, said industry insiders and experts. In a recent study by UK-based think tank Ember, Viet Nam accounted for 69 per cent of all solar and wind power output in ASEAN in 2022, which was estimated at 50TWh. Vu Chi Mai, director of Clean, Affordable and Secure Energy for Southeast Asia (CASE), a programme that drives change in the Southeast Asian power sector towards an increased ambition concerning climate change mitigation, said the Southeast Asian country's stable socio-political environment makes it among some of the most attractive investment destinations for solar and wind power business in the region. In addition, the Vietnamese government has implemented numerous preferential policies, aimed at supporting renewable energy, paving the way for the development of a substantial market and workforce. Mai said the country has the potential to promote domestic market localisation, with the proportion increasing from 45 per cent to nearly 80 per cent for solar power and from 37 per cent to 55 per cent for wind power by 2050. The value of localisation could reach US$80 billion, or 50 per cent of the total market potential. However, participation by Vietnamese businesses in the industry has been somewhat lacklustre. Consequently, the market share, valued at billions of dollars, remains predominantly in the hands of foreign enterprises. According to experts from CASE, the current supply capabilities of domestic enterprises in the renewable energy sector are limited, with the onshore wind sector in Viet Nam lacking the production of nacelles (wind turbine housing), hubs, rotor blades, and underwater cables have not been produced. Statistics show that 90% of equipment for renewable energy projects is still imported. Contributing factors included a lack of assessment capacity, and infrastructure, in addition to insufficient technological capabilities and production levels that do not meet the requirements. Moreover, the industrial support policies for renewable energy are still inadequate. Industry insiders and experts have long called for a faster rate of localisation and less dependence on foreign companies. A case study that may be useful for Viet Nam is China. When European wind turbine manufacturers went to China, the country also required them to meet a certain level of localisation and transfer specific technologies. As a result, China's renewable developed rapidly and rose to become the global leader in the solar energy sector. Currently, China's GoldWind, a wind power generation company, holds the second-largest share of the global market. In a very short period, China achieved this because of its favourable policies encouraging localisation. This serves as a lesson for Vietnam to "follow, but lead" by setting conditions for renewable energy technology leaders to hold the leading technology, Mai said. In addition, to absorb technology from FDI regions, businesses need to continue evaluating the capabilities of companies in the wind and solar value chain, including support industry enterprises. Simultaneously, boosting research and development, technology transfer, experimental projects, and developing skilled manpower is essential for maximum localisation. inh Van Tuan, Deputy General Director of Ba Son Corporation, one of the first domestic companies to participate in manufacturing wind turbine towers, believes that Vietnamese businesses are taking advantage of opportunities to produce final products for foreign renewable energy partners. However, the biggest obstacle for enterprises is the policy mechanism and pricing. Without mastering technology, the cost of production will be high, leading to low competitiveness. "Viet Nam is following, so it needs support from the government in terms of mechanisms and policies to transfer technology, and invest in new, modern production lines. Only in this way can we reduce production cost, increase competitiveness for domestic businesses, and integrate deeper into the global value chain," he said. VNS Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan discussed the performance of Viet Nam's agriculture sector in 2023 and its development directions for 2024 in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA). Agriculture has been recognised as a bright spot in the economic development of 2023. What measures have been taken by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) to ensure its growth? Economic and market intelligence played an important part in the sector's growth last year. Traditionally, farmers focused on how to improve production, but higher yields did not always translate to increased income. As prices fluctuate, they may produce more but gain less. Our markets have become more complex and challenging. Farmers need to gain a better understanding of consumers' characteristics. Some agricultural products are consumed in China but not in Europe. Or a product may sell well in the US but not in Europe. We used to view the market merely as a place for buying and selling; now, it is also a consumer culture. Even within the 27 European countries, consumer trends vary. When we enter a market, it's crucial to shift the production focus for farmers and to align production objectives with the market's standards. Our agricultural products have more than proven Vietnamese farmers' ability to meet even the most stringent requirements. For instance, Vietnamese rice has entered markets like China, Japan and the EU, all of which are demanding markets with tightening technical regulations and food safety requirements. Sometimes it's not just about supply and demand. The success of the sector also depends on how the global markets view the country and their confidence in Vietnamese agricultural products. This is something we have been working on in recent years, to convey to the world the message that Viet Nam is a reliable, transparent, responsible and sustainable agricultural producer. What measures had been taken by MARD to help Vietnamese farmers capitalise on the world's higher-than-usual demand for food in 2023? The first step we took was to reorganise the country's agricultural production because it was fragmented, with too many small, independent farming operations. Too many farmers participating in a single sector could lead to conflicts. That's why the most crucial step was to reorganise the structure of the sector and production, establish markets and create links between farmers and businesses to reduce the possibility of market breakdowns. We view farmers and businesses are two ends of the sector. One represents input, and the other represents output; one involves production, and the other involves the market. Sustainability is only ensured when these two entities work together. Businesses must proactively provide stable raw materials, and support farmers with seeds, and cultivation processes. Businesses themselves should move away from a trading mindset, as it can disrupt the market. There needs to be a balance of interests between farmers and businesses, which will allow both to thrive. Should Viet Nam continue its shift from a production-focused model to an economic, green, and circular agricultural model? Sustainable agriculture is a vital trend to which we must adapt. For instance, in Tu Ky District in northern Hai Duong Province, farmers have produced rice, frogs and fish, creating three layers of value. This allowed them to earn more from selling frogs than rice, but without rice, they wouldn't have these two products. Similarly, in the rice-shrimp or rice-fish models in the southern provinces of Bac Lieu and Ca Mau, farmers are moving towards an ecological agriculture system. As input costs continued to rise, these models also helped farmers reduce expenses. Even if prices don't increase, when costs decrease, farmers' income still rise. The sector needs to promote such models, focusing on circular, green and eco-friendly agriculture in harmony with nature. In my opinion, all changes are challenging, but refusing to change would put us in an even more difficult position down the road. What are MARD's mission objectives in 2024? Our key priorities this year include the continuous promotion and application of economic intelligence and the transition of the sector from a production-focused model to an economic and sustainability-focused model. In addition, we will further explore solutions to generate more value per unit of agricultural land. We must start seeing that agriculture is not just about farming. There are business models that allow the integration of numerous other economic sectors with agricultural activities, which in turn, can produce additional value for all players. For instance, agricultural tourism is a promising model. The Sa ec flower village in the southern province of ong Thap has taken measures to modify its production to create tourist destinations. If implemented successfully, the benefits can be substantial. There have been successful cases in which farmers reported significant income increases. VNS Thu Anh HCM CITY Young talents from the HCM City-based Tran Huu Trang Cai Luong Theatre, one of the regions leading traditional art troupes, will perform a famous play from the 1970s. Actress Kim Luan plays Quynh Nga, a beautiful and hardworking woman, in Ben Cau Det Lua (Weaving on the Bridge), a story about love and life. The play depicts the life of Nga, who loves a poor student and works hard to support him to get rich. Southern people, and their traditional culture and lifestyle, are also featured. The original version of Ben Cau Det Lua was written by late scriptwriter The Chau of Binh Duong Province. The play helped its creator, Chau, and talented performers from Thanh Minh-Thanh Nga Troupe, one of the regions leading cai luong theatres, to become a phenomenon in the industry after its release in HCM City in 1976. The late theatre star Thanh Nga was chosen to play Quynh Nga. She offered a very unique style of cai luong, a traditional genre of southern theatre which began in the early 1920s in the Cuu Long (Mekong) River Delta region. In the new version of Ben Cau Det Lua, Tran Huu Trang Cai Luong Theatre invited Peoples Artist and theatre director Tran Ngoc Giau to guarantee its success. We will introduce cai luong in both old and new styles to attract young audiences, said the plays director Giau, who has worked in theatre for 40 years. Giau hired young talents Luan, Vo Thanh Phe and Nguyen Van Khoi because he wanted to refresh the play, he said. I will not follow in the footsteps of my idol, the late actress Thanh Nga. I will offer cai luong with modern techniques of performance, said actress Kim Luan, in an interview with local media before the premiere. Ben Cau Det Lua will be staged on weekends starting on January 13 at 136 Tran Hung ao Street, District 1. Guru Late theatre actress Thanh Nga (real name Juliette Nguyen Thi Nga) was born in 1942 in a traditional family in Tay Ninh Province. Nga began her career when she was a child. She learned cai luong from her parents, Nam Nghia and Nguyen Thi Tho, owners of Thanh Minh-Thanh Nga Troupe. She became a bright star after playing a leading role in Nguoi Vo Khong Bao Gio Cuoi (Unmarried Wife) staged by Thanh Minh-Thanh Nga Troupe. For her performance in the play, she won the Golden Medal for Best Theatre Actress at the Thanh Tam Awards (now Tran Huu Trang Awards presented by the HCM City Theatre Association) in 1958. In 1971, she became involved in films. She performed in prize-winning films directed by talented artists such as Le Dan and Le Hoang Hoa. She received the Best Film Actress award at the Asian Film Festival in 1973 in Taiwan. Nga performed in more than 50 plays, including famous historical works Thai Hau Duong Van Nga (Queen Mother Duong Van Nga) and Tieng Trong Me Linh (The Sounds of Me Linh Drum). Her voice and dance skills left a strong impression on audiences. She was assassinated in 1978 after a show in HCM City. In 1984, Nga was posthumously honoured as a Meritorious Artist by the Government. A street in District 6 was named after her. VNS TOKYO Strong cultural industries will help promote Viet Nams stature in the region, said Prof. Furuta Motoo, Rector of the Viet Nam-Japan University under the Viet Nam National University, Ha Noi. In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, Furuta said that he was highly impressed with the Vietnamese culture and people right on the first time he set foot in Ha Noi in December 1974. The culture of Viet Nam is characterised by factors seeming to be contrary to each other but co-existing. The Vietnamese people's patriotism, demonstrated by their continuous struggles against foreign invaders, is a typical feature recognised by people around the world. They are also open to good factors of other countries cultures, which can be seen in the Southeast Asian nation boosting its integration into the world while bringing into play its national identity, he said. At the national conference on culture held in 2021 to implement the resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong noted culture forms the spiritual foundation of society and the internal strength of the country, and that focus must be paid to building and developing culture, which means developing people with dignity and a good lifestyle and building a healthy cultural environment. With regard to Viet Nams goal of becoming a developed country by 2045 with importance attached to culture, Furuta perceived that if one country possesses a rich culture but its economy is underdeveloped, it will be hard for that country to maintain its culture. Meanwhile, if people in a developed and economically rich country are not spiritually satisfied, that society will also become unstable. Given this, the viewpoint identified by General Secretary Trong is suitable for the current development period of Viet Nam, the professor said. A new task set at the 13th National Party Congress is to develop cultural industries and perfect the cultural market, in which culture is developed comprehensively and harmoniously in relation to economic growth and social progress. About the new tasks impact on the Viet Nam-Japan relations, especially in cultural cooperation, he considered the building of an equal partnership in the future relationship between the two countries as critically important. Furuta held that soft power will play an active role in the formation of equal partnerships among countries in East Asia, including Viet Nam and Japan. He expressed his hope that Viet Nam will develop strong cultural industries to help promote its stature in the region and shape an equal partnership with Japan. VNS HA NOI The general director of Viet A Company and his deputy bribed a number of government officials to obtain licences to sell COVID testing kits at high prices during the pandemic, Ha Noi's People Court was told yesterday. The two are among 38 defendants whose trial began in the capital in a case that has gained widespread public condemnation since the wrongdoings were uncovered. Also on trial are Chu Ngoc Anh, former Minister of Science and Technology, and Nguyen Thanh Long, former Minister of Health. Long is accused of accepting $2.25 million in bribes. Prosecutors told the court General Director of Viet A Company Phan Quoc Viet and his subordinate, former Deputy General Director Vu inh Hiep, both violated regulations on bidding causing serious damages to the State and committed bribery. Viet and Hiep have both already been sentenced to 25 years and six years by Ha Noi's Military Court for related offences. According to the indictment, the research on COVID-19 testing kits was assigned to the Military Medical Academy in 2020 with a budget of VN18.9 billion (US$776 million). Phan Quoc Viet collaborated with Trinh Thanh Hung, former Head of the Department of Science and Technology for Economic-Technical Sectors (under the Ministry of Science and Technology) to make Viet A Company part of the research team. Chu Ngoc Anh, former Minister of Science and Technology, and Pham Cong Tac, former Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, approved the participation and assisted the company in claiming patent ownership of the testing kits, which was against the law because the research results were State's property. Phan Quoc Viet is accused of paying Anh $200,000, Tac, $50,000, and Trinh Thanh Hung, $350,000. After Viet applied for a production license, Nguyen Van Trinh, former Assistant to the Deputy Prime Minister, used his influence on the Ministry of Health to help Viet win the bid. In return, Viet paid him $200,000. He also paid Nguyen Thanh Long, former Minister of Health, $2.25 million, Nguyen Huynh, former Deputy Director of the Price Management Department of the Drug Administration $164,000, Nguyen Minh Tuan, former Director of Medical Equipment and Construction, Ministry of Health, $300,000, and Nguyen Nam Lien, Nguyen Nam Lien, former Director of Financial Planning Department, Ministry of Health, $100,000. When he got the license to mass-produce the testing kits, he continued to bribe many provincial Centres for Disease Control (CDCs) into buying his products at exorbitant prices. Normally test kits were sold at around VN143,000, but in some cases, Viet was charging three times as much per kit With over 4.5 million testing kits sold, the State Budget suffered a loss of VN402 billion ($16.5 million), of which VN222 billion came from CDCs in Hai Duong, Bac Giang, Nghe An, and Binh Duong. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, a former employee at the Viet Nam Education Publishing House, and Nguyen Bach Thuy Linh, former Director of the SNB Holdings Single-Member LLC, used their influence over people in authority to force a Singaporean company into buying a package of testing kits worth $1 million and gifting it to the Vietnamese Fatherland Front. Phan Quoc Viet paid the two over $328,000 for their "hard sell." Out of all those in the dock, six are accused of taking bribes, including Trinh Thanh Hung and Nguyen Thanh Long; and Nguyen Huynh, former Deputy Director of the Price Management Department of the Drug Administration (under the Ministry of Health). Chu Ngoc Anh, and Pham Cong Tac, are accused of "violating regulations on the management of State's assets to cause great losses." Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, and Nguyen Bach Thuy Linh, former Director of the SNB Holdings Single-Member LLC, face charges of "using influence over people in authority for personal gains." Pham Ton Noel Thao, former Financial Assistant, and Ho Thi Thanh Thao, former Treasurer at Viet A Company, is being prosecuted for charges of "bribery." Prosecutors have also brought legal proceedings against Nguyen Van Trinh, former Assistant to Deputy Prime Minister; Pham Xuan Thang, former Secretary of Hai Duong Province's Party Committee; and Pham Manh Duong, former Hai Duong Province's Department of Health. The three are charged with "abusing position and power while on duty." The prosecutors charged the other 21 defendants with "violating regulations on bidding to serious damage", including three former employees of Viet A Company -Tran Thi Hong, Le Trung Nguyen, Tran Tien Luc - and many former officials from provincial centres for disease control (CDCs). Defendant Hong was absent from the court, citing her recent delivery of a child and her ongoing illness. The trial will take place over the next 20 days. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam strongly condemned the bombing in Kerman city in Southeastern Iran on January 3, which claimed hundreds of lives and injuries, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang has said. Hang made the comment on January 4 while answering to a reporter's query on Viet Nam's response to the bombing. Viet Nam would like to extend its deep condolences to the Government and people of Iran, and the families of the victims, she said, believing that those who staged the attack must be punished properly. President Vo Van Thuong has sent condolences to Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh extended his sympathies to the First Vice President of Iran Mohammad Mokhber, while National Assembly Chair Vuong inh Hue conveyed condolences to the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. On the same day, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son also sent condolences to his Iranian counterpart, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein AmirAbdollahian. VNS HA NOI National Assembly Chairman Vuong inh Hue extended a warm welcome to Vice President of the Lao legislature Chaleun Yiapaoher, the first foreign guest to visit the Vietnamese NA in the new year of 2024, during a reception in Ha Noi on Thursday. Chairman Hue congratulated the Lao National Assembly on successfully holding the Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam (CLV) Parliamentary Summit in December 2023, saying the event's success marked the important role of the Lao legislature in the cooperation mechanism among the parliaments of the three countries as well as in the region. Highlighting the ongoing progress of the cooperation agreement between the two legislatures, Hue affirmed the Vietnamese NAs commitments to dedicating its utmost efforts to make legislative collaboration a crucial component of bilateral ties, including law-making matters and decisions on important national issues. Chaleun Yiapaoher, in reply, attributed the CLV Parliament Summits success to the support provided by the Vietnamese NA. He said his visit aims to acquire experience to compile a history book marking the 50-year journey of the Lao NAs establishment and development. He briefed the host about his successful talks with NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Khac inh, and working sessions with NA Secretary General and Chairman of the NA Office Bui Van Cuong and the Legislative Research Institute to specifically discuss experiences in compiling the history book and fine-tuning legal regulations which is particularly relevant as Laos is preparing to amend its Constitution. The host affirmed that the Vietnamese NA and its agencies are ready to cooperate and share experience with the Lao NA in building and improving the Lao legal system in the best possible way. Both sides should hold in-depth workshops to provide scientific insights for policy and law formulation. He also shared insights into the compilation of the history book marking 80 years of the Vietnamese NA, as part of activities celebrating the 80th anniversary of its first general election (January 6) in 2026. He expressed his support for the guests proposal to create a book documenting the history of the relationship between the Lao and Vietnamese legislatures. On the occasion, he said Viet Nam always supports and stays ready to assist Laos in successfully fulfilling its role as the Chair of ASEAN and ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) this year. VNS HA NOI Politburo member, President Vo Van Thuong, who is Chairman of the Council of National Defence and Security, on Thursday chaired the 4th meeting of the council. The meeting also saw the attendance of Politburo members: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh - Vice Chairman of the Council, National Assembly Chairman Vuong inh Hue - Member of the Council, Minister of Public Security Gen. To Lam - Member of the Council, and Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang - Member of the Council, among others. At the meeting, the council discussed and gave opinions on the results achieved in various fields, especially national defence, security, and foreign affairs, over the past time. Participants in the meeting analysed and assessed the world and regional situation and its impacts and influence on Vietnam. They proposed the agenda and tasks for the council in 2024. The council agreed that its meetings in 2024 will focus on important, strategic issues related to national defence, security, and foreign affairs. Based on the results of the discussions, it will propose suggestions to the Politburo, the National Assembly, and the Government. On behalf of the council, President Thuong praised the military, police, and diplomatic forces for completing political tasks and achieving many important and comprehensive results. He said that the world situation is expected to continue developing complicatedly and unpredictably, so the forces and relevant agencies will have to continue to uphold the achieved results, closely follow and effectively implement the policies, guidelines, and decisions of the Politburo and the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, the National Assembly and the Government as well as the direction of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on national defence, security and foreign affairs. They were asked to focus on implementing the Resolution of the 8th plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee on the strategy to protect the Fatherland in the new situation, meeting the requirements of firmly protecting the independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Fatherland, ensuring national security, maintaining social order and safety, and stepping up comprehensive and extensive international integration. President Thuong emphasised that in the coming time, the council needs to continue to closely follow, monitor, proactively grasp, study, analyse, evaluate, and forecast the world, regional, and domestic situation, especially emerging strategic issues that affect Viet Nam's national defence and security so that it can properly propose policies and solutions to the Party and the State. It is also necessary to focus on protecting the Party's ideological foundation and fighting hostile forces; and continuing to promote the tradition and strength of the great national unity bloc in the cause of national construction and protection, he stressed. VNS HA NOI The Ministry of Health has recently issued a circular outlining 50 disease categories and health conditions that can be diagnosed and treated remotely. According to Circular 30/2023/TT-BYT, the 50 diseases and health conditions cover nearly 20 medical specialties. Among them, the endocrinology specialty is allowed to diagnose and treat obesity remotely. The otorhinolaryngology specialty is permitted for acute pharyngitis, chronic pharyngitis and tonsillitis. The musculoskeletal specialty covers neck and shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, lower back pain, inflammatory joint diseases and spinal degeneration. Cancer patients, after completing their treatment, can also receive remote diagnosis and mild care. Chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, lipid disorders, thyroid disorders and non-dialysis chronic kidney disease are also eligible for remote diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, some diseases in the neurology and psychiatry category, including anxiety disorders, depression, mental disorders, tension headaches, vestibular disorders, migraine, Alzheimers and Parkinsons, can be diagnosed and treated remotely. Infectious diseases such as dengue fever without warning signs, influenza, COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS are part of the list eligible for remote diagnosis and treatment. Dermatology conditions are also covered, including viral skin diseases, allergic and immune skin diseases, bacterial skin diseases, and fungal-parasitic skin diseases. Other specialties like ophthalmology, functional rehabilitation, digestive and respiratory systems are permitted for remote diagnosis and treatment. As of January 1, 2024, under the Health Examination and Treatment Law 2023, remote diagnosis and treatment involve medical practitioners providing healthcare services through devices and information technology without having direct contact with patients. Practitioners conducting remote diagnosis and treatment must adhere to professional standards and comply with the list of diseases and health conditions. They are responsible for the diagnostic results, treatment process and prescription of medications. The ministrys Health Examination and Treatment Management Department stated that in developing this circular, the department referred to the lists of disease categories and health conditions of many developed countries worldwide. Typically, these lists include around 20-30 diseases and do not encompass emergency cases or those requiring specific techniques, procedures or surgeries on patients, it said. This is the initial list of 50 diseases issued in 2023. Based on the actual deployment and the needs of patients and healthcare facilities, the ministry will add new diseases to this list in the coming years. The Ministry of Health officially launched the telemedicine project in 2020 to ensure that everyone receives medical counselling, remote diagnosis, and expert support from local to central healthcare levels. People should access quality healthcare services at grassroots healthcare establishments. VNS HA NOI The coast guard will continue to focus on implementing drastic and synchronous measures to prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in 2024, heard a conference held by the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) Command on January 3. Along with protecting national sovereignty, maintaining security, order and safety on islands and at sea, the force will strictly maintain readiness to combat as well as prevent disasters, search and rescue, while speeding up reform, enhancing the quality of political and ideological education, and promoting the study and following of President Ho Chi Minhs ideology, moral example and lifestyle. At the same time, the coast guard will continue to effectively promote international cooperation, and roll out measures to prevent and fight all kinds of crimes, said participants. A report on the VCG operations in 2023 showed that the force completed all tasks for the year, while recommending policies and solutions to deal with arising problems to the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence. During the year, coast guard officers conducted 18 search and rescue missions, saving 36 people, two fishing boats, one cargo ship and recovering three bodies. It discovered and handled six cases of IUU fishing regulation violations involving seven vessels. The VCG also showed strong performance in criminal prevention and control, investigating and handling 1,759 cases with 2,075 suspects, an increase of 573 cases and 672 suspects compared to 2022. The force collected VN85 billion (US$3.48 million) of administrative fines and seized exhibits. - VNS The number of single-person households increased further last year to account for a record high of 42 percent of all households, data from the interior ministry showed Thursday. According to the resident registration data from the ministry, the total number of registered households in the country rose by 0.9 percent to reach 23.91 million as of December last year, compared to the previous year when the corresponding figure was 23.7 million. Of the total, one-person households reached 9.93 million as of last month, up from 9.72 million compared to a year ago, accounting for the majority of the yearly growth in the total number of households. The recent growth elevated the proportion of one-person households in the total households to 42 percent, a significant increase from last year's estimated ratio of one-person families of 34 percent, as reported by Statistics Korea, the national statistics agency. The ministry compiles the one-person household data based on the address, offering a more accurate representation of individuals living alone. In contrast, the statistics agency's data is family-based, counting, for instance, a family of three members, all living separately, as a single family. According to the ministry data, two-person households reached 5.86 million last month, up slightly from 5.74 million from a year ago. Three-person households also grew slightly from 4.01 million to 4.02 million. Both four-person and five-person households, however, shrank to 3.14 million and 743,232 last month from 3.25 million and 776,259 from a year earlier, respectively. The average number of members per household also slightly decreased to 2.15 from 2.17. As of December, the capital Seoul and the populous surrounding province of Gyeonggi together hosted 44 percent of all households, with each having 4.46 million and 5.97 million registered households, respectively. "A continued increase in unmarried people and seniors living alone appears to have brought the proportion of the one-person households to over 40 percent," a ministry official said. (Yonhap) HA NOI The former deputy director of Viet A Company Vu inh Hiep pleaded guilty to the charges of bribing government officials to win contracts with Centres for Disease Control (CDCs), Ha Noi's People Court was told on Thursday. He admitted that he paid government officials to have Viet A chosen as the winning bidder to provide testing kits to CDCs. Hiep even told the court that he would often carry large amounts of cash with him, sometimes up to US$300,000, to bribe people whenever Phan Quoc Viet, former general director of Viet A Company, told him to do so. He paid over $1.3 million to CDC officials in Hai Duong, Ha Giang, Nam inh, and Son La provinces. Pham Xuan Thang, former secretary of Hai Duong Province's Party Committee, admitted taking kickbacks to make Viet A an exclusive supplier of testing kits and medical equipment to the locality. "I received $100,000 from Phan Quoc Viet and around $75,000 from Pham Duy Tuyen, former director of Hai Duong CDC," said Thang. He claimed that he did not pick Viet A himself but by the recommendation from the former minister of health Nguyen Thanh Long, who is charged with taking $2.25 million from the company. Pham Duy Tuyen admitted receiving more than $1.1 million from Viet A but he thought it was just "profit-sharing", not bribery. He said picking Viet A as an exclusive medical supplier was the instruction from Thang. He signed four supply contracts with the company, which amounted to over $6 million. "Viet A gave me no money in the first contract but offered to 'share profits' with me in the later. I thought it was not illegal to do so but I was wrong," said Tuyen. The court heard that after taking the money, he paid Thang about $75,000 and Pham Manh Cuong, former director of Hai Duong Provincial Department of Health, $287,000. He also shared $73,800 among his CDC subordinates. Chu Ngoc Anh, former minister of science and technology, admitted that his approval of Viet A's participation in the research team in charge of developing COVID-19 testing kits was against the law. Regarding the charge of taking bribes, he said he received a small gift from Phan Quoc Viet but he was unaware of the $200,000 put in the gift. Upon discovering the money, he tried to return it to Viet but was arrested before he could do so. "I knew taking money from a company is illegal, so I decided to return it to Viet after my business trip. Unfortunately, that opportunity never comes," Anh told the court. Nguyen Thanh Long, former minister of health, admitted being too hasty in granting the production licence to Viet A but denied showing favouritism towards the company. He claimed that he took money from Viet A because the company offered it to him voluntarily, insisting he didn't ask for it. "I instructed Nguyen Minh Tuan, former director of Medical Equipment and Construction (Ministry of Health), to grant a six-month license to Viet A," said Long. He also claimed that after the license, Phan Quoc Viet tried to seek favour from him but he stood to the rules. The trial, which is due to end later this month, continues. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has urged the agricultural sector to keep its crucial role as the backbone of the economy, ensuring robust food security, contributing significantly to overall economic stability in 2024. At the online conference to review the activities of 2023 and outline plans for 2024 organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Wednesday, PM Chinh affirmed that the agriculture sector has become more proactive and innovative with many initiatives to transform the challenging situation and make breakthroughs. Reports at the conference evaluated that 2023 was a year of innovative thinking and growth model transformation in agriculture. The sector shifted strongly from a production-oriented mindset to an agricultural economic development perspective, moving from single-sector development to cooperation and diversification, promoting the integration of multiple values in agro-forestry-fishery products, and transitioning from agricultural product supply chains to developing industry-specific chains. The agricultural sector witnessed a GDP growth of 3.83 per cent, the highest in recent years, contributing significantly to the overall economic growth of 5.05 per cent. Rice production reached 43.5 million tonnes, an increase of 1.9 per cent compared to the previous year; pork production amounted to 7.79 million tonnes, an increase of 6.38 per cent; and aquatic product output reached 9.32 million tonnes, an increase of 2.3 per cent. The total export turnover of agriculture, forestry and fishery maintained a high level, exceeding US$53 billion, with the highest trade surplus ever at $12.07 billion, an increase of 43.7 per cent compared to the previous year. Some items achieved record high growth, such as vegetables and fruits at $5.69 billion and rice at $4.78 billion, increases of 69.2 and 38.4 per cent, respectively. Viet Nam succeeded in producing and exporting commercial vaccines to prevent African swine fever. The "One Commune, One Product" (OCOP) programme has created diverse and rich products. The number of OCOP products rated three stars or above has now reached over 11,000 products, an increase of more than 2,000 compared to 2022. For the first time, Viet Nam successfully sold 10.3 million carbon credits to the Carbon Partnership Fund, earning $1.2 trillion. This serves as a basis for continuing research and improving mechanisms and policies in the future. In 2024, the agricultural sector has set the targets with indicators, including a GDP growth rate of 3-3.5 per cent, and total export turnover of agriculture, forestry and fishery at around $54-55 billion. It has also targeted to reach 80 per cent of communes meeting new rural standards, the stable maintenance of forest coverage at 42.02 per cent, 58 per cent of rural households using clean water, and 82 per cent of communes meeting environmental and food safety criteria. Speaking at the conference, PM Chinh highly appreciated the results and achievements the agriculture sector has attained. The ministry has focused on efficiently implementing numerous significant programmes, mechanisms and policies for the development of the sector, such as the strategic development plan for rural agriculture, the sustainable development project for one million hectares of high-quality rice cultivation with low emissions linked to green growth in the Mekong Delta region by 2030, and support policies to enhance livestock efficiency and farm economic development. Many events such as the International Rice and Rice Products Festival, and Ca Mau Shrimp Festival have been organised successfully, he said. He noted that the ministry worked with relevant ministries and sectors to address difficulties in production and business activities. The VN15 trillion credit package for the timber and fisheries industry has been disbursed quickly and effectively. The Prime Minister also highlighted some limitations and challenges in the sector, such as not yet resolving IUU yellow card issues and some prolonged issues like the Ban Mong water reservoir project. PM Chinh requested the agriculture sector to set higher overall growth targets of around 3.5-4 per cent in 2024, with agricultural, forestry and fishery exports reaching over $55 billion. The Prime Minister emphasised the need to focus on innovation, promote digital and green transformation and circular economy. In the short term, attention should be given to building a database for the agriculture sector and developing the carbon credit market. Efforts should continue to improve institutional frameworks, develop policies, strategies and planning, especially the remaining three national sector plans, including forestry development plan, protection of fisheries resources plan, and plan for the fishing port system, sheltering areas for fishing boats. Efficient implementation of the "One Commune, One Product" (OCOP) programme and the "Sustainable Development of One Million Hectares of High-Quality Rice Cultivation with Low Emissions Linked to Green Growth in the Mekong Delta Region by 2030" project. PM Chinh also urged the application of high-tech, smart and automated technologies in agricultural production. The sector should improve supply and demand forecasting, market information, connect producers with consumers, and take advantage of benefits from free trade agreements to restructure the export market. He stressed the development of the maritime economy, sustainable marine aquaculture and fisheries exploitation, and the addressing of the European Commission's recommendations to lift the yellow card in 2024. PM Chinh asked the sector to enhance the management, protection and development of forests, especially natural and protective forests, and complete the 2024 plan to implement the plantation of one billion trees in the 2021-2025 period. He called on the sector to strengthen international integration and cooperation to develop agriculture and rural areas, while proactively fighting to protect the rights and interests of the country, safeguard Vietnamese agricultural products, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of citizens and businesses. VNS Tran Khanh An On the side of Nhue River in Ha Noi's outlying rural district of Phu Xuyen lies the millennium-old Chuon Ngo Village, renowned for its mother-of-pearl inlay. According to the village's historical record mother-of-pearl inlay has been practised here since the Ly Dynasty (11th to 13th century). Truong Cong Thanh, a scholar and army general in the royal court was said to have founded the craft and then taught the villagers the art. Mother-of-pearl inlay is the practice of inserting mother-of-pearl pieces into wooden objects. The craft involves great precision, as the carving of the wood and the shaping of the inlay to be placed within it must be matched precisely. The distinctive feature of mother-of-pearl products is their durability through time and their intricate details and sophisticated qualities, making them a gem of traditional craft. After over a thousand years of ups and downs, Chuon Ngo's mother-of-pearl products have made a name for themselves in both domestic and foreign markets. Exquisite craftsmanship To create a mother-of-pearl inlay product, artisans have to go through various working stages, which require a high level of patience, care, and attention to detail. From the drawing design, they select suitable pieces of clam, oyster, other seashells and then cut them into desired shapes. For a single inlay item, hundreds or thousands of mother-of-pearl pieces may be required. According to Vu Van Hung, owner of Hung Tam workshop in Chuon Ngo, carving the surface of a wood object and cutting mother-of-pearl from seashells as inlay material is the most challenging step in the process. "Meanwhile, in the lacquerware technique, the artisans put pieces of mother-of-pearl layer on top of the wood surface, and then cover it with a layer of lacquer paint, Hung said. Compared to inlaid scenery or natural animals in domestic utensils, conveying the charisma of a person to emanate from the inlay portrait is challenging and requires a talent. Nguyen Van Lang, artisan The artisans then use steel knives to carve out the small patterns and trim lines with black powder to highlight the details. Finally, the wooden object is ground and polished to make the raised patterns come to life. Due to the level of complexity and details, some products take a considerable amount of time to finish. A painting with complex details may require months or more to be crafted, said Nguyen Thi Tam, Hungs wife, who is also a craftswoman at the workshop. Advance techniques Chuon Ngo workers' craftsmanship has evolved with constant improvement over many generations. Mother-of-pearl inlay products by Chuon Ngo artisans are not limited to furniture and paintings with traditional scenes. Photorealistic portraits on mother-of-pearl inlay products have created a brand of excellence in the village. "To create freshness in craft products, many workshops in Chuon Ngo create mother-of-pearl inlay portraits of renowned figures. In particular, the mother-of-pearl portraits of President Ho Chi Minh are warmly received by domestic and international customers," said artisan Nguyen inh Hai. The most challenging technique, regarded as the pinnacle of mother-of-pearl inlay carving with black powder to highlight the facial expression of a person necessitates the craftsman to be an artist as well. Besides mastering the inlay technique, craftsmen also cultivate knowledge of photorealism to transform inanimate materials into lively portraits. Nguyen Van Lang is one of the masters of photorealistic portraits in Chuon Ngo. Compared to inlaid scenery or natural animals in domestic utensils, conveying the charisma of a person to emanate from the inlay portrait is challenging and requires a talent, Lang said. Artisans use a specialised knife to cut the mother-of-pearl inlay material, just like the brush painters use to draw. Lang is the author of the mother-of-pearl inlay painting that General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Nguyen Phu Trong presented to his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, during the latter's state visit to Viet Nam in December. The painting portrayed the two leaders enjoying a tea party in Beijing during Trong's visit to China last year. The artwork took him six months to finish, and inlaying the photorealistic portrait of the two leaders alone took up to a month. I worked meticulously to create this work of art so that our friendly nation could witness the essence of mother-of-pearl inlay craftsmanship and the excellence of Vietnamese artisans, Lang told Viet Nam News. My hometown is where the mother-of-pearl inlay craft in Viet Nam originated. No matter where you go, Chuon Ngo Village is home to the most innovative and sophisticated craft. It is sacred, Lang added. The future Despite being a thousand-year-old village with renowned craft, Chuon Ngo now faces the challenge of its trade disappearing. Currently, it is estimated that there are only four large workshops and a dozen households making mother-of-pearl products left in the village. They produce in a moderate amount following consumers' orders, instead of mass-producing like before the pandemic, Hai said. "Not having enough capital and resources to establish a workshop, many artisans have to receive small orders to work at home. They often do only one single step in the making process, and gradually lose interest in the craft and find other jobs. It is a dying art." Every day, Lang's workshop is still busy with orders from across the country. However, as young workers become uninterested and the master artisans themselves age, he remains concerned about the possible loss of the ancient craft. The technique is easy to learn, but craftsmen must have a passion for the work and years of practice to master it. Unfortunately, the younger generation lacks the diligence to continue, Lang said. Shop owner Hung said that people under 20 rarely bother to learn and practise the trade. With changes in mindset and lifestyle, young people have chosen new careers and often lose touch with their forebears' traditions. Young people have more job opportunities with higher income without having to spend so much time and effort training as craftsmen, Hung said. He told Viet Nam News that the young often pursue higher education and get better work. The industrial zones near the village also attract many labourers. Authorities are implementing policies to support Chuon Ngo Village to promote the mother-of-pearl inlay craft. They have organised trade fairs to showcase multiple exquisite handicraft products to customers nationwide, as well as publicize the brand name of the villages products. I have participated in the Festival of Phu Xuyen District's Craft Villages over the years. More and more customers have heard about the brand name of Chuon Ngo mother-of-pearl inlay, and visited my workshop and ordered products, Hung said. I hope that as the village's reputation grows and we sell more products, more young people will return to promote this truly exquisite craft. VNS Tan Hoa Village in Minh Hoa District in the central province of Quang Binh is filled currently with a festive atmosphere as it has been named a "Best Tourism Village" by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). It is the only village in Viet Nam that was selected among 260 tourism villages from 60 participating countries. Located in the mountainous area, Tan Hoa is endowed with magnificent natural landscapes and unique culture. However, it has also faced many difficulties due to frequent flooding during the rainy season. The villagers have come up with various measures to adapt to natural disasters, including special floating houses that were built after a disastrous flood in 2010. Tan Hoa now has about 620 floating houses. Most local households possess at least one. The floating houses have reduced the villagers' concerns during the rainy season, and even become their pride in overcoming adversity and adapting to nature. Not only providing shelter, such floating houses have also supported locals with stable incomes. From these houses, the villagers have developed a distinctive tourism model by turning them into homestay facilities, which allow tourists to experience life during the flood season. "Since our family's homestay opened its doors, our life has thoroughly changed. We have a more stable income and therefore the children have the opportunity to attend school and receive proper education," said Truong Xuan Hung, owner of Hung Lien homestay. Some of the activities that tourists can take part in include fishing from floating houses, kayaking through floods, crossing streams, and exploring caves. Most homestays are surrounded by majestic limestone mountains and vast grassy valleys, from which tourists can enjoy the breathtaking natural landscapes. The top tourist attraction is Tu Lan Cave, which served as a backdrop for the Hollywood blockbuster Kong: Skull Island, directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts. Nestled in the high mountainous area, Tu Lan Cave offers a serene landscape with vast, lush green cornfields that stretch along the Rao Nan River. Besides this, a total of 20 amazing caves adorn the area. Tu Lan is considered the most remarkable. To explore the Tu Lan Cave system, tourists must trek through magnificent landscapes, including vast grassy fields, lush green valleys, dense tropical forests, and conquer towering hills. They can even swim across underground rivers in the caves as part of the adventure tour. According to the Quang Binh provincial tourism authority, Tan Hoa received over 63,100 visitors from 2013-2023, most of whom opted to explore Tu Lan Cave while the rest explored Tien Cave. An owner of a homestay in Tan Hoa Village, Truong Thi Hong Nuong, said local residents have become more aware of the importance of professionalism in tourism since their hometown was recognised by UNWTO. In addition to professionalising, they have focused on improving infrastructure and culinary experiences to meet the increasing demands of tourists. Gianmarco D'Alesandro, an Italian tourist said: "We not only got to learn about the culture and people of Tan Hoa, and how they adapt to the weather, but also enjoy the beautiful scenery and many unique dishes with distinct flavours." According to Ho An Phong, vice chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Binh [the provincial government], Tan Hoa is adorned with multiple scenic spots and hospitable locals, contributing to the peaceful countryside with rustic charm. Being honoured as one of the best tourism villages in the world is just the beginning of tourism development in Tan Hoa. This prestigious award provides an opportunity for us to step onto the global stage and gradually become a shining tourist attraction in Viet Nam, Phong said. However, during the process of tourism development, it is crucial for Tan Hoa to preserve the cultural identity of the Vietnamese countryside and avoid disrupting the green living space. Every villager would become an ambassador and guide to introduce the unique identity and culture of the village to tourists." Vocational training centres in the locality will be encouraged to offer courses on foreign languages, cooking skills and hospitality, thereby gradually improving the quality of tourist service, he said. Quang Binh authorities plan to develop Tan Hoa into an exemplary weather-adaptive tourism model in Viet Nam in the future. VNS For instance, in alcohol consumption alone, the countrys consumption of alcoholic beverages increased by an impressive 95 per cent, with wine playing a significant role in this growth. This uptick in alcohol consumption can be largely attributed to the rapid expansion of Vietnams middle class, which is projected to swell to 95 million by 2030. A more sophisticated consumer base, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com Vietnams dining and culinary scene has garnered significant international recognition, marking a pivotal shift in its food and beverage (F&B) market. This transformation began with the arrival of the Michelin Guide in Vietnam, a milestone that placed the countrys dining scene on the global map, along with other regional and international awards for travelling and top restaurants. This influx of talent is enhancing the countrys dining options and indicating a growing interest among tourists in high-end culinary experiences. Concurrently, the local Vietnamese market is becoming increasingly aware and appreciative of the evolving restaurant and dining scene. In parallel, Vietnam has seen a significant increase in 5-star hotel openings, including major international brands like Marriott expanding their presence beyond key cities to more outlying regions. This expansion is not limited to international tourists; it also caters to a growing segment of local Vietnamese travellers. The presence of these luxury hotels is elevating the demand for high-quality ingredients, advanced culinary training, and tech. Looking at the broader impact, these developments are contributing to a more sophisticated and discerning consumer base in Vietnam. Both local consumers and international tourists are experiencing an enhanced variety of F&B options, leading to more refined tastes and preferences. This trend is expected to continue over the next 3-5 years, marking an exciting phase of growth and sophistication in Vietnams F&B industry. The country is poised to not only enrich its own culinary heritage but also to make a substantial impact on the global F&B landscape. On the flip side, we believe that some upcoming trends and innovations in the industry form a crucial part of the market, particularly some topics such as automation, robotics, and sustainable agricultural practices. Sustainability will be a major focus, covering all aspects from packaging to food security. However, we recognise that many trends are short-lived, largely influenced by high social media penetration and a youthful demographic constantly seeking novelty. We advocate for a long-term strategy that balances trend adoption with consistent brand mission engagement. Whether through new menu items, events, or social media content, the goal is to build a strong community around the brand, ensuring authenticity from inception to continuity. A key area of focus is the international recognition of Vietnamese F&B brands, particularly in commodities like coffee and cashew nuts. Traditionally, Vietnamese brands have relied on distributors for global outreach, often resulting in limited brand visibility. To combat this, we emphasise the importance of direct connections and education in global markets. This approach enhances brand recognition and educates consumers about the quality of Vietnamese products. Moreover, the necessity for Vietnamese brands to expand their knowledge of international market dynamics cannot be overstated. Understanding how to effectively collaborate with international brands is crucial for capturing a larger market share. This learning process is vital for brands aiming to establish a strong global presence. A significant emerging trend in Vietnam is the rise of artisanal products. Vietnamese rum, for example, has gained international recognition, winning awards in global competitions. This reflects a broader trend of high-quality artisanal products, including chip brands, wines, and internationally acclaimed coffee and chocolate. These products, emerging from Vietnams rich agricultural resources, are increasingly seeking global exposure. One of our recommendations for Vietnamese businesses is to attend international trade exhibitions, which can offer an excellent opportunity for learning about new products, technologies, and trends Participants value the face-to-face interactions with exhibitors, which facilitate direct knowledge exchange about innovations, business strategies, and market intentions. These interactions are not just informative, but are instrumental in forming strategic partnerships and understanding global market dynamics. A recurring theme in these discussions is the global trends of sustainable and organic food products. While Vietnam has room for development in these areas, participation in international trade shows provides insights into global trends, helping Vietnamese businesses to time their market entry effectively. (*)Janice Lee, event director of FHA - Food & Beverage, Infoma Markets and Jovel Chan Founder, Saigon Social Industrial property to heat up as it takes on neighbours, Photo Le Toan The prospect of reduced profits and the problem of competition in land rental prices are two pressures that threaten the development of the industrial real estate sector in 2024. Alex Crane, managing director of Knight Frank Vietnam, said that capital values rates of operating assets were experiencing downward pressure due to high financing costs, shorter land use terms, and the availability of comparatively cheaper locations across Asia. Capitalisation rates in Vietnam have increased, generally falling within the range of 9-12 per cent, driven by a surplus of new, high-quality ready-built factories (RBF) and ready-built warehousing (RBW) nationwide. This market correction is reminiscent of the first-generation cycle witnessed in the office sector about 15 years ago, Crane said. Despite multiple free trade agreements, rising labour and construction costs are eroding Vietnams cost advantage. While industrial and manufacturing property in Vietnam will continue to be a significant segment, attracting new manufacturers and filling RBFs will present challenges in 2024, Crane said. Crane acknowledged the challenges posed by this development boom, particularly in the greater Ho Chi Minh City area, creating an occupier market with rental pressures averaging at $4.50 and $4.70 per sq.m monthly for the south and north, respectively. While this trend was anticipated, it doesnt inherently pose a risk to the market; it simply keeps costs competitive for occupiers in the near term as the market matures and scales up to compete regionally, particularly against Thailand, Crane said. The year, impacts will come from the introduction of a global minimum tax (GMT) and higher logistics costs on attracting new manufacturers to Vietnam. Independent economist Lam Pham said this may somewhat impact the overall growth momentum of the industrial real estate segment. Preferential policies after the imposition of the GMT will have a strong impact on our business. At the same time, this will also be a factor that significantly affects the calculations of foreign businesses when expanding or pouring new capital into Vietnam, Lam said. Industrial park occupancy rates in the major economic clusters of greater Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City stood at a healthy 78 and 92 per cent, respectively, in 2023. Incoming trends Meanwhile, the RBF/RBW segment is developing rapidly. The field has strongly attracted foreign investment since 2018, with the number of investors quadrupling. In the suburbs of Ho Chi Minh City alone, the supply of RBWs reached 2.1 million sq.m, contributing to creating a market that favours tenants. In just the last three months of the year, the southern region welcomed more than 460,000 sq.m of RBWs developed by BWID, LOGOS, Emergent Capital Partners, and Cainiao. Vietnams industrial real estate market will be shaped by two main shifting trends: the spread of investment capital flows to localities and explosive demand for multi-use RBF/RBWs. Nguyen Van Khoi, chairman of the Vietnam Real Estate Association, said that in the context of the risk of shortage of existing industrial park real estate supply in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the interest of foreign investors in such markets is increasing. These are the driving forces behind a series of projects landing in the provinces of Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Binh Phuoc in the south, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An in the central region, and Haiphong, Hung Yen, and Vinh Phuc in the north, Khoi said. Those tier 2 markets are offering more affordable rentals thanks to abundant land available for rent. Notably, the ability to connect traffic between tier 2 and tier 1 markets is increasingly improving with the formation of motorway systems, ports and airports. In addition, labour costs in the secondary market are also significantly lower than in the primary market, Khoi said. Vu Cuong Quyet, general director of Dat Xanh Mien Bac, said that with coming the strong development of ecommerce, the demand for multi-use RBF/RBWs will explode. In particular, multi-storey and multipurpose warehouses of 7-8 floors will replace single warehouses, Quyet said. The Vietnam E-Commerce Association said that Vietnams e-commerce revenue was estimated to reach $39 billion by 2026. For every $1 billion in e-commerce sales, nearly 93,000 sq.m of specialised warehouse space will be needed to increase storage volume and speed of goods transportation. From there, it is expected that Vietnam will need more than 2.2 million sq.m of warehouse space dedicated to e-commerce by 2026, the association predicted. Emerging segments Vietnam has also committed to spending and investing in infrastructure, and being among the strongest in the region. The data centre market is also poised for transformation, depending on the easing of regulatory barriers and electricity infrastructure. According to Savills Vietnam, Vietnams data centre market is among the fastest growing in the world. Today, the country has 28 data centre projects with a total capacity of 45 MW, from 44 service providers. Currently, most companies participating in Vietnams data centres segment are domestic telecommunications companies such as Viettel IDC, NTT Global Data Centres, FPT Telecom, CMC, HTC Telecom International, and Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT). According to VNPT, the data centre market in Vietnam is ready for a period of stable growth, and is expected to reach just over $1 billion by 2025, a significant increase compared to more than $560 million recorded in 2022. Vietnam currently has around 80 million internet users in 2023, an increase of 8 per cent compared to 2022. Meanwhile, cold storage is a highly attractive market for businesses. The cold storage market is growing and is expected to reach a value of $295 million by 2025, with a growth rate of about 12 per cent per year, according to the Food and Foodstuff Association of Ho Chi Minh City. In the short term, the growth of e-commerce platforms and online shopping habits will lead to increasing pressure on the cold storage market, especially as the national average cold storage occupancy rate reached more than 88 per cent by mid-2023, with large markets such as Ho Chi Minh City, and the provinces of Binh Duong, Long An, and Bac Ninh fluctuating at more than 90 per cent, this association added. Vietnam's industrial property needs to keep up with new investment wave As a new wave of foreign funds flows into Vietnam, the nation's industrial property segment needs to adapt to satisfy the demand. Industrial real estate witnesses robust growth in Q3 Vietnam's industrial real estate sector has shown remarkable signs of growth in the third quarter of 2023, with substantial new project launches contributing significantly to the market. Some companies are opening new stores, while other are aiming to increase product numbers In a 2024 strategy report published by MSB Securities last week, retail is predicted to bounce back, leading the entire market and creating growth momentum for other industry groups. MSB Securities forecasts that the retail industry will record double profit growth in 2024 and may continue to grow by 42 per cent in 2025, but there will be differentiation in each segment. The report noted that consumer goods retail continues to maintain favourable growth momentum. Profits in electronics retail are predicted to triple on average, and purchasing power for non-essential goods is expected to recover by the end of 2024. Furusawa Yasuyuki, general director of AEON Vietnam, predicts that the retail chain will continue to grow in revenue and profit in 2024, but the growth rate will not reach a huge level. AEON struggled to achieve its goals in 2023 after growth of up to 20 per cent in 2022. However, the retailer is still confident that it can accelerate growth as expected with continuous improvements. Cheap prices are not AEONs top priority, Yasuyuki said. We will focus on improving and upgrading sales areas, increasing private label products made in Vietnam according to Japanese standards at reasonable prices, and promoting the Everyday Low Price programme to stimulate demand. Currently, AEON Vietnam is coordinating with suppliers to periodically offer products with the best prices to customers. In addition, the Japanese retailer is developing omnichannel sales and e-commerce services at all its department stores and supermarkets for the diverse needs of customers. Meanwhile, Japanese fashion retailer UNIQLO ended 2023 relatively successfully, with the number of stores quadrupling compared to its first launch in the Vietnamese market at the end of 2019. It now operates 22 stores in four cities and provinces across the country, as well as an online store. Four years of presence in Vietnam has been a wonderful journey for UNIQLO. We will further improve product quality, provide the best shopping experience, and commit to contributing to the long-term development of Vietnam, said Nishida Hideki, general director of UNIQLO Vietnam. In addition to expanding its retail store system, UNIQLO is striving to increase the proportion of Vietnamese-made products at domestic stores by more than half, prioritising customer experience such as implementing automatic payment counters, promoting online sales, and community support activities. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical retail chains have also gained advantages from the ability to open new stores and control sales costs. FPT Retail, the owner of consumer electronics chain stores FPT Shop and pharmacy chain Long Chau, has launched a plan to shorten the profit gap between the two business areas. Last year, the FPT Shop chain showed signs of bottoming out in profits when consumer demand dropped and the price reduction war among electronics businesses lasted throughout the first and second quarters of 2023, causing FPT Shop to suffer losses of about $85,000. Meanwhile, Long Chau Pharmacy has ample room for expansion and increased profits, and is expected to be the main growth driver for FPT Retail. The pharmacy chain currently has nearly 1,500 stores, accounting for 55-60 per cent of market share, with monthly profits of about $126,000. In 2023, FPT Retail recorded accumulated consolidated revenue of $1.34 billion, up 6 per cent over the same period last year. However, due to the impact of a price war involving FPT Shop, FPT Retail is estimated to still have after-tax losses of $95.8 million. An FPT Retail representative confirmed that the business plans to open up to 450 new Long Chau outlets per year in the next two years. In contrast, the retail chain plans to improve the gross profit margin of the FPT Shop electronics chain in 2024 thanks to increasing the proportion of smartphone and other home appliance brand products compared to iPhone products, he said. The representative added that FPT Shop is unlikely to open new stores in the near future, due to the market being saturated. Retail arena maintaining its promise As retailers expand their presence or forge stronger ties with Vietnamese suppliers, there is growing consensus about the untapped promise of Vietnams retail landscape. The investment certificate for the 190-hectare VSIP Ha Tinh (phase 1) was awarded to Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park and Township Development JSC (VSIP JSC), Sembcorps 46.5 per cent-owned joint venture company with Vietnam state-owned enterprise, Becamex IDC Corporation. The in-principle approval to develop VSIP Quang Ngai II, an expansion from the first VSIP Quang Ngai that was established ten years ago, was also received in December. Lee Ark Boon, CEO of Sembcorp Development said, We are pleased to be entrusted with the development of more smart and sustainable industrial parks in Vietnam. The new investment licence for VSIP Ha Tinh adds to the investment licences received earlier this year for VSIP Lang Son and VSIP Nghe An II. With the additional land bank pipeline secured from these projects, we will continue to focus on driving Sembcorp Developments growth in Vietnam. VSIP JSC will proceed to incorporate a wholly owned subsidiary in Vietnam to pursue development activities for VSIP Ha Tinh (phase 1). The incorporation is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2024. T Located in the northern central region, Ha Tinh province is a prospective industrial hub. Currently serving the east-west economic corridor to Laos and northeastern Thailand, Ha Tinh neighbours Nghe An province, which ranks among the top 10 in attracting the largest foreign investments in Vietnam. Ha Tinh has the added advantage of Vung Ang Son Duong Port one of the regions largest natural deep-sea ports to potentially bridge connections from large transshipment ports such as Singapore and Hong Kong. With the port serving provincial and regional activities, manufacturers at VSIP Ha Tinh can tap into the planned cargo consolidation point and international logistics hub, replacing the need for goods to be transported via the country's northern ports. German group to invest $1.6 billion stainless steel plant in Ha Tinh VFT Industry UG plans to invest 1.5 billion ($1.57 billion) in building a stainless steel plant in the central province of Ha Tinh. Singapore's Sembcorp spends $160 million to acquire majority stakes in Gelex's subsidiaries On November 10, Sembcorp Industries (Sembcorp) announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sembcorp Solar Vietnam Pte Ltd, has reached an agreement to acquire majority interests ranging from 73 per cent to 100 per cent in various subsidiaries of Gelex Group Joint Stock Company (Gelex). On January 3, Quang Tri Department of Planning and Investment said that it had sent a document to Quang Tri People's Committee seeking opinions on the potential capital contribution and share purchase. Two foreign companies, namely Taiwan's Shinfox Energy Co., Ltd. and Singapore's Camellia Energy Pte., Ltd., have expressed their intention to contribute capital to two solar power projects in the locality. Each company wants to invest VND122.5 billion ($5.2 million) in Gio Thanh Energy JSC, the investor in the Gio Thanh 1 Solar Power Plant, accounting for 35 per cent of the charter capital. This would mean that foreign companies would account for 70 per cent of Gio Thanh Energy's charter capital if the deal is approved. Gio Thanh 1 Solar Power Plant is located in Gio Linh district. The project was completed in December 2020, covering an area of 65 hectares. With total capital of VND1.12 trillion ($47.3 million), the project has a capacity of 50MWp. Six wind energy projects in Huong Hoa district have also sought approval to sell from 50 to 100 per cent ownership to foreign partners. Among them, Khe Sanh Wind Power JSC, the investor behind the Amaccao Quang Tri 1 Wind Farm project, proposed to transfer a 50 per cent stake. The prospective parties include the Hong Kong-based CNNC Overseas International Investment Ltd. and Zhongyuan Foreign Engineering Co. Ltd., headquartered in Beijing. Meanwhile, Sembcorp Solar Vietnam, under Sembcorp Group, is interested in purchasing stakes worth VND710 billion ($30 million) in Huong Phung Wind Power Co., the owner of the Huong Phung 2 and 3 plants, as well as taking over Gelex Quang Tri Energy Co., which owns the Gelex 1, 2, and 3 plants, for VND1.27 trillion ($53.6 million). SCGP completes acquisition of 70 per cent stake in Starprint Vietnam On December 18, Thailands consumer packaging solutions provider SCG Packaging (SCGP) announced that it has acquired a 70 per cent stake in Starprint Vietnam JSC, a packaging manufacturer with key customer bases. Khe Sanh Wind Power proposes over 50 per cent foreign stake in Quang Tri Wind Farm Quang Tri People's Committee has reportedly received a proposal from Khe Sanh Wind Power JSC, the investor behind the Amaccao Quang Tri 1 Wind Farm project. The communication outlines plans for a significant shift in the company's shareholding structure, with a proposal to transfer a portion of its shares to a newly established Vietnamese company with over 50 per cent foreign ownership. Picture source: www.bitbon.space Virtual assets are a relatively new concept, sporadically being defined worldwide. For instance, virtual assets defined by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) refer to any digital representation of value (excluding fiat currencies) that can be digitally traded, transferred, or used for payment. As another example, the Financial Services and Markets Regulations define virtual assets as digital representation of value which can be digitally traded and functions as a medium of exchange and/or a unit of account and/or a store of value without having legal tender status in any jurisdiction Thai Gia Han, associate (left), and Nguyen Trung Nghia, legal assistant from Indochine Counsel In Vietnam, virtual assets, Bitcoin, and other similar virtual currencies were determined to be neither a type of money nor a legal means of payment. The use of illegal means of payment will be subject to administrative sanctions or criminal prosecution for more serious acts. Currently, the Vietnamese legal system does not have specific regulations regarding the recognition of virtual assets as one of the legitimate properties. The Civil Code 2015 only stipulates that property comprises objects, money, valuable papers and property rights and does not provide a clear answer to whether virtual assets are considered property or not. Distinguishing virtual assets and similar types In actuality, virtual asset and digital asset are occasionally used synonymously. To clarify their nature, we will contrast them with other types of cryptocurrencies and digital currencies based on the following precise criteria: Type of Asset Definition Purpose of Use Common Manifestation Virtual Asset As described in Section Overview above Means of exchange Utilized for transactions, transfers, payments, or investments Security Means of payment Special Good Digital Asset Any physical or non-physical assets are represented in digital format and stored on computer systems or the Internet As blockchain technology advances, digital assets are defined as electronic records confirming the rights or interests of an individual Broader than the virtual asset definition, as it encompasses virtual assets and other types. Being used for confirming the rights or interests of an individual A digital asset shall be considered as a virtual asset if it is used for transactions, transfers, payments or investments, etc. Documents, images, videos Digital books Digital assets on the Blockchain such as digital currencies, virtual currencies, etc. Virtual Currency/ Crypto currency A type of virtual asset Having the characteristics of currency but is not tied to fiat currency; and no legality as currency due to lack of issuance by central bank or competent authority Being used and accepted as a payment method by individual or legal entity in a specific environment Means of exchange Conversion / transfer and storage Transaction through electronic method Bitcoin Ethereum Binance Coin Tether Solana Electronic Currency Encompassing all types of currency do not exist in any physical form Because of issuance by the State Bank, it may manifest in digital or electronic forms of fiat currency and exchange for fiat currency at one-to-one rate Utilized for transfer the value of the fiat currency Used for exchange and payment Store value, medium of exchange and unit of account The currency value is stored in: Pre-paid bank card E-wallet Mobile electronic devices Bitcoin Robbery and legal validity Vietnam In May 2023, the Peoples Court in Ho Chi Minh City adjudicated a criminal case related to the robbery of virtual currencies with a total value of up to 37 billion VND. Accordingly, the trial council asserted that although Vietnamese law has not accepted Bitcoin as currency or a means of payment, the act of robbing Bitcoin constitutes an offence. This is because the assessment of its value in terms of money a type of property, can be easily accomplished by an appraisal agency, implying that the economic value held by those who own it cannot be denied. Furthermore, from a theoretical perspective, robbery is a crime with formal components, meaning it constitutes a crime with objective signs of being a dangerous behaviour for society. From their behaviour, the accused were fully aware that using force to control the victim, and subsequently seizing Bitcoin constituted behaviour detrimental to society. The accused committed acts aimed at misappropriating Bitcoin, and subjectively, they perceived this virtual currency as property as the accused sold Bitcoin to convert it into VND and used it collectively. Therefore, the perspective of the trial council is entirely justified and reasonable. Recommendations For conformity with the remarkable advancements in international law, it is necessary to recognise the legal validity of virtual assets in Vietnam. This is because, fundamentally, virtual assets share similarities with property rights that are held in monetary value, transferred in civil transactions, and governed by individuals. In essence, virtual assets are merely representations of information that have in the form of specific computer code that exhibit a unity of intrinsic and outward characteristics. Accordingly, ownership rights cannot be directly exercised, and these rights can only be realised through the monetary value of the virtual assets, which is not dissimilar to intellectual property rights (intangible in nature) recognised as a property right in Vietnam. Pending further actions by policymakers on the recognition of virtual assets, several recommendations are offered to provide a legitimate legal framework. Firstly, the state agencies need to take initial steps to review and assess the current state of virtual assets in Vietnam. This is to identify their responsibilities and establish suitable mechanisms for control and risk mitigation. Continuing with the analysis, disputes arising from virtual assets fall outside the scope of Vietnamese law regulation. Therefore, the State Bank of Vietnam needs to collaborate with specialised agencies to establish regulations on the definition, legal validity, dispute resolution mechanisms, etc. to recognise virtual assets and transactions related to virtual assets. Thirdly, due to the intangible nature of virtual assets, they easily become tools for fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion, etc. Therefore, state authorities must establish special control mechanisms by categorising the virtual asset business sector as conditional business lines, allowing operations only with the issuance of licences. The Vietnamese government is taking steps to establish a legal framework for virtual assets, which will help dismantle initial legal barriers and facilitate the development of this asset class. However, it is important to note that virtual assets come with various risks, and it is crucial to manage and regulate them effectively to prevent potential challenges. ECB calls for global regulation of cryptocurrencies A senior European Central Bank official called Monday for global regulation of cryptocurrencies as the virtual assets are now bigger than the risky mortgage loans behind the 2007 global financial crisis and show signs of being a bubble. Questions arise over lack of regulations on cloning pets By Jung Da-hyun The debate on animal cloning is heating up after a YouTuber uploaded a video featuring genetic clones of her previous dog, which died a year ago. However, there are currently no legal regulations addressing this issue. The YouTuber, whose channel has 200,000 subscribers and typically features content about her dog, Tico, posted a video titled "Our Puppy is Back," Monday. According to the video, she commissioned a company to create multiple clones of her dog, Tico, after it died in an accident. It also highlighted her satisfaction with the two cloned dogs. In the video, she expressed her hope that the public would learn about pet cloning through her case and mentioned that she wants to help others, who are coping with the grief of losing beloved pets. However, the video stirred debate on the ethical implications of cloning animals, drawing criticism even from fellow dog owners. I understand the YouTubers sorrow, but it is unacceptable to clone a dog. Dogs cannot express their intentions, and her actions appear to exploit these animals, said an office worker named Gong You-jin, who has had a pet dog for 11 years. Choi Ri-ah, a graduate student who has been owned her pet dog for nearly a decade, voiced concerns about the potential mistreatment of the cloned dogs. The video features the successful cloning of two dogs, but my worry extends to the possibility of problems arising for the less identical one, such as being abandoned or subjected to negligent treatment, she said. The Korea Animal Rights Advocates (KARA) pointed out the lack of a proper protection system for animals, noting that at least 10 dogs are used to create one cloned dog. As an invasive procedure of cutting a female dog's stomach to collect eggs is necessary for cloning, KARA raised concerns about proper post-surgery care and treatment transparency. The ethical implications of using multiple animals to create a single clone have also been raised as a significant concern. The process of cloning involves modifying several animals, with only one selected while the rest are discarded, which stirs controversy and ethical debate, said Park Jong-moo, a veterinarian. The lack of transparency in the cloning process has also drawn concerns, given that all organizations involved in animal cloning operate within the public sector. Jung Jin-a from the Korean Animal Welfare Association (KAWA) emphasized the necessity of an animal ethics committee to oversee procedures such as cloning. However, the challenge in identifying the laboratories currently engaged in such experiments makes it difficult to judge the ethical aspects of animal cloning procedures. Under the current law, the Bioethics and Safety Act only applies to human beings. While there are laws regulating experiments on animals, cloning for commercial purposes, as seen in the YouTuber's case, falls outside the regulatory scope. Although there are benefits of animal cloning technology, such as the conservation of endangered species, regulations specifically targeting the commercial cloning of animals are needed, said Han Joo-hyun, a lawyer who also advocates for animal rights. The website of the company that created the clones of the YouTuber's dog is currently inaccessible. As 2023 goes down in the history books, it will be remembered for its international conflicts, rapid technological advancements and the natural disasters and wildfires that impacted much of North America. But the highlights and lowlights will depend on a persons place in the world, and our role as a small-town newspaper is to document the happenings in the place you care about most. In todays issue, were revisiting a handful of the events that defined Wahoos and Saunders Countys 2023. County sees new sheriff In January, Chris Lichtenberg of Cedar Bluffs was sworn in as the countys first new sheriff in more than 15 years, after former sheriff Kevin Stukenholtz announced he would not run for re-election. Lichtenberg won the race for the position in 2022, beating out Curt Prohaska of Prague. Lichtenberg brought with him a decorated resume, having served as the Cedar Bluffs fire chief, police chief and chairman of the Cedar Bluffs Village Board. Law enforcement is truly something I enjoy, Lichtenberg told the Fremont Tribune early last year. I enjoy helping people. Solar farm project nears completion In eastern Saunders County, construction began on a 500-acre solar farm, and by the end of the year, much of the construction work had been completed. By May 2024, the solar farm is expected to deliver 81 megawatts of electricity to the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) grid. The three sites or pods chosen for the project are located between county roads L and J and county roads 5 and 7. The project faced heavy public opposition from the start, with many people speaking out about the solar farms location, environmental impact and general alignment with the countys land use goals. But the county board voted unanimously in May 2021 to approve the conditional use permit needed for the project to begin. The boards approval of the project led to the 2021 recall of the county boards chairperson, Doris Karloff, who represented Yutans district and had served on the board since 1985. Karloffs family was among the landowners who signed up to lease land for the solar farm. Over the course of 30 years, the solar farm is expected to generate more than $9 million in tax revenues for the county and Yutan Public Schools. AltEn cleanup makes progress Also in rural Saunders County, cleanup continued on the former site of the AltEn plant near Mead, where contaminated seed corn was used to make ethanol. That process led to an environmental disaster, and the company was ordered by the state to shut down in 2019. Now, the so-called AltEn Facility Response Group, is tasked with cleaning up the mess. In May and June, construction debris, pallets and trash were removed from the massive storage buildings at the AltEn site. And in August, Atlanta-based environmental group NewFields announced its plan to remove 24,000 tons of contaminated wet distillers grain or wet cake from the property and relocate it to a landfill near Bennington. There existed 115,000 tons of the wet cake when the removal program launched in August. Before being transported, the wet cake was to be mixed with bentonite, which solidifies the waste and decreases chances of free liquids that could cause further contamination. The removal program got off to a rocky start due to supply chain issues causing delays in securing bentonite, but just over 10,000 tons of the waste was sent to the landfill before the AFRG paused work for the winter months (the cold weather makes the waste more difficult to mix with other materials). Work is to resume in the spring. Raymond Central bond issue fails In the Raymond Central school district, a bond issue failed that would have consolidated the districts students onto its central site campus, which would have necessitated the construction of a new elementary school and improvements at the existing middle school and high school building. If the bond was approved, the districts elementary schools in Valparaiso and Ceresco would have closed. That fate, along with the bonds $41.8 million price tag, were major sticking points for voters who ultimately shot the bond down, with 1,691 people voting against and 687 people voting in favor. Housing projects break ground In Wahoo proper, ground was broken on two new Wahoo housing developments, both located on the north side of town. In May, the 91-lot North Highlands subdivision was introduced on land south and east of the Wahoo water tower. Then, in November, JEO Consulting Group cut the ribbon on its new subdivision, Wilmer Ridge, which includes 70 residential units and four acres designated for commercial use. Developers of both projects are bullish on Wahoos growth prospects, as are city leaders. I think more people are seeing us now, Wahoo Mayor Jerry Johnson said in November. Theyre hearing that were building houses, and that word is spreading. And as in all years, Wahoo was a haven for community events, including the Saunders County Fair, Merry Market and Christmas in Wahooville. Editors note: Thank you for following along with the Wahoo Newspaper in 2023. Theres sure to be much in store for Wahoo and Saunders County in 2024, and well be right here, telling the stories as they happen. A Lincoln man was charged this past week with defrauding the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services of more than $25,000 in public benefits, according to court records. Sampson Npimnee, 57, is accused of receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits since 2018 while withholding information about self-employment, investigators with DHHS said in the affidavit for Npimnee's arrest. Npimnee was granted $25,867 in SNAP benefits formerly known as food stamps. He is being charged with fraud to obtain assistance and theft by deception of more than $5,000; both counts are felonies. In January 2019, the NDHHS Special Investigations Unit received a complaint that Npimnee failed to report working for a trucking company and owning a small grocery store, according to the affidavit. Between 2017 and 2022, there were 11 SNAP applications, and none of them reported self-employment. Investigators said four applications were denied, and the other seven were approved. Investigators attempted to meet with Npimnee to discuss his bank accounts and businesses. Officials say Npimnee told them he was not making money from his grocery store. He agreed to meet with investigators after a monthlong trip to Africa but never did. Npimnee was arrested last week and is being held at the Lancaster County jail. The Journal Star's most memorable photos of 2023 WATERLOO A downtown strip club has reached an agreement with the city of Waterloo after officials declared the establishment a public nuisance. Flirts Gentlemans Club, located at 319 Jefferson St., had been placed on reduced hours in October after the city claimed the business was a hazard because of past shootings and fights. City officials said Flirts needed to install walk-through metal detectors and take other steps under a prior agreement. Charmed LLC, which operates Flirts, sought an injunction to restore its hours pending the court case, arguing it was already using handheld metal detectors and added lights and other remedies that had abated the problems. Shortly after a late December hearing, Charmed and the city reached a consent decree under which the business will install a walk-through metal detector to be used after 9 p.m. and post signs declaring Flirts a weapons-free area. Flirts will also maintain surveillance videos for 30 days, and staff will take de-escalation training and deny entry to people who have engaged in violent behavior around the property. Staff will also deny entry to anyone 30 minutes before closing and anyone under the influence. 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. WATERLOO One person has been arrested in the death of an elderly man who was assaulted outside a Waterloo grocery store in 2022. Police arrested Luttreal Dwayne Allen, 50, on a charge of second-degree murder Wednesday. Bond was set at $500,000 during an initial court appearance on Thursday morning. Authorities allege Allen punched Ibrahim Lagumdzic, who then fell onto the pavement of the Hometown Foods parking lot at 1010 E. Mitchell Ave. in March 2022. Lagumdzic, 72, died months later. Allen was initially charged with willful injury in the case but the state later dismissed the case. Allens arrest on the murder charge came hours after prosecutors dropped a perjury case against Allens wife, Ecstasy Marshall, who was with him in the parking lot during the incident. According to court records and testimony at Marshalls trial, Marshall and Lagumdzic had a prior argument years before he died. Officer Meho Suljic said he was called to the grocery store in May 2020 for a report of an assault after Lagumdzic reportedly struck Marshall with his cane. Marshall told the officer she was upset with Lagumdzics driving, especially when there were children in the parking lot. Suljic said it appeared Marshall had spoken with Lagumdzic about his driving and Lagumdzics response was that children shouldnt be playing in the parking lot. Authorities said Lagumdzic was arrested for assaulting Marshall, but The Courier wasnt able to find any record of his arrest in court papers. Almost two years later, on March 7, 2022, both Marshall and Lagumdzic were at Hometown Foods in an apparent random encounter. A video surveillance camera from the store entrance caught part of what happened next, although the significant portion happened off camera. Both Marshall and Lagumdzic left the store at about the same time with Lagumdzic going right to his minivan in the handicapped parking spot off screen. Marshall headed left toward her white passenger car. She loaded her groceries into the vehicle. Allen then exited her vehicle and headed to the right, where Lagumdzics van was parked. Allen then apparently called over to Marshall, who walked toward the van and remained on the edge of the screen until both she and Allen returned to her vehicle. A passing Iowa Lottery employee who was leaving the store noticed the unconscious Lagumdzic on the ground and snapped a photo of Marshalls vehicle driving past him and exiting the parking lot. Paramedics took Lagumdzic to MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center where doctors found several broken bones in his upper nose with hemorrhaging and swelling in the frontal lobe of his brain, according to court records. Investigators were able to identify Marshalls car by the license plate. Days later, she gave a sworn statement denying she witnessed an assault, according to Detective Kyle Jurgensen. Her account didnt match the video evidence, Jurgensen said. She was claiming she had no idea there was an assault, Jurgensen said. The following month, in April 2022, police arrested Allen for assault causing serious injury. But by August 2022, prosecutors moved to dismiss the case with the option of reinstating it because more time was needed to interview witnesses. Meanwhile, Lagumdzic remained unconscious for several weeks, intubated and unable to breathe on his own. He became semi-conscious but wasnt able to move his extremities or communicate, only able to move his eyes, according to court records. He was later transported to Select Specialty Hospital in Des Moines. He died on Aug. 27, 2022, of complications of blunt force head trauma, according to his death certificate. Medical examiners ruled the death a homicide. Marshall was charged with perjury in connection with the sworn statement. Testimony in her trial began Tuesday in Black Hawk County District Court. On Thursday, prosecutors and the defense reached an agreement and dismissed the case. Court records show Allen has a prior conviction in a December 2014 fight and stabbing at a Broadway Street convenience store. He is also awaiting trial for allegedly threatening a supervisor and damaging his car after he was terminated from Tysons Fresh Meats in December 2020. A dozen cities set youth curfews this year, even though they don't reduce crime A dozen cities set youth curfews this year, even though they don't reduce crime WATERLOO A firefighter rescued a dog Wednesday night submerged in water and clinging to thin ice on a George Wyth State Park lake, according to Battalion Chief Ben Petersen. Waterloo Fire Rescue responded at about 8 p.m. to the incident. The German Shepherd had been training with its owner off leash before getting away and was eventually found approximately 30 feet out on Fisher Lake. The dog was half submerged in the approximately 3- to 4-feet deep of water and hanging onto the half- to quarter-inch thick ice shelf with its front paws, said Petersen. After being exposed to the extremely cold water for about a half hour, Petersen said the dog, estimated to be about 60 pounds, had signs of hypothermia and was rewarmed upon returning to shore. Petersen said first responders recommended to the owner that the pet be checked out further by a veterinarian. The firefighter retrieved the dog by getting in a rescue suit, getting out on the ice and bringing the animal back to shore with a catching pole. The weather outside was approximately 30 degrees at the time of rescue. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung is smoothly recovering following surgery to repair a major vein in his neck after he was stabbed in a knife attack earlier this week, a surgeon who operated on the politician said Thursday. Lee, the chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), was attacked by a 67-year-old man, surnamed Kim, who posed as an autograph seeker Tuesday morning during Lee's public event in the southeastern city of Busan. "Lee is recovering smoothly but requires continued observation due to concerns over additional infection and post-surgery complications due to the injury he suffered," Min Seung-kee from Seoul National University Hospital told a news press briefing. The professor, who is in the hospital's vascular surgery unit, mentioned that Lee had a wound about 1.4 centimeters in length but was fortunate not to suffer any damage to the artery, surrounding cerebral nerve or airway. Min also said it is customary for the patient to stay in the intensive care unit first, as vein reconstruction can lead to more bleeding or other complications, such as blood clots. Lee is now in a general ward. Earlier, police revealed that Kim had confessed to intending to kill Lee and that he had plotted his attack alone. However, his motive remains unknown. A district in Busan held a hearing Thursday to determine whether to formally arrest Kim on charges of attempted murder. A decision on whether to approve his detention is expected to come late Thursday night or early Friday. When asked about his motive by reporters before attending the hearing, Kim said that he had submitted an eight-page note explaining his reasons to the police. (Yonhap) Over the last few months, I have been writing a series of articles on what we can learn from leaders in different sectors about how to build a better West of Ireland. I interviewed Pat ODonnell about multinational companies; Enda Kenny about politics; Georgia MacMillan about big transformative ideas; Monica Morley about the future for the Catholic Church; Lorraine Burnell about leading a successful SME, and Lisa Hallinan about running a highly successful and community focused commemoration festival. What common themes emerged from all those different experiences and focuses? What really matters for the future of the West? The starting point was always people, people, people: whether working in or leading multinational businesses, or delivering for customers in SMEs, or in making the case for the West in submissions or proposals, or in delivering the highest quality artistic and cultural events, or changing the way the Catholic Church operates, the quality of people and the work they do is vital. What we do has to be professional and as good as is to be found anywhere. Old methods and old ways that dont serve us must be left behind. The quality of life we offer remains a big draw. That involves an easy commute and an attractive standard of living, of course, but increasingly central is the kind of social and cultural infrastructure where Georgia MacMillan, Lisa Hallinan and Monica Morley have been showing leadership. The business leaders I interviewed for this series confirmed that. If we dont continue to create a region which is socially and culturally vibrant, as well as environmentally aware and sustainable, we will not only be diminishing that quality of life, but damaging our ability to earn our way in the real world. For all those working on developing community, artistic and sporting facilities, the lesson is clear: as well as all the other benefits, the economic case for these is clear, tangible and growing. High standards are key to everything. As Pat ODonnell explained, multinationals in the West brought high standards in production, which then had to be met and were met by local supplier firms. Industry standards in the SME sector, as Lorraine Burnell explained, are vital to business success in the West of Ireland, requiring business leaders to be self-reflective all the time and to be prepared to change, to do things differently, and to do them better. And Lisa Hallinan confirmed that professional standards in delivering on a community-inspired programme of events are at the heart of cultural practice too. In the world of politics, Enda Kenny explained that the very highest standards must be met when making submissions for infrastructural, economic or social funding, and that it is hard for any politician to influence effectively without that high level of professionalism from people on the ground, in our communities. A key point about these high standards is that they spread into other areas as people then put their energies into social and community life, or into founding new enterprises. Networking matters a lot. Lorraine Burnell and Pat ODonnell both described how important networking is to stay ahead in business and know what is coming down the track, and how thats especially important when you are in business in the West, far from the metropolitan centres. As Lisa Hallinan demonstrated in Ballina 2023, well-networked people can deliver much for projects here. While Monica Morley might not have used the term networking, the synodal process she described in the life of that church will rely on well-connected people operating across traditional parish and diocesan lines, delivering pastoral and liturgical services to where they are needed. In terms of infrastructural investment, it is clear we need to be very strategic in what we look for. Our level of connectivity whether on the internet or road and rail is crucial. That is for business reasons, but also so that we are connected to the latest trends in culture, art, and science. That to me was the big learning from the interview with Georgia MacMillan about the Dark Skies project, which is positioning Mayo as a place where the cutting edge is being discussed, a place that is central to major ideas, not disconnected from them. We need more of those big ideas keep looking up at the stars everyone! In making the case for further investment or to advance new initiatives or ideas, the argument must be about potential and not grievance. It is in this language not of the poor mouth but of potential based on track record that we should root our advocacy for greater investment in our region. And to do that best, as Enda Kenny explained, we need leaders of all kinds who can make that argument effectively in the context of national policies. This form of leadership and advocacy is much more important than any notion we might have of the traditional Chieftain returning from Dublin with their spoils. Finding ways to support such leaders, especially when they come from the social, voluntary or community sectors, either through administrative funding or through leadership and development training would be a great investment. We need to support and encourage the people who are leading such efforts in whatever way we can and perhaps employ a method that private enterprises use, of finding early-stage good ideas and then backing them through various forms of investment. An example of this is how Ballina will see the benefits from Ballina 2023 for years to come, as those involved go on to do further great things in all sorts of areas. The Catholic Church needs such investment in potential leaders, but as Monica Morley points out, if you create the right conditions for people to contribute, they will step up and do it, regardless of what role outdated social norms had previously suggested they play. Creating an inclusive society in every way is crucial to that. Four of the six interviewed for this series were women, a reflection on the changing dynamic of leadership that old way of doing things is over and every organisation should embrace this wave of change by getting a surfboard and jumping on it. We also need to be clear-eyed. People wont shop local simply because they are local - those days are over. What keeps money being spent locally, is the same as what allows us to compete globally and based around the principle that Lorraine Burnell outlined, that we have to be as good and better as anywhere else. We also need to do what Ballina 2023 was designed to do: increase civic pride about who we are and where were from. That has to be built from the ground up, as was done in Ballina 2023, as is being done in the synodal process in the Catholic Church and is evident in the way Georgia MacMillan and the Dark Skies team are creating support for their big idea. All those things together create for me the strongest theme emerging from the interviews: all the great things that are placing Mayo at the centre and not at the periphery of events, ideas, and practices. Finally, what is clear from this series is that we need leaders who can advocate, lead and inspire. I am very grateful to the six who gave their time to me to give that example. http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/73205 Visit to Vishnevsky Central Military Clinical Hospital I think that the realisation is starting to dawn on them, and the rhetoric is changing: those who were talking just yesterday about the need to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia are now looking for the right words on how to quickly end the conflict. We also want to end the conflict, as quickly as possible, but only on our terms. We have no desire to fight endlessly, but we are not going to cede our positions either. You fought there, you were wounded there; are we going to surrender everything now? The cameras are on, otherwise, I would make a certain gesture here now: you all know what kind of gesture it is. So, it is not going to happen. Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (3 January 2024) The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation. In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces supported by artillery repelled one attack of assault groups of the AFU 115th Mechanised Brigade close to Sinkovka (Kharkov region). In addition, strikes were delivered at AFU manpower near Ivanovka and Sinkovka (Kharkov region). The enemys losses amounted to more than 35 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, and one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system. In Krasny Liman direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces units and artillery hit clusters of AFU manpower and hardware near Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk Peoples Republic), and Serebryansky forestry. The enemy has lost up to 40 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, as well as one D-30 howitzer. In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by operational-tactical aviation and artillery inflicted fire damage on AFU manpower and hardware near Bogdanovka, Krasnoye, Kleshcheyevka Andreyevka, and Kurdyumovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic). The enemy losses in this direction amounted to more than 310 Ukrainian military personnel, one tank, two U.S.-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, three armoured fighting vehicles, nine motor vehicles, one Msta-B howitzer, one D-20 and one D-30 howitzers, as well as one electronic warfare station. In South Donetsk direction, the Vostok Group of Forces units, aviation, and artillery repelled three attacks of assault groups of the AFU 127th Territorial Defence Brigade close to Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region). In addition, enemy manpower and hardware have been hit near Novomikhailovka and Urozhaynoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic). Up to 115 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three pick-up trucks, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system have been eliminated. In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery inflicted losses on manpower of AFU 65th, 118th mechanised, 128th mountain assault brigades close to Rabotino, Verbovoye, and Lukyanovskoye (Zaporozhye region). The enemy losses amounted to up to 55 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles. In Kherson direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery inflicted losses on AFU manpower one the right bank of the Dnepr River near Tyaginka, Ivanovka, Sadovoye, and Tokarevka(Kherson region). Up to 50 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, one Buk-M1 anti-aircraft missile launcher, and one D-20 howitzer were destroyed. Missile Troops and Artillery, as well as UAVs of the Russian Group of Forces have engaged one hangar with aircraft munitions, one ST-68 radar station for detecting and tracking low-altitude targets, deployment points of foreign mercenaries and the Kharkovshchyna national formation close to Kharkov, 89 artillery units in firing positions, manpower, and military hardware in 134 areas. Air defence forces have intercepted eight Tochka-U missiles, two S-200 anti-aircraft missiles converted to hit ground targets, as well as 34 HIMARS, Olkha, and Vampire MLRS projectiles during the day. In addition, 15 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down close to Energodar, Mirnoye (Zaporozhye region), Zolotaryovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Gorlovka, Peski, Spornoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic), and Novaya Kakhovka (Kherson region). In total, 565 airplanes and 263 helicopters, 10,367 unmanned aerial vehicles, 446 air defence missile systems, 14,447 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,194 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 7,618 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 17,040 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. Tags: WtR Later this year, Winona area residents will have a brand new space where they can receive assistance from Winona Volunteer Services. Construction on the organization's new facility is expected to conclude in mid-2024, with the clothing shop and new food shelf space expected to open fully at the end of May. I think it's going great, Winona Volunteer Services executive director Sandra Burke said about the construction project. "There's been a couple of hiccups along the way, but that's to be expected, she said. Winona Volunteer Services has worked well with Wieser Bros. to make the project happen, Burke said. Work right now is focused on inside finishes, she said, and workers are preparing to paint the ceilings. Soon, sheet rock will be put up for the buildings office spaces. It just looks massive, Burke said. The new space will include room for all of the organizations services under one roof, which will replace three separate buildings the organization uses now. The Catholic Charities Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, which will offer its services at Faith Lutheran Church this tax season, also will move into the new facility. Winona Volunteer Services will completely take over the VITA program once it moves, said Sue Degallier, director of active aging programs at Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota. It's a grant-funded program through the state of Minnesota, and the grant was up this year anyway, Degallier said. And so we worked with Volunteer Services for them to take over that grant. Catholic Charities will continue to support the volunteers involved in VITA, though, with its AmeriCorps Seniors program, Degallier said. Volunteers and staff will share a lounge in the facility. We're all very excited. I know my staff and I just relish every time we see something new happen or walk through that space," Burke said. "It will be a nice place for not only our volunteers to volunteer at, but certainly for the clients who need our services," she said. "They'll know that there's a nice place to go to and receive the help. The group's existing locations needed large, expensive upgrades, so the organization decided to build new. Staff is expected to move into the new building starting in April. The old building is located next to the construction and will be torn down to offer a location for a parking lot. The food shelf will be open during this tear down time but will likely function in April and May similarly to how it did during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Burke said. An exact plan has not yet been determined yet. Donations for the food shelf will still be accepted throughout this time. Once opened, the new food shelf space is expected to offer a smooth process for clients who need its services. The food shelf will also offer new features, like an awning to help people feel more comfortable while waiting outside. Burke believes the new facility will be able to better meet the needs of the growing amount of food shelf visitors each month. The organization is working to develop a plan for when the clothes shop will begin accepting donations again. The new clothes shop is expected to open at the end of May. Winona Volunteer Services is excited to reopen the clothes shop, Burke said. We've learned that many, many, many people truly appreciated what we offered through the clothes shop," she said. People looking to donate to the food shelf or the clothes shop will have a smoother donation process when the new facility opens, as there will be an area for people to drive up to and drop off their items. Fundraising Winona Volunteer Services set a fundraising goal of $4.8 million for its new facility. The organization is quickly approaching that goal, Burke said. The group is close to completing a $150,000 challenge grant from Otto Bremer Trust. After that is completed, the organization will have less than $350,000 left to raise. Burke hopes people will see donating toward the goal as a way to invest in the community and into resources they may one day need if something unexpected happens in their lives. People are welcome to stop by Winona Volunteer Services to learn more about the services available and to learn why the new facility will benefit the organization, Burke said. To learn more about or to donate to the organization and its new facility, visit www.winonavs.org. A teenager was taken to a local hospital with non-serious injuries on Monday night after the vehicle the teen was driving crashed into a train on Fletcher Road near Burnett Street. The crashed occurred about 8:30 p.m., Jeremiah Johnson, public information officer for the Beaver Dam Police Department, said in a press release. The initial investigation determined the vehicle failed to stop at a marked railroad crossing and collided with the moving train. The accident was still under investigation, Johnson said. The train, which had hazardous materials on board, stopped immediately, blocking all lanes on Highway 151, and traffic was diverted for about one hour, Johnson said. After railroad employees conducted a safety inspection, the train was able to move away from the scene. No hazardous materials were released, and there was no threat to the public. The Beaver Dam Police Department was assisted by the Dodge County Sheriffs Office, the Beaver Dam Auxiliary Police Department, the Dodge County Emergency Response Team and the Beaver Dam Fire Department. Red Cross says it's seeing a critically low blood supply but we're not seeing that locally here yet. Vitalant, which handles blood donations in Northern Nevada, says they're aware of the blood shortages across the country. But they're hopeful blood drives they have scheduled for this week will help ward off a deeper emergency here. "We have some blood drives in place that if they're successful we're hoping we can avoid at least that local designation but we're definitely needing people to be proactive, says Scott Edward/Senior Recruitment Manager, Vitalant. They're hoping to collect 3,000 units of blood this month. The 38th annual 'All Reno Radio Blood Drive' is happening this Wednesday and Thursday in the Paradise Room at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa. Donors can show up between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. either day. Anyone interested can make an appointment online or by phone by calling 775-329-6451. Walk-ins will also be welcome. Vitalant needs every blood type this winter, especially type O blood, which is often used for emergencies and life-saving surgeries. Just one unit of blood can save up to three lives. Only about 3% of the U.S. population donates blood each year, said Scott Edward, senior donor recruitment manager for Vitalant. In northern Nevada we need at least 150 points of blood a day to care for patients at the 22 hospitals we serve in the region. All donors will receive a pair of Reno Aces tickets, a one-topping pizza from My Pie, a Port of Subs sandwich, a Vitalant I bleed Silver and Blue t-shirt, and entry into several radio station raffles. Additionally, one lucky donor will receive an Atlantis Staycation Package, which includes a one-night stay and a $100 dining certificate. To make an appointment, click on the link below - We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Han Dong-hoon pledges to express gratitude to Gwangju through policies, budgets and administrative work By Nam Hyun-woo Han Dong-hoon, the new interim leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), sought to strengthen the conservative partys footing in the liberal strongholds of Gwangju and the surrounding Jeolla provinces, Thursday, promising that his party will express its gratitude to the regions through policies by using its power as the ruling party. The PPP and I have a sense of deep gratitude to and respect for the citizens of Gwangju and the Jeolla provinces, Han said during a New Year greeting with the PPPs regional members in Gwangju, noting that the region fought to defend the countrys democracy through a pro-democratic uprising in the city that began on May 18, 1980, after Chun Doo-hwan took power of the country in a military coup. And this is not just rhetoric because we are the ruling party. I promise you that the PPP will express its gratitude and respect through policies, budgets and administrative work. Han toured Gwangju and other cities in Koreas southwest as part of his campaign to amass the partys clout in the region, following criticism that he faces limitations in expanding the PPPs influence to liberal or moderate voters as he has thus far found favor predominantly among conservative voters. Though we may be the minority (in Gwangju), we should not confine ourselves to it, Han said. We should address the disappointments that this region had with past administrations We should showcase how we should use our power (as the ruling party) to make life better for our citizens and the country. Han promised that he will attend the centennial anniversary of former President Kim Dae-jungs birth in Gwangju, the political hometown of the former president, on Saturday. Earlier that morning, Han visited the Gwangju Student Independence Movement Memorial Hall and the May 18th National Cemetery to pay tribute to independence fighters and pro-democracy protesters. The cemetery is a symbolic site for the country's liberal politicians and their supporters in the southwest, and a go-to site for conservative politicians when they seek support from liberal and centrist voters. In August 2020, Kim Chong-in, the interim leader of the United Future Party, a predecessor of the PPP, also visited the cemetery in Gwangju and knelt before the victims in apology. This resulted in a temporary rise in the conservative partys support rate in Gwangju and the Jeolla region. During his visit to the cemetery, Han said he fully advocates the idea of including the spirit of the May 18th Democratic Uprising in the Constitution, which was among President Yoon Suk Yeols election pledges. I will discuss with the party how to include it in the Constitution, Han told reporters after visiting the cemetery. If the phrase 'May 18 spirit' is stated in our Constitution, it will become much richer and clearer, and we can be even more proud of it. However, he noted that the process requires a national referendum and there are various opinions. Hans visits came amid increased police security following a knife attack on Tuesday against Rep. Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). A day earlier, police apprehended a man in his 40s who posted an online death threat against Han during his visit to Gwangju. Against that backdrop, a survey showed that Han and Lee are close in terms of popularity. In a poll released Thursday by Ace Research, Lee was leading the pack with 39 percent followed by Han at 35 percent. The polls margin of error was 4 percentage points. The poll surveyed 1,002 adults from Jan. 1 to 2 at the request of Newsis. Further details are available on the National Election Survey Deliberation Commissions website. Back in 2022, we sat down and made a list of all the hikes we hoped to accomplish that year, one for every month. But 12 trails weren't nearly enough. By the time we reached December, we'd come up with a whole new set of hikes to add to our 2023 bucket list. And now here we are, at the start of 2024, still dreaming of hitting the trails in Sonoma, the Sierra, and everywhere in between. From the Santa Cruz Mountains to the Berkeley Hills, here are our bucket list hikes for the coming year. January: Land of Medicine Buddha, Loop Trail (5.6-mile loop) (Courtesy of @nehasawant777) This loop through the Land of Medicine Buddha, a gorgeous forest of old-growth redwoods at the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, is as spiritually satisfying as it is physically fulfilling. The hike begins with the Eight Verses Trail, which pairs the wisdom of the Buddha with benches for quiet contemplation. When youre feeling relaxed and recentered, continue north along the loop, inhaling the natural beauty of the forest. By the time you reach the parking lot again, youll have a deep sense of wellbeing to carry with you into the new year. For the best chance at finding a parking spot in the tight, well-loved lot, start your hike in the early morning or late afternoon. // 5800 Prescott Rd. (Soquel), landofmedicinebuddha.org February: Del Valle Regional Park, Murietta Falls Trail (12.3 miles, out and back) (Courtesy of @wuhikes) Buckle up for an intense hike with an ephemeral waterfall that should be flowing fast come February. This hike to Murietta Falls climbs more than 4,000 feet in just over 12 miles but youll earn bragging rights for being one of the rare few to catch this skittish cascade, the highest in the Bay Area, in action. Although youll park at the Lichen Bark parking area at Del Valle Regional Park, the majority of the hike is actually in the Ohlone Regional Wilderness along the Ohlone Wilderness Trail (AllTrails breaks down each step in uncharacteristically refreshing detail; be sure to screenshot it in advance in case you lose cell service on the way). Note that youll need a hiking permit to access this hike, which you can purchase at the Del Valle Park entrance when you arrive ($2/person) or online at least seven days before you hit the trail ($4/person). // 7000 Del Valle Rd. (Livermore), ebparks.org March: North Table Mountain, Phantom Falls Trail (4.2 miles, out and back) (Courtesy of @drewtravel1206) All signs point to a rainy winter in 2024, which can only mean one thing come spring: A wildflower bonanza. Up in Butte County at North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, aficionados of the colorful blooms will find one of the best arrays in the state from March through April. Catch the beauties turning their petals to the sun on the Phantom Falls Trail, a route which, as its name suggests, also has a seasonal waterfall (and four other cascades) that should be booming in spring. Pick up the trail from the North Table Mountain parking area and follow it all the way (about two miles) to the steep canyon over whose lip the waters fall. When you have enough photos to fill a million Instagram stories, backtrack the same way you came. // 2488 Cherokee Rd. (Oroville), wildlife.ca.gov April: Sonoma Coast State Park, Islands in the Sky (4-mile loop) Looking towards the foggy hills that conceal the Islands in the Sky. (Courtesy of @pablobeck) On foggy days, the steep slopes that stretch from this trails summit into the clouds above float like islands in the sky. But even when its sunny, the meadows at the top of this steep forest climb seem like they were placed there by some benevolent deity. The trail starts at the Russian River and passes through pasturelands to the Islands in the Sky Vista Loop. Take a right and follow the path up, up, ever up, to its highest point. Once there, you can hike around on the relatively flat, golden grasslands or head right back down the mountain along the now-defunct Upper Freezeout Road. Opt for the former if its a clear day; youll have views all the way to the Pacific. // Freezeout Flat Rd. (Jenner), parks.ca.gov May: Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space, Whittemore Gulch + Harkins Ridge (6.5-mile loop) (Courtesy of @thesfpeninsula) This 6.5-mile hike near Half Moon Bay has delicious views, shady redwood groves, and babbling creeks. But dont let the pretty environs trick you into thinking its easyits not, and thats part of what makes it worth a spot on this years bucket list. From the North Ridge Trailhead, keep right onto the forested switchback trail instead of the steep bike-friendly path. At the junction, keep left onto the Harkins Ridge Trail then the Whittemore Gulch Trail before popping back out on to the North Ridge Trail. Watch your step, especially after a late spring rainthis is banana slug territory. // Hwy 35 (Half Moon Bay), openspace.org June: Desolation Wilderness, Echo Lakes Trail/Pacific Crest Trail (5.3 miles, out and back) (Courtesy of @undrcvrmermaid) Alpine lakes and endless mountain vistas make South Lake Tahoes Echo Lakes Traila section of the Pacific Crest Trailone of the areas best hikes. With an elevation gain of only around 500 feet, its also one of the more gentle trails in the Sierra. Head into the Desolation Wilderness from the Echo Chalet on the southern end of Lower Echo Lake, picking up a free permit at the trailhead. The trail skirts its eastern shore then continues on to Upper Echo Lake. // 9900 Echo Lakes Rd. (Echo Lake), fs.usda.gov July: Mammoth Lake, Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls (12.8 miles, out and back) (Courtesy of @alsroadtrips) This trail in the Eastern Sierra isnt easy. Not only will you gain more than 2,500 feet of elevation along the way, at 8,955 feet above sea level, youll be oxygen challenged even before you start. But take it slow and youre in for a treat: a full day of crystalline lakes, rushing waterfalls, and the spectacularly odd Devils Postpile rock formation. If you begin your hike before 7am, youre allowed to drive up to the trailhead. Otherwise, hop on the free shuttle from nearby Mammoth Village and take it to the Horseshoe Lake Trailhead (just be back for the last bus at 7pm). Follow the Mammoth Pass Trail a little over two miles before turning left onto the Rainbow Falls-Wagon Trail. Continue all the way to the waterfall then, after a leisurely lunch, head back out and veer left towards Devils Postpile. The same trail will loop you around to the Mammoth Pass Trail, and send you back to the trailhead and shuttle bus stop. // 4500 Lake Mary Rd. (Mammoth Lakes), visitmammoth com August: Tahoe National Forest, Sierra Buttes Trail (5.1 miles, out and back) (Courtesy of @honeyoats_adventure) In the early 20th century, more than 150 fire lookouts helped Californias park rangers keep an eye on dangerous wildfires. Technology has since put most of them out of commission, but a handful of the original lookout cabins remain to welcome hikers (and even overnight guests). On the northwestern side of the Tahoe National Forest, the Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout sits high on its granite throne about 2.5 miles (and 180 steep metal steps) from the trailhead. Theres just one trail, the Sierra Buttes Trail, to worry about, and its an intense one. But if you ask us, the views that reach all the way to Mount Lassen on a clear day are worth the pain. // Monarch Rd. (Downieville), fs.usda.gov September: Mount Sutro Open Space, Mount Sutro to Twin Peaks (3.8-mile loop) (Courtesy of @sfsutrotower) As the summer gloom turns to clear September skies, Mount Sutro and Twin Peaks emerge from the fog. Its a perfect time to hike the iconic hills and take in the views of the city below. Pick up Sutros Historic Trail from the corner of Stanyan and 17th Street. Itll take you on a circuit around the mountains summit then send you back down John Stone Drive and across Clarendon Avenue to the Sutro Tower Trail. At its end at Twin Peaks Blvd, the climb begins again. Circle the sibling peaks then either return the way you came or loop back to your starting point on city streets. // Stanyan & 17th St. (Twin Peaks), ucsf.edu October: El Corte de Madera Open Space, Tafoni Sandstone Loop via Methuselah Trail (6-mile loop) (Courtesy of @madelinetheexplorer) El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve is a beautifully shaded park perfect for hiking in the early fall, while the heat of the summer lingers. The six-mile loop (which uses this 4.6-mile route as a foundation) coils around two of the Bay Areas most precious natural wonders: the Tafoni Formations, ancient deposits of honeycombed sandstone, and the Methuselah Tree, the oldest, most humongous redwood in the Santa Cruz Mountains outside of Big Basin (which is, itself, a precious local natural wonder). Start from the Methuselah parking lot, checking in on the massive tree before following the Methuselah Trail west to the Fir Trail. From there, take the loop to the left and continue onto the Tafoni Sandstone spur trail. When youve had enough of the geological behemoth, return to the Tafoni Trail, veering left to follow the Sierra Morena Trail back to the parking lot. // CA-35 & Skyline Blvd. (Redwood City), openspace.org November: Tilden Regional Park, Inspiration Point to Wildcat Peak (4.2 miles, out and back) (Courtesy of @geechsorensen) Prepare for the coming holiday with a gorgeous trail thats close to homeand easy enough to do when family is in town. Nestled in the Berkeley hills, Tilden Regional Park is all towering sequoias and expansive views over the sparkling bay. Pick up the trail at Inspiration Point and follow the paved Nimitz Way to Wildcat Peak Trail almost two miles down. From there, youll pass through the Rotary Peace Grove, a quiet congress of trees dedicated to the regions activists, before continuing another quarter mile to the Wildcat Summit. Complete the hike by backtracking the way you came, a total hike of just over four miles. // 2501 Grizzly Peak Blvd. (Orinda), ebparks.org Unintended electromagnetic radiation from Starlink satellites detected with LOFAR between 110 and 188 MHz F. Di Vruno1,2,, B. Winkel3,2,, C. G. Bassa4,, G. I. G. Jozsa3,2,5,, M. A. Brentjens4, A. Jessner3 and S. Garrington6, A&A 676, A75 (2023) 1 Square Kilometre Array Observatory, Lower Withington, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 9FT, UK e-mail: federico.divruno@skao.int 2 European Science Foundation, Committee on Radio Astronomy Frequencies, 1 quai Lezay Marnesia, BP 90015, 67080 Strasbourg Cedex, France 3 Max-Planck-Institut fur Radioastronomie, Auf dem Hugel 69, 53121 Bonn, Germany 4 ASTRON, Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy, Oude Hoogeveensedijk 4, 7991 PD Dwingeloo, The Netherlands 5 Department of Physics and Electronics, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Makhanda, 6140, South Africa 6 Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK Received: 10 March 2023 Accepted: 12 May 2023 Abstract We report on observations of 68 satellites belonging to the SpaceX Starlink constellation with the LOFAR radio telescope. Radiation associated with Starlink satellites was detected at observing frequencies between 110 and 188 MHz, which is well below the 10.7 12.7 GHz radio frequencies used for the downlink communication signals. A combination of broad-band features, covering the entire observed bandwidth, as well as narrow-band (bandwidth < 12.2 kHz) emission at frequencies of 125, 135, 143.05, 150, and 175 MHz, was observed. The presence and properties of both the narrow- and broad-band features vary between satellites at different orbital altitudes, indicating possible differences between the operational state of, or the hardware used in, these satellites. While the narrowband detections at 143.05 MHz can be attributed to reflections of radar signals from the French GRAVES Space Surveillance Radar, the signal properties of the broad- and narrow-band features at the other frequencies suggest that this radiation is intrinsic to the Starlink satellites and it is seen for 47 out of the 68 Starlink satellites that were observed. We observed spectral power flux densities vary from 0.1 to 10 Jy for broad-band radiation, to 10 to 500 Jy for some of the narrow-band radiation, equivalent to electric field strengths of up to 49 dB [ V m1] (as measured at a 10 m distance from the satellites, with a measurement bandwidth of 120 kHz). In addition, we present equivalent power flux density simulations of the full Starlink phase 1 constellation, as well as other satellite constellations, for one frequency band allocated to radio astronomy by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). With these, we calculate the maximum radiation level that each satellite constellation would need to have to comply with regulatory limits for intended emissions in that band. However, these limits do not apply if the radiation is unintended, that is to say if it does not originate from intentionally radiated signals for radio communication or other purposes. We discuss the results in light of the (absence of) regulations covering these types of unintended electromagnetic radiation and the possible consequences for astronomical radio observations. Key words: light pollution / space vehicles / telescopes / surveys Member of the IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference (IAU CPS). The Authors 2023 Open Access article, published by EDP Sciences, under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. This article is published in open access under the Subscribe to Open model. Subscribe to A&A to support open access publication. 1 Introduction Modern radio astronomy has profited greatly from advances in technology. Astronomical radio receivers nowadays are often operated with large fractional bandwidths (bandwidth over observing frequency in excess of / > 50%; e.g. Torne 2017; Hobbs et al. 2020), increased sensitivity, and aperture (e.g. Jonas & MeerKAT Team 2016), as well as wider fields of view (e.g. Johnston et al. 2007; van Haarlem et al. 2013). At the same time, the numerical capabilities of digital back ends have enormously increased owing to field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or graphics processing units (GPUs) that allow one to implement special-purpose algorithms in flexible hardware boosting the processing speeds. This allows one to record data with unprecedented temporal and spectral resolution, which benefits spectroscopy, pulsar, and very large baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations alike. However, astronomy is not alone in utilising the radio spectrum. There is a huge number of applications, such as radio and TV broadcasts, high-speed wireless communications (e.g. cell phone networks and WiFi), or radars, which require access to the spectrum. Any type of radio communication and intended radio transmissions is regulated to avoid a situation where different operators when using the same or nearby frequencies create interference on each others systems. This regulation of the radio spectrum is handled at the national level by national radio administrations; however, as radio waves do not care for national borders, international rules are required for harmonisation. The Radiocommunication sector of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-R) is the top level organisation that takes care of this international regulation. It is a specialised agency of the United Nations. The ITU-R (2020) publishes the Radio Regulations (RR), which is an international treaty and member states are expected to transform the RR into national law. The ITU-R recognised radio astronomy as a service the radio astronomy service (RAS) already in 1959 and allocated bands in the radio spectrum to it. Unfortunately, the bands that are allocated to the RAS are relatively sparse and narrow for spectral-line observations, the majority of the reserved bands only cover the typical Milky Way Doppler shifts. Also, the total amount of spectrum that is allocated to the RAS is not considered to be sufficient for modern radio astronomical research by most scientists. Below 4 GHz, only 5% of the radio spectrum is allocated to radio astronomy at various levels of protection. If only primary allocations (the highest level of protection) are considered, as little as 1.6% is allocated to the RAS. For more details about the regulatory process, the radio astronomy service and its protection, we refer readers to the ITU Handbook on Radio Astronomy (ITU-R Working Party 7D 2013), the CRAF Handbook for Radio Astronomy (Committee on Radio Astronomy Frequencies 2005), and the Handbook of Frequency Allocations and Spectrum Protection for Scientific Uses (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 2015). Not all radiation produced from electronic devices is subject to ITU-R regulations. To a large extent, the RR only cover the so-called emissions, which refer to the radiation that is directly related to the intentional use of radio frequencies in a system (for the purpose of communications, remote sensing, radionavigation, etc.). This obviously includes the wanted signals, but also unwanted emission: spectral sidelobes including harmonics and intermodulation products that are an inevitable by-product of the generation of the wanted transmission. Unwanted emission is a consequence of the signal amplification or mixing, the chosen modulation scheme, etc. Both the wanted and unwanted emissions are regulated in the RR. But there is yet another source of electromagnetic radiation present in any electrical device (or system), which is related at its most fundamental level to the acceleration and deceleration of charges in any electrical or electronic circuits and not necessarily related to the generation of wanted radio signals. As the RR did not coin a regulatory term for this, hereafter we refer to this as unintended electromagnetic radiation (UEMR); it is worth mentioning that in engineering this radiation can be referred to as electromagnetic interference (EMI). UEMR can appear, for example, as the product of current loops in switching mode power supplies, communication signals in unbalanced or mismatched transmission lines, fast switching signals in printed circuits, and actuating electromechanical circuits, etc. Basically any electrical circuit generates some level of UEMR. UEMR is not explicitly regulated at the ITU-R level, though other standardisation organisations have filled the gap. The Comite International Special des Perturbations Radioelectriques (CISPR1), which is a part of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), sets standards for all kinds of terrestrial electrical and electronic devices in order to control electromagnetic interference. Unlike the RR, CISPR standards refer not only to radiocommunication systems but all kinds of electronic devices. Furthermore, the standards also cover measurement procedures, which are used to determine the level of UEMR produced by a device under test. Unlike intended radio emission, UEMR is not clearly specified by a centre frequency, output power and bandwidth, yet it has some characteristics worth mentioning: (i) its radiated power is normally several orders of magnitude lower than any intentional radiation; (ii) UEMR is usually not radiated through an antenna, but mostly through cables and/or the mechanical structure of the system; therefore, its spatial radiation pattern is usually unknown but likely to be closer to isotropic than that of a directional antenna system; and (iii) UEMR may have spectral contents which can be very variable depending on the type of electrical signals and design of the system. Telescopes used for radio astronomy normally receive UEMR from terrestrial sources located nearby (distances of kilometres) and predominantly though their sidelobes. There are many examples of radio telescopes dealing with terrestrial UEMR, as is the case of wind farms affecting LOFAR observations2 or emission from microwaves resembling astro-physical signals (Petroff et al. 2015). Radio astronomers also put great effort into shielding the necessary observation equipment (computers, receivers etc.) to avoid self-made UEMR to enter the data (Swart et al. 2022). Environmental interference (intended and unintended) to radio telescopes can be minimised by building them in designated radio quiet zones or RQZs (Rep. ITU-R RA.2259-1). Unfortunately, RQZs provide no mitigation against radio emission from Earth orbiting satellites, which radio telescopes can receive through their primary beam or near sidelobes. In the case of the Iridium satellite constellation, unwanted radio emissions (i.e. not UEMR) interfered with astronomical observations of the 1612 MHz OH spectral line for more than 20 years (e.g. Cohen 2004; ECC Report 171; ECC Report 247). Studying reflections of terrestrial signals from satellites, Prabu et al. (2020) reported possible UEMR of two cubesats using the MWA between 80 and 103 MHz. The proliferation of the new and large satellite constellations in low Earth orbit (LEO) often referred to as mega-constellations has caused worries in the astronomical community owing to the satellites ability to reflect sunlight and to emit radio signals (e.g. McDowell 2020; Hainaut & Williams 2020; Boley & Byers 2021). This led to the Satellite Constellations workshops (SATCON1 and SATCON2; Walker et al. 2020b), the Dark & Quiet Skies I and II workshops (Walker et al. 2020a, 2021) and the founding of the IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Skies from Satellite Constellation Interference (IAU CPS), the members of which investigated and continue to investigate the possible impact of large LEO satellite constellations on astronomy (see Rawls et al. 2020; Bassa et al. 2022; Di Vruno & Tornatore 2023). Owing to the increasing total number of satellites in LEO, and hence the increasing probability that a satellite appears within the field of view of a radio telescope, it makes sense to consider satellite UEMR as a potential source of interference in the future. The potential threat posed by satellite UEMR from large constellations was first considered at the Dark & Quiet Skies II workshop (Walker et al. 2021). In this paper, we investigate the potential impact of satellite UEMR on radio astronomy through observations of the SpaceX Starlink satellite constellation. At the time of the observations presented here, this constellation was the largest in orbit with some 2100 satellites in orbit. This constellation provides broad-band internet connectivity with radio emission used for downlinks allocated to the 10.712.7 GHz frequency band3. Compatibility with radio astronomy observations in the protected 10.610.7 GHz band has previously been studied by the Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Agencies (CEPT) in its ECC Report 271. As UEMR is predominantly expected at low frequencies (below ~ 1 GHz) (see Pulkkinen 2019), well below the allocated radio transmission downlinks, we observed satellites belonging to the Starlink constellation at frequencies between 110 and 188 MHz with the LOFAR radio telescope (van Haarlem et al. 2013). This paper is organised as follows; Sect. 2 presents an overview of standards and regulations applicable to satellites and their subsystems, while Sect. 3 uses simulations to investigate the potential aggregate impact of several satellite constellations and its maximum radiated power to comply with the ITU-R threshold levels in one of the protected radio astronomy bands. We describe the observations and their processing in Sect. 4 and discuss the analysis of the detected signals in Sect. 5. Finally, Sect. 6 contains a summary and conclusions. 2 UEMR of satellite systems Typical satellites are composed of many different modules called subsystems, each one fulfilling a specific function for the satellite to operate. Satellite manufacturers make use of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) to ensure that all the different subsystems will be compatible with each other. A typical EMC programme focuses on testing each subsystem to ensure that sufficient margins exist between emissions and susceptibilities for the ensemble to work without self-interference. There are some EMC standards dedicated to space missions, such as the NASA MFSC-SPEC-521 or the ESA ECSS-E-ST-20-7C, most of them based on the US military standard MIL-STD-461. These EMC standards define, among other things, the maximum level of electromagnetic radiation that equipment can generate. Most standards for space are more stringent than the ones used for commercial apparatus such as CISPR-32 (see Fig. 1) but that is not a hard requirement, as a satellite does not need to be compatible with ordinary commercial equipment. Once completely assembled, a satellite is usually characterised by a system level test that evaluates the overall UEMR (among many other parameters) of it as a whole. These tests can last for weeks, depending on the complexity of the satellite, making it a very expensive activity. For this reason, system level tests tend to focus on the minimum and necessary checks for each parameter of a complete satellite. A clear example of this can be seen in Blondeaux et al. (2016), where UEMR is not highlighted as an important step to characterise a satellite constellation. While commercial standards such as the IEC 61000 family, CISPR or the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) part 15 (see Fig. 1), are harmonised and mandatory to allow entry into a certain market, there is currently no international agency or space law that requires a spacecraft to comply to a certain EMC standard. Furthermore, the information about which EMC standard is used for a specific programme, the considered UEMR thresholds, or the real level of emissions are rarely made public. Few examples are in the public domain such as Yavas & Akgul (2019) and Elkman et al. (2007). Informal communications with satellite industry specialists indicated that the normal practice for satellite level UEMR tests is to set an emission threshold relatively high (which speeds-up testing times) and only apply stringent levels (long testing times) to narrow frequency bands where the satellite or the rocket-launcher have receivers or sensitive instruments. In Yavas & Akgul (2019), results of a satellite emission level test are shown, where the limit threshold (marked as a solid red line in their Fig. 7) is defined at very high levels of emission almost for every frequency with the exception of a few communication bands. Owing to this lack of information, we can suppose that a satellite could emit relatively strong UEMR signals, outside of the bands of interest for the manufacturer or operator, and still pass this type of testing. This is not an unlikely situation, since many subsystems can aggregate their emissions or their interconnection can change the electromagnetic configuration of the satellite and increase the emissions in a certain frequency band. This may not have been an issue in the past, with very small constellations or with single satellite systems. Even if a satellite had strong UEMR, it would require a very sensitive receiver to detect it or in other words would require the satellite to be in the main lobe of a radio telescope for a considerable fraction of an observation: a very rare condition until recently. With the advent of the large LEO satellite constellations (such as Starlink phase 1 with 4408 satellites or OneWeb phase 1 with 720 satellites4) the situation changes. Firstly, the number of LEO satellites leads to an increase of the aggregate signal, which might become large enough to cause interference even through the sidelobes and increases the probability of a detection in the main lobes of the radio telescope. Secondly, the new satellites are manufactured in series, therefore it is possible that many satellites present similar UEMR. These two effects could make the situation for radio astronomy complicated, even in radio bands reserved to radio astronomy. 3 Potential impact of satellite EMR on RAS To investigate the potential impact of satellite EMR on radio astronomical observations, it is possible to make use of the established methods that were developed by ITU-R for regular compatibility calculations of wanted and unwanted emissions. The ITU-R recommends to use the equivalent power flux density (EPFD) method (see Rec. ITU-R S.1586-1; Rec. ITU-R M.1583-1). A satellite constellation is simulated over a given time range. The power received from each satellite can be calculated from the transmitted power, taking into account transmitter and receiver antenna gains and path propagation losses (e.g. line of sight losses, atmospheric attenuation) before it enters the radio astronomy receiver. The total aggregated power, which is the sum of all power contributions, can be then determined. Under the assumption of standardised characteristics of the receiving antenna, the received power can also be converted to the associated power flux density (PFD, known as total or integrated flux density in the radio astronomy community), which allows to conveniently compare it to PFD threshold levels that are defined in regulations for the protection of a victim station. An advantage of this conversion is that it makes a better comparison possible between different receiving stations, which usually have different antenna patterns and gains. For example, the RAS protection criteria (Rec. ITU-R RA.769-2; in Tables 1 and 2) are provided for an isotropic receiver, although in reality radio telescopes usually have very high forward gain. 3.1 Assessing the aggregate impact of a satellite constellation In the following, the EPFD method is used to determine the potential impact of UEMR from different satellite constellations on radio astronomy observations. The EPFD method is widely used in spectrum management and is well documented in ITU-R documents. For convenience, a more detailed summary is provided in Appendix A. Here, the basic steps are explained in a simplified form. To calculate the received power for one particular pointing direction of the receiver antenna and a certain satellite orbit configuration, the procedure is as follows. In the first step the satellite positions (and transmitter antenna orientations) with respect to the observer are be determined for a number of time steps and for a given period of time. The required time resolution mostly depends on the satellite altitudes. For low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites the time resolution should be 1 s or less as the angular velocities are high. Then the link budget (path propagation losses as well as transmitter and receiver antenna gains) between satellites and observer are computed. As the satellites are not necessarily in the main beam of the radio telescope, the angular separation between the antenna pointing direction and the geometrical position of the satellites needs to be accounted for, which changes the effective receiver gain. Likewise, the observer will usually not be situated in the forward direction of the satellite antenna. Modern satellites are often equipped with active antennas that allow electronic beam-forming in real-time, such that the effectively transmitted power towards the observer can fluctuate strongly. It should be noted, however, that in the case of UEMR, given its nature, a high directivity is not expected to be reached and an isotropic transmitting antenna pattern is used hereafter as an approximation. After the link budget is calculated, all the individually received powers (from each satellite) are added, which yields the total aggregated power. Finally the total aggregated power received at the radio telescope is compared to the permitted threshold levels, for example defined in Rec. ITU-R RA.769-2. In this recommendation, the RAS protection levels are specified for an integration time of 2000 s, thus it is necessary to simulate the orbits over this time span. The calculation is performed for a grid of sky cells (or telescope pointing directions) having approximately equal solid angles. This allows to analyse the spatial distribution of the contributed power levels. To assess statistical scatter, the whole simulation is repeated hundreds or thousands of times for different starting times and antenna pointings within the grid cells. Often, the power flux density at the observer location (caused by the satellites) is transformed into the so-called equivalent power flux density (EPFD). This is the power flux density, which would need to be present in the boresight of a radio telescope to create the same power as the aggregated power from all satellites. Appendix A contains more details on this. 3.2 EPFD and large satellite constellations For some of the large satellite constellations under construction, in particular SpaceX/Starlink and OneWeb, EPFD calculations were performed by the Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) in its ECC Report 271. In that report, the out-of-band emissions of the satellite downlinks in the RAS band at 10.6010.70 GHz were analysed by means of this method. To our knowledge, UEMR from large satellite constellations in operation has never been studied nor measured, probably because the number of satellites (of the same design) was not large enough to even be considered a problem, but this situation has changed now. Using the EPFD method it is possible to determine the maximum UEMR that each single satellite of a constellation may radiate in the 150.05153 MHz primary radio astronomy band, while not producing harmful interference. Here we consider harmful interference as defined in Rec. ITU-R RA.769-2. The 150.05153 MHz frequency band, which is allocated to the RAS, was chosen as it is commonly accepted that radiation caused by electronic circuits is mainly concentrated below 1 GHz, and it falls within the observing band of LOFAR. The harmful interference threshold in this band is 194 dB |W m2] over a bandwidth of about 3 MHz, according to Rec. ITU-R RA.769-2 (see their Table 1). Given that the actually radiated emissions from a single satellite are unknown, we have to assume some value. An electric field strength of 30 dB [ V m1] is a typical radiation level5 found in commercial standards such as CISPR-32 based on a detector bandwidth of 120 kHz and measured at a distance of 10 m. This number is equivalent to a radiated spectral power of 45.6 dB [m W MHz1]. We also assume in our simulations that this radiation is constant in time and frequency within the studied band. In practice this is certainly not the case. UEMR features can be time-variable and could also be narrow-band and in such a case a bandwidth correction factor would need to be applied. We furthermore work under the simplification that satellite UEMR is isotropically radiated. The RAS antenna pattern and gain used in the calculations depends on the type of radio telescope. At these low frequencies, mostly interferometric telescopes are used, such as LOFAR and SKA1-Low. The actual antenna patterns of interferometers (after beam-forming and correlation) are complex and are not perfectly described by the Rec. ITU-R RA.1631-0 model. Therefore, we perform the EPFD assuming parabolic-dish antennas of diameter 25-m and 70-m, respectively, which approximately have the same effective antenna area as SKA1-Low tiles and LOFAR (international) stations. In our simulations it is assumed that the RAS station is located at the geographical latitude of LOFAR, 53 N. Using these parameters and assumptions, EPFD calculations were carried out for a number of existing or currently in-deployment satellite constellations: Spire6, Iridium NEXT7, OneWeb8, SpaceX/Starlink9, and SpaceX/Swarm10. This provides us a range of constellation sizes from 66 satellites up to 4408 (see Table 1) in various orbital configurations. For the satellite position calculations we made use of the open-source Python package cysgp411 (Winkel 2023), which is available under GPL-v3 license. It is a wrapper around the sgp4lib12 C++ implementation of the simplified perturbation model SGP4 (see also Vallado et al. 2006). Furthermore, the pycr af13 Python package (Winkel & Jessner 2Ol8a,b) was used, which provides implementations for a number of relevant ITU-R Recommendations. It is also available under GPL-v3 license. 3.3 Simulation results For each constellation in Table 1, one hundred iterations (simulation runs) were processed, which allows us to assess the statistical scatter of the results. As an example for the results, Fig. 2 shows the cumulative distribution function for EPFD values for the Iridium NEXT and Starlink constellations with the assumption of UMR with an electric field strength of 30 dB [ V m1] over the full RAS bandwidth14 and a RAS antenna with a 70-m diameter located a geographic latitude of 53 N. The light green and blue curves in the figure show the results for all sky cells in each individual simulation run, while the darker curves represent the median of the individual runs in each sky cell. Rec. ITU-R RA.1513-2 recommends that the total data loss caused by a single interfering system should not exceed 2%, which is indicated by the horizontal red line (the 98% percentile) in the figure. The vertical red line marks the Rec. ITU-R RA.769-2 threshold. The cumulative probability at which this threshold is exceeded can be used to determine the actual expected data loss (about 10% for Iridium NEXT and 100% for Starlink with the assumptions used in the simulation). The intersection between the cumulative probability curve and the horizontal red line of 98% percentile yields the so-called margin, that is the difference between the RAS threshold and the actual received power flux density. If it is negative, emissions from the respective satellite constellation ought be below the assumed model values by that amount in order to comply with the thresholds in the RAS band. The inferred margins for all satellite constellations are presented in Fig. 3. Based on the margins, under the assumptions used in the simulation, it is possible to determine a maximum electric field value that each satellite should comply with to ensure that the received power at the RAS station is not in excess of the permitted RAS threshold levels at the data loss of 2%. These values are summarised in Table 1. It is noted that the calculated values are lower than commercial EMC standard thresholds such as the CISPR-32 Class B with 30 dB [ V m1]. It is also possible to investigate the regions on the visible (topocentric) sky, which contribute most to the overall received flux density, see Fig. 4, which shows the average EPFD per sky grid cell for the Iridium NEXT and Starlink constellations assuming a 70-m RAS antenna. 4 Observations, data calibration and signal detection Based on the results obtained in Sect. 3, especially the ones for large satellite constellations such as Starlink, we conducted an observation with the LOFAR telescope which not only covers the frequency range of interest but can also produce multiple beams simultaneously increasing the probability of detecting satellite emissions within a reasonably short campaign. This section describes the observation method, data calibration and processing, and different types of detected signals. 4.1 Observations LOFAR, the Low Frequency Array (van Haarlem et al. 2013), is a network of telescopes with stations spread over Europe and a dense core in the north of the Netherlands. We obtained a 1-h observation targeting mostly SpaceX/Starlink satellites on 2022 April 1, starting at 18:30:00 UTC. Radio signals from the High Band Antennas (HBA) of the central six LOFAR core stations, those on the Superterp, were coherently beam-formed by the COBALT beam-former (Broekema et al. 2018) to form 91 tied-array beams (TABs). The TABs were distributed in five hexagonal rings covering the 4.7 full width at half maximum (FWHM) station beam, each ring separated by 24 from the next; see Fig. 5. This separation was chosen such that the TABs overlap at the half-power point around 150 MHz, assuming circular beams with a 24 FWHM at 150 MHz. For each tied-array beam, (uncalibrated) Stokes I intensities in the form of dynamic spectra were recorded between 110 and 188 MHz, with 10.48 ms time resolution and 12.21 kHz frequency resolution. The TABs were centred towards, and tracking, J2000 = 08h00m00s and J2000 = +493000. This pointing direction was chosen for its high Galactic latitude (b = 31 1 at Galactic longitude l = 169.4) and hence low sky temperature (reducing the overall system temperature), as well as the high elevation above the horizon of LOFAR (maximum elevation of 86.5 at 18:54UTC), minimising the range between Starlink satellites at their operational altitude of 550 km. Furthermore, at the latitude of LOFAR ( = 52.92), the currently most populated Starlink shells (with orbital inclinations of 53.0 and 53.2) lead to over-densities of satellites per unit area of sky near LOFARs zenith (Bassa et al. 2022; Lawler et al. 2022), maximising the number of Starlink satellites passing through the TABs. We used public ephemerides15 of the Starlink satellites generated by SpaceX for the observation planning and the processing of the data. The public ephemerides provide predictions for position and velocity of each Starlink satellite with respect to an Earth-centred inertial coordinate frame at 1 min time intervals, and include planned manoeuvres to adjust the satellite orbit. From these ephemerides, the trajectory of each satellite passing through the LOFAR beam pattern during the 1 h observation was calculated, resulting in the passes shown in Fig. 5. We also computed the time of ingress and egress of each satellite through the station beam and the TABs. We note that individual Star-link satellites are known to make small unplanned manoeuvres, which generally result in the satellite passing early or late compared to predictions, without significantly altering its trajectory on the sky. The ephemerides show that a total of 68 individual Starlink satellites passed through the LOFAR station beam during the 1 h observation, 22 of which were at the operational altitude of h = 550 km. The other 46 Starlink satellites passing through the beam pattern were at an altitude of 350 km. These satellites belonged to a group of 48 satellites launched on 2022 March 9, 23 days before our observations, and were still raising their orbits to operational altitudes. The Starlink satellites of this launch are of a newer version 1.5 type16 compared to the Star-link satellites at the operational altitudes, which reportedly are version 1.0. The properties of these satellites and their passes through the beam pattern are provided in Table 2. Owing to the high elevation of the observations above the horizon, the distances to the Starlink satellites in the operational orbits at 550 km was around 555 km, while the orbit raising group were at distances of around 356 km. These distances are in the far field of the LOFAR Superterp, whose maximum baseline of ~300 m puts the Fraun-hofer distance from 66 to 113 km for the observed LOFAR band of 110 to 188 MHz. At these distances, the satellites crossed the 4.7 FWHM of the station beam within 6 and 4 s, respectively, while the 24 TABs were crossed within 0.54 s for satellites at 550 km altitude, and 0.34 s for those at 350 km altitude (t pass column of Table 2). Of the 68 satellite passes, only two did not pass through any of the TABs, while the majority of the others passed through several adjacent TABs, as indicated by the n TAB column in Table 2. Finally, we note that all Starlink satellites passing through the beam pattern during this observation were illuminated by the Sun, and that their solar panels could have been generating power. 4.2 Data calibration To calibrate the recorded data-sets, we performed both the frequency-dependent system gain (band-pass) correction17 as well as the intensity calibration. For a single dish antenna, the on-source, off-source method represents a useful strategy to correct for the system gain. In very simple terms, the recorded uncalibrated power spectrum, P(t i , f j ), at time, t i and in frequency channel f j is related to the actual antenna temperature, T A , via the receiver system transfer function, G bp (t i , f j ). G bp is a function of frequency, but it also depends mildly on t i owing to slow drifts of the receiver (amplifier) gain. For the accuracy required for this project, one can safely assume that G bp is constant with time over the relatively short observation period. Thus, (1) The idea of the on-source, off-source method is to divide two spectra to remove the frequency-dependent band-pass shape (compare Winkel et al. 2012). This yields (2) where it was assumed that , while . The quantity T source denotes the signal from a source to be measured, which would only be in the on-source spectrum, while all other constituents to the antenna temperature are denoted as system temperature, T sys . Of course, anthropogenic signals, which are often highly variable with time and frequency, would produce residual imprints in the resulting data and ideally needs to be treated before the method is applied. Furthermore, any astronomical signal that is present in both the on- and off-source observation (e.g. large-scale continuum radiation) would also not be processed properly by the method. Classically, the on-source, off-source strategy involves position switching as one needs a measurement without the (astronomical) source of interest for the reasons explained above. However, LEO satellites are within the observation beam for a very short amount of time, only. Thus, the off-source spectrum can simply be constructed by choosing data at a different time, for example shortly before and after a satellite crosses the beam, and taking the average spectrum over this time range. Another possibility would be to determine the off-source spectrum over the full time span of the observation, for example by averaging all spectra leaving out those that are associated with satellite crossings. The second method should only be applied, though, if the temporal stability of G bp is sufficient. Here, both strategies have been tried out and no significant difference in the calibrated data-sets was found. In practice, all the averaging steps in the above procedures could also make use of the median estimator, which is more robust against outliers, produced by short-term anthropogenic signals. Obviously, the beam-formed LOFAR data is not measured with only a single antenna. Nevertheless, the method outlined above can still be used in a very similar manner. The measured power spectrum, P, is again subject to a frequency dependent system gain, which is now acting on an effective (ensemble) antenna temperature instead of each elements antenna temperature. The on-source, off-source method will remove the imprint of this system gain from the data, but the resulting quantity is not simply T source /T sys as in Eq. (2) but a different quantity. For the absolute flux calibration we used the approach outlined in Kondratiev et al. (2016) which models the effective area, beam shape, system temperature and coherence of LOFAR. The radiometer equation (e.g. Dewey et al. 1985) relates the (power) flux density root mean square (RMS) at TAB level to these quantities by (3) where Tstation is the noise level that can be achieved with a single station based on the radiometer equation. It depends on the system temperature of a station, , the number of polarisation channels, n p = 2, that were averaged, the integration time, tob , and the bandwidth, , which in this case is the width of a spectral channel. The quantity is the sensitivity or gain that translates between the station level system noise and the TAB flux density RMS. It is determined by the effective aperture area of a TAB, , and the Boltzmann constant k B . The value of depends on the beam-forming efficiency and the number of contributing antennas. Kondratiev et al. (2016) derived an approximation formula, (4) with the fraction of active dipoles, active = 0.95 (about 5% of the dipoles are typically not in operation), the number of HBA sub-stations in the Superterp, N = 12, and the effective aperture area, , of one of these sub-stations. van Haarlem et al. (2013) report on the values of for a number of frequencies. For the frequencies used in this paper, we interpolated these values linearly. van Haarlem et al. (2013) also estimated the system equivalent flux density (SEFD), which is the equivalent of the on the flux density scale. The SEFD is relatively constant in the frequency range considered in the following, with a value of about 3 kJy. This can be converted to the system temperature scale using SEFD [Jy] = 2760 [K] [m2] (van Haarlem et al. 2013). Based on these equations and previously reported quantities, the calibration parameters in Table 3 were determined for use in the subsequent sections. Because the station aperture, , appears in both terms, and , is actually independent on . It has a value of 2.986 Jy for all frequencies in Table 3 (a flat SEFD was assumed). In order to calibrate the spectra, it is only necessary to determine the noise level (in arbitrary units) and scale the data such that its RMS equals . 4.3 Signal detection Any radio emission associated with Starlink satellites is expected to coincide in time with the predicted passage of a satellite through the LOFAR TABs, though it is a priori unclear if the radio emission would be broad-band, narrow-band, or a combination of both. The search is made difficult, however, as in the LOFAR observing band a lot of active radio services are operated producing signals which could by chance also appear at the same time when a satellite is predicted to pass through the beam. The band from 110 to 188 MHz under consideration is allocated to several radio services such as air traffic control (118137, 138144 MHz), amateur radio (144146 MHz), emergency pagers (169170 MHz), satellite transmissions (137138, 148150 MHz) and digital audio broadcasting (174230 MHz), with emergency pagers and digital audio broadcasting being the strongest sources of radio emission (Offringa et al. 2013). The majority of these emission sources are terrestrial and hence are located close to, or on the horizon. As such, these signals will be detected in the sidelobes of the LOFAR station beam and TABs, and hence will appear at the same time and with similar signal strength in all TABs. On the contrary, objects moving through the sky will produce signals in the dynamic spectra of the TABs at different times as they pass through the TABs. This not only applies to the target Starlink satellites, but also to other satellites as well as aircraft. Based on these considerations, the data-set has been independently searched for signals to avoid biases. We first found a narrow-band signal at 175 MHz and broad-band features with varying intensity spread across the band. Different data processing strategies were applied for this, which apparently were suitable to find the two types of signals. After the first detections were made, it also became clear that some of the satellite positions were not accurately predicted by the ephemerides. However, these first finding made it possible to correct the positional data, which triggered additional detections at further frequencies. In the following we provide a summary of the process. Most of the brighter broad-band signals were already visible in the raw, uncalibrated dynamic spectra of the TABs after binning; see Fig. 6. As the duration of a pass through a TAB is of order 0.1 to 0.6 s, the dynamic spectra were averaged to a time resolution of 41.94 ms, keeping the frequency resolution fixed to 12.21 kHz. Next, AOflagger (Offringa et al. 2012) was used with the standard LOFAR flagging strategy to identify non-astrophysical signals and create a mask for the dynamic spectrum of each TAB. We found that, on average, 23% of the dynamic spectrum is flagged, 6.25% of which is due to each 16th channel, which contains the DC component of 16 channel poly-phase filter-bank used to channelise the LOFAR 0.195 MHz sub-bands into 12.21 kHz channels. For each Starlink satellite passing through the LOFAR station beam, we started by extracting 20 s in time centred on the predicted mid-point of the pass through the LOFAR station beam from each of the 91 TABs. For this we used the band-pass calibrated dynamic spectra. To minimise the impact of terrestrial signals, which often appear similar in all beams, we subtracted from the extracted dynamic spectrum of each TAB the mean of the dynamic spectra of all the other TABs. Finally, again for each satellite pass, the resulting dynamic spectra of those TABs through which the satellite passed were aligned in time based on the predicted passage time and averaged to increase the signal-to-noise of any satellite emission. We note that with this approach we specifically chose not to mask any data that was flagged by AOflagger, this was to ensure that no emission from satellites would be removed from the analysis. Inspection of these averages of TABs showed broad-band emission throughout the observed frequency range, coinciding with the crossing times of Starlink satellites. Normalised, aligned, and averaged dynamic spectra for two satellites are shown in Fig. 7. The dynamic spectra have a time resolution of 41 ms and the full frequency resolution of 12.21 kHz. Due to the normalisation with the dynamic spectra of the other TABs, bright signals in those TABs may lead to depressions in these plots. To prevent masking of signals associated with satellites, no masking has been applied when normalising, aligning and averaging these spectra. Not all satellites reveal broad-band emission at the same frequencies the two most common frequency ranges where emission is detected are at 116124 MHz and 157 165 MHz. We focus our analysis on these two frequency ranges, but also include the ITU-R RAS frequency band from 150.05 to 153 MHz. Besides broad-band emission, narrow-band emission was also detected in, and confined to, several individual 12.21 kHz channels. The frequencies of these channels cover 124.994 to 125.006 MHz, 134.991 to 135.004 MHz, 143.048 to 143.060 MHz, 149.994 to 150.006 MHz and 174.994 to 175.006 MHz. We include these signals in our analysis, and will refer to them as the narrow-band emission at 125, 135, 143.05, 150 and 175 MHz. As the maximum radial velocities of the Star-link satellites in this observation are less than | r | < 1 km s1, any Doppler shifts at these frequencies are less than ~ 600 Hz and hence confined to individual spectral channels. As shown in Fig. 7, the signal strength of these narrowband emission can vary significantly between frequencies as well as satellites. In some cases, the narrow-band features were so bright, that the satellite was detected passing through the sidelobes of individual TABs. Furthermore, in many cases, especially at 125 MHz, the narrow-band signals were superposed with terrestrial signals. This is also why the data processing strategy had to be modified in order to extract the narrow-band signals properly. Instead of subtracting the average of all beams from each spectrogram we subtracted a spectral baseline in a small window around each narrow-band peak. Finally, in some, but not all, of the lower altitude Starlink satellites, a comb of narrow (within a 12.21 kHz channel) peaks was seen in the frequency range above 155 MHz. The dynamic spectra of satellite 51998 shown in Fig. 7 shows this comb for frequencies between 170 and 176 MHz. Power spectra of the emission between 157 to 165 MHz shows that these peaks are spaced at 50 kHz offsets and is detectable in 17 of the 46 satellites at lower altitudes, but none of the higher altitude satellites. The satellites where this comb was detected are marked in Table 2. For all satellites which were detected through either broadband or narrow-band emission, we determined the time offset between the observed and the predicted passage time through the TABs by fitting a Gaussian profile to the temporal emission profiles. These time offsets are listed in Table 2. We found that the time offsets are less than 1 s for all but four satellites, and excluding those yields a median time offset of . The four satellites with the largest time offsets passed through the beam pattern by as much as 6.4 s earlier, and others 1.3 s late compared to predictions. We furthermore found that the temporal width of the Gaussian fits matches those from predictions, where the satellites at 350 km orbital altitudes moved through the beam faster than those at 550 km. Subsequently, all these offsets were used to modify the satellite ephemerides and further analyses were based on the corrected positions. To visualise the emission as a satellite passes through the LOFAR TAB beam pattern, Figs. 810 show the temporal profiles of satellite passes in comparison to the location of the satellite as it passes through the beam pattern. The case of satellite 47373 shown in Fig. 8 is one of example for a very bright event, where the narrow-band emission at 175 MHz was strong enough to be detected in all TABs for the full duration that the satellite passed through the 4.7 FWHM station beam. In other cases, such as for the pass of satellite 45705 (Fig. 9) the behaviour was normal, however, and a signal was only detected in the beams covering the satellite sky track. For completeness, also an example for the broad-band emission between 116 to 124 MHz is displayed in Fig. 10 for the pass of satellites 51978. As expected, the strongest detections coincide with the predicted time that the satellites passed through the individual TABs, confirming that the signal was coming from the direction of the satellites. Next, we used the intensity-calibrated spectra to estimate the power flux densities (PFD) for each one of the detected signals. As the satellites usually did not cross any of the beam centres exactly, we determined the PFD as a function of the angular separation between the satellite positions with respect to each of the TAB centres; see Fig. 11 for two example satellites. Based on a Gaussian least-squares fit to the data points, the peak PFD could be estimated. These PFD measurements are provided in Table 2. Furthermore, a visual overview is provided in Fig. 12. It is noteworthy that for the events with very high intensity (above about 100 Jy) the Gaussian fit was made difficult because of the cross-talk induced by the LOFAR beam-former (e.g. Fig. 11 left panel). Therefore, the width parameter of the Gaussian fit curve was constrained to values below . Likewise, for all fits the zero level offset was constrained to values close to zero. Also, the scatter in the flux density values was rather large, such that the accuracy of the S v values in Table 2 should not be overestimated. 5 Analysis of the detected events 5.1 Signal properties Using the flux density measurements of satellite events at the narrow- and broad-band frequencies as listed in Table 2 we can infer some properties of the detected signals. We found that the narrow-band emission at 125, 135, 150, and 175 MHz is only detected for the Starlink satellites at their operational altitude of h = 550 km, and not seen in any of the Starlink satellites in the lower orbit at altitudes of h = 350 km. As the higher altitude satellites are more distant (d ~ 555 km) compared to the lower altitude satellites (d ~ 356 km), any emission of equal intensity should cause a detection in the received data about (555 km/356 km)2 ~ 2.4 times brighter for the satellites at lower altitudes. While the individual satellites showed some variation in the signal strengths, it is deemed extremely unlikely that all of the lower altitude satellites would by chance have very low emission. Hence, it naturally appears that there is an intrinsic difference between the satellites in higher altitude and lower altitude orbits with respect to the narrow-band features. This is not the case for the broad-band emission, which was detected for the majority of satellites, regardless of their orbital altitude. We found that the median PFD of the low altitude satellites is a factor 2.0 and 2.3 higher than that of the high altitude satellites for frequency ranges of 116 to 124 MHz and 150.05 to 153 MHz, respectively. As this is close to the expected factor of 2.4, this indicates that the generation of this emission is independent on altitude. Curiously, the broad-band emission between 157 and 165 MHz is a factor 15 higher in the low altitude satellites, suggesting an intrinsic difference in this frequency range. The occurrence of the signals for individual satellites at different frequencies is correlated. For 18 out of 19 cases in which narrow-band emission at 125 MHz was detected, emission was also present at 135 MHz, albeit somewhat fainter. A similar relation exists between the emission at 125 MHz and 175 MHz, though the emission at 175 MHz appears to be more variable and can be brighter than at 125 MHz. The signal at 175 MHz was detected in 14 cases. The narrow-band emission at 150 MHz was only seen for those satellites that were very bright at 175 MHz (and cross the station beam) and was detected in six cases. As the lower altitude satellites were still in the orbit-raising phase, the 125 and 175 MHz might be associated with the regular operation (e.g. communication-link transmissions) of the satellites. Also, both frequencies are odd multiples of 25 MHz a frequency often used for local oscillators and could be harmonics, which usually appear stronger at either odd or even multiples of the fundamental mode. This would also explain, why the 150 MHz signal is only present for the brightest of the 175 MHz detections (as 150 MHz is an even multiple of 25 MHz). Typically, square wave-like signals are expected to produce odd harmonics. It is unclear, how the 135 MHz feature would fit into this. It might be owing to some intermodulation product of the detected narrow-band features with some other signal, but we were not able to find further evidence for this. We attribute the narrow-band emission detected at a frequency of 143.05 MHz to the GRAVES space surveillance radar (Michal et al. 2005). The GRAVES transmitter is located 30 km east of Dijon, France and is known to transmit continuous wave signals at 143.050 MHz for bi-static Doppler tracking of satellites. The transmitter illuminates a 180 range in azimuth (east to west through south) and a 30 range in elevation (Jouade & Barka 2019). Though the radiated power of the transmitter is not publicly known, radar reflections from meteors are regularly detected by radio amateurs using modest equipment, even for meteors located well outside of the nominal illumination pattern of the GRAVES transmitter (e.g. Fleet 2015). The Starlink satellites that we observed were also located far outside of the (known) GRAVES illumination area, implying that even in the far sidelobes of the GRAVES radar the effectively transmitted power is substantial. Another interesting finding is that most high-altitude satellites do not show GRAVES reflections, even though LOFAR should have the sensitivity to detect them. The two satellites that were detected at 143.05 MHz were even brighter than the low-altitude satellite reflections (when they should be weaker owing to longer propagation paths). This suggests that the details of the propagation are subject to several effects, the magnitude of which cannot easily be determined without additional information. One aspect is certainly the orientation of the satellite relative to the LOFAR station. It is known that Starlink uses the open-book mode during orbit raising, where the solar array is aligned parallel to the satellite body to reduce atmospheric drag, while the operational satellites are in shark-fin configuration, where the solar array is located mostly behind the satellite as seen from Earth. Furthermore, the exact path geometry is expected to differ between lower and higher orbit altitudes, as well as the side-lobe gain of GRAVES towards different elevations. 5.2 Assessment of transmitted power levels The maximum detected spectral power flux densities were about 500 Jy (average over one spectral channel) for the narrow-band signals and of the order of a few Jy for the broad-band signals. As the distance to the satellites, d, and the main beam gain of the HBA TAB are known, it is possible to determine the transmitter spectral EIRP (equivalent isotropically radiated power), . The EIRP is the power that a transmitter with an isotropic antenna would have to radiate to produce the observed signal. As the transmitter antenna pattern, G tx , and pointing direction are unknown, it is not possible to infer the conducted power at the antenna port of the satellite. The conversion formula between spectral EIRP and measured power flux densities is given by (5) assuming only line-of-sight propagation loss and neglecting other effects, such as atmospheric attenuation. The resulting minimum and maximum spectral EIRP values for each band are compiled in Table 4, providing results for low- and high-altitude satellites separately. The transmitted EIRPs can also be converted to electric field strengths to make comparison with EMC standards simpler; compare Sect. 3.2. The corresponding values are also provided in the table. For the narrow-band signals at 125, 135, 143, 150, and 175 MHz, respectively, electric field strengths in the range of 24 to 49 dB [ V m1] are determined, normalised to what an average detector with bandwidth of 120 kHz at a distance of 10 m would measure. The typical values for the broad-band signals are between 21 and 39 dB [ V m1], again for a 120 kHz detector bandwidth. These values can be compared with the results of the EPFD simulations in Sect. 3.3, in particular with Table 1. In the EPFD simulations it was however assumed that a signal had a constant electrical field strength over the full allocated RAS band 150.05153 MHz. All electrical field values have also been converted to a measurement bandwidth of 2.95 MHz which fully covers the RAS band for the convenience of comparison. They are provided in the right-most column of Table 4. It is noted that for narrow-band signals the values are the same for both detector bandwidths (120 kHz and 2.95 MHz), because the total integrated power is the same, while for a broad-band signal the total power increases, the more bandwidth is considered. The range of field strengths for the measurement bandwidth of 2.95 MHz is thus 24 to 49 dB [ V m1] (narrow-band) and 35 to 52 dB [ V m1] (broad-band) For the detected Starlink satellites, Table 1 cites maximum E-field values of 25.6 and 23.8 dB [ V m1] given a measurement bandwidth of 2.95 MHz for the (effective) antenna diameters of 25 and 70 m, respectively. Hence, even the weak detections exceed the suggested limit, while the brightest detections are more than 20 dB above the limit. It has to be emphasised, though, that our observations represent only a snapshot, measuring a small sub-set of all satellites and that the detected signals are not equally bright and some satellites did not even reveal UEMR at certain frequencies. Nevertheless, the overall number of detections indicates that satellite-borne UEMR from large satellite constellations could indeed be an issue for RAS operations. 5.3 Intrinsic emission or reflection? Theoretically, it is possible that the measured signals do not originally stem from Starlink satellites but are of terrestrial origin, reflected off the satellites. To test this hypothesis, we first determine whether a terrestrial signal could only be visible as reflection, but not over the direct terrestrial path. Second, the transmitted power level is estimated, which would be required to create a signal of the observed properties. 5.3.1 Geometrical considerations Before the link budgets of both propagation paths can be compared, the geometry of the paths needs to be worked out. The highest likelihood that a terrestrial transmitter at distance d from the RAS station is not seen, while the reflected signal is visible, is given when d is as large as possible compared to transmittersatellite and satellitereceiver distance, d 1 and d 2 respectively. This is the case, when all three objects (transmitter, satellite, and receiver) are in a plane perpendicular to the ground. It is noted that none of the paths actually follow straight lines. The terrestrial path, d follows a geodesic, while d 1 and d 2 are subject to refraction (which was not considered in this analysis). In Fig. 13, the path geometry is analysed for the high- and low-altitude satellites. It is assumed that the satellite appears at an elevation angle of 85 deg from the LOFAR observer. Based on the azimuthal angle of the satellite (with respect to LOFAR) one can construct a geodesic18 starting at the LOFAR observer out to a certain distance. Along this path, one can put a hypothetical transmitter and determine under which elevation angle the same satellite would appear in the transmitter frame (topocentric). Likewise, the geodesic distance (i.e. the projection on the ground) between transmitter and satellite can be inferred. The latter two quantities are shown in Fig. 13 as red and blue curves, respectively. At about 2000 km distance, the low-altitude satellite would be set below the horizon. 5.3.2 Link budgets The propagation losses for both paths are determined by different physical processes. In the terrestrial case, the diffraction on the spherical Earth, tropospheric scatter, and other effects play a role. The model proposed in Rec. ITU-R P.452-17 is employed to calculate the loss, L terr (d). For the effective propagation loss, also the antenna gains need to be considered: (6) In the line-of-sight case (which is not relevant here), one would find19 (7) It should be pointed out that we follow the common practice of spectrum management and many other fields, to define the loss as a quantity larger than 1 (i.e. positive on the Decibel scale). Unfortunately, it is not known, what the antenna gains towards the local horizon are for both, transmitter and receiver. Therefore, we have to assume values. The most simple choice is to set both gains to 0 dBi. For the reflection scenario, the Radar equation has to be used: (8) and we can express this in a similar way as Eq. (6): (9) Here, the radar cross section, rc , was introduced. For Starlink, we assume < rc = 10 m2 as we are not aware of a publicly available measurement. The effective cross section also depends on the orientation of the satellite and the frequency range considered. Note, that for a mono-static Radar, d 1 = d 2 = d, and thus the propagation loss would scale with distance to the fourth power. In our case however, d 1 and d 2 can be very different. Figure 14 displays the path propagation losses of the satellite reflection scenario vs. the direct terrestrial (trans-horizon) path loss. It has to be noted that for the terrestrial path, neither the terrain (such as hills) nor clutter was accounted for. Both can add substantial additional path propagation losses of 20 dB and more, each. In the reflection case, the LOFAR TAB points at the satellite, such that the full main beam gain applies (43 dBi at 175 MHz). Again, without further knowledge it is assumed that the transmitter gain towards the satellite is 0 dBi. Under these assumptions, the propagation path over the reflection off the satellite would be more efficient beyond about 900 km compared to the terrestrial propagation. At this distance the satellite would appear at approximately 2025 elevation in the transmitter frame. If the transmitter signal would be targeted towards the satellite, then the antenna gain, would be much higher than the assumed 0 dBi, which would further decrease the distance at which the reflection scenario is more efficient. Likewise, diffraction at terrain or clutter losses would also increase the terrestrial path loss and make the reflection scenario more efficient. 5.3.3 Estimating the transmitter power (reflection scenario) The calculations above show that it is indeed possible for a transmitter to create a stronger reflected signal than over the direct terrestrial path, once the distance between transmitter and receiver gets large enough. This is a consequence of the large diffraction loss on the trans-horizon terrestrial path. But still, the propagation loss via the satellite reflection is very high, so it may be interesting to estimate the required transmitter power. Again, as the transmitter antenna gain is unknown, we can only calculate the EIRP (towards the satellite), but not the conducted power at the antenna port of the transmitter. Based on the reflected-case path propagation loss in Fig. 14 and the maximum received narrow-band power of (10) the transmitter power (EIRP towards satellite) would need to be between 81 and 92 dB [W] or 73 and 88 dB [W] for high- or low-altitude satellites, respectively, depending on the distance between radar transmitter and satellite. This is a huge number and would require a LOFAR-size transmitter with a conducted power in the kilo-Watts regime (concentrated within a bandwidth of only 12.2 kHz)20. In the case of the GRAVES frequency, it is indeed very likely that the detected signal is in fact originating from the GRAVES radar and reflected off the satellites. GRAVES probably has sufficient transmit power to explain the received signals. In fact, there are numerous reports by amateurs who receive GRAVES signals that were reflected by meteors with small receiving antennas. The distance between GRAVES in the eastern part of France and the LOFAR superterp is about 620 km. This is large enough to make the reflection path more efficient than the direct terrestrial path, as for LOFAR the local clutter environment will play a role and there is also relatively hilly terrain along the propagation path in France and Belgium that would increase the diffraction losses. No other radar facility is known that operates at the detected frequencies. While for these cases, the radar scenario cannot be fully excluded, we find it unlikely. The fact that the 125 and 175 MHz signals were only observed for the higher orbit satellites is another aspect that would be hard to explain within a radar scenario. And a powerful radar that would operate broad-band between about 110 and 170 MHz would probably be well-known as it would interfere with many applications in a large area around the transmitter. 6 Summary and conclusions Using the LOFAR radio telescope, we have detected radiation between radio frequencies of 110 and 188 MHz that is correlated with satellites of the SpaceX/Starlink constellation. These frequencies are well below the assigned transmission frequencies at 10.712.7 GHz. Broad-band emission was present over the whole observed bandwidth for some satellites, while others showed strong (from 10 Jy up to ~500 Jy) narrow-band signals at frequencies of 125, 135, 150, and 175 MHz. The presence of narrow-band emission differs between Starlink satellites at operational altitudes with those that were still actively raising their orbits, indicating possible differences in the operational state of the satellites, or differences between their hardware versions. We found that the flux density of the broad-band emission decreases with range, suggesting this emission is likely intrinsically generated and is detectable in 47 of the 68 Starlink satellites that were observed. However, narrow-band radio emission at 143.05 MHz can be attributed to reflections of transmissions from the French GRAVES space surveillance radar, and while we know of no other radars operating at the detected narrowband frequencies or broad-band frequency ranges, confirmation that the observed narrow-band emission at other frequencies is intrinsic is required. The narrow-band emission detected at 125, 150, and 175 MHz may be harmonically related, suggesting a local oscillator or clock signal operating at a frequency of 25 MHz. It is noteworthy that the narrow-band signals were only detected for satellites at the operational altitude. No such signals were seen for the satellites in orbit-raising phase, it is unclear if this effect is owing to operation or satellite version. The broad-band features are with high probability caused by other means, such as switched-mode power supplies, communication signals internal to the satellites, or some other electronic or electrical subsystem. Follow-up observations will be able to shed further light on the origin and properties of the observed emission. Observations with the LOFAR Low-Band Antennas (LBAs; 1090 MHz) would be able to confirm the presence of a 25 MHz local oscillator, while higher frequency resolution observations should allow the distinction between intrinsic or reflected emission from the Doppler shifts of the narrow-band emission. Further observations with LOFAR as well as other radio telescopes will be required to investigate the properties of the emission between different Starlink satellite versions at operational altitudes, if the emission changes when the satellites are in the Earth's shadow and the solar array is not illuminated by the Sun, and if radio emission from Starlink satellites is detectable at higher radio frequencies. Besides further observations of satellites from the Starlink constellation, it would be prudent to determine if satellites from other constellations emit UEMR. Finally, the impact of and possible mitigation strategies against the observed emission from satellites of the Starlink, or any other, constellation on the different science cases of LOFAR and other current, as well as future, radio observatories (e.g. MWA, LWA, SKA1-Low) operating at low frequencies needs to be investigated. Any kind of UEMR is not subject to spectrum management of active radio services. In fact, from the radio astronomers perspective, UEMR is currently not well regulated for satellites and spacecraft. While there are some electromagnetic compatibility standards for spacecraft, these were made to protect the subsystems within a spacecraft from each other or its launcher system, but not to protect third party activities. The measurements presented in this paper show that there is a potential for harmful interference (as defined in the ITU-R radio regulations using the RA.769 thresholds) in radio astronomy observations caused by satellites in frequency bands far away from their allocated carrier frequencies. This potential is a function of the number of satellites and their orbital parameters, thus large satellite constellations may pose a risk. A big difference between wanted transmissions via antennas and UEMR, is that the latter is most likely not directional but relatively isotropic. Therefore, one important protection measure, which is to exclude radio astronomy stations from the service area of a satellite network, is not possible for UEMR. In addition, a strong terrestrial transmitter, which is not immediately an issue because of good geographical separation, can produce reflected signals via the satellites surfaces. A sphere of satellites could produce a new propagation channel which may need to be considered in terrestrial radio-propagation models as the ones developed by the ITU, this requires further study. Both effects, intrinsic and reflected emission, are presently not considered in the national and international regulation processes. Because the detected signals in our 1-h observation represent only a snapshot and a small fraction of the Starlink constellation, one can currently not estimate accurately if and how much an entire satellite constellation, Starlink or other, would exceed protection thresholds in RAS frequency bands. However, the detected intensities are orders of magnitude above the level that each individual satellite would be allowed to have in order to comply with the Rec. ITU-R RA.769-2 thresholds (if all satellites were equally bright as explained in Sect. 3). Therefore, we are of the opinion that satellite operators and regulation authorities should consider satellite UEMR and reflected signals as another aspect of the regulatory process. Additionally, a dialogue between the satellite operators and the (radio) astronomical community would be welcome to understand how the electrical properties and operational procedures of the satellites affect radio astronomy, and how these can be used to mitigate their impact. Hopefully, this dialogue can build on the co-operation that SpaceX/Starlink has with optical astronomy (see discussion in Green et al. 2022), especially since radio observations may be affected continuously, not primarily during twilight as is the case with optical/infrared astronomy. This could follow the example that was set with the recent coordination agreement between the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and SpaceX. Most of the authors of this work are active members in the IAU CPS, where this dialogue can take place. It cannot be overstated, that any loss of observing time can directly be translated into a monetary loss of the substantial investments which went into developing, operating and using radio astronomy facilities (e.g. Barentine et al. 2023). However, the much graver consequence is the loss of the output of this comparably small investment fundamental research is a significant sector of physical science, which usually pays out only in a matter of decades. While some of the existing satellite constellations have the means to protect radio astronomy sites from intended radio transmissions by steering their radio beams away, this kind of active mitigation will not be possible for UEMR. Hence, this is an issue in need of close attention by satellite operators, regulators and the astronomical community. Tens of thousands of low-Earth orbit satellites are in the making and without proper consideration, these could potentially produce an artificial sphere of radio light that leaks into astronomical observations, rendering some astronomical observations impossible. Acknowledgements This paper is based (in part) on data obtained with the International LOFAR Telescope (ILT) under project code DDT16_003. LOFAR (van Haarlem et al. 2013) is the Low Frequency Array designed and constructed by ASTRON. It has observing, data processing, and data storage facilities in several countries, that are owned by various parties (each with their own funding sources), and that are collectively operated by the ILT foundation under a joint scientific policy. The ILT resources have benefitted from the following recent major funding sources: CNRS-INSU, Observatoire de Paris and Universite d'Orleans, France; BMBF, MIWF-NRW, MPG, Germany; Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI), Ireland; NWO, The Netherlands; The Science and Technology Facilities Council, UK; Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Poland. The project leading to this publication has received funding from the European Unions Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101004719. The authors thank the support of the IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference (IAU CPS). The IAU CPS is a virtual centre of the International Astronomical Union set up in partnership with the SKAO and the NSFs NOIRLab. The Centre coordinates collaborative and multidisciplinary international efforts from institutions and individuals working across multiple geographic areas, seeks to raise awareness, and mitigate the negative impact of satellite constellations on ground-based optical, infrared and radio astronomy observations as well as on humanity's enjoyment of the night sky. Conversations about UEMR started back in 2020 on the Dark and Quiet Skies 2 workshop and this paper is a result of those conversations and studies. We thank Willem Baan and Uwe Bach for proof-reading our initial draft and providing valuable feedback. This paper made extensive use of the Python scientific stack, and we would like to thank the developers of NumPy (van der Walt et al. 2011), matplotlib (Hunter 2007), SciPy (Jones et al. 2001), Astropy (Astropy Collaboration 2013, 2022), and Cython (Behnel et al. 2011). Appendix A The Equivalent-Power Flux Density method (EPFD) Mathematically, the received aggregated power for a RAS pointing direction, ( 0 , 0 ), is given by (A.1) The angles ( i , i ) describe the position of satellite i in the observer frame (e.g. azimuth and elevation), while ( ) is the position of the observer in the satellite antenna frame. The distance between each of the satellites and the observer is denoted as di. Furthermore, P tx is the transmitted power in forward direction, G tx,rx are the effective transmitter and receiver antenna gains. The path attenuation/path propagation loss is subsumed into L i ( i , i , d i ).21 If only line-of-sight loss would be accounted for (which is approximately correct at low frequencies), L i becomes (A.2) where c is the speed of light and f is the observing frequency. At higher frequencies, atmospheric attenuation plays an important role, too. The received aggregated power as given in Eq. A.1 is not the quantity, which is used in Rec. ITU-R S.1586-1; Rec. ITU-R M.1583-1. Instead, in these recommendations the EPFD is defined as (A.3) This assumes pure line-of-sight propagation losses. In this case, we can also identify (A.4) but as mentioned above, it is usually desired to normalise this to a hypothetical isotropic receiver, to make the comparison with Rec. ITU-R RA.769-2 easier, that is (A.5) It should be noted that Rec. ITU-R RA.769-2 also contains limits for the received power, such that it would equally well be possible to directly work with Eq. A.1. In the following, all PFD values are to be understood in the sense of Eq. A.5. The simulations, carried out in this work, perform EPFD calculations for a grid of sky cells as proposed in Rec. ITU-R S.1586-1 and Rec. ITU-R M.1583-1. The applied scheme returns cells that have approximately the same solid angles. Rec. ITU-R S.1586-1 also recommends to use a random pointing of the radio telescope antenna in a given cell for each iteration, but if the grid cells are not too large the final results usually do not show significant References 1 English: International Special Committee on Radio Interference. 5 The value of 30 dB [Vm 1] in CISPR refers to a so-called quasi-peak detector. Here, we assume that field strength to be the average over the measurement period. Usually, the two detector types may lead to significantly different outputs by several dB depending on the properties of the signal (compare Winkel & Jessner 2019, and references therein). 14 If there was only a narrow-band signal within the RAS band, a correction factor would need to be applied. 15 Distributed through www.space-track.org 16 space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/starlink-v1-5.htm 17 It is noted that the COBALT beam-former applies a band-pass correction for every single spectral sub-band to correct for the digital filter curve of the poly-phase filter-bank. 18 For simplicity, the Earth Ellipsoid WGS-84 is assumed. 19 Because and . 20 Similar figures apply for the broad-band signals. While these have lower intensity, they span many MHz and already the fraction in the RAS band (150.05153 MHz) leads to the same received power as the higher-intensity narrow-band signal. 21 It is common to define the path propagation loss as a quantity larger than One, such that it is positive on the Decibel scale, which is why one has to divide by L i in Eq. A.1. All Tables All Figures 'And now, who will trust regional hospitals and their medical capabilities' By Jun Ji-hye Several doctors have raised questions about possible preferential treatment in airlifting Lee Jae-myung, the chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) who was stabbed in the neck, Tuesday, from Busan to Seoul. The doctors said mobilization of the rescue helicopter was too much, considering the extent of Lees injury and the fact that Pusan National University Hospital, to which Lee was transferred right after the attack, was capable of performing the surgery. They claimed that the only reason for Lee to be airlifted to Seoul National University Hospital was due to the request of his family who apparently believed treatment in the capital would be better than that of Busan, Korea's second-largest city, located in the southeast of the country. The doctors cited a briefing held by DPK lawmaker Jung Chung-rae who said just before Lee was airlifted, The neck is a sensitive part, thus Lee should undergo the surgery at the hands of competent surgeons. This is what his family wants. Yeo Han-sol who is in charge of emergency medicine at Sokcho Medical Center located in Gangwon Province said violence should never be tolerated, but questions remained over the preferential treatment afforded to Lee. Although Pusan National University Hospital where Lee was transferred to first was capable of performing the surgery, Lee was transferred to Seoul only for personal reasons, and the rescue helicopter was mobilized, Yeo wrote on Facebook. I want to ask whether such a helicopter can be mobilized upon the request of an ordinary citizen under the same circumstances. Lee was stabbed on the left side of his neck by a 67-year-old man surnamed Kim, who posed as an autograph hunter, on Tuesday morning after touring the construction site of a new airport on Busans Gadeok Island. Lee was promptly transported to Pusan National University Hospital while conscious and underwent emergency treatment for non-life threatening injuries a laceration of approximately 1 centimeter on his neck according to fire authorities at the time. He was then airlifted by helicopter to Seoul National University Hospital for surgery, as there were concerns about potential massive bleeding around his jugular vein, according to party members. What intensified the controversies was Lees previous remarks that highlighted the importance of reviving medical capabilities in regions where public access to medical services has faced a crisis. Lee has raised the need to nurture and support medical resources in regions, but he was rushed to the Seoul hospital as he was injured. This was absurd, Yeo said. Lee Gyeong-won, a professor of emergency medicine at Severance Hospital in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, also said that a large portion of the national budget has been thrown into the development of emergency medical systems in the regions, but Lee himself denied and ruined that by being transferring to Seoul. And now, who would trust regional hospitals and their medical capabilities, he said. Amid the growing controversies, Pusan National University Hospital and fire authorities in the region said the rescue helicopter was mobilized based on medical judgment and legal examination. Meanwhile, vascular surgeon Min Seung-kee at Seoul National University Hospital, who performed the surgery for Lee, said on Thursday that Lee was transferred to the general ward from the intensive care unit on Wednesday, a day after the one-hour and 40-minute surgery. Lee sustained a 1.4 centimeters-wide knife wound on the left side of his neck. About 60 percent of his internal jugular vein was cut, and there were blood clots, Min said during a media briefing. Lee needed a revascularization procedure that has a high level of difficulty. The surgery by a well-experienced surgeon was surely necessary. Police later revealed that the attacker, Kim, who was immediately overpowered and detained at the scene, had confessed that he intended to kill Lee and that he had plotted his attack alone. However, his motive remains unknown. A district court in Busan issued a warrant for Kim's arrest later on Thursday, saying there is a risk that he may flee. Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL/Kotak) today announced the appointment of Anupam Kaura as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) to spearhead organisational transformation, in the journey of accelerating change at Kotak. Anupam joins Kotak from CRISIL Ltd, London, UK where as Global Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and overseeing Corporate Administration was responsible for various crucial aspects such as Talent Strategy, Performance and Rewards, Learning and Development (L&D), Culture Transformation, and overall organizational transformation efforts. In the past year, Kotak has made global hires for key business priorities such as technology, customer experience and product. Anupam brings with him over 25 years of relevant experience in leadership roles across Indian and global banking and finance companies. He has an extensive background in strategic HR leadership, business partnering, compensation & benefits management, Boards and HR consulting. Anupam specialises in driving change agendas and transformative initiatives in large organisations. At CRISIL Ltd. Anupam played a pivotal role in the rejuvenation and enhancement of the teams within the organisation, equipping them with the necessary skills to adapt to technological and digital disruptions. Additionally, he took on a leadership position in the acquisition of a fintech startup, overseeing the acquisitions and integration processes for companies based in the India, United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. Prior to CRISIL, he has held key HR roles in reputed organisations such as IDFC Bank, Citi, AXA, and PWC where he managed diverse functions and led significant initiatives. Shanti Ekambaram, Whole time Director, Kotak Mahindra Bank said We welcome Anupam to the Kotak family. Anupam has a unique blend of experience in strategic HR leadership, change management, and technology integration. We believe his rich experience in leading large transformative initiatives align with Kotaks vision to be a tech-enabled, customer centric financial institution for the future . Anupam Kaura, President & Chief Human Resource Officer, Kotak Mahindra Bank, said, The Indian banking and finance sector is at an inflexion point of opportunities and growth and I am excited to partner with one of the most reputed and trusted brands that is transforming itself with technology, customer-centricity and talent at its core. l look forward to join the remarkable team at Kotak Mahindra Bank and contribute to its transformation. Anupam has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Delhi University and a Masters in Personnel Management & Industrial Relations from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). It was recently announced that Ranveer Singh has partnered with Bold Care, a key player in Indias landscape for mens sexual health and wellness. Now we hear from close sources that the brand office has been buzzing since a very interesting and innovation ad campaign is in the works with Ranveer Singh. The kind of personality he has, it is quite possible to do something fun, quirky yet informative with him and that is what is being planned. Ranveer Singh is one of the most loved actors in Indian cinema and is widely lauded for his versatility and on-screen and off-screen personality. While the actor has always demonstrated his charming personality to the world, he is also the only male actor in India who will be endorsing a sexual wellness brand. Ranveer is the 1st mainstream Indian actor to come on board with Bold Care, a key player in Indias landscape for mens sexual health and wellness, not just for endorsement but also as a co-owner. Having Ranveer on board is indeed a very valuable prospect for the brand. Following his involvement, the team is super kicked and have been planning an innovative ad campaign with the superstar. With a celebrity like Ranveer now joining the brand for this campaign, it would interesting to see what we are going to see and especially how they are going to address it to the audience. The kind of flamboyant personality Ranveer perceives, a brand can go all out with him. With an actor like him, one can do a lot. Be it, going quirky, or interesting, do something very different and he will carry it all very well and with utmost perfection. Moreover, a category like this one also needs a more interesting approach and Ranveer comes as a perfect choice to be the face of it. Even a decade ago, Ranveer Singh was the first mainstream Indian actor to endorse Durex, a condom brand and the ad campaign even back then received immense praise and applause from the audience. Co-owner Ranveer Singh had shared, I am pleased to come on board as the face and co-owner of Bold Care. Together we are committed towards normalising conversations about sexual health and wellness, a topic that traditionally comes with stigma and taboo. People, especially men are misinformed and shy to seek help. With this, we are doing our bit to help to bring about a positive change in society. He further adds, I have always felt that this category needs more of openness and acceptance in our society. That thought led to me endorsing a condom brand at a relatively early stage of my career. This time around its a greater investment that one is making. We are probably one of the most sexually active societies in the world. This needs to be done. By Kim Sun-ae Our bodies show our histories how we have lived. Working as an editor, I spent a lot of time sitting in front of my desk. Last year, after several months of piled up work, my back began to hurt. The pain did not go away even after a few months. Pain is a messenger. Pain is a signal that change is necessary in our lives. In May, I participated in a dance workshop. Bari, who led it, said, We learn the most from our bodies. Listening to her, I looked back on how I had ignored the voice of my body. When I was busy working, my work always took priority over health. Our bodies continually talk to us sometimes whispering, sometimes shouting. When our bodies need rest, they give a signal such as pain or other symptoms. At first, the pain may be bearable. However, if we keep ignoring the signal, it may turn into an unexpected, more serious symptom. Why do we pretend not to hear the voice of our bodies when its small? Many of us listen to it only when our bodies become unable to bear any more stress. Even after we suffer from a serious illness, its easy to forget the past pain and go back to our old lives. The habit energy is so strong. Nevertheless, health is the basis of a happy life. Taking part in the dance workshop, I decided to pay attention to the voice of my body. After dancing in the workshop, my body felt lighter the next day. Bari called moving our bodies while listening to them tuning practice. We can tune our bodies by dancing, doing some stretches or yoga, going for a walk and in various other ways. To play beautiful music with a guitar, tuning it is necessary. Likewise, we too need to take good care of our bodies for a beautiful and healthy life. In her book Womens Bodies, Womens Wisdom, Christiane Northrup asks, How would your life be different if you learned how to love and respect your body as though it were your own precious creation, as valuable as a beloved friend or child? Of course, we cant control all the elements of health. Nonetheless, we can do many things to take good care of ourselves. Our bodies know what to do and what not to do. If we learn how to listen to our bodies wisdom, we will become healthier and be able to share it with other people. Being kind to oneself is also beneficial to others. In her book Seeds for a Boundless Life, Zenkai Blanche Hartman says, Its very hard to be kinder to others than you are to yourself. Following the voice of my body, I walk on the soft soil on the nearby hill nearly every day. There my body and mind become relaxed. May we all be healthy, listening to our bodies. Kim Sun-ae (blog.naver.com/everythingchanges) wrote "Old Potato, New Potato" and translated Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel "Little Lord Fauntleroy." The New York Times (NYT) has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging the unauthorized use of its content for the training of generative artificial intelligence and large-language model systems. Last year, a group of US writers sued OpenAI accusing it of copyright infringement. The latest suit by NYT, filed in a Manhattan federal court, seeks damages that could amount to billions of dollars. NYT contends that while OpenAI and Microsoft amassed information from various sources to develop their AI systems, they placed "particular emphasis" on New York Times content. The complaint asserts that the companies aim to benefit from the Times's substantial investment in journalism without permission or compensation, posing a significant threat to the newspaper's ability to provide its essential services. Highlighting the importance of independent journalism to democracy, the lawsuit emphasizes the "vital" role of The Times's reporting in society and deems it "increasingly rare and valuable." The legal action further stresses the alleged "unlawful use" of the paper's copyrighted materials, including news articles, investigations, opinion pieces, reviews, and more, in the creation of AI products. The lawsuit addresses concerns about AI models generating inaccurate information, commonly referred to as "hallucinations." The Times alleges that Microsoft's Bing Chat misidentified content as originating from The Times, citing examples such as search results for "the 15 most heart-healthy foods." The lawsuit does not specify a monetary claim. However, it holds OpenAI accountable for "billions of dollars in statutory and actual damages." Additionally, the lawsuit urges the companies to destroy any chatbot models and training data using copyrighted material from The Times. Choosing the right company for water pump solutions in South Africa is crucial to ensure the efficiency, quality, and safety of your water supply system. Whether youre installing a new water pump or need maintenance and repairs on an existing one, there are some key factors you need to consider when making your decision. Selecting the right company for water pump solutions in your home involves thorough research, consideration of their reputation and experience, verification of licensing and certification, and a comparison of services and pricing. Taking the time to make an informed decision will help ensure that your water pump system operates efficiently and reliably, providing you with clean and safe water for years to come. In this article, we will look at some of the key things to consider when making your choice. Tips to Help You Choose the Right Provider There are some key things to keep in mind when it comes to choosing the right provider for water pump solutions in your home. Some of the main things that you need to consider before you make your decision are: Reputation and Experience One of the first things to look for when selecting a company for water pump solutions is their reputation and experience in the industry. A well-established company with a solid track record is more likely to provide reliable services. You can start by checking online reviews, asking for recommendations from friends or neighbors, or consulting local plumbing and water supply experts for their insights. Experience is important because water pump systems can be complex, and having a knowledgeable team can make a significant difference in the quality of the service you receive. Inquire about how long the company has been in business, the types of water pump systems they have worked on, and their expertise in handling various brands and models. Licensing and Certification Its essential to ensure that the company you choose is properly licensed and certified to work on water pump systems in your area. Licensing requirements vary from one location to another, so its crucial to research the specific regulations in your region. A licensed and certified company demonstrates a commitment to industry standards and regulations. This ensures that they are knowledgeable about local codes and safety guidelines, which is vital for the proper installation, maintenance, and repair of water pumps. Also, certified technicians are more likely to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and techniques in the field. Range of Services and Pricing When choosing a company for water pump solutions, consider the range of services they offer and their pricing structure. A reputable company should provide a comprehensive list of services, including pump installation, maintenance, repair, and emergency services. Having a one-stop shop for all your water pump needs can save you time and hassle in the long run. Make sure you look at pricing but also take into consideration the companys reputation and suitability for your needs. Find the Ideal Provider By following these tips, you can find the ideal provider of water pump solutions for your home. Image for representative purpose On Thursday morning, the Mumbai police control room received information that a 15-year-old and a 14-year-old from Tinsukia, Assam, had left for Mumbai on Wednesday without informing their families. The teenagers had boarded Indigo Flight 6E 115 bound for Mumbai. According to a leading daily, the Assam Class 9 students who recently failed their unit test exams, fled their homes, and boarded a flight to Mumbai to become businessmen were rescued on Thursday morning in a coordinated operation by both states police forces. After failing their exams, the boys decided to start a business based on artificial intelligence (AI) after seeing the concept in several viral videos on social media, according to Mumbai police officials. The duo decided to travel to Mumbai without informing their families because their families would not have approved of the idea, according to officials. On Thursday morning, Assam and Mumbai police officers apprehended the two teenagers at the Mumbai airport. The families of the boys filed a missing persons report at the Doomdooma police station in Assam, and the Assam police contacted their counterparts in Mumbai for assistance. When the flight landed early Thursday, officials from the Sahar police station, airport staff, Customs, and CISF arrived at the T2 terminal. The two children were taken into safe custody, and their family members, relatives, and Doomdooma police station officials were notified. Birmingham contractor Brasfield & Gorrie today announced an $18.9 million expansion of its headquarters, in a project projected to create 85 jobs over five years. Construction is expected to begin soon on a 28,500-square-foot, three-story building at the companys 3021 Seventh Ave. S. campus in the citys Lakeview District. The company hopes to have the project completed by the summer of 2025. Birmingham has been our home since day one, and we feel strongly about investing in the community, which has supported us throughout the years, CEO Jim Gorrie said in a statement. The city, county and states support have been key to our steady growth. As we continue to grow and hire across our footprint, its important that we invest in our people and the place we call home. Pylon Building Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brasfield & Gorrie, will build the expansion. The Birmingham Business Alliance estimates the project will provide an economic impact totaling $13.5 million over 20 years. Headquarters have a multiplier effect on our local economy and signal a thriving business environment to key stakeholders, such as business leaders, site selectors and prospective talent, Birmingham Business Alliance President and CEO Steve Ammons said. About 550 people currently work at Brasfield & Gorries offices, which have been in Lakeview since the companys founding in 1964. It has offices in 12 other cities across the U.S. The company provides general contracting, design-build, and construction management services in the healthcare, commercial, technology and infrastructure fields, among many others. Its projects include Protective Stadium, City Walk BHAM, Grandview Medical Center, and the Pizitz building and parking deck renovations. Brasfield & Gorrie is also currently engaged in projects with UAB Medical West, Southern Research and Cooper Green Mercy Health Services. Brasfield & Gorrie is a landmark business that has done much to reshape Birmingham through its high-profile projects over the years, Alabama Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair said. Its great to see this powerhouse company continue to deepen its roots in the city rather than selecting a larger market. A man officials say is in the country illegally is charged with the sexual battery of a young Florida girl for the past two years and, if convicted, could be executed under a new state law. The Okaloosa County (Fla.) Sheriffs Office said the now-13-year-old victim said on Christmas Day that 36-year-old Esau Matul Hernandez of Fort Walton Beach had been sexually abusing her since she was 11. The sheriffs office immediately launched an investigation and, two days later, a forensic interview of the girl was conducted at the Emerald Coast Childrens Advocacy Center. Child Protective Team investigators said the girl provided consistent information during the interview. The interview was determined as probable cause to levy a charge against Hernandez of sexual battery of a victim under the age of 12. Law enforcement was waiting at Hernandez residence when he arrived home on Dec. 28 and he was taken into custody without incident, although he attempted to provide investigators with an alias. Once his identity was confirmed, it was determined Hernandez was in the U.S. illegally. Records indicate Hernandez had been deported from the U.S. in September 2020 and there was no record of his returning legally. Hernandez is currently being held without bond in the Okaloosa County Jail. If convicted of the sexual battery charge, he faces up to life in prison -- or the death penalty if recommended by an 8-4 vote of the jury under a new law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in April which went into effect Oct. 1. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1977 the death penalty could not be applied to rape cases because it violated the U.S. Constitutions Eighth Amendment ban on cruel and unusual punishment. In 2008, the high court reaffirmed that position in the case of Kennedy v. Louisiana, saying the death penalty could not be applied when the crime did not result in the death of the victim. Nevertheless, the Florida Legislature passed the bill allowing the death penalty in child sexual battery cases, stating in that previous Supreme Court decisions were wrongly decided and an egregious infringement of the states power to punish the most heinous of crimes, according to the Orlando Sentinel. In December, the Florida State Attorneys Office announced it would apply the new law for the first time and seek the death penalty against Joseph Andrew Giampa of Leesburg, Fla., who is charged with six counts of sexual battery of a child under 12 and three counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child. A Gadsden man faces first degree rape charges in DeKalb County following an incident reported in late December. The DeKalb County Sheriffs Office said Jose Elisama Francisco-Diego, 21, is currently out on $60,000 bond from the DeKalb County Detention Center, according to court records. According to Sheriff Nick Welden, county investigators were contacted by Collinsville police following a sexual assault report. Francisco-Diego was arrested on Dec. 29, 2023. According to court records, he has been charged with raping a woman who was incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless or mentally incapacitated. Welden, in a statement, said crimes of this nature and others will not be tolerated in this county. Katt Williams on Shannon Sharpes Club Shay Shay podcast on Wednesday criticized Rickey Smiley for comments he made about Friday After Next, the comedy sequel the two appeared in with Ice Cube in 2000. Williams, who made his film debut in the movie, said Smiley was wrong for telling Sharpe their roles in the film were originally supposed to be reversed. Ultimately, Williams was Money Mike and Smiley was Santa Claus. See also: Katt Williams claims Cedric the Entertainer stole his best joke This man told you he had Katt Williams role. He was going to be Money Mike, and Katt Williams was going to be the Santa Claus, Williams said, according to a report in USA Today. We auditioned in Los Angeles. I was audition No. 201. Two-hundred Black comedians auditioned for the role of Money Mike with me. Youre saying all 201 of us was auditioning, and you had already had the role and had already shot the role in four days? On The Rickey Smiley Morning Show on Thursday, Smiley told his radio audience he was originally meant to be Money Mike but in hindsight thinks Williams was the better choice. I had no reason to lie about that, Smiley said. They added that whole pimp twist to that character, which was actually a better decision and made it funnier, Smiley said of Williamss casting as Money Mike. There was no way in the hell I could have executed that role like that and Im glad that they made that decision. Personally, I liked the pimp role better, Smiley said, but the Santa Claus role was just perfect for me. Williams also told Sharpe he had a clause placed in his contract that he would only work with Smiley if he was wearing a dress in his roles. Rickey Smiley is the first to respond to Katt Williams interview pic.twitter.com/w1YPiWKAFd VINCE VAN (@VinceJVan) January 4, 2024 Smiley has frequently portrayed Bernice Jenkins, a comic bit where he plays a grandmother, often while reading church announcements. The role originated with prank calls on 95.7 Jamz, Smiley said. Now, what was Rickey Smileys next movie? Was it First Sunday? Did he wear a dress in it? You bet he did. Its in my contract. Williams said. Thats where hes a believable actor. Him and Tyler Perry cant play a man to save their life. They play good women. Smiley said his future performances as Bernice Jenkins had nothing to do with Katt Williamss contract. Listing other Black comics who performed dressed as women for the sake of funny, Smiley said that has nothing to do with my manhood being lessened for trying to play a role and trying to put food on the table for my family. Smiley said he was disappointed he had to offer the explanation. It makes me sad the way that made my kids feel, he said of Williamss comments. Smiley went on to encourage his audience to buy tickets to Williamss upcoming shows in Birmingham and Huntsville. We want to wish Katt Williams nothing but the best, Smiley said. Smiley said the comments came at a crazy time as he and his family are coping with the upcoming one year anniversary of the death of his son, Brandon. Im not trying to say any of this for sympathy, Im just saying Im dealing with stuff, Smiley said. Two women who carried out the fatal robbery of two Florida college students that ended in the shooting death of one victims in the Talladega National Forest have been sentenced to federal prison. U.S. District Court Judge R. David Proctor sentenced Yasmine Marie Hider, 21, of Edmond, Oklahoma, to 35 years in prison and Krystal Diane Pinkins, 37, of Memphis, Tennessee to life in prison. Pinkins in September 2023 was convicted of murder, robbery, and unlawful use of a firearm during a crime of violence. Hider pleaded guilty to murder, kidnapping, and robbery in October 2023. As part of her plea agreement, Hider testified against Pinkins at trial. My sincere hope is that these convictions and sentences bring justice to the victims and the victims families, reassuring them that these defendants have been held accountable for their actions, said Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona. The women were charged in connection to the slaying of 22-year-old Adam Simjee. He and his girlfriend, Mikayla Paulus, were robbed at gunpoint while they were hiking in Cheaha State Park on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022. Adam Simjee, 22, and Mikayla Paulus, 20, were hiking in Cheaha State Park Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, when they were robbed at gunpoint and Simjee was fatally shot. (Contributed) Hider and Pinkins, previously described as living off the grid, are also facing murder charges in Clay County. Trial dates have not been announced in the state cases. Paulus previously spoke with AL.com about what happened that morning. The couple was flagged down by Hider to help jump start Pinkins car which was broken down. Hider robbed the couple and shot the Simjee as he attempted to defend himself and his girlfriend. Evidence proved Pinkins aided in the crimes by providing the firearm, planning the robbery, and watching nearby in the woods as the robbery and murder took place. After the shooting, Pinkins fled into the woods and was found six hours later hidden in a secluded campsite. A 25-year-old Etowah County man has been charged in the shooting death of his mother and his half-brother. Brandon Wagnon is charged with two counts of murder in the Tuesday slayings of 45-year-old Brandi Whitt and 9-year-old Brantley Whitt. Wagnon was booked into the Etowah County Jail at 1:52 a.m. Wednesday. He was set to have an Aniahs Law bond hearing Thursday afternoon. Deputies responded about 10 p.m. Tuesday to a report of someone shot on Glen Gap Road in the Highland/Tabor community, said Sheriff Jonathon Horton. They arrived to find the Whitt and her younger son both had sustained gunshot wounds. Deputies started lifesaving measures until medics arrived, but both victims were pronounced dead on the scene. Horton said Wagnon and his girlfriend were taken into custody on scene and taken to the sheriffs office for questioning. The girlfriend was released without being charged. A motive has not been disclosed. Any death is always difficult for everyone involved, but one involving a juvenile is especially hard on all emergency first responders, Horton said. We are extremely saddened and send our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones during this difficult time. Korea's oceans ministry said Thursday it has kicked off a corporate body in Vietnam to open a logistics center in the Southeast Asian nation to support small and medium-sized businesses. The launch of K-UPA came as the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has been working with the state-run Ulsan Port Authority to open the center in Dong Nai, southern Vietnam, to help Korean firms store goods under room or low temperatures. Under the collaboration with Korea-based logistics firm KCTC, the project, estimated at 18.8 billion won ($14.3 million), centers on building the center sized 12,000 square meters, capable of storing 4.3 million pallets of goods. The Ulsan Port Authority holds an 80 percent stake in the project, with the Vietnamese arm of KCTC taking up the remaining 20 percent. "When the center opens its doors, it will significantly enhance the export competitiveness of Korean firms operating in Southeast Asia," Oceans Minister Kang Do-hyung said in a statement. The center is expected to start its preliminary operation in December, with the full service set to begin by July 2025. It will offer discounts of around 10 to 15 percent for Korean small and medium companies. (Yonhap) Adam Bond, whose family sounded alarms about his being assaulted in an Alabama prison and their difficulty in getting information about his condition, has died at St. Clair Correctional Facility, the Alabama Department of Corrections said. Inmate Klifton Adam Bond was discovered unresponsive in his cell, and staff immediately began life-saving measures, the ADOC said in an email Thursday. He was then transferred to the Health Care Unit where life-saving measures continued but were unsuccessful. Bond was pronounced deceased by the attending physician. The ADOC Law Enforcement Services Division is investigating Bonds death. The cause of death is pending an autopsy and the conclusion of the investigation. Bond, 38, was serving a 20-year sentence for robbery and burglary convictions in Baldwin County, the ADOC said. In November, Barbara Anne Turner, who is Bonds aunt, said the family learned from another inmate, not prison officials, that Bond had been beaten in the head with a pipe and stabbed by an inmate at Donaldson Correctional Facility. The attack happened on Nov. 6. Turner said she and Bonds mother, Rebecca Crafton, called the prison repeatedly but were unable to get information. The warden called back the next day and said Bond had been taken to UAB Hospital, Turner said. But the family said they were still unable to get much information on Bonds treatment and condition. On Dec. 14, Turner and Crafton attended a meeting of the Alabama Legislatures prison oversight committee, where other relatives told lawmakers about their loved ones being killed, beaten, and raped in Alabama prisons. Turner said that day Bond was in the infirmary at Kilby Correctional Facility in Montgomery but that the family had not been allowed to see him or talk to the doctors or nurses who treating him. They said he had undergone brain surgery. Crafton showed a photo of her son on her phone that showed a scar running from behind his ear to the top of his head. He may have done some things wrong, Turner said at that meeting in December. And he was there to serve his time. We understand that. But he did not deserve to be beaten with a lead pipe on his head. Stabbed all over his body. And we as family, we should have rights. He may belong to the state of Alabama but he also belongs to us. The U.S. Department of Justice sued the Alabama prison system in December 2020, alleging the failure to protect the incarcerated men from violence violates the Constitution. The state has acknowledged problems in its prisons, including severe understaffing, but has denied the unconstitutional conditions. An Alabama man and his brother have been sentenced in a murder-for-hire conspiracy in the death of his ex-wife, an elementary school teacher and mother of four. Jason Starr, 50, and Darin Starr, a 54-year-old Texas resident, were convicted in September on federal charges of racketeering murder in the Nov. 27, 2017, shooting death of Sara Starr, a fourth-grade teacher at Harrand Creek Elementary School in Enterprise and the mother of two sets of twins. A federal judge in Montgomery on Thursday sentenced the Starr brothers to life in prison, said Middle District of Alabama Acting U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross. There is no parole in the federal system. Sara Starr was killed just four months of her divorce was finalized. The couple was to share custody of their four children, and Jason Starr was ordered to pay his ex-wife $1,050 a month in child support and $1,500 in alimony. She also was awarded a portion of his military benefits. Shortly after the divorce, from September 2017 to November 2017, Jason Starr sent approximately $2,600 to his brother, Darin Starr, authorities said. He reportedly also gave his brother a motorcycle. Testimony in the trial showed that cell phone records indicated that Darin Starr traveled from Texas to Coffee County just before Thanksgiving in 2017 and, on multiple occasions, was very near the home of his brothers ex-wife. Around midnight on November 27, 2017, Darin Starrs phone was turned off. About seven hours later, Darin Starr shot and killed his brothers ex-wife in her driveway as she was leaving for work. Darin Starr turned his phone back on around 8 a.m. when he was on I-10 heading back to Texas. Federal prosecutors said the jury determined that the money sent by Jason Starr to his brother was payment for the murder of his ex-wife. This premeditated murder devastated the victims family and the surrounding community, Ross said. Jason and Darin Starr deserve to spend the rest of their lives separated from society for the terrible crime they committed. The FBI, the Coffee County Sheriffs Office, the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency investigated the case, with Assistant United States Attorneys B. Chelsea Phillips and Joshua J. Wendell prosecuting. A Blount County sheriffs jailer has been arrested and fired amid allegations he had sex with a female inmate. Garrett Law, 26, was booked into the Blount County Jail at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. He is charged with custodial sexual misconduct, the second jailer accused of sexual involvement with an inmate there in less than a year. Sheriff Mark Moon said Law had been a corrections officer for about two months. Sheriffs officials were notified about 1 p.m. Wednesday that he had possibly had inappropriate contact with a female inmate. Moon requested the Oneonta Police Department to begin a criminal investigation. Sheriffs officials also launched a parallel internal probe. Investigators spoke to three female inmates two witnesses and the alleged victim and then interviewed Law. He admitted to some of the things that the ladies said all three ladies stories were the same, the sheriff said. He admitted to some of it but tried to deny most of it. Following his interview with Oneonta police, Law was placed under arrest. Moon also fired him Wednesday night. The sheriff said the allegations against Law include oral sex. He said Law violated the sheriffs office policy by going into the female lockdown after lights out. He would have been fired even if he hadnt touched her, Moon said. In March, former corrections officer Daniel Kelsoe, 29, was charged with two counts of custodial sexual misconduct at the Blount County Jail involving several potential victims. In Alabama, an inmate cannot legally consent to sex with a jailer. You dont know how frustrating it is, Moon said. We strictly tell them if you touch these inmates sexually in any way, youre going to be charged. A customer of a Florida Dunkin is accusing the company of negligence after he says a toilet in the stores mens bathroom exploded, a lawsuit says. The lawsuit, filed in Orange County district court on Jan. 3, is seeking damages in excess of $50,000 for severe and long-term injuries and emotional and mental distress from a mans visit to one of the coffee chains Winter Park locations a year ago. An attorney representing the man could not be immediately reached for comment on Jan 4. McClatchy News also reached out to Dunkin, based in Canton, Massachusetts, and was waiting for a response. On Jan. 6, 2022, the Flagler County resident went into the Dunkin mens room and was near one of the toilets when there was an explosion, the lawsuit says. The explosion resulted in (the man), and the interior of the room itself, being covered with debris, including human feces and urine, the lawsuit says. The man, covered in poop, says he walked out of the bathroom for help from employees when they told him they were aware of the problem with the toilet, according to the lawsuit. The employees told the man there had been prior incidents involving the toilet, but the lawsuit did not elaborate. The lawsuit alleges the man needed mental health care and counseling as a direct result of the trauma experienced in the restroom and from the continuing trauma following the event. The man says Dunkin was negligent when employees failed to maintain the safety of the mens restroom and failed to alert customers of the problem toilet, according to the lawsuit. He is seeking financial compensation in excess of $50,000, plus prejudgment interest, post judgment interest, and (the mans) costs of action, the lawsuit says. Winter Park is about 5 miles north of downtown Orlando. 2024 The Kansas City Star. Visit kansascity.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Sixty years ago today, Harold Franklin became the first Black student to attend Auburn University though he would not receive his degree until decades later, in 2020. Isolated and under heavy guard, Franklin arrived on Auburns campus on Jan. 4, 1964. Officials had previously rejected his application, but with the help of the NAACP, he successfully sued the college in 1963, making Auburn the third state college to desegregate. Franklin died in 2021 at the age of 88. I won two cases against them, Franklin told AL.com in a 2019 interview. I was a 31-year-old married agitator. George Wallace was governor. I dont have to tell you what he was like. Franklin, a Talladega native, had recently graduated from the historically Black Alabama State College and, inspired by the late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, had dreams of attending law school one day. It was attorney Fred Gray who initially encouraged Franklin to work on a masters at Auburn but it would take some convincing. I dont want to go to a cow college, Franklins son, Harold Franklin Jr., recalled his father telling Gray at the time. But eventually Franklin agreed to join Grays class-action suit, and after two years of court proceedings, he would become the first Black student to successfully register at the school. It proved to him something that he already knew, Franklins nephew, Melvin Bolton, told the schools alumni association in 2021. And that was that whatever he set his mind to, he could achieve. An incomplete year Franklins time on campus was anything but normal. On his first day of school, Gov. George Wallace ordered troops to stop him from registering. An FBI agent escorted him to the registrar, and he was assigned to one wing of a dormitory, where he lived alone until other Black students slowly began to enroll. Scenes from Auburn University on Jan. 4, 1964, when Harold Franklin became the first black student to enroll. (Tom Self, Ed Jones, The Birmingham News archives/AL.com) BNBN A semester later, he shared a bathroom with Willie Wyatt Jr. and Anthony Lee, the first Black students to enroll at Auburn as undergraduates. Wyatt and Lee applied in the fall of 1964, but were not initially accepted because they didnt have housing, Wyatt told AL.com in a recent interview. Lee attended all four years and became the schools first Black graduate. Wyatt, like Franklin, left Auburn after a year and finished his degree at Tuskegee University. College life to me was not only supposed to be an academic experience but a social experience, Wyatt said. And at Auburn you would have no social experience. Franklin told the Washington Post years later that white students refused to sit next to him in his classes. He also struggled to gain support from his professors, he said. Franklin wanted to write about the civil rights movement for his thesis, but revealed in a 2019 interview with AL.com that faculty urged him against it because the topic was too controversial. He later changed his focus to the history of Alabama State College, his alma mater. But Auburn officials repeatedly rejected his submissions. He submitted draft after draft, and faculty kept sending it back for trivial reasons, Franklin recalled. One professor, he said, said his work had to be perfect because he was Black and many people would read it. Finally I said, Hell, what youre telling me is I wont get a degree from Auburn, Franklin told AL.com. After leaving Auburn without graduating in 1965, Franklin received his masters degree from the University of Denver. He later went on to pursue a long career teaching history at numerous colleges before his retirement in 1992. In 2001, nearly 37 years after his enrollment, Auburn awarded Franklin an honorary Doctor of Arts, but the school never addressed the racism that prevented him from earning the degree he had actually applied for. It was a really nice gesture, Keith Hebert, an associate professor of history at Auburn, told AL.com in 2021. For Harold, the honorary degree was nice. He displays it. Its on the wall. Hes Dr. Harold Franklin. But there was an incompleteness. He had earned all the credits, he did all the courses, he had written the thesis. Getting his degree According to Hebert, officials did not learn about Franklins rejected masters thesis until after his 2019 interview with AL.com, where Franklin discussed his experiences at the school and shared his thoughts on Gov. Kay Iveys blackface yearbook photo. Ivey was a freshman at the college when Franklin enrolled. A couple of months later, Hebert and several other Auburn faculty went to visit Franklin at his home in Sylacauga, where they asked him if he still had his thesis. He reached across the sofa and let them read it. After 54 years, he always had it close by, he told them. We tried to evaluate it from the era it was written, which was 1969, to read what was approved that year, Hebert, who would later chair Franklins thesis committee, told AL.com in 2021. He had written a well-researched masters thesis. He had, more than 50 years earlier, fulfilled all requirements. We organized a defense. Its shameful that it had to take this long. Franklin successfully defended his masters thesis on Feb. 19, 2020. Attached to the approval was a formal apology, Hebert said. Im honored, Franklin, then 87, told AL.com at the time. Im happy they finally decided after all these years. Ill be there at graduation and get that degree. Because of the pandemic the graduation ceremony was postponed. Instead, Franklin received his diploma in the mail in June and attended commencement in August. Franklin died just a year later on Sept. 9, 2021. In 2008 the college opened the Harold A. Franklin Society to help support underrepresented male students. In 2015, officials unveiled a marker to commemorate Franklins achievements, stating that he simply left the university. A new plaque was unveiled in 2021 at the recommendation of a task force. Dr. Franklins bold journey is the epitome of a spirit that is not afraid, the plaque states. His story continues to move our hearts, stimulate our minds and inspire our lives. The same spirit dwells within, reminding us that truth will always prevail. Auburn will host a commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Franklins enrollment at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9. A ceremony featuring several speakers will be held at the Mell Classroom Building and the Ralph Brown Draughon Library, where Franklin first registered for classes. A man wanted for murder in Louisville, Ky. was arrested Tuesday in Florence. Louisville police said Lamarr T. Jones was arrested on charges of murder and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. He is awaiting extradition back to Kentucky. The Louisville Police Fugitive Unit, the U.S. Marshal Service and the Lauderdale County Sheriffs Office assisted in the arrest. Jones was wanted in connection with a fatal shooting on Aug. 15. According to Louisville police, officers responded to a shooting call at 10:10 p.m. near the intersection of 26th and Market Streets. They found Terrez Cureton, 31, outside suffering from gunshot wounds. He later died at University Hospital. The case of a man accused of fatally shooting a tow truck driver in December will head to a Madison County grand jury. Warren Siao, 47, is currently out on bond after being charged with murder in the shooting death of Jayson Click, 38, of Grant. Click, the owner of Ace Towing, died of gunshot wounds in the incident in Harvest on Dec. 13. The death has been ruled a homicide. Sheriffs deputies responded to the shooting at a home in the 200 block of Wedgewood Terrace Road in Harvest around 7 p.m. According to court documents, Siao is accused of shooting Click with an AR rifle. WAFF is reporting that, at a preliminary hearing Wednesday, Judge Donald Rizzardi handed the case to a grand jury following testimony by Madison County Detective Joshua Mosley. Mosley said in court Siao told him under questioning that he was awakened on the night of the shooting by dogs barking outside his home. He said he believed two people were attempting to steal his car, but also said he was behind on his car payments after being unemployed for three months. The two men were Click and another tow truck driver. Siao said he fired five to six rounds, but had only intended to scare away the men around his car. The Mobile Police Department isnt outright suspending so-called perp walks, but is limiting the number of them through a modified approach partially aimed at improving the citys image, the police chief said Wednesday. Id not be a good chief if I didnt take a look at how we can do things better, and this is one of things I feel like we can do better in, Police Chief Paul Prine told AL.com. Each year I look at what we can do better, what works and how do we improve and certainly our image, we know, is a big deal. Branding is a big deal. Messaging is a big deal. I just feel like that is a deficiency were dealing with right now in Mobile. The department is limiting perp walks to high-profile cases only, representing a shift in practice in which Mobile police would conduct more frequent perp walks that allowed greater access for media to ask accused criminals questions as they are escorted to jail. Perp is short for perpetrator. The walks have been held for years, and media outlets were typically notified in advance by the police department. Prine said he felt local broadcast media overreports the same crime day in, and day out creating what he says is a perception issue that Mobile is overridden with crime. Its not just a perception issue with the Mobile PD and the community at large that we live in a violent city, Prine said. Thats not the case. The numbers bear that out. Though 2023 statistics are not official, Prine said that the city saw a more than 20% drop in homicides, and reductions in almost all violent crime categories. That gets lost in the perception that crime is out of control, Prine said about the statistics which follow other larger cities in Alabama and in the U.S. showing drops in violent crime from 2021. Birmingham saw its first decrease in homicides for the first time in five years. We want to see if we can effect that negative perception crime is out of control, Prine said. He added, The big picture is how does this affect tourism? How does the overreporting of crime affect those wanting to move to Mobile and wanting to spend their tax money or companies that want to relocate here? Things are on the change for Mobile, and we would be remised if we didnt see the big picture that crime or perception of crimes.. Prine said the department does not have a policy on perp walks, though he said the agency has maintained a practice of conducting them throughout his entire career with the department. He said the agency plans to review the shift in policy at the end of this year to see if it has been effective. Prine also said he was worried that frequent perp walks was generating notoriety for younger men and women ages 15 to 25 who are arrested and then appear on camera being questioned by reporters. If they are in a criminal element, its about building street cred among their own criminal group and I feel its important we dont build that notoriety, Prine said. For law abiding citizens, its embarrassing to have a name or picture plastered (on TV). But we have found its really a badge of honor (for a criminal) to be seen arrested for the most violent offenses. Thats unfortunate. A man wanted for murder out of Ohio was taken into custody Thursday in Alabama. Clarence Abdul Ellis, 28, was arrested at a home on Honeysuckle Road in Dothan. Dothan police, the Houston County Sheriffs Office, ALEA and the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force took the wanted fugitive into custody. Ellis, police said, was wanted for murder in Columbus. Details of the alleged killing were not immediately available. Ellis is being held without bond in the Houston County Jail pending extradition to Ohio. Rain and thunderstorms will roll into Alabama Friday as a potentially significant weather event could arrive by Monday, according to the Alabama Emergency Management Agency. Jim Stefkovich, meteorologist with the Alabama EMA, said rain and a few thunderstorms will enter western Alabama Friday afternoon, spreading across the remainder of the state by the evening before ending Saturday morning. The highest risk of instability remains offshore with less threat to coastal counties, though Baldwin, Mobile and counties along the Alabama/Florida state line could experience a couple of supercell thunderstorms followed by a broken line of storms between 5 p.m. and 5 a.m. Saturday. These storms could bring damaging wind gusts or tornadoes. Up to 1.5 inches of rainfall is forecast north of Highway 80/I-85 and 2-4 inches south of that area. Winds will be increasing statewide Friday morning through Saturday with sustained winds of 10-20 mph and gusts from 25-35 mph. Storms will arrive around 5 p.m. Friday, lasting until roughly 3 a.m. Saturday for the western part of the coast before tracking eastward towards Florida around 5 a.m. Saturday. What to expect Monday Stefkovich said a potent system with supercells and line segment storms will move across parts of the state Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning. Damaging winds gusts and tornadoes are expected in the southern portions of Alabama. This has the potential to become a significant event, EMS said in a Thursday statement. Storms are expected to start for the southwestern part of the state around 3 p.m. Monday and last until 2 a.m. Tuesday. The southeast corner of the state could see storms from 7 p.m. Monday 10 a.m. Tuesday. The latest threat is moving further inland from the coast though changes to the risk level and area are expected to change. Strong winds are also expected before and after the storms with gusts from 25-40 mph from late Monday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon. Widespread 2-4 inches of rain will fall and when combined with the totals from Friday into Saturday, localized flash flooding is possible, especially south of Hwy 80/I-85. Showers are expected to end across the state by early Tuesday afternoon, though will likely continue north of I-20 into early Wednesday morning with a changeover to snow flurries or light snow possible in far north Alabama Tuesday evening. By Jhoo Dong-chan Shinhan Bank claimed the top spot in the National Customer Satisfaction Index in the overall bank category, according to the Korea Productivity Center, Tuesday. It scored 79 points, beating its rival Woori Bank by one point. Shinhan Bank designated certain branches to extend their operating hours into the evening and on Saturdays, catering to customers who face time constraints during regular banking hours. The bank also provides an online video teller service as well. Shinhan Bank will keep doing its best for those who experience difficulties in using the latest financial services, said Shinhan Bank CEO Jung Sang-hyuk in a press release. To enhance accessibility for banking services for senior citizens, the bank has implemented diverse steps such as enlarging the size of the letters displayed at its ATMs and introducing audio-based services for those who have difficulties when reading. Its voice ATM service reads instructions about 30 percent slower than other existing machines. The bank recently started providing a financial education program for those unfamiliar with financial terminology. The program offers various interactive digital experiences not only with ATMs but also with its mobile app. Through the education program, Shinhan Bank has partnered with the Financial Supervisory Service to provide sessions designed to educate customers on safeguarding themselves from the threat of financial fraud and phishing attempts. An investigation is underway after a shooting in Hueytown Wednesday night. Police received a call from a passerby about 7:40 p.m. about shots fired in the area of Knight Avenue and Red Farmer Driver. Hueytown 911 then got another call of a person shot on Knight Avenue. Officers and fire medics found a male shot in the hand. He was taken to UAB Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A short time later, a state trooper located the vehicle in which the victim had been on Interstate 59 northbound near 20th Street Ensley. The female driver was also injured and taken by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service to UAB Hospital. It wasnt immediately clear if she was shot, or injured in some other way. Her injury, police said, happened during the initial incident in Hueytown. Police said they believe the victims were targeted. Anyone with information is asked to call Hueytown detectives at 205-491-3523. Freezing fog could be an issue for some in Alabama this morning. The National Weather Service has issued a freezing fog advisory for several central Alabama counties, and the weather service is also cautioning those in north Alabama to be on the lookout. The weather service said fog could reduce visibilities to a quarter-mile or less. Its also cold enough that the fog could freeze on some surfaces, causing slick spots on bridges or other elevated areas. The freezing fog advisory will be in effect until 8 a.m. Thursday for the following counties: Etowah, Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Clay, Perry, Bibb, Chilton, Coosa, Dallas, Autauga, Lowndes, Elmore and Montgomery. Patchy freezing fog will also be possible in north Alabama. The weather service in Huntsville issued a special weather statement for the north Alabama counties of Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Morgan, Marshall, Jackson, DeKalb and Cullman. Forcaters said patchy dense freezing fog had developed on Thursday morning in some low-lying areas, especially near the Tennessee River and other waterways or lakes in the region. The weather service advised drivers in those areas to slow down, use their headlights and leave plenty of distance ahead of them. Also, they should be on alert for frost on bridge decks. Records released Wednesday provide a deeper look into the sprawling sex trafficking activities of financier Jeffrey Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell and those who say they saw nothing even as they enjoyed the couples company and largess. The records were unsealed in response to years-long litigation by the Miami Herald and its parent, McClatchy. Though none of the records directly implicate anyone beyond Epstein and Maxwell in illegal or improper activities, witnesses mostly young women testified that Epstein bragged about his sexual prowess with virgins and boasted of his long list of famous acquaintances, including former presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, Prince Andrew and the late Michael Jackson. The records were immediately seized upon by partisans on either side of the political and cultural divide, who posted social media attacks on Trump or Clinton even though their connections with Epstein have long been known. New revelations Among new revelations in documents unsealed Wednesday: A witness, Johanna Sjoberg, testified in a deposition that she met David Copperfield at one of Epsteins residences and that the magician asked her if she knew that girls were getting paid to find other girls. Sjoberg, who was in college, recalled seeing another younger girl at dinner with Copperfield, and recalled thinking she appeared to be of high school age, but she wasnt certain. The Miami Herald was unable to reach Copperfield for comment Wednesday night. Sjoberg, who worked for Epstein for five years, said she once overheard Epstein talking on the phone about famed hairdresser Frederic Fekkai. I heard him call someone and say Fekkai is in Hawaii. Can we find some girls for him? Sjoberg testified during a deposition. Fekkai couldnt be reached late Wednesday for comment, but he has denied knowing of Epsteins conduct in the past. Sjoberg said she never met Bill Clinton, but that Epstein told her they were friends. He said one time that Clinton likes them young, referring to girls, Sjoberg told lawyers during the deposition. And Sjoberg recalled a 2001 visit to one of Trumps casinos in Atlantic City. After their plane was forced to land in Atlantic City instead of New York, Sjoberg recalled that Epstein said, Great, well call up Trump. The two men socialized together in Palm Beach. It isnt clear whether she ever actually met Trump and she said that she never gave him a massage. Epstein was known for requiring three massages a day from young women and girls recruited for him by staff at any of his several houses. A spokesman for Trumps presidential campaign didnt respond immediately to a request for comment. Other names in Epsteins world included Michael Jackson, whom Sjoberg said she met at Epsteins Palm Beach estate, and model scout Jean Luc Brunel, once a Miami Beach bon vivant. A longtime associate of Epstein, Brunel was found dead of hanging in 2022 in a French jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The documents released Wednesday stem from a 2015 defamation lawsuit Epstein victim Virginia Roberts Giuffre brought against Maxwell. The suit was filed after Maxwell called Giuffre a liar for accusing Epstein and Maxwell of serial sexual abuse The case was settled in 2017, with Maxwell reportedly paying millions to Giuffre. The Miami Herald first sued to have the records released in 2018 and the court has released several tranches of documents since then that have painted a detailed portrait of Epsteins abuse of hundreds of girls and Maxwells role in facilitating that abuse. Many of the names in the records were redacted, and the Herald pushed to have those redactions lifted. More names to be revealed Wednesdays release is the initial batch of court records that will be unsealed in the days ahead. The names of about 150 J. Does are to be unsealed, although some were already widely known and reported. The first batch on Wednesday included Clinton, Trump, Brunel, Copperfield, Fekkai and Thomas Pritzker, executive director of the Hyatt Hotel Corp. Giuffre had previously testified in the case that she was directed by Epstein and Maxwell to have sex with Pritzker, who has denied her allegation. The records included several full depositions that had not previously been public, subpoenas, witness lists and court motions. The latest release caps years of legal wrangling involving lawyers for Giuffre, Maxwell and several of the individuals previously identified as J. Does. The impetus for the unsealing was the Miami Heralds 2018 Perversion of Justice series, which detailed how Epsteins high-powered legal team negotiated a remarkably lenient 2008 plea agreement for the financier after he was accused of sexually abusing dozens of high school girls in Palm Beach. Under the terms of the deal, which was kept secret from the victims, Epstein pleaded guilty to two state solicitation charges. He would ultimately serve a 13-month sentence in a private wing of the Palm Beach County Jail, allowed to leave for 12 hours a day to work out of a nearby office. Following the Heralds reporting, federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York brought sex trafficking charges against Epstein in July 2019, leading to his arrest. The following month, he was found dead in his New York prison cell in what has been ruled a suicide. In July 2020, Maxwell was arrested and charged with facilitating Epsteins abuse and, in one case, participating in the abuse herself. She was convicted in December 2021 on five of six charges related to sex trafficking and sentenced to 20 years in prison in June 2022. Maxwell, 62, currently lives in a federal prison in Tallahassee. Her appeal of the verdict and sentence is pending. Maxwell is the only associate of Epstein who has been prosecuted for her role in facilitating his abuse. Epsteins death came one day after earlier redacted documents from the Giuffre-Maxwell lawsuit were released. Giuffre alleged in those documents she was coerced into having sex with some of the worlds most powerful and wealthy men, including former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell, former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Pritzker all of whom denied the claims. Subsequent releases have included the two depositions Maxwell gave in the case in which she denied knowledge of Epsteins abuse and her role in recruiting and grooming girls for his abuse. Maxwell vehemently denied ever giving anyone a massage, which contradicted the sworn testimony given at trial by one of her victims, Annie Farmer. Those depositions formed the basis for perjury charges initially brought against Maxwell at the time of her arrest, which were put on hold until after her sex trafficking trial. Maxwell had fought to keep the court depositions sealed, arguing that it would prejudice her trial. Maxwell had said that she had little contact with Epstein after he was released from jail in Palm Beach County in 2009, but other records releases provided evidence that the pair remained in contact far longer. In one 2015 e-mail, for example, Epstein wrote to Maxwell, You have done nothing wrong and I would urge you to start acting like it. The latest release of documents included a 2015 e-mail in which Epstein proposed that Maxwell offer rewards to friends and acquaintances of Giuffre willing to discredit her. Maxwell said in her deposition that she never acted on that advice. But even as the documents saw the light of day, many secrets have remained buried by heavy redactions. Why were the documents secret? Legal experts said the documents should have never been secret in the first place. Our court system is an open system, and there shouldnt be a secret docket. If a document is filed and made part of the public docket, it should be made public, said David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor. Marci Hamilton, CEO of Child USA, a non-profit focused on ending child abuse, said she believes the newly released documents could lead to future legal charges or lawsuits against some of the perpetrators named in the documents, particularly those accused of crimes in New York City, which is allowing previously expired sex assault civil claims to go forward through March 2025. I have no doubt that both the state attorney general and the district attorney in New York City are going to be looking at this carefully, she said. Maxwell is the only associate of Epstein who has been prosecuted for her role in facilitating his abuse. In the absence of further criminal charges, some of Epsteins victims have won victories in civil court cases and been compensated through a fund established for victims. J.P. Morgan Chase settled a class-action lawsuit last year brought by Epsteins victims, which had argued that the bank had facilitated Epsteins abuse by continuing to do business with him even after his first conviction. The bank agreed to pay the victims $290 million. The bank also reached a settlement for $75 million with the U.S. Virgin Islands over its connection to Epstein. The multimillionaire owned an island there, flying in famous friends, elite scientists and young women. A fund established with proceeds from Epsteins estate paid out $121 million in 2021 to more than 135 people. Giuffre in 2022 reached a settlement with Prince Andrew after filing a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault; the settlement is believed to be worth 12 million pounds or roughly $15 million. Giuffre had also previously reached a settlement with Epstein. She admitted in a settlement with famed defense attorney Alan Dershowitz, once part of Epsteins legal team, that she might have been mistaken in accusing him of sexual abuse. 2024 McClatchy Washington Bureau. Visit mcclatchydc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. An Alabama man known as MAGA Lumberjack for his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol is facing more charges back home. Dillon Herrington, 32, of Madison, was indicted by a Limestone County grand jury last month on a charge of first-degree rape, court records showed. Herrington was dubbed the MAGA Lumberjack by the FBI when they were seeking tips on locating the then-unidentified Jan. 6 perpetrator. Dillon Colby Herrington (Federal Court Records) The agency said Herrington threw objects, including lumber at U.S. Capitol police. Last month, Herrington pleaded guilty to one federal charge of assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers in connection with his role in Jan. 6, records showed. A federal judge sentenced the Madison man to three years and one month in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. Herrington is set to serve the sentence at the federal prison in Talladega. An Aniahs Law hearing is scheduled for Friday to determine whether Herrington should be denied bond on the rape charge. DUI charges have been dropped against the driver of a Madison County school bus involved in a wreck in September. Madison County prosecutors said they could not prove the allegations against Christopher Brazelton, according to an order dismissing the case Wednesday from Madison County District Court Judge Ronald W. Smith. At the time of the wreck involving the bus carrying 10 Sparkman Middle School students, Madison County Schools Superintendent Ken Kubik alleged Brazelton failed at least one part of a field sobriety test following the incident. Officials initially thought Brazelton experienced a medical emergency along Dan Crutcher Road when the bus collided with a vehicle and left the roadway. There were no student injuries reported at the scene. It was unclear whether evidence emerged that Brazelton did in fact have a medical emergency. Prosecutors did not give reasons for why they were no longer pursuing the case against the bus driver. Around 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 4, 2022, I left my dorm in an Alabama prison to speak to a friend about our next days work in the laundry room. Rain drizzled on me as I exited the dorm and went outside. I walked down a wheelchair ramp at the front door to our dorm. Then I cut across a patch of cement in the direction of my destination. I failed to see the new, slick enamel paint coating a spot on the concrete, but my foot found it with ease. First, a slip. Then a crunch. Then a hard, jarring impact on my left side. Everything happened in a couple seconds, but the damage was severe. It felt like the crunch of breaking a chicken leg off of the thigh. I had broken my ankle in three places. More from Alabama Reflector I was quickly loaded into a wheelchair by friends and rushed to the prison infirmary. After an evaluation, I was taken to the prisons back gate, placed in a van and carried away to a free-world hospital. This all might seem like the normal course of action following a traumatic injury like this. But its what happens next where Alabama prisons fail incarcerated people and their families. Once inmates leave the confines of an Alabama institution, all information on us goes into a black hole. When were outside the facility, there are increased limitations around contact with family and, in general, loved ones cant know where weve been taken. There are exceptions for life-threatening circumstances, but in most cases the Alabama Department of Corrections makes it extremely difficult for families to know the status of their loved one. We cant call our families, they cant come see us, nor can they know where weve been taken. As a reason for this flawed policy, they cite security concerns such as preventing escapes and keeping inmates and corrections officers safe. Ive come to understand both of those reasons, but I dont understand why loved ones are left in the dark about the incident, injury and health status of the incarcerated patient. After breaking my ankle, I remained at the hospital for 11 days and received two surgeries on my ankle. My family and friends had no clue what was happening to me, and this was a problem. I always call my mom in the early afternoon on Saturdays, and my sister on Wednesdays, to hear whats happening in their lives. But once I started missing those calls, my family became concerned. They started calling my prison. Heres what they were told: Your son is in the hospital, but hes still alive. They provided no other details or means of contacting me. According to a statement provided in an email from the Alabama Department of Corrections, Inmates are not allowed to make phone calls from the hospital for security reasons. Inmates emergency contacts are notified when the inmates condition is determined to be critical by medical personnel. Since my broken ankle wasnt potentially fatal, my family was never notified of what happened to me. And since I wasnt permitted to call my family, I could not inform them myself. They were left to worry about me. Perhaps what happened to me should come as no surprise. Alabamas prison system is rife with problems. In 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice sued the state of Alabama and the Alabama Department of Corrections, claiming our prison system had violated the Constitutions Eighth Amendment prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. Over a recent four-year period, more than 698 incarcerated people died in Alabama prisons, according to research by the nonprofit Alabama Appleseed. My prison, William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility, has its own slew of problems. A description from the Department of Corrections own website reads: Donaldson specializes in controlling repeat and/or multiple violent offenders with lengthy sentences that are behaviorally difficult to manage. Last summer, seven inmates died at Donaldson in just one week. And this August, one incarcerated man was able to gain access to a pistol and carry it around the facility. Thankfully, the gun was not fired. Against this backdrop, you can imagine what our mothers might think and feel when they hear the words: Your son is in the hospital, but hes still alive. That response opens the imagination to all manner of horrific scenarios. Whats maddening about all of this is what the Department of Corrections is holding back: That I broke my ankle in a freak accident. People do this all the time. Hell, my moms sister has done it twice in the last two years. But instead of my 75-year-old mom having peace of mind, she was left to assume that I had been through something terrible. After my 11 days in the hospital, I returned to prison and was finally able to call my mom and inform her of my injury. Her breath was shaky with worry when she answered. Then she told me: I can finally go to sleep at night. When I heard that, I cried. The secrecy around my injury brought serious emotional damage to my mom. Now, if I call her at an unscheduled time, the first words are not Hello. Her first words are Whats wrong? This incident made me reflect on all the unnecessary emotional pain loved ones have experienced while trying to obtain important information about an incarcerated person. A journalist friend once asked me to check on another inmate at my prison because his family had heard he was stabbed but was unable to get any information. Thankfully he was OK. The problem is solvable. Security secrets dont have to be exposed. We just want our loved ones to have clarity when the state can reasonably and safely provide it. All the Department of Corrections needs to do is broaden the medical emergency notification system. If someone is going to be in the hospital for a prolonged period of time, the Department of Corrections should let that family know the extent of their loved ones ailment and their current condition. Hey, your son is at a hospital, someone could say. We cant tell you where for security reasons, but he slipped and fell, and broke his ankle. Hes fine, though, and well have him call you as soon as he returns to prison. This essay was published in partnership with Prison Journalism Project, which publishes independent journalism by incarcerated writers and others impacted by incarceration. Sign up for The Prison Journalism Projects newsletter, or follow them on Instagram or X. Richard Fox is an incarcerated writer at William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility. He is a native of Birmingham, and was raised in Tarrant. Richard became interested in writing through the Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project, an Auburn University initiative. A few years ago, I was nearly shot by a local anti-Semite. I was working at my computer when there was a sharp roar and I looked up to see that a bullet hole had magically appeared in my wall a couple feet above my head. My neighbor, toying with an AR while drunk, popped a cap by accident -- or at least that was his story. This particular individual was a rabid anti-Semite who belonged to a Christian Identity cult group, was an avid reader of the Protocols and similar trash, and had a habit of setting up a desk in front of his house to harangue passersby about the grand Jewish conspiracy. A few years earlier, I had a female acquaintance who fancied herself a writer. She was a non-citizen, an immigrant of German background. When she learned that I was working on a book about the Holocaust, she went into overdrive in an effort to get me to drop it. As events wore on, certain remarks and references fell into place, making it apparent that Daddy had been an active SS officer, that he had been assigned to one of the camps, and that, in any case, the Jews got what was coming to them. (They were taking over the banks! Something had to be done!) Shed hit the immovable object, and spent the next year or so trying her damndest to sabotage the books publication and otherwise interfere with my writing career (The heavy irony here is that many of the people she was contacting were themselves Jewish). You can gather from this that my esteem for these types is less than zero. So you can imagine my thoughts concerning the fact that anti-Semitism is now being mainstreamed by the universities, the Democrats, and the Left in general. The U.S. will never become a new Reich. In our 250-year history, Jews have been killed by mobs exactly twice Leo Frank, lynched by a mob in Atlanta in 1915 for a crime committed by somebody else (a Black man who confessed on his deathbed), and Yankel Rosenbaum, murdered by a Black mob egged on by Al Sharpton and David Dinkins in Crown Heights, Brooklyn in 1991. Anti-Semitism is not an American disease (the way anti-Catholicism is). It has required the import of European leftism to bring the ancient evil of Jew-hatred into the mainstream. Which does not mean that action should not be taken. These people dont just disappear even after their efforts have been stymied. The shooter was arrested, but pled out to a lesser charge and received probation. He fled the neighborhood shortly afterward. The wannabe writer applied for and got American citizenship (after years of disparaging the U.S. in favor of Deutschland, Canada, and even Yugoslavia). While theyll never take control of the country (pesthole states such as California or Michigan may be another matter), they can cause plenty of social damage and human misery, particularly since neither the authorities nor the institutions (e.g., Harvard and MIT) show any inclination to control them. We cannot simply leave it to the Jewish community. Jews survived in the Old World largely by taking their beatings and walking away. They were so outnumbered, and their oppressors so barbaric (the Cossacks, the Cathars, the Prussians, etc.) that they were left with little choice. As a result, Jewish culture has settled for an ingrained quietism, a fatalism that has not yet been left behind even after a century and more of American life. But the U.S. is a different place, and these are different times. Its often said that the Jews are canaries in the coal mine, representing the first warning sign of encroaching tyranny. Anti-Semites are threats to us all, whether they re from Harvard, the NAACP, or the East Pancake, Arkansas, Aryan Liberation Front. The first step is that Jews must abandon the Left. As Ive mentioned previously, Jews became involved with the Left largely due to historical accident. Jewish emancipation in Western Europe during the 19th century coincided with the rise of the Left. They were natural allies, European Jews looking for support from all quarters while the leftists as political outcasts were eager to recruit anyone. Supporting Jewish hopes was a small price to pay, particularly since they could be cast aside as soon as leftists gained power, which is largely what occurred. Leftists have maintained the loyalty of the Jews by hiding their true feelings. Anti-Semitism within the American Left is largely the product of intersectionality, the concept that all aspects of leftist activism Blacks, Latins, gays, Muslims, and whatever -- are interwoven and must be mutually supportive. All leftists must accept and support all left-wing constituencies no matter what contradictions might exist. Civil rights activists must support abortion, union members must support gun control, and gay rights activists must support the Palestinians (despite the fact that theyd one and all be given a brief flying lesson if they were to be caught out in much of the Muslim world). This is how the Left asserts itself and gains power. Its a Third Millennial version of the Popular Front politics of the mid-20th century, in which liberals, communists, social democrats and what have you were all called to do their part in fighting the bourgeois (which, in practice, meant putting the commies in power). It follows from this that any leftist who buys into intersectionality which is all of them is objectively (as any good Trotskyite would put it) an anti-Semite. You cant duck this or contradict it. If you support the American Left, then you support Hamas, which supports annihilating Jews from the river to the sea. There are consequences for holding such ideas, and those consequences will be forthcoming. The flip side of this is that no American Jew who supports his community, who values his heritage, can honestly call himself a leftist. This despite the fact that most American Jews (the ultra-orthodox excepted) were raised in liberal-left traditions. Its a difficult thing to overturn the convictions of a lifetime, but it has to be done. As it stands, American Jews are in the ghastly position of collaborating with those out to destroy them Conservatives need make it easier. While its clear that the American center right has always been open to anyone no matter what their ethnic or religious background as we saw, for a while anyway, with the neocons -- little effort has been made at outreach (likely because conservatism up until the mid-20th century was a WASP phenomenon, and WASPs just didnt do outreach, whether to Blacks, Jews, Italians, or God forbid the Irish). This is over. The remnants of the WASP ascendancy have largely declared war on MAGA populism, so we wont be losing much by brushing aside what remains. That includes eliminating the last vestiges of anti-Semitism (which do exist, as anyone who has ever confronted a Zero Hedge comment thread is well aware). We can start by hard-pedaling the simple truth that anti-Semitism is now leftist. We need to inform the Jewish community as to what we can offer them -- our protection, above all, assurances that we will stand by them, as Americans, against any enemies that threaten them, whether domestic or emerging from some third-world hellhole. We must also make the effort to understand Jewish concerns and considerations. The Jews have one of the longest and deepest moral traditions in the human record, much of it in writing in the form of the Talmud. It wouldnt hurt anybody to become more familiar with it. In this, as in much else, the Left has abandoned the moral high ground. Last week they opened up new horizons in hypocrisy and contradiction by accusing Donald Trump of familiarity with Mein Kampf after weeks of failing to let out a peep against the droves of campus punks calling for genocide against the Jews. (Not to mention even younger ones in grammar schools.) They are vulnerable here. Ill only add that by allying with the Jewish community, populist conservatism will dominate American politics for the rest of the century. Its time for American Jews to walk away, and for populist conservatives to pick up the sword of St. Michael. Image: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Shakespeare famously wrote, First thing we do, lets kill all the lawyers. This startling suggestion is offered by the character Dick the Butcher in Shakespeares play, Henry VI, Part II. Often considered a somewhat tongue-in-cheek criticism of self-interested or otherwise morally compromised practitioners within the legal profession, it has since entered the lexicon of Western societies as shorthand for the upending of the law by those charged with safeguarding it. The United States was once thought immune to such anti-liberty chicanery at least as immune as any society comprising fallible human beings can be but recent decades have shown us to be as vulnerable as Achilles. Politicians have long behaved badly but were heretofore sufficiently self-conscious to still perform a sort of constitutional fan dance to at least present a fig leaf of legitimacy to obscure their rapacious behavior. Sadly, that facade became obsolete with the wholesale loss of media objectivity, at least as far as Democrats were concerned. Traceable to the campaign of one William Jefferson Clinton, the major media ran interference for the missteps and criminality of his subsequent administration, refusing to adequately investigate obvious avenues of corruption and malfeasance. In the years between then and now, that dynamic has only advanced, never diminished. However, while the playing field had been deeply slanted in favor of the political left, the loyal opposition have found themselves under even greater scrutiny as countless journalists with lots of time on their hands, and a perpetually dull axe to grind, focused the entirety of their efforts on only one side of the aisle. This terrible, immoral poisoning of our body politic accelerated dramatically under the direction of Barack Obama, shielded, like Clinton before him, by a media that was by turns studiously incurious and stridently activist. Both modes ensured that the American people would face nearly insurmountable obstacles in holding the left accountable for running roughshod over our rights. The brazen corruption and anti-constitutional behavior that are the hallmarks of Bidens tenure have set a new standard for ruling hubris. Democrats now openly govern with a mafiosos attitude of whatcha gonna do bout it? In this fertile totalitarian soil have sprouted the mechanisms and processes that, once matured, will finally rid the left of any need for pretextual fig leaves, either constitutional or moral. This isnt new ground. Hearkening back to the lawyers Dick the Butcher wanted to exterminate, the path to perdition has long wound dizzyingly among dense thickets of willfully misinterpreted and misapplied laws, along with brazen lawlessness. Tyrants routinely appeal to the populations desire to restore this or that characteristic of the government or society by passing illegitimate, unlawful legislation under the guise of setting things right. Think the Nuremburg Laws of the 1930s in Germany, where Jewish residents were stripped of citizenship, ownership of assets, and ultimately, of their status as human beings was sold as a necessary step in returning Germany to pre-WWI greatness. It is a rare instance indeed that sees government trampling rights underfoot without having a law or regulation to wave before those who oppose their usurpations. In Poland right now, there is underway just such an attempt to reorder society and government to better suit the authoritarian left. There is a strong push within the European Union to gain veto power over any act of a member-nation, an essential precursor to transitioning to a single European government. Poland is a parliamentary republic and as such has a president and a prime minister. Following the recent election, these two offices are now filled by men diametrically opposed to each others politics. The new arrival, Prime Minister Donald Tusk, is an unapologetic advocate of further enmeshment with the E.U., to the point of ceding Polish sovereignty to the European Parliament and judicial system. This is no tentative first step, but a bold leap toward administrative totalitarianism. He is opposed by the president of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, who has rightfully challenged Tusks administrative coup. Duda has pointed out that Tusks citing of European Court judgements as legal justification for ignoring the unambiguous language of the Polish constitution carries no weight of law in Poland. To facilitate this takeover, Tusk and his cronies have declared the supreme judiciary of Poland to be illegitimately appointed again, based on the application of European Union judicial decisions that have no force in Poland. Tusks minister of justice and attorney general, Adam Bodnar, issued a decree demanding the replacement of said judges and the nullification of their rulings made since 2018. Here in the U.S., Democrats engage in lawfare using left-leaning activist judges who routinely issue rulings made out of whole cloth that, unsurprisingly, always advance the leftist cause. Poland hasnt had the opportunity to pollute the courts with puppets as leftists in the U.S. have done, so they are attempting to do so in one fell swoop under the guise of setting things right. Claiming to be restoring the rule of law, the new Polish government is instead ruling in an entirely unlawful manner it describes as a necessary transitory period. According to an interview given by Bodnar, in practice, the transitory period will require the new government to deviate from the normal principles of a law-abiding and democratic state by undertaking actions without legal grounds. According to an in-depth exposition by Polish legal foundation Ordo Iuris, included among these deviations is the use of violence, as evidenced by the violent assault of one member of Parliament who rose to defend Polish public media, the primary broadcast medium made an early target of the new regime seeking to control the narrative. Bodnar and Tusk admit they will be forced to take subversive actions, including undermining the constitution in order to save it. Astute observers will notice the parallels between the behavior of Polish and European leftists and our homegrown American ones. The many spurious challenges to existing election law crafted to advantage Democrat candidates (and preserve avenues for perpetrating fraud) offers a perfect example of the very activities that prompted Dick the Butcher to offer his prescription for ridding society of dangerous malcontents. Obviously, our American circumstance would not be well served by following old Dicks advice, but recalling his reasons may prompt us to forestall the damage to a republic that comes from permitting transitory periods, such as one that might be described using the words fundamental transformation. Presently, Americas governments at all levels are pursuing this lawlessness in a largely de facto fashion, but should the left succeed in doing so with no meaningful resistance, like Poland, and Nazi Germany before it, the lawlessness will quickly become de jure. No one in his right mind wants to live in a world where standing against lawlessness is treated as lawlessness. The destruction of the legitimacy of law is necessary for tyranny to take hold, and the attempt to do so, whether in Eastern Europe or the United States, should trigger a harsh and vigorous response from the people. We need not resort to following Dick the Butchers exhortation, but should we continue pretending the left has our best interest in mind, well discover too late the lethal result of our error. Mr. Herring is a writer and broadcaster based in Omaha, Nebraska and welcomes visitors to his website, www.dailyherring.com. Image: Radosaw Czarnecki via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Netflix unveiled a movie last month called Leave the World Behind that was about as subtle as an Antifa-thrown brick through a windshield: societal chaos and global disaster are heading our way. Filled with Hollywood heavyweights (Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, and Kevin Bacon with Ali apparently taking over a role originally meant for Denzel Washington) and directed by Sam Esmail (the auteur behind the award-winning Mr. Robot), the stylish production was certainly meant to get peoples attention. Speaking of production, Barack and Michelle Obama (executive producers) and their narcissistically-named Higher Ground Productions company helped to give the apocalyptic tale a global audience. Since its release, the movie has sparked a fever pitch of commentary. Hated by some and loved by others, a recurring complaint is that the movie is all build-up without any pay-off. It crawls along with a Hitchcockian rhythm of rising suspense and then abruptly ends without any explanation. Between beginning and end, a tiny community outside of New York City is hit with an Internet blackout, an out-of-control oil tanker running aground, electric grid failures, unusual animal behavior, strange ear-piercing noises that appear to cause mental confusion and tooth-loss, self-driving Teslas blocking highway escape, and menacing drones dropping red leaflets purportedly from foreign powers claiming responsibility for all the craziness. Oh, and Julia Roberts utters a bunch of lines to make sure that every viewer in the world knows white people are racist. The audience watches all this and expects a big reveal to come crashing through the screen before the credits roll, but instead, we are left with some woke sermonizing. The climax of the movie occurs when Ali and Hawke (well-off political progressives) have a near-death standoff with distrusting neighbor Bacon (an American flag-waving, gun-toting prepper who inexplicably lives somewhere near the Hamptons). When the situation is finally defused (the unprepared leftists are desperately seeking medicine from a man they clearly believe is beneath them), Ali delivers a monologue about how his neighbors refusal to accede to their were all in this together demands confirms his worst fears that all of these peculiar events are part of a relatively inexpensive hybrid warfare campaign meant to provoke the American people into fighting and killing each other. In order to scare the bejesus out of Obamas brain-dead, propaganda-susceptible, mask-wearing, climate change-bamboozled, sexually-confused, We are the ones weve been waiting for coalition of intolerant tyrants, there is even a scene depicting rogue members of the military (no doubt Trump voters!) bombing Manhattan to smithereens. I think thats Obamas way of encouraging his fellow Marxists to continue implementing George W. Bushs pre-emptive war strategy here at home by attacking random Americans as if they have it coming. You see, we are the real monsters in this movie. We are the ones to blame for the collapse of civilization. Our ultimate destruction wont come from hostile foreigners, mysterious pandemics, cyber attacks, or the Great Reset plans of the World Economic Forums jackbooted elites. Huh-uh, we will all die because conspiracy-spreading MAGA Americans are inherently selfish and just cant get enough of the patriarchy and white supremacy! If you speak woke-stupid, the movie is a masterpiece indictment of Trumps America. If you are a psychologically stable person with a virtuous sense of duty to God, family, and country, you are left wondering, Why didnt those rich people plan ahead for a rainy day? To be sure, there was ample foreshadowing suggesting that Americans would ultimately be blamed for their own suffering. The oil tanker that crashes into the beach is the White Lion, a reference to the early-seventeenth century privateer credited with delivering the first Africans to the colony of Virginia to be sold as indentured servants. We get it: oil and slavery are both really bad. In another please-hit-us-over-the-head-with-woke-history moment, a car radio frequency lands on 1619 as the camera lingers a retch-inducing hat-tip to The New York Times propagandistic attempts to erase Americas 1776 foundations in liberty and rewrite the history of the United States as one irredeemably stained by slavery and white supremacy. In yet another visual allusion, a young, white, male character in the movie wears a t-shirt with a prominent message OBEY from the same street artist (Shepard Fairey) who designed Obamas HOPE poster before the 2008 election. If youre woke-stupid, this is a clever critique of MAGA authoritarianism. If you are capable of independent thought (and too rational for Rachel Maddows neurotic neural programming), then you think to yourself, Yup, the guy who forced Obamacare down our throats and has been a one-man super-salesman for social media censorship sure did sell a lot of HOPE-ium in order to brainwash his clueless supporters into volunteering for total obedience. With divider-in-chief Obama involved in the project, it was hard to see these breadcrumbs as anything other than a warning that Americans deserve to be punished for not sufficiently apologizing for their great-great-great-ancestors neighbors uncles racist tendencies. I half expected the protagonist a tuxedo-wearing Ali who exudes the no-drama Obama facade to a T to pontificate out loud that if only Americans had volunteered to redistribute their depreciating wealth to people of color, accepted two-tiered justice that protects Antifa terrorists while persecuting Trump supporters, embraced affirmative action standards that punish certain overachievers for the color of their skin, and agreed to exclude poor white males from good jobs and schools, then maybe this terrible apocalypse would never have had to happen. Interestingly, quite a few people believe this movie is Obamas cryptic warning to the world that a crippling cyber attack and Internet blackout are about to unleash global chaos (similar to how Klaus Schwab, Bill Gates, and the rest of the WEFs oligarchical, technocratic villains held pandemic simulations before COVID and continue to hold digital Armageddon drills today). Some think this is a philanthropic message from the Obamas, while others see it as a kind of plausible deniability exercise, so that Barack can pretend his hands are clean when his Marxist globalist friends trigger the next worldwide cataclysm meant to induce such paralyzing planetary panic as to justify further economic and political consolidation into the nefarious hands of central bankers, international bureaucrats, spy agencies, and other ruling totalitarian elites. Whether Obama is worried about social collapse or is actively seeking it (his vocal support for anti-law enforcement groups that resulted in numerous police officer executions during his presidency strongly suggests the latter), his animosity toward ordinary Americans continues to ring loudly. He briefly let his mask slip during his 2008 presidential run when he called working-class voters from old manufacturing towns bitter people who cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who arent like them. When he was elected (with the help, no less, of quite a few Republican voters who found Obamas HOPE-ium pills more intoxicating than McCains love of war), he had a spectacular chance to unite the country as no political leader had ever done. Instead, Obama and wingman Eric Holder spent those years retooling the Bush-Cheney surveillance State into a weapon for targeting conservatives and taking every opportunity to pour salt in old racial wounds that had largely healed before the Obama White House ignominiously chose to never let a racial grievance go to waste in pursuit of raw political power. Obamas latest effort at dividing the American public seems to be further proof that a leopard cannot change its spots. America will probably be destroyed, his movie suggests, but its all white peoples fault. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Nowadays, we have a plethora of lies that are told knowingly and openly and without shame. "Genocide" is defined as the systematic extermination of a race. Either Israel is really bad at it, or it is in a war against Hamas, not committing genocide against Palestinians. 10-20,000 civilian deaths is terrible in human terms. But with two million Gaza residents and about 20,000 killed, including Hamas? Poorly done genocide. The real problem in the Middle East? Jews refused to convert to Islam. The same is true of the nomads, Druze and Christians. Prominent Muslim leaders demand non-Muslims to either convert, subdue, or die. It isn't only about Jews, you are just as evil for not converting to Islam. Don't think you're excused because you have an open heart, even people from the wrong form of Islam (Sunni/Shia/Ibadi/Ahmadiyya/Sufism) are just as evil as Jews, to most Muslim leaders. Our media is free, fair and impartial. Okay, stop laughing. When Peter Jennings said that 90% of the media is left wing, including him, you should have believed him. If you wish to believe they don't tilt the news to the Left, wake up. The examples are enormous. Just one? President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder cooked up a plan to force U.S. gun sellers to provide guns to Mexican criminals, so that they could blame the NRA and gun owners. They were caught red-handed and then stonewalled the investigation. Holder refused to even testify. He had every chance to disprove the facts, he declined and the media dropped the subject. Consider Jeffery Epstein. We can assume that he was running a blackmail scheme on all sorts of prominent people. He may have done it with cooperation from government, at some level. He was guilty as hell and the wheels came off when they simply could no longer cover it up. No one (or few) in the mainstream media are demanding the client list be made public, so apparently some pedophiles are too important to be "under the law." They can release some names, but rest assured that 90% of the list and the content of the videos will never be known. Proof? How many of his employees have testified in front of Congress? Another example is that we are led to believe America is a major polluter. We supposedly waste power, spew CO2 and pollution more than anyone -- we are the biggest environmental problem in the world. There is zero evidence to support this. We've done far more than most anyone to reduce pollution and energy waste. India and China are far greater polluters and do not have to do anything to reduce their pollution or energy waste. I stood on a main street in Lahore, Pakistan several years ago and watched the traffic. A cloud of pollution, smoke, and dust traveled with traffic. The cloud moved with traffic, in two directions, depending on which lane. I have a friend who saw the same thing in China. They are building coal-burning power plants by the score. America is responsible for a small portion of energy waste and pollution. America is not fair to poor countries and that is why they remain poor. That anyone believes this is discouraging, as the evidence is quite the opposite. There is no limit on success. Poor countries are not poor because we aren't. They are poor because the people are not allowed economic freedom. The simple fact is that capitalism and free enterprise are the natural way. All of life succeeds on merit. We seem to think nature is wrong. But when your child needs an operation, do you seek out a doctor who graduated in the bottom of his class and has a poor record? Of course not. You want the best you can get and if the child is injured, the doctor is taken off the job. This causes poor doctors to not do as many surgeries on sick kids. Free enterprise is merit-based success and a form of natural evolution. A society that ignores merit for other goals becomes stagnant. Look at most Islamic countries today. Name a major international business or technology based in a Muslim country. Nature doesn't favor little fish over big fish. Nature allows the natural balance to cause the little fish to evolve ways to improve themselves to counter the predation of big fish. Balance is natural, imbalance is unstable. People are not fish, but we respond better to opportunity than to a police state. There is no limit on success, everyone can be successful, no one has to lose. They may have to change tactics or require assistance if they are handicapped in some way. But if you can work, you can achieve in a free society. Government is there to keep things safe, not to guide and control society. But the people in charge have to allow the natural order to work by way of the success of better ideas -- nothing succeeds like success. Our biggest problem today is the guilt of people who know that that did not earn their cushy lives. These people think that they need to help poor people by giving them money. But that makes the problem worse. Mom and Dad may have worked hard to get their kid a great education, but the kid is told he doesn't deserve it. The professors and elites running colleges feel guilty for having what they didn't earn and think the solution is to give your money to the less fortunate in other countries who weren't given the opportunity to earn it. The irony is exquisite. People need to deserve their success. It is human dignity we are talking about here. They need fair opportunity to be proud of their efforts. Give people in poorer countries fairness and freedom to succeed. This isn't advanced physics, rocket science or brain surgery, it is obvious, common sense. Western civilization is the solution that works. China was in deep stagnation until they adopted some free enterprise. Look at Japan. After WW II, they embraced free enterprise and excelled. Look at Singapore, Korea, and Taiwan, grossly more successful than their unenlightened counterparts. America isn't better due to race or any human condition, we are successful, as is Western Europe and Japan, due to providing our citizens with freedom and better opportunity. America needs to stop accepting guilt for the failure of bad ideas, not embrace worse ones. Socialism and government plans for society have never worked. We aren't smarter than Mother Nature. There is not a single example of a dictatorial society's success in the world today. Image: RawPixel.com By Jhoo Dong-chan SK Telecom has topped the industry-wide National Customer Satisfaction Index (NCSI) rankings in the mobile carrier sector again. The firm has secured the position for 26 years since the Korea Productivity Center (KPC) released the rankings in 1998. We have continuously analyzed our customers need to help improve their experiences with SK Telecom, said an SK Telecom official in a press release. SK Telecom has accordingly offered various differentiated services to satisfy their needs. Our position in the ranking displays our relentless effort. The mobile carrier recently introduced a service plan exclusively designed for customers under 34. It offers up to 50 percent more 5G data in a package along with various coffee and movie ticket vouchers. SK Telecom said 7 out of 10 customers under 24 use the plan. In June, it also introduced a roaming service plan for family tourists to foreign countries. Under the plan, if one family member joins SK Telecoms baro roaming service and pays an additional 3,000 won ($2.33) for its membership charges, the entire family members, up to 5, are allowed to use the full roaming service, including data and calling. The mobile carrier said about 450,000 people with 200,000 families used the roaming service over the past five months. Recently, a reporter asked President Biden, Whats your outlook on the economy next year? Biden replied: All good. Take a look. Start reporting it the right way. Implicit in that statement: If you know whats good for you, you lying dog-faced pony soldier. Yes, for the sake of our democracy, reporters had better damn well report the news precisely how Biden tells them to! Forget speaking truth to power, todays journalists are expected to be nothing but human remoras attached to the behemoth Democrat whale that runs the country and all its major institutions. The media are so docile, the institutions so corrupt, the Deep State so vast, that Democrats know they can get away with anything. Worse yet, they believe that the bulk of the people are too ignorant and/or complacent to do anything about it themselves. Thus far, they appear to be correct. Ergo, they will keep telling us that, for the sake of our democracy, we citizens cannot be allowed to vote for Trump. For the sake of our democracy, the Electoral College must be eliminated, the Supreme Court must be packed, and the District of Columbia must be made a state. Puerto Rico, too. For the sake of our democracy, the First, Second, and Fourth Amendments should be eliminated, and the Constitution revamped, preferably by executive fiat. And of course, certain of their more MAGA opponents, AKA terrorists, should not even be allowed to speak on or off campus, at school board meetings, or on social media. (Hence the desire to ixnay the First Amendment.) Because nothing says democracy like an authoritarian, one-party state where political opposition is illegal! Tragically, due to public school indoctrination, mainstream media bias, and corporate cravenness as well as Democrat deception and dishonesty, many people dont even recognize that Democrats desired actions are anything but democratic, and are, in fact, precisely tailored to lead to a permanent, one-party state...in which Democrats rule with gleeful abandon until the sun expires. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. I was kind of secretly hoping one of my kids would go out and make a million bucks so when they put me in a home, at least Ill have a window. President Joe Bidens wish may or may not be realized as investigations of his prodigal son Hunter indicate that Hunters laptop and his autobiography seem to reflect a direct fulfillment of Joe Bidens great hope for a wealthy window. Democrat power brokers, with liberal media help, tried almost successfully to hide Hunters efforts to make his dads wish come true at least as far as Hunters connection to his fathers desired largesse did not factor in the 2020 election. Joe Bidens prevarications about the corrupt connection between father and son was temporarily hidden. Joe Biden was no longer vice president with the annual salary of about $180,000, and Biden and son began scrambling to sell the Joe Biden brand at home and abroad. The whirlwind of efforts appeared to be successful at University of Pennsylvania and in Ukraine, China, and other influence markets of short-term and long-term profits. The largesse was also apparently shared by other grateful and relieved Biden family members well insured by plausible deniability in perpetuity. Over many decades as a U.S. senator, Joe Biden had not gained millions but had developed finely honed political skills of great value. Now as James Comer and determined Republicans close in on the hard-won facts, Joe Biden & Son retreat to their basic theme The best defense is a powerful political offense. No one messes with a Biden, says Joe to supporters. Hunter follows suit via defiance of congressional subpoenas at his lonely fateful performance before the microphones. Son Hunter, like Father Joe, aggressively projects blame on Republicans in true political campaign style and language. Joe Biden claims to be a student of history and respecter of fate. He, as his own political power-god, creates his own and our American history by his policy decisions (or lack of them). Bidens fateful decisions aid in creating our distressing immigration, economic, military, and foreign policy situations. Bidens abrupt, politically self-serving and self-promoting decision to yank all our American forces out of Afghanistan against the recommendations of his own and NATO military advisors created the tone of weakness that invited Putins invasion of Ukraine. Irans acted-out aggression by its proxy Hamas, Chinas increased aggressive postures vis a vis Taiwan, and N. Koreas restless bellicosity of late, are examples of Bidens influence, aided by his passivity toward or appeasement of enemies and weak indecisive leadership. Joe Bidens faith in the fate he helps create allows him to preach against Putin and even at the way our ally Israel conducts its war on Hamas. Bidens silence toward his Chinese friend Xi and his weak protective measures of our own troops attacked by Irans agents contradict his empty, vapid statement at the end of most his speeches, May God bless America and may God protect our troops. Biden creates a dark fate for our troops by not taking strong, effective military action against Iran and its proxies that harm and endanger them. Like the good; politician that he is, words, actions, and policy decisions always and only come after the fact and after endless political calculations are made. Joe Biden should recall JFKs famous statement many decades ago, For courage -- not complacency -- is our need today. Leadership -- not salesmanship. And the only valid test of leadership is the ability to lead, and lead vigorously." Image: PxHere In a striking paradox, pro-meritocracy conservatives and pro-DEI Democrats alike can revel in the schadenfreude of Claudine Gays fall from gracebecause her antics are just that ridiculous. In a since-deleted post to X, Ronald S. Sullivan Jr., a Harvard law professor, high-profile criminal defense attorney, and former college dean said Gays disgraced resignation was Karma. You might recall the name from headlines a few years backSullivan once served as a faculty dean for Harvards Winthrop House, a position from which he was ousted after he agreed to represent Harvey Weinstein, in large part, due to Gays influence. Heres this, from political pundit Wesley Yang: As Dean of Faculty of Arts and Science, Gay refused to defend Sullivans right to provide legal counsel to an unpopular client and played a key role in the decision to remove him from his role as Harvard's first and only black faculty dean in response to student demands. In doing so, Gay shunted aside an appeal by 52 members of the Harvard Law School faculty, who in an open letter to the administration characterized the right to defend unpopular clients as foundational to their own academic freedom and to the rule of law itself. Gay didnt just come after Sullivan though, she came for his wife, Stephanie Robinson, too; from an announcement via Harvards Crimson: Dean of the College Rakesh Khurana announced that he will not renew Winthrop Faculty Deans Ronald S. Sullivan, Jr. and Stephanie R. Robinson after their term ends on June 30 in an email to House affiliates Saturday morning. (As The New York Times noted, Sullivan and Robinson were the first African-American faculty deans in Harvards history.) But the apparent persecution wasnt just a one-off, and according to a report out at The Washington Free Beacon yesterday, Gay also went after Roland Fryer, a renowned black economics professor at Harvard, and suspended and revoked Fryers many academic privileges after applying the Brett Kavanaugh presumption of guilt. A black former law professor, Winkfield Twyman Jr. (who by all appearances gives me the impression he is an honest Democrat, admitting his love for race pioneers), said this of Gays witch hunt again Fryer: [I]n the face of numerous mounting scandals, many are defending Gay by claiming that the attacks against her are racial in nature. They are not. They are all well deserved. Did you know that Claudine Gay during her Harvard career has repeatedly targeted and disrupted the careers of prominent Black male professors? Fryer was a top Black professor at Harvard. After having overcome all sorts of hardship and childhood deprivation, Professor Fryer joined the faculty at Harvard to become the second-youngest professor ever to be awarded tenure at Harvard, and went on to blaze a trail of distinction, including winning the MacArthur Fellowship and the John Bates Clark Medal. Yet when Fryer undertook research into the killings of unarmed Black men in Houston, Fryers research found no racial disparities. He made the mistake of undercutting the racial narrative that the Left has adopted, and as a result, Gay did her best to remove all of his academic privileges, coordinating a witch hunt against him. Fryer survived Gay's crusade of discharge but Fryers lab was shut down, his reputation tarnished. So as we celebrate the departure of Gay, lets also pour one out for the black academics who suffered demotions and destroyed reputations when they dared do their jobs in Gays sphere of influence. Image generated by AI. The realities of dealing with effects of illegal immigration have grown so bad in Chicago that there is a move to allow voters to decide whether the city should remain a sanctuary city and continue to spend $40 million a month taking care of illegal immigrants. However, city officials are also taking actions to stem the tide of immigrants coming into the city. The Chicago City Council passed an ordinance recently to impound and tow buses transporting illegals that violate new restrictions the council created. In essence, the city would like to still virtue signal and call itself a sanctuary city while discouraging immigrants from coming into the city. According to the city, more than 25,600 illegal immigrants have been bussed or flown into the Chicago from other states since August 2022. Since May 12, 2023, 484 buses have arrived in the city carrying illegal immigrants. They have arrived primarily on buses Texas governor Greg Abbott has sent from his state to sanctuary states and cities. Because of the number of buses arriving, the city created safety protocols that require bus companies dropping off people in Chicago to unload at the designated landing zone and fill out paperwork to ensure an orderly process for intaking new arrivals. Mayor Brandon Johnson said, We have put these protocols in place because after being bussed thousands of miles, rogue bus operators are dropping new arrivals in Cicero, Rosemont, Schiller Park, and places other than our designated landing zone. This inhumane treatment further endangers the safety and security of asylum seekers, and adds additional strain to city departments, volunteers and mutual aid partners tasked with easing what is already a harsh transition. This logic comes from the same group of people who believe we dont need a border and that people should be allowed to enter this country wherever and whenever they want. The new penalties involved with violating the new rules included towing and impoundment of the buses. They are needed because according to the citys press release, Buses have attempted to drop new arrivals in the middle of traffic, on random street corners, and at OHare Airport. Buses have also apparently been dropping off immigrants in the Chicago suburbs, which certainly isnt making those residents happy. This inhumane treatment further endangers the safety and security of asylum seekers, and adds additional strain to city departments, volunteers and mutual aid partners tasked with easing what is already a harsh transition, Johnson said. Whats the old saying? Dont kill the messenger. Thats exactly what this is. The buses are the messengers delivering the bad news for Chicago. In this case, its illegal immigrants. Rather than deal with the root of the problem, which is a lack of enforcement of federal immigration law and the poor city policy of declaring Chicago a sanctuary city, city officials would rather blame the buses. They believe that if they can get rid of the buses, they will get rid of the problem. Actually, it sounds a lot like the gun-control argument, and all you have to do is look at Chicago and see how well that is working out for them. Michael A. Letts is the CEO and Founder of In-VestUSA, a national grassroots non-profit organization helping hundreds of communities provide thousands of bulletproof vests for their police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs. Image: VectorPortal.com One day after the Capitol chaos on January 6th, 2021, my American Thinker article began, Whenever leftist anarchy rears its ugly head, the nearly universal response seems to be: close your eyes; dont look! The mob violence yesterday at the US Capitol, on the other hand, will be a tool for establishment repression of conservatives (italicized emphasis added). Did you ever predict something while hoping youd be wrong? That was the case with my prognostication on January 7th, but sadly, repression has been the rule for three years now. The establishment gestapo have been on a campaign to crush the right, citing January 6th as proof conservative white supremacists are the greatest threat to America. Prior to the Capitol melee, close your eyes; dont look had been demonstrated repeatedly with the lefts mostly peaceful protests (sic) while buildings were burning around them. Their lawlessness hasnt been quite as intense since January 6th, but the barbarism in Israel October 7th this past year has cranked up their college student foot soldiers once again. Hamas butchers are their new role models, and the antisemitic hate crimes by todays Hitler Youth could provide cover for terrorists to exploit. Bidens non-existent borders offer an open door for the worlds Jihadists to walk through. Thats the next catastrophic watch out! on the horizon. Looking back, its also clear my article published the day before January 6th was surprisingly prophetic vis-a-vis what happened the next day, even though it was satirical look at woke cancel culture. Nevertheless, Urinating with Skunks nailed the aftereffects of the Capitol mayhem. Of course, it was actually written as a tribute to my mother based on a routine warning she provided to family and friends: Dont get into pissing contests with skunks. I heard it often throughout her life -- nearly 100 years -- beginning when I was in grade school. Hows that for sound motherly wisdom? Granted, my mother never said, dont get into pissing contests with Democrat skunks, even when they were the subject. But there was never a need to; the silent D was always obvious, plus, totally redundant, too. Now, if you think about it with regard to what happened at the U.S. Capitol the next day, theres no doubt that the mob violence initiated an unrelenting pissing contest with leftwing skunks. And as my mother would have predicted, the stinky vermin are winning. America is drowning in skunk urine, toxic aerosol, and other D excrement as well. Unquestionably, though, the odorific establishment has focused full time on trying to bury conservatives since January 6th, 2021. The polecats justify it by calling everyone on the right, "MAGA Republicans." Yes, heaven forbid that anyone would have a goal to make America great again. Instead, lets all get flushed down the toilet in a death spiral of Bidenomics. A year later, in January 2022, I wrote a blog piece about an insight by one of Americas Founding Fathers, John Adams, thats relevant to the ongoing establishment repression as well. Adams -- a member of the First Continental Congress who helped draft the Declaration of Independence -- noted that our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. Think about that. It means, the U.S. Constitution was not made for amoral and godless people. Clearly, Adams didnt know todays Democrats, but he must have encountered similar lowlifes back then. Consider the attacks on religious services during COVID and the outrageous targeting of Catholics still today. Seems a lot like establishment repression by amoral and godless scumbags, doesnt it? Based on findings by Judicial Watch, theres little doubt that the FBI was targeting Catholics. It was clear that the agency had efforts underway to identify and treat Catholics as potential terrorists, a concept that boggles the mind. But what are some other examples of establishment repression? Clearly, the sentences for those on the right charged and convicted of crimes for their actions on January 6th have been over the top. Close to 1,100 people have been arrested in connection with the attack on the Capitol, and more than 300 have been sentenced to periods of incarceration." When this article was published in Politico last September, the longest sentence up to that point was 22 years, and that was for an organizer of the protest who wasnt even present at the Capitol. Sentences for crimes on the left continue to be minimal if theyre charged at all. Often, their criminal actions are just ignored. And how about the targeting of former President Donald Trump? The Democrats cry incessantly about the potential Biden impeachment inquiry when totally bogus hogwash was used to impeach Trump when he was president. Nonetheless, when you have no standards -- like the Ds -- having a double standard is impossible. Obviously, Trump is the bogeyman liberals are most worried about, so they have launched Herculean legal efforts to take him out. The extremes theyve gone to in cobbling disconnected pieces together in some of the cases is unprecedented, according to many legal scholars, but that hasnt stopped them and likely wont. Theyll do anything (un)humanly possible to keep him from regaining the White House, while looking past obvious illegal acts on their side of the aisle. Irrespective, theres one thing to be thankful for with reference to a tool for establishment repression. The elected occupant of the White House today may be the dullest tool ever to reside there. A sharp one could have inflicted much more harm. So, count your blessings America, and toss the dull, totally inoperable tool in the trash in 2024 where dysfunctional claptraps belong. R.W. Trewyn earned a Ph.D. after surviving Vietnam combat, and more treacherously, 53 years postwar slogging academes once hallowed halls. Image: TapTheForwardAssist, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 4.0 During my police career, I usually appreciated citizen help. Usually, because sometimes people use the police to settle personal scores. In these chaotic times, it appears theyre using the police to settle political scores as well, as PBS revealed in a broadcast transcribed as How citizen investigators are helping the FBI track down Jan. 6 rioters. Sandy, Citizen Investigator: In the beginning, it was intense. I would drop my children off at school, I would come home, and I would be on it almost like a workday. And then once the kids were in bed, I was up until 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, and then waking up a couple hours later. It takes its toll, definitely. Judy Woodruff: Sandy, like many Americans, was paying close attention January 6, 2021. As an angry mob of then-President Donald Trump supporters violently broke through police lines and stormed the Capitol Building. Sandy: And I just remember hearing, "Shots have been fired," and I don't think I will ever forget that moment in my life. Image: the Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. Wikimedia Commons.org. Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic. The only shot fired that day was by Michael Byrd, a Capital Police Lieutenant, who killed Army Veteran Ashley Babbitt. He has never been charged, but has been promoted. Judy Woodruff: In the following days, Sandy, not her real name, joined a massive citizen effort to identify the individuals who broke into the Capitol. She's been directly responsible for helping to put people behind bars, and she now has to hide her identity, for fear of retaliation. Sandy is today part of an informal community of dozens of ordinary Americans who came to be known as sedition hunters. Over time, they developed their own methodologies, guidelines, even a software application to keep track of every individual rioter, giving each one a pseudonym and compiling dossiers of evidence that they then turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with the rioters' real identity. The article goes on to bemoan the approaching statute of limitations. Thereafter, people who were invited in, and escorted by, Capital Police might go unpunished! And all is not well in snitch land: Ryan Reilly [NBC reporter]: We do have a lot of people within the FBI who are not so enthusiastic about bringing these cases against people who attacked the Capitol on January 6. Judy Woodruff: Are there still people in the FBI not enthusiastic? Ryan Reilly: There are, and I say that because some of these individuals who were at the FBI have come out and said that publicly. They have resigned from the FBI because of these cases. How tragicfor justice. Its cases like this that help the FBI weed out honest line agents, people who wont arrest Americans for spending a few minutes in the Capital taking in the sights and taking selfies. They have the odd notion that unless people are reasonably notified theyre trespassing, its bad form to arrest them. Its even worse form to make up crimes and keep them for years in medieval dungeon-like pre-trial detention. Arrest actual rioters, and those that assaulted police officers, to be sure. I wonder how many FBI agents and plants the FBI has had to weed out of citizen dossiers? Thanks for the tip, citizen investigator Sandy. Well apprehend this (stifled laughter) insurrectionist! Poor citizen investigator Sandy is sacrificing for us all: Judy Woodruff: Sandy has seen the effects of disinformation firsthand in her own family. Sandy: I haven't spoken to a few of my cousins since January 6 because they support it. We're divided, and I don't know how to pull us back together. I don't know how it's going to change. I suspect what Sandys relatives support is free speech, including the right to demand accountability for potentially fraudulent elections. Governmental abuse of police power for political gain, not so much. Sandy inadvertently identifies the primary danger in using citizen investigators: one can never know their motives. Worse, they invariably divide the public and damage respect for law enforcement. Its one thing to follow up on a tip from a citizen who witnessed a crime or knows someone who committed one. Its another to engage in a political witch hunt. In the case of Jan. 6, the FBI has tacitly acknowledged FBI agents and/or informants were in the crowd, but have refused to provide their numbers or actions. Recent revelations of FBI entrapment schemes lead the reasonable American to doubt the legitimacy of many, perhaps most, Jan. 6 arrests. This is particularly true due to the narrative of an insurrection that wasnt. The FBI has always identified itself as a felony agency. Chasing misdemeanors is beneath them, a waste of time and investigative resources when there are kidnappers, foreign terrorists and spies to catch. With the manipulation of citizen investigators, it would appear the FBI has considerably lowered its sights. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor and retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. Joe Biden's keeping to his priorities in this presidential term he's 'serving' and that means appearances are more important than reality. Which brings us to the border, where a Congressional delegation of 60 is expected to make an appearance in the migrant-surging Del Rio Border Patrol sector, and all of a sudden, the border's empty, under control, almost nobody coming. According to Breitbart News: EAGLE PASS, Texas With just hours to go before the largest yet congressional visit arrives at the border in the small Texas town of Eagle Pass, a source within Customs and Border Protection tells Breitbart Texas what they will witness pales in comparison to the migrant surge and grossly overcrowded facilities experienced during the month of December. A nearby soft-sided processing facility designed to accommodate 1,000 migrants that has routinely held nearly 6,000 during the month is now holding less than 500. According to the source, not authorized to speak to the media, the facility has been nearly emptied through daily migrant releases of nearly 1,500 daily into the small border community of Eagle Pass. At times, when non-government migrant shelters in the Del Rio Border Patrol Sector closed during the holidays or reached capacity, direct migrant releases onto the city streets were conducted to reduce the numbers. The Border Patrol source that Breitbart quotes notes that they've seen this weird pullback-before-the-tsunami behavior in the past -- it happened just before another congressional delegation was set to visit the border last September, as was SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. The source believes the relief is only temporary as the migrants are not being sent back to their home countries in large numbers. Moving them south only delays their arrival to border cities where the migrants will likely attempt to enter the United States in a few short weeks, the source explained. In September, we experienced the same phenomenon after significant media coverage and visits by congressional delegations and celebrity CEO Elon Musk. Intervention by Mexico at the behest of our government slowed things down. But the traffic returned a few short months later, the source emphasized. Breitbart noted that less than a week ago, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Secretary of State Antony Blinken had flown to Mexico City met with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez-Obrador on border matters, and came back from that meeting claiming they had scored big concessions from him to halt the migrant surge. The Border Patrol source thinks that this temporary halt in time for a congressional delegation might just be one of those 'concessions.' But it's a meaningless concession, because the surge will return stronger than ever. If that's true and it may well be true, it's true to form for the Bidenites, who have always placed public relations above concrete results in their failed policies. It's not just gaslightings, of course, those strange claims by Mayorkas and White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre that the border is secure, repeated over and over like magic words as if to make it real. It's in various actions that aren't actions. Back in May, I argued this in the wake of Joe Biden lifting Title 42 COVID restrictions, supposedly to replace them with stricter restrictions, which was baloney: Many migrants were reportedly cowed at the reports that illegal border-crossers would be sent back in the wake of Title 42 ending. But since they aren't, it seems it's just a matter of time before word gets out again, bringing the surgers back. It goes to show that all the tough talk from the Bidenites about consequences for illegal border crossings was garbage. They had no intention of sending anyone back. All they wanted was to get those Fox News cameras out of the area and into the nightly broadcasts. That supports a statement by a Border Patrol source to a media outlet that Biden's top border priority remains public relations, not guarding the border, let alone protecting the country. And in June, this phony claim about tough policies: The Federalist cited 204,561 illegal migrant arrests for May, as if that were a "success," which could be called that only in comparison to previous months, and which, in any case, didn't reflect how many migrants were getting over the border through quasi-legal means, such as the CBPOne asylum app, which is a joke, having approved as valid 99% of all asylum claims, which means letting everyone in as a "legal" "immigrant." Biden also set up new "asylum" processing centers in Central American countries to prevent migrants from massing at the border as a "priority" for the administration, as it didn't want more Fox News cameras photographing them, and bused them on in as "legal" "immigrants" from the Darien Gap under cover of darkness. In addition, he set up special "humanitarian parole" programs for Venezuelans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Cubans who have relatives in the country to stay with for...years in order to wait out their asylum claims in court. None of those crossings is counted as a border encounter, or an arrest. But they sure do amount to the same phenomenon of "undocumented" migrants with no valid asylum claims to be able to get over the border and into the U.S. without going through normal immigration channels that legitimate immigrants use. Tens of thousands are doing it. It's always all about the Fox News cameras, and getting them away from the border, isn't it? The same could be said for Congressional delegations, which taxpayers pay for, so that Congressional members can find facts. They can't find any facts if there's no there, there? It's a pretty outrageous attempt by Biden to conceal the effects of his own failed policies and prevent Congress from acting as a check on his excesses. It's a Potemkin Village approach to governing, done to conceal the truth and prevent Congress from gathering information about just how bad the border is. Congress, if it wants facts, is going to have to learn to pre-empt Joe, who is doing all in his power to conceal the extent of damage he's done to the U.S. Joe Biden not only won't visit the border himself, he doesn't want anyone else to visit the border, either. Nothing to see here at this border, move along. That, too, ought to be an impeachable offense because in other contexts the word for this is 'cover-up.' Image: Twitter screen shot Rap superstar known as 50 Cent has all the money he's ever going to need for the remainder of his life. Forbes says he's worth $45 million in this past year, but he's been worth more than twice that in better years. It comes, it goes, but he still has more than he can spend. If you sent him a hospital bill, he'd pay for it out of pocket change. Which is why this statement to his 30.8 million followers on Instagram was more than a little curious. According to Breitbart News: Rapper-actor 50 Cent slammed California over its decision to use taxpayer money to fund health care for illegal aliens. I dont understand this, this it going to cost 2.6 billion dollars for tax payers, 50 Cent said in a Wednesday Instagram post. They dont even give veterans health insurance. [MSNBC anchor Ari Melber] call my phone now, help me understand this shit. WTF. His post can be viewed here. Obviously, he's hearing from people, his people, black people, young people, and with a look at the comments section of his Instagram page above, he's loved by his fans because they consider him "authentic." Well, that is authentic, free health care for illegal immigrants while others go without, or endure massive house-payment-sized monthly insurance costs is pretty offensive to those who are being dragged down by those costs, or who can't get insurance at all. So there's nothing oddball about what Fifty Cent said against free health care for illegals, and politically, there's very little risk for him to say what he thinks because it's the same thing his fans are thinking. According to Fox News, black voter and young voter support for Democrats broadly speaking is now in freefall: According to the USA Today/Suffolk University poll released Monday, Biden's support among Black voters has fallen to just 63%, down from the 92% that Pew Research Center data shows he won in the 2020 presidential election, while his support among Hispanic voters is down to 34% from 59%. Additionally, Biden trails former President Donald Trump, his likely Republican opponent, 37%-33%, among voters under the age of 35. And what's a significant concern for black voters in this election: Illegal immigration. I know I've seen polls revealing stronger sentiment than this, but this recent poll, from KFF/GRIO on top issues for black voters found that 34% of black voters considered immigration, likely illegal, immigration, a leading issue, echoing the sentiments of other voters. There's nothing 'out there' about Fifty Cent's criticism of California's free health care for all illegal comers. The problem is the insular ruling class that doles out these goodies, and lets black voters absorb the higher costs in taxes and insurance premiums as a result of it. The man is immensely popular and influential. Now he's condemning the irresponsibility of free stuff for foreigners. Democrats can take that as a warning. Image: 50 Cent shareable Instagram post Much has been written over the last several weeks about Claudine Gay and her fellow witnesses, who testified before the Congressional Committee on Education and the Workforce about the explosion of antisemitism on their respective campuses. It soon became clear that not one of them had a problem with those student protesters calling for the genocide of the Jews of Israel. For each of them, it was all about context, as if there is a context in which such vitriol directed to a particular group is acceptable. McGill of Penn stepped down as wealthy donors spoke out and withdrew massive financial gifts. But Harvards board and Gay resisted calls for her resignation. How dare lesser beings tell Harvard what to do? It quickly became obvious that Gay was a DIE hire, so her scholarship was not an issue. She is no scholar, and no one cared. No one cared that she plagiarized numerous actual scholars perhaps as many as fifty times. She was granted tenure at Stanford with only a few articles under her belt unheard of at the time. She refused to share the data she used in a paper, The Effect of Black Congressional Representation on Political Participation, probably because they were either stolen or fabricated. Why on Earth would an institution like Harvard sully itself by appointing a person not only unqualified but who criminally plagiarized the work of others? Because the truth and merit no longer matter to the woke left. Only appearances matter, the appearance of diversity and equity...oh, and skin color. Skin color matters most. While there are many, many qualified black American scholars, Gay is not one of them. But Harvard would never hire the likes of a Thomas Sowell, Clarence Thomas, Shelby Steele, Carol Swain, John McWhorter, Larry Elder, etc. Those people, scholars all, are not race-hustlers like Claudine Gay. They do not buy in to the racist victimization ideology of the virtue-signaling DIE crowd. It should be obvious to all now that it is the left that is racist; leftists believe they must make allowances for those less intellectually endowed. As for all those brilliant black conservatives? They are condemned for their apostasy, ignored. Who will want to go to Harvard now? Its reputation as one of the three finest universities in America has been shattered. Its most famous professor emeritus, Alan Dershowitz, is not even allowed to speak there for the crime of mildly defending Donald Trump as per the Constitution. There is no such thing as tolerance when it comes to persons who hold any remotely conservative opinions, just as there is no such thing as freedom of speech if it deviates from the anti-American radical left (Harvard) party line. Perhaps many young people who might not have been considered for admission will now be accepted; early decision applications are down by 17% already. Harvard will likely take many more students on full scholarship. Its been said that Harvard could provide every student with full scholarships with just the interest on its endowment. But a Harvard education will never again mean what it once did. A Harvard education (or Penn or MIT) will never again have the same cachet it had for the last couple of hundred years unless its powers that be decide to dump the whole DIE-CRT wokery agenda that led to a person like Claudine Gay being appointed president. She is likely the tip of the iceberg of equally unqualified faculty who were hired for all the wrong reasons. The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently. Nietzsche Now everyone knows that our most prestigious universities are nothing more than indoctrination centers. Essential to higher ed these days is that there are only two kinds of people: the oppressed and their oppressors. No critical thinking allowed. How else do we explain those three college presidents acceptance of monstrous antisemitism on their respective campuses? They too have been so thoroughly indoctrinated that they thought their views were part of the acceptable mainstream on the subject of Israels right to exist and the genocide of Jews. Who now will spend $100K a year to send a child to Harvard? No one who cares about actual education. Claudine Gay has resigned. That was inevitable, but she did it in a most pathetic way. Shes a victim of racism, of course. Her resignation letter made no apology for her many thefts of the work and research of others. She apparently believes she was entitled to steal their work without attribution. Her defenders agree, even though any student caught plagiarizing another even once would be expelled from Harvard. She will keep her nearly $1M salary and continue to teach undergrads. Now we know what she will be teaching them: to hate whites, Jews, and Asians, all deemed oppressors. If black, gay, trans, etc., they will learn that they are victims who can never succeed without the help of pandering liberals. The entire sequence of events, from the congressional testimony where the three university presidents seemed to defend the antisemitism of their students to the discovery of Gays flagrant plagiarism, has been a wake-up call for Americans interested in academia. It is sick and dying, thanks to the slow but definitive efforts of the anti-American left to control what is taught at universities that began at least fifty years ago. Their takeover has been complete. Gay has an op-ed in the NYT again defending herself, her scholarship, and academia in general. She writes, College campuses in our country must remain places where students can learn, share and grow together, not spaces where proxy battles and political grandstanding take root. But it is people like Gay who have purposefully transformed universities into battlegrounds of political grandstanding, canceling those with differing opinions, pursuing self-serving agendas. Gay and her defenders live in a bubble of their own making; no outside perspectives penetrate it. Most plagiarists, like the drone, have neither taste to select, industry to acquire, nor skill to improve, but impudently pilfer the honey ready prepared, from the hive. Charles Caleb Colton Image: New York Post via YouTube, CC BY 3.0 (cropped). Days ahead of their official unveiling, Samsungs Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 Ultra have surfaced in new benchmark entries on Geekbench. While the listings dont reveal any new information, the benchmark scores can be a talking point. The scores of both devices have improved over the past couple of months or so, particularly in the multi-core CPU tests. It appears Samsung has optimized the software ahead of the market debut. Galaxy S24 benchmark scores surge ahead of launch We have long known that Samsung will ship the Galaxy S24 phones with two different chipsets. The Ultra model will arrive with an overclocked version of Qualcomms Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor globally. The other two models will also get the Snapdragon chip in the US, Canada, China, and a few other markets. However, they will be powered by Samsungs in-house Exynos 2400 processor in the rest of the world. Advertisement Advertisement Well, there are rumors of the Plus mode getting the Snapdragon in more markets than the vanilla Galaxy S24. But the gist is that they wont exclusively feature the Qualcomm chip. Geekbench listings have already confirmed Samsungs dual-chip strategy for these phones. While benchmarks never tell the full story, some early entries suggested a sub-par performance for the Exynos-powered Galaxy S24+ and Snapdragon-powered Galaxy S24 Ultra. In one previous instance, the Plus model scored 2,067 in the single-core CPU test and 6,520 in the multi-core test. The Ultra scored 2,234 and 6,807, respectively. These scores arent the best in the segment. Thankfully, the devices are capable of delivering a better performance than that. In recent Geekbench runs, the Galaxy S24+ scored 2,193 and 6,895 while the Galaxy S24 Ultra scored 2,297 and 7,104, respectively. As you can see, the scores have increased substantially, particularly the multi-core scores. If anything, this suggests Samsungs continuous work on optimizing the software ahead of the launch. The Snapdragon chip still outperforms the Exynos but we are comparing two different phones. The Ultra is bigger and must have a more robust cooling system than the Plus. Itd be better to compare the Exynos and Snapdragon versions of the Galaxy S24+. The new Samsung flagships are just around the corner These benchmark entries for the upcoming Samsung flagships come just ahead of their official unveiling. The Korean behemoth has scheduled the launch event for January 17. All three models will debut on the same day and will be available for pre-order shortly, at least in most major markets. Samsung hasnt announced pre-order benefits but we expect a free memory upgrade and some discount coupons. By Ko Dong-hwan Former BMW Korea CEO Kim Hyo-joon has become vice chairman of Daechang Group, a major non-ferrous metal manufacturer, according to the group, Wednesday. Kim, who had been an adviser for BMW Korea until last month, was appointed to the position at Daechang on Tuesday. Daechang said it expects Kim's experiences in the global car company and successful projects will help Daechang improve its global competitiveness. It added that it anticipates Kim's presence will enable it to top the domestic market and even become a global market leader. Daechang Group Chairman Cho Si-young welcomed Kim, saying his position in the group will lead to greater success. Daechang Group started with Daechang Corp. founded in 1974 and has grown to diversify its non-ferrous metal businesses under five different companies. They include three listed companies Daechang, Seowon and Essentech. The group retains registered assets worth 1.5 trillion won ($1.15 billion) and has exported $300 million worth of its products. Daechang said Kim will still hold his previous titles as a special appointment professor at Yonsei University School of Business, chief of the board at ADeKo (Alumninetzwerk Deutschland-Korea), a Germany-Korea network, and honorary chairman of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Google will retire the Important tab feature in its Files by Google app available on both Android and iOS soon. Introduced last year and exclusively available for devices in India, the Important tab scans users phones to identify crucial documents such as passports, IDs, and other essential files. This Important tab feature inside Files by Google aligned well with the Indian governments DigiLocker service. However, Google will remove this feature from the app in the next update scheduled for February 15, 2024. Users should make copies of their important files before the tabs discontinuation. Advertisement Advertisement Users of the Important tab in Google Files can leverage the share option in the Files app As noted by an APK Insight post from 9to5Google, a notice inside the app informs about the removal of the Important tab, emphasizing that the feature will no longer be available after February 15, 2024. It further states, Your saved documents in the Important tab will be permanently deleted from Files after this date. To save a copy of your documents, use the Share option to do so before 15 February 2024. Users who have utilized the Important tab feature should take note that they will no longer have access to all files stored under this category inside the Files app after the specified date. To safeguard their crucial documents, users can create copies before the impending removal. Google suggests utilizing the Share option within the app to create copies of the stored documents inside the Important tab. In an effort to prevent users from losing their important documents, Google will also send out notifications to users, informing them about the impending shutdown of the Important tab inside Files by Google. The notification may look something like Files is removing the Important tab. Your saved documents in the Important tab will be deleted after 15 February 2024 A couple of days back, we exclusively leaked the official renders of Samsungs upcoming premium mid-range smartphone, the Galaxy A55. The company will also launch an M series equivalent of the device. Aptly called the Galaxy M55, it will be a less premium model aimed at price-sensitive markets. While details are scarce, the phone has recently picked up the Wi-FI certification on its way to launch. Samsung is preparing the Galaxy M55 for market release The Wi-FI Alliance certified the Samsung Galaxy M55 with the model number SM-M556B (the Galaxy A55 is SM-A556B). The listing reveals that the device will boast Wi-Fi 6 with support for 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands and WPA3 security. Theres no Wi-Fi 6E, let alone Wi-Fi 7. Since its a mid-range phone, we dont blame Samsung for not equipping it with the latest Wi-Fi standard. Advertisement Advertisement This certification also confirms that the Galaxy M55 will be available in a dual-SIM variant. However, that is all we can make from the document published on the Wi-Fi Alliances website earlier today. Thankfully, we have seen the phone in several benchmark entries on Geekbench in the past. Those entries hint at Qualcomms Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset for the upcoming Samsung mid-ranger. The Korean firm will pair the chipset with 8GB of RAM, though there could be a 6GB RAM variant as well. Unsurprisingly, Samsung will ship the Galaxy M55 with Android 14 out of the box, likely with One UI 6.1 on top. The rest of the specs are still under wraps. If history is any indication, it will feature a large display, a big battery, and a high-resolution primary rear camera. As revealed in our exclusive leak, the Galaxy A55 will feature a metallic frame, probably made of aluminum. We dont expect Samsung to equip the Galaxy M55 with an aluminum frame, though. The M series has always been about affordability with beefy specs and fewer premium extras. A metallic build is something of a premium more than a necessity, so the company might overlook it for the Galaxy M55. The device may still be several months away Samsung launched the Galaxy M54 in March last year, a week after the Galaxy A54. Rumors are that the Galaxy A55 will be delayed until April this year. This likely means a delay for the Galaxy M55 too. We expect more leaks and rumors about the new mid-range phones in the coming months, particularly after the release of the Galaxy S24 series. Samsung will unveil the new flagships on January 17, with a market release expected on January 30. Two former Samsung employees, Mr. Kim and Mr. Bang, returned to Korea from China earlier this year. They were arrested on charges of leaking intellectual property related to Samsungs 18-nano DRAM technologies. The accused individuals, who worked for Chinas ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), have allegedly shared crucial Samsung memory technology secrets, earning several million dollars in the process. The South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported the case and the suspects to prosecutors in May, prompting an investigation. Industry experts estimate (via Yonhap News Agency) the leaked information to worth about 2.3 trillion won ($1.8 billion). The case highlights growing concerns over chip technology leaks, with industry figures suggesting a fourfold increase in such incidents over the last five years. Advertisement Advertisement Besides financial damage, the leak of Samsungs 18-nano DRAM tech may also impact its competitive edge in the field The NIS and prosecutors focused their initial investigations on semiconductor deposition technology. Mr. Kim, a retired Samsung employee who joined CXMT in China, reportedly shared insights and technology related to this field which is reportedly Samsungs intellectual property. The authority only described the second person, Mr. Bang, as a former Samsung subcontractor and not much information about him and his contribution is known. The leaks could potentially impact seven other Samsung semiconductor fabrication processes, prompting further investigations. Prosecutors have sought arrests for violating Koreas Prevention and Protection of Industrial Technology Leakage Act, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations. Based on analysis, the alleged leak could have significant repercussions for Samsung, with approximately 40% market control. The leaked technology might not only result in substantial financial damages to Samsung but also impact the companys competitive edge, considering the years of research and development invested in the 18-nanometer DRAM technologies. The NIS noted a considerable rise in chip technology leaks, calling for stricter penalties. In response to the allegations, CXMT issued a statement (via Reuters) asserting its commitment to respecting intellectual property rights and maintaining robust mechanisms to prevent the inflow of third-party information from its employees. However, the company didnt provide any more specific comments on the matter of Samsungs intellectual property theft. HD Hyundai seeks to win more naval ship orders in 2024 By Park Jae-hyuk Hanwha Ocean decided not to disclose its annual target for shipbuilding orders this year, after the company managed to achieve 57 percent of its goal of winning $7 billion worth of orders last year, according to industry officials, Thursday. The shipbuilding unit of Hanwha Group explained that its decision is intended to sort out lucrative orders, as it has already won enough orders recently. However, the unusual move is also interpreted as an attempt to avoid comparison with its competitors, such as Samsung Heavy Industries and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE), an HD Hyundai subsidiary that manages three shipyards in Korea. In 2023, Samsung Heavy reached 87 percent of its goal of winning $9.5 billion worth of orders. Although the company has yet to disclose its annual order target this year, it is expected to unveil its goal at the end of January as usual. HD KSOE achieved 142 percent of its goal of winning $15.7 billion worth of orders last year, thanks to a contract with QatarEnergy in October regarding the construction of 17 liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers worth $3.9 billion. Hanwha Ocean and Samsung Heavy failed to sign similar deals with the Middle Eastern country by the end of last year. Considering the increased workloads and declining global demand for commercial vessels, HD KSOE slashed this years target for commercial ship orders by 46 percent from a year earlier. However, it raised the target for naval ship orders by 615 percent, as the navies of Korea, Canada, Poland and the Philippines are set to place large-size orders for surface combatants and submarines amid intensifying geopolitical tensions. As a result, its overall target went down 14 percent from the year before. Due to concerns over underperformance, shipbuilders tend to come up with conservative goals, Hi Investment & Securities analyst Byun Yong-jin said. Considering the fact that HD KSOE overachieved its goal last year, it may win larger orders than planned again this year. Securities analysts expect Samsung Heavy and HD KSOE to post 235.8 billion won ($180 million) and 301.9 billion won respectively in their 2023 operating profits. In contrast, Hanwha Oceans operating loss last year is estimated at 108.3 billion won, although the company started making quarterly operating profits in the third quarter of 2023. Hanwha Ocean did not receive any container ship orders in 2023, under the control of Hanwha Group, a defense industry powerhouse that changed the shipbuilders name from Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering after its acquisition last year. It only won orders for five LNG carriers, five ammonia carrier and seven naval ships. Last December, the company also replaced Jung In-sub, head of its shipyard on Geoje Island, South Gyeongsang Province, with Vice President Lee Gil-seob, who oversaw the materials business at Hanwha Solutions. His abrupt appointment came after the company replaced its chief financial officer and the head of the offshore business unit. Africas birds of prey are facing massive decline with 90% of the continents spectacular species under threat, research by a Scottish university has showed. Raptors lead an increasingly perilous existence in unprotected land in Africa as habitat, food and breeding sites have been drastically reduced, and persecution from ivory poachers and farmers is widespread. Poisoning, electrocution, and collision with wind turbines, as well as ritual killings, were all major threats to survival, according to researchers from the University of St Andrews and the Peregrine Fund. A report published in Nature Ecology & Evolution warned of declines among nearly 90% of 42 species, and more than two-thirds may be globally threatened. Monitoring began in West Africa in the 1970s, where the average decline rate was more than twice that of other regions but some species are now deemed to be vanishing into oblivion by ornithologists. Dr Phil Shaw, of the School of Biology at St Andrews, and Dr Darcy Ogada, of the Peregrine Fund, combined counts from road surveys conducted within four African regions at intervals of about 2040 years. They found raptors declined more than twice as fast outside of National Parks, reserves and other protected areas. Large raptor species experienced significantly steeper declines particularly on unprotected land due to persecution and human pressures, the study showed. It warned eagles and vultures were unlikely to survive the 21st Century on unprotected land, and highlighted steep declines among raptors classified as being of least concern in the global red list of threatened species. Birds including Wahlbergs eagle, African hawk-eagle, Long-crested eagle, African harrier-hawk and brown snake eagle, as well as dark chanting-goshawk, declined at rates suggesting they may now be globally threatened. Several other previously widespread raptor species are now scarce or absent from unprotected land, including the martial Eagle as well as the bateleur. Dr Phil Shaw said: Since the 1970s, extensive areas of forest and savanna have been converted into farmland, while other pressures affecting African raptors have likewise intensified. With the human population projected to double in the next 35 years, the need to extend Africas protected area network and mitigate pressures in unprotected areas is now greater than ever. Dr Darcy Ogada added: Africa is at a crossroads in terms of saving its magnificent birds of prey. In many areas we have watched these species nearly disappear. One of Africas most iconic raptors, the secretarybird, is on the brink of extinction. Theres no single threat imperilling these birds, its a combination of many human-caused ones, in other words we are seeing deaths from a thousand cuts. The research was hailed as important by a bird expert uninvolved in the study, who also urged for greater protective measures. Veteran ornithologist Ian Newton said: This is an important paper which draws attention to the massive declines in predatory birds which have occurred across much of Africa during recent decades. This was the continent over which, only 50 years ago, pristine populations of spectacular raptors were evident almost everywhere, bringing excitement and wonder to visitors from many parts of the world. The causes of the declines are many: from rampant habitat destruction to growing use of poisons by farmers and poachers and expanding powerline networks all ultimately due to expansions in human numbers, livestock grazing and other activities. Let us hope that more research can be done and, more importantly, that these birds can be protected over ever more areas, measures largely dependent on the education and goodwill of local people. The studys findings align with the Convention on Biological Diversitys COP15 goal of expanding conservation areas to cover 30% of land by 2030. Dr Ralph Buij, who re-surveyed some of the original areas for the Peregrine Fund, noted: The human footprint is particularly high throughout West Africas savannas, and the near complete disappearance of many raptors outside that regions relatively small and fragmented protected area network reflects an ecological collapse that is increasingly affecting other parts of the continent. Some raptors that occur mostly in West Africa, such as the little-known Beaudouins snake eagle, are vanishing into oblivion. The researchers developed the African Raptor Leadership Grant, launched last year, to address the immediate need for more research and conservation programmes as well as training African scientists. The Duke of York has been reported to the police by the campaign group Republic after allegations of sexual assault resurfaced in unsealed court documents. Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, urged the Metropolitan Police to reopen investigations and called on the King to make a public statement and take questions from the press on the matter. Andrew, 63, who has previously strenuously denied the allegations, paid millions a year ago to settle a civil case out of court with Virginia Giuffre with no admission of guilt after she accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17. The Duke of York, Sarah, Duchess of York, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice attending the Christmas Day morning church service in Sandringham (Joe Giddens/PA) The development is a fresh setback for the late Queens second son who, just 10 days ago, walked to church on Christmas Day with the King and the rest of the royal family, symbolising his gradual rehabilitation within the monarchy after his public appearance at his brothers coronation in his garter robes in May. Allegations Andrew had an orgy with underage girls and touched a womans breast while posing with a puppet of himself have hit the headlines again after appearing in legal documents relating to the scandal surrounding billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The duke is mentioned more than 70 times in nearly 1,000 pages of interviews and transcripts released in the US in connection with a 2015 defamation case brought by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell, who was jailed for sex trafficking young girls for Epstein. The names of more than 170 people who were either associates, friends or victims of Epstein are being made public following a judges order last month, including high-profile figures such as former US president Bill Clinton. Ghislaine Maxwell with Jeffrey Epstein (US Department of Justice/PA) Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, said on Thursday that he had reported Andrew to the police, accusing the Met of failing to conduct a serious criminal investigation into the case. The force said in August 2022 that it was taking no further action over allegations made against Epstein and that any future probes into human trafficking by the sex offender were focused on activities outside the UK. It also previously said it stood by its 2015 decision not to investigate claims by Ms Giuffre that she was sex trafficked to London by Epstein. Mr Smith said: To date, there appears to have been no serious criminal investigation, no interview of the accused or other witnesses, and no clear justification for taking no action. I am calling on the Met Police to reopen this case, I am calling on MPs to debate this affair in Parliament, and I am calling on Charles to make a public statement, in front of the press and taking questions, to respond to these allegations and what they say about the monarchy. How can we not expect a response from the Government and head of state? At the time of the alleged offences, Andrew was a government trade ambassador and an active member of the royal family. They fudged and obfuscated for 11 years before taking any definitive action. The Duke of York (right) attending the Coronation Concert held in the grounds of Windsor Castle in May (Jonathan Brady/PA) Mr Smith added: The question many people will be asking is simple: if the accused were anyone else, do we believe they wouldnt have been investigated and prosecuted? Buckingham Palace, which no longer speaks on behalf of the duke after he stepped down as a working royal in 2019 over his friendship with Epstein, has not commented on the documents. Evidence from Johanna Sjoberg, who worked for Epstein as a masseuse, alleged Andrew touched her breast while sitting on a couch inside Epsteins Manhattan apartment as he posed for a photo with a caricature of himself in 2001. The claim, which has been alleged previously, is thought to refer to a Spitting Image puppet of the duke. Ms Sjoberg said, while giving evidence in May 2016: Ghislaine told me to come upstairs, and we went into a closet and pulled out the puppet, the caricature of Prince Andrew, and brought it down. And there was a little tag on the puppet that said Prince Andrew on it, and thats when I knew who he was. Ms Sjoberg was asked what the puppet looked like and replied: It looked like him. And she brought it down and presented it to him; and that was a great joke, because apparently it was a production from a show on BBC. The duke at the Kings coronation last May (Yui Mok/PA) And they decided to take a picture with it, in which Virginia and Andrew sat on a couch. They put the puppet on Virginias lap, and I sat on Andrews lap, and they put the puppets hand on Virginias breast, and Andrew put his hand on my breast, and they took a photo. Other mentions of the duke include previous allegations that Epstein forced Jane Doe #3 to have sexual relations with was a member of the British Royal Family, Prince Andrew (a/k/a Duke of York) at three locations including on Epsteins private island in an orgy with numerous other under-aged girls. The document claimed that Epstein instructed Jane Doe #3 to give Andrew whatever he demanded and that Maxwell facilitated Prince Andrews acts of sexual abuse by acting as a madame for Epstein. Ms Giuffre has claimed she was trafficked by Epstein to have sex with Andrew three times when she was 17 and a minor under US law at Maxwells London home, in Epsteins New York home and during an orgy with Epstein at Caribbean island. She was questioned over the whereabouts of the famous photograph showing her with the duke, who has his arm around her, with Maxwell grinning in the background. Photo issued by the US Department of Justice the Duke of York, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell (US Department of Justice/PA) Ms Giuffre added it may have been in storage boxes that were full of Nerf guns, my kids toys, photos at her mother and father-in-laws home in Sydney, Australia. She said she gave the picture to the FBI in 2011 but had last seen it before she packed up her home to emigrate to Australia from Colorado. Among the documents appears to be an email sent by Maxwell expressing her fears she would be questioned about her own relationship with Andrew. It reads: I have already suffered such a terrible and painful loss over the last few days that I cant even see what life after press hell even looks like statements that dont address all just lead to more questions what is my relationship to Clinton? Andrew on and on. In Maxwells videotaped deposition in 2016, she claimed she could only recall the duke visiting Jeffrey Epsteins private island in the US Virgin Islands once. The Met Police and representatives of the duke have been approached for a comment. Prosecutors have dropped criminal charges against 39 Legia Warsaw fans arrested after police were pelted with missiles outside Villa Park before a Europa Conference League match. The charges against 38 men and one woman, including counts of violent disorder, were brought after flares were thrown towards police at and near a coach park outside the stadium on November 30. Charges against seven other Legia fans are being proceeded with. Police attempt to put out flares on November 30 (David Davies/PA) More than 40 Legia supporters, mostly based in Poland, appeared in court two days after the disorder, and were granted bail after denying any wrongdoing. They included a 22-year-old woman from Poland whose lawyer told the court she was a medical student who had travelled to Birmingham with her boyfriend. One of the court hearings held two days after the disorder was told egregious, sustained and horrific violence beginning shortly before 6pm and extending until 8pm saw bricks, bottles and a portable toilet thrown at officers. It is also alleged that there was an attempt to set a police van on fire while a flare and a lit flag were allegedly used to cause injuries to two officers. Police said a total of five officers, two police dogs and two police horses were injured after violence erupted when visiting supporters were not given tickets to enter Villa Park, as previously arranged. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Crown Prosecution Service said: We are proceeding against seven defendants and have issued discontinuance notices for 39 defendants. Should further evidence come to light then proceedings against those defendants could be reinstated. Police deal with disorder outside Villa Park (David Davies/PA) The CPS has a responsibility to review prosecutions and consider if they can be proceeded with when cases are charged by police. Guidelines state that reviews of cases should be proportionate to the specific facts of the case, and the prosecutors view of defendants anticipated plea. Three men charged with violent disorder, one charged with a public order offence, and one charged with possession of Class A drugs are due to appear on Friday at Birmingham Crown Court. Another man is due to appear at the same court on January 16 while a defendant is facing proceedings charged with assaulting an emergency worker. Allegations the Duke of York had an orgy with underage girls, and touched a womans breast while posing with a puppet of himself have resurfaced in unsealed court documents relating to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Andrew is mentioned more than 70 times in nearly 1,000 pages of interviews and transcripts released in the US in connection with a 2015 defamation case brought by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell. The names of more than 170 people who were either associates, friends or victims of Epstein are being made public following a judges order last month, including high-profile figures such as former US president Bill Clinton. The duke, who has previously strenuously denied the allegations, paid millions a year ago to settle a civil case out of court with Ms Giuffre with no admission of guilt, after she accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17. Photo issued by the US Department of Justice the Duke of York, Virginia Giuffre, and Ghislaine Maxwell (US Department of Justice/PA) Disgraced British socialite Maxwell was jailed for sex trafficking young girls for billionaire paedophile Epstein. The newly-released documents have brought the duke, who stepped down from royal duties over his friendship with convicted sex offender Epstein in 2019, back under the glare of scrutiny, just weeks after he walked to church on Christmas Day with the King and rest of the royal family. Evidence from Johanna Sjoberg, who worked for Epstein as a masseuse, recounted how Andrew allegedly touched her breast while sitting on a couch inside Epsteins Manhattan apartment as he posed for a photo with a caricature of himself in 2001. The claim, which has been alleged previously, is thought to refer to a Spitting Image puppet of the duke. Ms Sjoberg said, while giving evidence in May 2016: Ghislaine told me to come upstairs, and we went into a closet and pulled out the puppet, the caricature of Prince Andrew, and brought it down. And there was a little tag on the puppet that said Prince Andrew on it, and thats when I knew who he was. Ms Sjoberg was asked what the puppet looked like and replied: It looked like him. And she brought it down and presented it to him; and that was a great joke, because apparently it was a production from a show on BBC. The duke at the Kings coronation last May (Yui Mok/PA) And they decided to take a picture with it, in which Virginia and Andrew sat on a couch. They put the puppet on Virginias lap, and I sat on Andrews lap, and they put the puppets hand on Virginias breast, and Andrew put his hand on my breast, and they took a photo. Other mentions of the duke include previous allegations that Epstein forced Jane Doe #3 to have sexual relations with was a member of the British Royal Family, Prince Andrew (a/k/a Duke of York) at three locations including on Epsteins private island in an orgy with numerous other under-aged girls. The document claimed that Epstein instructed Jane Doe #3 to give Andrew whatever he demanded and that Maxwell facilitated Prince Andrews acts of sexual abuse by acting as a madame for Epstein. Epstein instructed Jane Doe #3 that she was to give the Prince whatever he demanded and required Jane Doe #3 to report back to him on the details of the sexual abuse, it said. Maxwell facilitated Prince Andrews acts of sexual abuse by acting as a madame for Epstein, thereby assisting in internationally trafficking Jane Doe #3 (and numerous other young girls) for sexual purposes. Ms Sjoberg was asked: Do you know whether Virginia Roberts (Giuffre) is telling the truth about Ghislaine Maxwell forcing her to participate in an orgy with Prince Andrew and other underaged girls on the island? She replied she had no knowledge of this. Ghislaine Maxwell with Jeffrey Epstein (US Department of Justice/PA) Ms Giuffre has claimed she was trafficked by Epstein to have sex with Andrew three times when she was 17 and a minor under US law at Maxwells London home, in Epsteins New York home and during an orgy on Epstein at Caribbean island. She was questioned over the whereabouts of the famous photograph showing her with the duke, who has his arm around her, with Maxwell grinning in the background. Asked during her deposition in 2016 where the picture was, Ms Giuffre said: I probably still have it. Its not in my possession right now. Ms Giuffre added it may have been in storage boxes at her mother and father in-laws in Sydney, Australia. She also said documents related to the case may have also been in the storage boxes which were full of Nerf guns, my kids toys, photos. The Duke of York, Sarah, Duchess of York, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice attending the Christmas Day morning church service in Sandringham (Joe Giddens/PA) Ms Giuffre said she had given the picture to the FBI in 2011 but had last seen it before she packed up her home to emigrate to Australia from Colorado. Among the documents appears to be an email sent by Maxwell expressing her fears she would be questioned about her own relationship to Andrew. The message was sent from the email address gmaxl@ellmax.com to Philip Barden and Ross Gow in January 2015. It reads: I have already suffered such a terrible and painful loss over the last few days that I cant even see what life after press hell even looks like statements that dont address all just lead to more questions what is my relationship to Clinton? Andrew on and on. In Maxwells videotaped deposition in 2016, she claimed she could only recall the duke visiting Jeffrey Epsteins private island in the US Virgin Islands once. Asked whether any girls under the age of 18 were present on that one occasion, she replied: There were no girls on the island at all. No girls, no women, other than the staff who work at the house. Girls meaning, I assume you are asking underage, but there was nobody female outside of the cooks and the cleaners. Representatives of the duke have been approached for a comment. A homegrown terrorist who plotted to launch a gun attack at Londons Hyde Park has had his jail sentence increased. Edward Little, 22, from Brighton, who was just 10 minutes from getting a gun when he was arrested by armed police, was originally sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years at the Old Bailey on December 15. But, following a hearing at the same court on Thursday, a judge revised his life sentence to a minimum of 24 years, the Old Bailey said. Counter-terrorism police said the new hearing was held under the slip rule Section 155 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 which allows judges to re-sentence if fresh information comes to light. Court artist sketch of Edward Little during his trial at the Old Bailey(Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire) Little travelled in a taxi from Brighton to the capital with 5,000 to buy a firearm and bullets when he was arrested on September 23 2022. He had targeted a Christian preacher who regularly appeared at Speakers Corner, but could have killed anyone who got in the way, police said. Little pleaded guilty to preparing acts of terrorism in May last year, and refused to come to the Old Bailey for his sentencing. Three members of a crime gang were also jailed for conspiring to provide Little with the gun, although they did not know what it was for. Little settled on the plan after rejecting a mass gun attack on the late Queens funeral in Westminster. Previously, the court heard how UK-born Little converted to Islam at Cookham Wood Young Offender Institution in Kent and at HMP Deerbolt in County Durham, after he turned 18. He downloaded extremist propaganda, including copies of the al-Qaida publication Inspire, in the summer of 2022, and spoke of his desire to get hold of a Mac-10 submachine gun and AK-47 assault rifle in encrypted chats on the Threema messaging platform. At one point, he wrote: I dont think there has been an attack in the UK with guns so a semi-automatic rifle would send an even stronger message. Little agreed to pay a taxi driver 300 to take him from Brighton to Lewisham, south London, on September 23 2022, saying money was no problem. The plan was scuppered when armed police moved in to arrest him in south London. Prosecutor Duncan Penny KC had said Little planned to kill the Christian preacher, Hatun Tash, at Speakers Corner in Hyde Park, anyone with her, as well as any police officers or soldiers in the area. A sign for a Pontins holiday park. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) The historic British holiday chain Pontins has announced it is closing its Southport site - less than six weeks after shutting two of its other parks. In an announcement on Facebook, Pontins said the decision came after assessing the future viability of the park and that it would close immediately. On 30 November, Pontins said its sites at Prestatyn Sands in North Wales and Camber Sands in East Sussex would also shut. The closures means the holiday firm, which is owned by Britannia Hotels, now has only two holiday sites remaining - Pakefield in Suffolk and Sand Bay in Somerset. A third, Pontins Brean Sands in Somerset, was closed to holidaymakers last January for three years while it is used by EDF to house workers at the local Hinckley Point C nuclear power station. Founded in 1946 by Fred Pontin, the beloved holiday destination provided budget staycations for families with young children for decades and, at its peak, had 30 locations across the UK. It was seen as an alternative to Butlin's and boasted a number of 'Bluecoat' entertainers who went on to become household names, including Shane Richie, Bobby Davro, Bradley Walsh and Lee Mack. The business was sold to Coral in 1978 and then went through a number of owners before being saved from administration by Britannia Hotels in 2011. Their busiest periods tend to be school holidays as there are dozens of activities for children, and just a month ago, they were advertising their festive themed breaks called Dreamland, starting at 79. Bracklesham Bay Pontins holiday camp in the late 1970s. The firm was founded by Fred Pontin in 1946. (Jeff Moore) Darren Moore, the Conservative MP for Southport, said that while the closure was concerning for those who work there, it was also a "fantastic opportunity" for a new business to come in. He said in a Facebook post: "Whilst the closure of Pontins is clearly concerning for the staff who Im sure will be shocked, it provides a fantastic opportunity for a high-quality holiday accommodation provider to take over the site. Given its excellent location next to Ainsdale Beach, and with suitable investment, it could offer a substantial economic boost to Ainsdale and the wider Southport area." According to the Mirror, hundreds of staff working at the Southport location were notifiedof their job losses by text message with some posting about their disappointment on social media. One woman expressed her sadness and said that, as of 3pm Wednesday, Pontins Southgate had shuttered their doors permanently, just an hour after staff were informed about their job loss. The former employee wrote: I spoke on Friday at length and had assurance and a signed contract until the end of 2024. So after 43 years it is no more and I am truly devastated for you all. Pontins Southport was used as part of a rapid testing pilot scheme during the COVID outbreak. (Getty) (OLI SCARFF via Getty Images) The Prestatyn Sands and Camber Sands parks were closed at the end of November in a similarly announced Facebook post, weeks before the start of the busy holiday season. At the time, MP Gareth Davies posted on X (formerly known as Twitters ) that the Prestatyn Sands location has had a 'terrible reputation' and called the closure 'unexpected'. In 2022, the Equalities and Human Rights Commission announced an investigation into Pontin's after a whistleblower revealed a list of "undesirable guests" that discriminated against Irish guests. Recommended reading A London party boat which is a floating bar, restaurant and nightclub has sunk in the River Thames amid heavy rainfall. It sank on Thursday as rain battered the capital. A yellow weather warning for rain has been issued by the Met Office until 3am on Friday. A spokesman for the Bar & Co boat, which was moored at Temple Pier, told the PA news agency: Likely it sunk because of weather conditions. NAVIGATIONAL WARNING M02-24 Kings Reach Navigational Warning Temple Pier Sunken Vessel Mariners are advised that a vessel has sunk on the inside of Temple Pier. Mariners are requested to pass Temple Pier with great caution. https://t.co/HYjhdxxtPN pic.twitter.com/0l004b82Mo Port of London Authority (@LondonPortAuth) January 4, 2024 An HM Coastguard spokesman said: A restaurant vessel sank at Temple Pier in London on January 4. The alarm was raised at about 12.30pm and everyone is accounted for. The Port of London Authority has advised vessels to pass Temple Pier with great caution. A Royal National Lifeboat Institution vessel, a Metropolitan Police boat and a London Fire Brigade boat were sent to the scene. Actress Glynis Johns, most known for her role as Mrs Banks in the 1964 film Mary Poppins, has died at the age of 100, her manager confirmed. Johns, who won a Tony Award in 1973 for playing Desiree Armfeldt in A Little Night Music on Broadway, starred opposite Dame Julie Andrews in the classic movie where she played Winifred Banks, the suffragette mother of the children in need of a nanny. Mitch Clem, her manager, said Johns had died peacefully on Thursday in Los Angeles. Glynis Johns arrives for the premiere of the Festival film The Magic Box at the Odeon in Leicester Square in 1951 (PA) In a statement to the PA news agency he said: My heart is heavy today with the passing of my beloved client Glynis Johns. Glynis powered her way through life with intelligence, wit, and a love for performance, affecting millions of lives. She entered my life early in my career and set a very high bar on how to navigate this industry with grace, class, and truth. Your own truth. Her light shined very brightly for 100 years. She had a wit that could stop you in your tracks powered by a heart that loved deeply and purely. Today is a sombre day for Hollywood. Not only do we mourn the passing of our dear Glynis, but we mourn the end of the golden age of Hollywood. Pictured on location in Monte Carlo for Loser Takes All in 1955 (PA) The Tony Awards paid tribute to the actress on X, formerly Twitter, saying she will be missed. It tweeted: She is remembered for so many roles, including Desiree Armfeldt in A Little Night Music for which she won her Tony. She will be missed. Johns was known to be a perfectionist about her profession, telling the Associated Press in 1990: As far as Im concerned, Im not interested in playing the role on only one level. The whole point of first-class acting is to make a reality of it. To be real. And I have to make sense of it in my own mind in order to be real. The actress was the first to sing composer Stephen Sondheims most famous ballad, Send In The Clowns, which he wrote for her role in the musical for which she won her Tony. Tony Winner Glynis Johns passed away at age 100. She is remembered for so many roles, including Desiree Armfeldt in A Little Night Music for which she won her Tony. She will be missed. pic.twitter.com/AgUcsfOUGF The Tony Awards (@TheTonyAwards) January 4, 2024 However, she lost the part to Elizabeth Taylor in the 1977 film version. The actress was remembered for playing the titular role in 1948 film Miranda about a young married physician who discovers a mermaid. She also made frequent appearances on TV and starred in her own sitcom called Glynis on US television in 1963. Johns was nominated for an Oscar for best actress in a supporting role for 1960 film The Sundowners. Her final acting credits include the role of Rose in 1994 film The Ref, also known as Hostile Hostages, and Grandma in the 1999 movie Superstar, co-starring Molly Shannon and Will Ferrell. Mary Poppins received five Oscars and remains one of the most enduringly popular movies made by Walt Disney. Johns sang Sister Suffragette, a call for women to have the vote, in the film. A child abuse ring who preyed on victims in a drugs den have been warned they face very substantial jail terms for extraordinary depravity. Three children were abused in 2012 and 2019 in a Glasgow drugs den where heroin and crack cocaine were used. Iain Owens, 45; Elaine Lannery, 39; Lesley Williams, 41; Paul Brannan, 41; Scott Forbes, 50; Barry Watson, 47; and John Clark, 47, were convicted of a string of charges including gang rape of a child. Co-accused Marianne Gallagher, 38, was found guilty of assaulting a child. She was bailed and had her sentence deferred until January 6, 2025. Four of the accused Owens, Lannery, Brannan and Williams were all convicted of attempting to murder a child by pushing her into a microwave and trapping her in other places. Top row, left to right: Barry Watson, 47; Elaine Lannery, 39; and Iain Owens, 45. Bottom row, left to right: John Clark, 47; Paul Brannan, 41; and Scott Forbes, 50 (Police Scotland/PA) Prosecutors dropped allegations of the use of an Ouija board during the eight-week trial at the High Court in Glasgow, and all the accused were found not guilty of killing dogs. Three of those on trial: Mark Carr, 49; Richard Gachagan, 46; and Leona Laing, 51, were acquitted of all charges. Judge Lord Beckett warned the abusers when they faced the court on Thursday to expect a very substantial prison sentence, for grave and repeated crimes. He said the common denominator was the abuse of a very young child, which all the defendants except Gallagher were convicted of. Lord Beckett said: Some of you have been convicted of sexually abusing three children and some of two children. The common denominator was the repeated sexual assault of a very young child, payment was sought and accepted, some of the events were filmed. This extraordinary depravity was repeated on a number of occasions. All the sex offences are of extreme gravity and accompanied for some of you by attempted murder. I think particularly of the children in this case and those who care or support them. The whole community may justifiably feel an urgent need for resolution of this case. The court must apply the law. I have thought long and hard about this case. He said a risk assessment will be carried out before sentencing to assess if an order for lifelong restriction should be imposed. That monitors high-risk offenders for the rest of their lives if deemed suitable for release from prison after serving a minimum punishment period. The criteria will look at if the abusers would potentially seriously endanger the lives or physical or psychological wellbeing of the public at large. Marianne Gallagher, 38, had her sentencing for assaulting a child deferred until January 6, 2025 (Jane Barlow/PA) Lord Beckett added: It appears to me in the case of each of you may be such there is a likelihood that if at liberty there is a risk you will seriously endanger the lives or physical or psychological wellbeing of the public at large, particularly young children. You are not all in the same position. You should understand that each of you faces a very substantial prison sentence. Owens and Lannery were convicted of attempted murder and multiple counts of assault, sexual assault, rape and causing a child to ingest drugs and alcohol. Williams was convicted of attempted murder, assault, rape and supplying drugs, while Brannan was found guilty of attempted murder charge as well as sexual assault, causing children to consume drugs and alcohol, rape and supplying class A drugs. Many of the defendants continued to insist they were innocent with some expecting to be cleared. Owens continues to maintain his innocence, according to defence advocate Gary Allan KC, who described him as by no means stupid, and said he found prison frightening. Forbes believes he will someday be exonerated, his lawyer James Wallace told the court, while John Clark protests his innocence, Iain McSporran KC told the court. Watson maintains his position of denial, while Williams maintains her innocence, the court heard. Sentencing was adjourned until January 9. A plain-clothes Met Police officer has been sacked after a man thought he was being robbed during a stop-and-search in west London. Pc Martin Binala struck the man several times, after claiming he could smell cannabis coming from the mans car, during the incident at about 8.40pm on September 12 2021. Pc Binala, who used excessive force during the search, was dismissed without notice after an allegation of gross misconduct against him was found proven by a police disciplinary panel. Another officer at the hearing, Pc Stuart Dunne, had misconduct proven against him and he was given a written warning. They were part of a group of three non-uniformed officers in an unmarked vehicle who stopped and searched the man. The officers said that he initially attracted their attention as he was sitting in his parked car near a crime hotspot in Southall, Hounslow, west London. An investigation by watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found the man was parked in a street near his house. The man, a Polish national for whom English was not his first language, was pulled from the car, taken to the ground, handcuffed and an incapacitant sprayed in his eyes, the IOPC said. He was handcuffed for 45 minutes and arrested for obstructing police, but later de-arrested. The man told the IOPC investigation that he was scared for his life during the struggle with the officers, as he thought he was about to be robbed and they had not identified themselves. He resisted them and attempted to get away when they began to use force, and Pc Binala struck him several times, the watchdog added. The officers then took him to hospital as he had sustained injuries to his body, face and head. The IOPC began an investigation in December 2021 after the man complained, and established that the three officers were inappropriately dressed according to their force protocol. Both officers Binala and Dunne claimed they could smell cannabis but none was found. The panel believed that it was not possible for Pc Binala to have smelt cannabis coming from the car as the door and windows were closed. This allegation against Pc Dunne was not proven as the panel accepted the officer had not lied over his claim that he could smell cannabis in the air. At a misconduct hearing, which concluded on Thursday, the panel found Pc Binala had breached the police standards of professional behaviour in respect of use of force for beating the man repeatedly. It also found he had breached the standards for honesty and integrity, authority, respect and courtesy, and duties and responsibilities. Pc Binala has also been barred from working in policing in future. The panel found the case proven for Pc Dunne for breaching the police standards relating to authority, respect and courtesy, use of force and duties and responsibilities. IOPC regional director Charmaine Arbouin said: Body-worn video footage showed that, in just seven seconds, Pc Binala got out of the unmarked police vehicle and began to forcibly remove the man from his car. There was no attempt to engage with him, identify themselves as officers, show warrant cards or go through the usual police procedures when stopping members of the public. It is not surprising that the man didnt believe they were police officers and reacted in the way he did. He told our investigators he thought he was being robbed and feared for his safety. After taking the man to the ground, Pc Dunne used Pava spray twice without warning and Pc Binala struck the man. Their use of force was unnecessary, unreasonable and disproportionate. The IOPC sent a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider a charge of common assault against the officers. In March 2022, the CPS decided not to charge them. A third officer will attend an internal misconduct meeting for alleged breaches relating to the police professional standards of behaviour for duties and responsibilities, conduct and use of force. By Ko Dong-hwan Orion has been slapped with an order to stop selling and recall its long-surviving Custard pastry products after bacteria was detected in some of the products, according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Wednesday. The products made by one of the company's factories in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, were found to contain staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria capable of causing food poisoning. It is also known to cause a range of illnesses, from minor skin infections to life-threatening diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis and toxic shock syndrome. The ministry discovered the bacteria after inspecting five random Custard products for quality control. The samples, each containing 12 separately packed Custard cakes, were made on Dec. 12 last year and had an expiration date of June 21 this year. The ministry said all five sampled products contained the bacteria. The contaminated products were from a batch of over 4,000 Custard products made by the factory which altogether weighed 1,318 kilograms, according to local reports. The ministry, upon making the discovery, ordered the Cheongju city government to recall the products. The city said it received a report from Orion saying it will first recall part of the batch weighing 600 kilograms in total. Orion said it has confirmed the bacterial contamination after being notified of the problem by the city government. The company said it plans to recall all Custard products from the batch by Friday. The ministry, meanwhile, advised the public to stop eating the Custard products and return them to where they had purchased them. Russell Crowe has revealed he is the distant relative of a notorious Jacobite lord who was the last man to be executed by beheading in Britain. The Gladiator star has been exploring his ancestry and his research uncovered some surprising connections. While he knew he had Scottish heritage, he recently discovered he is related to Simon Fraser, the 11th Lord Lovat known as the Old Fox. Known for his scheming plots and switching sides to and fro between the government and Jacobite causes, his clan was eventually among those defeated at the battle of Culloden in 1746 and he was executed the following year. Fans of the Outlander novels and TV series will recognise him as the grandfather of lead character Jamie Fraser. Ive been on the hunt to track down my Italian forebears for quite some time. Folkloric family tales and misspelling had seen me travel on a number of wrong tracks. Turns out my great great great grandfather, on my mothers side, who travelled to NZ in 1864 was Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) January 3, 2024 On X, formerly Twitter, Crowe said he had begun by trying to trace his Italian roots, something made difficult by folkloric family tales and misspelling. He discovered his great-great-grandfather Luigi Ghezzi had moved to New Zealand in 1864 after meeting Mary Ann Curtain in Cape Town. The 59-year-old actor added: Also something else that has recently come to light on my fathers mothers side, via John (Jock) Fraser (arrived in NZ in 1841) we directly connect back to Simon Fraser. 11th Lord Lovat. Look him up. Hes quite the character. The Old Fox they used to call him. Seems his Machiavellian ways caught up to him at the age of 80, & he has a claim to infamy as the last man to have the head chopped off his living body in the Tower of London. His death even coined a phrase. Apparently, they set up temporary stands for the gentry to watch him die. The Gladiator star has taken an interest in Scottish history (PA) One of these stands collapsed which resulted in the death of nine onlookers. Being told this just before he was put to death made him laugh. He was still laughing when the blade struck his neck, thereby laughing his head off. Crowe also said his DNA suggested a strong Irish link, but he is currently uncertain where exactly this comes from. The 11th Lord Lovats execution at Tower Hill in London drew huge crowds. He had sided with Bonnie Prince Charlie during the 1745 Jacobite rising and was sentenced to death for treason. Crowe said much of his family tree is still a mystery (Lauren Hurley/PA) Crowe has taken an interest in Scottish history previously. He is a supporter of the Clanranald Trust which has created the Duncarron fort near Denny, an authentic replica of a medieval stronghold. The Australian actor donated a battering ram from the film Robin Hood to the fort. In 2018, forensic experts were called in to try and identify if remains removed from a Highland crypt were those of the 11th Lord Lovat. While official records stated he had been buried beneath the floor of a chapel in the Tower of London, his clan believed his remains had been intercepted and returned to Scotland. However Professor Dame Sue Black determined the remains at Wardlaw Mausoleum were those of a woman and not the Old Fox. The Prime Minister has backed calls by hospital bosses for junior doctors to leave picket lines and return to work amid patient safety fears. A number of hospitals in England have pleaded for medics to return to work due to safety concerns also known as derogation requests. But a row erupted after the British Medical Association (BMA) said that the derogation process was being undermined by the health service and it suggested that the requests were being made due to political pressure. Rishi Sunak said that NHS leaders are completely independent of Government but added that they have his backing when making such requests. Speaking to broadcasters in Nottinghamshire, he said: The NHS is responsible for patient care and its right that they do absolutely everything they can to ensure patient care. These strikes are disrupting peoples lives. They are causing an enormous amount of concern to people. Its absolutely right that NHS leaders, completely independent of Government, are making clinical decisions on the ground. And requesting that extra support where they feel that they need it. Of course they have my backing in doing that. When making derogation requests NHS trusts are expected to show they have exhausted all other sources of staffing before recalling medics. More than 20 derogation requests have been submitted to the BMA, but so far none have been approved as the union said that NHS England and some trusts are refusing to provide evidence that they have undertaken these steps. We have written to @AmandaPritchard to raise serious concerns about the way that @NHSEngland are engaging with the national derogations system and we are seeking her urgent intervention. Read the letter: https://t.co/UmCYlY2OEq pic.twitter.com/2pIzUOvcAf The BMA (@TheBMA) January 3, 2024 In a letter to NHS bosses, BMA chairman Professor Philip Banfield, said: This refusal to provide the information necessary to take well informed decisions is fundamentally undermining the derogation process as we are being asked to take decisions about our members right to strike without the requisite information. NHS England, it seems, is wilfully placing the BMA in an impossible situation. We are increasingly drawing the conclusion that NHS Englands change in attitude towards the process is not due to concerns around patient safety but due to political pressure to maintain a higher level of service, undermine our strike action and push the BMA into refusing an increasing number of requests requests, we believe, would not have been put to us during previous rounds of strike action. But the NHS Confederation, which represents NHS organisations, said that hospitals needed to limit the precious time they and their teams have available to filling in forms when patient safety could be at risk. Junior doctors in England are striking for six days the longest strike in NHS history (Owen Humphreys/PA) Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: NHS trusts have been working at pace to prepare for these strikes, which come during one of the busiest weeks of the year for the health service. They are dealing with rising levels of winter viruses in the midst of industrial action and higher than anticipated staff sickness. A number of trusts have already declared critical incidents, with pressure likely to get worse as the walkout continues this week. Rather than accusing hospital leaders of refusing to provide the required information in full to the BMA, this is more about them needing to limit the precious time they and their teams have available to filling in forms when patient safety could be at risk. In response to Professor Banfield, NHS England bosses said in a letter that it was regrettable that the BMA calls into question the integrity and motive of local clinical leaders who are requesting patient safety mitigations. They said: We will continue to engage with the BMA in good faith to ensure the safety of patients. Your letter suggests that in spite of our best endeavours, the process for considering patient safety mitigations is not working as well as it should to achieve this aim. We are keen to work with your officials to address this. NHS England said it would be making a number of changes, including providing a time frame for any future mitigation requests; following up with trusts which have had mitigations rejected by the BMA, or where they have not been considered in a timely fashion; and reinforcing the requirement for providers to record any patient safety incidents, and to specifically report those which occur during periods of industrial action to regional teams. An NHS England spokesman said: Given this period of industrial action coincides with the most difficult time of year for the NHS, it is to be expected that more senior medical leaders will ask their colleagues for allowances to be made to ensure safe levels of cover. Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, told BBC Radio 4s World at One programme: Weve been crystal clear today with the BMA that these are clinical, not political, interventions. These are requests being made by senior doctors. Due to extreme pressures on services, we have declared a critical incident. Our hospital and Emergency Department is full with patients. We need every possible space to treat patients with life threatening conditions and injuries. pic.twitter.com/rJ7WABRIKf Portsmouth Hospitals University NHST (@PHU_NHS) January 3, 2024 Junior doctors in England are staging a six day walk out the longest strike in NHS history. Pressure in the system started showing just hours into the start of the junior doctors strike with a number of hospitals declaring critical incidents and others warning of significant A&E waits. On the first day of the strike on Tuesday, critical incidents were declared at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth and by the NHS in Nottingham. Meanwhile more than a dozen hospitals said that emergency services were busy, with some reporting extreme heightened pressure. (PA Graphics) Health officials have warned that the strike comes as the NHS faces one of the busiest weeks of the calendar year due to a rising tide of winter bugs and people storing up problems over the Christmas break. Mr Sunak said people should still seek help when they need it as he urged junior doctors to get round the table. He said: Anyone who needs emergency treatment should just contact their health service as they normally would. But what it does highlight is the damage that these strikes are having. At this point, every other part of the NHS workforce has found a sensible, fair agreement with the Government including nurses, midwives, paramedics, consultants, doctors and specialty doctors. Its only the junior doctors who are now on strike and I would urge them to get round the table so that we can resolve this, and bring an end to this disruption and the impact it is having on more people up and down the country. Thank you to everyone who is out on the picket lines today supporting the #DoctorStrikes. Today we continue to fight for #PayRestoration. Remember to tag @BMA_JuniorDocs in all your posts and we'll keep sharing! pic.twitter.com/xQZlf1RCEu Junior Doctors (@BMA_JuniorDocs) January 3, 2024 NHS officials have said that the impact of the strike could be felt for weeks or months as services try to catch up on lost time due to strike action. The BMA has said junior doctors pay has been cut by more than a quarter since 2008. Consultants and SAS doctors have agreed on a deal with the Government, which is being put to members. Jeffrey Wright is earning awards-season kudos for his grumpy role in the acclaimed satire American Fiction, playing what he lovingly calls an equal-opportunity misanthrope. Even his kids are doling out positive reviews. My daughter saw the movie and said, There's a lot of your humor in there. I'm afraid to say it kind of came natural, says Wright, 58, with a laugh. Writer/director Cord Jeffersons heartfelt and hilarious look at race, culture and identity centers on middle-aged academic Thelonious Monk Ellison (Wright), who spitefully writes a novel filled with Black stereotypes as a joke and, much to his chagrin, it becomes his biggest career success. At the same time, Monk reconnects with estranged family members, including his doctor sister Lisa (Tracee Ellis Ross) and gay brother Cliff (Sterling K. Brown), when mom Agnes (Leslie Uggams) begins to struggle with dementia. Jeffrey Wright stars as Thelonious "Monk" Ellison, a struggling novelist who finds accidental success in the satire "American Fiction." In addition to a lead actor Golden Globe nomination for Wright, American Fiction (in select theaters now, nationwide Jan. 12) is also up for best comedy at Sundays ceremony. Those nods (and the potential for a best-picture Oscar nomination) follow a string of audience prizes during last falls film festival season and being named one of 2023s top 10 films by the American Film Institute. I didn't want it to feel like an art-house thing that was only for a specific segment of people, says Jefferson, who makes his directorial debut after a stint as a TV writer (Watchmen, The Good Place). I wanted it to be a crowd-pleaser. 'American Fiction' review: Provocative satire unleashes a deliciously wry Jeffrey Wright Jeffrey Wright wants 'American Fiction' to 'electrify' race conversation "American Fiction" star Jeffrey Wright (far left) poses with Percival Everett, author of "Erasure" (upon which the movie is based), and writer/director Cord Jefferson at an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences screening. The film is an adaptation of Percival Everetts 2001 novel Erasure, which came on Jeffersons radar in 2020 at a very, very low point. A streaming drama he was working on about his time at the website Gawker was scrapped, and he had experienced the limited perspective of what people thought Black writers could do in journalism as well as in film and TV. American Fiction became his answer to this reductive view of Black stories in Hollywood, which often have civil rights or slave narratives and tales of trauma at the center. Especially in a country where we have people actively trying to ban books and rewrite history when it comes to racism and slavery, those movies are important, Jefferson says. My only contention has always been, why are we making these movies to the exclusion of almost everything else? Wright was drawn to its social commentary right from the first scene, where Monk riles up his mostly white literature students with a racial slur on the class whiteboard. We don't talk about race and identity and all of that stuff well in America, the actor says. We're afraid of it. We shy away from it. We get angry or we're traumatized by it. And at the end of the day, we haven't solved anything because we can't have productive conversations about it. So, I was pleased to find this film was an opportunity to maybe elevate the dialogue or at least electrify the conversation in a way that might be useful. What was the best movie of 2023? From 'Barbie' to 'American Fiction,' these are our top 10 Family ties bind Cord Jefferson's American Fiction narrative Tracee Ellis Ross stars as Lisa Ellison and Leslie Uggams plays mother Agnes, who begins to show concerning signs of dementia in "American Fiction." As much as Wright appreciates the movies even-handed criticism (The film throws darts at everyone, including its lead), the heart and soul of it is the almost simple universality of the Ellison clan. It's a family that's at times insane, loving, maddening and, despite itself, together, and that sounds kind of like anyone's family, Wright says. It just happens to be populated by Black folks. Jefferson pulled from his own life for the script: Like Monk, he has two siblings with whom he has a push-and-pull relationship, and depending on the day, he might feel a little more Monk or Cliff. Both these guys (are) going through a lot of pain and agony and fear that if they're honest and open, people aren't going to like what they see," Jefferson says. "There's a lot of me in those specific characters. Estranged brothers Monk (Jeffrey Wright) and Cliff (Sterling J. Brown) need to work out some stuff in "American Fiction." Cliff hid his homosexuality from his late father, and Jefferson empathized with that decision: He would lie about smoking cigarettes to his mom, and she didnt know his body was covered in tattoos until six months before she died of cancer in 2016. I really felt awful that she didn't fully know who I was and she never was going to now, Jefferson says. Wrights mother also died of cancer, a year before he read Jeffersons script. Monk's predicament amid an unraveling family resonated with the actor, who had been a caretaker for his mom and now is for his 94-year-old aunt. I understood the pressures that brings upon a person and the sacrifices both personal and professional. It plucks some close strings for me, Wright says. When my son saw the movie a couple of weeks ago, he said, I really identified with a lot of the challenges that Monk's facing in terms of the world's perception of him. "And then he said, It's also a beautiful homage to Grandma. I said to him, You got it, man. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'American Fiction' is a satirical crowd-pleaser. Is an Oscar nod next? A drink sitting at a bar A new law in California aiming to make bars and nightclubs safer spaces will require most to have drug testing kits available for patrons to see if their drink has been spiked. Testing could be done with a test strip, sticker, straw, or anything to detect the presence of substances, include common "roofie" or date rape drugs like ketamine or GHB. The bar or nightclub also must have a sign posted telling patrons the drug kits are there. The bar can decide how to implement free or for pay. This law doesn't go into effect until July 1. There have already been two pilot programs in place in West Hollywood and Long Beach that have been successful. Brian Jinings, co-owner of bar Number One 5th Avenue in San Diego, welcomed the law. "(When) it's really crowded in here it's really difficult to really keep an eye on everything, so having a tool that's available where a customer or employee to take control in their own hands and be able to really look out for themselves is a plus," said Jinings. If bars or nightclubs aren't compliant by July 1, they could receive a citation. SEE MORE: California's ban on most public firearm possession is now in effect Heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast to hit the Gulf Coast before bringing the year's first snowstorm to the East Coast by the weekend. According to AccuWeather, a "major winter storm packing travel-snarling snow and dangerous ice" is on track to hit portions of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast this weekend. For the big cities of the region, the storm will bring a mixed bag of precipitation. In Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia, mainly rain is expected. However, a mix of rain and snow is likely in New York City and Boston, where some accumulation is possible, the weather service said. The weather service in New York City posted on X on Wednesday that the city has a low probability of snow and sleet Saturday into Sunday, with significant snowfall expected in areas west and north of the city. Another storm will affect the Midwest and East Coast next week, forecasters warned. That storm, which is expected to hit on Tuesday, will likely bring snow to the Midwest (including St. Louis and Chicago) but mainly rain to the East Coast. Snow storm looming: Big snow storm in Northeast to start 2024? Forecast says snow could finally be on the way. Weekend weather forecast: Winter storm eyes parts of the Appalachians, East Coast The mid-Atlantic and Northeast storm is forecast to strengthen as it advances from the Gulf Coast to the mid-Atlantic coast Saturday into Sunday. AccuWeather cautions that heavier bands of snow are likely to develop from West Virginia and northwestern Virginia to the Hudson Valley during this time. "From Saturday to Sunday, a swatch of 3 to 6 inches of snow is projected to fall from the Smoky Mountains through much of northern and eastern West Virginia on northeastward to interior southern New England," according to AccuWeather meteorologist Alyssa Glenny. Higher snowfall totals between 6 to 12 inches are expected in eastern West Virginia, central Pennsylvania and western and central Massachusetts. Any accumulating snow can result in significant travel slowdowns, but this storm may have greater impact than others of similar magnitude because it has been such a long time since more than 1 inch of snow has accumulated in these areas it can take people a bit of time to once again get used to driving in and otherwise dealing with the snow," explained AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jon Porter. What's the snow forecast in other areas of the country? According to the National Weather Service, snowfall totals between 2-4 inches are expected for portions of New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma Thursday. Parts of New Mexico and Colorado, near the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo Mountains, could see snow accumulations of around 5-10 inches, per the NWS. The weather service said showers and thunderstorms are expected to begin in Texas and southern Oklahoma late Thursday afternoon into Thursday night before traveling east toward the Gulf Coast, where moderate to heavy rainfall is expected overnight Thursday and into Friday. The rain could be a welcome sight of those looking for drought relief, particularly in Mississippi and Louisiana. Both states are currently seeing levels of extreme to exceptional drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Coastal rain, high-elevation mountain snow and a wintry mix in interior valley locations are also expected in the Pacific Northwest throughout the day Thursday. US weather watches and warnings National weather radar Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Snow, winter storm forecast in East this weekend: Weather news, radar Verizon customers could soon be eligible for part of a proposed $100 million class action settlement. The lawsuit, which was filed in New Jersey, alleges customers that had some of the network's monthly plans were charged undisclosed administration fees in a deceptive and unfair manner. The settlement pertains to charges issued to customers between Jan. 1, 2016, to Nov. 8, 2023, and those who were affected have until this spring to file a claim. Here's what to know about the settlement and how it affects consumers. Class action lawsuit: Vizio will pay $3M in settlement over refresh rates. Do you qualify for a payout? What is a class action lawsuit? A class action lawsuit involves one or more people suing on behalf of themselves and others with similar claims. Once a class action lawsuit is approved, every member of the class is awarded, with exception of anyone who opts out of the group. Food lawsuit: Florida woman sues Hershey over Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins packaging not being 'cute' What to know about Verizon class action lawsuit In this case, the suing party and Verizon have agreed to a settlement to resolve the lawsuit. Despite the settlement, Verizon has denied wrongdoing. By agreeing to the receive payment, the settlement class, as well as Verizon, don't make any admission that Verizon is liable or that the allegation and defense in this case has any merit. Those who opt into the lawsuit cannot sue Verizon over the issue in the future. Verizon will continue to charge the administrative charge in question, the settlement website reads, and contends that it has the right to increase the charge. "As part of this settlement, Verizon will amend its Customer Agreement to include revised Administrative Charge disclosures," according to the settlement agreement posted to the website. "Verizon clearly identifies and describes its wireless consumer Admin Charge multiple times during the sales transaction, as well as in its marketing, contracts and billing," Verizon spokesperson Rich Young said in a statement to USA TODAY. "This charge helps our company recover certain regulatory compliance, and network related costs." Rising costs: Verizon wireless phone plans are going up. Here's who will be affected by the price hike Who qualifies for the Verizon settlement? Current and former customers with wireless or data services that were charged administrative charges between Jan. 1, 2016, to Nov. 8, 2023, are eligible. Each eligible customer will qualify for up to $100 each. The final amount each customer will receive depends on how long they've been a customer. How to get your settlement Those who qualify will either receive a letter in the mail or an email with instructions on how to get paid. Eligible customers must file a claim by April 15, 2024 to receive a settlement payment. If you do nothing, you will not receive any settlement payment. You must file a claim by April 15, 2024 to receive a payment. Those who don't file a claim will lose any rights to sue Verizon over these issues and also be legally bound by the all orders and judgements the court makes on the lawsuit. If you'd like to opt-out of the lawsuit, you must mail a signed request for exclusion to: Verizon Administrative Charge Settlement Administrator, Attn: Exclusions, P.O. Box 58220, Philadelphia, PA 19102, by Feb. 20, 2024. For more information, or to start a claim, go to: www.VerizonAdministrativeChargeSettlement.com This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Verizon class action lawsuit settlement 2024: Who is eligible? A former rock musician has been arrested on a first-degree murder charge in the death of his missing girlfriend after human remains were found in a wooded area in California, police said. Theobald Theo Lengyel, 54, was taken into custody Tuesday in connection with the homicide of his girlfriend, Alice Alyx Kamakaokalani Herrmann, 61, who was last seen Dec. 3 in Santa Cruz, Capitola police announced Tuesday. She was reported missing by her family on Dec. 12, the El Cerrito Police Department said. The Capitola Police Department took over as the lead agency in the case, and detectives quickly suspected foul play was involved, with Lengyel as a suspect. Alice Alyx Kamakaokalani Herrmann. (El Cerrito Police Department) Her car, a red 2007 Toyota Highlander, was found in front of her boyfriends home in El Cerrito, police said. Authorities also said that he has not cooperated with the police investigation and days following her disappearance he was known to have travelled by car from El Cerrito, California, to Portland, Oregon. Lengyel was a founding member of the funk-metal band Mr. Bungle, according to sfgate.com. He played saxophone, clarinet and keyboards for the group from 1985 to the mid-1990s, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Investigators eventually recovered human remains in a wooded area within Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley, about 4 miles from El Cerrito. Those remains are pending DNA confirmation from the Contra Costa County Coroners Office. Police did not share any details regarding the manner of death. Lengyel was arrested without incident and booked into Santa Cruz County Jail. Its not immediately clear if he has legal representation. Capitola police said they are working with the Santa Cruz County District Attorneys Office to ensure a thorough prosecution of the case. The investigation is ongoing. The sister of an Albanian man who died on the Bibby Stockholm barge has thanked the UK public for its generosity after a fundraising appeal to repatriate his body has nearly doubled its target of 10,000. Leonard Farruku was found unresponsive on board the accommodation vessel at Portland Port, Dorset, on December 12. An inquest opened by Dorset coroner Rachael Griffin heard that a post-mortem examination found he had died from compression of the neck caused by suspension by ligature. The hearing last month was told there were no suspicious circumstances and the case was adjourned for a full hearing to be held at a later date. Mr Farrukus family set up a GoFundMe page to raise 10,000 to repatriate the 27-year-olds body, which remains in a Dorset mortuary. Flowers were left at the entrance at Portland Port in Dorset, following the death of the asylum seeker aboard the barge last month (Andrew Matthews/PA) By Wednesday, the campaign had reached 18,784. Mr Farrukus sister, Jola Dushku, said that the family had faced the double tragedy of his death and not being able to afford to bring his body back to Albania for a funeral. She added in a statement on the fundraising page: Our brother Leonard Farrukus life ended unimaginably for all of us while in the UK. As it has been reported widely in the UK media, Leonard died inside the Bibby Stockholm barge where the Home Office is accommodating people. An inquest has been opened into the circumstances of his death. Leonards body has been in the Dorset morgue since his death on December 12 2023. We kindly ask for help to raise funds to have Leonards body returned from the UK back home to Albania to rest in peace. With thanks and appreciation. Jola, Leonards sister. The family of Leonard Farruku, who died on Bibby Stockholm, have started a GoFundMe to repatriate his bodyhttps://t.co/9kxWuvGFIN pic.twitter.com/HJY7dkamye GoFundMeUK (@GoFundMeUK) January 3, 2024 One donor posted on the fundraising page: I am so sorry that your brother died in such awful circumstances and hope that having him back home will bring you some peace. Another wrote to Mr Farrukus family saying: Im so sorry for your loss. I hope our donations show you that our government may be heartless but British people are usually ok. Another posted: This is a sad situation beyond words and its basic humanity for the UK to facilitate his journey home so his family can grieve properly and say goodbye. RIP. Ms Dushku later posted: I cannot thank enough all the people from the UK, the Albanian community in the UK, and all Albanians worldwide for their generosity in helping us to secure the necessary money by using GofundMe, to bring back home the body of my brother Leonard Farruku and for his funeral. Your kindness and generosity will be in my heart for the rest of my life and bring to our family the same sort of comfort now being able to repatriate his body. Its a strong demonstration of the peoples humanity in the UK compared to the Home Office not willing to help for the body of my brother to be repatriated in Albania. All this was achieved in one day thanks to all of you and thanks to the PA news agency who supported our campaign, UK media, and Albanian media, in coordination with our family solicitor Mr Mark Scott, and the assistance of the Inquest organisation in London. Thank you from my heart. Jola. Home Secretary James Cleverly previously said that Mr Farrukus sudden death would be fully investigated. A fundraiser has been launched to help repatriate Mr Farrukus body to Albania (Andrew Matthews/PA) The Daily Telegraph, which first reported the deceaseds name, has stated that he paid 4,000 euro (3,400) to cross the English Channel in a small boat to arrive in the country. Ms Dushku, 33, who lives in Lombardy in Italy, told the newspaper: When I spoke with him last time, he told me that the conditions in that boat were not bad but they were treated by the guards like animals. An impact assessment, which found the policy of housing asylum seekers on the Bibby Stockholm barge discriminated on the grounds of age and sex, was deleted from the Governments website last month, two days after being published. A note on the website said the impact assessment was published in error. The assessment found that the policy of housing up to 500 single men on the barge was directly discriminating in relation to age (and) sex because the barge was only suitable for men aged 18 to 65. The assessment argued that the greater need to house male asylum seekers within that age range in accommodation other than hotels justified discriminating on the grounds of age and sex. It is understood that the Home Office only pays for repatriation following a death in detained detention, which it says does not cover the Bibby Stockholm as the residents are able to leave at will. A Home Office spokesman said: This was a tragic incident and our thoughts are with everyone affected. The welfare of all those in our care is of the utmost importance and we take this responsibility very seriously. The fundraising appeal can be found at https://gf.me/v/c/lyc5/tphag-leonard-farruku. Supporters of Donald Trump who generally accept his unsubstantiated claims that the 2020 election was fraudulent are prepared to believe those allegations again in 2024, setting the stage for protests and worse if the former president runs and loses in November. On the third anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, an exclusive USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll shows not only a deeply held lack of faith in election integrity among GOP voters but also fears among voters across the political spectrum about threats to America's democracy. Doubts and fraud claims marked the aftermath of the 2020 election, and the country could well be headed for a repeat of that. In the 2020 aftermath, the doubts and claims culminated in violence. Whether that happens again is anyone's guess, but the level of doubt indicated by the poll raises warning signs. The USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll found a 52% majority of Trump supporters said they had no confidence that the results of the 2024 election would be accurately counted and reported. Just 7% expressed high confidence that they would be. In contrast, 81% of supporters of President Joe Biden were "very confident" about this year's election returns; just 3% were "not confident." Another 15% of Biden voters and 38% of Trump voters were "somewhat" confident. The findings spotlight the political schism and a deep skepticism among Trump supporters about whether this year's election results could be trusted and should be accepted some of the same attitudes that in 2021 fueled the nation's most serious insurrection since the Civil War. "I think that there's a great risk of fraud not that any ballots would be fraudulent, but that the methods of which they attain them could be and that the people who receive them are not actually the people who they are for," said Jake Weber, 24, a contractor for General Motors from Clawson, Michigan, who was called in the poll. A political independent who leans to the GOP, he plans to vote for Trump. "I believe that there's enough checks and balances. ... I don't have major concerns" about whether the 2024 election will be fair, said Michelle Derr, 55, a Democrat and small-business owner from Alexandria, Virginia, who plans to vote for Biden. But she added that "democracy as a whole" was being tested. "I think that we as a country can get through it, but I think it's not without effort." In-depth timeline: A breakdown of the 187 minutes Trump was out of view on Jan. 6 as aides urged him to act Debunked allegations still believed by some Insurrections loyal to President Donald Trump try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. The Department of Justice is prosecuting those who violently stormed the Capitol. The view among most Trump supporters that the 2020 presidential election was "rigged" has persisted even after reviews by election officials and state legislatures across the country have consistently concluded that allegations of widespread miscounts, misconduct, stuffed ballot boxes and ineligible voters were without merit. More than 60 cases brought by Trump and his allies seeking to overturn the results have been defeated in federal and state courts. Those decisions were handed down by Democratic-appointed and Republican-appointed judges alike, including federal judges who were appointed by Trump. But in the poll, two-thirds (67%) of those supporting Trump said they didn't believe Biden had been legitimately elected in 2020, a debunked assertion that Trump has continued to trumpet at rallies and on social media. That view has little traction among other voters: 98% of those supporting Biden and 82% of those supporting a third party said he was legitimately elected. In the survey, Trump edged Biden 39%-37%, and 17% planned to vote for an unnamed third-party candidate. The poll of 1,000 registered voters, taken Dec. 26-29 by landline and cellphone, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. The turbulence and debate over the last election has stoked concern about the next one and those that would follow. An overwhelming 83% of those surveyed said they worried about democracy. Half of Americans said they worried "a great deal." But that broad alarm didn't reflect a true national consensus. Those on each side of the partisan divide blamed the other side for imperiling democracy. Forty percent (mostly Republicans) said Democrats were chiefly responsible for the threat; another 40% (mostly Democrats) said Republicans were. In response to an open-ended question about what specific threat worries them, the most frequent answer was Donald Trump, cited by 18%. Another 10% named governmental corruption and dysfunction. "Democrats/liberals/progressives" were cited by 7%; "MAGA/Trump followers" by 3% and "Republicans/conservatives" by another 3%. Eight percent named "immigration/open borders"; 7% "dictatorship/authoritarianism"; and another 7% "loss of personal rights." "We've seen a lot of the information that's come out surrounding censorship, especially on Facebook or Twitter or X, whatever they call themselves now," said Peter Lewis, 39, a software engineer and a Republican who lives near Wilkesboro, North Carolina. "The level of government involvement under the guise of misinformation or disinformation, I think it's way too high." In a follow-up interview after being polled, he also questioned the move in Colorado and Maine to remove Trump from the primary ballot, based on a constitutional ban on officials who have committed insurrection, until "a jury of 12 people proved him to be guilty of something." Angela Adams, 53, an assistant speech therapist from Waco, Texas, and a Democrat, has been alarmed by threats of violence against those in public life who deal with election issues, from former Wyoming congresswoman Liz Cheney, who joined the House committee that investigated Jan. 6, to Supreme Court justices whose homes are now the site of protests. "It just feels like violence has become an option, and that's new, and I think that does threaten democracy," she said. "It was supposed to be that we needed each other to balance each other out; let's find the middle way together. And now it's just like mano a mano." An inflection point: What happened on Jan. 6? Americans' attitudes toward those who participated in the Jan. 6 assault have softened since TV footage of rioters smashing Capitol doors and taking control of the Senate chamber shocked the world. In a USA TODAY/Suffolk Poll two weeks after the attack, 70% called the rioters "criminals," and 24% said "they went too far, but they had a point." In the new poll, the percentage who called them "criminals" has dropped significantly, to 48%. Those who agreed that "they went too far, but they had a point" rose to 37%. In 2021, 2% called their actions appropriate; now 6% do. Nearly a third of those surveyed, 32%, said the convictions and sentencing of hundreds of people for their role on that day were inappropriate and should be overturned. Nearly 6 in 10, 59%, called their prosecution the appropriate work of the justice system. "I've heard the old adage 'There's your side, there's my side, and there's the truth,'" said James Traylor, 45, of Forney, Texas, vice president of property management for a real estate developer. He is a member of the city council and an independent who leans Republican. When it comes to Jan. 6, he said, "I don't know what the truth is here." The assessment of Trump's role hasn't changed much over the past three years. Then, 48% said he bore "a lot of the blame" for the storming of the Capitol; now 43% do. Then and now, 28% said he bore "no blame." The new poll found a partisan divide on the criminal prosecution of the former president now underway in federal and state courts. A 52% majority said the legal actions against him are the appropriate work of the justice system; 43% said they were inappropriate and should be dropped. Unsurprisingly, those calling for charges against Trump to be dropped comprised 91% of Trump supporters but just 1% of Biden supporters. The survey found a less predictable divide on that question among swing voters. "One of the most important voting blocs from the 2022 midterm election independent women are breaking in the opposite direction of their male counterparts on the issue of Trump's indictments versus the actions of the justice system," said David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk Political Research Center. "Among independent men, 43% said legal actions against Trump were appropriate, but 48% said they were inappropriate and should be reversed. Among independent women, 61% said the legal actions were appropriate, and 33% said inappropriate. The gender gap within independents could be telling in 2024." Jake Pearlmutter, 31, a maintenance technician from Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, and a Democrat, worried about the prospect that Trump, if he won a second term, would undo the legal reckoning that has followed the Jan. 6 attack. Trump has said he would pardon those convicted of crimes connected with Jan. 6, and he would have the power to order the Justice Department to stop his own prosecution on federal charges. "Only way I can see that turning into ... a threat to democracy and the way government's run is if Trump were to get elected this next cycle and then he pardoned all of those people and expunged it," Pearlmutter said. "Then it could be, like, a little scary to me." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: As Jan. 6 nears, Trump voters ready to believe election fraud in 2024 By Ko Dong-hwan David Kim recently dropped by a Tim Hortons store in southern Seoul to get a taste of its black coffee with cream and sugar that he used to enjoy back when he was studying in Toronto. As a student, money was always a concern, and Tim Hortons was his favorite cafe because of its affordable prices and great access thanks to the franchise's numerous chains throughout the city and the rest of Canada. Stepping inside Korea's first Tim Hortons that opened last month, however, he scanned the menu and was disheartened to see that everything was way more expensive than he remembered. A medium-size cup of black coffee was 3,900 won ($3.97 Canadian). The same is sold in Canada for $1.83. "I was hugely disappointed," said Kim who expected prices similar to Canada's. "If Tim Hortons in Canada sold their double-double and French Vanilla at the same prices as here in Seoul, I would have never gone there and neither would local patrons there." Robert Lee, who used to visit Tim Hortons in Calgary when he was a language school student years ago, had the same grievance. He couldn't accept the fact that the brand's prices are almost on par with those of other high-end coffee brands here. "For these prices, I don't need to come here," said Lee who has been searching for a job. "I don't get why they raised the prices to the levels of other coffee brands here. Is this some kind of localization?" Canada's signature coffee and bakery franchise has caught flak here for its alleged overcharging, as local consumers have discovered that prices here are more expensive than in Canada. A medium-size cup of Americano, the most popular coffee drink here, is $2.79 in Canada but in Korea it is 4,000 won ($4.07). Several local consumers have said that even considering the premium that is usually added to the prices of foreign brands, the price gap is unacceptably high. Some said that it is against the country's rising trend around low-priced coffee brands like Mega MGC Coffee, Compose Coffee and Paik's Coffee. A disgruntled patron in an internet post likened Tim Hortons' high prices in Seoul to Paik's Coffee selling its 1,500 won Americano for more than double the price outside the country. The controversy came after Tim Hortons' opening near Sinnonhyeon Station on Dec. 14 created a buzz and saw hundreds of consumers lining up ahead of its first opening. Two weeks later, the brand opened its second Korean store at nearby Seolleung Station, also in Gangnam District. When contacted by The Korea Times, BKR, a local food franchise operator that manages Tim Hortons in Korea, declined to comment on the issue. Lee Dong-hyeong, CEO of BKR, told reporters ahead of the store's opening that the company will open more than 150 Tim Hortons stores in the country within five years. NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 14: Kelly Clarkson attends Audacy's 10th Annual We Can Survive at Prudential Center on October 14, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Audacy) Kelly Clarkson isn't opposed to dipping her toes back into the dating waters, but as far as marriage goes? She's all set. The talk show host is opening up about her love life in a new interview with People, revealing that, seeing as she "never wanted to get married" in the first place, she's not too interested in giving it another go. "[Brandon] had children, a religious background, and it was important, I think, for him," she explained of her first marriage to ex-husband Brandon Blackstock. "But Ive never been that person." Thanks to the divorces she's experienced within her family previously, she added, "I just dont like to put any weight on it. It can happen; it doesnt have to happen." At the very least, she wouldn't even consider it until her children are grown and living on their own. As for dating, while it's not off the table, it is "so awkward." Clarkson said she "forgot how really good at [being single she is]," and that anyone she'd be willing to see would need to be "an individual that brings their own life to the table without needing anything from [her]." While she sees it as "far more romantic to say, I want you, but I dont need anything," the single life is treating her well. "Im really good right now, Im having a good time," she confirmed. "I love my kids. I have my family and friends, I have my jobs. Its all these beautiful things that are working really well." Clarkson, of course, separated from Blackstock in 2020, officially divorcing in 2022 following a contentious custody battle over their children, River Rose, 9, and Remington Alexander, 7. She turned to music to help her overcome the "depression" of the aftermath, describing it as "taking [her] power back." She continued, "That sounds very therapy, but thats because I love therapy, and I think its important to have those tools to navigate your life and relationships," she added. "The level of depression and things that come with divorce or grieving is extraordinarily hard." Ive always known that love is hard, she admitted. For me, love has always come with this elephant in the room of sadness. Ive known love is not forever." It's not meant to come off as "depressing," but Clarkson believes "we put a lot of pressure on that word." She continued, "Sometimes love is looking at someone and going, This is not good for you. This is not good for me. Thats a hard thing to face. But when you do, I think you grow. Next: Kelly Clarkson Explains How She 'Dropped Weight' as Fans Praise Her Appearance A US federal court on Wednesday unsealed hundreds of pages of documents from a lawsuit related to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted pedophile who died in jail before he could face trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. CNN has reviewed the documents, which included names previously redacted to protect the individuals privacy of Epsteins associates, accusers and others with links to a civil case brought by one of the victims. More documents are expected to be unsealed Thursday. Heres what weve learned so far. Familiar faces, but no bombshells Most of the high-profile names that became public in the documents Wednesday were already known to have links to Epstein. The documents stem from a 2015 civil suit brought by Virginia Giuffre, who says she was one of the many young girls trafficked by Epstein and his partner, Ghislaine Maxwell. (Maxwell was found guilty of sex trafficking in 2021 and is serving a 20-year sentence in federal prison.) Giuffres defamation suit against Maxwell was settled in 2017, and most of the documents from that case were unsealed two years later, a day before Epstein died by suicide in his jail cell. Since then, the Miami Herald has led a legal fight to unseal the remaining documents. Epsteins VIP Rolodex Appearing in the documents does not mean the people named are accused of wrongdoing. But the depositions and testimony underscore the elite company Epstein managed to keep, even after he pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting an underage prostitute and registered as a sex offender. Among the familiar faces in the documents are former presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, Britains Prince Andrew, former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, French modeling scout Jean-Luc Brunel, American investor Glenn Dubin, and Leslie Wexner, the CEO of L Brands all of whom have denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein. Clinton and Trump were not accused in the documents, but were mentioned in a deposition by Johanna Sjoberg, another Epstein victim, who had already gone public with her story. A spokesman for Clinton has said that the former president did fly on Epsteins private plane but knew nothing of the financiers terrible crimes. A Clinton spokesman on Wednesday reiterated that 2019 denial and told CNN that it has now been nearly 20 years since President Clinton last had contact with Epstein. In response to a CNN question, the Trump campaign went on the defensive, accusing the media of trying to distract Americans. Trump has previously said that while he and Epstein spent time together in the 1990s, Trump later banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago and severed ties, though he has declined to discuss details publicly. Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre previously reached an out-of-court settlement in her sexual abuse lawsuit against him. Prince Andrew has denied sexual abuse allegations against him. A Dubin spokesperson said in a statement in 2019 that he categorically rejected Giuffres accusation that she was directed to have sex with him. Wexner, who previously hired Epstein as a personal money manager, has said he cut ties with the financier in 2007. Wexner told investors in 2019 that being taken advantage of by someone who was so sick, so cunning, so depraved is something that I am embarrassed that I was even close to. Richardson, who died in September, said in 2019 via a spokesperson that he never met Giuffre and denied any involvement with Epsteins crimes. Brunel died in a jail cell in 2022 while under investigation by French authorities for his ties to Epstein. Mysteries remain Giuffres deposition included references to three people who still havent been publicly identified. She alleged she was ordered to have sexual relations with an unnamed prince, the owner of a large hotel chain and another unidentified person. At least two J. Does have filed appeals with the court to keep their names under seal. Judge Loretta Preska granted one Doe an extension to submit evidence supporting their claim, and the others appeal remains under review. More documents to come The hundreds of pages of documents released Wednesday are just the first round. Another batch is expected to be released as early as Thursday, and its not clear how many more will follow, or what new information they may contain. CNNs Samantha Delouya, Lauren del Valle and Kara Scannell contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com American Airlines is adding four new routes for Charlotte travelers seeking outdoor mountain adventures in the west, starting this summer, the company announced Wednesday. Seasonal direct flights from Charlotte Douglas International Airport to Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Bozeman, Montana; Calgary, Canada; and Spokane, Washington, will begin in June and will continue through early September, according to the airline. File photo of Peace Bridge crossing into Calgary, Canada. It will be the first time American offers nonstop service to Calgary International Airport and Spokane International Airport, the airline said. Some of the attractions in these areas include Banff National Park, Spokane waterfalls and Coeur dAlene, Idaho, a summer destination. Some of the attractions in Jackson Hole and Bozeman include Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. Daily service from CLT to Spokane and Jackson Hole will begin June 5 and continue through Sept. 3. Flights to Calgary and Bozeman are being offered on Saturdays, starting June 8 through Sept. 3. Tickets are on sale now for these destinations. A view of Yellowstone National Parks Old Faithful geyser. American Airlines said it is starting service from Charlotte to nearby Jackson Hole, Wyoming, this summer. Other new routes out of Charlotte Before the summer, American Airlines is also starting service new service to Tulum, Mexico, on March 28 and resuming flight to Dublin, Ireland. New routes from CLT to Vancouver are coming in June, which will be the only nonstop service between North Carolina and British Columbia. Charlotte has one of the worlds busiest airports, and is the second largest hub for American Airlines in the U.S. accounting for about 90% of all flights out of the airport. CLT ranked as the seventh-busiest airport worldwide for arrivals and departures, according to the Airport Council Internationals preliminary rankings for 2022. Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie said Wednesday that fellow candidate Nikki Haley knew exactly what she was doing when she failed to mention slavery as a cause of the Civil War at a town hall last week in a moment that prompted broad criticism from Democrats, as well as her GOP primary opponents. In an interview on The View, Christie said he was confident Haley, the former South Carolina governor, was not a racist but suggested she was trying to be something [shes] not. After co-host Sunny Hostin said Haleys remarks on the Civil War may have been stupidity, Christie pushed back. Well, no, Sunny. I have to disagree with you. She knew exactly what she was doing, Christie said. Even worse, then, Hostin retorted. Christie suggested he agreed, saying, Oh yes, look. Shes a smart woman. Ive known her for 13 years. Shes smart, and shes not a racist. Theres not a racist bone in Nikki Haleys body. There just isnt. Fellow co-host Whoopi Goldberg paused at Christies comments and gently pushed back. Well, I got, I got to tell you. She better start working on that because it really didnt come off that way, Goldberg said. Hostin added, It didnt look good. It never looks good when youre trying to pretend to be something youre not. OK. So she says that Civil War was about change versus tradition. And look, its pretty clear it was about right versus wrong, Christie said. But the tradition was to enslave people, Goldberg said. Thats right, Christie said. And that was a wrong, and our party was founded based on the abolition of slavery. Thats why the Republican Party started. The Haley campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Asked to expand on Christies comments about Haley, a spokesperson for Christies campaign referred to a recent town hall appearance in which Christie similarly said Haley was not a racist but was too concerned about appeasing voters. Shes smart and she knows better. And she didnt say it because shes a racist. Because shes not The reason she did it is just as bad, if not worse, and should make everybody concerned about her candidacy: She did it because shes unwilling to offend anyone by telling the truth, Christie said in the remarks provided by a spokesperson. Christies remarks continued: If she is unwilling to stand up and say that slavery is what caused the Civil War because shes afraid of offending constituents in some other part of the country, if shes afraid to say that Donald Trump is unfit because shes afraid of offending people who support Donald Trump, and because maybe she harbors in the back of her mind being vice president or being secretary of State and since she wont deny it, we have to believe that shes willing to do it Whats going to happen when she has to stand up against forces in our own party who want to drag this country deeper and deeper into anger and division and exhaustion? For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A former Eastern Kentucky University professor who was found to be putting cameras in mens bathrooms and locker rooms has pleaded guilty to federal sex crimes. Kyle Knezevich, 36, pleaded guilty to attempting to produce child pornography charges Tuesday, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Knezevich originally faced charges of voyeurism, possessing matter portraying sexual performance by a minor, promoting a minor in a sexual performance, five counts of promoting a sexual performance by a minor and five counts of possessing matter of a sexual performance of a minor, according to court records. On Sept. 7, an EKU student located a hidden camera inside the Whalen Complex on campus. An investigation revealed that the camera had been placed in the bathroom by Knezevich, who at the time was a professor at the university. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Knezevichs home and electronic devices. He was arrested the next day. The search revealed Knezevich produced recordings of both adult and minor males, from approximately 2009 through 2023, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. The videos were recorded in bathroom settings, including locker rooms, urinals, and the bathroom of his personal residence. In these videos, minor males can be seen in various states of nudity, including using the restroom, undressing, and showering, a news release from the Department of Justice said. As part of his plea, Knezevich admitted his intent in creating the videos was to capture the minor males engaged in sexually explicit conduct, according to the DOJ. Knezevich is scheduled to be sentenced April 16. He faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison. He was formerly an associate professor of aviation. Park Chan-wook understands revenge. The 60-year-old South Korean director, best known for his psychological thrillers, has often imagined how hed get even, lying awake in bed thinking about those whove done him wrong. Maybe I make the kind of movies that I do so I dont execute those feelings, Park told CNN in Hong Kong, where he recently hosted a filmmaking masterclass at the M+ museum. I never take action, but I do think about it a lot, he added, speaking through a translator. I think about how Im going to cause trouble for that person what ways can I inflict the most pain. Its helped me with my movies. Parks films deal with the darker, more taboo sides of human nature, telling tales of revenge, incest and tragedy. His 2016 feature The Handmaiden, a loose adaptation of Welsh author Sarah Waters Fingersmith set in 1930s Korea during Japanese colonial occupation, is a love story amid a twisted world of patriarchal control and perverted eroticism. He is also known for a trio of movies dubbed The Vengeance Trilogy Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Oldboy and Lady Vengeance as well as the 2022 film noir romantic thriller Decision to Leave. Hoa Xuande and Robert Downey Jr. star in "The Sympathizer," an upcoming historical black comedy drama series developed by Park and Don McKellar. - HBO More recently, he has turned his hand to the story of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy told in Viet Thanh Nguyens Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Sympathizer. The HBO adaptation, for which Park serves as co-showrunner and executive producer alongside Canadian actor and filmmaker Don McKellar, stars Robert Downey Jr., Sandra Oh and Hoa Xuande. It chronicles the life and dilemmas of The Captain, a North Vietnamese double agent who is forced to flee to the United States at the end of the Vietnam War, and lives in a community of South Vietnamese refugees whom he continues to spy on. (HBO is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, CNNs parent company.) Americans may not know well, but the fact that South Korea participated in the Vietnam War is a very significant event for Koreans, said Park, explaining what drew him to the project. A country divided into two, suffering a severe ideological crisis and going through war, civil war South Korea has been through such tragedy as well, so this didnt feel like someone elses story to me. Everything old is new again Amid sustained global interest in South Korean pop culture over the last decade, the countrys domestic and diaspora cinema is garnering an international following, and its directors are increasingly recognized overseas. Park told CNN he thinks South Koreas tumultuous recent history a transition from dictatorship to democracy in the late 1970s and 1980s, and the subsequent loosening of censorship restrictions has helped create the on-screen magic produced by Korean directors in recent years. We are people who have experienced a deeper and wider range of emotions, he said. This itself is not necessarily a good thing, but I think it helps in making movies and dramas. Now, you may ask why good movies were not made immediately after democratization, why it took 10 to 20 years. This is because the generation thats used to processing thoughts based on censorship could not suddenly spark creativity immediately after restrictions were lifted. It only bloomed artistically when the generation that grew up able to watch work created in a creatively unfettered era became filmmakers, he added. Among this new generation of directors is Bong Joon Ho, whose movie Parasite a black comedy thriller about the Kims, a poor family that seeks to infiltrate the lives of the wealthy Park family offered an incisive look at class inequality in South Korea and won four Oscars, including Best Picture, in 2020. Korean American director Lee Isaac Chungs Minari, which follows the struggles of a Korean immigrant family living in rural Arkansas, meanwhile received six nominations and one Academy Award (for Youn Yuh-jung in the best supporting actress category) a year later. In fall 2021, director Hwang Dong-hyuks Squid Game, a thriller in which hundreds of financially destitute characters compete in deadly childrens games, struck a chord with viewers and became Netflixs most-watched TV series to date. The streaming giant said its audience data showed that over 60% of all Netflix members watched Korean titles in 2022. Park, who was named best director at Cannes in 2022 for Decision to Leave, said Bong and Hwang played much bigger roles than myself in introducing Korean TV and cinema to the world. He believes that he and his fellow directors were not looking to appeal specifically to overseas audiences, but that they tried to think deeply about what a human beings universal emotions are and the situations people everywhere find themselves in today. Thats what arouses sympathy from people and viewers around the world, he said. Kim Min-hee and Kim Tae-ri in "The Handmaiden" (2016). - IMDB One theme that Parks work explores and one that resonates both in South Korea and abroad is the place and treatment of women in society. He and Jeong Seo-Kyeong, the female screenwriter behind many of his biggest hits, frequently collaborate to create complex, compelling and relatable women characters. In The Handmaiden they show the potential of a womans sexuality and autonomy, while with Decision to Leave Park said he wanted to subvert ideas around perspective, starting out with the full-on male gaze of the male protagonist Hae-joon before switching to that of Seo-rae, the female lead, in the second act. Im not saying the female part overwhelms the male part. Its almost like the balance is met in the end, Park said in an earlier interview with CNN, adding: (Seo-rae) is no longer this enigmatic figure that the male protagonist needs to solve. Whether hed ever brand one of his movies as feminist is another question altogether. I just express my point of view and what I think is right, he said. In that sense, Ive always been a feminist, and I think I make movies (that are feminist). But that doesnt mean the women portrayed in my movies are always the kindest, most heroic and righteous. I dont think thats what makes a movie feminist, he added. Women can make mistakes, they can do bad things, and they can also be foolish. I think a feminist movie is what portrays all those aspects (of women) and also gives life to a character as autonomous, independent and detailed. This is what I think makes a feminist movie. Riding the Korean wave It may be Park and his teams uncanny ability to transcend language barriers while addressing themes like redemption and justice that has kept movies like Oldboy, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, as cult favorites. Park believes that their appeal is not just about shock value (think of the famous Oldboy scene in which vengeful protagonist Oh Dae-su eats a live octopus) or novelty (the films celebrated single-shot, close quarters fight scene that has been likened to a video game), but the universality of human emotions and classic stories that give his films longevity. Choi Min-sik as protagonist Oh Dae-su in "Oldboy" (2003). - IMDB In recent years, streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ have taken note of K-cinema and upped investment. Following the success of its supernatural spy series Moving last year, Walt Disney Company Korea, Kim So-youn, told a press conference in September that funding for the genre would in fact gradually increase, according to local newspaper the Korea Times. Earlier in the year, Netflix announced plans to invest $2.5 billion over the next four years to produce more Korean movies, dramas and reality shows. Netflixs co-CEO Ted Sarandos said at the time that stories produced in South Korea represent the global cultural zeitgeist, citing the success of shows such as Squid Game, as well as The Glory and Physical: 100. Soon after, the streaming giant announced that Park would co-write War and Revolt, a Korean thriller set in the late 16th century that tells the tale of two childhood friends turned adversaries. The director, who has now finished shooting the series his most expensive production to date commended Netflix for supporting (his) vision without huge interference, in terms of creativity. After his two latest television projects wrap up, Park hopes to return to the big screen with both South Korean and US productions in the works. I have many projects in the pipeline, and I dont know which one will be next, but among them are Western, sci-fi action and a psychological thriller, he said. He also added it was unlikely he would use AI to produce his movies. Im skeptical about whether AI could really make an ingenious and artistic piece, said Park adding that he thought the technology could not and should not replace writers and producers. But maybe, I could use it this way: After I write a script, AI could check whether its similar to a movie Ive watched or havent watched. Maybe I could use it to check if my script is unintentionally like another movie. CNNs Kristie Lu Stout, Jadyn Sham, Gawon Bae, Laila Shahrokhshahi and Thomas Page contributed to this story. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Illo for a story about how teachers are portrayed in movies. (Illustration by Bijou Karman, for The Times) Dedicated teachers are a movie and Oscar staple. Dead Poets Societys Robin Williams; Stand and Delivers Edward James Olmos; The Miracle Worker's" Anne Bancroft; Mr. Hollands Opus Richard Dreyfuss; Music of the Hearts Meryl Streep ... these and other big-screen efforts of the past give us idealistic teachers who inspire and reach difficult students through their passion and determination. And academy voters have dutifully expressed their appreciation. Sure, there was an occasional bad apple-receiver nominated (Richard Burtons alcoholic, wife-fighting professor in Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) or even crowned (Maggie Smiths Miss Jean Brodie, who would have been super cool if not for her unfortunate fascist sympathies). But they were the exceptions in an honored film faculty that taught viewers to carpe that diem. In the 21st century, though, things changed. Academics either lost their minds (A Beautiful Mind, Still Alice) or acted like delinquents (Half Nelson, The Lost Daughter). Oscar went with it, which may explain why this years class of teacher movies is more concerned with individuals flaws than their knowledge-imparting skills. It could also be a reflection of the post-COVID assaults on scholarship that are roiling culture and politics. Or maybe filmmakers just want to deliver multifaceted characters rather than place them on idealized pedestals. Here are some current contenders that show (and tell) teachers in a different light. Jeffrey Wright, at right with Adam Brody, finds he must play the gangster to support the book he wrote out of frustration. (Orion Pictures) 'American Fiction' Jeffrey Wrights professor Thelonious Monk Ellison is placed on leave for antagonizing both students and fellow faculty with his confrontational, dismissive attitude. Back home in Massachusetts, the author of underselling historical novels faces multiple crises in his well-to-do family and professional life with more intellect than emotional intelligence. Sick of how such books as Wes Lives in Da Ghetto do better than his finely crafted reworking of Aeschylus The Persians, Ellison decides to pull off a literary prank: He pseudonymously writes the most cliched, pathological portrayal of African American life he can dream up. To Ellisons dismayed bewilderment, clueless white publishers love it and give the book a big promotional push, forcing the erudite author to pretend hes a wanted gangsta. Screenwriter/director Cord Jeffersons adaptation of real USC English professor Percival Everetts novel Erasure affords Emmy-winner Wright endless opportunities to highlight the intelligence he always brings to his work, as well as to play the fool. The pieces cultural satire and complex critique of racial stereotyping take a back seat to the actors naturalistic, full-fleshed performance of what could have been just another prickly prof. Wright gives us that rarest portrayal of an accomplished academic: someone whos still able to learn from their mistakes. 'The Holdovers' Paul Hunham is a mess. He got kicked out of Harvard and the only job hes had since is as an adjunct classics teacher at a 1970 New England prep school. Students and administrators alike hate him, and the feeling is mutual; terms Hunham describes his overprivileged charges with range from genuine troglodytes to snarling Visigoths. Plus, he smells. Its a perfect role for curmudgeon specialist Paul Giamatti, if not quite the pure pleasure of a loser he previously played for director Alexander Payne in Sideways. But Giamatti sets Hunham on a carefully trodden path toward heroic humanity when hes forced to baby-sit his most troublesome student, newcomer Dominic Sessas Angus Tully, on the depopulated campus over Christmas break. Both actors keep audiences guessing if their frosty relationship will permanently thaw. And Giamatti proves a generous scene partner for DaVine Joy Randolphs Mary Lamb, the schools grieving cook and fellow holdover. Hunham may not be as fun as the Sideways wine aficionado was. By the time he makes an inevitable sacrifice, though, Giamatti has turned the cranky educator into a guy worth hanging with. Even if you sometimes have to hold your nose. 'Dream Scenario' Though he enjoys a happy family life, middle-aged biology professor Paul Matthews is frustrated by his failure to publish. When he inexplicably starts appearing in random peoples dreams, the resulting celebrity threatens to turn his head. But when those dreams evolve into nightmares, can he cope with the cruel realities of cancel culture? In his subtlest, most challenging and finest performance since his Oscar-nominated double role in Adaptation. (2003), Leaving Las Vegas lead actor winner Nicolas Cage brings out all of Matthews petty resentments and yearnings while hanging by fingernails onto the characters embattled moral compass (his resistance to Dylan Gelulas attempt at seduction may be the funniest cringe scene of the year). Not that Cages signature, nutty outbursts arent welcome wherever he does them, but Matthews manic moments seem particularly well-earned, because the actor and writer-director Kristoffer Borgli construct their surreal, um, scenario from credible behavior and motivations. And what could be more realistic than, after falling from cultural grace in America, trying to make it in France? Dream Scenario knows more than it lets on. 'The Teachers' Lounge' In Germanys international feature Oscar entry, Leonie Benesch plays Carla Nowak, a rookie middle school teacher well-regarded by her students and colleagues. Initially, anyway. Disturbed by the schools pseudo-fascistic (in Germany; imagine that!) investigation of a string of thefts, daughter of Polish immigrants Nowak sets a trap to find the real culprit in the titular break area. The evidence yielded is not exactly ironclad, and concerns are re-focused on privacy violation. Soon ostracized by all those around her, Nowak struggles to balance compassion for everyone affected with certainty that her dubious methods have revealed the truth. Writer-director Ilker Catak wants to present the school as a microcosm of societys ills, to the point where we learn little to nothing about Nowaks private life. Yet Benesch, who won the German Film Award (called the Lola) for her performance, is so fully invested in the characters job issues that we feel we know the teacher completely. Benesch accesses a fundamental decency that almost makes Nowaks sneakiness forgivable. Though no one else in the movie thinks so. And theyre probably right. 'Radical' 2023s most traditional inspiring educator story, Radical offers up a characteristically antic Eugenio Derbez as Sergio Juarez Correa, the unconventional new sixth-grade teacher at Matamoros, Mexicos worst elementary school. How bad is the underfunded, border town institution? The kids are all right, but the bullet-riddled corpses they pass en route to campus would scare away the toughest Blackboard Jungle, Dangerous Minds or Lean on Me instructors. Based on a true story, this Sundance audience award-winning feature charts Sergios quixotic determination to let his charges learn what they want instead of rote curricula (flotation mechanics is a hot topic), battle administrative corruption and do whatever he can to help students reach their top potential. Building on his galvanizing music teacher in best picture winner CODA, Derbez strikes a watchable balance between his usual comic chops and Sergios desperation to do good. It borders on sentimental overload, but director Christopher Zalla also wisely follows three disciplined young actors Jennifer Trejo, Danilo Guardiola and Mia Fernanda Solis who embody the joy of learnings true worth. Cillian Murphy as the brilliant J. Robert Oppenheimer in "Oppenheimer." Maybe too brilliant? (Melinda Sue Gordon / Associated Press) 'Oppenheimer' Really smart guys from Berkeley, Princeton and other great universities figure out a way to win World War II and kill multiple thousands. Understanding the human, political and moral implications of their research doesnt come as easily, though their leader, J. Robert Oppenheimer (at least as played by Cillian Murphy), gains some inkling in Christopher Nolans intimate A-bomb epic. We were worried that wed start a chain reaction that would destroy the entire world, Murphys Oppie reminds Tom Contis Albert Einstein at the end. I believe we did." If a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, a lot of knowledge is, well, whatever sits beyond dangerous. Get the Envelope newsletter, sent three times a week during awards season, for exclusive reporting, insights and commentary. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. BAGHDAD (Reuters) -A drone strike killed four members of an Iran-aligned Iraqi militia and wounded six in Baghdad on Thursday, police and security sources said, in an attack blamed by Iraqi authorities on the U.S.-led international coalition. Police sources and eyewitnesses said the drone had fired at least two rockets at a building in eastern Baghdad used by the Iraqi militia group al-Nujaba'a. "The Iraqi armed forces hold the international coalition forces responsible for this unjustified attack on an Iraqi security entity", said a statement which described the militia group as an Iraqi force operating with the authorisation of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. The United States has 900 troops deployed in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State militants. Al-Sudani has limited control over some Iran-backed factions, whose support he needed to win power a year ago and who now form a powerful bloc in his governing coalition. Police and militia sources said Thursday's rockets had targeted a vehicle inside the Nujaba'a headquarters and that the dead included a local group commander and one of his aides. Health sources confirmed the death toll. Video footage published by pro-militia websites showed a destroyed vehicle in flames. Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the footage. Iraqi security sources said they had no further detail on who might have carried out the strike pending a government investigation. Iraqi militia commanders accused the United States of carrying out the attack and threatened to retaliate. "We will retaliate and make the Americans regret carrying out this aggression," said Abu Aqeel al-Moussawi, a local Iraqi militia commander. There was no immediate comment from Washington. The U.S. military has already come under attack at least 100 times in Iraq and Syria since the Israel-Hamas war began in October, usually with a mix of rockets and one-way attack drones. Iran-aligned groups in Iraq and Syria oppose Israel's campaign in Gaza and hold the United States partly responsible. Last month, the United States carried out retaliatory air strikes in Iraq after a drone attack by Iran-aligned militants that left one U.S. service member in critical condition and wounded two others. (Reporting by Baghdad newsroom and Jana Choukeir; writing by Ahmed Rasheed and Jana Choukeir; Editing by Gareth Jones) US Customs and Border Protection will reopen commercial and legal travel at four official crossings on the US border with Mexico on Thursday after reports that migrant crossings have slowed. The four crossings Eagle Pass, Texas; Lukeville and Nogales, Arizona; and San Ysidro, California were partially or fully closed recently in an effort to slow crossings. An official noted that on Monday the US Border Patrol processed approximately 2,500 migrants, which represented a significant decrease in reported arrivals when compared to the rest of December. US officials partially attributed the drop in crossings to efforts taken by the Mexican government to curb immigration toward the US border, according to CBS News. Those efforts include increased deportations to southern regions of Mexico rather than dropping deported migrants in Tijuana, just across the border with San Diego and deporting Venezuelan migrants back to Venezuela. US officials said the US is also working to increase deportations to Venezuela. In addition to curbing illegal crossings, US officials also reported they and participating agencies have repatriated more than 460,000 migrants, including reunifying 75,000 parents and children who migrated as families. The news comes on the heels of a visit to Mexico by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Joe Biden's homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall. The officials met with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to discuss issues pertaining to the US-Mexico border. A bipartisan group of senators and the White House have been brokering a deal that would introduce significant changes to the US's asylum and border security regulations. Republicans have pushed for greater border security in exchange for further government funding to assist Ukraine and Israel. The White House has signaled that it is open to drastically limiting asylum conditions and accepting an expansion to detention and deportation of migrants who have crossed into the US illegally, according to CBS News. Namyang Dairy Products, a major dairy firm in Korea, is set to end its 60-year family ownership following a loss in a management dispute with a local private equity fund. The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a lower court's decision that orders Namyang Chairman Hong Won-sik to sell his controlling stake to Hahn & Co. He and his family own a combined 53 percent share in the dairy firm. As a result, Hahn & Co. will take control of the company, which will become a non-family-owned firm for the first time since its establishment six decades ago. Founded by Hong's late father Doo-young in 1964, Namyang had long held the position as the second-largest producer in the local dairy market, trailing behind Seoul Dairy Cooperative, with popular products like its GT Milk series and Bulgaris yogurts. At the center of Namyang's journey was Chairman Hong, the eldest son of the late founder, who joined the company in 1977 and advanced to the top post in 2003. Since 2010, however, the dairy firm has faced challenges, including a consumer boycott in 2013 and controversies involving market power abuse and several legal issues surrounding Chairman Hong and his family. The recent dispute with Hahn & Co. began in 2021, when Namyang claimed its Bulgaris yogurt could reduce the chance of contracting the novel coronavirus, sparking a social controversy. Chairman Hong initially offered to resign and agreed to sell a 53 percent stake to Hahn & Co., but the deal was later canceled by the owner family, resulting in a lawsuit. Despite the Supreme Court ruling, the normalization process of Namyang will take some time due to pending issues between the two sides. Hahn & Co. said it will focus on normalizing Namyang's operations. "Together with the employees of Namyang, we will develop a management improvement plan to restore consumer trust and create a new Namyang," Hann & Co. said in a statement. Namyang's yearly sales have dropped to below 1 trillion won ($763.5 million) since 2020, with a net deficit for the past three years. (Yonhap) Gov. Kristi Noem speaks about the caucus in support of Donald Trump on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024 at County Celebrations Center in Sioux City, Iowa. SIOUX CITY In a crowded barn-turned-event center, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem encouraged Iowans gathered Wednesday night to turn out Jan. 15 to caucus for former President Donald Trump. Even before the second-term Republican governor took the stage, the room buzzed with voices singing along to 'Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue' by Toby Keith and cheering as the music faded into a video of Noem's accomplishments during her first term. More: Gov. Kristi Noem, Sioux Falls school board candidates among Argus Leaders 2024 people to watch Noem treated the caucus event as part stump speech, part vice presidential audition. She's been rumored to be part of Trump's shortlist for VP and told CBS News on Wednesday before her speech that if offered the position, "I think anybody in this country, if they were offered it, needs to consider it." Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD), who is campaigning for Donald Trump in Iowa, discusses the 2024 GOP race, Trump's challengers, and when asked what she would do if offered the Vice Presidential slot, said, "I think anybody in this country, if they were offered it, needs to consider it." pic.twitter.com/Rt7WKd0ryN CBS News (@CBSNews) January 3, 2024 From her takes on the other candidates running for president to calling for Iowans to have conversations with their neighbors about politics, Noem had one message to Sioux City: Deliver the Iowa caucuses to Trump because there is no other choice for the Republican presidential nomination. Noem: DeSantis is rewriting history Halfway through Noem's 30-minute speech, she took aim at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has lagged behind Trump throughout the GOP primary race. In December, DeSantis polled at 19% compared with Trump's 50%, according to a Des Moines Register Iowa poll. Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis speaks during a campaign event at Waukee Community Center on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Waukee. Noem said DeSantis was rewriting history when it came to his response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout his trips to Iowa's 99 counties, DeSantis has touted his role as governor during the pandemic, including the state's early reemergence from shutting businesses down to defying mask and vaccine mandates. More: Iowa Poll: Donald Trump holds overwhelming lead; Ron DeSantis edges ahead of Nikki Haley Noem Wednesday night took issue with that. "We're not going to let people who run for office rewrite history," she said. "Ron DeSantis closed his businesses down. He closed his beaches down. When it was hard challenging political pressure in times when everything mattered and your constitutional freedoms were threatened, Ron DeSantis caved to pressure. And we just can't afford to put somebody as leader of the free world that caves to political pressure." Noem famously took a "personal responsibility" approach to COVID-19, allowing businesses to decided to stay open and allowing cities and school districts to determine their own policies, despite her own recommendation for school districts to close and using executive order to mandate that certain high-risk populations stay home in Minnehaha and Lincoln counties. Gov. Kristi Noem speaks about the caucus in support of Donald Trump on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024 at County Celebrations Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Noem on Haley: 'I don't know who the real Nikki Haley is' Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, wasn't spared from Noem's criticisms either. The only woman running in the GOP presidential race has been catching up with DeSantis in the polls, but she recently came under fire when she didn't mention slavery as the cause for the Civil War during a town hall in New Hampshire. Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley campaigns in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she told the crowd that she was running for president: For my husband Michael and his military brothers and sisters. They need to know their sacrifice means something and that we do love our country. Noem told the Iowans gathered Wednesday night that she's met so many different versions of Haley over the years. "She said that she was never going to run for president against President Trump and now she's running for president against President Trump," Noem said. "She defends him and then she attacks him. She defends you. She attacks you. Whichever way the political winds blow is where she goes, and we cannot trust our country to somebody like that either." Connecting with Midwest roots Noem's approach to her stump speech was focused less on introducing herself to the audience and focused more on having a conversation with her neighbors. As a rancher, business owner, mother and grandmother, Noem was visibly comfortable with the audience, knowing she could relate with them on a more personal level. She told stories of her day touring Sioux City, meeting with caucus precinct chairs, eating "cinnamon rolls that were bigger than the plate" and talking farm machinery. Gov. Kristi Noem signs a hat for an attendee during a caucus event in support of Donald Trump on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024 at County Celebrations Center in Sioux City, Iowa. She used that life experience to juxtapose what other politicians who run for president are like. Noem told the story about when Trump first ran for president, coming down on a gold gilded escalator. "We have escalators I think in two different spots in our state... So 99% of the people in South Dakota do not use an escalator on a daily basis. It's just not that relatable to the people of South Dakota." she said, adding most politicians when they first run for president, buy a pair of overalls and stump in old barns and machine shops to pretend they're like everyone else. "But secretly, they all think they're a little bit better than you. They think they're a little bit smarter than you," Noem said. "They think they're a little bit more qualified, that they'd be the best person in that job. More: No credible threat found at South Dakota Capitol after 'bomb threat hoax' "I'll tell you what, President Trump doesn't think he's better than anybody. He knows who he is. He's confident in who he is. He came down a golden escalator because that's who he is. He never pretended to be anybody else other than who he is. And he doesn't think he's better than any of you." Noem acknowledged her family-style conversation might have been a little too honest for those gathered in the barn but there was only one person she trusted to tell the truth: Trump. Gov. Kristi Noem takes pictures with attendees during a caucus event in support of Donald Trump on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024 at County Celebrations Center in Sioux City, Iowa. "What President Trump believes and what he will do and what he will implement works, and it will benefit the families that are there," Noem said. She charged the audience with the mission to have more conversations with their neighbors about voting for Trump and attending the caucuses less than two weeks away. "It's time to get over worrying about what your neighbors will think of you," she said. "Show up for a couple hours and fight for the man that's fought for you for years. The only reason that we have this country is because of the good that he did when he was in that White House and how he still continues to tell the truth out there every single day." This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Gov. Kristi Noem stumps for GOP candidate Donald Trump in Sioux City WASHINGTON Since Donald Trump left office in January 2021, the former president has not fared well at the Supreme Court, despite its conservative majority, including three justices he appointed. When Trump tried to prevent prosecutors from obtaining his financial records, the court rejected his request. When Trump attempted to stop a congressional committee from accessing White House documents from his administration, the court rebuffed him. When Trump asked for a special master to review classified documents seized from his Mar-a-Lago residence, the court turned him away. When Trump sought to stop his tax returns being disclosed to House Democrats, the court refused to intervene. The court's rejection of Trump in those cases showed that the justices had remarkably little interest in intervening in any of the cases about former President Trumps personal behavior," said Steve Vladeck, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. These losses illustrate how, even as major new legal issues involving Trump reach the justices, he does not always receive a warm reception at the court he helped shape with his appointments of Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, ensuring a 6-3 conservative majority. While all three Trump appointees have delivered for the conservative legal movement that helped put them on Trump's radar as possible candidates, most notably in the court's ruling in 2022 overturning the landmark abortion rights ruling Roe v. Wade, they have not been so amenable when it comes to Trump himself. The court also turned away all of the cases in 2020 seeking to challenge the presidential election and, even when Trump was president, his administration had a mixed record. While the court upheld his travel ban on mostly Muslim-majority countries, it rejected his efforts to unwind the Obama-era program that protects young immigrants often known as "dreamers" from deportation and his administration's attempt to add a citizenship question to the census. In fact, at times Trump has railed against the justices, including in November 2022 when the court allowed members of Congress to access his tax returns. "Why would anybody be surprised that the Supreme Court has ruled against me, they always do!" he wrote in a Truth Social post. "The Supreme Court has lost its honor, prestige, and standing, & has become nothing more than a political body, with our Country paying the price," he added. The court is likely to weigh in on two important legal questions in the next few months: Whether Trump can be deemed ineligible to run for office over his role leading up to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and whether he has immunity from being prosecuted for that conduct because he was president at the time. Most recently, Trump did successfully persuade the court last month not to take up special counsel Jack Smiths attempt to fast-track a decision on whether the former president is immune from prosecution. Trump welcomed that as a victory, although the issue could still return to the court in short order, with an appeals court hearing arguments next week. The Supreme Court will likely have a big say in whether a trial can occur before the election. Legal experts point out that both the immunity and the eligibility issues are significant and untested legal questions that might merit the Supreme Court's intervention, unlike some of Trump's earlier requests. The justices themselves "understand well, even if Mr. Trump does not, that their role is to interpret the law, not to protect any particular public figure's personal interests," said Richard Garnett, a professor at Notre Dame Law School. Any critics who suggest otherwise are "badly mistaken," he added. But even when assessing those cases, it might be difficult for the court to separate Trump the person from the legal issues, said Aziz Huq, a professor at the University of Chicago Law School. "They're real legal issues, but neither of these cases would exist in the absence of the unique pattern of behavior that the former president has engaged in," he said. "It's not like the court's going to decide either of those issues in some sort of vacuum," Huq added. Former President Trumps attorney Alina Habba on Wednesday said the former president is concerned the U.S. Supreme Court justices may shy away from being pro-Trump, and rule against him in regard to the recent decisions in Colorado and Maine that kicked him off the states 2024 primary ballots. Responding to New York Times reporter Maggie Habermans recent comments about Trumps concerns, Habba during an interview on Fox News said, Thats a concern hes voiced to me, hes voiced to everybody publicly, not privately. And I can tell you that his concern is a valid one. You know, Republicans are conservative, they get nervous. They unfortunately sometimes shy away from being pro-Trump because they feel that even if the law is on our side, they are swayed much like the Democratic side, right? Habba told Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum. So theyre trying so hard to look neutral that sometimes, they make the wrong call. Colorado and Maine both removed Trump from their 2024 state primary ballots last month, ruling he is ineligible to run for president under the 14th Amendments insurrection clause. Related coverage from The Hill Trump on Wednesday appealed Colorados ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, one day after he appealed Maines decision which came from Maines Secretary of State Shenna Bellows in the states superior court, though the dispute could ultimately also reach the U.S. Supreme Court, which currently has a 6-3 conservative majority. Three of the justices on the nations highest bench were appointed by Trump, a point of concern Haberman addressed last week. They believe, generally speaking, he and his advisers, that they will have success at the Supreme Court, but he has also voiced some concern that a court that has he appointed three of the justices at the Supreme Court and gave the conservatives a supermajority he is concerned that they are going to look as if theyre trying not to rule in his favor and might rule against him, Haberman said during a CNN appearance last week. Habba on Wednesday said she encourages the justices to really look at the law in the Constitution. Its a very clean cut, she said. Theres no politics that should be involved in this. Its just simply American, and if the justices read the law, as I do, as most Americans and attorneys do, even [Alan Dershowitz] whos a known liberal its just a simple decision, and it should have nothing to do with if youre Republican or Democrat. Habba was making an apparent reference to attorney Alan Dershowitzs comments against rulings from Colorado and Maine. Dershowitz last month called Colorados decision an attempt to totally manipulate an amendment that was never designed to disqualify people in future election, Forbes reported. A number of legal experts have thrown out varying predictions for how the nations highest court could rule if it decides to hear the case. Former Attorney General Bill Barr called Colorados case legally wrong and untenable, while former federal Judge Michael Luttig said the Centennial States ruling is not anti-democratic, but rather the conduct that prompted the disqualification was anti-democratic. Former White House lawyer Ty Cobb predicted the U.S. Supreme Court could rule 9-0 in favor of Trump if he appeals the Colorado Supreme Court decision, saying last month he believes the law is clear. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Jonathan Landay and Daphne Psaledakis UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -Members of the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday called on Yemen's Houthis to halt their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, saying they are illegal and threaten regional stability, freedom of navigation and global food supplies. Addressing the council's first formal meeting of 2024, members also demanded that the Houthis release the Galaxy Leader, a Japanese-operated cargo ship linked to an Israeli company, and its crew, which the group seized on Nov. 19. Some members urged the council to take action to halt the Houthi missile and drone attacks. But the body took no formal steps in the open session before going into closed consultations. The United States believes the situation has reached an "inflection point," Chris Lu, a U.S. representative to the United Nations, told the council. "These attacks pose grave implications for maritime security, international shipping and commerce, and they undermine the fragile humanitarian situation in Yemen," threatening aid deliveries to the war-torn country, Lu said. The Iran-aligned Houthis, who control much of Yemen, have launched drones and missiles at more than 20 ships since Nov. 19, saying that in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, they were targeting vessels with Israeli links or were sailing to Israel. But many vessels have had no Israeli connection and were not bound for Israeli ports, and major shipping lines have suspended their operations through the Red Sea. The United States and other countries last month formed a naval task force, Operation Prosperity Guardian, to protect civilian vessels. U.S. warships have shot down Houthi-fired weapons, and on Sunday sank Houthi speed boats. Hours before the Security Council met, the United States and 12 other countries warned in a joint statement that the Houthis "will bear the responsibility of the consequences" should the attacks persist. During the session, the U.S., British and Israeli representatives accused Iran of supporting the Houthi strikes, a charge Tehran has denied. "The Houthis would struggle to effectively track and strike commercial vessels" without Iran's backing, said Lu. Japanese Ambassador Kazuyuki Yamazaki was among those calling for the council to act to halt the attacks, although he did not specify what steps it should take. "Japan believes the Security Council should take an appropriate action to deter additional threats by the Houthis and maintain international peace and security," he said. Russian U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia urged Houthi leaders to ease any actions posing threats to commercial vessels and their crews. But, he said, the root of the issue was that it was an extension of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, and he criticized Washington for blocking resolutions calling for a ceasefire. China called the Red Sea an important shipping lane for the international goods and energy trade on Thursday, and said it is of common interest to safeguard its peace and stability. "China opposes attacks against civilian vessels. I believe all sides need to play a constructive and responsible role in safeguarding the security of shipping lanes in the Red Sea," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said during a regular news briefing. (Reporting by Jonathan Landay and Daphne Psaledakis; Additional reporting by Andrew Hayley and Liz Lee in Beijing; Editing by Leslie Adler, Sandra Maler and Sonali Paul) 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. By Park Jae-hyuk KT is facing backlash from the union and the main opposition party, as the telecommunication firm hired three more former prosecutors recently as senior executives, amid the ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities involving former CEO Ku Hyeon-mo, according to industry officials, Thursday. Critics point out that the company appears to be trying to please the administration led by President Yoon Suk Yeol, a former prosecutor general who had only worked as a prosecutor in his 27-year career before presidency, except for a year at a law firm from 2002 to 2003. After assuming the positions of the president, the ruling partys interim leader and the broadcast watchdog chief, former prosecutors are now taking up important posts of companies, Rep. Jo Seoung-lae of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea said Thursday. I would advise KT and other companies to fear consumers, users and the market, instead of prosecutors. One of KTs multiple unions also issued a statement, Wednesday, denouncing the companys hiring of former prosecutors as an attempt to protect CEO Kim Young-shub. He was appointed last August, as the National Pension Service (NPS) hindered neither Ku nor Yun Kyung-lim, head of the group transformation division, who was regarded as Kus close aide, from leading KT. Although KT was privatized in 2002, the government has meddled with its management through the state pension fund, the telecommunication firms largest shareholder. The union claimed that the management ignored concerns raised last November, when lawyer Lee Yong-bok was hired as a vice president to lead KTs legal affairs department. He served as a prosecutor from 1992 to 2008 and worked for the special counsel that investigated former President Park Geun-hye in 2017. Choo Eui-jeung, the first female prosecutor at the special investigation department of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office, was appointed to lead internal audits, and Hur Tae-won, who investigated various cases under the Lee Myung-bak administration, was appointed to lead the companys pursuance of compliance management, the union said. Hiring of former prosecutors close to the president can only enable the CEO to protect himself without reforming KT. After serving as a prosecutor from 2006 to 2022, Choo worked at law firm Lee & Ko for about a year. Hur served as a prosecutor from 2004 to 2012 and worked at several law firms. KT explained that the former prosecutors are renowned legal experts, who are expected to help the company enhance compliance management and cope with various legal issues. YEREVAN, JANUARY 4, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has instructed government officials to inspect the course of implementation of government-funded projects across the country and focus on the quality. Speaking at the Cabinet meeting, PM Pashinyan spoke about a number of problems that he saw during his recent visit to several towns where new schools were being built. I see very serious problems in the implementation of our projects after my visits to the provinces, especially in the ongoing projects implemented in schools. In many cases we deal with [poor quality] related to the blueprinting, development and equipment, he said. Specifying the problems, the prime minister said that schools have been provided with volleyball nets for the gyms, whereas the courts have no volleyball markings. Volleyball is a sport with rules. Now, weve given volleyball nets to dozens of schools, but you go into the gym, you ask them wheres the volleyball, there is no volleyball. You touch a hanger in the school and it falls off, wherever you go the water is leaking..., he said, pointing also to poor quality construction. Pashinyan said that its the governors job to inspect the construction. In some places I have to visit again, and even three times. Wherever I visit three times, you ought to visit thirteen times. Yes, you ought to go there and hang your coat from the hanger, use the sink, and look whats happening, Pashinyan told government officials. The government will not tolerate such poor-quality implementation, beginning from the stage of blueprinting, he said. What matters the mostwe tell the children that weve opened the new school, go and study. But that child, whos going to hang a coat and the hanger would fall off, what would that child think about the state? If theyve installed a 150-dram hanger instead of a 3000-dram hanger, the child will think that the money has been shared between everyone starting from the construction worker up to the prime minister, Pashinyan said. I no longer need explanations for the problems. I need solutions to the problems. Please, dont give me explanations, come and tell me that the problem has been solved. We no longer need officials who simply raise issues, we need officials who solve the issues, Pashinyan said. On January 2nd, 2023, the South Korean Army (ROKA) conducted live-fire artillery and mechanized unit maneuver drills in response to concerns related to North Korean increasing threats. The exercises aimed to enhance readiness against potential provocations from North Korea in 2024, according to ROKA officials. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link Key vehicles for large-scale warfare, such as the K1A2 Main Battle Tank (MBT), were utilized during the exercises. (Picture source: Facebook/ROKA) These drills took place near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and involved South Korean units, including the Capital Mechanized Infantry Division and the 2nd Quick Response Division. Key vehicles for large-scale warfare, such as K9 and K9A1 self-propelled howitzers, K1A2 and K2 Black Panther Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), K600 Rhino mine-clearing tanks, and K21 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), were utilized during the exercises. The training scenarios included responses to potential enemy artillery provocations, with troops practicing retaliatory artillery firing. Additionally, AH-64 Apache attack helicopters provided aerial support for ground troops, while mechanized units focused on rapid maneuvering. The Army stated that the drills aimed to maintain a robust combat posture and readiness given the current security situation. These exercises followed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's recent declaration that inter-Korean relations were "between two states hostile to each other." He also called for increased preparations to "suppress the whole territory of South Korea" in a year-end ruling party meeting. Simultaneously, South Korea and the United States jointly conducted live-fire exercises near the border with North Korea. These drills, which started on December 29, 2023, in the border city of Pocheon, aimed to enhance combined operational capabilities to address potential military threats from North Korea. Participating units included the South Korean Capital Mechanized Infantry Division and the US Stryker Brigade Combat Team from the 2nd Infantry Division. Various military assets, such as K1A2 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), A-10 Thunderbolt close air support aircraft, Stryker and K200 armored personnel carriers (APCs), K600 Rhino mine-clearing tanks, KM9ACE armored dozers, K30 Biho Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Guns (SPAAGs), and Armored Vehicle Launched Bridges (AVLBs), were deployed. The training involved precision strikes by US A-10 attack aircraft, shooting from the K30 Biho SPAAGs and K1A2 tanks, overcoming complex obstacle areas under smoke cover, and a transcendental attack by US Stryker armored vehicles. It also included bombing of aviation assets and integrated tank and air defense fire. The training scenarios included responses to potential enemy artillery provocations, with troops practicing retaliatory artillery firing with K9 and K9A1 self-propelled howitzers. (Picture source: Facebook/ROKA) North Korea's state media, in turn, criticized South Korea and the United States for these military maneuvers, describing them as provocative, and warned of an increased risk of clashes between the two sides in the coming year. In response, the South Korean military increased its monitoring of North Korea's activities, including winter drills conducted by North Korea since the end of the previous year, which typically include artillery firing exercises. The growing tensions in the region have been exacerbated by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's recent statements, which he vowed to respond forcefully to provocations from the United States and South Korea. Kim's remarks coincide with heightened military rhetoric and increased weapons testing by North Korea in response to US-South Korean military drills. Kim's strategy appears to be centered on escalating tensions to gain concessions, particularly in the event of political changes in the United States. In a major ruling party meeting, Kim outlined plans to enhance North Korea's military capabilities. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has responded by emphasizing the need to strengthen the country's military capabilities, including preemptive strike capabilities, missile defense, and retaliatory options, in response to the North Korean nuclear threat. President Yoon underlined South Korea's desire to achieve peace through strength. Despite these escalations, experts have raised concerns about the potential for small-scale military clashes between North and South Korea along their heavily armed border this year. Additionally, North Korea's continued weapons testing, including the potential launch of intercontinental ballistic missiles, remains a significant concern in the region. Jaishankar also called on Nepalese PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and President Ramchandra Paudel External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar with former PM of Nepal KP Sharma Oli during a meeting, in Nepal, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. (PTI Photo) NEW DELHI/KATHMANDU: After co-chairing the seventh India-Nepal joint commission meeting in Kathmandu with Nepalese foreign minister N.P. Saud on Thursday, external affairs minister S. Jaishankar announced several agreements between the two nations, including the long-term power trade, under which India will import 10,000 MW of electricity from Nepal in the next 10 years. Jaishankar announced pacts on cooperation in renewable energy development, implementation of high-impact community development projects, the Munal Satellite and handover of the fifth tranche of post-Jajarkot earthquake relief supply. The two foreign ministers also jointly inaugurated three cross-border transmission lines. Cooperation in defence and security was also discussed. Jaishankar also called on Nepalese PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and President Ramchandra Paudel. In his meeting with the Nepalese Prime Minister, the external affairs minister conveyed the warm wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He later posted: The India-Nepal friendship is indeed unique and our partnership is moving from strength to strength. The visit comes amid increasing Chinese influence in Nepal. Jaishankar is currently on a two day visit to Nepal that began on Thursday. According to news agency reports from Kathmandu, the two sides signed the launch service agreement for the Munal Satellite developed by the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, with India also announcing a $75 million grant assistance to Nepal for the reconstruction of earthquake-affected areas. The writer is based in South India for the past 40 years. He writes on India, China, Tibet and Indo-French relations. Pakistans politicians started crying foul over J&K's status, saying that the Indian governments decision had no legal value. On December 11, 2023, Indias Supreme Court upheld the August 2019 abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, which revoked Jammu and Kashmirs special status and bifurcated the state into two Union territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir. Pakistans politicians immediately started crying foul, saying that the Indian governments decision had no legal value. Jalil Abbas Jilani, a minister in the countrys caretaker government, said that Kashmiris have an inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Mr Jilani, like most of his colleagues, has probably never read the relevant UN resolutions: we shall soon come to that. The Pakistani media too believed that this was a grave injustice and an unjust verdict. On December 12, Dawn said that it was an attempt to rewrite history: The courts decision may strengthen Indias stranglehold over Kashmir, but it cannot extinguish the Kashmiris strong desire for freedom and dignity. So let us speak about history. While working on the Nehru papers a few years ago, I came across a Top Secret note written in the early 1950s by Sir Girja Shankar Bajpai, then secretary-general of the ministry of external affairs and Commonwealth affairs. It was entitled Background to the Kashmir Issue: Facts of the Case; and it made fascinating reading. It starts by a historical dateline: Invasion of the state by tribesmen and Pakistan nationals through or from Pakistan territory on October 20, 1947; the rulers offer of accession of the state to India supported by the National Conference, a predominantly Muslim though non-communal political organisation, on October 26, 1947; acceptance of the accession by the British Governor-General of India on October 27, 1947, under this accession, the state became an integral part of India; expression of a wish by Lord Mountbatten in a separate letter to the ruler the fulfilment of which was to take place at a future date when law and order had been restored and the soil of the state cleared of the invader, the people of the state were given the right to decide whether they should remain in India or not. The note also mentioned the invasion of the state by Pakistan regular forces on May 8, 1948; the conditions were clear and in two parts: first the Pakistani troops or irregulars should withdraw from the Indian territory that they occupied and later a plebiscite could be envisaged. Commenting on the entry of Pakistanis on Indian territory, the note said: One of the grounds for this [Pakistani] military operation, as disclosed by Pakistans foreign minister himself, was a recommendation of the commander-in-chief of Pakistan [a British national] that an easy victory for the Indian Army was almost certain to arouse the anger of the invading tribesmen [raiders] against Pakistan. The note also observed: Pakistan, not content with assisting the invader, has itself become an invader and its army is still occupying a large part of the soil of Kashmir, thus committing a continuing breach of international law. Pakistani politicians (and many others) often quote the UN resolutions; very few have read them. The UN resolutions of January 17, 1948, August 13, 1948, and January 5, 1949 (UNCIP Resolutions) made it amply clear that Pakistan cannot claim to exercise sovereignty in respect of J&K. In 2019, the abrogation of Article 370 by the Indian government had triggered a lot of comments from Indian as well as foreign journalists. Most of the scribes were ill-informed about the legality of the issue; while the Indian press dealt with the subject rather decently, it was not so with the foreign press. Why this perennial misinformation or disinformation? The Government of India is probably to be blamed; the external affairs ministry should have long ago educated the media by giving a full historical briefing on all facets of the issue. But there is yet more: the case of Gilgit. An interesting announcement appeared in the 1948 London Gazette mentioning that the King has been graciously pleased to give orders for appointments to the Most Exalted Order of the British Empire The list included Brown, Major (acting) William Alexander, Special List (ex-Indian Army). Who was this officer? Maj. Brown is infamous for illegally offering Gilgit to Pakistan in 1947. The British paramountcy had lapsed on August 1, 1947, and Gilgit reverted to the Maharajas control. Lt. Col. Roger Bacon, the British political agent, handed his charge to Brig. Ghansara Singh, the new governor appointed by Maharaja Hari Singh. Maj. Brown remained in charge of the Gilgit Scouts. Despite Hari Singh having signed the Instrument of Accession and joined India, Maj. Brown refused to acknowledge the orders of the Maharaja under the pretext that some leaders of the Frontier Districts Province (Gilgit-Baltistan) wanted to join Pakistan. On November 1, 1947, probably under order from the British generals, he handed over the entire area to Pakistan. At the time, the entire hierarchy of the Indian and Pakistan Army was still British. In Pakistan, Sir Frank Messervy was commander-in-chief of the Pakistan Army in 1947-48 and Sir Douglas Gracey served in 1948-51; while in India, the commander-in-chief was Sir Robert Lockhart (1947-48) and later Sir Roy Bucher (1948). It is only in June 1948 that Gen. K.M. Cariappa took over. Let us not forget that Sir Claude Auchinleck (later elevated to Field-Marshal) served as the supreme commander (India and Pakistan) from August to November 1947. Who can believe that all these senior generals were kept in the dark by a junior officer like Maj. Brown? It is obvious that Maj. Browns British bosses were aware of his gift to Pakistan. The fact that he was appointed to the OBE is further proof. The King does not usually appoint deserters or rebels to the august order. Amazingly, six years ago, the British Parliament passed a resolution that confirmed Gilgit-Baltistan was part of Jammu and Kashmir. The motion was tabled on March 23, 2017 by Bob Blackman of the Conservative Party. It reads: Gilgit-Baltistan is a legal and constitutional part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India, which is illegally occupied by Pakistan since 1947, and where people are denied their fundamental rights, including the right of freedom of expression. It incidentally also means that the agreement signed on March 2, 1963 between Pakistan and China about the Shaksgam Valley of the Gilgit Agency being transferred to China is also legally invalid. In 2024, Beijing should plainly be told this and Pakistani politicians should learn their history. Chinese authorities have banned the admission of new monks to Khyungbum Lura Monastery, which resisted the People's Liberation Army in the 1950s. While native Tibetans have expressed concern, China has boosted its repression in Tibet, adopting population data collection strategies as in Xinjiang. Dharamsala (AsiaNews/Agencies) Chinese authorities are no longer allowing the admission of new monks to Khyungbum Lura Monastery in eastern Tibet. This is the first time that monks of all ages have been excluded a ban against joining the monastic order was already in place for minors under 18, anonymous sources told Radio Free Asia. The prohibition reflects efforts to enforce regulations on religious affairs that prohibit religious activity in Tibets schools or educational establishments. Ethnic Tibetans are worried. Without the regular intake of new monks, the move will lead to the eventual decline and closure of the monastery in the future, sources in the region said. This will leave local Tibetans with no nearby places of worship during important religious ceremonies and nobody to turn to carry out important prayers and rituals, particularly on the death of loved ones. Chinese authorities have also placed an administrator inside the monastery to oversee all activities, threatening to close it if regulations are not complied with. Beijing has more broadly tried to limit the influence of Buddhist monasteries, which play a crucial role in forming the Tibetan national identity. Khyungbum Lura Monastery is one of the largest monasteries of the Gelug or Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism, with more than 80 monks presently living in it. Historically, it has been linked to Markam County, Chamdo Prefecture, eastern Tibet. When the People's Liberation Army marched into the area in 1950, the monastery resisted Chinese troops for about six years. Beijing has also strengthened its presence on the border with the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, which it claims as part of Tibet. According to satellite images analysed by Newsweek, a vast network of villages has sprung up since 2020 around the border city of Nyingchi. And there is more. Like in the Xinjiang autonomous region, inhabited by Uyghurs, control over the local population has become increasingly sophisticated in Tibet over the years. Recently, Thermo Fisher Scientific, a US biotechnology firm, announced that it was suspending the sale of DNA collection kits in Tibet. This follows months of criticism from human rights groups and the US Congress since China has used the company's technology to build a genetic database of the local population. Based on a number of factors we made the decision in mid-2023 to cease sales of HID products in the region and no longer sell our human identification technology in the Tibet Autonomous Region," a Thermo Fisher spokesperson told Axios. Thermo Fisher's HID (human identification) technology has "important forensic applications, from tracking down criminals, to stopping human trafficking and freeing the unjustly accused" and its HID sales in Tibet were "consistent with routine forensic investigation in an area of this size," the spokesperson explained. Similarly, Beijing also tries to censor the issue of Tibet on social media as it does for its repression in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. A recent study by the Network Contagion Research Institute at Rutgers University shows that on the TikTok platform, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, these topics do not appear as frequently as on Instagram, owned by Meta. The report reveals that the ratio between popular pop culture and politics terms like #TaylorSwift and #Trump are roughly two Instagram posts for every one on TikTok. But the ratio changes completely when hashtags refer to topics that Beijing does not like, with 8-to-1 for #Uyghur or #Uighur, 57-to-1 for #TiananmenSquare, and 174-to-1 for #HongKongProtest. In the case of Tibet, it is 30-to-1. We assess a strong possibility that content on TikTok is either amplified or suppressed based on its alignment with the interests of the Chinese government, the study said. For Joel Finkelstein, a founder of the Network Contagion Research Institute, Its not believable that this could happen organically. RED LANTERNS IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO CHINA. TO RECEIVE A WEEKLY UPDATE EVERY THURSDAY, CLICK HERE. by Vladimir Rozanskij In Simferopolis, the construction of a large new mosque is advancing as a symbol of Russian activism to promote an anti-Western narrative in the Muslim world despite centuries of Moscow's persecution of the Tatars. Kiev (AsiaNews) - During the end-of-year press conference, the representative of the President of Ukraine for Crimea, Tamila Taseva, denounced the activism of Russians in the Islamic world, to support a narrative on the "Russian Crimea" that manages to overcome the traditional visions of the Crimean Tatars, subjected to persecution and deportations as they were not assimilable to the ideology of the Moscow regime. Russia takes advantage of its participation in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which it has joined as an observer since 2005, which guarantees Moscow a condescending approach from Muslims as one of the allies in the confrontation with the West. The Arab elites are looking for points of reference to avoid the dangers of destabilization and the Russian war supported by the Muslims today becomes a very important element in the party game, starting precisely from the re-definition of Crimea annexed in 2014. The Noor News agency, one of Russia's Muslim information sites, has recently taken up the words of Russian President Vladimir Putin in his greeting to the KazanForum 2023 last May, also seen as a wish for the new year, in which "Russia is open to the widest and most productive commercial and humanitarian collaboration with Islamic countries, also underlining the role of Russian Muslims in the expansion of international contacts, to form together a multipolar and more just world order". As Taseva observes, "Islamists are not worried about the Russian occupation of Crimea, despite the historical presence of native Muslim peoples such as Sunni Tatars and other Turkic groups." An Indonesian delegation from the "Ulema Council" recently arrived in Kiev, to which they tried to present the situation of their Crimean co-religionists, persecuted by Russia which tries to show itself as a friend of Islam. Russian propaganda in this sense is supported by many Muslim political and religious leaders, especially by Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov, who is shown praying in Arabic with weapons in hand. This is also confirmed by the mufti of the Ummah of Kiev, the administration of the Muslims of Ukraine, Murat Suleimanov, according to whom "now the comparison with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza is used by Russia to reassure the Islamic world regarding the invasion of 'Ukraine: you see, we respect all religions and traditions." The activities of the Islamic exponents most loyal to Moscow in Crimea are therefore supported, who have ongoing negotiations for joint projects with the muftis of Istanbul and others. Last October, the "VII Kurultaj of Crimean Muslims" was held in Simferopol, which kicked off the construction of a new large mosque in the city, which is already at an advanced stage of construction. As local mufti Emirali Ablaev says, 80% of the materials for the building come from Turkey. Suleimanov reacts by stating that "we are the Muslims of Crimea, we have the right to represent our point of view in Europe, also regarding Russia's war in our country and in our occupied peninsula". The Islamic world's position on Russia's war in Ukraine is highly ambiguous, with many Muslims de facto supporting Russia. Another mufti in the service of the Ukrainian armed forces, Said Ismailov, also observes that Russian propaganda is very active on the territory, and is even reported by the Arab editorial team of Russia Today, while the Ukrainian point of view is censored in every way. The leader of the Crimean Tatars and deputy of Ukraine Mustafa Dzemilev has meanwhile invited the Russians to leave Crimea "as long as the Kerch bridge works". Crimea has always been disputed between Christians and Muslims, Slavs, Greeks, Tatars and Turks, and Russia tries to represent the various souls, the Orthodox and the Muslim, lining them both up against the West in one of the crucial points of this confrontation. Photo:Devlet Geray / WikiCommons A drone strikes a base of the pro-Iranian Popular Mobilisation Forces, blamed for recent attacks against targets linked to the US-led coalition in retaliation for the Gaza war. For the Iraqi government, the action was a violation of sovereignty and a dangerous escalation". In an audiotape, the Islamic States new leader, al-Ansari, tries to profit from the conflict in Gaza. AsiaNews (Agencies) Amid fears of a spillover from the Gaza conflict, violence flares up in Iraq. A drone today hit a logistical base of the pro-Iranian, mostly Shia Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) in eastern Baghdad. Two commanders were killed in the operation, including Mushtaq Talib al-Saeedi, better known as Abu Taqwa, former commander of the Harakat al-Nujaba brigade and deputy commander of Baghdad belt operations. The Iraqi government blamed the US-led coalition for the operation, calling it a "blatant violation of [Iraqi] sovereignty." The Iraqi Armed Forces holds the international coalition forces responsible for this unprovoked attack on an Iraqi security body we consider this targeting a dangerous escalation and attack on Iraq, Yehia Rasool, military spokesperson for Iraqs prime minister, said in a statement. Al-Nujaba is one of the Iranian-backed groups that Washington blames for a series of drone strikes against US interests in Iraq and Syria since mid-October in response to US support for Israel in its war against the Palestinian Hamas group in the Gaza Strip. The Iraqi government has said its security forces are dedicated to safeguarding diplomatic missions in the country. While calling attacks against them "hostile acts," it stressed that US airstrikes are "unacceptable" and a "violation" of its sovereignty. In the meantime, the Islamic State (IS) group is back in the news. Its al Furqan media house released a 35-minute audio recording of its new leader, Abu Hudhayfah al-Ansari, focused on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In ISs usual tones, al-Ansari urges Palestinians to abandon nationalism and embrace the jihadist struggle in a speech titled kill them (Jews and Christians) wherever you find them. While not mentioning yesterdays massacre in Kerman, attributed by many observers to IS, al Ansari's message attacks Shias, urging Gaza Sunnis not to ally themselves with Iran accused of advancing its own interests. Japanese rescuers searched urgently through rubble for survivors Wednesday ahead of predicted bitter cold and heavy rain in what the prime minister called a race against time after powerful earthquakes killed at least 73 people in western Japan. Fifteen people were listed as officially missing and possibly trapped under collapsed buildings. Ishikawa prefecture and nearby areas were shaken by more aftershocks on Wednesday, adding to the dozens that followed Monday's magnitude 7.6 temblor centered near Noto, about 300 kilometers (185 miles) from Tokyo on the opposite coast. The quake set off tsunami warnings, followed by waves measuring more than 1 meter (3 feet) in some places. The first 72 hours are especially critical for teams of rescuers and canine units searching for survivors, experts say, because the prospects for survival greatly diminish after that. More than 40 hours have passed. This is a race against time, and I feel that we are at a critical moment, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters. We have received reports many people are still waiting for rescue under collapsed buildings. The narrow Noto Peninsula has added to the challenges in reaching some communities. Water, power and cellphone service were still down in some areas. Naomi Gonno says she and her children got out of their house just as it came crashing down. But her children were screaming Granma, and Gonno saw that her mother was trapped under the smashed house, with only her hand visible. She was able to squeeze her way out through a tiny space, Gonno said. I cant believe we're still alive, she said. We are living in fear. Relief officials handed out water, blankets, food and other supplies. Search dogs joined military personnel and firefighters trying to find missing people, although the exact number is unclear. Weather forecasts warned of heavy rain in Ishikawa, leading to worries about landslides and further damage to half-crumbled homes. Temperatures were expected to drop to around 4 degrees Celsius (39 degrees Fahrenheit) overnight. Of the deaths, 39 were counted in Wajima city, while 23 people died in Suzu, according to Ishikawa prefectural authorities. The other deaths were reported in five neighboring towns. More than 300 people have been injured, at least 25 of them seriously. Ishikawa Gov. Hiroshi Hase encouraged everyone to use masks, antiseptic and soap to guard against the spread of infectious diseases as evacuees shelter together. Ensuring adequate water supplies and toilets for those who were displaced is a priority, he said. Nearly 33,000 people are staying at evacuation centers, and some said they were hungry and cold, unable to sleep and afraid. When Monday's quake hit, Yasuo Kobatake ran out of his house with just one sock on. The shaking threw him to the ground, and a concrete wall came crashing down, barely missing him, he said. He was eating only rice balls and a few sips of water in paper cups at the elementary school where he and others have been sheltering. They slept on cushions, with no blankets. It was so cold. I thought I'd freeze to death, he said. In the aftermath of the quakes and tsunami, boats lay overturned in the sea, roads were blocked by mounds of dirt, and pillars and walls lay scattered from flattened homes. A large fire turned an entire section of Wajima city into ashes. Officials warned that more major quakes could follow. Japan is prone to earthquakes, with many fault lines and volcanoes. A massive quake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in 2011 caused widespread damage in northeastern Japan. No major problems were reported at nuclear plants after Monday's quake. The Shika nuclear plant in Ishikawa suffered a partial electricity failure, but backup power kicked in, ensuring the critical cooling process continued. Japan is an organized, conformist and relatively crime-free society where warnings are systematically relayed as a public service. Disaster experts say thats helping save lives. Takako Izumi, a disaster science professor at Tohoku University, said time is needed to figure out logistics because roads are often blocked after an earthquake, and large trucks can't get through to deliver aid. If land routes aren't accessible, aid may have to be dropped from the sky or brought in by boat. The winter cold adds to health risks, and some people may still have not reached an evacuation center, she added. We need to accurately assess the damage first. And then a proper response can come, and what's needed can reach the right places, Izumi said. (AP) The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith speaks out following reactions by some episcopal conferences to the Declaration Fiducia Supplicans, noting that it requires discernment in loco, reflecting local situations, not ideological bias. Where homosexuality is an offence, the Church should promote training, the defense of human dignity, [and] the teaching of the Social Doctrine of the Church. Vatican City (AsiaNews) After the reactions of some Bishops' Conferences, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith released a statement today, published by the Vatican Press Office, on the Declaration Fiducia Supplicans, made public on 18 December with the approval of Pope Francis, which opens up the possibility of "pastoral blessings" for homosexual or other couples in "irregular" situations with respect to the doctrine of the Church. The statement signed by the prefect, Card Victor Manuel Fernandez and the secretary, Mgr Armando Matteo explains that The understandable statements of some Episcopal Conferences regarding the declaration Fiducia Supplicans have the value of highlighting the need for a more extended period of pastoral reflection. The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith reiterates that This Declaration remains firm on the traditional doctrine of the Church about marriage, not allowing any type of liturgical rite or blessing similar to a liturgical rite that can create confusion. But in view of the aspect that has most raised discussion, i.e. the possible blessings of irregular couples, the Dicastery recognises that it is up to local bishops to identify when and how to accept the indication contained in the Declaration Fiducia Supplicans. Some Bishops, for example, have established that each priest must carry out the work of discernment and that he may, however, perform these blessings only in private, reads the statement. None of this is problematic if it is expressed with due respect for a text signed and approved by the Supreme Pontiff himself, while attempting in some way to accommodate the reflection contained in it. Prudence and attention to the ecclesial context and to the local culture could allow for different methods of application, but not a total or definitive denial of this path that is proposed to priests. What is more, If there are laws that condemn the mere act of declaring oneself as a homosexual with prison and in some cases with torture and even death, it goes without saying that a blessing would be imprudent. It is clear that the Bishops do not wish to expose homosexual persons to violence, stresses the Dicastery. It remains vital that these Episcopal Conferences do not support a doctrine different from that of the Declaration signed by the Pope, given that it is perennial doctrine, but rather that they recommend the need for study and discernment so as to act with pastoral prudence in such a context. In truth, there are not a few countries that, to varying degrees, condemn, prohibit and criminalize homosexuality. In these cases, apart from the question of blessings, there exists a great and wide-ranging pastoral responsibility that includes training, the defense of human dignity, the teaching of the Social Doctrine of the Church and various strategies that do not admit of a rushed response. The Dicasterys statement aims above all to stress that the real novelty of the Declaration is not the possibility of blessing irregular couples, but in having a broader understanding of blessings and of the proposal that these pastoral blessings, which do not require the same conditions as blessings in a liturgical or ritual context, flourish. Consequently, leaving polemics aside, the text requires an effort to reflect serenely, with the heart of shepherds, free from all ideology. Although some Bishops consider it prudent not to impart these blessings for the moment, we all need to grow equally in the conviction that: non-ritualized blessings are not a consecration of the person nor of the couple who receives them, they are not a justification of all their actions, and they are not an endorsement of the life that they lead. When the Pope asked us to grow in a broader understanding of pastoral blessings, he proposed that we think of a way of blessing that does not require the placing of so many conditions to carry out this simple gesture of pastoral closeness, which is a means of promoting openness to God in the midst of the most diverse circumstances. For the Dicastery, in giving a blessing to two people who come together to ask for it spontaneously, we are not consecrating them nor are we congratulating them nor indeed are we approving that type of union. In reality the same happens when individuals are blessed, as the individual who asks for a blessing not absolution could be a great sinner, but this does not mean we deny him this paternal gesture in the midst of his struggle to survive. If this is clarified as a result of good catechesis, we can free ourselves from the fear that these blessings of ours may express something inadequate. We can be freer and perhaps closer and more fruitful ministers, with a ministry that is full of gestures of fatherhood and hospitality, without fear of being misunderstood. Aspen Mayor Torre, center, and former Mayor Steve Skadron cut the ribbon at the official grand opening of the new Aspen City Hall building at Rio Grande Place in this file photo from December 2021. They were surrounded by past and present city officials. A less-than-busy moment in the retail counter area of the Aspen Post Office is depicted in this file photo. Staffing issues, many of which are related to caps on union pay scales and the dearth of local housing, have plagued Roaring Fork Valley postal service for many years. About a week is left until the first major event of the year, CES 2024, opens its doors at the Las Vegas Convention Center, so you should get yourself ready for a flood of novelties in the fields of electronics, robotics, communication, transportation, you name it. Photo: Horwin kWh Photo: Horwin Because about a week from now still is a long time for the companies taking part in the event, none of the big ones have spilled the full details on what they're bringing there, so we're still on the edge of our seats in this respect. This reality does however leave room for the smaller companies to have their say before the big boys arrive at the table.Have you ever heard about Horwin? Don't feel bad if you didn't. Horwin is a Chinese maker of electric two-wheelers that has expanded greatly over the past few years, mostly to Europe and South America. And now the brand is coming to the US, using CES 2024 as a launch platform.The arrival of Horwin on the American market is accompanied by the opening salvo in what we expect to be a fierce battle for attention at the Nevada event. Not one, not two, but a total of three electric motorcycles have been unveiled by Horwin for the event.The series is called Senmenti, and at the moment comprises a production model and two concepts. All of them have an electric drivetrain, the ability to charge their batteries to 80 percent in just 30 minutes, and can work as power banks for appliances in need of electricity.Senmenti 0 is the production model I've mentioned. You might know the name from last year, when Horwin showed it to the world for the first time. For its entrance into the American market, we're told it has been upgraded to have a lighter body and offers more precise handling.Horwin calls the Senmenti 0 a motorcycle, and judging by the specs you'll read about below, that's not far from the truth. Visually, however, the thing is more of a scooter.The 0 takes its power from a 16.9battery, which supplies enough electricity to keep the ride moving for as much as 186 miles (300 km, combined). The thing's electric motor is punchy enough to supply more power than you see in full-blown motorcycles: 100 horsepower and 894 Nm of torque.For a ride that weighs 507 pounds (230 kg) that's more than enough, and translates into an acceleration time to 60 mph of just 2.8 seconds. The top speed is rated at 125 mph (201 kph).Horwin is already accepting pre-orders for the Senmenti 0. All you have to do is pay a fully refundable $100 deposit and wait an unspecified amount of time for the ride to be delivered. The total cost of the bike starts at $16,800.For the first 500 customers (read the ones who pre-book their 0) the company has something special in mind: it will offer three years of free charging no matter where they are in the U.S.On top of that they will also benefit from free over-the-air updates for as long as their bike lives, and a $900 amplification of the initial deposit is also on the table.The Senmenti X concept has been designed as a " Hyper GT built for luxurious and long-range touring," and the aggressive way it was styled more than speaks to that. Horwin did not spill the full beans when it comes to this thing's capabilities, other than the fact it has the same top speed as the 0, but significantly more range: 250 miles (402 km).That would translate into a bigger battery, but somehow the company claims the same 80 percent state of charge can be reached in half an hour as well.The Senmenti X can be pre-ordered, too, meaning Horwin plans to make it a production machine as well. The final price, as well as a possible launch date are not known.Last on the list is the Senmenti 11 concept, "a futuristic city explorer of high-performance, style, and technology." Zero details were provided on this one by the company, but it too will make it into production, and requires a $100 deposit to be reserved.At the time of writing Horwin says test rides will only be performed on the Senmenti 0, and that will happen no sooner than the third quarter of the new year.In the meantime, you can head over to these guys' brand-new American website and check out what they plan to offer in the good old U.S. of A. A fair warning though, the website is a bit slow to load.Until you get to enjoy the Horwins firsthand, get ready for a flood of goodies in the coming week from CES 2024, so stay tuned for more. NATO members in Europe have signed a contract for up to 1,000 Patriot missiles to bolster air defenses in the face of the threat from Russia, the alliance said Wednesday. The announcement of the contract, estimated to be worth $5.5 billion, comes as Moscow has unleashed repeated barrages of deadly missile and drone strikes against Ukraine in recent days. NATO's procurement agency said the deal agreed by an initial group of countries including Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain would see Patriot missile production stepped up in Europe. Alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the "timely announcement to invest in up to 1,000 new Patriot air defense missiles to bolster the alliance's security". "Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian civilians, cities and towns show how important modern air defenses are. Scaling-up ammunition production is key for Ukraine's security and for ours," Stoltenberg said in a statement. NATO allies including the United States and Germany have sent U.S.-made Patriot systems to Ukraine where they have been used to shoot down attacks by Russia's hypersonic missiles. But the deliveries of the missiles to Kyiv have sapped Western stocks and forced Washington to turn to allies such as Japan to help replenish inventories. The NATO Support and Procurement Agency said the new contract would see a missile production facility set up in Germany by a joint venture between Germany's MBDA and Raytheon, part of the U.S. group RTX. "Europe will produce 1,000 Patriot air defense missiles itself. This shows that European cooperation ensures concrete successes," Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren wrote on social media. Patriot missiles are estimated to cost around $4 million each and NATO said the deal also includes other elements including test equipment and spare parts for future maintenance. (AFP) SUV ICE Today, the Japanese automaker has virtually legendary nameplates still in production. Examples include the Corolla series, the world's best-selling nameplate since 1997; the RAV4, inventor of the compact crossoversegment; the Tacoma mid-size pickup truck, which is one of America's darlings; and icons like the Land Cruiser SUV, among others Interestingly, Toyota currently covers two of the three main pickup truck sectors in America with the all-new N400 Tacoma and the bigger Tundra though both are manufactured around the same modular TNGA-F body-on-frame architecture. However, not long ago, the company was also involved with the light truck market with the Stout series that arrived in 1954 and lived a long and fruitful life throughout just three generations until 2000.The North American automotive market is currently rediscovering the potential of smaller, nimbler compact pickup trucks all thanks to the audacity of Hyundai to build their first dedicated model in the United States and Ford's wits to outsmart them with a cheaper, electrified Maverick unibody compact truck based on the Escape and Bronco Sport platform that's built in Mexico.All other carmakers are looking from the sidelines as the two battle for supremacy and seem unfazed or unwilling to attack Ford Maverick's newly-acquired crown. Well, according to the rumor mill, that's not going to happen for much longer, as Stellantis might allow Ram to do some Rampage in North America with the model produced in Brazil.Additionally, a lot of voices whisper about Subaru or Toyota returning to the field with revivals of the Baja or Stout nameplates. Usually, the imaginative realm of digital car content creators has a habit of selecting one as their favorite hypothetical design project. The good folks from the TheAutoReport channel on YouTube have imagined the potential revival of the classic Stout compact pickup truck from Toyota again!So, after recently dreaming of the perfect Stout comeback to hunt down Maverick and Santa Cruz prey, their resident pixel master is now back with the unofficial all-new 2025 Toyota Stout Hybrid. No worries, no one is going to get bored with this sequel the CGI expert cooked up some AI to help a variety of potential styles for the front fascia, as well as a modern LED treatment both at the front and rear.Even better, now there's a discussion about blessing it with the power and efficiency of a hybrid powertrain the Corolla Cross Hybrid could easily lend its 196-hp setup to a Stout Hybrid sibling to help it confront the electrified Ford Maverick and-only Hyundai Santa Cruz. So, which one of these unofficial CGI versions do you like the most? Every time the Crash Detection works correctly, the media is making a big deal out of it, despite authorities complaining occasionally that they often receive false alarms.However, when Crash Detection correctly determines someone was involved in a crash, its engine can work miracles, providing the first responders with critical data to save people who might require urgent help.It happened recently in Lake Pleasant, Arizona, where an Apple Watch sent a text to the local emergency teams after the owner suffered a rollover accident. The smartwatch correctly detected the crash and alerted the dispatchers, providing them with the location of the accident.The first teams rushed to the scene, using the Apple Watch coordinates as an indication of the location of the crash. They found the vehicle crashed on Castle Hot Springs Road, northwest of Lake Pleasant, but they couldn't find the driver.The deputies believed the man had left the vehicle on foot, possibly seeking help. They started a massive search operation, with 20 volunteers and a helicopter looking for the man they believed might be hurt. It turns out he wasn't, as they found him several hours later with only minor injuries. The driver refused medical treatment and was taken home by family.Crash Detection, available on iPhone 14 and later and Apple Watch Series 8 and later, can detect various accidents, including front-impact, side-impact, and rear-end collisions and rollovers. Apple specifically mentions car crashes, but the devices can also detect other severe crashes, including on motorcycles and bikes. The feature uses integrated sensors, including the gyroscope and the accelerometer, to determine a potential accident, displaying an alert on the screen to tell the owner it's about to dial 911.If the owner does not react, the iPhone or the Apple Watch assumes they're injured, so they automatically initiate a call to emergency teams and a pre-defined emergency contact. The call includes critical information about the crash, such as its location, as well as your medical information if you previously configured the Medical ID in the Apple Health app on the iPhone.Because the feature uses device sensor data, it sometimes dials 911 for no reason, leading to a flood of false calls. For example, the first responders claim they've been alerted of vehicle crashes when the iPhone owners were riding rollercoasters or dancing at a concert , as the smartphone or the Apple Watch determined the sudden moves of the body or the hand as a potential accident. Apple promised to refine the system, but so far, the false alerts remain a big shortcoming. A new kind of aerial sightseeing is emerging admiring the view from inside an unmanned, electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) instead of a conventional helicopter doesn't change the view itself, but it's an infinitely more exhilarating experience. China is already breaking the ice with the EH216-S. Over the past few years, we've covered several eVTOl flight demonstration events that were open to the public. This time, it was much more than that. Government officials and even citizens were invited to hop onboard the EH216-S and experience an unmanned flight. It happened at the beginning of the year in two different locations, Guangzhou and Hefei. This is where EHang has launched the first commercial demonstration flights for the certified EH216-S.One of the most spectacular locations for the unmanned aircraft's future endeavors is Luogang Central Park. The Hefei government officially designated this Park as an eVTOL operation site for its "Full-Space Unmanned System Integrated Application Demonstration" project. What makes this site special is, first of all, the sheer size (it's one of the largest urban parks in the world) and the spectacular landscapes. The Luogang Central Park is one of the busiest tourist attractions, which also translates to a greater need for innovative, efficient transportation.All of these factors make Luogang Central Park one of the ideal locations for launching EHang's pilotless operations. The first EH216-S aircraft to enter commercial service will be geared toward aerial sightseeing and tourist air taxi flights. This is the beginning of something big. The local authorities in Hefei have already committed to purchasing 100 units of the EHang eVTOL, expecting high demand in the coming months and years.It's also a pioneering moment for the industry on a global level. At the end of 2023, the Chinese passenger eVTOL for unmanned operations obtained the world's first standard airworthiness certificate. The first EHang commercial air taxis will bring to air mobility what robotaxis and unmanned shuttles have brought to ground-based transportation.These commercial flight demonstrations in Guangzhou and Hefei are the culmination of several other milestones and global breakthroughs. The EH216-S became the first eVTOL of its kind to be officially selected by a police force in the EU (the Spanish National Police) and had previously established multiple records during an impressive tour of four cities in Japan.This unmanned eVTOL is officially a short-range, two-seat UAV. It was designed to operate at a maximum altitude of 9,800 feet (3,000 meters), cruising at 80.7 mph (130 kph). On a single charge, the EH216-S promises a range of up to 22 miles (35 km), and its batteries require two hours to be fully recharged. It's not as impressive in terms of performance as mid-range eVTOLs, but it's at the top of the list when it comes to autonomous flight. America's favorite pickup has been recalled yet again. Under NHTSA campaign number 23V-896, the Dearborn-based automaker intends to repair a grand total of 112,965 examples of the F-150, namely vehicles produced for the 2021 to 2023 model years. NHTSA Photo: Ford The half-ton pickups in question are split between 54,509 units for the 2021 model, 47,886 for the 2022 model, and 10,570 for model year 2023. According to the attached report, the recalled trucks were optioned with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package and 9.75-inch HD rear axle with a float axle design. Their production dates range between January 28, 2020 and December 25, 2022. What is the problem with them? As it happens, the rear axle hub bolt may fatigue and break, which may result in stripped rear axle hub splines, leading to a loss of torque transfer.That's not all, though. Stripped hub splines also means unintended vehicle movement while in park if the parking brake isn't applied. The easiest way of telling whether the hub bolt is loose or not is a clicking noise coming from the rear axle. If said bolt gives up the ghost, drivers may hear a rattling noise.The first warranty claim alleging a broken rear axle hub bolt and stripped hub splines was filed with FoMoCo back on January 8, 2022. Be that as it may, the Ford Motor Company address the condition until June 6, 2022. That's when thecontacted the second-largest US automaker in regard to three questionnaires filed with the federal watchdog. All three owners alleged broken rear axle hub bolts on 2021 to 2022 model year trucks optioned as mentioned earlier. Three months later, the Ford Motor Company approved a Customer Satisfaction Field Service Action to address loose or broken rear axle hub bolts.Fast forward to November 2022, and the NHTSA contacted Ford yet again over multiple reports of dealer technicians telling customers that the wheel may detach from the vehicle in the event of a hub bolt fracture. The Ford Motor Company said that wasn't possible, and given that four bolts retain the rear axle wheel end hub and bearing assembly to the brake bracket, the Ford Motor Company was 100% right.Ford opened yet another investigation into reports of broken rear axle hub bolts on August 2023, an investigation that eventually morphed into NHTSA campaign number 23V-896. Although Ford couldn't recreate the stripped spline condition, this investigation determined that bolt fractures could lead to corrosion-induced spline fretting. Due to the increased risk of unintended vehicle movement, spline fretting prompted FoMoCo to finally heed the NHTSA's recommendation to recall these pickups.Between January 8, 2022 and November 27, 2023, the Dearborn-based automaker received no fewer than 376 warranty claims. Thankfully for both owners and Ford's legal department, there were no reports of accident or injury related to said condition. Dealers will be informed about 23V-896 no later than January 16, but at the present moment, no permanent fix has been developed for the aforementioned issue.Owners will be informed of this blunder via first-class mail in the period between January 29 through February 2, with notification letters instructing owners to bring their F-150 pickups in for an interim repair in case of symptoms related to a fractured rear axle hub bolt. Ford hasn't provided an estimate for when the final remedy will become available.Affected components are listed in the attached document as part number ML3W-4725-C for the left-hand-side rear axle shaft assembly and ML3W-4234-C for the right-hand-side rear axle shaft assembly. In the meantime, owners can check whether their F-150s are recalled or not by running the 17-character vehicle identification number on the NHTSA's site. The second model in the EV series after the two-row EV6, the EV9 is a mid-size crossover with roughly the same footprint as the V6-engined Telluride. It's the first three-row electric crossover in Kia's lineup, which makes it an alternative to the Tesla Model Y and Volvo EX90. EV Photo: Kia AWD Speaking of which, the Kia EV9 is longer than both the Model Y and EX90 in terms of wheelbase. The South Korean automaker says that it measures 3,100 millimeters (122.0 inches) compared to 2,891 (113.8) for the Model Y and 2,984 (117.5) for the EX90.Revealed in March 2023 for the 2024 model year, the EV9 has been named 2024 North American Utility vehicle of the Year by NACTOY. No fewer than 50 jurors had to choose between 29 candidates, including the yet-unreleased Mazda CX-70. The two-row sibling of the CX-90 was supposed to launch in late 2023, but alas, Mazda pushed it back to early 2024. Other notable candidates include the Toyota Grand Highlander, the 250-series Land Cruiser, Dodge Hornet, Audi Q8 e-tron, Chevrolet Blazer, and two questionable crossovers from Vietnamese automaker Vinfast, namely the VF8 and the VF9.The finalists were revealed in November 2023 as the Kia EV9 , Genesis Electrified GV70, and Hyundai Kona. Only the Genesis is manufactured in the United States of America, but in the second quarter of 2024, the EV9 will start rolling off the Kia Georgia assembly line. As for the Kona, vehicles meant for the US market are assembled in South Korea, hence their 17-character VINs starting with the letter K.Why did NACTOY favor the EV9 over the Electrified GV70 and Kona? According to John Voelcker of Car and Driver and Green Car Reports, because it "offers a genuine three-row configuration in a battery-electric SUV at a price significantly below the six-figure tab for all other three-row electric SUVs." He's wrong, though, because the Model Y and EX90 are well below 100,000 bucks.At the moment of reporting, the Model Y Dual Motor Long Range is $48,990. The seven-seat option adds $2,500 to the tally, meaning $51,490 sans destination fee and potential savings. Over at Volvo, the XC90's zero-emission brother is $76,695 and comes with three-row seating from the outset. Another juror, namely John McElroy of Autoline, says that EV9 "should scare the stuffing out of other mass-market brands." All things considered, the EV9 has the makings of a disruptor. But on the other hand, many prospective customers will be shocked by the $54,900 starting price for the Light RWD grade.The Model Y Dual Motor Long Range with seven seats may be less practical due to its shorter wheelbase, but still, would you pick a three-row electric crossover with the Kia logo over one boasting the highly coveted Tesla logo? Based on Tesla's 2023 sales results, the Model Y won't lose its crown anytime soon. The Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover tallied 1,739,707 deliveries worldwide.Given time, especially after Kia starts making the EV9 locally, the newcomer will hopefully go down in price. As of January 2024, customers are presented with five choices: the aforementioned Light RWD at $54,900, the Light Long Range RWD at $59,200, the Windat $63,900, the Land AWD at $69,900, and the range-topping GT-Line AWD at a frankly ludicrous $73,900.The EPA-estimated driving range for the rear-drive setup and the standard battery is 230 miles (370 kilometers). The Light Long Range RWD levels up to 304 miles (489 kilometers), whereas the Wind AWD and Land AWD are listed at 280 miles (451 kilometers). Last but not least, the overly expensive GT-Line AWD offers 270 miles (435 kilometers) from a full charge of the long-range battery pack. It's not every day we simple humans get to witness the birth of a new piece of technology that may change life on Earth, from the initial idea to its first use. Luckily for us living in this day and age, American space agency NASA made that a reality more than once. Photo: NASA Photo: NASA Perhaps the most important piece of tech we've seen being taken from idea to application during our lifetime was the Space Launch System rocket of the Artemis program. But we've had others too, including the Perseverance Mars rover, or the James Webb Space telescope.As we step into 2024 NASA is ready to show the world the result of yet another effort it's been engaged in, one meant to "reduce the sonic boom made by supersonic flight to a sonic thump" and effectively open the doors for civilian supersonic travel to make a return.The effort is called Quiet SuperSonic Tecnology (QueSST), and we know its result by the name X-59. It's an experimental supersonic aircraft we've covered extensively over the past few years, but one that we haven't actually seen in the form it will fly in the skies over America.That will change on January 12, when NASA plans to show the plane in all its red, white, and blue glory in front of a world audience for the first time.To mark the moment the space agency is planning to have as many people as possible watching, kind of like when the entire planet was watching the Moon landing decades ago.The unveiling of the plane will take place on January 12 starting 4 PM EST, and it will be broadcasted live on NASA's official streaming service, on the NASA app, YouTube, and on the agency's website.To make sure people are paying attention, NASA is hosting something it calls a watch party. In a nutshell, it encourages everyone to get their friends together and see the unveiling in classrooms, homes, and pretty much anywhere.To make sure your friends partake in this "historic milestone in aviation history," NASA has created printable invitations, developed a series of STEM-related activities, and even released an X-59 Watch Party Planning Guide (check the attached PDF for more on that).If you do plan on hosting such a watch party, you can tell NASA about it, and the agency will add the location of your party to a map showing similar gatherings planned for that day all over the world.The only things the space agency won't be providing for the X-59 rollout party are snacks and refreshments.The X-59 will be shown on the tarmac of the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California. By the end of this year, the airplane will take flight over several U.S. communities that are yet to be announced in an attempt to gather data on how people perceive the plane and how the sound it makes affects them.As you know, supersonic flight over land is not allowed in our world, mostly because of the scary noise of sonic booms. The design of the X-59 will not eliminate them, but has the potential of reducing them significantly to be easily ignored.The X-59 is a mashup between an original design and parts taken from other planes. For instance, it uses the cockpit of a T-38 Talon trainer aircraft, the landing gear of an F-16, and the life support system of the F-15. The plane is powered by a General Electric turbofan engine rated at 22,000 pounds of thrust.The thing was designed in such a way as to separate the pressure waves shocks and expansions associated with supersonic flight, which are basically responsible for the sonic booms which occur when going past Mach 1.According to NASA, the target is to reduce the noise the airplane generates from 78 dB at over 8,000 meters (26,200 feet) to as little as 60 dB. The difference may not seem all that much, but it's the difference between a deafening sound generated by an F-16 going fast and the volume of an average conversation between two friends.The first flight of the plane was supposed to take place in 2023, but several technical challenges stopped that from happening.After it flies, the X-59 will not give birth to some new kind of aircraft, but it's meant to inform the industry on design ideas that may one day help a company develop a supersonic aircraft to bring back the bling of the Concorde. Separately, data gathered during test flights will be shared with regulators to help them adjust the rules that presently limit the use of supersonic planes.The ultimate goal of the entire project is to allow aircraft to go supersonic over populated areas, and that would mean, for instance, you could make the trip from New York going faster than the speed of sound. Wouldn't that be something? Our world is advanced enough to dream of an integrated control system for all the technology in our lives, from the phones we use to the homes we live in. Yet such an integration seems very difficult to achieve, and the successes so far are only marginal. Car-to-Home service: lighting, plugs, gas shut-off valves, ventilation, air conditioning and boilers Home-to-Car service: vehicle air conditioning, remote start, charging management South Korean carmakers Hyundai and Kia, together with South Korean electronics giant Samsung, plan to give this effort a big push in the right direction, and announced a major development on this front in the first week of the new year.You know how most of us have homes, and cars, and smartphones. Each is in itself smart to a certain degree, but what if it were possible to make them all talk to each other, and allow us access to the functions of one while using the other?Samsung already has a solution in place that to a certain degree allows that. It's called SmartThings, an Internet of Things (IoT) platform that allows a user to control stuff like TVs, lights, air conditioner units, cameras, and so on, directly (and remotely) from their smartphone.I'm not entirely sure how many people use this revolutionary feature, but Samsung seems bent on making it even more popular with a partnership it struck with Hyundai and Kia. In a nutshell, this partnership will integrate SmartThings with the vehicles' connected car services and infotainment systems.The integration will work in two ways. The Car-to-Home service will allow owners of the cars sold by the two brands to remotely control home appliances, either by using touch commands when stationary or voice inputs when driving, sent directly to the car's infotainment systems.As an extra touch of coolness, location-based automatic operation of home appliances will allow them to work in different ways to reduce operating time. In a sense, your house will know where you are and whether you need a certain device soon or not.The Home-to-Car service will allow people to check the vehicles' status, manage the charging of EVs, and even control some of the cars' functions. This is done with the help of AI speakers, smart TVs, or the smartphone itself.The system is already in use in South Korea, mostly at the hands of telecom and construction companies, but this new agreement will see it expand to international markets. It will take a lot of work though, and it will need the development of "stable service-providing infotainment systems." When ready, these systems will be able to receive over-the-air (OTA) and USB-based updates, including in existing vehicles. What that means is that we dont have a timeframe for the rollout of this idea yet.When it gets here, the integration will allow control over the following items and functions (the list will expand continuously as more integrated devices are added): SUV PHEV EV First introduced in November 2021, the second-generation T6-based Ford Ranger (the series' fourth iteration globally and fifth in North America) started production in 2022 in Thailand and South Africa, followed by Argentina, Vietnam, China, and also the United States in Wayne at the Michigan Assembly Plant. However, Australians are most proud of it because Ford Australia again developed it.While it also debuted in America only last year, the 'T6.2' Ranger has been around long enough in other regions to establish new sales records. A sibling to the third-generation Ford Everestand the second-generation Volkswagen Amarok, the latest Ford Ranger has achieved a tremendous milestone for the Blue Oval for the first time in 28 years, it gave the parent company the title of Australia's best-selling vehicle.By the numbers, FoMoCo delivered 63,356 units last year a jump of 33% compared to the same period in 2022, and amid the well-known industry problems and massive demand from customers, Ford "took the extraordinary step of leasing its own vehicle carrier ship to get vehicles to customers faster." Designed and engineered by Ford's Australian team in Melbourne and Geelong, the Ranger mid-size pickup truck is suitable for everyone, "from office workers to tradies, parents with kids, and, of course, Aussies who tow, camp and go off-roading."On sale across 180 markets currently, Ford's Ranger was the best-selling vehicle in New Zealand and a segment leader in Europe, the UK, and Vietnam. Last year, the Blue Oval decided to address the industry-wide backlogs by exclusively chartering Grand Quest, a ship now dedicated to transporting both Ranger and Everest vehicles from the production location in Thailand to Australia and New Zealand."Since it debuted in 2011, Ranger has redefined the ute segment globally. It's transformed a work vehicle into one that can be used by just about anyone for anything. We see our customers take it to the most extreme off-road locations and then see them parking in tight city streets and unloading their groceries and kids. A Ranger is a do everything, go everywhere vehicle," explains Andrew Birkic, President and CEO of Ford Australia.The next step in Ford Ranger's success story is sustainable the company announced it will soon kick off orders for the Ranger Plug-In Hybrid. First deliveries are slated for early 2025 in Australia, and themodel will have anrange of up to 45 km (28 miles), while the Pro Power Onboard function will help customers power up tools and campsites when off-roading. Downsizing doesn't have to translate to compromise, and the Luna prefab home by Premium Portables is here to prove it. This stylish Kiwi design with a fresh, contemporary configuration is every bit as sophisticated and comfortable as a mansion in a miniature interpretation. Photo: Premium Portables Photo: Premium Portables Photo: Premium Portables Select the ideal location, get the legal consent, build the home using the most efficient techniques, and then deliver it to its lucky owner in eight to 12 weeks these are the four simple steps in the process of owning a Premium Portables home. The brand's name could not have been better fitting it's all about easily transportable homes that are built to premium standards. Customers can opt for a house that's built in compliance with New Zealand's building regulations or for the fully mobile version that's delivered on wheels in four to six weeks without the code of compliance.The Luna is the tiniest option in the Kiwi brand's range, yet it will make you forget about the standard meaning of tiny. Size-wise, the Luna is bigger than most one-bedroom tiny homes, and its overall configuration is downright luxurious. This isn't your typical rustic mobile home with a minuscule bedroom and compact living spaces. On the contrary, it reveals a lavish open-plan layout without any formal separation between the main living areas. Together with the oversized windows and glass sliding doors, this layout gives off exotic resort vibes while exuding the elegance and carefree ambiance of a contemporary family home.The Luna is ideally suited for a modern open-plan configuration due to its remarkable 8.5-meter (27.8 feet) length coupled with a 3.6-meter (11.8 feet) width. These dimensions would be enough for a multiple-room layout, but the Luna Tiny keeps it simple by adding more space to each main area. It boasts an ultra-simple design with one bedroom, a living area, a kitchen, and a separate bathroom, all on the main floor. Still, thanks to the generous proportions, this basic layout is instantly elevated, and it feels much more luxurious.The bedroom could have easily been closed off completely for more privacy, but by integrating it within the open-plan design, the Luna house seems more spacious and modern. There's a relaxing, seamless flow through the entire dwelling, from one end to the other. The popular indoor/outdoor flow is successfully mimicked by the overall interior flow. Some might find this extensive openness to be too much there's almost no sense of privacy or intimacy in the traditional sense of a cozy home. The Luna might feel too much like a luxurious resort than a cozy home.At the same time, it's a great option for those who feel more at home outdoors and who want to connect to nature as much as possible. The clever open-plan layout also means perfect views of the natural surroundings anywhere inside the home, in addition to the abundant natural light. The lounge and the bedroom almost mesh into one oversized relaxation sanctuary.This is not like any typical tiny house bedroom it's very spacious, with enough room for a double bed and a large wardrobe, plus walk-around space. Even though it's not enclosed, the bedroom has its own oversized window that brings the outdoors in. It helps keep the room well-lit throughout the day and ensures perfect views in the morning and when it's time to go to bed.The lounge becomes almost an extension of the bedroom, with enough space for a comfy sofa, a wall-mounted TV, and additional furniture and storage solutions. Another significant benefit of having an open-plan layout is that it leaves plenty of room for a cozy dining setup, which isn't at all common when we think of regular one-bedroom tiny homes.A simple dining table with a couple of chairs can be beautifully placed by the window to make the most of those great views and the extra light boost. It's also conveniently close to both the lounge and the kitchen while enjoying ample walking space at the same time. Luna's entire design is all about easy, unobstructed movement, a natural flow, and a strong connection with the outdoors.Both the kitchen and the bathroom are larger than the average and fitted with the best appliances. The L-shaped kitchen also comes with numerous cabinets and cupboards and a generous countertop. The walk-through bathroom doubles as a laundry because it's big enough to include a full-size washing machine, a large sink, a conventional toilet, and a stylish shower cabin.Future owners can choose between two kitchen designs (one includes a compact kitchen island that can double as a breakfast bar) and are also free to customize their home in terms of color, fittings, and furnishings with the help of the builder's in-house designer. Pricing starts at NZD 104,990 ($65,800), with delivery available across New Zealand.With one extra-large bedroom and a contemporary open design, the Luna could be a couple's or a single owner's ideal transportable home. It's time to see downsizing not as a compromise but as a luxury in every way. MQB kW 4Motion Their sole proposal for Western markets is called the Arteon . It replaced the CC, and it is technically a liftback, with a station wagon variant joining the family overseas. The Arteon builds on the VW Group'splatform, and it is offered with a host of gasoline and diesel mills and a plug-in hybrid.In the United States, the Volkswagen Arteon comes in three trim levels for the 2024 model year. These are called the SE R-Line, SEL R-Line, and SEL Premium R-Line, and they kick off at $43,010, $47,180, and $50,175, respectively. Power comes from a 2.0L four-pot with 300 hp (304 ps/224) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque, and while the entry-level is front-wheel drive, the two upper specs feature the brand'sall-wheel drive system.The future is anything but bright for the Arteon, as poor sales have sealed its fate . In a leaked notification, Volkswagen has told its U.S. dealers that the model will be dropped this year, with the ID.7 becoming its spiritual successor. The all-electric model debuted in Europe last year and is bound to hit dealers in the New World sometime in 2024. On a more positive note, the smaller Jetta and Jetta GLI will live on in our market, catering to customers who crave a four-door sedan.Mind you, while the Volkswagen Arteon is almost dead and buried, with VW supposedly not interested in giving it a new generation, the vehicle lives on in the virtual realm, where it recently received a third body style. You're looking at an Arteon Targa, a model inspired by the eponymous Porsche, which kind of sends mixed Toyota Celica vibes from certain angles.It has a two-door shape, a rear canopy, and an open-top view of the sky above the front seats, which would give the driver and person riding shotgun tan lines on the go. If retained, the rear seat would be very cramped, and the cargo area would also be on the very small side.If anything, it is not the prettiest take on the Arteon we've seen so far, as we think a two-door coupe could have been on the more appealing side of things. And if you feel the same, then fret not, as VW won't launch a Targa version of the Arteon, as the vehicle is about to drive off into the sunset, thus leaving the car world without another mid-size model and a pretty one, for that matter. Russian strikes killed two people in Ukraine after several days of deadly attacks that claimed dozens of lives, officials said Thursday. Faced with renewed aerial assaults from Russia, Kyiv said it had enough ammunition to withstand a few powerful attacks but would soon need more aid. A strike in the central Kirovograd region, far from the front, on Thursday killed one person at an industrial facility and injured eight others, regional governor Andriy Raykovych said. Eleven villages in the eastern Donetsk region, which has seen some of the heaviest fighting in the war, faced multiple attacks on Wednesday. "One person was killed and three others were injured as a result," the interior ministry said, adding that residential buildings, cars, a pipeline and power line were damaged. (AFP) Pashinian inspected several schools and other facilities refurbished in local rural communities during the trip designed to showcase the governments nationwide infrastructure projects. He was left fuming after noticing many flaws in their design and construction overseen by the Armenian governments Urban Development Committee and the provincial administration. Pashinian seemed particularly upset with what looked like substandard equipment and furniture supplied to a newly renovated school gym in one of the Lori villages. To summarize things briefly, I am very, terribly unhappy, and I will not tolerate such a thing, a government video of the trip showed him telling officials accompanying him. The government announced the dismissal of the head of the Urban Development Committee, Armen Ghularian, and Lori Governor Aram Khachatrian as Pashinian chaired its weekly meeting in Yerevan the following morning. The premier spent 16 minutes sharing his impressions of what he saw in Lori and complaining about what he called a deeply entrenched culture of inadequate government-funded construction in Armenia. You touch a [school] hanger and it falls down, water drips everywhere you go, not to mention the fact that for five months I didnt manage to convince I dont know whom not to put transparent glass in toilets, he said. We no longer need officials who raise issues, we need officials who solve issues, added Pashinian. Pashinian pledged to solve this and other problems, blamed by him on government corruption, when he swept to power nearly six years ago. He has since claimed to have eliminated systemic corruption in the country. His critics have dismissed the claims. There are growing questions about integrity in public procurement in Armenia. This is one of the reasons why Transparency International downgraded the countrys position in its annual survey of corruption perceptions around the world released a year ago. Most of the construction projects in Lori inspected by Pashinian were implemented by a company contracted by the Urban Development Committee. The company called T-Construction could not be reached for comment. Khachatrian, the sacked provincial governor, is also a senior member of Pashinians Civil Contract party. He told RFE/RLs Armenian Service that he himself decided to resign right after Pashinians visit. 4 January 2024 08:47 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more The expressions pro-Western or ally of the West differ on both political and grammatical principles. When saying that Armenia is an ally of the West, a number of mistakes appear: can Armenia fulfill any mutual obligations to the West or can it meet the standards required to be an ally of the West? To be honest, it would be more desirable to see Armenia as a developed, civilized European country than to see Armenia as a remnant of an empire that has rusted for many years. But there are regrettable points here. The first is that Armenia abandons its territorial claims and expansionist policies that are uncharacteristic of the civilized world, and which unfortunately are still continuously promoted in Western countries. Although the second issue is somewhat imaginary, it can be considered important for a country that wants to integrate into Europe. Armenia's paying compensation before the European court over expelling Azerbaijanis, even the Kurdish ethnic community, from Karabakh in the 1990s and mass murdering some of them, would be more appropriate. However, this is far from reality. Another issue is to know the West before becoming an ally of the West. The fact that Armenia blindly dreams of the West and dreams of itself as a flourishing state in the South Caucasus may be due to the severe trauma of its defeat in the war. However, this can endanger not only Armenia, but also other regional states. First of all, it is worth noting that the Georgian-Russian War in 2008, and the Ukrainian crisis proved that intellectuals and policymakers from the former USSR did not understand the Western, especially the EU, foreign policy. It is not clear why but these intellectuals and policymakers thought that democracy was the remedy for everything. They assumed that if they proved that they were democrats the West would sacrifice itself to save them. That is when the West left Georgia alone in war with Russia in 2008, it shocked everybody from the former USSR. Even Mikheil Saakashvili, who democratized Georgia and brought new hope to the South Caucasus did not expect it. Honestly, he did a great job for Georgia socially but made a big mistake in terms of army-building. First of all, like all former Soviet intellectuals or policymakers, he believed too much in democracy and the West. Thinking that the West would protect him or that democracy would make a miracle, Mikhael Saakashvili shrank the army to 20,000 servicemen. In addition, he annulated reservists. To top it all off, disdaining Georgian experienced military men and professional generals, he dismissed them. Probably, he thought that generals graduating from Soviet military schools could not fight as well as generals graduating from military schools in democratic countries. Thus, when Russia attacked Georgia with 75,000 servicemen, the average age of Georgian generals was 40. This brave nation, which unlike Armenians has been famous for its courage, could not stop Russia. The West immediately blamed Mikhael Saakashvili in miscalculation and started to bargain with Moscow. The Western media outlet the image of the Georgian president by screening him chewing his tie. Even one of the British titled that "big countries do not commit suicide for their little allies." Similar things happened in 2014 when a coup attempt succeeded and the pro-Russian government collapsed in Ukraine. Russia annexed Ukrainian territories and the West was satisfied with observing. When the second phase of the Ukrainian crisis commenced, I mean Russia attacked Kyiv in 2022, the same West turned an "angel" and provided Ukraine with limited supplies. The West can supply Ukraine with the proper weapons to finish the war but they do not prefer to it. Because they are interested in neither the lives of Ukrainians nor the territorial integrity of Ukraine, they are only interested in weakening Russia. For this purpose, the war should continue as much as possible. Given the abovementioned facts, one can conclude that the West does not look for a partner for whose sake to commit suicide. On the contrary, the West looks for a partner who can be sacrificed for the interest of Brussels. The problem is Armenia does not meet the standards of quality set by the West. The reason is simple; Armenia is doomed to be a failed country due to its inept policy at least to restore relations with neighbouring countries in the South Caucasus region. Even Russia, who created Armenia, today has had enough of Armenia and assesses it as luggage without a handle. It has neither economic potential, nor natural resources, nor demographic potential to protect itself. The country previously relied on Russian protection and today thinks that they are too smart to trick the West. In short, like the West, Armenia looks for a partner who can sacrifice itself for the sake of Yerevan. In other words, the expectations of Yerevan and Brussels do not overlap but contradict. Knowing that the West is not a sucker, it is crystal clear that Armenia will stay in the satellite of Russia. --- Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 4 January 2024 11:00 (UTC+04:00) In January-November of this year, Azerbaijan imported 4,046 tons of sweet and dry cookies worth $13.5m from Turkiye, Azernews reports, citing the State Statistics Committee. The Committee said that the import increased by $2.8m in terms of amount, i.e. 26.3%, and approximately 269 tons (7.1%) in terms of quantity. In the same period previous year, 3,777 tons of cookies worth 10,683,000 dollars were brought to Azerbaijan. This means that the import price of 1 ton of cookies was approximately 3,334 dollars (5,667 manats). In the same period previous year, this indicator cost 2,828 dollars (4,808 manats). The selling price has increased by 505 dollars, that is, by 17.9% in the last year. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 4 January 2024 16:55 (UTC+04:00) A serious decrease is expected in the fish market, Azernews reports. Astrakhan companies engaged in the production and sale of fish delicacies, including black caviar and sturgeon, have started supplying their products to Azerbaijan for the first time. Fish traders say that the massive influx of foreign products into the market can reduce prices by up to 50 percent. Entrepreneurs said that this happened several years ago. As a result, fish with a cost of 10 AZN was offered here for 4AZN. This has led to a revival in the market. Ilkin Novruzov noted that the reason for the cheapness of fish products imported from abroad is that there are many production facilities there, and the storage facilities are several times larger than in Azerbaijan. Currently, the prices of fish in the market vary between 6-18 AZN. It should be noted that not only frozen fish, but also canned products are imported from Astrakhan. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 4 January 2024 19:44 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Azerbaijan has the ability to produce "green" and "blue" hydrogen at economically advantageous prices. According to Azernews, Roland Price, Regional Director of the World Bank (WB) for the South Caucasus, said this in an interview with Trend. "I have already mentioned that Azerbaijan has enormous potential, especially in terms of the abundance of solar and wind resources. This implies significant opportunities for the production of green and blue hydrogen at economically advantageous prices. We expect to witness such developments in the mid-2030s," she said. The Regional Director mentioned that this is a relatively new area with developing technologies. "What's remarkable is the government's active engagement with private sector stakeholders to discuss developments in the sector. Typically, the private sector leads in terms of technological advancements, which makes this collaboration beneficial," Price said. According to her, as potential next steps, the World Bank recommends conducting a comprehensive study to assess the feasibility of developing clean energy exports. "This study should outline a specific roadmap, defining the role of government to minimize it to encourage external participation without the government bearing the entire investment burden. Additionally, it is critical to examine the prospects for the domestic hydrogen industry and potential domestic hydrogen markets for transport, industry, and heating. These areas present opportunities that we are keen to explore. However, at the bank we prefer not to take any action without a thorough understanding of the situation on the ground," she explained. Price also added that the World Bank's proposal for Azerbaijan is to conduct a thorough study of this kind, using the findings as a basis for identifying necessary investments and reforms that could further develop the sector. Let us recall that on December 15, 2022, the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan and the Australian Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) signed an agreement on joint cooperation in the exploration and development of renewable energy sources and green hydrogen production enterprises in Azerbaijan. This agreement covers research and implementation of renewable energy and green hydrogen projects with a total capacity of up to 12 GW in Azerbaijan. --- 4 January 2024 10:00 (UTC+04:00) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan expressed its condolences to Iran regarding the victims of two explosions in Kerman province, Azernews reports. This was reported on the X page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "We offer our deepest condolences to the families of those who died as a result of the terrorist attack in Kerman province of Iran. As a country suffering from terrorism, Azerbaijan condemns all its forms and manifestations," the statement said. It should be noted that two explosions took place today in the Kerman province of southeastern Iran during the march held in connection with the anniversary of the death of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. At least 103 people died and 211 were injured as a result of the explosions. Iranian General Qasem Soleimani was killed in an air strike by the US Air Force in Iraq in 2020. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 4 January 2024 12:00 (UTC+04:00) The Estonian "Err.ee" website published an interview with Ambassador Elchin Amirbeyov, representative of the President of Azerbaijan on special tasks, Azernews reports. In an interview entitled "Elchin Amirbayov: If Armenia and Azerbaijan sign a peace treaty, Europe will only benefit from it", the representative for special tasks said in response to a question about the tasks on the agenda after the restoration of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan: "Today we say that yes, the territory our integrity has been restored, but at the same time, the time has come to conclude a peace treaty to formalize the end of the conflict. Perhaps this will create the necessary conditions for the peaceful coexistence of the two states." Speaking about the Great Return Program, E. Amirbayov noted that in the survey conducted in this regard, the absolute majority of former internally displaced persons said that they wanted to return to the territories freed from occupation. Moreover, such a desire was expressed not only by those who remember their lives there, but also by the younger generation, that is, the children and grandchildren of those who were subjected to ethnic cleansing at that time. "More than three years have passed since the signing of the Tripartite Declaration. During this period, the number of former IDPs who returned to their native lands was 5 thousand people. By the end of 2026, about 140,000 people are planned to be relocated to those lands. Of course, the process will not end there, it will continue," the ambassador emphasized. In the interview, E. Amirbayov also touched on the issue of opening communications, which is an integral part of the peace process. "The main line of negotiations is the agreement on the text of the peace agreement. Here are all the main parameters of the future peace, including the restoration of communications. In addition to the main track, there are two more directions - the opening of communications, as well as the delimitation and demarcation of the state border between Azerbaijan and Armenia," the article emphasized. Speaking about the negotiations on the peace agreement, the representative on special tasks noted: "We hope that the next round of negotiations will be held soon and the discussion of the draft peace agreement drawn up by Azerbaijan and submitted to Armenia will be resumed." Assessing the role of the European Union in the current situation in the South Caucasus, specifically in the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the special representative of the President of Azerbaijan appealed to the EU countries and called on them to support the peace process of our country and the desire to conclude the peace agreement with Armenia as soon as possible. It was noted that this will allow us to turn the page of hostility and gradually start normal life in the entire South Caucasus. He called on the parties and interested parties in the region to refrain from any actions and statements that could harm this perspective. "I think that if Armenia and Azerbaijan sign a peace treaty in the near future, Europe will only benefit from it," Elchin Amirbayov emphasized. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 4 January 2024 15:57 (UTC+04:00) Baku International Center for Multiculturalism expanded its international cooperation relations in 2023, Azernews reports. Baku International Multiculturalism Center stated that last year the Center signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Institute of Applied Ethnopolitical Research of Kazakhstan and the Kirkuk Cultural Association. The purpose of the memorandum signed with the Institute of Applied Ethnopolitical Studies of Kazakhstan is to develop cooperation in the field of scientific research, providing methodological and expert support to the field of public solidarity and unity. The purpose of the memorandum signed with the Kirkuk Culture Association is to strengthen the cultural unity of the Turkish peoples and to expand cultural relations with the compatriots of the Republic of Azerbaijan living in foreign countries, including the Turkmen who have historically settled in the territory of the Republic of Iraq and are currently living there, and to mutually study common historical traditions, ethnic cultural and spiritual values. and preaching. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 4 January 2024 15:00 (UTC+04:00) Great Britain's "The Economist" magazine estimates that 4.2 billion people, or about 50% of the world's population, will vote in presidential, parliamentary, and regional elections this year. Azernews reports that the publication called 2024 "the biggest election year in history". According to the publication, elections will be held in more than 60 countries, including Russia, the United States, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Mexico, Azerbaijan, and 18 of 54 African countries. The first important elections for international relations will be held in Taiwan on January 13, due to which a new president will be elected. The Economist notes that global elections are likely to "shape political institutions and heighten geopolitical tensions." Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa, referring to the upcoming elections, said, "By the end of 2024, we will know whether democracy will live or die." American billionaire Elon Musk says that 2024 will be a "crazier year" than previous years . It should be noted this year Azerbaijan also holds elections. On December 7, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree for an early presidential election. According to the decree the next presidential election will be held in February 2024 instead of 2025. Great Britain's The Economist magazine estimates that 4.2 billion people, or about 50% of the world's population, will vote in presidential, parliamentary, and regional elections this year. --- 4 January 2024 15:30 (UTC+04:00) Nigar Hasanova Read more The opening of the Bulgaria-Serbia interconnector in December is one of the important events in terms of expanding the geography of Azerbaijani gas exports. According to Azernews, the head of the Azerbaijan Petroleum Research Center (ACE) Ilham Shaban said this in his comment to Day.az. According to him, Azerbaijani gas has not yet reached Serbia, although they are already writing about it. So far, the interconnector, laid in February 2023, has just opened. Serbia will begin receiving Azerbaijani gas from January this year. In order for supplies to begin, all formalities accepted in Europe must be settled. In any case, the commissioning of this interconnector is, as President Ilham Aliyev said when speaking at its opening, a step aimed at expanding the geography of Azerbaijani gas exports. From year to year, Azerbaijan annually expands the geography of buyers of its oil and gas. If we take a tour of the history of Azerbaijani gas exports, we will see that in 2007 Azerbaijan moved from the category of gas importers to the category of exporters of natural gas. Georgia became the first buyer of our gas, and then the gas was imported by Turkiye. On the last day of 2020, Azerbaijani gas went to Greece and Italy. Bulgaria joined in 2021. Romania joined the list of buyers in 2023. Hungary will also begin receiving our gas in 2024. Serbia has already signed an agreement to purchase 400 "Azerbaijan has millions of cubic meters of gas. From 2027, these volumes are planned to increase to 1 billion cubic meters," the expert said. The expert also noted that other countries are on the list of future buyers. "Slovakia (1 billion cubic meters) and Albania (700 million cubic meters). Commercial agreements have not yet been signed, but the corresponding memorandums already exist and work is underway in this direction. The instability experienced by the energy market due to geopolitical realities still continues," Ilham Shaban said. Moreover, steps are being taken to connect the broken supply chain. The Bulgaria-Serbia interconnector and preparation for the import of Azerbaijani gas are components of this process. --- 4 January 2024 18:30 (UTC+04:00) An online meeting of the OPEC+ Monitoring Committee will be held on February 1. At the meeting, representatives of the alliance will discuss the situation in the oil market, Azernews reports,citing foreign media. A meeting will be held to discuss the situation in the oil market The Monitoring Committee of OPEC+ Ministers has scheduled the next meeting of the representatives of the alliance to discuss the situation in the oil market on February 1. The meeting is planned to be held on February 1, 2023 in an online format. At the meetings of the alliance's ministerial-level monitoring committee, the situation in the oil market is usually assessed and recommendations are made regarding the alliance's oil production policy. However, the committee may request a general meeting of OPEC+ at any time if necessary. Monitoring meetings of ministers are now held once every two months. The last meetings of the Monitoring Committee of Ministers and all OPEC+ ministers took place on November 30. Then, several union countries decided on additional voluntary cuts for the first quarter of 2024, which will total 2.2 million barrels per day. At the same time, Saudi Arabia has extended the voluntary production limit (1 million per day) that has been in effect since the summer, and Russia has increased the volume of oil supply reduction by 200 thousand barrels per day to 500 thousand barrels. Some allied countries (Algeria, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, UAE and Oman) will reduce production by another 700,000 barrels per day. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 4 January 2024 19:25 (UTC+04:00) Pilots of a Japanese airliner that collided with a smaller plane at Tokyo Haneda Airport were initially unaware that their jet was on fire, Azernews reports citing to BBC. After which, the evacuation of all 379 on board Japan Airlines Flight 516 proceeded with life-saving precision. Five of six people on board the smaller coastguard plane, a Bombardier Dash-8, died. "Right after the plane touched down, the pilot felt a sudden shock, and lost control to stay in the runway. A fire took place but the pilots didn't recognise it in the beginning and learned about it [through the] cabin attendant," the JAL spokesperson said. There were three pilots and 12 flight attendants on board when the incident took place. The aircraft's announcement system was damaged, leaving the crew to use megaphones and their own voices to shout instructions. "The first thing cabin attendants did [after they realised there were] passengers who recognised that their plane was on fire, was to make them stay calm and not to stand up, which could make the escape very difficult. The announcement system was unusable so these instructions were made without it." Japanese media have described the evacuation as a "miraculous 18 minutes". Passengers left their hand luggage, dashed to emergency exits and slid out of the aircraft before it was engulfed in flames. "[As] smoke started to come into the cabin and spread out... cabin attendants [began shouting] at passengers, [saying]: 'Leave your belongings!', 'Take off your high heels', and 'Head down'," said the spokesperson. Their "co-operation... was [the] key for all passengers [being able] to escape quickly and safely", they added. Japanese authorities said late on Wednesday that the coastguard plane was not cleared for take-off on Haneda's runway. The plane was scheduled to deliver relief supplies to earthquake-hit areas. The airline pilots reported feeling a strong impact after landing, indicating the moment of collision on Tuesday evening, the reports quoted a statement from Japan Airlines as saying. They said their Airbus A350 also veered to the right side of the runway. The pilots also reported that they had no visual contact with the coastguard plane, so they did not discuss aborting their landing, the reports added. The well-drilled scenes on the Japan Airlines plane contrast starkly with aircraft evacuations that fail to strictly adhere to safety protocols. Incident is the first major accident involving an Airbus A350, one of a new breed of aircraft built largely of advanced materials such as carbon fibre-reinforced plastic. The aircraft manufacturer is sending a team of specialists to assist in the investigation of the Japan Transport Safety Board. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 4 January 2024 19:55 (UTC+04:00) Some of China's biggest banks have tightened asset quality controls and interbank lending standards for smaller lenders to curb credit risk amid the country's real estate crisis, Azernews reports citing Reuters. At least two of the country's largest banks have been conducting inspections over the past few months to determine the quality of smaller lenders' assets and high default risk, it said. The source noted that one of the banks has completely stopped buying bonds issued by small credit institutions with assets of less than 40 billion US dollars. In addition, China's two state-owned banks have decided to lower interbank credit limits and set shorter terms for such transactions for small banks considered high-risk. We are talking about banks operating in Henan and Nei-Mengu provinces in northeastern China. It should be noted that China's medium and small banks make up about half of the trading volume in the interbank credit market. The moves come amid growing concerns about the health of China's smaller banks due to a worsening real estate crisis. But this cautious approach can make the situation worse for smaller banks, because they have less ability to lend: big banks use customer deposits as a source of funding for lending, while smaller players borrow from competitors to raise these funds. Meanwhile, as China grapples with slowing economic growth and its impact on the country's financial system, local authorities have taken measures to support the banking system. First of all, we are talking about small banks in order to maintain financial stability in the country. As part of the support measures, local authorities sold a record amount of special bonds. Funds raised from them were directed to the capital of troubled small regional banks. About 4,000 smaller banks are not viewed as a systemic risk per se , the source told Reuters : "The concern is that many of them have financed themselves mainly through short-term borrowing in the money market. Therefore, if some of them go bankrupt, this will create a collective threat for the banking sector." --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 4 January 2024 22:05 (UTC+04:00) The number of illegal immigrants from Mexico to the United States exceeded 300,000 in the first winter month. Azernews reports with reference to "Fox News" that this number is definitely a historical record. The department clarified that this is the maximum number of illegal immigrants registered within a month after the statistics were made. From the beginning of October to the end of December 2023, the number of illegal migrants exceeded 785 thousand people, which is a record for such a period. At the end of December, the governor of the state of Texas, which borders Mexico, Greg Abbott, accused the head of the White House, Joe Biden, of destroying the United States by filling the country with illegal immigrants. Earlier, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in Mexico City. The parties discussed the situation on the US-Mexico border and illegal immigration to the US. --- Under the cover of Covid, and now in the shadow of the infamous Election Irregularities of that fated 2020 presidential election, with current emerging alleged election fraud in Nevada and Pennsylvania inconveniently slipping into the public discourse, there is proved a colluded ongoing Election Interference in the nomination of the Republican candidate, the likes of which has never occurred in our Constitutional Republic's history, albeit, the question remains: Do you support the plain-sight Election Interference of the Democratic Socialist party, employing its minions in their Propagandistic Media, and their Two Tiered Justice System? 98.28% No, I do not support Election Interference; I am a patriot unto our Constitution.1.72% Yes, I do support Election Interference; the alternative, Donald Trump, to this mentally diminished president is far worse.0% "What, me worry" if elections are rigged? The Sheriff, Scott Hammonds, came to the Board of Commissioners during our December meeting requesting more than $600,000 in additional spending to be spent within the next 6 months to fund his replacing Allied Security with his deputies in the public schools. His request would increase the budget by more than $600,000. The money would be used to hire additional deputies and equip them. Commissioners, as a board, listened and suggested that we would do nothing until we knew how the school board felt about the issue. Time suddenly became of the essence. We had to do this immediately in order not to renew the Allied Security contract. Frankie Waters announced that the school board could take this up at their next scheduled meeting in December and he would call a special meeting of the Board of Commissioners to consider the issue. I make this disclaimer. This issue has nothing to do with whether or not we replace the Allied Security personnel with Sheriffs deputies. It has to do with the behavior of elected officials and their character. I went away thinking the school board was of the same opinion they were about two years ago when Sheriff Coleman withdrew all deputies from security duties at the schools. I attended the next School Board meeting. I was astounded. I heard the Chairman of the School Board announce (quoting as close as I can remember) The Chairman of the Commissioners, Frankie Waters called me and said that as soon as we can approve this change, the County Commissioners will meet and fund it. That is absolutely not what the Commissioners said. This can be verified by looking at the video of the Commissioners meeting. Sheriff Hammonds made a presentation to the School Board. The result of his presentation was that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) would be signed with the School Board and that would determine how the Sheriff would provide the service. There was no draft or proposed Memorandum of Understanding. It would have to be written, negotiated and agreed to by the parties in the future. The last Memorandum of Understanding that Sheriff Coleman walked away from was signed by the School Board and the Sheriff (if at all). The Sheriff does not have the authority to sign such a contract because the tax payers thru their representatives, the County Commissioners, are paying for whatever is in the agreement. Therefore, such a contract should be signed and approved by the Board of County Commissioners who have the fiduciary responsibility. The Sheriff cannot set tax rates and enforce their collection. Allowing third parties to set contract terms and conditions to be paid for by taxation is not in the public interest. I observed there was virtually no debate about what a very controversial issue had been two years ago. I observed that Fake Frankie Waters was not in the room, but the County Manager Brian Alligood was present. Carolyn Walker made some lame comments about school security. Terry Draper who was present by telephone asked some questions about how the proposal would work and the need to make sure past problems did not reappear. There was no discussion about future costs or past deficiencies that occurred when Sheriff Coleman was in charge. There was discussion about the need to move really fast in order to get Allied Security away from the schools. Sheriff Hammonds was challenged about his ability to recruit 12 new deputies in such a short time. He unequivocally said he could recruit the 12 deputies. He never made promises to the School Board about correcting past operating deficiencies. The vote to put the Sheriff in the schools was seven for and one opposed. Terry Williams abstained because he has relatives that work for Allied Security. Terry Draper voted against the proposal. Considering the false statement made about the commissioners funding, the presence of the County Manger, and the absence of debate by the School Board, I believe this was set up in the back room. There are rumors that the five incumbents on the School Board who are running in the 2024 elections had been lobbied to believe they would not get re-elected if they voted against the Sheriff. When I voted to hire Allied Security about two years ago, I heard complaints from all the School Board members. Some of those complaints are as follows: The Sheriff insisted the School has no authority over deputies. Deputies came and went as the Sheriff pleased without notice to school staff. Deputies would be absent with no notice to School administration. Deputies did not have to comply with any request by school administration unless they wanted to. A hostile environment evolved. I was surprised to see these same people agree to allow the Sheriff back in the schools with no prior agreement, no objection, and no discussion about how this would work other than a Memorandum of Understanding to be written at some time in the future. When public officials take a position on anything, and back it up with creditable information and request that I give them my support, I expect them to not reverse themselves for no apparent reason. School Board, Which time were you telling the truth, about two years ago or during December of 2023? Is not the truth the same today it was two years ago? There are three members on the School Board who were not there two years ago. They failed their elective office responsibility when they blindly went with the political flow. This article is not about the pros and cons of how we provide security to schools. It focuses on the inability of elected officials to carry out their pledge to honestly, truthfully and without allowing their personal preference or advantage to influence delivering the best solution to all public policy decisions they make in their elected capacity. The public should make the necessary changes to correct this situation on the School Board during the 2024 elections. When any public official reverses their position for no apparent reason other than what they believe to be their political career, they are not trustworthy. Failure to represent the public based on truth is a serious character flaw. Of those who run in the March 2024 primary, Terry Draper raised issues. Carolyn Walker reversed the truth from two years ago. She voted to sustain her political career. She has a husband who is a County Commissioners who supported her bad behavior. Carolyn Walker has an opponent in the March primary. He is Raymond Start. Terry Draper has two opponents. They are Daniel Hudson and Brian Wood. Within some religions it is not a sin to lie to nonbelievers. The Christian religion requires the truth be told to all, both believers and nonbelievers. Christian ethics must be restored to politics. Cigna terminated its contract with Knoxville-based American Anesthesiology of Tennessee, an affiliate of North American Partners in Anesthesia, on Jan. 1, the medical practice said. "Cigna's aggressive actions toward physician groups like ours is part of a disturbing national trend," Matthew Walsh, MD, NAPA's regional vice president of clinical operations, told Becker's in a statement. "Insurers have a financial incentive to kick quality providers out of network to boost their bottom line, even when it disrupts the healthcare system and makes it harder for patients to access in-network care." After Cigna reportedly proposed a 30% rate reduction, the payer sent a letter to AATN stating it was unable to move forward with the present contract, Dr. Walsh told Becker's. "The practice was given a 'take it or leave it' offer at significantly reduced rates," Dr. Walsh said. "When it was not accepted, Cigna terminated our existing agreement." "Our goal is to keep healthcare affordable, especially as our clients and customers are managing rising prices, and we have offered AATN reasonable rates in line with other local providers in hope of reaching agreement before our contract ends," a Cigna spokesperson said in a statement shared with Becker's. "AATN chose to leave our network on December 31, and we are always willing to negotiate to bring AATN back in network, but only at fair, affordable rates for the people we serve." Health systems nationwide are reinstating mask mandates for patients and physicians as cases of COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus continue to surge. Here are 15 major health systems that have brought back mask mandates: Note: This is not an exhaustive list. 1. New York City-based NYC Health + Hospitals reinstated a mask policy across all its facilities, including outpatient and ambulatory care centers. 2. Madison, Wis.-based UW Health, which has facilities across Wisconsin and Illinois, reinstated mask mandates at many of its care sites. 3. Philadelphia-based Main Line Health reinstated masking requirements at all its facilities beginning Jan. 4. The mandate will last for at least two weeks. 4. Somerville, Mass.-based Mass General Brigham, the largest health system in Massachusetts, has reinstated mask mandates for all providers who work directly with patients. 5. Owensboro (Ky.) Health is requiring masks at four of its locations through at least the first week of January. 6. Cincinnati-based UC Health has reinstated mask mandates for staff members interacting with patients. 7. Cleveland Clinic is requiring masks across all its facilities. 8. West Orange, N.J.-based Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health brought back mask mandates for all employees across all its facilities. 9. The University of Vermont Health Network-Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in Plattsburgh is requiring patients and visitors to mask across all its facilities. 10. Cambridge (Mass.) Health Alliance brought back its mask policy for patients, visitors and staff. 11. Baystate Health in Springfield, Mass., brought back its mask policy Sept. 15. 12. The University of Chicago Medical Center brought back mask mandates for all its staff members. 13. Danbury, Conn.-based Nuvance Health Network and medical practices revived mask mandates at all its facilities for staff members and patients. Visitors are strongly encouraged to wear masks. 14. Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente reintroduced a mask mandate at its facilities in Santa Rosa, Calif., amid an uptick in patients testing positive for COVID-19. 15. Cape Regional Medical Center in Middle Township, N.J., brought back its mask policy. Optum's 2023 deals included health systems, physician groups, technology groups and Uber. Here are four notes on Optum's transactions in 2023: 1. Optum and Uber inked a deal that will cover some Medicare Advantage beneficiaries' purchases in the Uber app. The offerings, which began Jan. 1, allow members with a health benefit card issued on Optum's payments platform to purchase rides and groceries and over-the-counter items for delivery 2. Optum struck a deal with Waukesha, Wis.-based ProHealth Care in which it will hire more than 800 of its employees. Other health system deals inked by Optum in 2023 include a partnership with the Northern Light Health in Brewer, Maine, and Owensboro (Ky.) Health. 3. Optum's $1.51 billion acquisition of EMIS Group, a health technology firm, was approved by the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority. EMIS supplies data management systems to the U.K.'s National Health Service, including the electronic patient record system used by most NHS general practitioners. 4. Optum also looked to physician groups in 2023. In September, a $3.3 billion acquisition of La.-based Amedisys, a home health and hospice provider, was approved. In February, Optum acquired Middletown, N.Y.-based multispecialty physician group Crystal Run Healthcare and closed on a multimillion-dollar deal to acquire home health and hospice company LHC Group. Hospitals across the U.S. are reinstating mask mandates and opening up additional units as respiratory virus metrics continue to climb and volumes surge. More than 44,000 flu and COVID-19 patients were admitted to hospitals for the week ending Dec. 23, with experts expecting larger increases over the next few weeks in the wake of holiday gatherings. Emergency departments are seeing especially high demand, with nearly 236,000 combined visits for COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus for the week ending Dec. 30. Influenza currently accounts for the most ED visits, while COVID-19 remains the main driver of hospitalizations. Overall, hospitalization rates are highest among children under 4 and adults 65 and older. To grapple with an influx of patients, Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas, has opened up a second unit that was previously being renovated. It recently saw more than 600 patients in its ERs and urgent care centers in a 24-hour period. "Sometimes we have kids who are waiting to go to our ICUs who are waiting in the emergency room because we do not have any beds available," Laura Romano, DO, a hospitalist at Cook Children's, told CBS News in a Jan. 3 report. In Minnesota, hospital officials have been holding coordination calls several times a week for the past month to streamline triage efforts and determine which facilities have open pediatric beds, John Hick, MD, an emergency physician with Minneapolis-based Hennepin Healthcare, told The Washington Post. Every hospital that does pediatric care is saturated, Dr. Hick told the news outlet, adding that more than half of patients on his last shift before Christmas had COVID-19 or flu. Hennepin Healthcare is now among dozens of hospitals and health systems that have reinstated mask mandates in recent weeks. On Jan. 2, Massachusetts' largest health system, Somerville-based Mass General Brigham, began requiring staff who interact with patients to wear masks, CBS News reported. The decision to reintroduce masking is based on a previously implemented policy that said masks will be required when more than 2.85% of patients have respiratory virus symptoms. Norristown, Pa.-based Suburban Community Hospital was cited for suspending its psychiatric services for seniors without notifying the state, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Jan. 4. When inspectors came to the hospital in October, they found the 15-bed unit empty, no staff on duty and learned the psychiatrist had resigned. Administrators told inspectors the last patient had been discharged more than two weeks earlier. State law requires hospitals to notify the state within 24 hours of any disruption to services that could compromise patient safety. Inspectors cited the hospital for failing to provide appropriate resources for the unit, failing to formulate plans to develop the unit and failing to notify the state when services were suspended. Hospital administrators said they were "currently, actively" recruiting a new psychiatrist for the unit. The hospital is expected to update the health department on its plans for the unit by Jan. 18, according to the inspection report. "Geriatric psychiatry services at Suburban Community Hospital are not closing," Michelle Aliprantis, a spokesperson for Prime, told the Inquirer. "These changes will not adversely impact patient care." Becker's has reached out for comment and will update this story if more information becomes available. The FBI is helping Newburyport, Mass.-based Anna Jaques Hospital investigate a Dec. 24 cyberattack, The Daily News reported Jan. 3. The hospital, which is part of Cambridge, Mass.-based Beth Israel Lahey Health, said it has successfully recovered essential systems after the cyberattack rendered them offline and is making progress in its efforts to restore information technology capabilities. "The hospital remains fully operational and we continue to provide safe and effective patient care," a spokesperson from the hospital told the news outlet. "We are grateful for our team's hard work and the support of our community to restore functionality of our system as quickly and securely as possible. We continue to ensure that patient care and safety remain our highest priority." An anonymous employee from Liberty (Mo.) Hospital is alleging that the organization has been cutting employee hours due to a December cybersecurity incident, KCTV reported Jan. 3. "I am a one-income household and I won't be able to pay my personal property taxes, renew my car insurance or make my car payment this month. Things that are usually a struggle to pay at the beginning of the year anyway are impossible," the employee told the publication. "My entire paycheck will cover my mortgage. If I didnt have savings aside to cover emergencies I would be struggling to pay that. I worked less than 10 hours last week." On Dec. 19, the hospital was forced to take its computer network offline as it detected a disruption. The incident led to the hospital having to transfer 15 patients to other facilities. Liberty posted an update on its website Dec. 29, stating that the hospital was working on verifying the details and scope of the incident and had made progress in bringing systems back online, though it still does not have a timeline for recovery. The staff member mentioned that the hospital has an extra EIB bank designated for purposes such as extended sick leave; however, Liberty is currently not permitting employees to access this resource. "The hospital has set up a link to sign up to give support to other departments[,] but some of us are unable to do that. For example, I was told to come into work at 7am for my normal shift," the staff member told the publication. "By 8am I was sent home because there wasn't any schedules patients/tests. Things our management knew but wanted to get us in just in case." In response, Liberty told KCTV that it continues to make progress toward bringing systems and capabilities online and "encourages staff, who may have questions about their schedule, to speak with their manager or directly with an HR partner to discuss opportunities in their own or other departments." Blacksburg, Va.-based LewisGale Hospital Montgomery, part of HCA Virginia Health System, is temporarily discontinuing its obstetrics services effective April 1, a spokesperson at the hospital told Becker's in a statement. The decision comes amid recruitment challenges for full-time OB-GYNs at the hospital in recent years. Patients will now be directed for child delivery at the hospital's sister facility, Salem, Va.-based LewisGale Medical Center, which has a newly opened level 2 neonatal intensive care unit, the spokesperson said. Patients can still receive gynecological and pre- and postnatal care with LewisGale Physicians, the system's physician group. "LewisGale Medical Center is ready to support LewisGale Hospital Montgomery's obstetric patients with the highest-quality labor and delivery care," the spokesperson said. Margaret Carroll, RN, has stepped down as chief nursing officer at Ascension Saint Joseph-Joliet (Ill.) after approximately eight months in the position. A spokesperson for St. Louis-based Ascension confirmed Ms. Carroll's departure to Becker's Jan. 4 but declined to offer a reason for her exit. The news comes as the hospital and its nurses' union are gridlocked in labor negotiations. The Illinois Nurses Association, which represents more than 500 nurses at the facility, has been in negotiations with the hospital since May. Nurses have gone on strike twice since August, and on Dec. 19, 80% voted to reject what Ascension called its "last, best and final offer." The union said nurses rejected the latest contract proposal because of "proposed wages that are below market and mandates that nurses can be pressed into working on units outside of their specialty." Ms. Carroll is not the first executive to leave Ascension Saint Joseph amid the conflict. The hospital's president, Chris Shride, resigned Nov. 30 just over a week after nurses completed their second strike. Janete Sheiner, PhD, MSN, RN, has been named to the interim post. Less than 15 percent of board members overseeing the nation's top hospitals have a professional background in healthcare, while more than half have a background in finance or business services, according to a study published Feb. 8 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. The study's authors represent Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. They wrote that they sought to understand which professions are represented most among hospital boards because they may influence the organization's goals and overall strategy there also had been little research done around the topic previously. The study began in July by examining the 20 top-rated hospitals by US News & World Report in 2022, which are all nonprofit academic medical centers in urban areas. Only 15 of the 20 facilities publish board information online, and IRS filings for the remaining were incomplete or outdated. For the 15 hospitals that provide information on their board members, the authors sorted their professional backgrounds across 11 industry sectors using the North American Industry Classification System, which is the federal standard. For board members with healthcare backgrounds, they were further categorized as trained physicians, nurses, or other workers. Four key takeaways: 1. At the 15 examined hospitals, there were 567 board members. The study was able to sort 529 into professional categories. 2. Among the 529 board members, 44 percent had a background in finance. Among them, more than 80 percent led private equity funds, wealth management firms, or multinational banks. The remainder were in real estate (14.7 percent) or insurance (5.2 percent). 3. The second and third most common sectors were health services (16.4 percent) and professional and business services (12.6 percent). 4. Across the 15 hospitals, 14.6 percent of board members were healthcare professionals primarily physicians (13.3 percent) and followed by nurses (0.9 percent). The study noted that its findings may not represent all hospitals because it only studied the highest-ranked, and some of those hospitals do not publicly report information on their board members. The study also did not examine "the community ties of board members to gauge local accountability of board decisions." The authors also noted that they did not examine the racial and gender makeup of boards, which they said merits further review in 2018, 42 percent of U.S. hospital boards had all-white members and 70 percent of members were male. Read a response to this article by Michael Peregrine, partner at McDermott Will & Emery, and David Jarrard, Chair of Jarrard Inc. Executive Committee here. A judge will soon rule on Hollister, Calif.-based Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital's Chapter 9 bankruptcy eligibility, the Hollister Free Lance reported Jan. 3. U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California Judge Stephen Johnson will determine the validity of the financial emergency hospital administrators cited as the reason for filing for bankruptcy, according to the report. San Benito Health Care District, the board overseeing Hollister, Calif.-based Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, voted May 22 to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy. A hospital spokesperson said the filing will allow it to "deal with larger issues we just can't tackle outside of Chapter 9." The decision came after the board declared a fiscal emergency in November 2022. A trial was held in December after the California Nurses Association objected to the board's argument that Hazel Hawkins is financially insolvent, according to the report. The association represents more than 100 nurses employed by the hospital, and representatives have said that cuts made to address the fiscal emergency contributed to a decline in patient care quality. Lawyers for the nurses association argued that the hospital is currently solvent and the health district is able to pay its current debts and debts through at least the fiscal year ending June 30. A Hazel Hawkins spokesperson told the news outlet that they feel they presented a strong case and await the judge's decision. He said the decision to go into Chapter 9 was not taken lightly and allowed more time to find a partner or buyer and is one of the main reasons the hospital remains open. Chapter 9 allows financially distressed cities, hospital districts and other public entities protection from its creditors while it develops and negotiates a plan for adjusting its debt. Multiple victims from a mass shooting at Perry High School in Perry, Iowa, the morning of Jan. 4 have been taken to Iowa Methodist Medical Center and MercyOne in Des Moines, a spokesperson for the hospitals confirmed to Becker's. During an afternoon press conference following the shooting, officials confirmed one student was killed, and four students and one administrator, the high school's principal were injured. Police have named 17-year-old Dylan Butler, a student at Perry High School, as the suspect, according to USAToday. He died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Around 573 students are enrolled at the school. "MercyOne and UnityPoint Health Des Moines both dispatched emergency personnel. Ambulances and helicopters were sent to the scene," according to a joint press release issued by multiple Des Moines hospitals. "Multiple patients are being treated at Iowa Methodist Medical Center and MercyOne. All families of the victims have been reunited." Of the five injured, four are reported to be stable and one is in critical condition, but is expected to survive, USAToday reported the evening of Jan. 4. As of Jan. 5, a spokesperson for UnityPoint Health, Des Moines confirmed to Becker's that one of three patients it was treating was released. Two other patients are still receiving care at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. "We join our fellow Iowans in mourning the tragic loss of innocent life and expressing our care and concern for the victims of the shooting in Perry, Iowa," Chris Mitchell, president and CEO of the Iowa Hospital Association, said in a released statement. "We hold in our hearts the families, students, teachers, health care providers and first responders in Perry and across our great state who have been affected by this senseless act of violence." The shooting occurred on the first day back to classes after the students' winter break. "Our hearts are broken by this senseless tragedy. Our prayers are with the students, teachers & families of the Perry Community," Gov. Kim Reynolds wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Ms. Reynolds also ordered flags throughout the state to be flown at half-mast until Jan. 7 in light of the tragedy. As burnout continues to plague clinical staff and executive leaders alike, health systems are turning to peer support programs to combat loneliness and isolation. At New York City-based NYC Health + Hospitals, one staff member on each unit volunteers to be a "well-being buddy" for that shift. The designated person checks in on and supports colleagues, asking questions like "Did you get a lunch break?" or "Do you need water or coffee?" The resulting culture shift has been "phenomenal," Natalia Cineas, DNP, RN, the health system's senior vice president and chief nurse executive, told Becker's. Both patient and nurse satisfaction scores have risen since the program's implementation. Houston-based Memorial Hermann Health System also saw success with a colleague support program, "Code Lilac." Unlike NYC Health + Hospitals' program, which takes a more preventive approach, Code Lilac summons peer responders trained in psychological first aid when on-site colleagues report distress. Demand has been high; more than 400 volunteer first responders have provided support to more than 10,000 employees, the health system said in a November news release. "We developed Code Lilac to give our workforce a confidential space to talk to their peers about what is troubling them," said Laura Salazar-Hopps, chaplain manager of Code Lilac. "They experience a high degree of emotional trauma exposure all the time, including difficult cases and cumulative stress. Code Lilac gives distressed healthcare workers the opportunity to talk to a colleague who understands and can help them better deal with what they are going through." Even Cleveland Clinic has leaned into the concept of peer support, uplifting "friendtors" in a September blog post. The system's caregiver office encourages employees and managers to develop bonds with one another to develop purpose and belonging. Professional mental health support is difficult to come by, especially on a healthcare workers' busy schedule. In fact, many employers are adding AI chatbots meant to mimic therapists and wellness apps that diagnose mental health conditions to their benefit plans as a more accessible form of support. On-site peer support programs offer a chance to talk through challenges with a human being rather than a computer building culture and relationships in the process. As of March 2022, 16 states had laws or regulations to address nurse staffing in hospitals, according to the American Nurses Association. The list has grown since, as officials and lawmakers in more states consider or sign related legislation. Here are six updates: 1. New Jersey lawmakers plan to discuss codifying into law legislation limiting how many patients a nurse can take care of at a given time, NJ Spotlight News reported. The legislation would establish minimum registered professional nurse staffing standards for hospitals and ambulatory surgery facilities and certain state-run facilities. Ratios would vary by unit. The New Jersey Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens is slated to discuss the legislation Jan. 4, and no vote is scheduled. 2. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed staffing legislation into law in April aimed at addressing the healthcare worker shortage. The law requires hospitals to follow staffing standards. As part of the law, hospitals must have established staffing committees composed of nursing staff and administrators by Jan. 1, according to the Washington State Standard. The committees must approve annual staffing plans and submit them to state officials by 2025, the publication reported. If hospitals fall below 80 percent compliance with their staffing plans, they are required to report noncompliance to the state. 3. In Michigan, legislation is currently proposed, via Senate Bills 334-336 and House Bills 4550-4552, that would mandate nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in hospitals. The Michigan Health & Hospital Association estimates 5,100 hospital beds would close if the legislation is enacted and staffing levels do not change. The Michigan Nurses Association supports the legislation. 4. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek last summer signed a minimum nurse staffing mandate for hospitals. House Bill 2697 establishes enforceable nurse-to-patient ratios in state statute for various hospital settings, as well as staffing committees for other hospital workers. The law took effect in September. 5. The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Act, which would mandate nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals, was passed in June by the Pennsylvania General Assembly. It was referred to the Pennsylvania Senate Health and Human Services Committee on July 17. 6. The Ohio Nurses Association joined state Reps. Haraz Ghanbari and Elgin Rogers on Sept. 27 to introduce staffing legislation. The bill would establish legally enforceable minimum staffing standards for nurses at hospitals in the state and incentivize people to go into nursing, according to a union news release. A spokesperson for the Ohio Hospital Association, meanwhile, told Becker's the organization opposes mandated approaches to nurse staffing, adding that it would increase stress on the healthcare system and reduce care flexibility. Gunnison (Colo.) Valley Health is in talks to acquire ownership of some of Vail-Summit Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery's locations, a spokesperson for the practice told Becker's. The Vail, Colo.-based practice is negotiating with the hospital to transfer ownership of its VSON Alpine locations in Gunnison and San Miguel counties. If the acquisition closes, VSON will still own and operate its Eagle, Summit and Grand County clinics. The acquisition would also include a 70% stake in VSON's ASC, and the remaining 30% would remain with orthopedic surgeon Gloria Beim, MD, The Gunnison Country Times reported Jan. 3. "The decision to sell VSON Alpine in Gunnison, Crested Butte, and Telluride was not made lightly," VSON CEO Chris Greenman said in a Jan. 5 statement to Becker's. "However, at the end of the day, we believe that practicing under the GVH umbrella will allow Dr. Beim more opportunities to partner with local providers and provide a continuum of care for her patients. VSON has eight orthopedic surgeons, two physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors, and one neurosurgeon operating out of Eagle, Summit and Grand Counties, all of whom understand the importance of providing large-scale services in a small-town environment. We are all united in supporting Dr. Beim, GVH and the Gunnison community are dedicated to ensuring a sale that first and foremost benefits patient care." Discussions of the sale arose after recent legislation allowing a county hospital board of trustees to own its own property, the report said. Note: This article was updated Jan. 5 to include details from VSON. A new policy at Bethesda Hospital East and Bethesda Hospital West, both in Boynton Beach, Fla., is asking on-call orthopedic surgeons to see emergency patients, including those who may be out of the surgeons' scope of expertise, bocanewsnow.com reported Jan. 3. Sources told the news outlet the new policy asks orthopedic surgeons to perform emergency hand surgeries even if they don't have formal training in the area, the report said. Some orthopedic surgeons told bocanewsnow.com they were concerned about potential patient safety risks under the policy. "We're not talking about splinting a broken finger," a surgeon who asked to speak anonymously to bocanewsnow.com said. "We're talking about serious injuries where improper surgery could lead to critical issues like compartment syndrome." Another surgeon told the publication, "Only hand surgeons should be performing these surgeries. There are major complications that can lead to permanent, irreversible damage." A spokesperson for Coral Gables, Fla.-based Baptist Health, which owns the hospitals, said in a statement to Becker's that physicians on staff "are equipped with the capability and training to evaluate and diagnose hand cases and refer patients to a hand specialist as needed." Before the new policy was implemented, only hand specialists were assigned to address emergency hand cases. The health system said surgeons wouldn't have to work beyond their scope under the new policy. "We want to emphasize that we would never request any surgeon to provide a service beyond their expertise, training or the approved delineation of privileges of our medical staff," Baptist Health said. "Our commitment to the health and well-being of our patients remains unwavering." Augustus "AJ" Rush, III, MD, joined Plano-based Texas Spine Consultants. Dr. Rush began working at the practice Jan. 2, Chester Donnally, III, MD, a spine surgeon with the practice, told Becker's. Dr. Rush completed his residency at the University of Miami in Miami, and he has fellowship training from Rush University in Chicago. Texas Spine Consultants now has five spine surgeons. On the heels of the challenges of 2023, spine surgeons are thinking strategically in 2024. Four spine surgeons discuss how to get ahead of the curve for long-term stability. Ask Spine Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to spine surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting spine care. Becker's invites all spine surgeon and specialist responses. Next question: What will the outpatient spine surgery landscape look like in five years? Please send responses to Carly Behm at cbehm@beckershealthcare.com by 5 p.m. CST Wednesday, Jan. 10. Editor's note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length. Question: What should savvy spine practice owners do differently in 2024 for long-term stability? Brian Fiani, DO. Mendelson Kornblum Orthopedic & Spine Specialists (West Bloomfield, Mich.): In 2024, savvy spine practice owners should consider implementing a few strategies for long-term stability. They should prioritize innovation and stay up to date with the latest advancements in spine surgery techniques and technologies. This may involve investing in new equipment, training staff on emerging procedures, and attending industry conferences and workshops. By incorporating these strategies, spine practice owners can position themselves for long-term stability and continue to provide high-quality care to their patients in 2024 and beyond. Brian Gantwerker, MD. The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: Stability is the exact opposite of what to expect in the coming years. While I don't have all the answers and am constantly surprised by the double standards governing medicine at this time, I have become aware of a few trends for people to keep an eye on in order to hold on, and hopefully prosper. 1. Document nonsurgical treatments for patients in as much detail as possible when submitting authorization for treatment. 2. Advocate for patients to speak to their congresspeople, state attorneys general and departments of insurance to fight insurance denials. Provide them material and contact information to battle on their own behalf. 3. Coordinate as much as possible with other physicians who share similar goals as you do. William Taylor, MD. University of California San Diego Health: We believe that the continued diversification of practice patterns that will include spine surgeons delving into pain, management issues, and pain management continue to advance into outpatient surgery. Integration of both specialities within a group practice will be a key for continued, volume growth and integration. Christian Zimmerman, MD. St. Alphonsus Medical Group and SAHS Neuroscience Institute (Boise, Idaho): Clearly the vulnerabilities in healthcare register with insurers, coverage and reimbursements with the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services setting goals of increasingly tying Medicare payment to value, (value-based care and alternative payment models). There will be more of a focus on outpatient services and bundling of services to silo-based payment modules, shifting cost and value to the provider and hospital. The Queens University Belfast graduate and former Europa Hotel pianist fears the worst for arts in NI if investment is overlooked An Irish pianist who has become one of the countrys most successful debut streaming artists has said a lack of functioning Executive in Northern Ireland will damage the future of the arts. Jamie Duffy (22), who is originally from Co Monaghan, lived and worked in Belfast for several years while studying politics and international relations at Queens University. Earlier this week, he said he couldnt believe his success after his 2022 classical music track Solas went viral on TikTok and ended up topping the charts in several countries. The song achieved more than 60m streams on music service Spotify and later became the most successful debut song on streaming platforms by an Irish artist since Take Me To Church by Hozier, with whom Jamie now shares a label. Jamie Duffy (Photo: Ciara McMullan) Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Jamie recalled his time in Belfast and being inspired by the city all while earning a living working as a pianist at Belfasts famous Europa Hotel to put himself through university. However, he said Stormont has an obligation to protecting the production line of future talent. It feels like a battle. Ireland and Northern Ireland are places rich in culture and creativity and in Northern Ireland especially, this can be overlooked during times of political stalemate, he said. Its [about] creating a future generation for Northern Ireland of stars, musicians and artists. We need to protect one of the best things about this place. Everyone is always so proud of the already established artistic exports, but Stormont needs to look at protecting that production line of the next generation, especially in disadvantaged areas where people barely get a chance to experience the arts. Its a ripple; it will impact everything in Northern Ireland. And the arts are one of the best things to happen this place. If its not protected, I dont know what will happen. Jamie, who has just released a new song, Eyrie, which has charted at number one in Finland as of yesterday morning, said he is especially startled by the arts funding figures for those in Northern Ireland in comparison to other places in the UK and Ireland. Arts funding is vital, not just for artists and actors but theres also a ripple effect, he continued. Without actual investment, there will be consequences to venues, managers and artists, and an empty Stormont is effectively going to hurt everyone. Northern Ireland has the lowest per capita spending on the arts, compared to the Republic or any other part of the UK. Its four times higher in the south and its double in Wales. Its around 5.40 per capita per person [in NI]... Wales gets around 10.35. Its hard enough to make money as a musician in 2024 when youre up against these streaming services that pay you 0000.4 pennies for every listen. Jamie Duffy (Photo: Ciara McMullan) Born in what he described as an extremely musical family, Jamie said he has always been surrounded by music, with his grandmother working as a DJ in the 1960s, while his parents are involved in the show band community. His brother is also a pianist and recently took over Jamies former gig as the Europa Hotels resident pianist. It was funny, getting that job [in the Europa]... I walked in one day and just asked if I could have a job and the manager was like, Play something. So I did and I got the job. It was really nice. I had already worked as a pianist in Castle Leslie in Glaslough, but the Europa couldnt have been more different. Working there you really get to see Belfast its right in the city centre and its just filled with life. I grew up in an environment where music was encouraged. It was a lovely atmosphere. I started on the tin whistle and then went on to piano from eight years old. As for his success on social media with more than 50,000 videos posted on TikTok using his music, some with several million view Jamie doesnt necessarily equate his viral status with musical greatness. I have a love-hate relationship with social media, he explained. I was lucky the song went viral, and the reason it has had 60m streams is because it was put into a trend. But I feel quite disassociated with [the song Solas], because no musician really expects to have this happen. I was left thinking, Where do I go now? This is not to say I dont love Solas, but my other songs, like Realta, did better in the charts. They are doing well and Im actually becoming more sure in my musical voice. As for future plans, Jamie said he will be announcing a series of live shows very soon, due to begin in Dublin. Im not sure how theyll go, but Im looking forward to planning them all out. The files also show that victim Johanna Sjoberg said she met former US president Trump and the late King of Pop Michael Jackson although she does not make any sexual allegations about them The first batch of unsealed Jeffrey Epstein court documents reveal a number of high-profile individuals whose names appeared multiple times in various materials, including footnotes. Among them are two former US presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew, all three of whom have been pictured with and known to associate with the disgraced financier in the past. Other names include lawyer Alan Dershowitz and magician David Copperfield. However, being identified through the court documents does not necessarily mean that the individual was involved in or aware of any wrongdoing by Epstein. Read more Judge attacked by defendant caught on camera leaping over bench Ghislaine Maxwell - 208 Unsurprisingly, Epsteins partner in crime Ghislaine Maxwell is one of the names that appears the most. The British socialites name appears in full 208 times, due to the files being part of a 2015 US defamation case by Virginia Giuffre against her. The name Maxwell appears 849 times, though this is some times in reference to legal matters and footnotes. References to Maxwell were made throughout the documents, with various other witnesses being asked about her involvement with Epstein in their separate testimonies. She is currently serving 20 years in prison, having been convicted sex-trafficking underage girls in June 2022. Bill Clinton - 73 Clintons name appears slightly more than Prince Andrew's mentioned 73 times in the documents so far. Both he and Andrew are known to have been associated with Epstein previously. Part of the testimony from Ms Sjoberg alleges that Epstein once told her that Clinton likes them young referring to girls. In the days leading up to the unsealing, it was reported that Clinton would be referred to more than 50 times in the redacted documents, having been given the pseudonym John Doe 36, according to the New York Post. Many of the references to the former president were reportedly believed to stem from Ms Giuffres early attempts to compel him to testify against Epstein and Maxwell. Prince Andrew - 67 Prince Andrew is named 67 times with his Royal title, though he also appears multiple times as simply Andrew including in an email sent by Ghislaine Maxwell in 2015. Testimony concerning the former Duke of Yorks alleged conduct is detailed in the documents, much of which he has previously denied. Evidence from Epstein victim Johanna Sjoberg, claimed the duke touched her breast while sitting on a couch inside the US billionaires Manhattan apartment in 2001. Andrew has always strongly denied the allegations against him, while Buckingham Palace previously said all accusations made against the duke are categorically untrue. Donald Trump - 4 Clinton is not the only former commander-in-chief to appear in the documents. Donald Trump is named, though only four times. In part of Ms Sjobergs testimony, she claimed Epstein once called up the former president and visited one of his casinos after his private plane was diverted to Atlantic City in New Jersey. Ms Sjoberg said that while travelling on the plane with the disgraced financier the pilots had said that they were unable to land in New York as planned. Jeffrey said, Great, well call up Trump and well go to -- I dont recall the name of the casino, but -- well go to the casino, the testimony read. Elsewhere, Ms Sjoberg was asked if she ever gave Mr Trump a massage, to which she replied no. David Copperfield - 6 US magician David Copperfield was named six times in the documents, having reportedly had dined with Epstein on occasion. Part of one exhibit read: David Copperfield was at a dinner at Epsteins and there was another girl present who looked young and Johanna [Sjoberg] asked what school she went to and Johanna did not recognize the school name as being a college and she said it was possible it was a high school aged girl. Johanna said Copperfield questioned me if I was aware that girls were getting paid to find other girls. Copperfields relationship with Epstein has previously been noted, including in a 2019 article from The New York Times, which described Maxwells role in acquiring young girls for the disgraced financier. Hollywood stars Other big Hollywood names also appear in the documents, though mostly just once or twice during Ms Sjobergs testimony. She is asked about meeting guests at Epsteins residence, including Star Wars creator George Lucas who is mentioned once and actor Kevin Spacey, who is mentioned twice. Ms Sjoberg says she does not remember meeting either man. She also does not remember meeting British supermodel Naomi Campbell, who is named once in the documents. Late King of Pop Michael Jackson is also named twice, after Ms Sjolberg is asked if she met anybody famous while with Epstein. She said she did meet Jackson. Alan Dershowitz - 137 Epsteins lawyer Alan Dershowitz is also named over 100 times, though in some places this is simply in footnotes referring to legal matters. However in other material it is claimed that the former Harvard Law School professor was one of several powerful individuals that Epstein made young women have sexual relations with on numerous occasions. Ms Sjoberg is also asked about having sexual relations with Mr Dershowitz specifically, in the back of a limousine, during her testimony. She denies this happened. Mr Dershowitz was previously accused by Ms Guiffre of sexual abuse, claiming that she was trafficked by Epstein to him for sex. Mr Dershowitz has vehemently denied all claims. Prior to the unsealing of the documents, he said that he wanted every last document and piece of paper relating to Epstein to be publicly released asserting that it will prove that he did nothing wrong. It wont be long until the Eras tour makes its way to the UK and Ireland, but if you need to get your Taylor Swift fix sooner, you might want to read on. Swiftogeddon is the best place to be if youre a Swiftie. Swiftogeddon is a club night dedicated to celebrating Taylor Swifts music. Attendees can expect non-stop Swifty all night: deep cuts, extended mixes, fan favourites and all the hits. According to the official website, Swiftogeddon is a night run by fans, for fans to come together and worship the one and only Taylor Swift. Join fellow fans in a celebration of the genius of Swift because shell never go out of Style. Founded by Dave Fawbert, the event was born in London back in 2019. According to the Guardian, the DJ and former journalist became an unlikely fan of Swift since her 2010 album Speak Now. The event now takes place every weekend across the UK and locations in Ireland. Speaking to the publication, Fawbert said: I thought, itll fizzle out at some point; its not a real job, but it just keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger. Describing the event, he added: If you get out the front, sing along, and make yourself look a bit of an idiot, then people feel free to do the same. It is an event full of regularly raining down throughout the night and bartenders wandering the dancefloor with trays full of lurid pink and blue shots. The Taylor Swift club night will be held on various dates across London at venues including Troxy and O2 Academy Islington. It is also be held in many cities across the UK, including Manchester, Bristol, Oxford, Lancaster, Stoke, and Belfast. Swiftogeddon hits The Belfast Empire Music Hall on Friday, February 16 and the Nerve Centre in Londonderry on Friday, April 19. A week later, it will be held in the Ashburn Hotel in Lurgan (Friday, April 26). There are many dates until June 26, including pre-party dates planned for Taylor Swifts Eras Tour UK, from May 2024. Tickets are available to buy from Eventbrite and start from 8.82. Swift plays Dublins Aviva Stadium from June 28-30. A Co Armagh entrepreneur said she's hoping one of her jackets will make a reality TV appearance - after she was commissioned to make one for Kourtney Kardashian. Niamh McCarthy, who runs an online embroidery business called Niamh Designs, said she and her team put their "heart and soul" into creating a one-of-a-kind jacket for Kardashian's baby shower with her husband Travis Barker. A picture of the jacket shows the embroidery of the Barker surname along with a floral embellishment - ready to be shipped off to Los Angeles for a star-studded event. The couple's son and first child together, Rocky Thirteen, was born on November 1. In a post on LinkedIn, Ms McCarthy said: "2023... The year we were commissioned to make a jacket for Kourtney Kardashian. Yes, you read that correctly! "My amazing small team in Lurgan, County Armagh, put their heart and soul into creating a one-of-a-kind jacket for Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Brakers Baby Shower in LA last August. "Keep your eyes peeled on the new season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians ... here's hoping Baby Barker's jacket gets some airtime," she said. Read more Rihanna wearing NI designers boiler suit tops list of 10 best dressed stars of 2023 Ms McCarthy added: "We went above and beyond to turn this into a reality, and the outcome fills us with immense pride. Thank you so much to everyone who continues to support my dream. We have big big plans for 2024." Niamh Designs got underway as a business in 2019, having studied fashion and textile design at the University of Ulster. The jackets are crafted using Vegan Faux Leather, a sustainable and animal-friendly alternative to real leather In 2023 she was named Young Business Woman of the Year at the Women in Business Awards, which she described as the greatest achievement of my life. She's been described as a market leader in the world of leather jacket embroidery and now ships 90% of her products to the USA. During US President Joe Biden's visit to Northern Ireland, Ms McCarthy was the recipient of an invite to listen to Mr Biden deliver his address at Ulster University. The president emphasised the importance entrepreneurs such as Ms McCarthy have in developing and sustaining the economy prosperity of a nation. Russell Crowe has revealed he is the distant relative of a notorious Jacobite lord who was the last man to be executed by beheading in Britain. The Gladiator star has been exploring his ancestry and his research uncovered some surprising connections. While he knew he had Scottish heritage, he recently discovered he is related to Simon Fraser, the 11th Lord Lovat known as the Old Fox. Known for his scheming plots and switching sides to and fro between the government and Jacobite causes, his clan was eventually among those defeated at the battle of Culloden in 1746 and he was executed the following year. Fans of the Outlander novels and TV series will recognise him as the grandfather of lead character Jamie Fraser. 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 On X, formerly Twitter, Crowe said he had begun by trying to trace his Italian roots, something made difficult by folkloric family tales and misspelling. He discovered his great-great-grandfather Luigi Ghezzi had moved to New Zealand in 1864 after meeting Mary Ann Curtain in Cape Town. The 59-year-old actor added: Also something else that has recently come to light on my fathers mothers side, via John (Jock) Fraser (arrived in NZ in 1841) we directly connect back to Simon Fraser. 11th Lord Lovat. Look him up. Hes quite the character. The Old Fox they used to call him. Seems his Machiavellian ways caught up to him at the age of 80, & he has a claim to infamy as the last man to have the head chopped off his living body in the Tower of London. His death even coined a phrase. Apparently, they set up temporary stands for the gentry to watch him die. The Gladiator star has taken an interest in Scottish history (PA) One of these stands collapsed which resulted in the death of nine onlookers. Being told this just before he was put to death made him laugh. He was still laughing when the blade struck his neck, thereby laughing his head off. Crowe also said his DNA suggested a strong Irish link, but he is currently uncertain where exactly this comes from. The 11th Lord Lovats execution at Tower Hill in London drew huge crowds. He had sided with Bonnie Prince Charlie during the 1745 Jacobite rising and was sentenced to death for treason. Crowe said much of his family tree is still a mystery (Lauren Hurley/PA) Crowe has taken an interest in Scottish history previously. He is a supporter of the Clanranald Trust which has created the Duncarron fort near Denny, an authentic replica of a medieval stronghold. The Australian actor donated a battering ram from the film Robin Hood to the fort. In 2018, forensic experts were called in to try and identify if remains removed from a Highland crypt were those of the 11th Lord Lovat. While official records stated he had been buried beneath the floor of a chapel in the Tower of London, his clan believed his remains had been intercepted and returned to Scotland. However Professor Dame Sue Black determined the remains at Wardlaw Mausoleum were those of a woman and not the Old Fox. About 5.3 million adults in the UK smoke, according to the ONS (PA) A Lisburn councillor has slammed the Governments plan to ban smoking as nanny state control. The Stopping the Start plan seeks to create a smoke free generation by raising the legal age to buy cigarettes each year, the current age being 18. This would stop anyone born in 2009 or after from ever legally buying tobacco products. However, the councils consultation response to the Westminster proposal was opposed by an independent councillor this week, who claimed the Government was out of touch. Gary Hynds said: I am not a supporter of cigarettes, but I cannot support this consultation response. It is selective nanny state-ism and out of touch. There is no mention of drugs and they are on offer everywhere in Lisburn, they are as easy to get as cigarettes in Lisburn. Education is key and people must be given the choice themselves or where does this end? He added: The UK Government is putting something through they think will be popular, but it would be better if we stay out of this. They have no business telling us what to do. We should never support infringement of our freedoms. The council report in chambers this week states smoking is the single most entirely preventable cause of ill health, disability and death in the UK. The reports states smoking is responsible for about 80,000 deaths a year, including approximately 2,200 in Northern Ireland. Alliance councillor Nicola Parker said: As a mother of a child born in 2009, I fully support this consultation and I am happy to propose it. The Councils consultation response backing the Stopping the Start plan was approved by the environment and sustainability committee. A Co Down woman was today charged with causing the death of well-known musician Alisdair Wallace by dangerous driving almost three years ago. At Newtownards Magistrates Court 23-year-old Amy Allen, from Meadow Court in Ards, was charged with causing the death of Mr Wallace by driving dangerously on the Ballyblack Road East on April 1, 2021. As a relative of Mr Wallace watched proceedings online from America, defence counsel Stuart Magee confirmed that legal papers had been served on the defence and the preliminary enquiry, the legal step necessary to elevate any criminal case to the Crown Court, would not be contentious. Mr Wallace (66), who was from Kircubbin and played the trumpet at hundreds of pantomimes at the Grand Opera House, died after his motorbike collided with a car near Carrowdore. Alisdair Wallace It was reported at the time the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a call to the scene, at the crossroads of Ballyblack Road East, Ballyblack Road and Grangee Road, just before 5pm and although the Air Ambulance was among the units dispatched to the scene, Mr Wallace was pronounced dead. In court today, District Judge Mark Hamill adjourned the case to February 1 for a preliminary enquiry and assured Mr Wallaces relative that while she was more than welcome to again watch online, its a procedural matter and will take maybe 90 seconds and its not contentious so theres really nothing to see. A convicted sex offender who tried to kiss a teenage girl after following her on a Belfast street has been given a two-year probation order. James Curtis Burrows was told that he subjected the victim to a frightening experience last year. The 30-year-old defendant, of Ventry Lane in the city, pleaded guilty to sexual assault, possessing class C drugs, and failing to comply with a requirement to notify police of a change in his address. Belfast Magistrates Court heard he has a historic conviction for attempted rape. Prosecutors said a 17-year-old girl encountered him in the Lord Street area on September 5, 2023. Burrows asked the victim for the time before following her and then placing his hands around her waist. He pulled the girl towards him and attempted to kiss her on the neck. She pushed him away but feared a further assault when he became aggressive and started shouting at her. Police arrested Burrows later that month and discovered a number of gabapentin tablets on him. Defence barrister Michael Boyd told the court his client had taken drugs when the girl was targeted. In sobriety he is remorseful and understands how wrong it was to approach her in this way, counsel added. With Burrows licence revoked for breaching the notification requirements, he is due to be released from custody again next month. District Judge Anne Marshall acknowledged an extremely positive report on the progress he had made before relapsing by re-offending. This young lady was only 17, it was obviously a very frightening incident for her, she stressed. Sentencing him to two years probation, Judge Marshall ordered him to abide by a curfew and adhere to any drug counselling programme. She added: You must not communicate with the victim in this case or her family. A man who threw a syringe full of heroin at police and threatened other officers with an iron bar has been jailed for 13 months. Liam Valliday targeted the PSNI constables as part of a series of offences at locations in Belfast. The 34-year-old, of Suffolk Square in Antrim, admitted four assaults on police, two counts of disorderly behaviour, having an offensive weapon in public and possession of a Class A drug. He also pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation by using another victims bank card in attempts to withdraw cash and make purchases. Belfast Magistrates Court heard Valliday fled from officers who spotted him in a car park at North Street on July 30 last year. He was pursued on foot and ignored requests to stop. A Crown lawyer said: He threw a syringe containing a brown substance, suspected to be heroin, at police. The needle was retrieved amid a struggle where Valliday lashed out with his arms and feet. The defendant shouted vulgar comments in a busy city centre area where members of the public were present, the prosecutor added. One officer sustained a small cut during the incident, which also led to the recovery of a metal tray believed to have been used for preparing drugs. In a separate incident on August 21, CCTV operators in the city detected Valliday with blood on his jumper and a weapon concealed up his sleeve. When police located him on Amelia Street he shouted: Dont you f****** come near me c***, the court was told. He then produced an iron bar and lunged forward, declaring: Come on, I will use it. At one point PSNI officers were forced to draw firearms before Valliday dropped his weapon. Valliday was also arrested earlier last year for fraudulently using another mans bank card. He was identified on CCTV footage making small purchases at convenience stores in north Belfast on March 18. A further attempt was made to withdraw 250 from an ATM machine on the Antrim Road, according to the prosecution. Defence barrister Turlough Madden described Vallidays offending as unsavoury" behaviour. He stressed, however, there is no evidence that his client was involved in taking the bank card from the victim. Sentencing Valliday to 10 months for the latest offences, District Judge Anne Marshall also activated a previously suspended three-month term. She confirmed: The total is 13 months custody. Two men were arrested after suspect moped found in north Belfast as part of meat theft probe. Pic: PSNI Two men appeared in court today accused of stealing high-value meat products from shops across greater Belfast. William Hunter, 35, and John George, 36, were arrested after police recovered a moped allegedly linked to the crime spree. Hunter, of Upper Canning Street in Belfast, is charged with 12 counts of theft of meat goods with a total value of nearly 700. Packets of steak, gammon and bacon were stolen from Spar stores, garages and branches of Costcutter and Co-op across the city and Newtownabbey over a four-day period between December 31 and January 3. Police said they received reports that the thefts involved a moped and two men wearing distinctive crash helmets. Officers on patrol in the Tigers Bay area observed a suspect motorbike being wheeled towards the rear of a house. Subsequent searches recovered the moped fitted with a false registration plate, distinctive helmets and a quantity of meat. Hunter faces further counts of driving while disqualified, using a moped bike without insurance and fraudulent use of a vehicle registration mark in connection with the investigation. Belfast Magistrates Court was told some of the steaks were found at a property associated with him. Defence solicitor Joe Hackett confirmed Hunter denies the charges, but accepted there is a strong circumstantial case against his client. Refusing bail to Hunter, District Judge Anne Marshall remanded him in custody until February 1. I have to protect shops like Spar and Co-op, they are having a difficult enough time without people allegedly coming in and helping themselves to meat products, she said. George, of Annadale Drive in Belfast, is charged with five of the thefts. His lawyer, Mark Austin, questioned the strength of the evidence against him. I was shocked to get a phone call this morning to say he was being charged, Mr Austin said. There was no plausible CCTV (footage) of Mr George presented. Judge Marshall observed that similar products have often been stolen in order to sell for money to buy drugs. This is quite a shoplifting spree (the thieves) are not eating that amount of meat, she pointed out. George was granted bail under conditions which included a ban on entering any branch of Spar or Costcutter. He is also due to appear in court again on February 1. Our members patience has now been exhausted and we are no longer prepared to sit back Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) on the picket line outside Belfast City Hospital back in December 2022. Photo credit: Liam McBurney/PA The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has sent a strongly worded letter to the Secretary of State and the five Northern Ireland party leaders regarding the failure to implement an Agenda for Change pay award for nursing staff. The letter states that the RCN is coming under increasing pressure from members in Northern Ireland to take appropriate action to address these issues. It says options that are being actively considered, include a full resumption of strike action over the pay award". The letter goes on to state: Our members patience has now been exhausted and we are no longer prepared to sit back while nursing staff in Northern Ireland are being deployed against their will in an apparently endless political charade. Responding to the letter, a Northern Ireland Office spokesperson said that Chris Heaton-Harris expressed disappointment that a new NI Executive was not up and running to take an offer from the UK government worth over 3bn. They added that the generous package incudes up to 584m to address public sector pay, and more than 1bn to stabilise Northern Irelands public services. The Secretary of States talks on stabilising the finances of a returning Executive with the four parties eligible to form the Northern Ireland Executive have now concluded. "However, this package is on the table and will remain there, available on day one of an incoming Northern Ireland Executive to take up. It is now for the NI parties to come together, restore the Executive and begin to address the challenges facing the people of Northern Ireland, including public sector pay. UUP party health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA stated: In January 2020 my party colleague, and then Health Minister, Robin Swann MLA brought forward a plan to provide pay parity for our health workers and this was subsequently unanimously agreed by the Stormont Executive. Our party position is that we believe that the established and agreed commitment regarding pay parity should be honoured. However, until there is a return of an Assembly and an Executive this is out of our hands. This situation can only be changed if the DUP decide on an immediate return to Stormont. On the heels of the Westminster financial deal that includes a budget figure to meet public service pay settlements, my party leader, Doug Beattie MC MLA, wrote a letter to the Prime Minister, calling on him to authorise his Secretary of State to proceed to fulfil pay parity in advance of further dithering by the DUP on a decision to return to Stormont. The RCN are correct to refer to an apparently endless political charade but the finger of blame can only be pointed at the DUP for a situation that is causing every person in Northern Ireland to feel the effects of the punishing consequences of the current absence of responsible devolved government. Mr Chambers added that if a return to Stormont is not imminent then the Secretary of State must legislate to honour pay parity for health workers as a matter of urgency. Meanwhile, a DUP spokesperson said that the party fully supports the principle of pay parity between health and social care staff in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. We want to see nurses, doctors and other vital public servants receive a fair pay award which can not only be delivered for this financial year, but on the basis that NI has sustainable financial resources to ensure that fair pay can also be delivered in future years as well. On December 19, Mr Heaton-Harris insisted that the government has made its final offer in a financial package of more than 3.3bn in exchange for the return of the Executive, following days of extensive financial talks with NIs main political parties at Hillsborough Castle. But DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said that there had been no final agreement with the UK Government over his party's concerns over post-Brexit trading arrangements. He also said that the government should settle public sector pay disputes in Northern Ireland ahead of any return of the Stormont Executive. NIPSA members who work in Business Services Organisation in Health Social Care began targeted strike action from Monday, December 18 to Friday, December 22. Like the RCN, NIPSA has claimed that workers taking industrial action against low pay and safe staffing levels are being used as hostages in the recent political talks to get Stormont back up and running. A condition of the subsidy is that the students must commit to working for the Irish Health Service Executive for a period after their graduation and qualification Trainee doctors from the Republic will train in Northern Ireland in a new subsidised drive to get more doctors on stream in the Irish health service. Irish Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has funded the availability of medicine places in universities in Belfast and Derry to students from the Republic. These students will be exempt from paying the much higher fees that students from Great Britain face. They pay up to 9,250 (10,724) a year in tuition fees for medical universities. As part of the arrangement, students will pay the 3,000 fee charged in the Republic with the Irish State covering the rest of the tuition cost. But a condition of the subsidy is that the students must commit to working for the Irish Health Service Executive for a period after their graduation and qualification. We have already funded nursing and therapy places in Northern Ireland for students here, Mr Harris said. In September 2024, we want to make that available for medicine students. These students would return to take up an intern post in the HSE on completion of their degree. Later this month, the ministers officials will be meeting their counterparts in the Departments for the Economy and Health in Northern Ireland to finalise arrangements. Mr Harris is then expected to make an announcement on the number of places covered. The Republic is aiming to double the number of medical training places because a large proportion of its doctors are hired from abroad. This percentage stood at more than 40% of medics in 2019. That is despite the fact the Republic trains more doctors per capita than most countries. About half of the students in Ireland are from overseas. They avail of Irish educational expertise but dont go on to work there, instead returning to their home countries. A recent study showed that Ireland will need at least 2,600 more doctors in hospitals alone by 2035. From last September, 80 additional places in related health disciplines were made available at Ulster University to students from the Republic. The Department of Health is separately funding 140 nursing students in both Queens University Belfast and Ulster University, which has campuses in Derry, Coleraine and Belfast. Process will consider creating a register and protection protocols Belfast City Council is set to consider creating a register of the historic black ceramic street signs characteristic of the city after a number of them were spotted for sale online. The distinctive street signs, which have been described as totally unique to the fabric of Belfast city, are the property of the council, but a spokesperson confirmed there are no protocols in place if signs go missing or are being sold online. It comes after a number of signs were put up for sale online, some with the asking price of more than 450. Historic street sign for Wingrove Gardens When approached, the seller of these signs explained that they were bought a number of years ago from a builder whose responsibility was to take the old signs down and replace them with new ones in the 1990s. He thankfully had the sense not to send them to a landfill, the seller explained. I collect old signs and things like that and I understand that some of the signs have been given listed status, but the ones I am selling were issued around the 1970s and theyre beautiful. But its a bit of a grey area as to who really owns them, because as far as I was aware they were never reported stolen and were being thrown away. The signs were commissioned by Belfast Corporation in July 1869, when it was resolved that the Belfast Charitable Society should affix signs on Clifton Street, Regent Street and Duncairn Street. They continued to be erected across Belfasts main thoroughfares throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries to help passengers locate stops on the citys tram system. The distinctive ceramic tiles were all originally handmade, using liquified clays that could be poured into plaster moulds. In 2021, the Department for Communities selected nine freestanding signs in the city to be listed, all of which are located at junctions between Knock and Sydenham in east Belfast. In March 2022, SDLP councillor Gary McKeown brought forward a motion at Belfast City Council to come up with plans to ensure the timely repair and upkeep of historic street signs... [and create] a register of all historic street signs in Belfast. Earlier this year, the signs were developed into a modern digital typeface. A sign on the Belmont Road The council is now looking into creating an official register for the signs, as well as options for protocols to follow should signs go missing or are put up for sale. In a statement to this newspaper, a spokesperson said: Belfast City Council has agreed to undertake a review of traditional black tile street signs in the city. This will include the possibility of creating a register of all signs, as well as options for protocols to follow if signs go missing or are put up for sale. Recommendations from this review will be brought before elected members for consideration in due course. Any concerns about traditional street signs in the city can be reported to propertyandprojects@belfastcity.gov.uk in the meantime. Belfast man Sean Brown established an account on X, formerly Twitter, called Belfast Old Street Signs during lockdown as he had noticed the signs whilst out walking. He started taking photographs and documenting the signs that were on the street in which he lived in east Belfast, gradually moving to surrounding areas. For the past year and a half, he has been collating a database of the various black ceramic street signs on his X page. When I looked into it, I found that there was no real information about them online, so I started taking photographs and cataloguing them by road and area, he told the Belfast Telegraph. I have completed east Belfast so have now moved on to Belfast south and the city centre. Mr Brown, who works as a civil servant, said he does this as a hobby and because he appreciates the history the signs hold. These signs are in every area of Belfast and they are totally unique to the fabric of the city, he said. They are unique in their style and typeface and should be cherished and protected as they are part of the heritage and history of Belfast. The council currently has no protections in place for them, he added. There is no record of them to show if signs go missing or are taken down, so something needs done and someone needs to look after them. Where they are in place, they should be kept in place, and if they need to be taken down for whatever reason, they should be preserved and a system needs put in place to do so. Its not too late to do this, but at present, once these signs are lost, they simply will never be seen again. There are no more of them. A Belfast postmaster has urged people to support local post offices after a social media backlash following the release of a new drama. Mr Bates vs The Post Office is an ITV drama is based on the real-life story of postmaster Alan Bates (Toby Jones) who drove the campaign to expose the Post Office Horizon IT scandal. Horizon, a new system installed across the country, caused numerous postmasters wrongly prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 for theft, false accounting, and/or fraud. The first episode aired on New Year's Day as part of a four-part mini-series over the course of this week, focussing on the epic legal battle Bates led and won, paving the way for dozens of convictions to be overturned. Viewers have expressed their shock over the scandal - with some even vowing to boycott the Post Office. But Gary Massey, who runs Castlereagh Post Office in Belfast, said this would be detrimental to his business. In a statement from the National Federation of Subpostmasters, Mr Massey said he was appalled by the Horizon scandal and how many of his colleagues have been affected. He said: The ongoing Horizon Scandal has been described as the most widespread miscarriage of justice in UK history. Its a huge wrong which needs to be righted quickly. Unfortunately, it has generated a lot of negative publicity towards Post Office Ltd and a number of people are threatening to boycott local post offices. This will only impact local subpostmasters not Post Office Ltd. We rely on the support of our loyal local customers, and we need them to continue to support their local post offices. Postmasters are investors in PO and 98% of post offices are privately owned. Many have life savings in their business, and they need the publics continued support, said the federation. Gary said: I've been a postmaster on the Castlereagh Road in Belfast for over 15 years. I've been welcomed into the community, and I'm treated as a local. The Post Office is on the main road and situated in the local shop close to other local services and amenities such as shops, GP surgeries and chemists. This job can be financially challenging at times due to chronic under investment in the network by recent governments. However, it's an important part of the community and provides vital services to all my customers of all ages and backgrounds. We provide government services, banking services and postal services. This is a very rewarding job, especially with some of our older customers who not only rely on our services but also rely on us for advice and help when needed. People need their local post office, and their local post office needs their continuing support to ensure these vital services stay in our branches. National Federation of Subpostmasters chief executive Calum Greenhow said: From experience, the general public are very empathetic towards us as postmasters, but they may not realise that by boycotting Post Office Ltd, they harm our businesses. It is important to ensure that the general public are very much aware that as small businesspeople we want to remain at the heart of communities, serve them and support them as we always do." Meanwhile, a woman accused of stealing thousands from her own Post Office has said the new drama has "just brought it all back". "It's been very, very hard for a lot of people," Deirdre Connolly said, speaking to the BBC's Talkback programme. The drama hits close to home for Ms Connolly who sought assurance from Mr Bates after she was accused of fraud. During a Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry hearing in Belfast, Ms Connolly described how she was told to plead guilty and forced to repay a discrepancy of over 15,000 which she did not owe. She told the inquiry that Post Office officials used "bully boy tactics" to wrongly accuse her of fraud and that she was asked if she took the money for paramilitary organisations. Her family had to re-mortgage their home and were declared bankrupt. "I lost everything because the footfall went down because there's no smoke without fire, the stigma of it all was just awful," she told BBC News NI's Talkback programme. She said her health has declined and she now has epilepsy, which she believes was brought on by stress. "My life is never going to be the same," she added. Ms Connolly was advised to contact Alan Bates by her sister-in-law after she read a newspaper article mentioning him. Ms Connolly said Mr Bates said he would look after her, "which he did". "It was great to know that there were other people and it wasn't just me," she said. A Post Office spokesperson said: We fully share the aims of the current Public Inquiry, set up to establish what went wrong in the past and the accountability for it. We are acutely aware of the human cost of the scandal and are doing all we can to right the wrongs of the past, as far as that is possible. Both Post Office and Government are committed to providing full, fair and final compensation for the people affected. To date offers of compensation totalling more than 138 million have been made to around 2,700 Postmasters, the vast majority of which have been agreed and paid. Interim payments continue to be made in other cases which have not yet been resolved. In relation to the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS), across the UK, Post Office has issued offers to all 2,417 original HSS claims. Of these offers, 72 (3%) were to claimants from Northern Ireland, and the total offered to them was 3.09M. Of the 72 offers, 61 (85%) have so far accepted. The scheme remains open for late applications. ITV has been asked for a response. Counter insurgency experts methods made him a hate figure for nationalists and republicans General Sir Frank Kitson, the architect of the Armys response to terrorism during the Troubles, has died aged 97. Kitson was an expert in counter insurgency operations and his controversial methods led to him becoming a hate figure for republicans. Kitson won a Military Cross and bar in Kenya and Malaya, and received a CBE in 1972 for gallant and distinguished services here. He was commander of the 39th Air Portable Infantry Brigade in Belfast in 1970, ordering his men to take republican no-go areas. He promoted the use of counter gangs to tackle terrorism, and helped develop psychological operations, propaganda, subversion and undercover units. One of the battalions under his command, 1 Para, was responsible for the killing of 14 civil rights demonstrators on Bloody Sunday in January 1972. Nicknamed Kitsons private army, 1 Para was also involved in the killing and wounding of a large number of civilians in Ballymurphy six months earlier. General Sir Mike Jackson, the former head of the Army, revealed in his 2007 autobiography that in the aftermath of Bloody Sunday Kitson brutally told underling Col Derek Wilford that having got so far, he should have pushed on to sort the whole bloody mess out. In 2015 Kitson and the Ministry of Defence were accused of complicity in the February 1973 attack in which Catholic Eugene Heenan (47) was killed after loyalist terrorists threw a grenade at a works minibus. Mr Heenans widow Mary took legal action against the MoD and Kitson, claiming her husband died because of negligence and misfeasance in office. It marked the first time a retired senior soldier had been personally sued over alleged actions during the Troubles. Kitsons 1971 book, Low Intensity Operations: Subversion, Insurgency And Peacekeeping, detailed techniques to deal with guerrillas and was based on his experiences in the colonies. He described his own approach during the Troubles as de-escalation and attrition aiming to keep the Catholic community onside while attempting to wear down the IRA. But, according to SDLP founding member Paddy Devlin, Kitson probably did more than any other individual to sour relations between the Catholic community and the security forces. He became Commander-in-Chief UK Land Forces in 1982, and retired three years later. The Times described Kitson as a soldier of originality, independent mind and intrepid nerve, however, he was perfectly suited to the role of lightning conductor to the forces. Sir Frank Kitson was born in London on December 15, 1926. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth and their three daughters. Kens love of literature travels full circle as he writes tome about growing up in the Maiden City during more innocent times A Londonderry man has penned a memoir about growing up in the city before the Troubles ignited in 1968. Ken Thatcher, the owner of Foyle Books, revealed he was all lurred when the shop appeared in Derry Girls (it was one of creator Lisa McGees favourite haunts). Born in 1949, he lived in Drumahoe and the Waterside in what he describes in the book as a religiously undivided area until the age of seven, before moving to the Cityside. In his book, The Wifes Sisters Wee Boy, he describes an idyllic childhood spent playing and fishing. His first encounter with sectarianism occurred as he returned from the Model School in the Cityside to Clooney Terrace. A couple of young fellas stopped me and asked whether I was a Protestant or Catholic? And I said, well, I dont know. So they were a bit confused. But I said if you hold on Ill run down and ask my mammy, he said. Needless to say, my mother didnt let me go back. So the boys are probably still wondering. An avid consumer of comics as a boy, which his granny would read to him, he graduated to reading novels like Robinson Crusoe and Long John Silver. When his grandfather moved to the Cityside, Kens family relocated to Nicholson Terrace. We had relatives in the Cityside, it wasnt like moving to a strange country or anything, he said. Because I was at the Model School, and wed moved to within 100 yards of it, I knew a lot of the people from the Rosemount and Northland Road area. There was no discernible difference between the Waterside and Cityside. There was no great excitement about religious division at that particular stage. We would have had mixed religion playing... nobody was interested in any of that as young people. Brooke Park would become his playground for Cowboys and Indians. He was also drawn to the library as his love of literature grew. After two years living in Scotland in the mid-Sixties, Ken returned to Foyle College and sat O- and A-levels. I feel a bit sorry for the people who had to teach me, because I wasnt entirely an ideal pupil, he quipped. His book is interspersed with humorous anecdotes, including a lucky escape after a stunt during a long-distance race. I got a lift on the back of a lorry for about half a mile and very nearly ended up in the school cross country team, but fortunately good sense prevailed. He went on to study French language and literature at Magee College in October 1968, the same month Derrys first Civil Rights march took place. Thats where the memoir ends. But he is already compiling volume II. After graduation he worked in England, before returning home to take up a post in the local library. He then got a teaching job at Foyle College. In tandem with this, he indulged his passion by opening his shop, selling mostly second-hand and antiquarian books. Reflecting on Derry then and now, he told the Belfast Telegraph: I think we got the golden days of Derry because there were lots of things going on and you could go out at night and not worry overly about too much. (But) Its a whole lot better now than it was, and has come a long way in the last few years, with a huge development in tourism, that is only to be commended. I think it (the city) is welcoming. The amount of tourists around is phenomenal. They seem to be happy. They regularly come into the shop and theyre all happy as Larry to be in Derry they think its the greatest place. The Wifes Sisters Wee Boy is available from Colmcille Press and local bookshops. Paul Ross with his daughter Lydia and the Ballymena shirt from Steven McCullough The father of fatal crash victim Lydia Ross has expressed his thanks to the club he and his daughter supported, Ballymena United, for their gift of a jersey following her death in a car crash last week. He said he met player Steven McCullough to receive the gift on Monday. Paul Ross also thanked the club for the support theyve offered his family since Lydias death at the age of just 21. The young woman died in a single-vehicle crash near Aghadowey last Thursday. She was remembered as special, caring and loved during a thanksgiving service for her young life at the First Ballymoney Presbyterian Church on New Years Day. On Thursday, Paul Ross posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, to thank the team and said it would be his last post regarding Lydias death. This will be my last post on our tragic loss but I cant not share this, as you all would have seen Lydia loved Ballymena United and especially Steven McCullough and on Monday Steven gave me these from the players, we cant thank Steven and the Club enough for all theyve done. For six years Paul and Lydia travelled all over the country together supporting Ballymena United, where they made many good friends over the years. On Saturday, Ballymena players wore T-shirts carrying her photograph in tribute before kick-off at their game against Glenavon. A minutes applause was also held in the 21st minute by fans, players and club staff to remember Lydia. The tribute also took place at all other Irish League Premiership matches on Saturday. Pauls memorial concluded: We as a family had the pleasure of having Lydia for 21 years, to say we will miss Lydia is an understatement. The house will be so much quieter but we will never stop talking about her or living our lives the way Lydia would have wanted. On Tuesday, Paul also thanked the public for their support of the family during this time. On behalf of our wee family I would like to thank each and everyone of you for the messages over the past few days, we have been totally overwhelmed by it all. We will never ever forget it, he said. He accompanied his post with a photograph of his daughter being brought a birthday cake. In Pictures: Heavily armed police deal with standoff in Ballykeel area of Ballymena One man has been detained after a five-hour stand-off in Ballymena ended overnight. Its understood that shortly before 7pm on Wednesday, a large number of both marked and unmarked vehicles arrived in convoy in the Ballykeel area of the town. It followed reports of a concern for safety at a property in the small estate. CTSFO and ARV during a standoff in the Ballykeel area of Ballymena on January 3rd 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) Counter Terrorism Specialist Firearms Officers, Armed Response teams and a police dog unit assisted police negotiators. Video posted to social media showed heavily armed officers approach a ground floor flat in the area while using a police vehicle for cover. Around 150 residents gathered at police cordons to watch the stand-off unfold. Shortly after 11pm, heavily armed officers wearing night-vision goggles could be heard shouting taser, taser before a masked and specially trained counter terror team broke through the back door of the flat with assault rifles drawn. Officers brought a male from the property for treatment in a nearby ambulance. CTSFO and ARV during a standoff in the Ballykeel area of Ballymena on January 3rd 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) A round of applause broke out as over 20 specialist armed officers marched from the scene to nearby high performance unmarked vehicles; some of whom immediately responded to another call for assistance in the greater Belfast area. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, a resident who has lived in the area for 11 years said: They have been here all night trying to sort this, our area always gets a bad name. The people here are good neighbours, we arent bad people at all. I dont know who is in the house but I hope they get some help. CTSFO and ARV during a standoff in the Ballykeel area of Ballymena on January 3rd 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) Chief Inspector Moore said: Police attended the Crebilly Road area of Ballymena yesterday evening, Wednesday 3rd January, following a report of a concern for safety. Specially trained officers were deployed to mitigate any further impact to the local community. One man was detained following the incident. We would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding as officers carried out the public safety operation. Soldier F is charged with the murders of James Wray (left) and William McKinney The PSNI has submitted a file to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in relation to an alleged unnotified procession by Bloody Sunday families. A solicitor for the families has said it would be beyond comprehension for any senior prosecutor to find it in the public interest to mount legal proceedings in relation to their quiet, peaceful and dignified conduct on August 25 of last year. The families, along with members of Sinn Fein, the SDLP and legal representatives, walked around 150 metres to Bishop Street courthouse for a hearing in relation to Soldier F the Paratrooper accused of two murders on Bloody Sunday. Last month, after a 51-year wait, the Bloody Sunday families found out that Soldier F would be put on trial accused of murdering William McKinney and James Wray and for five attempted murders in Derry on January 30, 1972. Thirteen unarmed civilians were shot dead and at least 15 others injured when members of the Parachute Regiment opened fire on civil rights demonstrators in the Bogside. Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson has publicly stated that he was the individual who lodged the complaint with the police. Solicitor to the families, Ciaran Shiels, said that came in the form of a written statement to an Assistant Chief Constable. It alleged that some of the victims of Bloody Sunday, and in particular the victims of Soldier F, as well as public figures who have supported the families and those wounded for many years, may have taken part in an unlawful procession close to the area of Bishop Street Courthouse on August 25, 2022. Mr Shiels said it marked an important day, as the criminal prosecution resumed after the families had successfully challenged its discontinuance by the PPS. Furthermore, it has emerged that Mr Bryson reported SDLP leader Colum Eastwood to Parliament's standards watchdog after he said he would not take part in a criminal investigation into the alleged unnotified parade. The MP for Foyle walked out of Strand Road police station in Derry after being asked to attend an interview under caution. Mr Eastwood has said nothing will stop him standing with the Bloody Sunday families in their campaign for justice. Those called for questioning included bereaved family members John Kelly, Mickey, John and Joe McKinney, Gerry Duddy and Kevin McDaid. Two members of the SDLP, including leader Colum Eastwood; former Derry City & Strabane Mayor Sandra Duffy, Sinn Fein MLA Padraig Delargy, and legal representatives Ciaran and Fearghal Shiels were also accused. Now, the PSNI has said: The police investigation has concluded, and a file has been submitted to the Public Prosecution Service today, Wednesday, January 3, 2024. It would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this time. A PPS spokesperson confirmed a file had been received, saying: We received an investigation file from police on January 3, 2024, reporting seven individuals in relation to an alleged incident in Londonderry on August 25, 2023. A decision will be issued as quickly as possible. Its unclear who the seven individuals are as, at the time of writing, nobody has been informed they are subject to a report from the PSNI to the PPS. Furthermore, not all Bloody Sunday family members were formally invited for interview by way of a letter and some were said to have heard second hand. Mr Shiels said the position of the Bloody Sunday families and the wounded, whom the PSNI wanted to interview under caution in respect of Mr Bryson's allegation, was made clear before Christmas. That was, under no circumstances would they attend Strand Road PSNI station to answer questions voluntarily under caution as suspected criminals. He added: If the PSNI wanted the families and their representatives present for interviews under caution, they would have to exercise their powers of arrest and then subsequently justify themselves before the courts as to the lawfulness of any such arrest. Since Colum Eastwood, the MP for Foyle's attendance at Strand Road where he intended to make representations as to the preposterousness and outrageous insensitivity of the intended police actions, we have heard nothing further, at all, in terms of requests for further interviews concerning other suspects. Clearly the idea of inviting these victims of State violence in for interviews under caution upon threat of arrest, has been wisely jettisoned by the PSNI. That is to be welcomed. It will now be a matter for the Public Prosecution Service to apply the test for prosecution in respect of the police file, as submitted yesterday (Wednesday). How any Senior Prosecutor in the PPS could possibly find it in the public interest to prosecute any of the Bloody Sunday victims or their supporters for their quiet, peaceful and dignified conduct on 25th August 2023, would simply be beyond my comprehension. I hope that good sense prevails in that regard. Unionists have expressed their upset after Mid Ulster District Council voted to reject the offer of a free portrait of King Charles. The Council had received a letter from the Cabinet Office, indicating that all public authorities throughout the UK can apply for a free, framed portrait of the King to mark his reign. Addressing colleagues at the December meeting, DUP councillor Clement Cuthbertson said: Just in relation to the letter from the Cabinet Office I want to propose that we avail of the offer of the free portrait of His Majesty the King. His proposal was seconded by UUP councillor Trevor Wilson. Independent councillor Barry Monteith outlined his opposition. I think it would be a retrograde step, as a republican, to impose the promotion of monarchy and inherited power and privilege where were putting any human being as in any way better to any other human being, he said. I think it would be a mistake for us to buy into the promotion of monarchism. I would suggest that we do not avail of the opportunity for the portrait. Councillor Barry Monteith. Council chairperson, Sinn Feins Dominic Molloy, decided to put the issue to a vote, stating: Im pretty sure we know where the debate is going. The Council does have a policy around our flags and emblems and it has worked pretty well to date, so I will put it to a vote. Its a simple yes or no. Either we accept the portrait or we do not, so yes for Councillor Cuthbertsons proposal or not. A vote was then taken on the issue, with 24 councillors voting against the proposal including all the SF representatives in attendance and 11 voting in favour, including all DUP councillors present. Read more Nationalist-dominated council votes against accepting free portrait of King Charles Mr Cuthbertson said he was very disappointed, while not surprised at the outcome of the vote. Id remind Council that during the last mandate, the highlight of that particular year if not of the whole term of the Council was the royal visit of King Charles, the then Prince of Wales, to Cookstown, he said. It was the highlight, it was a boost to the area, and I think its a very negative and disappointing step, its a step thats just showing no tolerance whatsoever for the unionist community. This [portrait] is free, its not costing the Council any money, and once again it shows that there is no space for unionism in this Council, and unionist views are not recognised on it. Councillor Clement Cuthbertson Alongside his SDLP colleagues, Malachy Quinn voted against the motion. He pointed out that this was in keeping with the Councils policy to have no symbols or flags in or on our buildings. SDLP pushed for that at the start of the council in 2014, and I think it is something that has saved us from a lot of rows that have affected other councils which dont have that neutrality, he said. The way the proposal for the King Charles portrait was brought to the council in December I believe was designed to be rejected for the purposes of a social media post, rather than get cross-party agreement. We as a party would have happily discussed the possibility of the council taking the portrait for the purpose of giving it to an interested local community group. Im not sure if that is possible, but I think that would have been a far better option, and I know several local groups that would have jumped at the chance to receive it. I dont know how others would have voted on that but Id have been open to the discussion. Neither the DUP or the UUP proposed that or gave it as an option. We were asked to vote on the council receiving it and displaying it, which would be against policy and thats why we voted against it. Irish unity campaigners deleted social media post after Wallace Thompson contradicted what theyd claimed Irelands Future announced Wallace Thompson as a guest speaker in this post, but later deleted it from social media DUP founder Wallace Thompson at his east Belfast home after talking to the Belfast Telegraph in September 2023. Photo: Kevin Scott A DUP founding member has denied a claim by Irish unity campaigners that he agreed to address one of their events as a guest speaker. Irelands Future announced on social media yesterday afternoon that Wallace Thompson would be a guest speaker at a major Pathway To Change gathering, which the group is organising for June. However, when contacted by the Belfast Telegraph Mr Thompson said that was wrong. The Paisleyite former DUP special adviser and prominent evangelical Protestant said: I agreed to take part in a panel discussion; I did not agree to be a guest speaker. Mr Thompson said he had been in contact with Irelands Future asking them to clarify what he had agreed to. Irelands Future subsequently deleted the social media post announcing his involvement in the event. When asked to clarify Mr Thompsons role, Irelands Future told this newspaper: Wallace will be on a panel of speakers made up of David Adams, Lord John Alderdice and Claire Mitchell. Our intention is to provide a full running order of the programme in the coming period but in the meantime, that panel of speakers is confirmed. Groups like Irelands Future have struggled to get traditional unionists to seriously engage with their discussions, although they have been more successful at attracting former Alliance supporters or others less representative of mainstream unionism. Four months ago, Mr Thompson said in an in-depth interview with this newspaper that he was open to Irish unity and believed that the Union was probably on borrowed time. 'New Ireland' inevitable says DUP founding member Wallace Thompson The 70-year-old north Antrim-born veteran unionist, who was with Ian Paisley almost from the outset of his political career and stayed close to him until his death, said he believed a new Ireland is now inevitable, that the Union was perhaps always doomed and that he was willing to consider and discuss with nationalists how Irish unity could come about. However, Mr Thompson was clear that he still supports the Union and would vote for it if a border poll was called now, with the onus on those arguing for Irish unity to convince him of their case and their sincerity. Boris Johnsons shameless betrayal of the DUP in 2019 was seminal in Mr Thompsons reassessment of the Union. It reminded him of all the other times 1921, 1972, 1985, and on and on when British Governments had betrayed Ulsters unionists. He said: I do wonder at the future of the Union and I think we need to waken up the emperor has no clothes. He went on: I think we are in an inevitable move towards that [new Ireland] when it comes, I dont know, but theres an inevitability in my mind that we are moving towards some form of new Ireland. Hopefully, new and not absorption. He said that nationalism doesnt sufficiently understand unionists. He isnt yet convinced that Irish unity would protect his cultural heritage, or his ability to freely express his evangelical Protestant faith. The 48-year-old man who was shot a number of times in the Christmas Eve gun attack in a restaurant in the Blanchardstown area of Dublin has died in hospital. Jason Hennessy Senior from Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, had been on a life support machine at Connolly Hospital since he was rushed there on Saturday, December 24. However, although he was initially stabilised, its understood his condition worsened in recent days and he was moved to the Mater Hospital where he died today. Mr Hennessy was known to gardai and was facing money laundering charges before Dublin Circuit Court. He was due to go on trial next year. However it is understood that he had been a working man who had no involvement in organised crime until recent years. He was shot in the neck and suffered other catastrophic injuries when he was hit with bullets from a machine pistol in the shooting which was carried out by Tristan Sherry (26). Tristan Sherry Mr Hennessy Senior was rushed to hospital in a car driven by a relative after being hit three times with bullets fired from the machine gun. Mr Sherry was disarmed and then fatally assaulted at the scene in Browne's Steakhouse on Main Street in Blanchardstown. On Saturday, a 22-year-old man appeared before Dublin District Court where he was charged with Mr Sherrys murder. Michael Andrecut, with an address at Sheephill Avenue in Dublin 15 was brought before Judge Stephanie Coggans at a special court sitting at the Criminal Courts of Justice where he was remanded in custody. Read more Christmas Eve shooting: Man appears in court charged with murder over Dublin restaurant incident Two other men including an 18-year-old have also been arrested in relation to the murder and remain in garda custody. Jason Hennessy Senior was considered a key player in an organised crime gang in recent years who have been heavily involved in what is known as the Corduff feud as well as other serious criminal disputes. The gang have also been involved in large scale drug debt intimidation. The Christmas Eve gun attack made international headlines and more arrests are expected as part of the garda investigation into it. There has also been an increase in armed garda patrols in the locality because of concerns of revenge attacks. Sources said machine-gun wielding attacker Tristan Sherry had been the target of a series of attacks over the past year. A gangland criminal who was a known associate of the criminal nicknamed Mr Flashy, the 26-year-old was said to have been set upon by a gang during an incident in Blanchardstown earlier this year and stabbed multiple times with one source describing him as having been butchered. On another occasion, it was alleged a car was reversed into a property where he was staying while another property housing a relative was set ablaze. Gardai are expected to draw up detailed security plans for the funerals of both men. Garda officers at the scene in Blanchardstown, Dublin (PA) A second man has been charged in connection with the death of a suspected gunman who was assaulted following a shooting in a Dublin restaurant on Christmas Eve. Tristan Sherry, who was one of two suspected gunmen involved in the shooting, sustained fatal injuries after being tackled and assaulted inside the premises in Blanchardstown after the shooting. One man has already appeared in court charged with Mr Sherrys murder. The second man charged is due to appear before a sitting of Blanchardstown District Court on Friday morning. A forensic investigator at the scene (Niall Carson/PA) The development comes on the same day gardai announced the death of the man who was shot in the initial gun attack inside Brownes Steakhouse in Blanchardstown. Jason Hennessy Snr, who was in his late 40s, sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Mr Hennessy, who was known to gardai, was treated at Dublins Connolly Hospital and then transferred to the citys Mater Hospital, where he died. A second murder investigation has been launched after Mr Hennessys death. Two gunmen had entered the busy restaurant at about 8pm and opened fire. Last week Michael Andrecut, 22, of Sheephill Avenue, Corduff, appeared at a special sitting of the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin charged with Mr Sherrys murder. A third man has also been arrested for questioning in connection with Mr Sherrys death. On Thursday he was still being held at a Garda station in west Dublin under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. A man is being detained at a Garda station in west Dublin (PA) A third male has been arrested in relation to the death of a man in a Dublin restaurant on Christmas Eve. Tristan Sherry died after being assaulted and a man in his 40s suffered gunshot wounds during an incident at Brownes Steakhouse in Blanchardstown at around 8pm on December 24. The male, who was arrested on Wednesday evening, is being detained at a Garda station in west Dublin under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. Another male who was arrested this week is still being detained at a west Dublin Garda station under the same provision. Last week, 22-year-old Michael Andercut, with an address in Sheephill Avenue, Corduff, was charged with murder during a special sitting of the Criminal Courts of Justice. Professor Stephen Hawkings name was mentioned in court documents relating to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein (Joe Giddens/PA) Paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein was ready to reward one of his victims friends if they could prove her allegations false including that Professor Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy, court documents have revealed. The names of more than 170 people who were either associates, friends or victims of Epstein are set to be made public following a US judges order last month. The first tranche of documents was released on Wednesday evening with high-profile figures such as the Duke of York and former US President Bill Clinton featuring heavily. An email from Epstein to disgraced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell showed he was content for her to issue a reward to any of Virginia Giuffres friends to counter her claims, shortly after she filed a civil claim in the US in 2015. The email read: You can issue a reward to any of Virginias friends, acquaints, family that come forward and help prove her allegations are false. The strongest is the Clinton dinner, and the new version in the Virgin Islands that Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy. Also published among the court documents as part of Ms Giuffres civil claim against Maxwell was the transcript of the socialites videotaped evidence given under oath. During her interview, known in the US as a deposition, Maxwell claimed she could only recall Prince Andrew on Epsteins island once. Andrew stepped down from public life after the furore over his friendship with Epstein and paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case to Ms Giuffre, a woman he claimed never to have met. The duke was cast out of the working monarchy and no longer uses his HRH style after Ms Giuffre, who was trafficked by Epstein, accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17. Ms Giuffre claimed Andrew sexually assaulted her when she was 17, which the duke denies (US Department of Justice/PA) He strenuously denies any wrongdoing. Asked whether any girls under the age of 18 were present on that one occasion, Maxwell replied: There were no girls on the island at all. No girls, no women, other than the staff who work at the house. Girls meaning, I assume you are asking underage, but there was nobody female outside of the cooks and the cleaners. In other documents, Maxwell could be seen sending an email in January 2015, shortly after a civil claim had been filed against her, in which she described herself as out of my depth. She added: I have already suffered such a terrible and painful loss over the last few days that I cant even see what life after press hell even looks like statements that dont address all just lead to more questions what is my relationship to Clinton? Andrew on and on. One site where the documents were being released on Wednesday evening crashed within minutes, warning that the server might be overloaded prompting a tweet from Ms Giuffre which read: We broke the website. The deposition of a woman named Johanna Sjoberg was also published as part of the documents. She previously claimed Andrew touched her breast while sitting on a couch inside the US billionaires Manhattan apartment in 2001, while giving testimony in May 2016. The incident is alleged to have taken place when Ms Giuffre and Ms Sjoberg, were at Epsteins house off Fifth Avenue in New York. Ms Sjoberg said Epstein had told her that former US President Bill Clinton like girls young (Brian Lawless/PA) Ms Sjobergs deposition made reference to a puppet being placed on Ms Giuffres breast at the same time believed to be Andrews Spitting Image puppet. Buckingham Palace previously said the allegations are categorically untrue. During the same interview, Ms Sjoberg also said Epstein had told her that former President Bill Clinton likes them young, referring to girls. Ms Sjoberg said: I knew he had dealings with Bill Clinton. I did not know they were friends until I read the Vanity Fair article about them going to Africa together. Asked if Epstein had ever talked about the former president, Ms Sjoberg said: He said one time that Clinton likes them young, referring to girls. In 2019, Mr Clintons spokesman said he knew nothing about the terrible crimes Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to and that the pair had not spoken in over a decade. The spokesman also said Mr Clinton had never been to Epsteins island, called Little St James, his ranch in New Mexico nor his house in Florida. Epstein emailed Maxwell to say she could reward Ms Giuffres friends if they countered her claims (US Department of Justice/PA) Another former US president, Donald Trump, also featured in Ms Sjobergs deposition after she said Epstein had called him and visited one of his casinos due to his private plane being diverted. Ms Sjoberg said: Jeffrey said, Great, well call up Trump and well go to I dont recall the name of the casino, but well go to the casino. Epstein was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan in August 2019 while he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges. The death was ruled a suicide. Maxwell has been imprisoned since July 2020, despite numerous attempts from her defence counsel to have her released on bail. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison at the federal court in the Southern District of New York in June 2022. The socialite indicated her desire to appeal shortly after her conviction with her lawyers claiming victims had faded, distorted and motivated memories. Her appeal is currently scheduled to be heard in November next year. Edward Littles minimum term in prison has been increased by eight years (Counter Terrorism Policing South East) A homegrown terrorist who plotted to launch a gun attack at Londons Hyde Park has had his jail sentence increased. Edward Little, 22, from Brighton, who was just 10 minutes from getting a gun when he was arrested by armed police, was originally sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years at the Old Bailey on December 15. But, following a hearing at the same court on Thursday, a judge revised his life sentence to a minimum of 24 years, the Old Bailey said. Counter-terrorism police said the new hearing was held under the slip rule Section 155 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 which allows judges to re-sentence if fresh information comes to light. Court artist sketch of Edward Little during his trial at the Old Bailey(Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire) Little travelled in a taxi from Brighton to the capital with 5,000 to buy a firearm and bullets when he was arrested on September 23 2022. He had targeted a Christian preacher who regularly appeared at Speakers Corner, but could have killed anyone who got in the way, police said. Little pleaded guilty to preparing acts of terrorism in May last year, and refused to come to the Old Bailey for his sentencing. Three members of a crime gang were also jailed for conspiring to provide Little with the gun, although they did not know what it was for. Little settled on the plan after rejecting a mass gun attack on the late Queens funeral in Westminster. Previously, the court heard how UK-born Little converted to Islam at Cookham Wood Young Offender Institution in Kent and at HMP Deerbolt in County Durham, after he turned 18. He downloaded extremist propaganda, including copies of the al-Qaida publication Inspire, in the summer of 2022, and spoke of his desire to get hold of a Mac-10 submachine gun and AK-47 assault rifle in encrypted chats on the Threema messaging platform. At one point, he wrote: I dont think there has been an attack in the UK with guns so a semi-automatic rifle would send an even stronger message. Little agreed to pay a taxi driver 300 to take him from Brighton to Lewisham, south London, on September 23 2022, saying money was no problem. The plan was scuppered when armed police moved in to arrest him in south London. Prosecutor Duncan Penny KC had said Little planned to kill the Christian preacher, Hatun Tash, at Speakers Corner in Hyde Park, anyone with her, as well as any police officers or soldiers in the area. New research suggests there may be a genetic link between anorexia and being someone who gets up early. People with the eating disorder often wake early and experience insomnia, the new study found. Experts say this differs from many other disorders which tend to be evening-based such as depression, binge-eating disorder and schizophrenia. Senior author Hassan Dashti, from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), USA, an assistant professor of anaesthesia at Harvard Medical School, said: Our findings implicate anorexia nervosa as a morning disorder in contrast to most other evening-based psychiatric diseases and support the association between anorexia nervosa and insomnia as seen in earlier studies. Past research has suggested a possible connection between eating disorders and the bodys internal clock, or circadian clock, which controls a wide range of biological functions such as sleep and affects nearly every organ in the body. In the new study researchers looked at genes associated with anorexia, the bodys internal clock and several sleep traits including insomnia. They found a two-way association between genes associated with anorexia and genes associated with morning chronotype, waking early and going to bed early. The findings suggest that being an early riser could increase the risk for having anorexia, and having anorexia could lead to an earlier wake time. However, the study did not define what time an early riser would wake up, with researchers instead saying that they tend to be natural early risers compared to the general population, with many things influencing when we wake up. The study, published in Jama Network Open and led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), in collaboration with University College London and the University of the Republic in Uruguay, also revealed a link between anorexia and insomnia risk. Experts say more research is desperately needed into new prevention strategies and treatments for anorexia which has one of the highest death rates of psychiatric diseases. Hannah Wilcox, lead author of the study and researcher at MGH, said: The clinical implications of our new findings are currently unclear; however, our results could direct future investigations into circadian-based therapies for anorexia nervosa prevention and treatment. Thousands of people took to the streets of Beirut on Thursday for the funeral of top Hamas commander Saleh Arouri, who was killed earlier this week in an apparent Israeli airstrike on an apartment in the Lebanese capital. Draped in Palestinian and Hamas flags, Arouris coffin and those of two of his comrades were first taken to a Beirut mosque for prayers before being carried to the Palestine Martyrs Cemetery where top Palestinian officials killed by Israel over the hast five decades are buried. Arouris automatic rifle was placed on his coffin at the prayer service. The funeral was attended by Palestinian officials, including top Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk, as well as representatives of some Lebanese political groups. Thousands attended the funeral (Hussein Malla/AP) People tried to touch the coffins that were surrounded by Hamas members wearing green caps. Some of the Hamas members were armed. The enemy is running away from its failures and defeats (in Gaza) to Lebanon, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said in a speech aired during the funeral. He added that the killing of Arouri in Beirut is a proof of (Israels) bloody mentality. Lebanese officials and state media said an Israeli drone fired two missiles on Tuesday at an apartment in Beiruts southern Musharafieh district that is a stronghold of Lebanons powerful Hezbollah group, instantly killing Arouri and six other Hamas members, including military commanders. Saleh Arouri was killed in an apparent Israeli strike (Hussein Malla/AP) Arouri, who was the deputy political head of Hamas and a founder of the groups military wing, had been in Israels sights for years, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had threatened to kill him even before Hamas carried out its deadly surprise attack on Israel on October 7 that triggered the ongoing brutal war in Gaza. Israel had accused Arouri, 57, of masterminding attacks against it in the West Bank, where he was the groups top commander. In 2015, the US Treasury Department name Arouri a specially designated global terrorist, offering five million dollars (3.9 million) for information about him. Arouris killing raises tensions in the already volatile Middle East with Israels ongoing ground offensive in Gaza, daily exchange of fire between Israeli troops and Lebanons Hezbollah fighters and Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacking ships passing through the Red Sea. Indonesia's Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto (third from left) gestures as he poses for a photograph with his counterparts from other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states, during a meeting in Jakarta, Nov. 15, 2023. Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, who leads the polls for next months presidential vote, received a mixed report card from experts for his job leading the countrys defense and security sectors, with a few missteps and some essential modernization of the arsenal. His performance as defense czar of Southeast Asias largest country will be one of the subjects discussed in the second presidential debate Sunday by the two other hopefuls, as the candidates are set to expound on their vision for Indonesias national security. The Defense Ministry has faced difficulties in fulfilling the minimum essential forces (MEF) target for the military, mainly due to limited funds, said Khairul Fahmi, an expert from the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies in Jakarta. However, Prabowo has demonstrated his seriousness and vision by following a master plan and a business plan for the MEF program, Khairul said. MEF defines the basic level of defense capabilities that Indonesia, a sprawling archipelago, needs to protect its sovereignty and interests. In November, the government increased its defense budget by 20% next year to U.S. $25 billion from $20.7 billion most of which will be used to procure major weapon systems from abroad. Since taking office in 2019, Prabowo, a former army general, has crisscrossed the globe, traveling to China, France, Russia, Turkey and the United States, seeking to buy warplanes, ships, tanks and other weapons. Under his stewardship, the Defense Ministry has also sought to acquire new military hardware including patrol boats and submarines as well as surveillance and territorial defense capabilities including radars, drones and other detection devices. It is still too soon to call it a success, but it is a good start, Khairul said. Still, it is unlikely the 100% minimum essential forces goal by 2024 would be achieved, while the nations maritime and air defense is even now insufficient, said Beni Sukadis, a military analyst from Marapi Consulting, a think-tank. There has to be a breakthrough in buying defense equipment that matches the current threats, such as fish theft and territorial violations by Chinese and other vessels, Beni told BenarNews. Qatars used Mirage 2000-5 fighter-jets Meanwhile, Ganjar Pranowo, one of Prabowos two rivals in the Feb. 14 general election, has said that at Sundays debate he would reiterate his criticism of a controversial deal signed last June to spend millions of dollars buying used military aircraft. We cannot claim to have a strong defense while buying used aircraft, local media quoted Ganjar as saying. This deal is what analysts called a misstep that was not in line with the priority needs of the armed forces. A Qatar Emiri Air Force Dassault Mirage 2000-5 fighter jet takes off as part of a Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn mission in Souda Bay, Greece, March 25, 2011. [Paul Farley/U.S. Navy Photo/Handout via Reuters] But this week, Prabowo spokesman Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak told a TV talk show that the defense and finance ministries had decided to postpone the June 2023 decision to buy 12 used Mirage 2000-5 jets from Qatar for U.S. $734.5 million, because of fiscal constraints. To fill the gap in air defense during the waiting period, we decided to retrofit our old fighter-jets, and this is the best option available at the moment, Kompas.com quoted Dahnil as saying on Thursday. Retrofitting involves adding new or modified parts to a product that didnt exist when it was manufactured. However, back in June, Sukamta, a member of a parliamentary defense affairs commission, said he feared the second-hand warplanes would be too costly to maintain, with even spare parts difficult to source. One analyst said the acquisition of the jets from Qatar, which were offered to Indonesia as a grant in 2009, had been rejected by then-Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono. I dont really know if the staff at the Defense Ministry is aware of this, Broto Wardoyo, an international relations expert at the University of Indonesia, told BenarNews. Prabowo had earlier defended the decision, saying the Mirage jets had 15-20 years of service left and that they were in high demand. The other presidential hopeful, former Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan, would aim to procure more effective and efficient weapons systems, rather than just large-scale ones, if elected, a member of his campaign team told local media on Wednesday. Diplomatic misstep As defense minister, Prabowo has been a vocal advocate of his countrys non-aligned stance amid a new Cold War and regional competition between rival superpowers. We respect the United States, China and other countries, Prabowo said in September, echoing the foreign policy doctrine that has guided the worlds fourth most populous country since its independence. Indonesias position is very clear: We are non-aligned. Presidential candidates (from right) Anies Baswedan, Prabowo Subianto and Ganjar Pranowo pose after the first presidential election debate at the General Elections Commission (KPU) office in Jakarta, Dec. 12, 2023. [Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP] U.S.-China competition for primacy in Southeast Asia and tensions related to the disputed South China Sea have led to a few other nations in the region adopting a similar stance. While Indonesia is not a territorial claimant in the South China Sea, its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) overlaps Beijings claims in the waterway. And bilateral diplomatic tensions have arisen in recent years with Chinese fishing boats and coast guard ships encroaching on Indonesias EEZ. The U.S. and China dont see eye to eye in their response to Russias military action in Ukraine either, and Indonesia has not taken sides in the conflict, until, that is, Prabowo suggested an ill-considered plan at the Shangri-La Dialogue defense meeting in Singapore last June. He provoked a backlash at home and abroad for his plan to end the war in Ukraine, after he suggested creating a demilitarized zone and letting people in disputed areas decide their fate through a United Nations referendum. Prabowo is currently leading in most opinion polls, followed by Ganjar and Anies. Jokowi is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term. The Defense Ministry touted several achievements under Prabowos leadership. Among them were creating a military reserve, improving military education institutions and meeting 63% of the minimum essential force goal, the ministry said in a statement in response to a BenarNews request for comment. The ministry also said it had bought defense equipment, such as frigate warships, submarine rescue vehicles, Rafale fighter jets, Airbus A-400M transport aircraft and C-J 30J-30 Super Hercules transport aircraft. Nazarudin Latif in Jakarta contributed to this report. Philippine soldiers stand guard at a Mindanao State University gymnasium entrance in Marawi while police investigators gather evidence after a bomb attack during a Catholic worship service, Dec. 3, 2023. Filipino Islamic militants ambushed and killed two army intelligence operatives who were gathering information in the southern Philippines against suspects linked to a deadly bombing in Marawi city last month, the military said Thursday. The soldiers were among three staff sergeants seeking information about the Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group in Munai, a remote town in Lanao del Norte province on Wednesday, said local infantry chief Maj. Gen. Gabriel Viray III. The third soldier survived the attack. They conducted intel gathering, information gathering. While returning [to their base], they were ambushed, said Viray, referring to the 51st Infantry Battalion members. The soldiers, who wore civilian clothes and rode two motorcycles, were attacked by at least six members of the terrorist group, Viray said. Two of them died while the other is safe, he told reporters, adding their families had been notified. Daulah Islamiyah means Islamic State in the local language and has fighters from several Filipino militant factions. One of those groups is the Maute Group, named after the Maute brothers who led and provided logistics support during a five-month siege of the southern city of Marawi by pro-Islamic State (IS) militants in 2017. Worship service bombed On Dec. 3, a Sunday, militants bombed a Catholic Mass taking place at a university gymnasium in Marawi, killing four people and injuring 50 others. IS claimed responsibility for the attack, which came slightly more than six years after fighters from Southeast Asia and the Middle East were expelled from Marawi after failing in their bid to make the lake shore city their caliphate in the region. The Philippine military, backed by the U.S. and Australia, retook the city on Oct. 23, 2017, following five months of fighting that left 1,200 militants, soldiers and civilians dead. Military and regional police have been on heightened alert and have launched a large-scale manhunt for two leaders who are believed to be the masterminds of the attack on the church service in December, military officials said. In addition, troops killed one of five suspected IS fighters who attacked an infantry camp near the town of Maguing, also in Lanao. The pre-dawn attack on Dec. 28 was repulsed after a few minutes and the body of the unidentified dead militant, along with an assault weapon and ammunition, were left behind, the military said. Richel V. Umel in Iligan City, Philippines, contributed to this report. Bennington, VT (05201) Today Overcast. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Temps nearly steady in the mid to upper 30s. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Variable clouds with snow showers. Low 28F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. MANCHESTER The Manchester Selectboard voted unanimously Tuesday night to oppose a proposal by Verizon to erect a 140-foot cell tower near the Riley Rink at Hunter Park. The vote matches a similar position taken previously by the towns Planning Commission, which stated specific objections to the Verizon plan in a letter to the board. The Selectboard will send its own letter to the states Public Utility Commission expressing its opposition. If Verizon moves forward with its proposal and applies to the state to construct the tower, the PUC is the body that will approve or disapprove that application. The town does not control that decision, although is allowed to weigh in with the PUC on any application. Board Chair Ivan Beattie noted that on this proposal, the Town and the Planning Commission will be in lockstep. Verizon has not filed an application with the PUC for the cell tower project, according to Beattie, although the company has indicated it will in the near future. Attempts to reach Verizon's attorney for comment Wednesday were unsuccessful. Members of the Selectboard echoed the objections expressed by the Planning Commission, including: Health concerns. Cell towers emit radio frequency radiation, and the tower as proposed would be near an elementary school, a large mobile home park, a recreational facility, and a community walking site. Zoning questions. The proposed site appears to be in Manchester zoning district MU2, which does not permit such structures. Concerns about home values. The U.S. Dept. of Housing and Development (HUD) considers cell towers as hazards and nuisances, which reduces home values near the towers. Beattie said the decision is not meant to represent broad public opinion on the issue, noting the board had not asked for a referendum. Instead, he said, the decision should be based on facts and we need to represent the towns best interest on this. The proposed site is owned by Northshire Civic Center, and just west of a solar panel array across from the parking lot from Riley Rink. Verizon would build a 50-by-50-foot concrete pad and chain-link fence. Inside the fence would be a 140-foot monopole with antennas and remote radio heads, an equipment shelter, and an emergency generator. Board member Greg Cutler reflected the thoughts expressed by other members in noting good arguments on both sides some residents and business owners have supported the tower to improve emergency and cell phone service in town. He added, We need it, but theres no place for it. The board indicated a willingness to work with Verizon to locate better sites, even discussing hiring an independent consultant to assist with the search a proposal generally supported by the small group of residents who attended the meeting. "The point of being proactive is worth the time and effort," said Steve Berry. He said it would be better for the town to find good site alternatives and get buy-in from the company. "The towns do not have sufficient money to fight this corporation. I would rather not see one cent go into fighting Verizon, which youll always lose. Beattie said when AT&T previously proposed a site just off Depot Street (the Selectboard and Planning Commission formally lodged their opposition to that communications tower, and AT&T has not pursued that plan at this point), that company looked at between eight to 12 inadequate locations before settling on the Depot Street location. The Verizon proposal is for one antenna on the tower, although other companies, including AT&T, can apply to locate an antenna on the tower in the future. Beattie said those companies would have to receive state approval to built onto any existing tower. Supporters capture images of former President Donald Trump last month at a rally in Iowa. Echoing Adolf Hitler, Trump says he wants to be a dictator on day one, punishing political enemies and bending government agencies to his will. Although a substantial majority of the board members voted to close as of May, New York state law requires a 75 percent supermajority. Another vote will be held within several days. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Biblical characters often have an impact far beyond their own story. The names, events, and lineages found in the Old Testament are often explored, or spoken of, in the pages of the New Testament. This can make it difficult to keep track of everyone in the bible, and why they are important to the faith. Aaron is a prime example of this. We often focus on Moses when we read the story of the Exodus. Moses is the man sent by God; Moses receives the law; Moses leads the Israelites to the Promised Land. It is Moses that is listed in the Heroes of faith of Hebrews 11. Aaron, on the other hand, is glaringly absent from this list. Aaron is relegated to sidekick status. He slides into the background. Is this fair? After all, Aaron accompanied Moses into Egypt and aided in Israels liberation. Aaron co-leads the tribe through the desert and performs miracles and mighty feats of faith. Aaron is no mere sidekick. Below are 6 things that you should know about this important biblical character. 1. Aaron in the Bible Is Moses Older Brother The book of Exodus begins with the Lords call for Moses to liberate Israel from their Egyptian slavedrivers. Moses, originally, rejects this divine commission. He believes himself to be of no importance, a man of slow speech (Exodus 4:10). After a lengthy discussion, Moses defiantly asks Please send someone else (Exodus 4:13). Not a stellar start for this hero of faith. It is here where the Lord enlists Aaron, Moses brother (Exodus 4:14). Not much is known about him prior to this point. Yet several lineages detail how Aaron is the first male child of Amram and Jochebed (Exodus 6:20; 1st Chronicles 6:1-3). In fact, of the three siblings - Miriam, Aaron, and Moses - Moses is the youngest. Moses is the baby of the family. Perhaps this gives rationale for Moses hesitancy to take up the call of God, and why the arrival of Aaron helped Moses accept this divine commission. The arrival of his older brother gave Moses the confidence to step out in faith. Knowing his older brother was there to support him, and speak for him, freed Moses to explore, and accept, the call of God. 2. Aaron Is the First Levitical Priest At the beginning of the Exodus journey, Aaron is a support for Moses (see Exodus 17). At Mount Sinai, however, Aaron takes on the role of Israels priest. We read about this in Exodus 28. Here God commands Moses to Have Aaron your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, so they may serve me as priests (28:1). From this point on, Aaron adopts a ministry that is uniquely his own. Furthermore, as Aaron is born of the tribe of Levi, this means he is the first Levitical priest on record. As priest, it is Aaron who instructs Israel on how they are to approach the Lord in worship and prayer. Aaron becomes dressed in priestly garments containing the names of the sons of Israel. Aaron, quite literally, bears the Israelites upon his shoulders whenever he makes a sacrifice before the Lord (28:12). This is a profound image of the priestly role within the community of faith. 3. Aaron Struggles with Insecurity. Like all biblical characters, Aaron is unabashedly human. Despite being commissioned as priest for the people, Aaron is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. Several instances of his life testify to an insecurity within him. At one point Aaron speaks against Moses stating, has the Lord only spoken through Moses? (Numbers 12:2). The older brother appears jealous of his younger brothers popularity, and leadership. Perhaps the largest testimony to his insecurity is in the case of the golden calf (Exodus 32). With Moses delayed at the top of the mountain, Aaron is requested to cast new gods for the people. Without hesitation, Aaron agrees. Was Aaron tired of being in the shadow of his younger brother? Was Aaron desperate to be liked? Whatever his reasons, Aaron casts the golden calf. Furthermore, he usurps the divine name and declares to the people Here are your gods who lead you out of Egypt (32:4). He then leads the people in a festival that includes all types of revelry. Those who receive a divine commission from the Lord do not leave their flawed humanity behind. People of faith must constantly choose to obey the Lord as opposed to the voice of the crowd around us. Aaron reminds us that even those who have important roles in Gods unfolding plan of salvation need to adopt an attitude of humility, as we strive to remain true to the Lords calling. 4. Aarons Staff Was in the Ark of the Covenant Grumbling was a common occurrence during the Exodus. As they journey through the desert, Israel grumbles about many things, the lack of food, the scarcity of water, the presence of enemies. At one point in their journey, however, a group of Levites revolt against Moses and Aaron believing that the two brothers have unduly exalted themselves. In response, the Lord instructs the heads of every family to inscribe their names on a staff and place them in the tent of meeting. Whichever staff blossoms would indicate the Lords calling to act as Israels priest. Aarons staff blossoms (Numbers 17:8). This budding staff is then placed in the ark of the covenant. In total, three items are placed in the ark of the covenant: Manna, The 10 Commandments, and Aarons staff. Each item testifies to an important blessing within Israels Exodus journey. The manna declares Gods miraculous sustenance for the people, the tablets of the 10 commandments contain the divine law which would serve to govern their lives in the Promised Land, and Aarons staff testified to the spiritual priesthood the Lord raised up for the people. The fact that the symbol of Aarons priestly calling is placed alongside the divine Law and the miraculous manna is a testimony to the importance of this man for Israels history and the establishment of their religious sacrificial system. 5. John the Baptist Is the New Aaron" It can be easy to skip over the many genealogies contained in scripture. Largely they are filled with the names of people we never read about. These genealogies, however, are important to see how God uses particular people and families within the plan of salvation. This is no truer than when it comes to Aaron. The gospel of Luke records that John the baptizer is born to a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and his wife Elizabeth, also a descendant of Aaron (Luke 1:5). John stands in the line of the Levitical priesthood. At his birth, Zechariah declares that John will be the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him (Luke 1:76). This verse describes Johns prophetic role. Importantly, Aaron is initially described as Moses prophet. The Lord says to Moses your brother Aaron will be your prophet...your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his country (Exodus 7:1-2). Aaron heralds the salvation inaugurated by Moses. The significance of this is easily missed today. Many scholars point out that the early church understood Jesus to be a new Moses. This goes back to the passage in Deuteronomy declaring that God would raise us a prophet like Moses to redeem the people (18:18). Jesus often articulates the themes and events of the Exodus, applying them to his messianic mission. It is thus not insignificant that the birth of the new Moses is preceded by the birth of a new Aaron. Just as Aaron was the prophet to Moses, John becomes the prophet who heralds the salvation inaugurated by Christ. 6. Aarons Blessing in the Bible Is Still Used Today Perhaps the biggest legacy of Aarons life and ministry is the blessing attached to his name. As a Levitical priest, Aaron oversees the religious life of Israel. He does not merely perform the sacrifices; he also blesses the people. Aaron is instructed in the precise words he is to use for this blessing. Aarons Blessing is found in Numbers 6:22-26. "The Lord Bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace." This blessing is theologically rich and spiritually encouraging. The profound thing about this blessing is that it is still used today. These verses have found their way into modern praise songs and traditional hymnody. Furthermore, many priests and pastors use this blessing as the benediction for their Sunday services. This blessing is not simply a quaint text of the past. It is a powerful invocation of Gods activity for our lives. Even today these words convey Gods blessing upon the beloved community of faith. Aaron is not simply the sidekick to Moses. He is a person with a ministry, and an impact, all his own. Yes, he is a flawed person, imperfect, and easily swayed by his own insecurity. Yet more than anything, Aarons life provides a vision of what ministry before the Lord is to look like. From bearing the names of the congregation upon his shoulders, announcing the dawning redemption, to blessing the people with divine words, Aaron is a wonderful example for all who would embrace the call to service, love, and ministry. Photo credit: Sparrowstock The Reverend Dr. Kyle Norman is the Rector of St. Pauls Cathedral, located in Kamloops BC, Canada. He holds a doctorate in Spiritual formation and is a sought-after writer, speaker, and retreat leader. His writing can be found at Christianity.com, crosswalk.com, ibelieve.com, Renovare Canada, and many others. He also maintains his own blog revkylenorman.ca. He has 20 years of pastoral experience, and his ministry focuses on helping people overcome times of spiritual discouragement. There are many individuals whose lives are documented in the Bible, and they can be an almost endless wellspring of historical and spiritual insight. However, others have such a small section of Scripture dedicated to them that they can be written off as inconsequential, or theologians and pastors will try to mine their lives so deeply for lessons that they begin to make things up. Other characters just cause those studying the Bible to throw their hands up in surrender and take their mention as incidental to a greater point. The Queen of Sheba has been subjected to all of these treatments, from academia to the pulpit. Mentioned in one historical record during the reign of King Solomon, she was a real ruler whose life has been subject to intense scrutiny among Biblical scholars and secular historians. Her presence in the Bible can be perplexing, but when we are open to what the Holy Spirit wants to teach us, she can give insight into Gods plan, the political situation of Israel at that time, and important spiritual lessons. Who Was the Queen of Sheba? The land of Sheba is believed to have been located in present day Ethiopia and Yemen. According to the Bible, while Solomon was the king of Israel, around 970931 BC, there was a queen ruling in that area. Her visit is documented in 1 Kings 10 and 2 Chronicles 9. Tradition and the Bible both assert she came to see Solomons kingdom for herself after hearing about its prosperity, wealth, and power. In particular, her interest in his immense wisdom is emphasized. Scripture records, Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind (2 Chronicles 9:1-2). After she returns to her kingdom, the Ethiopian church holds the tradition that she bore a son from Solomon named Menelik. He travelled back to Israel, and returned with the Ark of the Covenant, beginning the tradition of Judaism in the area. This movement today is called Beta Israel, or Falasha. Why Was the Queen of Shebas Interaction with Solomon Significant? While there is some extra-Biblical evidence suggesting there was a ruler of Sheba named Menelik who ruled in the right time, the Holy Spirit did not guide the chroniclers to delve into it. This silence makes her a mystery, but the importance of her visit cannot be understated. Perhaps one of the most intriguing things about the Queen of Sheba is that the Ethiopian church and Jewish communities which have existed there intermittently for thousands of years attribute the origins of their faith to her visit with King Solomon. When God covenanted with Israel, it was so they could be an example to the world of godliness and so others would come to them, attracted by their differences, to learn about the one true God. The Queen of Sheba is the only ruler in the Bible who is documented to have done so. She heard about Solomons power and wealth and wanted to see it for herself. When she left, she attributed all she saw to the power of Israels God, and according to the traditions of many African churches which have existed longer than many European churches brought the faith of Israel back to Sheba with her. Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness (1 Kings 10:9). After Jesus death and resurrection, her legacy was furthered when the Apostle Phillip shared the good news of the fulfillment of prophecy in the book of Isaiah to an Ethiopian eunuch, who returned to his homeland as a convert to spread the word to his people. What Can We Learn from the Queen of Sheba? Even the little description of this interaction can serve as a good demonstration of the power of a good testimony, and of the role women can play in Gods plan. Here are five lessons from the Queen of Sheba. 1. King Solomons good testimony was an open door for someone to come ask him about his God. One of the ways to open the door to have conversations about Jesus is by living a life that reflects the Lord to the world; this way of living can be intriguing to people, and can provide the Holy Spirit an opportunity to stir their spirit into pursuing conversation. For people who work in a setting where they cannot necessarily share the Gospel openly every day, it is a good way to find opportunities to live a life for God. A word of caution though, some Christians rely solely on this idea, believing if they just live like Jesus people will inevitably ask, what makes you different?, opening the door to Gospel conversations. However, this does not always bear out. Prayer over every situation and pursuing guidance from the Holy Spirit is the best way to pursue evangelism, rather than relying on one type of personal outreach. 2. Women have a role in Gods plan. God used the Queen of Sheba. In the Bible, it affirms she brought Solomon greater gifts of spice than anyone else. Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices, and precious stones. There were no spices such as those that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon (2 Chronicles 9:9). God used her to bless the Kingdom of Israel. It is also highly probable, based on Coptic, Ethiopian, and Orthodox traditions, that God used her to bring worship of Himself to a part of the world where they may not have known Him yet. 3. Women can be leaders. While it is not seen often in the histories recorded in the Bible, there are women who are called to lead. While some female leaders, like Jezebel, are condemned, there are women who step into that position without negative language or actions associated with them. Deborah is a good example. The Queen of Shebas actions are described without positive or negative language, allowing her actions and words to stand on their own, without commentary from the chroniclers. Her leadership is not presented as a problem. 4. Wisdom is more valuable than great riches. When discussing the importance of wisdom, most people point to Solomons request for wisdom as a gift from God. The Queen of Sheba is another good example of someone in the Bible who understands the importance of true wisdom. The Bible records, And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her. And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more breath in her (1 Kings 10:3b-5). She came to see the riches of Israel, but was most interested in seeing if the rumors of Solomons wisdom were true. She sought out that wisdom, and it is clear in the Bible that she did not give him gifts until he proved himself. 5. Pursuing the truth is a valuable endeavor. In the New Testament, the Gospel writers mention several people who heard about Jesus, and sought Him out. Jesus would affirm their pursuit of the truth. He affirmed Nicodemus, but scolded him for his ignorance. He reached out to Zacchaeus, who scrambled up a tree just to get a glimpse of Jesus. The Queen of Sheba heard rumors, and rather than assuming they were true or false, she travelled hundreds of miles to see if it was true. She is rewarded for this journey, and if the traditions of eastern and African churches are to be believed, she brought that truth back. For people who are uncertain about the truth of the Bible, helping them pursue the truth of the Bible and Jesus teachings is a good way to try to evangelize. The person who is searching for the truth of Gods Word and will if they have the humility to embrace the conviction and whispering of the Holy Spirit will be rewarded with the truth and with salvation. While much of her identity and life remains a mystery, the Queen of Sheba provided a Biblical example of leadership, wisdom, and pursuing the truth. God wanted Israel to serve as a beacon of truth, of His power, and to be a light to the world. While many people were willing to trade with King Solomon for power and money, the Queen of Sheba wanted to see Solomons value, and understood it was in the wisdom and power granted to him by his God, to whom she gave all the credit and the glory. Sources Coulter-Harris, Deborah. The Queen of Sheba Legend, Literature, and Lore. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, 2013. Desta, Alemayehu. Introduction to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Tewaheda Faith. Bloomington: Author House, 2012. Henry, Matthew. Commentary on the Whole Bible Genesis to Revelation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1961. Photo credit: Getty Images/JadeThaiCatwalk Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer who uses her passion for God, reading, and writing to glorify God. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. She has a blog on graceandgrowing.com. BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. Cape Town based interior designer Kim Williams gives her top five design and decor trends for 2024. Image supplied. Cape Town-based interior designer Kim Williams gives her top five design and decor trends for 2024 This follows Williams recent visit to the International Design and Architecture Awards 2023 in London, followed by a visit to the Paris Design Week 2023, hosted by Maison et Objet, a 10-day design fair hosted as part of the 22-day France Design Week 2023. Williams says that we live in a world where our homes and living spaces have transformed into sanctuaries of solace, where safety, self-soothing, vibrancy and personal expression are pride of place. As we prepare to step into 2024, this holistic approach to design is likely to continue - blending a harmonious balance between aesthetics and well-being in our homes. 5 Top five trends Here are Willaims top five trends that will dominate the design landscape and shape our living spaces in 2024: Embracing spaces as sanctuaries Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a noticeable shift towards creating interiors where we feel safe, protected and emotionally connected to a space as our very own sanctuary. Interiors are not merely about aesthetics, colour palettes and textures, but about how they influence our behaviour and how the design elements evoke an emotional response. This trend is about creating a self-soothing environment that elevates our dopamine levels, so we feel calm and happy resulting in enhanced well-being. The rise of maximalist bold colours Bright, bold, and maximalist colours have been on the horizon since the early days of the pandemic, reflecting our collective desire to infuse joy and positivity into our living spaces. We desire freedom, optimism, and an expectation of good things to come; in essence, rejecting feelings of deprivation. This resurgence of the maximalist movement is reminiscent of post-war periods where the mood was celebratory and optimistic. This trend is not just about visual impact through a surge of vibrant and bold colours, but creating spaces that cater to our emotional needs; to uplift our spirits and break free from the constraints of challenging times. Connecting with nature Feeling connected to nature remains a cornerstone of our lives, fostering a sense of calm and balance amidst our increasingly fast-paced and chaotic lives. Our design choices inspire living spaces that become havens of relaxation and tranquillity by inviting the outside in. Also, building upon the evolving trend of layering in design, the concept of self-soothing texture that mimics the embrace of nature is coming to the fore. By incorporating tactile materials that invite touch and create a sensory experience within our homes, our connection to nature is further deepened. Nostalgia reimagined A pervasive element of nostalgia continues to shape our design choices in 2024, but with a shift towards more grounded and culturally rooted colour schemes. There will be a renewed focus on connecting with our past while still embracing the present. Colour palettes are likely to evolve beyond the aesthetic, becoming a journey through time and reflecting our shared history and heritage. This nuanced approach to nostalgia brings depth and authenticity to living spaces, creating environments that are rich in personal and cultural significance. Crafting a sustainable future We have become increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of our choices and there is a growing emphasis on supporting local economies, fostering a sense of community and sustainability in every design choice. This trend emphasises the value of handmade and imperfect elements, of bespoke pieces that tell a story; showcasing the beauty in uniqueness and the importance of the human touch through design. She says that as we embark on a brand-new year, these five dynamic trends will evolve our homes from mere visual experiences to spaces that forge a deeper emotional connection with our surroundings. They will reshape the way we inhabit and experience our living spaces and homes, improving our well-being for the better. South African business travellers have a myriad of options, yet three standout destinations take the lead for 2024: the UK, Singapore, and the UAE. According to Bonnie Smith, general manager of FCM, these locations emerged as the most favoured international travel destinations among South African business travellers in the final quarter of 2023, with strong indications suggesting their continued dominance in 2024. "Economic ties, trade partnerships, and flight routes play a big role in the popularity of overseas destinations for South African business travellers," explains Smith, "And these three locations check all the boxes." The United Kingdom a classic choice The United Kingdom has always been a top pick for South African business travellers, and it looks like 2024 won't be any different. According to a Statista survey, professionals are heading to the UK mainly for client meetings, training sessions, and conferences. "Travelling to the UK for business is doable in 11 hours, and the time difference is convenient. Plus, with over 200,000 South Africans living in the UK, it also offers a chance to combine work with family time for many," says Smith. Source: Supplied But there's more to this love story. The UK and South Africa share strong economic ties, trading in various goods like minerals and agricultural products, and South African businesses have a presence in sectors such as finance, manufacturing, telecoms, and mining in the UK. According to a Global Business Travel study, room prices in London are projected to rise by 9%. To stay ahead of these increases, it's essential to prioritise your supplier negotiations as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can reach out to your Travel Management Company (TMC) to explore how they can assist you in managing these rising costs. Singapore an evolving partnership Singapore's appeal to South African business travellers has a lot to do with its evolving relationship with Africa. In 2018, only 60 Singaporean companies operated in Africa. More than 155 are actively involved, making Singapore one of Africa's top ten investors. Source: Supplied In a sign of this deepening connection, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made a significant trip to Africa in May 2023, where he met with President Cyril Ramaphosa. Their discussions resulted in substantial agreements covering sectors like technology, sustainability, and skills development. Trade relations have also flourished, with the exchange amounting to a substantial $14.38 billion in 2022. So, it's no wonder South African business travellers are increasingly drawn to Singapore, where opportunities are ripe and partnerships are flourishing. UAE a rising hub for change In June 2023, the Dubai International Chamber (DIC) opened an office in Johannesburg. This move aimed to make it easier for businesses from both places to get together and do business. The chamber has over 70 South African companies on its list, a 77% increase since 2016. South Africa happens to be the UAE's top trading partner in Africa, which is probably why it's become a hot destination for South African business travellers in 2023, Source: Supplied "Part of the reason for this increased interest is that Emirates has upped the number of flights to South Africa. From March 2023, the frequency of Emirates flights from South Africa was increased to 42 weekly flights, says Smith. If you can speak or type in natural language, you can prompt generative AI to help you with various knowledge worker tasks. These range from summarising legal documents and highlighting important clauses to creating personalised landing pages for your website or testing and generating code. Furthermore, generative AI is becoming more embedded in many of the daily tools and solutions businesses use, including e-commerce platforms, productivity apps, customer relationship management, and financial systems. But the sheer power of the technology also means it needs to be used responsibly. Businesses must closely monitor issues such as transparency, copyright, data ethics, misinformation, and fairness. The importance of upskilling and reskilling people for a new world of work is also key. In the words of Aaron Harris, chief technology officer at Sage: When it comes to the impact generative AI will have on small and medium businesses, 2024 will bring a sharper focus on developing trusted technology solutions for real customer challenges. "Large Language Models (LLMs) and digital assistants will fundamentally reshape how people interact with software in their personal and professional lives. However, this is only true if humans can trust the technology to do the job safely and competently. That is why, now more than ever, the people developing AI and the people using it need to work hand in hand to make sure AI lives up to its potential. News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. Batches of baby formula sold across the country are being recalled due to a potential risk of serious illness. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) have issued the warning on, Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition which has recalled Nutramigen LGG Stage 1 (400g, ZL3F7D), Nutramigen LGG Stage 2 (400g, ZL3FAA and ZL3FDM) "as a precaution" due to the possible presence of Cronobacter Sakazakii. Advertisement Such infections are rare, but they can be serious for babies younger than two months or babies born prematurely or immunocompromised. Illness usually starts with a fever and poor feeding, excessive crying, or very low energy. In severe cases, it may lead to sepsis or meningitis. Retailers are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale. Consumers are advised not to consume the implicated batch. Simon Harris has said that better communication from the Government would not have made a blind bit of difference in preventing a fire at a former pub in east Dublin. The Minister for Further and Higher Education said there was an extremely worrying trend happening where vacant buildings were being set on fire on purpose. Advertisement A former pub in Ringsend was set alight on New Years Eve amid speculation it was going to be used to house immigrants. Authorities have since said that it was to be used for people who were homeless. Advertisement The incident followed a suspected arson attack at a disused hotel in Rosscahill, Co Galway, that was to be used to house asylum seekers days before Christmas. On Thursday, gardai said they were investigating suspected criminal damage by fire at a vacant building in Fethard, Co Tipperary. Advertisement The blaze broke out at around 9.20pm on Wednesday and was extinguished by local fire services. He said gardai were taking the cases extraordinarily seriously as they carried out criminal investigations. Advertisement What were seeing happening in this country right now and I acknowledge that all political parties absolutely utterly condemn this but what were seeing is an extremely worrying trend happening, where on an all-too-frequent basis, arson attacks are happening on vacant buildings. Advertisement Weve seen it in urban areas, weve seen it in rural areas. But we just need to be very, very careful that we dont ever get to any sort of whataboutery in relation to some of what we have seen in this country. What were seeing, though, is extremely worrying at a time of a real shortage of housing supply, where we as a government, and people on building sites right across the country on a daily basis are working to try and grow supply that we see thugs and criminals torching buildings that could be made available to provide shelter to people. It is an extremely serious and concerning situation, and I know its being treated by the gardai as such. Advertisement Advertisement Asked about politicians who called for a more open debate on immigration, Mr Harris said that immigration was debated on a very regular basis. Government Ministers get asked about it on a regular basis, it gets discussed in the Dail on a regular basis and I dont know what an open debate on immigration means, he said. He added that people who were behind the fires dont do it in our name. I think we just have to be really clear on this: what is the motivation of these people, other than to cause fear, terror, panic, divide, reduce the amount of housing supply in the middle of a housing emergency? he said. It needs to be called out for what it is. I do feel grateful that we live in a country where, largely speaking, with some notable exceptions, there has been a degree of political consensus And I think as we enter 2024, we need to be even more resolute in pulling together on recognising that there can never ever, ever be any sort of justification or whataboutery when it comes to these arson attacks. Asked whether there could have been better communication in some cases, Mr Harris said it would not have made a difference. Advertisement Thats the space I just dont think we should get into because while I think communication with communities is extraordinarily important as a constituency politician, I know the importance of that myself but I dont believe that in and of itself would have made a blind bit of difference, because the people who torched a building, not prejudicing any investigation, arent people who wanted better communication, theyre people who are spreading hatred, he said. These people didnt want to be briefed on what were the plans. They wanted to cause fear and damage, criminal damage. So I dont believe having a public meeting would have changed the motivations of people who torched a building. So there are two important issues, but theyre two different issues. Of course, we need to keep on working as government to communicate and update, and theres a huge amount of work ongoing in relation to that in building teams in the local authorities, and all of that is happening and needs to continue. But its a big leap to go from a communications issue, to trying to in any way, shape or form suggest that failing to communicate has resulted in somebody torching a building and I just dont buy into that. Advertisement Mr Harris was speaking as he announced a package of supports for third-level students included as part of Budget 2024. From next week, 60,000 students will benefit from up to 342 in maintenance grants, as well as a 3,000 increase in the stipend for PhD researchers funded by the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland. Fingal County Council has refused planning permission for a data centre in north Dublin due to the significant lack of on-site renewable energy to power the development. The council has refused planning permission to Servecentric for the data centre at a site at Blanchardstown Corporate Park 2 in Ballycoolin, Dublin 15. Advertisement The local authority refused planning permission as it was not satisfied the proposed development is in accordance with the Government Policy Statement on the 'Role of Data Centres in Irelands Enterprise Strategy 2022'. The council concluded the proposal would materially contravene the Fingal Development Plan. The council also refused permission as it was not satisfied that sufficient information had been provided to enable it to complete the process of screening the proposed development for an Environmental Impact Assessment. Planning permission was previously granted for a warehouse/logistics unit in August 2022 and Servecentric was seeking to amend the permission to change the warehouse use to that of a data centre. Advertisement Advertisement Amy Dunnigan, of Not Here Not Anywhere, told the council with Eirgrid already banning electricity connections for data centres in Dublin, and Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan calling for a ban on gas connections for data centres, it is evident that this development is not future-proof and goes against the best interests of the country. John Callaghan, who was recently the subject of an RTE Investigates programme into alleged payments to objectors in the planning system, also made a submission on the application through his Sustainability 2050 entity. In his submission, Mr Callaghan asked: What is the compelling reason to build the data centre at this location? Mr Callaghan also asked the council to clarify how an electricity supply is already contracted to a data centre not yet granted planning permission, while other operational data centres cannot connect to the grid beyond a limited basis. Advertisement Linda Colleran, a senior planner with the applicant's consultant firm, Tom Phillips & Associates, told the council the overall data centre development has been realised by highly renowned architects, designers, and engineers, thereby ensuring that the most sustainable approach to design, the environment and community engagement is fully achieved. An Environment Impact Statement (EIS) lodged with the application stated there is no real likelihood of significant effects on climate arising from the proposed development during the operational phase. Servecentric is a privately owned Irish provider of data centre services. A planning submission by Tom Phillips & Associates stated the new facility will employ 50 to 60 full-time roles which will support existing clients and manage the infrastructure. The submission stated, with the growth of private cloud applications, there is a latent market for these services and this will lead to significant employment opportunities in the Fingal region. Consultant Professor Ronan Collins has warned that the Covid inquiry must not descend into mudslinging and the focus instead must be on learning what went wrong and seeking a better level of preparedness for future pandemics. Prof Collins told RTE radios Today with Claire Byrne show we cant change the past, but we can recognise the hurt. Any inquiry, investigation, review must lead to recommendations that are then implemented to ensure that better care systems are put in place. Advertisement The key issue was what was the purpose of the exercise, whether it be called an inquiry, investigation or review, he said. If the purpose was to get into mudslinging as tended to happen in Ireland, then that would not be helpful. While mistakes had been made, there were many things that had been done well, he said. The vaccination programme had been very successful. There are lots of positive things. Advertisement The focus must be on a culture of learning from what happened. If it becomes a blame game then people will seek to protect themselves and that will impede a review, he warned. We need to get away from pointing fingers. This was the first pandemic that the Government had to deal with. The purpose must be to get things right next time. Prof Collins also called for hospitals to be redesigned to make them more age friendly to ensure the dignity, security and privacy of older patients. The terms of reference for a Covid inquiry are to be brought to Cabinet shortly, according to Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris, who said the format should encourage transparency. A review of how the State handled the Covid pandemic is expected to analyse the Governments response, how hospitals and nursing homes coped and the effect it had on society and the economy. Advertisement The Government had planned to establish the inquiry in 2023, but Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it was delayed due to a series of unpredictable events. Simon Harris was responding to questions about whether the inquiry should be protected by legal privilege (Brian Lawless/PA) He also said that time was needed to get the terms of reference right so it did not stray into all sorts of things, as had happened in the UK. Advertisement The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has publicly questioned UK prime minister Rishi Sunak, former prime minister Boris Johnson, former health secretary Matt Hancock and former adviser to Mr Johnson, Dominic Cummings. Advertisement Asked about the inquiry, Mr Harris said he expected the terms of reference to come to Cabinet shortly, and said that the format should be one that enables people to be transparent, to be forthcoming. He was responding to questions about whether the inquiry should be protected by legal privilege. Advertisement While acknowledging that a review of the Covid-19 pandemic was really important, he said Ireland did a good job overall during the health crisis. I do feel in this country, in a way that didnt happen in other countries, people came together, people pulled together. But I also know that it was a time of great pain for many people, he said at Government Buildings on Thursday. Advertisement Ireland Covid inquiry should focus on 'lessons for future... Read More Mr Harris, who was minister for health at the beginning of the Covid crisis, said it was for independent experts and not for him to determine what could have been done better. But certainly there will be, absolutely, lessons to be learned, things that need to be done better. And also, youve got to recognise in a pandemic, that I certainly recognise this, that I believe everybody was doing everything they possibly could to the best of your ability with the information that was available, he said. But of course, as you look back, its right and proper to say, actually with the benefit of hindsight, could something have been done differently. Mary Hayes, the director of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, has expressed concern about the criminal element spreading misinformation and making an already challenging situation even more difficult. Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, Ms Hayes said it was important not to forget that the arson attack on a premises in Ringsend that had been intended as accommodation for 14 homeless families, had been a criminal act. Advertisement It was important that people using the services of the Executive were treated with dignity. They still had to go to work and their children had to go to school. People did not always want it advertised that they were homeless and accessing services, she added. Ms Hayes said that the Executive had confirmed to some local politicians before Christmas that the premises was going to be used as accommodation for homeless families and had also confirmed to the media when asked. Advertisement Consultation was not a veto, she said. There is a fine line between communication and veto. There had been a mixed bag of responses in the past when they communicated that a premises was going to be used for homeless accommodation. Ms Hayes said she was very worried now. The situation had been challenging for some time. The escalation of such incidents by a criminal element was a great cause for concern. It was important to separate criminal acts from concerns about the service. Former Army RaTnger, Kildare TD Cathal Berry has said that Irish troops serving with Unifil in Lebanon were providing vital, accurate and verifiable information, so it was important that they stay in the region. Speaking on RTE radios Today with Claire Byrne show, Dr Berry said that the focus of the Unifil troops was on stopping the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah from escalating. Advertisement "The situation there at the moment was very tense and volatile, but Irish troops had been serving with Unifil for more than three decades. They knew the ground well and had the right skill set, the right equipment and were very experienced", he said. They were up to the challenge of stopping the tit-for-tat situation from getting worse. They are needed there. Dr Berry pointed out that the 350 Irish personnel were part of a 10,000 force from 40 different countries. It was vital that they stay as they were the cornerstone of Unifil in the region. Advertisement Willie ODea, the former Minister for Defence, added that the Government had a duty of care to the Irish troops and that the situation was obviously very tense with the danger of escalation. Dr Berry said that the Unifil troops were exactly where they needed to be. It was in Irelands interests to have troops there. It was a peacekeeping mission. The Irish were regarded as honest brokers by both sides. Mr ODea added that the civilians in the region had great regard for Irish troops. Gardai have arrested a third person in connection to the shooting incident at a restaurant in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve. The man was arrested on Wednesday evening and is still being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in West Dublin. Advertisement Tristan Sherry died after being assaulted and a man in his 40s suffered gunshot wounds during an incident at Brownes Steakhouse. Last week, Michael Andercut was charged with murder during a special sitting of the Criminal Courts of Justice. Gardai say investigations are ongoing. Thousands of people took to the streets of Beirut on Thursday for the funeral of top Hamas commander Saleh Arouri, who was killed earlier this week in an apparent Israeli airstrike on an apartment in the Lebanese capital. Draped in Palestinian and Hamas flags, Arouris coffin and those of two of his comrades were first taken to a Beirut mosque for prayers before being carried to the Palestine Martyrs Cemetery where top Palestinian officials killed by Israel over the hast five decades are buried. Advertisement Arouris automatic rifle was placed on his coffin at the prayer service. The funeral was attended by Palestinian officials, including top Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk, as well as representatives of some Lebanese political groups. Thousands attended the funeral (Hussein Malla/AP) Advertisement People tried to touch the coffins that were surrounded by Hamas members wearing green caps. Some of the Hamas members were armed. Advertisement The enemy is running away from its failures and defeats (in Gaza) to Lebanon, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said in a speech aired during the funeral. He added that the killing of Arouri in Beirut is a proof of (Israels) bloody mentality. Lebanese officials and state media said an Israeli drone fired two missiles on Tuesday at an apartment in Beiruts southern Musharafieh district that is a stronghold of Lebanons powerful Hezbollah group, instantly killing Arouri and six other Hamas members, including military commanders. Advertisement Saleh Arouri was killed in an apparent Israeli strike (Hussein Malla/AP) Arouri, who was the deputy political head of Hamas and a founder of the groups military wing, had been in Israels sights for years, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had threatened to kill him even before Hamas carried out its deadly surprise attack on Israel on October 7th that triggered the ongoing brutal war in Gaza. Israel had accused Arouri (57) of masterminding attacks against it in the West Bank, where he was the groups top commander. Advertisement In 2015, the US Treasury Department name Arouri a specially designated global terrorist, offering $5 million for information about him. Arouris killing raises tensions in the already volatile Middle East with Israels ongoing ground offensive in Gaza, daily exchange of fire between Israeli troops and Lebanons Hezbollah fighters and Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacking ships passing through the Red Sea. 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Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, urged London's Metropolitan Police to reopen investigations and called on Andrew's brother, Britain's King Charles III to make a public statement and take questions from the press on the matter. Advertisement Andrew (63), who has previously strenuously denied the allegations, paid millions a year ago to settle a civil case out of court with Virginia Giuffre with no admission of guilt after she accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17. Andrew with members of his family attending the Christmas Day morning church service in Sandringham (Joe Giddens/PA) The development is a fresh setback for Andrew who, just 10 days ago, walked to church on Christmas Day with the king and the rest of the British royal family, symbolising his gradual rehabilitation within the British monarchy after his public appearance at his brothers coronation in his garter robes in May. Advertisement Advertisement Allegations Andrew had an orgy with underage girls and touched a womans breast while posing with a puppet of himself have hit the headlines again after appearing in legal documents relating to the scandal surrounding billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew is mentioned more than 70 times in nearly 1,000 pages of interviews and transcripts released in the US in connection with a 2015 defamation case brought by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell, who was jailed for sex trafficking young girls for Epstein. The names of more than 170 people who were either associates, friends or victims of Epstein are being made public following a judges order last month, including high-profile figures such as former US president Bill Clinton. Advertisement Ghislaine Maxwell with Jeffrey Epstein (US Department of Justice/PA) Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, said on Thursday that he had reported Andrew to the police, accusing the Met of failing to conduct a serious criminal investigation into the case. The force said in August 2022 that it was taking no further action over allegations made against Epstein and that any future probes into human trafficking by the sex offender were focused on activities outside the UK. It also previously said it stood by its 2015 decision not to investigate claims by Ms Giuffre that she was sex trafficked to London by Epstein. Advertisement Advertisement Mr Smith said: To date, there appears to have been no serious criminal investigation, no interview of the accused or other witnesses, and no clear justification for taking no action. I am calling on the Met Police to reopen this case, I am calling on MPs to debate this affair in Parliament, and I am calling on Charles to make a public statement, in front of the press and taking questions, to respond to these allegations and what they say about the monarchy. How can we not expect a response from the government and head of state? At the time of the alleged offences, Andrew was a government trade ambassador and an active member of the royal family. They fudged and obfuscated for 11 years before taking any definitive action. Advertisement Andrew (right) attending the Coronation Concert held in the grounds of Windsor Castle in May (Jonathan Brady/PA) Mr Smith added: The question many people will be asking is simple: if the accused were anyone else, do we believe they wouldnt have been investigated and prosecuted? Buckingham Palace, which no longer speaks on behalf of the duke after he stepped down as a working royal in 2019 over his friendship with Epstein, has not commented on the documents. Evidence from Johanna Sjoberg, who worked for Epstein as a masseuse, alleged Andrew touched her breast while sitting on a couch inside Epsteins Manhattan apartment as he posed for a photo with a caricature of himself in 2001. Advertisement The claim, which has been alleged previously, is thought to refer to a Spitting Image puppet of the duke. Ms Sjoberg said, while giving evidence in May 2016: Ghislaine told me to come upstairs, and we went into a closet and pulled out the puppet, the caricature of Prince Andrew, and brought it down. And there was a little tag on the puppet that said Prince Andrew on it, and thats when I knew who he was. Ms Sjoberg was asked what the puppet looked like and replied: It looked like him. And she brought it down and presented it to him; and that was a great joke, because apparently it was a production from a show on BBC. Andrew at Charless coronation last May (Yui Mok/PA) And they decided to take a picture with it, in which Virginia and Andrew sat on a couch. They put the puppet on Virginias lap, and I sat on Andrews lap, and they put the puppets hand on Virginias breast, and Andrew put his hand on my breast, and they took a photo. Other mentions of the duke include previous allegations that Epstein forced Jane Doe #3 to have sexual relations with was a member of the British Royal Family, Prince Andrew (a/k/a Duke of York) at three locations including on Epsteins private island in an orgy with numerous other under-aged girls. Advertisement The document claimed that Epstein instructed Jane Doe #3 to give Andrew whatever he demanded and that Maxwell facilitated Prince Andrews acts of sexual abuse by acting as a madame for Epstein. Ms Giuffre has claimed she was trafficked by Epstein to have sex with Andrew three times when she was 17 and a minor under US law at Maxwells London home, in Epsteins New York home and during an orgy with Epstein at Caribbean island. She was questioned over the whereabouts of the famous photograph showing her with Andrew, who has his arm around her, with Maxwell grinning in the background. Photo issued by the US Justice Department of Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell (US Department of Justice/PA) Ms Giuffre added it may have been in storage boxes that were full of Nerf guns, my kids toys, photos at her mother and father-in-laws home in Sydney, Australia. She said she gave the picture to the FBI in 2011 but had last seen it before she packed up her home to emigrate to Australia from Colorado. Among the documents appears to be an email sent by Maxwell expressing her fears she would be questioned about her own relationship with Andrew. It reads: I have already suffered such a terrible and painful loss over the last few days that I cant even see what life after press hell even looks like statements that dont address all just lead to more questions what is my relationship to Clinton? Andrew on and on. Advertisement In Maxwells videotaped deposition in 2016, she claimed she could only recall the duke visiting Jeffrey Epsteins private island in the US Virgin Islands once. The Met Police and Andrew's representatives have been approached for comment. An airstrike on the logistical support headquarters of an Iran-backed militia in central Baghdad has killed a high-ranking militia commander, militia officials said. Thursdays strike comes amid mounting regional tensions fuelled by the Israel-Hamas war and fears it could spill over into surrounding countries. Advertisement The Popular Mobilisation Force (PMF) a coalition of militias nominally under the control of the Iraqi military said its deputy head of operations in Baghdad, Mushtaq Taleb al-Saidi or Abu Taqwa was killed as a result of brutal American aggression. An anonymous US official confirmed the countrys forces conducted a strike on a vehicle in Baghdad on Monday against the group Harakat al-Nujaba. The group, one of the militias within the PMF, was designated a terrorist organisation by Washington in 2019. Iraqi military spokesman Yehia Rasool said the Iraqi army blames the US-led International Coalition Forces for the unprovoked attack on an Iraqi security body operating in accordance with the powers granted to it by the Iraqi military. Advertisement Advertisement Palestinians mourn relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip outside a morgue in Khan Younis on Thursday (Mohammed Dahman/AP) The primary mission of the US-led coalition is to fight the so-called Islamic State terrorist group, which continues to carry out periodic attacks in Iraq despite having lost its hold on the territory it once controlled in 2017. Since then, the coalition has transitioned from a combat role to an advisory and training mission. The PMF, a group of Iranian-backed, primarily Shiite militias, were also key in the fight against the Sunni extremist group after it overran much of Iraq in 2014. Advertisement The PMF is officially under the command of the Iraqi army but in practice the militias operate independently. Thursdays strike killed two people and wounded five, according to two militia officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly. One of the officials said Mr al-Saidi was driving into the garage of the headquarters affiliated with the al-Nujaba militia, one of the members of the PMF, along with another militia official when the car was hit, killing both. Heavy security was deployed around the location of the strike on Baghdads Palestine Street and Iraqi war planes could be seen flying overhead. Advertisement An Associated Press photographer was eventually allowed access to the scene of the strike, where he saw the remains of the charred car. Advertisement Members of an Iraqi Shiite militant group stand outside the headquarters of the Popular Mobilisation Force after it was hit by an airstrike (Hadi Mizban/AP) Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7th, a group of Iranian-backed militias calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has carried out more than 100 attacks on bases housing US troops in Iraq and Syria. Advertisement The group said the attacks are in retaliation for Washingtons support of Israel in the war against Hamas which has killed more than 20,000 people in Gaza, and that they aim to push US forces out of Iraq. Thursdays strike is likely to increase calls for a US departure. Last week, Iraqi prime minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani who came to power with the backing of Iran-linked political factions but has also attempted to maintain good relations with the US said his government is proceeding to end the presence of the international coalition forces. The strike also comes two days after a suspected Israeli drone strike in the suburbs of Beirut killed Hamas deputy leader Saleh Arouri. Asked if Israel had involvement in Thursdays strike in Baghdad, an Israeli military spokesperson declined to comment. A tranche of documents relating to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein have been published including the evidence of a woman who claimed Britain's Prince Andrew touched her breast. US Judge Loretta Preska ruled last month that documents naming more than 170 people who were either associates, friends or victims of Epstein should be made public. Advertisement One site where the documents were being released on Wednesday evening crashed within minutes, warning that the server might be overloaded. In one document, a woman named Johanna Sjoberg claimed Andrew touched her breast while sitting on a couch inside the US billionaires Manhattan apartment in 2001, while giving testimony in May 2016. The documents were published following a civil claim made by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell in 2015 Photo: Crime+Investigation/PA. Advertisement Buckingham Palace previously said the allegations are categorically untrue. The documents are part of a 2015 US defamation case by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell, the disgraced British socialite who supplied Epstein with underage girls. Advertisement An email sent from Epstein to Maxwell, which was released as part of the tranche of documents, appeared to show the financier ask her to issue a reward to any of Ms Giuffres friends who come forward and help prove her allegations are false. Among the allegations listed by Epstein in the email were a Clinton dinner and claims described as the new version in the Virgin Islands that Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy. Advertisement In Ms Sjobergs interview under oath, which is called a deposition in the US, she also said Epstein had told her former President Bill Clinton likes them young, referring to girls. In other documents, Maxwell could be seen sending an email in January 2015, shortly after a civil claim had been filed against her, in which she described herself as out of my depth. She added: I have already suffered such a terrible and painful loss over the last few days that I cant even see what life after press hell even looks like statements that dont address all just lead to more questions what is my relationship to Clinton? Andrew on and on. The court documents show that during Maxwells videotaped deposition in 2016, she claimed she could only recall Andrew on Epsteins island once. Advertisement Asked whether any girls under the age of 18 were present on that one occasion, she replied: There were no girls on the island at all. No girls, no women, other than the staff who work at the house. Girls meaning, I assume you are asking underage, but there was nobody female outside of the cooks and the cleaners. Andrew has strenuously denied any wrongdoing following claims made by Ms Giuffre. Photo: US Department of Justice/PA. Andrew stepped down from public life after the furore over his friendship with Epstein and paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case to Ms Giuffre, a woman he claimed never to have met. Andrew was cast out of the working monarchy and no longer uses his HRH style after Ms Giuffre, who was trafficked by Epstein, accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17. He strenuously denies all allegations. Investigators believe suicide bombers probably carried out an attack on a memorial service for an Iranian general killed in a 2020 US drone strike, state media reported on Thursday, as Iran grappled with its worst mass-casualty attack in decades and as the wider Middle East remains on edge. No-one immediately claimed responsibility for what appeared to be the deadliest militant attack to target Iran since its 1979 Islamic Revolution. Advertisement Irans leaders vowed to punish those responsible for the blasts, which killed at least 84 people and wounded at least 284. The explosions struck minutes apart on Wednesday, shaking the city of Kerman, about 510 miles southeast of the capital, Tehran. The second blast sprayed shrapnel into a screaming crowd fleeing the first explosion. Advertisement Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi speaks during a commemoration for the late Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani on Wednesday (Vahid Salemi/AP) An earlier death toll of 103 was twice revised lower. Many of the wounded were in a critical condition, however, so the death toll could rise. Advertisement The gathering marked the fourth anniversary of the killing of General Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guards elite Quds Force, in a US drone strike in Iraq. Advertisement The explosions occurred near his grave site as queues of people gathered for the event. Iranian state television and officials described the attacks as bombings, without immediately giving clear details of what happened. The attacks came a day after a deputy head of the Palestinian militant group Hamas was killed in a suspected Israeli strike in Beirut. The first bomb on Wednesday was detonated at about 3pm and the other went off some 20 minutes later, the Iranian interior minister, Ahmad Vahidi, told state television. Advertisement He said the second blast killed and wounded the most people. Advertisement Images and video shared on social media appeared to correspond with the accounts of officials, who said the first blast happened about 700 metres from Mr Soleimanis grave in the Kerman Martyrs Cemetery near a car park. The crowd then rushed west along Shohada Street, where the second blast struck about half a mile from the grave. A delayed second explosion is often used by militants to inflict more casualties by targeting emergency personnel responding to an attack. Advertisement Iranian state TV and state-run IRNA news agency quoted emergency officials for the casualty figures. Authorities said Thursday would be a national day of mourning. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the attackers will face a harsh response, though he did not name any possible suspect. Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi said: Undoubtedly, the perpetrators and leaders of this cowardly act will soon be identified and punished. People gather at the site of an explosion in the city of Kerman (Sare Tajalli/ISNA via AP) Iran has multiple foes who could be behind the assault, including exile groups, militant organisations and state actors. While Israel has carried out attacks in Iran over its nuclear programme, it has conducted targeted assassinations, not mass casualty bombings. A US State Department spokesman, Matthew Miller, said American officials had no reason to believe Israel was involved in Wednesdays attack in Iran. That was echoed by National Security Council spokesman John Kirby at the White House, who said our hearts go out to all the innocent victims and their family members. Sunni extremist groups including the so-called Islamic State terrorist group have conducted large-scale attacks in the past that killed civilians in Shiite-majority Iran, though not in relatively peaceful Kerman. Iran also has seen mass protests in recent years, including those over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in 2022. Advertisement The country has also been targeted by exile groups in attacks dating back to the turmoil surrounding its 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran itself has been arming militant groups over the decades, including Hamas, the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah and Yemens Houthi rebels. A woman holds up a poster of Qassem Soleimani during a commemoration in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP) As Israel wages its devastating war in Gaza after Hamass October 7th attacks that killed 1,200 people, both Hezbollah and the Houthis have launched attacks targeting Israel that they say come on behalf of the Palestinians. Israel is suspected of launching the attack on Tuesday that killed a deputy head of Hamas in Beirut, but that attack caused limited casualties in a densely populated neighbourhood of the Lebanese capital. Last week, a suspected Israeli strike killed a Revolutionary Guard commander in Syria. A Houthi spokesperson, Mohammed Abdel-Salam, sought to link the bombings to Irans support for the resistance forces in Palestine and Lebanon, though he did not specifically blame anyone for the attack. Some Iranian officials also hinted at Israeli and American involvement without offering evidence, which is common after militant attacks. In Beirut, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah called the people who died in the attacks martyrs who died on the same road, cause and battle that was led by Mr Soleimani. Advertisement The government of neighbouring Iraq expressed condolences to the victims, and the European Union issued a statement offering its solidarity with the Iranian people. Even Saudi Arabia, a longtime regional rival which reached a detente with Iran last year, offered its sympathies. Crowds after an explosion in Kerman (Mahdi Karbakhsh Ravari/Mehr News Agency via AP) Mr Soleimani was the architect of Irans regional military activities and is hailed as a national icon among supporters of Irans theocracy. He also helped secure Syrian president Bashar Assads government after the 2011 Arab Spring protests against him turned into a civil, and later a regional, war that still rages today. Mr Soleimani had been relatively unknown in Iran until the 2003 US invasion of Iraq. His popularity and mystique grew after American officials called for his killing over his help in arming militants with penetrating roadside bombs that killed and maimed US troops. A decade and a half later, Mr Soleimani had become Irans most recognisable battlefield commander. He ignored calls to enter politics but grew as powerful, if not more so, than its civilian leadership. Ultimately, a drone strike launched by former US president Donald Trumps administration killed the general, part of escalating incidents that followed Americas 2018 unilateral withdrawal from Tehrans nuclear deal with world powers. Advertisement Mr Soleimanis death has drawn large processions in the past. At his funeral in 2020, a stampede broke out in Kerman and at least 56 people were killed and more than 200 were injured as thousands thronged the procession. Until Wednesday, the deadliest attack to strike Iran since the revolution was the 1981 truck bombing of the Islamic Republican Partys headquarters in Tehran. That attack killed at least 72 people, including the partys leader, four government ministers, eight deputy ministers and 23 parliament members. In 1978, just ahead of the revolution, an arson attack at the Cinema Rex in Abadan killed hundreds of people. The UK is not sufficiently co-ordinating with France in efforts to reduce the number of migrants crossing the Channel in small boats, a French report said as part of a broader assessment pointing to the uncertain effectiveness of illegal migration policies. France is struggling to develop operational co-operation arrangements with the UK, according to the report published on Thursday by Frances Court of Accounts, a body in charge of auditing the use of public funds, independent from the French government and parliament. Advertisement The report refers in particular to a joint intelligence unit created in 2020 to fight human smuggling and reduce the number of people risking their lives to cross the Channel illegally. In 2022, it helped dismantle seven illegal migration networks. The court found that the British dont provide usable information on the departures of small boats, and give very general, first-level information that has not been counter-checked. Advertisement Advertisement Information on the circumstances in which migrants arrive and their nationalities and on boats appears to be very patchy, the report said. The relationship between France and the UK is therefore unbalanced in terms of information and intelligence exchange. Advertisement The UKs Ministry of Defence estimated that crossings of the English Channel by boat increased by at least 58 per cent between 2021 and 2022, a year that saw more than 45,000 migrants arrive on British shores. The report said 56 per cent of crossing attempts were prevented that same year unchanged from the year before. The UK government announced this week that the number of migrants crossing fell by more than a third in 2023, to provisionally just over 29,000. The UKs Home Office said on Wednesday that another 26,000 of these dangerous, illegal and unnecessary crossing attempts were prevented in 2023 thanks to our partnership with France. Advertisement France in recent years has stepped up efforts to prevent migrants from crossing the Channel, including through more police, equipment and facilities. People thought to be migrants, who undertook the crossing from France in small boats and were picked up in the Channel, arrive to be disembarked from a small transfer boat which ferried them from a larger British border force vessel that did not come into the port, in Dover, south east England (Matt Dunham/AP) The country received 222 million euros (191.3 million) from the UK from 2018 to 2022 as part of a bilateral agreement and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last March promised 480 million for the 2023-2026 period. Advertisement The number of people living illegally in France is unknown, but researchers from the Pew Research Centre estimated their numbers in 2017 to be between 300,000 and 400,000, in a country of 67 million inhabitants. Advertisement This is about three times fewer migrants with no legal status than in the UK and Germany. The Court of Accounts report assessed a series of other issues related to illegal immigration policies, which were subject to 133 changes in law in the past decade. It pointed to the difficulty of implementing orders to leave the national territory, despite France carrying out the most deportations in the European Union. More than 150,000 such decisions were made in 2022 and only 10 per cent of the concerned people actually left, it said. Amid recent debate over an immigration bill that focused largely on how to speed up the deportation process, the report said international comparisons suggest that a change of scale is not realistic regarding such policies. UK authorities sent back about 3,500 people to their home country and Germany sent back about 13,000 people in 2022, according to statistics gathered by the French interior ministry. Reasons listed by the report include French authorities difficulty to prove the identity of the concerned migrants, reluctance from home countries to issue authorisation to let them in and refusal by commercial airlines and plane pilots to take them onboard. The Court of Account instead suggested enacting policies that would encourage migrants to voluntarily move back to their home countries by offering them money. Advertisement Such policies have been proven to have significant efficiency, the Court said, noting that France is lagging behind the UK and Germany in that respect. Pierre Moscovici, head of the Court of Account, said on Thursday the body also recommends a better organisation of border guards and police to make them more efficient, noting that more people are illegally crossing the border, mostly from Italy and Spain, in recent years. Irregular immigration costs France about 1.8 billion euros (1.55 billion) each year and involves 16,000 state employees, police and military, the Court said. The Australian Human Rights Commission has found multiple human rights violations were committed by the Department of Home Affairs against an Afghan refugee who endured over seven years in immigration detention upon arriving in Australia as an unaccompanied child. Khan Ali Safdary, a 30-year-old member of the persecuted Hazara ethnic group, suffered violations including the departments failure to ensure a safe place of detention, leading to a violent assault by another detainee. Khan Ali Safdary was viciously beaten on Christmas Island in January, 2017. He has lasting injuries including a fractured eye socket, tinnitus, permanent hearing loss, head pain, and double vision. The commission also found the department used force when it wasnt a last resort against Khan Ali. Following his assault by a fellow detainee and hospitalisation for a major head injury, Serco officers working for the department applied excessive force against him, the commission found. A segment of Khan Alis detention was deemed arbitrary, constituting a violation of his rights under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The commission provided the report to the attorney-general, and it was tabled in parliament on November 23 last year. A 29-year-old man charged with sexually assaulting an elderly woman in an aged care home in Coffs Harbour on the NSW North Coast allegedly wore a stocking over his face and put his hand over her mouth to stop her screaming, before police say she fought back and ran for help. Footage of the arrest shows gloved officers pouncing on Hayden Carl Skinner outside a shop as he walked down the street about 2.30pm on Thursday. Hayden Carl Skinner has been arrested and charged over the alleged sexual assault of a 76-year-old woman in a Coffs Harbour aged care home. Credit: NSW Police Emergency services were called to the aged care home about 2.30am on New Years Day following reports a 76-year-old woman had been sexually assaulted. Describing the incident as horrendous, State Crime Commands Sex Crimes Squad commander Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty said police would allege that, at 2.20am, Skinner placed a stocking over his face to disguise his appearance before entering the womans room via a courtyard. An inner-city public housing unit block that is just 35 years old will be demolished within months as the NSW government pushes on with a contentious plan to knock it down and rebuild on the site to add 26 more homes. But residents and community groups say the block in Glebe is too new to be knocked down and that the length of time it takes to demolish and rebuild will only further add to the states long housing waiting list. 82 Wentworth Park Road, Glebe, will soon be demolished. Credit: Oscar Colman The block, at 82 Wentworth Park Road, near the greyhound racetrack, is mostly empty, after Housing NSW began evicting residents in preparation for the demolition in the middle of this year, saying at the time of the evictions that all residents would be moved to nearby locations. In December, the City of Sydney Local Planning Panel was split on whether to endorse the development application (although it technically cannot reject a Crown DA). It ultimately supported the project after chair Abigail Goldberg used her casting vote to accept it. A tired Spring Hill commercial building used for offices and health services could be given a new life as a boutique apartment complex. The owners of 383 Wickham Terrace at Spring Hill have lodged a development application in a bid to give the building a facelift and vastly different street appeal. An artists impression of the redevelopment proposed for 383 Wickham Terrace at Spring Hill in Brisbane. With a 15-storey hospital and hotel complex approved for development across a side street, and a hotel proposed around the corner, the owners have opted to keep the buildings footprint and structure much the same. The design reflects a similar built form to the existing building but involves an additional storey, greater openings and windows to support residential living and increased open space, car parking and landscaping as required by the Brisbane City Plan 2014, the application states. An intellectually disabled man was stabbed and left for dead on the side of a road in Melbournes south-eastern suburbs. Spiros Filidis, 46, was on his way to catch the bus in Hampton East heading for Southland shopping centre on Tuesday when he was killed. He wouldnt fight back, he doesnt know how to, his godmother Christine Kounelis told Nine News. I just keep on thinking how he was on his own, stabbed, no one there, couldnt defend himself. Is it not safe to go out at lunchtime? Last year, Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses second American visit coincided with the resolution of yet another paralysing domestic political crisis for the United States. Having unseated the Speaker of the House for the first time in history leaving the position empty for an unprecedented (expect to get very tired of that word this year) three weeks Republicans finally elected Louisiana congressman Mike Johnson. Though the timing of the Speakers election meant that Albanese was unable to address a joint session of Congress, he was able to meet briefly with Johnson. Illustration by Andrew Dyson Credit: Sitting in front of a grand fireplace on a slightly too deep, cream-coloured wooden chair, Albanese offered his congratulations, warmly describing the Speakers election as terrific. As Johnson nodded politely, the prime minister moved to his biggest priority: the important legislation required for AUKUS. We are, he continued, certainly hoping that the Congress can pass that legislation this year. Johnson came through for Albanese a few weeks later, shepherding legislation through Congress that will theoretically allow a future presidential administration to transfer the necessary technology for Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. AUKUS was saved, for now. But at what cost, and at what risk? Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Transport Minister Catherine King met several times with then-Qantas boss Alan Joyce between November 2022 and August last year as the government weighed up Qatar Airways request for greater access to the Australian aviation market and debated industrial relations reforms. The government came under sustained pressure last year to explain its decision to reject Qatars August 2022 bid to double its flights to the country, with Albanese saying he had not been lobbied by Qantas on the issue after the Coalition accused him of a sweetheart deal with the carrier. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with then-Qantas chief Alan Joyce in August. Credit: Louie Douvis Albaneses official diary records from May 16, 2022, to December 11, 2022, released after a 16-month freedom of information battle between the government and former senator Rex Patrick and The Australian Financial Review, show Albanese had a half-hour meeting with Joyce on November 23, 2022. A document Qantas sent in September to a Senate select committee on the cost of living in response to a question on notice shows Joyce also met King at Parliament House the same day. He met with her again on May 10, 2023, and with both Albanese and King on August 9. The United States could soon begin hitting missile sites in Yemen to deter Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, and Australia has joined a 12-nation coalition warning the rebels they will face consequences if they continue attacking vessels passing through the crucial trade corridor. The rising tensions in the Red Sea are part of a wider escalation of hostilities in the Middle East flowing from the war in Gaza, including warnings of retaliation against Israel by the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon after a senior Hamas leader was killed in a drone strike in Beirut. A Houthi helicopter approaches a cargo ship in the Red Sea as the rebels threaten to seize vessels owned by Israeli companies. Credit: Getty Images Underlining the growing risks in the region, Iran vowed to respond to what it called a terror attack after at least 103 people died in twin blasts near the burial site of military commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US air strike in Baghdad in 2020. After Australia last month declined to send a warship to the Middle East in response to the Houthi attacks, military experts have called for the Albanese government to find the money required to boost the navys number of ships as part of its response to a review of the nations surface fleet. Now, though, I want zero association with the title digital nomad and all its connotations. And its true. Life as a digital nomad seemed like a utopia when I resigned from my full-time journalism job last May. I could work on my own schedule in a place where the sun always shines and my dollars take me further. Becoming a digital nomad who can work from anywhere is a hot trend, but theres a downside for some of the places these nomads choose to reside. Credit: iStock The average one is in their late 20s to early 30s. Western. Male. Speaks English. Works with only their laptop while travelling. Laptop-fuelled imperialism is the term I use. Foreign gentrification is a toned-down version. Either way, the phenomenon certainly feels like the 2023 version of getting all up in developing countries business with some obvious advantages for the rich and few for the less rich. Ive spent most of the past year on the new frontier: Latin America. Many remote workers here come from the United States, which contributes nearly 17 million digital nomads worldwide about half the worlds total. But nowhere is really safe in our post-pandemic world. More than 50 countries now offer digital nomad visas and dozens more are littered with workers registered as tourists. South-East Asia is a popular choice, particularly for Australians, (as is South Africa among Europeans, who can work in the same time zone). The first warning sign is when they introduce themselves as digital nomads. Suddenly youve been co-opted into a pitch about their crowd-seeded transformative blockchain engineering project and no, its not the same as cryptocurrency, and yes, they will explain why. Last year I booked the wrong hostel in Lisbon, where the common room was no site for mischief but rather some kind of keyboard-punching, hyper-capitalist library. Then you start to hear stories from locals. Russia and Ukraine have exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war in the biggest single release of captives since Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukrainian authorities said that 230 Ukrainian POWs returned home in the first exchange in almost five months. Russias Defence Ministry said that 248 Russian servicemen had been freed under the deal sponsored by the United Arab Emirates. The UAEs Foreign Ministry attributed the successful swap to the strong friendly relations between the UAE and both the Russian Federation and the Republic of Ukraine, which were supported by sustained calls at the highest levels. Nearly 500 POWs were released to their home countries on Thursday. Credit: @ZelenskyyUa The UAE has maintained close economic ties with Moscow despite Western sanctions and pressure on Russia after it launched its invasion in 2022. Noted neurologist M. Laura Feltri dies at 60 UB neurologist M. Laura Feltri was elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science last year in recognition of her lifetime achievements. Photo: Sandra Kicman M. Laura Feltri, an internationally known pioneer in the study and treatment of myelin diseases in the nervous system and UB faculty for more than a decade, died Dec. 25 in her native Italy after a long battle with cancer. She was 60. A widely respected scholar and SUNY Distinguished Professor of biochemistry and neurology in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Feltri also served as director of UBs Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration. She was elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) last year in recognition of her lifetime achievements. Dr. Feltri was an internationally recognized neuroscientist, a mentor to many and a friend to all, said Allison Brashear, vice president for health sciences and dean of the Jacobs School. The school will be working with her many friends to honor her legacy in the coming year. Her research focused on multiple sclerosis (MS); Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, which affects the peripheral nerves; and Krabbe leukodystrophy, a rare, fatal neurological disease that afflicts newborns. With major funding from the National Institutes of Health, Feltri made numerous seminal discoveries in her field, including developing the first mutagenesis tool for studying the development of Schwann cells, which generate myelin, and the signals that regulate myelination. In collaboration with her husband and UB colleague, Lawrence Wrabetz, she pioneered the use of transgenic animals to model neurological diseases and develop new therapies. Over the course of her career, Feltri authored more than 140 peer-reviewed research articles. Her expertise was sought by numerous national and international organizations. She served on the review panel of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She was first a member, and then chair, of the Cellular & Molecular Biology of Glia Study section of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the NIH. She also served as scientific adviser to the Charcot Marie Tooth Association, the CMT4B3 Research Foundation and KrabbeConnect. Laura was a joy to work with. Despite receiving many accolades, she was self-critical and sought constantly to improve her scholarship, teaching and mentoring, said Mark R. OBrian, professor and chair of the Department of Biochemistry. She made us all better. Early in her career, Feltri was awarded the International Society for Neurochemistrys Young Investigators Colloquia Award. In 2020, she was an invited speaker at the Nobel Mini-Symposium at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. Feltri was an excellent adviser and mentor to numerous undergraduate, masters and doctoral students, and was the recipient of a Distinguished Postdoc Mentor Award in 2013. She was president-elect of the Peripheral Nerve Society and served on the editorial board of various journals, as well as the boards of several scientific organizations. Feltri earned her medical degree and did her residency in neurology at the University of Milano. She was a postdoctoral fellow at Thomas Jefferson University. She was a faculty member and head of the NeuroGlia Unit at the San Raffaele Scientific Institute in Milano, Italy, before joining the UB faculty in 2011. Survivors include her husband and five children. The Logix group has created large facilities for the Information Technology (IT) sector apart from residential units The Income-Tax department on Thursday searched major real estate groups based in Noida, Uttar Pradesh as part of a tax evasion investigation against them, official sources said. The premises of realty groups like Bhutani Infra, Group 108, Logix and some other companies were raided by the tax department, they said. A total of 37 premises in Noida, Delhi and neighbouring Faridabad (Haryana) have been covered during the searches that were launched after noon, the sources said. There was no immediate response from Bhutani Infra, Logix Group and Group 108 when contacted by PTI. The books of accounts and inventories of these groups were looked into by the search teams, the sources said, adding that the raids were going on. Bhutani Infra, which deals in luxury projects, stated last year that it was developing a 15 million square feet area in four projects in Noida and is expanding out of the national capital region for the first time in four locations, including Goa. The Logix group has created large facilities for the Information Technology (IT) sector apart from residential units. Swan Group has presence in the textiles, real estate, oil and gas and petrochemical sectors Swan Energy on Thursday said it has formally taken the management control of Reliance Naval & Engineering. The company had emerged as the winning bidder under an insolvency resolution process. The National Company Law Tribunal-appointed monitoring committee has handed over the management control of the company with the approval of the committee of creditors to Swan Energy, according to a statement. Swan Energy has constituted a board with its managing director Nikhil Merchant as the executive director, and Paresh Merchant and Bhavik Merchant as board members of Reliance Naval. It will finalise plans to put in place a top management structure to oversee operations of Reliance Naval. A special purpose vehicle -- Hazel Infra -- floated by Swan Energy had submitted as Rs 2,100 crore-bid for Reliance Naval. Swan Energy owns 74 per cent in Hazel Infra and the remaining 26 per cent is owned by Hazel Mercantile, in which Swan is a strategic investor. The acquisition of Reliance Naval marks the company's entry into the shipbuilding, ship repairing and heavy fabrication industry. Swan Group has presence in the textiles, real estate, oil and gas and petrochemical sectors. Food delivery major Zomato has initiated the process of liquidation for its Vietnam business, the company said in a regulatory filing on Thursday. The company added that the step-down subsidiary does not have any active business operation, and its liquidation would not impact the operations of the company. 'It may be further noted that Zomato Vietnam Company Limited (ZVCL) is not a material subsidiary of the company, and the dissolution of ZVCL will not affect the turnover/revenue of the company,' the filing read. Over the past year, Zomato has been exiting from international markets, in a bid to cut costs. In 2023 alone, the company closed its Portugal, Chile, Czech, Indonesia, Jordan, and Philippines subsidiaries. The company recently posted its second consecutive quarter of consolidated profits at Rs 36 crore in the second quarter (Q2) of financial year 2023-24 (FY24), up from Rs 2 crore a quarter ago. Zomatos revenue from operations rose 71 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to Rs 2,848 crore in Q2, up from Rs 1,661 a year ago. It had reported a revenue of Rs 2,416 in the previous quarter. Total expenses for the Gurugram-based food delivery firm increased to Rs 3,039 crore in the quarter ended September, up from Rs 2,612 a quarter ago and Rs 2,092 a year ago. India on Thursday trashed reports that claimed spotting certain Indian-origin artillery shells in Ukraine, and categorically asserted that it has not sent any ammunition to that country. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi has neither sent nor exported any artillery ammunition to Ukraine. "We have also seen some media reports in this regard. We can categorically say that we have not sent any of this artillery ammunition to Ukraine," he said at a media briefing. Jaiswal's remarks came in response to a question on reports about Indian-made artillery shells being spotted in Ukraine. India has been maintaining that the conflict in Ukraine must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. On Tuesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a "useful" phone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba focusing on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Kyiv's peace formula and ways to advance bilateral ties. The phone conversation came days after Jaishankar paid a five-day visit to Russia during which he held extensive talks with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and called on President Vladimir Putin. "A useful conversation with FM @DmytroKuleb of Ukraine today. Discussed advancing our bilateral cooperation in the year ahead. Exchanged views on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine," the external affairs minister said on X after the talks. On his part, Kuleba said he conveyed to his Indian counterpart the "peace formula" and Ukraine's plan for the 'Global Peace Summit' of leaders. "We discussed further cooperation on the Peace Formula. In this regard, I informed my counterpart of Ukraine's vision for the Global Peace Summit of leaders," he said. "We agreed to hold the first meeting of the India-Ukraine Inter-Governmental Commission since 2018 in the near future," Kuleba said. The Ukrainian foreign minister further added that the "rejuvenation of this primary mechanism of our bilateral ties will allow us to jointly move forward in a comprehensive manner." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy put forward a 10-point "peace plan" for ending the conflict that included punishing those responsible for the war crimes, withdrawing all Russian troops from Ukraine, and restoring his country's territorial integrity. Under the plan, he also called for ensuring energy security, food security, and nuclear safety. In the past two months, the stock has outperformed the market by surging 38 per cent. Its previous record high of Rs 1,045.35 was touched on December 7, 2023. Shares of Torrent Power surged 13.5 per cent on the BSE to a fresh high of Rs 1,071.6 in Thursdays intra-day trade after the company signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) for projects worth Rs 47,350 crore with the Gujarat government. The four MoUs were signed between Torrent Power and Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) in Gandhinagar under the 10th edition of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. The MoUs entail setting 3,450 MW of solar power projects, 1,045 MW of hybrid power projects, associated infrastructure for 7,000 MW solar project, green hydrogen/green ammonia output facility and capex for distribution network. The management said Torrent Power intends to make a significant portion of its future investments across key national priorities of renewable generation, pump storage hydro projects, green hydrogen / green ammonia production and power distribution. Torrent Power is one of the largest companies in the countrys power sector with presence across the entire power value chain generation, transmission and distribution. For the first half of fiscal 2024, Torrent Powers earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (Ebitda) improved to around Rs 2,406 crore from Rs 2,224 crore for the same period last year. This was on account of strong performance in the franchisee distribution business segment led by lowering of losses, increase in power demand across all distribution areas, contribution from acquired renewable assets and contribution from its 1,200 MW combined cycle gas power plant in Dahej, Gujarat. In terms of operating performance, plant load factor (PLF) of the companys lone thermal asset continued to operate at high levels in the first-half of fiscal 2024 as demand for power in the country continued to grow. Operating performance is likely to continue to improve in the current fiscal with steady recovery in the franchise distribution business, as per CRISL Ratings. It added that further focus on the licence distribution business with assured return on equity model, coupled with judicious expansion in renewable businesses, should help continued growth in Ebitda. The rating agency in a rationale said it understands the company may augment its generation capacity through the inorganic route to support the increasing demand in its distribution regions. Also, from a growth perspective, it might enter into new distribution areas. However, the management has guided to keep leverage and capital structures within the rating threshold on a sustainable basis. Conversion of any such opportunity to expand capacity or distribution area will be monitorable, it said. "My lawyers have told me that the ED summons are illegal. BJP wants to arrest me to stop me from campaigning for Lok Sabha polls," he alleged. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday alleged that the BJP-led central government wanted to arrest him to stop him from campaigning for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Addressing a press conference here, he accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of wanting to tarnish his image and asserted that his honesty is his "biggest asset". Kejriwal, who is also the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener, had skipped the Enforcement Directorate summons on Wednesday for the third time. "My lawyers have told me that the ED summons are illegal. BJP wants to arrest me to stop me from campaigning for Lok Sabha polls," he alleged. Kejriwal said that he has written to the ED, saying their summonses are "illegal" but has not got any response. "They haven't replied because they know that their summonses are illegal. Should I follow illegal summons? If legally sound summons will be issued, I will follow them. My greatest wealth is my honesty. They want to break me by tarnishing my image," he said. Kejriwal said that eight months ago when he was called by the Central Bureau of Investigation, he had appeared before the agency. "Why am I being summoned before Lok Sabha polls? It is because the BJP does not want to get me interrogated but arrested by the ED," he claimed. The chief minister underlined that there is no excise policy scam as it is being alleged and there is no evidence against any of the AAP leaders who are in jail. "Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Vijay Nair are not in jail because they were involved in corruption but because they did not join the BJP. We are able to fight them because we have not been involved in corruption," he said. Kejriwal on Wednesday skipped the summons by the ED in connection with the Delhi excise policy case and cited Rajya Sabha polls, Republic Day preparations and the probe agency's "non-disclosure and non-response approach" as reasons for not appearing before it. In a letter addressed to the ED, the AAP leader also said that he would be "happy to answer" any questionnaire sent by it. "The ED is gearing up to raid and arrest Kejriwal," another source from the party said | Photo: Twitter AAP sources on Thursday claimed that the roads leading to Arvind Kejriwal's residence here were blocked and police personnel deployed at all gates as the ED was "gearing up" to raid and arrest the Delhi chief minister. The Delhi Police, however, said the security around the CM house was beefed up to "manage" mediapersons who have gathered there since Wednesday after party leaders claimed that Kejriwal would be raided and arrested. "The roads leading to the CM house have been shut and police personnel are deployed at all the entry/exit gates. Event the staff deployed at the CM house has been stopped from entering," an Aam Aadmi Party source said. "The ED is gearing up to raid and arrest Kejriwal," another source from the party said. Delhi cabinet minister and AAP leader Atishi on Wednesday night said on X, "News coming in that ED is going to raid Arvind Kejriwal's residence tmrw morning. Arrest likely." A senior Delhi Police officer, however, said the "security was increased to manage the media personnel" after the AAP's claim of a possible raid at the CM's house. "No one from the CM staff has been stopped," another police officer said, terming the increase in the number of police personnel as "general deployment". Kejriwal on Wednesday skipped the third summons by the ED in connection with the Delhi excise policy case and cited Rajya Sabha polls, Republic Day preparations and the probe agency's "non-disclosure and non-response approach" as reasons for not appearing before it. In a letter addressed to the Enforcement Directorate, the AAP leader also said that he would be "happy to answer" any questionnaire sent by it. Meanwhile, the AAP claimed that the summonses were sent to arrest Kejriwal as the BJP-led Centre wanted to stop him from campaigning for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Senior Congress leaders from across the country met here on Thursday to discuss strategy for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, seat sharing and preparations for the Rahul Gandhi-led Manipur to Maharashtra Bharat Nyay Yatra beginning January 14. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge convened the meeting of party general secretaries, state in-charges, state unit chiefs and Congress Legislature Party leaders at the party headquarters here. Former party chief Rahul Gandhi was also present. This is the first meeting of the newly appointed party officials after Kharge carried out a reshuffle in December. Ahead of the meeting, former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said two meetings of the internal Congress committee were held to deliberate on seat sharing with other parties. "The committee will now present its report to party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. We will be meeting again to discuss strategies to strengthen the INDIA alliance and address seat-sharing issues," Gehlot said. The Congress has been out of power for 10 years and is now banking on the INDIA bloc to unitedly take on the BJP and oust it from power. The Congress leadership has held separate meetings with state leaders and discussed the poll preparedness in their respective states in the past few months. The Bharat Nyay Yatra, the second version of the Bharat Jodo Yatra that was held between September 2022 and January 2023, will be held from Imphal to Mumbai between January 14 and March 20. The yatra from India's east to west is an attempt by the Congress to reach out to people and connect with them ahead of the Lok Sabha polls due in April-May. Sharmila is the daughter of former chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, the late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy | Photo: ANI YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP) Chief YS Sharmila is all set to merge with the Congress party in Telangana today. YS Sharmila on her visit to Idupulapaya yesterday, announced her readiness to join the Congress party and said that she will soon be meeting the BJP top brass in New Delhi. The significant move by the YSRTP chief comes days after the Congress party won the Telangana assembly elections. During the recent assembly elections in Telangana, YS Sharmila constantly rendered her support to the Congress party. She clarified that she did not contest the polls as it would have led to spilling of votes. "I am extending support to the Congress party because the Congress party stands the chance of winning in the Telangana Assembly elections... KCR has not fulfilled any of the promises he made to the people in his 9-year tenure. And that's the only reason I do not want KCR to come to power... I, as the YSR's daughter risk Congress' chance, because I tend to pull the Congress vote bank," she said in a statement made ahead of the Telangana assembly elections. Highlighting the significance of the support, she stated that the Congress party's victory in 31 seats in Telangana was largely due to their abstention from contesting. "In more than 55 constituencies I am going to affect the Congress vote bank and in more than 20 constituencies, I am going to help Congress lose in case I contest," she said. YS Sharmila could be given a key post in the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Sharmila is also expected to play a role in the elections of Andhra Pradesh which will also be held next year. Congress won an absolute majority in Telangana for the first time, winning 64 of 119 seats. Bharat Rashtra Samithi, which ruled India's youngest state for 10 years, won 38 seats. Some of the Ukrainians had been held since 2022. Among them were some of those who fought in milestone battles for Ukraine's Snake Island and the Ukrainian city of Mariupol | FILE PHOTO: REUTERS Russia and Ukraine on Wednesday exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war in the biggest single release of captives since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukrainian authorities said that 230 Ukrainian prisoners of war returned home in the first exchange in almost five months. Russia's Defence Ministry said that 248 Russian servicemen have been freed under the deal sponsored by the United Arab Emirates. There was no immediate acknowledgment from the UAE, which has maintained close business ties to Moscow throughout Russia's war on Ukraine. Ukraine's Human Rights Ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, said it was the 49th prisoner exchange during the war. Some of the Ukrainians had been held since 2022. Among them were some of those who fought in milestone battles for Ukraine's Snake Island and the Ukrainian city of Mariupol. Russian officials offered no other details of the exchange. Also Wednesday, Russia said it shot down 12 missiles fired at one of its southern regions bordering Ukraine, as Kyiv's forces seek to embarrass the Kremlin and puncture President Vladimir Putin's argument that life is going on as normal despite the fighting. The situation in the border city of Belgorod, which came under two rounds of shelling on Wednesday morning, remains tense, said regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov, writing on Telegram. Air defence systems worked, he said, promising more details about possible damage after inspecting the area later in the day, part of a New Year's holiday week in Russia. Ukraine fired two Tochka-U missiles and seven rockets at the region late Tuesday, followed by six Tochka-U missiles and six Vilkha rockets on Wednesday, the Russian Defence Ministry said. The Soviet-built Tochka-U missile system has a range of up to 120 kilometers (75 miles) and a warhead that can carry cluster munitions. Ukraine has received some cluster munitions from the United States but the Tochka-U and Vilkha can use their own cluster munitions. The Russian side of the frontier has come under increasingly frequent attack in recent days. Throughout the war, border villages have sporadically been targeted by Ukrainian artillery fire, rockets, mortar shells and drones launched from thick forests where they are hard to detect. Lately, as Russia fired missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities, Kyiv's troops have aimed at Belgorod's regional capital, which is about 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. Belgorod, with a population of about 340,000, is the biggest Russian city near the border. It can be reached by relatively simple and movable weapons such as multiple rocket launchers. On Saturday, shelling of Belgorod killed 25 people, including five children, in one of the deadliest strikes on Russian soil since Moscow's full-scale invasion. Another civilian was killed Tuesday in a new salvo. Hitting Belgorod and disrupting city life is a dramatic way for Ukraine to show it can strike back against Russia, whose military outnumbers and outguns Kyiv's forces. The tactic appeared to be having some success, with signs the attacks are unsettling the public, political leaders and military observers. On Monday, Putin lashed out against the Belgorod attacks by Ukraine. They want to intimidate us and create uncertainty within our country, he said, promising to step up retaliation. Answering a question from a soldier who asked him about civilian casualties in Belgorod, Putin said: I also feel a simmering anger. Many Russian military bloggers have expressed regret about Moscow's withdrawal from the border area in September 2022 amid a swift counteroffensive by Kyiv, and they have argued that more territory must be seized to secure Belgorod and other border areas. Russia describes Ukrainians as terrorists who indiscriminately target residential areas while insisting Moscow only aims at depots, arms factories and other military facilities even though there is ample evidence that Russia is hitting Ukrainian civilian targets. Ukrainian officials rarely acknowledge responsibility for strikes on Russian territory. In another Russian border region on Wednesday, the city of Zeleznogorsk was briefly cut off from the power grid after Ukrainian shelling, local officials said. Authorities were forced to temporarily shut down an electricity substation in the city of 100,000 people in the Kursk region to repair the damage from an aerial attack, Kursk Gov. Roman Starovoit said on Telegram. Residents were without power or heat, he said, although electricity was restored in most of the city about two hours later, he said. Russia has recently intensified its long-range attacks on Ukrainian cities, including using Kinzhal missiles which can fly at 10 times the speed of sound. The Kremlin's forces appear to be targeting Ukraine's defence industry, the UK Defence Ministry said on Wednesday. The onslaught has prompted Kyiv officials to ask its Western allies to provide further air defence support. NATO announced on Wednesday that it would help member nations buy up to 1,000 surface-to-air Patriot guided missiles in a deal possibly costing about $5.5 billion. That could allow alliance members to send more of their own defense systems to Ukraine. The Company will initiate a Phase 2 clinical study of Vonafexor in Alport Syndrome - called ALPESTRIA-1 - in the first half of 2024. Series C proceeds will fund the Phase 2 study, as well as operations and further R&D through the first half of 2026. ENYO Pharma (ENYO) announced that it has received clearance of its Investigational New Drug (IND) application from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate a Phase 2 clinical study of Vonafexor, a highly selective FXR agonist, for the treatment of Alport Syndrome. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240103067331/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) Furthermore, ENYO announced the first closing of a 39 million Series C equity financing, positioning ENYO as an emerging biotechnology company in the field of renal diseases. The financing will support the Phase 2 Alpestria-1 study and further profiling of Vonafexor in other kidney diseases, such as Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD). The financing was co-led by OrbiMed and Morningside Ventures with participation from other existing investors including AndEra Partners, Bpifrance InnoBio and Bpifrance Large Ventures. The clearance of ENYOs IND represents a significant milestone for the company as it embarks on its first clinical trial focusing on renal disease. ENYOs lead candidate Vonafexor, as well as fast follower EYP651, are highly specific FXR agonists given as once-daily oral treatments. Both compounds have strong fibrolytic and anti-inflammatory properties that are broadly applicable across several renal diseases. Vonafexor effect on renal function (eGFR) was already shown in the Phase 2 LIVIFY study of patients with both kidney impairment and fibrotic liver disease. Preclinical studies in both Alport syndrome and Chronic Kidney Disease mouse models showed beneficial effects of Vonafexor on kidney remodeling and function in a curative mode. In 2023, Vonafexor was granted as Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) by both the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Alport syndrome. We are delighted with this support from our existing investors said Dr. Jacky Vonderscher, CEO at ENYO Pharma. There are huge unmet needs in many kidney diseases with fibrosis or inflammatory components. These patients almost invariably progress to end-stage kidney disease despite current therapies. The results already obtained with Vonafexor, our highly differentiated anti-inflammatory and fibrolytic lead compound, in patients with moderate kidney impairment and in several preclinical protocols, make us confident that it will greatly benefit to those patients with rare kidney diseases like Alport syndrome. Kidney diseases were somewhat neglected for decades, and it is refreshing to see a team like ENYO pursuing with persistence the development of Vonafexor for the benefit of these patients. said Iain Dukes of OrbiMed. About ENYO Pharma: For more information : ENYO Pharma Developing therapeutics for diseases with impaired kidney function About OrbiMed: For more information : OrbiMed View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240103067331/en/ MSCI Inc. (NYSE: MSCI), a leading provider of mission-critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community, today announced that it has completed its acquisition of Fabric, a wealth technology platform specializing in portfolio design, customization, and analytics for wealth managers and advisors. The acquisition was originally announced on December 20, 2023. Jorge Mina, Head of Analytics, MSCI, said: The completion of this transaction is another step in MSCIs ongoing expansion of both our market reach and client offerings. We remain committed to broadening the spectrum of our wealth solutions to better meet the diverse needs of investors and the combination with Fabric is a milestone in that endeavour. About MSCI Inc. MSCI is a leading provider of critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community. With over 50 years of expertise in research, data, and technology, we power better investment decisions by enabling clients to understand and analyze key drivers of risk and return and confidently build more effective portfolios. We create industry-leading research-enhanced solutions that clients use to gain insight into and improve transparency across the investment process. To learn more, please visit www.msci.com. MSCI#IR Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including without limitation, statements relating to the integration of Fabric and prospects for the newly acquired business. These forward-looking statements relate to future events or to future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as may, could, expect, intend, plan, seek, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, potential or continue, or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond MSCIs control and that could materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Other factors that could materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements can be found in MSCIs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 10, 2023 and in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed or furnished with the SEC. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if MSCIs underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from what MSCI projected. Any forward-looking statement in this press release reflects MSCIs current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to MSCIs operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. MSCI assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240103880384/en/ Daniel Costa greets community members and friends during a fellowship meal at St. James Park in San Jose. Costa, who has struggled with methamphetamine addiction and housing instability for most of his life, is five months sober, thanks to a new substance-use treatment program. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle For the past 30 years, if Daniel Costa was sober for the holidays, it was because he was in jail. Now everything is different. Costa, a 61-year-old San Jose native who has struggled with both methamphetamine addiction and housing instability for most of his life, is five months sober for the first time in over three decades, thanks to a new substance-use treatment program called Rewarding Recovery. As a result of his sobriety, Costa has a new start in life. He moved into his own apartment recently, where he was able to celebrate Christmas with his wife, Monica, for the first time since they were married four years ago. They decorated their new 290-square-foot studio with boughs of mistletoe. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thats the type of thing that Im benefiting from now. Im getting to enjoy the good things in life, Costa said. The program took me out of the dark and it brought me to the light. The Rewarding Recovery program uses a treatment approach called contingency management, where drug users are rewarded with gift cards for attending counseling sessions and staying sober. Despite proof of its efficacy in treating stimulant addiction in research trials, contingency management remains controversial. Costas struggles with substance use began in high school. Emotional abuse at home, he said, drove him to seek attention by causing trouble. On his 18th birthday, his father kicked him out of the house. He said, Come on, go to the porch, I got something for ya. I thought it was a gift, Costa said, his blue eyes filling with tears. It turned out to be a bag stuffed with all his belongings. Daniel Costa, a veteran who was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, puts his hand over his walker. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Feeling he had nowhere else to turn, Costa entered the Marine Corps, where he served for six years before being honorably discharged. He came away from the experience, though, with post-traumatic stress disorder, which manifests as a nagging feeling of terror and unease that stalks him like a shadow. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He headed back to San Jose, where he got a job as a security guard, but in the months that followed, he began to steal merchandise. Costa was convicted of burglary and sent to jail. It was there that he was introduced to crystal meth. Over the next 30 years, Costas life devolved into a murky whirlwind of drugs, rehab and prison. He served six prison sentences for burglary and failed every substance-use treatment program in Santa Clara County. Crystal meth is one of the worst drugs there is because its very deceptive. It makes you believe that you are the biggest, baddest, sharpest guy, he said. Its hard to quit something when you think youre better on it. Daniel Costa chats with community members as people line up for food during a fellowship meal at St. James Park in San Jose. He says the Rewarding Recovery program took me out of the dark and it brought me to the light. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Costas struggle isnt unique. His story is part of a growing local and national problem of people becoming addicted to stimulants like meth and cocaine. While the media and government initiatives have been focused in recent years on the abuse of prescription opioids and the growing prevalence of deadly synthetic opioids like fentanyl on the street, the abuse of stimulants has received less attention, even though stimulant-related overdose deaths have multiplied. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In California, stimulant-related overdose deaths quadrupled from 2011 to 2019, according to an analysis by the California Health Care Foundation, a nonprofit philanthropy organization. And in San Francisco, which in 2023 saw its deadliest year for drug overdoses, meth or cocaine mixed with fentanyl accounted for more 63% of overdose deaths in 2022. People are dying. Just putting overdose reduction strategies on the back of opioids alone is never going to reduce those rates, said Thomas E. Freese, director of the UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs. In California, amphetamines like meth are the No. 1 drug that people seek treatment for. Despite this, effective treatments for stimulant addiction remain scarce. Unlike for opioid addiction, there are no FDA-approved medications to treat stimulant addiction. And widely employed behavioral approaches, such as peer-based counseling and support programs, have limited evidence for their use in stimulant addiction treatment, according to the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The one behavioral intervention that does have decades of research to support its use for stimulant addiction treatment is contingency management. That is the method that was employed by the Rewarding Recovery program that helped transform Costas life. At its core is the principle of positive reinforcement: Participants receive gift cards for attending counseling sessions and submitting negative urine drug tests. Contingency management takes the basic paradigm of addiction and applies it to treatment, using relatively small yet tangible rewards to counterbalance the dopamine reward unleashed by drug use. This method has been proved highly effective in multiple clinical trials at keeping people addicted to stimulants in treatment and reducing their drug use. According to the California Department of Health Care Services, it is the only treatment that has demonstrated robust outcomes for individuals living with stimulant use disorder. Daniel Costa hugs a community member during a fellowship meal at St. James Park in San Jose. Participants in Rewarding Recovery receive gift cards for consistently attending weekly substance-use counseling sessions. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle In 2022, California became the first state in the nation to gain approval to use federal funds to pay for contingency management as a Medicaid benefit and to evaluate the effectiveness of the approach at scale. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The statewide pilot, which started in 2023, will run through December 2026 and seek to implement the approach at 166 sites across 24 counties, including San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. As of the end of November, more than 1,000 participants have enrolled, said Freese, who is also the principal investigator for training and implementation of the California pilot program. Addiction experts nationwide are watching to see whether widespread real-world implementation of this approach yields similar results to those found in research. Costa didnt know the term contingency management when he first enrolled in the Rewarding Recovery program in July. All he knew was that the new substance-use program at his shelter offered Target gift cards for participation, so he signed up. Rewarding Recovery is not a part of the state pilot, but uses a similar contingency management approach. Its funded through a partnership between the LifeMoves shelter network and the Stanford Housing Equity Project. Participants in its pilot receive Target gift cards for consistently attending weekly substance-use counseling sessions. It is a 12-week program: During the first four weeks, clients can earn $15 per session. For the next four weeks the reward increases to $20, and then to $25 over the last four weeks. Clients also can earn an extra $10 at every session if they submit a negative urine drug test, making the maximum a participant can earn $360. Costa said that initially, the program seemed too good to be true. He got a gift card simply for showing up to the sessions, and there was no punishment for turning in a positive urine drug test in fact, staff offered only encouragement and additional counseling. When he received his first gift card, he said, he looked around for hidden cameras. At first, thats like giving a criminal a get out of jail free card, he said. Daniel Costa chats with Drew Sanchez during a fellowship meal at St. James Park in San Jose. Costa, whose life was a whirlwind of addiction, recovery and prison for decades, has been sober for five months. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Costa calls this period phase one of his experience with contingency management. He would go to the sessions, doze off, then grab his gift card and walk out without saying a word. Clayton Soward, the substance-use counselor who led Costas group sessions, said that just getting the pilot programs participants to phase one is a step in the right direction. Before adopting the contingency management approach, he had just four or five people showing up sporadically for group sessions. After the rewards program began, attendance grew to double digits. He said he had to limit enrollment to manage his workload. Its additional accountability for them because they want the card. Not to mention they come back to see me when I pay them so I get extra time to talk with them, Soward said. Any chance I have to interact with them I think is beneficial. Phase two, as Costa calls it, began a few weeks into the program. He started to stay awake during the sessions, began listening, and learned things about setting boundaries and avoiding triggers. He also started to feel motivated to turn in negative urine tests to increase his gift card earnings. I hadnt arrived, he said, but I saw there was now a light at the end of the tunnel. Before it was just filled with darkness. Costas experience highlights what distinguishes contingency management from other forms of treatment: It uses rewards instead of punishments. Participants can engage with the program and the counselors without fear of being kicked out for continuing to use drugs. There was no motivation to hide (drug use). And thats what causes relapse. Hiding, Costa said. Most programs use the fear tactic. As he came out of hiding, Costa entered what he calls phase three, essentially the final stage of contingency management. He attended all the weekly sessions and began to actively share with others what he had learned. He submitted a negative urine drug test each week and signed up for additional appointments with Soward. I share. I expose myself. Why? he asked. Because I want to keep this going. I love the light too much, you know, and I want to get rid of the darkness completely. Whats darkness? Darkness is hiding. Darkness is not being able to look you in the eye and answer a question. Darkness is doing dope in the closet or outside behind the building at (the shelter). Darkness is not wanting to talk to people, God forbid, because then they might find out. Now a graduate of the Rewarding Recovery program, Costa has been sober for five months. Daniel Costa, gathering food during a fellowship meal at St. James Park in San Jose, says hes getting to enjoy the good things in life. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Given the success of Costa, and that of others like him in clinical trials over the past few decades, why has this contingency management not been widely implemented? The methods slow adoption is due to a variety of issues, including regulatory challenges, moral objections to the approach, and financial concerns. Under government regulations, its been considered illegal to use federal funds for such programs because they could be viewed as providing a kickback: incentivizing drug users to enter programs for which operators are compensated on the basis of enrollment. Anti-kickback statutes have prevented the implementation of such programs outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs, which has been using contingency management to treat stimulant addiction since 2011 with great success in the first five years of the program, more than 91% of urine samples submitted across 94 sites were negative. However, regulations are changing and more states, such as Washington, Montana, Delaware and West Virginia, are gaining approval to use federal funds to pilot reward-based therapy as a Medicaid benefit. Still, contingency management remains controversial. Many people find it morally objectionable, the idea of rewarding drug users for refraining from harmful and, in most cases, illegal activity. Soward, the substance-use counselor who worked with Costa, initially felt conflicted about the approach. His resistance came in part from personal experience. During his early 20s, Soward struggled with alcohol and stimulant-use disorders. Contingency management was not an option when he was in recovery; he had to motivate himself to stop using. Soward said he came around to the idea after seeing how the program had immediate impact on clients hed been unsuccessful in helping for many years. I see people change their lives completely, Soward said. Theyre able to function. Why would I dislike that? The economic feasibility of the approach is another point of contention. Calculations based on 2021 Los Angeles County Public Health data estimate that almost 40% of people who use meth end up in the hospital for meth-related reasons each year. Meanwhile, the data shows, the estimated annual average hospital cost per person using meth, not just those who end up in the hospital, is roughly $25,000. That figure does not take into account other social and financial costs of meth use, such as increased crime, prosecution, incarceration and negative outcomes for family members and loved ones. Those figures appear to make contingency management programs, such as the state pilot, where rewards max out at $599, an excellent investment if they can help just 2.5% of participants refrain from stimulant use for a year. Daniel Costa, who is enjoying his new life in his own apartment, recognizes community members and friends during a fellowship meal at St. James Park in San Jose. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle There are secondary gains to every dollar invested in contingency management, said Steven DAntoni, director of clinical services at Behavioral Health Services, a network of substance-use treatment programs in Los Angeles County. When somebody can save up a gift card to go to Foot Locker and get a pair of running shoes, then thats value added, DAntoni said. They feel comfortable with going and exercising, which furthers their recovery. While contingency management is not a perfect solution, DAntoni believes it offers substance-use programs an effective tool for combating a worsening problem that is killing people daily. It helps us see sobriety, Costa said. The rewards become incidental, whereas before they were the motivating factor. Costas new apartment is in Markham Plaza, an unassuming complex located in an industrial area of San Jose. It is bounded by a six-lane road and old railroad tracks; the buildings cheerful pastel walls bring color to an otherwise gray landscape. For Costa, the building is both a haunting reminder of the past and a symbol of a new beginning. The block where Markham Plaza stands is known locally as the Four Corners, a place Costa used to frequent to buy drugs from a friend, and where that same friend died of an overdose. Costa had avoided the area for years. SID completes alternative fuel project for Prism Cement 04 January 2024 Prism Cement has announced the completion and hand over of another milestone project for the company in India. The joint efforts of SID SA of Switzerland and India have successfully completed the alternative fuel project at the cement plant. This project will reduce carbon consumption in cement production while using processed alternative fuel. Prism Cement operates a 5.6Mta plant in Satna, India. Published under Northern Region Cement signs US$44m Iraq partnership ICR Newsroom By 04 January 2024 Saudi Arabia-based Northern Region Cement Co has signed a partnership agreement with Al-Diyar Al-Iraqia for Investments Co which sees the Iraqi company acquire 49 per cent of Northern Region Cements Iraqi investments. The deal is valued at US$43.95m and proceeds will be used to inject external investments in promising opportunities and repay a portion of the high-cost loans amid high financing costs, according to a bourse disclosure. The agreement will enable Northern Region Cement to achieve its goal towards a strategic partnership that will allow it to expand its investments in promising markets. In the 9M23 Northern Region Cements net profits after zakat and tax reached SAR64.7m. Published under Jessica Flores is a reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. Before joining The Chronicle in 2021, she worked for USA Today, NPR affiliate KPCC and Curbed LA. Originally from L.A., she received her masters degree in journalism from the University of Southern California and a bachelors degree from Mount Saint Marys University in Los Angeles. She can be reached at Jessica.Flores@sfchronicle.com. Tourists explore the Point Reyes shipwreck as it sits in disarray on the shores of Tomales Bay in Inverness. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle The Point Reyes shipwreck sits in shambles on the shores of Tomales Bay in Inverness. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle A world-famous shipwreck on the Marin County coast thats not really a shipwreck is close to vanishing altogether but its still drawing visitors to photograph its decay and display their pictures and posts on social media. The abandoned fishing and transport boat in Inverness known as the Point Reyes shipwreck has been the subject of many photographs and stories on Instagram, other social media sites and travel blogs in the past several years and has gained at least a modicum of international fame. Instagram alone features more than 5,500 photographs of the S.S. Point Reyes, a vessel built in 1944, according to various historical accounts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But the days of the big old beached boat being a social media star could be numbered. The dilapidated Point Reyes shipwreck sits on the shores of Tomales Bay in Inverness. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle The West Marin Feed, a media outlet for Marin Countys coast, recently posted on X, formerly Twitter, its own photo of what little remains of the boat a sunken hull, twisted wreckage and the collapsing wooden remains of what was once the cabin. It looks like a dilapidated shack being consumed by the sea. Things changing in Inverness, the post read. The shipwrecks days are numbered. If you want a final photo, might want to get out there soon. Jim Fox, chief of the Inverness Volunteer Fire Department, is quite familiar with the Point Reyes, which he described as a dangerous nuisance. He said he worries that in its advanced state of decay, its going to seriously injure someone with its rusty nails, splintered wood and other hazards. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its completely falling apart. Its much more dangerous than it used to be, he said. As the fire chief, I would just as soon people not come out because someones going to get hurt. Tourists explore the remains of the Point Reyes shipwreck on the shores of Tomales Bay in Inverness. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle But even with the vessels slow demise turning it from a once-scenic old boat into an unsightly pile of rubble, people were still coming out to take photographs over the holidays, he said. There were a whole lot of pictures (taken) this weekend, he said. People still come out to view it because it has achieved worldwide prominence. Im still at a loss to know why. The Point Reyes, whose name was prominently displayed on the ship for many years, had a fairly modest history, according to various accounts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Roadside America, a travel site featuring oddball attractions, says the ship was built in 1944 and used to transport military troops between their ships and San Francisco near the end of World War II. The Point Reyes is shown in 2015 in its better days. Chuck Plante/Getty Images It later became a fishing boat used to catch salmon before being bought for rehabilitation, likely sometime in the late 1990s, and moved to Tomales Bay, where it eventually washed up on a sandbar in Inverness, which became its final resting place. Who owns the boat and why it never got fixed up has been lost to sands of time like the vessel itself. But the beached old boat soon became a tourist attraction, drawing photographers who captured it in various stages of its decay. A 2016 fire, rumored to have been started by someone trying to photograph the boat with sparks in the background, caused significant damage. But it failed to stop the interest and the photographs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The boats fame seemed to peak along with the advent and growth in popularity of Instagram. The thousands of posts feature many photos of the old ship, leaning to its starboard side with its wooden hulls and walls eroding and its white paint fading. Tourists explore the decaying Point Reyes shipwreck on the shores of Tomales Bay in Inverness. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Some feature people or their pets posing in front of the wreckage, others with sunsets or starry nights in the background. Most just feature the tilted old boat. Gina Marr-Hiemstra, vice president of the Marin Convention & Visitors Bureau, said she was aware the boat was popular among photographers but said: I had no idea that its considered internationally famous, considering all the shipwrecks that have happened out there in the last 100 years. Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc. on Wednesday announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Ernie Merritt as its next central region vice president effective Jan. 1. Mr. Merritt succeeds Bo Taylor, who became the companys senior vice president of Operational Transformation also effective Jan. 1. Based in Birmingham, the headquarters for Coca-Cola UNITEDs Central Region, Mr. Merritt assumes executive responsibility for sales, marketing and distribution for the companys footprint in Alabama and parts of Tennessee, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle. In addition, Mr. Merritt will lead more than 4,000 associates in 22 sales centers spanning the region. Mr. Merritt previously served as Coca-Cola UNITEDs Southern Pine Division director, based in Montgomery, where he was responsible for five sales centers in Alabama and West Georgia with nearly 700 associates. Mr. Merritt joined Coca-Cola UNITED in 2014 as Key Account director for the Central Region, leading the companys regional and local customer management process, and national retail sales key account development teams. Ernie has embedded himself in the communities he operates in and has developed long-lasting relationships with our keypartners, said Mike Suco, Coca-Cola UNITED president and CEO. His proven leadership, his passion for people and his broad understanding of all aspects of our business will be the foundation of his success as he leads our Central Region. Mr. Merritt joined the Coca-Cola System in 1991, serving in various on-premise roles across four states. He later joined Coca-Cola Enterprises in 2003 with a focus on sales and revenue growth management for the companys Southeast and East Region business units in the U.S., and was promoted to Vice President of Food Service for the Eastern U.S. MR. Merritts career continued at Coca- Cola Refreshments as sales director for its Alabama Market Unit before joining Coca-Cola UNITED during its refranchising period. I am humbled and honored to assume the role of Central Region Vice President, Mr. Merritt said. Its been an incredible journey with Coca-Cola, and Im excited to begin this next chapter serving our communities and working alongside our fantastic group of talented associates who are the best in the business. Mr. Merritt is a graduate of Columbus State University, where he earned his bachelors degree in business administration. He currently serves on the boards of Petroleum and Convenience Marketers of Alabama, the Camellia Bowl Executive Committee and the Alabama Beverage Association. The Chattanooga Elks Lodge #91 will host the 4th Annual Elks National Foundation/Tennessee Elks Benevolent Trust Polar Plunge at the Chattanooga Elks Lodge swimming pool at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27. The day will begin at 2 p.m. with are retirement ceremony of American Flags. Divers, including members and guests, will take the cold plunge for donations which will benefit students and families in the community through nursing and trade scholarships; as well as services for youth, veterans and families in the area. Over the past three years, the Chattanooga Elks have raised over $30,000 through this event to support a variety of local programs. This is just one of many fundraising events held by Chattanooga Elks throughout the year which provide funds to enhance the quality of life and support the community. The nursing scholarship program was selected as the major project for the Tennessee Elks Association in 1956 to relieve a critical shortage of nurses in Tennessee and is administered by the Tennessee Elks Benevolent Trust. In addition to the nursing scholarships, TEBT administers the trade scholarship program for graduating seniors as well as non-traditional students (those changing career fields or those needing additional education to progress in their current career) who will be pursuing a trade or certificate program. The mission of the Elks National Foundation is to help Elks build stronger communities. By investing in communities, ENF helps youth develop lifelong skills, sends students to college, meets the needs of today's veterans, supports the charitable work of the state Elks associations, and funds projects that improve the quality of life in local Elks communities. The ENF awards $2.44 million annually in scholarships to 500 high school seniors nationwide. For more information, please contact David Thompson, exalted ruler, at 314-2793 or wtail138@gmail.com. South Cumberland Community Fund has been awarded a grant from the Tennessee Department of Health to conduct a planning study for the towns adjacent to the planned Mountain Goat Trail. The $50,000 project will start this winter and conclude in the fall of 2025. The Community Fund is seeking volunteers to lead participatory design sessions, with training for the work starting this fall. Volunteers will receive design facilitation training and a generous cash honorarium for work that they will do over the next few months. Get in touch with the Community Fund at 931-954-9116 or talk@southcumberlandcommunityfund.org.We know that when the trail is complete that it will be a big boon for visitors that will boost the local economy, said Tom Sanders, executive director of the Fund. We wanted to make sure that it brings just as big a benefit to the folks who live here in terms of opportunity for healthy living.The grant will allow the towns along the trail from Tracy City to Palmer to host design meetings, to think about access to the trail, amenities such as affordable housing that could be located near the trail and other ways that people in Grundy County can benefit from this recreational asset.Grundy County was once the least healthy county in Tennessee, said Mr. Sanders, but weve been moving up in the rankings. One factor that holds us back is that fewer than 40 percent of the population has easy access to recreational facilities, even though we have some of the best parks and trails in the state. We think changing that fact is going to take good participatory design, where the needs and wishes of the public are taken into account.After the initial planning meetings take place this spring, planners at the Civic Design Center in Nashville will develop a Health Equity Plan, which will present how Grundy citizens believe the best development can take place to take their health into account. That plan will then inform the development of a Design Your Neighborhood curriculum in local schools.The Design Your Neighborhood phase of the project will be developed by Dr. Katy Morgan, Sewanee professor, and teachers and administrators in the schools. Through Design Your Neighborhood, a three-week civic project for sixth through eighth grade students, Grundy Countys youngest citizens will learn about health equity in the built environment, design connectivity plans for their communities, and engage in creative placemaking that reflects their communities identity. In April of 2025, students will host a Community Design Exhibition to share their art, design ideas, and priorities for community connectivity. At the exhibition, youth will engage community stakeholders, local elected officials and other leaders in an effort to elevate youth voice in long-term community planning. The grant will then conclude with a revised Health Equity Plan that includes youth priorities for healthy development. Anyone wishing to be part of this project should contact the Fund at talk@southcumberlandcommunityfund.org. The 2024 legislative session should be interesting. While Governor Bill Lee has proposed universal vouchers, this issue will continue to garner attention and debate. The success or failure of the proposal will depend on the program design and how the polling questions are asked. Before getting into legislation, we need to review a few items for further context as we discuss the next steps in public education. This summer, the state held hearings on federal funding in education. The intersection of federal requirements, as well as existing state laws, can create a complex landscape, especially in areas like education funding. States often rely on federal funding for various educational programs, but accepting such funding usually comes with strings attached, as it often requires adherence to specific federal mandates or guidelines. A report is expected to come out within the next few weeks and could potentially involve numerous legal implications and uncertainties. The 2023-2024 school year brought a significant change in how schools are funded. The Basic Education Program and Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement formulas differ in their approaches to funding allocation. The BEP was focused on itemized resources used by schools and districts, adjusting the allocation based on student enrollment, while TISA factors in per-student funding considering not just enrollment but also the specific learning needs identified for each student. This distinction reflects a shift from a general resource allocation model to a more targeted approach addressing individual student requirements. The state also rolled out letter grades for schools from the Tennessee Department of Education. The law to issue letter grades for schools passed in 2016 but it was only implemented this year. The timing of the release just before Christmas was criticized. Our concern is that schools labeled as failing will now struggle to attract teachers and administrators. It does emphasize achievement, but is it reflective of everything that should be included in what makes a good school? Parents will ultimately make that decision. There were also significant updates and additions to school security measures during those legislative sessions in 2023. The additional state funding implies a commitment to bolstering security measures within schools. The enforcement of locked school doors, annual safety plans, and the establishment of threat assessment teams create a focus on proactive security strategies and risk assessment. There are new safety measures that emphasize preparedness and ensure that schools can handle potential security threats. This will be an ongoing challenge. Investing in education facilities is critical for creating a better learning environment. Public school capital projects spending by local school districts and their governments totaled an estimated $2 billion in 2019-20. The need is much greater. Long-term debt, such as bonds, is commonly used to finance these projects, allowing institutions to spread the costs over time. This enables educational institutions to plan for expansions, renovations, and land acquisitions while responsibly managing their financial obligations. Most education facility costs are funded by local sources such as city and county governments, and schools themselves. Managing the growth of school districts presents multifaceted challenges. In Middle Tennessee, the biggest challenge is to ensure that the district can effectively meet the needs of its growing student population while maintaining the quality and accessibility of education. Strategic planning, community engagement, and prudent financial management are integral to overcoming these obstacles. The state must monitor factors driving school capital spending increases, including changing educational needs, natural aging of buildings, and rising construction costs. Tennessee does not provide financial support for school capital construction. Growing student enrollment puts pressure on school district resources, requiring more capital spending to build new schools or expand existing facilities. This expansion demands a considerable investment in capital, including land acquisition, construction materials, hiring additional staff, and furnishing new spaces with necessary equipment and resources. It remains to be seen if legislators will get creative and work to address the challenges faced by local governments when tax revenues are not keeping pace with infrastructure and service needs. State Representative David Hawk has been one legislator who has raised this issue at the Tennessee General Assembly. We expect a busy legislative session at the Tennessee General Assembly. We look forward to working with legislators, policymakers, and other stakeholders to move our state forward in K-12 education. All Tennesseans, and state policymakers must frequently ask, What kind of state or community do we want to live in, work in, and raise our family in? What kind of schools do we need to make this happen? Every citizen plays a crucial role in the realm of public education and our next steps. Education policy affects not just students and teachers but the entire community. Each person's voice and engagement in these matters can shape the direction and quality of education in Tennessee. Our policies must align with the needs and aspirations of the citizens of our state. Our success depends on creating educational policies that help students and educators thrive. JC Bowman Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee 'The Golden Bachelor' wedding is finally here. Here's the date and time of Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist exchanging vows, plus how to watch. ABCs The Golden Bachelor wedding is finally here, and fans cant wait to witness Gerry Turner and Theresa Nists big day. Gerry connected with Theresa early in his season and got down on one knee for her during the stunning finale. Now, the two seniors are ready to tie the knot for the second time. Heres what to know about The Golden Bachelor wedding date and time, plus how to watch. The Golden Bachelor wedding airs live on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. It begins at 8 p.m. ET and ends at 10 p.m. ET. Fans hoping to catch the wedding live can tune in to ABC or ABC.com with a cable login. Fans without cable access can stream the wedding starting on Jan. 5 via Hulu or Disney+. Viewers who hope to watch the wedding live without cable access can do so with other subscription services. Any service that offers ABC live, such as Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, AT&T TV, FuboTV, and DirecTV Stream, serves as an additional viewing option. Theresa Nist described the wedding venue as very elegant The Golden Bachelor stars Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist | John Fleenor/ABC via Getty Images The Golden Bachelor wedding will take place at La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta, California. While ABC is paying for the event, Theresa Nist and Gerry Turner got to make decisions regarding the look and feel of their big day. While speaking to People, Theresa said she went with all pale colors of pinks and peaches for a light and airy look. Overall, the venue is very elegant, but not stuffy, she said. As for the reception, Gerry and Theresa will bust out their dance moves with a choreographed first dance. The couple took dance lessons, which included long rehearsals, just for their big day. Theresa also had special requests when it came to the flowers. I love any type of flower, and thats what were incorporating into this, she said. The bouquet will be a wide array of flowers. Mostly roses, but all different beautiful flowers. Regarding the food, Gerrys most excited about the sweets. But he and Theresa were in lockstep regarding the dinner menu, which includes halibut, steak, and an option for vegetarians. For the cakes, they have two. Gerry chose a vanilla cake with chocolate mousse and cappuccino cream frosting, and Theresa chose a raspberry lemon cake. Will fans get to see any part of their honeymoon? While The Golden Bachelor wedding is televised, the honeymoon wont be. Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist will head to Italy, courtesy of ABC, after they wed. Theyll enjoy anonymity while abroad to decide whats next for them. Gerry and Theresa arent rushing to Italy right after the wedding, either. While ABC gave them the trip for their honeymoon, the happy couple still has to arrange when they want to go. Additionally, they still need to decide where they want to live post-wedding. Initially, they decided on South Carolina. But Gerry mightve changed his tune after spending ample time in New Jersey with Theresa. Gerry and Theresa have both been quite active on social media since the end of The Golden Bachelor. While their whole lives wont be televised, we can anticipate seeing plenty of memorable moments online in the future. For more on the entertainment world and exclusive interviews, subscribe to Showbiz Cheat Sheets YouTube channel. People's Park, an 11-day old park crated by citizens may soon be taken over by the college, University of California at Berkeley, April 30, 1969 Dave Randolph / The Chronicle 1969 People's Park, an 11-day old park crated by citizens may soon be taken over by the college, University of California at Berkeley, April 30, 1969 Dave Randolph / The Chronicle 1969 People's Park supporters at play as the end approaches , May1, 1969 The Chronicle 1969 May 16, 1969 Chronicle front pages reports on Campus and Berkelely city police with Sheriff's Deputies using tear gas and buckshot to battle with People's Park demonstrators, The Chronicle 1969 People's Park protests and riot in Berkeley, May 15, 1969 Gordon Peters / The Chronicle 1969 People's Park protests and riot in Berkeley, May 15, 1969 Gordon Peters / The Chronicle 1969 People's Park protests and riot in Berkeley, May 15, 1969 Gordon Peters / The Chronicle 1969 People's Park protests and riot in Berkeley, May 15, 1969 Gordon Peters / The Chronicle 1969 People's Park protests and riot in Berkeley, May 15, 1969 Student meet at the Sproul steps at noon Gordon Peters / The Chronicle 1969 People's Park protests and riot in Berkeley, May 15, 1969 Gordon Peters / The Chronicle 1969 People's Park protests and riot in Berkeley, May 15, 1969 Gordon Peters / The Chronicle People's Park protests and riot in Berkeley, May 15, 1969 Gordon Peters / The Chronicle 1969 May 20, 1969 Chronicle story on National Guard troops who would be called into support of law enforcement agencies dealing with People's Park demonstrators , May15, 1969 The Chronicle 1969 People's Park protests and riot in Berkeley, May 15, 1969 Gordon Peters / The Chronicle 1969 People's Park protests and riot in Berkeley, May 15, 1969 Gordon Peters / The Chronicle 1969 People's Park protests and riot in Berkeley, May 15, 1969 Gordon Peters / The Chronicle 1969 Thing heat up at the People's Park protests and riot in Berkeley, May 15, 1969 Dave Randolph / The Chronicle 1969 People's Park protests and riot in Berkeley, May 15, 1969 Gordon Peters / The Chronicle 1969 People's Park protests and riot in Berkeley, May 15, 1969 Gordon Peters / The Chronicle 1969 People's Park protests and riot in Berkeley, May 15, 1969 Gordon Peters / The Chronicle 1969 Thing heat up at the People's Park protests and riot in Berkeley, May 15, 1969 Dave Randolph / The Chronicle 1969 National Guard troops would be called into support of law enforcement agencies dealing with People's Park demonstrators , May16, 1969 Dave Randolph / The Chronicle 1969 National Guard troops would be called into support of law enforcement agencies dealing with People's Park demonstrators , May16, 1969 Dave Randolph / The Chronicle 1969 May 20, 1969 Chronicle story on Berkeley citizens speaking out against the National Guard and university tactics, and encouraged meetings with People's Park demonstrators The Chronicle 1969 National Guard troops would be called into support of law enforcement agencies dealing with People's Park demonstrators , May16, 1969 Dave Randolph / The Chronicle 1969 National Guard troops would be called into support of law enforcement agencies dealing with People's Park demonstrators , May16, 1969 Dave Randolph / The Chronicle 1969 National Guard troops would be called into support of law enforcement agencies dealing with People's Park demonstrators , May16, 1969 Dave Randolph / The Chronicle 1969 National Guard troops would be called into support of law enforcement agencies dealing with People's Park demonstrators , May16, 1969 Dave Randolph / The Chronicle 1969 National Guard troops would be called into support of law enforcement agencies dealing with People's Park demonstrators, seen here on UC Berkeley campus, May19, 1969 Art Frisch / The Chronicle 1969 National Guard troops would be called into support of law enforcement agencies dealing with People's Park demonstrators , May16, 1969 Dave Randolph / The Chronicle 1969 National Guard troops would be called into support of law enforcement agencies dealing with People's Park demonstrators , May16, 1969 Dave Randolph / The Chronicle 1969 May 20, 1969 Chronicle story on National Guard troops sweeping through downtown Berkeley with bayonets on their rifles, to move People's Park demonstrators , May 20, 1969 The Chronicle 1969 National Guard troops would be called into support of law enforcement agencies dealing with People's Park demonstrators, seen here on UC Berkeley campus, May19, 1969 Art Frisch/The Chronicle National Guard troops would be called into support of law enforcement agencies dealing with People's Park demonstrators , May16, 1969 Dave Randolph / The Chronicle 1969 National Guard troops would be called into support of law enforcement agencies dealing with People's Park demonstrators, seen here on UC Berkeley campus, May19, 1969 Art Frisch / The Chronicle 1969 National Guard troops would be called into support of law enforcement agencies dealing with People's Park demonstrators , May16, 1969 Dave Randolph / The Chronicle 1969 National Guard troops would be called into support of law enforcement agencies dealing with People's Park demonstrators, seen here on UC Berkeley campus, May19, 1969 Art Frisch / The Chronicle 1969 May 21, 1969 Chronicle story on National Guard helicopter indiscriminately spraying People's Park demonstrators and students and classrooms, The Chronicle 1969 National Guard helicopter spreads tear gas over the UC Berkeley campus, to move People's Park demonstrators, May 20, 1969 Peter Breinig / The Chronicle 1969 National Guard helicopter spreads tear gas over the UC Berkeley campus, to move People's Park demonstrators, May 20, 1969 Peter Breinig / The Chronicle 1969 National Guard helicopter spreads tear gas over the UC Berkeley campus, to move People's Park demonstrators, May 20, 1969 Peter Breinig / The Chronicle 1969 Its been 50 years since a conflict over Peoples Park in Berkeley ended in dozens of injuries and the death of one man. Bloody Thursday and the aftermath was front-page news, and The Chronicle had several reporters and photographers covering the conflict, all but guaranteeing we had photos in our archive that had never been published. A search through our negatives and printed photos confirmed it: dozens of photos of the street battle between protesters and police, as well as the presence of National Guard on the streets of Berkeley. A standoff was brewing May 1, 1969, when Don Wegars reported on a 250-by-450-foot chunk of empty land that Berkeley residents had turned into a park. UC Berkeley owned the land and previously intended to build student housing there, but then ran out of money. The space was deserted, but the school wanted to turn it into a recreational field. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dig deep into Chronicle Vault Like what youre reading? Subscribe to the Chronicle Vault newsletter, and get classic archive stories in your in-box twice a week. Read hundreds of historical stories, see thousands of archive photos, and sort through 154 years of classic Chronicle front pages at SFChronicle.com/vault. It was just dust and cars until the people moved in, Stewart Alpert told The Chronicle. But the people built this park, and I would imagine a lot of them would rather lie down in front of the bulldozers than give it up. At dawn May 15, police and sheriffs deputies moved into the park, arrested three people and sealed off the perimeter. That, however, was far from the end of it. At noon about 2,000 people gathered at the Sproul Hall steps for a rally. After several speakers, student President-elect Dan Siegel shouted, Lets go down and take over the park. A large crowd streamed off campus. As the protesters neared the park, they were stopped by police. Protesters opened up a fire hydrant and began throwing rocks. Police responded with tear gas, scattering the crowd temporarily but the fighting continued. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For five hours, the Telegraph Avenue area was a battleground, choked with tear gas and reverberating with shotgun blasts, The Chronicle reported in the May 16, 1969, paper. More than 100 people, including police officers, were injured, and 25-year-old James Rector was wounded after being hit in the face and neck by polices shotgun pellets he died days later. Another man would be blinded. The issue of the park is obviously a phony issue once again, Gov. Ronald Reagan told reporters on his way to a fundraising dinner that evening. It was seized upon as an excuse to riot. The next day, Reagan sent 2,000 National Guard troops to Berkeley. Armed with bayonets at the end of their rifles, they patrolled the streets. On May 20, demonstrators decided to challenge Reagans proclamation banning public assemblies by having a rally at the Campanile. But the static peaceful vigil soon became restless and fluid, The Chronicle reported, and the crowd decided to march through campus. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Things came to a head when a National Guard helicopter, on orders from Alameda County Sheriff Frank Madigan, dropped tear gas onto protesters and student bystanders alike on the UC Berkeley campus. The wind drove the stinging powdery vapor hundreds of yards away, where it blanketed homes and university classrooms, and seeped into a nearby hospital. By the next Sunday, there was an uneasy truce. Students and faculty voted overwhelmingly to preserve the park and tear down the fence. While it would take years, ultimately Peoples Park stayed and has continued to be a site of protests for decades. More from Chronicle Vault People's Park protests and riot in Berkeley, May 15, 1969 Student meet at the Sproul steps at noon Gordon Peters / The Chronicle 1969 Not Your Century: 1960 San Francisco protests the House Un-American Activities Committee. Advertisement Article continues below this ad East Bay protests: 1967 Vietnam War protest photos show savagery by police in Oakland. 1993: Naked Guy gets stark lesson in proper attire at UC Berkeley. Chronicle Covers: Free speech movements arresting origins. Not in their neighborhood: When WWII brought blacks to the East Bay, whites fought for segregation. Have you ever had a near-miss moment? Looking back on it, you know that it wouldve completely changed the course of your life. For one woman, she wouldnt even be alive today if not for her parents close call. TikToker Anna Noel (@annanoellll) is talking about her parents narrow escape from death. They were supposed to be onboard a flight that every single passenger died on. Luckily, they never ended up boarding that plane. The flight in question was Alaska Airlines Flight 261, which was on its way from Puerto Vallarta to San Francisco when a mechanical malfunction sent it plunging into the ocean. Sadly, none of the 88 passengers and crew members survived the crash. Annas parents had planned to fly from Puerto Vallarta to San Francisco and then travel back to Seattle. They would visit Mexico pretty often because they wanted to move there someday, so going on an international trip was something they were used to. So, what exactly made Annas parents miss their flight? They certainly could not foresee such a tragedy. On the morning of the flight, her mom got extremely sick. Her dad believed it was just anxiety, but her mom knew something else was wrong. By then, it was too late to receive a refund for canceling the flight, so her dad really didnt want to miss the flight. However, her mom couldnt stop throwing up. There was no way she would be able to travel. So, they missed their flight, which caused her dad to be a little annoyed. Little did he know, he would soon be grateful for it. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Recent research suggests that sniffing womens tears can have a surprising effect on men: it significantly reduces their aggression. This intriguing finding is the result of a study where men who smelled womens tears showed over a 40% drop in aggressive tendencies, as indicated by both their behavior and brain activity. Published in PLOS Biology, the studys authors suggest that this calming effect might not be limited to womens tears but could apply to all human tears, hinting at a protective role for this emotional expression. These findings suggest that tears are a chemical blanket offering protection against aggression and that this effect is common to rodents and humans, and perhaps other mammals as well, said Noam Sobel, the studys co-author. While the field of human chemosignaling has been relatively unexplored, previous studies conducted by Sobel have noted the interesting effects of womens tears on men. For instance, a decrease in testosterone levels. We knew that sniffing tears lowers testosterone and that lowering testosterone has a greater effect on aggression in men than in women, so we began by studying the impact of tears on men because this gave us higher chances of seeing an effect, detailed Shani Agron, the studys lead author. Humans have the ability to detect a wide range of odors and chemicals released by others, which often subconsciously offer social cues. Prior studies indicate that humans can sense fear and anxiety through smell, and theres evidence suggesting that sweat can communicate emotional states. This phenomenon of chemical communication isnt just limited to humans, either. For instance, dogs seem capable of sensing human chemosignals that reflect various emotions like joy and fear. To investigate the role of tears in this context, the researchers gathered emotional tears from six women between the ages of 22 and 25. This small group was selected from over 100 volunteers because they were the only ones who could produce a sufficient amount of tears for the research. According to Sobel, collecting the tears was a significant challenge for them. Each male participant required at least one milliliter of tears, which is quite a substantial quantity. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Engineers using AI to translate the Bible into new languages. Large language models simulating the language of Scripture to answer modern theological questions. A Reddit user who asked ChatGPT to write a Bible story about Jesus accepting transgender people. New apps that allow people to chat with biblical figures like Moses, Jesus, and even Judas Iscariot. Along with workers worried about their jobs and conspiratorial types worried about a robot takeover, many scholars and pastors are worried about what AI will mean for biblical interpretation. As people increasingly turn to AI to answer their theological questions, how will these technologies shape our Bible reading? Before we weigh the pros and cons of AI tools for Bible study, we should consider a deeper question: Why do we want AI to help us interpret the Bible? We apply tools to the Bible because we think they fit the task of biblical interpretation. What does AI provide a solution to? What need does it meet? The history of American Bible interpretation can give us some answers. Long before modern computing, the American Bible-publishing industry was flush with extrabiblical reference materials: concordances, commentaries, and charts. New printing methods made publishing increasingly efficient as literacy rates were rising, so more Bibles and Bible reading guides were printed. According to historian Seth Perry in his book Bible Culture and Authority in the Early United States, the proliferation of concordances uniquely shaped American religious history. They fit the American ethos: Rather than listening to a religious authority interpret the text, concordances allowed the average reader to let Scripture interpret itself. The notes were not from a church tradition or a biblical scholar but simply referenced other parts of Scripture. The ideal for Bible reading was aptly described in the title of one popular Bible published in 1792: Browns Self-Interpreting Bible. The proliferation of Bible reading aids encouraged a particular kind of reading. Concordances shaped habits toward what Perry calls indexical, discontinuous, and citational Bible reading. Rather than reading larger chunks of Scripture in their literary contexts, people were formed to think of Scripture as isolated data points. Our interest in the Bible as data popped up again in the middle of the 20th century. In the midst of the Cold War, a particular way of reading the Bibledispensationalismbecame increasingly popular. This theology was spread not only through theological works but through fiction like the successful Left Behind franchise, and these fictional accounts of the Rapture and end times shaped the theological imagination of American Christians. Article continues below The Bible plays a significant role in these stories, as the people left behind struggle to understand the unfolding events. Historian Crawford Gribbens account of Rapture fiction, Writing the Rapture, notes that many of these novels describe dispensational theology as obvious, even axiomatic. Characters in the novels read the Bible without any aids or guides and come to dispensational conclusions by reading the text alone. One novel from the period, The Omega Project by Pentecostal evangelist Morris Cerullo, takes this approach and applies it to the new technology of the 1980s. In the story, the prime minister of Israel recruits a group of computer programmers to build a data bank of unfulfilled Bible prophecies in order to respond to the recent Rapture. Its a fictional account of Bible interpretation, but it depicts an approach to Scripture shared by many Americans. Were computer programmers, not philosophers, one character says. Even before the average Christian could use computers to interpret biblical prophecies, these stories subconsciously communicated that the Bible could be organized and processed as discrete data points apart from theological knowledge or the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Especially in the 1980s, a period of international instability and fear of nuclear war, many Christians were drawn to methods of biblical interpretation that gave them great certainty about their immediate future. They were drawn to the idea that the strangest parts of the Bible were understandable if only we applied the right toolslike plugging data into a computer. Today, the dream of a computer-programmed self-interpreting Bible seems to be a reality. Even prior to the newest AI Bible tools, online concordances and Bible study software appealed to our desire to have the Bible interpret itself. Now, we dont even need to flip to the concordance in the back of our Bibles. We can simply click on a hyperlinked word to see every time the word is used in Scripture or to read relevant cross-references. Theologian John Dyer, in his book People of the Screen, examines the way digital resources shape evangelical reading habits. Many of the participants in Dyers study talk about using digital tools to easily find keywords, do word studies, or search for passages. These quick hits are only possible because of relatively new technology, but the underlying approach to Scripture is as old as America. Article continues below Bible-reading habits have always been shaped by technologyfrom the scroll to the codex to the printing press. But this surprisingly consistent history illuminates a deeper origin of our reading habits than merely the available technology. Our consistent desire to see the Bible as data reveals a theological challenge for American evangelicals. Where other traditions have relied on liturgy and creeds to understand Scripture, American evangelicals prefer to stick to the text. We tend to prize personal Bible reading and often characteristically resist the imposition of religious authorities or church tradition. But our reliance on supposedly neutral and objective tools for interpreting the Bible (from printed concordances to computers), which we often use in isolation, can overshadow the work of the Holy Spirit, the guidance of our communities, and the wisdom of tradition. This habit of treating the Bible as a list of facts gives us the illusion of objectivityof an interpretation free from bias or theological tradition. But it is an illusion. Even concordances and cross-references come with theological judgments. Perry notes one important example: the curse of Ham justification for slavery. The strange story of Noahs nakedness and his sons curse in Genesis 9 took on special importance in the antebellum South. Concordances and cross-references in study Bibles would pair this passage with 1 Kings 9:2021 and Joshua 9:23 to articulate the curse as continuing into the modern era, strengthening the association between the Canaanite tribes and Africans. The seemingly neutral practice of presenting the text with cross-references reinforced a theology of subjugation based on racial prejudice. The choice to associate some verses with others is always a theological judgment. As we think about appropriate ways to use new technology for biblical interpretation, we should examine not only the technology we use but also the desires we bring to the text. Are we turning to technological tools to avoid the difficult work of turning to our communities for help understanding challenging passages? Are we seeking a seemingly objective way to interpret the Bible while neglecting to reflect on the gifts of Christian tradition and theology to guide our interpretations? Are we substituting prolonged study of the whole Bible for quick hits that piece together isolated verses? Article continues below One of the participants in Dyers study talked about switching back to print resources after using digital tools and finding himself frustrated when he looked for commentary or clarification for certain words out of habit, and it wasnt there. We are turning to AI tools for our Bible questions out of a good desire to understand Gods Word, but our use of such tools often trains us to expect easy and immediately accessible answers to questions that might require longer, messier, and more collaborative work. Our desire for objectivity is often a desire to be freed from the constraints of community. Could it be that we like asking ChatGPT questions about the Bible because theres no relationship required? With AI, theres no accountability if our interpretation demands something we arent willing to sacrifice, and no challenge of navigating disagreements and differences in interpretation. When it comes to reading Scripture, AI tools do not guarantee that we will sidestep the gift of the Spirit-indwelt family of God, but they can make it easier to do so. Some perspective or tradition is always informing our reading, whether its a 19th-century Bible publisher, a Rapture-novel author, or a computer-program developer. There is no avoiding the reality that God revealed himself in the form of stories, letters, prophecies, and poems that cannot be reduced to data points. And there is no avoiding the reality that we finite and fallen creatures need guidance to hear Gods Word rightly. Rather than seeking some way to interpret the Bible free from guidance, we should choose such guidance wisely, turning to the wisdom of Christians around the world and across historyand of those who gather with us weekly to hear the Word of the Lord. Jesus himself noted that we can apply all the right tools yet miss the whole story: You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life, he tells the Jewish leaders. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life (John 5:3940). We too can ask ChatGPT all the right questions, apply all the right digital tools, and still miss the whole picture of the gospela radical and compelling message that has been preserved and handed down through generations of the people of God. Article continues below We should carefully and faithfully consider the gifts and challenges of using AI tools for reading and interpreting the Bible. But if we fail to ask why we want AI to answer our Bible questions, well keep uncritically repeating our same flawed reading habitswith AIs help or not. Kaitlyn Schiess is the author of The Ballot and the Bible: How Scripture Has Been Used and Abused in American Politics and Where We Go from Here. Speaking Out is Christianity Todays guest opinion column. Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here. A friend recently recounted a horrible flying experience full of delays, obfuscating explanations, and eventual cancellations. We concluded that one of the most infuriating parts of modern travel is that there is no single person to blame when it falls apart. Most likely, its not a failure of this specific pilot or that particular mechanic or this or that airline. It is truly systemic, with a hundred moving processes, none of which have overriding authority over the others. You can lose your cool in the terminal, but what power does any single employee really hold? You can curse the universe, but alas, it is not moved. If you are a Christian, you can utter a prayer for mercyIve petitioned for such travel miracles but never experienced one myself. It all makes your jaw clench and your stomach turn. Americans today seem to be in a similar situation as the stranded passenger, directing our rage both in focused and indiscriminate ways across our society, which many see as falling apart. Since the 1960s, public trust in all types of institutions has plummeted. Since Gallup started tracking survey results, faith in the US Congress has dropped to 8 percent, with newspapers rating at 18 percent, banks at 26 percent, and organized religious institutions at 32 percent. According to these metrics, most institutions have bottomed out in the last two years. Overall, American confidence in institutions has fallen from 48 percent in 1979 to 26 percent in 2023. Explanations are many and varied. To make sense of the collapsing trust in government, we often cite events like the Watergate scandal and trends of party polarization. Loss of trust in business is often attributed to scandals like Enron and the 2008 banking crisis. Cratering trust in religious institutions is blamed on moral failures, including revelations of systemic sexual abuse. Recent commentators have offered many theories for what historian Matthew Bowman calls the cynicism and conspiratorialism of American life today. Bowmans new book, The Abduction of Betty and Barney Hill: Alien Encounters, Civil Rights, and the New Age in America, offers a new way to frame the problem in human as well as institutional terms. The results are surprising and welcome. Bowman uses what has been characterized as the original blueprint for the modern UFO-encounter tropethe abduction of Betty and Barney Hill in rural New Hampshire on September 19, 1961to explore the cynicism in American society that began in the 1960s and continues today. The book manages to recast big trends in American life through a story that is smaller in scope and more intimate in detail. Article continues below A historian at Claremont Graduate University who has written on Mormonism, evangelicalism, and religion and US politics, Bowman is well equipped to tell the Hills story. In his account, both the couples abduction narrative and its broader reception were deeply influenced by the surrounding social context, which combined the height of American civil religion, the civil rights movement, the Cold War, and the authoritative scientific pronouncements of credentialed experts and government officials. The Hills UFO encounter not only reflected this world but, over time, chipped away at it. They were rejected by military and scientific authorities, and they were simultaneously embraced by competing authorities in the realms of religion, spirituality, and pseudoscience. Their story pried open cultural fissures resembling those in our world today: widespread distrust in both public and private institutions, skepticism toward institutional leaders, dismissiveness toward expertise we dont already agree with, and the conspiracy thinking at work in many parts of public life. The encounter On the night of their claimed abduction, when Betty and Barney Hill witnessed a mysterious flying saucer overhead while driving home from Montreal, they were living in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Betty, 42 years old at the time, was a white social worker and a New Hampshire native. Barney, 39 years old, was an African American postal worker and civil rights activist from Philadelphia. Married in May 1960, they were a rare interracial couple in New England. The Hills were also Unitarians who attended South Church in Portsmouth. The ethos and assumptions of Unitarianismand by extension Protestant civil religionpervaded the Hills New England culture. In the 1950s and early 1960s, this meant a progressive theological and political optimism, rooted in a trust of human reason and the American dream, that defined Unitarian beliefs and teachings. More specifically, in 1961 this meant a seamless religious and social embrace of the civil rights movement. Though the Unitarian denomination was predominantly white, its leaders were notably active in promoting civil rights. The South Church minister installed just six months before the Hills fateful September night was a liberal civil rights minister named John Papandrew. His sermons and efforts at community organizing came from a place of deep hope in the capacity of American institutions to reform, and from a confidence that those institutions could effectively better the lives of common people. This faith set up the Hills for repeated disappointments and disillusionment. Article continues below Enter the event that made Betty and Barney believe that they had encountered an extraterrestrial UFO. Bowman does not evaluate, as many investigations have before, the veracity of the Hills account. He believes their testimony was sincere, but he is guarded in giving it credence. Part of the problem is that the Hills narrative evolved over time, with Betty and Barney remembering more details and discovering more memories through hypnosis. The Hills, channeling their Unitarian optimism in human reason, believed (contra the consensus among professional psychologists) that hypnosis helped to recover accurate but repressed memories. In their case, these included vivid descriptions of an invasive abduction involving small grey aliens with large eyes, a needle that penetrated Bettys womb, and dozens of medical tests performed on Barney. Image: WikiMedia Commons / Edits by CT As respectable, progressive members of their community, the Hills looked for validation in the best ways they knew how. They contacted the Air Force and a knowledgeable civilian organization, the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP), met repeatedly with an esteemed psychologist, and eventually invited journalists to document their story. At each turn, however, they faced increasing scrutiny. The Air Force dutifully received the Hills story but did not take it seriously. Psychologist Benjamin Simon, who led both Betty and Barney in multiple sessions of hypnosis, interpreted the findings as evidence of suppressed racial anxieties rather than any external reality. And journalists grew both skeptical and bombastic in recounting the story. The Hills were active participants in spinning their experiences out of their own control. They actively sought attention and recognition in Portsmouth and beyond, growing increasingly convinced that a conspiracy of suppression was underfoot. With enough national notice, they believed, their narrative would be vindicated. Resistance and disillusionment Of course, as Bowmans subtitle makes clear, this all took place not in a vacuum but in a roiling social and political climate defined by increasing polarization around civil rights. Papandrew, a very public supporter of Betty and Barney, left his South Church pastorate in late 1963 because his sermons and activism had failed to sway the congregation. The people did not want him to preach things that made them uncomfortable, Bowman concludes. Article continues below Betty and especially Barney began to see their own story falling victim to similar forces. By 1966 the first full journalistic accounts of their abduction were hitting bookshelves. But the increased attention did not provide the breakthrough the Hills were seeking. It mostly made things worse. The couple ditched their psychologist and began to consult with a local psychic, an antiestablishment scientist of parapsychology at Duke University, and a UFO enthusiast who also dabbled in the occult, among others. These alternative authorities supplied the Hills with a vast array of intellectual and spiritual tools for making sense of their experiences. In describing the spiritual New Age that the Hills were entering, Bowman uses the term bricolage to capture the mixing and matching of ideas from the occult, Kabbalah, alchemy, astrology, and the like. Establishment resistance led to disillusionment across the board. Even as the Civil Rights Act became law, Barney was beginning to worry that his trust in the power of the state to change minds was unjustified. This happened locally in Portsmouth as white residents dragged their feetfrom the barber shop that refused to integrate to the lawyer that took the barbers case. Bowman mentions that Barney never joined the more radical Nation of Islam or embraced the ideology of Black power, which harbored a deep skepticism that American institutions could integrate at all. Yet Barney and the Nation of Islams founder, Elijah Muhammad, shared a fascination with UFOs and a faith that science would reveal the bankruptcy of white America. Moreover, Barney interpreted backlash from the scientific establishment and civil rights activism to be expressions of the same bigotry. In less than a decade, a cynicism foreign to Unitarian progressivism had captured Betty and Barneyand many Americans besides. Barney died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1969, while Betty lived until 2004. The divergent lifespans meant that while Barney remained largely stuck in a place of disillusionment, Betty continued to grapple with her own story in new and increasingly creative ways. Her version of what happened in 1961 continued to develop, and she reported further encounters with UFOs. By the 1970s, she claimed to have witnessed hundreds of visitations. Article continues below Her fame increased with a 1975 film starring James Earl Jones as Barney, and her infamy grew when a large portion of one of Carl Sagans Cosmos episodes in 1980 was dedicated to debunking the Hills story, employing the memorable phrase, Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. The establishment, in Bettys mind, was at it again. Betty remained a household name among UFO enthusiasts but ultimately lived a life of struggle with the very authorities from whom she sought validation. As Bowman writes, establishment skepticism frustrated the Hills because it implied to them that their own reasons and perceptions could not be trusted. Moreover, he concludes, It seemed catastrophic to them, not only because of their experience but because it implied the nation was run not by its citizens but by a dominant and trained elite. In 21st-century parlance, you could call it the deep state, the swamp, or simply the elite. Bowmans insightful and compelling analysis of the Hills shows their resemblance to many Americans today who trust their own ability to determine the truth while doubting the motives of those who wield expertise and institutional power. Believing rightly The Hills story helps illustrate that this state of affairs has a deeply personal and experiential component that cant be captured by invoking either discrete events (like Watergate) or broader patterns (like polarization). The collapse of trust in institutions cant be pinned exclusively on either a conservative or liberal cast of characters. Nor is it definitively populist or establishmentarian in origin. The establishment began to alienate the Hills through encounters with individual scientists, psychologists, military representatives, and journalists. And Barneys loss of civil rights optimism occurred not primarily because of white resistance to integration nationally but because of events in Portsmouth. In other words, individual organizations and entities, including churches and other ministries, have the heavy burden of representing a much larger institutional type in their day-to-day interactions, whether they like it or not. None of us have been mistreated by the church or the state in some absolute definition of those terms. Yet thousands of us have been mistreated by specific churches, authority structures, and government agenciesby certain manifestations of systemic forces and particular structures of injustice. Article continues below This way of reframing the cynicism and conspiratorialism of American life today affects Christians in at least two ways. First, it bears repeating that the Hills were active agents in their own alienation. They misunderstood the purpose and effects of hypnosis, they routinely obfuscated or changed their story, and they resorted to authority sources that were specious at best. They acted in ways they understood to be consistent with their Unitarian faithwhich was not anti-science or antiestablishmentand many others in their community spurred them on. Regardless of the details of the Hills experience, there were telltale signs that their story was not true or, at best, incomplete and subject to scrutiny. When the truth is obscured in this way, it reflects failures of discipleship, community support, and individual character. At the same time, the Hills were subject to larger forces that treated them, time and again, as less than fully human. Many people looked to instrumentalize the Hills, and many others looked to suppress, exaggerate, or twist the couples experience for their own ends. In Bowmans telling, very few people who entered the Hills life after 1961 regarded them as humans first. Rather, they quickly became pawns in various games of authority, control, or careerism. Bowmans book is a heartbreaking portrait of the all-too-common American experience of institutional life. No wonder it breeds cynicism. Some years ago, Dallas Willard observed that we live in a culture that has, for centuries now, cultivated the idea that the skeptical person is always smarter than the one who believes. That insight drove those (like the Hills) who doubted the establishment as much as it drives those today who doubt the ability of others to reason toward truths on their own. Willards charge is not to believe indiscriminately but to believe rightly. He concludes the above quote by observing that the fashion of the age has identified mental sharpness with a pose, not with genuine intellectual method and character. If cynicism has become the problem in the way Bowman documents, then genuine thinking and living seem the most effective recourses we can summon. Daniel G. Hummel directs The Lumen Center, a scholarly collective of Christian writers, researchers, and educators on the campus of the University of WisconsinMadison. He is the author of The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism: How the Evangelical Battle Over the End Times Shaped a Nation. Home News 86-year-old South Carolina pastor out on bond after being slapped with 30 felony charges Charges include 22 counts of indecent liberties with a child under 13 An 86-year-old Baptist pastor from South Carolina is out on bond after having been arrested last month on 30 felony charges related to multiple incidents during his ministry in Virginia decades ago, including taking "indecent liberties with a child." Albert Benjamin Wharton was arrested by deputies with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office on Dec. 8 at his home in Pickens County, South Carolina, with the help of the Pickens County Sheriff's Office and the FBI, according to local FOX Carolina. Of the 30 felony counts against Wharton, 22 of them were indecent liberties with a child younger than 13, while in a custodial position, and eight were aggravated sexual assault. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Wharton's alleged crimes took place between 1981 and 1997 at Berachah Christian Academy in Warsaw, Virginia, while Wharton was serving as pastor of the affiliated Victory Baptist Church, according to Richmond County Sheriff Stephan Smith. The school is no longer in operation, according to local WRIC. Wharton served as the founding pastor of Victory Baptist Church from 1976 to 2002, according to the church's website. Smith said over the past 40 years, Wharton had served as a pastor at churches in Virginia, South Carolina, Alabama and Florida. He said Wharton's arrest was the culmination of a 15-month investigation that involved the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit and was prompted by one of Wharton's alleged victims coming forward to law enforcement. Wharton was extradited to Northern Neck Regional Jail in Richmond County, Virginia, on the day of his arrest, but has since been released on $25,000 bond on Dec. 18. He remains under house arrest at his home in Pickens. The conditions of his bond release require Wharton to be of good behavior, wear an electronic home monitoring device, and refrain from contacting any alleged victim or minor. Wharton is also prohibited from supervising children or attending, leading or pastoring any church or religious association. Home News Franklin Graham warns UK Methodist Church is 'trying to edit the Word of God' Evangelist Franklin Graham has slammed The Methodist Church in the United Kingdom for trying to edit what the Word of God says after the church released an "Inclusive Language Guide" advising Methodists to avoid using gendered terms such as "husband" and "wife. Shame on the Methodist Church, Graham, CEO of Samaritans Purse, wrote in a social media post Tuesday. These are Biblical terms and marriage between a man and a woman is biblical truth. The word wife is used in some 360 verses in 38 books of the Bible. They are in essence trying to edit what the Word of God says and teaches to be more appealing to the changing whims of culture. We are warned against that in Scripture. As Christians, we arent called to avoid what might offend people we are called to share the Truth of Gods Word that can guide and direct us through every step of life. The Methodist Church in the UK is trying to edit what the Word of God says to be more appealing to the changing whims of culture. As Christians, we arent called to avoid what might offend peoplewe are called to share the Truth of Gods Word. https://t.co/X9WDuYlmeU Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe January 2, 2024 Grahams comments come in response to the guidance, released in December, that contended that gendered terms such as "husband" and "wife" could be offensive because such allegedly assumes what is not "the reality for many people." "As Christians, we need to have the courage for conversations that can sometimes be difficult, to recognize that we sometimes exclude people, to listen with humility, to repent of any hurtful language and to take care with how we listen and what we say or write, in the Spirit of Christ," says the guidance, which will be updated every six months. According to the guidance, there is "infinite variety in the way that Gods creation is expressed in human life. It offered "husband" and "wife" as examples of terminology that "may sound inoffensive but it makes assumptions about a family or personal life that is not the reality for many people." The guidance also outlined the words "parent," "partner," "child," and "carer" as suitable alternatives. The guide said the U.K.-based Methodist Church "uses language that is inclusive of LGBT+ people," and encouraged using the language an individual prefers, including the pronouns by which they choose to identify. The guidance also pointed readers to nonprofits that include the left-wing Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and Stonewall, an LGBT charity in the U.K. A spokesperson for the denomination told The Christian Post it was proud of the guidance, adding: "It helps the Church hold conversations without making assumptions or inadvertently causing upset. Some find this especially useful when talking with those who may have had a different life experience to their own." According to the denomination's Book of Discipline, LGBT-identified clergy are banned from ordination, and same-sex marriages are also prohibited. However, progressive Methodist churches and regional governing bodies in the U.S. have defied these rules in recent years. In the U.S. in 2022, the UMC Western Jurisdiction voted to make the Rev. Cedrick D. Bridgeforth of the California-Pacific Conference a bishop, although he is in a same-sex marriage. A growing schism within the UMC in the U.S. over LGBT issues has led to a significant number of congregations leaving the denomination. Its estimated that about a quarter of the congregations have decided to split; since 2019, more than 7,000 congregations have received approval to leave the denomination. Thousands of congregations that have disaffiliated from the UMC have joined the Global Methodist Church, a theologically conservative denomination launched as an alternative to the UMC last year. A denomination-wide legislative gathering is planned for spring 2024, which will consider calls to liberalize policies on marriage and other issues related to LGBT ideology. Megan Fan Munce is a reporter who joined the San Francisco Chronicle as part of the two-year Hearst Journalism Fellowship, spending her first year of the program at the Houston Chronicle. Munce grew up in San Jose before attending Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, graduating with a B.S. and M.S. in journalism and a second major in political science. She previously worked as an audience engagement fellow and a reporting fellow at the Texas Tribune, as well as an audience intelligence intern for KQED. She can be reached at Megan.Munce@sfchronicle.com. Home News Muslim extremists shouting jihadist slogan kill grandmother, 2 children in Uganda 'We have to teach these infidels a lesson during this Christmas celebration' NAIROBI, Kenya Islamic extremists killed a 75-year-old woman and her two grandchildren in western Uganda on Christmas Day, sources said. The bodies of Edrine Ngwabize and her two grandchildren, 5-year-old Emoni Niwalindwa and 13-year-old Mathias Byamukama, were found inside their home in Nyabitutsi village, Kamwenge Sub-County in Kamwenge District after Muslim extremists broke into their home on Dec. 25, the slain womans son said. The attackers were shouting the Muslim slogan, Allah Akbar [Allah is greater] and saying, We have to teach these infidels a lesson during this Christmas celebration, Wilson Byaruhanga told Morning Star News. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Byaruhanga said he saw the assailants first set ablaze the farm of a church pastor that is 500 meters from his mothers home at about 7 p.m. He rushed to warn his mother and the two children, one of them his own, to take cover. Then he returned to hide his wife, who was ill, in a safe place. On coming back to pick up my mother and the children, I found the Muslim terrorists were already at my mothers house, and there was a loud bang [from a gun] and sound from the iron sheet roof, which was so frightening, Byaruhanga told Morning Star News. I turned back quickly to check on my sick wife and moved her farther away but did not know the whereabouts of my mother and the two children. One of the children belonged to his previously deceased sister, he said. He rushed to a nearby police station, and officers promptly went to the site to begin an operation that continued throughout the night, he said. Early in the morning when I visited my mothers house, I found out that the Muslim terrorists had killed my mother and the two children, and that the house had been damaged, Byaruhanga said. Police had shot dead the leader of the assailants, Musa Kamusi, as he was fleeing near the house, said local councilman Yonasani Muhwezi. Another Islamic extremist leader, Abdul Rashid Kyoto, alias Njovu, had been arrested in November, he said. We need security from the government to be tightened because of the great fear that has come upon our residents here, Muhwezi told Morning Star News. The assailants were also said to have slaughtered five goats and taken some food items from the home of the deceased. In the same district on Dec. 19, rebels from the Democratic Allied Forces (ADF) killed 10 Christians, sources said. The Dec. 25 killings were the latest of many instances of persecution of Christians in Uganda that Morning Star News has documented. Ugandas constitution and other laws provide for religious freedom, including the right to propagate ones faith and convert from one faith to another. Muslims make up no more than 12% of Ugandas population, with high concentrations in eastern areas of the country. Home News 'Santa Muerte' cult leading to 'notable increase' of demonic activity in Mexico, exorcist warns A Roman Catholic priest and exorcist in Mexico has warned that the growth of the "Santa Muerte" cult is leading to a "notable increase" in demonic activity in the country, including demonic possession. Father Andres Esteban Lopez Ruiz, who has served as an exorcist in the Archdiocese of Mexico since 2006, penned an article for the Rome-based International Association of Exorcists last month claiming that the Santa Muerte cult whose idol is a female personification of death is satanic and steeped in occult rituals, as noted by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-speaking version of Catholic News Agency. Warning that the swelling ranks of the cult's adherents "implicitly or explicitly worship Satan, risking submitting themselves to him and experiencing his extraordinary action," he also said that the "proliferation of this cult has led to a notable increase in the extraordinary action of the devil" where it is practiced. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Tracing Santa Muerte's origins to the 1960s and noting its explosion in popularity after being promoted in Mexico City's Tepito market, Lopez said that while it is not a "pre-Hispanic" cult, Santa Muerte has "a recent origin and distant past." The cult's obsession with death and the underworld is reminiscent of the pre-Hispanic cults that dominated the region before the arrival of Christian Europeans, though it often syncretizes Catholic teachings, he said. The exorcist further noted that many of the cult's occult rituals emerged from Catemaco, a town in the Mexican state of Veracruz infamous for its traditions of "witchcraft, shamanism, and occultism." The confluence in the region of "Brazilian quimbanda, Cuban Santeria, pre-Hispanic cultures, and occult satanism" have led to what Lopez described as "the Mexican version of satanic worship" that finds its expression in Santa Muerte. Lopez said adherents of Santa Muerte will sometimes make "formal pacts with the devil" in exchange for supernatural powers, riches and good fortune, and that even if someone has not made a formal pact, "they at least do so internally." These very serious sins place those who commit them under the direct control of Satan and, with divine permission, can easily become occasions for his extraordinary action, he warned. Lopez noted that exorcists have even encountered possessions and demonic attacks against people who have partaken of drugs that were formally offered to the Santa Muerte idol. Santa Muerte is also inextricable with many of the crimes afflicting Mexico, such as "robbery, smuggling, fraud, murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking and human trafficking," which has prompted the Mexican government to view it as a national security threat, Lopez wrote. "Prisons, in particular, have become privileged places for this cult and there does not appear to be a single prison in Mexico where it is not practiced," he said. Noting that Mexican bishops have openly declared Santa Muerte to be "a cult of Satan," Lopez advised the Catholic Church to offer "a pastoral response" to its spiritual evil by offering "Gospel proclamation, catechesis, and education," as well as sacraments and prayer. "However, in many cases, major exorcism is necessary to assist all those people who have suffered the cruel wounds of Satan through the cult they paid to the 'Santa Muerte,'" he added. Home News Christian man arrested for praying in his own home on New Year's Eve Police in Uttar Pradesh detained a Christian, along with a guest, for praying in his own house on New Years Eve in Maharajganj district on Sunday. Pastor Raj Kishore, along with some of his friends, had gathered in his house for New Years Eve in Sonbarasa village when the Kothibari police reached his house around 11 p.m. local time and detained him and a friend at the complaint of a neighbor. The police detained him along with Raj Kumar alleging he was carrying out forced conversion in his house. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Pyare Lal, a Christian leader from Uttar Pradesh, told Christian Today that he spoke to the Station Head Officer (SHO) Monday morning. The SHO told me that he booked Kishore and Kumar under the Code Of Criminal Procedure (CrPc) 151 (Arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences), 107 (breach of peace or disturb public tranquillity), 116 (provides for the power of the Magistrate to take immediate measures for the execution of bond), informed Lal. Raj Kishore and Kumar were presented before the Sub-Divisional Magistrate on Monday and were subsequently released. The case against them will proceed. Raj Kishores wife, Bhagwanti, denied the allegation of any kind of conversion taking place in her house. Speaking to an unidentified source associated with the family, who narrated the incident to Christian Today, Bhagwanti said that her husband, herself, and some acquaintances were sitting and praying peacefully in her house when the police at the false complaint of someone detained her husband. Due to the rivalry of one of our neighbors, the police have taken my husband, Raj Kishore, and a guest in our house to the police station on false charges without registering any complaint, said Bhagwanti in her application. While the family was worshiping and praying in the house, five to six policemen entered the home; disrupting their personal peaceful prayer time, they began to make videos of their worship. When the host objected to the video shoot, the men hurled curses at them and left. Police soon returned to detain Raj Kishore and Raj Kumar, and without investigating the matter or giving any chance for them to defend themselves, arrested them and took them to the police station. Appealing to the fundamental right to religious freedom given in Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, Bhagwanti told the source that they have the right to worship whom they want to and read religious scriptures of whatever religion they want to. She was happy that Kishore and Kumar were let go by the SDM on Monday and that she had her husband back home on the first day of the New Year. Originally published at Christian Today India Home News George Mason University joins list of schools under federal investigation for antisemitism The Biden administration is investigating George Mason University following accusations of antisemitism on campus, joining a list of multiple academic institutions facing federal scrutiny after anti-Israel protests erupted after the Jewish State launched a war against Hamas after terrorists attacked the country on Oct. 7. In addition to George Mason University, the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights launched an investigation into a various schools, including Harvard University and Stanford University. The Department of Education opened its investigation into George Mason on Dec. 22 for discrimination involving shared ancestry. George Mason University has a proud history of robust inclusivity that includes welcoming students, faculty, and staff from all walks of life, a spokesperson for the university told The Christian Post on Wednesday. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe We do so by maintaining a safe and supportive environment to learn, teach and live while observing free speech requirements that the First Amendment demands of all public universities. Our policies, procedures and public statements are transparent and well-documented, and we are confident that the Department of Education's review will confirm that George Mason University has acted well within the letter and spirit of laws and the First Amendment, the spokesperson added. In October, the Jewish advocacy group Stop Antisemitism shared a video on social media of a George Mason student ripping down two fliers of hostages taken captive by Hamas. On Oct. 7, the terror group launched attacks against Israel, killing 1,200 people, including 31 Americans, and abducting around 240 others in one of the deadliest attacks in the countrys history. The person filming the video can be heard asking the student why she was taking down the fliers. The student replied by accusing the man of spreading propaganda. After the man requested that the girl give him back one of the fliers that she tore down, the student responded by crumpling the flier and ripping it into tiny pieces. Why do you think this is acceptable? These people were kidnapped, the man filming the video asked, holding up one of the fliers. This man isnt even Israeli; hes Thai. Thats great, the student replied as she walked away with her friend. On Oct. 31, George Mason University said in a statement that it had opened an investigation into the incident that occurred in its Johnson Center, declaring that property destruction and doxing are not constitutionally protected speech. While we have been advised by the Commonwealths Attorney that the conduct does not appear to be criminal in nature, it does violate our student code of conduct and we will address it in accordance with the code, the statement read. George Mason University remains committed to maintaining a welcoming environment for everyone and is acting accordingly. The Virginia-based university is not the only school that has garnered negative attention in recent months for anti-Israel and anti-Jewish sentiment on campus. Shortly after the terrorist attacks on Israel, a non-faculty instructor at Standford University singled out three Jewish students during a session for the undergraduate course Civil, Liberal and Global Education. The instructor told the Jewish students to gather their belongings and stand against the wall, claiming that this is what Israel does to Palestinians. At one point, the instructor also asked how many Jews died in the Holocaust. When a student answered that 6 million Jews died in the Holocaust, the instructor said, Colonizers killed more than 6 million. Israel is a colonizer. Harvard University is another school facing scrutiny for antisemitism, and one recent incident that made headlines involved over 30 student groups signing a letter condemning Israel shortly after Hamas attacks. In the letter, the students accused Israel of being an apartheid regime. The universitys president, Claudine Gay, who resigned Tuesday due to allegations she plagiarized multiple academic papers, prompted concerns about how Harvard addresses antisemitism during a recent congressional hearing. Last month, Gay testified before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce alongside Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Sally Kornbluth and former University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill. At one point during the hearing, Rep. Elisa Stefanik, R-N.Y., asked Gay and the other university presidents if calling for the genocide of Jews violated their code of conduct on bullying or harassment. The Harvard president responded that it could be considered a violation, depending on the context. Gays testimony prompted the law firm Edelson PC to announce that it would not interview students on campus during the universitys 2024 Spring Interview Program. As Reuters reported, the firm has also decided not to partake in Harvards on-campus interviewing event in August. Home News Kim Davis ordered to pay $260K for refusing to issue marriage license to gay couple: judge Former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis must pay $260,000 in attorneys' fees and other expenses for her refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2015. United States District Judge David L. Bunning of the Eastern District of Kentucky issued a memorandum opinion and order last week awarding plaintiffs $246,026.40 in attorneys fees and an additional $14,058.30 in other expenses. The Court is mindful that in this case, Plaintiffs not only prevailed, but obtained the result sought. They sought to vindicate their fundamental right to marry and obtain marriage licenses; and they did so, wrote Bunning. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The Court has reviewed the Plaintiffs submissions and finds that the hours expended, and the rates charged to be reasonable. The Liberty Counsel, which has been representing Davis during her years-long legal proceedings, announced on Tuesday that they were going to appeal the decision and were willing to go to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit if their appeal fails. The conservative law firm noted that, in December 2015, then Gov. Matt Bevin issued an executive order granting religious exemptions to all clerks in the state. This case is far from over, said Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver, as quoted in the announcement. Because of Kim Davis, every clerk in Kentucky now has the freedom to serve as an elected official without compromising their religious convictions and conscience. This case has the potential to extend the same religious freedom protections beyond Kentucky and to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, which was wrongly decided and should be overturned. In 2015, shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down state-level gay marriage bans in the 5-4 Obergefell decision, then-Rowan County Clerk Davis refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Davis was briefly jailed for her refusal to issue the licenses and was later sued by David Ermold and David Moore, one of the same-sex couples she had refused to give a marriage license to. Last September, a federal jury awarded Ermold and Moore $50,000 each in damages in their lawsuit against Davis, which is in addition to the $260,000 that Bunning ordered Davis to pay. Joe Buckles, who helped represent Moore and Ermold, told National Public Radio last year that he was "thrilled" by the jury's decision and his clients were "completely vindicated. "The Supreme Court says that my clients have a constitutional right to marry under the 14th Amendment," Buckles continued. "But this case isn't really about [Davis'] religion. The case isn't really about our clients' right to marry. The case is about a government official that just refused to do her job. It's a pretty simple case." Home News Missing Chinese foreign exchange student discovered in tent after 'cyber kidnapping' A 17-year-old Chinese foreign exchange student who went missing last week was found alive in a tent on a mountainside near Brigham City in Utah, with authorities saying that the teenager was the victim of a cyber kidnapping. At the time of his disappearance, Kai Zhuang had been staying with his host family in Riverdale. The host family reportedly didn't know the student had gone missing until his parents in China reported he was kidnapped on Dec. 28 after they received a ransom demand for his return. ABC4 in Utah reported that Zhuangs host family told police they heard the teenager moving around the house on Dec. 28, and didn't believe there was cause for alarm. Authorities initially thought someone took the exchange student from the house by force. However, they later learned that Zhuang left on his own. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Zhuangs parents transferred $80,000 to bank accounts in China after they received threats from the kidnappers and a photo that appeared to show their son was in danger, according to ABC4. The Riverdale Police teamed up with the FBI and the U.S. and Chinese Embassies to investigate. The FBI informed investigators about what they call cyber kidnappings, which involve the targeting of foreign exchange students, many of whom are Chinese students. The kidnappers demand ransom money from the victims family in addition to forcing the student to isolate, monitoring them via phone or FaceTime. The victims captors also persuade the victim to take pictures to make it look as if they are being held captive. The victims comply out of fear that their families will be harmed if they dont comply with the cyber kidnappers, the Riverdale Police stated. The cyber kidnappers continue to extort the family by using fear tactics, photos and voice recordings of the victim, leading the family to believe the kidnappers are with the victim, causing them harm. Riverdale Police zeroed in on Zhuangs location after analyzing phone records, surveillance footage and his purchases, according to ABC4, tracking the student to the Brigham City area. It is possible that the kidnappers were manipulating Zhuang back on Dec. 20, when Provo Police reported meeting the student as he attempted to go camping. Out of concern for the teenagers safety, the Provo Police arranged to have the student returned to Riverdale. We believed the victim was isolating himself at the direction of the cyber kidnappers in a tent, the Riverdale Police said. Due to the cold weather in Utah at this time of year, we became additionally concerned for the victims safety in that he may freeze to death overnight. With the help of drones and the Utah DPS Aero Bureau, a Riverdale Police detective found the student in a tent with no heat source in Brigham City canyon, according to ABC4. Police described the teenager as very cold and scared and relived to see police. Despite camping in the cold, the student did not appear to sustain any physical injuries or harm, such as hypothermia, due to the cold temperatures. According to the Mayo Clinic, hypothermia occurs when a persons body loses heat faster than the body can create it and when ones temperature drops below 95 F. In severe cases, hypothermia can lead to a persons heart and respiratory system shutting down and, in the worst-case scenario, death. After the police discovered his location, Zhuang said he wanted to speak to his family and requested a warm cheeseburger, according to ABC4. The authorities are still searching for the cyber kidnappers. Riverdale Police also issued a warning about cyber kidnapping, informing members of the public that if a cyber kidnapper were to attempt to make contact with them, then they should contact the authorities. The police also advised against sending money to the kidnappers and not continue communications with them. I want foreign exchange students to know they can trust police to protect them and to work with police to ensure their safety as well as their familys safety abroad, Riverdale Police Chief Casey Warren. Home News Passion 2024: Jonathan Pokluda slams 'lukewarm Christianity,' says Jesus is only path to God in 'new tolerance' era At a time when it's increasingly unpopular to believe that salvation is only attained through faith in Jesus Christ, Jonathan Pokluda slammed Americanized lukewarm church-going Christianity and stressed that lasting truth and life is found in no other thing or no other person than Jesus Christ. In a message delivered to thousands of young people gathered in Atlanta, Georgia, for Passion 2024, Pokluda cited statistics from USA Today revealing that 70% of all major Christian and non-Christian religious groups say many religions can lead to eternal life. And we might reject this in belief; maybe you hear that, [you think], No, that's not true. But we accept it in practice because we're not bothered by someone not believing in Jesus, he said. We sleep fine. We ride elevators and walk through hallways with people who are going to Hell, and we're OK. It doesn't seem like we believe that Jesus Christ is the only way. If you're here and you're a believer, I want to teach you how to address things like, All religions lead to God, or I'm glad thats your truth. Or, I'll live my life and get right with God later before I die; I'll figure out the Jesus thing. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Pokluda, pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, tackled the idea of truth, emphasizing that Jesus is not just historically true but the embodiment of truth itself. He stressed the importance of recognizing absolute truths, regardless of personal beliefs or feelings. [Jesus says] I'm the way to God. There's no other way to God; I'm the only way to God. And you probably have heard, Well wait, I think there are many ways to God, or All religions will lead to God, or Don't all religions actually teach the same thing? Thats a statement of ignorance. The person who says that all religions teach the same thing has never studied other religions, he said. The pastor cited examples from Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism, each asserting their exclusive paths to spiritual fulfillment and salvation. He pointed out the contradictions among these religions, noting that if one claims to be the only true path, it inherently negates the others. Pokluda highlighted the inclusivity within Christianity's exclusivity, as Jesus Christ offers salvation to all who believe in Him, regardless of their background. Christianity is exclusive. But it's the most inclusive of all world religions. Jesus on the cross, arms spread, saying, Anyone who believes in me shall not perish, but have eternal life. Pokluda shared a story about his daughter's illness during a mission trip, using it as a metaphor for the necessity of finding the right path to salvation. Telling someone any religious path leads to salvation is as misleading as telling a lost traveler that any gate at an airport leads home, he said. Jesus is the only way to Heaven, and that's loving because it's true, he added. Jesus calls people to a life of repentance and turning away from sin, not to restrict fun, but to guide them to a fulfilling life in a right relationship with God, he said. Jesus says, I am the truth, and so many of you are not on a truth journey, you're on a happiness journey. You don't care. You'd say, I'll believe a lie if it will make me happy, and what if the truth doesn't make me happy? What if the truth means I can't do whatever I want to do, when I want to? I cant date whoever I want to date I cant look at whatever I want to look at. What if the truth compromises my deepest desires? Its still the truth. The pastor discussed the concept of "new tolerance," contrasting it with "old tolerance. Old tolerance was accepting differing opinions, while new tolerance demands agreement with others' beliefs, even if they contradict one's own convictions. That goes against the will of God. It's inconsistent with what He teaches; its inconsistent with His Word and it's inconsistent with what's going to lead you to life, he said. Some of you here, you're on the straight and narrow and you're like, Jesus just trying to keep me from stuff. He is trying to keep you from stuff: STDs, addiction, jail time hangovers. I'm telling you, when you go 100% I'm not talking about this Americanized lukewarm church-going Christianity I'm talking about, I'll go anywhere and talk to anyone about Jesus because I'm free from what people think of me. I'm not a slave to that anymore. I'm living for Him. I don't care what you think about me. I'll talk to anyone. Jesus Christ is the way, Jesus Christ is the truth, and Jesus Christ is the life, and no one gets to the Father except through Him, he concluded. Passion 2024, held this year on Jan. 3-5, is a gathering of 18-25-year-olds and their leaders united for the fame of Jesus. Other speakers this year include Sadie Robertson Huff, Louie Giglio and Levi Lusko, with musical performances from KB, Kari Jobe and more. Home News Sri Lanka: Pastor released from jail after arrest on charges of 'outraging religious feelings' NEW DELHI A pastor in Sri Lanka was granted bail on Wednesday after being jailed since Dec. 1 on a charge of outraging religious feelings for comments in a sermon that appeared online, sources said. Authorities arrested Pastor Jerome Fernando, senior overseer of The Glorious Church in Colombo, after a court ordered officials to abstain from arresting him. He was reportedly released on a cash bail of 500,000 rupees (US$1,540) and two personal bails of 10 million rupees (US$30,810) each and banned from leaving the country. A Christian leader in Sri Lanka said many churches issued statements standing in solidarity with Pastor Fernando and demanding his release. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe We stand in solidarity, because today it is he, tomorrow it could be us as well, the leader said on condition of anonymity. He asserted that authorities and religious leaders are gradually turning attitudes of Sri Lankans against the Christian community. Things are happening slowly, and we dont know what is going to happen in the long run, he said. The unfortunate part is that the church is not ready for such an assault. The National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) on Dec. 2 expressed grave concern over increasing intolerance and violations of freedom of expression in a press statement on the pastors arrest. In the charges against Pastor Fernando, Sri Lanka authorities had stated that his actions violated Sri Lankas International Covenant on Civic and Political Rights Act, which is based on an ICCPR agreement that is designed to protect rights rather than be used to restrict them. Authorities arrested the pastor based in part on Section 3(1) of Sri Lankas ICCPR Act 56 of 2007, which states, No person shall propagate war or advocate national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence. The NCEASL statement said officials had used Section 3(1) of the ICCPR Act without thoroughly assessing if expressions truly incite violence or discrimination. The ICCPR Act has often been invoked to protect religions or beliefs against criticism or perceived insult, rather than prioritizing the protection of human rights and shielding vulnerable groups from incitement to violence, the group stated. The NCEASL appealed to authorities to withdraw charges against Pastor Fernando and urged them to promote an amicable environment where individuals have the freedom of expression befitting a democracy. Pastor Fernando was charged with outraging the religious feelings of any class of persons under Section 291B of Penal Code and under Section 3(1) of the ICCPR Act 56 of 2007. Controversial Video A video of Pastor Fernandos Sunday sermon on April 30, 2024, went viral on social media in May, prompting accusations that in his message he had offended religious sentiments of the Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic communities. Some media outlets stated that the pastor said in his sermon that Buddha had been looking for Jesus, which led to the uproar among Buddhists. In mid-May 2024, Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe ordered the Central Intelligence Department (CID) to launch immediate investigation into the complaints. Wickremesinghe reportedly pointed out to the Advisor on National Security Sagala Ratnayake that such statements could kindle religious conflicts. The New Buddhist Front (Nawa Bikshu Peramuna) and the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) filed a complaint with the CID seeking Pastor Fernandos arrest. A group including Buddhist leader Elle Gunawansa Thero and several others filed a petition requesting that the Supreme Court take legal action against Pastor Fernando and order the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to arrest him. Pastor Fernando filed a petition in the Supreme Court on May 26, 2024, seeking prevention of his arrest, saying he was advised that his sermon did not constitute any offense. He further noted that Article 10 of the Sri Lanka constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. In his petition, he also apologized to Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic clergy and all whose religious feelings might have been hurt, and later his parents on Aug. 18 apologized for his remarks. Pastor Fernando and his family managed to flee the country two days before the Colombo Fort Magistrates Court ordered a ban on his foreign travel. In response to his departure, the Court of Appeal on Nov. 17 reportedly ordered the CIDs Cyber Crime Investigation Division to record Pastor Fernandos statement within 48 hours of his return and ordered the CID to abstain from arresting him. Fernando returned to the island country on Nov. 29 with the understanding that he would not be arrested, and on the following day he reported to the CID office to record his statement. Authorities told him to return the next day (Dec. 1), and he was arrested a few hours after his arrival to the CID office. Pastor Fernando was produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrates Court on the same day, and the court ordered his remand until Dec. 13, which was extended to Dec. 27, and on Dec. 27 it was further extended to Jan. 3. Shipping containers are placed around Peoples Park in Berkeley early Thursday. Erin Allday/The Chronicle Police officers force a man who was living in Peoples Park in Berkeley to leave Thursday. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle Police officers clear out the last off the occupants and activists Thursday at Peoples Park in Berkeley. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle In advance of police fencing in the park, a group holds a vigil at Peoples Park in Berkeley on Wednesday. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle UC Berkeley sent hundreds of police officers into Peoples Park early Thursday and began closing off the historic space with double-stacked shipping containers in preparation for the construction of a controversial student housing project. The move to close off the public space comes nearly a year after a state appeals court ruled that UC Berkeley failed to adequately address environmental concerns in its $312 million plan to build housing for about 1,100 students and more than 100 of the homeless people who regularly camp on the 2.8-acre site. The case is now with the state Supreme Court and remains unresolved. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Peoples Park has long been a site linked to free speech and civil rights issues. Opponents of the universitys student housing project argue that the space should be preserved as a historic location and that the university should look at other sites for housing. The university argues that its in dire need of more student housing UC Berkeley provides housing for only 23% of its students, the lowest rate in the University of California system and that fires and crime in the park and around it have played an important role in the closure plan. As activists sit on top of a structure, police officers stand guard Thursday s they clear out Peoples Park in Berkeley. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle Just after midnight Wednesday, the university confirmed plans to block off the park as a closed construction zone, and hundreds of police and California Highway Patrol officers barricaded the streets within two blocks of the park. About 60 protesters held a vigil inside the park but were outnumbered by police in riot gear, some with batons or rifles in their hand, and were removed. We dont hide behind batons and guns, one protester shouted through a megaphone, calling the officers cowards. Seven people were arrested on suspicion of trespassing two of whom were also cited for allegedly refusing to disperse, according to a university spokesperson. Advertisement Article continues below this ad UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ said in a statement that the university decided to take this necessary step to secure the site with minimal disruption in preparation for when we are cleared to resume construction. Unfortunately, our planning and actions must take into account that some of the projects opponents have previously resorted to violence and vandalism, despite strong support for the project on the part of students, community members, advocates for unhoused people, the elected leadership of the City of Berkeley, as well as the legislature and governor of the state of California, Christ said. In August 2022, before the litigation over the site, the university tried to fence off the park and start construction but was blocked by protesters who opposed the project. Crews use earthmovers to clear the garden behind the Peoples Park stage in Berkeley. Michael Cabanatuan/The Chronicle Closing off the park was expected to take several days, the university said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police quietly towed vehicles in the streets surrounding Peoples Park, and workers in orange vests used chain saws, hammers and their gloved hands to dismantle a makeshift kitchen that had been constructed by people living in the park. By about 2 a.m., two large rental trucks filled with cardboard boxes arrived, and workers removed unoccupied tents and their belongings from the park, packing them into boxes and hauling them off. People inside their tents were told to pack up and leave. Meanwhile, tree cutters began removing three large trees at the east end of the park along Bowditch Street, chain-sawing massive limbs that fell to the ground with loud thuds. An earthmover removed debris from the dismantled kitchen. A block away from the park, on Telegraph Avenue, about 30 protesters unable to get inside gathered behind a blockade of metal barricades, four police cars and several dozen law enforcement officers. They chanted Whose park? Peoples Park and shouted insults at the police. As police pushed the few remaining protesters from the park, someone started blaring the Buffalo Springfield song For What Its Worth. The first shipping containers were placed on the eastern edge of the park, on Bowditch Street, around 4 a.m., dropped into place with a forklift. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Despite the face-off, the mood in the park was relatively calm. UC Berkeley spokesperson Dan Mogulof said a total of 160 shipping containers will be used to block off the park. So far, so good, Mogulof said of Thursdays operation just before 6 a.m. But I dont want to be sanguine; we know theres a large part of the community opposed to this project. On social media, supporters of keeping the park open called on others to join them in a fight to block the university from putting up fences. At about 6 a.m., about 20 protesters remained behind a police barricade just outside the park. Activists planned a rally and march from Telegraph Avenue and Haste Street. A line of flatbed trucks holds shipping containers that will be used as a barricade around Peoples Park in Berkeley. UC Berkeley officials were cordoning off the park as they prepare to build student housing at the site of the historic park, a move that has been fiercely contested by some who seek the sites preservation. Michael Cabanatuan/The Chronicle University officials said in a statement that several streets surrounding the park would be closed to traffic for the next three to four days while crews continue building a perimeter consisting of double-stacked shipping containers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On Tuesday, Berkeley Council Member Kate Harrison released an open letter to university administrators urging them to follow the citys ban on tear gas when dealing with potential protesters. Harrison wrote that while she supports the universitys housing project, it would not be worth the human cost to engage in a brutal, heavy handed police action to make it a reality. The universitys last major hurdle is the state Supreme Court case, which will decide whether the university can build housing at Peoples Park. Mogulof said in a statement Tuesday that the university will not move forward with construction until the legal issues are resolved. Gov. Gavin Newsoms office has filed a brief to the court in support of the universitys plan. A hearing has not yet been scheduled. Berkeley city leaders have also expressed support for the project. On Thursday, Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin, who is running for state Senate, said in a statement released by the university that the city is proud to support a project that will honor the legacy of Peoples Park and better meet the needs of our community through an effort thats deeply reflective of the citys and universitys values. Our partnership will put a roof over the heads of those living in Peoples Park instead of simply pushing them from one neighborhood to another, he said. In September, Newsom signed a state bill into law that amends Californias environmental law so that developers of housing projects no longer need to study the noise generated from future residents. The passage of AB1307, introduced by Assembly Member Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland, whose district includes Berkeley, was a major win for the university. Opponents of the project at Peoples Park have said the university should consider other sites for housing and instead take care of the park as a historic landmark. Harvey Smith, the president of the Peoples Park Historic District Advocacy Group, which is against the project, released a letter Tuesday from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a Washington-based nonprofit, calling for the preservation of the park. Peoples Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as nationally significant for its association with student protests and countercultural activities during the 1960s, the letter stated. In 1969, the site became a battlefield after UC Berkeley demolished housing to make room for new dormitories. Activists fought the plan, and a county sheriffs deputy fatally shot a man. Then-Gov. Ronald Reagan brought in the military to occupy the park, but the activists prevailed. A fresh batch of everything bagels from Berkeley's Boichik Bagels, pictured in 2021. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Its a new year, and with it comes an array of new places to eat and drink on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. The region got new locations of already-popular businesses, including Bay Area bagel phenom Boichik and Teazzi, a Taiwanese boba chain thats drawing long lines. Two new Japanese restaurants opened, one geared toward fine dining and the other, a cozy, izakaya-style spot. Read on for seven new Peninsula and South Bay restaurants. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bagel hot spot keeps growing One of the Bay Areas top bagel makers is on an expansion streak. The latest outpost of Berkeleys Boichik, known for its acclaimed, New York-style bagels, is newly open in Santa Clara. Head there for chewy bagels, schmears and bagel sandwiches. This marks Boichiks fifth location, with more planned for 2024. 2050 Wyatt Drive, Santa Clara. boichikbagels.com Italian chocolatier arrives Chocolates from Venchi's first West Coast location at the Westfield Valley Fair mall. Courtesy Venchi Venchi, a famous Italian sweets company, has opened its first West Coast location at the food-filled Westfield Valley Fair mall in San Jose. The shiny shop sells chocolates, gelato, crepes and is one of only two Venchi locations worldwide to boast a chocolate waterfall. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd., Santa Clara. us.venchi.com Mexican favorite expands Bay Area Mexican restaurant Flores has a new location at the Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo. Courtesy Aubrie Pick San Mateos Hillsdale Shopping Center is now home to Flores, a popular, casual Mexican restaurant that got its start in San Francisco. The menu ranges from carnitas, fried cod and tacos to flautas with house-made chorizo. Back of the House group, known for restaurants such as Super Duper Burgers, also operates Flores in Emeryville and Corte Madera but at 6,430 square feet, San Mateo is the restaurants largest location yet, with 177 indoor seats, 55 outdoor seats and 30 bar seats. 4 Hillsdale Mall, San Mateo. floressf.com/landing-san-mateo Advertisement Article continues below this ad Japanese hidden gem relocates An array of dishes from Kaiseki Saryo Hachi, which recently reopened as Hashiri Battei Kaiseki Aoki in a new location in Saratoga. Carolyn Fong/Special to The Chronicle Kaiseki Saryo Hachi, a Japanese fine dining restaurant lauded by former Chronicle restaurant critic Soleil Ho, has relocated from a Burlingame strip mall to Saratoga. The restaurant, now called Hashiri Bettei Kaiseki Aoki, still specializes in kaiseki cuisine, a multicourse dinner that highlights different cooking techniques and seasonal ingredients. 14417 Big Basin Way, Suite A, Saratoga. kaisekiaoki.com A new Japanese spot replaces an old one Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kuma katsudon, fried pork over tamago and steamed rice, from Kuma Nori in Burlingame. Courtesy Chad Kaneshiro A new restaurant has already debuted in Kaiseki Saryo Hachis former home: Kuma Nori, from the owners of now-closed brunch favorite Morning Wood in San Mateo and Diamond Head General Store in San Bruno. The Japanese restaurant is inspired by Japanese shokudos, casual, neighborhood restaurants with often-changing dishes. The menu may feature super-thick slices of fried pork over tamago and steamed rice, or sweet potato gnocchi with sesame cream sauce. 1861 El Camino Real, Burlingame. instagram.com/kumanorishokudo Cheesecake specialist grows Uncle Tetsu, a Japanese chain known for its fluffy cheesecakes, recently expanded to San Joses Westfield Oakridge mall. The shop sells flavors from chocolate to matcha and ube. This is Uncle Tetsus fifth Bay Area location, following San Francisco, Daly City, Santa Clara and San Mateo. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 925 Blossom Hill Road, #1384, San Jose. uncletetsu-us.com Hit boba shop draws lines Yet another buzzy tea shop is drawing crowds in the South Bay: Teazzi, a fast-growing Taiwanese boba chain. The minimalist Sunnyvale shop is Teazzis first on the West Coast. People are lining up for drinks like honey amber oolong milk tea with boba or peach tea with jelly. A screenshot from rapper Andy Chino Yangs video for his track, San Francisco Our Home, which has been denounced by some local leaders as divisive and disrespectful of Mayor London Breed. Screenshot via YouTube Carlos Solorzano-Cuadra, Jeffery Lee, Yulanda Williams, Rev. Amos Brown and Ben Menor pose for a photo at Chino Yang's apology press conference at the Third Baptist Church, on Dec. 28. Lizzy Montana Myers Special to T As 2023 came to a close, a dark horse of a scandal trotted up to the finish line. On Dec. 13, local rapper and restaurateur Andy Chino Yang dropped the music video for San Francisco Our Home, a track that criticizes Mayor London Breed and fakeass liberals as clowns who do nothing about property crime and violent attacks against Asian Americans. Scenes of Yang and his friends swaying in front of an auto shop and his restaurant are interspersed with footage of the Tenderloin and TV news reports, including one about the 2021 killing of Vicha Ratanapakdee. It could have just been just another blip from a relatively unknown musician, but the videos view count on YouTube has grown from 11,000 to about 45,000 since last week, when it was condemned by former Mayor Willie Brown, San Francisco NAACP president the Rev. Amos Brown and other Black leaders in a series of statements to the media and an hour-and-a-half press conference. Yang apologized, then took it back and accused the Rev. Brown of threatening him. Supporters are calling it attempted censorship. So the video is still up, and Breed, in a tenuous position in the leadup to this years mayoral election, has wisely remained silent through it all. The outsized reaction from Breeds most vocal and influential supporters which mainly focused on decorum rather than addressing Yangs frustrations indicates that the substance of the track is a moot point for them. So instead of sparking conversations about systematic, core issues with the political establishment, this track has merely triggered more tiresome fighting about tone policing and which electeds like Asian and/or Black people the most. Advertisement Article continues below this ad (Breeds) in good shape with Chinatown, Willie Brown told Politico after apparently putting Yangs ethnicity into question. In a statement to the Chronicle, mayoral spokesperson Jeff Cretan didnt address the video but stressed the mayors commitment to keeping Asian American and Pacific Islander communities safe. I can understand the side of this artist whos saying, No ones listening to me, said Lindsey Leong, a Chinese American spoken word artist and community organizer from San Jose. My interpretation of the song isnt that its just his frustration and pain, but him asking the mayor, Wassup? What are you gonna do? Hey, Im here, Im an entrepreneur in this city that I love, and Im constantly being ignored! Yangs track is raw and imprecise, like a clenched fist searching for a nose to break. But rap has long been used as a mode for grievance and social satire, from Anderson .Paaks Lockdown to Public Enemys Fight the Power, and Ive yet to see a slide of bullet-pointed policy recommendations at the end of any music video of any genre. It behooves the listener to pull meaning away from it and go beyond the line-by-line of the work: Why have there been so many break-ins? Why does Yang feel that Asian Americans have been sidelined in this city? What compels people to commit violent crimes, and how can a decent society prevent those things from happening? (He) is saying what we all feel. Where is there space for us in this society? Can you value my life? Advertisement Article continues below this ad That quote isnt about Yang, but another rapper: Ice Cube. In 1991, economist and academic Julianne Malveaux said this to a conference of Black scholars on the topic of Cubes Black Korea, a controversial track released in the wake of the killing of Los Angeles teenager Latasha Harlins by convenience store owner Soon Ja Du, who was only granted a sentence of community service and a $500 fine. Look, you little Chinese motherf,/I aint tryin to steal none of this s, Cube raps. Cube was accused of fomenting more violence against Asians, sparking boycotts by Korean American grocers of brands that associated with him. Its easy to imagine Yangs Asian American supporters, stricken with frustration over random and sometimes fatal attacks on community members, especially elders, asking the same questions that Malveaux voiced. Last time I checked, the Chinese in this country does have these constitutional rights, Yang raps. Im sick and tired of Asians being kicked to the curb. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rap has a long history of being anti-establishment, and maybe people forget that, Leong told me. So of course going after one of the most powerful city leaders in the nation the definition of establishment is fair game for a rapper with a bone to pick. Theres a cultural commonality, an opportunity there that folks like the Rev. Brown missed in their condemnation of Yang. Instead of devoting an entire press conference to demanding an apology from Yang and reflexively defending the mayor, those leaders, as influential and powerful members of the political establishment, could have used their platform to acknowledge the familiar pain behind the song. Can this song be a catalyst for healing instead of everyone just fighting? asked Leong. Its worth noting that Ice Cube did apologize; in turn, the Korean grocery organization adopted a 10-point code of behavior to address anti-Black racism in stores. Making sales to the public on location was one of the biggest problems they needed to quickly solve. Take for example the Rottnest Express ferry in Western Australia. On that tour, theres patchy cellular connectivity, she says. The problem comes when youre processing purchases, and you cant take payments. Often, the crew had to wait for people to come and pay later when a connection became available. So it had a significant operational impact. Journey Beyond took the leap to sign up with Starlink in December 2021 as it promised low-latency performance for companies like Journey Beyond, enabling applications like voice and video conferencing, online transactions, VPN access, cloud computing, and more. And with download speeds up to 200Mbps and latency as low as 20ms, businesses trust they can run operations anywhere. This is important when you have staff living and working on a pontoon thats 100km offshore, for instance. On the pontoon, our crew members and hospitality staff go out for weeks at a time, Mazumdar says. Previously they could maybe download some Netflix content, but now they can do much more, and talk to family and friends. Before, all we had was a Sat phone which was expensive. Now, we provide huge amounts of bandwidth so the crew is happier and we can keep them engaged on official matters. Also, comms to the crew used to take a week. Now were on the same platform and they see it the same day as everyone else. Models of efficiency During the pandemic disruption, Journey Beyond ran a standardization project thats left it in a much better position going forward. From running six phone and seven POS systems, they tried to consolidate and today, the company runs one standard modern platform across all brands. The office platform and the cloud platform are 95% cloud-standardized, Mazumdar says. We have the same contact center solution and reservations as well. Its taken a few years but today, they run a seamless environment across the entire business. Theyve also identified a lot more opportunities that were simply unavailable before the Starlink solution. For example, there are strict regulatory requirements about capturing data for people going snorkeling and scuba diving around the Great Barrier Reef. Previously, all that information was paper-based, but now theyre digitizing the whole process. In case of an event and a claim, we see how we can make peoples experience easier and more comfortable, she says. Mazumdar advises up-and-coming CIOs that they need to get immersed to gain deep knowledge of all aspects of the business, and from there create a roadmap. Sure, you need to keep the lights on and put out fires as you go, but it shouldnt be at the expense of focusing on long-term projects, she says. Remember you dont need to do everything at one time. Westfield Shopping Center in San Francisco sits on land owned by SFUSD, which could sell it to raise funds. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle 2020 Regarding How debt ballooned in S.F. schools, San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, Dec. 27), San Francisco residents are informed that the San Francisco school district will be $421 million in the red by the 2025-2026 academic year and that Superintendent Matt Wayne is recommending a 10% overall reduction in staffing. Months ago, we learned via the Chronicle that San Francisco Unified School District owns the property under the San Francisco Centre mall. In 2009, the Chronicles Jill Tucker informed us that the district has a property portfolio of 19 million square feet and that 10 of the sites are identified as surplus (https://www.sfgate.com/education/article/S-F-school-district-s-property-portfolio-3223079.php). This is crazy making! Why doesnt the district sell or lease this unused valuable property to pay its debts? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Transit riders dislike 30-minute waits Regarding Darrell Owens Open Forum (How California is killing public transit in the East Bay, Opinion, SFChronicle.com, Dec. 23), what he states about funding, service cuts and the mistake of not making BART part of AC Transit is all true. However, fixing those two issues will not change a fundamental issue that is, most people simply are not going to accept 30-minute headways. Decades ago, on East 14th Street, MacArthur Boulevard, San Pablo Avenue, and Foothill Boulevard, there were two or three lines on each, with each one running 15-minute headways. Lots of passengers. But on others with 30-minute headways, few passengers. Also, most of the East Bay was NOT built for transit, it was built for cars, as its growth has been horizontal. A vertical environment favors transit. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lastly, most people do not enjoy riding in buses. Transit activists should be pushing for electric streetcars instead. Lots of people like riding them. Unload San Quentin Your article on reforming the California state prison system (How California lost the plot on criminal justice reform, Opinion, SFChronicle.com, Dec. 30) suggests a possible source for funding it. Sell San Quentin instead of refurbishing it, and use a small portion of that money to build a replacement prison in a rural area that needs jobs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad San Quentin sits on a huge, prime piece of real estate that developers would pay billions for. The neighbors in Marin would get rid of an eyesore, a rural county would get jobs, and the state would end up with money to fund prison reforms. Supervisor is naive Regarding S.F.s shifting drug trade (S.F.s drug markets have transformed: More violence, new dealers and chaos at night, San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, Dec. 30: So, Supervisor Dean Preston objects to aggressively policing the Tenderloin and locking up dealers who are literally peddling death on the streets of San Francisco. Its way past time to replace this incredibly naive, foolish and irresponsible ideologue. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Investigate Gov. Abbott Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas is busing hundreds of newly arrived immigrants to areas thousands of miles from where they entered the U.S. He openly claims these are illegal immigrants while saying other states should bear the burden of dealing with them. What the governor conveniently forgets is that it is a crime to aid and abet persons who are violating our immigration laws, by obstructing the immigration authorities from orderly processing and trying suspected illegal aliens in our courts. By personally being responsible for, and knowingly, scattering these thousands of asylum seekers, in areas away from the border, he will add to the great expense of our immigration courts in dealing with this issue. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hers was a life of connection with others and I am saddened to hear of the death of my contemporary, Camila Batmanghelidjh. Given that her life story became bound up in charity scandal her charismatic leadership of the Kids Company and its dramatic failure - it seems appropriate to reflect on the challenge of risk for those of us engaged in social action, because the true charity scandal for me is when we don't take risks on behalf of those we work. I am not looking to re-examine the select committee enquiry, the investigation, the court cases, the play that followed the closure of Kids Company as a charity. Some concerns are well founded, some are on the basis of hindsight and sometimes it all strays into fantasy, such as, for me, a suggestion from the Charity Commission that if charities grow their income and expenditure, they can simultaneously grow their reserves. That looks good on paper but is very tough in practice. Short of endowment donations, there are rarely the margins or surplus to allow this in our non-profit context. Some charities will fail What I do know is that if Kids Company was a risky venture, which no one seems to dispute, one reason was that it was trying to tackle a rising toll of risks to children and to society. Many charities do this and we should celebrate what they do as loud and proudly as we do risk takers in enterprise and investment. Good governance is critical, yes, but we should also accept failure and that in a world of risk charities will try things and some will fail. In business, 60% of start-ups fail within three years of getting going. That is seen as normal. We have lost Thomas Cook, Wilko and Debenhams into bankruptcy, this is just the way that markets work. But when a national charity closes, it is a scandal. I am reminded of the saying of the late professor Johnston Birchall that when a business fails, few people comment, but when a co-operative fails, commentators ask if the co-op model can ever be made to work. I cant predict when the next charity scandal will hit, but it seems to me that in between we ought to have more of a grown-up discussion about risk. Why do we expect so much more of charities, when the challenges that they are responding to are often growing in scale? Inflated expectations There is some research that suggests that people who give to charity want to believe that their money is put to good use, so that they are less likely to question the effectiveness of charities. Some charities themselves perhaps overclaim what can be done with a donation, in order to raise money. Either way, we can end up with inflated expectations. Our standard models of risk management in the sector dont help. The Charity Governance Code focuses on mitigating and managing risk rather than selecting and taking risks. The result is that charity governance places more weight on safeguarding the organisation than it does on safeguarding the mission. It is all rather ironic, given that so many charities are open about trying ultimately to do themselves out of business. We would be better off saying be alert and do take the right risks. There are examples of charities doing just this, such as the development of contextualised safeguarding in youth charities or a turn to co-operative models on community housing and homelessness. At Pilotlight, for example, we have been able to provide pro bono support to the Edinburgh-based homelessness charity, Rowan Alba. The charity has worked through a community benefit society to attract risk capital to purchase a property for long-term accommodation for people coming off the street. It is risky, but a good risk for the return on their mission. Our work is with around 160 charities every year and the most common request is for pro bono support to diversify income. Many charities are being entrepreneurial in tough circumstances and the risks they take should be acknowledged. Charity closures So, thank you Camila for a life of risk. As I see it, the charity sector should be valued for how it reduces risks to society and judged by how effectively overall it does this. Taken to its logical conclusion, then, seeing some charities close could be a signal of the health of the wider sector and not one of its failing. Of course, right now, local charities are indeed closing, with a scandalous loss of services to people in need, so this is not to see a silver lining in the toughest of times the sector has faced. But it would be an own goal and indeed an authentic scandal if over the years to come, at a time when we most need them to take risks, no charities fail. Ed Mayo is the chief executive of Pilotlight , a charity which provides free pro bono support to charities and social enterprises in the UK sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) Europe experienced stark weather contrasts on Wednesday, with extreme cold and snowstorms disrupting transportation and closing schools in Scandinavia while strong winds and heavy rain in western Europe caused flooding and at least one death. Temperatures fell below minus 40 degrees Celsius (minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit) in the Nordic region for a second day in a row Wednesday. In Kvikkjokk- Arrenjarka in Swedish Lapland, the mercury dropped to minus 43.6 C (minus 46.5 F), the lowest January temperature recorded in Sweden in 25 years, Sweden`s TT news agency reported. Extremely cold temperatures, snow and gale-force winds disrupted transportation throughout the Nordic region, with several bridges closed and some train and ferry services suspended. Several schools in Scandinavia were closed. Police across most of Denmark urged motorists to avoid unnecessary trips as wind and snow battered the northern and western parts of the country. Western Russia has been swept by a wave of cold air coming from Siberia and the Arctic region, with temperatures in Moscow and other areas plummeting to minus 30 degrees Celsius. Weather experts say western Russia is recording much colder temperatures than the average in early January, when they typically hover around minus 10 degrees Celsius. Officials in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other areas have issued orange weather warnings, cautioning residents against possible health risks. Mild but wet and windy conditions prevailed further south, where a storm wreaked havoc in parts of western Europe. In Britain, a driver died after a tree fell on his car in western England. Gloucestershire Police said the man died in the incident near the town of Kemble on Tuesday afternoon. The storm, which has been named Henk by the official weather services of Britain, Ireland and the Netherlands, has caused power cuts, transport troubles, property damage and disruption across the U.K. More than 300 flood warnings were in place across England and Wales on Wednesday, while 10,000 homes remained without power. A severe flood alert, meaning a danger to life, was announced for the River Nene in Northampton in central England. Several residents were evacuated from houseboats and caravans at the nearby Billing Aquadrome. The U.K.s rail network was hit by flooding and power cuts, with many operators reporting ongoing issues for the Wednesday morning commute into work. The strongest gales in the U.K. were recorded on the Isle of Wight, just off the coast in southern England, where wind speeds reached 94 miles per hour (151 kilometers per hour). In the Netherlands, police near the city of Eindhoven said strong winds may have played a role in the death of a 75-year-old man who fell off his bicycle late Tuesday as high winds lashed much of the country. Also in the southern Netherlands, a small section of a dike that regulates water levels was washed away Wednesday afternoon, the country`s water authority said. The water was flowing into the already swollen river Maas near the city of Maastricht. Owners of a number of houseboats were being evacuated as a precaution. Parts of Germany were also grappling with flooding, which could be aggravated by more rain falling in the worst-affected northwestern state of Lower Saxony. Associated Press writers Geir Moulson in Berlin, Mike Corder in Amsterdam, Pan Pylas in London, Jari Tanner in Helsinki and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. A third conspirator has been sentenced to prison for her participation in a Florida check-cashing scheme that used shell companies to defraud the Internal Revenue Service and workers compensation insurers out of millions of dollars in payroll taxes and workers compensation premiums. Gabriela Inamagua, 29, was sentenced Tuesday to one year and one day in prison. Inamaguas father and her fathers former girlfriend were convicted of similar crimes in 2022. U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington recommended that Inamagua serve her sentence in the same low-security institution where her father is doing time. She was ordered to pay more than $14 million in restitution. The construction industry as a whole suffers when fraudsters exploit the system by creating fictitious shell companies to illegally pay workers off the books in order to scam insurance companies and avoid employment taxes, stated IRS Acting Special Agent in Charge Tara K. Reed. Todays sentencing is a reminder that all businesses and employees are responsible for their fair share of taxes. Federal prosecutors say Inamagua owned and managed two companies based in Davenport, Florida, Uno Construction and Perfect Builders Group, that purported to supply services and labor for construction contractors and subcontractors. She reported to workers compensation insurers that together her companies had only 15 employees and annual payroll of $460,000. Inamagua, however, made agreements with other construction companies to pose as the employer of the workers that those companies sent out to job sites, according to the criminal charges filed in federal court. Inamaguas companies cashed more than $34 million in checks from contractors. The money was used to pay workers many of whom were undocumented in cash. Inamagua took a percentage of each payment in exchange for allowing the companies to use her insurance certificate to make it appear that their workers were covered by workers compensation insurance. According to a restitution order, the scheme allowed Inamagua and the other conspirators to avoid $8.9 million in payroll taxes. She was ordered to reimburse the IRS for that amount and also pay $3.4 million to Builders Mutual Insurance Co. and $1.9 million to Florida Citrus Business & Industry. Inamaguas father, 58-year-old Guillermo Inamagua, was sentenced in July 2022 to three years and 10 months in prison for managing a similar scheme. According to charging papers, Guillermo Inamagua owned First Construction. He told insurers that he had only six employees and had an annual payroll of $90,000, according to charging papers. As part of his sentence, Inamagua forfeited to the government two houses and a vacant lot that he owned in Davenport. Prosecutors say the elder Guillermo used his company to cash $19 million in payroll checks from various contractors. The scheme allowed him and his co-conspirators to avoid $4,670,000 million in payroll taxes and $1,460,000 in workers compensation premiums, prosecutors said. Guillermos former girlfriend, 35-year-old Mayra Velasquez, was also sentenced to prison for the same type of check-cashing scheme. Velasquez was owner of Best Construction, a shell company that received and cashed $7 million in payroll checks, according to court documents. The scheme avoided $1,769,000 in payroll taxes and $750,000 in insurance premiums, prosecutors said. Velasquez was sentenced in April 2022 to three years and five months in prison and ordered to pay $2,519,560 in restitution. Velasquez is also facing criminal charges filed last September after an investigation by the Florida Department of Financial Services. She is one of seven people charged in that case, which the department said was a check cashing scheme that concealed more than $40 million in payroll taxes. Velasquez is serving her prison sentence at the Marianna Federal Correctional Institution. Guillermo Inamagua is serving his sentence at the low-security Coleman FCI. Judge Covington recommended that Inamaguas daughter also be allowed to serve her sentence at Coleman and participate in a program that allows inmates to learn marketable job skills. The jail at the Tule Lake Segregation Center. Vanessa Hua/The Chronicle Out the front windows of our bus, we could see acres of sun-dried grasses in hot and arid Northern California. On either side of the road: barbed-wire fences, like the ones many of our family members spent years behind, surrounded by armed guards and guard towers, living in crowded tar paper barracks with little to no privacy. How many of you have been here before, or were here during World War II? our tour guide asked. A few Japanese Americans in their 70s and 80s, or even older raised their hands. Many of us were stunned by what the tour guide said next, almost in passing. Welcome back. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Did the guide just welcome our elders back to the site of their wartime imprisonment? Dismayed murmurs arose among us. I think what the guide a park ranger partnering with the Tule Lake Committee for this community pilgrimage meant was, we are honored you have returned. This is just one of the strange rhetorical situations I find myself in, as a direct descendant of a Japanese American concentration camp survivor. As a society, we are still developing the right vocabulary for recognizing the damage of Japanese American wartime incarceration. Because we do not have the right descriptors or labels, community pilgrimages like the one I embarked on in 2014 are misread, illegible or invisible. The wrong language can prevent survivors and descendants from visiting former sites of Japanese American incarceration to honor our history and to heal. My father and his family members were among the thousands of incarcerated people at Tule Lake during World War II. In total, the U.S. government imprisoned 125,384 persons of Japanese descent living on the West Coast during the war years, roughly half of them American citizens held without due process. The nonprofit Densho has mapped close to 100 sites of Japanese American incarceration across the country. Today, most of these sites have faded into the landscape without visible historical markers; those that remain are at risk of closing off access to community pilgrimages. One of the more publicized battles is taking place at the Minidoka concentration camp site in Idaho, listed as one of the 11 most endangered historic places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2023. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Most of the camp buildings are gone but, currently, the site is open to visitors daily, with guided tours on summer weekends. A proposed wind farm threatens to put hundreds of 720-foot-tall wind turbines there, undoing its potential for public education and forever disrupting the remote and desolate views that Minidoka visitors experience now. Adding insult to injury, in the Bureau of Land Managements 2023 draft environmental impact statement, officials listed Minidoka as site for recreation. In response, Japanese American survivors, descendants, and allies from the Friends of Minidoka mounted a powerful campaign against this terminology. I am not a tourist, read one poster by protester Paul Tomita. I am a survivor. Whats happening in Minidoka is happening across the country. Six years ago, I joined other Japanese American activists organizing a community protest to stop the construction of a 3-mile long, 8-foot high, barbed wire-topped fence around the Tule Lake airfield that would have effectively closed access to the site off to the public. The indignity of another barbed wire fence on this historic site led to protests from far and wide. We lived near the fence all our lives, my uncle, Tule Lake survivor and poet Hiroshi Kashiwagi, wrote in a 2017 poem protesting that construction. He knew the power of fences which have stayed with him and other survivors throughout their lives. At Tule Lake, the airfield fence is just one problem. Battles between different entities have occupied stewards of the site and its history for close to five years now. Each organization has different degrees of protection, access, interest and control of portions of the full thousand-plus-acre site where the camp originally sat, of which only 37 acres are protected as a national monument. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Language wont solve this tangle but it can help clarify the stakes. Tule Lake is perhaps the most infamous of the World War II concentration camps. Its population eventually swelled close to 18,000 after it was designated as a segregation center for disloyals a label given to people based on their responses to a poorly worded government questionnaire to determine (supposed) loyalty. Because Tule became known as the camp for troublemakers, many did not want to admit that they were incarcerated there for decades after the war. Even within the Japanese American community, those who resisted in any way, like those who intentionally answered no to both loyalty questions, no-nos, including my uncle Hiroshi Kashiwagi, were shunned and ostracized. This history is still being reckoned with, as is its telling. How we recognize these sites matters; how we name the site visitors matters. As Manzanar survivor and researcher Aiko Herzig-Yoshinaga once wrote, Words can lie or clarify. Lets take that further: Words have lied about this history so they should clarify how we remember it. Jewish Voice for Peace shut down the California Assembly on Wednesday by staging a protest at the Capitol in Sacramento. The anti-Zionist group called for a cease-fire in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle The Jewish Voice for Peace rally inside the California Capitol on Wednesday shut down the Assembly. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle The Jewish Voice for Peace rally inside the California Capitol on Wednesday shut down the Assembly. The anti-Zionist group called for a cease-fire in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle SACRAMENTO The anti-Zionist group Jewish Voice for Peace shut down the California Assembly on Wednesday by staging a disruptive protest calling for a cease-fire in Gaza when lawmakers reconvened for the new year. After several months on break, lawmakers were back in session for only a few minutes before dozens of protesters congregated in the viewing gallery overlooking the Assembly chambers and began calling out and disrupting the proceedings. They unfurled eight red and black banners with phrases including Jews say no U.S. funding for Israels genocide in Palestine, while singing the phrases, Cease-fire now, Not in our name and Let Gaza live. The protesters continued singing as the Assembly member leading the proceedings in the chamber, Jim Wood, D-Healdsburg, called for order and then called a recess. Most lawmakers filed out of the chamber, though a few stayed and surveyed the protesters from the floor. After about 10 minutes, Wood adjourned the session until Thursday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dozens of protesters remained after the Assembly shut off the lights, and stayed chanting after reporters, staffers and lawmakers were cleared from the chamber. Outside, more than 100 protesters filled the Capitol rotunda, where they spread a large banner over the ground mourning people killed in Gaza. Protesters kneeled in concentric circles around the banner, folding black and red poppies out of tissue paper to symbolize lives lost. Hundreds of people had planned to participate in the demonstrations, and had planned for mass arrests, said Jewish Voice for Peace spokesperson Liv Kunins-Berkowitz. Several hours into the protest, no one had been arrested, she said. The Jewish Voice for Peace group forces the assembly in Sacramento to halt for the day following a protest calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024 Santiago Mejia The Chronicle The California Legislature does not have an official role in U.S. foreign policy, but Kunins-Berkowitz said she and the other protesters want lawmakers to pass a resolution calling for a cease-fire, like the one that the Oakland City Council passed in November. Such a resolution would not be enforceable, but would be a significant statement by the Legislature. We want our legislators to take a stand on the side of peace, on the side of justice, and on the side of humanity, Kunins-Berkowitz told the Chronicle outside the Capitol before the protest began. Right now Israel is waging a genocidal campaign in Gaza, and we need all people of conscience to speak up, to put an end to this horrifying moment in history. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, who co-chairs the Legislative Jewish Caucus, said he and other Jewish lawmakers have their own criticisms of Israel and want the war to end, but dont support a cease-fire resolution. The death that happened in Israel, the death thats happening in Gaza its just horrific, he told reporters outside the Senate chambers, just around the corner from where the singing protesters had filled the rotunda. We also know that the cease-fire resolutions weve seen at the local level have at times gone off the rails in terms of dredging up a lot of anti-Jewish hate, and that causes a lot of fear in our community for a nonbinding resolution. At one point, a reporter asked Wiener about a specific chant that protesters had leveled at him, accusing him of supporting genocide. Thats disgusting and false, he said. Ive made it clear that Benjamin Netanyahu and his government should be replaced. I have publicly said I want the war to end, and that Israel needs to be more surgical in targeting Hamas because so many civilians are dying. Wiener and Assembly Member Jesse Gabriel, co-chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, said the governors Office of Emergency Services summoned them to a last-minute briefing on Tuesday night about more than 200 bomb threats made against Jewish institutions since the Oct. 7 attack. Gabriel, a Democrat from Encino, said its a particularly scary time for the Jewish community, which faces attacks from both the far left and the far right. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The protest on Wednesday included several Jewish groups from across the state, including If Not Now and the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network. Jewish Voice for Peace and similar groups have staged protests of the war across the country, including one in November at a federal building in Oakland with hundreds of participants that resulted in dozens of arrests. The action underscored the increasing political pressure California Democrats find themselves facing because of the war. Many prominent California Democrats have aligned themselves with President Joe Biden and applauded his handling of the war. Biden has supported Israel, a U.S. ally, in its war against Hamas in Gaza following the militant groups Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Hamas killed about 1,200 people and took about 240 people as hostages, according to Israel. Biden has grown somewhat critical of the Israeli offensive in Gaza, which Hamas says has killed 21,900 people, mostly women and children. He said at a fundraiser last month that Israel was losing international support because of its indiscriminate bombing of the region. But the Democratic president is still approving arms sales to Israel, including on Friday when the administration bypassed Congress to approve $147.5 million in military equipment sales. Politicians clear the Assembly floor Wednesday as Jewish Voice for Peace shut down the Assembly by staging a protest at the Capitol in Sacramento. The anti-Zionist group called for a cease-fire in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Last month, the 19-member Jewish Caucus wrote to the president, praising him for standing with Israel and with the Jewish community and urged him to prioritize helping the hostages still held by Hamas. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gov. Gavin Newsom has also said he supports Bidens response to the war. In October, Newsom traveled to Israel, where he said government officials there showed him a video of Hamas militants beheading an Israeli person during the attack on Oct. 7, which Newsom said deeply affected him and shaped his view of the conflict. In October, Newsom said California was sending aid to Israel and to Gaza, though he said the state was facing logistical challenges in dispatching it because of Israels blockades on aid into Gaza at the time. Some of the aid finally reached Gaza last month, Office of Emergency Services spokesperson Brian Ferguson said. Jewish Voice for Peace shut down the California Assembly on Wednesday by staging a protest in Sacramento. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle In December, Newsom canceled the Capitols annual in-person tree-lighting ceremony amid safety concerns over protests. The Sacramento Regional Coalition for Palestinian Rights had planned a cease-fire rally at the same time the tree-lighting was originally scheduled. In a statement, the group accused Newsom of canceling his plans because he doesnt want to face their anger at his shameful stance in regard to the genocide in Gaza. About two weeks earlier, pro-Palestinian protests prompted the California Democratic Party to cancel some events at its convention in Sacramento. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Last month, 17 Assembly Republicans announced they would introduce a resolution condemning Hamas for the Oct. 7 attack. As leaders, we must be clear and unequivocal we condemn the murder, rape, torture and mutilation of innocent people that was committed by Hamas terrorists on October 7, said Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher. This is a time to come together and say clearly that there is no place for Hamas savage ideology of terror and hate. The proposed resolution does not address calls for a cease-fire or Israels bombing in Gaza. Gallagher, who represents Yuba City, said after the Assembly adjourned that he thought the protesters behavior was unacceptable. People have a right to protest, but I think youre going over the line when youre impeding government functions, he told the Chronicle outside the Assembly chamber. This cant be allowed to continue. Though the Assembly did not have any votes planned Wednesday, Gallagher said that this session the Legislature must act to deal with a projected budget deficit, problems with insurance companies pulling back in the state and high gas prices. San Francisco Mayor London Breed on Nov. 7 announces the kickoff of the 2023 Safe Shopper initiative for the holiday season in and around Union Square. A statement from the mayors office said there was a significant reduction in reported thefts this holiday season compared with 2022. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle 2023 San Francisco saw a big drop in reported car break-ins during the holiday season even as visits to the Union Square shopping district increased from 2022, Mayor London Breed announced Wednesday, touting the figures as a sign she is making progress on reducing property crime. Between Nov. 20 the Monday before Thanksgiving and New Years Day, reports of larceny theft, which include both car break-ins and retail theft, fell 48% from last year, Breeds office said in a news release. Over the same time period, reported burglaries declined 26% and reports of stolen cars dropped 17%. Reported shoplifting, however, stayed flat over the same period, according to the Chronicles analysis of crime incident data. Car Break-In Tracker: Map shows close to real time break-ins across San Francisco Advertisement Article continues below this ad Additionally, the Union Square park saw an 11% increase in unique daily visitors while transit riders exiting the Powell and Union Square Muni subway stations were also up year over year, according to the mayors office. The Union Square station opened as part of the debut of the long-awaited Central Subway in November 2022. Breed saw the data as a sign of progress after the Union Square area has been plagued by high-profile thefts in recent years. In 2021, a group of thieves ransacked the Louis Vuitton store and other luxury retailers around the square. The Dior store near the square was robbed in October after thieves drove a car into its facade. Breeds administration responded by ramping up policing of Union Square during the holidays, hoping to deter thefts and make shoppers feel safer. Breed told reporters Wednesday that empty storefronts would continue to be a bit of a challenge for the city. But she said she was hopeful that some of her policy efforts, including a recent overhaul of the planning code intended to make it easier for small businesses to operate, would help fill vacant spaces. Car break-ins were dropping even before Christmas as police combined tactics including bait cars, video surveillance and plainclothes officers to address hot spots for car burglaries. Breed said she thought those strategies particularly the bait-car operations helped continue the downward trend through the end of the year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Were not saying that its stopped completely. Its still happening. Its just not happening in as large numbers as it used to, Breed told reporters at City Hall. She noted that when police take one group of car burglars off the streets, it often leads to a significant and immediate reduction in auto break-ins. Police Department data shows that larceny theft reports this past holiday season reached their lowest level in several years, dropping even lower than the first year of the pandemic in 2020. City officials said they hope to make continued progress this year by increasing enforcement through the installation of license plate readers, expanding the citys reserve officer program and graduating the largest Police Academy class the city has seen in more than three years. Im encouraged by the success weve had in reducing retail crime during the holiday season, but this is just a start, Police Chief Bill Scott said in a statement. While the city is facing immense budget challenges Breed recently asked her departments to propose 10% spending cuts for the next fiscal year as she looks to close a projected $800 million two-year deficit the mayor said she wants to pay for extra policing next holiday season as well. We will have to compromise and make cuts in other areas of our city, but we cannot lose the momentum that we have to increase public safety, Breed told reporters Wednesday. Everyone who lives here, people who work here, visit here they must feel safe. If were going to have a thriving economy, this has to be No. 1. So the investments are going to have to be made. Advertisement Article continues below this ad G. Bland Platt was honored with a lifetime achievement award for her tireless work at preserving San Franciscos historic sites. Platt died in December. She was 84. Jerry Telfer/The Chronicle With her genteel roots and refined personal style, G. Bland Platt wasnt an obvious force to be reckoned with in San Franciscos development battles of decades past. But there she was again and again, filing lawsuits one moment and conducting historical research the next. Exerting what influence she could have as leader of a city board with limited powers and, more than once, showing up to protest the demolition of an aged building. In the process, the woman known to friends and fans as Gee Gee emerged as one of San Franciscos earliest and defining preservation advocates a calling she embraced in her 20s and pursued for more than 40 years before her death from pulmonary disease on Dec. 13, 2023. She was 84. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She really set a very high bar, said Katherine Petrin, one of many people now involved in preservation who saw Platt as a mentor. Her work habits, her standards and strategic sense. She was such a model. The strategic sense was evident as late as 2004, when Platt saw a photo in the Chronicle showing the historic dome of the Emporium department store perched 60 feet in the air, high above a construction zone. She and other preservationists promptly threatened to sue the developer for violating its earlier pledge to restore much of the former structure. The old Emporium facade and rotunda was suspended during construction in 2004 of Bloomingdales in the former Westfield mall, in downtown San Francisco. The act inspired G. Bland Platt, a noted preservationist, to intervene. Darryl Bush/SFC By the time the vertical mall known as Westfield San Francisco Centre opened in 2006, the developers had agreed to pay $2.5 million to the city. That financial settlement led to the creation of a public conservation fund that continues to support historic studies and other efforts. Not all such campaigns were successful including the high-profile but futile effort to save the City of Paris department store by Union Square, a battle waged when Platt was the president of the San Francisco Landmarks Advisory Board. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Or the demolition of a warehouse at the base of Telegraph Hill, done even as Platt arrived on the scene with a handful of supporters and several turn-of-the-century maps to prove that part of the hapless building dated from pre-Civil War days, the Chronicle reported at the time. But its a measure of her effectiveness that 110 buildings were given landmark status in the 13 years between her appointment to the then-new landmarks board and 1980, when she and four other members were abruptly dismissed by then-Mayor Dianne Feinstein. She was practically the inventor of preservation in S.F., said Woody LaBounty, president of San Francisco Heritage, an advocacy organization. She had a matricians air, but her interests were all over the board. Platts dedication to the preservation cause began much earlier, before such a cause even existed in any sort of formal way. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Born in Missouri in 1939 and raised on a grassy estate lined with wooden fences painted black, the woman born Gertrude Bland went to the Connecticut College for Women and then married Peter Platt, a Yale law student. The young couple moved west when he was hired by a San Francisco firm, and Gee Gee joined the genteel Junior League to meet other women. As a member of the league, she volunteered in 1963 to help research local buildings that might be worthy of saving. The citys planning department wanted to compile a list, but it had nobody on staff to oversee such an effort. Hundreds of league members stepped in, literally; Platt often pushed her two young sons in a stroller while gathering information on Victorian homes and the like many of which were in neighborhoods like the Western Addition, where entire blocks were being razed in the quest for what then was dubbed urban renewal. We hope to arrest the destruction of San Franciscos architectural heritage, Platt told a reporter in 1966. A city which has no past has no present. The research led to the book Here Today: San Franciscos Architectural Heritage, which Platt helped edit. It was published in 1968, around the time Mayor Jack Shelley signed the advisory board into existence and made Platt one of its initial members. The books influence didnt end there: Platt and the board made a priority of saving at least some of the Western Additions imperiled Victorians. Eventually, a dozen were moved during November of 1974 to new locations in the neighborhood, in the dead of morning so as not to snag traffic. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The moves were facilitated by a new preservation group now known as San Francisco Heritage. In its archives is a photo of one move; Platt can be seen watching the procession, wearing a fur coat to fend off the pre-dawn chill. This courtly determination, more than specific wins or losses, is what Platts admirers recall most vividly. Gee Gee wasnt a grandstander by any means, but she had such a presence, recalled Donald Andreini, a former Heritage staff member. She was a wiry little bird of a lady, and she stood her ground more than once. Much of this took place while Platt was a single mother, divorced from her husband and raising two boys. For a while, frankly, it felt like something that took her away from us, said Peter Platt Jr., her oldest son. A rival enterprise. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Then Peter and his younger brother, Geoffrey, watched their mother during the struggle over City of Paris, which was replaced by a Neiman Marcus that, at least, includes the florid rotunda salvaged from its predecessor in a partial win for preservationists. Id see her on the scene, in front of these reporters and cameras. It was intense and she was amazing, Peter recalled. Thats when I got it this matters. After Platts dismissal from the board by Feinstein, Platt started her own historic research consulting firm. There were long stints on the board of Heritage and also the California Preservation Foundation. As time passed, she received the equivalent of lifetime achievement awards from the foundation and San Francisco Tomorrow, another watchdog group. All this could make younger preservationists feel daunted even though Gee Gee also was the type of person who up until the pandemic would stop by the planning department each December to drop off a holiday turkey with all the fixings for staff members. People are riding in heavy fog and polluted air on Wenhua West Road in Zaozhuang, China, on January 3, 2024. Extremely heavy fog in several Chinese provinces on Thursday led to dangerously low visibility, closing highways, delaying flights out of Shanghai and prompting weather forecasters to release a string of warnings and advisories. Dense fog affected Shandong, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi and Fujian provinces with visibility below 200 meters (656 feet) while some parts of southern Jiangsu and southern Anhui had visibility below 50 meters, China's National Meteorological Centre said. The Central Meteorological Observatory issued yellow and orange warnings for heavy fog up to 7:45 a.m. (2345 GMT). Haze is expected in many areas going into Friday, Chinese weather forecasters predicted. Some areas of Anhui issued red warnings for heavy fog the most serious advisory and many highways were temporarily closed, according to state media broadcaster CCTV news. A girl sits on a cot as she crosses a flooded street in Pakistan on October 4, 2022. A record 32.6 million internal displacements were associated with disasters in 2022 -- more than the 28.3 million with conflict and violence, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre. Fida Hussain | Afp | Getty Images As the number of climate disasters increase, more people are being forced to flee their homes, especially in Asia. A record 32.6 million internal displacements were associated with disasters in 2022 that's 41% higher than the annual average of the past decade, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre. It was far more than the 28.3 million people displaced by conflict and violence that same year. In particular, four of the top five countries with the highest number of new internal displacements due to disasters in 2022 were in Asia, said the IDMC. Pakistan had the highest number at 8.2 million, followed by the Philippines at 5.5 million and China at 3.6 million. The situation is set to get worse. According to a 2021 World Bank report, climate change could force 216 million people across six regions to move within their countries by 2050. watch now However, Vinod Thomas, visiting senior fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, noted that these estimates may understate the reality. "Projections usually underestimate how bad things are, and all the projections point in one direction this is going to increase, and increase very rapidly," said Thomas. South Asia most at risk In the region, South Asia is likely to have the most people displaced by climate change due to the density of its populations and its vulnerability to the effects of climate change, he added. In particular, he noted that Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan are likely to be the most affected. According to the World Economic Forum, 10% to 18% of South Asia's GDP is at risk due to climate disasters. This is at about thrice the risk North America faces and 10 times more than Europe. Climate change driven internal displacement has severe economic repercussions for the host country, said Thomas. During Australia's Black Summer bushfires from 2019 to 2020, the loss of economic production of one person missing a day of work was about $510, according to the IDMC. There were 65,000 new displacements because of the bushfires. Covering just the housing needs of those unable to return to their homes for a year was also estimated to cost between $44 million and $52 million, the IDMC said. Projections usually underestimate how bad things are, and all the projections point in one direction this is going to increase, and increase very rapidly. Vinod Thomas ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute People displaced by climate disasters, however, could also decide to leave the country entirely. "What we have seen regarding external movement is the tip of the iceberg and just a glimpse of what is likely to happen," Thomas said. "And we are not prepared for that." Migration pathways While internal displacement due to climate change is much more common than cross-border displacement, people may gradually start moving across borders as the effects of climate change worsen, said Tamara Wood, senior research fellow at the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law. In November, Australia signed a migration deal with Tuvalu offering 280 citizens permanent residency in Australia each year. In Southeast Asia, UNHCR senior advisor on migration and human rights Pia Oberoi told CNBC that many people are already moving in the face of climate change and environmental degradation. watch now However, such movements can sometimes be disguised as traditional migration flows such as labor migration, she said. For instance, there is little research about why Bangladeshi migrant workers in Southeast Asia are moving overseas to work, often willing to take on large debts to do so. Some have nothing to return to, Oberoi explained, as climate change may have hurt their crop production at home. Others may be returning to slum areas in the cities they were forced to move to if they return to their home country, she added. Given that people may be forced to move in the context of climate change because they are no longer able to cope in their home countries, governments need to relook the migration channels they offer to see what more can be done to protect people's human rights, she said. For example, it is not easy for people to return to see their families through these migration paths even though the right to family life is important, she added. Wood noted that sustainable ways of helping those leaving their countries due to climate change should include offering them more than a visa, but also providing support like ensuring their qualifications are recognized or helping them integrate into the culture, and facilitating movement of money back home. While we are talking and discussing and quibbling, the millions of climate migrants are the forgotten casualties of climate change. Vinod Thomas ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute "We need to conduct better research to understand their situation and vulnerability, and then build that into pathways to provide a protective response," said Oberoi. Countries can look within their legal systems to figure out how to help people affected by climate change, she added. Improving measures don't "always require putting in place a new category of protection or a new refugee definition or new humanitarian pathways," Oberoi said. "It could just be the pathways we already have responding adequately to the protection needs of people that are moving." Wood said putting these measures in place can help those who want to make a preemptive decision to move, to do so in a controlled and well-planned way. That way, they can gradually adjust instead of being driven to do so when they reach crisis point, she added. What more needs to be done Countries need to focus on three steps to deal with climate displacement, said Thomas, citing relief and rehabilitation, adaptation to climate change and mitigation by decarbonizing economies. He said Asian countries are not prepared for the relief and rehabilitation of refugees, and have done poorly in building social and financial safety nets. Something to consider going forward would be a facility that pulls resources across countries and makes them available when needed, Thomas added. watch now "Most of the time, the problem is that when the problem hits, you're not ready with the financing," he said. "So the facility can be opened up as needed, and otherwise, it just earns interest." When it comes to adaptation, the money allocated to such measures, such as coastal defenses, has to be considered as part of the investment budget not an optional budget, Thomas said. "We have to continuously increase adaptation capacity," said Thomas. "Being able to withstand and improve is what it takes to move the needle on climate migration." Wood suggested that other countries, like the Global North or industrialized countries that have contributed more to climate change, should also step up. She said that could come in the form of providing migration pathways and work opportunities, as well as funding to help other countries adapt and manage the issue. In 2009, developed countries promised to mobilize $100 billion a year by 2020 to help poorer nations hit by disasters caused by climate change. Last month, the OECD said the overdue promise may have been achieved. watch now Drugmaker Eli Lilly announced on Thursday a new website that will allow patients to get a weight loss drug prescription through a telehealth provider a move, the company says, that will improve access to the extremely popular and effective drugs, including its recently approved drug, Zepbound. The new website, called LillyDirect, joins a growing list of platforms like Weight Watchers and Ro offering weight loss drugs through telehealth, but is the first of its kind from a pharmaceutical company. It comes less than two months after the Food and Drug Administration approved Lilly's weight loss drug Zepbound. The drug is the latest entrant into the field of the powerful and pricy class of medications called GLP-1 agonists, which includes Lilly's Mounjaro as well as Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy. "We're used to buying consumer goods directly from manufacturers all the time on online websites," said Lilly CEO David Ricks. "It really hasn't been an option that's been provided before" for prescription drugs. Ricks said the new platform will make it easier for patients to access the drugs, cutting out the need to go to the doctor to get a prescription and then to a pharmacy to fill it. Patients who are prescribed Zepbound will be eligible for Lilly's at-home prescription delivery service. There won't be price discounts for any of the medications through the website, however, which, at a list price of more than $1,000 for a month's supply and often not covered by insurance, puts them out of reach for most Americans. Patients will still need to meet the criteria for the weight loss drugs, which are meant for long-term use, not quick weight loss. Some experts, however, expressed concerns about the platform and raised questions about Lilly's financial motives. "What fuels my skepticism is that the stakes are so high," said Arthur Caplan, the head of the division of medical ethics at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. Other companies also offer weight loss prescriptions through telemedicine, but not a drug company with its own weight loss drug, Caplan said. "There's so much money that's going to move with these injectables," he said. "That creates at least the appearance of conflict of interest." Lilly itself isn't providing the telehealth services. Instead, LillyDirect will connect patients with the telehealth provider Form Health, whose obesity medicine doctors will work with patients to determine whether a prescription is appropriate. Neither Form Health nor its physicians will receive financial compensation for prescribing Lilly's drug, Ricks said. Evan Richardson, the CEO of Form Health, said that patients who are prescribed a weight loss drug will meet over video with a doctor on an ongoing basis, typically once a month. The doctors will work independently and will be able to prescribe any FDA-approved weight loss drug they won't be required to prescribe Lilly's Zepbound. But only those prescribed Zepbound will be eligible for Lilly's at-home prescription delivery service, Ricks said. Eli Lilly is on track for a new high Thursday after unveiling a service aimed at making it easier for patients to access weight-loss drugs. Jim Cramer says investors should let LLY stock ride. The Club holding launched LillyDirect, a website that connects patients directly to a telehealth provider who can prescribe the drugmaker's weight-loss therapy Zepbound. Eli Lilly says the direct-to-consumer (DTC) service will help alleviate burdens patients may face in accessing the drug, which U.S. regulators approved in November. It became available at U.S. pharmacies in December. Shares of Eli Lilly climbed 0.5% Thursday, to around $621 each. If that gain holds, it will mark a fresh record-high close. The Indianapolis-based drugmaker's previous all-time high of $619.13 came on Nov. 8. Over the past 12 months, the stock has soared more than 70%, due in large part to optimism around its emerging place in the fast-growing obesity-drug market. "What you don't need to trim is Eli Lilly," Jim Cramer said Thursday, reiterating his long-held belief that the active ingredient behind Zepbound, called tirzepatide, will be the best-selling drug in history. Tirzepatide which was first approved for type-2 diabetes in May 2022 under the Mounjaro brand is key to our investment thesis in Eli Lilly. In addition to obesity, LillyDirect also includes diabetes and migraine medications. Eli Lilly is the first pharmaceutical company to offer a telehealth platform for weight-loss drug access, according to NBC News. However, non-drug companies, such as Weight Watchers and Ro, offer telehealth services for obesity drugs, which have surged in popularity since last year. To offer the direct-to-consumer obesity services, Eli Lilly partnered with Form Health, a telehealth provider specializing in weight-loss care. Form Health's doctors are responsible for meeting with patients and determining whether they should be written a weight-loss prescription. Form Health's doctors can prescribe any FDA-approved obesity drug, such as Zepbound and Wegovy, which is made by Lilly rival Novo Nordisk . "While the providers are not required to prescribe Lilly's drugs, Zepbound is the most clinically relevant approved adoption given superior efficacy and tolerability vs. Wegovy," BMO Capital Markets analyst Evan Seigerman wrote Thursday. Eli Lilly will not provide any financial compensation to Form Health or its doctors if Zepbound is prescribed, CEO Dave Ricks told NBC News. In instances where Zepbound is prescribed, Eli Lilly will provide home delivery of the medication. Zepbound and Novo Nordisk's Wegovy belong to the same class of drugs known as GLP-1s, which mimic a gut hormone to improve blood sugar control and effectively suppress appetite, thus helping with weight loss. In a late-stage trial, patients without diabetes on Zepbound lost up to 22.5% of their body weight. In its own trial, Wegovy helped recipients without diabetes shed about 15% of their body weight. Lilly's Mounjaro and Novo Nordisk's Ozempic are GLP-1s marketed for type-2 diabetes. Some Wall Street analysts project annual sales of GLP-1 drugs to eventually swell to more than $100 billion. In 2024, analysts estimate combined Zepbound and Mounjaro revenue to total $12.2 billion, according to FactSet. Meanwhile, Novo's Wegovy and Ozempic are forecast to generate nearly $25 billion in combined sales, FactSet data shows. The FDA approved Wegovy and Ozempic in 2021 and 2017, respectively. The obesity market is still early in its cycle, and patients being able to access to the drugs is "critical" to its future growth, Jefferies biotech analyst Michael Yee said on CNBC Thursday morning. Against that backdrop, Yee called LillyDirect an "interesting" program. "I wouldn't say it's game-changing, of course, but it's incremental in getting access to people online ... without necessarily having to go into see a doctor in the office," he said. In general, investors and analysts alike believe improving insurance coverage is important for the expensive weight-loss drugs to reach their commercial potential. However, some health insurers have been hesitant to broadly cover GLP-1s for obesity due to their high costs. Right now, people whose commercial insurance covers Zepbound may be eligible for a savings card that provides prescriptions for one or three months for as low as $25. Patients whose insurance doesn't cover Zepbound may be able to pay $550 a month for the drug roughly half of its $1,060 monthly list price. Another development that could help GLP-1 drugs meet investors' high hopes is regulatory approval to treat other conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and sleep apnea. In a study published this year, Wegovy cut the risk of strokes, heart attacks and deaths linked to heart problems in patients by 20%. The data was viewed as generally positive for the entire GLP-1 category. BMO's Seigerman said LillyDirect helps strengthen the company's commercial position in the competitive obesity market, "as well as supporting broad uptake with reliable and now easily accessible supply." That distinguishes Zepbound from Wegovy, which still has "unresolved supply challenges" despite entering the market more than a year before Eli Lilly, Seigerman wrote. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long LLY. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. The Eli Lilly logo is shown on one of the company's offices in San Diego, California, Sept. 17, 2020. Mike Blake | Reuters Presidential candidates Anies Baswedan, Prabowo Subianto, and Ganjar Pranowo, along with their vice presidential candidates, are posing for photos after the first presidential candidate debate at the General Election Commission (KPU) office in Jakarta, Indonesia, on December 12, 2023. Indonesia is preparing to hold general elections for president and vice president for the 2024-2029 period in February 2024. Aditya Irawan | Nurphoto | Getty Images JAKARTA Indonesia is set to choose its next president and vice president in February as it grapples with a declining opposition presence in parliament and seeks continuity of economic initiatives under President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who is set to step down in October. The world's third-largest democracy will open its polls to over 204 million eligible voters casting their ballots, according to its General Elections Commission. The elections will take place on Feb. 14, though more than a million voters abroad will be able to cast their ballots earlier. The leading pair of hopefuls is Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the mayor of Solo and Jokowi's eldest son. Former education minister and ex-Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan, is another presidential hopeful whose running mate is Muhaimin Iskandar, chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB). The final duo is former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo and Mahfud MD, the country's political, legal and security affairs coordinating minister. Prabowo-Gibran are leading with 46.7%, according to a Indikator Politik Indonesia poll conducted between Dec. 23 and 24, followed by Ganjar-Mahfud at 24.5% and Anies-Muhaimin at 21%. If no candidate wins the majority in the first round, there would be a runoff in June. Here are some economic, electorate and diplomatic issues in the country in the run-up to the election. Capital relocation and industrial investment Indonesia plans to relocate its capital from Jakarta to Nusantara in Borneo, a mega project with an estimated cost of over $30 billion. Presidential contenders Ganjar and Prabowo have pledged their commitment to building Nusantara, while Anies has criticized the planned smart city. "Many investors are taking a cautious approach during this transitional period in order to better evaluate the probable impact of the election on the overall investment landscape," wrote Edelman Global Advisory in June. watch now Limited representation Voters have largely focused on the presidential election and paid less attention to the legislative polls, said Titi Anggraini, an advisory board member of the Association for Elections and Democracy (Perludem) in Indonesia. Over four-fifths of Indonesia's current parliament is comprised of coalition parties, leaving little room for opposition representation. "An effective parliament, which is a balancing force, is almost non-existent, but is like a chorus with the executive [branch]. It threatens democratic practices," she told CNBC. "Controversial legislative products were very easy to pass, such as the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) law revision, then the job creation law, then the Constitutional Court (MK) law revision." watch now In 2020, the job creation law triggered protests in multiple cities as concerns grew it would erode worker rights. In 2019, Indonesians demonstrated against a new law that weakened the KPK. Meanwhile, the MK law revision comes as the court is responsible for settling potential election disputes this year. While having greater opposition representation in Indonesia's parliament could raise the bar for passing such laws, Titi said there's still a very high barrier to entry for the candidacy process. She said "only the elite can break" into elected positions, which means many women, youth and marginalized members of society have little to no representation in elected office. According to Freedom House's Freedom in the World 2023 report, Indonesia ranked "partly free," scoring 58 out of 100. "Political parties are subject to 30 percent gender quotas for steering committees and candidates. However, women remain underrepresented in electoral politics," it wrote. Indonesia-China ties Indonesia's next leaders will also contend with a range of geopolitical issues, especially Jakarta's relationship with Beijing. A report published by Singapore's ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute in early 2023 found that 71.1% of Indonesian respondents said China was the most influential economic power in Southeast Asia, up from 67.9% in 2022. The report surveyed 1,308 Southeast Asians, 9.3% of whom identified as Indonesian. watch now Indonesia's Center of Economic and Law Studies wrote in its August policy brief that "China's influence is increasingly unavoidable because Indonesia is now economically dependent on China." Indonesia is home to Southeast Asia's first high-speed railway, a project that was part of China's Belt and Road Initiative. "Under Jokowi's administration, our relationship is now at its peak, at its best with China," Lina Alexandra, international relations department head at Indonesia's Centre for Strategic and International Studies, told CNBC, citing the rail line as an example. But for some Indonesians, the cozier relationship has also sparked debt-trap fears and concerns about an influx of Chinese workers. Israel-Hamas war A 2021 survey by Australian think tank Lowy Institute found respondents ranked promoting peace and conflict resolution (86%) as well as advocating for Muslim communities in other countries (78%) as more important on Indonesia's list of foreign policy goals. The report surveyed around 3,000 Indonesians between 17 and 65 years old across 33 provinces. Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft's consumer chief marketing officer, speaks during an event at the company's headquarters in Redmond, Washington, on Feb. 7, 2023. Microsoft on Thursday said keyboards on upcoming Windows PCs will feature a Copilot key for having text conversations with the software maker's virtual assistant. It's one of the most prominent additions to the Windows keyboard since the 1994 introduction of the Windows key for viewing the Start menu. Copilot in Windows taps artificial intelligence models from Microsoft-backed startup OpenAI, which operates its own popular ChatGPT chatbot. It can compose human-like text in response to a few words of written input. People can tell it to write out emails, answer questions, create images and turn on PC features. Workers in businesses that pay for Copilot for Microsoft 365 can receive highlights of Teams chats and get help with writing Word documents. Microsoft has started delivering Copilot on PCs with Windows 10, the world's most popular operating system, and Windows 11. People can hold down the Windows key and push the C key to summon the Copilot. Now it's getting a dedicated key. Jeffrey Epstein attends the launch of RADAR MAGAZINE at Hotel QT on May 18, 2005. The lawyer for multiple victims of Jeffrey Epstein says more court documents detailing the sex predator's actions and names of associates will be released in the coming days after the bombshell disclosure of an initial set of files. "This is just the beginning batch," the attorney, Sigrid McCawley, told NBC News hours after the first tranche of 40 case files was unsealed in Manhattan federal court Wednesday night. The documents contained the names of Epstein associates such as Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew of Britain, billionaire Glenn Dubin, Michael Jackson, magician David Copperfield and more people. The mere presence of their names in the files does not mean they were necessarily accused of abusing women or facilitating that abuse. "There's a lot more to come," McCawley said. "There's a significant amount left for sure." "And as we've seen, in this case, truth is stranger than fiction. So we learn more each time about how the sophisticated trafficking operation happened for so many decades and how many people were involved," said McCawley, who represents Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre and other victims. "It was vast, it was significant. And it harmed literally hundreds of young women. So you're going to start seeing more of how that happened, who knew about it and what was going on," McCawley said. The court documents being unsealed are part of a case file for a lawsuit that Giuffre filed years ago against Ghislaine Maxwell, the British socialite who acted as a procurer of young women for Epstein, her one-time boyfriend. Epstein killed himself in a New York jail in August 2019, a month after being arrested on federal charges of sex trafficking underage girls. Maxwell is serving a 20-year federal prison sentence on charges related to facilitating Epstein's rampant sexual abuse of women. A Safeway on Webster Street in San Franciscos Fillmore district will close, with the property to be developed for housing. Salgu Wissmath/The Chronicle A Safeway on Webster Street in San Franciscos Fillmore district will soon be closing. Salgu Wissmath/The Chronicle The Safeway on Webster Street in San Franciscos Fillmore district informed employees Thursday that the store will be shut down in March and that the 3.68-acre property will be sold to a residential builder to be redeveloped as housing. The company said it has entered into an agreement to sell the parcel, known as Webster Plaza, to Align Real Estate, which will build a mixed-use development with housing and commercial space. S.F. Bay Area property map: Heres who owns every building in region Advertisement Article continues below this ad As part of the sale the Webster Safeway store is expected to close on or around early March, the store stated in a letter to city officials. All associates at the Webster Safeway will be re-assigned to another store in the San Francisco area. Safeway said it has proudly served the Fillmore District for 40 years and that decisions like these are never easy, nor are they made without a great deal of consideration. San Francisco has struggled with housing shortages and Safeway sees this as an opportunity to positively impact the community and to be part of a solution to bring much needed housing to the city, the company said. The store, located in a historically Black neighborhood, has been the source of some controversy over the past year as it has blasted classical music to deter people from loitering in the parking lot, annoying some neighbors. Last year, the store also shut down its self-checkout kiosks to reduce theft. Surveillance cameras are mounted on light fixtures at the Safeway on Webster Street in San Francisco. The bullhorns blasted classical music to deter loitering. Sam Whiting/The Chronicle For a city facing increased pressure by the state to generate new housing, however, the closure could present a huge opportunity to create more than a thousand units. The property is zoned for buildings that could stand 130 feet tall, and the new owners could build more than 50% additional units under state density bonus programs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This is a real and rare opportunity to add a significant amount of new homes in this part of the city, and even a new grocery store, and it shows a real interest in investing in housing in San Francisco, said Mayor London Breed, who grew up in the neighborhood. Though, that gain comes with the loss of a grocery story in a part of the city without many of those options. While in the short-term we are losing a grocery store in the community, there is also a new Trader Joes opening nearby and an opportunity for a new market on the site, Breed said. That Trader Joes is slated to open in a condo building at 555 Fulton, but the build-out has yet to start and its unclear when it might get underway. Supervisor Dean Preston, who represents the neighborhood, said he was informed of the impending closure Thursday morning. This is the first we are learning of the sale and intent to close the store, Preston said. We are extremely concerned with the potential loss of this grocery store in the heart of the Fillmore, and especially the possibility of losing it as soon as March, which we view as unacceptable. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Preston said he has reached out to Safeway and the developers to learn more about the plans, the timing and whether a grocery store could be part of the redevelopment. In a statement to the Chronicle, Safeway said it did not plan on being part of the redevelopment. The closest Safeway store is in the Castro, about 1.1 miles away. While the potential redevelopment will create a grocery shortage in the Fillmore, it could signal a new receptiveness on the part of Safeway to redevelopment projects. Over the past dozen years, San Francisco elected officials have lobbied the grocery chain to consider allowing housing on some of its larger sites, including the Potrero Center at 16th and Bryant streets and the Castro property on Upper Market Street. Those talks have not been fruitful. The Rev. Amos Brown called the pending closure a blow to the Black community. He said he had sat through dozens of meetings with Safeway executives in the years when the supermarket chain was lobbying for permission to anchor the retail center on the 1335 Webster St. property, which had gone through stints as two other grocery stores. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We were allured and tricked into supporting Safeway becoming the anchor corporation in the development, said Brown, pastor of San Franciscos Third Baptist Church, located near the Safeway. I was personally lobbied by city government to support a left turn off of Geary so that traffic could access the store from Cathedral Hill. Brown said the recent issues of loitering and theft could have been solved if Safeway had worked with the neighboring residents. He said a year ago there were rumors that the store would be closing, but that Safeway officials assured him that was not the case. They told Amos Brown, Oh no, we would not do that. We are here to serve the community, Brown said. Brown took issue with the idea that by selling to a developer, they are going to be doing us a favor. They are creating a food desert, so its painful, he said. Another instance where the Black community is being disinherited, disrespected and destroyed. They never came to us and laid their cards on the table. A lone pumpjack located in the middle of a large solar array outside of Bakersfield, Kern County, California. Oil prices fell on Thursday, largely unwinding an earlier rally, as massive weekly gasoline and distillate stock builds overshadowed a larger-than-expected crude stock draw. The West Texas Intermediate contract for February lost 51 cents, or .7%, to settle at $72.19 a barrel. The Brent contract for March shed 66 cents, or .84%, to settle at $77.59 a barrel. Low fuel demand and large inventory increases in data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration weighed on prices. Gasoline stocks rose by 10.9 million barrels to 237 million barrels, their highest week-on-week rise in more than 30 years. Distillate stocks rose last week by 10.1 million barrels to 125.9 million barrels. Distillate product supplied, a proxy for demand, fell to its lowest level since 1999, EIA data showed. While crude inventories drew by 5.5 million barrels in the week, EIA data showed, much of that reflects shipping disruptions in the Red Sea, said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho. "The situation in the Red Sea has forced a lot of refiners and buyers of crude oil to go to the United States rather than sail their boat around the Horn of Africa," Yawger said. Shipping concerns lingered after Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis on Wednesday said they had "targeted" a container ship bound for Israel. U.S. Central Command said the militant group had fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles in the southern Red Sea the previous day. Downbeat economic data sent prices lower earlier in the session. Euro zone business activity shrank in December. German inflation rose, possibly offering the European Central Bank an argument in favour of keeping interest rates steady for some time. Both oil benchmarks gained about 3% on Wednesday to settle higher for the first time in five days. Oil also found support from American Petroleum Institute data showing crude stocks fell by 7.4 million barrels, double the expected drawdown. On Wednesday two explosions killed nearly 100 people and wounded scores at a ceremony in Iran to commemorate commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed by a U.S. drone in 2020. Iran has vowed revenge. Peloton launched a partnership with TikTok on Thursday as part of its strategy to change its public perception and attract a broader array of customers as sales and profits fall. The partnership will create a new fitness hub on the social media platform dubbed "#TikTokFitness Powered by Peloton." It will feature short-form fitness videos, longer live classes, content from Peloton's instructors and collaborations with TikTok creators. Shares of Peloton surged more than 15% after the news was announced and closed about 14% higher. It comes about six months after Peloton rebranded itself as a fitness company "for all" and launched a tiered pricing strategy for its app. The changes were designed to position Peloton as more than just a bike company and bring in new customers who may not have been able to afford its pricey connected fitness equipment but could be interested in a monthly subscription for its content. "On the one hand, there's a longer-term goal around changing perceptions around who Peloton is for to multiple different types of audiences and I think one of the real strengths of TikTok is that it increasingly reaches everyone, including the younger audience," Oli Snoddy, Peloton's vice president of consumer marketing, told CNBC in an interview. In the short term, the partnership will seek to build on what Peloton says has been a successful relaunch by boosting metrics such as app downloads and conversions, said Snoddy. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Peloton became a Wall Street darling after gyms shuttered and consumers flocked to buy its stationary bikes and at-home treadmills. But demand plummeted when the virus receded and consumers returned to normalcy. In the three months that ended Sept. 30, Peloton lost 30,000 members and revenue fell to $595.5 million, down from $757.9 million three years earlier at the height of the pandemic. Peloton CEO Barry McCarthy, who replaced the company's co-founder John Foley in February 2022, has been working to rightsize the business and set it up for long-term growth and profitability. He has focused on boosting Peloton's subscriber count and opening up new pathways to owning Peloton equipment by offering a rental service and refurbished options. While the initiatives are showing early signs of progress, Peloton still isn't making money off the members that it has, making partnerships with companies such as TikTok and Lululemon critical to its long-term success. "We have over a billion users across the globe of all demographics," Sofia Hernandez, TikTok's global head of business marketing, told CNBC. "People from 16 to 60 are on the platform and when I think about [Peloton's] campaign of 'anyone and anywhere,' there's not a better place to reach that level of audience we have, that level of a diverse audience." Hernandez noted that the partnership will go beyond workout videos and will include "behind the scenes" videos such as "get ready with me" clips and other fitness-adjacent content that gives people on TikTok an inside look into Peloton and its instructors. At first, the content will feature well-known instructors such as Cody Rigsby and Ally Love, but the partnership also hopes to introduce some of Peloton's lesser-known instructors to a wider audience and boost their followings. "We know that when people experience Peloton, they really get it, they fall in love," said Snoddy. "This is really about taking the instructors and the content we have and kind of dimensionalizing it to a broader audience on TikTok." Don't miss these stories from CNBC PRO: Check out the companies making headlines in premarket trading. Walgreens Walgreens shares were up more than 2% in the premarket after the pharmacy operator posted fiscal first -quarter earnings and revenue that beat analyst expectations. To be sure, Walgreens cut its quarterly dividend to 25 cents per share from 48 cents per share. APA The oil producer fell 5% after it said it would buy Permian Basin producer Callon Petroleum in a $4.5 billion all-stock transaction, including debt. Callon, which has a market cap of $2.3 billion as of Wednesday's closing level, saw shares jump more than 4% in premarket. Eli Lilly Eli Lilly said Thursday it launched a website to allow patients access to weight loss drugs via a telehealth provider. These drugs include recently approved Zepbound. Shares rose more than 1%. Apple Shares of the tech giant dipped 0.5% in premarket trading after the firm got another downgrade from Wall Street. Piper Sandler downgraded shares of the iPhone maker to neutral from overweight , citing valuation concerns, macro weakness and a strained handset outlook. The tech stock has slid 4% this week. Barclays slashed its rating on Apple earlier this week. Yeti The drinkware brand saw shares drop more than 6% in premarket after a Canaccord Genuity downgrade to hold from buy. The Wall Street firm said rival Stanley is proving itself to be a much tougher-than-expected competitor to Yeti, while Owala is also garnering attention. Cal-Maine Foods Shares of the egg company fell more than 4% after Cal-Maine reported its fiscal second quarter results. The company's net sales and net income both declined year over year, though that was due in part to the lower cost of eggs as sales volumes increased. Cal-Maine has a variable dividend, which will come to $0.116 per share for the second quarter. Mobileye Global Shares of the autonomous driving tech company plunged 28% in premarket trading after the firm forecast preliminary fiscal 2024 revenue below estimates. The firm said it expects its customers to pull back on orders as they clear excess inventory. CNBC's Jesse Pound and Fred Imbert contributed reporting. Here are the biggest calls on Wall Street on Thursday: Piper Sandler downgrades Apple to neutral from overweight Piper Sandler said in its downgrade of the stock that it's concerned about handset inventories. "We are downgrading AAPL to Neutral given our updated outlook for the broader handset environment in 1H24." Morgan Stanley upgrades Allstate to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said in its upgrade of Allstate that it's underappreciated. "Underappreciated Story in a Favorable Market Environment; Upgrade to Overweight." Roth MKM downgrades Mattel to hold from buy Roth MKM said in its downgrade of the toy company that there's too much excess inventory. "In our view, Mattel finished 2023 with excess inventory on retail shelves which will once again weigh on 1H results." Barclays downgrades Bath & Body Works to equal weight from overweight Barclays said in its downgrade of the stock that it sees top-line concerns. "downgrade BBWI to EW given concerns about driving top line." Bernstein downgrades Analog Devices to market perform from outperform Bernstein downgraded Analog mainly on valuation. "The company likely has a more resilient profile than peers in a potential downside scenario, with a profile that appears closer to bottom, however valuations have markedly expanded and the shares/earnings may need to grow into the multiple." Bernstein names Nike a best idea Bernstein said Nike is one of the firm's top picks for the next six months. "Meanwhile, the multi-year margin story is still intact, and we model ~20% EPS growth over the next 3 years." Bank of America upgrades Tal Education to buy from neutral Bank of America said it sees improving profitability for the China-based education company. "We upgrade TAL from Neutral to Buy. We raise our FY24-26E non-GAAP EPS by 59-381%, largely due to higher assumptions of K-9 non-academic tutoring growth." KeyBanc downgrades Sunrun to sector weight from overweight KeyBanc downgraded the solar company on valuation. "We are downgrading RUN to SW due to a recent valuation rebound." Jefferies upgrades Murphy USA to buy from hold Jefferies said in its upgrade of the gas station company that it's "well positioned for multiple expansion." "After conducting extensive analyses on the c-store industry, we are upgrading MUSA to Buy from Hold and PT to $425 vs. prev: $375." Evercore ISI upgrades Five Below to outperform from in line Evercore ISI said in its upgrade of the stock that it's "defying gravity and delivering growth." "We are upgrading FIVE with rising spend intention from our survey work, sticky remodel boost" Mizuho upgrades Emerson Electric to buy from hold Mizuho said in its upgrade of the stock that it's a "barbell play." "We upgrade EMR as a barbell play (long/short cycle exposure)." Piper Sandler reiterates Nvidia as overweight Piper Sandler says the stock is still its top large-cap pick. "We continue to favor NVDA in this end market given its competitive position as the premier full-stack compute supplier." TD Cowen downgrades Pfizer to market perform from outperform TD Cowen said in its downgrade of the stock that it has a "lack of conviction" in the outlook. "After a very challenging 2023, much pessimism appears to be reflected in PFE stock." TD Cowen upgrades Merck to outperform from market perform TD Cowen says the stock's valuation is compelling. " MRK offers greater near-term EPS visibility and solid news flow, yet the stock was only an average performer in 2023, and it sells at a below-average PE multiple." Wells Fargo names Home Depot a top pick Wells Fargo says the stock is a top idea in 2024. " HD: Our Top Pick for '24, with growth/recovery levers, margin recapture, and idiosyncratic Pro opportunity." Wells Fargo downgrades Five Below and BJ's to equal weight from overweight Wells Fargo downgraded Five Below and BJ's on Thursday and says it sees earnings risks. "The industry faces an uncertain earnings backdrop in 2024 in our view, and we start the year somewhat below consensus for many of our companies." Deutsche Bank names General Electric and Boeing top picks Deutsche Bank said General Electric and Boeing were its best ideas in 2024. "Our top ideas: BA , GE , and CR are our top three ideas across the broad A & D sector." Oppenheimer downgrades PayPal to market perform from outperform Oppenheimer said in its downgrade of PayPal that it sees profits pressured. "Persistent Profitability Pressure Has Us Downgrading Shares To Perform." JPMorgan upgrades American Express to overweight from neutral JPMorgan said in its upgrade of the stock that it's a "safe haven." " AXP Upgrade to Overweight (from Neutral) as safe haven from deteriorating household balance sheets." Goldman Sachs upgrades Comerica to buy from neutral Goldman Sachs said in its upgrade of the stock that it sees loan growth returning. "In addition, we are upgrading Comerica to Buy as we see several catalysts for shares over 2024, including: while NII has been under pressure, it should start to inflect as deposit pressure eases and it benefits from eventual fed rate cuts loan growth should return as its optimization finishes and middle market clients start to borrow incrementally." Goldman Sachs names Wells Fargo a top pick Goldman Sachs said it sees market share gains for the banking giant. "We are constructive on WFC on better NII [net interest income], given conservative management assumptions and best-in-class deposit repricing." Wolfe upgrades General Motors to outperform from peer perform Wolfe said in its upgrade of the auto company that it's "warming up to the stock" "We believe that investors underestimate the earnings and cash flow power that GM will generate over the near- to medium-term, and the competitive cost advantages that they are bringing to bear over the medium- to longer-term." Wolfe downgrades Rivian to peer perform from outperform Wolfe said in its downgrade of the stock that it sees product uncertainty. "We continue to believe in RIVN's long-term strategy. And we've been encouraged by their (recently) strong production and cost execution. But for the Street to look further out to the launch of their R2 platform (in 2026), we believe that Investors will need more insight into demand for the company's R1 platform." Mizuho reiterates Coinbase as underperform Mizuho said it's sticking with its underperform rating on the stock. "The potential upside to COIN revenue from Bitcoin ETF may be far less than what the stock indicates." Stifel downgrades Papa John's to sell from hold Stifel said the stock is "overbaked" right now. "We are downgrading shares o f PZZA to Sell from Hold and maintaining our $65 target price." Wells Fargo names Toll Brothers a top pick Wells Fargo says the stock is a top pick in 2024. " TOL is our Top Pick into '24, w/ lower rates presenting opp'ty for offense. But rest of the group can work too, w/ Street ASPs embedding no y/y growth & GMs +100bps y/y." Bank of America upgrades Truist to buy from neutral Bank of America said in its upgrade of the bank that the macro is becoming more "manageable." "We upgrade our rating on Truist Financial (TFC) to Buy from Neutral, raising our PO to $43 implying 17% upside (stock also offers a 5.7% dividend yield)." Wolfe upgrades Verizon to outperform from peer perform Wolfe said in its upgrade of the stock that the multiple looks "more up than down." "At the company level, VZ offers an established deleveraging trend, signs of improving execution, and 67% of revenue in growing businesses." Barclays upgrades Dollar General to overweight from equal weight Barclays says it sees a margin inflection for the stock. " DG (upgrade to OW from EW): We believe that efforts to clean up inventory along with store level investments will support improving sales and potential recovery in margins starting in Q2/3." Barclays upgrades Home Depot to overweight from equal weight Barclays says it likes the stock's exposure to rate cuts. "Other cyclicals may offer more upside, but HD gives us exposure to potential rate cuts, is not over-earning, and really just needs to hit numbers. Our proprietary leading indicators support improving comps through FY24 and into FY25." Piper Sandler upgrades Micron to overweight from neutral Piper Sandler says it sees pricing momentum for shares of Micron. "We believe that on peak earnings, book value could reach highs of $50-$60 per share with the stock trading at a multiple of 2.5-3.0x." Monness Crespi Hardt downgrades Snowflake to sell from neutral Monness said in its downgrade of the stock that it's overvalued. "Benefitting from an overly exuberant tech market in the final quarter of 2023 and riding the coattails of an unprecedented AI hype cycle, Snowflake has rebounded sharply over the past couple of months. In our view, this has left the stock overvalued and vulnerable to selling pressure. The largest exchange of prisoners of war since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war took place on Wednesday, prompting hopes that POW swaps will continue after they stalled last summer. Confirming the exchange, Russia said it received 248 prisoners of war from Ukraine, while Ukraine said it got 230 of its military personnel and captured civilians back. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the prisoner exchange came about with mediation from the United Arab Emirates. The exchange comes after prisoner exchanges stalled at the end of last summer, leading to regular protests by the families of POWs who demanded the exchanges resume. Many families have not heard from their loved ones since they were captured by Russia early on in the war. Everybody likes a comeback story. Constellation Brands ' stock has stalled, leaving long-time shareholders like us frustrated. However, the Mexican beer powerhouse has an opportunity to redeem itself with Friday's quarterly earnings print. Constellation is set to report its fiscal 2024 third quarter before the opening bell. Analysts expect revenue to grow 2.5% to $2.5 billion and earnings-per-share to increase 6% to $3, according to estimates from data provider LSEG, formerly Refinitiv. The global beer, wine, and spirits manufacturer whose brands include Modelo and Corona beer, Kim Crawford wine, and Svedka vodka has historically enjoyed continued market share gains largely driven by the popularity of Modelo, which is the largest beer brand in America. We've been a proponent of Constellation for a long time, calling it one of our strongest consumer-facing names in the Consumer Staples category. But we've been disappointed by the performance of the stock. It seems that shares don't want to budge even when there's good news. STZ 1Y mountain STZ 1-year stock performance. Constellation has been struggling to break out. The stock has been moving sideways since early October following the company's fiscal 2024 second-quarter earnings release. In fact, it was up just over 4% in last year's strong market rally. In its earnings preview, Wedbush thinks Constellation will deliver "what will most likely be the lowest performance quarter of the year (the three months ended Nov. 30" on lower revenue growth and a conservative outlook on beer operating margin. Wedbush analyst Gerald Pascarelli said in an interview with CNBC there is some industry concern over slight volatility in the beer category. Growth in the beer category "has been relatively elusive compared to the low-single-digit growth this category does historically," Pascarelli said. There's some "apprehension" over measured channel data, he added. It's historically been a solid barometer of what Constellation is going to report on beer depletions, which are orders by wholesalers to meet retail demand. The gap between what Constellation shows in databases that measure beer volumes, such as Circana and Neilson, has been widening relative to what the company reports. This has created a narrative where depletions may not look as good as the headline numbers that Constellation delivers in the quarter. This widening of numbers in channel shifts could be what's causing the "near-term hang-up" for the stock, Pascarelli said. But Wedbush believes that "easier comps are on the horizon," and beer trends will improve at the beginning of fiscal year 2025. "We like the setup from here, as beer trends will likely re-accelerate exiting fiscal year 2024." The analysts have a $300 price target and buy-equivalent outperform rating on the stock. Elsewhere, management has a strong outlook on its Wine & Spirits unit and said they expect to see profits improve. We've been calling for the company to divest anything that's not beer, which is the real money maker. But Constellation has transformed its Wine & Spirits portfolio into higher-end offerings, selling off lower-priced brands in hopes of improving profitability. We also like how activist firm Elliott Management continues to work closely with Constellation to help the company create long-term shareholder value. Jim believes Constellation's partnership with Elliott is what makes the stock worth holding. "If they weren't there, I'd think it would be time to move on," Jim said. The company has an information-sharing agreement with the activist firm, which can help management make more disciplined decisions around capital allocation and other actions that align with shareholder interest. Another incentive that keeps us invested is Constellation's focus on returning cash to shareholders. The company announced an additional $2 billion share repurchase authorization at its Investor Day in November. Over the past few years, the company has returned almost $6 billion in dividends and share repurchases to shareholders, while making investments to support the growth in its beer business. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long STZ. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. Corona beer, owned by Constellation Brands. Getty Images A cold air mass is forecast to hit the Bay Area this weekend, bringing sub-freezing low temperatures to inland areas and highs not experienced since last March. Baron/Lynx Calmer weather returns to the Bay Area on Thursday, with mainly sunny skies allowing the region to dry out. Morning temperatures will be in the 30s inland and 40s on the coast before warming up to the upper 50s to lower 60s in the afternoon. Light showers are possible Friday morning, especially in the higher terrain, but accumulations are only expected to be a few hundredths of an inch. Live storm map: See where rain is hitting California and Bay Area Advertisement Article continues below this ad Friday could be the last time Bay Area cities hit 60 degrees for a week, as colder weather is expected to arrive this weekend. A cold air mass is expected to push across California on Saturday, with reinforcing blasts of chilly air likely next week. Saturday and Sunday may struggle to surpass the mid-50s in much of the Bay Area, the coldest high temperatures since last March. Inland areas such as Santa Rosa, Walnut Creek and the Tri-Valley are expected to drop below freezing both Sunday and Monday morning, and parts of San Francisco may even dip into the upper 30s. While the weather pattern is not likely to bring deluges to the California coast, light rainmakers are possible. Saturday afternoon looks like the next chance of widespread rain, with a 10th to a quarter inch predicted for the Bay Area. However, the Sierra Nevada is in line for another much-needed snow, with a foot or more possible at the ski resorts by the time the storm wraps up Sunday afternoon. Additional fresh powder is likely next week as the favorable snow pattern continues. Thursday breakdown San Francisco: Residents should get outside if they can, because Thursday is shaping up to be one of the nicest weather days of the near future. Highs are expected to be in the upper 50s under mostly sunny skies, with a few spots hitting 60 degrees near the Mission District. The afternoon could be breezy, especially in the Sunset District, Lakeshore and Ingleside, but gusts should only be 15-25 mph. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Overnight lows will be near 50 with increasing clouds. Drizzle showers are possible by Friday morning. North Bay: Thursday morning will begin chilly across the North Bay, with temperatures in the mid- to upper 30s with areas of patchy frost. The rest of the day is shaping up to be pleasant, with sunny skies and highs in the upper 50s to near 60 in Petaluma and Napa and Sonoma valleys. A few high clouds are expected to move in during the evening ahead of a weak weather system. Nighttime lows will be in the upper 30s to lower 40s. Some light rain is possible in the mountains and near the coast early Friday morning. Valleys only have a slight chance of receiving more than 100th inch of rain. East Bay: Commuters should bundle up Thursday morning, as temperatures are expected to be in the upper 30s inland to lower 40s near the bay. By the afternoon, highs will rise to near normal, in the upper 50s in Oakland, Hayward, Fremont, Concord and the Tri-Valley. Skies will be mostly sunny. High clouds will begin to approach in the evening ahead of a weak weather system. Only light showers are possible, with the Oakland and Berkeley hills most likely to see drizzle Friday morning. Overnight lows will be in the lower 40s inland and upper 40s near the bay shoreline. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Pacific Coast and Peninsula: Coastal residents will get a break from the wet weather and huge waves on a dry, sunny Thursday. Highs are expected to be in the upper 50s in Daly City, Pacifica and Half Moon Bay, with only a few passing clouds. Similar conditions are in store in South San Francisco, San Mateo and Redwood City, where mostly sunny skies will yield to highs around 60. The afternoon could be a bit breezy in Half Moon Bay and San Bruno, with gusts around 20 mph. Clouds will increase overnight ahead of drizzle and light rain shower chances Friday morning. Overnight lows will be in the mid- to upper 40s. South Bay and Santa Cruz: Thursday is shaping up to be a nice winter day in Santa Cruz, with highs in the lower 60s under sunny skies. Surf is expected to remain large, but should be smaller than the recent hazardous waves. The Santa Cruz Mountains and Santa Clara Valley will also have calm weather, with sunny skies, light winds and highs near 60. Overnight lows will drop to the lower to mid-40s with a slight chance of light rain showers by Friday morning. When it comes to modern technology, every second counts. It may sound silly, but it's true: A second is the difference between an interaction on your phone feeling instantaneous and feeling just a touch too slow. And particularly with how frequently we tend to repeat common mobile tech tasks switching apps, opening menus, firing up our cameras, and so on all of those seconds can add up fast. The good news: Android has no shortage of hidden shortcuts that can help you save time and get stuff done more efficiently. All you have to do is learn how to use 'em. Ready? 1. Snap between apps Cut out delays in toggling between apps by putting Android's semi-secret fast-snap function to use: If your device runs Android 10 or higher and has Android's gesture navigation system enabled, simply flick your finger toward the right along the bottom edge of the screen to snap back to your most recently used app. If you then decide you want to return to the app you came from, you can flick your finger to the left in that same area. JR Raphael / IDG With Android's current gesture system, flicking your finger along the bottom edge of the screen will let you snap between recently used apps. If your device runs an older Android version or simply doesn't have gesture navigation enabled you can achieve a similar effect with Android's traditional three-button navigation system: Simply double-tap the Overview key (the square-shaped icon or three-vertical-line icon, in the case of Samsung's software) to flip back and forth endlessly between your two most recently opened apps. Both commands will work from your home screen, too, for a zippy return to whatever process you had open last. 2. Slide into Quick Settings Android's Quick Settings panel is a shortcut in and of itself a single place with one-tap toggles to some of your device's most commonly used functions, from Bluetooth to the flashlight and beyond. But take note: You can add your own custom shortcuts into that area, too, both with buttons built into your phone and waiting to be uncovered (particularly if you're using a Pixel) and with third-party add-ons that'll expand your list of available options. And best of all, you can double your pleasure and get a little meta by using a shortcut to this shortcut mecca: Just swipe down from the top of your screen with two fingers together, side by side. That'll skip past the standard notification panel and take you directly to the fully expanded Quick Settings section. On many Android devices, you can also swipe down with a single finger from anywhere on your home screen not just the top to summon your Quick Settings panel without having to reach. 3. Open menus like a pro Not many folks know it, but there's a faster way to open those three-dot overflow menus in a lot of apps including core Google titles like Messages, Chrome, Gmail, Drive, Contacts, and Phone (which comes preinstalled on Pixel devices but can be installed on most any Android phone, no matter who made it). Rather than tapping the icon to load the menu and then tapping the item you want, simply swipe downward on the icon and move your finger directly to your item of choice without ever lifting your paw from the screen. The menu will appear as you swipe, and whatever item your finger is touching when you let go will be activated. JR Raphael / IDG You can skip the tap and instead swipe directly to the menu item you need in many Google apps. The one downside: Once you get used to the speed and smoothness of that gesture, you'll start to resent apps that haven't adopted it. 4. Stop disturbances without the fuss Sometimes you need to silence your phone quickly and discreetly. (You don't have to tell me the reason. In fact, I'd prefer it if you wouldn't.) Whenever that time comes, don't mess with on-screen menus and icons: Many phones, including Samsung's recent Galaxy devices and Google's current Pixel models, can simply be flipped face down on any flat surface to have all of their sounds silenced in a heartbeat. On Galaxy phones, you can confirm that the setting for that function is on by searching for "Mute with gestures" in your system settings. On a Pixel device, you'll want to search your settings for "Flip to Shhh." Other fast-muting shortcuts may also be available. Certain phone models made by OnePlus, for instance, feature a physical alert switch that lets you move to a silent mode by sliding a physical mechanism on the side of the device. And on any Android device, you can always just activate the display and then press either volume button to reveal a simple silence icon within the on-screen volume slider. 5. Snap a screenshot See something on your screen you want to save or share? No problem: Press your phone's power and volume-down buttons at the same time. That'll cause the system to capture a screenshot, which you can then access and share via a notification that'll appear on your device or via the "Screenshots" folder within Google Photos (more on that in a minute). If you're using a Pixel device, you can also capture a screenshot quickly and easily by looking for the "Screenshot" option within your system Overview area the interface that comes up when you swipe up about an inch from the bottom of the screen and then stop, with the current Android gesture system. Samsung phones, meanwhile, have an option to capture a screenshot by swiping your palm across the screen. You can find it and confirm that it's active by searching your system settings for the phrase "palm swipe" on any reasonably recent Galaxy gadget. And on any Android device where Google Assistant is active and set up for hands-free interaction, you can simply say Hey Google, capture a screenshot and Assistant will do your bidding for you without so much as a single finger-lift required. 6. See your screenshots in a snap Speaking of screenshots, the typical path for pulling 'em up isn't exactly efficient. It requires lots of digging around and menu-hopping in Google Photos but, oh yes, you can do better. The next time you need to access your screenshots, press and hold your finger onto the Google Photos icon (either on your home screen or in your app drawer) for a second. That'll pull up a series of out-of-sight shortcuts for jumping directly to specific areas of the app, and one of those is "Screenshots." Tap it, and you'll transport yourself directly to that section of Photos. And if you want even faster access moving forward, press and hold your finger onto that "Screenshots" shortcut, and you can drag and drop it directly onto your home screen for one-tap, anytime access. Finally, if fingers-free is your fav, try setting up a little-known custom Assistant command for transporting yourself there using only your voice. You'll only have to set it up once, and it'll then just work no thought or ongoing effort required. 7. Access any shortcuts from your home screen Screenshots aren't the only in-app shortcut you can enjoy. Lots of apps especially Google's are packed with similar sorts of shortcuts just waiting to be found. So just like we did with Photos a moment ago, press and hold any app's icon on your home screen or in your app drawer and see what typically out-of-sight options appear. With Slack, for instance, you'll reveal single-tap shortcuts for jumping directly into any specific workspace connected to your phone as well as for accessing common channels and functions. With Google Keep, you'll get shortcuts for creating different types of notes, including lists and audio-based memos. With Google Calendar, you'll find direct commands for creating new reminders or events. And with Google's Android Clock app, you'll uncover shortcuts for setting new alarms and timers, among other things. JR Raphael / IDG Skip steps and go right where you want with Android's App Shortcuts system. And the list of oft-untapped possibilities just keeps going from there. 8. Refresh the web with ease Say you're looking at a very important work-related web page in Chrome (because, obviously, that's the only kind of web page you ever view from your work-based mobile device right?). For one reason or another, you realize you need to refresh the page. What do you do? Sure, you could open the Chrome menu and then select the refresh icon. Or you could skip a step and just swipe downward from anywhere on the page. You'll see a circular refresh symbol appear at the top of the screen as you swipe. Make sure you pull down until the arrow within the symbol turns blue, then let go. (Once you get used to the gesture, you'll find that a quick downward flick is all it really takes.) JR Raphael / IDG See the circular arrow icon to the right of the Computerworld logo? Its presence is how you know it's OK to let go. Now, isn't that refreshing? 9. Force a restart No technology is foolproof. If your Samsung-made Android device ever isn't responding, press its power and volume-down buttons at the same time even if the display is off and hold them down together for 10 to 15 seconds. On Pixel phones, you can just press and hold the Power button by itself for that same period of time. And on most other Android devices, one of those two processes will work. Unless something really disastrous is going on (or your battery's just dead), that'll force your phone to restart, regardless of what you were last doing. 10. Get to your camera in a flash When a photogenic moment arises be it your child checking out her first TPS report or your co-worker getting a little too crazy at the company retreat two seconds can be the difference between an unforgettable snapshot and an after-the-fact image. So don't futz around with unlocking your phone and looking for the on-screen camera icon; instead, just double-tap the device's power button to jump straight into shooting, whether your display is on or not. That shortcut works on many current Android devices, including both Pixel phones and Samsung's recent Galaxy gadgets (though on pre-2017 models, you'll need to use the physical Home button instead of the power button). If it doesn't work on your device, try searching your system settings for "gestures" to see if it or another similar option is available and perhaps just requires you to toggle it on before it'll function. 11. Put notifications on notice Next time you get an annoying notification, don't scream out in frustration. Actually, you know what? Go ahead and scream if it helps. But when you're finished, press and hold the notification in question to hop over to some helpful advanced settings. They'll let you control exactly when and how that app is able to alert you. JR Raphael/IDG The exact presentation will vary from one Android implementation to another, but pressing and holding a notification will always bring up some manner of advanced options for controlling how and when an app is able to alert you. 12. Wake your screen in a jiff You might never realize it, but quite a few Android devices support a super-speedy way of waking the screen: Tap your finger anywhere on the screen's surface either once or twice, depending on the specific phone or tablet. That's it! With Google's Pixel products, it's just a single tap. With Samsung's recently Galaxy phones, it's two taps. Devices from other Android manufacturers may vary, so give it a whirl and see what works. And if you aren't having any luck with any manner of tapping, try searching your phone's settings for the word "tap" and then looking for any related results. In some cases, the option may be off by default and needing to be activated before it'll work. 13. Split your screen like a pro Want to view two apps on-screen at the same time? The option for accomplishing that in Android has gotten oddly buried over the years, but you can absolutely bring it back to the surface. First, for the full, typical path to get there: On most current Android devices, you'll head into the Overview area by swiping up about an inch and then stopping, with the current Android gesture system, or by tapping the square-shaped or three-vertical-line button within the legacy three-button nav setup and then tap the icon atop any app's thumbnail to find the screen-splitting option. The exception is an unfolded foldable phone or a tablet running Android 14 or higher. In that scenario, you can conveniently start a screen split either by dragging down on a notification from anywhere in the operating system or by swiping up slowly from the bottom of the screen to reveal Android's new on-demand dock and then dragging any app within it up to either side of your screen. JR Raphael / IDG Viewing two apps on your screen at the same time is delightfully easy with larger devices as of Android 14. No tablet or foldable? No problem. With the right app and a few minutes of configuration, you can create your own custom shortcut for initiating a screen split in practically any way you want. 14. Keep your assistant at your fingertips Need a helping hand? Google's shifted around its shortcuts for summoning Assistant an awful lot over the past several years, but you've still got plenty of ways to keep your friendly neighborhood helper handy. First, as we alluded to a moment ago, nearly all reasonably recent Android devices support Assistant voice activation where you simply say Hey Google to get your Assistant's attention. If that isn't working on your phone or tablet, search your system settings for "Assistant" and look within that section to find the option. Beyond that, anytime you see a Google search bar with a multicolored microphone on your home screen, you can tap that mic to hop right into Assistant. And if you aren't seeing any such search bar, try pressing and holding on an open area of your home screen and selecting the option to add a widget, then looking within the section for the self-named Google app to find it. And finally, if you're using a recent Google-made Pixel product, you can tell your device to fire up Assistant anytime you press and hold your physical power button. Search your system settings for the word "power" and then tap on the "Press & hold power button" to set that up, if it isn't already working the way you want. 15. Control your cursor Got Gboard? If you're using Google's Android keyboard app for your virtual typing and there's a strong argument that you should be slide your finger along the space bar to move your cursor left or right within any text field. (That's just one of Gboard's many useful shortcuts!) 16. Send a friendly rejection Phone calls pshaw! Who has time for 'em anymore? When you get a call you can't or maybe just don't want to answer, look toward the bottom of the screen for a message icon, a "Reply" tile, or a "Send message" or maybe just "Message" option. Either tap the icon or tile or slide your finger up from that area, and you'll be presented with a list of ready-made rejection messages you can send to the caller while simultaneously declining their call. JR Raphael / IDG Reject a call politely and conveniently with a simple tap or swipe. On most devices, you can customize those messages within the Phone app's settings, too. And a bonus tip: If you're using a Google Pixel phone, you can go a step further and actually have your phone answer calls for you and then screen them using a combination of generic and specific questions, spoken by AI to help you decide if you want to answer. 17. End calls with ease When you do talk on your phone, finding the on-screen button to end a call isn't always convenient. But Android actually has an easier way if you know where to find it. Open up the Accessibility section of your system settings, then activate the option labeled "Power button ends call." (On a Samsung phone, you'll first have to select "Interaction and dexterity" and then "Answering and ending calls" to find that option.) Now, when you're ready to say farewell, just tap your phone's power button and bask in your shortcut-aided efficiency. Hungry for more advanced Android time-savers? If you've made it this far, congratulations: You're ready to begin my in-depth Android Shortcut Supercourse. It's a week-long e-course that helps you uncover all sorts of efficiency-enhancing Android magic and it's completely free for you. This story was originally published in October 2017 and most recently updated in January 2024. In an exclusive interview with the Times of India, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu emphasized the need for a Pro-Maldives foreign policy, balancing regional alliances and safeguarding the nations democratic values. The president discussed crucial issues ranging from geopolitical rivalries, maritime cooperation with India, to the presence of foreign military personnel in the Maldives. Geopolitical Dynamics and Proactive Diplomacy President Muizzu acknowledged the Maldives strategic location in the Indian Ocean, emphasizing its significance in global dynamics. He expressed concerns about the potential exploitation of the countrys geopolitical position by external powers. The president underlined the importance of securing Sea Lines of Communication for the stability and prosperity of the Maldives and the wider Indian Ocean region. President Mohamed Muizzu [ File Photo] He highlighted his commitment to avoiding entanglement in geopolitical rivalries, asserting that the Maldives aims to be an active partner in discussions and discourse on Indian Ocean security. President Muizzu stressed the necessity for the country to command respect for its national sovereignty and independence to play a credible role in upholding the rules-based international order. India-Maldives Relations: India First Policy Responding to questions about the role of India in the Maldives development objectives and maritime security, President Muizzu reiterated the historical ties and geographical proximity between the two nations. He emphasized the growing relationship in trade, commerce, investment, and tourism, with India being the top tourist-sending destination to the Maldives in 2023. President Muizzu highlighted the key role India plays in supporting the operational readiness of the Maldives National Defence Force. He assured that defense cooperation is based on mutual respect and trust, asserting that Indias relationship with the Maldives is guided by these principles. Pro-Maldives Foreign Policy and Alleged Pro-China Leanings In response to allegations of being a pro-China leader, President Muizzu clarified that his government would pursue a Pro-Maldives policy. He emphasized aligning national interests with global public interests, focusing on peace, security, and inclusive development. The president rejected the notion of being pro- or anti-any country, stressing the importance of increasing economic and institutional resilience to gain respect in the regional and global political arena. Concerns over Indian Military Presence President Muizzu addressed concerns over the presence of Indian military personnel in the Maldives, stating that the issue is against the democratic will of the Maldivian people. He affirmed his belief in resolving the matter through diplomatic dialogue, expressing confidence in Indias respect for the democratic mandate. The president acknowledged the depth of bilateral relations between the two countries, stating that they can continue without a permanent military presence in the Maldives. He clarified the decision not to renew the agreement for hydrographic surveys by the Indian Navy, stating that the goal was to build national capacity, and assistance would continue to be sought as needed. President Muizzu concluded the interview by expressing optimism about the future of democracy in the Maldives and the resolution of military presence issues through diplomatic channels. The interview sheds light on the delicate balance the Maldives seeks to maintain in its foreign relations amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the region. January 3, 2024: In Ukraine, Russia lost three more of its Su-34 fighter-bombers in December 2023. Since the Su-34 entered service in 2014, about 40 have been lost in combat or accidents. Thats 29 percent of the 140 Su-34s the Russians could afford to purchase. Russian jets have performed poorly over Ukraine during 2022 and 2023, and that revealed that Russian combat aircraft generally have a recent record of poor performance in combat. That led to canceled export orders. This is not a sudden development and has been a problem for a long time. After the Cold War ended in 1991, the Russian government was no longer able to purchase large numbers of combat aircraft. After 1991 many state-owned firms were privatized, and a lot of defense manufacturers disappeared because they had nothing to sell that anyone wanted. Two exceptions were Sukhoi, which manufactured Su aircraft and MiG (Mikoyan and Gurevich) which only had one major product, the MiG-29 fighter, that was considered inferior to similar Sukhoi aircraft. For over twenty years the government has been desperately trying to keep the MiG company viable but failed. Until the Ukraine debacle Sukhoi still seemed viable but now Sukhoi is headed for the same fate as MiG. The MiG-29 dates from the 1980s while Sukhoi has introduced two, the Su-24 and Su-35, in the last decade. Both performed poorly in combat over Ukraine. The Su-34 is a ground support fighter-bomber while Su-35 is an air-superiority fighter. Both have been built in small quantities, about 140 each and depend on export orders to be financially viable. Same with the Su-57 stealth fighter, which is too expensive for the Russian air force and unable to find any export customers. In 2021 Sukhoi introduced a new single engine stealth fighter called Su-75 Checkmate. Sukhoi displayed a mockup of the new single-engine Su-75 stealth fighter, which is apparently the Russian answer to the similar American F-35. Su-75 is being developed by the same team that designed the Su-57, the Russian answer to the American F-22. The Su-57 proved to be a failure as an F-22 competitor. The Su-75 appears to be a desperate move to salvage something from all the money spent on developing the Su-57. The Su-75 wont make its first flight until 2025, if then. There have been several delays in the Su-75 making its first takeoff and test flight. This means it is doubtful that the Su-75 will enter production before the end of the decade. There will be one and two seat versions. The two-seater will be used as a trainer or an electronic warfare aircraft. There were also plans for an unmanned version, without a cockpit, and thus cheaper to build. Russia already has the S-70, a UCAV, or Unmanned Combat Aircraft, in production. This stealthy, delta wing aircraft has already been tested accompanying manned fighters and production is underway. Because of the Ukraine fiasco, it is unlikely that the Su-75 will find any export customers and the Russian air force may not be willing to buy any either. Problems with recent Sukhoi designs are common. An illuminating example of this is the Su-34. In 2020 the Russian Air Force received the last of the 140 Su-34 fighter-bombers they ordered. Deliveries began in 2010 but the Su34 did not officially enter service until 2014. Four years of testing and modifying the aircraft were required to get all essential systems working. By 2014 about 60 Su-34s had been built since the first flight in 1990. Before that, in the 1980s, seven test and pre-production Su-34s had been built. The Su-34 is based on the two-seat trainer version of the Su-27K, an aircraft carrier fighter for aircraft carriers that never got built. In the 1990s the design effort shifted to developing a more complex fighter-bomber to replace the Cold War era Su-24 light bomber. While most nations using Su-24s had retired them by 2014, that was not just because of age, but because they could not afford to operate and maintain them. During the Cold War the Su-24 was the Russian answer to the American F-111 and European Tornado fighter-bombers. Introduced in the mid-1970s, it was a 43-ton swing-wing design with a crew of two and a short range of only about 600 kilometers. Su-24 carried eight tons of bombs and had good fire control and electronics for the time. Some 1,400 were built before production was halted in 1993. Few Su-24s were built after the 1990s so most still in use date from the late 1980s. Su-24s did not age well and many were retired because of that and the lack of upgrade options. Since 2000, over 30 Su-24s have been lost to accidents. This encouraged Russia and export customers to retire most of their Su-24s. In 2008, Russia began building the first production model Su-34 fighter-bombers. The 45-ton Su-34 is deliberately similar to the 36-ton American F-15E. Both are two-seat fighter-bombers but F-15E is a variant of the 31-ton F-15C fighter. By 2015 Russia still had about 300 Su-24s in service and only about 60 Su-34s. The new Su-34s will not arrive quickly enough to replace most of the elderly Su-24s. By 2020 there were still about a hundred Su-24s in the Russian air force and about fifty operational with foreign air forces. The Su-34 has a full set of defensive and offensive sensors like radars, targeting cameras, laser designators and electronic warfare gear. The Su-34 also carries eight tons of missiles and smart bombs. Russia wanted to buy enough Su-34s to replace three-hundred older Su-24s but had to settle for 140. Russia built the first twenty-four Su-34s at a cost of $36 million each, which was less than half the cost of an F-15E. Meanwhile, some of the more recently built Su-24s were upgraded as the Su-24M2 standard. Most of the Su-24s still in service are over 30 years old and many have been grounded several times because of age related problems. The Su-34 was used a lot in Syria after 2015, where the Russians obtained useful data on how the new aircraft performed in a combat zone. Some have also shown up in Libya. In both these combat zones it was confirmed that the Su-34 was easier to maintain than the Su-24, in part because it does not use the swing-wing feature and does have modern engines and electronics that are designed and built to be more reliable and maintainable. There have been no export customers yet, in part because modern fighters can be equipped to carry out most of the tasks the Su-34 and F-15E perform. Moreover, the F-15E is still more fighter than bomber while the Su-34 is basically a well-equipped light bomber. While the Su-34 saw lots of use in combat zones, it did not have to face modern air defense systems, especially hostile jet fighters. That changed in Ukraine where the Su-34 suffered heavy losses and was often unable to operate because of enemy air defenses, or because it was too difficult for the Russian air force to adequately maintain the Su-34s. After a few months Russia decided to use its combat aircraft mainly to launch air-to-ground missiles while still flying in Russia. This was because Russia had few combat aircraft to begin with and was unable to buy or even build replacements because of sanctions. Problems with the effectiveness and reliability of Russian warplanes is nothing new but the problems got worse as the Cold War continued and the decline didnt stop with the Cold War ended. Export customers began to realize that the cheaper Russian warplanes were no bargain compared to more effective and reliable Western designs. Some of those Western designs are now coming from China, which was long a customer for Russian warplanes. That is no longer the case as China found it could build better versions of useful Russian fighters. These designs often copied the Russian originals too much and the Russians threatened repercussions, especially if China sought to export their upgraded Sukhois. In the last decade China has turned to Western designs, often using tech plundered from the Western manufacturers. January 4, 2024: Russia believed 2023 would be the year they expanded their armed forces. Heavy losses in Ukraine and the impact of that information on the Russian people, especially military-age men, derailed the expansion plans. Early in 2023 Russia increased the legal maximum number of its active-duty military personnel from 1,013,628 to 1,150,628. It was believed unlikely that this number would ever be reached. At the end of 2021, months before the invasion of Ukraine, Russian ground forces had about 400,000 men while the navy and air force each had about 150,000. About a third of air force personnel were paratroopers or air-mobile infantry. The navy had about 12,000 marines, who guarded naval bases in peacetime. That means the heavy Russian losses since the invasion began, and failure to mobilize many replacements, reduced the Russian army to about 250,000 personnel (less than a third of the Ukrainian Army). The airborne forces and marines also suffered heavy losses but more of them are still in service. Heavy combat losses reduced the personnel strength so sharply because the Russian army has major recruiting and training problems, plus far fewer soldiers providing logistic and transportation services. The latter are provided by government or private contractors to assemble and move supplies close to the combat zone, where military trucks and drivers move the supplies to army maintained collection points or the combat units. This works inside Russia where the state-controlled railroads are equipped for operation by civilians who are trained to provide such support to the military. For a major war against Russia, civilian trucks and drivers are mobilized to serve military needs. Such a mobilization disrupts the economy but that is seen as necessary t0 defend Russia. This is why the Ukrainian invasion was not called a war but an internal operation in what Russia declared was Russian territory controlled by rebels. Russia did not expect the Ukrainians massive resistance or their destruction of so many Russian trucks and supply collection points. This dramatically weakened Russian supply capabilities inside Ukraine, especially after Ukraine received American guided GMLRS rockets that hit Russian supply depots because of information supplied by Ukrainians on the ground or NATO supplied aerial and satellite surveillance. Russian forces inside Ukraine are chronically short of ammunition, food, fuel and much else because of these Ukrainian attacks. Resort to looting civilian supplies in occupied areas only partially replaces the supplies destroyed in transit or stored inside Ukraine. Russian armed forces were supposed to have over a million men, but that goal has never been met and at the end of 2021 the total was about 750,000. By the end of 2022 it was about 400,000, including the air force and navy. Mobilizations of new conscripts and men who had served as conscripts for one year failed to replace all the losses, in part because the mobilized men knew that the war in Ukraine was not going well, and most men sent there had little training, equipment or leadership. Most of the junior officers were killed or disabled during the first months of the war and replacements take months to train adequately, so new recruits get only a few weeks of training at best. Peacetime officer training takes years and now there is a shortage of trainers for troops and officers because most of the existing ones were sent to Ukraine as replacements for the catastrophic losses the Ukrainians were inflicting. Ukraine had 250,000 active-duty troops in early 2022 and within months had half a million more in the form of volunteers and conscripts. Normally Ukrainian troops receive a lot more training than their Russian counterparts but in the first months of the war plenty of untrained Ukrainians were used to halt the invasion. Since then, Ukrainian troops received more training and are now led by effective officers and NCOs in combat. Ukrainian troops dont suffer from supply shortages and suffer absolutely and relatively fewer casualties than the Russians. Russian dead, missing and wounded too severely for further service are at least six times those of Ukraines, while the Russian population only outnumbers Ukraines by 3.5 to one. If this is a war of demographic attrition, Russia is losing. Since the invasion began in February 2022 Russia has suffered enormous losses in terms of combat personnel, military equipment and the reputation for quality, reliability and effectiveness of Russian weapons and military personnel. Even the Ukrainians were surprised at how unprepared the invaders were for combat and dealing with Ukrainian superiority in weapons, which were often Western and superior in performance to Russian models. Ukrainian troops were commanded by Ukrainian officers and NCOs using tactics that emphasized minimizing Ukrainian losses and maximizing Russian casualties. Russias leadership, especially supreme leader Vladimir Putin, was delusional about the continuing lack of military progress in Ukraine. Even Russians who thought restoring independent, since 1991, Ukraine to Russian control was a good thing and worth fighting for, began losing confidence in Putins ability to make that happen. Each time failure in Ukraine became obvious, Putin would come up with a new reason why Russia was winning, and each of these was soon shown to be false. Putin now believes he can eventually prevail because of disagreements among NATO members about whether or how Ukraine can win against the Russian invaders. NATO members agree about Russias inability to win in Ukraine but many politicians in some of the larger, and more distant from the fighting NATO nations like the United States, Germany, France, and Italy, openly doubt Ukraines ability to regain control of lost territory. Putin supports this attitude by continuing to threaten use of nuclear weapons if Russia is faced with losing all its seized territory in Ukraine. Such a move is also unpopular in Russia and one of the growing number of reasons Russians are losing faith in Putin's promises that Russia will win in Ukraine. Many Russians now openly oppose the war even though Putin quickly created laws to make such public dissent illegal. The failure of such laws soon became obvious in many ways. First, there are a growing number of anti-war demonstrations and physical attacks on military facilities, especially recruiting stations. Refusing to report when conscripted became more common. Another form of defiance is veterans of the Ukraine fighting providing details, based on personal experience, of why Russian forces are failing. Many of these veterans are no longer in the military because they refused to renew their contracts. Many more soldiers remained in the army but refused to return to Ukraine and got away with it. Putin ordered that these soldiers be officially described, in their military records and military ID, as unreliable and unwilling to fight. In any other country a soldier who refuses to fight during wartime is subject to severe punishment, often execution. That still happens to reluctant Russian soldiers inside Ukraine where officers have the authority to shoot reluctant troops. Initially, as Russian casualties grew and progress was nonexistent, some officers did shoot troops refusing to fight. That soon changed as the troops threatened to and sometimes did shoot back or, in at least one known case, ran over an officer with a tank. Not to mention them sometimes shooting undesirable officers first. Ukrainian forces have provided additional confirmation of this violence and collapsing morale within Russian units. Many Russian troops will surrender to the Ukrainians at the first opportunity and admit it to Ukrainian, Russian, and foreign journalists. This prompted Ukraine to equip some of its quadcopters to notify and lead surrendering Russian troops safely to Ukrainian front-line forces. The number of Russian military personnel is declining because of combat losses and veterans refusing to stay in, even though being a contract (volunteer) soldier is one of the few jobs Russians can get because of high unemployment rates caused by Western economic sanctions. Russian ground forces have been taking more casualties than could be replaced for the entire duration of the war and are now far outnumbered by Ukrainian ground forces, plus Ukrainian recruits now get adequate training by World War Two American and British standards (2-4 months), while Russian recruits get only 1-3 weeks. Russia responded by lowering recruiting standards and accepting recruits or conscripts with physical, mental, legal, or psychological problems that would normally make them ineligible for military service. Russia has also dropped age limits for volunteers and is willing to accept non-Russians as long as they can speak some Russian and are willing to fight. These efforts are not producing enough new troops to be immediately useful because most of them have no military training and at least two months are required to produce useful troops for combat. Conscripts require less training and are generally used only for support operations outside Ukraine during their one year in uniform because of well-justified official fear that the newly conscripted will refuse to show up for duty at all if they are forced to fight and die in Ukraine like the contract soldiers. Attempts to involuntarily extend the period of service of contract soldiers resulted in them deserting in such large numbers that the government ceased trying. This is because the post-communist Russian government does not have the coercive enforcement power over the population of the old Soviet Union. After a year of fighting, Ukrainians ran short of artillery ammunition, so they used their mobile artillery only for counterbattery, which is firing on Russian artillery. The Russians initially used artillery ammo at an unsustainable level and, as the Ukrainians receive more artillery ammo from NATO, Russias artillery superiority faded. Vladimir Putin knew his artillery munition reserves could not sustain a long war and now it is the Ukrainians who have more munitions because of massive shipments from NATO nations. Russian plans include increasing the number of volunteer contract troops who are paid more than conscripts and serve longer. The government claimed it would have 521,000 contracti by the end of 2023 and 695,000 a year or two after that. That was optimistic considering the number of existing contract troops who are not renewing their contracts. There is no information from Russia about how so many new conscripts or contract troops will be obtained to increase the size of the armed forces to 1.15 million. Russia may extend conscription service from one to two years and keep existing troops in uniform longer because of the war. That is not popular with most Russians, which is how that attitude forced the government to reduce conscript service to one year in the first place. By late 2023, Russian offensive operations in Ukraine were feeble and ineffective. Low morale, little training and poor leadership were the reasons for this, so the Russian government is allegedly seeking to build up a well-trained force of infantry back in Russia to resume the offensive in 2024. This quite sensible idea by Russian military leaders was defeated in 2023 by Putins insistence on politically motivated suicidal attacks so it is unlikely to happen. Russia needs some effective troops inside Ukraine if Putin really wants to prolong the fighting for as long as it takes the West to lose interest in supporting Ukraine. January 4, 2024: North Korea continues to pass and enforce laws against those who adopt South Korean fashions, clothing, and mannerisms. North Koreans defy their government with this behavior. To make matters worse, fewer North Koreans are getting married and having children. There is a different problem in affluent South Korea. Over the last few years, the number of missing conscripts has become obvious, and the solution was not to send a lot of officers in charge of conscription to labor camps, but to try and pressure recent high school graduates and those who had recently completed their ten years of active and reserve service to voluntarily enlist or reenlist. Birth rates have been declining for years and so has the population of military-age men. Those already in the military are bribing their way out or simply deserting. The calls for voluntary enlistments have largely been ignored. The North Korean armed forces have lots of other, and older, problems. While nearly every adult male serves at least six years in the military, the big problem is that years of economic problems and failed harvests have left the troops poorly equipped, often hungry, and increasingly insubordinate. With most of the best educated troops bribing their way into any job but one in a combat unit, it is increasingly doubtful if the North Korean combat forces could get very far during an invasion of South Korea, or retreat fast enough if the South invades the North. North Korea also has problems with the birth rate, which is currently 1.8 and below the population replacement rate of 2.1. South Korea has a similar problem because prosperous populations tend to have fewer children because there are so many other activities the women can engage in. Raising children is a lot of work and given a choice, a lot of couples choose not to have kids. This is a 21st Century problem for Korea. After the Korean War ended in 1953, both Koreas experienced population booms. That eventually ended in South Korea because of growing affluence while in the north it was privation and despair that did the job. That privation gets worse in North Korea during the winter because many rural areas have destroyed their forests to obtain firewood. In the south, fuel for heating is not a problem and there have been decades of reforestation efforts to restore the forests in rural areas. In the north the shortage of firewood or the growing number of people who cannot afford to purchase it, means a lot of unheated or under-heated dwellings. This has led to more illnesses among children and North Korea may have fewer and fewer soldiers but there are still lots of weapons and munitions. Both are being sold to Russia for use in the Ukraine War. Russia apparently pays for much of this via barter. North Korea is sent food in the form of grain or packaged goods. In addition, Russia sends needed petroleum products and natural gas. This form of trade has been going on for over a year. This has led to North Korean arms factories increasing production to sell more to Russia and replace the munitions reserves originally sent to Russia. North Korea has also exported more workers to Russia, to replace Russian men taken from their jobs by army recruiters. Details on this trade with Russia are officially classified as top secret. Few North Koreans try to conceal all this activity, in part because it is so extensive and visible to locals as well as foreigners with surveillance satellites. Despite this, North Korean security forces have orders to pursue and arrest those suspected of discussing this trade activity with unauthorized personnel. This is a problem because few North Koreans are authorized to know about this very public trade activity. The government soon discovered that it had a problem with the large number of North Koreans that are, technically, guilty of witnessing this very public and visible activity. To an outsider this must appear bizarre, and it is. Most North Koreans agree but it is typical government behavior. North Koreans adapt as best they can. State Security officials believe this overemphasis on security makes it difficult, if not impossible, to guard important secrets. This includes details on where leader Kim Jong Un is and the location of his many residences. Any details about the North Korean military are also secret, mainly because they reveal how demoralized, disorganized, and poorly equipped the military is. This force would have a difficult time protecting North Korea from attack, much less trying to invade South Korea. The North Korean government continues to make noise about impending war with South Korea and the United States. These threats have been heard in the north for so long that the government has to find ways to enhance these threats, so they rise above the level of background noise. Thats hard to do after so many decades of this threat-mongering. Currently South Korea and the United States are cooperating by openly discussing plans for eliminating North Korean leaders and revealing military plans to carry out decapitation missions inside North Korea that would kill Kim Jong Un and other senior North Korean officials. South Korea and the U.S. are concerned about the growing threats from North Korea about attacking South Korea. The North Korean preparations are more detailed and visible than ever before. In the past the north used these threats as a form of propaganda, not as part of serious preparations for war. Over the last few decades, the South Korea military has become stronger in terms of weapons, most of them produced in South Korea, as well as capabilities. The South Korean military is more capable than ever before of quickly and effectively attacking North Korea or retaliating against a North Korea attack. North Korea is aware of this and feels better able to deal with South Korea, the Americans or China because of their closer economic and military relationships with Russia. This attitude is somewhat delusional because Russia is not very powerful economically or militarily compared to the United States or China, the two largest economies on the planet. China and the United States have their differences but are willing and able to cooperate if they have to. Between them they comprise about half the planetary economy and what these two nations agree to do economically defines what the rest of the world can do. Marlene Kennedy is a freelance columnist. Opinions expressed in her column are her own and not necessarily the newspapers. Reach her at marlenejkennedy@gmail.com. AMSTERDAM A beauty supply store and a restaurant each plan to open their doors in Amsterdams downtown sometime early this year. The city Planning Commission last week swiftly approved the respective site plans for Weldon Beauty and Annie Ds Grill. Im psyched, board member Sonnet Gravina said. Tamieria Champaigen-Weldon, of Amsterdam, plans to open Weldon Beauty in a vacant retail space at 45 Main St. next door to the New Paris Shop. It will complement the dress shop, Champaigen-Weldon said. We will sell a little bit of everything. Weldon Beauty will carry cosmetics, hair supplies, nail care, accessories and more. Specialty items such as wigs, toupees and hair extensions will also be among the available products. The shop will offer customers a local retailer where they can view products in-person before buying, or where they can quickly pick up products. Buying lipstick online is tricky. On your computer it looks like red, but when you get it, its pink, Champaigen-Weldon said. Sourcing American-made goods manufactured ethically and sustainably will be a priority for the shop that will carry a more diverse range of product lines than chain stores in the area, she added. I can contract a little more openly, because Im independent, Champaigen-Weldon said. The city native is already familiar with health and beauty products which she sells through her existing business, Weldon Inn. Weldon Inn offers a wide variety of goods sold mostly online with a brick and mortar general store at the Amsterdam Clock Tower. This will give you way more exposure and its good for down there, Planning Commission member Kathy Peluso said of Weldon Beauty. The beauty supply store will carry a broad range of products for everyday use and professional grade items as well. Champaigen-Weldon is already reaching out to area salons regarding their specific needs in order to serve as a local supplier. And we dont want to forget the men, Champaigen-Weldon said. I have everyone covered. Weldon Beauty is expected to open in the coming weeks with tentative hours Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Just across the road, DAndre Jones, of Cohoes, plans to open Annie Ds Grill in a vacant restaurant space at 38 Main St. I see Amsterdam is in a little up-climb, Jones said, and I want to be a part of it. A daily lunch buffet for dine-in or takeout service will provide locals a quick and convenient midday option before a dinner menu is offered in the afternoon. Im trying to bring a little bit to Amsterdam, something that Ive seen has been missing, Jones said. The restaurant will likely feature Italian and Hispanic cuisine. There are no plans to seek a liquor license. Although he has experience owning businesses and cooking, Jones said this will be his first restaurant, so he plans to bring a chef on board. The existing restaurant space will be reused with the addition of several televisions for patrons to enjoy alongside their meals. Its basically ready to go how it is, Jones said. Annie Ds Grill is expected to open within the next few months with tentative hours Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. January 2, 2024: At the end of 2023 there was another unexpected uprising against the Myanmar (Burma) military government. This began in the north, where tribal militias have been fighting the army for decades. That wore down the resolve and morale of the army. Many of the army generals were surprised at how suddenly and quickly the troops in the north lost their will to fight and either deserted or joined the rebels. These attitudes spread quickly. In the capital, Naypyidaw, radio, and telephone calls from army units grew increasingly desperate. Many of the calls were for air support, by armed helicopters or fixed wing aircraft. The Myanmar Air Force had few attack aircraft, and most were Chinese or Russian jet fighters, many with pilots who were now unwilling to carry out attacks on civilians, even if they were armed rebels. There was much anger over the many airstrikes the government had ordered against armed rebels and unarmed civilians. The military government was weakened by sanctions and was unable to pay the troops on time or at all. This was one reason over 15,000 soldiers deserted, many of them joining the rebels. This mess was the aftereffect of yet another military coup in early 2021, a decade after the military government, which had been in power since 1962 finally gave in to demands for freedom and democracy. This happened because by 2010 the army was desperate because the generals had failed at running the economy or dealing with the rebellious northern tribes. The military negotiated a deal with the democrats that left the military with some of their political power as well as immunity from prosecution or retribution for a long list of past crimes. Once elections were held, the generals realized they had underestimated the degree of popular anger at the decades of military misrule. After 2011, with Burma governed by a government answerable to the people, not a military caste, there were calls for canceling the political privileges the military had retained as part of their agreement to allow peaceful transfer of power. The late 2020 nationwide elections put into power a government that finally had the votes, and determination, to cut the military down to size and make them much less capable of another coup. The generals moved faster than the new government and once more took control of the country in early 2021. The generals found that it was not as easy as the early 1960s. This time there was much less compliance and a lot more defiance. In fact, most Burmese acted the way they voted, despite the greater firepower and, so far, resolve of the generals. The army has trashed the economy and put more and more Burmese out of work and without access to food, the Internet, or the banking system. The resistance not only continued, but it also kept increasing in numbers of armed rebels and the unwillingness of soldiers to make war once more on their own people. The generals had another potential problem; they had become more dependent on their Chinese business partners. The Chinese were not only partners-in-crime with the generals, but they were also the source of cash for the generals and more weapons for the army. The generals considered the Chinese connection the vital key to victory, or fatal flaw in the coup plan. It all depended on how much Burmese are willing to resist China. This is important in many ways and the result of regional changes that have taken place over the last few centuries. In mid-2021 the military declared themselves the provisional government. There were vague assurances of new elections, but few voters believed the voting would be free and fair. China promptly recognized the provisional government and just called it the government. Meanwhile the supporters of the ousted government organized themselves as the NUG, or National Unity Government and sought to gain foreign support, while also avoiding capture or death by the military. Many Burmese diplomats outside the country at the time of the coup continued to support the elected government. Some Western countries reported that the Burmese military was seeking to kidnap or kill these rogue diplomats. Not to be outdone, in the north one of the tribal militias offered $3,000 to any Burmese soldiers who defected with his weapon, and safe passage out of the country. The military has refused to negotiate and refused UN offers to mediate negotiations. Unlike 2010, this time the military sees their situation as do or die. Too many Burmese now want the military leaders dead or in prison. The Burmese avoided civil war for decades after the 1962 coup and everyone seems to believe this was not the correct way to go about it. Now the Burmese have to see what, if any, military assistance they can obtain from foreign supporters. The rebels up north obtained weapons from the army. Thousands of soldiers deserted with their weapons and some of these men knew where the army had stockpiled weapons and ammunition. Army officers usually remained loyal to the generals, but they were outnumbered and often killed by the rebels or their own men. Within a few weeks, most military units in the north had disappeared because of desertions rather than attacks by the rebels. Burma was until 1948 part of the British colonial holdings in South Asia and one of the last additions. In 1885 Britain took control of what is now Burma after nearly a century of commercial and territorial conflicts between the expanding Burmese monarchy and the British East India Company, the economic engine that powered the effort to form what would, for about a century, become the largest component of the British colonial empire. Burma was a unique addition to the empire as it was the first large possession whose population was East Asian (Han) while the rest of India was Indo-European. The majority of Burmese were descendants of Han tribes that had migrated, at least three thousand years ago, from what is now southern China. About the same time the Central Asian nomads who became dominant in western Eurasia, poured into India, and kept going for centuries until they dominated their less aggressive but culturally and economically advanced predecessors. Same thing happened in south-east Asia but for several reasons the expansions halted in Burma, northeast India, Tibet and into Central Asia. The Indo-European Indians were far more culturally and technologically advanced than their European cousins. Indians were very active traders, mainly by sea across the Indian Ocean. When the Europeans began their Age of Exploration in the 1400s, once they reached East Africa and the Persian Gulf, they encountered Indian traders who had already been there for over a thousand years. The British did not come to South Asia to build an empire but to trade. Empire-building was a side effect of trade disputes. The South Asian British colonial rule only lasted for about two centuries and it ended when the British realized they were losing a lot of money maintaining it. Burma, like India, had been a collection of feuding kingdoms when the British arrived. Modern Burma long consisted of southern Burma, where the ethnic Burmese (Burans) dominated. In the north, as in northeast India, there was an even larger and more diverse collection of tribes that had long maintained their independence. The British persuaded the tribes to become part of the new democratic Burma. A similar collection of tribes in northeast India made a similar deal. Many of the tribal peoples were not happy with the new central government and that produced over seventy years of rebellion and unrest. Democratic India eventually negotiated new peace deals with the separatists among the tribes. The 1948 democratic Burma tried to do the same but continued resistance of the tribes contributed to the longest-lasting military government in South Asia. There was another element to this. Most Burmese noted that India never had a coup and Moslem Pakistan, at least West Pakistan, suffered a lot of coups and had their first one before Burma did. Also noted was that the coups in Pakistan led to Pakistan falling apart. In 1970 an uprising in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, demanded a separate state and West Pakistan, which became just Pakistan, was unable to prevent it. Since then, Bangladesh, emulating India, adopted a coup resistant government that worked. Pakistan continues to be threatened by its own military, which now exercises its political power without taking over the government. The generals in Pakistan and Burma have one thing in common, they established government and personal economic ties with China. It is these business relationships with China that give the generals independent of their own government economic power and the ability to coerce an elected government into obeying the military, and not the other way around. Applying this in Burma is proving more difficult than in Pakistan, where the Chinese investments came after the Pakistan military had already carried out several successful coups but were always forced to eventually back off and allow elections to return. But now, thanks in part to Chinese assistance, the Pakistani military can control the government without being the government. The success of the Chinese economic conquest approach is not assured in Pakistan and is even less of a sure thing in Burma. As long as the generals can find enough money to pay most of their troops, they can maintain their power. But, as the Pakistani generals have discovered, there are limitations to this approach. You must be able to intimidate your population, not go to war with them because that would risk escalation or foreign intervention. Thats what happened in Pakistan during the 1971 civil war. When troops from West Pakistan started killing rebellious civilians in a big way, neighboring India was outraged and soon intervened. This forced the Pakistani forces in East Pakistan to surrender and allowed the formation of Bangladesh. The Burmese Army tried to keep the death toll down. Six months after the 2021 coup only about a thousand civilians had died and very few soldiers were killed. The generals are under pressure to pay close attention to troop morale and realized that another boost in soldier pay would not be enough to maintain loyalty in a force where most troops belong to extended families with many members who are not in the military and more of them are being shot at by the military. The Chinese realize that if the Burmese can avoid open warfare with an increasingly angry population, the generals could prevail. More Burmese are obtaining weapons and using them, and the generals have a hard time portraying dead or wounded soldiers as Myanmar Martyrs. None of Burmas neighbors are eager and ready to invade, as India did in 1971 Bangladesh. Bangladesh consists of a Moslem Bengali population. Most Bengalese were Moslem, which is why you had East Pakistan from 1948 to 1970. But a third of Bengalis were Hindu, including a few Christians. In 1970, not all Moslem Bengalis lived in East, or West Pakistan. The massacre of Bengalis in East Pakistan generated a lot of Indian support for intervention. There are often times when ethnicity trumps religions. Such is not the case in Burma, where the Buran group, while possessing ancient ethnic connections with the Han in China, now consider themselves, like the Han-related majorities in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam as very distinct and want as little to do with China as possible. This is a common pattern on all the current borders of China, where Han who wanted no part of a Chinese empire are still struggling to escape Han domination. In Burma the 2021 coup was another expression of Han hostility. The continued resistance developed an armed component within 90 days. The CDM or Civil Disobedience Movement was mainly about organizing peaceful protests but as more civilians were shot, some CDM factions began shooting back. Worse, there were organized attacks as well. This began in April when someone fired five rockets at the Shante Air Force base outside the city of Mandalay. The rockets caused no damage or injuries and were believed aimed at the Chinese CH-3A UAVs that were delivered in 2015 and used mainly to keep an eye on tribal rebels in the north. After the coup the army asked China for assistance in using all the manned and unmanned aircraft and helicopters China and Russia has sold to Burma in the last decade. The military had imported $2.5 billion worth of military gear since 2010. China provided 58 percent of it and Russia 33 percent. Now these weapons were being used against the nationwide uprising. China is something of an expert on this as it is installing a Big Brother level surveillance in China and is willing to export that tech. An elected Burmese government would never divert the huge sums required to purchase and install Chinese Big Brother levels of surveillance. The Burmese military is another matter, especially when it has taken over the government again. At the moment the military is in charge and China sees another major export sale looming. Better surveillance capabilities will provide immediate help to suppress the rebels. China faces huge economic losses if the current miitary government loses. China is a major foreign investor in Burma and those projects often displace Burmese illegally and without compensation. Most of this misbehavior occurred in the northern border areas where hostile tribes live. These tribes tend to have armed militias that have been fighting the military for over sixty years. Chinese investments gave the tribal rebels more targets for unarmed protests and armed attacks. China will do whatever it can to protect those investments, which include oil and natural gas pipelines from southern China to the northeast Burma coast. The pipelines have come under increasing attacks. The first thing the new military government did after the 2021 coup was assure China that Chinese assets would be protected. China promptly used their veto powers in the UN to block UN actions against the new military rulers of Burma. Soon Russia also proclaimed support for the military government. The response of the military was not unexpected, because the civilian government knew that the Burmese generals maintained their connections in China. The Burmese Army has long been at the center of most illegal economic activity. Some estimates indicate that at least $20 billion has been illegally moved out of Burma during the fifty years of military rule. Almost all of that involved military personnel or their gangster and commercial allies. Military families still control a lot of the economy and most of the wealthy families in Burma have a military connection. The illegal cash leaving amounted on average to about six percent of GDP. The military may have surrendered much of their political power in 2010, but they held on to their considerable personal wealth. The Burmese military is comfortable with a cozy relationship with China and Russia, but most Burmese are not. This has led to Chinese businesses being attacked since the coup and a few have been set on fire. The military was forced to assign more troops and hire some armed guards to protect the Chinese businesses. The alliance of separatist northern tribes, which reached a peace agreement with the elected government in 2016, refused to recognize or cooperate with the military government. Burmese military leaders were surprised at the extent and duration of mass protests during the last six months. Despite most of the economy being crippled, the military still has income because during their decades of rule they came to control many businesses and some of those were joint ventures with China. A lot of Chinese firms pay the Burmese military directly for joint ventures. This provides the military with over a billion dollars a year, assuming the Chinese operations can keep functioning. Burmese army officers made a lot of money allowing China to do business in the tribal north, often at the expense of local civilians, most of them tribal people. After the return of democracy in 2011, China no longer had as much freedom in the north. Russia is of little help economically but is one of the few nations supporting the military government. China is in uncharted territory here but is mainly risking money, not a lot of Chinese lives. The Chinese see this as an opportunity to see how far this new version of conquest by aggression can go. This is an important experiment because it is a new version of the tactics the Europeans, especially the British, used centuries ago to replace Chinese dominance of East Asia. One thing the current Burmese conflict is unlikely to change is the dominance of the government by ethnic Burmese (Burman) people at the expense of the third of the population consisting of minorities. The army always played on this during the decades after the 1962 coup. Even after elections were resumed the army still had allies in the form of militant Buddhist nationalists. Another thing that unites and divides the country is religion. Some 80 percent of Burmese are Buddhists, including many of the rebellious tribes in the north. A third of the non-Buddhists are Christians, mainly in the tribal north and about 30 percent are Hindu. The ethnic Burmese are most hostile towards Moslems, who make up only about four percent of the population and less than ten percent of the minorities. Until 2012 about half the Moslems were ethnic Bengalis (Rohingya) who until the 1980s were considered Burmese citizens. That changed after an elected government took power in 2011 and since 2012 nearly a quarter of the million Rohingya are believed to have fled Burma to escape the growing violence of radical Buddhist Burmese nationalists. China assures the Burmese generals that they have proven solutions for all these problems. MBABANE Mr Eswatini, Miss Eswatini and Miss Cultural Heritage will be going to international competitions this year. This was revealed by Pageants Eswatini President Musa Mantinto during an interview with this publication. Mantinto mentioned that they are confident that all the pageant winners will compete abroad this year. This year we are looking to have the current Miss Eswatini, Mr Eswatini and Miss Cultural Heritage compete on international stages. Today we will be opening our offices where we will be establishing a plan on how all these aspirations will come to life, Mantinto said. The current Miss Eswatini is Tania Nunn and she is the 12th queen to be crowned in this pageant. Sive Mawelela is the current title holder of Mr Eswatini, after being crowned last year in December alongside Msimisi Dlamini and Gary Taruvingira. Interview When it comes to Miss Cultural Heritage, Melinda Mavuso is the current reigning queen. During the interview with this publication, the president also revealed that they will be making a few changes to the Miss Eswatini pageant competition. We will be restructuring Miss Eswatini this year. We might recall last years group to continue the competition or we might just start afresh the whole competition, he said. Worth mentioning is that the Miss Eswatini pageant competition ended up being cancelled last year. The Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC) CEO, Stanley Dlamini, highlighted last year how the council was currently in search of a Miss Eswatini pageant director who will run the competition. According to Dlamini, this role needS a person who has a good history when it came to pageants, their experience would be an added advantage. It also has to be someone who knows the culture of the country because when you are selling a beauty brand, you sell it within the space of Swati culture. Those who are also in the beauty industry as well as designers, are the people we are also interested in. We are not saying that a person should have all these things, they can just have either of these they can submit their proposals to our offices which are currently operational in all the regions of the country. With the benefit of hindsight would the King have agreed to include Prince Andrew in the Royal Family's Christmas parade at Sandringham? At the time this fraternal decision seemed a typically Christian one from Charles. Ten days later as toxic new revelations about the Duke of York's sleazy behaviour emerge from unsealed court documents in New York, the gesture seems not just astounding but possibly unwise. What is all the more baffling is that the royals cannot hide behind the suggestion that they did not know quite how bad the allegations were going to be. The prospect of more sensational claims from the long fall-out from the unsavoury Jeffrey Epstein affair coming to light, had been telegraphed for weeks. Andrew himself had been braced for a fresh round of claims for some time and although outwardly bullish in the face of the accusations which include groping a young woman's breast and taking part in an underage orgy, he has been crushed by the never-ending stories. As one friend of the Duke said: 'These are not new and are, as they have been in the past, emphatically denied.' Perhaps the more damaging aspect of the latest disclosures is the growing realisation that Andrew, 64 next month, will never escape the tentacles of this grubby saga. And while his own lingering hopes of rehabilitating his public reputation are surely finally over, the issue for the royals is one of containment. Prince Andrew and King Charles III speak following a vigil in memory of Queen Elizabeth II at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh in September 2022 The then-Prince Charles and Prince Andrew share a word from the balcony of Buckingham Palace while their mother Queen Elizabeth II looks on during Trooping The Colour in 2019 Prince Andrew accompanies his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, to the Service of Thanksgiving for Prince Philip in March 2022 By embracing Andrew as they so overtly did last week, there was always a risk that it could backfire. Friends of the King insist he did not invite his brother to the public element of the Sandringham festivities the walk to church for the Christmas service blindly. 'It would have been easier to have asked him to stay away,' said one. 'But if the message of Christmas is anything, it is about family and togetherness. That's also why he extended the invitation to Fergie as well.' Another figure says that Charles may have been encouraged to act as he did precisely because he knew what was coming and wanted to throw a protective arm around his brother. 'He has seen for himself the diminishing effect the allegations have had on the Duke over the years, what they have done to his personality and his confidence,' the figure said. 'He is not going to banish his brother; he feels a responsibility for him.' It was this concern for his mental wellbeing and how tormented he has been that encouraged the King to include Fergie as a thank-you for standing by Andrew. It is also understood that Charles had assured the late Queen that he would look after Andrew. According to one insider it was because of his affection for his brother that the King ventured the idea that he might want to move from Royal Lodge, his vast mansion at Windsor with its costly upkeep, into something smaller and more manageable. 'He thought it might give him something less to worry about,' the insider said. Stubbornly Andrew refused. But it has become a touch stone issue and one, which the Mail reveals today, the King is determined to solve. Grand Royal Lodge, once a monarch's home, with its 30 rooms and 98 acres has come to be seen as the apogee of the crisis engulfing the Royal Family. Courtiers were always uncomfortable that a property with such an impressive lineage should be occupied by a figure disgraced in public eyes, but family members were more supportive. Besides, simply evicting Andrew has not been straightforward. 'Forcing the Duke to give it up, however well-intentioned, would be seen as the King punishing his brother for something he insists he is innocent of,' says a friend of Andrew. 'And anyway he has a lease.' All the same it is undoubtedly part of the 'Andrew problem'. So where on earth does Andrew go from here? Even before yesterday's claims, and with no prospect of ever returning to official duties that involve any kind of public role, his image was already in the gutter. It is also hard to see what further sanctions could be taken by the royals against the Prince. He has already lost his private office, his cherished military titles and does not use his HRH style. It is four long years since he last carried out official formal duties and it is highly unlikely that he will ever again climb into the ermine trimmed robes of a Garter Knight or appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. King Charles and Queen Camilla lead the royal family out of the gates of the church at Sandringham following the Christmas Day service Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, arriving at St Mary Magdalene Church on Sandringham Estate on Christmas Day Andrew (right) alongside Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, following the Christmas morning service at Sandringham Royal sources say the invitation was extended to Andrew because Christmas is 'about family and togetherness' For decades the Prince loftily appeared to observe that his royal birth had earned him the right to a life of entitlement. The tragedy of it is that he could have been a life-long royal hero. During the Falklands War he piloted a helicopter with great courage as a decoy to lure Argentine Exocet missiles away from the British fleet. When he came home and jumped ashore with a rose clamped between his teeth his status seemed assured. But when the Navy career along with his marriage ended he slid into another kind of life, one where money and shady businessmen dominated. His ten years as the UK's special representative for trade and industry which also ended amid questionable allegations, was just the beginning. Diplomats noticed that he was using the role as a means of 'ploughing his own furrow'. As one former envoy once said , everyone was 'reluctant to point this out for fear of putting their own careers on the line'. There were also questions about how much he might have pocketed from his Dragons'-Den style charity for young entrepreneurs Pitch@Palace with which he is still involved and through which he reportedly sees a possible route back to public life. As for Andrew's personal diplomacy, even WikiLeaks revealed that a U.S. ambassador described the Prince in his trade role as 'cocky' and 'rude'. But it was the company Andrew kept that was the most troubling aspect of his decade as an unpaid ambassador for Britain. His friendship with the family of the murderous Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi strayed well over the official line expected at a time when the aged dictator was forming alliances with the West. One of his new friends at this time was Saif, Gaddafi's son, who was studying and being honoured with a phony degree at the London School of Economics. 'He and Saif became incredibly close,' recalled a mutual friend. 'They had fun together. Andrew could open doors with his royal status and Saif could open other doors with his family's money.' On his many trips to Libya and on visits to other capitals and states around the world, the Duke never let his royal status drop. He travelled with a team of six, including equerries, private secretaries and protection officers, as well as a valet bringing his own 6ft-long ironing board to ensure the Prince's trousers were pressed as he liked. But the real catastrophe was his ill-judged friendship with Epstein who killed himself while in custody awaiting trial on federal charges of sex trafficking four years ago. If Andrew hoped settling his multi-million-dollar civil case with Epstein's former 'sex slave' Virginia Giuffre two years ago (with money provided by the late Queen) would bring the sordid saga to an end, he has been cruelly disappointed. As well as being accused of 'acts of sexual abuse', documents released in New York on Wednesday night claimed Andrew called Epstein weekly and jetted to his private Caribbean retreat, nicknamed the 'Island of Sin'. The danger for him now is that another woman could make specific allegations against him and want her day in court, like Guiffre, or a pay off as well. Prince Andrew pictured with Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell. He paid Giuffre a settlement to end a sex assault case brought against him in the US two years ago. The settlement did not include any admission of liability and Andrew rejects claims of wrongdoing Documents released this week claimed Andrew called financier Jeffrey Epstein (pictured) weekly and jetted to his private Caribbean retreat Epstein (pictured in 2004) died in custody while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges The documents, the first of a tranche to be unsealed on the order of Judge Loretta Preska, were gathered for Giuffre's 2015 defamation case against Epstein's former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell. The socialite introduced Andrew to the financier, and is serving 20 years in a U.S. jail for conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse minors. In one witness statement, Johanna Sjoberg claimed Andrew groped her at Epstein's house in New York in 2001 when she was aged 20, with Maxwell and Giuffre also present. Her statement, previously partly released, alleges Maxwell had shown them a puppet of Andrew. 'And they decided to take a picture with it, in which Virginia and Andrew sat on a couch. They put the puppet on Virginia's lap and I sat on Andrew's lap, and they put the puppet's hand on Virginia's breast, and Andrew put his hand on my breast, and they took a photo,' Sjoberg's deposition said. Questioned about the seating arrangements, she said: 'Whether we were on a couch or a chair, I just remember the boobs part, the hand on the boobs.' Buckingham Palace previously said her allegations were 'categorically untrue'. Another filing regarding a woman referred to Jane Doe No 3, which is believed to be Giuffre, alleges she was 'forced to have sexual relations with this Prince when she was a minor in three separate geographical locations: in London (at Maxwell's home), in New York, and on Epstein's private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands (in an orgy with numerous other underage girls)'. Epstein instructed her to 'give the Prince whatever he demanded and required Jane Doe No 3 to report back to him on the details of the sexual abuse'. Giuffre has alleged she was trafficked by Epstein and Maxwell and forced to have sexual intercourse at these same three locations with Andrew when aged 17, which is underage in the U.S., claims which Andrew has categorically denied. Friends of Andrew rallied to his support last night. They rebutted suggestions that he was in denial about his relationship with Epstein. 'Quite the reverse, he has been tormented by it,' says one close figure. Of the latest allegations a friend of the Duke told me: 'What they underline is the breadth and depth of Epstein's relationships with the American establishment, which serves to illustrate the view that many have held: Andrew has always been a useful distraction for those Epstein associates who have rather more to explain.' No photograph seems to exist of the event, but I like to think that the sun was shining on the joyous day in 2019 when Paula Vennells travelled to Buckingham Palace to receive her CBE from the Queen. I like to think that the former Post Office chief was wearing Aquascutum pleats, perhaps with a pussy-bow blouse in a co-ordinating shade, along with a proud yet somehow mistily pious expression. This would befit her secondary role as an Anglican priest at the Church of St Owen in Bromham, Bedfordshire, where she served as a non-stipendiary minister for many years. Yet how could she square her godly conscience with her award for services to the Post Office in light of the scandal of the Post Office workers who were jailed, humiliated, bankrupted and hounded for crimes they did not commit, much of it on her watch? Between 1999 and 2015, the Post Office wrongfully prosecuted more than 700 subpostmasters and subpostmistresses for theft, fraud and false accounting based on information from a computer system called Horizon, made by Fujitsu. Yet how could Paula Vennells square her godly conscience with her award for services to the Post Office in light of the scandal of the Post Office workers Between 1999 and 2015, the Post Office wrongfully prosecuted more than 700 subpostmasters and subpostmistresses for theft, fraud and false accounting based on information from a computer system called Horizon, made by Fujitsu It has been alleged that Post Office executives soon realised that the system must be faulty, but they carried on with the persecution and prosecutions anyway. Vennells has yet to give evidence to the inquiry investigating the scandal, but has said that she is 'truly sorry' for the suffering caused to wrongly prosecuted subpostmasters and their families. That said, it was an act of corporate malignancy and a miscarriage of justice unparalleled in British history and it still rumbles on to this day. So how can the Reverend Vennells think that it's right that she retains her CBE when so much of this horror happened on her watch? Well, as my dear old dad used to say, the Holy Joes are always the worst. The extent of what happened during Paula Vennells's tenure has been laid bare in Mr Bates vs The Post Office, a superb new four-part drama from ITV, written by Gwyneth Hughes and directed by James Strong. Calmly and without fuss, it sets out the unjust ordeals that so many subpostmasters pillars of their community, the essence of decency and British values had to go through. Some died before their names could be cleared and at least one committed suicide. This week the series has made millions of viewers furious and tearful; how could this happen in our country? It's the kind of corruption and malpractice you would expect in a failing Third World nation ruled by a mad despot. And how could the malice of the Post Office be used so pitilessly against its own staff? Ditto. What makes matters even worse is that no one has ever been held to account for this scandal, which came to light because of the heroic campaign waged by former subpostmaster Alan Bates. Recently, he was offered an OBE for his efforts, but turned it down because Paula Vennells, despite everything, has refused to hand back her CBE. But surely she is not the only person who could be criticised? What about the Fujitsu executives? What about Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey, who has questions to answer over his tenure as Post Office minister at the time? I noted the surprising and spirited performance from former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, who plays himself in the four-part drama, angrily questioning Vennells in the 2015 Commons committee inquiry. The Oscar is in the bag, Nadhim, but could you have done more? Could Prime Ministers Cameron, May and Johnson have done more? All answers on a postcard please. Someone who could not have done more was James Arbuthnot, former Hampshire MP and now Lord Arbuthnot, who played a pivotal role in helping the subpostmasters seek justice when the Post Office wrongly and, it has been alleged, knowingly sought and obtained convictions for theft, fraud and false accounting against a large number of them. Yet I noticed that even here in this sympathetic drama, in which Arbuthnot (played by Alex Jennings) is one of the few heroes among a cast of utter villains, one character says: 'He's quite nice for a Tory MP.' The luvvies just can't help themselves. So how can the Reverend Vennells think that it's right that she retains her CBE when so much of this horror happened on her watch? I noted the surprising and spirited performance from former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, who plays himself in the four-part drama, angrily questioning Vennells in the 2015 Commons committee inquiry Still, nothing hits harder than a popular drama with an all-star cast, including Toby Jones as the indefatigable Alan Bates (pictured) and Lia Williams capturing something of the night about Vennells; the very devil herself in sensible heels and a pixie cut Still, nothing hits harder than a popular drama with an all-star cast, including Toby Jones as the indefatigable Alan Bates and Lia Williams capturing something of the night about Vennells; the very devil herself in sensible heels and a pixie cut. But is it enough? Will anything ever be enough? Over the years there has been a great deal of media coverage including many brilliant reports in this newspaper by Sam Greenhill which were key in bringing the scandal to public attention. There have been campaigns, valiant efforts from the satirical magazine Private Eye, salutary work by Nick Wallis in his excellent book, The Great Post Office Scandal. And now that we have this glossy television series, can Hollywood be far behind? Yet despite all this, a great number of Post Office staff are still waiting to have their convictions quashed or to be properly compensated for their financial loss. Meanwhile, there are other losses lives ruined, happiness and peace of mind snatched away for ever that can never be adequately compensated. Yet the Post Office and the Government continue to prolong the agony. Another inquiry that drags on, and at the end of it, will anyone ever be held accountable? Or prosecuted? This ongoing scandal shames the Post Office, it shames British justice and it shames us all. And at a time when no one in the Government, the Post Office or Fujitsu has been held responsible for this outrage, one can see how Paula Vennells's now questionable CBE has attained such a totemic significance to those who have suffered because of what happened when she was CEO. Handing it back won't solve anything. Yet every day that she hangs on to it is another blow upon the bruise. These people, who have endured so much through no fault of their own, deserve better. I think God would agree with me, but would Paula? Has the UN become a big joke? What is the point of the United Nations these days? Originally formed in 1945 to develop peace, security and harmony between nations, it has become increasingly irrelevant. Over recent years, it has even been mired in a huge sex scandal involving its peacekeepers and is sometimes deemed unfit for purpose. It is a joke. A big expensive, vacuous, fund-gobbling joke. The UN's latest wheeze is to pick Munroe Bergdorf to represent British females as the first UK champion of something called UN Women UK. The UN's latest wheeze is to pick Munroe Bergdorf to represent British females as the first UK champion of something called UN Women UK Munroe is a transgender model and race-baiter, someone who believes that all white people are intrinsically racist and historically violent. She certainly doesn't represent me or my views and I doubt that she represents yours, either. The charity supports the work of the UN Women to improve the lives of British women and girls. What a load of nonsense, but I await news of Munroe's good works with great interest. One Henk of a stormy landing Storm Henk blew in earlier this week and don't I know it. On Tuesday morning my Eastern Airways flight from Gatwick to Newquay landed in the 'hook' of a 74mph wind. On approach the ATR 72-600 turboprop aeroplane bounced around, the engines screamed, the wings wobbled and we eventually landed sideways, with a great screeching of brakes. Perhaps I should have filmed it all on my phone, like a proper digital journalist of the modern age, but I was too busy clinging on to the seat in front, trying not to vomit. Storm Henk blew in earlier this week and caused major disruption up and down the country There was complete silence on board after we landed. Then the cabin steward made an announcement. 'Now then,' he said cheerily over the intercom. 'Hands up those who want to go round and do that again?' We all laughed, perhaps a little too hysterically. Or was that just me? Anyway, thank you to the brilliant Eastern captain and crew for keeping us all safe. May I wish a Happy 2024 to all my readers and anyone else who is just glad to be alive. Ricky Gervais and the film of his new stand-up show Armageddon topped the Netflix charts over Christmas. His refrain for much of the 63-minute showcase is focused on the idiocy and inconsistencies of the woke world. Oh goody, I thought. Any puncturing of that hot air balloon is always welcome. Yet I couldn't have hated it more. What has happened to Gervais? The touch of cruel, comic genius that characterised his earlier work has gone, replaced with routines that are often leaden, disgusting and the worst crime of all unfunny. Ricky Gervais and the film of his new stand-up show Armageddon topped the Netflix charts over Christmas He clearly sees himself as a polished, bad-taste provocateur, but his pet subject jokes about disabled people, dead babies, Aids, paedophiles and dwarves all fell rather flat. We've been here before and Gervais has nothing new to say about them. Still, what does it matter when his numbskull audience laugh the hardest at his crassest lines, none of which are repeatable here. He also spends a lot of his time reminding us all how rich and successful he is. On current form, he won't be either for much longer. Gary Lineker sent a curt tweet to an official BBC Sport account, ordering ordering! the deletion of a comment about Wayne Rooney posted on X. It was a silly joke about Rooney being sacked from Birmingham City FC and, yes, perhaps a little thoughtless and insulting to someone who didn't deserve it. Gary Lineker sent a curt tweet to an official BBC Sport account, ordering ordering! the deletion of a comment about Wayne Rooney posted on X As we all know, the only person at the BBC allowed to publicly gloat on social media is Gary Lineker himself. His actions were an own goal in hypocrisy and an interesting glimpse of the power he wields behind the scenes. It also revealed that Lineker understands how potent and damaging these social media messages can be unless they are his own, which are apparently in a different league. Following appeals and tears, Captain Tom Moore's family will now have to demolish the unauthorised spa-pool they built in the grounds of their home, within three months. Dear God, what was the point of it all? After the charity-donations scandal, they have further tarnished Captain Tom's national-treasure status and fond memory, all for the sake of a pool and a spa den that wouldn't look out of place in a two-star Home Counties hotel, complete with swingers' Jacuzzi and all. There is no accounting for taste. Or common sense. Or lack thereof. People on the web flooded the comments section and echoed his complaint He has taken to TikTok to lament about the 'out of control' tipping culture A man has slammed tipping culture in United States after having to pay a service charge for a cup of coffee - claiming that his home country should be more like Italy, where customers aren't 'forced' to leave gratuity. Christian Bonnier, 23, is a Florida-based entrepreneur who frequently posts about his day-to-day life and has previously made headlines for insisting that 'pretty' women shouldn't work. Now, he has once again taken to TiKTok to criticize the U.S. for its 'out of control' culture that sees people paying gratuity no matter where they go - as customers across the country have taken to social media to lament about 'tipflation.' In a viral video, which has so far amassed more than 1.8 million views, Christian put his foot down after being forced to tip on a cup of coffee in Miami as he recalled traveling to Italy and not being 'required' to 'reward good service.' Christian Bonnier, 23, is a Florida-based entrepreneur who frequently posts his day-to-day life online and has now gone viral for slamming tipping culture He criticized the U.S. for its 'out of control' culture that sees people paying a gratuity charge no matter where they go He captioned the clip: 'I have never seen a mandatory "service charge" until today lol.' 'Tipping in the United States is out of control,' he said at the beginning of the video before sharing his shocking experience in Miami. 'I'm in Miami right now and I got this pumpkin spice latte from a place in Brickell and there was a mandatory service charge on my bill.' Christian added that he wasn't 'asked' or given the 'option' to tip, but rather was 'forced to.' 'The woman flipped the screen around to me and instead of clicking what percentage you want. It just said service charge,' he explained. 'Don't get me wrong, I'll be happy to tip on a great three-course meal with good service but for a cup of coffee, I typically don't tip.' The 23-year-old entrepreneur noted that he was shocked that he wasn't required to leave gratuity while in Italy, despite being given great service. 'When I was Italy over the summer, I had a three-course meal - the best pizza, the best pasta, the best wine I have ever had - and when I went to pay the bill, the server went to pay the bill and I just signed it and there was no line to tip,' he noted. In a viral video, which has so far amassed more than 1.8 million views, Christian put his foot down after being forced to tip on a cup of coffee in Miami The 23-year-old entrepreneur noted that he was shocked that he wasn't required to leave gratuity while in Italy, despite being given great service Christian noted that he was 'confused' because he was more than happy to tip since he received 'great service.' So, he asked the waiter how he could leave a tip. 'Oh we don't do tips here, we're in Italy,' the server replied. Christian added: 'So you go from Italy, where you can have the best service of your life and there's no tip, to Miami, where they pour you a cup of coffee and you are forced to tip or else you can't get your coffee. 'We are getting to a point now in America where people are going to ask for tips for grabbing you a water, for getting you a napkin, for holding the door for you. 'Aren't tips supposed to reward good service? Not just be a requirement for ordering a coffee at a coffee shop? Like what?' People on the web flooded the comments section and echoed the 23-year-old's views, adding that tipping was 'crazy.' One person said: 'We need to get rid of the tipping culture.' He added: 'We are getting to a point now in America where people are going to ask for tips for grabbing you a water, for getting you a napkin, for holding the door for you' @cbwritescopy I have never seen a mandatory service charge until today lol original sound - Christian Someone else wrote: 'I've stopped tipping completely, unless it's at a sit down restaurant.' 'I agree the tipping issue is crazy here, why would I tip $3 for a $5 cup of coffee? It's ridiculous,' another person added. A fourth person commented: 'Tipping: when the employer doesn't feel like paying.' 'Nobody should be forced to tip,' one commenter typed. Americans have long lamented the uptick in tipping. However, 'tipflation' seems to have reached its breaking point as new data showed that Americans are cutting back on gratuity out of frustration over being bombarded with tipping prompts. Data from payroll provider Gusto shows tipping for service workers in non-restaurant leisure and hospitality jobs is down seven per cent from last year, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. As of November, those workers made on average $1.28 an hour in tips, a decrease from the $1.38 an hour they made the year before. People on the web flooded the comments section and echoed the 23-year-old's views, adding that tipping is 'crazy' Nearly three quarters of Americans say tipping is now expected in more places compared to five years ago, according to a poll by Pew Research Center. Touch screens in taxis and coffee shops now suggest gratuities of 20 per cent, 25 per cent and even more. At a bridal shop in Connecticut called A Little Something White brides-to-be are encouraged to leave tips, and must hit custom amount and enter zero on the screen to decline, according to The Wall Street Journal. In one extreme example, a trader was left outraged when an Alaska restaurant presented him with the option to tip 100 per cent. People have turned to social media to make satire out of their frustration with tip screens seemingly popping up everywhere. An American man who has discovered the delights of the deli counter at an Irish convenience store chain has proclamed it 'the best'. TikToker Connor Kearney is now living in Ireland and recently posted a clip to his 5,500 followers, where he praised the country's petrol station food after picking up lunch at a branch run by Centra. The 38-second-long clip, which sees Connor feast on a baguette has accumulated more than 585,000 views. Viewers were quick to support Connor's beliefs, chiming in to state that Irish petrol station food is truly superior, but some were horrified by his culinary choices after he eat and egg mayo and chicken tikka baguette. In the clip, Connor confidently proclaimed: 'Ireland has the best food at their gas stations. I would never dare eat at a gas station in America. Here, chef's kiss'. The sandwich before it was wolfed down by the hungry TikToker, who was so amazed by it he urged fans to try out Irish petrol stations Connor holds up a close up of this egg salad and chicken tikka sandwich, before praising it The American then proceeded to uncover the brown paper bag holding his food, to reveal his food to viewers. He showed a close-up of his 'egg salad and chicken tikka' sandwich and exclaimed: 'Wow, look at that', before asking the woman sat in the passenger seat if she wanted a bite. He proceeded to wolf the food down eagerly and the woman, presumably his partner showed viewers her 'crunchy fries, biscuits and some sausage'. Connor concluded the video urging people: 'Go to your local Irish gas station today'. People were quick to comment, and the post quickly racked up over 1,000 comments. While most praised Connor for his appreciation of Irish petrol station food, others were fixated on his choice of food. One user claimed: 'No one and I mean no one does it like the Irish', and another account agreed: 'Ireland has the best gas station'. An Irish user seemed to recognise the spot as a large local convenience chain: 'Yes, the Centra delis are so good'. TikTokers were pleased that Connor had discovered Irish petrol food but it didn't stop them from revealing their pedantry And one TikTok user hoped for the UK to follow lead, but this didn't stop others claiming their country did petrol stations better. 'Nah bro go to Poland and you will see [good food], especially the hotdogs at the gas station'. Another said: 'Come to Wales then you'll see what good food is', but some were more fixated on his language use and food choice. A user said: 'It's a garage mate and another pedant penned: 'It's a petrol station lad',a although a different account defended Connor: 'Centra don't sell petrol though'. Fans were also worried about his 'criminal' choice of an egg salad and chicken tikka. Critics even hit out at the woman sitting in his car for her word usage: 'Calling scones biscuits', and 'This one calls wedges the crunchy fries'. READ MORE: Queen Maxima of the Netherlands is effortlessly glamorous in monochrome cloak ensemble The Princess, 20, has been linked to Spanish-born Boris Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, 26 Crown Princess Amalia of the Netherlands may have found her Prince Charming, Dutch media reports. Prive, a magazine in the Netherlands, has linked the 20-year-old heir apparent to Boris of Bulgaria, otherwise known as the Prince of Turnovo. Spanish-born Boris, 26, is the son of the late Prince Kardam of Turnovo, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 52. The sculptor, who studied at the London School of Fine Arts at Wimbledon , is the heir to the defunct throne of Bulgaria. Now he has been linked to Crown Princess Catharina-Amalia - and the pair were even spotted attending the wedding of the Duchess of Medinaceli last October. Boris Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, 26, has been linked to Crown Princess Amalia of The Netherlands, 20, by a Dutch magazine Boris Saxe-Coburg-Gotha was born in Madrid in October 1997, to Prince Kardam and Miriam Ungria y Lopez. His father sadly passed away in 2015, and in 2022 his mother remarried - giving Boris a link to another royal family. His stepfather is Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, who is the cousin of King Abdullah II of Jordan. In addition to these connections, Boris also has close ties to the Spanish royal family - particularly after the death of his father. According to Spanish magazine Hola!, Boris and the heir to the Dutch throne share a close friendship and he has become one of her most trusted confidants. The Spanish-born descendent of the now-defunct Bulgarian royal bloodline is a sculptor who studied in London (pictured at the Palace of Versailles) Crown Princess Amalia of the Netherlands, now 20, has been stepping into the limelight as the heir to the Dutch throne The magazine reports they share a friendship group and spend time together when Amalia visits Madrid, his home city. Boris's studies saw him spending several years in London where he gained a fine arts degree. His degree years coincided with the Covid pandemic, during which time he created a sculpture which he auctioned off in aid of NHS Charities Together - the same association for which Captain Sir Tom Moore raised hundreds of millions of pounds. In an accompanying message for the sculpture, he wrote: 'Firstly, I wanted to thank all healthcare workers for their tireless efforts to contain this virus. 'As we begin to see restrictions ease and return to normal, we are reminded of how this crisis has affected everyone. 'One way or another, everyone has seen a change in their life or will have to adapt to the times to come. The health service has seen the worst side of this pandemic and with this fundraising, I intend to contribute to their efforts.' While he studied in London, he was accompanied by his mother and also his brother, Beltran. Miriam has previously revealed her pride in her son for carving his own path in life, away from being born into the Bulgarian royal bloodline. According to Hola!, Boris and Amalia share plenty in common and have known each other for a long time, because their families are friends. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands is said to be close to Margaret and Simeon of Bulgaria; while Boris's mother Miriam has bonded with Amalia's aunt Mabel after they were both widowed. Additionally, Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands flew to Madrid following the death of Prince Kardam, Boris's father, to attend his funeral. In October 2023, the pair were pictured arm-in-arm at the evening celebrations of the wedding of the Duchess of Medinaceli in Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia. The Prince and Princess of Wales are 'like a normal mum and dad' who throw themselves into events at their children's school, a source has claimed. Kate and William, both 41, are reported to be 'hands-on' parents who never miss an event at Lambrook School in Berkshire where their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are pupils. Hello! magazine reports the royal couple take part in all the important school activities, including 'queueing for the tombola' in a recent fundraising drive. It has long been known that the Princess of Wales does the school run every day; however a source told the publication both parents are heavily involved with Lambrook events. The source claimed the future King and Queen tend to discreetly slip into events such as carol concerts and will almost always be in attendance, fitting occasions around their busy schedules. The Prince and Princess of Wales are 'a normal mum and dad' who throw themselves into events at Lambrook School in Berkshire where their children Prince George, ten, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, are pupils 'The day after Kate's carol service [at Westminster Abbey], it was the school Christmas fair and they were all there, as they were the previous year. 'I saw them queueing up for tombola tickets like everyone else. They really act like a normal mum and dad,' the source said. They added that the royal couple attended the school's carol service at Eton College Chapel and sat alongside the headmaster - while joining in with all the songs. Royal fans have previously commented on the couple's 'relatable' style of parenting after spotting Kate and William out in public. The Princess of Wales has previously been praised for her hands-on and 'down-to-earth' parenting style A video of Kate parenting a young Prince George, which resurfaced last year, left royal fans praising the Princess of Wales's 'down-to-earth' parenting. The clip was from the couple's three-week-long royal tour of Australia in 2014, during which the royal couple - who were the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the time - visited Sydney Zoo with their firstborn. TikTok account Royal Watcher posted a video of Prince George looking absolutely entranced by bilbies at the zoo. The heartwarming ten-second video shows George bouncing up and down in delight as he met the animal who had been named after him while his mother supports him. In a blink-and-you'll-miss-it-moment, the royal mother quickly reaches over and wipes away a bit of George's dribble with her hand. As the zookeeper reaches over into the exhibit, Kate then discreetly wiped her hand on the hem of her yellow dress. The royal fan who runs the account wrote: 'Kate wiping Prince George's dribble on her dress. 'Such a down to earth Mummy!' The clip has amassed almost 200,000 views since it was uploaded yesterday - and fans were delighted by Kate's relatable parenting moment. One wrote: 'Lol - down to earth!' Another added: 'WOW, she's one up on me. I didn't see the dribble!' During the engagement, Prince William was totally fearless as the bilby came over to eat out of his hands and George also reached out to stroke the creature. However, parents protectively pulled him back. 'He's trying to grab his ear,' said Kate. 'If he gets it he'll never let go,' said William, who kissed the top of his son's head. As the keeper went to coax the bilby closer to George, Kate stepped in to stop him, thinking it a bad idea. 'He's got quite a strong grab actually,' she said. Actress Lindsay Duncan has opened up about making the difficult choice for her mother - who suffered with dementia - not to undergo surgery at the end of her life so that she could 'go peacefully'. Speaking on BBC Woman's Hour, the star, 73, also revealed that she hopes her family would do the same for her. In a snippet of the interview shared on the programme's Instagram, Lindsay told Emma Barnett that she was 'very close' with her mother and 'knew her better than anyone else'. 'She had physiological problems and in order to investigate what was wrong with her, it would have involved surgery,' the actress explained. 'And I feel so, so lucky that as the person... who loved her more than anyone else in the world I made a decision that I didn't want her to have that surgery. Lindsay told Emma Barnett that she was 'very close' with her mother and 'knew her better than anyone else' 'What was the point in a demented woman having an anaesthetic and trying to come round from that?' Lindsay also said that her mother had 'lived the best life that she could' - but had been deteriorating as a result of her being sick. 'I knew that shed disappeared, basically and I felt absolutely sure that I could make that decision,' she added. 'I'd had doctors asking me from my knowledge of her: "was she in pain, you know, what was she like?" 'And I could say: "Absolutely, I can see the minute differences in her" because I'd been through the whole thing with her.' The actress was 'grateful' she could physically be there for her mother at the end of her life. 'I'd been able to make sure she went peaceful and I could hold her hand and I could talk to her,' Lindsay continued. 'And I really, really hope that if I were in that situation that my family would do the same.' Lindsay is starring a new drama called Truelove (pictured in the show), a darkly comic show about the implications of assisted dying It was the first time that the star - who is also in a new Channel 4 show addressing storylines around dying with dignity - has spoken about her mother's death publicly. What is the current law on assisted dying in the UK? In England, Wales and Northern Ireland helping someone to take their own life is punishable with up to 14 years in prison. While no specific law exists in Scotland helping someone end their own life could lead to to prosecution for culpable homicide. This, in theory, includes helping someone go through assisted dying overseas. Charities say the current system leaves terminally ill Brits with little choice but to pay thousands to go overseas for their death. They also warned that those who can't afford to travel are deciding to take their lives at home, sometimes in pain, compared to a medically assisted death. UK charities currently estimated that one Brit travels overseas for assisted dying every eight days. There are currently proposals to change the law in some parts of the UK. Last September in Scotland, Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur lodged the final proposal to introduce a Member's Bill which would legalise assisted dying for people who are terminally ill, though no date has been given yet for when this might be considered. A public consultation on a Private Member's Bill on assisted dying closed on the Isle of Man at the end of January. A consultation on assisted dying proposals also took place in Jersey between October 2022 and January and publication of a consultation feedback report is expected in April. Advertisement She was replying to a question about actress Rachael Stirling, whose mother recently made a call for assisted dying before her passing. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland helping someone to take their own life is punishable with up to 14 years in prison. While no specific law exists in Scotland helping someone end their own life could lead to to prosecution for culpable homicide. Lindsay is starring a new drama called Truelove, a darkly comic show about the implications of assisted dying. It starts with five old friends - including Lindsay, who took on the role of former police chief Phil - talking about death after the funeral of one of their gang. As they drink they reminisce - and then decide to make a pact: if one of them asks for help to end their life early, they all agree they'll do it. It comes as veteran actress Susan Hampshire, who quit the stage and screen to care for her husband and elderly sisters, has called for an urgent review of assisted dying. Branding the current laws cruel, she said the trauma of witnessing her loved ones' wishes for a 'dignified end' being denied would never leave her. Susan, 86 best known for starring in BBC drama The Forsyte Saga said a democratic and civilised country 'should surely be able to rethink the current law'. She made the comments in a statement to the health and social care committee's inquiry into assisted dying. Fresh debate on the issue was sparked last month when Childline founder Dame Esther Rantzen, who has stage four lung cancer, revealed she had joined the Dignitas assisted dying clinic. Triple Emmy award winner Susan, who also starred in Monarch of the Glen, said the law is in need of 'urgent reform'. She added: 'I have witnessed, hour by hour and minute by minute, my loved ones' wishes for a dignified end being denied. That trauma will never leave me.' 'In 2018, my sister, then 94, broke her hip and following complications came home with palliative care support. The carers were unable to relieve her suffering. 'If only there was a pill to end it all,' she said often, as she begged for help to end her pain. She wanted 'out'. 'Her only course of action was to starve herself to death and she died many weeks later. Watching her deteriorate and suffer was truly unbearable.' Two years later, she helped her other sister, then also aged 94, as she suffered 'multiple illnesses resulting from rheumatoid arthritis'. 'She was in terrible, constant, agony,' Susan said. 'I can still hear her tiny voice pleading with me to help her 'skip this bit'. 'It was horrific, not just for her but also for me, her children and grandchildren. No one wanted her to die, but she was dying. It was cruel to deny her the dignity she begged for and so deserved.' Prince Harry's explosive memoir Spare was the bestselling book of 2023 in the UK, figures have revealed. The Duke of Sussex's autobiography, which was published in January last year, sold more than 700,000 copies - meaning it outsold the second entry in the list by around 180,000 copies, according to data obtained by The Bookseller. Elsewhere in the top five books from last year are two entries from Richard Osman, The Last Devil to Die and The Bullet That Missed - as well as a Bored of Lunch cookbook and Bonnie Garmus's Lessons in Chemistry. The top 20 also features entries from popular authors Colleen Hoover and Taylor Jenkins Reid. Spare sent shockwaves throughout The Firm as Harry launched unprecedented attacks on members of the royal family including Prince William and Queen Camilla. The Bookseller has obtained data which reveals the top 20 books in the UK in 2023 - and Prince Harry's Spare makes the top spot Among its explosive claims were that the Prince and Princess of Wales encouraged him to dress in a Nazi uniform in a notorious 2005 appearance at a fancy dress party. Harry claims he was considering either the Nazi uniform or a pilot's outfit to a 'Native and Colonial' themed event and called his brother and sister-in-law for their opinion. Elsewhere in the memoir, he claimed he and Prince William begged King Charles not to marry Queen Camilla, whom he thought of as a 'wicked stepmother' at the time. He also accused the Queen of having a 'long-term strategy, a campaign directed at marriage and with time, the Crown (with the blessing of our father, we supposed).' UK book sales from 2023 obtained by The Bookseller show that Prince Harry's memoir Spare (left) and Richard Osman's The Last Devil to Die (right) were the top 2 books last year In 3rd and 4th spots were Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus and The Bullet that Missed, also by Richard Osman Bored of Lunch, a cookbook by Nathan Anthony, appeared twice in the top 10 which separates paperback and hardback sales Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us (right) and Gabrielle Zevin's Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, also made the top 10 Non-fiction books The Guinness Book of World Records and murder mystery puzzle book Murdle also made the top 10 The Duke of Sussex wrote: 'I remember wondering... if she would be cruel to me; if she would be like all the wicked stepmothers in the stories.' Although the contents of the book reportedly left members of the royal family, including Queen Camilla, 'hurt' by accusations hurled at them, figures obtained by The Bookseller show that UK readers were enthralled by Prince Harry's story. In total it sold 706,978 copies, followed by Richard Osman's The Last Devil to Die, which trailed in second place at 529,532. However, despite missing out on the top spot, Osman comfortably outsold the Duke of Sussex with his total sales of the year - as he enjoyed a total of four of the top 20 spots. Another hugely popular author among UK readers last year was Colleen Hoover, who also occupied four of the top 20 best-selling books. It Ends With Us, Verity and IT Starts With Us all made the list - with the latter listed twice to include both hardback and paperback sales. A mother and daughter ditched a 300 fine dining experience for some 'proper food' in a takeaway - which cost them less than 20 - on Channel 5's Rich House, Poor House. In the episode airing on Sunday at 9pm, Sarah, 50, and Victoria, 19, from Swansea, Wales, enjoyed a lush 9,016 all-expenses paid trip to Lapland, an idyllic area of Finland often dubbed a 'real life Winter Wonderland'. The duo stayed at the luxurious Glass Resort in Rovaniemi - where accommodating two guests for six nights can cost a whopping 22,500 (roughly 19,423.23) - but the duo didn't seem all that impressed by the lavish food they sampled. Underwhelmed by an earlier 200 tasting experience which included reindeer steak and blood sausage, the pair decided to skip another 300 fine-dining event to get burgers and chips instead. 'I think I prefer this to reindeer,' Sarah admitted as she tucked into her takeaway, calling it 'proper food'. In the episode airing on Sunday at 9pm, Sarah, 50, and Victoria, 19, from Swansea, Wales, enjoyed a lush 9,016 all-expenses paid trip to Lapland, an idyllic area of Finland often dubbed a 'real life Winter Wonderland' Their cheap meal cost less than a tenth of what they would have spent on the expensive feast planned for them. NHS secretary Sarah and her daughter Victoria, who just left college, also enjoyed 40 breakfasts, dipping in a hot tub, dog sledding and ice fishing - with the latter costing an eye-watering 750. The mother and daughter's last holiday was seven years ago, and now the pair tend to stick to darts at the local pub, day trips, the theatre and concerts for enjoyment. And while they enjoyed their luxury getaway to Finland, Sarah revealed that money hadn't been the reason why. 'Having a family and sharing experiences - that is so much more expensive than a holiday,' she said. 'Doing snow angels with my daughter - that was free, and that was best.' Meanwhile two wealthy best friends from Birmingham, who are both entrepreneurs, were forced to tighten their purse strings. Nathan, 28, runs photography business and Rico, 29, has fashion company. They're used to exclusive trips to places like Dubai and Qatar, but for the programme squeezed themselves into a 50ft narrowboat for a barge trip in Bradford through the Leeds and Liverpool canal. NHS secretary Sarah and her daughter Victoria, who just left college, also enjoyed 40 breakfasts, dipping in a hot tub, dog sledding and ice fishing - with the latter costing an eye-watering 750 And while they enjoyed their luxury getaway to Finland, Sarah revealed that money hadn't been the reason why 'I'm fuming,' Rico - who said he can spend as much as 46,000 in a week on a holiday - admitted when he first heard their plans. 'I feel like I want to cry.' 'People pay money to do this,' Nathan added. 'I don't think you can pay me enough money to do this.' The pair had 85 to spend on food and activities for the whole week - a paltry amount for people who spend up to 200 on a steak and 275 for a bottle of perfume. 'We'd spend this in what... an hour,' Rico revealed. 'Eighty-five pounds in the real world, for us, it's not happening.' They also struggled to sleep on the small beds in their cramped accommodation. Meanwhile two wealthy best friends from Birmingham, who are both entrepreneurs, were forced to tighten their purse strings Nathan, 28, runs photography business and Rico, 29, has fashion company. They're used to exclusive trips to places like Dubai and Qatar, but for the programme squeezed themselves into a 50ft narrowboat Nathan compared it to an 'actual prison bed' while Rico said 'you can't move there'. But as the days passed, the duo found themselves enjoying the holiday despite a tight budget. Both in particular delighted when they took part in some canoeing - albeit being more used to 'yachts and jet-skis' - and fell into the water. 'Even though things went horribly wrong... it did lift our spirits,' Nathan said. 'After two, three days we had a great time,' Rico added at the end of the programme. 'Get me back on the barge, man!' In the end, the friends' holiday cost 665 in total - which they joked is akin to 'a pair of trainers'. Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday will air on Channel 5 at 9pm on Sunday Gypsy Rose Blanchard has accused her grandfather of sexually abusing her as a child - while he has claimed that she 'was the one who tried to touch him' starting at age four. The 32-year-old Munchausen by proxy victim, who was imprisoned for eight years for her part in the murder of her abusive mother in 2015 but was released last week, spoke about the alleged abuse that she endured at the hands of her grandpa, Claude Pitre, in an upcoming Lifetime documentary, entitled The Prison Confessions Of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, which will premiere on January 5. According to People magazine, in the two-part special, producers asked Claude directly about Gypsy's claims - and he not only denied them, but he alleged that she attempted to 'touch him' when she was as young as four years old, and insisted that 'he'd say no.' 'She was the one that was trying to touch me, and I'd say no, don't do that,' he reportedly said in the documentary. 'She started doing that when she was about four years old.' Gypsy Rose Blanchard (seen as a kid) has accused her grandfather of sexually abusing her as a child - while he has claimed that she 'was the one who tried to touch him' starting at age four The Munchausen by proxy victim, 32, spoke about the alleged abuse that she endured at the hands of her grandpa, Claude Pitre (seen right), in an upcoming Lifetime documentary Gypsy (seen in the Lifetime documentary) said the alleged abuse went on for a year when she was a kid, and that she kept it a secret for more than a decade Gypsy was imprisoned for eight years for orchestrating the murder of her abusive mother in 2015, but was released last week. She's seen as a kid with her mom In response to Claude's accusations, Gypsy simply told the interviewer in the doc that she wanted 'nothing to do with him.' Gypsy discussed her decision to open up about alleged abuse now with People, and she explained that she hoped that speaking about it will stop him from doing it again to 'another family member or child.' 'I've gotten to a point where I can stand on my own two feet and say, this happened to me and I'm not going to let it affect me anymore,' she said. The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard will premiere on January 5. Gypsy is seen in the doc 'And that's why I'm talking about it now. And I think for me, making it known that it happened might prevent him from doing the same thing to another family member or another child or another person because he's still alive.' Gypsy said the alleged abuse went on for a year when she was a kid, and that she kept it a secret for more than a decade, before eventually telling her mom, Claudine 'Dee Dee' Blanchard, when she was 19. And according to the now 32-year-old, her mother then shared the shocking revelation that she too had been abused by Claude as a kid. 'I fully told her everything that happened, and she proceeded to let me know that he had done the same thing to her when she was a child as well,' she told People. 'It was hard for us to both come to grips with the fact that we had both been abused by the same person. In the special, producers asked Claude (seen) directly about Gypsy's claims - and he not only denied them, but he alleged that she attempted to 'touch him' and insisted that 'he'd say no' Gypsy spent her childhood posing as a wheelchair-bound invalid after Dee Dee gave her drugs and convinced the world she was suffering from leukemia and muscular dystrophy In 2015, Gypsy (left) letting her besotted internet boyfriend Nicholas Godejohn (right) creep into their Springfield, Missouri, home to stab 48-year-old Dee Dee to death Gypsy was jailed for 10 years for her involvement in the murder but was granted early parole in September 'And I think it makes me wonder what else, what other kind of forms of abuse did she suffer that I don't know about?' After eight years behind bars, she was freed last Thursday from the Chillicothe Correctional Center in Missouri Gypsy spent her childhood posing as a wheelchair-bound invalid after Dee Dee shaved her daughter's head, pumped her full of drugs and convinced the world she was suffering from leukemia and muscular dystrophy. Their 'inseparable' bond ended when Gypsy burst free of her warped mom's control in 2015 by letting her besotted internet boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, creep into their Springfield, Missouri, home to stab 48-year-old Dee Dee to death. Gypsy was jailed for 10 years for her involvement in the murder but was granted early parole in September after friends and family begged authorities to take account of the cruel abuse and needless medical procedures she endured while being cynically paraded at charity events and fundraisers. After eight years behind bars, she was freed last Thursday from the Chillicothe Correctional Center in Missouri. Upon her release, Gypsy immediately reunited with her husband, 37-year-old Ryan Scott Anderson, who won her affection by penning her letters while she was incarcerated. The pair wed in 2022. Upon her release, Gypsy immediately reunited with her husband, 37-year-old Ryan Scott Anderson, who won her affection by penning her letters while she was incarcerated The felon has become an internet sensation in recent weeks, as thousands of social media users celebrated her freedom But when Ryan shared a selfie with Gypsy on Tuesday, some people didn't have the nicest things to say about him The snap was flooded comments calling him 'creepy' and 'weird' - but Gypsy was quick to hit back at his haters, while bragging about their sex life The felon has become an internet sensation in recent weeks, as thousands of social media users celebrated her freedom. But when Ryan shared a selfie with Gypsy on Tuesday, some people didn't have the nicest things to say about him. The snap was flooded comments calling him 'creepy' and 'weird' - but Gypsy was quick to hit back at his haters, while professing that the couple were madly in love and bragging about their sex life. 'Ryan, don't listen to the haters. I love you, and you love me,' she wrote in a comment. 'We do not owe anyone anything. Our family is who matters. If you get likes and good comments great, if you get hate then whatever because THEY DON'T MATTER.' 'I love you... besides, they're jealous because you are rocking my world every nightyeah I said it, the D is fire... happy wife happy life.' WUHAN, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang called for more efforts to foster new productive forces, promote high-quality development, and get this year's economic work off to a good start during his inspection in central China's Hubei Province. In his tour on Tuesday and Wednesday, Li also stressed the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the implementation of the arrangement made at the Central Economic Work Conference. In Yichang City, Li visited the Gezhouba Dam to listen to reports on the Yangtze River conservation, the Three Gorges waterway, and the planning of a new canal. He said more should be done to unleash the benefits of the Yangtze River's shipping, water conservancy, ecology, and cultural tourism. Li urged local enterprises to push forward technological innovation, advance green development, and constantly move up the industrial and value chains. In Wuhan City, Li inspected the development of the flash memory chip and laser industries and vowed more targeted policy support to translate even more technological achievements into productivity. On a visit to a national mapping and remote sensing lab, Li encouraged researchers to make greater breakthroughs in core technologies and contribute more to China's technological self-reliance. In Ezhou City, Li pointed out the Ezhou Huahu Airport has clear advantages and favorable conditions to develop into an international air cargo hub and called on the airport to better serve the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the country's building of a new development pattern. Li also called on Hubei officials to take active and solid steps and make new contributions to national development with new achievements in high-quality development. MBABANE The 30 cents petrol price decrease announced by government yesterday has not been welcomed by many. Some members of the public voiced out their disappointment in the seemingly meagre drop in fuel prices, in particular on petrol. Government yesterday announced a second fuel price decrease within a space of 30 days. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy Principal Secretary (PS), Dorcas Dlamini, announced that the price of petrol would decrease by 30 cents, while diesel and paraffin prices would decrease by 80 cents each. Markets Despite the fuel decrease being influenced by international markets, members of the public felt the decrease was as good as nothing. They were of the view that it would not make any difference, because the fuel price increases had been excessive. But it wont help if the decrease is 30 cents and in two weeks, the price will increase by E1.80, said a member of the public. Others, however, expressed hope that the petrol price decrease would be massive, given the fact that on December 6, 2023, petrol prices were not adjusted downward, yet diesel and paraffin prices decreased by 80 cents. We are also hoping for a decrease in food prices as well, said another member of the public, who commented on the Times of Eswatini Facebook page. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, the new fuel prices shall come into effect at midnight, Thursday, January 4, 2024, (effective Friday, January 5, 2024). The PS said the decrease was due to the fact that the international oil prices decreased due to supply uncertainties, caused by concerns around the shipping route in the Red Sea. She explained that the brent crude oil prices traded at an average of US$81.11, which was equivalent to E1 522 a barrel, compared to an average of US$82.94 (E1 556.7) a barrel, realised in the month of November, 2023. She added that all the local fuel products yielded over recoveries or profits, necessitating a price decrease in the local prices. The Lilangeni/Dollar exchange rate slightly depreciated and averaged E18.67 in December 2023, as compared to the E18.50 realised in November 2023. Following the new changes, the price of Unleaded Petrol will decreased from E20.80 to E20.50 per litre. The price of Diesel 50 ppm S will decrease from E22.60 to E21.80 per litre while paraffin will cost E16.75, from E17.55. The PS encouraged the public to use fuel efficiently, as the international oil markets and the Lilangeni to Dollar exchange rate remained highly volatile. Decrease This is the third fuel price decrease in three months. On November 1, 2023, the petrol price decreased by E2 per litre, while the price of diesel and paraffin decreased by E1. On December 6, 2023, the ministry announced a decrease of diesel and paraffin decreased by 80 cents per litre, while petrol remained the same. Eswatini Consumer Forum Chairperson Mandla Ntshakala, welcomed the fuel price decrease. He said a decrease in fuel price was good news for consumers, especially in Eswatini, where a number of people were using public transport. He said public transport operators would not have an excuse to increase bus fares. Ntshakala said transport operators were using the fuel price hike to increase fares. He said an area where they needed to see an improvement was in the prices of commodities in stores. The chairperson said despite the decrease in fuel prices, it was not having a direct impact in the prices of commodities. Adding, Ntshakala said as an organisation, they were paving a possible formula, that could be crafted by government and other stakeholders to control the price of commodities in stores. We are hopeful that the formula, once crafted, will be influential in the prices of groceries commodities, he said. McDonald's has delighted fans by announcing a list of exciting prizes that can be won throughout January, including a 3,500 holiday and 1,500 spending money. To be in with a chance of winning, fans simply need to purchase fries through the McDonald's App. Customers enrolled in MyMcDonalds Rewards must buy Medium or Large fries four times through January. In addition to being included in a prize draw, these transactions will also earn you 4,000 reward points - equivalent to a Big Mac. The Fry-anuary promotion features almost 25,000 prizes for customers to get their hands on. McDonald's McDonald's has delighted fans by announcing a list of exciting prizes that can be won throughout January, including a 3,500 holiday and 1,500 spending money Extra Value Meals and other fantastic rewards will also be available when you reach various milestones on the app. For example, when customers accumulate 1,500 reward points, they can choose between a range of menu items, including Small Fries, a Hash Brown, a regular Cold Soft Drink or a Side Salad, free of charge. At 2,500 points, you can claim a free Double Cheeseburger, Vegetable Deluxe or Apple Pie. Meanwhile, when you hit 4,000 points, you can select menu favourites, such as six Chicken McNuggets, a Big Mac or Filet-O-Fish. Even better, a Mighty McMuffin, McSpicy, Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese or McCrispy are on offer when you collect 5,500 points. Alternatively, customers may donate the cash equivalent of their points to BBC Children in Need, FareShare and Ronald McDonald House Charities. This choice is in line with the company's dedication to funding youth initiatives, as well as addressing food poverty and waste reduction in the UK. The promotion is available to MyMcDonalds Rewards customers only - you can begin earning points by downloading via Google Play or the Apple App Store. Customers can claim Small Fries with 1,500 points and a free Apple Pie with 2,500 points When you hit 4,000, you can select a Filet-O-Fish and a Mighty McMuffin is on offer when you collect 5,500 points What's more, from 4 January, five 'all-time favourites' are returning to the menu, including the Steakhouse Stack (5.49), Fajita Chicken Wrap (3.69), Cheesy Garlic Bites (2.59), Cadbury Dairy Milk McFlurry and Cadbury Caramel McFlurry (1.99). The much-loved Steakhouse Stack was a roaring success when it made its debut last March. It incorporates two British and Irish beef patties, a slice of cheese, crispy onions, red onions, lettuce and black peppercorn sauce, served in a toasted sesame bun. Although not officially confirmed, the menu is expected to run for only a few weeks. Multi-millionaire Shark Tank mogul Barbara Corcoran has revealed her tips for older people who are looking to land jobs amid the rampant 'ageism' in the business world. The 74-year-old investor, who currently has a reported net worth of roughly $100 million, shared her advice to those who are over 50 and struggling to find work during a recent Q&A with her fans on her YouTube channel. The TV personality recommended that older people try to 'fool' potential 'employers' during interviews by 'acting younger' and showing up 'full of life and enthusiasm,' while admitting that 'ageism' is a serious 'problem' in the workplace. 'Ageism is a problem and I would be lying to you if I said don't worry about it,' she replied to one viewer who had asked, 'How [can] you change ageism in the workplace into an asset?' Multi-millionaire Shark Tank mogul Barbara Corcoran, 74, has revealed her tips for older people who are looking to land jobs amid the rampant 'ageism' in the business world The investor and TV personality shared her advice to those who are over 50 and are struggling to find work during a recent Q&A with her fans on her YouTube channel The star recommended that older people try to 'fool' potential 'employers' during interviews by 'acting younger' and showing up 'full of life and enthusiasm' 'But this is how you can fix it,' she continued. 'The fact of the matter is when you're applying for jobs if you're over 50, people are going to hesitate. 'They're going to see who else they have who is under 50. The reality is is you're not going to get all the interviews. I hate to admit that but it's really true. 'But what you should do is put your best foot forward. When you go in for that interview, whether it be a Zoom interview or in-person, you've got to look your best. 'Vitality is what fools an employer. If you walk in there vital and full of life and enthusiasm, they're going to forget that you're [over 50]. '[If you] act younger they'll be more attracted to you. So if you're older and it's getting in your way, I would suggest you simply look your best. 'Make sure you really dress up and look the part of somebody who is energized. That's the way you should be conducting your interview - from a source of energy, that's how you fight [ageism] very well.' Barbara also encouraged older workers to use their age to their advantage, as she pointed out all the ways it could pose as a benefit in the workplace. 'What I find is better about older people is, very often they have so much more wisdom,' she continued. Barbara also encouraged older workers to use their age to their advantage, as she pointed out all the ways it could pose as a benefit in the workplace 'What I find is better about older people is, very often they have so much more wisdom,' she continued. 'There's no circumstance that they run into that they haven't seen before' 'There's no circumstance that they run into that they haven't seen before and have a solution for. '[Older people] take a lot less training - be aware of that, you have a lot more life experience and judgment that you bring forth.' The women and equalities committee in the UK reported in 2018 that ageism was keeping one million jobseekers over the age of 50 out of work, and that women were the worst affected. 'Those who wish to work should not face the current barriers of discrimination, bias and outdated employment practices,' said the organization at the time. A US survey conducted that same year found that among older American workers, 61 per cent said they have seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace - but only three per cent said they reported the issue. Barbara, who grew up in a working class family in Edgewater, New Jersey, and struggled in school due to her dyslexia, once revealed she had worked a total of 20 jobs by the time she was 23. In 1973, when she was 24, she started a real estate brokerage with her then-boyfriend, and when they split seven years later, she launched her own firm, called The Corcoran Group. She went on to sell the company to NRT for $66 million in 2001 and has since invested in a slew of companies after becoming one of Shark Tank's original stars. Barbara has also written several books and pens a weekly column for the New York Daily News. Jeopardy! fans have reacted to the 'brutal' moment a Harvard-educated contestant lost out on a win after a minor misunderstanding. Hopeful Sophia Weng fell at the final hurdle after making an error in the last round on Tuesday night's show. The young woman, who is a social studies major at Harvard, was in second place with a total of $14,600 before the Final Jeopardy about landmarks. But an apparent misinterpretation of the question meant that Sophia lost out before dozens of viewers rallied round and branded the situation as 'a painful way to lose.' Hopeful Sophia Weng fell at the final hurdle after making an error in the last round on Tuesday night's show The young woman, who is a social studies major at Harvard, was in second place with a total of $14,600 before the Final Jeopardy about landmarks In the episode, Sophia went into the final round against fellow contestants Michael Cavaliere in first place with $28,800 and Sharon Bishop in third with $5,800. The last clue read: 'During Pope John Paul II's 1987 visit to Los Angeles, pranksters covered up this letter in a local landmark.' The correct answer was L - as the landmark became Holywood for the day. Sharon, a high school Spanish teacher from Rhode Island, was the first to reveal that she had guessed correctly. She wagered $1,000 which took her prize pot up to $6,800 - but the others did not follow suit. Sophia was next up and looked visibly distressed as her answer was revealed to be 'The Hollywood Sign.' She glanced hopefully toward host Ken Jennings in anticipation that it would be accepted but had no luck. Ken replied: 'You got the right landmark but didn't tell us the letter, I'm afraid.' The last clue read: 'During Pope John Paul II's 1987 visit to Los Angeles, pranksters covered up this letter in a local landmark' Fans of the show were left stunned as they flooded to Reddit to share their disbelief and offer Sophia their support 'No!' she urged, before it was revealed she had wagered $14,201 - leaving her on a total of just $399. Michael also got the answer wrong, after plumping for the letter O, but retained his lead having only placed $500 on the question. Fans of the show were left stunned as they flooded to Reddit to share their disbelief and offer Sophia their support. One wrote: 'Brutal watching her reaction. Ouch.' Another added: 'What a tragic end. The agony on her face was heart-wrenching.' Someone else said: 'Absolutely tragic FJ. Was really rooting for Sophia, what a bizarre pair of mistakes on what felt like a relatively straightforward FJ clue.' And a fourth penned: 'You could see the full pain and range of emotions in her face as she saw L be called the right answer, realize her mistake, hope they'd maybe take her answer anyway, and the realization they would not. 'It was the hardest I've ever seen a contestant take a loss but I don't blame her at all, it's not like she had a tantrum, she tried to hide the pain and just couldn't.' The scene she depicts in such detail stones in her pockets, a stiff drink taken, then plunging into the River Thames could be from one of the gripping dramas for which three-time Emmy Award-winning actress Susan Hampshire is famous. However, what the octogenarian star of 1960s BBC classic The Forsyte Saga is describing are her plans, should the need arise, to end her life so desperate is she to avoid the suffering her two sisters experienced during their final weeks. Indeed, in 2020, Susan's eldest sister, Jane, resorted to starving herself to death to escape her pain. Susan, 86, would prefer to avoid the drastic action she has given such thought to, and the inevitable upset it would cause her family. Which is the reason, while still in good health and hoping to have many years ahead of her, she has become the latest high-profile person to add their voice to the growing chorus which includes Dame Esther Rantzen and Baroness Joan Bakewell calling for the law to be changed to allow those nearing the end of their lives the right to die. 'I have witnessed, hour by hour and week by week, my loved ones' wishes for a dignified end being denied,' Susan wrote in a submission to the House of Commons health select committee, which is considering the issue of assisted dying. 'That trauma will never leave me.' Susan Hampshire has become the latest high-profile person to add their voice to the growing chorus which includes Dame Esther Rantzen and Baroness Joan Bakewell calling for the law to be changed to allow those nearing the end of their lives the right to die The subject of the right to a pain-free, peaceful end came up often over the ensuing years when Susan met with her sisters, Jane and Ann (pictured) 12 and 11 years her senior respectively all three of whom lived a short drive from one another in South-West London Susan with Eric Porter in The Forsyte Saga in 1966 While the committee's findings and recommendations are expected in the coming months, Susan's powerful words have resonated widely, and this week she agreed to share the moving stories behind them with the Daily Mail. 'My sisters, who both pleaded with me to help them die, spent their final weeks in terrible pain, wasting away until they became shells of themselves,' says Susan tearfully, the images of their decline still etched vividly in her memory. 'That we, in this country, have no kinder alternative to ease people on their way is, I think, incredibly cruel. 'When a loved one is writhing in agony, begging for help and has only a few weeks to live, why can't we show compassion and give them something to end their suffering? 'We're kinder to animals at the end than we are to humans, and yet we all know that we must die. When we're ready for it and can't bear another minute of suffering, we should be allowed to go.' Susan has long been a supporter of the right-to-die movement, joining Exit International, the pro-voluntary euthanasia organisation, as far back as the 1960s, after witnessing both her parents suffer agonising deaths from cancer. Her father had brain cancer and her mother stomach cancer, and they were only in their early 60s when they suffered what Susan describes as 'appalling, agonising deaths'. It convinced her then that a change in the law was needed for those who wanted to avoid such suffering. The subject of the right to a pain-free, peaceful end came up often over the ensuing years when Susan met with her sisters, Jane and Ann 12 and 11 years her senior respectively all three of whom lived a short drive from one another in South-West London. Haunted by their parents' horribly difficult deaths, all were in agreement that, if they, too, suffered painful and protracted terminal illnesses, they would 'want to be put out of their misery'. And so when, in 2020, aged 94 and having been bed-bound for some time after a fall, Jane became so frail it was painful for her even to breathe, Susan was distressed, but not surprised, by her pleas. She visited Jane several times a week, each time watching helplessly as her sister slipped further into the mental desperation that comes with extreme pain. 'She took hold of my hand and said: 'I can't carry on. Can't you get me a pill?' ' says Susan now. Susan says: 'That we, in this country, have no kinder alternative to ease people on their way is, I think, incredibly cruel' Susan, 86, would prefer to avoid the drastic action she has given such thought to, and the inevitable upset it would cause her family 'I could see why she'd asked me she wouldn't have wanted to burden her children with that but I explained that there was nothing I could do because it would be illegal. 'It felt so cruel standing by, watching her suffer. The only comfort I could give was holding her hand, stroking her forehead.' Indeed, Jane's suffering was so unbearable she chose the only way out she had refusing to eat and eventually declining fluids, too. It was an awful way to die, and for Susan, too, a kind of torture, seeing Jane suffer but also desperate not to lose her. She would try to tempt her with 'tiny, delicate portions' of poached salmon and crab meat, mashed vegetables and pureed potatoes, all of which Jane refused. 'There are no words to describe the awfulness of watching someone you love dearly suffering so much she would choose to kill herself in the only way open to her,' says Susan, her face crumpling. In September 2020, five weeks after first declining nutrition, Jane slipped into a coma before her organs finally failed and she died. Along with her grief, Susan was haunted by the strong belief that leaving her sister with no option but to starve herself to death had been 'beyond inhumane'. When, less than two years later, Susan found herself at the bedside of her other sister, Ann, who had rheumatoid arthritis and whose condition had also declined following a fall, aged 94, it felt like a terrible episode in the family's history was repeating itself. 'Ann stayed in hospital for a little while after the fall and kept saying: 'I'm not going to get any better, just help me to skip this bit.' Which I knew was a euphemism for 'Help me to die' ', recalls Susan. 'Once back home, she was bedridden, as frail as a bird, and we had to turn her so that she didn't get bedsores, but the pain was so excruciating she would scream out. She could hardly breathe as a result of a severe chest infection, and was in terrible, constant, agony. She'd say, in this tiny voice, struggling to breathe: 'Let me go. How did Jane do it?' ' A final cruelty, Ann's death robbed her of the dignity she had so prized in life. 'We'd sit with her at night and she'd be in torment. My niece would ring the district nurse to come and give her something to ease the pain, but really she wanted to die.' Susan's memories of her sister at the end are not of peaceful acceptance, nor last profound expressions of love, but of anguish a woman desperate simply to be gone. 'I remember her trying to squeeze my hand, but she was too weak, and mouthing 'Please' ', says Susan, overcome with emotion at the memory. 'There are no words to describe the awfulness of watching someone you love dearly suffering so much she would choose to kill herself in the only way open to her,' says Susan 'I have witnessed, hour by hour and week by week, my loved ones' wishes for a dignified end being denied,' Susan wrote in a submission to the House of Commons health select committee, which is considering the issue of assisted dying. 'That trauma will never leave me' 'It was heartbreaking. I'd tell her: 'If I could do something I would,' and I'd ask the doctors and nurses to give her more morphine, to make those final days bearable. But they had to work within the law and, of course, it's their instinct to keep people alive.' Ann finally slipped away in September 2022, two years to the day after Jane had died. Both Jane and Ann, like Susan, were robust 'we were war babies' not the sort to pop pills for an ache or pain, which made it all the harder for Susan to see them suffering so much at the end. It was because of her involvement with the charity Dignity in Dying that Susan found herself making a submission to MPs on the committee currently analysing and considering medical and legal information, as well as oral and written evidence submitted by members of the public. Under the Suicide Act 1961, anyone helping or encouraging someone to take their own life in England or Wales can be prosecuted and, if found guilty of an offence, jailed for up to 14 years. Section two of the Act states that a person commits an offence if they carry out 'an act capable of encouraging or assisting the suicide or attempted suicide of another person, and the act was intended to encourage or assist suicide or an attempt at suicide'. In 2015, MPs voted overwhelmingly by 330 votes to 118 against changing the law to allow doctors to help terminally ill people end their lives. But campaigners are hoping the current inquiry may ultimately result in another Bill being put before Parliament. A significant 80 per cent of the British public are said to be in favour of assisted dying, which is legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, as well as some U.S. states. One concern raised by opponents is that any new law could be open to exploitation for nefarious reasons, with some people feeling forced, or coerced, into choosing 'the right to die'. However, Susan believes appropriate legislation would protect the vulnerable in these circumstances, as well as those begging to be spared a grisly end. 'My sisters, who both pleaded with me to help them die, spent their final weeks in terrible pain, wasting away until they became shells of themselves,' says Susan tearfully, the images of their decline still etched vividly in her memory Susan has long been a supporter of the right-to-die movement, joining Exit International, the pro-voluntary euthanasia organisation, as far back as the 1960s, after witnessing both her parents suffer agonising deaths from cancer She is, however, sensitive to the fact that some religions including Catholicism and Islam vehemently oppose any form of assisted dying, believing only God has the right to decide when a life is over. However, her own experience with her sisters and parents who, she says, suffered even more at the end, because palliative care was less effective back in the 1960s propels her on. 'I'm not doing this because I wanted them to die; I loved them dearly and, God knows, if they were alive now I'd be so happy. But that wouldn't be fair on them because they were suffering and begging to be allowed to go. 'I just think the law is crazy, making people go through weeks of misery at the end of their lives. It is absolutely essential that people who are in their right minds and say, 'I don't want this any more', are allowed the dignity to die without any more suffering.' Further compounding the pain of her sisters' deaths, in February 2021, Susan also lost her husband of 40 years, the theatre impresario and philanthropist Sir Eddie Kulukundis, whom she had nursed at home for 12 years, following his diagnosis with dementia. His death was also hastened by a fall at home, which caused a broken femur but although he was bedridden, Eddie didn't suffer like his wife's sisters. 'Dementia gradually led to his organs packing up, and his last weeks were pretty awful but, luckily, he was not in pain and mostly slept,' says Susan. 'He could no longer speak and never expressed a wish to die. 'Had it been an option, though and it's people having the choice I'm arguing for I would have asked him if he wanted to go. 'He could still nod or shake his head in response to questions. Given his quality of life, he would probably have said 'Yes'.' Although healthy and active, at 86 it is perhaps inevitable that Susan's thoughts sometimes turn to her own demise. She recognises it is an intensely difficult topic to broach with children, who hate to imagine a parent's death, but also thinks it's critical we discuss it openly before the moment comes. She has one son film producer Christopher Granier-Deferre, 53, from her first marriage to French director and screen writer Pierre Granier-Deferre who, she says, is well aware of her wishes. Susan says: 'We're kinder to animals at the end than we are to humans, and yet we all know that we must die. When we're ready for it and can't bear another minute of suffering, we should be allowed to go' 'I have been thinking about this very seriously for years and would consider travelling to Switzerland, to Dignitas, for a peaceful end,' she says. 'But that has become very difficult you have to have a terminal illness, and you must have someone go with you. And those people are then responsible for breaking the law. 'I wouldn't want to risk my son facing prosecution for accompanying me, and it would be very sad to die out there alone. 'I could put weights in my clothes and jump into the Thames in the middle of the night, but I think it's probably very difficult to avoid someone rescuing you. 'Otherwise, I could go on a cruise and slip quietly off the back one night, and no one would know I'd gone until the morning. But then, you don't want the captain to be upset because he's lost one of his passengers . . .' Whatever views one might hold on the right to die, hearing a woman, in her ninth decade, whose intellect is still razor-sharp, agonising over which terrifying lonely end is likely to be most successful, and cause least upset, is distressing. As if reading my thoughts, she snaps out of her reverie: 'I shouldn't have to contemplate jumping off the back of a cruise ship. We need a humane system in which a doctor can prescribe something to ensure we meet our maker as painlessly and peacefully as possible. That's what I'm fighting for.' Aussies and Scots are fighting over the true heritage of Crown Princess Mary after it was announced she will become Queen of Denmark. Both Australian and Scottish headlines are proudly claiming ownership of the future Danish queen and there is a heated debate raging online between both nations. British publication The Telegraph headlined an article: 'How a Scot became Queen of Denmark' while The Australian referred to the popular royal as 'Mary, our flannie Queen'. And thousands of Australians were up in arms over many similar headlines calling Australian-born Mary the 'Queen of Scots'. 'The UK Daily Telegraph is claiming our Princess Mary as a Scot. Absolutely outrageous. Even if we do it to New Zealanders all the time,' an Australian fan wrote on X. A heated debate has erupted between Australians and Scots over Princess Mary's heritage after it was announced she will become Queen of Denmark on January 14 'It's such a reach by the British press (who often seem to pretend Scotland is this strange distant land). Mary never referred to herself as Scottish,' another wrote. 'She was raised in Tasmania, Australia's Scotland,' a third joked, with another calling the Scots' claim over Mary 'blasphemy'. 'I guess with a name like Donaldson that is a reasonable claim,' a fourth pointed out. Scottish-Australian journalist Catriona Stewart, of the UK-based Herald told the ABC News Breakfast, the Scots have a strong claim over Princess Mary. 'She is as much ours as she is yours, I'm afraid,' she said. Mary's parents immigrated to Tasmania from Scotland before she was born meaning she held dual British and Australian citizenship. Stewart also noted Mary's father John Donaldson wore a kilt while walking her down the aisle at her wedding to represent his strong Scottish roots. During his father-of-the-bride speech at the reception, he spoke about the strong connections between his homeland and Scandinavia. Mary's parents immigrated to Tasmania from Scotland before she was born. Her father John Donaldson (left) wore a kilt at her wedding to represent his Scottish roots The UK Daily Telegraph is claiming our Princess Mary as a Scot. Absolutely outrageous. Even if we do it to New Zealanders all the time. pic.twitter.com/1lvBpxdQPT Antony Green - elections (@AntonyGreenElec) January 2, 2024 'You have a fight on your hands,' Catriona laughed, before adding that Mary lived in Scotland briefly for three months in her twenties. While Mary has never made an official visit to Scotland during her royal career, Scottish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Angus Robertson, has offered her an open invitation to her ancestral home. 'It is extremely welcome that Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark, takes her strong Scottish connections with her when she becomes Queen of Denmark,' he told The Times. 'She and Prince Frederik will be welcomed with open arms after the coronation.' Princess Mary was born and raised in Hobart and she still holds a fairly strong Australian accent. Her children Prince Christian, 18, Princess Isabella, 16, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, both 12, have even made fun of the Australian twang she has when speaking Danish. Mary's father John and mother Henrietta, who died in 1997, are both Scottish as was her grandfather Captain Peter Donaldson. The princess's parents, along with her paternal grandparents, all immigrated to Australia in the early sixties a decade before she was born. Queen Margrethe II used her annual New Year's Eve speech on Sunday to announce she would be abdicating the throne, leaving Prince Frederik as her successor and Mary as Queen consort on January 14. Rishi Sunak today urged union bosses to 'get round the table' and call off junior doctor strikes as thousands of medics took the picket lines once again during the longest walkout in NHS history. The Prime Minister insisted the action was 'disrupting people's lives' up and down the country and warned it was causing an 'enormous amount of concern'. It comes as hospitals are buckling under the pressure of staffing shortages caused the walkouts, with more than a dozen warning they are 'exceptionally busy'. At least four hospital trusts in England have declared incidents, with others reporting waits of up to three days in A&E and queues of ambulances outside hospitals. Health chiefs have already warned the impact of the six-day walkout could be felt for 'weeks and months', with as many as 200,000 operations and appointments cancelled. But the British Medical Association (BMA), the union behind the walkouts, has rejected more than a dozen requests from hospitals for medics to return to work amid high demand, claiming that the NHS is attempting to undermine its strike. Rishi Sunak today urged union bosses to 'get round the table' and call off junior doctor strikes as thousands of medics took the picket lines once again during the longest walkout in NHS history. Pictured, Mr Sunak today during his visit to the MyPlace Youth Centre in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire The Prime Minister insisted the action was 'disrupting people's lives' up and down the country, warning they were causing an enormous amount of concern'. Pictured, Mr Sunak today during his visit to the MyPlace Youth Centre in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire At least four hospital trusts in England have declared incidents, with others reporting waits of up to three days in A&E and queues of ambulances outside hospitals Health chiefs have already warned the impact of the six-day walkout could be felt for 'weeks and months', with as many as 200,000 operations and appointments cancelled. Pictured, junior doctors yesterday outside the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle Mr Sunak, however, argued that trust leaders 'of course' had his 'backing in doing that'. Speaking during a visit to MyPlace Youth Centre in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, the Prime Minister said: 'I come from an NHS family. So, I know how important this is. And why we've prioritised it since I became Prime Minister.' 'Anyone who needs emergency treatment should just contact their health service as they normally would. But what it does highlight is the damage that these strikes are having. 'At this point, every other part of the NHS workforce has found a sensible, fair agreement with the Government including nurses, midwives, paramedics, consultant, doctors and specialty doctors. 'It's only the junior doctors who are now on strike and I would urge them to get round the table so that we can resolve this, and bring an end to this disruption and the impact it is having on more people up and down the country.' Which hospital trusts have declared incidents since strike action began? Lewisham and Greenwich Lewisham and Greenwich Trust's chief executive, Ben Travis, yesterday also told staff both hospitals were at 'full capacity' and had each declared 'Opel 4'. Under the NHS' 'operational pressures escalation levels' (OPEL), a rating of four the highest score indicates services are 'unable to deliver comprehensive care', leaving 'increased potential for patient care and safety to be compromised'. Mr Travis added: 'With urgency, we are looking at what we can do to safely and sensibly create additional capacity, particularly for our adult patients. Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) declared its own critical incident at 16:30 yesterday 'to protect patient safety'. The ICB said there was 'significant demand for all services' with hospitals seeing a high number of patients arriving at their emergency departments. 'Our staff are doing everything in their power to care for patients in a safe and timely way, but the high number of people needing care and the reduction in staffing levels mean there are very long waits in our A&E and for admission to our wards,' it added. Portsmouth Hospitals University Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, yesterday, declared a critical incident 'to protect patient safety', cautioning its emergency department was full. It is the third time in the last three months the trust has declared a critical incident, following separate incidents in both December and November last year. In a statement, it added: 'Our hospital has been under pressure for a while and we are already experiencing a difficult week, following the bank holiday weekends, and as we cope with increasing winter pressures and low staffing numbers, particularly in our Emergency Department.' Oxford University Hospitals Oxford University Hospitals yesterday also warned that its hospitals were 'extremely busy' declaring OPEL 4. Its chief operating officer, Sara Randall said: 'This is because of increased attendances at the emergency department and assessment units, reduced patient flow out of our hospitals, staff shortages and ongoing industrial action'. Advertisement It comes as Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust was among the first to declare a critical incident yesterday, announcing that its emergency department at Queen Alexandra Hospital was full. It is the third time in three months that the trust has declared a critical incident which formally signals that patient care may be under threat following separate incidents in both December and November last year. It said: 'Our hospital has been under pressure for a while and we are already experiencing a difficult week, following the bank holiday weekends, and as we cope with increasing winter pressures and low staffing numbers, particularly in our Emergency Department. 'We need help from our community to make sure that our hospital can continue to care for those who need our services.' Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), meanwhile, declared its own critical incident yesterday afternoon 'to protect patient safety'. The ICB said there was 'significant demand for all services', with hospitals seeing a high number of patients arriving at their emergency departments. 'Our staff are doing everything in their power to care for patients in a safe and timely way, but the high number of people needing care and the reduction in staffing levels mean there are very long waits in our A&E and for admission to our wards,' it added. Lewisham and Greenwich Trust's chief executive, Ben Travis, said both hospitals it runs Queen Elizabeth Hospital and University Hospital Lewisham were at 'full capacity' and had each declared 'OPEL 4'. Under NHS 'operational pressures escalation levels' (OPEL), a rating of four the highest score indicates services are 'unable to deliver comprehensive care', leaving 'increased potential for patient care and safety to be compromised'. Mr Travis added: 'With urgency, we are looking at what we can do to safely and sensibly create additional capacity, particularly for our adult patients. 'This includes looking at additional bed capacity, on and off wards; appropriately repurposing space for adult care; improving our flow and discharge; and trying to encourage patients to use the right service and only come to ED for emergency care.' Oxford University Hospitals also warned its hospitals were 'extremely busy' declaring OPEL 4. Its chief operating officer, Sara Randall said: 'This is because of increased attendances at the emergency department and assessment units, reduced patient flow out of our hospitals, staff shortages and ongoing industrial action'. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, one medic revealed that the average wait in their emergency department had reached 10 hours, while around 20 patients had been waiting for more than 24 hours and one had been waiting three days. The NHS worker, whose message was shared anonymously on social media, also revealed that 10 ambulances were stuck waiting outside their hospital. Meanwhile, NHS Greater Manchester warned its hospitals are 'extremely challenged', with the strikes worsening ambulance handover times and the number of patients stuck in hospitals who are waiting to be discharged. Bolton NHS Foundation Trust said it was facing 'extreme pressure' with waiting times in A&E of 'up to 11 hours'. Warwick Hospital also warned that it is under 'extreme heightened pressure' while Airedale Hospital said its emergency department is 'exceptionally busy'. Health officials in Wigan said emergency services were 'very busy' and complained that doctors were seeing 'a lot of minor illnesses that could've been treated elsewhere such as a GP surgery or pharmacy.' Leeds Teaching Hospitals also warned that its hospitals are 'under significant pressure.' Meanwhile, health officials in East Sussex, Greater Manchester, Berkshire, Rotherham and The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Essex, also reported being 'busy'. Junior doctors in their first year now have a basic pay of 32,300, while those with three years' experience make 43,900. The most senior earn 63,100 Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust was among the first to declare a critical incident yesterday, announcing that its emergency department at Queen Alexandra Hospital was full. It is the third time in three months that the trust has declared a critical incident which formally signals that patient care may be under threat following separate incidents in both December and November last year. Pictured, junior doctors on the picket line outside St Thomas' Hospital in London yesterday Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Health service bosses have repeatedly blamed medic strikes for heaping extra pressure onto already struggling hospitals. But officials yesterday urged Brits to still seek care if they need it. NHS England's national medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, said: 'As the longest strike in the history of the NHS begins during one of the busiest and most challenging weeks of the year the health service is experiencing the winter pressures of flu and Covid combined with the huge disruption of industrial action. 'We know hospitals are already experiencing significant demand, with other NHS services also under immense pressure. 'Although staff are doing the very best for patients with extensive preparations in place, there is no denying the NHS has started the year in a very difficult position.' Junior doctors' pay - the truth Junior doctors were awarded a pay rise of 6 per cent plus a consolidated payment of 1,250 in July, in line with the recommendation of the Independent Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration. The package was equivalent to an average increase of 8.1 per cent from 2022/23 to 2023/24, or 10.3 per cent for those in their first year of training. Average basic pay for a first year doctor increased from 29,384 to 32,397, while a junior doctor who had been a specialty trainee for six years or more saw their pay rise from 58,398 to 63,152. Many are paid a higher sum for working overtime and receiving enhanced rates for working unsociable hours. Junior doctors pocketed the extra money despite vowing to continue striking, with some boasting the additional income would subsidise further walkouts. Steve Barclay, who was Health Secretary from October 2022 until November 2023, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had described the settlement as final and insisted there would be no more talks about pay. But the British Medical Association has held further negotiations with officials and ministers in the Department of Health and Social Care since October, resulting an offer of an extra 3 per cent, which has been rejected by union representatives. The BMA has claimed that junior doctors have seen their pay eroded by more than a quarter in real terms over the past 15 years. The trainee medics have been demanding full pay restoration worth around 35 per cent and have said they would not settle for anything less, although senior figures within the union have suggested they may compromise. Advertisement He added: 'This latest round of strike action will not only have an impact on this week but will have an ongoing effect on the weeks and months ahead as we struggle to recover services and cope with heavy demand. 'Our message for patients remains the same - continue to come forward for care using 999 and A&E in life-threatening emergencies and 111 online for everything else.' Dr Vin Diwakar, medical director for transformation at NHS England, also said officials had spent weeks doing 'intensive preparation' ahead of strike action. 'We have been prioritising emergency care as we have done during previous industrial action,' he said. 'So we have emphasised to the public that if they have got a life-threatening illness they should continue to call 999, if they are worried that they are unwell but it is not an emergency then to use 111 online or 111 or to make an appointment with your GP or use your community pharmacy.' He added: 'Where we will see the greatest impact is on patients waiting for any form of planned care those coming in for an operation or an outpatient appointment. 'It's likely that the impact is not just going to be for the current period of industrial action it is going to go on for several weeks afterwards.' The BMA is seeking a 35 per cent salary hike for junior doctors. The union has doubled down on its original demand, vowing 'not stop until we achieve full pay restoration'. Yesterday, its leaders also accused NHS bosses of bowing to political pressure in a row over striking medics being called back to work over patient safety concerns. Just over 20 requests labelled derogations have been made by hospitals calling on doctors to return to work, but some may have submitted more than one. But the BMA last night claimed the process was being 'undermined' by NHS bosses, as a number of the requests had been submitted well in advance of the strike. Others had failed to illustrate what steps they had taken to mitigate the need for junior doctors to work, the union said. All but one of the requests have been rejected, and the final one was being considered by the union. In a letter to NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard, BMA chairman Professor Philip Banfield said such requests should come as a 'last resort' and only be used in 'unexpected and extreme circumstances unrelated to industrial action'. He added: 'We are increasingly drawing the conclusion that NHS England's change in attitude towards the process is not due to concerns around patient safety but due to political pressure to maintain a higher level of service, undermine our strike action and push the BMA into refusing an increasing number of requests.' Mr Sunak, however, today argued that hospital chiefs had 'his backing'. He said: 'The NHS is responsible for patient care and it's right that they do absolutely everything they can to ensure patient care. 'These strikes are disrupting people's lives. They are causing an enormous amount of concern to people. 'It's absolutely right that NHS leaders, completely independent of government, are making clinical decisions on the ground. 'And requesting that extra support where they feel that they need it. Of course they have my backing in doing that.' Ministers had initially offered junior doctors an 8.8 per cent pay rise, on average, for the 2023/24 financial year. However, the uplift was higher for first year medics, who were given a 10.3 per cent boost. Ministers insisted this was the final offer. But Ms Atkins offered the medics an additional three per cent on top of this rise. However, Dr Vivek Trivedi (pictured left) and Dr Robert Laurenson (pictured right), who co-chair the BMA's junior doctor committee, said this sum was still 'completely insufficient' and pressed ahead with fresh walkouts Just over 20 requests labelled derogations have been made by hospitals calling on doctors to return to work, but some may have submitted more than one. But the BMA last night claimed the process was being 'undermined' by NHS bosses, as a number of the requests had been submitted well in advance of the strike. Pictured: BMA members on the picket line at St Thomas's hospital in London yesterday Matthew Taylor, chief executive of NHS Confederation, also warned that pressure on hospitals would 'likely get worse as the walkout continues'. He added: 'Rather than accusing hospital leaders of refusing to provide the required information in full to the BMA, this is more about them needing to limit the precious time they and their teams have available to filling in forms when patient safety could be at risk. 'This is why on behalf of our members, we called for national derogations to be agreed in advance as not all NHS organisations have a wide range of alternative staffing arrangements at their fingertips especially so soon after Christmas when many schools are still closed. 'In the absence of these we hope the BMA will cooperate with time critical requests from NHS trusts and that the recall process runs smoothly in the best interest of patients.' Today is the second day of junior doctor latest walkouts, marking the 30th day of industrial action by the medics since they first took to the picket lines last March. Health Secretary Victoria Atkins, who has already sketched out deals with consultant and specialist doctors, warned that while the health service has 'robust contingency plans in place', the action will seriously impact patients. She said: 'January is typically the busiest time of the year for the NHS and these strikes will have a serious impact on patients across the country. 'The NHS has again put in place robust contingency plans to protect patient safety and it is vital anyone who needs medical help continues to come forward.' She added: 'I urge the BMA Junior Doctors Committee to call off their strikes and come back to the negotiating table so we can find a fair and reasonable solution to end the strikes once and for all.' Ministers had initially offered junior doctors an 8.8 per cent pay rise, on average, for the 2023/24 financial year. However, the uplift was higher for first year medics, who were given a 10.3 per cent boost. Junior doctors in their first year now have a basic pay of 32,300, while those with three years' experience make 43,900. The most senior earn 63,100. Ministers insisted this was the final offer. But Ms Atkins offered the medics an additional three per cent on top of this rise. However, Dr Robert Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi, who co-chair the BMA's junior doctor committee, said this sum was still 'completely insufficient' and pressed ahead with fresh walkouts. The BMA has claimed that junior doctors have seen their pay eroded by more than a quarter in real terms since 2008. Trainee medics have been demanding full pay restoration worth around 35 per cent and have said they would not settle for anything less. Yesterday, however, Dr Trivedi revealed the BMA would accept its uplift demand to be spread 'over a number of years'. He told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: 'All we want is a credible offer that we can put to our members and we don't need to strike ever again. 'We're not asking for any uplift or pay restoration to happen overnight. We're not even saying it has to happen in one year. 'We are very happy to look over deals that would span a number of years but what we need to do is to start a way towards that and not further that pay erosion. 'That three per cent pay uplift would still have amounted to pay cuts for many doctors this year.' Later he also said: 'I hope they [the Government] come back to the table now. But from all of the signals they are sending it won't be until our strike action finishes. 'And I hope at that point we can come to a resolution.' Waiting lists are feared to grow even larger due to ongoing NHS doctors' strike A heart failure patient has told how his life has been put 'on hold' after being forced to wait five months for a vital NHS appointment. Alan Sabin, from Eastbourne, was diagnosed with the condition in August and is still waiting for an initial consultation on how he will be treated. The 73-year-old said he is short of breath, struggles to walk and is unable to drive until his appointment, which he hopes will take place this month. NHS data shows the waiting list in England has reached 7.7million, 3.2million of which have been waiting longer than four months to be seen. Celebrities including presenter Stephen Fry and comedian Jo Brand today called for the Government to create an emergency plan to reduce the mammoth backlog. It comes as junior doctors enter the second day of their latest round of strikes, with the medics walking out of hospitals for six days the longest period in NHS history. Alan Sabin told 38 Degrees that his life has been put 'on hold' during his five-month wait after being diagnosed with heart failure Your browser does not support iframes. Mr Sabin said: 'Hopefully, by the end of this month I'll have a definite plan for how to treat my heart failure - but until then, I'm left sitting here, with my life on hold. 'I can't drive or do anything active, I'm short of breath, I can't walk any real distance.' Heart failure occurs when the organ is unable to pump blood around the body properly. It usually happens because the heart has become too weak or stiff. The condition is usually a result of multiple problems affect the heart at the same time, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and heart rhythm problems. Signs include breathlessness, feeling tired and lightheaded and swollen ankles and legs. While it cannot be cured, these symptoms can be controlled for years through lifestyle changes, medicines, devices implanted into the chest and surgery. READ MORE: NHS hit by 3 DAY waits in A&E, critical incidents and ambulance delays amid record six-day junior doctor strike Services across England reported facing 'significant demand' on the first of the six-day walkout, the longest strike in NHS history. Pictured: Junior doctors at the picket line outside St Thomas' Hospital, London today Advertisement 'As someone who is on a waiting list, I do blame the Government for what is happening to the NHS - I certainly don't blame NHS workers who've been forced to strike for decent pay and conditions,' Mr Sabin said. 'The most important thing in our NHS is its staff, and the Government needs to sit down with NHS workers and give them what they need to make sure we have enough qualified, professional staff to bring these waiting lists down.' It comes as a group 73,000 people, coordinated by campaign group 38 degrees, signed a letter to the Government, urging it to 'get waiting times falling immediately'. It states that millions are 'getting sicker while waiting' and the situation is causing them 'anxiety and uncertainty', according to the letter, which was also signed by former NHS doctor and comedian Adam Kay and poet Michael Rosen. Matthew McGregor, CEO at 38 Degrees, said: 'A year ago today, Rishi Sunak promised that NHS waiting lists would fall and he told the public to "hold him to account" on that promise. 'Yet in the last 365 days waiting lists have soared to record heights.' Latest NHS data shows the backlog stood at 7.71million in October a drop compared to 7.77million in September but still 56 per cent higher than March 2020, when Covid hit Britain and some parts of the health service ground to a halt. By October, 377,618 patients had been forced to wait at least one year. The NHS has been told to eliminate all waits of more than a year by March 2025. Figures also revealed 190 patients had been queuing for more than two years. The NHS was told to eliminate two-year waits by July 2022, apart from for patients who chose to wait longer, did not want to travel to be seen faster, or for very complex cases requiring specialist treatment. Rishi Sunak made cutting waiting lists one of his 2023 priorities but it grew by half a million last year. Questioned on whether he had failed to on the Government's pledge, Mr Sunak said the NHS has 'made progress' by bringing down the backlog for the longest waiters. However, he said that industrial action by NHS staff 'has made that difficult'. NHS data shows that more than 1million appointments and operations have been cancelled because of strikes by its staff, including nurses, consultants and junior doctors. The true toll on appointments is thought to be much higher, as hospitals stop scheduling care when they are informed about strike dates. The group, whose signatories include presenter Stephen Fry (left) and comedian Jo Brand (right) have signed an open letter calling for the Government to act to 'get waiting times falling immediately' Junior doctors are currently staging a six-day walkout, which began at 7am yesterday. They are demanding a 35 per cent pay rise, arguing that their pay has been eroded for more than a decade. This is despite ministers offering junior doctors an 8.8 per cent pay rise, on average, for the 2023/24 financial year. The uplift was higher for first year medics, who were given a 10.3 per cent boost. Junior doctors in their first year now have a basic pay of 32,300, while those with three years' experience make 43,900. The most senior earn 63,100. The Health Secretary Victoria Atkins then offered the medics an additional three per cent on top of this rise. However, the BMA labelled the sum 'completely insufficient' and pressed ahead with fresh walkouts. A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson said cutting waiting lists is one of the Government's 'top five priorities', adding: 'The Secretary of State's priorities are to deliver a faster, simpler and fairer health and care system. 'We are investing record funding for the NHS, and there are record numbers of doctors and nurses. 'Waits of 18 months are already down more than 90 per cent from their peak in September 2021. 'To improve access to lifesaving tests and checks alongside cutting down on unnecessary hospital trips, we have opened 141 community diagnostic centres and we're drawing on spare capacity in the independent sector so NHS patients can be treated more quickly.' Called Zosurabalpin, the drug is the first of its kind discovered in over 50 years A newly developed class of antibiotic could help turn the tide against a bug that can kill up to six in ten people it infects. Zosurabalpin works by killing a bacterial strain known as CRAB, which has become resistant to other types of medication a growing threat called antimicrobial resistance. So-called 'superbugs' kill over 1million people globally each year with the World Health Organization (WHO) warning the planet is heading for a 'post-antibiotic' era. Their spread risks turning back the medical clock, making regular infections and routine surgeries a life-threatening prospect. However, Zosurabalpin, made by Swiss pharma giant Roche, has been shown to destroy CRAB, which medics have warned is epidemic in the UK's hospitals. A drug called Zosurabalpin was found to be effective against a drug-resistant form of the bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii, which looks like short rods (graphic), by destroying a protective membrane that prevents many other medications from working Lab tests showed the drug killed highly drug-resistant strains of Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) in mice. CRAB is classified as a 'priority 1 critical' pathogen by the WHO in terms of urgent need for new treatments. Mortality estimates for invasive CRAB infections range from 40 to 60 per cent. Zosurabalpin works by disrupting the bacteria's ability to maintain its protective membrane, made of a substance called lipopolysaccharide, killing it. READ MORE: Scrap Rightmove sale of 1billion pandemic lab to develop 'friendly' viruses that can treat antibiotic resistant illnesses, MPs urge The Rosalind Franklin Laboratory named in honour of the renowned British scientist stands empty, a monument to waste and incompetence, and up for sale on the property website Rightmove Advertisement If results are replicated in people, Zosurabalpin could become the first new antibiotic developed to treat CRAB-like infections since 1968. Acinetobacter baumannii belongs to a class of bacteria called Gram-negative bacteria which are difficult to kill because their outer membrane prevents most antibiotics from working. Scientists also hope that by uncovering the mechanism of how Zosurabalpin works, further new medications for superbugs could be developed. Dr Michael Lobritz, head of infectious diseases and early development at Roche, said the threat of superbugs shouldn't be underestimated. 'Antimicrobial resistance is called a "silent pandemic", and over the next 30 years it is projected to claim more lives than those taken by cancer today,' he said. Dr Andrew Edwards, a senior lecturer in molecular microbiology at Imperial College London, who was not involved in the research, welcomed the results. 'CRAB is a significant cause of infection in hospitals, particularly in people who are on ventilators,' he told The Guardian. 'Unfortunately, development of new treatments against this bacterium has been extremely challenging because it is very adept at keeping antibiotics from getting past its outer cell layer. 'Therefore, this work is really exciting, and provides confidence that the approaches being used to find new antibiotics can bear fruit.' Scientists recently published the results of their experiments involving Zosurabalpin in the journal Nature. One showed the drug reduced the levels of bacteria in mice with CRAB-induced pneumonia, as well as preventing death of rodents with CRAB-related sepsis. Another unpicked exactly how Zosurabalpin worked against CRAB. While promising, the results are yet to be replicated in human trials, a stage when many medications fail in the development cycle. A landmark study published in January in 2022 found antibiotic-resistant infections directly killed 1.2million people in 2019. Researchers from the University of Washington and University of Oxford estimated that drug-resistant CRAB alone was responsible for between 50,000 and 100,000 of these deaths. This graph shows the combined direct and associated deaths from antibiotic-resistant bacteria per global region measured in the new research. Africa and South Asia had the greatest number of deaths per 100,000 people, however Western European countries like the UK still recorded a significantly high number of fatalities The bug is estimated to kill 700 people in the US per year. There are no figures on how many are killed by CRAB in the UK but researchers have previously warned that the bug is 'endemic' in the nation's hospitals. Bacteria can become drug resistant when people take incorrect doses of antibiotics or if they are given out unnecessarily. It comes as MPs call for a 'mothballed' Covid mega lab currently for sale on Rightmove to be used as a research facility to develop new drugs to tackle the superbug threat. The Rosalind Franklin Laboratory in Leamington Spa opened in June 2021 and was the UK's first Covid testing mega lab, processing 8.5million swabs during the pandemic. Officials said the 1.1billion lab would 'play an indispensable role' in responding to future disease threats, but it was suddenly shut just 18 months later and appeared on the property website in November. A cross-party group of MPs have now called for the Government to use the facility to research microscopic viruses called phages, which hunt down and destroy bacteria. Brits should brace for another resurgence of Covid, flu and other seasonal bugs, health chiefs have warned amid a surge in cases. Surveillance programmes that monitor the UK's outbreak suggest Covid and flu hospital admissions in England are running at their highest level so far this winter. Meanwhile, rates of the winter vomiting bug norovirus are also 49 per cent higher than expected for this time of year. Health chiefs fear the outbreaks will continue to pick up pace in the coming weeks as a result of more people socialising indoors over Christmas and the New Year. They urged people with coughs, sore throats or a runny nose to limit contact with vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women and those with underlying conditions over fears they could become seriously unwell with the virus. It comes as experts also warned Brits who have been ill in recent weeks could have succumbed to 'two or three infections' at the same time 'like a domino effect'. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. The data released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows Covid hospitalisations rose to 5.21 per 100,000 in week ending December 31, up on the 4.8 per 100,000 logged in the previous week. Rates were highest among the South West, at 6.48. The West Midlands and South East followed with 5.98 and 5.65 per 100,000 respectively. Hospitalisations were also highest in those aged 85 or above, with a rate ten times that of the national average, at 55.1 per 100,000. The rise coincides with the emergence of JN.1, a new Omicron sub-variant, which has caused rates to explode over the festive period. The variant has not been observed to make people more ill than other variants or better dodge the immune protection offered from vaccines or prior infection. READ MORE: Rishi Sunak urges junior doctors to end six-day strike which has seen NHS hit by 3 DAY waits in A&E, critical incidents and ambulance delays Services across England reported facing 'significant demand' on the first of the six-day walkout, the longest strike in NHS history. Pictured: Junior doctors at the picket line outside St Thomas' Hospital, London today Advertisement Typical symptoms of JN.1 are known to include a high fever, cough, runny nose, headaches, fatigue and muscle ache. Covid variant surveillance data released today showed Omicron variant, BA.2.86, nicknamed Pirola, accounted for two thirds (66.6 per cent) of all Covid infections between December 11 and December 17. Health chiefs, however, did not confirm how many of these were JN.1 cases, a subvariant of BA.2.86, due to 'poorer quality sequence data'. Meanwhile, UKHSA data showed that the admission rate for patients with flu stood at 6.8 per 100,000 people in the week to December 31, up from 5.1 the previous week and the sixth weekly rise in a row. It means flu admissions are now classed as having a 'medium impact' on hospitals, according to the UKHSA. But levels are lower than at this stage compared to a year ago, when the rate stood at 12.7 per 100,000. Last year saw the worst flu season for a decade, with the outbreak having greater impact due to lower population immunity, with little or no flu circulating during the previous two winters when Covid control measures were in place. A rise in admissions, however, is likely to pile further pressure on NHS hospitals in England, which are currently facing the longest strike in history by junior doctors, higher-than-expected staff sickness and a jump in other seasonal viruses. Separate UKHSA data released today shows the winter vomiting bug norovirus continued to pile pressure on health services, with cases in the week ending December 24 up 18 per cent on the previous two week period. Rates of the bug were also 49 per cent higher (539 reports) than the five-year average (361 reports) for the same two-week period. Norovirus can show similar symptoms to Covid, with both viruses causing chills, fever and headaches. But it also causes explosive vomiting and diarrhoea. The stomach bug usually goes away on its own within two to three days. But sufferers, who may also experience aching arms and legs, are advised to stay at home until 48 hours after their symptoms have stopped. Rest and having lots of fluid are recommended by health chiefs. In severe cases, however, some people may need to be hospitalised with the elderly and children most at-risk. Separate NHS figures released last week show around 450 beds were occupied by norovirus patients in the week ending December 24, about two-thirds higher than the levels seen last winter. However the numbers being sickened by the diarrhoea and vomiting bug have dropped from a peak of almost 800 earlier this month. Separate ONS data on Covid infections released last month showed symptoms including headaches, a runny nose and coughing were among three of the most common Covid symptoms reported in the week ending December 13. Other frequently logged symptoms also included muscle ache, a sore throat and tiredness Norovirus can show similar symptoms to Covid, with both viruses causing chills, fever and headaches. But it also causes explosive vomiting and diarrhoea. The stomach bug usually goes away on its own within two to three days. But sufferers, who may also experience aching arms and legs, are advised to stay at home until 48 hours after their symptoms have stopped It is spread through close contact with someone who is infected; touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them, and then touching the mouth; as well as eating food that's been handled by someone with norovirus. Regular hand washing is the best way to stop the spread. Rates of vomiting bug rotavirus, which is most common in infants and young children, was 30 per cent higher in the week ending December 24, than the five-season average. Experts warned that Brits sickened over Christmas and the New year could have succumbed to 'two or three' viral infections at the same time 'like a domino effect'. Dr Chris Smith, a virologist at the University of Cambridge told BBC Look East: 'Many of these different diseases all present in exactly the same way. 'They tend to cause a runny nose, a sore throat, a fever some of the time especially with flu sometimes you get a cough as well. 'So it can be very hard to know exactly what it is because many of these things all present the same way but they're caused by many different infections. 'The other bit of bad news is that you can catch lots of them at the same time. We occasionally see people who are diagnosed with two, sometimes three, viral infections simultaneously.' He added: 'So when we say to other people, "I had the most awful cold over Christmas", or "over New Year", you may well have actually succumbed to several things either all at the same time or one after another like a domino effect. 'It has the effect of really laying you low and that's happening a lot at the moment.' Dr Mary Ramsay, director of public health programmes at UKHSA, said: 'Over the festive period, we have seen an increase in both Covid and flu activity. 'More socialising indoors during periods of cold weather allows viruses to spread more easily. 'Its likely that we could see further increases as we head further into winter and the weather drops colder. The winter peak for flu is still to come and may coincide with high levels of Covid. 'As we head back to work or school, the best way to help stop the spread of respiratory infections, like Covid and flu, when you are unwell, is to reduce contact with other people, especially those who are vulnerable. 'If you have symptoms such as a continuous cough, sore throat or high temperature, try to reschedule your plans until you feel better in order to protect others.' She added: 'It's fine to send your child to school or nursery with a minor cough or common cold if they are otherwise well and do not have a high temperature. 'But if your child has a fever, they should stay home from school or nursery until they feel better, and the fever has resolved.' The surge in seasonal bugs comes as the NHS is already under pressure from the six-day junior doctor walkout. Health chiefs warned the impact of the strike could be felt for 'weeks and months', with as many as 200,000 operations and appointments cancelled. Separate UKHSA data released today shows the winter vomiting bug norovirus continued to pile pressure on health services, with cases in the week ending December 24 up 18 per cent on the previous two week period. Rates of the bug were also 49 per cent higher (539 reports) than the five-year average (361 reports) for the same two-week period Hospitals are already buckling under the pressure of staffing shortages caused the walkouts, with more than a dozen warning they are 'exceptionally busy'. At least four hospital trusts in England have declared incidents, with others reporting waits of up to three days in A&E and queues of ambulances outside hospitals. But officials have urged Brits to still seek care if they need it. NHS England's national medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, said: 'As the longest strike in the history of the NHS begins during one of the busiest and most challenging weeks of the year the health service is experiencing the winter pressures of flu and Covid combined with the huge disruption of industrial action. 'We know hospitals are already experiencing significant demand, with other NHS services also under immense pressure. 'Although staff are doing the very best for patients with extensive preparations in place, there is no denying the NHS has started the year in a very difficult position.' He added: 'This latest round of strike action will not only have an impact on this week but will have an ongoing effect on the weeks and months ahead as we struggle to recover services and cope with heavy demand. 'Our message for patients remains the same continue to come forward for care using 999 and A&E in life-threatening emergencies and 111 online for everything else.' But some methods can lead to serious complications, like total blindness People wanting to change their eye color can undergo one of three procedures If you've ever dreamed of having ocean-blue eyes but were born with an eye color more resembling dirt, there are ways to achieve those baby blues - but experts warn the procedures could leave you blind. While genetics determine the color of eyes, not everyone is happy with their natural hue. The eyes get their color from the iris, which can be brown, black, green, blue, hazel or a combination of these. Genes from a person's parents determine the iris' color. However, because of the many possible combinations, it is not possible to definitively predict a child's eye color solely based on their parents' eyes. Additionally, it is possible for eyes to slightly change color over the first few years of a person's life, with many babies' eyes darkening over time. Once grown, though, if a person still isn't happy with what their eye color has turned into and wishes to permanently change it, there are three possible options. But all of them are invasive, expensive - and not covered by insurance - and some aren't approved in the US, requiring international travel and risky procedures. People looking for a permanent - and drastic - eye color change have three options: Corneal tattooing, laser depigmentation and iris implant surgery Dr. James Tsai, president of New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, told ABC News: 'These risks can be sight-threatening and can include glaucoma, cataract and corneal problems.' Additionally, experts from The American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society and the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists strongly discourage permanently changing your eye color due to the risks of infection and vision changes. Before resorting to dangerous procedures for a permanent change, some people may turn to contact lenses they can wear to temporarily change the appearance of their eyes. Three types of lenses are available to change eye color: Visibility lenses, enhancement lenses and opaque lenses. Visibility options are only lightly tinted and subtly change eye color. Enhancement ones are semi-opaque and can intensify whatever color desired. Opaque lenses feature a fully colored-in iris, which allows a person to completely change their eye color. Colors of these lenses include violet, blue, brown, green, hazel and gray, and a prescription from a doctor is required for cosmetic contact lenses. Those looking for a more permanent - and drastic - eye color change also have three options: Corneal tattooing, laser depigmentation and iris implant surgery. While these procedures are sometimes used after an eye injury or medical condition affecting the eye, they are also used cosmetically for the purpose of permanently changing eye color. Corneal tattooing - officially called laser keratopigmentation - uses a laser to precisely deliver colored dye into the clear dome in the front of the eye called the cornea. Tameka 'Tiny' Harris traveled to Africa in 2014 to have the color of her eyes changed from brown to an 'ice gray' The laser creates 'tunnels' in the cornea, which the dye is then injected into. Drops are used prior to the procedure to numb the eye. Your head is then strapped into a harness and a device is inserted under the eyelids to keep the eyes from blinking. While it doesn't impact the actual iris at all, the color added to the cornea conceals the true color of the iris. Laser keratopigmentation is unlikely to cause any pain during the procedure, but risks include injury to the eye, uneven eye color, dye leakage causing the color to fade, puncturing the cornea causing it to collapse. Other risks include vision changes like light sensitivity, as well as allergic reactions to the dye, inflammation, bacterial infections, corneal ulcers and scarring. Corneal tattooing is carried out by a licensed eye doctor and is not covered by insurance. It is estimated to cost $10,000 for both eyes and people are fully recovered in one week. The second method for changing eye color is laser depigmentation, which is used to lighten eye color by targeting melanin, the pigment that gives skin, hair and eyes their hue. Dark eyes have more melanin than light ones. This procedure takes place during multiple sessions. Laser beams pass through the cornea and heat up the brown pigment on the surface of the iris and reveal the blue or green color beneath it. Numbing eye drops are also used beforehand and people report a nearly painless experience. Because the color change takes several weeks, recovery is slower than corneal tattooing - taking up to four weeks. During recovery, people will experience blurry vision, red and tearing eyes, light sensitivity and headaches. Laser depigmentation is also performed by a licensed eye doctor and can cost between $5,000 to $7,000 for both eyes. It is not covered by insurance. The third and most invasive way to change the color of your eyes is through iris implant surgery, which involves inserting a prosthetic iris to cover a person's natural iris. The technique was originally used to repair iris defects caused by injury, infection or defects, but has seen an increase in people having it for purely cosmetic reasons. Would YOU turn your brown eyes blue? Radical technique claims to permanently change iris color for $5,000 If you've ever wanted to have Daniel Craig's steely gaze or Angelina Jolie's sultry stare, a new laser treatment could be the answer. Advertisement People can choose from blue, green, brown and black. For the procedure, a licensed eye doctor cuts the cornea at the spot where it meets the white part of the eyes. Then, a silicone iris is inserted through the incision and positioned over the natural iris. This procedure is at risk for the most serious side effects, including glaucoma, cataracts, infection, ulcers, scarring and reduced vision or total blindness. Recovery can take anywhere from two to eight weeks. Iris implant surgery is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for cosmetic purposes, forcing people who want the procedure to travel internationally where it can be performed. It is also not covered by insurance and costs approximately $10,000 for both eyes. Experts have previously said Americans often travel to Panama, where some doctors perform the procedure. Dr Tsai, who is also a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, has also previously stated: 'Some online discussions say the procedure is safe, claiming that "the technology used is similar to that used to treat cataracts." 'This is inaccurate as well as misleading. We strongly caution people against having cosmetic iris implant surgery.' In 2014, Tameka 'Tiny' Harris made headlines when she revealed she traveled to Africa for the procedure, changing her eyes from brown to gray. The American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists all strongly recommend against implant surgery, warning that complications could arise requiring additional procedures and increasing the risk of total blindness. In a small study, nine of 14 patients who had the procedure had to get their implants removed. MBABANE Over 30 schools have confirmed that they still have spaces in Form I and IV, across the country. Admissions in some of the schools started on Tuesday, while others were admitting yesterday. Some of the head teachers confirmed, in an interview, that spaces were still available in their schools. Mbabane Central High School Head teacher Dumisani Shabangu said they had plenty spaces available and started admissions yesterday. Shabangu stated that there was still space in Grade Eight, although in Form IV there was a challenge. The assumption is that learners who were doing Form III will all be returning and we also have repeaters. He said there was also Grade 10. Shabangu said the school was inviting all learners who passed Form III and were returning, to register today (Thursday). This, he said; would give them an idea of how many would be returning and the spaces available. We, therefore, cannot say there is no space. Shabangu said being a piloting school for the four-year programme, they were facing some infrastructure technicalities, but had reported this to the Regional Education Office (REO). Challenges He said the school had Form III and Grade 10 running concurrently, hence they had challenges with availability of classrooms. Shabangu said pupils who were part of the programme were enrolled on it in Form I, while there were those already in Form III and needed to be in Form IV. He said the results would inform them whether the programme was working or not. However, he said the issue of infrastructure was not something they could not handle as a school. Mater Dolorosa (MDS) High School Head teacher Fikile Ndlovu also stated that they were also admitting. Ndlovu said in Form I, they had space for 200 pupils and would be admitting until Friday. She said they had also registered their returning learners, although some indicated that they would not be coming back. Woodlands High School Head teacher Lizzie Manyatsi said they started admitting yesterday for both Form I and IV. Manyatsi stated that they had spaces available for 150 learners in Form I and 90 in Form IV. She said initially, they were supposed to admit around 120 learners with 40 in each class as they had three streams, but admitted extra, due to the high demand for spaces. Manyatsi said they were awaiting payments from parents. BOOK OF THE WEEK The Carry On Girls by Gemma Ross and Robert Ross (History Press 25, 224pp) There are broadly two types of females in the world of traditional British comedy battleaxes and nubile maidens; thats to say, crones or tarts, ratbags or nymphets. On the one hand, as it were, Hattie Jacques as Matron, pounding up the ward, and on the other, Barbara Windsor, joyous, earthy, funny, her assets, as Frankie Howerd said, for ever tittering on the brink. As ours is a super-sensitive era of identity politics, however, the rollicking Carry Ons, with their bottom-pinching and wolf-whistling, are at serious risk of cancellation so all praise to Gemma and Robert Ross, in The Carry On Girls, for defending the films as social history. Barbara Windsor (left) in Carry On Doctor (1968), pictured with Jim Dale as Dr Jim Kilmore and Hattie Jacques as Matron If Angela Douglas, for example, as Annie Oakley, in Carry On Cowboy, is slapped on the rump in the saloon, or Valerie Leon, in Carry On Camping, shows Charles Hawtrey how to stick his pole up (his tent pole, the censor insisted) this is just innocent fun. The authors also point out that when girls are propositioned by the likes of Sid James or Terry Scott, they react by giggling and running away. The men are always left looking like idiots (Kenneth Connor) or oafs (Bernard Bresslaw). The other joke, of course, is that when Kenneth Williams talks about how he is throbbing with it, having seen his busty secretary getting them out and you cant believe your eyes, this is all nonsensical jabbering, fooling nobody. Even as a child I could tell he was as gay as a goose, terrified of women. We are told in this large-hearted and fabulously illustrated book to observe that though the films were made at a time when marriage and home were pinnacles of aspiration for every woman, nevertheless the Carry Ons do show them becoming increasingly independent girls want to have fun, too. Hence, Carol Hawkins and Sherrie Hewson in short skirts and hotpants in Carry On Behind, or Sally Geeson in Carry On Abroad. Even June Whitfield succumbs to a holiday romance, having a fling in the resort of Els Bells with a Spanish waiter. Nevertheless, it is true there were always lots of scantily-clad starlets in the background, cast as amorous typists, hospital receptionists, nurses, Vestal Virgins, serving wenches, giggly schoolgirls, shop girls, canteen girls and harem girls. We all had that saucy look and expressive eyes, said Valerie Van Ost. We had to make a definite impact in a couple of seconds. This masterful compendium of crumpet accounts for many of these actresses and models most never heard of again: Nikki van der Zyl, who shared a moment with Hawtrey in Carry On Dont Lose Your Head; Edina Ronay, the daughter of Egon Ronay, whom Peter Rogers, the producer, thought could be the next Brigitte Bardot; or Wanda Ventham, who gave birth to Benedict Cumberbatch. Released in 1965, Carry On Cowboy starred Angela Douglas (pictured) as Annie Oakley Gemma and Robert Ross know that Margaret Nolan, who was a buxom lass in six Carry Ons, retired from acting to settle in Spain. Julie Arnall went to live by the sea in Brighton. Jill Adams moved to the Algarve. Less happily, there are those examples of prime pulchritude who died young or in penury. Carol White, from Carry On Teacher, went to America, where pimps, pushers, liars and ex-husbands brought me crashing down. Imogen Hassall, from Carry On Loving, a poor little girl, rather lost, but terribly sweet, died of a drugs overdose. Many others, who remained in the business, became Bond girls (such as Shirley Eaton), or else were employed by Hammer Studios, to be bitten by vampires, menaced by zombies, and victimised by Vincent Price and Peter Cushing. Yutte Stensgaard, for instance, was in Lust For A Vampire. Marjie Lawrence was in I, Monster. Even Barbara Windsor was slaughtered by Jack The Ripper in A Study In Terror. Im not saying this was a fate worse than death, but Leslie Duff ended up acting with Hale and Pace as well as Rod Hull and Emu. Olga Lowe was with Sid James when he died on stage in Sunderland in 1976, at the age of 62. Angela Douglas married Kenneth More, Jill Ireland married Charles Bronson and Shakira Baksh married Michael Caine, so is now Lady Caine. The 1973 film Carry On Girls, starred Bernard Bresslaw as Peter Potter and Margaret Nolan as Dawn Brakes This book properly accounts for the big stars, such as Barbara Windsor, with her high spirits and sharp intelligence, who first appeared in Carry On Spying, as Daphne Honeybutt. Liz Fraser was always good as a sultry fiancee or the attractive best friend next door. Fenella Fielding had to buy her own costume jewellery to play the glorious vamp in Carry On Screaming she came to a party I once threw at the Groucho in honour of Charles Hawtrey and was the same in real life, full of eccentric glamour. Was Amanda Barrie a better Cleo than Elizabeth Taylor? She was certainly lucky to wear Taylors discarded costumes from 20th Century Foxs Cleopatra epic. Wrapped in a towel after skinny-dipping in asses milk she was very sexy as Sid James muttered in Latin: Oh puer, oh puer, oh puer! I was saddened to learn Hattie Jacques, dead at 58, was dropped from the series because her weight issues presented insurance risks. Joan Sims, too, felt herself to be increasingly fat and unattractive Leslie Phillips romantic interest in the early films became a scold later, though she looked marvellous as Lady Ruff-Diamond in Carry On Up The Khyber. I knew Joan, whom the authors are correct to say was wise and warm. It wasnt entirely pin-ups, of course, and Gemma and Robert do the character actresses proud. Dora Bryan, who owned the hotel in Brighton where they shot Carry On Girls, said: If they wanted a shop girl, a barmaid or a tart with a heart, they would usually call me in. Betty Marsden in Carry On Camping drives Terry Scott into the arms of a minx played by Elizabeth Knight, who died in 2005. Sheila Hancock gave an energetic turn as Senna Podd, in Carry On Cleo, so is now a Dame. In Carry On Cleo (1964), Amanda Barrie (pictured) wore Elizabeth Taylors discarded costumes from 20th Century Foxs Cleopatra epic Patsy Rowlands contributed depth and poignancy to a succession of frustrated or suspicious wives. Esma Cannon was a mad little pixie, in Carry On Cabby. Also on display as befuddled old dears were Irene Handl, Pat Coombs, Rosalind Knight and Joan Hickson, the latter with her authoritative scowls, which would make her the definitive Miss Marple. The worst thing that ever happened to us was political correctness, said June Whitfield. Its quite ridiculous. Hearty cheers to that sentiment. Set aside contemporary woke anxieties and pretentious virtue signalling and the Carry Ons are to be cherished. First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston (Headline 16.99, 384pp) (Headline 16.99, 384pp) This strikingly ingenious debut thriller from the American young-adult author Elston has already attracted attention, with a streaming TV series in preparation. It fully deserves the acclaim. The heroine is a young woman apparently called Evie Porter but that isnt her real name. In fact, shes been tempted into assuming a whole string of false identities by a mysterious handler called Mr Smith, who asks her to learn everything she can about the people he directs her towards. His purpose is to destroy or discredit them. But Evie is not only resourceful shes also determined to claim her life back and expose Mr Smith. It proves no easy task, for he tracks her every move. Incredible twist follows elegant turn as the story unfolds, with a superb cliff-hanger and a great denouement. Argylle by Elly Conway (Bantam 18.99, 384pp) (Bantam 18.99, 384pp) British film director and producer Matthew Vaughn is convinced this story, written while Conway was working as a waitress in a late-night diner in New York, is the start of the best spy franchise since Ian Flemings James Bond. To prove it he has already turned it into a movie that opens next month. The protagonist is young, idiosyncratic Aubrey Argylle, who is recruited by the CIA to work with a select group of other misfits to solve some of the worlds trickiest problems. The action never lets up for a moment, jumping from a train roaring across the Steppes of Russia to a CIA plane brought down in the wilderness of the golden triangle in South-East Asia and a hoard of Nazi gold hidden in the mountains of Poland. So far, so Fleming, but, sadly, Argylle lacks the insouciance or the charm of Bond. Plus, he is saddled with a team of belligerent outcasts. The storytelling is entertaining enough, but the plot feels forced and overblown give me Mick Herrons spies, the Slow Horses, any day. House Woman by Adorah Nworah (Borough Press 16.99, 288pp) (Borough Press 16.99, 288pp) A young Nigerian woman is put on a plane in Lagos to meet her new husband in Houston, Texas, in a marriage arranged by her parents with their former next-door neighbours. But the woman, Ikemefuna, has other ideas about her future. So begins this haunting debut from the young Nigerian short story writer Nworah. The womans intended husband, Nna, does not realise that his parents have selected her as a wife for him, nor that they are effectively keeping her prisoner in their house in the suburbs. He also does not realise that all they need from Ikemefuna is for her to bear him a son after which she will become surplus to their requirements. The moment she becomes pregnant the story develops into a neo-gothic thriller, complete with a magnificently horrifying villain in the shape of Nnas overbearing mother Agbala. As the plot unfolds it reveals that Nna is not an utter fool and that Ikemefuna is certainly a woman to be reckoned with complete with a vicious sting in the tail. I run a business selling rare and collectable memorabilia on eBay. This summer, I sold a rare Star Wars X Wing Fighter toy for 2,000 to a buyer in Spain. I bought and paid for a postage label through Packlink, the online mailing service linked to eBay, choosing UPS as the courier. I printed the label and sent the toy off. When it arrived in Spain, the buyer initially refused to pay the customs duties on the doorstep. The cost was 723 (626) and he wanted to make sure he wasn't being overcharged. This meant the parcel was then sent back to the depot. Packlink got in touch with me stating that I would have to prove the customs duties had been paid within 12 days, or the toy would be sent back to me. Star flaws: L.F sold a Star Wars X Wing fighter toy - similar to this one - on eBay, but the delivery to the buyer in Spain did not go as planned Keen to get it sorted, I contacted the buyer and offered to pay 200 euros towards the customs charge. Five days later, he sent a bank transfer to UPS for the full 723 and UPS said the toy would be sent back to him. The day after that still within the 12-day deadline - Packlink messaged me saying since I provided no information it had closed the case. I replied with proof the duties had been paid and explained the delivery was in hand with UPS, thinking that was the end of the matter. But two weeks later, the toy arrived back on my doorstep in the UK. When I called UPS to ask why it had been sent back, it said the buyer never paid the customs charge but I have seen his bank statement proving otherwise. I decided to send the toy back to Spain with a different courier, which went fine and UPS has refunded the buyer for the 723 in customs charges. But I'm now being chased for the 456 customs charge for sending the toy back to me from Spain, plus 36.48 in late payment charges. Can you help? L.F Helen Crane, This is Money's consumer champion, replies: As an experienced online seller, your mission was to get your sci-fi spaceship toy safely to your buyer in Spain. It is hardly a galaxy far, far away, but unfortunately this ended up being a struggle of epic proportions. Since Britain left the EU, shoppers both here and abroad have been hit by an army of extra fees when buying from, or selling to, a British person or company online. They may need to pay customs duties or handling charges, for example, or be responsible for paying VAT directly to the local tax authority rather than having it included in the price they pay to the retailer. Changes: Buying and selling items across borders has presented some challenges since the UK left the European Union These are just some of the new rules, and unfortunately it only gets more complicated and confusing from there. So I can understand why your buyer initially baulked at the customs charges. More than 700 is a lot of money to hand over on your doorstep without question, and he wanted to check the amount was right. CRANE ON THE CASE Our weekly column sees This is Money consumer expert Helen Crane tackle reader problems and shine the light on companies doing both good and bad. Want her to investigate a problem, or do you want to praise a firm for going that extra mile? Get in touch: helen.crane@thisismoney.co.uk You had a bad feeling about this. But I imagine buyers refuse the charges all the time, and it shouldn't be hard to sort out redelivery once the duty is paid. Unfortunately that wasn't what happened. UPS and Packlink appeared to be on a different planet from you, and the X Wing Fighter embarked on a 1,000-mile return voyage all the way back to your front door. As the toy was now classed as an import, you were charged almost 500 for the privilege of having it sent back to you. You argue you shouldn't pay this, as it was an error on the part of either UPS or Packlink that the parcel was sent back to the UK. It should have been sent back to the buyer in Spain after he paid the customs charges, and informed UPS he had done so. You told me you have tried to rectify this with UPS, but say you are met with a 'mechanical' response from its customer service droids and feel you are not being listened to. Robotic response: L.F says UPS' customer service has been 'mechanical' I contacted UPS and Packlink to see if I could encourage either firm to see the light. Packlink's parent company, Auctane, did not respond to a request for comment. However, UPS did get back to me, and I am pleased to say that it has cancelled your entire 492.48 in charges. A UPS spokesman said: 'Customer service is at the centre of all that we do, and we take the delay or non-delivery of any package very seriously. 'We can confirm that the charges have been cancelled, and we regret any inconvenience caused.' May the force be with you. Savings stamp saga continues Several weeks ago, I wrote of the struggle one Tesco shopper had when trying to convert her recently discontinued savings stamps into cash. But I was even more shocked when reader Pat wrote in just before Christmas to tell me his local store had not even allowed him to convert his 400 of stamps into Tesco's own vouchers. When it announced its decision to scrap the long-standing savings scheme last year, Tesco said exchanging them for vouchers was the best course of action for those with stamps outstanding, who didn't want to spend them immediately on shopping. Stamp of disapproval: Pat was miffed when he was told he couldn't swap his Tesco savings stamps for vouchers, after the scheme was discontinued But Pat was told by store workers that they couldn't give out vouchers, and that he should to 'go to a bigger store and buy something like a large electrical item'. Were they really suggesting that the only way to redeem his hard-saved cash was to buy a TV or fridge he didn't need? That didn't sound right to me, so I spoke to Tesco's head office. It clarified that he should have been able to get the 400 in vouchers, and let the store in question know the correct policy. Pat has now been to the store and has the vouchers in hand. The savings stamps have been void since 31 December 2023, meaning they can no longer be spent in-store. However, my understanding is that they should still be exchanged for vouchers. If you have any trouble with this, get in touch. My efforts at email hygiene have gone horribly wrong. In an effort to separate my personal, financial, health, voluntary and charitable activities from my work at the Daily Mail I use a personal email account. Given that company equipment mobile phone, computer and iPad are used to access the private account, it was my assumption that double verification and firewalls would largely protect me from scammers. How foolish you can be. Alex Brummer admits: 'My efforts at email hygiene have gone horribly wrong' I am also very conscious that using company email to conduct personal business could be seen as a conflict. The appearance of a Daily Mail email address might, for some commercial providers, be incorrectly construed as wanting special treatment. At soon after 10am yesterday my mobile started to ring incessantly, my WhatsApp account pinged and the message box on my cell-phone lit up. Friends, charitable contacts and colleagues with my 'private' email details received an innocuous message purporting to come from me. Under the subject line 'Happy new year' the following words came up: 'Hi, hope you are well. Sorry to bother you, do you shop online from Amazon?' The senior colleague who sits opposite me spotted a rat and verbally asked whether this email was really from me. The same message had gone to my entire personal email list with many overlaps to my work address. Most of those contacting me were seeking verification that the initial message was from me. But some of my contacts simply hit the reply key. What came up was the scam missive: 'I need you to get an Amazon e-gift card for a friend's daughter who is down with cancer of the Liver, it's her birthday today and I promised to get it to her today, but I can't do this now because all my effort purchasing online proved abortive. 'Can you get it from Amazon. I'll reimburse you back as soon as possible. Kindly let me know if you can handle it.' The use of the cancer narrative may have given it an air of authenticity as last year I had my personal run-in with the disease and recipients may well have believed that, as a sufferer, I would be particularly sympathetic to the 'friend's daughter'. To my horror, in spite of some odd syntax, the capital 'L' for liver and the repetition in 'reimburse you back', at least two acquaintances swung immediately into action. One extraordinarily well-meaning friend sent 5,000, (later recovered), another committed to 50 and pledged a further 100 from his partner. They have been scammed and I feel sick to the stomach about it because of my limited control of events. Working for a sizeable company, where we have IT experts on tap, my immediate port of call was to the tech helpdesk. It immediately swung into action, sending out as many messages and emails to contacts warning of the hack. But new fake messages were still going out. With the help of IT, new double verification was set up on my office account and my private account closed for 24 hours so the operators could do the security checks. It turns out that Amazon e-gifts are a bit like digital currency. They are the great favourite of crooks. Email addresses are bought on the dark web and Amazon e-gifts, essentially, appear to be untraceable. Cash for old rope, a gift to money launderers and criminals, many of whom, I was told by IT security, can be traced to Lagos. If Amazon e-gifts are such a soft touch for rogues, there are real questions to be asked as to why a company so big, powerful and influential, with access to the latest tech security and AI, hasn't shut down this huge loophole. There is enormous frustration among big financial institutions that the onus for combating online fraud and the cost of compensation falls on them. The banks have tightened up with requirements for face and fingerprint recognition, and warnings about tricksters. However, the bandits, potentially, could be frozen out if the paths to our personal data were more strictly patrolled by the big providers of broadband networks and if Big Tech ranked risk to users above freedom of expression and profits. The unbridled power of Big Tech can be a menace. When the massive 2,670-passenger cruise ship Diamond Princess was quarantined off Japan in February 2020 following an outbreak of Covid, it became a grim omen of the chaos soon to befall the global economy. The spread of the virus quickly began to hit the travel sector, with ships held at anchor and passenger aircraft grounded. Travel restrictions effectively put the industry into stasis as many companies haemorrhaged cash in the form of upkeep costs. Holiday makers snap up cruises to see the Northern Lights But the cruise firms once the poster child for the industrys pandemic woes are now steaming ahead and are set for a record year as passengers come back. Around 35.7m holidaymakers are expected to travel on cruise ships this year, up by more than 4m on the 31.5m in 2023, according to the Cruise Lines International Association. This will also be 6pc higher than the number of passengers who travelled in 2019. David Bernstein, chief financial officer of the cruise firm Carnival, which owns the Diamond Princess, said the industry was benefiting from consumers increasingly opting to spend their cash on experiences such as holidays rather than on material goods. This was paying off handsomely, with Carnival boss Josh Weinstein previously saying the firm was entering 2024 with the best-booked position we have ever seen. After plunging during the pandemic as demand evaporated, the worlds major listed cruise firms experienced a revival of their share prices last year. Shares in Carnival rose 130pc from December 30, 2022 to Wednesday last week, while rival Royal Caribbean surged 162pc in the same period, and Florida-based Norwegian Cruise Line climbed 50pc. The travel division of Saga, the over-50s holiday and insurance group, said its ocean and river cruise sector returned to profit in the six months to July 2023 as it rebounded from a slump. Andy Harmer, UK managing director at the Cruise Lines International Association, said the industry body was expecting more passengers than ever before will take a holiday at sea in 2024, adding that another 20 massive cruise vessels would also be entering the market this year. Calm waters: The Northern Lights, top, are a big draw; below, passengers leave Covid-struck Diamond Princess But while the cruise industry may have avoided being sunk by Covid, the seas ahead are anything but calm. Although the pandemic may be over, many big players are saddled with large debts that were taken out to keep them afloat during the stoppage. In its results in December, Carnival revealed that it was still nursing a debt pile of just over 23.5bn. This followed results from Royal Caribbean in which it reported that in September it was sitting on long=term debts of 14.1bn. Other concerns include another rise in fuel costs, with recent instability in the Middle East threatening to push up the cost of oil. The conflict could also have more direct implications as cruise companies are being forced to reschedule itineraries to remove stops at ports in Israel and Egypt as well as avoiding the Red Sea where cargo ships have recently come under attack from Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Cryptocurrency bitcoin slammed into reverse a day after topping $45,000 for the first time in nearly two years. The digital coin fell by as much as 9 per cent towards $41,000 in a stark reminder to investors of the risks that are involved when betting on cryptocurrencies. The slump came a day after bitcoin shot past $45,000 for the first time since April 2022 on hopes that there would be a big regulatory breakthrough. In reverse: Cryptocurrency bitcoin slammed into reverse a day after topping $45,000 Speculation is mounting that the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will approve the first-ever exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to crypto in the coming days. That would give the industry, which was dubbed the Wild West by SEC chairman Gary Gensler just last month, a much-needed credibility boost. However, analysts have warned that the value of bitcoin will crash if the ETFs are not approved. Neil Wilson, chief market analyst at Markets, said the recent surge in the value of bitcoin may be nothing more than hype and enthusiasm for something that everyone has told themselves must have some kind of value. Bitcoin rocketed to a peak close to $70,000 in 2021, having been worth less than $500 five years earlier. It then crashed below $16,000 in 2022 before staging a recovery last year. Regulators in the UK have warned investors who buy crypto assets such as bitcoin that they are highly risky and they could lose all their money. Support for Joe Biden has collapsed by 18 points among young women in just the past six months amid questions about his age, his leadership and his response to the crisis in Gaza. The sector was a key part in delivering a narrow victory in the 2020 election. But an exclusive poll for DailyMail.com found his support among 18 to 29-year-old likely female voters plunged from 60 percent in June 2023 to 42 percent at the end of last month. His lead over Donald Trump among this group crashed from 27 points to 10 points. And it is one of the key reasons why Biden was leading by two points in our June poll and is now trailing Trump by three points in a head-to-head matchup. 'During the 2020 election, there was like a starker consensus and support for Joe Biden,' said 23-year-old Sanjana Shashikumar, from New York, who works in government affairs. J.L. Partners polled 984 likely voters in December, the fourth of its national polls. It found that Biden's support with women aged 18-29 had dropped by 18 points in six months Joe Biden has seen his narrow lead in national polls disappear since the middle of the year. Donald Trump is also head in a series of swing states that will likely decide the result EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Voters describe Trump and Biden's plans for a second term as REVENGE or NOTHING Advertisement 'But now it's he's definitely not as qualified as we thought he was. He's too old. He's not reacting the way that we wanted him to react. 'I'm not sure if I personally have that sentiment. But the conversations that I'm having amongst my peers, people my age, like in their early 20s, the support for Joe Biden is much lower than it was.' She said her friends felt he had shown a lack of leadership in general and that he had taken entirely the wrong tack on the war in Gaza. He may not have lost them completely, however. 'If the option is Trump versus Biden ...' she said, before her friend Andrea Chess, 34, finished her sentence: 'The lesser of two evils would be Biden.' Next week, the president will go on the attack setting out the likely choice facing voters in November. He will use the anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol to make the case that Trump poses an existential threat to democracy. His campaign officials say polls do not tell the whole story and point to elections in 2023 that showed strong turnout among young people and on college campuses. Even so, groups representing young voters have already warned his campaign that that will not be enough and that Biden must build a positive case for his reelection. That is borne out by our latest poll. J.L. Partners surveyed 984 likely voters from December 15 to 20. The results carry a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points. 'Much is made of Biden's woes with 18 to 29-year-olds but dig beneath the surface and there is another nuance: His real issue is with younger women rather than younger men,' said James Johnson, co-founder of J.L. Partners. The poll found that women in general were turning away from Biden. His lead over Trump among female voters dropped from 12 points to six during the last six months of the year In a head-to-head matchup, Biden has seen a two-point lead turned into a three-point deficit 'Other research shows that this group is much more socially liberal, as well as more likely to hold much more sympathy with Palestinians rather than Israel. 'I mention that last finding because this is what seems to be informing the shift: frustration and disenchantment with Biden's early position on the war in Gaza. 'The big question is will this support bounce back when the prospect of Trump is on the ballot, or will these women simply abstain from voting or go third party?' Losing any group that Biden carried in 2020 could spell defeat, he added. 'That is how slim the margin of his victory was,' Johnson said. Previous polls show how the Gen Z cohort is going its own way. They are more likely to harbor positive feelings towards the Palestinian terror group Hamas than the general population, for example, and are more likely to view Israel negatively. Other polls suggest that young Democrats have been particularly uneasy about Biden's close embrace of Israel after 1200 people were killed in a Hamas attack. A Biden campaign spokesperson said young women 'are voting like their rights depend on it, because they do' as he laid out the stark choice on offer J.L. Partners polled 550 voters in Arizona, in Georgia and Wisconsin in November, 2023. The results showed Joe Biden in danger of losing two states that helped him win in 2020 Our new poll does not tease out the reasons behind the particular drop in support among young women. But youth groups have warned Biden that his handling of the crisis in Gaza could depress turnout among Millennial and Gen Z voters on Election Day. 'You cannot win this election by only telling our generation that you are the lesser of two evils,' they said in a letter signed by the heads of March for Our Lives, Gen Z for Change, the Sunrise Movement and others. 'The position of your administration is badly out of step with young people and the positions of Democratic voters, whom have been shown to support a ceasefire by supermajorities in multiple polls.' The Biden campaign said the president and vice president would be hitting the road in the new year spelling out the choice facing young voters. 'Young people especially young women are voting like their rights depend on it, because they do,' said Biden-Harris 2024 spokesperson Seth Schuster. 'They've rejected MAGA extremist policies at the polls repeatedly because they know that if Donald Trump is elected, young Americans face very real threats of a national abortion ban that endangers women and punishes doctors, more guns in schools and on the streets, a rollback of policies to combat climate change, and being kicked off their parents' health insurance before theyre 26 for no reason other than because he can.' Recent crime data has revealed NSW's most dangerous suburbs for serious crime as the state recorded close to 200,000 serious offences in just 12 months. The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics found some suburbs recorded more than 3,000 serious offences in 12 months, with Sydney CBD, Mount Druitt and the regional town of Bourke emerging as the worst locations. In the 12-month period to June 2023, the state recorded more than 192,000 serious offences, including 72 homicides and more than 66 assaults. Bourke, which has a population of just 2,389 people, recorded 622 offences, while Sydney's CBD had almost 3,000 serious offences - including more than 1,200 non-domestic assaults. Popular inner-city neighbourhoods such as Redfern, Surry Hills, and Glebe are also highlighted on the list as some of the most unsafe suburbs in New South Wales. The figures include the 13 major crime categories - homicide, assault, break and enter, sexual offences, robbery, stealing offences, motor vehicle theft, arson, abduction and malicious damage. Western Sydney suburb of Mount Druitt topped the list for the highest crime rate with 3,021 serious offences recorded in one year The Bureau of Crime Statistics said nine of the 13 major crime categories in NSW have shown 'a significant upward trend' over the last two years. Domestic violence was up by 8.7 per cent while non-domestic violence assault increased by 16.2 per cent. Meanwhile robbery, stealing from retail stores and motor vehicle theft also saw a rise of 26.6, 47.7 and 23 per cent respectively. Hotspots for crime included the Sydney CBD, Redfern, Surry Hills, Mount Druitt, Glebe, Parramatta, Penrith, Kings Cross, Villawood and Macquarie Fields. Most dangerous suburbs in Greater Sydney Mount Druitt Western Sydney's suburb of Mount Druitt topped the list for the highest crime rate with 3,021 serious offences recorded in one year. The suburb, which is home to 61,494 people, had Sydney's highest number of domestic assaults recording 743 offences and the highest overall break and enter incidents with 257. Other offences recorded for the postcode included 815 malicious damage offences, 34 arson offences and one homicide. Penrith clocked 1,972 offences including 531 malicious damage offences - ranking it the third highest figure in greater Sydney behind the Sydney CBD and Mount Druitt Redfern, located on the outskirts of the CBD recording 756 offences across its 12,072 residents (pictured, Redfern train station entrance) Sydney CBD The Sydney CBD had the second-highest serious crime rate - and highest of the city's suburbs - after recording 2,950 offences across its 27,936 residents. It accounted for the highest number of non-domestic assaults, with 1,220 incidents, followed by 571 malicious damage offences and 284 domestic assaults. The CBD also recorded 273 sexual assaults, 56 robberies and six arson offences in the 12 months to June 2023. Penrith Penrith clocked 1,972 offences, including 531 malicious damage offences - ranking it the third highest figure in greater Sydney behind the Sydney CBD and Mount Druitt. The postcode also recorded 380 non-domestic assaults, 286 domestic assaults, 146 steal from dwelling and 189 home break and enters. Redfern Redfern, located on the outskirts of the CBD recording 756 offences across its 12,072 residents. Offences included 132 non-domestic assaults, 125 domestic assaults, 117 steal from dwelling, 202 malicious damage offences and 24 motor vehicle thefts. Surry Hills recorded 1,414 offences including 443 non-domestic assaults (pictured, Bourke Street, Surry Hills) Inner city suburb of Glebe recorded 746 offences including 174 malicious damage offences and 132 non-domestic assaults (pictured, Colourful Victorian Houses in Glebe neighbourhood) Surry Hills Meanwhile, nearby suburb of Surry Hills recorded 1,414 offences including 443 non-domestic assaults. It also had 295 malicious damage offences, 166 steal from dwelling offences and 152 domestic assaults. Glebe Inner city suburb of Glebe recorded 746 offences including 174 malicious damage offences and 132 non-domestic assaults. The suburb, which has a population of 16,641 people, recorded 109 steal from dwelling offences, 74 break and enters and six arson offences. Parramatta Parramatta recorded a total of 1,524 serious offences including 374 non-domestic related assaults, 294 malicious damage, 167 steal from dwelling, 174 domestic assaults and 140 break and enters. Kings Cross Kings Cross racked up 723 offences across its 18,187 residents, with 247 non-domestic assaults recorded. The once renowned premier nightlife destination also recorded 173 malicious damage offences, 68 steal from dwelling and 66 sexual offences. Parramatta (pictured) recorded a total of 1,524 serious offences including 374 non-domestic related assault The once renowned premier nightlife destination of Kings Cross racked up 723 offences across its 18,187 residents (Pictured, iconic Coco-Cola sign at Kings Cross, Sydney) Villawood Villawood, about 27km west of Sydney, recorded 406 serious offences including 119 domestics assaults and 65 malicious damage incidents. The suburb also clocked 35 motor vehicle thefts, 27 steal from dwelling offences and three abductions. Macquarie Fields The south west Sydney suburb of Macquarie Fields rounded out Sydney's top 10 most dangerous postcodes with 538 offences. The fast-growing suburb, which has a population of 14,198, recorded 138 malicious damage offences, 121 domestic assaults, 87 non-domestic assaults and 42 break and enters. Rounding out the top 20 list for most dangerous suburbs in greater Sydney include Katoomba and St Marys followed by Ultimo, Blacktown, Waterloo, Newtown, Camperdown, Granville, Pyrmont and Doonside. Most dangerous suburbs in regional NSW Bourke The regional NSW town of Bourke, located some 800km north west of the state capital, had the highest crime rate based on population. The outback town recorded 622 serious offences including 148 domestic assaults, 135 malicious damage offences, 138 break and enters, 27 arson offences and 24 sexual offences across its 2,389 residents. Boggabilla The small town of Boggabilla, located in the far north of inland NSW north of Moree, ranked second with 254 offences recorded across 1,072 people in just one year. Serious crimes recorded included 45 malicious damage offences and 35 domestic assaults. Wilcannia Wilcannia, a small town located within the Central Darling Shire in north western NSW, ranked as the third with 196 serious offences followed by Newcastle West with 256 offences. Notable Suburbs Rounding out the top 10 most dangerous suburbs in regional NSW were Coonamble, Hamilton North, Lighting Ridge, Moree, Warren and Walgett. Other dangerous in regional NSW included Dubbo with 3,332 offences across 444,963 residents, Kempsey with 1,697 offences across 23,166 residents, Newcastle with 855 offences across 12,058 residents and Broken Hill with 1,276 offences across 18,097 residents. Cherrybrook, 29km north west of the Sydney, was the safest suburb in NSW after recording the lowest serious crime rate of 72 serious offences across a 19,082 population Safest Suburbs in Sydney The statistics also revealed the safest suburbs across the state in terms of the lowest recorded crime rate in the 12 month period. Cherrybrook Cherrybrook, 29km north west of the Sydney, recorded the lowest serious crime rate with 72 serious offences across a 19,082 population. Beecroft The Northern Sydney suburb of Beecroft came in second with 50 serious offences across 12,458 residents. Notable Suburbs Other notable safe havens included Lindfield with 67 offences across 14,648 residents, Avalon Beach with 79 offences in a population of 15,422 and West Pennant Hills with 89 serious offences across a population of 16,620 residents. Rounding out the list of Sydney's top 20 safest suburbs were Bayview, Belrose, Berowra Heights, Epping, Fairlight, Forrestville, Killara, Newport, Oyster Bay, Pymble, St Ives, The Ponds, Turramurra, Voyager Point and Wahroonga. Safest Suburbs in Regional NSW Pambula Taking out top spot as the safest suburb in regional NSW with the lowest crime rate was Pambula on the south coast with 25 serious offences across 4,101 residents. Other Suburbs Other regional suburbs with the lowest crime rate included Baldry, Wallendbeen, Gerringong, Millthorpe, Bungendore, Tumbulgum and Bangalow. Campaigners have launched a boycott of BT's digital landline switchover after vulnerable pensioners were left cut off from the outside world before Christmas and personal alarms stopped working amid a wave of complaints over the scheme. Silver Voices, the only UK-wide senior citizens campaign group, is calling for older people to write to their telecom provider and inform them they do not give permission to be switched over to the new digital-based system. BT is currently switching all its customers' landline phones to digital, affecting around 10 million homes, and had originally planned to complete the change by 2025, prompting fears millions could be left in the dark in the case of a power cut. But telecoms giants were forced to halt their forced switchovers after Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan called a meeting with Sky, BT, Virgin Media 02 and TalkTalk last month amid concerns for pensioners' safety. It came after multiple 'serious incidents' in which vulnerable customers found that personal health alarms, designed to automatically call for help in the case of an emergency, failed when the internet cut out or phone numbers were changed. This is when the change from the old copper network to a new broadband-based connection will take place across the UK Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices which represents over 60s, is calling for a boycott of the digital switchover by older people Telecoms companies said they would pause the rollout to 'vulnerable' households after campaigners warned of an emerging 'horror story' amid the digital switchover, which they claimed was 'going too far too fast'. READ MORE: BT and telecom giants agree to pause forced rollout of digital landlines after elderly and vulnerable customers reported life-saving personal alarms stopped working if internet drops out Advertisement Now campaigners are advising vulnerable Brits to write to their landline provider and inform them that they either already rely or could soon be forced to rely on alarm systems linked to their landline. They advise customers to 'make it very clear that you are withholding your permission to have your landline cut off, until you can be provided with an alternative system which is just as reliable, at no extra cost, as your personal safety is being threatened'. Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices said: 'The scrapping of copper-wire landlines is developing into a full-blown scandal which politicians must address. 'Do we have to wait for the first fatality, caused by the inability of a stricken customer to make an emergency call, before this botched programme is halted? 'We are calling on all older and vulnerable customers to identify themselves to the telecom giants and make clear that they are withholding permission for their landlines to be cut off, on the grounds of personal safety. 'Woe betides the telecom companies if they ignore these communications, they will then be directly liable for any consequences.' The group added: 'Silver Voices argues that all older people are by definition "vulnerable customers" in that we are far more susceptible to falls, heart attacks and strokes, and also argues that the problems with digital voice run far deeper than telecare devices. 'Internet systems are not as consistent and reliable as traditional landlines and will fail whenever there is a power cut or an internet outage. Battery back-up systems are generally short-lived. 'Some telecom companies advise that they can provide hybrid phones which switch automatically to a mobile signal, but these are still in a prototype stage, and they are useless where mobile signals are weak or non-existent. In the next couple of years, the Digital Voice programme will move ten million BT customers off traditional copper-wire phone lines to fibre cables that use new Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to make calls It's an issue that plagues many frustrated Britons, and now a new report has revealed the UK areas with the fastest and slowest broadband 'Future increases in costs for VoIP once the mass transfer has been achieved are bound to be exploited by the companies. Many promises to protect vulnerable customers have already been made, and broken, by the telecom giants.' Q&A: WHAT IS THE SWITCHOVER AND WILL IT AFFECT ME? Will I need a fast connection? Internet speeds of just one megabit per second (Mbps) should be enough for a good digital phone service. And every UK household has the right to demand a download speed of at least 10 Mbps. Will my bills rise? Customers will have to pay for the internet to use their home phone. But experts have said providers are likely to offer cheap, basic deals similar to landline-only contracts. It is not known if customers with older phones will need to buy a new handset or if they will get one for free. What if the internet goes down? If the internet crashes or there is a power cut, digital phone lines will stop working. Those who are vulnerable or do not have a mobile phone should be offered a back-up such as a battery pack, emergency phone line or mobile phone so they can still call 999 in an emergency. What do I need to do? Nothing yet. Those on landline-only deals or without the internet will hear from their providers later on. Advertisement Last month Ms Donelan said: 'It is absolutely right that the most vulnerable people in our society should feel safe, secure and have complete confidence in the services provided to them. 'That's why I have brought our biggest network providers and industry regulator to the table, agreeing a cast-iron set of principles to reassure people and put their minds at ease. 'The recent issues families have had to endure are unacceptable.' Providers have agreed to carry out extra checks on those who have already been forcibly migrated to digital to ensure they do not have telecare devices the provider was unaware of, and if they do, to ensure suitable support is provided. Providers are now required to provide back-up solutions that go beyond Ofcom's minimum of one hour of continued, uninterrupted access to emergency services in the event of a power outage. But Mr Reed fears these steps will not go far enough and criticised the need for customers to self-identify as vulnerable. In the next couple of years, the Digital Voice programme will move ten million BT customers off traditional copper-wire phone lines to fibre cables that use new Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to make calls. MailOnline previously revealed that life-saving personal alarms, which automatically call for help in the case of an emergency, stop working whenever there are problems with the internet - unlike with traditional copper wires. Other customers have faced losing phone numbers they have had for up to 50 years, despite BT previously promising no-one would be forced to give up their old numbers. A BT Group spokesperson previously told MailOnline: 'We're working hard to ensure that everyone knows about the switch from analogue to digital landlines, how they will be impacted and what they need to do as a result. 'We know there's more to do and we'd encourage any customers with questions or concerns to get in touch.' Picture the scene: it is nearing 8am and your son or daughter is refusing your demand to get up for school. So you turn to the nifty device that tips their bed over, finally forcing them from under the duvet. Although such a contraption remains the stuff of parents' dreams everywhere, back in 1924 it was imagined as part of what 2024 might look like. An article in the Leicester Mercury from a century ago suggested a bed-tipping device might exist in children's bedrooms, along with asbestos uniforms and school transport in the form of an 'aerobus'. The prediction was unearthed along with many others by Canadian academic Paul Fairie, who revealed his findings on X. Other predictions in newspapers in Britain, Canada and the US included the claims that women would be physically strong, beautiful dancers and that horses would have become extinct. Picture the scene: it is nearing 8am and your son or daughter is refusing your demand to get up for school. So you turn to the nifty device that tips their bed over, finally forcing them from under the duvet An article in the Leicester Mercury from a century ago suggested a bed-tipping device might exist in children's bedrooms, along with asbestos uniforms and school transport in the form of an 'aerobus' The Leicester Mercury article was reprinted from a local school's magazine. It read: 'Crash! My bed turns over automatically and I am deposited on the floor. 'It is eight o'clock and the switch, operating the above fiendish substitute for an alarm clock, is operated from school so that, at the moment, I am in the same predicament as the rest of the 450 scholars. 'After donning my one piece asbestos suit (washing being unnecessary under new atmospheric conditions) I partake of breakfast in tabloid form and step outside to catch the 8.10 aerobus and arrive at school two minutes later.' The article also envisaged an 'angry teacher' in possession of the ability to give electric shocks to their pupils. 'I feel a sudden shock as the angry mistress, operating a switch on her desk, bring me back to earth again, by passing a current through me...' Another newspaper predicted that the women of 2024 would be physically strong, beautiful dancers An article in the Fort Worth Record-Telegram in May 1924 featured the bizarre prediction An article in the Fort Worth Record-Telegram in May 1924 featured the bizarre prediction about women. It quoted R. B. von Klein Smid, president of the University of Southern California. Speaking of the woman of the future, he said: "She will be physically strong, vital and alert, loving the out-of-doors and rejoicing in its lure; active in sports, engaging by choice in those to which a bit of risk adds the spice of danger. 'She will be beautiful, enhancing the qualities of inheritance through the habits of temperance. 'Dancing will continue in its rush towards the exotic, and [she] will be wild and full of animation. 'Mentally she will be no sluggard - quick at wit and full of animation.' Another article featured an expert's prediction that horses would be extinct by 2024 The prediction about horses going extinct was made in the Folsom Telegraph, in California. Amidst the rise in popularity of cars, the report said: 'Another scientist says that the horse was to be extinct, and he sets the date a century hence' The prediction about horses going extinct was made in the Folsom Telegraph, published in California. Amid the rise in popularity of cars, the report said: 'Another scientist says that the horse was to be extinct, and he sets the date a century hence.' It added: '...we may still find a horse on a farm near Washington as we now find a white turkey, a hand churn, a muley cow, a hearth broom of sedge, or something else quaint or rare.' An article from the Daily Telegraph in September 1924 reported a prediction from MP Sir Kingsley Wood that that average life expectancy would be at least 100 by 2024. Sir Kingsley also believed that a person aged 75 would be a 'comparatively young man.' The prediction was however incorrect. The current life expectancy in Britain is an average of 82, with just over 80 for men and 84 for women. In US, the figure is 77 for men and 82 for women. MBABANE The Ministry of Education and Training has issued a list of accredited private schools for the academic year 2024. It warned that as schools are expected to open on January 23, 2024, parents need to be careful of fly-by-night private schools. Director in the ministry, Dr Ntombenhle Dlamini, encouraged parents to contact the ministry if certain private schools they were interested in were not on the list. Authority According to the list, 113 private schools were granted full authority. Schools such as Hlanganani Primary, Little School Primary, Bayabonga Day Care and Pre-School, Bayabonga Primary, New Dawn Pre-School, Checkers Pre-School, ABC Pre-School, Imphumelelo High and Brilliant Star Pre-School, among others, will operate under full authority. Provisional The issued list by the ministry also revealed 83 private schools granted provisional authority to operate. Some of these schools, among others, include; Nkosingiphendule Play Centre, Bright Beginning Pre-School, Rehoboth Pre-School, Care Bears Play School and Mobeni Preschool. Three private schools such as Sibetsamoya High, Little School Pre-School and Lingiwe Pre-school, were not given the authority to operate by the ministry. The ministry also listed 22 private schools that were shut down for undisclosed reasons. Bombshell new Jeffrey Epstein documents claim Bill Clinton 'likes them young,' as the former president and other big names once again find themselves embroiled in the appalling sex scandal. One May 2016 document released Wednesday night - a request for permission from the judge to take more depositions - includes detail of testimony already taken by Johanna Sjoberg, who was recruited at the age of 20 to work as a massage therapist. Sjoberg was recruited on a college campus, had no massage training, and said she was forced to perform sex acts on Epstein. Sjoberg told the lawyers in 2016 that Epstein told her 'Clinton likes them young, referring to girls'. Clinton has long sought to play down his association with Epstein, but admitted traveling on his private plane. He is mentioned 50 times in the newly-released documents, according to an analysis by Axios. On Wednesday, a spokesperson for Clinton told CNN that he knew nothing of Epstein's 'terrible crimes' during their friendship, adding that it has 'been nearly 20 years since Clinton last had contact with Epstein.' Wednesday's documents trove saw Ghislaine Maxwell deny Clinton had ever visited Epstein's Little St James private island in the Caribbean - although she conceded he had traveled on Epstein's plane. Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking, was questioned under oath about her relationship with Epstein and his associates. The testimony was part of a 2015 defamation case filed by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre. Other details in the trove of documents include how Epstein emailed Maxwell to insist that Stephen Hawking did not participate in an underage orgy on his Caribbean Island in 2006. Hawking, the celebrated wheelchair-bound physicist who died in March 2018 aged 76, was among the guests at a barbecue during a conference on the island sponsored by Epstein. Bill Clinton is pictured with Jeffrey Epstein in an undated photograph Johanna Sjoberg was recruited at age 20 by Maxwell on the campus of Palm Beach Atlantic University where she attended school Bill Clinton is seen with Jeffrey Epstein inside the White House in 1993, at an event for donors to the White House Historical Association. Epstein attended the event after donating $10,000 to the fund. Ghislaine Maxwell is pictured beside Epstein Another of the documents, arguing that Maxwell should be forced to sit for further testimony, reveals that Maxwell under oath said she 'did not recall' being in London with Virginia Giuffre and Prince Andrew - despite photographs showing the three together. The documents also show Maxwell confirming that Bill Clinton dined on Epstein's private jet, while travelling around the world, and denying that the former president ever visited Epstein's Caribbean Island, Little St James. Maxwell, in the April 2016 deposition, is asked about her travels with Epstein and Bill Clinton - who Epstein is known to have visited several times at the White House. 'The allegation that Clinton had a meal on Jeffrey's island is 100 per cent false,' Maxwell said. 'I'm sure he had a meal on Jeffrey's plane.' She said she did not know how many times Clinton had flown on Epstein's plane. Maxwell was also asked about her relationship with Doug Band - a lawyer, who helped rebuild Clinton's image in his post presidency following the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Band worked in Clinton's White House counsel's office and served as deputy assistant to the President before becoming his chief advisor from 2002 to 2011. With Band's help, Clinton fashioned a new role for his post presidency with his Clinton Global Initiative which donated millions to good causes. Band was also with Clinton during some of his encounters with Epstein and was on the infamous 2002 trip to Africa about the pedophile's private jet where the passengers included Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker. Photos from the trip show Clinton getting a massage from Chauntae Davies, an Epstein victim who worked as a flight attendant on the jet, nicknamed the 'Lolita Express'. Afterwards Clinton called Epstein a 'highly successful financier and a committed philanthropist with a keen sense of global markets and an in-depth knowledge of twenty-first-century science'. Bill Clinton is seen getting a massage from Chauntae Davis, 22, in 2002 at a small airport in Portugal Chauntae Davis, then 22, is seen with Bill Clinton Ghislaine Maxwell is seen with Clinton's aide Doug Band on Valentine's Day in 2007 in New York City Maxwell is asked if she knows Band, and replies: 'I do' - adding that she knew him thanks to his work with Clinton. Asked if she ever had a relationship with Band, she replies: 'We are talking about adult consensual relationships, it's off the record.' When pressed on the relationship, Maxwell says the lawyer must define the term 'relationship'. 'What do you mean by romantic?' Maxwell asks. 'I was friends with Doug but you are suggesting something more so I want to be clear what you are actually asking me.' The lawyer, Sigrid McCawley, replies: 'You defined it. You said you were friends with him. If that's what you were that's all I need to know.' The long-anticipated 'list' of 187 previously unknown Jeffrey Epstein associates was finally revealed on Wednesday. The files were made public by the Southern District of New York after the deadline for appeals passed, around 6:30pm on Wednesday . Investor Glenn Dubin is the first name to appear, in a transcript of a taped depostion with Ghislaine Maxwell where Maxwell was asked if Epstein accuser Johanna Sjoberg had ever been asked to massage Dubin. Maxwell answered: 'I don't believe, I have no recollection of it.' Many were already linked to Epstein and some are the names of previously identified victims. Three people filed appeals and one has been granted - that of Jane Doe 107. Another - filed by John Doe 110 - is under review. Jeffrey Epstein pictured in 2019, months before he died in prison. The long-awaited list of his associates and friends named in a 2015 lawsuit was today partially released For years, many have speculated over who else could have been involved with Epstein and Maxwell. While he took his secrets to the grave, she maintains she has never been involved in any sex trafficking Doe 110 is said to have been widely associated with Epstein in the past, but filed a last-minute request to stay anonymous. They are described in court documents as an 'alleged Epstein affiliate'. The names were all redacted in a 2015 lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell. The case was settled in 2017 but the names remained secret until now. Judge Loretta Preska finally agreed to unseal the documents in December last year, ruling there was no longer a legal need to keep the names hidden. Some have been calling for their release for months. Among them is Alan Dershowitz, a former Epstein associate who says releasing the documents puts all the information into the public forum and 'proves' he did nothing wrong. Ghislaine Maxwell, who in June 2022 was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for her role in the sex trafficking ring, has 'nothing to say' about the files, according to her attorney, Arthur Aidala. Aidala however said the papers may disappoint many, who think they will reveal a conspiracy or previously-unknown names. As the clock ticked down to the public release of the names of 177 of sex-trafficker connected to Jeffrey Epstein's, it was perhaps not surprising that billionaire financier Leon Black should be spotted packing his bags and getting out of town. Seen in these exclusive pictures obtained by DailyMail.com, Black, 72, and his wife, Debra, 69, loaded luggage into three cars before heading off into the New York night in the last days of 2023. Earlier in the day, Debra had perused the boutiques of Manhattan's swanky Madison Avenue, picking up items from the late Princess Diana's favorite hosiery store, Wolford. Black, who traveled with his security detail, carried his wife's purse to a waiting car and fussed with a monogrammed suit-carrier that bore his initials before the couple and their entourage escaped the city. DailyMail.com spotted billionaire financier Leon Black 72, loading luggage into three cars before heading off into the New York night Black's dealings with Jeffrey Epstein have long haunted the former CEO of Apollo Global Management. Epstein is pictured in 2005 with Black and Pepe Fanjul. Since publication of this photograph, we are informed that Mr. Fanjul only met Epstein on one occasion and before Epstein was charged Black was spotted packing his bags and fleeing New York just before the new year. He could be one of those connected to Epstein who are set to be named as documents are released Leon was seen heading out of the city with his wife Debra Black, 69 Black fussed with a monogrammed suit-carrier that bore his initials before the couple and their entourage escaped the city Black was not named in the first tranche of documents released by Judge Loretta Preska on Wednesday but more papers are set to be released in upcoming days. Just because a person's name turns up in the documents it does not necessarily mean they have committed a crime. His dealings with the disgraced former financier have long since haunted Black, once one of the City's most powerful executives as the former CEO of Apollo Global Management. Black is seen with his wife Debra in 2017 In a 2020 letter to Apollo shareholders, Black expressed regret for the association which continues to plague him but said that the relationship only involved professional services such as 'estate planning, tax and philanthropic endeavors'. The following year, in 2021, an independent investigation into his connection to Epstein commissioned by Apollo Global Management, the private equity Black co-founded in 1990 found no evidence that he was involved with Epstein's criminal activities in any way. But the probe did reveal that Black's payments to Epstein totaled $159million between 2012 and 2017. Epstein killed himself two years later, hanging himself in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York in August 2019, at the age of 66. In January 2021, plagued by his associations with Epstein, Black stepped down from his role as Apollo's CEO. Two years later, at the start of 2023, the man worth a reported $12.3 billion struck a multi-million-dollar settlement with the government of the US Virgin Islands to avoid any legal claims tied to their Epstein sex-trafficking investigation. Black carried his wife's purse to a waiting car and traveled with a security detail Black seemed relaxed and quick to smile as he quit the city with his security detail Debra was seeing shopping at the boutiques of Manhattan's swank Madison Avenue before they headed out of town Debra's husband has been hit with a slew of civil suits including one brought by a woman alleging he raped and sexual assaulted her in Epstein's home According to settlement documents reported by CNN, Black agreed to pay the Virgin Islands a whopping $62.5million in cash back in January. In exchange the territory released him from any current and future claims related to the felon. But, though he has never been charged with or convicted of a crime, however much he tries to shake off the shadow of Epstein, it continues to follow him. Most recently Black has been hit with a slew of civil suits including one brought by a woman alleging he raped and sexual assaulted her in Epstein's home. Filed in July the suit claims that Black raped the woman when she was just 16 years old in an attack that allegedly took place in Epstein's Manhattan townhouse a stone's thrown from Black's own Upper East Side mansion. The lawsuit describes in gruesome detail the woman's account of a sexual assault that, she claims, left her bleeding and sobbing. At the start of 2023, Black struck a multi-million-dollar settlement with the government of the US Virgin Islands to avoid any legal claims tied to their Epstein sex-trafficking investigation According to her lawyers the woman, identified only as Jane Doe, has autism and a rare form of Down syndrome that left her 'developmentallyabout 12 years old.' Black's lawyers have dismissed the lawsuit as 'frivolous' and 'full of vicious defamatory lies.' According to Susan Estrich, acting for Black, her client has never met the woman whose lawsuit was, she said, 'manufactured by the Wigdor law firm.' Wigdor, a firm that Black's lawyers accuse of having an 'agenda' against their client, had filed a previous sexual assault complaint against Black that was eventually thrown out. The latest lawsuit was filed on the same day that the U.S. Senate's finance committee said it was examining Black's treatments of several trusts, and whether that $158million he paid Epstein for tax and estate planning was properly deemed income of gifts for tax purposes. A heartbroken dad from Washington State has issued a plea with South Korean officials to return his seven-year-old son who he alleged was kidnapped by his mother nearly five years ago. Dr. Jay Sung, 43, an orthodontist from Seattle, Washington alleged that his estranged wife, Min Jung Cho, 42, abducted their son, Bryan, to South Korea and has refused numerous court orders to return their child to the United States. The alleged abduction took place in 2019 after a judge granted his ex to take their son to South Korea for a few weeks, as part of the divorce proceedings, though he was the parent with legal custody. The distraught father, who has been apart from his son for years, and hasn't seen or spoken to him, said that his native South Korea 'did nothing to protect' his son, despite the pair having dual citizenships. Cho had her United States citizenship revoked a year ago, and a state warrant has been out for her arrest that is still in effect since April 2020, as per the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. After the ordeal, Jay filed a petition in 2019 under the Hague Convention -which governs international child abductions. He explained that although both courts ruled in his favor, a loophole in the country's law prevents him from from getting his son back. Dr. Jay Sung, 43, hasn't seen his son Bryan, now 7, since his mother, Min Jung Cho allegedly abducted him when he was three-years-old to South Korea Sung said that his native South Korea 'did nothing to protect his son.' He is pictured holding up a sign #BringBackBryan outside the Korean Consulate in Seattle Sung's estranged wife, Min Jung Cho, 42, (pictured) allegedly snatched their young son to South Korea and has refused numerous court orders to return their child to the United States Sung has been vocal about his cause to get his son back and launched the campaign #BringBackBryan. He stood in protest outside of the Korean consulate holding up a sign and demanding the country help his cause. The dental doctor told Fox News Digital that Korean courts have taken his side, and that his ex has exhausted her appeal, but a compliance loophole in the country's law prevents law enforcement from seizing a child by force. The boy's further explained that Korean officials have declined to impose a court order for the release of his son. Despite, his ex being arrested twice and fined. The doctor of dentistry said that his nightmare began five years ago, when Cho's attorney called him a day before his son was scheduled to leave South Korea notifying him that his son will not be returning to the United States. A missing person's report was filed, but his son was eventually tracked down by South Korean police, who located the boy at his maternal's grandmother's house. At that point, officials told Sung that the case needed to resolved in civil court. Dr. Sung and his son, Bryan, pictured together when he was just a toddler The father and son duo are seen backpacking along a wooded trail as the youngster smiles as he holds a flower they picked State, federal and local officials have been trying to assist Sung, including Congresswoman Kim Schrier, the State Department and the FBI. The State Department has called out South Korea for a 'pattern of noncompliance' under the Convention due to the country's law enforcement services' performance on court-ordered returns,' as per the news outlet. According to the State Department's Action Report, the average time to resolve a child abduction in South Korea is just under three yearst. Sung told the news outlet a number of lawmakers in South Korea have recognized that their system is flawed. He said hearings have been held and the group has started drafting reforms. Astonishing images that sum up Australia's rental crisis have emerged, with dozens of potential tenants queued down the street to inspect a unit. A two-bedroom unit for lease in Flemington in Melbourne's inner north-west attracted a massive crowd at a recent open inspection. Footage posted by a prospective renter on social media showed the lengthy queue, which snaked from the undercover carport and spilled onto the street for several hundred metres along the footpath. The unit was advertised as $370 a week, $70 below the median rent for a two bedroom apartment in Flemington. 'Rental crisis in Melbourne,' the prospective tenant captioned the clip. The apartment comprises of two good sized bedrooms with built in wardrobes, light-filled lounge, meals area and kitchen The prospective renter cited the cheap rent and good location less than 10km from the Melbourne CBD as reasons for the massive inspection queue. 'Comprising two good sized bedrooms with built in wardrobes, light-filled lounge and meals area, trendy kitchen with electric oven, dishwasher and loads of cupboard and bench space plus a modern bathroom with over-sized recessed shower, toilet and combined laundry facilities with enough room for a dryer,' the listing for the property states. 'Enhanced by a split system heating and cooling unit, timber polished floorboards and an in demand lock up garage ideal for storage and additional complex parking Many Aussies agreed that the footage summed up the nation's 'brutal' housing crisis. 'Australia is hell,' one wrote. Another added: 'Might as well buy a caravan and park it in a church carpark at this point.' A third said: 'World's most liveable city.' Some suggested there was more chance of winning of Lotto than securing a lease and wouldn't have bothered joining the queue. 'Rather live under a bridge than line up in that,' one viewer commented. Others shared their tips on how to remain one step ahead in the housing crisis. 'I wouldn't even bother going to the inspections, I'd just apply for everything and if I get it, ask for a 'second' inspection before signing,' one viewer wrote. Some renewed calls for governments to intervene and do more to resolve the housing shortage. 'They're letting everyone in to the country and not worrying about people here,' one wrote. The queue to inspection the unit snaked from the building carport and spilled onto the street Others suggested alternatives to escape the housing crisis. 'There's houses out of the big smoke,' one suggested. Another added: 'And this is why I still live with my parents.' The status of the real estate listing for the unit for lease changed from available to 'under application' on Thursday morning. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the real estate agent for comment. It comes after a UK woman living in one of Australia's toughest rental markets shared her advice on how to ensure your rental application gets accepted after her nightmare ordeal to secure housing. Ellie shared tips she wished she had known when she first arrived in Sydney, which would have saved her weeks of heartache and dozens of rental rejections. 'The first thing I wish I knew was how much evidence and documentation rental agents need for you to apply for a flat,' Ellie explained. 'I've been advised by letting agents along the way that the more documentation you provide, the better.' The massive crowd was due to the unit's ideal location minutes from the Melbourne CBD and cheap rent at $370 per week One regret Ellie had was not asking her previous landlords for a tenant lodger to prove she was a reliable tenant and could pay her rent on time. 'Oh my God, it was so annoying trying to get in touch with old landlords- I actually couldn't get in touch with them,' she said. 'I had a private landlord, and they completely ghosted me. 'If you have an agency- that's fine as they'll send it.' Ellie had to track down old bank statements and screenshot every rent payment to show she was an ideal tenant. References from a previous real estate or landlord and employer will also help. Proof of savings and/or employment and offering to pay several months rent will also boost your chances, particularly for travellers on a work holiday visa like Ellie. 'Some people aren't going to like this- but money wins,' Ellie continued. If you're unemployed or on a unfavourable visa like me, you need to be giving them stuff that makes up for that. 'So I offered three months in rent and offered some reassurance that I'm good for the money.' Renters looking to live high-demand areas such as beachside suburbs may need to make compromises and lower their wish lists to include places without a balcony and air-conditioning. Offering to pay more than the advertised rent will also likely see you jump to the front of application process, a tip Ellie admitted was 'gross'. 'I'd been getting comments from people saying 'if you don't do it, you'll miss out on the flat,' she recalled. 'We'd been offering the asking price and getting nowhere.' 'I didn't have the money ( to offer more) at the price bracket we were looking at so we started looking at flats under our budget so we had the money to offer over.' Hard-pressed Scots face the threat of soaring food bills as SNP ministers line up a punishing new tax on shops and supermarkets. The Scottish Government is preparing to bring back a controversial public health supplement which forced larger retailers to pay extra if they sell alcohol and tobacco. The surcharge brought in 95million over three years before it was scrapped in 2015. But now ministers say they want to consider reintroducing the charge at the end of the year sparking fears it will become a tax on shopping that will add to the pressure on family finances as firms pass on the extra costs to consumers. It also led to claims from business leaders that the move would damage town centres and hit staff pay. Struggling Scots face the threat of a punishing new tax on their shopping David Lonsdale, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: A new levy on grocers smacks of incoherent policymaking within government. Its a bizarre way to behave when other ministers are looking to grocers for help to implement new regulatory measures including in-store restrictions on alcohol marketing, curbs on selling products high in salt and sugar, and a likely rise in alcohol minimum unit pricing. It comes months after the Deposit Return Scheme farrago stiffed grocers with a bill for tens of millions of pounds. The public health levy that didnt check out Shoppers face a supermarket tax When SNP ministers first unveiled a surtax on large retailers selling alcohol and tobacco, they said that it would bring in 110million over three years to fund public health projects. But the move faced a backlash from business leaders, who branded it a supermarket tax designed to raise more money for the Scottish Government. In the final stage of the 2012 Budget, then Finance Secretary John Swinney confirmed he would go ahead with the public health supplement but would reduce the amount firms would pay following discussions with business leaders, meaning it would bring in 95million over three years. He said about 240 retail premises would pay the supplement, which would be a temporary measure for three years. The supplement ended as planned in 2015 but a damning study by researchers from Edinburgh Universitys School of Social and Political Science later found there was no evidence the proceeds were spent on health initiatives. Advertisement A surtax could also have consequences for the state of our high streets and town centres. Escalating rates bills could further undermine support at future ballots for business improvement districts (BIDs). Its not difficult to see bumper increases in rates bills causing those affected to start voting consistently against BIDs, which are usually funded by a surcharge on the business rate. Mr Lonsdale added: Finally, shop staff themselves may not be immune from the impact of any new surtax. Thats because staff bonuses at some retailers are dependent on the profit and loss performance of their own individual store. The proposal was not mentioned by Deputy First Minister Shona Robison during her Budget speech last month. It was buried within the Budget documents in a section about new taxes, which said: Recognising the importance of sustaining the public finances and public services, we are also committed to exploring the reintroduction of a non-domestic rates Public Health Supplement for large retailers in advance of the next Budget, while continuing work over the coming year to explore an Infrastructure Levy, to be implemented by spring 2026. Ms Robison has already faced criticism from business leaders for refusing to match the UK Governments decision to offer 75 per cent business rates relief to firms in the hard-pressed retail, leisure and hospitality industries. Mr Lonsdale said lining up a new surtax on grocers without warning falls woefully short of commitments in Humza Yousafs new deal for business, which promised that businesses would be involved at the inception of policy development. He said it sends a message about policymaking on taxation, adding: Businesses make long-term investment decisions based on the costs of operating and the predictability of tax and regulatory decisions. A more ad hoc and less predictable approach towards levying taxes aimed at specific sectors rings alarm bells. Its likely to affect commercial decisions and make economic recovery more arduous ... Ultimately, the cost of operating a retail business is borne by consumers. Under the public health supplement introduced in 2012, retailers selling alcohol and tobacco from premises with a rateable value of over 300,000 had to pay an extra surtax. The supplement raised more than 95million in the period between it being introduced in 2012 and scrapped in 2015. A Scottish Government spokesman said: This announcement in the Scottish Budget signalled ministers intention to explore the reintroduction of a Public Health Supplement. Representatives from the retail sector and other relevant stakeholders will be consulted as part of that exploratory work. A Mongolian who was in Australia on a tourist visa has lost his attempt to overturn a conviction for raping a woman who got into his car thinking it was her Uber. Anna* thought she had overdosed after drinking a bottle of wine and taking some tablets while depressed and called an Uber to take her to hospital. But in her state of anxiety, the 23-year-old mistakenly sent the ride-share car to the wrong address, not to her apartment in the inner Sydney suburb of Waterloo. Instead she got into a car on the street she thought was her Uber and the driver, Zorigoo Zurshig, put the passenger seat back and raped Anna twice. After around 50 minutes she finally managed to get out of the car and back to her unit, feeling 'scared and not in control', the Sydney Morning Herald reported. Anna got into a car she thought was her Uber and the driver, Zorigoo Zurshig (pictured), put the passenger seat back and raped Anna twice Zurshig was caught and found guilty in the NSW District Court of two counts of rape and sentenced to four years and three months in prison with a two-year non-parole period. At first he denied having had sexual contact with Anna, but a DNA sample taken from him matched Anna's swab from a sexual assault clinic. READ MORE: Teenage girl is raped in New Year's Eve beach party horror Advertisement He then took his case to the NSW Criminal Court of Appeal, but failed to have the conviction overturned. The attack on Anna is one of several such cases in recent years where men have pretended to be providing a ride-share service and used it to sexually assault or harass women. In August 2023, court documents revealed that an 18-year-old woman who was sexually touched after mistakingly getting into the wrong car while waiting for an Uber managed to record the horror ordeal on her phone. The driver, 42-year-old Mohamed Maan Hammoud, pleaded guilty at the Sydney Downing Centre Local Court to sexually touching the teenager without consent. In October 2022, the young woman and a friend were drinking at the Village Inn Pub on Glenmore Road in Paddington. She used the Uber app to book a trip home, about five kilometres away, but had three trips cancelled before she was assigned a white Toyota Corolla. According to the prosecution's statement of facts, the teenager waited a short while before she mistakenly got into the front passenger side of a black Toyota Corolla hatchback which was driven by the offender, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. But in her state of anxiety, the 23-year-old mistakenly sent the ride-share car to the wrong address, not to her apartment in the inner Sydney suburb of Waterloo Hammoud asked the teenager while driving her home, 'do you get horny?', which made her feel uncomfortable. This prompted her to open the voice memos application on her phone and start recording the exchange between her and the offender during the car ride. Hammoud questioned her about the night and asked if she had ever used drugs, he then 'placed his hand on (her) right thigh and stroked in an up and down motion up to where her skirt ended,' the facts stated. She was repeatedly asked, 'do you like that?' and was told by Hammoud to 'spread them' and 'spread your legs'. Hammoud stroked her thigh again before asking her again, 'do you like that?' to which she replied, 'no'. The prosecution's statement of facts said Hammoud then attempted to place his hand under the teenager's skirt. 'The victim said 'mm, no', The offender said 'later?' (and) the victim did not reply to this,' the facts state. The attack on Anna is one of several such cases in recent years where men have pretended to be providing a ride-share service and used it to sexually assault or harass women. Stock image Hammoud also asked the victim whether she was masturbating because he believed she was 'making sex noises', to which she said 'no'. He then rubbed her right thigh a third time. The teenager then pretended she was asleep to avoid the offender for the rest of the trip home, which was approximately 10 minutes. The offender, who believed the victim was asleep, told the teen to wake up as they had arrived at her home. The young woman alerted her friend and her parents and immediately reported the incident to police. Police arrested Hammoud at his home in Greenacre, in Sydney's south-west, in November 2021. *Name changed 'When I bought the plane I didn't know who he was or what he did with it,' the new owner said. 'My business is aviation - not this Epstein s**t. I wasn't happy' The Boeing 727 nicknamed the Lolita Express is complete with red interior, a mirrored wall and bedroom. It hasn't flown since 2016 and was sold to Florida-based World Aviation Services in 2020 Jeffrey Epstein's private plane he used to shuttle underage girls and carry the likes of Bill Clinton, Donald Trump and Prince Andrew is set to be scrapped, DailyMail.com can reveal Advertisement The plush private jetliner used by Jeffrey Epstein to whisk his VIP associates around the globe will be torn apart and scrapped, DailyMail.com has exclusively learned. The notorious Boeing 727 nicknamed the 'Lolita Express' hasn't flown since 2016 and is racking up thousands of dollars in storage fees each year as it sits mothballed beside a Georgia runway. Florida-based World Aviation Services paid an undisclosed sum for the decades-old tri-jet in March 2020 hoping to turn a profit or use the parts for a similar cargo aircraft in its fleet. But after learning about the plane's central role in Epstein's sex trafficking empire, the company's shocked boss has abandoned any hopes of finding a buyer and will instead strip it down for anything of value. Jeffrey Epstein's infamous 'Lolita Express' - a private Boeing 727 airliner that carried prominent passengers and allegedly underage girls - will be torn apart and scrapped The Boeing 727 nicknamed the Lolita Express hasn't flown since 2016 and was sold to Florida-based World Aviation Services in 2020. Epstein is pictured on the jet getting a foot massage from Ghislaine Maxwell with French modeling scout Jean-Luc Brunel In four years there hasn't been a single offer for Epstein's 54-year-old plane which once transported the likes of Bill Clinton. Clinton is pictured on the jet with Ghislaine Maxwell The private plane's red garish couch sits in the middle of the plane with an executive table and chairs Exclusive images taken by DailyMail.com show the large bed in the rear bedroom cabin of Epstein's plane that is stocked with extra linens Mundane items including bedding, toilet paper, water bottles and instant coffee were also reminders that the plane now badly corroded was in regular use 'When I bought the plane I didn't know who he was or what he did with it,' the businessman told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview. 'My business is aviation not this Epstein s**t. Of course, I wasn't happy,' As of December, there were just 35 Boeing 727s in service across the world, primarily serving as freighters, charter jets or military planes for countries including Colombia, Mexico and Burkina Faso. A handful have been turned into novelty homes, glamping accommodation and even a hotel, with disused models selling at auction for as little as $2,000. But in four years there hasn't been a single offer for Epstein's 54-year-old plane which once transported the likes of Bill Clinton, Britain's Prince Andrew and actor Kevin Spacey, according to flight logs. 'It will cost a lot of money to restore. There's always crazy people out there but I just don't see it,' added the current owner, asking to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals. 'It's a rare plane. There are not too many of them flying around the world today. There is a lot of stuff in there that you can't find on the market anymore avionics, landing gear, windows, flaps. 'I can recoup my money, I'm not that worried about it.' There are numerous creepy pointers to the plane's notorious former occupant, including mirrored walls The plane's rear bedroom cabin. Florida-based World Aviation Services paid an undisclosed sum for the decades-old tri-jet in March 2020 The front cabin of the 'Lolita Express' has a circular seating area. The plane has been parked near a maintenance hangar in Brunswick, Georgia since 2016 Federal prosecutors say Epstein's jet was used to shuttle young sex trafficking victims between his sprawling homes in New York, New Mexico, Paris, the US Virgin Islands and Palm Beach The flight logs list Bill Clinton as a passenger on the plane on 26 occasions, jetting to locations such as Brunei, Norway, Russia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, the Azores, Africa, Belgium, China, New York, and Belgium The inside of the cockpit of Jeffrey Epstein's private jet. As of December, there were just 35 Boeing 727s in service across the world, primarily serving as freighters, charter jets or military planes for countries including Colombia, Mexico and Burkina Faso Federal prosecutors say Epstein's jet was used to shuttle young sex trafficking victims between his sprawling homes in New York, New Mexico, Paris, the US Virgin Islands and Palm Beach. Federal aviation records still list its owner as Delaware-based JEGE Inc., which is named in several lawsuits as a company linked to the 66-year-old financier, who hanged himself in August 2019 while awaiting trial. DailyMail.com understands that the records are out of date, however, and that it's changed hands several times since 2016. Call sign N908JE took its final flight on July 11 of that year, taking off from Palm Beach International Airport at 11:39am and landing at Georgia's Brunswick Golden Isles Airport 51 minutes later. Since then, it's been parked up near a maintenance hangar owned by Stambaugh Aviation, an independent jet maintenance firm which charges around $1,000 a month in storage fees. It's been unregistered since 2019, meaning it cannot be legally flown, a moot point since its three Pratt & Whitney engines were stripped and sold after it arrived in Georgia. DailyMail.com first located the dormant jet in 2020, when we found the once-plush interior, including deep-pile carpets, throw blankets and fluffy pillows, infested with mold and mildew. There were numerous creepy pointers to its notorious former occupant, including a garish red couch, mirrored walls, monogrammed tissues and a bottle of baby lotion stored in a wood-paneled bathroom. Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre has filed various lawsuits against the pedophile and his jailed madam Ghislaine Maxwell, claiming she was recruited as a 15-year-old 'sex slave' and forced to 'entertain' a string of VIPs on board the jet. She has settled cases with Prince Andrew and Alan Dershowitz, admitting last year that she might have 'made a mistake' when she accused the Harvard law professor. Bill Clinton is seen lounging on the jet, smoking a cigar and reading a newspaper with some bedding behind him Flight logs released during Ghislaine Maxwell's sex-trafficking trial show Donald Trump travelled on Epstein's Lolita Express on one two-leg trip in May 1994 with ex-wife Marla Maples, his then-infant daughter Tiffany and a nanny Donald Trump flew at least seven times on Jeffrey Epstein's private Lolita Express jet In 2000, Prince Andrew was on board Epstein's plane along with Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and others on a flight from New Jersey to Florida, according to flight logs Prince Andrew with his arm around the bare midriff of Virginia Roberts, while Ghislaine Maxwell is grinning in the background The flight logs show President Bill Clinton, Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker apparently took a trip together from JFK airport with Jeffrey Epstein ('JE') and Ghislaine Maxwell ('GM') But many more prominent Epstein pals have now been unmasked after previously sealed documents in the Maxwell lawsuit were made public Wednesday. That suit was settled in 2017 but New York federal judge Loretta Preska ruled last month that the documents should finally be made public in January. The process was thrown into chaos Wednesday when 'Jane Doe 107', a woman who claims she will be in danger in her 'culturally conservative country if she's unmasked, was granted 30 days to appeal the decision. But Dershowitz, who negotiated a notoriously lenient 2008 plea deal when the warped financier was first accused of abusing girls in Florida, is among those calling for the names to be revealed. 'I want everything out, every document, every piece of paper, half-truths or lies, and I wanted them out for personal reasons because I know that they would prove what I've said from day one, that I did nothing wrong, and the woman who accused me later admitted that she may have misidentified me, confused me with someone else,' he told NewsNation. 'There are some people who may be ashamed of the fact that they hung out with Epstein but remember a lot of people hung out with Epstein before he was convicted.' The Australian Reptile Park (ARP) has just received a record donation, but not in the form of cash. The park, near Gosford on the NSW Central Coast, was on the receiving end of the biggest male funnel-web spider to ever be donated to its antivenene program and, appropriately, the 7.9cm nightmare fuel was named Hercules. Some brave soul found Hercules at home, safely scooped him up, and delivered him to the ARP drop-off location at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle. Park spider keeper Emma Teni was excited to receive a specimen of Hercules's size. A male funnel web spider (pictured) is the largest of its species to ever be donated to the Australian Reptile Park's antivenene program The funnel web spider was aptly named Hercules and measures at 7.9cm. Pictured is a comparison of Hercules' size (left) to that of an average male funnel web spider (right) 'We're used to having pretty big funnel-web spiders donated to the park; however, receiving a male funnel-web this big is like hitting the jackpot,' she said. 'While female funnel-web spiders are venomous, males have proven to be more lethal. 'With having a male funnel-web this size in our collection, his venom output could be enormous, proving incredibly valuable for the park's venom program.' The sheer size of Hercules took Ms Teni by surprise, as females are generally the larger of the species. 'When I first saw Hercules I for sure thought he had to be a female because he was so big,' she said. 'Upon closer inspection, he is definitely a male and has some of the biggest fangs I have ever seen.' That is a pleasant thought considering a funnel-web's fangs can pierce through a human fingernail. Ms Teni encourages the public to try to catch any funnel-web spiders they come across, if it's safe to do so, as their contribution to the antivenene program is vital. 'People can bring any collected funnel-web spiders to the reptile park itself,' she said. 'However, if they can't get to us, we have drop-off zones around Sydney, the Central Coast and Newcastle and all facilities are provided with a spider safety kit to house the spiders until the Australian Reptile Park staff can come and pick them up each week.' The ARP relies on these donations for their antivenene program, which got under way in 1981. Since then, there hasn't been a single fatality from a funnel-web bite. According to The Australian Museum, there are between 30 to 40 recorded funnel-web bites every year, with the antivenene produced via these programs saving victims lives. Australian Reptile Park spider keeper Emma Teni (pictured) said receiving such a large male funnel web was like 'hitting the jackpot' Ms Teni said Hercules had the biggest fangs she had ever seen (pictured) Ms Teni also has some advice on how to catch any funnel-webs the public may come across. 'Collecting a funnel-web is super simple,' she said. 'All you need is a jar and a spoon, then gently encourage the spider into the jar and place the lid back on, you then have them safely secured and ready to drop off.' If you are lucky enough to come across and capture a funnel-web spider you can visit the Australian Reptile Park website to find a drop-off location. Just make sure that lid is on properly. A chaotic street takeover in Compton led to an outrageous break in that cost a local mom-and-pop bakery at least $20,000 not even two days into the new year. At around 3.30am on Tuesday morning, a mob of looters decimated the business, leaving bits of wall and merchandise strewn across the floor and making off with entire cash registers. The target of the robbery was the longstanding Ruben's Bakery & Mexican Food, which sits near the intersection of El Segundo Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue - reportedly an especially popular place for street takeovers to occur. The gang of robbers, who were seen on video surveillance obtained by ABC7, entered the bakery by repeatedly smashing a white Kia Soul into one of the building's sides. Footage shows the driver of the car backing up and ramming into the store several times, as dozens of looters entered. The moment a Kia Soul was reversed through the doors of the Ruben's Bakery and Mexican Food in Compton, California, is pictured According to the city's Sheriff's Station, the street takeover included about 100 people, some of whom had begun the antics by burning debris and trash in the street. The busy neighborhood intersection is home to several other small businesses, as well as family homes, and even a pre-school. One anonymous individual who works at the school told the local outlet: 'It's terrifying to know that we have a pre-school right across the street and there's people doing things like this.' 'I was hoping to run into the owner just to ask to see if they need anything from us or any kind of support. We're here for them.' The owners of the one off bakery shop lost a reported $20,000 earned over the holiday period, and will also have to stomach repair costs from the damage. Another unidentified neighborhood woman said that police are constantly being called to the area because of the high frequency of the street takeovers. 'It's kind of normal for us now, which is kind of sad to say,' she said. 'I'm kind of like desensitized to it because it happens so often, but this was kind of like, the last straw. I'm not too sure what to do about it.' The dozens of criminal looters appeared to be a group of young men and women who fled the scene as authorities arrived The bakery stands just by the intersection of of El Segundo Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue - a popular place for street takeovers to occur Video surveillance footage shows the white Kia Soul repeatedly backing into the store as the mob streams in Street takeovers - which are illegal - involve a group of people blocking an intersection with cars and using the space for street racing and other vehicle tricks. The gatherings, which gained masssive popularity during COVID, often yield deadly results. When members of the Sheriff's Department did ultimately arrive at the scene, the criminals took off. No arrests have officially been made in relation to the destruction of the bakery. A resurgent Reform party will split the vote at the next election and put Labour in power, the Tories warned last night. Reform's leader Richard Tice used a press conference on Wednesday to warn of an economic crisis under Labour, which he branded 'Starmergeddon'. Yet the former Brexit Party vowed to stand candidates in every seat, which is likely to split the vote on the Right and put Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street. Conservative Party chairman Richard Holden insisted that every ballot cast for Reform was, in effect, a vote for Labour. Mr Tice claimed the Tories were 'terrified' and had been 'pleading' with him to stop candidates from his party which is polling at 10 per cent standing against them. Reform party leader Richard Tice categorically ruled out any electoral pact with the Tories and vowed to stand candidates in every seat An analysis by voting firm More In Common last month showed Reform's recent growth in support could cost the Conservatives up to 35 seats and hand Labour a majority in Parliament. Mr Tice said he was 'absolutely categoric' that he would not enter into any electoral pacts with the Tories 'under any circumstances'. After initially claiming that they would fight every seat in 2019, the Brexit Party eventually withdrew candidates to help Boris Johnson win an 80-seat majority. But Mr Tice ruled out a rerun, saying the Tories had already been begging him to stand down. He claimed: 'The truth is the Tories are terrified. Yes, in the new year, the special pleading has already started. 'Oh, please don't stand here, please don't stand there, I'm one of the nice guys, I believe in everything that you believe in'.' His intervention caused fury in the Conservative Party, with Mr Holden saying: 'A vote for Reform is what Sir Keir is praying for and gives him the best chance of Labour sneaking into Government with split votes. 'It's a dangerous risk that will result in the exact opposite of what people want a Labour government, a 28 billion black hole in our economy, higher taxes and a stealth, backdoor EU deal.' His deputy Brendan Clarke-Smith, the MP for Bassetlaw in Nottinghamshire, Notts, added: 'Whilst many people are understandably frustrated after difficult global factors, most Conservative voters don't want to support Labour, which is why Sir Keir is so desperate for them to support Reform instead.' Lee Anderson, also a Tory deputy chairman, has already claimed Reform is a 'bigger threat to the country' than Labour and would let 'Remoaners' in by splitting the Right-wing vote. Sir John Curtice, professor of politics at the University of Strathclyde, admitted: 'Reform is now eating into former Tory support as much as Labour is. 'If Reform are going to win 9 or 10 per cent of the vote, the Tories are going to lose out. They can do significant damages to the Tories.' But he added: 'The Tories were in trouble long before Reform started making a bit of progress. Reform might make Starmer more likely but, frankly, Starmer has been on the cards for months.' While support for Reform has been growing, the return of its main electoral asset Nigel Farage could make the Party an even greater threat. The I'm A Celebrity contestant, who led the Brexit Party, was not present yesterday though Mr Tice hinted at his return. He said he was 'very confident' the Brexit campaigner would play a role in the Reform Party but refused to say what it was. Yet he did remark: 'The more help that Nigel is able to give in the election campaign, frankly, the better.' Sir John said the return of Mr Farage to frontline politics would be the Tories' 'worst nightmare'. Mr Tice also claimed he was talking to 'quite a lot' of disgruntled Tory MPs, councillors and donors about a switch to Reform but would not say how many. Mr Tice branded both Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer as 'socialist twins' and attacked the Tories on immigration and taxation He also attacked Labour's economic vision, claiming it would be 'Starmergeddon' if Labour secures the victory suggested in the polls Asked about Mr Anderson's warnings, the Reform leader said: 'Lee is very worried, he's terrified that we're going to basically put him out of the job. The truth is, there are a number of Tory MPs in a similar position. 'Stop staying with the toxic Tories, stop defending the indefensible, be brave, be bold, come on over.' Calling on Rishi Sunak to call an early election, Mr Tice stated the country wanted to go to the polls 'sooner rather than later' as voters want to 'punish the Tories for breaking Britain'. He added: 'You've all broken Britain, you're all responsible, so there's no special deals, we stand in every single seat in England, Scotland and Wales.' Branding Mr Sunak and Sir Keir 'socialist twins', he attacked the Tories on taxation and immigration, saying Reform wanted a 'one-in-one-out' policy. He also attacked Labour's economic vision, claiming it would be 'Starmergeddon' if Labour secures the victory suggested in the polls. Reform also revealed that former MEP Ben Habib, the party's co-deputy, would contest the Wellingborough by-election following the recall of scandal-hit MP Peter Bone, who held the Northamptonshire seat for the Tories in 2019 with 18,540 more votes than Labour. MBABANE Police have arrested two Asian businessmen for alleged tax evasion and money laundering, involving a sum of E10 million. Ficha Irfan and Patel Abdulaziz and their company, Azmat Investments (PTY) Limited, are facing five charges of allegedly contravening the Valued Added Tax Act No.12 of 2011 and one of purportedly violating the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act of 2011. They made their maiden court appearance at the Mbabane Magistrates Courts before Acting Magistrate Chakazile Thwala. In the first count, it is alleged that they unlawfully and intentionally made false or misleading statements through the company tax returns for the period of April to June 2022. It is alleged that the duo submitted to the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) and under-declared a total amount of E3 216 878. Invoices According to the charge sheet, the businessmen did this by allegedly altering invoices issued to Overborder Investments (PTY) Limited and in the process contravened the provision of the Act. It is further alleged that in October 2020, the duo applied the same tricks, in that they submitted to ERS and under-declared a total amount of E760 750 output tax. A business output tax is the Value Added Tax (VAT) that is charged on supplies of goods or services made to other businesses and consumers alike. In committing the aforementioned offences, it is alleged that the accused persons also purportedly altered invoices issued to Overborder Investments (PTY) Limited. In January 20, 2023, the two businessmen, acting jointly in furtherance of common purpose, allegedly made a false and misleading statement through their companys tax returns for the period of October to December 2022. They are further said to have submitted to ERS and under- declared a total amount of E434 820 output by altering invoices issued to Explora Investments (PTY) Limited. On April 20, 2023, they are alleged to have again applied the same modus operadi, in that they reportedly made a false or misleading statement, through their company tax returns for the period of January to March 2023. It is alleged that they submitted to ERS and under-declared a total amount of E1 894 786 output tax by altering invoices issued by Explora Investments (PTY) Limited and thereby contravened the provisions of the Act. The duo is said to have again violated the same Act, in that during the month of July 20, 2023, they unlawfully and intentionally made a false or misleading statement through their company tax returns for the period of April to June 2023. Under-declared They are alleged to have submitted to ERS and under-declared a total amount of E3 702 647 output tax. It is alleged that they altered invoices issued to Explora Investments (PTY) Limited issued to Phone RUS (PTY) Limited. The last charge is that of having allegedly contravened the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act of 2011. These are allegations whose veracity is yet to be tested in court. It alleged that during the month of November 2023 near Mbabane, the accused persons jointly and acting in furtherance of a common purpose, in their capacities, knew or ought to have reasonably known that a sum of E10 million forms part of unlawful activities, to wit crime of tax evasion in connection with such property, which had or is likely to have effect of concealing, investing, managing and disguising, disposing the said sum of E10 million being proceeds of crime, reads one of the charges. During their appearance at the Mbabane Magistrates Court, the Crown applied that they should be remanded in custody until January 19, 2024, pending committal to the High Court. They were represented by Sivesonkhe Ngwenya. One resident called for the sign to be removed A sign outside a massage parlour in an elite Sydney suburb has left some residents furious. The sign was recently placed in the window of La Massage Thai Remedial & Day Spa in Mosman in the city's exclusive Lower North Shore. The sign read in large black letters: 'NON-SEXUAL'. A local complained about the sign on a community Facebook page on Thursday. She argued it was at eye-level with children who would therefore be able to read it. However many Mosman residents argued having the sign was essential for the business, as it played a crucial role in safeguarding workers from unwelcome sexual advances. The sign has been recently placed outside La Massage Thai Remedial & Day Spa in Mosman in Sydney's exclusive Lower North Shore (pictured) It comes just months after a Cairns masseuse slammed 'rude' Aussie men who demanded a 'happy ending' and had forced her to place a sign on her wall. Darunrat Chansopha, who owns Pha Thai Massage, says the increase in premises offering 'sexy massages' has made her job more dangerous. She has been forced to hang a prominent sign in her waiting room that says: 'No happy endings - excellent massage only'. Darunrat Chansopha (pictured) has had enough of seedy requests from customers Ms Chansopha, who owns Pha Thai Massage in Cairns, says the increase in premises offering 'sexy massages' has made her job more dangerous In the massage room another sign repeats the message: 'Not sexual. No happy ending, just happy massage.' Ms Chansopha only offers authentic therapeutic Thai massage services but still has to decline seedy requests for 'extras' every day. Such callers are met with a polite but firm 'mai ow, krap' which means 'No thanks'. A former naval officer has called for an investigation into a retired Australian fisherman's claim he recovered an airplane wing from the missing MH370. Kit Olver, 77, claimed last month that his trawler pulled up what appeared to be the wing of a commercial airliner about 55km off the south-east coast of South Australia, in the Southern Ocean, in September or October 2014. The final resting place of the doomed Malaysia Airlines flight - which disappeared on March 8, 2014 with 227 passengers and 12 crew on board - remains a mystery despite the most extensive ever search at sea. Peter Waring whose expertise in surveying sea floors led to his involvement in the search for MH370 said Mr Olver's claim should spark a new investigation saying it was 'plausible' parts of the wreckage could have been found by the fisherman. 'An entire wing is large and would have had a far different drift profile than the pieces of debris that turned up in Africa so it's plausible,' Mr Waring told the Sydney Morning Herald. Retired fisherman Kit Olver (pictured) claimed his deep-sea trawler pulled up what appeared to be the wing of a commercial airline around 55km off South Australia 's south-east coast in September or October of 2014 Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (pictured) disappeared on March 8, 2014 with 227 passengers and 12 crew aboard Mr Waring was part of the Joint Agency Coordination Centre, formed by the Australian government with Chinese and Malaysian authorities to search for MH370. He said Mr Olver's claim fit in with theories that some of the fuselage could wash up in Australia, particularly in Tasmania or off South Australia, where the Aussie fisherman said he found the commercial airplane wing. Mr Olver said he was trawling in his secret spot for the prized fish species alfonsino when his net snagged on something large, which it struggled to bring to the surface. 'It was a bloody great wing of a big jet airliner,' he said. 'I've questioned myself. I've looked for a way out of this. 'I wish to Christ I'd never seen the thing but there it is. It was a jet's wing.' Because he had held a pilot's licence, Mr Olver was confident the wing was larger than any on a typical private plane. George Currie, the only other surviving member of the trawler, which is known as Vivienne Jane, corroborated Mr Olver's claim. 'It was incredibly heavy and awkward. It stretched out the net and ripped it. It was too big to get up on the deck,' he said. 'As soon as I saw it I knew what it was. It was obviously a wing, or a big part of it, from a commercial plane. It was white, and obviously not from a military jet or a little plane.' Peter Waring (pictured) whose expertise in surveying sea floors led to his involvement in the search for MH370 said Mr Olver's claim should spark a new investigation Mr Olver points to the location where he had cut his fishing net after it pulled up a large air craft wing that his crew couldn't disentangle After struggling all day to free the object, Mr Olver ordered his crew to cut the $20,000 net free and let it drift back into the comparatively shallow depths of that part of the Southern Ocean. Mr Olver said he could locate the spot, which was about 55km west of the South Australian town of Robe, and shared its GPS coordinates. He claimed he tried to tell authorities of his find soon after returning to port by phoning the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). He was contacted a few hours later by an official who told him the find was likely a shipping container that had fallen from a Russian ship in the area off Robe, he said. But the AMSA said it had no record of his call. Mr Olver told Daily Mail Australia last month that he had cleared his conscience. 'That's it. I've told my point of view. 'Anything else that I could come up with would be conjecture or supposition or my idea and I'm not really interested. 'It was from years ago, it was on my conscience and I've cleared it now and told my story. So whether it's believed or acted on is out of my hands.' Mr Waring, who hosted a podcast on the missing plane called The Search for MH30 - Deepest Dive with journalist Jana Wendt, believes it is worth investigating. In a report published in 2017, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) discussed debris that had washed up on Australian shores. Chinese relatives of passengers on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 take part in a prayer service at the Metro Park Hotel in Beijing, China, in 2014 'All reported finds were assessed, but none were confirmed as originating from MH370,' the report said. But both the retired fisherman, Mr Olver, and the oceans expert, Mr Waring, think the Australian authorities should look again. And they are far from alone. Last September, aerospace expert Jean-Luc Marchand and pilot Patrick Blelly called for a new search based on revelations about the fate of the flight. During a lecture before the Royal Aeronautical Society, the pair said the new search area could be canvassed in just 10 days in an open call for help. 'We have done our homework. We have a proposal ... the area is small and considering new capabilities it will take 10 days,' Mr Marchand said. 'It could be a quick thing. Until the wreck of MH370 is found, nobody knows (what happened). But, this is a plausible trajectory.' The pair called on the ATSB, Malaysian government and exploration company Ocean Infinity to begin a new search. Last year, Ocean Infinity revealed it was interested in a restarting its search having canvassed swathes of Indian Ocean on a 'no find, no fee' basis. Jeffrey Epstein's brother said on Wednesday that his sibling claimed to have information about Donald Trump and Bill Clinton which was so explosive it would derail the 2016 presidential election. Mark Epstein, a New York-based property developer younger than Jeffrey by 18 months, said his brother never provided details. Mark, 69, told The New York Post: 'Here's a direct quote: 'If I said what I know about both candidates, they'd have to cancel the election.' That's what Jeffrey told me in 2016.' Hillary Clinton was not known to spend time with Jeffrey Epstein, but her husband was a friend from at least 1993. The pedophile financier made at least 17 visits to the White House, presidential logs show, and Bill Clinton also flew on Epstein's private jet - making trips to Europe, Asia and Africa in 2002 and 2003. Bill Clinton is seen with Jeffrey Epstein inside the White House in 1993, at an event for donors to the White House Historical Association. Epstein attended the event after donating $10,000 to the fund. Ghislaine Maxwell is pictured beside Epstein Donald Trump and Epstein are pictured together at Mar-a-Lago in 1997 Donald and Melania Trump are seen with Epstein and Maxwell at Mar-a-Lago in February 2000 Mark Epstein said that flying with Bill Clinton was a key mistake of his brother's, because it suddenly shone a spotlight on his activities. 'Jeff first took Clinton and I think it was Chris Tucker and some other people to Africa which was a mistake my brother made by doing that, because prior to that he was under the radar; nobody was looking at him. 'But when he flew Clinton there, it was like, 'Who's this guy flying Clinton?'' Bill Clinton's spokesman Angel Urena said in July 2019, when Jeffrey Epstein was arrested, that he 'knows nothing about the terrible crimes' that Epstein was accused of, and that Clinton had not spoken to Epstein 'in more than a decade.' Donald Trump, whose Mar-a-Lago resort was 1.5 miles from Jeffrey Epstein's Palm Beach villa, was a friend of Epstein's in the 1990s, and flew on his private jet at least four times. 'I've known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy,' Trump told New York magazine in 2002. 'He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it - Jeffrey enjoys his social life.' Mark Epstein, Jeffrey's brother, younger by 18 months. Mark said on Wednesday that his brother in 2016 claimed to have explosive information about Clinton and Trump After Epstein was arrested in July 2019, Trump said he only knew Epstein because 'everybody in Palm Beach' did. Trump said that he had not spoken to Epstein 'in 15 years' due to 'a falling out.' 'I was not a fan of his, that I can tell you,' Trump said, while also claiming that Epstein was never a member of his Mar-a-Lago club. Bill Clinton is expected to be identified as 'John Doe 36' in a trove of court documents related to Epstein set to be released on Wednesday. Donald Trump is also likely to be named. The documents are from a 2015 lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, against Ghislaine Maxwell - Epstein's right-hand woman. Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking and in June 2022 sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. The court documents were sealed in 2017. READ MORE: NYE reveller punched by police while pinned to the ground The 'reclusive' retirees moved to Hervey Bay eight years ago It's believed they died in a murder-suicide A woman found dead alongside her partner in an upmarket unit in Queensland in a suspected murder suicide had been battling a serious illness. 'Reclusive' retired couple Bryan Monk, 70, and Janice Walker, 68, were found inside their unit in Urangan, near Hervey Bay, during a welfare check on Tuesday. Ms Walker was battling a serious illness and nearing end-of-life care in the months before their deaths, the Courier Mail reported. Initial investigations suggest the grim case was a murder-suicide but police have not yet determined whether the couple agreed to end their lives together. Queensland Police were called to their home in Poinciana Penthouse Villas, located two streets from the beach and Hervey Bay's famous Urangan Pier, at about 12pm. 'Reclusive' retired couple Bryan Monk, 70, and Janice Walker, 68, were found inside their unit (above) on Tuesday Police have not revealed if the couple suffered any injuries or if a weapon was found at the scene. However, they have ruled out the use of euthanasia drugs. It is not known whether Ms Walker's illness would have qualified her for Voluntary Assisted Dying. Detective Sergeant Mick Polit said 'a number of items had been collected for DNA testing along with several documents of interest'. He did not provide any more details on how the couple died. It's understood Mr Monk and Ms Walker moved to the area from interstate about eight years ago and had no family nearby. Neighbours raised the alarm with police after the couple hadn't been seen outside their home for several days. One neighbour described the couple as quiet, usually keeping to themselves and often sitting together on their balcony. Queensland Police said Detectives from the Maryborough Criminal Investigation Branch and forensic police remained on scene Wednesday and a 'post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine cause of death' Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed anything or has any relevant information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Their deaths come less than a year after another Hervey Bay couple, Beverley and Geoffrey Cornwell, took their lives. Mrs Cornwell, 77, and her husband, 80, were found holding hands in their bed on March 6, 2023. Neighbours requested a welfare check after the couple hadn't been seen outside their home (above) for several days Their decision came 10 years after Mr Cornwell was awarded 2013 MS Carer of the Year for looking after his wife when multiple sclerosis took her mobility in 2007. Despite struggling for over a decade with the painful disease, Mrs Cornwell was not eligible for Voluntary Assisted Dying. Lifeline on 13 11 14 Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 The number of asylum seekers arriving by plane has doubled since Anthony Albanese came to power with most new arrivals flocking to Sydney. In the four months from August to November, more than 2,000 asylum claims were made every month, which is a new record high - and most of them did not come from war-torn nations. When Mr Albanese replaced Scott Morrison as Prime Minister after the May 2022 federal election, there were around 1,000 applications per month. The Coalition's immigration spokesman Dan Tehan has taken aim at Labor over the uptick accusing the party of being 'asleep at the wheel'. The number of asylum seekers arriving by plane has doubled since Labor came to power. A resident of a Sydney motel where asylum keepers who have been freed from immigration detention are staying is pictured The new data has also revealed that Sydney Airport was where the biggest number of asylum seekers are arriving in and making their claims for protection (stock image) The new data has also revealed that Sydney Airport was where the biggest number of asylum seekers are arriving in and making their claims for protection. The claimants come by plane on other visas, such as tourist or business visas, and then apply for asylum once they have arrived at an Australian airport. Greens lose it over tough new rules for asylum seekers Greens senators have condemned both major parties after the Government worked with the Coalition to pass strict new rules for asylum seekers who were freed from indefinite detention by the High Court. Advertisement The majority of those arriving into Australia's international airports and applying for asylum are not from countries where there is a current conflict. In November, 444 people from Vietnam applied for asylum in Australia - the largest number by far from one country. In second place was China, with 230 applications, Vanuatu, 129 and India, with 121. The largest age and sex category was men aged 25 to 44. But fewer than 5 per cent of applications from Vietnam are approved for asylum, and just 9 per cent of Indian applicants succeeded. Every applicant from Myanmar, which in in the midst of a civil war, was accepted. The Coalition's immigration spokesman Dan Tehan said Labor is 'asleep at the wheel' on the issue. 'For the fourth month in a row now, more than 2,000 people have made an asylum claim under the Albanese Labor Government,' Mr Tehan told Daily Mail Australia. 'These huge numbers of non-genuine asylum seekers under Labor mean Australians are denied access to the courts and government services and genuine refugees are left in limbo.' Mr Tehan added that 'Cracking down on criminals and dodgy asylum seekers is hard work and Labor appear incapable of doing what needs to be done to keep Australians safe.' When Anthony Albanese (pictured) replaced Scott Morrison as Prime Minister after the May 2022 federal election, there were half the number of asylum seeker applications per month that there are now But Immigration Minister Andrew Giles said the long processing times under the previous Coalition government was to blame. 'This is Peter Dutton's legacy. His six years in charge of the immigration system has proved that he is weak, incompetent or both. 'There were a record 27,000 applications for asylum onshore in the first year he was Home Affairs Minister. 'Peter Dutton and his Liberal mates have no leg to stand on when it comes to visa integrity and immigration compliance. 'Our $160m investment which includes establishing real-time priority processing of applications will help break the business model of those who abuse the system,' Mr Giles said. A review into Australia's visa system conducted by former Victorian Police Commissioner Christine Nixon was handed to the government last March. It found the delays in processing applications were encouraging people to apply for fake asylum applications to try to stay in the country. 'Visa processing and review time frames for onshore protection visa applications are particularly high,' the review found. The Coalition's immigration spokesman Dan Tehan (pictued) said Labor is 'asleep at the wheel' on the issue 'This is motivating bad actors to take advantage by lodging increasing numbers of non-genuine applications for protection.' In November, the High Court ruled that Australia's system of indefinite detention was unlawful, freeing 84 asylum seekers, with decisions pending on hundreds more. Those released include a paedophile who raped a 10-year-old boy in Sydney's west and a hitman who blew up a pregnant woman in Malaysia. These criminals have completed jail sentences for their crimes, but could not be deported for various reasons beyond the Government's control. The Liberal Democrats opened the door yesterday to an election deal with Labour in the event of a hung Parliament. Leader Sir Ed Davey refused to rule out the two parties forming a coalition, which the Tories warned could see the Brexit vote unpicked. It came as Sir Ed fired the starting gun on the Lib Dems' general election campaign in earnest. During a publicity stunt in Surrey, in which he drove a poster van displaying the words 'Tory Removals', Sir Ed vowed to 'tear down the Blue Wall' of affluent Conservative seats in the Home Counties. Leader Sir Ed Davey refused to rule out the two parties forming a coalition He visited the constituencies represented by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Michael Gove. But asked if he would rule out joining Labour in the event that no party wins an overall majority at the election, which will take place later this year, Sir Ed dodged the question. He said: 'I'm focused on the general election. 'There are many, many Conservative MPs that Liberal Democrats can defeat across the whole of the south of England, parts of London, parts of Manchester, parts of Yorkshire, in Scotland, in Wales.' Speaking to GB News, he added: 'Liberal Democrats are really on the march, we've shown with our historic by-election victories and our amazing local election results across the country that we are now an amazing campaigning force in British politics.' Former Tory minister Maria Caulfield warned: 'This is keeping the door open to a grubby backroom deal with the Labour Party. 'And we know the price of Lib Dem support will be to renege on the referendum result and Brexit. 'If voters vote for the Lib Dems they'll get Keir Starmer and we know he's been having negotiations on his trips to Europe, and that's what the Lib Dems would want on the table another referendum or a much closer relationship with the EU. 'The two parties are united on that front and that would be a betrayal and ride roughshod over the 2016 vote to Leave.' Some Labour figures believe they may need to rely on the Lib Dems to secure the keys to Downing Street Tory Party chairman Richard Holden said: 'The Liberal Democrats' short-term political game-playing does not address the priorities of the British people. 'Instead, the Liberal Democrats will let in Labour, enabling their dangerous 28 billion-a-year spending spree.' Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also previously refused to rule out joining forces with the Lib Dems. Some Labour figures believe they may need to rely on the Lib Dems to secure the keys to Downing Street. Sir Ed also said his party will table a Bill when Parliament returns next week in a bid to force an election in May rather than in the autumn. Rishi Sunak is expected to wait until later in the year before calling a vote, but pressure is mounting on him to decide a date. Boris Johnson has condemned Scotland Yard for investigating Israel over alleged war crimes in Gaza. The former prime minister said the Metropolitan Police's appeal for witnesses to the conflict in the Middle East indicated a 'worrying politicisation' of the force. His comments come after it emerged that counter-terrorism police have put up posters in British airports telling travellers they can report crimes relating to events since the Hamas attacks of October 7 as part of an International Criminal Court probe. Addressed to 'Travellers who have been in Israel/Palestinian Territories', the signs state: 'If you have been in Israel/Palestinian Territories and have witnessed or been a victim of terrorism, war crimes or crimes against humanity, then you can report this to the UK police.' The posters explain that the Met which has a war crimes team is supporting a long-running investigation into Israel by the International Criminal Court in the Hague, which is looking into events since the Hamas attacks of October 7. Boris Johnson has condemned Scotland Yard for investigating Israel over alleged war crimes in Gaza The former prime minister said the Metropolitan Police's appeal for witnesses to the conflict in the Middle East indicated a 'worrying politicisation' of the force (file image) Scotland Yard told the Daily Telegraph it had received more than 40 referrals in recent weeks, including from individuals returning from the region. Most are believed to concern allegations of war crimes against Israel. It comes after the Met failed to arrest pro-Hamas demonstrators for glorifying terrorism on the streets of London. Two officers were also pictured removing posters calling for the release of Israeli hostages, while others stopped the Campaign Against Antisemitism displaying images of kidnapped children on an electronic billboard. Mr Johnson told the Daily Telegraph: 'This sounds like a worrying politicisation of the Met Police especially after Met officers were seen tearing down posters of Israeli hostages in Gaza.' He went on: 'When I was mayor I made it clear that we would not import foreign wars or disputes on to the streets of London. The Met would be better off fighting knife crime.' A picture taken from the southern Israeli city of Sderot on October 25, 2023 Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: 'This poster campaign is utterly surreal. At a time when protesters are marching in London every week wearing Hamas-style headbands, shouting genocidal chants, calling for jihad against the Jewish state and inciting violent intifada with apparent impunity, the Met is concerned with acts of terrorism and allegations of war crimes halfway around the world, potentially even in contravention of the stated position of the British Government.' Last night the Met Police said the force had a duty to assist the ICC. It also said officers were also gathering evidence relating to the October 7 attacks, given that British nationals were victims of them. The force added: 'At this time, there is no UK-based investigation by the war crimes team linked to the current events in the Middle East.' Jeffrey Epstein's infamous right-hand woman Ghislaine Maxwell hedged on details about Epstein's sexual proclivities and whether or not he was his girlfriend in newly unsealed documents. A New York judge began to unseal Wednesday the identities of people linked in court documents to Jeffrey Epstein, the US financier who killed himself in 2019 as he awaited trial for sex crimes. The initial tranche includes 40 previously undisclosed documents with almost 1,000 pages of depositions and statements, with the final library of documents expected to name prominent individuals. In one of the depositions, Maxwell was asked about whether Epstein liked to have his nipples pinched during sex. She responded that she would not answer about 'adult sexual things when I was with him.' Jeffrey Epstein's infamous right-hand woman Ghislaine Maxwell hedged on details about Epstein's sexual proclivities and whether or not he was his girlfriend in newly unsealed documents. Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20 year prison sentence for sex trafficking, was then asked by an attorney: 'Did you ever consider yourself his girlfriend?' She responded: 'That's a tricky question. There were times when I would have liked to think of myself as his girlfriend.' When asked when that would have been, she said 'probably in the early '90s.' On Wednesday, a 946-page trove of court documents from that 2015 case - filed by Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre - were unsealed, with details including how Epstein emailed Maxwell to insist that Stephen Hawking did not participate in an underage orgy on his Caribbean Island in 2006. Hawking, the celebrated wheelchair-bound physicist who died in March 2018 aged 76, was among the guests at a barbecue during a conference on the island sponsored by Epstein. Another of the documents, arguing that Maxwell should be forced to sit for further testimony, reveals that Maxwell under oath said she 'did not recall' being in London with Virginia Giuffre and Prince Andrew - despite photographs showing the three together. The documents also show Maxwell confirming that Bill Clinton dined on Epstein's private jet, while traveling around the world, and denying that the former president ever visited Epstein's Caribbean Island, Little St James. Maxwell, in the April 2016 deposition, is asked about her travels with Epstein and Bill Clinton - who Epstein is known to have visited several times at the White House. 'The allegation that Clinton had a meal on Jeffrey's island is 100 percent false,' Maxwell said. 'I'm sure he had a meal on Jeffrey's plane.' She said she did not know how many times Clinton had flown on Epstein's plane. The first names from the long-anticipated 'list' of 187 previously unknown Jeffrey Epstein associates have been revealed today. The files were made public by the Southern District of New York on January 3 after the deadline for appeals passed, around 6:30pm Wednesday night. DailyMail.com is now reviewing the documents. Investor Glenn Dubin is the first name to appear, in a transcript of a taped depostion with Ghislaine Maxwell where Maxwell was asked if Epstein accuser Johanna Sjoberg had ever been asked to massage Dubin. Maxwell answered: 'I don't believe, I have no recollection of it.' Many were already linked to Epstein and some are the names of previously identified victims. Three people filed appeals and one has been granted - that of Jane Doe 107. Another - filed by John Doe 110 - is under review. Jeffrey Epstein pictured in 2019, months before he died in prison. The long-awaited list of his associates and friends named in a 2015 lawsuit was today partially released For years, many have speculated over who else could have been involved in Epstein and Maxwell group. While he took his secrets to the grave, she maintains she has never been involved in any sex trafficking Doe 110 is said to have been widely associated with Epstein in the past, but filed a last minute request to stay anonymous. They are described in court documents as an 'alleged Epstein affiliate'. The names were all redacted in a 2015 lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell. The case was settled in 2017 but the names remained secret until now. Judge Loretta Preska finally agreed to unseal the documents in December last year, ruling there was no longer a legal need to keep the names hidden. Some have been calling for their release for months. Among them is Alan Dershowitz, a former Epstein associate who says releasing the documents puts all the information into the public forum and 'proves' he did nothing wrong. Ghislaine Maxwell, who in June 2022 was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for her role in the sex trafficking ring, has 'nothing to say' about the files, according to her attorney, Arthur Aidala. Aidala however said the papers may disappoint many, who think they will reveal a conspiracy or previously-unknown names. Former President Bill Clinton has long been expected to be among the names. Former President Donald Trump was also expected to be included. This is a developing story. A hiker who went missing while he was at a popular national park has been found. Jack who went hiking alone at the Grampians National Park around three hours north-west of Melbourne, disappeared on Wednesday before he was last seen at 7.15pm. His concerned family reported him missing to police after the 20-year-old made video call to his family when he reached the top of Pinnacle Point near Halls Gap. Jack was found by search and rescue crews with Victoria Police confirming at around 1.30pm on Thursday that the man is now 'safe and well' Earlier, his family issued an urgent plea to help with the search and rescue of Jack who lives with autism. Young hiker Jack (pictured), who went missing at the Grampians National Park on Wednesday evening has been found His mother Katrina Baulch had urged anyone nearby to assist in the efforts to locate her son after he went missing on Wednesday evening. 'Jack walked the Pinnacle at Halls Gap late yesterday and hasn't returned,' Ms Baulch told the Herald Sun. 'He's been uncontactable since 7.30pm.' Emergency crews including Victoria Police, SES Volunteers and the Air Wing assisted in the search and rescue effort. The 20-year-old (pictured) went missing on Wednesday evening after he called his family when he reached the top of Pinnacle point, near Halls gap before 7.30pm Pinnacle point is an iconic trail and lookout in Victoria that is often visited by locals and tourists. Visitors are treated to stunning views of Halls Gap and some of the peaks of Grampians National Park. The walk from the Halls Gap Caravan park to Pinnacle Point is 9.6kilometres and takes visitors five hours to complete. Wayward Brewing has gone into administration with $2million of debt. Peter Philip, who founded the Wayward brand in 2012, voluntarily put the business into administration on January 2. The popular craft brewery based in Camperdown, in Sydney inner-west, owes around $2million to statutory creditors, including the Australian Taxation Office. It also owes money to shareholders who loaned funds to help the struggling business. Wayward Brewing will remain open under administrator Atle Crowe-Maxwell from DBA Reconstruction and Advisory. Mr Crowe-Maxwell told News.com.au the brewery is one of many struggling after the government increased the alcohol tax in August. Sydney craft brewer Wayward Brewing (above) has gone into administration with around $2million of debt 'This whole industry has just been smashed by excise,' he said. He cited the cost of living as another blow to small businesses. 'People are drinking Carlton not craft beer and eating at home or Maccas, not at craft breweries,' Mr Crowe-Maxwell said. Owner Mr Philip told The Australian on Wednesday the combination has created a 'perfect storm' for ailing breweries. 'We won't be the last [to close]. These economic conditions are affecting everybody but in this industry it is the independent craft brewers who are impacted the most,' he said. '... Everybody is paying a couple of thousand more on their mortgages every month and they have to save money somewhere. 'Unfortunately, people are drinking cheaper beer and they're drinking foreign-owned beer, with 85 per cent of our beer market controlled by two Japanese multinationals, Kirin and Asahi.' The Australian Government's tax on alcohol goes up every August with different rates for beer, wine and spirits. Mr Philip said Wayward Brewing's input costs rose between 25 and 30 per cent in the last two years with transport costs up 50 per cent and electricity up 70 per cent. However, he is hopeful a Deed of Company Arrangement proposal will help his brewery get back on its feet. A first meeting of creditors is scheduled for next Wednesday and a second, where the fate of the business will be decided, will be held later in the month. Wayward opened its brewery and taproom (above) in 2015 where customers can enjoy meals, live music, trivia and brewery tours Wayward's sister company and distribution arm, Local Drinks Collective, has also gone into administration. Wayward opened its brewery and taproom in 2015 and now employs 15 full time staff and several casual workers. Customers visiting the venue can enjoy meals, live music, trivia and brewery tours. MBABANE The Federation of Eswatini Business Community (FESBC) has since apologised to the nation, government and its entire membership. Following the events that unfolded in the past weeks, where FESBC was hogging headlines over alleged unfair competition in the business sector that they alleged were taking place in Eswatini, the federation has committed to dealing with the matter the most professional way, without causing anyone any discomfort. The apology comes after the FESBCs leadership met with Prime Minister (PM) Russell Dlamini on Tuesday. In a press statement, the federations President Henry Tum du Pont stated that during the meeting, the premier was with other senior government officials, who included the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Thulisile Dladla, and Cabinets Principal Secretary Bertram Stewart. The president, in the statement, firstly addressed the narrative that purported that they were linked to proscribed organisations that were also political parties. Noteworthy, the statement that was issued by the PM on Tuesday ordered FESBC to disassociate itself from proscribed entities. Commitment The FESBC president, on the other hand, said: FESBC appreciates the commitment demonstrated by government on current affairs and the economic outlook of the year 2024. As a fully-registered, law-abiding organisation, our position on matters of law is clear; we will make use of any and all legal channels to be able to facilitate the fulfillment of our mandate. It is because of our respect for the rule of law and His Majesty the King Mswati IIIs Government, that we assure the nation and related stakeholders that we are not in any way part of the proscribed entities but strictly a business federation with a clear founding constitutional mandate. Still on alignments with political parties, FESBC Public Relations Officer (PRO) Paul Matimela also alluded to the fact that FESBC was purely a business federation, with a mission to contribute to the development of a supportive business policy environment, co-ordinating and empowering members for business growth and sustainability, not any political agenda. It is, however, important to mention that even in business when doing your PESTLE (a tool used to gain a macro picture of an industry environment) analysis the understanding of the political landscape is important and for us its a lesson we learnt hard when we watched indigenous businesses going up in flames and ashes. I can safely say FESBC is not associated with any proscribed entity, he said. The president assured the nation that their safety and security portfolio was not in any way set up to cause conflicts with existing structures of law enforcement in the country. Du Pont said however, it was meant to enhance their effectiveness when it came to commercial or economic-related crimes. Engage It is our commitment to engage with big business in the spirit of creating an enabling economic trading environment in the country. With that in mind, we would like to take this position to apologise to the nation and our members, where we might have been seen otherwise. We would also like to take this opportunity to unequivocally disavow all forms of violence, corruption and unfair competition, he said. The president also mentioned that they took exception to any form of misrepresentation, which suggested they were anything other than a federation of employers. In the year 2024, du Pont reaffirmed their commitment to business transformation, that which should remain the focal point in the business growth. Bosses at Britain's biggest companies will have earned more by lunchtime today than the typical worker will over the whole of 2024. Statistics reveal that a typical FTSE 100 chief executive now takes home 3.81million, over 109 times more than the average salary of 34,963. By 1pm today dubbed 'Fat Cat Thursday' some executives will have taken just two-and-a-half working days into January to outstrip the yearly salary of many staff, said the High Pay Centre think-tank. But some earn much more and will have even bigger pay gaps with workers. The 1pm mark is one hour earlier than when the median worker's annual pay was estimated to have been passed last year. Among the biggest FTSE, or Footsie, earners last year was Albert Manifold, chief executive of construction group and Tarmac-owner CRH. Bosses at Britain's biggest companies will have earned more by lunchtime today than the typical worker will over the whole of 2024 (file image) He was paid 10.4million, 259 times more than his average worker, giving CRH the largest pay gulf of any blue-chip company. Pascal Soriot, of pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, was the highest-earning FTSE 100 chief with 15.3million while Charles Woodburn, chief executive of defence giant BAE Systems, earned 10.7million. Tory MP Bob Blackman asked: 'Can they justify these huge salaries? Are their talents so rare? I struggle to answer that. They are paid far outside what the average individual earns.' Astonishingly, the figures follow calls from business groups for executives to be paid even more for the UK to compete as a global financial centre. They included Julia Hoggett, head of the London Stock Exchange, who spoke of a 'lack of a level playing field' between Britain and other countries, notably the US. Luke Hildyard, High Pay Centre director, said: 'Lobbyists spent much of 2023 arguing that we are too concerned with gaps between the super-rich and everybody else. They think that economic success is created by a tiny number of people at the top and that everybody else has very little to contribute. Statistics reveal that a typical FTSE 100 chief executive now takes home 3.81million, over 109 times more than the average salary of 34,963 (file image) 'When politicians listen to these misguided views, it's unsurprising that we end up with massive inequality, and stagnating living standards for the majority of the population.' The figures also showed that chief executives of FTSE 250 companies will need to work until January 10 for their average pay of 1.32million to overtake the annual salary of the typical UK worker. A partner at one of the 'magic circle' of elite law firms, who earn on average 1.92million, would reach this level by January 8. A partner at a 'Big Four' accountancy firm, average pay 871,000, would reach the milestone on January 16 as would a banker at one of the FTSE 100 banks. Those in the top 1 per cent of UK earners, making at least 145,000, will have overtaken the annual pay of the median worker by March 29. Donald Trump has so far emerged unscathed from the bombshell Jeffrey Epstein court documents release. One of Jeffrey Epstein's alleged victims who claimed Prince Andrew groped her breast with a puppet said in newly unsealed depositions she never massaged the former president. And he was never seen at any of Epstein's properties - where the financier is said to have trafficked underage girls to have sex with the great and good. The revelation came in the first 950-page batch of evidence unsealed in the defamation lawsuit filed by one of Epstein's victims, Virginia Roberts. Johanna Sjoberg, 42, infamously told a British newspaper of an alleged encounter with the Duke at the East 71st Street mansion at 'Easter 2001' upon Epstein and madam Ghislaine Maxwell's request. Sjoberg, now a hairdresser living in Florida, has previously said Maxwell recruited her to provide massages for Epstein in 2001 when she was at college. In depositions released Wednesday, she was asked if she'd given massages to various famous men who were guests of a party Epstein held, including Star Wars creator George Lucas and former President Trump. She responded 'no' to whether Trump had asked her for any sexual favors or if she'd ever massaged him. Johanna Sjoberg, One of Jeffrey Epstein's victims who alleged that Prince Andrew groped her breast with a puppet was seen out in Florida recently ahead of reports Epstein's 'client list' is set to be unsealed Sjoberg responded 'no' to whether Trump had asked her for any sexual favors or if she'd ever massaged him At one point in the deposition, which totals 179 pages, Sjoberg noted that Epstein once bragged of his ability to call the former president. She mentioned that a pilot once told her to tell Epstein that they would have to land in Atlantic City instead of New York. 'Jeffrey said, 'Great, we'll call up Trump and we'll go to -- I don't recall the name of the casino, but -- we'll go to the casino,' she said. Trump has long denied any serious friendship with Epstein, and barred the pedophile from his Mar-a-Lago country club in 2007 for hitting on another member's daughter. Sjoberg was also asked if she'd had sex with attorney Alan Dershowitz in a limousine with Epstein and Virginia Roberts present. 'Absolutely not,' she responded, saying she knew who Dershowitz was and 'would remember that.' Nearly 200 names that had previously been redacted from a long-settled sex trafficking suit against Jeffrey Epstein's accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell have been made public. In addition, new evidence from Sjoberg is due to be presented in a US court this week. The legal documents could reveal more details of her alleged encounter with the royal. Sjoberg has previously claimed the King's brother put his hand on her breast at the Manhattan home of multi-millionaire pedophile Epstein in 2001. She alleged this happened during an incident in which a latex Spitting Image puppet of the Duke of York a present from Epstein's then-lover Ghislaine Maxwell was used to touch the breast of Virginia Roberts. Roberts, who now uses her married name Giuffre, claimed that afterwards she and Andrew slept together at Epstein's house. Sjoberg said in 2007 that she returned to the apartment after some 'sightseeing' and 'Prince Andrew was there and a couple of other girls my age. Andrew was very charming . . . She (Ghislaine) came down with a present for him a latex puppet of him from Spitting Image.' She added: 'We had a picture taken. Virginia, another girl there, sat on a chair and had the puppet on her lap. Andrew sat on another chair. She was wearing a puffy purple jacket with a blue shirt and denim jeans as a man walked down the street with her, as new evidence from her could be submitted against the Duke of York this week Sjoberg has previously claimed the King's brother put his hand on her breast at the Manhattan home of multi-millionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in 2001. She alleged this happened during an incident in which a latex Spitting Image puppet of the Duke of York 'I sat on his lap and he put his hand on my breast. Ghislaine put the puppet's hand on Virginia's breast. Then Andrew put his hand on mine. It was a great joke. Everybody laughed . . . Ghislaine . . . had a very dirty sense of humor.' The duke paid a reported 12million settlement to Roberts in 2022 over her claims that he sexually assaulted her when she was 17, which he has always denied. During his notorious interview in 2019 he said he had no recollection of ever meeting Roberts. The new material is part of hundreds of files from more than 170 people who were associates, friends or victims of Epstein which New York Judge Loretta Preska ruled should be made public. Roberts' lawyer Sigrid McCawley calls the new material 'disturbing testimony corroborating what lies at the core of this case Maxwell was involved in facilitating the sexual abuse of young girls with Jeffrey Epstein'. The files were part of a 2015 US defamation case by Roberts against Maxwell, the British socialite who supplied Epstein with underage girls. That was settled out of court but media outlets successfully fought to have the documents made public. They have been released on a rolling basis since 2019. The 30-page summary of Sjoberg's evidence is expected to be unsealed this week alongside claims about a hidden Maxwell email account, which reportedly could reveal details of her conversations with Andrew, 63. Recalling the Spitting Image puppet incident, Ms Sjoberg said in a deposition given under oath in 2016: 'I remember someone suggesting a photo and they told us to get on the couch. Virginia and Andrew sat on the couch and they put the puppet on her lap. Sjoberg added: 'And so I sat on Andrew's lap, I believe of my own volition, and they took the puppet's hands and put it on Virginia's breast and so Andrew put his on mine.' It was all done in 'a joking manner.' Pictured: Prince Andrew and Virginia Roberts Sjoberg has previously claimed the King's brother put his hand on her breast at the Manhattan home of multi-millionaire pedophile Epstein in 2001 In addition, new evidence from Sjoberg is due to be presented in a US court this week against Andrew, who was known to keep the company of Epstein and Maxwell 'And so I sat on Andrew's lap, I believe of my own volition, and they took the puppet's hands and put it on Virginia's breast and so Andrew put his on mine.' She said it was all done in 'a joking manner'. According to her previous accounts, the prince, while being inappropriately tactile, had not caused offence. Andrew denies all wrongdoing, though many expect to see his name in the Epstein client list, which could come out very soon. The 51-page order was issued on December 18, and will unmask 184 John and Jane Does who had some sort of ties to the late sex pest. Its release has been highly anticipated, as many had alleged they were being withheld from the public eye after the lawsuit was settled out of court in 2017. Republicans in Congress have since fought for its release - including the names of powerful friends and acquaintances of the financier who flew on his private jet. Maxwell, 62, has since been sentenced to 20 years in prison for sex trafficking as part of a separate criminal case. In the settled filing, Virginia Giuffre accused her of helping Epstein traffic her as a minor, and named influential figures allegedly involved. High-profile names that had previously been redacted from a long-settled sex trafficking suit against one of Jeffery Epstein's accomplices will be unveiled in the coming days after a New York judge ruled they should be released. The woman who filed the suit in 2015 claimed she was trafficked as minor, and named Prince Andrew (at right) as an alleged accomplice While the fully unsealed document is still a few days away, many - including former President Bill Clinton (seen here with Epstein and convicted accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell at the White House in 1993 - had been previously known through other means One of them was Prince Andrew, while others who had gone unnamed until now. A total of 15 were accused of 'serious wrongdoing,' while 90 are described as having been 'affiliated' with Epstein in some way. While the fully unsealed document is still a few days away, many - including former President Bill Clinton - had been previously known through other means, according to ABC News. Numerous others - including other well-known public figures and Hollywood stars - are now set to be unmasked, thanks US District Judge Loretta Preska's ruling. Among them is a 'widely publicized' associate who already appeared as a defendant in multiple Epstein-related cases, Preska wrote in one explanation of why each name should be revealed. She wrote the same for seven other Does - numbered 095, 099, 120, 122, 136, 143, and 157 - while the pseudonym believed to be Clinton is mentioned more than 50 times, ABC reported. The context of those references, however, still remains unknown, due to the nature of the redactions. However, several of the redacted names include interviews with various alleged victims and accusers - creating identifying factors that in many cases already unmasked the acquaintances. That said, Giuffre - who seen in a 2001 photo with Andrew and Maxwell with the British Royal's arm around her waist - made no allegations of wrongdoing against Clinton in the original complaint. Numerous others - including other well-known public figures and ever Hollywood royalty - are now set to be unmasked, thanks to the December ruling from a New York federal judge Clinton is seen enjoying a neck massage from a Jeffrey Epstein victim in photographs obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com. Clinton sits and laughs as Chauntae Davies, then a 22-year-old massage therapist who acted as Epstein's personal masseuse, rubs his shoulders Davies is seen again Clinton here again during one of Clinton's visits to Epstein's private island. Like the woman who filed the suit in question, Davies said she was raped by Epstein after being recruited by Maxwell. Clinton, however, was a 'complete gentleman' during the trip, she said Some of the Does are identified in the ruling through links to interviews they have given to the media, which the judge further cited as a reason why they should not stay private. They include the housekeepers on Epstein's private island in the Caribbean - where some of the worst abuse was said to be carried out - and one of Prince Andrew's accusers. She claims he fondled her breasts at Epstein's New York mansion. The unnamed woman previously testified as a witness during Maxwell's sensational sex-trafficking trial, where she alleged she was directed to have sex with Andrew during a gathering with the royal, Maxwell and Giuffre, then 17. Nearly 70 of the soon-to-be-unveiled names have been said to have been in the public record before in some form, such as the media and police reports. As of Monday, it is unknown whether Microsoft boss Bill Gates is among them, after he owned up to having a close relationship with the pedophile even after he was convicted in a separate child prostitution case in 2008. Pleading guilty, Epstein was promptly sentenced to 18 months in jail, though under a secret arrangement, the US attorney's office agreed not to prosecute Epstein for federal crimes. As of Monday, it is unknown whether Microsoft boss Bill Gates is among them, after he owned up to having a close relationship with the pedophile even after he was convicted in a separate child prostitution case in 2008. Epstein and Gates pictured together at the pedophile financier's home in Manhattan in 2011 After allegations he visited Epstein's Caribbean island near Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, were debunked, Gates told CNN in 2021: 'It was a huge mistake to spend time with him, to give him the credibility of being there' Starting in 2011 - three years after Epstein was convicted but escaped incarceration due to a secret arrangement with the US Attorneys, Gates met with Epstein multiple times. Gates often attended dinners at his house in New York, pictured here after his second arrest 2019 Still, Gates proceeded to meet with the financier several times - a decision he said he now regrets. 'I shouldn't have had dinners with him,' Gates told Australia's ABC 7 early last year, after being grilled by the well-documented relationship by presenter Sarah Ferguson. Gates made similar comments to CNN in 2021, telling Anderson Cooper: 'It was a huge mistake to spend time with him, to give him the credibility of being there,' Gates said, after allegations he visited Epstein's Caribbean island were debunked. He went on to insist the meetings were merely business-related, and that he had been seeking funds from the financier to address global health issues. 'I had several dinners with him, you know, hoping that what he said about getting billions of philanthropy for global health through contacts that he had might emerge,' Gates said at the time. 'When it looked like that wasn't a real thing, that relationship ended,' the billionaire asserted. As for Clinton, flight records appear to indicate he too never visited Epstein's compound at Little St. James, despite his chummy relationship with the pervert while in the White House. However, according to ABC, Giuffre in 2016 attempted to subpoena him to testify as part of her lawsuit, claiming she met the then ex-president at Epstein Island. The request was ultimately denied - despite her lawyers describing the proposed testimony of Clinton as 'highly relevant' and 'important to the fundamental claims and defenses' in the case. That said, Giuffre made no allegations of wrongdoing against the two-term Democrat in her complaint, and a Sunday report from ABC outright stated the documents are not expected to implicate Clinton criminally in any way. In her ruling, Judge Preska gave 14 days for any Does who objected to their documents being made public to object, after which they would be unsealed. The unsealing comes more than three years after Epstein was found dead in his New York jail cell in 2019, in what the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner deemed a suicide by hanging. A Florida woman who was recruited by Ghislaine Maxwell to work for Jeffrey Epstein has claimed that she knew Virginia Roberts was underage when she was forced in 2001 to have sex with Prince Andrew. Johanna Sjoberg testified in May 2016 that she was a 20-year-old student at Palm Beach Atlantic University when Maxwell, a stranger, approached her and offered her a job as a personal assistant. Sjoberg began working for Epstein in 2001, and was immediately forced to perform sex acts. Sjoberg said that she knew another of the young women in Epstein's orbit, Virginia Roberts, was underage. Roberts had been recruited by Maxwell the year before, in 2000, while she was working as a locker room attendant at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach. Roberts and Sjoberg would go on to encounter a long list of famous faces - among them Prince Andrew. He has always denied all accusations of sexual activity with Epstein's accusers, and denied any wrongdoing. Sjoberg's testimony was unsealed on Wednesday night - part of a trove of almost 950 pages detailing Epstein's relationships, friendships and actions. The documents are from a 2015 defamation suit filed by Roberts - now married as Virginia Giuffre - against Maxwell. The documents were sealed in 2017 and made public on Wednesday. Johanna Sjorberg is pictured in West Palm Beach. She now runs a hair salon in Florida Sjoberg was recruited at age 20 by Maxwell on the campus of Palm Beach Atlantic University where she attended school Prince Andrew, Virginia Roberts and Ghislaine Maxwell are pictured in 2001 at Maxwell's London townhouse One of the documents - a request by Roberts' legal team to the judge to take more depositions - states: 'Johanna confirms that she knew Virginia was underage when she met her on the trip to NY with Jeffrey in 2001 because Virginia couldn't get into the casino and then later Johanna asked her and Virginia said she was 17. 'Johanna testified that Virginia looked young. 'Johanna added: 'At the time I had the impression that she did not have a family or she had walked away from her family. And it seemed to me, you know, they had just sort of adopted her, not as a child, but they would take care of her.' Sjoberg also claimed that, while Roberts was 17 and she was 20, they were all together in Epstein's Manhattan townhouse with Prince Andrew. Roberts would later say that she and Prince Andrew had sex that evening in Epstein's house. Sjoberg said that the Prince groped her breast. 'Johanna confirmed that she witnessed Virginia when she was seventeen (17) in Jeffrey Epstein's New York mansion with Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell,' the documents state. 'Johanna also testified that Prince Andrew sat with Virginia and Johanna and took a picture with a puppet in his image that had its hand and Prince Andrew's hand on their respective breasts.' Sjoberg would repeat the story in a 2007 interview with a newspaper. Jeffrey Epstein is pictured in March 2017 on the New York state sex offender registry Epstein and Maxwell in an undated photo released by the court Virginia Roberts has been fighting for almost a decade for justice She said in 2007 that she returned to the apartment after some 'sightseeing' and 'Prince Andrew was there and a couple of other girls my age. Andrew was very charming . . . She (Ghislaine) came down with a present for him a latex puppet of him from Spitting Image.' She added: 'We had a picture taken. 'Virginia, another girl there, sat on a chair and had the puppet on her lap. Andrew sat on another chair. 'I sat on his lap and he put his hand on my breast. Ghislaine put the puppet's hand on Virginia's breast. Then Andrew put his hand on mine. It was a great joke. Everybody laughed. Ghislaine had a very dirty sense of humor.' These claims were never tested before a court. The duke paid a reported $12 million settlement to Roberts in 2022 over her claims that he sexually assaulted her when she was 17, which he has always denied. During his notorious interview in 2019 he said he had no recollection of ever meeting Roberts. Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein are seen strolling in Central Park on December 5, 2010 According to Roberts' motion, Sjoberg also testified that the magician David Copperfield dined with Epstein, and Copperfield 'questioned me if I was aware that girls were getting paid to find other girls.' DailyMail.com has contacted Copperfield's rep for a comment. Maxwell, the daughter of British media mogul Robert Maxwell, is serving a 20-year prison sentence for recruiting underage girls for Epstein. She is the only person to be tried and convicted for their role in the Epstein sex trafficking ring. She was sentenced in June 2022, and is appealing her conviction. Epstein socialized with Wall Street titans, royalty and celebrities before pleading guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008. He took his own life in 2019 at age 66 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. Sigrid McCawley, Roberts' lawyer, said some questions about who enabled Epstein have still not been answered. 'The unsealing of these documents gets us closer to that goal,' she said in a statement on Wednesday. Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who claims she was trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and had sex with Prince Andrew at age 17, said in a just released deposition that she had sex with billionaire Hyatt hotel heir Tom Pritzker. Pritzker is Hyatt Hotels' executive chairman and the cousin of Illinois' Democrat Governor JB Pritzker and chairman and CEO of the Pritzker Organization. Newly released documents show a deposition given by Giuffre where attorney Laura Meninger - representing notorious Epstein madam Ghislaine Maxwell - asked if she'd slept with Pritzker, who is worth $5.3billion. Giuffre said - and affirmed multiple times under oath - that she believed she'd been 'with Tom once' when asked if they'd had sex - a claim he has angrily denied. Pritzker's other cousin - JB's sister - is former Obama official Penny Pritzker, who now sits on Harvard's oversight board, and who was instrumental in the appointment of Claudine Gay, who resigned as college president Tuesday over anti-Semitism and plagiarism allegations. Penny faced calls to stand down over the incident, but has announced plans to remain in her posiiton. In March, he was among three billionaires issued with subpoenas in relation to JPMorgan's ties to Epstein. Virginia Giuffre , who claims she was trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and had sex with Prince Andrew at age 17, said in a just released deposition that she had sex with billionaire Hyatt hotel heir Tom Pritzker (pictured) Giuffre said - and affirmed multiple times under oath - that she believed she'd been 'with Tom once' when asked if they'd had sex At no point did Giuffre suggest that she'd slept with Pritzker on the urgings of Epstein or Maxwell, though later she said she'd had sex with the 'owner of a large hotel chain' at 'his own cabana townhouse thing' in France. She didn't specifically say who she'd slept with in that instance but said she was sent to him by Maxwell. In a statement to The Messenger, a spokesperson for Pritzker - who has not been charged in connection with the Epstein case - denied Giuffre's claims. 'This is the same false and isolated allegation that was published and vehemently denied more than four years ago,' the spokesperson said. 'Mr. Pritzker continues to vehemently deny it.' Giuffre sued Maxwell for defamation in 2016 and while the case was settled, The Miami Herald which published a bombshell expose of Epstein that led to his arrest in 2019 sued to get the documents made public. Some of the Does are identified in the ruling through links to interviews they have given to the media, which the judge cited as a reason why they should not stay private. They include the housekeepers on Epstein's private island in the Caribbean where some of the worst abuse that he perpetrated was carried out. Newly released documents show a deposition given by Giuffre where attorney Laura Meninger - representing notorious Epstein madam Ghislaine Maxwell - asked if she'd slept with Pritzker, who is worth $5.3billion Pritzker is Hyatt Hotels' executive chairman and the cousin of Illinois ' Democrat Governor JB Pritzker and chairman and CEO of the Pritzker Organization Tom Pritzker's other cousin - JB's sister - is Penny Pritzker, pictured right. The former Obama Administration's Secretary of Commerce now sits on Harvard's oversight board, known as the Harvard Corporation, and was instrumental in the appointment of President Claudine Gay, who's just resigned from her post over plagiarism and anti-Semitism scandals At no point did Giuffre suggest that she'd slept with Pritzker on the urgings of Epstein or Maxwell In her ruling Judge Preska gave 14 days for any Does who objected to their documents being made public to object, after which they would be unsealed. The documents in the case have been released on a rolling basis since 2019 when the first batch were made public days before Epstein also hanged himself in prison while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Among the revelations in previous batches of documents were emails between Andrew and Epstein in 2015 when Roberts made allegations about him. Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20 year prison sentence for sex trafficking, was questioned under oath about her relationship with Epstein and his associates in the document release. The long-anticipated 'list' of 187 previously unknown Jeffrey Epstein associates was finally revealed on Wednesday. The files were made public by the Southern District of New York after the deadline for appeals passed, around 6:30pm Wednesday night. Investor Glenn Dubin is the first name to appear, in a transcript of a taped depostion with Ghislaine Maxwell where Maxwell was asked if Epstein accuser Johanna Sjoberg had ever been asked to massage Dubin. Maxwell answered: 'I don't believe, I have no recollection of it.' Jeffrey Epstein pictured in 2019, months before he died in prison. The long-awaited list of his associates and friends named in a 2015 lawsuit was today partially released For years, many have speculated over who else could have been involved in Epstein and Maxwell group. While he took his secrets to the grave, she maintains she has never been involved in any sex trafficking Many were already linked to Epstein and some are the names of previously identified victims. Three people filed appeals and one has been granted - that of Jane Doe 107. Another - filed by John Doe 110 - is under review. Doe 110 is said to have been widely associated with Epstein in the past, but filed a last minute request to stay anonymous. They are described in court documents as an 'alleged Epstein affiliate'. The names were all redacted in a 2015 lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell. The case was settled in 2017 but the names remained secret until now. Judge Loretta Preska finally agreed to unseal the documents in December last year, ruling there was no longer a legal need to keep the names hidden. Some have been calling for their release for months. Among them is Alan Dershowitz, a former Epstein associate who says releasing the documents puts all the information into the public forum and 'proves' he did nothing wrong. Ghislaine Maxwell, who in June 2022 was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for her role in the sex trafficking ring, has 'nothing to say' about the files, according to her attorney, Arthur Aidala. Aidala however said the papers may disappoint many, who think they will reveal a conspiracy or previously-unknown names. Two young girls are lucky to be alive after they almost drowned at a popular beach in front of shocked bystanders. The two friends, both aged 5, were pulled from the water by their parents at Perth's Ngarkal Beach near Port Coogee Marina on Wednesday. The pair had attempted to retrieve goggles from deep water when they found themselves in difficulty and pushed each other under the surface in a panic. Beachgoers were unaware of the life-threatening emergency until they heard their parents' frantic screams for help after the girls were dragged to shore in what was almost Perth's second drowning within days. Perth's Ngarkal Beach almost became the scene of another tragic drowning on Wednesday Pictured are young beachgoers after the terrifying emergency 'They came over and asked us to get the defibrillator,' Adrian Hills told Nine News. He and his wife raced to grab a St John defibrillator located outside the nearby marine office. When they returned, the couple helped to keep the girls stay calm until paramedics arrived. 'They'd already vomited up a fair bit of water so by the time we got there, they were pretty shaken up,' Mr Hills added. His wife Jennifer told Seven News: 'I just wanted to keep her talking.' 'It's hard to tell a five-year-old to stay awake, so I just asked her what she had for Christmas and that's an easy conversation.' 'I'm not a hero, anyone would have done the same thing.' Ngarkal Beach at North Coogee in Perth's south is a popular swimming spot. Signs in the middle of the swimming spot warn a drop-off to deep water. Beachgoers were unaware of the unfolding life-threatening emergency until the girls' parents screamed for assistance Ngarkal Beach is a popular spot for swimmers and paddleboarders near Port Coogee Marina Beachgoers were initially oblivious to the terrifying ordeal which unfolded in a matter of seconds. Water safety tips Always supervise children around water Avoid alcohol around water Wear a lifejacket when boating and fishing Know the conditions Avoid going alone Source: Royal Life Saving Australia Advertisement 'Didn't see a thing, it was really quiet because that's what happens when kids drown,' Mr Hills said. 'There's not really much of a raucous; they can go under, and then you don't hear anything.' The girls were taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital in a stable condition. The near drowning occurred just three days after two young children drowned in the Swan River during New Year's Eve celebrations. A four-year-old girl and six-year-old boy were pulled unresponsive from the river at nearby Burswood Park where families had gathered to ring in 2024. Both children died in hospital several hours later. An independent investigation into the tragedy has been launched. Perth is also mourning the death of Sonny Skrzypek 6, who tragically drowned alongside his four-year-old old cousin while holidaying in New Zealand. The boys were staying at their grandmother's farm in Peria, in NZ's far north when the vehicle they were travelling in hit a boulder and crashed into a stream. The near-drowning occurred just three days after two young children tragically drowned in Perth's Swan River (emergency vehicles pictured at the scene) There have been 40 drownings across Australia since the start of December, compared to 34 this time last year, according to Royal Life Saving Australia. Of the 90 people who drowned during the 2022-23 summer, one quarter occurred between Christmas and New Year. A woman became caught in a rip and drowned in front of family members at Coffs Harbour's Park Beach on the NSW north coast on Tuesday night. Irish tourist John Holland, 63, was on a 'holiday of a lifetime' visiting his daughter when he drowned at Victoria's Hutt Gully Beach, south of Anglesea on the Great Ocean Road on Monday. A massage parlour owner in an elite Sydney suburb has defended placing a sign in the window of her shop saying 'non-sexual' in capital letters after it sparked controversy. Wannisa Piyatrakul, owner of La Massage Thai Remedial & Day Spa in Mosman in the city's exclusive Lower North Shore, blamed seedy men for forcing her to write the blunt message after dozens of them started asking for sexual favours when the establishment opened three months ago. 'We get phone calls and some people just come in and ask for it. When we first opened there were quite a lot of men asking,' Ms Piyatrakul told Daily Mail Australia. 'I think it's best that we have a sign because we want to make sure that ladies come in and feel welcome. This is a clean place and we don't do that. It's a professional massage.' Wannisa Piyatrakul (pictured), owner of La Massage Thai Remedial & Day Spa in Mosman in the Sydney's exclusive Lower North Shore, blamed seedy men for forcing her to place a stark message (pictured below) in her shop window after dozens of them started asking for sexual favours when the establishment opened three months ago The same sign has also been placed on the front desk to hammer the point home. But a local complained about the sign in the window on a community Facebook page on Thursday. She branded it 'disturbing', claiming it was at eye-level with schoolchildren who would therefore be able to read it. However many Mosman residents argued having the sign was essential for the business, as it played a crucial role in safeguarding workers from unwelcome sexual advances. After being shown the post, which was later deleted, Ms Piyatrakul admitted she hadn't thought about children walking past and would consider removing the sign in the window. One local said the sign was 'disturbing' but many others defended the small business owner, claiming it would help keep her staff safe from unwanted sexual advances The same sign is affixed to the front desk to hammer the point home (pictured) 'It's just an annoying misunderstanding when people ask for that kind of stuff because we're doing a good thing here. But I didn't think about the kids walking past,' she said. 'I don't want to have any problem if parents are upset about the sign.' It comes just months after a Cairns masseuse slammed 'rude' Aussie men who demanded a 'happy ending' and had forced her to place a sign on her wall. Darunrat Chansopha, who owns Pha Thai Massage, says the increase in premises offering 'sexy massages' has made her job more dangerous. She has been forced to hang a prominent sign in her waiting room that says: 'No happy endings - excellent massage only'. United States Coast Guard officers in Oregon executed the daring rescue of a sweet Golden Retriever who had plunged more than 300 feet over a sharp cliff and miraculously survived. Leo, the three-year-old pup, had been out with his owners on New Year's Day when he made a false move that led to him topplig over the edge of the cliff in Ecola State Park and onto the rocky shores of Cannon beach. By the time the Coast Guard helicopter arrived, the local fire department had already set up a pulley system, which would be used to bring Leo back up the side of the cliff. The shoreline where he injured dog was stranded is only accessible by repelling down the side of the cliff. Leo the three-year-old Golden Retriever miraculously survived a New Year's Day plummet off a 300-foot cliff High-tech footage of the rescue shows Leo curled up against the side of the shore, his damaged body pressed against the rocks. His rescuer, a Coast Guard officer who was lowered into the water from the chopper and then swam to shore, calmly approached the dog, who allowed him to pick him up and strap him into a basket. Leo and the officer make it back to the helicopter, where the pilot can be heard asking the officer: 'This your first dog rescue, Jason?' 'First dog rescue,' he responded. Leo was then brought back to his owners who had a blanket to wrap him in and lots of gratitude for his rescuer. 'Aw, hugs all the way around,' a team member is heard saying on video. The owners then quickly rushed off to the emergency vet, where Leo was diagnosed with a collapsed lung, pulmonary contusions, some deep cuts and bruises, and a broken tooth and jaw. The family dog underwent surgery and will have to have another where a wire is inserted into his jaw, but spent just one night at the hospital. All else being equal, the owners say Leo is in great condition and is now relaxing at home with his family, which includes one young pup called Remy. The poor pup was carried by his rescuer back to his owners after being airlifted back up the cliff The three-year-old dog underwent surgery but was kept in the hospital for just one night Via repelling is the only way to access the rocky shore where Leo was stranded - the Coast Guard officer descended into the water before swimming to shore The Coast Guard officer is seen handing off the injured dog to his concerned owners The smiley pup is said to be extremely good natured and is now relaxing back at home with his family Leo's lucky fall is the second incident in which a dog survived the 300-foot plummet. In June, a German Shepherd was also airlifted to safety after going over the cliff. Dogs are meant to be kept on leashes at all times in Ecola State Park, which is about 80 miles outside of Portland. The Cannon Beach Fire Rescue, which was one of four teams that responded to Leo's case, warn: 'Although the coast is beautiful, it is not perfectly safe. Wed like to remind everyone to keep dogs on leash when hiking unless otherwise stated Dogs Allowed Off Leash on the state park website.' The Bavarian has closed its only restaurant in Adelaide with the popular chain pulling out of the state for good. The Bavarian, at the Tea Tree Plaza Adelaide, announced its final day of trading would be on New Year's Eve with a sign posted to the front door of the venue. 'To our Bavarian family, we want to take this chance to say dankeschon (thank you very much) for your continued support,' it read. 'We've loved being able to give you all a taste of Bavaria itself. 'Unfortunately, Sunday 31st December 2023 is The Bavarian Tea Tree Plaza's last day of trade. 'Again, thank you and auf wiedersehen (good bye)!' The Tea Tree Plaza location was The Bavarian's last restaurant in South Australia. One passerby spotted the note left on The Bavarian's door and shared it online, adding he was 'surprised they lasted this long.' 'I guess charging $30 for a schnitzel without chips didn't work out,' he wrote. The Bavarian has closed its only restaurant in Adelaide with the popular restaurant chain pulling out of the state for good Commenters under the post largely agreed, saying they enjoyed the German theme but the restaurant's prices were too high. 'Love the concept of the joint, but was always deterred from going by what seemed like exorbitant prices,' one person wrote. 'Promised a lot but failed to deliver. Initially marketed as a German sports bar but charged French Fine Dining Prices and wasn't setup to watch sport!,' another said. Another wrote: 'What did they expect with mediocre overpriced food. A 500ml beer and a schnitzel cost me $52, hell no.' One commenter was sympathetic, writing: 'It always kinda sucks when a restaurant that had a clear and workable vision has to close down, it's such a high risk industry. 'Like others are saying the concept was good but the prices a bit too high.' Others questioned whether the rent for the Tea Tree Plaza location, owned by Westfield, was too high. 'Westfield charge (rent) like a raging bull,' one claimed. 'They are happier with vacant buildings over lowering rent (as it reduces their equity) and most didn't offer a discount during Covid shutdowns.' Another wrote: 'That's because with commercial buildings, your rent price dictates the building value.' 'You're not just dropping the rent, you're effectively wiping out a large portion of capital value and reducing your property net worth and borrowing capacity at the same time.' The Bavarian has about 30 stores across Australia with the majority of its branches open in Sydney and Brisbane. The Bavarian Tea Tree Plaza announced its closure with a note (above) left on the front door Its owner, Pacific Concepts, also run El Camino, Winghaus, Munich Brahaus and Fratelli Fresh. Prices for different meals vary from store to store at The Bavarian but customers on average pay about $28 for a schnitzel with mushroom sauce. When approached by Daily Mail Australia for comment, a Pacific Concepts spokesperson said: 'We are constantly reviewing our venue portfolio and as part of this ongoing review, we made the difficult decision to close this venue. 'We are very proud of the team at this venue, the support they have given, and their understanding of the decision to close. 'We also thank our Tea Tree Plaza customers for their continued support over the years and apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.' Former Sunrise host David Koch has angrily denied false claims by an online social media troll that his name features in the newly-released Jeffrey Epstein files. The bombshell new court documents claim Bill Clinton 'likes them young,' as the ex-president is among other big names again embroiled in the shocking sex scandal. But before the files were even published, one mischievous troll posted on X: 'Crazy but not that surprising to see @kochieonline on the Epstein client list.' The comment sparked a furious response from Koch, who has never associated with Epstein. He took to the social media platform to immediately distance himself from the unfounded allegation and blasted the post as 'an outrageously false accusation'. He later made another post for 'absolute clarity', saying he had been confused with someone else. Daily Mail Australia has chosen not to post Koch's response in full for legal reasons, but has contacted him for further comment. Former Sunrise host David Koch (pictured with wife, Libby) has angrily denied false claims by an online social media troll that his name features in the newly-released Jeffrey Epstein files The latest tranche of documents contains further background on the chilling allegations of underage sex by Jeffrey Epstein (pictured with Ghislaine Maxwell) and his associates The latest tranche of documents contains further background on the chilling allegations of underage sex by Epstein and his associates. One of the files includes details of testimony already taken by Johanna Sjoberg, who was recruited at the age of 20 to work as a massage therapist. Sjoberg was recruited on a college campus, had no massage training, and said she was forced to perform sex acts on Epstein. Sjoberg told the lawyers in 2016 that Epstein told her 'Clinton likes them young, referring to girls.' Clinton has long sought to play down his association with Epstein, but admitted traveling on his private plane. He is mentioned 50 times in the newly-released documents, according to an analysis by Axios. On Wednesday, a spokesperson for Clinton told CNN that he knew nothing of Epstein's 'terrible crimes' during their friendship, adding that it has 'been nearly 20 years since Clinton last had contact with Epstein.' Wednesday's documents trove saw Ghislaine Maxwell deny Clinton had ever visited Epstein's Little St James private island in the Caribbean - although she conceded he had traveled on Epstein's plane. Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20 year prison sentence for sex trafficking, was questioned under oath about her relationship with Epstein and his associates. The testimony was part of a 2015 defamation case filed by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre. Other details in the trove of documents include how Epstein emailed Maxwell to insist that Stephen Hawking did not participate in an underage orgy on his Caribbean Island in 2006. Hawking, the celebrated wheelchair-bound physicist who died in March 2018 aged 76, was among the guests at a barbecue during a conference on the island sponsored by Epstein. Bill Clinton is pictured with Jeffrey Epstein in an undated photograph Johanna Sjoberg was recruited at age 20 by Maxwell on the campus of Palm Beach Atlantic University where she attended school Bill Clinton is seen with Jeffrey Epstein inside the White House in 1993, at an event for donors to the White House Historical Association. Epstein attended the event after donating $10,000 to the fund. Ghislaine Maxwell is pictured beside Epstein Another of the documents, arguing that Maxwell should be forced to sit for further testimony, reveals that Maxwell under oath said she 'did not recall' being in London with Virginia Giuffre and Prince Andrew - despite photographs showing the three together. The documents also show Maxwell confirming that Bill Clinton dined on Epstein's private jet, while traveling around the world, and denying that the former president ever visited Epstein's Caribbean Island, Little St James. Maxwell, in the April 2016 deposition, is asked about her travels with Epstein and Bill Clinton - who Epstein is known to have visited several times at the White House. 'The allegation that Clinton had a meal on Jeffrey's island is 100 percent false,' Maxwell said. 'I'm sure he had a meal on Jeffrey's plane.' She said she did not know how many times Clinton had flown on Epstein's plane. Maxwell was also asked about her relationship with Doug Band - a lawyer, who helped rebuild Clinton's image in his post presidency following the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Band worked in Clinton's White House Counsel's office and served as Deputy Assistant to the President before becoming his chief advisor from 2002 to 2011. With Band's help, Clinton fashioned a new role for his post presidency with his Clinton Global Initiative which donated millions to good causes. Yet Band was also with Clinton during some of his encounters with Epstein and was on the infamous 2002 trip to Africa about the pedophile's private jet where the passengers included Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker. Photos from the trip show Clinton getting a massage from Chauntae Davies, an Epstein victim who worked as a flight attendant on the jet, nicknamed the 'Lolita Express'. Afterwards Clinton called Epstein a 'highly successful financier and a committed philanthropist with a keen sense of global markets and an in-depth knowledge of twenty-first-century science'. Bill Clinton is seen getting a massage from Chauntae Davis, 22, in 2002 at a small airport in Portugal Chauntae Davis, then 22, is seen with Bill Clinton Ghislaine Maxwell is seen with Clinton's aide Doug Band on Valentine's Day in 2007 in New York City Maxwell is asked if she knows Band, and replies: 'I do' - adding that she knew him thanks to his work with Clinton. Asked if she ever had a relationship with Band, she replies: 'We are talking about adult consensual relationships, it's off the record.' When pressed on the relationship, Maxwell says the lawyer must define the term 'relationship'. 'What do you mean by romantic?' Maxwell asks. 'I was friends with Doug but you are suggesting something more so I want to be clear what you are actually asking me.' The lawyer, Sigrid McCawley, replies: 'You defined it. You said you were friends with him. If that's what you were that's all I need to know.' The long-anticipated 'list' of 187 previously unknown Jeffrey Epstein associates was finally revealed on Wednesday. The files were made public by the Southern District of New York after the deadline for appeals passed, around 6:30pm Wednesday night. Investor Glenn Dubin is the first name to appear, in a transcript of a taped depostion with Ghislaine Maxwell where Maxwell was asked if Epstein accuser Johanna Sjoberg had ever been asked to massage Dubin. Maxwell answered: 'I don't believe, I have no recollection of it.' Many were already linked to Epstein and some are the names of previously identified victims. Three people filed appeals and one has been granted - that of Jane Doe 107. Another - filed by John Doe 110 - is under review. Jeffrey Epstein pictured in 2019, months before he died in prison. The long-awaited list of his associates and friends named in a 2015 lawsuit was today partially released For years, many have speculated over who else could have been involved in Epstein and Maxwell group. While he took his secrets to the grave, she maintains she has never been involved in any sex trafficking Doe 110 is said to have been widely associated with Epstein in the past, but filed a last minute request to stay anonymous. They are described in court documents as an 'alleged Epstein affiliate'. The names were all redacted in a 2015 lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell. The case was settled in 2017 but the names remained secret until now. Judge Loretta Preska finally agreed to unseal the documents in December last year, ruling there was no longer a legal need to keep the names hidden. Some have been calling for their release for months. Among them is Alan Dershowitz, a former Epstein associate who says releasing the documents puts all the information into the public forum and 'proves' he did nothing wrong. Ghislaine Maxwell, who in June 2022 was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for her role in the sex trafficking ring, has 'nothing to say' about the files, according to her attorney, Arthur Aidala. Aidala however said the papers may disappoint many, who think they will reveal a conspiracy or previously-unknown names. An Australian nurse is lucky to be alive after playing with a 'cute' snake that turned out to be highly venomous while on her tropical island holiday. Suzanne Parrish was vacationing with her partner in New Caledonia, a Pacific Ocean island 2,000km from Sydney in 2017. They spotted the 'seemingly cute snake' on the beach and decided to stop and pick it up. They took pictures of the chilling encounter and Ms Parrish said she even kissed the reptile. It wasn't until she visited a local museum that she learnt the snake she had posed with was a highly venomous sea krait. Suzanne Parish and her partner posed with a 'cute' snake on holiday in New Caledonia It wasn't until she visited a local museum that she learnt the snake she had posed with was a highly venomous sea krait She posted the pictures of her close encounter to Facebook warning travellers to not make the same mistake she did. 'I joined the [Facebook] group a bit ago for funny posts and realised I had something relatable to share,' she said. Australia Seabird and Turtle Rescue veterinary nurse Belinda Donovan said sea snakes are generally much toxic than snakes on land. '[She] was playing with death. The sea krait that she actually picked up is known to be ten times more toxic than that of a rattlesnake... They're fatal,' she told Yahoo. Ms Donovan said although sea kraits aren't aggressive they will attack when they feel threatened - and handling them could make them feel that way. The venom from a sea krait attacks the nervous system which can result in convulsions, paralysis and cardiac failure. An interaction with a sea krait can also prove fatal for the snake, as it can easily have its spine broken. Sea kraits are generally ten times more toxic than land snakes Ms Donovan said because they had adapted so well to the water even holding them upside down could kill them. The wildlife nurse advised people who come across one of the deadly reptiles to move slowly away and to not touch or lift them to avoid injury to themselves and the snake. Facebook users were shocked Ms Parish had chosen to not only play and pose with a snake, but that she survived to tell others about it. Many believed she had 'dumb luck' and suggested the general rule of 'don't know, don't touch' should have been utilised. Australia's last sea krait death was in 2018 when a 23-year-old man was bitten when touching a fishing net on a trawler in the Northern Territory. Emirates Islamic, one of the leading Islamic financial institutions in the UAE, has announced that its 60-second online fund transfer service QuickRemit is now available for remittances to the UK. Emirates Islamic customers will be able to conduct QuickRemit transfers to any Lloyds Bank account in the UK in less than 60 seconds, and transfers to other UK banks within one hour. Lloyds Bank is one of the UKs leading banks with over 500 branches across England and Wales. Emirates Islamic customers can avail QuickRemit service via EI + the bank's mobile banking app conveniently and securely at competitive rates and zero remittance fees. Simplicity, agility and security Mohamed Al Hadi, Acting Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management at Emirates Islamic, said: Expanding our QuickRemit transfer service to the UK introduces simplicity, agility and security to the remittance experience of one of our key customer segments. The QuickRemit service offers customers a quick, free remittance channel to send money to the UK for various purposes including family needs, education or for investment. The bank currently extends the QuickRemit services to India and Pakistan, tying up with HDFC Bank and Faysal Bank respectively.--TradeArabia News Service The man infamously known as Hunter Biden's 'sugar brother' who has donated millions to the president's son is reportedly working on a documentary to set the record straight about him. Kevin Morris, a Hollywood lawyer who made a fortune from a South Park TV deal, was dubbed Hunter's 'sugar brother' after he reportedly paid off up to $2.8 million of the First Son's tax bill in an attempt to placate prosecutors. Hunter Biden received a staggering $4.9 million from Morris, an IRS whistleblower claimed in December, to help cover Biden's housing, legal fees, car payments and payments to advisors, most of which came in October 2021. According to the whistleblower's testimony, the 2020 loan carries interest and forces Biden to pay it back beginning in 2025. Part of Morris' strategy to make back some of that money may be a documentary, the crew for which has been quietly following Hunter around for years and was seen with him in July when he arrived in Los Angeles after his plea deal went up in smoke. Kevin Morris, the man infamously known as Hunter Biden's 'sugar brother' who has donated millions to the president's son is reportedly working on a documentary to set the record straight about him Biden was pictured visiting Morris at his home on December 27 The documentary, the LA Times reports, would show Biden as a human being rather than the tabloid fodder, including drugs and those financial issues, that has consumed his life. Morris would show Biden working on his paintings, raising children and trying to live sober amid the chaos of multiple criminal investigations in the public spotlight. The film - which has no scheduled release date yet - would ultimately allow him 'the last word,' which one conservative filmmaker suspected was the reason the crew traveled all the way to Serbia to question him in 2021. Morris believes that the infamous Biden laptop was a scheme by the legally blind computer repairman to offer up secrets about Hunter to prop up former President Donald Trump. He eventually spoke to Irish filmmaker Phelim McAleer - who directed a documentary titled 'My Son Hunter released by conservative news site Breitbart - about the laptop. McAleer was agreeable but became suspicious when Morris asked about 'the real history of the laptop.' He was also never told that Morris was representing Biden as a lawyer until later. 'He was out there looking for information and evidence for his client while he was pretending to be something he was not,' McAleer said Morris pictured alongside celebrity friends actor Courtney Cox and songwriter Johnny McDaid Morris alongside South Park co-creator Trey Parker at an event in 2014. Morris made a fortune from a TV deal involving the long-running cartoon Biden offered nothing but praise for Morris' help when contacted about their relationship. 'I don't know where I would be if not for Kevin.' 'And I don't mean just because he has loaned me money to survive this onslaught, I mean because he has given me back my dignity. He's been a brother to me.' 'What was in it for Kevin? I think that you don't truly understand or know Kevin if that's your question.' He said that the pair often fight but are always close friends. 'But it's with the knowledge that no matter what, that I know that if I need him and most likely before I even know that I need him, he will be there and likewise me with him,' Biden said. Hunter was last seen visiting Morris at his home on December 27. Morris, a Hollywood lawyer who made a fortune from a South Park TV deal, was dubbed Hunter's 'sugar brother' after he reportedly paid off up to $2.8 million of the First Son's tax bill in an attempt to placate prosecutors. IRS agent Joseph Ziegler declared the shocking figure of Morris' gifts to Biden with additional documentation last month with the House Ways & Means Committee as Hunter faces two charges of tax evasion. Biden offered nothing but praise for Morris' help when contacted about their relationship Morris, a Hollywood lawyer who made a fortune from a South Park TV deal, was dubbed Hunter's 'sugar brother' after he reportedly paid off up to $2.8 million of the First Son's tax bill in an attempt to placate prosecutors Ziegler, who investigated Hunter's taxes for five years before he was removed from the case this year, provided legislators with further documents including an email on Tuesday dating to February 2020. The communication reportedly reveals how less than two months after they met, Morris was contacting accountants on Hunter's behalf and warning them to work quickly to avoid 'considerable risk personally and politically.' Ziegler claimed Hunter's income from Morris, at least some of it described as loans, reflected Hunter's alleged practice of trying to avoid paying taxes on other income by describing it as loans. 'Hunter appeared to follow a pattern of attempting to avoid paying taxes on relevant income. This first started with Hunter not reporting the [Ukrainian gas company] Burisma income in 2014 and allegedly falsely claiming that it was a loan to him,' Ziegler said in his statement. 'He, again, tried to claim the millions in [Chinese] income earned from Hudson West III was a loan to him, which was refuted by the evidence and was not allowed by his tax accountants' he explained. Adding: 'This continued into 2020, 2021 and 2022, in which Hunter received approximately $4.9 million in payments for personal expenses, again in the form of a loan and gift from Democratic Donor Kevin Patrick Morris.' In July, Hunter visited Morris, who also bought several pieces of Hunters art, which has prices up to $500,000, at his Pacific Palisades home where the lawyer was photographed appearing to smoke from a bong. Bidens son currently faces three felony charges that carry a maximum combined 25 years incarceration and $250,000 fine. An IRS whistleblower claimed Hunter's income from Morris, at least some of it described as loans, reflected Hunter's alleged practice of trying to avoid paying taxes on other income by describing it as loans Hunter Biden received a staggering $4.9 million from his 'sugar brother' Kevin Morris, an IRS whistleblower has claimed The first count is for lying on a 2018 gun purchase form that he was not an illicit drug user, and has a top sentence of 10 years. The second count is for lying to the gun store about it, which could net him up to five years. The third is for possessing the firearm while being an addict, which could land him another 10 years. Despite hiring top lawyers, they may have a tough time fighting the facts of the case. In Hunters 2021 memoir, Beautiful Things, he admitted to his continued 'full-blown addiction' to crack cocaine in 2018 the period he bought a Colt Cobra 38SPL revolver. The federally required Firearm Transaction Record for the purchase asks: 'Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?' Hunter ticked the box for no on the form, obtained by DailyMail.com. The charges against him were set to be held over as part of a plea deal Hunter struck with prosecutors, in which he would admit to tax crimes for deliberately failing to file and pay his tax bill on millions of dollars of income. But under scrutiny from a federal judge in July, the plea deal spectacularly fell apart in the courtroom over a controversial clause that would give him blanket immunity for other offenses. Abbe Lowell, Hunters hotshot DC lawyer, has suggested that he may challenge the charges on constitutional grounds related to the second amendment. 17 anonymous staffers published a letter demanding Biden calls for a ceasefire out of 'tough love' for the President A senior official resigned because the Biden administration turned a 'blind eye' to 'atrocities committed against innocent Palestinian lives' President Biden's own staff are turning on him in light of his handling of the Israel-Hamas war and his refusal to call for a ceasefire to end the conflict in the Middle East. A senior education official under Biden resigned on Wednesday because of the administration's 'failure' to protect Palestinian civilians in Gaza from Israeli forces in the ongoing deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas that broke out after Hamas' atrocities on October 7. Tariq Habash, a policy advisor in the department's Office of Planning, announced his resignation in a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, NBC reported. Habash, who is Palestinian-American, is a political appointee and student loan and college affordability specialist for the education department. 'I cannot stay silent as this administration turns a blind eye to the atrocities committed against innocent Palestinian lives, in what leading human rights experts have called a genocidal campaign by the Israeli government,' Habash wrote in his resignation letter. Scroll down for video President Biden's own staff are turning on him in light of his handling of the Israel-Hamas war and his refusal to call for a ceasefire to end the conflict in the Middle East A senior education official under Biden resigned on Wednesday because of the administration's 'failure' to protect Palestinian civilians in Gaza from Israeli forces President Biden was hit again from the inside of his cabinet after a group of 17 current Biden campaign staffers published a letter slamming Biden for his approach to the Israel-Hamas war out of 'tough love' President Biden was hit again from the inside of his cabinet after a group of 17 current Biden campaign staffers published a letter slamming Biden for his approach to the Israel-Hamas war out of 'tough love'. The 17 staffers called upon President Biden to demand a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. 'As your staff, we believe it is both a moral and electoral imperative for you to publicly call for a cessation of violence,' Biden's campaign staffers wrote. 'Complicity in the death of over 20,000 Palestinians, 8,200 of whom are children, simply cannot be justified.' The letter was anonymously signed and posted on Medium, where it outlines five demands for the President. Along with demanding a ceasefire, Biden's own staffers condemned the President for the ongoing 'unconditional' military aid being sent to Israel out of U.S. resources. The anonymous campaign-members advocated for de-escalation in the region where the conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken place - which has mostly been around the Gaza Strip and the West Bank as well as on the Israel-Lebanon border. They also demanded that Biden and his administration 'take concrete steps to end the conditions of apartheid, occupation, and ethnic cleansing that are the root causes of this conflict.' A campaign official refused to comment on the letter but said, 'when it comes to President Biden's position, he has been unequivocal: Israel has a right and obligation to defend its people after the October 7 terrorist attack.' The staffers involved were granted anonymity to protect them from backlash - but five of them confirmed the letter's legitimacy to West Wing Playbook. A staffer said that 'tough love' is what motivated them to confront Biden. 'That's what motivated us to do this,' a second staffer said. 'There's this disconnect in the type of man that he is, and we think him calling for a ceasefire will set things straight and show the world what kind of man he is.' The anonymous letter demanded that Biden and his administration 'take concrete steps to end the conditions of apartheid, occupation, and ethnic cleansing that are the root causes of this conflict' 'I cannot stay silent as this administration turns a blind eye to the atrocities committed against innocent Palestinian lives, in what leading human rights experts have called a genocidal campaign by the Israeli government,' Tariq Habash, policy advisor, wrote in his resignation letter A campaign official refused to comment on the letter but said, 'when it comes to President Biden's position, he has been unequivocal: Israel has a right and obligation to defend its people after the October 7 terrorist attack' While many are demanding a ceasefire - the conflict in the Middle East is showing no signs of de-escalation. Israel's assassination of Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri in a drone strike in Lebanon's capital Beirut on Tuesday has raised fears that the war in Gaza could spread beyond the Palestinian enclave and engulf the Middle East. Arouri, 57, was the first senior Hamas political leader to be assassinated since Israel launched a brutal air and ground offensive against the group almost three months ago on the heels of the ruthless October 7 attacks on Israeli towns. Lebanon's heavily armed Hezbollah group, a powerful Hamas ally, previously vowed to strike back against any Israeli targeting of Palestinian officials in Lebanon, and said of the attack: 'This crime will never pass without response and punishment.' Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati also condemned the killing, declaring Israel 'aims to draw Lebanon' further into the war. Hezbollah and the Israeli military have been exchanging fire almost daily over the Israeli-Lebanese border since Israel's military campaign in Gaza began, but so far the Lebanese group has appeared reluctant to dramatically escalate the fighting. A significant response now could send the conflict spiralling into all-out war on Israel's northern border. A leading conservative who led the charge to get former Harvard President Claudine Gay fired is now challenging her New York Times essay to claim she lied about 'promptly' requesting corrections of plagiarized work. Gay, 53, resigned on Tuesday - after just six months in the role - and spoke for the first time since her ouster in a New York Times op-ed claiming her dismissal over plagiarism and anti-Semitism scandals was actually the result of a racist campaign. Now, conservative activist Christopher Rufo, who first publicly raised allegations of plagiarism in her work, is challenging her op-ed saying, 'Claudine Gay is lying in the New York Times. She did not "promptly [request] corrections."' Rufo, who has scored previous victories against the teaching of critical race theory, DEI initiatives, and gender ideology did not stop there. 'She denied the allegations, intimidated the New York Post into silence, and then corrected them only under duress. There are still dozens of uncorrected instances of plagiarism.' Gay did not use the word 'plagiarism' in her essay, only admitting that she'd misattributed quotes in her academic writings. She claimed her ouster was the reslt of a racist campaign against her - and says she's received death threats, as well as racist abuse. The plagiarism allegations are what are believed to have cost her her job at Harvard. Christopher Rufo, who led the charge to get former Harvard President Claudine Gay (pictured) fired, is now challenging her New York Times essay saying she lied about 'promptly' requesting corrections of plagiarized work While acknowledging citation errors, she hailed the work in question, calling it 'cutting edge', while claiming that she herself had published work which had 'spawned important research by other scholars.' Gay said, 'Most recently, the attacks have focused on my scholarship. My critics found instances in my academic writings where some material duplicated other scholars language, without proper attribution.' 'I believe all scholars deserve full and appropriate credit for their work. When I learned of these errors, I promptly requested corrections from the journals in which the flagged articles were published, consistent with how I have seen similar faculty cases handled at Harvard.' 'I have never misrepresented my research findings, nor have I ever claimed credit for the research of others. Moreover, the citation errors should not obscure a fundamental truth: I proudly stand by my work and its impact on the field,' she said. Since being put in the spotlight since her response to the October 7 Hamas terror attack, Gay's academic record has been pored over and hit with nearly 50 accusations of plagiarism. The saga began on December 10 when, in a Substack post, Rufo reported that Gay had plagiarized portions of four works over 24 years, including her 1997 Ph.D dissertation and a series of articles. Of Gay's 17 published academic works, seven had been found to contain alleged examples of plagiarism. On Monday, that total rose to eight - with another piece of her writing allegedly found to have duplications. On Tuesday, Gay resigned 28 days after her shocking congressional testimony about campus antisemitism The university investigated the plagiarism allegations, and said on December 12 corrections had been made. The corrections were made to a 2017 article titled 'A Room for One's Own? The Partisan Allocation of Affordable Housing,' in the Urban Affairs Review. Congress has since opened an inquiry into the allegations, and some students are complaining that they would be punished for similar academic practices. Last week, Gay submitted two corrections to articles where she was accused of plagiarism, adding 'quotation marks and citations,' a university spokesman said. It was also revealed that Gay is correcting two more instances of inadequate citation following the letter. The school told the Boston Globe they found 'examples of duplicative language without appropriate attribution' in her 1997 PhD dissertation. 'President Gay will update her dissertation correcting these instances of inadequate citation,' the school said. In her resignation, Gay said: 'It has been distressing to have doubt cast on my commitments to confronting hate and to upholding scholarly rigortwo bedrock values that are fundamental to who I amand frightening to be subjected to personal attacks and threats fueled by racial animus.' 'Despite the obsessive scrutiny of my peer-reviewed writings, few have commented on the substance of my scholarship, which focuses on the significance of minority office holding in American politics.' In her resignation, Gay said she had been the victim of racist threats writing ' [it's] frightening to be subjected to personal attacks and threats fueled by racial animus' Gay will be replaced by Alan M. Garber, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, who sat behind her at the infamous December 5 hearing Her resignation came 28 days after her shocking congressional testimony about campus antisemitism, where she refused to categorize calls for Jew genocide as harassment. Gay wrote in her op-ed, 'On Tuesday, I made the wrenching but necessary decision to resign as Harvards president. For weeks, both I and the institution to which Ive devoted my professional life have been under attack.' 'My character and intelligence have been impugned. My commitment to fighting antisemitism has been questioned. My inbox has been flooded with invective, including death threats. Ive been called the N-word more times than I care to count.' She added, 'My hope is that by stepping down I will deny demagogues the opportunity to further weaponize my presidency in their campaign to undermine the ideals animating Harvard since its founding: excellence, openness, independence, truth.' Gay will be replaced by Alan M. Garber, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, who sat behind her at the infamous December 5 hearing. Queensland's new premier has defended taking holiday in his first month on the job as the state struggles to cope with recent floods. Steven Miles is spending time with his family at a caravan park on the Sunshine Coast, but has told reporters that he is still functionally working even while away. Deputy Cameron Dick is currently serving as the acting premier and is helping lead the clean up of the state after New Year's flooding ravaged the Gold Coast. Despite the holiday being compared to Scott Morrison's Hawaii trip during the 2020 bushfires, Mr Miles has insisted that all 'good leaders spend some time with their family.' Queensland Premier Steven Miles (pictured) has defended his decision to holiday with family after just one month on the job and during the state's disaster recovery effort SES crews and members of the Australian Defence Force are on location in the Gold Coast helping to manage the damage left over from New Year's flooding READ MORE: Woman miraculously survives terrifying flooding Advertisement 'The reason I gazetted leave this week was that it allows the Deputy Premier to be the Acting Premier, and take on official duties such as chair of the disaster management committee. '[When I became Premier] I promised I would work hard for Queenslanders every day and that has been precisely what I have done. 'However, I also said in that speech that I intend to continue to spend a small amount of time with my young family when I can.' 'What you get with a leader who has a family is the need to balance that, and to spend some time with them, and I don't think a day here or there is that unusual.' On Tuesday, Mr Miles headed to the Gold Coast with Mr Dick and Federal Emergency Management Minister, Murray Watt, to oversee the Australian Defence Force, members of the SES and other crews cleaning debris left over from the storms. While there, he met with Mayor Tom Tate and spoke to members of the ADF, who the Premier said was 'making such a huge difference'. 'That's the power of having the Defence Force here, reinforcing our SES and our energy workers, everyone's doing such a fantastic job,' Mr Miles said. 'There are no days off in this job, I am constantly in contact with the team but I also have the benefit of a large and experienced team.' Mr Miles assured that he remained in daily contact with emergency crews and that he had visited the Gold Coast with Acting Premier Deputy Cameron Dick on Tuesday Mr Miles added that his decision to take a holiday just one month into the job was a 'question for the judgement of the people of Queensland'. Pictured: A road is blocked on the Gold Coast due to floods When pressed with comparisons between his holiday and former Prime Minister Scott Morrison's infamous trip during the Black Summer bushfires, Mr Miles said that two were nothing alike. The fact that he is still in the state and making trips to the affected areas despite technically being on leave made the two instances 'a bit different', according to the Premier. Mr Miles added that his decision to take a holiday just one month into the job was a 'question for the judgement of the people of Queensland'. Some of the worst hit areas along the eastern coast are still without power and emergency services are continuing to clear roadways. The Premier said that Christmas had tested first responders in the state because of the trifecta of disasters including Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, storms and flooding. 'Like Queenslanders do, we stuck together, we rolled our sleeves up, we're getting the place cleaned up, we're getting the power back on,' he said. Billionaire hedge fund manager Glenn Dubin was the first person Virginia Roberts Giuffre was told to have sex with by Ghislaine Maxwell, new Jeffrey Epstein court papers claim. Giuffre, an Epstein victim, said in a legal deposition that Ghislaine Maxwell - who is currently serving 20 years in prison for her role as Epstein's madam - directed her to have sex with Dubin. Dubin, a co-founder of Highbridge Capital Management, and his wife of three decades Dr. Eva Andersson-Dubin are both mentioned by name in the newly unsealed documents. In a 2016 deposition for a case Giuffre brought against Maxwell, she discusses her claim that Maxwell doled her out to Epstein's powerful acquaintances for sex. 'When they say massage, that means erotic, okay? That's their term for it,' she said under oath. 'And I'm telling you that Ghislaine told me to go to Glenn Dubin and give him a massage, which means sex.' Dubin and his wife previously denied allegations made against them and offered Vanity Fair what they claim is evidence that disproves Giuffre's claims. Neither has ever been charged in relation to the allegations. Glenn Dubin, billionaire hedge funder and New York society philanthropist, was identified in the Epstein documents released Wednesday evening Virginia Giuffre (pictured) testified in 2016 that Ghislaine Maxwell instructed her to have sex with Dubin after she had completed her erotic training 'I know Glenn Dubin was first,' she continued, offering up the information that the billionaire businessman, now 66, was the first person to whom Maxwell sent her after she'd finished her massage training. Andersson-Dubin, a doctor and former Miss Sweden, has previously admitted to dating Epstein on and off in the 80s and 90s prior to her marriage to Dubin. In a 2016 deposition, Maxwell called Andersson-Dubin a close personal friend of hers. The billionaire's wife testified for the defense in 2021 at Maxwell's trial. She said she never witnessed any inappropriate conduct between Epstein and underage girls. The hundreds of pages of unsealed, unredacted documents in Giuffre's defamation case against Maxwell, revealed Wednesday evening the names of dozens of people connected to Epstein. More documents are expected to be unsealed in the coming days, which will likely include the names of further associates of Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial in jail. Dubin and his wife, who have not been charged in connection with any of the Epstein cases, are well-known New York society philanthropists, having added their name to Mt. Sinai's breast cancer wing. They also co-founded the Robin Hood Foundation, a charity that is largely funded by hedge funds established to fight poverty. The family's private foundation funds healthcare, anti-poverty, and education and arts programs. Dubin (left) and his wife Dr. Eva Andersson-Dubin were both mentioned by name in the unsealed documents. Andersson-Dubin testified for the defense during Ghislaine Maxwell's 2021 trial Hundreds of pages of unsealed, unredacted documents in Giuffre's defamation case against Maxwell, revealed Wednesday evening the names of dozens of people connected to Jeffrey Epstein On Wednesday, a 946-page trove of court documents from Giuffre's 2015 lawsuit against Maxwell were unsealed - the case was settled in 2017. Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20 year prison sentence for sex trafficking, was the only person ever punished for the sex trafficking ring. The files were made public by the Southern District of New York on January 3 after the deadline for appeals passed, around 6:30pm Wednesday night. Monday's explosive documents also saw Johanna Sjoberg allege that Epstein had told her former President Bill Clinton 'liked them young,' in reference to women. Clinton was pictured flying on Epstein's plane, but has sought to play down his association with the disgraced late financier, who died in jail in August 2019. A fresh statement issued to CNN Wednesday evening saw Clinton claim it had been almost 20 years since he'd last seen Epstein. A copy of an email released Wednesday - also from Epstein - appeared to show him asking Ghislaine Maxwell to kill a claim that Professor Stephen Hawking had participated in an underage orgy at Epstein's home. The brilliant English physicist, who died in 2018 aged 76, visited Epstein's Little St James in 2008. He spent the final decades of his life paralyzed by motor neurone disease which left him reliant on a wheelchair to move and a computer to talk. A teenager is accused of shooting dead a beloved father-of-three. Kayde Desmond Gehrke, 19, was arrested on Thursday after 35-year-old Jarryd Miller was found dead at his home on Walnut Crescent in Lowood, west of Brisbane, about 5am on Tuesday. Police will allege Gehrke, from Mount Beppo about 50km north of Lowood, was known to Mr Miller. Tributes for the beloved father were posted online by his family and friends who described him as a 'loving family man who always put his family first and foremost'. A 19-year-old man has been charged with allegedly murdering 35-year-old father-of-three Jarryd Miller (pictured) at his home in Lowood, West of Brisbane, on Tuesday morning Family and friends described Mr Miller (pictured alongside his sister Courtney) as a 'loving family man who always put his family first and foremost' Mr Miller is survived by his partner Jess, their daughters Nikita, 14, and Cloe, 6, and eight-year-old son Tyson. Locals reported that the father was 'found in the yard' shortly before emergency services were contacted, according to the Courier Mail. 'I woke up to a car a bit after five in the morning fly around the corner,' a female resident told the publication. 'I opened up my blinds and saw an ambulance drive past, then I've walked out the front and saw cops, upon cops.' She said another home on the street had been broken into just prior to Christmas and that Mr Miller's young family were 'luckily' not at that home at the time of the incident. Police have urged anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the vicinity of Walnut Crescent between midnight and 2am on January 2 to come forward and aid in ongoing investigations. Gehrke faced court on Thursday facing a single charge of murder. Police opened homicide investigations shortly after Mr Miller was found at his home (pictured) Mr Miller's close friend, Samantha Hall started a GoFundMe on Wednesday afternoon to support the devastated young family and help give their father 'the send off he deserves'. 'He was my best friend for the last 13 years and my most favourite drinking buddy,' Ms Hall's post to the fundraiser page reads. 'Jarryd has been a huge part of so many people's lives and experiences and definitely deserves the best send off we can give him.' His sister Courtney said he will 'be forever missed' in a post to the fundraiser's page. 'I can't believe you're gone, my heart not only breaks for me but for your beautiful family that is now left to live life without you.' Prince Andrew has been accused of taking part in an 'underage orgy' while staying at Jeffrey Epstein's Caribbean home, nicknamed the 'Island of Sin', bombshell court documents claimed today. The Duke of York has been again dragged into the sex scandal surrounding his paedophile friend, just over a year after he settled the multi-million dollar case brought by Virginia Giuffre in 2022. Former US President Bill Clinton 'likes them young', one alleged Epstein victim has also claimed in almost 1,000 pages of evidence released by a US court, and there was an allegation that Professor Stephen Hawking participated in a sex party. Today it emerged that one of Epstein's alleged sex slaves, known only as Jane Doe 3, claimed that she was told to have intercourse with Prince Andrew during an orgy on Epstein's island, Little Saint James, in the US Virgin Islands. A 2014 court filing alleges that she was 'forced to have sexual relations with this Prince when she was a minor in three separate geographical locations.' She claims this happened 'in London (at Ghislaine Maxwell's apartment), in New York, and on Epstein's private island in the US Virgin Islands (in an orgy with numerous other under-aged girls).' The newly unsealed docs claim Epstein told Jane Doe 3 to 'give the Prince whatever he demanded'. Jane Doe 3 claims that Ghislaine Maxwell 'facilitated Prince Andrew's acts of sexual abuse by acting as a 'madame' for Epstein'.' Jane Doe 3 is not named in the documents. Virginia Giuffre claims she had sex three times with Andrew in around 2001 when she was 17 and 18. The age of consent in the US Virgin Islands is 18, for example, but is lower in the UK where it is 16. The age of consent in Florida is 18 and is 17 in New York. Prince Andrew, Virginia Roberts, aged 17, now known as Virginia Giuffre, and Ghislaine Maxwell at Ghislaine Maxwell's townhouse in London. The Duke of York denies ever meeting Ms Giuffre Andrew would call his friend Epstein every week, it has been claimed Jane Doe 3 claims she was 'forced to have sexual relations with Prince Andrew' in an alleged orgy The documents also contains claims Andrew used a puppet of himself to place it on Johanna Sjoberg's breast The legal documents do not say when the orgy allegedly involving Prince Andrew took place. Virginia Giuffre gave written evidence in 2015 to a Florida court and said: 'The third time I had sex with Andy was in an orgy on Epsteins private island in the US Virgin Islands. 'I was around 18 at the time. Epstein, Andy, approximately eight other young girls, and I had sex together. The other girls all seemed and appeared to be under the age of 18 and didnt really speak English'. She added that Epstein, who killed himself in prison while awaiting trial on further child abuse charges in August 2019, had laughed about the fact they couldnt really communicate, saying that they are the easiest girls to get along with'. The documents released in New York also reveal: The names of more than 170 people who were either associates, friends or victims of Epstein are made public following a US judge's order last month. READ MORE: Jeffrey Epstein documents show pedophile emailed Ghislaine Maxwell to deny claims Professor Stephen Hawking participated in UNDERAGE ORGY at predator's island Stephen Hawking pictured at a barbecue on Jeffrey Epstein's Caribbean island Little St. James in 2006 Advertisement In 900-plus pages of documents released last night, Prince Andrew is mentioned 69 times. The first tranche of documents was released on Wednesday evening with high-profile figures such as the Duke of York and former US President Bill Clinton featuring heavily. There are also mentions of Donald Trump, Michael Jackson, Stephen Hawking, David Copperfield, Alan Dershowitz and many more. Mr Dershowitz has said that he wants all the documents released because it will prove that he 'did nothing wrong'. Others have also released denials, including Prince Andrew himself. Mr Copperfield has also denied wrongdoing and said he regrets his association with Epstein. Following the release of documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein by a New York court, Virginia Giuffre, one of the paedophile financier's victims, posted to X, noting one site where the files were being released had crashed. She wrote: 'We broke the website'. Court documents show that Ms Giuffre said during a 2016 deposition that she had been told by Ghislaine Maxwell to have sex with several men, including Andrew. After asking Ms Giuffre in turn about each of the men, Laura Menninger, a lawyer who was part of Maxwell's legal team at the time, asked: 'Other than Glenn Dubin, (redacted), Prince Andrew, Jean Luc Brunel, Bill Richardson, another prince, the large hotel chain owner and Marvin Minsky, is there anyone else that Ghislaine Maxwell directed you to go have sex with?' Ms Giuffre replied: 'I am definitely sure there is. But can I remember everybody's name? No.' The unsealed documents include the transcript of Virginia being questioned over the whereabouts of the photograph showing her with the Duke of York. Asked during her deposition in 2016 where the picture was, she said: 'I probably still have it. It's not in my possession right now.' Ms Giuffre added it may have been in storage boxes at her mother and father in-law's in Sydney, Australia. She also said documents related to the case may have also been in the storage boxes which were 'full of Nerf guns, my kids' toys, photos.' Johanna Sjoberg claims that she was sexually assaulted by Prince Andrew, who allegedly used his Spitting Image puppet to touch her breast Bill Clinton is seen with Jeffrey Epstein inside the White House in 1993, at an event for donors to the White House Historical Association. Epstein attended the event after donating $10,000 to the fund. Ghislaine Maxwell is pictured beside Epstein A section of the document claiming that Epstein claimed 'Clinton likes them young' During the deposition, Ms Giuffre said she had given the picture to the FBI in 2011 but had last seen it before she packed up her home to emigrate to Australia from Colorado. The deposition of a woman named Johanna Sjoberg was also published as part of the documents. READ MORE: Bill Clinton 'likes them young', documents claim Bill Clinton is pictured with Jeffrey Epstein in an undated photograph Advertisement She previously claimed Andrew touched her breast while sitting on a couch inside the US billionaire's Manhattan apartment in 2001, while giving testimony in May 2016. The incident is alleged to have taken place when Ms Giuffre and Ms Sjoberg, were at Epstein's house off Fifth Avenue in New York. Ms Sjoberg's deposition made reference to a puppet being placed on Ms Giuffre's breast at the same time - believed to be Andrew's Spitting Image puppet. A 2014 filing Epstein trafficked victims 'for sexual purposes' to powerful men including a 'well-known prime minister' and other world leaders, according to a 2014 filing. Paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein was ready to reward one of his victim's friends if they could 'prove her allegations false' - including that Professor Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy, court documents have revealed. An email from Epstein to disgraced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell showed he was content for her to 'issue a reward' to any of Virginia Giuffre's friends to counter her claims, shortly after she filed a civil claim in the US in 2015. The email read: 'You can issue a reward to any of Virginia's friends, acquaints, family that come forward and help prove her allegations are false. 'The strongest is the Clinton dinner, and the new version in the Virgin Islands that Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy.' Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at the Mar-a-Lago club, Palm Beach. Trump and Epstein spoke regularly, documents claimed Also published among the court documents as part of Ms Giuffre's civil claim against Maxwell was the transcript of the socialite's videotaped evidence given under oath. During her interview, known in the US as a deposition, Maxwell claimed she could only recall Prince Andrew on Epstein's island once. Andrew stepped down from public life after the furore over his friendship with Epstein and paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case to Ms Giuffre, a woman he claimed never to have met. The duke was cast out of the working monarchy and no longer uses his HRH style after Ms Giuffre, who was trafficked by Epstein, accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17. He strenuously denies any wrongdoing. Asked whether any girls under the age of 18 were present on that one occasion, Maxwell replied: 'There were no girls on the island at all. 'No girls, no women, other than the staff who work at the house. 'Girls meaning, I assume you are asking underage, but there was nobody female outside of the cooks and the cleaners.' In other documents, Maxwell could be seen sending an email in January 2015, shortly after a civil claim had been filed against her, in which she described herself as 'out of my depth'. She added: 'I have already suffered such a terrible and painful loss over the last few days that I can't even see what life after press hell even looks like - statements that don't address all just lead to more questions... what is my relationship to Clinton? Andrew on and on.' Johanna Sjoberg also said Epstein had told her that former President Bill Clinton 'likes them young, referring to girls'. Ms Sjoberg said: 'I knew he had dealings with Bill Clinton. 'I did not know they were friends until I read the Vanity Fair article about them going to Africa together.' Asked if Epstein had ever talked about the former president, Ms Sjoberg said: 'He said one time that Clinton likes them young, referring to girls.' In 2019, Mr Clinton's spokesman said he knew 'nothing about the terrible crimes Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to' and that the pair had not spoken 'in over a decade'. The spokesman also said Mr Clinton had never been to Epstein's island, called Little St James, his ranch in New Mexico nor his house in Florida. This is the dramatic moment armed police rushed to a Showcase cinema in Liverpool filled with families after a gunman opened fire outside. Merseyside Police declared a major incident and arrested a 49-year-old man at 5am this morning after reports of shots being fired at three separate locations last night. No one was injured in any of the incidents. The man from Fazakerley was taken into custody by armed response officers as officers cordoned off the property. Shocked residents of the city filmed police vehicles rushing to the scene last night as they surrounded the venue, after the man fired a series of shots into the air. Officers said the man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a Section 1 firearm with intent to endanger life and robbery at 4.46am and remains at a police station. Officers were first called to a newsagents in Norris Green, Liverpool, at 8.30pm last night to reports that a man had entered the shop and threatened the store assistant The Showcase Cinema and nearby Sangha News in Liverpool where the incidents happened When officers attended the property in Fazakerley, the man became 'aggressive and a Taser was deployed', a police spokesperson said. Officers were first called to a newsagents in Norris Green, Liverpool, at 8.30pm last night to reports that a man had entered the shop and threatened the store assistant. He is said to have demanded cash before firing a gun and leaving the store empty handed. The staff member was unharmed but left 'extremely distressed' by the incident. Video footage, believed to be of the incident at the News and Booze store (known locally as Sangha newsagents) on Lower House Lane, showed a man dressed in an oversized coat and flipflops appearing to fire a single shot. Police then received a report at 8.50pm that shots had been fired outside the Showcase Cinema on Stonedale retail park in Croxteth. Police at a house on Ternhill Road in Liverpool today as the force's investigation continues The News and Booze store, known locally as Sangha newsagents, on Lower House Lane today Police at a house on Ternhill Road in Liverpool today as the force's investigation continues Police outside a house on Ternhill Road in Liverpool today as they continue to investigate A man allegedly entered the cinema complex and threatened two members of staff in the foyer while armed with a gun. He then left the building and fired a number of shots into the air before fleeing in a car. Families inside the cinema were plunged into lockdown as armed police were scrambled to the scene, before being evacuated. Around 90 minutes later, gun shots were heard at a property on Malpas Road, police said. No one was injured in any of the incidents. Craig Moorhead, 35, from Garston, had been watching Wonka with his daughter and her friend, both 14, when shots were reportedly fired at the cinema. Mr Moorhead heard police at the back of the cinema as the film ended, and when he went into the foyer discovered the building had been locked down, the Echo reports. After being kept in the cinema for 45 minutes, police escorted small groups to their cars after getting past a line of armed police, he said. Armed police swooped in and started escorting families back to their cars at the Showcase Cinema in Norris Green, Liverpool, around 9pm on Wednesday Forensic officers were seen at the Showcase cinema in Liverpool on Thursday morning A forensics officer takes photographs outside the cinema on Thursday morning Armed police rushed to the scene at the Showcase cinema in Liverpool on Wednesday night A firearm was discharged around 20 minutes before the cinema incident at Sangha's Newsagents on nearby Lower House Lane, police said (CCTV believed to be of the incident at the newsagent) Showcase Cinema in Liverpool has been placed under lockdown after reports of a gunman on the loose A cordon has also been place around Sangha's newsagents (general view) on nearby Lower House Lane Parents were seen hurrying children into cars before leaving the estate near Croxteth after they were given the all-clear to leave the building from police. Footage showed dozens of armed police cars circling the building on East Lancashire Road and a police helicopter was filmed flying overhead. Assistant Chief Constable Jenn Wilson, said: 'I can report that a 49-year-old man has been arrested following three firearms discharges in the Croxteth and Norris Green areas last night. 'Thankfully incidents like this, involving a single offender in three separate shootings in close proximity and quick succession, are extremely rare and this is the first time we have had to deal with an incident of this nature on the streets of Merseyside. 'The shocking and distressing impact these incidents will have had on the shop assistant, the staff at the Showcase Cinema and those filmgoers who found themselves in a lockdown situation in the complex after shots were fired outside the cinema and the residents of Malpas Road cannot be underestimated. 'Officers were on the ground immediately following the first incident and were able to respond swiftly to the subsequent discharges, and a male was identified, located and arrested on suspicion of all three discharges within 13 hours.' She added that high visibility patrols will remain in the area throughout the day, continuing: 'Firearms have no place on our streets and we are committed to arresting those involved in gun crime and taking firearms off our streets. 'I would appeal to anyone who has information about those involved in gun crime, or who knows were weapons are being stored to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 so we can further reduce the harm caused by these weapons in our communities.' Police at the Showcase Cinema on East Lancashire Lane in Liverpool on Thursday Footage showed dozens of armed police cars circling the cinema on East Lancashire Road and a police helicopter was filmed flying overhead Police are asking any witnesses to the incident, and anyone with footage to get in touch 'as a matter of urgency'. Stonedale retail park and all shops within the area will remain closed while officers continue investigations. A spokesperson for Showcase Cinemas said: 'We are aware of an incident at our cinema and surrounding area in Liverpool. 'The safety and welfare of our staff and customers is always our number one priority and we can confirm no one was injured. 'We would like to thank our team members and the local police for their swift responses to this active investigation.' Anyone with footage or information is asked to DM @MerPol or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting log 928 of Wednesday 3 January. A street fight is brewing over one of Australia's largest Islamic festivals, with residents claiming it is unruly, too loud and too smelly. The council that oversees the Ramadan Nights street festival held in the south western Sydney suburb of Lakemba has moved to appease over 300 residents who signed a petition listing their complaints about the event, which runs for around a month. Among things locals were unhappy about were the number of road closures to accommodate the more than 1.2 million visitors, alleged 'anti-social behaviour', mounds of rubbish being left and even the unpleasant aroma of food preparation. Among the fare typically on offer at the festival is camel, beef and chicken burgers, as well as desserts including the famous Lebanese sweet knafeh and the traditional Middle Eastern baklava. Some local residents have been complaining about the smell of food drifting out of Lakemba's Ramadan Nights festival (pictured) held in Sydney's south west The noise of the festival - which runs from dusk to 3am during the Islamic holy month of fasting during which food can only be consumed after sundown - has left locals complaining about lack of sleep. In response, Canterbury-Bankstown Council has moved to close fewer roads, move festival events away from homes and do less promotion of the event. This hasn't pleased some of the area's business owners. Salim Shaikh, owner of Haldon Street chicken shop Extra Crispy, said the council should not caved over the popular event, which has been running for 15 years and last year outdrew the Royal Sydney Show for attendees. 'The people complaining are the ones that bought into the area knowing the event is on each year,' Mr Shaikh told the Daily Telegraph. 'If you don't like noise and you don't like markets, why would you move into a town centre next to a street festival?' Local councillor Barbara Khoury agreed saying it was 'very difficult' to 'hear people have bought into the area after the event has started and wanted to shut it down'. During the month of Ramadan Muslims fast during daylight hours but can eat when the sun goes down (Lakemba Ramadan festival stall pictured) Another local businessman Salim Deeni, who owns the Afghan Sufra restaurant, said it was dangerous to leave more roads open with so many people walking around the area. Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek said it was 'tough' to keep everybody happy and that the measures will be reviewed. A council report on the festival labelled it 'a phenomenal success' but also admitted it posed a 'significant budget' challenge. Last year's festival cost the council over $2million to stage. The festival also has critics among Muslim spiritual leaders for not displaying a more devotional character. An Islamic preacher who tags himself as Iman Boost took to TikTok to say the Ramadan festival had become more about partying than piety. The drawing power of the Ramadan street festival in Lakemba (pictured) means over 1.2million people visit the event, which was more than went to last year's Royal Sydney Show He said during the festival Lakemba had become the 'new Kings Cross' but clarified he wasn't talking about the prostitution once associated with Sydney's notorious red light district but that it was the 'place to party'. Iman Boost complained it had become such a nightlife hot-spot that even the 'non-Muslims are coming'. 'Do you think the non-Muslims are coming to learn about Allah?' he asked scathingly. Every year the month of Ramadan commemorates the first revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad. Muslims spend the day fasting from sunrise before having their first meal, known as Iftar, at sunset. Disgraced Big Brother star Stephen Bear will reportedly be released from prison in days after less than a year behind bars. Bear, who won Celebrity Big Brother in 2016, was jailed in March after filming and uploading footage of himself having sex with reality TV star Georgia Harrison on his OnlyFans website. He was sentenced to 21 months and is expected to be released halfway through the sentence on licence, according to reports. A source claimed he is set to be freed before his birthday on January 20. 'Stephen has served his time and he's due out of prison in the next few weeks,' the source told The Sun. 'However, he's been telling pals he's not the same man that went into prison. Stephen Bear was sentenced to 21 months after being convicted of voyeurism, disclosing private, sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress, and harassment without violence Georgia Harrison has demanded abuse cases are given priority in courts 'There will be no hopping back on to social media or rolling straight back into the nearest nightclub when he gets out, he says he just wants to get back to east London and his family.' The source said 'time will tell' if he has 'changed'. Bear was jailed in March after being convicted of voyeurism, disclosing private, sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress, and harassment without violence. According to the Sun, his girlfriend Jessica Smith dumped him in September, after vowing to stand by him while he was in jail. Bear was said to be heartbroken by the split. Meanwhile, in October Georgia Harrison demanded abuse cases are given priority in courts as she appeared on stage at Labour's conference in Liverpool. The former star of reality shows The Only Way Is Essex and Love Island spoke of her long wait for justice. She said it took two years from the day she reported the crime for Bear to be convicted and warned about the impact of long legal processes on victims of other crimes, such as rape and domestic abuse. Stephen Bear with Jessica Smith - who had vowed to stand by him while he was in prison, but later dumped him The 28-year-old said she now has an 'onslaught' of women reaching out to her for help on social media following her high-profile case. She also called for 'massive online platforms' to be required to take down sexually explicit content which had been posted without consent. Speaking on a panel on the main stage of Labour's conference, Ms Harrison said it was 'really important that victims feel they are going to be taken seriously when they're going to the police'. 'I speak to a lot of girls who just feel like they weren't taken seriously or no one really understood when they did go to the police,' she added. 'One thing I wanted to highlight from my personal experience is I feel there needs to be more support for victims when they do choose to call the police and go into the court system. 'For me, from the day I reported the crime, it took me two whole years to get a conviction.' Ms Harrison spoke of how the two-year legal ordeal she endured was 'detrimental to my career and my mental health, which was really hard for me'. She added: 'But I couldn't help but think, imagine if you were either a victim of domestic abuse or a sexual assault, if you had been raped. 'And you get a phone call to say "actually you're going to have to wait a whole other year to even get inside a court room". 'You've got to spend the next year of your life walking down the street not knowing if you're going to get attacked, killed, violated - how would you live with that? 'It would be so nice if the courts could make sure if it is a victim of sexual assault or domestic abuse - especially as in a domestic abusive relationship, that amount of time leaves the perpertrator so long to manipulate them to drop the charges - I think those sort of cases should be prioritised and 90 per cent of those victims are women.' MailOnline has contacted the Ministry Of Justice for comment. Emirates, one of the worlds largest international airlines, has ramped up its operations in South Korea by introducing three additional weekly flights starting February 19, 2024. With the additional services, the airline will serve Seoul with 10 weekly flights operated by a mix of its signature Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, guaranteeing more flexibility and choice for its customers to and from Dubai, as well as beyond to its global network of over 130 destinations. The new flights will operate as EK324/ EK325 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Operated by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, Emirates flight EK324 will depart Dubai at 4.45 am, landing at Seoul Incheon International Airport at 6.05 pm. The return flight EK325 will depart Seoul at 10 pm, arriving in Dubai at 3.15 am, the following day. Emirates' additional services will increase the capacity on flights between Dubai and Seoul by more than 1,000 additional seats per week, helping to alleviate the suppressed demand for international travel to one of the most popular East Asian destinations and supporting South Koreas inbound and outbound tourism. The airline's ramped-up operations will further serve the need for adding more flights between UAE and South Korea, in line with the strong bilateral relations between the two nations. Through the three weekly Boeing 777 flights, Emirates will provide 45 tonnes of additional cargo capacity between Dubai and Seoul, boosting the trade and economic ties between South Korea and the UAE as well as through Dubai and beyond to more global destinations in Emirates' network, further contributing to Korea's economy and facilitating convenient air connectivity for the Republic's imports and exports. Emirates launched services to Seoul in 2005 and currently operates a daily Airbus A380 service from Dubai. TradeArabia News Service A fisherman who spent over 24 hours at sea after going overboard on his boat has revealed how he managed to avoid sharks and flag down the ship that saved his life. Will Fransen, 61, from Cambridge in New Zealand set out to catch and tag marlin on his own about 55km east of the North Island near Whangamata on January 2. He fell off the side of his 12m boat after lowering the safety railing while tagging one of his catches. He tried to get back on but his idling boat slowly drifted away. He was not wearing a life jacket but had a buoyant harness that helped him stay afloat as the current pulled him from the nearby Alderman Islands and out into the Pacific Ocean. Eventually scuba divers James McDonnell, Max White and Tyler Taffs spotted Mr Fransen in the waves near Mayor Island once the sun had risen because he signalled them with his reflective watch. Will Fransen, 61, from Cambridge in New Zealand spent 24 hours adrift at sea after falling off his 12m boat 55km from the shore while out tagging marlon on January 2 Mr Fransen fell overboard after lowering the safety rail to release a catch near the Alderman Islands (pictured) before the current pulled him further into the Pacific Ocean Mr Fransen tried holding onto the fishing line that was still attached to his boat but it slipped out of his hand and he was left to treading water. Resigned to his fate, Mr Fransen tried to relax and watch 'the beautiful sunset overhead' until he noticed a shark's fin swim just metres away. 'Fortunately it decided it wasnt interested. It would have been a good couple of metres so it could have easily dealt with me,' he told the New Zealand Herald. Before long the sun set and Mr Fransen only had the moon's light which increased his paranoia as seaweed brushed against his legs. Presuming he would die, Mr Fransen routinely drained the water from his harness to ensure that it kept him afloat even if he were to become unconscious. If he died adrift, the 61-year-old knew his family would not be able to claim his life insurance policy if rescue teams were unable to locate the body. He continued to tread water throughout the night as the weather deteriorated and the current kept pushing him towards Mayor Island, 34km east of Whangamata. As the wind began picking up, Mr Fransen knew fewer boats would be out as waves kept crashing over his head and pushing him underwater. He began desperately shaking his wrist watch at any nearby ships in an attempt to reflect the sun's glare at them to get their attention. Mr Fransen claimed that the longer he was adrift the more boats he would realise weren't really there as he began to hallucinate from lack of sleep. Mr Fransen was eventually saved by three fisherman the next day after he gained their attention by reflecting the sun off of his watch at them As the waters got calmer Mr Fransen kept reflecting the sun off his watch towards passing boats until Mr McDonnell noticed him while out game fishing with friends. 'James, who was driving ... in his words, he said, "I saw this waving arm and thought, well, theres not supposed to be any waving arms out here",' Mr Fransen recalled. The boat immediately sped towards Mr Fransen as Mr McDonnell, Mr White and Mr Taffs pulled him aboard and provided drinks and blankets. The trio said that Mr Fransen was 'super cold and severely dehydrated' when they found him around 16km off of the back of Mayor Island. As the boat travelled back towards land Mr Fransen drank warm bottles of water and cranberry juice and rested his sore limbs that had spent the night paddling. By the time they got back to Whangamata Mr Fransen walked himself to a waiting ambulance which tended to his sunburnt face and took him to hospital. He has since been released in a healthy condition and is now planning on finding his abandoned boat that is still adrift in the Pacific ocean off the North Island. Two planes are scouting the area in search of the boat which has yet to be found. Keir Starmer will plead for voters to give him a chance in an electioneering speech today - as senior Labour figures warn his position is 'brittle'. As Westminster starts ramping up towards a showdown at the ballot boxes this year, the Labour leader will insist he can bring about change. Distancing himself from the disastrous Jeremy Corbyn era, Sir Keir will vow that his premiership would not be 'vanity dressed up as virtue'. Labour has been far ahead in polls for months, with one published this week showing a 14-point lead. However, veteran MP Jon Cruddas stepped up warnings today that nobody knows exactly what Sir Keir stands for. He cautioned that the failure to set a clear direction or deal with internal splits means Labour is 'brittle' and could go into meltdown if it wins power. Sir Keir Starmer will use a speech in the West of England today to further distance himself from his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn (Pictured together in 2019) Labour has been far ahead in polls for months, with one published this week showing a 14-point lead Sir Keir is demanding that Rishi Sunak (pictured) calls a general election in May, although most in Westminster believe the Autumn is more likely timetable Sir Keir is demanding that Rishi Sunak calls a general election in May, although most in Westminster believe the Autumn is more likely timetable. In a signal that he is deeply concerned about apathy among Brits, Sir Keir will swipe that the Tories have been 'undermining the possibility of change itself'. Sir Keir will use his speech in the west of England today to once again highlight his experience as director of public prosecutions where he made 'life-and-death decisions'. 'There's pressure that comes with that, but that's the responsibility of justice and public service,' Sir Keir will say. 'And it's the responsibility of serious government. 'This isn't a game. Politics shouldn't be a hobby a pastime for people who enjoy the feeling of power, and nor should it be a sermon from on high, a self-regarding lecture, vanity dressed up as virtue. No, it should be a higher calling.' Sir Keir's comments will be seen as a thinly veiled criticism of Mr Corbyn (pictured with Sir Keir) and his hard-Left allies who have been accused of 'gesture politics'. But they also appear to attack former prime minister Lord Cameron who, when asked why he wanted to be prime minister, once replied: 'Because I think I'd be rather good at it.' Sir Keir, who served under Mr Corbyn as shadow Brexit secretary, will insist Labour is a 'changed' party that is 'no longer in thrall to gesture politics, no longer a party of protest, but a party of service'. Mr Cruddas, a political secretary under Tony Blair and influential thinker on the Left, told La Repubblica that Labour's platform so far was 'insufficient'. 'The danger is to win an election, which becomes a referendum on the incumbent government, but without a mandate for change. That seems to me to be a real concern, because the Labour will inherit a total mess,' he said. 'We've got crises in housing, cost of living, adult social care. Our councils are going bankrupt. There's a sense of everything deteriorating. 'And I can't think of an example where a Labour Government has secured a mandate for change after the election. 'You have to create it before the government. I fear we will lose the opportunity to govern with a mandate to deliver real change. 'It could become quite tricky in government. I understand [Starmer's] caution but I fear it could come with a downside after the election.' Mr Cruddas, who has announced he is standing down at the election, said: 'My fear is that if you win power without a mandate and you govern in a period of profound economic and social turbulence without defining yourself in terms of organising public philosophy, then the danger is you become consumed by events, while in power without a clear agenda. 'Meanwhile, the coalition that got you into power is fracturing in all different ways. Gaza is quite instructive in all of this in terms of relations with a lot of younger voters, for example. Our political position could look to be quite brittle, quite quickly.' Mr Cruddas has warned that Sir Keir's 'approach to economics does not appear to be grounded in any specific theoretical understanding of inequality, material justice and welfare distribution'. Distancing himself from the disastrous Jeremy Corbyn era, Sir Keir will vow that his premiership would not be 'vanity dressed up as virtue' 'Despite a successful career as a human rights lawyer, as Labour leader Starmer appears uninterested in questions of liberty and freedom,' he wrote in his recent book about Labour. It comes as his party weighs up pledging to cut income tax or National Insurance in its general election manifesto to help voters struggling with the cost of living. Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves is said to believe that cuts offered by Labour must be 'bombproof' and not threaten the party's fiscal credibility, according to The Times. The Conservatives are also considering tax cuts in the Spring Budget in March. Labour is also fearful that its poll lead which places the party around 18 points ahead of the Tories could collapse. In a presentation to the shadow cabinet, the party's chief campaign strategist, Morgan McSweeney, showed how in other countries the clear favourite lost an election after their poll lead suddenly vanished in the weeks beforehand. Mr McSweeney warned: 'Polls do not predict the future' nobody has voted in the general election.' Sir Keir will also use his speech to vow to clean up politics if he wins the next general election, saying: 'I will restore standards in public life.' An alleged body double for Vladimir Putin has been named as a 'fourth-rate carpenter' from Belarus, claimed to have survived an assassination attempt. Yevgeny Vasilyevich was identified as the 'main doppelganger' for the Russian president today as it alleged he had been poisoned with 'toxic substances'. He 'developed rashes on the skin of the upper and lower extremities and on the neck, which doctors initially mistook for an allergy', elusive Russian Telegram account General SVR asserted today without providing evidence. The channel, renowned for its audacious claims about Putin's health, is among several sources claiming one or more Putin lookalikes are regularly deployed as body doubles for the 71-year-old, a theory supported by Ukrainian military intelligence. Vasilyevich was also said to be a 'fourth-rate carpenter' from Belarus, according to a Russian political analyst. Dr Valery Solovey, formerly a professor at a Moscow training academy for spies and diplomats, said Vasilyevich even stood in to deliver Putin's New Year's Eve rant. Dr Solovey, seen by critics as a conspiracy theorist, claimed outrageously in October 2023 that the Russian president had died and been replaced by body doubles, ultimately controlled by the former spymaster of Russia's FSB security service. Putin as he addressed the nation (right), fueling rumours he had been replaced by a double Russian political analyst Dr Valery Solovey speaks on Vladimir Putin's alleged use of doubles Doctors were said to have plied alleged double Vasilyevich with medication but 'when the test results became known, they urgently contacted' security council chief Nikolai Patrushev, the General SVR channel asserted 'The life of the backup was not in danger - probably the dose was too small. 'Now they are trying to figure out how the toxic substance entered the body of the double.' A probe was allegedly launched by the FSB and FSO security services into a suspected assassination bid, the channel claimed. General SVR claims to have inside knowledge of the Kremlin while providing no hard evidence and being seen by many as a source of conspiracy theories. The anonymous account emerged in 2020, prior to the invasion of Ukraine, claiming to be run by former and current members of Russian official bodies. It has since made a number of unfounded and unproven claims about Putin and his administration. Now famously, the account prompted a rare public clarification from the Kremlin after claiming last year Putin had fallen down a set of stairs and soiled himself. 'This is completely untrue,' a spokesperson told Newsweek. General SVR also claimed last year Putin would pass over power to a former FSB chief in order to undergo surgery for cancer. The Kremlin later denied Putin had died from cancer, saying the claims around his health were 'absurd'. Dr Valery Solovey, branded a 'foreign agent' by Russia, has also made several bold claims about Putin's wellbeing. The former professor suggested in his latest video that the carpenter lookalike had been trained by the Moscow secret services to play the role of Putin. 'Those of you, dear friends, who saw the so-called New Year greeting of the so-called Russian President, probably noticed that it was very short,' said Dr Solovey. 'It was not just very short, it was one of the shortest in the history of Putin [New Year messages] Why was it one of the shortest? 'The answer is clear. So that you don't look and listen. Not to look at the appearance and not to listen to the voice of the man. This man, Putin's double, is called Yevgeny Vasilyevich. 'He comes from Belarus. Originally from Belarus. Yevgeny Vasilyevich. Yes, a fourth-rate carpenter. That's the truth.' Dr Solovey did not give the alleged imposter's surname, instead referring to him by his supposed first name Yevgeny and patronymic, or middle name, Vasilyevich. Since last year jokes have referred to a body double named 'Vasilyevich' after top Russian churchman Patriarch Kirill, head of the Orthodox Church, blundered as he addressed Putin during a meeting as 'Your Excellency, much-esteemed Vladimir Vasilyevich', before correcting himself to name the president correctly Vladimir Vladimirovich. At the time, in July, Dr Solovey said Kirill knew about Putin and his body doubles. He told Zhivoy Gvozd, YouTube today that Vasilyevich 'is the patronymic of the doppelganger' and that Kirill 'knows the patronymic of the doppelganger'. Ukraine's military intelligence service also claimed this week that the Kremlin deploys at least three Putin stand-ins. Ukraine's HUR military intelligence agency spokesman Andriy Yusov said this week: 'This information [on Vladimir Putin using body doubles] is confirmed by many sources '[It] is no longer some kind of news or something that needs to be proven in the world 'The technology of doubles has been used before and is being used now, in particular by Vladimir Putin or his entourage, people who influence the situation in the Kremlin.' Dr Solovey worked at the prestigious Institute of International Relations [MGIMO] in Moscow Memes and jokes continue to scrutinise former and current Putin appearances for differences Some say body doubles are used because Putin is seriously ill or hiding in a bunker due to paranoia about his security, or deployed by his entourage because the dictator is dead. Others have suggested that the New Year broadcast was an AI image of Putin. The Russian president's neck appeared out of sync with his body, as if his head was superimposed for the televised speech, according to observers. The professor had long claimed the real Putin was seriously ill with cancer, and told followers in October that Putin had died to be replaced by doppelgangers. He has said the ring of lookalikes is organised by the shadowy Nikolai Patrushev, 72, formerly chief spymaster at the FSB. The identities of dozens of well-known figures linked to Jeffrey Epstein have been revealed in court papers unsealed in the US overnight. The files are part of a defamation case brought against Epstein's madam Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving 20 years in jail for sex trafficking underage girls to him. She was sued by Virginia Roberts, now known as Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was forced to have sex with the Duke of York three times in 2001 when she was 17 - claims the duke vehemently denies. High-profile people such as Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, Al Gore, Kevin Spacey and Stephen Hawking were all included in evidence filings. Actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Cameron Diaz and Bruce Willis are in there along with model Naomi Campbell. None of them have been accused of any involvement in Epstein's crimes, but Epstein was a name-dropper, Johanna Sjoberg claimed in evidence released overnight. Ms Sjoberg was clear that she had never met them. Also mentioned are the late physicist Stephen Hawking and magician David Copperfield. Some of the people named overnight were associates, friends or victims of Epstein. But the vast majority were named in evidence by witnesses who said they had no links to the paedophile at all - or had not seen them at his many homes. The identities of more than 170 people are now set to be made public following a US judge's order last month, with the first tranche of documents released last night. They are set to be released on a rolling basis this week. However inclusion of a name does not necessarily mean they were accused of any wrongdoing, with some names simply put to witnesses who denied meeting them. Actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, Cate Blanchett and Naomi Campbell are mentioned in the Epstein list. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on their part Jane Doe 3 claims she was 'forced to have sexual relations with Prince Andrew' in an alleged orgy Who is named in the Epstein list? And what do the court documents say about them? Prince Andrew Today it emerged that one of Epstein's alleged sex slaves, known only as Jane Doe 3, claimed that she was told to have intercourse with Prince Andrew during an orgy on Epstein's island, Little Saint James, in the US Virgin Islands. A 2014 court filing alleges that she was 'forced to have sexual relations with this Prince when she was a minor in three separate geographical locations.' She claims this happened 'in London (at Ghislaine Maxwell's apartment), in New York, and on Epstein's private island in the US Virgin Islands (in an orgy with numerous other under-aged girls).' The newly unsealed docs claim Epstein told Jane Doe 3 to 'give the Prince whatever he demanded'. Jane Doe 3 claims that Ghislaine Maxwell 'facilitated Prince Andrew's acts of sexual abuse by acting as a 'madame' for Epstein'.' The unsealed documents include the transcript of Virginia Giuffre being questioned over the whereabouts of the photograph showing her with the Duke of York. Asked during her deposition in 2016 where the picture was, she said: 'I probably still have it. It's not in my possession right now.' Ms Giuffre added it may have been in storage boxes at her mother and father in-law's in Sydney, Australia. She also said documents related to the case may have also been in the storage boxes which were 'full of Nerf guns, my kids' toys, photos.' During the deposition, Ms Giuffre said she had given the picture to the FBI in 2011 but had last seen it before she packed up her home to emigrate to Australia from Colorado. Prince Andrew, Virginia Roberts, aged 17, now known as Virginia Giuffre, and Ghislaine Maxwell at Ghislaine Maxwell's townhouse in London. The Duke of York denies ever meeting Ms Giuffre Jeffrey Epstein accuser Johanna Sjoberg shed new light on an April 2001 trip to New York in which she said Prince Andrew touched her breast while they posed for a photo at Epstein's Manhattan town house. In the testimony, some of which appeared as excerpts in previous court filings, Sjoberg said she and Virginia Giuffre had flown with Epstein to New York on his private jet. Ghislaine Maxwell and Andrew were said to have met them there. At one point, she testified, Maxwell called her to an upstairs closet where they pulled out a puppet of Andrew that had been made for a television program. 'It looked like him,' Sjoberg said. 'And she brought it down and presented it to him; and that was a great joke, because apparently it was a production from a show on BBC.' 'And they decided to take a picture with it, in which Virginia and Andrew sat on a couch. They put the puppet on Virginia's lap, and I sat on Andrew's lap, and they put the puppet's hand on Virginia's breast, and Andrew put his hand on my breast, and they took a photo.' The reference is believed to relate to Andrew's Spitting Image puppet. Buckingham Palace previously said the allegations were 'categorically untrue'. Among the unsealed documents appears to be an email sent by Ghislaine Maxwell mentioning the Duke of York. The message was sent from the email address gmaxl@ellmax.com to Philip Barden and Ross Gow in January 2015. It reads: 'I have already suffered such a terrible and painful loss over the last few days that I can't even see what life after press hell even looks like - statements that don't address all just lead to more questions ... what is my relationship to Clinton? Andrew on and on.' Andrew stepped down from public life after the furore over his friendship with Epstein and paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case to Giuffre, a woman he claimed never to have met. The duke was cast out of the working monarchy and no longer uses his HRH style after Giuffre, who was trafficked by Epstein, accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17. Andrew has always denied the claims. Bill Clinton There are also mentions in the documents of Jeffrey Epstein's past friendship with former US president Bill Clinton - who is not accused of any wrongdoing. Jeffrey Epstein claimed Bill Clinton 'liked them young', Johanna Sjoberg told lawyers. Deposition documents show Ms Sjoberg was asked if she knew the former US president was a friend of Epstein. Ms Sjoberg said: 'I knew he had dealings with Bill Clinton. 'I did not know they were friends until I read the Vanity Fair article about them going to Africa together.' Bill Clinton is pictured with Jeffrey Epstein in an undated photograph Asked if Epstein had ever talked about the former president, Ms Sjoberg said: 'He said one time that Clinton likes them young, referring to girls.' Other mentions included legal arguments over whether Virginia Giuffre should be allowed more time to depose potential witnesses, including Clinton. Giuffre never alleged he was involved in illegal behavior, but her attorneys said the former president was a 'key person who can provide information about his close relationship' with Ghislaine Maxwell and Epstein. Maxwell's attorneys countered that Clinton testimony was not relevant. Donald Trump Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at the Mar-a-Lago club, Palm Beach. Trump and Epstein spoke regularly, documents claimed Epstein accuser Johanna Sjoberg said she and Virginia Giuffre had flown with Jeffrey Epstein to New York on his private jet. On the way to New York, Sjoberg testified, Epstein's jet diverted to Atlantic City, New Jersey, and spent a few hours at one of Donald Trump's casinos, because of bad weather. Upon hearing the change of plans, Sjoberg recalled Epstein saying, 'Great, we'll call up Trump and we'll go to' the casino. Sjoberg wasn't asked if they'd met up with Trump that night. Later in her testimony, she said she was never asked to give Trump a massage. Trump previously said that he once thought Epstein was a 'terrific guy,' but that they later had a falling out. In her deposition, Giuffre said the summer she turned 17, she was lured away from a job as a spa attendant at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club to become a 'masseuse' for Epstein - a job that involved performing sexual acts. Doug Band Six files relating to the Clinton confidante are due to be released in early 2024. Band has been named as Doe number 8 on the list of 177 people. He is pictured left with Ghislaine Maxwell and right with Bill Clinton Doug Band, one of Bill Clinton's closest aides who is credited with rehabilitating the 42nd president's image in the wake of the Monica Lewinsky scandal, was referred to as a 'friend' by Ghislaine Maxwell during a deposition, the new documents show. It was earlier reported that Band joined Clinton and Epstein on various trips to Asia and Africa. Band told Vanity Fair in a 2020 that he had long asked Clinton to cut off ties to Epstein and Maxwell, despite being unaware of their crimes, just because of bad 'vibes' he got from them. 'Did you ever have a relationship with [Band]?,' Maxwell was asked in a deposition. 'We are talking about adult consensual relationships, it's off the record,' she answered. Lawyers then requested that she define her relationship with Band. 'I was friends with Doug but you are suggesting something more so I want to be clear what you are actually asking me,' Maxwell replied. The heiress proceeded to not answer further questions around Clinton and Epstein's friendship at this time. Band worked in Clinton's White House Counsel's office and served as Deputy Assistant to the President before becoming his chief advisor from 2002 to 2011. With Band's help, Clinton fashioned a new role for his post presidency with his Clinton Global Initiative which donated millions to good causes. Stephen Hawking Stephen Hawking pictured at a barbecue on Jeffrey Epstein's Caribbean island Little St. James in 2006 Jeffrey Epstein was ready to reward one of his victim's friends if they could 'prove her allegations false' - including that Professor Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy, the court documents revealed. An email from Epstein to Ghislaine Maxwell showed he was content for her to 'issue a reward' to any of Virginia Giuffre's friends to counter her claims, shortly after she filed a civil claim in the US in 2015. The email read: 'You can issue a reward to any of Virginia's friends, acquaints, family that come forward and help prove her allegations are false. 'The strongest is the Clinton dinner, and the new version in the Virgin Islands that Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy.' Hawking died in 2018 aged 76. David Copperfield In her May 2016 deposition, Jeffrey Epstein accuser Johanna Sjoberg described going to a dinner at one of Epstein's homes also attended by magician David Copperfield. She said Copperfield did magic tricks before asking if she was aware 'that girls were getting paid to find other girls.' One of the key allegations against Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell was that some of the girls he paid for sex acts then acted as recruiters to find him other victims. Sjoberg said Copperfield was not more specific about what he meant. A publicist for Copperfield has not yet responded to requests for comment. Michael Jackson Jeffrey Epstein accuser Johanna Sjoberg testified in the newly-released deposition that she once met Michael Jackson at Epstein's home in Palm Beach, Florida. But she added that nothing untoward happened with the late pop icon. Jackson died in Los Angeles aged 50 in June 2009. Naomi Campbell Naomi was photographed at the Rosa Cha Post-Show Celebration party in 2002 with Ghislaine Maxwell Pilot David Rodgers previously revealed logs from 2009 which showed Naomi Campbell was among those who flew on his jet. In a video from 2019 she admitted that she knew Epstein, adding: 'I was introduced to him on my 31st birthday by my ex-boyfriend Flavio [Briatore, the Italian businessman who has been convicted of fraud]. He was always front and centre at Victoria's Secret shows.' She was also pictured near Epstein's alleged 'madam' Ghislaine Maxwell at a party in 2002. The model denied knowing about Epstein's activities, adding: 'What he's done is indefensible and when I heard what he'd done it sickened me to my stomach I have had my fair share of sexual predators.' She said she was 'shocked' by the coverage of her friendships with disreputable characters, before adding: 'I'm not a saint but I will not be held hostage by my past.' In the evidence released overnight Johanna Sjoberg says she never met Ms Campbell or saw her at Epstein's homes. Leonardo DiCaprio Leonardo DiCaprio at the 2024 Golden Globes Epstein's French modeling agent friend Jean-Luc Brunel, 75, who allegedly procured more than 1,000 women and girls for the paedophile financier to sleep with, died on in an apparent prison suicide to avoid trial. Brunel was also often spotted partying with superstars like Jack Nicholson and Leonardo DiCaprio. In a 2016 deposition of Epstein victim Johanna Sjoberg was asked if she had met Mr DiCaprio. Ms Sjoberg she said she never had met Leo - but that Epstein loved to name-drop celebrity names during massages. Cate Blanchett, Cameron Diaz and Bruce Willis Stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Bruce Willis and Cameron Diaz are all named in the evidence - but are not implicated in any way. This transcript shows how Johanna Sjoberg said Epstein was a name-dropper but she had never met any of the stars he claimed to know The three stars were mentioned in Johanna Sjoberg's evidence. She denied meeting them. She said Epstein 'would be on the phone a lot at that time, and one time he said, "Oh, that was Leonardo [DiCaprio], or, that was Cate Blanchett, or Bruce Willis". That kind of thing'. She was later asked: 'Did you meet Cameron Diaz?' to which she replied: 'No'. Tom Pritzker In her deposition, Virginia Giuffre said she had sex with several politicians and financial leaders. Giuffre's deposition named several prominent figures who have previously denied her allegations of wrongdoing, including billionaire US businessman Tom Pritzker. A spokesperson for Pritzker said the businessman 'continues to vehemently deny' the allegation. Alan Dershowitz In 2022, Virginia Giuffre withdrew an accusation she had made against Jeffrey Epstein's former attorney, law professor Alan Dershowitz, saying she ' may have made a mistake ' in identifying him as an abuser. According to one of the documents, Epstein allegedly forced a woman named as Jane Doe #3, who was a 'minor' at the time, to 'have sexual relations' with Dershowitz. It also claimed: 'In addition to being a participant in the abuse of Jane Doe #3 and other minors, Dershowitz was an eye-witness to the sexual abuse of many other minors by Epstein and several of Epstein's co-conspirators.' But Dershowitz said in a statement to People: 'The woman who initially accused me subsequently stated that she may have misidentified me and she withdrew her lawsuit against me.' The high-profile lawyer supported the release of the documents. He told NewsNation: 'I want everything out, every document, every piece of paper, half-truths or lies, and I wanted them out for personal reasons because I know that they would prove what I've said from day one, that I did nothing wrong. 'There are some people who may be ashamed of the fact that they hung out with Epstein but remember a lot of people hung out with Epstein before he was convicted. 'Presidents of Harvard, deans, Nobel quality scientists, he was very well thought of in the beginning.' Frederic Fekkai Celebrity hair stylist Frederic Fekkai was named in the court documents, although it is unclear what relationship if any he had with Jeffrey Epstein. In a deposition in May 2016 relating to Epstein accuser Johanna Sjoberg, she was asked by attorney Sigrid McCawley: 'Did you ever hear or observe Jeffrey talking on the phone about Frederic Fekkai?' 'I heard him call someone, and say, Fekkai is in Hawaii,' Sjoberg responded over the objection of the Ghislaine Maxwell's attorney Laura Menninger. 'Can we find some girls for him?' 'And what was your reaction to that?' McCawley asked. 'Well, I was massaging and I didn't have a reaction,' Sjoberg replied. 'I tried to remain reactionless the whole five years.' Fekkai has not yet commented on the claims. Leslie Wexner Another name appearing in the documents was Leslie Wexner, a former business partner of Jeffrey Epstein who founded L Brands, a retail empire that included Victoria's Secret. He was referred to when Ghislaine Maxwell was asked if she provided a woman with an outfit of a sexual nature to wear for Wexner. 'Categorically no,' Maxwell replied. 'You did get that, I said categorically no.' She also denied that she had communicated with Wexner about the lawsuit. Wexner previously said in a letter to his employees that that he 'was never aware of the illegal activity' that Epstein was charged over. Glenn Dubin Virginia Giuffre claimed she was pressured into having sex with men in Jeffrey Epstein's social orbit, including the billionaire hedge fund Glenn Dubin, among others. She said she also had sex with other political leaders whose names she could not remember. All of those men, including Dubin, said her accounts were fabricated. Dubin has not yet commented on the documents. Jean-Luc Brunel The documents name many public figures known to have associated with Jeffrey Epstein over the years, but whose relationships with him have already been well documented elsewhere, according to the judge. One of them is Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent close to Epstein who was awaiting trial on charges that he raped underage girls when he killed himself in a Paris jail in 2022. Virginia Giuffre was among the women who had accused Brunel of sexual abuse. His name was peppered throughout the documents released today. The documents show that Giuffre said during a 2016 deposition that she had been told by Ghislaine Maxwell to have sex with several men. After asking Giuffre in turn about each of the men, Laura Menninger, a lawyer who was part of Maxwell's legal team at the time, asked: 'Other than Glenn Dubin, (redacted), Prince Andrew, Jean Luc Brunel, Bill Richardson, another prince, the large hotel chain owner and Marvin Minsky, is there anyone else that Ghislaine Maxwell directed you to go have sex with?' Ms Giuffre replied: 'I am definitely sure there is. But can I remember everybody's name? No.' Ehud Barak Ehud Barak, the former Israeli prime minister, is claimed to have met with Jeffrey Epstein on various occasions. The politician was allegedly a regular guest of Epstein's at his Upper East Side townhouse and also flew on Epstein's jet. In her deposition, Epstein accuser Johanna Sjoberg denied ever meeting Barak. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal in April last year, Barak accepted that he met with Epstein while in New York and that Epstein 'often brought other interesting persons, from art or culture, law or science, finance, diplomacy or philanthropy.' But he insisted that he never met Epstein 'with girls or minors, or even adult women in improper context or behaviour'. Kevin Spacey Kevin Spacey was also mentioned in the documents once, in which Epstein accuser Johanna Sjoberg denied meeting him. Sjoberg was asked by an attorney: 'I may have already asked you, but have you met Kevin Spacey?' She replied: 'No'. Separately, in July last year, Oscar-winning actor Spacey was cleared at Southwark Crown Court in London of a string of alleged sex attacks on younger men which were said to have taken place between 2001 and 2013. Bill Richardson Virginia Giuffre's deposition named several prominent figures who have previously denied her allegations, including the late New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. She said Ghislaine Maxwell asked her to give Mr Richardson a massage but added: 'I don't know dates.' Giuffre added: 'I can't tell you where we were. I know where I was sent to. I don't know where we were when she told me to do that.' Epstein accuser Johanna Sjoberg was also asked whether she had met Governor Richardson. She replied: 'Hmm, I want to say that he was supposed to come to dinner when we were in New Mexico. I don't know if I met him. I believe that he and Ghislaine had dinner separate from myself.' Mr Richardson died aged 75 in September last year. Al Gore Former Vice President Al Gore, who served under Bill Clinton, was also among the well-known names mentioned in the documents. He was referred to regarding materials that Ghislaine Maxwell sought from Virginia Giuffre before trial in the civil defamation lawsuit. The document said Maxwell asked Giuffre to produce any photos or videos that she had that showed with a number of high-profile people, including Gore. But Giuffre's attorneys said she objected because any such alleged photographs were in the 'custody and control' of Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein. While Guiffre previously claimed that Mr Gore travelled on Epstein's private plane, a photo of Gore and Giuffre has never been released. Gore has not been accused of any wrongdoing. George Lucas Star Wars creator George Lucas was also named in the documents, although with no suggestion of any wrongdoing. Jeffrey Epstein accuser Johanna Sjoberg was asked in May 2016 whether she had ever met or given massages to a number of high-profile celebrities including Lucas. But she denied having done so and that was the only mention of Lucas in the document. Who was paedophile Jeffrey Epstein? What was he accused of? How did he die? A millionaire known for associating with celebrities, politicians, billionaires and academic stars, Epstein was initially arrested in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2005 after he was accused of paying a 14-year-old girl for sex. Andrew would call his friend Epstein every week, it has been claimed Dozens of other underage girls described similar sexual abuse, but prosecutors ultimately allowed the financier to plead guilty in 2008 to a charge involving a single victim. He served 13 months in a jail work-release program. Some famous acquaintances abandoned Epstein after his conviction, including former presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, but many did not. Epstein continued to mingle with the rich and famous for another decade, often through philanthropic work. Reporting by the Miami Herald renewed interest in the scandal, and federal prosecutors in New York charged Epstein in 2019 with sex trafficking. He killed himself in jail while awaiting trial. The US attorney in Manhattan then prosecuted Epstein's former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, for helping recruit his underage victims. She was convicted in 2021 and is serving a 20-year prison term. What are the records about? Why have they been released? The documents being unsealed are part of a 2015 lawsuit filed against Maxwell by one of Epstein's victims, Virginia Giuffre. She is one of the dozens of women who sued Epstein saying he had abused them at his homes in Florida, New York, the U.S. Virgin Islands and New Mexico. Giuffre said the summer she turned 17, she was lured away from a job as a spa attendant at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club to become a 'masseuse' for Epstein - a job that involved performing sexual acts. The documents were released last night. The first tranche was of 943 pages, with more to come Virginia Roberts Giuffre holds a photo of herself as a teen, when she says she was abused by Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Prince Andrew, among others Giuffre also claimed she was pressured into having sex with men in Epstein's social orbit, including Britain's Prince Andrew, the former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell and the billionaire Glenn Dubin, among others. All of those men said her accounts were fabricated. Giuffre settled a lawsuit against Prince Andrew in 2022. That same year, Giuffre withdrew an accusation she had made against Epstein's former attorney, the law professor Alan Dershowitz, saying she ' may have made a mistake ' in identifying him as an abuser. Giuffre's lawsuit against Maxwell was settled in 2017, but the Miami Herald went to court to access court papers initially filed under seal, including transcripts of interviews the lawyers did with potential witnesses. About 2,000 pages were unsealed by a court in 2019. Additional documents were released in 2020, 2021 and 2022. The batch currently being released contains around 250 records that sections that were blacked out or were sealed entirely because of concerns about the privacy rights of Epstein's victims and other people whose names had come up during the legal battle but weren't complicit in his crimes. Only around 40 of those documents were made public Wednesday. More will be released in the coming days. What else can we expect to see in the coming days? U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska, who evaluated the documents to decide what should be unsealed, said in her December order that she was ordering the records released because much of the information within them is already public. Some records have been released, either in part or in full, in other court cases. The people named in the records include many of Epstein's accusers, members of his staff who told their stories to tabloid newspapers, people who served as witnesses at Maxwell's trial, people who were mentioned in passing during depositions but aren't accused of anything salacious, and people who investigated Epstein, including prosecutors, a journalist and a police detective. There are also boldface names of public figures known to have associated with Epstein over the years, but whose relationships with him have already been well documented elsewhere, the judge said. One of them is Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent close to Epstein who was awaiting trial on charges that he raped underage girls when he killed himself in a Paris jail in 2022. Giuffre was among the women who had accused Brunel of sexual abuse. His name was peppered throughout the documents released Wednesday. Clinton and Trump both factor in the court file, partly because Giuffre was questioned by Maxwell's lawyers about inaccuracies in newspaper stories about her time with Epstein. One story quoted her as saying she had ridden in a helicopter with Clinton and flirted with Trump. Giuffre said neither of those things actually happened. She hasn't accused either former president of wrongdoing. The judge said a handful of names should remain blacked out in the documents because they would identify people who were sexually abused. The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they are victims of sexual assault unless they decide to tell their stories publicly, as Giuffre has done. When will all the documents be released? The judge hasn't set a target for when all of the documents should be made public, but more documents are expected to come in the next few days. An Israeli news anchor has carried a gun live on air while presenting from the studio amid fear of another Hamas attack. Lital Shemesh, a presenter for right-wing Israeli broadcaster Channel 14, was pictured on Tuesday sitting behind her anchor desk with a gun tucked into the waistband of her trousers. Shemesh's gun is right next to her microphone receivers while she is sitting on the edge of her presenter chair. Her most recent social media post showed her practising her shooting skills on a gun range as she called for people 'get your guns out'. She also posted several pictures of herself reporting from the frontlines as well as in her soldier's uniform. Lital Shemesh (pictured), a presenter for right-wing Israeli broadcaster Channel 14, was pictured on Tuesday sitting behind her anchor desk with a gun tucked into the waistband of her trousers Her most recent social media post (pictured) showed her practising her shooting skills on a gun range as she called for people 'get your guns out' She also posted several pictures of herself reporting from the frontlines (pictured above) as well as in her soldier's uniform The journalist and Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) reservist has previously spoken about fighting Hamas. 'The entire country is being recruited to fight this war against terrorism, to fight this war against Hamas,' Shemesh told Fox News shortly after the October 7 attack. 'We haven't seen a slaughter like this in Israel in the 75 years of Israel's existence. This is a second holocaust for us.' This comes as fears of another Hamas offensive have been rising after the terror group killed 1,140 people, most of them civilians, during their October 7 attack, according to a tally based on official Israeli figures. Last month, a young couple was pictured heading out on the streets in Israel - with an assault rifle slung over the shoulder. The pair were seen walking hand-in-hand through Jerusalem on December 4 amid heightened tensions in the city. The journalist and Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) reservist has previously spoken about 'fighting Hamas' (pictured: Shemesh in her uniform) A young couple head out for a night in Jerusalem, with the woman wearing a rifle across her body Prior to Hamas's brutal massacre on October 7, Israel had strict gun laws, permitting licences only to people who could prove they needed extra security. Applications previously took months to process but can now be approved within days of filling out an online form. Gun shops and shooting ranges in Israel have since been inundated with civilians looking to buy firearms to protect their families. Less than a month after Hamas's attacks there had been 150,000 applications for gun licences, compared to just 42 in the same period, last year. Israel's police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has previously described gun ownership as a precaution against internal unrest between Jews and Israel's Arab minority. In a televised speech after the attacks, Israel's president Benjamin Netanyahu said the government would be 'encouraging civilians and helping civilians to arm themselves for their self-defence'. A few days after the deadly October 7 attack, a woman was spotted carrying a M16 assault rifle while doing her shopping in Sderot, one of the border cities that came under attack by Hamas terrorists. The young woman who wore a baggy grey T-shirt, dark blue shorts and flip-flops was seen carrying a plastic bag to her car with the rifle slung over her back. She was also photographed clutching her phone in her hand which sported long, light-blue nails, as she walked towards her Nissan Micra. A young woman has been spotted in Israel carrying a M16 assault rifle while doing her shopping (pictured), days after Hamas launched its barbaric attack against civilians The young woman, who wore a baggy grey t-shirt, dark blue shorts and flip-flops, was seen carrying a bag of shipping to her car with the rifle slung over her shoulder She was also photographed clutching her phone in her hand which sported long, light-blue nails, as she walked towards her Nissan Micra parked in Sderot Sderot sits less than a mile from Gaza and dozens of civilians and at least 20 members of the Israeli police were killed by terrorists who rampaged through the town. Israel remains on high alert for any more potential incursions by armed assailants, either by Hamas fighters from inside Gaza or Hezbollah units from Lebanon. Since the country's declaration of independence in 1948, fixed-term military service has been compulsory for young people in the country. From the age of 17, most Israeli teenagers male and female can be called up to serve a compulsory two years and eight months in the IDF. As a result, Israel has the world's third largest active military per-capita, and the world's sixth largest reserve military by the same metric. On top of that, the country which spends more than 5 per cent of its GDP on the IDF has around three million people who are fit for military service. Instagram tourists are being blamed for a record number of emergency call-outs by rescue teams as vain social media users flock to dangerous beauty spots to take selfies. Rescue teams covering Wales's 3,560ft high peak Snowdon, Ben Nevis, the Scottish peak that is Britain's highest at 4,413ft, and the Lake District all have seen record numbers of calls from climbers in distress. Mountain climbing saw a surge in popularity during the covid pandemic when the public were desperate to get into the great outdoors and the trend has continued as Instagram users seek to emulate perfect pictures from dangerous mountains and beauty spots. There are nearly three million Snowdonia - the mountain range which includes Snowdon - Instagram posts as well as 530,000 posts relating to Snowdon, which is known in Welsh as Yr Wyddfa. There are also over 250,000 posts relating to Ben Nevis. Mountain climbing saw a surge in popularity during the covid pandemic when the public were desperate to get into the great outdoors and the trend has continued as Instagram users seek to emulate perfect pictures from dangerous mountains and beauty spots 'Instagram tourists' are being blamed for a record number of mountain rescues as inexperienced climbers aim to emulate posts they have seen online Mountain climbing has become so popular that there is often a queue to get to the top of Wales's highest peak, Snowdon A mountain rescue on Snowdon being carried out by Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team Phil Kirby, chairman of Langdale Ambleside Mountain Rescue in the Lake District, told the Times the extra pressure on rescue teams is down to 'Instagram tourism'. 'Its a term we picked up from our colleagues in Norway a few years ago,' he said. Its people seeing pictures of places on the internet and saying: "Ive got to go and see that".' In Norway, a natural platform called Pulpit Rock that offers exquisite views over a fjord has attracted huge amounts of unprepared Instagram tourists. Kirby said: 'People trek up to this thing and the weather changes. Theyve had up to 30 people theyve had to get off. 'Instagram has expanded peoples awareness of places they can go. They pick it up and think Ill go there but without the necessary preparation. 'Its just the way we are now. We have access to so many things we didnt have.' Rescue volunteers set up adventuresmart.uk, a website aimed at informing inexperienced climbers of the basic requirements before heading to a mountain, due to concerns around the increased numbers of call-outs. The websites informs climbers about the correct clothing and footwear as well as asking them to check the weather before they leave and when they should get off a mountain due to changing conditions. The Llanberis team that covers Snowdon responded to 305 calls this year up to mid-December - the highest number of calls made by any single team. There were also a record 714 emergency calls made to the 12 mountain rescue teams in the Lake District last year. Over the last seven years, the biggest number of calls for a single year was 681 and the average was 602. A mountain rescue team ona callout on Snowdon Beauty spots on mountains offer breathtaking views but they can also be dangerous A climber enjoys the views from a Snowdon, Wales' highest peak The phenomenon of social media users flocking dangerous beauty spots has been dubbed 'Instagram tourism' The team had never responded to more than 100 incidents before 2008. Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team - which covers Ben Nevis - answered a record 157 call outs, including to five fatalities last year. The previous record for the team was 132 call outs - and in 2022 there were 122. READ MORE: Hundreds of people are seen QUEUING at the top of Snowdon after 3,560ft hike as tourists make most of good weather to take in the peak Advertisement Scotland's other mountain rescue teams were also stretched to their limits. Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team's leader Iain Murray paid tribute to his under strain volunteers. 'They have been fantastic in a busy year, giving up their time and putting in a big effort, but it's not just them I want to pay tribute too but their families who also have to feel the strain of call outs. They have been a great support,' he said. 'The number of rescues is a reflection of more people using the outdoors - which is a good thing - but unfortunately some end up in difficult situations. The thing at the moment I would stress is that the days are shorter and people need to ensure they are not caught out by that.' Among the tragedies the team had to deal with last year was retired dentist dentist Dr Nathan Turner, 66, from Worcestershire who fell 130 feet to his death in August in front of his two sons on Carn Mor Dearg Arete which flanks Ben Nevis, the UK's highest mountain. In April the body of Zekun Zhang, a 26-year-old student from London was found in the area. Zekun Zhang was last seen near the summit of Carn Mor Dearg, and is believed to have walked a route from there to the Ben Nevis summit. Walker Harvey Christian from Peterborough is still missing on the Ben. Hopes over finding Mr Christian, 42, alive have long disappeared - and it is feared his body may have been buried under snow, making it difficult to find. He went up Ben Nevis on January 27, but did not return. Lochaber MRT is now dealing with almost double the number of call outs it had three years ago. In 2020, they only dealt with around 80 rescues, reflecting periods of travel-restrictive lockdown. Ben Nevis usually attracts 160,000 people-a-year. Mr Murray, an experienced mountain guide, said about three quarters of call outs were to 4413ft high Ben Nevis. He asked people to make sure they had enough warm clothing packed, spare batteries - and battery pack - as they get drained by the cold, a head torch or hand held torch - especially with the shorter hours of daylight - and not to use their mobile phone as a light, but use a torch. A woman takes a dip in a pool on mount Snowdon There are nearly three million Snowdonia - the mountain range which includes Snowdon - Instagram posts as well as 530,000 posts relating to Snowdon, which is known in Welsh as Yr Wyddfa Mr Murray added that while electronic navigation devices are useful their batteries suffer too and a map and compass were still vital tools. 'An accurate location is so important for us when we are called out,' he said, also asking people to visit the Mountaineering Scotland website for advice. The team now have a number of drones and trained operators, which is becoming a vital tool in mountain rescue. Lochaber MRT is not the only MRT that experienced a busy year. Glencoe MRT dealt with over 90 call outs - including eight fatalities. Among them were mountain guide Dave Fowler and two of his clients - Graham Cox, 60, from Southport, Merseyside - and a 64-year-old woman who fell, roped together, from Aonach Eagach ridge, in what is believed to be Scotland's worst summertime mountain tragedy. The team has applied for permission to extend its base. Glencoe MRT say the number of call outs and their complexity as well as more vital equipment has led to the need for a bigger home at Ballachulish. The current rescue team is made up of approximately 30 volunteers. All team members are experienced mountaineers with vast amounts of local knowledge. 'Over recent years, not only has the number of call outs and rescue operations increased, they have become more frequent as well as becoming more complex with some rescue/recoveries lasting days and into weeks,' said a supporting statement to Highland Council, applying for the alterations and extension. 'To assist in their operations, the rescue team rely on specialist equipment and vehicles such as 4x4 rough terrain vehicles, ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) and RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats) and associated trailers etc. 'The current centre is now at capacity and with the delivery of further vehicles earlier this year, the current garage spaces have become congested and there is potential for this to affect their response times. A beautiful view from a hike on mount Snowdon In Norway, a natural platform called Pulpit Rock that offers exquisite views over a fjord has attracted huge amounts of unprepared Instagram tourists Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team during a mission on mount Snowdon 'This together with the increasing team member numbers, increased call outs and more complex rescue operations has resulted in the association reviewing their current operations and concluding that an extension of the centre is required to assist and improve their operations.' In 2022 Scottish Mountain Rescue teams - which do not include Lochaber, Glencoe or Cairngorm MRTs - were called out 843 times to 636 incidents. These involved 21 deaths, with 11 of them mountaineering accidents. Matt Smith, Police Scotland's national lead for mountain rescue, said there were about 10 more rescues last month than the previous December. 'It's not so much the number. The severity of the rescue tends to be far greater in winter,' he said. 'Even in the last week, volunteer teams have been out for a huge amount of hours overnight to bring people off the hills.' Mr Smith said the extremes of weather and lack of daylight hampers rescue efforts and 'make things really difficult'. He added: 'What the teams come up against is exactly what walkers or people that are venturing out will come up against. 'Mountain rescue teams have had to deploy in very challenging conditions, for long periods of time, to help people that have become injured or lost, or needed help. 'They face some really long, dark, cold nights to get these people off the hills'. 'Winter seasons are always quieter than summer ones, but for us we've seen a number of significant events. 'The rescue teams in Scotland are incredible, the level of dedication and professionalism, it's just second to none.' Turkish police will be getting around in style after seizing a $6million fleet of 'supercars' from a fugitive Aussie bikie boss and converting them into patrol vehicles. The 21 cars, including a Ferrari and a Bentley, were confiscated from the Istanbul headquarters of the Comanchero Motorcycle Club in November during raids that also saw the arrest of Australian-born senior bikie Hakan Ayik. The luxury vehicles have been repainted white and blue and adorned with Turkish police insignia, sirens and warning lights ahead of being rolled out on active duty this year. Ayik, who has been dubbed the 'Facebook gangster' for flaunting his wealth on social media, was wanted by NSW police for more than a decade before his arrest in Turkey late last year. A Ferrari 488 GTB ready for use by Turkish police in Istanbul after being confiscated during raids on the local chapter of the Comanchero Motorcycle Club, headed by Australian-born Hakan Ayik The 44-year-old Comanchero bikie fled Australia in 2010 before police could arrest him in connection with a heroin shipment uncovered at Port Botany in Sydney and is alleged to have headed the Istanbul chapter of the gang. Following reports of Ayik's arrest, in what was reportedly a sting operation conducted by Turkish police, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said it had provided assistance to the operation. 'The AFP acknowledges the Turkish national police for undertaking one of the most significant operations targeting alleged transnational serious organised criminals, some of whom are accused of illicit drug trafficking to Australia and around the world,' a spokesperson said. 'Turkiye is a regional leader in the global fight against transnational serious organised crime. 'The AFP is posted in Turkiye and has witnessed the Turkish national police's determination in disrupting, arresting and charging alleged organised crime figures.' Ayik was one of seven alleged criminals who unwittingly popularised the FBI-controlled Anom messaging app among underworld figures who were tricked into believing it was a totally secure means of communication. Police were able to listen in to chats about alleged drug smuggling, money laundering and murder plots leading to more than 800 suspects being arrested worldwide in 2021. A Bentley Continental Gt that has been transformed into a police car in Istanbul after Turkish police confiscated the vehicle during raids on bikie gang led by an Australian fugitive Hakan Ayik fled Australia in 2010 after NSW police set out to arrest for trafficking commercial quantities of illicit drugs Queen Margrethe of Denmarks decision to abdicate from the Danish throne has opened the door for King Charles III to do the same, says Richard Eden. Abdication has long been a difficult word for the British Royal Family, but Eden believes that Charles is now free to free to take a different view and step down when the time is right. Queen Margrethes calm, no-nonsense announcement in a live broadcast on New Years Eve can only help, he writes in the latest edition of his Palace Confidential newsletter. In my opinion, there is no reason why King Charles should see abdication as a disaster, he concludes. Queen Margrethe II smiles as she delivers her annual speech on New Year's Eve - and tells the Danish public she is stepping down in favour of her son. Margrethe, a friend of the late Queen Elizabeth, has been on the Danish throne for 52 years. Her reign will end on January 14, the anniversary of her accession King Charles III wears the Imperial State Crown for the State Opening of Parliament in November. A calm handover of power in Denmark shows that abdication need not be a disaster, says Richard Eden King Edward VIII tells the world he is to abdicate in order to marry an American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. The 1936 broadcast was the culmination of a crisis which traumatised the Royal Family and thrust King Charles's grandfather on to the throne The expected smooth transition in Copenhagen will show him that he, too, could follow the example of Queen Margrethe, whos only eight years his senior. In a secure, confident Monarchy, it would not undermine the hereditary principle if the King were to hand over to his heir before he became too frail to carry out his duties effectively. The royal houses of Europe were shocked this week when, in her annual broadcast for the New Year, 83-year-old Margrethe announced that she will abdicate on the 52nd anniversary of her succession to the Danish throne. Her eldest son Frederik becomes King on January 14. Abdication has had an unfortunate resonance on this side of the North Sea since the 1930s, when Edward VIII stepped down and the late Queen Elizabeths father was obliged to replace him. Eden writes: The Queen was haunted by the abdication crisis of 1936 when her shy father, Bertie, reluctantly became King George VI after her uncle, Edward VIII, renounced the throne so he could marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson. 'George VI died scarcely ten years later, aged 56. For the House of Windsor, abdication has always been a dirty word. 'Queen Elizabeth, who reigned until her death aged 96, never contemplated handing over to Prince Charles, whatever the makers of Netflix series The Crown might have you believe. Demark appears to be taking the news in its stride with the public largely happy for Crown Prince Frederik to ascend the throne with his Australian-born wife, Princess Mary. In time, says Eden, this example could be good news for Charles. Prince William is in no rush to become King: hes enjoying spending as much time as possible with Catherine and their young children. Queen Margrethe will be succeeded by her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederick, right, in a few days time Catherine and William, Prince of Wales, are in no hurry to succeed his father. But King Charles should feel free to step down if the burden grows too heavy, says Richard Eden Queen Elizabeth II is pictured recording the first televised Christmas message in 1957. The broadcast was restricted to the radio until then. Anointed as Queen by God, Elizabeth vowed that she would never abdicate - and kept her word And the King has settled easily into his new role, supported by Queen Camilla, who turns 77 in July. 'Queen Margrethe made her decision after undergoing major back surgery and if King Charles finds the burden of being head of state too much in the future, he should follow her lead.' To read more of Richard's expert Royal commentary, click here Jeffrey Epstein told Ghislaine Maxwell she could offer money to Virginia Giuffre's friends if they could help disprove claims Stephen Hawking took part in an 'underage orgy', newly released documents suggest. In an email sent from Epstein to Maxwell on January 12, 2015, the paedophile financier suggested Ms Giuffre had made allegations relating to the British physicist and former US president Bill Clinton. Epstein said she had claimed Mr Clinton had dined on his private Caribbean island - something the Democratic politician strongly denied - and that Professor Hawking 'participated in an underage orgy'. The email read: 'You can issue a reward to any of Virginia's friends, acquaints, family that come forward and help prove her allegations are false. 'The strongest is the Clinton dinner, and the new version in the Virgin Islands that Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy.' Stephen Hawking pictured in 2006 during a conference hosted by Epstein in the US Virgin Islands During the trip, Professor Hawking took a cruise on a submarine that Epstein had specially adapted for him This is a copy of the email Epstein appears to have sent to Ghislaine Maxwell urging her to push back against allegations against Professor Hawking Epstein's motivation for wanting to disprove the orgy claims is not made clear. A copy of the email was among almost 1,000 pages of documents unsealed by a US court last night. The files are part of a defamation case brought against Epstein's madam Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving 20 years in jail for sex trafficking underage girls to him. She was sued by Virginia Roberts, who claims she was forced to have sex with Andrew in 2001 when she was 17 - claims the duke denies. Professor Hawking was hosted by Epstein in March 2006, five months before the financier was charged for the first time with one count of soliciting prostitution. Pictures that emerged in 2015 show the celebrated physicist enjoying a barbecue before taking a cruise on a submarine that Epstein had modified especially for Professor Hawking - who'd never been underwater before. He was among 21 internationally-renowned scientists attending a conference on gravity funded by Epstein - who described himself as a 'science philanthropist'. It took place at the five-star, 1,500-a-night Ritz-Carlton hotel on the island of St Thomas, nearby Epstein's private 'Island of Sin', Little Saint James. A post on the blog of the 'Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation' includes details about the conference, called 'The Energy of Empty Space That Isn't Zero'. It states that guests 'could meet, discuss, relax on the beach, and take a trip to the nearby private island retreat of the science philanthropist Jeffrey Epstein, who funded the event'. It appears guests split their time between St Thomas and Little Saint James, where Epstein personally hosted them. Hawking died in March 2018 at the age of 76 after living for more than 50 years with ALS, a fatal motor neuron disease Epstein's motivation for wanting to disprove the orgy claims is not made clear It is not clear on which island Professor Hawking was pictured. There were three Nobel laureates on the trip besides Hawking. Among those pictured is Professor Lawrence Krauss, a theoretical physicist who taught at Arizona State University. Legal documents have claimed Epstein's properties were covered with images of naked adolescent girls, but Professor Krauss - speaking in 2015 - said that he saw nothing of the sort. Hawking died in March 2018 at the age of 76 after living for more than 50 years with ALS, a fatal motor neuron disease. The newly unsealed documents also reveal that one of Epstein's alleged sex slaves, known only as Jane Doe 3, has claimed that she was told to have intercourse with Prince Andrew during an orgy on Little Saint James. A 2014 court filing alleges that she 'forced to have sexual relations with this Prince when she was a minor in three separate geographical locations.' She claims this happened 'in London (at Ghislaine Maxwell's apartment), in New York, and on Epstein's private island in the US Virgin Islands (in an orgy with numerous other under-aged girls).' The documents claim Epstein told Jane Doe 3 to 'give the Prince whatever he demanded'. Jane Doe 3 claims that Ghislaine Maxwell 'facilitated Prince Andrew's acts of sexual abuse by acting as a 'madame' for Epstein'.' Jane Doe 3 is not named in the documents. Virginia Giuffre claims she had sex with Andrew in 2001 when she was 17, which is below the age of consent of 18 in the US Virgin Islands, for example, but not in the UK where it is 16. The age of consent in Florida is 18 and is 17 in New York. Andrew has always strongly denied Ms Giuffre's claims. He's the womanising spy, famed for his rampant alcohol abuse and insanely-high kill count. But now it appears cinemagoers need to be warned about James Bond's antics, which might leave them 'shaken, not stirred'. Snowflakes at the British Film Institute have issued an 'absurd' trigger alert for modern day film-goers, warning 007's movies could 'cause offence' and upset modern-day film lovers. The BFI, which is tasked with promoting and preserving the best of British cinema, has issued a blanket warning for the beloved spy franchise, which last year marked its 70th anniversary. Film buffs attending a season of classic movies have been warned Bond's adventures 'will cause offence today', with big screen hits like Goldfinger and You Only Live Twice containing language and themes that were 'prevalent' in the 1960s. A note, cautioning would-be viewers, has been fitted outside BFI's cinema on London's Southbank, reports the Telegraph. It says: 'Please note that many of these films contain language, images or other content that reflect views prevalent in its time but will cause offence today (as they did then). Snowflakes at the British Film Institute have issued an 'absurd' trigger alert for modern day film-goers, warning 007's movies could 'cause offence' In Goldfinger, Bond is shown in a scene throwing Pussy Galore - played by Honour Blackman - to the floor in a barn before pinning her down and forcing himself on her Cinema-goers have been warned about some of the themes and language used in classic 1960s Bond films In it's warning, the BFI said the films contained 'language, images of other content' that could 'cause offence' 'The titles are included here for historical, cultural or aesthetic reasons and these views are in no way endorsed by the BFI or its partners.' Poll Are James Bond films offensive and do they need a 'trigger warning'? Yes No Are James Bond films offensive and do they need a 'trigger warning'? Yes 60 votes No 1205 votes Now share your opinion The warning has been issued for a selection of films as part of a seasonal look at the work of composer John Barry, who provided the scores for Sean Connery's 1964 classic, Goldfinger and You Only Live Twice. Other films being shown include Midnight Cowboy, which the BFI warns 'Contains use of homophobic language and sexual violence'. And Petulia, which is also part of the same collection, features a warning declaring that it 'Contains scenes of domestic violence'. In Goldfinger, Bond is shown in a scene throwing Pussy Galore - played by Honour Blackman - to the floor in a barn before pinning her down and forcing himself on her. An additional warning for the 1968 release of You Only Live Twice said the film contained 'outdated racial stereotypes', in which the film sees Bond undergoing cosmetic surgery to look more Japanese. The film also features the bowler hat-wearing henchman, Oddjob, who suffers from a cleft palate, has been highlighted by some campaigners as an example of villains being given physical disfigurements or disabilities. But the trigger warnings have been mocked online, with one person raging: 'What a bull***t time we are living', while another added: 'James Bond getting a trigger warning is hilarious and absolutely absurd! More pandering to the snowflakes!' A second Bond fan added: 'I'm not sure how the modern viewer survives in real life. Original Bond films are very good. Far better than the recent ones.' the 1968 release of You Only Live Twice said the film contained 'outdated racial stereotypes', in which the film sees Bond undergoing cosmetic surgery to look more Japanese. An additional warning for the 1968 release of You Only Live Twice said the film contained 'outdated racial stereotypes' in reference to villain, Oddjob. Among the films deemed potentially offensive includes 1967 classic You Only Live Twice (Sean Connery is pictured as Bond in the film being scrubbed down by a group of women) People have reacted with anger online over the new trigger warnings for 007's films Others on X, formerly Twitter, said the warnings were another example of 'wokery'. 'I'm fed up with this WOKERY. Every program or film seems to have a 'disclaimer' ahead of it, YET there are worse things on the news every single day suggesting that society or some sections of it have regressed and far more depraved than anything that was ever on TV or the cinema,' one person wrote. Agreeing, another said: 'The only trigger relevant to #Bond films is that on his Walther PPK. This is yet another example of the #Woke rewriting of history. Leave #007 alone.' But others backed the trigger warning, with one person tweeting: 'They caused offence to me as a child and teenager. Even then I saw the misogynist BS. Have always loathed them and found them boring. Even good tunes nd sound tracks couldn't lure me.' A BFI spokeswoman told MailOnline: 'As a cultural charity with responsibility for the preservation of film and moving image work and presenting it to audiences, we continuously face and deal with challenges presented by the history of film and television programmes and how they reflect views prevalent to their time. 'Whilst we have a responsibility to preserve films as close to their contemporaneous accuracy as possible, even where they contain language or depiction which we categorically reject, we also have a responsibility in how we present them to our audiences. The trigger warnings/content warnings that we provide in all of our exhibition spaces and online platforms act as guidance that a film or work reflects views of the time in which they were made and which may cause offence. 'We continuously review our processes around the presentation of film and moving image work to make improvements and support audience trust. We listen to customer feedback and also continue to work closely with the BBFC and their classifications to give appropriate guidance. This work is by its nature on-going.' The news comes as it was revealed 'sensitivity readers' had reworked and sanitised some of the original novels by Ian Fleming to remove offensive passages. Casino Royale and Octopussy have been edited, with a raft of racist and sexist terms removed as the spy franchise marked its 70th anniversary last year. Bond is famed for his romantic liaisons with women during his adventures (pictured is Izabella Scorupco and Pierce Brosnan in Goldeneye) Bond publisher Ian Fleming Publications said it had changed terms to those more accepted today while ensuring they are in keeping with the time the books were written. Pictured: Roger Moore in Octopussy The publishers of the books commissioned a review to modernise them, according to the Sunday Telegraph. It comes as children's books by Roald Dahl have been stripped of potentially offensive language with the Oompa Loompas the workers at Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory being made gender neutral. In the new version of Bond novel Live And Let Die, a scene in which 007 visits a New York club is altered to remove reference to a striptease. In the 1954 original it says: 'Bond could hear the audience panting and grunting like pigs at the trough.' The revised version will now reportedly read: 'Bond could sense the electric tension in the room.' The N-word, which author Ian Fleming used to refer to black people when he was writing during the 1950s and 1960s, has been removed from the revised texts. However, outdated references to other ethnicities remain, as do phrases such as the 'sweet tang of rape', and the description of homosexuality as a 'stubborn disability'. James Bond novels including Casino Royale and Octopussy have been edited to suit modern sensibilities with a raft of racist and sexist terms removed ahead of the 70th anniversary of 007 this year. The N-word, which author Ian Fleming used to refer to black people when he was writing during the 1950s and 1960s, has been removed from the revised texts. Pictured: Roger Moore and Maud Adams Casino Royale, published in 1953, is one James Bond novel that is being edited to remove sexist and racist language Bond publisher Ian Fleming Publications said it had changed terms to those more accepted today while ensuring they are in keeping with the time the books were written. Ian Fleming Publications said it had changed terms to those more accepted today while ensuring they are in keeping with the time the books were written The reissued spy novels will feature a disclaimer that says: 'This book was written at a time when terms and attitudes which might be considered offensive by modern readers were commonplace. 'A number of updates have been made in this edition, while keeping as close as possible to the original text and the period in which it is set.' Bond's publishers, Ian Fleming Publications Ltd, commissioned a review by 'sensitivity readers' of the classic texts under its control to modernise the works, according to the Sunday Telegraph. In the sensitivity reader-approved version of Live and Let Die a scene in which Bond visits a nightclub in Harlem, New York, is altered to remove reference to a strip tease. Other changes to Mr Fleming's books result in some depictions of black people being reworked or removed. Bond publisher Ian Fleming Publications said it had changed terms to those more accepted today while ensuring they are in keeping with the time the books were written. Pictured: Roger Moore in Octopussy Ian Fleming Publications said it had changed terms to those more accepted today while ensuring they are in keeping with the time the books were written However, outdated references to other ethnicities remain, such as Bond's racial terms for east Asian people and the spy's disparaging views of Oddjob, Goldfinger's Korean henchman. References to the 'sweet tang of rape', 'blithering women' failing to do a 'man's work', and homosexuality being a 'stubborn disability' also remain. The n-word, which Mr Fleming used to refer to black people when he was writing during the 1950s and 60s, has been almost entirely removed from the revised texts. Ian Fleming Publications said it had changed terms to those more accepted today while ensuring they are in keeping with the time the books were written. Cairo, Jan 4 (UNI) Four people have been killed in the city of Naqoura in southern Lebanon as a result of Israeli shelling, Lebanese media reported on Thursday. Earlier in the day, the Israel Defense Forces said it had struck military infrastructure allegedly used by the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon. A Hezbollah official is among the victims of the Israeli strike on a house in Naqoura, Lebanese broadcaster Al Jadeed reported, adding that several more civilians had been wounded in the shelling. The situation in southern Lebanon became worse after the start of Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army and Hezbollah fighters daily fire at each other's positions in areas along the border. On October 7, 2023, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip, while its fighters breached the border, opening fire on the military and civilians. As a result, over 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza and launched a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Over 22,000 people have been killed so far in Gaza as a result of Israeli strikes, local authorities said. On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1. UNI/SPUTNIK GNK The owner of a dog charity in Scotland has set up a fundraiser for a sanctuary for XL Bully breeds, but refuses to reveal the location due to death threats. Kerryanne Shaw, from Glasgow, owns the All Bullie Charity Rescue which operates UK-wide to take in the dogs other rescue centres refuse. After racking up 20,000 in donations, the 38-year-old is planning to set up a 'safe haven' in Dundee for the XL Bully breeds which are banned in England and Wales. But she has refused to reveal the exact location after being inundated with death threats online over her plans. Ms Shaw says she is currently in discussion with council licensing officers for the sanctuary and hopes it will be up and running by next month. Kerryanne Shaw pictured with five-year-old American bulldog George Ms Shaw, 38, owns the All Bullie Charity Rescue, which operates UK-wide to take in the dogs After racking up 20,000 in donations, the 38-year-old is planning to set up a 'safe haven' in Dundee for the XL Bully breeds she rescues But she has refused to reveal the exact location after being inundated with death threats online over her plans to establish the shelter The shelter - which will have the capacity for 20 dogs - will house those at risk of being put down or have behaviour issues which need to be addressed before they can be re-homed. Her charity - established in 2016 - takes in 'all kinds of bull breeds' including Staffies, bulldogs, XL Bullies, American bulldogs and occasionally other large dogs. Speaking to the Glasgow Times, Ms Shaw said bull breeds are 'misunderstood' and can 'make great pets in the right homes with the right owners'. Since announcing the plans for the XL Bully shelter, Ms Shaw has been sent death threats and abusive messages which made her fearful about disclosing the exact location. One message read: 'Killer dogs are unwelcome on our streets.' Another said: 'I am furious that dogs deemed too dangerous to be allowed in England are being dumped on Scotland. 'Are the lives of Scottish kids worth less than those in England? I have written to my MSP demanding an explanation as to why we are being treated as a dumping ground for dangerous animals, and I will continue to petition him until we get parity with England.' The crowdfunder, which was set up at the beginning of December, has received 21,000 in donations from nearly 200 people Dozens of XL Bully owners held a mass meet up with 62 of their dogs in protest in East Hull More than 30 dogs including those of the huge breed packed the seafront in Margate, Kent, as the meet-up promenaded through the seaside town before the ban came into place Your browser does not support iframes. Some XL Bully owners in Scotland say they are worried the ban will be implemented there because of how many dogs are being relocated to the country. One member of the Facebook group commented: 'I am a big supporter of this page and have donated on many occasions. 'But as a Scotland-based bully owner, I'm worried that advertising all these dogs being transported here from England is only going to influence the Scottish government to ban them here too.' The crowdfunder, which was set up at the beginning of December, has received 21,000 in donations from nearly 200 people. It reads: 'I run all bullie charity rescue - we are a bull breed specific charity and specialise in large bull breeds, many of whom are being targeted by the XL Bully ban. 'We have been given a fantastic opportunity to take over a kennels establishment in Scotland and move on site to work with our dogs daily. 'This will be a safe haven for our dogs who cannot be rehomed due to behaviour or risk of the ban coming into force in Scotland, as well as allowing us to personally assess and rehab dogs before placing them into homes. 'The kennel needs some essential improvement and upgrades, and we also need a static caravan for me to live in as well as my own dogs. EXCLUSIVE READ MORE - XL Bully beasts are muzzled as tough new ban comes into force today... but some owners are STILL trying to rehome the powerful dogs even though it's illegal Advertisement 'We need to upgrade the shutter system, drainage and heating as well as clearing some ground to create large suitable paddocks for the dogs to enjoy some play time as well as more minor upgrades. 'Please consider donating and help us keep our beautiful dogs safe from euthanasia.' Ms Shaw already has at least four XL Bully dogs ready to move into the shelter. A post on the charity Facebook page - which has over 20,000 members - said it is 'heartwarming' to see the community come together to 'fight this vile discrimination against innocent dogs'. Another reads: 'It's new year but things aren't slowing down any time soon. Over the last few days we have offered a lifeline to a few dogs...three more lives saved.' The page has many comments and posts of dog owners in England seeking to re-home their dogs and other people offering to take them in. One comment reads: 'Come on guys let's get some cash flowing to save our bullies in need.' Others offered their home as a 'halfway house' for journeys over the border and some said they are willing to help transport the dogs to the shelter. Ms Shaw said 'dogs have been moving up to Scotland for months now' in preparation for the ban introduced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The ban on XL Bully type dogs was announced following a spate of fatal and serious attacks in the UK last year. A video shared on social media shows a dog owner taking his dog Rolo out on New Year's Eve with the pair wearing matching black muzzles in protest of the new rules Sammy Wilkinson, from Tipton in the West Midlands, has been taking XL bullies to the Scottish border following the ban. Pictured: Mr Wilkinson with two XL bullies in the back of his van From February 1 this year, it will be illegal to own an XL bully without a certificate of exemption. But from December 31 last year, it was made compulsory for XL Bully dogs to wear a muzzle and be kept on a lead when in a public place and it became illegal to sell, abandon, give away or breed dogs that meet the XL Bully definition. But this ban doesn't apply in Scotland or Northern Ireland, meaning many owners were desperately trying to re-home their dogs there in time - and some dedicated dog lovers even moved with them. However, this has prompted fears that Scotland could become an XL Bully hotspot. Michael Gove, the Levelling Up Secretary, previously wrote a letter to Shona Robison, Scotland's Deputy First Minister to ask the country adopt the ban. He wrote: 'It is vital we agree a risk of creating a potential 'dumping' ground for dangerous dogs that are moved from England and Wales to Scotland.' But the request was formally rejected in November. Victims and community safety minister Siobhian Brown wrote to the UK Government, stating the Scottish Government will not apply the new measures. Her letter said the Scottish Government backed the 'proportionate approach' of dog control notices being served on owners who allow their animals to be out of control. But she also argued that it was up to the UK Government to ensure that no XL Bullies were abandoned over the Border. Almost 2,000 exemption applications were made in the first week the scheme was open. Figures released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) under Freedom of Information laws show there were 1,846 applications in the week of November 14 and and 349 were approved, reports the i. More than 6,000 have been approved to date, according to a government statement, and ministers estimate there are 10,000 XL Bully dogs in England and Wales. Some charities believe this to be a conservative estimate. An exam board will allow GCSE English pupils to type up their exam answers on a computer under new plans starting next year. Pearson, which runs exam board Edexcel, is aiming for GCSE students to be able to sit on-screen exams in the core subject by summer 2025, if they choose to do so. Up to 125,000 students in the UK will have the option to take Edexcel's GCSE English language and English literature exams on-screen for the first time. The exam board's on-screen GCSEs in English - which would be assessed in summer next year - are subject to regulatory approval by Ofqual. Pearson Edexcel hopes to be able to offer an on-screen option for all GCSEs by 2030 to increase accessibility for students, as well as other benefits. The exam board said it had seen more students using word processing for their responses to GCSE exam questions as part of access arrangements. But experts have stressed how important it is to maintain handwriting as part of a child's 'literacy toolbox' when learning to read and spell. Pearson, which runs exam board Edexcel, is aiming for GCSE students to be able to sit on-screen exams in the core subject by summer 2025, if they choose to do so (stock image) Mellissa Prunty, the chair of the National Handwriting Association and divisional lead for occupational therapy at Brunel University, told The Telegraph: 'It has a deeper level of processing as you have to map the sound of a letter, to the visual representation of the letter and then produce the sequence of strokes to write the letter. It supports these early literacy skills.' She said educators must promote a 'hybrid world where we have a number of skills in our literacy toolbox, the ability to write by hand, type and of course text. It is not about one over the other'. Peter Thomas, a former GCSE principal examiner and a spokesman for the National Association for the Teaching of English, added the move to online is 'worrying' because it puts a premium on children who are able to use keyboards. Sharon Hague, managing director for Pearson Schools, however described the move as a 'pivotal moment for on-screen assessment in the UK.' She said: 'For the first time, in summer 2025, students will be able to sit an exam in a core subject fully on-screen if they choose to do so. 'We've heard loud and clear from students and teachers that they want a choice in how they take exams. That is why we'll offer both on-screen and paper-based exam options.' Students who take Pearson Edexcel's GCSE in computer science are already assessed partially on-screen and the exam board has begun rolling out digital assessments for its international GCSEs. This will be the first time that the main English GCSEs will be offered on-screen. A number of the UK's major exam boards have taken steps towards digital assessment (Stock image) Ms Hague added: 'On-screen is a better experience for students who need accessibility adjustments. Students can zoom in to increase font size and choose colour filters on-screen during exams, something their schools or college would otherwise need to request in advance of their exams. 'On-screen brings benefits for all students too. They can highlight and annotate information, cut and paste text and make easy edits to their answers. It's what many students are used to doing when they work at home and in the classroom, and it's undoubtedly how they will work in their careers too.' Schools will still have the option to offer paper-based exams, as well as on-screen assessments, under the exam board's plans. It comes as a number of the UK's major exam boards have taken steps towards digital assessment. Last month, exam board OCR announced it would offer a digitally-assessed GCSE in computer science for pupils starting their course in 2025. Meanwhile, exam board AQA is aiming to roll out on-screen exams over a period of years and it hopes that students will sit at least one major subject digitally by 2030. The reading and listening components of GCSE Italian and Polish would be the first to move to digital exams in 2026, according to the proposals by AQA. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: 'It is encouraging that exam boards are continuing to explore new forms of digital assessment. 'It's clear that an examination system that relies purely on pen-and-paper testing is outdated and we know that many students and their teachers will welcome the opportunity to provide typed answers. 'As well as being more accessible for some students, digital exam papers should prove simpler to mark, easier to transport and hopefully less expensive to administer.' He added: 'The move towards online assessment is positive and overdue, but does not come without challenges - including the ongoing disadvantage gap between those who may have more access to technology at home and therefore more familiarity with its demands. 'It's vital that schools are clearly guided through this process and have the necessary resources to put in place the digital infrastructure they need to deliver online exams going forward.' Steve Rollett, deputy chief executive at the Confederation of School Trusts (CST), said: 'On-screen assessment appears to have the potential to support students, especially those with particular needs, who might struggle to access traditional paper exams. 'We hope this development will support children while retaining the overall integrity of the exam system.' An Ofqual spokesperson said: 'Ofqual is committed to supporting well-evidenced innovation in how examinations are taken. Above all, it is critical that examinations are both accessible and fair to all students taking them. 'We will evaluate in detail Pearson's proposals when they are submitted for review. Our priority will be making sure their approach is fair to all students, whether they take their GCSE on screen or continue to do so on paper.' A Department for Education (DfE) spokesperson said: 'The Department and Ofqual are taking time to understand the opportunities and implications of digital assessment to inform any decisions about the future of on-screen assessments. 'As the independent regulator of qualifications in England, Ofqual requires that any GCSE or A-level moving on-screen will be subject to regulatory approval.' An 11-year-old boy who went missing last night after failing to come home from a bike ride in a Welsh village has been found safe and well. Police launched a search for the schoolboy, named only as Marley, after he had not been seen near his countryside village home since 6.30pm on Wednesday. Officers who were searching for the youngster in Tumble, near Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire, had said he was riding a red Giant bike. Dyfed Powys Police has since confirmed Marley had been found. The force wrote on its Facebook page: 'We can confirm that Marley, who was reported missing, has now been found. 'Thank you for sharing our appeal.' Police have confirmed 11-year-old Marley, who went missing after failing to come home from a bike ride in Tumble, near Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire, has now been found In its original appeal the force said: 'Have you seen 11-year-old Marley, reported missing from his home in Tumble? 'He was last seen in Bethesda Road, Tumble, at about 6.30pm on Wednesday 3rd January. 'Marley is described as white, about 4ft tall with blonde hair, which is long on top. 'He was last seen wearing a navy Jack Jones hoody, black tracksuit bottoms and grey under armour trainers. 'He was riding a bright red Giant brand bike.' The pilots on the flaming Japan Airlines jet reportedly didn't know the plane was on fire when it landed until cabin crew said they needed to open the emergency exits. The airliner collided with a coast guard plane after landing at Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Tuesday, with a ball of flame erupting from the airliner before it came to a halt. But the Japan Airlines pilots in the cockpit did not know about the fire until they were informed by the chief flight attendant, who asked for their permission to open the emergency exists, national broadcaster NHK reported. By this time, the cabin was filling with smoke and getting hotter, with babies crying and people begging for the doors to be opened, footage showed. In one video clip, a young voice can be heard shouting: 'Please let us out. Please. Please open it. Just open it. Oh, god.' Officials look at the burnt wreckage of a Japan Airlines (JAL) passenger plane on the tarmac at Tokyo International Airport at Haneda in Tokyo This photo provided by Jiji Press shows a Japan Airlines plane on fire on a runway of Tokyo's Haneda Airport on January 2 The burn-out wreckages of Japan Airlines plane, bottom, and a Japanese coast guard aircraft, top, are seen at Haneda airport on Wednesday, January 3 There were eight emergency exits but the evacuation began from two slides at the front of the plane because of the fire. Only one other exit, at the rear left, was safe from the fire, but the intercom system was no longer functioning, so the cockpit could not give the go-ahead, JAL said. The crew in the back deemed it was urgent for the passengers to disembark from the back door and opened it anyway, as they are trained to do. They used megaphones and their own voices to give instructions to the passengers. It took 18 minutes to evacuate the entire plane, with the pilot the last person to set foot on the tarmac at 6.05pm. It took fire engines eight hours to put out the blaze (pictured above) Police investigator look at the burn-out wreckage of Japan Airlines plane at Haneda airport on Thursday, January 4 Soon afterwards, the entire aircraft was an inferno and dozens of fire engines were trying to put out the blaze. That process ended up taking eight hours. 'The smell of smoke was in the air, and the doors were not opening. So I think everyone panicked,' a woman told reporters at the airport. 'Honestly, I thought we wouldn't survive. So I texted my family and friends to say that my plane is burning, right now,' another woman told NHK. 'Passengers seemed to have followed instructions in a textbook manner,' said Terence Fan, an airline industry expert from Singapore Management University, with others praising those on board for leaving their cabin bags behind. 'This is exactly what evacuation policies are designed for - the airframe itself is not meant to survive the blaze, ultimately.' At least one pet dog and one cat had to be left on the plane and died, the airline said. Investigators from Japan, France, Britain and Canada were probing the crash on Thursday, with the charred remains of the two planes still littering one of Haneda's four runways. The runway warning lights were not working on the night of the crash, ABC News reports. The lights indicate whether a runway is clear or not. It is unclear whether these lights not working had anything to do with the crash. The flight recorder and voice recorder from the coast guard plane had been found, but those of the passenger jet were still being sought. The transport ministry on Wednesday released transcripts of the flight controllers' communications, which showed they approved the JAL flight's landing, media reports said. This aerial photo show the burn-out Japan Airlines plane at Haneda airport on Wednesday, January 3 An aerial view shows burnt Japan Coast Guard aircraft after a collision with Japan Airlines' (JAL) Airbus A350 plane It took 18 minutes to evacuate the entire plane (rear left exit pictured above), with the pilot the last person to set foot on the tarmac at 6.05pm But the coast guard plane was reportedly instructed to go to a spot near the runway. Earlier on Wednesday, NHK had reported that the pilot, Genki Miyamoto, 39, said immediately after the accident that he had permission to take off. Japan has not experienced a serious commercial air crash for decades. In 1985, a JAL jumbo jet flying from Tokyo to Osaka crashed, killing 520 passengers and crew, in one of the world's deadliest crashes involving a single flight. The world's worst civil aviation disaster also happened on the ground when two Boeing 747s collided at Los Rodeos Airport in Tenerife in 1977, killing 583 people. The family of an autistic teenager who died from an accidental overdose say they had to investigate the death themselves to find the truth of how he died. Will Melbourne, 19, was found dead at his Cheshire home on December 18, 2020 after he mistakenly had taken a strong synthetic opioid 100 times stronger than morphine he bought on the dark web. The inquest into Will's death took three years to come back and his family say had to investigate the matter themselves to find out what happened. Warrington Coroner's Service told the BBC it was not permitted to comment. Sally and John Melbourne said their lives were put on hold during the long wait for the inquest to be completed and the family were told at the pre-inquest hearing that the court were short-staff and had a backlog of 500 cases. Parents and friends of the teenager used a trail of digital 'breadcrumbs' to uncover that Will had tried to buy oxycodone, a highly addictive opioid that helps with pain relief and anxiety, which turned out to be a synthetic opioid. The blue pills Will had bought on the darknet were found beside his body. Will Melbourne, 19, was found dead at his Cheshire home on December 18, 2020 after he mistakenly had taken a strong synthetic opioid Sally and John Melbourne said their lives were put on hold during the long wait for the inquest to be completed The family say the drugs were not tested until they raised it with the coroner's court a year after his death. Will's blood sample had also been destroyed after the company storing it went into administration. The family said they were left traumatised by the time the inquest was concluded. Mrs Melbourne said: 'We thought the inquest system was there to give us answers. Instead, we felt blocked at every turn. 'It was outrageous that we had to take the investigation on ourselves.' Will struggled with severe social anxiety and was diagnosed autistic when he was eight. But he was also described as being a 'genius' and was hoping to study mathematics at Cambridge. Those closest to him also described him as funny and passionate. They added that the world could be extremely challenging for Will, who developed severe depression by his mid-teens. His mother said he used the drugs to 'self-medicate' and was not 'trying to get high'. She said: 'He just wanted an escape from the pain. He was self-medicating with drugs.' 'This wasn't someone who's just trying to get high to have a good time. It was an obsession with trying to make himself feel better.' Will's condition worsened and he was in and out of A&E nine times following suicide attempts and the police had been called more than 50 times. Cheshire East Council told the family could only offer Will supported accommodation to help with his mental health issues if they made him homeless. Mrs Melbourne said: 'It was like throwing out our sick child, but we felt we had no choice. 'We couldn't get the support he needed and every day something more dangerous would happen. We also had to protect our daughter, Alice.' Will was moved into assisted living accommodation and was ordering drugs off the internet. The inquest heard that because Will was deemed to have capacity, the charity providing his accommodation could not help him clean his flat - which had become a mess - and could not prevent him ordering drugs online. His mother said: 'He could get so anxious he would be scared to leave the building. He wasn't getting any mental health support and he was struggling to cope. Cheshire East Council (pictured) told the family could only offer Will supported accommodation to help with his mental health issues if they made him homeless 'His flat was in a complete state. We couldn't help because we weren't allowed in because of Covid regulations.' On the day he died, December 18, 2020, Will is believed to have received the drugs that accidentally killed him. He had planned to meet friends that day and is believed to have taken the pills he thought were oxycodone, which were actually a strong synthetic opioid. The drug has been linked to dozens of deaths across the UK recently. Will's father said: 'The only reason we now know that is because we investigated and Will helped us with that'. The family discovered Will had kept a careful log of everything he took after, with the help Will's friend Matt Beton, they figured out the passwords to access his computer. Matt said: 'He left his own breadcrumb trail. I couldn't have pieced it all together - his parents couldn't have pieced it all together. 'But with collaboration between us, we were able to figure out exactly what happened.' Investigating police found the drugs, which were in a plastic bag marked M30, googled them before deciding they were oxycodone. The pills were not tested despite tests of Will's blood coming back negative for oxycodone. The BBC reported that Cheshire Police said it is not 'common practice' to test all drugs found at the scene of sudden deaths. They added that no further tests beyond a standard post-mortem and a toxicology report were requested by the coroner. Coroner Victoria Davies agreed with the evidence gathered by Will's family - that the blue pills were not oxycodone and that Will had bought them thinking they were oxycodone. Cheshire East Council said it supported the coroner's findings and it remains 'committed to providing the highest standards of care' and will continue to 'identify opportunities to improve services'. Richmond Fellowship, the charity that ran the assisted accommodation in Macclesfield, said the 'health, safety and wellbeing of the people we support have always been at the heart of everything we do' and that it would continue to review and improve its services. For confidential support call Samaritans on 116123 or visit www.samaritans.org A 12-year-old girl has died in a horror crash that happened not long after a disqualified driver was allegedly seen swerving across a road. Mia Rossiter was travelling in her family's Holden Barina in Stonehaven, near Geelong, on Wednesday night when a Holden Commodore collided with their vehicle. 'Sweet angel' Mia died in hospital and her seven-year-old sister Willow is fighting for life. Their parents Paul, 38, and Danni, 36, from Lismore in Victoria, are in hospital with serious injuries. Mia Rossiter (right) died in hospital and her seven-year-old sister Willow (left) is fighting for life A 28-year-old man is understood to have been driving the Commodore at the time of the crash. He is under police guard in hospital and his 21-year-old passenger is also being treated for critical injuries. No charges have been laid. Video taken earlier in the evening appears to shows the car driving in an erratic manner, swerving onto the wrong side of the road. The footage was taken at about 7.45pm, with the fatal crash unfolding at around 9pm. A furious Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Peter Romanis said the smash was an 'entirely preventable tragedy'. Mia's parents Paul and Danni, from Lismore in Victoria, are in hospital with serious injuries 'It's the type of collision that infuriates us,' Sergeant Romanis said. 'This incident was an entirely preventable tragedy that has torn a family apart. 'We have a disqualified driver, driving at high speeds, weaving in and out of its lane and this collision, like so many, was entirely avoidable. 'We have witnesses who also saw the (Holden Commodore) travelling at high speeds, doing doughnuts and driving dangerously on Evans Rd in Lovely Banks approximately an hour before this collision occurred. 'This type of driving on our roads is entirely unacceptable.' A furious Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Peter Romanis said the smash was an 'entirely preventable tragedy' Mia was able to get out of the car but then collapsed and never regained consciousness An off-duty nurse was one of the first on the scene and helped the family escape from the wreck. She said Mia was able to get out of the car but then collapsed and never regained consciousness. Mates are now raising money for Mia's family, who will be unablle to work at their new cafe, The Bush Inn, while they recover. Family friend Cheyenne Bourne told 7News that Mia was a 'beautiful soul'. 'As soon as she laughed, you have to laugh because it was just so infectious, her smile was infectious.' The leader of Reform UK has been branded a 'pound shop Nigel Farage' and likened to bungling Labour MP Diane Abbott by a top Tory. Conservative deputy chairman Lee Anderson lashed out at Richard Tice after he launched the party's election drive with a dig at Rishi Sunak and suggested the Prime Minister was little different from Keir Starmer. Mr Tice used a campaign launch on Wednesday to warn the Tory and Labour leaders were 'socialist twins' using a disturbing portmanteau graphic. He played up the danger posed by Reform UK candidates to Mr Sunak's party as he ruled out entering into any electoral pacts with the Conservatives. He insisted on Wednesday he would stand candidates in every constituency, unlike in 2019 when his party - then the Brexit Party - stood down candidates to help Boris Johnson. But Mr Anderson, who last year denied claims he had been tapped up by Reform as a possible defector, mocked Mr Tice after Reform honorary president Nigel Farage failed to appear. He is said to still be weighing up playing a more prominent role in party affairs in the run up to the next election. Speaking to GB News Mr Anderson said Mr Tice should 'pipe down', adding: 'I get on with Richard reasonably well, but I would say this: He's not Nigel Farage, he's not the leader that Nigel Farage was... 'I think he's a pound shop Nigel Farage and every time he opens his mouth recently on whichever media platform, he is coming across as Reform's answer to Diane Abbott. He's just saying ridiculous things.' Conservative deputy chairman Lee Anderson lashed out at Richard Tice after he launched the party's election drive with a dig at Rishi Sunak suggesting he was little different from Keir Starmer One striking image displayed portrayed Mr Sunak and Keir Starmer as the 'socialist twins' Speaking to BG News Mr Anderson said Mr Tice should 'pipe down', adding: 'I think he's a pound shop Nigel Farage and every time he opens his mouth recently on whichever media platform, he is coming across as Reform's answer to Diane Abbott. He's just saying ridiculous things.' Mr Farage is said to still be weighing up playing a more prominent role in party affairs in the run up to the next election. Party leader Mr Tice held a New Year press conference in London yesterday as the political world starts building towards a titanic showdown at the ballot boxes. He said Mr Sunak had 'failed' and vowed to ignore 'special pleading' from Conservative MPs who share many of Reform UK's views. The event was billed as including 'guests' and laying out strategy, including targeting Labour. However, Mr Farage was no-where to be seen despite rumours about a comeback following his successful stint on I'm A Celebrity. Mr Tice said Mr Farage was still thinking over what he will do next. Whispers that former Tory MP Peter Bone could stand for the party in the Wellingborough by-election triggered by his recall after bullying allegations also proved unfounded. Instead party deputy leader Ben Habib will contest the seat. Tories have been voicing alarm that Reform UK will merely 'pick off' MPs by splitting the right-wing vote, and open the No10 door for Keir Starmer. The party has been running at around 10 per cent in the polls, slightly behind the Lib Dems. They won just 2 per cent of the vote at the 2019 general election and have never won more than 6.6 per cent of votes in a by-election since then. He said he was 'embarrassed' after she called him a thief in front of his children A 65-year-old woman was beheaded after clashing with her neighbour who then 'gifted her severed head to his friends' at a local pub. Rosalina Abing Asilo had been confronted by Mario Furton, 48, over flowers planted near her home in Bayugan City in the Philippines on January 2. Tensions soared when Rosalina allegedly screamed back at her neighbour and called him a thief after he complained the flowers' thorns scratched him whenever he walked past. Furious and embarrassed, Mario went drinking with his friends, later deciding to march over to Rosalina's local store wielding a sickle. He is alleged to have pounced on the helpless woman, who was manning a store alone at the time, decapitating her. Mario was said to have then laughed and returned to present the severed head to his friends back at the bar, before being arrested by police and confessing. The aggrieved neighbour was said to have marched on Rosalia's store and cut her head off Mario Furton, suspected of killing his neighbour after going drinking following an argument Police arrived to detain Mario as shocked neighbours crowded to look at the gruesome scene. Police Lieutenant Colonel Shalom Faye Cornelio, chief of the Bayugan Police Station, told local media: 'The suspect was in the middle of drinking beer with friends when he asked them, "Do you want a gift? I will give you one, just wait" before going to the victim's store.' He had a bolo - a curved knife used widely in the Philippines as a farming tool - with him which he used to chop off her head. 'The suspect returned to the farmer's building 200 metres away from the store carrying the woman's head and said, "Here is my gift to you". Image shows the victim missing her head after she was allegedly attacked by her neighbour 'The root of the attack was a minor argument about the victim's flowers,' police added. 'They were blocking the suspect's path, and he became mad because they were thorny.' Speaking to local reporters while detained, a smiling Mario said he 'regretted his actions'. He said: 'I was hurt because she called me a thief in front of my children when I was trying to talk to her calmly. 'I am sorry to the victim and her family. I only did it because I was embarrassed.' Rosalina's husband Buenaventura Asilo, 65, said his wife was alone at the store because he had left to work at the local fish pond until 6 pm. He said: 'I had no idea what had happened because we seldom talked with the suspect. 'My wife and I have no children, that's why she was alone during the attack. 'She has four kids with her previous husband. I am talking with them so we can take legal action.' Authorities said Mario had been a respondent in several drug-related cases. He was scheduled to undergo a drug test to check if he was under the influence during the assault. A pantomime has found itself at the centre of a Me Too incident after an audience member was accused of groping an actress during a performance of Cinderella. Cast members at the Theatre Chipping Norton, in Oxfordshire, were left distraught after one of the ugly sisters was said to have been touched 'inappropriately' by a man during a show on New Year's Eve. In a Facebook post yesterday, the theatre said it was their 'New Year's resolution to ensure every performer feels safe' and they requested that the actors are 'treated with dignity' in future. An audience member who was at the performance said afterwards: 'It seems to have been a 'Me Too' incident. Adnausea, was groped by an audience member at the end of the show. 'The other ugly sister, Quosimoda, played by a man, did make an odd remark about unacceptable behaviour. And a man got up and walk [sic] out of the theatre shortly afterwards. But we thought it was just part of the show.' Cast members of Cinderella have been left upset after one of the ugly sisters, played by an actress, is said to have been touched 'inappropriately'. File image of actors performing a scene from Cinderella at the Theatre Chipping Norton Pictured is the Theatre Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire where the incident is said to have taken place In a Facebook post yesterday, the theatre requested that the actors are 'treated with dignity' in future The audience member added: 'During the performance, two men in the front row had been asked to take part in the show and declare their love for the two ugly sisters. So, perhaps one took this too literally.' Thames Valley Police said nothing had been reported to them but the theatre confirmed the incident and said it was speaking to the audience member about their behaviour. A spokesman for Theatre Chipping Norton said: 'Towards the end of this performance, there was a moment of inappropriate audience behaviour involving physical contact between an audience member and a performer, which was subsequently called out by other members of the company. 'We are in communication with the audience member(s) concerned to make it clear that we will not accept such behaviour in the future, and that both the performer in question and the wider company have been grateful for the messages of support they have received from other members of the audience. 'We work hard to ensure that the theatre is a happy, safe and welcoming place for audiences and performers alike.' On Facebook yesterday, the theatre also said: 'Our New Year's Resolution: To ensure every performer feels safe and respected onstage. 'To all of our audiences please remember that actors are professionals and deserve to be treated with dignity. 'Make Chippy Theatre a happy, welcoming place for all.' The theatre confirmed the incident and said it was speaking to the audience member about their behaviour. File image of actors performing a scene from Cinderella at the Theatre Chipping Norton File image of actors performing a scene from Cinderella staged at the Theatre Chipping Norton Messages of support were also left underneath, with one writing: 'Could not agree more, great cast and performance, well done on the NY eve show, loved it, just a shame what occurred at the end, hope all is well with your acting team....' Lord (David) Cameron of Chipping Norton and his family are among those who regularly enjoy the pantomime at Theatre Chipping Norton. The Oxfordshire theatre has also been enjoyed by the likes of Jeremy Clarkson and Amanda Holden. The theatre prides itself on being 'a local and regional treasure' in the heart of the Cotswolds which is 'a hub for local people, businesses and organisations to meet, work, play and be entertained'. The performance of Cinderella, which features a Latin American twist, is scheduled to be on until January 14. John Terry, artistic director of Theatre Chipping Norton and writer and director of Cinderella, said: 'This production of Cinderella feels like a real exploration of what a panto can be in 2023 outward looking, multi-cultural, channelling artistic excellence from a huge diversity of creative people into the folk-form that is a pantomime.' The Chipping Norton incident follows a separate theatre allegation last month in London. It was reported by The Sun that female theatregoers at a Magic Mike Live show sexually assaulted staff according to a complaint made to police. The complaint alleged that someone lunged at one of the ushers at London's Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square, forcing him to reportedly flee from the venue 20 minutes into his shift, according to the newspaper. Keir Starmer mounted a New Year election push today appealing for Brits to trust him - but warned taxes might not be cut and retreated on his 28billion green investment pledge. As Westminster ramps up towards a showdown at the ballot boxes this year, the Labour leader used a speech in Bristol to insist he can bring about change in a 'downtrodden' country. He argued an election could not come soon enough, saying he 'hated the powerlessness of Opposition' and wanted to 'tilt' Britain towards the interests of workers. But during an intense grilling, Sir Keir dodged committing to bringing down taxes - despite repeated hints that he would. He also conceded his mooted 28 billion-a-year green energy investment could shrink depending on economic conditions. Labour has been far ahead in polls for months, with one published this week showing a 14-point lead. However, veteran MP Jon Cruddas stepped up warnings today that nobody knows exactly what Sir Keir stands for. He cautioned that the failure to set a clear direction or deal with internal splits means Labour is 'brittle' and could go into meltdown if it wins power. In a wide-ranging question and answer session after the speech Sir Keir: Insisted he is ready to go head-to-head with Rishi Sunak in TV debates at the election, saying 'bring it on'; Acknowledged Labour will not be able to use a 'big state cheque book' to solve problems in power; Warned tax cuts will only be brought forward once the economy is growing; Reiterated he backs extending votes to 16-year-olds despite condemnation that it would amount to gerrymandering. Sir Keir Starmer used a speech in Bristol today to urge voters to give him a chance at the election Sir Keir was introduced by Claire Hazelgrove (left), Labour's candidate in the Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency Labour has been far ahead in polls for months, with one published this week showing a 14-point lead Sir Keir has made clear he wants Rishi Sunak to call a general election in May, although most in Westminster believe the Autumn is more likely timetable. In his speech in Bristol, Sir Keir said: 'There is one thing that we can be sure is coming this year. And I'm ready for it. 'The thought of millions of people right across our country putting a cross on that ballot paper. It's what we've been waiting for, preparing for, fighting for a year of choice, a chance to change Britain, a clock that is ticking on this Government. 'Because whether it's in the spring or later in the year, the moment when power is taken out of Tory hands and given not to me but to you, that moment is getting closer by the second.' In a signal that he is deeply concerned about apathy among Brits, Sir Keir swiped that the Tories have been 'undermining the possibility of change itself'. 'What really keeps me up at night is a different reaction altogether. The biggest challenge we face, bar none, the shrug of the shoulder,' he said. 'Because this is the paradox of British politics right now. Everyone agrees we are in a huge mess. Services on their knees, an economy that doesn't work for working people - even when it grows, let alone when it stagnates like now. 'Everyone agrees as well that it has been like this for a while, that Britain needs change, wants change, is crying out for change. 'And yet trust in politics is now so low, so degraded, that nobody believes you can make a difference any more.' Sir Keir said he wanted to see taxes lowered on working people, but the economy had to be growing first. And he flatly ruled out reducing inheritance tax. Pressed on whether he would unfreeze income tax thresholds, the Labour leader said: 'Before we get to the question of tax we've got to grow the economy. 'Of course, we've got at least another fiscal event before the election, we need to see what the situation is there, but in principle I do want to see lower taxes on working people, I want people to have more money in their pocket. 'The first lever that we will pull is the growth lever because in the end that's the only way we're going to get the money we need to fund our public services.' Labour had originally promised in 2021 to invest 28billion a year until 2030 in green projects if it came to power. But last year shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said the figure would instead be a target to work towards in the second half of a first parliament. Sir Keir said: 'The money that is needed for the investment that is undoubtedly needed, saying that the 28billion will be ramped up in the second half of the Parliament, that it will be subject of course to any money that the Government is already putting in, and it will be subject to our fiscal rules. 'That means that if the money is from borrowing, which it will be, borrowing to invest, that the fiscal rules don't allow it, then we will borrow less. 'It is very clear and that is why this attack is utterly misconceived on this,' Sir Keir said. Sir Keir once again highlighted his experience as director of public prosecutions where he made 'life-and-death decisions'. 'There's pressure that comes with that, but that's the responsibility of justice and public service,' Sir Keir said. 'And it's the responsibility of serious government. 'This isn't a game. Politics shouldn't be a hobby a pastime for people who enjoy the feeling of power, and nor should it be a sermon from on high, a self-regarding lecture, vanity dressed up as virtue. No, it should be a higher calling.' Sir Keir's comments will be seen as a thinly veiled criticism of Mr Corbyn (pictured with Sir Keir) and his hard-Left allies who have been accused of 'gesture politics'. But they also appear to attack Lord Cameron who, when asked why he wanted to be prime minister, once replied: 'Because I think I'd be rather good at it.' Sir Keir, who served under Mr Corbyn as shadow Brexit secretary, will insist Labour is a 'changed' party that is 'no longer in thrall to gesture politics, no longer a party of protest, but a party of service'. Mr Cruddas, a political secretary under Tony Blair and influential thinker on the Left, told La Repubblica that Labour's platform so far was 'insufficient'. 'The danger is to win an election, which becomes a referendum on the incumbent government, but without a mandate for change. That seems to me to be a real concern, because Labour will inherit a total mess,' he said. 'We've got crises in housing, cost of living, adult social care. Our councils are going bankrupt. There's a sense of everything deteriorating. 'And I can't think of an example where a Labour government has secured a mandate for change after the election. 'You have to create it before the government. I fear we will lose the opportunity to govern with a mandate to deliver real change. 'It could become quite tricky in government. I understand [Starmer's] caution but I fear it could come with a downside after the election.' Mr Cruddas, who has announced he is standing down at the election, said: 'My fear is that if you win power without a mandate and you govern in a period of profound economic and social turbulence without defining yourself in terms of organising public philosophy, then the danger is you become consumed by events, while in power without a clear agenda. 'Meanwhile, the coalition that got you into power is fracturing in all different ways. Gaza is quite instructive in all of this in terms of relations with a lot of younger voters, for example. Our political position could look to be quite brittle, quite quickly.' Mr Cruddas has warned Sir Keir's 'approach to economics does not appear to be grounded in any specific theoretical understanding of inequality, material justice and welfare distribution'. Distancing himself from the Jeremy Corbyn era, Sir Keir will vow that his premiership would not be 'vanity dressed up as virtue' 'Despite a successful career as a human rights lawyer, as Labour leader Starmer appears uninterested in questions of liberty and freedom,' he wrote in his recent book about Labour. It comes as his party weighs up pledging to cut income tax or National Insurance in its general election manifesto to help voters struggling with the cost of living. Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves is said to be adamant that cuts offered by Labour must be 'bombproof' and not threaten the party's fiscal credibility. The Conservatives are also considering tax cuts in the Spring Budget in March. Labour is fearful that its poll lead which places the party around 18 points ahead of the Tories could collapse. In a presentation to the shadow cabinet, the party's chief campaign strategist, Morgan McSweeney, showed how in other countries the clear favourite lost an election after their poll lead suddenly vanished in the weeks beforehand. Mr McSweeney warned: 'Polls do not predict the future. Nobody has voted in the general election.' Two killed, 4 injured in air attack by Ukraine military in Russia 18 Mar 2024 | 5:52 PM Moscow, Mar 18 (UNI) Two people were killed and four others injured as a result of an air attack by the Ukrainian armed forces in Russia's Belgorod Region, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Monday. see more.. Afghan, Pak trade blows after suicide attack on Pakistani military Post 18 Mar 2024 | 5:39 PM Kabul, Mar 18 (UNI) Afghanistan and Pakistan targeted each other's border regions with strikes on Monday following a suicide attack on a Pakistani military outpost over the weekend. see more.. Japan's Kishida not planning elections until LDP lawmakers penalised for scandal 18 Mar 2024 | 3:37 PM Tokyo, Mar 18 (UNI) Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida plans to take disciplinary action against the lawmakers of his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) involved in the slush funds scandal before calling snap elections, Japanese news agency Kyodo reported on Monday. see more.. Leaders of 6 CIS states congratulate Putin on victory in prez election 18 Mar 2024 | 3:26 PM Minsk, Mar 18 (UNI) The leaders of six member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistanhave congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on his victory in the presidential election, noting the broad support of Russian citizens, the Kremlin said on Monday. see more.. A wealthy businessman has been given a restraining order against his wife after he threw a pack of sausage rolls at her face in an attack at their 2million home. Nolan Bird flew into a fit of rage and 'smashed up' the snug at their country home after wife Heather questioned him whether a night out with friends in London involved 'cocaine and hookers'. The successful company director hit Mrs Bird in the face with the back of his hand, shoved her to the floor, called her 'pathetic', and then hurled a pack of sausage rolls at her nose, a court was told. Two months after the attack, Bird, 48, sent his wife of 25 years a barrage of abusive messages. He has now been given a two-year restraining order banning him from contacting his 47-year-old wife - who filed for divorce after the abuse. Nolan Bird pictured outside Portsmouth Magistrates Court - he has been given a restraining order Nolan pictured with his wife Heather who questioned him whether a night out with friends in London involved 'cocaine and hookers' Bird is co-founder of award-winning architectural design company NA Curtain Walling. The company is a specialist installation contractor for curtain walling and glazing - exterior facades seen on buildings like The Shard - and bills itself as 'the UKs leading name' in the industry. Portsmouth Magistrates' Court heard the domestic abuse was carried out at Bird's five-and-a-half acre pile in the South Downs National Park near Lovedean, the property has 'spectacular' views and boasts multiple outbuildings, stables, a koi pond and a gym complex. Prosecutor Rhys Evans told the court Bird launched the 'prolonged and sustained assault' on his wife on March 3 last year. 'He went to London with friends, which sparked an argument', Mr Evans said. 'She texted him asking if he went for cocaine and hookers. 'She was concerned as he previously threatened to commit suicide due to drug use.' When he returned from London that evening, Bird was described as 'going mad' and 'smashed up the snug' in their home. Mr Evans said Bird backhanded Mrs Bird in the face - causing her to flee to the kitchen, where Bird 'pushed her causing her to fall to the floor' and then called her 'pathetic'. Mr Evans said Bird then launched a packet of sausage rolls at her, 'which hit her on the nose.' Bird was also given a 12-month community order and must complete 20 rehabilitation days and 200 hours of unpaid community service The successful company director (right) hit Mrs Bird (left) in the face with the back of his hand, shoved her to the floor, called her 'pathetic', and then hurled a pack of sausage rolls at her nose, the court was told A court heard Nolan Bird flew into a fit of rage and 'smashed up' the snug at their country home Two months later, on May 6 last year, Bird sent a stream of offensive and abusive text messages to his wife when she had left the home, causing 'substantial distress' to his wife. In a victim impact statement, Mrs Bird said police advised she was at 'high risk' and to pack a bag to stay with her father. She said: 'I felt after that I had been forced into this situation. 'Being told I'm a victim of domestic abuse is very difficult since he was my husband of 25 years and I loved and supported him. 'It put me at complete rock bottom. All joy had left me and I felt totally betrayed.' Mrs Bird said she has filed for divorce and the court heard on Wednesday that she is now living elsewhere. Opening up about the toll of the abuse, Mrs Bird said she is on anti-depressants, going to therapy, and has been told by a doctor she has post-traumatic stress disorder. Lian Webster, defending Bird, said the business owner faced 'pressures' at work in the run-up to his offences as he had to make staff redundant. He admitted assault by beating and sending an offensive message. Magistrate Chair Barrie Audus said the domestic abuse was 'serious' and imposed a two-year restraining order, banning Bird from contacting his wife. Mr Audus warned Bird not to contact her, adding: 'Should Heather Bird contact you directly you must not respond.' Bird was also given a 12-month community order and must complete 20 rehabilitation days and 200 hours of unpaid community service. He was also ordered to pay 199 to cover court costs and the victim surcharge. NA Curtain Walling, based in Horndean, Hampshire, has completed projects for buildings at Eton College, Imperial College London and Heathrow Terminal. The company won the Steel Project Award in the national Schueco Excellence Awards and then was further crowned Overall Winner 2020. More criminal documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein's dealings and associates are set to be released on Thursday, according to a report. The names of more than 150 people mentioned in a lawsuit by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's most prominent accusers, were kept under seal for years until a federal judge ruled last month that there was no legal justification to keep them private. They were released late Wednesday. In a deposition, Giuffre said she had sex with several politicians and financial leaders. Citing an unnamed source, Business Insider reported that 'more [documents] are expected on Thursday.' That source told the website that new documents 'will be filed by either attorneys for Giuffre or [Ghislaine] Maxwell on Thursday.' Reuters also reported that 'more documents are expected to be unsealed or unredacted in the coming days.' However, three names featured in the documents will remain sealed until at least January 22. Reports suggest that more people from inside Jeffrey Epstein's inner circle will be unmasked in the coming days Epstein threw parties for the rich and famous on Little St James, with celebrities from Prince Andrew to Stephen Hawking among his guests. Pictured: Jeffrey Epstein is massaged by his assistant Sarah Kellen at his private island Jeffrey Epstein and associate Ghislaine Maxwell at the Clinton White House Prior to the release of the documents, Judge Loretta Preska of the Southern District of New York approved a 30-day extension at the request of 'Jane Doe 107' who wishes to remain anonymous due to 'a risk of physical harm.' She and at least one other - John Doe 110 - will retain their anonymity until January 22nd, but the others on the list will be named between now and then, according to Ed Friedland, the District Executive for the Southern District of New York. Doe 110 is a well-known Epstein associate who has been publicly linked to him in the past, and who never objected to being named until now, according to court filings obtained by DailyMail.com. Epstein socialized with Wall Street titans, royalty and celebrities before pleading guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008. He took his own life in 2019 at age 66 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. Dozens of women have accused Epstein of forcing them to provide sexual services to him and his guests at his private Caribbean island and homes he owned in New York, Florida and New Mexico. The names of more than 150 people mentioned in a lawsuit by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's most prominent accusers, were kept under seal for years until a federal judge ruled last month that there was no legal justification to keep them private. In a deposition, Giuffre said she had sex with several politicians and financial leaders. Giuffre's deposition named several prominent figures who have previously denied her allegations, including hedge-fund owner Glenn Dubin, billionaire U.S. businessman Tom Pritzker and the late New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. She said she also had sex with other political leaders whose names she could not remember. Dubin could not immediately reached for comment. A spokesperson for Pritzker said the businessman 'continues to vehemently deny' the allegation. Sigrid McCawley, Giuffre's lawyer, said some questions about who enabled Epstein have still not been answered. "The unsealing of these documents gets us closer to that goal," she said in a statement on Wednesday. In a separate deposition, Epstein accuser Johanna Sjoberg said Prince Andrew put his hand on her breast to pose for a photo with Epstein, Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former girlfriend. Sjoberg said the photo also included a puppet that said "Prince Andrew" on it. This allegation was previously reported by the Mirror in 2020. Andrew has been stripped of most of his royal titles due to his association with Epstein. He settled a civil lawsuit with Giuffre in 2022 for an undisclosed sum, and has denied wrongdoing. The list stems from a long-settled defamation lawsuit that Giuffre filed against Maxwell. Maxwell, the daughter of British media mogul Robert Maxwell, is serving a 20-year prison sentence for recruiting underage girls for Epstein. She is appealing her conviction. Giuffre accused Maxwell of recruiting her when she was underage for Epstein to abuse. U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska, who is overseeing the case, ruled that some names would remain confidential, including those of people who were underage when Epstein abused them. A rape complainant has been told she has to wait a year for her alleged attacker to face trial because there are no barristers available in the entire UK. The trial of Niumsia Bale-Nailati, 43, was due to open at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Tuesday but there was 'no one available across the entire country' to prosecute it. The judge granted an adjournment to December 2, 2024, as the court heard 'there do not seem to be enough barristers to carry out the work'. This is the latest in a string of challenges facing rape trials in the UK due to the massive court backlog which reached a record high in 2023. It comes after figures revealed 146 victims dropped out of cases last year after waiting as long as five years for their accused attacker to face trial. One of the reasons for the shortage of barristers is the low pay, especially for the newly-qualified - with many going on strike in 2022. The trial of Niumsia Bale-Nailati, 43, was due to open at Shrewsbury Crown Court, Shropshire One of the reasons for the court backlog is a shortage of prosecution barristers which has been blamed on low pay. Pictured are criminal barristers gathered outside the Supreme Court as Kirsty Brimelow QC gives a speech at the beginning of the 2022 strikes over pay A criminal defence barrister outside the Houses of Parliament in 2022 on a picket line On Tuesday, James Dunston, the prosecuting lawyer in the Bale-Nailati trial, told the court there was 'no one available across the entire country to conduct this prosecution'. Addressing the court, he said: 'There do not seem to be enough barristers to carry out the work.' He formally applied for the case to be taken out of the court's list to be re-listed at a later date. Judge Recorder Christopher Millington accepted the application and the trial has now been listed to start on December 2. Addressing the defendant, Judge Millington said: 'We have not, I am afraid, been able to start the trial you have been waiting for, for the reasons you have heard explained in court. 'For those reasons I am going to adjourn the trial, which will now take place at Shrewsbury Crown Court on December 2,' the Shropshire Star reported. It comes as the rape case backlog has soared by 356 per cent in four years to a record 2,591 awaiting trial in England and Wales. There were 568 victims waiting in March 2019. Analysis shows that some victims are facing delays of more than two and a half years just to go through the court process after the suspect is charged. A lack of specialist prosecutors, judges and crumbling courts are exacerbating the delays. Rape attacks reported to police in 2020 are now being listed for trial in 2025. The Rape Crisis charity said some women were waiting more than eight years for justice, with the process leaving some suicidal. One specialist sexual offences lawyer said: 'I despair. You have got vulnerable victims self-harming and considering pulling out of the prosecution who have been let down time and time again because no prosecutor or defence lawyer or judge could be found. It has never been so bad.' Ministry of Justice data on adult rape cases that did not result in a conviction shows 50 per cent of cases in Nottinghamshire, Cleveland, Cumbria and Dyfed-Powys collapsed after the victim withdrew their support between April and June 2023. Ministry of Justice data on adult rape cases that did not result in a conviction shows 50 per cent of cases in Nottinghamshire, Cleveland, Cumbria and Dyfed-Powys collapsed after the victim withdrew their support between April and June 2023 Criminal defence barristers outside the Royal Courts of Justice in July 2022 supporting the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) action over Government set fees for legal aid advocacy work Barristers protested outside Manchester Crown Court in June 2022 as they demanded 25 per cent increase in legal aid and fees to stop young lawyers fleeing the profession Overall, one in six adult rape cases listed in that period as having failed to secure a conviction in England and Wales were abandoned because the victim no longer supported the prosecution. From April to June 2023, the average time for a rape case to be investigated in Cleveland was 479 days, three times longer than the previous three months. Tana Adkin KC, chair of the Criminal Bar Association, said: 'If justice is not served in good time, it is not served at all. 'Dedicated criminal barristers prosecuting and defending rape and serious sexual offences would like the courts to give priority to these types of case.' She added: 'Delays to cases being heard, especially rape and serious sexual offence cases, mean that victims, witnesses and defendants are held in limbo unable to move on with their lives.' In December, the Justice Gap legal magazine reported that the government's rape response overhaul has faced criticism from within the legal profession for insufficient investment in prosecutors. It said: 'The Ministry of Justice has released statistics following the 2021 Rape Review Action Plan, suggesting 'significant progress is being made'. 'Justice Minister Dominic Raab said that 'rape convictions are up two thirds since last year and the number of CPS charges is also up by nearly two thirds from 2019'. 'However, there remain significant problems to be overcome. At the start of the year, rape cases took on average over two years to come to trial. 'The Ministry of Justice has admitted that, since the review, 'timeliness has worsened'. 'This is in part due to a lack of investment in skilled personnel. While CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) charge rates have increased by 65 per cent, and Crown Court cases increased by 91 per cent, the CPS has only increased the specialist workforce by 17 per cent. 'Meanwhile, the actual barristers needed in court are lacking, in what Kirsty Brimelow KC, chair of the CBA, described as a 'deepening crisis of lack of prosecutors' caused by inadequate remuneration for prosecution cases, leading to a lack of available counsel. 'Prosecution fees for barristers have been a subject of dispute for over a decade. In 2012, the then-chair of the CBA, Max Hill KC, was arguing for increased fees for prosecuting barristers. Now, as Director of Public Prosecutions, he fights for the same cause.' Critics of the system say there is now 'more money in defending than prosecuting'. In April 2022, the Criminal Bar Association in England and Wales started industrial action protesting against 'stagnant' fees, with 94 per cent of criminal barristers in favour. In June of that year, barristers began an open-ended strike every other week based on a CBA ballot in late May. In October 2022, during the premiership of Liz Truss, barristers voted to end the strike following a deal with then-Secretary of State for Justice, Brandon Lewis. In England and Wales, criminal barristers are self-employed professionals who represent the state and defendants in criminal trials. Barristers are not paid for preparation work, and claim that 23 per cent work more than 60 hours a week and the average salary for the first three years is 12,200. For the last 25 years, legal aid rates have been frozen or cut and the CBA says that 'real wages' of barristers fell 28 per cent over two decades. Comes almost a year after Sapphire was sued for $25M by two dancers claiming they were asked to give oral sex for cash while the club 'turned a blind eye' In a lawsuit filed in New York Supreme Court on Thursday, the bartender claims she was fired in November after formally complaining to management A former bartender at Manhattan's Sapphire Gentlemen's Club has accused the strip joint of continuing to engage in 'coerced prostitution' even after it settled a lawsuit last year with two dancers who made similar allegations. In a lawsuit filed Thursday in state Supreme Court, Madison Greenstreet, 34, claims she was forced to serve drinks in the club's private rooms as dancers serviced their naked customers, before she was ultimately fired in late November for complaining about the work environment and harassment. 'I saw a lot of things and heard a lot of things from dancers, but I kept it hush hush because I had to pay my bills,' Greenstreet, who had been working at the club since June 2022, told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview. She claimed she was also constantly harassed by her boss, Desmond Finger, who allegedly liked to joke about his last name and how he would use his digits to pleasure women. 'He would always make sexual comments, like about my boobs or whatever I was wearing,' she told DailyMail.com. 'It was just very uncomfortable.' Madison Greenstreet, 34, claims she was fired from her bartending job at Sapphire Gentleman's Club in Midtown East after she complained about its 'prostitution ring' which subjected her to 'constant' sexual harassment on the job Greenstreet's legal complaint comes almost a year after two ex-dancers launched a $25million lawsuit against Sapphire Gentlemen's Club over its 'toxic' work environment, where dancers were allegedly asked to give oral sex for cash while the club 'turned a blind eye' Greenstreet claimed that when she rebuffed his advances, he would retaliate by making her work life hell, constantly disparaging her while giving preferential treatment to others who indulged him. After months of abuse, she said, she reached out to human resources. Bosses responded by reducing her hours and assigning her to work in the restaurant section, where she made considerably lower tips, according to the court papers. She said she later went back to HR and spoke about the 'prostitution' she had witnessed. She was informed that the club would 'look into it'. Prominent attorney Joe Tacopina, who is representing Greenstreet, told DailyMail.com: 'When she mentioned the prostitution, the HR person was like, 'Whoa, that's a very serious allegation and that's something we have to look into, knowing full well that they had just been through this (with the prior lawsuit).' 'Their way of looking into it was to fire the whistleblower.' The club';s attorney Jeffrey Kimmel told DailyMail.com: 'The allegations by Ms. Greenstreet against the club and its employees are entirely false. 'Ultimately, like many of these lawsuits that are filed solely for media attention, the true facts will come out in Court,' he aded. The suit states Greenstreet was fired 'in retaliation for her protected activity of complaining about sexual harassment and such illegal activity'. It also labeled the 'city's finest strip club' a 'prostitution ring' that continues to operate even after being exposed years ago by police. The lawsuit includes a sworn statement from an NYPD officer in 2014 calling Sapphire a known bastion for prostitution and sharing how he had conducted several undercover stings at the Manhattan location, each time being offered sex for money. The city sued Sapphire for creating a public nuisance in 2014, leading to a court order to cease and desist, according to the filing. 'In direct violation of that Court Order,' the lawsuit states, 'Sapphire continued its prostitution ring, which led to the entire work atmosphere at Sapphire to be dominated by prostitution and exploitation, and led to Greenstreet's direct supervisor constantly sexually harassing her.' The new lawsuit points out that club was also previously sued by the City of New York in 2014 for creating a public nuisance, leading to a court order to cease and desist Greenstreet claims her manager Desmond Finger would order her to deliver drinks to private rooms, where 'she witnessed Sapphire dancers having sex with customers' In a similar claim made by the dancers in their lawsuit, Greenstreet said she was subjected to retaliation that resulted in lost wages and harassment, if she complained about the work environment and the sexual harassment Greenstreet is seeking relief under the state and New York City human rights laws and the state's whistleblower law. A part-time nanny, she took the bartending job at Sapphire's East 60th Street location to supplement her income. The lawsuit makes a series of allegations against her 'direct supervisor', Finger, alleging that he made 'continuous and despicable comments' about her physical appearance. 'Finger would constantly make comments about Greenstreet's dress and body (at least twice a week), including relentless comments about her breasts and how he admired them,' the suit asserts. 'Finger would also constantly make sexual comments in front of Greenstreet about his last name and how he was proficient' at using them on women. Finger had 'multiple sexual relationships' with female employees, the suit alleges. When they went 'sour, he would have those employees terminated or transferred to other Sapphire locations', the complaint adds. For those willing to engage with him, he would give 'preferential treatment,' as he allegedly did with a fellow bartender whose performance was judged as 'superior,' the suit alleges. The lawsuit claims that the other bartender would drive Finger home and sleep with him. In exchange, Finger let her 'steal' money from the cash register, overcharge customers, and hoard alcohol sales by snatching patron credit cards out of Greenstreet's hands. When Greenstreet complained, Finger told her she could quit, according to the lawsuit. The club, with its velveted walls, bottle service, pounding music, has several locations in new York City and a location in Las Vegas 'Let me talk slowly so you understand,' Finger allegedly told her. 'You can go home if you want.' Finger would also order her to deliver drinks to private rooms, where 'she witnessed Sapphire dancers having sex with customers,' the lawsuit states. 'She often saw dancers straddling male customers when such customers were totally naked or naked below the waist,' the court papers allege. 'It was obvious that they were having sex. It is also obvious that such prostitution is a regular occurrence within these private rooms (at all of Sapphires' locations) because employees often speak about it.' The club's sordid history is well-documented. Last February, a $25million lawsuit was filed against Sapphire for being a 'toxic' work environment where dancers were allegedly asked to give oral sex for cash while the club 'turned a blind eye.' Two former dancers, Margaret O'Sullivan and Stephanie Krauel, likened their bosses to brothel managers who ignored assaults, illegal drug use and underage drinking. If dancers complained, they were subjected to retaliation that resulted in lost wages, up to $2,000 a night, and harassment, that complaint alleges. Peter Feinstein, a former managing partner who was named as a defendant in that suit, has reportedly described Sapphire as a place for a man 'to escape and get away for a few hours, and then go back home and be a dad and a good husband.' Greenstreet cites the 2023 lawsuit extensively in her own filing, and notes the two former dancers filed an initial complaint in 2022. Her suit also includes excerpts from her complaint to Sapphire's human resources department in November, when she wrote 'I shouldn't have to exploit myself at work to have equal respect.' 'Greenstreet was incredibly traumatized by the above-described sexual harassment and retaliatory discharge, and has lost significant income as she is still unemployed,' the lawsuit maintains, and argues she is entitled to unspecified compensatory damages for 'emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life.' She has bleeding on the brain and severe head injuries An elderly woman is fighting for life after being punched in the face, choked and slammed against the wall in a hospital's emergency department. The 81-year-old woman is in critical condition at Bankstown Hospital in Sydney after she was confronted by a man at 3am on Thursday. She had been waiting with her two daughters, 63 and 58, both of whom were also attacked by the man who was unknown to them. Doctors said the woman suffered severe facial injuries and has since developed bleeding on the brain. The man had previously been cleared to leave after being checked in following a car crash and confronted the woman as she headed to the toilet. A man has since been arrested over the attack and was charged early on Friday morning with causing grievous bodily harm, choking a person and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He will face court in Parramatta later today. The 81-year-old woman is in critical condition at Bankstown Hospital (pictured) in Sydney after she was confronted by a man at 3am on Thursday The elderly woman is fighting for her life after being punched in the face, choked and slammed against the wall in a hospital's emergency department (pictured) Police said that during the incident the woman lost consciousness after her head hit the wall. 'It's further alleged the man then choked the woman and hit her head against the wall, causing her to lose consciousness,' a spokesperson said. The woman's daughters were also admitted by staff in the ED but have since been released with minimal injuries from the alleged assault. A Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital spokesperson told 9News that no staff were injured and that those who witnessed it have been offered counselling and support. 'The hospital will continue to check in on these staff members to provide ongoing support as needed,' the spokesperson said. Public access to the emergency department was uninterrupted throughout the episode and the hospital reported no disruption to patient care or services. The hospital is now helping police with their inquiries. A woman and a man have been arrested in relation to an arson attack on a pro-Israel Tory MP's constituency office. Paul Harwood, 42, and Zara Kasory, 32, have been charged with arson with intent in connection with a fire in a shed at the north London constituency office of Conservative MP Mike Freer on Christmas Eve. The pair have also been charged in relation to a fire at the rear of a restaurant that broke out later that same night. There were no injuries associated with it. The MP for Finchley and Golders Green, who has been outspoken on the Israel-Hamas conflict throughout his career, was alerted to the fire hours after it broke out. The MP, who is gay, was targeted by an Islamic State fanatic in 2022 and now represents a constituency with a significant Jewish population. Since being elected in 2010, Mr Freer previously revealed he has suffered 13 'very threatening' incidents. The burnt out window at the rear of MP Mike Freer's office in Ballards Lane in Finchley Mr Freer speaks after winning the Finchley & Golders Green constituency in north London for the 2019 General Election A post on X which features a picture of the office following the fire 'I've had Molotov cocktails left on the doorstep, and notes left on the car,' he said earlier this year. 'And on top of that, routine vandalism. Some of the incidents have been very threatening.' A statement from the Metropolitan Police read: 'Paul Harwood, 42, and Zara Kasory, 32, both of no fixed address, were arrested on Wednesday, 3 January and have been charged with arson with intent. 'They have further been charged with one count of arson without intent in relation to a fire at the rear of a restaurant in Long Lane, N3 at around 11pm the same night. There were no reported injuries in either incident. 'Both are due to appear at Willesden Magistrates' Court this morning, Thursday, 4 January. 'Police were called at 19:06hrs on Sunday, 24 December by the London Fire Brigade following a fire at the office in Ballards Lane, N3. The fire was put out. 'An investigation was carried out by detectives from the North West Command Unit CID. 'Police are aware of widespread reporting and concern in the community and can confirm the incident involving Mr Freer's office is not being treated as a hate crime. Mr Freer has been informed.' Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 and quote CAD4971/24Dec. Information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Mr Freer is a member of Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI) and has been outspoken on Israeli-Palestinian relations in recent years. The constituency office was once used by former prime minister Margaret Thatcher The MP for Finchley and Golders Green, who has been outspoken on the Israel-Hamas conflict throughout his career, was alerted to a fire breaking out at the back of his constituency office In 2014, he resigned as a minister to vote against a nonbinding House of Commons motion recognizing the state of Palestine. 'It's an issue I feel strongly about and it was the right thing to do for my constituents,' he said at the time. 'I've been a supporter of Israel and the two-state solution long before getting involved with Finchley and Golders Green. This decision was rooted in my personal beliefs, not just the constituency.' After Hamas launched its October 7 attack on Israel, he urged the Government to launch repatriation flights for Britons stranded in Israel. He has repeatedly criticised the Government's 'heated, toxic debates' over LGBTQ+ issues, and likened its treatment of transgender people to the discourse around gay people in the 1970s and 80s. Last year he vowed to wear a stab vest after learning he was a target of Ali Harbi Ali, who killed his colleague Sir David Amess. Since Sir David's murder, Mr Freer said his husband was 'anxious' about him walking alone or using the Tube or bus. 'Due to this he feels that he always has to be with me when outside and won't allow me to be on my own,' he said. 'If he knows I am travelling he needs to know where I am, how I'm travelling and when I will arrive. 'My husband and I are now acutely aware of anyone hanging around by my home or at the office.' A historic church with a 4,000-year-old stone circle in its grounds has hit the market for offers over 50,000. Midmar Kirk, situated around two miles west of Echt, Aberdeenshire, with views overlooking the countryside, has been put up for sale by the Church of Scotland. It comes as the Church has been downsizing its property portfolio in a bid to cut costs. The property is home to the historic Midmar Stone Circle, which is thought to be over 4000 years old. The Church of Scotland is selling off many of its buildings, including Midmar Kirk The property is home to the historic Midmar Stone Circle, which is thought to be over 4000 years old It consists of eight stones making up an incomplete ring, measuring 17m across. The horizontal 'recumbent' stone is flanked by two standing stones 2.5m high, which have been likened to fangs. The church is thought to have been built deliberately close to the circle due to the 18th century belief that the monument was a druid religious structure, as druidism was once considered an offshoot of Christianity. It was incorporated into the landscaped grounds of the church when the kirkyard was extended in 1914. According to records, Midmar Kirk was 'built in close proximity to the circle, the result of an 18th-Century belief that the monument was a Druid religious structure - Druidism at this time was thought to be an offshoot of Christianity'. Historic Environment Scotland describes the stone circle as of 'national importance' and 'unique to the north-east of Scotland'. Its website reads: 'Although this monument has suffered some damage through the construction of the adjacent graveyard, it is substantially intact, and survives in good condition. 'The monument also comprises an adjacent standing stone, which is likely to be associated with the original function of the circle. 'It has the potential to provide important information about prehistoric ritual activity in this area.' Midmar is a B-listed property and consists of the main church, kitchen, playroom, organ and office area. Midmar is a B-listed property and consists of the main church, kitchen, playroom, organ and office area The Church of Scotland has been downsizing its property portfolio amid falling congregations, plummeting income and shortage of ministers A Church of Scotland spokesman said: 'The stone circle - which was apparently built to reflect the lunar rather than solar cycle - is in the care of Historic Scotland and the Church of Scotland. 'Any new owner of the church building will have no locus over the circle but they will have a very interesting neighbour.' Midmar Church has been put up for sale after its congregation joined the nearby Echt Parish Church to form part of Bennachie Parish. The Midmar Church building is now 'surplus to requirements', although it currently remains in use. The spokesman added: 'Potential buyers will have the opportunity to buy a very attractive B-listed church building with views across the Aberdeenshire countryside, and in an atmospheric location with a unique religious heritage which dates back millennia. 'The church is still being used in the meantime. It holds services on the first Sunday of each month and is available for other services such as weddings and funerals.' The Church of Scotland has been downsizing its property portfolio amid falling congregations, plummeting income and shortage of ministers. The release of US court documents accusing Prince Andrew of taking part in an 'underage orgy' on Jeffrey Epstein's Caribbean island and groping the 'boobs' of an alleged sex slave ends any hope he has of returning to royal duties, experts told MailOnline today. The Duke of York has been again dragged into the sex scandal surrounding his paedophile friend, just over a year after he settled the multi-million dollar case brought by Virginia Giuffre in 2022. As well as being accused of 'acts of sexual abuse', documents released in New York overnight claim that Andrew would call Epstein weekly and jetted to his private Caribbean retreat, nicknamed the 'Island of Sin'. Royal expert Phil Dampier told MailOnline today =the Epstein files are 'the final nail in the coffin' for Prince Andrew's reputation - and Prince William in particular will make sure his uncle does not return to the royal fold. Mr Dampier said: 'The big danger for him is that another woman could make specific allegations against him and want a day in court or a pay off as well.' Royal biographer Tom Bower said the the Royal Family need to 'bury and forget' Prince Andrew as he's in 'self-denial' about his association with Jeffrey Epstein. 'It's a danger for the Palace, they don't know what more bombs will be dropped. He's not telling them', he said. Commentator Richard Fitzwilliams says any rehabilitation of Andrew's image is an 'impossible task'. Buckingham Palace declined to comment today because they only speak for working royals. The duke stepped down from duties in 2019 over his links to convicted paedophile Epstein. In 2022 his mother the Queen stripped him of his royal patronages and military titles before he settled the multi-million dollar case with Ms Giuffre. Today it emerged one of Epstein's alleged sex slaves, known only as Jane Doe 3, claimed that she was told to have sex with Prince Andrew during an orgy on Epstein's island, Little Saint James, in the US Virgin Islands. Prince Andrew, Virginia Roberts, then aged 17, now known as Virginia Giuffre, and Ghislaine Maxwell at Ghislaine Maxwell's townhouse in London. The Duke of York denies ever meeting Ms Giuffre Andrew would call his friend Epstein every week, it has been claimed Prince Andrew, Duke of York (L), Sarah, Duchess of York (2L) Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi (3L) and Britain's Princess Beatrice of York (4L) arrive for the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham Jane Doe 3 claims she was 'forced to have sexual relations with Prince Andrew' in an alleged orgy Prince Andrew put his hand on Johanna Sjoberg's breast while a puppet that looked like him groped Virginia Giuffre, shocking court papers claimed. Pictured: Prince Andrew's depiction on Spitting Image The documents also contains claims Andrew used a puppet of himself to place it on Johanna Sjoberg's breast A 2014 court filing alleges she was 'forced to have sexual relations with this Prince when she was a minor in three separate geographical locations.' The newly unsealed documents claim Epstein told Jane Doe 3 to 'give the Prince whatever he demanded'. Jane Doe 3 claims that Ghislaine Maxwell 'facilitated Prince Andrew's acts of sexual abuse by acting as a 'madame' for Epstein'.' The Duke of York was with his family at Sandringham for Christmas, but only because Charles felt 'sorry' for him, Phil Dampier has said. Mr Dampier claimed William would never let his uncle return to royal duties, with this now even more unlikely after the Epstein files came out in NYC last night. He said: 'These latest revelations will do nothing to help Prince Andrew's hopes for a return to royal duties. 'That was always very unlikely anyway but this could be the final nail in the coffin of his reputation. 'It's important to remember he has never been found guilty of any crimes and denies them. But I can't ever see him setting foot in the USA again. Indeed, for someone who used to travel the world he has only been abroad once or twice since the scandal erupted. 'There is seemingly no end in sight for him and therefore I can't see him making a comeback. 'I think the King feels sorry for him and has made it clear he is still very much part of the family, as we saw at Christmas. 'But Prince William would certainly be against any attempt by him to take up any sort of public duties.' The documents released in New York also reveal: Jane Doe 3 is not named in the documents. Virginia Giuffre claims she had sex three times with Andrew in and around 2001 when she was 17 and 18. The age of consent in the US Virgin Islands is 18, for example, but is lower in the UK where it is 16. The age of consent in Florida is 18 and is 17 in New York. The legal documents do not say when the orgy allegedly involving Prince Andrew took place. READ MORE: Jeffrey Epstein documents show pedophile emailed Ghislaine Maxwell to deny claims Professor Stephen Hawking participated in UNDERAGE ORGY at predator's island Stephen Hawking pictured at a barbecue on Jeffrey Epstein's Caribbean island Little St. James in 2006 Advertisement Virginia Giuffre gave written evidence in 2015 to a Florida court and said: 'The third time I had sex with Andy was in an orgy on Epstein's private island in the US Virgin Islands. 'I was around 18 at the time. Epstein, Andy, approximately eight other young girls, and I had sex together. The other girls all seemed and appeared to be under the age of 18 and didn't really speak English'. She added that Epstein, who killed himself in prison while awaiting trial on further child abuse charges in August 2019, had 'laughed about the fact they couldn't really communicate, saying that they are the 'easiest' girls to get along with'. Former US President Bill Clinton 'likes them young', one alleged Epstein victim has claimed in the almost 1,000 pages of evidence released by a US court, and there was an allegation that Professor Stephen Hawking participated in a sex party. The names of more than 170 people who were either associates, friends or victims of Epstein are made public following a US judge's order last month. In 900-plus pages of documents released last night, Prince Andrew is mentioned 69 times. The first tranche of documents was released on Wednesday evening with high-profile figures such as the Duke of York and former US President Bill Clinton featuring heavily. There are also mentions of Donald Trump, Michael Jackson, Stephen Hawking, David Copperfield, Alan Dershowitz and many more. Mr Dershowitz has said that he wants all the documents released because it will prove that he 'did nothing wrong'. Others have also released denials, including Prince Andrew himself. Mr Copperfield has also denied wrongdoing and said he regrets his association with Epstein. Following the release of documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein by a New York court, Virginia Giuffre posted to X noting one site where the files were being released had crashed. She wrote: 'We broke the website'. Johanna Sjoberg claims that she was sexually assaulted by Prince Andrew, who allegedly used his Spitting Image puppet to touch her breast In one part of her testimony, Johanna Sjoberg described the moment she saw the Prince Andrew puppet for the first time She also recounted the moment the puppet's hand was placed on Virginia Giuffre's breast and Prince Andrew's hand was placed on her own Court documents show Ms Giuffre said during a 2016 deposition that she had been told by Ghislaine Maxwell to have sex with several men, including Andrew. After asking Ms Giuffre in turn about each of the men, Laura Menninger, a lawyer who was part of Maxwell's legal team at the time, asked: 'Other than Glenn Dubin, (redacted), Prince Andrew, Jean Luc Brunel, Bill Richardson, another prince, the large hotel chain owner and Marvin Minsky, is there anyone else that Ghislaine Maxwell directed you to go have sex with?' Ms Giuffre replied: 'I am definitely sure there is. But can I remember everybody's name? No.' The unsealed documents include the transcript of Virginia being questioned over the whereabouts of the photograph showing her with the Duke of York. Asked during her deposition in 2016 where the picture was, she said: 'I probably still have it. It's not in my possession right now.' Ms Giuffre added it may have been in storage boxes at her mother and father in-law's in Sydney, Australia. She also said documents related to the case may have also been in the storage boxes which were 'full of Nerf guns, my kids' toys, photos.' Bill Clinton is seen with Jeffrey Epstein inside the White House in 1993, at an event for donors to the White House Historical Association. Epstein attended the event after donating $10,000 to the fund. Ghislaine Maxwell is pictured beside Epstein A section of the document claiming that Epstein claimed 'Clinton likes them young' During the deposition, Ms Giuffre said she had given the picture to the FBI in 2011 but had last seen it before she packed up her home to move to Australia from Colorado. The deposition of a woman named Johanna Sjoberg was also published as part of the documents. READ MORE: Bill Clinton 'likes them young', documents claim Bill Clinton is pictured with Jeffrey Epstein in an undated photograph Advertisement She previously claimed Andrew touched her breast while sitting on a couch inside the US billionaire's Manhattan apartment in 2001, while giving testimony in May 2016. The incident is alleged to have taken place when Ms Giuffre and Ms Sjoberg were at Epstein's house off Fifth Avenue in New York. Ms Sjoberg's deposition made reference to a puppet being placed on Ms Giuffre's breast at the same time - believed to be Andrew's Spitting Image puppet. A 2014 filing Epstein trafficked victims 'for sexual purposes' to powerful men including a 'well-known prime minister' and other world leaders, according to a 2014 filing. Paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein was ready to reward one of his victim's friends if they could 'prove her allegations false' - including that Professor Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy, court documents have revealed. An email from Epstein to disgraced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell showed he was content for her to 'issue a reward' to any of Virginia Giuffre's friends to counter her claims, shortly after she filed a civil claim in the US in 2015. The email read: 'You can issue a reward to any of Virginia's friends, acquaintances, family that come forward and help prove her allegations are false. 'The strongest is the Clinton dinner, and the new version in the Virgin Islands that Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy.' Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at the Mar-a-Lago club, Palm Beach. Trump and Epstein spoke regularly, documents claim Also published among the court documents as part of Ms Giuffre's civil claim against Maxwell was the transcript of the socialite's videotaped evidence given under oath. During her interview, known in the US as a deposition, Maxwell claimed she could only recall Prince Andrew on Epstein's island once. Andrew stepped down from public life after the furore over his friendship with Epstein and paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case to Ms Giuffre, a woman he claimed never to have met. The duke was cast out of the working monarchy and no longer uses his HRH style after Ms Giuffre, who was trafficked by Epstein, accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17. He denies any wrongdoing. Asked whether any girls under the age of 18 were present on that one occasion, Maxwell replied: 'There were no girls on the island at all. 'No girls, no women, other than the staff who work at the house. 'Girls meaning, I assume you are asking underage, but there was nobody female outside of the cooks and the cleaners.' In other documents was an email sent by Maxwell in January 2015, shortly after a civil claim had been filed against her, in which she described herself as 'out of my depth'. She added: 'I have already suffered such a terrible and painful loss over the last few days that I can't even see what life after press hell even looks like - statements that don't address all just lead to more questions... what is my relationship to Clinton? Andrew on and on.' Johanna Sjoberg said Epstein had told her that former President Bill Clinton 'likes them young, referring to girls'. Ms Sjoberg said: 'I knew he had dealings with Bill Clinton. 'I did not know they were friends until I read the Vanity Fair article about them going to Africa together.' Asked if Epstein had ever talked about the former president, Ms Sjoberg said: 'He said one time that Clinton likes them young, referring to girls.' In 2019, Mr Clinton's spokesman said he knew 'nothing about the terrible crimes Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to' and that the pair had not spoken 'in over a decade'. The spokesman also said Mr Clinton had never been to Epstein's island, called Little St James, his ranch in New Mexico nor his house in Florida. Janet was one of 230 former Post Office employees jailed in Horizon scandal She was among hundreds of Post Office employees wrongly branded thieves and fraudsters over apparent account shortfalls created by faulty computer system Horizon. Now Janet Skinner, 52, from Hull, has spoken of her ordeal, having been falsely accused of stealing 60,000 from the Post Office she ran - resulting in the loss of her home and a stint in a drug-infested prison where she was forced to rubbed shoulders with child killers. The mother served three months of a nine-month sentence following a roundup of 230 former postmasters and postmistresses jailed in one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in Britain's recent history. A four-part series, Mr Bates vs The Post Office, has recently aired on ITV and focuses on the real-life story of accused postmaster Alan Bates, now 68, who was a key figure in bringing one of the scandal to the light. Janet, whose testimony helped form the plot of the mini-series, hopes the big-money drama will reveal the true human impact of the Horizon scandal on staff. Janet Skinner (pictured), 52, from Hull, has spoken of her ordeal after being unjustly accused of stealing 60,000 from the Post Office she ran (Photo: Shutterstock) Mr Bates vs The Post Office is based on the real-life story of postmaster Alan Bates, played by Toby Jones (pictured in the role), one of hundreds of innocent subpostmasters working in the UK who was accused and later charged of theft, fraud and false accounting due to a faulty IT system The former postmistress was sent to prison in 2007 over an alleged 59,000 shortfall at her post office in Hull, before she was released three months later on an electronic tag and her conviction eventually repealed in April 2021. Janet claims the scandal has ruined her life, as she is now disabled and reliant on benefits due to her finances being crushed in the wake of the wrongful fraud accusation. SEE MORE: ITV viewers vent their 'blood is boiling and feel sick to their stomach' just minutes into Mr Bates vs The Post Office Fact-box text Advertisement Recounting her story to The Sun, she explained that she was working as a postmistress in Bransholme when Horizon was introduced by the Post Office and Royal Mail. Already suspicious that the flawed supercomputer was making mistakes and identifying apparent anomalies in cash passing over the counter, Janet had started to use her own written ledger system. But, when bosses accused her of stealing in 2006, she had her keys revoked, was suspended from her branch and was eventually taken to Hull crown court accused of false accounting and theft. She revealed that her lawyer, Karl Turner, now a Labour MP in Hull, advised her to plead guilty in a bid to avoid jailtime. She said: 'It was against everything I knew was true, but I followed the advice. That was a terrible mistake.' Standing in the dock at Hull crown court the following year, Janet, who was 35 at the time, was sentenced to nine months in prison. Former subpostmasters Janet Skinner, Seema Misra and Tracy Felstead outside the Royal Courts of Justice, London (Photo: PA) Within hours, the mother was transported to one of Britain's toughest prisons - New Hall prison in Wakefield, Yorks - where Rose West, wife of late serial killer Fred West, is a current inmate. Janet described how, for the first couple of weeks, she went into shock, and is unable to recall what her experience was like upon settling in. SEE MORE: Victims of the Post Office scandal could be blocked from getting compensation Advertisement She admitted: 'I was on suicide watch for a couple of weeks. Id lost everything. There were women in there for violent crimes, for life. Drugs were rife. They could get their hands on anything they wanted.' The mother explained that she was distraught to be apart from daughter Toni, 17, and son Matthew, 14, whom she became temporarily estranged to while in prison. She was then moved to another women's prison, Drake Hall, in Staffordshire, after several weeks, where she admitted to having to begin getting used to her new 'tough' environment. The former Post Office employee said that although she was reminded of her so-called crimes by unbeknown fellow inmates, a sympathetic prison officer professed that Janet should not have been locked up. In April 2007, Janet was released - but her humiliation and ordeal were far from over, having been instructed to wear an ankle monitor and abide by a 6pm to 7am curfew for the remainder of her sentence. In less than a year, Janet's situation took a twisted turn when she found herself back in the dock and facing a five year stretch for failing to repay 'proceeds of crime.' Paula Vennells was the CEO of the Post Office between 2012 and 2019, while the firm was falsely prosecuting subpostmasters on the basis of poor data from the Horizon IT system As the ITV drama is pulling in an audience of millions, Janet wants the public to know about the callous way victims were treated by greedy bosses The defeated mother had been left with no money, no house and no income, however, eventually, the charges were set aside. Soon the Horizon scandal started to unravel, with dozens of convicted and jailed ex-Post Office staff brought to justice by a campaign led by Alan Bates. After years of campaigning, some 86 of them, including Janet, had convictions quashed. Now, as the ITV drama is pulling in an audience of millions, Janet wants the public to know about the callous way victims were treated by greedy bosses. Janet is calling for former Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells to be stripped of her 2019 CBE, who she claims has benefited from the scandal while lower-level employees have suffered and had lives ruined. She said: 'It should be removed straight away and it shouldn't stop there. This has never just been about compensation, it has always been about justice.' Eric Adams has claimed New York is not as bad as LA's Skid Row - all thanks to him. The first-term mayor made the proud proclamation as he touted year-end crime statistics at 1 Police Plaza Wednesday - and held up a picture of the far-flung LA neighborhood as proof. A rant ensued - one that seemed to ignored how his city is in the midst of an unprecedented migrant crisis which he himself warned will soon see asylum seekers 'sleeping on the streets'. The brag was spurred by an inquiry about the city's rising motor vehicle theft rates - up 191 percent from before the pandemic. This was accompanied with increases in both felony and misdemeanor assaults, along with the revelation that overall crime is down just .032 percent. Still, Adams on Wednesday persisted, and held up an unflattering picture of the infamous Los Angeles locale as if it were a trophy. Scroll down for video: Eric Adams on Wednesday claimed New York is not as bad as LA's Skid Row - and held up an unflattering photo of the notorious Los Angeles locale as supposed proof The first-term mayor made the proud proclamation as he touted year-end crime statistics at 1 Police Plaza Wednesday, which are only only down a paltry .032 percent from last year 'This is another city in America,' Adams said, producing a photo of a homeless man on the infamous street roughly two years ago. 'This is what I saw when I drove around the city January 1, 2022,' he continued, citing his most recent visit. 'This is an example of another city in America.' The statement, while pointed, seem to ignore the state of his city's own streets. Just the day before, in a rare sit-down interview, he warned that those same streets will soon be rife with migrants if the federal government does not intervene. What's more, homelessness remains an issue in all five boroughs, but Adams on Wednesday still appeared to take credit for solving that continuing crisis. He continued to hold up the picture on his tablet - showing a 56-year-old homeless man warming a piece of doughnut over a bonfire - to drive his point home. 'This is what you threw up your hands - fires burning on the street, children out here. There are no toilets,' he said, pausing after making the last point while offering an incredulous look. 'This is-,' he continued, before getting tripped up. 'Go look at other cities and look at what we inherited when I put in place our homeless encampment task force,' he stated. 'You don't see this in New York.' Adams held up the picture on his tablet showing a 56-year-old homeless man warming a piece of doughnut over a bonfire to drive his point home Robert Mason, a 56-year-old homeless man, warms up a piece of doughnut over a bonfire he set to keep himself warm on Skid Row in Los Angeles, on Feb. 14, 2023 Homeless people on 1st Avenue between 20 and 21st street, Manhattan , U.S., January 27, 2023 Asylum seekers line up in front of the East Village re-intake, converted into a city-run shelter for newly arrived migrant families in on December 4 Adams is seen holding the photo of the homeless encampment Wednesday, as crime statistics are slightly down in his city Yet similar problems do exist across even the most expensive areas of Manhattan. Many surfaced during the pandemic, and Adams - upon assuming his role from the infamously ineffectual Bill DeBlasio - took on the task of tackling the issue. He has since created several task forces to help house the homeless and get the mentally ill off the streets, though the fruits of the efforts have taken more than a year to materialize. In November, the former police captain announced his homeless outreach staff had referred 70 percent more people off the streets to shelter during Fiscal Year 2023, compared to the year prior. He also cited how he and his administration had moved approximately 1,000 people from city-paid stabilization beds to permanent housing during that span - more than double that of Fiscal Year 2022. Meanwhile, encampments also still exist across this city, though they are typically disbanded within a matter of weeks. That does not stop them from resettling elsewhere before undergoing the same process - typically the case for street-sleepers who do not want city aid. Moreover, homelessness statistics are notoriously unreliable, so the extent of this sample set is largely unknown. 'The results are clear - crime is down, jobs are up, tourism is back,' Adams said at the news conference. 'But our work is not done. Were not spiking the ball. Were not saying, 'Mission Accomplished' As of Thursday, there is no reliable database of the number of homeless in the city. But over the summer, a hint was provided through the number of homeless reported staying at city-sanctioned shelters - a record 100,000 despite it still being warm outside. Now, in the middle of winter, that number is likely markedly higher, though it has yet to be reported. The majority of the rise can be attributed to migrants, an estimated 70,000 of which are currently in city shelters. Ahead of this winter, the city said it was continuing to increase its outreach efforts, and Adams on Wednesday touted his tough-on-encampment approach, which has proved at least more successful than LA's. He told the crowd at the packed police headquarters while still touting the 2022 photo: 'And there are those who say I'm harsh because I don't allow this to exist. That's what I'm fighting against. Do you want this in front of your house? You want your children to see this? Is this what you want your children to see? 'Not while I'm mayor. It's not going to happen.' He went on to call New York the 'safest big city in America,' after revealing the city's crime statistics. Murders this year fell by 11.9 percent compared to last, to a reported 386 as opposed 438, the data showed. Rapes, meanwhile, were down 10.5 percent, while robberies were down 3.1 percent. Grand larceny thefts were were also down 2.5 percent and burglaries 13.1. The number of shooting victims - who are counted separately from the crimes that led them to be shot - declined by 27 percent, though felony assaults are up 6.3 percent. Following his spiel about Skid Row - which he never mentioned by name - the mayor said the results speak for themselves. 'The results are clear crime is down, jobs are up, tourism is back,' Adams said at the packed police conference. 'But our work is not done. He added: 'Were not spiking the ball. Were not saying, "Mission Accomplished."' NZ beach-goers warned of jellyfish stings Wellington, Jan 4 (UNI) New Zealand beach-goers, especially in Auckland, have been warned of jellyfish stings, which are part of the country's beach summer. It is common to start seeing more jellyfish at the beach at this time of year, The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) emeritus researcher and jellyfish expert Dennis Gordon said on Thursday. "As soon as the days start to get longer and there's more daylight, you get a bloom of more plankton. A Houston mom-of-three who warned police that her husband was tracking her every move was shot dead by him in front of their three children 11 days later on Christmas Day. Police were called to the home on Grasilla Street at 10.15pm to find Fannie Uresti, 34, and husband Roberto Hernandez, 43, shot dead in what they believe was a murder-suicide. The couple's three children, aged 6, 9 and 14 were in the house, and one told police she heard her parents arguing before several gunshots rang out. Eleven days earlier police had sent Uresti away with contacts for domestic violence charities after she walked into a downtown precinct and told them he was stalking her and she wanted out. 'He didn't let her go out, he didn't even let her have friends, he wouldn't let her be,' Uresti's grieving mother Rosa Salinas told KPRC 2. Fannie Uresti, 34, with the husband Roberto Hernandez, 43, who shot her dead on Christmas Day at their home in Grasilla Street, Houston The couple's three children 6, 9 and 14 were in the house at the time and a Gofundme appeal has been set up for their support Uresti posted this picture of herself on Facebook just nine hours before she was shot dead 'He would control her psychologically at all times.' Salinas described her son-in-law as 'controlling' and 'obsessive', and said he had previously taken out a gun he kept in the house and threatened to shoot himself. 'A week before the incident, they had an argument,' she recalled. 'I wasn't there. I was in Mexico. He had a gun that his brother gave him to protect the house. 'He took it out. He took it out threatening himself. And scaring my daughter and the boys. 'My daughter spoke to me and told me. And I spoke to his sister and told her to please go get that gun out of the house because my children were in danger and that if she didn't do it, then my daughter was going to call the police.' 'My daughter was an exemplary daughter,' she added. 'An exemplary sister. An exemplary mother. I can't say that she was an exemplary wife. They didn't value her, they didn't give her the value she deserved because they took her life with malice.' Uresti's grieving mother Rosa Salinas, pictured with another of her daughters, urged women in a similar situation to leave before it is too late The home at 4822 Grasilla Street was brightly decorated for the Christmas season Uresti had told police she planned to divorce her husband but that he was stalking her Uresti's mother described her daughter's husband as 'controlling' and obsessive' and said he had previously threatened to kill himself with a gun he kept in the house A weapon was found inside the house and the three children are currently with family members, until a permanent home is available. 'The current information we have, it appears to be a murder-suicide at this time,' the Houston Police Department's Lieutenant JP Horelica said. 'It will be investigated just like any homicide. We will do it thorough just to make sure everything is as it seems,' he told FOX26. A Gofundme has been set up to support the three orphaned children. 'Fannie was more than a hard worker; she was a testament to kindness and a pillar of strength for her family,' it reads. 'Her life was abruptly cut short due to the devastating impact of domestic violence. 'As we grieve the loss of Fannie, we unite to support the precious lives of her children. 'In the face of this heartbreaking situation, we extend our hands to contribute to the funeral expenses and, more importantly, to create a stable and hopeful future for her three children.' Salinas has urged women in a similar situation to find somewhere safe before it is too late. 'I want to raise my voice on behalf of my daughter so that other women who are going through the same thing are aware and immediately leave the place where they are,' she added. 'Let them immediately get out of where they are. Please do it. Don't Stay, Don't Stay! And the grieving mother revealed she learned of her daughter's death within minutes on Christmas Day itself. 'I want them to know that I am hollow,' she said. 'My heart no longer beats, I don't feel my heart beating anymore. They took her away from me in a way that was cowardly.' Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said he's not concerned at all about the Jeffrey Epstein file release after he admitted he had flown twice on the billionaire private jet. RFK Jr, 69, admitted he 'liked' the fact nearly 950-pages of evidence were being released - despite him also being caught up in the pedophile's life and catching rides on his plane in the 1990s, which was nicknamed the 'Lolita express.' The first batch of legal documents, linking dozens of celebrities and public figures to Epstein, were unsealed last night - with more expected to be released in the coming days. In December, a photograph emerged of them together at a swanky New York party in 1994. But despite his past with Epstein, Kennedy Jr. said he is not worried. RFK Jr, 69, admitted he 'liked' the fact the nearly 950-pages of evidence were being released - despite him also being caught up in the pedophile's life and catching a ride on his plane in the 1990s, which was nicknamed the 'Lolita express' In December, a photograph emerged of them together at a swanky New York party in 1994. But despite his past with Epstein (far left), Kennedy Jr. (right) said he is not worried Speaking on NewsNation last night, Kennedy Jr said: 'I like whats happening today. I like the fact that all these papers are being released. 'Ive been an advocate for transparency. I think the government keeps too many secrets. I think its important for the American public to know whether Jeffrey Epstein had corrupt influence on public officials or any public figure. 'Its suspicious that the government has been unwilling to release those documents, and I think that every document associated with Jeffrey Epstein should be released.' Host Dan Abrams then asked: 'So to be clear, youre not concerned about anything that could come out about you and Jeffrey Epstein?' The presidential candidate answered: 'My plane rides with Jeffrey Epstein I took two plane rides with him. Once in 1993, when I went down to visit my mother in Palm Beach. 'Remember, nobody knew anything about Jeffrey Epsteins nefarious activities till 2006. He was a public figure and a big philanthropist in New York and many, many people knew him. 'My wife knew his girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell and they offered us a ride when we were going to see my mother. 'I was with two children and my wife on the plane at that time, I knew nothing about Jeffrey Epstein, and then I think one or two years later, we went took my kids fossil hunting on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced an independent presidential bid last year The hundreds of files have shed new light on the late financier's sex trafficking operation and his network of influence 'That was the extent of anything that I had to do with Jeffrey Epsteins airplane. You know, I, ran across Jeffrey Epstein at parties I mean, at fundraisers for the Robin Hood fundraiser in New York, but other than that I had no relationship with him.' After being asked again if anything could come out that he may be concerned about, Kennedy said: 'Nothing at all.' He reiterated: 'I hope everything that is known about Jeffrey Epstein comes out. I think its odd that they have not that Congress has not been able to subpoena and Ive been an advocate for making sure that the government is transparent about everything, including every document, everything that is known about Jeffrey Epstein.' Photographs from 1994 recently resurfaced showing RFK Jr. and his second wife Mary Richardson living it up with Epstein at the Pierre Hotel, in Manhattan. They were attending a fundraiser for the New York Academy of Art benefit. Kennedy, a prominent anti-vaxxer, first announced a White House run in April - saying then that he planned to challenge President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination. In September, he announced plans to run as an independent instead. Speaking to Jesse Watters on Fox News last month, he admitted his allegedly brief connections to Epstein, a pedophile with extraordinary power and influence that has connected him to politicians in both parties, including former presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump. Watters was discussing testimony that day in Washington from FBI Director Christopher Wray, who took questions about Epstein and segued into asking Kennedy if he'd ever been on Epstein's jet. 'I was on Jeffrey Epstein's jet two times,' he replied, adding that his ex-wife - the late Mary Richardson Kennedy, who died by suicide in 2012 - had 'some kind of relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell,' Esptein's notorious madam. 'I was on it in 1993, and I was on it in and I went to Florida with my wife and two children to visit my mom over Easter [inaudible],' he said. Kennedy also claimed, with little explanation, that at one point he'd gone 'fossil hunting' in South Dakota with the notorious pedophile. 'And my wife had some kind of relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell and they offered us a ride to Palm Beach. I went then, and another occasion, I flew again with my family with, I think, four of my children.' He claims that he's been 'very open' about this from the beginning of his campaign and said this was long before Epstein became known for his multitude of sex crimes. 'It was before anybody knew about Jeffrey Epstein's, you know, nefarious issues. And I agree with you that all of this information should be released.' He continued to try and talk tough about the records regarding Epstein's connections to power. 'We should get real answers on what happened to Jeffrey Epstein and any of the high-level political people that he was involved with. All of that should be open to the public.' When asked about the relationship between his ex-wife - who hanged herself in her New York home over a decade ago - a spokesperson clarified to Newsweek. Maxwell, 61, is serving 20 years after being found guilty of sex trafficking and procuring underage girls for late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein The material is related to a defamation case brought by Prince Andrew's accuser Virginia Roberts in New York against Epstein's madam Ghislaine Maxwell 'Mary, Kennedy's wife, and two of their kids were on the flight,' the representative said. 'Mary knew Epstein's girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, who learned that they were going to Palm Beach for Easter and offered their family a ride.' In October, alongside his current actress wife Cheryl Hines, Kennedy announced that he wanted independence from the two political parties. 'I'm here to declare myself an independent candidate,' he said in front of several hundred supporters, whose cheers broke up his announcement. 'Candidate for president of the United States of America.' In a speech delivered steps away from Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Kennedy said he did not come to the decision 'lightly'. He said: 'It's very painful for me to let go of the party of my uncles, my father, my grandfather and both of my great-grandfathers.' Four members of his family - siblings Rory, Kerry, Joseph P. Kennedy II and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend - issued a joint statement saying they were against his independent bid, calling the move 'dangerous' and 'deeply saddening.' 'The decision of our brother Bobby to run as a third party candidate against Joe Biden is dangerous to our country,' the statement said. 'Bobby might share the same name as our father, but he does not share the same values, vision or judgment. Today's announcement is deeply saddening for us. We denounce his candidacy and believe it to be perilous for our country.' Kennedy is the son of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968, and the nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963. One supporter brought a hand-drawn sign that read, 'I want Camelot!' a reference to the nickname for President John F. Kennedy's administration. A pub selling Britain's most popular Sunday roast sold out for the whole of 2024 in only two hours - having just cleared its massive four year waiting list. The tucked away Bank Tavern in Bristol is the most difficult eatery to get a reservation. Located in John Street since the 1800s, the pub reopened bookings for its famous Sunday lunch after clearing a four year waiting list last year. It opened spots for tables at 10am on New Year's Day for the year and all dates were filled by midday. The pub, hidden away in the centre of the city, has just seven tables with space for up to 40 diners. Sharing the news on Instagram, The Bank Tavern team said: 'Tables sold out quicker than we could have imagined.' A roast dinner at the very popular The Bank Tavern in Bristol Located in John Street since the 1800s, the pub reopened bookings for its famous Sunday lunch after clearing a four year waiting list last year It later wrote: 'We're incredibly grateful to everyone who supports us and wants to come in for a Sunday roast. 'We didn't expect bookings to sell out quite as quickly as they did today! 'If you didn't manage to book a table this time - please check the calendar on the booking section of our website every so often. 'If someone else cancels their table, their slot will automatically become available. Thank you all for the continued love for our little boozer. Happy New Year!' The Bank Tavern had to stop taking new reservations in 2019 after winning the Observer Food Monthly Awards 2019 - turning a six month waiting list to four years because demand became unmanageable. When the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020, it meant some bookings across two years were missed, and cancellations were offered those who missed out. The pub has shared success stories of those lucky enough to have booked a Sunday table Customers enjoying their roast dinners which are the most popular in Britain The Bank Tavern had to stop taking new reservations in 2019 after winning the Observer Food Monthly Awards 2019 The pub could then open the diary again for 2024 when the backlog from last year was cleared. It shared success stories online of those lucky enough to have booked a Sunday table. One said: 'Secured the elusive @thebanktavern Sunday roast booking. 'Let's see what all this fuss is about then.' Another called it 'a great start to the year' as they can 'finally take their parents when they visit'. An unlucky commentator wrote: 'Missed out! Been trying for years!!' Someone compared the process to getting Glastonbury tickets, writing: 'I feel like I'm going to Glasto! I'm in!' If this plays out, it will be the first time the park has seen a measurable amount of snow since January 1922 A forecast from weather modelling service WXCharts shows the potential for up to four inches of snow on January 17 and 18 The hottest and driest national park in the United States may see snow in mid-January One of the hottest places on the planet is expected to see several inches of snow in coming weeks - the first measurable amount of snowfall in over a century. Death Valley, found in Inyo County, California, against Nevada's border, has earned a reputation as the driest national park in the U.S. With daily summer temperatures regularly exceeding 100 degrees, the valley has earned the moniker of 'a land of extremes' from the National Park Service. Mountains around the park are occasionally dusted with powder, but snow on the valley floor is exceedingly rare. The last time any measurable amount fell was in January 1922, when half an inch was measured at a weather station at Greenland Ranch, according to the National Weather Service. Only trace amounts have been recorded since then, mostly recently in 1974. But the park could see up to four inches of snow on January 17 and 18, according to a forecast by weather modelling service WXCharts. Death Valley - regarded as the hottest and driest place on Earth - may see several inches of snow later this month, according to a forecast from weather modelling service WXCharts. Snow will often cover the mountains in the park, but rarely the valley floor Only trace amounts of snow have been recorded on the valley floor in years past, most recently at Zabriskie Point over January 4 and January 5, 1974 The park could see up to four inches of snow on January 17 and 18, blanketing the valley for the first time in over a century. Pictured: the snow-capped Panamint Mountain Range If the forecast pans out, it won't be the first weather anomaly in recent years. Last summer, Tropical Storm Hilary inundated the valley with rain on a single day in August, causing damage to roadways and prompting a parkwide closure. The NWS measured just over 2 inches of rain near Furnace Creek, shattering the previous record for Death Valley's single-rainiest day that was set in August 2022. By contrast, the park's annual average rainfall is 2.15 inches, according to the NPS. As the of prospect of snowfall looms, the NWS cautions against forecasts more than a week out, to the extent that the agency and its colleagues do not publish forecasts beyond seven days. 'This is because the forecast model output becomes more prone to big changes from one model run to the next, and the forecast model output becomes less consistent farther out in time,' meteorologist Michael Musher told Dailymail.com. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says a seven-day forecast is accurate about 80 percent of time. That figure jumps to 90 percent for a five-day forecast. However, as a forecast stretches to 10 days or more, it is only correct about half the time. And temperatures in Death Valley park continue to climb. Measurements at Furnace Creek have recorded or surpassed 130 degrees only three times since 1911 - but two of those times were in 2020. A daily weather map from January 29, 1922 shows the storm system that brought the last recorded amount of measurable snow - half an inch - to Death Valley In March 2023, Daylight Pass, a high-elevation mountain road, was dusted with powder The National Weather Service has cautioned against using forecast models more than seven days out, as the output become less consistent farther out in time Temperatures in the park have continued to rise, shattering records. The 2021 year broke the record for the most days over 125 degrees, at 11 days 'As the climate changes, as world temperatures get hotter, Death Valley will get hotter,' Giovanna Ponce, a public information officer with the park, told the LA Times. Seven of Death Valleys hottest summers on record occurred in the past decade, and the searing heat is also getting more frequent. A record-setting year for the most days over 100 degrees was in 2020 with a whopping 169 days, according to data from the NWS. The following year broke the record for the most days over 125 degrees, at 11. As temperatures continue to rise globally, precipitation patterns in the park may change. The plants and animals calling Death Valley home may be pushed to find new habitats or go extinct. A 2019 study from the University of California, Berkeley found that about a third of Death Valleys bird species have declined in the last century due to heat stress associated with global warming. 'No one knows what the future will hold for Death Valleys climate,' reads the NPS website. To combat the effects of climate change, the NPS is attempting to find greener solutions for the park, as spelled out in a 20-page 'Climate Action Plan.' These include energy-saving solutions at buildings throughout the parks and guidelines for the reduction of transportation emissions. A group of Venezuelan migrant kids shouted 'help me!' as they crossed the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass, Texas, just yards away from a group of over 60 House Republicans touring the border, which is being overrun by illegal crossers. The stunning event captured by DailyMail.com occurred just feet from House Speaker Mike Johnson, who was being briefed by Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steve McGraw as the shouts rang out from the river ravine. The migrant kids then threw up peace signs for the camera, crawled up the river bank and stepped through the concertina wire fence - that Biden wants to take down - and were captured by border agents. Minutes later, a second group - this time of a mom, dad and kids - crossed the river to border agents just as Johnson and other Republican members started speaking at a press conference. DailyMail.com caught the astonishing events on camera in real-time, a stunning display of the harrowing illegal migration situation that is plaguing border officials. The family was being guided by what looked to be a cartel operative. He led the family right to the river and pointed out the border agents they should go to. 'What happens is you'll see scouts on the other side of the river and they'll direct them tell them exactly where to go,' McGraw had told the lawmakers, who shook their heads in disbelief. The migrant kids then threw up peace signs for the cameras and were captured by border agents The migrant kids then crawled up the river bank and stepped through the concertina wire fence Johnson detailed some of the events that had just occurred in the press conference, calling the border an 'unmitigated disaster' and hit President Biden and his administration for inaction, warning the U.S. is at a 'breaking point.' His trip to Eagle Pass came days after officials revealed over 302,000 people crossed the border illegally in December marking the highest total for a single month ever recorded in history. December's staggering figures also marks the first time migrant encounters have reached over 300,000. In 2020 there were only 400,000 crossings for the whole year. 'The situation here and across the country is truly unconscionable. We would describe it as both heartbreaking and infuriating,' the speaker said during the press conference with 64 House Republicans. During the riverside briefing, McGraw described in graphic details the issue of 'rape trees.' He said that ranchers find the trees on their property littered with female clothing where migrant girls had been violently raped. 'They [cartels] live off that type of violence. In fact, they could teach ISIS,' he stated. 'What happens is the cartel, they have a business model. What they do is force large groups of people to cross at the same time, overwhelming border patrol, leaving an area wide open for them to push narcotics through.' The family was being guided by what looked to be a cartel operative. He led the family right to the river and pointed out the border agents they should go to The stunning event occurred just feet from House Speaker Mike Johnson, who was being briefed by Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steve McGraw as the shouts rang out from the river ravine McGraw went on to say that the cartels do not look at migrants as human beings, rather as 'commodities.' 'It is no different than the drugs they smuggle. It is a commodity. They're going to get it to its destination,' he said. The speaker went on to tell reporters that officials told him they have 'no idea how many terrorists have come into the country' and set up terrorism cells across the nation, endangering Americans nationwide. Johnson also scorched the Biden administration for attacking GOP Gov. Abbott's 'dead level best' efforts to secure the Texas-Mexico border - including by bussing migrants out of state to Democrat-run cities and for installing a razor-wire barrier. 'Madness is the only word we can think of to describe this,' he said about the White House's ongoing effort - recently appealed to the Supreme Court - to block border agents from installing the wire fence. Just minutes later, a second group - this time of a mom, dad and kids - crossed the river to border agents One of the migrant kids who yelled 'help me!' during the speaker's visit to the border Johnson ignored the shouting and went on in the press conference to call the border an 'unmitigated disaster' Migrants are taken into custody by officials at the Texas-Mexico border, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Eagle Pass More migrants were taken into custody just feet from Speaker Mike Johnson Johnson also hit Democrats in the Senate for not taking up the House-passed H.R. 2 a hardline immigration bill that would among other things, force the Biden administration to resume border wall construction. The Republicans called on the administration to reinstate the Trump-era 'Remain in Mexico' policy and start immediately deporting migrants who entered illegally. We know what works and it's not 'rocket science,' the speaker insisted. House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green called Mayorkas the 'greatest threat to the national security and domestic safety of the American people' during the press conference. 'He has broken his oath to defend this country,' he continued. Republicans plan to hold the first formal impeachment hearing into the secretary next week. A chocolate factory worker appeared in court today over the alleged stabbing of a heavily pregnant mother of two, just weeks before she was due to give birth. Daniel Mihai Popescu, 28, is also accused of stalking fellow Romanian Andreea Pintilli, 29, by following her, calling her from withheld numbers and recording a video of her which he uploaded to TikTok, before allegedly attempting to murder her. Ms Pintilli was 37 weeks pregnant when she was allegedly stabbed on her way to dropping her children to school in Aberfan, South Wales. She was rushed to hospital but discharged the following day after medics carried out checks on her and her unborn child. Daniel Mihai Popescu, 28, is accused of stalking fellow Romanian Andreea Pintilli, 29, before allegedly attempting to murder her Popescu was later charged with attempted murder, stalking, and witness intimidation and appeared at Cardiff Crown Court Andreea was 37 weeks pregnant when she was allegedly stabbed on her way to dropping her children at school Police launched a seven-hour manhunt following the shocking attack, before making an arrest. Popescu was later charged with attempted murder, stalking, and witness intimidation and appeared at Cardiff Crown Court. Popescu, of no fixed address, was remanded in custody and a potential trial date was listed for June 3. Home Bargains shop assistant Andreea had moved to a new house in the former pit village along with her two children a month before the incident on December 5. Home Bargains shop assistant Andreea had moved to a new house in the former pit village along with her two children a month before the incident on December 5 Andreea's former partners Teodor Balan, 34, described her as a 'very good mother' to their two children and said he was still close to her despite splitting in 2020. He said: 'Thank God she is OK. I was so worried about her. 'She is a very good mother. She is looking after the children very well. It was difficult for her to bring up two children while working part-time. 'She called me in the morning. I'm still friends with her. I helped her move her stuff and helped her paint. We moved just over a week ago.' The alleged stabbing happened just yards from where 144 people died when colliery spoil tip collapsed and covered a school in 1966. The family of American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin recited the Jewish prayer for travelers at Ben Gurion airport on the day their 23-year-old would have left for his year-long trek across India. Hersh's parents, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, and one of his sisters, 18-year-old Orly - his other sibling 20-year-old Leebie was not able to attend - stood at the main terminal with more than 50 of their son's friends, who held up signs, and sang songs on the day he would have departed for South Asia. Jon Polin recited Tefilat HaDerech, the Jewish traveler's prayer also called the Wyafarer's Prayer. It is a prayer chanted at the beginning of every journey and asks to 'lead us in peace,' as we leave one place to embark on another place and path. 'Instead of saying it for Hersh before he leaves on his trip, we will instead have in mind that he should be freed from captivity and will be able to travel home quickly and safely,' he said, in part. Hersh is one of 129 hostages being held in captivity in Gaza, in the latest figures as of December 28. He was at the Re'eim Music Festival on October 7 with his best friend Aner Shapira, 22, who saved eight lives before he was killed by the terrorists. He was wounded and abducted by Hamas. Sunday will mark three months as the family continues to pray for his release. Hersh Goldberg-Polin's parents and sister Orly, 18, stand in the main terminal at Ben Gurion airport last week on the day their son was supposed to depart for a year-long trip to South Asia Hersh's mother closes her eyes and clutches her husband's hand as he recites the travelers Prayer in hebrew. His father said, 'Instead of saying it for Hersh before he leaves on his trip, we will instead have in mind that he should be freed from captivity and will be able to travel home quickly and safely' Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, (pictured) is one of 129 hostages being held in captivity in Gaza, in the latest figures as of December 28. He was at the Re'eim Music Festival on October 7 with his best friend Aner Shapira, who saved eight lives before he was killed Friends of Hersh hold up signs 'Bring Hersh Home' at Termina 3 in Ben Gurion Airport Hersh's father held a rust-colored backpack that, he said, his son was planning to take on the trip, as he held his wife's hand. 'This is Hersh's bag. He did a lot of research before he chose the bag and this is the one he wanted for his big trek. 'We bought it for him as a present a few months ago and he used it for a small trip this summer and I fervently hope that he will use it very soon for his big trip.' Israel airline El Al participated in the event and made a special announcement at that airport in Hebrew and in English about Hersh. Two of the pilots called Hersh's father sending message of support. One of the pilots held up a flyer of Hersh and the other pilot held a poster for all the remaining hostages still in Gaza with the message 'Bring Them Home Now.' The flight attendants passed out flyers with information about the promising young man. People, who were boarding the flight that Hersh was scheduled to be on, were given special stickers with the hope that they will distribute and post at the cities they were traveling too. Hersh's father and mother are seen hugging many of the people who came to share their love and prayers. Two pilots (pictured) from the Israeli airline El Al hold up a flyer of Hersh Goldberg-Polin and a second flyer on the release of the remaining hostages with the words: 'Bring Them Home Now!' that is written in English and Hebrew The pilots and flight attendants from El Al are seated inside the aircraft and hold up flyers of the 23-year-old American-Israeli who has been held hostage in Gaza since October 7 - Sunday will mark three months Hersh's father is seen hugging a supporter during last week's event as Jon Polin appears solemn and in despair Hersh's mother hugs her son's friends who came to Ben Gurion airport to show their support Friends of the 23-year-old hostage stood in solidarity as they prayed for their friends release Many of Hersh's friends are grim-faced as teary-eyed as they clutch flyers. In one of the photos, he is seen seeing wearing a backpack from one of his previous trips . Tributes have been paid to an undertaker who was crushed to death in a 'tragic accident' at a funeral parlour. Sally Blundell, 58, died at the East of England Co-op Funeral Services branch in Swaffham, Norfolk, on December 1 last year. The incident is understood to have involved a hoist used for lifting objects and resulted in the premises being closed for several days. At her inquest opening today, pathologist Laszlo Igali confirmed her cause of death as 'contusion and compression of the chest by an external object'. Following the hearing, her colleagues at East of England Co-op led tributes to Mrs Blundell, whose occupation was given to the court as 'funeral administrator'. During her career at the organisation, which spanned almost a decade, she also led a branch in Attleborough. Sally Blundell, 58, (pictured, middle) was killed in a 'tragic accident' on December 1 in Swaffham, Norfolk A spokesman for East of England Co-op said: 'We are deeply saddened by the death of our colleague and friend Sally Blundell. 'Sally worked for our Co-op for over eight years and her care and experience will be truly missed by those in and around Swaffham, as well as her colleagues. 'First and foremost in our mind are Sally's family and friends - we offer them our deepest condolences.' Health and safety officers at Breckland Council have launched a probe into the circumstances of Sally's death - described by Co-op as a 'tragic accident'. The undertaker, who was originally from Great Cressingham, worked as a funeral administrator at the East of England Co-op Funeral Services branch in Swaffham (pictured) A Breckland Council spokesman said: 'We are aware of the incident and are currently carrying out a health and safety investigation. 'As this is ongoing we are unable to comment further at this time.' During the short hearing at County Hall, details provided to the court by her daughter, Lucy Blundell, were read out senior coroner for Norfolk Jacqueline Lake. These confirmed Mrs Blundell was born in Norwich and lived in The Street, Great Cressingham, near Watton. Mrs Lake adjourned until a further hearing, which is due to be held on Friday, April 5. Former Harvard President Claudine Gay was a high-profile DEI advocate before being forced to resign after failing to condemn antisemitism on campus Business consultants believe the shift has been accelerated by the Harvard antisemitism row that has dragged the term into a toxic political debate American companies are distancing themselves from controversial diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the wake of the college antisemitism row, business consultants claim. The spate of antisemitism at some of the country's most elite college campuses has reportedly dragged the DEI term further into a toxic political debate that businesses now wish to distance themselves from. 'Anything that smacks of a quota is out,' Diana Scott from The Conference Board told Axios. The focus is moving away from 'those three words' towards efforts around 'wellbeing and inclusion,' Scott explained. DEI had already attracted some high-profile critics from the business world including Elon Musk and billionaire Bill Ackman. Businessman Bill Ackman has been a vocal critic of DEI initiatives Tech billionaire Elon Musk termed DEI as 'another word for racism' The policy, often leading to the select hiring of minorities or specific demographics in order to increase diversity, was strongly pushed by Harvard's first black female president Claudine Gay. Gay, alongside the president's of UPenn and MIT were called before a congressional hearing in December to account for the rise of antisemitism on their college campuses. During the hearing, Gay refused to categorize calls for Jew genocide as harassment or concede that Jewish students had a right to feel safe at Ivy League schools. Gay resigned as president of Harvard on Tuesday but failed to apologize for testimony. The academic had actively pushed a DEI agenda at the college, and had herself been criticized as underqualified for the role. Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, a Harvard graduate, denounced Gay's appointment as 'a thinly veiled exercise in race and gender.' DEI has also been criticized by businessman and Harvard donor Bill Ackman, who argued it has been 'the root cause of antisemitism at Harvard.' Ackman publicly pursued the removal of Gay following her disastrous congressional testimony. Tech titan Elon Musk threw his support behind Ackman, writing 'DEI is just another word for racism. Shame on anyone who uses it' in response to a 4,000 word essay by Ackman on the subject. 'DEI, because it discriminates on the basis of race, gender and many other factors, is not merely immoral, it is also illegal,' Musk in a subsequent post on his X platform. DEI, has been panned by conservative critics as pushing a left-wing ideology in educational institutions and businesses, exploded across the corporate sphere following the race marches of 2020. Harvard president Claudine Gay alongside the president's of UPenn and MIT were called before a congressional hearing in December to account for the rise of antisemitism on their college campuses Ackman publicly pursued the removal of Gay following her disastrous congressional testimony Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy have made repeated overtures about the drawbacks of DEI Last year's Supreme Court ruling overturning the use of affirmative action in universities has drawn attention to corporate diversity efforts. Laws limiting the use of DEI policies in public schools have been introduced in Florida by Governor Ron DeSantis and in the universities of Texas by Governor Greg Abbott. 'DEI is better viewed as standing for discrimination, exclusion and indoctrination,' DeSantis said whilst signing his bill into law last May. Adding: 'And that has no place in our public institutions.' Businesses are now trying to avoid any hiring programs that could draw legal scrutiny. Firms are finding new ways to create diversity within their teams, such as Blackrock who are focusing on hiring for socioeconomic diversity, according to Fortune. 'Companies are really starting to look at other ways to do the work without saying that they're doing the work,' said Cinnamon Clark, cofounder of Goodwork Sustainability, a DEI consulting firm. Governor Ron DeSantis has declared Florida the state where 'woke goes to die' Clark predicts Businesses will be talking more about 'employee experience' or 'wellness,' rather than focusing purely on diversity in 2024. Kevin Delaney, co-founder of Charter, a research firm focusing on the future of work, believes the increasing intensity of national politics will also put the breaks on DEI for businesses. 'It's hard to imagine with the amped up rhetoric of an election year that people really want to stick out their neck more,' he said. DEI has become a key battleground in the ongoing Republican nomination race, and is likely to become a feature in the primaries. Ramaswamy have made repeated overtures about the policy and fellow Republican presidential candidate DeSantis has declared Florida the state where 'woke goes to die.' Sage Steele, former ESPN host, has slammed Reverend Al Sharpton for his response to Claudine Gay's resignation from Harvard University Former ESPN host Sage Steele has slammed Reverend Al Sharpton and said 'I just wish he would go away' after he claimed that Claudine Gay's resignation from Harvard was 'an attack on all black women.' Steele joined Fox News host Jesse Watters on Wednesday night as they discussed the issue of race after Gay announced her departure on Tuesday in a bitter letter to colleagues and students. Following her resignation, Sharpton announced on social media that he and the National Action Network planned to protest outside hedge fund manager Bill Ackman's New York office on Thursday. In response to Sharpton's post about the picket on X, Ackman, who has played a major role in ousting Gay from her position at his alma mater, said: 'I would be delighted to sit with Mr. Sharpton and discuss any concerns he might have about anything I have said or done in connection with Harvard and Claudine Gay.' Steele added that each time the activist speaks, he 'pretends that he knows what every single person of color in this country thinks, believes how they should live, how they should act, how they should vote.' Steele disagreed with Sharpton's response and said that the former president's character is 'so much more concerning' than the color of her skin Sharpton spoke out after Gay announced in a letter on Tuesday that she was stepping down from her role as president at Harvard University. He said: 'This is an attack on every Black woman in this country who's put a crack in the glass ceiling' Gay, 53, resigned as president of the Ivy League University 28 days after her shocking response at a congressional testimony about campus anti-Semitism. She refused to categorize calls for genocide of Jews as harassment or admit that Jewish students had a right not to feel unsafe at Ivy League schools. Along with her December 5 testimony, Gay has also been accused of mounting claims of plagiarism. But she claimed she has been the victim of racist threats and been called the n-word countless times since hitting the headlines in October. 'It has become clear that it is in the best interests of Harvard for me to resign so that our community can navigate this moment of extraordinary challenge with a focus on the institution rather than any individual,' she said in her resignation letter. Gay was president of the Ivy League University for just six months, and in her written farewell, she failed to apologize for or acknowledge the disasters that led to her departure. Sharpton has supported Gay's response and agreed that her resignation 'is about more than a person or single incident.' 'This is an attack on every Black woman in this country who's put a crack in the glass ceiling.' The activist added that her departure was 'an assault on the health strength, and future of diversity, equity and inclusion.' Gay, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, became the first the black person to lead the university when she took over as president on July 1. Steele, a black woman, went on to disagree with Sharpton and said that the former president's character is 'so much more concerning.' 'I don't have that much sympathy, and no, I don't feel like I need to stand up for her because of the color of her skin,' Steele said in the interview with Watters. Former ESPN host Sage Steele has slammed activist Al Sharpton for saying that former Harvard president Claudine Gay's resignation was the result of 'an attack on all black women' Hedge fund manager and Harvard Alumni Bill Ackman has played a major role in ousting Gay from her position. Sharpton called for a protest outside of Ackman's office on Thursday in response Ackman responded to Sharpton's announcement that he and the National Action Network planned to protest his NYC office on Thursday Gay, 53, resigned as president of the Ivy League University 28 days after her shocking response at a congressional testimony about campus anti-Semitism and also faced mounting claims of plagiarism The television anchor said many points in Gay's case have disappointed her, starting with the congressional testimony where Elise Stefanik asked Gay about anti-Semitic comments and incidents happening on the Harvard campus. Steele said that Gay 'refused' to answer Stefanik when the US Representative asked if she denounced the anti-Semitic comments about the genocide of Jews. 'She and Harvard as a whole has let America down,' she said. But Steele welcomed Harvard condemnation of any racial attacks that Gay has faced, 'as they should'. She added: 'Any racist attack should be denounced.' Following Gay's announcement, the Harvard Corporation, which serves as the school board, heaped praise on her 'devoted' service and said it had accepted her resignation 'with sorrow,' while Jewish groups and alumni like billionaire Bill Ackman embraced the announcement. Gay said it had been 'frightening' to find herself the target of threats, and 'distressing' to have her character questioned. 'I don't have that much sympathy, and no, I don't feel like I need to stand up for her because of the color of her skin,' Steele said in the interview with Watters Students protest against Israel at Harvard University on October 14. Many Jewish students said the extended protests and university response to them left them feeling unsafe She will be replaced by Alan M. Garber, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, who sat behind her at the infamous December 5 hearing, nodding as she made her remarks. Gay confirmed she would retain some kind of role at the school. She will remain as a member of the university staff and return to a teaching role at the department of political science, and keep a similar salary. She will retain a salary of around $900,000-a-year from the university, despite being forced to resign amid a plagiarism scandal. Chinese FM spokesperson calls on global community to tackle fragmentation together Xinhua) 08:10, January 04, 2024 BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The international community needs to work together and support each other in response to the current crisis and work for a better future, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday. It was reported that in an interview on Jan. 2, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned against fragmentation of the global economy along geopolitical lines due to increasing national security restrictions, with countries gravitating towards separate blocs led by the United States and China. Allowed to continue, she said this could ultimately reduce global GDP by 7 percent. When asked for comments about relevant reports, Wang Wenbin told a daily press briefing that there is only one planet we call home and one common future for humanity. "What's needed most is solidarity, and what should be avoided most is fragmentation," he said. Wang said trade war, tech war, or decoupling, severing of industrial and supply chains, and de-risking are all essentially designed to politicize trade issues and be used as weapons to perpetuate certain country's primacy, hold back emerging markets and developing countries in their development efforts and deprives the 7 billion people of the right to a better life. "This is neither virtuous nor sustainable. Ultimately, it is the overall interest of the international community that will take the toll and no single country can be spared," said Wang. The spokesperson noted that the world will not retrogress to a state of isolation and exclusiveness, and still less can it be deliberately divided. Any beggar-thy-neighbor move, bloc-confrontation mentality, and arrogant sense of supremacy are doomed to failure. China would like to work with all parties to champion universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, firmly reject de-globalization and overstretching of security concepts, oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, uphold the equality of rights, opportunities, and rules among all nations, protect the right of all countries to equal development and advance common development and prosperity, Wang said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) GLOBALink | Tunisian journalist's impressions of China Pub Date:24-01-04 09:12 Source:Xinhua "As some media describe it, China is an advanced, very beautiful, and highly civilized country." A Tunisian journalist who has visited China several times recalls his impressions of the country. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Editor:Zheng Chen Related News Visa-free boost: SW China's Kunming sees m... U.S. national debt surpasses 34 trillion U... GLOBALink | China's development success a ... GLOBALink | China-Vietnam trade heating up... Lusaka, Jan 4 (UNI) Zambia is in talks with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners on acquiring cholera vaccines as the waterborne disease rages on in the southern African nation, state media reported on Wednesday. Roma Chilengi, director-general of the Zambia National Public Health Institute, said the government has been in talks with the WHO on cholera vaccine acquisition, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation quoted him as saying. He said if all goes well, the country could have the vaccine before the end of this month. The government's long-term objective is to have local production of the vaccines, he added. Zambia has been battling a cholera outbreak since January last year in a few districts. Fresh outbreaks in October have seen escalation of the disease with cases reported in 16 districts in six of the country's 10 provinces, according to Ministry of Health figures. In the past 24 hours, the country recorded 257 new cases and 16 deaths while 186 people were discharged. A total of 455 people is admitted in various treatment facilities. UNI/XINHUA GNK Rishi Sunak came as close as possible to confirming when the the next UK General Election will take place today. The Prime Minister used a visit to the East Midlands to confirm he has a 'working assumption' that he will go to the country 'in the second half of this year'. While his comments still leave him a little wriggle room to change his mind, they make it far less likely that he will call the vote in May, when local elections are already taking place. But by giving himself a six-month window at this stage he is not tied down too early, lessening the risk that he becomes a hostage to events as yet unforeseen. The timeline also gives him more time to try to reduce the massive poll lead of Labour under Sir Keir Starmer, perhaps with a recovering economy on his side. But it leaves him at risk of enduring another summer which sees thousands of migrants crossing the Channel in small boats. The Prime Minister used a visit to the East Midlands to confirm he has a 'working assumption' that he will go to the country 'in the second half of this year'. While his comments still leave him a little wriggle room to change his mind, they make it far less likely that he will call the vote in May, when local elections are already taking place. So when might the election take place? One popularly mooted date is November 14. That comes nine days after the presidential election in the United States, where incumbent Joe Biden and ex-president Donald Trump are expected to slug it out for the job of running the superpower. The gap may be enough to let any furore over the American result to die down before voters here head to the ballot box. Back in October Mr Sunak admitted hinted that a general election was still a full year away as he marked his first anniversary in Downing Street. The PM celebrated by releasing a video boasting of his progress on key policies, backed by upbeat dance music. It posed the question of what a country can achieve in 52 weeks, adding 'watch this space' - in what commentators suggested was a clue to the timeline for calling a national ballot. Other dates mooted include a day in December. That is the same month as the 2019 election was called to great effect for the Tories by Boris Johnson. But Mr Sunak is facing a rejuvenated Labour opposition under Sir Keir. Others have suggested a day in October, which would risk a clash with the party conference season, a major money-spinner for the political parties that also pump money into northern cities. Calling an October election might mean cancelling conference or cutting it down to a single day. When won't there be an election? Some 66 per cent of those quizzed by Deltapoll for the Mirror at the weekend wanted a vote by the summer, with 31 per cent wanting it to take place as soon as possible. Just 12 per cent wanted it to be held in the autumn or winter. Sir Keir has demanded that Rishi Sunak sets a date for the election rather than 'squatting' in No 10 after the Prime Minister downplayed the prospect of a spring vote. January 2025 appears to have been firmly ruled out. Technically, because the last election took place on December 12 in 2019, Mr Sunak has until December this year to call the election. This means it could in theory be held in January 2025. However, Mr Sunak moved to rule out that option, despite it potentially giving him the longest possible time in office if he goes on to lose. Asked if 2024 was going to be a general election year he told broadcasters: 'Yes.' Almost certainly there will not now be an election in May, when local elections and mayoral elections in cities including London take place. But there is wriggle room that would still allow Mr Sunak to call an election if he had a good reason - for example if his Rwanda migrant law is blocked by the House of Lords. Labour had claimed that a spring vote is the 'worst kept secret in Parliament' in a possible ploy to claim Mr Sunak has bottled it if he goes longer. Sir Keir has demanded that Rishi Sunak sets a date for the election rather than 'squatting' in No 10 after the Prime Minister downplayed the prospect of a spring vote. In an interview with BBC News, the Labour leader said: 'We are ready for a general election. I think the country is ready for a general election.' Some 66 per cent of those quizzed by Deltapoll for the Mirror at the weekend wanted a vote by the summer, with 31 per cent wanting it to take place as soon as possible. Just 12 per cent wanted it to be held in the autumn or winter. The Liberal Democrats have also been calling for Mr Sunak to hold the vote in May rather than trying to 'cling on' to power for the rest of the year. How does calling an election work? As the current Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak is allowed to call a General Election at any point, should he wish to do so, within five years of the last one taking place. Mr Sunak has this power up until the date of this current Parliament's expiry, which falls on Tuesday, 17 December, 2024. The Fixed-Term Parliament Act, which was passed in 2011, created fixed, five-year periods between general elections but that rule was scrapped in 2022. Under that law early elections could be held only if two-thirds of the House of Commons voted in favour, or if there was a vote of no confidence in the Government. So in 2017, Theresa May secured an early election when she passed the two-thirds threshold as MPs voted by 522 to 13 to go to the people. But in 2019, Boris Johnson passed a new law which reverted to the previous system of needing only a straight majority vote among MPs to have an early General Election - a simple enough measure for a government with a majority. Among the infamous 'Epstein' list of high profile US businessmen and politicians released last night is former FBI Director Louis Freeh. Freeh, who was the head of the bureau from 1993 to June 2001, was listed because he 'may have knowledge concerning travel of Bill Clinton,' according to a document filed by Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyers in June 2016. She likely included him to support her claims that Clinton never visited Epstein's Caribbean island and only ever traveled on his jet accompanied by Secret Service agents and aides. Clinton, who has not been accused of having any involvement with underage girls, has always denied wrongdoing. Former FBI Director Louis Freeh was named in a court documented submitted by Ghislaine Maxwell's attorneys in 2016. He was included because he 'may have knowledge of Bill Clinton's travel', according to her team The document was filed with the New York Southern District in June 2016. Freeh's name was made public last night along with the first batch of others Freeh served as FBI Director throughout Clinton's presidency. He was replaced in 2001 by Bush-appointed John Ashcroft. In a statement to DailyMail.com, he insisted today that he has no other involvement with Epstein or the case aside from representing Alan Dershowitz against old and now retracted allegations that he abused Virginia Giuffre. 'In connection with Mr. Freehs former law firms representation of Professor Alan Dershowitz, we made a record request to the U.S. Secret Service regarding former President Clintons travel. 'Mr. Freeh and his former law firm had no other association with this matter or any of the individuals involved,' a spokesman said. In 2019, he and Dershowitz also lobbied on behalf of Isralei billionaire Dan Gertler, who'd previously been sanctioned in the US for his dealings in Africa. While Clinton is yet to address being included in the new dump of documents, his team has directed any questions to a 2019 statement in which he denied having knowledge of Epstein's crimes. Others in the list of names released last night by the Southern District of New York include Donald Trump - who was also previously associated with Epstein. While named, Trump is not in any way implicated in Epstein's crimes. The only mention of him is to deny involvement. The document trove, while long-awaited, has not yet produced many new bombshell allegations. Freeh was named by Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyers in a document filed in 2016. She insisted that Bill Clinton never visited Epstein's island, instead only ever traveling on his plane to Europe Freeh, in 2012, has not addressed the Epstein documents. He was replaced in 2001 There is a reference to an 'orgy' on Epstein's island that an unnamed woman, listed as Jane Doe #3, claims Prince Andrew participated in. The first batch, dumped yesterday, was 900-pages long. It included Bill Clinton, Stephen Hawking, Michael Jackson and others. Most of the individuals named were peripheral to Epstein's crimes and did not have knowledge of them, according to the papers. The 'list' does not suggest that those included had any role in his crimes or sex trafficking ring, but serve as a more detailed map of Epstein's impressive social connections. One bombshell that was included in yesterday's dump, however, is a claim that Prince Andrew participated in an 'orgy' on Epstein's Caribbean island. The allegation is made by Jane Doe #3, who says she was forced to have sex with Andrew in London, at Ghislaine Maxwell's house, in New York and in the Caribbean with other girls. Bill Clinton with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in the 1990s. He has long been associated with the pair The unredacted deposition of Johanna Sjoberg, who told lawyers that Epstein told her Clinton 'likes them young' Andrew has long denied the allegations. To date, the only person prosecuted in addition to Epstein is Maxwell, who remains behind bars in New York. She is still protesting her innocence, claiming she has been the scapegoat of Epstein's crimes in a sexist justice system. Epstein was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell in August 2019. While medical examiners and the Attorney General insist he died by suicide, some close to him have long claimed he was either murdered or assisted in taking his own life. Clinton is mentioned 50 times in the almost 950-pages of evidence. Another woman who claimed she was sexually abused by Epstein, Johanna Sjoberg, said in her deposition that Epstein told her 'Clinton likes them young, referring to girls.' It is unclear how Clinton and Epstein met, but Roberts was not the only one to claim the pair were close. On Wednesday, hours before the court documents were unsealed, Jeffrey Epstein's brother Mark, a New York-based property developer, said his sibling claimed to have information about Donald Trump and Bill Clinton which was so explosive it would derail the 2016 presidential election. Mark, 69, told The New York Post: 'Here's a direct quote: 'If I said what I know about both candidates, they'd have to cancel the election.' That's what Jeffrey told me in 2016.' Hillary Clinton was not known to spend time with Jeffrey Epstein, but her husband was a friend from at least 1993. The Pentagon Thursday confirmed it was behind a drone strike in Baghdad that killed an Iraqi militia leader blamed for attacks against American forces in the country. It comes as growing regional tensions from the conflict in Gaza threaten to spread across borders, igniting a regional war in the Middle East. The Popular Mobilisation Force (PMF) said its deputy head of operations in Baghdad known as Abu Taqwa was killed in the strike. The Iran-backed group is linked to Iraq's armed forces, but the government in Baghdad has only limited control over its activities. Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder later confirmed the attack on a leader he said was 'actively involved in planning and carrying out attacks against American personnel.' The Popular Mobilisation Force (PMF) said its deputy head of operations in Baghdad Mushtaq Taleb al-Saidi, also known as Abu Taqwa, was killed in the strike Iraqi security forces arrive to the site where Al-Nujaba senior commander Abu Taqwa Al-Saidi was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad, Iraq on January 4 READ MORE: How Israel's war with Hamas is spiralling across the Middle East Advertisement 'This individual was actively involved in planning and carrying out attacks against American personnel and, as we've long said, we maintain the inherent right of self-defense and we'll take necessary action to protect our personnel,' he said. He added that a second figure was killed but would not say whether Washington informed Baghdad ahead of the strike. Iraq's foreign ministry condemned the attack. 'Iraq reserves its right to take a firm stance and take all measures that deter anyone who tries to harm its land and security forces,' it said. The air strike is the latest in a string of killings across the region as Iranian-backed groups flex their muscles and the U.S. and Israel respond. Iraqi police sources and witnesses said a drone fired at least two rockets in eastern Baghdad at a facility used by the Iraqi militia group al-Nujaba. The Iran-backed organization was designated a terrorist group in 2019 by the Trump administration. At the time it reportedly commanded about 10,000 fighters and at one time was seen as one of the top recruiters sending foreign fighters to Syria to fight the Islamic State. Today it is one the militias that have carried out more than 100 attacks on bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria since the Palestinian terrorist group killed 1200 Israelis on Oct. 7. The result is a string of provocations that risk enflaming tensions further or sparking a bigger war. Medical teams ferry the wounded and the dead to hospitals after the drone strike Investigators stand on an apartment building where an apparent Israeli strike Tuesday killed top Hamas political leader Saleh Arouri, in the southern suburb of Beirut that is a Hezbollah stronghold Arouri was one of the most influential figures in Hamas and was living in Beirut's southern suburbs under the protection of Hezbollah until his death following an Israeli strike The bodies of victims of the explosions lie at a hospital in the southern Iranian city of Kerman on January 3, 2024 Lebanese officials accuse Israel of using a drone to assassinate a senior Hamas commander in Beirut on Tuesday. Saleh Arouri, the deputy political head of the group, had long been a target of Israel's. Lebanon's heavily armed Hezbollah group, a powerful Hamas ally, previously vowed to strike back against any Israeli targeting of Palestinian officials in Lebanon, and said of the attack: 'This crime will never pass without response and punishment.' A day later two explosions ripped through a ceremony commemorating the death of top Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Soleimani, killing at least 100 people in the country's southeastern city of Kerman. Iranian and U.S. officials say the attacks appear to be the work of terrorists, and a day later the Islamic State posted a message on Telegram channels claiming responsibility. At the same time, Iran-backed Houthi rebels have been attacking international shipping in the Red Sea. A senior U.S. official described how they had stepped up their capabilities with the first ever use of an anti-ship ballistic missile at the weekend. Houthi troopers stand guard during a protest against a multinational operation to safeguard Red Sea shipping and in solidarity with the Palestinian people, in Sana'a, Yemen On Wednesday, U.S. and 11 international partners demanded an immediate end to the attacks. 'Let our message now be clear: We call for the immediate end of these illegal attacks and release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews,' said the statement signed by governments of the U.S., Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. 'The Houthis will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and free flow of commerce in the regions critical waterways.' The response was developed after President Joe Biden convened his national security team on New Year's Day to discuss the escalation in incidents. And a senior administration official later said the Houthis should not expect a second warning. A veteran Michigan court officer was shot to death while serving an eviction notice on the day of his mother and sister's funeral after they died in a house fire. Robert Silver, 66, was serving an eviction notice when he was fatally shot by 49-year-old Michael Stickler on December 28. After being unreachable for hours, police made the gruesome discovery of Silver's dead body on the property. Silver, a veteran court officer for St. Clair County for 35 years, was serving a typical eviction notice to a man at a residence in Clay Township that he had visited once before - but this time, it resulted in a shooting which led to his death. When Clay Township police found him dead at the 6100 block of Genaw Road in Clay Township at approximately 2pm Thursday, it led to a standoff with Stickler before he was eventually taken into custody and charged with murder. Robert Silver, 66, was serving an eviction notice when he was fatally shot by 49-year-old Michael Stickler on December 28 Stickler was arraigned on New Year's Day and charged with open murder and felony firearm. He is being held in the St. Clair County Jail on a $1 million bond Silver, a court officer for St. Clair County for 35 years, was serving an eviction notice to a man at a residence in Clay Township that he had visited before Stickler was arraigned on New Year's Day and charged with open murder and felony firearm. He is being held in the St. Clair County Jail on a $1 million bond. Stickler is set to appear in court next on the morning of Jan. 10. Open murder charges are punishable with up to life in prison, while felony firearm use is punishable with a two-year prison sentence. A friend of Silver, who works at Moose Lodge 158 in Port Huron, where he plays pool on a regular basis said it was 'mind blowing' that someone could commit such a cruel act. 'It's just mind blowing that somebody would do that,' Lisa Fowler, a friend and lodge bartender told Fox 2. 'His mother and sister just passed away. He was supposed to be at the funeral that day that it happened.' Silver's mother and sister were killed in a house fire just three weeks prior. Silver was supposed to attend their funeral the day of his murder. 'I've known him. I've been here eight years. He plays pool every Tuesday night downstairs. Great guy,' Fowler said. 'They had pool last night, so I know they really missed him downstairs,' she added. 'It was really hard on all of them.' Silver's family, now grieving the tragic death of three family members, are requesting privacy at the time. 'We are all here for them, if they need anything all they have to do is come,' Fowler said. 'We're here with open arms.' A friend of Silver, who works at Moose Lodge 158 in Port Huron, where he plays pool on a regular basis said it was 'mind blowing' that someone could commit such a cruel act When Clay Township police found him dead at the 6100 block of Genaw Road in Clay Township at approximately 2pm Thursday, it led to a standoff with Stickler before he was eventually taken into custody and charged with murder In San Antonio, a landlord's boyfriend allegedly killed his girlfriend's tenant over an eviction dispute that happened early in December. Police responded to a shooting and found the victim, David Beck, 41, lying in the driveway with a gunshot wound to the head, court records revealed this week. The victim was transported to the hospital, where he was eventually declared dead. The suspect, Shawn Pivonka, 37, claimed that the shooting was in self-defense. He told police that the victim "had threatened his life by pointing a gun at him," according to the affidavit. Pivonka obtained an eviction order against the victim a week before the offense and the victim responded by obtaining an eviction appeal order. A video showed Pivonka verbally and physically threatening to hurt and kill the victim after obtaining an evictor order against him and attempting to move in, before the gruesome shooting occured. Pivonka was arrested for murder with a $150,000 bond and set to appear in court Jan. 31. Any suggestion Donald Trump's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein was inappropriate been 'thoroughly debunked' by the bombshell unsealing of the first batch of new evidence, his campaign said Thursday. The former president is mentioned in the explosive 1,000 pages of documents released Wednesday in a defamation case brought by accuser Virginia Giuffre against his madam Ghislaine Maxwell. But even though his name appears, the material does not implicate him in the pedophile financier's debauchery or crimes. Trump and Epstein were friends in the 1990s. He flew on Epstein's plane, dubbed the 'Lolita Express' at least four times and called him a 'terrific guy' A newly unsealed deposition by Johanna Sjoberg, an Epstein 'victim' who was allegedly recruited to work as a massage therapist, recalled meeting Trump during her visit to Atlantic City. Any suggestion Donald Trump had an inappropriate relationship with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein have been 'thoroughly debunked,' his campaign said Thursday after the release of a trove of new evidence. The former president is pictured with Epstein, Maxwell, and then-girlfriend Melania Trump at Mar-a-Lago in February 2000 She discussed a visit to a Trump Atlantic City Casino after a storm kept Epstein's plane from landing in New York. It was her first time aboard Epstein's plane. But her interview contains no suggestion Trump did anything inappropriate or visited Epstein's private island, Little Saint James, where numerous orgies were alleged to have taken place. Sjoberg even states that she did not give Trump a massage when asked. 'We left from Palm Beach and landed in Atlantic City for a few hours because there was a storm in New York, and then got back on the plane a 10 few hours later and landed in Teterboro,' said Sjoberg, 42. 'Jeffrey said, 'Great, we'll call up Trump and we'll go to'I don't recall the name of the casino, but'we'll go to the casino,' Sjoberg said in her deposition, taken at a lawyer's office in Florida in 2016. She spoke amid Virginia Giuffre's suit against Epstein's jailed accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving time for sex trafficking. She said Giuffre (formerly Roberts), who was traveling with them, couldn't go into the Casino. 'She was underage. I did not know anything about how old you had to be to gamble legally. I just knew she could not get in because of an ID issue. So she and I did not gamble.' The ended up walking around the casino because Giuffre either 'didn't have an ID or she was too young.' She was also asked if she ever massaged Trump, and responded, 'No.' In came in the same deposition where the alleged victim claimed Prince Andrew groped her breast with a puppet. Trump spokesman Steven Cheung issued only a brief comment to Newsweek following the release, and the Trump camp did respond to requests for further comment from DailyMail.com. Johanna Sjoberg's unsealed deposition mentions a trip to Trump's Atlantic City casino after a flight on Epstein's jet Sjoberg also described an encounter with Prince Andrew (center) during Trump's visit to Westminster Abbey Sjoberg responded 'no' to whether Trump had asked her for any sexual favors or if she'd ever massaged him Donald Trump and Epstein are pictured together at Mar-a-Lago in 1997 Epstein's infamous Palm Beach villa was located just 1.5 miles from Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort. The two men were friends in the 90s, and Trump flew on Epstein's plane, dubbed the 'Lolita Express' at least four times. He was also quoted speaking about Epstein favorably in a 2002 New York Magazine profile of Epstein that attempted to take stock of the high-flying money manager who traveled in top social circles and ran his business out of a private island in the Caribbean. 'I've known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy,' Trump told the magazine. 'He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it - Jeffrey enjoys his social life.' Trump also commented on Epstein from inside the Oval Office back in 2019, when the financier was facing charges for sexual abuse. 'Well I knew him, like everybody in Palm Beach knew him,' Trump said. The people in Palm Beach knew him. He was a fixture in Palm Beach,' Trump continued. 'I had a falling out a long time ago with him,' Trump said. 'I don't think I've spoken to him in 15 years.' 'I wasn't a fan ... I was not a fan of his, that I can tell you,' Trump added, without directly answering a question about the reason for the falling out. Do YOU know the couple who lost their boat? Email tips@dailymail.com A British couple have been left with a 200,000 bill after merchant sailors accidentally set fire to their classic 100-year-old wooden sailing boat by letting off emergency flares as part of their boisterous New Year celebrations. The Ukrainian trio were arrested and put in a police cell for the night after flames came close to destroying the 65ft-yacht called Maori, built in Scotland and registered in Glasgow, at Alicante Regatta Club. The owners found out about the devastating blaze while they were on holiday in northern France and jumped into their car immediately to make the 15-hour drive to the Costa Blanca. They will now have to fork out the money for the repairs, despite two of the men who were arrested confessing to taking the flares off the ship they were on and setting light to them in the port during their first court appearance. The couple have so far been too distraught to talk publicly about what happened. Well-placed sources said the boat's hull had been valued at more than 2.5 million some years ago for insurance purposes. Police & fire brigade at the scene of the yacht fire The boat's charred deck is visible in this image The ship's deck was ruined with lawyers for the distraught couple warning repairs must be completed quickly to prevent rain from washing the ash through the deck and into the cabin Two of the suspects are seen close to the scene of the fire being arrested by police Police retrieve distress flares from the arrested suspects Marcos Cascales Dorta, one of the two lawyers acting for the pair, who are understood to live in London although at least one of them hails originally from Scotland, said: 'They are obviously devastated. They've owned the vessel for 20 years and use it regularly. Do YOU know the couple who lost their yacht? Email tips@dailymail.com Advertisement 'It's a 65-foot wooden sailing boat and although they've haven't got an official valuation of the damage that's been done and the money they'll have to spend on repairs, the estimate they've been given is around the 200,000 mark. 'Because of Brexit and the problems they had continuing to insure the boat, it wasn't fully insured which means they'll have to pay for the repairs and then reclaim the cost from those responsible for the damage. 'At the moment two of the three merchant sailors are part of an ongoing criminal investigation, one who has confessed to taking the emergency flares off the ship they were on and another who has admitted he lit them. 'But for the purposes of compensation we are trying to get that investigation extended to include the captain of the merchant vessel who was responsible for the safekeeping of the emergency flares and the ship's owner.' The couple's other lawyer Moises Candela Sabater added: 'The owners were on holiday in Brittany when they found out about the fire and got in their car and drove to Alicante. 'The sailing boat is made out of teak which is very expensive. 'The quick response from the firefighters meant the vessel wasn't destroyed completely but there's a lot of damage to the deck. 'The repairs will have to be carried out quickly so the ash doesn't filter through to the inside of the boat if it rains.' The alarm was raised just after 4am on New Year's Eve. A man examines the aftermath of the fire Aftermath from the fire Police show flares confiscated from the sailors A general view of the Alicante Regatta Club harbour The unnamed Ukrainians, aged between 20 and 35, were arrested shortly afterwards thanks to the assistance of two witnesses. Police found them carrying some of the emergency flares they had taken off the merchant ship they were on, a Portuguese-flagged vessel which had to delay its departure from Alicante following their arrests. Other flares were found in a bin nearby. A spokesman for Spain's National Police said: 'Around 4am on January 1 officers on duty to prevent possible incidents in Alicante Port saw one of the yachts in the port had caught fire after being set alight accidentally by an emergency flare thrown seconds earlier. 'Three Ukrainian nationals aged between 20 and 35 were subsequently identified. 'Five identical emergency flares to the ones which caused the fire were found on them and in a nearby bin. 'They were arrested on suspicion of a crime of damages.' This is the moment a California couple was robbed of their iPad at gunpoint in broad daylight by two teenagers. Eduardo Reyes and his wife had listed the device on OfferUp on December 23. The teens contacted them and asked to meet in a residential neighborhood in Pomona. 'They wanted to meet in a public street which I usually don't do, but he sounded like he was a kid and he's like, "Oh, I'm going to have my mom come out with me",' Reyes told KTLA. Footage captured by the victim's Tesla shows the couple being approached by one of the thieves wearing a hoodie with a gun in his hand. The video, captured by the victim's Tesla, shows the couple being approached by one of the thieves wearing a hoodie with a gun in his hand The other robber was then seen aggressively shoving the barrel of his gun against the terrified man's neck as the car door shut The other robber then shoved the barrel of his gun against the terrified man's neck as the car door shut. While threatening him, both teens kept trying to snatch the iPad out of Reyes' hand while he resisted letting the device go. 'He started running towards me. When he ran towards me, I grabbed the iPad. I turned around and the other person had already taken out the gun and said, "Give me your iPad! Give me your iPad!". 'I was like, "Theres no way they have a real gun, thats crazy" and I was concerned because my wife was there and I was like, "What if they try to do something to her?",' Reyes recalled. The couple is seen grabbing onto one of the thieves as he shoots the gun in the sky The other teen picked up an unidentified object from the ground and sprinted away Reyes suffered from head injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment Footage then shows the hoodie-wearing robber wrestling him to the ground after struggling to snatch the iPad while the other approached the victim's wife and bodyslammed her to the ground. The couple is seen grabbing onto one of the thieves as he shoots his gun in the sky, while the hoodie-wearing teen picks up the woman's phone from the ground and runs away with both devices. The other teen also picked up an unidentified object from the ground and sprinted away. Reyes suffered from head injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. 'Meeting in a public place, preferably around the police station or something and Ill try to get more information out of them, like maybe their phone number or something,' Reyes said after the incident. The Pomona Police Department arrested the suspects yesterday and they have been taken to Juvenile Hall. They also found his wife's phone in a yard nearby. OfferUp is an online C2C marketplace that allows users to buy and sell various items, including cars, clothes, shoes and vintage pieces. Users can message buyers and sellers securely from within the app. A years-long investigation by House Democrats has concluded that Donald Trump raked in $7.8 million as president from countries including China and Saudi Arabia, despite the fury over the Constitution's 'Emoluments' clause during his tenure. The funds came through Trump Organization real estate holdings even at at time when Trump stepped back from management of his financial empire, which is now the subject of civil fraud trial in New York. Companies doing business with Trump's company even included a subsidiary of defunct Chinese company CEFC, a conglomerate that also did deals with Hunter Biden, who has been a focus of the House Republican impeachment inquiry of President Biden. The properties where Democratic staff and members traced foreign funds included Trump's former Washington, D.C. hotel, which was the subject of intense scrutiny and litigation during Trump's tenure. The hotel was a hive of activity during the Trump Administration. Foreign governments spent $7.8 million at Trump companies during his four year term, according to a report by House Democrats The Trump Organization sold the lease on the property in 2022 for an estimated $100 million profit. It is now a Waldorf Astoria hotel. Of the $7.8 million total, $5.6 million came from China, according to the report. Saudi Arabia and Qatar were also among the nations who spent millions at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C.; Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas; Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in New York; and Trump World Tower at 845 United Nations Plaza in New York. The transactions were detailed in a 156-page report called the the 'White House For Sale' by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee. Other foreign governments including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia also did business through four Trump entities, according to the report. The report says the foreign payments uncovered are 'likely only a fraction of the total amount of foreign payments he received during his presidency.' China and Saudi Arabia topped the list Many of the expenses came at Trump's former D.C. hotel The report examined foreign expenses at Trump's former D.C. hotel Democrats also examined the Trump Tower property where Trump has a penthouse apartment Investigators looked at Saudi government expenses, as well as those by China 'After promising the greatest infomercial in political history, former President Donald Trump repeatedly and willfully violated the U.S. Constitution by failing to divest from his business empire and allowing his businesses to accept millions of dollars in payments from some of the most corrupt nations on earth,' according to the report. 'Critically, even this subset of documents reveals a stunning web of millions of dollars in payments made by foreign governments and their agents directly to Trump-owned businesses, while President Trump was in the White House,' the House Oversight Democrats wrote. 'By pocketing foreign states' payments, President Trump repeatedly placed his personal financial interest and the interests of foreign wealth and power above the public interest, resulting in precisely the split loyalty between foreign power and the American people that the Framers sought to avoid,' they wrote. Expenditures highlighted in the report include: A Chinese embassy delegation who paid $19,391 to the Trump hotel in DC in 2017; Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. spending funds at the Trump hotel in D.C. and Trump World Tower in New York; Saudi Arabia paid $212,000 through ownership of the 45th floor of Trump World Tower and a hotel stay; Saudi Arabia and its royal family paid 'at least' $615,422 at Trump properties and the total is 'likely much higher than that.' Committee investigators relied on financial information provided by the Mazars accounting firm, which no longer does business with the company. Its returns were the subject of litigation that extended throughout Trump's term, and were finally obtained by Congress. The report calls the expenditures a violation of the Constitution's 'Emoluments' clause. It states: 'No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.' Trump retained ownership of his company as president, but handed off control to sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., as well as former executive Allen Weisselberg. The Trump Organization announced in 2017 that it was donating 'profits' from foreign government patronage. But the committee says the policy 'clearly failed to comply with the Constitution' and that both profits and the receipt of any revenue were prohibited. The mother of the model slain by Oscar Pistorius says she has lost hope that the 'Blade Runner' will ever reveal the truth about the night he shot her daughter - ahead of the disgraced Olympian's release from prison tomorrow. The double-amputee athlete, who became world famous as he ran in the Olympics with carbon-fibre prosthetic legs, will leave Atteridgeville jail tomorrow morning after serving just over half of his 13 years and five-month sentence for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. British-born June Steenkamp told Mail Online today how Pistorius, 37, not only took Reeva from her but how she also blames the runner for her husband's later death - and further believes he killed her dream of having grandchildren. She said: 'If she had never met Oscar, I imagine today Reeva would be happily married, a loving young mother with everything to live for, and a lot of cats and dogs, with maybe a horse or two. 'Reeva's dream was to become a mother as she loved children so much and told me and her father that her own babies would make her life complete.' June Steenkamp, mother of Reeva Steenkamp, arrives at Atteridgeville Correctional Centre to attend his parole hearing in Pretoria, South Africa March 31, 2023 British-born June Steenkamp (seen left in 2014 consoling her husband Barry) told Mail Online today how Pistorius, 37, not only took Reeva from her but how she also blames the runner for her husband's later death - and further believes he killed her dream of having grandchildren Mrs Steenkamp, speaking from her home in Port Elizabeth today, said Pistorius had not only taken Reeva's life but also that of her husband Barry, who died last September after a decade of failing health following his daughter's murder. EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Inside luxury mansion with stunning views where Oscar Pistorius will be living after spending the last seven-and-a-half years in jail for murdering Reeva Steenkamp Advertisement She and her late husband had also endured a terrible campaign from Pistorius supporters and trolls who had abused them online. She went on: 'Barry and I had so looked forward to being grandparents to Reeva's children. I have no doubt that if she had met the right man, our dreams would have come true. 'But as it is, Reeva has gone and her beloved father Barry has gone. He died in September this year from what I believe to be a broken heart. 'He never got over Reeva's death and especially the terrible way in which her life ended. And of course, the little babies we all dreamed of stayed just that way - a dream.' She said Reeva's life had been taken just as she was on the verge of becoming a huge star in South Africa and globally. 'Ten years ago Reeva had her first major breakthrough as a huge star as a contestant on a TV reality show. 'The viewers loved Reeva, she was so beautiful, clever, funny and compassionate: they knew a kindred spirit. 'Her modelling career was also taking off and she was the cover girl they all wanted. 'She had overcome so many setbacks, she suffered a broken back when she fell off a horse a few years earlier and that had delayed her progress, but in 2013, she was finally enjoying the success she deserved. 'Her vision was to build a public profile and then practice as an attorney so that she could help abused men, women, children. Even animals. She would walk the animals at the animal shelter on weekends. 'Reeva loved life. She was an empath and wanted to help everybody. I believe she would have been a successful attorney as she got so many distinctions when she studied for her law degree.' Mrs Steenkamp is particularly bitter that she believes the runner is being released despite never having given an honest account of how he came to kill Reeva. South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius, right, and girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp arrive for an awards ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2012 (file photo). Pistorius shot and killed Steenkamp through a bathroom door in 2013 Pistorius has stuck to his story that he shot the law graduate by accident after mistaking her for an intruder at his flat in Pretoria in the early hours of Valentine's Day 2013. READ MORE: Oscar Pistorius will be banned from drinking alcohol or speaking to the media when he is released on parole Advertisement He was at first convicted of culpable homicide in 2014 but a year later found guilty of murder after prosecutors appealed. She said: 'I have lost any hope that Oscar Pistorius will ever disclose the truth of what happened that night.' Mr Steenkamp met with a tearful Pistorius in 2022, but he failed to admit he had deliberately shot his daughter dead despite the father's pleas. The sprinter had agreed to meet the Steenkamps in prison, as part of South Africa's victim-offender dialogue programme. The killer had to convince Mr Steenkamp he acknowledged the harm he had caused. Pistorius was flown from Pretoria to a detention centre close to their Port Elizabeth home. Reeva's mother decided she did not feel able to meet him due to the pain she felt he had inflicted on her and the anger she still carried. But her husband wanted to finally get the truth and left feeling he had been lied to. Pistorius has consistently claimed he shot Reeva through a toilet door after being awoken by a noise and believing an intruder was hiding in his toilet. But Mrs Steenkamp told Mail Online: 'There was a row. Neighbours heard screaming a woman's scream - Reeva's scream. I believe the neighbours. 'I believe that Reeva wanted to leave him that night and ran to the toilet in fear to hide from him. The evidence in court leaves me with no doubt that he knew it was Reeva behind the toilet door when he fired four black talon bullets through the door. 'Those bullets explode when it hits human flesh. He knows guns, and he knew what those bullets would do to my beautiful daughter. He knew it would kill her.' Mrs Steenkamp, who is from Blackburn, Lancashire, said it was her own faith which enabled her to forgive Pistorius for murdering her daughter. Pistorius's successful bid to run in the London 2012 Olympics (pictured) made him a huge star in America and a poster boy for Paralympians 'My Christianity requires me to forgive. I forgave Oscar a long time ago. I forgive for my own sake, not for his. 'Forgiveness does not mean he must not pay for what he has done. Oscar did not only take Reeva's life when he killed Reeva in cold blood, he also took Barry and my life. Our joy, our future grandchildren. 'He also took our privacy away. We have been criticised and insulted by some members of the public, who had victimised Barry and I, as if we had been the ones who did something wrong. '(It was like) as if we had been the ones to pull the trigger four times through a closed door and killed an innocent person.' ISIS today claimed responsibility for two explosions that killed nearly 100 people and wounded scores more at a ceremony in Iran to commemorate commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed by a US drone in 2020. Two explosions tore through the southeastern city of Kerman yesterday where thousands had gathered to mark the four-year anniversary of Soleimani's killing. Harrowing video showed scores of bloodied victims lying on the floor as others stumbled away from the blast scene close to the Saheb al-Zaman Mosque where Soleimani is buried in what Iran described as a 'terrorist attack'. Now, ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack that left 84 people dead and 284 wounded, saying that two of their terrorists detonated their explosive vests in the middle of a crowd. Iranian investigators had already confirmed that the first blast at least was the work of a 'suicide bomber' and believed the trigger for the second was 'very probably another suicide bomber', the official IRNA news agency reported earlier, citing an 'informed source'. Soleimani, who headed the Guards' foreign operations arm the Quds Force, was a staunch enemy of IS, a Sunni extremist group which has carried out previous attacks in majority-Shiite Iran. Iranian emergency services arrive at the site where two explosions in quick succession struck a crowd marking the anniversary of the 2020 killing of Guards general Qasem Soleimani, near the Saheb al-Zaman Mosque in the southern Iranian city of Kerman on January 3, 2024 Damaged cars are seen as people try to help victims after an explosion next to the tomb of Iran's Revolutionary Guards chief of foreign operations in the Saheb al-Zaman mosque in the southern city of Kerman, Iran on 3 January 2024 Families of victims of the explosions gather at the courtyard of a hospital in the city of Kerman on Wednesday The first explosion was quickly followed by a second close to a cemetery in the southeastern city of Kerman where thousands had gathered to mark the four-year anniversary of Soleimani's (file image) killing Tehran earlier blamed the explosions on 'terrorists' and vowed revenge for the bloodiest such attacks since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. 'A very strong retaliation will be meted out to them by the hands of the soldiers of Soleimani,' Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber told reporters in Kerman. ISIS have carried out large-scale attacks in the past that killed civilians in Shiite-majority Iran but yesterday's assault marks the worst mass casualty attack in decades. On Thursday, Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi spoke to ISNA news agency about bolstering security over its porous borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan. He said authorities have identified 'priority points to block along the border' with the two countries, which has long been a key access point for militant groups, drug smugglers and irregular migrants. Iran today observed a day of mourning for those killed in the devastating blasts that ripped through the throngs of people who were commemorating Soleimani at 2.45pm yesterday (11.15am GMT). An earlier death toll of 103 was twice revised lower after officials realised that some names had been repeated on a list of victims, health authorities said. Iran's emergency services chief Jafar Miadfar pointed to difficulties identifying dismembered bodies and said some victims were mistakenly counted 'several times'. He said 284 people were wounded and '195 are still hospitalised'. Many of the wounded were in critical condition, however, so the death toll could rise. Video showed plumes of smoke rising up into the sky as thousands of people who had been walking towards the cemetery screamed in horror. The crowd were seen running away after the two explosions ripped through Kerman. Thousands had gathered to mark the four-year anniversary of the ruthless commander's assassination when the explosions erupted just 700 metres from Soleimani's grave. Several people were also injured in a stampede as they tried to flee the carnage, with several ambulances rushing to the scene. But rescuers told how they were delayed in rushing the wounded to hospital due to the huge crowds blocking the roads. 'Our rapid response teams are evacuating the injured... But there are waves of crowds blocking roads,' Reza Fallah, head of the Kerman province Red Crescent rescuers told state TV yesterday. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday blamed 'evil and criminal enemies' of the Islamic republic, without naming them, and vowed a 'harsh response'. Regional tensions have surged amid the Gaza war sparked when Palestinian militant group Hamas launched their deadly October 7 attack on Israel, which Tehran welcomed while denying any involvement. President Ebrahim Raisi's deputy chief of staff for political affairs, Mohammad Jamshidi, charged on social media platform X that 'the responsibility for this crime lies with the US and Zionist (Israeli) regimes, and terrorism is just a tool'. The United States rejected any suggestion that it or its ally Israel were behind the bombings, while Israel declined to comment. Mohammad Mehdi Ghalekhani, left, a member of Basij paramilitary force, who was wounded in Wednesday's bomb explosion lies on bed as his sister Fatemeh stands next to him at Bahonar hospital in the city of Kerman on Thursday People chant slogans at the scene of Wednesday's bomb explosion in the city of Kerman on Thursday This picture shows people and Iranian emergency personnel at the site where two explosions in quick succession struck a crowd marking the anniversary of the 2020 killing of Guards general Qasem Soleimani on Wednesday The bodies of victims killed in two explosions in Kerman lie at a hospital in the city on Wednesday A view of the scene after explosions near Gen. Qassem Soleimani's tomb, in Kerman City, Iran on January 03, 2024 Rescuers told how they were delayed in rushing the wounded to hospital due to the huge crowds blocking the roads 'The United States was not involved in any way, and any suggestion to the contrary is ridiculous,' said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller. 'We have no reason to believe that Israel was involved in this explosion,' he added, expressing sympathies to the victims of the 'horrific' explosions and their families. The United Nations Security Council today condemned Wednesday's 'cowardly terrorist attack' in Kerman and sent its condolences to the victims' families and the Iranian government. In 2022 ISIS claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on a Shi'ite shrine in Iran which killed 15 people. Earlier attacks claimed by ISIS include twin bombings in 2017 which targeted Iran's parliament and the tomb of the Islamic Republic's founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Current Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani suggested the Kerman crowd was 'attacked by bloodthirsty people supplied by the United States and the Zionist regime'. He pointed to two recent killings widely blamed on Israel - a Beirut strike on Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Aruri, and the killing near Damascus of senior Guards commander Razi Moussavi in December. "The killing of Aruri and people like Razi Moussavi and the crime in Kerman show how desperate the enemy is," Qaani said. The United States denied on Wednesday any involvement in the explosions and said it also had no reason to believe Israel was involved. It said the blasts appeared to represent 'a terrorist attack' of the type carried out in the past by ISIS. Tehran often accuses its arch enemies, Israel and the United States, of backing anti-Iran militant groups that have carried out attacks against the Islamic Republic in the past. Baluchi militants and ethnic Arab separatists have also staged attacks in Iran. Indeed, state TV showed crowds gathered at dozen cities across Iran, including Kerman, chanting: 'Death to Israel' and 'Death to America'. Iranian authorities have called for mass protests on Friday, when the funerals of the victims of the twin blasts will be held, state media reported. And Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards Corps described the attacks as a cowardly act 'aimed at creating insecurity and seeking revenge against the nation's deep love and devotion to the Islamic Republic'. The US assassination of Soleimani in a January 3, 2020, drone attack at Baghdad airport, and Tehran's retaliation - by attacking two Iraqi military bases that house U.S. troops - brought the United States and Iran close to full-blown conflict. Soleimani had arrived at the airport on a plane from either Syria or Lebanon around 12.30am when he was met on the tarmac by Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, then-deputy commander of the pro-Iran Popular Mobilisation Forces in Iraq. People are seen after an explosion in Kerman, Iran, on Wednesday Four precision missiles fired from a U.S. drone struck the two cars carrying Soleimani and his entourage, on Jan 3, 2020, in Baghdad An American airstrike on Baghdad airport killed Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's powerful Quds force, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy-leader of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces, on January 3, 2020, in Baghdad Moments later, as their cars passed through a cargo area headed for an access road leading out of the airport, the convoy was struck by four missiles fired by an MQ-9 Reaper drone. Both vehicles were instantly reduced to smouldering wrecks - killing Soleimani, Muhandis, and three others. As chief commander of the elite Quds force, the overseas arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Soleimani ran clandestine operations abroad and was a key figure in Iran's longstanding campaign to drive US forces from the Middle East. He was credited with helping to arm, train and lead armed groups across the region, including the Shiite militias in Iraq, the Lebanese Hezbollah, and fighters in Syria, the Palestinian territories and Yemen. Tensions between Iran and Israel, along with its ally the United States, have reached a new high over Israel's war on Iran-backed Hamas militants in Gaza in retaliation for their October 7 rampage through southern Israel. A homeless man occupies a Chicago Transit Authority bus shelter during the coronavirus pandemic on the city's West Side Wednesday, April 15, 2020. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP Photo) In pushing for a bill of rights for homeless Michiganders, Democratic state Rep. Emily Dievendorf encountered a cruel irony: A homeless constituent providing advice on the measure was denied entry to the state Capitol because he didnt have a photo ID. Under Dievendorfs bill, homeless people in Michigan would have the right to move freely in parks, on sidewalks and in other public spaces, and could not be denied employment for lacking a permanent address. They also would be guaranteed emergency medical care, privacy protections for their personal belongings and access to the official documentation required to cast a vote in Michigan in other words, a photo ID. As a society, we have to admit that it takes time for folks who are struggling and dont have a roof over their head to stabilize themselves while they wait for housing opportunities to happen, said Dievendorf. This bill is about a baseline of humanity and respect that we should give humans who are unhoused. Connecticut, Illinois and Rhode Island have similar measures on the books. And this past summer, New York City became the first city in the nation to pass a homeless bill of rights. It includes the right to shelter, the right to sleep outside and the right to vote. But the state laws were enacted a decade ago, and homeless advocates say they are often ignored. In the years since, efforts to pass bill of rights measures in at least a half-dozen other states have fallen short. In New York City, Democratic Mayor Eric Adams is fighting to suspend the citys separate, 4-decade-old right-to-shelter policy, under which it has to provide temporary housing for every homeless person. Dievendorfs bill, introduced last year, hasnt advanced out of committee in Michigans Democratic-dominated legislature. This bill is about a baseline of humanity and respect that we should give humans who are unhoused. Michigan state Rep. Emily Dievendorf As the homeless population has grown and become more visible, many cities and states have pivoted from a focus on the rights of homeless people to the rights of local residents and businesses that are being forced to contend with homeless encampments and other fallout from the nations shortage of affordable housing. In the past two years, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas have approved statewide camping bans on public property (though the Missouri Supreme Court last month struck down that states law over a technical issue). In Georgia, a new law requires cities and counties to enforce existing bans on public camping; steers money toward transitional housing that requires drug treatment; encourages the creation of sanctioned camping areas; and calls for a performance audit of spending on programs for homeless people. San Diego and Portland, Oregon, recently tightened their camping restrictions. And San Diego has joined left-leaning cities including Albuquerque, New Mexico; Honolulu; Las Vegas; Milwaukee; St. Paul, Minnesota; and Seattle in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to give them more authority to dismantle homeless encampments. The friction in many communities affected by homelessness is at a breaking point, those and other cities wrote in an amicus brief supporting Grants Pass, Oregon, which was sued by three unhoused residents who argued the city shouldnt be allowed to punish them for sleeping in public when there is nowhere else for them to go. Despite massive infusions of public resources, businesses and residents are suffering the increasingly negative effects of long-term urban camping, the brief continues. Among them: enormous volumes of garbage, human waste, and other health hazards like used needles. Grants Pass is appealing a 2020 district court ruling that its ordinances regulating homelessness are unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court could decide this month whether to take the case. Criminalization of homelessness? A point-in-time count released last month by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found that about 653,100 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2023, up 12% compared with 2022. Sixty percent of those people were in emergency shelters, transitional housing or other sheltered situations, while the remainder were on the streets or in places not meant for human habitation. The number of homeless people has spiked since the COVID-19 pandemic, but city efforts to crack down on camping, loitering and panhandling predate the public health crisis. Between 2006 and 2019, there was a sharp increase in the number of citywide bans on camping (up 92%), sitting or lying in public spaces (78%), loitering (103%), panhandling (103%) and living in vehicles (213%), according to a 2021 report by the National Homelessness Law Center. The group also tracked a 1,300% increase in the number of homeless encampments and noted that Black and Native American people are overrepresented in the homeless population. Even in Rhode Island, one of the three states that have a homeless bill of rights, advocates say authorities often ignore the law in their zeal to get homeless people off the streets. Providence is one of the cities asking the Supreme Court for more authority to clear encampments. A [bill of rights] law without enforcement has no teeth, said Juan Espinoza, communications and development manager for the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness. Its especially dangerous when the individuals who are supposed to benefit from the law are disconnected and unaware of what rights they may have, just because they lack a stable home. The National Homelessness Law Center and other advocacy groups argue that state and local policies that criminalize homelessness only make the problem worse. Because people experiencing homelessness are not on the street by choice but because they lack choices, criminal and civil punishment serves no constructive purpose, the report states. Instead, arrests, unaffordable tickets, and the collateral consequences of criminal convictions make it more difficult for people to exit homelessness and get back on their feet. Steve Berg, chief policy officer for the National Alliance to End Homelessness, said he expects more cities and states to take a punitive approach this year. Were worried about states implementing criminalization and fines as a way to address homelessness, when theres evidence that it doesnt work, Berg said in an interview with Stateline. Weve seen these laws challenged in court and our belief is that due process would prohibit that kind of criminalization. Instead, advocates argue, the solution to homelessness is more housing and behavioral health services for the many unhoused people who are struggling with mental illness or substance use. A complex problem But even many progressives argue that housing and services must be combined with enforcement. In a separate amicus brief supporting Grants Pass, the left-leaning California State Association of Counties and the League of California Cities point to the billions of dollars public officials have spent on supportive services, outreach teams, emergency shelters, rental subsidies, micro-dwellings and safe camping sites with 24-hour security, bathrooms and storage. It hasnt been enough. Homelessness in California is a complex problem with many root causes, and it demands a comprehensive solution, they argue in the brief. Enforcing camping restrictions, they say, is a critical component to the overall well-being of the community. In August, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom used stronger language in criticizing a court order barring San Francisco from clearing homeless encampments, calling it preposterous and inhumane. People are moving out of the cities. Businesses are shutting down. People are dying of overdoses because of this, Newsom told the San Francisco Chronicle. Ultimately, everyones going to blame me for everything. But damn it, they need to be accountable as well. These judges are wrong on these overriding sweeping orders. In conservative states with recently enacted camping bans, legislators have relied on model legislation drafted by the Cicero Institute, a Texas-based think tank founded by Joe Lonsdale, the co-founder of tech firm Palantir and managing partner at the venture capital firm 8VC. The new Georgia law is the most far-reaching. It goes beyond a camping ban by steering the state away from the housing first strategy embraced by many advocates. Under that approach, people experiencing homelessness are provided with free permanent housing first before they receive help with mental health issues, substance use or job placement. Lonsdale and other critics say that given the high percentage of homeless people experiencing those problems, housing first usually fails. The law also takes aim at what Lonsdale and other critics refer to as the Homeless Industrial Complex, or the array of homeless-service providers that, they argue, benefit from the status quo. Under the Georgia law, the state will examine the awarding of contracts and grants to service providers to determine whether they are meeting metrics of success. I find it laughable when some people say that it's better to leave someone on the street because we know where we can find them to help them later. Bryan Sunderland, Cicero Institute executive director of policy Bryan Sunderland, executive director of policy at the Cicero Institute, said the group isnt advocating the criminalization of homelessness. Rather, it is trying to prevent the worst outcomes of street homelessness. I find it laughable when some people say that its better to leave someone on the street because we know where we can find them to help them later, Sunderland said in an interview with Stateline. It boggles the mind, and I dont want to impugn anyones motivations, but the folks that often make those arguments are the ones that are collecting millions of dollars from the federal government to continue running the nonprofits that they run. Multiyear effort in Michigan In pushing for a homeless bill of rights in Michigan, Dievendorf is resurrecting legislation that died in 2016 and 2017. Lisa Chapman, policy director for the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness, said its unfortunate that a bill to give homeless people basic rights is even necessary. A persons housing status shouldnt dictate whether they are protected under the law, she told Stateline. The bill is aspirational, Chapman said. Of course, we want everyone to have the same rights. But in reality, people experiencing homelessness arent being treated equally, and there have been cities in the state responding to rising homelessness with criminalization. She also cited the increasing use in Michigan of so-called hostile architecture on city benches to physically prevent people from sleeping on them. In July, the Grand Rapids City Commission approved two ordinances designed to crack down on street homelessness. The first bars loitering in public or private buildings including doorways and prohibits accosting another person who is using an ATM, waiting at a bus stop or eating or drinking outdoors. The second ordinance prohibits the storage of unattended or excess personal property in public rights-of-way and parks, and allows the city to impound such property, without prior notice. The ACLU of Michigan criticized both measures as unconstitutional. The proposed amendments criminalize behaviors fundamental to the experience of being unhoused: keeping personal property in public, using tents, and spending time (loitering) in public places, the ACLU wrote in a letter to Democratic Mayor Rosalynn Bliss and the other members of the commission. This approach only pushes our unhoused neighbors further into the margins of society, exacerbating their struggles. Indeed, we fear that may be the goal, because it is uncomfortable to be confronted with the reality that others have so much less. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE This report was first published by Stateline, part of the States Newsroom nonprofit news network. Its supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X. The post As homeless people become more visible, some cities and states take a tougher line appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. Former Premier League star Brenden Aaronson has been banned from driving after he was caught speeding in his high-powered Mercedes AMG. The 24.7million Leeds United midfielder was clocked driving at 37mph in a 30mph zone on March 12 last year. The 23-year-old was ordered not to drive a vehicle for six months and fined more than 1,000 after racking up 13 points on his licence. The American, who is currently on loan with German outfit Union Berlin, was caught on the A6040 Knaresborough Road, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Aaronson entered a guilty plea to a further speeding offence at Harrogate Magistrates' Court yesterday. He did not attend the hearing in person. US midfielder Brenden Anderson, 23, has been banned from driving after being caught speeding in his high-powered Mercedes The 24.7million midfielder (pictured in the red shirt) was loaned to German side Union Berlin in July last year after Leeds were relegated from the Premier League He was also ordered to pay a 666 fine, 266 surcharge and 90 in court costs. Midfielder Aaronson, originally from Medford, New Jersey, signed for Leeds United from Red Bull Salzburg in the summer of 2022 in a 24.7million deal. The US international scored one goal in 40 appearances across all competitions. He was sent out on loan to Union Berlin in July last year after his side was relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2023 season. He has made just a handful of Bundesliga starts and one in the Champions League for the German club since their campaign began. Labour MP Rosie Duffield said she has been 'completely exonerated' of allegations of antisemitism and transphobia. The MP for Canterbury said the party's National Executive Committee had dismissed the claims against her, adding 'there was no case to answer, and nothing I had done had breached any Labour party rule'. In November last year, the Sunday Times reported that Labour had launched an investigation after Ms Duffield liked a tweet by comedy writer Graham Linehan. The sardonic post by the Father Ted and The IT Crowd creator came in response to Izzard's comments that as a trans woman she probably would have been 'murdered by the Nazis'. The Irish comic had replied: 'Ah yes, the Nazis, famously bigoted against straight white men with blonde (sic) hair.' But supporters of Duffield suggested the probe was politically motivated because she was a rare transgender sceptic in the Labour Party. She is also a deputy chairwoman of the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on anti-Semitism. Following the NEC's decision, Ms Duffield said she expects to be announced as the Labour candidate for Canterbury in the general election 'shortly'. The MP for Canterbury said the party's National Executive Committee had dismissed the claims against her, adding 'there was no case to answer, and nothing I had done had breached any Labour party rule'. Ms Duffield 'liked' a sardonic post by Father Ted and The IT Crowd creator, which he made in response to Izzard's comments that as a trans woman he probably would have been 'murdered by the Nazis'. Mr Linehan said: 'In today's Labour, if you're a straight white man hitching your fetish to the Holocaust, you're golden. If you're a woman who stands up to it, you're investigated.' Ms Duffield said she 'strenuously denied' the allegations made against her. In a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter, the MP wrote: 'The Labour Party placed me under investigation last year under allegation - which I strenuously denied - of antisemitism and transphobia.' It continued: 'Immediately before Christmas, I was informed that the existing allegations, which had been confirmed by the party to The Sunday Times, had been dismissed by the NEC: there was no case to answer, and nothing I had done had breached any Labour party rule. 'I was completely exonerated. That being the case I anticipate that I will be formerly confirmed as the Labour candidate for Canterbury shortly.' She added: 'Thank you again to everyone who has expressed support and solidarity in what has been a very difficult time. It has meant the world to me.' Ms Duffield is Labour's sole MP in Kent, taking a seat in 2017 that had been Tory for 100 years. She has since repeatedly clashed with Sir Keir Starmer and the rest of the party leadership over gender ideology. In January last year it was revealed a senior aide to Sir Keir said 'it would be nice' if she 'spent a bit more time' in her constituency, rather than 'hanging out with JK Rowling'. The Harry Potter author has been an outspoken advocate for women's rights, including the need to protect single-sex spaces. Lawyers for Donald Trump on Thursday filed papers to hold federal prosecutors in contempt of court, accusing them of ignoring a judge's order to pause proceedings in a 2020 election fraud case. The move represents another headline grabbing moment in the battle between the former president and his courtroom nemesis, Special Counsel Jack Smith, even if it looks like a long shot. Trump's lawyers said Smith should be found in contempt for continuing to file legal papers even after Judge Tanya Chutkan ordered the pause while they pursued a claim of immunity through other courts. 'The stay order is clear, straightforward, and unambiguous,' wrote lead attorney John F. Lauro. 'All substantive proceedings in this court are halted. Despite this clarity, the prosecutors began violating the stay almost immediately.' Lawyers for Donald Trump on Thursday filed papers to hold Special Counsel Jack Smith and his team in contempt of court, accusing them of ignoring a judge's order to pause proceedings in a 2020 election fraud case in Washington, D.C. Trump's lawyers said Smith should be found in contempt for continuing to file legal papers even after Judge Tanya Chutkan ordered the pause Trump stands accused of conspiring to defraud the United States, obstructing official proceedings of Congress, and violating a Reconstruction-era civil rights law in the Washington, D.C., case. It was paused last month, although Chutkan said she still expected a trial to begin in March. Even so Smith's team filed a motion on Dec.27 asking her to limit Trump from engaging in 'partisan political attacks.' That included a footnote, acknowledging the pause and saying the filing had been done ready for when the case resumed. The Trump campaign described it as 'harassing litigation' and said Trump would be successful in his immunity claim. Spokesman Steven Cheung said: 'Rather than respect the rule of law, Jack Smith unilaterally decided to disobey the stay order and continue with his harassing litigation, all done in order to keep parroting the pathetic Biden campaign's corrupt talking points in the name of election interference. 'As a result, President Trump is seeking to hold Deranged Jack in contempt of court. No prosecutor is above the law.' The motion also said the prosecutors turned over thousands of pages of evidence and an exhibit list while the case was paused, calling it 'outrageous conduct.' 'In this manner, the prosecutors seek to weaponize the stay to spread political propaganda, knowing that President Trump would not fully respond because the Court relieved him of the burdens of litigation during the stay,' the Trump lawyers wrote. Judge Tanya S. Chutkan said just weeks ago the former president did not have 'a lifelong ''get-out-of-jail-free'' pass' but has paused the case while he appeals Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C. on January 6, 2021 after he claimed the election was stolen. The legal fallout continues 'Worse, the prosecutors have announced their intention to continue this partisan-driven misconduct indefinitely, effectively converting this courts docket into an arm of the Biden campaign.' Trump had already attacked Smith for filing the motion while the case was on hold. 'Crooked Joe Biden's errand boy, Deranged Jack Smith, is obsessed with attacking your favorite President, me, and with interfering in the 2024 Presidential Election, which I am Dominating,' he wrote on Truth Social. The trial is scheduled to start on March 4 in federal court in Washington, although it could be postponed as the immunity question makes its way through appeals. Swalwell blamed 'MAGA' Republicans for spurring the hate spewed by the man 'Hey greaseball, you [expletive] a [expletive] Chinese spy. Fang Fang. Fang Fang,' the man allegedly said during a series of voicemails in December A Florida man who threatened to kill Democrat Eric Swalwell and his three young children has been arrested, according to the Justice Department. The man, Michael Shapiro, left several explicit voice messages at the Democrat's Washington, D.C., office on December 19 calling him a 'Chinese spy' and invoking his alleged affair with suspected Chinese operative 'Fang Fang.' 'Hey greaseball, you [expletive] a [expletive] Chinese spy. Fang Fang. Fang Fang. I'm gonna come and kill your children mother-[expletive]. I'm gonna kill your children,' Shapiro, 72, said in one voicemail according to the complaint. 'No threat is going to stop me from representing my constituents,' Swalwell responded on X. Republicans have accused Democrat Eric Swalwell of 'aiding and abetting' Hunter Biden in defying a congressional subpoena after the president's son gave a dramatic press conference just yards away from where he was supposed be giving private deposition A Chinese national named Fang Fang or Christine Fang, targeted up-and-coming local politicians in the Bay Area and across the country who had the potential to make it big on the national stage, including Rep. Eric Swalwell He went on to blame 'MAGA' Republicans for spurring the hate spewed by Shapiro. 'MAGA Republicans have chosen violence over voting and this is what it looks like. But I'm not going away and neither should you,' he continued. Shapiro allegedly made the phone calls from his Greenacres, Florida, home. In another of the five total messages starting around 7:18 p.m. ET, he said 'You [expletive] a confirmed Chinese spy. You [expletive], [expletive], you [expletive], you [expletive]. You [expletive] a Chinese spy. Fang Fang.' Swalwell and his wife Brittany have three children named Nelson, Cricket and Hank. He proudly writes that their kids are 'growing up as Democrats' on his official website. The Justice Department said Shapiro made his first appearance in court on Wednesday. It is not the first time the man has run in with law enforcement. He previously admitted to making a threatening communication for another victim. He has been charged with knowingly transmitting a 'true threat of violence.' A Chinese national named Fang Fang or Christine Fang, targeted up-and-coming local politicians in the Bay Area and across the country who had the potential to make it big on the national stage, including Rep. Eric Swalwell. Swalwell's ties to Fang Fang sparked a House Ethics Committee investigation opened in 2021 into his conduct. The committee ended up not taking any disciplinary action against Swalwell, and closed out the investigation last year, but issued a letter warning lawmakers about the threat of foreign infiltration. 'Members should be conscious of the possibility that foreign governments may attempt to secure improper influence through gifts and other interactions,' the letter stated. Fang Fang left China to go to college in the U.S. in 2011, and then worked on developing relationships with key lawmakers, including Swalwell, in order to get access to sensitive information. No threat is going to stop me from representing my constituents. MAGA Republicans have chosen violence over voting and this is what it looks like. But Im not going away and neither should you. https://t.co/A4GcATb5GR Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) January 4, 2024 Swalwell's ties to Fang Fang sparked a House Ethics Committee investigation opened in 2021 into his conduct Swalwell and his wife Brittany have three children named Nelson, Cricket and Hank She reportedly raised money for his 2014 campaign and attended a number of events that the congressman attended. The FBI, who was investigating Fang Fang, first brought their concerns to the congressman in 2015. At that point, Swalwell said he broke off any contact with the suspected spy. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy kicked Swalwell off of the House Intelligence Committee last year due to his Fang Fang connection. A man who was shot in a Dublin restaurant on Christmas Eve before one of his attackers was stabbed and beaten to death by diners has died in hospital, gardai have said. The man, who has been named as Jason Hennessy Snr, 48, had been in hospital since sustaining multiple gunshot wounds at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown. Hennessy Snr, from Corduff in west Dublin, was known to gardai and had been due to stand trial on money laundering charges. It is suspected that he was targeted as part of a gangland feud. Two hitmen entered and opened fire towards a booth in the restaurant at around 8pm on December 24. It is understood Hennessy Snr had been enjoying a meal with family and friends when he was shot in the neck and upper body, The Journal reports. One of the suspected gunmen, Tristin Sherry, reportedly blasted a sub-machine gun before he was set upon by diners - thought to be associates of Hennessy Snr - and disarmed and stabbed almost 30 times. The man, who has been named as Jason Hennessy Snr (pictured), 48, had been in hospital since sustaining multiple gunshot wounds at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown The man, who was aged in his late 40s, had been in hospital since sustaining multiple gunshot wounds at Browne's Steakhouse (pictured) in Blanchardstown One of the suspected gunmen, Tristin Sherry, reportedly blasted a sub-machine gun before he was killed Last week, 22-year-old Michael Andrecut, with an address in Sheephill Avenue, Corduff, appeared at a special sitting of the Criminal Courts of Justice (pictured) charged with the murder of Tristin Sherry, who sustained fatal injuries in the incident Michael Andrecut, 22, of Sheephill Avenue, Corduff, was charged with Sherry's murder and appeared at a special sitting of the Criminal Courts of Justice last week. Two other men, one of whom is a teenager, have been arrested for questioning in connection with Sherry's death. On Thursday they remained detained at Garda stations in west Dublin under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. A second murder investigation has now been launched following the death of Hennessy Snr in hospital. A post-mortem examination will be conducted on his body by the State Pathologist. Gardai say they have secured high quality CCTV footage and other video that was recorded at the time of the attack. They added that they believe that the gunmen could have also been targeting another man in the Christmas Eve shooting, the Irish Times reports. Video of the violent attack has been circulating widely on social media, including at least one highly disturbing clip showing Sherry's final moments. Both Sherry and Hennessy Snr are said to have been known to gardai for their involvement in Dublin's murky underworld of drug-related crime. Sherry is believed to have been a member of a local drug trafficking gang led by 'Mr Flashy', which has been involved in several violent incidents in the area in recent years. A source told the Irish Independent: 'The potential for the gun attack to have been organised by the 'Mr Flashy' crew is a very significant line of inquiry in this case. 'It was a botched but very reckless shooting as there were a number of children in the restaurant when this happened and other people could have been easily hit.' Multiple sources told the Irish Daily Mail they believe the horror attack to be linked to a feud in the Corduff area that has been going on since 2019. A shocking video was uploaded to social media on Christmas Day, appearing to show Sherry lying on the street covered in blood A diner can be heard screaming 'someone's about to get whacked in front of me' in footage as the gunman stormed the Dublin steakhouse Following his death, the family of Sherry set up a fundraising page with an an aim to raise 7,000 (6,077) to cover funeral costs Gardai outside Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on Christmas morning, following the shocking shooting incident It has been reported that Sherry had previously tried to kill a rival amid the long-running feud, which has seen a series of more than 70 incidents of arson, shootings and beatings since it erupted. 'Sherry has been active for a number of years,' a source told The Irish Sun last month. 'He was the chief suspect in the shooting in 2019 in Mulhuddart village and then on Christmas Eve he went and targeted another man. But he was never the brightest, and this shooting highlights it.' Following his death, the family of Sherry set up a fundraising page with an an aim to raise 7,000 (6,077) to cover funeral costs. The GoFundMe page, which stirred controversy when it appeared, appears to have now been taken down. The Home Office says a report authored by French state auditors that criticised the UK's efforts to stop small boats crossing the English Channel is 'out-of-date', amid claims in the document that British officials are providing second-rate intelligence. Papers published by the French Court of Accounts (Cour des Comptes) on Thursday claimed information relayed by UK authorities to French police was often 'first level' and 'very general'. But the government says the document is based on 'out-of-date information and does not accurately reflect our current working relationship with France'. France and Britain signed a declaration in November 2022 that saw then-home secretary Suella Braverman and French interior minister Gerald Darmanin commit to improving their cooperation in tackling illegal migration. However, the Cour des Comptes review concluded that the relationship between the countries was 'unequal in terms of the exchange of information and intelligence'. A French state audit report has criticised the UK's efforts in a cross-Channel co-operation agreement to reduce small boat crossings (pictured: migrants arriving at Dungeness Beach in Kent in August 2023) The Court of Accounts report said British intelligence on the activities of people smugglers were often 'very general' (pictured: migrants carry an inflatable boat to the water in the French city of Gravelines in July 2022) Provisional figures for the end of the year suggest 29,437 people made the perilous journey across the English Channel in a small boat in 2023 It stated: 'Despite the joint declaration of French interior ministers and British of November 14, 2022...the Court found that the British do not communicate information usable on the departures of small boats and provide information which is first level, very general and not cross-checked. 'About the conditions of arrival of migrants, the references or serial numbers of boats and engines, nationalities, information seems very fragmented. 'The relationship between France and the United Kingdom is therefore unbalanced in terms of exchanges of information and intelligence.' France has been tasked with stepping up efforts to prevent Channel crossings in recent years by deploying more police and drawing on extra equipment and facilities in the wake of deals with the UK worth 191.3 million between 2018 and 2022. Prime minister Rishi Sunak has also promised to spend 480 million on policing the border between 2023 and 2026, which includes a contribution towards the creation of a detention centre in France. The Court of Accounts' findings are said to refer in particular to a joint intelligence unit created in 2020 to dismantle people-smuggling networks and reduce the number of migrants risking their lives to cross the Channel. The Home Office said it was pulling out all the stops to deter migrants from making the perilous and fatal journey across the 21-mile Dover Strait, instead encouraging them to seek safe and legal passage. A spokesperson for the Home Office said: 'This report is based on out-of-date information and does not accurately reflect our current working relationship, including intelligence sharing, with France. 'In the last two years, we have taken more robust action alongside them to crack down on vile people smuggling gangs and stop the boats. 'We continue to work closely with French partners at all levels, helping to drive forward improvements in the prevention of crossing attempts, both on the beaches and long before they reach them. 'This relentless action has seen crossings fall by 36 per cent in the last year. 'More than 26,000 of these dangerous, illegal and unnecessary crossing attempts were prevented in 2023 thanks to our strong partnership with France.' Then-home secretary Suella Braverman and French interior minister Gerald Darmanin signed a cooperation agreement on curbing small boat crossings in 2022 (pictured) However, the report said the relationship between the two countries as they worked together on curbing migrant numbers was 'unbalanced' (pictured: a Border Force dinghy arrives into Dover in June 2022) The provisional annual total number of crossings for last year - 29,437 - is 36 per cent lower than the record 45,774 crossings for the whole of 2022. But it is still the second highest annual total on record, above the figure for 2021 (28,526), UK Government figures show. According to the Home Office, over 80 per cent of preventions occurred on land, either at departure points on the French coast or further inland. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed to deploy more than double the number of personnel and enhanced technology to patrol beaches in northern France. The French report said that as a result of these agreements and Brexit, significant reinforcements have been assigned to the North of France. Since 2019, a further 180 agents were employed for border control, as well as an additional 69 for detention and removal. The police in Calais also have a permanent system of 54 officers, supported by 135 reservists. The Court of Accounts document says 45 per cent of the money pledged by the UK has so far been spent on reservists, while 30 per cent has gone on the purchase of equipment, and 25 per cent on securing infrastructure. Dover Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke said: 'This report yet again underlines the urgent need for closer intelligence co-operation and a comprehensive agreement where Britain and France act together to secure the Channel. 'That means sharing intelligence, stopping the boats leaving French shores in the first place and returning boats to France. That would bring a swift end to the small boats crisis.' Pro-Palestinian protesters targeted Secretary of State Antony Blinken with 'fake blood' outside his suburban Virginia home on Thursday. Activists surrounded his SUV as it rolled through the gates of his house in McClean and spilled red paint on the driveway as he left for work. The demonstrators shouted 'shame on you' and 'war criminal' and told the U.S. to stop the 'genocide' Gaza. The stunt is the latest sign of fury against the Biden administration's relationship with Israel as the civilian death toll mounts. Biden is even facing an uprising from his own staff after a top Biden Education official resigned over the White House 'turning a blind eye to atrocities'. Pro-Palestinian protesters targeted Secretary of State Antony Blinken with 'fake blood' outside his suburban Virginia home on Thursday Activists surrounded his SUV as it rolled through the gates of his house in McClean and spilled red paint on the driveway as he left for work A scathing letter signed by 17 members of his campaign team for the 2024 election also demanded he back a ceasefire. The group of protesters lined the streets outside Blinken's home carrying banners and signs demanding an end to the 'collective punishment' of Palestinians. It's at least the second time Blinken's home has seen protesters outside. The Palestinian Youth Movement brought 15 people to his address to demand the U.S. stop sending aid to Israel. In October, Blinken's testimony to Congress was interrupted by members of the audience drenched in fake blood. The chaos led to at least a dozen arrests, and the Secretary of State's comments were cut off multiple times as Capitol Police officers dragged protesters out. Blinken has been to Israel and the Middle East multiple times since the Hamas terrorist attack that killed thousands on October 7. In recent weeks, the White House has urged Benjamin Netanyahu's government to come up with a plan to scale back the intensity of the invasion in Gaza. The stunt is the latest sign of fury against the Biden administration's relationship with Israel as the civilian death toll mounts A woman lies on the ground pretending to be dead during the protest against the Biden administration's Israel policies at Blinken's home A woman wearing an Israeli uniform holds a peace sign while a man resembling Blinken holds out his hands covered in blood Protesters throw fake blood onto the street in front of Blinken's SUV Cops stationed outside his suburban Virginia home looked on as he left for work The teenage Iowa school shooter - who killed one child and injured five others, including his principal - turned the gun on himself after his rampage, cops said. Dylan Butler, 17, who was a senior at Perry High School, opened fire on Thursday morning - shooting dead a sixth grader who attended Perry's Middle School. Butler was armed with a pump-action shotgun and handgun - both of which are illegal for a 17-year-old to obtain in Iowa. He also had a rudimentary explosive device - which was undetonated and was later rendered safe by fire marshalls. The 17-year-old died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound by the time first responders arrived at the school, shortly after 7.40am. The ordeal triggered a mass evacuation of 1,785 students on their first day of classes after winter break. Cops have yet to provide a possible motive. One of the five people injured was the school's principal, Dan Marburger, who was rushed to hospital and is currently in surgery for his gunshot wounds. The other four people injured were students. Of the five, one is in critical condition - although police did not confirm if this was the principal or a student. Hours before the shooting took place at 7:37 am, Butler posted a TikTok posing in what appeared to be the school bathroom, with the caption: 'Now we wait.' The senior pulled an odd face, as a blue duffle bag sat on the ground of the stall. Dylan Butler, who is a senior at Perry High School, was named as the shooter. Hours before the shooting took place at 7.37am, Butler posted a TikTok of himself, posing in what appeared to be in the school bathroom, with the text: 'Now we wait' Principal Dan Marbuger was among those shot and injured In December, just weeks before the shooting, Butler posted another video on the same social media account of him sitting on children's playground equipment with a friend, pretending to be in a gun fight using sticks Law enforcement officers work at the scene of a shooting at Perry High School in Perry, Iowa Butler posted the TikTok selfie with the song 'Stray Bullet' playing in the background. In December, just weeks before the shooting, Butler posted another video on the same social media account of him sitting on children's playground equipment with a friend, pretending to be in a gun fight using sticks. Butler gets 'shot' by the stick, and falls down the children's slide. On Thursday morning, there were hundreds of emergency services at the scene - which is 25 miles northwest of Des Moines. Ambulances, police units, air ambulances, and firefighters were called to the school at 7.37am. The Dallas County Sheriff's Office confirmed the shooting, which happened on the first day of classes. The FBI Omaha Des Moines was on the scene, as was the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive. County Sherriff Adam Infante said at a press conference at 11am that police officers arrived at the high school seven minutes after the first call was made. The first responders found 'multiple gunshot victims' inside the school - and at a press conference at 3pm, police confirmed the number of injured was five. Perry High School was on lockdown after a shooting was reported just after 7:30 am this morning Adam Infante said that there were few people in the building at the time of the shooting, because the school day had not started yet. Today is the first day back after the winter break for the 1,785 students who study at the Perry Community School District. Tearful parents have made their way to McCreary Community Building to be reunited with their children following the shooting this morning. Carlos, who is a student at Perry High School, told WHO 13 that he and his friends thought the 'loud bangs' were part of a prank at first - before a teacher started screaming at students to 'leave, leave, leave.' He said: 'I heard a couple of bangs, they weren't loud. We saw loads of people run out. We thought it was a prank or something. We didn't think it was real at first.' Perry High School is taped off as investigators continue to work at the scene of the shooting Erica Jolliff said that her daughter, a ninth grader, reported getting rushed from the school grounds at 7:45 am. Distraught, Jolliff was still looking for her son Amir, a sixth grader, one hour later. 'I just want to know that hes safe and OK,' Jolliff said. 'They wont tell me nothing.' Zander Shelley, 15, was in a hallway waiting for the first day of school after break to start when he heard gunshots and dashed into a classroom, according to his father, Kevin Shelley. The teenager was grazed twice and hid in the classroom before texting his dad at 7:36am. Kevin Shelley, who drives a garbage truck, told his boss he had to run. 'It was the most scared Ive been in my entire life,' he said. Rachael Kares, an 18-year-old senior, was wrapping up jazz band practice when she and her bandmates heard what she described as four gunshots, spaced apart. 'We all just jumped,' Kares said. 'My band teacher looked at us and yelled, `Run! So we ran.' Kares and many others from the school ran out past the football field, as she heard people yelling, 'Get out! Get out!' She said she heard additional shots as she ran, but didnt know how many. She was more concerned about getting home to her 3-year-old son. 'At that moment I didnt care about anything except getting out because I had to get home with my son,' she said. Ava Augustus, who is a senior at Perry High School, broke down in tears as she recalled what she saw this morning. She was in a counselor's office said she saw blood everywhere, glass on the floor, and she watched a girl with gunshot wounds in her leg be taken out of the auditorium. She said: ''I run and you can just see glass everywhere, blood on the floor. I get to my car and they're taking a girl out of the auditorium who had been shot in her leg.' A sign informing parents what to do as they arrive at the school is projected at the scene Dallas County Sherriff Adam Infante confirmed at a press conference at 11am that police officers arrived at the high school seven minutes after the first call was made Perry Elementary School and Perry Middle School - which are nearby to the high school - were evacuated and buildings were cleared by 8:32 am. Multiple victims were transported to MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, a hospital spokesperson confirmed. Two gunshot victims are being treated at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. Linda Andorf, board president for the Perry Community School District, said: 'It is horrendously awful. People need to figure out their life. 'This is just disgusting. It's terrible.' The shooting occurred in the backdrop of the Iowa caucuses and not far from where Republican candidates were campaigning. Vivek Ramaswamy, who has a campaign event planned in Perry today, wrote on X: 'Pray for the community in Perry, Iowa this morning.' Senator Chuck Grassley said in the wake of the shooting: 'Todays appalling violence at Perry HS is heartbreaking Barbara + I are grateful for quick response by school officials &law enforcement to protect students +restore safety. 'The Perry community is strong& will band 2gether thru hard time Im here 2help if addtl fed resources needed.' Perry is a very diverse, working class suburb of Des Moines. A missing New York woman who vanished in the early hours of New Year's Eve after last being seen at a bar was found dead blocks from train tracks. Jennifer Hicks, 33, had gone out with friends to celebrate the New Year holiday. She was reportedly last seen at a bar called Ziggy's, located on Railroad Street in Rochester around 2:30 am. Hicks' father, who was concerned when he didn't hear from his daughter on New Year's Day, called the police to file a missing person's report nearly twelve hours after she was last seen alive. Police began their search for the woman on foot and by drone and circulated a missing person's bulletin to their social media. On Tuesday around 4 pm, Hicks' body was discovered at the bottom on an embankment near railroad tracks on Scio Street and Portland Avenue in Rochester. According to Monroe County Sheriff's Department PIO Deputy Brendan Hurley, there was 'no obvious signs of foul play.' Jenny Hicks, 33, was last seen alive during the early morning hours of Monday, New Year's Day Hicks had gone out a few friends to celebrate the New Year and was reportedly last seen alive 2.30am On Tuesday around 4pm, officers from the Monroe County Sheriff's Department found Hicks' body in a ravine located near a railroad track The sheriff's office is waiting for the medical examiner's report to find out Hicks' manner and cause of death. 'It is an active investigation,' Hurley said. 'Nothing is ruled out since we don't have a definitive answer on how she died.' Hicks, who was originally from the Rochester area, was living in a suburb called Pittsford. It is unclear why Hicks' friends were not with her, why she was alone and if she attempted to walk home, though the deputy said that it is not typical way to walk back to where she lives. He said it is about a 15-minute drive and near a major highway. The embankment where she was discovered does not have a lot of foot traffic, particularly at that time of night. DailyMail.com contacted Ziggy's bar to find out if they saw Hicks' before she left the bar and if she had left with anyone, but they were unavailable for comment at the time of publication. Ziggy's is an establishment located in Rochester's Public Market that opened in 2022 In February, she posted a photo giving a thumbs up at a car dealership The Monroe County Sheriff's Department issued a missing person's bulletin after Hicks' father filed a missing person's report around 10.12am New Year's Day According to her social media page, Hicks was working for Monroe Ambulance. There is also a photo of her, with two friends, giving a thumbs up at what appears to be a car dealership taken earlier this year. A few months before her death, Hicks posted two cryptic messages on her Facebook. In September, she wrote in what appeared to a be a journal, that said: 'Sometimes God puts you in places ALONE - emphasizing the word by underlining it - because he needs you to realize you do NOT need Anybody but HIM!!!' In October, she wrote: 'Today, I embark into the unknown. Hold my drink, while I grab my flashlight,' that featured some entertaining emojis. Friends and loved one were distraught upon hearing the news of her sudden death and posted how much they will miss her. The 19-year-old claims he and Guerra, a purported drug dealer, struggled, resulting in the 22-year-old and his girlfriend being shot in the head Surveillance video shows a man climbing out of a pickup truck and speaking to the driver of Guerra's car before wiping down the door with a towel A Texas father and son have been charged over the shootings of a pregnant teenager and her boyfriend who were found dead in a car outside a San Antonio apartment building. Savanah Soto, 18, and Matthew Guerra, 22, were reported missing just a day before she was supposed to be induced into labor. Police have now arrested 19-year-old Christopher Ray Preciado and 53-year-old Ramon Preciado. Christopher faces charges of abuse of a corpse and altering or destroying a human corpse in addition to capital murder. His father was charged with altering or destroying a human corpse after initially facing an abuse of a corpse charge for allegedly helping his son move the bodies. Soto and Guerra may have been killed in retaliation for a drug deal gone awry, according to Guerra's family. A Texas father and son were dealt additional charges in connection to the deaths of a pregnant teenager and her boyfriend. Ramon Preciado, 53, faces a charge of altering or destroying a human corpse in addition to an abuse of a corpse charge Christopher Ray Preciado, 19, now faces charges of abuse of a corpse and altering or destroying a human corpse in addition to capital murder The two were arrested in connection to the shooting deaths of 18-year-old Savanah Soto and 22-year-old Matthew Guerra. Soto vanished days before she was supposed to be induced into labor Soto's family reported her missing on December 22 after calling her cellphone proved futile, according to a police report. They searched local hospitals, knowing Soto was due to give birth, but were unable to find her. A CLEAR Alert, reserved for missing adults believed to be in immediate danger, was issued on Christmas Day. The alert gave a description of Guerra's 2013 gray Kia Optima, identified by a resident of a Northwest Side apartment complex who spotted it in the parking lot. Police responded and found Soto was dead in the front seat and Guerra dead in the backseat. Investigators believe he was dragged into the car, according to the report. The Bexar County Medical Examiner confirmed that both Soto and Guerra died from a gunshot to the head. Guerra's family members confessed to investigators that their son sold drugs through social media. 'It was also advised that the boyfriend would post money and narcotics on Instagram,' the police report read. 'It was stated that people wanted to rob (Matthew) and it was stated that (he) had been shot at before.' The bodies of Soto and Guerra were found in Guerra's 2013 Kia Optima, both with fatal gunshot wounds to the head Soto's family raised alarm as the pregnant teen vanished days before she was supposed to be induced into labor and their attempts to reach her over the phone proved futile Guerra's family told detectives that he sold and advertised drugs on social media. He was charged with domestic violence after beating Soto on Christmas Day 2022 and subsequently violated parole (pictured: Guerra's jail booking photo from 2022) Surveillance video showed a man getting out of a pickup truck and walking to Guerra's car, later scrubbing the outside of the driver's side door with a towel On December 21, surveillance video captured a Chevy Silverado pulling up alongside Guerra's Kia in the parking lot of the complex. A heavy-set man climbed out of the Silverado and appeared to speak to the driver of the Kia before retrieving a towel and wiping down the driver's side door. A few minutes later, the Silverado drive off. When detectives arrived at Ramon Preciado's home, he told them they needed to speak with his son, according to the police report. Both men were taken to the police station for questioning. Christopher Preciado said Guerra pointed a gun at him, resulting in a struggle that led to Soto being shot. In a separate struggle, the teen alleged, Guerra was also shot in the head. But detectives determined that Christopher's retelling of events was 'inconsistent with the evidence collected from the scene and from the victim's vehicle.' As he was placed in a patrol car Wednesday night, Ramon was asked by reporters whether he had remorse. 'You don't even know what's going on. You just make stuff up like always,' the 54-year-old responded. Both men are being held at the Bexar County Jail. Christopher's bail was set at $2 million, while Ramon is being held on a $600,000 bond. A CLEAR Alert was issued in lieu of Soto's disappearance. These alerts are reserved for cases where a missing adult is believed to be in 'imminent danger' Soto's younger brother, 15-year-old Ethan, was also killed over the past year in revenge for a drug robbery, according to police Court documents show that, in 2022, Soto had been beaten by Guerra on Christmas Day and filed charges against him. This resulted in a protective order prohibiting Guerra from 'intentionally, knowingly or recklessly communicating' with the teen, including 'in person in a harmful or injurious manner.' Guerra violated parole for the domestic violence charge and was back in court months later, charged with three new felonies: evading arrest, unlawfully having a firearm and reckless driving. Soto's death is the latest tragedy to strike her family, as they also lost her brother, 15-year-old Ethan, over the past year. The teen was shot on May 16 in an act of revenge for a drug robbery, according to San Antonio Police. Victor Rivas, 18, is accused of killing Soto after the younger boy stole THC-related drugs. Rivas allegedly used an underage girl to lure the boy outside his home before opening fire. Emotions spilled over at a subsequent hearing, where four members of the Soto family leapt over a partition as Rivas took the stand. They were arrested and charged with assault and disruption of court proceedings. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit The bombshell claim that Prince Andrew participated in an 'underage orgy' on Jeffrey Epstein's private island has prompted questions of whether he will now face another US law enforcement investigation. Andrew - who has always denied wrongdoing - is among those named in newly unredacted court documents released by the Southern District Court of New York yesterday. His association with Epstein and claims he slept with Virginia Giuffre are not new, but her claim that he took part in an 'orgy' with 'other underage girls' at Epstein's home in the US Virgin Islands is among the most serious new allegations. The FBI declined to comment when asked if the 'orgy' claim would be investigated. Prosecutors in the US Virgin Islands, where the apparent incident took place, have not yet publicly addressed it. Prince Andrew at Sandringham on Christmas Day, 2023. He is said to have avoided prosecutors questions in 2019 despite publicly vowing to assist with the investigation into Epstein The palace has not commented on the allegation, citing a policy that it does not comment on non-working royals. Andrew stepped down from official duties in 2019 after his association with Epstein was pored over in the wake of the pedophile's death. A 2019 investigation into Epstein's network put Andrew in its sights, but prosecutors say he was uncooperative and their work led nowhere. In a 2022 memoir about the probe, former prosecutor Geoffrey Berman said his office got nowhere in trying to compel the UK to cooperate with the investigation. Berman declined to comment on the orgy allegation when contacted by DailyMail.com today. 'Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, was friends with both Epstein and Maxwell. He had been at the New York mansion and on the island. He stated publicly that he would cooperate in the investigation, and we intended to give him a chance to make good on his word. 'I did not normally mention anyone's name in relation to an ongoing investigation. Prince Andrew was the exception because he kept publicly saying that he was cooperating in the Epstein investigation, which was not true. 'It started in November 2019, when Prince Andrew, following a disastrous televised interview about his association with Jeffrey Epstein, issued a press release stating that he would be willing to help in our investigation. Prince Andrew with Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell at Maxwell's London home 'Of course I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required'. 'I asked our team to reach out to his lawyers to set up an interview. Alex Rossmiller and Ted Diskant spent about two weeks just trying to find out who his lawyers were. We tried calling Buckingham Palace, and they were not helpful. We tried the DOH attache, and the State Department, no luck. When we finally got to his lawyers, they had all these questions. "What kind of interview will it be? Are there any protections? Is there this? Is there that? And where do you want it to take place? And we kept answering, and all that led to was further questions, and then they're saying, you know, "we'll consider it." 'It was an endless email exchange and it was clear we were getting the runaround. He was not going to sit down for an interview with us, despite assuring the public that he was ready, willing and able to cooperate.' 'In January 2020, when I was asked at a press conference on the steps of Epstein's mansion whether he was cooperating with our investigation, I said, "to date, Prince Andrew has provided zero cooperation." U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman speaks at an event held by Safe Horizon, a non-profit victim services agency, in front of Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan residence as they raise awareness for New York State's Child Services Act, Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. He said Prince Andrew provided 'zero cooperation' in the investigation Geoffrey Berman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, points to a photograph of Jeffrey Epstein as he announces the financier's charges of sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors, in New York, U.S., July 8, 2019. 'My statement brought his lawyers to the table again. But it was more of the same. Repetitive emails back and forth with no commitment on his part. We said that if they are serious about cooperating, just name the time and place and we will be there. The lawyers never did. 'We were getting nowhere with seeking Prince Andrew's voluntary cooperation. It was time to compel him. We sent what's known as an MLAT request through the State Department. It stands for "mutual legal assistance treaty", an agreement between countries to assist each other in criminal investigations. In practice, it means that your investigations are not going to get stopped at the borders; you'll get access to the people you need to talk to. 'Because of our very good relations with the UK and Scotland Yard, we almost always got what we asked when we put in an MLAT request. And I think they got the same from us. But that was not what happened with Prince Andrew. We got absolutely nowhere. Were the protecting him? I assume someone was. 'His lawyers later falsely accused us of pestering him just for the news value of it. "They are perhaps seeking publicity rather than accepting the assistance proffered,' a statement from them read in June 2020. 'Just to be clear, there was no assistance proffered...Prince Andrew clearly knew Epstein and Maxwell. He was on the island. He was at the mansion in New York. He was in London with them. 'We had a lot of questions for him, and as of the day I was fired, those questions remained unanswered.' Attorneys for Virginia Giuffre are also yet to comment on the incident or whether it has been investigated by police. Berman, the prosecutor in charge of the Epstein investigation, was fired by Trump in June 2020 after prosecuting his former attorney Michael Cohen and opening an investigation into Rudy Giuliani, his lawyer and long-time confidante. Netflix have released a 'must-see' film which tells the true story of the 1970s plane crash in the Andes. Society of the Snow, directed by J.A Bayona, has premiered on the streaming giant today and has been nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globes this weekend and is Spain's official Oscar entry. It is an adaptation of Pablo Vierci's 2009 book, which contained accounts of the 16 survivors. The film, which has left viewers in tears, is based on the events of 13 October 1972, when the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 departed from Montevideo, Uruguay, heading to Santiago, Chile. The plane, which was carrying 42 passengers, started its descent too early and crashed into a mountain, slicing off both wings and tail before it slid down a glacier and crashed into snow. NETFLIX MOVIE: Society of the Snow, directed by J.A Bayona, has premiered on the streaming giant today REAL DISASTER: Both wings of the plane were sliced off, along with its tale, before it slid down a glacier and crashed into snow. Out of the 45 passengers, 16 survived NETFLIX MOVIE: The film, which has left viewers in tears, is based on the events of 13 October 1972, when the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 departed from Montevideo, Uruguay, heading to Santiago, Chile The disaster claimed 26 lives in total and those who managed to cheat death were forced to resort to cannibalism to stay alive. It took 72 days for them to be found by rescue and search operations. The harrowing story was shot at the actual site of the crash which is around 12,000 feet above sea level. The area is known as the Valley of Tears and temperatures can reach -40C. Before production, Bayona visited the site of the crash. 'It was amazing to visit the Valley of Tears in the same place and at the same time of year as the crash,' the director told Netflix. 'It's a fascinating and terrifying place But experiencing the extreme cold, lack of oxygen, and constant exhaustion helped us understand what the main characters went through.' NETFLIX MOVIE: The movie is an adaptation of Pablo Vierci's 2009 book, which contained accounts of the 16 survivors NETFLIX MOVIE: The harrowing story was shot at the actual site of the crash which is around 12,000 feet above sea level 'Shooting some scenes there was an unforgettable experience,' he said. The movie is told through the narrative of rugby player Numa Turcatti, who is played by Enzo Vogrincic. The 25-year-old was the last crash survivor to die and spent his birthday buried under the snow inside the fuselage after the avalanche had hit them the night before. Towards the end of his life, Numa stopped eating and weighed 3.92 stone (55 pounds) at the time of his death. REAL DISASTER: Some of the survivors from the 1972 plane crash NETFLIX MOVIE: The disaster claimed 26 lives in total and those who managed to cheat death were forced to resort to cannibalism to stay alive Fans are raving about the adaptation of the true story as they took to X, formerly Twitter, with their reviews of the film. One wrote: 'J.A. Bayona's latest film, Society Of The Snow deserves to be among the top good films of the year'. A second penned: 'watching society of the snow on netflix. been waiting for it to release. so far.. the sfx/practical effects are really good. like insane'. Another added: 'Two movie recs I saw recently: Boys in the Boat and Society of the Snow. Both are based on true events. BitB literally had me on the edge of my seat during the final race. REAL DISASTER: The crashed plane fuselage, buried in the snow NETFLIX MOVIE: The area of the crash is known as the Valley of Tears and temperatures can reach -40C REAL DISASTER: Workers help the survivors of the plane crash in 1972 'And the SotS was sooo intense but with amazing performances. Snow will be on Netflix in a few days!' Another commented: 'Intense, harrowing, and often terrifying, SOCIETY OF THE SNOW is an incredible tale of survival, determination, and the human spirit. 'Itll get more traction when it hits Netflix but its worth seeing on the big screen for the production. Brutal, but life-affirming stuff.' While another simply wrote: 'society of the snow made me cry' and another added: 'amazing story'. Another explained it as 'a feat of willpower, teamwork, faith, and a complete understanding of the elements. Heart-wrenching yet captivating'. Prince Andrew is mentioned directly by name a total of 67 times in Jeffrey Epstein court papers which were unsealed in the US last night. The dossier names alleged associates of the paedophile financier, and now claims that Prince Andrew took part in an 'underage orgy' on Epstein's Caribbean home, nicknamed the 'Island of Sin' have emerged. The disgraced royal has again been dragged into the sex scandal surrounding his paedophile friend, just over a year after he settled the multi-million dollar case brought by Virginia Giuffre in 2022. Today it emerged that one of Epstein's alleged sex slaves, known as Jane Doe #3, claimed that she was told to have intercourse with Prince Andrew during an orgy on Epstein's island, Little Saint James, in the US Virgin Islands. A 2014 court filing alleges that she was 'forced to have sexual relations with this Prince when she was a minor in three separate geographical locations.' She claims this happened 'in London (at Ghislaine Maxwell's apartment), in New York, and on Epstein's private island in the US Virgin Islands (in an orgy with numerous other under-aged girls).' Prince Andrew (pictured) is mentioned directly by name a total of 67 times in Jeffrey Epstein court papers which were unsealed in the US last night The dossier names alleged associates of paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein (pictured), and now claims that Prince Andrew took part in an 'underage orgy' on Epstein's Caribbean home, nicknamed the 'Island of Sin' have emerged Prince Andrew, Virginia Roberts, aged 17, now known as Virginia Giuffre, and Ghislaine Maxwell at Ghislaine Maxwell's townhouse in London. The Duke of York denies ever meeting Ms Giuffre Ghislaine Maxwell pictured with boyfriend, paedophile financier, Jeffrey Epstein Epstein told Jane Doe #3 to 'give the Prince whatever he demanded', the documents allege. Jane Doe #3 claims that Ghislaine Maxwell 'facilitated Prince Andrew's acts of sexual abuse by acting as a *'madame' for Epstein'.' Jane Doe #3 is not named in the documents. Virginia Giuffre claims she had sex three times with Andrew in around 2001 when she was 17 and 18. The age of consent in the US Virgin Islands is 18, for example, but is lower in the UK where it is 16. The age of consent in Florida is 18 and is 17 in New York. The phrase 'Prince Andrew' appears exactly 67 times in the 943 page dossier. There are also other references to the prince by just his first name or in other terms, but it would not be possible to count these. 67 times 'Prince Andrew' is mentioned directly by name in the Jeffrey Epstein files: 1. When asked by Virginia Giuffre's lawyers about Johanna Sjoberg's claims that she had met Prince Andrew, Ghislaine Maxwell said: 'I've, again, read that Johanna claimed that she met or that she said she met Prince Andrew. I don't know if I was the one 16 who made the introduction or not.' 2. Maxwell was asked if she was present on Epstein's island when Prince Andrew visited. She said: 'Yes... I can only remember once.' When asked if any girls under the age of 18 were present that were not family or friends she replied: 'There were no girls on the island at all. No girls, no women, other than the staff who work at the house. Girls meaning, I assume you are asking underage, but there was nobody female outside of the cooks and the cleaners.' 3 - 4. Virginia Giuffre rebutting Maxwell's claim that she had not recall her having been at her London townhouse with Prince Andrew and sticking to the 'incredible story' despite flight logs showing she travelled to London and a photo existing of them together. The documents said: 'Defendant [Maxwell] even testified that she did not recall having Ms. Giuffre at her London townhome with Prince Andrew. Defendant stuck to this incredible story despite flight logs establishing her traveling to London with Ms. Giuffre and despite a photograph the three Ms. Giuffre, Prince Andrew and Defendant all standing together in Defendant's home.' 5 - 6. Unnamed victim, Jane Doe #3, claimed that Epstein forced her to have sex with Prince Andrew when she was a minor in London, New York and Epstein's private island in the US Virgin Islands. The document states: One such powerful individual Epstein forced Jane Doe #3 to have sexual relations with was a member of the British Royal Family, Prince Andrew (a/k/a Duke of York). 'Jane Doe #3 was forced to have sexual relations with this Prince when she was a minor in three separate geographical locations: in London (at Ghislaine Maxwell's apartment), in New York, and on Epstein's private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands (in an orgy with numerous other under-aged girls). 'Epstein instructed Jane Doe #3 that she was to give the Prince whatever he demanded and required Jane Doe #3 to report back to him on the details of the sexual abuse. Maxwell facilitated Prince Andrew's acts of sexual abuse by acting as a *'madame' for Epstein, thereby assisting in internationally trafficking Jane Doe #3 (and numerous other young girls) for sexual purposes.' Johanna Sjoberg claims that she was sexually assaulted by Prince Andrew, who allegedly used his Spitting Image puppet to touch her breast Jane Doe 3 claims she was 'forced to have sexual relations with Prince Andrew' in an alleged orgy The documents also contains claims Andrew used a puppet of himself to place it on Johanna Sjoberg's breast Virginia Giuffre being interviewed by BBC Panorama about her allegedly being trafficked for sex to Prince Andrew 7 - 15. Andrew is named multiple times in a summary of depositions taken by Ms Giuffre, the first being questions to Ghislaine Maxwell. 'Whether Defendant introduced Sjoberg to Prince Andrew.' 'Whether Defendant could recall Ms. Giuffre being at Epstein's New York mansion when Prince Andrew came to visit.' 'Whether Defendant introduced Ms. Giuffre to Prince Andrew in London.' 'Whether Defendant could recall Prince Andrew being present in New York for a party where Johanna Sjoberg was also present.' 'Whether a picture depicting Prince Andrew, Ms. Giuffre and Defendant was taken at Defendant's London town home.' 'Whether Defendant could recall anything about a puppet or caricature of Prince Andrew in Epstein's home when Prince Andrew was there, including whether Ms. Giuffre was sitting on Prince Andrew's lap with the puppet or caricature.' 'Whether Defendant had discussed with Prince Andrew any of the details of Ms. Giuffre's allegations against him.' READ MORE: Bill Clinton 'likes them young', documents claim Bill Clinton is pictured with Jeffrey Epstein in an undated photograph Advertisement 16 - 18. The Duke of York is also mentioned in the summary of the deposition of Johanna Sjoberg from May 2016, where she claims Andrew put his hand and a puppet of himself's hand on hers and Virginia Roberts' respective breasts. 'Johanna confirmed that she witnessed Virginia when she was seventeen (17) in Jeffrey Epstein's New York mansion with Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell.' 'Johanna also testified that Prince Andrew sat with Virginia and Johanna and took a picture with a puppet in his image that had its hand and Prince Andrew's hand on their respective breasts.' 19 - 22. A deposition from Johanna Sjoberg where she details the alleged incident where Prince Andrew touched her breast. She says when she went into the living room at Epstein's New York home, Virginia Roberts, Epstein, Prince Andrew and Maxwell were in the room. She says she met the prince that time. Ms Sjoberg said: At one point, Ghislaine told me to come upstairs, and we went into a closet and pulled out the puppet, the caricature of Prince Andrew, and brought it down. And there was a little tag on the puppet that said *'Prince Andrew' on it, and that's when I knew who he was. The puppet is believed to be Andrew's likeness from satire show Spitting Image. 'It looked like him. And she brought it down and presented it to him; and that was a great joke, because apparently it was a production from a show on BBC. And they decided to take a picture with it, in which Virginia and Andrew sat on a couch. They put the puppet on Virginia's lap, and I sat on Andrew's lap, and they put the puppet's hand on Virginia's breast, and Andrew put his hand on my breast, and they took a photo. 23 - 28. Talking further about the same night, Ms Sjoberg again recalls entering the 'very large and very formal' upstairs living room. 'Jeffrey and her [Maxwell] and Virginia and Prince Andrew were there,' she said. She then said that Maxwell asked her to go to a closet where she pulled out the puppet of Prince Andrew. 'And I knew it was Prince Andrew because I had recognized him as a person. I didn't know who he was. And so when I saw the tag that said Prince Andrew, then it clicked. I'm like, that's who it is.' She said that Andrew found it funny 'because it was him'. When asked how the picture was taken, she said she remembered someone suggested taking one and said to get on the couch. Andrew and Virginia sat on the couch, and they put the puppet, the puppet on her lap. And so then I sat on Andrew's lap, and I believe on my own volition, and they took the puppet's hands and put it on Virginia's breast, and so Andrew put his on mine.' She said this was 'done in a joking manner'. Ms Sjoberg then says that this night was the only time she had met Prince Andrew. She is then referred to an article where she talked about the alleged incident, in which describes her sitting in a chair with Andrew and Virginia Roberts was sat in another. Asked if it refreshed her memory, Ms Sjoberg said: 'I just remember the boobs part, the hand on the boobs.' 29 - 32. Ms Sjoberg is then asked: 'Did Virginia say anything to you about having met Prince Andrew before this time in New York?' She replied: 'She did not say.' She was then asked to say if Andrew said or did anything that led her to believe he had 'met Virginia prior to that time'. She could not recall. She was asked if she had 'any knowledge about whether Virginia Roberts is telling the truth about whether Ghislaine Maxwell directed her to have sex with Prince Andrew'. 'No. Only based on what I've read in the media,' she replied. Ms Sjoberg was asked if she knew if Virginia Roberts was telling the truth about 'Ghislaine Maxwell forcing her to participate in an orgy with Prince Andrew and other underaged girls on the island'. She said she had no knowledge of this. 33. In the next document, which is Virginia Giuffre's deposition, she says that Ghislaine Maxwell told her to give a massage to Prince Andrew. Andrew would call his friend Epstein every week, it has been claimed Virginia Giuffre holds a news conference outside a Manhattan court following the jailhouse death of Jeffrey Epstein on August 27, 2019, in New York 34. Ms Giuffre is asked: 'Other than Glenn Dubin, [REDACTED],Prince Andrew, Jean Luc Brunel, Bill Richardson, another prince, the large hotel chain owner and Marvin Minsky, is there anyone else that Ghislaine Maxwell directed you to go have sex with?' She replied: 'I am definitely sure there is. But can I remember everybody's name? No.' 35. Virginia Giuffre si then asked if she tore out pages of a journal and gave them to a Daily Mail journalist who 'wanted to know about the Prince Andrew incident'. She said the information was given on a 'random' piece of paper. 36. She was then asked the whereabouts of the original photograph that shows her with Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell at her London home. Ms Giuffre said: 'I probably still have it. It's not in my possession right now.' She said it was 'probably in some storage boxes' at 'some family's house' in Sydney, Australia, where her nephews live. 37. A footnote which says that Ms Sjoberg's testimony about meeting Prince Andrew with Virginia Roberts corroborates her account of being trafficked to sleep with him. 38 - 46. Documents regarding Ms Sjoberg's deposition are repeated, with Prince Andrew being mentioned several times. 47. A footnote regarding 'Ms Giuffre's accounts concerning her being trafficked to Prince Andrew'. It says that testimony like the ones given by Ms Sjoberg, 'verifying Ms. Giuffre's account of being recruited by Defendant for sex with Epstein - that Defendant [Maxwell] is trying to avoid.' 48 - 53. Further documents regarding Ms Giuffre's relationship with the UK press, which goes into (some repeated) detail about the material supplied to the Daily Mail. She said the press asked for 'any knowledge that I had about my time with Prince Andrew' and that she supplied it. When asked what the journalist wanted to know, Ms Giuffre said: 'She was interested in two things, really. How Epstein got away with so many counts of child trafficking and how was Prince Andrew involved in it.' 54 - 55. A document directed at Virginia Giuffre accusing her of failing to comply with a court order where she was 'specifically asked for photographs of Plaintiff with certain individuals (including Prince Andrew), and production of those photographs in native format'. Ms Giuffre claimed she produced the documents available to her, but did not possess 'any native format pictures'. It then restates that she had a box of documents 'including perhaps a photograph of herself and Prince Andrew, but that she did not look through the box or provide any of its contents'. 56. 'Andrew Albert Christian Edward, the Duke of York (aka Prince Andrew)' is included in a list of people Ms Giuffre needs to produce photographs and videos with them both in it. 57. She was then asked for any documents pertaining to any income she received from any media outlets for on or off the record comments regarding people including Epstein, Maxwell and Prince Andrew. 58. Ms Giuffre is also asked for all phone records, including texts, emails, social media communications and letters, that she received or sent from 1998 which relate to or identify people including Maxwell, Epstein and Prince Andrew. 59 - 67. Several articles are listed which feature Ms Giuffre's claims against Prince Andrew. These include: Prince Andrew and the 17-year-old girl his sex offender friend flew to Britain to meet him,' Daily Mail Online (corrected Mar. 2, 2011). Unsavoury association: How Robert Maxwell's daughter 'procured young girls' for Prince Andrew's billionaire friend,' Daily Mail Online (Mar. 5, 2011). Prince Andrew denies sexual abuse allegations in unprecedented Buckingham Palace statement: The Duke of York denies having relations with alleged 'sex slave,' The Independent (Jan. 4, 2015). The documents released in New York also reveal: Seven members of a depraved child sex ring have been told that they face a possible life sentence after subjecting multiple youngsters to depraved abuse. The five men and two women, who repeatedly raped, attacked and brutalised the vulnerable children at a dirty hovel known as the 'beastie house', were branded a potential danger to the public by a judge at the High Court in Glasgow today. The gang subjected three children to years of devastating abuse and even got their victims to take part in 'occult practices' such as casting 'spells' and making them believe they were turning into animals as part of a satanic 'coven'. In one incident, a girl was pinned down and attacked as other members of the gang cheered, hollered and encouraged what was happening. The gang were said to hold 'rape nights', 'dance and sex nights' as well as 'dog killing nights' at the hell-hole flat where they routinely took drugs and abused the children. Five men and three women were convicted today at the High Court in Glasgow of horrific crimes against four children under the age of 13. Pictured: Lesley Williams and Paul Brannan Two boys and two girls were 'violently and sexually' assaulted on multiple occasions between 2012 and 2019 by members of the ring, the court heard. Pictured: Iain Owens (left) and John Clark (right) The paedophile gang caused the children to consume drugs and alcohol. They also used Class A drugs in front of them. Pictured: Elaine Lannery A total of eight people were found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow in what is believed to be Scotland's largest child sex abuse ring trial One terrified young girl was even 'put in an oven' as well as padlocked in a fridge and shut in a cupboard that had 'beetles and spiders in it'. The ordeals only emerged after the brave young victims revealed how they had suffered to a couple they got to know before a massive police probe was sparked. Last year jurors had returned verdicts on 21 charges which occurred between April 2012 and June 2019. Iain Owens, 45, was convicted of 18 charges including the rape of the three children and the attempted murder of one involving shutting her in a microwave and other kitchen appliances. The jobless addict was also guilty of other sex offences and class A drug supply. Elaine Lannery, 39, was convicted of 12 charges including the rape of the children. Lesley Williams, 42, was convicted of five charges including the rape of two girls. Paul Brannan, 40, meantime was guilty of seven charges which also featured the rape of all the three sex abuse victims. Lannery, Williams and Brannan had also been convicted of attempted murder. Scott Forbes, 50, was convicted of the rape of one girl. Barry Watson and John Clark, both 47, joined them in the dock having been found to have raped two of the young victims. Marianne Gallagher was cleared of sex abuse, but was convicted of being part of an assault on one girl. The 39-year-old was spared jail and was ordered to be of good behaviour for 12 months. Scott Forbes, 50, (pictured) was found guilty being found to have raped a girl Barry Watson, 47, was also found guilty of raping two girls. He was remanded in custody In the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday, Judge Lord Beckett said he would send them for a risk assessment before passing sentence,but warned them they all faced potential lifelong restrictions for their crimes. 'All of you were convicted of sexual abuse of a young child in the most appalling circumstances,' he said. 'All the crimes you were convicted of are serious. All the sexual cases are of extreme gravity.' He added: 'In light of the nature of the charges you are convicted, all the evidence led and the information on each of you it appears to me that with the nature of the circumstances of this offence, you may, at liberty, seriously endanger members of the public at large particularly younger children. 'I'm close to concluding the risk criteria may be met in which I will be bound to impose a risk assessment order. 'It is not inevitable that an order of lifelong restriction may be imposed on all or any of you. You are not all in the same position and the court will consider the case of each of you and your own circumstances and the charges you were convicted. 'Understand each of you face a substantial prison sentence and these may be extended.' In such cases, the offender will also be ordered to serve a minimum period in jail - a punishment part - before they could be considered for a parole bid. The case was deferred until Tuesday next week for a risk assessor to be identified for each person. The group, who were convicted after a harrowing nine-week trial last year, were remanded in custody meantime. Scott Forbes (left) was found guilty in court today of raping one girl. Barry Watson (right), 47, was also convicted for raping two girls Elaine Lannery (pictured), 39, was convicted of the rape of the children among the 12 charges she was done for The case mainly centred on three children - two girls and a boy. Another girl was listed in a charge, but she was not physically or sexually harmed. Jurors heard details of the victims depressing young lives - even before they were preyed upon. One in particular suffered from chronic, severe head lice described as the 'worst' a child professional had seen in her near 40-year career. A number of witnesses in the trial became emotional as they recounted their dealings with some of the youngsters. Describing one, a woman told jurors how a 'bubbly wee boy' became 'hyper vigilant' and lost his innocence. The behaviour of another of the older children changed from her being 'very friendly' to a 'boisterous' girl tormented by what she was being subjected to. The youngsters suffered in silence until police were alerted in 2020. This was after a man who got to know the children reported what he had been told. It was sparked after one of the victims became hysterical having mistakenly thought she had been shut in a room. The man told the trial he had then been 'driven by his conscience and principles' to then help the victims. Along with his wife, he painstakingly documented horrific details of what the children recalled happening at the hands of the gang. There were said to have been 'rape nights', 'dance and sex nights' as well as 'dog killings nights' at the hell-hole flat. One of the girls was 'put in an oven' as well as padlocked in a fridge and shut in a cupboard with 'beetles and spiders in it'. The same child described the flat as the 'dark and scary beastie house'. Paul Brannan (left), 40, was guilty of seven charges which also featured the rape of all the three sex abuse victims and Iain Owens (right), 45, was convicted of 18 charges including the rape of the three children, attempted murder of one involving shutting her in a microwave and other kitchen appliances What was described as a satanic 'coven' - a mixture of 'witches and wizards' - were also said to have got the children involved in 'occult practices' casting 'spells' and turning them into animals. The young boy was also made to courier drugs on behalf of one member of the gang. The couple were then told of depraved sexual abuse - much of it too graphic to explain in detail - at the hand of the paedophile ring. A series of emails - shown during the trial - were sent to Police Scotland sparking the huge inquiry. On hearing this read back to him in court, the man said: 'That is a nightmare in real time. Listening to that, it is quite distressing.' The pre-recorded police interviews and evidence before a judge were played during the trial. Among the crimes jurors heard about was one of the girls being restrained and abused by members of the ring in a disgusting room until she was injured and unconscious - all while it was being recorded on camera. Owens was said to have 'received payment'. John Clarke (pictured), 47, was convicted The gang all denied being paedophiles or physically harming the children. Some, however, confessed to openly taking drugs in front of the youngsters. In her closing speech, advocate depute Miss Harper said the children had been victims of a 'scary and confusing world' and that they would had to have been 'off the scale devious' to have made up the abuse. Owens' KC Gary Allan on Thursday said: 'His position on oath always has been that these allegations of sexual misconduct were wholly without substance. 'He does not accept in any respect his guilt of these charges of misconduct set out in the indictment.' Ronnie Renucci KC, defending Lannery, meantime told the court: 'It has been brought home to her the impact of drug misuse in a wider scale rather than the single person who is taking it.' Michael Anderson KC said Williams maintains her position of innocence. Brannan's defence KC Tony Lenehan told the judge: 'On the evidence, his involvement was through drugs rather than sexual convenience.' Tony Graham KC, defending Watson, said: 'He gave evidence at trial and you heard the position in relation to the allegation. 'He was convicted on the face of the evidence and he maintains his position of denial.' Forbes's KC Jim Wallace stated 'His position from the outset is that he is innocent of all of the charges he was convicted.' Iain McSporran KC, defending Clark, told the hearing: 'You heard him give evidence that he categorically professes his innocence. Gallagher's advocate Thomas Ross KC said: 'The charge is serious due to the age of the victim - more serious allegations were deleted by the jury.' Mark Carr, 50, Richard Gachagan, 46, and Leona Laing, 51, had also stood trial last year, but were acquitted of all the charges they faced. Russia has launched into Ukrainian territory ballistic missiles supplied by North Korea, according to U.S. intelligence. It came as Moscow also appeared on the verge of obtaining similar weapons from Iran. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Pyongyang has provided Russia with both ballistic missile launchers and several missiles. He said: 'This is a significant and concerning escalation.' White House national security spokesman John Kirby shows how North Korean ballistic missiles were fired by Russia into Ukraine North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets Russia's President Vladimir Putin Russia on September 13, 2023 North Korea test-fired a hypersonic missile in Pyongyang on January 5, 2022 Russian forces fired at least one of the North Korean ballistic missiles into Ukraine on December 30. It then launched numerous North Korean ballistic missiles on January 2 as part of an overnight attack. The missile fired on December 30 landed harmlessly and 'thankfully all it did was put a hole in a field,' Kirby said. He said the impact of the missiles used several days later was still being assessed. 'We anticipate that Russia will use additional North Korean missiles to target Ukraines civilian infrastructure and to kill innocent Ukrainian civilians,' he added. A woman speaks on the phone standing amidst the rubble of a residential high-rise building on January 3, 2024 in Kyiv People stand in the courtyard of a residential apartment building damaged after a Russian missile attack on Kyiv on January 2, 2024 The U.S. believes a Russia-Iran deal on providing further ballistic missiles to Vladimir Putin has not yet been completed. But the U.S. is 'concerned that Russia's negotiations to acquire close range ballistic missiles from Iran are actively advancing,' Kirby said. Iran has already provided Russia with attack drones, according to U.S. officials. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, on July 19, 2022 A North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile being prepared for a test launch The White House says the Kremlin has become reliant on North Korea and Iran for the arms it needs to continue fighting its war against Ukraine. In October U.S. officials said North Korea had delivered more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Russia. North Korea and Iran are themselves largely isolated on the international stage due to their nuclear programs and human rights records. Kim Jong Un, the North Korean dictator, traveled to Russia in September to meet Putin and visit key military sites. Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis played tag team Thursday to attack Nikki Haley for her stance on the border and her attitude to Iowa, cementing her status as the candidate most likely to cause an upset in the nomination race. The former president and the Florida governor have both stepped up their criticism of Haley as she surges upwards in the polls. It intensified further with just 11 days to go before Iowa holds its caucuses to select the state's preferred candidate. The Trump campaign on Wednesday launched its first TV attack on Haley in the state of New Hampshire, which she is targeting for a win. 'Confirmed warnings of terrorists sneaking in through our southern border,' the narrator says. 'Yet Haley joined Biden in opposing Trump's visitor ban from terrorist nations. Haleys weakness puts us in grave danger. Trump's strength protects us.' Nikki Haley is target number one for the campaigns of Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis with only 11 days to go before Republicans in Iowa choose their preferred candidate The campaigns of Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis have upped their attacks in recent weeks EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Nikki Haley beats Joe Biden by five points in Daily Mail 2024 national poll Advertisement DeSantis also went on the attack after Haley appeared to write off Iowa's Republican voters when she told voters in New Hampshire they had a chance to correct the result in Iowa, where Trump appears on course for a big win. 'We have an opportunity to get this right,' she told a large crowd in Milford. 'And I know well get it right, and I trust you. I trust every single one of you. 'You know how to do this. You know Iowa starts it. You know that you correct it.' South Carolina, her home state, 'brings it home,' she added to cheers, when it holds the first primary in the south on February 24. DeSantis said it suggested Haley knew she was in for a drubbing in Iowa. 'I think it was incredibly disrespectful to Iowans to say somehow their votes need to be quote corrected,' he said during an interview with am Omaha radio station. 'I think she's trying to provide an excuse for her not doing well.' Other Iowans weighed in. 'I trust Iowans to make their own decisions,' said Gov. Kim Reynolds, who has endorsed DeSantis. 'No "corrections" needed!' Haley's analysis may not be wrong, however. JL Partners polled 984 likely voters across the nation from December 15 to 20. The results carry a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points but show that former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley does best out of Republican contenders against Joe Biden A rolling average of Iowa polls maintained by statistics website FiveThirtyEight puts DeSantis on 18.4 percent and Haley on 15.7 percent. Trump is way out ahead with 50 percent of the vote. Caucuses are notoriously difficult to predict, but the numbers suggest that Haley's best bet may be in New Hampshire where she is 19 points behind Trump, and way ahead of DeSantis. Several strong debate performances and key endorsements have given her momentum as the race gets to its business end. Her campaign hit back at criticism she was soft on the border. 'All the lame nicknames in the world dont change the fact that Donald Trump is clearly terrified of Nikki Haleys momentum,' said communications director Nachama Soloveichik. 'Nikki passed one of the toughest anti-illegal immigration bills in the country back when Trump was still a Democrat. Trump should spend more time explaining why he never fulfilled his signature promise to build a wall instead of desperately trying to mislead voters with easily debunked ads.' A huge fire has broken out inside an e-bike store containing dozens of dangerous and volatile lithium ion batteries in Sydney's Inner West. Firefighters rushed to a two-storey warehouse on Elizabeth street in Croydon on Friday morning after reports a blaze had erupted just metres from homes. Up to seven fire trucks and paramedics were dispatched to the scene as evacuated residents waited nervously outside their homes. A petrol station is on one side of the building with homes on the other. As of 6am, no person had been injured in the blaze. No one is believed to be inside the warehouse with nearby buildings evacuated as a precaution. A fire at a commercial building in the city's Inner West erupted early on Friday morning with firefighters desperately fighting to keep the blaze contained (stock image) Firefighters were seen using aerial appliances (pictured) to shoot water down into the burning building in an effort to gain the upper-hand on the flames Firefighters were seen using aerial appliances to shoot water down into the burning building in an effort to gain the upper-hand on the flames. Residents in the Inner West have been told to steer clear of Elizabeth Street which is shut between Frederick and Edwin streets. The warehouse has been deemed too dangerous for firefighters to enter. More to come Haunting photos of an abandoned Scottish psychiatric hospital have been shared by an urban explorer. Natasha McCallum discovered Bangour Village Hospital, west of Dechmont in West Lothian while exploring and posted the pictures online. The 'eerie' hospital, which first opened its door in 1906, was made part of the Edinburgh War Hospital during the First World War, though was later reverted to a psychiatric facility. Photos taken by Natasha show decrepit building left abandoned to vandals and the elements, with debris, smashed windows and collapsing walls throughout the former lunatic asylum. Those brave enough to take a peek inside are also greeted to a number of creepy sights, including haunting baby doll with one of its eyes missing suspiciously hanging from a wall, while other rooms contain the original equipment used to treat 'shell-shocked' war veterans. Natasha McCallum posted the snaps of Bangour Village Hospital west of Dechmont in West Lothian to Scotland's Abandoned Places Facebook group Haunting photos of an abandoned Scottish psychiatric hospital have been shared by an urban explorer that they said gave them an 'eerie feel' The hospital, which first opened its door in 1906, was made part of the Edinburgh War Hospital during the First World War , though was later reverted to a psychiatric facility As seen in Natasha's powerful photographs, the current state of Bangour Village Hospital shows shattered windows are shattered and floors are strewn with debris, while some of the original equipment remains Amid changing mental healthcare practices across the UK throughout the late 20th century, many psychiatric hospitals shut their doors during the 1990s and 2000s. In 2004, the building was officially closed after the departure of its final patients. Natasha commented: 'All that remains is dark corridors, collapsing floors and is pretty much falling to the ground. Although this place has such a haunting vibe it's not a place I would visit again nor on my own. 'They say this place is haunted although the feeling inside was enough to possibly believe so. To top it off the freezing fog gave the buildings such an eerie feel. 'Inside you can see what remains of the old hospital. I hope you enjoy the photos.' Bangour Village Hospital, near Dechmont in West Lothian, opened in 1906 for Edinburghs 'lunatic paupers', and for almost 100 years housed patients with mental health problems from across Central Scotland. But after St Johns Hospital opened in nearby Livingston in 1989, it was slowly shut down, and in 2004 the last remaining ward was closed. Today, it is a relic of its former past, and its Grade A-listed buildings leave a chill down your spine as you walk around the 960 acre estate. Bangour Village Hospital, near Dechmont in West Lothian, opened in 1906 for Edinburghs 'lunatic paupers', and for almost 100 years housed patients with mental health problems from across Central Scotland After St Johns Hospital opened in nearby Livingston in 1989, it was slowly shut down, and in 2004 the last remaining ward was closed Today, it is a relic of its former past, and its Grade A-listed buildings leave a chill down your spine as you walk around the 960-acre estate One former hospital employee who worked there in the 1980s described it as a 'sinister' place to live and was filled with 'shell-shocked' veterans of The First World War Built on the Bangour Estate, which was bought by the Edinburgh District Lunacy Board (EDLB) in 1902, it was set up as a new style of psychiatric hospital based on the Continental Colony system Built on the Bangour Estate, which was bought by the Edinburgh District Lunacy Board (EDLB) in 1902, it was set up as a new style of psychiatric hospital based on the Continental Colony system. This approach had been developed at Alt-Scherbitz near Leipzig, Germany, and aimed to give patients a more calming environment for the duration of their stay. READ MORE: Inside abandoned 100-year-old asylum which housed patients from around Scotland and served as psychiatric hospital for WWI veterans Advertisement The revolutionary design saw 32 villas created in the style of suburban domestic villas, with large bay windows and south-facing public rooms to bring in the most light. Each could house between 25 to 40 patients with the non-medical staff separated by a complex of workshops, stores, a kitchen, and the main hospital block. Bedrooms were also situated upstairs in an attempt to try and move patients away from the typical stresses and difficulties of institutional life. By the end of 1905, there were up to 200 patients in residence at the facility, and recently it was discovered that 566 patients had been buried in unmarked graves in nearby cemeteries. Following the outbreak of World War II, the complex was turned into the Edinburgh War Hospital in 1939 with a large annex built to increase its capacity. After the war, the annex was converted into Bangour General Hospital, and Bangour Village Hospital returned to being a psychiatric hospital. The disused site has a reputation among nearby residents for being haunted by the spirits of deceased patients. One former hospital employee who worked there in the 1980s described it as a 'sinister' place to live and was filled with 'shell-shocked' veterans of The First World War. Following its closure, the former hospital was used as a filming location for the 2005 psychological thriller The Jacket starring Keira Knightley and Adrien Brody. It was also later used for a counter-terrorist exercise run by the Scottish Government in 2009 to test de-contamination procedures in the event of a nuclear blast, while the site is currently earmarked for redevelopment. The mother of Casey Anthony suffered a panic attack whilst being questioned about what really happened to her granddaughter during filming for a new lie-detector test based show. Cindy Anthony is seen struggling to breathe as she states she 'believes 100 percent' that her daughter knows what really happened to three-year-old Caylee. The youngster's remains were found in a garbage bag half a mile from the family's Orlando home six months after she was reported missing in June 2008. Her mom Casey was accused of her murder, but ultimately acquitted following a sensational trial in which she was dubbed 'the most hated woman in America' after pictures emerged showing her partying days after her daughter went missing. Now Cindy has agreed to undertake a lie detector test as part of a new A&E show looking at the unsolved case, in which her husband George also enters the hot seat following claims by his daughter he helped conceal Caylee's body. Cindy Anthony suffered a panic attack during questions over the murder of her granddaughter Caylee, 3, during new A&E show Casey Anthony's Parents: The Lie Detector Test Caylee was found dead in 2008 six months after she was last seen alive. Cindy said she '100 percent' believes her daughter Casey Anthony knows what truly happened to her In a sneak peak, the grandmother is seen getting emotional as she talks about her late granddaughter. Asked if Casey knows what happened to Caylee, Cindy replies: 'Yes, I believe 100 percent. I kept hoping upon hope that she would confess and that's the only reason I've been putting myself through all of her drama.' The devastated parent then begins to wipe away tears before continuing: 'Since June 16, 2008, Caylee has been my number one priority as far as what happened to her and getting her back. 'I lost Casey and my granddaughter that day but Caylee was always the priority. That's been my whole focus and goal the whole time is to find out the truth and to sit here and listen to her keep making different stories up as it fits.' She then tails off she becomes overwhelmed with emotion, shuddering as she tells the interviewer she is having a hard time talking. She continues to spiral before suddenly clutching her chest and announcing she is having a panic attack. Her breathing becomes ragged and she dashes off to take her anti-anxiety medication. But the attack is too advanced and her husband has to come in and try to comfort her. Two-year-old Caylee Anthony went missing in June 2008 but her disappearance was not reported by her mother until 31 days after. Her skeletal remains were then found in December of that year Casey Anthony holding her daughter, Caylee, was initially accused of murdering her baby girl in 2008 Cadaver dogs found human remains in the trunk of Casey's car but she was acquitted of murder Cindy continues gasping for air and warns George she is about to faint. He suggests they go to the hospital whilst encouraging her to breath. As the clip ends, Cindy is forced to lie on the floor with her eyes shut in a desperate attempt to steady herself. It comes after George was seen breaking down when asked if he concealed Caylee's body during a lie detector test for the same show, 'Casey Anthony's Parents: The Lie Detector Test.' The newest documentary comes a year after he was accused by his own daughter of dumping Caylee's body in the Florida woods near his home. She claimed he had sexually abused her as a child and done the same to her daughter - allegations he strenuously denied. Casey was 21 years old at the time of Caylee's death, and she partied just days after her daughter went missing although she later claimed she was working with her club promoter boyfriend at the time. Caylee was last seen alive on June 16, 2008, and was reported missing to the Orange County Sheriff's Office by Casey's mother, Cindy, nearly a month later, on July 15. In a 911 call, the grandmother told dispatchers she had not seen Caylee for 31 days and that she had smelled a foul odor emanating from her daughter's car, as if a dead body had been inside it. Cindy also revealed Casey had given inconsistent explanations when asked about the child's whereabouts. Later, she told her mother that she had not seen her for weeks. The case made national headlines after Casey Anthony was seen out partying just days after her daughter's disappearance Casey was subsequently arrested on July 16, 2008, and questioned at Orange County Jail. She lied to detectives, telling them Caylee had been kidnapped by a nanny on June 9, that she had been trying to find her and that she was too frazzled to tell cops. She told investigators the nanny was named Zenaida Fernandez-Gonzalez. However, it was soon determined she didn't have a nanny and that the woman, an acquaintance of Casey's, had never met her daughter. Casey was charged the next day with giving false statements to law enforcement, child neglect, and obstruction of a criminal investigation. She was initially denied bail by a judge. Her bail was initially set at $500,000 at a bond hearing on July 22, 2008, and she was released a month later when the bond was posted by the nephew of a California bail bondsman. Months later, in October, she was indicted by a grand jury on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, aggravated manslaughter of a child, and four counts of providing false information to police, and was arrested again. All the while, cops and thousands of volunteers combed Orange County and Greater Orlando for the child, whose remains were eventually found in a trash bag on December 11, 2008, with more remains found in nearby woods near Anthony's home. The remains were identified as belonging to Caylee roughly a week later. The mom, who was 21 at the time her daughter was killed, was eventually acquitted on the first-degree murder count, as well as the manslaughter and child abuse charges Casey and her father George before Caylee's death. She previously accused him of sexually abusing her as a child before he did the same to her daughter Anthony smiles before the start of her sentencing hearing on charges of lying to a law enforcement officer at the Orange County Courthouse July 7, 2011, in Orlando, Florida At trial jurors acquitted Anthony on the first-degree murder count, as well as the manslaughter and child abuse charges. The jurors did, however, find Anthony guilty on four counts of providing false information to police - charges that saw the mom handed a four-year prison sentence. Anthony was given credit for time served in prison and was released on July 17, 2011, 12 days after the trial's conclusion. She has tried to keep a low profile since the trial, living a quiet life in South Florida where she has tried to avoid the spotlight and the general public. She now lives in West Palm Beach where she currently works as private investigator, and has maintained a social life by drinking with friends at local bars. The new documentary special is set to air on Thursday at 9 pm ET on A&E and Lifetime. Delta Air Lines was forced to delay a flight after a passenger launched into an ugly tirade against terminal staff. The flight, between Atlanta and Rochester, New York, was held up at Gate B14 of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Monday when the female passenger began screaming about not being allowed to board. The woman was filmed repeatedly shouting at three female Delta employees, calling them useless' and yelling for a manager to assist her. 'You guys are terrible I want to speak to your manager. Who is your boss?' the impatient woman can be hear saying before becoming increasingly enraged. 'I want to talk to your boss, moron' she yelled, as well as calling one of the female airline staff a 'stupid b***'. The flight, between Atlanta and Rochester, New York, was held up at Gate B14 of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Monday The woman was filmed repeatedly shouting at three female Delta employees, calling them useless' and yelling for a manager to assist her The passenger was also seen angrily slamming her carryon bag onto the desk counter Do YOU know this woman? email: fiona.connor@mailonline.com Advertisement 'I want to go home, you guys are terrible and you should be ashamed of yourselves leaving someone in a situation like this' she yelled. 'Where are the police, where are the police! Where f***ing are they, I will f***ing...' she screamed while waving her hands at the attendants. The passenger was also seen angrily slamming her carryon bag onto the desk counter. One of the employees eventually gets on her cell phone while another begins speaking into a walkie-talkie. 'I got irate when you told me you were kicking me off the f***ing plane, you stupid b***.' At another point, the unidentified woman, yelled at another passenger waiting at the gate saying 'I'm on my period, do you know what a uterus is?' At another point the unidentified woman yelled at another passenger waiting at the gate Eventually a police officer arrived and was seen talking to the angry passenger She was eventually led away by the police officer to the relief of the other passengers waiting for their flight Adding: 'You stupid little prick, you little weasel.' The furious passenger was eventually led away by a police officer to the relief of the other passengers waiting for their flight. It is not clear why the woman was not allowed to board the flight or whether or not she was deemed unfit to fly. A spokesperson for Delta said in a statement: 'Delta appreciates the professionalism shown by our people, customers, and law enforcement to handle this unfortunate display.' 'We are looking into the matter, including reaching out to our customer to understand more about what occurred.' El Salvador charismatic president who locked up 75,000 alleged gang members has hailed a collapse in the murder rate which has left the country the safest in South America. Nayib Bukele, who styles himself the worlds coolest dictator,' has locked up more than 75,000 alleged gang members in one of the continents largest prison systems since declaring a state of emergency in March 2022. But a murder rate that peaked at 106 per 100,000 nine years ago collapsed to 2.4 last year, making 2023 the safest year in El Salvadors history.' Just 7,000 of those rounded up have been released with the rest penned into a rapidly growing network of austere jails to the horror of human rights groups. But Bukele's approval ratings have soared to around 90 per cent in a country that has been dogged by gangs and cartels including the notorious MS-13 and 18th Street gangs. El Salvador's president Nayib Bukele has presided over a 94 percent drop in its murder rate with just 154 recorded last year, down from nearly 4,000 in 2017 But his country now has the largest prison population per head of population in the world More than 75,000 alleged gangsters have been incarcerated under sweeping powers We are going to continue dismantling criminal structures, his justice minister Gustavo Villatoro said as he announced the figures. The territory belongs to the State of El Salvador, which means that this parallel criminal state no longer exists. The murder rate had fallen to 38 per 100,000 by the time the former mayor of the capital San Salvador was elected president in 2019. But gangs controlled 80 per cent of the country and when the two gangs carried out 62 murders in a single day Bukele persuaded his countrys Congress to give him emergency powers and the arrests began. Congress has extended its authorization 21 times as the murder rate has fallen but it has left the country with the worlds highest incarceration rate and alarmed human rights organizations which have reported 190 deaths and over 5,000 abuses related to the crackdown. Some of the arrests were based solely on individuals having tattoos or a prior criminal record or the fact that they were living in an area controlled by a gang, Amnesty International wrote in its country report last year. Thousands of people were indiscriminately prosecuted, and hearings, which were rushed, sometimes dealt with hundreds of defendants at a time. Many have been herded into the CECOT 'Terrorism Confinement Centre' complex which was opened in January last year and has been compared by critics to a concentration camp. The number of murders in the country of 6.3 million has collapsed since its 2015 peak The new super prison in Tecoluca, 74 kilometers (46 miles) southeast of the capital San Salvador, consists of eight buildings made of reinforced concrete Inmates are expected to sleep on bare four-storey sheet metal bunks without mattresses Human rights organizations have warned of overcrowding and 'severe conditions' A suspected gangster is pictured during his arrival at the Terrorist Confinement Centre in Tecoluca, El Salvador Inmates spend hours sitting on the floor before stacked metal beds As many as 2,000 inmates a day have been transferred to the Terrorism Confinement Center The prison was built to accommodate some of the 75,000 suspected gangsters detained as part of the war on crime launched last year by El Salvador's presidents Suspected gang members are moved to the largest mega-prison in the Americas Footage shows the heavily tattooed and barefoot men, dressed only in white shorts, being hurriedly moved around with their heads bowed and hands cuffed behind their backs Gang members wait to be taken to their cells after being transferred to the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador Prison are seated on the floor after their arrival to the Terrorist Confinement Centre as they wait to be moved to their cells The countrys gang problem dates back to the civil war of the 1980s when many fled to LA More than 100 inmates share a cell, each of which has just two toilets. All are given a little under one-metre squared to live and sleep. They have no mattresses, no outdoor spaces, and they are regularly beaten, abused and exploited. The prison employs over 800 guards, and photographs - eagerly promoted by the government - show inmates with their hands tied behind their backs, forced to stand or sit with their heads on the prisoner in front of them. All contact with the outside world is cut off. Jammers block all phone signals in and out. Prisoners leave their cell only for legal hearings, which are conducted by video conference, and to be punished. The countrys gang problem dates back to the civil war of the 1980s. As Latin American Refugees fled to America, the MS-13 and Calle 18 gangs formed on the streets of Los Angeles. When the war ended, those from El Salvador returned. With them, they brought their gang affiliations, rivalries and violence. Now, Calle 18 is thought to have around 65,000 global members, while MS-13 has between 50,000 to 70,000. As their numbers grew, their influence spread. Thousands of members from both have fought and died for the crown of Central America's most powerful gang, profiting off crimes such as sex and drug trafficking, racketeering, money laundering, extortion and kidnapping. And Bukele has little time for his international critics, slamming those who were not saying anything when these criminals killed tens of Salvadoran men and women, but they leaped at attention when we began to arrest them saying that we are violating their rights. Some of the arrests were based solely on individuals having tattoos or a prior criminal record or the fact that they were living in an area controlled by a gang, Amnesty International wrote in its country report last year The collapsing murder rate has given Bukele an approval rating of around 90 percent More than 100 inmates share a cell, each of which has just two toilets The 42-year-old, who tried to make Bitcoin legal tender in El Salvador, will run in next months presidential election after persuading the countrys supreme court that taking a six-month sabbatical will allow him to escape its ban on second terms of office. And he will be keen to defend his record. We are no longer the world death capital and we achieved it in record time, he told the UN General Assembly in September. Today we are a model of security and no one can doubt it. There are the results. They are irrefutable. Author and journalist Peter FitzSimons has thrown his support behind a major change to Australia's constitution just months after the failed Voice to Parliament referendum. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese earlier this week reiterated his support for increasing terms for federal parliament from three to four years. Commentator and former radio host Mike Carlton said the change 'makes sense'. 'Yep. Makes sense. Four year terms for the House of Reps. AND the Senate. It'd require a referendum,' he said on social media. FitzSimons replied, saying : 'No-brainer. Let's do it'. High-profile columnist Peter FitzSimons has thrown his support behind a major change to Australia's constitution just months after the failed Voice to Parliament referendum Mr Albanese said it was unfortunate that an increase to four-year terms for federal parliament would not be coming through soon, despite states and territories having the longer limits in place. 'Our terms are too short with just three years,' Mr Albanese told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday. 'There's been a couple of attempts to fix that in the past, and it's very difficult to change.' Labor's national platform said fixed four-year terms for the House of Representatives and the Senate should be considered. 'Our view, our long-term policy, and we've put it to the Australian people, is for four-year terms, but I don't anticipate that happening any time soon,' Mr Albanese said. 'That's unfortunate, every single state has four years.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (picture on Wednesday) has reiterated his support for increasing terms for federal parliament from three to four years The next federal election is due to be held by May 2025, but can be held earlier should the prime minister want to go to the polls sooner. Mr Albanese has previously said he wanted to serve his full term as prime minister and confirmed a federal election would be held in early 2025. 'We're focused on governing during the year,' he said. Australia and New Zealand are the only countries to have three terms, with Canada and the United States having four-year terms and the UK having five-year terms. Critics of four-year terms say governments could become less accountable to voters if they remain in power for longer. However, supporters say the government would have more time to implement legislation. A Florida woman was left bloodied and bruised after battling an alligator to protect her dog on New Year's Eve. The reptile launched at Gwen Cash's Rottweiler, Maximus, moments after the pair stepped outside their home near Holly Lake in Pembroke Pines. Cash said: 'He kind of turned as if he was going for my dogs throat and I was trying to put my arm around my dog's chest and that's how I got scratched'. 'I'm glad he didn't close his mouth,' she added. Cash was left with bruises and deep scratches on her arm, but felt grateful she was able to get her dog back inside the house safely. Gwen Cash of Pembroke Pines fought an alligator while trying to protect her dog Maximus from being attacked Cash and Maximus were only outside for five minutes before she spotted the alligator near their home The Florida resident was frightened by what happened but happy the alligator didn't close its mouth. She is now working with a trapper to relocate it Cash has lived in Pembroke Pines her whole life because she enjoys the wildlife close to the area, WSVN reported. Florida is home to more than one million gators, and Holly Lake is known for being one of the bodies of water in the state that is home to the reptiles. Cash had never minded before but is now concerned about how comfortable the alligator was around her. 'The fact that he's not scared worries me,' she said. 'If not my dog, somebody's little kid could be playing...' Cash is now working with a trapper to relocate the alligator to prevent someone else being injured or worse. The Pembroke Pines nextdoor page posted advice this week about how residents can stay safe. Cash put her arm around her dog's chest and the alligator left deep scratches and bruises Florida is home to more than one million alligators and Pembroke Pines is a busy neighborhood located right on Holly Lake Cash is now worried because the alligator that approached her dog was not scared. Luckily, Maximus was able to make it back into the house safely Tips include never feeding alligators, keeping pets away from potential alligator habitats, and being cautious of fresh or brackish waters - especially during early morning and evening hours. 'Let's stay informed and respectful of our local wildlife to ensure safety for everyone in our community!' the post stated. Where, Prince Andrew, is all your promised help? The latest document dump in the Jeffrey Epstein child sex trafficking case includes the names of very powerful, prominent people Bill Clinton among them, of whom Epstein reportedly said, 'Clinton likes them young'. Clinton himself claims to have no knowledge of Epstein's 'terrible crimes'. Also mentioned in this latest trove: Prince Andrew. Before we get into all that, let's recall the Prince's statement in 2019, about two months after Epstein's suicide. 'I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein', Andrew said an association that began in 1999, continued long after Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting an underage prostitute, and allegedly included trips to Epstein's private island, known to locals as 'pedophile island.' 'His suicide has left many unanswered questions', Andrew's statement continued, 'particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathize . . . Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required'. Is 'required' the key qualifier here? It certainly seems so. Here's the thing: There is no way back into the royal fold for Andrew ever, ever, ever. His legacy is trashed. That is, unless he does the right thing and starts talking. Otherwise his involvement with a known child sex trafficker will be the first line of his obituary. It will be the only thing he's remembered for. Can he really live with that? The latest document dump in the Jeffrey Epstein child sex trafficking case includes the names of very powerful, prominent people Bill Clinton among them, of whom Epstein reportedly said, 'Clinton likes them young'. There is no way back into the royal fold for Andrew ever, ever, ever. His legacy is trashed. That is, unless he does the right thing and starts talking. (Above) Undated photo of Prince Andrew, Virginia Roberts Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell These latest documents, as royal expert Phil Dampier told MailOnline, are 'the final nail in the coffin' for Andrew. Esteemed royal biographer Tom Bower said that the royal family needs to 'bury and forget' him. 'It's a danger for the Palace', Bower said. 'They don't know what more bombs will be dropped'. This release resurfaces claims from a Jane Doe 3 alleging, in a 2014 court filing, that she was 'forced to have sexual relations' with Andrew 'when she was a minor in three separate geographical locations': once in London, once in New York, and again on Epstein's private island 'in an orgy with numerous other under-age girls'. Not only that the pedo-financier is suspected of having worked as a spy for Mossad and the CIA. According to a former Israeli intelligence agent, Andrew was considered a 'useful idiot' by Epstein. Former Israel prime minister Ehud Barak met with the late pedophile 36 times and was photographed outside Epstein's Manhattan penthouse in 2016. Ex-CIA chief William J. Burns also met with Epstein multiple times in 2014. Former FBI head Louis Freeh, who served under Clinton, is also named, 'because he may have knowledge concerning travel of Bill Clinton', according to the documents. How is it that a powerless Prince Andrew hasn't been interrogated by Scotland Yard? Or Interpol? Jane Doe 3 said that Epstein commanded her to 'give the Prince whatever he demanded'. How is it that Andrew can still fly under the radar, doing God knows what, without being investigated for allegations that he participated in underage sex trafficking? Not only that the pedo-financier is suspected of having worked as a spy for Mossad and the CIA. According to a former Israeli intelligence agent, Andrew was considered a 'useful idiot' by Epstein. (Above) Prince Andrew in 2019 BBC interview How is it that a powerless Prince Andrew hasn't been interrogated by Scotland Yard? Or Interpol? (Above) Virginia Roberts Giuffre holds a photo of herself as a teen, when she says she was abused by Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Prince Andrew 'Prince Andrew wasn't being blackmailed', former Mossad operative Ari Ben-Menashe said in a 2020 interview. 'He was being used as a useful idiot . . . to bring in some of the celebrities'. And wow, if these documents don't read like a who's who of the Illuminati: Donald Trump, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bruce Willis, Stephen Hawking, one-time top Bill Clinton aide Doug Band, Naomi Campbell, Cate Blanchett, the late Michael Jackson, the magician David Copperfield, the late New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, and Cameron Diaz all appear. None have been accused of wrongdoing. Ghislaine Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year-sentence for child sex trafficking in connection with Epstein's crimes, maintains her innocence and her shameless sense of victimhood here. 'If you look at this crime, this overall crime', her lawyer Arthur L. Aidala said on Wednesday, 'it's all about men abusing women for a long period of time . . . and it's only one person in jail a woman'. So Maxwell does acknowledge that men in Epstein's circle were harming women for years. Well then, why not say what she knows? Why not name names? She has nothing to lose in fact, she would have the greatest redemption arc in modern history. The same could be said of Prince Andrew. He will live the rest of his life in exile. Why not make it mean something? Why not air out the powerful predators who walk among us? Speaking of: how has Bill Clinton evaded any interrogation by law enforcement? Former Israel prime minister Ehud Barak (above) met with the late pedophile 36 times and was photographed outside Epstein's Manhattan penthouse in 2016. Lest we forget, this is a man who was accused by Juanita Broadderick of rape, who has multiple allegations of sexual harassment in his past, and whose close relationship with billionaire Ron Burkle who had his own private plane dubbed 'Air F**k One' and a penchant for younger women was the subject of a lengthy Vanity Fair expose in 2008. No wonder conspiracy theories abound as to Epstein's manner of death. Not one single person on Epstein's flight logs or visitors to his NYC townhouse or his Palm Beach mansion or his private island, save Maxwell, have ever been called to account. Here was Cindy McCain on C-Span in January 2020, during a talk about human trafficking at Florida International University a clip that has since resurfaced: 'You know, it's like everything', she said. 'It hides in plain sight. Epstein was hiding in plain sight. We all knew about him. We all knew what he was doing. We had no one that was no legal aspect that would go after him. They were all afraid of him for whatever reason, they were afraid of him'. How can this still be the case now that Epstein is long dead? How is it that a named witness, Johanna Sjoberg, can claim in these documents that Prince Andrew sexually assaulted her, and the response from Clarence House is silence? Despite all of Andrew's promises to help make this right, as of 2020 prosecutor Geoffrey S. Berman told the press that 'Prince Andrew has provided zero cooperation'. Two years later, Andrew, like the coward he is, was back making empty promises. In February 2022, after reaching a reported $16 million settlement with accuser Virginia Guiffre, Andrew promised in a statement to 'demonstrate his regret for his association with Epstein' by supporting the 'fight against the evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting its victims'. There's never been a better time to make good on that vow. Will the disgraced Prince Andrew dare? NYC Mayor Eric Adams is suing 17 charter bus companies in Texas for $708 million in an effort to stop the state's Governor Greg Abbott from bussing the migrants into New York from the Lone Star state. Adams is seeking millions for the resources New York City has expended to provide shelter and services to thousands of asylum seekers, putting a strain on the the city's schools, shelter system and budget over the last 18 months. City officials allege that the Texas governor has transported more than 33,000 migrants from his city to the Big Apple since spring 2022 when the migrant crisis first began. Adam's office stated the bus charter actions were a violation of New York's Social Services Law, CBS News reported. 'New York City has and will always do our part to manage this humanitarian crisis, but we cannot bear the costs of reckless political ploys from the state of Texas alone,' Adams said. 'Today's lawsuit should serve as a warning to all those who break the law in this way.' NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced on Thursday that he is suing 17 charter bus companies in Texas for $708 million in an effort to stop Texas Governor Greg Abbott from bussing migrants to New York from the Lone Star state Dozens of migrants line up waiting to board a charter bus at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas City officials allege that the Texas Governor Greg Abbott (pictured) has transported more than 33,000 migrants from his city to the Big Apple since spring 2022 when the migrant crisis first began 'Texas Governor Abbott's continued use of migrants as political pawns is not only chaotic and inhumane but makes clear he puts politics over people,' the mayor continued. Adams was shown support by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who also accused Abbott of using 'human beings as political pawns' in a separate statement. 'It's about time that the companies facilitating his actions take responsibility for their role in this ongoing crisis.' Adams urged neighboring municipalities to continue to comply to executive orders that were put in place last week in order to manage the flow of migrants into the city. On Tuesday, during his weekly press conference at City Halll, he called out the Texas governor as someone who has 'total reckless disregard for using people as pawns.' He spoke of his recent move of providing free transportation to the city for those those expatriates who entered his state from Mexico. 'We're dealing with a person who just wants to disrupt,' said Adams, whose chief legal counsel Lisa Zornberg confirmed that 'no migrant buses from Texas had so far complied with Adams' order.' Zornberg called Abbott's migrant transport program 'bonkers,' and said those bus companies who were not abiding by the city's executive order are acting in what she described as 'a bad-faith plan' that takes advantage of vulnerable people. According to the New York State Services Law, Adams administration says '[a]ny person who knowingly brings, or causes to be brought, a needy person from out of state into this state for the purpose of making him a public chargeshall be obligated to convey such person out of state or support him at his own expense.' Disgraced Big Brother star Stephen Bear has insisted he wants to get his 'life back on track' after revealing he will be released from prison this month. Bear was jailed in March after filming and uploading footage of himself having sex with reality TV star Georgia Harrison on his OnlyFans website without her consent. The winner of Celebrity Big Brother 2016 had been given 21 months behind bars, but looks set to be released halfway through his sentence on licence. A source had previously claimed the sex offender would be freed around his birthday on January 15, and now he has seemingly confirmed it in a post on X. Posting on the social media site formerly known as Twitter from behind bars, Bear wrote: 'I will be leaving Brixton prison on the 17th January. Cant wait to get my life back on track. Whos excited to see me?' Stephen Bear was sentenced to 21 months after being convicted of voyeurism, disclosing private, sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress, and harassment without violence The former Celebrity Big Brother winner, pictured here outside court in December 2022, was reportedly set to be freed at some point this month In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), Bear confirmed he would be freed from Brixton Prison on January 17 He also posted a poll asking people whether they 'couldn't wait to see' him or if they would 'rather watch paint dry'. Nearly 80 per cent of those who responded have chosen the second option. READ MORE HERE: Disgraced reality star Stephen Bear admits breaching planning laws by erecting illegally high fence around his Essex home Advertisement A source had earlier told The Sun that Bear had 'served his time' behind bars and would be let out in 'the next few weeks'. 'However, he's been telling pals he's not the same man that went into prison,' they said. 'There will be no hopping back on to social media or rolling straight back into the nearest nightclub when he gets out, he says he just wants to get back to east London and his family.' The source said 'time will tell' if he has 'changed'. Bear was jailed in March after being convicted of voyeurism, disclosing private, sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress, and harassment without violence. According to the Sun, his girlfriend Jessica Smith dumped him in September, after vowing to stand by him while he was in jail. Bear was said to be heartbroken by the split. Meanwhile, in October Georgia Harrison demanded abuse cases are given priority in courts as she appeared on stage at Labour's conference in Liverpool. The former star of reality shows The Only Way Is Essex and Love Island spoke of her long wait for justice. She said it took two years from the day she reported the crime for Bear to be convicted and warned about the impact of long legal processes on victims of other crimes, such as rape and domestic abuse. Georgia Harrison has demanded abuse cases are given priority in courts Stephen Bear with his ex-girlfriend Jessica Smith - who had vowed to stand by him while he was in prison but dumped him last year The 28-year-old said she now has an 'onslaught' of women reaching out to her for help on social media following her high-profile case. She also called for 'massive online platforms' to be required to take down sexually explicit content which had been posted without consent. Speaking on a panel on the main stage of Labour's conference, Ms Harrison said it was 'really important that victims feel they are going to be taken seriously when they're going to the police'. READ MORE HERE: Georgia Harrison 'signs up to Love Island All Stars' after teasing her TV return following Stephen Bear revenge porn ordeal Advertisement 'I speak to a lot of girls who just feel like they weren't taken seriously or no one really understood when they did go to the police,' she added. 'One thing I wanted to highlight from my personal experience is I feel there needs to be more support for victims when they do choose to call the police and go into the court system. 'For me, from the day I reported the crime, it took me two whole years to get a conviction.' Ms Harrison spoke of how the two-year legal ordeal she endured was 'detrimental to my career and my mental health, which was really hard for me'. She added: 'But I couldn't help but think, imagine if you were either a victim of domestic abuse or a sexual assault, if you had been raped. 'And you get a phone call to say "actually you're going to have to wait a whole other year to even get inside a court room". 'You've got to spend the next year of your life walking down the street not knowing if you're going to get attacked, killed, violated - how would you live with that? 'It would be so nice if the courts could make sure if it is a victim of sexual assault or domestic abuse - especially as in a domestic abusive relationship, that amount of time leaves the perpetrator so long to manipulate them to drop the charges - I think those sort of cases should be prioritised and 90 per cent of those victims are women.' MailOnline has contacted the Ministry Of Justice for comment. Actor Ian Ziering has been spotted stepping out after footage emerged of him comforting his daughter following a street brawl with a group of street bikers. The 59-year-old star of 90210 was snapped heading to the gym on Wednesday following his confrontation on Sunday. Ziering, who also starred in the popular Sharknado series, cut a casual figure in an all black outfit while on his cell. The star previously claimed the brawl began after the group of bikers passed his $100,000 Mercedes SUV 'aggressively' and he stopped to check for damage. Ziering clashed with the group on Hollywood Boulevard, approaching them before kicking and striking them on the head. The 59-year-old star of 90210 was snapped heading to the gym on Wednesday following his confrontation on Sunday The actor cut a casual figure in an all black outfit as he headed to the gym while on his cell phone He himself was then attacked by the rider who attempted to strike him, before Ziering pushed him to the floor. Footage shows how the bikers shattered the SUV's windshield as he faced off his attackers, while his terrified daughter Penna was alone inside the vehicle. The video shows the car surrounded by the mob before one aggressively kicks the vehicle's wing mirror. Another member of the gang then approaches the SUV before slamming his helmet down at least twice and splintering the windshield. As the group get back on their bikes, stunned bystanders rush to the vehicle forming a protective ring around it. Another clip shows Ziering being pursued across the road by his attackers. As he runs, one of the gang launches himself on his back and clings to him by the neck as he tries to break free. Shocking pictures of the aftermath shows the extent of damage to the vehicle, which has had its windshield almost caved in. Shocking footage shows the street brawl on New Years Eve which shows the mob attacking his car while his daughter Penna was still inside The youngster can be seen burying her face into her dad who plants a kiss on her head as onlookers ask if she is okay Footage shows how the bikers shattered the SUV's windshield as he faced off his attackers, while his terrified daughter Penna was alone inside the vehicle In the background concerned onlookers can be heard urging Ziering to pull over so they can call 911 and offering up video of the incident. Additional footage from the scene showed the Ziering was first to make the confrontation physical by getting out of his vehicle and shoving one of the bikers. Other footage showed Ziering dashing back across the road to comfort his sobbing daughter Penna. The youngster can be seen burying her face into her dad who plants a kiss on her head as onlookers ask if she is okay. Ziering pulls her out of the embrace to talk to her, revealing her tear stained and panic stricken face. The youngster looks around wildly at the crowd that has formed before looking to her dad again for reassurance as the clip ends. Shortly after the incident, Ziering took to social media to speak out about the attack. 'While stuck in traffic, my car was approached aggressively by one of these riders leading to an unsettling confrontation,' he began. 'In an attempt to assess any damage I exited my car. This action, unfortunately, escalated into a physical altercation, which I navigated to protect myself.' 'I am relieved to report that my daughter and I are both completely unscathed, but the incident has left me deeply concerned about the growing boldness of such groups who disrupt public safety and peace,' Ziering added on Instagram. 'This situation highlights a larger issue of hooliganism on our streets and the need for effective law enforcement responses to such behavior.' 'As a citizen and a parent, I find it unacceptable that groups can freely engage in this kind of behavior, causing fear and chaos, while the response from authorities seems insufficient,' he continued, before urging law enforcement to 'take decisive action.' 'I have always been an advocate for standing up against intimidation and misconduct, and this incident reinforces my belief in the importance of personal and community safety.' He concluded: 'I am thankful for the support of my family, friends, and fans during this time. The windshield of his Mercedes was left with a large smash after the brawl on Sunday The star's wing mirror was also damaged during the altercation with the group on Hollywood Boulevard Ziering attends the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Festival on September 17, 2021 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada 'Its in challenging moments like these that the strength and unity of our community are most vital. Happy new year.' A source previously told DailyMail.com that Ziering was 'doing okay' after the incident. Ziering shares equal custody of Penna, as well as 12-year-old daughter Mia, with ex-wife Erin Ludwig. The former couple wed in 2010, separated in 2019, with their divorce finalized in 2022. Ludwig stated in an Instagram post that she would not be commenting on the incident to protect her daughter's privacy. LAPD said there were yet to be any arrests made in connection to the incident. Migrants who spent their life savings traveling from Africa to New York City have said they are 'the victims of the lies in the movies' after life in the Big Apple was not what they expected. Hundreds of homeless expats, mostly young and middle-aged African men, were waiting in line outside a church on East 7th Street in Manhattan's East Village on Thursday, hoping to find a place to sleep. Among them was Landry, 40, from Congo, who told DailyMail.com he spent his life savings of $9,000 traveling to the US, taking the difficult decision to leave his wife and 14-year-old son behind four months ago. The military veteran had been hoping to land a job in construction but he's been unable to find work in the city and ended up sleeping on the streets in sub-zero temperatures after shelters ran out of space. Conditions in Congo were 'terrible' according to Landry, with frequent fights between ethnic groups and oppressive laws - but he said life in the Big Apple has been 'even worse.' Landry, 40, from Congo, told DailyMail.com he spent his life savings of $9,000 traveling to the United States, taking the difficult decision to leave his wife and 14-year-old son behind four months ago Abdoulaye, from Guinea, said he spent $10,000 traveling through Turkey, Colombia, Panama, Guatemala, Mexico and Texas on foot and by bus in pursuit of the American Dream Friends Vivienna, 44, and Selena, 22, from Ecuador, were the only two women in the hundreds-strong queue on Thursday afternoon The huge line outside St. Brigid School in the East Village where migrants wait for shelter and food 'It's like prison here,' he said, speaking in French. 'It's negligence. We have no access to food, toilets, or anything. Animals live better here - pets in the street are treated better than us. 'The UN building is right there to talk about the problems around the world but look at all this on the doorstep... desperation and lack of services.' 'We were sold a dream in Hollywood films and TV, but the reality of life in New York City is not like the movies,' he said, adding that he had been bussed over from California. When asked how he felt thinking of his family back in Congo, Landry said: 'I cry and think, why did I do this? But it's too late. I spent my life savings coming here and now I can't get a job. What can I do?' Landry is trying to learn Spanish in the hopes of eventually securing a job at a Latino restaurant. Many of the other migrants in the queue had similar stories. Abdoulaye, of Guinea, said he spent $10,000 traveling through Turkey, Colombia, Panama, Guatemala, Mexico and Texas in pursuit of the American Dream. He told DailyMail.com he was given shelter for the first few weeks of his stay in NYC, but had been sleeping on the streets for the past few days. 'After one month they can put you outside,' Abdoulaye said. 'Sleeping outside in the cold is too much. The situation is no good right now.' Friends Vivienna, 44, and Selena, 22, from Ecuador, were the only two women in the hundreds-strong queue on Thursday afternoon. Speaking in Spanish, they said they fled 'danger' in the South American country, only to sleep on the streets in New York where they don't feel any safer. Landry is trying to learn Spanish in the hopes of eventually securing a job at a Latino restaurant. Many of the other migrants in the queue had similar stories Two migrants from Venezuela line up for lunch in the East Village Thursday A man from Ghana waits with other desperate migrants in Manhattan Speaking in Spanish, Vivienna and Selena said they fled 'danger' in the South American country, only to sleep on the streets in New York where they don't feel any safe Hundreds of homeless expats, mostly young and middle aged men from Africa, were waiting in line outside a church on East 7th Street in Manhattan's East Village on Thursday, hoping to find a place to sleep Migrants in line on East 7th Street in Manhattan's East Village on Thursday Many of the migrants who come to NYC end up homeless as the city runs out of shelters A migrant wrapped up in a winter coat sits on steps in the East Village The alarming scene underscores Mayor Eric Adams' own recent admission that NYC - proudly touted as a beacon of the Democrats' 'Sanctuary City' policy - is now at 'breaking point.' More than 160,000 migrants have arrived in the city since the spring of 2022 and the crisis is only deepening as they continue to be bussed from Texas where record numbers are pouring over the border. Some 300,000 breached the US-Mexico border in December - the highest monthly figure ever, while more than 785,000 have entered since October - marking the highest quarterly total on record. Adams confessed to Fox 5's Rosanna Scotto earlier this week that, 'We're getting close to anywhere from 2,500 to peaking at 4,000 a week.' 'What happens when there's no more room?' Scotto asked at one point during the interview. 'We were not just saying we're out of room as a soundbite,' Adams answered, citing the more than 161,000 migrants whom have arrived and sought city aid since spring 2022. Migrants lining outside St. Brigid school in the East Village to get lunch Kandry, from Congo, waiting to find shelter in Manhattan's East Village Migrants wait for food and shelter in the East Village on Thursday 'We're out of room, literally', the Democrat declared. 'People are going to be eventually sleeping on the streets.' Adams replied that he simply could not, due to laws that prohibit both state and local officers from enforcing federal immigration laws. 'I don't have the authorization to tell people that they can't come into New York City,' Adams explained to an unaware Scotto, who went on to ask: 'Why not?' 'It's against the law,' he replied, seemingly angry at the question. He then said it a second time, asserting once more: 'It's against the law.' Estimates from earlier this week show that the city has spent $2billion housing the migrants, and still continues to pour money into the crisis. Poll after poll shows New Yorkers are unhappy with how the Biden Administration is handling the current situation, after it allocated only $140 million to aid the city. Mayor Adams has had to go to DC more than ten times over the past few times to plead for more aid, as he faces a prospective $12 billion cost if the crisis continues. Those calls have so far gone unanswered and for now the Big Apple appears to be on its own. The mayor revealed the city's 'sanctuary' status has hindered his ability to handle the crisis Texas National Guard hold migrants crossing the Rio Grande River to seek humanitarian asylum before crossing the United States border in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico on January 2, 2024 A migrant man crosses the Rio Grande holding his child in the air to prevent him from getting wet on January 2, 2024 Republicans have seized upon border security issues as a main 2024 election issue, which has become a political headache for President Biden. Speaker Mike Johnson and 60 House Republicans toured the U.S.-Mexico border at Eagle Pass on Wednesday as part of their campaign. The group, hosted by GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales who represents the area, will hear from Border Patrol, Texas Department of Public Safety and other stakeholders and tour the region. It's the first large-scale congressional delegation to the border led by the new speaker. In December Johnson sent a letter urging President Biden to use executive powers to immediately stem the flow of migration. The speaker directed the president to end 'catch-and-release,' turning away any migrants encountered between ports of entry and use parole only on a 'case-by-case basis.' He also called on the president to reinstated Trump-era policies like building the wall, reinstating the Remain in Mexico program and expanding expedited removal for those who cannot demonstrate asylum eligibility. Do you know more? Email tips@dailymail.com He was allegedly attacked while walking to a bus stop An intellectually disabled Melbourne man who was allegedly stabbed to death as he walked to a bus stop in broad daylight by a stranger had just overcome prostate cancer. Spiros Filidis, 46, was at the intersection of Little Avenue and Widdop Crescent in Hampton East when he was allegedly attacked at about 12.30pm on Tuesday. Filidis suffered fatal stab wounds and was found with upper body injuries on the side of the road in the city's southeast. Despite the efforts of paramedics who performed CPR, he died at the scene. Spiros Filidis, 46, was allegedly stabbed to death while walking to a bus stop in broad daylight Victoria Police said they don't believe the two men knew each other A 27-year-old Moorabbin man has since been charged with murder and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday, January 5. Victoria Police said they don't believe the two men knew each other. Filidis' family are struggling to come to terms with the horrific attack that occurred in a traditionally safe area in the middle of the day. 'He was full of life ... everyone in Southland knew him,' Filidis's godmother Christine Kounelis told reporters. Anyone with any information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers. A Texas vigilante who shot and killed a robber in a Houston restaurant last year will not be charged, a grand jury has decided. The shooter, who was said to be 'protecting everyone' in the restaurant, struck Eric Eugene Washington, 30, nine times with one bullet hitting him execution-style in the head. Washington had entered the El Ranchito taqueria on January 5, 2023 while flashing what appeared to be a gun, later discovered to be plastic, and robbing the residents inside. The customer, 46, then shot Washington as he attempted to flee the scene, security footage from the event shows. A Texas grand jury has now 'no billed' the shooter,' meaning no criminal charges will be filed against him in relation to the incident, Harris County District Attorney's Office said in a statement. Eric Eugene Washington, 30, died after being shot several times by an armed diner at a local taqueria he was trying to rob in January last year The customer - seen sitting down with his gun raised - shot the man at least nine times. A Grand Jury will decide if he will be charged The shooter, who wished to remain anonymous was within his right under Texas' self-defense laws, his attorney said at the time. 'In Texas, a shooting is justified in self-defense, defense of others and in defense of property,' attorney Juan L. Guerra Jr. said. 'In fear for his life and his friend's life, my client acted to protect everyone in the restaurant' he argued. 'This event has been very traumatic, taking a human life is something he does not take lightly and will burden him for the rest of his life.' There were about 10 customers eating in the restaurant when Washington entered, wearing a black ski mask and gloves, and started to rob the diners. Many scattered to the ground and gave over their possessions in fear of Washington - who was later revealed to be taunting the taco shop with a fake firearm. Washington's mother, Corine Goodman, said the shooter should have stopped firing as soon as there was no longer a threat. 'If you had to kill him, I can deal with that. I can come to grips with that. He did something wrong, I understand that,' she said at the time. 'But for him to be shot four times in the back leaving and when he falls down and he shoots him four more times. He abused him.' Diners can be seen scattered on the floor in fear as the robber walks around with the fake gun Police arrived at the scene on January 5 after the fatal shooting The fatal shooting occurred at Ranchito #4 Taqueria in southwest Houston, Texas Washington already had a lengthy rap sheet. He was on bond for domestic violence after attacking his girlfriend - and he previously spent six years in jail for aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. Court documents also confirmed that Washington was released on parole in 2021 for a conviction of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, for which he had been sentenced to 15 years behind bars. Washington had been convicted in 2015 in connection to the murder of 52-year-old Hamid Waraich, the owner of a Boost Mobile cell phone store, who was fatally shot in the back during a robbery. He was paroled in 2021 after serving six years. One of the victim's sons, Sean Waraich, called Washington 'an evil criminal that took joy from harassing and robbing innocent families.' He called the taqueria vigilante a 'true hero,' and said he 'did the right thing in stopping the robber and protecting the community from a dangerous perpetrator.' Attorney Juan L. Guerra Jr. (pictured) said his client was was within his rights to take the shot Aman Waraich, another son of Hamid, said: 'If the guy who stopped Eric was around ten years ago, maybe I'd still have my dad.' Texas has some of the most permissive gun laws in the US. Residents and non-residents over the age of 21 are allowed to carry a handgun - either openly or concealed - in most places in the state. This does not include people who have any prior felony convictions. Since September 2021, Texans do not need a permit to open carry a handgun in the state. QUESTION Did the 14th-century French knight Jean Le Maingre publish an exercise regimen? In medieval warfare, a man-at-arms had to be in excellent physical condition. He had to be able to rise from a fall in full armour, which would be tough in the heat of battle, where he might be stunned, lying on a muddy battlefield among a sea of enemies. Fitness could, therefore, be a matter of life or death. Jean II Le Maingre knew this. He was a soldier, diplomat and royal councillor to France's King Charles VI. Born in Touraine in 1366, he was known by the nickname Boucicaut, of unknown origin but thought to derive from boce or bosse in reference to a fishing basket. Boucicaut acquired such a fearsome reputation as a warrior and jouster that he was appointed a marshal of France in 1391, while still in his 20s. He commanded the French forces, which suffered a disastrous defeat by the Ottoman Turks at Nicopolis in 1396, led an expedition to support the Byzantine emperor Manuel II in 1399 and served as governor of the city of Genoa (then under French protection) from 1401 to 1409. Jean II Le Maingre was a soldier, diplomat and royal councillor to France's King Charles VI Le Maingre was taken hostage at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 (pictured) where he commanded the French vanguard During his lifetime, a lively chivalric biography entitled Le Livre Des Fais Du Bon Messire Jehan le Maingre, Dit Bouciquaut was published, lauding his achievements and detailing his 'workout'. This included wall climbs, vaults and somersaults while wearing full armour: 'He practised leaping on his warhorse fully armed; sometimes he ran or walked long distances on foot to develop length of breathing and endurance; sometimes he wielded a heavy and long axe or hammer to strengthen himself for his harness and to build up his arms and hands for striking for long periods, and to adapt himself to lifting his arms with agility.' Le Maingre was taken hostage at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, where he commanded the French vanguard. He was captured by the English and died in 1421 in Yorkshire. He was buried in the Collegiale Saint-Martin (which is now the location of the Basilica of St Martin), Tours, in his family's chapel, with the epitaph 'Grand Constable of the Emperor and of the Empire of Constantinople'. Nicholas Gunn, Lincoln. QUESTION Why and when did the concept of 'heartstrings' arise? The phrase is based on late medieval knowledge of anatomy. Heartstrings were literally the tissues and/or vessels that surrounded the heart. These are now defined as the pericardium and the great vessels (inferior vena cava, superior vena cava, pulmonary arteries, pulmonary veins and root of the aorta), vital for cardiovascular function. 'Strings' was used as an alternative term for tendons. It lives on in the word hamstrings. The phrase is based on late medieval knowledge of anatomy. Heartstrings were literally the tissues and/or vessels that surrounded the heart The earliest record comes from the early 15th century. Henry Daniel, an erudite Dominican friar and scientist, used it in his health manual Liber Uricrisiarum. Tomorrow's questions... Why is it (supposedly) unlucky to place new shoes on the table? Barry Larkin, Burgess Hill, West Sussex. Why do people have such vivid and disturbing dreams when they are ill? T. Phillips, London E10. It is well known that Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham didnt see eye to eye when playing for Manchester United. Are there any other cases were players struggled to be team-mates? M. Busby, Birchington, Kent. Is there a question to which you want to know the answer? Or do you know the answer to a question here? Write to: Charles Legge, Answers To Correspondents, Daily Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY; or email charles.legge@dailymail.co.uk. A selection is published, but we're unable to enter into individual correspondence Advertisement For time immemorial the heart has been tied to emotion. When you have strong or sudden feelings, stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline are released, the heart rate increases quickly and blood pressure rises, hence the link. It's not surprising, therefore, that heartstrings took on a figurative use, as in tugging on the heartstrings meaning sympathy. The earliest recorded use came from Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queene (1590): 'Who sighing sore, as if her heart in twaine/Had riven been, and all her heart-strings brast [broken]/With dreary drooping eyne look'd up like one aghast.' Mrs A. Weiss, Tiverton, Devon. QUESTION Aside from the Silk Road, what other trade routes from history warranted their own name? The growth of trade significantly influenced human development, as it allowed the spread of culture between distant communities. The Silk Road was a network of ancient trade routes that connected East and West, facilitating the exchange of silk, spices, precious metals and ideas between China and the Mediterranean. It played a key role in the spread of technology, art and religion. The Spice Routes were maritime trails linking East to West. Pepper, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg were all highly desirable in Europe. But before the 15th century, North African and Arab traders controlled access to the Continent, making such spices more costly than gold. From the 15th to the 17th century, new navigation technology made sailing long distances from Europe possible. Crews took to the seas to forge trading relationships with Indonesia, China and Japan. The spice trade fuelled the development of faster ships, encouraged colonisation and fostered diplomatic relationships between East and West. The Spice Routes were maritime trails linking East to West. Pepper, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg were all highly desirable in Europe Aside from being a decorative item, amber was highly valued for its medicinal properties. Large deposits of amber are found under the Baltic Sea, formed millions of years ago when forests covered the area. The Amber Road passed through Eastern Europe and the territories of modern-day Germany, France and the Netherlands. During the Crusades in the 12th and 13th century, the Baltic became an important source of income for the Teutonic Knights, who were granted control of the amber-producing region and vigorously defended their rights to the Amber Road. The Tea Horse Road connected the tea-producing regions of China with Tibetan herdsmen. It played a vital role in the economic and cultural ties between the Han Chinese and Tibetan cultures. The Triangular Trade was a notorious Atlantic trade route. Slave ships travelled across the Atlantic in a triangle between Britain, West Africa and the sugar plantations in the Americas. Paul Cooper, Salford. Is there a question to which you want to know the answer? Or do you know the answer to a question here? Write to: Charles Legge, Answers To Correspondents, Daily Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY; or email charles.legge@dailymail.co.uk. A selection is published, but we're unable to enter into individual correspondence The Trump Organization is defending long-term leases with China and pointing the finger at Hunter Biden after House Democrats released a blistering report on his 'emoluments' while in office. A Trump Organization source took issue with the committee's focus on the state-owned Industrial Commercial Bank of China, ICBC, which holds a long-term $2 million a year lease in Trump Tower. Trump 'violated the Constitution' when his business 'accepted these emoluments paid by the PRC without the consent of Congress,' according to the report. A Trump Organization source told DailyMail.com ICBC was a tenant who signed a 20 year Trump Tower office lease in 2008 'almost a decade before President Trump entered office. That narrative is insane, especially given there is no President in United States history who was tougher on China than Donald Trump,' said the source. The company source then argued there is a 'large difference between someone who leases commercial office space to a foreign company a decade ago (in 2008 to be exact) versus the son and family members of the Vice President extracting money from China, Ukraine and Romania and others while providing no apparent or tangible goods and services. It would be dishonest to not clearly distinguish between the two.' Foreign governments spent $7.8 million at Trump companies during his four year term, according to a report by House Democrats. Trump's company is firing back, noting some of the expenses came from long-term leases signed before Trump took office That was a reference to Hunter Biden's work on behalf of Chinese energy firm CEFC, Ukrainian firm Burisma, and other companies while his father was vice president. According to a new California grand jury indictment handed up last month, Hunter's annual $1 million salary for serving on the Burisma board got slashed in half two months after his father left office. The source then said the foreign bookings were out of the company's hands, although the former president elected to maintain his business holdings, transferring ownership to his adult sons and and an executive while in office. 'We do not have the ability or viability to stop someone from booking through third parties - Expedia etc - hence the voluntary donation of profits on an annual basis which has been covered ad nauseam,' said the source. That was a reference to the decision by Trump's firm in 2017 to have his to donate 'profits' from foreign government patronage. The Trump Organization donated 100 per cent of 'estimated profits' 'as a result of such patronage, which amounted to over $450,000,' according to the source. But the committee Democrats say the policy 'clearly failed to comply with the Constitution' and that both profits and the receipt of any revenue were prohibited. A Trump Organization source pointed to Hunter Biden's work for a Chinese energy company while his father was Vice President House Oversight and Accountability ranking member, Democratic Representative of Maryland Jamie Raskin accused Trump of violating the Constitution's Emoluments clause The House Democratic report said China paid the Trump Organization $5.6 million while Trump was in office House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), who is heading up the GOP's Hunter Biden investigation, also pointed to the president's son, and accused Democrats of having an 'obsession' with the former president. 'Its beyond parody that Democrats continue their obsession with former President Trump. Former President Trump has legitimate businesses but the Bidens do not. The Bidens and their associates made over $24 million by cashing in on the Biden name in China, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Romania. No goods or services were provided other than access to Joe Biden and the Biden network,' Comer said. Hunter Biden is facing indictments on tax and gun charges, but he has not been charged with business crimes, and President Biden has not been charged with any wrongdoing related to his son's business. He has not been charged with foreign lobbying registration offenses, although prosecutors mentioned that as an area of inquiry in a Wilmington courtroom when his plea deal blew up. A years-long investigation by House Democrats has concluded that Donald Trump raked in $7.8 million as president from countries including China and Saudi Arabia, despite the fury over the Constitution's 'Emoluments' clause during his tenure. The funds came through Trump Organization real estate holdings even at at time when Trump stepped back from management of his financial empire, which is now the subject of civil fraud trial in New York. Companies doing business with Trump's company even included a subsidiary of defunct Chinese company CEFC, a conglomerate that also did deals with Hunter Biden, who has been a focus of the House Republican impeachment inquiry of President Biden. The properties where Democratic staff and members traced foreign funds included Trump's former Washington, D.C. hotel, which was the subject of intense scrutiny and litigation during Trump's tenure. The hotel was a hive of activity during the Trump Administration. The Trump Organization sold the lease on the property in 2022 for an estimated $100 million profit. It is now a Waldorf Astoria hotel. Of the $7.8 million total, $5.6 million came from China, according to the report. The report cited warm statements by Trump about China before the U.S. and China got in a trade war The committee said a Chinese firm had a 14-month stay in Trump's Las Vegas hotel This included nearly $2 million in annual rent for commercial office space in Trump tower, according to information gleaned from the Mazars accounting firm. That led to a committee estimate of payments totaling $5.4 million from ICBC. The state-linked Hainan Airlines paid $195,662 for a 14-month lease at the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, according to the report, while an Embassy of China delegation paid $19,391 to book Trump's D.C. hotel in August 2017. Saudi Arabia and Qatar were also among the nations who spent millions at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C.; Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas; Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in New York; and Trump World Tower at 845 United Nations Plaza in New York. The transactions were detailed in a 156-page report called the the 'White House For Sale' by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee. Other foreign governments including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia also did business through four Trump entities, according to the report. The report says the foreign payments uncovered are 'likely only a fraction of the total amount of foreign payments he received during his presidency.' China and Saudi Arabia topped the list Many of the expenses came at Trump's former D.C. hotel The report examined foreign expenses at Trump's former D.C. hotel Democrats also examined the Trump Tower property where Trump has a penthouse apartment Investigators looked at Saudi government expenses, as well as those by China 'After promising the greatest infomercial in political history, former President Donald Trump repeatedly and willfully violated the U.S. Constitution by failing to divest from his business empire and allowing his businesses to accept millions of dollars in payments from some of the most corrupt nations on earth,' according to the report. 'Critically, even this subset of documents reveals a stunning web of millions of dollars in payments made by foreign governments and their agents directly to Trump-owned businesses, while President Trump was in the White House,' the House Oversight Democrats wrote. 'By pocketing foreign states' payments, President Trump repeatedly placed his personal financial interest and the interests of foreign wealth and power above the public interest, resulting in precisely the split loyalty between foreign power and the American people that the Framers sought to avoid,' they wrote. Expenditures highlighted in the report include: A Chinese embassy delegation who paid $19,391 to the Trump hotel in DC in 2017; Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. spending funds at the Trump hotel in D.C. and Trump World Tower in New York; Saudi Arabia paid $212,000 through ownership of the 45th floor of Trump World Tower and a hotel stay; Saudi Arabia and its royal family paid 'at least' $615,422 at Trump properties and the total is 'likely much higher than that.' Committee investigators relied on financial information provided by the Mazars accounting firm, which no longer does business with the company. Its returns were the subject of litigation that extended throughout Trump's term, and were finally obtained by Congress. The report calls the expenditures a violation of the Constitution's 'Emoluments' clause. It states: 'No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.' Trump retained ownership of his company as president, but handed off control to sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., as well as former executive Allen Weisselberg. Two New York City subway trains have collided, injuring 19 people and causing chaos on the network. A northbound 1 train is believed to have rear-ended an MTA work train at the 96th Street station in Upper West Side Manhattan about 3pm on Thursday. New York City Transit said the crash was caused by one of the trains wrongly applying its brakes as it left the station. Investigations into why the brakes were applied incorrectly are in their early stages. One of the trains derailed in the collision. Eighteen people including the train conductor suffered minor injuries and the passenger train was evacuated, FDNY said. Two New York City subway trains have collided, injuring eight passengers (one pictured) and causing chaos on the network One train is believed to have rear-ended an MTA work train one at the 96th Street station in Upper West Side Manhattan Dozens of police, firefighters, and paramedics rushed to the area and passengers were seen being treated inside ambulances. Others sat on the sidewalk looking distressed while some were questioned by police officers. The 1 train is suspended between South Ferry and 137 St-City College in both directions and passengers were advice to take the A/B/C/D/R/W instead. '[MTA] and emergency personnel are working to keep passengers safe as they leave the area. I am grateful to our first responders assisting New Yorkers,' New York Governor Kathy Hochul said. Police speak to distressed passengers outside the station Elon Musk has claimed DEI is 'just another word for racism' in the wake of Harvard president Claudine Gay's resignation. The X, formerly Twitter, owner took to his platform to agree with sentiments shared by Harvard alum and billionaire donor Bill Ackman after Gay stepped down amid controversy over her failure to tackle anti-Semitism on campus. Ackman claims that DEI (diversity, equality and inclusion) is not truly about diversity, but is 'a political advocacy movement on behalf of certain groups that are deemed oppressed under DEIs own methodology'. He states the 'problematic movement' hierarchizes oppression of certain groups above others, prioritizing that of a 'subset of people of color, LGBTQ people, and/or women', whilst painting whites, Jews, and Asians as oppressors. Now Musk has weighed in on the issue, slamming DEI and its proponents. Elon Musk slammed Diversity, Equality and Inclusion as just 'another word for racism' as he cautioned, 'shame on anyone who uses it' in a post on X His comments came days after Harvard president Claudine Gay announced she was stepping down amid rising pressure to resign over her failure to tackle anti-Semitism on campus which culminated in a disastrous Congressional hearing where she failed to state calls for a Jewish genocide would be banned under the college's rules Musk reposted his support for sentiments on DEI first offered by Harvard donor and alum Bill Ackman 'DEI is just another word for racism,' he wrote on X whilst re-sharing Ackman's post. 'Shame on anyone who uses it.' The comments come after Gay was forced to step down from her post following the shortest tenure of any president in the school's history. The resignation followed months of unrest at the school with bitter clashes between Israel and Palestine supporters in which Gay was accused of not doing enough to protect Jewish students. She resigned on Tuesday in a bitter letter to colleagues and students where she failed to apologize or acknowledge her failings - and claimed she was the victim of racism. Gay, 53, lasted just six months in the role, the shortest ever president in Harvard's history. Her resignation came 28 days after her shocking congressional testimony about campus antisemitism, where she refused to categorize calls for Jew genocide as harassment or concede that Jewish students had a right not to feel safe at Ivy League schools. In her resignation, Gay wrote that she was standing down after 'consultation' with the school's board, which has been under pressure to replace her after defending her remarks. The former leader was also at the center of a mounting pile of plagiarism allegations, which she dismissed as racist attacks. Ackman had been highly critical of Gay and stated that DEI had provided the 'intellectual bulwark' for anti-Semitism which he claims has been on display at Pro Palestine marches seeking a ceasefire in Gaza In light of todays news, I thought I would try to take a step back and provide perspective on what this is really all about. I first became concerned about @Harvard when 34 Harvard student organizations, early on the morning of October 8th before Israel had taken any military Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) January 3, 2024 Gay said it had been 'frightening' to find herself the target of threats, and 'distressing' to have her character questioned. She will be replaced by Alan M. Garber, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, who sat behind her at the infamous December 5 hearing, nodding as she made her remarks. Her resignation was welcomed by Ackman, who took to X to pen the lengthy post about DEI which 'the root cause of antisemitism at Harvard' as it 'provided the intellectual bulwark behind the protests, helping to generate anti-Israel and anti-Jewish hate speech and harassment'. 'The more I learned, the more concerned I became, and the more ignorant I realized I had been about DEI, a powerful movement that has not only pervaded Harvard, but the educational system at large. I came to understand that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion was not what I had naively thought these words meant,' Ackman wrote. A North Carolina judge has denied a request to remove a state law that makes it a crime for people convicted on felony charges on probation or parole to vote. Under the state's Constitution, a person convicted of a felony cannot vote 'unless that person shall be first restored to the rights of citizenship in the manner prescribed by law.' US Magistrate Judge Joe Webster issued an order recommending to deny a request made by lawyers of North Carolina A. Philip Randolph Institute and Action NC to invalidate what they called the 'strict liability' law on January 2. The groups are known for representing poor residents and Black union members, as well as are heavily involved in voter-education efforts in the state. The law was first challenged in part on racial bias claims over three years ago, with those who sued hoping to get it addressed in time for the 2020 elections. US Magistrate Judge Joe Webster issued an order recommending to deny a request to remove a state law that makes it a crime for people convicted on felony charges on probation or parole to vote The advocacy groups argued that the law, with roots going back to the Jim Crow era, is racially discriminatory and requires a broad review of state law to determine when an ex-offender is allowed to vote again. Webster's ruling came just weeks before absentee voting begins for 2024's primary elections in the nation's ninth-largest state for contests like president, governor and attorney general. The judge, who listened to in-person arguments in Durham federal court in November, sided with state attorneys defending the law who argued that the groups lack legal standing to sue. Both the non-profit groups can formally object to Websters recommendation to deny their motion and dismiss the litigation to US District Judge Loretta Biggs in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem will make a final decision that could still be appealed further. The lawsuit continued despite a change to the challenged law in the fall by the General Assembly. The change specified that a felony offender has to know they were breaking the law by voting for it to be considered a crime. Without that change, which went into effect January 1, a person could be prosecuted even if casting a ballot was an unintentional mistake. Lawyers for the non-profit groups said the change was not good enough because it doesn't apply retroactively - which means local district attorneys can still prosecute what they called more than 200 cases of potential illegal voting in previous elections that they are reviewing. Mitchell Brown, member of the Southern Coalition for Social Justice and one of the plaintiffs' attorneys, said on Wednesday that he was disappointed with Webster's order and that the groups were considering appeal options Attorneys have argued the law forced them to divert time and money to educate voters about how the risks of voting under a law they considered unconstitutionally vague. But this was challenged by Webster in his order. He wrote: 'The January 1 alteration requiring intentionality in voting illegally 'substantially diminishes any prospective voters perceived threat of prosecution and any resulting confusion. 'As a result, Plaintiffs can no longer claim that they must divert substantial resources to educate volunteers and prospective voters regarding the new law because much of the confusion concerning ones eligibility to vote has been eliminated,' he added. Mitchell Brown, member of the Southern Coalition for Social Justice and one of the plaintiffs' attorneys, said on Wednesday that he was disappointed with Webster's order and that the groups were considering appeal options. If Webster's decision stands, Brown said, the groups would still have to use resources to educate people with previous felony convictions who have completed their punishments but could remain fearful of voting upon hearing about local prosecutors charging people for voting in previous elections. North Carolina law and a recent court ruling state that a convicted felon cannot vote again until they complete their punishments, which include incarceration, probation and other close supervision. Courts can lengthen probation - thus delaying the restoration of a persons voting rights - if related fines, court costs or restitution arent paid. But the length of probation is limited and probation will eventually end even if financial obligations arent met, according to the State Board of Elections. Some time during the evening of March 1, 1932, 20-month-old Charles Augustus Lindbergh Jr was kidnapped. The toddler was snatched from his cot in his nursery on the second floor of the family home in rural New Jersey while his father was downstairs. A broken ladder was found nearby, along with footprints, tyre tracks and, on the windowsill, a handwritten ransom note which read: 'BABY SAFE. INSTRUCTIONS LATER. ACT ACCORDINGLY.' The kidnapping made world news and was dubbed the 'crime of the century'. The ransom of $50,000 worth more than 900,000 today was paid on April 2, while one of the biggest manhunts ever had spread across the U.S. Charles Lindbergh Sr at the controls of his plane Spirit of St Louis, on the first solo non-stop transatlantic flight between New York and Paris A wanted poster for Charles Lindbergh Jr dated March 11 1932 Not just because a poor, defenceless baby had been stolen. But because the child was the son of Charles Lindbergh, aka the Flying Colonel a national hero who had completed the first solo 3,600-mile non-stop flight from New York to Paris in 1927. He was 'Lucky Lindy' and was so famous that no one really questioned him about his son's disappearance. He certainly wasn't considered a suspect even when, six weeks later, the child's battered body was found, less than five miles from his home by a pair of delivery drivers who had stopped for a comfort break in the woods. The coroner who examined the corpse determined the cause of death as two heavy blows to the head. Lindbergh Snr helped lead the investigation, which, two years later, resulted in the conviction of Bruno Hauptmann, a German immigrant, who was still protesting his innocence as he was led to the electric chair on April 3, 1936. Everyone's hearts went out to Lindbergh and his wife Anne. But was that version of events wrong? Doubts have rumbled on about Lindbergh and his role in the kidnap over the years. Now, according to Lise Pearlman, a retired judge and celebrated author, the whole sorry tale might be one of the biggest ever miscarriages of justice. In a bombshell interview in the San Francisco Chronicle this week, she gave a different take on what could have happened that dark March night. Pearlman believes that, not only might Lindbergh have had a hand in his son's death, but he may have sacrificed his disappointingly weedy son to the cause of medical science permitting his pal, Alexis Carrel, the Nobel prize-winning scientist, to experiment on him. He then faked the kidnap to cover up the child's disappearance. Lindbergh had apparently been disappointed that his first-born was a 'weakling' with an abnormally large head. Perhaps he felt Charles Jr could be of more use to medical research than to him and Anne. 'My theory is that the child was operated on,' Pearlman said. 'We think, at the very least, that his carotid [artery] and probably his thyroid were taken out and kept viable for 30 days. We think he died on the operating table.' There is more. 'I think Carrel conducted the operation with Lindbergh's permission and Lindbergh was likely present,' she added. Charles Augustus Lindbergh Jr was 20-months-old when he was abducted by an intruder from his crib in East Amwell, New Jersey It surely beggars belief that Lindbergh a national celebrity could have committed such a heinous crime. In 1928, he was Time magazine's first Man of the Year, having jump-started a new era of air travel. He went on to become a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, explorer and environmentalist. He was the American dream personified. But perhaps not. Pearlman is so convinced of a cover-up she's demanding the authorities in New Jersey release archived evidence she believes may support her theory. 'A lot of leads [on the kidnap] weren't followed; about a dozen state witnesses likely committed perjury,' she insisted. 'And the prosecution had 90,000 pages of investigation they didn't let Hauptmann or his defence see.' Could she be right? A closer look at America's dashing aviator throws up some uncomfortable questions. There were rumours he held anti-Semitic views and was a Nazi sympathiser. All things he denied but the stain lingered. He was also a liar and serial philanderer. Together, he and Anne had five more children. But Lindbergh fathered another seven the products of three affairs. None of his illegitimate children knew of his identity until after he had died, in 1974, aged 72. Lindbergh was also controlling: he'd keep a note of each child's transgressions, and insist that Anne record every cent of household expenses in a ledger. But it was his enthusiasm for eugenics the pseudo-scientific sifting out of weaknesses to improve the genetic quality of the human populace and pioneering organ-transplant surgery, that make for disturbing reading. He was obsessed with how living organs could be preserved outside the body long enough to be transplanted. Developing the means of achieving this would have revolutionised medicine in the 1930s and put him back in the news. Of course, Pearlman is not the only one to have pointed the finger at Lindbergh. In 1993, the book Crime Of The Century: The Lindbergh Kidnapping Hoax, suggested Lindbergh had accidentally killed his son and staged the kidnap to cover it up. Today, an ever-expanding and impressive group insists Pearlman's theory is worth investigating, including lawyer Barry Scheck, who co-founded the Innocence Project, which seeks to overturn wrongful convictions. Descendants of the guilty man, Bruno Hauptmann, also argue that the crucial documents should be made public. To that end, a lawsuit has been filed. Much of the momentum is down to Pearlman's research. For a decade, she has studied the medical reports on Charles Lindbergh Jr, the police files and papers written by both Carrel and Lindbergh, before reaching the monstrous conclusion in her 2020 book, The Lindbergh Kidnapping, Suspect No.1: The Man Who Got Away that Charles Sr may have sacrificed his baby son. When Scotland Yard investigators were asked to assist, they recommended looking into the actions of Charles Sr (pictured) and Anne, but they were ignored If the theory is true, Hauptmann is, of course, its second victim. The carpenter was arrested in 1934 after police had tracked marked banknotes used to pay the ransom to a transaction he'd made for petrol. He claimed a friend had given him the money before travelling to Europe and dying of tuberculosis; that he'd been the victim of anti-German sentiment; and the police had not done their job properly. The latter certainly seems clear. When Scotland Yard investigators were asked to assist, they recommended looking into the actions of Charles and Anne, but, says Pearlman, they were ignored. If Charles Sr was involved, he did not escape entirely. His fame meant the hysteria surrounding his son's death never died down and, in 1935, he and Anne escaped to Europe for four years. Who knows what the truth is, or if it will ever be revealed. But the files still exist and, if they are released and add grist to Pearlman's macabre theory, it will put a very different spin on the legacy of one of America's greatest heroes. A New Hampshire poll published Thursday shows Nikki Haley cementing her position as the candidate best placed to beat Donald Trump when Republicans in the state pick their favorite later this month. She is only four points behind Trump, according to pollsters at American Research Group. The gap is the same as it was in December, but those two candidates have pulled further away from the pack, picking up voters who said they were undecided last time around. The full results have Trump in front on 37 percent with Haley on 33. Former New Jersey Gov. Christie has dropped back to 10 percent (from 13), with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in fourth on five percent (from six), and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy on four percent (from five). Haley has seen her strong debate performances and key endorsements convert into poll momentum in recent weeks as candidates approach the business end of the race. Nikki Haley is moving up in the polls. Now she is attracting fire from the campaigns of Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis as we reach the business end of the nomination contest The campaigns of Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis have upped their attacks in recent weeks EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Nikki Haley beats Joe Biden by five points in Daily Mail 2024 national poll Advertisement Iowa is the first state to pick its preferred candidate on January 15. Trump is way ahead in the polls there, but a strong showing by DeSantis or Haley could see them crowned the best challenger. New Hampshire holds its primary on January 23, and Haley has made clear that she is targeting a win. Her momentum has turned her into target number one for both Trump and DeSantis, who have kept up a steady stream of attacks. The Trump campaign on Wednesday launched its first TV attack on Haley in New Hampshire. 'Confirmed warnings of terrorists sneaking in through our southern border,' the narrator says. 'Yet Haley joined Biden in opposing Trump's visitor ban from terrorist nations. Haleys weakness puts us in grave danger. Trump's strength protects us.' DeSantis also went on the attack after Haley appeared to write off Iowa's Republican voters when she told voters in New Hampshire they had a chance to correct the result in Iowa, where Trump appears on course for a big win. 'We have an opportunity to get this right,' she told a large crowd in Milford. 'And I know well get it right, and I trust you. I trust every single one of you. 'You know how to do this. You know Iowa starts it. You know that you correct it.' South Carolina, her home state, 'brings it home,' she added to cheers, when it holds the first primary in the south on February 24. DeSantis said it suggested Haley knew she was in for a drubbing in Iowa. JL Partners polled 984 likely voters across the nation from December 15 to 20. The results carry a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points but show that former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley does best out of Republican contenders against Joe Biden 'I think it was incredibly disrespectful to Iowans to say somehow their votes need to be quote corrected,' he said during an interview with am Omaha radio station. 'I think she's trying to provide an excuse for her not doing well.' Other Iowans weighed in. 'I trust Iowans to make their own decisions,' said Gov. Kim Reynolds, who has endorsed DeSantis. 'No "corrections" needed!' Haley's analysis may not be wrong, however. A rolling average of Iowa polls maintained by statistics website FiveThirtyEight puts DeSantis on 18.4 percent and Haley on 15.7 percent. Trump is way out ahead with 50 percent of the vote. Caucuses are notoriously difficult to predict, but the numbers suggest that Haley's best bet may be in New Hampshire where she is 19 points behind Trump, and way ahead of DeSantis. Several strong debate performances and key endorsements have given her momentum as the race gets to its business end. Her campaign hit back at criticism she was soft on the border. 'All the lame nicknames in the world dont change the fact that Donald Trump is clearly terrified of Nikki Haleys momentum,' said communications director Nachama Soloveichik. 'Nikki passed one of the toughest anti-illegal immigration bills in the country back when Trump was still a Democrat. Trump should spend more time explaining why he never fulfilled his signature promise to build a wall instead of desperately trying to mislead voters with easily debunked ads.' Surrounded by the blue waters of the Caribbean, Little Saint James appears nothing short of paradise. But the 75-acre private isle in the US Virgin Islands has a sinister history as the headquarters of Jeffrey Epstein's paedophile sex ring. With the help of his former lover and 'Madame' Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein trafficked underage girls to the island, where he would rape and sexually assault them. Renovations made to the mansion by Epstein after he purchased the island for $7.5million in 1998 suggested what atrocities were in store. Along with the luxurious amenities one would expect of a private island such as two guest houses, a stone mansion and a helipad a mysterious 'temple' was added overlooking the ocean. Maintenance workers also report a ten-person shower for orgies was installed, which had walls covered in images of naked girls. Little Saint James is named in unsealed court documents released on Wednesday night, including the claims by an alleged victim that she took part in an underage orgy with Prince Andrew on the private isle. Little Saint James (pixtured) in the US Virgin Islands has a sinister history as the headquarters of Jeffrey Epstein 's paedophile sex ring With the help of his former lover and 'Madame' Ghislaine Maxwell , Epstein trafficked underage girls to the island, where he would rape and sexually assault them The duke has admitted visiting the island dubbed 'Paedophile Island' but insisted he did not know of Epstein's crimes and did not participate in anything illegal. The tranche of newly released court papers also includes a transcript of Maxwell's deposition, in which she said she could only remember Prince Andrew visiting Little Saint James once. Asked whether any girls under the age of 18 were present on that one occasion, Maxwell replied: 'There were no girls on the island at all. No girls, no women, other than the staff who work at the house.' Briton Sarah Ransome, an alleged victim, has previously told how she was raped up to three times a day in the months she was imprisoned on the island. She planned to flee her captors by swimming through shark-infested waters, but she was thwarted by Epstein's cronies after being spotted by cameras he had installed on the island. Epstein's two private islands, Great Saint James and Little Saint James, were sold to private equity tycoon Stephen Deckoff for 48million last year less than the half the 100million asking price. There are plans to build a 25-room luxury resort. Ray Hulser told Durham that there was 'insufficient predication for at least one of the investigations' Three probes were launched in early 2016 by FBI field offices in Arkansas, New York, and DC into 'possible criminal activity' by the Clinton Foundation The prosecutor who indicted Trump last year over alleged January 6-connected crimes previously declined to prosecute the Clinton Foundation in 2016 A top prosecutor on Special Counsel Jack Smith's team who indicted Donald Trump previously recommended that the FBI shut down investigations into the Clinton Foundation in 2016. Ray Hulser was the official identified in Special Counsel John Durham's bombshell report who declined to prosecute the Clintons while serving as the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section chief. He is now working with Smith to put former president Donald Trump behind bars for alleged crimes connected to January 6. A long-awaited report by Durham released in May 2023 showed the FBI began investigating claims in late 2014 from a 'well-placed' confidential source that two foreign governments were trying to make illegal donations to buy influence with Hillary during her presidential campaign. The report revealed three different FBI field offices, in Washington, D.C., Little Rock, Arkansas, and New York, launched investigations into the Clinton Foundation in early 2016 for 'possible criminal activity.' But Hulser insisted there was 'insufficient predication' for opening at least one of the investigations by the field offices, and declined to prosecute during a meeting on February 1, 2016. Hulser told Durham in an interview that he thought the 'FBI briefing was poorly presented and that there was insufficient predication for at least one of the investigations due to its reliance on allegations contained in a book.' The Special Counsel's report revealed that the FBI began investigating claims in late 2014 that two foreign governments were trying to make illegal donations to buy influence with Hillary during her presidential campaign Three FBI field offices also launched probes into 'possible criminal activity' involving the Clinton Foundation in early 2016, the report shows Ray Hulser was the official identified in Special Counsel John Durham 's bombshell report who declined to prosecute the Clintons while serving as the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section chief According to the report, he also 'downplayed information provided by the New York Field Office CHS [confidential human source] and recalled that the amount involved in the financial reporting was de minimis.'' One of the investigations was partly based on statements made in journalist Peter Schweizer's 2015 book, Clinton Cash, claiming the Clintons' charity was taking millions in donations from foreign governments trying to change U.S. foreign policy while Hillary was Secretary of State. The report went on to say that although Hulser 'declined prosecution' on behalf of the Public Integrity Section, he 'made it clear, however, that his decision was not binding on the various U.S. Attorneys' Offices or FBI field divisions.' But despite making progress, all of the investigations were shut down by more senior officials, Durham found. An acting section chief from the FBI's Office of General Counsel who was also present at the February 1 meeting, kept anonymous by Durham, said that the Justice Department's reaction was 'hostile.' The report detailed a second meeting three weeks later on February 22, chaired by then-FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, who 'initially directed the field offices to close their cases.' McCabe himself had recent ties to the Clintons. His wife Jill was recruited by Clinton aide and ally, Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe, to run for state senate in March 2015, while McCabe was director of the FBI DC field office. Hulser is currently a member Jack Smith's prosecution team - which has been in a bitter back-and-forth with Trump's attorneys since they indicted the former president last year. Trump was hit with federal criminal charges in August over his attempts to cling to power after losing the 2020 election and for allegedly spreading 'lies' and 'sham' investigations while stoking an 'angry' mob on January 6. Trump is facing four counts including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government and obstruct the electoral count for trying to overturn the 2020 election. The 45-page indictment says he was 'determined to remain in power' despite 'having lost.' Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Special Counsel John Durham released his report into the origins of the Trump-Russia collusion after three years of investigations in May 2023 Durham released his 300+ page bombshell report last spring - a comprehensive summary of findings related to whether the then-Trump campaign in 2016 colluded with Russia to meddle with the election outcome. It found that the Department of Justice and the FBI 'failed to uphold their mission of strict fidelity to the law' when launching the Trump-Russia probe. It also contained new information about the FBI's Clinton probes. The report compared the FBI and Justice Department's voracious investigation of Trump's connections with Russia, to its allegedly lackluster approach to its Clinton probes 'tippy-toeing' around the former Secretary of State. Durham reviewed a January 2016 report on the Clinton Foundation by the Little Rock Field Office which found possible evidence that 'large monetary contributions were made to a non-profit, under both direct and indirect control of [a] federal public official, in exchange for favorable government action and/or influence.' Durham wrote that the New York and Little Rock Field Offices had 'source reporting that identified foreign governments that had made, or offered to make, contributions to the Foundation in exchange for favorable or preferential treatment from Clinton.' And an agent in the Washington Field Office also opened a preliminary probe into the Clintons 'because the Case Agent wanted to determine if he could develop additional information to corroborate the allegations in a recently-published book, Clinton Cash by Peter Schweizer'. Among the Clintons' murky foreign entanglements scrutinized in Schweizer's book was a 2010 deal that gave the Russian government control over huge swathes of US uranium production including 38,000 acres in four Western states. A Russian state-controlled company built up a 51% controlling stake in previously Canadian firm Uranium One between 2009 and 2013, in a deal approved by a powerful US government committee on which Hillary sat as Secretary of State. Over the same period, Uranium One's chairman Ian Telfer used his family foundation to make $2.35 million in donations to the Clinton Foundation, according to Canadian tax records reported by the New York Times in 2015. One of the investigations was partly based on statements made in journalist Peter Schweizer's 2015 book, Clinton Cash, claiming the Clintons' charity was taking millions in donations from foreign governments trying to change US foreign policy The gifts were not disclosed despite an agreement Hillary signed before joining the Obama administration to identify all donors. In June 2010, the same month Russian energy firm Rosatom struck its deal to buy 51% of Uranium One, Bill Clinton was paid $500,000 to speak at an event in Moscow, the Times reported, after an investigation based on a preview copy of Schweizer's book. The deal was one of several cases highlighted in Schweizer's book involving rich Clinton Foundation mega-donors and foreign governments with interests in Hillary's decisions as Secretary of State. A Wall Street Journal report from February 2015 identified the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Australia, Germany, and a Canadian government agency promoting the Keystone XL pipeline as donors to the foundation's $250 million endowment campaign though noted that Hillary stopped raising money from foreign governments after she became secretary. Among the Clintons' murky foreign entanglements scrutinized in Schweizer's book was a 2010 deal that gave the Russian government control over huge swathes of US uranium production Over the same period, Uranium One's chairman used his family foundation to make $2.35million in donations to the Clinton Foundation - which were not disclosed. Pictured: The then-Secretary of State posing with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in 2009 At the time the Clintons issued strong denials of any impropriety. '[No one] has ever produced a shred of evidence supporting the theory that Hillary Clinton ever took action as secretary of state to support the interests of donors to the Clinton Foundation,' their spokesman Brian Fallon told the Times in April 2015. 'To suggest the State Department, under then-Secretary Clinton, exerted undue influence in the U.S. government's review of the sale of Uranium One is utterly baseless.' A spokesperson for the Clinton Foundation pushed back against the claims of alleged wrongdoing requiring FBI investigation. The spokesman said the Durham report 'emphasized what's been clear for many years there's never been any wrongdoing by the Clinton Foundation', adding that Durham referred to Schweizer's book as 'unvetted hearsay' in his report. 'Secretary Clinton was not involved in the State Department's review of the Uranium One deal,' the spokesman said. 'The largest Clinton Foundation donor cited in these claims sold his stake in Uranium One several years before the deal. 'None of the Clintons have ever taken any money from the Clinton Foundation in fact, the Clintons themselves are major donors to the Clinton Foundation.' The spokesman said Schweizer's claims were 'baseless' and pointed to previous investigations by the Trump administration's Justice Department and House Republicans in 2018 which 'concluded with no evidence of wrongdoing.' An unnamed FBI special agent in charge working on the probe told Durham 'everyone was super more careful' and 'scared with the big name involved' referring to Clinton. 'They were pretty 'tippy-toeing' around [Clinton] because there was a chance she would be the next President,' the agent said. The report also found Hillary had personally approved a plan to 'vilify' her opponent Donald Trump by claiming foreign interference in the election in 2016 In August 2016, months before the presidential election, The New York office was told to 'cease and desist' their Clinton investigation by then-FBI director James Comey, the report said Schweizer previously told DailyMail.com he was surprised to learn the FBI had launched three criminal probes prompted by his book. 'I was a little surprised that there was as much activity as there was. I had no idea that much paddling was going on underneath the surface of the water,' he said. 'I got a call from somebody from the New York FBI office after the book came out,' he added. Details of how a 20-year-old student was allegedly groped by the Duke of York at Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan mansion have been revealed in newly released court papers. Only excerpts of Johanna Sjoberg's disturbing testimony have been made public, but the legal documents give an unprecedented account of what is said to have happened when she met Prince Andrew in New York in 2001. And they reveal that Ms Sjoberg's story has remained consistent since she first levelled the allegations against the duke in The Mail on Sunday more than 15 years ago. Prince Andrew has always denied all accusations of sexual activity with Epstein's accusers and vehemently denies any wrongdoing. According to Ms Sjoberg, the prince put his hand on her breast. He also used a Spitting Image latex puppet modelled on him to grope another accuser, Virginia Giuffre, who was a teenager at the time. Only excerpts of Johanna Sjoberg's disturbing testimony have been made public. She was 20 at the time Ms Sjoberg (pictured) began working for Epstein in 2001, and according to her evidence was immediately forced to perform sex acts Asked to clarify where she was sitting when Andrew allegedly fondled her, Ms Sjoberg, now age 42, said in a deposition: 'I'm just trying to remember. Whether we were on a couch or a chair, I just remember the boobs part, the hand on the boobs.' Ms Sjoberg was recruited at the age of 20 to work as a massage therapist for Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. In her testimony in 2016, she said: 'I sat on Andrew's lap and they took the puppet's hands and put it on Virginia's breast, and so Andrew put his on mine.' She added: 'It looked like him. [Ghislaine] brought it down and presented it to [Prince Andrew]; and that was a great joke, because apparently it was a production from a show on BBC.' Ms Sjoberg claimed Maxwell took a photo of the two women being groped but said she never saw the picture. She said in May 2016 that she was a 20-year-old student at Palm Beach Atlantic University when Maxwell, then a stranger, approached her and offered her a job as a personal assistant. Ms Sjoberg began working for Epstein in 2001, and according to her evidence was immediately forced to perform sex acts. Ms Sjoberg was recruited at the age of 20 to work as a massage therapist for Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell Ms Sjoberg also said she and Ms Giuffre had been together in Epstein's Manhattan townhouse with Prince Andrew Under questioning, the witness explained how she knew that another of Epstein's masseuses, Ms Giuffre (then known as Roberts), was underage. Ms Giuffre had been recruited by Maxwell the year before, in 2000, while she was working at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. One of the court documents states: 'Johanna confirms that she knew Virginia was underage when she met her on the trip to New York with Jeffrey in 2001 because Virginia couldn't get into the casino and then later Johanna asked her and Virginia said she was 17. Johanna testified that Virginia looked young. 'Johanna added: 'At the time I had the impression that she did not have a family or she had walked away from her family.And it seemed to me, you know, they had just sort of adopted her, not as a child, but they would take care of her.' Ms Sjoberg also said she and Ms Giuffre had been together in Epstein's Manhattan townhouse with Prince Andrew. Ms Giuffre claims she and the prince had sex that evening, when she was age 17, which Andrew strenuously denies. 'Johanna confirmed that she witnessed Virginia when she was 17 in Jeffrey Epstein's New York mansion with Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell,' the documents state. 'Johanna also testified that Prince Andrew sat with Virginia and Johanna and took a picture with a puppet in his image that had its hand and Prince Andrew's hand on their respective breasts.' Ms Sjoberg also claimed that Maxwell bought a camera for her and asked her to take naked pictures of herself for Epstein. But she said Maxwell would not give her the camera because Johanna 'didn't finish the job' during a massage with Epstein. In the wake of Maxwell's sex trafficking convictions in December 2021, the Mail revealed details of Ms Sjoberg's life as a hairdresser in Florida. It came after she first told the Mail on Sunday in 2007 of her encounter with Andrew at Epstein's East 71st Street mansion. Described as a 'church-going... all-American brunette', she recalled that she arrived at the home and 'Prince Andrew was there and a couple of other girls my age'. She said the prince, while being inappropriately tactile, had been 'charming'. North Korea will 'pay a high price' for supplying Russia with ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine, the British Foreign Office has vowed, as it condemned the arms deal as a sign of Putin's 'desperation'. Moscow acquired the weapons from Pyongyang as it struggles to replenish its arsenal for the drawn-out war in Ukraine - which has seen it sustain heavy losses during almost two years of bitter fighting. Revealing the recently declassified intelligence on Thursday, Washington described it as 'a significant and concerning escalation', adding that Putin is also seeking to restock with Iranian missiles. Kim Jong Un's regime is understood to have supplied several launchers and ballistic missiles, one of which was fired into Ukrainian territory on December 30 before further North Korean missiles were fired into Ukraine on the night of January 2. More of the missiles, which have ranges of around 550 miles (900km), are expected to be launched in the coming days. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets Russia's President Vladimir Putin Russia on September 13, 2023 North Korea test-fired a hypersonic missile in Pyongyang on January 5, 2022 People remove rubble from a damaged high-rise apartment building after a Russian missile attack on January 3, 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine The White House says the Kremlin has become reliant on North Korea and Iran for the arms it needs to continue fighting its war against Ukraine. In October, US officials said North Korea had delivered more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Russia. North Korea is expected to receive Russian military hardware and training in exchange for the ballistic missiles, which could have concerning security implications for South Korea and the Indo-Pacific region. Last night, the FCDO said: 'The UK strongly condemns Russia's decision to use these ballistic missiles and we urge North Korea to cease its supply of arms to Russia. 'We will work with our partners to ensure North Korea pays a high price for supporting Russia's illegal war in Ukraine. 'This is symptomatic of Russia's isolation on the world stage and a sign of its desperation. 'This activity is in violation of multiple UN Security Council Resolutions - which Russia supported as a permanent member.' South Korea's defence ministry joined the US and UK to call for an immediate halt of weapons transactions between North Korea and Russia. The two countries have been drawing closer over recent months, with Putin and Kim Jong Un making a show of their strengthened anti-West alliance. The North Korean dictator traveled to Russia in September to meet Putin and visit key military sites, while the Russian president 'gratefully' accepted an invite to visit Pyongyang. Residents stand in the courtyard of an apartment building damaged after a Russian missile attack on Kyiv on January 2, 2024 A woman speaks on the phone standing amidst the rubble of a residential high-rise building on January 3, 2024 in Kyiv White House national security spokesman John Kirby shows how North Korean ballistic missiles were fired by Russia into Ukraine Today, hours after Washington released its report on Russia's use of North Korean missiles, Kim Jong Un made fresh threats to the West as he toured a weapons factory. He called for an expansion in the production of missile launchers in preparation for a 'military showdown' with South Korea and the US, state media reported. Despite the bravado, the North Korean missile fired on December 30 had a limited impact, the US said, with Kirby telling Thursday's press conference that 'thankfully all it did was put a hole in a field.' He said the impact of the missiles used several days later was still being assessed. 'We anticipate that Russia will use additional North Korean missiles to target Ukraine's civilian infrastructure and to kill innocent Ukrainian civilians,' he added. The US believes a Russia-Iran deal on providing further ballistic missiles to Vladimir Putin has not yet been completed. But, he added, Washington is 'concerned that Russia's negotiations to acquire close range ballistic missiles from Iran are actively advancing.' Iran has already provided Russia with attack drones, which have been widely used throughout the war with devastating effects. Several Iranian-made Shahed drones targeted Ukraine's northeastern city of Kharkiv in the early hours of New Year's Eve. This undated photograph released by the Ukrainian military's Strategic Communications Directorate shows the wreckage of what Kyiv has described as an Iranian Shahed drone downed near Kupiansk, Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, on July 19, 2022 A North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile being prepared for a test launch (file image) The bombardment came as a 'seething' Putin vowed to avenge a Ukrainian attack on the border city of Belgorod, which saw at least 22 killed and scores injured in what Moscow described as 'indiscriminate' shelling. 'Since December 31st, Russian monsters have already fired 170 'Shahed' drones and dozens of missiles of various types' at Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a social media post on Tuesday. 'The absolute majority of them targeted civilian infrastructure. I am grateful to all of our partners who are helping us strengthen our air shield.' Moscow said Saturday's attack included the use of controversial cluster munitions, and told an emergency meeting at the UN Security Council that Kyiv had targeted a sports centre, an ice rink and a university. Russian envoy Vasily Nebenzya called it a 'deliberate, indiscriminate attack against a civilian target'. Ukraine's allies countered that responsibility ultimately lay with Russian President Vladimir Putin for invading the neighbouring country two years ago. They're often referred to as 'man's best friend', but if you have a dog, do you really know how it's feeling? According to a new study, the answer will likely depend on the shape of their face. Researchers from the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague say that flat-faced dogs including Pugs, Boston Terriers, and French Bulldogs are harder to read than dogs with 'normal' heads. 'Flat-face dogs are often seen as cute, appealing and almost comedically expressive, with their large eyes and short noses,' said the study's lead author, Petra Eretova. 'But contrary to the stereotype, it is actually harder to read the facial expressions of flat-face dogs, compared to normal dogs.' Can you tell how these dogs are feeling? Scroll down to find out which facial expressions they're really showing READ MORE: Vets warn flat-faced dogs are more likely to suffer from sleep problems Advertisement Flat-faced - or brachycephalic - dogs' short-faced characteristics did not evolve naturally and are instead the result of selective breeding. Previous studies have shown that this facial structure puts them at high risk for a range of health conditions, including issues with breathing, difficulty giving birth, and excessive skin folds. Despite these problems, French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs and Pugs are all hugely popular pets. Experts have previously claimed that this is due to their expressive, infant-like features, which humans are drawn to. In their new study, the team set out to test whether this is really the case. The researchers enlisted 350 participants, who were shown photos and videos of dogs in different contexts. Previous studies have shown that pugs' short facial structure puts them at high risk for a range of health conditions Which conditions are pugs at high risk for? 54x more likely to have brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome 51x more likely to have narrow nostrils 13x more likely to have corneal ulceration 11x more likely to have skin fold dermatitis 2.5x more likely to be obese 2x more likely to have overgrown nails Advertisement In total, the behaviours of 23 dogs across two breeds were recorded. Boston Terriers were selected to represent the flat-faced dogs, while Jack Russell Terriers represented 'normal' breeds. The dogs were recorded during four situations being called by their name, play, separation, and being threatened by a stranger. The participants were then shown footage or photos of the situations, and asked which of the four they thought the dogs were in. The results revealed that participants were better at reading the facial expression of Boston Terriers in the two positive scenarios (being called by their name and play). However, they struggled to recognise their expressions in the two negative situations (separation and being threatened by a stranger). 'We found that Boston Terriers were often misunderstood when expressing negative emotions,' Dr Eretova said. 'People were in fact more likely to assume the dog was happy, even when it was scared or anxious.' The researchers recognise that one of the main limitations of the study was only using two dog breeds. So, did you get them right? The dogs were recorded during four situations being called by their name, play, separation, and being threatened by a stranger READ MORE: Pugs, French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs have declined in popularity by a THIRD in Britain Advertisement 'Another avenue to explore would be people's perception of inner states in dogs of differing skull lengths, which will be presented in an upcoming study,' they wrote in their study, published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science. The new study comes shortly after figures revealed that flat-faced dogs have declined in popularity in the UK. Overall, The Kennel Club says that there was a 17 per cent decline in registrations of all dogs in the UK last year. However, registrations of flat-faced breeds fell by more than a third. There were 42 per cent fewer registration of Pugs, 39 per cent fewer of English Bulldogs, and 34 per cent fewer of French Bulldogs. According to The Kennel Club, this is the biggest fall in popularity for these breeds in over a decade in Britain. 'The drop in puppy registrations for these flat-faced breeds is a welcome step in the right direction, although these should be seen with some caution,' said Dan O'Neill, Chair of The Brachycephalic Working Group (BWG). 'We hope this is a sign that more and more puppy buyers, owners and breeders are considering the serious health and welfare implications for flat-faced dogs. 'This is particularly important if these dogs are bought on an impulse because they "look cute" but without proper understanding of their potential health issues or how indiscriminate breeding to meet demand results in poor welfare.' The world waited Tuesday as billions of particles released from the sun on New Year's Eve were set to impact Earth, but an expert said the solar storm is 'stuck in traffic.' Dr Tamitha Skov told DailyMail.com that the solar wind stream ahead of the solar storm, or coronal mass ejection (CME), did not have enough power to push forward at the expected rate. Skov said that 'the radiation storm has increased to an official S1-level,' and NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) shows the possibility of radio frequency disturbance on Wednesday and Thursday. She also revealed that some of Earth's technology has felt parts of the storm - radio frequencies used by marine radios, possibly Starlinks and specific television broadcasts were disrupted 'for a short bit.' Dr Tamitha Skov told DailyMail.com that the solar wind stream ahead of the solar storm did not have enough power to push forward at the expected rate. But she said solar activity is possible for the rest of the week Our Sun Decided To Blast Out 2023 With An X5 Flare! And now, there is 25% chance it will KNOCK OUT various orbiting satellites and our GPS system here TODAY our planet Earth! NASA says this is the most intense solar energy release since 2017, and they listed it as an X5 flare, https://t.co/1P9sk8cWID pic.twitter.com/O4kyajMExf After Time X (@AfterTimeX) January 2, 2024 CMEs can eject billions of tons of corona material from the sun's surface. The edge of the storm trials behind the front must go past Earth's orbit for the energized particles to impact our planet. Skov, who hosts a space weather forecast YouTube channel, explained that the delay is likely due to two reasons, one being how the storm travels through space and the weak solar winds. 'The flank (or edge) of the storm typically trails the apex (or front) due to how these storms (aka CMEs) expand in the solar wind as they travel outward,' she said. 'This means the apex of the storm has to travel beyond the orbit of Earth before the edge will reach Earth and cause an impact. According to NASA, this month's eruption was the strongest burst of energy from the sun since 2017, which captured the event with its Solar Dynamic Observatory - a probe investigating the sun since launching in 2010 'Of course, the flank of the storm is traveling more slowly and is weaker than the apex, which results in a weaker impact.' Couple this with weak solar winds, and we have a traffic jam. 'Just like slow traffic on a freeway will cause a faster car that catches up to it to forcibly slow down and travel at nearly the same speed as the slower traffic ahead,' said Skov. SWPC's alert states the potential impacts include 'minor impacts on polar HF (high frequency) radio propagation resulting in fades at lower frequencies.' 'The minor impacts on Polar HF mainly concern the radiation storm causing high-frequency radio and GPS navigation signals to be degraded for those navigating and communicating over the polar regions,' said Skov. 'Radiation storms affect the polar regions most intensely due to the fact that Earth's magnetic shield is 'open' to these radiation storm particles at the poles.' Skov said 'the radiation storm has increased to an official S1-level' and NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) shows the possibility of radio frequency disturbance on Wednesday and Thursday According to NASA, this month's eruption was the strongest burst of energy from the sun since 2017, which captured the event with its Solar Dynamic Observatory - a probe investigating the sun since launching in 2010. Footage shows a glowing region on the sun, which becomes brighter before exploding and releasing an X5 flare - the highest level - from the massive star's edge. SWPC clarified that the general public had nothing to fear but found the initial blast of radiation on December 31 caused blackouts over the Pacific Ocean. The agency had predicted that Earth would experience a minor geomagnetic storm on Tuesday, a temporary disturbance in Earth's magnetosphere caused by a solar wind shock wave. 'The risk NOAA/SWPC is citing is for radio blackouts at a specific level, that often does impact GPS reception, but not always,' Skov said. She continued to explain that the New Year's X5 caused a radio burst up to 220 MHz, which disrupted HF and some Very High Frequency (VHF) that power marine radios used by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and other ships. 'I talk about this in my latest forecast (it is why I tell aviators to check the ICAO advisories for updates on the impact to radio comms and GPS nav),' Shav said. Skov told DailyMail.com 'Just like slow traffic on a freeway will cause a faster car that catches up to it to forcibly slow down and travel at nearly the same speed as the slower traffic ahead' Skov also revealed that some of Earth's technology felt parts of the storm - radio frequencies used by marine radios, possibly Starlinks and specific television broadcasts were disrupted 'for a short bit' The physicists also noted that the same burst caused the degradation of television broadcasting systems that use ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio for over-the-air transmission. And SpaceX's Starlink signals may have also been disrupted 'for a short bit.' 'The radio waves (called 'radio bursts') are what impact our reception to satellite signals like GPS and even HF radio communications,' said Skov. 'It is like the sun is literally screaming at us during a solar flare. 'This "scream" is much louder than our satellites can "chirp" and so it drowns out the satellite signals temporarily. 'That being said, the sun doesn't always scream at the exact frequencies that affect GPS signals.' Project at Krafla volcano in Iceland's north-east will tap into a magma chamber It may sound like the beginning of a disaster movie, but Iceland could make scientific history by becoming the first country to drill into a volcano's magma chamber. In 2026, Iceland's Krafla Magma Testbed (KMT) project will construct a borehole to the magma chamber at a volcano called Krafla in the country's north-east. The chamber, which is between one and two miles below the surface, will unleash unlimited geothermal energy to power Iceland's homes and buildings. Despite magma's extreme heat between up to 2,372F (1,300C) experts insist it's safe and won't trigger another disastrous volcanic eruption in the country. 'It's the first journey to the centre of the Earth,' said project manager Bjorn or Gumundsson. In 2026, the Krafla Magma Testbed (KMT) project will start constructing a borehole to the magma chamber at a volcano called Krafla in the country's north-east. The chamber, which is 1.3 miles below the surface, will unleash unlimited geothermal energy to power Iceland's homes French volcanologists Katia Krafft wearing an aluminized suit standing near a lava burst at Krafla volcano How does geothermal energy work? Regular geothermal systems are a well-established technology in which holes are drilled into a hot region beneath the Earth's surface. Rocks underground heat water to produce steam. Steam comes up, is purified and used to drive turbines, which drive electric generators. There may be natural 'groundwater' in the hot rocks, or the plant operators may need to drill more holes and pump water down into them. Advertisement Iceland already taps geothermal energy heat that is generated within the Earth to drive its turbines and generate electricity. Icelandic geothermal power plants drill wells more than a mile down to extract hot water vapour, which is separated into liquid water and steam in so-called separators. The steam is then run through turbines that turn to produce the electricity, but this captures only a fraction of the energy that's available. What's more, the geothermal energy is relatively cool compared with steam at a fossil fuel power plant about 482F and 842F (250C and 450C), respectively. 'It's quite inefficient at those low temperatures so there's an interest in trying to develop super-hot geothermal,' John Eichelberger, a volcanologist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks told New Scientist. Instead, tapping into the higher temperatures from the magma chamber could lead to a more powerful energy supply. 'The purpose of producing energy from near magma super-hot geothermal is that these wells are up to an order of magnitude more powerful in terms of producing energy than conventional wells,' Gumundsson told MailOnline. 'We can drill one well instead of 10 for the same power output.' Krafla is one of the most active volcanic areas in the world. It's located on top of a tectonic plate boundary called the Mid Atlantic Ridge, where the North American Plate and the Eurasian Plate meet Krafla, one of the world's most active volcanoes, erupted nine times between 1975 and 1984 (the year of its last eruption). Aerial view of Krafla (mountain) and Krafla caldera in 2008 READ MORE: US startup plans to drill the deepest holes on Earth Artist's rendition of the Quaise drilling rig being developed Advertisement Krafla, one of the world's most active volcanoes, erupted nine times between 1975 and 1984 (the year of its last eruption). At the time, scientists were able to pinpoint the location of Krafla's magma chamber beneath the caldera using seismometers about 1.2 miles (2km) down. Since the late 1970s there's been a geothermal plant at Krafla run by Landsvirkjun, Iceland's main power company. It has 33 bore holes that tap geothermal energy at the site, but none go down to the actual magma chamber. Drilling down to the depth of the chamber isn't the issue, as other companies around the world are attempting much larger boring lengths. Rather, the issue is what will happen to drilling equipment once it reaches the magma chamber. In 2009, as part of the Iceland Deep Drilling Project, experts unintentionally drilled into a magma reservoir at Krafla. But drilling had to cease after it reached 6,890ft (2,100 metres) deep when the drill struck magma and corroded the steel in the casings of the well. The the episode proved to experts that it was safe to drill into magma without causing an eruption and possible with the right tools. 'One of the main goals of KMT is to develop wells with the right materials that can withstand these conditions,' Gumundsson told MailOnline. Since the late 1970s there's been a geothermal plant at Krafla run by Landsvirkjun, Iceland's main power company (pictured) In 2026, the KMT project will break ground close to this original borehole as it starts the journey to the chamber but it could take two months to get there. If successful, scientists also want to add sensors into the magma chamber that would take pressure readings, which could improve forecasts of eruptions. However, that would involve developing sensors that can withstand the intense heat, pressure and acidity of magma. Other experiments later in the decade could be injecting fluids into the chamber to alter the pressure and temperature, and measure the results. Insights gained could be applicable to other active volcanoes around the world, including Italy's 'supervolcano' Campi Flegrei. Near Naples, southern Italy, Campi Flegrei has become weaker and more prone to rupturing, making an eruption more likely, a study revealed last year. There's now one more reason to treat yourself to a glass of whisky, as scientists have found a way to use scotch to save the planet. Researchers from Heriot-Watt University have discovered a technique to convert wastewater from distilleries into green hydrogen. Hydrogen might be the green fuel of the future but it needs vast amounts of fresh water to be produced. The scientists hope that their invention will see some of this water coming from the billion litres of wastewater produced by the whisky industry instead. Dr Sudhagar Pitchaimuthu, who led the study, says: 'To help protect the planet, we need to reduce our use of fresh water and other natural resources.' There's now another reason to enjoy a glass of whisky as scientists say waste products from the liquor's production can be used to make eco-friendly fuel (stock image) Dr Sudhagar Pitchaimuthu (left) and PhD student Michael Walsh (right) hold a sample of whiskey distillery water which they have found a way of converting into green hydrogen What is green hydrogen and how is it made? Green hydrogen is made entirely by using renewable energy. In contrast, other types of hydrogen, such as blue hydrogen, may use a mix of renewable and non-renewable energy. It's extracted from water during a process called electrolysis. A current is passed between two electrodes through water and a chemical catalyst. The current splits the H2O into hydrogen and oxygen. Advertisement Green hydrogen, unlike other hydrocarbon fuels like petrol, does not produce any CO2 when it is burned. What's more, hydrogen does not need to be extracted from the ground as it can be created by splitting apart the hydrogen and oxygen that make up water. However, even though relatively small amounts of green hydrogen are produced each year, it is already estimated to consume around 20.5 billion litres of fresh water every year. Dr Pitchaimuthu explained: 'It takes nine kilograms of water to produce every one kilogram of green hydrogen. Meanwhile, every one litre of malt whisky production creates about 10 litres of residue. 'So our research focused on how to use this distillery wastewater for green hydrogen production with a simple process that removes waste materials present in the water.' Electrolysers - the devices that split water into hydrogen and oxygen - typically only work with fresh water because substances in the water interfere with the process. However, Dr Pitchaimuthu and his team developed a nanoscale material that allows electrolysers to work with dirty wastewater. Whisky distilleries like Lagavulin in Scotland produce over one billion litres of wastewater each year which can now be used to produce green hydrogen READ MORE: Plans to heat millions of homes with hydrogen in jeopardy Advertisement The researchers found that electrodes coated with nickel selenide particles were able to produce similar or even slightly higher amounts of hydrogen from wastewater compared with fresh water. 'Using industry wastewater means we can reduce the extensive fresh water footprint associated with green hydrogen production,' says Dr Pitchaimuthu. 'Our research also shows how we can use the world's resources more sustainably to produce clean energy.' The next steps for the researchers will be to develop their own electrolyser prototype and to scale up production of the nanoparticles. They will also analyse distillery wastewater to discover whether other materials of value could be salvaged from it, alongside hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen created from this process could be a valuable step towards reducing humanity's carbon footprint. Hydrogen is a very efficient fuel and can be burned to release large amounts of energy. In September last year, a German aircraft developer launched the world's first piloted flight of an electric plane powered by liquid hydrogen. Hydrogen could help reduce our carbon footprint as it is renewable and doesn't produce any greenhouse gases when burned Several distillery organisations in Scotland have even commissioned research into how they could convert to using hydrogen for all their power generation. Hydrogen is not the only green fuel that might be made in whisky distilleries. Edinburgh-based Celtic Renewables has developed a method for fermenting waste products from whisky into biofuel. More than 1.6 billion litres of liquid 'pot ale', and half a million metric tonnes of solid 'draff' are produced as by-products each year - and the majority is thrown away. Celtic Renewables has taken an old industrial process developed to turn molasses and other sugars into chemicals, and fine-tuned it to convert draff and pot ale into acetone, biobutanol and ethanol. Biobutanol and ethanol can be used as fuel for anything from cars to electrical power stations. These types of fuels also produce 25 per cent more energy per unit volume than bioethanol, a fuel created from agricultural feed. Many tech experts have warned that AI is on a path of destruction, but a new survey of top researchers has quantified the chances of it causing human extinction. A team of international scientists asked 2,778 AI experts about the future of the systems, with five percent reporting the tech will lead to collapse. But, a far more frightening estimation came from one in 10 researchers who said theres a shocking 25 percent chance that AI will destroy the human race. The experts cited three possible causes: AI allowing threatening groups to make powerful tools, like engineered viruses, 'authoritarian rulers using AI to control their populations and AI systems worsening economic inequality by disproportionately benefiting certain individuals.' Nearly half of the researchers surveyed said there is a 10 percent chance that AI will destroy humanity Artificial intelligence regulation control is the only answer to protecting humans, and if AI isn't regulated, researchers estimated that there is a 10 percent chance that machines will outperform humans in all tasks by 2027, - but it would increase to a 50 percent chance by 2047. The survey asked experts about four specific occupations that would become fully automatable, including truck drivers, surgeons, retail salespeople, and AI researchers, receiving the response that there is a 50 percent chance AI will fully takeover by the year 2116. 'It's an important signal that most AI researchers don't find it strongly implausible that advanced AI destroys humanity,' Katja Grace, one of the study's authors, told NewScientist. 'I think this general belief in a non-minuscule risk is much more telling than the exact percentage risk,' she added. Roughly 58 percent of researchers were more optimistic about AI's takeover, saying there's only a five percent chance it would cause human extinction. The United Nations (UN) has already shared warnings of terrorist groups using AI for malicious intent, saying it will become yet another tool to add to their arsenal. The study asked researchers a series of questions to gauge how likely it is that AI will destroy humanity 'With a proven track record in the world of cybercrime, [AI] is a powerful tool that could conceivably be employed to further or facilitate terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, by, for instance, providing new modalities for physical attacks with drones or self-driving cars, augmenting cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, or enabling the spread of hate speech and incitement to violence in a faster and more efficient way,' UN Director Antonia Marie De Meo said in a UN report. This comes as AI contributed to 37 percent of workers being replaced by AI in 2023, according to a report by ResumeBuilder. Hundreds of experts, including OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman and Google DeepMind chief executive Demis Hassabis, issued a one-sentence statement in May of last year, demanding more AI control and regulation. 'Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war,' the statement said. Dan Hendrycks, the executive director of the Center for AI Safety, said in a separate statement at the time: 'As stated in the first sentence of the signatory page, there are many 'important and urgent risks from AI,' not just the risk of extinction; for example, systemic bias, misinformation, malicious use, cyberattacks, and weaponization.' Even the 'Godfather of AI,' Geoffrey Hinton, said he regrets creating AI, although he told The New York Times: 'I console myself with the normal excuse: If I hadn't done it, somebody else would have.' There is still substantial uncertainty about the long-term impact of artificial intelligence, and the study acknowledged that 'forecasting is hard, even for experts.' Scientists have announced human trials for an artificial uterus could be approved this year, bringing hope to the 15 million infants born prematurely each year in the US. A team at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia successfully tested the womb with preterm lambs, finding the animals 'opened their eyes, became more active, had apparently normal breathing and swallowing movements' while in the sac. The main reason half of preterm babies don't survive is their lungs aren't fully developed due to premature birth, and they have a hard time transitioning from breathing in the amniotic fluid to breathing air. The team conducted 300 successful tests, finding the animals had normal brain development and stable nutrition as if they were feeding off their mother. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has met with experts to discuss the following steps to bring the artificial uterus, called EXTEND, into human trials - and is set to announce a decision later this year. The artificial uterus was tested on preterm lambs (pictured above on day four) A baby is typically born between 37 and 40 weeks of gestation, but a premature baby is identified as being born at 28 weeks or earlier. Most premature infant's problems stem from lung immaturity, so the artificial uterus works to replicate the same environment the baby had before its birth. The artificial uterus works in two ways: First, by connecting the fetus' umbilical cord to an oxygenator, which circulates the blood and places it in a fluid sac, mimicking the womb and allowing the fetus to breathe and swallow amniotic fluid as it does during development in the uterus. Emily Partridge and her team at the hospital used lambs because the majority of knowledge about human fetal development was derived from the lamb, including fetal circulation and developmental events. The lambs were born between 106 and 113 days, the biological equivalent of the 2324-week premature human infant. The experiments were successful for more than 300 lambs that had healthy development while in the artificial uterus (pictured above on day 28) The typical gestation period of a lamb is 152 days. Researchers shared that by the end of the test animals' stays in the artificial womb, they had a stable nutritional status, even though the lambs were not feeding on a sheep. Liver tests were positive, and brain growth was normal. 'The animals demonstrated normal or increased movement, sleep/wake cycles, intermittent breathing and swallowing and generally appeared comfortable and nondistressed,' the researchers shared. Partridge said her initial experiments on the preterm lambs kept them alive and showed the animals developed healthy lungs, brains, and other organs, leading the FDA to consider approval to start human trials. 'The idea is to bridge the rough patch when they're really struggling and carry them through to a point when they can do okay,' Partridge said in a video about EXTEND. The artificial uterus connects an oxygenator to the fetus' umbilical cord and places it in a fluid sac to allow it to breathe by swallowing amniotic fluid like it does in the womb Alan Flake, one of EXTEND's developers, clarified that the artificial uterus is not intended to replace pregnancy altogether. He dismissed the possibility as 'nothing more than a technically and developmentally naive, yet sensationally speculative, pipe dream' in The Journal of the American Medical Association in June, according to NewScientist. In September, the FDA held a meeting with more than 24 experts, including neonatologists, pediatricians, and bioethicists, to discuss what steps to take to conduct a human trial. During the meeting, Alan Flake, one of EXTEND's developers, said he believes the team's preclinical data 'is adequate for consideration of a carefully designed clinical study.' The FDA is expected to announce its decision later this year. 'One thing the project has taught me is never give up,' Partridge said in the video. 'You've got to keep going, keep going until it works.' If you're the sort of traveller who's blase about travel insurance, heres a wake-up call. A travel insurance company has revealed recent bills holidaymakers have received for minor injuries and some are eye-watering. A simple trip to the emergency room (ER) in America for a cut lip could set you back a staggering 1,672 ($2,098), as was the case for one person in California. The price for stitching up the wound? Just 15 ($20). Another traveller forked out 1,860 ($2,356) while seeking medical advice for a cough and stomach ache in Vietnam. These are just some examples of claims made to True Traveller, which is urging holidaymakers to think twice before travelling abroad without cover. A travel insurance company has revealed recent bills holidaymakers have received for minor injuries and some are eye-watering. Seeking medical advice in Vietnam for a cough and stomach ache could mean forking out 1,860 for the privilege, according to claims data from True Traveller Even the wait for treatment can be pricey. In Jasper Alberta, Canada, one person was charged 32 ($40) per hour as a waiting fee at the ER where they went seeking treatment for a cut finger. After waiting nine hours to see a doctor, their total waiting fee was 288 ($364) and their overall medical bill exceeded 1,240 ($1,570). Also in Canada, another holidaymaker was charged a 1,435 ($1,800) ER fee only to be diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (UTI), which required antibiotics costing just 8.80 ($11). And a third paid 702 ($888) for stitches to a cut eyelid. Another expensive treatment in Canada is having an X-ray, according to the data, which revealed that one traveller paid 860 ($1,088) for an X-ray and setting of a broken finger. Meanwhile in New Zealand, another person was charged 720 ($910) for detailed blood tests that 'had nothing to do with her diagnosis', according to True Traveller. The patient had been advised to get tested for conditions including HIV and syphilis, only to be told in the end that she had a common bacterial infection. A breakdown of her final medical bill revealed that the unrelated tests accounted for almost two thirds of her total treatment, True Traveller explained. A trip to the ER for a cut finger could cost you more than 1,240 ($1,570), as was the case for one person in Canada (stock image) Another painful bill was handed to a jetsetter in Australia, who was charged 1,858 ($2,373) for a single tooth extraction. And in Thailand, one person was charged 1,195 ($1,500) to stay in hospital for the night after seeking medical treatment for a case of diarrhoea. Tim Riley, managing director at True Traveller, said that the 'surprisingly' high prices are partly due to the way health systems differ from country to country. 'Many people will be surprised to find out that such seemingly minor injuries can cost a lot if they happen while abroad,' he said. 'This is particularly true in the U.S and Canada because their system is different. 'For example, an emergency room is for major accidents and life-threatening situations. That means that an ear infection treated in an ER may cost you 796 ($1,000) or more, but 95 ($120) if you go to a walk-in clinic. 'Walk-in clinics are not common in the UK, but patients in the U.S or Canada use walk-in clinics like you would use your GP at home. 'It's just another reminder to make sure you take out adequate travel insurance before your trip, so that the medical part covers you for incidents like these.' A 41-year-old who lives with her dog in a motorhome travelling up and down the UK after quitting her job as an air traffic controller has said she now 'knows how snails feel' and loves the freedom of life with her home 'on her back'. Kat Bird, a blogger originally from Jersey, began living in a motorhome with her daughter and her husband, who she would prefer not to name, in 2017 to help home-school her daughter by taking her to places, rather than 'learning out of a textbook'. Kat believes her family benefited from this experience, with her daughter being able to 'interact with adults a lot better'. Her daughter decided to go back to mainstream college to do her A-Levels, but once she went off to university, Kat quit her job to travel full-time. Kat Bird (pictured) lives in a motorhome with her dog and travels up and down the UK. The 41-year-old said she now 'knows how snails feel' and loves the freedom of her life with her home 'on her back' Kat makes an income through blogging about her travels and says her monthly bills are lower than living in a house Kat and her husband travelled until they separated in 2022, and Kat now travels by herself with her five-year-old spaniel called Mac, travelling not just in the UK, but abroad in places such as Ireland and Italy. She only spends around 1,000 a month, on petrol and Wi-Fi, and makes an income by blogging about her travel experiences and talking at shows. Plus, she has written several books about motorhoming and van life. Kat told PA Real Life: 'I have the ability to go wherever I want with my home on my back I know how snails feel. 'It's amazing not having to pack or figure out where you want to go. Kat quit her job as an air traffic controller in 2018 to travel full time and claimed the first month she did receive a proper wage was 'terrifying' 'I sort of wing it when it comes to where I go.' She added: 'My spending varies and depends on where I'm staying, but it's definitely cheaper than a house. 'I reckon I average probably around 1,000 a month that includes things like insurance and the dog. 'Most of it goes on petrol. I don't stay in one place very often.' The move to a motorhome was prompted by Kat's daughter having 'some issues at school'. 'We got her through her GCSEs,' Kat said. 'Instead of learning history out of a textbook, for example, we took her to different places to see it for herself, such as Germany to see things about the war.' Kat believes that she and her family benefited as a whole from living in such close quarters. She said: 'My daughter is an only child, and I think the experience made her interact with adults a lot better. 'She heard us having conversations about money and things, and she was always included in higher-level adult stuff that a lot of kids perhaps don't see. 'I think looking back she can see it made us closer as a family too.' Kat quit her job as an air traffic controller in 2018. Kat began living in her motorhome in 2017 to homeschool her daughter. She is pictured above with her five-year-old spaniel, Mac Kat Bird, a blogger originally from Jersey, began living in a motorhome with her daughter and her husband, who she would prefer not to name, in 2017 to help homeschool her daughter by taking her to places, rather than 'learning out of a textbook' She said: 'Initially the plan was to travel around my husband's work, but after just a few weeks, I needed something more to do so started a small blog, called Wandering Bird, sharing my travels and adventures. 'The first month when I didn't get a proper wage into my bank account was terrifying. 'It definitely teaches you to be more mindful with money and figure out what's important and what you can live without.' The pair travelled for the next few years until their 2022 separation. Kat's home is a 50,000 Swift 685 motorhome, which she explains is around seven metres long with a lounge area and a drop-down bed. She continued: 'It's the perfect size for me, with lots of storage, a kitchen, a shower and a toilet.' Kat's home is a 50,000 Swift 685 motorhome, which she explains is around seven metres long with a lounge area and a drop-down bed Kat has travelled solo to Europe and all over the UK in her motorhome Kat has travelled solo both abroad and in the UK when she is in Europe, she tends to wild park, and in the UK, she usually resides in campsites. 'I've been to Ireland, all over the UK and even Iceland last year, which was amazing,' she said. 'I think my favourite place I've been is Iceland or the Dolomites in Italy they're both incredible.' Kat says she combats loneliness by connecting with those with similar lifestyles online. She's pictured above in Iceland Asked if there is anything she misses from being in a traditional house, she said: 'I think winter in a van is definitely harder, especially when you've got a spaniel who likes water and mud, and generally becomes messy. 'I miss having a proper washing machine and a tumble dryer, but many of the campsites have got those facilities, so that's not that bad. 'I also miss not having to empty the toilet! 'But I think overall, just the convenience of having everything on hand, is so much nicer.' Kat has been able to combat any loneliness by connecting with those with similar lifestyles online. The blogger (above, in Iceland) says she doesn't stay in one place for too long and claims most of her expenses go towards petrol She said: 'I post videos on my Wandering Bird blog about my life and travels, plus tips and places that I've been. 'I run a Facebook group, too, where people share advice. It's a really nice group.' Looking to the future, she said: 'I can't see myself giving up this lifestyle any time soon I have so many more plans on where to travel I wouldn't change my life one bit.' Kat will be speaking at The Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show, which is returning to the NEC Birmingham from 13 18 February 2024. Tickets are on sale now ccmshow.co.uk Advertisement The 'ice city' of Harbin, the snowy capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang province, attracted a record number of visitors over the New Year holiday, many of them drawn by the grand and intricate ice sculptures of its annual Ice and Snow Festival. The towering ice structures, illuminated in a dazzling array of lights at night, are built from ice blocks harvested from the frozen Songhua River nearby. And there's no danger of them melting - temperatures in Harbin in the winter can drop to as low as -35C. This year's festival helped draw 3.05million visitors to Harbin during the three-day New Year holiday that ended on Monday, generating 5.91billion yuan ($826million/650million) in tourism revenue, state media agency Xinhua reported on Wednesday. Those numbers exceeded the number of pre-Covid visits in 2019. The 'ice city' of Harbin attracted a record number of visitors over the New Year holiday, many of them attracted by the grand and intricate ice sculptures of its annual Ice and Snow Festival (pictured) This year's festival attracted 3.05million visitors to Harbin during the three-day holiday that ended on Monday, January 1. Visitors are pictured above enjoying the festival on January 2, 2024 Growth in the city's accommodation and catering sectors during the holiday period more than doubled from 2019, local newspaper Harbin Daily reported. The city's tourism department attributed the growth to Harbin's increasing popularity on social media platforms, Xinhua said. The tourism boom occurred as China's services activity expanded at the fastest pace in five months in December, lifting optimism in the sector to a three-month high. The festival is illuminated in a dazzling array of lights at night and is set to last until March 2024, according to its website The festival's ice structures (pictured) are built from ice blocks harvested from the frozen Songhua River nearby The tourism boom occurred as China's services activity expanded at the fastest pace in five months in December Harbin's authorities have rolled out activities to attract tourists including live performances and concerts, theme parks and fireworks displays, as well as improving dining, accommodation and shopping services, Xinhua said. The Ice and Snow Festival park received 163,200 visitors over the New Year holidays, over five times more than a year ago, with almost 40 per cent of those holidaymakers visiting on New Year's Eve, Heilongjiang provincial television said in a social media post. That generated 46.18million yuan in income, nearly six times higher than a year ago, the provincial TV station said. Heilongjiang welcomed 6.619million tourists over the three-day period, nearly triple from a year ago, producing tourism revenue of 6.920billion yuan (766million/$972million), almost five times the year-ago figure, the station reported. The Ice and Snow Festival park received 163,200 visitors over the New Year holidays, over five times more than a year ago Harbin's tourism department attributed the growth to the city's increasing popularity on social media platforms Xinhua, a state media agency, said that Harbin's authorities have rolled out activities to attract tourists including live performances and concerts The city government announced a special public holiday, the Ice and Snow Holiday, for Friday, to coincide with the festival's official opening. The festival is set to last until late March 2024, according to its website. The surge in domestic winter tourism has benefited local companies in the sector. Shares of ChangBai Mountain Tourism Co, a travel service company based in northeast China, have soared by 26 per cent in Shanghai trading since the last week of December, beating benchmark shares. Advertisement Measuring a whopping 1,198ft long and weighing in at a staggering 250,800 tonnes, the Icon Of The Seas is the world's largest cruise ship. The undisputed king of its domain, this mind-blowing vessel cost cruise-line company Royal Caribbean $2billion (1.58billion) to build and stretches further than 30 double-decker buses parked end to end. The 20-deck vessel is five times larger than the ill-fated Titanic, and at full capacity can carry just shy of 10,000 people, with a crew of 2,350 required to look after 7,600 passengers. It's set to embark on its official maiden voyage at the end of the month, but residents in Puerto Rico enjoyed a first-hand look at the incredible feat of engineering earlier this week when it embarked on its final trial journey before receiving certification. Such a herculean machine obviously requires insanely powerful engines, and Icon Of The Seas boasts six of them. The mutli-fuel Wartsila marine engines provide almost ten horsepower for every person on board, chucking out a total of 90,520bhp. Meanwhile, its decks are replete with just about every amenity and top-class amusement one could ask for, including seven swimming pools, a zip-line suspended 154ft above the ocean, and the largest at-sea waterpark of any cruise ship in the world. 'Thrill Island', as it's known, contains six record-breaking slides, including the first 'free-fall' slide on which customers experience a 66-degree inclined drop. Those looking for a more relaxed experience can lounge under palm trees or paddle around in the world-class infinity pool. On the top deck, a 55ft artificial waterfall cascades through the centre of a cavernous amphitheatre - or 'AquaTheatre' - where travellers can enjoy panoramic ocean views and all manner of exhibitions, including Cirque du Soleil-style shows. And gastronomes will be satisfied by the 40 eateries and bars offering dishes and drinks from every corner of the globe - and those with the most refined of palettes can enjoy a luxury restaurant and exclusive cocktail bar in an 'adult only' zone with seating for just 38 esteemed guests. Icon Of The Seas will later this month set sail on its inaugural voyage for paying customers from Miami, Florida, on January 27. It will embark upon a seven-night dash around the Caribbean, including a stop at 'Perfect Day at CocoCay', Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas. But residents of Puerto Rico were lucky enough to see this ship up close in recent days as the floating behemoth took a break in the port of Ponce amid its final trial journey, necessary to gain its certification ahead of its first official maiden voyage. Princes for this year's schedule of a seven-night cruise across the Caribbean start at around 1,200, but so far almost all 'staterooms' have been reserved and paid for, with those still up for grabs costing between 4,000 and 6,000. Some rooms are even more expensive. The Ultimate Family Townhouse suite spans three decks. While customers can choose to take the stairs to traverse the massive suite, when descending they also have the option of a slide, which spills out on to the living room floor. The Ultimate Family Townhouse can sleep eight and has its own sundeck and various balconies. Seven nights will set families back an eyewatering $85,000 (70,000). The cruise took years to put together, with the 'neighbourhoods' - as the eight main areas of the ship are known - being constructed elsewhere then lifted into position. The most daring lift came when the Aquadome - the largest free-standing dome at sea, with nearly 700 glass panels and weighing 333.5 metric tonnes - was raised from the dock and plonked on the ship like a flying saucer, its weight evenly distributed with the help of computers connected to each cable. This particular manoeuvre took 24 hours and the dome now features a 55ft waterfall and seating for 1,300 people. Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's chief product innovation officer, previously told the Mail: 'We didn't set out to create the biggest ship in the world.' Former Coronation Street star Nicola Thorp has welcomed her first child, a baby girl. The actress, 34, who played Nicola Rubinstein in the Manchester-based soap, and her fiance Nikesh Patel, announced the news on Instagram on Thursday. While sharing they were 'delighted' to welcome their daughter, Nicola also emotionally shared that being on social media was a 'difficult place' due to the ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict. Sharing a heartfelt photo of her daughter, Nicola posted: 'We are delighted to say that we recently welcomed our beautiful baby daughter into the world,' she began on social media. 'Everything they say about birth being a rollercoaster of emotions is true. We're shattered and smitten and everything in between. Former Coronation Street star Nicola Thorp has revealed she's given birth to a baby girl The actress, who played Nicola Rubinstein in the Manchester-based soap, and her fiance Nikesh Patel announced the news on Instagram on Thursday 'Social media is a difficult place right now. If your timeline is anything like ours, it's filled with images of babies and children dying in conflict or living in fear and unimaginable danger. 'It doesn't feel right to share our news on her without also acknowledging how fortunate we are that our baby is safe. 'If like us you feel helpless, please consider donating to the United Nations Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency, who are responding to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and supporting pregnant women, new mums and their babies. 'Every child deserves to be born into safety.' Nicola confirmed she was expecting her first child with her fiance Nikesh in a sweet post shared to Instagram in September. The couple announced their happy news on social media by sharing snaps of Nicola cradling her baby bump alongside the words: 'Some news.' Their announcement received endless support from fellow celebs as Catherine Tyldesley commented: 'Congratulations! X' and fellow former Corrie cast member Katie McGlynn wrote: 'Congrats lovely'. Nicola starred on the long-running ITV soap Coronation Street from 2017 to 2019, playing social worker Nicola, who was the estranged daughter of serial killer Pat Phelan and has also starred in Celebrity Hunted. While sharing they were 'delighted' to welcome their daughter, Nicola also emotionally shared that being on social media was a 'difficult place' due to the ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict Their baby joy comes a year after the pair announced their engagement. In January 2023, the equal rights campaigner took to Instagram to share a picture of herself showing off her green emerald stone ring as she cosied up to Nikesh. The couple began their romance in October 2021, with Nicola making their relationship public by uploading a loved-up snap of them at the time. Nikesh is known for having appeared in several television shows, including Indian Summers, Starstruck and the mini-series Four Weddings and a Funeral. Nicola's pregnancy has not been without its challenges. She bravely faced the man who she had lived in fear of 'for years' after he made threats to rape and kill her. She faced schizophrenic Ravinderjit Dhillon, 30, at Snaresbrook Crown Court in east London on December, 5, with Nikesh by her side - before he was sentenced to 30 months in jail and a restraining order. It comes just a year after the pair announced their engagement . In January 2023, the equal rights campaigner took to Instagram to share a picture of herself showing off her ring The actress played Nicola Rubinstein in the Manchester-based soap (pictured in character) Nicola announced she was dating Hollywood actor Nikesh in October 2021 with a loved-up snap to mark her birthday (pictured at the time) Nicola is now an advisor to the Labour Party on stalking and harassment. The actress also recently revealed that being a mother to a baby girl has made her even more determined to campaign for gender equality. Nicola has been a prominent equal rights campaigner since she made headlines in 2016 after she was sacked from her receptionist job for refusing to wear high heels. She revealed that pregnancy has made her 'softer' as she has turned into 'more of a lioness on stuff'. The TalkTV's breakfast show host told the Independent: 'It's no longer about me fighting for myself, it's about me fighting for my daughter and not just on issues of misogyny, but issues of race as well.' The TalkToday star also revealed that she has also started to feel more strongly about racism since falling pregnant as she revealed that some people don't think they should be having a child because they 'come from different ethnic backgrounds'. Nicola stopped hosting the morning show, alongside Jeremy Kyle, in December 2023 in preparation for childbirth. While the early starts may be a struggle for some, Nicola revealed that being in the makeup chair at 4am feels 'perfect for getting her ready for motherhood'. Married at First Sight UK star Luke Worley's brother was jailed for eight years after police found 3million worth of cocaine in his car boot. The E4 contestant, 31, told MailOnline he felt 'angry' and 'betrayed' discovering the truth behind his half-brother Sam Migliorini's secret life after he was found guilty of possession with intent to supply in 2021. And his conviction couldn't have come at a worse time for Luke, who in the same year split from his girlfriend of almost a decade and lost his beloved grandmother, describing his life as being consumed by grief. After rising to fame on the dating show last year, Luke feared that his family's history would be exposed, and he dreaded being judged by his brother's crime. He married bride Jay Howard at first sight, revealing that he confided in his wife at the earliest opportunity because he believed they would be in each other's lives for many years to come. Married at First Sight UK star Luke Worley's brother was jailed for eight years after police found 3million worth of cocaine in his car boot, MailOnline can reveal Luke told MailOnline he felt 'angry' discovering the truth behind his half-brother Sam Migliorini's secret life after he was found guilty of possession with intent to supply in 2021 (pictured Luke with brother Sam) He married bride Jay Howard at first sight, revealing that he confided in his wife at the earliest opportunity because he believed they would be in each other's lives for many years to come Luke said: 'I'm pretty sure that I'm cursed. Every year for the past four years something big has happened in my life. 'In November 2019 I went through a big breakup after eight years together. In June 2020 my nan passed away and she was my last living grandparent. 'In October 2020, my brother was pulled over on the M25 and was found with 30kilos of cocaine in his boot, which they valued at 3million. It was a huge shock. 'I was grieving for my nan and my relationship that had ended and all of a sudden, I had to grieve my brother being taken away from me.' Luke and Sam, who grew up together in Essex, share the same mum, Lorraine, but have different dads. Sam worked as scaffolder but after struggling with his finances became involved with drugs, keeping his dealings hidden from their family. In October 2020, he was pulled over by police on the M25 and found with 30kilos of cocaine, which was valued at 3million. A year later he was sentenced to 11 years in prison, which was reduced to eight following his guilty plea, and he is currently still serving his time at HM Prison Standford Hill. Sam worked as scaffolder but after struggling with his finances became involved with drugs, keeping his dealings hidden from Luke and their family In October 2020, Sam was pulled over by police on the M25 and found with 30kilos of cocaine, which was valued at 3million In stark contrast, Luke starred on the latest series of Married at First Sight UK, revealing his brother's prison inmates couldn't get enough of the reality show. Luke said: 'I told Jay as soon as I met her, I told her within the first week. 'If Jay was going to be in my life forever, then that's something I needed to tell her... that my brother is in prison and what he did, especially a family member as close as Sam. 'He has a few mates on his wing in prison and everyone was hooked on Married At First Sight. They were hooked! 'They kept asking my brother, 'what's happening, what's going on?' It definitely made him more popular on the inside. 'He was the first person I told that I was doing the show because I knew he couldn't tell anyone.' Luke says his brother's conviction came as a massive shock to him because he could have never predicted his life taking that turn. He admits to feeling 'betrayed' over Sam's actions and regrets that his brother didn't share his problems with him or their parents. In stark contrast, Luke starred on the latest series of Married at First Sight UK, revealing his brother's prison inmates couldn't get enough of the reality show Luke and Jay separated during filming of the show but remain good friends and have met up at celebrity events since the series aired He said: 'I didn't even have an inkling that he was involved with drugs, and I felt really close to him. 'I was gutted. It was a betrayal. I wish he had told me and opened up if he was struggling but I felt for him because he must have felt it was a last resort. 'I was upset and angry. We are a supportive family, and he could have turned us about his problems. 'I was having to deal with the unknown, I had never known anyone going to prison and it was obviously my brother... It was all grief, grief, grief. 'My brother going to prison was in the middle of everything, so it hit me hard.' And after finding himself with a 160,000 strong fan base, Luke was wary of the reaction from the general public and his family's name being blacklisted. He added: 'I didn't want people to tarnish my name, I had nothing to do with it and I do love my brother. 'I know some people won't like what he has done, I understand that.' Luke was axed from Married at First Sight UK after he had a physical fight with co-star Jordan Gayle, with bosses also banning him from filming the show's reunion special His brother, who attentively followed the series from his prison cell, says he was 'entertained' by Luke's dramatic exit Luke was axed from Married at First Sight UK after he had a physical fight with co-star Jordan Gayle, with bosses also banning him from filming the show's reunion special. His brother, who attentively followed the series from his prison cell, says he was 'entertained' by Luke's dramatic exit. Luke said: 'If I'm honest, he basically said to me he didn't expect my time on the show to end the way he did, with me being removed but he said, 'at least it was entertaining!' He felt like, it's TV, it is what it is. We had a bit of a laugh about it.' But the brothers, who as the two eldest of eight siblings had a special bond, were reunited this Christmas as Sam was granted a day release from prison to spend time with his family. Luke says it is the happiest he has felt in three years, and he could see that Sam was hopeful and looking towards a better future, in light of his release. He said: 'This Christmas he was out on release which was the first time in three years that I could see him on Christmas Day. 'He visited the family home, and we could spend a few hours with him. It was the first time I had enjoyed Christmas in three years. 'When I saw his face, I could tell he felt freedom was on the horizon and he was feeling lighter. It was nice to be together again for the first time in years.' Truelove Rating: The Great Rhino Robbery Rating: Lying in a hospital bed after a failed attempt to hang himself, and riddled with cancer, old Tom (Karl Johnson) summed up the bitter irony of his predicament. 'I'm on suicide watch,' he growled, 'and also 'Do Not Resuscitate'.' That's the contradiction of current laws on terminal illnesses: doctors will let your own body kill you, but they are not allowed to step in and speed up the process. Meanwhile, anyone who assists a suicide, even by accompanying a loved one to a clinic such as Dignitas in Switzerland, is vulnerable to prosecution. In the darkly comic drama Truelove (Ch4), Tom's closest friends go much further than that. Giving in to his pleas, Phil and Ken (Lindsay Duncan and Clarke Peters) take him out for a picnic at sea. Then, at his request, they suffocate him with a plastic bag and scuttle the boat. Phil and Ken (Lindsay Duncan and Clarke Peters) in Channel 4's Truelove These are desperate measures. The implication is that, because the law prevents kinder mercies, real friends will be driven to such extremes though why Tom can't simply wrap himself in a wet blanket, jump overboard and drown is not made clear. He and his lifelong pals have already watched another of their number die slowly and in agony from cancer. 'You wouldn't let your dog suffer like that,' mutters retired GP David (Peter Egan). Written by Iain Weatherby and directed by Chloe Wicks, it's an immensely powerful piece of television, with a superb cast that also includes Sue Johnston and Phil Davis. That drunken but unbreakable pact forged by the friends, to save each other from protracted deaths no matter what the cost, is convincing and believable. It's timely, too. Dame Esther Rantzen, who has incurable cancer, is campaigning for a debate on assisted dying to be held in the Commons. The actress Susan Hampshire has added her voice to the calls. But there's a parallel contradiction that the drama and the campaign fail to acknowledge. Thanks to the spotlight on mental health issues, support for young people beset by suicidal thoughts has never been more open and available. It's an uneasy double standard, to give the young more of the help they need and deserve, while arguing that the old should have the right to be hurried to the grave when they're feeling suicidal. God forbid that society ever treats people with terminal illnesses as animals to be euthanised, like the dog in Truelove's analogy. The drama also underestimates the traumatic effect on those left behind. Tom doesn't just want his friends around him when he dies he demands that they kill him. Suicide is an escape from pain, mental or physical. But too often that pain is left behind as an unwanted bequest to others, in the form of grief and guilt. In asking whether we have a right to be helped to die on demand, Truelove has not yet discussed whether we have any right to impose our suffering on others. Despite beginning strongly, the Great Rhino Robbery soon lost its way, getting bogged down in other scams run by gangs including overcharging for laying tarmac drives One spurious cure for cancer was highlighted in The Great Rhino Robbery (Sky Documentaries). Horn from these endangered creatures has become so rare that it now sells on the black market at higher prices than gold, in China and south-east Asia. This documentary began strongly, with shocking statistics about the mass slaughter of rhinos and CCTV footage of thieves raiding natural history museums around Europe to hack the horns off stuffed exhibits. But it lost its way, getting bogged down in other scams run by gangs including, bizarrely, travelling navvies overcharging for laying tarmac drives. Confusion mounted in the interview with a Vietnamese quack who claimed the powdered horn did confer some health benefits. The upshot was well-meaning but a waste of time. Endless soap of the week: Freeview station That's TV 2 has launched, dedicated to reshowing all of Home And Away from its debut in 1989. Bosses describe this as 'a complete nostalgia fest'. Now, how about a channel devoted to 24-hour-a-day classic Corrie? Sofia Vergara wasted no time in moving on from her estranged husband, Joe Manganiello but the actress is no longer 'official' with Justin Saliman, according to insiders, who claim she simply isn't ready to 'settle' and wants to enjoy being single. The couple first sparked dating rumors in October when they were pictured looking loved up in public and even enjoyed a racy clinch at a restaurant in West Hollywood, just three months after she announced she was divorcing Joe, 47, who has since moved on with actress Caitlin O'Connor. But the brief romance was reportedly more of a 'rebound' for Sofia, 'much to Justin's chagrin,' with the orthopedic surgeon reportedly keen for a future with the America's Got Talent judge, 51. 'There is still a spark between Justin and Sofia, but Sofia likes being considered single and ready to mingle, she doesn't want to settle with anyone, even if there is an amazing connection with Justin,' an insider told DailyMail.com exclusively. Sofia Vergara, 51, and Justin Saliman were first linked in October - pictured in Santa Monica in November The Modern Family star and the orthopedic surgeon were 'all over each other' during one intimate date - but she has now reportedly cooled off their romance The romance came just three months after Sofia and her estranged husband Joe Manganiello - pictured together in 2017 - announced their split 'They might have a couple of dates again and dinners, but they aren't an official couple anymore much to Justin's chagrin. It started off being something awesome and sexy but was more of a rebound for Sofia as Justin wanted a little more. 'They are still talking and Justin is looking to get it back but any sort of future between the two is more unknown when it comes to Sofia. She doesn't want to settle down again right now with anyone.' The couple were last seen together on December 20 when they enjoyed a dinner date at Nobu in Malibu. Sofia, who was recently pictured on a night out with Heidi Klum, appeared to ring in the New Year without Justin. She posted a picture on Instagram with her girlfriends and wrote: 'Wishing all of u a safe, fun, productive 2024. Luv to all my followers.' In November, sources claimed Sofia was 'moving fast' and 'falling in love' with the medical professional, around the time the pair were pictured engaging in some heavy petting at a restaurant. They also looked smitten at an exhibition hosted by Salma Hayek's brother Sami. 'Sofia has moved on from Joe and would be happy to never see him again,' a source told DailyMail.com at the time. 'Her relationship with Justin has made her never look back. Sofia was said to be 'falling fast' for Justin as they enjoyed a string of dates in the months following her divorce announcement They were last pictured together on a dinner date on December 20 - but Sofia is believed to be keen for the single life, 'much to Justin's chagrin' Sofia enjoyed a night out with Heidi at Madeo restaurant in West Hollywood on December 19 'Justin is absolutely charming, and handsome, and has an incredible job. He isn't an actor and is very confident and she is eating it all up.' The insider continued: 'She is very attracted to him, and things are moving fast. This is way more than a rebound. They have bonded on love lost and are just having a complete blast with each other.' Their romance blossomed in the wake of her split from Joe. The now-estranged couple, who tied the knot in Florida 2015, announced in a joint statement in July that they were seeking a divorce. 'We have made the difficult decision to divorce,' they wrote. 'As two people that love and care for one another very much, we politely ask for respect of our privacy at this time as we navigate this new phase of our lives.' The couple had no children together. Sofia has son Mario, 32, with her ex-husband Joe Gonzalez. Joe went public with his girlfriend Caitlin O'Connor in early December when they walked the red carpet for the Children of Armenia Fund Gala - pictured True Blood actor Joe is currently dating actress and TV host Caitlin O'Connor, 34. The pair were first linked in September when they were pictured leaving a gym together in California. The new couple went public with their relationship at the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) gala in New York City on December 9. Sofia is currently gearing up for the release of her new Netflix show, Griselda, which will debut on January 25. The Emmy nominee portrays real-life drug cartel leader Griselda Blanco in the six-episode series. The actress and producer spent a decade researching the Colombian native who built a drug empire in Miami in the 1970s and 1980s. Bow Wow faced criticism online after saying that he hoped Olivia Sky, who is mother to his son Stone, would get struck by a Mack Truck. The 36-year-old rapper, whose full name is Shad Gregory Moss, wrote, 'I WISH MY BABY MOTHER GOT RAN OVER BY A MACK TRUCK' in an Instagram Stories post, according to The Shade Room. He later deleted the post. The Columbus, Ohio native is father to Stone with Sky, 30, as they welcomed their son in 2020; as well as daughter Shai, 12, with ex-girlfriend Joie Chavis, 35. The Shortie Like Mine rapper referred to his other child's mother in his post, 'NOT JOIE THE BUM B**** YALL DONT [KNOW].' The Let Me Hold You performer waited around two months to tell the public that he and Sky had welcomed a baby, writing in an Instagram post of the then-baby, 'Man you gone take all the girls.' Bow Wow, 36, faced criticism online after saying that he hoped Olivia Sky, who is mother to his son Stone, would get struck by a Mack Truck The rapper, whose full name is Shad Gregory Moss, wrote, 'I WISH MY BABY MOTHER GOT RAN OVER BY A MACK TRUCK' in an Instagram Stories post In the comment thread of the Instagram post from Bow Wow, he made reference to Byron, the cinematic character he played in the 2011 movie Madea's Big Happy Family. Bow Wow wrote 'BYRON IN REAL LIFE!' in an art-imitates-life reference to his character, whose ex-girlfriend Sabrina (Teyana Taylor) spent child support money earmarked for their son on herself. The Bounce with Me artist was slammed in the comment section of the thread on The Shade Room, with many taking the musical artist to task for the unkind words about the mother of his one of his children. 'Thinking it is crazy,' one user said. 'Posting it for millions of people to see is even crazier.' Said another, 'Thats disgusting and very ignorant thing to say about the mother to your kid!!' One user pointed out Bow Wow's past words about his other child's mother. 'You used to diss Joie the same way, before we knew her, grow up lil puppy! Were not supporting no Waste man this year!' the user said. One user said it was poor form, and self-destructive, for Bow Wow to publicly say that about Sky. The Columbus, Ohio native is father to Stone with Sky, as they welcomed their son in 2020 The Let Me Hold You performer waited around two months to tell the public that he and Sky had welcomed a baby In the comment thread of the Instagram post from Bow Wow, he made reference to Byron, the cinematic character he played in the 2011 movie Madea's Big Happy Family The Bounce with Me artist was slammed in the comment section of the thread on The Shade Room, with many taking the musical artist to task for the unkind words about the mother of his one of his children 'Posting them kinda stuff gonna get her full custody and 20k per month child support smh,' the user said. A user said that Bow Wow's words rang hollow, saying that baby's daddies 'say this & still be f****** the [baby's mother] so bye.' One user added, 'Man as a man I aint never going on social media and talking bad about a woman I laid down and made a child with just outta respect for my child ..because at the end of the day thats still your child mother so I aint on that ' Love Is Blind contestant Renee Poche is suing Netflix and production companies Kinetic Content and Delirium TV. Poche, 33, who participated in season five of the reality dating show where she matched with Carter Wall, filed the suit following a reported $4 million arbitration from the show's producers against her. The producers who were also sued by another contestant in October took out an arbitration against her in November, for 'some limited public remarks about her distressing time on the Program, including the terrifying experiences she had with Wall.' In her countersuit, filed on January 2nd by lawyers Bryan Freedman and Mark Geragos, Poche shared that she felt like 'a prisoner' during her time on the show, and alleged producers matched her with a 'violent addict.' 'On her first night in Los Angeles, the Programs production staff seized Poche's phone, passport, and drivers license,' the suit states, according to Deadline. Love Is Blind contestant Renee Poche is suing Netflix and production companies Kinetic Content and Delirium TV Poche, 33, who participated in season five of the reality dating show where she matched with Carter Wall, filed the suit following a reported $4 million arbitration from the show's producers against her 'When not filming, Poche was locked in her hotel room, unable to leave without a "castwrangler" accompanying her. She was expressly forbidden from interacting not only with other participants but also with random hotel guests and staff. In some ways, and this is a sentiment shared by many participants, Poche felt like a prisoner.' 'This dispute is ripe for adjudication because Delirium has initiated arbitration against Poche for purportedly violating her unlawful nondisclosure agreement,' the suit continues. 'Poche contends that the Agreement is itself illegal and unenforceable and brings this action to vindicate her legal rights under California law.' In the lawsuit Poche also claims her pre-determined match, Carter, was 'unemployed, addicted to drugs and alcohol, estranged from his family, homeless, violent and dead broke' as per TMZ. In the reality show contestants go to private pods to meet their dates without being able to see them. Before they can finally meet the other person they must get engaged. Poche shared that she got along well with Carter at first, but soon realized he had lied and that Delirium must have known about Carter's 'troubling issues' and 'mental instability' since contestants are put through meticulous background checks. She claims she became scared to spend time with Carter but was forced to film with him for long periods of time by producers. The producers took out an arbitration against her in November, for 'some limited public remarks about her distressing time on the Program, including the terrifying experiences she had with Wall'; seen in a still from the show In her suit Poche shared she felt like 'a prisoner' during her time on the show, and alleged producers matched her with a 'violent addict'; (L-R) Poche, Taylor Rue, and Aaliyah Cosby Poche alleges that her match, Carter, was emotionally abusive on and off camera, abused drugs and alcohol and threatened a camera operator in Mexico as per TMZ; Carter seen in a promotional image Poche is seeking damages, a jury trial, as well as a court declaration that the NDA is 'illegal, invalid and unenforceable' Poche alleges that Carter was 'emotionally abusive on and off camera, abused drugs and alcohol and threatened a camera operator in Mexico.' She goes on to claim that producers threatened her with legal action if she did not move forward with the pair's engagement. After the show wrapped filming, Renee claims she was told her and Carter's relationship would be removed, alleging it was because Carter claimed he would 'commit suicide if the footage aired.' Renee has since called off her engagement and spoke about her experience in a number of podcasts, which she believes is why Netflix and Delirium have reportedly claimed that she violated her NDA, and are seeking $4 million from her, despite the fact she only made $8,000 for being on the show. Poche is seeking damages, a jury trial, as well as a court declaration that the NDA is 'illegal, invalid and unenforceable.' It's not the first lawsuit the producers of the show are facing. In October they were sued in a case of sexual assault, false imprisonment, and negligence by former season five contestant Tran Dang. According to TMZ, Dang who did not make it onto the show after final edits said the incident occurred in 2022 and was at the hands of fellow contestant Thomas Smith. In October the show's producers were sued in a case of sexual assault, false imprisonment, and negligence by former season five contestant Tran Dang Dang sued the producers for dismissing her after she brought the alleged assault to their attention. False imprisonment was introduced in the lawsuit as Dang claimed she was forced to be on-call in her hotel room. At the time Love Is Blind creator Chris Coelen spoke to People, and said he was 'never told that [Dang] felt unsafe or experienced any of the allegations that she made.' Delirium TV and Kinetic Content also referred to the claims as baseless. Dave Hughes has revealed he struggles to even eat his breakfast after a shocking New Year's Day surfing accident. The comedian, 53, took to Instagram to share how he is coping with everyday task while one of his arms is in a sling. Standing at his breakfast bench, Hughes grabbed a spoon with his injured arm and scooped up some cereal in the video. 'Four days into my surfing accident,' he said as lifted up the spoon, just falling short of reaching his mouth. 'And I'm nearly back,' he laughed after a couple of failed attempts to feed himself. Dave Hughes has revealed he struggles to eat his breakfast after his shocking New Year's Day surfing accident. The comedian, 53, took to Instagram to share how he is coping with everyday task while one of his arms is in a sling. Pictured Standing at his breakfast bench, Hughes grabbed a spoon with his injured arm and scooped up some cereal. 'Four days into my surfing accident,' he says as lifts up the spoon, 'And I'm nearly back,' he says as he laughs after a couple of failed attempts to feed himself The comedian was rushed to hospital on Monday after dislocating his shoulder while enjoying a day out on a Queensland beach, resulting in nerve damage and leaving him in excruciating pain. 'Happy NY. Had my least sober NYE in 30+ years. Green whistle came after two hours of worst pain of my life, plus morphine and the rest of them,' he wrote on Instagram. 'Shoulder dislocation whilst surfing. 9 out of 10 level nerve damage' he explained. 'Shout out to wife, @surfersparadiseslsc, and GC medical professionals for their much needed help! 'Will be in a sling for a while, not sure when my next right-handed high five will be,' he continued. The comedian was rushed to hospital on Monday after a surfing accident while enjoying a day out on a Queensland beach The 53-year-old's dislocated shoulder resulted in nerve damage and leaving him in excruciating pain Alongside the caption, Dave shared several dramatic images of the aftermath of the accident. He is seen hunched over with his arm in a sling while inhaling the famous 'green whistle' - which contains the powerful analgesic Penthrox, used to administer emergency pain relief. A further image shows the television personality slumped in a beach buggy driven by a lifesaver, with a towel across his shoulders. 'Happy NY. Had my least sober NYE in 30+ years. Green whistle came after two hours of worst pain of my life, plus morphine and the rest of them,' he wrote on Instagram. 'Shoulder dislocation whilst surfing. 9 out of 10 level nerve damage' Dave was inundated with well-wishes from his famous friends, including Myf Warhurst who wrote: 'Oh no Dave. Take care'. 'Oh no Dave! That's horrible. If you need surgery (and I hope you don't) I could narrate it for you with my @bondirescuetv Voice if you like?' offered The Bachelor host Osher Gunsberg. Comedian Nikki Osborne wrote: 'Oh god no! That's horrendous. There's goes your long held ambitions to be the national chicken dance champion.' 'Is there footage of you falling off the board?' joked comedian Lehmo. Reality star Yvie Jones also saw the lighter side, writing: 'Oh love. How awful. I hope youre recovering okay. Legend wife for getting pics'. 'Will be in a sling for a while, not sure when my next right-handed high five will be,' he added She is the Australian influencer who shot to fame for holding up a Jetstar flight to eat a plate of oysters. And the now 30-year-old recently shared a throwback snap of herself as a child with a fringe. Sporting the classic hairstyle, she captioned the post: 'Me looking into 2024. But just 25 years ago.' The child in the adorable photo was none other than a young Ruby Tuesday Matthews. Fans were quick to point out how much her children resembled her with one writing: 'Wow it's giving so much rocket!!!!' Controversial Aussie influencer looks unrecognisable in epic throwback picture... so can YOU recognise her? 'So your babies are actually your clones? Cute,' a second person wrote. 'Seeing so much of Mars in this photo,' a third commented while another one said: 'Rocket, Mars and Holiday! Wowser.' The post comes after Ruby couldn't contain her excitement late last month when she was sent an unexpected package from Gucci. The Byron Bay based influencer shared a post to Instagram, showing off her new designer items after the luxury brand sent her a gift worth $16,125 for Christmas. It included GG silk trousers, which retail for $2250 and a matching shirt, which costs $2800. The adorable photo was shared by none other than Ruby Tuesday Matthews Ruby also showed off her $2155 strappy black Gucci heels and a matching shoulder bag which retails for $5005. She also received a silver and gold watch, which can be purchased for $2915. 'Gucci dreams come true,' Ruby captioned the series of images, adding the hashtag #Guccigift. The post comes after Ruby couldn't contain her excitement late last month when she was sent an unexpected package from Gucci Treat Williams' family is remembering him seven months after his tragic death. The late actor's wife, Pam Van Sant, and their two children, Gill and Ellie, are still processing the loss but said they are remembering the 'beautiful legacy' he left behind. In an interview with People published on Wednesday, his family spoke about how they would have celebrated his 72nd birthday with him last month. The Everwood star passed away at the age of 71 on June 12, 2023 after a motorcycle accident in Dorset, Virginia. His wife and children admitted that when it happened they were blindsided and are still 'grappling' with the fact that he is 'really gone'. Treat Williams' family is remembering him seven months after his tragic death; seen in October 2019 The late actor's wife, Pam Van Sant, and their two children, Gill and Ellie, are still processing the loss but said they are remembering the 'beautiful legacy' he left behind; seen in December 2018 'It just feels like such a hole in our family and the fabric of the world,' Pam, 68, told the outlet. 'The whole atmosphere feels different.' 'I think because of the suddenness of it, there was absolutely no preparation, so I'm still grappling with the fact that it happened and that he's really gone,' she added. Previously, Treat and Pam met in 1987 when she was working as a waitress at New York City's now-closed Texarkana restaurant. 'He was completely smitten with me and asked me to marry him two weeks later,' she recalled. 'It was a magical meeting, meant to be.' The following year, the pair tied the knot and moved to Vermont together. They welcomed their son Gill in 1992 and their daughter Ellie in 1998. Both of their children revealed that their father was the inspiration for them to become artists. Ellie, now 26, is pursuing her own acting career in Los Angeles while Gill, 31, has become a musician and is working on his debut album. The Everwood star passed away at the age of 71 on June 12, 2023 after a motorcycle accident in Dorset, Virginia; seen in January 2012 Previously, Treat and Pam met in 1987 when she was working as a waitress at New York City's now-closed Texarkana restaurant. The following year, the pair tied the knot and moved to Vermont together They welcomed their son Gill in 1992 and their daughter Ellie in 1998 Their children both revealed that their father was the inspiration for them to become artists. Ellie, now 26, is pursuing her own acting career in Los Angeles Gill admitted it is strange and difficult to accept that his father is 'actually gone'. 'But at the same time, he's left behind this beautiful legacy,' he said. 'I think that's something that you're very lucky if your parent is an artist especially when [the artist] is as prolific as him because you do get to, in many ways, still be with them through that art.' Sharing the sentiment, Ellie also shared her experience with watching their father act and being inspired by his artistry. 'When I was four, I started going to set with my dad on Everwood, and I fell in love with the craft,' she recalled. 'You create a wonderful close-knit group of people, a family and wonderful friendships. It's a beautiful thing.' 'His family was the thing that he always said [he'd be remembered for],' she added. 'You guys are obviously his legacy,' their mother and Treat's wife said to Gill and Ellie. 'He was just so proud of both of them.' The late actor will posthumously star in FEUD: Capote Vs. The Swans, which will premiere on January 31 on FX and streams the next day on Hulu. She is one of the biggest influencers in the country. But Anna Paul looked unrecognisable on Wednesday as she stepped out with friends in Sydney. The OnlyFans star, 23, ditched her usual glamorous look in favour of a casual yellow mini dress and sandals as she went for a walk. Anna wore her raven tresses out and opted for minimal make-up for the outing. At one point, the Aussie influencer was seen puffing on a cigarette as she chatted to a friend. Anna Paul looked unrecognisable on Wednesday as she stepped out with friends in Sydney The OnlyFans star, 23, ditched her usual glamorous look in favour of a casual yellow mini dress and sandals as she went for a walk with friends The sighting comes after Anna sparked concern among her fans in November when she shared a worrying video to one of her TikTok accounts. The OnlyFans star revealed her sudden weight loss and bruising on her legs in a clip of herself relaxing at Sundays Beach Club in Bali. Anna showed off her slender frame in a string bikini while drinking a blue cocktail as she reclined in a bean bag on the sand. After a follower raised their concern for the X-rated star's health, Anna revealed in the comments her bruising and weight loss occurred after her split from longtime boyfriend, Glen Thomson. Anna wore her raven tresses out and opted for minimal make-up for the outing At one point, the Aussie influencer was seen puffing on a cigarette as she chatted to a friend The sighting comes after Anna sparked concern among her fans in November when she shared a worrying video to one of her TikTok accounts 'Anna what are those bruises you okay girl?' the fan asked, to which Anna replied, 'Malnutrition due to heartbreak tbh.' Anna and Glenn dated for eight years before announcing they'd called time on their relationship in August. Soon after their split, Anna's ex-boyfriend was forced to deny cheating rumours, putting infidelity gossip to rest via Instagram. The high school sweethearts, who created and film X-rated OnlyFans content together, announced the sad news to TikTok. The OnlyFans star revealed her sudden weight loss and bruising on her legs in a clip of herself relaxing at Sundays Beach Club in Bali After a follower raised their concern for the X-rated star's health, Anna revealed in the comments her bruising and weight loss occurred after her split from longtime boyfriend, Glen Thomson Anna has a whopping 6.2million followers on TikTok and 2.2 million on Instagram. The Queenslander made headlines last August after her meet-and-greet with fans descended into chaos due to a stampede of teenagers. One of her events in Perth was shut down after just 14 minutes due to large crowds, and the social media star later apologised saying she had 'no idea' that many people would arrive. Anna has a whopping 6.2million followers on TikTok and 2.2 million on Instagram Angelina Jolie's daughter Zahara was spotted out in Los Angeles on Wednesday, after it was revealed that she recently dropped her father Brad Pitt's last name. The 18-year-old was casual cool for the outing, rocking a lavender cardigan over a white t-shirt, black pants and slip-on shoes. She accessorized her look with gold hoops and sported a black face mask to protect herself from coronavirus. Zahara's latest sighting comes just a month after she seemingly dropped her father's, 59, last name as she joined a sorority at Spelman College. In a video of the teen's induction into Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first historically Black sorority in the Greek system, she introduced herself as Zahara Marley Jolie. Angelina Jolie's daughter Zahara was spotted out in Los Angeles on Wednesday, after it was recently revealed that she dropped her father Brad Pitt's last name The 18-year-old was casual cool for the outing, rocking a lavender cardigan over a white t-shirt, black pants and slip-on shoes Per People, the teen says in the excerpt: 'My name is Zahara Marley Jolie. And [I] landed all the way from the Golden State in the city full of angels: Los Angeles, California.' Angelina and sons Pax, 19, and Maddox, 22, supported Zahara as she was inducted into the AKA sorority. The 48-year-old actress was dressed in a modest, understated black dress as her sons joined to watch their sister's milestone. Angelina and Brad split seven years ago, but the exes have been embroiled in a contentious years-long feud over custody, the circumstances under which their relationship ended, and their ongoing business affairs. The notable name exclusion did not go unnoticed by various social media users. 'I wasnt gonna say anything, but I definitely peeped that Zahara left Pitt off her last name,' tweeted one viewer. 'Oh Zahara said her last name is Jolie, not Jolie-Pitt,' another posted. 'I need people to respect her as an individual who just said her name out loud ZAHARA. MARLEY. JOLIE. Zero mention of the name PITT. Periodt,' another posted. Zahara is currently a sophomore at Spelman College, a historically Black women's college in Atlanta, Georgia. Zahara's latest sighting comes just a month after she seemingly dropped her father's, 59, last name as she joined a sorority at Spelman College; Brad seen with baby Zahara and son Pax In a video of the teen's induction into Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first historically Black sorority in the Greek system, she introduced herself as Zahara Marley Jolie; seen with Angelina Angelina and Brad who split in 2016 are parents to six children: Maddox, 22, Pax (not seen) 19, Zahara, Shiloh, 17, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 15; seen in 2021 Last month it was revealed that Angelina and Brad's adopted son Pax called his father a 'world class a**hole' and 'despicable person' who makes his four youngest children 'tremble in fear' in explosive Instagram rant posted for Father's Day 2020. The star has found it 'depressing to see this dragged up', according to sources close to him, who went on to rubbish the claims. But in a cutting post, Pax wrote: 'You have made the lives of those closest to me a constant hell.' 'You may tell yourself and the world whatever you want,' he added, 'but the truth will come to light someday. Then he sarcastically added: 'So Happy Father's Day, you f*****g awful human being.' After controversially meeting on the set of the 2005 film Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Brad and Angelina were seen as Hollywood's 'It' couple during their long-term relationship. They tied the knot in August 2014 during a secret ceremony in the South of France, and welcomed three children together during their romance - Shiloh, now 17, in 2006, and twins Vivienne and Knox, now 15, in 2008. They also adopted two more, Zahara, and Pax, and Brad legally adopted the son that Angelina had adopted before they got together, Maddox. But in 2016, it came to an explosive end after the pair got into an alleged physical altercation while on a private flight with their six kids. Angelina later claimed that Brad 'choked' one of the children during the horrifying dispute and 'struck' another in the face, leaving her and the kids feeling like 'hostages' and cowering in fear under a blanket for hours until they landed. Last month it was revealed that Pax Jolie-Pitt, 19, accused his dad of making his life 'hell' in an extraordinary social media rant in 2020; Pax seen with Angelina in 2018 In 2016 the couple's marriage came to an explosive end after the pair got into an alleged physical altercation while on a private flight with their six kids; seen at airport in Japan in 2013 Since they split, the two stars have been embroiled in one of the most publicized legal battles in Hollywood history over custody of their children; seen in 2012 She also alleged that he grabbed her by the head, slammed her against a wall, and violently shook her at one point during the flight - which resulted in her injuring her back and elbow. Brad's rep called Angelina's account 'completely untrue' to CNN at first, but then released an amended statement to the publication that read, 'Angelina's story continues to evolve each time she tells it. 'Brad has accepted responsibility for what he did but will not for things he didnt do. He has been on the receiving end of every type of personal attack and misrepresentation. 'Thankfully, the various public authorities she has tried to use against him over the past six years have made their own independent decisions. Brad will continue to respond in court as he has consistently done.' Since they split, the two stars have been embroiled in one of the most publicized legal battles in Hollywood history over custody of their children, as well as the winery that they once owned together. In May 2021, after years of duking it out in court, Brad and Angelina were officially granted joint custody of their six kids - but one month later, the judge's decision was thrown out. Abbie Chatfield has been spotted for the first time since she addressed the future of her fashion brand Verbose. The podcaster, 28, was seen embracing a laid-back style as she took to the streets for a leisurely stroll in Byron Bay with a friend and their furry friends. Abbie showed off her figure in a simple white crop top and grey shorts. Chatfield appeared every bit the girl next door with her hair casually tied up and minimal makeup. On Tuesday, the former Bachelor star admitted she is not sure whether her clothing brand is going to 'come back' after complaints about missing orders. Abbie Chatfield has been spotted for the first time since she addressed the future of her fashion brand Verbose after months of complaints about missing orders The podcaster, 28, was seen embracing a laid-back style as she took to the streets for a leisurely stroll in Byron Bay with a friend and their furry friends But Abbie insisted that complaints from customers about their missing orders have now been sorted. A cloud of uncertainty has been hovering over Verbose after shoppers discovered the size-inclusive label's website was displaying error codes beyond the home page. 'The reason I haven't done a statement about Verbose is because we had an issue with suppliers, then I got incredibly busy, extremely mentally unwell and very burnt out,' she wrote on Instagram. Abbie showed off her figure in a simple white crop top and grey shorts 'I didn't want to let my business partners down and we were having a break in drops, so took time to reset. Essentially, we have been waiting for me to be better and less busy, with no real timeline or definite answers about where the label will go. 'So no reason to issue an explanation if I didn't have an answer. I still don't, that's what I'm hoping time off while result in! I'm unsure if/ when Verbose will come back, as my burnout is very present still and my schedule is no less hectic.' She apologised and said if any customers have any problems with their refunds they should contact her directly. 'If anyone had any outstanding issues, DM ME! I will sort ASAP. A preemptive apology to anyone who has outstanding issues, like I said as far as I know it will be rectified. I'm sorry if this has been an issue for that long of a time,' she ended her statement. On Tuesday, the former Bachelor star admitted to customers she is not sure whether the brand is going to 'come back' but all demands for refunds are being dealt with Abbie told customers on Tuesday, that she isn't sure whether the brand is going to 'come back' but all refunds are being dealt with In a separate post, Abbie explained she also had issues with Australia Post but the 'majority of complaints have been refunded'. The brand's official Instagram page hasn't uploaded a new grid post since March 6, and the label's website appears to have disappeared. The last post received several comments from customers making claims about missing orders, returns and refunds, and emails which haven't been replied to. 'Can someone please respond to my DM regarding a missing order from November?' one user wrote on the label's last Instagram post from six weeks ago. She apologised and said if any customers have any problems with their refunds they should contact her directly 'Yes I've also sent emails about my pre-order and haven't heard anything!' another added. 'Hi @verbosethelabel can someone please respond to my emails or DM regarding my missing order from three months ago?' one customer asked. Another raged: 'I have saved all 36 comments over the past 11 weeks of people asking for refunds, returns, responses and... there has been radio silence. Verbose launched in May 2022, stocking sizes 6 to 26. At first, it was so popular that items would sell out within minutes of dropping. Iggy Azalea has quit the music industry, ten years after she shot to global fame with her song Fancy. The Australian rapper, 33, shared the shock announcement via X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, penning a lengthy message to her fans about her plans to focus on other creative endeavours. Iggy also confirmed in her post she would no longer be finishing her upcoming fourth album. 'I know a lot of people have this idea that I was "bullied away from music" and that's something I've always laughed at because I'd never be bullied out of anything! In fact, I'm too stubborn,' Iggy began. 'I think I've even resisted changes within myself at times, purely because I don't like being viewed as someone who quits.' Iggy Azalea, 33, (pictured) has quit the music industry, ten years after she shot to global fame with her song Fancy Iggy, who recently announced she had come out of 'retirement' to pen a fourth album, said she now feels 'more passionately about design and creative direction' than she does about writing music. 'To many of you that's no shock to read. It shows in my work. Haha! Jokes aside, i do spend a lot more time on that part of things because Im most confident at that.' 'That's why I want to let you know that I'm not going to finish my album,' she continued. The Australian rapper shared the shock announcement via X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, penning a lengthy message to her fans about her plans to focus on other creative endeavours Iggy said the album had been stalled in recent months while she was 'giving direction for a different project', and that she hasn't felt the 'urge' to get back to writing. 'I feel really happy and passionate in my day to day life when my mind's focused on that and so I want to stick to what's undeniably best for me,' she said. The Mo Bounce hitmaker concluded by apologising to her fans, writing: 'I know for some fans this probably makes you feel a little deflated - I'm sorry to let you down.' Her post sparked an outpouring of grief from her fans, with one commenting: 'WAIT WHAT? So it's really the end of an era??' Iggy also confirmed in her post that she would no longer be finishing her upcoming fourth album The Mo Bounce hitmaker concluded by apologising to her fans, writing: 'I know for some fans this probably makes you feel a little deflated - I'm sorry to let you down' 'That's so sad for us that genuinely love your music. I'm definitely one of them. but for those who really loves u and respect you, it's really understandable. We want to see you happy,' another added. 'Was sad to know that we won't have any more albums, I thought this would be the year of releases. But I'm happy to know that you're happy with what you really want to work on. I love you,' wrote another fan. Joe Don Rooney says he's not transitioning to be a woman. The Rascal Flatts alum, 48, took to Twitter on Wednesday to address rumors he was transitioning, with an extensive statement to clear up any misconceptions that had been circulating about him. 'I figured today, at the beginning of this brand new year 2024, would be a good day to send a message out to the world,' Rooney said. 'There have been so many rumors and opinions thrown around about me - but Im finally healthy and ready for the world. 'And NO, Im not transitioning to be a woman. That thought has never entered my mind.' The Baxter Springs, Kansas native added, 'Nothing against the trans community whatsoever but I needed to set the record straight.' Rascal Flatts alum Joe Don Rooney, 48, took to Twitter on Wednesday to deny rumors he was transitioning, with an extensive statement to clear up any misconceptions that had been circulating about him. Pictured in Nashville in August 2021 Rooney said, 'NO, Im not transitioning to be a woman ... that thought has never entered my mind.' Pictured in 2017 in Nashville The musician referenced his September 9, 2021 arrest in connection with driving under the influence after he careened into a tree in Franklin, Tennessee. He was subsequently booked into Williamson County Jail in connection with the arrest, and went on to serve a two-day jail stint following his conviction in June of 2022, when he entered a guilty plea in the crash. 'My life and career took a major detour ... when I ran square into a tree and about killed myself,' Rooney said. 'I was drunk and I was so far gone with my life - I was completely out of control and finished with trying to fight the fears, depression and anxieties that had spun me out in a way Ive never experienced before.' Rooney said that in that timeframe, his alcoholism had gradually grown out-of-control. 'I am living proof that the progressive nature of drinking can really ratchet up and as I grew older as an adult my drinking grew worse,' Rooney said. 'The pressures of my career and the many mistakes I made in regards to my home life, coupled with a lot of pain and trauma from my childhood and early on in my adult life, had become too much to bear.' Rooney said his drinking caused him to damage his relationships with his family and bandmates, and that he 'probably wouldve never taken responsibility for any of this if it hadnt been for my car wreck.' Rooney said that he truly believed God led him to careen into 'that tree safely enough to not kill' him or harm anyone else. 'Luckily nobody else was involved and I didnt injure or kill anyone,' Rooney said. 'I could literally be in a Federal Prison for life right now. That is the reality of what my life had become.' Rooney posted a lengthy tweet in an effort to get the new year off to a strong start The Rascal Flatts artist was pictured onstage in September of 2019 in Clarkston, Michigan Rooney said the crash ultimately paved the path for him to spend four months in a rehab facility for alcoholism, that he didn't initially take to. 'When I first got there, I didnt want to stay,' he said. 'I was ashamed of myself. I was so full of fear and guilt, that it took me all of the those four months to really start understanding treatment and the AA way and how to best utilize these new tools that I downloaded from the amazing clinicians, counselors and other patients there.' Rooney said that his 'life has been changed forever' and he's 'grateful for the change,' as he'll celebrate his two-year, four-month sobriety anniversary January 13. 'I never believed I could actually live my life without drinking,' Rooney said. 'It had become such a huge part of my daily and nightly routine. 'I had tried to stop on my own in the past but the powerful nature of alcohol always found its way back into my life.' Rooney said he eventually came 'to the realization' that he 'was powerless over alcohol,' and a higher power 'was the only way to stop drinking' and restore his sanity. 'God intervened and helped me to get my life back,' he said. 'With the help of my family and so many other professional clinical advisors and now numerous new sober forever friends, Ive been able to get the train back on the tracks and live without the burden of alcohol. 'Now, I need to protect my family and protect my sobriety.' Rooney said he has 'new healthy boundaries for the first time' ever, and now 'only positive, loving, caring & understanding people may enter.' Rooney and his ex-wife Tiffany Fallon Rooney finalized their divorce last month. Pictured in Nashville in 2017 He added: But for now, Ill just say - thank you God!! I wish there was a way I could give back to God what all God has given to me - but moving forward, I will do my best to reflect Gods light of love and grace onto others like so many have done for me.' Rooney wrapped up in saying, 'Thank you for all the love, support and prayers. I promise you, Ive felt them all and Im super appreciative. Heres to making the best of 2024 and living our most healthiest, happiest and goal oriented lives ever!!' Rooney and his ex-wife Tiffany Fallon Rooney finalized their divorce last month. They are parents to three children, son Jagger, 15, and daughters Raquel, 13, and Devon, nine. Keke Palmer declared that she has 'never been so happy in my life' despite her ongoing court battle with baby daddy Darius Jackson, who she's since been granted a restraining order against after making abuse allegations. On Wednesday, the actress, 30, uploaded a clip of herself interacting with a stingray in the ocean during a New Year's getaway to a tropical location. In the caption, the mother-of-one shared her goals for 2024 as well as how proud she is of her personal growth over the last year. 'I have never been so happy in my life!! Already 2024 has started off on the vibes I was looking for, more experiences and more enjoying what this beautiful world has to offer,' she began. She then referenced her video while admiring her own happiness and the 'connection' she made with the sea creature. Keke Palmer declared that she has 'never been so happy in my life' despite her ongoing court battle with baby daddy Darius Jackson, who she's been granted a restraining order against after making abuse allegations; Keke and Darius seen in 2021 On Wednesday, the actress uploaded a clip of herself interacting with a stingray in the ocean during a New Year's getaway to a tropical location 'Look at my smile! I don't even recognize me! I made a second connection with this girl here, I'm on clouuuuuud nine!' the Nickelodeon alum concluded. The post comes just a few weeks after it was revealed that Jackson is seeking a restraining order against Palmer amid their nasty split. In court documents filed in Los Angeles, Jackson, 29, asked a judge for a temporary domestic violence restraining order requiring the star to stay 100 yards away from him, per TMZ. Jackson, who is father to son Leodis Andrellton, nine months, with Palmer, told the court that she 'repeatedly engaged in abusive conduct' and 'acted as the primary aggressor' toward him during their two years together. In one alleged incident cited, Jackson claimed that on August 20, 2021, Palmer 'punched [him] in the face' at a birthday party they'd attended. The request comes a few days after Jackson had filed a counterclaim, after the actress, 30, received a temporary restraining order against him last month amid allegations of domestic violence. In his counterclaim, Jackson told the court Palmer 'punched the windshield of [his] car while [he] was driving' in January 2022. On February 28, 2022, according to Jackson, Palmer 'physically attacked [him] by choking and hitting' him in an incident at her Los Angeles house. Jackson said that in an incident on March 12, 2023, an intoxicated Palmer had cursed him out amid experiencing plumbing problems at her home she blamed him for. 'I tried to de-escalate the situation and she became more enraged,' he said. In the caption, the mother-of-one shared her goals for 2024 and how proud she is of her personal growth over the last year She then referenced her video while admiring her own happiness and the 'connection' she made with the sea creature The post comes just a few weeks after it was revealed that Jackson is seeking a restraining order against Palmer amid their nasty split; seen in April with son Leodis Andrellton, nine months Palmer was recently granted temporary sole custody of their baby son and a restraining order against Jackson. Jackson has asked the court for joint legal and physical custody of their son, and has asked the court to dismiss Palmer's petition for a restraining order on grounds of domestic violence. He asked Palmer pay for his lawyers, and adhere to stay-away and no-contact orders he wants the court to grant him after filming his counterclaim. In her court documents, Palmer said she was seeking protection from Jackson after he allegedly 'trespassed into my home without my knowledge or consent, threatened me, then physically attacked me' DailyMail.com obtained shocking surveillance camera images of Palmer being beaten by Jackson, with the images obtained from court documents. Jackson, who has past denied the abuse allegations, said the video was misleading. In the restraining order request, which she filed in Los Angeles, it was noted that the relationship which began in 2021 'finally ended for good' early last month 'primarily due to the physical and emotional abuse inflicted.' Palmer alleges that Jackson would also 'love bomb' her during their relationship. 'The abuse during our relationship was not just physical, but emotional and manipulative. Darius would 'love bomb' me and make me feel like I was the most important woman in the world, only to get extremely distant and cold over a perceived insult to him.' In court documents filed in Los Angeles on December 19, Jackson, 29, asked a judge for a temporary domestic violence restraining order requiring the star to stay 100 yards away from him; seen in April Jackson said Palmer, 30, 'repeatedly engaged in abusive conduct' and 'acted as the primary aggressor' toward him during their two years of dating. She was pictured in LA in September In one alleged incident cited, Jackson claimed that on August 20, 2021, Palmer 'punched [him] in the face' at a birthday party they'd attended Keke shared a video of herself poledancing in a nightclub on Wednesday while enjoying a night out with her friends The star looked incredible in a black sleeveless dress Keke is currently on holiday with a group of gal pals for a friend's birthday 'If we were at a party or event, and I spoke with one person too long or looked at someone a 'certain way,' he would storm off in a rage telling me I was 'slut' and a 'whore,' accuse me of cheating on him, and that I did not love him.' 'Darius had a way of gaslighting me to make me feel like I was doing something wrong even though I wasn't,' she wrote in documents. Palmer alleged there have been 'many instances of physical violence' with Jackson, including him 'hitting' her in front of their son. In April 2022, Palmer said that she was out for dinner with Jackson in Santa Barbara when he accused her of flirting with a woman, forcing them to come home early. 'Darius grabbed my prescription eyeglasses away from me, threw them on the ground and stomped on them. He then opened my bag, threw all of my belongings onto the pavement in the rain, and threw my car keys across the parking lot before he got into his own car and drove off,' she alleges. Other incidents listed by Palmer reportedly involved him 'destroying personal property, including diaries and prescription eyeglasses' as well as throwing her 'belongings into the street.' She also accused him of 'throwing my car keys to prevent me from driving away, spewing profanities about me to our son, threatening to kill himself with a gun if I left him, harassment, and other physical and emotional abuse.' In her filing Palmer also expressed being 'concerned for Leo's safety' due to prior incidents. She claimed that on September 26, 2023 Darius became 'very frustrated with him when Leo was crying while Darius changed his diaper.' Palmer explained that her former partner 'started getting rough with Leo physically and I stepped in to make sure Darius would not hurt him.' In the request filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Thursday, Palmer said she is seeking protection from Jackson after he allegedly 'trespassed into my home without my knowledge or consent, threatened me, then physically attacked me' on Sunday Palmer alleged there have been 'many instances of physical violence' with Jackson, including him 'hitting' her in front of their son She continued: 'Darius was angry and it almost became a tug of war with Leo. Darius finally let go and Leo was not harmed, but as I was holding Leo trying to comfort him and finish changing his diaper, Darius hit me in the head before storming out of the room.' Keke also shared incidents of emotional abuse, writing, 'If we were at a party or event, and I spoke with one person too long or looked at someone a 'certain way', he would storm off in a rage telling me I was 's**t' and a 'w***e,' accuse me of cheating on him, and that I did not love him.' Keke revealed it was the birth of their son that helped her make the decision to end their relationship. 'It is because of our son, Leo, that I was finally able to end my relationship with Darius once and for all and escape the abuse. Leo is the most important thing in the entire world to me; he needs and deserves to be safe and grow up in an environment free from violence,' she wrote. Lindsay Hubbard sensationally revealed on Instagram this Wednesday that she boughtt a house in Nashville, with escrow closing last week. The past year was a turbulent one for Hubbard, marked by her sensational broken engagement to her Summer House co-star Carl Radke. Radke and Hubbard were supposed to tie the knot in November, but he called off the wedding in August in an astonishing move she called 'absolutely humiliating.' Now, however, she has revealed that the second half of 2023 also had its upsides for her, as she acquired a property she can rent out to fans. 'Turns out 2023 wasnt ALL that bad for me I bought a HOUSE yall!' she crowed. 'But I wont be the one living in it.. you guys will!' Lindsay Hubbard sensationally revealed on Instagram this Wednesday that she boughtt a house in Nashville, with escrow closing last week 'Turns out 2023 wasnt ALL that bad for me I bought a HOUSE yall!' she crowed; 'But I wont be the one living in it.. you guys will!' Hubbard plugged: 'If youre heading to Nashville this year with a group of friends, you can stay at my rental property starting in March.' She added: 'Giddy Up because #HubbHouse Nash is coming soon!! PS: this was my pile of paperwork from my closing last week!' Her message was accompanied by a picture of her signing some of the necessary documents for the purchase - while fortified by a glass of white wine. Hubbard was scheduled to get married in November on Friday November 17, before Radke shockingly called it off in August. Hubbard spoke about her split during an interview with Us Weekly, and she described the way Radke ended their relationship as 'absolutely humiliating.' The duo, who were both castmates on the program, got engaged in 2022, before their split the following year. The star said she 'was completely blindsided,' noting that Radke had not presented her with any type of explanation for the split. 'He blew up my entire life. I was crying, I was angry, and I had to find closure on my own,' the public relations specialist said. 'Now I'm at a place where I feel really good about moving on.' The past year was a turbulent one for Hubbard, marked by her sensational broken engagement to her Summer House co-star Carl Radke Radke and Hubbard were supposed to tie the knot in November, but he called off the wedding in August in an astonishing move she called 'absolutely humiliating' Hubbard described the course of events as 'absolutely humiliating,' claiming that Radke orchestrated everything with producers so it would be captured on camera. She added: 'For [Carl] to call up producers and then set up cameras and manipulate me into sitting down [so he could break up with me] after we'd already wrapped is scary.' In November at BravoCon 2023 in Las Vegas, the former pair spoke about their separation during the Summer House cast panel. According to Us Weekly, the panel's moderator, Brian Moylan, began by asking Radke and Hubbard about their split, to which he referred as the 'elephant in the room,' and the latter spoke openly about the current state of their relationship. 'We don't really speak unless he has to come to the apartment to get some stuff,' she revealed. The reality television personality also stated that she was 'really nervous' and that she was 'shaking' during the panel. Radke attempted to present a more optimistic front, and although he admitted that his split from Hubbard was 'emotional,' he was grateful for the support of Summer House's viewer base. He said: 'I'm just proud to be a part of this show and proud to be a part of Bravo and honestly love all these fans.' The star said she 'was completely blindsided,' noting that Radke had not presented her with any type of explanation for the split Hubbard went on to speak about her decision to carry on with her planned bachelorette weekend, during which she was joined by several of her friends and castmates. 'The Bahamas was honestly such a great trip...these girls rallied behind me,' she recalled. The two concluded by sharing their enthusiasm for the show's upcoming eighth season, and Hubbard stated that she enjoyed taking part in 'one of the most fun summers that we've had.' Radke and his former fiance initially met while filming the first season of Summer House in 2017. The two briefly dated during the show's fourth season, although they ultimately broke up. The couple went on to give their relationship another try prior to the start of Summer House's sixth run, and they became engaged during the show's seventh season. However, the pair ultimately went their separate ways, and their breakup will be shown in the program's eighth season. Warner Bros. hit Barbie ended 2023 as the biggest movie of the year, and one of the most iconic moments from it was the epic monologue by America Ferrera's Gloria. The 39-year-old actress played single mom and Mattel exec Gloria, who delivers an impassioned address to Margot Robbie's title character about the struggles of womanhood. While many fans were moved by the speech, others thought it overly simplified feminism, and now Ferrera is speaking out. The actress - who recently reunited with her Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants stars - opened up about the criticism with The New York Times. 'We can know things and still need to hear them out loud. It can still be a cathartic,' Ferrera began. Warner Bros. hit Barbie ended 2023 as the biggest movie of the year, and one of the most iconic moments from it was the epic monologue by America Ferrera 's Gloria The actress - who recently reunited with her Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants stars - opened up about the criticism with The New York Times 'There are a lot of people who need Feminism 101, whole generations of girls who are just coming up now and who dont have words for the culture that theyre being raised in,' she stated. 'Also, boys and men who may have never spent any time thinking about feminist theory,' she continued. The actress acknowledged, 'If you are well-versed in feminism, then it might seem like an oversimplification, but there are entire countries that banned this film for a reason.' 'To say that something that is maybe foundational, or, in some peoples view, basic feminism isnt needed is an oversimplification,' she said. 'Assuming that everybody is on the same level of knowing and understanding the experience of womanhood is an oversimplification,' she said. While the actress embarked on a global press tour for Barbie leading up to the July 19 theatrical release, the SAG-AFTRA strike truncated that slightly and meant she could not talk about the film during the strike, which lasted from July 14 to November 9. When asked if the strike ending paved the way for a deluge of film offers in the wake of Barbie's massive success ($636.2 million domestic, $1,.441 billion worldwide), she said she would be thrilled if that happened. 'I would be thrilled if this moment of being in highly visible films led to more opportunities for me to do the kinds of roles and create the kinds of stories that I want to, but thats hard to predict,' Ferrera admitted. 'There are a lot of people who need Feminism 101, whole generations of girls who are just coming up now and who dont have words for the culture that theyre being raised in,' she stated The actress acknowledged, 'If you are well-versed in feminism, then it might seem like an oversimplification, but there are entire countries that banned this film for a reason' 'Assuming that everybody is on the same level of knowing and understanding the experience of womanhood is an oversimplification,' she said While the actress embarked on a global press tour for Barbie leading up to the July 19 theatrical release, the SAG-AFTRA strike truncated that slightly and meant she could not talk about the film during the strike, which lasted from July 14 to November 9 'Ive had many moments in my career of wonderful successes that didnt necessarily lead to more opportunity. Ive learned to just slow down and drop that expectation,' she added.. When asked about why she hasn't gotten the kinds of roles she's wanted for many years, she said she was never considerd for Latina roles. 'To be frank: For the majority of my career, I have not been considered for roles that werent written specifically Latina,' she admitted. 'And so that, in and of itself, limits what people are willing to think of you as and whats available to you. The gift of what Greta [Gerwig] offered me is that she actually did write the Barbie part as Latina,' she said. 'I suspect that if she hadnt written it as such, I might not have been the person they went to. However, even though the role was written Latina, it was not a Latina role,' she said. 'Being Latina was not the purpose of the character. She got to be a full human and representative of so many things. It wasnt a check the box kind of casting. That has begun to change somewhat, for me at least,' she said. Zoe Saldana and her husband Marco Perego enjoyed a mid-week dinner date in Malibu on Wednesday. After dining at celeb hotspot Nobu, the couple who recently purchased a new home were seen packing on the PDA en route to the valet with one of their twin sons. The Avatar actress, 45, was photographed locking lips with Marco, 44, while he had one arm wrapped around her shoulders. Zoe looked absolutely smitten with the hunky producer as she flashed a smile at him while they walked. For they evening out, she was effortlessly stylish in baggy distressed jeans and a blue striped button-up shirt. Zoe Saldana and her husband Marco Perego shared a kiss while enjoying a mid-week dinner date in Malibu with one of their three sons on Wednesday The Guardians Of The Galaxy star sported a bold berry lip and her shoulder-length hair was straightened. She carried what appeared to be a beige leather Hermes Birkin bag, which can retail for upwards of $20,000. Marco rocked his signature black leather jacket over a black knit sweater and light wash jeans. The filmmaker's long, brunette hair was tied up in a messy bun while he kissed his wife of 10 years. Zoe and Marco are parents to three boys: twins Cy and Bowie, nine, and seven-year-old Zen. She often gives glimpses at their family life in Los Angeles on Instagram whether it be family vacation photos or their holiday festivities. Most recently, the New Jersey native posed for a photo with Cy, Bowie and Zen as they watched her play her Nintendo Switch on Thanksgiving. She previously revealed to TODAY that she is raising her children in a 'gender-fluid environment' and that she's happy being a boy mom. 'I can't really picture myself with anything else,' she replied when asked if she hoped to have a daughter someday. '[Marco and I's] mission is to raise decent, amazing, compassionate men who will then pick partners whether they're females or males that will pick partners and hopefully I'll get to have the daughters later (as a grandmother),' Zoe elaborated. After dining at celeb hotspot Nobu, the couple were seen packing on the PDA en route to the valet Zoe looked absolutely smitten with the hunky producer as she flashed him a smile while they walked 'But I don't feel like I'm missing out.' Zoe and Marco tied the knot back in the summer of 2013 after falling head over heels for one another earlier that same year. She previously recalled meeting Marco at an airport and how it was love at first sight. 'I just saw him from behind. It was 6:30 in the morning, I was on a flight to New York. And I can't even describe to you, it was a vibration,' she told USA Today. 'He turned in that moment, because he felt the vibration as well.' Although they did not become romantic until 2013, Zoe knew of Marco years before because she was a fan of his artwork. She told THR in 2014: 'I've known my partner for five years. I knew of his work. I knew of him. Then we met.' Zoe explained that her and Marco were both opposed to the idea of marriage before meeting one another. Zoe and Marco tied the knot back in the summer of 2013 after falling head over heels for one another earlier that same year; seen in November Zoe and Marco are parents to three boys: twins Cy and Bowie, nine, and seven-year-old Zen Zoe explained that her and Marco were both opposed to the idea of marriage before meeting one another; seen in December 'And months [into our relationship], we both made the decision to do what we both individually vowed never to do to get married.' She continued: 'As soon as we decided we were going to get married, we didn't wait. We did it three weeks later. 'That part was very, very quick.' Zoe and Marco made headlines shortly after their nuptials when it was revealed that they had taken each other's names. 'Why is it so surprising, shocking, eventful that a man would take his wife's surname?' she penned on Facebook in 2015. 'Women have never been asked if it's OK for them to give up their names....I know our sons will respect and admire their father more because their father led by example.' In November 2014, the couple welcomed their twin sons Cy and Bowie. They were eight weeks early and spent time in the NICU. Speaking to Allure in 2015, Zoe revealed that giving birth to twins was 'very challenging' for her body and required an emergency C-section. Last year, Zoe said being a mom is 'such a treat' as she gushed over her children's achievements and milestones She previously revealed to TODAY that she is raising her children in a 'gender-fluid environment' and that she's happy being a boy mom 'The boys came at 32 weeks. They found protein in my urine; my platelets crashed,' she recalled of the scary ordeal. 'I didn't qualify for an epidural, so I delivered under general anesthetic. I didn't even meet them until a day later.' In February 2017, the longtime couple welcomed their third son Zen. Last year, Zoe said being a mom is 'such a treat' as she gushed over her children's achievements and milestones. The movie star and her family recently bought and moved into a $17.5 million mansion in the Montecito, California. The city is home to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, Oprah Winfrey, and Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi. She is never shy showing off her incredible figure. And Kimberley Garner flaunted her impressive physique as she hit the beach in St Barts on Wednesday. The model, 32, slipped into a skimpy red bikini at the Cheval Blanc Hotel while topping up her tan. Kimberley has been overseas to shoot a number of swimsuits from her own collection, but looked to be enjoying a day off on Wednesday. Emerging out of the sea after a quick dip to cool down, the star flaunted her washboard abs in the flattering two-piece. Kimberley Garner flaunted her impressive physique as she hit the beach in St Barts on Wednesday The model, 32, slipped into a skimpy red bikini at the Cheval Blanc Hotel while topping up her tan Kimberley has been overseas to shoot a number of swimsuits from her own collection, but looked to be enjoying a day off on Wednesday The star spent her New Year's Eve shooting for her new swimwear collection as she wore four of her own creations, including a skimpy khaki bikini with straps at the waist, a simple purple two-piece, a scarlet bikini and a patterned lilac number with low-cut sides. She is famed for flaunting her stunning frame - making her the best advertisement for her eponymous swimwear collection. Kimberley first found fame on Made In Chelsea and has made a name for herself as a successful swimsuit brand entrepreneur. She has previously spoken about how she used to pretend to be an intern when she first started the business as nobody took her seriously. She told MailOnline: 'I think people sometimes think that Im only the face, but I am responsible for every bit of the business.' 'I was 18 when I started my first company - I came up with an idea, stayed up for days learning how to register the company and teaching myself. It became very successful overnight.' She explained: 'However, as I was only 18, no one ever imagined it was mine. I was a young blonde girl with a soft voice. 'No one would take me seriously or realise it was my company. So, I pretended to be the Intern! Emerging out of the sea after a quick dip to cool down, the star flaunted her washboard abs in the flattering two-piece She is famed for flaunting her stunning frame - making her the best advertisement for her eponymous swimwear collection While Kimberley appeared to have been joined by a male friend for the beach day, it didn't look to be her current flame Andreas Anthis She has previously spoken about how she used to pretend to be an intern when she first started the business as nobody took her seriously 'I handled all the meetings, phone calls, and emails for the company. When it became a success, I put all the revenues into starting Kimberley London.' The star is currently dating Andreas Anthis, as they were seen for the first time together in July 2023 packing on the PDA while walking her dog Sasha in London. While not much is known about the handsome chap, the couple appeared happier than ever as they made their way through the busy city and stopped numerous times to enjoy a kiss. While Kimberley appeared to have been joined by a male friend for the beach day, it didn't look to be Andreas. Noel and Liam Gallagher are reportedly set to face off as they battle for chart success in two different supergroups. The brothers, who have been locked in a feud for years, have both carved out solo careers since leaving Oasis and are now set to try their luck with new bands. Liam, 51, has joined forces with Stone Roses star John Squire for a new album while Noel, 56, is said to have teamed up with Happy Mondays' Shaun Ryder. According to The Sun, Noel and Shaun have recorded the track Domino Bones (Gets Dangerous) which will appear on the debut album of Shaun's supergroup Mantra Of The Cosmos. A source said: 'Noel and Liam have always been competitive in their music careers and have both dealt each other some jibes about their solo work. Noel and Liam Gallagher are reportedly set to face off as they battle for chart success in two different supergroups (Noel pictured in November 2023) The brothers, who have been feuding for years, have both carved out solo careers since leaving Oasis and are now set to try their luck with new bands (Liam pictured in July 2023) That rivalry is now branching out into a battle of the supergroups. Liam and John's first single, Just Another Rainbow, is out tomorrow, with the album expected to drop over the summer. 'It'll be the same time Mantra Of The Cosmos will be releasing theirs, and Dynamo Bones will be on the album. Noel and Shaun have talked about working together for some time and they've now formally registered the track.' Shaun's supergroup also features fellow Happy Mondays star Bez along with Ride and Oasis' Andy Bell and The Who's Zak Starkey. Mantra Of The Cosmos released their debut single Gorilla Geurilla last summer which they debuted at London venue The Box. Noel and Liam have been trading insults ever since Oasis split at their final concert in Paris - Rock En Seine - in 2009 after a backstage bust-up. According to reports an argument broke out, with Liam wielding Noel's guitar around 'like an axe'. It was the last straw for the duo and the show was cancelled, along with the rest of the tour. Noel issued a statement at the time: 'It's with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis tonight. Liam has joined forces with Stone Roses star John Squire for a new album while Noel is said to have teamed up with Happy Mondays' Shaun Ryder (pictured together in 2008) Noel and Liam have been trading insults ever since Oasis split at their final concert in Paris - Rock En Seine - in 2009 after a backstage bust-up (pictured in 2008) However, it was recently revealed the brothers have been patching things up in the wake of Noel's split from his wife Sara MacDonald in November (pictured together in 2018) 'People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer.' The duo quickly went their separate ways when the band disbanded and their infamous decade-long feud has been running ever since. However, it was recently revealed the brothers have been patching things up in the wake of Noel's split from his wife Sara MacDonald in November. Sources who know the siblings say that the split had an 'instant impact' on relations between Liam and Noel, who are now 'closer than they have been for years'. Coronation Street fans got excited about one character's possible return after watching Wednesday's episode. Steve McDonald - played by Simon Gregson - was chatting to Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan) in the Rovers Return when she asked him what he missed most about owning the iconic pub. As he joked the thing he missed most was 'beer on tap,' talk then turned to his four ex-wives. Steve is currently married to Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) - they previously tied the knot in 2012 before getting divorced and married again in 2018. He first married Vicky McDonald (Chloe Newsome) in 1995, before walking down the aisle with Karen Phillips (Suranne Jones) in 2001. Steve McDonald (played by Simon Gregson) got Coronation Fans excited after mentioning his ex-wife Karen (Suranne Jones) during Wednesday's episode Steve and Karen tied the knot in 2001, before Suranne Jones ended up leaving the beloved soap after four years in 2004 Steve then wed Becky Granger (Katherine Kelly) in 2009, before he married Michelle Connor (Kym Marsh) in 2015. Daisy asked Steve in the pub during Wednesday's episode: 'Who was your least favourite punter?' as he responded: 'Tracy.' She then quizzed: 'Which of your four ex wives do you miss the most?' He immediately replied: 'Karen, next question.' Daisy continued: 'If you could go back in time and marry only one of them, who would you choose?' as Steve failed to respond before she got distracted. Steve's mention of Karen was enough to get fans excited about a potential return, despite him just mentioning her name. One person posted: 'Coronation street... Karen macdonald.... So tonight... Steve admits that karen was his favourite wife... Is this a sign.. Is karen aka suranne Jones coming back [sic]' Another pointed out: 'The wife Steve Macdonald would remarry, Karen #Corrie.' Steve insisted out of his four ex wives, he missed Karen the most Vicky McDonald (played by Chloe Newsome) and Steve tied the knot in 1995 The iconic Coronation Street character has been married seven times to five different women - pictured walking down the aisle with Becky Granger (Katherine Kelly) in 2009 Steve and his current wife, Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford), have definitely had their ups and downs over the years The character was also married to Kym Marsh's Michelle Connor - pictured tying the knot in 2015 Coronation Street fans got excited after Steve said the ex-wife he missed the most was Karen during the latest episode of the ITV soap A third insisted: 'Karen mcdonald mention. Steve loved her. #Corrie' A different social media user gushed: 'Steve mentioning Karen! #Corrie' Suranne left Corrie in 2004 after four years on the soap. She's gone on to have an incredible career in TV, starring in shows such as Doctor Foster, The Secret Of Crickley Hall, Unforgiven, Maryland and more. Suranne most recently starred in the second series of BBC drama Vigil alongside Game Of Thrones actress Rose Leslie. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley celebrated seeing in 2024 with a lavish Thailand trip. The model, 36, took to Instagram on Wednesday to post some stunning snaps of herself posing in front of some pretty pink flowers. Rosie oozed elegance in a long satin backless ivory gown that highlighted her enviable physique. The supermodel looked over her shoulder while playing with her hair in a few of the shots. Rosie ditched her shoes for the shoot and teaming her dress with a choker and a pair of sunglasses. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, 36, looked the epitome of chic as she donned a backless ivory gown for some snaps taken on her trip to Thailand The supermodel - who is in a longterm relationship with Jason Statham - posed in front of some pretty pink flowers Rosie showed off her toned figure in the glamorous ensemble as she turned her back to the camera to pose for the pictures She wore her long blonde locks loose and wavy, with the snaps seemingly being taken on a picturesque terrace with the ocean in the background. The beauty captioned the post: '2024 in colour' with a pink flower emoji. Thailand is thought to be a favourite destination for Rosie and her fiance Jason Statham, who first began dating back in 2009. It's rumoured Jason, 56, could have popped the question in the country after the lovebirds enjoyed a New Year's trip there at the end of 2015 to see in 2016. The pair have yet to get married, but revealed their engagement after Rosie flashed her impressive diamond ring at the 2016 Golden Globes. Rosie's latest trip comes after DailyMail.com reported that she and Jason - who share kids Jack, six, and Isabella, 23 months, together - love being engaged so much that they don't plan on officially tying the knot anytime soon. According to a source close to the couple, they are on the 'same page' when it comes to their relationship - despite a notable age difference. Rosie occasionally shares glimpses of their children occasionally on social media. The supermodel - who captioned the post '2024 in colour' - also shared a stunning black and white version of one of the snaps The ocean could be seen in the background of the images as Rosie posed on a picturesque terrace in Thailand Rosie is thought to have been dating actor Jason Statham since 2009, with the pair confirming their engagement in 2016 In July 2023, the model shared some rare snaps of a family vacation to Portugal, giving some rare insight into her family life The source insisted Rosie and Jason 'will' get married one day, but there's 'no rush'. 'They are also very private but Jason knows how lucky he is and loves the life he has; he is very happy,' the insider assured. 'When it comes to them, they will get married eventually but they feel like they are already married and there is no rush.' They continued: '"If it isn't broken, why fix it" is their overall mentality.' The insider suggested the couple may even add to their brood rather than plan a wedding and their children may be the ones to push them into a wedding. 'And as it comes to their kids, their kids are still very young and their thoughts on expanding their family being such a very plausible thing, they might wait to have a wedding once their kids get older so they can enjoy it themselves,' they explained. 'They both anticipate that their kids will ask them to have one in the future and if that happens, that would be the tipping point to actually have one. ' Susanna Reid has admitted 'hangxiety' and skin concerns drove her to become 'alcohol free.' The presenter, 53, discussed the health benefits she has seen since giving up booze as she spoke to Lorraine Kelly on her morning show on Thursday. Susanna, who gave up drinking in 2018, added that while she still 'enjoys a few bubbles' on very special occasions, she is '99.9 per cent alcohol free.' As she joined Lorraine in the studio, the host said: You are glowing.' 'Thank you, Lots of people are doing dry Jan and you need a proper motivation to stick to it. People think why not, you need a why to do it,' Susanna began. Susanna Reid, 53, has admitted 'hangxiety' and skin concerns drove her to become 'alcohol free' (pictured this week on Good Morning Britain) She continued: 'My why was I kept getting breakouts on my skin and my doctor said its because alcohol dilates your blood vessels and you get a blood rush to the skin. I was prone to spots, break outs, rosacea. I thought I dont just want one. 'When youre getting up so early in the morning you really need a clear head. I just found even if I had a drink at the weekend it was taking longer to flush it through my body and I just didnt like that feeling of hangxiety. That slightly tense feeling. It had quite a dramatic effect on my weight and I lost quite a lot. Of course, you then substitute other things in! White wine is known as liquid cake, its just so many calories. I just think do it for a month and see the effects it has on your skin and health If someone is celebrating I will still raise a glass, at Christmas I will still have bubbles. 99.9% of the time I am alcohol free. Harley Street skin expert and brand founder Dr Sam Bunting told MailOnline: 'Alcohol can have a negative effect on the skin in 3 different ways. 'Firstly, it can make skin dehydrated so it looks dry, dull and fine lines can appear worse (especially in winter). 'The next thing is that it increases redness and creates a flushed, ruddy appearance. Over time, it can also increase inflammation which may trigger breakouts and premature ageing. The presenter, who gave up drinking in 2018, added that while she still 'enjoys a few bubbles' on very special occasions, she is '99.9 per cent alcohol free' She added: 'The good news is much of this is reversible when you cut back the booze. Create a virtuous cycle of habits by combining Dry January with some simple skincare tips like daily sunscreen, a barrier repairing moisturiser and wonder ingredient azelaic acid to tackle inflammation and reduce any redness and breakouts. Your glow will be restored by the end of the month.' Susanna revealed to the Mail in 2019 that she no longer felt 'hangxiety' and explained what that meant. 'It was a sort of fizzing feeling, when you cant find peace, your body is just so agitated, she said. 'I never drank when I was working, but, on nights off, Id have a couple of glasses of wine. And Piers and I would have these big nights out at the Groucho Club in Soho, which were wonderful.' She continued: 'But I havent done one of those since I stopped drinking. Basically, Im a lot less fun now - as Piers tells me all the time. Susanna also opened up about the effect being sober had on her love life. She said: 'Someone - hell be anonymous - and I were setting up arrangements for a date. 'I thought it might be good manners to mention the fact I dont drink, because most people do like to drink on a date. 'And, just like that, he stopped making arrangements,' she said. 'It just ceased to be. A lot of people just think youll be no fun on a night out.' 'I dont care,' she added. 'Im just grateful I dont have to worry about waking up with a sore head.' Susanna celebrated 100 days of sobriety in December 2018, and seven months in April 2019, but has not publicly marked any milestones since. Speaking after the seven month mark, Susanna admitted: 'I havent been entirely drythere are times you fall back into it.' In 2020, she said: 'Its a bit like the end of a relationship when youre not quite ready to say its really over.' Susanna has lost two stone since she cut out alcohol. While Susanna has given up alcohol for good, the presenter revealed last month she had a health scare with doctors giving her a warning about her caffeine consumption. Susanna admitted to drinking a staggering eight coffees a day to cope with the early 3.45am Good Morning Britain starts. 'Losing my voice earlier this year was a bit of a scare. Everyone gets a bit croaky from time to time, but I could not get any noise out of my vocal cords and that's never happened before,' she said in the February issue of woman&home. 'I went very quickly to see a specialist, who stuck a camera down my throat, for which I needed a nurse to hold my hand because I found it quite intrusive.' Susanna said: It had quite a dramatic effect on my weight and I lost quite a lot. Of course, you then substitute other things in!' (pictured left in 2021) 'The specialist said maybe I had a virus that I didn't realise I had. Unless we're properly ill, we all carry on working, don't we? 'I'm not doing anything to boost my immunity, and I should be. The doctor was quite surprised that I don't drink more water and that I drink quite a lot of coffee, so I have tried to cut down a bit. 'One morning we worked out that I had eight coffees. But I don't drink the whole cup I have a few sips.' Susanna said she has cut down on her caffeine intake by interspersing drinks with ginger tea. Nicole Kidman jetted out of Sydney on Thursday evening after a whirlwind family holiday Down Under. The acclaimed actress cut a casual cool figure as she said goodbye to husband Keith Urban upon her arrival at the airport. The Big Little Lies star cast her man a loving glance as she stepped out their black car before being greeted by Qantas ground staff to help guide her through the terminal. Nicole, 56, dressed for comfort for her travels ahead, opting to pour her towering figure into a pair of relaxed greige slacks and a cropped blue button up. She accessorised her runway ready look with a deep brown textured tote and always-fashionable white kicks. Nicole Kidman jetted out of Sydney on Thursday evening after a whirlwind family holiday Down Under. Pictured The acclaimed actress cut a casual cool figure as she said goodbye to husband Keith Urban upon her arrival at the airport The Big Little Lies star cast her man a loving glance as she stepped out their black car before being greeted by Qantas ground staff to help guide her through the terminal Nicole dressed for comfort for her travels ahead, opting to pour her towering figure into a pair of relaxed greige slacks and a cropped blue button up She accessorised her runway ready look with a deep brown textured tote and always-fashionable white kicks Nicole carried a brown sweater for her journey ahead to ward off the bitter chill once on board her flight. She wore her signature red locks out, and shielded her famous visage behind a pair of chic aviator sunglasses from Oliver Peoples. The Expats actress kept her makeup palette simple, opting to blend into the crowd. At one point, the beloved star happily waved at fans as she walked through the departure lounge. She carried a brown sweater for her journey ahead to ward off the bitter chill once on board her flight She wore her signature red locks out, and shielded her famous visage behind a pair of chic aviator sunglasses from Oliver Peoples She kept her makeup palette simple, opting to blend into the crowd At one point, the beloved star happily waved at fans as she walked through the departure lounge Nicole smiled graciously as she waltzed through the terminal Her famous face glowed under the often unflattering airport lighting Nicole and Keith have been making the most of their time back home in Australia. On New Year's Eve, the A-list couple hosted a glamorous party at their penthouse apartment on Sydney Harbour. The pair were joined by their teen daughters Sunday and Faith, who dressed up in luxurious frocks for the occasion. Over the past ten years, the couple have purchased multiple apartments in the North Sydney Latitude building. Netflix fans have gone wild after J.A Bayona's Oscar-nominated film Society Of The Snow was released on the streaming service on January 4. The film tells the harrowing tale of a 1972 plane crash in the Andes Mountains where survivors had to resort to cannibalism as they tried to stay alive. In October 1972, Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 departed from Montevideo, Uruguay, heading to Santiago, Chile, and crashed into a mountain, sliced off both wings and tail before it slid down a glacier and crashed into snow. The harrowing story was shot at the actual site of the crash, 12,000 feet above sea level. And fans are raving about the adaptation of the true story as they took to Twitter with their reviews of the film. Netflix fans have gone wild after J.A Bayona's Oscar-nominated film Society Of The Snow was released on the streaming service on January 4, leaving viewers in tears The film tells the harrowing tale of a 1972 plane crash in the Andes Mountains where survivors had to resort to cannibalism as they tried to stay alive Pictured: A scene from the movie detailing the survivors in the mountain One wrote: 'J.A. Bayona's latest film, Society Of The Snow deserves to be among the top good films of the year'. A second penned: 'watching society of the snow on netflix. been waiting for it to release. so far.. the sfx/practical effects are really good. like insane'. Another added: 'Two movie recs I saw recently: Boys in the Boat and Society of the Snow. Both are based on true events. BitB literally had me on the edge of my seat during the final race. 'And the SotS was sooo intense but with amazing performances. Snow will be on Netflix in a few days!' Another commented: 'Intense, harrowing, and often terrifying, SOCIETY OF THE SNOW is an incredible tale of survival, determination, and the human spirit. 'Itll get more traction when it hits Netflix but its worth seeing on the big screen for the production. Brutal, but life-affirming stuff.' While another simply wrote: 'society of the snow made me cry' and another added: 'amazing story'. Another explained it as 'a feat of willpower, teamwork, faith, and a complete understanding of the elements. Heart-wrenching yet captivating'. Fans are raving about the adaptation of the true story as they took to Twitter with their reviews of the film Initially 33 passengers survived the crash, but had to resort to eating loved ones to stay alive waiting for rescue Critics also went wild for the film, they praised the depiction of the true tragedy. The Digital Spy wrote: 'Society of the Snow becomes a humanist experience as much as a traditional survival movie, reaching a sweet spot between brutal visual realism, contained sentimentality and devastating existentialism.' READ MORE: Plane crash survivors share chilling first-hand accounts of how they turned into CANNIBALS Advertisement The Wall Street Journal added: 'For all the sensationalism of what was a very real ordeal, any accounting of it requires respect, both for the dead and for the living. Mr. Bayona more than meets that standard.' The Sunday Times said: 'The strength of Bayonas film, as its title suggests, are the acts of kindness, sacrifice and love that bind the emaciated, bedraggled survivors together'. Whilst The Times added: 'The power of the film resides in its moral even-handedness and technical virtuosity (the crash is genuinely terrifying).' Initially 33 passengers survived the crash, but had to resort to eating loved ones to stay alive waiting for rescue. Two passengers, Robert Canessa (Matias Recalt) and his friend Nando Parrado (Agustin Pardella), hiked through the mountain for days to get help. The two have detailed the ordeal numerous times, including ahead of the new Netflix movie. They recalled the moment they decided to leave the site in search of rescue. 'We may be walking to our deaths, but I would rather walk to meet my death than wait for it to come to me,' Nando told Robert at the peak. 'You and I are friends, Nando. We have been through so much. Now, let's go die together,' Canessa replied. On top of the bitterly cold conditions with makeshift gear to keep them warm. When they found help and rescuers reached the crash, only 16 passengers remained alive. In his book 'I Had to Survive: How a Plane Crash in the Andes Inspired My Calling to Save Lives,' Robert detailed the ominous decision he had to make at the age of 19 to resort to cannibalism. He said that he and other survivors would cut flesh from the dead bodies 'amid much torment and soul-searching' as their hopes of being rescued shrunk drastically. Nacho Figueras cut a dashing figure on Thursday when he was spotted arriving at Sydney Airport with his wife Delfina Blaquier and their daughter Alba. The Argentine polo star, 46, showcased his casual flair in a white long-sleeve tee, paired effortlessly with jeans and trendy sneakers. His jet black hair sported a windswept look and he appeared to be in good spirits as he made his way though the arrivals lounge with his stunning photographer wife, 43. The genetically blessed couple had a focused look on their face as they pushed their luggage cart which held Los Padres Polo Team branded bags. Figueras - real name Ignacio Figueras Bermejo - is in Australia for the upcoming Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping show in Queensland on Sunday. Nacho Figueras cut a dashing figure on Thursday when he was spotted arriving at Sydney Airport with his wife Delfina Blaquier and their daughter Alba. All pictured The Argentine polo star, 46, showcased his casual flair in a white long-sleeve tee, paired effortlessly with jeans and trendy sneakers Nacho has been making headlines over the past few years for his close friendship to Prince Harry. It's thought their friendship dates back to 2007 - so perhaps it's no surprise he has become a supportive figure in Harry's new life, away from the Royal Family. They have played polo alongside one another in various matches over the years, and Nacho has become one of Harry and Meghan Markle's most vocal supporters, praising them in interviews. The father-of-four - dubbed the 'David Beckham of Polo' - was also among a handful of the Duke and Duchess's closest confidantes who appeared in the couple's Netflix documentary. His closeness to the couple is despite his public openness about his friendship with Harry and Meghan, who has previously insisted her family has a 'basic right to privacy', as well as even launching a royal-inspired scent. His jet black hair sported a windswept look and he appeared to be in good spirits as he made his way though the arrivals lounge with his stunning photographer wife, 43 The genetically blessed couple had a focused look on their face as they pushed their luggage cart which held Los Padres Polo Team branded bags Figueras - real name Ignacio Figueras Bermejo - is in Australia for the upcoming Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping show in Queensland on Sunday The couple looked at ease when they arrived in Australia In September 2019, Nacho - who witnessed the early days of the couple's romance and was later a guest at their wedding - appeared on Ellen DeGeneres' show to announce that he would 'defend his friends' with his life. The millionaire appears totally at ease with mentioning his friendship with the royal in interviews, for in that same year, he told Town and Country magazine: 'What I like the most about Harry is how real he is and how serious he is about improving life for kids that have not had the blessings that we've had.' During the Harry & Meghan docuseries, Nacho also revealed how the prince confided in him after sharing a first date with Meghan. Nacho has been married to Delfina since 2004 and shares four children with her: Hilario, Aurora, Artemio and Alba. Nacho has been making headlines over the past few years for his friendship with Prince Harry It's thought their friendship dates back to 2007 Nacho wasn't too proud to carry his own luggage Calvin Harris and his wife Vick Hope looked head over heels in love on Wednesday as they larked about in the sea while on a New Years break in Tulum, Mexico. The chart topping DJ, 39, and the BBC Radio presenter, 34, tied the knot in a lavish Glastonbury-themed wedding in September last year. And the couple still looked as loved-up as ever, four months later, as they giggled and splashed about in the water together. Calvin sported a pair of black swimming trunks, showing off his ripped physique and impressively toned six-pack. Vick also showed off her incredible figure in a tiny patterned bikini, which showed off her toned stomach and ample cleavage. Calvin Harris and his wife Vick Hope looked head over heels in love on Wednesday as they larked about in the sea while on a New Years break in Tulum, Mexico The chart topping DJ, 39, and the BBC Radio presenter, 34, tied the knot in a lavish Glastonbury-themed wedding in September last year And the couple still looked as loved-up as ever, four months later, as they giggled and splashed about in the water together She plaited her long black hair into neat braids and swept it up in a ponytail while sporting several gold hoop earrings. After their wedding Calvin and Vick jetted off to Brindisi in Italy on a 25million private jet for their romantic honeymoon. The couple were joined by their family and friends in an outdoor ceremony at Hulne Priory in Alnwick, Northumberland, before partying into the early hours. They are yet to officially release any pictures from their big day, however photos from the morning after show a glimpse inside the luxury and picturesque venue. The incredible event saw white teepees dotted around the grounds alongside 80 lavish tents where guests stayed the night. Food stands were set up for the after-party, with one for pizza, one for burgers and a Nigerian stall, as Vick is half Nigerian on her mother's side. Calvin and Vick partied with their celeb pals, including Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu and BBC radio DJs Vernon Kay and Scott Mills and Vick's Radio 1 co-presenter Jordan North. Nile Rodgers and Chic, who had been flown in from the US, performed at the raucous reception, with their equipment still left out. Calvin sported a pair of black swimming trunks, showing off his ripped physique and impressively toned six-pack Vick also showed off her incredible figure in a tiny patterned bikini, which showed off her toned stomach and ample cleavage She plaited her long black hair into neat braids and swept it up in a ponytail while sporting several gold hoop earrings A taped-up sign showed their setlist for the event, beginning with Luther Vandross's 1981 song Never Too Much. The rest of the set included classic dance anthems, including hits from Madonna, Beyonce and Sister Sledge. An insider revealed details of the couple's romantic vows to The Sun, which a source described as 'really emotional'. They added that the ceremony included poems like Ernest Hemingways If Theres Empty Spaces In Your Heart and Lori Eberhais Devoted and that the reception included a ten-minute firework display. Vick and Calvin have been dating since January 2022, according to reports, and went public with their relationship at the Chelsea Flower Show in May that year. Calvin then proposed to Vick with a huge diamond ring underneath a tree at his 138 acre Ibiza farm, Terra Masia, the same month. While Vick said she is keeping the details of her engagement private, she said it was a 'very special moment' and that 'it was... perfect.' She also revealed their love story actually goes all the way back to the early noughties when they first met when she was 19. After their wedding Calvin and Vick jetted off to Brindisi in Italy on a 25million private jet for their romantic honeymoon The couple were joined by their family and friends in an outdoor ceremony at Hulne Priory in Alnwick, Northumberland, before partying into the early hours They are yet to officially release any pictures from their big day, however photos from the morning after show a glimpse inside the luxury and picturesque venue Calvin and Vick partied with their celeb pals, including Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu and BBC radio DJs Vernon Kay and Scott Mills and Vick's Radio 1 co-presenter Jordan North An insider revealed details of the couple's romantic vows to The Sun, which a source described as 'really emotional' Vick and Calvin have been dating since January 2022, according to reports, and went public with their relationship at the Chelsea Flower Show in May that year Calvin then proposed to Vick with a huge diamond ring underneath a tree at his 138 acre Ibiza farm, Terra Masia, the same month Vick said Calvin first made a move on her when he was enjoying his first flush of success with his hit Acceptable In The 80s back in 2007 - but she turned him down at the time. She told You Magazine of the twist of fate, saying: 'It's something that we laughed about on our first proper date. We still laugh about it now'. Calvin went on to become one of the highest paid disk jockeys/producers, racking up an estimated 200-plus million fortune, with Vick previously admitting she was 'shallow' and had no idea he would turn into 'an Adonis'. The happy couple split their time between Calvin's Ibiza farm and their London pad, and while Vick often follows her husband around the world for his DJ work, she admits she loves their 'peaceful' London life. She also recently hinted she has taken Calvin's surname since they tied the knot, with the star's real name being Adam Richard Wiles. Taking to her Instagram Stories, the radio host shared a snapshot of a scrabble game where 'Wiles' was spelled out across the tiles. Vick revealed their love story actually goes all the way back to the early noughties when they first met when she was 19 She said Calvin first made a move on her when he was enjoying his first flush of success with his hit Acceptable In The 80s back in 2007 - but she turned him down at the time Calvin went on to become one of the highest paid disk jockeys/producers, racking up an estimated 200-plus million fortune, with Vick previously admitting she was 'shallow' and had no idea he would turn into 'an Adonis' The happy couple split their time between Calvin's Ibiza farm and their London pad, and while Vick often follows her husband around the world for his DJ work, she admits she loves their 'peaceful' London life. Hollyoaks stars Sarah Jayne Dunn and Jodi Albert wowed as they headed on a girls' night out in Barbados on Wednesday night. Sarah, 42, and Jodi, 40, put on daring displays as they both opted to go braless in slinky silk numbers. OnlyFans star Sarah, who played Mandy Richardson on the Channel 4 soap from 1996 - 2021, slipped into a backless silver dress from Zara. The actress complemented her glamorous look with a bag and heels from Sophia Webster. Jodi, meanwhile, who played Debbie Dean on the soap and is married to Westlife's Kian Egan, showcased plenty of cleavage in a satin white shirt which was unbuttoned down to her naval. Hollyoaks stars Sarah Jayne Dunn and Jodi Albert were dressed to impress as they headed on a girls' night out in Barbados on Wednesday night Sarah, 42, and Jodi, 40, put on daring displays as they both opted to go braless in slinky silk numbers She teamed the look with a thigh-skimming gold miniskirt and white heels. The pals looked like they were having a blast as they shared a slew of snaps from their night out on Instagram. Sarah and Jodi headed to the fancy restaurant QP Bistro before enjoying cocktails. Sarah kicked off the new year by telling fans: '2024, Im coming for ya. 'Bringing in the new year with some of my faves in paradise, what a way to start it' (sic). Jodi has flown out to Barbados with husband Kian and their three children, Koa, 12, Zeke, eight, and Cobi, six. Sarah's husband Jonathan Smith and son Stanley are also holidaying on the Caribbean island. Sarah and Jodi have been close since starring in Hollyoaks together and appeared in the fitness DVD Hollyoaks Dance workout with fellow co-star Ali Bastian in 2004. OnlyFans star Sarah, who played Mandy Richardson on the Channel 4 soap from 1996 - 2021, slipped into a backless silver dress from Zara The actress complemented her glamorous look with a bag and heels from Sophia Webster Sarah kicked off the new year by telling fans: '2024, Im coming for ya' Sarah and Jodi headed to the fancy restaurant QP Bistro before enjoying cocktails Sarah also showed off her patterned minidress as she paid a trip to the beach Jodi has flown out to Barbados with husband Kian and their three children. Sarah's husband Jonathan Smith and son Stanley are also holidaying on the Caribbean island Sarah celebrated New Year's Eve in Barbados with her pal Jodi Sarah and Jodi have been close since starring in Hollyoaks together alongside fellow co-stars Ali Bastian and Carley Stenson (pictured in 2019) Jodi and Kian attended Sarah's wedding to Jonathan in 2018, alongside Ali and co-stars Carley Stenson and Danny Mac. Sarah shot to fame on the Channel 4 soap in 1996, playing Mandy for 25 years before being famously axed in 2021, after she refused to give up her lucrative OnlyFans career. OnlyFans is an internet subscription service used primarily by sex workers who produce X-rated content. Sarah has claimed to make upwards of 700,000 on the platform, almost six times what she made at the height of her Hollyoaks career. The content creator also hosts a podcast, Hot & Bothered, where she admitted that she will probably give up OnlyFans once her son Stanley gets older. At the time, she said: 'One of the biggest things that's come out of me doing OnlyFans is like, when you're a mum, you know, you "can't do that".' 'I'm really good mum. Surely the important thing is that he's loved and he's happy and that he's fed? 'And he's still only six [now seven] years old. So for me, I will at some point probably get to that stage and go "okay, right. Maybe it's time to call it a day". 'When Stan maybe is about to start high school or something like that. Luckily, for now, he's in a gorgeous school with gorgeous parents and gorgeous kids. Everyone knows and it's okay'. Ann Widdecombe is set to leave a Michelin star chef wincing at her questionable cookery skills in the upcoming series of Celeb Cooking School. The ex politician, 76, joins the line-up for the E4 show alongside the likes of Made In Chelsea's Olivia Bentley, ex TOWIE star James Argent and Geordie Shore alum Scotty T. The intensive cookery crash course has the celebrities sweating it out in the kitchen, as they hilariously tackle a series of complex cooking challenges well beyond their ability leading to chaos in the kitchen. Theyll need to master crucial cookery techniques and gain confidence if theyre to be crowned Best in Class at the end of the series. But if they dont impress, theyll get an F for Fail and leave the school for good. In the first episode, Ann presented chef Giorgio Locatelli with boiled gammon and potatoes with teamed vegetables and a packet of parsley sauce, an exclusive video shows. Ann Widdecombe is set to leave a Michelin star chef wincing at her questionable cookery skills in the upcoming series of Celeb Cooking School In the first episode, Ann presents chef Giorgio Locatelli with boiled gammon and potatoes with teamed vegetables and a packet of parsley sauce But far from going down a treat, Ann herself called her creation 'inedible', while the chef said it looked like a 'Sunday dinner gone wrong.' Former MP Ann, who now backs the Reform UK party after being in the Conservatives for 55 years, was honest about her poor cooking ability. Speaking to the camera, Ann confessed: 'The joint itself is inedible! But the experience will be wasted if I don't learn something!' She went on to give chef Giorgio a very in-character excuse for the poor results, quipping - much to the amusement of her castmates: 'That stove is not like my Aga!' However, when one of the other contestants asked the chef if he was really going to eat the meal, Ann responded with rage. She turned on him, saying: 'Don't you describe my meat like that! What a rude man!' Giorgio firstly took issue with the vegetables, saying: 'I would have loved you to peel the carrots.' When Ann argued that she had, the chef quickly responded: 'I can see why you've been in politics for so long!' The ex politician, 76, joins the line-up for the E4 show alongside the likes of Made In Chelsea 's Olivia Bentley and ex TOWIE star James Argent, who were left in fits of laughter Michelin star chef Giorgio Locatelli was left far from impressed at the dish He added: 'The whole thing looks like a Sunday lunch gone wrong.' Hosted by presenter and DJ Melvin Odoom, the second season of Celeb Cooking School starts on Monday, January 8 at 8pm on E4. Also making up the cast are actor Ruth Codd, lawyer and media personality Nancy DellOlio, Ru Pauls Drag Race UK queen Blu Hydrangea, rapper Nadia Rose, television personality Louie Spence and comedian Spuddz. Blu Hydrangea said Ann was probably the 'worst cook' in the line-up. However Liv Bentley called herself 'the worst, without question'. Meanwhile Arg said: 'I signed up for this show because I simply cant cook. Ive always wanted to learn how to cook. 'Ive always been one of these people on the go and uses sashes of porridge that you add water to or getting a takeaway or eating out. So, I really wanted to learn how to cook. 'I also think its quite an attractive thing for a man to be able to cook for a woman or a family.' When speaking about her time on the show, Liv Bentley added: 'It was just the rushing around which is the polar opposite of what I am like. The timings too. Pictured: (L-R) Top Row - Host Melvin Odoom, Celebs Ruth Codd, Liv Bentley, Scotty T, Louie Spence, Blu Hydrangea, Nancy Dell'Olio, Ann Widdecombe, James Argent and Michelin Starred Chef Giorgio Locatelli. Bottom Row - Celebs Spuddz and Nadia Rose 'Suddenly when youre given two hours to make something, that time goes by so quickly. We had to gut a fish and take its eyeball out that is not something I would ever do. It was revolting. 'Cooking sometimes comes naturally to people. Im not a massive foodie, so it was hard for me.' Celeb Cooking School is not Ann's first venture into the world of TV, as she famously took to the dance floor on the 2010 series of Strictly Come Dancing, where she was partnered with Anton Du Beke and made it to the quarter finals. She also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2018. The first series of the show, which aired in 2022, saw the likes of Sam Thompson, Kerry Katona and Shaun Ryder compete in the competition. It was won by First Dates star Laura Tott. Celeb Cooking School starts on Monday, January 8 at 8pm on E4. The contestants on the BBC's The Traitors found themselves thrust into the limelight when the show became an unlikely hit back in 2022. And now a new batch of normal people-turned TV stars have embarked on the psychological reality show including one young woman who has already had a taste of fame. Mollie Pearce, 21, has appeared in glossy campaigns for adidas, Tommy Hilfiger and Kurt Geiger in her role as a disability model. The Bristol-based model was born with missing digits on her right hand and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis when she was 11 resulting in an ileostomy to remove her colon. She now wears a stoma bag that collects her waste and has posed proudly with it in shoots in a bid to dispel the stigma and normalise her disabilities. Mollie Pearce has made her debut on The Traitors' series two, and she appeared in glossy campaigns for adidas, Tommy Hilfiger and Kurt Geiger in her role as a disability model Mollie is signed to talent agency Zebedee, which represents 'disabled, visibly different, non-binary, and trans UK models' The model, 21, appeared on screen for the first time in Wednesday night's opening episode as 22 contestants entered the Scottish castle for the show Mollie, who appeared on screen for the first time in Wednesday night's opening episode, is signed to talent agency Zebedee, which represents 'disabled, visibly different, non-binary, and trans UK models.' And it seems her disability gave her an immediate advantage in the first episode as her missing fingers meant she was able to slip out of the rope that was tying all the contestants up before their first mission. 'It's a blessing to have one hand,' she said. 'I managed to untie myself first - my hand just slipped out the rope.' In Thursday's episode, she told the group: 'So, when I was younger I walked into a shop and saw a model who had one arm and from that moment I just remember saying to my mum that the way she made me feel, I was like, 'I want that to be me for other people.' She tearfully said of her stoma bag: 'Obviously as an 18-year-old, getting told that you have to have a bag stuck to you for the rest of your life, you're thinking, 'Oh my God, I'm never going to be able to wear anything again, never going to be able to go swimming again, never get a boyfriend again.' She regularly posts photos of herself showing her stoma bag on Instagram and gave her followers an unflinching insight into the seven-hour operation that changed her life back in 2020. 'I have been fighting ulcerative colitis for eight years and last week it finally won when I had to say goodbye to my colon forever,' she wrote. The Bristol-based model was born with missing digits on her right hand and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis when she was 11 resulting in an ileostomy to remove her colon She now wears a stoma bag that collects her waste and has posed proudly with it in shoots in a bid to dispel the stigma and normalise her disabilities Mollie is seen in a modelling shoot for Tommy Hilfiger in her career as a model prior to her appearance on The Traitors She posts photos of herself showing her stoma bag on Instagram and gave her followers an unflinching insight into the seven-hour operation that changed her life back in 2020 (pictured) She said at the time: 'It is going to take a lot of time and strength to adjust to my new life with a stoma bag' Mollie is pictured in a post marking three years of her stoma bag, writing: 'happy 3 year stoma-versary Sid, Thanks for giving me my life back' 'It is going to take a lot of time and strength to adjust to my new life with a stoma bag. 'It's important to remember beauty isn't external and it's about who you are and how you view the things around you. All our bodies are beautiful!' Hosted by Claudia Winkleman and set in a castle in the Scottish Highlands, the show sees a portion of the 22-strong line-up named Traitors while the others are the Faithfuls. Wednesday night's episode was the fourth most watched programme of the day, attracting 3.1 million viewers. Margaret Qualley opened up about how overwhelming her first big acting job was when she was featured in W Magazine's new Best Performances Portfolio. The 29-year-old star who recently tied the knot with Taylor Swift's go-to producer and co-writer Jack Antonoff revealed that she was 'starstruck' by A-lister Ryan Gosling when she scored her breakout film performance in the 2016 mystery comedy The Nice Guys. Gosling, 43, stars in the film as a hapless private detective who joins forces with a violent enforcer (Russell Crowe) to investigate the apparent death of a porn actress, but when he friend (Qualley) goes missing, they race to find her before she can be silenced. According to Margaret, Ryan gave her the chills by lavishing some extra attention on her for her birthday. 'My first film, The Nice Guys, was with Ryan Gosling. I was very starstruck,' Qualley admitted to W Magazine. Margaret Qualley, 29, revealed that she was 'starstruck' by her costar Ryan Gosling, 43, on The Nice Guys set in an interview with W Magazine for its Best Performances Portfolio She and Gosling were both shot by controversial photographer Juergen Teller for the issue, with Gosling scoring one of the alternate cover photos Gosling led a public performance in her honor which had a lasting impact on her. 'He sang Happy Birthday to me at Benihana for my 20th birthday, and Ill never forget it,' she recalled. Margaret, who is the daughter of Andie MacDowell, was featured in two stunning photos in the magazine that were shot by the controversial photographer Juergen Teller and styled by W's Editor-in-Chief, Sara Moonves. She appeared in one photo as she relaxed on a white-accented pink leather chaise lounge. The Leftovers star showed off her long, trim legs thanks to her glamorous black mini dress, which had a cutout over her midriff and featured slim straps, while her neckline barely reached above her bust. The actress channeled classic Hollywood glamour by styling her raven bob with thick curls and waves, and she wore a splash of crimson on her lips. She added some sparkling to the look with a gleaming diamond necklace, and she arched her feet in black open-toe stilettos. Qualley was back for more in another photo in which she changed into a glittering gold sequined halter dress that reached down to her ankles. Qualley appeared in lo-fi photos shot in a parking lot in a glittering gold halter dress and a glamorous black mini dress After initially being 'very starstruck' around Gosling, Margaret recalled that: 'He sang Happy Birthday to me at Benihana for my 20th birthday, and Ill never forget it'; seen with Russell Crowe in The Nice Guys Gosling stars as a private detective searching for a woman (Qualley) with information about the apparent death of a porn actress, while Crowe plays an enforcer who joins forces with him; still from The Nice Guys The slinky item traced her curves as she reclined on her side on a canary yellow pill-shaped sofa with a ruffled edge. She went barefoot this time and gazed intensely into the camera. The photos didn't have the sheen of traditional fashion photography and instead had the bright bluntness and overexposed texture of consumer-grade photography. Teller didn't bother to make the locations any more glamorous, and Margaret's sofas appeared to have been placed in a parking lot with visible oil stains on the asphalt, while the photographer chose to leave a shadow of himself snapping one of the pictures. Gosling was also featured in the W Magazine issue on one of its alternate covers to celebrate his acclaimed comedic performance as Ken in Greta Gerwig's Barbie. The film, which stars Margot Robbie in the title role, has grossed nearly $1.5 billion globally and was also a hit with critics, who particularly singled out Gosling's contributions. Gosling told W Magazine that the film was originally title Barbie And Ken, but that his name had been scratched off the title page when he received a script. The change of focus made it clear to him that 'this is the hardest part Ill ever play.' In his own interview, Gosling called playing Ken in Barbie the 'hardest part' he ever had, and he admitted he hadn't even considered performing I'm Just Ken at the Oscars; seen in 2016 in London 'How do you approach playing a 70-year-old crotchless doll? Theres no research you can do for that,' he admitted. 'Theres no one you can shadow, no documentaries you can watch, no books written about Ken. Youre on your own.' During his interview, Gosling was quizzed on whether he would be performing his show-stopping number I'm Just Ken at the Academy Awards, where Barbie is expected to receive several nominations. 'Well, I havent been invited. And I wasnt thinking about it until now, and now its all Im going to think about,' he joked. 'Do you get paid to sing at the Oscars? Do you have to drive yourself? What kind of scratch is involved? They pick you up at least, right?' She is enjoying some time off after another busy series of Strictly Come Dancing. And Jowita Przystal showed off her bikini body as she hit the beach during a getaway on Thursday. The professional dancer, 29, is enjoying a New Year trip to Dubai and took to her Instagram Story to flaunt her figure. She slipped into a frilly pink two-piece that highlighted her toned abs as she topped up her tan. The star showed off her natural beauty in the snap as she went makeup free and wore her dark tresses in beachy waves. Jowita Przystal showed off her bikini body as she hit the beach during a getaway to Dubai on Thursday She wrote #frecklesareback in the caption as she accessorised with a gold necklace and shades on top of her head. Jowita is staying at the Oberoi Al Zorah and has shared lots of snaps and videos from the lavish trip. Jowita was partnered with Danny Cipriani for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special and they cosied up during filming. The former rugby ace, 36, who recently split from his wife Victoria, shared a sweet group snap of all the competitors taking part in the show in early December. He captioned the social media snap: 'As I'm tagging the names I'm smiling away looking at how everyone is also smiling away in the photo!! All wonderful humans in this photo, as well as the crew behind the scenes, who to a person is delightful' Danny then gave a special mention to Jowita: 'Special thanks to @jowitaprzystal for always making it fun Strictly eve.' In another image shared to Instagram, the pair cosied up to each other in the dance studio during rehearsals. Danny and Jowita took to the dancefloor for a festive special, which will air on Christmas Day. Jowita was partnered with Danny Cipriani for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special and they cosied up during filming The former rugby ace, 36, who recently split from his wife Victoria, shared a sweet group snap of all the competitors taking part in the show last month Jowita is thought to be single after splitting from Strictly pro Giovanni Pernice earlier this year. MailOnline contacted representatives for Danny Cipriani and Strictly Come Dancing for comment at the time. Danny was one of six stars taking part in this year's Strictly Christmas Special, joining Keisha Buchanan, Tillie Amartey, Sally Nugent, Dan Snow and Jamie Borthwick. He said ahead of it airing: 'I've always enjoyed the concept of Strictly Come Dancing, it wasn't something I ever thought I'd do. 'After addressing my own ideas and beliefs, I am very much looking forward to expressing myself through dance with no limitations. 'Strictly brings joy to everyone's living rooms, being a part of that for Christmas Day will be special.' Zendaya has unfollowed everyone on Instagram. The 27-year-old actress has kicked off 2024 with a social media clean-up, and she's unfollowed everyone on the site, including colleagues, friends and even her boyfriend Tom Holland. She is yet to explain the reason for the move, which came at the beginning of the New Year. The Spider-Man actress hasn't been too active on social media across the board in recent months, with her X account not seeing a new post since September. Earlier this week, she did share a poster for her new movie Challengers on Instagram, along with a brief message for her fans. Zendaya has unfollowed everyone on Instagram. The 27-year-old actress has kicked off 2024 with a social media clean-up, and she's unfollowed everyone on the site, including colleagues, friends and even her boyfriend Tom Holland. Seen December 3 in Brazil She is yet to explain the reason for the move, which came at the beginning of the New Year. The Spider-Man actress hasn't been too active on social media across the board in recent months, with her X account not seeing a new post since September. Seen in April 'Challengers April 26th 'Wishing you all the most beautiful new year,' she wrote. Before that, it's been over three months since she shared a proper post on her page. At the time, she showed fans a photoshoot of herself in a plunging polka dot bodysuit, complete with flowers made from recycled bottles. Meanwhile, Zendaya has recently been forced to deny she and Tom are engaged. The Greatest Showman star has been dating her co-star for three years now, and fans speculated that the couple might have taken their relationship to the next level when she appeared to be wearing an engagement ring on that finger. In a since-deleted post on her Instagram Story last month, she clarified: 'I can't post anything, you guys. 'I posted it for my hat. Like not for the ring on my right hand, you guys, seriously. 'You think that's how I would drop the news? You think, like, what!' She had captioned the original picture with a prominent ring on show with: 'Let me just put the full body back so y'all can relax lmao.' The siren with Tom Holland at the Los Angeles premiere of Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021 Zendaya and Timothee Chalamet pose as they arrive for a UK screening of the film Dune in London in 2021 Tom has admitted he is 'lucky' to have found a partner who works in the same industry because they can talk about their respective experiences with mutual understanding. Speaking on the SmartLess podcast, he said: 'I'm lucky that I have someone like Zendaya in my life. 'It's interesting being in a romantic relationship with someone that is in the same boat as you. 'You can share your experiences and all that sort of stuff - and that's worth its weight in gold.' A month earlier, Schwarzenegger was hit with a lawsuit over another accident involving four cars Arnold Schwarzenegger has demanded that the lawsuit filed against him after he accidentally struck a cyclist with his car in Los Angeles be thrown out of court. The Terminator star blamed the rider, Joanne Flickinger, for being 'careless' and denied all allegations of any wrongdoing in recent legal documents, Radar reported. Flickinger said she was left with 'severe injuries' as a result of the crash on February 5, and alleged that Schwarzenegger was driving 'with excessive speed'. This is the second car accident Schwarzenegger has been involved in over the past year. He also being sued by a woman, Cheryl Augustine, who said she was left 'permanently disabled' when the pair crashed in LA on January 21, 2023. On February 5, 2023, the Terminator star, 76, hit a cyclist that said caused her 'severe injuries' in a lawsuit that was filed in November. Now, Schwarzenegger has blamed the incident on the biker and demands the suit be dropped The cyclist, Joanne Flickinger said that the actor was driving 'with excessive speed and failed to keep a proper lookout' and it is unclear what her injuries entailed Flickinger was taken to hospital after the crash with the star taking the bike to a shop for repairs. At the time of the incident with the cyclist, TMZ reported that Schwarzenegger was driving around LA when Flickinger 'suddenly swerved into his lane and made contact with his car before he had a chance to slow down.' The woman went on to say that the Twins actor was driving 'with excessive speed and failed to keep a proper lookout' and claims the collision caused her extensive injuries, though it is unclear what those they entail. Flickinger was taken to hospital after the crash and the star took her bike to the shop for repairs. The actor spoke to a group of police officers who asked for further details regarding the accident that took place on San Vicente Blvd in Hollywood. In the suit, Flickinger said that the actor, 76, 'negligently managed, maintained, repaired, drove, and/or operated their vehicle as to proximately cause the collision and permanent injuries to [Flickinger].' She went on to sue and sought unspecified damages for her alleged pain, suffering, medical bills and loss of earnings due to the accident. In response to her claims, Schwarzenegger said that Flickinger 'was so careless and negligent about the matters alleged in the complaint,' according to Radar Online. He added that any injuries that the biker suffered were a result of a 'third party' and he was not responsible. The actor asked the court 'that in the event they are found liable to [Flickinger], said liability should be reduced by the percentage of fault attributable to [Flickinger], and all other parties, persons, firms, corporations, and entities; and that said liability for non-economic damages of these Defendants is several only, and not joint, so that these Defendants shall be responsible only for the amount of non-economic damages.' In addition to asking that the lawsuit be thrown out, he has also requested that he be reimbursed for his court costs. Schwarzenegger is seen standing next to his SUV following a crash on January 21, 2023 that involved 4 cars. He was hit with another lawsuit for this accident by plaintiff Cheryl Augustine In addition to wanting the newest lawsuit to be thrown out, he said that any injuries that the biker suffered were a result of a 'third party' and he was not responsible. He also requested that he be reimbursed for his court costs Schwarzenegger's enormous black SUV was perched on top of a Prius, leaving one other driver with a head injury In his previous accident that also resulted in a lawsuit, the star was accused of 'negligently, wantonly, unlawfully, wrongfully, and recklessly' crashing into Augustine's and three other cars. The crash occurred on Sunset Boulevard and Allenford Avenue in January 2023 when his his enormous black SUV perched on top of another car, leaving one other driver with a head injury. The former governor was driving his car and was about to turn onto busy Sunset Boulevard, about half-a-mile from his home in the Brentwood, when he smashed into a red Toyota Prius around 4:35pm. The Prius was said to have been making a U-turn in the road when the collision occurred. The impact of the crash was so severe that the Prius' airbags deployed as a result of the collision as did those in Schwarzenegger's vehicle. Schwarzenegger SUV then started to roll onto a white Porsche Taycan that was directly behind Schwarzenegger's. Law enforcement conducted a full investigation into how the accident occurred. Plaintiff Augustine claims in her lawsuit that the accident stopped her from working. She is suing for 'general damages,' including all medical and incidental expenses and loss of earnings. Police told TMZ at the time of the crash that Schwarzenegger was making a left turn while the arrow for a left turn was still red. He was not ticketed by police and uninjured in the crash. Arnold is seen in 2015 as he poses for a photo before driving the 2016 Toyota Mirai pace car at the Sonoma Raceway in California The Terminator star is seen riding a bicycle in Los Angeles, California on December 7, 2023 with Ralf Moeller He was concerned about the woman who was injured, checked on her and spoke to police officers and firefighters who were quickly on scene. Officer Drake Madison of the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to DailyMail.com that no arrests were made and the crash did not appear to involve any form of DUI. 'Neither alcohol or drugs are suspected as a factor in this collision. All parties remained at scene. No further information will be made available,' police said in a statement. The female driver that was hurt in the crash was seen bleeding heavily from her head and was taken by ambulance to a hospital. It is not clear if the injured woman is the plaintiff in the lawsuit. Schwarzenegger's friend Jake Steinfeld was in the car at the time of the crash and could be seen in some of the pictures taken in the moments after the collision. Dorit Kemsely and Garcelle Beauvais had an intense discussion about racism during Wednesday's episode of Bravo's The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. The drama all began in the prior episode when Dorit said she felt 'attacked' by Garcelle while defending herself about 'embarrassing' their fellow castmate Sutton Stracke over kissing her driver. The Haitian-American 57-year-old blasted the Connecticut-born 47-year-old over her 'white privilege' and triggering word choice considering African-American women are widely sterotypically dismissed as being 'angry black women.' 'Dorit lives in a bit of a bubble, just triggers me,' Garcelle said in a confessional at the time. 'We live in a world now where we're woke, whatever you want to say, and I feel like she's not in that world.' Dorit Kemsely and Garcelle Beauvais had an intense discussion about racism during Wednesday's episode of Bravo's The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (pictured in 2022) Indeed, Dorit - who boasts 1.9M social media followers - shared an Instagram snap on December 20 captioned: 'Happily living in my bubble!' Two days later, Kemsley (born Lemel) posted a throwback holiday snap with her husband Paul 'PK' Kemsley and their two children Jagger and Phoenix captioned: 'The only bubble I live in is a love bubble.' But on Wednesday's episode, the Beverly Beach founder acted contrite while sitting down for lunch with Beauvais for a serious conversation about the matter: 'If it offended you in any way I'm very sorry.' 'I was emotional for two days. I went to bed crying. I woke up crying,' the Black Girl Missing producer-star said. 'What I feel is there's a pattern with you that I don't know whether you're aware or not, but I'm just going to be completely blunt, it feels like an unconscious Karen behavior with you.' In a confessional, Dorit said: 'This is a very, very serious, dangerous accusation. It's hurtful, and that accusation holds a lot of implications and I'm not feeling comfortable with this at all.' Garcelle then brought up a comment Kemsley made two years ago about having 'Black and Hispanic and Filipino' people working at her $7.9M Encino mansion and asked her if she had 'made any growth' since then. 'I don't know why you keep raising this,' the socialite blasted. The drama all began in the prior episode when Dorit (R) said she felt 'attacked' by Garcelle (L) while defending herself about 'embarrassing' their fellow castmate Sutton Stracke over kissing her driver The Haitian-American 57-year-old blasted the Connecticut-born 47-year-old over her 'white privilege' and triggering word choice considering African-American women are widely sterotypically dismissed as being 'angry black women' Garcelle said in a confessional at the time: 'Dorit lives in a bit of a bubble, just triggers me. We live in a world now where we're woke, whatever you want to say, and I feel like she's not in that world' Indeed, Dorit - who boasts 1.9M social media followers - shared an Instagram snap on December 20 captioned: 'Happily living in my bubble!' Two days later, Kemsley (born Lemel) posted a throwback holiday snap with her husband Paul 'PK' Kemsley and their two children Jagger and Phoenix captioned: 'The only bubble I live in is a love bubble' But on Wednesday's episode, the Beverly Beach founder acted contrite while sitting down for lunch with Beauvais for a serious conversation about the matter: 'If it offended you in any way I'm very sorry' The Black Girl Missing producer-star said: 'I was emotional for two days. I went to bed crying. I woke up crying' Garcelle continued: 'What I feel is there's a pattern with you that I don't know whether you're aware or not, but I'm just going to be completely blunt, it feels like an unconscious Karen behavior with you' Beauvais replied: 'Because it feels like to me... I don't know.' Dorit challenged: 'What does it feel like? That I'm racist?' The interior designer clapped back: 'I'm not labelling you. You know what, if there's a racist undertone, that's not my fault. I'm not calling you anything.' Garcelle clarified that she doesn't hate Dorit, and she doesn't know 'how we're going to move forward but I'm going to try.' Kemsley replied: 'I'm very sorry that it triggered you and it hurt you. And I mean that genuinely. And I would never want to hurt anyone intentionally.' 'We are going to be good,' Beauvais smiled. In a confessional, the Selling Super Houses star said the incident was 'a learning lesson for me' saying: 'I was unaware. And I know now I need to be more aware of what I'm saying and who I'm saying it to.' Catch more of Dorit and the Other Black Girl actress - who joined the cast in 2016 and 2020, respectively - in the 13th season of The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills next Wednesday on Bravo. In a confessional, Dorit said: 'This is a very, very serious, dangerous accusation. It's hurtful, and that accusation holds a lot of implications and I'm not feeling comfortable with this at all' Beauvais then brought up a comment Kemsley made two years ago about having 'Black and Hispanic and Filipino' people working at her $7.9M Encino mansion and asked her if she had 'made any growth' since then 'I don't know why you keep raising this,' the socialite blasted The interior designer clarified that she doesn't hate Dorit, and she doesn't know 'how we're going to move forward but I'm going to try' Kemsley replied: 'I'm very sorry that it triggered you and it hurt you. And I mean that genuinely. And I would never want to hurt anyone intentionally' 'We are going to be good,' Garcelle smiled In a confessional, the Selling Super Houses star said the incident was 'a learning lesson for me' saying: 'I was unaware. And I know now I need to be more aware of what I'm saying and who I'm saying it to' Kourtney Kardashian shared a snap at her kids' bunk bed setup in an Instagram story post she shared on Wednesday night. It appeared to be son Reign, eight, watching TV in the bottom bunk. The star had Christmas lights around the bunk bed with two lit up Christmas trees besides it. Kourtney, 44, used an emoji to cover up her child's face, as well as cover the show or movie they were watching, adding the caption 'Sweet dreams.' The star's snap of her kid's bunk bed situation comes after she revealed her new diamond necklace dedicated to her newborn son Rocky Thirteen. Kourtney Kardashian shared a snap at her kids' bunk bed setup in an Instagram story post she shared on Wednesday night It appeared to be son Reign, eight, watching TV in the bottom bunk The star's snap of her kid's bunk bed situation comes after she revealed her new diamond necklace dedicated to her newborn son Rocky Thirteen Kourtney also has a Mrs. Barker diamond necklace. She wore them with her pajamas and her NYE glasses for a cozy new year's eve at home. The bunk bed is part of Kourtney's $9 million house in Calabasas, California. In October 2022, Kourtney revealed that her and husband Travis Barker didn't live together. yet, months after their wedding in May, via the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast by Amanda Hirsch, via Today.com. 'We're in the place where we're figuring out how to blend our households and our kids and what does life look like now? So, for the most part, I think we're getting those things in place,' she said. Kourtney and Travis are neighbors, and prior to their relationship the Blink-182 drummer was seen on Keeping Up With the Kardashians as a friend from the neighborhood. Kourtney has three children with ex-partner Scott Disick: sons Mason, 13, and Reign, eight, and daughter Penelope, 11. Travis is dad to son Landon, 19, daughter Alabama, 18, and stepdaughter Atiana, 24, with ex-wife Shanna Moakler. It is unclear if they have since moved in together since her 2022 interview. They welcomed their first child together, son Rocky Thirteen, on November 1, 2023. Kourtney and Travis publicly announced her pregnancy in June 2023, while paying homage to a Blink-182 music video - All The Small Things. In the music video, a woman holds up a sign that says 'Travis I'm Pregnant.' Kourtney recreated that during a Blink-182 concert in June in Los Angeles for an adorable public announcement. In September, Kourtney had to undergo a life-saving fetal surgery. She took to her Instagram days after she was released to thank the staff at the hospital, as well as Travis for being by her side. 'I will forever grateful to my incredible doctors for saving our baby's life. I am eternally grateful to my husband who rushed to my side from tour to be with me int he hospital and take care of me afterwards, my rock.' It appeared to be her son Reign watching a movie in the bunk bed They welcomed their first child together, son Rocky Thirteen, on November 1, 2023 Kourtney and Travis publicly announced her pregnancy in June, while paying homage to a Blink-182 music video - All The Small Things In September, Kourtney had to undergo a life-saving fetal surgery Kourtney seen at her baby shower over the summer, which was a Disney themed one Adding: 'As someone who has had three really easy pregnancies in the past, I wasn't prepared for the fear of rushing into urgent fetal surgery. I don't think anyone who hasn't been through a similar situation can begin to understand that feeling of fear. 'I have a whole new understanding and respect for the mamas who have had to fight for their babies while pregnant.' In December 2022, Kourtney revealed she stopped IVF 10 months prior, because it caused her spiral into a deep depression among other symptoms. She had been very open about her struggle with IVF on Hulu's The Kardashians. Kourtney and Travis conceived Rocky naturally, she revealed in an interview with Vogue in November 2023. 'We just got pregnant naturally. It was an indescribable feeling. Shock, then super-happy, fear seats in, worry, but I remember then to have gratitude.' Kourtney and Travis started dating in 2020 after almost 10 years of friendship; Travis was also her neighbor. They went Instagram official in February 2021, and engaged by October 2022. They tied the knot in May 2022 in a Santa Barbara courthouse, and went to Portofino, Italy a week later to hold a lavish wedding at the Dolce & Gabbana mansion in front of their friends and family. Things are going from strength to strength in Robert Irwin's relationship with Rorie Buckey. The conservationist, 20, has revealed his girlfriend, 19, will be accompanying him when he goes to South Africa to shoot I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! early this year. 'Rorie's coming over,' Irwin told the Daily Telegraph on Friday. He also revealed the rest of the Irwin clan would be joining him for the trip. 'I've got everyone, including my little niece Grace, coming over, so the whole family are there.' Things are going from strength to strength in Robert Irwin's relationship with Rorie Buckey. Both pictured last month Robert first appeared on the Ten reality show as a guest in 2016, along with mum Terri and sister Bindi. Joining them this time will be Bindi's husband Chandler Powell, their two-year-old daughter Grace, and Buckey. The big news comes after Robert posted a heartwarming tribute to mark the end of 2023. The wildlife warrior shared a series of photos of himself with Rorie to Instagram and thanked her for making his year 'bright'. He then added fuel to engagement rumours by adding: 'To many years ahead.' 'Thanks for making my 2023 so bright. To many years ahead,' he captioned the sweet post. Rorie responded to the post by declaring: 'I love you with all my heart.' The conservationist, 20, has revealed his girlfriend, 19, will be accompanying him when he goes to South Africa to shoot I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! early this year. Pictured with co-host Julia Morris Irwin recently hinted he is planning to marry Buckey as he posted a sweet tribute to mark the end of 2023 Robert and Rorie went Instagram official in August, after months of rumours they were dating. Rorie reportedly completed an Irwin-approved 'wildlife warrior boot camp' before she and Robert became an official couple. Woman's Day claimed last month that Rorie had to win over the family by having a willingness to get out into nature. The pair are currently in a long-distance relationship, with Robert based at Australia Zoo in Queensland while Rorie is in Perth. The conservationist shared a series of photos of himself with Rorie to Instagram and thanked her for making his year 'bright'. He then sparked engagement rumours, by adding: 'To many years ahead' Rorie responded to the post, declaring: 'I love you with all my heart' Robert is reportedly planning to pop the question to his girlfriend Rorie. According to New Idea magazine, he could propose when his girlfriend visits him in Africa while he films I'm A Celebrity in the coming months. 'Everyone is convinced he is aiming to pop the question when they're in Africa,' an insider said. 'Robert is crazy about her and is planning something unforgettable when he formally proposes. They both know it is part of their plans so he's been dreaming up special ways to make it a surprise.' The source went on to say Robert and Rorie are taking their relationship 'very serious' and have been planning a future together. The pair are currently in a long-distance relationship, with Robert based at Australia Zoo in Queensland while Rorie is in Perth Robert and Rorie, who is the niece of legendary Australian actor Heath Ledger, have plenty in common and both grew up in the public eye after suffering the devastating loss of a family member. Heath was at the top of his Hollywood career when he was found dead in January 2008 following an accidental prescription drug overdose. Robert's father Steve Irwin, known to the world as the 'Crocodile Hunter', died aged 44 on September 4, 2006, after being pierced in the chest by a stingray. Sandra Bullock has released her partner Bryan Randall's ashes in Wyoming, according to her sister Gesine Bullock-Prado. In an Instagram post shared on Saturday, Gesine appeared to confirm that The Proposal actress, 59, had scattered his ashes on the Snake River in Jackson Hole, Wyoming to honor the late photographer. 'Happy birthday, Bry. Sandy brought you to the river, just as she promised,' Gesine captioned the post, which showed a video of the river. Throughout the course of the clip, the sound of water flowing peacefully echoed around as the sun shone high in the sky. Randall passed away at the age of 57 five months earlier on August 5, 2023 following a private three-year battle with ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Sandra Bullock, 59, has released her partner Bryan Randall's ashes in Wyoming, according to her sister Gesine Bullock-Prado In an Instagram post shared on Saturday, Gesine appeared to confirm that the actress had scattered his ashes on the Snake River in Jackson Hole, Wyoming to honor the late photographer; Bullock and her late partner, Bryan Randall, seen in 2018 in NYC ALS is a 'nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord,' per Mayo Clinic, and there is no cure for the disease. At the time of the photographer's tragic death, his family released a statement to People. 'It is with great sadness that we share that on Aug. 5, Bryan Randall passed away peacefully after a three-year battle with ALS.' 'Bryan chose early to keep his journey with ALS private and those of us who cared for him did our best to honor his request,' the family had continued. 'We are immensely grateful to the tireless doctors who navigated the landscape of this illness with us and to the astounding nurses who became our roommates, often sacrificing their own families to be with ours.' 'At this time we ask for privacy to grieve and to come to terms with the impossibility of saying goodbye to Bryan.' In conclusion, Randall's loved ones added, 'His Loving Family.' Bullock's sister, Gesine, had also mourned the loss of the photographer's death at the time, and praised the 'amazing' way Sandra had cared for her longtime partner during his private ALS battle. She had taken to Instagram to pen: 'I'm convinced that Bry has found the best fishing spot in heaven and is already casting his lure into rushing rivers teaming with salmon.' Throughout the course of the clip, the sound of water flowing peacefully echoed around as the sun shone high in the sky ALS is a 'nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord,' per Mayo Clinic, and there is no cure for the disease 'ALS is a cruel disease but there is some comfort in knowing he had the best of caretakers in my amazing sister and the band of nurses she assembled who helped her look after him in their home,' Bullock-Prado added. Gesine concluded the post by writing, 'Rest in peace, Bryan,' and encouraged donations to both the ALS Association and Massachusetts General Hospital. Sandra and Bryan first crossed paths in 2015 when he photographed her son Louis's birthday party. Later that same year in October, the pair went public with their relationship while attending the premiere of Our Brand Is Crisis. Bullock and Randall were last pictured together in July 2020 when they arrived to a small gathering with the star's two children, Louis, 13, and Laila, 11, in Studio City. The model-turned-photographer also has a daughter of his own, Skylar, 30, from a previous relationship. Sandra - who was married to Jessie James from 2005 through 2010 - opened up about her relationship with Bryan during an interview in 2021 on Jada Pinkett-Smith's Red Table Talk. 'I am someone who went through the divorce process,' the Bird Box actress expressed, but then added, 'I found the love of my life.' Bullock's sister, Gesine, had also mourned the loss of the photographer's death, and praised the 'amazing' way Sandra had cared for her longtime partner during his private ALS battle: Sandra (right) seen with sister Gesine in March 2022 in L.A. 'ALS is a cruel disease but there is some comfort in knowing he had the best of caretakers in my amazing sister and the band of nurses she assembled who helped her look after him in their home,' Bullock-Prado added Sandra - who was married to Jessie James from 2005 through 2010 - opened up about her relationship with Bryan during an interview in 2021 on Jada Pinkett-Smith's Red Table Talk; seen in March 2022 in London 'We share two beautiful children - three children, his older daughter. It's the best thing ever,' Bullock stated. She also recalled informing Bryan that she planned to adopt a second child, although they 'hadn't been together that long.' 'I said, "Remember that NDA you signed when you photographed my son?" I said, "You know, that still holds."' 'He said "Why?" I said, "I'm bringing a child home when I come back from Toronto." He was so happy, but he was scared.' She continued, 'I'm a bulldozer. My life was already on the track and here's this beautiful human being who doesn't want anything to do with my life, but the right human being to be there.' Although Sandra and Bryan never married, the two were seen 'exchanging vows' during an intimate ceremony held in December 2017 - three years before the photographer's ALS diagnosis. In a video obtained by DailyMail.com, the couple could be seen dancing in celebration after the ceremony was held - with close friends and family also in attendance. A close friend informed DailyMail.com that, 'They really did this for the children, to kind of seal the deal and show them this was a forever thing. After the ceremony Louis and Laila started calling Bryan dad.' The Oscar-winning actress was previously married to Jessie James from 2005 until their divorce was finalized in 2010; former couple seen in 2010 in L.A. Although Sandra and Bryan never married, the two were seen 'exchanging vows' during an intimate ceremony held in December 2017 - three years before the photographer's ALS diagnosis; seen in 2018 in NYC The ceremony took place at Arpaud Busson's Three Bees Villa on Harbor Island in the Bahamas. A guest in attendance also stated, 'It was Bryan's birthday on December 31 so it's like they wanted to celebrate everything all at once.' At the time of his passing, Sandra and Bryan had been 'more together than ever,' a separate source revealed to DailyMail.com. 'Sandra kept Bryan hidden away in the back of the house. It's so big that you could conceal what was going on with him but towards the end she really didn't let people into the home beyond the doctors and nurses who were looking after him.' 'It was quite convenient for them to have these rumors that they'd broken up because it helped conceal what was really going on. It was easier to let people assume they hadn't seen him because they were no longer together.' At the time of his passing, Sandra and Bryan had been 'more together than ever,' a separate source revealed to DailyMail.com; seen in March 2022 in Texas According to a close friend, Bullock 'stopped throwing her annual Easter parties, they used to do big Thanksgivings and Christmas in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, but she really has a very small group of friends these days and when she does see them, she goes to their homes.' 'She wouldn't let anyone come to her place anymore unless it was outside by the pool.' However, those who had visited the star's home were mostly in the medical field, including nurses and specialists. 'It was just a horrible situation for them all but she didn't abandon him no matter how tough it got.' One Life (12A, 110 mins) Rating: Verdict: Moving and inspiring With the arrival of a new year comes the same barrage of terrible news that blighted the old year: from another fatal teenage stabbing here at home to the latest havoc caused by wars overseas. But this first week of January, as we continue to digest reports about the very worst of humanity, at least brings a story about the very best. One Life dramatises what in recent years has become a well-known tale, that of hundreds of Jewish children from Czechoslovakia, as it then was, who escaped the Holocaust. They owed their salvation to the tireless efforts of numerous people, but above all a London stockbroker called Nicholas Winton, played in old age by Sir Anthony Hopkins and as a young man by Johnny Flynn. One Life dramatises what in recent years has become a well-known tale, that of hundreds of Jewish children from Czechoslovakia, as it then was, who escaped the Holocaust They owed their salvation to the tireless efforts of numerous people, but above all a London stockbroker called Nicholas Winton, played in old age by Sir Anthony Hopkins The dramatic heart of the story, of course, is the monumental effort to get the children out The film's title is lifted from an old Hebrew proverb which suggests that 'if you save one life you save the world', and its narrative flits back and forth between the late 1930s and the late 1980s. In 1938 we see Winton spearheading British attempts to extract children from the Czech capital Prague ahead of an imminent German invasion. Then 50 years later, living in comfortable retirement in Maidenhead, he is encouraged by his wife (Lena Olin) to clear out reams of old papers, re-igniting memories of the eight trainloads of refugees that he, and others, managed to save from the Nazis. Hopkins gives a charming, sensitive performance, and the famous 1988 edition of the BBC show That's Life!, when Winton sits in the audience unaware that everyone around him is a former child refugee whose life he saved, is beautifully replicated. The actual clip, readily available on YouTube, is deeply moving. But the film (with Samantha Spiro as a credible Esther Rantzen) somehow makes it even more of a tearjerker. The dramatic heart of the story, of course, is the monumental effort to get the children out. In Prague, Winton persuades the feisty head of the British Committee for Refugees from Czechoslovakia, Doreen Warriner (Romola Garai), that they should focus on the youngest and most vulnerable. He also enlists the help, back in London, of his formidable German-born mother Babette (an imperious Helena Bonham Carter). When she bustles off to see what can be done at the immigration office, a condescending civil servant, noting her foreign accent, asks where she has come from. 'From Hampstead,' she replies. 'On the 24 bus.' One Life is the best good-news story of the year so far Winton's campaign is soon in danger of being strangled by red tape. The British government insists on a 50 bond for every child, a visa and a medical certificate, with a host family lined up in each case. Winton writes to The Times newspaper, and along with the odd scrap of anti-Semitic hate mail, offers of help start rolling in. Eventually, he and his colleagues extract 669 children, a remarkable number, yet in old age Winton's mind turns to the 250 others who were crammed onto the ninth train, the one that was due to set off from Prague on September 1, 1939 the day Germany invaded Poland. It never left the station. Director James Hawes, whose credits are mostly in TV, does a splendid job of packaging all this, helped by an understated script from Lucinda Coxon and Nick Drake. It could be all frenzy and tumult, but the story doesn't need any great cinematic flourishes, and doesn't get any. The pleasures are mostly quiet ones, like seeing Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce (as an old friend who got Winton to Prague in the first place) playing opposite each other again, as they did so majestically in The Two Popes (2019). But none of that diminishes the impact of One Life. It's the best good-news story of the year so far. DALIAN, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A container ship, named "WAN HAI 357," arrived at the Dalian port in northeast China's Liaoning Province on Tuesday, marking a regular container ship route linking the port and the west coast of South America has been launched. The ship loaded with 3,000 twenty-foot-equivalent unit (TEU) containers of goods, such as bananas and white prawns, left the Guayaquil port in Ecuador on Dec. 28. The route links the Dalian port with ports in Colombia and Ecuador as well as other major ports on the west coast of South America. The entire journey now takes only 25 days, saving at least seven days compared to the previous transportation mode via transit shipment service. This will expedite the entry of cold chain goods, such as seafood and fruits, from South America into the northeast China market. The new route is operated once a week by WAN HAI LINES Ltd., a Taiwan company, with six 3,000-TEU container ships. According to Li Xiaoguang, general manager of Dalian Container Terminal Co., Ltd. of Liaoning Port Group, which is in charge of Dalian port, there are currently 105 container ship routes from Dalian port, reaching more than 300 ports in over 160 countries and regions around the world. Amelia Hamlin was showing off her very toned figure again on Thursday afternoon. The fashion model looked her cover girl best in a skimpy jet black string bikini that consisted of a triangle top and tiny briefs that tied at the sides. The strings stood out as they were candy apple green with beads on the ends. The 22-year-old youngest daughter of Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin was on a white sand beach that looked to be in a tropical location as palm trees were in the background. The ex-girlfriend of Scott Disick was putting on snorkeling gear over her head. In her Instagram caption she joked that she 'didn't find SpongeBob' when under water. Amelia Hamlin was showing off her very toned figure again on Thursday afternoon The fashion model looked her cover girl best in a skimpy jet black string bikini that consisted of a triangle top and tiny briefs that tied at the sides. The strings stood out as they were candy apple green Mom Lisa, sister Delilah and Don't Be Tardy star Brielle Biermann all hit the like button. Hamlin has been sharing photos from her warm-weather vacation for the past several days. She has been seen in a red suit as she took a dip in the ocean and struck modeling poses on the shore. The model recently attended the British Fashion Awards. She put on a jaw-dropping display in a daring, red dress that fell down past her ankles and was only held together with thin, red bows on each side. The star slipped into a pair of sleek, red heels and confidently flaunted the revealing look while posing for pictures on the glitzy red carpet. Her dark hair was parted in the middle, and styled into a low up do, allowing a few loose strands to border the sides of her face. Amelia's mother, Lisa, was also in attendance and put on a fashionable display of her own in an all-black ensemble. During an interview with People last month in November, the media influencer opened up about working in the modeling industry and proudly discussed her mother's own runway career. The 22-year-old youngest daughter of Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin was on a white sand beach that looked to be in a tropical location as palm trees were in the background. The ex-girlfriend of Scott Disick was putting on snorkeling gear over her head She later shared a snap of herself wearing a very sheer cover up as she went without a bikini top She also covered up her chest in a sultry snap by the ocean Earlier this week she was seen in a red suit and matching headband 'I think it's been so beautiful for the two of us to be able to go on this fashion journey together,' she expressed to the outlet. 'Never in a million years did I think that my dreams would also overlap with my mom's, but we're loving this for her.' Earlier this year, Rinna notably strutted on the runway for Rotate during Copenhagen Fashion Week in February. She donned a black, one-piece swimsuit held up with thin straps while a leopard-print coat was draped down her arms. This comes after Amelia's mother Lisa shared a completely nude photo to Instagram Amelia is also no stranger to the runway, and has walked for luxurious brands such as Chanel, Tommy Hilfiger and Ann Demeulemeester. 'Being able to travel all over the world together at the same time has been this really nice opportunity for our relationship to grow,' she continued. 'We'll go to dinner and I'll ask her for advice and she'll ask me for advice. Nobody understands this industry except for the people in it, so it's been really nice for both of us to navigate this together.' The beauty - who made her own runway debut at the age of 16 during New York Fashion Week - reflected on the recent opportunities she has been given. 'It's been the most amazing two years I could have ever dreamt of. I'm having a blast and I'm so grateful and I'm really happy. I just feel super lucky.' Kayla Itsines has officially relocated to the Gold Coast after months of speculation. The fitness entrepreneur, 32, announced to her 16million Instagram followers on Thursday that she and her husband Jae Woodroffe have moved from Adelaide, South Australia, to sunny Queensland. 'Weve officially MOVED TO QUEENSLAND!!!' she said in her post. Itsines was thrilled to reveal that she was joined by her family as they settled in and that she'll be flying back to her hometown for regular visits. 'To be fair, it doesnt feel real because we really did bring the whole Adelaide crew and both our families with us. So happyyyyy. P.s dw we still have a house in Adelaide and I HAVE TO fly back every couple of weeks to see my family,' she added. Kayla Itsines, 32, has officially relocated to the Gold Coast after months of speculation. Pictured with husband Jae Woodroffe 'Especially my grandparents who dont want me to move not because they love me too much but because "too many mosquitoes."' The fitness guru concluded her post: 'HELLO QUEENSLAND FAM. We're so excited !!!' Itsines' announcement comes after months of rumours that she was making an interstate move with her new husband Woodroffe and their newborn son Jax. The fitness entrepreneur, 32, announced to her 16million Instagram followers on Thursday that she and her husband Jae Woodroffe have moved from Adelaide, South Australia, to sunny Queensland Itsines was thrilled to reveal that she was joined by her family as they settled in and that she'll be flying back to her hometown for regular visits Meanwhile, the Sweat founder has been reportedly searching for a home on the Gold Coast. According to influencer watchdog account @keepingupwithaussieinfluencers, Itsines was sighted at an home inspection 'a few days ago' with her mum, daughter Arna and her sister Leah Itsines' husband Mitch Caon. The two-storey, $7million Mermaid Waters mansion boasts prestigious waterfront living on a 1407 square metre block. Itsines' announcement comes after months of rumours that she was making an interstate move with her new husband Woodroffe and their newborn son Jax (pictured) The Sweat founder has been reportedly searching for a home on the Gold Coast and was sighted at an home inspection 'a few days ago' for this Mermaid Waters property The four-bedroom, five-bathroom property features three-metre-high ceilings, a massive alfresco entertaining terrace that fronts an infinity pool with wet bar seating, as well as a private beach. Following Itsines' announcement, she advertised a job offer for a part time, Gold Coast-based personal assistant. 'Can't wait to meet the newest member of my team,' she said in her Instagram Story. The $7million mansion boasts prestigious waterfront living on a 1407 square metre block It is a four-bedroom, five-bathroom property Several clues in recent weeks indicated Itsines was preparing to move to the Gold Coast with her family. The most recent came to light last month when Itsines, 32, posted a video of a sauna inside what could potentially be her new home in Queensland. The sauna was a gift from the Gold Coast based company Kiva Wellness. Another hint surfaced last month when she and her ex Tobi Pearce teamed up to re-acquire their Sweat fitness business they sold a few years ago. The two-storey home features three-metre-high ceilings A massive alfresco entertaining terrace fronts an infinity pool with wet bar seating It also features a private beach The pair, who sold Sweat to US fitness conglomerate iFIT for for hundreds of millions of dollars in 2021, retook control of the digital fitness brand for an undisclosed sum in November. Pearce, who is currently engaged with Move With Us founder and fellow fitness influencer Rachel Dillon, snapped up a $7million Gold Coast property in November. So it appeares Itsines is preparing to re-establish the business from the sunshine state. Itsines and Pearce decided to re-enter their Sweat business with Itsines as the face and Mr Pearce as the brains. Following Itsines' announcement, she advertised a job offer for a part time, Gold Coast-based personal assistant THE RISE, FALL AND RISE AGAIN OF KAYLA ITSINES AND TOBI PEARCE 2012: Kayla Itsines meets Tobi Pearce and they start dating 2014: Ms Itsines and Mr Pearce create Bikini Body Guide (BBG), a 12-week program targeted towards women to achieve dramatic weight loss results 2015: The Sweat with Kayla app launches, before being renamed Sweat two years later 2016: Ms Itsines becomes the fourth-richest young woman in Australia in the BRW Young Rich List, with a combined wealth of $46 million between her and Mr Pearce 2017: The couple rebrand their fitness workout app and name it Sweat, with Ms Itsines the face of the brand 2017: Ms Itsines is named Forbes 'Top Fitness Influencer' 2017: She is ranked 40th with Mr Pearce 41st in the 2017 AFR Rich List 2019: The couple are named joint tenth on the AFR's Young Rich List with a fortune of $486million 2020: Ms Itsines and Mr Pearce announce their shock split 2021: Ms Itsines and Mr Pearce sell Sweat to US fitness giant iFIT for $280 million AUD 2022: iFIT posts an $80 million write-down for Sweat after its first year of ownership amid momentum struggles 2023: Ms Itsines and Mr Pearce resume their business relationship and re-acquire Sweat for an undisclosed sum Advertisement Several clues in recent weeks indicated Itsines was preparing to move to the Gold Coast with her family. Pictured with husband Jae Woodroffe Itsines will go back to her role as the platform's head trainer and Pearce will focus on the company's longevity and growth strategy going forward. In a statement, Itsines said she had not regretted selling the business and it had since come 'full circle'. 'I am thrilled to be back as an owner of Sweat, a platform that has meant so much to me and to the millions of women it serves,' she said. 'The decision to regain ownership is about ensuring the best future for Sweat. We have always been a platform built for women, by women, providing a secure and encouraging space for them to share their transformation journeys. Itsines and Woodruff tied the knot earlier this month in an outdoor wedding ceremony in Adelaide. The pair went public with their relationship more than a year after Kayla confirmed her split from ex-fiance Tobi Pearce in August 2020. A hint surfaced in November when she and her ex Tobi Pearce (left) teamed up to re-acquire their Sweat fitness business they sold a few years ago Rating: Have you ever peeled an unfranked stamp off an envelope and re-used it? If so, the Post Office has a word for you: fraudster. Royal Mail which ran the Post Office until 2012 warns on its website: 'Any person who knowingly reuses stamps for postage is committing fraud.' This is a criminal offence, liable to prosecution. Yet 25 years ago, when the Post Office computer system began malfunctioning so badly that many sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses were driven out of business, Royal Mail so stringent in castigating the smallest rule-bending by customers refused to listen or investigate fairly. Toby Jones, as a defiant sub-postmaster running a shop in Llandudno, North Wales, summed it up in a stinging speech at the start of Mr Bates vs The Post Office: 'They're not calling me a thief. They wouldn't dare. They say money's somehow gone missing from this branch, which it hasn't, and I have to pay it back, which I won't.' This major, new four-part drama, airing nightly with a documentary to follow on Friday, highlights just three stories of hundreds A browbeaten young copper, caught between the furious Alan Bates and an unsympathetic auditor, asked whether any actual crime had been committed. 'Well,' fumed the man behind the counter, 'Post Office Limited is stealing my livelihood, my shop, my job, my home, my life savings and my good name.' He was not alone. Between 2000 and 2014, an average of one sub-postmaster or sub-postmistress a week was prosecuted, for theft, false accounting and other offences, by the Post Office. From a total of 736, some were jailed, many were bankrupted, all suffered appalling stress and public shame. Yet for years Royal Mail and its computer partner Horizon a system developed by the Japanese company Fujitsu insisted that these were isolated cases. In an era before social media, many of those accused had no idea that any other shops were facing the same problems, and assumed the fault must somehow be theirs. This major, new four-part drama, airing nightly with a documentary to follow on Friday, highlights just three stories of those hundreds. In Hampshire, Jo Hamilton (Monica Dolan) was spending hours on the Horizon helpline, patiently following instructions and watching the imaginary discrepancies mount up. Phoning to plead that the computer expected her to bank 2,032.67 more than she had taken in the past week, she re-entered the figures as she was told and saw the shortfall double on screen to more than 4,000. 'It'll sort itself out,' the voice on the helpline told her. But it didn't, and soon Jo had emptied her savings and maxed out her credit cards, trying to bridge the gap. She didn't dare tell her husband or her mother until they were faced with remortgaging the house. In Bridlington, Yorkshire, Lee Castleton (Will Mellor) made the mistake of thinking that if he called in the auditors, they would realise the 25,858.95 he was accused of misappropriating was the result of computer errors. Instead, Royal Mail barred him from his own shop and sued him for the money. His children were bullied at school, and taunted that their father was a common thief. 'You've just got to trust in the British justice system,' Lee told himself. 'Tell the truth and everything will be all right.' It wasn't, though: he lost the case and was ordered to pay 321,000 in costs. The Daily Mail waged a long campaign to win justice for the accused, something this serial has not so far acknowledged. What it also fails to mention is that Adam Crozier, chief executive of Royal Mail Group between 2003 and 2010, later became CEO of ITV. This screenplay by Gwyneth Hughes does, however, convey the overwhelming fear of facing a bureaucratic juggernaut that refuses to acknowledge the possibility it might be wrong about anything. With unlimited legal funds at its disposal to bully almost every individual into silence (with the heroic exception of Mr Bates), Royal Mail was all-powerful, remorseless and heartless. That inhuman power was symbolised by the convoy of black saloon cars that rolled up outside each rural sub-post office, at the beginning of each audit. 'When I first got legal advice,' Mr Bates says, 'I was warned that if I tried to take them to court, even if I won, the Post office would just keep appealing till I ran out of money.' That's chilling, cruel and all too believable. But the drama also captures the decency of Britain's sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses, the quintessential shopkeepers once at the core of so many communities. They're a rare breed now and may soon be extinct, the way Royal Mail is going. If a single one of them had been fiddling the books, it would have seemed shocking and improbable. For 736 to be prosecuted defies all rational belief. Because the victims were such a familiar, well-liked type, the three in this retelling win our immediate sympathy. After Jo Hamilton is dragged into the dock and harried into pleading guilty to an offence that was not her fault, half the village turns out to cheer her on. The local vicar declares from the witness box: 'We all love her. People confide in her. We trust her, and we just can't believe that any of this was on purpose in any way.' Watching that scene, with lumps in our throats as the judge allows Jo to walk free, every Mail reader must have given a cheer, too. Advertisement Reality TV pinup Melissa Gorga has gone south for the winter. The Bravo star let her Instagram followers know this week that she was on a beach vacation in Aruba with her husband Joe Gorga, with whom she shares children Antonia, Gino, and Joey Jr. And the diva also shared a set of swimsuit photos much to her fans' delight. The star looked sultry in her tiny bathing suit that highlighted her tiny waistline and flaunted her sculpted legs. The pinup added gold jewelry for extra pizzazz. Gorga was also seen receiving attention to her husband Joe as he put his hand around her waist while they poses on a boat at sea. The 44-year-old Real Housewives Of New Jersey standout wore her dark hair back as she showed off her Aruba tan. Reality TV pinup Melissa Gorga has gone south for the winter. The Bravo star let her Instagram followers know this week that she was on a beach vacation in Aruba The diva also shared a set of swimsuit photos much to her fans' delight. The star looked sultry in her tiny bathing suit that highlighted her tiny waistline and flaunted her sculpted legs Here she had a white jacket that said LOST IN PARADISE in pink on the back with a Prada bag to the side Then there were some general scenic shots of the beach that was dotted with palm trees She had on a green suit then added a jacket that read Lost In Paradise on the back as she had a straw bag stamped Prada next to her. The cover girl also modeled a lime green suit with pink flowers on it. She had a pale pink and semi-sheer sarong wrapped around her waistline. Then there were some general scenic shots of the beach that was dotted with palm trees. Melissa tagged the official Instagram account of her apparel company, Envy, from the photoset. The Bravo star previously founded her brand in 2015 and served as the operator of a boutique located in her home state of New Jersey. The company recently received a boost in publicity when Ariana Madix wore an Envy dress to a wedding in Mexico not long after it was revealed that her boyfriend, Tom Sandoval, had cheated on her with Raquel Leviss. Many of the reality television personality's fans took inspiration from her look, and according to Page Six, the item was soon sold out in all sizes. Melissa also told the media outlet that the dresses were gone 'as soon as [Madix] wore it.' She was with her husband Joe Gorga, with whom she shares children Antonia, Gino, and Joey Jr The cover girl also modeled a lime green suit with pink flowers on it. She had a pale pink and semi-sheer sarong wrapped around her waistline She posed on a catamaran as another boat was off in the distance Gorga proved she has her poses down pat as she pushed up her sunglasses while letting her skirt blow in the breeze She did reveal, however, that she saved one particular dress for herself and was planning on wearing it throughout the summer. In 2022, Melissa said that cheating rumours have 'tested' her marriage. The star - who has appeared on Bravo's The Real Housewives of New Jersey for over a decade - has been married to real estate developer Joe, since 2004 but insisted that she is determined to downplay any chatter about her personal life. Asked about the biggest test her marriage has faced since she signed started appearing on television, she said: 'Almost definitely the [cheating] rumours. There's a lot of rumours that come out about me, and you know what? We just keep hitting 'em, swatting 'em like flies, [and] they just keep coming.' The businesswoman stars alongside her sister-in-law Teresa Giudice on the hit reality show but it was revealed earlier this month that the couple had missed her wedding to Luis Ruelas after rumours had begun to swirl that she had been unfaithful, with Joe admitting that it has been a 'tough' time for them both since. The Gorgas at the Anyone But You premiere held at AMC Lincoln Square on December 11 in New York In the joint interview, Joe told UsWeekly: 'It's been tough. Let's see what the future holds.' Earlier this year, it was alleged that Melissa had been unfaithful to Joe while she was away on a press tour and that Teresa had known about the supposed incident for over a year but had 'pushed' for it to come out in the 'RHONJ' season 13 finale, which has left Joe potentially 'unable to forgive' his sister. At the time, the source said: 'One of the secrets was Melissa making out with this guy while she was on a press tour in the city. 'This "rumour" was something that Teresa had known about for over a year and had been pushing for it to come out. Finally, the finale was perfect timing. Teresa usually uses someone to bring up drama, so she played a part in that, Teresa may not forgive Joe after this and vice versa.' Classic FM has signed Stephen Mangan to present a brand new Sunday show, the music station announced on Thursday. The actor and comedian, 55, completed Classic FMs all-star line-up which includes Dan Walker, Alexander Armstrong, Myleene Klass, Margherita Taylor and Joanna Gosling. It comes after Dan was announced to be joining the team as the host of a brand new breakfast show in a shake-up for the radio broadcaster. Stephen, who has been doing narrating work as of late, will lead the programme every Sunday from 4pm to 7pm, beginning on January 7. Of his new role, Stephen said: 'I am honoured and excited to join the nations number one classical music station with my very own show, at one of my favourite times of the week Sunday afternoon. Classic FM has signed Stephen Mangan, 55, to present a brand new Sunday show, the music station announced on Thursday Dan Walker, 46, is set to join the team at Classic FM as it was announced on Wednesday that he has been signed to host a brand new breakfast show 'As an avid listener and a big fan of classical music, its been an ambition to present on Classic FM. I cant wait to get to know the listeners and to share my love of classical music, and I look forward to their company every Sunday.' Stephen, also a children's book author, began his career in theatre, starring in various Shakespeare productions. He was nominated for a Tony in 2009 for his portrayal of Norman in The Norman Conquests on Broadway. On television, Stephen has appeared on Would I Lie To You? and 8 Out Of 10 Cats, and, in 2014, he portrayed Postman Pat in the film Postman Pat: The Movie. It was announced on Wednesday, Dan, 46, would be returning to a breakfast time slot from 6.30am to 10am, after leaving BBC Breakfast back in May 2022. Launching on Monday 8th January, the all-new Classic FM Breakfast with Dan Walker will provide listeners with a relaxing start to the day featuring classical music and conversation. Speaking about his new role, Dan, 46, said: 'This is an amazing chance to join one of the biggest radio stations in the country. 'I'm over the moon that I'm going to be part of Classic FM's brilliant line-up and presenting the breakfast show is a wonderful opportunity. The actor and comedian completes Classic FMs all-star line-up which includes Dan Walker, Alexander Armstrong, Myleene Klass, Margherita Taylor, and ex-BBC Joanna Gosling It was announced on Wednesday the presenter would be returning to a breakfast time slot from 6.30am to 10am after leaving BBC Breakfast back in May 2022 'I am passionate about classical music and I'm a long-time listener I also love the breakfast audience and I think they know me well so I can't wait to get started.' Meanwhile Philip Noyce, Classic FM's Managing Editor, added: 'It's really fitting to welcome in the new year with our new-look 2024 schedule, and to be able to welcome Dan Walker back to breakfast broadcasting as the new host of Classic FM Breakfast is fantastic. 'We look forward to him joining the Classic FM family with an engaging and rejuvenating programme, weekdays from 6.30am, to ease listeners into the start of their day.' Also taking to Instagram to share the news with his followers, Dan joked: 'I need to dust off the alarm clock! Really excited about joining the brilliant team at @classicfm. 'Massive job stepping into @timlihoreaus shoes but I cant wait to get started on the breakfast show. See you Monday from 630am'. The signing is part of an exciting new schedule for Classic FM in 2024 with more details to be announced in the next few days. Fans were delighted at the news as they took to the comments to share their support. One wrote: 'Congratulations lovely man! Youll be fantastic!' and a second added: 'Magic! I'll be tuned im'. Also taking to Instagram to share the news with his followers, Dan joked: 'I need to dust off the alarm clock! Really excited about joining the brilliant team at @classicfm' Dan will continue his work with Channel 5 News, alongside his new role at Classic FM And fans were delighted at the news as they took to the comments to share their support Another penned: 'Well deserved' while another joked: 'He's everywhere'. Dan will continue his work with Channel 5 News, alongside his new role at Classic FM. Classic FM is available across the UK on Global Player, DAB+ digital radio and TV, 100-102 FM and at ClassicFM.com. TGI Fridays has announced the sudden closure of more than 30 'underperforming' restaurants across the U.S. as a part of their 'ongoing growth strategy.' The nearly 60-year-old franchise announced yesterday that it was shutting down 36 restaurants, which includes seven joints in New Jersey, six in Massachusetts and five in New York. Some locations in California, Colorado, Florida, Texas and Pennsylvania have also been closed. The popular chain said eight previously corporate-owned restaurants in the Northeast were being sold to former CEO Ray Blanchette. The sold locations include eateries in Methuen, Manchester, Boston, Millbury, Everett, Braintree, Concord and Stoughton. The nearly 60-year-old franchise announced yesterday that it was shutting down 36 restaurants, which includes seven joints in New Jersey, six in Massachusetts and five in New York Customers were surprised to find closure notices posted overnight on the doors of the closed locations The company called the 'transition' as a way to maintain revenue while committing to the brand Customers were surprised to find closure notices posted overnight on the doors of the closed locations. 'We regret to inform you that as of January 2, 2024, this Friday's location has closed. We are extremely grateful to our loyal guests and staff,' a notice read. TGI Fridays' US president and chief operating officer Ray Risley said: 'Our top priority has always been delivering a superior experience for each and every TGI Fridays guest, and we've identified opportunities to optimize and streamline our operations to ensure we are best positioned to meet and exceed on that brand promise. 'By strengthening our franchise model and closing underperforming stores, we are creating an unprecedented opportunity for Fridays to drive forward its vision for the future.' The company called the 'transition' as a way to maintain revenue while committing to the brand. TGI Fridays' US president and chief operating officer Ray Risley said: 'By strengthening our franchise model and closing underperforming stores, we are creating an unprecedented opportunity for Fridays to drive forward its vision for the future' The popular chain also said eight previously corporate-owned restaurants in the Northeast were being sold to former CEO Ray Blanchette The company also claimed that about 80 percent of the employees from the closed locations had been transferred to other places. News of closures comes after the company announced changes to its menu less than six months ago in a bid to keep up with its competitors, Applebee's and Chili's In October 2023, TGI Friday's added sushi to its menu, refreshed its cocktails and updated its appetizer lineup with options starting from $3. It has not been clarified if the sold-off locations will remain as TGI Fridays or revamp into a new chain. This year just six electric cars are eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit - a discount offered by the Government and applied to the price of new EVs. Fully electric cars that still qualify for the full amount are the Chevrolet Bolt, the Ford F-150 Lightning, and certain versions of the Tesla Model 3, Model X and Model Y. One plug-in hybrid, the Chrysler Pacifica, is also still eligible for the full credit, according to the latest information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Another 13 models get a partial credit - scroll down for the full list of 19 cars that get either $7,500 or $3,750 off. The new rules - enforced by the IRS and imposed by the Biden administration - are part of a move to bring more of the EV battery supply chain into the US. Vehicles with batteries at least partly made in China will therefore be excluded from the full credit. General Motors is affected by the new rules - losing the Government credits on all but one car - but said this week it will offer its own discounts on other EVs. Fully electric cars that still qualify are the Chevrolet Bolt, the Ford F-150 Lightning, certain versions of the Tesla Model 3, Model X and Model Y Vehicles move along the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV assembly line at the General Motors Orion Assembly on June 15, 2023, in Lake Orion, Michigan Eligible cars must be assembled in North America and can't contain battery components manufactured by 'foreign entities of concern' - including China. Some vehicles are still eligible for $3,750 in credit - half of the full amount - if a majority of their battery components were assembled in North America and the materials came from the US or an ally. Specifically, at least 60 percent of battery components must be manufactured or assembled in North America and at least 50 percent of its critical minerals must have been extracted or processed in the US, or in a country with which it has a free trade agreement. Alternatively, the minerals used must have been recycled in North America. EVs eligible for a partial credit include some sold by Ford, Jeep, Lincoln and Rivian. Vehicles to have lost eligibility altogether beginning this year include the Tesla Cybertruck, some versions of its Model 3, the Nissan Leaf, the Ford E-Transit and the electric Chevrolet Blazer and Silverado. The changes will affect all models placed in service from January 1, 2024, through January 1, 2025. In the run up to the new year there was some confusion as to which vehicles would qualify, with Tesla halfway through December updating its website to indicate not all Model 3 cars would be excluded based on its 'current view of new IRA guidance'. Specific eligibility is also be determined by the vehicle's MSRP, its final assembly location, battery component and/or minerals sourcing as well as the buyer's income. The Ford F-150 Lightning remains eligible for the full credit but the automaker has said it will increase the price of its lowest-priced versions by $5,000 to $10,000 According to GM, the Cadillac Lyriq lost its eligibility due to 'minor components'. It is displayed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, in September, 2022 And on Wednesday GM said it would offer its own incentives on the cars to have lost their federal tax credits. According to InsideEVs, it told its dealers that it would 'provide $7,500 for any vehicles that became ineligible on January 1, 2024, as a result of the new guidelines.' GM pointed out last month that - apart from the Chevrolet Bolt - all of its EVs lost eligibility and suggested the Cadillac Lyriq and electric Chevrolet Blazer lost the credit due only to minor components. By contrast, the Ford F-150 Lightning remains eligible for the full credit but the automaker has said it will increase the price of its lowest-priced versions by $5,000 to $10,000 and cut prices of some premium models by up to $7,000. Last month Ford said it would halve the production of its fully electric F-150 due to falling demand for EVs. The company's Michigan plant was said to now produce 1,600 a week - half its 3,200 capacity - starting this month. We all want to be happy but often mistake pleasures for happiness Let us understand what pleasures are. They are obtained mainly through contact between our senses and their objects. Our senses are always looking for pleasures like eating, seeing, hearing, talking, etc. The next higher level is through our minds. These are through material gains like fame, power, wealth, etc. Then comes pleasure through intelligence like being able to invent something of importance, write something very creative, etc. The last one comes very close to real happiness, which is sukha, as described in the Bhagavad-Geeta. In verse # 2.65, Lord Krishna states, In the state of peaceful enjoyment, his all suffering ends soon, because the intelligence of a happy person is firmly established. Believe it or not, in a state of having real intelligence, which is spiritual, one transcends the feeling of material suffering. In the next verse, the Lord clarifies about one, who is neither peaceful nor happy. Contrarily, there will be real intelligence of the faithful and for one who has faith, there will be proper consciousness, and for one who has proper consciousness, there will be peace, and from peace, happiness will be experienced. Such a person, a self-controlled person, by giving all acts, thereby attachments to their fruits by the mind, lives happily in the house having nine gates, neither really doing anything nor getting anything done. (5.13) He in fact reaches the stage of being satisfied by any benefit, which comes of its own accord due to acts done earlier. This in any case happens; our being attached to results doesnt change the outcome. We thus avoid the pain of attachments. Arent we entitled only to what we have sown earlier? Now regarding sense pleasures, Lord Krishna guides us when He says, A person while engaged in action only for maintenance of ones body, does not get afflicted by reactions. (5.21) A few examples will make it quite clear. We all have to eat to maintain our bodies. And we generally know also what is required of us. We go wrong when we eat what is not wholesome or nutritious. Similarly, we know what causes pollution of consciousness, when we see illicit and scary programmes, scenes, photos, etc. The Lord wants us to avoid them; He is not advocating stopping all-seeing. Even sex pleasures are allowed when the Lord affirmed, I am passionate in beings, according to religious principles. (7.11) Why was the institution of marriage promoted so strongly? Because it keeps us within acceptable limits. One who is capable of tolerating the urge caused by lust and anger in this world prior to leaving the body is a true yogi; he is a happy person. This sukha is beyond the senses. There is unlimited bliss, which can be experienced through the intelligence. A yogi realises it and thus situated does not get at all distracted from the absolute essence (God). (6.21) Such a person is happy from within; does not worry unnecessarily; and becomes free from craving for material objects, which are not required for the maintenance of ones body. (18,54) He is in fact accompanied by God. (6.7) Meeraji said, I am only for Giridhar Gopal, no one else. Adi Shankaracharya cajoled us to Bhaja Govindam because that is where all sukha is. Why Shivaji is called Aashutosh Ujagar? Because God only is the repository of all bliss. What is the conclusion? If we are genuinely seeking happiness, we have to take shelter from God. Our minds and intelligence have to come together, i.e. they should both be surrendered to God. Senses have to be disciplined, only to seek objects, which are essential to maintain the body. The sequence is straightforward. One takes shelter from God, which is the first step. Over a period of time, one begins to feel secure, as that is where real security is, nowhere else. Peace begins to descend, and gradually one becomes happy, sukhi and blissful. (The writer is a spiritual teacher, views are personal) Half of the world's population is now under the age of 25. This is the largest youth generation to ever exist; imagine what the world would be if they were channelised India's Parliament witnessed chaotic scenes on December 13, 2023, when two men intruded into the chamber, shouting slogans and spraying coloured gas whilst jumping from table to table. They released yellow gas from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by the members of Parliament. Simultaneously, two individuals, including a woman, sprayed coloured gas and shouted slogans outside the Parliament premises. All of them have been arrested and sent to judicial custody. The recent breach in India's Parliament on the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 attack by disruptive individuals highlights the consequences of unchanneled youth energy. The intruders Sagar, Manoranjan, Amol, and Neelam, in their early thirties and mid-forties, expressed discontent over issues such as farmers, the Manipur crisis, and unemployment through this act. Neelam, surprisingly educated with multiple degrees (in MA, BEd, MEd, CTET, MPhil and NET), was among those arrested. This shocking incident underscores the need to harness the dynamism of the younger generation for constructive nation-building, prompting reflection on the importance of addressing their concerns through positive channels. Youth occupy a pivotal role in society as the future leaders and driving force of progress. Their numerical strength, combined with energy and innovative ideas, constitutes a potent asset. The National Youth Development Policy emphasises that youths form the foundation of a nation, shaping its development, security, and socio-political landscape. Their creative talents and labour contribute significantly to economic and societal advancements. The dreams and aspirations of the youth serve as a source of motivation, ensuring a nation's vitality and purpose. Consequently, a nation's future is secured through the dynamic potential and vision of its youth. According to Douglas Bourn, Professor of Development Education and working at University College London, Youth have their own set of values, expectations and perceptions regarding the authority and the ideal work environment. The characteristics of the youth are reported to have been influenced by leaders, development, technologies and trends of its time globally but their behaviour may vary by region depending on social and economic conditions. Further, Professor of Management, S P Eisner asserts that Youth tend to have a strong sense of morality, being patriotic, willing to fight for freedom, sociable, and value home and family, and they have different expectations, values, attitude and behaviours. Time and again, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address from various public platforms has called upon the strength of youth for the welfare of the society and nation, per se and reiterated his firm conviction on the potential of the youth in the process of development of India in the global stage. One must also acknowledge that India is a young country with more than half of the citizens under the age of 30. The Indian youth are, therefore, big stakeholders in the country, and, therefore, they must be taken seriously and respectfully as partners in nation-building. Drawing insights from the teachings of visionaries like Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Nelson Mandela, and Martin Luther King Jr., and many others, the transformative role of youth can be further underscored. The impact of Swami Vivekananda's teachings can be observed in the emergence of youth-led movements aimed at societal transformation. For instance, the "Youth for Seva" initiative, inspired by Swami Vivekananda's call to serve the community, engages young volunteers in various social service activities across the country. These volunteers contribute to education, healthcare, and environmental initiatives, embodying the spirit of selfless service advocated by Swami ji. Mahatma Gandhi, a key figure in India's independence movement, urged youth to actively engage in societal transformation. Through movements like the Dandi March and Quit India, he inspired a generation of 'satyagraha' advocating nonviolent resistance. In a 1927 'Young India' article, Gandhi emphasised rural immersion, urging youth to serve humbly in villages and lead by example. He envisioned them as messengers of God, fostering empathy and elevating living standards. Mahatma Gandhi highlighted the transformative power of genuine engagement, akin to a controlled stream evolving into a mighty force. Today, his call for selfless service and grassroots involvement resonates, emphasising their enduring significance in nation-building. Likewise, Sardar Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, and Subhas Chandra Bose exemplified the dynamic spirit driving India's independence struggle though the path was different. Their fearless leadership inspired countless youth, symbolising the transformative power of young individuals. In contrast, the intruders (in Parliament) on December 13 tarnished the nation's dignity, lacking the positive impact and inspiration that characterised the selfless dedication of the freedom fighters and leaders who helped shape India's destiny. Similarly, Raja Ram Mohan Roy's emphasis on education as a tool for social reform finds resonance in initiatives like the Teach for India programme that recruits young, dynamic individuals to teach in underprivileged schools, addressing educational disparities and bridging the social gap. Beyond the shores, the former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela's anti-apartheid struggle, epitomised by the 1976 'Soweto Uprising,' showcased the fervour of young activists rising for change. Today, the Nelson Mandela Foundation sustains his legacy, empowering youth for social justice. Similarly, Martin Luther King Jr.'s global influence, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, thrives through nonviolent resistance. Youth leaders like John Lewis and Diane Nash were pivotal in the Civil Rights Movement, using sit-ins and freedom rides to combat racial injustice, resulting in legislative changes and segregation dismantling. Young activists, central to Indian independence and the American Civil Rights Movement, showcased passion and commitment towards challenging oppressive systems. Their enduring impact underscores the transformative potential wielded by dedicated young people, resonating as a testament to the ongoing power of youth in shaping a more just society. India's youth are at the forefront of a burgeoning startup ecosystem. Companies like Flipkart, Zomato, and Ola, founded by young entrepreneurs, showcase how innovative ideas, driven by youthful energy, can transform industries. These startups contribute not only to economic growth but also to changing societal dynamics. Not only this, globally, youth-led environmental movements, inspired by leaders like Greta Thunberg, have gained momentum. In India, youth participation in movements advocating for sustainable practices, tree plantation drives, awareness campaigns and now startups reflect a growing consciousness for sustainable living among the younger generation. As we all know that half of the world's population is now under the age of 25, and 1.8 billion people are between the age of 11-25. This is considered to be the largest youth generation to ever exist. Many countries such as Sweden, Japan, and Germany have already started gaining from the Youth by providing them with opportunities in different sectors. A thriving nation towards development, India has great potential in its youth power. They are the pillars upon which the success, progress and prosperity of a nations future are built. When their strength, potential and creativity are properly harnessed, they are great assets to any nation. But it is imperative, that the cliche that youths are the leaders of tomorrow go beyond mere platitudes and words to action. It will be worthwhile to remember that there will be no success without a successor. (The writer is programme executive, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti; views are personal) The CBI investigation can only be ordered by the Central Government, the Supreme Court and the High Courts; this does not violate the federal structure of the Constitution Irrespective of the facts whether the CBI investigation is appropriate in a particular case or not people of the country have much reliance on this agency in comparison to other investing agencies and the state police. The establishment of the CBI is under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act 1946. Police is a State subject of list II. Section 2 of the Delhi special police establishment act 1946 provides for the constitution of a special police force for the investigation of union territory concerning offences notified in section 3 of said act. Section 5(1) says that the Central Government may by order extend the jurisdiction of CBI to any State. However, section 6 requires the consent of the State Government concerned to permit investigation of any offence within its territory. This requirement of consent is incorporated in the constitution of India in Entry 80 of List I which follows that the consent of the State Government is a condition precedent to be satisfied before calling upon the CBI to investigate any offence in that State. Alignment with the Federal Structure:- The consent of the State Government is required for permitting the investigation of any offence within its territory is consistent with the federal structure of the Constitution which ensures the autonomy of each State, in the matter of legislation and executive action. The consent can be in the form of General consent or specific consent concerning individual cases. Almost every State in India has provided the CBI with general consent to investigate within their State however at its discretion the State Government may withdraw the general consent at any time. As of now 8 States (Mizoram, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Kerala, Jharkhand and Punjab) have withdrawn their general consent required by the CBI to conduct an investigation in their respective states on the allegation that the Central Government was using the federal agency to destabilise the State Government. It is to be noted that all the States which have withdrawn the general consent are non-BJP ruling States. Legal outlook:- In the case of State of West Bengal & Ors. Vs. Committee for protection of Democratic Rights and Ors. (2010)3 SCC 571, the Honble Supreme Court was called upon to decide the question of whether the High Court under article 226 and the Supreme Court under article 32 of the Constitution of India, can direct the CBI investigation in cognizable offences which is alleged to have been taken place within the territorial jurisdiction of a state without the consent of that state Government? The question assumed significance on account of the involvement of two basic features of the Constitution, namely the federal structure and the power of judicial review. The constitution bench answered the question referred to it by holding that a direction by the High Court in the exercise of its jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution and the Supreme Court under Article 32 of the Constitution, to CBI to investigate the cognizable offence alleged to have been committed within the territory of that State without the consent of the State Government will neither impinge upon the federal structure of the constitution nor violate the doctrine of the power of separation and shall be valid in Law. The Supreme Court further reiterated that before directing inquiry by CBI, the Court should conclude after considering the material placed on record that such material does disclose a prima facie case calling for an investigation by CBI. Therefore the constitution bench has declared the law that in view of the constitutional scheme and the jurisdiction conferred on this court under article 32 of the constitution, the power of judicial review is an integral part of the basic structure of the constitution, therefore, any direction by the Supreme Court or High Court in the exercise of power under article 32 or 226 of the constitution to hand over the investigation to the CBI cannot be termed as violating the federal structure. An important question arises here what is the test that will indicate that the action of the State Government is unreasonable or arbitrary? In this regard, it is worth mentioning here that the law is already settled on this score that, if the Court concludes, after going through the materials placed before it, that the refusal on the part of the State Government to give consent for investigation by CBI in a given case is arbitrary, then and only then, the Court may direct investigation by CBI. So by virtue of law already settled and under the scheme of the constitution, the CBI investigation can be ordered by the three organs only i.e Central Government under the specific consent of the State Government where the alleged offence has been committed or cause of action arose, Supreme Court under article 32 of the constitution and the concerned High Court under article 226 of the constitution of India. Such direction for CBI investigation by these three organs does not violate the federal structure of the Constitution and surely is not an attack on the autonomy of the State. (The writer is a practicing Advocate in the Supreme Court of India. The article is not for the purpose of legal advice. Views are personal) The CBI investigation can only be ordered by the Central Government, the Supreme Court and the High Courts; this does not violate the federal structure of the Constitution Irrespective of the facts whether the CBI investigation is appropriate in a particular case or not people of the country have much reliance on this agency in comparison to other investing agencies and the state police. The establishment of the CBI is under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act 1946. Police is a State subject of list II. Section 2 of the Delhi special police establishment act 1946 provides for the constitution of a special police force for the investigation of union territory concerning offences notified in section 3 of said act. Section 5(1) says that the Central Government may by order extend the jurisdiction of CBI to any State. However, section 6 requires the consent of the State Government concerned to permit investigation of any offence within its territory. This requirement of consent is incorporated in the constitution of India in Entry 80 of List I which follows that the consent of the State Government is a condition precedent to be satisfied before calling upon the CBI to investigate any offence in that State. Alignment with the Federal Structure:- The consent of the State Government is required for permitting the investigation of any offence within its territory is consistent with the federal structure of the Constitution which ensures the autonomy of each State, in the matter of legislation and executive action. The consent can be in the form of General consent or specific consent concerning individual cases. Almost every State in India has provided the CBI with general consent to investigate within their State however at its discretion the State Government may withdraw the general consent at any time. As of now 8 States (Mizoram, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Kerala, Jharkhand and Punjab) have withdrawn their general consent required by the CBI to conduct an investigation in their respective states on the allegation that the Central Government was using the federal agency to destabilise the State Government. It is to be noted that all the States which have withdrawn the general consent are non-BJP ruling States. Legal outlook:- In the case of State of West Bengal & Ors. Vs. Committee for protection of Democratic Rights and Ors. (2010)3 SCC 571, the Honble Supreme Court was called upon to decide the question of whether the High Court under article 226 and the Supreme Court under article 32 of the Constitution of India, can direct the CBI investigation in cognizable offences which is alleged to have been taken place within the territorial jurisdiction of a state without the consent of that state Government? The question assumed significance on account of the involvement of two basic features of the Constitution, namely the federal structure and the power of judicial review. The constitution bench answered the question referred to it by holding that a direction by the High Court in the exercise of its jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution and the Supreme Court under Article 32 of the Constitution, to CBI to investigate the cognizable offence alleged to have been committed within the territory of that State without the consent of the State Government will neither impinge upon the federal structure of the constitution nor violate the doctrine of the power of separation and shall be valid in Law. The Supreme Court further reiterated that before directing inquiry by CBI, the Court should conclude after considering the material placed on record that such material does disclose a prima facie case calling for an investigation by CBI. Therefore the constitution bench has declared the law that in view of the constitutional scheme and the jurisdiction conferred on this court under article 32 of the constitution, the power of judicial review is an integral part of the basic structure of the constitution, therefore, any direction by the Supreme Court or High Court in the exercise of power under article 32 or 226 of the constitution to hand over the investigation to the CBI cannot be termed as violating the federal structure. An important question arises here what is the test that will indicate that the action of the State Government is unreasonable or arbitrary? In this regard, it is worth mentioning here that the law is already settled on this score that, if the Court concludes, after going through the materials placed before it, that the refusal on the part of the State Government to give consent for investigation by CBI in a given case is arbitrary, then and only then, the Court may direct investigation by CBI. So by virtue of law already settled and under the scheme of the constitution, the CBI investigation can be ordered by the three organs only i.e Central Government under the specific consent of the State Government where the alleged offence has been committed or cause of action arose, Supreme Court under article 32 of the constitution and the concerned High Court under article 226 of the constitution of India. Such direction for CBI investigation by these three organs does not violate the federal structure of the Constitution and surely is not an attack on the autonomy of the State. (The writer is a practicing Advocate in the Supreme Court of India. The article is not for the purpose of legal advice. Views are personal) The Communist rule in Kerala is a comedy of errors. While State welfare takes a backseat, the kith and kin of leaders enjoy plum posts Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the USA (1981-1989) was well known for his sense of humor and innocent observations about global affairs. One of his pastimes was to collect anecdotes associated with the then Soviet Union and Communism.. One of the anecdotes quoted by him was about a conversation between a US citizen and his counterpart from Soviet Union. In the course of the discussion, the US citizen told his Russian friend: Do you know that we have democracy and freedom in our country. Any US citizen can enter the Oval Office of the White House (office of the US President), bang his table and tell the President that Mr. Reagan, I dont like the way you run this country. We have that much freedom in the US. Pat came the reply from the Russian. Whats the big deal in it? We too can barge into the Kremlin (the center of power in Soviet Union), pound on our Presidents table and yell at him that "Comrade Gorbachev, I do not approve of the way President Reagan runs the US. The Communists have their own meaning for democracy. The best examples are the Peoples' Republic of China, and Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (North Korea). Though these countries used to swear by democracy, the fun is that people in these countries do not know the meaning of democracy! The official mouthpiece of CPI-M is Peoples Democracy!! Party workers and activists read only Deshabhimani (CPI-M owned newspaper) in Kerala. In party villages in north Malabar region (districts of Kannur, Kasaragod and to some extent in Kozhikode district) only CPI-M approved newspapers and periodicals are allowed. Party villages are those villages where the writ of the party only runs. There is no father-mother-son-daughter relations in these villages. Those who violate party diktats better leave the villages or they would end up as dead bodies. This is not exaggeration but the real facts which are happening in these villages. The Muslims who had voted for the UDF in the 2019 Lok Sabha election hoping a big win for the Congress were let down by the massive win registered by the BJP. They cast their lots with the Marxists in the 2021 assembly election. From Day One of their second tenure in 2021 nothing was working right for the CPI(M). The precedence of the State has been that whenever the Marxists come to power at Thiruvananthapuram, they jampack all government, semi-government and autonomous bodies with party cadres and their relatives. While P Sadasivam, the former Governor, danced to the tunes of the CPI-M, the present incumbent of Raj Bhavan, Arif Mohammed Khan, turned out to be a tough nut to crack. He put a spoke on the moves by the CPI-M to appoint party leaders/cadre/ and their relations as vice chancellors and faculties which made chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his sidekicks furious. Though the governor earned a lot of goodwill from the people of the State, for whom he was the true Leader of Opposition, the CPI-M government approached the Supreme Court asking for a directive to the Governor to sign the Bills passed by the Legislature and the council of ministers. Meanwhile the Supreme Court declared null and void the extension given to Gopinath Raveendran as vice chancellor of Kannur University. Raveendran, a fellow traveler of the CPI-M and a resident of the chief ministers village was appointed based on the pleas and persuasion of Vijayan and his minister for higher education Bindu (wife of CPI-M polit bureau member A Vijayaraghavan). It is an open secret that the names of vice-chancellors and faculty members have to be cleared by the State Committee of the CPI-M before they are appointed. The PhD degrees are awarded to scholars based on the recommendations made from AKG Centre, the imposing State head quarters of the CPI-M. Most of the Ph Ds awarded in arts and humanities have become a laughing stock in the academic world of Kerala. The PhD scholars themselves do not know the topic in which they have been awarded the doctorates. There was a time when job seekers from Kerala had made a beeline to Calcutta, Chennai and Mumbai to earn a livelihood. Now, fortune seekers from Bengal are flooding Keralas job market since the Left Front rule reached its zenith in Writers Building at Calcutta. A small town like Perumbavoor in Kerala has nearly two lakh Bengali migrant laborers working in plywood manufacturing units, timber mills, eateries, and hair dressing saloons. The State Government has no records of the migrant laborers from other States working in Kerala. It could be said with guarantee that there are no commercial or business establishments in Kerala where there are no migrant workers from Bengal and Tripura. Last heard, more than 1,000 persons which include students and job seekers, are leaving Kerala shores per day to Europe, America, Australia, Africa according to Father Alexander Koodarathil, director, Dr K M Cheriyan Institute of Heart Sciences. They will not come back to Kerala and are migrating for good, said the respected spiritual leader while addressing a public meeting. (The writer is special correspondent with the Pioneer; views are personal) The humanitarian crisis is getting worse with each passing day in Gaza. The clamour for ceasefire grows as civilians bear the brunt The Israel-Hamas conflict, which began with a sudden attack on October 7 by Hamas resulting in the death of 1,200 Israeli civilians, the Israeli army continues its bombardment of civilian areas, including refugee camps in Gaza. This has led to 85% of the 2.3 million Gazans leaving their homes. Despite this, the Israeli Prime Minister has pledged to prolong the war until Hamas is eliminated. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the conflict has resulted in approximately 21,507 deaths and 55,915 injuries since October 7. Hamas, identified as an Islamic terrorist group supported by Iran and other regional actors, is the target of Israel's military action. However, critics argue that Israel's approach is causing significant harm to the Palestinian civilian population, infrastructure, environment, and biodiversity, even as it claims to be targeting only Hamas. The Israeli army and political leadership are directing their anger towards those they believe allowed Hamas to operate in Gaza after the initial attack on October 9. While Palestinians may or may not sympathize with Hamas, it is argued that they should not be held accountable for the attack. The UN Secretary-General contextualizes the situation, stating that the Palestinian people have endured 56 years of occupation, with their land consumed by settlements and marred by violence. The involvement of the Palestinian population in the conflict is largely involuntary, and they find themselves caught in the crossfire. The Israeli forces show no discrimination in their attacks, impacting permanent Palestinian residents who had to flee to Southern Gaza for refuge. The ongoing war sees the Israeli army targeting hostages, assaulting journalists and photographers, and obstructing UN humanitarian aid, exacerbating shortages of food, water, medicines, and electricity in the region. The indiscriminate approach to targeting both terrorists and civilians has led to deaths, disease, and displacement among the Palestinian population. Israel's confidence and unyielding stance are attributed to unwavering support from the US, which has vetoed UN resolutions for an immediate ceasefire and provided military assistance without congressional approval. The US administration justifies these actions by citing the urgency of Israel's defensive needs. Accusations of "genocidal acts against the Palestinian people in Gaza" have prompted South Africa to approach the International Court of Justice. The British ambassador to the UN warns of a humanitarian catastrophe if the conflict continues, despite the UK joining the US in vetoing a UN ceasefire resolution. Most other countries, including India, advocate for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Despite international calls for a ceasefire, Israel rejects them, with Prime Minister Netanyahu asserting that the war will continue until its conclusion. The US remains firm in its support, emphasiing its commitment to Israel's security. Critics argue that the US's steadfast support for Israel stems more from geopolitical interests and the arms trade than a genuine commitment to Israel's well-being or a two-state solution. Concerns are raised about the potential escalation of the conflict into a regional, multi-front war involving proxy forces supported by Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. To prevent further escalation, advocates for humanistic values and peace call for the cessation of hostilities, a ceasefire, and a commitment to the two-state solution as the only path to sustainable peace. The UN Secretary-General emphasises that the grievances of the Palestinian people should not justify the horrific attacks by Hamas, and these attacks should not result in the collective punishment of the Palestinian population. (The writer is a retired professor from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and a member, of the governing council, INTACH; views are personal) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday he was happy to be back in Nepal and looking forward to his engagements in the country, as he arrived here on a two-day visit to co-chair with his Nepalese counterpart the seventh Nepal-India Joint Commission meeting here. It is Jaishankar's first visit to a foreign country in 2024. Jaishankar will co-chair a meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Commission along with his Nepalese counterpart N P Saud. Jaishankar was accorded a warm welcome by Saud at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). Nepal's Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal and other senior officials also welcomed Jaishankar at the airport. "Happy to be back in Nepal for my first visit of 2024. Looking forward to the engagements over the next two days," Jaishankar posted on X. The India-Nepal Joint Commission was established in 1987 and provides a platform for both sides to review all aspects of the bilateral partnership. "Nepal is a priority partner of India under its 'Neighbourhood First' Policy. The visit is in keeping with the tradition of high-level exchanges between two close and friendly neighbours," the Ministry of External Affairs said in New Delhi. During the Joint Commission meeting, the entire gamut of Nepal-India relations will be reviewed, according to Nepal's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Amrit Bahadur Rai. "The bilateral meeting will mainly focus on ways to strengthen Nepal-India relations in the days ahead and on maximising benefits for both the countries through enhanced partnership between them, Rai told PTI ahead of the visit. During his visit, Jaishankar will pay a courtesy call on President Ramchandra Paudel and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda", the Foreign Ministry said. He is also scheduled to meet senior political leaders of Nepal, Foreign Ministry sources said. Saud will also host a dinner in honour of Jaishankar and members of his delegation. Jaishankar on Friday will also inaugurate Tribhuvan University Library in Kirtipur and other post-earthquake construction projects being undertaken with the Indian assistance in Kathmandu before he returns to India wrapping up his visit. This is Jaishankar's first official visit to Nepal after Prachanda assumed the post of Prime Minister for the third time in December 2022. It is expected that both sides will sign an agreement on the modalities that would facilitate Nepal exporting 10,000 megawatts of power to India in the next 10 years in line with a decision taken by the leadership of the two countries in June last year. In June 2023, 'Prachanda' visited New Delhi during which both sides signed several major pacts including one on increasing New Delhi's import of power from the neighbouring country to 10,000 MW in the next 10 years from the current 450 megawatts. Nepal is important for India in the context of its overall strategic interests in the region, and the leaders of the two countries have often noted the age-old "Roti Beti" relationship. Nepal shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states - Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In a rare commendation, Global Times, a prominent Beijing-based Chinese media outlet, has published an article praising Indias significant strides in economic development, social governance, and foreign policy under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This rare acknowledgment of Indias advancements and Prime Minister Modis strategic vision by Global Times signifies the growing recognition of Indias burgeoning global influence and the implications of its assertive posture on the international landscape. The article, written by Zhang Jiadong, the Director of the Centre for South Asian Studies at Fudan University, Shanghai, highlights Indias remarkable achievements over the past four years. It acknowledges Indias robust economic growth, improvements in urban governance, and a shift in attitude towards international relations, notably with China. For instance, when discussing the trade imbalance between China and India, Indian representatives previously primarily focused on Chinas measures to reduce the trade imbalance. However, they are now placing more emphasis on Indias export potential, as noted by the author. The article notably commends Indias proactive approach in fostering a Bharat narrative, emphasising the nations strategic confidence. The author states that, with its rapid economic and social development, India has become more strategically confident and proactive in creating and developing a Bharat narrative. In the political and cultural spheres, India has shifted from emphasising its democratic consensus with the West to highlighting the Indian feature of democratic politics. Currently, there is even more emphasis on the Indian origins of democratic politics, he adds. This shift, the author asserts, reflects Indias ambition to escape its historical colonial shadow and position itself as a global influencer, both politically and culturally. Furthermore, the article lauds Indias foreign policy strategy under Prime Minister Modi, highlighting the nations multi-alignment approach and the strengthening of ties with major global powers like the US, Japan, and Russia while displaying a nuanced stance in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The article notes that Indias strategic thinking in foreign policy has undergone another change and is clearly moving toward a great power strategy. Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed power, he has advocated for a multi-alignment strategy, promoting Indias relations with the US, Japan, Russia, and other countries and regional organisations, says Professor Zhang. The article notes that India has always considered itself a world power. However, it has been less than 10 years since India shifted from multi-balancing to multi-alignment, and now it is rapidly transforming toward a strategy of becoming a pole in the multipolar world. In conclusion, the author states, It appears that a transformed, stronger, and more assertive India has become a new geopolitical factor that many countries need to consider. YS Sharmila, the daughter of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy and founder of YSR Telangana Party, joined the Congress here on Thursday. She also announced the merger of her YSR Telangana Congress with the Congress, and said she would fulfil any responsibility given to her. Sharmila joined the Congress in the presence of party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and former party president Rahul Gandhi. She later met Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi at her residence. Lauding the Congress, she said it is the largest and most secular party in the country as it unwaveringly serves all communities and unites all sections of people. I am very happy to be merging the YSR Telangana party with the Congress. It gives me immense joy that the YSR Telangana party is going to be a part of the Indian National Congress from today onwards, she said. Describing her father and former Chief Minister YSR Reddy as a legendary leader of the Telugu people, she said he not only served the Congress all his life, but also gave his life serving the Congress. Today, it would give him great joy that his daughter is following in his footsteps and is going to be a part of the Congress itself, she said. The Congress is still the largest secular party of our country. The Congress has always upheld the true culture of India. The Congress has built our nations foundations. The Congress has unwaveringly served all communities, uniting all sections of the people of India, Sharmila said in the presence of top party leadership. I truly honour the Congress because it is the most secular party, the largest secular party of the country, she said. She said Rahul Gandhi has won the confidence of the people with his Bharat Jodo Yatra and that also led to the partys victory in Karnataka. Sharmila said she was happy that she was part of the Congress victory in Telangana. She had announced her support to the Congress during the recent assembly polls in Telangana to end the alleged corrupt and anti-people rule of the BRS led by K Chandrasekhar Rao. I also realised that is going to have a domino effect in Telangana and, therefore, I graciously withheld from contesting in Telangana. Congress stood a chance of victory in Telangana and we did not want to break the anti-KCR vote. The Congress won in Telangana and I am most happy that we contributed a part to that victory, she said. She said it was her fathers dream to see Rahul Gandhi as prime minister and she would be happy to contribute to it. It was my fathers dream to see Rahul Gandhi as prime minister of our country and I am very glad that I am going to be a part in making that happen. Whatever responsibility the Congress will lay on me, I promise to fulfil that responsibility with all loyalty, integrity and diligence, Sharmila said. In a post on X, she later said she is delighted on merging the YSR Telangana Party with the Congress, the party her father belonged to, the party that he lived in, that he served tirelessly, and breathed his last in. This moment would make him most ecstatic and nothing can be more heartening than this homecoming for me, she said. Back to the party that is the biggest secular party in the country and upholds the pluralistic and true culture of India and had built this nation from its foundation, unwaveringly serving all communities, uniting all, she said. As much as the daughter of YSR I will perform as the soldier of Congress for the people of the country, to uphold democratic values, protect constitutional rights and preserve unity and brotherhood amid current disturbing trends perpetrated from divisive forces, she also said in her post. Sharmila earlier during her joining also raised the issue of ethnic violence in Manipur, and said as a Christian it pained me that such cruelty took place in Manipur. She said 2,000 churches were vandalised and 60,000 people became homeless in the state. That kind of cruelty is something that I have not been able to digest even to this day. That struck me that this is what will happen if a secular party is not in power, she said. Therefore, I am joining the Congress and merging the YSR Telangana Party with the Congress very gladly today because I know that the Congress will uphold all sections of the people in Indian society, she asserted. After chairing her party meeting on Tuesday in Hyderabad, Sharmila had said she and other leaders will meet the top leadership of the Congress, including Kharge, and make a crucial announcement in Delhi. Sharmila is the younger sister of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy. On a day when Sharmila joined the Congress, her brother YS Jagan Mohan Reddy met former Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao, who is recuperating after a hip replacement surgery. The Opposition bloc INDIA is showing signs of complete disarray. One of the major stakeholders in the alliance, Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena, has reached out to JDU president Nitish Kumar, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, Chief Ministers Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, and NCP boss Sharad Pawar to quickly work out the appointment of a convener for the INDIA bloc, aiming for better coordination as the crucial Lok Sabha polls could be announced anytime now. On Thursday, a coordination meeting of the bloc was held at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, with the presence of party leader Rahul Gandhi and others. Briefing the media about the meeting, Congress general secretary Mukul Wasnik said a report presentation was made to Kharge and others, resolving to swiftly work on the seat-sharing formula. Congress coordination committee held several rounds of meetings with the State leaders pertaining to the Lok Sabha seats within their jurisdiction. Sooner the aspects of these will be discussed with the other stakeholders of the INDIA bloc to consolidate the talks on seat sharing as the consensus is to instal a INDIA bloc government at the Centre by dislodging the Modi-led BJPs misrule, Wasnik said. On the other hand, Congress expressed displeasure with their INDIA coalition partners Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal and AAP in Punjab and Delhi. Sources said that Thackeray called all the leaders over the phone and is believed to have proposed the name of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as the convener of the largest Opposition coalition. It is reported that a virtual meeting of Opposition parties will take place this week to endorse the decision. Uddhav has also discussed the matter with Congress senior leader KC Venugopal regarding the post of convener and will soon hold talks with other members of the alliance. In a swift decision, Nitish Kumar was elected Janata Dal (United) president at the partys national executive meeting last week, with incumbent Lalan Singh stepping down, charged with hobnobbing with RJD and Congress. Nitish was also reportedly not happy when Mamata and Kejriwal proposed the name of Kharge as the alliances Prime Ministerial candidate. Sources said that Kejriwal, who is currently embroiled in an ED summons controversy, has expressed his support for Nitish Kumar as the convener after talks with Uddhav. Nitish Kumar was very crucial in forming INDIA alliance. The Congress will not have a problem with the decision as there will be two top posts in the alliance chairperson and convener, said Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesman Sanjay Raut. Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction leader Supriya Sule also commented on the matter, saying that she has not received any confirmation on Nitish Kumars appointment as the convener. On December 19, the INDIA bloc parties held their fourth meeting in Delhi where Mamata proposed Kharge as PM candidate. In a statement that may upset stakeholders, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said on Thursday that the AICC has instructed the state unit to contest all 13 seats. In todays meeting, there was no discussion about seat sharing or alliance in Punjab. We are prepared to compete for all 13 seats. Discussions about candidates and election strategy will take place in the next couple of months, said Raja. Last week, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, leading the AAP-led government, sparked a war of words between Congress and AAP when he remarked, Sooner, people will say once upon a time there was a Congress, indicating that the grand old party is fading out. On the matter of seat sharing in West Bengal for the Lok Sabha polls, State Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury took on the ruling TMC in the State, commenting that Mamatas real intention is now evident. They are saying that they (TMC) will give two seats (to Congress) in West Bengal. Those seats already have Congress MPs. What new are they giving us? We won these two seats by defeating Mamata Banerjee and the BJP. What favour are they doing to us? Who will trust her (Mamata Banerjee)? It is Mamata who needs Congress to win... Congress can fight and is capable of winning more seats on its own. We will show. We dont need to keep these two seats on Mamatas pity.., Chaudhary said on Thursday in Kolkatta. Meanwhile Congress panel entrusted with drafting the partys manifesto for the coming Lok Sabha elections held its first meeting on Thursday and discussed various points to be included in the document. In its bid to wrest power from the BJP after 10 years, the Congress is aiming to present an alternative positive agenda to the public. This was the first meeting of the manifesto committee. It was an exchange of preliminary thoughts and ideas, and how we proceed with the drafting of the manifesto. The next meeting will take place next week, panel chairperson P Chidambaram said after the meeting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi literally rocked Thrissur city on Wednesday by holding a 1.5 km long road show and addressing a mammoth womens rally organised by the BJP State unit. The impact his speech made on the women could be understood by the fact that they returned home singing Modiyude Guarantee (Modis Guarantee), a term the Prime Minister used to emphasise the measures implemented by his government over the last ten years. Furthermore, the Prime Minister declared that the Congress-led UDF and the CPI(M)-led LDF were two sides of the same coin. These two alliances were cheating and swindling the people of the State alternately. Please understand that there is no difference between these fronts except in their names. What they are doing is stealing money meant for development and blaming Narendra Modi for the failures. The Kerala Government accepts with glee all funds allocated by the Centre for various development programmes and squanders them away, denying the poor and downtrodden the benefits of development. No infrastructure projects have started due to the anti-people policies of the LDF and the UDF, while the rest of the nation is progressing with state-of-the-art roads, highways, rail, and airports, lambasted the Prime Minister. The 40-minute-long speech by the Prime Minister was a charge sheet against the CPM-led Government and the INDI alliance, in which the Communists play a crucial role. Under the pretext of the Hate Modi campaign, the Communists are cheating the poor people. However, over the last decade, we have played a significant role in empowering the women of the country. The free LPG connections issued to women, the PM Awaaz Yojana in which women were given equal rights while allocating houses - all these were part of the Modi Guarantee we made in 2014. We have liberated our Muslim sisters from the shackles of Triple Talaq and made 33 per cent compulsory reservation for women in Parliament and legislatures, said the Prime Minister. It is worth noting that Kerala is one of the States that is yet to implement the Aayushman Bharat scheme, which assures free medical aid to the poor. Modi also pointed out the criticism by the CPM government in Kerala that the Centre was not allocating the funds requested by the State. We have given them more than what they have asked for. But when we ask them how they have spent the money, they get furious, said the Prime Minister. Referring to the Christmas lunch he hosted for spiritual leaders and eminent persons of the Christian community recently, the Prime Minister mentioned that he was blessed by Christian spiritual leaders and wished by the citizens during the meeting. The BJP has come to power in North Eastern States, which are Christian-majority States, and this itself is an answer to our critics. The BJP has embraced Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Viswas as our guiding principle. But what is the CPI(M) doing in Kerala? They are destroying the sanctity of temples and subverting Hindu festivals like the famous Thrissur Pooram, said the Prime Minister. The main attraction of the speech was the Prime Minister himself describing the achievements of his government as Modiyude Guarantee in Malayalam, which the assembled crowd embraced. The crowd that turned up for this meeting was unprecedented. I have never seen such a crowd in the last 50 years, except for the Thrissur Pooram. This is a historical event, said Nandakishore, the unofficial cultural ambassador of Thrissur. The BJP succeeded in assembling eminent women, including Olympian PT Usha MP, actress Shobhana, musician Vijayalakshmi, scientist Dr Sosamma (credited with saving the Vechoor cows from extinction), billionaire fashion designer Beena Kannan, and Mariuakutty, the poor woman from Idukki who has been battling against the CPM government for her old-age pension. The meeting is designated as the prelude to the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Thursday referred an alleged scam involving ghost patients at Mohalla Clinics in Delhi to the CBI. According to the allegations, fake pathology and radiology tests were conducted on non-existent patients at Mohalla Clinics, aiming to make illegal payments to private labs in the guise of referrals as part of the purported scam. This development follows Saxenas recent directive for a CBI probe into the alleged supply of drugs to Delhi government hospitals that failed quality standard tests. The impact assessment report from the Delhi Government Health Department has revealed concerning findings. In 11,657 records from these seven Mohalla Clinics, patients mobile numbers were listed as zero. Furthermore, in 8,251 cases, the mobile number column was left blank, and in 3,092 cases, the mobile numbers were entered as 9999999999. Officials also identified 400 entries with non-existent mobile numbers starting with 1-5, and 999 cases where the same mobile number was associated with 15 or more patients. The report raised questions about the legitimacy of prescriptions, as doctors marked attendance through pre-recorded videos. An official queried, Who prescribed these tests and medicines to patients non-medical staff? An enquiry was conducted by the vigilance and Delhi Governments health departments at the Mohalla Clinics to investigate the lab investigations outsourced to private diagnostic companies. According to the enquiry report shared by the LGs office, fake and non-existent mobile numbers were used to register patients and for subsequent lab tests supposedly done on them. Duplication of mobile numbers was also allegedly noticed. The data has clearly revealed that fake lab tests were carried out at these Mohalla Clinics, warranting further inquiry, said an official from the LGs office. The alleged scam came to light in September 2023 when it was observed that some doctors and staff at seven Mohalla Clinics in South-West, Shahdara, and North-East districts were fraudulently marking their attendance through pre-recorded videos. The Delhi Government initiated a facility to provide 450 types of medical tests for free to impoverished patients at Mohalla Clinics across the city starting from January 1 of the previous year. Two private companies were hired to conduct these tests. The assessment report specified that the seven Mohalla Clinics subjected to the impact assessment were located in Jaffar Kalan, Ujwa, Shikarpur, Gopal Nagar, Dhansa, Jagjeet Nagar, and Bihari Colony areas. Recommending a CBI probe into alleged fake laboratory tests in Aam Aadmi Mohalla clinics, Saxena said, It is deeply upsetting that such fraud is allowed to be perpetrated on the general public. In December 2022, the Delhi Government increased the number of free lab tests offered at state-run hospitals and Mohalla clinics from 212 to 450. Despite the LGs approval of the proposal, an audit of tests prescribed at health facilities, as requested by the LG, was not carried out. Officials suggest that the scam may involve hundreds of crores of rupees. Reacting to this, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said the AAP Government had last year de-empanelled several doctors and staffers at Mohalla clinics for wrongdoings and also demanded the sacking of the health secretary. According to officials, grave fraudulent practices have been found to be prevalent in the lab tests being carried out in the name of patients visiting Delhi government hospitals and Mohalla clinics, with payments being made to private labs. It is indicative of a scam running in hundreds of crores (of rupees). Saxena had issued these directions while clearing a file pertaining to the extension of lab testing services to private parties for patients visiting Mohalla clinics and Delhi government hospitals in December 2022, an official said. The Delhi governments Vigilance and Health Departments carried out an investigation to look into the lab investigations that were being outsourced to private diagnostic companies. In August last year, it was found that some doctors and staff of seven Mohalla clinics in southwest, Shahdara, and North-East districts resorted to unethical practice to fraudulently mark their attendance through pre-recorded videos, the official said. Patients at these Mohalla Clinics were provided medical consultation, and medicines were disbursed by unauthorised staff in the absence of doctors, endangering the lives of the patients, the official said. In September last year, action was taken against the staff, and they were de-empanelled, and FIRs were lodged against them, he said. Subsequently, a review of sample lab testing data for three months July to September last year - retrieved from two private service providers was carried out. It was found that fake or non-existent mobile numbers were used for the registration of patients and subsequent lab tests that were supposedly done on them, the official said. Also, there was duplication of mobile numbers. The data has clearly revealed that fake lab tests were carried out at these Mohalla clinics that need to be further inquired, the official said. Reacting to Saxenas recommendation of a CBI probe, Bharadwaj said the health secretary should be held responsible for the sub-standard medicines being supplied in Delhi government hospitals and the alleged scam at Mohalla clinics. In September last year, the AAP government had announced the de-empanelment of 26 staffers, including seven doctors, posted at Mohalla clinics for allegedly trying to manipulate the attendance system, the minister said during a press conference here. If there are complaints about the standard of medicines or patient records in Mohalla clinics, officials are responsible for it. We have already said that action should be taken against the health secretary but nothing has been done, he said. Why not suspend the health secretary? What are you waiting for? These people (senior officials) have been deployed by them (LG and BJP government at the Centre) only, he said. In December 2022, the Aam Aadmi Party government announced that it would provide 450 types of medical tests free of cost at its hospitals and health centres from January 1, 2023. In a sensational case, a 27-year-old Gurugram-based model identified as Divya Pahuja was allegedly murdered under suspicious circumstances at a hotel in City Point in Gurugram, police said. It is being said that the woman was allegedly killed by Abhijeet Singh the owner of City Point Hotel where the murder took place and his two associates Prakash and Indraj on Tuesday, police said. However, sources said that the trio accused had been arrested by the Gurugram crime branch earlier in the day. Both Prakash and Indraj used to work in Abhijeet's hotel. Sources said, Abhijeet killed the woman and then paid his associates Rs 10 lakh to dispose of her body. The police have also collected CCTV footage where the culprits can be seen escaping the crime seen the crime spot in a blue BMW var, carrying Divya's body in the boot. Apart from this, the CCTV footage, shows Abhijeet, the young woman, and another person arriving at the hotel reception on January 2 and proceeding to room number 111. Later, on the same night, Abhijeet and others were seen dragging Divya's body inside the hotel wrapped in a sheet. "Based on CCTV footage, the city police have started investigating the matter with several teams from the Crime Branch conducting raids in Punjab and other areas to recover the body. A case of murder has been registered against Abhijeet and others based on the complaint filed by Divya's family," said a senior police officer requesting anonymity. Divya's family has also alleged that her murder was conspired by gangster Sandeep Gadoli's family, in collusion with Abhijeet. Divya, reportedly the girlfriend of gangster Sandeep Gadoli, who was killed in a controversial encounter in Mumbai in February 2016, was also accused of being a police informant at that time. The former model and prime accused in the murder of gangster Sandeep Gadoli was granted bail by Bombay High Court in June last year. The Commissionerate police arrested eight members of notorious inter-State Pahadi Gang which was involved in number of loots in the capital city. City DCP Prateek Singh said the arrested accused hail from Jharkhand and West Bengal. The gang members are active in States like Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha and they keep moving from one place to another to evade police action, Singh said. Based on an intelligence inputs, a police team conducted a raidand nabbed the accused. The police have seized 22 mobile phones, Rs. 1.30 lakh cash, many SIM cards and memory chips from their possessions, the DCP said. The DCP said the criminals used to loot passengers in Mo Bus and in other areas of Bhubaneswar. They used to steal the mobile phones from people, hack the UPI and steal money from their bank accounts. As many eight cases against them are pending in capital police station. In one such case, they hacked the mobile of a victim and cleaned off Rs 14 lakh from his bank account. It is worth mentioning that several cases have been registered against these accused persons in the police stations of Odisha and other States. The gang members get divided into small groups and spread into different parts of Bhubaneswar, Puri, Cuttack other areas in and outside Odisha. Investigation was going on and more members of the gang would be arrested soon, police said. As the specter of Lok Sabha elections looms, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has kickstarted its strategic maneuvers in Punjab. Senior party leaders put their heads together on Wednesday in Chandigarh to take the pulse of the state's political landscape. Meetings with state BJP office bearers, district unit heads, in-charges of different wings, amng others were held during which, the party engaged in a comprehensive analysis, drawing insights from the contrasting outcomes in the recent assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The saffron party has been closely monitoring the political dynamics in Punjab since the Shiromani Akali Dal severed ties with the BJP over the agricultural laws. Although the Central Government has repealed the contentious laws, occasional headlines hint at discussions about the SAD rejoining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). At the same time, in an apparent attempt to consolidate its position, the BJP is also emphasizing the need for awareness among the voters about various schemes and programs run by the Central Government, especially concerning the Sikh community and the Punjabis. As the political landscape in Punjab undergoes constant evolution, the BJP is actively shaping its strategy and outreach efforts, aiming to secure a robust position in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The state party affairs in-charge Vijay Rupani was in Chandigarh to hold discussions with the state leaders and have a ground reality check of the prevailing state of affairs in Punjab. With all the political parties in the state already in full swing, navigating alliance dynamics and fortifying their networks, speculations about the alliance between the BJP and the Shiromani Akali Dal have been gaining traction. Vijay Rupani, Gujarats former Chief Minister of Gujarat, also added fuel to these speculations with his recent statement indicating that alliances with Akali Dal are conceivable, and anything could unfold. However, at the same time, Rupani made it clear that the decision to form an alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal rests with the top leadership. In fact, not wasting any moment, he declared that the BJP is gearing up to contest all 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab. Rupani's remarks underscore the BJP's preparedness for a solo contest in the Lok Sabha elections, highlighting their determination to contest on all 13 seats in Punjab. The party is leveraging its national achievements, such as the successful space mission and key policy decisions, to strengthen its campaign. The alliance, if materialized, could reshape the political equation in Punjab, presenting a united front against rival parties. While alliances can bring strength through combined voter bases and shared resources, the intricacies of negotiations and power-sharing agreements demand astute political maneuvering which is crucial, said a senior BJP leader. Notably, the state BJP unit is set to hold a series of meetings for the three days to deliberate on the Punjab scenario for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Take Centres Achievements to Every Doorstep: Jakhar to party cadre In a rallying call to the state BJP leaders and cadre, Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar outlined a vision to propel the party's achievements under the BJP-led Central Government to every citizen's doorstep. Addressing the state BJP in-charges and morcha heads, Jakhar set a formidable goal of securing 400 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, up from the current 303. Lauding BJP's success in states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh, Jakhar called upon the party cadre to reach out to every citizen in every village and city, countering what he termed as the divisive politics of the Congress. Reflecting on a crucial meeting held in Delhi last month, where top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister, BJP national president JP Nadda, discussed strategies for the 2024 polls, Jakhar emphasized that the BJP had earned the right to seek votes across India by fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of every Indian. Calling for an extensive outreach, Jakhar urged the party members to ensure optimal publicity and awareness, especially among the needy, regarding various Central Government schemes. He emphasized the importance of translating these initiatives into tangible benefits for the people and not letting them remain confined to paperwork. The ongoing Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, Jakhar stressed, presented a golden opportunity to spread awareness about transformative schemes, including Vishwakarma Scheme, Aayushman, Kissan Samman Nidhi, and Ujjwala Scheme. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)on Wednesday accused the BJP-led Centre of hatching a conspiracy to arrest Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to stop him from campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls. Kejriwal on Wednesday skipped the third summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate in the Delhi excise policy case and sent a written reply calling the notice illegal. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), however, asserted that Kejriwal was ready to cooperate with the agency but claimed the summonses were sent with the intention of arresting him. "Why has the notice been sent right before elections? The notice is an attempt to stop Kejriwal from campaigning in elections," the party alleged. AAP leader and Delhi cabinet minister Atishi called the summons a "political" vendetta and said the ED has not responded to Kejriwal's repeated written requests seeking clarity on why he was being called for questioning. "Arvind Kejriwal has repeatedly asked the ED to tell in what capacity is he being summoned. He has also asked the ED to send all the concerned inquiries in the form of a questionnaire which will be answered duly," Atishi said, adding that the AAP is not afraid of "such summons". "The ED and the CBI have become a political tool for the Bharatiya Janata Party to attack the opposition leaders," she said. Corroborating her views, Delhi minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj questioned the timing of the ED summons. "The ED has still not answered in what capacity is he (Kejriwal) being summoned -- as a witness or an accused," Bharadwaj said while addressing a press conference here. "The entire excise policy case is political and an attempt to stop Kejriwal from campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls. The BJP-led Centre has hatched a conspiracy to get him arrested," he added. Bharadwaj said former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, who has been in jail for nearly a year, will be proven innocent sooner or later. The minister also claimed that the threat of arrests and inquiries by the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation only looms over the opposition leaders while those from the BJP don't face any action in cases against them. AAP Delhi state convener Gopal Rai said they were ready to cooperate if the ED legally wants answers from them but were "not bound" to answer BJP's summons. "ED is BJP and BJP is ED. Arvind Kejriwal asked some questions to the ED (in his written reply), but they are yet to respond. Meanwhile, BJP leaders are responding on behalf of the ED. Why? It seems like BJP leaders have become the spokespersons for the ED. This is BJP's summons we are not bound to respond to them," Rai, who is also Delhi's Environment minister said. AAP's chief national spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said that the BJP is only afraid of one leader -- Kejriwal. The BJP on Wednesday mounted a concerted and savage attack on AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal for ignoring the Enforcement Directorate's summons for the third time, saying the Delhi chief minister is shaking in fear. The BJP further said Kejriwal is not appearing before the Enforcement Directorate because he knows that he is the "kingpin" of the alleged liquor policy scam. The party also called him 'kattar beimaan' (staunchly corrupt)and claimed that Kejriwal did not want the truth to come out. The BJP's reaction came after Kejriwal skipped the third summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi excise policy case and sent a written reply calling the notice "illegal". Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit reminded Kejriwal about his fight against corruption and called him a cheater of his own ideology. Following the development, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla hit out at the Delhi Chief Minister and alleged he had "something to hide"."Today, once again Arvind Kejriwal has skipped the third summon. This shows that there is something to hide, and that is why he is absconding like a criminal. Courts have not given bail to Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, and the courts have established that there is a money trail, despite all this they are playing the same victim card," (sic) he wrote on X and posted a video. Reacting sharply, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said, "Outright dishonest and sinister Arvind Kejriwal is shaking in fear and making one after another lame excuse to skip ED summons." "It won't be wrong to say that Kejriwal is afraid today because he knows that his arrest is imminent, he is aware that he is the kingpin and has no answers (to ED's questions). That's why he is trying to evade the process of law," Bhatia told reporters at a press conference at the party headquarters. The BJP leader said it would have never happened in the history of independent India that someone "ordered" a probe agency to withdraw its summons. "But a corrupt and sinister Arvind Kejriwal tells ED to withdraw its summons. Mr Arvind Kejriwal, you are not above the law," he charged, saying it is the right of the probe agencies to take action against corruption "as per evidence". Bhatia said that if Kejriwal felt that the ED had issued summons to him out of any alleged "political vendetta", he should have approached the court seeking relief. "Such dramas will not help because Kejriwal knows that handcuffs are coming closer to him," Bhatia alleged. Kejriwal, who once used to talk about eradicating corruption in India, has himself become a "corrupt termite" in politics, and he has a misconception that he is above the law, Bhatia alleged Bhatia also targeted the INDIA bloc of opposition parties, questioning their "silence" on the issue of corruption. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said the way Kejriwal is avoiding the ED summons clearly shows that he does not have faith in the administrative and judicial system of the country... If Kejriwal finds the ED notices wrong, he should go to the courts but he will not do that. "He knows that his is a clear case of corruption and it is almost impossible to get relief from the courts. The people to whom Kejriwal had shown dreams in the year 2013 are feeling cheated today ," Sachdeva claimed. Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri also advised Kejriwal to join the investigation in the liquor scam to avoid further embarrassment in future. On the publication of the tender of Bokaro Medical College, a grand civic felicitation of Bokaro MLA Biranchi Narayan at Subhash Cooperative was organised by Saint Xavier's Colony ,Subhash Cooperative, Kailash Nagar. The secretary of the committee read out the development works of Legislator Biranchi Narayan and presented a congratulatory letter as memento. Bokaro MLA Biranchi Narayan, while addressing the colony residents present, said that proper development of Bokaro assembly constituency is the first priority and efforts will be made to solve the problems of the people of the area in time. The MLA also said that with the construction of a medical college and the opening of a multi-super specialty hospital, the health services of Bokaro will improve and thousands of youth will get employment opportunities and students will not have to go out for medical education which is the biggest concern now a days seeking identity of Bokaro as educational hub. Further MLA said that efforts are being made to open a stadium, engineering college, science centre, planetarium, indoor stadium and model women's college and apart from these all Bokaro residents are also getting the benefits of all the ambitious schemes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Legislator Seeing enthusiasm of gathering said that the work and the blessings of all gives us energy to accelerate the development of the area. On the said occasion, BJP District General Secretary Sanjay Tyagi, City President Pannalal Kandu, Om Prakash Sharma, Pradeep Sharma, KN Singh, Dr. RP Singh, Mukesh Chaurasia, Buddheshwar Ghoshal, Uday Singh, Prakash Pramanik, SDN Singh, Kailash Singh , Rajesh Ghoshal, Jhantu De, Shiv Shankar Rai, Dinesh Singh, Gajendra Yadav, Ved Prakash Rai, Tara Shah, etc were present. Haryana DGP releases three legal books authored by KP Singh Chandigarh: Haryana Director General of Police, Shatrujeet Kapur on Wednesday released three books on legal provisionsnamely, The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023, The Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023. These works were authored by former Director General of Police, Dr. KP Singh. With these three books, Dr. Singh's literary contributions have now reached a milestone of 30 books. Ramesh Inder Singh's book 'Dukhant Punjab Da' released Chandigarh: Former Chief Secretary Ramesh Inder Singh's book 'Dukhant Punjab Da', was released here on Wednesday. The book which is an eye-opening account of before and after Blue Star throws serious light on the past and present history of Punjab. Singh was the Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar during Operation Blue Star and he has described the situation as he saw it with his own eyes in this book. He was later promoted and retired from the post of Chief Secretary. He said, Starting from the year 1978, Punjab went through a volcanic period in which there was endless violence. These few years were to determine the direction of our history. After the country's independence, perhaps no other domestic crisis would have had such a deep impact. But 40 years after the Blue Star incident, we still hear conflicting stories about what happened and how. This book 'Dukhant Punjab Da' is an eye-witness account of this historical accident and those years. The book gives a detailed description of the past events which shows the situation of insurgency from its beginning to its end, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Wednesday, said that the One District One Products (ODOPs) from all the 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh should be graded and postage stamps should be released on them to get the products global recognition. Yogi said that every countryman was happy to see the progress of Uttar Pradesh, while the world was surprised because before 2017, there was an atmosphere of despair, frustration and anarchy in the state. Addressing a MSME mega loan distribution program organised at Lok Bhavan in which of Rs 51,000 crore were distributed, the chief minister said, UP is heading towards becoming the largest economy in the country with the highest growth rate and economic development rate. Emphasising the importance of teamwork, he said that when people work collectively, the desired results are achieved. We have entered the year 2024. In these past seven years, the state has jumped from its position of sixth-seventh economy to become the second-largest economy in the country today, he remarked. During the event, Chief Minister Yogi distributed the first installment for the construction of Pledge Parks in Mathura, Amroha, Sitapur and Meerut under the PLEDGE Scheme. He also inaugurated three Common Facility Centres in Saharanpur, Moradabad, and Sambhal under the ODOP scheme and handed over the approval letter to the CFC team of Kaushambi. The chief minister also distributed cheques and tool kits to a dozen beneficiaries of ODOP and Vishwakarma Shram Samman schemes. Under the Mission Shakti, he handed over the keys of e-rickshaws to women. Chief Minister Yogi said that law and order had improved remarkably in the state, making every individual, including women, daughters, businessmen and investors, feel safe. This is also reflected in UP emerging as the top destination for investments in the country, he added. He said that the state had received investment proposals of Rs 40 lakh crore in the Global Investors Summit (GIS-23) which would directly contribute in generating employment for more than 1.10 crore youths. UP is the first state to actively support the Vocal for Local campaign initiated by the Central government, he pointed out. Highlighting the contribution of various schemes, he said the MSME sector had given a new identity to Uttar Pradesh while the ODOP scheme had empowered micro, small and medium enterprises, providing a new direction to traditional entrepreneurs who used to migrate for lack of opportunities in the past. He said the scheme had made the state an export hub, with exports increasing almost three times. The chief minister said that the ODOP products should not be confined to coffee table books, adding that postage stamps should be released for the product of each district. Efforts should be made for this because it will provide us global recognition. Every districts product should also be graded so that information about good products can be conveyed. Combining it with packaging and technology will get the products global recognition, he asserted. Chief Minister Yogi said that UP was the first state to introduce the ODOP, Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana, and PLEDGE Scheme, pointing out that the schemes had led to significant growth in the MSME units in the state as it had 96 lakh MSME units today. He urged bankers to provide substantial loans to small capital holders for less risks of loss of capital, adding that it will also boost the investors business and bankers confidence in small capital holders, thereby leading to prosperity in the state. The result of the foresighted thinking of bankers and the government is that the state, which had a CDO ratio of 43 to 44 per cent, has now increased to 56 to 57 per cent. It should be our goal to increase it to 60 per cent in this financial year and 65 per cent in the next financial year, Yogi added. He said that cheques were distributed during the programme to women and men under the ODOP scheme who wanted to work in different sectors. Therefore, we must live up to their expectations. Appropriate platforms should be provided for their training so that happiness comes into the lives of every individual in society, he remarked. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said that the kind of language used by an officer during the meeting of truck drivers in Shajapur is no way proper. Collector Narsinghpur Riju Bafna has been made the new Collector of Shajapur. Shajapur Collector Kishore Kumar Kanyal has been transferred and posted as Deputy Secretary at Mantralaya Bhopal. The Chief Minister said that a government of the poor is functining under the leadership of the visionary Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is working for their upliftment. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said this in a video message at the state hanger on Wednesday in Bhopal before leaving for Jabalpur. Chief Minister said that he comes from a humble background. This type of behaviour will not be tolerated. Officers should respect the work and dignity of people as human beings. Officers using such language do not have the right to be in the field. He said that he is deeply pained by this incidence. No one can be forgiven for this. He desired the officers to be cautious of their conduct and language. In a heartwarming display of community engagement, Senior Superintendent of Police, Kishore Kaushal, alongside Superintendent of Police, Rural, Rishab Garg, orchestrated a benevolent program under community policing. The initiative aimed to extend a helping hand to the underprivileged residents of the remote Jhati Jharna village under the Galudih police station. On a chilly winter day, the community gathered as blankets were distributed to those in need, providing much-needed warmth during the harsh winter months. The act of distributing blankets exemplifies the police force's commitment to community welfare, fostering a sense of togetherness and care. Not limited to physical warmth, the program also focused on nurturing the intellectual growth of the village's future generation. Reading materials were generously provided to the students of the upgraded high school in Jhati Jharna. The donation of educational materials aims to create an environment conducive to learning, supporting the academic endeavors of the students. Senior Superintendent Kishore Kaushal emphasized the significance of community policing in building trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the community. "Our role extends beyond law enforcement; it involves actively participating in the well-being of the community we serve. By distributing blankets and reading materials, we aim to make a positive impact on the lives of the people in Jhati Jharna," he stated. Superintendent Rishab Garg echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of community partnerships in creating safer and more resilient neighborhoods. "Through initiatives like these, we strengthen the bond between the police force and the community, fostering a sense of security and shared responsibility," he added. The event not only provided immediate relief to those facing the challenges of winter but also symbolized a collaborative effort toward community development. The warmth of compassion, reflected in the distributed blankets, and the gift of knowledge through reading materials, are poignant examples of how community policing goes beyond maintaining law and orderit extends a helping hand to uplift and empower the community it serves. The problems of the forest minister Subodh Uniyal seem to be increasing with the Uttarakhand Congress submitting written complaints to the Supreme Court (SC) and High Court (HC) on the alleged derogatory comments made by the minister against the HC. The chief spokesperson of Uttarakhand Congress Garima Mahara Dasauni has written letters to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice DY Chandrachud, acting Chief Justice of Nainital HC, Justice Manoj Tiwari and registrar generals of SC and Uttarakhand HC. In the letter she said that in a recent telephonic conversation with the BJP MLA from Bhimtal Ram Singh Kaida, the forest minister Subodh Uniyal used derogatory language against the HC. She said that the MLA had called the minister regarding the menace and havoc created by the wild animals in the mountainous areas of Uttarakhand. Dasauni said that the minister was on speaker phone and the locals gathered around the MLA could hear him loud and clear. The minister rather than giving advice to MLA cited a judgement by the HC for not killing the wild animals and made a very derogatory and abusive comment for the honourable HC, She said. The Congress leader requested that the court take a Suo Moto cognizance of the issue as it affects the dignity of the constitutional courts of the country and the rule of law. She also requested that the court direct the DGP of Uttarakhand to preserve and confiscate the device from which the video is recorded and to initiate Suo Moto contempt of court proceedings against the minister. Farmers and sugar industry, for different reasons, are anxiously waiting for the announcement of the State Advised Price (SAP) of sugarcane for the 2023-24 cane crushing season, which commenced over two months ago. The Uttar Pradesh government had last hiked the SAP of sugarcane in 2021-22 ahead of the state assembly elections, fixing it at Rs 340 per quintal for general variety and Rs 350 per quintal for early variety of sugarcane. Farmers are waiting for the sugarcane SAP as they expect a hefty hike in the election year, while the sugar industry is concerned over the delay in announcement of price due to diversion of sugarcane to jaggery and khandsari industry. The jaggery industry pays upfront cash payment for cane at Rs 360-400 per quintal as compared to Rs 340-350 per quintal being paid by mills. We were expecting that the SAP will be announced at the start of the crushing season in October. But it is now January and we still do not know what price farmers will get from mills for their crop, said VM Singh, convener of Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan. Since the Yogi Adityanath-led Bharatiya Janata Party government took office, the cane price in Uttar Pradesh has gone up by only Rs 35 per quintal, which is much lower than what Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party had increased during their tenures. Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party government had raised the SAP from Rs 240-250 per quintal in 2011-12 to Rs 305-315 per quintal in 2016-17) while Mayawati had increased it from Rs 125-130 per quintal in 2006-07 to Rs 240-250/quintal in 2011-12, a hike of Rs 115-120 per quintal. Today farmers are paying Rs 45-50 per quintal only as labour charges for harvesting, compared to Rs 30-35 two years ago. The cost of fertilisers, pesticides and other inputs has also shot up, even as per-acre cane yields have fallen because of the dominant Co-0238 variety becoming susceptible to red rot fungal disease, VM Singh said. Sources in the sugar industry said, The jaggery and khandsari units are paying more, that too immediately in cash while our payment cycle is 14 days after cane purchase. The government monitors our input (cane) and output (sugar) prices, unlike the unregulated gur and khandsari makers who operate in a completely free market. Meanwhile, the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd has estimated Indias sugar output during 2023-24 (till December 31) at 112.10 lakh metric tons, 7.6 per cent lower than the 121.35 lakh MT for the same period of the last season. The production in Uttar Pradesh has gone up to 34.65 lakh MT from 30.8 lakh MT, however, production in Maharashtra and Karnataka is expected to fall. For the whole 2023-24 season (October-September), the countrys sugar production is projected to drop to 305.5 lakh MT from 330.9 lakh MT in 2023-23). Only Uttar Pradesh is expected to register an increase - from 104.8 lakh MT to 115 lakh MT in 2023-24. Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is ongoing in Madhya Pradesh since 16th December. The main objective of Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is to extend the benefits of government schemes to those needy and eligible citizens who were left out of the benefits of government schemes due to some reason. It involves disseminating information about schemes through LED-equipped IEC vans, reaching door-to-door in rural areas alongwith distributing benefits. Governor Shri Mangubhai Patel expressed these views in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra programme organised at Gram Panchayat Diwanganj of Raisen district. Addressing the villagers, he said that scheme catering to diverse segments of of the society are being implemented by central and state governments. Earlier, citizens had to go to offices to avail the benefits of the schemes. But now through this Sankalp Yatra, the officers themselves are reaching out to the citizens and receiving applications. So far, this Viksit Yatra has covered 252 Gram Panchayats in Raisen district and the beneficiaries have also been given the benefits of the schemes as per their eligibility. Governor Shri Patel said that due to lack of information, citizens of remote areas are not able to get the benefits of the schemes. In this yatra, through publicity mediums, information about welfare schemes run by the government is reaching far-flung eligible and needy citizens. Efforts are being made to bring happiness and prosperity in their lives through schemes. Citizens should join the mainstream of development by availing benefits as per their eligibility. Everyone's progress will ensure the economic development of the country thus realising the dream of developed India. Governor Shri Patel said that many schemes like Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan, Pradhan Mantri Awas, Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala are innovative initiatives of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The benefits of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Suraksha Bima, Jeevan Jyoti and Atal Pension Schemes are being extended to the eligible people simultaneously women of self-help groups are becoming self-reliant. Significant efforts have been undertaken by the government to promote women's empowerment which are yielding positive results. Empowered by the scheme women are not only becoming self-reliant but are also playing pivotal role in the family's progress. Referring to the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, he said that women have benefited a lot from this scheme. Earlier, They used to cook on traditional stove and smoke coming out of it was very harmful for their health. Under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, free gas stove and connection is being provided to them. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, pucca houses are being given to the poor. MP Shri Ramakant Bhargava also addressed the programme. Vote of thanks was expressed by District Panchayat President Shri Yashwant Meena. Vice President of Sanchi District Panchayat, Smt. Vaijanti Gangaram Chouksey was also present. Collector Shri Arvind Dubey said that there are a total of 521 gram panchayats in Raisen district and till now this yatra has been organised in 252 gram panchayats. He said that government schemes are being properly publicized during this yatra. Benefits are being distributed to the beneficiaries through camps. Governor Shri Patel inspected the stalls showcasing Agriculture, Women and Child Development, AYUSH, Health Department, Aadhaar Updation, and various other departments during the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra organised in Diwanganj. Collector Dubey, after receiving the applications in the camp, immediately informed about the process of providing benefits as per eligibility. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday said that the State Government is planning to leverage the vast agricultural potential in African countries by sending Haryana farmers abroad. This ambitious endeavor is aimed to provide new opportunities for the hardworking farming community, he added. Interacting with the media persons, the Chief Minister said that following discussions with the ambassador of an African nation, the State Government is in the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will be exchanged shortly to formalize this collaboration. After the MoU, we will invite the interested farmers to participate in this unique opportunity. Farmer groups will be formed and sent to African countries where they can contribute their expertise and benefit from the vast agricultural landscapes available. Before sending them abroad, the government will also provide comprehensive training and necessary assistance to ensure their success in agricultural endeavors abroad, Khattar added. Explaining the rationale behind this initiative, the Chief Minister informed that the shrinking landholding in Haryana, largely due to industrialization and other developmental activities has prompted the government to explore alternative avenues for the state's agricultural community. Drawing inspiration from successful farming ventures in Madhya Pradesh and other states, Haryana will also replicate this success on an international scale. Responding to a question, the Chief Minister said that the state government is committed to curbing the illicit transportation of youth to foreign nations for placement. To facilitate lawful opportunities for interested individuals, the government has established the Foreign Cooperation Department and the Overseas Placement Cell. These entities are responsible for coordinating the placement of youth seeking opportunities abroad. Comprehensive training for such individuals is conducted through HKRN. In response to a request from Israel, we initiated advertisement, resulting in 4000 youth expressing interest in foreign employment. To ensure their preparedness, these individuals will undergo training at MDU, Rohtak. A subsequent advertisement is scheduled around January 15 to encourage legal pathways for our youth to seek opportunities abroad, he added. In response to queries regarding the awaiting Municipal Corporation elections, the Khattar shared that the wardbandi process for a majority of municipalities has been successfully accomplished. Elections for these municipalities will be scheduled promptly upon the finalization of the same. In reply to another question, he highlighted that the current government has safeguarded the employment of guest teachers upto the age of 58 years through the introduction of a special bill. Presently, there is no provision for the regularization of their services. Simultaneously, ongoing regular recruitment efforts are underway. Regrettably, certain groups, called "bharti roko gangs," are causing disruptions. The government is actively monitoring and addressing these obstacles to ensure the smooth continuation of the recruitment process across the state. Providing an update on the progress of the Vikshit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, Khattar said that 60 percent of the Jan Samvad programs have already been successfully conducted. With an impressive average attendance of approximately 800 individuals per program, these interactive sessions are slated to continue until January 25, this year. The Chief Minister proudly highlighted Haryana's leadership role in the nation by successfully organizing the yatra. Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Dr Amit Agrawal, Director General Information, Public Relations, Language and Culture Mandip Singh Brar, Media Advisor to Chief Minister Rajiv Jaithley, Media Secretary, Praveen Attreya, and Chief Media Coordinator Sudesh Kataria were also present on this occasion. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said that rapid progress will be ensured in the Mahakaushal area of the state. New industries in all the districts of the division will provide employment to a large number of people and usher prosperity. Citizens will be benefited from food processing, milk production and other related activities. The elevated corridor, which will be the largest corridor in the state, will be developed at a cost of about Rs 800 crore. Development will take place in Mahakaushal area with public cooperation. Development works will continue. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav performed bhoomi pujan and dedicated development works worth Rs 409.53 crore in Jabalpur today. These include bhoomi pujan of development works worth Rs 100.66 crore and inauguration of development works worth Rs 308.87 crore. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the problems of Vangrams will be resolved. Today, pattas of land records were also provided to 1414 families of the affected 10 villages of Bargi Dam. An IT park will be constructed in about 63 acre area in Jabalpur at a cost of Rs 400 crore. Apart from this, garment and fashion design cluster will be developed at a cost of Rs 65 crore. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav also provided benefits to many beneficiaries. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav today started the development works of Skill Development, Medical Education Department, Urban Development and Housing Departments in Jabalpur. these development works will give a facelift to Jabalpur city. These works include construction of Three trade ITI building in Bargi district Jabalpur, upgradation of graduate admission capacity from 150 to 250 seats in NSCB Medical College, Jabalpur, construction of Ranjhi Van Vihar in Sharda Nagar Park (Chief Ministers Urban Area Infrastructure Construction Scheme), construction of M 30 cement road from Rani Avanti Bai Ward Chaggar Pharma Colony and Rajul City to Swarn Bhoomi main road, M 30 CC road from Ahinsa Chowk to Cyber ??Junction via Vasu Dairy under Maharaja Agrasen Ward, M 30 CC Road Construction Work Committee at various places in Maharaja Agrasen Ward Garba Scheme No. 5/14 under Division No. 14, 750 mm pipeline from Rajul Complex Aga Chowk to 300 mm pipeline to Sarvodaya Nagar and work of pipelines at various places, construction of Phase 1 (Wright Town Road), Jabalpur Smart Road Phase 2 (Gol Bazar Road) and 85 PG seat increase in Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, Jabalpur. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that development works will also be undertaken on 17 ghats of Narmada. These ghats will be built on the lines of Ayodhya and Haridwar. Narmada river flows from east to west. The citizens of Madhya Pradesh perform the aarti of Maa Narmada with devotion. Various suggestions regarding the development of ghats will also be implemented. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav started his address with the slogan of Narmade Har and Jai-Jai Shri Mahakal. Dr. Yadav said that Jabalpur, the land of Jabali Rishi, is also the central part of the country. This is the land that testifies to the bravery and valour of Rani Durgavati. A meeting of the Cabinet was held in Jabalpur to honour the sacrifice of Rani Durgavati. This area is also a witness to the sacrifice of Rani Avanti Bai. Brave Indian women have always set an example of valour in the world. Rani Durgavati made continuous efforts to defeat a ruler like Akbar with her strategy and intelligence. She continued to fight till her last breath. Instead of accepting defeat, she sacrificed her life by stabbing herself with a dagger. Rani Durgavati, the pioneer of the freedom movement during the golden period of independence, is being remembered with reverence today. Prime Minister Modi had performed bhoomi pujan for Rani Durgavati Memorial. He said that biographies of Rani Durgavati and other Veeranganas will be included in the curriculum. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Madhya Pradesh has Modi in its heart and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has Madhya Pradesh in his heart. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has granted permission for a CBI investigation against two officials of the Delhi government's Forests and Wildlife department in an alleged Rs 223-crore corruption case. In another case, Saxena has given his go-ahead to the Anti-Corruption Branch to conduct an investigation against two senior nurses of a Delhi government hospital in an alleged bribery case involving Rs 60,000. According to Raj Niwas official, in both the cases, Saxena approved the proposals for investigation under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act. He observed that it is in the interest of justice to investigate and conduct inquiries against the accused, the Raj Niwas officials said. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against Parasnath Yadav and Alam Singh Rawat, the then senior account officer and the assistant account officer, respectively, in the Forests and Wildlife department for allegedly entering into a criminal conspiracy with LA Khan -- the erstwhile senior branch manager of Bank of Baroda's Paharganj branch -- and others. They were allegedly involved in transferring Rs 223 crore "illegally" and "unauthorisedly" from the 'SUNDRY' account to a fake savings account in the name of Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) at the same branch on the basis of a forged letter, purportedly issued by the Forests and Wildlife department, the officials said. A file seeking permission to investigate Yadav under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act by the CBI was submitted to Saxena by the Directorate of Vigilance through the National Capital Civil Services Authority (NCCSA). The Directorate of Vigilance stated that the CBI, in a letter dated July 12, 2023, submitted that the investigations conducted so far prima facie brought forward the role of two officials in the case of alleged financial irregularities pertaining to the Forest and Wildlife department. In the alleged bribery case against two women Health department staff, the Anti-Corruption Branch accused them of demanding Rs 60,000 each from two nursing officers for allowing them "light duty". The accused have been identified as Chanchal Rani Pisalla and Rajnesh Verma, then posted at the GB Pant Hospital as deputy nursing superintendent and nursing officer, respectively. One of the nursing officers also alleged that both the accused had already taken Rs 42,000 for exemption of duty from COVID-19 desk. At present Pisalla is posted at Guru Nanak Eye Centre while Verma has been posted in Aruna Asaf Ali Hospital. In a noteworthy initiative under corporate social responsibility (CSR), Manipal Tata Medical College has generously provided 20,000 Hemoglobin test strips to the District Administration, East Singhbhum, on the request of Civil Surgeon, East Singhbhum. The test strips, given by Manipal Foundation, will facilitate Hemoglobin tests across the district, focusing on students above STD 8 in all Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalayas and pregnant women. The primary objective of this CSR event is to identify severe anaemia patients who may not afford these tests or are unaware of their condition. The initiative aims to make a lifesaving contribution to victims of severe anaemia, particularly among students and pregnant women. This contribution is expected to significantly contribute to the well-being of anaemic patients, enabling the district administration to monitor and provide proper medication for their recovery. The event took place within the campus of Manipal Tata Medical College in Baridih, where 20,000 test strips were handed over to Dr. Jujhar Majhi, Civil Surgeon, East Singhbhum. The donation ceremony witnessed the presence of key figures, including Dr. Harish Chandra Bandhu, Associate Dean (Clinical) and HOD Gynae Dept, Professor Rajiva Dwivedi, Director Academic Administration and Quality Director, Dr. Vijay Kautilya, Associate Dean (Para Clinical) and HOD- Forensic Dept, Jai Prakash, Legal Dept, Kshitij Mohan Head General Administration, Priyanka Singhal PR/Legal, Dr. Maheshwar Prasad, Head Outreach Dept, and Kanhaiya Upadhyay Chief of Security Officer. Manipal Tata Medical College, as a constituent unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence (IoE), is dedicated to providing quality medical education and healthcare services. This CSR initiative underscores the college's commitment to societal well-being by contributing to the early detection and treatment of severe anaemia. Manipal Tata Medical College, situated in Jamshedpur, offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the field of medicine. As part of an Institution of Eminence, it upholds high standards of education and healthcare. With state-of-the-art facilities and a dedicated faculty, MTMC aims to train future healthcare professionals and make meaningful contributions to community health. This CSR event not only reflects the college's commitment to social responsibility but also stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts between educational institutions and the district administration in addressing healthcare challenges within the community. The police arrested a man named Amit Katariya who killed his aunts son (17) for property. The accused allegedly had an affair with the victims mother too, said the Haridwar superintendent of police Pramendra Dobhal. He said that the police found the body of a teenager in the Bairagi Camp area under the Kankhal police station on January 1. He said that it was clear from the injury marks on the body that the incident was murder. The deceased was identified as Yash alias Krish, a resident of the Balmiki Basti area in Kankhal. On the complaint of the deceased's mother, the police registered a case under relevant sections of murder at Kankhal police station and started an investigation. The SSP said that Katariya was the prime suspect in the case who was finally arrested on Wednesday with the victims mobile and clothes soaked with the victims blood. It was revealed in the investigation that the accused allegedly had an affair with the victims mother. He also considered the victim as an obstruction in acquiring property worth about Rs 1.25 crores due to which he killed him. Katariya first got the victim drunk and then strangulated him and repeatedly hit a rock on his head, said Dobhal. He said that the police are still investigating whether there was any accomplice of Katariya in carrying out this murder and will act accordingly. In a move towards sustainable water conservation, Punjab Government on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kuantum Papers Limited a Hoshiarpur-based paper company. The agreement, formalized between the Department of Soil and Water Conservation, Punjab, and Kuantum Papers Limited, marks an effort to involve the private sector in the state's water management endeavours. The MoU signing ceremony, held in the presence of the states Soil and Water Conservation Minister Chetan Singh Jauramajra, emphasized the state governments commitment to preserve natural resources. Jauramajra described the collaboration with the private sector as a groundbreaking initiative, noting that it will facilitate financial and operational support for the state's water conservation projects. Expressing his enthusiasm for this unique initiative, Jauramajra highlighted its potential to enhance the private sectors role in Punjabs water conservation efforts. He stated, This partnership will significantly boost the governments water conservation programs and set the stage for future public-private collaborations. Under the MoU, Kuantum Papers Limited will provide funding for both new and ongoing water conservation projects through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds or specifically allocated funds. The funded initiatives include the construction of check dams, implementation of efficient irrigation systems, and the utilization of treated water. Established in 1979-80, Kuantum Papers Limited stands as a major paper manufacturing unit in Sailakhurd village in Hoshiarpur district. Company's director Drishinder Singh Sandhawalia expressed the companys commitment to a long-term partnership with the Punjab Government, pledging investments in various government-led water conservation initiatives. During the event, Punjabs Special Chief Secretary, Soil and Water Conservation, KAP Sinha urged the Department to devise innovative and efficient techniques for water conservation in the agriculture sector. Given the precarious groundwater situation, with nearly 80 per cent of the state's area under the over-exploited category, this collaboration aims to address the urgent need for sustainable water management to avoid depletion of this vital natural resource. Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday said that sometimes one ends up in "vanvas" while waiting for "rajtilak" (coronation). Addressing a gathering in Shahganj town of his Budhni assembly seat on Tuesday evening, Chouhan got emotional and said he would continue to be among the people, especially his sisters. "I will not go anywhere. I will live here and die here," the former CM said when a few women shouted, "bhaiyya (brother), don't go anywhere leaving us alone." The Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) retained Madhya Pradesh during last November's assembly polls with a landslide victory and the party chose Mohan Yadav as the chief minister, replacing Chouhan who served as the state's CM for four times. Chouhan assured the people that all the works started by the previous BJP government, including the Ladli Behna Yojana (for women's welfare), housing scheme for beneficiaries of the Ladli Behna scheme, a scheme of one job in each family and promises made to farmers, will be fulfilled by the present government. He said that there must be some objective behind the decision of the party. "The new government will take forward all these works. There must be some big objective somewhere, sometimes by the time 'rajtilak' takes place, one even ends up in 'vanvas' (exile). But all this happens to fulfil some or the other objective," Chouhan told them. The former CM has received a warm welcome from the party workers and women in Shahganj. Chouhan won the polls from Budhni assembly seat by a margin of more than 1.04 lakh votes over his Congress rival Vikram Mastal. In the November 2023 state elections, the BJP won 163 of the 230 assembly seats, while the opposition Congress was distant second with victory in 66 assembly segments. Ayodhya Nagar booked a person who cheated two youths of Rs 7.75 lakh in the name of facilitating a job in Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal; police have started investigation. A complaint was lodged by the complaint. The application was investigated for about a year, after which a case was registered against the fraudster. The accused has not been arrested at present. Police are searching for the accused. SI Gaurav Singh said that Ashok Dhangar (35), resident of Bisonia district Rajgarh is involved in farming. He came to Bhopal in the year 2013 and was living on rent in Poonamchand Bandhewal's house in Indrapuri. During this time Ashok and Poonamchand became acquainted. Meanwhile, landlord Poonam Chand told Ashok that he can get him a job on the post of Assistant Great-2 in Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hindi Vishwavidyalaya. He said that Rs 4 lakh would be spent for this. After this, Ashok and his village friend Sanjay Meena together gave Rs 7 lakh in cash to Poonamchand and deposited Rs 75 thousand in his account. After receiving the money, the fraudster assured him of getting him a job soon. But time passed and the job did not come. When Ashok and Sanjay talked about getting a job, he escaped with excuses. When both the victims realized that they would not get the job, they asked for their money back. But the accused did not even return the money. After almost ten years had passed, both the victims had filed a written complaint with the police. After investigation, the police registered a case against the accused on Tuesday. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday accused the BJP of raising emotive issues to hide its failures of 10 years and asked workers to get united to ensure the party's victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Addressing a meeting of party leaders from across the country, Kharge told them to sink their differences, not raise internal issues in the media and work as a team to ensure the party's victory. "The BJP is pushing emotive issues to cover up the failures of its government in the last 10 years. They deliberately involve Congress in every issue," Kharge said at the meeting. "We have to unite and give a befitting reply to the lies, deceit and wrongdoings of the BJP on grassroots issues in front of the people," he added. The Congress president also lauded Rahul Gandhi for undertaking the the Kanyakumari to Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra and expressed confidence that his Bharat Nyay Yatra from Manipur to Maharashtra will bring issues of social justice to centre of the national discussion. The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a plea for consular access moved by a family member of Indian national Nikhil Gupta, who has been accused of plotting an assassination attempt on Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta said, There is nothing much we can do. You are entitled for consular access under the Vienna convention, which you have already got. The bench told senior advocate CA Sundaram, appearing for kin of Gupta, that this court should respect the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the foreign court and law of that land and, therefore, it cannot go into the merit of the matter. We will not allow you to speak anything about the foreign court, the bench told Sundaram, when he tried to submit that Gupta has been placed under solitary confinement and was not granted any consular access post his indictment. The bench noted that on September 17, 2023, Gupta has received consular access in the matter and he has also moved the Delhi High Court, where certain orders have been passed. Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic on June 30 On November 29, last year, Gupta was charged by federal prosecutors in the United States in connection with his alleged participation in a foiled plot to assassinate Pannun on American soil. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar on Thursday asserted the political situation in the country is not favourable for the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha polls and pooh-poohed the saffron outfit's claim of winning more than 400 seats, saying it is out of power in several states. Addressing NCP workers at a party conclave in the temple town of Shirdi in western Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district, he said after assuming power at the Centre in 2014, the BJP announced several programmes and gave a host of assurances, but did not implement them and "cheated" people. People have now started realising this, stated the former Union minister. "The situation in the country is not favourable for the BJP," said Pawar, whose party is a constituent of the national-level opposition INDIA alliance. The Rajya Sabha member said BJP leaders have set a target of winning more than 400 Lok Sabha seats, out of the total 543, but the party is currently not in power in several states. The BJP is not in power in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Delhi, Punjab, West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand, he pointed out. Two bombs exploded and killed at least 95 people on Wednesday at a commemoration for a prominent Iranian general slain by the US in a 2020 drone strike, Iranian officials said, as the Middle East remains on edge over Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza. No one immediately claimed responsibility for what appeared to be the deadliest militant attack to target Iran since its 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran's leaders vowed to punish those responsible for the blasts, which wounded at least 211 people. The blasts were minutes apart and shook the city of Kerman, about 820 kilometres (510 miles) southeast of the capital, Tehran. The second blast sprayed shrapnel into a screaming crowd fleeing the first explosion. An earlier death toll of 103 was revised lower after officials realised that some names had been repeated on a list of victims, Iran's health minister, Bahram Einollahi, told state television. Many of the wounded were in critical condition, however, so the death toll could rise. The gathering marked the fourth anniversary of the killing of General Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guard's elite Quds Force, in a US drone strike in Iraq. The explosions occurred near his grave site as long lines of people gathered for the event. Iranian state television and officials described the attacks as bombings, without immediately giving clear details of what happened. The attacks came a day after a deputy head of the Palestinian militant group Hamas was killed in a suspected Israeli strike in Beirut. The first bomb on Wednesday was detonated around 3 pm, and the other went off some 20 minutes later, the Iranian interior minister, Ahmad Vahidi, told state television. He said the second blast killed and wounded the most people. Images and video shared on social media appeared to correspond with the accounts of officials, who said the first blast happened about 700 metres (765 yards) from Soleimani's grave in the Kerman Martyrs Cemetery near a parking lot. The crowd then rushed west along Shohada Street, where the second blast struck about 1 kilometre (0.62 miles) from the grave. A delayed second explosion is often used by militants to inflict more casualties by targeting emergency personnel responding to an attack. Iranian state television and state-run IRNA news agency quoted emergency officials for the casualty figures. Authorities said Thursday would be a national day of mourning. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the attackers will face "a harsh response", though he did not name any possible suspect. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi added: "Undoubtedly, the perpetrators and leaders of this cowardly act will soon be identified and punished." Iran has multiple foes who could be behind the assault, including exile groups, militant organisations and state actors. While Israel has carried out attacks in Iran over its nuclear programme, it has conducted targeted assassinations, not mass casualty bombings. A US State Department spokesman, Matthew Miller, said American officials had "no reason" to believe Israel was involved in Wednesday's attack in Iran. Sunni extremist groups, including the Islamic State group, have conducted large-scale attacks in the past that killed civilians in Shiite-majority Iran, though not in relatively peaceful Kerman. Iran also has seen mass protests in recent years, including those over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in 2022. The country also has been targeted by exile groups in attacks dating back to the turmoil surrounding its 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran itself has been arming militant groups over the decades, including Hamas, the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthi rebels. As Israel wages its devastating war in Gaza after Hamas' October 7 attacks that killed 1,200 people, both Hezbollah and the Houthis have launched attacks targeting Israel that they say come on behalf of the Palestinians. Israel is suspected of launching the attack on Tuesday that killed a deputy head of Hamas in Beirut, but that attack caused limited casualties in a densely-populated neighbourhood of the Lebanese capital. Last week, a suspected Israeli strike killed a Revolutionary Guard commander in Syria. A Houthi spokesman, Mohammed Abdel-Salam, sought to link the bombings to Iran's "support for the resistance forces in Palestine and Lebanon", though he did not specifically blame anyone for the attack. In Beirut, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah called the people who died in the attacks "martyrs who died on the same road, cause and battle that was led by" Soleimani. The government of neighbouring Iraq expressed condolences to the victims, and the European Union issued a statement offering its "solidarity with the Iranian people". Soleimani was the architect of Iran's regional military activities and is hailed as a national icon among supporters of Iran's theocracy. He also helped secure Syrian President Bashar Assad's government after the 2011 Arab Spring protests against him turned into a civil, and later a regional, war that still rages today. Soleimani had been relatively unknown in Iran until the 2003 US invasion of Iraq. His popularity and mystique grew after American officials called for his killing over his help in arming militants with penetrating roadside bombs that killed and maimed US troops. A decade and a half later, Soleimani had become Iran's most recognisable battlefield commander. He ignored calls to enter politics but grew as powerful, if not more so, than its civilian leadership. Visakhapatnam: The winter this year has been warmer compared to the previous years. January will witness higher temperatures in Andhra Pradesh, weather experts have said. The real chill experienced in Lambasingi, Chintapalle and Parvathipuram last year has been missing. Lambasingi and Chintalli recorded single digit minimum temperature only twice in December last year. For the rest of the days, it was around 11C to 13C. Though it is cold and foggy in the early hours of the day, the urban dwellers are still using ceiling fans and avoiding warm clothes. The climate is getting warmer every year due to climate change. As a result, we may experience a harsher summer this year in the coastal and Rayalaseema regions. It, though, is too early to predict the severity of the summer, said a senior scientist at IMD Amaravati. Thin ice sheets were formed over grasslands and vehicles were parked in the open in January last year in Chintapalli and Lambasingi. Both the villages are located at a height of 3,600 feet in ASR district. This year, the average minimum temperatures are at less than 13C. However, the ASR and Parvathipuram Manyam districts are experiencing heavy fog till 10am and it is getting darker before sunset, making it difficult for vehicular movement. On January 6, 1992, the temperature of Chintapalli dropped to zero degree Celsius, the lowest temperature recorded in 30 years. Visakhapatnam recorded a minimum temperature of 18.4C on Jan 2, 2024. The states highest maximum temperature of 48.8C was recorded at Gannavaram on May 11, 2002. According to SDRF, in 2016, 723 people died due to heatstroke, 236 in 2017 and 28 in 2019. There were no heatstroke deaths in the last three summers. Environmentalist J. Ratnam said the government should go for massive tree plantation to combat the heat condition. The urban areas should be covered with 50 per cent green to absorb the heat in summers, Ratnam said. New Delhi: Senior Congress leaders from across the country met here on Thursday to discuss their strategy for the coming Lok Sabha elections, seat-sharing and preparations for Rahul Gandhis coming Manipur to Maharashtra yatra beginning January 14, which was renamed on Thursday as the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, that will cover 15 states, including Arunachal Pradesh. This was announced by AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh after a meeting of party general secretaries, state in-charges, state unit chiefs and Congress Legislature Party leaders chaired by party president Mallikarjun Kharge at the AICC headquarters here. Earlier, it was named Bharat Nyay Yatra. After the meeting, the Congress released the route map of the 66-day Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, which will cover 110 districts in 15 states. It will start from Imphal in Manipur on January 14 and end in Mumbai. Ramesh said that the Congress has invited all I.N.D.I.A. bloc leaders to participate in this yatra and pointed out that invitations were being sent out. This will be a hybrid yatra, with part of it by bus and the rest on foot. Addressing top leaders of the party, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the BJP is raising emotive issues to hide its failures over 10 years in power at the Centre. Noting that all the BJPs attacks were on the Congress and the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, he said: "The NDA remains only in name while the I.N.D.I.A. bloc has major grassroots parties that have a strong cadre, base and ideology." Accusing the Narendra Modi government of continuously trying to ignore the contribution of the Congress towards creating a modern India, he said: We have to give them a concrete answer". He asked the party cadre to forever remember the contributions made by the Congress in the foundation of parliamentary democracy and modern India. Earlier on Thursday, Y.S. Sharmila, the daughter of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy and founder of YSR Telangana Party, joined the Congress. The Congress had been negotiating with Sharmila over the past one year and she was earlier scheduled to join at a rally in Hyderabad in September. But negotiations could not be finished in time, a senior leader said. Her entry will help the Congress stake claim to Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddys legacy a two-term chief minister who died in a tragic helicopter accident in 2008. Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had a busy day in Delhi on Thursday, meeting Union ministers Amit Shah, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Hardeep Singh Puri, to bring several issues concerning Telangana to their notice and request the Centre's help for speedy resolution. Among the key issues highlighted by Revanth Reddy was a request for the Centres cooperation for the bifurcation of assets between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, payment of arrears and interest by the AP government for using buildings in Hyderabad for government machinery since the bifurcation and allocation of additional IPS officers to the state. Revanth Reddy also sought financial aid and approvals for the second phase of Metro Rail and the Musi riverfront development, allocation of funds under PM Awas Yojana to build Indiramma houses, and award of national status for the Palamur-Rangareddy lift irrigation project. This was the first series of meetings Revanth Reddy has held with Union ministers since assuming office. He had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 26. On Thursday, Revanth Reddys entourage comprised irrigation and civil supplies minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Chief Secretary A. Santhi Kumari and CMO officials. It was learnt that the Union jal shakti minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, had made it clear that it was not possible to grant national status to the irrigation project, while agreeing to foot 60 per cent of project costs under a Central scheme. In his meeting with Amit Shah, the Chief Minister informed that at the time of the bifurcation of AP in 2014, Telangana was allotted only 76 IPS officers. He sought the allocation of an additional 29 IPS officers to meet the increased need, on account of the creation of 23 new districts, and for handling other departments and duties accorded to them. He also brought to the notice of Shah the inordinate delay in the bifurcation of common institutions located in Hyderabad that are listed in Schedule IX and X of the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014. He sought a speedy and smooth bifurcation of AP Bhavan in Delhi. Revanth Reddy urged Amit Shah to allocate an additional '88 crore to strengthen the anti-narcotics bureau to check the drug menace in Telangana and '90 crore to strengthen the TS Cyber Security Bureau. He said that the AP government utilised the Secretariat, Raj Bhavan, High Court, Lok Ayukta and SHRC buildings after the bifurcation of the state for a few years but did not pay maintenance. He urged Shah to ensure that AP paid arrears, along with interest, which amounts to '408 crore. In his meeting with Union housing and urban affairs minister Hardeep Singh Puri, the Chief Minister submitted the revised Metro Rail routes and sought approvals and funding. The Chief Minister also sought funds for the Musi riverfront development, under which the state government proposed to build amusement parks, waterfalls, water sports, business areas and commercial complexes along the Musi catchment area to boost the economy and job creation. In his meeting with Shekhawat, Revanth sought national project status for the Palamuru-Rangareddy project, which is aimed at irrigating 12.3 lakh acres in drought-prone and fluoride-hit districts of Nagarkurnool, Mahbubnagar, Vikarabad, Narayanpet, Rangareddy and Nalgonda, besides meeting drinking water needs of Hyderabad city and 1,226 villages in the six districts. Speaking to mediapersons after the meetings, irrigation minister Uttam Kumar said that Shekhawat promised to sanction 60 per cent of the funds required for the Palamuru-Rangareddy project under a jal shakti ministry scheme, since the Centre has taken a policy decision not to grant national project status to those undertaken after 2014. Uttam Kumar Reddy also said that he and Revanth Reddy would meet with UPSC officials in Delhi on Friday to seek suggestions for reforming the TSPSC, on the lines of UPSC, alleging that the previous BRS government completely failed in maintaining the sanctity and reputation of TSPSC due to frequent paper leaks and cancellation of recruitment exams. Ad Banyan Hill Publishing AI Cracks Open Largest Untapped Energy Reserve on Earth This orb represents the largest untapped energy source in the world And although this energy resource is unknown by 99% of the public It makes gas, coal, oil, wind, hydropower, solar, fusion ]click here to watch a free presentation where I reveal all the details of this lucrative opportunit Visitors to Derry's iconic St Columb's Hall will soon have the opportunity to experience the Halls heritage and architecture in a never been done before way. Running from January 25 to 27, a new light exhibition "380-700" will shine a light on this magnificent space. The immersive art exhibition will bring a very 21st century perspective to a 135-year-old former temperance Hall. The exhibition has been created by immersive artists Visual Spectrum Studio and is the culmination of a year-long project led by St Columbs Hall Trust. This work aimed to reconnect the community to the cherished venue through a heritage activity programme and schedule of essential repairs made possible by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Derry City and Strabane District Council. Situated in the heart of Derry next to the 400-year-old Derry Walls, St Columb's Hall is an architectural marvel. It is a mix of Italianate and Gothic. Building began in 1886, lead by the Catholic Church, with the aim to create a temperance hall to combat the evils of drunkenness. Since then, it has been a backdrop to the political and cultural history of the City. Often referred to as the Peoples Hall, the space was immensely popular in its heyday, attracting some of the worlds most iconic thinkers and performers, including: Eleanor Marx-Aveling, daughter of Karl Marx, who spoke at the Hall in 1889 to recruit local workers to join their local union and Emmeline Pankhurst, who campaigned for womens right to vote in a keynote speech at St Columbs Hall in 1910. Eamon De Valera rallied supporters there to the cause of independence in 1924 and Derry tenors Josef Locke and John McCormack performed to sell out audiences. Leading international performers Roy Orbison; Chubby Checker, Ruby Murray and Val Doonican all performed at the venue. In addition, renowned contemporary artists showcased their work at the acclaimed Orchard Gallery, while hit TV series, Derry Girls filmed some of the shows most famous scenes from Season Three at St Columbs Hall. That is not to mention: Derry Feis, Little Theatre drama group, Derry Pantomime, St Columbs TA Brass and Reed band, and generations of local performers made their performance debuts in this iconic space. Conal McFeely, Chairperson of St Columbs Hall Trust, said: Since its opening in 1888, St Columbs Hall has played a significant role in the lives of the community here and it is imperative that this architecturally and socially important building is protected and is able to thrive. "This new exhibition is reflective of the innovative approach we see as being the hallmark of a new future for St Columbs Hall. Admission to the exhibition is free of charge but pre-booking is essential at: https://www.saintcolumbshall. com/380-700/ One of the most notorious British Army officers of the Troubles has died. General Frank Kitson has died at the age of 97. He led British military operations in the north at the beginning of the Troubles, and went on to become a hate figure for nationalists and republicans. General Kitson oversaw operations of the 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment, which opened fire on civil rights marchers in Derry in on Bloody Sunday, where 13 people were shot dead in January 1972. The same battalion was involved six months earlier when 10 people were killed in west Belfast in the wake of an Army operation in Ballymurphy. In his obituary in The Times, which reported that he died on January 2, it read that "no general in recent times has provoked more intense and sustained controversy". He established the Military Reaction Force (MRF), an undercover Army unit. Tony Doherty, Chair of the Bloody Sunday Trust, said there will be no sadness at the passing of Frank Kitson in Derry. Ballymurphy or in any other community where he "plied his evil trade, leaving a trail of devastation behind". Mr Doherty, whose father was killed on Bloody Sunday, said: "Kitson, in his blind pursuit of defending the crowns interests, made no distinction between civilian and combatant as he honed his skills in applying torture, internment and death from Kenya, to Aden and then to Ireland. "Here in the north, he invested heavily in the Parachute Regiment as the crack troops of the empire and, in doing so, was responsible for the Ballymurphy Massacre and Bloody Sunday and the torture of innocent people in RUC and British army barracks. Indeed, after Bloody Sunday and the murder of 14 innocent men and boys, he berated Colonel Derek Wilford for not going far enough into the Bogside, presumably to murder more. "Kitson received a CBE in the Queens honours list in February 1972, after wreaking havoc in Belfast in 1971. It is a disgrace that this award still stands even after the innocence of the Ballymurphy dead has been clearly established. "Kitson was a willing tool of the British empire and has gone to his death a decorated hero of the empire. His legacy is a terrible one. We are still living with it. He has blood on his hands from the innocents of three continents and will be remembered as a state terrorist who acted with total impunity. "There will be no sadness at his passing in these parts." 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. Victims of crime are being encouraged to register with a scheme which provides them with information once an offender is sentenced at court. In 2023 the number of victims who registered with the Probation Board for Northern Irelands (PBNI) Victim Information Scheme increased by 15%. PBNI chief executive Amanda Stewart said: Probations Victim Information Scheme provides information to registered victims about what it means when someone is sentenced to a court order which requires supervision by probation. A member of staff based in the PBNI Victim Information Unit will explain what the court order means and what the individual who has been sentenced must do as a result of the order. This can include explaining the length of the sentence and the type of work they are undertaking. PBNI Victims Unit can also facilitate restorative interventions at the request of the victim and in appropriate circumstances. Ms Stewart added: Over the last year registrations have increased from just over 200 to nearly 250 newly registered victims of crime, which is an increase of 15%. We know however that there are people out there who are not aware of this service, and we would encourage anyone who has been a victim, and the offender has been sentenced to a court order to register with us. At this time of year we are also aware that there is an increase in incidences of domestic abuse and would encourage anyone who is a victim or survivors of domestic abuse to register. To register with the PBNI Victim Information Scheme ring 0300 123 3269 or email victiminfo@probation-ni.gov.uk. Julie, a victim of crime registered with the scheme, said it had been a great benefit at a difficult time in her life. She said: It has both provided me with practical information and advice and helped me understand the circumstances in which I find myself. Northern Irelands commissioner designate for victims of crime Geraldine Hanna said access to information was a key concern for victims. She said: Since I have taken up my role I have been told time and time again by victims of crime that one thing they really want is better communication, to understand what is happening, when and why. Schemes like the the Probation Boards Victim Information Scheme are important in making sure victims of crime are kept informed and that their voices are heard after a sentence has been passed. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has called for a new attitude from the DUP in 2024 as the party continues its boycott of devolved government. Mr Eastwood also said that the finances are available to award a significant pay deal for public sector workers, adding that he has no idea what the DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldsons motive is for continuing to stay out of Stormont. The DUP have declined to engage in power-sharing institutions for over a year and a half in protest against post-Brexit trading arrangements. In December Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris said that negotiations with the party surrounding post-Brexit trade had concluded. Mr Heaton-Harris also outlined a new 3.3 billion financial package offer for a returning executive to stabilise Northern Irelands finances, which he said was a final offer. Mr Eastwood said that the DUP bottled it by declining to return to Stormont when the deal was announced before Christmas. Hopefully this new year brings a new attitude from the DUP because the reality on the ground is people dont see this as a political, kind of theatre issue, they see it as the health waiting lists getting longer, they see it as public sector workers having to go on strike in the cold to get paid properly for the work that they do, people who we went out to clap during Covid and dont get paid properly, he told BBC Radio Ulster. These are all the responsibility of politicians, politicians are elected to do the job of sorting these problems out and you cant just walk off the pitch when you dont get what you want. So lets see. I think that the deal was basically done before Christmas and for whatever reason the DUP bottled it but they cant continue in that way, because I think theyll be punished by the electorate if they do. A number of unions have announced their intention to strike on January 18, in what the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) have called a generalised day of action. The large-scale industrial action will include health workers, midwives, radiographers, teachers and civil servants, who have said they will withdraw their labour for some length of time on the day. Mr Eastwood said the pay award available in the financial package offered on the conditions of Stormont being restored was a significant amount of money that can make a significant impact on the public sector workers. I think it should have an impact because, for me anyway, striking workers is a big issue. The fact that our ordinary workers out there ,who are doing the hard work that politicians arent doing right now, feel that that they have to give up days pay just to get paid properly, I think that should tell us politicians something and from my perspective, Ill be supporting those workers but they need a government back up and running as soon as possible, he said. And frankly, theyre not going to get anywhere with this Tory government. We all know what the Tory government think of ordinary workers and so politicians here have a responsibility to step in and make those decisions and the money is now there to do it. Mr Eastwood said the DUP need to be straight with the public on their reasons for continuing to block devolution. I think everybody knows and everybody understands that the deal around the protocol issues was done. This was all about orchestrating the opportunity for Jeffrey to bring his party along with him, but surely now the time is up, he said. When youre the leader of a political party, you have to lead sometimes, this is Jeffreys opportunity to show that hes serious about this because, frankly, a lot of people out there think theres an ulterior motive. I have no idea what the motive behind all of this is. He added: Its time now. This is a new year. Lets see a new attitude. Kai-Fu Lee predicts overhaul of China's AI industry amid preparation to adopt domestic AI chips Lee's startup 01.AI reached the US$1 billion unicorn mark last year after receiving investment during its latest funding round from China's Alibaba and Lee's Beijing-based company Sinovation Ventures. In a recent interview with the media outlet, The Information, Lee predicted that the Chinese AI industry is going through the "qualifying round" and after a major reshuffle, only a few major winners will remain. He also pointed out that despite 01.AI's reserves of high-end Nvidia AI GPUs for the next 18 months, the company is exploring how to incorporate Chinese domestic AI chips in the future, along with the tasks of rewriting program designs. 01.AI went on an Nvidia chip buying spree in 2023 in anticipation of US sanctions preventing the sale of high-end chips to China, where 01.AI is based. Speaking to Bloomberg in November last year, Lee said that his company had stockpiled enough chips for up to 18 months. Lee has long expressed confidence in China's potential to take the lead in AI. Outlining his reasoning in his 2017 book "AI Superpowers", Lee wrote, "If data is the new oil, then China is the new Saudi Arabia." However, when speaking with Bloomberg, he stuck a more cautious tone. He said, "The jury is out on whether China in 1.5 years can make equivalent or nearly as good chips [as Nvidia's]". Covering all bases, Lee's AI unicorn is researching how to introduce Chinese domestic AI chips. However, he accepts that this will be a challenging task as Nvidia's chips are outstanding, and their strength lies in building a complete ecosystem around their CUDA software library, making program design relatively straightforward. Lee noted that engineers might balk at the suggestion of using none non-Nvidia chips, as their efficiency could take a hit. Although this challenge may only emerge after 18 months, he said. Nevertheless, Lee is preparing for the future. He stated that if Nvidia's chips are unavailable at that time, 01.AI will seek simpler chips and focus more on converters. This would be a painful process of program design, but if there are no alternatives, it will be the only choice, Li said. However, Chinese engineers can excellently tackle such formidable engineering challenges, he added. Chinese tech giants such as Alibaba, Tencent, Baidu, ByteDance, and numerous startups are developing their own large language models (LLMs). Lee said that these companies are currently in the technology verification stage, where they must prove their capability to build high-quality LLMs. Those companies that pass technical verification will enter the next stage, focusing on how to achieve commercialization, increase revenue, and generate profits. For Lee, it is only when LLMs demonstrate the excellence that they can stand out in practical applications. Otherwise, they may simply be seen as toys without effective real-world applications. Regarding companies that advance through Lee's qualifying round, the next stage involves increasing business value, having a clear business model, and determining how to generate profits. In the United States, OpenAI has already proven its leading position in technology and its ability to create income. Lee predicted that in China, there will eventually be a few major winners, with a handful of companies able to bow out with dignity. Most other companies will either give up midway or shift towards more concrete and practical goals, such as developing applications and solutions for specific industries, he said. Subscriber content preview Rendering by MZA Architecture [enlarge] Theres no sign of a builder or broker for the project. The Fremont-area site sold 10 years ago to an LLC associated with EB-5 developer North America Asset Management Group. And, working with MZA Architecture, the master use permit came one year ago for the apartments planned at 106 N.W. 36th St. The proposal stands at six stories, 65 units and some commercial space at grade. . . . Subscriber content preview KIRKLAND A vacant former Wells Fargo bank branch at 6615 132nd Ave. N.E. has sold for almost $2.8 million, according to King County records. The seller was the bank, which acquired the property in 1997 for $895,000. . . . A man shot and wounded at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve has died in hospital. Jason Hennessy Snr (48) was shot during a gun attack at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown just after 8pm on December 24. He was driven to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown by a relative following the shooting where he received treatment for his injuries. Mr Hennessy was then transferred to the Mater Hospital Dublin, where he is understood to have been pronounced dead today. Gardai have been contacted for comment on this story. It emerged this week that a third male has been arrested in relation to the death of another man in the restaurant on Christmas Eve. Tristan Sherry died after being assaulted at Brownes Steakhouse in Blanchardstown at around 8pm on December 24. The male, who was arrested on Wednesday evening, is being detained at a Garda station in west Dublin under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. Another male who was arrested this week is still being detained at a west Dublin Garda station under the same provision. The man shot and wounded at Browne's Steakhouse, Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve has died in hospital. Gardai now conducting two murder investigations; one into the death of the 48-year-old who has now died and the other into the murder of one of the gunmen, Tristan Sherry (26) Conor Lally (@conormlally) January 4, 2024 Last week, 22-year-old Michael Andercut, with an address in Sheephill Avenue, Corduff, was charged with Tristan Sherry's murder during a special sitting of the Criminal Courts of Justice. In a fresh statement on Thursday, gardai said: "At approximately 8pm on Sunday 24th December 2023, two gunmen entered a premises on Main Street in Blanchardstown and a number of shots were fired. "The male in his 40s who was receiving treatment for gunshot wounds following this serious incident has been pronounced deceased at the Mater Hospital Dublin. "An Garda Siochana have now commenced a second murder investigation as part of their wider investigation into this incident, which is being conducted at an incident room in Blanchardstown Garda station led by a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO). "One of the gunmen, a man in his 20s, was subsequently assaulted and later pronounced deceased at the scene. A murder investigation into that incident is in progress. "Garda Family Liaison Officer (FLO) continue to liaise with both families regarding this investigation and local Gardai continue to receive assistance from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI). "A post-mortem examination will be conducted in the coming days on the body of the deceased male by the State Pathologist. "Gardai continue to appeal for any witnesses to these incidents or for any persons with video footage to come forward. "Gardai continue to appeal to any person with any information on these incidents to contact the Garda investigation team. "Anyone with any information is asked to contact Blanchardstown Garda Station on 01 666 7000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station." The Dundalk Democrat asked local TDs, councillors and senators from north and mid Louth to share their hopes, ambitions and predictions for the year ahead. In this article, Louth Sinn Fein Cllr Kevin Meenan shares his thoughts on 2024. For the first half of 2023 I had the honour of representing Dundalk as Cathaoirleach of the Council. This was a great opportunity to meet groups and organisations who do such great work. I predict that in 2024 they will continue to be the backbone of our community and will go mostly unappreciated and unrecognised. I wish them the best for 2024. Housing continued to be the biggest issue this year in my councillor clinics and I predict that unless there is a change of Government, this issue is just going to grow. There will be no change until Sinn Fein are in power and replace the failed policies with solutions. The conversation around the re-unification of Ireland is growing. I predict this will continue throughout 2024 and we will see increased calls for a Citizens Assembly on this topic both at National and International levels. The situation in Gaza is heart breaking and unless the world stands up to Israel they arent going to stop the genocide until every last life is taken in Gaza. Locally, here in Dundalk, we can do our bit. Stop buying Israeli products and supporting companies that contribute to the Israeli war machine. The bigger names we can boycott are Starbucks, Hewlett Packard, AXA Insurance, Booking.com and Air BnB. Those are companies for which there are plenty of alternatives. We can support the BDS (Boycott, Divest and Sanctions) movement and the list of items/companies to boycott is extensive. If we all stand together we can defeat apartheid in 2024. I want to thank my partner Paula and my daughter Caithlin for all their help and support throughout the year and on a personal note, I would like to see Celtic win the League and the Premiership. The Association of Irish Racecourses, an independent representative body which represents the interests of all of Irelands twenty-six racecourses nationwide, and of which Dundalk Stadium is a member, has pledged an extension to its financial support of Irish Injured Jockeys for the next three years. The Association of Irish Racecourses has pledged a combined total donation of 369,000 paid to the charity during this period. This donation will go towards IIJ running costs in an effort to ensure that public income raised through donations and fundraisers will go to Irish Injured Jockeys service users and beneficiaries. Building on the existing positive relationship between the racecourses, jockeys and the charity, AIR members unanimously committed to this scheme at their recent AGM. Racecourse donations are set on a scaled basis depending on the racecourse grade and each track pays their pledged amount to Irish Injured Jockeys direct. Conor ONeill, Chairman of the AIR and CEO of Punchestown Racecourse, said: Jockeys are the cornerstone of racing, providing racegoers with great days out and brilliant racing memories, however, we are acutely aware that it is a high-risk sport and the extraordinary physical demands our jockeys face for our sporting pleasure. "Irish racecourses enjoy superb relationships with jockeys and greatly value the time they give us to promote our wonderful sport each year. "In recognition of that, the Association of Irish Racecourses is delighted to formally demonstrate our commitment with 123,000 per year for the next three years to support the incredible work the Irish Injured Jockeys do. Ruby Walsh, Champion National Hunt Jockey and IIJ Chairman, commented: On behalf of the Irish Injured Jockeys, I would like to sincerely thank and acknowledge the 26 racecourses for their support. "The extension of their financial commitment for another three years is massive for IIJ and testament to the great relationship we have with the racecourses. "Their support will allow us to continue the important work we do and expand our services to riders. Their support towards IIJ running costs is a noble gesture and a remarkable contribution for which we are most grateful. The author Mark Twain once described the memorable sunsets in Muscatine, a small city on the banks of the Mississippi River in the US state of Iowa, as particularly memorable. In his 1883 book Life on the Mississippi, Twain wrote: "And I remember Muscatine still more pleasantly for its summer sunsets. I have never seen any, on either side of the ocean, that equaled them." Today, a large corn processing plant operates in Muscatine on the banks of the river. President Xi Jinping visited the plant in 1985, when he was Party chief of Zhengding county in Hebei province, and learned about agriculture. Most people in Muscatine, whose population is around 24,000, are farmers or hold jobs related to agriculture. Farms and wind turbines are the most common sights in the city, which is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Des Moines, the capital of Iowa. Dan Stein, chairman of the Muscatine-China Initiatives Committee and a native of Muscatine, conceded that life in the small city is slow-paced. "There isn't much going on in Muscatine," he said. However, nearly 39 years ago, when Xi led an agricultural delegation from Hebei, his trip to Iowa had an impact on many people in Muscatine. "It changed my life," said Stein, a banker whose clients are mostly local farmers, and who is also involved now in the import and export business between China and the United States' Midwest. In 1985, the trip's organizers contacted Eleanor and Thomas Dvorchak and said they were looking for homestays in Muscatine for a Chinese delegation. The Dvorchaks, whose sons were away at college, happened to have two bedrooms available. Xi, who led the delegation to Iowa, stayed the night in the bedroom of Gary Dvorchak, who is now an investor and has been living in Beijing for more than a decade. The homestay occurred before the internet era and, as the years passed, the Dvorchak family lost track of the delegation member. Then, in 2012, the family discovered that the young man who had stayed in their home years before was China's vice-president. Xi said he wanted to go to Iowa and visit his friends there again, and a reunion was held in Iowa in 2012 when he visited the US as vice-president. "We were all just surprised to encounter someone who has stayed in your home and then later, he rises to such greatness and becomes so famous.... Of course, we're happy for him that his career went so well. But everyone was just like, 'Wow, I can't believe this really happened'," Gary Dvorchak told China Daily in a recent exclusive interview. Now, walking into the bedroom at 2911 Bonnie Drive the address where Xi stayed in 1985 a visitor will see a massive oak tree still standing outside the window. The house, which is white with red bricks, features a master bedroom and two guest bedrooms. Xi slept in one of the guest bedrooms at the end of a hallway. Today, the home is a museum called the Sino-US Friendship House. "I can envision him being in America for the first time, looking outside and, obviously, the architecture and home decor are very different from China. And this huge oak tree back then probably was not so big, but it continues to grow," Stein said. Gary Dvorchak said his room, decorated with a Star Trek theme, was "very much the room of a child". "I was a huge Star Trek fan. I love science fiction, so I had shelves of Star Trek and Star Wars models," he added. In 2012, when Xi returned to Muscatine, he told those who had gathered, whom he has affectionately referred to as "old friends": "You were the first group of Americans that I came into contact with. My impression of the country came from you." Sarah Lande, an 85-year-old Muscatine resident who helped coordinate Xi's 1985 visit and met with him, also recalled that Xi told the friends gathered in 2012, "To me, you are America." During the 2012 reunion, "everyone was a little nervous, but mainly happy and very relaxed. In his role as vice-president, he came there as a friend. There was no talk about policy; the talk was (focused on) reminiscing," said Dvorchak. In November, Xi once again reunited with his old friends from Iowa, this time in San Francisco, where he and US President Joe Biden held a summit. "There was genuine happiness, so you could see the smile on his face, he was really enjoying it," said Dvorchak. "What's really wonderful is that, to him it has personal meaning. It's not just publicity. It's the people he really cares about from the experience he had way back then." Xi wrote in a letter to Lande, who is also author of a 2022 memoir titled Old Friends: The Xi Jinping-Iowa Story, "The Chinese and American people are both great people, and our friendship is not only a valuable asset, but also an important foundation for the development of bilateral relations." Because of Xi's trip, Muscatine, an agricultural city in the heartland of the US, became a bond for Sino-US friendship exchanges. Every year, students at Muscatine High School participate in study programs in China. In 2013, at Xi's suggestion, Muscatine became a sister city of Zhengding county, where Xi was serving when he first visited Muscatine. In 2015, the Muscatine Center opened in Jinan, Shandong province. In addition, the Musser Public Library in Muscatine houses over 500 books on Chinese culture, some in both English and Chinese, according to Muscatine's official website. "This whole story has inspired people in China and in America, but especially people in China to come to America and learn what it was Xi Jinping experienced that was so great that (they think) 'hey, I want to go and see what this is'," Dvorchak said. "It has become an inspiration for people to learn about each other, and it goes in the other direction, that people from Iowa go to China all the time. The house is really a great inspiration to promote people meeting each other." The daring operation off the Cork coast which saw members of the Army Rangers Wing rappel to the deck of a vessel which was found to contain a record haul of cocaine was among the operations highlighted by Oglaigh na hEirean/the Defence Forces in its annual review of the year. The actions carried out by army, navy and air corps assets during Operation Piano in September were part of a multi-agency Counter Narcotics Joint Task Force (JTF) involving Revenue and An Garda Siochana along with the Defence Forces. In its annual review, the Defence Forces detail the events that happened describing how army, navy and air Corps assets jointly engaged two vessels of interest (VOI) which it said were attempting to import large quantities of illegal drugs through Irish waters. 'Dynamic security situation' It states that on September 24 "a dynamic security situation developed off the South East Coast of Ireland when the ship, Castlemore, ran aground off the Wexford coast in inclement weather." Two suspects were rescued from the trawler in poor weather and escorted to the LE William Butler Yeats where Garda personnel were present to take them into custody. On Monday 25 SEPT [September] the JTF contacted DFHQ Operations Branch and requested assistance from air corps (AC) and army ranger wing (ARW) assets to conduct surveillance operations and possible fast-rope insertion to board an ARW Task Unit. Intelligence received indicated that a second ship, the cargo ship MV Matthew be designated the primary Vessel of Interest (VOI) for the JTF. This VOI was a bulk carrier with 20 crew on-board, sailing under the flag of Panama Customs, as the lead agency in the JTF, formally requested DF assistance to board the MV Matthew. The JTF had intelligence that this larger Vessel of Interest (VOI) may contain greater quantities of illegal drugs. A plan was developed to deploy Army Ranger Wing members on the VOI utilising AW139 Rotary wing aircraft with CASA and PC12 top cover." It said that LE WB Yeats tracked the vessel on September 26 before the "ARW deployed by Fast Rope Helicopter Insertion and gained control of the vessel, preventing the destruction of any potential contraband or evidence on-board. It added that "upon reaching calmer waters, both AGS and Customs Legal Enforcement Detachments (LEDET) boarded the VOI and a handover was conducted with the ARW Team Leader, handing over to the Civil Authorities." Other activities by Defence Forces According to the Oglaigh na hEireann review, among other activities, the naval service conducted 104 fisheries boardings, resulting in five detentions. The Naval Service Dive Section was deployed on 14 occasions for operations including JTF operations, quay wall clearance operations, explosive ordnance disposal operations, search and rescue and recovery of missing persons as well as routine mechanical engineering work on naval vessels. The army was also involved in 101 aid to civil power (ATCP) operations in support of An Garda Siochana involving Explosive and Ordnance Disposal (Bomb squad) call-outs, prisoner escorts, explosive escorts, cash escorts, specialist search operations and VIP visits including the State Visit of US President, Joe Biden, in April. Army members were also deployed in the county to provide flood relief support to the civil authorities following Storm Babet in October. The air corps was involved in more than 430 operations during 2023 and these included 344 emergency medical missions, supporting the National Ambulance Service, 50 maritime patrols, 29 inter-hospital air ambulance tasks both nationally and internationally to the UK and Europe and four resupply missions in support of United Nations missions. In June, the air corps responded to forest fire requests from Northern Ireland and conducted aerial fire-fighting and continued to support Garda Air Support Unit operations. Cork native Cillian Murphy heads the betting to win his category at Sunday's Golden Globes, BoyleSports has said. Murphy has been nominated to win Best Performance by a Male Actor in the drama film category at this years globes for his starring role in Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer. Murphy is odds-on at 10/11 to scoop the award, BoyleSports said. With the countdown firmly on to the red carpet gathering of Hollywoods finest, Will Ferrell, Amanda Seyfried and Suits Gabrial Macht are among those presenting the awards, alongside host Jo Koy. Among the other Irish actors to be nominated for a Golden Globe this year is Barry Keoghan. According to BoyleSports the Dublin-born actor is a 9/1 shot of winning Best Performance by a Male Actor in the drama film category at the Globes for his performance in Emerald Fennells Saltburn. Completing the Irish trio of nominees for the category is Andrew Scott at odds of 14/1. Scotts portrayal of lead character Adam in All Of Us Strangers has earned him another chance of winning a Golden Globe after he was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor in a Series award for Fleabag in 2020. Punters however have latched onto Cillian Murphy and he is red-hot favourite to double up during awards season, as he is odds-on 5/6 favourite to lift the Best Actor Oscar statuette in March, while Barry Keoghan can be backed at odds of 12/1, with Andrew Scott rated a 14/1 chance for an Academy Award. Its great to see Irelands acting talent being recognised on the biggest stage and punters believe Cillian Murphy might need to invest in a bigger trophy cabinet as he is odds on to be celebrating at the Golden Globes and the Oscars, Brian OKeeffe, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said. Joining the Irish nominees in the Best Performance by a Male Actor in the drama film category at this years Globes is Bradley Cooper ( Maestro), Colman Domingo ( Rustin) and Leonardo DiCaprio ( Killers Of The Flower Moon). A Dublin man who admitted to gardai that he was responsible for the epidemic of heroin overdoses in Cork at the end of 2023 was remanded in custody for another fortnight. Josh McGuinnesss solicitor, Eddie Burke, said, that the case had been adjourned to January 3 for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Sergeant Gearoid Davis said, It is a recent matter. My application is for a remand in custody to January 17. Mr Burke said the accused was due to appear at the High Court in Dublin to appeal his refusal of bail in the case. Judge Mary Dorgan told him that he would be required to appear in Cork District Court in person on January 17 if granted bail. Detective Garda Derry OBrien arrested 30-year-old Josh McGuinness of no fixed address and originally of Harmonstown Road, Raheney, Dublin, last month and brought him before Cork District Court on charges of dealing heroin and cocaine on Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork. Det Garda OBrien gave evidence of the accused man being questioned during his detention: Mr McGuinness made admissions in relation to knowing that deals being sold were to blame for the recent epidemic of overdoses in Cork City over the past week. Josh McGuinness is charged with four counts, namely being in possession of Diamorphine (heroin) and cocaine for his own use and having both drugs for the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying to others. Refusing the district court bail application, Judge Mary Dorgan said, Everyone is entitled to their freedom and the presumption of innocence. He was caught red-handed and it is alleged that he made admissions to being responsible for the recent epidemic of overdoses. During the objection to bail, Det. Garda OBrien said the accused had a severe crack cocaine addiction that extended to consuming 15 to 20 deals of the drug per day at a daily cost of 600. The detective said the accused was stopped and searched and found in possession of heroin valued at 2,000 and cocaine worth 1,000 and that the drugs were broken down into deal-sized bags, ready for sale and distribution in Cork city centre. The cocaine he was allegedly dealing was described as crack cocaine in 34 individual deals and 21 deals of heroin. THE family of 41-year-old Cork man Jamie Hannigan has raised over 3,500 for his funeral via a fundraiser on GoFundMe. A search operation for Jamie, who had been missing since December 16, came to an end on Tuesday, following the recovery of a body in Cobh. Writing on the fundraising platform, Jamies sister Louise said: As many of you are aware my brother Jamie Hannigan was missing for nearly three weeks. With so much gratitude to so many services like Cork Missing Person Search and Rescue and Mallow Search and Recovery, because of volunteers and services like these my brother has been found and we can finally lay him to rest, and try to start the process of saying goodbye to him. I have set this GoFundMe page up to help Jamies family cover the cost of the funeral and to help alleviate the stress on his children and family during an already difficult time. Money raised through this GoFundMe will 100% go to funeral costs and if by any chance any money is left over, half will be given to his kids to cover financial needs such as school costs and anything else they need. The other half of the money left over will be donated to the search and rescue crews who took him home to us, she explained, saying we will be forever in their debt. A CUH-based research scientist is desperately appealing for help as he fights to save his familys lives just months after their childhood home was bombed in Gaza. Ahmad Mahdi, who lives in Cork city and works in a cancer research role at Cork University Hospital, has set up a GoFundMe in the hope of raising 70,000 to help his family flee their home country. The 28-year-old fought back tears as he described how his two first cousins were killed at the familys privately-run facility, the Mahdi Maternity Hospital. He added that 12 of his close friends have also been lost to the merciless attacks. My first cousins were gynaecologists and they were killed as they sheltered at our familys privately-run maternity hospital, Ahmad said. They bombed the whole hospital and one of my cousins family was killed with him. What makes it so painful is that the hospital was surrounded by tanks. I was sharing online and we were pleading for the Red Cross and any other international organisation we could think of to intervene and evacuate them, he said. For a whole day we shared these posts. That was on November 11. On November 12 the whole hospital was bombed. Ahmad is hoping to raise enough funds to bring his father Hani, aged 62, mother Samia, 56, sister Haya, 34, and her husband Mohammed, 38, along with their children Judy, 9, Kenzi, 8, and Karim, 3, to Cork. He also hopes to be reunited with his brother Abdallah, 31, and his wife Reem, 26, and their children (one year old Hani Jnr), as well as with his 23-year-old brother Ibrahim. His 18-year-old sister Rania would also travel to Cork with the group if the fundraiser proves successful. Ahmad explained that special permission from the Egyptian government, which involves a payment of 8,000 per person, is currently their only way out of the country. He said that while the payment might be exploitative it could mean the difference between life and death for his family. Unfortunately, people are looking to profit from this humanitarian crisis, he said. The reality is very exploitative. It just looks so ugly and its ugly to me. However, Im just so desperate for my family. I want them to be safe. I need them to be safe. This has been going on for three months and I dont see any hope. I dont know when and how its going to end. He described how their family home was bombed shortly after the war began. Our house was bombed twice. The first time was 10 days after the war started, he said. It was so heartbreaking, but my main concern now is for my familys safety. We grew up in that house. Now, everything has been burnt into oblivion. He described the pain of being away from his family. The helplessness is what kills me every day. I dont want to be away from them if anything happens. If I cant get them over here I would rather die with my family in Gaza. Ahmad said he speaks with his family as often as is possible. I cant get hold of my family every day because they have to walk for 30 minutes just to get internet access, he said. We cant speak for long. They try to tell me they are ok and that there are others who are worse off. The last thing they want is to worry me. Almost 18,000 of Ahmads 70,000 target had been raised online as of Wednesday this week. You can donate here. THE last day of 2023 started quietly enough. A cold and misty morning it was as I did a few jobs around the yard before mass. We had put in plenty silage for the cows the previous evening so there wasnt much to be done. While we were at half-nine Mass the heavens opened and we could hear the lashing on the church roof as torrents cascaded down. It eased a little as we got home. Now, they say that there seven different types of madness and maybe sometimes I suffer from all seven! That thought certainly occurred to me about half an hour later! The rain had resumed coming down in buckets, buffeted by a cold wind. By now I was on the way to Rathcormac and exposed to the full force of natures elements. You see, the Rathcormac Vintage Club had organised a Vintage Vehicle Gathering starting at 11am and I was on my way in my 1964 David Brown tractor. Lads, I can tell ye alright that a voice somewhere in the deepest recesses of my brain was shouting Are you mad or what? True enough, I had no shelter in my cab-less tractor and, despite wearing rain gear and several layers of clothing underneath, I was drenched to the skin before I reached Ballinwilling Bridge! Back in 1960, the local Macra na Feirme branch here held a Ploughing Match at OSullivans farm in Rathaneague. It was a brutal day with cold wind and train - just like last Sunday! The Amplification that day in 1960 was provided by a famous man, Pat Barrett of Midleton. Speaking of the weather conditions later, Pat said it was so bad he got seven different types of flu out of it! Im not counting but Ive not stopped coughing and spluttering since - but sure twas for a good cause! All the funds collected went to the Critical Rapid Response Unit, a most worthy cause. After getting off from my 880 at the Community Field, I emptied the water from my wellingtons! Amazingly, after a short while the sky turned blue and the sun shone -just briefly! There was a nice gathering on an awful morning and the donation bucket was well filled. It would have been much easier for everyone to heed the weather forecasters dire warnings and stay at home. The Vintage Club could just have cancelled the whole show, but no, it went ahead. Thats determination and resilience - OK, theres a modicum of madness thrown in too, but life is for living and doing things, taking chances and helping others. You know, in this day and age we hear so much bad news, so much negativity, and no doubt much of it is deserved, but truly we have a lot to be proud of. Over the last month or so, Vincent de Paul, SHARE, the Cork Penny Dinners, and Cork Simon were all flat out. Many other groups, big and small, local and national, do unseen trojan work, week in, week out, to help others. Sometimes, I think we underestimate the goodness of Irish people and their willingness to give to others -not just money or food or presents -all these are important, but giving ones time and talents is a great gift to bestow. In many other European countries - many more wealthy than Ireland - that sense of community and helping hands has long since disappeared. Its not just in the concrete jungles of anonymous, huge cities but in rural areas too. Back in 1918, when Brinsley Mac Namara wrote his Valley Of The Squinting Windows, the book proved very controversial. Set in a tiny village where everyone is interested in everyone elses business and wishes them to fail, the book was widely condemned and copies burnt. Maybe Sheridan took the old Irish sean-fhocail Ar scath a cheile mhaireann na daoine (People live in each others shadow) a bit too far. Nevertheless, isnt it better to live in a society where we all know our neighbours than living in splendid isolation? Of course, we must respect privacy, and with modern GDPR laws, sure its nearly a crime to give someones phone number to someone else! Despite all this, we should never fail to recognise and value the hundreds, nay, thousands of people who dont count the cost or time lost in lending a hand. Maybe a handful, a very small minority, do it for personal glorification or out of a sense of ego satisfaction, but for the majority its just the right thing to do. Theres absolutely no better reason than that for getting involved. I suppose the basis of Christianity is to love God and love thy neighbour and whilst religious practise, as in actually going to church, chapel or meeting-house, has declined, I think the Christian ethos still pervades in Irelandm and thats something we should be rightly proud of. Id love to go back to Ethiopia some time. In October, 2008, I was privileged to be part of a group that journeyed to that vast, beautiful but poverty-stricken African country. As part of a Self Help team we spent a week there. We all know the maxim, Give a fish and feed someone for a day, teach a person how to fish, feed them for life - that was and still is the basic ethos of so many groups who work all over the world. Of course, in times of natural disasters or in war situations, immediate and urgent food aid and medical help is needed, and the solution for long-term poverty and hunger has to include ground-up projects. Looking back now, 16 years on, am I more confident than then about solving all the worlds many problems? Im not sure, but no matter what happens, tis better to light even a small candle than just simply curse the darkness. In 2008, I saw green shoots of local development with co-operatives funded by Irish cash. A tiny amount can have a massive long -term effect in a country where resources are scarce. Just before we began the Christmas season, I heard Paddy OBrien interviewed on the wireless. A tireless worker for over 50 years for the marginalised and underprivileged, Paddy was discussing one of the greatest afflictions now afflicting Irish society - loneliness. I mentioned the concrete jungles across the world, but a person living on their own can be lonely in the countryside, in a little village, a town or city like Cork. Paddy was asking people not for cash or cheques or standing orders, but simply time. We are all busy but, in terms of time and talk, a little means a lot. If every single person who reads these words makes a decision to simply call in to someone they have been meaning to visit - even for quarter of an hour - the effect would be massive. Dont do it for the thank- you youll get, but for the smile on the face of someone who mightnt have met anyone for a week. Thats something worth achieving. Dont beat yourself up for not calling or making that phone call before now - just do it. Last Sunday, as I drove home in my wet clothes, the weather was a bit brighter. I smiled thinking of the hardy lads who had made the fund-raiser a success. I actually met one local man who is off with two friends to travel the length of England and Scotland - on his tractor. Theyll be away for the month of May, fundraising again for last Sundays great cause. Weve a lot to be proud of. Google Bard Advanced is coming, and it may represent the company's first attempt to charge for an AI chatbot. The code on Bard's website shows the opportunity to get three months free of Bard Advanced implying that it will come at a cost after that. X (formerly Twitter) user Bedros Pamboukian shared the discovered code, which also includes a defunct Google One link. This could mean that users will be required to get a Google One subscription to access Bard Advanced. hi, bard advanced will be free for 3 months and you'll need Google One too, enjoysies the fact that it's in prod implies it's ready & being tested (currently an experiment) again, not a leaker, but Google keeps putting stuff in plain sight and literally nobody realizes... pic.twitter.com/YqfAK77f0F Bedros Pamboukian (@bedros_p) January 3, 2024 Google first announced Bard Advanced in December 2023 alongside the new AI large language model Gemini and an AI hypercomputer from Google Cloud. Gemini is Google's most capable model to date, with the ability to "seamlessly understand and reason about all kinds of inputs from the ground up, far better than existing multimodal models," Google CEO Sundar Pichai explained in a blog post. Gemini has three sizes: Gemini Ultra, Gemini Nano and Gemini Pro, with Bard using the latter. Gemini Ultra isn't publicly available yet, but Google has stated that it will be the force behind Bard Advanced. As for Bard Advanced's availability, the aforementioned code suggests it could be tied to Google One (although it's unclear what subscription tier would be required) but no details have been confirmed as of this writing. Google is currently testing its capabilities with a small group (which also might be why the code is visible). There's no exact release date for Bard Advanced yet, but Google said in December that it would be available "early next year," so it could launch at any time. Set your calendars. Martin Scorseses latest and greatest, Killers of the Flower Moon, is premiering globally on Apple TV+ in just over a week. The film drops on January 12. It was originally released in theaters on November 20, which means itll be 12 weeks before arriving on a streaming service, which has become fairly standard in recent years. We knew this would drop on Apple TV+, as Apple Studios financed the film and arranged for theatrical distribution. We just didnt know when, and now we do. Incidentally, this is the first Apple-financed film to get a wide theatrical release. Killers of the Flower Moon is a great match for streaming, as it's well over three hours long, which made for some frantic trips to the theater bathroom once the credits rolled. The movie stars Lily Gladstone, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Jesse Plemons and is set in 1920s Oklahoma. The narrative is based on a true story and follows the serial murders of members of the Osage Nation tribe. Theres a lot more than that, but we aint about to start handing out spoilers like candy. Watch the movie. Its good. To that end, Killers of the Flower Moon has been nabbing up award nominations left and right, including 12 Critics Choice nominations and seven Golden Globe nominations. It was also named to the American Film Institute's list of Motion Pictures of the Year. Oscar nominations dont drop until later this month, but its likely to make several appearances across multiple categories. This is the biggest film to come from Apple Studios, but not the only notable release. Coda, another Apple original, actually won Best Picture at the 2021 Academy Awards. Apple is also behind Ridley Scotts Napoleon and forthcoming releases by directors Jon Watts and Matthew Vaughn, among others. This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Donald Trump asked the US Supreme Court to overturn the historic decision by Colorado's top court to disqualify him from the state's Republican primary ballot, for inciting violence against the government in the US Capitol attack by his supporters. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Scams often leave victims devastated emotionally and financially, but an award-winning filmmaker and book author Gini Graham Scott turned her experience of being scammed not once but three times into films and books about scams that help others know about and protect themselves from being scammed or help them heal. In her first scam experience, one of her ghostwriting clients was a publisher with clients who wanted to turn their films into books. So she wrote the kind of materials an author would need to interest a producer a logline/synopsis, show bible for a series, script, and sometimes a treatment or sizzle reel. She thought it was totally legit. But the catch was that the publisher used the lure of a "deal" from an executive producer at a major studio to get the author to pay more and more for the materials Gini was writing. Then, the publisher marked these materials up five or six times and convinced the client to pay for a marketing campaign that went nowhere since this was a phony producer for a made-up deal. Some victims lost $20,000-$35,000. Then, Gini discovered what was going on after a client had trouble paying the company, since the payment processors suspected it of fraudulent activity, so the client was asked to pay Gini who could then pay most of the money to the company. But once she talked to the client, she realized the scam and recognized that she was a victim too, because the company was using her reputation to lure in the clients. As a result, she not only stopped working for the scam company, but reported them to the authorities, and after she discovered a dozen more client victims, she ended up writing a book about the scam and the victim's stories. Then, this book turned into The Big Con published by Waterside Productions, and a year later, that book was turned into the documentary Conned: A True Story, featuring interviews with seven of the victims of the book-to-film scam. The film was recently released by Gravitas Ventures and is available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Conned-True-Story-Robert-Newman/dp/B0CH9X62XQ). It provides an empathetic and in-depth exploration of the psychological and financial toll these deceptions can take. That experience led Gini to investigate other scams and how to avoid them, which became the book I Was Scammed, also published by Waterside Productions, and turned into the documentary: Con Artists Unveiled, which features interviews with con artists about how they do it and with victims about their experiences. The film was also released by Gravitas Ventures and is available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Unveiled-Evan-Disney/dp/B0CGV4Z37Y. It presents a unique perspective in bringing together narratives from both the con artists and their victims. Ironically, though, despite learning about all kinds of scams and protection strategies, Gini became a victim of what was a new PayPal rep scam, in which a scammer uses the ruse of being a customer rep to help get a refund for a mistaken charge in order to get access to the customer's bank account information and phone. Then, she wrote a book about that scam experience, too, in Scam Story. It describes how the scammer led her on a not so merry chase by pretending to help her get a refund that led to him learn her bank account information after which he insisted that she buy three dozen gift cards at six stores totaling $9000 or lose all her money, though she foiled the plot by going to her bank that closed her accounts. Then, after a hacker took over her Facebook account and two groups with a replacement email scam she couldn't stop quickly enough, she wrote a book about that to help others avoid losing their own groups Stop the Great Big Facebook Hack. And now that she has discovered there is a market for stolen Facebook groups and other social media accounts, she is planning a book about that. So you might say that Gini has become something of a maestro in finding a way to turn bad experiences into something good a philosophy that she has used in guiding her whole life. In fact, this approach to life has led her to write over 200 books, several dozen scripts that have garnered over 262 awards in international film festivals, 150 songs, 3 dozen children's books, 3 dozen games, and more. She has even become an expert speaking to groups about using AI for writing, illustrating, and publishing books, and she has even created an AI service that links individuals who first get counseling from AI with real counselors with plans to launch it in several months. Here's a brief summary of her career that led to her two recent films: Conned: A True Story and Con Artists Unveiled a summary created with a little help from AI. A Prolific Author and Renowned Publisher. Gini Graham Scott has authored and published over 200 books, demonstrating her versatility and expertise in a wide range of genres. This impressive portfolio includes three dozen children's books, reflecting her talent in engaging younger audiences with compelling storytelling and educational content. An Influential Force in Feature Film and Documentary Making. Scott's achievements in the film industry are equally remarkable, with her involvement in writing and producing 18 feature films and documentaries. Her work in this realm showcases her exceptional storytelling abilities and deep understanding of visual narratives. A Creative Lyricist with a Substantial Portfolio. In the realm of music, Scott has written the lyrics for over 150 recorded songs, spanning various styles and genres. Her skillful wordplay and emotional depth in lyrics have contributed significantly to the music industry. Innovator in the Gaming World. Gini's creativity extends to game design, where she has created three dozen games. Her innovative approach to gaming has led to engaging and thought-provoking experiences for players. Embracing AI in Literature. Emphasizing her forward-thinking approach, Scott has authored three dozen books utilizing Artificial Intelligence. This innovative method showcases her adaptability and willingness to explore new frontiers in writing. A Screenwriter with a Flair for Recognition. Her screenwriting talent has been recognized with an astounding 262 awards. Scott's screenplays have been lauded for their creativity, depth, and engaging storytelling. An Academic with a Wealth of Knowledge. Gini Graham Scott's academic achievements are no less impressive, holding a PhD in Sociology, a JD in Law, and five MAs in diverse fields including Anthropology, Communication, Recreation and Leisure, and Organization/Consumer/Audience Behavior. A Trusted Advisor in Writing and Publishing. Additionally, Scott has written several dozen book proposals, books, and scripts for clients, further establishing her as a guiding force in the writing and publishing industries. Availability for Interviews and Speaking Engagements. Gini Graham Scott is now available for interviews and speaking engagements. Her vast experience and accomplishments make her an ideal guest for discussions on writing, filmmaking, music, game design, AI in literature, and her academic pursuits. Availability of Screeners and Trailers. Trailers of the films can be seen as follows: Conned: A True Story: https://youtu.be/u6zg0G6IqZM Con Artists Unveiled: https://youtu.be/rEP21wFmWmM Trailers for other films are available on www.changemakersproductionsfilms.com or on the Changemakers Films YouTube channel. Contact Information: For inquiries or to schedule an interview or speaking engagement with Gini Graham Scott, please contact: Karen Andrews Executive Assistant to Gini Graham Scott Changemakers Publishing, Writing, and Production San Ramon, California 925) 804-6333 info@changemakerspublishingandwriting.com www.changemakerspublishingandwriting.com www.changemakersproductionsfilms.com Wednesday, January 3, 2024 Before the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel that precipitated the current Israel-Hamas war, the U.S. was reportedly brokering a peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Some experts on the Middle East have suggested that the Hamas attack was partly a response to that peace initiative. Those regional observers point out that such a thawing of Israeli-Saudi relations would be detrimental to the interests of Iran, and that as the chief sponsor of Hamas, Iran likely prodded the militant organization to launch the attack in an attempt to scupper the peace process. As part of that proposed peace deal, the U.S. is expected to provide a security guarantee to Saudi Arabia. That guarantee would protect the Saudis against possible future attacks by Iran and its proxies in the region. If a deal were to come to fruition, a two-thirds majority of the U.S. Senate would be required to ratify the defense treaty. With Saudi Arabia increasingly in bed with China and Russia, some U.S. senators are openly questioning the wisdom of providing such a guarantee to the Saudis. That is a valid question. But the bigger worry is that there is an increasing loss of faith in U.S. foreign policy. It is now widely known that the Clinton administration was quite reluctant to make an iron-clad military commitment to Ukraine when it brokered the agreement that led to the signing of the Budapest Memorandum. The administration was only prepared to provide security assurances. It essentially meant that any future U.S. administration would have the flexibility to decide the extent to which it would provide assistance to Ukraine when called for. Some people have intimated that the watered-down commitment came about because there were fears that the U.S. Congress at the time would not vote to ratify a more robust defense treaty. By its current actions, America is demonstrating that it is a bank that is not trustworthy. Ukraine has come to cash its check, and we seem to be declaring insolvency. We are coming up with all sorts of excuses to shirk our responsibility. If that is the case, then why would the Saudis trust anything we provide them anyway? It is our own border security and other internal matters that are blocking much-needed aid to Ukraine today. But America is never short of problems so we can always find something to justify any future inactions. Without credibility, it doesnt matter whether the word we use is guarantee or assurance. Is that perhaps why the Saudis seem to be playing both sides? America has had a longstanding strategic interest in the Middle East so our involvement in the Israeli-Saudi peace deal is not surprising. But, by offering the Saudis a guarantee, are we suggesting that the nuclear nonproliferation effort, as part of which the U.S. pressured Ukraine to give up its nuclear weapons, which then made it vulnerable to Russian attacks, was that much less important to us? If putting the security and the very existence of another country in such grave danger is not that big of a deal to us, as our attitude towards Ukraine is starting to show, then for heavens sake, enough with this business of issuing assurances and guarantees. What is worth doing is worth doing well. America cannot solve all of the worlds problems so it must weigh its foreign policy choices carefully. Making these kinds of half-hearted promises all over the place and walking away from them, as this nation seems to be doing with its quickly waning support for Ukraine, is a surefire way to lose respect on the global stage. An explosive interview by the son of French film legend Alain Delon sparked open warfare in his family on Thursday, with the screen legend immediately indicating he was outraged and would file a complaint over his eldest child's comments. Anthony Delon told this week's Paris Match magazine that his father was finding it hard to accept his frail state of health and also accused his half-sister of leaving the star vulnerable by concealing health problems. Now in a "weakened" state, Alain Delon, 88, "can no longer bear to see himself like that, diminished", Anthony told Paris Match. The star of classic films including "Swimming Pool", "The Leopard" and "Purple Noon" suffered a severe stroke in July 2019 and now rarely leaves his estate in Douchy in France's Loire region. "He doesn't speak much, it tires him or it annoys him when we make him repeat, because his voice is no longer always clear, or audible," Anthony Delon said in the interview. There are "major risks" that this was "his last Christmas", he warned. - 'Extremely shocked' - But Alain Delon was "extremely shocked by the media outburst orchestrated by his son Anthony" and will file a complaint against him, his lawyer Christophe Ayela told AFP in a statement. Alain Delon told him "he cannot stand the aggressiveness of his son Anthony who keeps telling him that he is senile", and what is even "more shocking" is that his son "claims that he may have lived his last Christmas". The lawyer said Delon had asked: "'What father could bear that?'" There was already concern about the well-being of Alain Delon after his three children last year filed a complaint against his former live-in assistant Hiromi Rollin accusing her of harassment and threatening behaviour. Rollin, who was evicted in July from the actor's property, disputed the accusations against her and also filed a complaint of her own. French prosecutors on Thursday said no further action would be taken regarding any of the complaints, saying there was insufficient evidence to indicate any crime. Delon rarely appeared on screen after the 1990s. His last major public appearance was to receive an honorary Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019 although he did attend the Paris funeral ceremony for his great friend and fellow star Jean-Paul Belmondo in September 2021. - 'Harm the reputation' - In the bombshell interview, Anthony Delon, 59, the son of Delon's former wife Nathalie Delon, also took aim at younger half-sister Anouchka, the daughter of Alain Delon and Dutch model Rosalie van Breemen. He said he had reported her to the police, while not filing a complaint, for failing to inform the family over his father's performance in cognitive tests from 2019. Anthony Delon said day-to-day care of his father is now in the hands of his father's third youngest child Alain-Fabien Delon, whose mother is also Rosalie van Breemen. "My sister never informed my brother and me that between 2019 and 2022, my father had been subjected to five cognitive tests during his visits to the clinic in Switzerland and that he did not pass any of them," he told the magazine. The results showed "a cognitive degradation which places my father in a position of psychological weakness, and therefore of vulnerability," he added. Alain Delon's lawyer Ayela responded that Anthony "has only one goal, to harm the reputation of his daughter Anouchka and the unique relationship that he has always had with Anouchka." Anouchka meanwhile issued a statement through the same lawyer, saying her half brother's comments were "abject", adding she would file a complaint against Anthony for defamation, slander, threats and harassment. Anthony Delon then hit back with a post on Instagram, accusing his half-sister of visiting their father at his estate on Thursday "to throw the Paris Match in his face and make him sign (this) despicable statement." bur-sjw/bp The interior of the Montana State Supreme Court (Photo by Eric Seidle/ For the Daily Montanan). Shanna ManyWounds will be reunited with her little boy after a Lake County District Court Judge abruptly ordered him taken away from his mom in September. In an order Tuesday, the Montana Supreme Court found Judge Deborah Kim Christophers decision to be contrary to the childs best interests, against the advice of the courts own expert witness, and causing a gross injustice. The order, signed by five justices, described Christophers decisions in the case to be a misapplication of the law and a punishment of the mother unsupported by the record. The justices also note Christopher made her ruling before hearing from the mothers witnesses. The plaintiffs lawyers earlier described the case as one of the most blatant miscarriages of justice they had ever seen in each of their roughly 25 years practicing law, and the Supreme Courts order found in their favor. The order voids Christophers parenting plan, and it grants ManyWounds emergency request that the child custody case be removed from Christopher, an outcome the lawyers said would be rare and the justices said is an extraordinary remedy. Judge Christopher created a parenting plan whose stated purposes were to punish ManyWounds for the courts belief that she had treated (father Jonathan Whyte) unfairly, to reward Whyte because she found him likeable, and to deliberately subject (the child) to potential trauma in a misguided attempt to develop the stress muscles of a child that the court believed had been overly protected by his mother and grandmother, the justices wrote. At a hearing in September to sort out a couple of minor issues in a parenting plan, Christopher ordered the 5-year-old child immediately removed from his mother, who lives in Elmo, and placed with his father, who lives in Oregon. She did so contrary to any proposal from either parent or any allegations of neglect or abuse. Neither parent was represented by a lawyer at the time. Spencer MacDonald and Lance Jasper, both of Missoula, agreed to represent ManyWounds after reading a transcript of the hearing. David Diacon of Lolo represents Whyte. The parents were at an impasse over when the child could get a passport the fathers family lives in Jamaica and under what conditions he could be with the father in Oregon for vacations. In their ruling, the justices vacated the district courts order and the parenting plan Christopher devised filed 43 days after the hearing and after ManyWounds petition to the Supreme Court and reassigned the case to Judge Molly Owen of the same district. The order said Judge Christopher likely worsened the situation between the parents with her cavalier decision to sever contact between the child and his mother, his primary caretaker to that point. The father had visited once a year for about four days. We are not suggesting that Whyte is an unfit parent or that he is undeserving of a strong parent-child relationship with (the child) with frequent and continuing contact with his son, the justices wrote. We further do not fault Whyte if he was not fully prepared to take immediate custody of (the child) as that was an outcome the parties could not have anticipated at the beginning of the parenting plan hearing. One of the more disturbing aspects of Judge Christophers rulings in this case is the damage likely caused to the largely amicable coparenting relationship that ManyWounds and Whyte had forged. It is this courts sincere hope that they are able to repair that relationship and successfully coparent (the child) in the future. In their order, the justices described the child custody hearing as one where the judge made a decision and later heard from the mothers witnesses; she disregarded her own experts testimony; she unfairly blamed the mother for the fathers lack of asserting his parenting rights; and she appeared increasingly upset and emotionally triggered by the information she heard, but did not recuse herself. Instead, she unfortunately rendered a decision that appears to arise from her desire to punish one parent and reward the other at the expense of a five-year-old childs best interest and/or from her connecting the circumstances in this case to the circumstances she faced when managing custody and visitation issues related to her own children, the justices wrote. Neither motivation is grounded in the requirements of (Montana code) and has resulted in misapplication of the law. Judge Christophers comments throughout the hearing illustrate that her ruling was colored by her personal feelings and perceptions of ManyWounds and Whyte. Judge Christopher repeatedly chastised ManyWounds for being unappreciative of Whytes parenting efforts, which she repeatedly described as a gift, later declaring I kind of like this guy, and opining that Whyte had created the nicest (proposed) parenting plan I have ever seen. Although Christopher was genuinely distressed, the justices wrote, neither parent behaved in a way that reasonably should have triggered that response. The justices also said the record doesnt support the judges accusations against ManyWounds, including that she frustrated contact between the father and child. At one point, the justices note Christopher opined that ManyWounds was to blame for the childs lack of relationship with the fathers relatives in Jamaica because she had not taken him to Jamaica to meet them. They also note the judge believed ManyWounds should sacrifice her own financial wellbeing for the sake of Whytes convenience in scheduling transportation to the airport for Whyte. In determining a parenting plan, a court must use the best interest of the child standard, and it is improper to use such a plan to punish or penalize a parent, the order said. But Christopher failed to consider the childs best interests, which include the wishes of the parents and the wishes of the child, the order said. The courts ruling that prohibits (the child) from having any contact with ManyWounds at present and that places him in Whytes sole custody for five years does not support the best interest of a child who loves both of his parents, the order said. The justices also said Christopher did not consider or address potential trauma to the child, and she mischaracterized her parenting plan. Christopher asserts her ruling flipped the entire current parenting, but the justices said the current plan allowed the father to contact the child in Montana as often as he wished. The parenting plan does not flip the current parenting; it bars (the child) from all contact with his primary caregiver until a yet-to-be-determined therapist determines otherwise and provided no timeframe in which Whyte was required to engage an acceptable therapist, the justices said. The order also noted Christopher called an expert witness of her choosing, Lake County Superintendent Carolyn Hall, but then completely dismissed Halls testimony that the child needs both parents in her parenting plan. At the same time that the court gives lip service to Halls testimony, the court completely disregarded its substance and ruled counter to the opinions Hall offered, the justices wrote. The court asked Hall if it would be emotional abuse if one parent kept the child from seeing the other parent and Hall responded that it would. However, this ruling keeps (the child) from seeing his mother, possibly for as long as five years an outcome that the courts own witness testified was abusive. Hall also suggested it would be very important and less frightening for ManyWounds to accompany the child to Oregon instead of having the father take him from Montana, but the judge recalled her own experience in making her decision in the case. I had to share my children with someone who abused them and I didnt know how badly But I will tell you as many times as I cried about the life I imposed on them, they tell me, Mom, we wouldnt trade how strong we are even if we had to go through that again If you can build a resilience, it doesnt come from the fun times, the opportunities where you dont have to assert or develop stress muscles, is what I call them. The judge told ManyWounds the immediate transition would make him more independent and that over-protecting of kids results in kids that cant take care of themselves. And unfortunately on mine it was doubled up. They not only got over protected, they got abused. So youre going to get a gift I dont think you ever expected the opportunity to have. The judge made her decision despite testimony from ManyWounds and a pastor she was dating that the child is sensitive and could use a couple of days to get used to the idea of leaving the care of his mom. The justices also said Judge Christophers lack of meaningful consideration of the best interests of the child are illustrated by the questions she didnt ask at the hearing. She wanted to know if the father had a car seat for the trip home, but only after her ruling did she ask, for the first time, if anyone else lived in the home. At no time did she inquire as to the safety or stability of his residence, if he had a bed for (the child), his work schedule, or any other details that would indicate that he was adequately prepared to accept immediate long-term sold custody of a five-year-old child, beyond his apparent willingness to do so, the justices said. The justices said upon sending the case back that the district court shall restore custody of the child to ManyWounds, and the parents will revert to their previous parenting plan until the newly-assigned judge holds a hearing and issues a final parenting plan. The post Montana Supreme Court removes Lake County District Court judge from child custody case appeared first on Daily Montanan. Large quantities of illegally imported meat have been seized by Dover Port Health Authority (DPHA) since 2022, in news called 'deeply worrying' by the pig sector. The authority has seized 57 tonnes of illegally imported pigmeat at the Port of Dover, according to an update on the port's progress in battling African swine fever (ASF). Current rules introduced in 2022 make it illegal for travellers to bring pork products weighing over 2kg into the country from the EU unless produced to the bloc's commercial standards. Beverley Edmondson, port health manager at Dover District Council and Port Health Authority, said it could be just the tip of the iceberg. It is estimated 90% of this illicit trade enters the UK at Dover, and Ms Edmondson told Pig World that DPHA staff seized more than 57 tonnes of illegal meat since the order came in, despite limited resource. This includes 5.5 tonnes of illegal meat seized over the weekend before Christmas alone. We are seeing unprecedented quantities of illegal, non-compliant meat, unparalleled at any other point of entry, Ms Edmondson said. Our experiences over the last 12 months have highlighted the scale and scope of the illegal meat trade, and why our work to remove it from the food chain is so critical. "We estimate that, for every tonne of illicit meat removed, there are multiple tonnes entering GB undetected, she said. She suggested the work should be placed under port health authority jurisdiction, rather than Border Force, for specific high-risk locations such as Dover', and said it was imperative resources are appropriately channelled and maintained to ensure we can keep this stuff out. The National Pig Association (NPA) said the revelations about the volumes of illegal meat being seized at Dover were deeply worrying. With ASF continuing to spread in Europe, often by human mediated routes, this highlights the very real risk to our national pig herd, said NPA chief executive, Lizzie Wilson. We have been calling on government to ensure there are no further delays in introducing the Border TOM and to increase border controls for illegal meat imports as it is clear this vital work must be maintained and strengthened wherever possible. The NPA recently called on for action from the government on various fronts to prevent and prepare for an outbreak of ASF. A project seeking to increase the volume and range of Welsh produce in schools has managed to secure six local authorities. The food and drink project will serve up support for farmers in Wales and review school dinner menus across the country. Six local authorities in Wales have signed up to the Larder Cymru Welsh Food for Schools pilot scheme following a successful test trial in Conwy. Over the next 12 months, Wrexham, Flintshire, Anglesey, Gwynedd, Cardiff, and Caerphilly councils have pledged to work with the initiative. Supported by the Welsh government, the aim is to boost Welsh produce purchased and used by education catering departments in their counties. Senior project officer David Wylie said the journey to this point had been proactive and collaborative as they roll the scheme out to further local authorities. Larder Cymru and the six local authorities we are working with are committed to reviewing school menus and identifying opportunities for integrating more Welsh products into their meals, he said. We will collaborate with existing supply chains and stakeholders to develop future school meal menus that incorporate more Welsh produce and suppliers in line with the policy for universal free school meals in Wales. Each local authority will be responsible for their own menu provision and supply framework; as part of the project we will explore and identify the opportunities and challenges to serving more Welsh produce in school meals. As well as focusing on Welsh produce, the project will also consider the sustainability, nutrition, allergen, and health requirements of school meal provision. The six authorities taking part also represent variations in geography, urban-rural landscapes, demographics and method of school meal preparation and service. Wrexhams lead member for education, Cllr Phil Wynn said providing the best meals possible would help contribute to schools achieving their potential. "If we can do this by including more Welsh produce this will also help the local economy and the environment. Right in time for summer travel, Bulgaria and Romania will now be accessible to international visitors as part of the Schengen visa The Schengen area was established in 1985 and it encompasses 23 of the 27 member states of the European Union, as well as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It enables unified border management and travel within the member states and allows for streamlined movement and collaboration. Travellers with a Schengen visa can travel freely within the region, only being mindful of leaving it completely as per the restrictions specified. From March 2024 onwards, Schengen visa holders will find two more countries open to them. Romania (below) and Bulgaria (main image) will be accessible via the Schengen visa in just two months, allowing travellers to plan an even more interesting itinerary across Europe. The European Union recently reached an agreement with these two Balkan nations to allow them to be part of the scope of the Schengen visa scheme at ports and airports. Romania and Bulgaria have been members of the European Union since 2007, but have faced opposition from fellow member states on charges of inadequate control on corruption and crime, but acknowledgement has been made of improvements on these fronts. Forecasters are hopeful that this will translate into the opening of land borders too. Images: Shutterstock Also Read: Ready To Be Suspended 800 Feet Up In The Air? Read On! South star Yash recently announced his next film, Toxic. The much-awaited film is a big-budget project directed by Geetu Mohandas. Now, Filmfare has exclusively learnt that Kareena Kapoor Khan will also join the films cast.As per our sources, Kareena Kapoor Khan will team up with Yash for Toxic. The film will mark Kareenas first collaboration with the KGF star. The makers of the film are yet to make an announcement. Confirmation about the update and further details about her role are awaited.The title of the upcoming film was unveiled in an announcement video which described the film as A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups. The clip saw Yash in a cowboy look. The star took to his social media handle to share a motion poster with the caption, What you seek is seeking you - Rumi. A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups #TOXIC.To note, Kareena Kapoor Khan was last seen in Jaane Jaan. Her next, The Buckingham Murders premiered at film festivals (BFI London Film Festival and the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival) ahead of its release. She is also attached to star in Singham Again alongside Ajay Devgn and The Crew with Kriti Sanon and Tabu.Filming for Toxic will reportedly begin soon. The film is set to release on April 10, 2025. Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival: Mr. Javed Akhtar was speaking on the occasion of 9th Ajanta-Ellora Film Festival's (AIFF 2024) inauguration at Rukmini Auditorium, MGM Campus, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. An annual celebration of acclaimed films from around India and the world, the festival was inaugurated today at the hands of noted film director R. Balki. Famous film director Anubhav Sinha was the chef guest of the ceremony. The NFDC's Head of Department of Film Festivals of India, Ms. Goury Niar, Joint Managing Director, Filmcity, Mumbai Sanjay Patil, Founder-Chairman of AIFF, Nandkishor Kagliwas, Chief Mentor of AIFF, Ankushrao Kadam, Festival Director Ashok Rane, Artistic Director of AIFF Chandrakant Kulkarni, along with several national and international artists, film lovers, and eminent personalities from different walks of life, were present on the occasion. Javed Akhtar receives Padmapani Lifetime Achievement Award Mr. Javed Akhtar further said, "Maharashtra is a land where art is appreciated. I came to Mumbai when I was 20 years old. I saw Marathi drama for the first time and it changed my perspective. Since then this soil has been giving me newer perspectives every day. Here, common citizens love and care about literature, art, poetry, drama, film, dance and music, and I think, and I see a ray of hope in this." Mr. Akhtar also underlined the need to carry forward this legacy. Mr. R. Balki officially inaugurated the festival. Speaking on the occasion, he praised AIFF and said that it's an absolute joy to watch films in film festivals. It's a very enriching experience. Mr. Anubhav Sinha also praised AIFF for playing an instrumental role in the establishment of a film institute (MGM School of Film Arts). He appealed to students to make the most of this learning opportunity. 9th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival: Javed Akhtar To Receive Padmapani Lifetime Achievement Award Founder-Chairman of AIFF, Mr. Nandkishor Kagliwal, underlined the importance of the Ajanta-Ellora Film Festival for the city and how it is providing a valuable platform for talent from the region. Also Read: Chief Mentor of AIFF and Chancellor of MGM University, Mr. Ankushrao Kadam, expressed hope through his presidential address that the young generation would now be more careful about which films they watch. He also assured that MGM School of Film Arts will walk the path shown by Mr. Javed Akhtar. The artistic director of AIFF, Mr. Chandrakant Kulkarni, illustrated the idea behind the festival. He also narrated how he grew up watching films of Javed Akhtar and how they cultivated the spirit of secularism in him. The Festival Director of AIFF, Mr. Ashok Rane, thanked Mr. Javed Akhtar for receiving the Padmapani Lifetime Achievement Award and gracing the festival. He also appealed to citizens to watch the carefully selected films over the next four days. AIFF is organised by the Marathwada Art, Culture, and Film Foundation and presented by Nath Group, MGM University, and the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, Mumbai. It has the proud endorsement of FIPRESCI, a renowned international federation of film critics, and FFSI, the Federation of Film Societies of India. It also enjoys the support of the Government of Maharashtra and the National Film Development Corporation Ltd, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. The Nath School of Business Management and Technology (NSBT) and the Abhyudaya Foundation are the co-organisers of the festival. Dailyhunt is the digital media partner, the MGMU School of Film Arts is the academic partner, and MGM Radio FM 90.8 is the radio partner of the festival. After the opening ceremony, Fallen Lives, the globally acclaimed German movie of this year, was screened at Inox, Prozone Mall, where the festival will continue for the next four days. Lifetime Achievement Award to Javed Akhtar The Padmapani Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred upon the legendary poet, lyricist, and screenwriter Javed Akhtar for his invaluable contributions to Indian cinema during the opening ceremony. Veteran actor and director and Chairperson of the Indian Competition Jury Dhritiman Chatterjee (Kolkata), acclaimed cinematographer Dimo Popov (Czech Republic), senior director Nachiket Patwardhan (Pune), senior film critic and Jury Rashmi Doraiswamy (Delhi) and renowned cinematographer Hari Nair (Panaji), Fipresci Jury Chairperson N. Manu Chakravarthy (Bangalore), Sreedevi P. Arvind (Cochin) and Sachin Chatte (Panaji) were also felicitated on the occasion. The program was moderated by Purvi Bhave in English and Neeta Pansare-Valvekar in Marathi. The Vote of Thanks was given by AIFF Convener, Mr. Nilesh Raut. Highlights of AIFF In addition to the screening of over 60 films, which include some of the most acclaimed films of the year across the globe, the festival will host the following key events: 1- A Masterclass by R. Balki, the director of sensitive films like Paa, Chini Kam, Ghumar, Shamitabh, and Padman has been organized on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 2 pm at Inox. 2- On Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 6.00 PM, an Exclusive Interview of the legendary poet, lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar will be held at Inox, Prozone Mall. Director Jayprad Desai will have a candid conversation with him. 3-Another Masterclass by Anubhav Sinha, the director of films like Article 15, Thappad, Ra-One and Mulk has been scheduled on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 2 PM at Inox, Prozone Mall. 4- On Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 2.30 PM, a special lecture on 'Gandhi and Cinema' by Central Government-PIB Senior Officer Prakash Magadum has been organized. 5- On Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 6.30 pm, there will be an interactive session - 'Meet the Directors' with all the directors of the Indian Competition has been organized. Here film buffs will have an opportunity to interact with and ask questions to the directors. 9th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival To Be Held From Jan 3 To Jan 7 Next Year 6- On January 7, 2024 at 12.00 noon, a special interaction session will be held with veteran actor and director Dritiman Chatterjee on 'Understanding Mrinal Sen'. Mr. Chatterjee has played the lead actor in many of director Mrinal Sen's films. The complete schedule of the 9th AIFF is available on: www.aifilmfest.in Indian Competition All five days of the festival are packed with enchanting programmes, including different film sections. Like every year, this year too has a separate Indian competition of nine Indian films in different languages. These films will be judged by a five-member national-level jury who will watch the films with the audience in the theatre. The winner in this category will be awarded the Golden Kailash Award and a cash prize of one lakh rupees. The best actor, best actress, and best script will also be rewarded individually. Imran Khan gf Lekha Washington at Ira's wedding: Bollywood actor Aamir Khan and Rena Dutta's daughter, Ira Khan, tied the knot with her beau, Nupur Shikhare, yesterday in a registry marriage. Videos and pictures from the intimate yet joyful ceremony are going crazy viral on social media. The couple's wedding was a family affair, and only very close friends like Mithila Palkar, Prajakta Koli, and others were invited. Ira's cousin and actor Imran Khan also attended the wedding along with his rumoured girlfriend Lekha Washington, pictures of which have surfaced online. Imran Khan rumoured gf Lekha Washington at Ira's wedding Lekha Washington took to her Instagram Stories on Thursday and shared a collage featuring Imran Khan. The collage consisted of six photos that were taken at Ira and Nupur's marriage ceremony. Imran Khan Poses With Rumoured Girlfriend Lekha Washington After Dinner Date; Video Goes VIRAL In the pictures, Imran and Lekha pose candidly, while in a few others, Imran is seen gazing at her lovingly. The Jane Tu Ya Jaane Na actor looked handsome in a black tuxedo suit with a bow. He paired the suit with a crisp white shirt. On the other hand, Lekha Washington appeared beautiful in a black blouse, which she layered with an ethnic red sheer shrug. She teamed it with a maroon and golden lehenga. The diva added a gold necklace and a matching matha patti and left her hair open. Sharing the photos, Lekha simply added a red heart emoji. Check it out below! Imran's last public appearance was at Ira Khan and Nupur's engagement ceremony in November 2022. Imran Khan and Lekha Washington's dating rumors Imran Khan and Lekha Washington's dating rumours surfaced after the duo was spotted by the paps in February last year. Their joint appearance grabbed everyone's attention as they were seen holding hands and looked quite happy together. Aamir Khan's Daughter Ira, Nupur Shikhare To Wed In Marathi-Style Wedding; Reception, Menu & Other Deets Out Since then, they have been seen together on several occasions. Lekha is also an actor who predominantly works in Tamil and Telugu films. For the unversed, she worked with Imran in Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola in 2013. OTT Releases Of The Week: The year 2024 has just begun, and it's already time for your weekly OTT update! Online streaming platforms are back again with another bang on a list of films and shows to make your weekend entertaining. From thriller to romance, this week's lineup of new OTT releases has something for everyone's choice. Here's the list of OTT releases to binge-watch this weekend. Hi Nanna (January 4) Starring Nani, Angad Bedi, and Mrunal Thkur in lead roles, Hi Nanna is a Telugu movie that revolves around the heartwarming story of a child and her father. Its synopsis read, "A doting father and his 6-year-old daughter find their lives taking a dramatic turn when the woman he loves marries someone else." The film is releasing on Netflix. Fool Me Once (January 1) The Netflix thriller series focuses on Maya Stern, who is coping with the death of her spouse, Joe. However, she is stunned to see her spouse on a nanny-cam to watch over her young kid. The limited series is already streaming on the platform. Ganapath OTT Release Date: When & Where To Watch Tiger Shroff, Kriti Sanon's Dystopian Thriller Online Society of the Snow (January 4) Based on a true story, the Spanish film is streaming on Netflix. The film explores themes like human resilience and friendship in times of challenge. Its synopsis reads, "In 1972, a Uruguayan flight crashes in the remote heart of the Andes, forcing survivors to become each other's best hope." The film is Spain's official entry into the 2024 Oscars. Tejas (January 5) Kangana Ranaut plays titular Tejas Gill, an Indian Air Force pilot who is haunted by her terrible past memories while on a mission to bring an Indian spy safe who is in possession of some extremely sensitive information. It will stream on Zee5 starting tomorrow. Meg 2: The Trench (January 3) "Jonas Taylor leads a research team on an exploratory dive into the deepest depths of the ocean. Their voyage spirals into chaos when a malevolent mining operation threatens their mission and forces them into a high-stakes battle for survival." The film is streaming on Jio Cinema. Cubicles Season 3 (January 5) The new season chronicles the life of Piyush Prajapati, who gets promoted to the position of team leader in an IT firm and now has to face new challenges with his team members. Cubicles S3 will premiere on Friday on SonyLIV. Kaathal OTT Release Date And Platform: Here's When And Where To Watch Mammootty's Queer Film Good Grief (January 5) The drama-romance film, starring Dan Levy, Luke Evans, and Ruth Negga in key roles, revolves around an artist mourning the loss of his famous writer spouse, which brings his two closest friends to Paris, where they confront some complex truths and secrets. Vijayakanth Actor/Producer/Director Biography: Vijayaraj Azhagarswami Naidu , professionally known by his stage name Vijayakanth , is a Tamil film actor and politician in Tamil Nadu, India. He is the founder of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam and a Member of the Legislative Assembly representing Virudhachalam, Tamil Nadu, India. Early Life Vijayakanth was born as Vijayaraj Azhagar Swami Naidu on August 25, 1952, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. His parents are K. N. Alagarswami Naidu and Aandal Azhagarswami who hailed from most prominent Balija Naidu family of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. He married Premalatha on January 31, 1990, and has two sons named Vijay Prabhakar and Shanmuga Pandian. Upon entering the film industry to pursue an acting career, he changed his name to "Vijayakanth", dropping the "raj" out of his name and suffixing "kanth," by director Khaja. He is nicknamed "Captain", which was taken from one of his popular films Captain Prabhakharan. Acting Career Vijayakanth has starred in various hits such as Amman Koil Kizhakkaley, Vaidegi Kathirundal, Chinna Gounder, Vallarasu, Vanathai Pola, Sethupathi IPS, Captian Prabakaran, Ulavu Thurai, Periyanna, Kannupada Pokuthayya, Ramana, Neranja Manasu, Sabari, etc. He was considered as the third major star in Tamil films after Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan in the 80s and early 90s until now. He is also considered a major unstoppable force of cynical humor, as he always takes the role of super-duper bingo gringo cop armed with .303 antique rifle to stop the world from demise, and people who don't get tickets for other good films normally end up watching his films and laughing their frustrations off, that way he is even considered best by Tamil film standards. He is instrumental in giving a break to actors like Mansoor Ali Khan, Livingston, Saroja Sampath and Sarath Kumar. Politics He formed the center-left winged Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), a regional political party in Tamil Nadu. He formally announced the party's formation on September 14, 2005, at Madurai. His party contested in all 234 seats in the 2006 assembly elections and won one seat contested by him. Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam is a regional political party formed by the Tamil cinema actor Vijayakanth in Tamil Nadu along the lines of the regional Dravidian political parties. He formally announced the party's formation on September 14, 2005, at Madurai. The party's head office is in Koyambedu, Chennai. The party polled almost 3 million votes (about 10% share), which was surprisingly a good show for a new party of its kind. All the candidates of the DMDK with the exception of Mr. Vijaykanth lost the elections in 2006. Vijaykanth has declared that he would not ask donations for his party, and most of the funding for the party comes from his own pocket. He has so far rejected alliances with other political parties. In a by-elections to Madurai Central assembly constituency DMDK had secured around 17000 votes which is just 2000 votes less than ADMK. DMDK was also able to secure a significant number of seats in the Local Body elections. Health Condition The valiant Captain Vijayakanth has been confined to the ICU for the past two days, bravely battling for his health amidst the embrace of artificial ventilation. In the early morning of December 28th, 2023, Vijayakanth breathed his last. Read More Neru OTT Release: Excitement is in the air as the much-anticipated film 'Neru,' directed by the acclaimed Jeethu Joseph and featuring the legendary Mohanlal in the lead role, released on December 21. Kaathal OTT Release Date And Platform: Here's When And Where To Watch Mammootty's Queer Film The movie, titled Neru, is accompanied by the intriguing tagline "Seeking Justice." Industry insiders suggest that "Neru" is poised to be a gripping courtroom suspense thriller, adding another layer of intrigue to its narrative. "Neru" marks the fifth venture between the dynamic duo of Mohanlal and Jeethu Joseph, following the successful projects "Drishyam-1," "Drishyam-2," "Twelfth Man," and the eagerly awaited "Ram." Penned by Santhi Mayadevi and Jeethu Joseph, the screenplay is under tight wraps, promising an engaging and intriguing storyline. The film is being produced under the prestigious banner of Aashirvad Cinemas, helmed by Antony Perumbavoor, bringing together a powerhouse of talent to create cinematic magic. Neru OTT Release Details "Neru" is currently running successfully in theatres, while a section of the audience eagerly awaits the movie's OTT release. According to reports, this highly anticipated movie will have its digital premiere on Disney+ Hotstar after its successful theatrical run. Fans can then stream this engaging film, delving into its narrative and characters, from the comfort of their homes. The buzz surrounding "Neru" has escalated following a positive response in theatres, and now audiences are eager to experience the movie's storyline and immersive content on the digital platform. 'Neru' is the 33rd film from Aashirvad Cinemas. As "Neru" unfolds, Satheesh Kurup takes charge of the cinematography, while the music is composed by Vishnu Shyam. The trailer for 'Neru' showcases the powerhouse pairing of Mohanlal and director Jeethu Joseph. This intense courtroom drama immerses viewers in the world of Vijayamohan, a lawyer portrayed by Mohanlal thrust into the challenge of defending an accused individual in a high-stakes trial. The trailer tantalises with glimpses of a probing investigation set in Thiruvananthapuram, suggesting the accused's presence near the incident site the day prior. Amidst escalating tension, Vijayamohan reluctantly embraces the case, admitting to his waning confidence after a prolonged absence from legal proceedings, stating, "I am not confident anymore." The trailer unfolds to reveal Vijayamohan's immersive journey through the trial, confronting scrutiny and self-doubt. Perilloor Premier League OTT Release Date And Platform: Here's When And Where To Watch Nikhila Vimal's Series With an unexpected turn of events, the narrative reaches a gripping climax within a Kerala courtroom, promising compelling and relentless courtroom sequences that stretch into the night. The Neru trailer has garnered exceptional acclaim, sparking widespread anticipation for the Mohanlal-Jeethu Joseph magic to captivate audiences once again on the silver screen. Bhimaa Teaser Release: In the realm of action romance, director A. Harsha directs the movie "Bhimaa," where Gopichand, the macho hero of Telugu cinema, steps into the shoes of a diligent police officer. Collaborating with the acclaimed Kannada filmmaker, whose recent directorial "Vedha" with Shiv Rajkumar garnered attention, "Bhimaa" promises high-octane action against a backdrop of gripping storytelling. Aishwarya Ragupathi's Fearless Response: Confronting Sexual Harassment At 'Captain Miller' Pre-Release Event Bhimaa Teaser Release Date And Time Amidst high anticipation, the film's makers announced the arrival of its teaser, scheduled for unveiling on January 5 at 1:11 PM, accompanied by a brand new poster. Spearheaded by producer KK Radhamohan under the banner of Sri Sathya Sai Arts, this venture aims to enthrall audiences with its compelling narrative and Gopichand's portrayal of an earnest law enforcement officer. Naa Saami Ranga Trailer Release Date: Nagarjuna Fans Anticipate Glimpse Of Action Drama Movie Setting the mood for the film, Ravi Basrur, known for his remarkable work in the monumental hit "KGF," takes charge of the music, amplifying the emotional depth and intensity of "Bhimaa." Alongside Gopichand's performance, the film showcases Priya Bhavani Shankar and Malvika Sharma in prominent female lead roles. For Gopichand, whose recent ventures have seen varying degrees of success, "Bhimaa" stands as a crucial project, carrying the weight of expectations and hopes. The film's success could potentially steer the trajectory of his career, adding significance to the anticipation and excitement surrounding this cinematic endeavour. Calling Sahasra OTT Release Date And Platform: Here's When And Where To Watch Sudigali Sudheer's Film As "Bhimaa" gears up for its teaser release, the audience awaits to be captivated by the amalgamation of action, romance, and Gopichand's earnest portrayal, hoping for a captivating and triumphant cinematic experience. LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 3, 2024 / In the dynamic world of digital marketing, Runway Influence has established itself as a leading influencer marketing agency, uniquely specializing in collaborations with high-profile models, celebrities, and world-renowned brands. Operating from the heart of Los Angeles, this innovative agency has redefined the landscape of digital influence and brand strategy. Their work and more information can be explored on their website, www.RunwayInfluence.com, and through their Instagram, @RunwayInfluence. 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To learn more about their groundbreaking work and to view their latest campaigns, visit www.RunwayInfluence.com and follow them on Instagram @RunwayInfluence - https://www.instagram.com/runwayinfluence Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - January 4, 2024) - Arrow Exploration Corp. (AIM: AXL) (TSXV: AXL) ("Arrow" or the "Company"), the high-growth operator with a portfolio of assets across key Colombian hydrocarbon basins, is pleased to provide an update on operations and provide guidance moving into 2024. CORPORATE & 2024 BUDGET The Company exited 2023 with a production rate exceeding 3,200 boe/d net. Arrow's Board of Directors has approved the 2024 work program, which includes 15 wells and a $45 million net capital budget. The entire capex budget will be financed by current cash reserves and operating cash flow. The 2024 budget focuses on the Tapir block and the development of the Carrizales Norte (CN) field. The Company expects to employ two rigs for the entire year on the Tapir block with a third rig being utilized as required. The capex emphasis is focused on development and infill drilling combined with targeting low-risk exploration prospects. The Company plans to drill three horizontal wells at CN penetrating the 110 feet of oil column proven up by the initial three wells drilled in the Ubaque reservoir in 2023. The Company also plans on drilling four Carbonera C7 vertical wells at CN on a broad structural high. Both zones have proven to be prolific producers in the initial drilling phase. Another vertical well at CN will focus on production out of the Ubaque which will give the Company additional information on the direction of the planned horizontal wells. In addition to the development of CN, Arrow will be focusing on low-risk exploration, with wells spread across the Mateguafa prospect, a step out from the initial Mateguafa discovery, (that has produced 600,000 barrels to date), the Baquiano prospect, which is believed to be technically identical to the Carrizales Norte discovery, and the Carrizales Noroeste prospect that will test the hydrocarbon-charged structure west of the main fault at CN. In isolation, each prospect has potential, on its own, to add materially to production, reserves and cash flow. The Tapir Block in the Llanos Basin of Colombia, where Arrow holds a 50 per cent beneficial interest, currently has 11 producing wells including the latest wells to be drilled, Rio Cravo Este 7 (RCE-7) and Rio Cravo Este 8 (RCE-8). Both RCE-7 and RCE-8 were completed in the C7 and brought on production during the last quarter of 2023. RCE-7 and RCE-8 are exceeding expectations with combined production of over 1,700 BOPD gross (850 BOPD net). The RCE complex has produced 1.7 million barrels in the last 12 months and additional development locations are planned. Oso Pardo and Capella The Oso Pardo-3 and Oso Pardo-4 wells on the Oso Pardo field in the Middle Magdalena Valley Basin of Colombia, where Arrow has a 100 per cent working interest, were drilled and tested successfully. During the testing phase for both wells, Management determined that there was reservoir damage due to high mud weight used in drilling. Original OP wells were ultimately stimulated with positive results. Arrow expects the reservoir stimulations to take place early in the first quarter of 2024 and for the wells to be put on production. Production from Oso Pardo 1 was offline at year-end due to a hole in the production pipe. Management expects to turn the well back on in early 2024 once the workover is complete. Capella remains offline, while discussions continue between the operator and local communities. Marshall Abbott, CEO of Arrow commented: "Arrow is proud of the work completed and results for 2023, our average production rates more than doubled over the year and the Company proved it was able to execute an aggressive capital work program. The Company believes it is capable of similar production growth in 2024. Arrow discovered a new, multi-zone, core area and enjoyed a positive step change in reserves. Arrow was also able to complete a 100 square km 3D seismic program and develop numerous new prospects. "In 2024 the Company plans to continue the high-paced growth profile with development drilling in the Ubaque and Carbonera formations. The 2023 results demonstrate that the Carbonera remains a solid high-volume producer while the Ubaque formation has proven production that extends beyond the CN complex. Multiple development locations are anticipated based on current results, including horizontal drilling in the Ubaque reservoir in the CN field. Horizontal wells typically produce at materially higher rates with marginal cost increases compared to a vertical well, increasing recovery and the economics of thick pay oil fields. As well, additional development drilling is contemplated from the RCE pad. "Arrow's fully funded, low risk drilling program for 2024 continues to build momentum across our extensive portfolio. Arrow is poised to achieve significantly higher production and commensurate cash flow through the 2024 calendar year. "The Board of Directors appreciates the successful work of our dedicated employees in Calgary and Bogota and the support from our patient shareholder base." For further Information, contact: Arrow Exploration Marshall Abbott, CEO +1 403 651 5995 Joe McFarlane, CFO +1 403 818 1033 Brookline Public Relations, Inc. Shauna MacDonald +1 403 538 5645 Canaccord Genuity (Nominated Advisor and Joint Broker) Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor James Asensio George Grainger +44 (0)20 7523 8000 Auctus Advisors (Joint Broker) Jonathan Wright Rupert Holdsworth Hunt +44 (0)7711 627449 Camarco (Financial PR) Andrew Turner Rebecca Waterworth Kirsty Duff +44 (0)20 3781 8331 About Arrow Exploration Corp. Arrow Exploration Corp. (operating in Colombia via a branch of its 100% owned subsidiary Carrao Energy S.A.) is a publicly traded company with a portfolio of premier Colombian oil assets that are underexploited, under-explored and offer high potential growth. The Company's business plan is to expand oil production from some of Colombia's most active basins, including the Llanos, Middle Magdalena Valley (MMV) and Putumayo Basin. The asset base is predominantly operated with high working interests, and the Brent-linked light oil pricing exposure combines with low royalties to yield attractive potential operating margins. By way of a private commercial contract with the recognized interest holder before Ecopetrol S.A., Arrow is entitled to receive 50% of the production from the Tapir block. The formal assignment to the Company is subject to Ecopetrol's consent. Arrow's seasoned team is led by a hands-on executive team supported by an experienced board. Arrow is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and on TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "AXL". Forward-looking Statements This news release contains certain statements or disclosures relating to Arrow that are based on the expectations of its management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Arrow which may constitute forward-looking statements or information ("forward-looking statements") under applicable securities laws. All such statements and disclosures, other than those of historical fact, which address activities, events, outcomes, results or developments that Arrow anticipates or expects may, could or will occur in the future (in whole or in part) should be considered forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of the words "continue", "expect", "opportunity", "plan", "potential" and "will" and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release reflect several material factors and expectations and assumptions of Arrow, including without limitation, Arrow's evaluation of the impacts of COVID-19, the potential of Arrow's Colombian and/or Canadian assets (or any of them individually), the prices of oil and/or natural gas, and Arrow's business plan to expand oil and gas production and achieve attractive potential operating margins. Arrow believes the expectations and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable at this time, but no assurance can be given that these factors, expectations, and assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are not guarantees of future performance and should not be unduly relied upon. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligations to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Glossary BOE/D: barrels of oil equivalent per day BOPD: barrels of oil per day Qualified Person's Statement The technical information contained in this announcement has been reviewed and approved by Grant Carnie, senior non-executive director of Arrow Exploration Corp. Mr. Carnie is a member of the Canadian Society of Petroleum Engineers, holds a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Alberta and has over 35 years' experience in the oil and gas industry. This Announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the UK version of the market abuse regulation (EU No. 596/2014) as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("UK MAR"). NOT FOR RELEASE, DISTRIBUTION, PUBLICATION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO MIGHT CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/193115 SOURCE: Arrow Exploration Corp. AMSTERDAM, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Intergiro, a Swedish fintech provider of payment and banking infrastructure, has announced a new partnership with Silverflow, a cloud platform for global card processing. This move will allow Intergiro to offer its clients enhanced card network functionality, increased processing efficiency, and unprecedented access to card scheme data. Silverflow's cutting-edge platform is already trusted by some of the world's most innovative payment service providers (PSPs) and acquirers, including industry giants like Deutsche Bank and Buckaroo. This strategic alliance represents a significant step forward for Intergiro, particularly at a time when digital merchants are seeking innovative ways to enhance their payment processing capabilities. The collaboration not only adds acquiring capabilities to Intergiro's financial offering but also complements its digital issuing and bank account services by providing detailed reporting. "The payments landscape is constantly evolving and it's more important than ever for our merchants to have access to the latest technologies being rolled out by the card networks," said Johan Ryer, CCO of Intergiro. "Silverflow's platform is bringing some of the latest card scheme innovations to Intergiro at pace and easily accessible, which will enable our clients not only to save costs but also meet the payment processing needs of new digital businesses." Anne Willem de Vries, CEO and co-founder of Silverflow, commented, "We are very excited about our new partnership with Intergiro. We are looking forward to powering Intergiro's processing back-end and bringing our easy-to-use platform, data capabilities, and the latest card scheme innovations to Intergiro's merchants." About Intergiro Intergiro is a Swedish fintech company that provides a financial ecosystem for innovators, disruptors and digital builders, including a financial toolkit that bundles card processing, card issuing and banking tools into a single API. With offices around Europe, Intergiro works with the likes of Fundof, Quickbit, MediaCube, Eco2wallet, Kevin, Volt, Coinpayments, Decta and Transfergalaxy. The cooperation with Silverflow as described in this partner update underlines Intergiro's continuous growth with current and new merchants and partners over the years. About Silverflow Silverflow is a new kind of payment processing platform designed for today's payment needs and fit for the future. A cloud-native solution with a single API to the card networks. One platform with one connection. Reducing cost and complexity, easy to use, data-rich, Silverflow frees you to innovate. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/intergiro-empowers-merchants-with-cutting-edge-card-processing-technology-via-silverflow-alliance-302024599.html Press Release Development Bank of Japan invests in 4BIO Capital's Ventures III fund 4BIO Ventures III targeting $200-300 million to unlock the treatments of the future by investing in advanced therapies and other emerging technologies LONDON & TOKYO, 4 January 2024 - 4BIO Capital ("4BIO" or "the Group"), an international venture capital firm unlocking the treatments of the future by investing in advanced therapies and other emerging technologies, announces today that the Development Bank of Japan Inc. ("DBJ"), Japan's sovereign development bank, has entered into an investment agreement with its third fund, 4BIO Ventures III. The Group is targeting $200-300 million for the final close of the fund, expected to be in 2024. This investment by the DBJ represents the Bank's first investment into a UK life sciences fund. 4BIO Ventures III is already deploying capital and is focused on forming and investing in private companies addressing the world's most impactful disease areas by developing advanced therapies and other emerging technologies, including cell and gene therapy, RNA-based therapy, targeted therapies, and the microbiome. The Group's objective is to create and invest in, support, and grow early-stage companies developing treatments in areas of high unmet medical need, with the ultimate goal of ensuring access to these potentially curative therapies for all patients. 4BIO continues to prioritise novel technologies that resolve the largest industry pain points of advanced therapies in order to enable next-generation therapeutic assets. By connecting Japan's unique startup ecosystem with its counterparts overseas, DBJ and its subsidiary, DBJ Capital K.K., will work alongside 4BIO Capital to support the creation of new, potentially life-transforming medical treatments for all patients around the world. Dmitry Kuzmin, Managing Partner at 4BIO Capital, said: "At 4BIO Capital, we strongly believe that advanced therapies and other emerging technologies are the future of healthcare. Our journey through Ventures II brought significant validation to our early-stage creation and incubation strategy, as seen by the upsized and oversubscribed financings of Entact Bio, Code Bio, and Ray Therapeutics as well as the continued success of our existing portfolio. With the support of the Development Bank of Japan and its fantastic track record of successful investment strategy, we are excited to continue supporting and incubating the best science answering key technological and medical unmet needs with 4BIO Ventures III." Mami Matsunaga, Vice President at Development Bank of Japan said: "4BIO Capital are true experts in company creation and incubation of some of the most exciting science in biotech. Its network and knowledge of the advanced therapies sector in the UK, Japan and globally makes them the perfect partner. By investing in 4BIO Ventures III, we look forward to collaborating and supporting the creation of potentially ground-breaking medical treatments for all patients." - Ends - Contacts 4BIO Capital +44 (0) 203 427 5500 info@4biocapital.com (mailto:info@4biocapital.com) ICR Consilium Amber Fennell, Andrew Stern, Kris Lam +44 (0)20 3709 5700 4biocapital@consilium-comms.com (mailto:4biocapital@consilium-comms.com) About 4BIO Capital 4BIO Capitaland Twitter @4biocapitaland visit www.4biocapital.com. Regulatory News: Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies (Paris:TTE) (LSE:TTE) (NYSE:TTE), has entrusted Lionel Zinsou, a recognized expert in African economic development, with a mission to assess the land acquisition program carried out in Uganda and Tanzania as part of the Tilenga and EACOP (East African Crude Oil Pipeline) projects, and the socio-economic development initiatives accompanying this program. As the land acquisition process draws to a close, this mission will evaluate the land acquisition procedures implemented, the conditions for consultation, compensation and relocation of the populations concerned, and the grievance handling mechanism. It will also assess the actions taken by TotalEnergies EP Uganda and EACOP to contribute to the improvement of the living conditions for the people affected by these land acquisitions and suggest additional measures to be implemented if needed. The mission will submit its report by April 2024, and its conclusions will be shared with the Tilenga and EACOP project partners. The Tilenga and EACOP projects include a land acquisition program covering some 6,400 hectares, carried out on behalf of the Ugandan and Tanzanian governments. This program concerns 19,140 households and communities owning or using plots of land and includes the relocation of 775 primary residences. To date, 98% of the households concerned have signed compensation agreements, 97% have received their compensation, and 98% of households to be relocated have taken possession of their new homes. The Tilenga upstream development project in Uganda is carried out by TotalEnergies (56.67%, operator), CNOOC (28.33%) and UNOC (15%). Production from the oil fields in Uganda will be transported to the port of Tanga in Tanzania through the cross-border pipeline developed by the EACOP Company, whose shareholders are TotalEnergies (62%), UNOC (15%), TPDC (15%) and CNOOC (8%). About Lionel Zinsou Former student of the Ecole Normale Superieure (ENS) and the London School of Economics, Lionel Zinsou taught at the University of Paris XIII, at the ENS and at the ENSAE. Prime Minister of the Republic of Benin in 2015-2016, he is recognized for his expertise and commitment to Africa's economic development. Lionel Zinsou is founder and Managing Partner of SouthBridge, a consulting Company dedicated to the African continent with which TotalEnergies has already collaborated in the past on economic development issues. About TotalEnergies TotalEnergies is a global multi-energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, more sustainable, more reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in nearly 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people. @TotalEnergies lTotalEnergies lTotalEnergies lTotalEnergies Cautionary Note The terms "TotalEnergies", "TotalEnergies company" or "Company" in this document are used to designate TotalEnergies SE and the consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" may also be used to refer to these entities or to their employees. The entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly owns a shareholding are separate legal entities. This document may contain forward-looking information and statements that are based on a number of economic data and assumptions made in a given economic, competitive and regulatory environment. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future and are subject to a number of risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any of its subsidiaries assumes any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information or statement, objectives or trends contained in this document whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information concerning risk factors, that may affect TotalEnergies' financial results or activities is provided in the most recent Universal Registration Document, the French-language version of which is filed by TotalEnergies SE with the French securities regulator Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), and in the Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240103375770/en/ Contacts: TotalEnergies Contacts Media Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 99 l presse@totalenergies.com l @TotalEnergiesPR Investor Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 46 l ir@totalenergies.com BEIJING, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from People's Daily: U.S. biotechnology company Moderna recently set up a company in Minhang district, Shanghai. Moderna's agent lawyer obtained the business license just an hour after relevant authorities received the final document required for business registration. "Minhang's efficiency has secured crucial development time for the company," the lawyer said. From coastal to inland regions, continuously optimizing services and improving efficiency are building powerful momentums for China to further enhance its business environment. Business environment is an important factor in stabilizing market confidence, stimulating economic development, and promoting high-quality development. Just like sunlight, water, and air are essential for human survival, a good business environment is indispensable for businesses. Various regions and departments in China have been continuously optimizing the business environment based on the actual needs of enterprises, helping them overcome obstacles and thrive. In the first three quarters of 2023, the number of newly established private enterprises in China exceeded 7.06 million, a year-on-year increase of 15.3 percent. In the first 11 months of 2023, the number of newly established foreign-invested enterprises in China reached 48,078, growing 36.2 percent from a year ago. According to a report on China's business environment for foreign investors in the third quarter of 2023, more than 80 percent of surveyed foreign-invested enterprises expressed satisfaction with China's business environment. The continuously optimized business environment provides strong support for fostering and stimulating the vitality of business entities and promoting high-quality development. Enterprises are in the best position to judge whether a business environment is good. East China's Anhui province has launched a platform that enables streamlined approvals for companies. As long as they provide accurate information, they can receive funds swiftly. In Dongying, east China's Shandong province, a 2.5-billion-yuan ($352.39 million) wind power project received personalized and proactive services from relevant departments, from planning to construction. Businesses are expected to experience a greater sense of fulfillment and confidence when they operate in a favorable business environment. In a sense, the optimization of business environment is also a process of deepening reforms and overcoming entrenched interests. China has been focusing on removing market barriers, transforming government functions, improving service quality and efficiency, and promoting institutional innovation, with an aim to break bottlenecks, establish long-term mechanisms, and strengthen institutional foundations, so as to ensure continuous improvement of business environment and effectively stimulate market vitality and social creativity. The rule of law is the best business environment. From optimizing legislation to strengthening the removal of unfair provisions in administrative regulations, and to canceling and adjusting 33 penalty items in areas such as industry and informatization, housing and urban-rural development, China has taken solid steps in building a business-friendly environment through the rule of law. China protects the legitimate rights and interests of various types of ownership enterprises, including state-owned, private, and foreign-funded enterprises, equally under the law. It promotes the improvement of institutional norms in areas such as property rights protection, market access, fair competition, and social credit. China not only creates a stable, transparent, standardized, and predictable legal environment for all types of business entities but also injects strong impetus into building a new highland for opening-up and promoting high-quality economic development. It was stressed at the recently held Central Economic Work Conference that China will continue its efforts to foster a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized. Optimizing business environment is an essential component of consolidating and enhancing the positive momentum of economic recovery, and continuously promoting qualitative and quantitative economic growth. By stimulating vitality through the optimization of business environment and accumulating momentum through institutional innovation, the Chinese economy is steadily moving toward high-quality development. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/china-continues-to-improve-business-environment-for-stronger-economic-vitality-302026195.html Maxar Space Systems, a leading provider of comprehensive space technologies, today announced that the Ovzon 3 satellite is performing as expected after launch. Maxar Space Systems manufactured the satellite for Ovzon at their Palo Alto, California, facility using its modular architecture platform. The satellite launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Jan 3, 2024. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240103101333/en/ Ovzon 3 spacecraft in the Maxar Space Systems facility in Palo Alto, CA (Photo: Maxar Space Systems) Maxar Space Systems designed and manufactured this specialized satellite for Ovzon, a Swedish-based SATCOM as-a-Service provider dedicated to offering world-leading mobile satellite communications services, to customers across the globe. Ovzon 3 is Maxar's first use of their new all electric Modular Architecture Platform (MAP), which allows for parallel processing of separate modules to improve production efficiencies. "Our first satellite with Ovzon highlights Maxar Space's ability to help our customers meet their global satellite and business communications needs," said Chris Johnson, Maxar Space Systems Chief Executive Officer. "Maxar partnered with Ovzon throughout this process to ensure this satellite can deliver on their long-term business goals, and are proud to have been selected to help Ovzon fulfill its strategy to revolutionize mobile broadband by satellite." Ovzon aligned with Maxar Space Systems on its first customized satellite and selected the modular platform, which leverages Maxar Space's proven technology and performance combined with a lower-cost factor. In addition, Ovzon 3 will include Maxar Space Systems' first flight of Roll-Out Solar Arrays (ROSAs). About Maxar Space Systems Maxar Space Systems is a leading provider of comprehensive space technologies. We deliver innovative solutions to government and commercial customers helping them unlock the promise of space to solve problems on Earth and beyond. We address a broad spectrum of needs for our customers, including mission systems engineering, product design, spacecraft manufacturing, assembly, integration, and testing. Maxar Space Systems is a trusted partner in commercial and government missions, combining more than 60 years of deep mission understanding with reliable performance and longevity. For more information, visit www.maxar.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240103101333/en/ Contacts: Eric Glass Maxar Space Systems Media Relations +1.650.852.5279 Eric.Glass@Maxar.com KELOWNA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Tryp Therapeutics Inc. ("Tryp" or the "Company") (CSE:TRYP), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing intravenous-infused psilocin (the active metabolite of psilocybin) for diseases with high unmet medical needs,is pleased to announce that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase 2a clinical trial being conducted by the University of Michigan in a collaboration with Tryp Therapeutics. The clinical trial is evaluating Tryp's TRP-8802 in patients with fibromyalgia. Commenting on the announcement, Jim Gilligan, Tryp's Chief Scientific Officer, said, "We are excited to announce that the first person has been dosed in a clinical trial at the University of Michigan using oral psilocybin in combination with psychotherapy to explore its utility in patients with fibromyalgia. With positive results in this study, Tryp would look to continue clinical development in fibromyalgia with TRP-8803, our proprietary formulation of IV-infused psilocin, which alleviates numerous shortcomings of oral psilocybin including: significantly reducing the time to onset of the psychedelic state, controlling the depth and duration of the psychedelic experience, and reducing the overall duration of the intervention to a commercially feasible timeframe. Our ultimate goal is to provide even more favorable outcomes and relief to the millions of patients currently suffering from chronic pain. Currently nearly one third of fibromyalgia patients resort to opiates at some point for pain relief." TRP-8802 is the predecessor to Tryp's lead psilocybin-based drug candidate, TRP-8803. TRP-8803 (IV-infused psilocin) includes a unique formulation and delivery system and is designed to enhance the positive effects of psilocybin and psilocybin-related compounds, while markedly reducing the limitations of psilocybin dosed through other routes of administration. In combination with psychotherapy, TRP-8803 is intended to serve as a treatment for certain neuropsychiatric disorders including fibromyalgia, binge eating disorder and irritable bowel syndrome. Tryp is utilizing TRP-8802 to evaluate the use of psilocybin-related compounds in certain neuropsychiatric disorders in early-stage trials. If initial efficacy is shown, TRP-8803 will be studied in future trials. About Tryp Therapeutics: Tryp Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing proprietary, novel formulations for the administration of psilocin in combination with psychotherapy to treat diseases with unmet medical needs. Tryp's lead program, TRP-8803, is a proprietary formulation of IV-infused psilocin (the active metabolite of psilocybin) that alleviates numerous shortcomings of oral psilocybin including: significantly reducing the time to onset of the psychedelic state, controlling the depth and duration of the psychedelic experience, and reducing the overall duration of the intervention to a commercially feasible timeframe. The Company has completed a Phase 2a clinical trial for the treatment of Binge Eating Disorder at the University of Florida, which demonstrated an average reduction in binge eating episodes of greater than 80%. The Company has also started a Phase 2a clinical trial with the University of Michigan for the treatment of fibromyalgia and is preparing to initiate a Phase 2a clinical trial (IND has been cleared to proceed) with Massachusetts General Hospital for the treatment of abdominal pain and visceral tenderness in patients suffering from IBS. Each of the studies are utilizing TRP-8802 (synthetic, oral psilocybin) to demonstrate clinical benefit in these indications. Where a positive clinical response has been demonstrated, subsequent studies are expected to utilize TRP-8803 (IV-infused psilocin), which has the potential to further improve efficacy, safety and patient experience. For more information, please visit www.tryptherapeutics.com. Investor & Media Contact Peter Molloy Chief Business Officer Tryp Therapeutics pmolloy@tryptherapeutics.com Forward-Looking Information Certain information in this news release, including statements relating to the anticipated closing date of the Private Placement, constitutes forward-looking information. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Tryp as of the date of this news release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to the factors described in greater detail in the "Risk Factors" section of Tryp's final prospectus available at www.sedar.com. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect Tryp; however, these factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and Tryp expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAS REVIEWED OR ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. SOURCE: Tryp Therapeutics View the original press release on accesswire.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 4, 2024) - Metal Energy Corp. (TSXV: MERG) (OTCQB: MEEEF) (the "Company" or "Metal Energy") is pleased to announce that it has been selected to receive up to $200,000 from the Ontario Junior Exploration Program ("OJEP") to further advance its exploration efforts at the SourceRock lithium brine project near Thunder Bay, Ontario. "We are thrilled to receive this OJEP non-dilutive grant to help initiate our exploration efforts on SourceRock, Ontario's first lithium brine project. The OJEP funds leverage our recently completed financing, and we are days away from initiating our permitted and fully funded drill program. This funding demonstrates Ontario's commitment to developing a critical minerals strategy with the junior mining sector. We're happy SourceRock was recognized for its potential to be a key project within that strategy," commented James Sykes, CEO of Metal Energy. "Our government is committed to building a made-in-Ontario supply chain for electric vehicles by connecting critical minerals producers in the north with the manufacturing might in the south," said George Pirie, Minister of Mines. "But it all starts with mining and there is no mining without exploration, which is why through programs like the Ontario Junior Exploration Program, our government is proud to support early exploration ventures like Metal Energy's lithium brine project." SourceRock Exploration Plans SourceRock is a drill-ready project with an exploration permit from the Ontario Ministry of Mines for up to 20 drill pads. Historic drilling and geophysical data have identified saline brine drill targets on the Project, however, the brines have never been tested for lithium or other elements. The Company remains engaged with local Indigenous groups, communities, and stakeholders, and anticipates a drill program to commence shortly in January. About the SourceRock Li Brine Project SourceRock is highly prospective for lithium ("Li") brines in the Thunder Bay-Nipigon area of northwestern Ontario. The Project is exceptionally large, covering 913 square kilometres within an area measuring approximately 10 to 20 km wide by 95 km long (Figure 1), a size equivalent to the World's second largest Li producing jurisdiction; Chile's Salar de Atacama's Central Salt Belt. SourceRock encompasses 91,477 hectares within the Proterozoic Sibley sedimentary basin, Thunder Bay-Nipigon area, Ontario. The Project has excellent access to infrastructure and capacity that has supported previous exploration programs and mine development, including year-round highway, railroad, and seaport access, with power and natural gas lines crossing the Project. For the latest videos from Metal Energy and other Ore Group companies, subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@theoregroup. About Metal Energy Corp. Metal Energy is a battery metal exploration company with two projects in politically stable Canadian jurisdictions; Manibridge (Ni-Cu-Co-PGE) in Manitoba, and SourceRock (Li-Na-K) in Ontario. The Manibridge Project is 85% owned by Metal Energy and 15% owned by Mistango River Resources Inc. (CSE: MIS). SourceRock is subject to earn-in agreement where the Company can acquire 100% exploration rights to the project. For further information, please contact: Metal Energy Corp. MERG on the TSXV info@metalenergy.ca www.metalenergy.ca James Sykes, CEO jsykes@oregroup.ca 306-221-8717 Reader Advisory Certain information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements or information ("forward-looking statements"), including details about the business of the Company. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond the Company's control, including the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, currency fluctuations, environmental risks, operational risks, competition from other industry participants, stock market volatility. Although the Company believes that the expectations in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, its forward-looking statements have been based on factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate. Those factors and assumptions are based upon currently available information. Such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results or events and cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, as no assurance can be provided as to future results, levels of activity or achievements. Risks, uncertainties, material assumptions and other factors that could affect actual results are discussed in our public disclosure documents available at www.sedarplus.ca including the Filing Statement dated November 15, 2021. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this document are made as of the date of this document and, except as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. 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. FIGURE 1 - SourceRock project location map To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7926/192939_4f4b11eea455281e_005full.jpg To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/192939 SOURCE: Metal Energy Corp. Sofia, Bulgaria--(Newsfile Corp. - January 4, 2024) - Givearn is pleased to announce the live release of its crypto app. Users can now download the official application from the iOS App Store and Android Play Store. Givearn Official Crypto Application Launch To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8601/193177_8c4bc97f7438daf5_001full.jpg Givearn aims to change the crypto market with a simple app, designed specifically for novices and those new to the world of digital currencies. The app's standout feature is its intuitive design, enabling users to effortlessly embark on their crypto journey, regardless of their prior experience. With its straightforward and accessible interface, Givearn ensures that anyone can navigate the app with ease in just a few minutes. For many, managing multiple accounts, delving into research on potential crypto investments, and executing transactions can be daunting. Givearn addresses these challenges, breaking down barriers to entry and simplifying the crypto experience for everyone. Givearn's simple interface provides a straightforward and hassle-free way for users to purchase cryptocurrency. Adding funds to one's account is swift and effortless, offering multiple options including debit or credit cards, Apple Pay/Google Pay, or bank transfers. Users can access these payment methods with ease; simply by clicking the 'buy' button on the Givearn app's home screen. Once a user adds funds to their account, they obtain a balanced crypto portfolio, eliminating the need for extensive preliminary research. This is what makes Givearn so simple, straightforward, and easy to use, even for complete crypto beginners. The app facilitates investment in stablecoins, which are tied to real-world currencies like the U.S. Dollar, along with well-established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum. This combination offers a balance of stability and potential growth, making the world of crypto investment more accessible and manageable than ever before. With Givearn, crypto investors can conveniently manage and maintain a balanced portfolio of cryptocurrencies. The app's portfolio features safeguard against extreme price fluctuations. A Givearn investor's portfolio is designed to be safer and steadier than the crypto market and is comprised of: Approximately 50% in 'volatile' crypto like Bitcoin and Ethereum, are known for their fluctuating values. Around 50% in 'stable' cryptocurrencies (stablecoins), which help buffer against big market swings. Givearn also provides investors with an opportunity to make a real-world impact by automatically donating a share of their weekly crypto rewards to a global or local charity of their choice. About Givearn At Givearn, we are committed to making cryptocurrency accessible to everyone, reshaping finance for the greater good. Our mission extends beyond creating a safer and more stable platform for investment; it encompasses education, community building, and a firm belief in crypto as a force for positive change. The Givearn app is designed with simplicity in mind, making your introduction to the world of crypto seamless and friendly. Join us in transforming crypto into a pathway for a more compassionate world. Contact Name: Mathieu Spegagne Email: contact@givearn.com Media Contact Company Name: Cryptoken Media Email: sales@cryptoken.media To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/193177 SOURCE: Cryptoken Media VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Aton Resources Inc. (TSXV:AAN) ("Aton" or the "Company") is pleased to update investors on the results of initial scoping level metallurgical testwork from its recent Semna drill discovery. Semna is located within the Company's 100% owned Abu Marawat Concession ("Abu Marawat" or the "Concession"), in the Eastern Desert of Egypt, see Figure 1. Highlights: 2 composite metallurgical samples (SMMET-01 and SMMET-02), representative of mineralisation from the Main Vein zone at Semna, underwent scoping testwork. The 2 samples were selected and composited by Aton geologists from reverse circulation percussion ("RC") drill hole samples, and dispatched to Wardell Armstrong International Ltd ("WAI") in the UK for testing; The 2 composite samples were subjected to whole ore cyanide leach tests at a grind size of 80% passing 75m. The leach test results showed final gold recoveries of 97.4% (SMMET-01) and 97.9% (SMMET-02), after 48 hours of leaching. Silver recoveries were 85.2% (SMMET-01) and 87.9% (SMMET-02); Silver recoveries were 85.2% (SMMET-01) and 87.9% (SMMET-02); The 2 composite samples were also subjected to two-stage bulk gravity separation tests at grind sizes of 80% passing 212m and 75m. Gold and silver recoveries to the gravity concentrates were 56.4% and 38.0% respectively from sample SMMET-01, and 62.2% and 39.0% respectively from SMMET-02; Intensive cyanide leaching of the SMMET-01 gravity concentrate achieved gold and silver recoveries of 98.3% and 96.5% respectively, after 48 hours. Leaching of the SMMET-02 gravity concentrate achieved gold and silver recoveries of 98.6% and 97.3% respectively, after 48 hours; Separate cyanide leaching of the gravity tailings achieved gold and silver recoveries of 93.0% and 78.1% from the SMMET-01 sample after 48 hours, whilst gold and silver recoveries from the SMMET-02 sample were 93.6% and 87.5% after 48 hours; The combined gravity concentration + leach test results showed final gold recoveries of 96.0% (SMMET-01) and 96.7% (SMMET-02), after 48 hours of leaching. Silver recoveries were 85.1% (SMMET-01) and 91.3% (SMMET-02); Silver recoveries were 85.1% (SMMET-01) and 91.3% (SMMET-02); Initial scoping tests indicates that the Semna Main Vein zone mineralisation is amenable to treatment by both conventional CIL, and gravity concentration-leach processing options. "These initial scoping level metallurgical testwork results from Semna are exceedingly encouraging. The very high recoveries of both gold and silver indicate that the mineralisation that we have drilled to date in the Main Vein zone at Semna is readily amenable to treatment using both conventional CIL and gravity-leach process routes" said Tonno Vahk, Interim CEO. "This is very positive for us to be able to report these excellent metallurgical testwork results at such an early stage, and the new Semna discovery continues to look highly promising. Preparations for the phase 2 diamond drilling programme at Semna continue to advance rapidly, and we remain on track to start drilling later this month. We envisage the next phase of metallurgical testwork will be undertaken once we have drill core available for testing. We are also very close now to finalising the mining licence at Abu Marawat with the Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority and the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, and we look forwards to being able to provide further updates on this very soon." Metallurgical testwork programme 2 samples were prepared from RC drill samples for metallurgical testing, and were composited to represent the Main Vein zone ("MVZ") mineralisation at the Semna mineral deposit, as drilled to date. Samples were collected onsite from the bagged reject portion of the 1m sample splits from the phase 1 Semna RC drilling programme (see news release dated December 18, 2023). Both composite metallurgical samples weighed slightly less than 40kg. Details of the 2 composite samples are provided in Table 1, and the sampled drill hole collar locations are shown in Figure 2. The 2 composite samples were dispatched from Egypt to WAI's Truro laboratory in the United Kingdom, for a scoping level metallurgical testwork programme consisting of head assays, whole ore cyanide leach testing, gravity separation tests and cyanidation leaching of the gravity products. Figure 1: Geological map of the Abu Marawat Concession, showing the location of the Semna prospect The 2 metallurgical samples were composited from bulk reject material from the 1m sub-sample splits from the RC drilling programme, which were retained onsite at the Rodruin sample preparation facility (see news release dated December 18, 2023). The SMMET-01 sample was composited from 26 separate 1m intervals from 7 different holes which intersected the western portion of the MVZ (see Figure 2), each weighing approximately 1.5kg. The individual grades of the 1m sub-samples varied between 0.40 g/t Au and 94.8 g/t Au, with the weighted average estimated grade of the composite sample being 9.75 g/t Au and 5.5 g/t Ag (Table 1). The individual 1m samples were taken from downhole depths of between 50-189m, and were composed of fresh sulphide mineralisation, displaying only occasional minor localised oxidation. The SMMET-02 sample was composited from 39 separate 1m intervals from 5 different holes which intersected the eastern portion or extension of the MVZ (see Figure 2), each weighing approximately 1kg. The individual grades of the 1m sub-samples varied between 0.34 g/t Au and 51.8 g/t Au, with the weighted average estimated grade of the composite sample being 8.81 g/t Au and 3.8 g/t Ag (Table 1). The individual 1m samples were taken from downhole depths of between 56-141m, and were composed of fresh sulphide mineralisation, displaying only minor localised oxidation. Composite sample ID Total 1m samples Weight (kg) Original RC drill assay results (weighted average) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (ppm) Pb (ppm) Zn (ppm) SMMET-01 26 37.97 9.75 5.5 1844 7 50 SMMET-02 39 38.10 8.81 3.8 784 8 56 Table 1: Details of the composite metallurgical samples Figure 2: Semna geology and drill hole collar plan, showing the sampled drill holes Head assays Head assays for gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, arsenic, sulphur (total and sulphide) and carbon (total) were undertaken in-house by WAI using an aqua regia digest with an atomic absorption spectroscopy ("AAS") finish. Separate sub-samples of the SMMET-01 and SMMET-02 composite samples were sent by WAI for additional head assay analyses by ALS Minerals. Gold and silver were analysed by metallic screen fire assay (ALS analytical code ME-SCR21). The samples were also analysed for a full multi-element suite of elements, and mercury, using a four acid digest followed by an ICP mass spectrometry finish (ALS analytical codes ME-MS61 and Hg-MS42), see Appendix A. The results of the head assays are provided in Table 2. The screen fire assay analyses showed the SMMET-01 composite to grade 9.64 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag, whilst the SMMET-02 composite was shown to grade 8.51 g/t Au and 6 g/t Ag. Analyte Units WAI head assay results Original RC drill assay results Composite sample ID Composite sample ID SMMET-01 SMMET-02 SMMET-01 SMMET-02 Au SFA 1 g/t 9.64 8.51 9.75 8.81 AR 2 g/t 9.01 7.58 Ag SFA 1 g/t 8 6 5.5 3.8 AR 2 g/t 4.4 3.4 Cu 1 % 0.20 0.086 0.18 0.08 Pb 1 % <0.001 <0.001 0.001 0.001 Zn 1 % 0.007 0.006 0.005 0.006 As 1 % <0.001 <0.001 - - S(TOT) 1 % 2.46 1.50 - - S(SUL) 1 % 2.39 1.44 - - C(TOT) 1 % 1.04 1.96 - - Notes: Screen fire assay, with gravimetric finish (ALS Minerals, Vancouver, BC, analytical technique ME-SCR21) Aqua regia digest, with AAS finish (WAI in-house laboratory, Truro, UK) Table 2: Head assay results The screen fire gold assay results show good correlation with the original RC drill results (see Tables 1 and 2), and indicate that the c. 40kg bulk samples submitted for metallurgical testwork are representative of mineralised intervals sampled in the RC drill holes. Separate to the assay results, the screen fire assay data also indicated that less than 10% of the gold and silver in both samples was distributed within the coarse (+100m) fraction. Base metal analyses showed both samples to be low in copper with 0.20% in the SMMET-01 composite and 0.086% in the SMMET-02 composite, whilst zinc grades were 0.007% and 0.006% respectively. Lead and arsenic were below the detection limit of 0.001% (Table 2). The multi-element ICP mass spectrometry analyses also indicated that the levels of deleterious elements including bismuth, cadmium, mercury and antimony were all very low, to a maximum of 2.54 ppm Bi in sample SMMET-02 (Appendix A). Sulphur levels within the samples were 2.46% S(TOT) for the SMMET-01 composite and 1.50% S(TOT) for the SMMET-02 composite (Table 2), with the data showing that 96-97% of the sulphur was present in the sulphide phase. This data confirms the relatively low concentrations of sulphide minerals present in the MVZ mineralisation at Semna, and that the mineralisation is predominantly fresh, with only minor oxidation of the drilled mineralisation, as evidenced by the limited amount of iron and copper oxide minerals logged during the drilling. Whole ore cyanide leach tests A single whole ore cyanidation leach test was conducted on each of the composite samples at a grind size of 80% passing 75m. The purpose of these tests was to investigate the amount of gold and silver that can be recovered from each sample by means of cyanide leaching. Results are summarised in Table 3 below. Composite sample ID Residence time (hours) Reagent consumption (kg/t) Recovery (%) Lime NaCN Au Ag Cu SMMET-01 24 0.40 2.48 93.5 75.2 27.4 32 0.40 2.33 88.3 78.5 27.6 48 0.40 2.55 97.4 85.2 29.1 SMMET-02 24 0.36 2.26 100.0 85.9 23.1 32 0.36 2.00 99.7 86.8 23.2 48 0.36 2.41 97.9 87.9 23.6 Table 3: Whole ore cyanide leach test results The test results showed that 93.5% of the gold in the SMMET-01 composite was recovered after 24 hours of leaching, increasing to 97.4% when the leach residence time was increased to 48 hours. Gold recovery from the SMMET-02 composite was 100.0% after 24 hours, reducing slightly to 97.9% after 48 hours. 75.2% of the silver in the SMMET-01 composite was recovered after 24 hours of leaching, increasing to 85.2% when the leach residence time was increased to 48 hours. Silver recovery from the SMMET-02 composite was 85.9% after 24 hours, increasing slightly to 87.9% after 48 hours. Gravity + leach tests Bulk gravity tests Each composite was subjected to a programme of bulk gravity separation followed by cyanide leaching of the gravity products. A 20kg sample of each composite was subjected to two stages of gravity processing using a Knelson KC-MD3 centrifugal gravity concentrator, with the first stage being conducted at a target grind size of 80% passing 212m, and the second stage being conducted at a target grind size of 80% passing 75m. Results of the bulk gravity separation tests are shown in Table 4 below: Composite sample ID Product Mass (%) Assay (g/t) Distribution (%) Au Ag Cu Au Ag Cu SMMET-01 Concentrate 1.03 448 182 8,100 56.4 38.0 4.5 Tailings 98.97 3.63 3.1 1,800 43.6 62.0 95.5 Feed 100.00 8.22 5.0 1,865 100.0 100.0 100.0 SMMET-02 Concentrate 1.00 489 136 4,700 62.2 39.0 5.7 Tailings 99.00 3.01 2.2 785 37.8 61.0 94.3 Feed 100.00 7.88 3.5 824 100.0 100.0 100.0 Table 4: Bulk gravity separation test results The results showed that, after two stages of gravity separation, 56.4% of the gold and 38.0% of the silver had been recovered to the gravity concentrate for the SMMET-01 composite. Gold and silver recoveries to the gravity concentrate for the SMMET-02 composite were 62.2% and 39.0% respectively. In both cases approximately 1% of the total mass of the tested sample was recovered to the respective gravity concentrates. Cyanide leaching of gravity concentrates The gravity concentrates generated during the gravity separation stage were subjected to leach testing to evaluate the amount of gold and silver that could be recovered via intensive cyanidation leaching. The intensive cyanidation leach tests were carried out for 48 hours with 20g/L sodium cyanide and 5g/L LeachWell GC. Results of the gravity concentrate intensive cyanidation leach tests are shown in Table 5 below: Composite sample ID Residence time (hours) Reagent consumption (kg/t) Recovery (%) Lime NaCN Au Ag Cu SMMET-01 48 0.50 48.23 98.3 96.5 29.6 SMMET-02 48 0.11 50.87 98.6 97.3 32.7 Table 5: Gravity concentrate leach test results Results for the SMMET-01 composite showed an overall gold recovery of 98.3% after 48 hours of leaching, with total extraction of the gold achieved after the first two hours of leaching. Results for the SMMET-02 composite showed an overall gold recovery of 98.6% after 48 hours of leaching, with 94.6% of the gold extracted within the first 2 hours of leaching. Silver recoveries from the gravity concentrates after the 48 hours of leaching were 96.5% for the SMMET-01 composite and 97.3% for the SMMET-02 composite. Cyanide leaching of gravity tailings Separate to the leaching of the gravity concentrates, a representative sub-sample of the gravity tailings from each composite was subjected to cyanide leaching. Results of the gravity tailings cyanidation leach tests are shown in Table 6 below: Composite sample ID Residence time (hours) Reagent consumption (kg/t) Recovery (%) Lime NaCN Au Ag Cu SMMET-01 48 0.13 2.33 93.0 78.1 25.5 SMMET-02 48 0.13 1.81 93.6 87.5 20.5 Table 6: Gravity tailings leach test results Results showed overall gold recoveries after 48 hours of leaching of 93.0% for the SMMET-01 composite and 93.6% for the SMMET-02 composite, with silver recoveries of 78.1% and 87.5% respectively. Combined Gravity + Leach Tests Based on the results of the gravity and subsequent gravity product cyanide leach tests, cumulative metal recoveries for the gold, silver and copper have been calculated. The cumulative metal recoveries are shown in Appendix B. The results in Appendix B show overall recoveries for the SMMET-01 composite using a combined gravity + leach methodology of 96.0% gold and 85.1% silver after 48 hours. Results for the SMMET-02 composite showed overall recoveries of 96.7% gold and 91.3% silver after 48 hours. Whole ore leach versus gravity + leach tests A summary of the comparative gold, silver and copper recoveries between the whole ore leach and gravity + leach test process routes are shown in Table 7. Composite sample ID Residence time (hours) Recovery (%) Whole ore leach Gravity + leach Au Ag Cu Au Ag Cu SMMET-01 24 93.5 75.2 27.4 96.3 84.8 24.5 48 97.4 85.2 29.1 96.0 85.1 25.7 SMMET-02 24 100.0 85.9 23.1 95.5 89.8 20.3 48 97.9 87.9 23.6 96.7 91.3 21.2 Table 7: Whole ore leach vs gravity + leach test results Results in Table 7 show that the gold recoveries from both composite samples were marginally higher after 48 hours of leaching from the whole ore cyanidation leach test compared to the gravity + leach option. The silver recoveries from sample SMMET-01 were virtually identical from both the test routes, whereas from SMMET-02 silver recovery was lower after 48 hours of leaching from the whole ore cyanidation leach test compared to the gravity + leach option. About Aton Resources Inc. Aton Resources Inc. (AAN: TSX-V) is focused on its 100% owned Abu Marawat Concession ("Abu Marawat"), located in Egypt's Arabian-Nubian Shield, approximately 200 km north of Centamin's world-class Sukari gold mine. Aton has identified numerous gold and base metal exploration targets at Abu Marawat, including the Hamama deposit in the west, the Abu Marawat deposit in the northeast, and the advanced Rodruin exploration prospect in the south of the Concession. Two historic British gold mines are also located on the Concession at Sir Bakis and Semna. Aton has identified several distinct geological trends within Abu Marawat, which display potential for the development of a variety of styles of precious and base metal mineralisation. Abu Marawat is 447.7 km2 in size and is located in an area of excellent infrastructure; a four-lane highway, a 220kV power line, and a water pipeline are in close proximity, as are the international airports at Hurghada and Luxor. Qualified person The technical information contained in this News Release was prepared by Gary Patrick BSc, MAusIMM, CP (Met), Principal Consultant of Metallurg Pty Ltd. Mr. Patrick is a qualified person (QP) under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. For further information regarding Aton Resources Inc., please visit us at www.atonresources.com or contact: Tonno Vahk Interim CEO Tel: +1 345 525 2512 Email: info@atonresources.com Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Some of the statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions; by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Appendix A - Multi-element analyses Element Unit SMMET-01 SMMET-02 Element Unit SMMET-01 SMMET-02 Ag ppm 4.33 4.11 Na % 0.61 0.80 Al % 4.64 5.79 Nb ppm 1.0 1.3 As ppm 34.4 25.7 Ni ppm 24.9 22.8 Ba ppm 60 70 P ppm 260 380 Be ppm 0.27 0.34 Pb ppm 2.6 4.5 Bi ppm 2.52 2.54 Rb ppm 21.0 25.1 Ca % 2.79 4.50 Re ppm 0.004 <0.002 Cd ppm 0.43 0.58 S % 2.67 1.68 Ce ppm 3.79 6.15 Sb ppm 1.25 1.64 Co ppm 27.0 26.7 Sc ppm 17.7 22.6 Cr ppm 54 59 Se ppm 2 2 Cs ppm 0.26 0.39 Sn ppm 1.0 1.5 Cu ppm 1780 788 Sr ppm 62.4 92.1 Fe % 5.65 5.75 Ta ppm 0.28 0.08 Ga ppm 10.35 13.55 Te ppm 1.09 1.24 Ge ppm 0.10 0.09 Th ppm 0.15 0.21 Hf ppm 0.2 0.2 Ti % 0.180 0.312 Hg 1 ppm 0.030 0.035 Tl ppm 0.11 0.13 In ppm 0.426 0.156 U ppm 0.1 0.2 K % 0.93 1.03 V ppm 131 165 La ppm 1.6 2.6 W ppm 6.5 7.8 Li ppm 8.3 11.8 Y ppm 3.4 4.8 Mg % 0.79 1.38 Zn ppm 56 71 Mn ppm 752 1095 Zr ppm 4.5 5.9 Mo ppm 9.72 3.36 - - - - Notes: All analyses at ALS Minerals, Loughrea, Ireland by analytical technique ME-MS61, except Hg by analytical technique Hg-MS42 Table A1: Multi-element head assay analyses Appendix B - Combined gravity + leach test results Composite sample ID Gravity stage Leach stage Combined gravity + leach Product name Mass (%) Distribution (%) Reagent consumption (kg/t) Recovery (%) Reagent consumption (kg/t) Recovery (%) Au Ag Cu Lime NaCN Au Ag Cu Lime NaCN Au Ag Cu SMMET-01 Concentrate 1.03 56.4 38.0 4.5 0.50 48.23 98.3 96.5 29.6 0.01 0.50 55.4 36.7 1.3 Tailings 98.97 43.6 62.0 95.5 0.13 2.33 93.0 78.1 25.5 0.13 2.31 40.6 48.4 24.4 Total 100.00 100.0 100.0 100.0 - - - - - 0.13 2.80 96.0 85.1 25.7 SMMET-02 Concentrate 1.00 62.2 39.0 5.7 0.11 50.87 98.6 97.3 32.7 0.00 0.51 61.3 38.0 1.9 Tailings 99.00 37.8 61.0 94.3 0.13 1.81 93.6 87.5 20.5 0.12 1.79 35.4 53.4 19.3 Total 100.00 100.0 100.0 100.0 - - - - - 0.12 2.30 96.7 91.3 21.2 Table B1: Combined gravity + leach test results SOURCE: Aton Resources, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com TSXV: PGZ | OTCQX: PGZFF | FSE: 2EU 2023 drilling expanded La Romana copper-tin-silver area of surface mineralization by more than 25% 2024 drill plan focused on further expanding La Romana mineralization for a maiden mineral resource estimate Results pending for nine completed drillholes at La Romana to be released in January 2023 Escacena drill campaign resulted in a new copper-gold discovery at Canada Honda with further drill results expected in January 2024 11-hole step-out drill program at Canada Honda started in November resumes in January 2024 to test the potential to significantly expand the discovery Growing pipeline of new geophysical targets at the Escacena Project VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pan Global Resources Inc. ("Pan Global" or the "Company") (TSXV: PGZ) (OTCQX: PGZFF) (FSE: 2EU) is pleased to provide a summary of milestone achievements in 2023 and plans for 2024. The 2024 Plan will focus on the Company's 100%-owned Escacena Project located in the Iberian Pyrite Belt in southern Spain, a prolific polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) district and tier one mining jurisdiction. "The Pan Global team delivered on key objectives in 2023 for the Company's flagship Escacena Project. The dimensions of the La Romana copper-tin-silver mineralization were increased significantly, further de-risking the project. Preliminary metallurgy tests confirmed industry-leading copper recoveries. In addition, the team made a new copper-gold discovery at the highly prospective Canada Honda target. Plus, the pipeline of new exploration targets at Escacena was bolstered during the year following extensive detailed geophysics," said Pan Global President and CEO Tim Moody. "With funds in place to advance the Escacena Project in 2024, investors should expect regular news flow. Results from additional drilling at La Romana are expected to further expand the western and northern extents of the La Romana mineralization in advance of a maiden mineral resource estimate. Drilling at the Canada Honda target is also expected to expand the discovery, and plans are in place to commence exploration at the Bravo target east of La Romana as soon as we have access to the farm. We are well positioned for an exciting year expanding our two discoveries at Escacena and advancing a growing pipeline of exploration targets," said Mr. Moody. Completed 60 drillholes (14,992m) on five targets Completed preliminary metallurgy tests for La Romana confirming 86.4% to 89.5% copper recoveries at coarser grind size (lower energy) compared to regional operating mines. Copper concentrate grades of 23.8% to 28.5% with silver credits and very low deleterious elements were reported. Completed 20 holes of a planned 25-to-30-hole drill program testing the western projection of the near surface La Romana mineralization and confirmed continuity of the mineralization over 1.35km east-west strike extent, open to the west and at depth to the north Confirmed a new copper-gold discovery at Canada Honda based on initial wide-spaced drill results Launched an 11-hole step-out drilling program at Canada Honda, with drilling to resume in January to test the potential along a 2km gravity anomaly Expanded the portfolio of untested Escacena Project exploration targets to more than a dozen following an extensive geophysics and geochemistry survey program, including additional potential along-trend from La Romana and numerous other targets offering additional discovery potential for future drill testing Graduated to the OTCQX in the United States Strengthened the Company's sustainability and ESG commitment, targeting copper and other metals critical for global energy transition Announced the Company's first sustainability report, produced independently by Digbee ESG Completed a C$6 million non-brokered private placement financing in October The 2024 plan will focus on: Further drilling to delineate the western and northern extent of the La Romana mineralization ahead of a maiden mineral resource estimate; Additional La Romana metallurgical testwork; Drilling to test the potential to significantly expand the copper-gold discovery at Canada Honda; and, Advancing the strong pipeline of new exploration targets for future drill testing. Drillhole results from ongoing exploration drilling at La Romana and results for step-out drilling at the Canada Honda discovery Gaining surface access to the highly prospective Bravo gravity target (less than 2km along trend east of La Romana) for exploration Tin metallurgical test results and variability test results on the La Romana mineralization Ongoing exploration results and drilling on new targets Maiden NI 43-101 compliant Mineral Resource Estimate for La Romana and Preliminary Economic Assessment Pan Global Resources Inc. is actively targeting copper-rich mineral deposits, given copper's compelling supply-demand fundamentals and outlook for strong long-term prices as a critical metal for global electrification and energy transition. The Company's flagship Escacena Project is located in the prolific Iberian Pyrite Belt in southern Spain, where a favourable permitting track record, excellent infrastructure, mining and professional expertise, and support for copper as a Strategic Raw Material by the European Commission collectively define a tier-one jurisdiction for mining investment. The Pan Global team comprises proven talent in exploration, discovery, development, and mine operations - all of which are committed to operating safely and with utmost respect for the environment and our partnered communities. The Company is a member, and operates under the principles of, the United Nations Global Compact. On behalf of the Board of Directors Forward-looking statements Statements which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. It is important to note that actual outcomes and the Company's actual results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information included in this media release are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental, environmental, and technological factors that may affect the Company's operations, markets, products and prices. Readers should refer to the risk disclosures outlined in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis of its audited financial statements filed with the British Columbia Securities Commission. The forward-looking information contained in this media release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this media release. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information. NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Jason Mercier, VP Investor Relations and Communications, jason@panglobalresources.com, +1 778 372-7101, www.panglobalresources.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/pan-global-2023-achievements-set-stage-for-milestone-rich-2024-exploration-program-at-escacena-project-southern-spain-302026060.html The "Hungary Insurance Industry Governance, Risk and Compliance" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report provides detailed analysis of the insurance regulations for life, property, motor, liability, personal accident and health, and marine, aviation and transit insurance. The report specifies various requirements for the establishment and operation of insurance and reinsurance companies and intermediaries. The report brings together the publisher's research, modeling and analysis expertise, giving insurers access to information on prevailing insurance regulations, and recent and upcoming changes in the regulatory framework, taxation and legal system in the country. The report also includes the scope of non-admitted insurance in the country. The report provides insights into the governance, risk, and compliance framework pertaining to the insurance industry in Hungary, including - An overview of the insurance regulatory framework in Hungary. The latest key changes, and changes expected in the country's insurance regulatory framework. Key regulations and market practices related to different types of insurance product in the country. Rules and regulations pertaining to key classes of compulsory insurance, and the scope of non-admitted insurance in the country. Key parameters including licensing requirements permitted foreign direct investment, minimum capital requirements, solvency and reserve requirements, and investment regulations. Details of the tax and legal systems in the country. Key Highlights MNB regulates the Hungarian insurance industry. The new Solvency II regime is applicable from January 1, 2016. Composite insurance is not allowed in Hungary. However, a life insurance company can underwrite accident and health insurance. Non-admitted insurance is prohibited in Hungary. However, insurance and reinsurance companies from EEA and EU Member States are permitted to operate without a license. Motor third-party liability insurance is mandatory in Hungary. Scope The report covers details of the insurance regulatory framework in Hungary. The report contains details of the rules and regulations governing insurance products and insurance entities. The report lists and analyzes key trends and developments pertaining to the country's insurance regulatory framework. The report analyzes the rules and regulations pertaining to the establishment and operation of insurance businesses in the country. The report provides details of taxation imposed on insurance products and insurance companies. Reasons to Buy Provides FAQ-style analytical insights comprising 129 knowledge elements on insurance compliance applicable to the country. Gain insights into the insurance regulatory framework in Hungary. Track the latest regulatory changes, and expected changes impacting the Hungarian insurance industry. Gain detailed information about the key regulations governing the establishment and operation of insurance entities in the country. Understand key regulations and market practices pertaining to various types of insurance product. Key Topics Covered: Legislation Overview Supervision and Control Legislation Compulsory Insurance Non-Admitted Insurance Regulations Company Registration and Operation License Foreign Direct Investment Ownership Minimum Capital Requirements Solvency Margins Reserve Requirements Statutory Return Requirements Fee Structure Taxation Tax on Insurance Premium Corporate Income Tax Corporate Capital Gains Tax Value Added Tax Legal System Policy Practice For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/g4n5cv About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104462659/en/ Contacts: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 Mirth Connect by NextGen Healthcare Adopted by Strategic Reseller Partners NextGen Healthcare, Inc., a leading provider of innovative, cloud-based healthcare technology solutions, today announced that it is extending its global presence in key overseas markets through strategic partnerships. Award-winning data integration solution Mirth Connect by NextGen Healthcare is now available to healthcare organizations across Europe and the Middle East through proven resellers with expertise in local needs and regulations. Mirth Connect empowers healthcare organizations to share patient information seamlessly and securely across disparate systems, enhancing interoperability between care sites and facilitating a more comprehensive understanding of data. Timely access to complete patient information can significantly impact diagnosis, treatment, and care coordination, leading to better health outcomes and more efficient and cost-effective care delivery. Headquartered around the globe, the following partners are longtime leaders in their respective markets and are among the official resellers of Mirth Connect: ACCRO Computer System Design: Dubai, United Arab Emirates Amaron: Ruiselede, Belgium Bahia Software: A Coruna, Spain By adding Mirth Connect to their product portfolios, these resellers can offer clients an established data integration solution at a competitive price, with accelerated time-to-market. "As the healthcare ecosystem continues to evolve, there is increasing appreciation for the value of secure and efficient data exchange and optimization," said Srinivas (Sri) Velamoor, president and chief operating officer for NextGen Healthcare. "Our strategic partnership agreements are a meaningful step towards meeting this need on a global scale. Each of these partners have been thoughtfully selected because they share our vision for elevating care delivery by providing a superior experience for secure data exchange and utilization." NextGen Healthcare collaborates closely with its partners to ensure secure and compliant processing of personal data as governed by the European Union and United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulations (GDPRs) and continues to adapt practices as regulations evolve."With more than two decades of serving our customers in the region, we have a unique understanding of the challenges healthcare organizations face when managing information between different systems," said Jose Ramon Varela, Business Director at Bahia Software. "We are very pleased to partner with NextGen Healthcare to bring proven interoperability solutions to healthcare facilities throughout our region." "Having years of experience working with healthcare entities in the Middle East, we see the necessity for enhanced interoperability engines equipped with the latest capabilities," said Dr. Manoj Menon, CEO of Accro Computer System Design. "This partnership with NextGen Healthcare enables us to better provide these crucial services to customers in our region." "We have been supporting more than 100 healthcare organizations across Belgium, the Netherlands and France for almost two decades," said Maurice van Kerkhoven, Co-CEO of Amaron. "Our solutions help clients' internal information systems work together optimally and enable the safe and controlled exchange of data with external parties. Our customers particularly appreciate that our Mirth Connect-based solutions provide them with actionable data when and where they need it, allowing them to make the most of their existing infrastructures." Visit NextGen Healthcare to learn more about how Mirth Connect is powering data exchange and optimization around the globe. About NextGen Healthcare, Inc. NextGen Healthcare, Inc. is a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology and data solutions. We are reimagining ambulatory healthcare with award-winning EHR, practice management and surround solutions that enable providers to deliver whole-person health and value-based care. Our highly integrated, intelligent, and interoperable solutions increase clinical quality and productivity, enrich the patient experience and drive superior financial performance. We are on a relentless quest to achieve better healthcare outcomes for all. Learn more at nextgen.com, and follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104268591/en/ Contacts: Media Contact Anjali Bright (731) 234-6422 Abright@nextgen.com Array of courses help learners and business leaders make culture of compliance a reality Learning Pool, the leading learning technology company, announced today new and refreshed courses within its Adaptive Content for Compliance Training. The scenario-based courses, complemented by the company's proprietary technology, IQ Analytics, deliver a tailored compliance journey for learners and organizations. With Learning Pool investing over $11 million in R&D in 2023, including this refresh, the company shows continued commitment to being the go-to partner in compliance training and workplace learning around the world. In an era where businesses are rapidly evolving and integrating advanced technologies, the landscape of compliance has become more complex and crucial than ever. Regulations continue to tighten across industries, and organizations cannot afford the costly repercussions of a compliance misstep. Maintaining a robust compliance program is not just about adhering to legal requirements; it's also a strategic advantage. Businesses that prioritize compliance outperform their peers and are more likely to attract and retain top talent, fostering a culture of trust and responsibility. And as the consequences of missteps loom, the U.S. Department of Justice continues to echo its expectation that companies level-up their compliance data readiness to measure program effectiveness. Learning Pool addresses the need for compliance readiness through robust personalized training, reinforcement, and predictive data-backed behavioral insights for strategic decision-making. This enables organizations to assess their current compliance risk landscape and proactively identify areas in need of remediation. More specifically, to support organizations on their compliance journeys, Learning Pool offers: Adaptive Content for Compliance Training: Immersive courses bring learners through a tailored experience that goes beyond check-the-box completion to drive meaningful behavioral change. Adaptive content adjusts in real time based on each learner's performance in the course for an efficient, learner-centric experience. As part of its January course release, Learning Pool refreshed several Off-the-Shelf offerings with a focus on ensuring continued consistency with today's regulatory environment, best practices, and current ways of working. These offerings also reflect an enhanced emphasis on providing additional, more nuanced content to employees whose roles, responsibilities, or job functions necessitate it. These refreshed courses include: Upholding Our Code; Upholding Our Code: Manufacturing and Industrial Edition; Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption (ABAC) Suite; Anti-Discrimination; and Conflicts of Interest. Immersive courses bring learners through a tailored experience that goes beyond check-the-box completion to drive meaningful behavioral change. Adaptive content adjusts in real time based on each learner's performance in the course for an efficient, learner-centric experience. As part of its January course release, Learning Pool refreshed several Off-the-Shelf offerings with a focus on ensuring continued consistency with today's regulatory environment, best practices, and current ways of working. These offerings also reflect an enhanced emphasis on providing additional, more nuanced content to employees whose roles, responsibilities, or job functions necessitate it. These refreshed courses include: Upholding Our Code; Upholding Our Code: Manufacturing and Industrial Edition; Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption (ABAC) Suite; Anti-Discrimination; and Conflicts of Interest. IQ Analytics: IQ Analytics is an easy-to-use cloud-based portal that gives administrators the full picture of their employees' compliance readiness. This proprietary technology not only tracks compliance proficiency but also offers insights into employee behavior, helping administrators identify any potential risks or blind spots. "It's time for compliance to assume its rightful role as a strategic business partner across the organization-and data-informed programs are critical to facilitating this," said Harper Wells, Chief Compliance Officer at Learning Pool. "Merely aspiring to do the right thing is no longer sufficient for organizations to remain compliant in today's world. To stay ahead and be effective, compliance training needs to go beyond tracking course completion rates. Organizations need programs that offer personalized learning journeys, underpinned by data, to empower employees to do the right thing and prevent potential compliance missteps." For a full list of Adaptive Content for Compliance, please visit: https://learningpool.com/adaptive-learning-content/ About Learning Pool Learning Pool is a learning technology company that optimizes employee performance with intelligent, data-driven experiences. Through its enterprise portfolio, Learning Pool has crafted learning journeys for thousands of organizations and their business units worldwide, enabling smarter compliance, onboarding, and upskilling. The company's dedication to creating business impact and constantly innovating is the reason customers like Valvoline, Villeroy Boch, and Royal Caribbean Group, choose Learning Pool to enhance the efficiency and productivity of their workforce. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Derry, with offices in North America, Learning Pool employs 450 people worldwide. For more information, visit Learning Pool, and LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104323701/en/ Contacts: V2 Communications for Learning Pool learningpool@v2comms.com Seventy-two percent of PR professionals reported an increase in work quality AI use in the PR industry has grown exponentially. The number of PR professionals leveraging AI has surged nearly 40% since March 2023, according to the latest survey from Muck Rack, the Public Relations Management (PRM) platform that enables organizations to build trust, tell their stories and demonstrate the unique value of earned media. AI has had a positive impact on work quality and efficiency for those PR professionals who use it, with 74% reporting an increase in the quality of their work and 89% completing projects more rapidly. Those who reported using AI leverage it for a variety of writing tasks: social copy (64%), research (58%), writing press releases (58%) and crafting pitches (54%). A noticeable discrepancy exists between brands and agencies in how they disclose AI use. While 21% of agency PR professionals admit never disclosing their AI utilization to clients, only 6% of brand professionals support this non-disclosure strategy. To help address questions surrounding ethics and disclosure, Muck Rack published its own AI Standards guide for PR and journalism professionals. Despite the widespread use of AI, concerns remain largely unchanged. While 95% of PR professionals claim to edit their AI outputs, over half still consider unscrutinized AI output a potential risk. Furthermore, 67% express concern that new PR professionals entering the field might overly rely on tools and not learn the basics of the profession. "2023 was the year of experimentation with this new technology and it appears most communications and PR professionals have embraced it. Adoption of generative AI was still relatively low earlier in the year, but a third said at the time that they were planning to explore it," said Gregory Galant, cofounder and CEO of Muck Rack. "They held true to that commitment with nearly two-thirds now saying they use it in their workflows. Plus the number of people who were either not sure they wanted to use AI or had no plans of using it, both decreased substantially, showing that generative AI is likely to have a permanent place in the communicator's toolbox." While the number of people who do not plan to explore AI tools decreased from 15% to 5%, the small cohort in opposition of the technology have varying concerns, including that the output is too unpredictable and that it won't help them do their job. Responses to the "other" category cover many reasons, including ethical and security concerns. Muck Rack's State of AI in PR January 2024 report serves as an update and expansion of Muck Rack's State of AI in PR 2023 survey, administered in March 2023. The goal is to provide insights into the PR industry to help improve the workflow of public relations professionals, particularly in the rapidly expanding field of generative artificial intelligence. Download the full report and reach out to your Muck Rack representative or request a demo to learn more about Muck Rack's AI features. Methodology The self-administered survey collected 1,001 responses from PR professionals from November 2 to December 14, 2023. About Muck Rack Muck Rack enables organizations to build trust, tell their stories and demonstrate the unique value of earned media. The only public relations management platform powered by intuitive technology and the most accurate, comprehensive data provided by journalists themselves, Muck Rack combines media database, monitoring and reporting for seamless team collaboration, pitching and measurement. Purpose-built for communications and public relations, Muck Rack helps more than 4,000 companies worldwide analyze and report on the impact of their media relations. Thousands of journalists use Muck Rack's free tools to showcase their portfolios, analyze news about any topic and measure the impact of their stories. Learn more at muckrack.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104838239/en/ Contacts: Bailey Self Communications Manager bailey.self@muckrack.com Company Establishing Experienced Finance Team to Support Growth Strategy FT. LAUDERDALE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Cardiff Lexington Corporation (OTC PINK:CDIX), an acquisition holding company focused on locating, acquiring, and building middle market, niche companies, primarily in the healthcare industry, today announced the appointment of Zia Choe as Chief Accounting Officer. Ms. Choe previously served as interim Chief Financial Officer at Cardiff Lexington. In her new role, Ms. Choe will work across all constituencies to help ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, develop policies and procedures which align to enterprise-wide business strategies and accounting professional standards, perform technical accounting diligence on prospective acquisitions, and support on the execution of the Company's strategic growth initiatives to expand on a national scale. Ms. Choe is a highly accomplished finance professional with 17 years of accounting and operational experience. Most recently, Ms. Choe served as a Partner at STK Financial where she was responsible for the financial audit and review of domestic and international clients, provided high level outsourced accounting advisory services, performed financial due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, and assisted in the preparation of 10K and 10Q financial statements and footnotes. Prior to this role, Ms. Choe served as Audit and Assurance Manager at JNK Accountancy Group, where she successfully conducted financial audits in accordance with US GAAP and IFRS measures for various domestic and international clients. She also advised clients on various topics including accounting policies, internal control, risk assessments, fraud, and new accounting standards. Ms. Choe is a certified public accountant. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in hospitality management from Florida International University and her Master of Science equivalent in accounting from the AICPA Accounting Program at Ajou University in Suwon, South Korea. Alex Cunningham, Chief Executive Officer of Cardiff Lexington, commented, "After a period of strong performance as our interim CFO, we are pleased to announce that we have appointed Zia Choe as Chief Accounting Officer of Cardiff Lexington. Zia's addition reflects our commitment to establishing an experienced finance team that will support our growth strategy as we head into 2024. We believe that her extensive background in accounting, specifically as it relates to M&A due diligence and advisory, will be a valuable addition to our business, and we expect Zia to be a key member of the Cardiff Lexington team." Zia Choe commented, "I'm excited to join the Cardiff Lexington team in a permanent role as Chief Accounting Officer. As a result of my time as interim CFO, I am very familiar with the business model and am ready to hit the ground running in 2024. This Company possesses a unique business model with a strong foothold in Florida, which has the most personal injury claims per capita in the United States. I'm energized by the opportunity to join the Cardiff Lexington team and look forward to contributing to the Company's long-term growth." ----- About Cardiff Lexington Corporation: Cardiff Lexington Corporation is focused on locating, acquiring, and building middle market, niche companies, primarily in the healthcare industry. Fundamental to the Cardiff Lexington strategy is the service-based partnership culture which emphasizes core values, teamwork, accountability, and performance. A substantial majority of the Company's revenue is derived from Nova Ortho and Spine, PLLC, or Nova, which are regional primary specialty and ancillary care facilities throughout Florida that provide traumatic injury victims with a full range of diagnostic and surgical services, primary care evaluations, interventional pain management, and specialty consultation services. For more information on Cardiff Lexington Corporation, you may access the company's website at https://cardifflexington.com/ Forward Looking Statements This press release may contain information about our views of future expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs, assumptions and expectations of the Company's future economic performance, taking into account the information currently available to it. These statements are not statements of historical fact. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. The Company does not undertake any duty to update any statements contained herein (including any forward-looking statements), except as required by law. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of factors, risks and uncertainties, some of which are not currently known to us, that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or financial condition to be materially different from the expectations of future results, performance or financial position. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations discussed in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include general industry considerations, regulatory changes, changes in local or national economic conditions and other risks set forth in "Risk Factors" included in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Cardiff Lexington Investor Relations investorsrelations@cardifflexington.com (800) 628-2100 ext. 705 or IMS Investor Relations cardifflexington@imsinvestorrelations.com (203) 972-9200 SOURCE: Cardiff Lexington Corporation View the original press release on accesswire.com NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / 3BL Navigating the waters of sustainability reporting disclosures and regulations can be intimidating, to say the least. With various measures set in 2023 to keep companies accountable, there is a lot in store for brands' impact communication in the upcoming year. 3BL is kicking off this January with our Navigating ESG Comms Through the Cosmos - Capricorn Edition by highlighting the impact of: The U.S Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Climate disclosure rules The European Commission's Green Claims Directive California's passing of SB 253 and SB 261 As companies are revving up for a robust Q1 to set the tone for 2024, productivity is in high gear. The impact of Capricorn season signaling on sustainability and social impact communication is also unmistakable, particularly as it relates to public and private reporting. See what advice Capricorn season has for the new year. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from 3BL on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: 3BL Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/3bl Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: 3BL View the original press release on accesswire.com EASTON, PA / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Paragon Technologies, Inc. ("Paragon"), a diversified holding company, and the largest shareholder of Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (NYSE American:OPTT), ("Company") ("OPT"), reminds OPT shareholders to DISREGARD any WHITE proxy from OPT and issued the following presentation on how to vote the BLUE proxy card below. https://storage.googleapis.com/accesswire/media/821746/pr16opt.pdf Please email us at ir@pgntgroup.com with any questions about how to vote your BLUE proxy card. Paragon Technologies, Inc., together with the other participants named herein, has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") a definitive proxy statement and an accompanying proxy card soliciting votes for the election of director nominees at the 2023 annual meeting of shareholders of Ocean Power Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "company"). Paragon Technologies, Inc. is the beneficial owner of 2,720,660 shares of common stock of the company, par value $0.001 per share ("common stock"). Paragon Technologies, Inc., and Paragon's director nominees Hesham M. Gad, Shawn M. Harpen, Jack H. Jacobs, and Samuel S. Weiser, are the participants in the proxy solicitation. Mr. Gad, Executive Chairman of Paragon's Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Paragon, and Messrs. Jacobs and Weiser, directors of Paragon, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of the company's common stock held by Paragon. Ms. Harpen does not own beneficially or of record any securities of the company. Updated information regarding the participants and their direct and indirect interests in the solicitation, by security holdings or otherwise, has been and will be included in Paragon's proxy statement and other materials filed with the SEC. SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY SHOULD READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER PROXY MATERIALS CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY AS THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION RELATING TO THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL MEETING, PARAGON'S SOLICITATION OF PROXIES AND PARAGON'S NOMINEES TO THE BOARD. SUCH PROXY MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE ON THE SEC'S WEBSITE AT WWW.SEC.GOV OR FROM PARAGON TECHNOLOGIES, INC. REQUESTS FOR COPIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO PARAGON'S PROXY SOLICITOR. CONTACT: Alliance Advisors 200 Broadacres Drive, 3rd Floor Bloomfield, NJ 07003 Toll-Free Phone: 855-200-8651 Email: OPTT@allianceadvisors.com SOURCE: Paragon Technologies Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com SURREY, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / International Water-Guard Industries, Inc. (IWG) and Jet2.com have entered into an agreement to install IWG's patented "Pre-Select" Intelligent Water Quantity System on 52 B737-800 NG aircraft, making Jet2.com the first airline in Europe to use the product. International Water-Guard Logo Jet2.com has chosen the IWG Pre-Select system, which enables operators to accurately manage the amount of potable water carried based on data of actual usage from IWG's proprietary system, providing weight and jet fuel savings. IWG's Pre-Select is Transport Canada, FAA, and EASA approved, with STCs for Boeing's 737NG and the MAX -8 and -9 aircraft and installations completed in Canada, Europe, and the Americas. "The IWG Pre-Select System provides immediate fuel and carbon savings by reducing aircraft weight through effective water management. Through trials with airlines, IWG has compiled a sizeable amount of data supporting the efficiencies gained through Pre-Select, and we are pleased to have Jet2.com become the first airline in Europe to take advantage of our product to help meet their operational goals and reduce emissions from flight," said Steven Bis, President and CEO of IWG. "We are thrilled to partner with Jet2.com as our Pre-Select launch customer in Europe. Potable water management provides a tremendous return on investment and supports Jet2's sustainability strategy. Pre-select reduces aircraft weight as much as 180kg, 400lbs on each flight, providing a reduction in fuel required and carbon emissions. We look forward to further enhancing our systems and working together to support Jet2.com's specific requirements as well as installations with their additional fleet types," added Larry Morasch, Director of Sales with International Water-Guard. Chris Hubbard, Director of Engineering & Maintenance at Jet2.com, said: "Travel and tourism is a force for good and, like all industries, we know how critical it is to reduce our climate impacts. We have already taken a number of tangible actions on our journey to Net Zero, and we are very pleased to be the first European airline to partner with IWG and install the Pre-Select system, which will help us achieve weight reduction benefits to further support that journey." About IWG Based out of British Columbia, Canada, International Water-Guard (IWG) has been helping commercial and business aircraft worldwide to improve the quality of the onboard water system, protecting both passengers and crew from the risk of waterborne illnesses, and providing exceptional components to enhance the capability of OEM installed water systems. IWG is a leading provider of flight-certified potable water treatment units, on-demand water heaters, and innovative weight-reduction water components and systems. As a Transport Canada-approved organization with numerous U.S. and Canadian Supplemental Type Certificates to its credit, IWG has the aviation experience to design, certify, and deliver the finest potable water treatment solutions. Visit www.water.aero. About Jet2.com Jet2.com is the UK's third largest airline, providing leisure flights from the UK to sun, ski and leisure city destinations across the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Europe. Contact Information Lucrecia Leon Marketing Manager lleon@water.aero 604 255 5555 Steven Bis President and CEO sbis@water.aero 604 255 5555 David J. Pohl Director of Strategic Development dpohl@water.aero 604 255 5555 Larry Morasch Director of Sales lmorasch@water.aero 253-988-4682 SOURCE: International Water-Guard View the original press release on newswire.com. Lilic was previously one of Consensys' earliest employees and a key advisor to Polygon LONDON, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Telos Foundation announced today the appointment of John Lilic as the organization's Executive Director. In the role, Lilic will help spearhead Telos' evolution into a Layer 0 network underpinned by ZK technology aimed at attracting developers and users worldwide. A renowned trailblazer in the blockchain and digital asset community, Lilic was an early adopter and volunteer at the Bitcoin Center NYC in 2014, before joining Consensys as one of the company's first employees in 2015, where he helped build MetaMask and other transformational technologies. More recently, he joined the Polygon team as a primary advisor, which has since cemented its position as one of the world's most utilized cryptocurrencies under his advisorship. While navigating various roles across the industry's most pioneering organizations over the last decade, Lilic has also successfully maintained his status as a Top 50 Web3 Angel Investor. Lilic is set to transition into the public face of the Telos Foundation and represent the Telos community at various conferences and events around the world. He'll also work to establish new relationships with key partners while providing direction and support for the foundation's technology development, grant programs, research, budgeting and educational efforts. He'll be building in tandem with Telos Foundation CEO, Lee Erswell, to set direction and also work closely with former CEO and current Head of Strategy, Justin Giudici, to expand awareness and growth potential for Telos. "I'm looking forward to applying my extensive experience and insights from my time with the Bitcoin Center NYC, Consensys, Polygon and other successful ventures," said Lilic on joining Telos. "My goal is to help steer Telos on a path to success by focusing on product development with novel ZK Proof technology and expanding our network capabilities and usage, thereby ensuring Telos thrives in this ever-evolving industry." In his first official act as Executive Director, John will donate the headline sponsorship for ETHCC 2024 to Telos, along with an additional sponsorship at ETH Belgrade 2024. These sponsorships are expected to be major platforms for Telos' upcoming ZK technology releases, and important opportunities to expand the network's presence and influence in Europe. To further support Telos' growth and expansion, Lilic and the Telos Foundation will also work to establish an external advisory board made up of world class talent in 2024. "We are delighted to welcome John Lilic to the Telos Foundation," said Erswell. "His expertise and vision align perfectly with our goals, and we are confident that his leadership will propel us to new heights in our mission to develop a more sustainable and equitable blockchain ecosystem." For more information about Telos, visit telos.net. About Telos: Telos is a decentralized blockchain ecosystem renowned for its world-class Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), which tested as the fastest globally, as well as its high-speed consensus layer, Telos Zero. Telos is currently expanding its capabilities with novel Zero Knowledge (zk) technology, which promises to enhance privacy and scalability for global use cases. Telos is dedicated to creating a more inclusive and efficient future for decentralized applications, underscoring its commitment to driving progress and expanding the possibilities of Web3 technology. Telos is overseen by The Telos Foundation, an ownerless foundation dedicated to advancing the Telos blockchain network and its community. Media Inquiries: press@telosfoundation.io View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/john-lilic-joins-the-telos-foundation-as-executive-director-302026083.html A growing number of chronic diseases and regulatory compliance will drive demand for medical tubing. Advances in technology and the development of new materials will contribute to the growth of the medical tubing market. WILMINGTON, Del., Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The medical tubing industry was valued at US$ 9.8 billion in 2022. In 2031, the industry will reach US$ 19.7 billion, growing at a CAGR of 8.1% between 2023 and 2031. A change in healthcare policy can affect demand for medical tubing due to a change in healthcare policy, increased healthcare spending, and improved healthcare infrastructure. Advances in materials science and the development of new polymers and coatings offer great potential for improving the performance and functionality of medical tubing. Flexible, biocompatible, and durable materials may contribute to market growth. Medical tubing production and usage can be affected by changes to regulatory standards. The medical industry relies heavily on compliance with safety and quality standards. Request to Sample PDF of this Strategic Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=53598 Because of patient preferences, home-based and less invasive medical tubing may become very popular. The growing popularity of single-use and disposable medical tubing can be attributed to their lower risk of contamination and infection. Medical devices that can be disposed of directly after use are aligned with this trend in the broader healthcare industry. Real-time monitoring of various parameters using sensors and other technologies is an emerging trend in medical tubing. Providing continuous vital sign data or other relevant metrics through smart tubing can enhance patient care. Medical Tubing Market Report Scope: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2031 Base Year 2017-2021 Size in 2022 US$ 9.8 Bn Forecast (Value) in 2031 More than US$ 19.7 Bn Growth Rate (CAGR) 8.1 % No. of Pages 165 Pages Segments covered Material, Structure, Application Key Findings of the Market Report The rise in demand for custom medical tubes can be attributed to continuous advancements in drug delivery systems. Based on material, silicone will dominate the global medical tubing market. Single-lumen tubing is experiencing substantial growth due to its versatility and applicability across diverse medical procedures. Globally, bulk disposable tubing accounted for the largest share of the medical tubing market by 2022. North America's medical tubing market is expected to grow rapidly in the near future. Global Medical Tubing Market: Growth Drivers Increasing healthcare needs and population growth contribute to the growth of the healthcare industry and the demand for medical tubing. The healthcare industry uses medical tubing for a variety of purposes, such as medical devices, diagnostic equipment, and drug delivery systems. The advancement of medical technology often requires specialized tubing that is flexible, biocompatible, and resistant to chemicals. Medical tubing will continue to be in demand as technology continues to progress. Across the globe, chronic diseases are on the rise, like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory disorders. Devices like catheters, stents, and drug delivery systems often use medical tubing for treatment and management. Due to the benefits of reduced recovery times and fewer postoperative complications, minimally invasive surgical procedures have grown in popularity. Many minimally invasive devices use medical tubing, such as catheters, endoscopes, and guidewires. Market participants must comply with strict regulatory standards in the healthcare industry. As manufacturers develop products that meet these requirements, biocompatibility and sterilization requirements drive the medical tubing market. To minimize adverse reactions in the human body, medical tubing is continuously being developed with enhanced biocompatibility. Medical tubing's performance and characteristics are also improved by polymers and other advanced materials. Customize The Report According To Your Needs: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=CR&rep_id=53598 Global Medical Tubing Market: Regional Landscape North America is expected to drive demand for medical tubing in the market. Medical tubing is growing rapidly in North America due to chronic diseases and aging populations. In addition to the launch of new products, the popularity of minimally invasive treatments is on the rise, and major players are taking more strategic measures to strengthen their positions. is expected to drive demand for medical tubing in the market. Medical tubing is growing rapidly in North America due to chronic diseases and aging populations. In addition to the launch of new products, the popularity of minimally invasive treatments is on the rise, and major players are taking more strategic measures to strengthen their positions. Due to technological advancements and the increasing number of research and development activities in the United States, demand for medical tubing is expected to increase. The prevalence of chronic diseases among geriatrics and the number of kidney diseases are expected to grow. For instance, Kidney Disease Statistics for the United States updated in July 2022 estimated that over 1 in 7 adults in this country are affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD), and 37 million Americans are estimated to have kidney disease. The urinary catheter market will be driven by the increasing incidence of CKD in the country. Global Medical Tubing Market: Key Players Major medical tubing manufacturers are constantly developing new products to expand their product lines. They also increase global market share through mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and joint ventures. Freudenberg Medical Nordson MEDICAL MicroLumen Inc. Spectrum Plastics Group ASCENT INDIA NewAge Industries, Inc. Absolute Custom Extrusions Petro Extrusion Technologies, Inc. Shanghai ECO Polymer Polytec Plastics, Inc. Key Developments In December 2023 , medical tubing technology provider Zeus will be acquired by EQT X under an agreement revealed by EQT X. A financial description of the acquisition has not been provided. , medical tubing technology provider Zeus will be acquired by EQT X under an agreement revealed by EQT X. A financial description of the acquisition has not been provided. In December 2023, Nordson MEDICAL, a Nordson Company, introduces Pharma+ Tubing Retainers, an innovative new product that redefining fluid transfer. Professionals in the medical and biopharmaceutical industries can take advantage of these leak-free tubing retainers precisely engineered to meet the critical challenges they encounter. Global Medical Tubing Market: Segmentation By Material Silicone Polyolefins Polyimide Polyvinyl Chloride Polycarbonates Fluoropolymers Others By Structure Single-lumen Tubing Multi-lumen Tubing Multi-layer Tubing Wire Embedded Tubing Others (Medical Pump Tubing, Coiled Tubing, etc.) By Application Bulk Disposable Tubing Drug Delivery Systems Catheters Biopharmaceutical Laboratory Equipment Others By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Rest of the World Interested to Procure The Data? Inquire here at: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=EB&rep_id=53598 More Trending Report by Transparency Market Research: Dental Dust Collector Market- The industry was valued at US$ 163.4 Mn in 2021. It is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% from 2022 to 2031 and reach more than US$ 343.2 Mn by the end of 2031 Dental Syringe Market- The global industry was valued at US$ 343.4 Mn in 2021. It is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2022 to 2031 and reach more than US$ 577.8 Mn by the end of 2031 Dental Putty Market- The industry was valued at US$ 64.3 Mn in 2021. It is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2022 to 2031 and reach more than US$ 119.9 Mn by 2031. About Transparency Market Research Transparency Market Research, a global market research company registered at Wilmington, Delaware, United States, provides custom research and consulting services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insights for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools & techniques to gather and analyses information. Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports. Contact: Nikhil Sawlani Transparency Market Research Inc. CORPORATE HEADQUARTER DOWNTOWN, 1000 N. West Street, Suite 1200, Wilmington, Delaware 19801 USA Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Website: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter | Blog | YouTube Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1682871/TMR_Logo_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/medical-tubing-market-to-hit-usd-19-7-billion-by-2031--at-a-cagr-8-1--says-transparency-market-research-inc-302026177.html September acquisition of Billerud Managed Packaging by Mimir Group leverages packaging expertise and Asian production network, rebrands to become Trillora Packaging Solutions. Trillora Packaging Solutions proudly announces a new name and brand redesign following their recent acquisition by Mimir Group. An emerging leader in the packaging industry, Trillora delivers sharper strategies and service-first solutions for ambitious brands in the apparel, footwear, sporting goods, and outdoor equipment industries. The company's formidable roster includes leading brands Traeger, Wilson, and Barebones. The acquisition is a carve-out divestiture from Swedish paper company Billerud and is a defining chapter in the company's 25-plus-year history. Trillora was originally founded as PACCESS in Portland, Oregon serving brands such as Nike and Levi Strauss Co. Since 2013, the company has been known to the industry as Billerud Managed Packaging. "Today marks a significant milestone for our company as we proudly unveil the Trillora brand to the world. This is not just a name change; it's a reflection of our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence," explains Richard Lange, CEO of Trillora Packaging Solutions. "Trillora represents a new chapter in our journey, and we are excited to continue delivering exceptional value to our clients and partners worldwide." Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, the U.S. office leads design, testing, sales, project management, and finance. With strategically positioned operations spanning three continents, Trillora's expert production network connects long-standing partnerships throughout Asia with management offices in Shenzhen, China, and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and others. The Trillora model provides a pivotal advantage in efficiently managing operations, sourcing, compliance, quality assurance, design, and testing for product brands manufacturing in these regions. Trillora's sales and account management team ensures seamless service delivery. About Trillora Packaging Solutions Trillora serves leading global brands with a rigorous dedication to design, produce, and deliver expert packaging solutions tailored to maximizing optimization, sustainability, and performance. Visit trillora.com for more about Trillora Packaging Solutions and the new brand. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240103889884/en/ Contacts: Kathy Guilfoyle Marketing Manager Email: kathy.guilfoyle@trillora.com Phone: 503.528.6798 CHICAGO, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pharmaceutical Excipients Market in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth $10.0 billion in 2023 and is poised to reach $13.9 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The pharmaceutical excipients market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period of 2023 to 2028. The major factors attributing to the growth of the market are increasing demand for generic drugs and pharmaceutical products, increased R&D Investments for the development of novel excipients and growing emphasis on patient-centric formulations. Collaborations and partnerships with pharmaceutical companies for customized excipient solutions are likely to boost the growth of the market in the near future. Download an Illustrative overview: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=956 Browse in-depth TOC on "Pharmaceutical Excipients Market" 760 - Tables 45 - Figures 503 - Pages Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $10.0 billion Estimated Value by 2028 $13.9 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% Market Size Available for 2021-2028 Forecast Period 2023-2028 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Product, By Functionality, By Formulation, By Functionality application Geographies Covered North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Increasing growth of functional/Multifunctional Pharmaceutical Excipients Key Market Drivers Increasing demand for generic drugs and pharmaceutical products is propelling the demand for pharma excipients The organic chemicals segment dominated the market share in 2022 for the product segment. Based on product, the global pharmaceutical excipients market is categorised into organic chemicals, inorganic chemicals and other chemicals. Organic chemicals are mainly chemicals with carbon atoms covalently linked to atoms of other elements. The non-toxic nature of organic chemicals is expected to drive the organic chemicals segments which in turn will uplift the pharmaceutical excipient market from 2023 to 2028. Fillers and Diluents segment achieved top market share for the functionality segment in 2022 The fillers and diluents segment accounted for a majority of the market share in 2022. Fillers and diluents give form, bulk, or consistency to the product. The fillers and diluents market is expected to grow due to the rising use of fillers and diluents in developing and producing solid oral drugs. Tablets are the most popular dosage forms due to their advantages to manufacturers and patients and hence can drive the fillers and diluents market. The lubricants and glidants market is expected to grow at the fastest rate because they can improve the flow properties of a formulation by reducing the friction and cohesion between particles. The Asia Pacific region predicted to showcase the most rapid growth during the forecast period. The Asia Pacific region is poised to lead the market's expansion with the fastest market growth, driven by the low labor and manufacturing costs in China and India. These cost advantages have attracted significant investments from pharmaceutical giants to these countries. Additionally, the growing prevalence of lifestyle-related and age-related diseases, the rising disposable income, and government initiatives to improve healthcare infrastructure further contribute to the region's robust market growth. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=956 Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Dynamics: Drivers: 1. Increasing demand for generic drugs and pharmaceutical products is propelling the demand for pharma excipients Restraints: 1. High Development Costs associated with Novel excipients Opportunities: 1. Increasing growth of functional/Multifunctional Pharmaceutical Excipients Challenge: 1. Stringent Regulatory Requirements Key Market Players of Pharmaceutical Excipients Industry: The global pharmaceutical excipients market comprises of many key market players competing for markets shares like International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (US), Ashland Inc. (US), Evonik Industries AG (Germany), BASF SE (Germany), Kerry Group Plc (Ireland), Roquette Freres (France), Merck KgaA (Germany), Associated British Foods Plc (UK), ADM (US), Wacker Chemie AG (Germany). The primary interviews conducted for this report can be categorized as follows: By Respondent: Supply Side- 80%, and Demand Side - 20% By Designation (Supply Side): Managers - 45%, CXOs & Directors - 30%, Executives- 25% By Region: North America -20%, Europe -10%, Asia-Pacific -55%, Latin America -10%, MEA- 5% Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=956 Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Recent Developments: In June 2023, Ashland introduced Polyplasdone Plus, a co-processed multifunctional direct compression superdisintegrant comprising a glidant and lubricant. In October 2023, Lubrizol Life Science Health was awarded the Finished Formulation Award for Apisolex Polymer solubilizing excipient at CPhI Barcelona. In July 2022, DFE Pharma announced the broadening of its Dry Powder Inhalation (DPI) portfolio by launching Lactohale 400. Pharmaceutical Excipients Market - Key Benefits of Buying the Report: The report will help market leaders/new entrants by providing them with the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall pharmaceutical excipients market and its subsegments. It will also help stakeholders better understand the competitive landscape and gain more insights to better position their business and make suitable go-to-market strategies. This report will enable stakeholders to understand the market's pulse and provide them with information on the key market drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges. The report provides insights on the following pointers: Analysis of key drivers (Increasing demand for generic drugs and pharmaceutical products, increased R&D Investments for the development of novel excipients, growing emphasis on patient-centric formulations, collaborations and partnerships with pharmaceutical companies), restraints (Stringent Regulatory Requirements, High Development Costs), opportunities (Rising demand for functional/multifunctional pharmaceutical excipients, advancements in nanotechnology, emerging markets in Asia-Pacific and Latin America) and challenges (Safety & quality concerns, limited availability of certain raw materials) are influencing the growth of pharmaceutical excipients market. Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on newly launched products of the pharmaceutical excipients market. Functionality Apllication: Additional segment provided for functionality applications where segregation has been provided based on the applications of various excipients highlights the various uses of different excipients classes. Market Development: Comprehensive information about lucrative markets - the report analyses the pharmaceutical excipients market across varied regions. Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new services, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the pharmaceutical excipients market. Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of market shares, growth strategies, and service offerings of leading players include International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (US), Ashland Inc. (US), Evonik Industries AG (Germany), BASF SE (Germany), Kerry Group plc (Ireland), Roquette Freres (France), MERCK KGaA (Germany), Associated British Foods plc (UK), ADM (US), Wacker Chemie AG (Germany) and among others in the pharmaceutical excipients market. Related Reports: Autoinjectors Market - Global Forecasts to 2028 Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Market - Global Forecasts to 2027 High Potency APIs Market - Global Forecasts to 2027 Pharmaceutical Drug Delivery Market - Global Forecasts to 2026 Wearable Injectors Market - Global Forecasts to 2026 About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/pharma-excipients-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/pharma-excipients.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2297424/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/pharmaceutical-excipients-market-worth-13-9-billion--marketsandmarkets-302026043.html BANGALORE, India, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Retail Ready Packaging Market is Segmented By Product Type (Die cut display containers, Corrugated cardboard boxes , Shrink wrapped trays, Folding cartons , Others), By Material (Plastic, Paper & Paperboard, Others), By Application (Food & Beverage, Pharmaceuticals, Electronics, Personal Care & Cosmetics, Other). The Global Retail Ready Packaging Market is projected to reach USD 107.8 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.1%. Claim Your Free Sample Now: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/ALLI-Auto-0D476/Retail_Ready_Packaging_Market Major Factors Driving the Growth ofRetail Ready Packaging Market Corrugated cardboard is a go-to material for retail-ready packaging because of its adaptability and eco-friendliness, which helps it satisfy the many demands of the retail sector. Several major drivers are driving the growth of the Retail Ready Packaging (RRP) market, such as the changing retail environment, consumer preferences shifting towards convenient and aesthetically pleasing packaging, and the need for improved brand exposure on congested retail shelves. RRP brings cost savings through lower handling and operating expenses, improves product presentation, and increases supply chain efficiency. The growing importance of point-of-purchase marketing, customization trends, and the emphasis on sustainability all help to propel the market's growth. Unlock Insights: View Full Report Now! https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/ALLI-Auto-0D476/retail-ready-packaging TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF RETAIL READY PACKAGING MARKET Corrugated cardboard boxes are frequently used in retail-ready packaging (RRP) for a variety of purposes including a range of product categories, materials, and uses. Because it is strong, adaptable, and reasonably priced, corrugated cardboard is a popular option for retail packaging. Corrugated boxes are versatile in terms of product kinds, offering appropriate solutions for a variety of commodities. While some RRPs utilize plastic as a material, corrugated cardboard is still widely used since it is sustainable, recyclable, and eco-friendly-all of which are in line with the growing emphasis on packaging that is ecologically beneficial. Corrugated cardboard serves as a robust and protective barrier in applications like food and beverage, guaranteeing the safe transportation and display of goods while also providing branding and marketing opportunities on the packaging surface. The potential of Retail ready packaging to improve shelf presence and brand awareness is one of the main factors propelling the market's expansion. Retail ready packaging is intended to maximize product presentation and increase consumer appeal. Brands are becoming more aware of how appealing packaging influences consumers' decisions to buy, which is driving up demand for RRP solutions that make goods stand out on crowded store shelves. One of the key factors driving the RRP market's growth is supply chain efficiency. Retailers are using RRP to streamline restocking procedures and cut down on handling time. RRP's design makes it easier to quickly replenish inventory and reduces the time and labor needed to get goods ready for the sales floor, which improves supply chain efficiency and lowers costs. Retail Ready Packaging provides benefits for cost savings all along the supply chain. Lower total operating expenses are a result of simple handling, effective shipping, and a decreased need for supplementary packing. Furthermore, as sustainability is becoming a top priority for companies, Retail ready packaging materials are frequently selected for their ecologically beneficial qualities, satisfying the rising need for packaging options that minimize environmental impact. The need for convenience and the rise of mobile lives have driven RRP's expansion. RRP responds to consumer demand for items that are convenient to grab and go by offering packaging that is both aesthetically pleasing and made to be easily accessible. The fast-paced lifestyles of contemporary customers are in line with RRP's emphasis on consumer convenience. Customization and personalization of packaging are major factors propelling the Retail Ready Packaging Industry. Retail Ready Packaging is being used by brands to develop distinctive and customized packaging solutions that appeal to their target markets. In addition to strengthening brand identification, customization makes for a more interesting and memorable customer experience, which increases brand loyalty. In the retail industry, point-of-purchase (POP) marketing has become more popular, and Retail ready packaging is essential to this tactic. The purpose of retail ready packaging is to effectively communicate the characteristics and benefits of a product at the time of sale by acting as a marketing tool. The success of retail ready packaging in promoting POP marketing campaigns, encouraging impulsive purchases, and influencing customer behavior is responsible for its expansion. Own It Today - Buy Now! https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=ALLI-Auto-0D476&lic=single-user RETAIL READY PACKAGING MARKETSHARE ANALYSIS Asia-Pacific was the region with the largest revenue in 2021 and is expected to grow at the fastest rate over the next several years. In terms of product category, the market leader in 2021 was corrugated cardboard boxes. The retail-ready packaging market was dominated by the plastic sector in 2021, but in the near future, the paper and paperboard segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest rate. In terms of revenue, the food and beverage category dominated the market in 2021. Purchase Regional Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/regional/ALLI-Auto-0D476/Retail_Ready_Packaging_Market Key Companies: DS Smith Plc Georgia-Pacific LLC. Green Bay Packaging Incorporated International Paper Company Mondi Group Smurfit Kappa Group The Cardboard Box Company Vanguard Companies Weedon Group WestRock Company Purchase Chapters: https://reports.valuates.com/request/chaptercost/ALLI-Auto-0D476/Retail_Ready_Packaging_Market SUBSCRIPTION We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans. DISCOVER MORE INSIGHTS: EXPLORE SIMILAR REPORTS! - Retail Ready Trays Market - Vacuum Skin Packaging Market - Food Anti-fog Packaging Market - Ready-to-eat Foods Market - Takeout Container market is projected to reach USD 70940 Million in 2029, with the CAGR of 6.7%. - On-the-go Pots Market - Freight Forwarding Market - The Modified Atmosphere Packaging Film market is projected to reach USD 696 Million in 2029, with the CAGR of 4.6%. - Modified Atmosphere Packaging Machine market is projected to reach USD 379.9 Million in 2029, with the CAGR of 4.2%. - Blister Packaging Tooling Market - Transparent High Barrier Packaging Film Market - Multi-Med Adherence Packaging Market - Fan-In Packaging Technology market is projected to reach USD 3687.5 Million in 2029, with the CAGR of 5.3%. - Clean Room Packaging Market - Flexible Lid Stock Packaging Market - Straw Board Packaging Market - White Goods Packaging market is projected to reach USD 19700 Million in 2029, with the CAGR of 5.0%. - Effervescent Packaging market size is expected to reach USD 262.9 Million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 4.3%. - Bubble Wrap Packaging market is projected to grow USD 10140 Million by 2029, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.4%. - Composite Packaging market size is expected to reach USD 4936.7 Million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 5.3%. - Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors (VCI) Packaging market is projected to grow USD 898.9 Million by 2029, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.8%. - Industrial Packaging Market - Paper and Paperboard Packaging Market - Pharmaceutical Packaging Market - Blister Packaging Market - Logistics Automation Market - Contract Logistics Market - Secure Logistics Market - Digital Logistics Market - Automotive Logistics Market - Reverse Logistics Market - 3PL Market - Air Cargo Market - Air Freight Forwarding Market DISCOVER OUR VISION: VISIT ABOUT US! 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Valuates Reports sales@valuates.com For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 WhatsApp: +91-9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Blog: https://valuatestrends.blogspot.com/ Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/valuatesreports/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/valuatesreports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/ https://www.facebook.com/valuateskorean https://www.facebook.com/valuatesspanish https://www.facebook.com/valuatesjapanese Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/retail-ready-packaging-market-size-to-grow-usd-107-8-billion-by-2031-at-a-cagr-of-5-1--valuates-reports-302026494.html BANGALORE, India, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Surgical Equipment Market Size is Segmented By Product ( Surgical Sutures and Staplers, Handheld Surgical Equipment, Electrosurgical Devices , Other Surgical Equipment), By Category ( Reusable Surgical Equipment , Disposable Surgical Equipment), By Application (Neurosurgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeries, Wound Closure, Urology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thoracic Surgery , Microvascular , Cardiovascular, Orthopedic Surgery, Laparoscopy, Ophthalmic Application, Veterinary Application, Dental Application, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast - 2032. It is Published in Valuates Reports Under the Category of Medical Devices & Equipment . The Global Surgical Equipment Market Size is projected to reach USD 59 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2023 to 2032. Claim Your Free Sample Now: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/ALLI-Manu-2B105/Surgical_Equipment_Market Major Factors Driving the Growth of Surgical Equipment Market: A number of factors are coming together to drive the growth of the surgical equipment market. These factors include an increase in ambulatory surgical centers, a shift towards minimally invasive surgeries (such as laparoscopy surgery), and an increase in surgical procedures worldwide due to an aging population. Disposable surgical equipment is a desirable option for surgical equipment because of its time- and efficiency-saving features, which complement the focus on efficiency, sanitation, and cost-containment in the current healthcare environment. Unlock Insights: View Full Report Now! https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/ALLI-Manu-2B105/surgical-equipment TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE SURGICAL EQUIPMENT MARKET The use of disposable surgical equipment is growing because of its many important benefits, including cost-effectiveness, convenience, and infection control. By doing away with the necessity for sterilization, the use of disposable tools lowers the possibility of infections linked to healthcare. Furthermore, it increases operational efficiency by doing away with labor-intensive sterilization procedures, allowing medical institutions to treat more patients. Disposable surgical equipment is becoming more and more popular due to its affordability when you take into account the costs of maintaining and reprocessing reusable tools. Due to its minimally invasive nature and many advantages over traditional open operations, including less trauma, smaller incisions, faster recovery periods, and fewer postoperative problems, laparoscopic surgical equipment is extensively used in current medical practice. With the use of laparoscopic devices, such as cameras and specialized tools, surgeons may carry out complex surgeries with greater accuracy and vision. Less discomfort and scarring are common side effects of laparoscopic surgery, which increases patient satisfaction. Savings on healthcare costs are also aided by the shorter hospital stays linked to laparoscopic surgeries. This element is anticipated to fuel the surgical equipment market's expansion. Surgical treatments are on the rise due to the aging global population and the increasing frequency of numerous medical diseases. Surgical instruments are critical to several medical disciplines, including cardiology and orthopedics. The requirement for sophisticated and specialized surgical equipment increases in tandem with the growing demand for procedures, driving the industry as a whole forward. One of the main factors propelling the surgical equipment market is the move towards less invasive surgical methods. Procedures with less stress, fewer incisions, and faster recovery periods are becoming more and more popular with patients and medical professionals. A wider trend in many surgical specialties towards less intrusive techniques is reflected in the increased need for specialized equipment like laparoscopes and endoscopes. The market for surgical equipment is growing at a crucial rate due to the rise in healthcare spending worldwide, which is being caused by factors including population growth, an increase in chronic illnesses, and technological developments in medicine. Significant investments in surgical facilities and healthcare infrastructure are being made by both public and private organizations, which has increased the use of cutting-edge surgical technology in various geographic areas. The global aging population drives the surgical equipment market's expansion since age-related health problems frequently need surgical procedures for the elderly. An extended life expectancy raises the need for orthopedic operations, heart surgeries, and other age-related surgeries, which sustains the market for a variety of surgical equipment. Own It Today - Buy Now! https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=ALLI-Manu-2B105&lic=single-user SURGICAL EQUIPMENT MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS Throughout the projection period, Asia-Pacific is anticipated to increase at the fastest rate. The rising incidence of chronic diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disorders has led to a demand for advanced surgical procedures, which surgical equipment can supply. These factors are responsible for the market expansion in this area. Furthermore, the benefits provided by surgical equipment and the growing knowledge and acceptance of minimally invasive treatments among patients in the Asia-Pacific region drive market expansion in this area. Purchase Regional Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/regional/ALLI-Manu-2B105/Surgical_Equipment_Market Key Companies: Entrhal Medical GmbH Johnson & Johnson Fuhrmann CONMED Corporation Medtronic Inc B. Braun SE KLS Martin Group Boston Scientific Corporation Cousin Surgery Integra Lifesciences Holdings Corporation Purchase Chapters: https://reports.valuates.com/request/chaptercost/ALLI-Manu-2B105/Surgical_Equipment_Market SUBSCRIPTION We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans. DISCOVER MORE INSIGHTS: EXPLORE SIMILAR REPORTS! - Medical Supplies Market - Surgical Medical Instruments Market - Patient Monitoring Equipment market size is expected to reach USD 292.3 million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 11.6%. - Digital Therapeutics Market - Minimally Invasive Surgical Instruments Market - Medical High Frequency Surgical Equipment Market - Femtosecond Laser Eye Surgery Instruments market is projected to reach USD 2558.3 million in 2029, with the CAGR of 4.9%. - Veterinary Metal Surgical Equipment Market - Image-Guided Surgical Instrument Market - Reusable Minimally Invasive Surgical Instruments market is projected to reach USD 2953 million in 2029, with the CAGR of 8.5%. - lmage Guided Surgical Equipment Market - Dental Radiology Equipment market is projected to grow from USD 2909.3 million in 2023 to USD 4694.2 million by 2029, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.3%. - Surgical Needle Holders market size is expected to reach USD 27 million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 10.0% from 2023 to 2029. - Minimally Invasive Surgical (MIS) Devices Market - Electric Surgical Equipment for Osseous Tissue Market - Anal Fistula Non-surgical Treatment Market - Surgical Smart Glasses Market - Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator Market - O-Arm Surgical Imaging System Market - Reusable Surgical Gown Market - Surgical Guidewires Market - Dental Surgical Navigation Systems Market - Surgical Scrub Market - Surgical Cotton Market - Surgical Planning and Evaluation System market was valued at USD 1800 million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 3270.7 million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 8.9%. - Surgical Medical Instruments Market - Healthcare IT Market - Electronic Health Records Market - Medical Equipment Maintenance Market - AI in Healthcare Market DISCOVER OUR VISION: VISIT ABOUT US! 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Valuates Reports sales@valuates.com For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 WhatsApp: +91-9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Blog: https://valuatestrends.blogspot.com/ Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/valuatesreports/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/valuatesreports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/ https://www.facebook.com/valuateskorean https://www.facebook.com/valuatesspanish https://www.facebook.com/valuatesjapanese Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/surgical-equipment-market-size-to-grow-usd-59-billion-by-2032-at-a-cagr-of-5-2--valuates-reports-302026521.html Article L233-8-II of the French Commercial Code Article 223-16 of the General Regulations of the AMF (French Financial Markets Authority) Regulatory News: ABIONYX Pharma (Paris:ABNX): Market: Euronext Paris, Compartment C ISIN code: FR0012616852 Date Number of shares outstanding Total voting rights Total gross (1) Total net (2) December 31, 2023 32,459,012 32,459,012 32,191,633 (1) The total number of gross (or "theoretical") voting rights is used as the basis for calculating threshold crossings. In accordance with Article 223-11 of the AMF General Regulations, this number is calculated on the basis of all shares to which voting rights are attached, including those for which voting rights have been suspended. (2) The total number of net (or "exercisable at a Shareholders' Meeting") voting rights is calculated without taking into account shares for which voting rights have been suspended. It is released in order to ensure that the public is properly informed, in accordance with the recommendation made by the AMF on 17 July 2007. About ABIONYX Pharma ABIONYX Pharma is a new generation biotech company that aims to contribute to health through innovative therapies in indications where there is no effective or existing treatment, even the rarest ones. Thanks to its partners in research, medicine, biopharmaceuticals and shareholding, the company innovates on a daily basis to propose drugs for the treatment of renal and ophthalmological diseases, or new HDL vectors used for targeted drug delivery. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104895944/en/ Contacts: NewCap Investor relations Louis-Victor Delouvrier Nicolas Fossiez abionyx@newcap.eu +33 (0)1 44 71 98 53 NewCap Media relations Arthur Rouille abionyx@newcap.eu +33 (0)1 44 71 00 15 Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, January 04 For immediate release 4 January 2024 FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC (the "Company") MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES The Company announces that it has today purchased 104,627 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 834.92 pence per Ordinary Share. Such shares will be held in treasury by the Company. The transaction was made pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 17 January 2023. Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 26,628,153; the total number of Ordinary Shares that the Company has in issue, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury following such purchase, and therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 198,363,150. The figure of 198,363,150 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for calculations of interests in the Company's voting rights in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. For and on behalf of Frostrow Capital LLP Company Secretary For further information, please contact: Victoria Hale Frostrow Capital LLP Tel: 020 3 170 8732 Fundraising of 6.38 million with preferential subscription rights, through the issue of New Shares with a ratio of 19 New Shares for 8 preferential subscription rights (which may be increased to 7.34 million if the 15% Extension Clause is fully exercised) Subscription price per New Share: 0.0655 1 Separation of the preferential subscription right on January 15, 2024, and subscription period opened from January 17, 2024, to January 30, 2024 Subscription commitment by Sanyou (HK) International Medical Holding Co. limited of 4.99 million, representing 78.31% of the issue Regulatory News: IMPLANET (Euronext Growth: ALIMP, FR0013470168, eligible for PEA-PME equity savings plans), a medical technology company specializing in implants for orthopedic surgery and the distribution of technological medical equipment, announced the launch of a capital increase in cash with preferential subscription rights for shareholders (the "Capital Increase") amounting to 6,384,842.536 through the issue of 97,478,512 new shares ("New Shares") at a unit price of 0.0655, corresponding to the closing share price on January 3, 2024 (0.0655), prior to the setting of the issue price by Implanet's Board of Directors. The amount of the issue may be increased to a maximum of 7,342,568.864, corresponding to the issue of up to 14,621,776 additional New Shares, in the event of exercise of the extension clause up to 15% of the initial amount (the "Extension Clause The objectives of the Capital Increase are as follows: Ensure the financing of the Company's anticipated cash requirements over the next 12 months (the financial resources available to the Company, at the date of this press release, do not cover its forecast 12-month requirements) and to meet its financial commitments. Based on current business assumptions and anticipated commercial developments with Sanyou Medical, the Company estimates that the Capital Increase, for a minimum amount of 5 million, would provide it, once completed, with financial visibility of more than 12 months 2 Ensure the commercial development of the Company's medical devices around three main axes: deploy the commercial and technological partnership with Sanyou Medical for the joint development of a new European range of hybrid posterior fixation systems; Initiate distribution of the JAZZ platform in China (the world's largest spine market by volume) with Sanyou Medical; distribute high-tech medical equipment in Europe, such as the ultrasonic medical scalpel from SMTP Technology Co. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE ISSUE OF NEW SHARES Share capital before the capital increase At the date of launch of the Capital Increase, Implanet's share capital was made up of 41,043,587 fully subscribed and paid-up shares with a par value of 0.01 each, listed on the Euronext Growth market in Paris. Share codes Name: IMPLANET ISIN code: FR0013470168 Ticker: ALIMP Stock market: Euronext Growth in Paris Nature of the operation The fundraising proposed by the Company involves the issue of new ordinary shares (New Shares) with preferential subscription rights. The operation will involve the issue of 97,478,512 New Shares (excluding any exercise of the Extension Clause) at a unit price of 0.0655 per New Share, with a ratio of 19 New Shares for 8 existing shares held (8 preferential subscription rights will enable the holder to subscribe to 19 New Shares), representing a gross issue proceeds of 6,384,842.536 (i.e. a nominal capital increase of 974,785.120, plus a share premium of 5,410,057.416) and a net issue proceeds of 6.2 million. This amount may be increased to 7,342,568.864 (i.e. a nominal capital increase of 1,121,002.880, together with a share premium of 6,221,565.984) in the event of exercise of the 15% Extension Clause (representing a maximum number of 112,100,288 New Shares) for a net issue proceeds of 7.1 million. Legal framework of the offer Exercising the powers conferred by the 1st and 2nd resolutions adopted by the Extraordinary General Meeting of November 16, 2023, Implanet's Board of Directors decided during its meeting of January 4, 2024, to launch a capital increase with preferential subscription rights. Extension clause Depending on the level of demand, Implanet reserves the right to exercise the extension clause, up to a maximum of 15% of the initial issue amount, i.e. issue proceeds of 6,384,842.536, which may be increased to 7,342,568.864, to satisfy all or part of the reducible subscription orders. Thus, the initial number of 97,478,512 New Shares could be increased by a further 14,621,776 New Shares, bringing the total number of New Shares to be issued to a maximum of 112,100,288 New Shares. Subscription price The subscription price has been set at 0.0655 per New Share (i.e. 0.01 par value and 0.0555 issue premium), corresponding to the closing share price on January 3, 2024 (0.0655) prior to the setting of the issue price by the Board of Directors during its meeting on January 4, 20243 Subscription period for the New Shares Subscription for the New Shares will be opened from January 17, 2024, to January 30, 2024, included. Irreducible preferential subscription rights Subscription for the New Shares is reserved, by preference, for (i) holders of existing shares recorded in their securities accounts at the close of trading on January 12, 2024, who will be allocated one preferential subscription right per share held, and (ii) transferees of preferential subscription rights. Holders of preferential subscription rights will be able to subscribe on an irreducible basis, with a ratio of 19 New Shares for 8 existing shares held, i.e. 8 preferential subscription rights which will enable them to subscribe to 19 New Shares at a unit price of 0.0655, without taking fractions into account. The preferential subscription rights may only be exercised up to the number of preferential subscription rights allowing the subscription of a whole number of New Shares. Shareholders or transferees of preferential subscription rights who do not hold a sufficient number of existing shares or preferential subscription rights to obtain a whole number of New Shares, by way of irrevocable subscription, must acquire or sell on the market the number of preferential subscription rights needed to reach the multiple required to obtain a whole number of New Shares. Reducible preferential subscription rights Shareholders will have a preferential subscription right for the New Shares on a reducible basis, which will be exercised in proportion to their rights and within the limit of their requests. At the same time as they submit their irreducible subscriptions, shareholders or transferees of preferential subscription rights may subscribe for as many New Shares as they wish, in addition to the number of New Shares resulting from the exercise of their irreducible preferential subscription rights. Any New Shares not taken up by irrevocable subscriptions will be distributed and allocated to reducible subscribers. Orders to subscribe on an reducible basis will be satisfied in the limit of their requests and in proportion to the number of existing shares whose rights will have been used in support of their irreducible subscription, without resulting in the allocation of a fraction of New Shares. Implanet may exercise the Extension Clause, up to a limit of 15% of the initial amount of the issue, to satisfy all or part of the reducible subscription orders. If the same subscriber submits several separate subscriptions, the number of New Shares to which he or she is entitled on a reducible basis will be calculated based on all his or her preferential subscription rights only if he or she expressly requests this in writing, no later than the closing date of the subscription. This request must be attached to one of the subscriptions and must provide all the information required for the aggregation of rights, specifying the number of subscriptions made and the authorized intermediary(ies) with whom these subscriptions have been deposited. Subscriptions in the name of separate subscribers may not be grouped together to obtain New Shares on a reducible basis. A notice published by Euronext will announce, where applicable, the allocation scale for reducible subscriptions. Amounts paid for reducible subscriptions and remaining available after the allocation will be reimbursed without interest to subscribers by the authorized intermediaries who have received them. The Company does not hold any of its own shares as of the date hereof. Exercise of preferential subscription rights To exercise their preferential subscription rights, holders must make a request to their authorized financial intermediary at any time during the subscription period, i.e. between January 17, 2024, and January 30, 2024, included, and pay the corresponding subscription price4 Each subscription must be accompanied by payment of the subscription price in cash or by offsetting it against liquid and due claims on the Company. Subscriptions that have not been paid up in full will be cancelled by right, without the need for formal notice. The preferential subscription rights must be exercised by their beneficiaries, subject to forfeiture, before the end of the subscription period. The preferential subscription rights will be tradable from January 15, 2024, to January 26, 2024, included, under the same conditions as existing shares. The seller of the preferential subscription rights will be divested of it in favor of the transferee who, for the exercise of the preferential subscription rights thus acquired, will be purely and simply substituted in all the rights and obligations of the owner of the existing share. Any preferential subscription rights not exercised by the end of the subscription period will be lapsed. Listing of preferential subscription rights At the close of trading on January 12, 2024, 1 preferential subscription right will be recorded in the share accounts of Implanet shareholders for each share held (i.e. a total of 41,043,587 preferential subscription rights issued). Each shareholder holding 8 preferential subscription rights (and multiples of this number) will be entitled to subscribe to 19 New Shares (and multiples of this number) at a unit price of 0.0655. They will be listed and traded on Euronext Growth under ISIN code FR001400MDQ4 from January 15, 2024, to January 26, 2024, included. In the absence of subscription or sale of these preferential subscription rights, they will become lapsed at the end of the subscription period and their value will be null and void. Theoretical value of preferential subscription rights and ex-right shares Based on the closing share price on January 3, 2024 (0.0655), the theoretical value of the preferential subscription right is 0. This gives a theoretical value of the share after detachment of the preferential subscription right (the "Theoretical Value of the Share ex-Right") equal to 0.0655. The subscription price of 0.0655 per New Share corresponds to the closing price of the Implanet share on January 3, 2024, and therefore to the Theoretical Value of the ex-Right Share on the same date. These values do not prejudge either the value of the preferential subscription right during the period of listing of the preferential subscription rights, or the value of the share ex-right, as they will be observed on the market. Free subscription request Any individual or legal entity, whether or not holding preferential subscription rights, may subscribe to the Capital Increase on a voluntary basis. Persons wishing to subscribe on a voluntary basis must submit their request to their authorized financial intermediary at any time during the subscription period and pay the corresponding subscription price. In accordance with the provisions of article L.225-134 of the French Commercial Code, subscriptions made on a voluntary basis will only be taken into account if the subscriptions made on an irreducible basis and on a reducible basis have not absorbed the entire Capital Increase, it being specified that the Board of Directors (with the option of sub-delegation) will have the power to freely allocate the unsubscribed New Shares, in whole or in part, among the persons (shareholders or third parties) of its choice who have made requests for subscriptions on a voluntary basis. Reallocation by the Board of Directors of new shares not subscribed by the exercise of irreducible preferential subscription rights and, where applicable, of reducible preferential subscription rights If subscriptions for the new shares do not reach the full amount of the issue, the Board of Directors may exercise some or all of the powers conferred on it by Article L. 225-134 of the French Commercial Code, in the order of its choice. Thus, at the end of the subscription period, the Board of Directors, using the delegation of authority granted to it by the 1st resolution of the Extraordinary General Meeting of November 16, 2023, will meet to determine the amount of the Capital Increase that has not been subscribed to on an irreducible basis and, where applicable, on a reducible basis. The Board of Directors will then be free to allocate the remaining shares at its own discretion among the investors who have come forward in accordance with the provisions of article L. 225-134 of the French Commercial Code. Limitation of the amount of the Capital Increase In accordance with the provisions of Article L. 225-134 of the French Commercial Code and under the terms of the 1st resolution of the Extraordinary General Meeting of the Company's shareholders of November 16, 2023, of the Board of Directors' decision of January 4, 2024, if subscriptions on an irreducible and reducible basis have not absorbed the entire issue, the Board of Directors may, (ii) freely allocate, at its sole discretion, all or part of the unsubscribed shares, in particular to those persons (shareholders or not) who have expressed an interest in subscribing on a voluntary basis, or (iii) offer them to the public. These faculties can be used alternatively or cumulatively. However, Implanet received intentions to participate in the present operation, for a total amount of 4,999,999.9435, i.e. 78.31% of the operation (higher than the threshold required by article L.225-134 of the French Commercial Code) (see paragraph Subscription commitment). In addition, if the amount of unsubscribed New Shares represents less than 3% of the Capital Increase, the latter may, automatically and in this case, be limited to the amount of subscriptions received. Warranty This issue is not covered by a performance bond within the meaning of Article L. 225-145 of the French Commercial Code. Trading in the shares will therefore only begin once settlement and delivery have been completed and once the depositary's certificate has been issued. Subscription commitment Related agreement Sanyou (HK) International Medical Holding Co, limited, which holds 16,841,069 Implanet shares representing 41.03% of Implanet's share capital, has irrevocably undertaken to subscribe to the Capital Increase on an irreducible basis up to the amount of its share, and on a reducible basis, for a total amount of 4,999,999.9435 euros representing a total of 76,335,877 New Shares, which would bring its subscription to 78.31% of the issue before any exercise of the Extension Clause. Under these conditions, in the event of a 5.0 million subscription by Sanyou Medical and no public subscription, Sanyou Medical's holding could be increased to 79.38%. Sanyou Medical also requested to benefit from the majority of directorships on the Company's Board of Directors as from the completion of the Capital Increase. In view of the features of this operation, Sanyou Medical may be required to hold more than 50% of the Company's share capital and/or voting rights following the issue, i.e. the threshold required for a mandatory tender offer. On October 31, 2023, Sanyou Medical obtained a waiver from the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF) from the obligation to file a mandatory tender offer if its share capital exceeds 50%, post-operation based on article 234-9 paragraph 2 of the AMF's general regulations ("Subscription to the capital increase of a company in financial difficulty, subject to approval by the general meeting of its shareholders"). The Company is not aware of the intentions of its other shareholders. Authorized intermediary Subscription payments Subscriptions for the New Shares and payments of funds by subscribers whose shares are held in administered registered or bearer form will be received until and including the closing date of the subscription period by their authorized intermediary acting in their name and on their behalf. Subscriptions and payments by subscribers whose shares are held in pure registered form will be received free of charge until and including the closing date of the subscription period by UPTEVIA 90-110 Esplanade du General de Gaulle 92931 Paris La Defense Cedex. The new shares will be fully paid up within the framework of their subscription, in cash and/or by offsetting receivables, for the full par value and issue premium, it being specified that the amount of the issue premium paid will be recorded as a liability on the balance sheet in a special "Issue Premium" account to which the rights of existing and new shareholders will be attached. Funds paid in support of subscriptions will be centralized at UPTEVIA 90-110 Esplanade du General de Gaulle 92931 Paris La Defense Cedex, which will be responsible for drawing up the certificate of deposit of funds recording the completion of the capital increase and the issue of the New Shares. Subscriptions for which payments have not been made will be cancelled by right without the need for formal notice. Settlement-delivery of the New Shares According to the indicative timetable for the issue, the settlement date for the New Shares is scheduled for February 6, 2024. FEATURES OF THE NEW SHARES Right of use The New Shares will carry current dividend rights and will be assimilated to the Company's existing shares, giving entitlement to any distributions decided by the Company as from that date. Listing of New Shares Application will be made for the New Shares to be admitted to trading on the Growth segment of Euronext Paris on February 6, 2024. They will be immediately assimilated to the existing shares of the Company already traded on the Growth segment of Euronext Paris and will be tradable, from that date, on the same quotation line as these shares under the same ISIN code FR0013470168 ticker ALIMP. DILUTION Impact of the issue on consolidated shareholders' equity per share Impact of the issue on shareholders' equity per share (calculated on the basis of consolidated shareholders' equity (Group share) as shown in the financial statements as of June 30, 2023, excluding interim losses, and on the basis of the 41,043,587 shares comprising the Company's share capital at that date) would be as follows: Equity per share (in euros) Non-diluted basis* Diluted basis for the exercise of all existing instruments** Before issuance of the New Shares resulting from this Capital Increase 0.1041 0.1418 After the issue of 97,478,512 New Shares resulting from this Capital Increase 0.0769 0.0882 After issuance of 112,100,288 New Shares from the present Capital Increase in the event of exercise of the Extension Clause up to a limit of 15% 0.0758 0.0860 After the issue of 76,335,877 New Shares from the present Capital Increase in the event of a 78.31% reduction in the offer5 0.0790 0.0923 *: Consolidated shareholders' equity amounted to 4,273,000 as of June 30, 2023. **: In the event of the exercise of all outstanding warrants, BSPCE and stock options, whether exercisable or not, i.e. 1,581,627 BSPCE, 136,000 stock options and 506,898 warrants, the exercise of which would lead to the creation of 254,907 new shares. Impact of the issue on the shareholder's situation Shareholder stake (in %) Non-diluted basis Diluted basis for the exercise of all existing instruments** Before issuance of the New Shares resulting from this Capital Increase 1.000 0.994 After the issue of 97,478,512 New Shares resulting from this Capital Increase 0.296 0.296 After issuance of 112,100,288 New Shares from the present Capital Increase in the event of exercise of the Extension Clause up to a limit of 15% 0.268 0.268 After the issue of 76,335,877 New Shares from the present Capital Increase in the event of a 78.31% reduction in the offer6 0.350 0.349 **: In the event of the exercise of all outstanding warrants, BSPCE and share subscription options, whether exercisable or not, i.e. 1,581,627 BSPCE, 136,000 share subscription options and 506,898 warrants, the exercise of which would lead to the creation of 254,907 new shares. Impact of the issue on the ownership of Sanyou Medical The following table shows Sanyou Medical's ownership structure before and after completion of the Capital Increase, based on the following assumptions: Number of shares held by Sanyou Medical Percentage of capital and voting rights held (non-diluted basis) Before issuance of the New Shares resulting from this Capital Increase 16,841,069 41.03% After completion of the Capital Increase for 78.31% of the offer7 93,176,946 79.38% After completion of the Capital Increase for 100% (and subscription by Sanyou Medical for the amount of its subscription commitment) 93,176,946 67.27% After completion of the Capital Increase up to 100% and exercise of the Extension Clause up to 15% (and subscription by Sanyou Medical up to the amount of its subscription commitment) 93,176,946 60.84% Impact of the Capital Increase on the shareholder structure The following table shows the breakdown of share capital before and after completion of the Capital Increase for 78.31% of the offer8 Before the operation After the operation Number of shares of capital and voting rights (non-diluted basis) Number of shares of capital and voting rights (non-diluted basis) Founders and historical investors 3,613 0.01% 3,613 0.00% Sanyou (HK) International Medical Holding CO Limited 16,841,069 41.03% 93,176,946 79.38% Corporate officers, employees and consultants 508,839 1.24% 508,839 0.43% Other individual shareholders 681,969 1.66% 681,969 0.58% Floating 23,008,097 56.06% 23,008,097 19.60% Total 41,043,587 100.00% 117,379,464 100.00% Suspension of the right to receive shares in the Company Holders of stock options, business creator share subscription warrants and share subscription warrants allocated or issued by the Company have been informed of the suspension of their entitlement to new shares in the Company with effect from January 12, 2024 (0.01 a.m. Paris time) by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt or by letter delivered by hand. This right is suspended until and including the settlement-delivery date of the New Shares issued in connection with the Capital Increase, i.e. in principle until February 6, 2024 (11:59 p.m. Paris time). The rights of holders of stock options, warrants and warrants allocated or issued by the Company who have not exercised their right to the allocation of shares in the Company by January 12, 2024 (00:00 Paris time) will be preserved in accordance with legal and regulatory provisions. Subscription terms You have preferential subscription rights attached to your Implanet shares, entitling you to subscribe to the New Shares on the basis of 19 New Shares for 8 preferential subscription rights (1 old share entitling you to 1 preferential subscription right). Either, you have an exact and sufficient number of old shares to be able to subscribe via your preferential subscription rights to a whole number of New Shares (for example, if you have 400 Implanet shares, you will be able to subscribe by priority to 950 New Shares). If you do not hold a sufficient number of existing shares to obtain a whole number of new shares, you may buy or sell the number of preferential subscription rights needed to reach the ratio leading to a whole number of new shares (19 new shares for 8 preferential subscription rights). In addition to the subscriptions made using your existing preferential subscription rights, you may also subscribe on a voluntary basis before January 30, 2024 (your subscription will only be taken into account if the operation has not already been fully subscribed by the holders of preferential subscription rights). Each subscription must be accompanied by payment of the subscription price. INDICATIVE TIMETABLE OF THE OPERATION January 4, 2024 Decision of the Board of Directors on the launch of the operation January 4, 2024 Distribution of the press release concerning the operation January 5, 2024 Publication by Euronext of the notice of issue January 12, 2024 Accounting day at the end of which holders of existing shares recorded in their securities accounts will be allocated preferential subscription rights January 15, 2024 (included) Detachment (before the stock market opening) of preferential subscription rights Admission and start of trading of preferential subscription rights January 17, 2024 (included) Opening of the subscription period for the New Shares Start of the period for the exercise of preferential subscription rights January 26, 2024 (included) End of preferential subscription rights trading period January 30, 2024 (included) Closing of the subscription period for the New Shares Closing of the period for the exercise of preferential subscription rights February 2, 2024 Deadline for exercising the Extension Clause February 2, 2024 Publication of press release on the result of the operation Issue of listing notice by Euronext February 6, 2024 Settlement-delivery of the New Shares End of the suspension of the right to exercise BSPCE, warrants and options issued by the Company Prospectus In accordance with the provisions of Articles L.411-2-1 ,1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code and 211-2 of the General Regulations of the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), the present issue will not give rise to a Prospectus approved by the AMF, as it represents a total offering of less than 8,000,000, it being specified that no similar offer has been made by the Company over the past twelve months. A notice to shareholders concerning this operation will be published on January 12, 2024, in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales et Obligatoires (BALO). Risk factors The Company draws attention to the other risk factors relating to the Company and its business set out in Chapter 4 "Risk factors" of the Company's 2017 Reference Document filed with the AMF on April 16, 2018 under number D.18-0337, in the annual financial report for December 31, 2022 and in the half-yearly financial report for June 30, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had cash of 0.25 million. Based on current cash forecasts, the Company points out that this level of cash will enable it to be financed until February 2024. Based on current business assumptions and anticipated commercial developments with Sanyou Medical, the Company estimates that the Capital Increase operation, for a minimum gross amount of 5.0 million and a minimum net amount of 4.8 million, would provide it with financial visibility of over 12 months once completed. The other main risk factors relating to the forthcoming capital increase are set out below: the market for preferential subscription rights may offer only limited liquidity and be subject to high volatility; shareholders who do not exercise their preferential subscription rights will see their stake in the Company's capital diluted. The possible exercise of the Extension Clause could result in further dilution; the market price of the Company's shares could fluctuate and fall below the subscription price of the shares issued on exercise of the preferential subscription rights; in the event of a fall in the market price of the Company's shares, the preferential subscription rights could lose their value; the volatility and liquidity of the Company's shares could fluctuate significantly; sales of the Company's shares could occur on the market and adversely affect the Company's share price; within the framework of the Capital Increase, the Company's main shareholder, which currently holds 41.03% of the share capital and voting rights, could hold up to 79.38% of the Company's share capital and voting rights (in the event that no other subscriptions are received); the Company's shareholders could suffer potentially significant dilution as a result of any future capital increases. Partners of the operation Atout Capital Advisor for this operation Bird&Bird Legal advisor Upcoming financial publication 2023 Full-Year Revenue, on January 15, 2024, after market About Sanyou Medical Founded in 2005, Shanghai Sanyou Medical Co, Ltd. is a company dedicated to the R&D, manufacturing and sales of innovative and independent orthopedic products. The main products of Shanghai Sanyou are spinal and trauma implants. Shanghai Sanyou is one of the few companies with the ability to make original innovations based on clinical requirements in the field of spinal implants in China. The Company has established a complete product development system with world-class R&D equipment and project management systems to ensure that its products are advanced, effective and reliable. By the end of January 2021, Shanghai Sanyou Medical had received 22 Class III medical device registration certificates and 131 patents, including 28 Chinese invention patents, 98 Chinese utility model patents, 1 US utility patent, 1 Australian invention patent, 1 Japanese invention patent, 1 German utility model patent and 1 Chinese design patent. About IMPLANET Founded in 2007, IMPLANET is a medical technology company that manufactures high-quality implants for orthopedic surgery and distributing medical technology equipment. Its activity revolves around a comprehensive innovative solution for improving the treatment of spinal pathologies (JAZZ) complemented by the product range offered by Orthopaedic Spine Development (OSD), acquired in May 2021 (thoraco-lumbar screws, cages and cervical plates). Implanet's tried-and-tested orthopedic platform is based on the traceability of its products. Protected by four families of international patents, JAZZ has obtained 510(k) regulatory clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, the CE mark in Europe and ANVISA approval in Brazil. In 2022, IMPLANET entered into a commercial, technological and financial partnership with SANYOU MEDICAL, China's second largest medical device manufacturer. IMPLANET employs 43 staff and recorded a consolidated revenue of 8.0 million in 2022. Based near Bordeaux in France, IMPLANET opened a US subsidiary in Boston in 2013. IMPLANET is listed on the Euronext Growth market in Paris. For further information, please visit www.Implanet.com. Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements about Implanet and its activity. Implanet estimates that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions. However, no assurance can be given that the forecasts expressed in these forward-looking statements will materialize, as they are subject to risks, including those described in Implanet's reference document filed with the Autorite des marches financiers (AMF) on April 16, 2018 under number D.18-0337, as well as in the annual financial report for December 31, 2022 and the half-year financial report for June 30, 2023, which are available on the Company's website (www.implanet-invest.com), and to changes in economic conditions, financial markets and the markets in which Implanet operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks that are unknown to Implanet or that Implanet does not currently consider material. The occurrence of some or all of these risks could cause Implanet's actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Implanet does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking information or statements, except as required by applicable law, in particular articles 223-1 et seq. of the general regulations of the Autorite des marches financiers. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of common shares in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful in the absence of registration or approval under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. The distribution of this press release may be subject to specific regulations in certain countries. Persons in possession of this document are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such local restrictions. This press release constitutes a promotional communication and not a prospectus within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 14, 2017 (as amended the "Prospectus Regulation"). With respect to member states of the European Economic Area other than France (the "Member States"), no action has been or will be taken to permit a public offering of the securities that would require the publication of a prospectus in any of these Member States. Consequently, the securities cannot and will not be offered in any Member State (other than France), except in accordance with the exemptions provided for in Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation, or in other cases not requiring the publication by Implanet of a prospectus under the Prospectus Regulation and/or the regulations applicable in those Member States. This press release does not constitute an offer of securities to the public in the United Kingdom. This press release may not be published, distributed or disseminated in the United States (including its territories and possessions). This press release does not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy, sell or subscribe for any securities in the United States. The securities mentioned in this press release have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or any applicable state or federal securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration under the Securities Act, except pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, registration under the Securities Act. Implanet does not intend to register the offering in whole or in part in the United States under or pursuant to the Securities Act or to conduct a public offering in the United States. This press release may not be distributed directly or indirectly in the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. Lastly, this press release may be drafted in either French or English. In the event of any discrepancies between the two texts, the French version shall prevail. 1 Corresponding to the closing Implanet share price on January 3, 2024 2 The Company reminds that the interim financing in the form of dry bonds from which it benefited in October 2023, subject to two tranches, representing a nominal amount of 1,300,000, subscribed at 77% of the nominal value of the bond, will have to be repaid at the latest within five business days following the earlier of (i) April 30, 2024 and (ii) the completion of the Capital Increase (press release of October 11, 2023). 3 During its meeting of October 27, 2023 (press release of October 31, 2023), IMPLANET's Board of Directors specified the terms and conditions for setting the price of the Capital Increase. Thus, the price of the issue will be defined based on a market value which will be the minimum between: - the closing price of IMPLANET shares on the trading day preceding the date on which the Board of Directors of the Company decides to launch the operation; and - the volume-weighted average share price (VWAP) over the 20 trading days preceding the date of the Board meeting convened to launch the operation. In addition, the price of the issue will range as follows: - a maximum of 0.07 per share and; - a minimum of 0.04 per share. 4 The preferential subscription right holder's custodian may shorten the deadlines (date and time) for exercising preferential subscription rights. We remind you that account keepers must inform investors through securities operations, and we invite investors to contact their account keeper. 5 This assumption corresponds to Sanyou Medical's sole subscription of 4.99 million to the Capital Increase (excluding any other public subscription). 6 See note above 7 See note above 8 See note above View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104967203/en/ Contacts: IMPLANET Ludovic Lastennet, CEO David Dieumegard, CFO Tel.: +33 (0)5 57 99 55 55 investors@Implanet.com NewCap Investor Relations Mathilde Bohin Nicolas Fossiez Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94 Implanet@newcap.eu NewCap Media Relations Arthur Rouille Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94 Implanet@newcap.eu Redde Northgate Plc - Transaction in Own Shares PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, January 04 NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION 04 January 2024 REDDE NORTHGATE PLC ("Redde Northgate" or the "Group" or the "Company") Transaction in Own Shares Redde Northgate plc (LSE:REDD) announces that on 04 January 2024 it purchased the following number of its own shares to be held in treasury: Class of shares : Ordinary shares of 50p ("shares") Number of shares purchased : 50,000 Weighted average purchase price paid : 357.625 pence per share Highest purchase price paid : 357.5 pence per share Lowest purchase price paid : 357.5 pence per share Following the above transaction, the Company's issued share capital consists of 246,091,423 ordinary shares of 50p each, of which 17,490,071 ordinary shares are held in treasury, and 1,000,000 preference shares of 50p each which do not carry any rights to vote. Therefore the total number of voting rights in the Company is 228,601,352 which may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation) as incorporated into UK domestic law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, the schedule below contains detailed information about the purchases made by Numis Securities Limited on behalf of the Company as part of the Company's buyback programme. Schedule of Purchase - Individual Transaction (as at 04 January 2024) Number of shares purchased Transaction price (GB pence per share) Time of transaction Transaction reference number Venue 25,000 25,000 357.50 357.75 13:36:56 16:35:36 00068320880TRLO0 00068327224TRLO0 LSE LSE Notes This announcement is made in accordance with the requirements of Listing Rule 12.4.6. For further information contact: Buchanan David Rydell/Jamie Hooper/Hannah Ratcliff +44 (0) 207 466 5000 Notes to Editors: Redde Northgate is the leading integrated mobility solutions platform providing services across the vehicle lifecycle. The Company offers integrated mobility solutions to businesses, fleet operators, insurers, OEMs and other customers across seven key areas: vehicle rental, vehicle data, accident management, vehicle repairs, fleet management, service and maintenance, vehicle ancillary services and vehicle sales. The Company's core purpose is to keep its customers mobile, whether through meeting their regular mobility needs or by servicing and supporting them when unforeseen events occur. With its considerable scale and reach, Redde Northgate's mission is to offer a market-leading customer proposition and drive enhanced returns for shareholders by creating value through sustainable compounding growth. The Group aims to achieve this through the delivery of its strategic framework of Focus, Drive and Broaden. Redde Northgate services its customers through a network and diversified fleet of over 120,000 owned and leased vehicles, supporting over 600,000 managed vehicles, with more than 170 workshop, body shop and rental locations across the UK, Ireland and Spain and a specialist team of over 6,000 automotive services professionals. Further information please visit the Company's website: VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Gold Terra Resource Corp. (TSX-V:YGT)(Frankfurt:TX0)(OTCQX:YGTFF) ("Gold Terra" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its deep drilling directional program designed to establish the extension of high-grade gold mineralization in the Campbell Shear (CS) below the Con Mine underground workings on the Con Mine Option (CMO) Property. The CMO Property is under option from subsidiaries of Newmont Corporation and is 100% acquirable by the Company upon fulfillment of certain conditions set out in the CMO Property agreement, as reported in the Company's news release dated November 22, 2021. 2023 Highlights post last Mineral Resource Estimate (see September 7, 2022 news release) Completion of 5,769 metre drilling program to expand the Campbell Shear gold structure (CS) near surface at the Yellorex zones south of the existing Con Mine underground workings. to expand the near surface at the Yellorex zones south of the existing Con Mine underground workings. The first deep drill hole GTCM23-055 completed in October (2,228 metres from surface) intersected the CS some 200 metres below the Robertson shaft (-1900 metres) with an excellent high-grade intersection of 12.70 g/t Au over 1.7 metres (see November 15, 2023 press release). The confirmation of the extension of the high-grade CS structure at depth opens up the high-grade Campbell Shear zone in all directions. The Company controls + 70km of the CS structure north and south of the Con Mine option where it holds 100% of the district potential outlined in the last mineral resource update of September 2022 (see September 7, 2022 press release) with multiple high-grade satellite zones that could potentially contribute to a larger mill operation. The deep drilling program targeting the CS at depth is expected to resume the week of January 8th 2024, with Foraco drilling company. The next hole is a lateral wedge from GTCM23-055, the Master hole, targeting the CS some 75 metres north of the first high-grade gold intersection. Grant of Stock Options The Company announces that the Board of Directors has approved a grant of stock options under the Company's Stock Option Plan to its directors, officers, employees, and consultants to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,200,000 treasury shares at $0.10. The options are exercisable at a price of $0.10 per share for a period of 5 years and are subject to the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange and the Company's Stock Option Plan which includes a vesting period beginning six months after issue for 25% of the options, and 25% every six months following. The Company has also granted 200,000 stock options to Henry Weingarten as compensation for strategic planning advice, marketing and business timing recommendations as a Marketing & Corporate Development Consultant commencing January 1, 2024, and continuing on a month-to-month basis. Qualified Person Joe Campbell, P. Geo., Senior Technical Advisor for Gold Terra is a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. About Gold Terra The Yellowknife Project (YP) encompasses 918 sq. km of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, Gold Terra controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 kilometres of the City of Yellowknife, the YP is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power, and skilled tradespeople. Gold Terra is currently focusing its drilling on the prolific Campbell Shear, where 14 Moz of gold has been produced, and most recently on the Con Mine Option (CMO) property claims immediately south of the past producing Con Mine which produced 6.1 Moz between the Con, Rycon, and Campbell shear structures (1938-2003). The YP and CMO properties lie on the prolific Yellowknife greenstone belt, covering nearly 70 kilometres of strike length along the main mineralized shear system that hosts the former-producing high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The Company's exploration programs have successfully identified significant zones of gold mineralization and multiple targets that remain to be tested which reinforces the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada. Visit our website at www.goldterracorp.com. For more information, please contact: Gerald Panneton, Chairman & CEO gpanneton@goldterracorp.com Mara Strazdins, Investor Relations Phone: 1-778-897-1590 | 604-689-1749 ext 102 strazdins@goldterracorp.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Information Concerning Estimates of Mineral Resources Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Therefore, investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource could ever be mined economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of "Measured Mineral Resources," "Indicated Mineral Resources," or "Inferred Mineral Resources" will ever be upgraded to a higher category. The Mineral Resource estimates contained herein may be subject to legal, political, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of such mineral resources. Refer to the Technical Report, once filed, for more information with respect to the key assumptions, parameters, methods and risks of determination associated with the foregoing. Cautionary Note to United States Investors The Company prepares its disclosure in accordance with the requirements of securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Terms relating to Mineral Resources in this news release are defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under the guidelines set out in CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Council on May 19, 2014, as amended ("CIM Standards"). The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") has adopted amendments effective February 25, 2019 (the "SEC Modernization Rules") to its disclosure rules to modernize the mineral property disclosure requirements for issuers whose securities are registered with the SEC under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC will now recognize estimates of "Measured Mineral Resources", "Indicated Mineral Resources" and "Inferred Mineral Resources", which are defined in substantially similar terms to the corresponding CIM Standards. In addition, the SEC has amended its definitions of "Proven Mineral Reserves" and "Probable Mineral Reserves" to be substantially similar to the corresponding CIM Standards. U.S. investors are cautioned that while the foregoing terms are "substantially similar" to corresponding definitions under the CIM Standards, there are differences in the definitions under the SEC Modernization Rules and the CIM Standards. Accordingly, there is no assurance any Mineral Resources that the Company may report as "Measured Mineral Resources", "Indicated Mineral Resources" and "Inferred Mineral Resources" under NI 43-101 would be the same had the Company prepared the Mineral Resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules. In accordance with Canadian securities laws, estimates of "Inferred Mineral Resources" cannot form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies, except in limited circumstances where permitted under NI 43-101. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements made and information contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation ("forward-looking information"). Generally, this forward-looking information can, but not always, be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotations thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information regarding the current drilling on the Campbell Shear, potentially adding ounces to the Company's current YCG mineral resource, and the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as the Company's actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section in the Company's most recent MD&A and annual information form available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that would cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this news release. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. All of the forward-looking information contained in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Except as required under applicable securities legislation and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information. SOURCE: Gold Terra Resource Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com 703,300 Ounces of High-Grade Gold; Greater than 2,000,000 Ounce Total Resource Amends Terms of Private Placement Closing February Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 4, 2024) - Mayo Lake Minerals Inc. (CSE: MLKM) (Mayo or Company) is pleased to confirm that Mayo and WestMountain Gold, Inc. (WestMountain) remain committed to complete their merger as described in Mayo's press release of August 17, 2023. The Letter of Intent (LOI) as described in the press release outlined the proposed terms and conditions of a transaction pursuant to which Mayo and WestMountain plan to effect a three-cornered amalgamation of a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mayo and WestMountain that would result in Mayo indirectly acquiring all of the outstanding share capital of WestMountain (Transaction). The amalgamated entity resulting from the Transaction will continue to carry on the combined operations of Mayo and WestMountain. The Transaction, which is contemplated for completion in the first quarter of 2024, remains subject to Mayo and WestMountain entering into a definitive agreement (near completion) and the receipt of all regulatory and other approvals. Mayo will issue a comprehensive press release pursuant to the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange upon execution of a definitive agreement. To date, the companies have carried out extensive due diligence and are pleased with the progress to date. Pursuant to the LOI, Mayo will issue WestMountain shareholders that number of common shares at a deemed value of $0.08 per share in the capital of Mayo equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of the common shares issued and outstanding on a fully diluted basis at the time of closing. As additional consideration, Mayo will issue two (2) tranches of warrants on a pro-rata basis, each tranche equal to 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Mayo at the time of closing of the Transaction calculated on a fully diluted basis. Each warrant shall be exercisable for five (5) years from the date of issuance at the market price of Mayo's common shares at the time of closing of the Proposed Transaction. Each tranche will be exercisable when the following thresholds are met: (a) delineation of a compliant gold resource consisting of a minimum of two million inferred or better ounces and (b) delineation of a compliant gold resource consisting of a minimum of three million, inferred or better ounces. Upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, Mayo's board of directors will be reconstituted and consist of three directors nominated by current Mayo shareholders and two directors nominated by current WestMountain shareholders. Mayo is expected to assume a principal amount of US $3 million of WestMountain secured notes and accrued interest maturing on February 7, 2025. The completion of the Transaction is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent, including: receipt of all necessary consents, approvals and authorizations of any regulatory authorities, shareholders or third parties; Mayo having obtained such regulatory approvals as are necessary in connection with the completion of the Proposed Transaction, including but not limited to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange; all claims and leases comprising the Terra Gold Project's (Terra) being in good standing at closing with annual payments and other fees paid in full and all permits and approvals to conduct exploration and development at Terra being in good standing; WestMountain having converted approximately US$5 million of its total debt and related obligations into common shares on or before closing; and with the exception of the amount of the US $3 million secured notes of WestMountain to be assumed by Mayo, all other outstanding notes of WestMountain and any interest accrued shall have been discharged through payment of cash or share conversion prior to closing, or as otherwise agreed by the parties. Amendment to Terms of Private Placement - After due consultation between management and certain parties followed by a review with the board of directors, the Company has passed a resolution amending the terms of the common share unit (CS Unit) portion of its ongoing $1.4M private placement to include one whole warrant per CS Unit that is now exercisable at $0.09 for an extended period of four years as opposed to the previous three-year period. The planned closing date has now been rescheduled for on or about February 9, 2024. The revised Term Sheet has been attached hereto as Schedule A. In the event of multiple closings, the day of the final closing will be the closing date of record. The securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period in Canada of four (4) months and one day after the closing date. Finders that source investments in the Offering may earn a cash commission of up to 7% and warrants to purchase that number of common shares equal to 7% of the number of the respective type of units sold by the finder which are valid for four years. The CS Unit proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes as well as certain exploration expenditures and the FT Unit proceeds will be used for eligible exploration expenditures, qualifying as "CEE" under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and applicable regulations, on Mayo's Anderson-Davidson, Carlin-Roop and Trail-Minto properties. Mayo also confirms that it has recently closed the first tranche of the above noted placement for a total of 1,975,001 CS Units totaling $118,500.06. The first tranche closing is subject to the recently amended terms. Merger Financing Subsequent to the completion of Mayo's current financing, Mayo shall complete a second private placement financing prior to closing of the proposed Transaction for minimum gross proceeds of $1,400,000, and a maximum of $2,800,000, or such amount as mutually determined by Mayo and WestMountain. Merger Synergy. Dr. Vern Rampton P. Eng., President & CEO of Mayo had previously stated, "The proposed Transaction would result in a well-diversified set of prospective gold properties within the Tintina Gold Province. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Mayo would hold an advanced-stage project with an attractive resource and prospective projects in the pipeline that are open to the discovery of upper-tier mineral deposits in the future. The significance of Terra's present delineation of high-grade veins with associated envelopes of low-grade mineralization cannot be overstated, as it provides a core to which successful drilling can rapidly increase the total gold resource. Dr. Rampton continued, "The Terra Gold Project brings with it a significant number of favourable characteristics including extensive historical data, well-defined drill targets, and particularly significantly, a planned improvement in infrastructure access. These factors bolster our confidence in Terra's potential to become a robust gold-producing asset. Upside blue-sky potential has also been identified in the relatively restricted part of Terra that has been evaluated to date." Mr. Rick Bloom, President & CEO of WestMountain also commented, "We have been waiting to team up with the right partner for a number of years and only recently were introduced to Mayo, which we believe has the ideal professional group with an experienced professional understanding of regional mineralization, decades of working in a harsh environment and a strong commitment to environmental matters. Mayo's executives have a combined track record of successful exploration and development that underlines their capacity to unlock the full potential of the combined company's projects." WestMountain Gold Reports 703,300 Ounces of High-Grade Gold: WGM brings in the Terra Gold Project (https://www.westmountaingold.com) a new primary flagship property to the amalgamated company. In 2020, R.J. (Jim) Robinson, B.Sc. P.Geo., (QP) reported to WestMountain 1 that Terra contains Indicated Resources ("IND"), 435,360 ounces gold at 12.08g Au/t and Inferred Resources ("INF"), 267,943 ounces gold at 10.59g Au/t with a 5.0g Au/t cut-off for a total of 703,303 ounces at 10.28g Au/t based on an under-ground ("UG") narrow vein mining model. Robinson also reported in an internal report to WestMountain that resources for a model with extraction by open pit at the Fish Zone) and bulk mining at the Ben Zone were IND, 1,422,330 ounces gold at 2.31g Au/t and INF, 588,789 ounces gold at 2.05g Au/t for a total of 2,011,119 ounces gold at 2.23g Au/t. For Mayo's purposes, these resources are deemed historical. Thirty diamond drill holes (DDHs) were completed during drilling in 2018 and 2019. Of the thirty DDHs, twenty-five cored quartz veins assaying over 10g Au/t; with multiple veins being cored in fifteen DDH. The gold values ranged from 10g Au/t up to 246g Au/t with widths ranging from 0.2 to 1.5m in a total of sixty-four intercepts, averaging 36.3g Au/t. As of August, 2023, 4,500 ounces of gold have been extracted from ~ 3,000 tonnes of excavated ore; this equated to a gold grade of ~ 46g Au/t. On-site pilot studies determined that the gold and silver (partially) could be extracted by crushing and pulverizing followed by gravity separation without the use of chemicals. The Ben and Fish zones lie within a 2.5 km N-S trending, mineralized corridor. The two zones contain numerous multi-phased high-grade veins up to 1m in width and of various strike lengths. These veins parallel the primary vein within each zone. The high-grade veins are commonly within an envelope of stringers and stockwork silification, increasing the width of the mineralization adjacent to the main vein widths to anywhere up to 10m; a configuration that could lead to a reduction of costs in underground mining. Both zones are open along strike and at depth, being only tested to approximately 250m below ground surface. Parallel high-grade veins and adjacent low grades enveloping the veins offer the opportunity for a rapid upgrade in resource quantity and quality with strategically located drill holes. 1 Revised N.I. 43-101 Technical Report on the Geophysical Surveying, Diamond Drilling, Soil and Rock Sampling, and Resource Estimates of the Terra Property, Lime Hills Quadrangle, McGrath Mining District, Mt. McKinley Recording District, Alaska, USA; June 20, 2020. Report prepared by Mr. Ronald James (Jim) Robinson, B.Sc., P. Geo. Of Aurora Geoscience Ltd., 1901 Davis Ave. Unit B1, Juneau, AK99801, USA for Westmountain Gold Inc. 1001-A East Harmony Road, Suite 340, FT Collins, CO80525, USA. Terra has infrastructure and facilities at the site including: a 25-person camp facility with a mess tent, showers, water wells, laundry facilities, and privies, plus an office, core shack, storage area, a mill building, a storage shed, fuel depot, bulldozers and vehicle equipment, a road network and a 1,463m airstrip. Services are available at Anchorage some 210 km to the southeast. A winter road from the Alaska Highway Network presently ends within 65 km of Terra and an all-weather road is planned by the state to replace the winter road in the near future. WestMountain has stated that there are no significant fish, wildlife, wetlands or environmental issues, no indigenous land claims and no Federal mining permits required. For more information on WestMountain's properties, please visit: https://www.westmountaingold.com/ Mayo holds pipeline of drill-ready projects in the Yukon: Mayo controls 5 properties covering 244 square kilometres where it has completed extensive exploration over the last 12 years. Independent of any activities proposed for Terra, Mayo plans to drill prospective gold targets within the Anderson Gold Belt and to trench its Carlin West and AJ targets at its Carlin-Roop property in 2024. Mayo's Trail-Minto property, which may well host similar mineralization to that at Banyan Gold's AurMac or Victoria Gold's Eagle Mine (intrusion related with sheeted veining), will be the subject of additional groundwork before planned drilling in 2024. The reader can access a number of maps and Mayo's history in addition to property news and descriptions and the current private placement Term Sheet that it has in place in order to complete this exploration at https://www.mayolakeminerals.com. Qualified Person. The technical and scientific information contained within this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Vern Rampton, P.Eng., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standard of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101). Rampton, in addition to data reported on https://westmountaingold.com relied on a technical report, dated June 20, 2020 (see footnote 1) and an internal report (2023) prepared for WestMountain and authored by Jim Robinson, B.SC., P.Geo. (QP). Rampton accepts responsibility for any interpretations or projections based on the information contained within the two reports. The information contained in these documents provides an indication of the exploration potential of Terra as interpreted by Rampton, but he cannot certify that the reported projections will result in development and mining About Mayo Lake Minerals Inc. : Mayo is actively engaged in the exploration and development of five precious metal projects in the Tombstone Gold (Plutonic) Belt of the Tintina Gold Province. The properties cover 244 square kilometres in the Yukon's Mayo Mining District and lie within the traditional territory of the Na-Cho Nyak Dun First Nation. Mayo is presently focusing on its two flagship properties; the Carlin-Roop Silver Project lying within the Keno Hill Silver District and the promising Anderson-Davidson gold property. Two active mines; Victoria Gold's Eagle Gold Mine and Hecla Mining's Keno Silver mines are nearby. For additional information, please contact : Vern Rampton, Ph.D., P.Eng. President & CEO; vrampton@mayolakeminerals.com Tel. 613-836-2594 Tyrell Sutherland, M.Sc., P. Geo., VP Exploration; tsutherland@mayolakeminerals.com Darrell Munro, BB.A, LL.B Corporate Administrator; dmunro@mayolakeminerals.com Tel. 613-836-2594 About WestMountain Gold, Inc. : WestMountain is a junior mineral exploration and development company that is seeking to explore and develop its current prospective advanced-stage Terra Gold Project in Alaska, consisting of 339 unpatented lode mining claims and 5 leased unpatented lode mining claims. For additional information on WMG please contact : Rick Bloom, President & CEO: rick.bloom@outlook.com Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by management of Mayo and WestMountain. Although management of Mayo and WestMountain believe that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information since no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of Mayo and WestMountain relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. BECAUSE MAYO AND WESTMOUNTAIN HAVE ENTERED INTO A NON-BINDING LETTER OF INTENT, THERE IS NO ASSURANCE WHATSOEVER THAT THE CONTEMPLATED TRANSACTION WILL OCCUR. FURTHER, THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT MAYO WILL BE ABLE TO RAISE THE NECESSARY CAPITAL TO PROCEED WITH THE CONTEMPLATED TRANSACTION. BOTH MAYO AND WESTMOUNTAIN HAVE LIMITED CAPITAL. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SCHEDULE 'A" TERM SHEET (Rev. December 31, 2023) Offering Any combination of Common Share Units and Flow Through Share Units up to $1,400,000. Closing Date: On or about February 9, 2024 or such other date determined by the Corporation. Unit Offering The Company shall offer Units (the "CS Units") at a price of $0.06 per Unit (the "CS Unit Offering"). Each CS Unit will be comprised of one common share (a "Common Share") and one (1) Common Share purchase warrant ("CS Warrant"). Each CS Warrant is exercisable into one (1) Common Share at a price of $0.09 per Common Share for a period of 48 months from the closing date. In the event of multiple closings, the day of the final closing will be the Closing Date of record. Flow-Through Offering The Company shall offer Flow-Through Units ("FT Units") at a price of $0.08 per FT Unit (the "FT Unit Offering"). Each FT Unit will be comprised of one flow-through share in the capital of the Company (a "FT Share") and one purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable into one Common Share at a price of $0.12 for a period of 48 months from the closing date. Each FT Share will be issued as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act"). Use of Proceeds: The net proceeds received by the Corporation from the sale will generally be applied as follows: CS Unit funds will be primarily used to cover working capital, property Acquisitions and general operating costs; Flow Through Unit funds will be used for eligible exploration expenditures qualifying as "CEE" under the Tax Act and applicable regulations, on the Company's exploration properties in the Yukon. Finders Fees Finders that source investment in the Offerings may earn a cash commission of up to 7% of the gross proceeds raised by such Finder and warrants ("Finder Warrants") valid for three years entitling the Finder to purchase that number of Common Shares equal to 7% of the number of Units or FT Units at sold by such Finder at $0.06 and $0.08 respectively. Resale Restrictions: The securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period in Canada of four (4) months and one day after the Closing Date. Purchasers should consult their legal advisors in this regard. Securities held by residents in the United States will bear a legend regarding re-sale into the United States, which will be removed on request to the Corporation. Offering Jurisdictions: The Common Share Units will be offered for sale to purchasers in: (i) all of the provinces and territories of Canada pursuant to available prospectus exemptions; (ii) the United States on a private placement basis only under Regulation D, Rule 144A or other available U.S. registration exemptions and (iii) jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States, in accordance with all applicable laws provided that no prospectus, registration statement or similar document is required to be filed in such jurisdiction and the Corporation does not thereafter become subject to continuous disclosure obligations in such jurisdictions. NOT TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/193199 SOURCE: Mayo Lake Minerals Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 4, 2024) - Vice Health and Wellness Inc. (CSE: VICE) (FSE: Z24) (OTC Pink: VICFF) ("VICE" or the "Company") announces that Mark Tommasi has resigned as President, CEO and Director of the Company. The Board is pleased to announce that it has appointed Mr. Cody Corrubia as President, CEO, and director of the of the Company, effective immediately. Mr. Corrubia has over 25 years experience in capital markets and has previously been and officer and Director of several private and public companies. Mr. Corrubia has been instrumental in funding over US $300 million in both equity and debt transacitons accross various sectors and commodities. "The Board of Directors is extremely pleased to announce Mr. Cody Corrubia as President and CEO," said Brian Keane, Director. "The Board is confident that Cody's experience, leadership skills, and proven track record will position the Company for future success. The Board wishes to thank Mr. Tommasi for his service and contribution to the Company." About Vice Health and Wellness Inc. Vice Health and Wellness Inc. is dedicated to fostering healthier lifestyle choices by offering a diverse range of products that empower consumers to enhance their mental and physical well-being. As an ever-growing community of like-minded individuals and organizations, we believe in the power of collective small steps leading to remarkable transformations. Our product line features low-sugar, plant-based gummy products, and we are actively spearheading innovations in alignment with emerging trends in the health and wellness sector. By prioritizing weight loss and harnessing the potential of AI we aim to provide individuals with personalized advice, insightful recommendations, and transformative solutions to aid them on their journey to optimal well-being. Cody Corrubia President, CEO, and Director Telephone: 844-286-8423 E-mail: info@vice.health https://vice.health Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/193225 SOURCE: Vice Health and Wellness Inc. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Canada Jetlines Operations Ltd. (NEO:CJET) ("Canada Jetlines" or the "Company") one of Canada's leading leisure airlines, is proud to announce the addition of two new A320-214 aircraft to its fleet. The Company has signed lease agreements with CMB Financial Leasing ("CMBFL"), also known as CMB Leasing, marking a strategic move to enhance the airline's operational capabilities and meet the growing demand for affordable air travel. The A320-214 aircraft, scheduled for delivery in Q2 of 2024, will contribute to Canada Jetlines' commitment to expanding its fleet size in the coming year. This development aligns with the airlines' mission to provide reliable and cost-effective travel options for travelers. Eddy Doyle, CEO of Canada Jetlines, expressed enthusiasm about the fleet expansion, stating, "This signifies a significant step forward in our growth strategy. The addition of two A320-214 aircraft underscores our commitment to meeting the increasing demand for affordable air travel, while maintaining our commitment to safety and service excellence." The A320-214 aircraft is renowned for its fuel efficiency, advanced technology, and spacious cabin design, offering an enhanced travel experience for passengers. The aircraft will be configured with 174 all-economy seating, including 18 expanded legroom economy seats. The aircraft will be deployed to serve Mexico, Jamaica, Florida and Las Vegas routes, as well as for charter services. Canada Jetlines looks forward to introducing these new additions to its fleet and providing customers choice for leisure-based travel. About Canada Jetlines Canada Jetlines Operations Ltd. (NEO:CJET), trading as "Canada Jetlines," is a Canadian leisure airline committed to providing an exciting travel experience to its passengers. With a growing network of destinations, Canada Jetlines is dedicated to connecting Canadians with some of the world's most captivating and sought-after locations. More information on Canada Jetlines including its growing list of destinations can be found on www.jetlines.com. You can follow Canada Jetlines on all social media platforms and follow CanadaJetlines for the latest news and updates. About CMB Financial Leasing (CMBFL) CMB Financial Leasing, also known as CMB Leasing, was founded in Shanghai in April 2008 and operates as the leasing arm of China Merchants Bank Co.,LTD. As a major global commercial bank listed on both the Shanghai and Hong Kong Stock exchanges, CMB plays a pivotal role in facilitating international partnerships and supporting the growth of businesses worldwide. Media Contact: Julie Rempel media@jetlines.ca 204.807.2900 Investor Contact: Alyssa Barry invest@jetlines.ca Connect With Us! Instagram: @ca_jetlines Twitter: @ca_jetlines Facebook: @CAJetlines LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/company/jetlines Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" concerning anticipated developments and events that may occur in the future. Forward-looking information contained in this news release includes but is not limited to the Company's intention to operate as a leisure airline, the number of aircraft it intends to operate, the destinations of intended flights, the frequency of flights, the enhancement of the airline's operational capabilities, growing demand for affordable air travel, expansion of its fleet size in the coming year, the Company's mission to provide reliable and cost-effective travel options for travelers; the commitment to safety and service excellence, growth plans, the timeline for the delivery of aircraft and business of Jetlines. In certain cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the receipt of financing to continue airline operations, the accuracy, reliability and success of Jetlines' business model; the continued compliance with the terms of governmental approvals; Jetlines concluding definitive agreements for additional aircraft; the success of operations by Jetlines the legislative and regulatory environments of the jurisdictions where Jetlines will carry on business or have operations; the impact of competition and the competitive response to Jetlines' business strategy; and the availability of aircraft. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks related to, the ability to obtain financing at acceptable terms, the impact of general economic conditions, domestic and international airline industry conditions, the failure of the Company to conclude definitive agreements to acquire additional aircraft, supply chain disruptions causing delays in expected timelines, the impact of the global uncertainty created by COVID-19, future relations with shareholders, volatility of fuel prices, increases in operating costs, terrorism, pandemics, natural disasters, currency fluctuations, interest rates, risks specific to the airline industry, the ability of management to implement Jetlines' operational strategy, the ability to attract qualified management and staff, labour disputes, regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of (or compliance with) the necessary licenses from regulatory agencies, and the additional risks identified in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's reports and filings with applicable Canadian securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking information. SOURCE: Canada Jetlines Ltd View the original press release on accesswire.com Company's actions strengthen communities, create jobs and boost the local economy NEW ORLEANS / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / The greater New Orleans region is enjoying nearly half of $1 billion dollars in economic benefits because the city is host to the corporate headquarters for Entergy, the city's only Fortune 500 company. According to a recent study by Louisiana State University economist Dr. Loren Scott, Entergy's total economic impact in New Orleans reached nearly $500 million in sales in the city in 2021. "Entergy's low-cost electricity is helping attract critical investments and is creating jobs making the company a significant economic engine for the economy," said Rod West, Entergy's group president of utility operations. "Our commitment can be felt throughout the state. For every job created at Entergy's headquarters, 2.8 jobs are created elsewhere in the state and in New Orleans specifically, for every job created 1.4 jobs are created elsewhere in Orleans Parish's economy." "Having Entergy's headquarters located here in New Orleans makes a huge impact on our city's economy, and on the state of Louisiana," said Deanna Rodriguez, president and CEO of Entergy New Orleans. "We've always had a sense of that importance, and this study confirms it in hard numbers: Entergy's headquarters being in the city creates jobs, it generates sales for local businesses, and it creates major tax revenue for the parish and the state." "We are truly fortunate to have Entergy as a partner in driving the region's economy," said Michael Hecht, president and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. "Entergy not only provides reliable and affordable energy, but also supports thousands of jobs, hundreds of millions of dollars in sales and income, and millions of dollars in local charitable contributions. Having Entergy's corporate headquarters in New Orleans helps attract major companies into the region, and demonstrates success for existing businesses. Entergy is a true corporate leader who exemplifies the spirit of innovation, resilience, and generosity that makes Greater New Orleans uniquely great." Jobs supported by Entergy in New Orleans carried an average wage of $93,000. That is nearly 36% higher than the average annual wage of $68,000 in Orleans Parish. As one of New Orleans' largest taxpayers, Entergy pays more than $17 million in local taxes and has supported nearly $300 million in household income for New Orleans residents. This is almost as much as the total earnings of all workers in Orleans Parish's oil and gas extraction sector (approximately $280 million in 2020). Each dollar spent by Entergy ripples through the state's economy, triggering employment, new income and spending in virtually every industry sector. In 2021, Entergy also had contributed nearly $4.1 million to more than 100 New Orleans non-profit partners and community organizations and over $9 million to other non-profits outside of New Orleans. Entergy New Orleans recently announced plans to invest $1 billion in grid hardening projects for the city over the next 10 years. Last fall, Entergy was recognized for the 16th consecutive year as a top utility driving economic development in the region. At Entergy's request, Loren C. Scott and Associates Inc. measured Entergy's economic footprint in New Orleans and the state of Louisiana. Financial and operations data for the 2021 fiscal year formed the primary-source information for the analysis. For highlights of Entergy's economic impact in New Orleans, download this infographic. Read the complete Loren C. Scott and Associates impact study here. About Entergy Entergy New Orleans, LLC provides electricity to approximately 211,000 customers and natural gas to approximately 109,000 customers in Orleans Parish, Louisiana. Entergy New Orleans is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR), a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We're investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy, visit the Newsroom. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Entergy Corporation on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Entergy Corporation Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/entergy-corporation Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Entergy Corporation View the original press release on accesswire.com Avistone Biotechnology, a Beijing, China-based biotechnology company focused on precision oncology therapeutics, closed a Series B financing of ~$140 million USD. The round was led by SDIC CS Capital and IDG Capital, with participation from Yanchuang Capital and Cathay Capital. Existing shareholder Bain Capital continued to make additional investments. The company intends to use the funds to support clinical research and development of its pipeline, including both drug monotherapy studies and internal combinations, to accelerate the screening of new molecules, to support clinical studies and expansion in the United States of America, and to support commercialization of PLB1001 (Vebreltinib) in China. Led by Dr. Hepeng Shi, Founder and CEO, Avistone Biotechnology is an oncology company focused on developing innovative therapies for patients with significant unmet medical needs globally. It has an extensive portfolio and pipeline of targeted therapies. The companys lead asset is PLB1001 (Vebreltinib), a small-molecule inhibitor that targets MET tyrosine kinase activity. Vebreltinib recently received conditional approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) as a treatment for patients with MET exon 14 skipping non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in China. The second asset is PLB1004, a potent inhibitor of EGFR tyrosine kinases (TKI), including aberrant activity observed with EGFR exon20 insertion (genetic) mutations in NSCLC tumors. FinSMEs 04/01/2024 Cosette Pharmaceutical, a Bridgewater, NJ-based specialty pharmaceutical company with a focus on womens health and cardiovascular medicines, acquired Vyleesi from Palatin Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: PTN), which includes 5 Orange Book listed patents with protection up to 2041. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. With the acquisition, Cosette Pharmaceutical will expand its offerings. Led by Apurva Saraf, President and CEO, Cosette Pharmaceuticals is an integrated pharmaceutical company with a fast-growing portfolio of branded pharmaceuticals consisting of products in womens health, cardiology and dermatology. The company has corporate and manufacturing facilities in New Jersey and North Carolina and is supported by 300+ dedicated employees across all functional areas. It is backed by Avista Capital Partners, a healthcare focused private equity firm. Commenting on the news, Apurva Saraf said: This acquisition highlights Cosettes continued focus on improving womens health, and our dedication to increasing awareness and education. FinSMEs 04/01/2024 In the Golden State of California, employment laws are designed to protect workers rights, and that includes ensuring timely payment of wages. However, unpaid wage issues can sometimes arise, leaving employees feeling vulnerable and unsure of how to proceed. If you find yourself in a situation where you believe your employer owes you unpaid wages, this comprehensive guide will help you understand your rights and navigate the process. Understanding Unpaid Wage Issues Unpaid wage issues can encompass various situations, including unpaid overtime, minimum wage violations, denied meal and rest breaks, withheld commissions, and unreimbursed business expenses. To resolve such issues effectively, its essential to know your rights under California labor laws. Minimum Wage and Overtime Pay In California, the minimum wage varies depending on the size of the employer and location but generally exceeds the federal minimum wage. As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, the minimum wage for employers with 25 or fewer employees is $13 per hour, while those with 26 or more employees must pay at least $14 per hour. Additionally, California law mandates overtime pay for non-exempt employees who work more than eight hours in a day or 40 hours in a week. This overtime rate is 1.5 times the regular hourly rate, and double time applies to hours worked beyond 12 in a single day. Meal and Rest Breaks Employers are required to provide meal and rest breaks to employees. For every five hours worked, employees should receive a 30-minute unpaid meal break, and they must have a 10-minute paid rest break for every four hours worked. Commissions and Business Expenses If your job involves commissions, your employer must adhere to strict rules regarding commission payments, including providing written agreements and paying commissions promptly. Moreover, if youve incurred expenses while carrying out your job duties, your employer should reimburse you according to California law. Taking Action: Steps to Resolve Unpaid Wage Issues When you encounter unpaid wage issues with your employer, its crucial to take the appropriate steps to resolve the matter. Heres a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process effectively: Keep Records Maintain detailed records of your work hours, pay stubs, and any relevant communication with your employer. These records will serve as crucial evidence should you need to pursue a claim. Discuss the Issue with Your Employer Initiate a conversation with your employer about the unpaid wages. Its possible that its a simple oversight that can be resolved through open communication. File a Wage Claim If discussing the issue with your employer doesnt yield results, you can file a wage claim with the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE). You can do this online, by mail, or in person at a DLSE office. Seek Legal Counsel If your employer continues to withhold your wages despite a wage claim, consider consulting with an employment attorney, such as Kingsley & Kingsley Lawyers. They can help you understand your legal options and, if necessary, file a lawsuit against your employer. Cooperate with the DLSE If youve filed a wage claim, cooperate fully with the DLSE during the investigation. Provide all requested documents and information promptly to expedite the process. Await the DLSE Decision The DLSE will investigate your claim and issue a decision. If they determine that your employer owes you unpaid wages, they will order your employer to pay you the owed amount. Pursue Legal Action If the DLSEs decision does not result in full payment, or if you disagree with the decision, consult with your attorney to determine if pursuing a civil lawsuit is a viable option. Statute of Limitations Its important to be aware of the statute of limitations for wage claims in California. As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, most wage claims must be filed within three years of the alleged violation. However, the statute of limitations can vary depending on the specific circumstances of your case, so consult with an attorney to ensure you meet the deadlines. Conclusion Unpaid wage issues can be stressful and frustrating, but knowing your rights and taking the appropriate steps can help you resolve the matter and receive the compensation you deserve. In California, robust labor laws are in place to protect workers from wage violations, and the Department of Labor Standards Enforcement is there to ensure these laws are upheld. Remember to keep records, communicate with your employer, and, if necessary, seek legal assistance to help you navigate the process effectively. Your hard-earned wages should never go unpaid, and California law is on your side to ensure fair treatment in the workplace. Seven Hills Capital, a Nashville, TN-based operator-centric private equity firm, closed its inaugural fund, Seven Hills Capital Fund I, L.P., at $125M. The fund received capital from a diverse group of institutional limited partners, which include college and university endowments, single and multi-family offices, and outsourced CIOs. Pacenote Capital LLC served as exclusive placement agent for Seven Hills in connection with the fundraising. McGuireWoods LLP provided legal counsel in connection with the fundraising, and IQ-EQ served as fund administrator. Founded in 2016 by Matthew Pettit, Seven Hills Capital is an operator-centric private equity firm that focuses exclusively on building lower middle market healthcare services companies. SHC draws on its experiences as both founder operators and private equity investors, with a hands-on approach to business building with its Partner Companies and CEOs. FinSMEs 04/01/2023 Reports also suggest that makers might announce the official cast of the film in the coming days, while the filming will commence in a few weeks After the massive success of KGF and KGF 2, Kannada superstar Yash recently announced his next project. Yash will be collaborating with the award-winning director Geetu Mohandas for his next, titled Toxic. While not much is out about the film, Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan will reportedly also star in the film, thus making her debut in the Kannada film industry. Advertisement According to a Filmfare report, the Jaane Jaan actress will play the female lead in Toxic. However, an official announcement is yet to be made from the actress or director Geetu Mohandas end. Reports also suggest that makers might announce the official cast of the film in the coming days, while the filming will commence in a few weeks. Notably, Kareena Kapoor is not the first Btown star to feature alongside Yash. Earlier, actors Sanjay Dutt and Raveena Tandon worked with him in KGF 2. Kareena Kapoor expresses her desire to work with Yash This comes days after Kareena Kapoor had expressed her desire to work with the KGF star. In one of the recent Koffee With Karan episodes, Kareena during the rapid-fire round shared he would love to work with Yash. As Karan Johar asked, Which south actor would you like to be paired up with? Prabhas, Ram Charan, Vijay Deverakonda, Allu Arjun, and Yash, the actress expressed her desire to collaborate with the southern sensation, declaring herself a KGF girl. Advertisement About Toxic In December last year, Yash announced his 19th film along with the title and a short clip, giving a glimpse of his character. Directed by Geetu Mohandas, the film will reportedly also feature Sai Pallavi and is likely to go on the floors very soon. What you seek is seeking you - Rumi. A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups #TOXIC, he wrote. The video opens, showing a few anti-heroes including DC Comics villain Joker. It further gives a glimpse of the actors looks in the film, Yash can be seen wearing a hat while holding a cigar in his mouth. Advertisement Besides the films title and the video, the makers have announced that the film will be released in theatres on 10 April 2025. In the latest episode of Koffee With Karan season 8, Janhvi Kapoor, who graced the couch with sister Khushi Kapoor, made some interesting revelations on the show. The actress said she will never date any actor again in her life. For the unversed, the Bawaal actress reportedly dated Kartik Aaryan during the filming of Dostana 2, which is now being shelved. Talking about the reason for not going in a relationship with an actor, she said, I want someone to be obsessed with me. The thing is you need someone to be okay with your there needs to be a balance. You need someone who is okay to let you have your moment also but I find with actors that they get very competitive and they get very weird. Ive said never (to dating actors). Advertisement She added, There is always tension when there is an actor. I cant deal with that tension because I like to be undyingly devoted and I expect that devotion and I think when you are in the same profession, its difficult, specifically this (acting) profession. Advertisement On the work front, Janhvi Kapoor will be seen in films like Mr. and Mrs. Mahi and the much-awaited Jr. NTR starrer action entertainer Devara Part 1, which is releasing in cinemas on April 5th, 2024. On the other hand, Kartik Aaryan will next be seen in Kabir Khans directorial Chandu Champion which has been booked for a June 14, 2024 release. He will also be seen in Hansal Mehtas next film, Captain India, one of the first collaborations between the two. Advertisement The actor will also feature in Aashiqui 3, which will be directed by Anurag Basu of Gangster, Murder and Barfii fame. As per the reports, Tripti Dimri will be seen opposite him in the movie. As fans eagerly anticipate a piece of news from the couple, Deepika in a recent interview hinted about starting a family with her actor-husband, sharing how they want to raise their kids and inculcate good values in them Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone are one of the most lovable and celebrated couples in Btown. Having dated for quite a few years, the two secretly got engaged in 2015 and later got married in an intimate Lake Como wedding in Italy back in 2018. As the couple recently celebrated their fifth marriage anniversary, fans are now excited about when the couple shares the good news. Advertisement As fans eagerly anticipate a piece of news from the couple, Deepika in a recent interview hinted about starting a family with her actor-husband, sharing how they want to raise their kids and inculcate good values in them. Deepika Padukone on becoming a mother In her interaction with Vogue, Deepika on being asked about becoming a parent had a smile on her face and said, Absolutely! Ranveer and I love children and we look forward to the day when we start our own family. She further went on to add, When I meet the people that I have grown up with, be my uncles aunts, family, or friends, they always mention that I havent changed a bit. It says a lot about our upbringing as it is always easy to get carried away by fame and money. No one treats me like a celebrity at home. I am a daughter and sister first and I dont want that to change. My family keeps me grounded and Ranveer and I hope to give the same values to our kids. Advertisement Notably, this comes at a time when there have been several rumours of Deepika being pregnant in the past. However, all the speculations seemed to be mere rumours. On the work front While Ranveer Singh was last seen in Karan Johars Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, he is yet to announce his next project. Advertisement On the other hand, Deepika Padukone is gearing up for the release of Siddharth Anands aerial action film Fighter alongside Hrithik Roshan and Anil Kapoor. The film will hit theatres across the country on 25 January 2024. Besides that, she also has Kalki 2898 AD alongside Prabhas. Both Ranveer and Deepika are also expected to appear together in Rohit Shettys Singham Again. A trove of documents from a lawsuit connected to accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein revealed some famous names former US presidents, academics, and celebrities. Epstein once said that Bill Clinton likes young girls and in an email spoke of an underage orgy involving scientist Stephen Hawking Jeffrey Epstein is one of the most infamous names in America. The disgraced millionaire was a serial sex offender who has been accused of sexual abuse by dozens of underage girls and charged with sex trafficking. He was known for associating with the rich and famous politicians, celebrities, academics and billionaires. While he died by suicide on trial, those linked to him continue to be embroiled in controversy. Former US president Bill Clinton is among them. Advertisement Hundreds of pages of documents from the lawsuit connected to Jeffrey Epstein were publicly released on Wednesday. The material, some of which are yet to be unsealed, includes 200 names. The ones unsealed by the New York judge implicate two former presidents Clinton and Donald Trump. The other names include British royal Prince Andrew, renowned scientist Stephen Hawking, and Google co-founder Larry Page. And the revelations are shocking. The documents being unsealed are part of a 2015 lawsuit filed against Epsteins former lover and accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell by one of his victims, Virginia Giuffre. She is among the dozens of women who sued Epstein saying he had abused them at his homes in Florida, New York, the US Virgin Islands and New Mexico. Advertisement Also read: Who was Jeffrey Epstein and what documents linked to his sex scandal reveal? What do the Epstein documents reveal about Bill Clinton? The former US president Bill Clinton has been referred to as Doe 36 in the court documents and is mentioned 50 times. The victim Virginia Giuffre has not accused Clinton. However, she claimed to have seen him with two young women on Epsteins island. Advertisement Clinton has denied ever visiting the island. But flight records reveal that he used Epsteins plane for international trips after his presidency, visiting Paris, Bangkok and Brunei. Giuffre has in a document described Clintons connection with Epstein, calling it a close personal relationship. Another victim, Johanna Sjoberg, said that the dead sex offender once said that the former president likes them young. [Epstein> said one time that Clinton likes them young, referring to girls, she testified. Advertisement Meanwhile, Clintons spokesperson Angel Urena said the politician and Epstein did not have a close personal relationship. He pointed to his 2019 statement, saying that the two had lost contact 20 years ago. President Clinton knows nothing about the terrible crimes Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to in Florida some years ago or those which he has been recently charged in New York, the statement read. Advertisement Statement on Jeffrey Epstein. pic.twitter.com/98ha9YYd1l Angel Urena (@angelurena) July 8, 2019 Advertisement What are the accusations against Trump? Trumps name has also come up in confessions by the survivors. Giuffre said the summer she turned 17, she was lured away from a job as a spa attendant at Trumps Mar-a-Lago club to become a masseuse for Epstein. The job involved performing sexual acts. What are Prince Andrews links to Epstein? Advertisement Britains Prince Andrew is a controversial figure. The files include references to another victim Johanna Sjoberg, who has claimed that Andrew groped her breast while sitting on a couch inside Epsteins Manhattan house in 2001. Buckingham Palace had previously said her allegations were categorically untrue. In another deposition, reported earlier, Sjoberg alleged that the British royal put his hand on her breast to pose for a photo with the other accuser Giuffre and a puppet that said Prince Andrew on it. Advertisement They put the puppet on Virginias lap, and I sat on Andrews lap, and they put the puppets hand on Virginias breast, and Andrew put his hand on my breast, and they took a photo, she said of Ghislaine Maxwell and Epstein. In 2022, the British royal paid millions to Giuffre to settle a case she filed alleging he sexually abused her when she was 17. Prince Andrew said he had never met the girl and denied her allegations, reports the BBC. Advertisement How was Stephen Hawking involved? The newly released findings hint at the scientists involvement in an orgy involving minors. After Giuffre filed a civil claim in the US, Epstein reportedly asked Ghislaine Maxwell in an email to offer a reward to anyone who knew Giuffre and could discredit her allegations about Professor Stephen Hawkings involvement in an underage orgy. Advertisement You can issue a reward to any of Virginias friends, acquaintances, and family that come forward and help prove her allegations are false. The strongest is the Clinton dinner, and the new version in the Virgin Islands that Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy, the email read, according to a report by Irish News. Advertisement In 2015, photographs showing Hawking on Epsteins private Caribbean island emerged. Hawking can be seen at a barbecue on Little St James and participating in a boat cruise and submarine tour. The Cambridge professor was one of 21 famous scientists attending a conference on gravity in March 2006, which was funded by Epstein. Who are the other names involved? Some other big names include pop star Michael Jackson, Googles Larry Page, billionaire hedge fund manager Glenn Dubin, Nobel laureate Lawrence Krauss, magician David Copperfield, comedian Chris Tucker, actor Kevin Spacey, and model Naomi Cambell. Many have been named for visiting Epsteins island but allegations against some others are graver. In her lawsuit, Giuffre said that Maxwell had asked her to give Dubin a massage. She said, And when they say massage, that means erotic, okay? Thats their term for it Im telling you that Ghislaine told me to go to Glenn Dubin and give him a massage, which means sex, according to court documents released by Forbes. The US Virgin Islands government attempted to serve a subpoena to Page to obtain documents for its lawsuit against JPMorgan linked to Epsteins alleged sex trafficking. This is not all not yet. While this is the first batch of documents, more bombshell revelations can be expected as the rest of the material is unsealed. With inputs from agencies Thursday will be a big news day. YS Sharmila is expected to join the Congress. Also, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will travel to Nepal for a two-day visit. There are also some important cases to be heard in the courts of Delhi We are four days into the New Year and theres been no dearth of big events and big headlines from across the globe. And on 4 January (Thursday), this trend will continue. While External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will travel to Nepal, the Delhi High Court will hear the plea on the ousting of Trinamool Congress Mahua Moitra from her official residence. There are also water cuts announced for parts of Mumbai. Advertisement Heres a shortlist of the biggest news-making events for the day. YS Sharmila to join the Congress Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddys sister YS Sharmila will join the Congress on 4 January in the presence of top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. Sharmila, the president of YSR Telangana Party, had earlier expressed her intention to join the Congress. While details of her role are yet to be officially confirmed by Congress leaders, it is speculated that Sharmila may lead the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) and play a significant role in upcoming elections. Delhi High Court to hear Mahua Moitras plea Today, the Delhi High Court will hear a plea by Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra challenging cancellation of her government accommodation. The petition has urged that the Directorate of Estates 11 December order be set aside or, in the alternative, Moitra be allowed to retain possession of the accommodation till the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections are declared. Advertisement Moitra was held guilty of unethical conduct and expelled from the Lok Sabha on 8 December last year for allegedly accepting gifts from businessman Darshan Hiranandani and sharing her user ID and password of the Parliament website with him. She has already challenged her expulsion in the Supreme Court after the Lok Sabha adopted the report of its ethics committee recommending her ouster. Advertisement Supreme Court to hear Nikhil Guptas plea in Pannun assassination plot The Supreme Court will hear a plea filed on behalf of Nikhil Gupta, the Indian indicted in the attempted assassination of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States. The petition seeks the intervention of the government of India to release him from prison in the Czech Republic. Advertisement Nikhil Gupta was charged by US federal prosecutors late last year of working with an Indian government employee in the foiled plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistan leader, who is an American and Canadian citizen. An unnamed Indian official also appeared in an indictment along with the Indian national, who the Department of Justice alleges hired someone in the US to assassinate Pannun. Advertisement Court to hear fresh case against ex-WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh Starting today, a Delhi court will start a fresh hearing in the sexual harassment case filed against BJP MP and former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh by six female wrestlers. The fresh hearing comes as the judge, who was previously hearing the matter, was promoted. Now, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of the Rouse Avenue court, Priyanka Rajput, will now hear the matter on the framing of charges. Advertisement Hearing the case earlier, Singhs side had questioned the jurisdiction of the Delhi court trying the sexual harassment case against him, claiming that there was no action or consequence which happened in India. Singhs counsel, advocate Rajiv Mohan, had told the court, There is no action or consequence which has happened in India and therefore, the alleged offences which, as per the prosecution, have happened in Tokyo, Mongolia, Bulgaria, Jakarta, Kazakhstan, Turkey, etc, cannot be tried by this court. Advertisement However, the prosecution said that the act of sexual harassment of the victims was a continuing offence, as it did not stop at any particular time. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Nepal External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will begin his wwo-day visit to Nepal starting today with an aim to further expand bilateral ties. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Jaishankar will co-chair a meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Commission along with his Nepalese counterpart N P Saud. Advertisement The India-Nepal Joint Commission was established in 1987 and provides a platform for both sides to review all aspects of the bilateral partnership. During his stay, Jaishankar will also call on the leadership of Nepal and meet prominent political figures. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar in Jammu and Kashmir Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will travel to Jammu and Kashmir today where he will be the chief guest at the 8th convocation of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu. Advertisement An official handout said, During his one-day tour, Shri Dhankhar will be the Chief Guest at the 8th Convocation of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu. The vice-president will also grace the inauguration of the Biotech Startup Expo in Kathua in addition to presiding over the convocation ceremony. Pakistans Imran Khan to be indicted in Toshakhana case Advertisement The Islamabad Accountability Court will announce its indictment of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insafs founder chairman, Imran Khan, and his wife Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana reference case today. Khan and his wife have been named in the list of accused for possessing gifts received from international dignitaries, which they were obligated to deposit in the Toshakhana. As COVID-19 infections surge in India and across the world, data from the UK has revealed that an increasing number of those testing positive are complaining of anxiety and having trouble sleeping. These symptoms are in addition to the more regular ones such as fever and runny nose Its the New Year and COVID cases continue to rise in the country and across the globe. The countrys COVID caseload has seen a significant jump thanks to the new JN.1 sub-variant, which experts call highly transmissible but milder. And as the highly-contagious Omicron subvariant ( JN.1 ) spreads across the country as well as the world, there are also two new symptoms to watch out for, according to medical experts. Advertisement However, experts have cautioned that these symptoms may vary according to the patient. In fact, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had said, The types of symptoms and how severe they usually depend more on a persons immunity and overall health rather than which variant causes the infection. Read on to find out more. The new COVID symptoms The identification of the new symptoms was first reported by the United Kingdoms Office for National Statistics. The December 2023 data has revealed that besides the usual symptoms of runny noses, coughs, headaches and weakness that are associated with COVID, some patients have been exhibiting new symptoms, namely trouble sleeping and anxiety. Advertisement The ONS winter report, published on 22 December, showed that 10 per cent of individuals who had tested positive for COVID complained of anxiety or excessive worrying. Furthermore, the data revealed that the more common symptom of losing taste and smell were now only in two to three per cent of all UK COVID cases. Advertisement The report gave a breakdown of the COVID symptoms, with a runny nose (31.1 per cent) still being the foremost sign of contracting COVID. The data also said that cough cough (22.9 per cent), headache (20.1 per cent), fatigue (19.6 per cent), muscle pain (15.8 per cent), sore throat (13.2 per cent), trouble sleeping (10.8 per cent), and anxiety (10.5 per cent) were the other common symptoms now being displayed by people infected with the virus. Advertisement Since the emergence of the COVID pandemic, medical experts have been pinpointing the symptoms that people need to watch out for. However, as the virus continues to mutate, experts say this exercise has become more difficult. In fact, Dr Helen Wall, clinical director of population health for NHS Greater Manchester, told Mirror.co.uk, There arent really any symptoms we can look out for anymore that definitely tell us its COVID. It can literally be any respiratory symptoms, and many others as well - COVID can masquerade as any respiratory illness. Advertisement I have heard so many of my colleagues in the past week testing positive for COVID without any of the original symptoms we heard so much of during the peak of the pandemic. It can be really hard to distinguish whether it is coronavirus or what it might be instead. Advertisement Spread of COVID in India and around the world The news of the new symptoms comes at a time when COVID infections are on the rise in India as well as across the globe. In fact, last December, the World Health Organization (WHO) deemed the JN.1 strain as a variant of interest . Advertisement On Tuesday, India reported a total of 312 cases of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1, with about 47 per cent of them recorded in Kerala . Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) data reveals that 10 states and two Union Territories have so far detected the subvariant of the virus. They are Kerala (147), Goa (51), Gujarat (34), Maharashtra (26), Tamil Nadu (22), Delhi (16), Karnataka (eight), Rajasthan (five), Telangana (two), and Odisha (one). Advertisement And on Wednesday, the health ministry stated that the country had reported 602 fresh infections recorded in the past 24 hours. Moreover, five COVID-related deaths were also registered each in Karnataka, Punjab and Tamil Nadu, while two in Kerala. The rise in infections has prompted the Centre to issue an advisory to all states and Union Territories to maintain a constant vigil. Moreover, some states have issued new advisories to their citizens. For instance, Karnataka has mandated mask-wearing for those above the age of 60 and those with co-morbidities. Advertisement And on Thursday, Maharashtras COVID Task Force has advised people who test positive for COVID-19 to observe a home isolation of five days. And its not just India. Across the globe, there has been a rise in COVID infections, with most experts attributing it to the emergence of the JN.1 subvariant. In the United States, mask mandates in hospital have been reinstated in four states. Healthcare facilities in New York, California, Illinois and Massachusetts have made masks mandatory among patients and providers, owing to the surge in COVID cases. Advertisement Other parts of the world are also complaining of a rise in COVID infections. But experts, by far, arent particularly too worried. Caitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, had told the New York Times, Were not seeing the signs that would make me think that were heading into another severe wave. So far, were in relatively good shape. Advertisement Indian medical experts also concurred with this view, saying that the trajectory of cases didnt indicate a new wave. Dr Rajath Athreya, senior consultant and head of the department (paediatrics and neonatology), Sakra World Hospital, told The Hindu, Going by the global trajectory, we are unlikely to see another wave. However, we will have to wait and watch for the next few weeks after New Year to understand the intensity of the surge. Doctors have said that people must follow good hygiene practices such as hand-washing to prevent the spread of the virus. They have also said that taking the vaccine is a good way to protect oneself from the virus and asked that people test more for COVID. With inputs from agencies Iran has vowed to punish the culprits behind the twin blasts, which killed 95 people, during a ceremony to commemorate the death of military commander Qasem Soleimani. While Tehran has blamed Israel and the US for the explosion, analysts believe it could be the work of ISIS or other militant groups As people mourn their dead, and the injured are cared for, the guessing game of who was behind the blasts gain momentum. On Wednesday (3 January), at least 95 people were killed when back-to-back explosions occurred near the burial site of slain military commander Qasem Soleimani. In the aftermath of the blasts , Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed the terrorist attack would be met with a harsh response. The evil and criminal enemies of the Iranian nation once again created a disaster and martyred a large number of dear people in Kerman, Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said in a statement. This disaster will have a harsh response, God willing. Advertisement Irans president Ebrahim Raisi also issued a statement, saying, Undoubtedly, the perpetrators of this cowardly act will soon be identified and punished for their heinous act by the capable security and law enforcement forces. The enemies of the nation should know that such actions can never disrupt the solid determination of the Iranian nation. As Iran vows action, we try to decipher who exactly is responsible for the blast and how this incident risks igniting a regional war. Twin blasts in Kerman On Wednesday, twin blasts took place in the Iranian city of Kerman at a ceremony to commemorate the assassination of Qasem Soleimani , the head of Irans al-Quds force, who was killed in a US air strike four years ago. Advertisement Iranian media reported that while the first explosion was 2,300 feet (700 metres) from Soleimanis grave, and the second was 0.6 miles (1 kilometre) away as pilgrims visited the site. Irans interior minister Ahmad Vahidi was later quoted as telling the media that the first explosion happened at 3 pm local time while the second, more deadly blast, took place 20 minutes later, when other pilgrims came to help the injured. Advertisement Iranian state media showed large crowds running in the area after the explosion. Footage also showed bloodied bodies being transported from the scene, and ambulances leaving the site through large crowds. The blasts, killing 95 and injuring over 200 others, is the deadliest to strike Iran since its 1979 Islamic Revolution. A woman who was injured in the blast was later quoted as saying, I heard a very loud sound and then felt pain in my back then I could not feel my legs. Advertisement Tasnim media has reported that two briefcases loaded with explosives were placed at the entrance of the cemetery and were then detonated remotely. While no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, Irans authorities have dubbed it as a terrorist attack, with some even pointing the finger at Israel, and the United States. Advertisement Blame game over the blasts No single group or entity has claimed responsibility for the blasts. However, theres no shortage of possibilities. While many analysts believe it could be one of the many resistance groups that are present in Iran, some believe it could be an external force, such as Israel or the United States. Advertisement Some have even pointed the finger at Sunni jihadist groups like Islamic State (IS), who have carried out attacks on civilians and security forces in the country in recent years. However, on Thursday, Iran blamed the Israel and US for the blasts, with Iranian presidents political deputy, Mohammad Jamshidi, writing on X: Washington says USA and Israel had no role in terrorist attack in Kerman, Iran. Really? A fox smells its own lair first. Advertisement Make no mistake. The responsibility for this crime lies with the US and Zionist regimes (Israel) and terrorism is just a tool, he added. The US has categorically denied any involvement in the blast. In fact, a senior Biden administration official indicated that the blast had the hallmarks of a terrorist attack. I think its just based on the MO (modus operandi) it does look like a terrorist attack, the type of thing weve seen ISIS do in the past. And as far as were aware, thats kind of I think our going assumption at the moment, the official said. Advertisement US State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said at a press briefing that the US does not have any independent information about the explosions, and that the State Department has no reason to believe that Israel was involved. Separately, White House national security spokesman John Kirby also said the US had seen no indication that Israel was behind the blasts. Advertisement Other analysts also believe that the blasts didnt appear to be the work of Israel. One analysis said that the blasts causing mass casualty didnt fit with Israels modus operandi. A Sky News report further added that judging by the scale of explosions, it did not appear to be beyond the skill sets of many groups with operations inside the country. Advertisement Other experts have also said that Iran has a long history of battling various jihadist and other militant groups and this could be the handiwork of any of them. In fact, the ISIS has conducted large-scale attacks in the past that killed civilians in Shiite-majority Iran. For instance, it was the ISIS that was responsible for the attack at the Shahcheragh Shrine in the city of Shiraz in October 2022. Fifteen people had died when ISIS members had opened fire at the worshippers entering the shrine for prayers. Advertisement A tense moment for the region However, experts have stated that while theres no confirmation on whos behind the blasts, it will undoubtedly create greater instability across the region at what is already an extremely dangerous time. The timing of the blast, according to many, is important to note. It comes just a day after senior Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri was killed in Beirut. While Israel didnt confirm or deny their involvement in the incident, Hamas and Hezbollah blamed Israel and vowed revenge. In fact, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah issued a stern warning against Israel on Wednesday, saying, If the enemy thinks of waging a war on Lebanon, we will fight without restraint, without rules, without limits and without restrictions. We are not afraid of war, Nasrallah said, but did not issue a concrete threat. For now, he said, we are fighting on the frontline following meticulous calculations. Analysts observe that 2024 is now more tense for the region and it is important that calm thinking prevails among the leadership in the region. With inputs from agencies The month of January is also the month of Januhairy a campaign asking women to embrace body hair instead of removing it. Started out by a student in the UK in 2018, the movement has gained support worldwide. While some call it liberating, for others it is an attempt to redefine beauty standards The first month of the year January is about resolutions and transformation. Its about change. While some people sign up for gym memberships, others abstain from alcohol as a part of Dry January. But what if we tell you that some women are also growing out their body hair and giving their razors, epilators and tweezers a break this month as part of a larger campaign called Januhairy. Advertisement As women grow their hair, we go to the root of this movement and find out what exactly is Januhairy and whats the purpose behind it. Origins of Januhairy Januahairy started as a social campaign where women were asked to go au naturale and skip the waxing, threading and laser appointments. It is similar to Movember , which encourages men to grow moustaches to raise awareness of mens health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mens suicide. The idea behind Januhairy is Laura Jackson, a woman studying drama at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. She explained that in 2018, she started growing out her body hair for a performance as part of her drama degree and it opened her eyes to the taboo of body hair for women. Advertisement However, while she got used to her body hair, there were many around her who didnt understand why she wasnt shaving. And it was that feeling that translated into the origins of Januhairy. She took to her Instagram account and shared a picture of her unshaven underarms and urged other women from across the globe to join in. Advertisement Now six years later, Januhairy has become a worldwide phenomenon. Advertisement In fact, the campaigns official Instagram account boasts of over 42,000 followers and women post various pictures of their body with hair. Many women who have joined the campaign believe it offers them a freedom they have never felt before. For others, it is a way of defining their feminism. As one of the women wrote, I believe in my choice of shaving, When I Want to, Not Because: You think Im disgusting . I know a woman can be #sexy with #hairylegs or without. Also men are sexy with #hair or #nohair. Advertisement Reasoning behind Januhairy But what purpose does Januhairy serve? According to Laura Jackson, the brainchild of the campaign, Januhairy is about liberation of womens bodies. In a 2021 interview to Metro, she had said, Januhairy is liberating because it gets you thinking about the way you treat your body and why. Maybe soon well be at a point where people can just do what they want in relation to body hair and we wont even need to talk about it. That would be something. Advertisement She further added, Society seems to be behaving as if the natural hair we grow on our bodies is unattractive and distasteful. We are so used to removing our body hair that we are becoming unfamiliar with our authentic selves. And this statement does hold true. Professor Rebecca Herzig, author of Plucked: A History of Hair Removal, notes that more than 99 per cent of American women voluntarily remove their hair, and more than 85 per cent do so regularly, even daily. Advertisement A 2021 YouGov survey found that 59 per cent of Britons considered female armpit hair unattractive, with men and women largely holding the same view, at 57 per cent and 61 per cent respectively. If these numbers dont explain it, maybe this will put it in perspective. In 2019, the global hair removal products market size was valued at $4.01 billion and is expected to reach $4.94 billion in the next three years 2027. Advertisement Women, who participate in Januhairy say its one way of them reclaiming their body and re-establishing beauty norms. Even psychologist Carly Dober concurs with this view. Speaking to New Zealand Herald, she said, Body hair has been associated with masculinity, and therefore any women who show body hair that is not socially sanctioned, they are going outside the traditionally slim ideas of what women can be. Advertisement But as an increasing amount of women show off their body hair on social media, it sends out a powerful message because it goes against traditional beauty standards. And some experts also note that the site of the body hair also holds different levels of acceptability. Breanne Fahs, a professor of women and gender studies at Arizona State University, told CNN, Armpit hair continues to be labelled as the most disgusting or difficult for people to tolerate, adding, Underarm hair is the one that makes people really mad because its perceived as a greater violation of gender rules and traditional femininity than leg hair. Advertisement Celeb support And it seems that the notion of embracing body hair is being embraced by celebrities too. Way before Januhairy came into being, Julia Roberts sashayed on to the red carpet at the premiere of Notting Hill with underarm hair in 1999. In recent times, other celebrities like Amandla Stenberg and Miley Cyrus have also flaunted body hair on the red carpet. Advertisement For Jackson, the ultimate aim of Januhairy is to allow us to understand more about ourselves and from that understand each other more! With inputs from agencies Miraculous air disaster survivals, of the kind that saw all 379 Japan Airlines passengers and crew escape a wall of flames about to engulf their jet at Tokyos Haneda Airport, are extremely rare. Here are three other heroic air evacuations Japan Airlines Flight 516 exploded into flames after colliding with a Coast Guard jet as it landed. However, everyone survived, thanks to the cabin staff who swiftly assessed the situation and took all the right steps. They were quick in deciding which of the eight emergency exits were safe for use. Then, they issued short commands like leave your luggage and not this door, to direct the passengers, as they are trained to do. Advertisement Experts have hailed the crew s simple decision not to allow anyone to take their possessions, which proved to be the major factor behind the fast evacuation, with the last person escaping just before the aircraft was engulfed in flames on the runway. Such miraculous evacuations are extremely rare. I heard an explosion about 10 minutes after everyone and I got off the plane, 28-year-old Tsubasa Sawada told Reuters. I can only say it was a miracle, we could have died if we were late. Sadly, five of the six people on board the smaller aircraft which had been due to deliver aid to victims of the powerful New Years Day earthquake died. As the passengers escaped hell of Japan jet fireball, here are three other heroic air evacuations: Air France Airbus A340 survived runway overshoot in Toronto Advertisement On 2 August, 2005, an Air France Airbus A340 arriving from Paris overshot the runway and landed in a ravine just outside Torontos Lester B Pearson International Airport. All 297 passengers and 12 crew members were able to evacuate before a fire consumed most of the fuselage. The operation took under two minutes, with around 40 people suffering only minor injuries. Advertisement Officials praised the crew for the speedy evacuation, with the co-pilot singled out for checking the plane before exiting last and advising rescue crews. Miracle at Haneda Pilot Chesley Sullenberger was hailed as a hero in January 2009 for saving all 155 passengers and crew on US Airways flight 1549 by conducting a miraculously soft landing in the Hudson River. Advertisement The Airbus had just taken off from New Yorks LaGuardia airport for Charlotte in North Carolina when both engines stopped, apparently after a collision with birds. Following an extraordinarily skilful landing, frantic passengers scrambled out onto the airplane wings, the chilly river water lapping at their feet. Ferryboats steamed to the rescue as the aircraft slipped under the water. Advertisement New York governor David Paterson hailed the near-disaster as the Miracle on the Hudson. The story was made into the movie Sully starring Tom Hanks as the pilot. Antonov An-24 crash in Siberia On 27 June, 2019, a small Antonov An-24 aircraft overshot the runway by around 100 metres at Nizhneangarsk in eastern Siberia, crashing into a building before catching fire Advertisement The only female member of the cabin crew, Elena Laputskaya, managed single-handedly to evacuate the 43 passengers of the flight. She was decorated for her bravery by President Vladimir Putin. Laputskaya survived along with the co-pilot but the pilot and another crew member died. The plane belonging to the regional airline Angara was travelling from Ulan-Ude near the border with Mongolia. Advertisement With inputs from AFP South Koreas digital nomad visa lets foreigners who earn double its per capita gross national income of Rs 27 lakh and their families to stay for up to one year. Nearly half the countries in the world now offer such visas with Spain, Argentina, Romania, UAE, and Croatia popular destinations Are you a digital nomad? Do you enjoy working remotely while travelling to new and exciting destinations? South Korea has introduced a new visa for those wishing to enjoy a working holiday or workcation. But what is the digital nomad visa? Which other countries have it? Lets take a closer look: What is it? The visa is being issued by South Koreas justice ministry, as per Business Standard. Advertisement Foreign nationals who earn double South Koreas s per capita gross national income of $33,000 (Rs 27 lakh) can apply for the visa. They must also have a medical insurance cover of Rs 63 lakh and must be able to meet medical treatment and repatriation fees. Families of such individuals will also be granted such visas. The people who are awarded this visa cannot be hired by any company in South Korea to work or undertake any profit-making activity. While the visa will be issued for one year, it can be extended for another year. Advertisement Those in South Korea on temporary visas are also eligible. However, those on this visa cannot be employed by any company in South Korea or engage in any for-profit work. As per Mint, to be eligible for this visa you must have worked in your field for at least one year. You must also be above the age of 18 and have no criminal record. Advertisement You can apply for this visa at South Korean embassies around the world. This scheme is being implemented on a trial basis. The authorities will later take a final call on whether it is made permanent. The outlet quoted the ministry of justice as saying that the new visa would make it easier for foreigners to remote work while on vacation. Advertisement Remote workers earlier had to apply for tourist visas or keep their stays to 90 days. Which other countries have it? Nearly half the countries in the world now offer visas for digital nomads for up to one year, a new study by the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) shows. Khaleej Times, quoting from the study, revealed that: Advertisement 47 per cent of nations offer visas one year visas 39 per cent exempt digital nomads from taxes 17 per cent have no requirements for a minimum income 76 per cent of destinations have online application programmes 80 per cent of destinations process applications within one-month period Only six per cent of destinations have zero visa fees The study looked at such programmes in several areas including application process; duration of visa; taxation; insurance; accommodation; minimum income requirements; and criminal records check. It also examined the background and current state of digital nomadism trends. Which are the best places to go for digital nomads? As per CNBC, the Digital Nomad Visa Index ranked the top 10 countries for digital nomads as Spain Argentina Romania UAE Croatia Portugal Uruguay Malta Norway Andorra Spain allows digital nomads to stay in the country for up to one year. This, as long as they earn double of the countrys minimum wage per month which works out to around Rs 2.30 lakh. As per Timeout, you can apply for temporary residency after getting the digital nomad visa. Advertisement Portugal, which has been a go-to destination for years for digital nomads, has made several changes that have hurt its reputation. These include bringing its non-habitual resident regime, which allowed a tax reduction for 10 years to new residents regardless of nationality, to a close, as per CNBC. As per Timeout, Dubai has a long-term visa scheme for remote workers and their families. This lets you remain in the city for a year while employed with a firm abroad. Advertisement The visa itself costs $611 (Rs 50,000) not including medical insurance. Digital nomads must make at least $5,000 (Rs 4.16 lakh) per month. Croatia, meanwhile, is another exotic destination. To apply for a digital nomad visa, you must make ($2,520) Rs 2 lakh per month, be able to show proof of employment and health insurance. Advertisement Your country must also not be a member of the EU or EEA. Digital nomads can stay in Croatia for up to a year. With inputs from agencies Divya Pahuja, a model and ex-girlfriend of most-wanted gangster Sandeep Gadoli, has been murdered by a hotel owner and his aides in Gurugram. The incident unfolded this New Years Day, over five months after she was released on bail in connection with the alleged fake encounter of Gadoli in 2016 In a shocking turn of events, Divya Pahuja, a former model and ex-girlfriend of Haryanas most-wanted gangster Sandeep Gadoli, has been murdered by a hotel owner and his associates in Gurugram, police said. The gruesome incident unfolded this New Years Day, over five months after she was released on bail in connection with the alleged fake encounter of Gadoli in Mumbai in 2016. Advertisement The murder has raised suspicions of involvement by Gadolis aides. Lets take a closer look. Who was Divya Pahuja? Resident of Gurugrams Baldev Nagar, Divya Pahuja, 27, was a former model and one of the accused in the alleged fake encounter of her then-boyfriend and gangster Sandeep Gadoli. Pahuja was 18 when arrested by the Mumbai police on 14 July 2016. According to PTI, police had said that the 27-year-old model was used as a honey trap to lure Gadoli in at a Mumbai hotel near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, where he was later killed in a fake encounter with the police. The police claimed that she shared information about his whereabouts through her mother Sonia (also arrested in the case) with his rival Virendra Kumar, aka Binder Gujjar, and the Haryana police, leading to his killing on 6 February 2016, as per Hindustan Times. Advertisement Pahuja filed an application for a plea in January 2023, saying that she was willing to take the blame for informing the police about Gadoli in order to save her family as he had threatened to kidnap her father and then minor sister. According to Indian Express, she retracted the plea a few days later, claiming that her mental state had influenced her and that she had filed it under pressure. She also claimed that the six-year jail sentence had affected her. Advertisement Her bail pleas were denied five times before the Bombay High Court finally granted it in June 2023, citing the fact that she had already served six years in prison and that the trial would take some time to finish. The report stated Pahuja and other prisoners, among them former media executive Indrani Mukerjea, staged a protest in 2017 to call for the punishment of prison officials for allegedly assaulting an inmate who subsequently passed away. She also reported in 2018 that she had been assaulted by prison guards, but in 2022, she was confronted with accusations of bullying and running a prison gang from another inmate. Advertisement The murder On Tuesday night, five people took Divya Pahuja to a hotel in Gurugram and shot her in the head. The three arrested aides have been identified as Abhijeet Singh, a 56-year-old resident of Hisars Model Town; Omprakash, 23-year-old from West Bengals Jalpaiguri; and Hemraj, 28, from Nepal, reported Times Now. Advertisement Pahujas death came to light when her sister Naina went to the police, believing there had been foul play after her family was unable to get in touch with her. She reported to the officials that her sister had last been seen at a hotel in the city that was owned by 56-year-old Abhijeet Singh. Advertisement #WATCH | Haryana: Outside visuals of the Gurugram hotel where former model Divya Pahuja was allegedly murdered. pic.twitter.com/s9lbJ4cOux ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2024 Advertisement Bloodstains on the stairs were discovered by police when they arrived at the hotel late on Tuesday night. When the team looked through the CCTV, they saw two men dragging a body covered in a bedsheet down a corridor and loading it into a blue BMW. Advertisement When the police scanned the CCTV footage of the hotel, the crime was revealed. The matter has been documented, and an investigation is underway. The crime team is also looking into the matter, Superintendent of Police Mukesh Kumar told PTI. Three accused including the main accused were arrested on January 3. The accused have been identified as Abhijeet Singh (56), Hemraj (28) and Omprakash (23). A case was registered under relevant sections in Police Station Sector-14, Gurugram: Gurugram Police pic.twitter.com/d2jEHIuKoU ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2024 Advertisement According to an official, Singh allegedly paid the two guys 10 lakh to conceal the body in his BMW and deposit it in an unrecoverable location, as per NDTV. Advertisement The body has not yet been located by the police. Singh says he disposed of Pahujas body in the Punjab and Haryana border region, reported by Times Now. Singh admitted that Pahuja had been demanding money from him during the initial interrogation. He said that even after collecting a substantial amount, she refused to delete compromising pictures. He shot her dead in Hotel City Point apparently out of rage. Advertisement Singh revealed that on Tuesday night, he met her at a room in his hotel and tried deleting the photographs from her phone, but could not unlock the phone as it was password protected. This led to a heated argument, and Singh shot her dead, Hindustan Times quoted ACP Kumar as saying. Further investigation is ongoing, and the case will be presented in court for appropriate legal proceedings. The law, which took effect on 1 January, requires stores to maintain a gender-neutral section or area. Some experts say gender-neutral toys and parenting can help round out the development of children but others warn that some kids may not take well to such an approach California now requires major retailers to have gender-neutral toy aisles. The law, which took effect on 1 January, requires toy retailers to maintain a gender-neutral section or area to be labelled at the discretion of the retailer. But what do we know about the law? And what about the debate on gender-neutral toys, clothes and upbringing? Advertisement Lets take a closer look: What we know about the law As per CNN, the 2021 bill was introduced by California Assemblymember Evan Low. The bill was passed in September 2021 in a 49-16 vote. It was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in October 2021. As per NBC, the law does not mandate that stores remove boy or girl units but simply add sections that would apply to children of all genders. The law is aimed at retailers who have at least 500 employees in California. Advertisement Smaller stores have been exempted, as per NBC. As per National Review, the retailers can label the section in which a reasonable selection of the items and toys for children that it sells shall be displayed, regardless of whether they have been traditionally marketed for either girls or for boys at their discretion. Low claimed an eight-year-old girl who asked him why should a store tell me what a girls shirt or toy is? motivated him to introduce this bill. Advertisement Her bill will help children express themselves freely and without bias. We need to let kids be kids, Low said. it easier to compare similar items for sale at large retailers without reinforcing gender stereotypes that harm vulnerable children, Low was quoted as saying by NBC. Those that do not meet the mandate will face a $250 fine. Advertisement Repeated offenders will be fined as much as $500 for failing to meet the requirement. Some have come out in favour of the law. Like Aleameda toy store owner Helen Dean. Dean told ABC7 in December, Were not affected by the law but I saw yay! Its not called woke, its called American freedom. Advertisement If you look at the packaging you can see the evolution going from kids playing with toys to, Hey were going to sell this to a little girl and this is what she is going to want and we know, she added. Customer Angelica Guerrero added that the way we are feeding their minds and the materials we are choosing to use, it is narrowing their ideas and the ability to negotiate the world for them. Advertisement What about gender neutrality and the debate around it? The European Institution for Gender Equality defines gender neutrality as a policy, programme or situation that has no differential positive or negative impact in terms of gender relations or equality between women and men. According to the United We Care website, gender neutrality is defined as a way of thinking that rejects any ideas about being male or female. Advertisement Simply put, it sees no difference in how an individual is viewed as either male or female. Advertisement Gender neutrality also means observing peoples actions rather than their biological sex and treating people as individuals and not members of a larger group. To sum up, gender neutrality is a concept that applies to many different aspects of life, and it is a way to make things more inclusive, fair, and equal. Therefore, it is essential for us today to promote gender neutrality in all aspects of our lives, the website states. Some say gender-neutral toys will help fully round out a childs development. Advertisement If you want to develop childrens physical, cognitive, academic, musical, and artistic skills, toys that are not strongly gender-typed are more likely to do this, Judith Elaine Blakemore, author of Characteristics of Boys and Girls Toys was quoted as saying by Hercircle.in. Blakemore argues that toys that cater to either gender may cause traits to develop in children that may be counterproductive. Advertisement Girls, for example, may end up fixating on the need to be attractive. Boys, meanwhile, may focus on the need to be aggressive. Some parents have taken on gender-neutral parenting. Prerna Chhabra, a parent from Gurugram told IndiaTimes, We let Zoe play with dolls and action-hero figures. We try to balance everything by providing her with an equivalent so that she can decide what she wants to play with, said Advertisement Sanjeebani, a parent from Bangalore, told the outlet she is doing the same for her son Reyansh. The five-year-old is being raised without the prism of gender. She allows him to pick his clothes, choose his toys to play with, what stories he wants to hear. But the law and the concept have its critics. What do critics say? A BBC piece quoted a British psychotherapist Mark Vahrmeyer as saying that some children may not have a positive response to such parenting. In such a case, they may develop a conflict when it comes to gender identity. In such an instance, children can embrace gender stereotypes even more firmly. CNN quoted California Family Council president Jonathan Keller as saying, We should all have compassion for individuals experiencing gender dysphoria. But activists and state legislators have no right to force retailers to espouse government-approved messages about sexuality and gender. Its a violation of free speech and its just plain wrong. Its a little crazy. Sacramento seems so content on breaking down the distinctions and differences between men and women, boys and girls. Its not enough that we are having general-neutral bathrooms, were even having to extend that to the toy section, Keller told ABC7. I was really stunned, number one, because the author of the bill doesnt have any children, so he has no idea what its like to go to stores scrambling to try to find that toy for your childs birthday or Christmas, rush home to make dinner or take care of the family. He has no idea, so I was stunned that someone without children was so focused on controlling how I shop for my children, former California state Senator Melissa Melendez, a Republican, told Fox & Friends. There are some retailers who have already decided to start doing this, and thats probably how it should be, rather than the government trying to step in and co-parent with parents in California, Melendez said. Let retailers decide whats best for their customers and what their clientele want, but the last thing we need is for the state legislature in California to decide, Parents, this is how you need to shop for your children Its policies like these that are terrible for people living in California and in any other states are choosing to do this. We dont need the government trying to co-parent with us. Greg Burt, vice president California Family Research Council, added that the law violates the First Amendment. This is government-compelled speech, he said. The government is deciding to tell a religious person, could be a Muslim-owned business, that they have to use certain words to advertise toys, and those words might violate the belief systems of that particular Muslim-owned business. You got the government now dictating the signage in stores, about what words can be used to advertise products. This is opening a Pandoras Box. With inputs from agencies Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde created a stir by declaring that he is committed to the liberation of Haji Malang Dargah near Thanes Kalyan. The centuries-old shrine, which is claimed by both Hindus and Muslims, has been a bone of contention for long A political row erupted in Maharashtra after Chief Minister Eknath Shinde declared that he is committed to the liberation of the centuries-old Haji Malang Dargah. His remarks evoked reactions from other political leaders, with All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi accusing him of targeting the religious place of one particular faith. Advertisement Located on a hillock south of Kalyan in Maharashtras Thane district, the shrine is claimed by both Hindus and Muslims. What did Eknath Shinde say? Why is there a dispute over the centuries-old structure? Lets understand. Maharashtra CM stirs a row Addressing the Malanggad Harinam Mahotsav, a religious gathering, on Tuesday in Thane, Shinde brought up the longstanding dispute over Kalyans Haji Malang Dargah. I am aware of the deep-rooted beliefs you hold about Malang Gads liberation. Let me say. Eknath Shinde will not stay quiet till he fulfills your wishes, he said, as per Deccan Herald (DH). The Maharashtra CM also referred to his political mentor Anand Dighes role in the liberation movement of Malang Gad after which, he said, we started saying Jay Malang, Shri Malang. History of the centuries-old shrine Situated on the lowest plateau of Malanggad a hill fort on the Matheran hill ranges spanning the Thane-Raigad belt, the dargah was named after Haji Abd-ul-Rahman, a 12th-Century Sufi saint, according to an Indian Express report. Advertisement According to The Gazetteers of Bombay Presidency published in 1882, the shrine was built in honour of the Sufi saint from Yemen who was locally known as Haji Malang. He was believed to have come to India with several followers from the West Asian nation and settled in Malanggad during the reign of the local king, Nal Raja. Advertisement Local legends say that the king married off his daughter to the Sufi saint. The graves of both Haji Malang and Maa Fatima are inside the dargah premises, reported Indian Express. Row over the shrine The first communal tensions over the structure, which signifies the syncretic culture of Maharashtra, occurred in the 1980s when Shiv Sena leader Dighe started a protest, claiming it was located at the site of an old Hindu shrine belonging to Nath Panth, an order of yogis. He claimed the shrine belonged to Hindus as it was the site of a 700-year-old Machindranath temple, according to Indian Express. Advertisement In 1996, Dighe reportedly took the then state Chief Minister Manohar Joshi and some 20,000 Shiv Sainiks to the shrine to perform pooja on the occasion of Magh Purnima. Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray had also attended the pooja, the English daily noted. Since then, Sena and other Hindu right-wing groups have been calling the structure Shri Malang Gad. Advertisement While the shrine is still a dargah, several Hindus also offer prayers and perform aarti on its premises during full Moon day, reported Indian Express. The Pir Haji Malang Saheb Trust, which manages the dargah, has had members from both Hindu and Muslim communities. The stewardship of the dargah rests with a local Brahmin family. It is a syncretic shrine and historically people who are distressed and marginalised irrespective of their faiths visit the shrine, Rama Shyam, who has written a thesis on the dargah, was quoted as saying by Indian Express. Advertisement Reactions to Shindes remarks The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appears to have backed Shinde over the issue. When you evaluate religious sites, you need to see what was located there earlier. The government will look into the history of Malanggad and check its origins. We will take decisions based on that, Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Bawankule is reported to have said. Advertisement Anyone claiming that the dargah is a temple is doing it for political mileage, Chandrahas Ketkar, one of the two trustees of the three-member trust, told Indian Express. In 1954, the Supreme Court in a case related to control of the dargah within the Ketkar family had made observations stating that the dargah was a composite structure that cannot be governed either by Hindu or Muslim law, but only by its own special custom or by general law of trusts. Political leaders are raking it up now only to appeal to their vote bank and create a political issue, he added. Advertisement AIMIM chief hit out at the Maharashtra chief minister for reigniting the issue. He wrote in a tweet on X on Wednesday (3 January), Maharashtra CM & Deputy CM are openly celebrating criminal acts and inciting people to commit crime. This is the direct result of the civil & criminal Babri judgements. The judgements may have emboldened such acts. Men who have taken a constitutional oath feel no shame in targeting Muslim places of worship. Advertisement The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Sharad Pawar faction also targeted Shinde for making utterances just so to feed communal strife. Notably, Shinde had grabbed headlines earlier as well when he visited the disputed shrine last February, performed aarti and offered saffron chadar inside the premises. As per Times of India (TOI), political observers say that the CMs remarks are likely to set the tone for the campaign of his son Shrikant Shinde, who is an MP from Kalyan, in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Delhi has been fortified amid growing buzz that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be arrested in the liquor policy case. AAP leaders have expressed concern, but sources in the ED say that a fourth summons could be sent to him It could turn out to be a tumultuous day in Delhi. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is likely to be arrested today in the Delhi liquor policy case or so the leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) believe. The possibility of an arrest comes after Kejriwal refused to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in the case. This was the third notice to AAPs national convenor. He had earlier refused to appear before the agency on two summons issued for 2 November and 21 December. Advertisement We take a look at why there is talk of the Delhi CMs arrest and his links to the liquor policy case. Also read: What is the Delhi liquor policy case? The possible arrest of Arvind Kejriwal The buzz around Kejriwals arrest started on Wednesday night after several AAP leaders expressed concern that his house could be raided the following morning and that he could be held. AAPs national secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak wrote in a post on X just before midnight, Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal likely to be raided tomorrow early morning by ED. News coming out that ED is likely to raid and arrest Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal. In such eventuality request everyone to stay calm, he added. News coming out that ED is likely to raid and arrest Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal. In such eventuality request everyone to stay calm. Dr. Sandeep Pathak (@SandeepPathak04) January 3, 2024 Advertisement Similar posts were written by Minister Atishi and senior party leaders Saurabh Bhardwaj and Jasmine Shah. Atishi wrote, News coming in that ED is going to raid Arvind Kejriwals residence tomorrow [Thursday> morning. Arrest likely. Advertisement It is clear that they (BJP) want to finish Aam Aadmi Party and arrest Arvind Kejriwal before Lok Sabha elections He is ready to cooperate with the legal process. Till now, all summons served to him are illegal. From credible sources, we have got to know that a raid will be conducted and Arvind Kejriwal will be arrested, Shah said while speaking to the media on Thursday. Advertisement #WATCH | On Arvind Kejriwal, AAP leader Jasmine Shah says, "It is clear that they (BJP) want to finish Aam Aadmi Party and arrest Arvind Kejriwal before Lok Sabha elections...He is ready to cooperate with the legal process. Till now, all summons served to him are illegal. From pic.twitter.com/hxXoNQ9xA3 ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2024 Advertisement According to sources within AAP, roads leading to the Delhi CMs house have been blocked by the Delhi Police. Advertisement Sources in the police said that arrangements were made outside the ED headquarters for Wednesday. After social media posts by AAP leaders, the North district police made security arrangements outside Kejriwals residence. Staff members have alleged that they are not allowed to enter the house. Security has also been tightened outside the AAP office since Wednesday. Advertisement A senior Delhi Police officer, however, said the security was increased to manage the media personnel after the AAPs claim of a possible raid at the CMs house. No one from the CM staff has been stopped, another police officer said, terming the increase in the number of police personnel as general deployment. Advertisement Also read: Whats in store for AAP if Arvind Kejriwal is arrested? The skipping of summons Sources at the ED have said it is likely that the federal agency will issue a fourth summon to Kejriwal, reports CNN-News18. The AAP leader has skipped three summons so far. While Kejriwal has maintained that he was ready to cooperate with the probe in the liquor policy case, he has called the summons illegal. He has asked the ED to withdraw the summons and has refused to come for the interrogation. Advertisement He skipped the third summons citing Rajya Sabha polls, Republic Day preparations and the probe agencys non-disclosure and non-response approach as reasons for not appearing before it. In a letter addressed to the ED, the AAP leader also said that he would be happy to answer any questionnaire sent by it. Advertisement Now reports say that he will be on a three-day Gujarat visit from 6 January. While in Gujarat, the AAP chief will address his party workers and will also hold public meetings. There, Kejriwal also meet jailed AAP leader C Vasava and his family. Kejriwals links to the liquor case Delhis liquor sales policy was introduced in November 2021 but was later scrapped in July 2022. Advertisement Under the policy, the government had nothing to do with selling liquor and allowed only private shops to do so, breaking away from the norm in most states. The AAP government claimed that this would stop black marketing, increase revenue, and enhance consumer experience. The policy allowed liquor shops to stay open until 3 am, home delivery of alcohol and gave licensees the freedom to offer unlimited discounts. The AAP government reported a 27 per cent increase in income from the policy, generating around Rs 8,900 crore. However, trouble started brewing after a report in July 2022 submitted by Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena, a representative of the BJP-led central government, pointed to alleged procedural lapses in the formulation of the policy. According to the report, decisions taken by Manish Sisodia as excise minister led to financial losses to the exchequer estimated at more than Rs 580 crore. It alleged that kickbacks were received by the Delhi government and AAP leaders from owners and operators of alcohol businesses. This money was used to influence the Assembly elections held in Punjab and Goa in early 2022. The report was submitted to the CBI, which named Sisodia and 14 other accused in its first information report. Investigation into the probe reportedly uncovered fresh evidence with the agency now having grounds to question Kejriwal. The AAP arrests in the case AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are accused of corruption in the liquor case. Both leaders were arrested last year. In 2022, AAPs communications in-charge Vijay Nair was held. Sisodia had not been named in the chargesheet filed by the CBI until his arrest. The ED launched a separate probe in the case, alleging money laundering. It claimed that a liquor lobby the South Group paid at least Rs 100 crore in kickbacks to AAP for its Goa election campaign. Last year, the Supreme Court rejected Sisodias bail and stated that a money trail of Rs 338 crore was tentatively established in the case. It also said in October that if the trial proceeded sloppily, he will be able to apply for bail within three months. Singhs arrest came in October 2023. The ED filed a supplementary chargesheet, naming him as an accused, alleging his involvement in conspiracy, money laundering, and aiding the other accused. AAP vs BJP on Kejriwals possible arrest Once again, the AAP and BJP are trading barbs over the case. Delhi minister Saurabh Bhardwaj has accused the BJP of hatching a conspiracy to arrest Kejriwal so that he would not campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Talking to the media he asked, Why is he being summoned just before the polls? The Centre is hatching a conspiracy to arrest Kejriwal before the polls. AAPs chief national spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar told ANI, We are hearing it continuously that Arvind Kejriwal will be arrested. BJP leaders are saying such things. Three of our leaders are in jail for a long time without any evidence against them and for the sheer reason that BJP cant compete with Arvind Kejriwal in policies Absconders are those who join BJP to escape investigation and we have a fairly long list of such people. Hitting back at AAP, the vice president of BJPs Delhi unit, Kapil Mishra posted a video message on the Delhi CM on X. Arvind Kejriwals attitude is like that of a professional criminal. Running away from investigation and playing the victim card. By running away from investigation, Kejriwal is insulting the law and the Constitution. Such behaviour does not suit the CM of Delhi. With inputs from agencies Nepalese Energy Minister Basnet said that the deal to export 10,000 MW of electricity in the next 10 years would take the relations between the two countries to new heights. Kathmandu and New Delhi signed a long-term agreement on electricity trade, outlining Nepals commitment to export 10,000 megawatts of electricity to India over the next decade. The signing ceremony was attended by Nepals Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Shakti Bahadur Basnet. Gopal Sigdel, Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, and Indias Energy Secretary Pankaj Agrawal signed the agreement on behalf of their respective countries. Advertisement The bilateral understanding on electricity exports was reached during Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahals visit to India from May 31 to June 3, last year. During the visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed Indias commitment to long-term electricity purchase from Nepal and both nations reached a consensus in this regard. The Council of Ministers in India has already endorsed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached between the two neighbours in this regard. The agreement was signed during the ongoing two-day visit of External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar, starting Thursday. Further, by virtue of this agreement, various government and private entities in India will engage in power trade with Nepal through short-term, medium-term, and long-term contracts. Private sectors in Nepal can also participate in the import and export of electricity after completing the necessary procedures. In the joint statement issued during the visit of the Nepalese PM to India last year, the premiers of both nations said the power export deal was historic and significant. Advertisement Nepal has already devised an energy development strategy with the objective of producing 28,000 MW of electricity in the next 12 years. Of the 28,000 MW of power, a target has been set to export 15,000 MW of electricity to different countries, including India. Earlier, a delegation led by the Indian Energy secretary paid a courtesy call to Nepalese Energy Minister Basnet. Advertisement Expressing happiness over the start of a meaningful cooperation between the two countries in the energy space, Basnet pointed to the need for taking it to a logical conclusion. He stated that the deal to export 10,000 MW of electricity in the next 10 years would take the relations between the two countries to new heights. The Energy minister urged Indian officials to accelerate other projects and complete them within the stipulated time while voicing hope of further investment in large projects across sectors. The 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum will take place at Davos-Klosters from 15 to 19 January, 2024 A host of world leaders and senior government officials will congregate at the snow-laden picturesque Swiss resort town Davos from 15 to 19 January, 2024 for the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF). From India, IT and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani are expected to attend Davos 2024 meeting. Advertisement All the three Union ministers have attended the WEF meeting in Davos earlier also. Also, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are expected to attend the annual meeting. Shinde was also in Davos in 2023 for the annual meeting and his state Maharashtra had one of the biggest pavilions there, while Siddaramaiah will be there to represent Karnataka. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das, Indias G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant are also expected to be in Davos for the annual gathering. Some ministers from Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana may also attend the meeting. Over 100 Indian business leaders, including Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, Kumar Mangalam Birla, N Chandrasekaran, Sajjan Jindal, Sunil Mittal, Rishad Premji and Adar Poonawalla are expected to attend WEF at Davos. Advertisement Heads of at least three PSUs - State Bank of India (SBI), National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Indian Oil are also expected to attend WEF 2024 meeting. Several Indian companies will have their pavilions in the Alpine resort town, alongside those of various ministries and state governments in addition to a central India lounge, previously known as India Adda. Advertisement The main programme of WEF Annual Meeting is expected to comprise some India-focused sessions while the government and business leaders from India would also hold their own side-events as well as bilateral meetings. Apart from Indian government officials and business leaders, more than 50 heads of states and governments from across the world are expected to attend the five-day annual WEF meeting, which describes itself as an international organisation for public private cooperation committed to improving the state of the world. Advertisement WEF 2024 Theme The theme of the 54th WEF annual meet is Rebuilding Trust. This year WEF meet aims to restore collective agency, and reinforce the fundamental principles of transparency, consistency and accountability among leaders. With inputs from agencies Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Javid Ahmad Matoo, a resident of Jammu and Kashmirs Sopore, had travelled to Pakistan many times Wanted Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Javid Ahmad Matoo was caught in Delhi on Thursday. He was carrying a bounty of Rs 5 lakh. Matoo, a resident of Jammu and Kashmirs Sopore, was arrested by the special cell of Delhi Police. He had also been to Pakistan many times. He is accused of carrying out at least 11 terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and was among the top 10 targets in the Valley on the list of security agencies. Advertisement The police team recovered a pistol, magazine and a stolen car from Matoo. Ahead of Independence Day last year, a video went viral showing Matoos brother hoisting the Tricolour at his home in Sopore. As per reports, the Delhi Police, a few days ago, received information that Matoo would be traveling to Delhi-NCR to collect arms and ammunition. Acting on the tip-off, security was enhanced and sources keeping a close eye on sleeper cells and weapon suppliers were asked to remain alert. The cops were also informed that Matoos Pakistan-based handler would be coordinating the delivery of arms and ammunition, and he was planning to carry out terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir. With inputs from agencies On 28 December, 2023, the Court of Appeal in Qatar commuted the death sentence handed down to eight former Indian Navy personnel and sentenced them to prison for varying durations India has the order by a Qatar court that commuted the death sentence of eight former Indian Navy personnel, the Ministry of External Affairs said Thursday, adding that it is confidential and the legal team is working on it. During a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the ex-India Navy personnel are no longer on death row. All have got varying sentences, he added. Advertisement Jaiswal further said there is 60 days time to appeal the case before the Court of Cassation, highest court. The legal team has the order of the court, which is confidential. 60 days are there to appeal to the highest court of QatarWe are in touch with the family members and the legal team, Jaiswal said. #WATCH | On Qatar court's verdict commuting death sentence of 8 Indian ex-Navy personnel, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "...The legal team has the order of the court, which is confidential. 60 days are there to appeal to the highest court of Qatar...We are in touch with pic.twitter.com/MdqgNEWIOy ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2024 Advertisement On 28 December, 2023, the Court of Appeal in Qatar commuted the death sentence handed down to the Indians and sentenced them to prison for varying durations. Advertisement It is learnt that the prison terms handed to the former Indian Navy personnel range from three years to 25 years. The verdict came weeks after the family members of the Indians filed an appeal against the earlier order by another court. The Navy veterans were on 26 October, 2023, given death sentences by Qatars Court of First Instance. Advertisement India had filed an appeal before an appellate court in Qatar which was accepted in November last year. According to reports, these ex-naval officers include some highly-decorated personnel who once commanded Indian warships. Several of these officers retired with the rank of commander from the Indian Navy. The eight veterans have been identified as Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Commander Purenendu Tiwari, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Amit Nagpal and Sailor Ragesh Gopakumar. Advertisement These former Navy officers were employed by a Qatar company named Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services to provide training and services such as logistics and equipment maintenance to the Qatari Emiri Navy. They had been working with the company for the last four to six years. The eight former Navy officers were picked up by Qatars intelligence agency State Security Bureau on 30 August 2022, The Indian embassy in Doha apparently learnt about the arrest only in mid-September. Advertisement The officers in custody were allowed to talk to their families on the phone at the end of September, while in early October, they were visited by an official of the Indian embassy. The next consular access was provided in the first week of November. The first hearing in their trial began in March 2023. Their bail pleas were turned down multiple times and their detention was extended by Qatari authorities. Advertisement All eight ex-officers were previously in solitary confinement. However, in August this year, they were shifted to cells shared by two officers each in Doha. After the death sentence verdict in October last year, India had said it was deeply shocked and would explore all legal options. With inputs from agencies Multiple accounts from rights bodies have alleged that nearly 8,000 Balochis have been subjected to enforced disappearance at the hands of the Pakistan Army-led security establishment, even as the Baloch groups claim the number to be considerably higher Recently, Pakistans security establishment tried to shatter the clamour of Baloch protestors by charging on their protest site in the national capital of Islamabad on 21 December, 2023, even as hundreds were detained. Among the demonstrators were relatives, predominantly women and children, seeking the whereabouts of victims of enforced disappearance and alleged staged encounters orchestrated by Pakistani state security forces. Advertisement This was followed by masked men, believed to be from Islamabad police, raiding the protest site on the intervening night of 26 December to evict the protestors at gunpoint . This was the latest chapter in the distressing saga of the protestors, organised under Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), since 23 November, 2023, following the staged encounter of four Baloch youth in the Southern Turbat region. With the increasing cases of forced disappearance and staged encounters, the BYC launched a march to Islamabad from Turbat to press their demands of halting extrajudicial killings by state agencies and holding the perpetrators accountable, on December 6, reaching Pakistans capital on December 20. The catalyst for this latest outcry was the grim fate of Balach Mola Bakhsh, abducted by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of Balochistan Police from his home in Turbat on 29 October, 2023. Balachs detention without due process for 22 days, with a First Information Report (FIR) registered on 20 November, culminated in his killing during a staged encounter on 23 November, 2023, along with three others, including Saif, Shakoor, and an unidentified individual, portrayed by the CTD as members of a proscribed Baloch insurgent group. Incidentally, whereas Saif was reported to have been abducted from his grocery store on 1 August, Shakur son of Noor Jan, was arrested on 25 June from his home in the Tamp area. Advertisement What is more distressing is how the calls for an impartial investigation were throttled by the administration, with the security establishment coercing the family members into withdrawing their calls for justice. For instance, Najma Balach, sister of the slain Balach Bakhsh, was detained in an attempt to strongarm her family into ending the protests, which had refused to bury the slain pending a fair investigation and bringing the perpetrators to justice. This, despite the fact, that the interim prime minister of Pakistan, Anwarul Haq Kakkar, and chief justice of Pakistan happen to be from the province, and all this is unleashed under their watch and acquiescence given their silence. Advertisement The extra-judicial killing of Balach and others refocussed the decades long modus operandi of the Pakistani state agencies which have engaged in egregious human rights violations including enforced disappearances, staged encounters, torture and rape, among others, in Balochistan. Rights activists have accused the Pakistan Army of following abduct, kill and dump policy wherein missing persons are abducted, kept under their custody, and then killed, their bodies dumped anywhere in any condition, only to be found by a citizen. In the entire situation, those who have been killed are attempted to be passed off as having links with terrorist organisations. Advertisement The mineral resource rich region remains one of the most militarised regions of Pakistan with an intricate surveillance grid in place as the state engages in resource exploitation. The actions of the Pakistani security establishment are demonstrative of its legacy of staging fake encounters, with the extrajudicial killing of Bugti tribe head Nawab Akbar Bugti, influential Baloch leader who had served as a Federal Minister of State Defence and provincial governor, in 2005 as a case in point. Multiple accounts from rights bodies have alleged that nearly 8,000 Balochis have been subjected to enforced disappearance at the hands of Pakistan Army led security establishment, even as the Baloch groups claim the number to be considerably higher. In its 2011 report, Human Rights Watch accused Pakistan Army of carrying out broad daylight public abduction of Baloch people. Advertisement However, this is a legacy of the Pakistan Army which has relied on repressive means to ensure its political dominance. As such, this legacy of repression extends well beyond Balochistan, stretching to the harrowing events of Bangladeshs independence struggle in 1971, along with continued suppression in Sindh and the tribal hinterland of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (former North-West Frontier Province and Federally Administered Tribal Agency). Further, it has a history of rewarding the likes of Butcher of Bengal and Balochistan, and Butcher of Palestinians ever since its creation in 1947. Advertisement For instance, Pakistan Army stands accused of inflicting genocidal violence on Bengalis in its former East Pakistan province killing hundreds of thousands of Bengalis. The Bangladeshi government claims nearly 3 million people were killed by the Pakistan Army during the its liberation war, along with subjecting 2,00,000 to 4,00,000 women to sexual violence. General Tikka Khan, notorious as the Butcher of Bengal, orchestrated Operation Searchlight which started on March 25, 1971, has the infamous distinction of overseeing the killing of over 10,000 Bengalis in a single day on 20 May, 1971 in Chuknagar, Khulna, in what came to be known as the Chuknagar massacre. Interestingly, instead of putting him on trial, the Zulfikar Ali Bhutto-led Pakistani government rewarded him with the appointment as the first Chief of Army Staff (COAS) in 1972. Advertisement As Pakistan Army chief, General Tikka Khan also oversaw a violent military campaign from 1974 onwards against Baloch nationalists, including ruling the National Awami Party, who sought provincial autonomy and greater control over the resources. Tikka Khans ruthless campaign against Baloch nationalists, leading to the deaths of thousands, 160,000 by many accounts, earned him yet another moniker as the Butcher of Balochistan, aside from his previous infamous distinction as the Butcher of Bengal. Advertisement Despite his grim legacy, Tikka Khans ascent to prominent political positions post-retirement, such as National Security Advisor (NSA) to prime minister Zulfikar Bhutto in 1976 and Governor of Punjab under PM Benazir Bhutto in 1988, illustrates the entrenched patterns of rewarding military loyalists in Pakistan and by extension Pakistani militarys continued dominance over the civilian institutions. It would not be wrong to ascribe these actions of the countrys entrenched military establishment for its continued instability, including its bifurcation in 1971 with the fall of Dhaka and birth of Bangladesh, along with continued secessionism calls from multiple ethnic groups in Balochistan, Sindh and tribal regions. Advertisement Likewise, the selective amnesia within Pakistans narratives becomes evident when juxtaposed against their proclaimed advocacy for global causes, such as championing the Palestinian struggle. As such, it is laughable when the Pakistani government starts championing as the prime advocate of Palestinians and their right to self-determination struggle against Israelis. However, this narrative conveniently obfuscates the Pakistani Armys involvement in the ruthless obliteration of Palestinian resistance forces during the Black September violence in Jordan in 1970, perpetuated under General Ziaul Haqs guidance. General Zia oversaw the killing of 20,000-25,000 Palestinians across the refugee camps in Jordan, which forced hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees out of the Hashemite Kingdom. Interestingly, despite his credentials as the junior-most in line to the COAS position to succeed General Tikka Khan, it was his ruthlessness as the military administrator and potentially his role in securing King Husseins Jordanian throne that earned him the topmost position. This also paved the way for his coup within a year of his appointment, unleashing an era of ruthless Islamisation of Pakistani state institutions and positioning the Pakistani Army in the driving position of Pakistani politics by expanding its economic interests. Advertisement As such, this pattern of rewarding the highest levels of brutality across the ranks should be seen as a carte blanche for its track record, which has been marked by abrasive human rights violations, coercive measures, and a legacy of silencing dissent. These are also the factors that have historically fuelled separatist sentiments and contributed to its continued instability. As such, the current protests by the Baloch people against the Pakistan Armys recurring pattern of conducting extrajudicial killing in the hinterland of the country should be seen in this light. The onus comes on the Pakistani civil society, if at all there is one, to stand behind these marginalised communities, stop questioning the victims of state terror and start demanding the accountability of the forces that are at the helm of establishment. Advertisement The writer is an author and columnist and has written several books. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect_Firstposts views._ Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram . Leaving out internal politics, 2023 proved to be a good year for India, from all angles economic, geopolitical, foreign policy and even aspirational esteem. Leading the bandwagon of positive developments was the economy which continues to be the fastest-growing in the world, barely two years after the pandemic-ridden downturn. At 7.3 per cent growth and $3.732 trillion GDP ($13.119 trillion- PPP 2023), it remains the fifth largest economy of the world. The single-minded focus of the Indian government has correctly been on conflict avoidance, no unnecessary involvement in geopolitical wrangling, yet secure borders and balanced relationships which can sustain crises. This has ensured steady growth without obstacles. Its the model that Chinas Deng Xiao Ping followed from 1978, by toning down rhetoric, establishing stable borders, a distinct lack of aggressiveness, with advancement in capability through technical education and the modernisation of agriculture and technologies. China followed that for several years before adopting its aggressive stance of today. Advertisement The year 2023 witnessed the repositioning of India after the pandemic, shedding some of the reticence and loss of faith that may have entered in the system due to the setbacks in the economy and the manufacturing sector in India. There was sufficient confidence for the nation to launch its own Chandrayaan-3 in a moon exploration mission placing India among the few nations with a successful space exploration programme which gave a boost to the confidence of the scientific community. It is that confidence which will continue to hold good as we look at the technological transformation in AI, cyber, quantum and other technologies. Its in the domain of G20 where India scored maximum brownie points in creating a niche position. The ability to steer a draft resolution without any negative references to the war in Ukraine was an achievement in deft diplomacy. The ability to position itself as the voice of the Global South was another achievement. India made strong interventions in strengthening the Global South, including through the African Union becoming a permanent member of the grouping and by triggering concrete action-oriented, G20 outcomes for the Global South. By introducing the 13th vertical in the agenda through the inclusion of disaster risk reduction India gave a firm direction to concern for disasters, particularly risk financing, infrastructure and early warning. Advertisement Before dwelling on some key geopolitical aspects which proved challenging its also important to mention the range of activities from a civilisational angle. The G20 motto of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam sought to internationalise a core idea of Indian humanism. A human-centric global system, the idea of sustainable development, research on climate resilient grains, the Global Initiative for Global Health, our success in developing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and One Future Alliance to implement DPI are important too. While 2023 had the vehicle of G20 to position India as a leader in much of this we have to seek similar avenues to maintain a continuum in 2024. Advertisement In geopolitics, the developing strategic partnership with the US continued but with a few small hiccups. It has come a long distance since 2005 when the first signals of cooperation in the military field were mooted and the threat from a rising China was just beginning to be felt. The US does not wish to confront China in open conflict on Taiwan or any other issues but is ensuring its linkages are well established so that a range of options would always be available should a confrontation be inevitable. India remains one of the most important elements in that strategy. The relationship has sequentially emerged with the development of trust and greater engagement. Obstacles do emerge from time to time to cause erosion in the strength of the partnership, such as all the issues concerning Indias strong relationship with Russia once the Ukraine war got underway. On this India maintained a largely neutral stance based on interests and has even had all economic contacts with Russia, including in the field of energy, despite US sanctions. Advertisement While the US may have made conciliatory gestures towards Pakistan to pressurise India the latter has stuck to its interests-based stance. The prime ministers visit to the US was a runaway success. India and the US launched a new initiative to drive cooperation in hi-tech across seven areas, with a focus on removing barriers and export controls standing in the way of enhanced collaboration. The move is part of the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) and envisages closer cooperation between private industry, researchers and academia of the two sides. AI and quantum computing, advanced materials, defence, semiconductors, next-generation telecommunications, biotech and space were some of the areas in which discussions commenced in 2023. The momentum will have to continue in 2024. Advertisement Jammu and Kashmir ceased to be an issue in international affairs due to some deft handling but resurgent attempts by Pakistan at finding relevance will continue. There are various traps that Pakistan can set for us to attempt derailing the achievements of better integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India. The current run of events in the Pir Panjal region bears the potential of spreading more discontent and expanding the grey zone in Jammu and Kashmir during 2024, an important year from a political standpoint. Advertisement In the Middle East Indias stance has been to remain in cooperation with Israel without letting up on the excellent relationships it enjoys with the Gulf kingdoms. It has worked well as long as there was nothing drastic which could alter the Arab-Israeli relationship. The war with Hamas which commenced on 7 October 2023 has forced us to straddle and things are currently under control with the majority of the Arab nations also ranged against Hamas although in a guarded way. However, this is not sustainable because Israels overkill doctrine in its assault on Gaza could progressively bring many Arabs together and potentially the OIC too, more stridently against Israel. Advertisement The Indian approach supports the two-state theory which finds resonance in most of the Middle East. We will need to ensure that balance is retained through visits, one-off statements and institutional empathy. India has also handled its relationship with Iran with balance. What has been sowed in 2023 by the Israel-Hamas war is the seeds for the return of global terror in unpredictable forms. The sorry plight of Palestinians, Hamas and potentially Hezbollah militancy will give an impetus to the ideological simmering which had gone comparatively low-key after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the decline of Islamic State (Daesh) and the focus taken away by the Ukraine war. The effects on India need to be reassessed from time to time. Advertisement The neighbourhood is a zone from which our focus can be lifted only at our peril. Maldives appears temporarily lost but its compulsions are too many as far as its dependence on India is concerned. We have to only unruffle some ideological feathers to re-establish better ties. Sri Lanka is a better cry than some years ago, thanks to the generous economic packages India has given to bail it out. Its Bangladesh which is far too significant and where we have largely been at a loss to establish relations with credible alternatives. An upcoming election in 2024 could prove to be decisive in our future relationship with Dhaka. Sources do indicate the feasibility of the US attempting to play different cards in Bangladesh to boost alternative political elements, for the sake of countering China. The short-term effect of such a policy would be inimical to our interests. Advertisement At the end of 2023, a most significant visit by the Indian External Affairs Minister was underway instead of the annual summit with Russia. India needs the US, but it equally needs Russia, a nation with whom we have experienced a reliable relationship. The US secures its interests against China by befriending and maintaining strong contacts with India. India does the same, the only difference here is that we need to do so with two nations both Russia and the US. It is now clearly established that friendship with only one is furthest from Indian interests. Advertisement The writer is a Member of the National Disaster Management Authority. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram . Israels long-standing security doctrine crumbled in the face of the Hamas attack on 7 October. Its intelligence and military institutions were unable to keep citizens safe. The attention of the West once again shifted to the Middle East towards the Palestinian cause and Russia-Ukraine conflict is no longer dominating the front pages. Advertisement This war is of a different scale and significance than many previous rounds of violent confrontation in the region, and that will have reverberations throughout the Middle East. The ramifications of this attack and Israels response can no longer be localised or confined to the region and will affect Europe, West Asia, the Indo-Pacific, and South Asia. There is an interplay of conflict taking place, and the US is now confronted with engagements both in Ukraine and Gaza and has to manage the consequent chaos. War aims Hamas was probably encouraged by the impression that Israels internal political crisissparked by extensive protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus proposal to curtail the power of the Israeli Supreme Courthad diverted attention from Gaza and significantly undermined Israels social cohesion and military preparedness. This probably led a previously constrained Hamas to challenge the existing Israeli balance of power. Advertisement Hamas fundamental aspiration was to inflict harm on Israel and undermine the Jewish State. But Israeli intelligence and decision-makers had felt that Hamass responsibilities in Gaza had tempered its extremism. Hamas encouraged this misperception, posing as a reliable actor and warning of escalation if Israel did not allow funding from Qatar to arrive in Gaza and did not permit more Gazan workers in Israel. Advertisement Over the years there have been viewpoints regarding being a terror organisation or a governance organisation. Al-Omari, who served as an Advisor to the Palestinian negotiating team during the 1999-2001 permanent-status talks, has said: What we saw on October 7 is that ultimately, [terror> seems to be part of their DNA. Using terror and violence for achieving political means won the debate within Hamas. Advertisement In the past decade, the IDF has succeeded in mitigating two central threats from Gaza: Rocket attacks (which Israels Iron Dome defence system intercepts) and tunnels infiltrating Israeli territory (which were neutralised by an underground anti-tunnel barrier that Israel completed along the border with Gaza in 2021). But Israel failed to imagine an aboveground invasion and did not reinforce defences around Gaza in proportion to Hamas growing military capabilities. Advertisement The Hamas ultimate war aims are possibly the destruction of Israel and the retention of power in Gaza. Hamas will exert a total effortdiplomatically, economically, politically, and militarilyin order to win or not lose. Hamas obviously views its existence as vital; however, the question being asked is whether this is the view held by the majority of the Gaza populace, whom Hamas is offering as human shields. Because Hamas views the Israeli war aims as unlimited, with its complete destruction as Israels goal, it will try to convince the people of Gaza that this translates to their destruction as well. Advertisement Accordingly, Hamas will try to convince its Arab neighbours that any attack on Hamas is an attack against Islam and the Palestinian people. Hamas and its supporters will use the media to foster the image. Israel: End of status quo From the moment Hamas broke through Israels security barrier with the Gaza Strip on 7 October and began its rampage, it was clear that Israel would never be the same. Israel cannot return to the status quo that existed. Israelis were forced to confront the reality of many of the assumptions that had long guided Israeli policy toward the Palestinians. The states policy of blockading Gaza had failed to make them safe. The governments calculation that it could lure Hamas into pragmatism, whether by allowing Qatari funding for Hamas or by giving work permits for Gaza labourershad lured Israel into complacency. And the belief that most threats from Hamas could be neutralised by high-tech surveillance, deep underground barriers, and the Iron Dome missile defence system had proved wrong. Advertisement Its task now is to bring all the hostages back home and to make it impossible for Hamas and other adversaries, notably the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, to carry out further terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens or pose direct threats to their security. In order to bring the hostages back Israel entered into a ceasefire which brought a halt in their momentum of attack and disrupted the tempo of operations but the ceasefire though extended only has so far seen 105 hostages released from Hamas captivity in Gaza which includes 81 Israelis, there are reports that 137 hostages still remain. Advertisement Israels national security doctrine was initially crafted in the mid-20th century under the countrys first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion. Over the decades, it has been updated to include four main pillars: Deterrence, early warning, defence, and decisive victory. In the wake of Hamass attack, Israel has come to see that it cannot coexist with a jihadi Islamist state at its doorstep in Gaza. The era of intermittent cycles of fighting and cease-fires in Gaza is over. What will replace it is a continuous, protracted military campaign, driven by Israels paramount security interests and an unwavering commitment to the safe return of the hostages being held by Hamas. Advertisement However, in the wake of public opinion the world over following Israels military action and bombing of Gaza, there is an outcry against further loss of innocent lives. The question that needs to be answered is: Can the world move beyond the revolving pattern that has become apparent over the past two decades? That is support for Israel to defend itself at the onset of a conflict, followed by mounting international and domestic pressure on leaders for a ceasefire and diplomatic solutions, and Israels withdrawal before the completion of its objectives. Advertisement Israels perceived strategy If devastation is the goal, Israels military campaign in the Gaza Strip has been a resounding success. Israeli air and ground operations have killed some 20,000 Palestinians, many of them children, according to Gazas Hamas-run Health Ministry. Much of Gaza lies in ruins, with the United Nations estimating that almost 20 percent of the territorys prewar structures have been destroyed. More than half of Gazans are experiencing severe hunger, unemployment has risen to 85 percent, and disease is spreading. Advertisement But an effective Israeli strategy demands the integration of several interrelated, parallel endeavoursmilitary, civilian, and politicalexecuted methodically within a structured framework, which must be continually realigned with the expectations of the Israeli public and combined with a diplomatic campaign that will secure the assistance and support that the country will need from allies and partners. The broad policy/strategic objectives of operations in Gaza could be: A stable Gaza, with a broad-based government that renounces the use of terrorism to threaten Israel or the Israeli people. The outcomes in Gaza should convince or compel other countries in the region to cease support to terrorists. Finally, a restoration process to reach an agreement with Saudi Arabia to normalise relations with Israel, and an expansion of the Abraham Accords. If these are the broad strategic objectives, the military objectives of operations in Gaza, which follow, are to destabilise, isolate, and destroy Hamas and provide support to a new, broad-based government in Gaza. This includes destroying Hamass military capability and infrastructure. It must aim at protecting Israel from Gaza-based threats and attacks. Finally, the aim is to destroy Hamas and its supporting nations terrorist networks, gather intelligence on regional and global terrorism, capture or kill terrorists and war criminals, and free hostages detained by the Hamas regime. Not a single finite objective Israels war in Gaza differs from conventional conflicts in that there is not a single finite objective. There is no invading force to be expelled, no territory to be conquered, no dictator to be toppled. Israel seeks to destroy Hamas, capturing or killing its leaders, shattering its military capacity, and ending its power in Gaza. It seeks the release of the hostages who remain alive. It wants to prevent another attack, particularly by Hezbollah, Irans proxy in Lebanon. It wants to maintain international support, especially from the United States, and safeguard the diplomatic gains it has made with Arab countries in recent years. It also needs to rebuild the trust in security institutions that the public questioned after the attacks. Israel has hit Hamas hard, inflicting a devastating toll in Gaza but is paying a heavy price in terms of international support. It therefore must focus on reducing civilian casualties and targeting Hamass leaders more than destroying the groups broader military forces and infrastructure. That is imperative, as it is vital for it to have continued US support and public opinion in US matters. Israel can survive with corroding European ties and increasing criticism from Arab states, but it cannot afford to lose American support. Conducting high-intensity military operations in urban areas while trying to free prisoners is exceptionally difficult. Hamas not only places its forces among civilians, it also uses hostages as shields. Friendly fire and bombing by the Israelis have undoubtedly killed some hostages. As military operations continue, Israel will likely be able to liberate some of those kidnapped, but it will also lose many in the fighting. Palestinian frustrations The initiation of violence by Hamas was triggered by the deep frustrations the Palestinians felt towards their plight. Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas leader, has been quoted in the The New Yorker magazine saying: We rolled down all of the pathways to get some of our rights not all of them. We knocked on the door of reconciliation and we werent allowed in. We knocked on the door of elections and we were deprived of them. We knocked on the door of a political document for the whole world we said, We want peace, but give us some of our rights but they didnt let us in. He added, We tried every path. We didnt find one political path to take us out of this morass and free us from occupation We spoke to the Americans, Europeans and all of the people in order to achieve the Palestinian peoples rights, without any benefit. Nothing has been achieved towards the idea of two states, from 1948 until today. We are a people under occupation. We tried every path; we did not find one path to take us out of our morass. Hamas designed its attack to bring the Palestinian issue to the front, an overreaction from Israel would undermine international sympathy for Israel, stoke an uprising in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and rally support for Hamas, notably from Iran and Hezbollah. Has Israel played into Hamas hands by the scale of its response, which was inevitable? There is, of course, a school of thought that feels that the intensity of the Israeli reaction was necessary to prevent other non-state actors from joining in. But social media has also had a comparable effect on terrorism. Hamas is now on a similar footing with Israel in its ability to project its own narrative about the war. Conclusion The attacks on 7 October have no doubt revealed the terrible failure of the idea that the Palestinian political question could be sidelined indefinitely without any cost to Israel. There had been no Israeli-Palestinian negotiations on a final status peace deal for years, even as Israel pursued normalisation with a growing number of Arab states. Over the course of more than two decades, the right-wing parties dominating the Israeli political scene had promised voters that the country was more secure than it would be under any other policy, and the majority of voters agreed. But Hamas attack has crushed the status quo. Even as fighting rages, questions abound about what happens when it finally stops. As per the Economist: The visible dilemma facing America, Israels staunchest ally, is for how long it can support the war. There are many questions that need to be answered, including: What can be salvaged from the wreckage? Will Hamas survive, if not as an organisation, then as an ideology? Who will govern Gaza? What will be needed by both Israelis and Palestinians to broker any type of lasting peace? Unfortunately, violence rarely ends cleanly, especially in an intractable conflict. The author is a retired Major General of the Indian Army. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. 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 passage of these laws marks a transformative moment for Indias justice system, holding immense potential to address systemic issues, reduce prolonged litigations and eliminate the denial of access to justice The Modi government is dynamically adapting to the ongoing changes in the nations landscape, demonstrating a commitment to a vibrant democratic polity. The principle of minimum government, maximum governance is not just a slogan but a living reality, responding effectively and systematically to the needs of the common citizens of India. Advertisement In a remarkable milestone, the President of India has given her ascent to the three Criminal Laws amendment bills, ushering in a new generation of justice delivery by addressing the ever-evolving needs of the vigorous Indian society. These laws The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 have received unanimous approval from both Houses and soon these groundbreaking laws will come into effect. Decolonisation drive: Prime Minister Narendra Modis clarion call for decolonisation finds resonance in the introduction of these bills in the very first place, which seeks to replace the archaic British-era laws. The move is not merely symbolic; it represents a concerted effort to free the judicial system from the lingering colonial hangover, aligning it with the changing dynamics of contemporary India. Advertisement Need for reform: As society evolves, so must its legal framework. The new crime laws respond to the new changes, technological advancements and emerging challenges, such as the rise of cybercrimes. The Modi government recognizes the imperative to adapt and ensures that the judicial system is equipped to handle novel offences, effectively addressing the evolving landscape of criminal activities. Advertisement Notable provisions: The new laws aim to streamline the legal landscape for more potent and productive prosecution. Noteworthy provisions include a separate section for mob lynching, stringent measures against terrorist activities and the imposition of the death penalty for rape of minors. The definition of gender now includes transgender individuals, marking a progressive step forward. Advertisement A new chapter on inchoate offences like attempt, abetment and conspiracy and offences against women and children are introduced. The law also includes deemed sanction to prosecute public servants under specific circumstances, expediting the legal process. With a focus on expeditious trials, the law mandates that courts must frame charges within 60 days of receiving a charge sheet, with judgments delivered within 30 days after the conclusion of hearings. The addition of community service as a punishment for small theft is also one of its kind. Advertisement Connecting justice with technology: For the first time, replacing the Evidence Act of 1872, this bill modernises the admissibility of evidence by recognising electronic or digital records on par with paper documents. The electronic FIR is introduced and the whole process from filing an FIR to getting the justice is to be made available online. The government is consistently dedicated to the useful synchronization of technology for smooth-running the judicial process for the stakeholders. Advertisement The New(s) Addition: The new laws aim to close existing loopholes and introduce new offences, such as snatching, organised crime, terrorist acts, hit and run, mob lynching, fake news propaganda, and hiring child to commit offence etc. First-time undertrial is provided early release on bail and first time offenders to be given relaxed punishments. It is the first time that the definition of a child is introduced and terrorism is defined as a punishable offence. The legislation increases punishments for certain offences and makes the judicial process more streamlined and efficient focusing on the need of the changing criminal and terror activities dynamics. Advertisement Women and children safety prioritized: A significant aspect of these laws is the focus on womens and childrens safety. The Modi government stands uncompromisingly when it comes to crimes against women, children and minors. Provisions such as the death penalty for raping a minor, 20 years in jail or life term for gang rape cases, and a minimum 10-year imprisonment for crimes against children underscore the governments commitment to safeguarding the rights of women. Noteworthy is the criminalization of Love Jihad, recognising it legally and preventing suppression of ones original identity for the promise of marriage. Advertisement Timely justice matters: For the first time in the history of the Indian judicial system, the new laws establish strict timelines for the entire judicial process, from investigation to the pronouncement of the judgments. This includes time-bound investigations, submission of charge sheets, and the mandatory delivery of judgments within a specified timeframe. Such provisions aim to eliminate inconvenient delays caused by unnecessary adjournments and ensure a more accountable and transparent legal system. Advertisement Upholding national interest: The law also addresses acts endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India, replacing the archaic offence of sedition. This move prevents individuals from exploiting legal ambiguities to evade charges related to sedition, ensuring a more robust legal framework. The Modi governments bold move challenges the colonial mindset thriving on validation from the west and its followers in India. By ending dependence on external validation, the Modi government asserts the independence of thought and action. Prime Minister Modis leadership has once again showcased the courage to address long-standing issues brilliantly ensuring justice is time-bound, transparent, efficient, and effective for the common people of India. Advertisement The passage of these laws marks a transformative moment for Indias justice system. These measures have the huge potential to address systemic issues, reduce prolonged litigations, and eliminate denial of access to justice. By prioritising safety, introducing time-bound processes, and streamlining judicial procedures, the Modi government has taken a giant leap toward a more equitable and accountable criminal justice system in India! Advertisement The author is a policy researcher, political and social activist, and aspiring author. He addresses contemporary issues spanning people, policy, and politics with profound insight and clarity. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram . While many shipping companies have opted to reroute vessels and avoid the Red Sea due to heightened tensions and security risks, Russian tankers appear immune to such concerns In the turbulent waters of the Red Sea, where major shipping companies are steering clear, oil prices are skyrocketing, and governments are on edge, one nation stands out as an exception Russia. Despite the escalating challenges in the region, Russian tankers continue to sail through the Red Sea, maintaining their crucial trade routes. Advertisement Unfazed Russian tankers While many shipping companies have opted to reroute vessels and avoid the Red Sea due to heightened tensions and security risks, Russian tankers appear immune to such concerns. Reports indicate that Russian vessels, predominantly carrying crude oil, are steadfastly navigating the Red Sea, charting a course from the Black Sea, through the Mediterranean, crossing the Suez Canal, and reaching the ports of India and China. Three-fold immunity The question arises: How is Russia managing to navigate this perilous route unscathed when almost a dozen ships have fallen victim to attacks in the same region? Here are three key reasons behind Russias apparent immunity: Strategic alliances and ideological symmetry: Russias close ties with Iran play a pivotal role in safeguarding its ships. Iran, as a supporter of Yemens Houthi rebels, may have influenced the rebels to spare Russian vessels. Additionally, there exists an ideological symmetry between Russia and the Houthi rebels concerning issues such as the conflict in Gaza, where Russia seeks Israeli intervention. Advertisement Shadow fleet strategy: Russia, facing sanctions on the use of Western ships and tankers, has employed a unique strategy the use of a shadow fleet. Comprising older tankers purchased mostly after 2022, these vessels are slower and harder to maintain. However, crucially, they lack direct links to Israel, making them immune to Houthi attacks targeting ships associated with Israel. Advertisement Economic compulsions: Russias dominance in crude oil flows through the Suez Canal is a critical factor. With the canal accounting for 10 per cent of global crude oil flows and Russia contributing significantly, rerouting would mean a substantial increase in shipping time and costs. As Indias Russian oil imports hit an 11-month low and alternative sources like Saudi Arabia gain traction, Russia faces the risk of losing its market share in India and China, which together consume 90 per cent of Russias oil exports. Advertisement A risky political and financial gamble While Russias decision to maintain its Red Sea route may seem strategic in maintaining its economic advantage, recent events underscore the inherent risks. An oil tanker, the MV Sai Baba, sailing from Russia to India, fell victim to Houthi missiles, revealing that not every tanker can be shielded as a shadow vessel. As the Houthi rebels resort to random strikes, the safety of Russian ships remains uncertain. Advertisement In conclusion, Russias insistence on navigating the Red Sea amid escalating tensions appears to be a risky political and financial gamble. Whether this gamble will pay off or lead to significant repercussions remains uncertain, but the geopolitical and economic stakes are undoubtedly high. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Advertisement 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 sabotage of the Baltic Connector follows a previous attack on the Nord Stream pipelines in 2022 Tensions are escalating in Europe, but not due to conflicts in the Red Sea. The focus is on a different battleground the undersea pipelines critical to the continents energy security. In October 2023, the Baltic Connector, a 77-kilometre gas pipeline running beneath the Baltic Sea between Finland and Estonia, fell victim to sabotage, sparking concerns and investigations. Advertisement Baltic Connector incident Gas leakage from the Baltic Connector caused a sudden drop in pressure leading to the discovery of damaged parts that necessitated the pipelines closure for repairs. Adding to the complexity, adjacent telecom cables were also severed, intensifying the concerns of the Finnish authorities. As a NATO member, Finland, having joined the alliance just the previous year, suspected foul play and initiated a thorough investigation. Finnish police focussed their investigation on a Chinese cargo ship that was in close proximity to the pipeline during the incident. The ship was suspected of using its anchor as a weapon, dragging the massive 6,000-kilogram anchor across the Baltic seabed, damaging both cables and gas lines. The Finnish minister for Europe, Anders Adlercreutz, expressed scepticism, stating that its hard to believe the sabotage was accidental or without Beijings knowledge. Advertisement Chinas response and European reaction In response to Finlands accusations, China maintained communication with relevant parties and claimed an ongoing investigation. However, European nations, unconvinced by Chinas assurances, responded with a show of force. A joint coalition, named the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), consisting of ten countries, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, five Nordic countries, and three Baltic nations, was mobilised to safeguard undersea infrastructure. Advertisement The JEFs primary objective is to protect undersea infrastructure, and in November 2023, Britain deployed seven Royal Navy ships for patrols and joint exercises. Europe, recognising the strategic importance of undersea pipelines and cables, is intensifying its defence measures against potential threats. The sabotage of the Baltic Connector follows a previous attack on the Nord Stream pipelines in 2022. Underwater explosions targeted the Nord Stream One and Nord Stream Two pipelines, supplying gas from Russia to Germany. The Nord Stream attack, attributed to Ukraine in a report, served as a warning for Europe, highlighting the vulnerability of critical undersea assets. Advertisement Economic impact and connectivity threats With approximately 27 per cent of the worlds pipelines in Europe supplying oil and gas, the regions dependence on these infrastructure components is immense. Additionally, 17 undersea cables connect Europe to North America, carrying vital communications and financial transactions daily. The potential disruption of these cables would have profound consequences on the Western economy, causing disruptions to the internet, connectivity and significant financial repercussions. Advertisement As Europe grapples with the aftermath of the Baltic Connector sabotage, the continent is increasingly aware of the vulnerabilities associated with its undersea infrastructure. The rising threat of seabed warfare has prompted collaborative efforts among European nations to protect critical assets, signalling a new era of strategic defence in response to evolving geopolitical challenges. Advertisement Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram . Foreign students now might look at other countries ones that arent keen on tearing apart families for political gain British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was in a celebratory mood on Monday. He felt like boasting about a new scheme designed to cut immigration to the UK. From today, the majority of foreign university students cannot bring family members to the UK. In 2024, were already delivering for the British people. https://t.co/m0TcSaxK9V Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) January 1, 2024 Advertisement Sunak was talking about the new immigration rules that went into effect on Monday. Now, a foreign student can no longer get a visa for their dependent family members. This targets foreigners who are married or have kids but want to study in the UK. The students themselves enter the UK after going through a college admission process. Then they used to apply for a visa to bring their dependents, but under the new rules, they wont be able to do so. The British Home Minister, James Cleverly, said that students bringing over their dependents was an unreasonable practice. The immigration minister said it was contributing to unsustainable levels of migration. The UK Home Office called the new immigration rules tough but fair. We are fully committed to seeing a decisive cut in migration. From today, new overseas students will no longer be able to bring family members to the UK. Postgraduate research or government-funded scholarships students will be exempt. pic.twitter.com/QpwEf9BCfj Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) January 1, 2024 Advertisement There were about 639,000 student visas issued between October 2022 and September 2023. Of these, about 153,000 were not for the students they were for their partners or children. Thats almost 24 percent. The numbers have spiked over the past few years. In 2019, the proportion of dependents used to be about 5 percent. This is why the UK government says bringing dependents is not unsustainable. The numbers support their argument. Advertisement However, we must look at the other side. The UK government has been encouraging students to come to the country. In 2019, it had issued 269,000 student visas, and now the number has almost doubled. But why would anyone want foreign students? That is because they pay much more. Foreign students effectively subsidise education for locals. Their paying more means locals pay less. A foreign students dependents may not pay for college. But they pay the government for their visas. So foreign students and their families contribute to the economy. If the students eventually get jobs, they add skilled talent to a countrys labour pool. So if this is the case,why is the UK targeting foreign students? The simple answer is the numbers. Advertisement Migration to the UK has been going up for years. Both legal and illegal. Sunaks conservative party prides itself on being anti-immigrant. It is a sales pitch for Tory voters. However, the numbers look bad. In 2022, net immigration was 745,000. Thats the highest it has ever been, and it makes the Tories look bad. So reducing a large chunk of migrants was a priority. By any means necessary. The dependents of foreign students were just an easy target. It is a political gimmick, but it can lead to real problems. If foreign students stop going to the UK, the colleges will suffer. They will get more expensive, and locals will have to foot the bill. Advertisement Sunaks new immigration policy is a short-term plan. Something to throw at his voter base before the next election. But it may backfire because foreign students now might look at other countries ones that arent keen on tearing apart families for political gain. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost_s views._ Advertisement Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram . It is an opportunistic move, as Ethiopia has long wanted access to the sea, and its Prime Minister recently called it an existential question In Ethiopia, its Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, the Nobel Peace laureate, is causing tensions again. He has just signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland. Somaliland is a self-governed territory in the Horn of Africa and not a separate country. It is internationally recognised as a part of Somalia. It is a delicate status quo. Advertisement But on Monday, Abiy Ahmed tore it apart. He agreed to recognise the breakaway state in exchange for a long-held desire access to a Red Sea port. That is what Ethiopia is getting in return the port of Berbera. We are very happy, and we thank the Ethiopian Prime Minister as we sign the agreement here. We allow them 20 km (12.4 miles) of our sea and they will also recognise us as an independent state. They will become the first state to recognise Somaliland after the signing of this MoU, said Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi. It is an opportunistic move. Ethiopia has long wanted access to the sea; its Prime Minister recently called it an existential question. That is, access to the Red Sea was an existential question for Ethiopia one that may eventually lead to war. He was criticised for inflaming regional tensions, and on Monday, he made a passing reference to his inflammatory rhetoric. Advertisement This will be the starting point for our cooperation with the brotherly people of Somaliland to grow and develop together in cooperation and to ensure our common security. As we have repeatedly stated previously, we do not wish to use force on anyone, rather, we will use what we have cooperatively. This is the good news we bring to all the people of Ethiopia, Somaliland and all the peace and development loving people on this first day of the new year, said Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed. Advertisement Now one may think this is an improvement, a move away from war, but one must look at the bigger picture. Somaliland is a disputed territory. It declared independence from Somalia back in 1991 33 years ago but no country has recognised it yet, and neither has the United Nations. This is because both Somalia and Somaliland are home to the same people. They also share similar religious compositions, and they are adjacent territories. History and political differences have led to the situation between them, which is why the world refuses to recognise Somalilands independence. But now, Abiy Ahmed has broken with this tradition. He has put his own desires above common sense. This could throw the Horn of Africa into chaos. Advertisement A similar example for the context: Pakistan has occupied a part of the Indian region of Kashmir. Islamabads troops have been squatting in the region for years. It has been a decades-old fight between India and Pakistan. But then China decided to poke its nose into the affair. It started building infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. As part of its Belt and Road Initiative. So, of course, India will have grievances with the Chinese. In the same way, Somalia is obviously angry. Advertisement Ethiopias step is an offensive that endangers the stability and peace of the region which was already wobbling with problems. It is a violation and an open invasion of Somalias sovereignty, freedom, and unity of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The so-called Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement of Cooperation is null and void, said spokesman for Somali government, Farhan Mohamed Jimale. Advertisement Somalia has recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia and has vowed to defend its territory by any legal means. So Abiy Ahmeds port deal is problematic. It may lead to a conflict between the two African nations. Somaliland could get involved too. Leading to further chaos in the Horn of Africa, and this is Abiy Ahmeds latest contribution. He has been the Prime Minister of Ethiopia since 2018, and in this period, he has overseen three major civil conflicts. He has also caused Ethiopias relationships with its neighbours to sour. Advertisement And despite this, he remains a Nobel Peace laureate. His latest move may lead to a new war in one of the most vulnerable regions in the world. I have said it before, and Ill say it again: Abiy Ahmeds Nobel Peace Prize is a farce. It should be rescinded, and his actions must be condemned. Advertisement Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost_s views._ 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 2023 Apples sale of iPhones dropped by almost 10 million units compared to the previous year, as per reports by DemandSage and IDC. This comes at a time when shipment and sale of phones by other companies like Samsung and Huawei has only increased In a surprising turn of events for tech giant Apple, the iPhone 15 is facing significant criticism and lacklustre sales, prompting a 3.6 per cent dip in the companys shares. Some industry analysts are even dubbing the iPhone 15 as potentially the biggest flop in Apples history, as per a report by The Daily Mail. Advertisement The once-dominant force in the smartphone market seems to be losing its grip, as customers reportedly shift allegiance to rivals Samsung and Huawei. Barclays analyst Tim Long downgraded Apples stock rating to underweight, advising investors to reduce their holdings due to anticipated continued weak sales, not only for the iPhone 15 but also for other Apple hardware. Globally, Samsung remains Apples main competitor in the premium smartphone market, with its focus on foldable devices potentially luring consumers away. Counterpoint Research reports a decline in Apples global market share from 75 per cent to 71 per cent in 2023, while Samsung and Huawei see increases. This is particularly disconcerting for Apple, considering how it has expanded its presence in countries like India, both in terms of manufacturing and in terms of offering sales and other services. Advertisement The decline in iPhone sales has been particularly noticeable in China, where local competitor Huawei has made a resurgence with the release of the Mate 60 Pro, as reported by Reuters. According to market estimates, Apples iPhone sales dropped from 240 million in 2021 to 225.3 million in 2022 and are expected to further decrease to 215 million in 2023. Advertisement Experts attribute this decline to a perception that Apples recent smartphone models, including the iPhone 15, have fallen behind competitors in terms of innovation. Uswitch.coms mobile expert, Ru Bhikha, notes that while the iPhone 15 showed gradual improvements, consumers are seeking more innovative and unique experiences offered by other brands. Dr Bipin Patel, CEO of electronRX, adds that Apple is struggling to keep pace with the growth of Samsung and Huawei. Advertisement The sentiment is echoed by Paolo Pescatore of PP Foresight, who suggests that users may be holding onto their older devices for longer, viewing the incremental changes in the iPhone 15 as insufficient motivation to upgrade. Despite these challenges, some analysts believe that Apple remains a formidable competitor in the smartphone market. Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight, argues that Apples slowing iPhone sales are more a result of users holding onto their existing devices rather than a shift to alternative brands. He emphasizes Apples strong position, backed by unwavering loyalty from existing customers. Advertisement Looking ahead, industry insiders anticipate the release of Apples Vision Pro mixed reality headset in early 2024, potentially stealing the spotlight from the next iPhone. Apple insider Mark Gurman suggests that, despite anticipated minor changes to the upcoming iPhone, the wearables business, including Vision Pro, AirPods, and Apple Watch, will take centre stage. Advertisement As Apple grapples with declining iPhone sales and growing competition, the companys ability to innovate and capture consumer interest will be closely watched in the coming months. (With inputs from agencies) The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party of the ailing former prime minister Khaleda Zia is boycotting the poll after Hasina denied their demand to step down and make way for a caretaker government to run the election Bangladesh is scheduled to conduct general elections on Sunday, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina poised to secure a fourth consecutive term and the fifth overall for her Awami League-led alliance. Despite a challenging economic situation that led to an IMF bailout last year, the January 7 polls are being boycotted by the main opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by former prime minister Khalida Zia. The BNPs demand for an interim non-party neutral government to oversee the voting was rejected by the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Advertisement Here are key facts about the election in the South Asian country of almost 170 million people: Women make up almost half of the nearly 120 million eligible voters, while first-time voters number about 15 million. Hasina has been credited with turning around the $416-billion economy and its massive garments industry, while also winning international praise for sheltering nearly a million Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in neighbouring Myanmar. But in recent months, the economy, once among the worlds fastest-growing, was rocked by violent protests, following a jump in the cost of living, as Bangladesh struggles to pay for costly energy imports amid depleting dollar reserves and a weakening domestic currency. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) cleared the first review of Bangladeshs $4.7 billion bailout in December, providing immediate access to about $468.3 million and made $221.5 million available for its climate change agenda. Rights groups have also accused the government of targeting opposition leaders and supporters, while Hasina and her Awami League have repeatedly condemned the BNP as troublemakers set on sabotaging the elections. Nearly 750,000 police, paramilitary and police auxiliaries will guard the polls on election day. Officials of the army, navy and air force have also been deployed. Vying for 300 parliamentary seats are a total of 1,896 candidates, 5.1% of them women, for the highest such share ever. As many as 127 foreign observers will track the election process to assess its fairness, while 59 journalists from abroad have been accredited. The top buyer of Bangladeshi garments, the United States, warned in May that it would curb visas to Bangladesh citizens who undermine the democratic election process. Voting begins at 8 a.m. (0200 GMT) and ends at 4 p.m. (1000 GMT) on Sunday. Counting will start soon after the end of voting, with initial results expected by Jan. 8. With inputs from agencies. The Qantas crew members were photographed by a passenger with the small Palestinian badge pin attached to their uniforms. The airline has clarified that it is against their policy to wear unapproved badges on uniforms and that it will remind all staff of the rules The cabin crew on an aircraft operated by Australias national carrier Qantas sparked outrage and triggered calls for them to be fired after they wore Palestinian flag badges during a flight last month from Melbourne to Hobart. The Qantas crew members were photographed by a passenger with the small Palestinian badge pin attached to their uniforms. The airline has clarified that it is against their policy to wear unapproved badges on uniforms and that it will remind all staff of the rules. Advertisement Harrison Grafanakis, who was a passenger on the December 20 flight, told Sky News in a Wednesday report: I saw a bunch of staff working for Qantas they were all wearing Palestinian flags. They say that its not allowed, but Qantas have a history of doing this theyve done this time and time again, said Grafanakis, who is not Jewish. Its so disappointing to see a major Australian airline carrier that receives so much government money getting so involved in politics time and time again. Dvir Abramovich, chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission civil rights organization, charged in a statement that the pro-Palestinian display was intimidating and inappropriate. It seems that in Australia, even the skies are not immune to propaganda, Abramovich said. Let me be very clear: this was intimidation and harassment, pure and simple, and violated every rule of air travel, he said. Advertisement This type of bullying should have never been allowed by the team leader on that flight and they have a lot to answer for, added Abramovich, who has family members who narrowly survived the Hamas massacre in southern Israeli communities on October 7. An airplane is one of those places where passengers should not be forcibly subjected to in-your-face propaganda, especially at a time when hateful anti-Israel rhetoric and vilification has been skyrocketing across the country. The cabin crew knew exactly what the effect and impact of their conduct would have. Advertisement A spokesperson for Qantas told Sky News: Cabin crew are not allowed to wear any badges unless they are part of the approved uniform policy. Every customer should feel safe and respected when flying on a Qantas Aircraft. The spokesperson further elaborated that the airlines staff was being reminded of the uniform policy following the incident. Crew are only permitted to wear a national badge if they speak the language of that country, the Daily Mail reported. Advertisement An online petition calling on Qantas to fire the crew members involved had by Thursday collected over 2,000 signatures. Anti-Semitism has spiked in Australia and other countries around the world amid the ongoing war between Israel and Palestinian terror group Hamas. War erupted when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, invading the south of the country from the Gaza Strip with thousands of terrorists. The attack killed over 1,200 people, mostly civilians who were massacred as the terrorists rampaged through communities. Advertisement On the same day, nearly 360 people were murdered at an outdoor music festival on the borders of Israel. The terrorists also abducted at least 240 people who were taken hostage into Gaza. Israel responded with a military campaign aimed at destroying Hamas, removing it from power in Gaza, and freeing the hostages. Advertisement Also in December, a Jewish woman filed a complaint over an alleged in-flight incident when she flew from Melbourne to Ballina with Jetstar, a budget airline owned by Qantas. The woman told Sky News she was left feeling furious when at the end of the take-off announcement, a Qantas member of staff added Free Palestine. Advertisement Sky News reported that Jetstar apparently investigated the incident and put it down to misunderstanding or mishearing. In late November, Karin Kalif, who lives in Brisbane, filed a complaint with Qantas claiming she had faced anti-Israel rhetoric when she checked in for a flight back to Australia from Israel. Kalif, who had friends who were killed in the Hamas October 7 slaughter, said that a Qantas check-in employee asked her if she could hear the bombs your government is dropping [on Gaza>. Advertisement The Sky News report did not say where the incident happened and there are no direct flights from Israel to Australia. In a latest update, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said on Wednesday that over 22,300 people had been killed since the start of the war. Those figures cannot be independently verified and are believed to include some 8,500 Hamas fighters, as well as civilians killed by misfired Palestinian rockets. Another estimated 1,000 Hamas terrorists were killed in Israel during the October 7 onslaught. Xi said he was shocked at the attack and stressed that China opposes all forms of terrorism, strongly condemns terrorist attacks, and firmly supports Irans efforts to safeguard national security and stability, Xinhua said. Chinas President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolence to the Iranian president on Thursday for the terrorist attack a day earlier, Chinese state television CCTV said. Two explosions killed nearly 100 people and wounded scores in Iran on Wednesday at a ceremony to commemorate commander Qassem Soleimani who was killed by a U.S. drone in 2020. Iranian officials blamed Wednesdays incident on unspecified terrorists. Advertisement Xi said he was shocked at the attack and stressed that China opposes all forms of terrorism, strongly condemns terrorist attacks, and firmly supports Irans efforts to safeguard national security and stability, Xinhua said. Iranian state television and officials described the attacks as bombings, without immediately giving clear details of what happened. The attacks came a day after a deputy head of the Palestinian militant group Hamas was killed in a suspected Israeli strike in Beirut. The first bomb Wednesday was detonated around 3 p.m., and the other went off some 20 minutes later, the Iranian interior minister, Ahmad Vahidi, told state television. He said the second blast killed and wounded the most people. Images and video shared on social media appeared to correspond with the accounts of officials, who said the first blast happened about 700 meters (765 yards) from Soleimanis grave in the Kerman Martyrs Cemetery near a parking lot. The crowd then rushed west along Shohada Street, where the second blast struck about 1 kilometre (0.62 miles) from the grave. Advertisement A delayed second explosion is often used by militants to inflict more casualties by targeting emergency personnel responding to an attack. Iranian state TV and state-run IRNA news agency quoted emergency officials for the casualty figures. Authorities said Thursday would be a national day of mourning. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the attackers will face a harsh response, though he didnt name any possible suspect. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi added: Undoubtedly, the perpetrators and leaders of this cowardly act will soon be identified and punished. Advertisement Iran has multiple foes who could be behind the assault, including exile groups, militant organizations and state actors. While Israel has carried out attacks in Iran over its nuclear program, it has conducted targeted assassinations, not mass casualty bombings. A U.S. State Department spokesman, Matthew Miller, said American officials had no reason to believe Israel was involved in Wednesdays attack in Iran. That was echoed by National Security Council spokesman John Kirby at the White House, who said our hearts go out to all the innocent victims and their family members. Advertisement Sunni extremist groups including the Islamic State group have conducted large-scale attacks in the past that killed civilians in Shiite-majority Iran, though not in relatively peaceful Kerman. Iran also has seen mass protests in recent years, including those over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in 2022. The country also has been targeted by exile groups in attacks dating back to the turmoil surrounding its 1979 Islamic Revolution. Advertisement Iran itself has been arming militant groups over the decades, including Hamas, the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah and Yemens Houthi rebels. As Israel wages its devastating war in Gaza after Hamas Oct. 7 attacks that killed 1,200 people, both Hezbollah and the Houthis have launched attacks targeting Israel that they say come on behalf of the Palestinians. Advertisement Israel is suspected of launching the attack Tuesday that killed a deputy head of Hamas in Beirut, but that attack caused limited casualties in a densely populated neighbourhood of the Lebanese capital. Last week, a suspected Israeli strike killed a Revolutionary Guard commander in Syria. A Houthi spokesman, Mohammed Abdel-Salam, sought to link the bombings to Irans support for the resistance forces in Palestine and Lebanon, though he did not specifically blame anyone for the attack. Some Iranian officials also hinted at Israeli and American involvement without offering evidence, which is common after militant attacks. Advertisement In Beirut, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah called the people who died in the attacks martyrs who died on the same road, cause and battle that was led by Soleimani. The government of neighbouring Iraq expressed condolences to the victims, and the European Union issued a statement offering its solidarity with the Iranian people. Even Saudi Arabia, a longtime regional rival which reached a detente with Iran last year, offered its sympathies. Advertisement Soleimani was the architect of Irans regional military activities and is hailed as a national icon among supporters of Irans theocracy. He also helped secure Syrian President Bashar Assads government after the 2011 Arab Spring protests against him turned into a civil, and later a regional, war that still rages today. Advertisement Soleimani had been relatively unknown in Iran until the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. His popularity and mystique grew after American officials called for his killing over his help in arming militants with penetrating roadside bombs that killed and maimed U.S. troops. A decade and a half later, Soleimani had become Irans most recognizable battlefield commander. He ignored calls to enter politics but grew as powerful, if not more so, than its civilian leadership. Advertisement Ultimately, a drone strike launched by the Trump administration killed the general, part of escalating incidents that followed Americas 2018 unilateral withdrawal from Tehrans nuclear deal with world powers. Soleimanis death has drawn large processions in the past. At his funeral in 2020, a stampede broke out in Kerman and at least 56 people were killed and more than 200 were injured as thousands thronged the procession. Advertisement Until Wednesday, the deadliest attack to strike Iran since the revolution was the 1981 truck bombing of the Islamic Republican Partys headquarters in Tehran. That attack killed at least 72 people, including the partys leader, four government ministers, eight deputy ministers and 23 parliament members. In 1978 just ahead of the revolution, an intentionally set fire at the Cinema Rex in Abadan killed hundreds of people. With inputs from agencies. Electricity was cut to some 4,000 homes in Arctic Sweden where temperatures plummeted to minus 38 degrees Celsius (minus 36.4 degrees Fahrenheit), according to Swedish public radio. Severe cold temperatures intensified by strong winds and snow, created chaos across the Nordic region on Thursday, resulting in widespread power outages and long hours of inconvenience for motorists stranded on congested highways. In Germany, France, and the Netherlands, heavy rains triggered floods in areas already grappling with persistent flooding over the past two weeks. The deep freeze significantly disrupted transportation in the Nordic region, with reports of traffic disturbances due to closures of highways and major roads. Issues with rail services have also been noticed. Advertisement Electricity was cut to some 4,000 homes in Arctic Sweden where temperatures plummeted to minus 38 degrees Celsius (minus 36.4 degrees Fahrenheit), according to Swedish public radio. In the southern part of the country, motorists were stuck in their cars or evacuated to a nearby sporting complex where they spent the night. In neighbouring Denmark, police urged motorists to avoid unnecessary trips as wind and snow battered the northern and western parts of the country. In Finnish Lapland, the municipality of Enontekio, near the border with Norway and Sweden, recorded the countrys lowest temperature this winter on Thursday at minus 42.5 degrees C (minus 44.5 degrees F). Meteorologists are forecasting even colder temperatures the rest of the week. Advertisement A ferry sailing between the capitals of Norway and Denmark finally docked in Copenhagen on Thursday after some 900 passengers spent the night aboard the vessel, which had been idling in the Oresund straight between Denmark and southern Sweden. On Wednesday, weather hampered the Crown Seaways vessel from sailing into the Copenhagen harbor. Advertisement In Germany, heavy rain has resumed in regions that have seen persistent flooding over the past two weeks. Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday plans to make his second visit this week to inspect a dike and a sandbag-filling facility in the eastern town of Sangerhausen. After several days of rain and rising waters, several towns in northern France were left under water Thursday. Hundreds of people have been evacuated in recent days. The area was also hit by flooding in November and December, and some towns still hadnt recovered. Government ministers are traveling to the area on Thursday. Advertisement The government in low-lying Netherlands, which also faced extremely high water levels in rivers and lakes, said it would send pumps to France to help it tackle widespread flooding. It has rained a lot recently, which means that the water in France can no longer be drained properly. In many places rivers have already burst their banks. That is why it is important to help each other get rid of the water as quickly as possible, Infrastructure and Water Minister Mark Harbers said in a statement. Advertisement The Dutch emergency pumps can each process 5 million liters (1.3 million gallons) of water per hour. With inputs from agencies. Semiconductor manufacturing is one of Prime Minister Narendra Modis key business agendas but initial bids to offer $10 billion in incentives to the chipmaking industry have floundered, with some proposals stalled or cancelled. With an aim to become a chipmaker for the world, the Gujarat government is in talks with chipmakers in Japan, South Korea and the United States for potential investments in the state. Gujarat has also held talks with Foxconn over a semiconductor plant, and U.S. memory chip firm Micron Technology Inc is also building a chip assembly and testing facility in the state. Advertisement Semiconductor manufacturing is a crucial element of Prime Minister Narendra Modis business initiatives, but initial attempts to provide $10 billion in incentives to the chipmaking industry have faced challenges, with some proposals encountering delays or cancellations. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said in an interview with Reuters that Gujarat, Modis home state and a significant industrial hub, has engaged in investment talks with chipmakers and officials have visited Japan to meet executives in the chips industry. We continue to hold investment talks with semiconductor companies in Japan, South Korea and the U.S., he said, without disclosing the names of the companies citing non-disclosure agreements. Indias chipmaking ambitions, first laid out in 2021, have suffered setbacks and the country does not yet have any semiconductor manufacturing plants. Taiwans Foxconn backed out of a $19.5 billion chips joint venture with Indias Vedanta, saying the project was not moving fast enough. Foxconn and Vedanta (VDAN.NS) have since decided to go solo, and billionaire Mukesh Ambanis Reliance Industries (RELI.NS) is also exploring opportunities. Advertisement Patels comments come ahead of the biennial Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit next week in which the state expects to secure investments in sectors including renewable energy, electric vehicles and electronics manufacturing. The summit is expected to draw a record number of foreign and domestic investors to the western state in what is seen as Modis big push to promote investment in the country just months ahead of national elections, in which he will seek a third term. Advertisement India is increasingly becoming a sought after investment destination, especially as companies look to diversify their supply chain beyond China. Tom Bailey, head of ETF Research at HANetf, said India was at an advantage due to its large size and an increasingly educated population. The moves are emblematic of the rise of the so-called China plus one supply chain diversification strategies of multinationals, he said. Advertisement With inputs from Reuters. If the enemy thinks of waging a war on Lebanon, we will fight without restraint, without rules, without limits and without restrictions, Hassan Nasrallah said in his address, which had been pre-planned to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the death of Irans general Qassem Soleimani Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah cautioned Israel against going to war with Lebanon after Hamas deputy leader Salah al-Arouri was killed in an alleged Israeli attack, stating that the crime will not go unanswered and unpunished. If the enemy thinks of waging a war on Lebanon, we will fight without restraint, without rules, without limits and without restrictions, Times of Israel quoted Nasrallah as saying in his address, which had been pre-planned to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the death of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp general Qassem Soleimani. Advertisement We are not afraid of war, Nasrallah said, but did not issue a concrete threat. For now, he said, we are fighting on the frontline following meticulous calculations. Both the Iran-backed Lebanese terror group and Hamas have accused Israel of killing Arouri in Dahiyeh, Beirut on Tuesday night, with Nasrallah describing the attack as a major and dangerous crime that will not go unanswered and unpunished - repeating a threat made by the group itself, The Times of Israel reported. The strike that killed al-Arouri marked the first time they target the southern suburbs in this way since 2006, Nasrallah said, in reference to that years Second Lebanon War which saw Beiruts southern suburbs bombed. Israel had sent messages to indicate it did not intend to target Lebanon or Hezbollah, but was rather settling scores with Hamas leaders, the Hezbollah leader added. Advertisement Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri was killed in an alleged Israeli drone strike in Beirut on Tuesday, The Times of Israel reported. The terrorist organisation Hamas has also confirmed that Israel killed its deputy commander, Saleh al-Arouri, in Lebanon earlier tonight. The cowardly assassinations carried out by the Zionist occupation against the leaders and symbols of our Palestinian people inside and outside Palestine will not succeed in breaking the will and steadfastness of our people or in undermining the continuation of their valiant resistance, senior Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq said in a statement, according to The Times of Israel. Advertisement However, Israel is yet to comment on the strike that has killed the senior Hamas leader. Meanwhile, Lebanons caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, condemned the alleged killing of Saleh al-Arouri. He issued a statement responding to the alleged killing of Hamas deputy leader, terming it a new Israeli crime and forewarned, saying Tel Aviv is aiming to drag Lebanon into the conflict. Advertisement Al-Arouri, 57, a resident of Lebanon, served as the political bureaus deputy director for the terror group and was regarded as the de facto head of Hamass military branch in the West Bank. He was freed from Israeli prisons in March 2010 after serving many periods there as part of negotiations to secure a bigger prisoner swap for Gilad Shalit, an IDF soldier who was abducted by Hamas in 2006. Advertisement Later, Arouri was instrumental in negotiating Shalits 2011 release in exchange for the release of over 1,000 Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons, The Times of Israel reported. He moved to Istanbul but was forced to move from there after Israel restored relations with Turkey after the two countries had cut their ties over an IDF attack on a Gaza-bound solidarity flotilla that resulted in the deaths of nine Turkish citizens in a bloody altercation aboard a ship. Advertisement Al-Arouri resided in Syria before relocating to Beirut. From there, he oversaw the military operations of Hamas in the West Bank, encouraging acts of terror and setting up the money transfers necessary to finance such assaults, The Times of Israel report stated. Additionally, he was among the Hamas executives with close ties to Iran and the terrorist organisation Hezbollah in Lebanon. Advertisement With inputs from agencies As fighting intensifies in the southern and central parts of the Gaza Strip, the IDF on Thursday said that it struck several Hamas anti-tank squads in the Strip over the past day As fighting intensifies in the southern and central parts of the Gaza Strip, the IDF on Thursday said that it struck several Hamas anti-tank squads in the Strip over the past day. The IDF says it struck several Hamas anti-tank squads in Gaza over the past day, as fighting intensifies in the southern and central parts of the Strip. In Khan Younis, the IDF says reservists of the Kiryati Brigade directed an Israeli Air Force aircraft to strike three Hamas pic.twitter.com/rPLM8JFpaE Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) January 4, 2024 Advertisement In a post on X, Times of Israel military correspondent Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian, said, The IDF says it struck several Hamas anti-tank squads in Gaza over the past day, as fighting intensifies in the southern and central parts of the Strip. In Khan Younis, the IDF says reservists of the Kiryati Brigade directed an Israeli Air Force aircraft to strike three Hamas operatives attempting to plant a bomb near the forces." Citing IDF, Fabian said that the troops killed another two Hamas gunmen hiding in a nearby building. An IAF fighter jet also hit a Hamas weapons depot in Khan Younis, he reported, citing IDF. Also in southern Gaza, the IDF said Hamas operatives fired anti-tank missiles at the 7th Armored Brigade, and a short while later, an IAF aircraft struck the cell behind the attack and the launch position. Advertisement In central Gazas Deir al Balah, the IDF said the 98th Division directed an airstrike on a building used by Hamas as an anti-tank missile launch position. An IAF fighter jet hit the launch site, as well as two more buildings in the area where some of the operatives fled, Fabian wrote on X. Advertisement The IDF said another Hamas operative who arrived later to search the area for weapons was hit in a separate airstrike. In al-Bureij, also in central Gaza, the IDF said troops of the Golani Brigade located several long-range rocket launchers. Meanwhile, the Navy has continued to carry out strikes along Gazas coast, aiding the ground forces. Advertisement The IDF says Navy strikes over the past day killed a number of Hamas operatives attempting to ambush ground forces, said Fabian. Israels air, ground and sea assault in Gaza has killed more than 21,900 people in Gaza, two-thirds of them women and children, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory. Advertisement The campaign has driven some 85% of Gazas population from their homes, forcing hundreds of thousands of people into overcrowded shelters or teeming tent camps in Israeli-designated safe areas that the military has nevertheless bombed. Israels siege of the territory has left a quarter of Gaza residents facing starvation, according to the United Nations. Advertisement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to press ahead with the assault in Gaza until Hamas is crushed and the more than 100 hostages still held by the militant group in Gaza are freed, which he has said could take several more months. At the same time, Israeli officials have increasingly warned in recent days of stepped-up action against Hezbollah unless its cross-border fire stops. Advertisement With inputs from agencies The attack Wednesday in Kerman killed at least 84 people and wounded another 284. It targeted a ceremony honouring Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, held as an icon by supporters & viewed by the US military as a deadly foe who aided militants who killed American troops in Iraq. Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility on Thursday for two explosions that killed nearly 100 people and wounded scores at a ceremony in Iran to commemorate commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed by a US drone in 2020. In a statement posted on its affiliate Telegram channels, the militant Sunni Muslim group said two IS members had detonated their explosive belts in the crowd which had gathered at the cemetery in the southeastern Iranian city of Kerman on Wednesday for the anniversary of Soleimanis death. Advertisement Wednesdays attack in Kerman killed at least 84 people and wounded another 284. It targeted a ceremony honouring Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, held as an icon by supporters of the countrys theocracy and viewed by the U.S. military as a deadly foe who aided militants who killed American troops in Iraq. Tehran earlier blamed the explosions on terrorists and vowed revenge for the bloodiest such attacks since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. A very strong retaliation will be meted out to them by the hands of the soldiers of Soleimani, Irans First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber told reporters in Kerman. An earlier death toll of 103 was twice revised lower after officials realized that some names had been repeated on a list of victims and due to the severity of wounds suffered by some of the dead, health authorities said. Many of the wounded were in critical condition, however, so the death toll could rise. Advertisement The gathering marked the fourth anniversary of the killing of Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guards elite Quds Force, in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq. The explosions occurred as long lines of people gathered to mark the event. Iranian state television and officials described the attacks as bombings, without immediately giving clear details of what happened. The attacks came a day after a deputy head of the Palestinian militant group Hamas was killed in a suspected Israeli strike in Beirut. Advertisement Iran has multiple foes who could be behind the assault, including exile groups, militant organizations and state actors. While Israel has carried out attacks in Iran over its nuclear program, it has conducted targeted assassinations, not mass casualty bombings. A U.S. State Department spokesman, Matthew Miller, said American officials had no reason to believe Israel was involved in Wednesdays attack in Iran. That was echoed by National Security Council spokesman John Kirby at the White House, who said our hearts go out to all the innocent victims and their family members. Advertisement Sunni extremist groups including the Islamic State group have conducted large-scale attacks in the past that killed civilians in Shiite-majority Iran, though not in relatively peaceful Kerman. Iran also has seen mass protests in recent years, including those over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in 2022. The country also has been targeted by exile groups in attacks dating back to the turmoil surrounding its 1979 Islamic Revolution. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. As investigators combed the charred wreckage on Thursday, transport authorities are probing the circumstances that led to the Coast Guard plane entering the runway where the passenger jet was landing After one of its aircraft was destroyed this week when it collided with another on the runway at Tokyos Haneda airport, Japan Airlines said on Thursday that it anticipated losses of over $100 million. Before the JAL Airbus A350 widebody jet was fully engulfed in flames that took over six hours to extinguish, all 379 passengers managed to escape. Advertisement However, the remaining pilot of the smaller Coast Guard plane suffered serious injuries, and five of the six crew members perished. The plane was en route to provide relief to the earthquake-affected areas of Japans west coast. As investigators combed the charred wreckage on Thursday, transport authorities are probing the circumstances that led to the Coast Guard plane entering the runway where the passenger jet was landing. Police are also looking into possible professional negligence in the case, according to media reports. Transcripts released by authorities show air traffic control ordering the Coast Guard plane to proceed to a holding point near the runway minutes before the crash, instructions the pilot appeared to have read back in acknowledgement. Japanese authorities said on Wednesday the passenger jet had been given permission to land, but the smaller plane had not been cleared for take-off, based on the transcripts. Advertisement The Coast Guard pilot said after the crash that he had been given permission to enter the runway, Coast Guard officials have said. Authorities have only just begun their investigations and aviation experts say it usually takes the failure of multiple safety guardrails for an airplane accident to happen. A notice to pilots in force before the accident suggested that a strip of stop lights embedded in the tarmac as an extra safety measure to prevent wrong turns, was out of service, according to a copy of the bulletin posted by U.S. regulators. Advertisement Haneda was the worlds third-busiest airport in 2023, according to UK-based travel industry data provider. Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) is leading the safety investigation, and has been joined by 14 overseas investigators from Airbus, French and British authorities as well as one representative from the jets engine maker Rolls Royce, a JTSB official said. Police are conducting their own investigation in parallel, the official said. Advertisement BIG LOSSES Japan Airlines (JAL) estimated on Thursday the disaster would result in an operating loss of about 15 billion yen ($105 million). The loss of the aircraft will be covered by insurance, the company said, adding it was assessing the impact on its earnings forecast for the financial year ending March 31. The airline was discussing compensation individually with passengers, two of whom had pets that died in the incident, JAL officials said. Advertisement Insurance industry sources have said U.S. insurer AIG (AIG.N) was the lead insurer on a $130 million all-risks policy for the two-year-old plane that was destroyed by the fire. AIG declined to comment. It was the first-ever hull loss globally for the A350 model, according to Aviation Safety Network. The type, made largely from carbon composite, entered commercial service in 2015. Advertisement Shares of JAL fell as much as 2.4% as trading resumed after the New Years holidays, before closing up 0.8%. From the moment of the collision, it took crew 18 minutes to get everyone off the plane and safely accounted for. Most of the passengers on the flight from Hokkaido were Japanese with at least 43 foreigners confirmed among them including Australians, Swedish, Hong Kong, Chinese and South Korean nationals, a JAL spokesperson said. Advertisement Wreckage from the planes remained scattered around the runway on Thursday as several officials, some wearing masks, gloves and hard hats, surveyed the debris, footage on public broadcaster NHK showed. A Coast Guard official on Wednesday said they had recovered a voice recorder from the Coast Guard plane. Hundreds of flights in and out of Haneda have faced cancellation or delays since the crash on Tuesday, leaving many frustrated passengers at the airport. Advertisement Michio Kusunoki, a 67-year-old teacher, said he had faced two cancelled flights as he tried to return to his home of Fukouka in Japans south from Haneda. I was meant to get on a plane yesterday evening at 7.30 p.m.Then I changed to this morning 8:30 a.m. and that flight was cancelled too, he said. Advertisement I couldnt get anything after that till 4:30 p.m. so I am going to roam around as I cant get home. Nearly 200 passengers were also stranded overnight at New Chitose airport in Hokkaido where the flight originated from. (with inputs from Reuters) Namaste Kathmandu. Happy to be back in Nepal for my first visit of 2024. Looking forward to the engagements over the next two days, Jaishankar wrote on X External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday arrived in Nepal for his first visit of 2024 and said that he was happy to be back in the Himalayan country and looked forward to the engagements over the next two days. Happy to be back in Nepal for my first visit of 2024. Looking forward to the engagements over the next two days. pic.twitter.com/YMddPDbkwk Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 4, 2024 Advertisement Taking to X, Jaishankar said, Namaste Kathmandu Happy to be back in Nepal for my first visit of 2024. Looking forward to the engagements over the next two days. Jaishankar, who is on a two-day visit to Nepal, was received at the airport by Nepal Foreign Minister NP Saud. During the visit, he will co-chair the 7th meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Commission with his counterpart NP Saud. The Joint Commission Meeting will review the overall state of bilateral relations and various areas of mutual cooperation, according to the statement released by Nepals Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Established in 1987, the India-Nepal Joint Commission provides a platform for both ministers to review all aspects of the bilateral partnership. Jaishankar will also call on the leadership of Nepal and meet prominent political figures, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. Advertisement During his visit, Jaishankar will meet Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel and Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda. Nepal Foreign Minister NP Saud will host a dinner in honour of Jaishankar and members of his delegation, according to a statement released by Nepals Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Speaking to The Kathmandu Post, NP Saud said, We are planning to ink two agreements and are going to inaugurate three cross-border transmission lines. He further said, Besides these, we have over three dozen items of meeting agenda. Advertisement During the meeting, the two sides will discuss connectivity and economic partnership, trade and transit, power and water resources, culture and education, among other things, The Kathmandu Post reported. The two leaders will also bring up matters discussed and agreed upon during Pushpa Kamal Dahals official visit to Delhi in 2022. Advertisement After the joint commission meeting, India and Nepal will sign a pair of agreements related to long-term energy cooperation and Indias proposal to increase funds for small development projects under the High-impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs), The Kathmandu Post reported. Nepal is a priority partner of India under its Neighbourhood First policy, according to MEA. In a statement, MEA stated, The visit is in keeping with the tradition of high-level exchanges between two close and friendly neighbours. Advertisement Notably, India and Nepal share unique ties of friendship and cooperation characterised by an open border and deep-rooted people-to-people contacts of kinship and culture. The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 forms the bedrock of the special ties that exist between the two nations. With inputs from agencies Mainland journalists with short-term permits are only permitted to observe and are explicitly prohibited from writing anything about the elections, even if they successfully navigate the application process for their visit, according to a report Ahead of the 13 January presidential election in Taiwan, journalists from across the globe are gathering in the island nation. However, reporters arriving from mainland China are facing particularly stringent restrictions on covering the elections. According to a South China Morning Post report, citing an anonymous Taiwanese immigration official, mainland journalists with short-term permits are only permitted to observe and are explicitly prohibited from writing anything about the elections, even if they successfully navigate the application process for their visit. Advertisement This regulation, not present in previous elections occurring every four years, led a mainland Chinese reporter from the South China Morning Post to cancel plans to travel to Taiwan. Interestingly, journalists of non-mainland origin from the same organisation remain unaffected by this rule. Additionally, mainland reporters already based in Taiwan are allowed to cover the election without restrictions. The imposition of reporting restrictions, seemingly targeting mainland Chinese citizens, occurs amid escalating distrust and hostility between Taipei and Beijing in the lead-up to the highly anticipated election. This development has prompted concerns about the state of press freedom in the democratic island, a significant focus in the campaign rhetoric of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Advertisement Observers attribute these recent events to the prevailing cross-strait distrust or a perceived lack of confidence by the Taiwanese ruling party. Observers put the latest events down to cross-strait distrust or the Taiwanese ruling partys lack of confidence. A politician from the mainland-friendly opposition party Kuomintang (KMT) suggested the reporting restrictions indicated the DPPs lack of confidence. Advertisement If I were the DPP, I would allow mainland journalists to report in Taiwan, South China Morning Post quoted the KMT politician as saying. Why dont they have such confidence? he asked. As per the immigration official in Taipei, mainland Chinese media outlets have the authorization to deploy their reporters to Taiwan on a rotational basis for a maximum duration of six months, allowing them unrestricted movement throughout the island. However, its important to note that this pertains to the formal arrangements for the extended placement of reporters in Taiwan and doesnt encompass the short-term permits typically issued for election coverage. Advertisement Official statistics from Taipei reveal that in the initial eight months of the previous year, eight mainland media organizations dispatched a total of 15 journalists for prolonged stays in Taiwan. This followed a decline in their numbers in 2021 due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. As for individual reporters, they can only apply to visit with an invitation from an institution or organisation in Taiwan. But after they are allowed in, these people can only observe they are not permitted to report or cover news events, South China Morning Post quoted immigration official as saying, adding that this was a reciprocal arrangement with Beijing. Advertisement More than 235 overseas journalists from 113 media organisations gathered in Taiwan to cover the last presidential elections in 2020, the media outlet cited figures from local authorities. Another Taiwanese immigration official said the rule relating to special permits was implemented because of the sensitivity of the elections. Under this rule, entry to the island is not guaranteed as the Taiwanese government must work on a case-by-case basis, with decisions depending on national security considerations, the official added. Advertisement Also, for the first time in decades, no academics from mainland China will travel to Taiwan to observe the elections this year, added the report. The upcoming elections will take place amid years of tense cross-strait relations, a situation that originated with the election of Tsai Ing-wen from the independence-leaning DPP as president in 2016. Throughout her term, there has been a notable increase in diplomatic interactions between Taiwan and Washington, as well as other Western governments. This has led Beijing to intensify its efforts in applying military, political, and economic pressure on the island, particularly in the recent year. Advertisement Beijing perceives Taiwan as a separatist region awaiting reunification, and views the heightened engagement with foreign powers as a direct challenge to its sovereignty. While the majority of countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, they stand united in opposing any alteration of the current status quo through force. Advertisement With inputs from agencies According to PTI, citing a recent report from a think tank, proscribed groups, including the Pakistani Taliban, Islamic State Khorasan, and the Balochistan Liberation Army, were responsible for more than 82 per cent of the casualties Pakistan experienced a 17 per cent surge in terrorist violence in 2023, witnessing a total of 306 militant attacks resulting in the tragic loss of 693 lives. According to PTI, citing a recent report from a think tank, proscribed groups, including the Pakistani Taliban, Islamic State Khorasan, and the Balochistan Liberation Army, were responsible for more than 82 per cent of the casualties. Advertisement The Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) released its security report for 2023 ahead of the February 8 general elections, raising concerns about the safety of electoral candidates and political leaders during the election campaign and polling, as reported by the Dawn newspaper. The report highlighted the escalating attacks by militants, signaling the likelihood that the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliates would persist in a heightened campaign of terrorism, aiming to compel Pakistan to resume the dialogue process. This revelation coincided with the interior ministrys disclosure to the Senate that the continuous influx of TTP members, involving recruitment, training, and deployment of suicide bombers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwas merged districts, poses a significant threat. Military sources, as reported by Dawn, indicated that Afghanistan has not fulfilled its commitments outlined in the Doha agreement, allowing the TTP to use Afghanistan as a base for carrying out terrorist activities within Pakistan. Advertisement The Pak-Afghan border, described as difficult and porous, poses a formidable challenge despite security measures. The PIPS report highlights Pakistans inadequate response to the rising terrorism and militancy challenge, exacerbated by negotiation attempts with the TTP and the waning political focus due to ongoing crises. Escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, fuelled by issues like TTP and Afghan refugees, demand a comprehensive and sustainable counterterrorism strategy, it said. The report correlates a surge in terrorist violence with the Talibans ascendancy in Afghanistan, noting the Afghan Talibans inability or unwillingness to control TTPs cross-border activities. Advertisement In 2023, security and law enforcement agencies intensified anti-militant kinetic actions with 129 operational strikes, compared to 87 in 2022, resulting in 425 deaths and 51 injuries. Of these strikes, 97 occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 28 in Balochistan, three in Punjab, and one in Karachi, Sindh, the report said. A total of 306 terrorist attacks took place in Pakistan in the year including 23 suicide bombings which killed 693 people (330 security personnel, 260 civilians, and 103 militants) and injured 1,124 others. These attacks marked an increase of 17 per cent from the year before, and the number of people killed in these attacks also represented an increase of 65pc from those killed in similar attacks during the previous year, it said. Advertisement That comparative upsurge of 17 per cent in terrorist violence was contributed by an increase in the number of attacks reported from all four provinces. Compared to 2022, the frequency of terrorist incidents in the Balochistan province increased by 39 per cent, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by 3 per cent, in Sindh by 87 per cent and in Punjab by 100 per cent. Advertisement Experts argued that short-term success in countering terrorism through kinetic approaches neglects the root causes of violent extremism. Eliminating terrorists doesnt address enduring ideological drivers. To decrease support for insurgent ideas, especially among Baloch people, address disappearances with fair policies, preventing misuse by militants, the report said. With inputs from agencies A declassified U.S. intelligence report assessed that the Ukraine war has cost Russia 315,000 dead and wounded troops, or nearly 90% of the personnel it had when the conflict began, a source familiar with the intelligence told Reuters last month. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Thursday, saying that foreign nationals joining the Russian Armed Forces during the special military operation in Ukraine can obtain citizenship for themselves and their families. According to the order, individuals who have signed contracts for a minimum of one year can seek Russian passports for themselves as well as for their spouses, children and parents. Advertisement This move is part of Russias efforts to enlist foreign recruits for the conflict in Ukraine while simultaneously working to curb anti-mobilization sentiments domestically. Those eligible include people who have signed contracts with the regular armed forces or other military formations - a description that could apply to groups such as the Wagner mercenary organisation. The measure appeared to be aimed at creating additional incentives for foreigners with military experience to apply to join Russian ranks. Moscow does not publish data on the number of foreigners fighting on its side in Ukraine. However, Reuters has reported previously on Cubans who signed up for the military in return for bonuses equivalent to more than 100 times the average Cuban monthly salary, and three Africans recruited by Wagner, of whom two were killed in action. Advertisement A declassified U.S. intelligence report assessed that the Ukraine war has cost Russia 315,000 dead and wounded troops, or nearly 90% of the personnel it had when the conflict began, a source familiar with the intelligence told Reuters last month. Russia drafted an extra 300,000 men in September 2022 in its first mobilisation since World War Two. There has been persistent speculation it could repeat the unpopular move, perhaps after the next presidential election in March in which Putin is set to stroll to a new six-year term. Advertisement The Kremlin has repeatedly said no further mobilisation is needed, however, because hundreds of thousands of men signed voluntary contracts last year to become professional soldiers. Neither Russia nor Ukraine has disclosed the extent of its losses in the 22-month war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said last month that his military had proposed mobilising 450,000-500,000 more people, and the Kyiv parliament on Thursday began reviewing a contested piece of draft legislation that would tighten and expand mobilisation rules. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. At first, it was unclear who had executed the attack. Requests for comment from representatives of the US military and embassy in Baghdad were not immediately answered A senior militia commander was killed on Thursday by an airstrike on the logistical support headquarters of an Iran-backed rebel group in central Baghdad, according to militia officials. The attack on Thursday occurs as tensions in the region are rising due to the Israel-Hamas conflict and worries that it may spread to neighboring nations. Advertisement The rebel group, an alliance of militias ostensibly governed by the Iraqi military, declared in a statement that Mushtaq Taleb al-Saidi, popularly known as Abu Taqwa, its deputy chief of operations in Baghdad, had passed away as a result of brutal American aggression. At first, it was unclear who had executed the attack. Requests for comment from representatives of the US military and embassy in Baghdad were not immediately answered. Two militia officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly said that the strike left five people wounded and two people dead. Al-Saidi, a PMF member, and another militia official were killed when their car was struck while they were driving into the garage of the al-Nujaba militias headquarters, according to one of the officials. Advertisement The strike site on Palestine Street in Baghdad was surrounded by heavy security, and journalists from the Associated Press were not permitted to get too close to the building that was the target. There were Iraqi warplanes visible. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, a group of Iranian-backed militias calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has carried out more than 100 attacks on bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria. Advertisement The group has said the attacks are in retaliation for Washingtons support of Israel in the war against Hamas that has killed more than 20,000 people in Gaza, and that they aim to push U.S. forces out of Iraq. The strike also comes two days after a suspected Israeli drone strike in the suburbs of Beirut killed Hamas deputy leader Saleh Arouri. Advertisement Asked whether Israel had involvement in Thursdays strike in Baghdad, an Israeli military spokesperson declined to comment. (With inputs from The Associated Press) Kyivstar is the biggest of Ukraines three main telecoms operators and there are some 1.1 million Ukrainians who live in small towns and villages where there are no other providers. Russian hackers infiltrated the system of the Ukrainian telecoms giant Kyivstar from at least May last year, Ukraines cyber spy chief told Reuters. The cyberattack, one of the most significant since Russias full-scale invasion nearly two years ago, disrupted services for around 24 million users provided by Ukraines largest telecoms operator for several days starting from December 12. Advertisement He emphasized that this incident should serve as a big warning to the West. In an interview, Illia Vitiuk, head of the Security Service of Ukraines (SBU) cybersecurity department, disclosed exclusive details about the hack, which he said caused disastrous destruction and aimed to land a psychological blow and gather intelligence. This attack is a big message, a big warning, not only to Ukraine but for the whole Western world to understand that no one is untouchable, he said. He noted Kyivstar was a wealthy, private company that invested a lot in cybersecurity. The attack wiped almost everything, including thousands of virtual servers and PCs, he said, describing it as probably the first example of a destructive cyberattack that destroyed the core of a telecoms operator. During its investigation, the SBU found the hackers probably attempted to penetrate Kyivstar in March or earlier, he said in a Zoom interview on Dec. 27. For now, we can say securely, that they were in the system at least since May 2023, he said. I cannot say right now, since what time they had full access: probably at least since November. Advertisement The SBU assessed the hackers would have been able to steal personal information, understand the locations of phones, intercept SMS messages and perhaps steal Telegram accounts with the level of access they gained, he said. A Kyivstar spokesperson said the company was working closely with the SBU to investigate the attack and would take all necessary steps to eliminate future risks, adding: Advertisement No facts of leakage of personal and subscriber data have been revealed.Vitiuk said the SBU helped Kyivstar restore its systems within days and to repel new cyber attacks.After the major break there were a number of new attempts aimed at dealing more damage to the operator, he said. Kyivstar is the biggest of Ukraines three main telecoms operators and there are some 1.1 million Ukrainians who live in small towns and villages where there are no other providers, Vitiuk said. Advertisement People rushed to buy other SIM cards because of the attack, creating large queues. ATMs using Kyivstar SIM cards for the internet ceased to work and the air-raid siren - used during missile and drone attacks - did not function properly in some regions, he said. He said the attack had no big impact on Ukraines military, which did not rely on telecom operators and made use of what he described as different algorithms and protocols.Speaking about drone detection, speaking about missile detection, luckily, no, this situation didnt affect us strongly, he said. Advertisement Vitiuk said he was pretty sure it was carried out by Sandworm, a Russian military intelligence cyberwarfare unit that has been linked to cyberattacks in Ukraine and elsewhere. A year ago, Sandworm penetrated a Ukrainian telecoms operator, but was detected by Kyiv because the SBU had itself been inside Russian systems, Vitiuk said, declining to identify the company. The earlier hack has not been previously reported. Advertisement Russias defence ministry did not respond to a written request for comment on Vitiuks remarks. Vitiuk said the pattern of behaviour suggested telecom operators could remain a target of Russian hackers. The SBU thwarted over 4,500 major cyberattacks on Ukrainian governmental bodies and critical infrastructure last year, he said. A group called Solntsepyok, believed by the SBU to be affiliated with Sandworm, said it was responsible for the attack. Advertisement Vitiuk said SBU investigators were still working to establish how Kyivstar was penetrated or what type of trojan horse malware could have been used to break in, adding that it could have been phishing, someone helping on the inside or something else. If it was an inside job, the insider who helped the hackers did not have a high level of clearance in the company, as the hackers made use of malware to steal hashes of passwords, he said. Advertisement Samples of that malware have been recovered and are being analysed, he added. Kyivstars CEO, Oleksandr Komarov, said on Dec. 20 that all the companys services had been fully restored throughout the country. Vitiuk praised the SBUs incident response effort to safely restore the systems. The attack on Kyivstar may have been made easier because of similarities between it and Russian mobile operator Beeline, which was built with similar infrastructure, Vitiuk said. The sheer size of Kyivstars infrastructure would have been easier to navigate with expert guidance, he added. Advertisement The destruction at Kyivstar began at around 5:00 a.m. local time while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was in Washington, pressing the West to continue supplying aid. Vitiuk said the attack was not accompanied by a major missile and drone strike at a time when people were having communication difficulties, limiting its impact while also relinquishing a powerful intelligence-gathering tool. Why the hackers chose Dec. 12 was unclear, he said, adding: Maybe some colonel wanted to become a general. Advertisement With inputs from Reuters. An official from Afghanistans Vice and Virtue Ministry has confirmed that the Taliban is arresting women in the capital for bad hijab, marking the initial official acknowledgment of the Talibans enforcement of a dress code since their resurgence in 2021 An official from Afghanistans Vice and Virtue Ministry has confirmed that the Taliban is arresting women in the capital for bad hijab, marking the initial official acknowledgment of the Talibans enforcement of a dress code since their resurgence in 2021, drawing parallels with neighboring Irans long-standing imposition of compulsory hijab. This recent development compounds the challenges faced by Afghan women and girls, who are grappling with prohibitions on education, employment, and the ability to access public spaces. Advertisement Abdul Ghafar Farooq, the spokesman from the Vice and Virtue Ministry, didnt say how many women have been arrested or what constitutes bad hijab, according to the Associated Press. In May 2022, the Taliban issued a decree calling for women to only show their eyes and recommending they wear the head-to-toe burqa, similar to restrictions during the Talibans previous rule between 1996 and 2001. Farooq said the women were arrested three days ago. In voice notes to The Associated Press, he said the ministry has heard complaints about womens lack of correct hijab in the capital and provinces for almost two-and-a-half years. Ministry officials made recommendations to women and advised them to follow the dress code. Female police officers were sent to arrest the women after they failed to follow the advice, he added. Advertisement These are the few limited women who spread bad hijab in Islamic society, he said. They violated Islamic values and rituals, and encouraged society and other respected sisters to go for bad hijab. Police will refer the matter to judicial authorities or the women will be released on strict bail, according to Farooq. Advertisement In every province, those who go without hijab will be arrested, he warned. The arrests come less than a week after the UN Security Council called for a special envoy to engage with the Taliban, especially on gender and human rights. But the Taliban criticized the idea, saying that special envoys have complicated situations further via the imposition of external solutions. Advertisement Late Wednesday, while expressing support for a special envoy for Afghanistan, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said America remained concerned about the Talibans repressive edicts against women and girls and its unwillingness to foster inclusive governance." The decisions made risk irreparable damage to Afghan society and move the Taliban further away from normalising relations with the international community, added Miller. Advertisement With inputs from agencies The incident unfolded around 3 am on December 14 when Chen, the passenger, was assisted into Dus cab by a friend. Upon completing the journey, Chen mistakenly swiped her payment cards QR code for a fare that should have been 60 yuan (US$8) A taxi driver in China, Du Liming, employed by an affiliate of Guangzhou Public Transport Group, received accolades on mainland social media for his dedicated efforts in locating a passenger who accidentally overpaid her fare by an astounding 170,000 yuan (US$24,000) due to intoxication. The incident unfolded around 3 am on December 14 when Chen, the passenger, was assisted into Dus cab by a friend after a night out. Upon completing the journey, Chen mistakenly swiped her payment cards QR code for a fare that should have been 60 yuan (US$8). Advertisement It was only at the end of Dus shift that he discovered the unexpected additional amount on his rarely used Alipay account. At first, I thought I had read the number wrong, Du recounted. Despite reporting the incident to the nearest police station, contacting his company, reaching out to Alipay, and leaving messages for Chen, there was no immediate response. Expressing empathy, Du emphasised the urgency of finding the passenger, drawing on personal experiences of misplacing valuable belongings. Losing things, particularly a large sum of money, is very worrying, so I wanted to find the customer as soon as possible, he stated. In his relentless pursuit, Du sought assistance from local media, resulting in a viral news story about the search for the passenger. Eventually, Chen learned about the situation through a friend who had seen the news and contacted Du. The money was successfully returned in their subsequent meeting. Advertisement Mainland social media users expressed admiration for Dus empathy and determination, with one saying, Du is so kind, and another noting, Du seemed more anxious than Chen. What a great man. The SBU assessed the hackers would have been able to steal personal information, understand the locations of phones, intercept SMS-messages and perhaps steal Telegram accounts with the level of access they gained, he said Ukraines head of cyber spying has revealed that Russian hackers had gained access to the system of the countrys largest telecom company, Kyivstar, at least since May of last year. This cyberattack should be seen as a big warning to the West. One of the most significant hacks since Russias full-scale invasion almost two years ago, the attack prevented about 24 million users of Ukraines largest telecom company from using its services for several days starting on December 12. Advertisement Head of the cybersecurity department at the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Illia Vitiuk, provided exclusive details about the hack in an interview. According to Vitiuk, the hack caused disastrous destruction and was intended to gather intelligence and deliver a psychological blow. This attack is a big message, a big warning, not only to Ukraine, but for the whole Western world to understand that no one is actually untouchable, he said. He noted Kyivstar was a wealthy, private company that invested a lot in cybersecurity. The attack wiped almost everything, including thousands of virtual servers and PCs, he said, describing it as probably the first example of a destructive cyberattack that completely destroyed the core of a telecoms operator. During its investigation, the SBU found the hackers probably attempted to penetrate Kyivstar in March or earlier, he said in a Zoom interview on Dec. 27. Advertisement For now, we can say securely, that they were in the system at least since May 2023, he said. I cannot say right now, since what time they had full access: probably at least since November. The SBU assessed the hackers would have been able to steal personal information, understand the locations of phones, intercept SMS-messages and perhaps steal Telegram accounts with the level of access they gained, he said. Advertisement A Kyivstar spokesperson said the company was working closely with the SBU to investigate the attack and would take all necessary steps to eliminate future risks, adding: No facts of leakage of personal and subscriber data have been revealed. Vitiuk said the SBU helped Kyivstar restore its systems within days and to repel new cyber attacks. Advertisement After the major break there were a number of new attempts aimed at dealing more damage to the operator, he said. Kyivstar is the biggest of Ukraines three main telecoms operators and there are some 1.1 million Ukrainians who live in small towns and villages where there are no other providers, Vitiuk said. Advertisement People rushed to buy other SIM cards because of the attack, creating large queues. ATMs using Kyivstar SIM cards for the internet ceased to work and the air-raid siren - used during missile and drone attacks - did not function properly in some regions, he said. He said the attack had no big impact on Ukraines military, which did not rely on telecoms operators and made use of what he described as different algorithms and protocols. Advertisement Speaking about drone detection, speaking about missile detection, luckily, no, this situation didnt affect us strongly, he said. RUSSIAN SANDWORM Investigating the attack is harder because of the wiping of Kyivstars infrastructure. Vitiuk said he was pretty sure it was carried out by Sandworm, a Russian military intelligence cyberwarfare unit that has been linked to cyberattacks in Ukraine and elsewhere. Advertisement A year ago, Sandworm penetrated a Ukrainian telecoms operator, but was detected by Kyiv because the SBU had itself been inside Russian systems, Vitiuk said, declining to identify the company. The earlier hack has not been previously reported. Russias defence ministry did not respond to a written request for comment on Vitiuks remarks. Advertisement Vitiuk said the pattern of behaviour suggested telecoms operators could remain a target of Russian hackers. The SBU thwarted over 4,500 major cyberattacks on Ukrainian governmental bodies and critical infrastructure last year, he said. A group called Solntsepyok, believed by the SBU to be affiliated with Sandworm, said it was responsible for the attack. Advertisement Vitiuk said SBU investigators were still working to establish how Kyivstar was penetrated or what type of trojan horse malware could have been used to break in, adding that it could have been phishing, someone helping on the inside or something else. If it was an inside job, the insider who helped the hackers did not have a high level of clearance in the company, as the hackers made use of malware used to steal hashes of passwords, he said. Advertisement Samples of that malware have been recovered and are being analysed, he added. Kyivstars CEO, Oleksandr Komarov, said on Dec. 20 that all the companys services had been fully restored throughout the country. Vitiuk praised the SBUs incident response effort to safely restore the systems. The attack on Kyivstar may have been made easier because of similarities between it and Russian mobile operator Beeline, which was built with similar infrastructure, Vitiuk said. Advertisement The sheer size of Kyivstars infrastructure would have been easier to navigate with expert guidance, he added. The destruction at Kyivstar began at around 5:00 a.m. local time while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was in Washington, pressing the West to continue supplying aid. Vitiuk said the attack was not accompanied by a major missile and drone strike at a time when people were having communication difficulties, limiting its impact while also relinquishing a powerful intelligence-gathering tool. Why the hackers chose Dec. 12 was unclear, he said, adding: Maybe some colonel wanted to become a general. (With inputs from Reuters) The proposed law excludes those guilty of crimes against humanity, but human rights activists argue it could apply to most convicted officers found guilty of lesser offenses. Uruguays military regime led to torture, disappearances, and extrajudicial killings Uruguays Senate has passed a controversial bill allowing military officers, involved in human rights abuses during the countrys dictatorship (1973-1985), to serve sentences at home if they are over 65. The critiques, however, argue the law, dubbed a humanitarian measure, would benefit not just elderly convicts but also mothers and pregnant women in jail. However, critics, including victims organisations, condemn it as a big step backward and morally unacceptable. Advertisement Patricia Lopez, from the Association of Mothers and Relatives of Uruguayan Disappeared Persons, asserts the law hampers justice for dictatorship victims. Carmen Asiain, a supporting senator, emphasizes adherence to international human rights conventions, stating that only those with poor physical or mental health affecting human dignity can qualify for house arrest. The proposed law excludes those guilty of crimes against humanity, but human rights activists argue it could apply to most convicted officers found guilty of lesser offenses. Uruguays military regime led to torture, disappearances, and extrajudicial killings, with thousands suffering under its 12-year rule. Observers fear the legislation might lead to the release of previously convicted officers, especially given the time elapsed since the dictatorship. An immunity law, in force until 2011, shielded armed forces members from accusations. Despite ongoing efforts, only 28 individuals have been convicted for dictatorship-era abuses. Advertisement Pablo Chargonia of Observatorio Luz Ibarburu warns the proposed law could send the few convicted officers home, while survivors like Sara Mendez, who endured kidnapping and torture, voice concerns. Sara, now reunited with her son after 25 years, fears the bill lacks differentiation between common crimes and state-committed atrocities. She stresses the victims opinion should be considered in modifying prison regimes for convicted officers. Advertisement The proposed law has ignited a broader debate on justice, accountability, and distinguishing between crimes committed by the state and common offenses. As Uruguay grapples with its past, the proposed legislations potential impact on convicted officers and the quest for truth about disappeared individuals remains a contentious issue. Some 15% of international trade goes through the vital Red Sea area, he said, and rerouting ships around the Cape of Good Hope represents an additional 10-day journey, negatively impacts global trade, and increases freight rates. The United States and its allies issued a joint statement on Wednesday reiterating a call for an end to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, according to the White House. Some 15% of international trade goes through the vital Red Sea area, he said, and rerouting ships around the Cape of Good Hope represents an additional 10-day journey, negatively impacts global trade, and increases freight rates. Advertisement Let our message now be clear: we call for the immediate end of these illegal attacks and release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews, said the statement, issued by the U.S. with Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands and New Zealand. The Houthis will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and free flow of commerce in the regions critical waterways. U.S. deputy ambassador Christopher Lu told an emergency council meeting that the Houthis have carried out more than 20 attacks since Nov. 19 and despite losing 10 fighters in a confrontation with U.S. forces after trying unsuccessfully to board a cargo ship on Sunday, the rebel group announced Wednesday morning they had targeted another container ship. Advertisement The Houthis, who have been engaged in a civil war with Yemens internationally recognized government since 2014, have said they launched the attacks on ships in the Red Sea with the aim of ending Israels offensive in the Gaza Strip triggered by the Palestinian militant group Hamas Oct. 7 surprise attack in southern Israel. Advertisement International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez told the council that as a result of the Houthi attacks, around 18 shipping companies have rerouted their vessels around South Africa to avoid the risk of being hit. Some 15% of international trade goes through the vital Red Sea area, he said, and rerouting ships around the Cape of Good Hope represents an additional 10-day journey, negatively impacts global trade, and increases freight rates. Advertisement U.S. envoy Lu stressed to the council that the Houthis have been able to carry out the attacks because Iran has supplied them with money and advanced weapons systems including drones, land attack cruise missiles and ballistic missiles in violation of U.N. sanctions. We also know that Iran has been deeply involved in planning operations against commercial vessels in the Red Sea, Lu said. Advertisement He said the United States isnt seeking a confrontation with Iran but Tehran has a choice. It can continue its current course, Lu said, or it can withhold its support without which the Houthis would struggle to effectively track and strike commercial vessels navigating shipping lanes through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Advertisement After the U.S. Navy sank three Houthi boats on Sunday with the loss of 10 of its fighters, the spokesman for the White House National Security Council wouldnt say what further actions the Biden administration was considering. John Kirby told ABCs Good Morning America the United States has made it clear to the Houthis that we take these threats seriously and were going to make the right decisions going forward. Advertisement Lu, the U.S. deputy ambassador, said the Houthi attacks pose grave implications for maritime security, international shipping and commerce and its vital that the Security Council speak out now on the need to uphold international law and the right to freedom of navigation. A U.S. draft resolution circulated to council members after the open meeting and obtained by The Associated Press would condemn and demand an immediate halt to the Houthi attacks and recognize the right of any country to defend their merchant and naval vessels following international law. Advertisement Without mentioning Iran, the draft would also condemn the provision of arms and related materiel of all types to the Houthis in violation of U.N. resolutions. It would also call for all countries to implement the arms embargo on the Houthis and recall that the U.N. panel of experts monitoring sanctions has found many Houthi weapons to be of Iranian origin. Advertisement The U.S. draft would underscore the need to avoid further escalation of the situation. There was near unanimous condemnation of the Houthi attacks in speeches Wednesday by the 15 council members, and many calls for the rebel group to release the Galaxy Leader, a Japanese-operated cargo ship with links to an Israeli company that it seized on Nov. 19 along with its crew. Advertisement A statement issued later by the U.S., Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand and the United Kingdom called for the immediate end of Houthi attacks and warned that further attacks would require collective action. The Houthis will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and free flow of commerce in the regions critical waterways, the 12 countries said. Advertisement On Dec. 1, the Security Council issued a press statement condemning and demanding an immediate halt to Houthi attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea in the strongest terms. Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia called on Houthi leaders to implement that statement and halt attacks, but he stressed that they must be seen as a response to the violence in Gaza where Israels brutal operation has continued for three months now, leading to escalating attacks in the West Bank and along the Israel-Lebanon border. Russia sees two scenarios for the current Red Sea situation, he said. The favorable one would be for the Security Council to redouble efforts to end the Yemen civil war and the violence in Gaza, Nebenzia said. The catastrophic scenario is to escalate the use of force in the Red Sea which he said the U.S. and its allies are calling on the council to do which risks derailing a settlement of the Yemen conflict and would create conditions for igniting a new major conflict around at least the Arabian Peninsula" and a wider regional conflict. China called the Red Sea an important shipping lane for the international goods and energy trade on Thursday and said it is of common interest to safeguard its peace and stability. China opposes attacks against civilian vessels. I believe all sides need to play a constructive and responsible role in safeguarding the security of shipping lanes in the Red Sea, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said during a regular news briefing. With inputs from agencies. Signatories of the statement included Britain, which issued its own warning to the Houthis of direct action, as well as Australia, Canada, Germany and Japan. The only regional country to sign was Bahrain, the Gulf state that has particularly tense relations with Iran, which supports the Houthis Twelve nations led by the United States on Wednesday jointly warned Yemens Houthi rebels of unspecified consequences unless they halt attacks on Red Sea shipping vessels. Let our message now be clear: we call for the immediate end of these illegal attacks and release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews, said the statement released by the White House. Advertisement The Houthis will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy and the free flow of commerce in the regions critical waterways. The statement comes after several reports that President Joe Bidens administration is considering direct strikes on the rebels if the attacks continue. Signatories of the statement included Britain, which on Monday issued its own warning to the Houthis of direct action, as well as Australia, Canada, Germany and Japan. The only regional country to sign was Bahrain, the tiny Gulf state that has particularly tense relations with Iran, which supports the Houthis. The Houthis say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza by targeting ships with links to Israel. The United States has sent an aircraft carrier, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, to the area and earlier announced a coalition of countries to protect movement in the Red Sea, through which 12 per cent of global trade passes. Imam Sharif, discovered with multiple gunshot wounds, was swiftly transported to the hospital but sadly succumbed to his injuries. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin shared that preliminary evidence does not suggest bias or terrorism In the early hours of Wednesday morning, Imam Hassan Sharif of Masjid-Muhammad-Newark in New Jersey was fatally shot outside his mosque. Despite the unknown assailant who remains at large, authorities stated in a press conference that the incident is not believed to be linked to domestic terrorism or bias. Imam Sharif, discovered with multiple gunshot wounds, was swiftly transported to the hospital but sadly succumbed to his injuries. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin shared that preliminary evidence does not suggest bias or terrorism as motivations for the act. Advertisement Expressing concern for the Muslim community, Platkin acknowledged the heightened fear and anxiety resulting from global events and increasing bias. Governor Phil Murphy reassured residents, especially those near places of worship, that every effort will be made to ensure their safety. To encourage cooperation, a $25,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the apprehension of the perpetrator. Governor Murphy urged individuals with any relevant details to come forward. Local residents, while suspecting a connection to crime in Newark, emphasized the urgency of addressing and curbing criminal activities in the area. Paulette Williams, a Newark resident, called for an end to the prevalent crime. Imam Sharif, a well-respected figure in the community, served as a transportation security officer at Newark Liberty International Airport alongside his mosque duties. The Council on American-Islamic Relations expressed devastation at his killing, describing him as a beacon of leadership and excellence. Advertisement Senator Cory Booker, expressing his heartbreak on social media, shared condolences for the Masjid Muhammad members and the broader Muslim community in New Jersey. Aneesah Abdullah, a local resident, painted a heartfelt picture of Imam Sharif as just a good person overall with no known wrongdoings. A letter sent by 17 anonymous Biden re-election campaign staffers said if the US President does not change his stance over Israel-Hamas war, Americans who have voted blue for decades would feel uncertain about doing so for the first time ever As many as 17 of US President Joe Biden re-election campaign staffers have issued warning in an anonymous letter that he could lose voters over his stance in the Israel-Hamas War. In the letter published on Medium, the 17 anonymous Biden re-election campaign staffers urged the US President to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Advertisement Biden for President staff have seen volunteers quit in droves, and people who have voted blue for decades feel uncertain about doing so for the first time ever, because of this conflict, the letter stated. Also, a senior official in the US Education Department has resigned, citing Bidens handling of the conflict in Gaza. Addressing a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, Tariq Habash, special assistant in the Education Departments Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, said: I cannot stay silent as this administration turns a blind eye to the atrocities committed against innocent Palestinian lives, in what leading human rights experts have called a genocidal campaign by the Israeli government. Advertisement According to a report by Reuters, Habash was appointed in Bidens presidency as part of a build-out of the Education Departments student loan expertise. Habash is a Palestinian-American and an expert on student debt. Days after Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October, 2023, one of former State Department official, Josh Paul, had resigned from the Biden administration in protest over what he called the administrations blind support for Israel. Advertisement In November last year, more than 1,000 officials in the US Agency for International Development (USAID), part of the State Department, signed an open letter urging the Biden administration to call for an immediate ceasefire. After at least three cables criticising the administrations policy were filed with the State Departments internal dissent channel, Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged disagreements in a November letter. Advertisement In December, some staff in the Biden administration held a vigil near the White House to demand a ceasefire in Gaza. The 7 October attack by Hamas on Israel killed 1,200 people and some 240 hostages were taken back by the Palestinian terrorist group to Gaza. According to the Gaza health ministry, Palestinian death toll from Israels retaliatory offensive reached 22,313 by Wednesday (3 January, 2024) almost 1 per cent of Gazas 2.3 million population. Advertisement The United States has publicly slammed the rhetoric of some Israeli ministers and pushed Israel to curb civilian deaths in Gaza. Critics argue that Washington is not using its leverage as a major supplier of arms and aid to influence Israeli policy. With inputs from Reuters IDF claims that more than 170 minors are active in the military wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip Israel claims Hamas has been involving minors in terrorist activities and has positioned children on the frontlines to deliver messages and ammunitions. Israel Defense Forces, or IDF, has released a video on X, reportedly taken in Khan Younis in Gaza, revealing that for the first time a Hamas operative escorting children into a terrorist tunnel during a summer camp exercise. Advertisement During the ongoing war, Hamas has positioned children on the frontlines, sending them to deliver messages and ammunition while its operatives hide in shelters, IDF said. IDF further claimed that children in Gaza are taught in schools, youth movements, and summer camps that killing Jews and Israelis is justified. Terrorism is not innate, it is learned. In schools, youth movements and summer camps, Gazan children are taught the killing of Jews and Israelis is justified, incited toward terrorism and trained to fight in tunnels, shoot and kidnap. During the ongoing war, Hamas has pic.twitter.com/omhIt7kRWh Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 3, 2024 Hamas using kids to transfer explosive A report by Fox News quoted IDF saying Palestinian children being used by Hamas to transfer explosives from place to place in Gaza, in vegetable bags and placing them in the Hamas ambushes. Advertisement 170 minors active in the military wings of Hamas & Islamic Jihad IDF has claimed that more than 170 minors are active in the military wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip. Children are taught by Hamas from a young age to hate Israel and Jews and already in schools, youth movements and summer camps, children undergo theoretical and practical military training, the Fox News report quoted IDF as saying. Advertisement The Israeli force further said during the fighting in the Gaza Strip, they found documents and photographs that contained pictures of armed children, certificates of appreciation for the young terrorist operatives and active veterans associating them with the Hamas organisation and Islamic Jihad. Today, over 170 minors are identified as terrorist operatives in the Gaza Strip, IDF was reported as saying by Fox News. Advertisement The photographs showed Palestinian children and adolescents armed with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades. Children send to battlefield to deliver ammunition The IDF claims Hamas sends children for the purposes of delivering messages and ammunition. Also, children are sent to the battlefields after an attack in order to assess the damage and report it to the terrorists who are hiding in shelters, they said. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Nokia has announced that it has signed a new patent cross-license agreement with HONOR covering both parties fundamental inventions in 5G and other cellular technologies. The terms of the agreement remain confidential between the parties, said the company, so there are no details yet on how much the deal is worth. Nokia signed a multi-year 5G patent deal with Samsung last year, and this is the fourth major smartphone agreement that Nokia has concluded in the past 12 months. Susanna Martikainen, Chief Licensing Officer Mobile Devices at Nokia, said: We are delighted to have concluded an amicable patent cross-license agreement with HONOR, one of the leading players in the Chinese smartphone market. It is the fourth major litigation-free smartphone agreement that Nokia has concluded over the past twelve months and highlights once again the strength of Nokias patent portfolio and decades-long contributions to cellular standards and other technologies. Wenyu Zhou, Head of Global Intellectual Property at HONOR, said: As both 5G SEP holder and implementor, HONOR highly respects IP rights and strongly believes that reasonable value of IP is important to the development of mobile industry. The conclusion of the patent cross-license agreement shows HONORs commitment on innovation to enabling a smart life across all scenarios and all channels, for all people. Hate to break this to you but none of that will stop someone in a repo tow truck and towing it away. They dont even have to get out of the truck. Back up to your truck hit a button and lift it and gone! Now you can back it into a spot so they would need to also lift the rear wheel off the ground but with the 4 wheel dollies you slip under the wheels and jack it up and push it out where they can get the tow truck to it. 2 guys 5 min. is all it takes. Maybe pull in and cut the wheel all the way to one side. They would need to wheel dolly to get it out of the spot and then dolly it away that would take a little more time to do. And you may say install a movement sensor to set off an alarm how many times have you seen a car being towed with the alarm going off? If you are close and hear it you can then call the police but how soon will they get there to catch them? I think some type of tracking of the truck is the way to go in the end with any or all of the above. Dave ---- A man picks up his child after a shooting at the Perry Middle and High School complex in Perry, Iowa on January 4, 2024 Four of Colorados Democratic members of Congress are trying to get the United States Postal Service to address persistent problems with delivery issues in 14 mountain communities in the state, including Grand Junction. In a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy sent Wednesday, the four U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, and U.S. Reps. Brittany Pettersen and Joe Neguse point to an audit released by the USPS Office of Inspector General last month that found persistent delays in 14 Colorado post offices, including at the Grand Junction Carrier Annex on Scarlet Street and the Grand Junction Processing and Distribution Center on Burkey Street. While most of the delays were due to understaffing, some stemmed from improper equipment. At the Grand Junction processing center, for example, audits found five tubs of mail returned from the Glenwood Springs Post Office for automatic processing. Problem is, the center has no machine that can do that work, requiring that mail to be hand processed. To make matters worse, the center never communicated that to area post offices that were returning that flat mail to them, the audit says. The audit also found that during its 43-week audit period between October 2022 to July 2023, the Grand Junction carrier annex was 30% understaffed, while the processing center was 5% understaffed. The audit offered 10 recommendations to address the problem, but USPS management disagreed with three of them, including exploring the possibility of paying employees more and analyzing working conditions that affect hiring and retaining employees. Customers in Colorado mountain towns experienced lower on-time service performance, especially for packages, compared to the rest of the state and nation overall, the audit concluded. The biggest challenge was the facilities ability to hire and retain personnel. We also found deficiencies with handling of mail and packages, transportation schedules and facility constraints. In their letter, the four lawmakers called on DeJoy to take quick action in fixing what ails the postal service, saying that staffing should be central to addressing it. The four wrote that the problems are not new ones, and it shouldnt take an inspector general audit to get action. It is unacceptable to not see improvements on these long-standing issues, but it is even more alarming during the holiday season, they wrote. The cost of living in these mountain towns has increased substantially, and the hourly pay of USPS has not kept up with the cost of living in these areas. Each of these recommendations are critically important to improving USPS recruitment and retention of workers. Saturday Night Partly cloudy skies early followed by increasing clouds with showers developing later at night. Low 43F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Army awards contract for HADES prototyping efforts By U.S. Army Public Affairs January 3, 2024 WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Army Contracting Command-Redstone Arsenal, in coordination with the Army Fixed Wing Project Office, awarded a firm-fixed-price contract to Bombardier Defense (Learjet, Inc.) on Dec. 12, 2023. This contract procures one Global 6500 jet aircraft with options to purchase two additional aircraft over a three-year period. These aircraft will support prototyping efforts for the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System, also known as HADES. These HADES prototypes will be the first U.S. Army-owned large-cabin business jets utilized for Aerial Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platforms, and will provide advanced deep-sensing capabilities for use in multidomain operations against peer and near-peer adversaries. The delivery date for the first aircraft is Oct. 1, 2024. "HADES will bring the Army increased range, speed, endurance and aerial ISR depth," said Col. Joe S. Minor, project manager for Army fixed-wing aircraft. "HADES will operate at higher altitudes than legacy turboprop platforms. Higher altitudes equate to an ability to sense farther and more persistently into areas of interest. Deep sensing is the Army's number-one operational imperative for the Army of 2030." In preparation for the HADES program of record, the Army began purchasing aerial ISR as a service in the form of aerial technology demonstrators from defense industry vendors in 2020. The ATDs are providing data about platform performance, sensor integration, sensor performance and data distribution to both the Army and the joint force. The ATDs also allow the Army to better understand the doctrine, training, personnel, facilities and sustainment required to employ these more capable sensors and aircraft that HADES will provide. Bombardier, Global and Global 6500 are registered or unregistered trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Senior Hamas leader's killing risks escalating conflict, spillover Global Times Cross-border assassination shows Israel has no intention on cease-fire By Yang Sheng Published: Jan 03, 2024 09:18 PM Updated: Jan 03, 2024 11:59 PM The conflict between Israel and Palestinian armed group Hamas has affected more regions apart from the Gaza Strip and the Red Sea, as the latest airstrike launched by the Israeli military on Beirut, capital of Lebanon, killed a senior leader of Hamas, leading to more people expressing concerns about the escalation of the conflict. Chinese analysts said on Wednesday the attack shows that Israel does not care about breaching the borders of other sovereign countries to launch air strikes, and it does not want to negotiate with Hamas for a cease-fire at all. It has also ignored concerns from the US about conflict escalation in the direction of Lebanon. Israel is looking for a way out of the current conflict but eliminating Hamas in Gaza is extremely difficult, so to eliminate senior Hamas leaders responsible for the October 7 attack could be a feasible plan. Therefore, in the next step, the military operation in Gaza might reduce and attacks that aim to kill Hamas leaders in other countries would increase, said experts. Conflict escalation Saleh al-Arouri, the second-in-command of Hamas's political office, was killed in Dahieh, a densely populated stronghold of Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant and political group. A spokesperson for Hezbollah told The Washington Post that the attack involved a drone armed with three rockets, and pinned the blame on Israel. Hamas announced a freeze on cease-fire negotiations with Israel after Arouri was killed on Tuesday evening, a Palestinian source told the Xinhua News Agency. "We have informed the brothers in Qatar and Egypt of the freezing of negotiations," the source said on condition of anonymity. Qatar and Egypt have been mediating a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. The source also said that Hamas, at war with Israel, rejected any talks about reaching a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip amid escalated Israeli aggression and "assassination schemes" against Palestinian leaders. Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati issued a statement late Tuesday condemning the attack, calling it a "new Israeli crime," the Turkish Anadolu Agency reported. Lebanon intends to file an urgent complaint with the UN Security Council against Israel in light of the attack, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement. Lebanon has previously lodged several complaints against Israel at the UN Security Council, including cases related to targeting journalists in southern Lebanon and the occupying border towns. The incident once again proves that Israel and Hamas show no intention, and have no condition, to end their conflict, and even more unfortunately, the US is playing a role in the tolerance for the killings in Gaza, experts said. Wang Jin, an associate professor at the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies at Northwest University in Xi'an, told the Global Times on Wednesday that "many senior leaders of Hamas are not based in Gaza, but in other countries like Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Syria and Qatar. After the attack in Beirut, more similar operations might occur in the region." Some observers said the US will receive more pressure in the aftermath of the Beirut attack from Arab countries, because the more Washington tolerates Israel continuing its war and uses the US' veto power to stop UN Security Council cease-fire resolutions, the more Arab countries will come under the risk of Israel attacks or assassinations. Trita Parsi, co-founder and executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, posted on his X account that the attack in Beirut "shows once more that as time has passed and Biden has refused to push for a cease-fire, we are getting closer and closer to a full war in the region." Complex situation The Wall Street Journal on December 23, 2023, reported that US President Joe Biden had urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt a preemptive strike against Hezbollah forces in Lebanon days after October 7, warning that such an attack could spark a wider regional war. The Biden administration does not want to see a regional escalation as it will receive extra pressure and will risk losing control of the Middle East affairs, but it does not mean that Israel would listen. The latest airstrike in Beirut that brought anger from Lebanon proves that Israel just takes action while ignoring concerns from the US, analysts said. "The attack in Beirut will add more turbulence to the region, but it doesn't necessarily mean Israel is ready to escalate the conflict to Lebanon, and other countries in the region have neither the intention nor condition to get involved in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas," Ma Xiaolin, dean of the Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean Rim at Zhejiang International Studies University, told the Global Times on Wednesday. For Hamas, in the short term, it might lose its military strength to some extent, but it will maintain its existence in the region as a resistance group with political influence among the public. It is also extremely difficult for Israel to eliminate Hamas in the region, Ma noted. "A possible and feasible way for Israel to end this conflict is to eliminate a group of senior leaders of Hamas inside and outside Gaza who were related to the October 7 attack, then it would be able to declare 'victory' to its people and end this brutal and costly war," said Wang of Northwest University. The death toll from Israel's war on Gaza now stands at 22,313 Palestinians, the health ministry in Gaza says. At least 57,296 Palestinians have been wounded, Al Jazeera reported on Wednesday. Thousands more are trapped under the rubble of their homes and are presumed dead. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA conducts naval, air patrols in South China Sea amid US-Philippine provocations Global Times By Liu Xuanzun and Guo Yuandan Published: Jan 03, 2024 10:03 PM The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Wednesday launched a two-day routine patrol in the South China Sea, concurrently with a US-Philippines joint patrol in the region, with experts saying that the PLA patrol is pointed toward infringement and provocative actions by the Philippines and the US, and displays China's determination and firm will in safeguarding territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. The PLA Southern Theater Command has organized naval and air forces to conduct a routine patrol in the South China Sea from Wednesday to Thursday, the PLA Southern Theater Command said in a press release on Wednesday. "The troops of the theater command are on high alert so as to firmly safeguard national sovereign security and maritime rights and interests. Any military activities that upset the situation or create tension in the South China Sea are completely under control," the press release read. While the PLA Southern Theater Command did not name the parties that could "upset the situation or create tension," Reuters reported on Wednesday that the Philippines and the US began a two-day joint patrol in the South China Sea on Wednesday. It marks the second US-Philippines joint patrol since November 2023 and involves four vessels from the Philippine navy and four ships from the US Indo-Pacific command that include an aircraft carrier, a cruiser and two destroyers, according to the Reuters report. Though it is a routine patrol, it has specific purpose, an expert said. "Everyone knows who is creating trouble in the South China Sea, and who is instigating the Philippines to provoke China constantly," Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Wednesday. "When it comes to sovereignty, we will never back off even a bit. We will use our strength to safeguard our core interests," Song said. Ding Duo, deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Law and Policy at the China Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times that the PLA's patrol displays China's determination and will in safeguarding territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea, and that this determination and will are steadily growing along with the growing strength to do so. The operation announced by the PLA Southern Theater Command can serve as a deterrence against forces that stir up trouble. It is also a necessary act to safeguard peace and stability in the region, Ding said. It is a pointed operation against a series of infringement and provocative actions by the Philippines and the US in the South China Sea, Ding said, noting that by demonstrating determination, will and capability, the trouble-stirring forces will have a clear understanding of China's red line and capability, and this will help avoid misjudgments and accidents from happening, Ding said. The PLA Southern Theater Command's patrol also comes as the Philippines has been frequently provoking China over Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea, especially near Ren'ai Jiao (also known as Ren'ai Reef), since August. In the name of resupply, the Philippines has repeatedly sent vessels carrying illegal building materials in attempts to reinforce a warship that has been illegally grounded on Ren'ai Reef since 1999 to permanently occupy the Chinese reef. Those attempts were blocked by China Coast Guard vessels with legitimate and professional restriction measures. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 11K Palestinians arrested in occupied West Bank in 2023 IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 3, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Palestinian Prisoner's Society says that 11,000 Palestinians were arrested in 2023, including 1,085 children and 300 women. In a statement on Wednesday, the Palestinian Prisoner's Society announced that the occupying Zionist regime detained about 11,000 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank in 2023, and half of them were arrested after October 7 (Operation Al-Aqsa Storm). Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has stated recently that it has been documented that most of the self-decided detentions, unlawful detentions, and reported cases of torture and other forms of ill-treatment of Palestinian prisoners have happened in the West Bank. It also added that around 4,785 Palestinians have been detained in the West Bank since October 7, 2023. The Israeli regime waged a bloody war against the Gaza Strip on October 7 after the Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas carried out a retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity for its atrocities against Palestinians. Since the start of the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 22,313 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 57,296 others. 3266**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lebanese Hezbollah attacks 2 Israeli military bases IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 3, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Lebanon's resistance movement Hezbollah has issued a statement, announcing that resistance fighters have targeted two Israeli military positions. According to Shehab news agency, Hezbollah declared in a Wednesday statement the attack on the Jal al-Alam base and Zarit Barrack in the border areas between Lebanon and the Israeli-occupied territories. Hezbollah emphasized that the Israeli military positions were targetted directly and precisely. The Lebanese resistance movement also said that these attacks are being carried out in support of the Palestinian nation, which is under genocidal strikes by the Israeli regime. Hezbollah also announced that a Lebanese fighter named Muhammed Hadi Malik Abid was martyred in an attack by Israeli military forces on Baalbek city about 67 kilometers northeast of the capital Beirut. Following the initiation of the Israeli onslaught in the Gaza Strip on October 7, the Lebanese resistance movement kicked off rocket and missile attacks on Israeli positions in order to make the regime's forces engaged in northern occupied territories and help decrease pressure on Palestinian resistance fighters in Gaza. 4208**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni armed forces strike Israel-linked ship in Red Sea IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 3, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Yemeni Armed Forces have targeted a ship linked to the Israeli regime in the Red Sea as part of a campaign of strikes in the strategic waterway in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. "In support of the oppression faced by the Palestinian people under invasion and siege, the Yemeni naval forces targetted the ship 'CMA CGM TAGE,' which was heading towards the occupied ports of Palestine," Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces, said in a televised speech on Wednesday. He added, "This attack occurred after the ship's crew refrained from responding to the calls and warnings of the Yemeni naval forces," Saree also emphasized the Yemeni Armed Forces will continue striking Israeli-linked vessels in the Red Sea until the aggression against Gaza comes to a halt. "The maritime navigation route in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea is secure for all ships worldwide, except those affiliated with Israel," he said. He warned that any aggression by the United States will also not go unanswered. 4353**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zionist assassinations, a failed attempt to compensate February 7 defeat: IRGC IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 3, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps (IRGC) has said in a statement that crimes and assassination by the Zionist regime are failed attempts to compensate an irreparable failure in Al-Aqsa Operation on February 7 and to scape from Gaza quagmire. The IRGC statement comes a day after the assassination of Saleh Al-Arouri, the deputy head of the Political Bureau of Hamas, in a Zionist attack in Beirut. By committing such measures, the downtrodden Zionist regime will never be able to create strategic mistakes in the calculations of the resistance, the statement said. It stressed that the strategic patience of the resistance and Hezbollah, under the influence of the ominous hopes and dreams of the Zionist regime and its supporters, will not deviate from the orbit of rationality and logic. The Zionist regime has no other way, but to surrender before the determination of the Palestinian and Hamas fighters, the statement said, adding that it is the people of Gaza and Hamas that will undoubtedly emerge triumphant. 9341**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Arouri assassination shows Israel in deep impasse: Lebanon's Amal IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 3, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Lebanon's Amal Movement has condemned the assassination of Saleh Al-Arouri, the deputy head of the Political Bureau of Hamas, in an Israeli attack in Beirut, considering it a violation of the Lebanese sovereignty of the country. Arouri and five other Hamas officials were killed in an Israeli drone strike on Tuesday, the first targetted assassination overseas by the Israeli regime since it launched a devastating war on the Hamas-governed Gaza Strip on October 7. The Amal Movement said in a statement on Wednesday that this crime reflects the deep impasse and confusion within the Israeli regime. The political party stressed that the assassination of al-Arouri is a violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, adding that the international community bears responsibility for this crime and must act promptly to halt the Zionist regime's atrocities. 4353**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Death toll of Palestinians rises to 22,313 in Gaza: Health ministry IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 3, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza has said that the total death toll from Israel's attacks on the besieged territory since October 7 has reached 22,313. The Israeli military killed 128 Palestinians and wounded 261 others in the Gaza Strip during the past 24 hours, IRNA reported citing Palestinian media on Wednesday. At the same time, Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has announced that Gazans are facing a "dire humanitarian catastrophe" in the region. He underlined that health must never be a target during conflicts, adding that hospitals, ambulances, health workers, and people seeking care must be protected, at all times, under international humanitarian law. Gaza's health system is already on its knees, with health and aid workers continuously stymied in their efforts to save lives due to the hostilities, he further noted. He reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire, alongside urgent action to get food, medical supplies, and water to Gazan civilians "forced to live in unspeakable conditions of hunger, disease spread, and lack of hygiene and sanitation". The Israeli regime waged a bloody war against the Gaza Strip on October 7 after the Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas carried out a retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity for its atrocities against Palestinians. 3266**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli regime's terror machine a real threat to regional peace: Iran FM IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 3, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian says the Israeli regime's terror machine is a real threat to regional peace and security. In a post in his social media account on Wednesday, Amirabdolahian said that the assassination a day earlier in the Lebanese capital Beirut of Saleh al-Arouri, a senior official of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, was a "cowardly terrorist operation" which proved that Israel has failed to reach its objectives in the war in Gaza. "The malicious activity of this regime's terror machine in other countries is a real threat to peace and security and a serious alarm bell for the security of the countries in the region," he said in the post. The top Iranian diplomat offered his condolences to head of Hamas politburo Ismail Haniyeh and the heroic nation of Palestine on the martyrdom of Arouri who served as deputy head of Hamas politburo before he was assassinated in a drone strike allegedly carried out by the Israeli regime late on Tuesday. 4261**7129 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Martyrdom of Saleh Arouri confirms Israel's disgraceful failure: Hamas IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 3, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- A senior Hamas official said that the assassination of Deputy Head of Hamas Politboro in Beirut Saleh al-Aruri will surely make the Palestinian resistance movement more determined to contnue their brave resistance against Tel Aviv's regime. Izzat al-Rishq in a statement on Tuesday night stressed that the assassination of Saleh al-Arouri once again demonstrated the disgraceful failure of the Zionist enemy in achieving any of its objectives in its brutal war on the Palestinian enclave. "Such cowardly assassinations by the Zionist regime against the leaders and symbols of the Palestinian people inside and outside of Palestine will not succeed in breaking the will and steadfastness of our nation and stopping their brave resistance," al-Rishq reiterated. Al-Aruri was martyred as a result of an explosion in a building in al-Musharrafieh district in southern Beirut, Lebanon. Later, Hamas confirmed that al-Aruri was killed in Israel's terror attack, which also killed several of his companions. 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NSPA supports a coalition of NATO nations with contract for patriot missiles NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Jan 3 2024 LUXEMBOURG, 3 January 2024 -- The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) will support a coalition of nations, including Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain, with a contract for a combined quantity of up to 1,000 Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missiles (GEM-T), if all options are exercised. The contract includes qualification of updated components, addition of new suppliers, test equipment, and spares to support future sustainment. Other user nations are expected to benefit from the conditions of the contract. The Agency awarded a production and delivery contract to COMLOG, a joint venture between Raytheon, an RTX business (NYSE: RTX), and MBDA. To support production and delivery, COMLOG will expand the production capacity of GEM-T missiles in Europe. GEM-T is a primary effector for the combat-proven Patriot air defence system, relied upon by eight European nations, for defence against cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and enemy aircraft threats. Through this contract, NSPA enables Patriot user nations to take advantage of significant benefits. The consolidated multinational procurement, in the spirit of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), offers economies of scale and supports the expansion of production capacity for new GEM-T missiles to meet increasing demand. The new production capacity for GEM-T missiles in Europe enhances security of supply and will contribute to the replenishment of Patriot missile stockpile inventories. The initiative demonstrates the strong cooperation among Patriot allies in alignment with the ESSI. "This contract demonstrates that NSPA, as a primary enabler of the Alliance, can successfully deliver effective and cost-efficient multinational solutions to nations, while reinforcing European industrial capacities. Through close Euro-Atlantic cooperation between allies and industry, NSPA has enabled the consolidation of requirements through the award of this complex contract. Customer nations have achieved economies of scale, reduced their logistics footprint, and are obtaining capable solutions and support under a proven turnkey legal framework. " Ms Stacy A. Cummings, NSPA General Manager Thomas Gottschild, Managing Director MBDA Germany: "The contract strengthens industrial and military Capabilities in Europe. The order volume will enable MBDA to set up a production facility for Patriot missiles in Germany, as well as major subcomponent production. The COMLOG facility is currently the only one of its kind for the Patriot missile outside the US. Overall, the contract supports European Patriot user states, creates workplaces in Germany, and strengthens the supply chain for ammunition." Thomas Laliberty, Raytheon, President Land & Air Defense Systems: "Raytheon and MBDA have partnered with NSPA, the United States Army and a broad network of suppliers across the region to offer our European partners a GEM-T program which increases NATO's air defence missile inventory, strengthens NATO deterrence, and sustains the operational readiness of Patriot air defence systems across Europe. This bundled procurement strengthens cooperation among European Patriot allies." The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) is NATO's lead organisation for multinational acquisition, support and sustainment in all domains. Based in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, with main operational centres in France, Hungary and Italy, the Agency employs over 1,500 staff and oversees more than 500 contractors in support of NATO's missions and exercises. COMLOG GmbH is a 50/50 percent joint venture between MBDA Germany and Raytheon, founded in 1987. COMLOG's primary field of activity is the logistic support of Patriot PAC-2 missiles with the aim of maintaining operational capability. Since its founding, the company has performed maintenance for more than 5,000 PAC-2 missiles at the Patriot Missile Facility 3 (PMF-3), located in Schrobenhausen, Germany, COMLOG's main customer is the NSPA, which operates on behalf of the European Patriot user countries and the US Army. Story by NATO Support and Procurement Agency NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN agency chief warns of 'unbearable suffering' in Gaza Iran Press TV Wednesday, 03 January 2024 7:10 PM The commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has warned of "unbearable suffering" and the spread of disease in the Gaza Strip, as a nightmare of bloodshed in Gaza is unfolding due to Israel's incessant bombing of the coastal territory. The UN agency's commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini in a social media post on Wednesday said that three months of the war in Gaza had led to "mass displacement, mass human losses and injuries, and mass destruction." "Unbearable suffering made worse by constant dehumanization and promotion of hate speech going unchecked," he said in a post on X. The warning comes as UNRWA has already sounded the alarm on the spread of disease in the Israeli-bombarded besieged Palestinian territory. The agency has warned that the situation in Gaza was dire after nearly 90 days of Israeli aggression. "Overcrowded streets of Rafah witness the alarming spread of disease. Famine looms, exacerbated by restricted access. It's critical for a humanitarian ceasefire to provide urgent aid and end this forced continuous displacement." Gazans 'exposed to epidemics, diseases' due to lack of food: Palestinian PM Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh in a government meeting in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah said on Wednesday that Gaza was witnessing "a state of hunger and starvation in scenes that are shocking to us and to the world". "People have lost their strength, are no longer able to support their emaciated bodies and have become exposed to epidemics and diseases," the prime minister said. He further noted that Gaza was suffering from hunger and starvation which was especially affecting children and infants. Israel is committing crimes by starving Gaza's population and preventing the delivery of food, the premier said. Elsewhere in his remarks, Shtayyeh thanked South Africa for filing a case against Israel on charges of genocide at the International Court of Justice. Gaza laborers 'stripped naked, attacked by dogs' Separately, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Israel held thousands of Gaza laborers. They were held without charge in incommunicado detention for weeks after October 7. Some were stripped naked and photographed, put in diapers, attacked by dogs, dragged face down in gravel and cuffed for days. "The released Palestinian workers gave media interviews, describing abuses and degrading conditions in detention, including being subjected to electric shocks, urinated on, attacked by dogs, as well as held for several days without food or water," the group said. "Human Rights Watch was not able to verify these accounts." Palestinian officials have already said testimonies from released Palestinian abductees from the besieged Gaza Strip revealed they had been subjected to torture by Israeli forces. They stated that the abductees were subjected to all forms of beatings and ill-treatment during their detention. Death toll rises in Gaza The relentless Israeli military campaign against Gaza has killed thousands of civilians, most of them women and children. The Palestinian health ministry says the death toll from Israel's aggression on Gaza now stands at 22,313 Palestinians. At least 57,296 Palestinians have also been wounded. Thousands more are trapped under the rubble of their homes and are presumed dead. In the past 24 hours, at least 128 Palestinians have been killed and 261 others were injured in Israeli attacks. However, almost three months into the war, Tel Aviv has failed to achieve its declared objective of eliminating the Hamas resistance movement and finding Israeli captives in Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah chief says Hamas leader's assassination will not go unpunished Iran Press TV Wednesday, 03 January 2024 5:27 PM The secretary general of Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement says the assassination of a senior leader of the Palestinian resistance group Hamas in the Lebanese capital of Beirut will not go unpunished. In a televised speech delivered on Wednesday, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah offered his condolences on the martyrdom of the deputy head of the Hamas politburo, Saleh al-Arouri, and five of his comrades who were killed a day earlier in a drone strike on their office in southern Beirut. Nasrallah called Arouri "a brother" and "a grand commander" and said his assassination on the Lebanese soil was "a blatant attack" by the Zionist regime. He said that those behind the assassination of Arouri would receive a punishment as he hinted at attacks by resistance groups in Palestine and other Arab countries in the region, including in Lebanon, on targets controlled by the Israeli regime and its allies. "This dangerous crime will not go unanswered and unpunished" he added. Nasrallah said that the direct attack to kill Arouri on Dahieh, a suburb in south of Beirut where Hezbollah has a foothold, was unprecedented since 2006 when Hezbollah and Israel were involved in a major war. He, however, warned that any direct attack on Lebanon amid the ongoing conflict in Palestine will be met with a harsh response. "Should the enemy think of waging a war on Lebanon, we will not abide by any rules," said the Hezbollah leader while reiterating warnings issued by US officials to Israeli authorities that a new confrontation with Hezbollah will be costly. Hezbollah has been trading fire with Israel since early October when the Israeli regime launched a full-scale military campaign against the Palestinians in Gaza. Hezbollah's attacks on Israeli targets are aimed at forcing the regime to end the aggression that has left more than 22,000 people dead in Gaza. In his Wednesday's remarks, Nasrallah also said that Israel is hiding the casualties it has suffered in clashes with Hezbollah while describing the operations against the Israeli regime as "effective." He also said that neither the Israeli regime nor the United States were able to achieve any results from the ongoing aggression against Palestine and their operations across the region. "The Americans have left the region without achieving a result," he said, while referring to reports suggesting that a US navy destroyer had left regional waters in recent days. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni army claims fresh attack on Israel-bound merchant vessel in Red Sea Iran Press TV Wednesday, 03 January 2024 3:32 PM The spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces says the country's military has launched missiles targeting a cargo ship in the Red Sea as the vessel was heading towards a port in the Israeli-occupied territories. Brigadier General Yahya Saree said in a statement on Wednesday that CMA CGM TAGE vessel was targeted after its crew members ignored calls from Yemeni naval units as well as warning shots. He underlined that Yemeni forces will continue to block passage of Israeli-owned and Israel-bound ships in the Red Sea and the Arab Sea until Palestinians in Gaza receive the food and medicines they need. Saree noted that Yemeni Armed Forces will continue to allow all international shipping companies to sail their vessels in the waters of both seas, except for ships bound for ports in the Israeli-occupied territories. The senior Yemeni military official highlighted that any US act of aggression against the Arab nation will not go unanswered, warning Washington and its allies against any measure aimed at protection of vessels destined to the ports in the Israeli-occupied territories. This was the latest in Yemen's retaliatory operations in support of Palestinian in the Gaza Strip amid relentless Israeli strikes. Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine's struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory's Palestinian resistance movements carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity. The relentless Israeli military campaign against Gaza has killed at least 22,313 people, most of them women and children. Another 57,296 individuals have been wounded. Reports revealed that Israeli shipping companies have already decided to reroute their vessels in fear of attacks by Yemeni forces. Yemeni forces have also launched missile and drone attacks on targets in the Israeli-occupied territories after the regime's aggression on Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel's far-right minister doubles down on forced expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza Iran Press TV Wednesday, 03 January 2024 3:20 PM Israeli right-wing minister Itamar Ben-Gvir says the regime of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu should push the migration of Gazans out of the besieged Palestinian territory to make room for the Israelis. The Israeli occupation forces on Wednesday continued to order Palestinians to leave their homes in the besieged Gaza Strip. Ben-Gvir on Tuesday night hit back at the United States over its criticism of his push for the transfer of Gazans out of Palestinian territory. "The United States is our best friend, but first of all we will do what is best for the State of Israel: the migration of hundreds of thousands from Gaza will allow the (Israeli) residents of the envelope to return home and live in security and will protect the (Israeli) soldiers," the far-right minister posted on X late Tuesday. Israeli warplanes on Wednesday kept dropping leaflets calling on civilians in several areas in Khan Younis to move. Palestinians say the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are one indivisible geographical unit. "I fled from Gaza City to the Qizan Al-Najjar area after the ground invasion began. Qizan Al-Najjar, between Rafah City and Khan Younis, was marked safe earlier," Middle East Eye quoted Younus, a Palestinian man, as saying. "Three days ago, we received another leaflet to leave Block 87. Today, they added Blocks 83, 84, and 86. I am in Block 85. It was not on the list of blocks to flee, but we are only one street apart from block 86, which makes it very difficult to stay in the middle of the bombardment." "At the same time, we do not have any other place to relocate to. Many people fled from Al-Batn Al-Sameen, near Nasser Hospital. We think Israel wants to launch a ground invasion near Nasser Hospital and this is why they force people to leave." The besieged strip has been devastated by a three-month bombing campaign that has internally displaced around 90% of the territory's population. Amid its military offensive on Gaza City and the northern Gaza Strip, the Israeli military had repeatedly dropped leaflets telling residents they must leave their homes and "evacuate" to areas it claims are safer, which are south of the Wadi Gaza wetlands. Families risked journeys through the blasted landscape of destroyed buildings and corpses, along the road that Israel had designated as a "humanitarian corridor" through the aggression. But what awaits Palestinians who move south is still life-threatening. The "evacuation" areas are both heavily bombarded and in a dire humanitarian crisis. Israeli bombardment has killed thousands of civilians in the areas of the Gaza Strip that Israel has ordered them to move to. The latest move comes as Ben-Gvir, who has previously been convicted of supporting terrorism and inciting racism, recently said the war presents an "opportunity to concentrate on encouraging the migration of the residents of Gaza," branding such a policy as "a correct, just, moral and humane solution." Similarly, speaking on Monday, Israel's far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said that the regime "will permanently control the Gaza Strip to ensure security". He stressed that the objective would be achieved through the "permanent presence of Israeli forces" along with "establishing Jewish settlements," adding that he would present the plan soon to the regime's war cabinet. Veteran Arab lawmaker at the Israeli parliament Ahmad Tibi has condemned Ben-Gvir, saying their rhetoric was "inciting genocide." "A day will come and these two senior ministers in the Israeli government will stand before an international tribunal for war crimes," he stated. Most Palestinians displaced from their homeland after the Nakba (Catastrophe), when Israel proclaimed its illegal existence on May 15, 1948, have ended up in neighboring Arab states. Arab leaders have maintained that any latter-day move aimed at forced expulsion of Palestinians would be unacceptable. The relentless Israeli military campaign against Gaza has killed at least 22,200 people, most of them women and children. More than 57,000 individuals have also been wounded. However, almost three months into the war, Tel Aviv has failed to achieve its declared objective of eliminating Hamas and finding Israeli captives in Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IRGC: Israeli killing of Arouri will further inspirit Palestinian fighters against Israel Iran Press TV Wednesday, 03 January 2024 1:42 PM Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has condemned in the strongest terms the assassination of senior Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri in an Israeli drone strike on Lebanon, saying the targeted killing will further boost Palestinian fighters' resolve to fight the occupying regime. In a statement released on Wednesday, the IRGC announced that the killing of Arouri along with six others, including two commanders of al-Qassam Brigades - the military wing of the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement, will embolden Palestinians across the occupied territories, especially in the West Bank, to stand up to Israeli occupiers more determinedly. The IRGC went on to emphasize that the fake Israeli regime resorts to assassination and atrocities in order to compensate for the irreparable damage it sustained in the aftermath of the October 7 multi-pronged attack by Hamas and other Gaza-based resistance groups, dubbed Al-Aqsa Storm Operation, and to get out of the quagmire in Gaza. It denounced the Israeli assassination drone strike as a violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, stressing that the attack exposed that the malicious strategies of the US-backed Tel Aviv regime, pivot on insanity, viciousness and warmongering policies. The IRGC added that Israel's humiliating defeat in Al-Aqsa Storm Operation cannot be reversed through acts of terror and crimes, as the regime, already brought to its knees, is unable to disrupt the calculations of the resistance front. "The strategic patience of the Axis of Resistance and Hezbollah won't snap as desperately wished by the Zionist regime and its sponsors. The resistance force won't distance itself from rationality and wisdom, and will focus on necessary tools in its struggle against occupiers of al-Quds and usurpers of Palestinian territories," it stated. The IRGC underscored that Arouri's assassination gave fresh impetus to the resistance front, which has tightened the noose around Israel. Arouri was killed on Tuesday in a "treacherous Zionist strike" on Beirut's southern suburb of Dahiyeh, Hamas announced on its official channel. Hamas politburo member Izzat al-Rishq described it as a "cowardly assassination." Arouri was a senior official in Hamas's politburo, and known to be deeply involved in its military affairs. He had previously headed the group's presence in the occupied West Bank. The Israeli regime launched its devastating war on the Gaza Strip on October 7 after the territory's Hamas-led Palestinian resistance groups carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity. The Israeli military has also been carrying out attacks against the Lebanese territory since then, prompting retaliatory strikes from Lebanon's resistance movement Hezbollah in support of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. The movement has vowed to keep up its retaliatory operations as long as the regime continues its onslaught on Gaza. The relentless Israeli military campaign against Gaza has killed at least 21,978 people, most of them women and children. Another 57,697 individuals have also been wounded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US occupation forces attacked over 118 times in Iraq, Syria since Oct. 17, American official reveals Iran Press TV Wednesday, 03 January 2024 11:19 AM American forces stationed at military facilities in Iraq and neighboring Syria have come under attacks more than a hundred times, according to a US military official, amid rising anti-American sentiments across the region over Washington's unconditional support for Israel's onslaught on the Gaza Strip. The official told Lebanon's Arabic-language al-Mayadeen television news network on Wednesday that the US troops have been attacked over 118 times, the latest of which was an attack on a US-run military base near al-Khadra village in Syria's northeastern province of Hasakah. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of anti-terror fighters, has claimed responsibility for much of the strikes on US military bases in Iraq and Syria, saying they are carried out in retaliation for US support of Israel's bloody war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The United States, Israel's biggest ally, has provided the regime with a raft of arms and ammunition since the initiation of the Gaza war. Washington has also vetoed the United Nations Security Council's peace resolutions that called on the occupying regime to cease its aggression. Israel waged the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Strip-based Palestinian resistance groups of Hamas and Islamic Jihad carried out the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm into the occupied territories in response to the occupying regime's intensified crimes against the Palestinian people. According to the Gaza-based health ministry, more than 22,100 Palestinians have been killed in the strikes, most of them women and children, and another 57,697 individuals injured. Tel Aviv has also imposed a "complete siege" on Gaza, cutting off fuel, electricity, food, and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Leader: Gaza 'pulse' of Muslim world today; Gazans standing against tyranny, US Iran Press TV Wednesday, 03 January 2024 10:31 AM Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has said the border of the Muslim world is in Gaza today, and that the Palestinians there are standing against arrogance and the United States. Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks in a meeting with a group of religious eulogists and elegists on Wednesday. "The border of the Muslim world today is in Gaza, the pulse of the Muslim world beats in Gaza today, and the Palestinians there are standing against the world of disbelief, tyranny, arrogance and against the United States," the Leader stated. The Israeli regime has been waging a devastating war on the Gaza Strip since October, killing at least 22,313 people, most of them children and women. More than 57,000 others have also been wounded. Regarding domestic issues, the Leader said, "Anyone who opposes the elections is opposing the Islamic Republic and Islam," as Iran is gearing up for parliamentary elections slated for March 1, 2024. "[Participation in] the elections is a duty. It is the duty for those following the path of jihad of clarification to create a sense of duty [among people] towards elections," he said, invoking a term used to describe a campaign aimed at educating people on the conspiracies of the enemy. Ayatollah Khamenei also denounced "hostile" attempts to undermine the nation's role in the country's management, which proves the realization of religious democracy in Iran. The Leader further censured attempts aimed at demoralizing the people and making them distrustful by claiming that the elections in Iran are meaningless. 'Soft power more effective than hard power' Also in his remarks, the Leader said that soft power is more effective than hard power as the latter has immediate effect but wanes. Over the past more than 40 years, he noted, the Islamic Republic has relied on soft power more than the hard one. "Of course, you know that I believe and follow up on ... advanced weapons that match the needs and capabilities of the enemies. In my opinion, however, intellectual, linguistic and strong logical weapons should pervade among us along with hard power and weaponry might." Ayatollah Khamenei also said world powers such as the US have atomic bombs and all kinds of advanced arms, but they make investments in arts, cinema, and advertising as soft power. "Hard power means that the US comes and stays in Afghanistan for 20 years and spends billions. In the end, it is forced to flee from Afghanistan due to the people's hatred [towards it]," he added. "Hard power means that the US comes and takes over the entire Iraq with equipment. It also overthrows the Iraqi government and sits in its place. After about 20 years, the most hated government in Iraq is the American government." The Leader noted that Palestinians have no weapons to defend themselves, but they have today attracted public attention through their patience, innocence and resilience. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US upsets regional balance; Arouri assassination will backfire on Washington: Iran defense minister Iran Press TV Wednesday, 03 January 2024 9:53 AM Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani has denounced the assassination of a top official of the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement, warning the United States to "brace itself for its dire consequences." Ashtiani made the remarks on the sidelines of a cabinet session in the capital Tehran on Wednesday. "[The United States of] America has ventured into our region and disrupted its balance. Its repercussions will have an adverse effect and beset Americans themselves," he said. The defense minister also deplored the United States' strategic mistakes in the West Asia region, stating that such missteps and flawed measures would eventually backfire on Washington. He underscored that the vicious moves against resistance forces will only strengthen regional solidarity against the US policies in the region. Saleh al-Arouri was killed on Tuesday in a "treacherous Zionist strike" on Beirut's southern suburb of Dahiyeh, Hamas announced on its official channel. Hamas politburo member Izzat al-Rishq called it a "cowardly assassination." Arouri was a senior official in Hamas' politburo and was known to be deeply involved in its military affairs. He had previously headed the group's presence in the occupied West Bank. The Israeli regime launched its devastating war on the Gaza Strip on October 7 after the territory's Hamas-led Palestinian resistance groups carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity. The Israeli military has also been carrying out attacks against the Lebanese territory since then, prompting retaliatory strikes from Lebanon's resistance movement Hezbollah in support of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. The movement has vowed to keep up its retaliatory operations as long as the Tel Aviv regime continues its onslaught on Gaza. The relentless Israeli military campaign against Gaza has killed at least 22,185 people, most of them women and children. More than 57,000 individuals have also been wounded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel's terror machine 'real threat' to regional security, peace: Iran FM Iran Press TV Wednesday, 03 January 2024 9:18 AM Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has denounced as a "cowardly terrorist operation" the Israeli assassination of the deputy head of the political bureau of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, stressing that the regime's terror machine is a "real threat" to regional peace and security. Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in a social media post, a day after Saleh al-Arouri and his companions were killed in an Israeli drone attack in the Lebanese capital of Beirut. "The evil terror machine of this regime in other countries is a real threat to peace and security and a serious alarm for the security of the countries in the region," he said in the post. The Iranian diplomat further noted that Israel's terrorist operations prove that the occupying regime has failed to reach its objectives in the war in Gaza despite US support. He also offered his condolences to the head of Hamas politburo Ismail Haniyeh and the heroic nation of Palestine on the martyrdom of Arouri. Arouri, known as the "architect" of the October 7 operation by Gaza's resistance groups, was killed in an explosion in the southern suburb of the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Tuesday, after an Israeli drone bombed a building with three missiles, killing six people and wounding several others. The Israeli regime launched its devastating war on the Gaza Strip on October 7. The relentless military campaign has killed more than 22,000 people, most of them children and women. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lebanon: Israel exports Gaza failure; will file complaint to UNSC over Arouri assassination Iran Press TV Wednesday, 03 January 2024 6:41 AM Lebanon is set to lodge a complaint against Israel at the United Nations Security Council after the assassination of the deputy head of the political bureau of the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement in a drone strike on the southern suburb of the country's capital city of Beirut. Following the Tuesday assassination, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati contacted Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib and ordered an urgent complaint to the 15-member council due to the violation of the country's sovereignty by Israel. "The strike is an Israeli crime that clearly aims to bring Lebanon into a new phase of confrontations after the ongoing daily attacks in the south," Mikati said. He said that the strike showed that Israel was resorting to exporting its failures in Gaza, adding that the strike was an obvious countermeasure to Lebanon's "efforts to remove the specter of war from the country." Arouri was killed on Tuesday in a "treacherous Zionist strike" on Beirut's southern suburb of Dahiyeh, Hamas announced on its official channel. Hamas politburo member Izzat al-Rishq called it a "cowardly assassination." Arouri was a senior official in Hamas's politburo and was known to be deeply involved in its military affairs. He had previously headed the group's presence in the occupied West Bank. Hamas vows 'crushing response' Meanwhile, Hamas has vowed to deliver a crushing response to Israel over the the assassination of its senior official Saleh al-Arouri in a drone strike on southern Beirut. "The crime of assassinating Arouri will be met with an appropriate response from the Palestinian people and resistance factions. All scenarios are open in the aftermath of the murder," Osama Hamdan, Hamas's representative in Lebanon and also a member of the group's politburo, stated early on Wednesday. He also criticized the "hypocritical" reactions of some international institutions to the targeted killing. "We call upon Western countries to take effective measures aimed at stopping the [Zionist] occupiers' crimes against the Palestinian nation," Hamdan said. The senior Hamas official also lashed out at the United States for providing the Israeli regime a cover to forge ahead with its bloody onslaught in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing that Arouri's assassination falls within such backing. "Washington's allegation that it knew nothing about Arouri's assassination is simply an attempt to escape from political responsibility," Hamdan added. Islamic Jihad chief: Arouri martyred on path to glorify Palestine, resistance Ziad al-Nakhalah, secretary general of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad resistance movement, also stated that high-profile Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri was assassinated by Israel as he was treading the path towards glorification of the Palestinian nation and its resistance front. "Arouri was among disguised and prominent Palestinian leaders. We lost him, and his absence is felt deep within our souls. He was a leader that encouraged everyone around him to trust and believe in themselves," Nakhalah noted. The Islamic Jihad chief underscored that Arouri was martyred on the path destined to the veneration of Palestinians and resistance factions, something what is now on showcase in the Gaza Strip, the occupied West Bank and across the region. Yemen: Assassination exposes Israel's defeat Abdulaziz bin Habtoor, prime minister of Yemen's National Salvation Government, also strongly condemned the assassination. Bin Habtoor, in a message of condolences, expressed solidarity on behalf of the Yemeni people and resistance forces with the bereaved family of Arouri and Hamas. He underscored that the targeted killing is truly indicative of Israel's terrorist behavior, and clearly manifests the state of defeat and anguish that it is experiencing. The Israeli regime launched its devastating war on the Gaza Strip on October 7 after the territory's Hamas-led Palestinian resistance groups carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity. The Israeli military has also been carrying out attacks against the Lebanese territory since then, prompting retaliatory strikes from Lebanon's resistance movement Hezbollah in support of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. The movement has vowed to keep up its retaliatory operations as long as the regime continues its onslaught on Gaza. The relentless Israeli war against Gaza has killed at least 21,978 people, most of them women and children. Another 57,697 individuals have also been wounded. The regime has largely cut off access to water, food and power supplies to Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Haniyeh: Israel will be held responsible for Arouri assassination Iran Press TV Wednesday, 03 January 2024 12:06 AM Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh says Israel will be held responsible for the assassination of senior Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri, calling it "a complete act of terrorism and a violation of Lebanon's sovereignty." Haniyeh made the remarks on Tuesday, shortly after an Israeli drone attack against a southern suburb of the Lebanese capital Beirut led to the martyrdom of six people, including Arouri. "We mourn the martyrdom of the fighting leader and great national figure, Sheikh Saleh Al-Arouri, as well as Al-Qassam commanders Samir Fandi and Azzam Al-Aqra', and a group of martyrs, following a cowardly Zionist operation in Beirut," said Haniyeh. "The Zionist occupation's assassination of leader Al-Arouri and his brothers is a complete act of terrorism and a violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, expanding the scope of its aggression on our people and our nation," he stated. "The Nazi-Zionist occupation bears responsibility for this aggression," he added. "The pure blood of the martyred leader Sheikh Saleh al-Arouri and his brothers has mingled with the blood of tens of thousands of martyrs of our people in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and abroad," he said. The Hamas political bureau chief went on to say that "a movement that offers its leaders and founders as martyrs for the dignity of our people and nation will never be defeated." "These attacks only strengthen its strength, resilience, and unwavering determination. This is the history of the resistance and the movement: following the assassination of its leaders, it becomes even stronger and more determined," he said. Arouri, who used to serve as the deputy head of the Political Bureau of the Gaza Strip-based Palestinian resistance movement of Hamas, was known as the "architect" of the October 7 operation by Gaza's resistance groups, during which hundreds were taken captive. Meanwhile, the head of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement also condemned the Israeli act of terrorism. In his statement, commander Ziad al-Nakhalah said, "Sheikh Saleh al-Arouri was one of the distinguished and devoted leaders of the Palestinian people." "We have lost him when we needed his presence the most. He was a leader who instilled confidence and tranquility in those around him and those he dealt with," he stated. "We have lost him as a leader and a person who believed in the justice of the Palestinian people's fight until martyrdom, and he achieved it in the glory of Palestine and the resistance, in its glory that is manifested today in the jihad and heroism of the Palestinian people in Gaza, the West Bank, across Palestine, and beyond. We pray to Allah to accept him graciously," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address No new monks allowed at Buddhist monastery in Tibet The move reflects China's tightening grip on religious activities, sources say. By Pelbar and Tenzin Pema for RFA Tibetan 2024.01.03 -- Chinese authorities have forbidden the admission of new monks of all ages into a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Chamdo prefecture in eastern Tibet amid growing restrictions on religious activities in the country, two sources familiar with the development told Radio Free Asia. This is the first time Chinese authorities have prohibited the enrollment of monks of all ages, though previously only minors, or those below the age of 18, were restricted from joining the monastic order in Tibet, said a source from inside the region. "Now, authorities have issued an order forbidding the intake of any new monks into Khyungbum Lura Monastery in Markham [county]," said the source who requested anonymity for safety reasons. Khyungbum Lura Monastery is one of the largest monasteries of the Gelug, or Yellow Hat, sect of Tibetan Buddhism in the county, historically a part of Tibet's Kham region. It currently has more than 80 monks, the sources told RFA. The monks of the monastery are known to have resisted the People's Liberation Army - which marched into Chamdo, Tibet, in 1950 - for over six years before soldiers destroyed much of the monastery, save for a lone stupa, the sources said. Subsequently, local Tibetans and the remaining monks worked to restore parts of the monastery after the so-called liberalization program introduced in Tibet in the early 1980s. Chinese authorities have intensified efforts to ensure the enforcement of the "Regulations on Religious Affairs" a set of rules on religious activities, personnel and sites being enforced by the National Religious Affairs Administration. It is under the supervision of the United Front Work Department, the Communist Party's agency that oversees religious, ethnic and overseas Chinese campaigns and affairs. The regulation states that no religious activities can be held in schools or educational bodies and effectively bars Tibetans from enrolling in monasteries before they turn 18. Local administrator In a sign of China's tightening grip on religious activities, authorities have also installed a local administrator at Khyungbum Lura Monastery to oversee its operations - traditionally run by senior monks - and have threatened to shut down the site for any failure to comply with their rules and regulations, said the two sources. Tibetan residents of Markham county have expressed grave concerns about the likely long-term implications of the new rule prohibiting the intake of any new monks into Khyungbum Lura Monastery, the sources said. "Without the regular intake of new monks, the move will lead to the eventual decline and closure of the monastery in the future, leaving local Tibetans with no nearby places of worship during important religious ceremonies and nobody to turn to to carry out important prayers and rituals, particularly on the death of loved ones," the sources inside the region said. Chinese authorities have long sought to restrict the size and influence of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, traditionally a focus of Tibetan cultural and national identity. More recently, under the Communist Party's "Administrative Measures for Religious Clergy" regulation, adopted by the State Administration of Religious Affairs in January 2021, religious personnel are required to support President Xi Jinping's plans for the "Sinicization of religion," or "adaptation of religions to China's socialist society" and work in accordance with the country's national interest and ideology. In July 2018, Chinese authorities removed young monks under the age of 15 from Jowo Ganden Shedrub Palgyeling Monastery in Dzachuka, an area in historic Tibet's eastern region of Kham. The move came shortly after China's State Council released an updated version of its 'Regulations on Religious Affairs' in November 2017. Since then, there have been several reports of young Tibetan monks, aged 11 to 15 years, being forced to give up their robes and leave their monasteries in various Tibetan-populated provinces, including in Dhitsa, Jakhyung, and other monasteries in Qinghai province. Translated by Tenzin Pema for RFA Tibetan. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, 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 January 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 Washington and Doha Reach Agreement to Extend US Presence at Qatar's Military Base Sputnik News 20240103 Oleg Burunov During US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's visit to Qatar last month, the Pentagon chief thanked Doha for increasing spending on Al Udeid air base. Washington has "quietly" reached an agreement with Doha to extend the US military presence at a major base in Qatar for another ten years, an American broadcaster quoted unnamed sources as saying. The Al Udeid air base, known as the largest US military facility in the Middle East, can accommodate more than 10,000 American troops. The US Department of Defense has yet to comment on the matter. The reported developments come after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Al Udeid in December, where he thanked Qatar for its increased spending on the base. Qatar had previously reportedly pledged billions of dollars of its own money to upgrade facilities for US airmen at the base. Austin remained mum on extending the Al Udeid deal during the visit, while pledging that the US and Qatar "will formally take steps to expand and reinforce our bilateral defense relationship." "We'll do this through Qatar's commitment to contribute significant resources to increase capabilities here at Al Udeid Air Base, and that will support both of our forces for years to come," the Pentagon chief pointed out. In 2003, Al Udeid became the main U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) air base in the Middle East when American forces and assets were moved from Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. According to the US broadcaster, the deployment of American troops at Prince Sultan was sensitive and controversial. As for Al Udeid, a reported agreement between Washington and Doha to expand the base comes amid the ongoing escalation of the Palestine-Israel conflict following the October 7 surprise large-scale attack on the Jewish state orchestrated by the Palestinian militant group Hamas from the Gaza Strip. Qatar played a key role in mediating talks between Israeli officials and Hamas in November that led to a brief cease-fire and the release of a number of hostages taken by Hamas in the Oct. 7 attack, as well as a number of Palestinian prisoners. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address WHO Chief Slams Israeli Attacks on Al-Amal Hospital in Southern Gaza Strip Sputnik News 20240103 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned on Wednesday "unconscionable" Israeli strikes on Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. On Tuesday, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said five people were killed and three others were injured in Israeli strikes on the organization's headquarters and the surrounding area of Al-Amal Hospital. "I deplore today's strikes on the PRCS-run Al-Amal hospital in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, which severely damaged the Palestine Red Crescent Society training centre located within the hospital complex ... Today's bombardments are unconscionable," Ghebreyesus said on X. On October 7, Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip while its fighters breached the border, attacking both civilian neighborhoods and military bases. As a result, over 1,200 people in Israel were killed. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Over 21,800 people have been killed so far in Gaza as a result of Israeli strikes, local authorities said. On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1. Over 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We call on the Houthis to cease these attacks immediately: UK statement at the UN Security Council Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Houthi threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea. 3 January 2024 Thank you, President. Let me start by congratulating France on assuming the Presidency for the month of January. You can count on our full support. I also welcome the five new elected members to the Council and look forward to working closely with them. I join the Secretary-General in expressing condolences following the attack on a memorial ceremony in Iran that reportedly killed more than 100 civilians. And I thank ASG Khiari and IMO Secretary General Dominquez for briefing us today. President The United Kingdom condemns in the strongest terms, the illegal and unjustified attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea by Houthi militants. We call on the Houthis to cease these attacks immediately Today we joined 11 countries in a statement warning against further attacks. We will continue to work with allies and partners to pursue all diplomatic routes to end this threat. If necessary, as the UK Defence Secretary has stated, we will not hesitate to take action to deter threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. Attacks using unmanned aerial vehicles, missiles and small boats are a direct threat to freedom of navigation, protected by international law. They pose a severe economic threat not only to Yemen - where by driving up food prices they risk exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation - but also to global food security and supply lines. Contrary to claims made by the Houthis, these attacks are totally indiscriminate and target shipping that has no connection to Israel. We call for the immediate release of the MV Galaxy Leader and its crew - nationals of Bulgaria, Mexico, the Philippines, Romania and Ukraine. President, the British Foreign Secretary spoke with the Iranian Foreign Minister on Sunday, making clear our view that Iran shares responsibility for preventing these attacks, given their long-standing support to the Houthis. We call on all parties in the region to exercise restraint and avoid escalation. We are deeply concerned by the impact on civilians, who are suffering the most through this crisis and would bear the brunt of further destabilisation. It is in all our interests to avoid this. I thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK statement on situation in Gaza - 3 January 2024 The FCDO has issued a statement firmly rejecting any suggestion of the resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza. 3 January 2024 A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office said: Gaza is Occupied Palestinian Territory and will be part of a future Palestinian state. The UK firmly rejects any suggestion of the resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza. We share the concerns of our allies and partners that Gazans should not be subject to forcible displacement or relocation from Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 3 January 2024 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Florencia Soto Nino, Associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. ** Secretary-General Iran Good afternoon, everyone. I will start off with a statement from the Secretary-General on the attacks on Iran. The Secretary-General strongly condemns the attack today on a memorial ceremony in Kerman city, in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which reportedly killed more than 100 people and injured many more. The Secretary-General calls for those responsible to be held accountable. The Secretary-General expresses his deep condolences to the bereaved families and the people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and he wishes the injured a speedy recovery. ** Gaza Turning to Gaza. We have an update from our humanitarian colleagues on the ground. Yesterday, a team from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the World Health Organization visited a hospital in Khan Younis after it was struck, reportedly killing five people, including a 5-day-old child. A training centre run by the Palestine Red Crescent Society within the Al Amal hospital was also severely damaged. During their mission, OCHA and WHO staff witnessed extensive damage and displacement of civilians. Some 14,000 internally displaced people were sheltering at the hospital when it was hit. WHO says many have now left, and those who remain are terrified for their safety and planning to relocate. OCHA has warned that Gaza is a public health disaster in the making, and recent mass displacement across southern Gaza is fuelling disease outbreaks. More than 400,000 cases of infectious diseases have been reported since 7 October, with some 180,000 people suffering from upper respiratory infections. There also have been more than 136,000 cases of diarrhoea reported half among children under the age of 5. Humanitarian partners continue to address the critical lack of hygiene and safe drinking water in Gaza, despite ongoing challenges to response efforts. Since October, some 1.4 million people in Gaza have been reached at least once with some water and sanitation assistance. This includes the distribution of more than 120,000 cubic metres of water. Nearly 140 sanitation units have also been installed or rehabilitated at shelters for internally displaced people. Our humanitarian partners are also providing health care at shelters with the help of 150 medical teams. Work continues to expand access to primary health-care services by increasing the number of medical points serving internally displaced people as less than half of the 325 designated shelters have them. Meanwhile, the UN and our humanitarian partners have been unable to deliver urgently needed life-saving humanitarian assistance north of Wadi Gaza for three days due to access delays and denials, as well as active conflict. This includes medicines that would have provided vital support to more than 100,000 people for 30 days, as well as eight trucks of food for people who currently face catastrophic and life-threatening food insecurity. Humanitarian organizations are calling for urgent, safe, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access to areas north of Wadi Gaza, which has been severed from the south for more than a month. ** Security Council And, on a related note, today at 3 p.m., the Security Council will convene to discuss threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea under the agenda item maintenance of international peace and security, and ASG [Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific] Khaled Khiari will brief, and we will send you his remarks before. ** Central African Republic And we have an update from the Central African Republic, where, following a violent attack two weeks ago that caused the death of 23 civilians in the Lim-Pende prefecture, in the country's north-west, UN peacekeepers are continuing to provide protection to the population and helping to secure the area to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. According to initial assessments, people living there are in urgent need of shelter, food and medicine. The Force Commander of the UN peacekeeping mission recently visited the area with representatives of the Central African Armed Forces, to express their solidarity and determination to protect civilians in the region. The Mission is calling on all parties not to deliberately target civilians and to refrain from any escalation that could worsen the vulnerability of communities, as well as the security and stability in the region. ** Noon Briefing Guests Tomorrow And finally, tomorrow, our guests will be Mr. Shantanu Mukherjee, Director of the Economic Analysis and Policy Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), and Mr. Hamid Rashid, Chief of the Global Economic Monitoring Branch, also from DESA. And they will brief on what I know is one of your favourite reports, which is the World Economic Situation and Prospects Report 2024. This report presents an outlook for the global economy and underscores the importance of global cooperation and prudent policies to lift global growth and accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. ** Questions and Answers Associate Spokesperson : And with that, I will be available to answer your questions. We'll start with Edie. Welcome back. Question : Thank you and very Happy New Year to everyone here. Israel's Finance Minister today reiterated his encouragement to Palestinians to leave Gaza. Does the Secretary-General have any comment on this call? Associate Spokesperson : I mean, as a principle, we are completely against forced displacement. So that needs to be made very, very clear. The aim really should be for Palestinians to be safe in Gaza, for civilians to be safe in Gaza. We've been very clear that we're not advocating, that no one should be advocating for mass displacements of Palestinians out of Gaza and that they should be safe in their homes. Every person has the right to be protected from forced displacement from their home or residence. And, you know, so far 85 per cent of Gaza's population has been internally displaced and is living in pretty dire conditions. They have the right to return to their homes. Maggie? Question : Thank you, Florencia. The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said that the international community must impose the solution to Israel's war on Gaza since both sides aren't able to do it themselves. Does the Secretary-General agree with that concept that it should be imposed? Associate Spokesperson : I mean, I think when you talk about the UN, we are able to impose very few things. So, what we will continue to do is what the Secretary-General has been doing, is calling for all the measures that will lead to a two-state solution and for peace. We've been continually calling for a humanitarian ceasefire. But that is his role. That is our role. Correspondent : And you mentioned the 3 o'clock Security Council meeting. Associate Spokesperson : Yeah. Question : Can you just tell us what Mr. Grundberg is doing to dial down tensions in the Red Sea? Has he been in touch with the Houthis? Has he been using [inaudible] on the specific issue of navigation? Associate Spokesperson : I know that he's been in touch with several of the parties involved, but I will try to get more details for you before the meeting. Question : And did you get an update on Sudan for us, by the way? Associate Spokesperson : On Sudan, I mean, do you have any sort of specific...? Correspondent : Well, there seems to be some movement on the political front with each side issuing statements, but it's kind of unclear if it's just statements or if something might really happen. It looks like there's going to be a meeting in Djibouti, and it's just a bit unclear. So, I don't know if you guys have more clarity. Associate Spokesperson : Honestly, not at the moment. I think we've noted the meetings that are happening, and, of course, we welcome any diplomatic efforts that are aimed at securing a ceasefire, but we're continuing to watch the situation there. Yes, back there. Question : Thank you. Happy New Year. Associate Spokesperson : Happy New Year. Question : I'm trying to find out Sigrid Kaag is supposed to start her duties officially on Monday. Do you know A, if she's been granted a visa yet by Israel? And B, can you shed light on any preliminary conversations she's had with relevant parties ahead of her official start? Associate Spokesperson : I don't have that information at the moment. We will wait until she starts to give you a little bit more, and I know that several of you have requested interviews. We're also working on getting that for you. James? Question : So again, I was going to ask about Sigrid Kaag. Her start date is confirmed as Monday. Is that right? Associate Spokesperson : 8th of January. Question : Yes. And where will her base be? Associate Spokesperson : She will start... for now, she will be based in Amman, Jordan, with a view that this could change perhaps to then Egypt and eventually Gaza, but that remains to be seen. Question : And she's not part of OCHA. Is that right? But she is the Development and Humanitarian Coordinator. How will the relationship between her office and OCHA work? Because clearly, there are lots of people already doing humanitarian coordination in Gaza and they work to a coordinator who currently is not in the job in Jerusalem. Is that job going to be filled? Is there going to be a coordinator for the West Bank, if she's dealing with Gaza? How is the structure going to work? Associate Spokesperson : I know this can be a bit confusing, which is why we hope to have her answer questions directly to you. Correspondent : Okay. Associate Spokesperson : Yes, please. Question : Thank you. A question on Afghanistan. There are some reports that the Secretary-General is going to hold a meeting with some of the involved parties in regards to Afghanistan, in regards to appointing a Special Envoy. Can you confirm if there is a meeting planned in this regard in the next week or so? Associate Spokesperson : I don't have any confirmation on that. But I will double-check with you. But I haven't seen anything. Correspondent : Thank you. Associate Spokesperson : Over here, and then James again. Correspondent : Yes. Thank you. Associate Spokesperson : Hi. Question : This is Lablu Ansar from Bangladesh Pratidin. As you know, more than 1,970 candidates of 28 out of 44 political parties are contesting the upcoming election for 300 seats in Bangladesh Parliament. As of today, there were about 400 foreign observers including [inaudible] least in Bangladesh. Instead of participating in such inclusive and participatory elections, main opposition party BNP has given programmes of boycott. But the [inaudible] apparently has no support. Does the United Nations have any observations on this matter? Associate Spokesperson : No, we don't. We will just... we're watching the process closely, and we hope that all the elections happen in a transparent and organized manner. That's all we have for now. Correspondent : Thank you. Associate Spokesperson : James? Question : Mine was a follow-up on Afghanistan because I wasn't around when the resolution was passed. But you... as Maryam just said, you have a new Special Envoy. You have the SRSG running UNAMA. I need to check whether the Special Coordinator is still in his post, or did he relinquish his post after producing his report? And what is the division of labour from these people? I'm sorry. It's another boring structural question, which you may not be able to answer now, but it really is quite important to work out what these people are doing and who does what. Associate Spokesperson : Correct. I will also have to follow-up with you on that, James, too. This division of labour, duly noted. Maggie, yes. Question : Just following up on Edie's question about the displacement of the Palestinians. In the news reports in Israel, it said that Israeli officials had been having conversations with Congolese officials and some other countries about sending Palestinians to those countries. Is there any way you can check with Mr. Wennesland? Is he aware of any of these reports? Has he intervened in any way? Is he in contact with the Government in Israel about it? Associate Spokesperson : I think for now, well, I can say is that we have all just seen the reports. We have no way of verifying these reports. They're being reported as, you know, secret meetings. So, nothing on our end except our position on that. Yeah. Correspondent : Thanks, Florencia, and Happy New Year. Associate Spokesperson : Happy New Year. Question : I think you've been asked this already, so apologies, but I'm just trying to get a line on the practical impact of the resolution on Gaza adopted on the 22nd, was it? Can you please explain, I suppose it's because I'm trying to explain to my audiences what has been the practical impact in terms of the humanitarian relief for Gaza? Has there been any at all? Associate Spokesperson : I mean, I think, I spoke about it yesterday. I think you can... I'm not going to make a judgment, but I think you can draw your own conclusions from what I said. And what I said was that the situation is extremely challenging still. Logistically, in terms of personnel, in terms of, you know, that this has gone from not being able to deliver aid to having multiple crises now on the ground. Right? There's the health issue. There's these diseases now popping up. There's the warnings from WFP about starvation. So, the situation you can assess is not improving. The casualty numbers are going up. And aid is not... aid is still extremely hard to deliver. And this is why we continue to call for what we've been calling for, which is a humanitarian ceasefire. That would be the only way to ensure that we can get the assistance to those that need it the most. And I just mentioned that there are parts that are still inaccessible and have been for weeks. Question : So, sorry, just to conclude then, can... is it fair to say that the United Nations Security Council resolution adoption on the 22nd of December made absolutely no difference? Associate Spokesperson : That I will leave to you to say. We'll go, I think I have a question online from Abdelhamid, and then I'll come back to the room. Question : Thank you so much. I have more than one question. We'll start with the... yesterday, you mentioned that the assassination of the Palestinian Hamas leader in Lebanon was a violation of Lebanese sovereignty. Yes, you said that. Right? Associate Spokesperson : I don't think I said that. Question : You didn't? [cross talk] Associate Spokesperson : But tell me your... ask me your question anyway. Question : And my question is, do you see that this is a violation of Lebanese sovereignty? And if so, did any UN official condemn a violation of Lebanese sovereignty? Associate Spokesperson : I mean, I think what we've said is that we're concerned for the potential of escalation in the region. We've urged for actors to exercise maximum restraint. And I will leave it at that. I think you know that this is any sort of... Yeah, I will just leave it at that. Question : So, your concern is about escalation, but you didn't see a violation of Lebanon's sovereignty to a State to take action in another State and assassinate someone? Associate Spokesperson : That has not been... those are claims that had not been confirmed. Next question, please. Question : My next question. I want you to tell me where the following names of UN officials, where are they? Why they are hiding their... that we don't hear from them. They're putting their heads in the sands. First is Tor Wennesland. All these developments we didn't hear from him. Karim Khan, Alice Nderitu of the Genocide Convention, Pramila Patten and Virginia Gamba. Why they don't say anything about what's going on in Gaza? Associate Spokesperson : I mean, I wouldn't say that we are not saying anything. I think... Question : Tell me [inaudible]. Associate Spokesperson : Just because our officials are not publicly saying things does not mean that they're not working behind the scenes and that they're not communicating on the ground and fulfilling their mandate. And I think from our end, we've been pretty vocal and there have been plenty of officials that have been very vocal including OCHA [Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs] and UNRWA [UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East]. So, we work as a whole. We work as an organization. The fact that some officials speak up at some point or not does not diminish the fact that the organization as a whole is speaking up. And... Correspondent : Tor Wennesland's primary job is to observe and see and talk and see what's happening in Gaza. The threats to evict the Palestinians, displace them outside their homeland country for thousands of years. Okay? And he doesn't say anything. This is unacceptable from a UN official to be silent. Associate Spokesperson : Okay. I will leave that as your opinion, Abdelhamid, and I'll come back to the room now. Maggie, and then James again. Correspondent : Sorry. One more. Associate Spokesperson : Yeah. Question : On Gaza. I was just scrolling through the UNRWA and OCHA updates, the latest ones. And I didn't see anything about the fuel situation. Do we know how much fuel... Is it getting in consistently? Is it improving? Or it just kind of goes back to [inaudible]? Associate Spokesperson : You know, that is a good question because I don't think we have gotten a fuel update in a little while. So, I will ask for that, Maggie. Correspondent : Thanks for that. Associate Spokesperson : James. Question : Actually, Maggie has just... it's again on Gaza, but before the question, when sometimes people send out that daily humanitarian update, that OCHA oPt update, it's so helpful. The rest of the time, we have to go scrolling for it. It seems to drop at a different time every day. Could it be sent as a matter of course to all correspondents every single day? It is the most useful document that you currently produce on this war. And the fact that we don't get it every day in our email is a shame. Associate Spokesperson : Okay. I will definitely pass that on to our colleagues. Question : Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And then the other pointer... the other question was you answered about where things were since the resolution. That's your answer, but the Secretary-General is supposed to provide the Security Council with a formal report of where things are. Where is the Secretary-General's report? Associate Spokesperson : I think we're all, it's pending. We're all waiting for it. And as soon as we have something we will send it to you. Correspondent : And under the two different resolutions, there are, I believe, three different reports that are due and these are rather overlapping reports. Associate Spokesperson : Correct. Question : Is the Secretary-General reaching out to the Security Council perhaps to try and consolidate them into one report that says everything? Associate Spokesperson : Not that I'm aware of. Question : No? Associate Spokesperson : But we will try to give you a timeline of when each of these will drop. Correspondent : Thank you. Associate Spokesperson : Edie? Question : Thank you, Florencia. With the Security Council discussing the Houthi attacks on the Red Sea shipping this afternoon, can you tell us what the United Nations has been doing to try and mitigate this? Or is anybody talking to the Houthis? Is anybody talking to, well, the Saudis or any of the other key players, the Iranians? Associate Spokesperson : Yeah. I will try to get you an update on what Hans [Grundberg, Special Envoy for Yemen] is doing over there, as well as our office on trade before 3 o'clock. Well, I'll try my very best to give you that. But also, I'll check with Mr. [Khaled] Khiari [Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific], if we have an update on that as well. Question : And can you give us an update on any recent conversations the Secretary-General has had about the Gaza crisis or the wider Middle East situation? Has he been in touch with any other leaders, any other key officials? Associate Spokesperson : Nothing specific for now, but even when he's away, I know he's working the phones as he does. Anything else? Okay. Thank you. And you'll have Stephanie here tomorrow, and I'll try to get back to you with all your questions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Security Council meets over Red Sea attacks amid growing threat of spillover from Gaza war 3 January 2024 - The UN Security Council on Wednesday held its first open meeting on the continuing attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, which are becoming an increasing threat to global trade and the stability of the entire region as the intense fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza continues. Key points: UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari said "no cause or grievance" could justify continuing Houthi attacks against freedom of navigation in the Red Sea All incidents originating in Houthi controlled areas "must stop" He encouraged "all concerned parties" in the wider region to avoid any further escalation and de-escalate tensions and threats Called for a return to the regular flow of traffic to avoid the risk of Yemen being "dragged into a regional conflagration" IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez described the attacks as unacceptable saying ships "must be allowed to trade worldwide unhindered and in accordance with international law" Reiterated a call for de-escalation "to ensure the safety of our seafarers, freedom of navigation and stability of supply chains" The meeting adjourned at 4:23 PM. You can watch the video of the Council meeting from UN Web TV here And you can find speaker-by-speaker coverage from our Meetings Coverage Service, right here. 4:12 PM Collective responsibility for peace in Yemen: France Nicolas de Riviere, Permanent Representative of France which holds the presidency of the Council this month, said through their armed actions, the Houthis and those who train and support them, bear a heavy responsibility for the escalation of tensions in the region as well as for international stability. He recalled that France and all States have the right to take appropriate measures to ensure safety at sea. This is what France did when the frigate Languedoc destroyed drones on December 9 that were threatening one of its ships, he told the Council. It is also the collective responsibility of the Council to ensure that the peace process in Yemen continues according to the road map of the UN Special Envoy, he noted. France will carry out its responsibilities in the Bab Al Mandeb Strait and will continue to contribute to the safety of commercial ships in conjunction with its partners, he insisted, calling on all international and regional actors to avoid further escalation. 3:50 PM Gasoline to put out a fire: Russia Vassily Nebenzia, Russia's ambassador to the UN said that restrictions on freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden was not happening in a vacuum. He said nobody should deny that "what is happening in the Red Sea is a direct projection of the violence in Gaza, where Israel's bloody operation has been ongoing for three months." Escalation is also happening in other occupied Palestinian territories, he continued, as well as across the Israel-Lebanon border. He blamed the US for covering up Israel's actions and holding the remaining members of the Security Council "hostage" by vetoing any resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire. We see two scenarios going forward he said: firstly and preferably, redouble the Council's efforts to resolve the decades-long conflict in Yemen and end the violence in the Gaza Strip. The second "catastrophic" option would be "putting out the fire" of the crisis in the Red Sea with gasoline, as the United States and its allies are calling us to do. Unfortunately, the second scenario seems to be emerging, he said, attacking the US-led "international maritime coalition" established last month and aimed at deterring Houthi attacks. For the "hot heads" in Washington, another conflict in the Middle East is just one more geopolitical game, he claimed. 3:41 PM Red Sea is more than just a shipping route: Algeria In his inaugural address as a Security Council member, Algeria's ambassador, Amar Bendjama, said Algeria was committed to international peace and security. He recognized the crucial role of the Red Sea route as of "paramount importance for the whole world." But he said the crisis at sea must been seen within a broader regional context. First, the region is currently wracked with instability due to the war in Gaza with the potential of spillover "at any moment". It is crucial to prevent the emergence of any regional conflict with "out of control regional consequences", he warned. He said positive signs have been emanating from Yemen due to the good work of the UN Special Envoy. He said it was vital to steer clear of any action that could interfere with his work there. He said comprehensive analysis necessitated an understanding of the history and geography of the region, therefore addressing the root causes of the conflict is essential. The current international and regional instability is the manifestation of yet another profound malaise he said, warning of the "erosion of collective security architecture" and "weakening of diplomacy". He said the Red Sea was far more than just a trade route, hailing it as an historic region that is home to communities with legitimate aspirations and hopes. 3:39 PM We will not hesitate to act if necessary: UK The UK Deputy Permanent Representative, James Kariuki, called on the Houthis to cease their attacks immediately. Today we joined 11 countries in a statement warning against further attacks, he said. "We will continue to work with allies and partners to pursue all diplomatic routes to end this threat. "If necessary, as the UK Defence Secretary has stated, we will not hesitate to take action to deter threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea." Contrary to claims made by the Houthis, these attacks are totally indiscriminate and target shipping that has no connection to Israel, he insisted. The British Foreign Secretary spoke with the Iranian Foreign Minister on Sunday, making clear our view that Iran shares responsibility for preventing these attacks, given their long-standing support to the Houthis, he continued. He called for all parties in the region to avoid escalation, and exercise restraint, expressing concern for the plight of civilians. 3:25 PM Steps must be taken by Council: Japan Yamazaki Kazuyuki, Permanent Representative of Japan, said his country was outraged by the armed "seizure" and continued holding of the Japanese-operated Galaxy Leader and its 25-person multinational crew, on 19 November. He said it was unacceptable that the innocent crew has been detained for more than 40 days. The Red Sea is a critical sea lane and being forced to divert around the Cape of Good Hope is more costly, energy-intensive, and time-consuming. He unequivocally condemned the Houthi's actions and called on them to cease. Continued attacks will have a negative impact on supply chains and the global economy. It is crucial now to think about next steps, he said, and the Security Council must take "appropriate action to deter additional threats" by the Houthis and maintain international peace and security. 3:15 PM There must be a global response: US United States ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative, Christopher Lu, said that the threat to navigational rights and freedoms in the Red Sea is a global challenge and necessitates "a global response". He warned that the Houthis continue to strike commercial vessels transiting through the Red Sea's vital shipping lane amid growing consensus for freedom of navigation, regional peace and security and global commerce. Since 19 November, there have been over 20 attacks by the Houthis, he noted. The US and its allies have launched multinational naval operations to protect ships in the southern part of the Red Sea and deter lawless non-State actors, he said. US-Houthi standoffs He recalled an incident during which US navy personnel issued verbal warnings to the Houthi attackers but rather than cease their attacks, they responded by opening fire. Three Houthi boats subsequently sank. Additionally, two anti-ship missiles were fired from Houthi-controlled areas at United States navy vessels. Citing these attacks as clear violations of international law, he said that they pose grave implications for maritime security and undermine the fragile humanitarian situation in Yemen, thwarting the ability of the international community to deliver assistance to 21 million people in need. He also shed light on the root of the problem - Iran's long-standing provision of financing to aid the Houthi operations. He called on the Council to speak with one voice and demand that the Houthis stop their attacks. We call for a global response from this Council to this global challenge and we are ready to discuss the situation further with other Member States, he added. 3:13 PM Ensure safety of seafarers: IMO chief The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, said that recent information received by IMO showed that Houthis were not confining their attacks just to shipping linked to Israel. A significant number of companies are already rerouting their ships around South Africa to reduce their risks, representing an additional 10 days to journeys on average, and negatively impacting international trade, and costs of freight. He reminded of earlier recommendations agreed in December on how to deal with the crisis, saying IMO had a programme already in place on security in the Red Sea region. He reiterated his call for de-escalation "to ensure safety of our seafarers, freedom of navigation and stability of supply chains." He said IMO would continue to monitor the situation in collaboration with Member States and partners from the industry, together with navies involved in ensuring security at sea. 3:10 PM Avoid further escalation and risk of 'regional conflagration': Khairi We reiterate that incidents originating from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen must stop, said Mr Khairi. "No cause or grievance can justify continuation of these attacks against the freedom of navigation", he added. "As to the overall situation in the region, we encourage all concerned parties to avoid further escalation and de-escalate tensions and threats. This is critical so that traffic through the Red Sea can return to its normal state and the risk of Yemen being dragged into a regional conflagration be avoided." He concluded saying that the "continued assistance of this Council in actively engaging with all concerned parties who may be able to push for restraint remains extremely valuable so that through our combined efforts we can prevent further escalation in the Red Sea from exacerbating regional tensions or undermining regional peace, security, or international trade." 3:04 PM The meeting has just begun, presided over by France, which holds the gavel for January. UN Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Khaled Khiari, said that there have been alarming developments in the Red Sea since the Council last met on the crisis. He said the repercussions of military escalations and threats to maritime navigation is of serious concern that could impact "millions in Yemen, the region, and globally." 2:40 PM There have been well over 20 attacks on international shipping by Houthi rebels in Yemen along the crucial international shipping lanes of the Red Sea, since the 7 October attacks by Hamas led to Israel's devastating offensive. The Houthi rebel movement controls the capital and large swathes of the country, including the Red Sea coast. They began targeting what they believe to be Israel-bound vessels in mid-November after first launching missile and drone attacks against Israel, in support of extremist group Hamas. Now they have widened their aim to all international shipping companies, until Israel allows full humanitarian supplies to enter Gaza, causing many to divert their ships far to the south around the Cape of Good Hope, incurring extra costs and adding extra days, driving up costs. With tensions and concern over regional spillover also rising following the assassination of Hamas's deputy leader and other commanders in Beirut on Tuesday, Iran has also reportedly rejected calls from the US and the UK to end its support for the attacks by Houthi rebels. An Iranian destroyer crossed into the Red Sea on Monday, while a US-led multinational task force was formed on 18 December in a bid to counter the Houthi attacks. Top UN officials to brief The Security Council issued a press statement on 1 December addressing the Houthi threat condemning the attacks "in the strongest terms". They also called for the immediate release of the Japanese registered MV Galaxy Leader which was seized by rebels on 19 November. Two senior UN officials are due to brief ambassadors beginning at 3:00 PM, and following the open meeting, the 15-member Security Council will then go into closed session. Just a reminder here of the last Security Council resolution adopted on the Gaza crisis on 22 December, where ambassadors called for immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to stricken civilians in Gaza. And the most recent meeting focused on the crisis of the Council on 29 December, saw the UN chief Antonio Guterres warn of the widening risks of further spillover. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza war: 'Intense ground battles' reported, hospital hit kills five 3 January 2024 - Continuing airstrikes were reported across Gaza on Wednesday and "intense ground battles" between Israeli forces and Palestinian fighters in refugee camps in central areas that have reportedly left many dead. Airstrikes and missiles struck dwellings and public buildings on Tuesday including Al-Amal hospital in Khan Younis killing five, among them a five-day-old baby, reports indicate. "No child in the world should be killed, let alone one sheltering under the emblem of a humanitarian organisation; this has to end," said Gemma Connell, a team leader from UN aid coordination office OCHA, in a video posted on X soon after the attacks. According to Ms. Connell, the hospital was "clearly marked" with the logo of the Palestinian Red Crescent. No shelter An estimated 14,000 people were sheltering at the health facility when it was shelled twice, attacks that were also swiftly condemned by UN health agency chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. "I deplore today's strikes on the Al-Amal hospital...which severely damaged the Palestine Red Crescent Society training centre located within the hospital complex," Tedros wrote on X. Adding his voice once again to repeated international calls for an immediate ceasefire, Tedros described the hospital bombardment as "unconscionable". "Gaza's health system is already on its knees, with health and aid workers continuously stymied in their efforts to save lives due to the hostilities." Many of those sheltering at Al-Amal when it was shelled had now left, the WHO Director-General said, while those remaining were "extremely fearful for their safety and planning to leave a place they had turned to for refuge and protection". Under international humanitarian law the hospital "should be a protected space...and today it was hit twice", said Dr. Ayadil Saparbekov, WHO Team Lead for Health Emergencies, speaking from the facility in a video posted on X, during a UN assessment mission to the hospital that indicated extensive damage. "The war should stop, the healthcare workers and health facilities should be protected." Nowhere is safe The latest humanitarian update from UN aid coordination office OCHA described "heavy Israeli bombardment from air, land and sea...across most of the Gaza Strip" on Tuesday, along with continued rocket fire into Israel by Palestinian armed forces. Clashes on the ground were also reported in the southern town of Khan Younis, along with "heavy strikes" in Gaza city to the north. OCHA also highlighted reports of multiple fatalities in areas where Palestinians had relocated to, "following orders from Israeli forces to move from northern Gaza". Rising death toll Citing Gaza's health authority, the UN humanitarian update said that 207 Palestinians had been killed from 1 to 2 January, and another 338 people injured. Between 7 October and 2 January, the war has claimed at least 22,185 Palestinian fatalities in Gaza - about 70 per cent of them are believed to be women and children. Up to 7,000 people are missing, with many presumed to be buried under the rubble. According to the Israeli military, since the start of the ground operation in Gaza, 171 soldiers have been killed, and 983 soldiers injured. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USNS Trenton (T-EPF 5) Arrives in Durres, Albania US Navy 03 January 2024 From USNS Trenton Public Affairs DURRES, Albania -- Military Sealift Command (MSC) Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport USNS Trenton (T-EPF 5) arrived in Durres, Albania for a regularly scheduled port visit Jan. 3, 2024. The port visit provides an opportunity to enhance the U.S.-Albanian partnership as the two nations work together for a stable, secure and prosperous Europe. It also allows the sailors and Civilian Mariners of USNS Trenton a chance to experience the unique culture, historic sights and hospitality of a NATO Ally. Albania joined NATO in 2009, and in the years since strengthened their partnership via participation in joint exercises in the Adriatic Sea. They last hosted a naval vessel in July 2023 when the USS Ramage (DDG 61) arrived for a scheduled port visit. "This visit continues to affirm the shared values and partnership between the U.S. and Albania, as we work together to ensure security and stability in Europe and the Mediterranean Sea," said Cmdr. Damon Bateson, Trenton's military detachment (MILDET) officer in charge. "The crew and I are excited to visit Durres and spend some time in this historic Albanian port city." Port visits, such as the Trenton's visit to Albania, build upon the long history of demonstrating NATO's commitment to maritime security throughout the region. As an added benefit to the morale and education of crew members, the historical and cultural sights of the city are of particular interest to Operations Specialist Petty Officer Second Class Cassandra Gallo. "When I researched where we were going on our next port visit, I was really excited about there being so many historical sites from different time periods. I am looking forward to visiting the Amphitheater as well as the Venetian Tower," said Gallo. The USNS Trenton is a high-speed, shallow draft ship with the capability to deliver operationally ready units to flexibly support a wide range of missions including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, theater security cooperation and maritime domain awareness. It is crewed by civilian mariners, with military personnel embarking as required by the mission. For over 80 years, NAVEUR-NAVAF has forged strategic relationships with Allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability. Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Blinken Heads to Middle East as Risks of Broader Regional Conflict Grow By Nike Ching January 03, 2024 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to the Middle East this week amid intense diplomatic efforts to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into the war-ravaged Gaza Strip and increasing international pressure on Israel to reduce civilian casualties among Palestinians. Blinken's visit would come as Israel's war with Hamas militants approaches its three-month mark. Reuters cited a senior U.S. official and reported that Blinken will depart on Thursday for the Middle East, including a stop in Israel. Amos Hochstein, a senior adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden, will also travel to Israel to work toward calming tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told reporters Blinken will hold meetings with Turkish officials on Saturday, according to local media. Senior U.S. officials' upcoming meetings in the Middle East come at a time when the risk of a broader regional conflict is escalating, despite the collective efforts of Western and regional powers to confine the Israel-Hamas war to the Gaza Strip. Regional stability The State Department said the United States remains "incredibly concerned" about the risk of the conflict spreading into other fronts, after the killing Tuesday of senior Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut. The Israeli army said it was on high alert for attacks by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. This follows a drone strike in Beirut that killed al-Arouri, who was closely associated with Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah. In a televised speech, Nasrallah said there would be a "response and punishment," but he did not clearly declare that his forces would escalate attacks against Israel. The U.S. has sent a "very direct message to Hezbollah" and other entities in the region that "now is not the time to think of escalating further" since October 7, according to the State Department. Israel launched its offensive in Gaza shortly after the October 7 attacks by Hamas militants. "You've seen us take deterrence steps to deliver that message. You've seen us take diplomatic steps to deliver it. We'll continue to deliver it," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters during a briefing on Wednesday. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has also voiced deep concern at any potential for escalation, while urging all parties to exercise restraint. Earlier this week, Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, condemned the Israeli strike that resulted in the death of al-Arouri, calling it a "crime" deliberately aimed at dragging Lebanon into a new phase of confrontations. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are backed by Iran, whose militant allies in Syria, Iraq and Yemen have also been carrying out longer-range attacks against Israel. Humanitarian aid The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that Gaza is becoming a public health disaster, and recent mass displacement across southern Gaza is fueling disease outbreaks. More than 400,000 cases of infectious diseases have been reported since October 7, with some 180,000 people suffering from upper respiratory infections. There have also been more than 136,000 cases of diarrhea reported half among children under the age of 5, according to OCHA. The U.N. is collaborating with countries to facilitate humanitarian delivery, addressing the critical lack of hygiene and safe drinking water in Gaza. In Washington, U.S. officials stated their opposition to forcibly removing Palestinians from Gaza. The U.S. is also working on a postwar road map for Palestinian territories. "Gaza cannot, once again, serve as a launching pad for terrorist attacks against Israel," Miller told VOA on Wednesday. "What we ultimately want to see is Gaza and the West Bank reunited under Palestinian leadership," and "certainly there's no role for Hamas in that." Hostage release Meanwhile, intense diplomatic efforts to retrieve the remaining hostages held in Gaza by Hamas militants continue. There are believed to be 129 people still held by Hamas or other militants in Gaza. Last week, Egypt proposed a plan to end the current military conflict between Israel and Hamas militants, involving a cease-fire, a phased hostage release, and the formation of a Palestinian government of experts to administer the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Details of the plan were reportedly worked out with the Persian Gulf nation of Qatar and presented to Israel, Hamas, the United States and European governments. But the head of Hamas' political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, stated on Tuesday that the hostages will only be released on Hamas' terms. The State Department said it's a "top priority" for the U.S. government to bring all hostages home but declined to comment publicly on the negotiations. Some material for this report came from Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US, Allies Warn Houthis of 'Consequences' if Attacks on Vessels in Red Sea Continue By VOA News January 03, 2024 The United States and 11 allies on Wednesday jointly warned Yemen's Houthi militants of unspecified consequences unless they halt attacks on cargo vessels sailing through the Red Sea. "Let our message now be clear: We call for the immediate end of these illegal attacks and release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews," the countries said in a statement released by the White House. "The Houthis will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy and free flow of commerce in the region's critical waterways," the 12 countries said. Signatories on the statement include Britain, which on Monday issued its own warning to the Houthis of "direct action," as well as Australia, Canada, Germany and Japan. Shipping companies reroute vessels At an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting on Wednesday called by the United States and other council members, the head of the U.N.'s International Maritime Organization said 18 shipping companies have decided to reroute their vessels away from the Red Sea and around southern Africa to reduce the risk of attack from the Houthis. "This adds 10 days to the journey and an increase in freight rates," IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez told the council in a video briefing. Dominguez said about 15% of the international shipping trade passes through the Red Sea, and it is of the "utmost importance" to ensure the safety and security of global supply chains as well as the crews aboard these ships. The Japanese-operated ship Galaxy Leader and crew of 25 were seized by the Houthis on November 19 and remain in the militant group's custody. Council members called for the crew and ship's immediate and unconditional release. Attacks target ships bound for Israel The Iranian-backed Houthis have launched drone, missile and boat attacks since October, targeting what they say are vessels linked with or traveling to Israel. The militants say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Israel's envoy to the U.N. said the issue is not an Israel problem or a regional one, but a global one. He urged the security council to enforce its own sanctions against the Houthis and those who arm and fund them namely Iran. "These are blatant terror attacks against diverse global targets," Gilad Erdan told the council. "This is the epitome of an international terror threat. Council members, today must be far more than a wake-up call. Today we must act." The United States also called for a united international action. "It is vital that the council speak and speak now on the need to uphold international law, as well as navigational rights and freedoms," U.S. envoy Christopher Lu said. Lu also pointed at Iran's role, saying it had funded and armed the Houthis for years, enabling their attacks. Diplomats said after the meeting that the Americans are gauging whether they would have the necessary council support to get a resolution adopted on the issue. Russia's envoy reiterated his country's condemnation of the attacks and called on the Houthis not to jeopardize vessels in the Red Sea but signaled some reluctance to take any serious action in the council. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said he preferred a scenario where the council redoubled its efforts to resolve Yemen's lengthy civil war in order to bring stability, over what he warned could be a "catastrophic" option of "pouring gasoline" on the situation by using "forceful methods" with the Houthis. The attacks have drawn military responses from U.S. and British forces and prompted the United States to set up a coalition of countries to try to protect the shipping lanes. U.S. Central Command reported a new Houthi attack late Tuesday, saying the militants fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles from Yemen into the southern Red Sea. A CENTCOM statement said multiple commercial ships in the area reported the missiles landed in the water and that there were no reports of damage. "These illegal actions endangered the lives of dozens of innocent mariners and continue to disrupt the free flow of international commerce," CENTCOM said. "This is the 24th attack against merchant shipping in the Southern Red Sea since Nov. 19." VOA U.N. correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chad's Junta Leader Appoints Pro-Democracy Figure as Prime Minister By Moki Edwin Kindzeka January 03, 2024 Chad's military leader has appointed a former opposition leader and pro-democracy figure, Success Masra, as prime minister in a newly-appointed transitional government. Opposition and civil society groups are skeptical that Masra, who recently returned from exile, can convince military ruler Mahamat Idriss Deby to give up power. But Marsa says his appointment does not stop him from making sure Chad carries out elections later this year and returns to civilian rule. Mahamat Ahmat Alhabo, secretary-general of Chad's presidency and a close aide of military ruler General Mahamat Idriss Deby, reads the names of members of a new government. Alhabo says the new government, who he says will prepare Chad for return to civilian rule, was named after consultation with former opposition leader Success Masra, whom Deby appointed as Chad's transitional prime minister on Monday. Masra replaced Saleh Kebzabo, a Deby appointment who served as prime minister for 14 months. On Sunday, Deby said he had accepted Kebzabo's resignation following the adoption of a new constitution. Last week, Chad's Supreme Court approved the results of a referendum in which 85% of Chadians voted in favor of the new document. Neatobei Bidi Valentin is president of the N'djamena-headquartered African Party for Peace and Justice. He says he does not believe Mahamat Idriss Deby consulted with Masra before naming and installing a new government of 41 members on Tuesday... Neitobei says before the new prime minister and his government were appointed, civil society and the political opposition, including Masra, asked Deby to reduce Chad's government of transition by half. Neitobei said a majority of the members of the transitional government appointed by Deby are the military general's family and friends. Chad's civil society groups say Masra and a few former opposition members in the new government will not be able to stop the military ruler from illegally continuing his family's autocratic rule. Deby's father, Idriss Deby Itno, ruled Chad for three decades before dying in April 2021 on the frontlines of a fight against northern rebels. The younger Deby was to head a transitional council but on October 8, 2022, he dissolved the council and declared himself interim president. Masra led thousands of civilians in street protests against what he called Deby's iron fisted-rule and his attempts to continue his father's dynasty. Rights groups report that security forces killed 50 people, injured 300 and arrested several hundred during the protests. Masra fled to the United States through neighboring Cameroon but returned on November 3 after he reached an agreement with Deby. Civil society groups say they were surprised when Masra started urging voters to take part in the constitutional referendum, which opposition groups called a sham to extend Deby's rule. Chad's opposition says by accepting the prime minister's post, Masra has dashed the hopes of a majority of civilians who counted on his popularity to force the military junta to step aside. Masra says his appointment does not stop him from pressing for democratic elections for a return to constitutional order. He says his immediate task is to convince teachers who have been refusing to work since October 2023 in protest of difficult working conditions and poor salaries. He says teachers should return to classrooms and work while he prepares a national dialogue with teachers, because children's education is a fundamental human right and Chad's government priority. Masra said he will make sure living conditions of civilians are improved and the current fuel shortage is eased before the country holds elections in October of this year. The 40-year-old former opposition leader also says he will work closely with Deby to make sure the general amnesty granted to all civilians and military arrested during the October 2022 protests is fully implemented. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 03 January 2024 - Day 678 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 31 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The UK Ministry of Defence reported that since 29 December 2023, Russia has increased the intensity of its long-range strike operations against Ukraine. Its forces have committed a significant proportion of the stock of air launched cruise missiles and ballistic missiles they had built up over recent months. The recent strikes likely primarily targeted Ukraine's defence industry. This contrasts with its major attacks last winter which prioritised striking Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Russia appeared set to restart this campaign by hitting energy sites in early December 2023. These new operations suggest at least a temporary change of approach in Russia's use of long-range strikes. Russian planners almost certainly recognise the growing importance of relative defence industrial capacity as they prepare for a long war. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of January 3, there were 47x combat engagements. Russian forces launched a total of 6x missile, 42x air strikes, carried out 18x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have wounded civilians. Residential buildings, other civilian and industrial infrastructure were destroyed and damaged. The operational situation in eastern and southern Ukraine remains difficult. Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group. Certain units of the armed forces of Belarus continue their missions in the areas bordering Ukraine. Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. Russia continues its sabotage and reconnaissance activities, shelling Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia and increases the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Morokhovets' and Kolodyazne (Kharkiv oblast). More than 20x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Tymonovychi, Arkhypivka, Leonivka, Kostobobriv, Hrem'yach (Chernihiv oblast), Marchykhyna Buda, Volfyne, Kostyantynivka, Myropillya, Popivka (Sumy oblast), Alisivka, Lyptsi, Luk'yantsi, Starytsya, Zybyne, Odradne (Kharkiv oblast). Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces conducted no offensives. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Petropavlivka, Kucherivka, Podoly, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast) and Novojehorivka (Luhansk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast). Lyman axis: the Russian occupiers did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinity of Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Spirne (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Tors'ke, Serebryanka, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Spirne, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast). Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 4x attacks near Bohdanivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces made unsuccessful attempts to improve its tactical position in that area. The Russian invaders launched an air strike in the vicinity of Pivnichne settlement (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Mykolaivka, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, New York (Donetsk oblast). Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 9x Russian attacks near Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, and 19x more attacks in the vicinities of Sjeverne, Pervomais'ke and Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). With the air support, Russian forces made unsuccessful attempts to improve their tactical position in that area. Russian forces launched an air strike near Oleksandropil' (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Keramik, Novokalynove, Berdychi, Semenivka, Avdiivka, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Heorhiivka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian adversary, with air support, made 11x attempts to improve their tactical situation. Oleksandropil', Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka, Yelyzavetivka, Katerynivka were under Russian artillery and mortar fire. Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations. Around 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Blahodatne, Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire. Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 1x Russian attack near Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). The attack was as an unsuccessful attempt to regain lost ground in that area. Russian air strikes hit Novodarivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 15x settlements, including Levadne, Hulyaipole, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka, Mali Shcherbaky, P'yatykhatky (Zaporizhzhia oblast), suffered from Russian artillery and mortar fire. Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the adversary fired artillery at Tomaryne, Novotyahynka, Sadove, Kherson, Chornobaivka and Kizomys (Kherson oblast). Russia does not abandon its intention to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their bridgehead on the left bank of the Dnipro River. Thus, during the day of January 3, the Russian occupiers made 8x failed assaults. However, the Ukrainian troops continue to hold their positions and inflict significant losses on the Russian enemy. During day of January 3, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 12x concentrations of Russian troops. The Ukrainian missile troops hit 3x anti-aircraft missile systems, 3x artillery systems, 1x electronic warfare station and 1x command post of the Russian invaders. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces supported by artillery repelled one attack of assault groups of the AFU 115th Mechanised Brigade close to Sinkovka (Kharkov region). In addition, strikes were delivered at AFU manpower near Ivanovka and Sinkovka (Kharkov region). The enemy's losses amounted to more than 35 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, and one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system. In Krasny Liman direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces' units and artillery hit clusters of AFU manpower and hardware near Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic), and Serebryansky forestry. The enemy has lost up to 40 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, as well as one D-30 howitzer. In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by operational-tactical aviation and artillery inflicted fire damage on AFU manpower and hardware near Bogdanovka, Krasnoye, Kleshcheyevka Andreyevka, and Kurdyumovka (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy losses in this direction amounted to more than 310 Ukrainian military personnel, one tank, two U.S.-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, three armoured fighting vehicles, nine motor vehicles, one Msta-B howitzer, one D-20 and one D-30 howitzers, as well as one electronic warfare station. In South Donetsk direction, the Vostok Group of Forces' units, aviation, and artillery repelled three attacks of assault groups of the AFU 127th Territorial Defence Brigade close to Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region). In addition, enemy manpower and hardware have been hit near Novomikhailovka and Urozhaynoye (Donetsk People's Republic). Up to 115 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three pick-up trucks, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system have been eliminated. In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery inflicted losses on manpower of AFU 65th, 118th mechanised, 128th mountain assault brigades close to Rabotino, Verbovoye, and Lukyanovskoye (Zaporozhye region). The enemy losses amounted to up to 55 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles. In Kherson direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery inflicted losses on AFU manpower one the right bank of the Dnepr River near Tyaginka, Ivanovka, Sadovoye, and Tokarevka(Kherson region). Up to 50 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, one Buk-M1 anti-aircraft missile launcher, and one D-20 howitzer were destroyed. Missile Troops and Artillery, as well as UAVs of the Russian Group of Forces have engaged one hangar with aircraft munitions, one ST-68 radar station for detecting and tracking low-altitude targets, deployment points of foreign mercenaries and the Kharkovshchyna national formation close to Kharkov, 89 artillery units in firing positions, manpower, and military hardware in 134 areas. Air defence forces have intercepted eight Tochka-U missiles, two S-200 anti-aircraft missiles converted to hit ground targets, as well as 34 HIMARS, Olkha, and Vampire MLRS projectiles during the day. In addition, 15 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down close to Energodar, Mirnoye (Zaporozhye region), Zolotaryovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Gorlovka, Peski, Spornoye (Donetsk People's Republic), and Novaya Kakhovka (Kherson region). In total, 565 airplanes and 263 helicopters, 10,367 unmanned aerial vehicles, 446 air defence missile systems, 14,447 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,194 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 7,618 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 17,040 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taliban Maintain Poppy Crackdown, US Fears Farmers' Return to Cultivation By Akmal Dawi January 03, 2024 Afghanistan's Taliban government is touting major strides in combating drug production and trafficking over the past year. Acting defense minister Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid announced at a Kabul press conference on Sunday that 4,472 tons of narcotics had been destroyed, 8,282 individuals involved in production and smuggling were arrested, and 13,904 hectares of poppy crops were cleared. "Smuggling of all contraband has been prevented by 99 percent," Mujahid claimed. The United States and the United Nations have confirmed a massive reduction in poppy cultivation in Afghanistan since the Taliban supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, banned the crop in April 2022. Afghanistan's poppy cultivation plummeted so dramatically after the Taliban ban that the country no longer holds the title of top global opiate supplier, ceding it to Myanmar, according to a 2023 report by the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, or UNODC. For nearly two decades, despite billions of dollars poured into counter-narcotics by Western donors, Afghanistan remained the world's opium kingpin, supplying more than 80% of the world's illicit market. Opium is used to produce heroin, a highly addictive and dangerous drug. Unsustainable initiative Eradicating opium cultivation remains a monumental challenge for the Taliban, despite their declared commitment to a permanent, rigorously enforced ban and a drug-free Afghanistan. Experts say extreme poverty in rural and agricultural communities haunts the Taliban's vow, threatening to lure farmers back to poppy cultivation. "Despite the apparent initial impact of the Taliban's narcotics ban, farmers will likely again turn to poppy cultivation unless there is a plan to address the potential loss of over 400,000 livelihoods linked to opium cultivation," an official at the U.S. Department of State wrote VOA in emailed comments. The Taliban's poppy cultivation ban has dealt a harsh blow to Afghanistan's illicit narcotics economy, causing an estimated $1 billion loss for those involved, as reported by the U.N. and independent experts. "In 2023, the farmers' income from selling opium to traders declined by 92% from an estimated $1.36 billion in 2022 to $110 million in 2023," the UNODC reported in November. As the Taliban pursue their counter-narcotics goals, finding sustainable alternative livelihoods for affected communities will be crucial to prevent unbearable hardships and even potential conflicts. "The economic consequences of the ban so far may have been somewhat muted by large existing inventories of opium from previous harvests, but smaller farmers, sharecroppers, and wage laborers suffer the most since they don't have stocks of opium," William Byrd, an expert at the U.S. Institute of Peace, told VOA. The opium economy in Afghanistan has been a complex and controversial issue, annually pumping between $1.8 billion and $2.7 billion into the Afghan economy, accounting for 6% to 11% of GDP according to the U.N. US aid U.S. officials have long argued that the global narcotics trade serves as a shadowy financier, fueling terrorism, organized crime, and corruption across the globe. From 2003 to 2021, while engaged in counter-insurgency operations against the Taliban in Afghanistan, the United States also invested upwards of $9 billion in programs aimed at curbing the illicit drug trade. Following the Taliban takeover, the U.S. cut development aid to Afghanistan, focusing solely on U.N.-administered humanitarian assistance. Alternative livelihood programs for poppy farmers were among the casualties. While official diplomatic relations remain on hold, U.S. officials have explored avenues for communication with the Taliban on issues like counter-narcotics through occasional, unofficial talks outside Afghanistan. Sanctions imposed on Taliban leadership and entities currently prevent direct U.S. engagement in their counter-narcotics programs. "Unfortunately, countries and organizations that have huge budgets and resources to prevent the cultivation and smuggling of poppy opiates do not help Afghans with alternative livelihoods," said Mujahid, the Taliban defense minister whose father, Mullah Mohammad Omar, the founding Taliban leader, nearly eliminated poppy cultivation in 2000. Omar's poppy ban was disrupted by the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China's aircraft carrier Fujian nearly complete, maiden voyage expected soon Global Times By Liu Xuanzun and Guo Yuandan Published: Jan 03, 2024 09:07 PM China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, is nearly complete and could make its maiden voyage soon, experts said on Wednesday, after the warship was briefly featured in a national media report on Tuesday that indicated smooth progress in its mooring tests. "We [...] are steadily making progress in mooring tests as planned," Captain Yin Hongxin said on the flight deck of the Fujian, Xinwen Lianbo, the prime time news broadcast of China Central Television (CCTV), reported on Tuesday. In 2024, the goal is to establish combat capabilities as soon as possible and make strides toward achieving the centennial goal of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 2027 as scheduled, Yin said. Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Wednesday that Yin's remarks showed that the Fujian remains in the mooring trial phase for the time being but is holding intensive tests. There will likely be multiple sea trials planned for 2024, so the Fujian can enter service and reach operational capability as soon as possible, Song said. A short clip played during the CCTV report showed the carrier being towed by tugboats not far away from the quay, marking its exit from the location where it had been moored since its launch. Citing an analysis of commercial satellite imagery, US media thedrive.com reported on Tuesday that the vessel was then transferred to a dry dock in a possible move to work out known issues and ensure the upcoming sea trials have the best possible shot at success. From the CCTV report, observers said that the flight deck of the Fujian seemed clean, and the three work sheds that used to cover the three electromagnetic catapults when the ship was launched have been removed. With its wings folded up, a full-sized mock-up of a fighter jet can be seen at the rear of the aircraft carrier. Since the fighter jet mock-up was relatively far away from the camera and due to the limited definition of the clip, observers could not strike an agreement on its type, with some saying that it likely represents a J-15 fighter jet, while others saying that it likely represents a next-generation stealth fighter jet allegedly called the J-35. Song said that the appearance of an aircraft mock-up on the flight deck of the Fujian means that the mooring trials tested the scheduling of aircraft on the flight deck, including loading and unloading as well as moving and positioning. The CCTV report came after media reported in November that the Fujian had conducted launch testing of its electromagnetic catapult system at the time. Some observers had predicted that the Fujian could hold its first voyage test within 2023, but that did not come into reality. Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military aviation expert, told the Global Times that the Fujian is equipped with many new technologies, particularly its electromagnetic catapults system, so it is normal that tests could take longer than the PLA Navy's previous two aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and the Shandong. The tests follow science and putting the carrier into service should not be hurried, Fu said. Nevertheless, many experts reached by the Global Times agreed that the maiden voyage of the Fujian will come soon. Based on the recent catapult tests and the CCTV report, the outfitting work of the Fujian is nearly complete and the mooring tests are approaching the last stages, another Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Wednesday. Test voyages will come after the mooring tests are complete, the expert said. Launched in June 2022, the Fujian is China's third aircraft carrier, also the first domestically developed carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults and arresting devices. With a full displacement of more than 80,000 tons, the Fujian is China's largest warship, observers said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese government agencies unveil plans to strengthen, sustain economic recovery for 2024 Global Times Government agencies unveil plans for this year's work By GT staff reporters Published: Jan 03, 2024 11:19 PM Chinese government agencies are placing significant emphasis on economic work and policy measures, underscoring their unwavering commitment to achieving the objectives outlined at the Central Economic Work Conference (CEWC), a tone-setting meeting for China's 2024 economic work. The approach reflects China's confidence and determination to meet the targets for both economic and social development, fostering a positive outlook for robust economic growth in 2024, experts said. On Tuesday, the first working day of 2024, Han Wenxiu, executive deputy director of the office of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs, said in an article published in the People's Daily that China's economic recovery and long-term improvement remain unchanged, with favorable conditions outweighing unfavorable factors. It is expected that China's economy showed signs of improvement in 2023 compared with the previous year. In contrast to many other countries struggling with weak recoveries, soaring prices and high debt, China's economy is developing rapidly with stable employment, commodity prices and international balance of payments, Han said. Han called for the implementation of policies that would help stabilize expectations, promote growth and boost employment. He also called for unleashing consumption potential and tapping into potential demand in the areas of urban renovation, migrant workers, education, healthcare and elder care. The remark from Han came as top officials from major government agencies including the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China's top economic planner, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF), have delivered reports in recent days, focusing on economic work in 2024, on the heels of the CEWC. The CEWC usually breaks down tasks in a very specific manner after the conference. With each government agency announcing its respective work arrangements at the beginning of the year, it will effectively stabilize expectations and bring significant benefits to economic stability and development, Li Chang'an, a professor at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies of the University of International Business and Economics, told Global Times on Wednesday. The CEWC, which was held in December, called for enhancing confidence and determination. Recent statements from various ministries and departments indicate that the government is highly focused on economic work and is strengthening macroeconomic regulation and policy coordination to achieve a positive economic recovery, Wang Peng, an associate researcher at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday. In the agency's respective report, Zheng Shanjie, head of the NDRC, emphasized the importance of stabilizing expectations and enhancing confidence in China's economic development. "We have the ability to continuously improve our economic structure, strengthen growth momentum and maintain positive development trends," Zheng said. In a report delivered in recent days, China's Finance Minister Lan Fo'an also expressed confidence in achieving the annual targets for economic and social development in 2023, which he said will lay a solid foundation for development in 2024. The CEWC also specifically mentioned the need to vigorously promote new industrialization, develop the digital economy and accelerate the development of artificial intelligence (AI). Jin Zhuanglong, minister of the MIIT, highlighted the need to cultivate and expand emerging industries, proactively plan for future industries, promote the use of AI in new industrialization and green and low-carbon development in the industrial sector. The CEWC also mentioned that proactive fiscal policies should be appropriately strengthened and improved in quality and efficiency. Lan mentioned the MOF will further strengthen policy support and financial protection, and coordinate the use of policy tools such as taxation, transfer payments, government investment and financing guarantees. The recent statements, which addressed all important aspects of the nation's economic work, conveyed a stable, proactive and pragmatic attitude. The introduction of these policy measures will help boost market confidence and enhance social expectations, injecting strong momentum into economic development, Wang said. Experts expressed a high level of confidence that China was able to meet its economic growth target for 2023 of about 5 percent, and they anticipate a continued economic recovery in 2024. China has released major economic figures for the first 11 months of 2023. Industrial output expanded at a better-than-expected 6.6 percent in November, the fastest pace in almost two years, and retail sales also showed steady 10.1 percent growth year-on-year, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Recently, several international organizations and financial institutions have raised their forecasts for China's economy and remained upbeat about China's economic outlook for 2024. The IMF recently raised its forecast for China's GDP growth in 2023 to 5.4 percent from 5 percent in October. Strong growth in household consumption and supportive macroeconomic policies, including a special-purpose bond issue of 1 trillion yuan ($140 billion) are highlights for China's 2024 economy, Steven Alan Barnett, senior IMF resident representative in China, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview in December. "It is expected that China's economic development environment in 2024 will be better. The main focus of economic work for 2024 will be centered on expanding domestic demand, stabilizing foreign investment and stabilizing foreign trade," Li said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address World cannot return to a state of isolation; China opposes all form of unilateralism: FM Global Times By Global Times Published: Jan 03, 2024 06:55 PM Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Wednesday said the world cannot return to a state of isolation and that China opposes all forms of unilateralism and protectionism in response to International Monetary Fund (IMF) warning that fragmentation of the global economy and increasing national security restrictions could lead to a 7 percent loss in global GDP. Whether it is trade wars or technological battles, the underlying objective is to politicize, instrumentalize, and weaponize economic and trade issues. The aim is to secure a monopoly on their own developmental advantages, impede the growth of emerging markets and developing nations, and deny the 7 billion people worldwide their right to pursue a happy life, Wang said. Wang said that China is willing to work with all parties to promote universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. China firmly opposes deglobalization and overstretching the national security concept, and opposes all forms of unilateralism and protectionism. The remarks come as the IMF warned that global economic fragmentation could lead to a 7 percent loss in global GDP. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told CNN in an interview aired on Tuesday local time that restrictions related to "national security" are increasing, and geopolitical factors are causing economic divisions worldwide. Allowed to continue, this could ultimately reduce Global GDP by 7 percent - roughly equal to the annual output of France and Germany, she said. "So we are all better off to find ways to reduce frictions, to concentrate on security concerns that are real and meaningful, and not go willy-nilly in fragmenting the world economy. We would end up with a smaller pie," she said. Wang said that the world cannot return to a state of isolation and cannot be arbitrarily divided. Any practice of seeking selfish gains at the expense of neighbors, any mindset of confrontation between camps, and any arrogance of self-centeredness will not lead to good results. China will promote equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal rules for all countries, safeguarding the development rights of all countries, and working toward common development and prosperity. The IMF's report in October 2023 predicted a slowdown in global economic growth from 3.0 percent in 2023 to 2.9 percent in 2024. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on January 3, 2024 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China 2024-01-03 20:39 Beijing Daily: This year marks the 30th anniversary of China's entry into the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Can you brief us on China's effort to advance international cooperation on patentsaand global governance of intellectual property? Wang Wenbin: China attaches high importance to international patent cooperation and intellectual property (IP) protection. In the past three decades since China became a member of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), we've actively participated in the revision and improvement of PCT and other international rules, improved our own legal system on IP and engaged in productive cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organization. China has been the top filer of international patent applications through PCT for four consecutive years, making itself one of the world's leading countries in the area of IP and innovation. IP protection serves as a major pillar for innovative development. Building on its rich reservoir of patent technologies, China has been enhancing the quality and efficiency of its work on IP to unleash creativity at a faster pace. So far, China has filed 126,400 global patent applications for solar panels, ranking the first in the world. Top 10 NEV makers in China by sales possess over 100,000 global patents in force, leading the green and low-carbon sector and providing a strong impetus for world economic recovery. China has expanded opening up in IP protection and fostered a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized. More and more foreign applicants are looking to do business and plan their patent portfolios in China. Over the past decade or so, applicants from 115 Belt and Road partner countries filed applications for 253,000 patents in China, an annual increase of 5.4 percent. As of the end of 2022, a total of 861,000 invention patents were in force for overseas applicants in China, a year-on-year increase of 4.5 percent. This speaks to the foreign-funded companies' recognition towards China's effort in IP protection. Looking forward, China will continue to uphold the principle of openness, inclusiveness, balance and benefits for all, strengthen exchanges and cooperation on IP with all countries, and advance a fairer and more just global governance on IP to deliver more benefits of innovation to people around the world and build a community with a shared future for mankind.a Reuters: Has China sent any humanitarian aid to Japan since the earthquake on Monday? Or has Japan made any request to China for relief aid? Are there any latest updates on how the disaster is affecting Chinese nationals there?a Wang Wenbin: China expressed sympathies to the Japanese side yesterday over the powerful earthquakes that hit Noto region in Ishikawa Prefecture of Japan. We are willing to provide necessary help to Japan for its relief and rescue efforts. To my knowledge, no Chinese casualty has been reported so far. The Foreign Ministry and our embassy and consulates in Japan will continue to follow the situation closely and provide timely and necessary assistance to our nationals in Japan. Rudaw Media Network: A project which two Chinese companies and the Iraqi government implement will build 30,000 residential housing units in Iraq. Why doesn't the project cover any governorate in the Kurdistan region? Wang Wenbin: China and Iraq have friendly relations. As a sincere friend of the Iraqi people, China has taken an active part in the economic reconstruction of Iraq and contributed to Iraq's economic and social development, which is widely recognized by the Iraqi government and public. China stands ready to continue working with Iraq for new progress in practical cooperation in various areas. CCTV: It was reported that in an interview on January 2, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned against fragmentation of the global economy along geopolitical lines due to increasing national security restrictions, with countries gravitating towards separate blocs led by the United States and China. Allowed to continue, she said this could ultimately reduce global GDP by 7 percent. What is your comment? Wang Wenbin: We noted the reports. There is only one planet we call home and one common future for humanity. The international community needs to work together and support each other in response to current crises and for a better future. What's needed most is solidarity, and what should be avoided most is fragmentation. Be it trade war, tech war, or decoupling, severing of industrial and supply chains and de-risking, they are all essentially designed to politicize trade issues and be used as weapons to perpetuate certain country's primacy, hold back emerging markets and developing countries in their development efforts, and deprive their 7 billion people of the right to a better life. This is neither virtuous nor sustainable. Ultimately, it is the overall interest of the international community that will take the toll and no single country can be spared. The world will not retrogress to a state of isolation and exclusiveness, still less can it be deliberately divided. Any beggar-thy-neighbor move, bloc confrontation mentality, and arrogant sense of supremacy are doomed to failure. China would like to work with all parties to champion universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, firmly reject de-globalization and overstretching of security concept, oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, uphold the equality of rights, opportunities and rules among all countries, protect the right of all countries to equal development and advance common development and prosperity. Reuters: We would like to ask the same about the Japan Airlines' airport accident yesterday. Has China sent any aid to Japan or any specific organizations there? Or has Japan also made any request for aid in that sense?a Wang Wenbin: We noted the reports. We express our condolences over the loss of lives in the accident and our sympathies to those who have been injured. According to what I have learned, Japan has not made requests for aid.a In the wake of the accident, the Chinese Embassy in Japan immediately contacted local government authorities and the airline for more information. No Chinese national was injured. There were 14 Hong Kong tourists on the plane. The Embassy has got in touch with them and is working to re-issue travel documents for those who have lost theirs. We will follow closely the latest developments and provide timely assistance to Chinese nationals. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China's 3rd aircraft carrier nears sea trials New TV footage shows the Fujian with fitted electromagnetic catapults in preparation for sea trial. By RFA Staff 2024.01.03 -- China's third aircraft carrier Fujian appeared to be almost ready for sea trials in a new video released by state broadcaster CCTV. CCTV's Xinwen Lianbo news program on Tuesday showed training scenes of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), including a short clip featuring the Fujian "completing a recent mooring test." The report did not specify the date of the test but it was most probably done in late December after a catapult test. In the clip, three electromagnetic catapult tracks were clearly visible on the deck of the carrier. The catapults, used for launching airplanes from the carrier, were tested in the last couple of months, according to open source intelligence. Unlike the first two aircraft carriers - Liaoning and Shandong - which use a ski jump-style launch system, the Fujian uses a much more advanced Catapult Assisted Take-Off Barrier Arrested Recovery, or CATOBAR, system. Satellite images obtained by Radio Free Asia from the U.S. Earth imaging company Planet Labs show the aircraft carrier was moved at the end of December from the catapult testing berth to a dry dock at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai. As of Wednesday, it is sitting at Jiangnan's Dry Dock number 4. "The Fujian is undergoing mooring tests, as well as final checks and preparations for sea trials," said Andreas Rupprecht, a Chinese military veteran watcher. "If everything goes as planned, the first sea trial could be possible within the next few weeks," Rupprecht told RFA. Sea trials are an important final step towards commissioning the carrier to the PLA Navy as early as 2025. Near completion The 80,000-ton Fujian - also called Type 003 - is China's third aircraft carrier, built with a fully indigenous design. It is the first PLA carrier equipped with CATOBAR devices similar to the ones on U.S. aircraft carriers. Currently, only France and the United States are members of the CATOBAR club, and China, having never operated a CATOBAR carrier before, is starting from the ground up in developing one, according to Robert Farley, a senior lecturer at the University of Kentucky. "As a ship, Fujian is only about 80% as large as existing U.S. carriers, and is conventionally propelled rather than nuclear, which makes a big difference for range, endurance, and carrying capacity," Farley told RFA in November last year. Andreas Rupprecht meanwhile noticed a mock-up Chinese Shenyang J-15 fighter at the rear of the Fujian's flight deck. The J-15 already flies from other two carriers, leading observers to believe that it will likely be present in the 3rd carrier's airwing, too. The construction of the Fujian aircraft carrier began during the 2010s and the ship was launched in June 2022. On Nov. 30, Chinese defense ministry's spokesperson Wu Qian told reporters in Beijing that the Fujian construction "steadily advanced as planned." Aircraft carriers represent China's maritime ambitions and the carrier fleet may be expanded to five ships in the next 10 years, according to a report by the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA), an independent U.S. think tank specializing in defense policy, planning and budgets. To compare, the U.S. Navy has 11 aircraft carriers, most of them of the large "supercarrier" category, which are much more advanced and powerful. Edited by Taejun Kang and Elaine Chan. Copyright 1998-2024, 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 January 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 IMF chief: US-China rivalry could dent global GDP by 7% 'This is like France and Germany disappearing,' Kristalina Georgieva warned on CNN. By Alex Willemyns for RFA 2024.01.03 -- Fragmentation of the world economy into two competing blocs supporting the United States and China could reduce global economic output by 7% by increasing the cost of trade, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Tuesday. In an interview with Christiane Amanpour on CNN International, Georgieva warned against governments overcooking national security concerns, even as she acknowledged the "dramatic consequences" for supply chains caused by COVID and the war in Ukraine. "What it means is that we will see supply chains extended, with more links than are necessary, adding to costs," she said. "The result would be, for ordinary people, what they buy in the store is more expensive." "We already see a gravitation of countries towards each other in separate blocs," she said, noting that it is "the rivalry between the U.S. and China that is more prominent in economic terms." IMF simulations showed "quite dramatic" consequences from the worst-case future scenarios, she said, adding that the world was already bearing some of the costs of trade fragmentation. Some goods would always be more cheaply produced in one country than others, she said, so if governments "go willy-nilly in fragmenting the world economy" in pursuit of security, costs were inevitable. "We can get all the way up to losing 7% of global GDP," she said. "To put it in context, what is 7% of global GDP? This is like France and Germany disappearing from the economic map of the world." Solidarity forever Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Beijing opposed the trend away from global free trade, which has been spearheaded by American and European leaders concerned about the economic and national security risks of overreliance on China. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in March last year introduced the concept of "de-risking" supply chains away from China - as opposed to "decoupling" - and the idea was subsequently adopted with gusto by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Both say that severing trade with China is impossible, but that they cannot risk relying solely on the country for many key goods, given the lessons of the COVID pandemic and Beijing's willingness to suddenly cut off trade seemingly due to political grievances. But Wenbin said such claims were a facade for protectionism. "What's needed most is solidarity, and what should be avoided most is fragmentation," he said, labeling the concept of "de-risking" supply chains as no different to "trade war, tech war or decoupling." "They are all essentially designed to politicize trade issues and be used as weapons to perpetuate a certain country's primacy, hold back emerging markets and developing countries in their development efforts, and deprive 7 billion people of the right to a better life." National security The U.S. State Department did not respond to a request for comment. However, American officials have for the past year argued that certain "small yard, high fence" limits on trade with China are necessary. Besides promoting the "de-risking" of global supply chains to provide alternative sources of low-cost manufacturing to China, such as India and Vietnam, the Biden administration has over the past 18 months also introduced bans on the sale of advanced microchips to China. U.S. leaders say the chips are being used to modernize China's military with artificial intelligence capabilities and therefore represent threat to national security, while Beijing has responded by accusing Washington of "protectionism" and a "Cold War mentality." But Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has said the restrictions are limited, with most consumer-grade chips unaffected, for example. She also said last year that trade with China in most goods, such as "coffee and beauty aids," continues to flourish out of the media limelight. Georgieva said despite her warning, she remained hopeful 2024 would be less eventful than recent years, and called on world leaders to "rationally" compete but otherwise edge back toward cooperating. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, 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 January 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 China In Eurasia Briefing: What To Watch In 2024 By Reid Standish January 03, 2024 What To Watch In 2024 It's that time again. As a new year begins, here's a look ahead at the big things that I'm following for the upcoming year for China across Eurasia. But before unpacking all of that lower down, let's examine two big issues that will shape China's year as a whole: its struggling economy and Taiwan. Finding Perspective: 2023 was mostly bad news for the Chinese economy. The post-pandemic recovery never really took hold. Adding to that is a property crisis that has real estate giants on the brink of collapse, foreign direct investment leaving the country at an alarming rate, and widespread disillusionment among the population now that the days of uninterrupted high growth are over. Chinese leader Xi Jinping made a rare admission about the dire state of the country's economy during his New Year's Eve speech. Acknowledging the "headwinds" facing the country, Xi admitted in the televised speech that "some enterprises had a tough time. Some people had difficulty finding jobs and meeting basic needs." "All these remain at the forefront of my mind," Xi said in his remarks, which were widely circulated by state media. "We will consolidate and strengthen the momentum of economic recovery." The comments were the first time Xi has mentioned economic challenges in his annual New Year's messages since he started giving them in 2013. Xi also used his speech to talk about Taiwan, which Beijing believes should be reunified with the Chinese mainland, ideally peacefully, though it does not rule out force. The Chinese leader said that Taiwan would "surely be reunified" with China, which he added was part of the "same family" as the island nation. Why It Matters: Those comments from Xi follow a similar line to past remarks, but they hold new weight with Taiwan's presidential election set for January 13. Current Taiwanese Vice President Lai Ching-te, who serves under President Tsai Ing-wen and is a member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), holds a narrow lead in the polls. His election could lead to even starker cross-strait tensions. Lai is strongly opposed to the Chinese Communist Party, and while he won't call for formal Taiwanese independence, he's also said that Taiwan's sovereignty is "a fact." It's for these reasons that Beijing harshly criticizes him as a secessionist. Beijing has stepped up its rhetoric ahead of the election, and a Lai victory would likely prompt aggressive moves from Beijing, including naval maneuvers and airspace intrusions. How Beijing reacts will shape its year and have an impact on its economy and its relationship with the United States. Xi and U.S. President Joe Biden's November summit in San Francisco brought a cooling-off period to the relationship, but structural tensions mean that a new crisis could quickly heat things up again. One school of thought says that, given the internal difficulties facing China, Xi won't look to create new problems. Xi is hoping to slow U.S. curbs on tech exports that are hurting the economy, while Beijing is in the midst of a charm offensive across Europe aimed at taking advantage of European worries about another Trump presidency. A mini-crisis over Taiwan's election could jeopardize that and sour any goodwill for China in the process. But Taiwan is also an intrinsic issue for Beijing, and Xi may feel that he has no choice but to react strongly in a way that will force the world to take notice. Three More Stories From Eurasia 1. China's Eurasian Momentum 2023 followed up 2022 as another year of the strengthening of the China-Russia partnership, but 2024 looks to change things further as Chinese exports help fuel the Russian economy and both countries' relationships with Central Asia enter a new era. The Details: China's position is becoming increasingly dominant. Beijing has proven to be a vital partner for Moscow on the global stage, and China has filled a critical import need for Russia after many European and U.S. companies shunned the country after its February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This cross-border trade has included many civilian items that have a secondary military use, but also large-quantities of consumer products that have allowed China to corner large sectors of the Russian economy. One key example is the rise of Chinese car exports to Russia, with sales of both luxury and affordable Chinese vehicles soaring. According to GlobalData Automotive, Chinese carmakers now hold 55 percent of the Russian market, compared to only 8 percent in 2021. This lends to momentum behind China becoming an even greater force in Eurasia, especially in Central Asia, where the country hosted a landmark summit in 2023 with the region's leaders. It points to the slow-motion trend that has accelerated due to the war in Ukraine, with China's economic and political gravity becoming greater each year. China has been the trade leader for the region for several years, and that looks set to continue. Year-end data released by Kazakhstan's National Statistics Bureau shows China accounting for 21.3 percent of Kazakhstan's total foreign trade, while Russia only amounted to 18.6 percent. 2. Don't Count Russia Out Just Yet But China's growing economic dominance and Russia's shrinking share doesn't mean that Moscow is getting nudged out of the region or that Central Asia is simply swapping one dependence for another. What You Need To Know: There's no denying that Russia's war in Ukraine has drawn resources and limited the country's ability to project power across Central Asia. The five Central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan - have found extra breathing space diplomatically by engaging in landmark meetings with Western nations and by deepening their ties with other players, like Turkey. But Russia still reached new gas deals with Uzbekistan in 2023, and Moscow is expected to be a competitive bidder to build new nuclear plants in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in 2024. That's not to mention the important role that Central Asia, specifically Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, have played in helping Russia bust Western sanctions. Chinese and Russian influence aren't zero sum games, and both Beijing and Moscow have shown a willingness to respect one another's interests when it comes to Central Asia. All of this points less to a story about China's rise and Russia's decline but of Central Asia recalibrating its ties with both powers, a trend that will continue to play out in the coming year. 3. Beijing's Electric Vehicle Boom China has been positioning itself as a leader in the electric vehicle (EV) market, with sales by BYD, the country's dominant automaker, topping 3 million last year, including 1.6 million fully battery-powered cars. Looking to 2024, Eurasia looks to be an important part of China's push to lead the EV market. What It Means: Chinese automakers are believed to have sold about 9.4 million electric vehicles and hybrids in 2023, an increase from 6.9 million in 2022, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. The organization said it expected sales in 2024 to rise again, this time to 11.5 million. China rules the supply chain for battery-powered cars and has been aggressively expanding its global factories. In December, BYD announced that it would build an assembly plant in Hungary, its first production facility for battery-powered cars in Europe. In Uzbekistan, China's Henan Suda signed a deal earlier in December with Uzbekistan's Energy Ministry to build upwards of 50,000 charging stations for electric vehicles around the country by 2033. The global competition for the EV market also looks to intensify, with Brussels investigating China's state subsidies for its companies, a step that could lead to tariffs imposed by the European Union. Across The Supercontinent New Defense Minister: Beijing announced on December 29 that Admiral Dong Jun, a naval commander with experience in the South China Sea, would be its new defense minister. The appointment comes after the disappearance and removal of the previous defense minister, Li Shangfu, as well as the top two commanders of the Rocket Force, which controls China's nuclear missiles, in 2023. From Movement To Party? Kazakhstan has been a window into Beijing's crackdown on Xinjiang since the camp system took hold in 2017. My colleague Chris Rickleton profiles Atazhurt, a civic group in Kazakhstan involved in lobbying for the rights of former detainees and their families, as it tries to become a political party in the Central Asian country. The Ukraine, Gaza Tightrope: In nearly two years of Russia's war in Ukraine, Beijing has pushed to portray itself as a public peacemaker, while channeling the voice of the non-Western world across the Global South. Here's my report on how the war in Gaza has given it another opportunity. A History Of Tashkent And Beijing: China has emerged as an increasingly important country for Uzbekistan and an alternative to Russian influence. Temur Umarov, a fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, traces how relations with Beijing have evolved over the years and where China stands today as the country's principal investor with a growing footprint in Uzbek media, education, and the arms trade. One Thing To Watch China also pulled ahead in the global solar energy market. According to a new report from the consultancy Wood Mackenzie, China's domestic solar additions in 2023 were double those of the United States and the EU combined. China now holds 80 percent of global manufacturing capacity and will account for over 50 percent of the global power supply by 2050. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/china-eurasia-briefing-standish- 2024-trends-xi-economy-taiwan/32758094.html Copyright (c) 2024. 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 Hong Kong Prosecutors Allege Pro-Democracy Publisher Jimmy Lai Encouraged Protests By VOA News January 03, 2024 Prosecutors in Hong Kong alleged on Wednesday that pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai encouraged the city's residents to engage in protests and pushed the United States to take action against China. The British national, who founded the now-shuttered pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was arrested in 2020 and is now standing trial on charges of conspiring to collude with foreign governments and conspiring to publish seditious material. Lai, 76, rejects the charges against him and has pleaded not guilty. Western governments and human rights groups are closely watching Lai's trial, which began in December, as a test for Hong Kong's judiciary. Lai's plight has come to symbolize the downfall of press freedom and other civil liberties in Hong Kong in recent years. Prosecutor Anthony Chau on Wednesday presented what he said were Lai's instructions to top leaders and editors at Apple Daily to come up with ways to urge the Hong Kong public to protest a proposed extradition bill in 2019. The bill would have permitted suspects to be extradited from Hong Kong for trial in mainland China, but it was withdrawn following protests. Prosecutors submitted 31 pieces of allegedly seditious content published in Apple Daily, including articles and commentaries urging people to protest. The prosecution also said Lai instructed Apple Daily to introduce English content to bolster support for Western governments sanctioning China and Hong Kong. The prosecution Wednesday alleged that Lai sought a comment on the extradition bill from Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, according to Irish lawyer Caoilfhionn Gallagher, who is leading Lai's international legal team. "This is simply public interest journalism," Gallagher said in a post Wednesday on X, adding that the allegations against Lai are "ridiculous." Western governments and human rights and press freedom groups have widely condemned the charges against Lai as retaliatory and called for his immediate release. If convicted of the national security charges, Lai faces life in prison. He is already serving a five-year and nine-month prison sentence in a separate fraud case. Some information in this report came from The Associated Press. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address INDIAN NAVAL PLATFORMS REMAIN MISSION DEPLOYED IN NORTH/ CENTRAL ARABIAN SEA India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 03 JAN 2024 6:04PM by PIB Delhi Indian Navy continues to monitor maritime security situation in North/ Central Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden. Indian Naval ships and aircraft remain mission deployed for maintaining enhanced surveillance and undertaking maritime security operations. In the last one week, Indian Naval Task Groups deployed in the area have investigated large number of fishing vessel and boarded vessels of interest. Indian Naval maritime Patrol Aircraft and RPAs are undertaking persistence surveillance over the area. IMAC and IFC IOR have been closely monitoring white shipping, especially the Indian Flagged Merchant Vessels plying in the area. Indian Navy is also coordinating with Coast Guard for maintaining enhanced surveillance within the EEZ. Indian Navy is closely monitoring overall situation in coordination with national maritime agencies and remains committed towards ensuring safety of merchant shipping and seafarers in the region. *** VM/PS (Release ID: 1992835) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran: Statement by the Spokesperson on the bombing in the city of Kerman European External Action Service (EEAS) 03.01.2024 EEAS Press Team The EU condemns in the strongest terms today's bombing in the city of Kerman in Iran. The EU expresses its solidarity with the Iranian people. This act of terror has exacted a shocking toll of civilian deaths and injuries. Our thoughts now are with the victims and their families. Perpetrators must be held accountable. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran to use all mechanisms to ensure accountability for Kerman attacks' perpetrators: Envoy IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 3, 2024 New York, IRNA -- Iran's Permanent Representative to the UN Amir Saeid Iravani has said that his country is committed to using all available mechanisms to ensure accountability for the perpetrators and their accomplices in the Kerman attacks which he called a heinous terrorist act and appalling crime. Iravani made the comment in a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Security Council President Nicolas de RiviAre on Wednesday. Here is the full text of the letter by the Iranian envoy: Excellency, With deep sorrow, I wish to bring to the attention of the United Nations Secretary-General and members of the Security Council another heart-wrenching terrorist attack that occurred in Iran today on 3 January 2024. This reprehensible act, characterized by two terrorist explosions near the burial site of Iran's General Qassem Soleimani in the city of Kerman during a ceremony marking his fourth martyrdom anniversary, deliberately targeted innocent people. Presently, it has resulted in the martyrdom and grievous loss of at least 103 lives, including children and women, and has left 211 others injured, some in critical condition. Comprehensive investigations are currently underway to identify and apprehend the perpetrators and organizers behind this premediated and appalling crime. Concurrently, the Islamic Republic of Iran is committed to leveraging all available mechanisms to ensure accountability for those responsible and their accomplices in this heinous terrorist act. The Islamic Republic of Iran unequivocally condemns such abhorrent acts of terrorism and remains steadfast in the pursuit of justice for the victims. We urgently implore the Secretary-General and the Security Council to condemn this horrific terrorist attack unequivocally. This request aligns with the Secretary-General's unwavering stance and the established practice of the Security Council in unequivocal condemnation of terrorism and recognition of it as a grave threat to international peace and security through resolutions. As one of the primary victims of terrorism and having directly experienced its catastrophic consequences, the Islamic Republic of Iran remains steadfast in its unwavering commitment to leading the fight against this scourge. I should be grateful if you would have the present letter circulated as a document of the Security Council. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. 4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Raisi vows swift punishment for those behind Kerman terror attacks IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 3, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- President Ebrahim Raisi has strongly condemned a terrorist attack in the southeastern city of Kerman that killed and wounded hundreds of people, vowing that those responsible for the cowardly act will be identified and punished. In a message offering condolences to Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Iranian nation, and families of the victims, Raisi tasked relevant authorities to take swift measures to attend to those affected by the terrorist attack and restore order to Kerman. At least 103 people were killed and 211 others wounded earlier in the day when two blasts went off at Kerman's Martyrs Cemetery, where thousands of people had gathered to mark the fourth martyrdom anniversary of the Iran's legendary anti-terror commander General Qassem Soleimani. "Undoubtedly, the perpetrators and masterminds of this cowardly act will soon be identified and brought to justice by the capable security and law enforcement forces," President Raisi said. "The enemies of the nation must know that such actions can never undermine the unwavering determination and will of the Iranian people to defend the Islamic ideals," he added. The president said suck attacks will only add to the Iranian nation's resolve to eradicate terrorism on the battlefield against the enemies. Gen. Soleimani was assassinated by a US drone strike near Baghdad's international airport on January 3, 2021. He originally came from Kerman and is buried at the city's Martyrs Cemetery. 4353**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran to respond firmly and quickly to terror attacks in Kerman: Minister IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 3, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's interior minister says the country's security and military forces will deliver a quick and firm response to perpetrators of terror attacks that killed more than 100 people in the southeastern city of Kerman. This terrorist act will be followed by a firm and destructive response in the shortest time possible of the security and military forces," said Ahmad Vahid on Wednesday. Elaborating on the details of the attacks that rocked a crowded memorial service at Kerman's Martyrds Cemetery earlier in the day, Vahidi said most of the fatalities had been caused by a second explosion which took place 20 minutes after a first bomb exploded among the crowd. He said that a probe had been launched to determine who was behind the attacks and what caused them, adding that more information will be released to the public as soon as the results of the initial investigations are known. A latest update by authorities shows at least 103 people were killed and 141 were injured in the explosions outside Kerman's Martyrs Cemetery on Wednesday. The explosions came on the day people held a memorial service for General Qassem Soleimani, the late Iranian commander who was assassinated on January 3, 2020 in a US drone strike in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. Soleimani, who is originally from Iran's Kerman province, has been buried in the Martyrs Cemetery of the provincial capital. 2050**4261 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Raisi terms assassination of Aruri as Zionists helplessness against Palestinians IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 3, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi has described the assassination of Deputy Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau Saleh al-Aruri as the Zionist regime's inability, helplessness, and disgraceful failure against Palestinians. In a message to head of the Political Bureau of Hamas Ismail Haniyeh on Wednesday, President Raisi extended his condolences over the martyrdom of senior Hamas official Saleh al-Aruri. Raisi highlighted that undoubtedly, the terrorist crime of the provisional Zionist regime in targetting one of the leaders and commanders of the Resistance outside the geographical area of Palestine and repeating the violation of the territorial integrity of the regional countries by the usurping regime is a clear sign of the inability, helplessness and disgraceful failure of Zionists against the historical Operation Al-Aqsa Storm and the heroic resistance of the Palestinian nation in Gaza Strip and West Bank over the past three months against the brutal killing machine of the child-killing Zionist regime. The blood of this noble martyr, alongwith the blood of other martyrs of the Resistance and the oppressed Palestinians will make the robust tree of Resistance more fruitful which will soon lead to the final victory of Palestine in the current war and ultimately the celebration of the liberation of the holy land of Palestine from the claws of the Zionist occupation, he underlined. Al-Aruri was martyred as a result of an explosion in a building in al-Musharrafieh district in southern Beirut, Lebanon on January 2, 2024. Later, Hamas confirmed that al-Aruri was killed in Israel's terrorist attack, which also killed several of his companions. 3266**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 103 killed, 141 injured in Iran's Kerman blasts IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 3, 2024 Kerman, IRNA -- Two separate explosions left 103 people killed and 141 injured in the Iranian city of Kerman. The first blast took place 700 meters away from Martyr General Qassem Soleimani's tomb and the second explosion happened one kilometer away from it. Numerous people were taking part in the fourth martyrdom anniversary of General Soleimani in his city of Kerman when the blasts occurred. The explosions dispersed mourners from Kerman's cemetery and ambulances rushed to deliver the injured to hospitals in the city. Reza Fallah, head of the Kerman province Red Crescent, told IRNA that some 141 injured people have been delivered to hospitals so far. Fallah also said that a loud explosion was heard, and officials are examining the cause of the blast. A security official in Kerman also confirmed the explosion, noting that it is not yet clear whether the explosion was caused by a gas cylinder or a terrorist attack. 4208**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Minister says Iran's presence in Red Sea ensures security IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 3, 2024 Kerman, IRNA -- Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani has said that Iran's presence in the Red Sea brings security, noting the Islamic Republic fully monitors the developments in the sensitive region. We do not have any limits in this sensitive region, Ashtiani told reporters on the sidelines of the cabinet session on Wednesday. Regarding Iran's support for Yemeni Ansarullah, he said that Yemen is supported by Iran, and they are independent and make their own decisions. Yemen is a pioneering country that is taking steps against the domination system, and any country that is on this path will be supported by the regional countries, he added. In response to the US claim about Iran's role in the attack on a vessel carrying chemicals in the Indian Ocean, he said that all these cases are the US' blame-game due to their strategic mistakes in the region. The Iranian Navy's 94th flotilla of warships, comprising of Alborz destroyer, entered the Red Sea on Monday amid heightening tensions in the strategic maritime route. Since 2009, Iranian warships have been operating in open waters to secure shipping lines, fight against pirates and carry out other missions. The warship, overhauled and equipped with state-of-the-art systems, joined the Iranian Navy's fleet in 2019. The flotilla's arrival in the Red Sea comes amid rising tensions following Yemen's retaliatory attacks on Israeli-owned and -bound vessels in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. 9376**7129 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Raeisi vows culprits behind Kerman attack will be punished Iran Press TV Wednesday, 03 January 2024 6:55 PM Iran's president has vowed that those behind the "indiscriminate and cowardly" terrorist attack that hit the Iranian city of Kerman will soon be brought to justice. In a written statement, Ebrahim Raeisi called the attack a criminal act by anti-Iran agents engaged in a "terror" campaign. "Undoubtedly, the perpetrators and those who ordered this cowardly act will soon be identified and punished for their heinous act by the capable security and law enforcement forces," he said. He stressed that the attackers and the masterminds of the inhumane attack should be brought to justice. "I ask all the provincial authorities to take the necessary measures as soon as possible to alleviate the sufferings of the victims, treat the injured and restore order and peace to the ... city of Kerman," he said. The Iranian president said such attacks cannot break the will of the Iranian nation and undermine their fight against terror and violence. "The enemies of the nation should know that such acts can never undermine the Iranian nation's iron will to defend Islamic causes, and they (the Iranian people), more determined than before, will be present in the battlefield against enemies opposing the Islamic Iran's dignity and might until they eradicate terror and violence," he said. Kerman was rocked by twin explosions on Wednesday afternoon, which have so far left at least 103 people dead and 211 injured. Medical services said the death toll is expected to rise as ambulances were taking the wounded to hospitals. Tasnim news agency cited unnamed sources as saying that two bags loaded with explosives which were remotely detonated caused the explosions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Criminals behind Kerman attacks must await fitting punishment, harsh response: Ayatollah Khamenei Iran Press TV Wednesday, 03 January 2024 6:13 PM Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says those who ordered and carried out the twin terrorist attacks in the southeastern Iranian city of Kerman will definitely face a fitting punishment and a harsh response. "Once again, the evil and criminal enemies of the Iranian nation have created a catastrophe, bringing about the martyrdom of a large number of beloved people in Kerman," Ayatollah Khamenei said in a statement on Wednesday. The enemies should know that the soldiers of Soleimani's shining path will not tolerate their vile and crime and both the hands that shed the blood of the innocent people and the corrupt and mischievous minds that misled them would be tracked down as they would be target of a "fitting punishment" from now on. The message came hours after at least 103 people were killed and 211 injured in two explosions against mourners who were on their way to visit the tomb of Qassem Soleimani, a top Iranian general who was assassinated four years ago on this day in a US drone strike near the Iraqi capital Baghdad. "The callous criminals could not tolerate the people's love and enthusiasm for visiting the resting place of their great commander, martyr Qassem Soleimani," the Leader said. Ayatollah Khamenei vowed that those behind the terrorist attack will be hunted down and face a "fitting" and "definite" punishment. "They should be aware that this tragedy will undoubtedly be met with a harsh response," he stated. The Leader concluded the statement by extending his solidarity and condolences to the bereaved families of the victims. "I pray to the Almighty God for their patience and consolation." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Condemnations pour in following terrorist attack at Gen. Soleimani's burial site Iran Press TV Wednesday, 03 January 2024 5:00 PM Heads of state and leaders of resistance groups in the region have offered condolences to Iran over the twin deadly blasts that rocked the country's southeastern city of Kerman on Wednesday. At least 103 people were killed and 188 more injured in the terror attack targeting the burial site of General Qassem Soleimani in Kerman during a ceremony marking his fourth martyrdom anniversary. Russian President Vladimir Putin offered deep condolences to Iran's leadership over the tragic incident. Putin condemned "terrorism in all its forms" and said the attack on peaceful people was "shocking in its cruelty and cynicism." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also offered condolences to the "friendly and brotherly" people of Iran over the "heinous terror attack." "We are deeply saddened by the heinous terrorist attacks carried out in the Kerman province of Iran. I wish God's mercy to those who lost their lives in the attacks and a speedy recovery to those who were injured," Erdogan said on X. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad resistance movement also condemned the "cowardly attack." "Such an evil attack against the innocent people will increase cohesion among the Islamic Ummah and their adherence to the resistance, of which martyr Soleimani will always be one of the symbols." The political bureau of Yemen's Ansarullah movement also strongly condemned the attack, which it called "criminal." The movement said the incident was part of enemies' attempts to undermine Iran's role in the anti-arrogance movement and weaken its support for the cause of the Islamic Ummah and the resistance. Ansarullah stressed that Iran is stronger than all the conspiracies hatched against it and that efforts of the US and the Zionist regime to foment insecurity in Iran will be thwarted with the help of God Almighty. Seyyed Ammar Hakim, the leader of Iraq's National Wisdom Movement, strongly condemned the terror attack and offered his deepest sympathies to the Iranian people. He also urged the international community to join hands to combat terrorism to promote stability and security worldwide. Meanwhile, the Iraqi government also said it condemns the terrorist attack and offered any help needed "to alleviate the impact of this cowardly criminal act." Azerbaijan also condemned the attack and offered sympathies to the bereaved families of victims. "As a country deeply suffered from terrorism, Azerbaijan condemns all its forms & manifestations," the country's Foreign Ministry said in a statement published on its X account. Pakistani Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani also strongly condemned the terrorist blasts. "Pakistan strongly condemns the inhuman terrorist attacks in Kerman, that claimed several innocent lives. Sincere condolences to Gov. & people of Iran. Our heart goes out to families of victims. We stand in solidarity with Iran at this hour of grief." The twin blasts were also denounced by the European Union. "The EU condemns in the strongest terms today's bombing... This act of terror has exacted a shocking toll of civilian deaths and injuries," an EU statement said. "Perpetrators must be held accountable." United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres also "strongly" condemned the twin blasts, his spokesman said. "The Secretary-General strongly condemns the attack today on a memorial ceremony in Kerman city in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which reportedly killed more than 100 people and injured many more," the spokesman said. Jordan's Foreign Ministry also vehemently condemned the attack, and expressed the country's solidarity and support for the Iranian people. A ministry spokesman reiterated Jordan's strong condemnation of all forms of violence and terrorism, particularly when directed at civilians. Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah also offered condolences for those killed in the blast, saying they followed the same path of struggle as General Soleimani. "We offer all of their families our sincerest condolences. They are martyrs on the same path; they are martyrs of the same cause, of the same battle, that was being waged by commander Haj Qassem Soleimani." Lebanon's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack, and warned of the "seriousness of this criminal act and the possibility of it destabilizing regional security." Oman expressed its sincere condolences to the families of victims, and affirmed its constant stance in condemning all forms of violence and terrorism. Iraq's Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani also offered his condolence to the families of victims. "We offer our condolences to the bereaved families and the noble people of Iran for this tragic tragedy. And we ask the Almighty God for forgiveness and divine grace for the dear martyrs, and for the wounded, a speedy recovery," the Shia cleric further said. EU Foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, in a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, strongly condemned the terrorist ac. Borrell offered his condolences to the families of the victims and the government and people of Iran, and wished the wounded a speedy recovery. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Two terrorist blasts in Iran's Kerman leave at least 103 dead, 188 injured Iran Press TV Wednesday, 03 January 2024 12:51 PM Hundreds of people have been killed and injured in two terrorist blasts near the burial site of Iran's General Qassem Soleimani in the city of Kerman during a ceremony marking his fourth martyrdom anniversary. The explosions left 103 people dead and 211 more injured, state media reported. Medical services said the death toll is expected to rise as ambulances were taking the wounded to hospitals, with Babak Yektaparast, deputy head of Iran's Emergency Organization, saying that some of the injured are in critical condition. According to IRNA, the first explosion occurred some 700 meters from the grave of General Soleimani and the second one about one kilometer away. Tasnim news agency cited unnamed sources as saying that two bags loaded with explosives which were remotely detonated caused the explosions. IRNA also quoted an informed source as saying two bombed bags detonated by remote control caused the explosions. The first explosion occurred at 14:50 local time. The second one took place 10 minutes later, according to Kerman Mayor Saeed Tabrizi, ISNA reported. Iran's Red Crescent Society said three rescuers were killed by the second blast. Some people were injured during a crowd crush following the first explosion. Officials say all the injured have been transferred to hospitals and the situation is under control. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. Meanwhile, the Iranian cabinet of ministers has announced a day of national mourning on Thursday. Iran's interior minister pledges crushing response to attack Iran's Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi told the Islamic Republic of Iran's News Network that a crushing response will soon be given to the culprits. He said the bombing attacks were a continuation of various plots to kill innocent civilians at ceremonies across the country, many of which had been foiled by Iranian security services. He said the situation is now under the control of security forces. According to the minister, most of the fatalities were caused by the second blast. An investigation into the blasts has been launched and further details will be announced by officials as soon as possible, Vahidi noted. Attacks reveal global arrogance's deep grudge against Gen. Soleimani Iran's Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei vowed the perpetrators and those responsible for the attack will be swiftly hunted down and brought to justice. He blamed the attacks on terrorists backed by the world arrogance who harbor deep grudges against General Soleimani, saying they've chosen to take revenge on the people after their various plots to insecure the country were foiled. General Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), and their companions were assassinated in a US drone strike authorized by then-US President Donald Trump near Baghdad International Airport on January 3, 2020. Both commanders were highly revered across the Middle East because of their key role in fighting the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in the region, particularly in Iraq and Syria. In less than a week after the attack, Iraqi lawmakers approved a bill that required the government to expel all US-led foreign forces from the country. The IRGC also targeted the US-run Ain al-Asad base in Iraq's western province of Anbar with a wave of missile attacks in retaliation for the assassination of General Soleimani. Kerman attack one of the worst in Iran over past years The Wednesday attack was one of the worst in Iran, which has seen similar attacks claimed by various terror groups, including Daesh and the Pakistan-based so-called Jaish al-Adl. In September, Iranian media reports said a key Daesh-affiliated operative in charge of carrying out terrorist operations in Iran had been arrested in Kerman. Back in July, Iran's intelligence ministry said it had disbanded a network that it said was linked to Israel's Mossad and which had been plotting terrorist operations across Iran, including in Kerman, according to IRNA. IRNA said the alleged plots included "planning an explosion at the tomb" of General Soleimani as well as targeting other public gatherings. In 2022, Daesh claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on a shrine in Iran's city of Shiraz, which killed 15 people. Earlier attacks claimed by the group include deadly twin bombings in 2017 which targeted Iran's parliament and the mausoleum of the late founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. In 2019, a car bombing of an IRGC bus killed 27 troops in southeastern Iran. It was later claimed by Jaish al-Adl, a terror group formed in 2012. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranians pay tribute to Gen. Soleimani on 4th martyrdom anniversary in Kerman Iran Press TV Wednesday, 03 January 2024 9:07 AM Thousands of Iranian people have flocked to the southeastern province of Kerman to pay homage to top anti-terror commander General Qassem Soleimani, who was assassinated along with a number of his companions in a 2020 US drone strike in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. General Soleimani's hometown and burial site hosted a deluge of the legendary commander's lovers and followers from all walks of life and various social strata on Wednesday on his fourth martyrdom anniversary. Kerman's authorities said 1,300 distinguished experts and lecturers are to narrate the sacrifices of General Soleimani on the sidelines of his martyrdom anniversary, announcing the convention of 13 discussion forums as well as printing 1,000 volumes of books revolving around his character and school of thought. The provincial officials also predicted a 30-percent increase in the number of pilgrims and visitors to General Soleimani's burial site compared to last year. General Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), and their companions were assassinated in a US drone strike authorized by then-US President Donald Trump near Baghdad International Airport on January 3, 2020. Both commanders were highly revered across the Middle East because of their key role in fighting the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in the region, particularly in Iraq and Syria. In less than a week after the attack, Iraqi lawmakers approved a bill that required the government to expel all US-led foreign forces from the country. The IRGC also targeted the US-run Ain al-Asad base in Iraq's western province of Anbar with a wave of missile attacks in retaliation for the assassination of General Soleimani. Court on Gen. Soleimani assassination to be held in two months Kazem Gharibabadi, secretary of Iran's High Council for Human Rights, was cited by Mizan news agency, affiliated with the Iranian Judiciary, as saying on Wednesday that a court trial on the US assassination of General Soleimani will be held in the next two or three months. Stressing that the Islamic Republic had informed the American defendants that they could appear in court and defend themselves or appoint a lawyer for themselves, Gharibabadi said, "If the defendants do not introduce a lawyer, the court will appoint a lawyer for them." Iran's top human rights official said an Iraqi delegation had ensured Tehran in a recent visit that they would soon wrap up their investigations and file an indictment with the court. "We are in constant contact and negotiation with Iraq and we asked them to finish the investigations as soon as possible and submit their indictment to the court," he said. Gharibabadi expressed optimism that the first session of the court will be held within the next two to three months. The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that it had sent a second official notice to the US administration, seeking arbitration over the 2020 assassination of Iran's top anti-terror commander. The US administration has until the end of April to respond to the notice, which was written based on the Protection of Diplomats Convention, a 1973 United Nations anti-terrorism treaty on the prevention and punishment of crimes against internationally protected persons, including diplomatic agents. The second notice was written and sent after the United States failed to respond to the first one on holding negotiations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran: General Soleimani unmasked US, Israel; expanded authority of regional resistance Iran Press TV Wednesday, 03 January 2024 7:15 AM Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh says the resistance front has expanded its authority, power and its geography thanks to the sacrifices made by Iran's late anti-terror commander General Qassem Soleimani. Nasirzadeh made the remarks on Tuesday ahead of fourth martyrdom anniversary of General Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) who was assassinated in a US drone strike in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on January 3, 2020. Pointing to the legendary commander's role in the revival of the resistance front, Nasirzadeh said, "Martyr Soleimani expanded the geography of resistance at the regional level and made the resistance front self-sufficient." Stressing that the resistance front's power, self-sufficiency and self-reliance result from the top Iranian anti-terror commander's efforts, Nasirzadeh said, "The expansion of the geography of resistance is beholden to the sacrifices of Martyr Soleimani, and the result of the Palestinian resistance will definitely be the liberation of occupied al-Quds." He also touched upon the latest developments in Palestine and underlined that the Palestinian resistance forces' equipment is "fully indigenous." "The Palestinian resistance forces are self-sufficient in terms of weapons and equipment and have been able to defeat the criminal Zionists," Nasirzadeh added. 'Gen. Soleimani saw through true face of US, Israel' Hossein Nejat, deputy head of the IRGC's Sarallah Base, also praised General Soleimani's insightfulness, saying the top commander "saw through the true face" of the United States, the Israeli regime and Europe. "Westerners have two faces," Nejat said. "One is the ornate face of those who consider themselves supporters of democracy, human rights and progress, and the other is their true face, which we see today in Gaza." The IRGC commander pointed to the ongoing Israeli crimes against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip, saying the heads of Western governments have officially supported a child-killing regime so far and there is no mention of human rights and children's rights on their behalf. "This is while in the past 100 years, every war that broke out across the world was by the US and Europe, and they have killed about 500 million people in this period," he added. Nejat stressed that the United States, Europe and Israel have created terrorist groups across the world. General Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), and their companions were assassinated in a US drone strike authorized by then-US President Donald Trump near Baghdad International Airport on January 3, 2020. Both commanders were highly revered across the Middle East because of their key role in fighting the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in the region, particularly in Iraq and Syria. In less than a week after the attack, Iraqi lawmakers approved a bill that required the government to expel all US-led foreign forces from the country. The IRGC also targeted the US-run Ain al-Asad base in Iraq's western province of Anbar with a wave of missile attacks in retaliation for the assassination of General Soleimani. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel accountable for all 'wrongful acts' against Iran, condemnation 'urgent': Envoy Iran Press TV Wednesday, 03 January 2024 6:50 AM Iran's permanent representative to the United Nations says Israel must be held accountable for complicity in assassination and sabotage acts in the Islamic Republic amid confessions by the occupying regime's officials to the "internationally wrongful acts." Amir Saeid Iravani made the remarks in letters sent on Tuesday to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and France's UN Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere, whose country holds the Security Council's rotating presidency for January. He said the Israeli authorities have "openly admitted" to their complicity in assassinations and acts of sabotage targeting Iranian officials, scientists, and civilians, adding that the occupying regime is also implicated in destructive operations against Iran's peaceful nuclear infrastructure. "The Israeli regime bears full responsibility for all internationally wrongful acts committed against Iran and should be held accountable," he stated. Iravani also reiterated Tehran's legitimate and inherent rights, as stipulated by international law and the UN Charter, to respond decisively to any threats and unlawful actions originating from the usurping entity. He further highlighted Iran's unyielding determination to exercise its rights in order to safeguard the country's security, national interests, and people against any threats or attacks. In a statement on December 30, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted that the regime is "acting against Iran all the time, everywhere," saying, the objective is to do "absolutely everything to prevent Iran" from what he called attaining nuclear weapons. The Iranian envoy said the "belligerent statement blatantly defies fundamental principles of international law and the UN Charter, particularly Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter. It also appears to be aimed at diverting attention from the Israeli regime's ongoing atrocities and severe violations of international humanitarian law in the Gaza Strip and occupied Palestine and evading accountability." He also called on the international community to issue an urgent condemnation and take decisive action in response to Israel's terrorist acts and destabilizing activities in the region, especially its ongoing atrocious crimes against the Palestinian people. Additionally, Iravani referred to Netanyahu's address in September 2023 to the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, where he called for a "credible nuclear threat" against Iran. However, the hawkish premier's office later clarified that he misread the line and meant to say a "credible military threat." Last week, former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett claimed that in 2022, the regime attacked an unmanned aerial vehicle base in Iran and also assassinated a senior Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) commander in Tehran. The Iranian envoy said, "Such statements undeniably serve as additional evidence, reinforcing the international responsibility of the Israeli regime for its involvement in internationally wrongful acts as well as criminal terrorist acts on Iran's soil." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Guterres strongly condemns attack in Iran; over 100 reportedly killed 3 January 2024 - The UN Secretary-General AntAnio Guterres on Wednesday strongly condemned an attack in Iran which has reportedly killed more than 100 people taking part in a commemoration for a former top military general in the eastern city of Kerman. More than 170 people have also been wounded according to Iranian officials at the scene. News reports citing local officials said that there were two explosions as thousands were walking along the route to a cemetery in Kerman which is the final resting place of Qassim Suleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike in the Iraqi capital Baghdad four years ago. Reports suggest the roadside bombs were detonated by remote control, causing widespread carnage and chaos, in what Iranian authorities are describing as a terrorist attack. Given the scale and size of the blasts, it's likely that the death toll will rise. Call for accountability "The Secretary-General expresses his deep condolences to the bereaved families and the people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He wishes the injured a speedy recovery", said Florencia Soto NiAo, UN Associate Spokesperson, briefing journalists at the regular noon briefing in New York. The UN chief called for those responsible, to be held accountable for the deadly blasts. So far, there has been no claim of responsibility for the attack. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 95 Killed in Blasts at Gravesite of Iranian General Killed in 2020 US Drone Strike By VOA News January 03, 2024 Iran said Wednesday that 95 people were killed and dozens more wounded in explosions that rocked a memorial for a prominent Iranian general killed in a 2020 U.S. drone strike. One Iranian official called the blasts a "terroristic" attack that occurred near the grave site of General Qassem Soleimani, the one-time head of the Revolutionary Guard's elite Quds Force. Initially, Iran said 103 people were killed in the two blasts. Later, officials said some names had been counted twice and lowered the death toll. The explosions occurred in Kerman, about 820 kilometers southeast of the capital, Tehran. No group immediately claimed responsibility. Iran has blamed the United States and Israel for the attack. A U.S. State Department spokesman said Washington expresses "our sympathies to the victims and their loved ones who died in this horrific explosion" and stressed that the U.S. was not involved. "The United States was not involved in any way. And the suggestion to the contrary is ridiculous," spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters Wednesday. "And No. 2, we have no reason to believe that Israel is involved in this." Bombs reportedly set off remotely Iran's Tasnim News Agency, quoting what it called informed sources, said "two bags carrying bombs went off" at the site. "The perpetrators ... of this incident apparently detonated the bombs by remote control," the agency said. The ISNA news agency quoted Kerman Mayor Saeed Tabrizi as saying the bombs exploded 10 minutes apart. Iran has several foes who might have carried out the attack, such as exile groups, militant organizations, and state actors. Iran has supported Hamas in its nearly three-month war with Israel, as well as the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthi rebels. Authorities said some people were injured while fleeing the initial explosion. A delayed second explosion is often used by militants to target emergency personnel responding to the scene, to inflict more casualties. People could be heard screaming on state TV footage. In early 2020, then-President Donald Trump said he ordered the killing of Suleimani because the Iranian "was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel, but we caught him in the act and terminated him." The U.S. drone attack at Baghdad's airport was assailed at the time by then-Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, who called it "a brazen violation of Iraq's sovereignty and a blatant attack on the nation's dignity." Soleimani considered national hero Soleimani was the architect of Iran's regional military activities and is considered a national hero among supporters of Iran's theocracy. He was widely regarded as a hero for his role in defeating the Islamic State jihadist group in both Iraq and Syria. He helped secure Syrian President Bashar Assad's government after the 2011 Arab Spring protests against him turned into a civil, and later a regional conflict that continues today. Relatively unknown in Iran until the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, Soleimani's popularity and mystique grew after American officials called for his killing because of his role in arming militants with roadside bombs that killed and maimed U.S. troops. In the years before the U.S. killed him, Soleimani had become Iran's most recognizable battlefield commander, ignoring calls to enter politics but growing as powerful, if not more powerful, than the country's civilian leadership. Memorials to Soleimani on the anniversary of his death have drawn large processions in the past. At his funeral in 2020, a stampede broke out, and at least 56 people were killed and more than 200 were injured as thousands thronged the procession. VOA's Nike Ching contributed to this report. Some of the material came from Reuters, Agence France-Presse and The Associated Press. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Go Away, Don't Beg!': Kazakh President Has Message For Predecessor, Makes Claims About Origins Of 'Bloody January' By RFE/RL's Kazakh Service January 03, 2024 Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev has given a lengthy interview in which he discusses what he sees as the origins of the "Bloody January" protests of 2022 as well as the threat of dual power systems. Speaking to the state-run Egemen Qazaqstan newspaper, which published the interview on January 3, Toqaev said the protests that began in the southwestern town Zhanaozen on January 2, 2022, following a sharp rise in fuel prices and which quickly spread to other cities, including Almaty, were instigated by an unidentified "rogue group." Toqaev's shoot-to-kill order to quell the unrest led to the deaths of more than 230 protesters, and the Kazakh president has been criticized for not living up to his promise to the public to answer questions about the incident. The Kazakh authorities have prosecuted several high-ranking officials on charges that they attempted to seize power during the protests, with some removed from office or sentenced to prison, and others acquitted. Many were seen to be allies of Toqaev's predecessor, long-serving Kazakh leader Nursultan Nazarbaev. When asked what caused the unrest, Toqaev initially cited "socio-economic problems accumulated over the years," which had led to stagnation and undermined faith in the government. However, Toqaev then suggested that "some influential people" did not like the changes to the country's political scene after he was appointed as acting president by Nazarbaev in 2019 and later that year elected as president. Toqaev said the unknown people perceived the change "as a threat" to the power structure after decades of rule by Nazarbaev, and then "decided to turn back the face of reform and destroy everything in order to return to the old situation that was convenient for them." "This group of high-ranking officials had a huge influence on the power structures and the criminal world," Toqaev alleged. "That's why they decided to seize power by force." Toqaev, citing investigations by the Prosecutor-General's Office, said the unidentified group began "preparations" about six months before the nationwide demonstrations in January 2022, when the government made what he called "an ill-conceived, illegal decision to sharply increase the price of liquefied gas." From there, Toqaev alleged, "extremists, criminal groups, and religious extremists" worked together to stage a coup. When the protests broke out in January 2022, Toqaev claimed that 20,000 "terrorists" had entered the country. Experts have widely dismissed suggestions of foreign involvement in the mass protests. Aside from about 10 members of the fundamentalist Islamic group Yakyn Inkar -- which is considered a banned extremist group in Kazakhstan -- who were arrested in connection with the protests, no religious groups have been singled out for alleged involvement in the protests. The goal of the alleged coup plotters, Toqaev said, was to set up a dual power structure that would compete with the government. "I openly told Nazarbaev that the political arrogance of his close associates almost destroyed the country," Toqaev said, without expounding on who the associates might be. Toqaev had not previously mentioned speaking with Nazarbaev about the mass protests. Toqaev also suggested that Kazakhstan, which has come under criticism for its imprisonment of journalists and civil and political activists, does not have any political prisoners. When asked about political prisoners, Toqaev said only that "our legislation does not contain a single decree, a single law, a single regulatory document that provides a basis for prosecuting citizens for their political views." For there to be political persecution, according to Toqaev, there would need to be "censorship, special laws, and punitive bodies" in place. Toqaev also appeared to subtly criticize Nazarbaev, who became head of Soviet Kazakhstan in 1990 and became Kazakhstan's first president after the country became independent in 1991. Nazarbaev served as president until he resigned in 2019, although he held the title of "Leader of the Nation" from 2010 to 2020 and also served as chairman of the Security Council from 1991 to 2022. Nazarbaev has since been stripped of those roles and titles. While discussing Nazarbaev, Toqaev said that "everyone knows his contribution to the formation of an independent state of Kazakhstan. He is a person who deserves a fair historical evaluation." But the current Kazakh president also said that "there should be no senior or junior president in the country." "Go away, don't beg!" Toqaev said. "Citizens who will be in charge of the country in the future should learn from this situation and stay away from such things and think only about the interests of the state and the prosperity of society." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kazakhstan-toqaev- nazarbaev-bloody-january-interview/32758542.html Copyright (c) 2024. 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 UN: Myanmar's war leaves 6 million children in need Cut off from food, medicine and education, children bear the brunt of grown-ups' war. By RFA Burmese 2024.01.03 -- As conflict rages on in Myanmar's northwestern Chin state, a mother who lives in the conflict area struggles to find food and medicine for her children. "When there are fights like this, I worry that my children will be harmed," she told RFA Burmese on condition of anonymity for security reasons. "Even if you have money, you can't buy anything because roads are being blocked. That's why I'm worried that I won't be able to feed my children," she said. "I'm worried about something that will happen to them because I can't do anything for them." Their story is common in Myanmar these days as a result of fighting that has raged since the February 2021 coup, according to the United Nations' Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA. "Three years on from the military takeover, the humanitarian landscape for 2024 is grim with a third of the population - 18.6 million people - now estimated to be in humanitarian need," OCHA said in its recently published Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Myanmar. "Children are bearing the brunt of the crisis with 6 million children in need as a result of displacement, interrupted health-care and education, food insecurity and malnutrition, and protection risks including forced recruitment and mental distress." Hungry children For the mother in Chin state, the chaos has meant an interruption in not only regular supplies of food, it has also meant that routine vaccinations have stopped for her children. Another mother, from Shan state in the east, expressed similar concerns for her three children. They currently live at an internally displaced persons' camp in Hseni township. "In terms of food, in the refugee camp, we were only fed two meals a day, and the children were hungry at noon," she said. "The situation is like that. And in terms of living, I don't have to stay at home. I feel that it is not safe for the children because we have to live in dormitories or under tarps." Whenever they hear the sound of airplanes, her children get scared and they have been suffering psychological trauma, she said. A person helping displaced people in northern Shan state said that children are being affected by the fighting all over the region. "They have difficulties accessing education," the helper said. "Children, especially, suffer from severe emotional distress. Some under-aged children were recruited [to fight], and some have even been killed and wounded in the conflict. Nobody can work because battles are raging everywhere. So there is no food security." He said that he would like to ask armed organizations not to recruit the children, especially minors. Since malnutrition in a child can affect the mental, emotional, and physical well-being, this problem must be dealt with urgently, Lwan Wai, a Yangon-based member of the Civil Disobedience Movement Medical Network, told RFA. "After the coup, it has become much worse," said Lwan Wai. "Malnutrition of children affects both their physical and mental health, and it will hugely affect their brain development and thinking ability when they become adults. That's why this is an issue that must be dealt with urgently in our country. This is very important." In UNOCHA's humanitarian fund proposal for 2024 released on Dec. 11, it stated that $994 million in funding is needed to reach Myanmar's 5.3 million people with food, water, shelter, health care and protection. Translated by Htin Aung Kyaw. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, 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 January 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 Military imprisoned about 6,600 anti-junta activists last year Since the 2021 coup, nearly 20,000 have been detained, rights group says. By Wai Mar Htun for RFA Burmese 2024.01.03 -- Myanmar's ruling junta arrested and imprisoned thousands of anti-regime activists, members of People Defense Force resistance groups and soldiers from ethnic armies across the country in 2023, a continuation of nearly three years of turmoil since it seized political power and suppressed its opponents. In all, nearly 25,700 people have been arrested and about 19,900 detained since the Feb. 1, 2021, coup that deposed the democratically elected government, according to the Assistance Association of Political Prisoners (AAPP), a Thailand-based rights group founded by Burmese former political prisoners living in exile. In 2023 alone, authorities arrested nearly 9,000, with about 6,600 sentenced to prison, according to the group. The number of inmates sentenced to death last year was 163 as of Dec. 26, compared to 139 who received the death penalty in 2022, AAPP said. Severe human rights violations against prisoners continued to occur in the most notorious of the country's dozens of prisons and labor camps. Some inmates in prisons such as Thayarwaddy, Daik-U, Insein, Myingyan prisons died of torture in 2023, according to a report by the Myanmar Political Prisoners Network. Sixteen prisoners died last year due to a lack of treatment and different kinds of torture, the group said. "Prisoners were brutally beaten, but they did not get access to medicine for their injuries," a spokesman from the group said. "It took one or two months to get medical treatment, and our prisoners lost their lives unnecessarily." Among the most serious cases of deaths in prison was the murder of at least 15 political prisoners accused of trying to flee when taken from their cells for transfer to other detention facilities in May and June 2023. The inmates who were killed included 10 from Daik-U Prison in Bago region, two from Myingyan Prison in Mandalay region, one from Thayarwaddy Prison in Bago region, and two from the interrogation center at Yangon's Insein Prison, sources close to the prisoners said. At the time, their family members told RFA they believed that transfers were an excuse to execute the prisoners without accountability. Jailbreaks and pardons Some inmates managed to escape. In May, 10 members of a People's Defense Force militia held in Taungoo Prison in the Bago region, seized guns from guards when they were taken from their cells to attend a court hearing and got away on motorcycles. During the year, the junta released prisoners on several occasions, although most of them were serving time for drug-related offenses and other crimes, such as robbery. The military council released more than 20,000 prisoners, including about 2,500 political prisoners, during four amnesties in 2023, according to the AAPP. On last Jan. 4 - Myanmar's Independence Day - more than 7,000 prisoners were freed. Among the few political prisoners released were writers Than Myint Aung and Htin Lin Oo, both arrested on Feb. 1, 2021, as well as some journalists. "We are active in politics for the interest of our country, but we were arrested," Htin Lin Oo told RFA. In April, just over 3,100 inmates were released under a second amnesty for the Burmese New Year. Kyaw Win, the former finance minister under the previous civilian-led government was the only political prisoner freed. The junta released 2,153 political prisoners in May, although most of them had less than a year to serve, sources told RFA. During the fourth amnesty, nearly 7,750 prisoners were pardoned for a religious holiday in August in the Buddhist-majority country. In December, junta leader Sen. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing released some army deserters serving time so they could be re-deployed to the front lines against rebel forces. But many were jailed again for refusing to rejoin the military. Aung San Suu Kyi The military council denied outside medical treatment for jailed former political leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who showed symptoms of low blood pressure and had gingivitis and a severe toothache. Suu Kyi, the former state counselor in the democratically elected government, is serving multiple sentences for various offenses charges, including corruption, incitement, and breaching the Official Secrets Act. Critics and international observers say they are trumped-up charges to discredit the country's ousted leadership. In August, Min Aung Hlaing reduced her original sentence of 33 years to 27 as part of the larger amnesty, while former President Win Myint's combined sentence of 12 years was reduced to eight years, after he was pardoned for two offenses. Suu Kyi's banned National League for Democracy issued a statement in September, expressing concern about her health and demanding adequate medical care to no avail. The same month, more than 130 lawmakers in Malaysia signed a petition calling on the junta to allow her immediate access to medical treatment. She was reportedly moved to house arrest in 2023, but some doubt that is the case, and her exact whereabouts are unclear. Kim Aris, Suu Kyi's younger son, told RFA that he believes his mother is still in a prison and that the junta has not yet allowed her legal team to meet with her. "As far as I'm aware, she's not actually under house arrest, she's in prison somewhere," he said. "I have had no contact with her, and the military hasn't responded to any requests I have made for contact or to inform me of her whereabouts." The ruling junta also decided to resume family visits for prisoners on Oct. 24, after they had been suspended in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because visitors must present their national ID cards, documents from their relevant ward and police station and COVID vaccine certificates, many family members who lacked documents could not be admitted to prisons to see jailed loved ones. Authorities have prohibited medicine and books from outside the prison since July, according to the prisoner support groups. Translated by Aung Naing for RFA Burmese. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, 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 January 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 Junta helicopter crashes following KIA attack in northern Myanmar Junta is known to utilize Russian-made military helicopters for both transport and combat purposes, experts say. By RFA Burmese 2024.01.03 -- A junta helicopter went down in Waingmaw township of Myanmar's northern Kachin State after being fired on by the anti-junta Kachin Independence Army, or KIA, on Wednesday afternoon, according to a KIA spokesperson. The helicopter was leaving the township after delivering supplies to the Nar Hpawt junta military camp in the area before it went down, and the KIA is currently investigating further details, Col. Naw Bu, KIA's information officer, told Radio Free Asia on Wednesday. "I can confirm that the helicopter has crashed, and it was our front line that fired upon it. But it is not fully known whether it crashed due to a technical defect or our attack," said Naw Bu. "Now the reports from the ground said that the junta council's jets are hovering around the site where the helicopter crashed. And the locals said that air strikes are being conducted near the location." The specifics regarding the type of helicopter that crashed, the number of people on board, and any casualties are still unknown, Naw Bu added. Local residents in nearby village Nam Sang Yang told RFA that they witnessed a military helicopter descending slowly in an upside-down position, while emitting smoke. One resident said that he observed a military helicopter plummeting in a burst of smoke near Nam Sang Yang village, shortly before noon on Wednesday. "It [the helicopter] was shot at around 11.50 a.m. Two helicopters came to drop supplies and one was hit when it took off after completing the delivery. It crashed near a hill not far from Nam Sang Yang village," said the resident. Junta's Nar Hpawt camp is located in the area under the control of the KIA Brigade(5), which is defending KIA's headquarters in nearby Laizar city. RFA was unable to reach junta spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun for comments about the helicopter. According to weapons experts, the Myanmar Air Force is utilizing Russian-made military helicopters for both transport and combat purposes. Activists group Justice For Myanmar revealed that Sky Aviator Company Limited, known for its ties to the military leadership, acquired these helicopters from Russia in 2019. Edited by Taejun Kang and Elaine Chan. This story has been updated to reflect that it was unclear whether the helicopter crashed due to a malfunction or was shot down by the KIA. Copyright 1998-2024, 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 January 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 India repatriates 151 junta soldiers who fled fighting The group crossed into Mizoram state after ethnic Rakhine fighters attacked a military base. By RFA Burmese 2024.01.03 -- India has repatriated 151 junta soldiers who entered the country last week to escape ethnic Rakhine fighters during clashes across the border in western Myanmar's Chin state, according to residents and media reports. On Dec. 27, Arakan Army, or AA, troops attacked a military base in Chin state's Paletwa township, prompting the junta soldiers to flee across the border into India's Mizoram state. A resident of Mizoram told RFA Burmese that the 151 troops surrendered to a unit of India's Assam Rifles in Lawngtlai district's Tuisentlang village two days later. "From there, they were brought to [Mizoram's capital] Aizawl via Lunglei [township]," said the resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity citing security concerns. "I saw a Myanmar plane fly by [on Jan. 2] that appears to have taken the soldiers back. I saw it twice and I believe it made two trips because there were over 150 [soldiers]." Indian media reported that local police sent the soldiers - nine of whom were injured - to Aizawl, where they would be interrogated by Indian officials before being handed over to Myanmar's junta. Additional reports said that the troops would be sent back to Myanmar's Rakhine state capital Sittwe after a Myanmar Airlines aircraft landed at Mizoram's Lengpui Airport. Attempts by RFA to reach Aung Cho, the junta's spokesman and secretary of Rakhine state, for comment on the status of the troops went unanswered Wednesday. The 151 junta soldiers are the latest group of military troops to flee clashes with the AA from Chin state into India. More than 40 soldiers who entered the country after the AA occupied Chin state's Rihkhawdar township were returned to Myanmar on Nov. 14. Another group of more than 40 soldiers and their family members who fled to India during fighting with anti-junta forces in Sagaing region's Tamu township were also recently repatriated to Myanmar, according to residents. Translated by Htin Aung Kyaw. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, 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 January 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 Myanmar shadow govt voices support for China's Taiwan policy Analysts say the move is symbolic and meant to curry favor with Beijing. By RFA Burmese 2024.01.03 -- Myanmar's shadow government has issued a New Year statement in support of China's claim of sovereignty over Taiwan, which analysts say is a symbolic move aimed at currying favor with Beijing as it vies with the ruling junta for recognition as the country's authority. On Monday, the National Unity Government, or NUG - made up of former civilian leaders and other anti-junta activists - released a 10-point statement that included a pledge of support for Beijing's "One China Principle," which holds that the People's Republic of China is the only legitimate government of China and that the island of Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. The statement said the NUG remains committed to maintaining friendly relations between Myanmar and its northern neighbor and will work to safeguard Chinese economic interests and combat transnational crime, including online scams and gambling. Additionally, the NUG vowed to prevent any organization that poses a threat to the security of neighboring countries from establishing a presence within Myanmar's territory. Zin Mar Aung, the NUG's minister for foreign affairs, told RFA that her government issued the statement because China "plays a vital role in relationships with neighboring countries, as well as [determining their] credentials at the U.N. Security Council." "The NUG is often misquoted or false assumptions are made in regards to our foreign policy stance as part of a bid to upset our relations with regional countries," she said. "So, the [statement was issued] to clarify our policy stance on international relations with regional countries for the purpose of establishing better cooperation." Zin Mar Aung noted that the NUG only issued its statement after reviewing the Taiwan policies of the U.S., E.U. and ASEAN. The U.S. endorses the "One China Policy," which recognizes the government of the People's Republic of China but takes no position on sovereignty over Taiwan. While both the junta and the NUG continue to vie for international recognition as the legitimate government of post-coup Myanmar, the NUG has opened representative offices in several European and Asian countries, while the junta has largely relied on the support of China and Russia, amid sanctions from the West. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-based political observer, told RFA Burmese that the NUG's statement indicates a desire to foster good ties with Beijing, noting that Taiwan is perhaps China's "most sensitive issue" when it comes to foreign relations. "Any country which wants to maintain a good relationship with China expresses their support for [some aspect of] the 'One China Principle,'" she said. "So, it can be concluded that the NUG needs to issue this policy. However, no other countries will take it seriously." Scot Marciel, the former U.S. ambassador to Myanmar from 2016 to 2020, agreed in a post on the social media platform X, that the statement "should not cause concern." Instead, he suggested, it "makes sense as a means to encourage Beijing to recognize that there is a good alternative to supporting the junta." China hedges bet The NUG statement comes amid the most significant gains made by Myanmar's armed resistance against the junta since the military's February 2021 coup d'etat. An alliance of ethnic armies in Shan state along the border with China launched an offensive in late October that has overrun hundreds of military and police checkpoints, prompting mass surrenders by junta forces. Beijing, for its part, has been content to watch the power struggle play out in Shan state and wider Myanmar without throwing its full support behind either of the two sides. Last month, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters at a regular briefing in Beijing that "China supports the peace process of northern Myanmar and has provided support and facilitation for dialogue and contact between relevant parties, and to realize the soft landing of the situation in the northern part of the country." Attempts by RFA to contact the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar for comment on the NUG's statement and to clarify its position on the shadow government went unanswered by the time of publishing. Seeking powerful partners Yun Sun, a senior fellow and co-director of the East Asia Program and director of the China Program at the Stimson Center in Washington called Monday's statement "a clear move to gain China's support for its bid to overthrow the junta." But she questioned how likely such a move would be in swaying China away from its support of the junta, which it was quick to offer in the aftermath of the coup. "China has not favored [the] NUG so far, even though its frustration with the junta is evident," Yun Sun said, referring to the military regime's policies that have arguably contributed to Myanmar's instability. "For China, the political process in Myanmar will have [to] work itself out organically. It is not something China will interfere [with] or expedite." Yun added that whatever goodwill the NUG earns from Beijing for its statement, "its support of the One China Principle is not going to gain them any friends here [in Washington]." Aung Myo, a former officer in Myanmar's military and a political commentator, agreed that nothing short of removing the junta from power would win the NUG support from China. "No matter how much the NUG fawns over China, China will not favor the NUG," he said. "Keeping its interests in mind, China will consider which side is more powerful for building a partnership." In fact, he added, the NUG has come to this realization, which is why it is attempting to court China. Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, 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 January 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 Burma Independence Day US Department of State Press Statement Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State January 3, 2024 On behalf of the United States of America, I reaffirm our commitment to the people of Burma as they mark the 76th Anniversary of the country's independence on January 4. The United States has long supported the people of Burma and their right to chart their own future toward a cohesive union. The military's campaign of violence since the February 2021 coup has not dimmed the strong commitment of the people of Burma to regain their prosperity and advance the goals of freedom, peace, and justice. We mourn and honor the lives lost in this pursuit. We stand in solidarity with the people of Burma in their resolve to bring democracy, self-determination, stability, and security to their country. The military regime must end its violence, release all those unjustly and arbitrarily detained, allow unhindered humanitarian access, and recognize the people's desire to return to the path of progress and inclusive democracy. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Terror Attacks Test Ties as Pakistan Hosts Talks With Afghan Taliban By Ayaz Gul January 03, 2024 A high-powered delegation from Afghanistan's ruling Taliban held crucial talks with Pakistan officials Wednesday in a bid to ease tensions stemming from a surge in deadly cross-border attacks blamed on terrorists based on Afghan soil. Officials said Mullah Shirin Akhund, an influential Taliban leader, led his team of defense ministry and intelligence representatives at the meeting convened in Islamabad under what is known as the Joint Coordination Committee, or JCC. The committee was established to address border management and related security issues facing the two countries. "In the JCC meeting, the two sides discussed coordination mechanisms to facilitate cross-border movement with a view to promoting people-to-people contacts," a Pakistani foreign ministry statement said after the meeting. The ministry did not share further details on the delegation-level discussions. Pakistani officials say that fugitive militants linked to anti-state Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, and allied groups have intensified cross-border attacks with "greater operational freedom" since the Islamist Taliban regained control of Afghanistan more than two years ago. In 2023, TTP-led bombings and gun attacks killed nearly 1,000 Pakistanis, half of them security forces, nationwide, marking the highest number of fatalities in six years. Officials in Islamabad maintain TTP leaders moved their operational bases to Afghan border provinces after the Taliban returned to power. Taliban authorities reject allegations the TTP or any other groups are being allowed to threaten other countries, including Pakistan, from Afghan soil. They have repeatedly advised Islamabad not to blame Afghanistan for Pakistan's "internal" security challenges. Akhund is the governor of Kandahar province, which borders Pakistan. He is a known close associate of the reclusive Taliban chief, Hibatullah Akhundzada, who is also based in and governs the country from Kandahar through his male-only Cabinet in Kabul, the Afghan capital. Taliban officials recently announced the arrest of dozens of TTP members in Afghanistan. They have also said during recent interactions with visiting senior Pakistani officials that they plan to move TTP members away from Afghan border areas and eventually "disarm" them. But Pakistani officials have said they could not ascertain the veracity of the claims by Kabul. They were expected to press Taliban delegates during this week's talks to hand over TTP leaders to Islamabad. "Evidence about the crackdown on TTP is not visible," a senior Pakistani official told VOA in the run-up to Wednesday's meeting with the Afghan Taliban. "If the Taliban are serious, then they should disarm the TTP cadres and detain their leadership, who are about a dozen persons," said the official, who spoke anonymously because he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Pakistan says Afghan Taliban fighters have also participated in or facilitated some of the recent TTP-led attacks. Pakistani Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said in a statement last month that at least 16 Afghan nationals have conducted suicide bombings inside his country, while another 65 were killed by Pakistani forces in counterterrorism operations. In October, Kakar ordered a crackdown on at least 1.7 million undocumented Afghans in the country, forcing more than 500,000 individuals to cross back into Afghanistan. The TTP, a globally designated terrorist organization, emerged in Pakistan's traditionally volatile border areas in 2007 and has since routinely claimed responsibility for deadly attacks on security forces and civilians. The militant group provided shelter and recruits to fugitive Taliban leaders as they directed years of insurgent attacks on the Afghan side of the border, targeting U.S.-led Western troops until they departed Afghanistan in August 2021. Pakistan's military was also persistently accused of supporting the Taliban insurgency against foreign forces and helping them retake power, accusations Islamabad rejects. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Police Search Home, Offices of Suspected Attacker of South Korean Opposition Leader By VOA News January 03, 2024 Police in South Korea Wednesday raided the home and offices of the suspected attacker who stabbed and seriously wounded opposition leader Lee Jae-myung the day before. Officers in the southeastern port city of Busan obtained a warrant to search the man's properties in the nearby city of Asan as part of their investigation. South Korea's Yonhap news agency says the suspected attacker has confessed to trying to kill Lee, and that police in Busan will charge the attacker with attempted murder. No motive has been given for the attack. Yonhap identified the suspect as a 67-year-old man named Kim who operates a real estate agency in Asan, but has been having serious financial difficulties for several months. Lee, the 59-year-old leader of South Korea's Democratic Party, is recuperating in an intensive care unit at Seoul National University Hospital after undergoing a two-hour surgery to repair the jugular vein in his neck. Lee was meeting with reporters at the construction site of a new airport when the man, wearing a paper crown with Lee's name printed on it, approached him and asked for an autograph. Videos posted online showed Lee smiling shortly before the man plunged a large knife into the left side of Lee's neck. A bystander pressed a handkerchief to Lee's neck to stop the bleeding before he was rushed to Pusan National University Hospital. He was later airlifted to Seoul National University Hospital for surgery after doctors expressed concern about potential massive bleeding around his jugular vein. The liberal lawmaker narrowly lost the 2022 presidential election to conservative Yoon Suk Yeol. A spokesman for President Yoon quoted the president as saying, "This type of violence must never be tolerated under any circumstances." The spokesman says President Yoon has ordered an investigation and instructed that Lee be given the best care available. A spokesman for the Democratic Party called the incident "a terrorist attack" and "a serious threat to democracy." Police searched the offices of both the Democratic Party and Yoon's People Power Party Wednesday to find out if the suspected attacker was affiliated with either group. The attack occurred more than three months before elections in which Yoon's party hopes to regain control of the legislature for the first time since 2016. Lee is a polarizing figure in South Korean politics. In September, he ended a 24-day hunger strike to protest what he saw as the failed policies of his rival, Yoon, and is considered to be a leading candidate to succeed the president when Yoon's single term expires in 2027. Last year, South Korean prosecutors indicted Lee on corruption-related charges, including those related to a property development scandal. He avoided jail after a court rejected a warrant for his arrest. Lee is known for his populist policies. As a former mayor of Gyeonggi, South Korea's most populous province that surrounds Seoul, Lee advocated a form of universal basic income, in which citizens were to receive regular payments of money from the government. Political violence in South Korea has been rare in recent decades, although attacks have occasionally occurred. In 2022, Song Young-gil, then Democratic Party leader, was attacked by an elderly man with a hammer while campaigning just two days before the election. In 2006, former conservative party leader Park Geun-hye, who would later become president, was attacked by a man with a box cutter at a rally in Seoul. Her father, authoritarian President Park Chung-hee, was assassinated in 1979 by his own chief of the country's intelligence agency. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Navy Novelties: Meet 'Burya' Supersonic Missile Ship and 'Kronstadt' Submarine Sputnik News 20240103 The Russian Navy's fleet will receive the Burya small missile ship and the Kronstadt submarine as its first additions for 2024. Russia's Pacific, Baltic, and Black Sea Fleets will be reinforced with several small missile and patrol ships this year, as well as naval minesweepers, the Defense Ministry's Information and Mass Communications Department reported. "In 2024, the Russian Navy will continue its planned expansion. Among the first to join its operational ranks will be the 'Burya' (Storm) small missile ship and the 'Kronstadt' submarine, which was tested in the Baltic Sea in 2023," the statement said. In addition, the naval ensign will be hoisted on the nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine "Arkhangelsk" of the Yasen-M project, intended for the submarine force of the Northern Fleet, after completion of state trials. The Russian Defense Ministry emphasized that another strategic nuclear-powered submarine cruiser of the Borei-A project, the "Knyaz Pozharsky", the fourth frigate of the 22350 Project named "Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Isakov", and the corvette of the 20385 Project "Provorny" will be launched this year. In addition, the naval minesweepers of the 12700 project, small missile ships of the 22800 and 21631 projects, patrol ships and the large submarine of the 636.3 project, the "Yakutsk", along with other ships, boats and support vessels are planned to be launched. In December, it was reported that the Burya small missile ship successfully conducted missile launches from the Pantsir-M system as part of the final state trials in the Baltic Sea. This ship, the second of the 22800 project series, is equipped with the new Pantsir-M antiaircraft missile and gun system developed by the KBP Instrument Design Bureau. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian war of aggression against Ukraine: Council adds 1 person and 1 entity to EU sanctions list European Council / Council of the European Union Council of the EU Press release 3 January 2024 The Council today introduced additional restrictive measures against one person and one entity responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The new listings target the company PJSC Alrosa and its CEO Pavel Alekseevich Marinychev. PJSC Alrosa is the largest diamond-mining company in the world, owned by the Russian state and accounts for over 90% of all Russian diamond production, and the company constitutes an important part of an economic sector that is providing substantial revenue to the government of the Russian Federation. These designations complement the import ban of Russian diamonds included as part of the 12th package of economic and individual sanctions adopted on 18 December 2023 in view of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The ban on Russian diamonds is part of a G7 effort to develop an internationally coordinated diamond ban that aims at depriving Russia of this important revenue source. Altogether, EU restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine now apply to almost 1 950 individuals and entities altogether. Those designated are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. Natural persons are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories. The relevant legal acts, including the names of the listed individual and entity, have been published in the Official Journal of the EU. Background In its conclusions of 14-15 December 2023, the European Council reiterated its resolute condemnation of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter, and reaffirmed the EU's unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and its inherent right of self-defence against the Russian aggression. The European Council confirmed the EU's unwavering commitment to continue to support Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes, and welcomed the adoption of the 12th package of sanctions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukrainian fighter pilots will begin their training in Denmark with Norwegian F-16's. Government of Norway News story | Date: 03/01/2024 Defence minister BjArn Arild Gram visited the airfield in BodA this week, where the remaining preparations for the F-16s are being conducted before a mission. Norway is presenting two F-16 fighter jets that will train and educate Ukrainian personnel in Denmark. Norway is also sending down ten instructors that will aid in the training and education. - The contribution of F-16 from the military sector is nothing more than impressive, states the defence minister. The Norwegian government has decided that it will aid Ukraine in developing a modern air force, with the long-term goal for Ukraine to establish a lasting defence without the need for international support. This will be of vital importance to European security and stability. This aid will happen trough different frames of international support lead by the US, Denmark and The Netherlands. Norway has decided to follow Denmark, Belgium and The Netherlands and will also be donating F-16s to Ukraine, and the training and education of pilots is an important part of the donation. -Ukrainian pilots have experience with a different fighter jet and will now be trained to use the F-16 systems. At the same time, Ukrainian technicians will be trained in Denmark, USA and Belgium. Allied partners and states will work day and night with the goal of establishing a lasting and modern air force for Ukraine, says Gram. Training of pilots will be done in Denmark The Norwegian Air Force has already presented instructors that will take part in the training, which will take place in Skyldstrup. This program is multinational and will be led by Denmark. - The span of this deployment to Denmark will be decided through dialog with the other partners of this program, says the defence minister. - Ukraine has for a considerable period requested support for the establishment of a modern air force. This is necessary for the country to ensure its own security. Such an independent Ukrainian capability will also be crucial for broader European stability and security. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Hot Potato:' Ukrainian Mobilization Bill Driving A Wedge Between President And Armed Forces By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service January 03, 2024 KYIV--When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukrainians lined up to join the armed forces in an outburst of patriotism that both inspired the Western world and defied Moscow's expectations. Now, two years later, amid horrific trench warfare, lack of recent progress on the battlefield, and with tens of thousands of soldiers dead or wounded, the enthusiasm to enlist is clearly waning. The lack of fresh recruits poses a serious danger to Ukraine's war effort as Russia -- which has more than three times the population -- continues to throw men, including convicts, into the fight despite mounting human costs. Kyiv has proposed addressing the problem by lowering the age limit for new conscripts and cracking down on mobilization evasion. But officials are fearful of backlash and hesitant to publicly defend the measures, seeking instead to place the onus on the military, experts and deputies say. Christmas Surprise On Christmas night, the Ukrainian government submitted the long-awaited bill on mobilization to parliament, triggering scorn from some opposition lawmakers. Solomia Bobrovska, a deputy from the Holos party, said in an interview with RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service on December 27 that the timing was designed to ensure "no one would notice," deriding it as a "Bolshevik" tactic. She also criticized elements of the bill. The mobilization legislation was submitted in the name of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and not President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who is commander in chief. Some experts took that as a sign the president feared his high popularity rating could take a hit. "The president did not behave like a statesman, who should come out and start taking responsibility for himself and explain why this [bill] is necessary," Hennadiy Druzenko, a lawyer and activist, told RFE/RL. Druzenko said the government may have been assigned the task of submitting the bill and taking any public heat because its trust is already low and probably won't fall much further. According to polling by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), only 26 percent of Ukrainian express trust in the government compared to 52 percent in December 2022. Zelenskiy's popularity shot up following Russia's full-scale invasion when he refused to flee Kyiv even as Russian special forces reached the edge of the capital. It was bolstered by Ukraine's success in late 2022 in driving back Russian forces, prompting 84 percent of Ukrainians to say at the time that they trusted him, according to KIIS. That has fallen to 62 percent as the war drags on with no end in sight. While still high, the steady decline in trust could pose problems for Zelenskiy if he seeks reelection. Ukraine was due to hold presidential elections this spring, but it will be postponed under the state of martial law imposed in the wake of Russia's invasion. During a press conference on December 19, days before the mobilization bill was submitted, Zelenskiy said Ukraine's military leadership had proposed drafting up to 500,000 more troops, adding he wanted an explanation for such a large request. Days later, the chief of the general staff, Valeriy Zaluzhniy, told media he needs more men to relieve those who have been fighting for an extended period, as well as to compensate for expected losses in the coming year. He said the General Staff consulted with the Defense Ministry on the bill, but the final version was the work of the government since the military has no legislative power. Druzenko predicted that the presidential administration and the military will toss responsibility for the bill toward one another "like a hot potato." In an interview with RFE/RL, Iryna Friz, a parliamentarian from the opposition European Solidarity bloc, also suggested that Zelenskiy is trying to distance himself from the bill to protect his popularity ratings. Oleksandr Korniyenko, first deputy chairman of the parliament and former head of Servant of the People, rejected the idea that Zelenskiy was trying to duck responsibility, adding that the bill was a joint product with the military. Nonetheless, Zelenskiy steered clear of ownership of the mobilization legislation, saying on December 26 that "it is only right" that deputies and the military decide on the troop count and other needs for next year and do so in open hearings. He said his office will be "waiting for the final text of the law." Mobilization Measures The mobilization bill calls for lowering the age limit of conscripts from 27 to 25, ending the service exclusion for citizens with minor disabilities, legalizing digital draft notices, and restricting the ability of draft dodgers to carry out transactions such as buying or selling property. It also places greater responsibility for mobilization on local governments. Experts said local officials could drag their feet on implementation out of the same fear of a hit to their popularity. Meanwhile, Digital Transformation Minister Mykhaylo Fedorov rushed to declare that the government super app, Diia, rolled out under his leadership and downloaded by millions of Ukrainians, will not be used for sending draft notifications. Opposition deputies have criticized various aspects of the bill, such as the restrictions on financial transactions by draft dodgers, and many parliamentarians expect the final bill to look different. The first reading is expected to take place before January 14. Some experts say the bill could be adopted as early as the end of the month. Ukraine has banned most men between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving the country, but some continue to do so, paying off border guards or other officials. Some avoid drafts with medical exemptions that can be bought, while others ignore draft notifications. The struggle to recruit Ukrainian men has prompted police to grab draft dodgers off the street, creating scenes that - when they go viral on social media - generate backlash against the authorities. While one-third of Ukrainians said they were ready to take up arms to defend their country, according to a summer poll, Yevhen Holovakha, director of the Institute of Sociology of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, told RFE/RL that people may act differently if they actually receive draft notices. He said pessimism has grown among Ukrainians in recent months following the meager results of the summer counteroffensive. Holovakha said officials and the media had created public expectations of success that were unrealistic. At the same time, the number of people willing to serve would be greater if the drafting process appeared fair and clear, he said. People want to know why they are being drafted, how long they will be required to serve, how much they will earn, how much their families will receive, and what will happen when they return, he said. "People get sick from uncertainty," Holovakha said. "And these stresses, and these illnesses, both physical and psychological, most often arise from the fact that they live in uncertainty." Dozens of wives and mothers of combatants took to the streets earlier this year on a couple of occasions in rare wartime protests to demand the demobilization of their loved ones and the recruitment of new men. Under martial law imposed following Russia's invasion, public protests are banned. Zelenskiy has sought to address some of the public concerns around mobilization. Earlier this year, he fired the heads of the regional recruitment offices amid corruption allegations. He also said he wants to see the general staff's plan for demobilization. Holovakha said Zelenskiy is proceeding cautiously because he is in a "very difficult situation." Tensions The debate over the bill and who takes responsibility for it could exacerbate the reportedly tense relations between Zelenskiy and Zaluzhniy. The military leader in November told The Economist the war had entered a stalemate, a dour assessment that undermined the presidential administration's more upbeat view of Ukraine's progress and complicated efforts to secure U.S. military aid. Zelenskiy immediately rejected the view the war was in a stalemate, while members of his administration cautioned the military against making such public comments. Last month, Maryana Bezuhla, deputy head of the parliamentary Defense Committee and a member of Zelenskiy's party, publicly criticized Zaluzhniy for allegedly failing to present a 2024 war plan, all the while demanding greater mobilization. She raised the specter of his dismissal, which some took as a message from the administration. Oleksiy Haran, director of research at the Ilko Kucheriv Foundation for Democratic Initiatives, told RFE/RL that firing Zaluzhniy would backfire on the administration as the military leader enjoys a higher popularity rating than the president. Holovakha said Ukrainians associate their nation's victories in the war with Zaluzhniy, and it would be hard for Zelenskiy to convince the public otherwise. Haran said firing Zaluzhniy would be "a failure, first of all, for Zelenskiy." Written by RFE/RL's Todd Prince based on reporting from Ukraine by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-mobilization- bill-military-government-tensions/32758568.html Copyright (c) 2024. 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, Russia Swap Hundreds Of POWs In U.A.E.-Mediated Deal By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service January 03, 2024 Amid the trading of heavy aerial attacks, Russia and Ukraine have completed an exchange of hundreds of prisoners of war under a deal sponsored by the United Arab Emirates. Authorities in Kyiv said on January 3 that 230 Ukrainian nationals were returned from Russian captivity, while Russia's Defense Ministry said 248 Russians were freed by Ukraine. The ministry said the return of Russians "became possible thanks to the humanitarian mediation participation of the United Arab Emirates." The U.A.E. Foreign Ministry acknowledged its role, saying in a statement that the swap was made possible by its "strong friendly relations" with both Moscow and Kyiv. "I am grateful to everyone who achieved this result...We remember each and every one of our people. And we must return all of them," Zelenskiy said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, of the latest prisoner exchange. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on X, formerly Twitter, that he was "grateful to everyone who achieved this result" but did not mention the U.A.E. or any other countries involved in the negotiations. A video he issued showed the prisoners being greeted by fellow soldiers and loved ones as they stepped off a bus. Some of them wrapped themselves in the Ukrainian flag. "Initially, there was no information about some of them being held captive. They were considered missing in action. It is critical to keep hope alive," Zelenskiy said. He said that, while prisoner swaps have been on hold for a long time, "negotiations have not ceased for a single moment." News of the swap came as Poland called for the West to respond to Russia after it launched two massive waves of deadly air attacks on Ukraine. Kyiv, meanwhile, responded with its own strikes on Russian border regions and in Russia-occupied Crimea on January 3. At least five people were killed and dozens wounded in Russian drone and missiles strikes in and around Kyiv as well as Kharkiv on January 2 that Ukraine's military said were similar in scale to a massive Russian attack just days earlier. Those attacks came after an attack on the Ukrainian capital on December 29 that killed 30. The Kyiv City Military Administration announced the new, higher death toll on January 3, adding that 29 were injured. Russia fired 158 drones and missiles across Ukraine in the attack. The attacks killed 10 others across the country and injured scores. As crews continued to clear widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure on January 3, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said the West needs to respond to the attacks "in a language that [President Vladimir] Putin understands: tightening sanctions so that he cannot make new weapons with smuggled components and by giving Kyiv long-range missiles that will enable it to take out launch sites and command centers." Putin has said in recent days his country would "intensify" its attacks on its neighbor, prompting Germany Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to accuse Moscow of seeking to "annihilate" Ukraine. Germany will "stand by the people in Ukraine for as long as they need us," she wrote on January 2 in a post on X, formerly Twitter. The increase in deadly attacks, many of which hit residential areas, prompted French UN Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere to say he is pessimistic about the course of events in Ukraine. "The situation in Ukraine remains extremely dire," he told a news conference as France assumed the UN Security Council's rotating presidency. "I think it's not improving, I think it's deteriorating." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has vowed that Russia "will answer for every life [that it has] taken away." Early on January 3, Ukrainian drones attacked Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014, and two Russian regions neighboring Ukraine. According to the governor of Russia's Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the situation in the region remains "tense," while the governor of the Kursk region just north of Belgorod said power cuts had been caused by Ukrainian aerial attacks. No casualties from the January 3 attacks were reported by Russian authorities. Last weekend, Belgorod officials said 25 people were killed by Ukrainian attacks. Ukraine has been calling on its Western allies to accelerate supplies of air-defense systems, long-range missiles, and combat drones given the scope and intensity of Russia's latest air attacks. Zelenskiy has said a major focus of Ukrainian counterattacks going forward would be to diminish Russian forces' strength in Crimea, even as his military is struggling to defend cities in the east. With reporting by Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/poland-putin-ukraine-attacks- sanctions/32758376.html Copyright (c) 2024. 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 Death Toll Rises To 30 In Russia's Deadliest Attack On Kyiv By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service January 03, 2024 KYIV -- The death toll has risen from the deadliest missile attack on Kyiv since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The number of people killed in Russia's December 29 attack on the Ukrainian capital has risen to 30, the Kyiv City Military Administration said on Telegram on January 3. "One person died in the hospital from injuries received as a result of shelling," the military administration said, adding that 29 were injured. Russia fired 158 drones and missiles across Ukraine in the attack on December 29, killing more than 40 people and injuring more than 150. Meanwhile, Ukraine launched a drone attack on Russia's Belgorod, the governor of the region bordering Ukraine said on January 3, adding that several drones were destroyed on approach to the city of Belgorod, the administrative center of the region. The Russian Defense Ministry later said on Telegram that Russia's air-defense systems destroyed a total of 12 Ukraine-launched launched missiles over the Belgorod region. Presumed Ukrainian shelling of Belgorod on December 30 was reported to have killed more than two dozen people. With reporting by Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-belgorod-drones- attack/32758135.html Copyright (c) 2024. 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 Russian Fighter Jet Hammers Ukrainian Positions From Ultra-Low Altitude Sputnik News 20240103 Sergey Lebedev Since the beginning of the special military operation, Russian jets have ruled the skies, instilling fear in Ukrainian soldiers. Russian Su-25 fighter jets bombed Ukrainian outposts at an extremely low altitude of 25 meters, the MoD reported. The jets descended to the height of an 8-storey building. According to the statement, all targets were hit. "The crews of the Su-25 of the Russian Aerospace Forces destroyed outposts and enemy personnel in the direction of Donetsk. The attack was carried out with S-8 unguided artillery missiles. The attack was carried out in pitch-up at an extremely low altitude of 25 meters," the ministry specified. After the attack, the pilots conducted anti-missile maneuvers, fired false heat targets to confuse enemy air defenses, and returned safely to base. The Su-25 attack aircraft, known in Russia as the Gratch (lit. "Rook"), is designed to provide close air support to Russian ground forces. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Air Defense Destroys 12 Tochka-U and Olkha Ukrainian Missiles Over Belgorod Region Sputnik News 20240103 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian air defense systems shot down six Tochka-U missiles and six Olkha missiles launched by the Ukrainian military against Russia's Belgorod Region on Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry said. "Today, on the morning of January 3, another attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack on targets in Russia using the Olkha multiple launch rocket systems and the Tochka-U tactical missile complexes was thwarted. Air defense systems on duty destroyed six Tochka-U missiles and six Olkha MLRS missiles over the Belgorod Region," the ministry said in a statement. On December 30, Ukraine shelled the center of the Russian city of Belgorod, targeting civilian infrastructure. The Russian Defense Ministry said the Kiev regime used cluster munitions, stressing that the attack was aimed at diverting attention from its defeats on the battlefield and provoking Russian forces to similar actions. But unlike Ukraine, Russia strikes only military facilities and infrastructure directly connected to them, the ministry stressed, adding that it will not leave the deadly attack on Belgorod unanswered. In retaliation, the Russian armed forces carried out strikes on Ukrainian enterprises of the military-industrial complex, especially those producing missiles. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Air Defense Shoots Down Several Targets on Approach to Russia's Belgorod - Governor Sputnik News 20240103 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian air defense destroyed several targets on approach to Belgorod, Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Wednesday, adding that there is no information about the consequences of the attack yet. "Our air defense system worked in Belgorod and Belgorod Region. Several air targets were shot down on approach to the city. There is no information about the consequences at the moment," Gladkov said on Telegram. On Saturday, Ukrainian forces shelled Belgorod with MLRS and cluster munitions, killing 25 people and injuring 100 more. There were no military targets in the area. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to step up attacks on Ukrainian military targets. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We managed to free over 200 of our people - warriors and civilians - from Russian captivity - address by the President of Ukraine President of Ukraine 3 January 2024 - 19:14 I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians! Today, despite everything, despite all the challenges, there is long-awaited good news. We managed to free over 200 of our people from Russian captivity. Warriors and - very importantly - civilians. We remember all Ukrainians held in Russian captivity. There was a long pause in the exchanges, but there was no pause in the negotiations regarding the exchanges. We seize every opportunity, try all mediation options. At every international meeting that can help the cause, we raise the issue of returning our captives. And we will continue this work to return our people... All our people. Now I am glad that we managed to unblock the exchange. We brought home warriors of the Armed Forces and the National Guard, border guards and Navy servicemen. Most of them are soldiers and sergeants. But there are also officers. It is a really good day for Ukraine. Some of these warriors are defenders of Mariupol and Azovstal. Some of those freed today were not even initially known to be in captivity. They were considered missing. It is very important to keep hope alive. I thank the entire team that has worked and is working for the exchanges to continue! Budanov, Yermak, Usov, Malyuk, Klymenko. And of course, I thank each of our warriors on the front line who take the occupiers prisoner and replenish our exchange fund. The more Russians we take prisoner, the more effective the negotiations on exchanges will be. Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andriy Yermak had a phone call with the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico President of Ukraine 3 January 2024 - 18:25 Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak had a phone call with Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico Alicia BArcena. The Head of the President's Office highly appreciated Mexico's support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and expressed particular gratitude for the resumption of operations of the Mexican Embassy in Kyiv. "These steps turn a new page in the bilateral relations between the countries," emphasized Andriy Yermak. The interlocutors discussed preparations for the next meeting of national security and foreign policy advisors to the heads of state, which will be devoted to implementing the points of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and will take place in January in Switzerland. The Head of the President's Office invited Mexican representatives to take part in this meeting, as well as in the Global Peace Summit. Special attention during the conversation was paid to ways of intensifying relations between Ukraine and Latin America. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NEWARK, Del, Jan. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The PVC footwear market is estimated to reach a valuation of US$ 71,871.2 million in 2024. The market is anticipated to surpass a valuation of US$ 1,18,190.3 million by 2034. The demand for PVC footwear is likely to expand at a stable CAGR of 5.10% from 2024 to 2034. One significant factor behind this demand is the growing global sustainability awareness, influencing consumers to seek eco-friendly alternatives. PVC footwear manufacturers are responding by incorporating recycled and sustainable materials, aligning with the increasing demand for environmentally conscious products. Additionally, the affordability of PVC footwear remains a key driver, particularly in emerging markets where price sensitivity is pronounced. The versatile nature of PVC allows for a wide range of designs, contributing to its popularity across various consumer segments. Gain expert insights and supercharge your growth strategies. Request our market overview sample: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-18564 While the PVC footwear industry experiences growth, certain restraints shape its trajectory. One notable challenge is the negative perception of PVC due to its environmental impact. This has led to increased scrutiny and regulatory measures, prompting manufacturers to invest in sustainable practices and alternative materials. The industry faces price competition from low-cost alternatives, particularly in regions with a high prevalence of counterfeit products. The expanding global market for affordable and stylish footwear and the versatility of PVC in design and manufacturing positions the industry for continued growth. eCommerce platforms offer a significant avenue for market expansion, allowing manufacturers to reach a wider consumer base. Collaborations with fashion influencers and designers present avenues to enhance brand visibility and appeal. A notable trend is the integration of technology, with smart features such as connected insoles and fitness tracking becoming increasingly popular. This caters to the tech-savvy consumer and enhances the overall user experience. Sustainable fashion has become a dominant trend, driving manufacturers to explore innovative ways to create stylish PVC footwear using recycled materials. Collaborations between PVC footwear brands and sustainable fashion initiatives are becoming prevalent, aligning with the industry's commitment to environmental responsibility. "The rising trend of customization in consumer goods opens doors for PVC footwear manufacturers to offer personalized options, meeting the individual preferences of diverse consumer segments. Additionally, the convergence of athleisure and PVC footwear is gaining momentum, with sport-inspired designs meeting the demand for versatile and comfortable everyday footwear options." says Sneha Varghese (Senior Consultant, Consumer Products & Goods at Future Market Insights (FMI) Key Takeaways from the PVC Footwear Market The PVC footwear market experienced a significant surge in revenue from US$ 57,016.4 million in 2019 to US$ 68,253.7 million in 2023. In 2024, the shoe segment is estimated to hold a share of 47.20% of the PVC footwear industry. Online distribution channels are likely to capture a significant market share of 20.40% in 2024. The United States is expected to record a moderate CAGR of 2.80% through 2034. The PVC footwear industry in Germany is projected to rise at an average CAGR of 4.30% through 2034. Elevate Your Business Strategy! Purchase the Report for Market-Driven Insights: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/18564 Competitive Landscape of the PVC Footwear Market The global PVC footwear market is characterized by moderate competition, with key industry players dominating the landscape. Notable contributors include Bata, headquartered in India and recognized for its extensive PVC footwear presence worldwide. Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings Ltd., a Chinese giant, stands as the world's leading footwear manufacturer by production volume, securing a substantial share in the PVC footwear market. Crucial competitive factors in the PVC footwear market include price, quality, design, innovation, and branding. Manufacturers continually strive to reduce production costs while enhancing product durability and style. As the industry moves toward consolidation, more prominent players acquire smaller entities to gain market share. The entry of new players from emerging markets intensifies competition, with e-commerce playing a pivotal role in reshaping consumer access. The growing popularity of athleisure wear drives demand, leading to the development of versatile PVC footwear suitable for various occasions. Sustainability gains prominence, influencing manufacturers to explore recycled materials and environmentally friendly options, reflecting the evolving preferences of conscious consumers. The PVC footwear industry remains dynamic, with constant innovation and strategic evolution as manufacturers adapt to changing consumer needs. Key Companies in the Market Ansell Limited Bata Shoe Organization Crocs, Inc. Fujian Jinyang Group Co., Ltd. Inter Rubber Products, Inc. Keds Corporation Skechers USA, Inc. Shoe Carnival, Inc. VF Corporation Recent Developments in the PVC Footwear Market Under Armour, a global leader in performance footwear, apparel, and accessories, has introduced its new UA Flow Velociti Wind 2 running shoe, featuring a lightweight and breathable upper, a responsive midsole, and PVC-free traction pods for enhanced grip on various surfaces. Adidas, a global leader in sportswear, collaborates with Parley for the Oceans, an environmental organization, to create a new collection of sneakers made from recycled ocean plastic. The collection includes several styles, all featuring uppers made from Parley Ocean Plastic, which is transformed from marine waste intercepted from shorelines and coastal communities. Request Report Methodology: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/request-report-methodology/rep-gb-18564 Key Segments By Product Type: Shoes Flip Flops By Distribution Channel: Online Offline By Region: North America Latin America Europe East Asia South Asia The Middle East and Africa Authored By: Sneha Varghese (Senior Consultant, Consumer Products & Goods) has 6+ years of experience in the market research and consulting industry. She has worked on 200+ research assignments pertaining to Consumer Retail Goods. Her work is primarily focused on facilitating strategic decisions, planning and managing cross-functional business operations, technology projects, and driving successful implementations. She has helped create insightful, relevant analysis of Food & Beverage market reports and studies that include consumer market, retail, and manufacturer research perspective. She has also been involved in several bulletins in food magazines and journals. Explore FMIs Extensive Ongoing Coverage on Consumer Product Domain About Future Market Insights (FMI) Future Market Insights, Inc. (ESOMAR certified, recipient of the Stevie Award, and a member of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce) offers profound insights into the driving factors that are boosting demand in the market. FMI stands as the leading global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, consulting, and events for the Packaging, Food and Beverage, Consumer, Technology, Healthcare, Industrial, and Chemicals markets. With a vast team of over 5000 analysts worldwide, FMI provides global, regional, and local expertise on diverse domains and industry trends across more than 110 countries. Contact Us: Nandini Singh Sawlani Future Market Insights Inc. Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive, Suite 401, Newark, Delaware - 19713, USA T: +1-845-579-5705 For Sales Enquiries: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Website: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com LinkedIn| Twitter| Blogs | YouTube Riverton, Wyoming, Jan. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jay Nardini, Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Chair has announced Dr. Carlton Underwoods appointment to the ACCT Finance and Audit Committee. ACCT is a national organization that brings community college leaders together to address real-world challenges and help students succeed through advocacy and education. Based in Washington, D.C., ACCT is a major voice of community college trustees to the presidential administration, U.S. Congress, the Departments of Education and Labor, education and workforce-oriented think tanks, and more. Dr. Carlton Underwood joined the Central Wyoming College Board of Trustees in December 2012. During his service on the Board, Underwood has served as Treasurer, Vice Chair, and represented the CWC Board of Trustees on the Board of Directors for the CWC Foundation. He served as Board Chair for two years from 2020 through 2021. The ACCT Finance and Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring executive compliance with fiscally related policies and bylaws, reviewing the annual budget, the financial audit, establishing procedures for the periodic audit of association programs and services, and reporting to the ACCT board of directors, according to the association. Were grateful to the talented and insightful trustees who dedicate their time to volunteer for committees, said ACCT President and CEO Jee Hang Lee. Many committee members have advanced to the board of directors, and both bodies are essential to keeping ACCT focused on the needs of community college boards and the needs of institutions they serve. Underwood graduated from Central Wyoming College in 1997 with an Associates of Science in Accounting. He continued his higher education at the University of Wyoming having graduated in 1999 with his Bachelors of Science in Accounting. Underwood worked for the Northern Arapaho Tribe for ten years in various positions before pursuing his Master of Business Administration at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville graduating in 2010. Dr. Underwood continued his career in various leadership positions with the Northern Arapaho Tribe until 2022. Underwood is now the Fiduciary Trust Officer for the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration under the Department of the Interior and works with both Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes in managing their trust funds assets. Dr. Underwood graduated from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles in 2022 with his Doctor of Education Degree in Organizational Change and Leadership. Carlton considers himself a servant leader and enjoys contributing back to the communities that Fremont County and is currently serving as Board Clerk on the Board of Trustees for Fremont County School District #14, Wyoming Indian Schools in Ethete. Carlton believes very strongly in the efforts and actions of Central Wyoming College. Central Wyoming College's mission is to transform lives and strengthen communities through learning, leadership and connection. The college includes a main campus in Riverton, an outreach center, the Alpine Science Institute in Lander, and outreach centers in Jackson and Dubois. CWC is a designated Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institution (NASNTI), and serves the largest American Indian student population in the state of Wyoming. The Association of Community College Trustees is a non-profit educational organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern over 1,200 community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States and beyond. IMAGES: https://www.cwc.edu/media-center/ All Photos Courtesy of Central Wyoming College www.cwc.edu https://www.acct.org/ INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST Attachment Miami, Florida, Jan. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, PropyKeys, a new gamified application, part of Propy ecosystem, introduces a home addresses market onchain. It is a decentralized application (dApp) game, powered by the PRO token and launched on Base, a layer-2 network operating on top of Ethereum and part of the Coinbase ecosystem. Participants can mint their own or someone elses home addresses onchain and stake or sell later. Real estate has long been restricted by barriers to entry such as exorbitant title fees and inefficiencies that blockchain can simplify. Propy and its ecosystem companies aim to make homeownership seizure-resistant, more affordable and user friendly. The $280 trillion market has remained entrenched in a "no trading zone," but PropyKeys seeks to rewrite this narrative by being a fun entry point to the Propy ecosystem and title onchain. Now, anyone can start their onchain journey by minting home addresses via PropyKeys,and then verifying ownership via Propy, and even creating instant property sales or micro mortgagesall within the onchain Propy ecosystem. "Imagine a world where every property's rightful ownership is seamlessly encapsulated in an immutable onchain title", said Andrew Zapo, lead contributor to PropyKeys. "Picture a future where individuals can effortlessly engage in peer-to-peer property transactions or leverage their property holdings for micro mortgages. This future, underpinned by blockchain's trustless architecture, redefines property rights autonomy and, in turn, societal norms." Unlocking Property Ownership At its core, PropyKeys addresses critical pain points: Democratized Minting and Trading PropyKeys allows crypto natives to mint addresses, stake them, and seamlessly facilitate trades with property owners. Address NFTs could be minted for a PRO token fee. Home address holders and real owners of properties of the acquired addresses have the following advantages for the 3 tiers of NFTs. Inherent in the tokenomics strategy is the collection of $PRO as a fee for minting onchain addresses and property titles. This fee structure, while sustaining ecosystem development, simultaneously incentivizes community participation. 100% of the collected fees from addresses are redirected to incentivize and reward the network of address owners, ensuring active engagement and network growth. Additionally, mechanisms such as staking and governance participation offer avenues for token holders to contribute and influence the ecosystem while earning rewards in $PRO tokens. Additionally, in the future, the community will be incentivized to provide loans for collateralized RWA NFTs via a secure protocol, developed by the Propy ecosystem of partners. Onchain Titles & RWA NFTs Property owners can elevate their addresses to onchain titles, enabling them to stake these titles or convert them into Real World Asset (RWA) NFTs. These NFTs facilitate easy sales or micro mortgages, opening new avenues for property transactions. Trust & Security Leveraging user trust, PropyKeys champions an onchain, open-source, and community-governed title registry. By replacing paper deeds with algorithm-based systems, the platform guarantees a trustworthy and secure environment for all users. Get your real-world address minted today Visit PropyKeys.com today to mint your real-world address onchain. Join the movement empowering accessible property transactions and ownership like never before. PropyKeys's innovation embodies philosophical tenetstrust and transparency. The transition from conventional property registries to blockchain-based onchain titles instills trust in algorithms rather than centralized intermediaries. This philosophical shift reverberates beyond the real estate sphere, transcending into a broader societal paradigm that has started its rapid revolution with programmable decentralized money. About Propy: Propy is a pioneering platform leveraging blockchain technology to facilitate seamless transactions of real world assets (RWA), specifically focused on revolutionizing global real estate markets. As an industry leader, Propy specializes in providing secure and efficient solutions, ensuring an enhanced experience for buying and selling properties worldwide. X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/PropyInc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/propyinc Website: https://propy.com/ Media contact: andrew@propykeys.com Disclaimer: This press release is for informational purposes only, and should not be viewed as financial or investment advice. The release discusses the strategy of PropyInc, a company working within the crypto asset field. Neither distribution company, its partners, nor any other distribution company are responsible for any losses incurred due to financial decisions made based on the content of this press release. Before making any such decisions, please conduct deeper research or consult with a professional. For further information, please contact the source company: Retik Finance at pr@retik.com. Dublin, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Volume 35: American Broadband - a Benchmark Study of 5G Four Component Carrier in Rural America" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The publisher just completed its 35th 5G benchmark study. For this endeavor they collaborated with Accuver Americas and Spirent Communications to conduct an independent benchmark study of 5G 4CC using T-Mobile's commercial 5G network in rural South Carolina, where Ericsson the RAN infrastructure supplier. Highlights of the Report include the following: Acknowledgements This study was conducted in collaboration with Accuver Americas (XCAL-M and XCAP) and Spirent Communications (Umetrix Data). The publisher is responsible for the data collection and all analysis and commentary provided in this report. Methodology The study used a Galaxy S23 smartphone to test the downlink performance in a cluster of 10 Gbps cell sites that had 1180 MHz of Band n41, 220 MHz of Band n25, and 220 MHz of Band n71. The publisher primarily performed drive tests along the rural roads as well as in the suburban neighborhoods, which were ideal for a fixed wireless access (FWA) service offering. FWA is for Real It wasn't so much the "what" (1 Gbps average, 2.2 Gbps peak) or the "how" (5G 4CC), but the "where" that was impressive. Without question, there was far more 5G network capacity than the operator needed for mobile broadband, meaning the cell sites were recently upgraded to target FWA services to the surrounding homes and businesses. We discuss. FDD-TDD CA In addition to looking at overall performance, the publisher took the opportunity to look at the benefits of FDD-TDD CA, namely the use of a lower frequency 5G carrier as the primary cell to extend Band n41 coverage and improve throughput in poor coverage scenarios. We quantify the gains. SRS-based Beamforming The study revisits the benefits of SRS-based beamforming for improving end-user data speeds and MU-MIMO in low-mobility scenarios. It quantifies the gains and the relationship between mobility and SRS accuracy. Key Topics Covered: 1.0 Executive Summary 2.0 Key Observations 3.0 Detailed Results and Analysis 3.1 Summary Level Information 3.2 FDD-TDD Coverage Extension 3.3 Impact of Mobility on SRS-based Beamforming 3.4 Fixed Wireless Access 4.0 Test Methodology 5.0 Final Thoughts Companies Mentioned Accuver Americas Spirent Communications Samsung For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xrhnu About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Dublin, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Market by Offering (Solutions (KYC/CDD & Sanctions Screening, Transaction Monitoring, Case Management & Reporting), Services), Deployment Mode, Organization Size, End-user (Banks & Financial Institutes, Insurance) and Region - Forecast to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global AML market is projected to grow from USD 3.1 billion in 2023 to USD 6.8 billion by 2028 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17% Over the years, AML solutions and services have experienced significant growth and evolution driven by the increasing complexity of financial crimes and technological advancements. AML solutions have transitioned from manual and rule-based systems to sophisticated and dynamic platforms that harness the power of AI and ML algorithms. In the early stages, AML efforts primarily relied on rule-based systems that flagged transactions based on predetermined thresholds and patterns. However, these systems often generated high volumes of false positives, overwhelming compliance teams and leading to inefficient use of resources. North America is estimated to be the largest contributor in terms of the market size in the AML market. It is one of the most affected regions in the world by money laundering and terrorist financing crime activities; as a result, it has the highest number of AML solution providers. Money laundering is a significant issue in the United States. Due to its immense size and economic diversity, the region is an appealing target for money launderers looking to take advantage of vulnerabilities in various businesses and sectors. The sophisticated financial system in North America, along with the anonymity provided by digital transactions and intricate corporate networks, creates an ideal environment for blending criminal funds with the legal economy. Major AML solution vendors such as SAS Institute, FICO, FIS, ACI Worldwide, and Oracle are headquartered in North America. Major vendors in the global AML market include LexisNexis (US), Oracle (US), FIS (US), Fiserv (US), Jumio (US), NICE Actimize (US), SAS Institute (US), GB Group (UK), FICO (US), ACI Worldwide (US), Experian (Ireland). The study includes an in-depth competitive analysis of the key players in the AML market, their company profiles, recent developments, and key market strategies. By end-user, banks and financial institutes segment holds the largest market size Within banking and financial institutions, a diverse range of sectors is incorporated, spanning retail banking, digital banking, commercial banking, investments involving hedge funds and pension funds, wealth management, virtual currencies and exchanges, cross-border payment systems, and money services businesses. Predominantly, banks stand as the principal and most significant consumers of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) solutions worldwide, holding a pivotal role as key customers for prominent global players. Moreover, the increasing number of millions of fines received by banks is expected to increase the adoption of advanced AML solutions. AML integrated with AI or ML would help banks improve the security measures required to track money laundering activities. By deployment mode, the on-premises segment holds the largest market size In Anti-Money Laundering (AML) deployment, the on-premises mode refers to the setup and utilization of AML solutions within an organization's physical infrastructure. In contrast to cloud-based deployment, which involves hosting applications on remote servers accessed via the Internet, on-premises deployment entails operating AML software and systems on the organization's internal hardware within its premises. The strategy is favored by larger enterprises and institutions seeking elevated control over their data, security measures, and customization options. Through on-premises AML deployment, organizations maintain direct oversight of their data, safeguarding sensitive information within their internal network. It becomes especially relevant in industries or sectors subject to rigorous data privacy regulations or security considerations. On-premises solutions facilitate highly tailored configurations to match specific security requirements and compliance mandates. Nevertheless, the approach entails higher initial expenditures due to necessities like dedicated hardware, software licenses, and skilled IT personnel for maintenance and updates. Despite these factors, on-premises AML deployment offers a sense of ownership and command that holds significance for organizations emphasizing data security and customization within their AML strategies. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 279 Forecast Period 2023 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $3.1 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $6.8 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 17.0% Regions Covered Global Premium Insights Increased Monetary Penalties and Regulatory Sanctions Expected to Drive Growth of Market Solutions Segment to Grow at Higher CAGR During Forecast Period Transaction Monitoring Segment to Grow at Highest CAGR During Forecast Period On-Premises Segment to Account for Largest Share in 2023 Large Enterprises to Account for Larger Share in 2023 Banking & Financial Institutes and North America Region to Account for Largest Shares in 2023 Asia-Pacific to Emerge as Best Market for Investments in Next Five Years Use Cases Fico Helped 4Finance Increase Efficiency while Maintaining Regulatory Compliance Nice Actimize Helped European Bank Improve Insight into Global Operations Sas Institute Helped Bangkok Bank Stay Ahead of Emerging Risks and Changing Regulations Market Dynamics Drivers Increased Monetary Penalties, Regulatory Sanctions, and Reputational Loss Due to Noncompliance with Regulations Rise in Focus Toward Digital Payments and Internet Banking Necessity to Create Infrastructure with 360-Degree View of Data in Financial Landscape Restraints Increased Technological Complexities and Sophistication of Attacks Budgetary Issues in Developing In-House Fraud Detection Solutions Opportunities Higher Adoption of Advanced Analytics in AML Integration of Ai, Ml, and Big Data Technologies in Developing AML Solutions Adoption of Cloud-Based AML Solutions to Combat Financial Crimes Increased Use of AML in Real Estate Sector Challenges Lack of Skilled AML Professionals with In-Depth Knowledge Lack of Awareness Related to Government Regulations and Deployment of AML Solutions Technological Analysis Anti-Money Laundering and Ai/Ml Anti-Money Laundering and Data Analytics Anti-Money Laundering and Internet of Things Anti-Money Laundering and Real-Time Authentication Regulatory Landscape Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Financial Action Task Force (Fatf) International Monetary Fund General Data Protection Regulation Gramm - Leach - Bliley Act Sarbanes - Oxley Act Company Profiles Key Players Lexisnexis Oracle Fis Fiserv Jumio Nice Actimize Sas Institute Gb Group plc Fico Aci Worldwide Experian Nelito Systems Wolters Kluwer Comarch Allsec Technologies Dixtior Temenos Tcs Complyadvantage Featurespace Feedzai Napier Tier1 Financial Solutions Finacus Solutions Friss Transunion Other Players Symphonyai Idmerit Imtf Innovative Systems Sedicii Trulioo Namescan Datavisor Gurucul For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/pe3pd8 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment New York, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to market.us, the Global Biogas Market reached USD 46.9 billion in 2023 and is projected to witness substantial growth, reaching approximately USD 71.3 billion by 2032. From 2023 to 2032, this market is anticipated to experience its highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) at 4.9%. The biogas market represents a sector dedicated to the production, refinement, and utilization of biogas - a renewable energy source generated through the anaerobic digestion of organic materials like agricultural waste, animal manure, food waste, sewage, and energy crops. This biological process breaks down organic matter in an oxygen-deprived environment, releasing a mixture primarily composed of methane and carbon dioxide. Biogas, a versatile and eco-friendly fuel, can be utilized for electricity generation, heating, or as a vehicle fuel. Want to Access the Statistical Data and Graphs, Request PDF Sample @ https://market.us/report/biogas-market/request-sample Moreover, the refinement of biogas into biomethane, a purified form of methane, enhances its quality, making it suitable for injection into natural gas grids or as a cleaner alternative for transportation fuel. The biogas market is continually expanding due to its role in fostering sustainable waste management practices, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and contributing to the transition towards a more diversified and environmentally friendly energy mix. This growth is further supported by governmental policies incentivizing renewable energy adoption and the increasing focus on circular economy principles. Key Takeaway Market Growth Projection : The global biogas market is estimated to increase from USD 44.7 billion in 2022 to approximately USD 71.3 billion by 2032, marking a projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.9% between 2023 and 2032. : The global biogas market is estimated to increase from in 2022 to approximately by 2032, marking a projected Compound Annual Growth Rate between 2023 and 2032. Biogas Composition : Typically consisting of 50-70% methane and 30-50% carbon dioxide, biogas is primarily produced through the anaerobic digestion or fermentation of organic materials. : Typically consisting of methane and carbon dioxide, biogas is primarily produced through the anaerobic digestion or fermentation of organic materials. Driving Factors : Environmental concerns, supportive government policies, economic advantages, and incentives drive the growth of the biogas market. Financial incentives offered by governments aim to reduce the capital costs associated with biogas production, fostering its market entry. : Environmental concerns, supportive government policies, economic advantages, and incentives drive the growth of the biogas market. Financial incentives offered by governments aim to reduce the capital costs associated with biogas production, fostering its market entry. Sources of Biogas : The main sources include municipal waste (like food scraps and yard debris), industrial facilities (such as distilleries and food processing plants), and agricultural sources (like manure, energy crops, and residues). : The main sources include municipal waste (like food scraps and yard debris), industrial facilities (such as distilleries and food processing plants), and agricultural sources (like manure, energy crops, and residues). Applications : Biogas finds diverse applications including electricity generation (constituting 30% of the market in 2022), biofuel production, heat generation, cogeneration, and other uses like cooking and lighting in developing nations. : Biogas finds diverse applications including electricity generation (constituting of the market in 2022), biofuel production, heat generation, cogeneration, and other uses like cooking and lighting in developing nations. Regional Dominance : Europe holds the largest market share ( 39% ), propelled by technological advancements and increased investments in refinery industries. Italy, in particular, is focused on decarbonization efforts. : Europe holds the largest market share ( ), propelled by technological advancements and increased investments in refinery industries. Italy, in particular, is focused on decarbonization efforts. Major Players : Key companies like Air Liquide, PlanET Biogas, Wartsila, EnviTech Biogas AG, Robert Bosch GmbH, and Schmack Biogas GmbH lead the market with full-scale manufacturing capabilities and innovative biogas generation methods. : Key companies like Air Liquide, PlanET Biogas, Wartsila, EnviTech Biogas AG, Robert Bosch GmbH, and Schmack Biogas GmbH lead the market with full-scale manufacturing capabilities and innovative biogas generation methods. Recent Developments : The industry has seen significant agreements for power purchases, investments in compressed biogas (CBG) plants, and the adoption of advanced technologies like AI and machine learning to enhance productivity. : The industry has seen significant agreements for power purchases, investments in compressed biogas (CBG) plants, and the adoption of advanced technologies like AI and machine learning to enhance productivity. Challenges and Opportunities : While infrastructure limitations, high capital costs for small-scale projects, and reliance on organic feedstocks pose challenges, increasing demand for renewable energies, government incentives, technological advancements, and expanding applications present growth opportunities. : While infrastructure limitations, high capital costs for small-scale projects, and reliance on organic feedstocks pose challenges, increasing demand for renewable energies, government incentives, technological advancements, and expanding applications present growth opportunities. Regional Analysis: Europe, especially countries like Italy, Germany, France, and the UK, dominates the market, but regions across North America, APAC, Latin America, and MEA also showcase substantial growth potential. Factors are contributing to the growth and evolution of the Biogas Market The growth and evolution of the biogas market within the green and renewable energy industry stem from several interconnected factors. Firstly, increasing environmental concerns and the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have elevated the significance of sustainable energy sources. Biogas, produced from organic waste, stands out as a renewable energy solution that not only generates power but also curtails methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. Additionally, governmental initiatives promoting renewable energy adoption and stricter regulations on waste management encourage the development of biogas infrastructure. This is further bolstered by advancements in technology, enhancing the efficiency of biogas production and purification processes, making it a more economically viable and attractive energy option. The circular economy principles emphasizing resource efficiency and waste valorization also drive the growth of biogas by turning organic waste into a valuable energy source while producing beneficial byproducts for agriculture. Moreover, as societies increasingly prioritize sustainable energy practices, the market demand for biogas continues to rise, fueling investments and innovation within the sector. This convergence of environmental imperatives, technological advancements, regulatory support, and market demand underscores the pivotal role of biogas in the green and renewable energy industry's ongoing transformation Top Trends in the Global Biogas Market Expansion of Feedstock Diversity: The market is witnessing an increase in feedstock diversity, including agricultural residues, organic waste, energy crops, algae, and sewage, broadening the sources for biogas production and enhancing market potential. The market is witnessing an increase in feedstock diversity, including agricultural residues, organic waste, energy crops, algae, and sewage, broadening the sources for biogas production and enhancing market potential. Technological Advancements: Ongoing innovations in anaerobic digestion processes and biogas purification techniques are enhancing efficiency, increasing biogas yields, and improving the quality of biomethane produced, boosting the overall market competitiveness. Ongoing innovations in anaerobic digestion processes and biogas purification techniques are enhancing efficiency, increasing biogas yields, and improving the quality of biomethane produced, boosting the overall market competitiveness. Biomethane Injection into Gas Grids: The refinement of biogas into biomethane suitable for injection into natural gas grids is gaining traction, providing an eco-friendly and renewable source of gas for residential, commercial, and industrial use. The refinement of biogas into biomethane suitable for injection into natural gas grids is gaining traction, providing an eco-friendly and renewable source of gas for residential, commercial, and industrial use. Circular Economy Initiatives: The emphasis on circular economy principles encourages waste valorization and resource recovery. Biogas production not only generates energy but also yields nutrient-rich digestate used as a biofertilizer, supporting agricultural sustainability. The emphasis on circular economy principles encourages waste valorization and resource recovery. Biogas production not only generates energy but also yields nutrient-rich digestate used as a biofertilizer, supporting agricultural sustainability. Policy Support and Incentives: Governmental policies, subsidies, and support schemes promoting renewable energy adoption, waste management, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions are driving market growth and encouraging investment in biogas projects. Regional Analysis Europe dominates with a 39% market share due to technological advancements and increased investments in refinery industries. Italy, for instance, is emphasizing market decarbonization efforts, driving significant acquisitions in the biogas realm. In terms of key regions and countries, Europe leads, followed by North America, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa (MEA). Specifically, Italy's efforts in biogas reflect its pursuit of decarbonization, with government initiatives propelling market growth. Gain expert insights and supercharge your growth strategies. Request our market overview sample now Competitive Landscape The competitive landscape of the market has also been examined in this report. Some of the major players include: Agrinz Technologies GmbH Air Liquide DMT International Gasum Oy Home Biogas Inc. PlanET Biogas Scandinavian Biogas Fuels International AB Schmack Biogas Service Total Xebec Adsorption Inc. Other Key Players Scope of the Report Report Attributes Details Market Value (2022) USD 44.7 Billion Forecast Revenue 2032 USD 71.3 Billion CAGR (2023 to 2032) 4.9% Europe Revenue Share 39% Base Year 2023 Historic Period 2018 to 2022 Forecast Year 2023 to 2032 Market Drivers Government Policies and Regulations: Policies supporting renewable energy, waste management, and greenhouse gas reduction are significant drivers. Incentives, subsidies, and mandates for biogas production encourage its adoption. Policies supporting renewable energy, waste management, and greenhouse gas reduction are significant drivers. Incentives, subsidies, and mandates for biogas production encourage its adoption. Environmental Concerns: Increasing awareness of climate change and the need for sustainable energy sources drives interest in biogas. Its ability to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by capturing methane from organic waste is a significant factor. Increasing awareness of climate change and the need for sustainable energy sources drives interest in biogas. Its ability to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by capturing methane from organic waste is a significant factor. Energy Security: Biogas offers a renewable energy source that reduces reliance on finite fossil fuels, contributing to energy diversification and security. Biogas offers a renewable energy source that reduces reliance on finite fossil fuels, contributing to energy diversification and security. Waste Management Needs: Growing concerns over waste disposal drive the development of biogas facilities, utilizing organic waste from various sources such as agriculture, municipal waste, and wastewater treatment plants. Growing concerns over waste disposal drive the development of biogas facilities, utilizing organic waste from various sources such as agriculture, municipal waste, and wastewater treatment plants. Technological Advancements: Innovations in biogas production technology, such as improved anaerobic digestion processes, biomethane purification, and storage, contribute to market growth by enhancing efficiency and output. Elevate Your Business Strategy! Purchase the Report for Market-Driven Insights: https://market.us/purchase-report/?report_id=26684 Market Restraints High Initial Investment: Setting up biogas facilities requires substantial initial capital investment for equipment, infrastructure, and technology. This cost can be a significant barrier, especially for smaller-scale projects or in regions with limited funding. Technical Challenges: Biogas production involves complex processes, and technical challenges like process efficiency, feedstock availability, and variability can affect output and reliability. Managing these intricacies requires expertise and ongoing maintenance. Competition with Other Energy Sources: Biogas faces competition from established energy sources like natural gas and coal. If these conventional energy sources remain economically competitive or if policies don't favor renewable energy, it can hinder biogas market growth. Infrastructure and Distribution Constraints: Developing a comprehensive distribution infrastructure for biogas, including transportation and storage facilities, can be challenging. Existing infrastructure might not support the widespread distribution of biogas-derived energy. Feedstock Availability and Quality: The consistent availability and quality of organic waste or feedstock required for biogas production can be uncertain. Dependence on agricultural residues, municipal waste, or other organic materials might face fluctuations due to seasonal variations or regulatory changes. Market Opportunities Rising Energy Demand: With the global demand for energy increasing, particularly in emerging economies, there's a significant opportunity for biogas to contribute to the energy mix as a renewable and sustainable source. With the global demand for energy increasing, particularly in emerging economies, there's a significant opportunity for biogas to contribute to the energy mix as a renewable and sustainable source. Circular Economy Initiatives: The push for circular economy models presents an opportunity for biogas production, as it involves converting organic waste streams into valuable energy, reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency. The push for circular economy models presents an opportunity for biogas production, as it involves converting organic waste streams into valuable energy, reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency. Urbanization and Waste Management: As urban populations grow, the need for effective waste management solutions rises. Biogas facilities can help in managing organic waste from municipalities, wastewater treatment plants, and industries, providing a sustainable waste-to-energy solution. As urban populations grow, the need for effective waste management solutions rises. Biogas facilities can help in managing organic waste from municipalities, wastewater treatment plants, and industries, providing a sustainable waste-to-energy solution. Decentralized Energy Production: Biogas offers the potential for decentralized energy production, allowing smaller-scale facilities to cater to local energy needs. This can enhance energy security and reduce transmission losses associated with centralized power plants. Biogas offers the potential for decentralized energy production, allowing smaller-scale facilities to cater to local energy needs. This can enhance energy security and reduce transmission losses associated with centralized power plants. Technological Innovations: Ongoing advancements in biogas production technologies, including improved anaerobic digestion processes, biogas upgrading, and utilization technologies, present opportunities to enhance efficiency and diversify biogas applications. Report Segmentation of the Biogas Market By Source Analysis This market's sources include municipal, industrial, and agricultural sectors, with municipal waste contributing significantly, occupying a 41% market share. This waste encompasses food scraps, yard debris, and other organic materials processed through anaerobic digesters into biogas. Additionally, industries like distilleries and food processing plants are pivotal contributors, generating substantial organic waste suitable for biogas production. In agriculture, manure and energy crops play a critical role in biogas creation. The market's robustness stems from its diverse applications: electricity generation holds a substantial 30.0% market share. Biogas powers homes and businesses, and the grid is extracted through gas engines or turbines. It's also pivotal in biofuel production, heat generation for industrial processes and space heating, as well as cogeneration, simultaneously producing electricity and heat. This versatility positions biogas as an ideal fuel for various applications, from powering communities to aiding cooking and lighting in regions lacking conventional energy access. By Application Analysis Electricity Generation: As of 2022, electricity generation accounted for a substantial 30% market share. Biogas serves as a pivotal source for producing electricity via gas engines or turbines. This electricity powers various entities, including homes, and businesses, and even gets distributed into wider grids for community consumption. Biofuel Production: Biogas, enriched with biomethane or compressed natural gas (CNG), can be extracted for diverse biofuel products. The versatile nature of biogas contributes significantly to the biofuel sector, aiding in the creation of eco-friendly fuel alternatives. Heat Generation: Industrial processes and residential heating systems benefit from biogas as a source of heat. Its application extends to space heating in buildings, providing an efficient and sustainable heating solution. Cogeneration (Combined Heat and Power - CHP): This method involves the simultaneous production of electricity and heat. Biogas stands out as an ideal fuel for CHP systems due to its capacity to generate both forms of energy concurrently. This application finds use not only in electricity but also in cooking and lighting in regions with limited access to traditional energy sources. Key Market Segments Based on Source Municipal- Landfill Wastewater Industrial- Food Scrap Wastewater Agricultural- Dairy Poultry Swine Farm Agricultural Residue Based on Application Electricity Generation Biofuel Production Heat Generation Cogeneration Other Applications By Geography North America The US Canada Europe Germany France The UK Spain Italy Russia Netherland Rest of Europe APAC China Japan South Korea India Australia New Zealand Singapore Thailand Vietnam Rest of APAC Latin America Brazil Mexico Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa South Africa Saudi Arabia UAE Rest of MEA Recent Developments In January 2022: Bio Construct announced in January 2022 that it had entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for electricity with Next Craftwork, a German trading company based in Cologne. Next Craftwork will market 40,000MWh of biogas-generated electricity under the agreement. Bio Construct will be responsible for delivering electricity to its customers from the biogas plants. The fixed-price PPA involves 86 biogas CHPs. Bio Construct announced in January 2022 that it had entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for electricity with Next Craftwork, a German trading company based in Cologne. Next Craftwork will market 40,000MWh of biogas-generated electricity under the agreement. Bio Construct will be responsible for delivering electricity to its customers from the biogas plants. The fixed-price PPA involves 86 biogas CHPs. In May 2022: InterTech Fuel Solutions announced that it will invest INR 600 billion in its venture into compressed Biogas (CBG). The investment will be made in CBG across India next year. The project will be developed in phases. The first phase will see the establishment of four CBG plants each in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh Punjab, and Haryana. Browse More Related Reports Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Market size is expected to be worth around USD 21.3 billion by 2033 , from USD 1.4 billion in 2023 , growing at a CAGR of 31.3% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2033. , from , growing at during the forecast period from 2023 to 2033. Hydrogen Fuel Cells Market was valued at USD 14.3 billion in 2023 , this market is estimated to register a CAGR of 21.5% and is expected to reach USD 95.5 billion during the forecasted period of 2023 to 2032. , this market is estimated to register a and is expected to reach during the forecasted period of 2023 to 2032. 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Market.US provides customization to suit any specific or unique requirement and tailor-makes reports as per request. We go beyond boundaries to take analytics, analysis, study, and outlook to newer heights and broader horizons. Follow Us on LinkedIn Our Blog: BOSTON and TEL AVIV, Israel, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quris-AI , an artificial intelligence (AI) innovator disrupting the pharmaceutical arena, announced the addition of Michel Vounatsos, former CEO of Biogen, to its Board of Directors, and the appointment of Yossi Ben Amram, former Merck & Co., Inc. (MSD) Regional President, as President of Quris-AI. Adding accomplished pharmaceutical leaders such as Yossi Ben Amram and Michel Vounatsos to our leadership team will be invaluable in our push for a pharma Bio-AI revolution. Both bring a deep understanding of industry dynamics, relationships, global growth strategies, and unique perspectives that will be tremendously beneficial as we continue to scale, stated Dr. Isaac Bentwich, CEO and Founder of Quris-AI. I look forward to their insights and contribution as they help guide our exceptionally talented and diverse teams platform development, partnership program, and global growth efforts in the years ahead. Joining a deep bench of prolific pharma and drug industry visionaries who help steer the companys scientific breakthroughs and global growth, Ben Amram and Vounatsos will now dedicate their time to supporting Quris-AI's mission to close the clinical prediction gap. The entire Quris-AI team is committed to developing safer drugs, faster and driving a surge in drug advancements for rare diseases and personalized medicine by dramatically reducing the cost and risks of drug innovation. "The Bio-AI platform is bringing us a new era in drug development and personalized care. I am beyond excited to be a part of the next phase of accelerated innovation, and I look forward to working with the extraordinary team at Quris-AI," added Vounatsos. Michel Vounatsos brings extensive global leadership and management experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, including having served as CEO and member of the Board of Directors of Biogen, Inc. from early 2017 until November 2022. Before joining Biogen, he spent two decades at Merck & Co. in various senior leadership positions, including President of MSD China, President of Primary Care & Merck Customer Centricity, and commercial leadership positions throughout Europe. Earlier in his career, Vounatsos held management positions at Ciba-Geigy. An experienced Board member, he currently sits on the Boards of Revvity, Inc., a global life science and diagnostics company, and Zai Lab Limited, a global biopharma company. Vounatsos earned his MBA from the HEC School of Management in Paris, France, and his C.S.C.T. certificate in Medicine from Universite Victor Segalen, Bordeaux II, France. "Joining Quris-AI is a privilege, as the company represents the essence of innovation and discovery at the intersection of AI and biology, featuring a stellar team of the best scientists in the field and groundbreaking technology. Its 'patient-on-a-chip' platform and hybrid AI/ML approaches are fascinating in fact, they're revolutionary, added Ben Amram. In the age of the AI boom and the FDAs Modernization Act 2.0, the timing could not be more perfect for Quris-AI's vision to disrupt the drug discovery and delivery paradigm. This company isn't just ready to partner with big pharma and tech giants; it's set to lead the charge. I'm enthusiastic to be part of this pivotal journey, where we are witnessing history and actively shaping it." With more than three decades of experience spanning a dynamic cross-section of pharmaceutical companies, Yossi Ben Amram will offer strategic guidance in building and leading diverse global teams, cultivating critical alliances and industry partnerships, and accelerating international growth plans. He has held various senior leadership positions at pharmaceutical companies around the globe, including Merck & Co., Inc. (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada), where he spent over two decades in key roles, including serving as President of MSD EURAM (Europe, Russia, Africa, and the Middle East) and led a $4B business covering more than 100 countries. He was a member of the Global Human Health (GHH) Bone, Respiratory, Immunology & Dermatology (BRID) franchise, served as a vice president and global brand leader for Respiratory products, global brand leader for SINGULAIR, and managing director of MSD in Israel. Prior to Merck, Ben Amram held several positions at TEVA Pharmaceuticals in Israel. Currently, Ben Amram serves as a Board Member at clinical-stage biopharma company PolyPid Ltd. He earned his MBA and a B.A. in Economics and Management from Tel Aviv University. Watch this video for perspective on how Quris-AI is reshaping the drug development process. Review Quris-AIs inaugural United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Impact & Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Review for more details on the companys global impact. ABOUT QURIS-AI Quris-AI, the worlds first Bio-AI clinical prediction platform, ensures the safety and efficacy of new drugs. Revolutionizing the drug development process, the company is pioneering clinical trials on chipstesting thousands of novel drug candidates on hundreds of miniaturized patients-on-a-chip. Its fully automated, self-training AI platform accurately predicts clinical safety and efficacy for novel drugs faster and more cost-effectively than ever before all while minimizing animal testing. Dual-headquartered in Boston and Israel and backed by strategic biotech and big data investors, Quris is led by a proven team of AI and medical research powerhouses who are already preparing its lead discovery for clinical trials. For more information, visit www.quris.ai. Media Contact: Erica Camilo Connexa Communications for Quris-AI 1.610.639.5644 erica@connexacommunications.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ba715db0-15e1-499c-8693-0b0ab1869c9f https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/46b0e95d-fb30-4b1b-9753-bc75b57f5fc0 WORTHINGTON, Ohio, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MedVet, the leader in specialty and emergency healthcare for pets, is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Lauren Boyd as its new Chief Medical Officer (CMO). The role was previously held by Dr. Michael Podell, who has retired from this role but remains active with MedVet as a member of MedVets Board of Directors and in serving as Senior Vice President of Healthcare. Dr. Boyd brings deep leadership experience and passion for building cohesive, high-performing teams. She has established herself as a respected clinician and leader in the veterinary profession. Dr. Boyd received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Columbus, OH. She completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in Norwalk, CT, and an internal medicine residency at Animal Medical Center in New York City, NY. Along with numerous clinical accomplishments, Dr. Boyd has demonstrated aptitude for building leaders by fostering continuous learning and through mentorship and training. In her role as CMO, Dr. Boyd oversees the development and execution of MedVets healthcare strategy, working in partnership with Jennifer Kerestan, Chief Clinical Officer. Together, they lead a team of talented and compassionate veterinary medical professionals who are collaboratively driving innovation in care and experience, optimizing clinical processes, and ensuring every patient receives exceptional care for the best possible patient outcomes. "We are thrilled to welcome Lauren to our leadership team," said Dr. Linda Lehmkuhl, CEO. "Her extensive experience and visionary leadership will help us advance our mission of Leading Specialty Healthcare for Pets as we continue to support and grow our current hospitals and open new ones." Dr. Boyd expressed her excitement about joining MedVet, stating, MedVet has an incredible reputation for leading specialty veterinary healthcare. I am honored to be part of shaping the organizations future as the best place in our profession to give and receive care. With Dr. Boyd as the new CMO, MedVet reinforces its commitment to remaining veterinarian owned and led. As the professions largest independent network of emergency and specialty hospitals for pets, MedVet continues to be well positioned for expertly and compassionately addressing the evolving needs of their patients, clients, and colleagues in the communities they serve. About MedVet MedVet is the leading veterinarian owned and led network of specialty and emergency hospitals dedicated to delivering exceptional care and a deeply supportive experience to pets and their loving families, referring veterinarians, and team members. For more than 35 years, MedVets empathetic, insightful, and driven team of expert caregivers has helped the organization grow to be the preferred choice for high quality, compassionate care, proudly serving more than 500,000 patients each year in communities throughout the United States. To learn more about MedVet and its mission of Leading Specialty Healthcare for Pets, visit medvet.com. Westford USA, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to SkyQuest's latest global research of the Food Enzymes market ,increased demand for natural food enzymes, as they are perceived as eco-friendly and healthier alternatives to chemical additives. Secondly, as consumers seek healthier food options, there's a rising interest in enzyme-modified functional foods. Enzymes are being used to enhance the nutritional profiles of food products, improve digestion, and reduce allergenicity, aligning with the broader wellness and health-conscious consumer trend are trends that aid in the market's growth. Browse in-depth TOC on "Food Enzymes Market" Pages - 157 Tables - 69 Figures - 77 Food enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions in food. They are naturally occurring in plants and animals and are also produced commercially by microorganisms. Prominent Players in the Food Enzymes Market Novozymes DSM Kerry Group Chr. Hansen Amano Enzyme Advanced Enzyme Technologies BASF DuPont Associated British Foods Biocatalysts Jiangsu Boli Bioproducts Lumis Biotech Enzyme Development Corporation Novo Nordisk Fermentas Alltech Danisco Meggle AB Enzymes Brenntag SternEnzym Phytex Enzyme Innovation Get a sample copy of this report: https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/food-enzymes-market Proteases Demand to Grow Substantially in the Forecast Period Proteases dominate the global online market as they are highly versatile enzymes used in various food processing applications. They play a crucial role in the hydrolysis of proteins, breaking them into smaller peptides and amino acids. This functionality is valuable in dairy, meat, and beverage processing industries. Bakery and Confectionery is the Leading Application Segment In terms of application, the bakery and confectionery is the leading segment as the products encompass various food items, including bread, cakes, pastries, cookies, chocolates, and more. Enzymes are used extensively in these products for diverse purposes, such as dough conditioning, texture improvement, and flavor enhancement. Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC): https://www.skyquestt.com/report/food-enzymes-market Europe is the leading Market Due to the Technological Advancements Region-wise, Europeis one of the largest growing markets as it boasts a well-established and diverse food processing industry, including bakery, dairy, confectionery, and beverage sectors. These industries have a high demand for food enzymes to improve product quality, extend shelf life, and comply with consumer demands for clean-label and natural ingredients. A recent report thoroughly analyzes the major players operating within the Food Enzymes market. This comprehensive evaluation has considered several crucial factors, such as collaborations, mergers, innovative business policies, and strategies, providing invaluable insights into the key trends and breakthroughs in the market. Additionally, the report has carefully scrutinized the market share of the top segments and presented a detailed geographic analysis. Finally, the report has highlighted the major players in the industry and their ongoing endeavors to develop innovative solutions that cater to the ever-increasing demand for Food Enzymes. Speak to Analyst for your custom requirements: https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/food-enzymes-market Key Developments in the Food Enzymes Market Breatec B.V., founded in 2006 and situated in Nieuwkuijk, the Netherlands, expanded its food enzymes business when BRAIN Biotech AG purchased a 62% ownership. The fact that Brain Group owns the enzyme businesses Biocatalysts, WeissBioTech, and Biosun FFI is noteworthy. Key Questions Answered in Food Enzymes Market Report What specific growth drivers will impact the market during the forecast period? Can you list the top companies in the market and explain how they have achieved their positions of influence? In what ways do regional trends and patterns differ within the global market, and how might these differences shape the market's future growth? Related Reports in SkyQuests Library: Global Bleached Linter Cellulose Market Global Palm Oil Market Global Beer Market Global Fast Food Market Global Rtd Protein Beverages Market About Us: SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally. Address: 1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886 Phone: USA (+1) 617-230-0741 Email: sales@skyquestt.com Millburn, NJ, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Honorable Travis L. Francis has been named to the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) Board of Trustees. Francis, Of Counsel at Riker Danzig LLP, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the board, including from his 25-year tenure as a judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey and as the assignment judge of Middlesex County. Francis fills the position formerly held by Marc DAngiolillo, a partner at Riker Danzig LLP, who served on the board since PDFNJs inception in 1992 until his death in September 2023. Judge Francis appointment represents a continuation of the strong legacy and commitment embodied by his colleague Mr. DAngiolillo, said Angelo Valente, Executive Director of PDFNJ. His extensive experience in legal matters, particularly in areas that intersect closely with our mission, makes him an invaluable addition to our board. His commitment to public service will significantly contribute to our ongoing efforts to foster a drug-free environment in New Jersey. Francis career on the bench began in 1992, with his initial assignment in the Criminal Division, followed by a tenure in the Family Division, including two years as the Vicinage Juvenile Court Judge. He served on various Supreme Court Committees, including Juvenile Justice and the Family. Before his judicial appointments, Judge Francis served as the public advocate in the Middlesex County Public Defenders Office. Francis is a member of Riker Danzigs Alternative Dispute Resolution, Commercial Litigation, and Insurance Groups. In addition to his professional endeavors, he serves as an adjunct professor at Rutgers Law School Newark. In recognition of his service to the legal community, the New Jersey State Bar Foundation awarded him the Outstanding Volunteer Service Award in 2009. I am honored to accept a position on the board of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, Francis said. I have long admired its mission and the impact that its work has in reducing substance abuse and changing lives. When I served on the bench in Middlesex County, I had the privilege of administering the precursor to the creation of the New Jersey Judiciary Drug Court Program, and I look forward to continuing to contribute in whatever way I can. ### Best known for its statewide substance use prevention advertising campaign, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is a private not-for-profit coalition of professionals from the communications, corporate and government communities whose collective mission is to reduce demand for illicit drugs in New Jersey through media communication. To date, more than $200 million in broadcast time and print space has been donated to the Partnerships New Jersey campaign, making it the largest public service advertising campaign in New Jerseys history. Since its inception, the Partnership has garnered 226 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations. Attachment EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shirofune , the leading digital advertising automation management tool, has unveiled a new free feature, Account Audit, which will automatically evaluate the effectiveness of Google search and display ads and suggest improvements. With Google the most dominant search engine, its platform remains one of the most desirable to reach target audiences. Through internal R&D plus the insights of ad operators, Shirofune has broadened its suite of advertising automation tools with the launch of Account Audit. The new feature allows anyone, both Shirofune clients and advertisers everywhere, to evaluate the quality of their Google Ad campaigns, identifying issues and suggesting corrective strategies. Key highlights of Account Audit include: A free comprehensive evaluation of Google Ad campaigns, with specific criteria applied for search ads and display ads Third-party assessment of potentially opaque ad operations is usually handled by external ad agencies or internal team members, with transparency in detailing the processes involved in assessment and improvement strategies Quick two-step registration and three-minute usage requiring only the advertising accounts ID and password for anyone to utilize The summary page and diagnostic report are sent via email as an Excel file Achieving an A rating (80+ points) following corrective action could result in a 150-200% improvement in ad effectiveness Shirofune has long provided suggestions to adjust ad campaigns and improve performance, and the launch of Account Audit for Google Ads broadens that benefit to all advertisers in a two-step, three-minute tool, explains Shirofune Director Tomomi Takeshita, whose expertise in the R&D of proprietary algorithms for account creation and improvement strategies led to the development of the new Account Audit tool. Shirofune launched in North America in early 2023 after becoming the #1 digital automated advertising management tool in Japan, where it has a 91% market share and is used by leading advertisers and agencies including Rakuten and Dentsu, saving them over 50% of work hours. About Shirofune Founded in 2014, Shirofune is an automated advertising management tool that maximizes the efficiency and productivity of major digital advertising platforms. The Shirofune platform is designed to maximize advertising effectiveness by automating day-to-day digital ad campaigns using a single, easy-to-use interface for management, budgeting, monitoring and analytics. Over 10,000 accounts have been automated using Shirofune, including 300,000 active ad campaigns. Shirofune also has been selected as the only Yahoo! Ads API-certified partner tool in Japan. For more information, please visit https://shirofune.us . Media Contact Chelsea Kershaw Firecracker PR (909) 573-7237 chelseaf@firecrackerpr.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d966833a-0efa-4c2d-b2e7-34632c2fba61 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ba5b1614-4055-464f-b5df-fa483d8b4640 Surrey, BC/Territories of the Coast Salish (Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen First Nations), Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westland Insurance today announced that it acquired Dyberg Insurance Inc. and Prairie Villa Insurance, effective January 1. Prairie Villa Insurance has roots going back to 1973 in Northern Alberta, now with three longstanding offices located across the Peace Country. Maintaining a firm local focus, theyve formed deep and lasting ties to their communities. This strategic acquisition grows Westlands distribution presence in Northern Alberta with a team of talented professionals who can support clients with personal, commercial, and farm insurance solutions. Established in 1953, Dyberg Insurance is a family-owned brokerage located in Edmonton, AB. Renowned for its exceptional personal and commercial insurance services, Dyberg Insurance has built a strong presence within its community. Dyberg Insurance will be integrated with Westlands existing Edmonton operations. I'm very pleased to welcome Prairie Villa Insurance and Dyberg Insurance to the Westland team, says Jamie Lyons, Westlands President & CEO. With a shared dedication to exceptional customer service and community involvement, were poised to create formidable partnerships with these two brokerages. We look forward to working with their passionate teams of employees to continue making a difference in their communities and the lives of their clients. Westland continues to invest in and grow its business in Canada, both organically and through strategic acquisitions. Washington, D.C., Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that Andrew R. Kopsidas has joined the firms Washington, D.C. office as partner in the Intellectual Property Litigation group. Andrew focuses his practice on intellectual property (IP) litigation and counseling. As lead trial counsel, he represents clients before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and district courts in dozens of states. He joins Blank Rome from Hughes Hubbard & Reed and previously practiced at Fish & Richardson for more than 20 years. The firm has experienced strategic growth in its IP practice over the past 18 months, adding 12 partners, associates, and patent agents. Blank Rome has earned a national reputation for its IP capabilities and the expanded team enhances the firms deep bench of IP attorneys, as well as its geographic reach. We are excited to welcome Andrew to the firm, said Grant S. Palmer, Blank Romes Chair and Managing Partner. Our nationally recognized IP Litigation group is made up of a powerhouse team of attorneys with first-chair trial experience handling the most complex IP matters. Andrews deep experience handling a variety of IP matters in courts across the country for top domestic and international companies will further enhance the service we provide to our clients in this space. Andrew has handled patent, trade secret, and other IP matters before the ITC, PTO, Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and district courts in Texas, Delaware, California, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Wisconsin, to name a few. He has litigated cases involving autonomous vehicles, Internet applications, semiconductors, telecommunications networks and standards, mobile technology, digital signal processing, and various software, mechanical, and chemical inventions. Andrews clients are among the most prominent U.S., Asian, and European companies operating across a range of industries including, telecommunications, automotive, aerospace, semiconductor, consumer electronics, and fintech. He provides strategic counseling to help his clients avoid litigation by identifying, analyzing, and mitigating potential threats. When litigation is unavoidable, Andrew consistently produces positive results for his clients. Im thrilled to be working with Andrew, a longtime friend and peer, said Paul Zeineddin, partner and co-chair of the Intellectual Property Litigation group. Andrew dedicates a sizable portion of his practice to litigating matters in federal district courts, including the Eastern District of Texas, and to ITC work. He has been involved in dozens of high-stakes investigations, many through trial, and has a deep understanding of ITC law and procedure. Andrews addition will bolster our IP litigation capabilities and benefit our clients looking to defend their intellectual property as we continue to see more activity in this area. Andrew has a background in aerospace and electrical engineering. Before going to law school, he worked at NASA as a flight controller and systems engineer on the Hubble Space Telescope and several Space Shuttle missions. Andrew also worked as an aerospace design engineer at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. I have known Paul for years and am thrilled to join him and the high-caliber team of IP attorneys at Blank Rome, noted Andrew. I was so impressed with the firms depth of talent, particularly in IP litigation, and the collaborative atmosphere they have across practices and industry teams. Im excited to work with all of my new colleagues to support my clients, drawing upon the firms depth and breadth of service offerings and geographic reach. Beyond his IP practice, Andrew enjoys mentoring junior lawyers. He is an instructor for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy courses on trial and deposition skills. Additionally, he dedicates significant time to pro bono representation, often working with victims of human trafficking and sex trafficking to seek restitution and verdicts on their behalf. Andrew earned his J.D. with honors from The George Washington Law School and his B.S. from the University of Maryland. About Blank Rome Blank Rome is an Am Law 100 firm with 15 offices and 700 attorneys and principals who provide comprehensive legal and advocacy services to clients operating in the United States and around the world. Our professionals have built a reputation for their leading knowledge and experience across a spectrum of industries and are recognized for their commitment to pro bono work in their communities. Since our inception in 1946, Blank Romes culture has been dedicated to providing top-level service to all of our clients and has been rooted in the strength of our diversity and inclusion initiatives. For more information, please visit blankrome.com. ### Attachment WALTHAM, MA, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire Tecogen Inc. (OTCQX: TGEN), a clean energy company providing ultra-efficient and clean on-site power, heating and cooling equipment, is pleased to announce Abinand Rangesh, Tecogens Chief Executive Officer, will be presenting at the upcoming Sidoti Virtual Micro Cap Virtual Conference on January 17th at 10:45 AM Eastern. Investors and other interested individuals may access the virtual presentation at this link or register for the conference here at Sidoti Virtual Micro Cap Conference Registration One-on-One Meetings Tecogen will also be conducting one-on-one virtual meetings with qualified professional investors throughout the conference days of January 17th and 18th. To register and schedule a time with management, please follow this link: Sidoti Micro Cap Conference Registration About Sidoti & Company For more than two decades, Sidoti & Company ( http://www.sidoti.com ) has been a premier provider of independent securities research focused specifically on small and microcap companies and the institutions that invest their securities. The firm serves nearly 500 institutional clients in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., including many leading managers of portfolios with $200 million to $2 billion of assets. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements which may describe strategies, goals, outlooks or other non-historical matters, or projected revenues, income, returns or other financial measures, that may include words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "likely" or "may" and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. In addition to the Risk Factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under Risk Factors, factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from past and projected future results include demand for our products and services, the availability of incentives, rebates and tax benefits relating to our products, changes in the regulatory environment relating to our products, competing technological developments, and the availability of financing to fund our operations and growth. About Tecogen Tecogen Inc. designs, manufactures, sells, installs, and maintains high efficiency, ultra-clean, cogeneration products including combined heat and power, air conditioning systems and high-efficiency water heaters for residential, commercial, recreational and industrial use. The companys cost efficient, reliable, and environmentally friendly products for energy production nearly eliminate criteria pollutants and significantly reduce a customers carbon footprint. In business for over 35 years, Tecogen has shipped more than 3,200 units, supported by an established network of engineering, sales, and service personnel throughout North America. Aggregate run hours on Tecogens InVerde cogeneration systems exceed 6 million hours. For more information, please visit www.tecogen.com or contact us for a free Site Assessment . Tecogen, InVerde e+, Ilios, Tecochill, Tecofrost, Tecopack, Tecopower, and Ultera are registered trademarks of Tecogen Inc. Tecogen Media & Investor Relations Contact Information: Abinand Rangesh, CEO P: (781) 466-6487 E: Abinand.Rangesh@Tecogen.com Vancouver, January 3, 2024 - Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. (TSXV: PEMC) ("Pacific Empire", "PEMC" or the "Company"), a British Columbia copper-gold explorer, announces that it has closed the first tranche of the non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") announced on December 19, 2023. Under the first tranche of the Offering, the Company issued 9,000,000 common shares (the "Shares") at a price of $0.01 per Share, and 10,999,999 "Flow-through" shares (the "FT Shares") at a price of $0.015 per FT Share, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $255,000. The proceeds of the FT Shares portion of the first tranche of the Offering will be used for the exploration of the Company's Trident project, and the proceeds of the Shares portion of the first tranche of the Offering will be used for general corporate purposes and exploration of the Company's properties. In connection with the Private Placement, the Corporation has agreed to pay to Haywood Securities Inc. (the "Finder") a commission of 7% of the gross proceeds raised from the FT Shares sold to the purchasers by such Finder (the "Finder's Fee") payable in cash and issue to the Finders the number of Common Share purchase warrants (the "Broker Warrants") that equals 7% of the aggregate number of FT Shares placed by each of the Finder. Each Broker Warrant will entitle the Finder to purchase one Common Share Common Share at an exercise price of $0.02 for a period of 12 months from closing and at a price of $0.10 for the period from December 29, 2024 to December 29, 2026. All securities issued in connection with the first tranche of the Offering (being the Shares, the FT Shares, and the Finder's Warrants, are subject to a statutory hold period expiring April 30, 2024. Certain officers and directors of the Company participated in the Offering, purchasing in the aggregate 1,333,333 FT Shares for aggregate proceeds of $20,000, which constitutes a "related party transaction" for purposes of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). Such participation is exempt from the valuation and minority approval requirements of MI 61-101 by virtue of the fact that the Company is not listed on a specified market set out in section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101 and the value of FT Shares subscribed for by such officers and directors is less than $2,500,000 in accordance with the requirements of section 5.7(b) of MI 61-101. About Trident The Trident property is an exploration stage alkalic porphyry copper-gold-silver prospect with district-scale potential that is accessible by vehicle. The property is located approximately 50 km to the southeast of Northwest Copper Corp.'s Kwanika Deposit and 50 km to the northwest of Centrerra Gold's Mt. Milligan Mine. The property covers 6,618 hectares and is accessible by vehicle using well established logging roads. Copper mineralization on the property was first discovered in 1969, while following up on anomalous stream sediment samples. The following year Falconbridge optioned the property and over the next two years completed IP and magnetic surveys, geological mapping, soil sampling and diamond drilling. This work identified the A Zone. Additional exploration programs were completed by Kookaburra Gold Corp. from 1988 through 1991, Solomon Resources Ltd., from 2006 through 2008. In 2013 PEMC optioned the property. The following year PEMC optioned the property to Oz Minerals. In 2014 Oz completed a significant IP survey and two diamond drill holes at Trident. In 2022, Pacific Empire acquired a 100% interest in the property in exchange for granting the vendors a 2% net smelter return royalty ("NSR"). One-half (1%) of the 2% NSR may be purchased for $500,000 by Pacific Empire. Prior to 2014, mineralization on the property was believed to be associated with fracture and/or shear zones that strike 120 degrees and dip 75 degrees to the northeast. Review of historical drill core by Pacific Empire has led to a much different interpretation with respect to the nature of mineralization on the property. The most important observation was the presence of hornblende-feldspar monzonite porphyry intrusions in drill core from the A Zone. These porphyry intrusions are characterized by sheeted quartz sulphide veins and disseminated chalcopyrite and bornite immediately adjacent to and within the porphyry dikes. The highest grades in historical drilling are directly associated with intervals where such porphyry intrusions occur. South Hogem Copper-Gold Belt To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/193108_054d0afa64335b0e_002full.jpg "The gold in the vial in the above image came from the river that divides Trident and Pinnacle projects. It was collected by PEMC by panning over the course of a number of days. I am not sure if it came from Trident or Pinnacle or ideally both," commented Brad Peters, President and CEO of Pacific Empire. "It does suggest though that there is certainly the potential in this area for a significant gold-enriched copper deposit. At a conference when I was young I was told that if I ever find visible gold on a copper property, keep looking. So far I have encountered visible gold at Trident in outcrop, in the river and at Pinnacle in drill core." Highlights from Historical Drilling at Trident To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/193108_054d0afa64335b0e_003full.jpg About Pinnacle The Pinnacle project is located 60 km to the west of Centerra Gold's Mt. Milligan Copper-Gold Mine and 30 km to the southeast of NorthWest Copper's Kwanika Copper-Gold Deposit in a proven copper-gold porphyry district. Access to the Pinnacle is by road including a new and expanding network of logging roads and trails throughout the main target areas. This improved access is a major development and is anticipated to contribute to cost effective drill support and bedrock exposure. "We are truly excited to have Pinnacle back as it is fully permitted for diamond drilling, in addition work by Teako advanced our understanding of the Aplite Ridge target area. Over the past 2 years significant logging operations have developed a road network that now covers the entirety of the southern half of the property. The 2023 forest fires dramatically affected the property, further opening it up," commented Brad Peters, President and CEO of Pacific Empire. Qualified Person Kristian Whitehead, P.Geo., serves as a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed the scientific and technical information in this news release, approving the disclosure herein. About Pacific Empire Pacific Empire is a copper exploration company based in Vancouver, British Columbia and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PEMC. The Company has a district scale land position in north-central British Columbia totaling 22,541 hectares. British Columbia is a "Green" copper jurisdiction with abundant hydroelectric power, access and infrastructure in close proximity to the end market. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, "Brad Peters" President and Chief Executive Officer Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. Tel: +1-604-356-6246 brad@pemcorp.ca www.pemcorp.ca Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation: closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or around December 31, 2023, the funds will be used for exploration on its flagship Trident copper-gold-silver project and for general working purposes, are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers, directors or promoters with certain other projects; the absence of dividends; competition; dilution; the volatility of our common share price and volume and the additional risks identified the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statement or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO US NEWSWIRE SERVICES NOR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/193108 Vancouver, January 3, 2024 - Myriad Uranium Corp. (CSE: M) (OTCQB: MYRUF) (FSE: C3Q) ("Myriad" or the "Company") announced today that it has issued an aggregate of 1,425,000 stock options to directors, officers and consultants of the Company. Each option is exercisable for one common share at an exercise price of $0.20 per share for five years from the date of grant. Certain directors and officers of the Company received stock options, and such issuance of stock options is considered to be a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI 61-101"). This is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of such issuance of stock options does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. About Myriad Uranium Corp. Myriad Uranium Corp. is a uranium exploration company with an earnable 75% interest in the 1,911 acre Copper Mountain Uranium Project in Wyoming, USA. Copper Mountain hosts several known uranium deposits and historic uranium mines, including the Arrowhead Mine which produced 500,000 lbs of eU 3 O 8 . Copper Mountain saw extensive drilling and development by Rocky Mountain Energy, a subsidiary of Union Pacific, which developed a mine plan and built a leach pad for one of the deposits at Copper Mountain. Operations ceased in 1980 before mining could commence due to falling uranium prices. Approximately 2,000 boreholes have been drilled at Copper Mountain and the project area has significant exploration upside. Rocky Mountain Energy is estimated to have spent US$74 million (2023 dollars) exploring and developing Copper Mountain, generating significant historical resource estimates which are detailed here. Myriad also holds 80% ownership of over 1,800 km2 of uranium exploration licenses in the Tim Mersoi Basin, Niger, and the option to earn up to 100%. These licenses are surrounded by many of the most significant uranium deposits in Africa, including Orano's 384 Mlbs eU 3 O 8 Imouraren, Global Atomic's 236 Mlbs Dasa, and Goviex's 100 Mlbs Madaouela, and on the same fault structures. Myriad also has a 50% interest in the Millen Mountain Property in Nova Scotia, Canada, with the other 50% held by Probe Metals Inc. For further information, please refer to Myriad's disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), contact Myriad by telephone at +1.604.418.2877, or refer to Myriad's website at www.myriaduranium.com. A recent interview with Crux Investors is here. A video overview of the Copper Mountain Project is here. The Company's factsheet is here. Myriad Contacts: Thomas Lamb President and CEO tlamb@myriaduranium.com Forward-Looking Statements Mineralization hosted on adjacent or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's properties. This news release contains "forward-looking information" that is based on the Company's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. This forward-looking information includes, among other things, the Company's business, plans, outlook and business strategy. The words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "likely", "expect," "anticipate," "intend", "estimate", "plan", "forecast", "project" and "believe" or other similar words and phrases are intended to identify forward-looking information. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect, including with respect to the Company's business plans respecting the exploration and development of the Company's mineral properties, the proposed work program on the Company's mineral properties and the potential and economic viability of the Company's mineral properties. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: changes in economic conditions or financial markets; increases in costs; litigation; legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; and technological or operational difficulties. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect our forward-looking information. These and other factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/193113 LONDON, Jan. 4, 2024 - Landore Resources Ltd. (AIM: LND) ("Landore Resources" or the "Company") announces that it has conditionally raised 600,000 before expenses by way of a placing (the "Placing") and a subscription (the "Subscription") of, in aggregate, 25,000,000 new ordinary shares of nil par value each in the capital of the Company ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 2.4 pence per share (the "New Ordinary Shares") (together, the "Fundraising"). The New Ordinary Shares will represent approximately 17.01 per cent. of the Company's enlarged issued share capital. The Fundraising price of 2.4 pence (the "Fundraising Price") represents a discount of approximately 22.58 per cent. to the mid-market closing price on AIM of 3.1 pence per Ordinary Share on 3 January 2024, being the latest practicable business day prior to the publication of this announcement. Of the, in aggregate, 25,000,000 New Ordinary Shares, 14,700,000 New Ordinary Shares have been placed utilising the Company's existing authority to allot shares for cash on a non-pre-emptive basis (the "Firm Placing Shares"). The issue of the balance of 10,300,000 New Ordinary Shares (comprising 7,383,333 New Ordinary Shares to be issued pursuant to the Placing (the "Conditional Placing Shares") and 2,916,667 New Ordinary Shares to be issued pursuant to the Subscription (the "Subscription Shares"), together the "Conditional Fundraising Shares") is conditional, inter alia, on the Company obtaining the requisite shareholder approvals in respect of the issue of such shares from its Shareholders at a forthcoming general meeting to be convened shortly (the "General Meeting"). Novum Securities Limited ("Novum") has entered into an agreement with Landore Resources (the "Placing Agreement") pursuant to which, subject to the conditions set out therein, Novum has been instructed by Landore Resources to assume the duties of placing agent to procure subscribers for the Firm Placing Shares and the Conditional Placing Shares. The Placing Agreement contains customary provisions including that the Placing Agreement can be terminated, inter alia, if (i) there is a breach of any material warranty, or any of the other obligations on the Company which is material in the context of the Placing; (ii) in the reasonable opinion of Novum there has occurred a material adverse change in the business of, or the financial or trading position of, the Company, or (iii) the name or reputation of Novum is likely to be prejudiced if it continues to act as placing agent. In addition, the Company has entered into subscription letters with certain individuals in respect of the issue of the Subscription Shares. The Company has also agreed, subject to shareholder approval at the General Meeting, to issue 1,500,000 'broker' warrants to Novum, giving them the right to acquire such number of new Ordinary Shares at an exercise price of 2.4 pence for a period of three years from the date of admission of the Conditional Fundraising Shares. The net proceeds of the Fundraising will be used for general working capital purposes and to progress the Company's strategy of focusing on the advancement of its flagship BAM Gold Project at the Junior Lake property in Northwestern Ontario. Directors' Participation in the Fundraising The following directors of the Company are participating in the Subscription for an investment, in aggregate, of 40,000. Director No. of Subscription Shares subscribed for pursuant to the Fundraising Resulting holding of Ordinary Shares Resulting percentage of enlarged share capital held on completion of the Fundraising Helen Green 416,667 664,307 0.45 Glenn Featherby 1,250,000 4,976,053 3.38 Related Party Transactions Helen Green and Glenn Featherby have subscribed for, in aggregate, 1,666,667 new Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Subscription as set out above. In addition, William Humphries, a former director of the Company within the last 12 months, has subscribed for 1,250,000 new Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Subscription. The participation in the Subscription by Helen Green and Glenn Featherby, as directors of the Company, and William Humphries as a former director of the Company, are deemed to constitute related party transactions under the AIM Rules for Companies. Accordingly, the independent director, being Huw Salter, having consulted with the Company's Nominated Adviser, Strand Hanson Limited, considers the terms of such participations to be fair and reasonable insofar as the Company's shareholders are concerned. Circular A circular relating to the Fundraising (the "Circular") will be posted to shareholders shortly, and a further announcement will be made in due course in this regard. The Circular will contain formal notice convening the requisite General Meeting to approve, inter alia, issue of the Conditional Fundraising Shares. The General Meeting is currently expected to be held in late January 2024 at La Tonnelle House, Les Banques, St Sampson, Guernsey, GY1 3HS which shareholders will also be permitted to attend online in accordance with the instructions to be set out in the notes to the formal notice. The Circular will be made available to view on the Company's website at: www.landore.com once published. Board Changes In light of the termination of the proposed non-brokered private placement in Canada and postponement of the proposed dual listing on the TSX Venture Exchange, as announced on 8 December 2023, and in order to reduce costs and maximise deployment of cash resources on operational activities, the Company's CEO, Claude Lemasson, and Non-Executive Director, Larry Strauss, have resigned from their respective positions effective immediately. Accordingly, Glenn Featherby has assumed the role of interim CEO with Helen Green and Huw Salter continuing to serve as Non-Executive Directors. Michele Tuomi will continue as CEO of Landore Resources Canada Inc. and will be responsible for the Company's project operations. The composition of the Board will be reviewed on a regular basis and it is currently intended to appoint an additional Non-Executive Director with technical expertise to strengthen the Board in due course. The Board would like to thank Claude and Larry for their efforts. Operational Update During 2023 an infill and extension soil sampling programme was conducted over 17 kilometres of the Junior Lake shear zone, from the Placer Dome Gold prospect in the west to east of the BAM Gold Deposit. This regional shear zone has previously proven to be highly prospective for gold and battery metals hosting the 1.5 million ounce BAM Gold Deposit, the B4-7 Nickel-Copper-Cobalt-PGE Deposit, and the VW Nickel Deposit. Preliminary results from the 2023 soil sampling programme have been encouraging and will be reported once fully collated and interpreted. In addition, a drill core infill sampling programme was also carried out in 2023 on an area from the BAM Gold Deposit through to the Lamaune Gold Prospect approximately 11 kilometres along strike west of the BAM Gold Deposit. This programme was designed to further test for gold mineralisation and refine the Junior Lake geological model by obtaining further mineralisation, lithology and structural data. Results of the infill core sampling programme will also be reported in due course. The Company expects all of the results from the abovementioned work to be received and reported on during Q1 2024. A drilling programme to advance the Company's flagship BAM Gold Project has been prepared for implementation in 2024. Accordingly, the Company will be exploring additional funding options to enable it to, inter alia, proceed with such drilling campaign at the earliest opportunity in 2024, as well as exploring potential strategic investor, merger or sale opportunities in relation to its Canadian subsidiary. The Company will provide further updates in due course as appropriate. Admission and Total Voting Rights Application will be made to the London Stock Exchange for admission of the Firm Placing Shares to trading on AIM ("Admission"). The Firm Placing Shares will rank pari passu with the existing Ordinary Shares and it is expected that Admission will become effective and dealings commence at 8.00 a.m. on or around 18 January 2024. On Admission, the Company's issued share capital will consist of 136,713,058 Ordinary Shares with voting rights. Landore Resources does not hold any Ordinary Shares in treasury. This figure of 136,713,058 may therefore be used by shareholders in the Company following Admission as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the share capital of the Company under the UK Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. A further announcement will be made in due course with respect to application for admission of the Conditional Fundraising Shares which will, inter alia, be conditional on the receipt of shareholder approval at the forthcoming General Meeting. Interim Chief Executive Officer, Glenn Featherby, said: "Despite a period of significant challenges and difficult market conditions, I believe the opportunity exists for the Company to reset its goals and restore value for shareholders. The Board of Directors are confident that we will have a year of progress in 2024, with our operational focus being on the Company's highly prospective BAM Gold Deposit, seeking to bring the Resource to the development stage. We appreciate the continued patience and support of our shareholders during this transition period." About Landore Resources Landore Resources Ltd. is an exploration/development company that seeks to grow shareholder value through the advanced exploration and development of precious and battery metals projects in eastern Canada. The Company is primarily focused on the development of its 100% owned BAM Gold Project, located on the Junior Lake Property in Northwestern Ontario. The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended by virtue of the Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. PDMR Notification Forms 1. Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated a) Name 1. Helen Green 2. Glenn Featherby 2. Reason for the Notification a) Position/status 1. Non-Executive Director 2. Chief Executive Officer b) Initial notification/amendment Initial notification 3. Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor a) Name Landore Resources Ltd. b) LEI 21380019CJ5T1PNY3Q69 4. Details of the transaction(s):section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv)each place where transactions have been conducted a) Description of the Financial instrument, type of instrument Ordinary shares of nil par value each in the share capital of Landore Resources Ltd. Identification code GG00BMX4VR69 b) Nature of the Transaction Participation in Subscription for new Ordinary Shares c) Price(s) and volume(s) Price(s) 1. 2.4p 2. 2.4p Volume(s) 1. 416,667 2. 1,250,000 d) Aggregated information Aggregated volume Price Aggregate volume: 1,666,667 Aggregate price: 2.4p e) Date of the transaction 3 January 2024 f) Place of the transaction Outside of an exchange SOURCE Landore Resources Ltd. Vancouver, January 4, 2024 - Equity Metals Corp. (TSXV: EQTY) (OTCQB: EQMEF) (the "Company" or "Equity Metals") has granted incentive stock options to directors, officers and consultants to purchase 3,650,000 common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $0.12 per share, exercisable for a period of five years. The stock options are subject to the terms and conditions of Equity Metals' stock option plan and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. Silver Queen Project Update Equity continued core drilling on its Flagship Silver Queen property during 2023 with the twin goals of extending select known mineralized veins and of identifying new mineralization that may further increase the project's resource base, for which an independent 2022 resource estimate demonstrated a significant increase compared to the Company's 2019 resource. Importantly, the Company conducted initial drilling on two exciting targets that are not included in the current Silver Queen resource, George Lake and Cole Lake. Drill results from these two targets during 2023 suggest that shareholders can look forward to continued encouraging news flow about Silver Queen, with the next round of drilling planned to begin early in the spring of 2024. Twenty-six core holes were completed in 2023 for a total of 9,989 metres drilled and 1,437 soil sediment samples were collected. Drilling successfully demonstrated lateral and down-dip extensions of the known deposits and confirmed the significant exploration potential of the new George Lake and Cole Lake targets. Soil sampling results confirmed and extended the surface expression of several known zones of mineralization as well as highlighted an exciting new 1 km2 polymetallic soil target located just north of the Camp Deposit. Assay results from the final six holes of the 2023 campaign are pending and will be released shortly. Drilling in 2024 will focus on systematic resource expansion of the Camp and Sveinson deposits and the further delineation of mineralization at the Cole Lake and George Lake targets. Several additional new targets will be tested in 2024 including the newly identified soil anomaly north of the Camp Deposit. An initial 6000 metres of drilling is planned to test these targets. About Equity Metals Corporation Equity Metals Corp. is a member of the Malaspina-Manex Group. The Company owns 100% interest, with no underlying royalty, in the Silver Queen project, located along the Skeena Arch in the Omineca Mining Division, British Columbia. The property hosts high-grade, precious- and base-metal veins related to a buried porphyry system, which has been only partially delineated. The Company also has a controlling JV interest (57.49%) in the Monument Diamond project, NWT, strategically located in the Lac De Gras district within 40 km of both the Ekati and Diavik diamond mines. The Company also has royalty and working interests in other Canadian properties, which are being evaluated further to determine their value to the Company. Robert Macdonald, MSc. P.Geo, is VP Exploration of Equity Metals Corp. and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. He is responsible for the supervision of the exploration on the Silver Queen project and for the preparation of the technical information in this disclosure. On behalf of the Board of Directors "Joseph Anthony Kizis, Jr." Joseph Anthony Kizis, Jr., P.Geo President, Director, Equity Metals Corp. For further information, visit the website at www.equitymetalscorporation.com; or contact us at 604.641.2759 or by email at corpdev@mnxltd.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Equity Metals Corp. does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/193122 RENO, Jan. 04, 2024 - NuLegacy Gold reports that it is suspending further exploration of its Red Hill Property. This suspension is due to the lack of any meaningful results in the second hole of the 2023 program combined with the failure to fully complete the Sept 2023 common share offering which was seeking C$ 2.5 million. NuLegacy will now explore various options for the Red Hill Property. The second hole, IS23-02 (a vertical hole 2,000 feet deep) intercepted 365 feet, or 111 metres of Wenban Unit 5 in the main target zone below the CMZ-G fault (745-1110 ft). While there were numerous faults and a continuous breccia zone 100 feet thick, there was no strong Carlin-type alteration throughout or below the main target, thus no strong geochemical signature to guide further targeting. Based on significant being 10 feet or more of 0.1 g/t Au or higher, there were no significant intervals of gold in the hole. NuLegacy Gold Corp. further reports that at its annual general meeting held on December 29, 2023, a total of 200.8 million common shares or approximately 32.41% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares were represented. Shareholders voted in favor of all items of business before the meeting, including the appointment of DeVisser Gray LLP as the Company's auditor and the election of the following directors for the ensuing year: Albert Matter, Alex Davidson, John Budreski and Roger Steininger. The Company also announces a change in Corporate Secretary. Mr. Gregory Chu, who has acted as NuLegacy's Corporate Secretary since its inception, has recently retired from law practice. The Company would like to thank him for his many years of exceptional service as NuLegacy's legal counsel and Corporate Secretary. Mr. Xavier Wenzel, CPA, CA, NuLegacy's Chief Financial Officer, will assume the position of Corporate Secretary. Sampling Methodology, Chain of Custody, Quality Control and Quality Assurance: All sampling was conducted under the supervision of the Company's project geologists and the chain of custody from the project to the independent sample preparation facility, American Assay Labs in Sparks, NV, was continuously monitored. The samples were crushed, pulverized and sample pulps were analysed using industry standard fire assay methods. A blank or certified reference material was inserted approximately every 20th sample. Data verification of the analytical results included a statistical analysis of the standards and blanks that must pass certain parameters for acceptance to ensure accurate and verifiable results. About NuLegacy Gold: Exploration: NuLegacy is focused on exploring for high-grade Carlin-style gold deposits on its premier 108 sq. km (42 sq. mile) district scale Red Hill property. The Red Hill is on trend/adjacentI to three of Nevada Gold Mines' most profitable multi-million ounce Carlin-type gold mines; the Pipeline, Cortez and GoldrushII with their massive 50+ million ounces gold endowment. These are three of the world's thirty largest, lowest cost, highest grade, and politically safest gold mines, producing annually circa 3% of the world's gold. I The similarity and proximity of these deposits in the Cortez Trend including Goldrush are not necessarily indicative of the gold mineralization in NuLegacy's Red Hill Property. II Currently structured as an underground mine Goldrush contains P&P: 7.8 M oz @ 7.29 g/t; M&I: 8.5 M oz @ 7.07 g/t (inclusive of P&P); and Inferred: 4.5 M oz @ 6.0 g/t (as of December 31, 2021). Source: Corporate presentation of Nevada Gold Mines - Goldrush Underground dated September 22, 2022. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF NuLegacy Gold Corp. Albert J. Matter, Chief Executive Officer & Cofounding Director Tel: +1 (604) 639-3640; Email: albert@nuggold.com For more information about NuLegacy visit: www.nulegacygold.com or www.sedarplus.ca Dr. Roger Steininger, a Director of NuLegacy, is a Certified Professional Geologist (CPG 7417) and the qualified person as defined by NI 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, responsible for approving the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains forward-looking information and statements under applicable securities laws, which information and/or statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and beliefs based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking information and statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, actual results of exploration activities and drilling, unanticipated geological, stratigraphic and structural formations, misinterpretation or incorrect analysis of projected geological structures, alterations and mineralization, environmental risks, operating risks, adverse weather conditions, accidents, labor issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, inability to secure drilling equipment and/or contractors on a timely basis or at all, delays in receipt of assay results from third party laboratories, inflation, future prices for gold, changes in personnel and other risks in the mining industry. There are no assurances that the net proceeds from the Offering will be sufficient to complete the Company's proposed 2023 fall/winter drill program in its entirety. Furthermore, there are no known mineral resources or reserves in the Red Hill Property, the proposed drill program is an exploratory search for ore and the presence of gold resources on properties adjacent or near the Red Hill Property including the Goldrush deposit is not necessarily indicative of the gold mineralization on the Red Hill Property. There is also uncertainty about the continued spread and severity of COVID-19, the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, elevated inflation and high interest rates and the impact they will have on the NuLegacy's operations, personnel, supply chains, ability to raise capital, access properties or procure exploration equipment, supplies, contractors, and other personnel on a timely basis or at all and economic activity in general. All the forward-looking information and statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking information and statements in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances save as required by applicable law. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information and statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Xiaomi today announced its Redmi Note 13 series of smartphones in India, and we have the flagship Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G in for review. The first thing we noticed about this device is Xiaomi's new packaging. The company has moved to all-red packaging for its Redmi devices and all future devices will share the same look going forward. Inside the packaging, we have the usual affair for the Indian market, which includes the phone, a charger, a cable, and a case. The case has transitioned from a clear design to an all-black silicone, which should alleviate concerns about the clear plastic yellowing with time. The case does leave a rather large gaping hole at the top for aesthetic reasons, which doesn't make this the most durable option for your phone. The new case The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G has a 6.67-inch, 2712 x 1220 resolution curved AMOLED display. It is capable of 120Hz refresh rate with a 240Hz touch sampling rate. The display is capable of 100% DCI-P3 coverage with 500 nits of standard brightness and 1800 nits of peak brightness. The phone also gets Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support. The phone has a glass back design with a plastic frame. Xiaomi has included IP68 dust and water resistance, making it far more durable even in rough conditions than its predecessor. Inside, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 7200-Ultra, which seems to be a variant of the MediaTek 7200 for this device. It's an octa-core chip with 2x Cortex-A715 cores and 6x Cortex-A510 cores and is based on the newest 4nm fabrication process. You also get LPDDR5 memory and UFS 3.1 storage in 8+256GB, 12+256GB, and 12+512GB variants. The phone has a trio of cameras on the back, consisting of a 200MP Samsung ISOCELL HP3 sensor capable of shooting in 12.5MP and native 200MP with 2x and 4x lossless digital zoom using a center crop on the sensor. The phone also has an 8MP ultra-wide and a 2MP macro. On the front is a 16MP fixed-focus camera. The phone comes with MIUI 14.0.1 and Android 13 out of the box but will be among the first Xiaomi devices to get Android 14 and HyperOS update this year. Finally, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G is powered by a 5000mAh battery and the phone supports 120W charging. As we saw earlier, the packaging includes the 120W charger, which can charge the phone from 0-100% in just 19 minutes. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G is priced at INR 31,999 for the 8+256GB version, INR 33,999 for the 12+256GB version, and INR 35,999 for the 12+512GB version. It will be available in three colors, Fusion Black, Fusion Purple, and the Fusion White pictured here. Check back next week for a more detailed hands-on. Sen. Frank Blas Jr. said he is disappointed and concerned that $2 million in merit bonuses that were supposed to be paid by Dec. 31, 2023 have not been given out. Public law requires all meritorious bonus payments owed to government of Guam employees and retirees from fiscal 2012 to present. The fiscal 2024 budget statute, Public Law 37-42, contains a provision that required all meritorious bonuses owed be paid by Dec. 31. How the government has money for pay raises, incentive payouts, and above-step salary increases, and not for the obligation of paying the merit bonuses owed to deserving employees and retirees is unacceptable and outright wrong. These individuals earned it with their outstanding performances, and to say, Yes you deserve it but were not going to pay it is disingenuous and demoralizing, Blas said in a release. Department of Administration Director Edward Birn, in a letter to Blas on Dec. 29, said bonuses earned during the Leon Guerrero-Tenorio administration have been paid. Unpaid bonuses generally relate to a period before the administration took office, he wrote. DOA and Adelup agree that those who have earned merit bonuses for their job performance should be paid, he wrote. It is unfortunate that these bonus commitments were made at a time when there was insufficient funding to honor such commitments, Birn wrote. In his discussion with Birn, Blas was informed that of the approximate $9 million owed for merit bonuses, $7 million had already been paid out, a release from his office states. According to DOA numbers, a little more than $2 million in merit bonuses still need to be paid out. P.L. 37-42 didnt provide the necessary funding to pay these bonuses which have remained unpaid for so many years, Birn wrote. The Bureau of Budget and Management Research advised agencies to pay the bonuses from fiscal 2024 budgets since funds for these budgets were appropriated under the budget legislation, he said However, not all agencies have sufficient funding within their appropriate budgets to sustain such payments. DOA is working with these agencies to fund payments. The majority of outstanding bonuses relate to employees who have since retired or terminated, Birn wrote. He said it would have been preferable for the Legislature to have recognized the expense and appropriated funding for this overdue obligation. The administration has taken several steps to recognize the work of government employees since taking office. As noted above, merit bonuses earned during its tenure have been paid, merit bonuses being earned currently are paid, pay scales have been reviewed and updated. Not all these initiatives received unanimous support from the Legislature, Birn wrote. He said he hopes the payment of previously unpaid bonuses will receive the support necessary to provide agencies a proper funding source to match the requirement without impacting current obligations. I had been asking the administration for months up to and through the budget discussions for the amounts necessary to pay the bonuses, and when they failed to provide it, it was like, OK, you must believe that you have enough within your budget, so pay it with that, Blas said. The senator said the administration should have not ignored the obligation and provided the Legislature with information on the amounts necessary to satisfy the debt. Birn told Blas that the delay with the remainder of the merit bonuses payment was due to agencies not providing the necessary paperwork and the fear that agencies had in not having enough to fund their operations for the rest of the fiscal year, according to the release. The administration had ample time and opportunity to discuss the funding during the budget process. Their silence was either because they believed they had enough money in their allocations, or they simply wanted to ignore the obligation. Their reasons then, are now just excuses, Blas said. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Frances M. Tydingco-Gatewood announced the appointment of attorney Rodney J. Jacob as the Ninth Circuit Lawyer Coordinating Committee representative for the District of Guam, starting Jan. 4. As the District of Guams lawyer representative, Jacob will work to improve the overall delivery of public service by the District Court of Guam by enhancing access to the court system and fostering open communication between lawyers and judges, according to a press release from the federal court. As the primary liaison between the federal bench and the practicing federal bar, Jacob is tasked with chairing the annual district conference in accordance with national guidelines and will publish the Annual District Report for Guam and present that report to the Ninth Circuit. Additionally, Jacob will attend and participate in the annual Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, and in the conference resolution process. He will also educate members of the bar generally about the conference and solicit their reviews. Jacob has served on committees at the District Court of Guam, including the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, the Civil Local Rules of Practice Committee, and the Annual District Conference Committees from 2009 to 2018. He also has coordinated U.S. Department of the Interior and the Ninth Circuit sponsored ADR educational and training programs for the courts and bars of all the U.S. territories and insular areas, and has coordinated numerous conferences for the bench and bars of the CNMI and Palau. In 2018, he was presented with the District Court of Guams Cristobal C. Duenas Excellence Award. Jacob is also a partner in Calvo Jacob and Pangelinans Guam office and past president of the Guam Bar Association. His current clients include numerous regional and Japanese corporations in Guam, the CNMI, and the United States. He has extensive experience representing commercial clients in complex cross-border litigation and mediation, with experience in conducting U.S. discovery in Japan. He is admitted to the bar in California, Guam, and the CNMI and currently serves as the Guam Commissioner for Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. He received his B.S. (1986) and J.D. (1989) from Georgetown University. He was the law clerk to Judge Lawrence Howard, Arizona Court of Appeals (1989-1990) and to Chief Justice Jose Dela Cruz, CNMI Supreme Court (1993- 1995). He grew up in Tucson, Arizona. Some airline passengers attempted to experience two New Years Eve celebrations or time travel but a United Airlines flight from Guam on the first day of 2024 that was supposed to land in Honolulu still in the year 2023 got delayed. They didnt get to travel back in time as hoped for. Last week, United announced on its social media platforms that time travel is real. You only live once, but you can celebrate New Years Eve twice! the airline posted, getting passengers excited about the experience. While going back in time happens regularly because of flights through time zones, a travel back in time between two years is more fascinating to some, so some airlines market the New Years flight as such. Back to the Guam-Honolulu flight: The plan was for a United flight to take off from Guam on Jan. 1, 2024, at 7:35 a.m., and arrive in Honolulu, Hawaii at 6:50 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2023 {span}{/span} a travel back in time, across time zones. But the Guam flight didnt take off until 1:49 p.m. or about six hours later on Jan. 1, 2024. So by the time it got to Hawaii, it was also Jan. 1, 2024, at almost 1 a.m. Some passengers took to social media to share what could have been a neat time travel, flying in 2024 and landing in 2023, were it not for the flight delay. Well this didnt age well since the flight arrived in 2024, one wrote, while another said, The flight unfortunately got delayed making this time travel flight not happen. United has yet to respond to media questions regarding the delayed flight. Pepsi Guam Bottling has agreed to pay $132,000 in penalties and implement enhanced workplace safety program after exposing workers to amputation hazards, according to a Jan. 3 release from the U.S. Department of Labor. The settlement with Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, includes the creation of a joint employee-management safety committee. OSHA started inspecting Pepsis facility in the Harmon Industrial Park in October 2022 and by the first quarter of 2023, USDOL cited the company after safety inspectors found several safety violations at the facility, including disabled safety features on a bottle labeling machine. This week, USDOL announced it has reached a settlement agreement with Pepsi after an inspection by OSHA found the company exposed employees to amputation and other serious injuries. The settlement with OSHA before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission required Pepsi Guam Bottling to pay $132,591 in penalties, abate the safety failures found in OSHAs investigation, and implement a comprehensive safety and health program to protect workers moving forward. An independent federal agency, OSHRC decides contested citations or penalties OSHA issues to employers after workplace inspections. The agreement to enhance its safety culture requires Pepsi Guam Bottling to: Develop a written, comprehensive safety and health program. Allow a warrantless inspection of the facility, to be completed within the next 12 months. Form a safety and health committee between management and employees. Provide heat stress training to its employees. Pepsi Guam Bottlings agreement to boost its workplace safety protocols will help protect employees and put workers on an equal footing thanks to their inclusion in a new safety and health committee, according to OSHA Regional Administrator James Wulff in San Francisco, in a statement. Wulff said OSHA will closely monitor the terms of this settlement agreement and provide any assistance needed or required to ensure compliance. Empowering workers to take action on workplace safety is critically important, said Regional Solicitor Marc Pilotin in San Francisco. The creation of a joint employee-management safety committee to improve this companys safety culture in Guam will be crucial to prevent avoidable injuries or calamities. The settlement follows an OSHA inspection in October 2022 that determined the employer exposed workers to amputation and other serious injuries by leaving the machines guard doors open and permitting a safety proximity switch to be deactivated. The agency found the company failed to protect workers from operating machine parts and proposed penalties totaling $180,807 for one willful violation, one repeat violation, and six serious violations. Have an idea? Want to praise or comment on something? Submit your letter to the editor. The results are in, and the Crescent City has taken the crown. Last year, viral TikTok food critic Keith Lee traveled the nation in an epic five-month-long road trip in search of the countrys top dining destinations. In a final culmination video posted Dec. 28, Lee ranked his eight Food Stops of 2023 from best to worst: New Orleans came out on top, while Atlanta landed smack at the bottom. (For those whove been following Lees channel, the Georgia capitals abysmal year-end score comes as no surprise.) Here is the full ranking of Keith Lees Food Stops of 2023: New Orleans Houston Chicago Las Vegas Los Angeles Detroit New York Atlanta The formula for Lees reviews is simple. The 27-year-old former MMA fighter visits local restaurants recommended by his followers ranging from mom-and-pop joints to large chains then rates each component of the meal from one to 10, all filmed from the front seat of his car. Lees dead-pan sense of humor and down-to-earth presentation style has skyrocketed his channel to fame in the past two years. Hes become recognizable enough that family members must order for him, in order to avoid unwanted star treatment. Despite going to lengths to hide his identity, Lee said it was New Orleans warm sense of hospitality that set the city apart from other destinations. We felt like family, Lee said in the video. It felt like I was going to my cousins house. As for the food, well: I left 15 pounds heavier; that is not an exaggeration. Among his destinations: Monday Restaurant + Bar, Sweet Thangs by NOLASIPS, and Kajunlicious Food Therapy. Each restaurant gained over 10,000 followers on social media following Lees reviews. NOT TO TOOT OUR OWN HORNS, but are we SURPRISED that NEW ORLEANS ranked #1? the owners of Kajunlicious Food Therapy wrote on Instagram. Like weve told you already (Keith), youre welcomed whenever. On the other end of the spectrum, Lees visit to Atlanta proved polarizing. Throughout his tour, the critic repeatedly mentioned restaurants unique surcharges and inane list of rules required for dining in. Butters a dollar? At a breakfast place? Lee asked in one video, before chowing down on an order of French toast and salmon croquettes. Cardi B soon chimed in on an Instagram Live, saying she can barely order in Atlanta restaurants unless she drops her name, and that (these) restaurants, they dont like to make money. Although Lees criticism was delivered in his quintessentially polite fashion, the effects of the reviews were immediate: One restaurant, the Real Milk and Honey, says they received vitriolic death threats following a negative video. Lee responded that he received threats of his own and that he condemns any form of violence resulting from his TikToks. The cultural zeitgeist surrounding the trip grew so large that the Atlanta Journal Constitution gave Lees dining desecration its own name, saying the city had been Keith Leed. Two months later, ranking No. 8, it appears Atlanta was unable to recover from leaving a poor taste in the TikTokers mouth. Haiti - FLASH : Visa for Brazil good news The Brazil Visa Application Reception Center (BVAC) operated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Haiti announces some good news, for this new year 2024 which will allow better assistance to migrants. 1. Resumption of appointments for the humanitarian visa (VITEM 3) online will be available January 8, 2024. 2. The family reunification visa (VITEM 11) is still available from our manual kiosk (iomhaitivrf@iom.int). Please do not issue a humanitarian visa application at the kiosk. Download the list of all documents required for a VISA VITEM 11 family reunification application (PDF in French and Creole) : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/DOCUMENTS-REQUIS-POUR-LA-DEMANDE-DE-VISA-HUMANITAIRE-VITEM-XI_Francais-et-Creole.pdf 3. Our call center operates from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with agents ready to help you. Other information will come gradually for making appointments. Other important information: Visa application procedures : https://haiti.iom.int/fr/la-procedure-de-demande-de-visa BVAC address : Rue E. Pierre, 11 (US Embassy Area). Tabarre 27, Port-au-Prince - Haiti BVAC telephone numbers : 2817-0320/ 3163-6075/ 3170-9307 BVAC email address for general questions : bvachaiti@iom.int BVAC email address for VITEM 11 request : iomhaitivrf@iom.int HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... More than 14% of UEH hospital executives have left Haiti More than 14% of the executives of the UEH hospital have left the country reveals the Executive Director of the HUEH Jude Milce who advocates better supervision of doctors to encourage them to stay in Haiti. A public transport van set on fire A public transport van serving as a barricade was set on fire on Tuesday January 2nd in Mariani by armed individuals. Lifeless bodies were seen on the ground, the identities of which are unknown. PAM : new fund, new actions Thanks to a new contribution from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, WFP will help more than 50,000 people displaced by violence in Port-au-Prince: hot meals, cash assistance, nutritional screening and training. Corruption : Former Senator DelaCruz heared On Wednesday, former Senator Francisco DelaCruz was interviewed by investigating judge Al Duniel Dimanche as part of the report relating to the misappropriation of public property at the National Equipment Center (CNE) produced by the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC). The former parliamentarian rejects all allegations made against him. Will Martine Moise be will auditioned ? Wednesday January 3rd, 2024, Me Emmanuel Jeanty, Martine Moise's lawyer affirmed that his office had not received any correspondence from investigating judge Walter Wesser Voltaire concerning a possible hearing of his client in the United States. Furthermore, let's recall that Martine Moise had already asked the investigating judge to withdraw from the case due to legitimate suspicions. Furthermore, Me Emmanuel Jeanty considers that any trip by Judge Voltaire abroad to interview a person is illegal and according to him, Judge Voltaire has no other choice than to resort to mutual legal assistance between countries. Screening of the film "FREDA" in displaced peoples sites The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Haiti organized screening sessions of the film "FREDA" directed by Gessica Geneus in various sites of displaced people. An initiative that was a huge success among displaced people, providing an opportunity for entertainment while provoking deep reflection on aspects of forced migration. HL/ HaitiLibre Havre Police Department A bike was reported Wednesday at 8:53 a.m. abandoned in an empty lot on Second Street. -- Danielle May Limberhand of Havre, 24, was arrested on a state District Court Warrant after a caller on Ninth Avenue asked Wednesday at 10:16 a.m. for assistance removing some people from a property. -- A 10:34 a.m. Wednesday caller reported someone had hit-and-run a fence on First Street Northeast. -- A written or verbal warning was issued after a caller near the post office reported a German shepherd-type dog was chasing people Wednesday at 12:07 p.m. -- Tyler Jordan H... Members of a self-help group collect monthly contributions and maintain data for their records in Bihar, India. Photo by Pranab K. Aich/Heifer International. For vulnerable groups struggling with poverty and income inequality, financial inclusion and financial institutions can be a crucial bridge to a brighter future. By offering individuals and families support and tools to save their hard-earned money, they can build resilience and savings to prepare for shocks or plan for the future. Financial inclusion can also be a force of global empowerment and equalization. In a world where 1.4 billion people remain unbanked or underbanked, gaining access to financial services can be a transformative step toward economic prosperity. Exclusion from financial products and services significantly impacts traditionally underserved groups, including the poor, women, rural farmers and people operating small to medium-sized enterprises. Financial inclusion equips these individuals with the means to save, invest and grow their incomes, ultimately shielding them from the financial hardships that poverty and income inequality impose. What Is Financial Inclusion? Women of a local self-help group in India attend a monthly financial meeting. Photo by Pranab K. Aich/Heifer International. The goal of financial inclusion is to ensure that financial services, such as savings, credit, loans and insurance, are accessible to all segments of society, especially those that have been historically marginalized or underserved. The World Bank considers financial inclusion a key component for eradicating extreme poverty and cultivating shared prosperity. Financial inclusion serves as a bridge to full-scale participation in the formal economy. With access to financial tools, individuals can grow their businesses, save for emergencies and help their communities. What Are the Barriers to Financial Inclusion? Financial inclusion remains a challenge in low and middle-income countries, hindering economic development and perpetuating poverty for millions of people. Several barriers contribute to the problem. First and foremost is the lack of access to formal financial services, such as banking, savings accounts and credit. Rural communities, in particular, face significant barriers to financial inclusion, largely due to geographical remoteness, inadequate digital infrastructure, and low levels of literacy and financial literacy. A young rice trader counts money to pay his workers in Anhchanh Rung village, Cambodia. Photo by Phillip Davis/Heifer International. Traditional brick-and-mortar banks are scarce and internet connectivity is often unreliable in many communities, making it difficult for people to access basic financial services. Physical distance, coupled with the high cost of transportation, discourages many from engaging with the formal financial sector. People may also lack the formal documentation required to apply for credit or open bank accounts. In low-income countries, entrenched patriarchal norms often impede womens access to financial resources, as societal expectations and traditional gender roles may limit their ability to work or control their finances. The lack of access to education and financial literacy, plus legal and institutional challenges, creates even more barriers for women. Financial Literacy Is Key to Inclusion Smallholder farmers in Ghanshyampur, Bihar, India, reinforce their economic stance in the local agriculture sector by selling goats at the Bakra Bikri Haat market. Photo by Pranab K. Aich/Heifer International. Another significant barrier is the widespread lack of financial literacy and education. Many people in low and middle-income countries dont have access to financial education and may be unfamiliar with financial concepts and products, making it challenging for them to navigate the complex financial landscape. Without proper knowledge or skills, people are vulnerable to making uninformed decisions or being taken advantage of by predatory lenders. Cultural and social factors can also play a role, stemming from negative historical experiences with institutions or a preference for informal, community-based financial systems. How Can Financial Inclusion Impact Poverty? There is much more to financial inclusion than simply providing access to financial services; it embodies a vision for economic empowerment, poverty reduction and sustainable income. Farming communities need to be able to build secure savings and access credit for timely investments in their farming businesses so that they can thrive and also be more resilient to the shocks when they come, said Surita Sandosham, president and CEO of Heifer International, in a recent webinar. Savings: Access to formal savings accounts or informal savings groups allows individuals to accumulate and safeguard their financial resources. Even small savings can have transformative potential, as they provide a financial safety net for people to maintain stability and guard against unexpected expenses. Access to Credit: Access to credit and capital facilitates the expansion of farms and small businesses, leading to increased income. Inclusive financial systems play a critical role in leveling the playing field, enabling individuals to break free from the constraints of income inequality. Hellen Owour, a poultry farmer, visits her community bank in Kariobangi, Nairobi, Kenya. Photo by Allan Gichigi/Heifer International. Financial Technology: Access to financial technology, such as mobile banking, digital payments, inventory management and peer-to-peer lending, can have a profound impact on farmers and business owners living in rural areas. When the right tools are available, fintech provides unprecedented access to financial services, education and institutions. Financial Education and Financial Literacy: One of the pivotal components of financial inclusion is empowering individuals with the knowledge to make informed financial decisions. Educational programs can foster financial literacy, enabling individuals to manage their finances effectively and make the most of available services. How Heifer International Is Working to Increase Financial Inclusion Because of the many barriers people from rural farming communities face in accessing financial services, innovative strategies are required to provide economic mobility and an equitable distribution of resources. Facilitating access to appropriate financing tools is a key element in our holistic approach, said Surita. We work with multiple partners to connect smallholder farmers with financial service providers. And we want to help the smallholder farmers develop their products and business models. A Gazor Nari Unnayan Dal self-help group member contributes her monthly savings at a group meeting in Biraldaho village, Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Photo by Pranab K. Aich/Heifer International. Heifer International has 80 years of experience supporting savings and lending groups. These community-based groups provide financial training and inclusion for those who have been systematically denied access due to cultural, social or geographic barriers. Self-help groups and cooperatives pool their savings and resources to invest in their businesses and provide loans to members. This strategy empowers individuals to move from living hand-to-mouth to running profitable agribusinesses, earning sustainable incomes and saving for future uncertainties. In Rwanda, 40 women formed a self-help group and were able to save little by little to start a feed business, grow their incomes and provide for their families. In the group, I learned how to save money and build my focus and vision in order to work toward achieving something, said Dative Mujawamariya, a member of the group. Members of youth groups in Uganda contributed their individual savings to form a collective savings-and-loan fund. Entrepreneurship is encouraged through peer-to-peer support and weekly meetings in which members gather for training and discussion on new business investments. With a loan from Heifer Impact Capital, Nyagatare Dairy Cooperative built an advanced dairy processing center, expanding Rwandan farmers' market access and incomes. Photo by Jacques Nkinzingabo/Heifer International. By enabling individuals to access affordable credit, financial inclusion reduces poverty. It is essential to have working capital in any business, especially farming, in which land, livestock and farming equipment can be expensive. Heifer International provides access to credit and investment in a variety of ways. Impact Investing: Our impact investing arm, Heifer Impact Capital, provides affordable finance to farmers and cooperatives through various investment products. In Mexico, for example, Heifer Impact Capital and Root Capital extended a revolving line of credit and financial education to four coffee cooperatives, enabling them to purchase coffee from small-scale farmers to meet bigger orders and provide farmers with access to finance at lower rates. In Rwanda, Heifer Impact Capital loans enabled the Nyagatare Dairy Cooperative to establish a well-equipped milk processing plant that now produces a variety of dairy products, which has created employment opportunities in the community and improved incomes for local farmers. Facilitating Formal Lending: To unlock financing for smallholder farmers in Nepal, Heifer International has linked local banks and financial institutions with agricultural cooperatives. Since 2018, Heifer Nepal and its partners have connected with 21 banks and financial institutions to commit more than $75 million. Using corporate guarantees, this model provides smallholder farmers with low-risk, high-performance loans. Partnerships: Through a partnership with Hatching Hope Mexico, a Heifer International and Cargill initiative, El Buen Socio extended credit to poultry farmers. The social enterprise provides tailor-made loans and financial education to smallholder farmers in Mexico. As a result of the partnership, farmers who took out loans had significantly higher annual incomes than those who did not. Rosemary Odhiambo supervises tractor services booked through Hello Tractor on her farm. Photo by Francis Mwangi/Heifer International. In our rapidly advancing digital age, mobile banking and digital payment solutions have emerged as transformative instruments for promoting financial inclusion and reducing poverty. They have made it easier for people in remote and underserved areas to engage in financial transactions, receive payments and access government assistance. A Heifer-supported producer organization in Kenya runs a community bank that provides mobile banking services to smallholder farmers. With a special mobile app, users can quickly and easily move money in and out of their accounts, pay for services and accept payments. This makes it convenient for smallholder farmers to handle their finances anytime and anywhere from their phones. Heifer International and Mastercard have partnered to connect millions of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa to Mastercards Community Pass. Community Pass addresses financial inclusion challenges in rural communities, such as a lack of formal identification, unreliable connectivity and low smartphone ownership, by creating digital identification smart cards that can be used offline to access financial services without the need for a mobile device. Heifer International has also partnered with Hello Tractor, an agritech and tractor-sharing company, to provide pay-as-you-go loans to young African entrepreneurs to purchase tractors and make them accessible to thousands of additional smallholder farmers. This innovative financing model emphasizes financial inclusion for entrepreneurs lacking traditional forms of collateral, enabling them to acquire tractors and make payments against their loan through leasing services to local farmers. Financial inclusion aims for equitable participation in the formal economy. Heifer Internationals financial literacy and business training, facilitated through self-help groups and cooperatives, empowers smallholder farmers to improve their operations and make decisions about their financial future. Training in business planning, including developing a business plan, savings, loans, marketing and maintaining records, all contribute to sustainable financial growth. Farmers also learn about effective animal management and sustainable farming practices to improve production and maximize profits. Self-help groups are ideal for delivering financial literacy training to those excluded from formal education due to societal or cultural biases. Across our projects, women have formed groups to share financial literacy, business and farming skills. The Transformative Power of Financial Inclusion Set Hach, right, exchanges money with a customer after selling a bag of animal feed in her store. Photo by Phillip Davis/Heifer International. Heifer International is working to improve access to financial services for agricultural communities, which are historically financially underserved populations. We are committed to expanding opportunities and identifying tools that increase financial inclusion for farmers and shape a world that is more inclusive, equitable and prosperous. Financial inclusion offers many pathways for individuals and communities to lift themselves up. The benefits of financial inclusion extend beyond economics: they promote the development of communities that can fulfill their needs and build for the future. Financial inclusion ensures dignity, independence and self-reliance. As we look to address global poverty and income inequality in a meaningful and sustainable way, financial inclusion holds the key to helping people establish successful businesses and resilient lives. The calculation defined the earner as a 53-year-old person living alone in Tampere. The person earns 3,500 euros a month, spends an average of 850 euros on utility bills, 60 euros on communications services, 450 euros on food, 100 euros on car use, 100 euros on alcohol, clothing, furniture and cleaning equipment, and 75 euros on insurance premiums. AN ORDINARY , relatively frugal wage earner will pay more than 550 euros less in taxes in 2024 than 2023, reveal calculations made by the Finnish Business and Policy Forum (Eva) . The person also spends 600 euros on a single domestic trip a year. Eva in December reported that such an earner will have a total tax rate of 37.5 per cent in 2024, equivalent to 1,313 euros a month. Over two-thirds, or 908 euros, of the tax burden arises from the income tax and 404 euros from consumption-related taxes, namely excise duties and value-added tax. If we assume no change in the wage and consumption of the example person, they will pay 564 euros less in taxes than this year, said Emmiliina Kujanpaa, a senior tax expert at Eva. The sum is contracting largely as a consequence of lower social security contributions and partly as a consequence of tax cuts. In addition to the taxes and tax-like contributions paid by the person, their employer will pay 702 euros in employer contributions. Also employer contributions will decrease, stated Kujanpaa. In the case of the example person, their employer will pay 41 euros less every month in contributions. This is not insignificant for hiring. Kujanpaa also urged the government to continue alleviating the tax burden of ordinary citizens, with a focus particularly on income tax. This is the right direction, she said. In Evas example calculations, however, the labour tax remains two times higher compared with consumption taxes even though the labour tax inhibits economic activity more than consumption taxes. The government intends to raise value-added tax rates in 2025. When you raise taxes on consumption, you should simultaneously lower labour taxes more substantially in order to redeem your campaign promises about shifting from taxing work to taxing consumption and harms. Aleksi Teivainen HT As Finland grapples with an unusually prolonged spell of freezing temperatures, the nation's electricity consumption has surged to extraordinary levels. This spike in demand has led to a scarcity in the power market, reflected in the exceptionally high electricity prices expected on January 5, 2024. The average price for the day is forecasted to reach 890 euros per megawatt-hour, with peak prices between 7 pm and 8 pm soaring to nearly 1,900 euros/MWh. Jukka Leskela, CEO of Energiateollisuus ry, the Finnish Energy Industry Association, describes the situation as extreme and challenging. "The question has often been raised about how we would cope with a particularly harsh cold spell. So far, we have managed well. But now, the most crucial thing is to ensure that there is enough electricity for everyone tomorrow," Leskela asserts. Reflecting on last year's successful 'One Degree Down' campaign, where Finns united to conserve energy, Leskela emphasizes the need for a similar collective effort in the current situation. Fingrid, the national electricity transmission grid operator, has already heightened its readiness due to the strained power situation and is appealing to consumers to utilize flexibility in their electricity use and to shift consumption away from the most critical hours. Leskela highlights that electricity imports from Sweden and Estonia are maximized, noting that imports from Russia ceased in May 2022. "Currently, Finland's nuclear power is operating at full capacity, and there is a good availability of hydroelectric power," he explains. However, Leskela points out that the market is facing a shortage of fuel-powered power plants due to several malfunctioning incidents, contributing to the current challenging situation. The call for electricity conservation comes as a response to these unprecedented market conditions, urging Finnish households and businesses to play their part in ensuring a stable power supply during this extreme weather episode. HT While the press release identified neither the victim nor the suspects, the investigation appears to stem from reports submitted by Speaker of Parliament Jussi Halla-aho (PS). HELSINKI POLICE DEPARTMENT on Tuesday reported that it has opened a pre-trial investigation in which two people are suspected of defamation for using the term fascist on X, the micro-blogging platform known previously as Twitter. Helsinki Police Department on 28 November 2023 received a report of an offence concerning defamation. According to the report, comments that have defamed their target have been published on the messaging service X. The comments used the term fascist, the press release reads. Comedian Ilkka Kivi and Aino Tuominen (Greens), a deputy councillor at the City of Helsinki, have previously revealed that they are the targets of offence reports submitted by Halla-aho. Halla-aho, who is the presidential candidate of the Finns Party, has stated that he decided to report the posts to police, despite his earlier statements on the matter, in order to determine where the lines of acceptable speech are. As chairperson of the populist right-wing party, for example, he was a proponent of broad freedom of speech the idea that people should tolerate offensive text without resorting to legal recourse. Itd be good to get the police, a prosecutor or a court to rule on whether its appropriate to call a person whos operating legally in politics a fascist, he messaged to Helsingin Sanomat on 19 December. Helsinki Police Department on Tuesday said it is premature to estimate how long the pre-trial investigation will take. Aleksi Teivainen HT New York man faces 37 felony charges of coaxial cable theft A New York man was jailed on a $810,000 bond after being charged with 37 felony counts related to the theft of coaxial cable from AT&T, the Henderson County Sheriffs Office said. Detectives with the Henderson County Sheriffs Office Property Crimes Unit began investigating the case after receiving a report of the theft of the coaxial wire on Dec. 5. With the information provided in the report, detectives went to the incident location and began gathering information on how the suspect entered the property of AT&T. As the investigation progressed, detectives were in contact with Lead Investigators/ Asset Protection of AT&T. Detectives were able to gain information about an individual who had been observed on video surveillance Asheville and later at an AT&T site in another county. Once detectives identified the suspect, they were able to link 10 other cases dating back to May 19. Vincent DePaul, 36, of Syracuse, New York, was arrested while committing one of the crimes, the sheriff's office said. He was subsequently charged with: 10 felony counts of injury to utility wire and fixtures Nine counts of larceny 10 counts of 1st degree trespassing Nine felony counts of obtaining property by false pretense Nine felony counts of possession of stolen property DePaul, who was jailed in the Henderson County Detention Center under a $810,000 bond, has a hold from New York for the same type charges with full extradition. Currently, the Henderson County Property Crimes Unit is assisting AT&T with other wire theft investigations that has occurred in multiple counties. Effective Dec. 1, the offense of injury to utility wire was made a class C felony in North Carolina. (New York Jewish Week) The late Brooklyn klezmer musician Pete Sokolow would sometimes take the stage as Klezmer Fats. But many players used a different sobriquet to refer to the pianist, who served as a link between generations: the youngest of the old guys. Sokolow started playing klezmer in the summer of 1958 with older musicians at resorts in the Catskills. Twenty years later he was part of the klezmer revival. When it mattered, Pete was there, klezmer historian Henry Sapoznik told the New York Jewish Week. Pete was able to build a bridge from the old-timers... (JTA) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu laid out his preconditions for peace with Gaza in a Monday op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, saying, Hamas must be destroyed, Gaza must be demilitarized, and Palestinian society must be deradicalized. These are the three prerequisites for peace between Israel and its Palestinian neighbors in Gaza, Netanyahu wrote. The outline for a peace agreement came as Israel pushed its ground offensive farther into Gaza in its campaign to destroy the Hamas terrorist group. The counter-offensive sparked by the Oct. 7 atrocities against Isra... (JTA) Earlier this month, a lawyer acting on information from a pro-Israel group of North Carolinians told the federal government that their states flagship public university should be investigated for allowing anti-Israel rhetoric on campus. Now the government has acted on it. The U.S. Department of Education announced today that it has opened a new Title VI investigation into the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, along with two others into George Mason University and Newark Public Schools, related to complaints of mistreatment based on shared ancestry. The investig... (JNS) Shai DeLuca, a Canadian-Israeli interior designer, won a defamation suit on Dec. 22 against an anti-Israel Toronto restaurant owner who called him a terrorist and killer. As much as this was my personal suit against Foodbenders, and Kim Hawkins, the win is a collective win and belongs to the Jewish community as a whole, he told JNS. What we are witnessingthe trampling through the streets of Western countriesis reminiscent of Europe in the 1930s. Instead of Sieg Heil, were hearing calls for intifada. I lived through the second intifada, said De... (JNS) - Israeli forces were involved in a heavy exchange of fire with Hezbollah on Tuesday after anti-tank missiles fired from Lebanon struck a church in the village of Iqrit in the Western Galilee, wounding at least 10 Israelis, including a soldier reportedly in "serious" condition. The wounded included an Israeli civilian in his 80s and nine Israel Defense Forces soldiers, per local media. The troops were reportedly hurt while evacuating the wounded civilian under missile fire. IDF and Magen David Adom emergency medical service teams treated some of the injured at the scene, according to... (JNS) A group representing some 60,000 evacuees from northern Israel is calling on the Biden administration to back a military campaign to push Hezbollah away from the border. Lobby 1701 is named after the U.N. Security Council Resolution that ended the 2006 Second Lebanon War and mandated that the Iranian terrorist proxy stay north of the Litani River, which is around 18 miles from the Israeli border. The Lebanese Shiite group has entrenched itself along the border in violation of the resolution. Lobby 1701 argues in its letter to the American government that the diplomatic appro... By (JNS) An investigative report published earlier this month purports to show that senior Israeli and American officials had in hand financial intelligence showing the flow of tens of millions of dollars to Hamas and failed to act on it. That funding, the report alleges, helped Hamas pay for its military infrastructure, laying the foundation for its Oct. 7 massacre. As Israel now looks to take apart Hamas piece by piece militarily, there is a renewed focus on disrupting its funding. Erel Margalit, Israeli hi-tech entrepreneur and former member of Knessets Foreign Affairs and Defens... (JNS) New York Republicans selected Mazi Melesa Pilip, an Ethiopian-born, Orthodox Jew and Israel Defense Forces veteran, on Thursday to run for New Yorks 3rd Congressional District. A current Nassau County legislator, Pilip is running for the seat that Republican Rep. George Santos held before being expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives, on Dec. 1, following federal criminal indictments for fraud. It was also revealed that Santos had fabricated his backstory, including his supposed Jewish heritage. Santoss inventions stand in dramatic contrast with Pilips real-lif... DENVER - Orlando community members recently joined 2,500 Zionists in Denver, Colorado, for Jewish National Fund-USA's Global Conference for Israel. Emotions ran high as attendees embraced the dozens of Israelis in attendance who experienced the horror and aftermath of the attacks. These same Israelis have been working around the clock with Jewish National Fund-USA to address the immediate needs of those affected while also planning for the region's future. "After so much tragedy, it was reassuring to be surrounded by so many advocates who are making a difference," said Jewish National Fund-... (World Israel News) In an address to a Knesset hearing Monday attended by families of hostages, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described how an International Red Cross Representative told him no when he asked her to deliver crucial medicine to hostages. I met with the Red Cross; I handed over a box of medicine for some of the hostages. Some of them really need it. He continued, I told a representative to take this box to Rafah; she said no. It was a difficult conversation. When describing the difficulties with the Red Cross and the idea that freeing the hos... (JNS) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited troops in the northern Gaza Strip, during which he said that the war against Hamas is not nearly finished. "We are not stopping; we are continuing to battle. We will be intensifying the fighting in the coming days, as this will be a long war. It is not close to over," Netanyahu told soldiers. "We are proud of you and trust you. We see the determination and the desire to continue until the end," he added. Netanyahu was joined by Israel Defense Forces Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Amir Baram and other high-ranking officers. In a Ch... (JNS) The United States has delivered more than 10,000 tons of military weapons and equipment to Israel since the start of the war on Oct. 7, Channel 12 reported on Monday. These shipments have arrived in 244 cargo planes and 20 ships. The Hamas terror group invaded the northwestern Negev on Oct. 7, murdering 1,200 people, mostly civilians, precipitating the launch of Operation Swords of Iron with support from Washington. According to the report, Israels Defense Ministry has acquired nearly $2.8 billion in additional purchases from the United States. This includes armo... (JNS) South American and African countries have already expressed interest in taking in Palestinian Arab refugees from the Gaza Strip in return for monetary compensation, Likud Knesset member Danny Danon said on Monday. Israels former ambassador to the United Nations, who has floated the idea of the transfer of Gazans as part of his five-point plan for the post-war period, told Israeli broadcaster Kan Reshet Bet that Israel should make it easier on those Palestinians who wish to leave the Strip for other countries. Danon noted that Canada said last week that it would expand... Leader of Lebanons tiny Jewish community dies at 80 By Andrew Silow-Carroll (JTA) Isaac Arazi, who as former president of Lebanons tiny Jewish community led the rehabilitation of Beiruts abandoned Magen Avraham synagogue, died Tuesday. He was 80. A lawyer for the community, which numbers less than 30, confirmed his death to Agence France-Presse. Arazi headed the Lebanese Jewish Community Council, which represented the remnant of the estimated 22,000 Jews who lived in Lebanon before the civil war that lasted from 1975-1989. Terrorists targeted Jews for kidnapping and murder duri... (JTA) Dean Phillips is running for president. And he wants to talk. Talking runs in the Jewish Minnesota congressmans family his grandmother is Dear Abby. And hes friends with Ilhan Omar, despite their polar opposite views on a range of issues, including Israel, because they like to talk things through. Now, Phillips, 54, is hoping that penchant for dialogue will fuel his latest endeavor a long-shot bid to defeat Joe Biden in the Democratic presidential primary. The greatest challenge we face right now isnt ideology, isnt issue based, its conversation, the lack... (JNS) The repeatedly proposed remedy for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a two-state solution, with Arabs and Jews living side by side, happily ever after. But these magical words, as enticing as they may seem, are little more than fantasy. Its recent proponents, predictably in The New York Times (Dec. 21), are R. David Harden, a senior adviser to former President Barack Obamas special envoy for Middle East peace, and Larry Garber, a former U.S. Agency for International Government mission director to the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The United States, according to the title... (JNS) Yemens Houthi terrorist movement recently made international headlines due to its attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. Initially a Zaydi Shiite response to perceived marginalization, the Houthis have become a powerful force in Yemens brutal civil war thanks to the Iranian regimes sponsorship, as shown by the Houthis successful conquest of the capital Sanaa in 2014. The Zaydi Shiites are located in Yemens Saada province. Once dominant, Zaydism declined in the 20th century, and the Houthis first emerged in the 1980s as a Zaydi revivalist group. Initially fo... (JNS) The coming of a New Year is an appropriate time for retrospection. Ive been thinking about December 2001. Like many Americans, I was traumatized by the horrific images of the Sept. 11 attacks. And like many Americans, I wanted to do something useful in response. I was pretty sure I wouldnt make the cut for Delta Force. But, with help from former U.N. Amb. Jeane Kirkpatrick and former Rep. Jack Kemp, I began setting up a research institute to study the regimes, organizations and ideologies driving and justifying terrorism, to formulate policy options and to help educate elit... (JNS) Following Israels 2006 war in Lebanon, veteran journalist Marvin Kalb, senior fellow at Harvards Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy, detailed how Hezbollah manipulated the press. A similar report can be written when the war with Hamas is over. In the following excerpts, substitute Hamas for Hezbollah. Israel is automatically at a disadvantage in any conflict because it is an open society. During the war, Kalb noted, no Hezbollah secrets were disclosed, but in Israel, secrets were leaked, rumors spread like wildfire, leaders felt oblige... Commencing a profession in technology right after high school can be daunting and challenging. This challenge becomes more complex, especially when you are about to decide to join such a program right after class XII. TechBee - HCL's Early Career Program is a specialized program from HCLTech, a leading tech company that provides opportunities for individuals starting in the tech industry. The program is a unique blend of classroom and on-the-job training components. It offers a wide range of resources and support systems that can help individuals build their skills, gain experience, and ultimately launch their careers in technology. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Here are a couple of reasons which make TechBee - HCL's Early Career Program a compelling choice for class XII students: Financial Independence: One of the most significant advantages of this program is the financial independence it offers students. Students do not have to worry about arranging a hefty fee as they can get loans from financial institutions with which HCLTech has tie-ups. Further, students are paid a stipend of INR 10,000 per month during the internship, which covers their out-of-pocket expenses. Higher Education: Imagine, after class XII, you do one year of TechBee training, and then while you work as a full-time employee of HCLTech, you can pursue higher education from some of the leading universities like BITS Pilani, Amity University, KL University, IIM Nagpur, IIT Kottayam and SASTRA. Now, while your friends would graduate from college and start looking for a job, you will have a higher education degree and four years of experience. What's more, HCLTech also partially funds the cost of higher education these students undertake. Isn't that awesome? Assured Job with HCLTech: This is an advantage that only a few other programs can offer. HCLTech offers this course to Class XII completed students and post-completion of the program; the job opportunities are with HCLTech only. TechBee is an exclusive job program for individuals seeking full-time jobs after high school. Candidates undergo 12 months of training for entry-level IT jobs and, on successful completion, start their career in entry-level roles across Software Engineering, Infrastructure Management, Test Engineering, Design Engineering and Digital Process Operations at HCLTech offices across the globe. Mentorship: Students who join this program get access to mentorship and guidance. Participants in the program are paired with seasoned professionals in the industry who can offer advice and support as they navigate the early stages of their careers. This can be incredibly helpful, particularly for those still learning and trying to figure out the best path forward. Real-Life Projects: Another essential aspect of the TechBee - HCL's Early Career Program is the opportunity to gain hands-on experience. Participants in the program can work on real-world projects and collaborate with senior professionals in the industry. This knowledge transfer is a valuable experience and helps individuals build their portfolios, which can be crucial when starting work. HCLTech first introduced this program in 2017; since then, thousands of students have joined and benefitted from the program. To know more about the program and watch the success stories of the program alumni, please visit www.hcltechbee.com Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. The Italian Screens - New Italian Cinema Goes Abroad event marked a triumphant return in 2023, captivating audiences in New Delhi and Mumbai from December 8th to 10th. Renowned for its dedication to showcasing Italy's cinematic excellence globally, the event, curated by Roberto Stabile, Head of the Special Projects Office for the Directorate General for Cinema and Audiovisual of the Italian Ministry of Culture at Cinecitta, presented a mesmerising array of six acclaimed Italian films across PVR cinemas. This collaborative effort, spearheaded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), Cinecitta for the Directorate General for Cinema and Audiovisual of the Italian Ministry of Culture (DGCA-MiC), and the Academy of Italian Cinema David di Donatello Awards, was organized in partnership with the Embassy of Italy in New Delhi and the Consulate General of Italy in Mumbai. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The event showcased a curated collection of six top-tier Italian films, each crafted by acclaimed directors. This diverse cinematic experience offered a glimpse into the vibrant tapestry of contemporary Italian cinema. The featured films included: 1. Nostalgia by Mario Martone (Cannes Film Festival) 2. Lord of the Ants by Gianni Amelio (Venice Film Festival) 3. The First Day of My Life by Paolo Genovese (director of Perfect Strangers) 4. 8 Mountains by Felix Van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch (Cannes Film Festival) 5. Settembre by Giulia Steigerwal (winner of two David di Donatello Awards) 6. Burning Hearts by Pippo Mezzapesa (Venice Film Festival) The event successfully captivated film enthusiasts, critics, and the general public, delivering an enthralling experience that brought the essence of Italian cinema vividly to the vibrant city of Mumbai. As Head of International Affairs, how do you see events like the Italian Screens Film Festival contributing to global cinema awareness? These events are crucial. For the first time, we have joined forces with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Culture. Together, we are not only promoting culture but also encouraging the production of new Italian movies. We are presenting these films to local distributors, and the Italian government provides financial support to those who purchase them. Being someone leading this initiative into a successful achievement by Italian Cinema, what are the challenges or the process like? In our second edition, held in August, our goal was to bring Italian movies to the Indian audience and foster collaboration. We aim to increase cooperation through co-productions between Italy and India. Additionally, we plan to facilitate a meeting between producers from both countries during the next edition. What are some of the challenges that you faced pulling off the first edition and now the second edition? We are striving to enhance cooperation between the two countries, understanding the significant economic and cultural ties between Italy and India. We organised a focus on India at the Venice Film Festival a few years ago, demonstrating our commitment to cultural exchange. This weekend there were 6 movies that have been featured. Can you tell us how this is decided, which movies will be showcased over here? The project, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture, involves the Italian Academy of Cinema. They manage premieres of major events like the Italian Oscar Awards. A committee, including local distributors, producers, and film critics, selects the best Italian movies from the past year. What are your thoughts on Indian cinema and Bollywood? Indian cinema, especially Bollywood, along with Hollywood, represents one of the world's largest film industries. We aim to collaborate and respect the Indian market. By working together and fostering cooperation between Italian and Indian producers, we believe we can create significant projects beyond visual content, bridging the gap between Bollywood and Italian cinema. Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. After the Supreme Court in Wednesdays ruling refused to intervene in the market regulators investigation into allegations of stock price manipulation by the Adani Group, the shares of the power-to-ports giant experienced a significant surge. Billionaire Gautam Adani(REUTERS) In what is considered a favourable ruling for the Ahmedabad-based conglomerate, the groups stocks soared by up to 12 per cent on Wednesday, contributing to an overall market capitalisation gain of over 15 lakh crore. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. As a result of these gains, Gautam Adanis family surpassed Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Industries, reclaiming the title of Indias wealthiest promoter, Business Standard reported (the news report is behind paywall) On Wednesday, the net worth of the Gautam Adani family increased to 9.37 lakh crore, up from 8.98 lakh crore a day earlier. In comparison, the net worth of the Mukesh Ambani family slightly decreased to 9.28 lakh crore from 9.38 lakh crore during this period. Also read: 'Hindenburg report can't become basis of....': What SC said in Adani verdict Adani Group stocks rally Adani Energy Solutions surged by 11.60 per cent to reach 1,183.90. Adani Total Gas witnessed a notable increase of 9.84 per cent, closing at 1,099.05. Adani Green Energy displayed a solid performance, climbing 6 per cent to 1,698.75. Adani Power's shares ended 5 per cent higher at 544.65. Adani Wilmar experienced a gain of 3.97 per cent, closing at 381.05. NDTV shares jumped by 3.66 per cent to settle at 281.60. Flagship firm Adani Enterprises saw a 2.45 per cent increase, closing at 3,003.95. Adani Ports recorded a 1.39 per cent rise, reaching 1,093.50. Ambuja Cements shares rose by 0.94 per cent to 535.60. ACC inched up by 0.10 per cent, closing at 2,270. Supreme Courts judgment into Adani-Hidenburg issue On Wednesday, the Supreme Court declined to transfer the investigation into allegations of stock price manipulation by the Indian corporate giant to a special investigation team or the CBI. The court emphasised that market regulator SEBI was conducting a "comprehensive investigation," and its conduct "inspires confidence." Highlighting the limited power of the court to enter the regulatory domain of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in framing delegated legislation, the apex court directed SEBI to promptly conclude the two pending investigations, preferably within three months. A bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said that reliance on newspaper articles or reports by third-party organisations like the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) to question a comprehensive investigation by a specialised regulator does not inspire confidence. Also read: Gautam Adani fortune tanked 3 lakh crore in 2023. How Mukesh Ambani fared? The bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, acknowledged that SEBI has concluded 22 out of the 24 investigations into allegations against the Adani Group. After the judgment, billionaire Gautam Adani said, "The Hon'ble Supreme Court's judgment shows that truth has prevailed. Satyameva Jayate." In a statement on the judgment, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh criticised Adani, saying that "truth dies a thousand deaths when we hear Satyameva Jayate from those who have gamed, manipulated, and subverted the system this past decade." (Inputs from wires) Were barely into 2024, and it isnt astonishing that the years first line of Android flagships has taken a significant step forward. Vivo, as a brand, has made clear its broader intention of drawing the first mover advantage (an impressive IQOO 12, the first part of the opera). The Vivo X100 Pro has its task cut out, since its succeeding impressive photography put forward by the Vivo X90 Pro. Along the way, youll notice some curious (and bold, since they do work) choices defining the X100 Pro. These will certainly have a bearing on how OnePlus, Samsung and Xiaomi respond, in the coming months. Vivo X100 Pro (Vishal Mathur/ HT Photo) Much like last year, when the X90 that kept things simple with one broad spec that went on sale (that was 12GB RAM and 256GB storage), the Vivo X100 Pro stays in tune with the times 16GB and 512GB is what you get now. The unfortunate flipside of that simplification is, even the colour choice down to a grand total of one Asteroid Black, and for now, India doesnt get the Sunset Orange or Startrail Blue options. We can hope for course correction, at some point. The price is 89,999. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Also read:IQOO 12 as Androids torchbearer for speed, with inspiration from BMW Motorsport Very little to complain about the design, beyond the lack of choice with colours. Camera modules on the back of smartphones are getting bigger and bigger. The Vivo X100 Pros circular island is larger than its predecessors, and it must be said that the designers have done a fair job of maintaining proportionality. This is a phone thats good to hold, and yet doesnt feel top-heavy despite the physical placement of the camera module. Remember the curious choices Id mentioned earlier? The standout one being the chip providing the power. Its a MediaTek Dimensity 9300, which means the Vivo X100 Pro takes a completely different route to most Android flagships of the year thatll depend on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for the grunt. From what I experienced laterally with the IQOO 12 that indeed has the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 under the hood, Dimensity 9300 isnt inferior in even the slightest of margins. That is, with how you and I would use apps every day. That is what matters. Also read:India provides a springboard to develop for global use: Googles Miriam Daniel This 6-nanometer process chip is MediaTeks response to competition. Ably helped by Vivos choice of 16GB RAM (theres more virtual RAM you can assign from the storage). Underlying improvements make the biggest impact, such as system cache size (its 10MB, the most by any chip thus far) and a new multi-thread process architecture. Not only does it match real-world usability with its main rival from Qualcomm, but there is significant improvement with thermals too (the X100 Pro remains quite a bit cooler than its predecessor) with typical stressful use cases such as prolonged video recording or navigation use. Thats also one part of the improved power consumption, which means youll be able to get even more usable life per charge out of the 5400mAh capacity battery. Its a redone cell architecture too, and Vivo says theres as much as 8.3% higher energy density compared with the battery on the predecessor. With the 120-watt charger bundled (thats increasingly becoming a rarity), theres 100-watt wired charging available. Discharge the Vivo X100 Pro to the extent that it powers off, and about 5 seconds of being plugged in (the wired method, remember; Vivo claims 3 seconds) is enough to get the screen back on again. You can continue with whatever it is you were doing. Much like before, it is the camera that takes most of our attention. Rightly so too. The troika at the back includes all 50-megapixel sensors, for wide, ultra-wide and telephoto with periscope. Vivo isnt messing around with mediocre ultrawide or telephoto sensors, for the sake of saving a few bucks. What hasnt changed is the photography company Zeiss layer of expertise, which definitely gives this an advantage in terms of how colours are treated, photos are processed, and a very usable periscope zoom. Also read:Apple MacBook Pro 14 with M3 is a strong case, as Air and Pro differentiation blurs Theres a reason why I said what I said, that this is a camera with a smartphone bolted on. The camera app isnt complex to get around yet holds within it multiple layers of options and features. You may want to keep High-Definition and Photo modes in quick access, because for some shots, the formers larger files (these are each usually around 8-9MB, compared with the standard 4.5MB size) with more megapixels are worth it for the extra detailing). But one thing to note, the colour tone is ever so slightly warmer and richer in the former, while the standard Photo mode reverts of a colour temperature bordering on cool, yet not exactly that. The capability spread of this camera goes much beyond most common photography and video shooting scenarios, for when youd actually need it. Astro Mode, for instance, overlays stars and constellation on photos using AI and we compared this with the Stellarium app for the iPhone as a reference points; Vivos AI and positioning data overlays are accurate. Thats two apps in one, something children would love to spend hours with. It is true some of these photography scenarios may arise very occasionally, but well, the Vivo X100 Pro is readier than most phones. Macro photos with the telephoto zoom and the use of camera brand Zeiss anti-reflective coating, are just two examples of the smartness that this experience builds on. Also read:Sony gives us timely reminders that digital ownership is still not trustworthy A floating telephoto camera not only means zoom up to 10x is incredibly good, but if youre careful (read, stable hand and good lighting), even 60x and 100x photos can pull through more detailing than any other phone with 100x zoom, thus far. If youre looking for extended levels of zoom for indoor photos, lighting and your actual distance from what youre zooming in will be a factor. It is, nevertheless, a delight to use outdoors. Its been done before with lunar photography (success achieved to different degrees), but Id opine that the Vivo X100 Pros moon photos retain more realism than many of its peers. But the company wants to now tackle sun shots, and it has, to a large extent. As long as you have clear sight of the sky and there is that gorgeous orange usually accompanying beautiful sunsets (that eliminates Delhi NCR from the list, immediately), the X100 Pro captures realism thats close to nature. In High-Definition mode, the maximum zoom is very much an option and even in the default Photo mode, it is clear photos between 10x and 20x usually hit the sweet spot. More than that, and hand stability becomes a greater factor. Also read:Proton Drive is finally a cloud storage alternative to OneDrive and Google Drive For an Android phone with what is simply the best smartphone camera you can buy right now, Vivos Funtouch OS 14 is its weakest link. Mind you, there have been improvements in terms of reducing preloaded apps (thats bloatware, simply put, and quite a bit remains) and more controls to rein in background apps and processes alongside some visual tweaks to make things look better. Some of that effort shows, interface smoothness and transitions being one aspect. However, despite these improvements, this software still doesnt have the level of sophistication and clarity of thought that a flagship phone buyer expects. It is something most Android phone makers struggle with a one size fits all approach, that bundles affordable Android phones and flagship attempts, in the same software bucket. There are examples of better software that are better positioned for a flagship phone experience, OnePlus OxygenOS and Samsungs updated One UI being prime examples. Xiaomis incoming HyperOS may walk the path of minimalism too. Soon enough, Vivo may have to take some tough decisions. Also read:Vivo X90 Pro makes you wonder if the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra really is worth it There is little doubt that the Vivo X100 Pro is by far and away the best camera in an Android flagship phone. It essentially sets the benchmark for 2024s flagships to try and match, not just with the excellent camera, but also a very sophisticated design and performance that doesnt elicit any complaints. The software is the only real weak link in this chain, and luckily for Vivo, those preferences can be subjective. While you may or may not get used to the software and its eccentricities, what youll get used to quite easily is having the Vivo X100 Pros almost faultless camera. It wont be an easy switch to another phone then. Narayana Murthy has revealed his one big regret: keeping wife Sudha Murty away from Infosys, the tech giant founded by him and six others. He even said that she was more qualified than all seven of them. Narayana Murthy- Sudha Murty: Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murty are seen. I had this feeling that good corporate governance means not bringing family into it. Because those days, it was only family rule, all kinds of children used to come and run the company. There used to be a violation of all laws, the billionaire businessman told CNBC TV18. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The former Infosys CEO, 77, however, acknowledged that he was wrongly idealistic in not allowing Sudha Murty join what is now the second-largest IT firm in the country. It must be noted here that it was Sudha Murty who gave Narayana Murthy the seed capital of 10,000 to set up Infosys (with Nandan Nilekani, Kris Gopalakrishnan, SD Shibulal, K Dinesh, NS Raghavan, and Ashok Arora). Murthy, meanwhile, responded with an emphatic no over a possible future Infosys role for son Rohan, the software major's ex-vice president who now has his own AI venture, called Soroco. I think he is even stricter than I am in these ideas (not allowing family members to join one's own company). (Though) He will never say that. Never, never, said Narayana Murthy. The senior couple are also parents to a daughter, Akshata, who has never worked at her father's company and owns a 0.93% stake in it. Her spouse is none other than Rishi Sunak, the prime minister of the United Kingdom. Economist Arvind Subramanian -- who served as the chief economic adviser (CEA) of the Narendra Modi government between 2014 and 2018 -- appeared to criticise India's regulatory rules in a recent Washington Post article, claiming it could be "treacherous to navigate Indias regulatory byways" if "you are not the two A's -- Adani or Ambani". Former Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian(Mohd Zakir/HT file photo) The Washington Post article titled 'India Is Chasing Chinas Economy. But Something Is Holding It Back', Subramanian, an economist at Brown University, also accused the Indian economy of having what he called the "Modi phenomenon", which creates "a lot of hype and bluster and manipulation". Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "If youre not the two As Adani or Ambani it can be treacherous to navigate Indias regulatory byways. Domestic investors feel a little bit vulnerable," he told the American newspaper. What is really complex and interesting about this Modi phenomenon is that theres a lot of hype and bluster and manipulation. But its built on a core of achievement," he added. The Opposition often accuses the Central government of favouring India's mega conglomerates at the expense of the public good. Hinting that the Indian economy has been bogged down with red-tapism, he said there is no evidence at the moment that "investors are feeling reassured about India. India's GDP grew by 7.2 percent in the financial year 2022-2023. In the April-June quarter this year, it logged a 7.8 percent acceleration year-on-year. However, many economists have said to become a developed country by 2047, India must sustain a growth momentum of 8-9 percent. Also read: Chief Economic Advisor against Universal Social Security for India. Why? He says We should keep our minds open, Subramanian said, espousing hope. The Washington Post article claimed there is a hitch to India's growth story. "Investment by Indian companies is not keeping pace. The money that companies put into the future of their businesses, for things like new machines and factories, is stagnant. As a fraction of Indias economy, it is shrinking. And while money is flying into Indias stock markets, long-term investment from overseas has been declining," it claimed. "No one expects India to stop growing, but a rise of 6 percent is not enough to meet Indias ambitions. Its population, now the worlds biggest, is growing. Its government has set a national goal of catching up to China and becoming a developed nation by 2047. That kind of leap will require sustained growth closer to 8 or 9 percent a year, most economists say." it added. Also read: Chief economic adviser Arvind Subramanian resigns, thanks dream boss Jaitley Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani are the richest people of India who run separate conglomerates that have interests in petroleum products, gas, telecom, media and retail. The Opposition claims the Modi government has a bias towards the Adani Group. Last year, American short-seller Hindenburg's report claiming stock manipulation by the Adani Group had wiped out a significant chunk of the conglomerate's market value. The conglomerate, buoyed by two Supreme Court verdicts and gigantic investments by India-American Rajeev Jain, has bounced back on the stock markets. A 23-year-old engineering graduate drowned in a dam reservoir in Bhopal while trying to save a friend's pet dog. According to a The Times of India report, the incident took place at Jungle Camp in the Kerwa Dam area. Saral Nigam, who was preparing for UPSC civil services examination, had gone for a walk with two female friends around 7:30 am, one of whom had her pet dog with them, the report said. Btech graduate drowns in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal.(HT File) At around 8:30 am, while strolling beside the water downstream of the dam, the dog fell into the water. To save the pet, Saral and the two girls got into the water, holding hands. However, they lost their balance in the current, and all three fell into the reservoir. The girls managed to reach the shore, but the current swept Saral into deeper waters. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The girls sought help by running to the road and screaming for assistance. The watchman of Jungle Camp responded, but Saral was not visible. The Ratibad police were informed, and they, along with divers and SDERF, rushed to the scene. Unfortunately, Saral's body was found an hour later in 10-15 feet of water. Saral's parents, particularly his father Sudhir Nigam, a retired principal of a private engineering college, were in a state of shock. The girls, who reside in the same neighbourhood of Chunabhatti, were sent home by the police, and their statements are yet to be recorded. Saral's body has been sent for autopsy. The sarpanch of Dadiana Kalan, Sandip Kumar Chhina, 45, was shot dead by assailants at his cement block plant in Dosarka village on Thursday; Chhina was taken to a nearby private hospital where he was declared brought dead Sarpanch of Dadiana Kalan Sandip Kumar Chhina. (Harpreet Kaur/HT Photo) Eyewitnesses said three persons came on a motorcycle, one of whom shook hands with the sarpanch before opening fire. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Chhina was taken to a nearby private hospital where he was declared brought dead. His body was later shifted to the Hoshiarpur civil hospital for postmortem, where a large number of his supporters gathered and started a demonstration against the police and state government. The incident is suspected to be a fallout of an old rivalry, said the police. Superintendent of police Sarabjit Singh Bahia said a case under Section 302 of the IPC had been registered against Anoop Kumar Vicky of Asalpur, Munish Kumar and one unidentified person. He said raids were being conducted to arrest the accused. The police also released photographs of Anoop Kumar and Munish Kumar seeking public assistance in tracing them. Various SC organisations took out a march in the city and forced the shopkeepers to put down their shutters. The Dalit leaders threatened to intensify protest if the culprits were not arrested by evening. The family of the slain leader also staged a protest in Dosarka and refused to cremate the body till the arrests were made. The protest was on till the filing of this report. Dalit organisations have given an ultimatum to the police to arrest the accused by Friday morning or they will observe district bandh. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wants to get him arrested before the Lok Sabha polls so that he can be prevented from campaigning. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal (File Photo) In a press conference at his official residence on Thursday, the Delhi chief minister spoke on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons issued to him in connection with the Delhi excise case and said the investigating agencies could not find a single rupee irregularity in their two-year probe. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Also Read: Police deployed near Kejriwals house as AAP leaders say his arrest is imminent This investigation has been going on for the last two years, but irregularities of a single penny have not been found. They do not have any evidence against anyone. Nothing has been proven, he said. ....Now the BJP wants to get me arrested. My biggest strength is my honesty. Through false cases and fake summons, they want to malign my image. BJPs purpose is not to carry out an investigation, their purpose is to stop me from campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls, the AAP chief said. The general elections are expected to be held between April and May to elect 543 members of the Lok Sabha. Kejriwal, who had skipped the EDs third summons, questioned where the alleged money had gone, contending that no corruption had occurred. In a letter to the ED on Wednesday, Kejriwal described the EDs summons as opaque and motivated, prompting the BJP to accuse him of being staunchly corrupt. He said that it has been two years since the ED began its probe into the alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy and asked why he had been summoned right ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Why I was not summoned earlier? The CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) summoned me eight months ago. I appeared in person and responded to all their questions. But, now two months before the LS polls, I am being summoned by the ED. The BJPs purpose is not to question me, but to arrest me, Kejriwal said. Moreover, Kejriwal said the summons sent by the ED were illegal. My lawyers told me that the summons is illegal. I have in detail explained to them how the summons is illegal. They have not replied to my objections, which means that they do not have answers to my objections, and they accept that their notice is illegal, Kejriwal said. Also Read: Choro ki baraat: BJP slams AAP amid ED to arrest Arvind Kejriwal claim The AAP chief added that he would extend all cooperation if a legal summons is issued to me. ED has alleged that the Kejriwal-led AAP received kickbacks of 100 crore to finalise the excise policy and that a chunk of this was used in the Goa election campaign. Kejriwal has skipped three ED summonses on January 3, December 22, and November 2. In letters to the ED, Kejriwal has raised multiple objections principal among them that it was not clear whether he was summoned as a witness or suspect; as chief minister or as AAP chief; and without any details on the line of questioning. The anti-money laundering agency is likely to issue a fourth summons to the Delhi CM, while the party leaders claimed that the ED would arrest him. Following this, additional police forces were deployed near CM Kejriwals residence. AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are still in jail in connection with the case in which the ED has arrested 14 people. Delhi lieutenant governor VK Saxena on Thursday ordered a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the allegations of fake diagnostic tests prescribed by the Delhi government-run mohalla clinics, reported PTI, citing sources. According to reports, fake mobile numbers were used to mark the entry of patients to conduct lab tests. Delhi Mohalla clinics under scanner for fake pathological tests This comes days after the governor ordered a similar probe into the alleged procurement and supply of spurious and non-standard drugs, including some life-saving medicines. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Delhi BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi hit out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over the new alleged scam saying, The so-called 'Mohalla Clinics' provided the facility for pathological testing. Based on the vigilance reports and departmental findings, those (pathological) tests are also now under the scanner of the probeIt is being investigated that in one day, the clinics saw a maximum number of 533 patients. The time for the clinics is 9 am to 1 pm. Now imagine, if they checked 533 patients within 240 minutes, then it means they saw a patient for just half a minute. Even after the introduction of Amrit Kaal, instead of making a super-specialty institute or lab, the national capital is still following the old Mohalla clinic system, he added. State BJP president Virendra Sachdeva also hit out at Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, alleging that the then health minister Manish Sisodia and the current minister Saurabh Bharadwaj were aware of the alleged pathology scam. It is very regrettable that just 20 days ago, the people of Delhi and the country were shocked by the information about the scam of distribution of fake and substandard medicines in the hospitals of the Delhi government ruled by Arvind Kejriwal. The people of Delhi are ashamed after another pathology test scam worth hundreds of crores by the government's health department has come to light, he said. AAP's response on the alleged scam Meanwhile, the Kejriwal government said that senior officials in the health department, who were appointed by the Centre, were responsible for monitoring diagnostic labs. Some doctors had recorded their video and given it to the employees and through that they used to mark their attendance in the app every day. In this case, 26 personnel including seven doctors and staff were firedWhether it is a Mohalla clinic or a medicine store, when someone gives a wrong phone number, this is the job of officials to check, Saurabh Bharadwaj said. He added that the LG is conducting the investigation and the AAP government has given in writing to remove those officials responsible. (With inputs from agencies) Days after a blast near the Israeli embassy, the Delhi Police has written to the Jamia Millia Islamia to provide the CCTV footage from the cameras installed at the walls of the university, sources said on Thursday. Security and forensic officials near the Israeli embassy Police suspect that one of the persons who visited the blast site at the Prithviraj Road two hours prior to the incident had come from Jamia Nagar in southeast Delhi. He had taken an auto-rickshaw nearby the Jamia Millia Islamia metro station. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "The letter was written to the university as multiple CCTV cameras are installed at the walls of the university. These cameras are faced towards the Okhla Road from where one of the suspects in the blast took the auto-rickshaw," a police officer said. The accused, who is yet to be identified, is believed to be the prime suspect who planted the bomb near the Israeli embassy on December 26, the officer added. Police have already questioned the auto-rickshaw driver, sources said. Police have found with the help of the CCTV footage that the suspect moved towards the India Gate after visiting the spot at the Prithviraj Road. Sources said the NSG, which had collected the samples from the spot, has told the Delhi Police that it was not an IED (improvised explosive device) blast but it could be a locally made bomb. However, its report is yet to be submitted. The blast occurred on December 26 evening in the area between the boundary walls of a house on plot number four -- Nanda's House -- and the Central Hindi Training Institute on plot number 2A on the Prithviraj Road. The area has bushes, plants and trees and no CCTV camera. The blast site is behind the Israeli embassy on Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road, running parallel to Prithviraj Road. No one was injured in the blast. Police had found an "abusive" letter addressed to the Israeli ambassador near the blast site. On December 29, the Delhi Police registered an FIR against "unknown" people and transferred the case from the local police station to the Special Cell. Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], January 4 (ANI): YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP) Chief YS Sharmila is all set to merge with the Congress party in Telangana today. HT Image YS Sharmila on her visit to Idupulapaya yesterday, announced her readiness to join the Congress party and said that she will soon be meeting the BJP top brass in New Delhi. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The significant move by the YSRTP chief comes days after the Congress party won the Telangana assembly elections. During the recent assembly elections in Telangana, YS Sharmila constantly rendered her support to the Congress party. She clarified that she did not contest the polls as it would have led to spilling of votes. "I am extending support to the Congress party because the Congress party stands the chance of winning in the Telangana Assembly elections... KCR has not fulfilled any of the promises he made to the people in his 9-year tenure. And that's the only reason I do not want KCR to come to power... I, as the YSR's daughter risk Congress' chance, because I tend to pull the Congress vote bank," she said in a statement made ahead of the Telangana assembly elections. Highlighting the significance of the support, she stated that the Congress party's victory in 31 seats in Telangana was largely due to their abstention from contesting. "In more than 55 constituencies I am going to affect the Congress vote bank and in more than 20 constituencies, I am going to help Congress lose in case I contest," she said. YS Sharmila could be given a key post in the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Sharmila is also expected to play a role in the elections of Andhra Pradesh which will also be held next year. Congress won an absolute majority in Telangana for the first time, winning 64 of 119 seats. Bharat Rashtra Samithi, which ruled India's youngest state for 10 years, won 38 seats. (ANI) Two days after a 27-year-old woman an accused in the alleged fake encounter of dreaded gangster Sandeep Gadoli was shot dead at a Gurugram hotel room, police recovered a luxury car from Patiala in Punjab that was used to transport and dispose of the body, officials aware of the case said on Thursday. Car used to get rid of Pahuja found, body still missing The victims body, however, still remains missing, police confirmed. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Divya Pahuja, a resident of Baldev Nagar in Gurugrams Sector-7, was out on bail after spending nearly seven years in custody in connection with Gadolis death. Police said she was murdered on Tuesday night by city-based hotelier Abhijeet Singh, 56, whom she had purportedly been blackmailing since her release. Also read: Who was Divya Pahuja, who honey trapped slain gangster, shot dead in Gurugram on Tuesday? Police had on Wednesday arrested three people in connection with the murder Singh, and his employees Hemraj, 28, who goes by a single name, and Om Prakash, 23. On Thursday, deputy commissioner of police (crime) Vijay Pratap Singh said they have identified two more suspects Balraj Gill and Ravi Bandra. They were friends with the main suspect and were called by him to dispose of the body. They are still on the run, the DCP said, adding that the Punjab police have recovered a blue BMW sedan that was used to transport and dispose of the body. Patiala deputy superintendent of police Sukhamrit Singh Randhawa said the Gurugram police on Wednesday had intimated them to begin a search operation to trace the BMW which bears Delhi registration numbers after CCTV footages of various toll plazas indicated that car had entered Patiala district. Since Wednesday, we had been searching for the BMW car. We found it at the parking lot of the New Patiala Bus Stand, Randhawa said. The DSP added that the car did not contain Pahujas body but did have several bloodstains, and forensic teams have collected evidences, and the Gurugram police have been informed about the development. According to police, Gadoli, who was charged with a string of murders, was shot dead at a hotel in Mumbai on February 6, 2016. However, the Mumbai Police alleged that jailed gangster Virendra Kumar alias Binder Gujjar conspired with Haryana Police personnel to eliminate Gadoli, who was lured into a trap with the help of Pahuja, Gadolis then girlfriend. (With inputs from Leena Dhankhar) Divya Pahuja, a 27-year-old woman who was accused in the alleged fake encounter of dreaded gangster Sandeep Gadoli, was shot dead at a hotel room near the Gurugram bus stand on Wednesday. Divya Pahuja's death came to light after her family was not able to contact her.(File) Pahuja, a resident of Baldev Nagar in Gurugrams Sector-7, was out on bail after spending nearly seven years in custody in connection with Gadolis death. The gangster was murdered in a Mumbai hotel on February 7, 2016. Pahuja, her mother and five police officers had been arrested for the murder of the gangster. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The Mumbai Police said that Gadoli was lured by the policemen into the hotel with the help of his girlfriend Pahuja. The police also said that Virendra Kumar alias Binder Gujjar ran a rival gang and allegedly conspired with Haryana Police officials to eliminate Gadoli. Here's what we know about the Divya Pahuja murder case: KOLKATA: Two Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders in Bengals Hooghly district have been trading charges the lawmaker Manoranjan Byapari accused a local party leader of ransacking his party office. TMClegislator Manoranjan Byaparis office was vandalised on Wednesday (videograb/manoranjan.byapari/Facebook) Legislator Manoranjan Byapari, an award-winning Bengali Dalit writer who won the Balagarh seat in the 2021 state elections, mounted a sharp attack on his rival, Hooghly zilla parishad member Runa Khatun, who he accused of ransacking his small party office. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. in a Facebook post, Byapari said he used objectionable language in his first post because he was upset over the attack but realised his mistake soon after and deleted the post. But some people took a screenshot of the post and are circulating it, he added, a reference to Runa Khatun filing a police complaint against him at Balagarh police station. I apologize for using the words. I lost my cool. I deleted the post. I had been writing for three days on social media that Khatun and her husband were planning an attack on me, Byapari told reporters in Kolkata. There is a threat to my life because I protested the running of gambling dens, theft of sand from river beds and various illegal activities by followers of some local leaders, the Balagarh MLA said. Khatun rebutted the allegations. Balagarh never heard of such crimes before Byapari became an MLA. It seems he is angry because he not getting a share of the profits. I lodged a police complaint because he used filthy language against a woman. As far as his allegations are concerned, let there be an investigation. I suspect he is clandestinely working for our rival parties, she said. Bengals minister of state for finance (independent charge), Chandrima Bhattacharya said the party will look into the matter. Byapari made his electoral debut in 2021 when chief minister Mamata Banerjee in a surprise move fielded the Partition refugee from the Namashudra caste who spent a life in crushing poverty as a manual labourer and then rickshaw puller, before publishing his pathbreaking autobiography. Byapari won the election securing 45.65 % votes. The Election Commission has issued notification for the election to the lone legislative council seat that was declared vacant after former deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma resigned on September 13 last year after becoming the Rajya Sabha MP. The Election Commission has issued notification for the election to the lone legislative council seat that was declared vacant after former deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma resigned on September 13 last year after becoming the Rajya Sabha MP. (Pic for representation) Brij Bhushan Dubey, the returning officer for the MLC poll, said that though unlikely but if required council poll would be held on January 29. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Each MLC is elected for a period of six years, but in this case, since Sharma resigned after serving a part of his term, the tenure of the new MLC would be till January 30, 2027. The date for the issue of notification is January 11 while January 22 would be the last date for withdrawal of nomination. BJP is set to improve its already dominant position in the Council as it is unlikely to have any problem in getting its candidate elected unopposed. Thats because it enjoys a comfortable majority with 254 MLAs in the 403-member Vidhan Sabha. The MLAs vote in the legislative council polls and hence the win of anyone whom BJP chooses or backs, is a foregone conclusion. However, after this lone vacancy, the term of another 13 MLCs will expire on May 5 and for which there could be a contest if either the BJP or the Samajwadi Party, the only two parties with MLAs to win council seats, decide to push for an additional seat, meaning one more than what their present strength in the UP assembly justifies. The BJP dominates the 100-member legislative council with 81 MLCs with Samajwadi Party with 9 MLCs being a distant second in the upper house of the state legislature. However, before those 13 vacancies, 10 Rajya Sabha seats from UP would be vacant as the term of as many MPs from UP is ending on April 2. Future-ready Artificial Intelligence (AI) surveillance is likely to be introduced for the security of the Ram Mandir, where pilgrim footfalls are expected to increase sizeably post January 22 inauguration. Police personnel keep vigil after security arrangements heightened before the arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Ayodhya(ANI) Besides AI surveillance, 11,000 state police and paramilitary forces are likely to be deployed for the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Also read: Invitation only: Ayodhya temple chief priest reacts to Uddhav Thackeray's remarks The pilot project of AI surveillance is likely to be launched for Ayodhya. After some time, if found feasible, it could be made an integral part of the security and surveillance drill, a senior police official said. The threat perception of Ram temple is high. So, we need to keep a tight vigil on all movements in Ayodhya, the official said. The AI surveillance could help in detecting frequent visitors or any common trend followed by a group of people, or any other suspicious trend spotted within the temple premises. A security alert would be raised automatically, and security agencies would be able to follow-up, this official said. He said the UP police have already intensified manual as well as social media vigilance in buildup to the consecration ceremony. The security scheme for January 22 event is yet to be finalised, the official said. He added officials from the state as well as the central agencies are still analysing the threat perception and security requirement. The manual as well as video surveillance is already in place in the red zone where Ram Temple is located. About 38 officers of local intelligence unit have been deployed there to keep vigil on every movement, the official confirmed. He said the verification process of every individual, from taxi drivers, e-rickshaw drivers, hotel staff, beggars, priests, residents, in the Ram temple vicinity, is being done as well as guest lists of the event and people or staff accompanying them was being verified. Massive security deployment for January 22 A senior police official said 26 companies of paramilitary and PAC along with nearly 8000 civil police personnel are likely for the event. UP Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) and Special Task Force teams and central agencies like National Security Guards are also going to be deployed, he added. Road diversions to Ayodhya, other districts For the day of event, traffic diversions will be made on all roads heading towards Ayodhya. These road stretches will be made free of encroachments to ensure visitors dont face any problems, the official said. Existing security plan As of now, six companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), three companies of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and nine companies of UP Special Security Force (UPSSF), 304 civil police personnel and one platoon PAC commandos are deployed in the red zone. The deployment includes bomb disposal squads and anti-sabotage teams, four personnel of police radio communications and 47 fire fighters. For the yellow zone, which is other than the temple premises, 34 sub inspectors, 71 head constables and 312 constables have been deployed for security, a senior official said. MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government on Thursday appointed Rashmi Shukla, a 1988-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer as the states next director general of police (DGP), the first woman police officer to hold the top police post in the state. Rashmi Shukla was appointed director general of the SSB in March last year (HT FILE PHOTO) Mumbai police commissioner Vivek Phansalkar is holding additional charge as DGP Maharashtra after Rajnish Seth retired on December 31. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Shuklas appointment as Maharashtra DGP less than a year after she was appointed in March last year as director general of the Sashastra Seema Bal, the central police force deployed along the border with Nepal. The senior police officer turns 60 in June but is expected to get a two-year term The senior police officers previous tenure as the state intelligence commissioner turned controversial following accusations that she illegally ordered tapping of Opposition leaders phones during the Devendra Fadnavis-led government between 2014 and 2019. FIRs were also registered against her when the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi came to power. The first of the three cases was registered by Mumbai cyber police on March 26, 2021, for leaking a classified report drafted by Shukla that allegedly contained crucial details of some individuals who acted as middlemen for facilitating transfers and securing desired postings for senior police officers in exchange for money, using their political connections. This case, investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation, was closed in August last year. In September last year, the Bombay high court quashed two other cases lodged against Shukla, Maharashtras former intelligence chief. In one FIR in Mumbai, Shukla was accused of illegally tapping the phones of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut and Nationalist Congress Party leader Eknath Khadse; while the second one in Pune accuses her of tapping Congress leader Nana Patoles phone. MUMBAI: The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of the Mumbai crime branch on Tuesday evening arrested two drug suppliers in Borivali and found 3kg charas worth around 1.20 crore in their possession. The police said the accused got the consignment near the Nepal border and brought it to the city, looking for potential buyers. HT Image The arrested accused, identified as Rohit Dilip Gupta, 29, and Laxman Hariram Jaiswal, 28, are natives of Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Officials of the Kandivali unit of ANC were on patrolling duty in Borivali on Tuesday evening when they noticed two people who were apparently waiting for someone. After the police enquired about their names and as to why they were standing there, the accused started avoiding us trying to move away. The police then conducted their search and found 500 gm of charas in Guptas possession and around 2kg in Jailswals possession, said police inspector Rupesh Naik. Both the accused were brought to the unit office and during interrogation, it was learnt that Gupta came to Mumbai 10 days ago carrying contraband to sell here. Jaiswal, a vegetable vendor, has lived in Borivali for more than a decade and both are from the same village in Gorakhpur and therefore knew each other. After coming to Mumbai, Gupta was staying at Jaiswals place, said deputy commissioner of police Prakash Jadhav of the ANC. Gupta used to run a garment business in his native place and suffered losses and therefore he decided to earn easy money and recover his loss. He came in contact with a drug supplier in Gorakhpur who introduced him to another person from the Nepal border. Gupta picked up the consignment from the border to sell it in Mumbai. He came to Mumbai via train. He was informed that the buyer in Mumbai paid a good amount for the contraband, Jadhav added. Gupta has not revealed the details of the potential buyer. We have been questioning him and also were checking his call data records to get the leads, said Jadhav. Both the accused were produced before a court and remanded in police custody till January 6. Last year, the ANC arrested a total of 221 drug suppliers in 106 cases and seized contraband worth 53.23 crore from their possession. ANC claims that they arrested 29 people last year who were only involved in supplying charas and allegedly seized contraband worth 11.44 crore in a total of 11 cases. One of the arrested drug suppliers was Hussain Abdulla Sheergaonkar, 48 from whom the police allegedly seized eight kg of high-quality Charas worth 2.40 crore in November 2023. Professor Rajendra B Lal, who was arrested by the Prayagraj police on New Years Eve on charges of attempted murder, is no stranger to First Information Reports the bespectacled and bearded religious leader and vice-chancellor of a university has 27 cases registered against him across Uttar Pradesh. Lal, 67, is often seen wearing a gown of varied hues and with a wooden cross around his neck, but controversies have dogged him for years. He has headed the 114-year-old Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS) for over three decades. In 2003, he founded the Yeshu Darbar, an independent church. He now stands accused of financial irregularities, forced conversions, land embezzlement, assault and, more recently, attempted murder. Hailing from Etah district, Lal earned a PhD in crop physiology from Kanpur University in 1983 and another in social science from Kansas State University, USA in 1990. He took over as director of Allahabad University affiliated Allahabad Agricultural Institute (AAI) in 1992 and continues to head it till date in 2016, the AAI became SHUATS, a state varsity. Its campus is spread across 650 acres in the Naini area of Prayagraj and also has farms and research facilities in the Meja and Lohra areas of Prayagraj besides the Lodhwari area of Rae Bareli district of UP. The varsity has around 8,000 students, 1,500 teachers and non-teaching employees. In November 2023, a former employee of a school run by another SHUATS director (Lals brother, Vinod) accused senior members of the administration of sexually assaulting her and her minor children. A First Information Report was lodged by Ghoorpur police. The woman alleged that she and her now-deceased husband were induced to convert to Christianity by Lal. According to the FIR, the woman claimed that in 2011, she and her now-late husband were approached by two pastors from Yeshu Darbar. They then allegedly promised the couple a job in a school Prayagraj, financial assistance for their childrens studies, and accommodation if the family converted. The woman claimed that after their conversion, she and her husband were given employment at the Christy Memorial School and College affiliated with SHUATS. However, things took a turn for the worse and she was allegedly pressured to provide sexual favours to school chairman Vinod B Lal, who is also SHUATS director (administration) and his brother, SHUATS Prof RB Lal. She further alleged that the school supervisor also molested her minor daughters. She also claimed that she was coerced to recruit more individuals for religious conversions. Professor Rajendra B Lal has 26 cases registered against him across Uttar Pradesh.(HT File) Lals journey as godman In 2000, Lal was baptised by preacher evangelist Pastor Ulf Ekman of the Word of Life Church, Sweden. The Word of Life Church is a Missouri, USA headquartered church founded in 1981 that claims to be a worshipping and just community committed to staying on The Journey of following Jesus, making disciples of the Jesus way, and loving both our church and our neighbours. Lal started what he called a spiritual movement and a small group of locals started meeting in his house located on the campus of SHUATS in the Naini area of Prayagraj on Saturdays. On Sundays, he would meet other followers at the Chapel of Brotherly Love, also located at the SHUATS campus. As founder Bishop of Yeshu Darbar, he began conducting healing sessions for the sick. He also took on the honorific Reverend. His miracles, healings and wondersas the official website of SHUATS puts it brought in believers from all communities who assembled in large numbers each Sunday to receive healing from all kinds of diseases and sickness and deliverance from evil possession. The period also saw Prof RB Lal consolidate his control of the varsity with his wife Sudha Lal also playing a role as ex-officio director (Campus Ministry) and his brothers Vinod B Lal and Sunil B Lal serving as director (Administration) and director (Development). Though controversies over the validity of the courses being offered by the government-aided institution in distance education mode and alleged conversions made news from time to time slain mafia politician Atiq Ahmad was arrested in December 2016 after he and his henchmen attacked employees of the institute, leading to Ahmads arrest major trouble came Lals way only in 2017. Cases pile up In May 2016, an FIR was registered at the Civil Lines police station of Prayagraj against several Axis Bank and SHUATS employees for alleged misappropriation of funds amounting to 23 crore between 2013 and 2016. The case was registered on a complaint by Axis Bank assistant vice president Yogesh Vajpayee. Lal, who was named as an accused, was sent to jail after the Allahabad additional sessions judge in April 2019 rejected his interim bail application. Lal was taken into judicial custody and sent to jail. After a Supreme Court direction dated April 5, 2019, Lal was granted bail by a trial court the following month. Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which was in charge of the probe into the multi-crore bank fraud case, charge-sheeted 26 persons including 20 bank officials as well as a bank officials wife, driver and an accountant of SHUATS in December 2021. The Prayagraj police said that Lal has over two dozen cases registered against him under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in Prayagraj, Lucknow, Fatehpur and Pratapgarh districts but received relief from the Supreme Court and the Allahabad high court in many of the cases. These charges included mass conversion, fake appointments and financial irregularities worth crores, illegally transferring land worth crores, using names, and addresses of dead persons for personal gains and fraud of arms licences, besides attempts to murder, issuing threats and assault. Sam Naqvi, Lals lawyer in the Prayagraj district court, said the cases lacked substance. The Supreme Court has already stayed his arrest in almost all cases including three filed in Naini and one in Ghoorpur police stations of Prayagraj along with five cases filed in police stations of Fatehpur district, he said. The latest FIR based on an attempt to murder complaint was registered on December 31, 2023. Diwakar Nath Tripathi, a former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader who served as BJP Kashi Pranths vice-president till 2021, filed the complaint. A pranth is an organisational region that covers 12 administrative districts, including Prayagraj and Varanasi, and Diwakar was removed from the party reportedly owing to differences with senior BJP leader and deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya. According to Naqvi, The FIR was registered at 1.49 pm [on December 31] while the police team reached to arrest him at 1.48 pm as seen in the CCTV footage of the guest house. Prof Lal had been keeping poor health and remained admitted at Apollo Hospital, New Delhi for many weeks. He came to Prayagraj only for important work related to his institution and is still in poor health. The court will ensure justice, he said. Lal was arrested from a guest house located near the university in the Naini area and taken to the district court amid tight security, ACJM Palak Ganguly sent Lal to 14 days judicial custody. DCP (trans-Yamuna)-Prayagraj Abhinav Tyagi confirmed the development and said, RB Lal was arrested in connection with the case registered at Naini police station under sections 307 (attempt to murder), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 427 (mischief causing loss or damage to the amount of 50 or upwards) on Sunday." In his complaint, Tripathi, a resident of Karbala road, claimed that on the morning of December 31, he had gone for a walk with his friend, Sharvendra Vikram Singh. He alleged that while returning in his car at 6.40 am, near a culvert on Bandh Road, Lal and two associates travelling in an SUV stopped the car and threatened as well as abused him. As per the complaint, Lal ordered the two associates with him to open fire with the intention of killing Tripathi but the bullets hit the car. Tripathi alleged that he was attacked on earlier occasions also at the behest of Lal. This is not the first attack by RB Lal on me. Earlier too such attacks have taken place as I have opposed his wrongdoings from time to time. I have lodged eight cases earlier too against him with the police but he has managed to evade arrest on the strength of his contacts, reach and money, said Tripathi. "Search is on for two people who were with RB Lal at the time of the attack on Diwakar Nath Tripathi and who had opened fire during the incident, the cop quoted above said. Officials of SHUATS, however, dismiss all charges levelled against Lal. A dismissed employee of SHUATS, Isaac Frank, along with Diwakar Tripathi, has formed an organised group of anti-social elements and is continuously exerting blackmailing pressure on SHUATS officials. Since 2017, Diwakar Tripathi has been continuously giving false complaints to the government and administration by making fabricated allegations against SHUATS officials when his blackmail demands are not met. He has also filed many false FIRs for creating pressure. Courts have granted relief from arrest to the vice-chancellor Prof RB Lal in all the cases. Not a single allegation has been proved in any court to date, says Brijesh Pandey, PRO, SHUATS. SHUATS demands from UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath that Diwakar Tripathi and his associates, who are exploiting and harassing the university officials, obstructing the education and research of the students and conspiring to defame the institution by blackmailing be investigated and strict action be taken against him, Pandey said. This article has been amended post-publication to correct typographical errors and add information about RB Lal based on the FIR filed on November 30. Ahead of the consecration ceremony of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Aligarh district administration will ensure that events such as Ram Katha, Ramayan paath (recital), bhajan kirtan (devotional songs) are organised at Ram temples, Hanuman temples and Valmiki Temples from January 14 to January 22. Consecration ceremony of Ram temple will be held in Ayodhya on January 22. (File photo) Chief development officer of Aligarh Ankanksha Rana has issued directives to the block development officers (BDO) of Aligarh district to ensure compliance with the orders of the state government. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. These cultural and religious events including Ram Katha, Ramayan paath (recital), and bhajan kirtan (devotional songs) will take place at Ram temples, Hanuman temples and Valmiki temples from January 14 to January 22, statewide she said. The BDOs and Bal Vikas Pariyojana officers are to be named as members of samiti constituted at Gram Panchayat level to ensure compliance with the directives. They will ensure registering of data related to information about location of Ram temples, Hanuman temples and Valmiki temples through GPS location by January 10 at the portal of culture department, said CDO Aligarh. Beside GPS location of temples, contact numbers of temple managers are also to be uploaded on the portal of the state culture department. Members of Mahila Dal, Yuva Mangal Dal, Asha, ANM, Anganwadi workers, panchayat assistants will play pivotal role in identifying village nodal officers for these events, stated Rana. Various amenities like water supply, security, carpets, sound and light system are to be ensured at temples from January 14 to 22 while obtaining NOC in case required. Focus of these cultural events will be to spread the ideals and values of Lord Ram among the masses for which lighting of lamps, deepdan, katha pravachan (sermons), and Ramayana paath, Sundar Kand paath are to be undertaken. The artistes registered with the information office at district level are to be given priority during cultural events at temples. The photos and videos of these proceedings at temples statewide are to be uploaded at portal of the culture department of Uttar Pradesh. PATNA: Bihars state universities will be audited by an audit team of Raj Bhawan, Bihar governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has said, adding that he has already reached out to the audit body CAG for assistance in this regard. In an interview on the steps that his office is taking to improve the standard of education at Bihar universities, the governor, who is also the ex-officio chancellor of the state universities, said that the process of appointment of vice-chancellors (V-Cs) had been completed for six of the seven universities that have vacancies. It will take longer to fill other crucial vacancies such as registrars and exam controllers. Good people are hard to find, he said. Edited excerpts: In an interview, Bihar governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar the process to appoint vice chancellors of six universities will be completed soon (HT FILE PHOTO/Santosh Kumar) How long it will take for the appointment of vice-chancellors and Pro V-Cs? Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The process has been completed for six universities and the names of shortlisted candidates have been submitted to me in a sealed envelope by the search committee comprising eminent names. I have not seen it. Now I am waiting for consultation with the chief minister as per the practice. In light of the recent Supreme Court order, I can do it on my own but I want to do it only after consultation with CM. The CMs secretariat wanted the shortlisted names to be sent. I did that also. The moment the consultation is completed, the appointments will be made. Delay at one level leads to overall delay. A system works when all the wings of the system complement each other. Which university is facing delay? At Patna University, the process got delayed as the government nominee happened to be a pension holder from the same university. As per the laid down UGC norms, any member of the search committee should not in any way be related to the university for which the appointment has to be made. A member objected to the name sent. We sought a different name. There was some delay due to it. Finally, we put a different member and notified the panel. But the government has now sent the name of its nominee. The process will be completed for Patna University also. Apart from V-C and Pro V-C, there are vacancies in universities for full-time registrars, exam controllers, financial advisors and finance officers. Your comment. I am looking for people with impeccable records and integrity, as these are key positions. Good people are hard to find. I have sought panels of names from universities and many a time, I find problems with them. Some people have a tainted record. Where I have been able to appoint, there are complaints from V-Cs. Some V-Cs approached me to remove registrars in their universities just because there was a compatibility issue. I dont want confrontation but the registrars are not supposed to necessarily kowtow the vice-chancellors line. They have to do what is right. I had to tell a V-C that I would rather remove him, not the registrar, as there was nothing wrong that the latter was doing. You did write about the removal of the registrar of Aryabhatt Knowledge University (AKU). What happened? Yes, I have sent letters to the acting V-C again. The problem with AKU is that it has remained without a regular VC for far too long. But now, the process for AKU has also been completed. I know the issues confronting AKU and it will be streamlined. I am looking for a good registrar for AKU also. You say good people are hard to find, but the promotion backlog is getting longer at all universities. This hurts the individuals as well as the system. I know. I am now contemplating issuing guidelines for uniformity in promotion without any favouritism. At present, promotions are granted based on individual likes and dislikes. Now I want promotions to teachers of the same batch should be granted together, with no difference in the date of notification to avoid any seniority issues later on. It should happen uniformly. There should not be any room for individual preferences and the calendar for promotion should also be followed. Bihar universities are often in the news for financial irregularities. How do you propose to fix the problems? The audit of all universities will be done by the audit team of the Raj Bhavan. I am in touch with auditors and financial experts. I have also approached the office of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and they have agreed to depute their people. I will ensure that the audited reports of all universities are put on the website. There is also a need to regulate self-financing courses. If the students pay for them, they must get due benefits. There are laid down norms and procedures. All that is required is that everyone works according to these for the common good. The system is more important than individuals. You have been emphasising the new education policy but at universities, even ensuring that academic sessions stick to the calendar proves to be difficult. There is also a shortage of faculty. Initially, I found reluctance on the part of the vice-chancellors, principals and others, as they were satisfied with the status quo. But I kept harping on it for the larger good of students here and the approach has slowly changed. I know two to three universities are grappling with very late sessions, but they are at least making efforts. Speed of thinking and approach cannot change overnight. But they have realised they have to adopt the necessary change. I sit with them to tell them that they cannot afford to get isolated. I want proactive people to come forward. As far as the shortage of teachers is concerned, I always prefer a decentralised system at the level of universities for filling vacancies. The centralised system has also not proved effective, as it affects all universities due to delay. Teachers are important and universities cannot have endless ad hoc measures PUNE Food traditions are an essential part of culture and society and reflect a communitys history, values, and beliefs. Several traditions are passed down the generations. They travel across oceans and mountains and provide us with more than just sustenance. The taboo surrounding eating out had faded a little in the mid-twentieth century, but many had never been to a restaurant in India during that time. (Getty Images/iStockphoto (PIC FOR REPRESENTATION)) I met Madhukar Shripad Mate, the noted archaeologist, more than a decade ago, to ask him about the restaurants he had seen or visited during his childhood and youth. He was in his early eighties then and had drawn a map for me with locations of several restaurants marked on it. He narrated how his father, Shripad Mahadev Mate, popular author and social reformer, often visited the Jeevan restaurant on Tilak Road. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. During our conversation, he told me about a friend of his, Dr Khare, who had returned to Poona in 1954 after studying medicine in Dublin. Khare was an intelligent fellow who had adopted several Irish and English customs and etiquettes during his stay abroad. A few months after his return, he came to Mate with a request. While in Dublin, Khare and his expatriate friends would visit a local restaurant for lunch on New Years Day. It was a tradition which gave them hope in a foreign country where they lived away from their loved ones with little money. Now back in India, Khare wanted to take his young wife to a restaurant for breakfast and follow the same tradition. However, he was not at all sure about the idea. He was not confident enough to be seen in a restaurant with his wife. The taboo surrounding eating out had faded a little in the mid-twentieth century, but many like Khare had never been to a restaurant in India. Purity was important to several families, especially those belonging to the so-called upper castes. While several men ate out, women rarely stepped into an eatery. Khares wife, too, had never visited a restaurant and she was scared that her in-laws and parents would be angry if they found out about her little adventure. Khare was also apprehensive about his reputation. He was about to start his medical career in Poona and did not want anything to jeopardise the same. He requested Mate to find a way out so that he could enjoy breakfast with his wife on January 1, 1955, without anybody noticing. Celebrating the New Year on January 1 was quite unfamiliar to common Indians till almost the mid-twentieth century. When the British established their rule in India, some communities, like the Parsees and native Christians, became a part of European social life in India. Some wealthy Hindus and Muslims, too, attended Christmas and New Year parties in the twentieth century. But the common Indian was largely secluded from the European festivities in India. They were aware of the annual army parades held in every Indian city on January 1, but they almost never celebrated Christmas or the New Year themselves. They went on pilgrimages using discounted railway tickets and organised weddings during the Christmas vacations. Great Britain and its American colonies began following the Gregorian calendar in 1752. Before then they celebrated New Years Day on March 25. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, some British families celebrated New Years Day more than Christmas. Victorian Britain gradually transformed the festivities around the New Year. Queen Victoria was obsessed with everything Scottish. She was passionate about the New Years Eve celebration of Hogmanay, which meant the last day of the year. Her subjects were quick to embrace her passion. Gift-giving and first-footing were important to the celebrations. First-footing referred to the person crossing the threshold of a home after midnight on New Years Day. The first-footer traditionally arrived loaded with a coin, sweet bread, a lump of coal, and whiskey gifts representing all the things the New Year would hopefully bring, such as prosperity, food, flavour, warmth, and good cheer. Since Queen Victoria found Scottish customs at the New Year more to her taste, Anglo-Indians were quick to adapt them. Scotch cakes, Scotch shortbread, Scotch gingerbread, Edinburgh buns, Scotch whiskey, ale, salmon, herrings, haddocks, and oats, maintained their supremacy at the parties organised by the rich in Bombay and Poona. A curious New Years Eve tradition was followed by the Irish living in the Bombay Presidency. The men would take freshly made bread called barmbrack, go outside their houses or barracks, and launch the bread outside of the front door. This was said to stave off hunger for the rest of the year. While in the Victorian era, this practice seems to have survived only in wealthy homes of Ireland, advertisements appearing in English dailies in Bombay and Poona indicate that this was a common practice here since several bakers sold barmbrack before New Years Eve. The barmbrack was affectionately called the Gort Cake. It was sweet bread mixed with currants and raisins. It was also an old Irish form of divination. Charms were hidden in the bread and each charm would foretell what the future held for whoever found it in their slice: a coin for money and a ring for love. The charms were wrapped in paper before adding them so they stood out from the barm and no one broke a tooth. In the mid-nineteenth century, gentlemen visited many homes on New Years Day. Eligible bachelors left their calling cards to show they had visited. This open house was called an at home. These took place from noon to the evening. In Victorian England, guests were served a wide buffet and eggnog with rum or brandy. The Bombay Gazette, on December 18, 1891, suggested including chicken and ham sandwiches, turkey, pickled oysters, sardines, chicken salad, lobster salad, fruits like oranges, grapes, figs, and nectarines, jellies, ice cream, cake, lemonade and whiskey. The salads were to be garnished with egg rings, olives, and celery. Sardines were to be served with parsley and sliced lemon. The menu suggests that the buffet would have been unaffordable to many Anglo-Indians. Poonas social whirl reached its apex for many at Christmas and the New Year in the early twentieth century. However, clubs and hotels in Poona did not excite the wealthy Europeans. They would flock to Bombay during the vacations and enjoy the festivities at swanky places like the Byculla Club or The Taj. The Taj was known for special programmes arranged by the enterprising duo Faletti and Framrose who devised between them a host of ingenious ideas to keep everyone interested and entertained. Times changed. Indian independence became a practical possibility and rich Indian men started making their presence felt at Christmas and New Year parties. It was not unusual in the 1930s and 40s to spot them at restaurants like Muratores on New Years Eve. Those afraid to be seen at such places in Poona would visit Bombay. When Khare narrated his ordeal to Mate, the latter told his friend that he did not know how to help him. However, Mates father had overheard the conversation. He spoke to one of the owners of Jeevan and made sure the Khares were let inside from the back door. Khare and his wife enjoyed a quiet meal of thalipeeth (a savoury multigrain flatbread) and sanjori (a flatbread stuffed with semolina, jaggery, and coconut) on the first floor of the restaurant. That day, they created a New Years tradition for themselves. Chinmay Damle is a research scientist and food enthusiast. He writes here on Punes food culture. He can be contacted at chinmay.damle@gmail.com The Ministry of Educations Department of School Education & Literacy has launched a new program called Prerana: An Experiential Learning Program, to empower students with leadership qualities. Ministry of Education launches 'Prerana' program The release further stated that Prerana integrates principles of the Indian education system and the philosophy of value-based education which is a cornerstone of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. According to a press release, Prerana is a week-long residential program for selected students of class IX to XII. A batch of 20 selected students, consisting of 10 boys and 10 girls, will attend the program every week. Also read: CBSE Board Exam 2024 datesheet: Class 10, 12 timetable revised, check here To register, students have to visit the portal and fill in the required details. The registered applicants will go through a selection process, as prescribed on the portal. Applicants can also join the selection procedure conducted at the School/block level, on designated Prerana Utsav day, through various activities based on the ethos of Prerana. Subsequently, 20 participants who meet the criteria will be selected. Also read: Tips and tricks to excel in CBSE Class 12 physics board exams Notably, the Prerana program will run from a Vernacular School, established in 1888, in one of the oldest living cities of India, Vadnagar, in Gujarats Mehsana district. The curriculum of Prerana School has been prepared by IIT Gandhi Nagar and is rooted in nine value-based themes namely Swabhiman and Vinay, Shaurya and Sahas, Parishram and Samarpan, Karuna and Sewa, Vividhta and Ekta, Satyanishtha and Shuchita, Navachar and Jigyasa, Shraddha aur Vishwas, and Swatantrata and Kartavya. The program is aimed at inspiring the youth and fostering respect for Bharat's unity in diversity, embodying the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Program schedule under Prerana: The day-wise program schedule will feature yoga, mindfulness, and meditation sessions, followed by experiential learning, thematic sessions, and hands-on interesting learning activities. Activities in the evening will include visits to ancient and heritage sites, inspirational film screenings, mission life creative activities, talent shows, etc. ensuring a holistic learning approach. Students will also engage in diverse activities, embracing indigenous knowledge systems, technologies, and learnings from inspirational personalities. (To register for Prerana, students must visit prerana.education.gov.in.) Board of Secondary Education (BSEH or HBSE) on Thursday announced that Class 10th and 12th final exams 2024 and DElEd re-appear examinations will begin on February 27. Detailed date sheets of these examinations will be issued soon on the website bseh.org.in. HBSE Haryana board Class 10th, 12th exams 2024 from February 27(HT file/for representation) Addressing a press conference, board Chairman V P Yadav said Secondary or Class 10 regular, open school, re-appear, supplementary, marcy chance, and improvement examinations would take place between February 27 and March 26, 2024. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. For Senior Secondary or Class 12, these exams will begin on February 27 and continue till April 2, 2024, Yadav said. For DElEd candidates, re-appear exams will take place between February 27 and March 21, he added. The chairman further informed that all these examinations will be conducted in single shifts, from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm. This time, there will be 25 per cent objective-type questions in the Haryana board Class 10 and 12 final examinations, in which each question will be of one mark. He said answer sheets will be digitally marked, improving accuracy. Informing change in the paper pattern of Haryana board examinations, Yadav said 96 per cent of questions will be same in all four codes of the question papers and four per cent of the questions will be different. The order of questions will be different in all codes, he added. For further details, students are advised to visit the official website of the board. Deepika Padukone spoke about how she and actor-husband Ranveer Singh 'hope to inculcate the same values in their children' that her parents have brought her up with. In an interview with Vogue Singapore, the actor reflected on her how her parents Prakash Padukone and Ujjala Padukone raised her sister Anisha Padukone and her. She also discussed starting her own family with Ranveer. Also read: Deepika Padukone says she and Ranveer Singh 'schedule' time with each other due to their busy work life Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh look forward to starting their own family. The couple was seen together on Koffee With Karan 8 last year. Deepika Padukone talks about her upbringing Deepika Padukone praised her parents, saying, When I meet the people I have grown up with my aunts, uncles, family friends they always mention how I havent changed one bit. That says a lot about our upbringing... In this industry, its easy to get carried away by fame and money. But no one treats me like a celebrity at home. I am a daughter and a sister first. I dont want that to change. My family keeps me grounded and Ranveer and I hope to inculcate the same values in our children. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Deepika says Ranveer and she love children When asked if becoming a mother is something she looks forward to then, Deepika Padukone said, Absolutely. Ranveer and I love children. We look forward to the day when we will start our own family. Deepika's anniversary trip with Ranveer Last year in November, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone were in Belgium as they celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary. Ranveer and Deepika tied the knot on November 14, 2018 at Italy's Lake Como after dating for six years. They first met on the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's romantic film Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela. They later also starred in Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat. Deepika will be seen soon in the sci-fi action film Kalki 2898 AD opposite Prabhas. She also has director Siddharth Anand's aerial action film Fighter opposite Hrithik Roshan, which will be released on January 25, 2024. She will also be seen in Rohit Shetty's Singham Again. Ranveer will also be seen in the action film. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place Actor Preity Zinta has shared pictures of her vacation with husband Gene Goodenough, in Peru's Cusco. Preity Zinta is in Peru with husband Gene Goodenough Zinta took to Instagram to share a picture and captioned it, Tourist mode #PatiParmeshwar #pztravel #ting Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. She is seen in a black sweater and matching pants with colourful stripes on it while Gene wore a black sweater with grey trousers. Preity can also be seen giving a hug to her husband in the picture. Soon after the 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' actor shared the post, her fans flooded the comment section with red heart emoticons. "Welcome to Peru, madam. Our country admires and respects your work, and we are very excited to have you enjoying our culture.," a fan commented. Another fan wrote, "Welcome to Peru; happy to have you in our country." Preity and Gene got married on February 29, 2016, in an intimate ceremony in the US. Preity has been living in Los Angeles ever since. On November 11, 2021, Preity and her husband Gene Goodenough welcomed their twins, a baby boy named Jai and a baby girl named Gia, via surrogacy. The 'Veer Zaara' actor took to her Twitter handle to announce their parenthood. "Hi everyone, I wanted to share our amazing news with all of you today. Gene and I are overjoyed and our hearts are filled with so much gratitude and so much love as we welcome our twins Jai Zinta Goodenough and Gia Zinta Goodenough into our family," Preity tweeted. Preity has worked in Bollywood films like 'Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega', 'Chori Chori Chupke Chupke', 'Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha', 'Jaan-E-Mann', and 'Heroes'. (ANI) After numerous court documents identifying associates of late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were made public on Wednesday, an old clip from Ricky Gervais' Golden Globes monologue is grabbing attention on X (formerly Twitter). Some of the high-profile names mentioned in the now-disclosed court documents include Hollywood celebs such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, Cate Blanchett and Kevin Spacey. Also read: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz among Hollywood stars named in Jeffrey Epstein court documents Ricky Gervais' roast of Hollywood celebs at Golden Globes 2020 resurfaces after revelations about Jeffrey Epstein's list. Reactions to Ricky Gervais' monologue Sharing a part of Ricky Gervais' monologue about Hollywood celebs friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, an X user wrote, "Remember Hollywood elites' nervous laughter when Ricky Gervais joked about the Epstein list? Now we all know why. This is glorious." Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. He also tweeted a screengrab of actor Tom Hanks with his mouth wide open as he sat in the audience at the awards show, listing to Ricky. He wrote with it, "My favorite reaction." In response, another X user wrote, "Tom Hanks' extremely uneasy face at the end very telling." One more tweet read, "This was one of the funniest monologues of all time unless you're a guilty, privileged..." A person also said, 'The body language of the actors was so revealing..." Another X user tweeted, Ricky Gervais' daring jokes at the Oscars took on a whole new meaning with recent revelations (about the Jeffrey Epstein list). The nervous laughter now seems like a glimpse behind the curtain... Ricky Gervais' Jeffrey Epstein joke In January 2020, the British comic shocked the star-studded audience with his Golden Globes monologue by joking about Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein. In his speech, Ricky also took aim at Hollywood celebs' relationships with the financier, who killed himself in 2019, while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. Ricky Gervais addressed the celebs at the awards show as 'perverts' in his monologue. Along with Tom Hanks, a host of celebs were in attendance, such as actors Adam Driver, Sienna Miller, Lauren Graham and many others. Ricky had called out the stars in attendance for being friends with Jeffrey Epstein and said, "In this room are some of the most important TV and film executives in the world, from all different backgrounds. But they all have one thing in common theyre all terrified of Ronan Farrow (famous journalist) Hes coming for you! The American journalist was responsible for one of a number of exposes into the sexual misconduct of former film producer Harvey Weinstein. Ricky had then said that Jeffrey Epstein 'didn't kill himself'. Adding, "Shut up, I know he is your friend, but I don't care!" Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place Great films made by Indian filmmakers often get picked as official choices for the Academy Awards every year, while some filmmakers like RRRs SS Rajamouli campaign for their film independently. The Malayalam film 2018 was this years pick for the Oscars however it didnt receive a nomination. Director Jude Anthany Joseph opened up at a round table with Galatta Plus about just how strenuous it is to campaign for the Oscars. (Also Read: 2018 director Jude Anthany Joseph pens heartbreaking note as film fails to make the cut for Oscars) A still from the Malayalam film 2018 Oscar journey decoded Talking to Bharadwaj Rangan at a pan-India round table, Jude opened up about his 45-day campaign for the film, stating, Its a wonderful journey, you meet so many people in Los Angeles, US, and screen your film to them. Its awesome to get their feedback as a filmmaker and even better to represent India. They were surprised that I made the film on a budget of $3 million. That budget is nothing for them, but its big for Malayalam cinema. Campaigning needs money He also stated that the first step however is to get a good publicist who can guide you. I was told by our publicist that even if the jury loves the film, they have to love me too. To advertise in magazines there is costly. It costs $15,000 ( 12,48,442) for a single page ad. And you have to take out at least 10-15 ads to get noticed. The producers have to spend crores to campaign for the film there. Pan Nalin (director of Chhello Show) helped me a lot with the checklist of things to do. About 2018 2018 is a survival drama based on the Kerala floods in 2018. The film stars Tovino Thomas, Kunchacko Boban, Asif Ali, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Narain and Lal. The film hit screens in May this year and in September, it was selected as Indias official entry by Film Federation of India for the Best International Feature Film category. However, it was not shortlisted for nominations. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place Cheeni Kum child actor Swini Khara embraced the wedding bliss with engineer Urvish Desai on December 26 and her dreamy destination wedding in Jaipur was nothing short of perfect. I just met the perfect person who I thought would be the best person to spend my life with. We met through a common friend and took our time to get to know each other. It was more or less arranged by our families but we did have a good amount of time before we got married, it just felt right. We got a good vibe from each other and even our families. If it fits right, works right and you have a good feeling about it, then you should not wait and go get married, Khara enthusiastically says. Swini Khara wedding The couple, both proud Gujaratis and Jains, meticulously adhered to cultural and personal traditions. We followed every single traditional ceremony, even the muharats. In destination weddings, people tend to forget the values and essence of traditions, but we were very fully involved in it and made sure that everything was followed properly, right from the engagement to Ganesh sthapna. Between our first puja to write the invitation card till the wedding day, you are supposed to carry a lemon around and wear an iron ring, so we followed all these little things, she emphasises, adding, Urvish and I got married in a resort in Jaipur. We wanted all our family and friends to be at the same place together. One of the best things about attending any wedding is meeting everyone whom you havent met since a very long time. You sit, laugh and play games together. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Recalling a magical moment of the big day, the 25-year-old shares, The most memorable moment from the wedding day has to be the varmaala. When we were walking down the stairs of the palace, we kept looking at each other constantly, and it gave both of us a lot of comfort, I remember that very clearly. Currently on their honeymoon in Spain, Khara expresses, We are over the moon after getting married and taking it one day at a time. Seeing a whole different side of each other has been beautiful. We are currently in Spain for our honeymoon. We had a reception after coming back to Bombay and flew literally the next day. It has been going amazing. We attended the Puerta del Sol, the New Years celebration at the main Madrid Square. It was a dream, which was really beautiful. PK Mishra, principal secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, participated in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in Mumbai on Thursday. Attended by more than 1,500 people, the event saw Mishra and all participants taking the pledge of a Viksit Bharat (developed India). Under the Meri Kahani Meri Zubani initiative, beneficiaries of various central government schemes shared their experiences and success stories. PK Mishra, principal secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses an event during the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in Mumbai on Thursday.(PMO ) A recorded video message of PM Modi and the film on objectives of the Yatra was also played, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Mishra also distributed certificates and benefits to beneficiaries of schemes like Mudra Yojana, PM SVANidhi, among others. The principal secretary to PM Modi also visited the stalls set up to spread awareness about the major government schemes to attain saturation and reach out to all beneficiaries who have till now not been able to attain the benefits of these schemes. During his address, Mishra spoke about PM Modi's vision of a developed India and urged the citizens to participate in the yatra with full vigour. He also spoke on the saturation approach in the implementation of Govt schemes and last mile delivery. He also appreciated BMC administration for organizing successful Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in Mumbai city. The Supreme Courts January 2 order staying two office memos of the environment ministry that allow post-facto clearance of mining projects that did not have the required environmental clearance when they commenced work has raised questions about the status of these operations, and also whether the top court could adopt a similar approach while dealing with post-facto forest clearances. Representative Image The January 2022 and July 2021 memos detailing the standard operating procedure for handling of projects in violation of the Environment Impact Assessment Act 2006, were aimed at regularising several projects that had broken the law, started project work without clearance or expanded their project without an environmental nod. The goal was to expeditiously get violators under the regulatory regime, according to the memo. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In the memos, the ministry also laid out penalties for various categories of such violations, and remediation measures where needed. Vanashakti, an NGO based in Mumbai moved SC in 2022 against the SOP which goes against the very principle of prior environmental clearance. The petitioner was constrained to directly approach SC as the Impugned SOP dated 07.07.21 was stayed by the Madras HC, however Honble SC in Electrosteel Vs Union of India, held that the interim stay granted by the Madras HC vide Order dated 15.07.2021 would have no application in territories beyond the territorial jurisdiction of Madras High Court, Vanashakti said in a statement. In 2022, the ministry issued another OM stating that the Madras High Court order was not applicable to the entire country but only to the jurisdictional areas of Madras High Court. Consequently, though the Impugned SOP dated 7.07.2021 remains for the State of Tamil Nadu, it is operating through the rest of the Country. Thus, in order to avoid the lengthy process of approaching 24 other High Courts so as to get the impugned SOP stayed in all the states, the Petitioner is constrained to approach the SC directly, the NGOs statement added. This Supreme Courts order pertains to matters related to environmental clearances granted by the government under EIA Notification 2006. In the clearance of ex post facto cases, the precautionary principle is entirely ignored. Initially, based on the documents submitted as part of the EIA process, the government assesses whether a particular activity should be permitted and how it will affect the environment. Only if the activity is unavoidable and lacks alternatives should it be allowed, and even then, with measures to cause minimal environmental impact. The restoration and polluters-pay principles should only be considered as a last resort when the activity and its environmental impacts are unavoidable and absolutely necessary. What was once an exception has now become standardized through the SOP, said Debadityo Sinha, Lead- Climate & Ecosystems, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy. It raises questions about how to prevent or restore damages for violations. When such policies set a precedent, they inevitably become common practice. The government is not the owner; they are custodians of forests, and environmental protection is their constitutional duty. We need to examine how this order will impact ex post facto clearances already granted based on the OM once the SC order is available, he said. This is a critical development given that post facto approvals have increasingly been embedded in Indias environment regulatory framework. How the government responds to this legal challenge and the courts view of it will shape the relevance impact assessment and public participation methods that were designed to be good practice in the investment, planning and operationalisation of industrial and infrastructure projects, said Kanchi Kohli, legal and environment policy researcher. Union environment ministry officials said they will have to go through the order before responding to it. The courts stay is also important because the ministry continues to grant ex post facto clearances in forest matters also. HT reported on December 28 that the ministry will consider ex-post facto clearance for various non-forest projects that have come up in the Aravallis. Interestingly, in March 2022, the Supreme Court ruled that ex post facto green clearances can be granted in exceptional circumstances even after taking into account all environmental impacts, setting aside an order of the National Green Tribunal on closure of industries running without prior approval. A bench comprising Justices Indira Banerjee and JK Maheshwari observed that the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, did not absolutely prohibit the grant of ex post facto environmental clearance. Ex post facto environmental clearance should not be granted routinely, but in exceptional circumstances taking into account all relevant environmental factors, the courts order said while hearing an appeal filed by Pahwa Plastics Pvt. Ltd against an NGT order which said that the firms manufacturing units, which did not obtain prior environmental clearance, could not continue to operate. On Tuesday, a bench of justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta stayed the office memos on NGO Vanashaktis petition. It sought the governments response and posted the matter for the next hearing after four weeks.Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who appeared for Vanashakti, told the court that the July 2021 order provided for the SOP for ex-post facto clearance for projects that fall foul of the EIA notification. Sankaranarayanan said EIA mandates a prior approval before the commencement of any activity. He added this is a non-derogable requirement under the law. Sankaranarayanan cited Supreme Court orders seeking to balance the goals of sustainable development and environmental protection. The court said a post-facto clearance regime could not co-exist with one that required prior clearances. The effect of the order of the Honble Supreme Court dated 2/1/2024 staying the O.M dated 28/1/2022 is that the process of grant of ex post facto clearances across the country for all sectors remains stayed, Vanashakti said in a statement. Most lessees got their ex post facto clearances based on this OM. Now if there is a stay then their operations close and the window open for new lessees who could have been regularised is also closed. During this interim period of stay, mineral production in the country will also be impacted. We do not know the exact number of mines that will face this stay order, said B K Bhatia, Additional Secretary General, Federation of Indian Mineral Industries. In a big boost for the Congress partys prospects in Andhra Pradesh in the run up to this years Lok Sabha elections, YS Sharmila, daughter of late Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy and sister of incumbent CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, joined the Congress in New Delhi on Thursday in the presence of Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahull Gandhi. YSR Telangana party founder YS Sharmila. (Facebook photo) The Congress party had been negotiating with Sharmila for the past one year and she was earlier scheduled to join in a rally in Hyderabad in September. But negotiations could not be finished in time, a senior functionary said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Sharmila is a founder of YSR Telangana party an unrecognised regional party based in Andhra Pradesh. Her party, founded in July 2021, doesnt have any elected representatives in the state or Parliament. Her entry in the Congress will help the party stake claim to YS Rajasekhara Reddys legacy a two term chief minister who died in a tragic helicopter accident in 2008. After Reddys death, the Congress eventually ceded to K Chandrashekar Raos demand for a separate Telangana but Reddys son Jagan Mohan quit the party and formed his own outfit to govern Andhra Pradesh. Her entry into the Congress took place before a crucial meeting of the general secretaries and in-charges for the poll preparations and the Bharat Nyay Yatra. Hyderabad, Jan 4 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday called on BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao who is recovering following hip replacement surgery. HT Image Reddy met the former Telangana chief minister at the latter's residence at Nandi Nagar here and enquired about his health, BRS sources said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Rao's son and BRS working president K T Rama Rao and other party leaders welcomed Reddy. Earlier, the Andhra Pradesh chief minister arrived at the Begumpet airport in the city from Vijayawada on a special flight. He was welcomed at the airport by BRS MLAs Vemula Prashant Reddy and Palla Rajeshwar Reddy, the sources said. Rao, also known as KCR, on December 8 last year underwent left Total Hip Replacement operation at a private super-specialty hospital here following a fracture due to a fall at his residence. He was discharged from the hospital on December 15. In the wake of an accident that claimed 12 lives on their way to a picnic, the Assam Police on Wednesday issued a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the regulation of picnic parties. The guidelines for such trips include prohibiting movement in the dark and asking picnickers not to play loud music inside vehicles. Locals seen at the site where a bus with a truck near Deragaon, in Golaghat on Wednesday. (ANI) "In this atmosphere of pomp and gaiety, sadness struck because of road traffic accidents during the vehicular movement of these picnic parties. Hence, it is felt imperative that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) be in place to regulate the movement of these picnic parties," the police said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Sharing the 'SOP on Picnic' on X, the Assam Police said, "No loud music on the vehicles to be allowed... There should not be any movement of picnic parties before sunrise and after sunset." The guidelines prohibit overcrowding in vehicles used for picnic transportation and trading illicit liquor in or around picnic spots. Local police have been directed to conduct frequent raids on dhabas and establishments where illicit liquors are sold. Picnic parties should ensure that no movement takes place during fog, the SOP read. It also asked picnickers to inform the local police station about their plans. Police will also deploy surveillance groups, assisted by VDP (Village Defence Party), to detect illicit or illegal activities in and around the picnic spots. "Sufficient lighting facilities should be provided in and around the vulnerable picnic spots... Sufficient parking area should be earmarked in every spot," it added. At least 12 people, including three children, were killed and 38 others injured in a head-on collision with a coal-laden truck coming from the opposite direction on the same side of the road. The passengers of the bus, most of them hailing from Bharalukhuwa village, were on their way to the Tilinga temple in Tinsukia when the accident took place. New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received 259.08 crore as donations through electoral trust in 2022-2023, accounting for 70.69% of all donations made through the medium, according to an analysis of the Association for Democratic Reforms. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) received the second highest electoral trust donations at 90 crore, 24.56% of electoral trust donations, the ADR report said. Electoral trusts are set up by companies with the objective to distribute the contributions received from other firms and individuals to the political parties. (PTI) Electoral trusts are set up by companies with the objective to distribute the contributions received from other firms and individuals to the political parties. They must donate 95% of contributions received in a financial year to political parties registered under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Electoral trusts list the companies and individuals who contribute to them. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Unlike electoral bonds, where buyers of the bonds are anonymous, electoral trusts are more transparent as they mandate reporting the contributors. According to the analysis, the YSR Congress received 16 crore, the Aam Aadmi Party 90 lakh and Congress 50 lakh as donations through electoral trust. Of the thirteen electoral trusts that submitted their contribution reports, only five Prudent Electoral Trust, Samaj Electoral Trust Association, Paribartan Electoral Trust, Triumph Electoral Trust and Einzigartig Electoral Trust declared contributions from corporate houses and individuals. Contributions from these five electoral trusts were worth 366.495 crore. Prudent disbursed 99.09% of the money it collected, 363.15 crore, to four political parties --- BJP ( 256.25 crore), BRS ( 90 crore), YSRCP ( 16 crore) and AAP ( 90 lakh). Congress received 50 lakh, its only donation, from Samaj Electoral Trust Association. BJP is the only party to receive donations from multiple electoral trusts. Bengaluru BJP workers stage a protest against the state government over the arrest of a person in Karnataka's Hubballi for alleged involvement in the riots after the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992, in Bengaluru on Wednesday. (ANI) The Bharatiya Janata Party held protests across Karnataka over the arrest of a man in connection with a 31-year-old case related to Ram temple agitation registered in 1992, as the Congress government justified its action dubbing him a criminal suspect with multiple charges. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Srikanth Poojari, 50, was apprehended by Hubballi police on Monday, over his suspected involvement in the riots that ensued in Hubballi following the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 when he was 20 years old. BJP leaders, led by state president BY Vijayendra, held a demonstration at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, which saw the participation of prominent party figures, including DV Sadananda Gowda, Dr CN Ashwath Narayana, K Gopalaiah, and LA Ravi Subramanya. During the protest, Vijayendra accused the Siddaramaiah government of being biased against Hindus. The Congress government is trying to oppress the rights of Hindus in the state. He demanded Poojaris release within 48 hours, threatening to escalate the matter by submitting a complaint to the governor and having party workers storm the Town Police Station in Hubballi if necessary. Ashwath Narayan criticised the Congress governments handling of the situation and accused the Congress of indulging in appeasement politics. There should not be appeasement politics or misuse of the funds. Only vote bank politics is not appreciated by the people. They are trying to politicise the entire thing so thats the reason we are condemning the entire approach of the Congress government in Karnataka. Now they should realize to be nationalist, respect all sections, he said. Senior BJP leader Sadananda Gowda alleged political motives behind Poojaris arrest, particularly noting the timing of the arrest and consecration of Ayodhyas Ram Temple. He questioned the legality of closing cases and warned that the Congress governments appeasement politics would have repercussions. Closing the cases, was it within the purview of legal boundaries? The appeasement politics of Siddaramaiah certainly will hit back at him within a very short period. Legal issues which need to be taken care of will be taken care of by BJP legally, he said. These are all political activities, 100% politically motivated. Now when we are going to inaugurate Ayodhya Ram Mandir, at this juncture why would they do all this? Why this provocation? he asked. Responding to the allegations, chief minister Siddaramaiah issued a statement, dismissing the BJPs claims as baseless and politically motivated. He highlighted the danger of assigning caste and religious labels to criminals, pointing out that even during the BJPs rule, chief minister BS Yediyurappa had faced legal action without accusations of being anti-Hindu. The chief minister said, For four years, the BJP spent time in misrule and corruption scandals, but all of a sudden they have woken up in panic due to the publics positive response to our governments achievements. They are desperately clinging to the arrest of a suspected criminal in Hubballi to lead their baseless charge. Even when the BJP government was in power in the state, the Lokayukta police had arrested chief minister BS Yediyurappa and he was sent to jail. Is that Hubballi suspect any greater Hindu or devotee of Ram than Yediyurappa? So, was the government at that time anti-Hindu? he asked. Not even the leaders of the BJPs parent organisation called the government that arrested Yediyurappa anti-Hindu, did they? Why this outcry now? Siddaramaiah questioned. Meanwhile, senior Congress leader B K Hariprasad raised concerns about a potential Godhra-like incident in Karnataka ahead of the Ram temple consecration ceremony on January 22. Hariprasad urged the government to remain vigilant and make necessary arrangements to prevent any untoward incidents, citing alleged instigation by certain organisations in other states. A similar (Godhra-like) situation can be created here also. So, no room should be given for any untoward incident to happen in Karnataka. All the arrangements should be made for those willing to go to Ayodhya so that we should not see another Godhra happening in Karnataka, he said. There is an absolute possibility (for such an incident). I can even give information. I can tell you that the heads of some organisations went to some states and instigated some BJP leaders. I cannot say that openly. They are doing it. They are instigating such acts, Hariprasad alleged. PANAJI: A 45-year-old British tourist who was found dead near a beach in Agonda South Goa may have died due to injuries sustained in a fall, police officers said on Thursday. Police said the autopsy report has revealed fractures to her cervical spine and brain haemorrhage (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Emma Louise, a frequent visitor to Goa, was found dead on Tuesday evening in a church compound, a portion of which extends to the beach. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The autopsy report has revealed fractures to her cervical spine and brain haemorrhage -- that is internal bleeding. It is suspected that she had a fall and was knocked unconscious and remained unattended resulting in her death, police inspector Chandrakant Gawas said. Gawas added that the circumstances leading to her fall are not fully clear On Wednesday, police said that there were no visible external injuries and that there was nothing to indicate foul play. She was found with no injuries, her clothes and possessions including her mobile phone and identity documents were intact and found on her person. We do not suspect foul play. New Delhi: Reacting to AAP's charge that the Bharatiya Janata Party wants to arrest Arvind Kejriwal to prevent him from campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections, BJP on Thursday said the Delhi chief minister has been behaving like a fugitive. Referring to Kejriwal skipping the ED summons over the liquor policy case, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva called AAP 'choron ki baraat' (a procession of thieves). Arvind Kejriwal (PTI file photo) "Since morning I have been watching the 'Choron ki Baraat' (procession of thieves) making noise and mourning for Kejriwal. When you did corruption what happened that time? You (Kejriwal) are running away from the investigation agency. You have been called three times by ED but you did not go there. Now you are mourning that you can be arrested. Delhi CM it's your responsibility to follow the rules but you are not following that," he said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj said Kejriwal is not above the law. "The ED has sent three summons, but the CM is running away from an investigation. He doesn't want to be involved in the investigation," Swaraj said. Also read: Kejriwal to address public meeting in Gujarat, meet jailed AAP MLA On Wednesday night, Delhi minister Atishi said the chief ministers would be arrested on Thursday. "News coming in that ED is going to raid @ArvindKejriwals residence tmrw morning. Arrest likely," she claimed on X. AAP leader Jasmine Shah claimed the BJP wants to finish the AAP. "It is clear that they (BJP) want to finish the Aam Aadmi Party and arrest Arvind Kejriwal before Lok Sabha elections. He is ready to cooperate with the legal process. Till now, all summons served to him are illegal," Shah said. When asked about where they got the news of the raids at Kejriwal's residence, the AAP leader said, "Last night from our credible sources, we got to know that a raid will be conducted and Arvind Kejriwal will be arrested." Congress leader Udit Raj said the Delhi chief minister must appear before the ED and present his stance on the allegations like Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri said: "AAP leaders are lamenting and questioning ED whether Arvind Kejriwal can be arrested. I want to ask this question to everyone, if the police repeatedly visit someone's house, asking them to come, and they refuse, should they be arrested or not? Or does the law differ for common people and VIPs?" Also read:'Your obstinacy...': Arvind Kejriwal cites Rajya Sabha polls, Republic Day for skipping ED summons Kejriwal skipped the summons for the third time citing prior engagements due to the Rajya Sabha elections and the Republic Day. He also asked the Enforcement Directorate to respond to his previous letters. "As a premier investigating agency the non-disclosure and non-response approach adopted by you cannot sustain the test of law, equity or justice. Your obstinacy is tantamount to assuming the role of judge, jury and executioner at the same time which is not acceptable in our country governed by the rule of law," he wrote in the letter on Wednesday. On November 2, he skipped the first ED summons saying he was busy with the election campaign. In December, he said he was going on a Vipassana trip. With inputs from PTI, ANI The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Wednesday underlined that the soul of the Congress party is Hindu and that the party should attend the Lord Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya if they have received the special invitation, keeping aside the political difference. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.(HT photo) The Uddhav Thackeray-led party is an ally of Congress in Maha Vikas Aghadi and also a member of the INDIA bloc of opposition parties. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "If Congress has received any special invitation for the Ram temple consecration ceremony then it (the leaders) should go to Ayodhya. What is wrong with it?" the Shiv Sena (UBT) asked in an editorial in the party's mouthpiece Saamana, according to PTI. It also said: "The Congress' soul is Hindu. There is nothing to hide in it." Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and the party's leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury have been invited to the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22. Also Read | Would Sonia Gandhi have been invited if it was political: VHP on Ram Temple However, the Congress has not yet clarified its official stance on whether its top leaders will attend the event. Last week, the party said that it would decide about attending the event at an "appropriate time". In Wednesday's editorial, the Shiv Sena (UBT) also said that it is wrong to say that the BJP is the beholder of Hindutva as claimed by that party. It pointed out that the Congress has equally contributed to the growth of Hindu culture, it added, reported PTI. "The Congress never opposed the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. Former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi was of the opinion that Ram temple should be constructed in Ayodhya. It was on the instructions of Rajiv Gandhi that the famous serial Ramayan was telecast on Doordarshan," the edit said. The Shiv Sena (UBT) also took a dig at the BJP, saying the Babri mosque wouldn't have been brought down if the prime minister at that time was from that party. PV Narasimha Rao was the prime minister when the structure was razed in December 1992. Bengaluru: A Dalit man and his sister-in-law were assaulted by some upper-caste people in Mulabagilu taluk of Kolar district after he requested for repayment of a loan , police said on Wedenesday. A complaint has been filed against ten people at Nangali police station. Five people were arrested on Tuesday, while the remaining five are currently absconding, police said (HT Archives) According to a complaint filed by the Dalit man Hanumantha (28), around 10 people from the village attacked him and his sister-in-law with stones and knives. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. A complaint has been filed against ten people at Nangali police station. Police arrested five people on Tuesday, while the remaining five are currently absconding, Nangali police station sub-inspector Arjun Gowda told HT. According to the police, three years ago, Hanumantha, a labourer, had lent 50,000 to the accused Santhosh after getting the amount from a relative. However, upset with Santhoshs failure to repay the loan, Hanumantha went to his house on Sunday evening and asked for repayment of the amount. This resulted in a confrontation between the two, sub-inspector Gowda said. Hanumantha, who is undergoing treatment at Mulabagilu government hospital, told reporters,Santhosh came to my house with his relatives, verbally abused me and my sister-in-law Sudhamma with caste names, and attacked us with stones and knives. Later, the group set fire to the hut of my elder brother Reddeppa. A complaint has been registered at Nangali police station against Suresh, Sunil, Ashok Gowda, Kalawathi, Shivshankar Gowda, Janardhan, Prasanna Kumar, Sagar, Santhosh, and Narendra Gowda. Soon after receiving the complaint from Hanamantha, we visited the crime scene, collected information, and arrested five accused, Arjun Gowda said. All the accused were charged under the SC/ST (prevention of atrocities) Act, IPC sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 146 (rioting), 149 (unlawful assembly with common intent), 504 (intentional insult), 506 (threat to life), and 324 (hurt with a weapon). The arrested five were produced before JMFC court in Mulabagilu, and efforts are underway to apprehend the other accused who are hiding after the incident. The court remanded all accused to judicial custody for 14 days. FSL experts were summoned to the crime scene where the hut was burnt down, and they collected evidence, the sub-inspector said. Kolar additional SP V B Bhaskar visited the spot and deployed police personnel to maintain law and order. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday issued a video message amid intense speculation that he would be arrested in connection with the alleged liquor scam. For the last two years, you have heard the words sharab ghotala several times. There have been multiple raids in connection. Agencies didn't find a single rupee. Where did the money go? Did it just vanish in the air? The truth is there has been no corruption, Kejriwal said in a video message, a day after skipping the third summons of the Enforcement Directorate. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said the BJP only wants to put him in jail so that he cannot campaign for the Lok Sabha elections. (PTI) Many AAP leaders have been falsely implicated in this connection and they are languishing in jail while there is no evidence against them. Now the BJP wants to arrest me. My biggest strength is my honesty. They want to defame me, hurt my image by false accusations, Kejriwal said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Speaking on the summons, Kejriwal said his lawyers told him that the summonses were illegal. "I wrote in detail why their summonses were illegal. But they did not reply because they had no reply. Should I follow illegal summonses? I will cooperate if a legal summons is sent to me," Kejriwal said. "The BJP has nothing to investigate. They just want to stop me from campaigning in the Lok Sabha election. Otherwise, why would they summon me just ahead of the elections? The investigation has been going on for two years. The CBI called me eight months ago. Didn't I attend that? I provided all answers to whatever the CBI asked. But they just want to arrest me on the pretext of summoning me," Kejriwal added. "ED is calling me just two months before the election which proves that they have no investigation in mind. The BJP is using ED and CBI to poach leaders from other parties. There is more than one instance of how leaders who join the BJP immediately get a clean chit. Today Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain and Sanjay Singh are in jail not because they indulged in corruption, but because they refused to join the BJP. Had we done something wrong, we would have joined the BJP by now," Kejriwal said. Kejriwal arrest row: Here is what happened since yesterday 1. Kejriwal was summoned by the ED on January 3 for the third time. Kejriwal rejected the summons and said he was busy with Republic Day and Rajya Sabha election preparations. 2. Kejriwal said he can answer a questionnaire if the agency sends one. The chief minister mentioned that the agency did not clarify whether Kejriwal was being called as a witness or as an accused. 3. Delhi ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj on Wednesday night tweeted that they had information that Kejriwal would be arrested by the ED on Thursday morning. 4. The tweets by the ministers triggered a major drama in front of Kejriwal's residence at Civil Lines in the morning. 5. AAP leaders claimed all roads leading to Kejriwal's residence were blocked while police said the deployment was to manage the presence of the media personnel. 6. The ED, meanwhile, rejected the rumours of any raid at Kejriwal's house. Reports said the agency was preparing to send a 4th summons to the chief minister, examining his reply. 7. AAP said Kejriwal would leave for Gujarat on January 6 for a three-day tour. The passengers on board a dubious chartered flight grounded in France last month were aware that they were embarking on an illegal route through Nicaragua and Mexico before entering the US on boats, were prepped for any exigency and assured of legal assistance in case things go wrong, and were confident of success because theyd seen videos of people being smuggled into America, two passengers on the plane said on Thursday. Passengers from Nicaragua bound Airbus A340 flight that was grounded in France on suspicion of human trafficking,(REUTERS) The grounding of the Dubai-Nicaragua Legend Airways Airbus A340 carrying 303 Indians in Vatry in France on December 21 blew the lid off a racket involving private firms and touts that help people reach the US and Canada via stops in Europe and South American countries. To make the multi-hop journey, now known as the donkey route, the consultancies help create fake documents and paper trails. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Also read: Donkey flight returns: Indians on suspect chartered plane mostly from Punjab, Gujarat A 24-year-old resident of Dingucha in Gujarat and one of the people on the flight, said that passengers were told by agents that they were to fly from Dubai to Nicaragua, where they would meet another agent, to take them to Mexico, where a visa on arrival would be arranged for them. From Mexico, they said we would take an illegal route through boats to reach the US. Two lawyers had already been paid to take up our case in the eventuality that we are caught at the border. We were asked to travel light, and only take money so that if there was a delay we could survive. They said it was easier on boats if we carried less baggage, the 24-year-old said, requesting anonymity. There was confidence because we had seen over 50 videos where Gujaratis had entered the US illegally before. A second person on the flight a 25-year-old computer operator from Ahmedabad who wanted to become a hotel manager in the US said he contacted an agent who previously arranged for three family members to take the route, and was told that the illegal way was the only option. I was told agents would arrange legal documents, a degree and bank papers, and that I had to arrange 85 lakh in return, he said. The Airbus jet was allowed to return with the Indian passengers in the last week of December after French authorities questioned them for four days. Of the 303 originally on board, 276 returned, with the rest having sought asylum in France and two detained over what French police said was a human trafficking investigation. The statements of the passengers from Gujarat underline the sweeping and systematic functioning of the illegal operation. HT has previously reported that hundreds, possibly thousands, of people transacted with a syndicate spanning several states that helped Indians enter US and Canada illegally and on forged documentation. Sanjay Kharat, superintendent of police, crime investigation department (CID), Gujarat, said police have identified four kingpins in the case. It is not east for one person to arrange for over 300 tickets and to make such arrangements. There are many more in the racket, and transactions were made through the hawala route. The passengers however have recorded statements that they have not paid a penny, and the investment was made by agents. This is a highly specialised operation, he said. The 24-year-old said that he left Ahmedabad for Mumbai on November 19, as part of a batch of seven others, all to eventually board the flight to Nicaragua. We were introduced to each other outside the Mumbai airport, and from there we were taken to a budget hotel where we stayed for two days, he said. They flew to Dubai on November 29 and December 2, and after a one-day stay in a hotel, were shifted to an apartment in a posh locality. They were explained the route they would travel from Mexico through maps, were shown videos about what would ensue, and that is where they lived till December 20, when over 300 people boarded the flight to Nicaragua. The 24-year-old said everything was going well, until they landed to refuel in France, and were told to remain seated. Once questioning began, some people did panic. But we had been mentally prepared that officials might interrogate us. The authorities took us to a hall and gave us refreshments. We were then posed with the same questions over and over again and told we were illegally trafficked. They said that if they found anything illegal, we would land in jail for years. But there was an agent on the flight with us who kept counselling us and promised that he would take us back safely, and if something were to go wrong, lawyers were available to appeal the case, he said. He added that when they returned to India, they were questioned by Indian authorities, but continued to insist that they had valid travel visas, and were let go. Kharat corroborated this, adding that the passengers were tutored by agents to refrain from revealing details if they were caught. After returning, nobody came to us. In fact, we reached out to them. All the passengers are victims here, he said. Thus far 17 first information reports have been registered in the case. One of the agents under the scanner refuted the charges. Our role may be under the scanner but they have found no evidence in this case. No family or passengers have complaints against us. Otherwise, we would have been in jail by now, he said, requesting anonymity. Kolkata: The rift in the Opposition's INDIA bloc in West Bengal surfaced on Thursday as the Congress attacked Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee for offering just two of the state's 42 Lok Sabha seats. Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said his party doesn't need Banerjee's pity and can win more seats on its own. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee (File) "The real intention of Mamata Banerjee is out. They are saying that they (TMC) will give two seats (to Congress) in West Bengal. Those seats already have Congress MPs. What new are they giving us? .We won these two seats by defeating Mamata Banerjee and the BJP. What favour are they doing to us?" he said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. He said the Trinamool needs the Congress more. "Who will trust her (Mamata Banerjee)? It is Mamata who needs Congress to win... Congress can fight and is capable of winning more seats on its own. We will show. We don't need to keep these two seats on Mamata's pity," he added. TMC has slammed the Congress over the remark. "Adhir Chowdhury is behaving like a BJP person. In 2021 Assembly polls, TMC fought the battle alone but Adhir Chowdhury's party fought in alliance with CPM and got zero. What is he talking about? TMC doesn't need anybody to fight the BJP, but for the sake of INDIA alliance, our leader Mamata Banerjee is fully cooperating. But, Congress is playing a double-faced game," TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said. Last month, Banerjee had hinted that she wanted the Trinamool Congress to contest the Lok Sabha elections alone. She had told party workers that only TMC can teach the BJP a lesson in the state. Only TMC can teach the BJP a lesson in West Bengal and set a model for others across the country. No other party can do it, she said, adding that the INDIA bloc will contest the elections in the rest of the seats. West Bengal has 42 Lok Sabha seats. The BJP pulled off a stellar performance in 2019 by winning 18 seats. The party, however, couldn't perform to its expectations in the 2021 Bengal assembly polls, as the TMC scored a landslide win. Also read: INDIA alliance to contest on all seats in LS polls: Mamata Banerjee Ensure that West Bengal does not slip out of the TMCs hands. If we get fewer seats, the torture (by the BJP) will shoot up," Banerjee said last week. Bengal is one among many states where the INDIA bloc is facing rifts over seat sharing. In Punjab, both the AAP and the Congress have hinted at contesting the elections separately. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring today said: "AICC has told us to compete on all 13 seats...In the meeting today there was no discussion about Punjab on seat sharing or alliance. We have prepared to compete for all 13 seats. We will discuss the candidates and strategy to contest elections in the coming 3-4 months."The two parties have also been attacking each other in Delhi. Meanwhile, reacting to speculation that Nitish Kumar could be the convener of the INDIA bloc, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi took a sharp jibe. "I fail to understand what kind of alliance (INDIA bloc) is. There is an atmosphere of distrust among each other. The differences are evident, but despite that they are saying 'we will fight against Modi'. They are well aware that PM Modi's work has disturbed their mathematics. They will get a 440-volt shock in the 2024 Lok Sabha election," he said. With inputs from PTI, ANI The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has decided to close a money laundering case against two Dalit farmers from Tamil Nadu, people familiar with the development said on Wednesday, after summons issued to the 72-year-old cultivator and his 67-year-old brother and mentioning their caste names sparked a controversy. Representational image The people cited above said that the case against S Kannaiyan and S Krishnan was closed, as the predicate offence based on which the probe began was already over, adding that the agency had no intentions of harassing the farmers. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The development came after the six-month-old summons it was issued on July 5, 2023 resurfaced on social media this week, triggering a row. Political parties in Tamil Nadu and activists took particular offence to ED mentioning the caste of the two farmers Hindu Pallars both in the summons and ECIR (Enforcement Case Information Report), which is equivalent to a first information report (FIR). The matter has been blown out of proportion as the summons are almost six months old, said a senior ED officer, requesting anonymity. We had registered a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case in March 2022 against Kannaiyan and Krishnan based on a letter forwarded by Tamil Nadu forest department on July 12, 2021. The forest departments case was related to the killing of two wild buffaloes under section 51 and 9 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which are scheduled offences. We have been taking up several wildlife cases lately in line with court orders and Financial Action Task Forces mandate to track wildlife cases, said the officer quoted above. Asserting that the summons were issued to Kannaiyan and Krishan as a regular procedure followed in PMLA cases, a second ED officer said: They (the farmers) were not questioned that day (on July 5, 2023) and since then, no further summons have been issued to them... Rather, an advocate who appeared with the farmers on July 5 created ruckus at the ED office in Chennai. On mentioning their caste in the case, this officer said: ED takes up cases from police or agencies that investigate scheduled offences and usually re-registers it verbatim. It was a clerical error. Nonetheless, the first officer said: The PMLA case against the siblings is being closed as we have learnt that a court in Attur (Salem) recently acquitted them in the wildlife case of forest department, the main predicate offence. A third ED officer admitted that it was a very petty case and ideally shouldnt have been filed in the first place. Were not bothered now whether ED closes its case or not. We want Tamil Nadu police to act against ED officials and arrest them. We have already filed a complaint with the police, said the farmers lawyer, G Pravina. Pravina also said that Kannaiyan and Krishnan are engaged in a legal battle with a local BJP leader and Salem east district secretary G Gunashekar, as the latter is allegedly trying to grab their land in Attur. That civil case is currently going on and is pending in court. ED is only trying to pressure the farmers by summoning them in another case, she added. ED officials, however, denied any political link in their case. HT tried to reach out to BJP Tamil Nadu office bearers for a comment but did not get one immediately. The Enforcement Directorate is studying Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's reply to the agency rejecting the third summons and may issue a 4th summons, news agency PTI reported citing sources as the Aam Aadmi Party leaders claimed Kejriwal will be arrested on Thursday following ED raids. PTI reported that Kejriwal is likely to leave on a 3-day Gujarat tour on January 6. In Gujarat, Kejriwal is likely to hold public meetings, meet jailed AAP leader Chaitar Vasava, the report said. Security personnel outside the residence of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal at Civil Lines on Thursday morning. Kejriwal arrest drama: Here are top 1developments Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. 1. AAP ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj on Wednesday night tweeted that the ED might launch an early morning raid at Kejriwal's residence. After the raid, Kejriwal would be arrested, the ministers apprehended. 2. Security was tightened in front of Kejriwal's residence and AAP claimed that it was a preparation for the arrest. 3. The roads leading to Kejriwal's residence were blocked by the Delhi Police, AAP claimed. Delhi Police denied the allegation. 4. A senior Delhi Police officer told PTI that the security was increased to manage the media personnel in front of his residence. "No one from the CM staff has been stopped," another police officer said, terming the increase in the number of police personnel as "general deployment". 5. AAP leader Jasmine Shah said BJP leaders get to know even before ED summons are issued and hence they have been saying that Kejriwal would be arrested soon. The AAP leader said they had information from 'sources' that there would be raids at Kejriwal's residence on Thursday. 6. BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj said Kejriwal has been afflicted by VVIP syndrome. "Why would he avoid ED summons? AAP ministers have been deployed to create a perception that Kejriwal would be arrested today. I want to ask them what is the basis of their prophecy. ED raids are secret, only the agency knows," Bansuri Swaraj said. 7. Delhi BJP president Virendraa Sachdeba said Kejriwal has been escaping the ED summons. "Now you are lamenting that you will be arrested. ED won't tell you before they come," the BJP leader said. "AAP leaders are lamenting and questioning ED whether Arvind Kejriwal can be arrested. I want to ask this question to everyone, if the police repeatedly visit someone's house, asking them to come, and they refuse, should they be arrested or not? Or does the law differ for common people and VIPs?" BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri said. 8. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said Kejriwal and AAP should get an Oscar award for 'nautanki'. 9. Kejriwal on Wednesday skipped the ED summons and said he is ready to reply to a questionnaire if the agency sends one. He said he is preoccupied with Rajya Sabha election and Republic Day preparations. Calling the summons illegal, Kejriwal said the agency did not clarify whether he was being summoned as an accused or a witness. 10. This was the third summons that Kejriwal skipped. He was first summoned on November 2, when he said he was busy with election campaigning and Diwali preparations in New Delhi. The second summons was for December 21 when Kejriwal was in vipassana. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has decided to close a money laundering case against two Dalit farmers from Tamil Nadu after summons issued to them caused widespread outrage. The decision comes in the wake of renewed scrutiny of a six-month-old summons issued on July 5, 2023, to the 72-year-old cultivator and his 67-year-old brother, which ignited a firestorm of criticism from political figures, activists, and the public alike. ED officials denied any political link in their case. (HT Archives) What was the case? S Kannaiyan and his brother S Krishnan had set up unauthorized electric fencing around their farm, resulting in the electrocution of two Indian bisons. A First Information Report (FIR) was registered in 2017 under Sec 9 read with Sec 2(16), 2(36), and Sec 51(1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Notably, a trial court acquitted both Krishnan and Kannaiyan on December 28, 2021. However, the ED took cognisance of the FIR even after the acquittal and initiated an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in March 2022 based on a letter from the Tamil Nadu forest department regarding the incident. The controversy erupted when a six-month-old summons, issued on July 5, 2023, resurfaced on social media platforms. Political parties in Tamil Nadu and activists took particular offence to ED mentioning the caste of the two farmers, both in the summons and ECIR (Enforcement Case Information Report), which is equivalent to an FIR. While the ED attributed the caste mention to a clerical error, it failed to quell the growing discontent. What the farmers claim The farmers' lawyer, G Pravina, claimed that the ED's actions were an attempt to pressure her clients, who are embroiled in a separate legal battle with a local BJP leader, G Gunashekar. The ongoing civil case revolves around allegations that Gunashekar is attempting to seize the farmers' land in Attur. Pravina not only questioned the ED's motives but also called for action against ED officials, expressing dissatisfaction with the agency's handling of the case. We want Tamil Nadu police to act against ED officials and arrest them. We have already filed a complaint with the police, she said. ED's reaction The ED clarified that the closure of the case was based on the completion of the predicate offence that initiated the probe. The matter has been blown out of proportion as the summons are almost six months old, said a senior ED officer, requesting anonymity. Asserting that the summons were issued to Kannaiyan and Krishan as a regular procedure followed in PMLA cases, a second ED officer said: They (the farmers) were not questioned that day (on July 5, 2023) and since then, no further summons have been issued to them... Rather, an advocate who appeared with the farmers on July 5 created ruckus at the ED office in Chennai. A third ED officer admitted that it was a very petty case and ideally shouldnt have been filed in the first place. ED officials also denied any political link in their case. An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district late Wednesday night. The counter-terror operation, jointly conducted by local police, Indian Army, and CRPF, is currently underway in the Hadigam area of Kulgam district. Kashmir Zone Police informed about the ongoing encounter in Kulgam through a social media post. (HT File) More details are awaited. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Kashmir Police Zone in a social media post said, Encounter has started at Hadigam area of Kulgam district. Kulgam Police ,Army and crpf are on the job. Further details shall follow. Policymakers in New Delhi are keeping a close watch on Sundays general elections in Bangladesh in which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will face one of her toughest tests despite the virtual absence of the main opposition party. File photo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina at the G20 Summit, in New Delhi.(PTI) Hasina, 76, is seen as one of Indias strongest strategic partners in a neighbourhood that has witnessed several political upheavals in the past year amid Chinas persisting efforts to project its influence in the region. She has been in power for 15 consecutive years to become Bangladeshs longest-serving leader. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Also read: HT explains| Bangladesh elections 2024: Process, parties and problems The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by ailing former premier Khaleda Zia, has decided to boycott the elections on January 7, just as it did in 2014, after the ruling Awami League rejected its demand to hold the polls under a caretaker government. However, this has not paved the way for walkover by Hasina, who is eyeing an unprecedented fourth term. Many lawmakers and ministers of the Awami League are expected to be affected by an anti-incumbency wave, especially on the back of a recent economic downturn, people familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity. While there is little doubt that the Awami League will emerge as the largest party, there are questions as to whether the partys margin of victory will be as impressive as in the past two elections, they said. The Awami League is not expected to win as many seats as in past elections and will have to depend on the numerous independent candidates who are also contesting the election, one of the people cited above said. Close to 100 independent candidates, including many Awami League parliamentarians who were denied official nominations, are expected to hold the key to the formation of the next government, the people said. The presence of these independent candidates also helps the Awami League respond to accusations from the US, the European Union (EU) and rights groups about the elections being free and fair, the people said. The elections on Sunday will choose 300 out of the 350 members of the Jatiyo Sangshad or national parliament, and the remaining 50 members are reserved for women who will be selected by the ruling party or coalition. Women make up about half of the nearly 120 million eligible voters, but only 5.1% of the 1,896 candidates in the fray are women. The independent candidates are set to play a crucial role in the formation of the next government, especially in propping up the Awami League, as several MPs and ministers may fall by the wayside, a second person said. Key issues Hasina has been largely credited with turning around Bangladeshs $416-billion economy, once among the worlds fastest growing, but recent months have witnessed protests, both by opposition parties and workers of the crucial garments industry, who have been demanding higher wages amid a rise in the cost of living. At least four garment industry workers and 11 opposition activists have died and dozens more injured in violence during these protests, and the BNP has accused the government of detaining thousands of party workers. The economy has also been hit by costly energy imports amid a weakening domestic currency and dwindling dollar reserves. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has extended a $4.7-billion bailout to Bangladesh, has so far provided access to $468 million. India has provided Bangladesh three lines of credits worth around $8 billion over the past eight years for the development of infrastructure, including roads, railways, shipping and ports, and New Delhi has a crucial stake in stability in the neighbouring country, especially to ensure security in the strategic northeastern states. The Indian government has also provided grants to Bangladesh for several infrastructure and connectivity projects, including the Akhaura-Agartala rail link that was launched last November, the dredging of waterways in Bangladesh, and the construction of the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline for oil. Indias gentle push Many in the foreign policy and security establishments in New Delhi also have strong memories of the blind eye turned to the activities of anti-India militant groups by the BNP when it was in power. They also point to the action taken by Hasinas administration to crack down on the activities of these groups, which once operated training camps and transported arms through routes in Bangladeshi territory. It was in this context that the Indian side stepped in when the US sought to crank up pressure on the Awami League government last year on the holding of a free and fair elections. In September 2023, the US announced a visa ban on Bangladeshi officials accused of undermining democratic processes. It is understood that the Indian side raised the issue with the US at the 2+2 dialogue of defence and foreign ministers in November, especially the prospect of Washingtons actions inadvertently strengthening the hands of extremist and radical elements in Bangladesh. A message was conveyed that the Awami League and its leadership are ensuring stability and holding the region together, especially given the fragile situation in Myanmar, and the possible fallout for Indias northeastern states, the first person cited above said. Also read: Bangladesh Elections 2024: How the country is preparing for this week's polls Following the 2+2 meeting, there had been a visible reduction in efforts by the US envoy to Bangladesh to push for free and fair elections, the people said. The US envoy had angered the Bangladesh government by his actions, such as directly engaging with the election commission, which was perceived in some quarters as interference in domestic politics. We have been very consistently saying [that the] elections in Bangladesh are a domestic affair of Bangladesh. It is for the people of Bangladesh to decide their future, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told a regular media briefing on Thursday. Sameer Patil, a Mumbai-based national security analyst, said that from point of view of Indias security, the Awami League continues to be the best bet as the other options are simply terrible. He added: At the same time, India should be mindful of the domestic political dynamics and anti-incumbency sentiments, which may queer the pitch and derail the momentum of bilateral security cooperation, particularly in counterterrorism. The construction of the three-storeyed Ram temple in Ayodhya will be completed by December this year, temple construction committee chairperson Nripendra Misra said on Thursday. The sprawling temple complex will also have other structures. Representative image of the Ram Mandir being constructed in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh (File Photo) In an interview to PTI, Misra said "we all are abiding by the maryada" espoused by Lord Ram while executing the work. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Ayodhya is getting decked up for the consecration ceremony at the temple on January 22 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend it. More than 7,000 people have been invited to the ceremony by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust. "Right now, the ground floor has been built, first and second floors will be completed by December 2024," Misra said when asked about the progress of the construction work. READ | Future-ready AI surveillance likely to guard Ram temple in Ayodhya Asked about the challenges in the construction work, he said, "Challenges come up every day. But, I feel, the challenges got resolved on their own. Next morning, we would see the solutions coming up on its own." The trust's general secretary Champat Rai has given "clear instructions that no such work be done in a manner which is against the rules, principles, life of Maryada Purshottam Ram". "He is very clear. Whatever tax is to be submitted to government, (has to) be done. So we all (are) abiding by that 'maryada'," Misra said. The temple construction committee chairperson said they hoped that devotees will be satisfied with the quality of construction and it longevity. They expect it to last at least 1,000 years, hence "our responsibilities have also increased," Misra said. READ | Renowned sculptor Arun Yogiraj's idol of Ram Lalla chosen for Ayodhya's grand temple On the choice of idol, he said the decision will be shared by Rai. Three sculptors are carving out as many idols and one of them will be installed at the temple. At an emergency meeting recently, trust members have graded the three statues on a scale, he said, adding Rai will share the decision at "an appropriate time". "It is clear, the trust will take all three statues. And, in future, how will those statues be used, the trust will decide. One of the three statues will be installed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple," he said. Asked about the crowd they are anticipating after the temple opens to public, he said, "It is my estimate that in the next 4-5 months, per day, at least 75,000 to one lakh people will visit it." The Supreme Court in a 2019 verdict had paved the way for the construction of a Ram temple by a trust at the disputed site in Ayodhya, and directed the Centre to allot an alternative five-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for building a new mosque at a "prominent" place in the holy town of Uttar Pradesh. The court had ruled that the 2.77 acres of the disputed land where the demolished 16th century-era Babri Masjid once stood will remain with a central government receiver and be handed over to the trust within three months of the ruling for the construction of the temple. The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed on Indian national Nikhil Guptas behalf for consular access and legal assistance to challenge his indictment and extradition to the US from the Czech Republic over a foiled plot to kill Sikh extremist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York. The Supreme Court. (ANI) A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta cited the sensitive nature of the case and added it was up to the government whether it wished to deal with the matter. It noted Gupta was provided consular access in September after his arrest in June. Keeping with the principles of public international law and sovereignty and comity of courts, we do not think any prayer can be granted. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Senior advocate CA Sundaram, who represented a friend of Gupta who filed the petition, told the court that Gupta received his extradition order a day ago and required consular access to appeal against it. Sundaram said this matter concerned the human rights of an Indian citizen locked in a foreign jail. He added the one-time consular access was granted when he was not served with any extradition order. Sundaram said Gupta needed a translator and legal assistance to file an appeal. The bench said, Consular access is the only thing you are entitled to under the Vienna Convention and you have got it. We do not want to get into all these things. We have to respect the sovereignty and the comity of international courts. Sundaram cited subsequent developments after the consular access was granted in September including a New York courts indictment. The court said that the matter was not pending before it. We will not say anything with regard to other courts jurisdiction. Consular access is what you are entitled to. It may be given to you or denied. Solicitor-general Tushar Mehta said he has a copy of the petition but considering the prayers, there is hardly anything for the government to do. Sundaram requested the court to allow him to convert this petition into a representation to be moved before the government. The court recorded this statement but refused to pass a direction for the government. We are not going to say anything more than this. It is a sensitive matter. It is for the government to take up the issue. If they do not want to take up the matter, it is up to them. The petition filed on Guptas behalf called his arrest a serious violation of international laws. It added there was no formal arrest warrant. Meera Majhi, the Ujjwala Yojana beneficiary whom Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Ayodhya on December 30 and later sent gifts to, on Thursday said that she felt very happy. Ujjwala beneficiary Meera Manjhi and family holding the letter written to them by the PM Narendra Modi.(ANI) I feel so happy. He (Modi) sent his wishes on New Year along with some gifts for my children, Majhi told PTI. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Manhi, a woman from the riverine community who recently became the 10th crore beneficiary of the Ujjwala scheme, said that the prime minister sent a letter to her and the entire Manjhi Nagar. Modi had visited her house during his Ayodhya visit on December 30 (Saturday) during which he had also had tea at the Majhi household. On Wednesday, the prime minister sent a letter and gifts to Meera Majhi. The gifts included a tea set, a drawing book with colours and more. Soon after the PM visit, officials visited her place to give her the Ayushman card that provides for free treatment of up to 5 lakh. In his letter, the PM wished Majhi and her family on New Year and recalled that he had tea with the family during his visit. After coming from Ayodhya, I watched your interviews on various TV channels. I am touched by the humility and confidence shown by you and your family members while sharing the experiences. The happiness of yours and crores of Indians is my wealth. It infuses me with more energy to work for the country, the prime minister wrote in his letter. As the 100 millionth beneficiary of the Ujjwala Yojana, you are not just a statistic for me. I view it as an example of the fulfilment of dreams of crores of Indians, he added. During his Ayodhya visit, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated several significant development projects. Manjhi, who has benefited from the Ujjawala scheme, was one of the individuals with whom he engaged during this visit. Ten years ago in 2014, when Indias youngest state Telangana was born, K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), the founder of the then Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) fought for the creation of a separate state rallying his verbal screed around Neellu, Nidhulu, and Niyamakalu (water, funds, and jobs). In the run-up to the announcement of statehood, people of Telangana, high and low, were swept with emotion when their Dora or Master promised to deliver to them security in the form of water, funds for development, and employment in government and public sectors - all which were allegedly arrogated by Telugu speakers on the Andhra side of the border. Right by water Upon coming to power in 2014, when KCR, the person of the hour, became chief minister, the ball was set in motion to deliver on his first promise -- taking water to the doorstep of every household and irrigating swathes of land in the state. And so, the blueprint for the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) was commissioned. But before this astounding 80,000 crore project took off, Mission Bhagiratha, a drinking water scheme that was conceived by KCR in 1996-97, during his term as a minister in Chandrababu Naidus cabinet, much before the creation of Telangana had to be completed first. Abutting Mission Bhagiratha infrastructurally was Mission Kakatiya', a special scheme to renovate 46,531 tanks and lakes, storing 265 TMC water across the state in five years. Work on KLIP would be carried on coterminously, even as the two projects were underway, the government had decided. At that time, these three water infrastructure projects were estimated to cost the state government 2 lakh crore. The responsibility of implementing these projects was entrusted to T Harish Rao, his nephew, who also was the minister for irrigation and finance in the first term between 2014 - 2018. The success of both the Missions earned KCR praise from Prime Minister Modi and even others who were philippic against him. It was this achievement that was a powerful arrow in his quiver and was used alongside the predilection of Telangana statehood to return to power in December 2018 with a handsome majority. A bigger mandate only meant weightier projects. And so, in 2019, Kaleshwaram was presented in India and worldwide as the biggest lift irrigation project ever to stand. It was inaugurated in June 2019, just six months after KCR returned to power for the second time. For starters, Kaleshwaram was envisaged to irrigate 45 lakh acres of farmland across 20 of the states 33 districts. The multi-purpose project was designed to be a smart solution to solve three problems: irrigate arid patches of land, help generate power, and provide water to industries, which promised to employ youth, many of them fresh graduates. At the time of the inauguration, KCR said, I have turned parched earth into verdant farmland. This project built over the confluence of the Godavari and Pranahita rivers, along with the reservoirs will relieve us from water stress and ensure the people of Telangana have their own source of water. While the project had faced initial setbacks in 2020 and 2021 because of excessive rainfall, all civil engineering defects were seemingly looked into and in December 2022, the entire project became functional and earned laurels from Senators in the USA and several chief ministers in India. Pride has its fall However, what started as a project to ease the hardscrabble life of a tenant farmer, turned to be the proverbial noose for KCR and his government just as he was seeing off his second term with a flourish. In the first week of November 2023, a loud sound reported by villagers living close to the Mallanna Sagar reservoir - the jewel in the Kaleshwaram crown and the largest reservoir on the Godavari river basin - turned out to be the sound of six of the 11 piers in Block-7 of the Medigadda (Lakshmi) barrage sinking and drifting. Swift action meant the irrigation department calling for an immediate investigation of the foundation of all eight blocks with a total of 85 gates as a measure/purpose of safety. L&T Infrastructure, which built the structure too joined the investigation. What followed were a series of accusations and counters, and political mudslinging until the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) visited the site and raised concerns over the stability and structural integrity of this crucial piece of infrastructure in the region. In its detailed report, the NDSA said the sinking of the piers was due to a combination of issues involving failure in planning, design, quality control, and operation and maintenance - virtually throwing the Telangana government and L&T under the bus. Calling for a structural restoration of the Medigadda barrage constructed downstream, the report said, The damaged Block-7 has to be structurally restored. It cannot be repaired. It has to be removed and reconstructed. The other two barrages of the KLIP constructed upstream also need to be thoroughly examined considering the commonalities. The likelihood of the failure of other blocks exists and this would warrant rehabilitating (reconstructing) the whole barrage. Biksham Gujja, an international water policy expert said, I view the situation as grim. The cost of recovering and restoring these piers and the required repairs may run into thousands of crores. The project cost escalated by 40,000 crore to 1,20,000 crore with more than six commercial institutions funding it at high interest levels. While questioning the project viability, he wondered how the state, which repays 18,000 crore every year paring its debt would be able to sustain this project. Those who have watched K Chandrashekar Raos political journey over the years say he was seemingly obsessed with the Kaleshwaram project. Technical compliance, fiscal profligacy, adherence to ecological, and topographical principles were all casualties in the process. It was meant to be the salve for many a wound hed festered over decades of his life in politics: His wounded Velama caste pride from having to be a lieutenant, to the moneyed Reddys and Kammas who dominated Andhra Pradeshs politics since the 1950s, the ardent desire to be known as Telanganas maker, and beyond all, to be the mythological sage Bhagiratha, the bearer of the Ganges to southern India -- Kaleshwaram was his raison detre. IYR Krishna Rao, former chief secretary of Andhra Pradesh said, When regional parties come to power with such full majority, they think theyre almost invincible. The KCR-led government in the second term became so arrogant that the engineers and irrigation experts just could not raise their voices. It is KCRs designs that have landed the project in trouble. The inheritance of many losses Criticism from experts, environmental activists and administrators led to an intense source of debate for the new Congress government that has just come to power, inheriting the KLIP white elephant, and a 6.71 lakh crore debt due to other borrowings. However, R Avadhani, a senior journalist who has authored a book on the shortcomings of the Kaleshwaram project believes the burden on the exchequer is the tip of the iceberg. Current Telangana chief minister Revath Reddy has more to worry about. The Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) is not complete, farmer suicides have mounted because of livelihood loss, and those who have opted for cash compensation for turning in their land have not received their full dues. The social and economic fabric in the 14 villages, where land was acquired for the Mallanna Sagar reservoir is in shreds. Having lost their land, livelihood, and sense of belonging, the villagers are directionless, he laments. KCR said 12 industries will come up. I have not seen a single brick being laid in the last 4 years. There is no income-generating investment either that we can make because of the non-clearance of assured payments, said Mohammad Hyattuddin, a farmer turned activist whose 18 acres were seized. Hyattuddin has moved the Telangana high court, the National Green Tribunal, and the Supreme Court asking for the compensation process to be settled fully. Avadhani, who has tracked and documented the whole R&R process says the governments decision to compensate the farmers in tranches has left them with little power to invest in land elsewhere. The government promised 7 lakh per acre and a 200 sq yard house site with money for construction for each farmer who gave his land away. However, this compensation is being made in parts leaving the farmers to spend the money in the absence of a job. Villagers said the government also stopped paying for rental accommodation beyond six months even if the villagers houses were under construction. Only 4,000 of the total 6,500 houses have been constructed. A total of 175 cases are pending in various courts and tribunals. Hyattuddin is joined by many petitioners who have questioned the central governments role in ignoring the faulty designs of the KLIP. In one month, the BJP government had 30 clearances in 2017 without visiting or inspecting the project site. However, the KCR government commenced and completed a lot of work on the project in 2016 without securing clearances from the Central Water Commission, the Hydrology Clearance, and the Forest Clearance. How was that even possible? No government official from the KCR regime was ready to comment on the record about the status of the Kaleshwaram project. Belling the cat Chief Minister Reddy and the irrigation minister Uttam Kumar Reddy have asked for a review of the entire project. I have ordered a comprehensive probe into the matter and have also asked for a report on the viability of the project. We are also thinking of involving the Central Bureau of Investigation to delve into the financial misdemeanour," Kumar Reddy said. Even a single mistake in a project of the size of Kaleshwaram can prove to be very expensive. Chief engineer Muralidhar Rao and his team of engineers told the government the Medigadda project, which cost 4,600 crore, was unsafe due to two compromised pillars, necessitating an immediate evacuation of water to prevent further damage. For the dwindling reserves and chronic mismanagement of funds, IYR Krishna Rao said, The Centre is equally culpable in these projects for allowing Telangana to borrow hand over fist. So, the question of fixing responsibility has to come from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. To right the many wrongs done by the previous Bharath Rashtra Samithi government, the Congress has to look for new financial allies who can ensure the farmers are compensated fairly and equitably in compliance with all local, state and federal labour laws. L&Ts refusal to invest in repairing the project, unless a new agreement is signed, is another bone of contention that the current establishment has to deal with. Pentapati Pullarao, economist and author said wryly, The implementation of the six guarantees and other welfare promises alone is going to cost 1.2 lakh crore per annum. To add to it, the ghost of the Kaleshwaram is now staring at them. China's leading daily Global Times on Tuesday lauded India, calling it more strategically confident and proactive in developing a Bharat narrative. It also hailed the country's strides in economic, social governance and foreign policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this amid the tensions between the two nuclear powered nations after the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi (PTI) The article penned by Zhang Jiadong, the director of the Center for South Asian Studies at Shanghai's Fudan University highlights New Delhi's achievements in the past four years, PTI reported. India is indeed a major power, and rapid changes in internal and external strategies pose challenges to both itself and the international community. It appears that a transformed, stronger, and more assertive India has become a new geopolitical factor that many countries need to consider," Jiadong said in his article. READ | India, China hold Major General-level talks on LAC issues Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Acknowledging India's robust economic growth, improvements in urban governance, shift in attitude towards international relations including that with China, the article stated that the Indian representatives earlier used to focus on Beijing's measures to reduce trade imbalance. Now, Jiadong's article added, the focus is more on India's export potential. Further, the article in the Communist nation-run Global Times cited India's shift from focusing on its democratic consensus with the western world to highlighting the Indian feature of democratic politics. Chinese mouthpiece hails India's foreign policy Lauding India's foreign policy under PM Modi, the article cited India's multi-alignment approach and strengthening ties with major global powers like the United States, Japan and Russia, while maintaining a nuanced stand in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. "Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed power, he has advocated for a multi-alignment strategy, promoting India's relations with the US, Japan, Russia and other countries and regional organisations," the article stated. (With PTI inputs) NEW DELHI: India on Thursday dismissed reports that artillery shells made in the country had been supplied to Ukraine by a European nation, with external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal saying there had been no such exports. A Swedish-made Archer self-propelled howitzer of Ukraines 45th separate artillery brigade fires at Russian positions in the Donetsk region, amid Russias attack on Ukraine on December 16. (REUTERS FILE PHOTO) Several reports, mainly on social media and in some foreign news websites, had stated that 155 mm artillery shells, similar to those manufactured in India, had been used by Ukrainian forces. Some of these reports contended a central European country had supplied the shells to Ukraine after acquiring them from India. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Asked about the matter at a regular media briefing, Jaiswal said: On the question regarding artillery shells, one thing is very clear. Weve also seen some media reports in this regard. We can categorically say that we have not sent any of this artillery ammunition to Ukraine. He added, Not exported and not sent. Jaiswals response came a day after external affairs minister S Jaishankar and his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba discussed the conflict in Ukraine and ways to take forward cooperation between the two sides. This was the first formal contact between the two countries in several months. The two ministers agreed to hold the first meeting of the India-Ukraine inter-governmental commission on trade, economic, scientific, technical, industrial and cultural cooperation in almost six years. Kuleba also raised the issue of cooperation between India and Ukraine on the peace formula proposed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Kyivs plans to organise a global peace summit in 2024. India has consistently pushed for a return to dialogue and diplomacy to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict while refraining from any public criticism of the Russian invasion. It has also delivered several consignments of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The 22nd Law Commission is looking into the possibility of synchronising local body elections with assembly and parliamentary polls, the panels chairman said on Thursday, underlining an expansion of the scope of its yet-to-be-finalised report on simultaneous elections. Law Commission chief and former Karnataka high court chief justice Ritu Raj Awasthi said that the panel was working on ways to sync local body polls with state and national elections, after a reference from the central government. A high-level committee, headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, is also looking into the modalities of simultaneous elections. Also read: Law panel chief says Phase 3 UCC dialogue soon, supports simultaneous polls idea: Report We have been asked to frame our report in a way we can see if the feasibility of local body polls work out The issues highlighted by the high-level committee was related to local bodies, Awasthi said. He confirmed that the Law Commission was yet to finalise its report on the issue. Earlier in their reference, only Lok Sabha and assembly elections were there, and now they have added the local body elections also. So that is to be synchronisedso we are working on that, he added. Awasthi said no deadline was set for the report. The Law Commission was a part of the second meeting of the Kovind panel on October 25, where it presented a road map that proposed changes to the Constitution to hold simultaneous elections. The addition of local body polls to the proposal for holding simultaneous state and Parliament polls adds another layer of complexity to an already fractious topic. In India, most local body polls are scattershot, and held at various times based on local timelines largely decided by state governments. Urban and rural civic bodies -- which are three-tiered and mostly have a five-year term save some territories -- elect their members at different times, as do major cities in what forms a complex mesh of polls. The issue of holding state and national elections simultaneously is a politically loaded one, and is also seen as polarising. From the first elections in Independent India in 1952 until 1967, elections were held simultaneously across the country. But since the Lok Sabha and state assemblies can be dissolved before their tenures end, the state and national elections came to be held at different times after that. Kovind has already come out in favour of simultaneous parliamentary and state assembly polls, urging all political parties to support the idea in national interest. In November last year, the former president said any party in power at the Centre will benefit from one nation, one election and money saved in election expenditure could be used for development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has backed the idea of holding state and national elections simultaneously several times in the past. But opposition parties reject the proposal as undemocratic and said the decision was against the interests of the country. Awasthi said the Law Commission was working on ways to ensure that each voter is given a chance to elect a new representative government before state and national elections are clubbed. Among the ideas being considered was having a fixed five-year tenure, irrespective of early dissolution of the government, said a senior member of the law commission, requesting anonymity. In case a caretaker government cannot be formed, necessitating midterm elections, the new government will only serve for the remaining tenure, so that elections to all state assemblies and the Lok Sabha coincide, the commission member said. This way, according to one of proposals before the commission, all assembly elections scheduled for a calendar year will be held on the same date, and then made to coincide with the next round of national elections, he added. A similar system was proposed in 2018 by the 21st Law Commission in its draft report. The Law Commission is a non-statutory body, working under the aegis of the Union ministry of law and justice. Following definite terms of reference from the department of legal affairs, the commission conducts research in the field of law and makes recommendations to the Centre in the form of reports. These recommendations are not binding on the government, though they may have some persuasive value. In the past, a parliamentary standing committee, the Niti Aayog, and the Law Commission have weighed in on the issue, expressing concern over the burgeoning expense of holding one election after another but also flagging possible constitutional and legal problems. In 1999, the Law Commission in its 170th report on Reform of Electoral Laws backed the idea. We must go back to the situation where the elections to Lok Sabha and all the legislative assemblies are held at once... the holding of a separate election to a legislative assembly should be an exception and not the rule, it said. In 2018, the draft report of the Law Commission said holding simultaneous elections would be ideal as well as desirable, but a workable formula is required to be provided in the Constitution. The report said the process of simultaneous elections did not alter any of the entries on the three lists (over the division of power between the Union and States) and did not interfere with the legislative competence of the Centre or the states. In 2018, the election commission did not dismiss the idea outright but drew attention to the exorbitant costs that the proposal could incur because resources -- such as EVMs, security, vehicles, deputed -- officials cannot be spread around in a simultaneous poll. Maharashtra leader Jitendra Awhad's comment that Lord Ram was never a vegetarian as he couldn't live in the jungle for 14 years being a vegetarian has sparked a major controversy in the state at a time the BJP demanded January 22 -- the consecration day of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya -- to be declared as a dry day and a day on which all non-vegetarian food should be banned. The Nationalist Congress Party MLA (Sharad Pawar faction) said Lord Ram was a Bahujan and a non-vegetarian and was a hunter. "We dont read history and forget everything in politics. Ram is ours. Of us Bahujans. Who used to hunt to eat Ram was never a vegetarian. He was a non-vegetarian. How can a man who lived in the jungle for 14 years remain a vegetarian, Jitendra Awhad said. Jitendra Awhad clarified that Lord Ram was a Kshatriya and all Kshatriyas are non-vegetarians, Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. BJP MLA Ram Kadam said had Balasaheb Thackeray been alive, Shiv Sena's Saamana newspaper would have criticised the 'Ram non-vegetarian' comment. "But today's reality is they (Uddhav Sena) do not care if somebody makes fun of the Hindus. They are indifferent, as cold as ice. But when the election comes, they will talk about Hindutva.." Ram Kadam tweeted on Thursday. Ram Kadam wrote to chief minister Eknath Shinde demanding January 22 be declared as a dry day and a veg day. Reacting to the row that his comment triggered, Jitendra Awhad on Wednesday said, "What is the controversy that what did Lord Ram eat? Someone will claim Lord Ram used to eat methi-bhaji (fenugreek leaves fritters) There was no rice at that time. Lord Ram was a Kshatriya and Kshatriyas are non-vegetarians. I absolutely stand by what I said. 80% of India's population are non-vegetarians, they are also devotees of Lord Ram," Jitendra Awhad said. On Thursday, the NCP MLA expressed regret for his comment but said whatever he said is backed by research. "Read what is written in shlok No 102 of Ayodhya Kand of Valmiki Ramayana. Read whatever Ramayana you want and see," he said adding that he did not intend to hurt any sentiments. Lord Ram used to have fruits during exile: Priest Condemning Awhad's statement, Shri Ram Janambhoomi Teerth Kshetra chief priest Acharya Satyendra Das said it's written in scriptures that Lord Ram used to have fruits during exile. "What NCP leader Jitendra Awhad is speaking is completely false. It isn't written anywhere in our scriptures that Lord Ram had non-vegetarian food during his exile. It's written that he used to have fruits...Such a liar has no right to insult our Lord Ram...Our God was always vegetarian...He is speaking demeaning words to insult our Lord Ram..." the priest said. Bollywood actor on Thursday refuted the reports of his possible leap into politics by contesting the next Lok Sabha elections from Bihar's West Champaran constituency. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the actor discredited the report. Achcha ye bataiye ye baat kisne bola ya kal raat Sapna aaya? Boliye boliye! (Did someone inform you, or did you dream about it last night?) he said. Actor Manoj Bajpayee.(PTI) Bajpayee had earlier clarified his stance regarding joining politics and ensured that the question of him joining politics does not arise at all. He recalled meeting Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav in 2020 and his son Bihar's deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav, which sparked speculations of him joining politics. "I am 200% sure I won't do that. The question of joining politics does not arise at all," he said in an earlier interview. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "I am an actor and will remain an actor only... How does the question of joining politics arise?" he added. Bajpayee hails from Belwa village in Bihar's West Champaran district. The Lok Sabha seat there is currently held by Bharatiya Janata Party's Sanjay Jaiswal. He has been winning from this seat since 2009, with a growing vote share in each consecutive election. In 2009, the party secured 38.56% of votes, which went up to 43% in 2014 and nearly 60% in 2019. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC ) has taken suo motu cognizance of a Hindustan Times report on the killings of 13 people in a single incident in ethnic violence-hit Manipur last month and issued a notice to the state government reminding it of its duty to protect citizens. Clashes between Meities and Kukis began on May 3 last year. (PTI/File) Police said that village defence volunteers killed the 13 men after they entered a Kuki area on December 4. This was the highest single-day toll in the clashes between Meities and Kukis, which have roiled the state since May 3 and left around 200 people dead and over 50000 displaced. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In its notice, NHRC called the incident alarming and disturbing, indicating a lapse on the part of the law enforcing agencies and the forces deployed there to ensure peace and law and order. It asked the state police to submit a report on the status of the first information report and the steps taken to prevent such incidents. An officer said that Manipur Police have filed a reply and provided the details. He did not elaborate. New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday said that they have filed a charge sheet against Manpreet Singh alias Peeta, a close aide of Canada-based designated gangster-turned-terrorist Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dala. National Investigation Agency (Representative Photo) Peeta was operating as a full-fledged crime-terror-extortion node from the Philippines, as per directions of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) operative Arsh Dala, the agency said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The Union home ministry had banned the KTF in February 2023. According to the statement released by the NIA, the agency charge-sheeted Peeta in the multi-state terrorist-gangster-drug smuggler network case (RC-38/2022/NIA/DLI) before the special NIA court in New Delhi. This was the third charge sheet in the case, in which 21 accused have so far been charge-sheeted, it said. According to the NIA, Peeta was actively involved in the collection of weapons from the Indo-Pak border and making extortion calls to raise funds for Dala and the KTF. Also Read: Karni Sena chiefs killing: NIA arrests key suspect, raids 31 sites in Haryana, Rajasthan Peeta was also engaged in recruiting members for the terrorist gang to execute terror crimes and conspiracies, said NIA. He was arrested last year following his deportation from the Philippines. The charge sheet marks another major step in NIAs efforts to disrupt, destroy, and dismantle the terror-gangster nexus, which extends across many States within India and also many other countries, the statement from the agency read. Dala, according to NIA, was an infamous gangster in India who fled to Canada. He was declared an individual terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in 2023. In Canada, Dala came in contact with Hardeep Singh Nijjar (killed by unidentified persons in June 2023) who was the chief of KTF, and the duo engaged in the recruitment of youth and the formation of terrorist gangs for carrying out extortion for raising funds for KTF and for carrying out the targeted killing of businessmen and leaders of particular communities in Punjab, NIA had said in July last year. Kolkata: West Bengal Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury reacted sharply to reports that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) intends to offer only two of the states 42 Lok Sabha seats, saying the Congress does not mercy from the Bengal chief minister. WB Cong president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (lef) and WB chief minister Mamata Banerjee (right) (File Photo) Mamata Banerjee has proposed to leave two seats for the Congress. We defeated her in those two seats. Not once, but twice. Why should we ask for her mercy in those two seats? Chowdhury said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Speaking to media persons in Berhampore on Thursday, Chowdhury said that the TMC would need the help of the Congress in the upcoming general elections if they want to survive. His remarks come days after the ruling TMC, a key constituent of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, indicated that it will offer the Congress two of the states 42 Lok Sabha constituencies as part of its bid to seal a seat-sharing agreement with the party. Also Read: Congress attacks Mamata Banerjee over 2 seats offer; TMC claims double game We reject this proposal (of two seats). We have no intention of saving the two seats by begging for her mercy. By giving us two seats in West Bengal, she wants seats in Assam, Meghalaya and Goa. Congress has nothing to lose in West Bengal, Chowdhury said. We can win more seats in West Bengal with our own strength. We can win Purulia, Malda, Raiganj, Darjeeling, and Basirhat. We have the strength to fight, Chowdhury said. Chowdhury also challenged the TMC supremo to contest from Berhampore. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election while the TMC won 22 seats, the Congress bagged two Berhampore and Malda South. Chowdhar is an MP from Berhampore. She has proposed that Priyanka Gandhi should be fielded against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi. I suggest her to contest against me from Berhampore. Will see how much strength do you have, he said. The TMC supremo had recently while addressing a political program in North 24 Parganas, said that her party would fight the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal while the INDIA alliance will be there in the rest of the country. Also Read: Mamata not keen on alliance in Bengal, says Adhir; TMC counters The TMC hit back at the Congress MP, accusing him of trying to strengthen the Bharatiya Janata Party. Past state Congress presidents have resigned when Congress lost seats in West Bengal by taking responsibility. Chowdhury joined hands with the CPIM [Communist Party of India (Marxist)] but failed to secure even one seat in the state assembly. The Congress lost all the seven assembly seats in his Lok Sabha constituency to the TMC. One was even won by the BJP. In West Bengal, he is joining hands with anti-TMC forces and strengthening the BJP, said Santanu Sen, TMC MP. Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that India should become self-reliant in pulses by 2027 and not a kilo of pulses will be imported from January 2028. Shah, who is also the minister for cooperation, unveiled the tur dal procurement portal through which the farmers can register with and sell their produce to the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED)and National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited (NCCF). Shah said that a similar facility will be launched in future for urad, masoor and maize farmers. The minister also transferred about 68 lakh via direct benefit transfer (DBT) to 25 farmers who are registered with NAFED and NCCF towards payment for sale of tur dal via the portal, the Press Information Bureau statement read. Union home minister Amit Shah addresses a gathering during the inauguration of the Portal for Registration, Purchase and Payment for Farmers of Toor Dal Producing, at Vigyan Bhawan, in New Delhi on Thursday. (ANI) NAFED and NCCF are the two central agencies that undertake pulse procurement on behalf of the central government to maintain a buffer stock. They also buy pulses under the Price Support Scheme when the rates fall below the MSP. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Shah said before the sowing, tur farmers can register on the portal to sell their produce to NAFED and NCCF at minimum support price (MSP). They will have an option to sell either to NAFED/NCCF or in the open market. In case the open market price of tur remains higher than the MSP at the time of harvesting, in that case an average rate will be arrived through a formula, he said, adding that the payment will be done through DBT. The minister further said more farmers were not taking up pulses farming in the country because prices were not assured. With procurement via the portal, the initiative will bring a major reform in the agriculture sector and help achieve self-reliance in pulses production, he added. "Tur will be procured from farmers and it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guarantee," he added. (With PTI inputs) Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government wanted to get him arrested before the 2024 elections and take him out of the poll campaign, as he underlined his personal integrity to junk corruption allegations that have sparked a raging political controversy. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal(ANI) The BJP hit back hours later, saying that the CM was running away from credible charges of corruption and playing the victim to evade legal action. Union minister of state Nityanand Rai said that agencies were working as per the law. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Kejriwals comments came a day after he skipped summons issued to him by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for the third time over a money-laundering probe linked to alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy. The CM reiterated that he didnt answer the summons because they were illegal. My lawyers have told me that the ED summons are illegalThe BJPs purpose is not to question me, but to arrest me so that I cannot campaign in the Lok Sabha polls, he said in a press conference at his official residence in Civil Lines. The Lok Sabha elections are expected to be conducted in April-May. Also read: Didn't I go to CBI? BJP only wants to stop me from campaigning in Lok Sabha elections: Kejriwal Kejriwal added that he had written to ED, saying their summonses were illegal but did not get any response. They havent replied because they know that their summonses are illegal. Should I follow illegal summons? If legally sound summons will be issued, I will follow them, he said. My greatest wealth is my honesty. They want to break me by tarnishing my image.. The remarks came hours after the row between the citys ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the BJP, which controls the Centre, reached a crescendo, with city minister Atishi late on Wednesday claiming that ED was planning to raid Kejriwals residence and could even arrest him. Atishis late-night comments sparked condemnation from the AAPs political opponents, and though speculation mounted over heightened security outside his residence on Thursday morning, there was no further action. There was, however, enhanced police presence near the CMs house throughout the day. Several police officials were seen standing at the entrance to Flag Staff Road where the CMs residence is located since early Thursday morning. No response was available from ED, despite HT reaching out to the agency. Rai attacked Kejriwal and said that ED was bound to investigate someone who had done wrong. ED works where there is corruption, scam or irregularities. So, if some body does any such thing, ED will go to them. ED works as per the law. Shall the law skip proceedings against corrupts and scamsters? Rai asked. Kejriwal skipped two previous summonses on November 2 and on December 22, and in letters to ED at the time raised multiple objections principal among them that it was not clear whether he was summoned as a witness or suspect; as chief minister or as AAP chief; and without any details on the line of questioning. This comes at a time when the AAP has been publicly expressing an apprehension that Kejriwal may be arrested by ED just as former deputy CM Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh have been and ran a campaign in December seeking public feedback on whether he should resign as CM if taken into custody. That campaign, Main Bhi Kejriwal (I am Kejriwal, too) resumed Thursday, the AAP announced. ED has alleged that the AAP received kickbacks of 100 crore to finalise the citys now-scrapped excise policy and that a chunk of this was used in the Goa election campaign. In one of its five charge sheets, ED claimed that the excise policy was Kejriwals brainchild, and mentioned his name in remand papers with references to alleged meetings, commissions for private players, and the entry of political players and businesspeople from the south into Delhis liquor business. On Thursday, the CM dismissed the charges. This investigation has been going on for the last two years but irregularities of a single penny have not been found. They do not have any evidence against anyone. Nothing has been proven, he said, terming the investigation as hooliganism. Through false cases and fake summons, they want to malign my image. BJPs purpose is not to carry out an investigation, their purpose is to stop me from campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls. The summons were sent just before the Lok Sabha polls, he said. Kejriwal asked why he was not summoned earlier. The CBI summoned me 8 months ago. I appeared in person and responded to all their questions. But, now two months before the Lok Sabha polls, I am being summoned by ED, he said. In his letter to ED on Wednesday, the CM had alleged that the summons were issued for vexatious considerations, appeared to be in the nature of fishing and roving enquiry, and the agencys actions smacked of unwarranted secrecy by not providing a response to legal objections raised by him in the past. He also cited several reasons for why he was busy with party and government activity, and suggested that a questionnaire be sent to him instead of a personal appearance at the ED office. The excise policy was aimed to revitalise the citys flagging liquor business and replace a sale volume-based regime with a licence fee for traders. It promised swankier stores and a better buying experience. The policy introduced discounts and offers on the purchase of liquor for the first time in Delhi. But it was scrapped after lieutenant governor VK Saxena ordered a probe into alleged irregularities in the regime. This ultimately resulted in the policy being scrapped prematurely and being replaced by the 2020-21 regime. Delhi minister Atishi said Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is being used to threaten opposition leaders. PMLA is the only law in the country under which getting bail is almost impossible. Therefore, the BJP is filing false cases against all its opposition under this law. Today, the use of PMLA and the ED is only being done to intimidate and threaten opposition leaders and to break opposition parties. If any opposition leader joins the BJP, the summons and arrests stop, and the ED withdraws cases by going to court, Atishi said. Delhi BJP secretary Bansuri Swaraj said the letter sent by Kejriwal to ED is a proof of his arrogance. The ED raids are confidential, then on what basis are AAP leaders talking about arrest of Kejriwal? It seems they know that Kejriwals theft has been caught? Swaraj said. AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said: It is evident that BJP has hatched a conspiracy to arrest Delhis CM Arvind Kejriwal since Lok Sabha elections are approaching... The summons are illegal, whatever information ED or CBI wants they can take, they have all the documents, and evidence but their case is not finding any ground in the courts. They are not able to initiate the trials, only lodging one charge sheet after another. The BJP people say that the law is taking its course and agencies are doing their deed. The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a petition by an unidentified relative of Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national accused in a US court of plotting an assassination attempt on a Sikh separatist leader in New York, seeking consular access and further legal assistance to challenge his indictment and extradition to the US. A US court has accused Nikhil Gupta of plotting to kill Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun (top). (AP) The court cited principles of public international law and comity of courts and said the matter is extremely sensitive with serious ramifications, and thus, it is only for the Government of India to decide whether they wish to at all deal with Guptas case or not. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Also read: SC rejects petition by kin of Nikhil Gupta indicted by US in Pannun murder plot: Sensitive issue Gupta, charged by the US government of involvement in a conspiracy to kill Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil, has been in jail in Prague since he was detained in the Czech Republic six months ago. The 52-year-old, also known as Nick (Gupta), is detained in Pragues Pankrac prison. A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta held that an Indian court ought to show deference to the sovereignty of other countries and the legal system in the Czech Republic, under which Gupta was being tried. We are not inclined to entertain this petition considering this is a matter relating to public international law and in view of the principles of sovereignty and comity of courts, said the bench, even as it left it open for Gupta and his family to approach Indian government authorities. During the hearing, the court repeatedly called the matter sensitive, making it clear that the issue is outside the jurisdiction of Indian courts, which can only concern itself with the compliance of the Vienna Convention. I dont think we can give you any relief. We cant... consular access is the only thing that he is entitled to under the Vienna Convention and he has already got it. This is a matter relating to public international law. We have to respect the sovereignty and jurisdiction of other courts, said the bench. It added that the petition before the court stated that Gupta was given consular access on two occasions. This is a very sensitive matter and has its own ramifications. We dont want you to say or comment on anything that is pending before a foreign court. The only thing you are entitled to is consular access. If you claim you havent got it or has been denied, you can approach the authorities, the court told senior counsel CA Sundaram, who represented Guptas unnamed family member. Responding, Sundaram argued that Gupta was granted consular access only for a day before the indictment and the extradition order, which was passed only a day earlier. I have been writing to the consular office and the ministry of external affairs but there has been no response. I am entitled to assistance to enable me to defend myself in whatever manner I can. I have been indicted improperly. And there has been a subsequent indictment superseding the previous indictment, he said. The bench asked Sundaram to refrain from commenting on the proceedings before the Czech court. We cannot allow you to even touch that aspect. We arent concerned with the matters pending there and we are not going to comment on anything before another court, it said. Sundaram, on his part, said that all he wanted was legal assistance and consular access from the Indian government. I need assistance to challenge the extradition order. Thats what I am not being given. I am only asking for legal aid from the government... Nothing more nothing less. I dont even have access to an interpreter or translator, he said. Consular access cannot mean just one meeting with the consular. It has to be regular access to help me legally fight my case, Sundaram said. But the bench remained indisposed: Its a sensitive matter. And you are governed by the law of the other country, and they will go by that. We are going to strictly go by the Vienna Convention, under which you admit you have been granted consular access. Last month, Czech justice ministry spokesperson Vladimir Repka had said that Indias judicial authorities have no jurisdiction in the case involving Gupta, adding the case is under the jurisdiction of the competent authorities of the Czech Republic. Ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, on December 21, acknowledged that an Indian national is currently in the custody of the Czech authorities pending a request for extradition to the US. We have received consular access at least on three occasions, Bagchi added at a press briefing. US federal prosecutors have alleged that Gupta, alias Nick, worked on the directions of an Indian government employee, who described himself as a senior field officer responsible for intelligence, to arrange the assassination of US-Canadian citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a senior leader of the outlawed Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). Pannun has been declared a terrorist by India. While the indictment filed in a US federal court in Manhattan on November 29 did not name the Indian official (it referred to him as CC-1) or the victim of the assassination plot, unnamed American officials have told the media that Pannun was the target. The indictment that implicated the serving Indian government official for orchestrating the plot through Gupta, who, in turn, hired a hitman who turned out to be an undercover agent for US law enforcement. India responded by acknowledging that it had received inputs from the US and announced the constitution of a high-level investigation committee to examine the issue. India will look into any evidence of allegations of a plot to kill a Khalistani leader on American soil but a few incidents will not derail US-India ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his first response on the issue in December, in an interview with the Financial Times. US officials have said the issue has been discussed at the level of the national security advisers of the two countries, the heads of the respective intelligence agencies, the two foreign ministers, and even the heads of government, with the messaging from the US being consistent -- the potential of such activities to permanently damage the relationship, the possible repercussions on the bilateral relationship, the need for accountability in this case and an assurance that it wouldnt happen again. The indictment filed against Gupta in a Manhattan court alleges the Indian official had described the plot to target Pannun as a priority two days after another Khalistani leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was gunned down near a gurdwara in the Canadian town of Surrey on June 18. Gupta, who was arrested in the Czech Republic on June 30 at the request of the US, was allegedly working with the Indian official to ensure the dismissal of a drugs-related criminal case against him in India, the American indictment contended. The US has approached the Czech government for Guptas extradition. New Delhi: A Qatari court has given 60 days to eight former Indian Navy personnel to appeal against varying prison terms given to them following commutation of their death sentences, the external affairs ministry said on Thursday. The eight men have been sentenced to prison for varying durations ranging from three years to 25 years. (Photo courtesy: Doha.directory) On December 28, Qatars Court of Appeal commuted the death sentences awarded last October and sentenced the eight men to prison for varying durations ranging from three years to 25 years. The men Captains Navtej Gill and Saurabh Vasisht, Commanders Purnendu Tiwari, Amit Nagpal, SK Gupta, BK Verma and Sugunakar Pakala, and sailor Ragesh were detained in August 2022 on undeclared charges. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The Court of Appeal initially delivered the judgement as an oral order, and external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told a regular media briefing that the legal team aiding the eight men had received a copy of the verdict but it was a confidential document. On December 28, the Court of Appeal had given a judgement. Thereafter, we issued a press release giving details [and] telling that the death penalty has been reduced. Now, we have the judgement order, which is a confidential document, he said in response to questions. The court has given 60 days for the appeal to be made before the Court of Cassation, which is the highest court in Qatar. And it is for the legal team now to decide the next course of action. So, thats where we are. The legal team has access to the courts order. What we can confirm to you is that the death penalty has now been converted into varying prison sentences for the eight Indian nationals, he added. The Indian side is in touch with the families of the eight men and the legal team to decide the next steps, Jaiswal said. People familiar with the matter have said on condition of anonymity that Tiwari was given a 25-year prison term while Ragesh was given a three-year sentence. Four of the former navy officers were given 15-year prison terms and two others 10-year prison terms, they said. Several reports have suggested the men were accused of espionage though both Qatari and Indian authorities have not provided details of the charges against them. Also Read: Relief as Qatar takes 8 Indians off death row The commutation of the death sentence makes it possible for India to invoke a 2015 agreement with Qatar on the transfer of sentenced persons. The pact allows citizens of both countries who have been convicted and sentenced for criminal offences to serve their prison terms in their home country. The agreement isnt applicable to persons sentenced to death. However, the people cited above said there is some lack of clarity on whether Qatar has ratified the agreement. The Indian side is also understood to be exploring the possibility of the prisoners being pardoned by the emir of Qatar, who usually issues such pardons during the Eid festivals. India had earlier expressed deep shock at the death sentence given by Qatars Court of First Instance and pledged to look at all legal options to help the eight men, including decorated officers who commanded frontline warships in the Indian Navy. The matter was subsequently taken to Qatars Court of Appeal. After this, an appeal can be filed in the Court of Cassation, which is responsible for deciding on appeals against judgments of the Court of Appeal. Barmer (Rajasthan), Jan 4 (PTI) The Centre has adopted western Rajasthan's traditional rainwater harvesting system 'tankas' by constructing a large number of such storage tanks with reinforced concrete cement near PMAY houses to battle water scarcity in the arid region. HT Image Traditional 'tankas' are earthen rainwater storage tanks constructed by the people of Barmer district and other parts of western Rajasthan to collect water received during showers between July and September. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "However, the water stored in the traditional 'tankas' gradually becomes contaminated due to its earthen structure and does not last for the entire year. "So, the Centre has adopted the method under MGNREGA (Rural) scheme but instead of earthen tankas, is constructing water storage spaces made of reinforced concrete cement to provide uncontaminated water to the people for a longer period of time," Barmer Collector Arun Purohit told PTI. A total of 1,84,766 such tanks have been constructed since 2016, with 41,580 built in the current 2023-24 fiscal, he said. Each tank, measuring 13.5 ft by 13.5 ft, has the capacity to store 35,000 litres of water and is constructed at a cost of 3 lakh, Purohit said. The district has 2,971 villages, locally called 'dhannis', and respective gram panchayats are the implementing agencies. He said other measures are also being adopted to ensure water supply to far-flung villages in the district that shares a 228-km-long international border with Pakistan. These include the supply of water from the Indira Gandhi Canal and the Narmada Project along with the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scheme. "We are targeting to reach out to 4.25 lakh households under the JJM scheme. Of these, we have already covered 1.25 lakh households," the collector said. After the JJM scheme is completely implemented, every household will have tap connection and surface water will be available to all households in the district, he said. Head of Kurla village, Devaram Choudhury, said water scarcity is a major problem in the region and sources are few and far-flung. He said the issue has been raised by people over the years and local representatives had urged the authorities to provide each household with permanent storage spaces. "The construction of 'tankas' under MGNREGA has benefited us. We can now consume potable drinking water throughout the year," Choudhury said. Thirty-six-year-old Dhammi Devi of the village said women have particularly benefited from these structures as they no longer have to walk around 4-5 km daily to fetch water from sources. "Earlier, we used to spend five to six hours daily collecting water, which was still not enough. It was an arduous task and we used to get tired. Now, we can utilise that time for other work," she added. New Delhi Constantly summoning government officials in judicial proceedings runs contrary to the scheme envisaged by the Constitution, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday as it laid down a standard operating procedure (SOP) for all courts to address the issue. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud directed judges across the country to exercise caution while summoning government officials. (Sanjay Sharma) A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud directed judges across the country to exercise caution while summoning government officials, and also refrain from making oral remarks which have the potential to humiliate the concerned official. The court also said that the presence of officials may not be necessary if the concerned issue can be addressed through affidavits or other documents. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Constantly summoning officials of the government instead of relying on the law officers representing the government runs contrary to the scheme envisaged by the Constitution, the bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said. The use of the power to summon the presence of government officials must not be used as a tool to pressurise the government, particularly under the threat of contempt, the bench said, adding: The appearance of government officials before courts must not be reduced to a routine measure in cases where the government is a party and can only be resorted to in limited circumstances. The top court was deciding on an appeal filed by the Uttar Pradesh government against an order of Allahabad high court in April last year that ordered the arrest of two officials finance secretary SMA Rizvi and special secretary (finance) Sarayu Prasad Mishra after it issued show-cause notices of contempt and bailable warrants over non-compliance of a decision to provide facilities to retired high court judges. Although the top court ordered the release of the two secretaries after they were taken into custody, solicitor general (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for Centre, and additional solicitor general (ASG) KM Nataraj, for Uttar Pradesh, doubted the high courts power to initiate contempt and requested for an SOP to deal with frequent summoning of officials to the court. The SOP framed by the top court said the presence of officials may be required in evidence-based adjudication (such as documents or statements), summary proceedings and non-adversarial matters where a complex policy issue needs to be understood by courts, or where the court is, prima facie, satisfied that specific information has been denied or withheld by the government or it being suppressed or misrepresented. In other cases, the courts can rely on affidavits and other documents, and statements of law officers, and personal appearance of an official may not be needed, the SOP said. Courts across the country must foster an environment of respect and professionalism, the bench said, adding that the SOP emphasises the critical need for courts to exercise consistency and restraint. It (SOP) aims to serve as a guiding framework, steering courts away from the arbitrary and frequent summoning of government officials and promoting maturity in their functioning, it added. The guidelines also said that officials cannot be summoned solely because the officials stance in the affidavit differs from the courts view. If the issues can be addressed through affidavits and other documents, physical presence may not be necessary and should not be directed as a routine measure, it said. It also said that courts must send a notice to the summoning official in advance, citing a reason behind the need for their appearance. An option to appear online through videoconferencing should be provided, besides a specific time slot designated for the hearing, it said. Officials need not stand throughout the hearing, except while making any statement in court, it added. Oral remarks with the potential to humiliate the official should be avoided, it said, adding that courts must also refrain from making comments on the physical appearance, educational background, or social standing of the official appearing before it. The SOP also talked about contempt proceedings where presence of officials is needed. The court should exercise caution and restraint when initiating contempt proceedings, ensuring a judicious and fair process, it said. Courts must first seek an explanation from the official concerned and depending on the severity of the allegation, direct for personal presence. The option to appear via videoconferencing will also be available in contempt cases, it said. The SOP also asked courts to be liberal in giving time to the government to comply with its orders. Ensuring compliance with judicial orders involving intricate policy matters necessitates navigating various levels of decision making by the Government. The court must consider these complexities before establishing specific timelines for compliance with its orders, it said. In case the government seeks more time, the court may entertain such requests and permit a revised, reasonable time frame for compliance of its orders. Even in cases of contempt, the court should permit the contemnor to submit an application for extension or stay before the higher court, the SOP said. The bench directed its order to be followed by all courts while requesting high courts to frame guidelines based on the SOP issued. Meanwhile, the top court said the Allahabad high court acted beyond its jurisdiction by arresting the two Uttar Pradesh government officials. It is clear that the actions of the government did not constitute even civil contempt let alone criminal contempt, it said. The Supreme Court also held that the high court chief justice had no power to frame rules pertaining to Domestic Help to former CJs and former judges of Allahabad HC under Article 229 of the Constitution, as this relates to officers and servants of high courts, and not judges. It was for these rules, the state government faced the ire of the HC, which insisted upon the same to be notified. The high court cannot use its judicial powers to browbeat the state government to notify the rules proposed by the chief justice.... The conduct of the high court in frequently summoning government officials to exert pressure on the government, under the threat of contempt, is impermissible, it said. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the builders of Gurugrams Chintels Paradiso society, where a roof collapse in February 2022 claimed two lives, to pay rent for alternate accommodation to nearly 125 flat buyers who had agreed to vacate the site for reconstruction of their houses. The owners agreed to temporarily move out following a safety audit of the buildings, which found that five out of the nine towers in the society were structurally unsafe. (Parveen Kumar) The Court was hearing a petition by about 188 residents of the society who had approached the top court seeking probe into the mishap that took place on February 10, 2022 and demanded safety audit of their buildings fearing a repeat of the incident. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. As the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had already taken up the probe in January last year and IIT-Delhi having conducted a safety audit of the structures in question, the bench of justices Hrishikesh Roy and Prashant Kumar Mishra was required to only examine the issue of alternate residence for residents who opted to continue with the society, provided that the builder undertakes to reconstruct it at the same site. Few homebuyers had opted for the alternate option of surrendering their flats in exchange of the sum paid by them for the flat including stamp duty charges. The bench said, Those who might want the builder to rebuild the project, the buildings must necessarily be vacated by all including some 10 occupants still occupying some flats...On commencement of reconstruction until project is completed, builder will be required to pay to the affected flat buyers reasonable rent for their alternate accommodation. The Court directed the Haryana government represented by additional advocate general Alok Sangwan to ensure all permissions for reconstruction is granted expeditiously. As there is already a committee headed by divisional commissioner, Gurugram monitoring the case pertaining to the Chintels society, the Court left it to this committee to fix the quantum of reasonable rent. As regards the CBI probe, the bench directed the agency to take its investigation to the logical conclusion. The builder and contractor were since involved in the construction of the tower involving the fatal incident were since arrested and the premier agency had filed two chargesheets before the concerned court. Also Read: 3 balconies collapse in same Chintels tower one year later Advocate Prashant Bhushan who represented the homebuyers told the Court that nearly 125 of the 188 petitioners represented in Court have their houses in the five towers declared unsafe. The remaining are part of the other four towers which are part of Phase 2 of the project. Bhushan expressed apprehension that there could be inordinate delay on part of the builder to commence reconstruction and urged the Court that the rent should be paid even for the period prior to the date when reconstruction begins. The Court, however, was not keen to grant this request. The bench said, In matters of dispute between flat buyers and builders, normally there is no intervention by the Court in a proceeding under Article 32. However, here was an extraordinary case where part of tower collapsed leading to loss of lives. As the major issues raised in the petition on investigation and structural safety were taken care of, the bench said, We deem it appropriate to close these proceedings. The homebuyers further raised grievance over the builders demand for 1000 per square feet as additional cost towards reconstruction charge. The owner of Chintels Paradiso represented by senior advocate ANS Nadkarni told the Court that the residents have occupied the flats for 7 years and will now get brand new building for which they should be willing to pay. The Court said, It can always be a matter of discussion between the builders and the buyers. The Haryana government informed the Court that IIT-Delhi submitted two reports to the District Town Planning department in March 2022 and January 2023 stating that high chloride content in sand mixed in concrete found in the project area affected multiple projects in the area. Following this report, the residents of the five towers found to be unsafe were asked to seek a refund or pay additional cost for reconstruction. The first option was availed by some residents while the majority opted for reconstruction. Nadkarni told the Court that payment in respect of 115 residents was complete and some 26 occupants remained to be paid the refund. It was on February 28, 2022 the top court had entertained a petition by the kin of one of the deceased in the Chintels roof collapse incident. Later, other residents followed suit. The petitions stated that residents were living in constant fear for their own safety as the apartments showed visible structural deformities such as cracks in the ceiling and balconies, cracks in the tiles, deflection in balconies etc. The petition said, The petitioners are seeking directions from this Court to the respondents to carry out the necessary repairs/reconstruction works and to arrange for temporary equivalent alternate accommodation or pay the petitioners for the temporary equivalent alternate accommodation that the Petitioners will have to shift to along with involved additional cost while the said repairs/reconstruction works are being carried out. In addition, the petitioners also sought compensation for the disruption caused by the accident. The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to order a separate probe into the allegations of accounting fraud and stock manipulation against Adani Group companies, first aired in a report by US short-seller Hindenburg Research in January 2023, holding that there was no material to show glaring, wilful or deliberate inaction by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) in carrying out its investigation nor anything to suggest regulatory failure by the market regulator. HT Image Noting that the Hindenburg report or any other unsubstantiated news report cannot be treated as conclusive proof of the inadequacy of Sebis probe, the top court shot down a plea jointly made in a bundle of petitions seeking the creation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate Hindenburgs allegations, and maintained that the reliance on newspaper articles or reports by third party organisations as the basis for questioning a comprehensive investigation by a specialised regulator does not make sense. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Apart from the Hindenburg report, reports by Financial Times and OCCRP (a network of journalists) in August mentioned the alleged violation of Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) and other regulations by Adani group companies, using 13 overseas entities to effect transactions in stock. Indian stock market laws require a listed company to have a minimum public shareholding of 25% with the objective to keep a free float available for price discovery of stocks. The petitioners cannot assert that an unsubstantiated report in the newspapers should have precedence over an investigation by a statutory regulator whose investigation has not been cast into doubt on the basis of cogent material or evidence... In fact, to the contrary, the course of conduct by Sebi inspires confidence that Sebi is conducting a comprehensive investigation, held a bench, led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, adding that petitions that lack adequate research and rely on unverified and unrelated material tend to, in fact, be counterproductive to the public interest jurisprudence. The bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, noted that Sebi has completed its investigations in 22 out of the 24 allegations levelled against the Adani group. We direct Sebi to complete the two pending investigations expeditiously, preferably within three months. This court is not inclined to interfere with the outcome of the investigations by Sebi, which should take its investigations to their logical conclusion in accordance with law. The court, in its judgment, recorded the statement of solicitor general Tushar Mehta, who represented Sebi, that 22 final investigation reports and one interim investigation report have been approved by the competent authority. With respect to the interim investigation report, Sebi has submitted that it has sought information from external agencies and entities and upon receipt of such information, it will determine the future course of action, stated the judgment. Rejecting the allegation that the Sebi was lackadaisical in conducting the investigations, the court said that the threshold for the transfer of investigation from Sebi to a SIT or CBI was not met in this case. At the same time, the bench directed that the investigative agencies of the Union government should probe whether the loss suffered by Indian investors due to the conduct of the Hindenburg Research and other entities in taking short positions involved any infraction of law, and if so, suitable action shall be taken. After the ruling, Gautam Adani said in a post on X that the courts judgment shows truth has prevailed and the groups contribution to Indias growth story will continue. Hindenburgs report, published in January 2023, claimed brazen accounting fraud and stock manipulation by the Gautam Adani-led group. Though the conglomerate rejected the report as unresearched and maliciously mischievous, it triggered a massive rout of Adani group stocks, which lost over $140 billion in days and forced the cancellation of a planned 20,000 crore share sale. A set of petitions, filed separately by lawyers and activists last year, demanded a court-monitored probe into the matter by setting up a SIT, under the supervision of a retired judge. Some of the petitioners also questioned the legislative amendments carried out by Sebi in 2018 and 2019 to tweak the Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI) regulations, contending that these amendments diluted the requirement of disclosure of beneficial owners (BOs) and listing disclosures by doing away with the prohibition against an FPI having an opaque structure. But the court judgment on Wednesday rejected the petitioners contentions, ruling that the impugned amendments had in fact tightened the norms on disclosure of BOs under FPI and LODR (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) and therefore, no valid grounds have been raised for the court to direct Sebi to revoke its amendments. It added that the procedure followed in arriving at the current state of the negotiations is not tainted with illegality nor has it been argued that the regulations are unreasonable, capricious, arbitrary or violative of the Constitution. The amendments, far from diluting, have tightened the regulatory framework by making the disclosure requirements mandatory and removing the requirement of it being disclosed only when sought. The disclosure requirement, therefore, is now at par with the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act)... The power of this court to enter the regulatory domain of Sebi in framing delegated legislation is limited. The court must refrain from substituting its own wisdom over the regulatory policies of Sebi. The scope of judicial review when examining a policy frame by specialized regulator is to scrutinize whether it violates fundamental rights, any provision of the Constitution, any statutory provision, or is manifestly arbitrary, said the bench. On the petitioners plea seeking the transfer the investigation from Sebi to a court-appointed SIT, the court underlined that a court must exercise this power sparingly and in extraordinary circumstances. Such powers must not be exercised by the court in the absence of cogent justification indicative of a likely failure of justice, said the bench, pointing out that the petitioners have failed to portrayed inadequacy in the investigation or show a prima facie bias on Sebis part. Referring to a slew of reforms suggested by a six-member panel, led by retired Supreme Court judge AM Sapre, that was set up by the court in March 2023 to look into regulatory failure by Sebi and alleged breach of laws by the Adani group, the bench directed that the Union Government and Sebi shall constructively consider the suggestions. In its report submitted in May, the committee said the allegations of stock price manipulation or violation of MPS norms by Adani group companies cannot be proved at this stage. At the same time, the panel raised certain red flags regarding the current FPI regulations and the 2018 and 2019 amendments by Sebi, which were approved by the court on Wednesday in its judgment. Following the panels report, Sebis Board had in July approved a proposal mandating additional granular disclosures to the last investor for certain categories of FPIs. Simultaneously, the panel had in its report suggested a slew of structural reforms in Sebi, which included initiation of prosecution only in a few large and complex cases, a firm timeline for completion of investigations, robust settlement mechanism, separation of power between its quasi-judicial arm and the enforcement arm, creation of financial redress agency to handle investor grievances across sectors, mechanism for recovery of unclaimed properties and observance of judicial discipline by its adjudicating officers. In its judgment, the bench also nixed the allegations of conflict of interest against members of the expert committee, calling these unsubstantial and unsubstantiated. In September, one of the petitioners in the case, Anamika Jaiswal, urged the Supreme Court to reconstitute the panel of experts to investigate the accusations against the Adani group, alleging conflict of interest of three of the six-member panel. Jaiswal claimed that inclusion of OP Bhatt (former State Bank of India chairman), KV Kamath (veteran banker) and senior advocate (now a Bombay high court judge) Somasekhar Sundaresan in the expert panel was not appropriate, considering their possible conflict of interest in the outcome of the probe. On the aspect of a probe initiated by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in 2014 about a potential stock market manipulation by the Adani group through overvaluation of the import of power equipment from a UAE-based subsidiary, the court noted that the issue that has already been settled by concurrent findings of DRIs additional director general, CESTAT and the Supreme Court in favour of the conglomerate. The verdict signals there will not be increased regulatory or legal risk on the Adani group beyond the current Sebi investigation. Reflecting that view, shares of various Adani Group companies rose, with Adani Energy Solutions up 9.1%, Adani Total Gas surging 7.1%, Adani Green Energy jumping 5.5% and the flagship business Adani Enterprises rising 2.6%. The combined market valuation of all the 10 group firms stood at 15,11,073.97 crore. The group firms together added 64,189.16 crore in market valuation from yesterdays close. In the equity market, the 30-share BSE Sensex ended 535.88 points or 0.75% lower at 71,356.60, and the Nifty declined 148.45 points or 0.69% to 21,517.35. The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to quash criminal cases registered against Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera for the remarks he made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a press conference in Mumbai in February 2023. Congress leader Pawan Khera at AICC HQ in New Delhi on Thursday. (ANI Photo) We are not inclined to entertain the matter. There are concurrent orders passed refusing to interfere, a SC bench of justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta said while hearing an appeal filed by Khera, challenging an Allahabad high court order dated August 17 that refused to quash the multiple criminal cases being tried together in Lucknow. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The top court had issued a notice on Kheras plea in October and sought the response of the Uttar Pradesh government and the complainant in the case. Kheras counsel and senior advocate Salman Khurshid had requested the court to adjourn the matter stating that the complainant was yet to file a response. Appearing for the state, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the SC that the state filed its response in November. Mehta said the appeal is against the quashing of the cases and what is material is the reply of the state. I have filed my reply based on the charge sheet, which he has from the beginning. Where is the question of complainant? Mehta asked. He (Mehta) has only relied on the charge sheet, the bench said. When Khurshid sought an apology for seeking time to respond, the bench remarked, You can go on seeking apologies. Is it possible to wish away an offence? Sorry, we are not inclined. The petitioner had held a press conference wherein he had publicly, knowingly, purposefully and deliberately and highly objectionable made certain derogatory references regarding a high constitutional functionary which in tum created issues concerning public order, the UP governments response filed before the top court stated. The state affidavit filed by standing counsel Ruchira Goel pointed out that the charge sheet was filed in April last year and since then, the petitioner failed to remain present and cooperate with the trial on nearly a dozen occasions. The state said that the HC was right in dismissing Kheras petition as the HC order of August 2023 directed him to raise this grievance before the trial judge. The said comment/slander (by Khera) is not only an insult to the lineage and caste of the Prime Minister but also an insult to his late mother, the chargesheet filed by the UP Police said. The report of the investigation further stated that the press conference organised in Mumbai was part of a broader conspiracy to degrade and destabilise the nation as the statements were given with the intention to deliberately provoke people and disturb public peace. Multiples FIRs were registered against Khera following the press conference held by him on February 17 where he referred to the middle name of Prime Minister Modi as Gautamdas instead of Damodardas, in an apparent reference to industrialist Gautam Adani in the backdrop of the Hindenburg research report that accused Adani of stock manipulation and improper use of tax havens. Assam Police arrested Khera from the Delhi airport on February 23 last year based on an FIR registered against him at Haflong police station. Khera approached the top court and was granted interim bail. He also sought consolidation of the FIRs as two more were lodged against him in Uttar Pradesh Hazratganj in Lucknow and Varanasi. In March 2023, the top court ordered all FIRs to be consolidated at Hazratganj. Khera has since apologised for his comment stating that he did not mean to insult the Prime Minister. It was on this unconditional apology that he was granted interim protection from the top court. However, the probe against him continued as the UP government said it seeks to probe what prompted the Congress leader to make such a statement. The state further told the apex court that an apology after committing an offence is of no relevance and cannot be ground for quashing of the offence. The FIRs registered against him relates to offences of promoting enmity, making imputations prejudicial to national integration among other offences punishable under Section 153A, 153B, 500, 504, 505(1)(b), 505(2) and 120B of the IPC. The Congress announced on Thursday that long-awaited seat-sharing talks with partners in the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) will start without any delay and whenever allies are ready, according top priority to an issue that is expected to be fractious and see protracted negotiations. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, DMK leader Tiruchi Siva, CPI General Secretary D. Raja and others during a protest of Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi,(PTI) Congress leader Mukul Wasnik, who heads the five-member national alliance panel, also said that the seat talks would be held on a state-by-state basis depending of the allies situation in a particular province. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Also read: Congress rebrands and expands Rahul Gandhis yatra; UP to be in focus We are fully aware that we have to do it (negotiations) quickly. It is our top priority. There will be no delay. As soon as other political parties get ready, we are start talks with them at their convenient time. It is important to discuss one the basis of states as different parties have different situations in the states, Wasnik said. Party insiders pointed out that an early start for talks would be important as the Congress faces major hurdles in stitching an alliance in some states, particularly in Punjab and West Bengal. In both states, the Congress unit is averse to an alliance with the ruling parties the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab and the Trinamool Congress in Bengal. Negotiations with the Samajwadi Party can also be complicated after the Congress refused to accommodate the party in the recently concluded Madhya Pradesh elections. The seat-sharing agreement is seen as the most crucial aspect of the INDIA arrangement, especially after several opposition leaders stressed on the importance of ensuring a one-on-one battle with the Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2024 polls. Setting the stage,the national alliance panel members briefed Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chief Rahul Gandhi and general secretary KC Venugopal on the outcome of their discussion with state units of the Congress on Thursday. We have discussed with various state leaders (of the party) on the scope and nature of the alliance with INDIA partners, which seats we want to fight and which seats we can offer to them. We have given a detailed submission on the talks to Kharge ji, Rahul Gandhi ji and Venugopal ji. We will start the seat discussion very shortly with various parties. We will find out when they are available for talks and then proceed, Wasnik told journalists after the meeting. The preparations assume importance as some allies, notably the TMC, Janata Dal United, AAP and Shiv Sena (UBT) are getting increasingly impatient with the Congresss delay. A senior TMC leader said on Thursday that his party would not attend any joint rally of the alliance unless the seat-sharing pact is complete. We are not going to be a party to any rally now. One such rally was held at Jantar Mantar and we sent only one representative. No rally should be held unless seat sharing is finalised. The TMC which bluntly told Kharge in the last INDIA bloc meeting that in 179 days, the alliance did not achieve anything except its name had also given the Congress a deadline of December 2023 to wrap up seat talks in West Bengal. While that deadline is past, a TMC leader said, We are a big-hearted party. We are committed to INDIA. Keeping the scope of the seat pact wide open, the Congress refused to say how many seats it wanted to fight alone. We have not made any calculation for our own party. Our aim is to make INDIA win in the 2024 election. As and when they (partners) are available, we will start discussions seat by seat. You can understand how quickly we are starting the talks, Wasnik added. The five-member panel which has former CMs Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel, senior leaders Mohan Prakash and former Union minister Salman Khurshid as its other members held talks with all Congress units on the scope of the alliance. Earlier in the day, in a meeting with state units, general secretaries and in-charges, Rahul Gandhi said that, We can win the 2024 elections if the INDIA message is carried well. Kharge, who chaired the meeting with party general secretaries, in-charges, state units and legislative party heads, emphasised the importance of a strong alliance. You must be seeing that all the attacks of the BJP are on Congress and INDIA group. NDA has remained only nominal. Whereas INDIA alliance consists of major grassroots parties, who have strong cadre base and ideology, he said. The BJP is pushing emotional issues to cover up the failures of its government in the last 10 years. They deliberately involve Congress in every issue. We have to unite and give a befitting reply to the lies, deceit and wrongdoings of the BJP on grassroots issues in front of the people, he added. In an indirect attack on the top BJP leadership, Kharge said that ego, sin and lies had a limited lifespan. We have to respond to them by sticking to the mantra given to us by our heroes to struggle on the path of truth. Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury did not attend the meeting. India on Thursday condemned the twin explosions during a memorial ceremony in Iran that killed more than 100 people, saying that the incident is shocking and saddening. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a statement expressed solidarity with the Iran government and the people of the country. Two bombs exploded at a commemoration for a prominent Iranian general slain (AP) We are shocked and saddened on the terrible bombings in the Kerman City of Iran. At this difficult time, we express our solidarity with the government and people of Iran. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and with the wounded, the MEA wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. According to Iranian officials, two rapid explosions took place on Wednesday near the burial site of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in Kerman resulting in the death of at least 103 people. The incident took place as Iran commemorated the anniversary of Soleimani's killing in a US drone strike in 2020. While the state media called the explosions a terrorist attack, Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi accused Israel of being behind the incident. I warn the Zionist regime: Do not doubt that you will pay a heavy price for this crime and the crimes you have committed, he said, as quoted by CNN. On the other hand, Raisi's political deputy Mohammad Jamshidi accused the US along with Israel of being responsible for the attacks. Washington says USA and Israel had no role in the terrorist attack in Kerman, Iran. Really? A fox smells its own lair first. Make no mistake. The responsibility for this crime lies with the US and Zionist regimes (Israel) and terrorism is just a tool, he wrote on X. Meanwhile, Iran on Thursday observed a day of mourning for the death of over 100 people in the twin blasts. (With inputs from agencies) The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a petition filed by an unidentified family member of Indian national Nikhil Gupta, who is accused in a US court of plotting an assassination attempt in New York, to grant Gupta consular access and legal aid to challenge his indictment and extradition. The top court said it is a sensitive matter and the Government of India will decide how to go about it. "Considering the public international law and comity of courts, we can't intervene," the Supreme Court said. The top court said it should respect the jurisdiction of a foreign court. Supreme Court rejected the petition by family members of Nikhil Gupta. Nikhil Gupta, a Delhi-based businessman, was arrested in the Czech Republic in 2023 and the US charged him for plotting to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist leader. The US said Nikhil Gupta was working with a government agent and hired a hitman -- who was actually an undercover cop -- to kill Pannun. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. New Delhi said it was looking into the allegations as they were very serious and constituted a probe panel. Nikhil Gupta's family moved the Supreme Court and said Gupta was kept in isolation in jail, and was being forced to eat meat and pork. From the outset, the petitioner contends that the circumstances surrounding his arrest were marked by irregularities, with no formal arrest warrant presented, and the apprehension executed by self-claimed US agents rather than local Czech authorities," the petition said. The petitioner was not shown any arrest warrant during the initial detention. Instead, he found himself in the custody of individuals purporting to represent US interests," it said. Who is Nikhil Gupta? Nikhil Gupta's name surfaced for the first time in the US indictment on November 29 in which he was accused of plotting to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Nikhil Gupta was charged with murder-for-hire as he allegedly agreed to pay $100,000 to an assassin to kill Pannun in New York. On June 30, 2023, Nikhil Gupta was arrested on a request from the US as he arrived in the Czech Republic. Nikhil Gupta's unnamed relative said Nikhil Gupta was held in solitary confinement and sought Supreme Court's intervention. Gurpwatwant Singh Pannun, a designated terrorist in India, is the chief of the Sikhs for Justice. A pro-Khalistan lawyer, the Canadian-American citizen organised referendums seeking a separate Sikh state. Recently, Pannun threatened Air India and urged Sikhs not to take Air India flights. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee on Wednesday adopted a resolution requesting Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Telangana. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee on Wednesday adopted a resolution requesting Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Telangana (ANI) The resolution was passed at the PCC state executive committee meeting held at Gandhi Bhavan, the partys headquarters in Hyderabad in the afternoon, under the auspices of newly-appointed AICC in-charge of Telangana affairs Deepa Das Munshi and chief minister A Revanth Reddy. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. This was the first meeting of the PCC executive after the party won the assembly elections in Telangana on December 3. Briefing the reporters about the discussions at the meeting, PCC senior vice-president Mallu Ravi said the party also adopted a resolution appreciating the efforts of former AICC in-charge of state affairs Manikrao Thakre. He said the PCC executive committee meeting discussed the plan of action for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. The chief minister, who is also the PCC president, will hold a series of meetings in the next few days, he said. On December 8 and 9, he would hold discussions with party leaders from the erstwhile combined 10 districts of Telangana. On December 11, 12 and 13, he would hold talks with in-charge ministers and party leaders of parliamentary constituencies to work out the campaign strategies, Ravi said. The PCC leader said Revanth Reddy, along with IT minister D Sridhar Babu, would be leaving for Davos, Switzerland on January 14 to take part in a series of meetings to invite investors to the state. He will be on Davos tour for four days. After his return, he would continue Parliamentary constituency-wise reviews to identify prospective candidates for contesting the elections, Ravi said. He said the meeting also appreciated the services of the party leaders and cadre who had strived hard for achieving victory in the assembly elections. The government will acknowledge the services of the party leaders and appoint them in various nominated posts such as corporation chairpersons, directors and other positions in the government. The AICC in-charge and secretaries are preparing the list of such leaders, the PCC leader said. The PCC executive committee also decided to constitute Indiramma Committees to obtain suggestions and feedback from the people on the welfare schemes and developmental works being implemented at the grassroots level. The meeting appreciated the various initiatives taken by the newly-formed Congress government in the last one month, he added. New Delhi: India on Thursday expressed shock over two bomb blasts in the Iranian city of Kerman that killed more than 80 people and injured hundreds more and conveyed its solidarity to the government and people of Iran. Emergency personnel at the site where two explosions struck a crowd marking the anniversary of the 2020 killing of Guards general Qasem Soleimani (AFP Photo) The twin blasts that targeted large crowds participating in an event marking the fourth anniversary of the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani have been described by the Iranian leadership as terror attacks. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attacks, which triggered confusion and speculation in Iran. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. We are shocked and saddened on the terrible bombings in the Kerman City of Iran, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X. At this difficult time, we express our solidarity with the government and people of Iran. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and with the wounded, he said. Also Read: Iran blames Israel for blasts, says punishment will be regrettable, severe Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has pledged a harsh response to the bombings that killed 84 people and injured nearly 300 others. Irans Supreme National Security Council met on Thursday to discuss the process of identifying and punishing the perpetrators of the attacks, state media reported. Amid speculation that Arab separatist groups or the Islamic State may have been behind the bombings, which have been described as the deadliest since the 1979 revolution, Hamas said such attacks that seek to disrupt security and stability in Iran serve the sinister plans of the Zionist enemy. Responding to a question at the weekly media briefing on the situation in the Red Sea against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas conflict, Jaiswal said India is keeping a close watch on developments in the region though it has not joined any multilateral efforts to protect merchant shipping. Yemens Houthi rebels have targeted several merchant vessels, including two with Indian crew members, in the Red Sea as a show of support for Hamas. We had made it very clear that we attach very high importance to freedom of navigation[and] free movement of commercial shipping. Its an evolving situation and we are looking at all aspects of it, Jaiswal said. Indian Navy warships are patrolling the area and keeping a watch on Indian ships in the Red Sea. So far, we are not part of any multilateral initiative or project in the area...But we are looking at the unfolding situation very closely, he said. The Delhi Police Special Cell arrested Javed Mattoo, a wanted terrorist associated with the terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, in the national capital on Thursday. Mattoo was held after a team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had launched a search operation for him, the police said. Hizbul terrorist Javed Mattoo arrested (ANI/Representational image) According to the police, they seized a pistol, magazine, and a stolen vehicle from Mattoo. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. With the coordination of Special Cell of Delhi Police and central agencies, Javed Mattoo, an A++ category terrorist who has a bounty of 10 lakh on him, was arrested todayAfter taking him into police custody remand, we will further action against him, Special Commissioner of Delhi Police HGS Dhaliwal said. Mattoo, a resident of Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore district, was involved in five grenade attacks in the union territory. He was also responsible for the killing of five police personnel in different incidents. According to the police, Mattoo is one of the last surviving A++ designated terrorists from Jammu and Kashmir. In August last year, a video of Mattoo's brother Rayees hoisting the national flag at his residence in Jammu and Kashmirs Sopore went viral on social media. I waved the Tiranga from my heart. There was no pressure from anyone...Saare jahaan se achha Hindustan humara, hum bulbule hain iske ye gulistan hamara, he told the media. Speaking about his brother, Rayees had said, My brother became one (a terrorist) in 2009, we don't know anything about him after that...If he is alive, I urge him to come back...The situation has changed, Pakistan can't do anything...Hum Hindustani the, hain aur rahenge. (With inputs from agencies) A vast crowd gathered on the streets of Madurai to participate in the Margazhi Ashtami chariot festival at the Meenakshi Amman Temple on Thursday. Devotees joyously marked the occasion with the resounding echoes of conch shells and rhythmic drumbeats. A significant police presence was deployed to manage the enthusiastic crowd, and the entire city resonated with the jubilation in honour of Lord Meenakshi Amman. The festival takes place during the month of Margasheersha, also known as Margazhi in Tamil.(ANI) The festival takes place during the month of Margasheersha, also known as Margazhi in Tamil. According to Hindu tradition, the month of Margasheersha is deemed propitious for spiritual growth, achievable through devotion to deities such as Shiva, Shakti, Vishnu, and others, practiced through meditation and fasting. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Significance of Margazhi Ashtami chariot festival Idols of Lord Meenakshi Amman and Sundareswarar are paraded through the outer streets in a chariot following the tradition. The month of Margazhi is linked to religious discourses, chanting, and listening to spiritual music. During this time, individuals refrain from participating in activities other than worshipping God. Throughout the state, numerous significant Hindu festivals are observed during this period, and devotees observe them with deep devotion. Every December, the state comes alive with classical music and dance forms as renowned musicians and artists converge to perform in various temples, sabhas, or auditoriums. The Margazhi Maha Utsavam, known as the Music and Dance Festival in Chennai, infuses a sense of mystical divinity into Tamil Nadu through the harmonious rhythms of Bharatanatyam, Carnatic music, and devotional melodies. This cultural extravaganza unfolds in multiple auditoriums and sabhas under the banner of the Music and Dance Festival, showcasing the talents of both vocal and instrumental musicians. The performances, predominantly featuring Tamil, Telugu, Sanskrit, and Kannada songs, highlight the enchanting sounds of instruments such as the flute, veena, gottuvadyam, nadhaswaram, thavil, mridangam, and ghatam. (With inputs from agencies) It sends the absolutely wrong signal when judges comment on sexual ethics and the ideal behaviour expected from young boys and girls, the Supreme Court lamented on Thursday, frowning upon a Calcutta high court judgment which suggested that every teenage girl should control sexual urges and protect her right to integrity of her body. A bench of justices AS Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan said judges are expected to go by the statute and principles of law instead of imposing their sense of morality and opinions when cases involving sexual offences come up. Also read: SC issues SOP for summoning govt officials Writing such kinds of things is absolutely wrong. It sends absolutely the wrong signal. What kind of principles judges are invoking by saying such things? wondered the bench, as it took up the suo motu proceedings initiated against the October 18 judgment of the high court that had further said that in the eyes of the society she (the teenage girl) is the loser when she gives in to enjoy the sexual pleasure of hardly two minutes. Not only the observations but the conclusions reached by the high court are also wrong. There are so many findings that we cannot accept. Where do these concepts come from, we really dont know, remarked the bench. On December 8, the top court partially stayed the Calcutta high court judgment, observing that judges are not expected to preach through their orders and judgment and that the impugned observations were highly objectionable and completely unwarranted. During the brief hearing on Thursday, the West Bengal government informed the bench that the state has also filed an appeal against the high court judgment. Senior counsel Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the state, said that not only were the observations made by the high court objectionable, the final decision of acquitting the accused in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act case by relying on a non-exploitative consensual sexual relationship with a minor girl was also against statutory principles. Senior counsel Madhavi Divan, who assisted the court as amicus curiae, added that there was no occasion for the high court to call for decriminalisation of consensual sexual acts involving adolescents or pass the contentious comments because the accused in question was not an adolescent but a 25-year-old man while the girl was 14. Agreeing with Divan, the bench said that it was apparent that the high courts acquittal order was passed contrary to Pocso. The high court said that the law should be changed. And if it is not like that, we are still doing it. In the teeth of the statute, how could it be done? asked the bench. The court fixed the next hearing of the case on January 12 when the state governments appeal against the acquittal of the man would also be taken up with the suo motu case. We will hear both the cases together. We will issue notices on the special leave petition on the next date so that the accused and other parties are also before us, it told Divan and Ahmadi. Deciding a case under the Pocso Act, a division bench of the high court on October 18noted that though it is normal for each adolescent to seek the company of the opposite sex, it is not normal for them to engage in sex devoid of any commitment and dedication. Outlining a set of duties for adolescent girls and boys concerning sexual urges and relationships, the high court said girls should protect their dignity and self-worth and thrive for overall development. Boys, it said, they should respect the aforesaid duties of a young girl or woman and he should train his mind to respect a woman, her self-worth, her dignity and privacy, and right to autonomy of her body. In a similar instance in the past, the Supreme Court had by a judgment in March 2021 issued detailed guidelines on how cases involving sexual assault must be handled as it emphasised on the need for sensitivity among judges and lawyers. This judgment directed all courts in the country to desist from commenting upon dress, behaviour, past conduct, morals or chastity of women, or suggest any compromise formula while deciding cases of sexual offences. Stressing that entrenched paternalistic and misogynistic attitudes that are regrettably reflected at times in judicial orders must be forbidden, the top court has issued a slew of directives, along with a checklist for the judges, to eliminate social bias from entering the judicial reasoning. It underlined that use of reasoning or language which diminished the offence and trivialized the survivor had to be avoided under all circumstances. Citing specific illustrations, the court in its 2021 judgment held: Thus, the following conduct, actions or situations are hereby deemed irrelevant, e.g. - to say that the survivor had in the past consented to such or similar acts or that she behaved promiscuously, or by her acts or clothing, provoked the alleged action of the accused, that she behaved in a manner unbecoming of chaste or Indian women, or that she had called upon the situation by her behavior, etc. The 2021 judgment came while setting aside a July 2020 order of the Madhya Pradesh high court asking a molestation case accused to have a rakhi tied on his wrist (something sisters usually do) by the complainant as a condition for bail, the top court held that this order transformed a molester into a brother, by a judicial mandate and thus, reflected adversely on the entire judicial system of the country. After Dua Lipa, popular American fashion model Karlie Kloss is celebrating her holidays in India and her stunning vacation diaries are taking rounds on social media. Karlie is savouring her time in Udaipur with her spouse Joshua Kushner. From donning traditional sarees to enjoying the New Year's Eve party at Udaipur's enchanting palace, Karlie's India diaries are sure to transport you to the holiday. Her dreamy holidays are a treasure trove of fashion inspiration, as the stunning model achieves her style goals effortlessly. From traditional Indian attire to modern maxi dresses, Karlie's looks are sure to inspire your holiday wardrobe. Scroll down to take notes. (Also read: Inside Dua Lipa's India vacation album featuring safari rides and temple visits: I feel lucky to end my year here ) Fashion model Karlie Kloss shares breathtaking Udaipur vacation snaps, radiates elegance in stunning yellow saree(Instagram/@karliekloss) Karlie Kloss's Stunning Udaipur Vacation Diaries On Thursday morning, Karlie gave her fans a sweet surprise as the stylish diva took to Instagram and uploaded a series of stunning pictures accompanied by the caption "On Udaipur time". With a massive 12.7 million followers, her post quickly went viral on social media, garnering tons of likes and comments. In the post, Karlie can be seen looking glamorous as she poses with her husband, and in another, she embraces the classiness of an Indian yellow saree. Let's take a closer look at her pictures. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Karlie's first look features a black and white maxi dress that boasts a plunging v-neckline, caftan-style sleeves, a bodycon fit and a stunning abstract black and white print that adorns her dress all over. Keeping it chic with her accessories, she styled her look with a pair of gold hoop earrings, sleek bracelets on her wrist, a diamond statement ring on her finger and a pair of black heels. Her make-up look features winged eyeliner, mascaraed lashes, rosy cheeks with a touch of blush and a shade of nude lipstick. With her lush locks pulled back into a low ponytail, she looked absolutely chic. While her handsome husband wore a white bandh gala sherwani with silver intricate embroidery all over. Paired with black trousers, he completed the look. In the other look, Karlie exuded grace and elegance as she stunned in a yellow silk saree embellished with intricate traditional embroidery and heavy motifs border all over. She paired it with a white sleeveless blouse and draped the saree elegantly around her. With a minimal make-up look and open hair in the middle partition, she looked like an elegant princess. It's not without a reason that doctors advise you against taking unprescribed drugs during pregnancy. A new research published in journal Pediatric Research shows a possible link between acetaminophen or paracetamol use during pregnancy and language delays in early childhood. While people usually trust acetaminophen or paracetamol to relieve headache or reduce fever even without consulting their doctor, but in expecting mothers, it may lead to undesired effects, as per this study. Acetaminophen is considered one of the safest over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer during pregnancy and studies show that 50-65% of women in North America and Europe take it during pregnancy. (Also read: Most expectant mothers miss out on vitamins important for their health and their babys, study finds) Each use of acetaminophen in the third trimester was linked to a two-word reduction in vocabulary in 2-year-olds, raising concerns about its impact on foetal brain development, said the study. However, a University of Illinois study that focused on consistently observing the usage of acetaminophen in pregnant women and conducting thorough assessments of language development in their children at the ages of 2 and 3 found that increased usage of acetaminophen, particularly in the third trimester, was linked to smaller vocabularies and shorter utterances in 2-year-olds. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Each use of acetaminophen in the third trimester was linked to a two-word reduction in vocabulary in 2-year-olds, raising concerns about its impact on foetal brain development, said the study. The researchers noted that the second and third trimesters are crucial for brain development particularly language development in foetus. The language analyses included a group of 298 toddlers aged 2, who had been tracked since before birth. Subsequently, 254 of these participants returned for additional assessments at the age of 3. We wanted to collect data at that age because its the period called word explosion, when kids are just adding words every day to their vocabulary, said Susan Schantz, professor emerita of comparative biosciences and one of the authors of the study. We found that increased use of acetaminophen especially during the third trimester was associated with smaller vocabulary scores and shorter mean length of utterance at two years, Woodbury said. The most significant finding was that each use of acetaminophen in the third trimester of pregnancy was associated with around two-word reduction in vocabulary in the 2-year-olds. This suggests that if a pregnant person took acetaminophen 13 times or once per week during the third trimester of that pregnancy, their child might express 26 fewer words at age 2 than other children that age, Woodbury said. Remote and hybrid work has affected many industries, from commercial real estate to downtown restaurants. And it has impacted how many workers, unfettered by office attendance requirements, plan their travels. Some call it bleisure travel, laptop lugging, workations or simply blended travel. The gist is the same: Remote and hybrid employees extend work trips to include leisure activities or work during their leisure trips. Whatever its called, it could upend the traditional divide between leisure and business travel. 'Bleisure' travel gains popularity as remote work redefines work-life balance(Unsplash/Kristin Wilson) The travel lodging industry is already seeing the trends impact. Because bleisure travelers needs differ from those of traditional vacationers or work trippers, existing lodging options particularly hotels can fall short. This has created an opportunity and appears to be fueling a boom among short-term vacation rentals such as Airbnb. Quarterly demand growth for short-term rentals has outpaced that for hotels since the first quarter of 2022, when travel began to fully rebound from the pandemic, according to a 2023 report from AirDNA and STR/CoStar, hospitality industry analytic services. This shift reflects changing traveler preferences and the ability of short-term rental hosts to react swiftly to these changes. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. We saw more and more people looking to convert their homes to short-term rentals, says Jamie Lane, chief economist at AirDNA. So supply could be added in an instant. It takes 10 minutes to create a listing, while building a hotel can take years. Indeed, the year-over-year growth in supply of short-term rentals has exceeded 15% in every quarter from the first quarter of 2022 through the second quarter of 2023, compared with below 5% growth for hotels, according to the report. More short-term rentals are available and more travelers are choosing them. How does bleisure travel factor in? A NEW KIND OF TRAVEL AND TRAVELER Vacations used to be something that employees squeezed between long periods of work. Thats no longer the paradigm for many office workers with more flexible schedules. Far from being a pandemic-only trend, the popularity of bleisure travel is increasing. For instance, more than a third of workers plan to do some work on holiday season trips this year (up from 26% during the 2022 holiday season), according to a fall 2023 survey by consulting firm Deloitte. Importantly, remote employees who planned to work during their holiday trips expected to extend their trips by nine days due to increased schedule flexibility. That is, bleisure travelers are taking much longer trips than they would have if they had to rush back to the office. This has profound implications for the lodging industry. Half of nights booked are now over a week, Lane says, referring to short-term rental booking data. And when people are looking to stay longer, theres a higher propensity for them to book a short-term rental. Many short-term rentals offer discounts for extended stays, which is attractive for bleisure travelers. And they provide home-like conditions that make them more comfortable for longer stays. They want those amenities a kitchen, workspace, etc., explains Lane. WE CAN ALWAYS (NOT) GO DOWNTOWN Combining work and play has shifted what amenities travelers seek, and where theyre traveling. While business travel and business hotels are traditionally centered in dense urban cores, bleisure travelers appear to be looking elsewhere. The vast majority of hotel supply is in large cities and along the interstate, says Lane. The vast majority of short-term rental supply is in the mountains and beaches. Indeed, small city and rural destinations saw the largest supply uptick in the first part of 2023, followed by suburban areas, according to the AirDNA and STR/CoStar report. This has led to another change in lodging preferences. Were not seeing a recovery on shared rooms or studios, theyre still below 2019 demand, says Lane. Were seeing all that demand growth in larger homes. Travelers combining work and play are looking for larger accommodations out of major cities that they can rent for longer. All of these changes favor short-term rentals over traditional hotels. According to Lane, these dynamics are unlikely to shift in the near future as economic headwinds stunt new hotel development, leaving room for the number of homeowners who list their properties on Airbnb to meet demand and fill the supply gaps. The bleisure travel trend, and its industry-shaking implications, could just be getting started. This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Sam Kemmis is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: skemmis@nerdwallet.com. METHODOLOGY Deloittes 2023 holiday travel survey was conducted between Sept. 12 and Sept. 25, 2023. A representative sample of 5,281 Americans took the survey and of those, 2,531 respondents qualified as holiday travelers with plans to travel between Thanksgiving and mid-January. In December, IT giant Google announced that it will be putting an end to the cookies on its browser Google Chrome for 30 million people across the world, or around 1 percent of the total users of Google Chrome. Google Chrome will end cookies for over 30 million people today.(Reuters Photo) Google said that the company will automatically block third-party cookies for millions of Chrome users on January 4, preventing other websites from tracking your activity. Further, the browser will replace this technology with 'Tracking Protection'. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Cookies are small pieces of data that are able to track your behaviour while browsing and know your preferences while you visit any specific website. Cookies are mainly used to show a user personalized ads and products, based on their preferences. However, cookies on third-party websites hosted by Google also have the potential to access your personal details, and can slow down your browser by hoarding the bandwidth. These are some of the reasons why Google has decided to get rid of cookies for millions of users. While the idea has been implemented for just one percent of all Chrome users, Google is planning to get rid of cookies for all the browser users by the end of 2024. However, since advertising is one of the main sources of revenue for Google, it can't completely get rid of cookies. Google's Tracking Protection and Ad Topics In an effort to block cookies from third-party websites, Google has introduced Tracking Protection. This new feature is aimed at stopping cross site tracking, and will be enabled for 30 million Chrome users users across Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS from January 4. Since Google cannot completely stop its advertising, the Tracking Protection feature will seek help from a new feature called Ad Topics, which will leverage your recent Chrome browsing to assign you interest topics to enable relevant ads. Ad Topics will act on the basis of your search history for a specific period of time, instead of allowing third-party cookies to track your browsing data. Through these features, Google will be able to characterize your interests locally without using cookies. A New Jersey couple had an extraordinary start to the new year when they welcomed twins born not just on different days but in different years. Billy Humphrey and Eve A Humphrey gave birth to their first baby on New Years Eve and their second baby on New Years Day. Though the twins were born minutes apart, they share different birthdays. Billy Humphrey with his twins Ezra and Ezekiel at a hospital in New Jersey, United States. (Instagram/@billy_humphrey) The couple first welcomed baby Ezra at 11:48 pm on December 31, 2023, at Virtua Voorhees Hospital in Voorhees. He shares the same birthday as his father Billy Humphrey. Ezras fraternal twin brother Ezekiel was born at 12:28 am on January 1, 2024. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. I was very excited [about] the potential of having my boys on my birthday. We went in that day and I wasnt quite sure if theyre going to come today or not, but having one of them at least on my birthday was a huge blessing and a gift, Billy Humphrey told Good Morning America. Eve Humphrey humorously remembered telling her husband, My water broke. And Im like, Happy birthday. I think I have to go to the hospital. Billy even shared a picture of his twins on Instagram with the caption, The boys are here! And theyre so special, they couldnt even share being born in the same year. Ezra, born 12/31/23 (same birthday as Dad). Ezekiel, born 1/1/24. The picture is from a hospital room with both twins placed side by side. Billy is all smiles as he takes a look at his kids. Take a look at the picture here: The post was shared on January 2 on Instagram. It has since received numerous likes and comments. Check out a few reactions here: Wow! Leave it to you to have the most interesting birth story. Congratulations on your double blessing, posted an individual. Another added, This is amazing. Welcome to the world buddies! Congrats mom & dad! Congratulations theyre the most beautiful boys! What a blessing and what a way to ring in the new year! expressed a third. A fourth shared, Yay! Congratulations! Also, it is wild that they have two different birthdays! Congratulations. Ive never even heard of twins being born on different days like this, this is beyond astounding! chimed in a fifth. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited Lakshadweep to inaugurate various development projects and lay the foundation stones for others. During his visit, he took time off from his busy schedule to explore the islands. He went on early morning walks on the pristine beaches and even tried snorkelling. PM Modi shared a few pictures from his Lakshadweep visit on X today, January 4. It has prompted many to add the union territory to their bucket list. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a beach in Lakshadweep. (X/@narendramodi) Recently, I had the opportunity to be among the people of Lakshadweep. I am still in awe of the stunning beauty of its islands and the incredible warmth of its people. I had the opportunity to interact with people in Agatti, Bangaram and Kavaratti. I thank the people of the islands for their hospitality. Here are some glimpses, including aerial glimpses from Lakshadweep, wrote PM Modi while sharing a few pics on X. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In another tweet, he shared pictures of himself at a beach in the union territory and wrote, In addition to the scenic beauty, Lakshadweeps tranquillity is also mesmerising. It gave me an opportunity to reflect on how to work even harder for the welfare of 140 crore Indians. He also shared a few pictures of himself attempting snorkelling and described it as an exhilarating experience. For those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them, Lakshadweep has to be on your list. During my stay, I also tried snorkelling - what an exhilarating experience it was! PM Modi shared these pictures a few hours ago on X. Since then, they have accumulated numerous likes and comments. Check out how people reacted to these pictures: Why go outside India when India has so many beautiful places already? Thank you Modi ji, posted an individual. Another added, Age is just the number for our Prime Minister. At 73 tried Snorkelling. Salute, Sir. You are in a true sense Indias brand ambassador! For those who want to swim and snorkel and sunbathe on a beach, Lakshadeep is a better destination for you than Maldives, wrote a third. A fourth commented, Lakshadweep is on my list. Looks like a must-visit place. Thank you Modi ji, expressed a fifth. Amid reports of an active shooter, police swarmed an Iowa high school early Thursday. Several law agencies rushed to Perry High School at about 9 am, WHO13 reported. Several law agencies rushed to Perry High School at about 9 am WHO13 reported.(AP ) The Dallas County Sheriffs Office has confirmed there is an active shooter investigation. However, it hasn't been cleared yet if there are any casualties. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The shooting incident was reported on the first day of the second semester following the winter break. A White House official informed that President Joe Biden is keeping a track on the incident and senior officials have been in touch with the Iowa governors office. Multiple law enforcement vehicles, ambulance seen outside school Multiple law enforcement vehicles and an ambulance were seen lined up outside Perry High School in Iowa. According to NBC affiliate WHO of Des Moines, Iowa, the first report about the active shooter came at around 7:40 a.m. local time. Following which, the middle school was cleared and the elementary school was evacuated and dismissed by 8.32 am. Pray for the community in Perry, Iowa: Ramaswamy Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who was hosting a campaign event in Perry on Thursday, took to X, formerly known as Twitter and wrote: "Pray for the community in Perry, Iowa this morning." Meanwhile, Linda Andorf, board president for the Perry Community School District, termed the incident as disgusting. "It is horrendously awful. People need to figure out their life. This is just disgusting. Amid Houthi attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby on Wednesday snapped at claims that the United States has provoked Iran with its naval presence in the Middle East. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby addressing reporters((Bloomberg)) Using anti-ship missiles and drones, Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have been targeting commercial ships travelling through the Red Sea for weeks, claiming that the attacks are aimed at vessels linked with Israel as it continues its ground offensive against Hamas through the Gaza Strip. Following the Hamas attack on Israel, the US has increased its presence in the region, announcing its Operation Prosperity Guardian in December, which is an international move to protect commercial ships passing through the Red Sea. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. During his regular press briefing on Wednesday, the reporter asked Kirby if US has escalated Israel-Hamas war with deployment of its naval forces to counter attacks by Iran-backed proxy groups on shipping vessels. Kirby calls US move a defensive posture in response to Houthi attacks "Given the Red Sea patrols, we knew in advance those being set up that the Iranian defense minister said very clearly, 'nobody can make a move in a region where we have predominance,' the United States knew that, set it up anyway. Is that not being seen as a provocation? If you know that Iran sees that as a provocation, you take the action anyway," the reporter said. Slamming the claims made by the reporter, Kirby called the Biden administration's initiative a "defensive posture", adding that "it's a coalition of the willing ... to try and protect international shipping." "That's certainly turning things upside down, isn't it?" he said. Wouldn't you consider the provocation launching ballistic missiles and drones at commercial [vessels]? Despite Kirby's stern response, the reporter asked: "So you're denying then that there has been an escalation since the Red Sea patrol." "I totally disagree with the premise of your question," Kirby replied. "It wasn't the United States who decided to attack commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthis did that. And who are the Houthis backed by? Iran. As I've said before, Iran provided the missiles the Houthis are using. We are simply in a defensive posture to protect that commercial shipping and we have in the last 48 hours." Surprisingly the reporter didn't stop there as she went on to challenge Kirby, pointing out that Iran launched a warship into the Red Sea in apparent response to the United States. "I ask you again, has the United States' actions supported an escalation as a result?" she said. "No," Kirby replied. John Kirby also termed South Africas 84-page suit accusing Israel of genocide meritless, counterproductive, and completely without any basis in fact whatsoever. US, Italy, Japan denounce Houthi attacks in Red sea This comes days after the White House released a joint statement with Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Bahrain, Belgium, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, condemning the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea as "unacceptable" and "illegal" "Ongoing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are illegal, unacceptable, and profoundly destabilizing. There is no lawful justification for intentionally targeting civilian shipping and naval vessels. Let our message now be clear: we call for the immediate end of these illegal attacks and release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews. The Houthis will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and free flow of commerce in the region's critical waterways," the joint statement read. After stepping down as president of Harvard university amid public scrutiny over her handling of antisemitism on campus, Claudine Gay has opened up about her reluctant exit from Harvard in an op-ed for The New York Times. On Tuesday, Claudine Gay announced her resignation in a letter, stating that it was in the "best interests" of the university for her to go. (Photo by Stephanie Mitchell / Harvard University / AFP) (AFP) On Tuesday, Gay announced her resignation in a letter, stating that it was in the "best interests" of the university for her to go. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "It has been distressing to have doubt cast on my commitments to confronting hate and to upholding scholarly rigour," she said. Claudine Gay claims she fell 'victim to well-laid trap' Defending her tenure in the op-ed published on Wednesday, Gay appeared to hit out at critics like billionaire investor Bill Ackman. While admitting that she made mistakes, Gay warned that her Harvard exit was the result of a campaign by "opportunists" to sabotage American institutions to pursue their own agenda. "My hope is that by stepping down I will deny demagogues the opportunity to further weaponize my presidency in their campaign to undermine the ideals animating Harvard since its founding: excellence, openness, independence, truth," she wrote. "At tense moments, every one of us must be more skeptical than ever of the loudest and most extreme voices in our culture, however well organized or well connected they might be," she wrote. "Too often they are pursuing self-serving agendas that should be met with more questions and less credulity." Gay, who has subjected to personal threats and racial animus, claimed that she fell into a "well-laid trap" when she testified about how she managed antisemitic incidents on campus after the Hamas unprecedented attack on Israel. "I fell into a well-laid trap. I neglected to clearly articulate that calls for the genocide of Jewish people are abhorrent and unacceptable and that I would use every tool at my disposal to protect students from that kind of hate." Gay addresses plagiarism accusation in her academic writings Since November, Ackman has written three open letters to Harvard slamming Gay for her response to the rise antisemitism incidents on campus and her academic work, accusing her of plagiarism. "In her short tenure as President, Claudine Gay has done more damage to the reputation of Harvard University than any individual in our nearly 500-year history," Ackman wrote in one of his letters. Addressing the plagiarism accusations in the opinion piece, Gay admitted that there was plagiarism in some of her academic writings. She, however, claimed that she "promptly requested corrections" from the journals that published her work. "I have never misrepresented my research findings, nor have I ever claimed credit for the research of others. Moreover, the citation errors should not obscure a fundamental truth: I proudly stand by my work and its impact on the field," Gay wrote in her op-ed. Claudine Gay resigned after rocky testimony On December 5, Gay, Massachusetts Institute of Technology President and former University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill testified before a US House of Representatives committee over an increase in antisemitism on college campuses following the Israel-Hamas war. The trio failed to give any definitive response to a question raised by US Republican Representative Elise Stefanik as to whether calling for the genocide of Jews would violate university's code of conduct regarding bullying and harassment. Therefore, 70 US lawmakers cited dissatisfaction with their testimony and signed a letter demanding that the governing boards of the three varsities remove the presidents. On October 25, a little over two weeks after Hamas terror attack in Israel, a trilateral meeting had taken place at an undisclosed location in Lebanon, between key leaders of the resistance - Hamas, Hezbollah, and Palestinian Islamic jihad. In the meeting, even as Israels massive bombardment campaign in Gaza unfolded, the alliance took stock of the October 7th attack, and discussed how to achieve victory. Facing Hezbollahs powerful chief Hassan Nasrallah and representing Hamas was Saleh-al Arouri - deputy chief of Hamas political bureau and a founding leader of its Izz-ad-Din al Qassam Brigades. Across the next two months, Arouri frequently appeared on mainstream media, advocating for Hamas demands, and channelling an old persona of his - enabling prisoner-hostage exchange deals. Except this time, his prospects were fatally cut short by a drone strike in Beiruts southern suburb of Dahieh, on January 3. As the civilian death toll in Gaza climbs to 22,000 and Israel shows a willingness to take the war beyond Palestine, what does Arouris death mean for Hamas? Saleh-al-Arouri in a glimpse Having spent about 20 of his 35 years in Hamas in Israeli prisons, Arouris position in Hamas leadership structure evolved before his arrest in 1991 and after his release in 2010 (with a 2006-07 interlude). A 1991 Hebron University Hamas recruit, Arouri handled a range of tasks for Hamas - recruitments, channelling donations and funds, as well as weapons procurement. Following his 2010 release, he had briefly adopted the persona of a relatively moderate militant turned political negotiator (he was famously involved with the Gilad Shalit-Palestinian prisoners exchange case in 2011, as well as temporary reconciliation with West Banks Fatah). Facing an Israeli-enforced exile nevertheless, Arouri evolved into an exiled mobile commander moving from State to State, remotely controlling operations in the West Bank from Turkey, then Qatar, then Syria, and finally (due to the Syrian civil war breaking out) Lebanon in 2016. When did he turn messenger between Hamas and Iran? Iran has traditionally been an ardent backer of Hamas in the West Bank and Gaza, with opposition to Israel serving as the unifying factor between a Shia theocratic State and a largely Sunni militant group. The ideological cracks that were glossed over by this marriage of convenience, showed in the opposing positions both entities took in the Syrian civil war - leading to a cooling off of Irans support to the group. Following his appointment as deputy chief, in 2017, and sitting in Lebanon - the stronghold of Iran-backed Hezbollah, Arouri rapidly took measures to repair and elevate ties with Tehran, fully donning his messenger hat. Speaking to Irans al-Quds TV, he asserted that Iran is the only country that provides real and public support to the resistance. Nobody but Iran gives us any military support. While Hamas was engaged in negotiating a truce with Israel in 2019, Arouri led a delegation to Tehran (his sixth visit to Iran in two years as chief), meeting key Iranian officials - even a sit-down with Ali Khamenei - and declaring that Hamas stands on the same path as Iran in fighting Israel. Egypt, more directly affected by violence in Gaza than Iran, consistently bristled at continued Iranian support of Hamas militancy. Notwithstanding Cairos pressures, the fact that Arouris stance on Tehran also resonated with other Hamas leaders was evident in January 2020 when Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh violated a transit agreement with Egypt to visit Tehran to attend General Qassem Soleimanis funeral - a symbolic and substantial act reflecting the depth of ties. In the following years, Khamenei himself wrote to Haniyeh expressing support, Quds Forces commanders exchanged phone calls, and Iran bank-rolled at least $70 million worth of missiles by Haniyehs own admission in 2022; a sharp contrast with 2012 when Haniyeh, with other Hamas leaders, was fiercely opposed to Tehran-backed actors in the Syrian civil war. While several causal streams fed into this river, Arouris engagement with Iran was among the first and most prominent. More of an organisational loss than an operational one For Hamas, Arouris death then, is the loss of a time-tested largely successful node to a State sponsor that has been the most vocal outlier in the trend of Arab/Gulf states seeking to normalise ties with Israel. Evidently, Arouri did not fully let go of operational responsibilities for Hamas - his continuing role in directing anti-Israeli operations in the West Bank was testing Israeli limits even in 2021. However, it is chiefly through Arouri that Tehrans ties with Hamas were sustained through constant communication, and guard-railed by Hezbollah playing a gracious host and securing his physical safety. Unlike in Turkey, where Anakara was occasionally subjected to Israeli pressures to expel Arouri, Lebanon posed little risk to the messenger. Hence, Arouris death is less likely to affect Hamas ability to direct operations internally and more likely to affect the coordination of Hamas actions with the rest of the resistance externally - Iran in particular. In any case, by October 7, operational directions were more likely being provided by Ismail Haniyeh or Yahya Sinwar, both of whom remain active and elusive. Arouri himself had partially handed over operational responsibilities in the West Bank to Abdul Rahman al-Ghneimat in 2017. Finally, even as the drone strike in Lebanon stoked fears again of Hezbollah joining the war to support Hamas, Hassan Nasrallahs speech (pre-scheduled to commemorate the anniversary of General Soleimani's assassination in 2020) following Arouris assassination gave little indication of a desire to escalate to full-fledged hostilities with Israel, even as he promised a response (a likely step-up in rocket attacks). Hence, Saleh al-Arouris death does not fundamentally alter the playing field for Hamas in its operations against Israel. In the Arouri killing, only one key puzzle remains. In the immediate aftermath of October 7th, Israel largely ruled out Irans proactive involvement in the planning stage of Hamas attacks (notwithstanding general Iranian support to Hamas). Tehran itself denied involvement in planning (even as it vociferously hailed the attacks). Given that al-Arouri is now being characterised as one of those involved in planning October 7th, it is almost inconceivable that he was able to do so without Tehrans knowledge. If that is indeed the case, however, then the theory of Hamas leaders having acted autonomously through their own bases, without seeking the blessing of their traditional backers across political lines, is further cemented. In a way, this perception of autonomy works for the resistance. Nasrallah himself, in his speech, made a conscious effort to assert the autonomy of resistance groups (Hamas, Houthis, Hezbollah, Hashd-al-Shabi), seeking to dispel the notion of pervasive Iranian control. Bashir Ali Abbas is a Research Associate at the Council for Strategic and Defense Research, New Delhi, and a South Asia Visiting Fellow at the Stimson Center, Washington DC. Views expressed are strictly his own. An armed unmanned surface vessel launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen got within a "couple of miles" of US Navy and commercial vessels in the Red Sea before detonating on Thursday, just hours after the White House and a host of partner nations issued a "final warning" to the Iran-backed militia group to cease the attacks or face potential military action. File Photo: Houthi fighters open the door of the cockpit on the ship's deck in the Red Sea in this photo released November 20, 2023.(via REUTERS/Representative Image) Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of US Navy operations in the Middle East, said it was the first time the Houthis had used an unmanned surface vessel, or USV, since their harassment of commercial ships in the Red Sea began after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. They have, however, used them in years past. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Fabian Hinz, a missile expert and research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the USVs are a key part of the Houthi maritime arsenal and were used during previous battles against the Saudi coalition forces that intervened in Yemen's war. They have regularly been used as suicide drone boats that explode upon impact. Most of the Houthis' USVs are likely assembled in Yemen but often fitted with components made in Iran, such as computerised guidance systems, Hinz said. At the United Nations, US deputy ambassador Christopher Lu said at an emergency Security Council meeting on Wednesday that Iran has supplied the Houthis with money and advanced weapons systems, including drones, land attack cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. He said Iran also has been deeply involved in planning the Houthis' attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. He said the United States is not seeking a confrontation with Iran, but Tehran has a choice. "It can continue its current course," Lu said, "or it can withhold its support without which the Houthis would struggle to effectively track and strike commercial vessels navigating shipping lanes through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden". This raises questions as to whether any action against the Houthis would also address Iran's role in any way, which could risk widening the conflict. A statement on Wednesday signed by the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom gave the Houthis what a senior Biden administration official described as a final warning. "Let our message now be clear: we call for the immediate end of these illegal attacks and release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews," the countries said in the statement. "The Houthis will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and free flow of commerce in the region's critical waterways." Since late October, the Houthis have launched scores of one-way attack drones and missiles at commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea. US Navy warships have also intercepted ballistic missiles the Pentagon says were headed toward Israel. Cooper said a total of 61 missiles and drones have been shot down by US warships. In response to the Houthi attacks, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in December announced Operation Prosperity Guardian, with the United States and other countries sending additional ships to the southern Red Sea to provide protection for commercial vessels passing through the critical Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Cooper said 1,500 commercial ships have been able to transit safely since the operation was launched on December 18. However, the Houthis have continued to launch missiles and attack drones, prompting the White House and 12 allies to issue what amounted to a final warning on Wednesday to cease their attacks on vessels in the Red Sea or face potential targeted military action. Cooper said Operation Prosperity Guardian was solely defensive in nature and separate from any military action the US might take if the Houthi attacks continue. The US, the United Kingdom and France are providing most of the warships now, and Greece and Denmark will also be providing vessels, he said. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday accused Israel of being behind the twin explosions during a memorial ceremony that killed more than 100 people in Iran. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi speaks during a commemoration for the late Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone attack in 2020.(AP) Two rapid explosions near the burial site of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in Kerman resulted in the death of at least 103 people on Wednesday. The blast took place as Iran commemorated the anniversary of Soleimani's killing in a US drone strike in 2020. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The incident was labelled as a terrorist attack by the state media and regional authorities. The unclaimed attack came amid high Middle East tensions over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and the killing of a Hamas senior leader in Lebanon on Tuesday. On Wednesday, in a televised address, Raisi warned that Israel would pay a high price. "I warn the Zionist regime: Do not doubt that you will pay a heavy price for this crime and the crimes you have committed," Raisi said, according to CNN. The Iranian president also warned that Israel's punishment would be regrettable and severe. Meanwhile, the Iranian president's political deputy, Mohammad Jamshidi also accused the United States, along with Israel, of being behind the blasts. "Washington says USA and Israel had no role in the terrorist attack in Kerman, Iran. Really? A fox smells its own lair first," the Iranian president's political deputy, Mohammad Jamshidi wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "Make no mistake. The responsibility for this crime lies with the US and Zionist regimes (Israel) and terrorism is just a tool," he added. On being asked about the blasts, the Israeli military told CNN it had no comment. Separately, Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said: "We are focused on the combat with Hamas", according to AFP. The United States rejected any suggestions that it or its ally Israel were involved in the attack. "The United States was not involved in any way... We have no reason to believe that Israel was involved in this explosion," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, according to AFP. Who was Qasem Soleimani? Qasem Soleimani, a top Iranian general, helmed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from 1998 until his assassination by the U.S. in 2020. He was the commander of the Quds Force, an IRGC division primarily tasked with extraterritorial and covert military operations. In his later years, some analysts considered him the right-hand man of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and regarded him as the second-most powerful figure in Iran behind Khamenei. The US had been actively pursuing him for many years, as his operations within Iraq since 2003 were disclosed by the US State Department to have resulted in the deaths of over 600 American personnel. Islamic State claimed responsibility on Thursday for the dual explosions in Iran that resulted in nearly 100 fatalities and numerous injuries during a memorial event for the late commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed by a U.S. drone in Iraq in 2020. People gather near a body lying on the ground at the scene of explosions during a ceremony held to mark the death of late Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.(via REUTERS) Through a statement posted on its affiliated Telegram channels, the Sunni Muslim extremist group asserted that two of its members had triggered explosive belts within the crowd gathered at the cemetery in the southeastern Iranian city of Kerman on Wednesday to commemorate the anniversary of Soleimani's death. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Tehran had earlier attributed the explosions to "terrorists" and vowed retaliation for what has been described as the deadliest attacks since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The twin blasts caused injuries to 284 individuals, including women and children. READ | Over 100 dead in Iran blasts near Qasem Soleimani's grave: Cowardly act An unidentified source informed the state news agency IRNA that the initial explosion at the cemetery in Kerman, Soleimani's hometown, was likely caused by a suicide bomber. The cause of the second blast was presumed to be similar, according to the same source. The United Nations Security Council issued a statement condemning the "cowardly terrorist attack" in Kerman and expressed condolences to the victims' families and the Iranian government. Mass protests have been called for on Friday, coinciding with the funerals of the victims. The Revolutionary Guards Corps denounced the attacks as a cowardly act aiming to create insecurity and retaliate against the nation's deep loyalty to the Islamic Republic. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi too condemned the heinous and inhumane crime. READ | Deadliest since 1979 Islamic revolution, what we know about 2 blasts in Iran In 2022, Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack on a Shi'ite shrine in Iran, resulting in 15 deaths. Previous attacks attributed to Islamic State include twin bombings in 2017 targeting Iran's parliament and the tomb of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The United States denied involvement in the explosions and stated it had no reason to believe Israel was implicated. The U.S. characterized the blasts as a "terrorist attack" consistent with those previously carried out by Islamic State. (With inputs from Reuters) The death toll from a series of powerful earthquakes in Japan on New Year's Day rose to 73 on Thursday, as the search for survivors under collapsed buildings continued for the fourth day. A man who lost his house in the earthquake reacts as he visits the graveyards of his parents, which were rattled by the earthquake, in Wajima, Japan, January 4, 2024.(Reuters) The earthquakes, including a powerful one with a magnitude of 7.5, jolted the Noto Peninsula in the central prefecture of Ishikawa, causing buildings to collapse and tsunami warnings to be sent as far away as eastern Russia. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. All the deaths have been reported in Ishikawa prefecture where the hardest hit Noto peninsula is located. More than 33,000 people have evacuated their homes and about 1,00,000 houses have no water supply, Reuters reported, citing local government. More than 300 people have been injured, and at least 25 of them are in serious condition. People walk through the damaged marketplace burned by fire after earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture of Japan on January 2.(AP) On Thursday, thousands of rescuers raced against the clock to free many more people still trapped under rubble amid freezing temperatures and heavy rainfall. Weather forecasts have warned of heavy rain in Ishikawa, leading to concerns about landslides and more damage to half-crumbled homes. The full extent of damage and casualties remains unclear even three days after the quake, which is already the deadliest in Japan since at least 2016. Severed roads and the remote location of the hardest-hit areas have complicated relief operations in the island nation. On Wednesday, Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that the government has opened a sea route to deliver aid and that some larger trucks were now able to reach some of the more remote areas. More than 40 hours have passed. This is a race against time, and I feel that we are at a critical moment, Kishida told reporters, according to the Associated Press. We have received reports many people are still waiting for rescue under collapsed buildings. Debris accumulates along Asaichi-dori street, which burned down due to a fire following an earthquake, in Wajima, Japan, January 4, 2024.(Reuters) Meanwhile, Ishikawa Governor Hiroshi Hase has encouraged everyone to use masks, antiseptic and soap to guard against the spread of infectious diseases as evacuees shelter together. Ensuring adequate water supplies and toilets for those who were displaced is a priority, he said, according to AP. Japan experiences hundreds of earthquakes every year and the vast majority cause no damage. The Island nation is haunted by a massive 9.0 magnitude undersea quake off northeastern Japan in 2011 which triggered a tsunami that left around 18,500 people dead or missing. Japanese authorities said on Wednesday a passenger jet that collided with a Coast Guard turboprop at a Tokyo airport had been given permission to land, but the smaller plane had not been cleared for take-off, based on control tower transcripts. Officials investigate a burnt Japan Airlines (JAL) Airbus A350 plane after a collision with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo(REUTERS) All 379 people aboard the Japan Airlines (JAL) Airbus A350 managed to evacuate after it erupted in flames following Tuesday's crash with a De Havilland Dash-8 Coast Guard turboprop shortly after landing at Haneda airport. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. But five died among the six Coast Guard crew who were due to depart on a flight responding to a major earthquake on Japan's west coast, while the captain, who escaped the wreckage, was badly injured. Authorities have only just begun their investigations and there remains uncertainty over the circumstances surrounding the crash, including how the two aircraft ended up on the same runway. Experts stress it usually takes the failure of multiple safety guardrails for an airplane accident to happen. But transcripts of traffic control instructions released by authorities appeared to show the Japan Airlines jet had been given permission to land while the Coast Guard aircraft had been told to taxi to a holding point near the runway. An official from Japan's civil aviation bureau told reporters there was no indication in those transcripts that the Coast Guard aircraft had been granted permission to take off. The captain of the turboprop plane said he had entered the runway after receiving permission, a Coast Guard official said, while acknowledging that there was no indication in the transcripts that he had been cleared to do so. "The transport ministry is submitting objective material and will fully cooperate with the ... investigation to ensure we work together to take all possible safety measures to prevent a recurrence," Transport Minister Tetsuo Saito told reporters. The Japan Safety Transport Board (JTSB) is investigating the accident, with participation by agencies in France, where the Airbus jet was designed, and Britain, where its two Rolls-Royce engines were manufactured. In Canada, where the Coast Guard Dash-8 was originally built by Bombardier, the TSB safety agency said it would also take part. The JTSB has recovered the voice recorder from the coast guard aircraft, authorities said. POLICE INQUIRY Meanwhile, Tokyo police are investigating whether possible professional negligence led to deaths and injuries, several media outlets, including Kyodo and the Nikkei business newspaper, said. Police have set up an investigation unit at the airport and plan to interview those involved, a spokesperson said, declining to say whether they were examining any suggestions of negligence. Parallel air crash investigations have raised concerns in the past over tensions between civil safety investigations, which rely on open discussion of errors to help improve safety, and police-led inquiries, which are designed to apportion blame. "There's a strong possibility there was a human error," said aviation analyst Hiroyuki Kobayashi, who is a former JAL pilot. "Aircraft accidents very rarely occur due to a single problem, so I think that this time too there were two or three issues that led to the accident." A notice to pilots in force before the accident suggested that a strip of stop lights embedded in the tarmac as an extra safety measure to prevent wrong turns, was out of service, according to a copy of the bulletin posted by U.S. regulators. "This is something the investigators will look at," said U.S. aviation safety consultant John Cox. In a statement on Wednesday, JAL said the aircraft recognised and repeated the landing permission from air traffic control before approaching and touching down. All passengers and crew were evacuated within 20 minutes of the crash, but the aircraft, engulfed in flames, burned for more than six hours, the airline said. The Coast Guard aircraft, one of six based at the airport, had been due to transport aid to regions hit by Monday's earthquake of magnitude 7.6 that has killed 64 people, with survivors facing freezing temperatures and prospects of heavy rain. The accident forced the cancellation of 137 domestic, and four international flights on Wednesday, the government said. But emergency flights and high-speed rail services were requested to ease the congestion, Transport Minister Saito said. Michael Daniel, a former U.S. accident investigator, said investigators will be looking to make recommendations. The main thing is the situational awareness: what is it they would have told the pilot holding short of getting on a runway ... And then what was air traffic's understanding. Did the controller give them clearance to take off? ... A lot of that information will come out when they start reviewing the cockpit voice recorder as well as the air traffic tapes. Jeffrey Epstein's list has created quite a stir in United States after big names linked to him were confirmed by recently unsealed court documents. After emergence of names like Bill Clinton and Alan Dershowitz among others, conspiracy theorists continue to link Epstein to unproven claims of a secret pedophile cabal involving prominent Democrats. FILE - Jeffrey Epstein appears in court, July 30, 2008, in West Palm Beach, Fla. On Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, a federal judge ordered the public disclosure of the identities of more than 150 people mentioned in a mountain of court documents related to the late-financier, saying that most of the names were already public and that many had not objected to the release. (Uma Sanghvi/The Palm Beach Post via AP, File)(AP) Maxwell Court Documents Released: Documents from a 2015 defamation suit against Jeffrey Epsteins co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell have been released. The anticipation for the information that these documents will reveal has caused a stir. Some mentioned public figures include Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Alan Dershowitz, and Prince Andrew, with other names redacted recently. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Redacted Names and Fueled Speculation: Predictions arise that the release of redacted names in the documents would support far-right conspiracy theories merging MAGA and QAnon movements. Almost 90 names were included in the documents, with four redacted. There are several other names mentioned in the document that are expected to be released in the next round. Overhyped Expectations: Everyone was in the dark regarding what secrets those documents may unveil, but right-wing enthusiasts didnt miss a chance to overhype the importance of the documents, spreading misleading information and false leads, and creating a sense of anticipation. Bogus Epstein Content on Social Media: Ever since the news of the documents being released got out, misinformation flooded platforms like X, with inaccurate claims of "Epstein's Client List," including naming Democrats and Trump critics as visitors to Epstein's private island in the Caribbean. Multiple bogus client lists and other documents made rounds on X. QAnon Promoters and Trump's Connection: QAnon figures suggested Trump played a crucial role in Epstein's arrest, ignoring their well-documented friendship that endured from the 1980s till the mid-2000s. Not only was Trump fully exonerated by the Epstein files today, this means he was also not one of the sealed names, as some had claimed, Now you know why the Deep State hates him. They don't have any blackmail on him, one of his supporters wrote on X. Delay Speculations and Smears: As days passed without the expected revelations, conspiracists speculated on the cause of the delay, with some falsely smearing alleged victims. Vivek Ramaswamy reacted to the document disclosure by the government and asked, Why are we only seeing a partial list or a reacted list? during a speech at Town Hall in Harrison County. Just give us the full list, give the full footage of what happened inside and outside the prison, he said. Lay out the full information, not the partial list, not the redacted list. Why do you need redaction? List the whole thing. We, the people, deserve the truth, the presidential candidate added. A video of Melinda Gates describing Epstein as evil personified during an interview with CBS Mornings resurfaced. Melinda said in the video that she did not like that he [Bill Gates] had meetings with Jeffrey Epstein. I made that clear to him, she added, Attempts to Spin Information: After the documents finally dropped, far-right commentators selectively extracted snippets to claim exoneration for Trump. Alex Jones, recently back on X thanks to Musk in December after a formerly permanent suspension, claimed that theres suppressed video data, and the government is diverting attention from the released documents. Right-wing circles highlighted details from unredacted documents, such as Clinton being mentioned, reinforcing longstanding accusations against the former president. The document made rounds as a testimony in which Johanna Sjoberg recalled Epstein telling her that [Bill] Clinton likes them young, referring to girls. The U.S. military launched a retaliatory strike in Baghdad on Thursday that killed a militia leader it blames for recent attacks on U.S. personnel, the Pentagon said, a move condemned by Iraq's government. Pentagon spokesman Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder speaks during a briefing at the Pentagon in Washington.(AP) The U.S. strike took place at about 0900 GMT and targeted Mushtaq Jawad Kazim al Jawari, the Pentagon said, adding he was a leader of Harakat al Nujaba who was involved in planning and carrying out attacks against American personnel. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "The strike also killed one other Harakat al Nujaba member," said Major General Patrick Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson, describing it as a self-defense strike. "No civilians were harmed. No infrastructure or facilities were struck." Since the Israel-Hamas war began in October the U.S. military has come under attack at least 100 times in Iraq and Syria, usually with a mix of rockets and one-way attack drones. The United States has 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in neighbouring Syria focused on preventing a resurgence of Islamic State militants. Iraqi police sources and witnesses had earlier said a drone fired at least two rockets at the headquarters in eastern Baghdad of the Nujaba militia group. Police and militia sources said the rockets hit a vehicle in the compound and killed four people, including a militia commander and one of his aides. Health sources confirmed the death toll. Video published by pro-militia websites showed a destroyed vehicle in flames. Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the footage. Iran-aligned militia groups in Iraq and Syria oppose Israel's campaign in Gaza and hold the U.S. partly responsible. In a statement, the military spokesperson for Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani denounced the strike on the group, calling it an "unjustified attack on an Iraqi security entity" that was operating with Sudani's authorisation. Sudani has limited control over some Iran-backed factions, whose support he needed to win power a year ago and who now form a powerful bloc in his governing coalition. Asked whether the U.S. military struck a member of Iraq's security forces, Ryder said the individual targeted was a leader of an Iranian proxy group responsible for attacks against U.S. personnel. Iraqi militia commanders vowed to take revenge for Thursday's strike. "We will retaliate and make the Americans regret carrying out this aggression," Abu Aqeel al-Moussawi, a local Iraqi militia commander, said. Last month, the United States carried out retaliatory air strikes in Iraq after a drone attack by Iran-aligned militants that left one U.S. service member in critical condition and wounded two others. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken heads back to the Middle East on Thursday on his fourth trip since the Israel-Hamas war, expecting tough talks as he presses for immediate new aid for battered Gaza and de-escalation in the region. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken,(AFP) The top US diplomat will visit both Israel and the West Bank, home of the Palestinian Authority, and five Arab countries -- Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the State Department said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Blinken will leave late Thursday and first go to Turkey -- an uneasy US ally which is the home of key Hamas leaders despite being one of the few Muslim-majority countries to recognize Israel -- followed by Greece. Blinken will discuss "immediate measures to increase substantially humanitarian assistance to Gaza," where the World Health Organization has warned of the risk of famine and disease. "We don't expect every conversation on this trip to be easy. There are obviously tough issues facing the region and difficult choices ahead," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters. "But the secretary believes it is the responsibility of the United States of America to lead diplomatic efforts to tackle those challenges head on," he said. Blinken on previous trips sought to keep the war isolated to Gaza. But he returns to a region that has seen attacks in or from Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Syria and Iran. Israel on Tuesday carried out a strike inside Lebanon that killed a top Hamas leader, and Iranian-backed Huthi rebels have been firing on ships in the Red Sea in avowed solidarity with Gaza. In a pre-trip telephone call, Blinken agreed with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna to "de-escalate tensions in the West Bank and to avoid escalation in Lebanon and Iran," the State Department said. Iran was hit Wednesday by the deadliest attack since its 1979 Islamic revolution, which killed at least 84 people, although the Islamic State group claimed responsibility and US officials rejected any US or Israeli role. - Mounting toll - President Joe Biden's administration has provided crucial support for Israel since it suffered its deadliest-ever attack on October 7, when Hamas militants infiltrated and killed around 1,140 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures. The United States has twice exercised its veto at the UN Security Council against ceasefire calls, drawing outrage in the Arab world, and just days ago Blinken for the second time bypassed Congress to rush weapons to Israel. But Biden has also openly voiced exasperation at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he pursues a relentless retaliatory offensive in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, much of which has been reduced to rubble. More than 22,400 people in the Gaza Strip have died, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, and the vast majority of residents of the impoverished and blockaded territory have been forced from their homes. The Biden administration has taken credit for coaxing Israel on several aid issues including allowing limited gas and commercial trucks to enter. Another concern for the Biden administration has been calls by far-right members of Netanyahu's cabinet for the mass expulsion of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. Blinken is also likely to press Israel to stop blocking the transfer of tax revenue to the Palestinian Authority, a longstanding arrangement that is opposed by Israel's far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich. The United States sees a future in the Gaza Strip for the Palestinian Authority, whose ruling Fatah faction is the rival of Hamas, but Netanyahu has long sought to weaken the semi-autonomous body and opposes the eventual creation of a Palestinian state. - Turkey-Greece balance - Blinken will also pay a brief visit Saturday to Greece, which is jittery about an expected US sale of advanced F-16 fighter-jets to Turkey, its historic adversary. The Biden administration is expected to offer the jets once Turkey gives a long-delayed greenlight to NATO membership for Sweden, which shed earlier hesitation on entering the Western military alliance following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. NATO requires unanimity and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had used his leverage to press for concessions, including action by Sweden against Kurdish militants opposed to Ankara. Turkey's parliament is moving ahead on ratification. Turkey last year allowed the entry into NATO of Finland, which had launched a joint membership bid with Sweden. UK police are investigating an unprecedented case of alleged gang rape of a girl's avatar in a virtual reality game, according to Daily Mail, marking a notable case within the metaverse. The reported victim, a minor, was using a virtual reality headset in an immersive game when her animated avatar was subjected to virtual assault by the avatars of several men. The victim was wearing a virtual reality (VR) headset in an immersive game when her avatar was allegedly raped by several men. (Shutterstock) Despite the absence of physical injuries, authorities acknowledge the potential for lasting trauma comparable to real-life experiences, the report said citing police sources. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. There is an emotional and psychological impact on the victim that is longer-term than any physical injuries, a senior officer familiar with the case told the outlet. Concerns about the feasibility of prosecution under existing laws, which centre on physical touching in a sexual manner without consent, have been raised by UK authorities. This has prompted discussions about the allocation of police resources, particularly given the substantial backlog of real world rape cases. UK Home Secretary James Cleverly defended the VR rape probe. "I know it is easy to dismiss this as being not real, but the whole point of these virtual environments is they are incredibly immersive," the New York Post quoted Cleverly as saying to the LBC platform. "And we are talking about a child here, and a child has gone through sexual trauma," he added. "It will have had a very significant psychological effect and we should be very, very careful about being dismissive of this." Cleverly also argued that someone willing to rape a child's avatar in a video game "may well be someone that could go on to do terrible things in the physical realm." Ian Critchley, lead for child protection and abuse investigation at the National Police Chiefs' Council, supported Cleverly's stance, describing the metaverse as a "gateway" for predators targeting children. He stressed the necessity for evolving policing methods and legislative updates while urging tech companies, including Meta, to enhance user safety. President Biden's campaign recently dropped a powerful one-minute ad, titled "Cause," stressing the "existential threat" MAGA extremism poses to the U.S. FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about efforts to strengthen United States supply chains that effect economic and national security, during the first meeting of the new White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience, in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House complex in Washington, U.S., November 27, 2023.(REUTERS) Featuring clips from the 2017 "Unite the Right" rally and the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, the ad aims to remind us of critical moments in recent history. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Biden's warning echoes: The ad echoes Biden's past words on democracy, emphasizing, History is watching. The world is watching. And most important, our children and grandchildren will hold us responsible. Timed before Biden's major 2024 reelection speech on the third anniversary of the Capitol attack, the ad underlines the fragility of America's democracy. The Biden campaign shifts gears, focusing on the "existential threat" posed by MAGA extremism, diverging momentarily from economic themes that dominated previous ads. In the ad, Biden asks Americans to join him in safeguarding democracy, stating, All of us are being asked right now: What will we do to maintain our democracy? Featuring excerpts from Biden's speeches in Arizona and Atlanta, the ad stresses his commitment to voting rights and highlights the importance of the upcoming election. Campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez warns that MAGA Republicans, by embracing the "Big Lie," threaten American democracy. The ad stresses the gravity of the upcoming election. The campaign plans to air the ad in key battleground states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, aiming to reach a broad audience. Notably, the ad carefully navigates around mentioning Trump directly, showcasing Trump supporters at the Capitol but avoiding direct references. This reflects the Biden campaign's strategic approach. Biden's choice of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, for his upcoming remarks underscores his campaign's overarching themethe battle for the soul of America. Drawing parallels with his 2020 addresses in Gettysburg and Warm Springs, Biden continues to use historical landmarks to emphasize the importance of preserving American values. A website that published 40 court documents naming associates of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein crashed within minutes of making them public. Social media is abuzz with news that a judge is about to release a list of "clients," or "associates" or maybe "co-conspirators," of Jeffrey Epstein, the jet-setting financier who killed himself in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. (New York State Sex Offender Registry via AP, File)(AP) The documents were part of a defamation lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, who accused Epstein of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager, against his former girlfriend and accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell in 2015. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The website, CourtListener, is run by the Free Law Project, a non-profit organization that provides free access to legal information. It was the first to show the documents, which were unsealed by Judge Loretta Preska in New York in December. You can read the full documents here- Click However, the website soon became inaccessible, displaying the message This usually happens when we are doing maintenance or our server is overloaded. Courtlistener website down after document release The documents were still available on the PACER system, which allows public access to federal court records, but requires a fee. ALSO READ| Jeffrey Epstein's list exposes Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, Michael Jackson, and more What are these records about? The lawsuit between Giuffre and Maxwell was settled in 2017, but Maxwells lawyers had tried to keep the names of the people involved in the case secret. Their objection was overruled in 2022, a year after Maxwell was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison for five counts of sex trafficking minor girls. She has appealed her conviction. Giuffre had sued Maxwell in 2015 after a spokesperson for the British socialite called Giuffres allegations obvious lies. The civil case helped build the criminal case against Maxwell, who was arrested in 2020 after Epsteins death in prison in 2019. Giuffre also sued Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, for sexual assault and infliction of emotional distress in 2021, claiming that he had sex with her when she was 17 at Epsteins properties. The case was settled in 2022, with Prince Andrew paying an undisclosed amount to Giuffre. Prince Andrew has strongly denied the sexual abuse allegations. ALSO READ| Jeffrey Epstein List: Ex-Harvard professor Alan Dershowitz had sex with minor on numerous occasions However, the Giuffre v Maxwell lawsuit contained hundreds of names of other people who were allegedly involved in or aware of Epsteins sex trafficking network. The Miami Herald, whose investigation into Epstein led to his arrest in 2019, had sued in 2018 for the release of all documents related to the lawsuit. The unsealing of the documents could expose the identities and roles of many powerful and influential people who were connected to Epstein and Maxwell. A woman who has said she was victimized by late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein said Britain's Prince Andrew put his hand on her breast at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse in 2001, according to court documents from a civil lawsuit unsealed on Wednesday. Epstein accuser claims Prince Andrew's groping incident (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)(AFP) The incident, which has been previously reported by other media outlets and Andrew has denied, was among the details described in an initial trove of previously redacted documents that otherwise revealed few new details about the extent of Epstein's alleged sex trafficking activities. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. More documents are expected to be unsealed or unredacted in the coming days. Prince Andrew could not immediately be reached for comment. Epstein socialized with Wall Street titans, royalty and celebrities before pleading guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008. He took his own life in 2019 at age 66 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. ALSO READ| Jeffrey Epstein's list exposes Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, Michael Jackson, and more Dozens of women have accused Epstein of forcing them to provide sexual services to him and his guests at his private Caribbean island and homes he owned in New York, Florida and New Mexico. The names of more than 150 people mentioned in a lawsuit by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's most prominent accusers, were kept under seal for years until a federal judge ruled last month that there was no legal justification to keep them private. In a deposition, Giuffre said she had sex with several politicians and financial leaders. In her deposition, Giuffre also said she had sex with other prominent figures who have previously denied her allegations, including hedge-fund owner Glenn Dubin, billionaire U.S. businessman Tom Pritzker and the late New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. She said she also had sex with other political leaders whose names she could not remember. Dubin could not immediately reached for comment. Pritzker did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Sigrid McCawley, Giuffre's lawyer, said some questions about who enabled Epstein have still not been answered. "The unsealing of these documents gets us closer to that goal," she said in a statement on Wednesday. In a separate deposition, Epstein accuser Johanna Sjoberg said Prince Andrew put his hand on her breast to pose for a photo with Epstein, Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former girlfriend. Sjoberg said the photo also included a puppet that said "Prince Andrew" on it. This allegation was previously reported by the Mirror in 2020. Andrew has been stripped of most of his royal titles due to his association with Epstein. He settled a civil lawsuit with Giuffre in 2022 for an undisclosed sum, and has denied wrongdoing. ALSO READ| Who is Doe 107? What we know about alleged Jeffrey Epstein victim who urged court to keep identity secret The list stems from a long-settled defamation lawsuit that Giuffre filed against Maxwell. Maxwell, the daughter of British media mogul Robert Maxwell, is serving a 20-year prison sentence for recruiting underage girls for Epstein. She is appealing her conviction. Giuffre accused Maxwell of recruiting her when she was underage for Epstein to abuse. U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska, who is overseeing the case, ruled that some names would remain confidential, including those of people who were underage when Epstein abused them. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel and Luc Cohen in New York; additional reporting by Jack Queen, Joseph Ax, Tom Hals and Nupur Anand; Writing by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Daniel Wallis) Ex-POTUS Donald Trump received at least $7.8 million from foreign governments during his White House tenure, as per an extensive report by House Democrats. The 156-page report released by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee alleges Trump exploited his presidency to benefit himself and his family members financially. As per the report, the former president took in millions of dollars from governments of foreign countries, including China, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. FILE PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump attends a campaign event in Waterloo, Iowa, U.S. December 19, 2023. REUTERS/Scott Morgan/File Photo(REUTERS) House Democrats allege Trump took in millions from foreign govts The House Oversight Committee alleges during his time in the White House, Trump was determined not only to keep this well-branded global corporate empire going but also to seize a new and unprecedented opportunity to make it ever more lucrative for himself and his family. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Among other nations mentioned in the report, Trump's businesses received the most amount of money from China, spending over $5.5 million on Trump Tower in New York and two other hotels in Washington and Las Vegas. Other countries that sent money to Trump for his businesses during his presidency, as per the report, were Saudi Arabia ($615,422), Qatar ($465,744), Kuwait ($303,372), India ($282,764), Malaysia ($248,962), and Afghanistan ($154,750) among others. Democrats also noted that the muti-year investigation was started in 2016 by late Rep. Elijah Cummings. However, the investigation was halted last year after House Republicans took control of the committee. The findings were retrieved by the House Democrats from Trumps former accounting firm, Mazars, after the Supreme Court upheld their subpoena in 2020. However, after Republicans took office, Mazars was released from its obligation to provide information to the Dems. Congressman Jamie Raskin wrote in the foreword of the extensive report, By elevating his personal financial interests and the policy priorities of corrupt foreign powers over the American public interest, former President Trump violated both the clear commands of the Constitution and the careful precedent set and observed by every previous commander in chief. It is true that $7.8 million is almost certainly only a fraction of Trumps harvest of unlawful foreign state money, but this figure in itself is a scandal and a decisive spur to action, Raskin added. The new Jeffrey Epstein documents that were released claim Epstein once told one of his victims that Bill Clinton likes them young, referring to young girls. The document includes details of testimony by Johanna Sjoberg, who alleged she was recruited as a massage therapist at the age of 20. She was recruited on a college campus and had no massage training. The new Jeffrey Epstein documents that were released claim Epstein once told one of his victims that Bill Clinton likes them young, referring to young girls (New York State Sex Offender Registry via AP, File, photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File) The document says that Ghislaine Maxwell called Sjoberg and the other girls her children when they were on a trip to the US Virgin Islands. David Copperfield was at a dinner at Epsteins and there was another girl present who looked young and Johanna asked what school she went to and Johanna did not recognize the school name as being a college and she said it was possible it was a high school aged girl. Johanna said Copperfield questioned me if I was aware that girls were getting paid to find other girls, the document says. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Johanna testified Jeffrey told her Clinton likes them young, referring to girls, states the document. She also testified that she was naked for 25 50% of all massages. She added that Epstein made her perform sexual acts during massages, as per the document. The Jeffrey Epstein list Hundreds of pages of documents from a lawsuit connected to Jeffrey Epstein have been publicly released. The list has mentioned big names like Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, and Michael Jackson. The names revealed were listed in court documents filed as part of accuser Virginia Giuffres lawsuit against Ghislaine Maxwell. The names, before being unsealed, were listed in court papers as variants of J Doe. Many of the names had been previously revealed as well. Notably, every individual named in the list is not accused of wrongdoing. The people whose names were revealed include sex abuse victims, litigation witnesses, Epsteins employees, and people with just a passing connection to the scandal. Some names were redacted. Hundreds of pages of documents from a lawsuit connected to Jeffrey Epstein have been publicly released. The list has mentioned big names like Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, and Michael Jackson. In a bombshell revelation, the documents also named Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz, who has been accused of having sexual relations with one of the minor victims (The Dershow With Alan Dershowitz/YouTube screenshot) In a bombshell revelation, the documents also named Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz, who has been accused of having sexual relations with one of the minor victims. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. What is Alan Dershowitz accused of? One such powerful individual that Epstein forced then-minor Jane Doe #3 to have sexual relations with was former Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz, a close friend of Epsteins and well-known criminal defense attorney,the documents say. Epstein required Jane Doe #3 to have sexual relations with Dershowitz on numerous occasions while she was a minor, not only in Florida but also on private planes, in New York, New Mexico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition to being a participant in the abuse of Jane Doe #3 and other minors, Deshowitz was an eye-witness to the sexual abuse of many other minors by Epstein and several of Epsteins co-conspirators." "Dershowitz would later play a significant role in negotiating the NPA on Epsteins behalf. Indeed, Dershowitz helped negotiate an agreement that provided immunity from federal prosecution in the Southern District of Florida not only to Epstein, but also to any potential coconspirators of Epstein. NPA at 5. Thus, Dershowitz helped negotiate an agreement with a provision that provided protection for himself against criminal prosecution in Florida for sexually abusing Jane Doe #3. Because this broad immunity would have been controversial if disclosed, Dershowitz (along with other members of Epsteins defense team) and the Government tried to keep the immunity provision secret from all of Epsteins victims and the general public, even though such secrecy violated the Crime Victims Rights Act, it adds. I had an innocent relationship After the list was released,Dershowitz said onThe Dershow With Alan Dershowitz that he was nothing but Epsteins lawyer. I had an innocent relationship with the man I didnt know, nobody suspected, had done anything wrong, he said. I did nothing wrong Prior to the documents being unsealed, Dershowitz had said he wants every last document related to Epstein to be released, stressing that it will serve as evidence that hedid nothing wrong. The reason I wanted everything put out and I dont think the judge put everything out, I think she was selective in what she put out and thats unfair, he told NewsNation. I want everything out, every document, every piece of paper, half-truths or lies, and I wanted them out for personal reasons because I know that they would prove what Ive said from day one that I did nothing wrong, he added. Dershowitz also stressed thatthe woman who accused me later admitted that she may have misidentified me, confused me with someone else. So I wanted everything out right from the beginning because I have nothing to hide, he added. Dershowitz notably representedOJ Simpson in his murder trial and former president Donald Trump in his first impeachment trial. The court documents linked to a civil lawsuit involving sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein were unsealed on Wednesday. Spanning over 943 pages, the documents contain a host of names of those associated with Epstein. Among other famous figures who were named in the list was Former US Vice President AI Gore. This unsealing of documents comes after Judge Loretta Preska found that there was no legal justification for redacting the names in December. (File) Demonstrators hold signs aloft protesting against Jeffrey Epstein(Reuters) Former US vice president named in Jeffrey Epstein list Gore was the 45th vice president and served under ex-President Bill Clinton, whose name also appeared on the list. The documents, which were unsealed, were tied to the materials Ghislaine Maxwell sought from Epsteins longtime accuser, Virginia Giuffre, before the civil defamation suit trial. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. As per the unsealed court documents, Maxwell requested Giuffre to hand over any pictures or videos involving her and several other famous figures, including Gore. However, Giuffres attorneys claimed that the alleged pieces of evidence were already in custody and control of the disgraced financer and his partner in crime. According to Messenger, Gore has not been accused of any wrongdoing and that his picture with Giuffre has never been made public. Moreover, Epstein's accuser previously alleged that the former VP travelled on his private plane with other notable personalities. Despite the unsealing of names, no one other than Maxwell and Epstein has been charged with a crime. ALSO READ: Jeffrey Epstein list live updates: Additional Epstein documents expected to be released tomorrow Who has been named in Jeffrey Epstein's court documents? The first batch of names were disclosed on Wednesday evening in the US District Court in Manhattan. Apart from Gore and Clinton, other famous names include Prince Andrew, Donald Trump, Michael Jackson, David Copperfield, George Lucas, Kevin Spacey, Naomi Campbell, Alan Dershowitz, Cameron Diaz, and Stephen Hawking. Jan 4, 2024 9:16 PM IST After the release of trove of legal filings listing dozens of names linked to Jeffrey Epstein, late American financier's accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell attorneys Arthur Aidala and Diana Fabi Samson put out a statement on Wednesday night. In the statement, Maxwell continued to stress her innocence and pledged to plough ahead with her appeal. Ghislaine Maxwell took no position on the Courts recent decision to unseal documents in Giuffre v. Maxwell as these disclosures have no bearing on her or her pending appeal, her attorneys said in the statement, shared with The Messenger. Ghislaines focus is on the upcoming appellate argument asking for her entire case to dismissed. She is confident that she will obtain justice in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. She has consistently and vehemently maintained her innocence. Jeffrey Epstein's list of associates have partially been exposed after the New York Court unsealed first 40 documents, of around 250 that are expected to made public in the next couple of days. They largely mention figures whose names were already known, including high-profile friends of Epsteins and victims who have spoken publicly. (File) Demonstrators hold signs aloft protesting against Jeffrey Epstein(Reuters) The big names include - former US President Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, Michael Jackson, Stephen Hawking and Alan Dershowitz. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Epstein List : Catch Hindustan Times Live Coverage All throughout the court proceedings Jeffrey Epstein's associates and victims were referred to as John Doe and John Dane. Now after the release of first batch of documents names of some of 170 have been made public. It's important to note that if a celebrity is named in the document it does not mean the individual was involved in or aware of any wrongdoing by Epstein. Ghislaine Maxwell - 849 times Epsteins sexual offence conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell was named 849 times in the court documents. There were references made to Maxwell throughout the documents, with various other witnesses being asked about her involvement with Epstein in their separate testimonies. Maxwell is currently serving 20 years in prison, having been convicted sex-trafficking underage girls in June 2022. Prince Andrew - 67 Prince Andrew has been named 67 times with his Royal title throughout the documents. Evidence from Epstein victim Johanna Sjoberg, claimed the duke touched her breast while sitting on a couch inside the US billionaires Manhattan apartment in 2001. Alan Dershowitz - 100 times Alan Dershowitz, Epsteins lawyer, appears over 100 times in the documents, including allegations of sexual misconduct, which he has vehemently denied. Bill Clinton - 73 times Former US President Clintons name appears 73 times in the documents so far. In her testimony, victim Sjoberg alleges that Epstein once told her that Clinton likes them young referring to girls. Clinton has been reportedly labelled John Doe 36. Many references were made that compelled him to testify against Epstein and Maxwell. Donald Trump - 4 times U.S. Presidents Donald Trump is named four times, including in an incident where Epstein reportedly contacted him after a plane diversion to Atlantic City. Johanna Sjoberg, a key figure in the testimony, recounted an occasion where Epstein called Trump and visited one of his casinos. She also clarified that she never gave Trump a massage. The documents also reveal mentions of other celebrities, with varying degrees of association with Epstein: David Copperfield - 6 times David Copperfield, the renowned magician, appears six times. He reportedly attended dinners with Epstein and was present during conversations about young girls. In Hollywood, notable figures like George Lucas and Kevin Spacey are mentioned, but Sjoberg does not recall meeting them. Naomi Campbell and Michael Jackson are also named, with Jackson being mentioned twice. A new batch of documents of 946 pages has been released that reveal the correspondence between Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, his alleged accomplice in a sex trafficking ring. The documents show that Epstein tried to discredit the accusations of Virginia Giuffre, one of his victims, who claimed that he forced her to have sex in an underage orgy with Professor Stephen Hawking. Epstein denies Prof Stephen Hawking in underage Island event(Tim Stewart News Limited) In an email dated January 12, 2015, Epstein urged Maxwell to offer a reward to anyone who could help disprove Giuffres allegations. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. You can issue a reward to any of Virginias friends, acquaints, family that come forward and help prove her allegations are false, he wrote. ALSO READ| Jeffrey Epstein's list exposes Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, Michael Jackson, and more He also mentioned two specific events that Giuffre alleged to have taken place: a dinner with former President Bill Clinton and a trip to the Virgin Islands where Hawking was present. The strongest is the Clinton dinner, and the new version in the Virgin Islands that Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy, he stated. What is in the documents? The email was part of a 946-page collection of court documents from Giuffres 2015 lawsuit against Maxwell, who was accused of recruiting and grooming young girls for Epstein. The lawsuit was settled in 2017, and Maxwell is now in prison, serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking charges. She is the only person who has been convicted in relation to Epsteins crimes. The documents were made public by the Southern District of New York on January 3, after the deadline for appeals expired. ALSO READ| Epstein accuser accuses Prince Andrew of groping, court papers reveal The renowned physicist who made groundbreaking discoveries about black holes and their radiation, as reported by NASA. Hawking was born in 1942, and suffered from motor neuron disease since he was 21 years old. He spent most of his life in a wheelchair, and communicated through a voice synthesizer. He had three children with his first wife, Jane Wilde, whom he married in the 1960s and divorced in the 1970s. A terrifying video shows a man jumping over the bench and attacking a female judge for denying him probation at his sentencing on Wednesday, January 3. The incident took place when Judge Mary Kay Holthus was sentencing Deobra Redden, 30, in Clark County District Court in Las Vegas. Redden was being sentenced after he was convicted of attempted battery with substantial bodily harm, according to KLAS. The incident took place when Judge Mary Kay Holthus was sentencing Deobra Redden, 30, in Clark County District Court in Las Vegas (@Breaking911 screenshot/X) Reddens attorney reportedly urged Holthus to sentence his client to probation. However, Holthus said, I think its time he got a taste of something else because I just cant with that history. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Redden is then seen approaching the bench and leaping over it, attacking Holthus. Several court officials are seen trying to drag Redden away from the judge as he yelled profanities. What the hells wrong with you man? someone can be heard yelling Wheres Mary Kay is she okay? a man asks after Redden is put in handcuffs. Holthus suffered a minor injury to the head and a marshal was also wounded in the fracas. Redden is now facing new charges of battery and battery on a protected person after the attack on the judge. Thank God the judge is okay, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said in a statement. Thank God for the heroic efforts of those who came to her aid, especially her marshal and her law clerk. Wolfson added, Without them, the situation would have been much worse as this defendant exhibited extremely violent behavior and Im confident there will be consequences. Court documents stated that in April last year, Redden threatened to bust the kneecaps of another man, resulting in substantial bodily harm. In May, the suspect was committed to a state behavioural facility, and in November he pleaded guilty to the charges. He went on to miss his court appearance, following which Holthus issued a warrant for his arrest in December. Redden had appeared before Holthus in the past too, on charges of malicious destruction of property. In 2021, he stayed behind bars for a year on a domestic battery charge. A new age verification law aimed at protecting children from adult content has prompted Pornhub to block its websites in Montana and North Carolina, affecting millions of users. Pornhub's battle with age verification laws, privacy concerns, and allegations of hosting illegal content raise debates about protecting minors (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP)(AFP) The law requires users to show their ID card every time they visit a porn site, which Pornhubs parent company Aylo says is risky for both users and children. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Aylo, which also runs RedTube, Brazzers and YouPorn, has already cut off access in five other states where similar laws have been passed. Users who try to access the sites are greeted by a video of porn star Cherie DeVille, who says that giving your ID card every time you want to visit an adult platform is not the most effective solution for protecting our users, and in fact, will put children and your privacy at risk. ALSO READ| Porn sites must verify ages to protect kids under EU's new digital law Restricted to Adults only Pornhub is facing pressure from U.S. lawmakers over its age verification policies, but also from the EU, which has introduced its own regulations. However, some free speech advocates argue that there are better ways to keep minors away from adult content without compromising user privacy or freedom of expression. For example, a director of the Free Speech Coalition, a porn industry lobby group, told Mashable that he advises parents to use device-level filters to block all sites labelled as Restricted to Adults. Adult performer Alana Evans also told Mashable that parents should monitor their childrens online activity and have conversations with them about sex and porn, as well as other harmful content such as violence. Some users have also found ways to bypass the ID requirements in states like Louisiana, where Pornhub has not blocked its service. Plus, Pornhub has also been accused of hosting illegal content involving sex trafficking victims. According to The Verge, its parent company Aylo was fined $1.8 million by a federal court and ordered to pay compensation to the victims, after admitting that it made money from videos of women who were forced to perform in porn. The federal government claimed that Aylo turned a blind eye to sex trafficking and ignored messages from the victims that they did not consent to the videos. Aylo denied any criminal wrongdoing, Time reported, but agreed to a deal known as a deferred prosecution agreement, which means that it will have an independent monitor for three years to make sure that it removes any illegal content from its sites. Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, is facing renewed pressure over his ties to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after new court documents were made public as part of a lawsuit related to Epsteins former associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Newly released documents name Prince Andrew in Epstein lawsuit(AP/Reuters) The documents, which cover about 900 pages, name Prince Andrew among more than 170 people who had some connection to Epstein, who pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2009 and killed himself in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The legal papers include allegations of sexual abuse by Prince Andrew, which he has vehemently denied. One of Epsteins accusers, Virginia Giuffre, claims that she was forced to have sex with the prince in London in 2001, when she was 17 years old. She filed and settled a civil lawsuit against him in 2022. ALSO READ| Jeffrey Epstein List: Paedophile once told his victim Clinton likes them young' Another accuser, Johanna Sjoberg, alleges that Prince Andrew groped her breast while sitting on a couch inside Epsteins Manhattan apartment in 2001, along with Giuffre and a puppet that said Prince Andrew on it. Buckingham Palace has previously said her allegations are categorically untrue. Prince Andrew has admitted that he stayed at Epsteins house in 2010, after the financiers conviction, but said it was a mistake and that he did not regret their entire friendship. He also said he had never met Giuffre and had no recollection of the photo that shows him with his arm around her waist. Epstein list stroke a grim on Bill Clinton too The newly released documents also name former US President Bill Clinton, who was a friend of Epstein and travelled on his private jet several times, but is not accused of any wrongdoing. Clinton has said he knows nothing about Epsteins crimes and cut ties with him after his conviction. The documents are part of a defamation lawsuit brought by Giuffre against Maxwell, who was Epsteins girlfriend and alleged accomplice. Maxwell is currently in jail awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking and perjury, which she denies. ALSO READ| Who are named in Jeffrey Epstein documents? Big names like Bill Clinton, Naomi Campbell, Alan Dershowitz confirmed The release of the documents was ordered by New York Judge Loretta Preska, who said many of those named had already been identified by the media or in Maxwells criminal trial. She also ordered that some names remain redacted to protect the victims of sexual abuse. More documents in the case are expected to be released in the coming days, which could shed more light on the extent of Epsteins network of powerful and influential people. Russia fired missiles provided by North Korea at targets in Ukraine as part of an aerial barrage in recent weeks, according to a recently declassified US intelligence assessment showing Moscows growing reliance on other countries to wage its war effort. John Kirby, national security council coordinator, speaks during a news conference.(Bloomberg) The US believes Russia used the North Korean-provided missiles in at least two attacks on Dec. 30 and Jan. 2, White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters Thursday. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Kirby said the US also believes Russia is seeking to acquire close range ballistic missiles from Iran, although it does not yet believe Tehran has delivered such weapons systems. Russia has frequently used Iranian-produced drones to launch attacks into Ukraine in recent months and is building a factory that will manufacture unmanned aerial vehicles designed by Iran, according to the White House. Russia plans to continue using North Korean ballistic missiles which can be fired from as far as 550 miles away in the coming weeks, Kirby said, without detailing how the US obtained the intelligence. Biden administration officials plan to raise the issue at the United Nations Security Council, alleging that the transfer of North Korean missiles to Russia violates multiple existing resolutions constraining trade with Pyongyang. The US is also planning to impose new sanctions against those working to facilitate the deal. We will not allow countries to aid Russias war machine in secret, Kirby said. The Biden administration has highlighted Russias attempts to gather equipment from countries like Iran and North Korea to argue that sanctions and the battlefield efforts of Ukraine and its allies have drained Russian military reserves and necessitate further arms shipments from the US. Lawmakers failed last year to authorize additional aid to Ukraine, with the White House and Senate Republicans currently negotiating a package that would offer billions more in weapons alongside new immigration controls at the US-Mexico border. US efforts to isolate Putin after his invasion of Ukraine have pushed the Russian leader closer to North Korea and Iran. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Putin met in September in Russia, talks which the US said were focused on furthering arms deals between their countries. Putin also pledged closer ties with Iran last month after meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has commissioned an inquiry into why Cabinet documents from 2003 on Australia's involvement in the United States-led Iraq invasion remain classified. The move comes after the National Archives of Australia released records from 2003 on Monday, which were expected to shed light on why John Howard's government committed Australian troops to the invasion, as per ABC News. Albanese Orders Probe Into Missing Iraq War Documents However, the documents did not reveal any formal submissions made to the Cabinet and only showed that Howard made oral reports. On December 19, 2023, additional documents that had not been forwarded to the archives were discovered, and Albanese has ordered an investigation to determine why these were not submitted. Denis Richardson, former director-general of security for Australia, will conduct the independent review, and Albanese expects him to present his findings within the next two weeks. Albanese insisted that Australians have a right to know the decision-making process that led Howard to commit Australian forces to the US-led invasion. The extra documents that were found are believed to contain national security committee submissions and will be reviewed for their suitability for release. Albanese stated that Australians have a right to know what led to the decision to go to war, as Australian lives were lost during the conflict. He also noted that some of the reasons given at the time for going to war, such as the alleged weapons of mass destruction held by Iraq, were incorrect. The 2003 cabinet files were submitted to the archives in 2020 by Scott Morrison's Liberal government after a 20-year secrecy provision expired. At the time, the 2003 Labor opposition, led by Simon Crean, did not support Howard's decision to join the US-led coalition, according to The Guardian. Read Also: Biden Administration Looks to Supreme Court in Texas Razor-Wire Border Dispute Australia's Iraq War Remains Secret In response to the failure to forward the 78 documents, including files about Australia's decision to join the invasion, Albanese ordered an investigation into its cause. The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet attributes the botched transfer to administrative oversights and the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The government announced that it would consider taking further action to improve transparency and that all documentation should be released to the public, barring any risks to national security. The US-led invasion of Iraq began on March 19, 2003, with the aim of disarming weapons of mass destruction, ending Saddam Hussein's support of terrorism, and freeing the Iraqi people. The Australian government warned of a "real and unacceptable threat to international peace and security" posed by weapons of mass destruction. However, it was later revealed that any such weapons held by Iraq had been destroyed years earlier. The conflict led to the deaths of over 200,000 Iraqi citizens, and its legality and justification have been questioned by many. The 2003 invasion sparked some of the largest protests in Australia since the Vietnam War, with hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets to protest against the war, The Examiner reported. Related Article: Migrants Dropped Off at New Jersey Train Stations in Texas' Effort To Thwart NYC's New Rules Missing Florida woman Sandra Lemire's family finally discovered her remains over the weekend, ending an agonizing wait of almost 12 long years. According to her family, Sandra Lemire's family discovered her body inside a minivan submerged in a retention pond off an interstate highway, as per CBS News. Missing Florida Woman's Remains Found in Pond Sunshine State Sonar, a volunteer-based search and recovery team that specializes in sonar and underwater technology, helped with the discovery. Tim Lemire, Jr., Sandra's son, expressed gratitude to the team, saying that he was still processing the life-changing news. Sandra Lemire, a mother-of-three, was 47 when she went missing in May 2012 after going on a date with a man she had met online. Despite the investigators ruling out the man as a suspect, the case eventually went cold. Last Sunday, divers from Sunshine State Sonar discovered the missing woman's red minivan, located in a retention pond at the Walt Disney World exit on Interstate 4. They found her remains and some of her personal belongings in the back of the vehicle. Tim Lemire, Jr., was a teenager when his mother vanished, and the boy's father, Sandra's ex-husband Timothy Lemire, shared how his son endured immense hardship throughout this tragedy. Speaking to WSVN News, Lemire said that the boy went through hell over this. On May 8, 2012, Sandra left her grandmother's home near John Young Parkway in Orlando, Florida, driving her red minivan. Mike Sullivan, one of the divers who helped find Sandra's remains, said that for the past year and a half, he and his team had been actively searching for the missing mother. He admitted that he was the least optimistic about this case compared to the other cases he was pursuing. Two weeks ago, Sullivan received new information from detectives at the Orlando Police Department about the location of Sandra's last known cell phone activity before losing contact. Drawing up a map that covered new search areas, the team finally zeroed in on a retention pond along State Road 417 and Interstate 4 near Disney's World Drive. It was there that Sullivan spotted the missing woman's red minivan with the Florida license plate number J36-8ZE. Recalling the moment of discovery, Sullivan said he was hyperventilating, feeling stressed out as he donned his dive gear, including a wetsuit, and plunged into the pond. Once he verified the discovery, Sullivan made a video call to Sandra's son, Tim, to share the news of the breakthrough in his mother's cold case, according to Daily Mail. Read Also: 'Cyber-Kidnapping:' Missing Utah Foreign Exchange Student Found Safe in Tent in Mountains Sandra Lemire's Tragic Accident Under Investigation Authorities are currently investigating the cause and manner of Sandra's death, which they believe resulted from a car accident. The Florida Highway Patrol is currently investigating her death. The Orlando Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol, Orange County Sheriff's Office, and Osceola County Sheriff's Office assisted Sullivan's team in retrieving the vehicle from the murky waters. Sullivan's team shared a statement on social media, highlighting their discovery of the submerged minivan and expressing their belief that they had finally found Sandra Lemire. Tim Lemire, Jr., shared the news of his mother's discovery on social media just hours before New Year's Eve arrived. He posted pictures and shared that Sandra had been submerged for 12 long years. He wrote that they found her bones in the back of the van and added that his mother would be coming home soon. Tim thanked Mike at Sunshine State Sonar for his tireless dedication to bringing closure to his family and recognizing him as the driving force behind this breakthrough. Tim plans on donating to Mike's page, stating that Mike is a true hero and an angel. Meanwhile, the divers from Sunshine State Sonar believed that they had discovered the remains of Sandra Lemire while diving in a small retention pond near the Disney World exit on Interstate 4 in Kissimmee, Florida. She had disappeared in May 2012, and the group had been searching for her in 63 bodies of water over the past year and a half. In a statement on social media, they said that a tip from an Orlando Police Department detective about the location of a cellphone tower that last received a call from Lemire's phone helped them narrow the search to the retention pond. Their team confirmed the discovery of a minivan submerged in 14 feet of water, and promptly suited up and dove on the vehicle to confirm the license plate, Independent reported. Related Article: California Boy Faces Murder Charge After Fatally Shooting Fellow 10-Year-Old Former United States President Donald Trump is calling on the country's Supreme Court to review Colorado's ruling that bars him from the state's 2024 ballot for his role in the Capitol Hill insurrection. The development sets up a high-stakes showdown over whether or not a Constitutional provision that prohibits individuals who "engaged in insurrection" will end Trump's political ambition. Donald Trump Calls on Supreme Court The Republican businessman appealed a 4-3 ruling in December that was made by Colorado's Supreme Court. It marked the first time in history that the 14th Amendment's Section 3 was used to bar a former president from being a candidate on the ballot. The state court found that Trump's role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol Hill siege disqualified him under that particular clause. The provision has been used so rarely in the history of the United States that the Supreme Court has never once ruled on it. The latest announcement comes a day after Trump's legal team filed an appeal against another ruling, which was made by Maine's Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. The latter made a similar decision to Colorado that says the former president is ineligible to appear on the state ballot, as per the Associated Press. The two rulings on Trump's eligibility are on hold until the appeals against them play out. The former president's critics have already filed dozens of lawsuits seeking his disqualification in several other states. In Colorado, he lost by 13 percentage points in 2020 and does not need to win the state to gain either the Republican presidential nomination or the presidency. However, the state's ruling has the potential to prompt courts or secretaries in other regions to remove him from their ballots, which could be significant especially if they are must-win states. Read Also: Donald Trump Appeals Maine's Decision To Remove His Name From 2024 Ballot Over Alleged Insurrection Removing Trump's Name From State Ballots None of the lawsuits against the Republican businessman succeeded until the slim majority of the Colorado Supreme Court ruled against him last month. Critics have warned that the decision was an overreach and that the court could not simply declare that the Jan. 6 attack was an "insurrection" without a judicial process. In their Wednesday filing, Trump's lawyers said that in the system of "government of the people, by the people, [and] for the people," Colorado's ruling is not and cannot be correct. They added that the state's decision, if it remains, will be the first time in history that the judiciary prevents voters from casting ballots for the leading major-party presidential candidate, according to The Guardian. They then laid out several reasons why the Supreme Court should restore Trump's name on the ballot. They argued that only Congress has the authority to evaluate a dispute over the eligibility of a presidential candidate. While Trump is calling on the Supreme Court to back him on the matter, he has historically been ruled against by the high court on various matters. These include when he tried to prevent prosecutors from obtaining his financial records and when he tried to stop a congressional committee from accessing White House documents from his administration, said NBC News. Related Article: Nikki Haley continues to make progress in her race to the White House Selena Gomez, the accomplished actress and music artist, has revealed her intention to step back from the music scene after her upcoming album. During an interview on the podcast SmartLess, hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, Selena Gomez shared her desire to focus more on acting and possibly retire from music, as per E! News. Selena Gomez Considers Music Exit For Acting Pursuits Gomez shared her thoughts on her career trajectory, mentioning that she still has one more album left. This unexpected revelation shocked her millions of fans, sparking a flurry of discussions on social media about the possibility of her retirement. Gomez focused on her long-standing ambition to become a "serious actress," a dream she had nurtured since childhood. As she grows older, she has expressed a strong inclination towards seeking stability in her professional life. In her 2022 docuseries, "Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me," Gomez openly addressed the impact that juggling her acting and music careers had on her mental health. "I'm going to want to chill because I'm tired," Gomez asserted during the podcast, highlighting the exhaustion of managing multiple roles. The artist ventured into music in the late 2000s when Disney encouraged her to create an album during her stint on the Disney Channel sitcom "Wizards of Waverly Place." Initially considering music a hobby, Gomez eventually immersed herself in a successful singing career, according to Daily News. Read Also: UK Struggles With Surge of Flu Cases as Medical Professionals Go On Strike Music Sensation and Emmy-Nominated Producer Selena Gomez has been making waves in the music industry since 2013, releasing three studio albums. Her talent has been recognized with two Grammy nominations, including a nod for Best Latin Pop Album in 2022 for her Spanish-language EP, "Revelacion." In addition, she was nominated for two Emmy Awards for her role as an executive producer on the Hulu series "Only Murders in the Building." Despite her flourishing music career, Gomez has also made a mark in acting with notable roles in movies such as "Spring Breakers" and "A Rainy Day in New York." Her current starring role in the Hulu series has garnered her first Emmy nomination. In the SmartLess podcast, Gomez shared her thoughts on shifting her focus from music to acting and the factors she considered. The hosts emphasized that she doesn't have to decide between the two options and can continue to pursue both endeavors. Gomez acknowledged this but mentioned that they would like to relax due to exhaustion. Fans were surprised by the revelation, particularly given Gomez's recent statement online that she is working on her next album, set to be released early in 2024. Throughout her music career, Gomez has experienced incredible success, with multiple albums and singles reaching the top of the charts on the Billboard 200 and Hot 100, respectively, Forbes reported. Related Article: British Mom, Son Die in Off-Piste Avalanche in French Alps; Police Launch Criminal Investigation Massachusetts Democratic federal lawmakers, encompassing Reps. Ayanna Pressley, James P. McGovern, Seth Moulton, Lori Trahan, and Stephen F. Lynch, together with Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey, have jointly urged President Biden to expeditiously eliminate Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism (SSOT) list. The appeal comes through a formal letter addressed to the President, emphasizing the alleged meritless designation imposed by the Trump Administration in its final days in January 2021, as per Fox News. Massachusetts Lawmakers Urge Cuba Off Terror List In their communication, the lawmakers pointed out that President Biden, during his tenure as Vice President under President Obama, had previously deemed the SSOT designation for Cuba as unwarranted. The letter contends that the Trump Administration's decision was both vindictive and long overdue for reassessment. The lawmakers highlighted the existence of a bilateral cooperation agreement on counterterrorism between Cuba and the United States. The Democrats further reminded President Biden of his campaign promises to review and potentially overturn some of the sanctions imposed by the Trump administration on Cuba. They underscored their support for the President's commitment to re-engage with Cuba, aligning with the policies initiated during the Obama-Biden administration. The addition of Cuba to the SSOT list has significant consequences, as it hampers the country's ability to engage in international financial markets and limits its potential for global trade. Lawmakers have raised concerns about the impact of these restrictions on Cuban society, leading to a significant number of people migrating to the United States due to economic hardships. They highlighted the impact of Cuba's ongoing presence on the SSOT list, which has worsened economic, health, and political instability, according to The Hill. Read Also: Israel Supreme Court Strikes Down Netanyahu's Key Judicial Overhaul, Reigniting Divisions Amid War Democrats Urge Lift on Cuba's Economic Limits When discussing the economic crisis in Cuba, the Democrats recognized various factors but emphasized the impact of restrictions and penalties resulting from the SSOT designation. The lawmakers argued that these restrictions are not in line with U.S. interests and called for their removal to help ease the economic burdens faced by the Cuban people. The letter also raised concerns about the rationale for Cuba's inclusion on the SSOT list, specifically questioning the Trump Administration's allegations of Cuban support for terrorists in Colombia. The lawmakers emphasized the appeals made by Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to remove Cuba from the list, indicating a wider international sentiment opposing the designation. The letter emphasized President Biden's ongoing dedication to reevaluating Cuba policy, including that although there have been some changes since 2018, a considerable number of sanctions, including the SSOT designation, are still in place. The Democrats called on the President to speed up the review process and make bold moves to deliver on campaign pledges concerning Cuba. As the Biden administration faces the complex decision of either perpetuating Cuba's economic stagnation or potentially engaging with its communist regime, the political implications of this call from Massachusetts Democrats add another layer to the ongoing debate surrounding US-Cuba relations, Mass Live reported. Related Article: Donald Trump Appeals Maine's Decision To Remove His Name From 2024 Ballot Over Alleged Insurrection Authorities in various states evacuated capitol buildings after mass bomb threats that were sent via emails to several secretaries of state and state offices. Officials temporarily shut down the buildings in fear of the occupants' safety. A spokesperson for the Kentucky Secretary of State's office, Michon Lindstrom said that the mass email was sent to various recipients across the United States. Mass Bomb Threat on State Capitols A copy of a threat that was emailed to one of the recipients showed government officers in at least 23 states were listed as the end addresses. The sender also claimed to have placed explosives inside "your state Capitol." However, there was no specific state that was mentioned in the message. It also remained unclear whether or not other email threats were sent. The incident affected Capitol proceedings in various states, including Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, and Mississippi. There were no states that reported finding any threatening items inside the buildings that were evacuated and searched, as per CNN. In a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said that while everyone was safe, the Kentucky State Police had asked everyone to evacuate the state Capitol. They then worked on investigating a threat that was received by the Secretary of State's office. A spokesperson for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety said that it has successfully cleared the Mississippi State Capitol. They added that officials thoroughly searched the building and found no explosives or suspicious equipment. Mississippi Sen. Brice Wiggins said on social media that the perpetrators of the bomb threats were sick individuals who needed to be prosecuted. The chief operating officer for the Georgia Secretary of State, Gabriel Sterling said that they were starting 2024 with a bomb threat at the Georgia State Capitol. The situation comes after a series of swatting calls against lawmakers where individuals report false crimes to have law enforcement personnel raid specific addresses and cause a commotion, according to Axios. Read Also: Two Republican Operatives Preparing To Admit Hiding Foreign Lobbying Attempts With Qatar Ordering the Evacuation of the Buildings In the past few years, threats against public officials at various levels of government, including lawmakers and federal judges, have been on the rise. Lindstrom said that the Capitol building in Kentucky was reopened several hours after it was evacuated. Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams was sworn in on Tuesday and in a social media post on X on Wednesday, he expressed his gratitude to first responders for their swift response to the bomb threat. In Minnesota, the evacuation of the Capitol building was ordered as the Supreme Court's justices were in the middle of hearing oral arguments. They were forced to move their hearing to a courtroom across the street. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said that it was already aware of "hoax" bomb threats in state capitols across the United States. The agency urged the public to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. The agency released a statement saying that it takes hoax threats very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk. The FBI added that while it has no information to indicate a specific and credible threat, it was still cooperating with local, state, and federal partners to gather and share information, said the Washington Post. Related Article: Authorities Investigate Fatal Shooting of Islam Imam Hassan Shariff Outside Mosque Taiwan's Defense Ministry reported seeing four Chinese spy balloons flying over the island's territory, three of which were said to have passed near a key air force base. On Monday, the self-governing island said it spotted a single spy flight crossing over its territory and was followed by three more the following day. The incident comes a few days before a pivotal presidential election that will have ramifications on China-Taiwan relations. Chinese Spy Balloons Over Taiwan In a statement, Taiwanese Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Sun Li-fang said that the Chinese spy flight appears to be built to collect atmospheric data. However, whether or not it has other functions is currently unknown. The official added that the Taiwanese government is closely monitoring and controlling the situation and is taking appropriate measures. Authorities are also summarizing the suspected spy balloons' flight paths for judgment and analysis. The United States last year documented a similar spy flight by China that flew across its territory before it was shot down on the coast of South Carolina. A second spy balloon was found after it crashed into the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii, as per Fox News. There were three more Chinese surveillance crafts that were found to have flown over Texas, Florida, and Guam during the Trump administration. It remains unclear how long Beijing has been operating the espionage program that relies on dated spy flight technology along with modern surveillance techniques. The program has been primarily run out of China's Hainan Island province off its southeast coastline in the South China Sea by the People's Liberation Army (PLA). It has been said to operate over regional neighbors, including Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and India. The spy flights are believed to be used by the Chinese government to collect military intelligence from other nations that are of strategic interest to Beijing. They have also emerged in the United States in the past. Read Also: Xi Jinping, Joe Biden Extend Diplomatic Cheers; Chinese Leader Offers Peaceful Coexistence Between China, US Reunification of Beijing and Taipei The latest group of spy balloons over Taiwan comes as Beijing is upping its threat to use force in order to annex the self-governing island nation. Taiwan's next elections will be held on Jan. 13 and China has taken advantage of its military, diplomatic, and economic power to influence voters to back candidates that support the unification of China and Taiwan, according to ABC News. However, the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party is leading in the majority polls, which reaffirms the electorate's backing for the status of de-facto independence from mainland China. Beijing regularly deploys navy ships and warplanes to waters and airspace near Taiwan and its use of its spy balloons could be a new stage in its efforts to intimidate the island. The Taiwanese Defense Ministry added that the air base that the spy balloons passed close to was the Ching-Chuan-Kang air base. In the past few months, Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeated his rhetoric on Beijing's territorial claims on Taiwan. In his New Year's Day speech, he said that China's "reunification" with the island is inevitable and will come in the future, said Axios. Related Article: Chinese Pro-Democracy Tycoon Jimmy Lai Pleads Not Guilty of Sedition, Collusion A Virginia lobbyist and a New Jersey political consultant each have entered into Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs) to resolve allegations that they failed to comply with the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and committed related offenses, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge Kurt Ronnow, of the FBI Washington Field Office Counterintelligence Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney General for National Security Matthew G. Olsen. Barry P. Bennett, 60, of Alexandria, Va., owned and operated Avenue Strategies, LLC and Avenue Strategies Global, LLC (Avenue Strategies), a pair of consulting firms in Washington D.C. Through the DPA, Bennett consented to the filling of a two-count criminal information charging him with a scheme to falsify, conceal, and cover up material facts from the Department of Justice's FARA Unit and false statements and material omissions in FARA filings. The information will be dismissed with prejudice after Bennett complies with the DPA's terms, which include amending his FARA filings and payment of a $100,000 fine. READ ALSO: Dogan Perese Named Assistant Director of the FBI's IT Applications and Data Division Douglas Watts, 73, of Jersey City, N.J., is a former presidential campaign consultant who also founded and ran a lobbying and public relations company. Through the DPA Watts signed, he consented to the filing of a three-count criminal information charging him with acting as an agent of a foreign principal without registering under FARA and with making false statements to the FBI. The information will be dismissed with prejudice after Watts complies with the DPA's terms, which include a payment of a $25,000 fine. In 2017, Bennett signed a contract for Avenue Strategies to perform lobbying services for the embassy of Country A. As part of his lobbying strategy on behalf of Country A and for and in the interest of Country A, Bennett covertly operated Company A, a Limited Liability Company (LLC) founded by Watts at Bennett's direction. As directed by Bennett and managed by Watts, Company A ran a public relations campaign designed to cast one of Country A's rivals, Country B, in a negative light for its conduct, and thereby to improve Country A's standing with the U.S. government relative to this rival. Country A paid Bennett's Avenue Strategies $2.1 million between September 2017 and December 2017 for lobbying services, and approximately 27% of those funds (i.e., approximately $773,000) financed the operations of Company A. In return, Company A conducted a social media campaign, published opinion articles in major newspapers, produced a documentary that was distributed through a national television network, sent direct mailings to American citizens, and lobbied Congress and former President Trump. Company A took credit for directing 3,000 phone calls to members of the U.S. House of Representatives encouraging them to discontinue U.S. involvement in a coalition of Country A's rivals. The House eventually voted overwhelmingly to "deauthorize" U.S. involvement with the coalition. Neither Watts nor Company A was registered under FARA. FARA was enacted in 1938 to counter propaganda and promote transparency and disclosure. The Department of Justice recently described the purpose of the law to Congress as means of ensuring "that the American public and our lawmakers know the source of information that is provided at the behest of a foreign principal, where that information may be intended to influence US public opinion, policy, and laws." Bennett's consulting company, Avenue Strategies, failed to disclose in its FARA filings its creation of Company A. In addition, Avenue Strategies failed to disclose Bennett's and Avenue Strategies' affiliation with Company A, Avenue Strategies' disbursements to Company A, and Watt's work on behalf of Company A and Country A. The omissions of information thwarted FARA's disclosure requirements. During two separate interviews in February 2020, Watts made false and materially misleading statements to the FBI about his knowledge of Company A's formation, its purpose and activities, and its connection to Country A. If the case had gone to trial, the government would have sought to prove that Bennett engaged in a scheme to falsify, conceal, and cover up material facts from the Department of Justice's FARA unit. The government also would have sought to prove that Bennett made false statements and material omissions in filings under FARA. In addition, the government would have sought to prove that Watts acted as an unregistered agent of a foreign principal and made false statements or representations to a department or agency of the United States. This case was investigated by the FBI's Washington Field Office and is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jolie F. Zimmerman and Deputy Chief Evan Turgeon of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason McCullough significantly contributed to the investigation of this case. READ MORE: Statement from President Joe Biden on the Earthquake in Japan Four children, aged 5, 6, 8, and 12, lost their lives in a house fire on Tuesday night, marking a devastating tragedy that struck Connecticut. The Somers Fire Department received a distress call around 10:20 pm and rushed to the scene on Quality Avenue in Somers, located approximately 25 miles from Hartford. By the time firefighters arrived, the residence was fully engulfed in flames, as per to USA Today. Tragic Fire Claims Young Lives Despite their valiant efforts, the firefighters were unable to save the young victims. Chief John Roache of the Somers Fire Department confirmed that two children were rescued through a second-floor window but could not be revived. The names of the young victims, who were all from the same family, have been unveiled. Their cousin, Jessica Kone, created a GoFundMe page to raise funds for their funerals. In a heartfelt message, Kone expressed the unimaginable loss suffered by her cousins, named Lucas, Benjamin, Archer, and Genevieve, ages 5 to 12. She also conveyed the family's gratitude for the support they have already received from neighbors, first responders, and the surrounding communities. Apart from the devastating loss of life, the fire also left the entire family displaced, as their home and all their possessions were destroyed. The local community has rallied together to provide support in this time of need. Some residents were transported to Johnson Hospital with varying degrees of injuries. First Selectman Tim Keeney described the incident as a tremendous loss for the town, unlike anything seen in recent memory. The Somers Public Schools community released a statement acknowledging the tragic event and assured that counseling resources would be available to students in order to provide support during this difficult time, according to Daily Mail. Read Also: Israel Expects Hezbollah Response After Killing Senior Hamas Leader in Beirut Fire Causes Losses, Community Rallies for Support Authorities are actively investigating the cause of the fire. The State Fire Marshal, along with the Eastern District Major Crime Squad, are leading the investigation into the deaths. Chief Roache confirmed that no firefighters were injured during the rescue operation. In addition to the house where the fire originated, significant damage was caused to a neighboring residence, displacing the Tomalonis family. Bonnie and Ryan Tomalonis, along with their three children Hunter, Addelynn, and Owen, were unharmed but lost everything they owned. A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist them in rebuilding their lives. The Red Cross has also stepped in to assist five individuals, including two adults and three children, who were displaced by the fire. Colleen Karoliszyn, a family member, acknowledged the daunting journey ahead for these survivors as they find themselves homeless and having to start anew from scratch, especially after the holiday season. As investigations into this tragic fire continue, the community of Somers remains united, providing support and condolences to all those affected. The loss of four young lives has deeply impacted the hearts of the town's residents, who will come together to heal and support each other through this challenging time. The house on Quality Avenue, which was home to four individuals in one apartment and seven in the other, was entirely destroyed by the fire. Fire investigators are continuing their examination of the property in an attempt to determine the cause of this devastating incident, Fox News reported Related Article: Missing Florida Woman Found Dead in Pond Near Disney World After Vanishing 12 Years Ago Families who have lost loved ones to suicide have long awaited a suicide prevention barrier at the Golden Gate Bridge. As of January 1, 2024, the iconic San Francisco structure now has a continuous physical suicide barrier installed to the full length of the 1.7-mile bridge. This development marks the culmination of a tireless campaign advocated by families affected by suicide. According to BBC, around 2,000 people are known to have jumped to their deaths from the bridge since it opened in 1937. "The purpose of the net is to reduce the number of deaths associated with individuals jumping off the Bridge." The Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District went on to say in a statement. The organization went on to reveal that "the net is a proven design that deters people from jumping, serves as a symbol of care and hope to despondent individuals, and, if necessary, offers people a second chance." However, this was not an easy process. Despite the suicide prevention net being approved in 2014, construction did not start until four years later. There had been pushback from those who claimed it affected the view or was too high in cost. Kevin Hines miraculously survived his suicide attempt in September 2000. The AP reported Hines is one of about 40 people who survived after jumping off the bridge. He had been battling with bipolar disorder, 19 at the time, when he released his hands from the rail and plunged the equivalent of 25 stories into the Pacific Ocean, breaking his back. Hines later said he regretted jumping off the bridge the moment his hands released the rail. "Had the net been there, I would have been stopped by the police and gotten the help I needed immediately and never broken my back, never shattered three vertebrae, and never been on this path I was on," Hines, now a suicide-prevention advocate, told the Associated Press. "I'm so grateful that a small group of like-minded people never gave up on something so important." The group had originally advocated for raising the height of the bridge's railing but the proposal was swiftly shut down because it would have blocked the sweeping views of the bay. They later advocated for a suicide net based on the success of similar installations in places like Bern, Switzerland. The Guardian reported Heather Quisenberry, who lost her son to suicide at the bridge, described the completion as bittersweet. "On the one hand, I'm grateful that the net that we fought for, for so long will be complete and that it will stop future suicides from happening on that bridge," she said. "But on the other hand, if some suicide deterrent had been installed sooner, my son and others may have not had to die." The barriers are already working as hoped, said Paolo Cosulich-Schwartz, the public affairs director for the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District [the entity that oversees the structure.] As the project neared completion in 2023, the number of people who jumped fell by more than half. A commemoration ceremony to mark the completion of the net is expected to take place in April. Authorities have charged the parents of a 4-year-old girl with her death. Police said the girl had overdosed on what appeared to be "rainbow fentanyl" pills in Washington state last week. A nationwide manhunt is underway after a $500,000 warrant was issued for Joseph E. C. Walker, 30, of Kennewick. Benton County Superior Court is charging the father with first-degree manslaughter and with violating a protection order. As of Thursday, Walker remains at large, and online records show he has not yet been booked into the jail. The girl's mother, Judy, Bribiescas, 39, is being held on $200,000 bail on a charge of first-degree manslaughter. USA TODAY obtained a press release from the Kennewick Police Department revealing that officers responded to an Econo Lodge just after 9:30 p.m. for a report of a child who had stopped breathing. Walker allegedly lived, according to the Daily Chronicle, at the Econo Lodge on the 300 block of Ely Street with Bribiescas. However, a no-contact order had been issued in July 2022 to keep him away from her. Security footage from the motel caught Walker, Bribiescas and the children walk into the motel room at 8:39 p.m. on Dec. 27. according to court documents acquired by the Daily Chronicle. Their 8-year-old son told investigators the couple were in the bathroom for a long period. Police believe they were doing drugs and that's when 4-year-old Ryleigh swallowed at least two fentanyl pills and one pink pill, commonly known as "Skittles" fentanyl, was later found stuck in her nose. Emergency medical technicians performed first aid and transported the child to a local hospital 4 miles away, Trios Southridge Hospital, where the child later died. Bribiescas originally told police she found the girl unresponsive and called 911. What Did Walker Do? Security video shows Walker open the motel room door with his daughter in his arms. Before he walks out, he hands the girl to Bribiescas and then runs to a nearby vehicle. Police allegedly found more fentanyl pills after searching the motel. Walker has a history of violating protection orders. He was sentenced to over a year in prison in July as part of a drug offender sentencing alternative. This is his fourth conviction for violating the protection order since July 28. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid similar to but 100 times more potent than morphine and heroin. Its misuse and abuse can be extremely dangerous and potentially fatal. The case remains under investigation. Chevy Chase, Maryland Leading hotel management company PM Hotel Group has been selected to assume management of Southbank Hotel Jacksonville Riverwalk, located in the heart of Jacksonvilles vibrant downtown riverfront district. The hotel is currently under a full renovation and will change flags when the renovation is complete. The strategic expansion and hotel repositioning demonstrates PM Hotel Group's dedication to excellence and its established history of optimizing hotel performance. We are excited to welcome the Southbank Hotel Jacksonville Riverwalk to our dynamic portfolio, further expanding our presence within the State of Florida, said Ethan Kramer, Chief Investment + Development Officer, PM Hotel Group. A key advantage for hotel owners is PM Hotel Groups decades of experience and success with large full-service hotels that also encompass extensive meeting space. The propertys ideal location in the heart of downtown Jacksonville combined with PM Hotel Groups ability to develop and reposition hotels, will exceed Ownerships expectations. The 322-room hotel provides convenient access to Jacksonville Riverwalk, with direct water taxi service to downtown Jacksonville and EverBank Stadium, the Jacksonville Jaguars' home and an exciting events venue. Additional amenities include an outdoor pool, fitness center, 39,000 sq. ft. of meetings and events space and two dining outlets: Southbank Johnnies and Pier 1515. PM Hotel Group's approach to hotel management is distinguished by long-standing relationships and a commitment to delivering positive returns to partners. As a trusted partner for hotel owners seeking to develop or enhance the value of their assets, PM Hotel Group provides a competitive advantage. With a growing portfolio of hotels in the southeastern U.S. and Florida, PM Hotel Group is poised to reinforce its presence and commitment to excellence in this dynamic market. The addition of Southbank Hotel Jacksonville Riverwalk highlights the company's dedication to offering unparalleled hospitality experiences in the region. For more information, visit pmhotelgroup.com, or follow PM Hotel Group on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. About PM Hotel Group A Top-15 hotel management company, PM Hotel Group has over two decades of experience building relationships with brands, partners, and third-party hotel owners. We have participated in the development and acquisition of more than $3 billion in premium-branded and independent hotel properties across the United States. As an operator, PM Hotel Group is committed to its core values of respect- for one another, our guests, and the planet. We manage with a dedication to sustainability, a tradition of teamwork, and a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship. At PM Hotel Group we know that our people are our greatest resource. By focusing on our associates and the communities in which we work, we deliver strong performance for our owners. Learn more at pmhotelgroup.com. Accor Greater China is pleased to share its latest initiative in creating more environmentally sustainable hotel experiences, by giving travelers the option to reduce their carbon impact while staying at Accor hotels in Greater China. Accor and Trip.com have introduced a new feature in the Trip.com booking app that allows travelers to make an eco-friendly choice while booking their stays at Accor hotels across Greater China. The new app option was inspired by the educational whitepaper that Accor, Trip.com, and McKinsey & Company released in 2023. One of the key findings was that Chinese travelers are open to traveling more sustainably if they have the support and tools to do so. Accor is proud to lead the way in sustainable hospitality with another step forward that will create awareness, engage travelers in making healthier choices, and have a lasting impact on how people travel throughout Greater China, said Gary Rosen, CEO, Accor Greater China. Reducing carbon emissions as well as achieving transformational and sustainable change cannot be accomplished by one company alone. It takes a concerted effort of bringing many industry players together to achieve and a greater outcome of reducing carbon emissions in China and around the world. Travelers using the Trip.com app to book a stay at an Accor hotel in Greater China simply select the option to reduce carbon impact during their stay, while on the booking page. Once the reservation has been confirmed, the hotel will be notified of the reduced carbon stay and will arrange the guestroom amenities and services accordingly, such as making temperature adjustments, monitoring light usage when the guests are out, not replacing towels and bed sheets on a daily basis, as well as other actions. Guests will receive confirmation of their reduced carbon pledge and the actions that the hotel will take on their behalf. The educational whitepaper released in March 2023, The path toward eco-friendly travel in China, proposed a set of collaborative measures across the industry value chain, from guests to global hospitality and travel service providers, in order to move Chinas tourism sector toward a more sustainable future. Data from McKinsey found that Chinese travelers are engaged about their environmental impact and are starting to seek out sustainable alternatives, but the report found they may need more help understanding where to look. In response to this, the report provided guidance on the actions that travelers can take to travel sustainably and to empower their own consumer decisions, such as booking sustainable travel options with certified service providers, spending more time in one destination, and cultivating sustainable habits such as changing towels or bed linen less frequently and avoiding the use of single-use plastics. Throughout its network of hotels across Greater China, Accor is actively engaged in numerous efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Accor was the first international hotel group to stop actively providing "six bathroom amenities" in hotel guestrooms across the Greater China region. Accor hotels are currently implementing an industry-first biodegradable and environmentally friendly solution that replaces disposable plastic bottles of toiletries in hotels, while continuing to identify and action more opportunities for plastic elimination throughout the guest experience. Accor is also the first international hospitality company in China to commit to third-party, professional eco-certification of its entire portfolio of hotels with China Hospitality Associations Green Hotel Certification, in line with national standards. The reduction of food waste is also a key area of priority for the regions hotels, along with initiatives to shift thinking and encourage greater environmental sensitivity in the mindsets of guests and employees. Accor Greater China and Trip.com look forward to more advancements in the coming year, including an upgraded selection criteria for reduced carbon hotel stays. Based on the Paris Agreement's ten-year temperature control plan, this new program of Trip.com will calculate the carbon emissions of a single hotel room stay per day. This allows Trip.com to offer travelers a wider and more precise range of low carbon hotels, throughout Accors network and beyond. The group already manages four distinctive properties in the country, including Amari Johor Bahru, the lively OZO Georgetown Penang, and the recently inaugurated Amari SPICE Penang and Amari Kuala Lumpur. With a variety of facilities and locations throughout the diverse and hospitable country of Malaysia, ONYX Hospitality Group is well-prepared to cater to the needs of all travellers, whether guests are checking-in for business, MICE, leisure, or the increasingly popular bleisure stays. As a testament to the Groups commitment to strategic growth, ONYX Hospitality Group, a prominent management company in Southeast Asia specialising in hotels & resorts, serviced apartments and luxury residences now welcomes three new properties: OZO Medini, Shama Medini and Shama Suasana Johor Bahru. This expansion will result in a total of seven properties in Malaysia by the end of 2024, making Malaysia the first country, outside of Thailand, to host all three ONYX brands: Amari, OZO and Shama. Shama, a distinctive brand under the ONYX Hospitality Group umbrella, redefines the concept of serviced apartments, offering a harmonious blend of contemporary design, spacious living, and personalised services for an elevated and memorable stay experience. The new hotels in Malaysia form part of the Groups strategy to drive significant expansion in the hotel, resort, and serviced apartment business in Southeast Asia. The company is on track to operate over 50 properties by 2025, up from 44 at present, and an even more ambitious target of 70 by 2028. In a world where customer expectations are constantly rising, and social media can amplify experiences, service recovery has become an essential art for any company aiming to maintain customer loyalty. Mistakes are now magnified (and even go viral), consumers have hundreds of alternative options, and errors come at a higher cost. But there's good news! Just as your minor missteps resonate, so does the praise when a company acknowledges its faults, apologizes, and provides a genuine, human, and tangible solution. A recent Retail Customer Dissatisfaction Study showed that 95% of dissatisfied customers return if their problem is effectively resolved. This underscores the importance of not only addressing errors but also turning discontent into happiness. This article will delve into the magic of service recovery through seven inspiring key actions that have served companies well in transforming challenging moments into opportunities to strengthen their customer relationships. 1. The magic of Amazon: Less talk, more action Amazon is renowned for its exceptional customer service. If a customer receives a damaged or incorrect product, Amazon promptly replaces it or issues a refund without asking questions. This hassle-free return policy has fostered strong trust between customers and the company. Such policies allow companies to stay ahead of problems. In other words, if you make a mistake, there is already a clear strategy in place to assist the customer and rectify the situation. This leads to benefits beyond service recovery: 68% of customers are more likely to remain loyal to a brand that offers uncomplicated return or damage repair policies. 2. Words are wind: Ensure your apology resonates Actions speak louder than words. Customers want you to apologize, but from an active standpoint, with concrete actions and results. Starbucks, for example, demonstrated this in 2018 when it faced a serious incident of racial discrimination at one of its stores. A simple "We're sorry, we do not condone discrimination" was insufficient. The company responded by temporarily closing all its stores in the United States to conduct racial bias training for its employees. This focus on education and accountability displayed a serious commitment to addressing issues and building a more inclusive culture. 3. Stay one step ahead: Bring your mistake to light If you know you've made a mistake, why not acknowledge it before customers find out? It's a brave and challenging decision, but a strategic one: it will facilitate damage control (and service recovery) in the future. Such cases are frequently found in the automotive industry, with Audi being an illustrative example. The German automaker faced a safety issue in one of its models. Instead of concealing the problem, the company issued a voluntary vehicle recall and committed to resolving the issue free of charge for owners. 4. The best service recovery prevents future mistakes Don't assume you've succeeded by addressing a customer's problem and making them happy. You need to learn from the error and establish a robust framework to prevent it from happening or at least significantly limit the likelihood. This is what the UK supermarket chain Tesco did. When customers reported issues with the quality of certain products, Tesco not only refunded the money for unsatisfactory products but also reviewed and improved its quality processes. Service recovery and error correction are estimated to represent up to 10% of spending for some industries, such as e-commerce. The best approach is to take preventative measures. 5. Don't hide it: Use mistakes to humanize the brand Some things cannot be hidden; everyone notices, and it's an obvious mistake. If you are criticized for an error, why not analyze what you're doing wrong at the business level instead of taking offense? A proud company dominated by ego cannot engage in service recovery because it believes its service is the best despite criticisms. In 2009, Domino's faced criticism for the quality of its pizzas. Instead of ignoring the critiques, they launched an advertising campaign called "Pizza Turnaround". They openly acknowledged that their pizzas were not up to standard and committed to improvement. They changed their recipes, showcased employees discussing the changes, and solicited feedback from customers. This open and courageous strategy helped change the brand's perception. It's incredible how a good narrative and demonstrating genuine change can turn an error into an opportunity to humanize the brand through service recovery. 6. Throwing a curveball: Turn discontent into happiness Is your customer dissatisfied, and have you created a problem that you can no longer solve? It's time to be creative, drastic, and, above all, very human. As in this story: In 2011, a couple traveling on a Virgin Atlantic flight from New York to London was on the verge of missing their scheduled wedding the following day due to a flight delay. The couple had planned their wedding for over a year and were desperate to arrive on time. The airline staff learned of the situation and decided to take extraordinary measures to help. During the flight, they organized a surprise mini wedding ceremony on the plane. They invited passengers to participate in the celebration, provided an emergency bridal gown and groom's suit, and created a festive atmosphere with music and champagne. The couple was able to get married on board the plane in an unexpected and exciting event. Its a service recovery case worthy of a Hollywood movie. 7. Put yourself in their shoes: Humanizing service recovery To conclude, we must add a piece of advice that may seem superficial to some but its actually the foundation of service recovery. You need to understand what the customer is feeling to act consistently and sensitively! It's something very human, as illustrated by this story from Zappos, an online shoe and clothing store, known for exceptional customer service. A notable example occurred when a customer called to return a pair of shoes they had purchased but never used due to the death of their mother. The customer service representative not only processed the return smoothly but also sent flowers to express condolences. Remember: Build a service recovery strategy with a human focus. This approach will make your brand shine and give more reach to your strategies and policies. For a deeper dive into the keys to delivering a great customer experience, long before a problem that requires service recovery arises, read the following post: The Service Excellence Guide: from Service Design to Service recovery If a hotel has a mandatory fee, they will have to let customers know upfront. Mark S. Adams, Hotel Dispute Lawyer, was a guest on the Hotel News Now podcast where he discussed the effects of mandatory fee disclosure litigation in Pennsylvania on the hotel industry. Consumer advocacy groups, law firms and federal and state governments have begun to push back on hidden resort fees, which are often not disclosed until customers near the end of the booking process. Resort fees are charged in addition to hotel room rates and can include things like amenity fees and destination charges. In Pennsylvania, the states attorney general reached settlement agreements with Omni Hotels & Resorts, Choice Hotels International and Marriott International over their fee disclosure practices. According to Adams, the main objective in these cases was to ensure full transparency. If a hotel has a mandatory fee, they will have to let customers know upfront. I see the impact as being multifaceted, explained Adams. One, its good for the consumers because you know what youre buying. Two, I think its actually good for the industry. He went on to explain that because some of the biggest hotel brands have become compliant with full disclosure, the smaller brands will get on board. You will see people that voluntarily comply because they dont want to be a target, said Adams. He also mentioned the recent order signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom. This new law imposes a sweeping ban on pricing goods and services without including all mandatory fees or charges. Adams discusses this law and its effects in detail in his recent article, The Final Check-Out: Bidding Farewell to Undisclosed Mandatory Resort Fees, published by the Hotel Business Review. He pointed out the Hotel Advertising Transparency Act of 2022 and the Hotel Fees Transparency Act which are pending in Congress. These bills would prohibit hotels from advertising room rates without including additional mandatory fees and establish federal guidelines for advertising. Adams believes these bills will make their way to President Bidens desk and that he will sign them when they do. I think we are going to see the end of undisclosed mandatory fees, said Adams. While he is not against resort fees, he believes upfront disclosure will allow consumers to make an informed choice when making a booking. You can listen to the full podcast episode here. Mark Adams is an experienced trial lawyer and a member of JMBMs Global Hospitality Group and Chinese Investment Group. He focuses his practice on business litigation including contracts, corporate and partnership disputes, and hospitality disputes and litigation. On behalf of hotel and resort owners, Mark has successfully litigated the termination of long-term, no-cut, hotel management agreements, franchise agreements, fiduciary duty issues, investor-owner disputes, TOT assessments, and more. He has wide-ranging trial experience in a variety of commercial disputes, including complex multi-party litigation and class actions. He has tried numerous cases in state courts, federal courts, and in domestic and international arbitrations, and is a frequent author and speaker on trial practice. Marks trial wins have been covered by Forbes, Reuters, and other publications. He has obtained two of Californias annual 50 largest jury verdicts in the same year. Mark has taken or defended nearly 1,000 depositions throughout North America, Europe and the Middle East. He has been quoted as an expert on noncompete agreements in the Wall Street Journal. For more information, contact Mark at 949.623.7230 or markadams@jmbm.com. This is Jim Butler, author of www.HotelLawBlog.com and hotel lawyer, signing off. Please contact us if you would like to discuss any issues or development that affect your hotel interests. We would like to see if our experience might help you create value or avoid unnecessary pitfalls. Whos your hotel lawyer? Rendering of the Grand Mercure Jaipur Kukas Hotel Accor has partnered with Shree Kamalam Elite Resorts Pvt. Ltd. to launch Grand Mercure Jaipur Kukas, the 8th Grand Mercure property in India. Set to open in 2028, this upscale property will tailor an unparalleled guest experience in India's foremost tourist belt. The six-storey hotel will be spread across 16,522 sqm and will feature 160 beautifully-appointed rooms, alongside offering three distinct Food and beverage outlets, including a restaurant, a bar, and a specialty restaurant. For Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE), Grand Mercure Jaipur Kukas will offer a space of approximately 2000 sqm comprising a conference room and two banquet halls. Throughout their stay, guests can enjoy a range of wellness options, including a spa and salon, a gym and a swimming pool. Aniruddh Kumar, Vice President of Development, India & South Asia at Accor, expressed his delight at the signing, stating, "We are pleased to add Grand Mercure Jaipur Kukas to our growing portfolio in India. With its contemporary style and culturally immersive vibe, the hotel is a perfect fit for this enchanting destination. We look forward to showcasing the authentic spirit of Rajasthan to our experience-seeking domestic and international visitors." Mr Madan Meena shareholder of Shree Kamalam Elite Resorts Pvt Ltd said "As the proud partners of Accor in launching Grand Mercure Jaipur Kukas, we are excited to contribute to Jaipur's hospitality landscape. This property will reflect royalty of bygone era of Jaipur and will embodies the essence of a Rajputana lifestyle with a global mind set." The Grand Mercure brand is tailored for contemporary travellers who seek premium comforts and cultural reconnections an unexpected approach to the familiar, respectful reinterpretations of age-old practices. Grand Mercure invites guests to experience the uniqueness of each culture and each hotel exemplifies that locale's way of life: the iconic dishes, the beverage ceremonies, the rituals to treasure and share. Accor currently operates 61 properties in India under the Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Pullman, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, and ibis brands. Travel Trends: Redefining value through experience in 2024 From trending & best-value destinations to the travel vibes for 2024, Skyscanner reveals next years top travel trends Whether its gig tripping or a visit to the land of nod, global travel site Skyscanner shares the latest trends shaping industry and traveller behaviour in its Travel Trends: Redefining value through experience in 2024 report. Blending proprietary flights and hotels data based on millions of searches with an annual consumer behaviour study* and expert commentary, today Skyscanner reveals its top 10 trending destinations, 10 best-value destinations as well as 2024s hottest travel vibes and types. The top trending destinations for UK travellers: Ranking Destination % search increase 1 Vigo, Spain +1235% 2 Leipzig, Germany +545% 3 Rimini, Italy +362% 4 Bydgoszcz, Poland +313% 5 Sapporo, Japan +276% 6 Osaka, Japan +231% 7 Nantes, France +229% 8 Chiang Mai, Thailand +221% 9 Billund, Denmark +219% 10 Tokyo, Japan +208% Value for money remains a key factor for UK travellers, with the cost of the hotel (25%) and flight (22%) being the biggest factors determining the destination. That being said, it is clear that consumers continue to value travel with over a quarter (27%) of UK travellers budgeting to spend more on travel in 2024 compared to 2023, while 41% will spend the same. In fact, Skyscanner data shows that how consumers apportion value to travel comes in different forms in 2024, with price no longer solely ruling decision making. Destinations offering the best bang for travellers buck in 2024: Ranking Destination % price drop 1 Faro, Portugal -24% 2 Algiers, Algeria -23% 3 Nice, France -19% 4 Dalaman, Turkiye -13% 5 Antalya, Turkiye -12% 6 Zurich, Switzerland -11% 7 Boston, US -10% 8 Los Angeles, US -10% 9 Frankfurt, Germany -9% 10 New York, US -9% 1 in 4 (27%) UK travellers now rate the overall vibe of a destination as an important factor when choosing where to go on holiday. This value on experience is powering several trends revealed in Skyscanners 2024 travel vibes: Gig tripping One third of UK travellers would fly short haul to see their favourite artist live if it helped save money. So, for those looking to experience more grassroots talent, Skyscanner has partnered with live events ticketing app DICE to reveal the cities with the most gigs in 2024 for under 20 (and Leeds in the UK takes the crown!) One third of UK travellers would fly short haul to see their favourite artist live if it helped save money. So, for those looking to experience more grassroots talent, Skyscanner has partnered with live events ticketing app DICE to reveal the cities with the most gigs in 2024 for under 20 (and Leeds in the UK takes the crown!) Main character energy Film and TV is the second most popular source of travel inspo for UK travellers, only beaten by word-of-mouth recommendations. Skyscanner sees this reflected whenever a binge-worthy series hits the screens, and as a result Netflix has shared some of their global content inspiring main character energy wanderlust (spoiler with Emily in Paris imminent return were likely to see searches to the French capital spike again) Film and TV is the second most popular source of travel inspo for UK travellers, only beaten by word-of-mouth recommendations. Skyscanner sees this reflected whenever a binge-worthy series hits the screens, and as a result Netflix has shared some of their global content inspiring main character energy wanderlust (spoiler with Emily in Paris imminent return were likely to see searches to the French capital spike again) Budget bougie foodies Osaka, aptly named the kitchen of Japan tops Skyscanners list for foodies on a budget in 2024. Its also one of the top trending destinations overall as travellers globally combine cost consciousness with a desire to unlock world-class restaurants a rise in the cohort of savvy experience hunters Osaka, aptly named the kitchen of Japan tops Skyscanners list for foodies on a budget in 2024. Its also one of the top trending destinations overall as travellers globally combine cost consciousness with a desire to unlock world-class restaurants a rise in the cohort of savvy experience hunters Destination Zzzz Citing it as one of the top activities for their next holiday, UK travellers really just want to visit the land of nod in 2024. Sleep health generally is a hot topic (Google Trends shows interest in sleep health has increased by 65% globally over the last five years) and travellers are becoming more mindful of this. Skyscanners on hand with tips from a sleep expert as well as the top three cities for a great nights kip Whats more, the thirst for experiences that drive greater lifestyle value, Skyscanner sees these traveller types emerging in 2024: Analogue adventurers In an age of always-on and constant hype, Gen Z are craving old-school analogue adventures that ditch the digital device in favour of how it used to be done. In fact, 1 in 6 (16%) UK 18-to-24-year-olds now bring a Polaroid camera with them on holiday In an age of always-on and constant hype, Gen Z are craving old-school analogue adventures that ditch the digital device in favour of how it used to be done. In fact, 1 in 6 (16%) UK 18-to-24-year-olds now bring a Polaroid camera with them on holiday Celebration vacationers UK travellers are increasingly looking to celebrate big milestones in style. 1 in 2 (49%) having taken a group trip to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. That being said, the group chat struggle is real 1 in 3 (32%) said knowing where or how to communicate with their group puts them off arranging the trip altogether. Skyscanner therefore asked WhatsApp for their top tips to turn those group chat dreams into a group trip reality UK travellers are increasingly looking to celebrate big milestones in style. 1 in 2 (49%) having taken a group trip to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. That being said, the group chat struggle is real 1 in 3 (32%) said knowing where or how to communicate with their group puts them off arranging the trip altogether. Skyscanner therefore asked WhatsApp for their top tips to turn those group chat dreams into a group trip reality Luxe-for-less seekers Skyscanners recent consumer research reveals 10% of UK travellers plan to upgrade their flight to business or first class in 2024, while 14% plan to purchase airport lounge access to get their trip off to a great start. However, five-star luxury doesnt have to come with a hefty price tag. Skyscanner shares some of the best-value five-star stays around the world Naomi Hahn, VP of Strategy at Skyscanner comments: Skyscanners 2024 Travel Trends report reveals that, more than ever, cultural exploration will be a priority for travellers in 2024. Were seeing a broad spectrum of cultural curiosity in travel, from gig trippers, jetting off to see their favourite artists, to budget bougie foodies seeking the very best food experience (at the very best price!). The cost of living, though, remains top of mind and our money-saving tools continue to rise in popularity. Our Everywhere search, showing prices from the lowest to highest from airports to global destinations, is the top search destination for travellers globally this year. Check out the full Travel Trends: Redefining value through experience in 2024 report here. Artificial Intelligence: A New Frontier for Elevating the Guest Experience in Hospitality? Explore how artificial intelligence (AI) impacts the guest experience in the hospitality industry I Three key benefits and challenges. AI is revolutionizing how hotels cater to their guests, enhancing their stay and overall satisfaction. Through AI's predictive analytics, hotels can gain valuable insights into guest preferences, behavior, and occupancy patterns. This enables them to tailor their services to individual needs, resulting in a personalized and unforgettable experience. Three Ways Artificial Intelligence Elevates the Guest Experience in Hospitality #1 Enhanced Communication and Engagement One of the significant impacts of AI in hospitality is its ability to transform communication between hotels and guests. AI algorithms can analyze guest data, such as online reviews and booking history, to create personalized communication and marketing messages. The hotel staff can also be alerted in real-time when they receive a negative review or if a guest flagged an issue, enabling them to promptly find a solution or address the negative feedback. Ensuring all complaints are addressed is key to enhancing the guest experience and keeping the communication lines open. Our data shows that 2 out of 3 guests are more likely to return if the hotel addresses their negative reviews. To provide instant and efficient customer service, hotels can use AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants. These tools can handle common guest inquiries, offer recommendations, and even process bookings, providing round-the-clock assistance. AI response generators are among the newest solutions on the market to help hoteliers proactively manage their reviews. These tools can help reduce the time spent on replying to reviews while ensuring that each guest receives a response to their feedback. Besides ensuring efficiency, solutions such as responseAI are smart enough to keep the human touch by offering options such as personalization, translation, and the possibility of adjusting the tone of the message. #2 Data-Driven Decision-Making to Improve Service AI-driven predictive analytics can help hotels optimize their operations and enhance the guest experience. By analyzing historical and real-time data, AI algorithms can forecast guest preferences and occupancy patterns and predict maintenance needs. This allows hotels to streamline operations, effectively manage resources, and proactively address potential service issues, ultimately elevating the overall guest experience. How Servigroup Hotels uses analytics to get a property-level overview of their performance and guest satisfaction. #3 Streamlined and Enhanced Processes to Ensure a Smooth Guest Experience AI can be used to simplify or offer alternatives to various processes as part of the guest experience. For example, facial recognition technology can be used for streamlined check-in and check-out processes, personalized greetings upon arrival, and enhanced security measures. Voice-controlled devices can also help guests adjust their room settings, request room service, or obtain information about the hotels facilities and services. Navigating Artificial Intelligence: Challenges for the Hospitality Industry #1 Privacy and Data Protection AI relies heavily on data collection and analysis to provide personalized experiences. Ensuring the privacy and protection of guest data is crucial. A recent report shows that more than 1 out of 3 hospitality companies experienced a data breach at least once in their history. 9 out of 10 of those who reported a data leak admitted that this negatively impacted their business for over 1 year. Hotels must implement robust security measures and comply with strict data protection regulations to safeguard guest information. Balancing personalization with privacy can be a challenge that requires careful management and transparency. #2 Human Touch and Personal Interaction While AI offers automation and efficiency, there is still a need for human touch and personal interaction in the hospitality industry. Some guests may prefer face-to-face interactions with hotel staff, finding comfort in the warmth and empathy that humans provide. Striking the right balance between AI-driven automation and maintaining a personalized human touch is a challenge that hotels face in elevating the guest experience. To keep the spark of connection and emotion alive, you can use technology to automate simple processes that dont require too much human interaction and keep the complex stuff in the hands of humans. Sometimes, while seeking a solution to their issue, guests will appreciate the attitude more than the resolution itself. #3 Technical Limitations and Integration Implementing AI technologies in the hospitality industry can be complex. It requires integrating AI systems with existing infrastructure, databases, and software. Technical limitations, compatibility issues, and the need for reliable connectivity can pose challenges while adopting AI solutions. Hotels must invest in robust technology infrastructure and ensure seamless integration to fully leverage AI's potential for enhancing the guest experience. Without a doubt, AI has made a significant impact on the hospitality industry, and it brings a lot of value in terms of enhancing the guest experience. There are still a few aspects that need to be treated carefully, including data privacy, human touch, and technical limitations. One thing remains clear: embracing AI in hospitality is no longer a choice; it is a necessity that enables hoteliers to stay competitive in today's fast-paced and technology-driven world. Catalina Brinza Catalina is a social media and data enthusiast. At TrustYou, she's on the mission to bring the most out of travel and hospitality data. One day, she hopes to experience Japan's culture to its fullest. About TrustYou TrustYou is on a mission to make guest communication and feedback simpler and more productive. All communication channels, together in one place, is the new way of doing business. Today, customers expect instant responses on their preferred communication channels. As a subset of communication, feedback is the foundation to build better products, services and companies. TrustYou helps companies win through the power of listening and provides a Guest Experience (GX) Platform that makes listening to customers easy, powerful, and actionable. The platform unlocks the potential of guest feedback and helps to: Create unlimited opportunities to listen and respond to guests needs. Understand all reviews across the web and make better business decisions. Publish hotel reviews on the website and on Google and allow positive feedback to influence bookings. TrustYou empowers companies to earn trust, make better decisions, and ultimately, win. Find more information on TrustYou and our GX platform on www.trustyou.com. File photo State police have charged Heather L. Billingsley, 53, of Cairo, with two felony counts of fourth-degree grand larceny and misdemeanor petit larceny, She is accused of stealing cash and firearms, and then stealing a car to flee the scene, according to state police. Hudson, NY (12534) Today Cloudy. High near 45F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. A few flurries are possible. Low 31F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Congressman Richie Neal joins state and MCLA officials to cut the ribbon on the new nursing program on the campus of what will be North Adams Regional Hospital. North Adams will no longer be known as the city where trees grew upside-down. Natalie Jeremijenko's 'Tree Logic' was retired after 11 years. The city was hit by several torrential rains in 2023 that caused flooding and damage. A long 'lost' plaque honoring one of the city's early mayors, William Kirk Greer, was installed at City Hall. Local officials and representatives from Hoosic River Revival tour the flood control chutes with the feasibility study team from the Army Corps of Engineers. Downstreet Hotel celebrates a multi-million dollar refresh of the former Holiday Inn on Main Street. The celebration launch at Studio 9 for the Massachusetts Founders Network. The Veterans Memorial Bridge was the second bridge this year to be deemed structurally deficient by the state. The Porter Block on historic Eagle Street and 103 Main St. saw significant exterior work done in 2023. Masons from Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey dedicate a headstone to fellow Mason and Civil War veteran Maj. Thomas Ward Osborn, who is buried in Hill Side Cemetery. MCLA honors the legacy of the late Stephen Green, retired college professor and administrator and longtime community volunteer. The North Adams Citizens Police Academy graduates its first class. The marquee to the Mohawk Theater is back in place after a complete refurbishment. North Adams celebrates the end of 2023 with its first-ever ball drop. PreviousNext North Adams Dealt With Big Projects, Big Challenges in 2023 Gov. Healey came to North Adams to survey the damage caused by torrential rains in July. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The city is ending a year filled with major projects getting underway, some massive infrastructure challenges and the announced revival of a significant pillar of the community. The hospital closed in 2014 when its owner Northern Berkshire Healthcare went bankrupt and its assets purchased by Berkshire Health Systems. It's demise was a shock to the North County system. More than 500 jobs were affected and thousands of people in Northern Berkshire and Southern Vermont had to look farther north or south for medical care. BHS has poured millions into the campus to support a satellite emergency department and other medical services but mothballed patient beds on the 2 North wing in hopes of reopening them. That became possible earlier this year with changes in the federal criteria for a "critical access hospital" championed by U.S. Rep. Richard Neal. In December, state's Public Health Council approved the determination of need that will allow the hospital to move forward with renovations to open 18 beds in spring 2024 with the potential for seven more. BHS is also supporting Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' new bachelor degree in nursing program , which will use a floor in the Doctor's Building for classrooms and a model nursing unit. Neal, who obtained $350,000 toward the program was there to cut the ribbon in September. Another project has also been years really decades in the making. The city has signed an agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers for a three-year, $3 million feasibility study of the Hoosic River flood control system. The concrete chutes built by the Corps back in the 1950s have been deteriorating for years, with several panels dropping or leaning into the river. The nonprofit Hoosic River Revival has been working for more than a decade to convince federal and state officials to consider a more environmental solution to flooding that would also rethink the river as a community resource. The study will take into consideration feedback from residents and other shareholders but recommendations and actual construction are still years away. The city hoping for a faster response to the Veterans Memorial Bridge, which was deemed "structurally deficient" in November. The bridge is limited to two lanes in the middle of the four-lane span that carries Route 2 over the Hoosic River and will be closed to heavy truck traffic. It's future could be determined by the outcome of a $750,000 study being done through a federal grant from Bipartisan Infrastructure Act's Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program. The grant is a collaboration between the city and Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. Museum visitors trying to get to downtown from the former Spraque Electric campus have to navigate a sea of parking lots, a street that's four lanes as it approaches the city center, numerous lights and crosswalks and a massive overpass. The study will seek recommendations for better connections that could include taking the 60-year-old span down. Access to the city's West End was complicated over the past year with memorial bridge only the latest obstacle. Earlier in the year, the Brown Street was closed for structural issues, a massive reconstruction of a culvert system closed first Ashton Avenue and then Massachusetts Avenue, and work will be happening on the Billy Evans bridge through this winter. One project still a couple years away is the proposal for a brand-new Greylock Elementary School to replace both Brayton Elementary and the current Greylock. The School Committee voted in October to move forward with the $61 million project that is now in the Massachusetts School Building Authority's preferred schematic phase. Government Changes Education A new Greylock School wasn't the only big news this year. McCann Technical School scored a $600,000 grant to expand its practical nursing program and started construction on a $2.9 million building to house a new heating, air conditioning and ventilation program. MCLA stirred up some controversy when it considered opening its shuttered Berkshire Tower dormitories as an emergency shelter for the state. But college President James Birge said in May that "after extensive consideration," he was halting discussions because of operational concerns and unanswered questions. The proposal had run into significant opposition within the city. Community News The first New Year's Eve ball drop was instituted with promises that it would become an annual tradition and plans for more surrounding activities in the coming years. Mayor Jennifer Macksey added five more names to the North Adams Women's History Hall of Fame, a mural was unveiled at the Armory honoring local supporters of youth sports, the Drury High School band celebrated 100 years and Mary Lou Acetta was recognized with the 2023 Peacemaker Award. iciHaiti - BDHH : Restitution of a study on the criminalization of poverty The Office of Human Rights in Haiti (BDHH) in partnership with the Center for Research and Exchange on Security and Justice (CRESEJ) carried out, with the support of the Knowledge and Freedom Foundation (FOKAL), a restitution workshop on the criminalization of poverty. The restitution of the study aroused various reactions among the participants, with affirmative, opposing positions, and concerns expressed towards the situation of the judicial system and detainees in Haiti. According to the results of the study, the majority of people incarcerated are there because of begging, vagrancy or informal trade, highlighting a need for assistance rather than sanctions. Furthermore, detainees for minor offenses, normally sentenced to a maximum sentence of 2 years, remain in prison for prolonged periods, sometimes for 3 years or much more. The study also reveals that many prisoners are young professionals, most having never had recourse to a lawyer or undergone a trial. Some have been imprisoned in an arbitrary, discriminatory manner, or because of their origin, physical appearance, or simple presence at the scene of arrests and crimes. The speakers strongly criticized the presumption of guilt suffered by prisoners, emphasizing that before being judged, they are presumed innocent. Still according to this study, it is mainly disadvantaged people who find themselves behind bars, while wealthy people often manage to avoid justice or even not appear in court. The workshop concluded with a call to actors in the Haitian justice system to change their behavior, respecting the rights of prisoners, applying the law with dignity, ending discrimination against disadvantaged people and guaranteeing justice fair to all, whether rich or poor. IH/ iciHaiti iciHaiti - CONATEL : Outlook 2024 In a note dated January 3rd, 2024, engineer Joses Jean Baptiste, Director General of the National Telecommunications Council (CONATEL) expressed his deep gratitude to telecommunications operators and service providers. The level of engagement and collaboration has been crucial to telecommunications regulatory activity in Haiti. "At the start of 2024, CONATEL is already enthusiastically anticipating an agenda for Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and the digital economy rich in exciting challenges : migration to digital television, cyber security, implementation of electronic signature, improvement of broadband access, improvement of the quality of customer services, etc... These areas remain at the heart of the Government's vision for a secure and inclusive digital future. Together, we must continue to promote the highest standards in terms of quality of services, security and efficiency that can ensure the trust of users and all players in our sector. Despite security problems, the determination and desire to work together for the development of the telecommunications and ICT sector throughout the country remains for CONATEL the main source of inspiration for its commitment and future successes. The establishment of the Monitoring Committee for the Resilience of Telecommunications Networks is a perfect example. On behalf of all CONATEL staff, and on my own behalf, I wish all suppliers and consumers of telecommunications and ICT services in Haiti a fruitful year 2024 for the benefit of all ! IH/ iciHaiti This new year, you could have resolved to quit a vice, to learn something new, to manage your finances better and maybe check a couple off your bucket list of places to visit. Cybersecurity company Kaspersky suggests adding another practical and smart resolution to your 2024 list: to protect your precious data by clearing your digital clutter! What is digital clutter? It's a by-product of the digital age. This happens when users of devices create digital documents and files at an unstoppable rate as it is now. Users install way more apps than they use, rarely update them and usually don't adjust the security/privacy settings of these apps properly. In this situation, users don't worry about storage limits and become lethargic about reviewing these files and updating the apps. For example, users typically install 12 Android apps every month but delete only 10 so they actually add two apps to their device every month that are generally left unused and idle. This means that the digital junk sits on the devices or in the cloud forever. These all amount to what we call digital clutter. Poor user maintenance of device content also generates a build up of digital clutter. Kaspersky data shows that in 55% of cases, people regularly revise the contents of their device and delete unused docs and apps. In 32% of cases, people sort their digital clutter occasionally and in 13% of cases, users do not try to delete any docs and apps at all. A Kaspersky report showed the top five data that's commonly stored on devices are general photos and videos (90%), photos and videos of travel and personal emails (tied at 89% each), address information/contact information (84%), and personal messages via SMS/IM (79%). A research that Kaspersky ran with OnePoll in 2019 showed that one's fridge can show the security risk of this human habit. Two-thirds (66%) of those who have bought the same item to go in their fridge twice by accident have also found it difficult to locate a document or file while at work. 2023 saw at least three major cyber incidents in the Philippines that caused fear, anger and frustration among Filipinos. From ransomware attacks to data leaks that compromised massive public data and personal financial information, these threatened not just the government and businesses but especially ordinary people who didn't think they would be affected until it happened. When it comes to cybersecurity, education is the most powerful form of defense. The more we educate and prepare ourselves, the more likely that we can minimize the risks to our personal data and money, said Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky. It's been found that only about 8% of people achieve their New Year's resolutions due to a lack of personal control, excessive stress and negative emotion. I say start small until it becomes a habit. A few simple changes in the beginning will go a long way towards protecting yourself and your data. Stay committed and most importantly, get help. There are so many resources, tools and people that you can count on for support to help you keep your resolutions, added Yeo. Kaspersky suggests doing one or more of these tips to become safe digitally this new year: Kiss passwords goodbye. We saw one major improvement in network security in 2022: giants Apple, Google and Microsoft simultaneously introduced passwordless sign-ins. Instead of a password, your device stores a unique cryptographic key for each site. There's no need to type it in and it's extremely difficult to steal. You can read more about this interesting technology here. We recommend switching wherever it's offered as it will slash the risk of your account being hijacked. It's also convenient because you no longer need to think up a password, memorize it and later enter it. Chrome, Edge, and Safari support the technology on both desktop and mobile platforms. Go disposable. Information leakage remains one of the biggest digital risks for all of us. User data gets stolen from ISPs, insurance companies, delivery services, social networks, and even school databases. The stolen data is then used to perpetrate various scams. Unfortunately, theres little we users can do to prevent leaks. But we can ensure theres less information out there about us, and make it harder to match: that is, comparing the names and phone numbers in two stolen databases wouldnt give an attacker any more info on us. We recommend giving minimal information to non-critical services (primarily online stores and commercial digital services) by not specifying your last name or social media accounts, and generally skipping optional fields. And use disposable e-mail addresses and phone numbers as your contact information. Numerous services provide temporary phone numbers for receiving confirmation texts, as well as one-time email addresses just google disposable phone number/e-mail address. Some paid services of this kind even offer disposable credit card numbers, which makes online shopping even safer. Get away from toxic social media. Year after year, we encounter way too many negative events, plus the waves of hate on social media continue to reach new heights. If social media gave you the jitters in 2023, this year its time to part company for good. Incidentally, weve compiled a list of tips on how to walk away without losing valuable data. That said, some prefer not to quit, but to migrate, for example, to Telegram or Mastodon. Stop doom scrolling. Social networks and news sites can consume hours of our time and lots of nervous energy. To avoid endless checking of news and posts, set a time limit on your phone for social networks and news apps. Start with an hour a day, and try to stick to it. Many vendors offer this feature: Apples name for it is Screen Time, Googles is Digital Wellbeing, and Huaweis is Digital Balance. And if your children are spending too much time on social networks, Kaspersky Safe Kids can help. Those prone to deceive themselves by making up for the missing time on their devices should enable additional self-control tools in the settings of the social network itself. YouTube also has such a feature, called Take a Break. Keep private and work lives separate. Separating work and private life is good for many reasons. It helps both physical and mental health since work doesnt interfere with family-and-friends time, and domestic matters dont distract you during working hours. And your employer gets improved cybersecurity because you dont mix personal and work information, apps, and so on. Ideally, the separation should be physical, which means different phones and computers for work and private life. It remains only to remember not to use personal sites, e-mail, and social networks on your work device, and vice versa. Observe cyber hygiene. Use security software on all computers and phones. For each site that still requires a password, make it unique. Regularly update all apps and the operating system. These tips are nothing new, yet millions of people continue to ignore them, some out of ignorance, others out of laziness. You can avoid all the hassle by entrusting the whole routine to a comprehensive solution like Kaspersky Premium. Kaspersky Premium has a Hard Disk Cleaner and Health Monitor feature that: removes duplicate and large files from your PC and declutters unused apps from your Android phone alerts you if your hard drive is about to crash so you can back up your photos, files and data. This solution also has Performance Optimization that helps your computer run faster by: deleting invalid Windows Registry entries cleaning your folders and emptying your recycle bin turning off data-hungry apps and stopping some apps from opening as you switch your PC on prompting you to install app and software updates so your device gets the latest security. Discover more about Kaspersky Premium's security features for the entire family at https://www.kasperskyph.com/. Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Roisin OConnors email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Taylor Swift has unexpectedly become a major talking point in the imminent Taiwanese elections after a politician alleged that the pop sensation refused to perform on the self-governed island, fearing a war would break out with China. Jaw Shaw-kong, a member of the opposition party The Kuomintang (KMT), claimed that as the chair of the Broadcasting Corp of China, he extended an invitation to Swift to hold a concert at the recently inaugurated Taipei Dome. Swift initially agreed to the performance but later declined due to geopolitical risks, Mr Jaw said during a televised debate on Monday. Taiwan is on edge ahead of the 13 January presidential and parliamentary elections, which China has heavily targeted in state media propaganda as a choice between war and peace. The island is self-governed and has a democratically-elected administration, but is claimed as a breakaway province by Beijing. Chinese president Xi Jinping pledged again in his New Years address to bring about reunification with the island and has previously threatened to do so by force if necessary. Taiwan's culture ministry has responded to Mr Jaws allegations, saying that several high-profile international artists had performed in the southern city of Kaohsiung. However, the ministry did not directly confirm or deny Mr Jaw's claims about Swift. Instead, the ministry in a statement cited the past year's performances by Coldplay, the Backstreet Boys and K-Pop band Blackpink as evidence that the island could still attract famous acts to perform there. "These all serve as the best proof to show that what the KMT vice presidential candidate said was not true, the statement read. Kaohsiung mayor Chen Chi-mai on Tuesday said Mr Jaw's claim was "self-defeating" and made in an attempt to manipulate voters. Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Swift will kick off her Asia leg of the "Eras Tour" in February with performances in Japan and Singapore, giving both Taiwan and mainland China a miss. The Independent has reached out to Swifts representatives for comment. Taiwan has said it is bracing for both domestic and foreign political manipulation ahead of the 13 January elections, amid increased Chinese military activity around and in the skies above the island. Beijing, which maintains that the island is part of its territory, has directed its anger toward Lai Ching-te, the ruling Democratic Progressive Partys (DPP) presidential candidate, calling him a separatist and rebuffing his calls for talks with Beijing. Taiwan's defence ministry on Tuesday said four Chinese balloons flew across the island and near an air base for the first time since such balloons were spotted crossing the Taiwan Strait. Chinese balloons became a concern for Western democracies after the US shot down what it said was a surveillance balloon from China last February. Beijing has since argued that the balloon was a civilian craft that accidentally drifted astray. Taiwan on Wednesday said three balloons flew 105 nautical miles, 160 nautical miles and 159 nautical miles respectively to the southwest of Ching Chuan Kang, the location of an important Taiwan air force base. One balloon flew 78 nautical miles northwest of Keelung. The balloons then disappeared at various points, added the ministry, which has previously said it believed they were mostly for weather monitoring. It closely monitors and appropriately responds to balloons and gathers information about their path for judgement and analysis, the ministry said. Chinese president Xi Jinping last week claimed that Chinas reunification with Taiwan was inevitable. The realisation of the complete reunification with the motherland is an inevitable course of development, is righteous and what the people want, Mr Xi said in his address. 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 }} Sunlight glistens on the deep blue water like flakes of gold; black-headed gulls wheel in circles over slow-sailing fishing trawlers; and palm fronds sway in a gentle breeze on the shoreline. The seas around Matsu Island are a picture of tranquillity. The calm of the afternoon is suddenly shattered by heavy gunfire the sound of Taiwanese artillery carrying out drills. It is a reminder that the approaches to these isles will be the kill zone in the first line of defence against the invasion long-threatened by China. Lee, a 30-year-old serving army sergeant, insists that Taiwanese forces will be ready if a conflict begins. His father lives in Shanghai, but that will not, he says, affect his resolve to resist Chinese forces if and when the time comes. Lee, who asks for his full name not to be published, joined as a volunteer five years ago. It is our duty as men to serve our country, he says. We dont want a war; some people in the forces have families in China, like me. But that is not something we can afford to think about when we have to defend Taiwan. It will not be a surprise if China attacks us; if it happens, it happens. I dont want to die, my friends dont want to die. But you need to accept death if you are a soldier. Tensions have risen sharply in the Indo-Pacific region as confrontations continue between China and its neighbours backed by international allies. Taiwan which Beijing wants to unify with the mainland, by force if necessary has become a focal point. There are elections next week in which the issue of independence from China is a key theme. While the Ukraine war has reached a bloody stalemate on the icy front lines, and international consternation rises over the staggering toll of civilian lives in Israels Gaza assault, what happens in Taiwan is likely to emerge as the first geopolitical crisis of the new year. Lee, a 30-year-old army sergeant, has family in China, but he says this will not affect his resolve to defend Taiwan (Kim Sengupta/The Independent) Beijing has ratcheted up aggressive military exercises around Taiwan, with its fighter jets and warships infringing Taiwans air and naval space as the election campaign has stepped up. Chinas president Xi Jinping has declared that his countrys armed forces will be ready for a full-scale invasion by 2027, and their commanders maintain that preparations are on schedule. In his latest New Years Eve address, Xi claimed that Taiwan will surely be reunified with China. Chinas overall military activity has increased as it carries out a vast expansion of its forces. It rises in scale each time Western naval ships including American, British, French and Australian vessels carry out freedom of navigation voyages in the international waters Beijing claims as its own. There are also spikes in response to instances in which the international community shows solidarity with Taiwan, such as the visit of the then US House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan last year. Beijing reacted by launching barrages of missiles into waters surrounding Taiwan and starting a major military exercise. Asymmetric warfare, cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns have also escalated against Taiwan as the elections get closer. The main targets have been the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which is campaigning on a theme of Taiwanese sovereignty, as well as sections of the media, civil rights activists, students, and artists groups. In effect, all who are deemed to be enemies of the Chinese Communist Party and its autocratic policies. Two underwater internet cables were cut by Chinese ships a few months ago, effectively cutting off Matsu from the outside world, with flights to the island from the rest of Taiwan as well as public and private life on the island disrupted. It was viewed as a warning of what to expect on a much wider scale if Taiwan seeks to strike a path towards independence. Taiwanese soldiers operating tanks during a drill (Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense/AFP) Matsu and Kinmen, another island between China and Taiwan, experienced fierce fighting between the communist forces under Mao Zedong and the nationalist army of Chiang Kai-Shek as Chiangs forces retreated from the mainland to Taiwan at the end of the civil war. The nationalists turned the two islands into fortresses bristling with weapons and thousands of troops. Barricades and mines were placed on the beaches, artillery dug into hills, anti-submarine netting laid into coastal waters, and deep bunkers dug into the ground. A series of vast underground passageways were built on Matsu the biggest number of military tunnels in the world in preparation for the next war, with waterways in which supply vessels and attack crafts were kept hidden. For 10 years from 1949, the two militaries clashed around the islands, leaving hundreds dead and several thousand injured. Intermittent Chinese shelling continued for the next two decades before an eventual ceasefire was followed by partial de-escalation and the withdrawal of most of the Taiwanese forces. A gradual thaw in relations led to Chinese visitors coming to the islands and islanders going to the mainland. Some families migrated to begin new lives across the strait. Some of the weapons used during previous fighting on Matsu (Kim Sengupta/The Independent) Some of these fortifications are now tourist attractions. Jiahao Yang is showing his grandsons, aged four and six, one of the Matsu tunnels that has been opened to the public. As a young officer in the Taiwanese army, he witnessed the final stages of their construction. It was dangerous work building these tunnels. There was one time when about 50 soldiers were killed; they had taken a break for lunch when big rocks fell on them. There were individual deaths quite regularly, with walls collapsing and also with the detonations that took place, he recalls. But the threat from China was very real, and the general feeling was that these sacrifices had to be accepted. Captain Yang was on the receiving end of frequent Chinese bombardment. That was mainly in Kinmen. They used heavy artillery and missiles, but they were quite inaccurate. So they did a lot of damage, mainly to civilians rather than us, he says. One of the tunnels dug underneath Matsu (Kim Sengupta/The Independent) Do we face another war with the PRC [Peoples Republic of China]? No one wants that, but one hears what they are saying, what Xi is demanding, and it is unfortunately quite possible that they will attack when they think they are ready. Our troops need to be ready as well. Lee, the serving army sergeant, says: We carry out frequent drills, and we look at all possible dangers coming our way. We have good equipment, but we need to have some more navy boats here. They will be a warning to China. Lee is a follower of international news. Reflecting on what has happened in Ukraine, he comments: Once that war started, I had a feeling we would be next. China could follow the example of Russia. I think our allies like the US realise that, and they are helping militarily. We hear we may go on training exercises with them. And, of course, we have our own people. The community will fight beside us. They know the land, the details of the tunnels; that will be very useful if the Chinese really do try to take over. Chen Chi, 23 (Kim Sengupta/The Independent) The Taiwanese government recently increased the duration of national service from four to 12 months as part of a series of measures to prepare the population for a possible conflict. Enrolment in courses for emergency service volunteers, and teaching basic first aid, has risen sharply in the last year. Chen Chi, a 23-year-old student, is of the view that China will try economic coercion before taking military action against Taiwan. But he and his friends, he insists, are prepared to fight if necessary. I have done my four months compulsory service already, so I have got the basics. A year would obviously be good; it gives us a better chance to throw them back. But I still think theyll try other methods before something as risky as an invasion, he says. Chen came to Matsu from China with his family as a young boy. He is, he wants to stress, Taiwanese and not Chinese. Others, however, are more reticent about where their loyalties lie. Yo Tianzhen moved from China to Matsu Island 30 years ago and started a new life as a successful fishmonger. But his ties with the mainland, which he visits three times a year, remain strong. The Taiwanese military hold regular drills (AFP via Getty) Yo, 52, does not want to talk about the current political situation or the possibility of war. I have to live here with these people, he says. We get on together, and my family and I have a good life. I wish things would stay the way they are. An elderly, semi-retired fisherman nearby is more forthright. We are all Chinese. Taiwanese are also Chinese. China is good to us, and we are good to China, he says. As long as theres no war, well be OK. But if Taiwan declares independence, there will be war. All the people fear that Taiwan will start a war by declaring independence. The fisherman, at 83 years old, does not want his identity revealed. We are living in a very dangerous time. Things will get unsafe. There are outsiders interfering; the Americans manipulate things. Theyll manipulate a war here, he predicts. Yo Tianzhen, a resident of Matsu (Kim Sengupta/The Independent) This should be a matter between China and Taiwan, but they are trying to make it something bigger. We now keep hearing about Ukraine. What do we care about Ukraine here? Why do they go on about Ukraine? Luckily there still some politicians here who dont want a war, who want good relations with China; they are trying to stop outsiders interfering. The opposition Kuomintang party (KMT) ruled China under Chiang Kai-Shek until the generalissimo lost the mainland to the communists. Ironically, it is now deemed to be the party closest to Beijing, and has been accused of appeasement by those seeking to remove Chinese influence. The KMT leader of Lienchiang County Government, which oversees Matsu, warns that certain moves by a Taiwanese government could trigger a conflict. Wang Chung Ming also cautions against concluding that the cutting of underwater cables, which isolated the island earlier this year, was a deliberate act by the Chinese. There is, he says, no evidence to prove this. Wang speaks warmly of the benefits of the Four Links proposed by Chinas President Xi bridge, water supply, gas and electricity to create stronger ties between the islands and the mainland. The stance of the ruling DPP party made these difficult to establish, says Wang. It is now politically sensitive to do this, but we can promote these when the time is right, he adds. Three military boats from Taiwans Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol Unit patrol the Matsu Islands with a view of Chinas Fujian province in the background (AFP via Getty) Wen Lii, the DPP parliamentary candidate in Matsu, dismisses the links proposal as impractical, unnecessary and expensive and stresses the importance of not falling for charm campaigns that create a false appearance of cooperation and dialogue. Everything possible is being done to avoid war, says Wen, but Taiwan needs to remain vigilant in order to protect its sovereignty. Expressions of international support are welcome, but the country must be ready to protect itself, he says. Wen compares the situation in Ukraine and that facing his own country. We are under threat from large authoritarian neighbours. We should express solidarity with Ukraine with our shared links of democracy and support for human rights, he says. He adds: One particularly striking thing that I see from the perspective of Taiwan and Matsu is that Putin used the shared Russian language as a pretext to invade Ukraine. However, his attacks did not discriminate between Russian speakers and Ukrainian speakers. In Matsu, we have many people with family ties or friends across the Taiwan Strait. People cherish the cultural heritage shared between coastal China and Matsu. But that does not mean that people want to live under an authoritarian state, and it does not mean that people want to give up their freedom. China will learn this if it invades. 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 death toll from Japan's devastating earthquake rose to 81 on Thursday with rescuers still racing to save people trapped under debris, as the crucial 72-hour survival window came to an end. At least 51 people were still unaccounted for as of Thursday morning in Ishikawa prefecture, which was struck by a powerful 7.6 magnitude quake on New Year's Day, destroying houses and triggering tsunami waves that crashed into northern and western coastlines. Thousands of security personnel braved the cold to search for the missing amid warnings of downpours and possible snow, that could raise the risk of landslides. The temperature is expected to drop to around 2C overnight. Firefighters search the earthquake-hit area in Suzu, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Prime minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo had called for an "all-out effort" to save as many lives as possible during the first 72 hours of the incident, before the prospect of survival rapidly diminishes. This is a race against time, and I feel that we are at a critical moment, Mr Kishida said on Wednesday. That deadline passed at around 4.10pm local time (7.10am GMT) on Thursday, three days after the first earthquake violently shook Ishikawa. Hundreds of aftershocks, many measuring more than magnitude 5, have been recorded since. Mr Kishida later announced that the number of troops dispatched for rescue operations is increasing from about 1,000 to 4,600. Sniffer dogs joined the military in the search of the victims. The narrowness of the Noto peninsula, about 300km from Tokyo on the opposite coast, has added to the challenges in reaching some communities. Water, power and mobile phone services were still down in some areas. In Wajima city, dozens of peple were still buried under collapsed buildings as damaged roads hindered rescue operations, the Japan Times reported. Of the dead, 44 people were in Wajima and 23 in Suzu, with the rest spread across five towns. About 34,000 people, some hungry and cold, stayed at evacuation centres in Ishikawa as of Thursday. The Kishida administration has planned to allocate nearly 4bn yen (22m) from reserve funds to beef up its response. Naomi Gonno told the Associated Press that she and her children got out of their house just as it came crashing down. But her children were screaming "Granma", and Ms Gonno saw that her mother was trapped under the smashed house, with only her hand visible. She was able to squeeze her way out through a tiny space, she said. "I can't believe we're still alive," she said. "We are living in fear." Takako Izumi, a disaster science professor at Tohoku University, said time is needed to figure out logistics because roads are often blocked after an earthquake, and large trucks cant get through to deliver aid. If land routes arent accessible, aid may have to be dropped from the sky or brought in by boat. The winter cold adds to health risks, and some people may still have not reached an evacuation centre, she added. We need to accurately assess the damage first. And then a proper response can come, and whats needed can reach the right places, Ms Izumi 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 }} The Japan Coast Guard plane that was involved in Tuesdays deadly crash at Tokyos Haneda Airport was not cleared for take-off by air controllers, authorities have said. The coastguard Bombardier Dash-8 was lined up on the runway for take-off when it was struck by a Japan Airlines Airbus A350 plane carrying hundreds of passengers. Five members of the coastguard crew who were carrying out relief and rescue work at earthquake-hit areas in western Japan were killed, but all the passengers and crew from the JAL plane were miraculously evacuated. Japanese transport minister Tetsuo Saito released a transcript on Wednesday of communications between the air traffic controllers and the two planes in the minutes before the accident. The coastguard aircraft was told to taxi to holding point C5 at 5.45pm local time, two minutes before the JAL plane struck it, according to the transcript. Meanwhile, the air traffic control room cleared the JAL plane to land at 5.43pm. The transcript appeared to conflict with the account provided by the pilot, who was the sole survivor of the coastguard plane. He has said that he received clearance to access the runway that the JAL airliner was approaching. Tokyo police are investigating whether or not negligence caused the crash. This aerial photo shows the burnt-out Japan Airlines plane at Haneda airport on Wednesday Mr Saito said that the incident is still being investigated. The transport ministry is submitting objective material and will fully cooperate with the ... investigation to ensure we work together to take all possible safety measures to prevent a recurrence, he said. Officials from the Japan Transportation Safety Board (JTSB), which is also carrying out an investigation in participation with French and British agencies that designed and manufactured the coastguard plane, said they have retrieved its flight and voice recorders. According to records, another factor in the crash could be that the runway lights may have been out of service. The runway stop bar lights are to prevent pilots from entering the active runway in the darkness. A notice issued to pilots on Christmas Day said that stop bar lighting was unserviceable along taxiways C1 to C14. It included a taxiway where Haneda tower controllers instructed the coastguard flight to wait for take-off clearance. The notice, also known as NOTAM, is still in effect. Officials look at the wreckage of the Japan Airlines plane on the tarmac (AFP via Getty Images) Audio of the incident posted on LiveATC.net, which tracks airport communications, showed that minutes before 6pm local time an unidentified voice can be heard saying: We have a fire on runway 34R. Japan Airlines said it expected an operating loss of more than $100m (78m) after its two-year-old Airbus A350 was destroyed in the crash. The jet burst into flames after skidding down the runway and continued to burn for more than six hours. However, all 367 passengers and 12 crew members were evacuated within 20 minutes, the airline said, in what has been praised as textbook response. Pilots on the JAL plane were unaware of the fire when it first broke out and were informed by the crew members, a JAP spokesperson said. The pilots said that they had no visual contact of the second plane although one of them spotted an object right before the collision, according to JAL. After the plane landed and around the time when the front wheels touched or were about to touch the ground, during those few seconds, they said they felt an impact, the spokesperson 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 }} Japan Airlines said it expected an operating loss of over $100m after one of its aircraft was destroyed in a collision with a Japan Coast Guard plane at Tokyos Haneda airport. The two-year-old Japan Airline airbus A350 was completely charred with only its wings intact after it collided with the Japan Coast Guard plane on Tuesday. All 379 people on the passenger plane were safely evacuated but five of the six crew members of the smaller plane died. It was the first time globally that the hull of the A350 model airbus was lost in an aviation disaster, according to Aviation Safety Network. The model is one of the new breeds of aircraft made with cutting-edge materials like carbon fibre-reinforced plastic. The 79m (15bn yen) loss of the aircraft will be covered by insurance, Japan Airlines said. They were accessing the impact of its earnings forecast for the financial year ending 31 March. US insurer AIG is believed to be the lead insurer on a $130m "all-risks" policy for the aircraft that was destroyed in the collision, insurance industry sources told Reuters. Japanese authorities investigating the crash said the smaller coast guard plane was not cleared for takeoff while the Japan Airlines plane was given a green signal for landing at Tokyos Haneda airport. Charred remains of the Japan Airlines plane According to the transcripts of air traffic control instructions, the Japan Coast Guards Bombardier Dash-8 was told to "taxi to holding point C5" a part of the airfields taxiway system where aircraft wait for permission to enter the active runway. The transcripts seem to conflict with the account provided by the sole survivor among the six crew members of the coast guard plane who said he received clearance to access the runway that the Japan Airlines airliner was approaching. The coast guard aircraft was on a rescue and relief mission to the Mondays earthquake-hit regions. Dramatic video footage showed the Japan Airlines plane bursting into a fireball and skidding through the runway with hundreds of passengers inside it. Officials look at the burnt wreckage of a Japan Airlines (JAL) passenger plane on the tarmac (AFP via Getty Images) Describing the hellish experience, Anton Deibe, a 17-year-old passenger from Sweden said "the entire cabin was filled with smoke within a few minutes. We threw ourselves down on the floor. Then the emergency doors were opened and we threw ourselves at them. "The smoke in the cabin stung like hell. It was a hell. We have no idea where we are going so we just run out into the field. It was chaos," the passenger told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. 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 }} Myanmars military government has ordered the mass pardoning of nearly 10,000 inmates, including 114 foreigners, an annual ritual that still leaves the country with many thousands of political prisoners. Emotional scenes played out at the Insein Prison in Yangon on Thursday as families and relatives welcomed those released after years in detention with tears and hugs. The identities of those released was not revealed during the exercise, conducted on the 76th anniversary of the countrys independence from Britain. They included jailed photojournalist Kaung Sett Lin, who was seen in pictures from Insein Prison waving from a prison bus and then hugging family members after his release. A Myanmar Pressphoto Agency photographer, Kaung was sentenced in December 2022 to serve three years hard labour in prison. But they did not include former leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior figures from her democratically-elected government, who have remained in prison since they were ousted by a military coup in February 2021. The head of Myanmars military council, General Min Aung Hlaing, issued a pardon to 9,652 prisoners, state-run MRTV television reported. It included 114 jailed foreigners who will be deported, he said, without revealing their identities or nationalities. Kaung Sett Lin, centre, photojournalist, is welcomed by family members and colleagues after he was released Insein Prison in Yangon (AP) Relatives celebrate with a released prisoner outside Insein prison on Myanmar's Independence Day in Yangon (AFP via Getty Images) "With the intention of maintaining relations with other countries and on humanitarian grounds, 114 foreign prisoners will be pardoned," the junta said in a brief announcement on state media. "They will be deported." The release of prisoners began on Thursday in a process that was expected to take several days. Videos and pictures showed family members of some of the prisoners sitting and waiting outside the gates of Insein Prison in Yangon notorious as a facility for housing political detainees in grim conditions since Thursday morning. There was no sign that Ms Suu Kyi, who has been held virtually incommunicado by the military since it seized power, was among the prisoners being released. A Myanmar activist holds a portrait of Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Ky (AFP via Getty Images) The 78-year-old Nobel laureate has been sentenced to 27 years imprisonment after being convicted in a series of cases brought by the military and prosecuted in closed-door trials. The charges range from illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies, election fraud and violating coronavirus restrictions, to corruption and sedition. She has denied all the charges and rights groups have condemned the trials as a political sham, meant to discredit her and legitimise the militarys seizure of power. More than 25,730 people have been arrested on political charges since the army takeover, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a rights monitoring organisation. Relatives react as a bus carrying released inmates exits Insein prison in Yangon, Myanmar (EPA) Freelance photographer Kaung Set Lynn greets attendees from inside a bus (EPA) Out of those, 19,930 people were still in detention as of Wednesday, it said, adding that 4,277 pro-democracy activists have been killed by the security forces. Most of those detained are being held on incitement charges for allegedly causing fear, spreading false news or agitating against government employees. Periodic amnesties have been announced before on Myanmars national holidays. In one that took place in August this year, Ms Suu Kyis prison sentence was reduced after she was pardoned on five charges. In practice it is unlikely to make much difference, as she still faces more than a dozen cases. The daughter of Myanmars independence hero, Ms Suu Kyi was first put under house arrest in 1989 amid huge protests against decades of military rule. She was only fully released from house arrest in 2010. A bus carrying prisoners exits Insein prison as gathered relatives and friends await (EPA) A man hugs family members upon his release from Insein prison in Yangon, Myanmar (EPA) She swept a 2015 election, held as part of tentative democratic reforms, and her party won the next election in November 2020. Known and beloved in much of Myanmar as the Lady, she won the Nobel Peace Prize for campaigning for democracy in 1991. In Naypyitaw, the capital of Myanmar, the military government marked the anniversary of independence with a flag-raising ceremony and a small military parade at City Hall. The junta leaders Independence Day message, published in the state-run press, did not address the countrys prolonged political crisis or the increasingly deadly skirmishes with rebel groups as part of a worsening civil war. A prisoner, left, is welcomed by family members and colleagues after he was released Insein Prison in Yangon, Myanmar (AP) During a live broadcast of a flag-saluting ceremony, vice-senior general Soe Win, the vice-chairman of the ruling military council, delivered Mr Aung Hlaings speech. Briefly touching on the topic of the resistance movement, he urged the ethnic minority groups, many of which are actively opposing military rule, to strengthen national unity. He also pledged that the military government would conduct an election and transfer state responsibilities to the elected government, without specifying any timeframe for doing so. 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 }} Farmers remain hugely frustrated with Rishi Sunaks government over post-Brexit subsidy payments, as ministers set out the long-awaited replacement for the EUs agricultural support scheme. Environment secretary Steve Barclay promised it would be easier for farmers to get help as he revealed the structure of payments including hundreds of pounds per hectare for maintaining habitats. But the National Farmers Union (NFU) said there were still more questions than answers, long after the post-Brexit consultation launched in 2018. NFU vice-president David Exwood said: It remains hugely frustrating that nearly six years on [from the consultation] government is still a long way behind on its commitments. It comes as Mr Barclay also insisted that coming changes to the labelling of food products will not lead to consumers having to pay more at the supermarket tills. The government has been under pressure to finally set out its agricultural support schemes to replace EU funding since the UK left the bloc in 2020. Mr Barclay said on Thursday that premium payments will be offered to British farmers helping the environment, such as 765 per hectare for lapwing nesting plots, or 1,242 per hectare for connecting river and floodplain habitat. Environment secretary Steve Barclay says post-Brexit payments will make life easier for farmers (Getty) Farmers already carrying out work to protect nature will be offered higher payments, with the amount for maintaining grasslands, wetlands and scrub rising from 182 per hectare to 646. Applications to receive support will be open from the summer of 2024 and are designed to promote British producers while encouraging them to protect nature. Mr Barclay said: We have listened to farmers feedback and set out the biggest upgrades to our farming schemes since leaving the EU, with more money, more choice and more trust to support domestic food production whilst also protecting the environment. The cabinet minister added: Were also making it easier for farmers of every farm type and size to enter the schemes, and I encourage everyone to take a look at how you can join. The NFU has been highly critical of the government over slow progress in meeting promises to boost environmental land management schemes (ELMs) aimed at replacing EU subsidies. While welcoming the increased payments and new options for support, the union said firms were still facing a minimum of 50 per cent reduction in the direct payments due in 2024. The NFUs vice-president said the tapering of payments planned up to 2027 continues to be very concerning. Mr Exwood added: We urgently need business-critical detail on how farmers and growers will smoothly transition from existing agreements to the new offer. Changes include a 10 per cent increase in the average agreements in the sustainable farming incentive and countryside stewardship, and about 50 new actions for which farmers can be paid, such as developing robotic mechanical weeding. The government has previously said it is offering 45m for those creating new technology to make farming more efficient. There will also be different payment options, with shorter agreements of up to three years available for tenant farmers. Mr Barclay also announced government plans to change food labelling so that consumers can see if imported food does not meet UK welfare standards. The government wants people to buy more domestically produced food and would like supermarkets to have a buy British button on their websites. Speaking to journalists at the Oxford Farming Conference on Thursday, Mr Barclay said the changes are intended to avoid shoppers confusing imports for their British counterparts. He said: Its about recognising that there will be some consumers that want to pay for quality that do care about animal welfare so its about empowering the consumer. Mr Barclay added: Its not about closing off options for others, its about ensuring that someone who thinks when they see the union jack flag that the thing on the shelf is British, just making sure that quite often that is not the case. Ministers are hoping to have 60 per cent of the food eaten in the UK produced here, while also meeting a commitment to restore at least 30 per cent of the UKs natural environment by 2030. Conservation groups have largely welcomed the payments for protecting habitats but said much more needs to be done to hit the 2030 target. Richard Benwell, chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said it was very good to see Defra offer higher premium payments for nature-friendly farming choices but said more needed to be done to promote sustainable farming. He warned: With six years until the legal target to halt natures decline, its impossible to imagine that were on track to reverse long-term decline in farmland wildlife, restore protected habitats to good condition, or stop the pollution pouring into our waterways. 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 }} A large part of Europe has been swept by a wintry blast of snowstorms and freezing temperatures, with heavy rain and strong winds exacerbating harsh living conditions in the western regions. The weather conditions have left three people dead in Britain and Netherlands and caused widespread disruption in transport services, power outages, and school closures. Temperatures plunged to -40C in the Nordic region for a second day in a row on Wednesday while Finland and Sweden recorded their coldest temperatures of the winter. Mercury dropped to -43.6C in Kvikkjokk-Arrenjarka in Swedish Lapland the lowest temperature recorded in January in Sweden in 25 years, Swedens TT news agency reported. Its the coldest temperature we have had so far this winter, and it will continue to be quite cold weather in the north, Swedish meteorologist Nils Holmqvist said. Extremely heavy snowfall, gale-force winds, and sub-zero temperatures disrupted transport services across the Nordic regions with several bridges closed and some train and ferry services suspended for hundreds of people. Several schools have been closed in the Scandinavian region as Norway and Denmark were blanketed in snow and authorities urged people to avoid unnecessary travel. Police across Denmark have urged the public to avoid the roads as snow battered the northern and western parts of the country. An aerial view taken on January 3, 2024 shows snow and ice in the TAAlA area with the Temppeliaukio Church (front C) and Lapinlahti Bay in the Finnish capital Helsinki (AFP via Getty Images) Windy and wet weather conditions struck farther south where a storm named Henk wreaked havoc in western Europe and two people died. In Britain, a driver died after a tree fell on his car in western England and another man died near the town of Kemble on Tuesday afternoon, Gloucestershire police said. Storm Henk has ripped through parts of the UK with near-100mph winds and flash floods, leaving commuters stranded and some damage to houses. A jogger runs past a sculpture resembling a heart during snowfall in Stockholm, Sweden (TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Ima) There were more than 300 floods across England and Wales on Wednesday with 10,000 homes without power. A 75-year-old man died in Eindhoven, Netherlands, after he fell off his bicycle on Tuesday as a snowstorm lashed much of the country. Police believe that the snowstorm may have played a role in his accident and subsequent death. A truck is being removed from the snowy street following an accident during heavy snowfall in Viborg, central Jutland, Denmark (Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima) The national water authority reported that a portion of a dyke responsible for controlling water levels was washed away on Wednesday afternoon. The water started streaming into the already swollen Maas River near the city of Maastricht. As a precautionary measure, owners of several houseboats were undergoing evacuation. In France, more than 200 people were evacuated and 10,000 houses were without power after heavy rains lashed the northern Pas-de-Calais and Nord regions since Sunday. A person rides their bicycle as a blizzard hits the morning traffic in Aalborg, Denmark (EPA) In the town of Blendecques, streets transformed into water passages, prompting authorities to caution residents in flood-alert zones on Wednesday to limit their movements until water levels recede. Hundreds of emergency workers from France worked to clear roads and pump out water from the worst-hit towns. Flood and wind warnings remained in place on Thursday for several regions across northern France and its borders with Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. More rains are expected to hit the areas with wind up to 100kph. 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 }} Barry Keoghan has admitted hes among the many fans who purchased a Jacob Elordi Saltburn bath water candle. Speaking to Variety, the 31-year-old Irish actor joked that he owns nearly a dozen of the Saltburn-themed candles that went viral this week. I already have 10 of them, Keoghan said at a Louis Vuitton pop-up in Los Angeles on 3 January. Theyre all burning at my house right now. Ever since the Emerald Fennell-led film became available to stream on Prime Video over the Christmas holiday - and children forced their parents to watch the shocking thriller - the most talked-about scene has been when Keoghans Oliver Quick slurps the used bath water that Elordis Felix Catton was masturbating in just minutes before. Now, one fan has paid tribute to the pivotal scene with a soy wax candle available on Etsy, labelled Jacob Elordis Bathwater. The product description for the candle, which retails for $27.73 (21.85) reads: Theres nothing quite like the smell of a quality candle, particularly when that smell is inspired by Jacob Elordi and what we imagine His Highness to smell like. The candle comes in three scents - comfort spice, sea breeze, and vanilla - and features a cotton wick for an average burn time of 50-60 hours. The candle is being sold by Etsy store Side Hustle Vibes, which also offers Drakes bath water, Harry Styless bath water, and a candle labelled Eau De Timothee. Our candle aims to capture the essence of the charismatic figure of Felix Catton, promising a sensorial experience like no other, they said. Let the flickering flame and the captivating scent transport you to Emerald Fennells world of Saltburn, where fantasy and reality intertwine. (Etsy / SideHustleVibes) Meanwhile, another version of the Jacob Elordi Bath Water candle is available to purchase on Amazon for $35 (27.57). Saltburn, written and directed by Fennell, is set on a luxury country estate belonging to the aristocratic Felix Catton (played by Elordi), who invites his Oxford university classmate Oliver Quick (played by Keoghan) to stay with him for the summer. Oliver grows intrigued by his friends way of life and a series of tragic events subsequently disrupt Felixs family. The film, which was initially released in the US and UK on 17 November, also stars Rosamund Pike, Richard E Grant, and Conversations With Friends actor Alison Oliver. The Euphoria star isnt the only celebrity with a candle to his name. Gwyneth Paltrow infamously released a vagina-scented candle on her lifestyle website Goop back in January 2020, called This smells like my vagina. The candle, which cost $75 (60) at the time, quickly sold out. While Paltrow explained the geranium, citrusy bergamot, and cedar-scented product originally began as a joke, shes since described the vagina-scented candle as a feminist statement. In an Instagram Q&A last September, the Shakespeare in Love actor clarified that the viral candle was not meant to actually smell like anyones vagina and that was the point. People tried to make it about something else, which is kind of a shame because it was really meant to be this strong feminist statement, she remarked on the backlash. But we no longer make the candle. Read The Independents four-star review of Saltburnhere. 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 }} As the 81st annual Golden Globes soon approach, were taking a look back at the best-dressed celebrities from the 2023 red carpet. After a hiatus in 2022, last years ceremony returned more glamorous and glitzy than ever, with Hollywoods biggest names arriving on the red carpet at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in all manners of show-stopping looks on Tuesday 10 January. Between ruffles, colourful tuxedos, and a lot of sequins, stars arrived, donning a number of emerging trends from 2023 on the Golden Globes red carpet. From Laverne Cox to Lily James and Anya Taylor-Joy, these were the best red carpet from the 2023 Golden Globes. Laverne Cox (Getty Images) Cox, who hosted the red carpet coverage ahead of last years awards show, arrived on the red carpet on Tuesday night in a blue vintage John Galliano gown. Jessica Chastain (Getty Images) Chastain arrived on the red carpet in a sheer strapless sequined gown with embellished details. She paired the gown with a sleek updo and matching mask, prompting praise from fans. Emma DArcy (Getty Images) The House of the Dragon star chose a unique ensemble for the Golden Globes, with the actor arriving in a black oversized tuxedo, which they paired with a purple hairstyle and bright purple rubber gloves. Selena Gomez (Getty Images) Gomez opted for a dark purple strapless gown with oversized purple statement sleeves for the awards ceremony, which she attended alongside her sister. Donald Glover (Getty Images) Glover posed on the red carpet ahead of the awards ceremony in white pants and a matching top, which he paired with a black tuxedo jacket. Andrew Garfield (Getty Images) Garfield also chose to stray from the classic black tuxedo for the red carpet, with the actor instead opting for a burnt orange suit, which he paired with a black shirt. Michelle Yeoh (Getty Images) Yeoh chose a blue sparkling statement gown with a peplum detail for the 2023 Golden Globes. She completed the look with a diamond choker necklace. Margot Robbie (AFP via Getty Images) Robbie arrived on the red carpet ahead of the Golden Globes in a pink and silver custom Chanel couture halter-neck gown with a lace hem. Jenna Ortega (Getty Images) The Wednesday star chose a pale beige gown with cut-outs for the awards ceremony. She accessorised the look with a multi-chain silver choker. Lily James (Getty Images) James also chose a red statement gown for the 2023 Golden Globes, with the actress posing in a structured strapless ballgown with cut-out details around the waist. She completed the look with a sleek bob hairstyle and a diamond choker. Anya Taylor-Joy (Getty Images) The Menu star posed in a yellow cropped top and a matching floor-length skirt on the red carpet ahead of the awards show. She accessorised the ensemble with a diamond choker and her long blonde hair worn straight. Daisy Edgar-Jones (Getty Images) Edgar-Jones wore a black Victorian-inspired gown with a ruffled ballgown skirt for this years Golden Globes. While walking the red carpet, the actress suggested that the gown is Wednesday-inspired. Hilary Swank (Getty Images) Swank, who recently revealed that she is expecting twins, chose a dark green gown for the awards ceremony. She cradled her pregnant stomach as she smiled for cameras on the red carpet. Salma Hayek (Getty Images) Hayek also chose a sheer sequin-embellished gown for this years red carpet. The actress paired the dress, which featured cap sleeves, with an updo. Quinta Brunson (Getty Images) Brunson chose a black and pink tulle mermaid gown for this years Golden Globes, which the actress paired with a sleek ponytail and simple jewellery. Heidi Klum (Getty Images) The supermodel chose a statement gown for this years red carpet, with Klum opting for a silver sequin mini dress with a purple feather boa detail. She was joined on the red carpet by her husband Tom Kaulitz, with the pair exchanging a kiss for the cameras. Jennifer Coolidge (Getty Images) The White Lotus star chose a Tanya-esque gown for this years awards ceremony, with the actress posing on the red carpet in a black sequin off-the-shoulder gown. Billy Porter (AFP via Getty Images) Porter brought glamour to the red carpet with a hot pink velvet suit-ballgown ensemble. He completed the look with a matching pink bowtie and silver platform sequin heels. Viola Davis (Getty Images) Davis wore a stunning blue gown with a short train for the 2023 Golden Globes. She completed the look with simple jewellery and a silver clutch. Angela Bassett (Getty Images) Bassett joined the sequin trend with a silver halter neck gown. She completed the look with a curled bob hairstyle and a black statement clutch. Michelle Williams (Getty Images) Williams arrived on the red carpet in a nude ruffled statement dress ahead of the 2023 Golden Globes. The one-shouldered gown featured sparkling gold trim, while Williams accessorised the look with gold heels and a simple updo. Niecy Nash (Getty Images) Nash also opted for a purple glittering gown for the 2023 Golden Globes. The actress paired the floor-length gown, which featured a jewelled purple panel, with a structured plum cape. Letitia Wright (Getty Images) Wright wore a stunning orange gown with a slit for the awards ceremony. She paired the look with simple drop earrings and matching orange heels. Elizabeth Debicki (Getty Images) Debicki chose a strapless pink floor-length gown for the awards ceremony, which featured a simple belt detail. She paired the dress with a diamond necklace. Claire Danes (Getty Images) Danes wore a unique pale pink dress with floral details and a pink satin bow for the 2023 Golden Globes. Liza Koshy (Getty Images) The influencer opted for sheer black lace gown with a cut-out thong detail for the awards show. She paired the unique ensemble with a multi-strand black choker necklace and an updo. Monica Barbaro (Getty Images) Barbaro chose a stunning strapless red tulle gown for this years red carpet, which the actress accessorised with red lipstick and a simple sleek bob hairstyle. Julia Garner (Getty Images) Garner proved that ruffles are the breakout trend on this years red carpet, with the actress arriving in a pale pink gown with silver sequin detailing and a ruffled drop hem. Dolly De Leon (Getty Images) De Leon posed in a black leather gown with matching black leather gloves on the red carpet ahead of the 2023 Golden Globes. Rhea Seehorn (Getty Images) Seehorn also chose black sequins for the 2023 Golden Globes, with the actress opting for a black long-sleeve sequin gown with a red and pink floral pattern and statement shoulders. She completed the look with a bright green clutch. Eddie Redmayne (Getty Images) (Getty Images) Redmayne also opted for a unique red carpet look for this years awards, with the actor posing on the red carpet in a brown suit with a brown satin lapel and a matching satin flower. He was joined by his wife Hannah Bagshawe, who wore a black satin gown with pockets and a train. Domee Shi (AFP via Getty Images) The film director arrived on the red carpet on Tuesday night in a bright pink satin suit which she wore unbuttoned to show off her black leather strapless top. Jenny Slate (Getty Images) Slate chose a bright green halter-neck gown for the red carpet, which included a flower detail on her chest. She completed the vibrant look with an updo and gold heels. Britt Lower (AFP via Getty Images) Lower also made a statement with her red carpet gown, with the actress posing in a black strapless gown with a ballgown-style pink skirt. She completed the look with full-length black leather gloves. Jamie Lee Curtis (AFP via Getty Images) Curtis arrived on the red carpet in a black strapless wide-leg jumpsuit. She accessorised the outfit with a black lace floor-length cape. Milly Alcock (Getty Images) Alcock chose a black gown with jewel statement details. She paired the look with a half-updo and black heels. Zanna Roberts Rassi (Getty Images) Rassi also opted for an old Hollywood glamour look to kick of awards season, with the Milk Makeup cofounder arriving on the red carpet in a cream-coloured strapless dress, which she paired with a black harness. She completed the look with black satin stilettos. Olivia Hamilton (Getty Images) Hamilton kept her look simple, with the actress choosing a black gown with just a hint of sparkle in the form of a silver sequin belt. She completed the ensemble with a matching silver sequin clutch. Sheryl Lee Ralph (Getty Images) Ralph chose a metallic purple embellished gown for this years awards show, with the actress pairing the look with matching purple eyeshadow. Kaley Cuoco (Getty Images) Cuoco, who recently announced she is pregnant, cradled her pregnant stomach in a pastel purple gown on the red carpet ahead of the 2023 Golden Globes. Zuri Hall (Getty Images) Hall chose a white halter-neck gown with jewel-encrusted straps for the awards show, which she paired with a sleek bob haircut. Chloe Flower (Getty Images) Flower arrived on the red carpet in a stunning white statement mini dress with a structured ruffle train. Abby Elliott (AFP via Getty Images) The comedian chose a high-necked orange sequin gown with long sleeves for this years awards show. She paired the gown with an orange clutch. Cassie DiLaura (Getty Images) DiLaura arrived on the red carpet on Tuesday night in a red floor-length gown with draped sleeve details. She completed the red carpet look with a slicked-back hairstyle. Emily Uribe (Getty Images) Uribe opted for a bright pink strapless gown with a side bow and pockets for the awards ceremony. She completed the look with a jewel choker. Li Jun Li (Getty Images) Li arrived on the red carpet in a strapless silver gown with a jeweled pattern at the hem. She paired the dress with a small silver clutch, simple jewellery and a sleek updo. Tefi Pessoa (AFP via Getty Images) TikTok star Pessoa chose a black cut-out dress for the red carpet, with the influencer completing the look with multiple rings and a wet-look hairstyle. Davis Burleson (Getty Images) Burleson also opted for a statement red carpet look, with the TikTok host arriving on the red carpet at the Golden Globes in a charcoal metallic suit. Gigi Paris (AFP via Getty Images) The model arrived on the red carpet in a sheer gold gown with a ruffled skirt detail. She paired the look with a simple choker and dangling earrings. Ivy Maurice (AFP via Getty Images) Maurice chose a gold off-the-shoulder structured top and matching skirt for the awards ceremony. Mark Indelicato (AFP via Getty Images) Indelicato made a statement when he arrived on the red carpet in a light yellow satin suit. 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 }} Wrapped in a blue abyss, a young Prince Gyasi is pictured playing with colourful tokens in the 2024 Pirelli Calendar. Only its not actually the 28-year-old photographer, but Abul Faid Yussif, a seven-year-old pretending to be him. Prince was behind the camera, capturing Yussif inside his mind. Here, on the cover, the visionaires creative innocence is epitomised a driving motivation behind his exquisite execution of the dockets 50th edition entitled Timeless. When I met Prince, despite his aptitude for conceiving hues, he was dressed in all black (except for the silver accents on his square-toe Gucci boots). Hed just finished a few rounds of interviews ahead of the Calendars release, and unfortunately, I wasnt his last. Itd only been two minutes, and we hadnt gotten through formal introductions. Instead, I stood in front of the inspired creator, an architect of vibrance, if you will, watching as he dabbed spilled liquid from the carpet with a napkin. I had entered his room in The Edition Hotel when Prince, moving to greet me, knocked a can of Dole Pineapple Juice over. Wait, let me wipe off this part, Prince insisted before I approached the leftover dribble. This is terrible. The moment was tender there I was, standing in front of this esteemed artist, inside a private room stocked with sweet snacks and soft drinks all set up to honour his transformative work. Yet, he was concerned about staining the hotel rug. Right then, I saw Princes purity, his inner child. He hadnt told me how this part of himself inspired his concept for the Calendar, but it was clear hed been protecting and channeling it all his life. From international supermodel Naomi Campbell, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and renowned actor Idris Elba to poet Amanda Gorman and revolutionary producer Jeymes Samuel, this years Pirelli Calendar featured leaders, inventors, writers, and icons through the lens of an adolescent Prince. The 2024 special edition presents 12 images that pull you into a subverse of colour, setting each token individual against a hue-specific background, delineating them as the timeless personas Prince sees a testament to their permanent effect on the world. He tells their stories and his own by channeling his heritage and his youth. As the first Black artist to shoot for Pirelli, Prince aimed to embolden a younger generation, inspiring them to be fearless in their pursuit, whetever that may be and in my opinion, he did. Abul Faid Yussif poses as a young Prince Gyasi for the cover of the 2024 Pirelli Calendar (The 2024 Pirelli Calendar) With the introduction and expansion of tyre competitors in 1964, Pirelli UK Limited, the Italian multinational conglomerates British subordinate, sought to increase its visibility by adding a new facet to the company a print book offered exclusively to its customers. The Group hoped they could beat the competition by utilising this distinct marketing strategy to not only celebrate their loyal community, but current cultural phenomenon. For the original Calendar, Pirelli tapped art director Derek Forsyth and photographer Robert Freeman, the creator behind the achromatic stills of The Beatles. Throughout the past four decades, the Calendar has been at the vanguard of present time, producing images that impress upon modern ideas. Between Paolo Roversi, Terence Donovan, Patrick Demarchelier, and Annie Leibovitz, the worlds most iconic photographers have combined their own avant-garde style with intentional set and fashion direction to formulate and put forth their individual views. Whether youre referring to Sarah Moons 1972 docket that established her as the first female photographer to shoot for the Group or Mert and Marcus reaction to sensual beauty with models like Kate Moss and Gisele Bundchen in their 2006 edition, each Calendar has been modishly produced as a constructive instrument in society. When defining his approach, Prince thought back on how he perceived each creative when he was child. The goal was to channel their immutable effect, illustrate the community among them, while enforcing this message: I may be the first but I refuse to be the last to encapsulate this idea of being timeless. You have to remember the first time you heard of the name Naomi Campbell. You have to remember and you have to see it the way it was, not trying to tamper with it. It has to be authentic, Prince told me. But at the same time, because you want to create a surreal world, you have to make sure its coming from your memories from when you were a kid because, for me, Im still a child. Everything is like a playground to me and bringing all these people together and creating unique sets for them, I had to be a child again. They are the ones that kind of created a pattern for you to follow, he continued. His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu (The 2024 Pirelli Calendar) Prince admitted he was influenced by each innovator over the years, but his artistic path was almost predetermined, long before he found his niche. Growing up, his parents were musicians and his grandfather was a former traditional pop artist. Whether he liked it or not, art was intrinsic to his life. However, Prince had developed his own rare relationship with colour too. As a child, the Ghanian artist quickly realised his sensory association was different from that of others. He had been diagnosed with synesthesia early on, meaning his brain routes sensory information through irregular senses. Tuesday isnt just the second day of the week for him. The number four isnt just a measurement or quantity. And the letter P isnt only the first letter of his name. Everything was, and still is, thought of as a certain shade or hue. Now, Prince is one of the most admired and established photographers, with a technique indicative of his background in painting and his inherent multicoloured vision. Hell take a subject or a landscape and place it under a kaleidoscopic structure a method that appears like organic animation and one that was reflected in his Calendar. Angela Bassett (The 2024 Pirelli Calendar) By the looks of her page, youd think Angela Basset had been transported to a different universe or trapped inside a two-dimensional world. The Black Panther actress holds a colossal gold key the same one seen with young Prince on the cover. Behind Basset, two grand doors lead to a yellow chasm. She assumes the role of a conqueror, standing barefoot in rippled water enveloped by a cracked blue and green molding. In Princes eyes, Basset is someone capable of unlocking ethereal views an actress, but a lasting treasure no less. For Jeymes Samuels shot, he was placed in front of a lambent landscape, peering through retractable lenses on a pink chair. The producer donned a ruby red suit with a collared yellow undershirt, and the long blue leg of his contraption in place of a tie. Samuel is a kind of mad scientist, presenting neoteric projects to the world as he does. But let it be known, the music aficionado doesnt believe himself to be the crazed innovator Prince sees. He sees me as a visionary. And so Im like a scientist. And incidentally, a lot of people see me as some kind of mad scientist, the songwriter said. Personally, I think the whole worlds mad and Im the only sane one. Margot Lee Shetterly, the author of Hidden Figures, was paired with Amanda Gorman for the Calendar. The two women donned voluptuous feathered gowns. Their hue was a mustard yellow, embellished by hot pink and royal blue. Gorman was up on a ladder to the right of Shetterly. Behind them was a big board with equations for speed, power, and time written across. Gorman and Shetterly were educators, writers with influential prowess, technique, curiosity, and a burning desire to uncover the truth. What I really like about Prince as the photographer for this Calendar is that he merges two things, Shetterly carefully explained to me. Hes got this very specific vision of blackness, of African-ness, of African American-ness, that he is trying to communicate, and yet his art and his images are very transcendent. They are universal, theyre accessible, theyre visceral, theyre aesthetically very appealing. You look at them, and you feel yourself drawn into these colours and these images and these people. Amanda Gorman and Margot Lee Shetterly (The 2024 Pirelli Calendar) Hes created this, this world that is specific, but its transcendent. You know, thats, thats what you have to do if you want something that is, uh, thats, thats relevant, thats appealing, Shetterly said. As much as Princes Pirelli Calendar broadened the scope of storytelling in art and paid homage to the major creators that effect change, the 50th edition was an ode to a group of designers who also appeared unafraid to reshape norms. Stylist Ola-Oluwa Ebiti, whose career progressed in 2018 when there was a focus shift in fashion to West Africa and subsequent African style codes, wanted to feature independent London-based designers with pieces that formed recherche imagery. Selecting runway or archive looks from the major fashion houses wasnt of interest to Ebiti. I think what I really wanted to do was kind of use the designers as this love letter to young foreigners, Ebiti explained. Because I think London is really exciting, because all these people come from different parts of London, from different parts of the world. They come to London, either to study, or to like, you know, find a new life for themselves. And then they put that all into their reality in London, into their creation in London. Naomi Campbell (The 2024 Pirelli Calendar) Similar to how Princes photographs have a fine art component, the designers Ebiti chose like Asai Takeaway and Darcey Fleming sketched and sewed pieces that appeared more like abstract sculptures. Flemings bouncy feather garments, worn by Shetterly and Gorman, added contradiction with their natural material (dead hay), but eccentric structure. Meanwhile, Bradley Sharpe, who designed Naomi Campbells outfit, plays with silhouttes using abnormal style adornments like stiff, circular waistbands and ballooned head pieces. Ebiti noted: I kind of looked at all the designers, all the young designers in London at the moment and what they were saying and what was really relevant at that time. I think I kind of pieced them together in that way, in the narrative of like who the designer was and what theyre doing versus what the image is trying to say as well. A lot of the looks I was really, even in silhouettes, I was really cautious that it wasnt anything too out of the moment or too young or too fashionable, he continued. It was all quite timeless so that if If youre looking at it 10 years from now, 20 years from now, or even six months from now, you know, it still is very relevant to the eye. Prince intended for his Calendar to make viewers think about the permanent significance of community, power, and tranquility. But his composition of the Pirelli Calendar has gone far beyond that, moving those hes looked up to for years by encouraging them to recognise their own influence and specific skill. You know, weve still got a long way to go before we experience real diversity, real inclusion, and more importantly, real tolerance of one another on the planet. But I think the 2024 Pirelli Calendar is a huge leap forward within the canvas that we call artistic expression, Samuel confessed. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A mother has defended herself after she was confronted when she let her toddler eat in the grocery store before shed paid for the items. Samantha Mary took to TikTok, where she explained what happened when her two-year-old son Jack ate two baby pouches of yoghurt at Tesco, a UK grocery store chain. The mother said her interaction with the cashier when trying to scan the two almost-empty pouches never made her feel so judged by somebody. She explained that, prior to taking Jack to the grocery store with her, he had been sick and not eating much. Although Mary brought snacks with her for him to eat if he got hungry, he wasnt interested in them. Jack did show an interest in the yoghurt pouches, which due to his previously poor appetite, she allowed him to eat. Mary then went to the register to pay and she said the cashier, literally gave me the most disgusted look, didnt say a word, scanned them, and threw them in the bin. After telling the cashier her son wasnt done eating them Mary said she tutted and huffed at her, before pulling the pouches out of the trash and handing them back to her. While continuing to check her out, she recalled the cashier continuing to give her awful looks. Eventually, Mary said she spoke up, recalling: I said to her: Look, Im really sorry, I havent meant to upset you or put you out. I just passed them to you because I wanted to make sure you could scan them. I just dont think its right that people let their kids eat stuff from the food shop on the way around, the cashier replied, according to the TikToker. At this point, Mary said her mom button was pushed and she said: I dont really think it is your job to be giving your opinion on what you think. The two reportedly continued to argue until Mary was in tears, explaining how her son had been sick and not eating before she was given a half-apology. The mother said she wanted to file a formal complaint but couldnt because she had an appointment to get to. Mary wrote in her caption that she would file a complaint if possible. Her TikTok went on to be viewed over one million times, with some people in the comments section supporting her anger, while others agreed with the cashier. I always let my son eat on the way round! one fellow mom wrote in the comments. Crisps, sandwich, yoghurt, drinks! Couldnt care less, hes happy! Some commenters explained that eating before paying can count as theft and the cashier might not have been happy to touch something that had been half-eaten by a sick child. I agree with Tesco on this one. Especially if youre not carrying cash... if your card declines and you cant pay its definitely theft. Pay then eat, one commenter wrote. Another commenter agreed, writing: Wait so youre upset that an underpaid cashier wasnt thrilled at being handed half empty packets your snotty, sick child had been slobbering on? So you gave her a half eaten spit covered yoghurt sachet to scan and you dont understand why she would be annoyed by that? The sheer entitlement, wrote a third comment. 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 }} Pamela Anderson has opted to go makeup-free while posing in a new campaign for a luxury fashion brand, Proenza Schouler. The 56-year-old actor and model was recently featured in the brands spring 2024 campaign, as she posed in some of the latest pieces from the line. In the photographs, Anderson seemingly stood by her usual strategy for Hollywood events: wearing no makeup. In one of the images shared on Proenza Schoulers Instagram, the Baywatch star could be seen with her blonde hair pushed back and wearing a white, ribbon mesh dress with a black blazer. She was pictured leaning in her chair as she held two plastic bags in one hand and a black purse in the other. Another photo on Proenza Schoulers website showed Anderson wearing a long red dress with her hair pushed back, while she wore the brands Stella Monogram Sweater in Cashmere Jacquard, which retails for $990, in another image. Throughout the campaign, Anderson wore items that were up for pre-order, including the Sandis Jacket in Cotton Viscose that retails for $2,290 and the Dara Layered Top in Technical Nylon Jersey for $890. The Barb Wire actor also posed in a pair of white jeans with blue bleach designs, which retails for $450, and toe-ringed black sandals for $795. The Pamela: A Love Story star has recently opened up about not wearing makeup. In December 2023, she candidly wrote in her weekly newsletter, The Open Journal, about her beauty regime. Anderson specified that shes not hovering over the sink with multiple steps and noted that her skincare routine is pretty simple these days. I plant things where Ill see them and [apply them]... A rose hydration spray in the fridge that I use every time I open it a lip balm in my bag that I apply all day long especially in the winter, she wrote in the newsletter, per Glamour. In October 2023, Anderson went viral for her decision to go makeup-free when attending the Vivienne Westwood show during Paris Fashion Week. As she spoke with Vogue France at the event, Anderson admitted that she didnt initally plan on attending the show without makeup but had a change of heart when putting on her outfits. I didnt come to Paris Fashion Week and think: Im not going to wear any makeup, she said at the time. I dont know, something just kind of came over me. And I was just dressing in these beautiful clothes, and I thought: I dont want to compete with the clothes. Im not trying to be the prettiest girl in the room. She described how she felt when she didnt wear makeup to fashion events, adding: I feel like its just a freedom. Its like a relief. Anderson also acknowledged that her perspective on beauty has changed over time, as she recalled how her mother once told her that at some point in life, shes not going to want to wear makeup on [her] skin. After noting that her mother was right, Anderson explained how shes continued to challenge the meaning of beauty by choosing not to wear makeup. If we all chase youth or were chasing our idea of what beauty is in fashion magazines and everything, were only going to be disappointed and maybe a little bit sad, she said. 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 }} Zac Efron has opened up about his first kiss. The Iron Claw actor spoke candidly toW Magazine in an interview published on Wednesday 3 January. In addition to discussing the filming process for the wrestling drama, Efron detailed some personal stories from his life - including his first kiss. When asked where the kiss took place, the actor revealed it was in a tree house during a game of spin the bottle. In a tree house. We played spin the bottle. It was her birthday, and a bunch of us climbed up to the tree house, he told the outlet. There were candles - it was pretty cool. Despite opening up about the milestone, the High School Musical alum refused to name the girl that was lucky enough to be Efrons first kiss. However, that didnt stop Efron from being quick to name his celebrity crush. Tia Carrere from Waynes World. I loved her. She just seemed like a rock star, he said. While promoting his new film The Iron Claw, in which Efron stars as real-life wrestler Kevin Von Erich, he drew concern from fans after wearing sunglasses indoors during an interview with the Today show. The 36-year-old actor donned sunglasses as he sat beside his co-stars Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, and Stanley Simons. Efron explained that the reason he was wearing the shades indoors was to cover up an eye infection. Today host Craig Melvin joked as he introduced the actors: Zac Efron is a legitimate, bona fide Hollywood superstar but that is not the reason he is in shades right now. Immediately, a sheepish Efron apologised: No, Im sorry, man. I feel weird being in shades. I just have a bit of an eye infection, he explained. But I really wanted to be here. Its such a good movie, and I want to come see you guys and tell everyone about it. Man viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to voice their concerns about the actors appearance. Omg Zac wearing shades inside is not normal, one fan wrote. Hes not well. Hes having eye problems for sure. Another added: Zac Efron wearing these sunglasses indoors isnt gonna dispel any of the rumours or worry going on about him. It wasnt the first time Efron has faced scrutiny online for his appearance, with many commenting on his seemingly different jaw. The rumours began to swirl in April 2021, after the actor appeared in a promotional clip for an Earth Day special with Bill Nye. At the time, fans claimed there was a difference in Efrons facial structure, as many questioned whether the actors pronounced jaw was due to plastic surgery. Efron ultimately addressed plastic surgery speculation last September, reminding fans that one year ago hed shared that he shattered his jaw after smacking his chin against a fountain. In an interview with Mens Health, Efron commented on what he dubbed jaw-gate and explained that the noticeable change was due to the accident and the physical therapy he underwent. He explained that he slipped and fell while running through his house in socks, causing him to smash his chin against the granite corner of a fountain and knock himself out. Efron added that when he woke up, his chin bone was hanging off his face. According to Efron, his inner jaw muscles had to work harder to compensate as a result of the injury and they grew. He noted that he tried to mediate the growth through the help of a specialist and physical therapy. 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 }} North Korea and Russia clashed with the United States, South Korea and their allies at an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting Tuesday on Pyongyangs latest intercontinental ballistic missile launch, which it called a warning counter-measure to threats from the U.S. and other hostile forces. North Korean Ambassador Kim Song said this is the most dangerous year in the military-security landscape on the Korean Peninsula, pointing to stepped up U.S.-South Korean military exercises and the U.S. deployment of nuclear-powered submarines and other nuclear assets to the area that have raised a nuclear war danger. The U.S. and nine allies pointed to five North Korean ICBM launches, over 25 ballistic missiles launches and three satellite launches using ballistic missile technology this year, violating multiple Security Council resolutions and threatening the peace and stability of its neighbors and the international community. In a statement read just before the council meeting by U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood, surrounded by diplomats from the other countries, the 10 countries condemned the latest ICBM launch on Dec. 17 and all launches before it. North Koreas Song urged the international community to think about North Koreas security concerns, calling its counter-measures an absolutely reasonable, normal and reflective response in exercise of its legitimate right to self-defense. He warned the U.S. and South Korea that if they continue with their reckless and irresponsible military threat, North Koreas armed forces will never remain an onlooker to it and the provokers will be held entirely responsible for all the consequences. North Korea will also continue to build up its strategic power of a more advanced type to contain and control any threat from the U.S. and its followers with immediate, overwhelming and decisive counter-measures, Song warned. The Security Council imposed sanctions after North Koreas first nuclear test explosion in 2006 and tightened them over the years in a total of 10 resolutions seeking so far unsuccessfully to cut funds and curb its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The last sanctions resolution was adopted by the council in December 2017. China and Russia vetoed a U.S.-sponsored resolution in May 2022 that would have imposed new sanctions over a spate of intercontinental ballistic missile launches. And the two veto-wielding council members have blocked any council action, including media statements, since then. The 10 countries Albania, Ecuador, France, Japan, Malta, South Korea, Slovenia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States said silence from the Security Council sends the wrong message to Pyongyang and all proliferators. They urged North Korea to abandon its unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and instead invest in feeding the people in North Korea and engage in diplomacy. They also urged all Security Council members to overcome their prolonged silence and uphold the nuclear nonproliferation regime. Russias deputy U.N. ambassador Anna Evstigneeva called attempts to condemn Pyongyang a one-sided approach. She warned that the situation is escalating to a dangerous brink, pointing to both Pyongyang and Seoul justifying their hostile moves as self-defense. And she accused the United States of deploying its massive military machine in the region, saying this looks more and more like preparations for an offensive operation, even though the U.S. says it has no hostile intentions. Evstigneeva said Russia again calls for a peaceful settlement of all issues on the Korean Peninsula through political and diplomatic means without external pressure. Wood, the U.S. deputy ambassador, countered that U.S. military exercises are defensive and its North Korea that has violated U.N. sanctions not South Korea, Japan or the U.S. And he said the United States has tried repeatedly to have an unconditional dialogue with Pyongyang but it has refused. 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 }} An airstrike on the logistical support headquarters of an Iran-backed militia in central Baghdad Thursday killed a high-ranking militia commander, militia officials said. Thursdays strike comes amid mounting regional tensions fueled by Israel-Hamas war and fears that it could spill over into surrounding countries. The Popular Mobilization Force - a coalition of militias that is nominally under the control of the Iraqi military - announced in a statement that its deputy head of operations in Baghdad, Mushtaq Taleb al-Saidi, or Abu Taqwa, had been killed as a result of brutal American aggression. It was not immediately clear who had carried out the strike. Officials with the U.S. military and embassy in Baghdad did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The strike killed two people and wounded five, according to two militia officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. One of the officials said al-Saidi was driving into the garage of the headquarters affiliated with the al-Nujaba militia, one of the members of the PMF, along with another militia official when the car was hit, killing both. Heavy security was deployed around the location of the strike on Baghdads Palestine Street, and Associated Press journalists were not allowed to approach the targeted building. Iraqi war planes could be seen flying overhead. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, a group of Iranian-backed militias calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has carried out more than 100 attacks on bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria. The group has said the attacks are in retaliation for Washingtons support of Israel in the war against Hamas that has killed more than 20,000 people in Gaza, and that they aim to push U.S. forces out of Iraq. The strike also comes two days after a suspected Israeli drone strike in the suburbs of Beirut killed Hamas deputy leader Saleh Arouri. Asked whether Israel had involvement in Thursdays strike in Baghdad, an Israeli military spokesperson declined to comment. Associated Press staff writers Bassem Mroue and Abby Sewell in Beirut and Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem contributed to this report. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A years-long investigation by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee has uncovered what they describe as a stunning web of at least $7 million in payments from foreign governments directly into the coffers of then-president Donald Trump. The committees findings, laid out in a newly released staff report, are derived from documents obtained by the panel before Republicans took control of the House last year and subsequently scuttled the probe into whether Mr Trump unlawfully accepted payments from foreign governments in violation of the US Constitutions Emoluments Clause. The report states that Democrats on the committee uncovered millions of dollars in payments made by foreign governments and their agents directly to Trump-owned businesses during his term, including the Washington DC hotel which Mr Trump operated just blocks from the White House. Payments also flowed from foreign governments to Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, his Trump World Tower at 845 United Nations Plaza in New York, and Mr Trumps eponymous Manhattan skyscraper, Trump Tower. The payments, the report says, totalled $7.8 million over just two of his four years in office, and came at the same time the foreign governments including China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and others were promoting specific foreign policy goals with the Trump Administration and even, at times, with President Trump himself, and as they were requesting specific actions from the United States to advance their own national policy objectives. Specifically, the report lays out payments directly into the then-presidents coffers from the following foreign governments, among others $5.6m from China to Trump Tower, Trump International Hotel in Washington, DC, and Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas $615,422 from Saudi Arabia to Trump World Tower and Trump International Hotel in DC $465,744 from Qatar to Trump World Tower $303,372 from Kuwait to Trump World Tower and Trump International Hotel in DC $282,764 from India to Trump World Tower and Trump International Hotel in DC $248,962 from Malaysia to Trump International Hotel in DC $154,750 from Afghanistan to Trump International Hotel in DC In a statement, House Oversight Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin said the records in question, which Democrats obtained from Mr Trumps former accounting firm Mazars USA, showed what was most likely just a small fraction of the payments former President Trump received from foreign governments while in office, in violation of the Constitutions Foreign Emoluments Clause. He also noted that the panel had found that the then-president took money from 19 foreign governments based on the two years of records obtained by the panel before Republicans took control of the lower chamber. After promising the greatest infomercial in political history, former President Donald Trump repeatedly and willfully violated the US Constitution by failing to divest from his business empire and allowing his businesses to accept millions of dollars in payments from some of the most corrupt nations on earth, Mr Raskin said. The governments making these payments sought specific foreign policy outcomes from President Trump and his Administration. Each dollar former President Trump accepted violated the Constitutions strict prohibition on payments from foreign governments, which the Founders enacted to prevent presidents from selling out US foreign policy to foreign leaders, he added. The Maryland Democrat also slammed his Republican counterparts on the panel, led by Chairman James Comer of Kentucky, who he said had buried any further evidence of the Trump familys staggering corruption by ending efforts to force Mazars to comply with a subpoena issued when Democrats controlled the chamber during Mr Trumps term. Despite these efforts, todays report makes clear that former President Trump put lining his pockets with cash from foreign governments seeking policy favors over the interests of the American people. By concealing the evidence of Trumps grift, House Republicans shamefully condone former President Trumps past conduct and keep the door open for future presidents to exploit higher office, he said. The House Democrats report appears to be the final act in a long-running fight over Mr Trumps sprawling business interests which began just days before he was set to take office in 2017, when the then-president-elect refused to divest from the eponymous real estate and branding empire which hed built over decades. Instead of putting his assets in a blind trust, Mr Trump transferred control to his adult sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr, who claimed that the Trump Organization would not enter into any new foreign business deals during their fathers time in the White House. When Democrats retook the House halfway through his term, they launched an investigation into whether Mr Trumps retention of ownership in his businesses particularly the Washington, DC hotel violated the provision of the US Constitution banning presidents or their families from taking anything of value from other governments, including foreign and state governments. Mr Raskin, the panels current ranking member, told reporters on Thursday that the committees work was the culmination of a process that began under the late Maryland Representative Elijah Cummings, who served as the oversight committees top Democrat when Mr Trump was elected in 2016. When Donald Trump was elected, Cummings sensed immediately that there's going to be a problem with a president bringing more than 500 businesses into office with them and refusing to divest himself of any of the businesses, or even putting them into a blind trust, he said. That was shocking and ethically dicey enough, but Cummings also took note of the fact that Trump said he would not agree to not engage in business with foreign governments ... that presented an immediate prospective offence to the Constitution in Article One, Section nine, clause eight, the foreign government Emoluments Clause, he added. The probe started under Cummings continued throughout Mr Trumps final two years in office, and when the panel attempted to subpoena records from Mr Trumps accountants, he sued to block the subpoena. The resulting lawsuit eventually made its way to the Supreme Court, which ruled in Trump v Mazars that the then-presidents private business records could be subpoenaed by the House panel. Mr Raskin, the current ranking Democrat on the committee, said the violations of the foreign emoluments clause committed by Mr Trump were unique in the nearly 250-year history of the American presidency, citing efforts by his predecessors to scrupulously comply with the constitutional provision at issue. In the United States, we don't have kings and princes and nobles here. And also, no one who's holding an office of profit or trust under the United States shall collect from any prince, or king, or foreign government ... an emolument, which means a payment, an office or title of any kind, whatever. It is a categorical prohibition against it, he said. No president has ever come close to doing what Donald Trump did, in receiving money from foreign princes, kings, and governments. 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 }} An elderly woman driver has died after hitting a fallen tree which had been reported fallen to police around 90 minutes earlier as Storm Henk battered the country. The 87-year-old, who has not been named, was in a red Smart Forfour when she collided with it near Crays Pond, Oxfordshire at around 5.25pm on Tuesday. Thames Valley Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as the fallen tree was one of a number of similar reports received approximately an hour and a half before the collision. It comes after Storm Henk brought 100mph winds, heavy rain and travel chaos to large parts of the UK earlier this week. Londoners were warned not to leave their homes unless necessary on Tuesday night as winds from the first named storm of 2024 wreaked havoc in the capital and south of England. A solitary tree stands above flood water in Worcester after the River Severn burst its banks during Storm Henk (Getty Images) Commuters were left stranded as Thameslink and South Western Railway issued do not travel warnings. Dover warned of ferry cancellations and Heathrow grounded flights after a plane was filmed swaying in the strong winds while landing. Meanwhile, a woman was struck by a falling tree in Station Approach, Orpington, and was treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, while footage showed collapsed scaffolding strewn across a road in Greenwich. While the worst of the storm was over by 8pm, when the amber weather warning covering a large part of the south of England expired, torrential rain has left roads submerged in water and a holiday home was forced to evacuate following flash floods. Families left their caravans in Billing Aquadrome, Northamptonshire, after the Environment Agency issued a flood warning for the region. Many people were seen driving and walking away from the caravans carrying their belongings. In Hampshire, one of the armys Apache helicopters was blown over in strong winds, as a Ministry of Defence spokesman confirmed to The Independent that a recovery truck had been dispatched to the scene. Billing Aquadrome in Northamptonshire was flooded just after families fled the region after a warning was issued (REUTERS) A yellow weather warning for rain across south England has been issued until 3am on Friday, with much of the area already affected by groundwater caused by Storm Henk. 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 }} Members of a drug-addled child abuse ring which held rape nights face very substantial jail terms for their extraordinary depravity, a judge has warned. Children were subjected to a horrifying campaign of abuse over several years at various locations including a Glasgow drugs den where heroin and crack cocaine was used which became known as the beasty house by victims. In November seven members of the ring were found guilty of abusing children in crimes described as plunging the depths of human depravity by judge Lord Beckett. Iain Owens, 45, Elaine Lannery, 39, Lesley Williams, 41, Paul Brannan, 41, Scott Forbes, 50, Barry Watson, 47, and John Clark, 46, were all found guilty of rape and sexual assault. Owens, Lannery, Williams and Brannan were also found guilty of attempted murder, however Clark was acquitted of the charge. The seven child abusers were due to be sentenced at Glasgow High Court on Thursday, but the hearing was adjourned for risk assessments to be carried out. Former asbestos removal worker and labourer Iain Owens at the High Court in Glasgow during the trial last year (James Chapelard ) Elaine Lannery at the High Court in Glasgow during the trial last year (James Chapelard ) An eighth member of the group Marianne Gallagher, 38, was convicted of assaulting a child who said they were punched, kicked and had a plastic bag put over their head, but cleared of all other charges following the two-month trial at Glasgow High Court last year. Her sentence was deferred until 6 January 2025. A further three accused Mark Carr, 49, Richard Gachagan, 45, and Leona Laing, 50 were acquitted of all counts. At the trial, jurors heard horrifying details of the groups crimes, including the attempted murder of a girl who was put in a microwave, forced to eat dog food, and hung by her clothes from a nail, as well as being chased by people wearing a devil mask on various occasions between 2015 and 2019. Five of the group made one child dress in lingerie and dance in a sexualised manner on various occasions between 1 October 2018 and 19 June 2019, before they were raped by male members of the group. Instead of intervening to protect the youngster, the women clapped, cheered and encouraged the abuse, with some filming the attack, the trial heard. Judge Lord Beckett on Thursday warned the abusers to expect a very substantial prison sentence for the grave and repeated crimes. He said the common denominator for seven of the defendants was the abuse of a very young child. Lord Beckett said: Some of you have been convicted of sexually abusing three children and some of two children. The common denominator was the repeated sexual assault of a very young child, payment was sought and accepted, some of the events were filmed. This extraordinary depravity was repeated on a number of occasions. All the sex offences are of extreme gravity and accompanied for some of you by attempted murder. He said a risk assessment will be carried out to help decide if an order for lifelong restriction should be imposed. This would monitor high-risk offenders for the rest of their lives if deemed suitable for release from prison after serving a minimum punishment period. The criteria will look at if the abusers would potentially seriously endanger the lives or physical or psychological wellbeing of the public at large. Lord Beckett added: It appears to me in the case of each of you may be such there is a likelihood that if at liberty there is a risk you will seriously endanger the lives or physical or psychological wellbeing of the public at large, particularly young children. You are not all in the same position. You should understand that each of you faces a very substantial prison sentence. Marianne Gallagher, 38, arriving at the High Court in Glasgow for sentencing after being found guilty of assaulting a child. She was cleared of all other charges. (PA) Owens, Williams and Brannan were also found guilty of drugs offences for supplying diamorphine and cocaine. An allegation that the group used an Ouija board to call on spirits and demons causing the child victims to believe that they could see, hear and communicate with spirits and demons and making them take part in witchcraft was dropped part way through the trial. Many of the defendants continued to insist they were innocent with some expecting to be cleared. Defence advocate Gary Allan KC said Owens maintains his innocence and said he found prison frightening. Forbes believes he will someday be exonerated, his lawyer James Wallace told the court, while John Clark protests his innocence, Iain McSporran KC told the court. Watson maintains his position of denial, while Williams maintains her innocence, the court heard. The sentencing was adjourned until January 9. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A night of terror unfolded in Liverpool after a triple shooting occurred in a cinema and a newsagents, causing filmgoers to be placed in a lockdown with people urged to remain indoors. A man was Tasered and arrested during the early hours of the morning after shots were reportedly fired at three locations on Wednesday evening. Merseyside police confirmed that no one was injured over the course of the three-hour crime spree, and that the incident was not terror-related. Families watching the new childrens film Wonka were placed in lockdown for 45 minutes before being escorted in small groups to their cars by police. Have you been affected by this incident? Email holly.evans@independent.co.uk Armed officers were first called to a newsagents in Norris Green after receiving reports that a man had entered the store and threatened a shop assistant. CCTV from the News and Booze, known locally as Sanghas newsagents, appears to show a hooded man carrying a large firearm while wearing joggers and flip-flops. Police outside Sanghas newsagents where a staff member was threatened (Liverpool Echo) At 8.50pm, police received second reports of shots being fired at Showcase Cinemas on East Lancashire Road after a man entered carrying a firearm and allegedly threatened two workers. Witness Craig Moorhead, who had been watching Wonka with his 14-year-old daughter, said a staff member had told him a fella had pointed a shotgun at her. As we came out of the cinema screen the armed police response team was running in, he told the Liverpool Echo, adding that the staff was in shock. A spokesperson for Showcase Cinemas said: We are aware of an incident at our cinema and the surrounding area in Liverpool. The safety and welfare of our staff and customers is always our number one priority and we can confirm that no one was injured. We would like to thank our team members and the local police for their swift responses to this active investigation. As a result, armed officers and local police asked people to remain indoors as the authorities continue to search for the gunman. Shortly before 5am, a 49-year-old man was arrested in Fazakerley on suspicion of possession of a Section 1 firearm with intent to endanger life and robbery, and remains in police custody. The area around the cinema remained cordoned off on Thursday along with a large police presence. Assistant Chief Constable Jenn Wilson, said: I can report that a 49-year-old man has been arrested following three firearms discharges in the Croxteth and Norris Green areas last night. Thankfully incidents like this, involving a single offender in three separate shootings in close proximity and quick succession, are extremely rare and this is the first time we have had to deal with an incident of this nature on the streets of Merseyside. The shocking and distressing impact these incidents will have had on the shop assistant, the staff at the Showcase Cinema and those filmgoers who found themselves in a lockdown situation in the complex after shots were fired outside the cinema and the residents of Malpas Road cannot be underestimated. Officers were on the ground immediately following the first incident and were able to respond swiftly to the subsequent discharges, and a male was identified, located and arrested on suspicion of all three discharges within 13 hours. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A man and woman have been charged with arson over a fire at the constituency office of Tory MP Mike Freer on Christmas Eve. The fire broke out in a shed at Mr Freers north London base shortly after 7pm on 24 December. There were no reported injuries in the blaze. Paul Harwood, 42, and Zara Kasory, 32, both of no fixed address, have now been charged with arson with intent. The pair were also charged with one count of arson without intent over a separate fire at the rear of a restaurant in Long Lane one hour before Christmas Day. Both are due to appear at Willesden Magistrates Court on Thursday. Mr Freer had suggested the fire may have been related to his Middle East views but the Metropolitan Police said it was not being treated as a hate crime. He told Sky News: When something flares in the Middle East, the level of attacks in my local area do go up, so sadly it could be to do with my views on the Middle East. Mike Freer said he feared for his safety after the fire broke out before Christmas (Susannah Ireland) Although not Jewish himself, Mr Freer represents a constituency that has a large Jewish community and he is a member of the Conservative Friends of Israel group. Several MPs have been targetted in recent months over their stance on the conflict. In November last year, hundreds of students marched to the office of Rushnara Ali, the MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, after she voted against calling for a ceasefire. Others have received death threats and been abused online. Last year, Mr Freer told the Old Bailey he and his staff decided to wear stab vests and carry panic alarms after learning that Ali Harbi Ali, who went on to kill Southend West MP Sir David Amess, had first scoped out his Finchley office. 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 }} Conservationists are celebrating what they say is the return of pine martens from the brink of extinction in southern England. The animals, an elusive member of the weasel family, were once widespread across the UK before habitat loss and persecution by gamekeepers left only small and fragmented populations, mostly in northern England, Scotland and parts of Wales. But now video clips have shown the presence of kits and young pine martens across the New Forest in Hampshire, showing the creatures are breeding. Ecologists want to work out the size of the population (Forestry England) In a three-year study, 30 hidden cameras were placed in 11 parts of the New Forest after visitors reported spotted pine martens, which are nocturnal cat-sized animals. Englands first reintroduction of pine martens began in 2019 in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, as part of nature-recovery schemes returning lost species of wildlife to forests. Work is also aiming to bring back pine martens in Kielder Forest, Northumberland, and Grizedale Forest in the Lake District. By analysing over 1,000 hours of footage from hidden cameras and thermal imaging surveys, experts have confirmed that pine martens have settled right across the New Forest, saying the ancient woodlands provide an ideal habitat. Marcus Ward, from specialist conservation consultancy Wild New Forest, said: Pine martens are incredibly rare and very difficult to spot, making it difficult to study them. The footage collected by the cameras has given us a really unique view into their hidden world and will really help advance our understanding of these special creatures and how best to support them. Leanne Sargeant, senior ecologist for Forestry England, said: The nations forests provide such important areas for wildlife to thrive and expand and the New Forest is doing just that for these special creatures. Now we know they are here and breeding, our next step is to try and estimate the size the population and how they are using the New Forests ancient woodlands. Over the next few years, the team hope to track family groups. 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 }} Prince Andrew has been named in court documents relating to the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein after a judge ordered the release of secret case files. US Judge Loretta Preska ruled on 18 December that documents believed to relate to more than 150 people who were either associates, friends or victims of disgraced financier Epstein should be made public. The trove includes 40 documents of evidence from Johanna Sjoberg, who has claimed the Duke of York touched her breast while sitting on a couch inside the US billionaires Manhattan apartment in 2001. In her 2015 testimony, Ms Sjoberg said Maxwell called her to an upstairs closet, and showed her a puppet of the prince. Prince Andrew has been named in court documents relating to the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein (REUTERS) I just remember someone suggesting a photo, and they told us to go get on the couch, she recalled. And so Andrew and Virginia sat on the couch, and they put the puppet, the puppet on her lap. And so then I sat on Andrews lap, and I believe on my own volition, and they took the puppets hands and put it on Virginias breast, and so Andrew put his on mine. The prince has always strongly denied the allegations against him, while Buckingham Palace previously said all accusations made against the duke are categorically untrue. In her deposition, Maxwell recalls Andrew visiting Epsteins home in the US Virgin Islands once, and insisted there were no girls present. One of the other exhibits unsealed on Wednesday included a 2015 email sent by Maxwell in which she appeared to reference Prince Andrew and former US president Bill Clinton. I have already suffered such a terrible and painful loss over the last few days that I cant even see what life after press hell even looks like - statements that dont address all just lead to more questions, Maxwell wrote, according to the documents. ... what is my relationship to clinton ? Andrew on and on. Lets rest till monday. I need head space. A picture appears to show Andrew with Ms Giuffre, who accused him of sexual abuse (US District Court - Southern Dis) The legal files are part of a 2015 US defamation case by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell, the British socialite who supplied Epstein with underage girls. Ms Giuffre appeared in an infamous photograph when she was younger, alongside Andrew and Maxwell. Although the case was settled in 2017, Maxwells attorneys had fought for the names to continue to remain private. Their objection was lifted in 2022, a year after she was convicted and sentenced to two decades in prison, following arguments from representatives of the media that documents that were sealed as part of the case should be made public. The files identify individuals whose names had been previously redacted. Judge Preska ordered some individuals should be named because they had already given interviews to the media including Ms Sjoberg. Those listed include alleged victims, people not accused of wrongdoingand absent third parties. Being identified through the court documents does not necessarily mean that the individual was involved in or aware of any wrongdoing by Epstein. The parties had until midnight on 1 January to object to the ruling, with only 10 people identified in the papers successfully arguing that their right to privacy as victims outweighs the publics right to know their names. Andrew stepped down from public life after the furore over his friendship with Epstein and paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case to Ms Giuffre, a woman he claimed never to have met. The legal files are part of a 2015 US defamation case by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell (Getty/Alamy/The Independent) The duke was cast out of the working monarchy and no longer uses his HRH style after Ms Giuffre, who was trafficked by Epstein, accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17. Andrew has denied the claims. Epstein was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan in August 2019 while he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges. The death was ruled a suicide. Maxwell has been imprisoned since July 2020, despite numerous attempts from her defence counsel to have her released on bail. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison at the federal court in the Southern District of New York in June last year. The socialite indicated her desire to appeal shortly after her conviction, with her lawyers claiming victims had faded, distorted and motivated memories. Her appeal is currently scheduled to be heard in November next year. 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 }} Rishi Sunaks claim that the government has cleared the asylum backlog has been called misleading by a fact checking organisation. Full Fact, a charity that combats misinformation, reviewed the claim after a row broke out about the backog, with Labour accusing Mr Sunak of a barefaced lie. It comes after the statistics watchdog, the Office for Statistics Regulation, launched an investigation into Mr Sunaks announcement. The prime minister had said that the pledge to clear all so-called legacy asylum claims - counted as those submitted before June 2022 - had been met. Official statistics released on Tuesday showed that 4,500 of these cases had still to be processed. Mr Sunak then went on to suggest that he had cleared the entire backlog, despite data showing that 98,599 claims were still waiting on a decision. He wrote on X, formely Twitter: I said that this government would clear the backlog of asylum decisions by the end of 2023. Thats exactly what weve done. The Home Office said Rishi Sunaks commitment to clear the legacy asylum backlog has been delivered (PA Wire) Now Full Fact have decided that this statement was misleading. In their review, published on their website on Wednesday, they wrote: This is misleading. The PMs claim relates to a subsection of outstanding asylum cases called the legacy backlog, rather than the overall backlog of cases which still stands at almost 100,000. Most legacy backlog cases have been resolved but around 4,500 are still marked as awaiting an initial decision. Reacting to Mr Sunaks comments, Labours shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said they were just not true, and shadow immigration minister Steven Kinnock accused him of a barefaced lie that was an insult to the publics intelligence. Home secretary James Cleverly had also said that every single legacy asylum case had been processed, despite thousands remaining unresolved. He said that the government had committed to processing all those applications not completing them. He said it was impossible to know when they would be given decisions and said the cases were complex. Mr Kinnock wrote to the statistics watchdog on Wednesday to set out his concerns about the Toriess claims. In a letter to the chair of the UK Statistics Authority Sir Robert Chote, he wrote: I am concerned that these statements by ministers - if left uncorrected - risk creating a highly misleading picture of the actual state of affairs with respect to the asylum backlog, an issue of significant interest to the public. 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 }} The Metropolitan Police have defended their investigation of alleged war crimes in the Israel-Gaza war, saying they are obliged to by an international agreement. Boris Johnson and other critics have hit out at the decision by Scotland Yard to appeal for information from anyone returning from Israel or the Palestinian territories who thinks they have seen war crimes, terrorism or crimes against humanity. Counterterror police have put up posters in Arabic and English at key British airports, including Heathrow, that read: If you have been in Israel/Palestinian Territories and have witnessed or been a victim of terrorism, war crimes or crimes against humanity, then you can report this to the UK police. An explosion during Israeli bombardment on Khan Yunis from Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip (AFP via Getty Images) The ex-prime minister told The Telegraph he feared it marked a worrying politicisation of the Met Police. Social-media users expressed surprise that the Met Police had a war crimes unit, and some critics said the force for London should be spending its resources tackling crime in the capital. Mr Johnson said: When I was mayor of London, I made clear that we would not import foreign wars or disputes onto the streets of London. The Met would be better off fighting knife crime in the capital. But the force said that under the 1998 Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court (ICC), its war crimes team was obliged to support any investigations by the court that could involve Britons. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: As the UKs investigative authority for war crimes, Counter Terrorism Policing through the Mets war crimes team has a responsibility to support International Criminal Court (ICC) investigations. The ICC opened an investigation in 2019 into alleged war crimes in Israel and Palestine and this remains ongoing. He said the war crimes team had received more than 40 referrals in recent weeks over the conflict in Israel and Palestine, including some from people who had recently returned from the region. These are being looked at in line with our usual guidelines for assessing such referrals relating to allegations of war crimes. Any information that is assessed as being relevant to the ongoing ICC investigation into the Palestine situation will then be passed to the ICC as appropriate. There is currently no UK-based investigation in relation to this matter. The spokesman added that with higher numbers of Britons returning from the Middle East, the Met was signposting people to where to report evidence. The Counter Terrorism Command is also collecting evidence on the terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October for use in inquests on British people who were among the 1,200 people killed when Hamas militants raided Israel. In 2022, the Mets war crimes unit launched appeals for information on Russian president Vladimir Putins war on Ukraine, which started the month before, calling for information dating as far back as 2013. The unit assesses which information it will forward to the ICC. It has a page available in both Ukrainian and Russian for such crimes, including torture, genocide and crimes against humanity, to be reported. In the 1990s, the war crimes unit investigated a British pensioner in Germany for his alleged role in the Holocaust in World War Two after his son sent them a dossier of evidence, the BBC reported. Its understood the unit also looked into claims of war crimes following the 2015 Tunisia massacre, when a gunman opened fire on tourists, killing 38, mostly British. 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 }} The Metropolitan Police have handed prosecutors a file on their investigation into a parliamentary researcher arrested on suspicion of spying for China. Scotland Yard officers have passed the file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for consideration after two men were detained under the Official Secrets Act, the force said. Rishi Sunak confronted Chinese premier Li Qiang at the G20 summit in India over an unacceptable interference in democracy after details of the arrests first emerged in September. A male researcher in his twenties insisted he was completely innocent and he had spent his career highlighting the challenge and threats presented by the Chinese Communist Party. The British man, with connections to senior Tory MPs, has not been named by police or his lawyers who released the statement disputing the claims. He was arrested along with the other man on 13 March as officers from the Mets Counter Terrorism Command which oversees espionage-related offences investigated. Rishi Sunak (right) has been under pressure to take tougher stance with Chinese President Xi Jinping (Getty/PA) An update from Scotland Yard said: Officers have been in liaison with CPS in relation to this investigation and a case file has now been passed to them for consideration. Both men remain on police bail at this time and inquiries continue. The parliamentary researcher who was arrested on suspicion of spying for China met Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart to discuss a crucial piece of legislation, according to Politico. The man who has insisted that he is innocent met the minister to discuss proposed amendments to the Procurement Bill, aimed at toughening up Britains policy toward China. But a Whitehall official said no sensitive information was discussed and the meeting lasted less than an hour. Mr Sunak has insisted that protecting the UK from interference from Beijing was an absolute priority, after the arrest of a parliamentary researcher on suspicion of spying for the superpower. The PM vowed to call out unacceptable behaviour but he again rejected Tory calls from Liz Truss, Sir Iain Duncan Smith and other senior Tories to officially designate China a threat. The Sunak government warned in September that China is trying to headhunt top British officials in government, business and the military. In response to a damning report by MPs, the government said Beijing has attempted to recruit nationals in key positions with sensitive knowledge and experience. 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 }} Ministers have been warned that Britain faces massive security risks if Donald Trump is re-elected president this year. Three of Britains former top US diplomats have urged the government to develop contingency plans in case Mr Trumps bid to return to the White House is successful. Two ex-Washington ambassadors and a former diplomatic chief said preparations to help the UK cope if Mr Trump were to end US support for Ukraine and withdraw from Nato must be drawn up in secret to avoid giving him a campaign boost. Despite the legal cloud surrounding Mr Trumps presidential run, Simon McDonald, head of the Foreign Office until 2020, along with Sir John Kerr and Sir Peter Westmacott, who both ran the UK embassy in Washington, believe a second Trump presidency remains likely. Some recent polls show Trump winning over Biden in 2024 (Reuters) We should be thinking through the implications of a second Trump presidency, which are massive, Lord McDonald told The i. The threats feared include Ukraine being left exposed if Mr Trump seeks to appease Vladimir Putin over Russias invasion, as well as Mr Trump turning his back on the Nato alliance which he has previously called obsolete. Cross-bench peer Lord McDonald, who was head of the diplomatic service for five years, said: The impact on the UK is potentially huge. Theres nothing in my lifetime that comes close, he added, referring to the potential defence and security challenges posed by an ally. He warned ministers this is proper preparation time and we should use it, calling for top meetings in Whitehall and across Europe about what it would mean for us. Biden is hoping to keep Trump from winning a second term in the White House (Getty) Meanwhile, Sir Peter, who served as British ambassador to the US from 2012 to 2016, told The i that Britain ought to be doing some serious homework. He added: Theres not much point in saying, We know hes a monster, hes unprincipled, hes a misogynistic fraud and liar and destroyer of constitutions. The reality is: he will be there. We have to find ways of engaging with the US if Trump is elected. And Lord Kerr, a cross-bench peer who was Britains ambassador to Washington from 1995 to 1997, said Britain and other US allies should get together discreetly and remember there is safety in numbers. He feared that any perceived interference in the US election would be exploited by Mr Trump and prove counterproductive. The warning comes as Mr Trump faces several challenges to his candidacy over the 2021 insurrection citing the 14th amendment to the constitution. He wants to ensure he can appear on 2024 Republican primary ballots in every state, but has been banned from running for office again in Maine and Colorado both of which he has appealed. A recent poll shows President Joe Biden losing to Mr Trump in 2024 as Mr Bidens support among Black, Latino and young voters has dropped. 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 }} An exam board is offering pupils the chance to be assessed digitally in their GCSE English exams from next year. Pearson, which runs exam board Edexcel, is aiming for GCSE students to be able to sit on-screen exams in the core subject by summer 2025, if they choose to do so. Up to 125,000 students in the UK will have the option to take Edexcels GCSE English language and English literature exams on-screen for the first time. The exam boards on-screen GCSEs in English which would be assessed in summer next year are subject to regulatory approval by Ofqual. Pearson Edexcel hopes to be able to offer an on-screen option for all GCSEs by 2030 to increase accessibility for students, as well as other benefits. This is a pivotal moment for on-screen assessment in the UK Sharon Hague, managing director for Pearson Schools The exam board said it has seen more students using word processing for their responses to GCSE exam questions, as part of access arrangements. Sharon Hague, managing director for Pearson Schools, said: This is a pivotal moment for on-screen assessment in the UK. For the first time, in summer 2025, students will be able to sit an exam in a core subject fully on-screen if they choose to do so. Weve heard loud and clear from students and teachers that they want a choice in how they take exams. That is why well offer both on-screen and paper-based exam options. Students who take Pearson Edexcels GCSE in computer science are already assessed partially on-screen and the exam board has begun rolling out digital assessments for its international GCSEs. This will be the first time that the main English GCSEs will be offered on-screen. Ms Hague added: On-screen is a better experience for students who need accessibility adjustments. Students can zoom in to increase font size and choose colour filters on-screen during exams, something their schools or college would otherwise need to request in advance of their exams. On-screen brings benefits for all students too. They can highlight and annotate information, cut and paste text and make easy edits to their answers. Its what many students are used to doing when they work at home and in the classroom, and its undoubtedly how they will work in their careers too. The move towards online assessment is positive and overdue, but does not come without challenges Geoff Barton, general secretary of ASCL Schools will still have the option to offer paper-based exams, as well as on-screen assessments, under the exam boards plans. It comes as a number of the UKs major exam boards have taken steps towards digital assessment. Last month, exam board OCR announced it would offer a digitally-assessed GCSE in computer science for pupils starting their course in 2025. Meanwhile, exam board AQA is aiming to roll out on-screen exams over a period of years and it hopes that students will sit at least one major subject digitally by 2030. The reading and listening components of GCSE Italian and Polish would be the first to move to digital exams in 2026, according to the proposals by AQA. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: It is encouraging that exam boards are continuing to explore new forms of digital assessment. Its clear that an examination system that relies purely on pen-and-paper testing is outdated and we know that many students and their teachers will welcome the opportunity to provide typed answers. As well as being more accessible for some students, digital exam papers should prove simpler to mark, easier to transport and hopefully less expensive to administer. He added: The move towards online assessment is positive and overdue, but does not come without challenges including the ongoing disadvantage gap between those who may have more access to technology at home and therefore more familiarity with its demands. Its vital that schools are clearly guided through this process and have the necessary resources to put in place the digital infrastructure they need to deliver online exams going forward. Steve Rollett, deputy chief executive at the Confederation of School Trusts (CST), said On-screen assessment appears to have the potential to support students, especially those with particular needs, who might struggle to access traditional paper exams. We hope this development will support children while retaining the overall integrity of the exam system. An Ofqual spokesperson said: Ofqual is committed to supporting well-evidenced innovation in how examinations are taken. Above all, it is critical that examinations are both accessible and fair to all students taking them. We will evaluate in detail Pearsons proposals when they are submitted for review. Our priority will be making sure their approach is fair to all students, whether they take their GCSE on screen or continue to do so on paper. A Department for Education (DfE) spokesperson said: The Department and Ofqual are taking time to understand the opportunities and implications of digital assessment to inform any decisions about the future of on-screen assessments. As the independent regulator of qualifications in England, Ofqual requires that any GCSE or A-level moving on-screen will be subject to regulatory approval. 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 }} Britain is set for a long and dirty general election campaign in 2024 after Rishi Sunak ruled out a spring vote and revealed that he wanted to go to the polls much later in the year. Sir Keir Starmer vowed to fight fire with fire as he predicted that the Tories would embark on nasty and personal attacks in a battle now expected to last until at least October. The Labour leader set out his Project Hope plan during a major speech in Bristol but indicated that his party was ready to engage in negative campaigning, as he warned activists that their rivals will go low. The Tory leader raised the prospect of a lengthy and bitter campaign on Thursday when he told reporters it was his working assumption that he would call the election in the second half of the year. Labour and the Liberal Democrats who have also been calling for a May election immediately accused the PM of bottling a spring contest. Sir Keir claimed that the PM was trying to squat at No 10 for as long as possible. The Independent understands that Mr Sunak is planning an October election. Sources say it is likely to be in the first two weeks of that month with the PM unlikely to wait until mid-November, as reported, since it would clash with the US election. Speaking on a visit to a youth centre in Nottinghamshire, Mr Sunak told broadcasters: So my working assumption is well have a general election in the second half of this year. Rishi Sunak reveals his general election plan during a visit to the East Midlands (PA) The Conservative leader declined to rule out a May election categorically but repeated his intention to hold one later in the year, adding: In the meantime Ive got lots that I want to get on with. As bookmakers immediately slashed odds on an autumn election, the Labour leader taunted his Tory rival to agree to an election soon, saying: If he is not being clear, and I dont think he is setting a date, what is he hiding? Sir Keir told Sky News: I would like to see an election as soon as possible. I think the vast majority of the public want to see an election as soon as possible ... People cant afford for the PM to be squatting for months on end this year. The Labour leader argued that he had made a positive case after a speech asking voters to hang on to the flickering hope in your heart that things can be better but warned that he would not pull any punches when the Conservatives launch their own attacks. He told Sky News: They will go low. What Im saying is if they want to go with fire into this election, we will meet their fire with fire. He argued that negative campaigning was justified because the stakes at this election are so high for working people. Keir Starmer promised hope during a speech in Bristol on Thursday (Getty Images) While the Tories are expected to attack Sir Keirs record as director of public prosecutions and attempt to link him to the decision to drop an investigation into Jimmy Savile Labour has faced criticism for accusing Mr Sunak of not wanting to see child sex abusers jailed. Labour sources have made clear that Mr Starmer was not told when the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case against the infamous child sexual abuser in 2009. Meanwhile, Conservative polling guru Robert Hayward told The Independent that most serious Tory MPs favour an autumn election though some are worried the local elections in May will only add to the doom and gloom. The Tory peer believes, on balance, that Mr Sunak was wise to wait in the hope of an economic revival. And he said the PM was smart to rule out a spring election today to stop Labour going on and on about the running away narrative. Lord Hayward added: Its not risk-free, because the local elections will be bad. But the polls are still so awful. And its just possible that voters will become more inclined to consider his competence if inflation and interest rates continue to fall. Former No 10 chief of staff Gavin Barwell said Mr Sunak was sensible to dampen the speculation down of a spring election avoiding the Labour trap of letting the speculation continue and being accused of bottling it when it didnt happen. Sunak speaking to voters in Mansfield (PA) Mr Sunak dangled the prospect of future tax cuts while speaking to a group of voters in Mansfield as he pointed to the easing of national insurance from 12 per cent to 10 per cent. We want to do more because as we manage the economy responsibly, we can cut your taxes, give you and your family peace of mind ... and confidence that the future is going to be better for you and your children, he said. The Tory leader appeared to concede that making progress in 2023 had been difficult, but promised a better year ahead. He said: Ill be honest, it wasnt the easiest of years for any of us ... I know that 2024 is going to be a better year, I want to make sure that all you believe 2024 is going to be a better year too. Mr Sunak also called on junior doctors to end their strike, as experts warn that ongoing industrial action puts his promise to cut waiting lists at risk. The PM backed NHS leaders after a number of hospitals pleaded for junior doctors to leave picket lines and return to work amid patient safety fears. These strikes are disrupting peoples lives, the Tory leader said. They are causing an enormous amount of concern to people. Starmer accuses Sunak of 'squatting' in No 10 after PM refuses spring election Sir Keir pledged in his Bristol speech to bring hope to an exhausted Britain in 2024, as he accused the miserable Tories of pointless populist gimmicks. He said a Labour government would want to cut taxes but insisted that reversing flagging growth would be the first priority if he takes power at the next general election. Sir Keir also conceded his planned 28bn-a-year green energy investment could shrink depending on economic conditions saying it would be subject to strict fiscal rules. The first lever that we want to pull, the first place we will go, is growth in our economy because thats whats been missing for 14 years, said the Labour boss. Any tax cuts have to be fair and affordable, and we have to be realistic about that. But I think the place to go is to growth on this. Speaking to reporters at the end of a speech in Bristol, the Labour leader also said claims that he wanted to duck TV debates with Mr Sunak were nonsense adding: Bring it on. 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 }} Sir Keir Starmer kicked off a bold new era for the Labour Party ahead of the general election, promising to deliver project hope. Setting out his stall at the start of an election year, the Labour leader vowed to defeat the miserabilist Tory project and crush their politics of divide and decline. Speaking at a factory in Bristol, Sir Keir painted the contest as a choice between continued decline with the Tories, or national renewal with Labour. Sir Keir, who took over the party in April 2020, also sought to address criticism of his leadership as lacking in purpose (Getty Images) And, in a challenge to Rishi Sunak, Sir Keir said he is ready for a general election and called for the prime minister to bring it on. As Mr Sunak ruled out a spring contest and Sir Keir looked to set his party on an election footing, the Labour leader: Promised to debate the prime minister at any time in the run up to this years general election Said he would be open to sensible suggestions for processing asylum claims offshore Taunted the Tories economic record, saying Labour wants to fight an election on the economy Attacked the PMs record on tax, but declined to promise tax cuts if Labour wins power Warned the Tories would unleash a gauntlet of fear at the general election Attacked Liz Trusss resignation honours list, saying the architects of [peoples] misfortune are swanning around the House of Lords As well as launching into the Tories, Sir Keir sought to distance himself from his own predecessor as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Sir Keir said Labour is no longer in thrall to gesture politics, no longer a party of protest. And he promised it had reconnected to an old partnership in order to serve working people as they drive Britain forward. Turning his focus to the Conservatives, Sir Keir said the Tories had nothing good to show, no practical achievements to point towards after 14 years in power. And he warned Mr Sunaks party will unleash a gauntlet of fear in the fight to save their own skins at the next election. Thats all theyve got left now, he added. Sir Keir, who took over the party in April 2020, also sought to address criticism of his leadership as lacking in purpose - describing the missions he has set for Labour in power as unapologetically ambitious. The party has set goals to achieve the highest growth in the G7, halve violence against women and girls and transition to clean energy sources by 2030, And Sir Keir also took aim at apathy towards politics and politicians after sex scandals, expenses scandals, waste scandals and contracts for friends. Some people have looked at us and concluded were all just in it for ourselves, he said. But Sir Keir said to heal the wounds left by back to back Conservative governments, Britain must come together. In a bid to energise voters, he added: That means we will need you. Responding to questions after his speech, Sir Keir said it was nonsense to suggest he wanted to duck TV debates with the PM. "Ive been saying bring it on for a very, very long time. Im happy to debate any time," Sir Keir said. It followed a report in the Sunday Times that Labour aides wanted Sir Keir to duck televised debates against Mr Sunak. Rishi Sunak has said his working assumption is that he will hold a general election in the second half of this year (PA) And he indicated would consider processing asylum claims offshore, as he took questions from reporters. He said: "Theres a difference, obviously, between processing offshore and deporting people to places like Rwanda. And that does happen in some cases already. "The Ukraine scheme has an element of processing offshore before people arrive in this country. It can be done. "Im open to sensible suggestions and credible solutions to what is very obviously a problem. And he took aim at Liz Trusss resignation honours list, which awarded allies of the short-serving former PM. Ms Truss, who was forced to resign after plunging the economy into turmoil, nominated Matthew Elliott, the former chief executive of Vote Leave, and pro-Brexit Tory donor Jon Moynihan to sit in the House of Lords. Sir Keir said: I will never let a Labour government do what Liz Truss has done to working people. What on earth are people supposed to thin when they are paying more money every month for their mortgage, sometimes hundreds of pounds each and every month, and they look at their televisions and see the architects of their misfortune swanning around the House of Lords? You will never get that from a Labour government. Declining to promise tax cuts if Labour wins power, Sir Keir said he wanted to see the burden on working people come down, but said before we even get to the question of tax, weve got to deal with the economy. A general election is expected this autumn after Mr Sunak confirmed the contest would take place in 2024. Labour has maintained a commanding lead over the Conservatives in the polls for two years, which currently sits at 18 points, putting Sir Keir on course to win power. Responding to the speech, chancellor Jeremy Hunt said: Sir Keir Starmer today recommitted to his 2030 plans which Labour say would cost 28 billion a year. Given his claim to be committed to fiscal responsibility, such large sums can only be funded through tax rises which means more pressure on working families and lower economic growth - just at the time the Conservative government is starting to cut taxes. 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 }} Senior Conservative Lee Anderson has clashed Richard Tice after dubbing the Reform UK party leader a pound shop Nigel Farage. The deputy Tory chairman told Mr Tice to pipe down in his attacks on the government, as the right-wing rivals squabble at the start of a general election year. Mr Anderson has previously branded Reform UK amateurs, after claiming he was offered a guaranteed job for five years on 80,000 salary to defect to the party. The senior Tory renewed his spat with the insurgent party, as speculation mounts that Mr Farage could return to take up a top role for Reform UK in the election campaign. I get on with Richard reasonably well, but I would say this hes not Nigel Farage, hes not the leader that Nigel Farage was, Mr Anderson told GB News. In fact, I agree with one of my constituents, who said to me earlier today he is a bit of a pound shop Nigel Farage, he said. The Tory deputy chairman added: I think hes a pound shop Nigel Farage and every time he opens his mouth recently on whichever media platform, he is coming across as Reforms answer to Diane Abbott. Hes just saying ridiculous things. Richard Tice outlining Reform UKs plans to Save Britain (PA) I think he needs to pipe down a little bit, Mr Anderon added. Because if the unthinkable happens and next year, we do get a Labour government and Richard Tice is on his media platforms, saying what a disaster Starmergeddon and the Labour party are, I shall be reminding Mr Tice it was him that helped them get elected. Mr Tice who warned in a speech on Wednesday that Labour would bring on Starmergeddon fired back at Mr Anderson on LBC radio on Thursday. The Reform UK leader said: Lee, who I like and is a nice guy, is terrified that hes going to lose his seat. And perhaps hes just a bit jealous that Im pound shop, and hes 30p Lee, Mr Tice added. The reference is to 30p Lee nickname given to Mr Anderson by anti-government campaigners for his comments dismissing food bank use and claim that meals could be cooked from scratch for about 30 pence a day. Lee Anderson has revived spat with Richard Tice (Getty) The Reform UK leader categorically ruled out any deal with the Tories at the 2024 general election during a launch speech for the long campaign on Wednesday. Mr Tice insisted Reform would not do a deal with the Conservatives under any circumstances. And he claimed Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir were socialist twins. In 2019, the group called the Brexit Party at the time stood down hundreds of candidates to help Boris Johnson secure a majority. He gave his strongest hint that his predecessor Mr Farage will take on a frontline role in the election campaign though the latter was notably absent from the launch, suggesting it is unlikely he will make an eighth bid to become an MP. Luke Tryl, director at More in Common, said Reform could see the Tories lose more than 30 additional seats including chancellor Jeremy Hunts South West Surrey constituency The pollster told The Independent: Reform could well be the difference between a hung parliament and a Labour majority. Earlier this week Mr Anderson admitted Mr Farages party is a major threat on the right lashing out at the rivals being a bigger threat to the country at the moment than the Labour Party. Mr Anderson handed a key role by Mr Sunak earlier this year revealed in November that he was offered a five-year job with Reform UK on an 80,000 salary if he defected to the party. The deputy chairman denied accusations by Mr Tice that he had used the offer as leverage to get the senior role in the Tory party. Mr Tice denied that any cash or money has been offered to Tory MPs to join but said he has held numerous discussions with Tories worried about Mr Sunak. 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 }} Paralympian gold medalist Oscar Pistorius will be released from a South African prison on Friday, 11 years after he killed his model girlfriend. The double amputee was convicted of murdering Reeva Steenkamp after he shot her multiple times through a locked toilet door with a 9mm pistol on Valentines Day at their Pretoria home in 2013. Now, reportedly a grey-haired smoker who has turned to religion, the 37-year-old will begin his new life on parole a few miles away from the South African capital behind the high walls of his wealthy uncles guarded property, according to The Times. A gun enthusiast, Pistorius claimed he thought Ms Steenkamp was an intruder but was convicted of culpable homicide, a crime similar to manslaughter, in 2014. He was found guilty of the more serious charge of murder in 2015 and he was later sentenced to 13 years in prison after prosecutors won an appeal on the grounds that his initial sentence was too lenient. Pistorius with Reeva Steenkamp in 2012, just months before he murdered her (AFP/Getty) Last November, a private parole board hearing at Atteridgeville prison, where Pistorius is said to work on a farm and host Bible classes, set his release for 5 January 2024. He will not be allowed to consume alcohol and other prohibited substances and will be barred from conducting media interviews, according to the Department of Correctional Services (DCS). Pistorius will also be under the eye of a monitoring official, who will have to be kept informed when he is seeking job opportunities or moving homes. The prison refused to release logistical details of how he will be released on Friday. Pistorius won six Paralympic gold medals (AFP via Getty) Disclosing such details may result in a security threat for the inmate and other stakeholders involved. Therefore, DCS has to carefully manage that particular risk, the DCS said. A journalist and friend of Pistorius, Mark Williams-Thomas, said: There is still a lot of anger out there and no doubt there are those who would love the scalp of Oscar Pistorius. Pistorius will live on his uncles estate which is fortified by armed guards, security technology and canine patrols, which should provide a high level of protection. Once rich from sponsorship deals with designer brands like Nike, Pistorius is said to have used his time in prison to learn about the stock market. Mr Williams-Thomas said it was likely he could follow his uncles lucrative web of businesses, which include property, farming and tourism after his sentence expires. A general view of Atteridgeville prison where Pistorius has served part of his sentence for murdering his girlfriend in 2013 (AP) In the meantime, Mr Williams-Thomas said Pistorius could get involved in manual work and definitely charity work at some point. Ahead of Pistoriuss parole hearing last year, Ms Steenkamps mother June said she did not believe he had thought her daughter was an intruder. She said her child screamed for her life during the killing, which had left a massive hole for her family. But she also said she had forgiven Pistorius as she would not be able to survive if I had to cling to my anger. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein once told one of his victims that Bill Clinton likes them young, according to dramatic testimony revealed in court documents unsealed for the very first time. Dozens of Epstein associates were unmasked on Wednesday after a judge ordered the unsealing of court documents in a now-settled lawsuit brought by abuse victim Virginia Giuffre against Epsteins accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell . Among the hundreds of pages of filings, another victim Johanna Sjoberg spoke about what she knew about Mr Clintons ties to Epstein as part of a 2016 deposition that also made allegations against Prince Andrew. Under sworn testimony, she said that Epstein had told her the former president liked girls young. [Epstein] said one time that Clinton likes them young, referring to girls, she testified. When asked if she knew Mr Clinton was a friend of Epstein, she said: I knew he had dealings with Bill Clinton. I did not know they were friends until I read the Vanity Fair article about them going to Africa together. However, Ms Sjoberg testified that she never met Mr Clinton, never saw him on Epsteins Caribbean island and never saw him being flown in a helicopter by Maxwell. In total, Mr Clintons name appears at least 73 times in the first batch of documents released on Wednesday. There is no indication that the former president is involved in any wrongdoing and is not accused of any crime. The Independent has reached out to Mr Clintons representative for comment. Jeffrey Epstein and Bill Clinton pictured together (Netflix) His spokesperson told CNN on Wednesday that it has now been nearly 20 years since President Clinton last had contact with Epstein and denied that the former president ever had any knowledge of Epsteins crimes. Flight logs have previously revealed that Mr Clinton flew on Epsteins private jet in 2002 and 2003 to destinations outside the Caribbean. Ms Giuffre has claimed she once met Mr Clinton on Epsteins Caribbean island. Several more documents and names are expected to be released over the coming days. Ms Giuffre filed the defamation lawsuit against Maxwell in 2015, after she accused her of lying about the years-long abuse she had suffered at the hands of Epstein and some in his inner circle. The suit was settled in 2017 but was placed under a protective seal with the identities of those named in the filings kept under lock and key. The Miami Herald sued for the release of the sealed documents while Maxwells legal team sought to block it. Around 2,000 pages of documents were first unsealed in 2019, with further documents released over the following years. But, this current trove of documents remained sealed and the names of hundreds of people associated with the dead paedophile were kept secret, known only as Jane and John Does. Epsteins Caribbean island Little St James (PA) Then, in a landmark ruling last month, US District Judge Loretta Preska ruled that the trove of documents could be released and the names unsealed in full after 1 January. While the federal judge ordered the names of several Epstein victims to remain anonymous, she said that there was no legal justification to keep the names of Epsteins associates redacted as John and Jane Does. This has now paved the way for several famous figures to find themselves tied to the notorious disgraced financier. Many have previously been connected to Epstein in media reports, lawsuits and Maxwells trial testimony. Some of the documents have already been released in part or in full as part of other court cases, the judge said. An individual being named in the documents does not necessarily mean they are accused of any wrongdoing. Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019. Maxwell was convicted of child sex trafficking in 2021 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A 72-year-old man from Florida has been charged with threatening to kill Rep Eric Swalwell and his children in several voicemail messages. Michael Shapiro allegedly called the lawmakers Washington DC office on the evening of 19 December from his home in Greenacres, according to court records, and left five threatening voicemail messages. While Rep Swalwell was not identified in court documents, he confirmed in a statement that the threats targeted him and his family. Im gonna come after you and kill you, Mr Shapiro said in one message to the lawmakers office, according to court records. Im gonna kill your children, Mr Shapiro threatened in another voice message, the records add. Mr Shapiro also called the member of Congress a greaseball and a a Chinese spy in a number of expletive-filled messages in which he referred to allegations tying Rep Swalwell to a suspected Chinese intelligence operative. A House Ethics Committee into Rep Swalwell was launched in 2021 over allegations that he had ties to a suspected Chinese spy Christine Fang. That investigation arose from an Axios report that Fang was involved in fundraising operations for Swalwells 2014 re-election bid and helped put an intern in his office. The investigation was closed last year. There is no place in America for threats of political violence, Rep Swalwell said in a statement on Wednesday night regarding the threatening voicemails. We must always resolve our differences at the ballot box. While I will continue to protect my family and staff, these continued threats will never stop me from representing my constituents. Rep Eric Swalwell in 2019 (AP) Mr Shapiro appeared in court in the Southern District of Florida on Wednesday and was found to be indigent, according to the court docket. The public defenders office was appointed to represent him. It is not the first time the 72-year-old has been accused of making threats. The Justice Department also noted that he was previously accused of making threats. The complaint further alleges that Shapiro pleaded guilty in federal court in 2019 for making threatening communications to another victim, the Justice Department said. It is not clear who the other victim was or if they were a member of Congress. Mr Shapiros arrest comes amid a wave of threats to public officials. A New Hampshire man was indicted last month after allegedly sending threatening text messages to three presidential candidates, including Vivek Ramaswamy and Chris Christie. Meanwhile, another man in New Hampshire pleaded guilty to leaving a threatening voicemail at the Washington DC office of Rep Matt Gaetz in October. Last month, the FBI said it was working to address threats to Colorado Supreme Court justices after the court deemed former President Donald Trump ineligible for the states Republican primary ballot. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} She spent decades rubbing shoulders with British royals and US presidents. But British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell is now spending two decades behind bars following her conviction on five federal sex trafficking charges in December 2021. Maxwell, the daughter of the late media mogul Robert Maxwell, told a 2016 deposition that she met Jeffrey Epstein, then a wealthy financier, in 1991 through a mutual friend. Ghislaine Maxwell was close friends with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein (VIA REUTERS) During the 1990s the couple socialised with Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, as well as Prince Andrew, with Maxwell flying on Epsteins private jets and staying at his homes, before settling in a $5m New York townhouse. All three men have been named in court documents relating to Epstein, released by a judge in January 2024. Below we look at the history between Maxwell and Epstein, and how their crimes came to light. Federal prosecutors alleged that Maxwell first helped Epstein in his sexual exploitation of underage girls in 1994, with Annie Farmer, then 16, alleging she was lured to Epsteins ranch in New Mexico. She stated in court papers that Maxwell insisted on giving her a massage before Epstein tried to physically restrain and sexually assault her in a bedroom at the property. Ms Farmer sued Epsteins estate and Maxwell, eventually accepting a compensation offer from the Epstein Victims Compensation Fund, and dropped her allegations as part of that settlement. But she has alleged that Maxwell was a really important part of the grooming process and that the couple worked as a team. Maxwell began helping Epstein in his sexual exploitation of underage girls in 1994, prosectors said (AFP via Getty Images) The allegations against Epstein continued to mount and in 2005, a 14-year-old girl contacted police saying that she had been sexually assaulted at his home in Palm Beach, Florida. Epstein was arrested in 2006 and charged by a grand jury with one count of solicitation of a prostitute and he eventually took a controversial plea deal in state court to prevent federal charges. After pleading guilty to one count of solicitation of prostitution and one charge of solicitation of a minor, Epstein served 13 months in Palm Beach County Jail. Maxwell told the 2016 deposition that after Epstein was jailed she continued to occasionally work at his properties and kept her ties with him. Im a very loyal person and Jeffrey was very good to me when my father passed away, she said in the 2016 deposition. I felt that it was a very thoughtful, nice thing for me to do to help in a very limited fashion. In 2009, Virginia Giuffre sued Epstein claiming that Maxwell had recruited her when she was a teenager working at Mr Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. She settled her lawsuit with Epstein after claiming that she was made a sex slave for years by him and Maxwell. Prince Andrew with Maxwell and Epstein (rear right, with black/grey stiped tie) and Caroline Stanley (in pink) (Shutterstock) Her allegations though resurfaced in 2015, when further victims of Epstein filed cases against him, and she claimed that Maxwell had directed her on three occasions to have sex with Prince Andrew. Although the case was settled in 2017, New York Judge Loretta Preska issued an order to unseal materials connected to the case in December 2023. The documents, the first tranch of which were made public on 3 January, identify individuals whose names had been previously redacted. Those listed include alleged victims, people not accused of wrongdoingand absent third parties. Being identified through the court documents does not necessarily mean that the individual was involved in or aware of any wrongdoing by Epstein. Ms Giuffre also went on to sue Prince Andrew for sexual assault and infliction of emotional distress before that case was also settled in 2022. Prince Andrew has adamantly denied the sexual abuse allegations. In July 2019, Epstein was arrested by law enforcement after arriving in New Jersey on a private jet from France and charged with sex trafficking and sex trafficking conspiracy. A month later, Epstein was found dead in a Manhattan prison cell while he awaited trial, with a medical examiner ruling the 66-year-old had died by suicide. Attention then turned to Maxwell, who had a personal fortune of $20m as well as British, French and US passports and who was nowhere to be found. Almost exactly one year after Epsteins arrest, the FBI raided a remote estate in New Hampshire, where Ms Maxwell was found living. Epstein was found dead in 2019, and Maxwell is now in prison (VIA REUTERS) She had slithered away to a gorgeous property in New Hampshire, continuing to live a life of privilege while her victims continue to live with the trauma inflicted upon them years ago, said Bill Sweeney, assistant director of the FBIs New York Field Office, as he confirmed her arrest. Prosecutors say that Maxwell refused to answer the door to agents, who were forced to break it down and take her into custody. On 29 December, following a high-profile trial closely followed by media across the world, a jury found Maxwell guilty on five federal sex trafficking charges. She was found not guilty of the first charge, enticing a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, but the other counts were as follows: Count 2: Enticing a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts - maximum sentence of five years Enticing a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts - maximum sentence of five years Count 3: Conspiracy to transport a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity - maximum sentence of five years Conspiracy to transport a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity - maximum sentence of five years Count 4: Transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity - maximum sentence of 10 years Transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity - maximum sentence of 10 years Count 5: Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors - maximum sentence of five years Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors - maximum sentence of five years Count 6: Sex trafficking of minors - maximum sentence of 40 years Maxwells legal team quickly began working on her appeal and launched a separate bid for a retrial after one of the original jurors spoke to the press and revealed he had a personal history of sexual abuse. The defence said that Juror 50, who spoke publicly under his first names Scotty David, lied about his history in a pre-trial verdict that resulted in an unfair trial but Judge Alison Nathan ultimately rejected their call for a retrial. Maxwell was finally sentenced to spend 20 years behind bars and fined $750,00 for her crimes on 28 June 2022. Judge Nathan described her offences as heinous and predatory as she sentenced Maxwell to a term that exceeded her own maximum sentencing guideline of up to 19 years and eight months. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The father accused of killing his daughter, Harmony Montgomery, has attempted to exclude several pieces of evidence from his upcoming trial that prosecutors suggest may have been used to conceal Harmonys body. A defence filing obtained by Fox News indicated that the public defenders of Adam Montgomery, 33, have been trying to prevent evidence from being shown at his murder trial. The Manchester, New Hampshire suspect stands accused of second-degree murder for allegedly killing his daughter by repeatedly hitting her on the head with a closed fist. The evidence includes 80lb of lime, a diamond-edged blade, and a power grinder, which are alleged to have been bought at two Home Depot stores around a week before Mr Montgomery purportedly disposed of the corpse. "There is no evidence that lime is such a unique purchase that would connect the purchases to the Montgomerys," the defence wrote, according to Fox News. Kayla Montogomery told police that her husband allegedly had lime to decompose the body (Manchester Police Department) The defendant argued that the identity of the Home Depot customer(s) is unknown. However, the prosecutors countered this on Tuesday and said that the purchases are key circumstantial evidence. The purchases of lime were allegedly made in February 2020 at two different Home Depots. Testimony in June from Mr Montgomerys now-estranged wife and Harmonys stepmother, Kayla Montgomery, supposedly backs up the purchases. It is claimed that Mr Montgomery kept his daughters remains in a cooler and a duffle bag, carrying them along to different temporary housing accommodations before finally dumping them, Fox News reports. Adam Montgomery is expected to face trial in February (Manchester Police Department) Mr Montgomery allegedly took Harmonys frozen remains and put them in the bathroom shower to thaw. Kayla Montogomery told authorities in an earlier interview that her husband believed lime would help to decompose the body, the court document stated on the Fox News website. "While Kayla was not aware of whether the defendant used tools, she said that while the defendant was taking a break from his conduct in the bathroom, he disclosed to her that he was going to try and like put her in pieces," prosecutors wrote. "She also reported that the defendant was attempting to squish and bend the corpse to create additional space in the bag so he could add lime." Prosecutors claimed that a day after he made the second purchase, he asked the landlord of his apartment to snake the drain of his bathtub. It is thought he disposed of the corpse between 3 and 4 March 2020, five days after an ATM withdrawal of cash and purchase at Home Depot. Harmony Montgomery was thought to have died in early December 2019 (Manchester Police Department) He is also accused of falsifying physical evidence, second-degree assault, abuse of a corpse, and witness tampering when he allegedly attempted to coerce his wife into lying to investigators. Ms Montgomery was also charged with lying to a grand jury and collecting benefits meant for Harmony after her suspected death. As part of a plea deal, Ms Montgomery is expected to testify against her estranged husband at his upcoming trial. Prosecutors believe Harmony could have been killed sometime around 7 December 2019, but the missing child was not reported until November 2021. Mr Montgomery is scheduled to face his murder trial in early February. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Muslim community is reeling after an imam was shot and killed outside his mosque in Newark, New Jersey. Investigators say that they have not found any indication that the Wednesday attack against Imam Hassan Sharif was motivated by a bias against Muslims. But the attorney general for New Jersey, Matthew Platkin, recognised that the Muslim community will be feeling a heightened sense of fear or anxiety. Mr Platkin said that the imam was the latest victim of the senseless gun violence epidemic that plagues our state and our country. The shooter, who has yet to be identified, still remains on the loose as people mourn a man who was at the very heart of their community. Heres everything we know about the killing: The shooting Imam Hassan Sharif was fatally shot on Wednesday morning outside a mosque in Newark, authorities confirmed in a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. Mr Sharif was shot more than once at around 6am near the corner of Camden Street and South Orange Avenue, acting Essex County prosecutor Theodore Stephens said. The imam was taken to University Hospital situated right next to the mosque and died of his injuries at around 2.21pm on Wednesday. Wahy-ud Deen Shareef, the convener of the Council of Imams in New Jersey, said that Mr Sharif was attending predawn prayers at the mosque when he was shot, according to the New York Times. The shooter has not yet been identified or found by authorities. A $25,000 reward is being offered to anyone with information about the shooting, Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura announced. Imam Hassan Sharif was described as a beacon of leadership and excellence (Anadolu via Getty) No biased motivations indicated Investigators are currently unsure as to what motivated the shooter to fire at Mr Sharif. However, they did say that they have not found any evidence of bias that could have motivated the attack. This investigation is ongoing, but at this time, we do not have any information suggesting the crime was motivated by bias, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in a statement. Every possible angle will, of course, be explored, and every lead will be fully investigated to bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice, he added Despite this, Mr Platkin and other officials at the press conference did acknowledge the increased fear amongst the Muslim population in the state because of this killing. What the attorney general was sure of, however, was that Mr Sharif was the latest casualty in the senseless gun violence epidemic that plagues our state and our country. Tragedies like what weve experienced today, regardless of their motivation, should not happen, he said. The imam was rushed to a hospital right next to the mosque (screengrab/CBS2) Who was Imam Hassan Sharif? Mr Sharif was described by officials and those who knew him as a community leader and activist, well known for being the resident imam of the Masjid Muhammad-Newark mosque for approximately five years. The Newark public safety director, Fritz Frage said at the conference that the imam was a member of the safe surrender program where fugitives could go and turn themselves in at the mosque to avoid violence or interactions with the police. He was also described by Mr Frage as a community activist who protested against gun violence. He supported the city in all of his efforts in helping to keep our cities safe. Aside from Mr Sharifs role as an imam, he also worked for the Transport Security Administration (TSA) as a security officer at Newark Liberty International Airport since 2006. We are deeply saddened to learn of his passing and send our condolences to his family, friends and co-workers, a TSA spokesperson said in a statement. The imam had reportedly been held at gunpoint several months prior to the incident on Wednesday (Reuters) This was not the first time that Mr Sharif had been subject to gun violence. The imam had reportedly been held at gunpoint several months prior to this incident, Mr Shareef told the Bergen Record. Yet, he managed to wrestle the pistol out of the attackers hand, and the suspect fled the scene and was never caught. When asked about this alleged incident at the conference, prosecutor Stephens said it was part of an active investigation. Growing concerns in the community While the investigation has so far not found evidence that the shooting was a biased crime, the community leaders did acknowledge that Mr Sharifs death is alarming to the Muslim community. There are an estimated 320,000 Muslims in New Jersey, according to Mr Platkin, who recognised that there will be many right now who are feeling a heightened sense of fear or anxiety. The Governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy, also wrote in a statement reacting to the killing, that he wanted to assure the Muslim community and people of all faiths that we will do everything in our power to keep all residents safe, especially in or near our houses of worship. Muslim community leaders also shared their concerns about the death of the imam. CAIR-NJ, the New Jersey branch of the Council for American Islamic Relations, the countrys largest Muslim civil rights organisation, called upon the public to come forward with any information regarding the death of Mr Sharif. No suspect has yet to be identified by investigators (Reuters) A spokesperson for CAIR-NJ, Dina Sayedahmed, described the imam as a beacon of leadership and excellence. As always, and irrespective of this specific incident, we advise all mosques to keep their doors open but remain cautious, especially given the recent spike in anti-Muslim bigotry, CAIR said. The organisation reports that incidents of anti-Muslin bigotry have increased by more than 170 per cent since the Hamas attack on 7 October that triggered Israels ongoing military action in Gaza. CAIR said it has received 2,171 anti-Muslim and anti-Palestine hate complaints over the last two months to their national headquarters a 172 per cent increase from the same period in 2022. Over 50 years ago, in 1973, another imam, James Shabazz, of the same mosque, then known as Temple No. 25, was shot and killed in his driveway, the New York Times said. Reactions Hundreds of mourners gathered for a vigil outside the mosque in remembrance of Mr Sharif, the New York Times reported. Ras Baraka, Newarks mayor, said the authorities would bring the perpetrator to justice, no matter how long it takes. Imam Hassan Sharif stood with the people of this city, and we will stand with him and his family I am disgusted that a gun has made its way through our community to kill one of us, Mr Baraka said on X. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker tweeted that he was heartbroken over the news of the death. Those who knew Mr Sharif spoke to local news about the pain they are feeling over the imams death but are remembering him as a great community member. Saydah Maiga, a member of the mosque, told NBC News how the imam helped her conversion to Islam in June. "He was there for me when I needed prayer when I first became a Muslim," she said. "He definitely made sure he reached out to me to help me learn my prayers so that I could become the best Muslim. Aneesah Abdullah, who knew Sharif, told CBS that the imam was just a good person overall. I cant think of anything wrong hes done to anyone, and that comes from my heart. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An imam has died after he was shot outside a mosque in Newark, New Jersey. The shooting occurred Wednesday morning near the corner of Camden Street and South Orange Avenue. First responders rushed the imam to University Hospital, where he was received in critical condition. The imam, identified as Hassan Sharif, died from his wounds on Wednesday afternoon, according to NBC News. No further details on the suspect or the motive in the shooting have been made available, but officials have not found evidence that bias against Muslims motivated the attack. This investigation is ongoing, but at this time we do not have any information suggesting the crime was motivated by bias, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Plotkin said in a statement. Every possible angle will, of course, be explored and every lead will be fully investigated to bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice. Mr Sharif had been attacked several months prior in another incident. He had reportedly been held at gun point at the mosque but managed to wrestle the pistol out of his attackers hand. The suspect then fled the scene, but was never caught, according to Wahy-ud Deen Shareef, convener of the Council of Imams in New Jersey, who spoke to the Bergen Record. The imam had worked with the Transport Security Administration since 2006, according to the TSA, which released a statement in response to his death. We are deeply saddened to learn of his passing and send our condolences to his family, friends and co-workers, a TSA spokesperson said in a statement. CAIR-NJ, the New Jersey arm of the Council for American Islamic Relations, issued a statement calling on the public to come forward with any information regarding the shooting. We are deeply concerned about this incident and pray for the speedy recovery of the imam, the group said in the statement released prior to his death. It called Mr Sharif a beacon of leadership in his community. As always, and irrespective of this specific incident, we advise all mosques to keep their doors open but remain cautious, especially given the recent spike in anti-Muslim bigotry, CAIR said. CAIR reports that incidents of anti-Muslim bigotry have increased by more than 170 per cent since the Hamas terror attack on 7 October that sparked Israels ongoing military action in Gaza. CAIR said it received 2,171 complaints of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hate over the last two months, which represents a 172% increase over same period in 2022. Close Community mourns deadly Iowa school shooting The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Iowa school shooter who killed one sixth grader and injured five was bullied relentlessly, according to his former classmates. Dylan Butler, 17, was named as the gunman who attacked Perry High School in Iowa on Thursday as students returned from their Christmas break. His former classmates, sisters Yesenia Roeder and Khamya Hall, both 17, said that Butler had been bullied relentlessly since elementary school. They added that the bullying had escalated recently, when his younger sister started getting picked on, too. Officials at the school didnt intervene, they said, and that was the last straw for the shooter. He was hurting. He got tired. He got tired of the bullying. He got tired of the harassment, Yesenia Roeder Hall said. Police said the suspects motive was being investigated and authorities were looking into a number of social media posts he made around the time of the shooting, Des Moines Register reported. Moments before the shooting, Butler, who was found dead at the scene, posted a video on TikTok captioned now we wait and the song Stray Bullet by the German band KMFDM accompanied it. Ahmir Jolliff, the 11-year-old victim of the shooting, is remembered by family and friends as a joyful boy known as Smiley at home. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} New batches of unsealed Jeffrey Epstein court documents continue to reveal a number of high-profile individuals whose names appeared multiple times in various materials, including footnotes. Among them are two former US presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew, all three of whom have been pictured with and known to associate with the disgraced financier in the past. Other names include lawyer Alan Dershowitz, magician David Copperfield, Michael Jackson and Leonardo DiCaprio. However, being identified through the court documents does not mean that the individual was involved in or aware of any wrongdoing by Epstein. This undated trial evidence image obtained on 8 December 2021, from the US District Court for the Southern District of New York shows British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and US financier Jeffrey Epstein (US District Court for the Southern District of New York) Ghislaine Maxwell Unsurprisingly, Epsteins partner in crime Ghislaine Maxwell is one of the names that features the most, appearing over 1000 times in the first five batches of documents. The British socialites name appears in full hundreds of times, due to the files being part of a 2015 US defamation case by Virginia Giuffre against her, though the name Maxwell appears still more, sometimes in reference to legal matters and footnotes. References to Maxwell were made throughout the documents, with various other witnesses being asked about her involvement with Epstein in their separate testimonies. Much of the information in the third and fourth tranches of evidence, released on Friday, was taken from Maxwells own despositions. They included questions over her interactions with Prince Andrew and Ms Giuffre as well as with former president Bill Clinton and others. She is currently serving 20 years in prison, having been convicted sex-trafficking underage girls in June 2022. Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson Prince Andrew has been named more than 100 times accross all sets of documents. The Duke of York was named 67 times with his Royal title in the first batch, though he also appears multiple times as simply Andrew in multiple other instances, including Maxwells deposition. Testimony concerning the dukes alleged conduct is detailed in the documents, much of which he has previously denied. Evidence from Epstein victim Johanna Sjoberg, claimed the duke touched her breast while sitting on a couch inside the US billionaires Manhattan apartment in 2001. Andrews name also cropped up in testimony about his now-notorius alleged visit to Tramp nightclub in London, which became a focal point of his 2019 sit-down television interview with journalist Emily Maitlis. During the interview the duke claimed he has a peculiar medical condition whereby he cannot sweat in response to Ms Guiffres claims he was perspiring in the club. Andrew has always strongly denied the allegations against him, while Buckingham Palace previously said all accusations made against the duke are categorically untrue. Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, is also named having reportedly visited Epsteins New York mansion with her then-husband, Andrew, according to testimony from former Epstein employee Juan Alessi. Andrew was also mentioned in the latest batches of documents, released on Monday and Tuesday, the latter of which contained deposition from Epstein himself. The disgraced financier was asked whether he had attempted to blackmail Andrew after his alleged sexual encounter with Ms Giuffre, who claimed she was paid $15,000 to have sex with the duke. He was asked whether he had told Ms Giuffre that she had to give him a full report on the details of what men like Prince Andrew did to her so that you would have blackmail material you could use. Epstein pleaded the fifth amendement to the majority of the questions. He was also quizzed on what he knew about Andrews sexual preferences, and on whether Ms Giuffre had recounted specific behaviour that Prince Andrew requested before sexual intercourse. Former US President Bill Clinton arrives prior to a tribute service for former US First Lady Rosalynn Carter, at Glenn Memorial Church in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 28, 2023 (AFP via Getty Images) Bill Clinton Clintons name was mentioned 83 times in the first two batches of documents, though the number is now well over 100 also. Both he and Andrew are known to have been associated with Epstein previously. Part of the testimony from Ms Sjoberg alleges that Epstein once told her that Clinton likes them young referring to girls. In the days leading up to the unsealing, it was reported that Clinton would be referred to more than 50 times in the redacted documents, having been given the pseudonym John Doe 36, according to the New York Post. Many of the references to the former president were reportedly believed to stem from Ms Giuffres early attempts to compel him to testify against Epstein and Maxwell. The second batch included evidence that claimed the former president had ridden in Epsteins private helicopter with Maxwell and Ms Giuffre and attempted to threaten Vanity Fair into not writing about Epsteins alleged sex trafficking. Ms Giuffre claimed that Clinton had walked into the magazines office and pressured them not to write about his good friend J.E, the documents stated. Shortly before the documents were released Clinton was seen visiting Mexico with his wife, Hillary Clinton, whose name now also appears in the documents. In the latest batch, released on Monday, Epstein victim Sarah Ransome, also detailed the alleged sexual relationship between an unnamed friend and the former president. She testified that her friend had to have sexual intercourse with Clinton in Epsteins New York Mansion just off 5th Avenue on numerous occasions. Clinton denies this and any wrongdoing and none of the individuals Ms Ransome made the allegations against have been formally accused or charged with any crime in connection to Epstein. In the deposition, Ms Ransome testified that her friend later came forward to report what happened to the police in 2008 but said that nothing was done and she was made to feel like a dirty whore and a liar. A couple of months later, her friend was allegedly approached by Special Agents Forces Men sent directly by Hilary (sic) Clinton herself, in order to protect her presidential campaign in 2008, Ms Ransome testified. They heavily intimidated her, ruffled her up (luckily she took photos as evidence) and was then forced to sign a confidentiality agreement which ensures that she can never come forward publicly implicating her husband, she testified. Ms Ransome went on to testify that the friend was given a substantial payout directly from the Clinton Foundation to keep her quiet. Clinton also appeared during questioning of Epstein, who was asked about their relationship and whether they had taken international trips together. In her testimony, Maxwell said that categorically, definitively, absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt, when I was present or any other time that I am aware of, was President Clinton ever on that island, referring to Epsteins private island of St Little James. I do not believe he went to that island ever ever, that is an absolute fabrication and an absolute flat out lie, she said. Donald Trump Clinton is not the only former commander-in-chief to appear in the documents. Donald Trump was named a handful of times in several batches, the latest of which contain allegations from Ms Ransome. Ms Ransome testified that her unnamed friend was one of the many girls that had sexual relations with Donald Trump including at Epsteins New York townhouse. She confided in me about her casual friendship with Donald. Mr Trump definitely seemed to have a thing for her and she told me how he kept going on about how he liked her pert nipples, she testified. She then described in graphic detail how Mr Trump allegedly caused pain to the victims nipples and claimed she saw the resulting injury firsthand. I also know she had sexual relations with Trump at Jefferys NY mansion on regular occasions as I once met Jen for coffee, just before she was going to meet Trump and Epstein together at his mansion. Jeffrey Epstein (left) and Donald Trump (right) (Getty Images) A Trump spokeperson told The Independent: These baseless accusations have been fully retracted because they are simply false and have no merit. In part of testimony released in the final batch of documents on Tuesday, Ms Giuffre said in a deposition that she never saw Mr Trump participate in the sexual abuse of minors. Other mention of Mr Trump, while not accusing him of wrongdoing, appeared to illustrate the good relationship he had with Epstein. In part of testimony from another victim Johanna Sjoberg, it was claimed Epstein once called up the former president and visited one of his casinos after his private plane was diverted to Atlantic City in New Jersey. Ms Sjoberg said that while travelling on the plane with the disgraced financier the pilots had said that they were unable to land in New York as planned. Jeffrey said, Great, well call up Trump and well go to -- I dont recall the name of the casino, but -- well go to the casino, the testimony read. Elsewhere, Ms Sjoberg was asked if she ever gave Mr Trump a massage, to which she replied no. Several more mentions of Mr Trump were made in the documents released last Friday, when Mr Alessi testified he had driven Maxwell to the former presidents Mar-A-Lago home. Mr Alessi also said that Mr Trump would sometimes come round for dinner at Epsteins home but ate with Mr Alessi in the kitchen. Mr Trump did not get massages at the Palm Beach house because he had his own spa, Mr Alessi said. Richard Branson The UK billionaire had previously appeared in Maxwells notorious little black book, details of which emerged during her trial in 2021. This did not accuse him of any wrongdoing. Mr Bransons name appeared again in the documents released on Monday, alongside Prince Andrew and Bill Clinton, in Ms Ransomes testimony. She testified that an unnamed friend had sexual intercourse with Clinton, Prince Andrew and Richard Branson on separate occasions. Ms Ransome testified under oath that these encounters had been filmed by Epstein and that she herself had later seen the sex tapes. She said that the footage clearly identify the faces of the men. A spokesperson for Mr Branson responded to email claims by citing a 2019 New Yorker article which stated that Ms Ransome had admitted to fabricating the sex tape claims to draw attention to Epstein. A Virgin Group spokeswoman said: In a New Yorker report published in 2019, Ransome admitted that she had invented the tapes.We can confirm that Sarah Ransomes claims are baseless and unfounded. We categorically reject all allegations made by Sarah Ransome. In 2016, Ms Ransome retracted her claims and then in 2019 after settling her claims with Epstein and Maxwell, she also admitted to The New Yorker that the tapes had been invented. The allegations are baseless and unfounded, the statement read. The actions of Jeffrey Epstein were abhorrent and we support the right to justice for the many victims impacted by his abuse. Les Wexner The final batch of documents, unsealed on Tuesday, contained claims from Virginia Giuffre that she was trafficked to former Victoria Secrets CEO Les Wexner. The allegations emerged in a 2016 deposition by Ms Giuffre and is the first time that Mr Wexner has been accused of having sex with underage girls. In the documents, Ms Giuffre claimed that she was trafficked to have sex with Mr Wexner between three and ten times during the time that she was recruited by Epstein and Maxwell. Ms Giuffre said that she was instructed by Maxwell to wear lingerie for Mr Wexner - which Maxwell went on to categorically deny in her own deposition. When asked why she had said in a previous interrogation by police that she didnt believe Mr Wexner would say the truth, Ms Giuffre said that it was because he had done things that were wrong. He participated in sex with minors, Ms Giuffre elaborated. A spokesperson told Business Insider: Mr Wexner was unaware of, and was never a participant in, any of the abhorrent behavior engaged in by Epstein against Epsteins victims, that Mr Wexner had never met Ms Guiffre, and that any claims to the contrary were not true. The Independent has also reached out to L Brands group for comment. David Copperfield US magician David Copperfield was named six times in the first set of documents, having also reportedly had dined with Epstein on occasion. File: Magician David Copperfield attends the 2018 Footwear News Achievement Awards at IAC Headquarters on December 4, 2018 in New York City (Getty Images) Part of one exhibit read: David Copperfield was at a dinner at Epsteins and there was another girl present who looked young and Johanna [Sjoberg] asked what school she went to and Johanna did not recognize the school name as being a college and she said it was possible it was a high school aged girl. Johanna said Copperfield questioned me if I was aware that girls were getting paid to find other girls. Copperfields relationship with Epstein has previously been noted, including in a 2019 article from The New York Times, which described Maxwells role in acquiring young girls for the disgraced financier. Hollywood stars Other big Hollywood names have also appeared throughout different tranches of the documents, though mostly just once or twice during Ms Sjobergs testimony. She is asked about meeting guests at Epsteins residence, including Star Wars creator George Lucas who is mentioned once and actor Kevin Spacey, who is mentioned twice. Ms Sjoberg says she does not remember meeting either man. She also does not remember meeting British supermodel Naomi Campbell, who is named once in the documents. Other big indsutry names included Cate Blanchett, Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz. Diazs representative told The Independent: Cameron never met Jeffrey Epstein, nor was she ever in the same place as him or had any association with him whatsoever, regardless of the fact he may or may not have mentioned her name or implied that he knew her. Reps for DiCaprio and Blanchett also denied any involvement with the paedophile. Late King of Pop Michael Jackson is also named twice, after Ms Sjolberg is asked if she met anybody famous while with Epstein. She said she did meet Jackson. On Friday, Spacey was mentioned again as well as comedian Chris Tucker both of whom were alleged to have been potential passengers during a ride on Epsteins private jet. In the final batch of documents other famous names appeared including super-model Heidi Klum and Bianca Jagger, wife of The Rolling Stones frontman, Sir Mick Jagger. Alleged Epstein victim Sarah Ransome claimed in a 2016 deposition that she had contacted human rights activist Ms Jagger for help. Alan Dershowitz Epsteins lawyer Alan Dershowitz is also named hundreds times, though in some places this is simply in footnotes referring to legal matters. However in other material it is claimed that the former Harvard Law School professor was one of several powerful individuals that Epstein made young women have sexual relations with on numerous occasions. Ms Sjoberg is also asked about having sexual relations with Mr Dershowitz specifically, in the back of a limousine, during her testimony. She denies this happened. Mr Dershowitz was previously accused by Ms Guiffre of sexual abuse, claiming that she was trafficked by Epstein to him for sex. Mr Dershowitz has vehemently denied all claims. Prior to the unsealing of the documents, he said that he wanted every last document and piece of paper relating to Epstein to be publicly released asserting that it will prove that he did nothing wrong. Sharon Churcher British journalist Sharon Churcher made over 300 appearances in the second tranche of documents, released on Thursday her first appearance in the documents. Ms Churcher was the sole source of regarding the original Epstein story from Giuffre, according to the response filing. Maxwell also claimed she helped Virginia Giuffre concoct sexual assault allegations against the Duke of York. In one document from 2016 Maxwells lawyers made submissions that Ms Churcher should be compelled to give evidence as part of the case. She was actively and personally involved in changing those stories over time and in the creation and addition of new salacious details about public figures, including the fabrication of Alan Dershowitzs alleged sexual relations with Plaintiff, the document said. References to Ms Churcher were made in later batches, during parts of Ms Guiffres deposition. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The mother who allegedly killed two of her children before fleeing to the UK had a years-long court battle with her ex-husband, court documents have revealed. Kimberlee Singler, 35, is currently in custody in the UK and is facing charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder after two of her children were found dead and a third injured on 19 December. A judge had signed an order for Ms Singlers children to spend Christmas with her ex-husband and their father, Kevin John Wentz, court records obtained by KOAA showed. It was agreed by the court that Ms Singler should turn over her three children to Mr Wentz at the Stetson Hills Division station of the Colorado Springs Police Department at 9am on 16 December and they would return to their mother at noon on 31 December at the Greeley Police Department, KOAA reported. It is unclear whether Ms Singler showed up with her children, yet the court documents reportedly show Mr Wentz went to court on 17 December asking for an emergency motion from police to enforce the agreement. A hearing was set for 20 December but was ultimately called off, with the court citing their "condolences about the recent occurrences for the parties and their families, KOAA reported. The police were initially called to a burglary case, where they found the children dead (CBS Colorado) The court later decided that Mr Wentz was not a danger to his children and was allowed to spend time with them again. The documents reportedly show that the parents were allegedly locked in a custody battle that stretched further back than this incident. In 2018, Ms Singler filed for divorce from Mr Wentz, and by May 2019, the court was considering a request from the mother to restrict her husbands time with her children. Over the years, the couple battled it out about the time they could spend with their children, with Ms Singler allegedly failing to turn up to court on occasions. By November 2023, the couple were ordered to conduct a polygraph test, denying Ms Singlers request to be excluded from it, and only communicate through the co-parenting app AppClose, the documents reportedly showed. A few days after Mr Wentz was finally supposed to spend time with his children for Christmas, a nine-year-old girl and a seven-year-old boy were found dead on 19 December. Officers responded to a 911 call at around 12.30am on Tuesday, 19 December, following reports of a burglary that was later discovered to be unfounded, the Colorado Springs Police Department said. Along with the two deceased children, they found Ms Singler and her 11-year-old daughter at the residence, who both had injuries. The mother, who was initially treated as a victim, and her daughter were taken to hospital. A week later, Ms Singler fled Colorado to the UK around the time investigators on the case found probable cause to arrest her. She was last seen on 23 December, and the investigators issued a warrant for Ms Singler on 26 December, the court records show, according to KOAA. By 30 December, Ms Singler was arrested by the National Crime Agencys national extradition unit in Kensington in west London. She appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday, facing extradition to the United States, although the Colorado Springs police predicted this could take a considerable amount of time. Colorado Springs police said in a press release on 28 December that Ms Singler will face four first-degree murder charges, two counts of attempted murder, two accounts of class two felony child abuse, one count of class three felony child abuse, and one count of assault. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A New York Police Department officer is being accused of sharing a picture of a suspects bank card to a group chat, declaring, Lunch on me, guys. Officer Andy Urrutia, 24, allegedly took a photo of the card belonging to a woman who was arrested in March before sending it into a group chat, according to the New York Post, which cited Bronx prosecutors. It is unclear whether it was a debit or credit card. Mr Urrutia allegedly wrote Lunch on me, guys and sent it to the group a few days after the womans arrest on unspecified charges, a criminal complaint obtained by the outlet said. Another person in the group said, Probably got overdraft fees cause they broke, to which Mr Urrutia allegedly replied, Try it. You are all welcomed [sic]. Its a Bronx zip code. I believe so, he is accused of adding, accoridng to the news website. A person then responded, About to run it up at Starbucks, the court papers alleged. The complaint included financial records that showed four declined transactions on the card at a Starbucks within a 12-minute period the same afternoon. The woman apparently learned that her card was being used and declined while sitting in an NYPD stationhouse and reported it to the authorities, New York Daily News reported. The NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau tracked the crime down to Mr Urrutia. Mr Urrutia was suspended from the NYPD without pay following his arrest within the precinct he used to cover, according to the New York Post. The NYPD told The Independent that the police officer was arrested at 11.04am on Tuesday while he was off-duty and was charged within the 52 Precinct, the northern part of the Bronx. He was charged with grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, petit larceny, official misconduct, identity theft and the unlawful possession of personal ID, according to the police department A Bronx Criminal Court judge ordered the former officer to be released without bail, according to the New York Daily News and will be back in court on 6 February. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A former rock musician faces murder charges over the death of his missing girlfriend in California following the discovery of human remains. Theobald Lengyel, 54, was arrested in connection with the killing of 61-year-old Alice Alyx Kamakaokalani Herrmann. Police say she was last seen alive in Santa Cruz on 3 December. Herrmann was reported missing by her family on 12 December and her Toyota Highlander vehicle was found outside her boyfriends home in El Cerrito. Mr Lengyel was a founding member of the funk-metal band Mr Bungle and played a variety of instruments, according to SFGate. Officials said that following the victims disappearance he had not cooperated with the police investigation and travelled by car to Portland, Oregon. Theobald Lengyel, 54, was arrested in connection with the killing of 61-year-old Alice Alyx' Kamakaokalani Herrmann (Betsy Marvit) Investigators eventually found human remains in a wooded area at Tilden Regional Park, around four miles from El Cerrito. Police have not shared any details on the cause of death and the remains are awaiting DNA confirmation by the Contra Costa County Coroners Office. Theobald Lengyel, 54, was arrested in connection with the killing of 61-year-old Alice Alyx' Kamakaokalani Herrmann (Betsy Marvit) Mr Lengyel was arrested and booked in the Santa Cruz County Jail. The investigation is ongoing. Capitola Police made the arrest and said that Mr Lengyel also goes by the name Mylo Stone. As the investigation progressed, it became clear that foul play was involved, leading to the identification of Theobald Lengyel as a suspect, the Capitola Police Department said in a statement. The diligent work of our investigators, in coordination with our law enforcement partners, has led to the apprehension of Theobald Lengyel in connection with the tragic homicide of Alice Kamakaokalani, the department added. Theobald Lengyel, 54, was arrested in connection with the killing of 61-year-old Alice Alyx' Kamakaokalani Herrmann (Betsy Marvit) We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim during this time. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A father and son have been arrested in connection to the murder of pregnant teenager Savanah Soto and her boyfriend. San Antonio Police announced late on Wednesday that Christopher Preciado, 19, had been arrested and charged with capital murder. His father 53-year old Ramon Preciado was charged with abuse of a corpse for helping his son move the bodies after the brutal killings. Police Sgt Washington Moscoso said that Ramon Preciado is not accused of taking part in the murders, which are believed to have taken place just before midnight on 21 December. More charges are possible with respect to Sotos unborn baby. On Thursday the force said that a possible motive for the killings was a narcotics deal gone bad, according to NBC News. Sotos family have insisted that she did not use drugs, but may have been influenced by her partner, 22-year-old Matthew Guerra. Her brother, Jordan Corona, told NBC he was worried about his sisters relationship with her boyfriend. My sister was a little sweetheart. She didnt even like being near smoke, he said. I guess it was just one of those wrong-place, wrong-time situations. Christopher Preciado, 19, and Ramon Preciado, 53, who were arrested and charged in connection with the murders of Savanah Soto and her boyfriend (San Antonio Police Department) She doesnt get around that type of stuff [drugs]. Of course her boyfriend was the way he was but as far as her [involvement with drugs], no. The arrests of the Preciados come more than one week after 18-year-old Soto and Guerra were found dead inside a car on 26 December. Both victims died from a gunshot wound to the head. Sotos unborn baby was also found dead inside the car. A multi-day search for the couple had been launched when the victims families grew alarmed as Soto who was nine months pregnant failed to turn up for an appointment to have her labour induced on 23 December. Police then asked for the publics help in finding two persons of interest in the case. Chilling footage released by police last week captured the couples Kia Optima and a dark-coloured pickup truck with a bed cover. Police said that one person of interest was driving the Kia Optima and the other the pickup truck. San Antonio Police Chief William McManus told reporters at the time that none of the victims were visible in the footage, with Sgt Moscoso speculating that a botched drug deal was believed to be a factor in the murders. He added that a key piece of evidence was recovered from Sotos cellphone, which pointed authorities to the possible location of the pickup truck, and ultimately to the two suspects home. Following the couples disappearance and prior to the arrests, the victims family members had offered conflicting theories about what might have happened. Sotos family said they had not approved of her relationship with Guerra. Police sent out a CLEAR alert on Monday for Savanah Nicole Soto, 18 (KTRK screengrab) Guerra was arrested on Christmas Day of 2022 for beating Soto, according to NBC. A doorbell camera captured him kicking Soto in the face after screaming at her, F*** you b****, you betrayed me, according to a San Antonio police report shared with NBC. [Guerra] then began to punch [Soto] in the face with a closed fist 4 times on the left side of the face, the report added. Soto told detectives that Guerra later stood over her and kicked her in the face multiple times, the police report stated. It was an abusive relationship, we didnt approve of it, Mr Corona said of his sister and her boyfriend. We tried to tell her, Thats not what you need. Of course at that age, you feel like you know everything. Love is powerful at that age. We couldnt separate them. Guerra was placed on probation after he pleaded no contest to assault causing bodily injury on a domestic partner, court records showed, per NBC. Following her death, Sotos sister-in-law also alleged that she was being abused. i wont allow you to be one of those statistics of what happens when u have an abusive boyfriend, she wrote on social media, in a post viewed by The New York Post. Her mother also posted on Facebook: Im worried about her safety she is [with] her boyfriend who is no good. But according to the NY Post, Guerras mother wrote on social media: If anyone knows my son Matthew Guerra he and his pregnant girlfriend are missing. I know my son and he wouldnt do anything to hurt her. Gloria Cordova told KHOU her daughter was excited to be a new mother. Savanah was so, so happy because she was going to be a mommy. It breaks my heart, she said. Close Young Thug criticises Andre 3000 The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The hotly-anticipated trial of the rapper Young Thug is back under way in a courtroom in Atlanta, Georgia, after being derailed when a codefendant was stabbed in jail. In May 2022, Young Thug, real name Jeffery Williams, was arrested and charged in a sprawling RICO indictment along with 27 other defendants. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis who is using the same law to prosecute Donald Trump in his Georgia election interference case accused the suspects of being part of a criminal street gang named YSL or Young Slime Life. According to prosecutors, the gang is responsible for multiple violent crimes, including murders, shootings, carjackings and racketeering. Young Thug denies the accusations and insists YSL is simply his record label Young Stoner Life. The trial has been undoubtedly rocky. Shannon Stillwell, a YSL co-defendant, was stabbed multiple times in jail by a fellow inmate in December. The incident led to the trials postponement until 2 January. When the trial resumed on Tuesday, Young Thug instantly sparked speculation online around what he was wearing under his shirt. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The US Department of Justice is suing the state of Texas over what it says is a clearly unconstitutional law that would give state judges the ability to deport migrants from the country. Last week, the DoJ threatened to sue Republican Gov Greg Abbotts administration if it began enforcing the legislation Senate Bill 4 which was signed by the governor last month. Its set to take effect in March. The law will additionally give local law enforcement officials the ability to arrest migrants crossing the southern border into the US and implement two new crimes, a misdemeanour and a felony for those caught entering the US. Repeat offences would be punishable by up to two years in prison. Advocates have decried the laws implementation. Governor Abbotts efforts to circumvent the federal immigration system and deny people the right to due process is not only unconstitutional, but also dangerously prone to error, Anand Balakirshnan, senior staff attorney at the ACLU Immigrants Rights Project said. The DoJ argues that the Texas law interferes with current provisions stating that the federal government has the authority to enforce entry and removal statutes. Separately, the new law interferes with its conduct on foreign relations. In Arizona v. United States, the Supreme Court previously ruled that decisions regarding removal of noncitizens must be made with one voice, a DoJ press release noted. Texas cannot run its own immigration system, the complaint states. In a written statement, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M Boynton, head of the Justice Departments Civil Division, said, We have brought this action to ensure that Texas adheres to the framework adopted by Congress and the Constitution for regulation of immigration. Mr Abbott, the state of Texas, Texas Department of Public Safety and Steven C McCraw, the director of the states DPS, are named as defendants in the suit. Last week, Mr Abbott announced his intentions to continue defending the new law. The Biden administration not only refuses to enforce current US immigration laws, they now want to stop Texas from enforcing laws against illegal immigrants, he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Ive never seen such hostility to the rule of law in America. Biden is destroying America. Texas is trying to save it. Earlier this year, the federal government sued Mr Abbott for placing a floating buoy barrier in the Rio Grande River, which separates Texas and Mexico. The DoJ said that the governor did not have jurisdiction over the borderland. A ruling on that suit has not yet been made. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Elon Musk was slammed by billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban after the Tesla boss claimed diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) was just another word for racism. Mr Musk posted about the topic on his X social media platform in the wake of the resignation of Claudine Gay, Harvards first Black president. He wrote that DEI was just another word for racism in response to an essay by hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman, the Harvard donor who was a prominent critic of Dr Gay. Mr Ackman wrote in a 4,000-word piece that DEI was racist and that he was worried about racism against white people. And Mr Musk agreed, posting shame on anyone who uses the phrase DEI. He then replied to one X user who denied that DEI was racist, stating Discrimination on the basis of race, which DEI does, is literally the definition of racism. Mr Cuban, who owned the NBAs Dallas Mavericks and stars on Shark Tank hit back at Mr Musks claims, saying that DEI was good for business. Good businesses look where others dont, wrote Mr Cuban. You may not agree, but I take it as a given that there are people of various races, ethnicities, orientation, etc that are regularly excluded from hiring consideration. And he added: By extending our hiring search to include them, we can find people that are more qualified. The loss of DEI-phobic companies is my gain. These are the same people that work for you or are your co-workers. Everyone is entitled to their [point of view], but these same feelings, even if they are [not] said out-loud, are heard loud and clear at work, Mr Cuban concluded in his final post. Although many of Mr Musks X followers seemingly agreed with his take, others were quick to attack the worlds richest person. Breaking: Rich white man tweets against diversity, wrote one critic. Then why does Tesla have a DEI report? One user asked pointedly. Ill never be ashamed for wanting to make people feel welcomed and included, added another person. Another user added: No. Theres so much overwhelming evidence that initiatives that benefit minorities and disadvantaged students can impact the trajectory of their lives, including their quality of life and earning potential. Denying the importance of programs that facilitate opportunities for minorities is ignorant. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Convicted sex trafficker and Jeffrey Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell has reacted to the long-anticipated release of a trove of court documents naming several of the dead paedophiles associates. Maxwells attorneys Arthur Aidala and Diana Fabi Samson released a statement on Wednesday night, after the filings began to be unsealed, in which she continued to insist her innocence and vowed to plough ahead with her appeal. Ghislaine Maxwell took no position on the Courts recent decision to unseal documents in Giuffre v. Maxwell as these disclosures have no bearing on her or her pending appeal, they said in the statement, shared with The Messenger. Ghislaines focus is on the upcoming appellate argument asking for her entire case to dismissed. She is confident that she will obtain justice in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. She has consistently and vehemently maintained her innocence. The trove of documents released on Wednesday are part of a defamation lawsuit brought against 62-year-old Maxwell back in 2015 by Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre documents which years later a judge has finally ordered must be unsealed. Ms Giuffre filed the suit after Maxwell accused her of lying about the years-long abuse she had suffered at the hands of Epstein and some in his inner circle. Undates photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell (VIA REUTERS) The suit was settled in 2017 but was placed under a protective seal with the identities of those named in the filings kept under lock and key. The Miami Herald sued for the release of the sealed documents while Maxwells legal team sought to block it. Around 2,000 pages of documents were first unsealed in 2019, with further documents released over the following years. But, this current trove of documents remained sealed and the names of hundreds of people associated with the dead paedophile were kept secret, known only as Jane and John Does. Then, in a landmark ruling last month, US District Judge Loretta Preska ruled that the trove of documents could be released and the names unsealed in full after 1 January. While the federal judge ordered the names of several Epstein victims to remain anonymous, she said that there was no legal justification to keep the names of Epsteins associates redacted as John and Jane Does. This has now paved the way for several famous figures to find themselves tied to the notorious disgraced financier. Among the names revealed in the first batch of the filings released are former president Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and Donald Trump. In a newly-unsealed deposition, Epstein victim Johanna Sjoberg spoke about what she knew about Mr Clintons ties to Epstein. [Epstein] said one time that Clinton likes them young, referring to girls, she testified. An undated photo shows Ghislaine Maxwell massaging the feet of Jeffrey Epstein (VIA REUTERS) However, Ms Sjoberg testified that she never met Mr Clinton, never saw him on Epsteins Caribbean island and never saw him being flown in a helicopter by Maxwell. There is no indication that the former president is involved in any wrongdoing and is not accused of any crime. The Independent has reached out to Mr Clintons representative for comment. His spokesperson told CNN on Wednesday that it has now been nearly 20 years since President Clinton last had contact with Epstein and denied that the former president ever had any knowledge of Epsteins crimes. The documents also reveal previously revealed allegations brought by Ms Sjoberg against Prince Andrew. In 2001, Ms Sjoberg claims the duke touched her breast while they were sitting on a couch inside Epsteins Manhattan apartment. Andrew has always strongly denied the allegations against him, while Buckingham Palace previously said all accusations made against the duke are categorically untrue. Several more documents and names are expected to be released over the coming days. Epsteins island of Little St James where much of the abuse took place (REUTERS) An individual being named in the documents does not necessarily mean they are accused of any wrongdoing. Maxwell, 62, is currently behind bars in a federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida, serving 20 years for her part in Epsteins sex-trafficking ring. She was convicted in December 2021 of six counts of enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in illegal sex acts, sex trafficking of a minor, and three counts of conspiracy related to the other counts. At her high-profile trial, prosecutors described how Maxwell and Epstein ran a decade-long pyramid scheme of abuse from 1994 to 2004 grooming young girls before sexually abusing them. Several victims testified in court how Epsteins former girlfriend preyed on vulnerable underage girls and groomed them to hand them to the late financier to abuse. The victims testified that Maxwell both enabled Epstein in his abuse and took part in some of the abuse herself. Maxwell is appealing her conviction and continues to profess her innocence in Epsteins crimes. Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The release of court documents naming associates of Jeffrey Epstein caused a website hosting them to crash within minutes. The CourtListener site, run by the non-profit Free Law Project, initially showed the 40 documents made public in the case by Judge Loretta Preska in New York. But the site soon went down with the message This usually happens when we are doing maintenance or our server is overloaded. The documents were still available on the PACER system, which gives public access to federal court records. The legal files are part of a long-running defamation lawsuit brought by Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre against his former fixer and convicted child trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell in 2015. Although the case was settled in 2017, Maxwells attorneys had fought for the names to continue to remain private. Their objection was lifted in 2022, a year after she was convicted and sentenced to two decades in prison. In December, New York Judge Loretta Preska issued an order to unseal materials connected to the case. Ms Giuffre first brought the civil case against Maxwell in 2015 after a spokesperson for the former socialite called Ms Giuffres allegations obvious lies. The civil case helped consolidate the criminal case against Maxwell, who was later sentenced to 20 years in prison on five charges of sex trafficking minor girls. She has since appealed her conviction. Ms Giuffre also went on to sue Prince Andrew for sexual assault and infliction of emotional distress before that case was also settled in 2022. Prince Andrew has adamantly denied the sexual abuse allegations. However, hundreds of names included in the Giuffre v Maxwell lawsuit remained under seal. The Miami Herald, whose investigation into Epstein led to his arrest in 2019, first sued in 2018 for the release of all documents related to the lawsuit. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} More than 200 previously sealed court documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and registered sex offender, have been unsealed. US judge Loretta Preska ordered that the court filings in a lawsuit brought against Ghislaine Maxwell by Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre must finally be unsealed and the names of up to 200 John and Jane Does unredacted. She mentioned that many did not oppose the release of the documents. Judge Preska did instruct that certain names be kept redacted to protect the identities of sexual abuse victims. The names of ten Jane Does mentioned in the filings remained under seal because their right to privacy as victims outweighed the publics right to know. A J Doe, 107, has until 22 January to submit proof the release of their name will put them at risk of physical harm, and a request by a second J Doe, 110, to keep their name under seal is currently being reviewed by the court. The list of names included a mix of prominent individuals, with the majority facing no allegations of misconduct. Those listed include alleged victims, people not accused of wrongdoingand absent third parties. Being identified through the court documents does not mean that the individual was involved in or aware of any wrongdoing by Epstein. Here are some of the key takeaways: Some of the names in the unsealed court documents have been linked to Epstein in the past. Among those in Wednesdays documents are former presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, lawyer Alan Dershowitz, former VictoriaS Secret CEO Les Wexner, late former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson and late AI pioneer Marvin Minsky. David Copperfield, Michael Jackson and other celebrities also are mentioned. Allegations against Prince Andrew resurface The newly unsealed court documents contain references to Johanna Sjoberg, who has accused British royal member, Prince Andrew of groping her breast in Epsteins Manhattan apartment in 2001. Buckingham Palace has vehemently denied her allegations. In a deposition, Sjoberg claimed that Prince Andrew put his hand on my breast. In 2022, the royal settled a suit claiming sexual abuse that was filed by another accuser, Virginia Giuffre. The documents, filed in federal district court in Manhattan, provide additional context to shed light on the connections Epstein had cultivated over the years with influential figures, including former presidents, Mr Trump and Mr Clinton, as well as a member of the British royalty, Prince Andrew. The vast majority of names in the documents were already well-known associates of Epstein. However, certain new details have emerged, notably from the deposition of alleged Epstein victim, Sjoberg. She has stated that she was trafficked by Epstein from 2001 to 2006. Epstein once said Bill Clinton likes them young, victim claims In her 2016 deposition, Ms Sjoberg was questioned about whether Epstein had ever mentioned former president Bill Clinton. She testified that Epstein had once remarked that Clinton likes them young, referring to girls. Previously, Mr Clintons spokesperson, in 2019, denied claims made about his involvement with Epstein. In a statement on X/Twitter wrote: President Clinton knows nothing about the terrible crimes Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to in Florida some years ago, or those with which he has been recently charged in New York. Mr Clintons name is mentioned 73 times in the documents so far, including footnotes. In the second batch of documents a 2011 email from Ms Giuffre to journalist Sharon Churcher, included an accusation that Bill Clinton had threatened Vanity Fair reporters about writing stories on Epstein. B. Clinton walked into [Vanity Fair] and threatened them not to write sex-trafficing articles about his good friend. [Jeffrey Epstein] the email from Ms Giuffre stated. Donald Trumps alleged sexual proclivities Ms Sjoberg also claimed that she was once on a private plane with Epstein when it made an unexpected stop in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She said that Epstein mentioned: Great, well call Trump. She mentioned that Epstein suggested that they visit Mr Trumps casino. Elsewhere, Ms Sjoberg was asked if she ever gave Mr Trump a massage, to which she replied no. In 2019, when asked about his relationship with Epstein following the financiers arrest, Mr Trump said he knew him like everybody in Palm Beach knew him. But the former president added: I had a falling out with him. I havent spoken to him in 15 years. I was not a fan of his, that I can tell you. The new documents also contain incendiary claims about the former president, including accusations that he had sexual relations with many girls, made by one of Epsteins alleged victims, Sarah Ransome. Mr Trumps name has appeared a handful of times previously in the documents and, while not accusing him of wrongdoing, appears to illustrate the good relationship he had with the disgraced financier. In documents unsealed on 8 January, Ms Ransome testified that her unnamed friend was one of the many girls that had sexual relations with Donald Trump including at Epsteins New York townhouse. She confided in me about her casual friendship with Donald. Mr Trump definitely seemed to have a thing for her and she told me how he kept going on about how he liked her pert nipples, she testified. She then described in graphic detail how Mr Trump allegedly caused pain to the victims nipples and claimed she saw the resulting injury firsthand. I also know she had sexual relations with Trump at Jefferys NY mansion on regular occasions as I once met Jen for coffee, just before she was going to meet Trump and Epstein together at his mansion, she said. Mr Trump has previously strongly denied any wrongdoing. A Trump spokesperson told The Independent: These baseless accusations have been fully retracted because they are simply false and have no merit. Giuffre claims she was trafficked to Les Wexner The allegations against the former Victorias Secret CEO and founder of L Brands emerged in a 2016 deposition by Ms Giuffre. Although Ms Giuffre had previously alleged she had been trafficked to other high-profile figures, it is the first time that allegations have emerged that Mr Wexner had sex with underage girls. The Independent has reached out to L Brands group for comment. Ms Giuffre claimed that she was trafficked to have sex with Mr Wexner between three and ten times during the time that she was recruited by Epstein and Maxwell. Ms Giuffre said that she was instructed by Maxwell to wear lingerie for Mr Wexner which Maxwell went on to categorically deny in her own deposition. When asked why she had said in a previous interrogation by police that she didnt believe Mr Wexner would say the truth, Ms Giuffre said that it was because he had done things that were wrong. He participated in sex with minors, Ms Giuffre elaborated. Jean Luc Brunels creepy note about Russian tutor A message left for Epstein by one of his employees in 2005 claims that Jean-Luc Brunel, a French model scout who died in 2022 while awaiting trial for child rape, had found a teacher who could give Epstein free lessons. He has a teacher for you to teach how to speak Russian. She is two times eight years old. Not blond, the message reads. Lessons are free and you can have your first today if you call. The creepy message was seized by Florida police during their first investigation into Epstein back in 2005-6, before resurfacing in a tranche of newly uncensored documents made public on Monday. Epstein asked Johana Sjober to have a baby with him In the recently released deposition, Ms Sjoberg revealed that the disgraced financier had propositioned her multiple times to have a baby with him. She stated that Epstein expressed his desire for her to be the mother of his child, to which she did not flat-out refuse but responded with a non-committal attitude, saying, Oh, yeah, really? Basically [he] just said, I want you to be the mother of my baby, Ms Sjoberg said. I dont believe that I said flat-out no. I didnt agree to it. I would just say, Oh, yeah, really? David Copperfield and Michael Jackson mentioned in filings In her deposition, Ms Sjoberg revealed two previously undisclosed names: David Copperfield and Michael Jackson. She said that she met Jackson at Epsteins Palm Beach mansion. During another instance at one of Epsteins residences, she encountered Copperfield, who, according to her, did some magic tricks. Ms Sjoberg claimed that Copperfield questioned me if I was aware that girls were getting paid to find other girls. Epstein offered payment to discredit Stephen Hawking underage orgy allegations In 2015, after Ms Giuffres civil claim in the US, an email from Epstein to Maxwell surfaced, revealing Epsteins request for Maxwell to issue a reward to counter Giuffres claims involving Prof Stephen Hawking in an alleged underage orgy. The email suggested focusing on discrediting specific allegations, such as the claim that Hawking participated in such an event during a dinner in the Virgin Islands. Hawking, who died in 2018, has not been accused of a crime related to Epstein. Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak visited Epsteins home, documents allege According to documents, the former Israeli prime minister, Ehud Barak, was a frequent visitor to Epsteins Upper East Side townhouse between 2013 and 2017. Barak has acknowledged these meetings in the past. He said that Epstein often introduced him to individuals from various fields like art, culture, law, science, finance, diplomacy, or philanthropy. However, he never met Epstein with girls or minors, or even adult women in improper context or behaviour. Noam Chomsky had dinner with Woody Allen at Epsteins house According to documents, Epstein arranged multiple meetings with Noam Chomsky in 2015 and 2016. During this time, Mr Chomsky was teaching at MIT, a university where Epstein had made significant donations. The scheduled meetings involved gatherings of academics, and Mr Chomsky also took a flight on Epsteins private jet to New York. One specific event included a dinner at Epsteins townhouse with film director Woody Allen and his wife, Soon-Yi Previn. Epstein was arrested on 6 July 2019 for sex trafficking and died by suicide in jail. His former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell was then prosecuted by the US attorney in Manhattan for helping recruit his underage victims. She was sentenced in 2022 to 20 years in prison. Meanwhile, Maxwells attorneys, Arthur L Aidala and Diana Fabi Samson were quoted as saying by the Guardian: Ghislaine Maxwell took no position on the courts recent decision to unseal documents in Giuffre v Maxwell as these disclosures have no bearing on her or her pending appeal. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} For years, it was known to victims as the paedophile island. It was a place where Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell lured girls and vulnerable young women, dazzled by the glamour of a spectacular, paradise Caribbean island. Once there and with no way of getting off the islands these victims were sexually abused by Epstein and allegedly trafficked to his powerful, wealthy circle of clients. Dozens of celebrities and famous figures also visited the 70-plus-acre island of Little St. James and 160-plus-acre island of Great St. James visits that, based on what later came to light, many would rather erase from public memory. Theres no denying that these islands have dark pasts. But, they are now having a total makeover courtesy of a new owner and his grand plans to transform the infamous hideaway into a luxury, five-star resort. After Epsteins suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019, the islands initially became the subject of a legal battle between the US Virgin Islands and the late paedophiles estate. Little St James (as it used to look) is getting a makeover (Reuters) A settlement was finally reached and the islands hit the market for a staggering asking price of $125m. In May 2023, billionaire private equity boss Stephen Deckoff snapped up the two islands for less than half, at $60m. Mr Deckoff, the founder of private equity firm Black Diamond Capital Management who has lived on the US Virgin Islands for over a decade, is now building a 25-room five-star luxury resort on the property. Ive been proud to call the US Virgin Islands home for more than a decade and am tremendously pleased to be able to bring the area a world-class destination benefitting its natural grace and beauty, he said in an interview with Forbes at the time. I very much look forward to working with the US Virgin Islands to make this dream a reality. Under the plans, the Caribbean island that became known for all the wrong reasons will soon be welcoming wealthy tourists and sun-seekers to a state-of-the-art, five-star, world-class luxury 25-room resort that will help bolster tourism, create jobs, and spur economic development in the region, according to a press release announcing the purchase. Any development on the island, which already boasted multiple villa properties, pools and a helipad, will be done so respecting and preserving the important environment of the islands. Mr Deckoff originally hails from New York but made the US Virgin Islands his home back in 2011. To him, there is nowhere quite like the Caribbean islands, with their white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. There is simply no place in the world as special as the US Virgin Islands and I am humbled by the opportunity to share its splendor with visitors in a manner that will provide economic benefits to the region while respecting its culture, history and natural beauty, he said in a statement. The luxury resort, located close to St Thomas, is expected to open to guests in 2025. Mr Deckoff told Forbes that he had never set foot on the islands when they were owned by Epstein and had never met Epstein himself. Which big names are on the Jeffrey Epstein list? Names of the people who did associate with the sex trafficker have now started to emerge. Dozens of Epstein associates were revealed on 3 January after a judge ordered the unsealing of court documents in a now-settled lawsuit brought by Ms Giuffre against Maxwell. An individual being named in the documents does not necessarily indicate any wrongdoing. Ms Giuffre filed the defamation lawsuit against Maxwell in 2015, after she accused her of lying about the years-long abuse she had suffered at the hands of Epstein and some in his inner circle. Among the alleged abuse, Ms Giuffre has claimed that Prince Andrew raped her on Little St James when she was a minor. Andrew has always strongly denied all the allegations against him, while Buckingham Palace previously said all accusations made against the duke are categorically untrue. He settled a lawsuit with Ms Giuffre in 2022 for an undisclosed sum. The suit with Maxwell was settled in 2017 but was placed under a protective seal with the identities of those named in the filings kept under lock and key. The Miami Herald sued for the release of the sealed documents while Maxwells legal team sought to block it. Around 2,000 pages of documents were first unsealed in 2019, with further documents released over the following years. But, this current trove of documents remained sealed and the names of hundreds of people associated with the dead paedophile were kept secret, known only as Jane and John Does. A gazebo pictured on Little St James back in 2019 (AP) Then, in a landmark ruling last month, US District Judge Loretta Preska ruled that the trove of documents could be released and the names unsealed in full after 1 January. While the federal judge ordered the names of several Epstein victims to remain anonymous, she said that there was no legal justification to keep the names of Epsteins associates redacted as John and Jane Does. This has now paved the way for several famous figures to find themselves tied to the notorious disgraced financier. Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019. Maxwell was convicted of child sex trafficking in 2021 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A trove of legal filings listing dozens of names linked to Jeffrey Epstein have been released. The 40 documents released on Wednesday are part of a long-running defamation lawsuit brought by Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre against his former fixer and convicted child trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell in 2015. More documents were unsealed on Thursday. Although the case was settled in 2017, Maxwells attorneys had fought for the names to continue to remain private. Their objection was lifted in 2022, a year after she was convicted and sentenced to two decades in prison. In December, New York Judge Loretta Preska issued an order to unseal materials connected to the case. The documents identify individuals whose names had been previously redacted. Those listed include alleged victims, people not accused of wrongdoingand absent third parties. Being identified through the court documents does not necessarily mean that the individual was involved in or aware of any wrongdoing by Epstein. While the filings provide a further look into the allegations raised against Maxwell and Epstein, several of the revelations had previously become public through the account of individuals at the centre of the litigation. Some high-profile figures, including former US presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, and Prince Andrew, had already been publicly tied to Epstein. One of the exhibits unsealed on Wednesday included a 2015 email sent by Maxwell in which she appeared to reference Prince Andrew and Mr Clinton. I have already suffered such a terrible and painful loss over the last few days that I cant even see what life after press hell even looks like - statements that dont address all just lead to more questions, Maxwell wrote. ... what is my relationship to clinton ? Andrew on and on. Lets rest till monday. I need head space. In a deposition, Johanna Sjoberg who claimed the Duke of York touched her breast in 2001 at Epsteins Manhattan townhouse testified that she was told by Epstein that Mr Clinton allegedly likes them young, referring to girls. Ms Sjoberg said she never met Mr Clinton. Ms Sjoberg also claimed in a deposition that during an encounter with Maxwell, Prince Andrew and Ms Giuffre in 2001, Maxwell gifted the prince a caricature puppet that looked like him. The incident Ms Sjoberg took place at Maxwells Mayfair home, where an infamous picture of Ms Giuffre, Andrew and Maxwell was also taken that night. Prince Andrew has previously said he has no recollection of that night. And they decided to take a picture with it, in which Virginia and Andrew sat on a couch, Ms Sjoberg said in the deposition. They put the puppet on Virginias lap, and I 2 sat on Andrews lap, and they put the puppets hand on Virginias breast, and Andrew put his hand on my breast, and they took a photo. In a filing supporting a motion to request a deposition from Mr Clinton, attorneys for Ms Giuffre argued that although she had mentioned Mr Clintons friendship with Epstein, she hadnt accused the former president of any wrongdoing. However, the attorneys asserted that former President Clinton is a key person who can provide information about his close relationship with Defendant and Mr. Epstein and disapprove Ms. Maxwells claims. Ms Giuffre had claimed that she once saw the former president on Epsteins secluded private island Little St James, which Epstein victims say was the centre of his international sex trafficking ring. Mr Clinton has vehemently denied ever visiting the island. In a deposition unsealed Wednesday, Maxwell claimed it was 100 per cent false Mr Clinton had eaten a meal on the island. Im sure he had a meal on Jeffreys plane, Mr Maxwell testified. Mention of Mr Clinton in the unsealed files does not indicate any suggestion of wrongdoing or that he was aware of Epsteins criminal activity. Mr Clinton has said that he cut ties with Epstein in 2005, three years before the paedophile was convicted of procuring a child for prostitution. Flight logs that emerged as part of separate lawsuits against Epstein showed that Mr Clinton had flown on Epsteins private jet, which became known among the press as the Lolita Express, to several locations but not to Little St James. Among other revelations in the filings was that Jeffrey Epstein called up Mr Trump and visited one of his casinos after his private plane was diverted to Atlantic City in New Jersey. Ms Sjoberg testified that while travelling on the plane with the disgraced financier the pilots had said that they were unable to land in New York as planned. Jeffrey said, Great, well call up Trump and well go to -- I dont recall the name of the casino, but -- well go to the casino, the testimony read. Mr Trump is only named four times in the filings, less than US magician David Copperfield, who is named six times. According to the newly unsealed documents, Mr Copperfield reportedly had dinner with Epstein. Ms Sjoberg said Mr Copperfield did magic tricks before asking if she was aware that girls were getting paid to find other girls. One of the key allegations against Epstein and Maxwell was that some of the girls he paid for sex acts then acted as recruiters to find him other victims. Ms Sjoberg said Copperfield didnt get more specific about what he meant. Copperfields relationship with Epstein has previously been noted, including in a 2019 article from The New York Times, which described the role of Ghislaine Maxwell in acquiring young girls for the disgraced financier. Ms Giuffre also claimed in a deposition that she was trafficked to have sex with several men, including American billionaire Tom Pritzker, the chairman of the Hyatt Hotels, former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, investor and Robin Hood Foundation co-founder Glenn Dubin and late AI pioneer Marvin Minsky. The Independent has reached out to those parties for comment. A spokesperson for Mr Pritzker told The Independent that he first rejected those allegations in 2019 and continues to vehemently deny them. A spokesperson for Mr Dubins also told The Independent in a statement: The Dubins strongly deny these allegations, as we first said in 2019, when these unsubstantiated statements first surfaced as part of this same civil court proceeding. In an unveiled email Epstein sent to Maxwell in 2015, he suggested that Maxwell should offer money to people close to Ms Giuffre willing to discredit her. Epstein went on to deny allegations that Mr Clinton had dinner on his island and that Stephen Hawkins purportedly took part in an orgy with underaged girls. Despite earlier statements by Maxwell that she distanced herself from Epstein in the aftermath of his 2008 conviction on charges of procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute, the two continued to communicate via email long after. You have done nothing wrong and I would urge you to start acting like it. Go outside, head high, not as an escaping convict. Go to parties. Deal with it, Epstein emailed Maxwell in January 2015. Alan Dershowitzs name also emerged in the first tranche of released documents. Jane Doe 3 claimed that Epstein instructed her to have sex with Dershowitz, which the former Harvard Law Professor has previously denied. Epstein required Jane Doe #3 to have sexual relations with Dershowitz on numerous occasions while she was a minor, not only in Florida but also on private planes, in New York, New Mexico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, an excerpt of the filings by the plaintiffs attorneys read. Following accusations by Ms Giuffre that she had been trafficked to have sex with Mr Dershowitz, contentious legal battles between the pair rumbled on for the next three years. In November 2022, Ms Giuffre admitted that she may have made a mistake in identifying Mr Dershowitz as one of her abusers. Lawsuits were then dismissed on both sides. Late singer Michael Jackson also was listed in the documents. I met Michael Jackson ... At Jeffreys house in Palm Beach, Ms Sjoberg said in a deposition. Another name mentioned in the filings was model scout Jean-Luc Brunel, who died by suicide while imprisoned at a French jail nearly two years ago. Brunel was facing sexual assault and human trafficking charges. Ms Giuffre first brought the civil case against Maxwell in 2015 after a spokesperson for the former socialite called Ms Giuffres allegations obvious lies. The civil case helped consolidate the criminal case against Maxwell, who was later sentenced to 20 years in prison on five charges of sex trafficking minor girls. She has since appealed her conviction. Ms Giuffre also went on to sue Prince Andrew for sexual assault and infliction of emotional distress before that case was also settled in 2022. Prince Andrew has adamantly denied the sexual abuse allegations. However, hundreds of names included in the Giuffre v Maxwell lawsuit remained under seal. The Miami Herald, whose investigation into Epstein led to his arrest in 2019, first sued in 2018 for the release of all documents related to the lawsuit. The first set of those documents was unsealed on 9 August 2019, just a day before Epstein killed himself in his jail cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan. The parties had until midnight on 1 January to object to the latest ruling ordering the rest of the documents to be unsealed, with only 10 people identified in the papers successfully arguing that their right to privacy as victims outweighs the publics right to know their names. More documents will be released in the coming days. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The bodies of a mother and daughter were discovered at a dog kennel facility In Maine, prompting authorities to begin investigating the matter. According to Maine State Police, officials responded to the Pawsitive Dog Kennel on Red Schoolhouse Road in Farmington around 10.45am on Wednesday last week. There, authorities discovered the bodies of 76-year-old Jean Robinson and 53-year-old Allison Cumming of Farmington, WGME, an NBC News affiliate, reported. On Wednesday December 27, 2023, at approximately 10.45 am, the Franklin County Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting the discovery of two deceased people at the Pawsitive Dog Kennel at 274 Red Schoolhouse Road in Farmington. Officers responded to the business and confirmed two people were deceased within the business, Maine State Police said in a statement. While autopsies were performed on the two women last week, an official cause and manner of death has still not been released. According to the outlet, the mother and daughter lived on the same property in a different building. The Independent has reached out to the Maine State Police for comment. There is currently no immediate threat to the public. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Jeffrey Epstein told his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell that she could offer a financial reward to friends of his accuser Virginia Giuffre if they could help prove her allegation that Stephen Hawking had engaged in an underage orgy was false. Newly released court documents reveal that the paedophile financier sent an email in 2015 showing that he was happy to issue a reward to counter her allegations, shortly after Ms Guiffre had filed a civil claim in the US. The email, sent to disgraced British socialite Maxwell, read: You can issue a reward to any of Virginias friends, acquaints, family that come forward and help prove her allegations are false. The strongest is the Clinton dinner, and the new version in the Virgin Islands that Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy. Stephen Hawking at a conference in the Caribbean held by Jeffrey Epstein (Supplied) The Cambridge professor had previously visited Epsteins private Caribbean island in 2006 as part of a conference funded by the multimillionaire, and pictures show him at a barbecue on Little St James. This occurred months before Epstein was first charged with child sex offences, which included procuring a minor for prostitution. Professor Hawking, who died in 2018 aged 76, is one of more than 170 people who have been named after a US judge ordered that documents relating to Epstein could be made public. The first tranche of documents, in which high-profile figures such as the Duke of York and former US president Bill Clinton featured heavily, was released on Wednesday evening. Also published among the court documents as part of Ms Giuffres civil claim against Maxwell was the transcript of the socialites videotaped evidence given under oath. During her interview, known in the US as a deposition, Maxwell claimed she could only recall Prince Andrew visiting Epsteins island once. Documents containing the names of 170 of Jeffrey Epsteins associates are being made public (Reuters) Andrew stepped down from public life following the furore over his friendship with Epstein, and paid millions to Ms Giuffre a woman he claimed never to have met to settle a civil case that alleged sexual assault. The prince was cast out of the working monarchy and no longer uses his HRH style after Ms Giuffre, who was trafficked by Epstein, accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17. He strenuously denies any wrongdoing. Asked whether any girls under the age of 18 were present on the one occasion on which she recalled Andrew being on the island, Maxwell replied: There were no girls on the island at all. No girls, no women, other than the staff who work at the house. Girls meaning, I assume you are asking, underage, but there was nobody female outside of the cooks and the cleaners. Former US president Bill Clinton features heavily in the documents released so far (Netflix) Other documents indicate that Maxwell sent an email in January 2015, shortly after a civil claim had been filed against her, in which she described herself as out of my depth. She added: I have already suffered such a terrible and painful loss over the last few days that I cant even see what life after press hell even looks like statements that dont address all just lead to more questions... what is my relationship to Clinton? Andrew on and on. One website on which the documents were being released on Wednesday evening crashed within minutes, warning that the server might be overloaded prompting a tweet from Ms Giuffre that read: We broke the website. The deposition of a woman named Johanna Sjoberg was also published as part of the documents. She previously claimed, while giving testimony in May 2016, that Andrew had touched her breast while sitting on a couch in Jeffrey Epsteins Manhattan apartment in 2001. Epstein sent an email to Ghislaine Maxwell saying he was happy to issue a reward to Virginia Guiffres friends (Via Reuters) The incident is alleged to have taken place when Ms Giuffre and Ms Sjoberg were at Epsteins house off Fifth Avenue in New York. Ms Sjobergs deposition made reference to a puppet being placed on Ms Giuffres breast at the same time believed to be Andrews Spitting Image puppet. Buckingham Palace previously said the allegations were categorically untrue. During the same interview, Ms Sjoberg also said that Epstein had told her that former president Bill Clinton likes them young, referring to girls. Ms Sjoberg said: I knew he had dealings with Bill Clinton. I did not know they were friends until I read the Vanity Fair article about them going to Africa together. Epstein was found dead in his cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges (US Department of Justice) Asked if Epstein had ever talked about the former president, Ms Sjoberg said: He said one time that Clinton likes them young, referring to girls. In 2019, Mr Clintons spokesperson said he knew nothing about the terrible crimes Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to and that the pair had not spoken in over a decade. The spokesperson also said Mr Clinton had never been to Epsteins island called Little St James or to his ranch in New Mexico or his house in Florida. Another former US president, Donald Trump, also featured in Ms Sjobergs deposition. She said Epstein had called him and visited one of his casinos after his private plane was diverted. Maxwell has been jailed for 20 years and plans to appeal her sentence in November (PA) Ms Sjoberg said: Jeffrey said, Great, well call up Trump and well go to... I dont recall the name of the casino, but... well go to the casino. Epstein was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan in August 2019 while he was awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide. Maxwell has been imprisoned since July 2020, despite numerous attempts by her defence counsel to have her released on bail. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison at the federal court of the Southern District of New York in June 2022. The socialite indicated her desire to appeal shortly after her conviction, with her lawyers claiming that the allegations against her were premised on faded, distorted and motivated memories. Her appeal is currently scheduled to be heard in November. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Having once described Jeffrey Epstein as a terrific guy, it was perhaps unsurprising that Donald Trump was among the high-profile people to be named in the first batch of unsealed court documents containing information on associates of the late paedophile. Prior to his stint as commander-in-chief, Mr Trump was known to have met the disgraced financier on multiple occasions, having been pictured with him at events though their relationship had ups-and-downs after a reported falling out in the 1990s. Along with his ex-wife Marla Maples and children Tiffany and Eric, the former president flew on Epsteins private jets multiple times, first appearing on flight logs in 1993. He also spoke of his friendship with him, telling New York Magazine in 2002 that he has known Jeff for fifteen years. Hes a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it Jeffrey enjoys his social life, he told the magazine. Mr Trump is named in the documents four times. However, there is no indication that he has committed any wrongdoing and he has not been charged with involvement in Epsteins crimes. Prior to his stint as commander-in-chief, Mr Trump was known to have met the disgraced financier on multiple occasions, having been pictured with him at events (Getty Images) In testimony included in the documents, Johanna Sjoberg, an alleged victim of the financier, claimed Epstein once called up Mr Trump and visited one of his casinos after his private plane was diverted to Atlantic City in New Jersey. Ms Sjoberg said that while travelling on the plane with Epstein, the pilots had said that they were unable to land in New York as planned. Jeffrey said, Great, well call up Trump and well go to -- I dont recall the name of the casino, but -- well go to the casino, the testimony read. Ms Sjoberg testified that she and Ms Giuffre went to Mr Trumps casino. However, she testified that she has never met Mr Trump and never gave him a massage or engaged in any sexual relations with him. Epstein and Mr Trump were friendly in the 1990s, with prosecutors for Ghislaine Maxwell Epsteins alleged former girlfriend and accomplice describing the pair as partners in crime. Footage from November 1992 showed Mr Trump partying with Epstein at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Despite this closeness both previously said they suffered a falling out the reasons for which are unknown. It happened before Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008. But when Mr Trump embarked on his 2016 presidential campaign, Epstein said he thought he could win and reportedly later boasted that he knew several people in Mr Trumps elite circle and several potential cabinet members. Mr Trump and Epstein reportedly fell out in the 1990s (EPA) Last year, a new report revealed that Epstein had arranged several meetings with people close to Mr Trump during his 2016 campaign. Emails and schedules reviewed by the Wall Street Journal showed he invited real estate investor Thomas Barrack and billionaire Peter Thiel, both Trump campaign backers, to gatherings with former Russian United Nations Ambassador Vitaly Churkin. Despite this alleged rekindling of their associations, Mr Trump once again distanced himself from Epstein when Epstein was arrested in 2019. At the time the former president claimed they had not spoken in about 15 years. I was not a fan of his, that I can tell you, he said. A Trump spokesman told the WSJ in a statement that none of these people were Trump campaign officials, and in fact President Trump banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago. Mr Trump also reportedly enjoyed a close relationship with Maxwell, who was convicted of sex-trafficking in 2021, and sentenced to 20 years behind bars. Numerous photographs showed Mr Trump socialising with Maxwell out on the town in New York, at Anand Jons September 2000 fashion show, and another with Melania Trump and Epstein at Mar-a-Largo the same year. Following her arrest in 2020, he told reporters he wished her well, adding: her boyfriend was either killed or committed suicide in jail. Shes now in jail. Yeah, I wish her well. Mr Trump has not responded directly to being named in the documents on Wednesday. Instead, on Thursday morning he took to his social media platform TruthSocial to post a barrage of unrelated posts including endorsements for his presidential campaign and attacks on US author E Jean Carroll. Despite his personal silence, some of Mr Trumps supporters celebrated the fact that the trove of documents released on Wednesday did not accuse him of any illegal activity. His son, Donald Trump Jr, tweeted: The left is so much more upset that Trump isnt on the Epstein Island list than they are with the actual democrat elite pedophiles who are on the list & who took part in child molestation. Several X users mocked Don Jr for appearing to ignore his fathers mention in the documents and his connections to the late financier. But he is on the list, came one simple reply. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A senior member of the US Department of Education appointed by President Joe Biden has resigned from the administration for its support of Israels continuous assault and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza. It should go without saying that all violence against innocent people is horrific. I mourn each and every loss, Israeli and Palestinian. But I cannot represent an administration that does not value all human life equally, Tariq Habash wrote in a resignation letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona on Wednesday. Mr Habash, the only Palestinian-American political appointee at the agency, served as special assistant to the Education Departments Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development. He is the second Biden administration official to resign over US support for Israels retaliatory bombardments and ongoing siege in the wake of Hamas attacks on October 7. His resignation follows a series of dissent memos from administration officials, political appointees, White House and Biden campaign staff, and congressional staff demanding US support for a ceasefire in the crisis, as the death toll grows to more than 21,000, according to Gazas health ministry. I cannot stay silent as this administration turns a blind eye to the atrocities committed against innocent Palestinian lives, in what leading human rights experts have called a genocidal campaign by the Israeli government, Mr Habash wrote in a letter shared with The Independent. He said he refuses to be quietly complicit while the Biden administration fails to leverage its influence as Israels strongest ally to stop Israels retaliatory bombardments and a siege that has cut Palestinians in Gaza from food, water, electricity, fuel and medical supplies. We wish him the best in his future endeavors, a Department spokesperson told The Independent. Last month, more than 800 Biden administration staff members renewed calls for the presidents urgent support for a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the immediate de-escalation of violence in Gaza. A letter addressed to Mr Biden was supported by staff across 30 departments and agencies. Dozens of employees at the US Department of State have also signed internal memos to Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticising the administrations approach to Israels military campaign. Josh Paul, whose viral resignation letter from the State Department in October warned against blind support for Israels military campaign, joined Biden administration staff outside the White House last month to read a statement on behalf of the Administration Staffers for Ceasefire coalition. The statement urged the US to move with urgency to save as many lives as possible. Another open letter from more than 1,000 officials with the US Agency for International Development, among the largest aid agencies in the world, authorised by Congress, has urged Mr Bidens support for a ceasefire. Hundreds of Democratic aides in Congress have also pressed their bosses to support a ceasefire. More than 60 members of Congress, including at least three senators, have joined those calls. Former State Department official Josh Paul, who resigned over US support for Israels ongoing attacks in Gaza, spoke during a demonstration in December alongside Biden administration staff calling for a ceasefire. (AFP via Getty Images) As a Palestinian-American man descending from generations of Palestinian-Christians, I experience each day the dehumanization and erasure of my identity by my peers, by the media, and by my own government, Mr Habash wrote. He continued: My family lived through the Nakba in 1948, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were violently and forcibly expelled from their homes. My grandparents, aunts, and uncles walked over 35 miles, from Yaffa to Lydda to eventually Ramallah, just to survive. For 75 years, my relatives have never been allowed to return to their familial homes. Millions of Palestinians have faced decades of occupation, ethnic cleansing, and apartheid, and the Biden administrations passive acceptance of this status quo is wholly out of line with democratic values. He condemned what he described as unconditional military funding to a government that is uninterested in protecting innocent lives following the deaths of thousands of children, as well as journalists, health workers and United Nations employees These deaths are unjust they violate our moral obligation as stewards of our countrys tax dollars, they violate our obligation to abide by international humanitarian law, and they violate every level of human decency, Mr Habash added. He also urged the Education Department to play an active role in supporting Jewish, Muslim and Arab students and staff on college campuses, including protections for First Amendment activities expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza who have suffered tremendously in recent weeks and for years before the current ongoing violence. Let me be clear: antisemitism, anti-Palestinian sentiment, and Islamophobia are all abhorrent, he added. But simply put, criticism of the Israeli government, and its violations of international humanitarian law, is not antisemitic. Claims that conflate criticism of Israels government with antisemitism only seek to silence dissent against a foreign government. Palestinians in Gaza on 3 January walk past a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike. (AP) South Africa has accused Israel of genocide in its formal complaint to the United Nations International Court of Justice. Last weeks complaint at the World Court at The Hague alleges that the acts and omissions by Israel in Gaza are genocidal in character and have been committed with the requisite specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and [ethnic] group On Wednesday, US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby called the allegations meritless and counterproductive and completely without any basis in fact whatsoever. On 22 December, the United Nations Security Council approved a resolution pressing for the safe passage of humanitarian aid into Gaza after several days of US-led negotiations over language in the final draft. The council stopped short of a resolution calling for an immediate cessation of violence and instead approved a watered-down measure that called for creating the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities. The US and Russia ultimately abstained from voting for it. 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 Republican congressman known for occasional clashes with Trump-aligned conservatives in his own party is now at war with Fox News host Jesse Watters. Dan Crenshaw took aim at Watters in a multi-post Instagram story that went up on Wednesday after the Fox News talking head used a photo of Mr Crenshaw during a segment about members of Congress profiting through the stock market. Some members of Congress have faced growing scrutiny from members of both parties in recent years over their holdings of large stock portfolios while in office in many cases those investments include stakes in companies which are parts of industries that those members have direct or indirect roles in regulating, such as health care, financial services or aerospace technology. In 2022, a New York Times investigation found that nearly 100 members of Congress or their close family members had traded stocks in businesses or industries which were directly affected by areas of oversight correlating to their respective congressional committee assignments. Mr Crenshaw labelled Watters a f***ing clown, desperate for clickbait in his furious retort while adding that he never had more than $20,000 in stock investments while serving in the House. The segment itself, which aired on Jesse Watters Primetime, only mentioned Mr Crenshaw and displayed his headshot for a few seconds at the end of a list of both Republicans and Democrats whose stock trades performed better than the market average. Fox knows this, but theyre desperate for fake controversy to get clicks, the congressman angrily continued. Watters is a tool, making millions to push conspiracies on TV. The posts went on, attacking Watters for an affair with his producer which led to his 2009 marriage and described him as a rich socialite living in Manhattan who supposedly couldnt stand conservatives living in red states. He went on to say that the network itself had cancelled a scheduled interview with him following his posts, which headed further off the rails through the evening. Jesse Watters seems like the type of dude who pees sitting down, wrote the elected US congressman. A source with knowledge of the situation told The Independent that Mr Crenshaw had actually been scheduled to appear on Fox Business, Fox Newss sister network and said that the cancellation of his appearance was unrelated to his comments on Instagram. Mr Crenshaw has been a pariah among the Trump-aligned faction of his party ever since he ascribed dishonesty to Republican members of Congress who continue to publicly support the lies made up by the Trump campaign about the 2020 election. Once a popular figure on the conservative right, Mr Crenshaw has more recently faced taunts and heckling from Trump supporters when making appearances at major right-leaning events. Despite bucking the former president on such an important issue, Mr Crenshaw did not face a Trump-aligned primary candidate in 2022, unlike others such as Brian Kemp, Liz Cheney and Nancy Mace. He was, however, among a handful of Texas Republicans snubbed by the former president for an endorsement in the midterm cycle. He has yet to name his endorsement for the 2024 election, but recently came out opposed to efforts to remove Donald Trump from the 2024 ballot over his role in calling his supporters to Washington and provoking what became the January 6 attack on the US Capitol. 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 Jr has been mocked after he celebrated what he apparently interpreted to be his fathers absence from newly-unsealed court documents revealing the names of Jeffrey Epstein associates. The former presidents son took to X on Thursday morning to hit out at critics following the release of the first batch of filings on Wednesday night. The left is so much more upset that Trump isnt on the Epstein Island list than they are with the actual democrat elite pedophiles who are on the list & who took part in child molestation, he wrote. That tells you all you need to know about todays democrat party & their leaders! Social media users were quick to school Don Jr about the contents of the records which featured his fathers name four times. As part of a 2016 deposition, Epstein victim Johanna Sjoberg testified that the first time she flew with Epstein, he called Mr Trump to make a pit stop at his casino in Atlantic City. Ms Sjoberg said they were travelling, together with fellow Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre, from Palm Beach to New York but stopped at Atlantic City for a few hours because of a storm. Epsteins Little St James island (REUTERS) We, as we were flying, Jeffrey said, Why dont you go sit in the cockpit to check out the 12 landing? So we were sitting there, and the pilots told me to go back and tell him that we cant land in New York and that we were going to have to land 16 in Atlantic City, Ms Sjoberg testified. Jeffrey said, Great, well call up Trump and well go to -- I dont recall the name of the casino, but well go to the casino. Ms Sjoberg testified that she and Ms Giuffre went to Mr Trumps casino. However, she testified that she has never met Mr Trump and has never given him a massage. Mr Trumps ties to Epstein have been well documented prior to the latest unsealing of filings. He has been pictured with him at events and flight logs show that he flew on the paedophiles private jet multiple times. There is no indication that Mr Trump has committed any wrongdoing and he has not been charged with involvement in Epsteins crimes. Several X users mocked Don Jr for appearing to ignore his fathers mention in the documents and his connections to the late financier. But he is on the list, came one reply. Isnt your dad on the flight logs also? His name is clearly on page 18. This tells you everything you need to know about MAGA and their leader, one person wrote. An undated photo shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell (VIA REUTERS) Your dad was in the flight logs and has 90+ public pictures with Epstein but do go on, chimed in another. While some people leaped to agree with Don Jr, another person added: Why dont you tell the truth for once? Dozens of Epstein associates were unmasked on Wednesday after a judge ordered the unsealing of court documents in a now-settled lawsuit brought by Ms Giuffre against Epsteins accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. Ms Giuffre filed the defamation lawsuit against Maxwell in 2015, after she accused her of lying about the years-long abuse she had suffered at the hands of Epstein and some in his inner circle. The suit was settled in 2017 but was placed under a protective seal with the identities of those named in the filings kept under lock and key. The Miami Herald sued for the release of the sealed documents while Maxwells legal team sought to block it. Around 2,000 pages of documents were first unsealed in 2019, with further documents released over the following years. But, this current trove of documents remained sealed and the names of hundreds of people associated with the dead paedophile were kept secret, known only as Jane and John Does. Then, in a landmark ruling last month, US District Judge Loretta Preska ruled that the trove of documents could be released and the names unsealed in full after 1 January. While the federal judge ordered the names of several Epstein victims to remain anonymous, she said that there was no legal justification to keep the names of Epsteins associates redacted as John and Jane Does. This has now paved the way for several famous figures to find themselves tied to the notorious disgraced financier. Several more documents and names are expected to be released over the coming days. An individual being named in the documents does not necessarily mean they are accused of any wrongdoing. Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019. Maxwell was convicted of child sex trafficking in 2021 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. 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 }} Mark Meadows, Donald Trumps former chief of staff, has again asked a federal appeals court to allow him to move his Georgia election interference case to federal court after it rejected his bid in December. Mr Meadows faces two charges over accusations that he and 18 co-defendants, including Mr Trump, attempted to unlawfully overturn Joe Bidens victory in the crucial swing state in the immediate aftermath of the 2020 presidential election. He has pleaded not guilty to both charges. His request to take his trial to federal court was rejected before Christmas by a three-judge panel in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit because the racketeering conduct with which his criminal indictment is concerned stands apart from the duties he carried out for the then-president at the White House in Washington DC. The former North Carolina congressman is now asking that the matter be reconsidered by the court as a whole. If it declines to reconsider his case, Mr Meadows could then be forced to elevate it to the US Supreme Court, which is already busy handling his former employers filings on presidential immunity and the decision to strike him from ballot papers in Colorado in accordance with the insurrectionist prohibition stipulated by the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. The panels decision is profoundly wrong it defies text, precedent, and common sense and profoundly consequential, attorneys for the defendant wrote in their latest submission. While courts struggle with whether tobacco companies and health insurers can remove a White House chief of staff facing a local prosecutors indictment based on actions taken in the West Wing should not be a close call. Mr Meadows strategy is centred on the hope that a federal court would be more inclined to dismiss the charges against him pertaining to the 2020 election on federal immunity grounds, designed to protect officials prosecuted over matters arising from their work in the service of the US government. Fulton Countys district attorney Fani Willis has opposed the move, given that the tactics success could imperil her prosecution of Mr Meadows and his co-defendants, broaden the pool of potential jurors by taking the trial to an area less dense with Democrats than northern Georgia and end its prospect of being televised. Mr Meadows also moved on Tuesday to bolster his legal team, drafting in Paul Clement, a former US solicitor general under George W Bush, as well as appellate advocate Erin Murphy and associate Zachary Lustbader. 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 }} Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley told a New Hampshire campaign event crowd that voters in the state would correct Iowa caucus results. You know Iowa starts it. You know that you correct it, Ms Haley told a New Hampshire audience on Wednesday, according to the New York Times. And then my sweet state of South Carolina brings it home. The former South Carolina governor made the remarks one day before appearing in Iowa. Ms Haley and Florida Gov Ron DeSantis have been neck-and-neck for months. However, recent polls suggest that the former UN ambassador has surpassed Mr DeSantis, securing second place behind Donald Trump. The Iowa-directed comments are particularly interesting because Mr DeSantis has been investing his efforts in the state. The comments sparked outrage from supporters of the Florida Republican, who quickly came to Iowa voters defence. Iowa Gov Kim Reynolds, who has endorsed Mr DeSantis, wrote on X: I trust Iowans to make their own decisions. No corrections needed! Family Leader president Bob Vander Plaats, who has endorsed Mr DeSantis, took to X, labelling Ms Haleys comments as an admission of getting beat in the Hawkeye state and saying they clear clarity and renewed conviction to Iowans as they Caucus for Mr DeSantis. A 21 December poll from American Research Group indicated that Ms Haley is closing the gap between her and the prominent frontrunner, showing she is within four percentage points of Mr Trump. This isnt her first controversial remark as of late. Last week Ms Haley became the subject of criticism from all sides after failing to mention slavery as the cause of the Civil War. The following day in a radio interview, she accused the man who asked the question at a campaign event of being a Democrat plant. She tried to walk back her previous remarks by saying, Of course the Civil War was about slaverythats the easy part of it. 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 hopeful Robert F Kennedy Jr has claimed he will be left unscathed by the unsealing of Jeffrey Epstein court documents - having previously revealed he flew on the disgraced financiers private jet. Forty legal filings from the settled 2015 lawsuit between Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell became public on Wednesday after New York Judge Loretta Preska issued an order in December to unseal materials connected to the case. The documents include names of alleged victims, people not accused of wrongdoingand absent third parties and being identified through the court documents does not necessarily mean that the individual was involved in or aware of any wrongdoing by Epstein. Some of the high-profile names mentioned in the filings, including former US presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, had already been publicly tied to Epstein. Mr Clinton has previously denied ever visiting Epsteins island and any links to the convicted paedophile, while Mr Trump has said in the past that he had no relationship with Epstein. A political figure who was not mentioned in the filings, but has volunteered in recent months that he flew on Epsteins plane, was independent presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr. Appearing on NewsNations Dan Abrams Live on Wednesday night, Mr Kennedy said he was not concerned that information from the unsealed filings would taint his public image. I like whats happening today. I like the fact that all these papers are being released. Ive been an advocate for transparency. I think the government keeps too many secrets, Mr Kennedy said. I think its important for the American public to know whether Jeffrey Epstein had some kind of corrupt influence on public officials or any public figure. Mr Kennedy revealed last September during an appearance on Fox News that he had flown on Epsteins plane on two occasions. Mr Kennedy elaborated on Wednesday that the first plane ride took place in 1993, when he went to visit his mother in Palm Beach. Remember, nobody knew anything about Jeffrey Epsteins nefarious activities till 2006, Mr Kennedy added. My wife knew his girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell and they offered us a ride when we were going to see my mother. I was with two children and my wife on the plane at that time, I knew nothing about Jeffrey Epstein. Mr Kennedy added that he accepted a second plane ride one or two years later when he took his children fossil hunting on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. I hope everything that is known about Jeffrey Epstein comes out, Mr Kennedy told Mr Adams. I think its odd that they have not that Congress has not been able to subpoena and Ive been an advocate for making sure that the government is transparent about everything, including every document, everything that is known about Jeffrey Epstein. Mr Kennedys remarks come after he garnered enough signatures to qualify for the Utah presidential ballot. This is the first state in which Mr Kennedy has qualified, after meeting the 1,000-signature threshold. The scion of Americas most famous political family announced in October that he was switching from running for the Democratic nomination to running as an independent candidate. It remains unclear whether Mr Kennedys name is mentioned in the filings ordered to be unsealed, as a large part of those are still expected to become public in the coming days. The documents are part of Ms Giuffres civil suit, which was settled in 2017 and helped consolidate the criminal case against Maxwell in 2021. Maxwell was later sentenced to 20 years in prison on five charges of sex trafficking minor girls. She has since appealed her conviction The Miami Herald, whose investigation into Epstein led to his arrest in 2019, first sued in 2018 for the release of all documents related to the lawsuit. Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019. The Independent has reached out to Mr Kennedys campaign. 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 }} Russias armed forces have launched several North Korean-made ballistic missiles into Ukraine over the last week and could make further use of similar weapons in the coming days, the White House has said. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Thursday that US intelligence had indicated that Pyongyang had recently supplied the weapons including several launchers and ballistic missiles to the Russian government, which launched at least one of them into Ukrainian territory on 30 December. That missile landed in an open field in the Zaphorizia region of Ukraine, he said. He also said Russia launched multiple North Korea-made ballistic missiles into Ukraine during an overnight aerial attack on 2 January, and stressed that the impacts of those missiles is still being assessed. Mr Kirby said Russias use of North Korean weaponry is evidence that Moscow has become increasingly isolated on the world stage and stressed that the US believes Russia will use additional North Korean missiles to target Ukraines civilian infrastructure and to kill innocent Ukrainian civilians. These North Korean ballistic missiles are capable ranges of approximately 900 kilometres thats about 550 miles. This is a significant and concerning escalation in the DPRKs support for Russia, he said. He added that Pyongyang appears to be trading the missiles for other military assistance from Moscow, including fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, armoured vehicles, ballistic missile production equipment, or materials and other advanced technologies. This would have concerning security implications for ... the Korean peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region, he said. Mr Kirby noted that Russias decision to seek ballistic missile technology from North Korea directly violates multiple UN Security Council resolutions, and said the US would be raising the matter with the council alongside our allies and partners. We will demand that Russia be held accountable for yet again, violating its international obligations, he said before adding that the US will impose additional sanctions against those working to facilitate arms transfers between Russia and the DPRK. 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 }} Colorados secretary of state on Wednesday accused Donald Trump of trying to escape responsibility for his role in the January 6 attack on the US Capitol by claiming that the Constitution protects former presidents from prosecution. The former president has made this argument in multiple instances, including most recently as he has appealed the Colorado Supreme Courts ruling striking him from the 2024 ballot to the US Supreme Court in Washington. He has also used similar defences in the pre-trial legal battles over his prosecutions for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election in state and federal court. Colorados decision by the state Supreme Court to remove Mr Trump from the ballot was swiftly followed by a similar move by Maines secretary of state. Mr Trump, who is the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination, now faces the prospect of legal challenges to determine whether state officials can deny him ballot access over charges that he supported an insurrection the 2021 attack on Congress. Jena Griswold, whose agency runs elections in the state of Colorado, argued on MSNBCs The Last Word that Mr Trump was attempting to use the Constitution as a get out of jail free card and said she disagreed with his lawyers assertion that former presidents should not be prosecuted, under the Constitution, for any actions which occurred while they were in office. Trump goes on to argue that even if he did incite the insurrection, well, the Constitution doesnt apply to him. I dont think thats right, Ms Griswold told MSNBCs Lawrence ODonnell. I dont think that theres some get out of jail free card for the presidency that allows Donald Trump to escape scrutiny of the laws of the land and the Constitution. Her position has been increasingly backed up by court decisions in recent months. But the US Supreme Court was asked by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith to take up that issue in December and instead, the nations highest court kicked the can down the road. Most recently, a federal appeals court sided against the former president on the issue. Last Friday, a panel of federal judges ruled in favour of a group of Capitol Police officers who have brought a civil suit against the former president over the Capitol attack, and allowed their suit against Mr Trump to proceed over arguments of presidential immunity. Similar arguments on the ex-presidents behalf have been rejected in other cases. The question of whether (and when) the US Supreme Court will take up the issue has further complicated the already messy process of prosecuting a former president and current leading candidate for the GOP nomination. It remains unclear, even as primaries are set to begin in Iowa and New Hampshire in the coming weeks, whether the criminal trials of Mr Trump will conclude before the November 2024 presidential election. Mr Trump continues to insist that the efforts to prosecute him for his efforts to block Joe Biden from becoming president after the Democrat won the 2020 election are nothing more than a campaign by Democrats and the deep state to interfere in the 2024 election. He also continues to falsely claim that the last presidential election was stolen and plagued by widespread fraud; in reality, his own team was unable to prove those allegations in court while US elections authorities at the state and federal levels denied his charges. 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 attorneys have formally asked the US Supreme Court to overturn a ruling that finds him constitutionally ineligible for the presidency for his actions surrounding the attack on the US Capitol on January 6. Last months historic ruling from the Colorado Supreme Court disqualified the former president from appearing on the states 2024 presidential ballots, an argument at the centre of more than a dozen similar cases across the US challenging his eligibility under the provisions of the 14th Amendment. The question could now be in the hands of the nations highest court, teeing up a politically explosive case that could reshape the 2024 election and have far-reaching impacts beyond the former presidents campaign. Colorado justices determined that Mr Trump is disqualified under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits anyone who has sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution and engaged in insurrection or rebellion from holding public office. This Court should grant certiorari to consider this question of paramount importance, summarily reverse the Colorado Supreme Courts ruling, and return the right to vote for their candidate of choice to the voters, Mr Trumps attorneys wrote to the US Supreme Court on Wednesday. The question of eligibility to serve as President of the United States is properly reserved for Congress, not the state courts, to consider and decide, they argued. By considering the question of President Trumps eligibility and barring him from the ballot, the Colorado Supreme Court arrogated Congress authority. Attorneys for Mr Trump also argued that the presidency sits outside the scope of Section 3, and that the attack on the US Capitol on January 6 was not an insurrection and that Mr Trump in no way engaged with it. Colorados ruling was paused until at least 4 January, one day before a state deadline to certify ballot contents. That date could extend indefinitely under appeal. Mr Trump will remain on the ballot, for now, pending that appeal. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, whose office handles elections, said the states Supreme Court got it right and urged the nations high court to act quickly given the upcoming presidential primary election. The US Supreme Court has never issued an opinion on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Several filings to the court from constitutional scholars, former elected officials, former federal prosecutors and others have urged the justices to swiftly consider the case. It is among at least two major constitutional questions surrounding Mr Trumps intersecting campaign and legal battles that have appeared before the high court. After initially rejecting a request to hear the case before appeals court judges had a chance, the justices are likely to review whether Mr Trump has presidential immunity from charges connected to his attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. That immunity question will be heard by a three-judge federal appeals court panel next week. Justices of the US Supreme Court. (AP) Last week, attorneys for Colorado Republicans also pressed the Supreme Court to reverse the Colorado decision, arguing that the state justices interpretation of Section 3 will open the door for anyone to challenge candidates eligibility, and that there is a real risk that the flawed and unprecedented analysis will be borrowed, and the resulting grave legal error repeated. The nonpartisan watchdog group that launched the Colorado challenge asked the Supreme Court to resolve the case on expedited timetable ahead of the states 5 March elections, so that voters in Colorado and elsewhere will know whether Trump is indeed constitutionally ineligible when they cast their primary ballots. Last week, Maines top elections official came to a similar conclusion as the Colorado justices after hearing three separate challenges to his eligibility. Mr Trump has also appealed to that states superior court. The events surrounding the Capitol attack, fuelled by Mr Trumps false narrative that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him, were an attack not only upon the Capitol and government officials, but also an attack on the rule of law, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows wrote. The evidence here demonstrates that they occurred at the behest of, and with the knowledge and support of, the outgoing president, according to her order. The US Constitution does not tolerate an assault on the foundation of our government. Mr Trumps name will also stay on that states primary ballot until a state court reviews the issue. Colorado Supreme Court justices heard arguments on 6 December to determine whether Donald Trump is disqualified from the states 2024 ballots. (AP) A lawsuit filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington on behalf of a group of Colorado voters in September argued that Mr Trump had failed Section 3s test, rendering him constitutionally ineligible to appear on any Colorado ballot as a candidate for federal or state office. In November, in a decision following a trial and arguments stemming from the lawsuit, Colorado District Judge Sarah Wallace found that not only did Mr Trump incite the attack on the Capitol in an effort to block the peaceful transfer of power after the 2020 election, he also engaged with it. Mr Trump acted with the specific intent to incite political violence and direct it at the Capitol with the purpose of disrupting the electoral certification, she wrote. After an appeal to the states highest court, Colorado justices wrote in a 4-3 majority opinion on 19 December that President Trump did not merely incite the insurrection. Even when the siege on the Capitol was fully underway, he continued to support it, they continued. These actions constituted overt, voluntary, and direct participation in the insurrection. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Nearly half of a Wisconsin towns police force resigned in one day from what some described as a toxic work environment. The Big Bend Police Department announced the decision last week in a Facebook post. We regrettably announce the resignation of the following officers: Sergeant [Jamie] Aide - 7 Years, Officer [Nathaniel] Schweitzer - 5 Years, Officer [Justin] Hennlich- 10 Years, Officer Honzelka - 1.5 Years, [and] Officer Soneberg - 3 years, the statement read. All of the officers came from or currently work at other agencies. When including Chief Gaglione, these officers represent more than 125 years of total law enforcement experience. We wish them the best and sincerely thank them for their service to the Village of Big Bend and its residents over the past several years. According to The Mirror, some of the officers mentioned a toxic work environment in their resignation letters, citing it as one of the reasons for their decisions. The five service members made up half of the towns police department, according to WISN, in Milwaukee. The towns Police Chief Don Gaglione suddenly passed away in October, which reportedly made relationships in the department even more strained. According to the outlet, the officials resigned after they were informed of the village presidents decision to dissolve the Fire and Police Commission. Initially, the town had three full-time and nine part-time officers three months ago, but that number has now dwindled to six, including just one full-time officer. Based on the TV stations report, additional resignations are expected. In a statement, the police department tried to dispel rumours of the police department being shut down altogether. The Big Bend Police Department is still here and operational, the statement read. There are no plans to close down the police department. Please be assured that when you dial 911, a police officer will respond. Close Oscar Pistorius to be released 10 years after murdering girlfriend 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 }} Paralympian gold medalist Oscar Pistorius was freed from a South African prison today, 11 years after he killed his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. He is admitted to the system of community corrections and is now at home, said South Africas Correctional Services Department. The double amputee was convicted of murdering Steenkamp after he shot her multiple times through a locked toilet door with a 9mm pistol on Valentines Day at their Pretoria home in 2013. Now reportedly a grey haired smoker who has turned to religion, the 37-year-old will begin his new life on parole a few miles away from the South African capital behind the high walls of his wealthy uncles guarded property. Live: View of South Africa prison as Oscar Pistorius released on parole A gun enthusiast, Pistorius claimed he thought Ms Steenkamp was an intruder but was convicted of culpable homicide - a crime similar to manslaughter - in 2014. He was found guilty of the more serious charge of murder in 2015 and he was later sentenced to 13 years in prison after prosecutors won an appeal on the grounds his initial sentence was too lenient. 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 }} Secretary of State Antony Blinken heads to the Middle East this weekend for the fourth time since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October as once-abated fears about a regional conflagration are surging with attacks and assassinations in the Red Sea, Lebanon, Iran and Iraq. The Biden administration had breathed a sigh of relief about the potential for a broader Mideast war in the immediate aftermath of Israel's military response to the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, when it counseled Israeli officials not to mount pre-emptive strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Two-and-a-half months later, though, the chances of a regional war have increased with Israel determined to strike Hamas operatives and leaders no matter where they are and Iranian proxies like Hezbollah, Yemen's Houthi rebels and pro-Iran militias stepping up attacks on U.S., Israeli and international interests in the Red Sea, Iraq and Syria. Blinken leaves late Thursday on his latest extended Mideast tour. The State Department said Thursday he will visit Turkey, Greece, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank and Egypt. As with his previous visits, Blinken will be concentrating on expanding humanitarian aid to Gaza, pressing Israel to minimize civilian Palestinian casualties, the release of hostages held by Hamas and the importance of planning for the administration of a post-war Gaza. But, recent developments, including the drone strike attributed to Israel that killed a senior Hamas leader in Beirut, the explosions in Iran that targeted a memorial service for U.S.-assassinated Revolutionary Guard commander Qassem Suleimani, a drone attack on a pro-Iranian Iraqi militia group in Baghdad and U.S. and allied responses to Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, will crowd his agenda. After sending two aircraft carrier strike groups to the eastern Mediterranean in mid-October in part to deter a Hezbollah response to Israel's operations in Gaza, the U.S. is now focused on deterring attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis in the Red Sea. At the same time, it has warned Iraqi militia groups that attacks on U.S. troops or bases in Iraq and Syria will not be tolerated. 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 }} Russia has denied UN inspectors access to some parts of the Ukrainian nuclear power plant it is occupying in Zaporizhzhia, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog said on Wednesday. The International Atomic Energy Agencys director general Rafael Grossi said inspectors at the plant have for the past two weeks been refused access to the main halls of reactors one, two and six. Mr Grossi said the UN nuclear watchdog was also yet to receive 2024 maintenance plans for the facility, which is currently under Russias control. Russia captured the Zaporizhzhia plant within days of invading Ukraine in February 2022, despite warnings that fighting in and around the nuclear facility could have dire consequences for the entire of Europe. Six reactors at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, no longer produce electricity and Russia has repeatedly been accused of raising the risk of a catastrophic explosion by shelling targets around the station. "This is the first time that IAEA experts have not been granted access to a reactor hall of a unit that was in cold shutdown," Mr Grossi said in a statement. "This is where the reactor core and spent fuel are located. The team will continue to request this access," he added. The nuclear watchdogs chief said inspectors had also been restricted in their access to turbine halls at the plant in southeastern Ukraine. Mr Grossi said the plants operators had taken action to ensure back-up electricity supplies to the facility for occasions when its main external power line is severed, which he described as a "repeated" occurrence. He has visited the plant three times since Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022, despite the region continuing to be a hotspot for fierce fighting between both sides, to check that safety regulations are still being implemented in the facility during wartime. The IAEA chief has repeatedly asked Russia and Ukraine for an end to fighting in the vicinity of the facility to avoid any catastrophic accidents. Authorities have warned that the power plant needs to cool its reactors and requires electricity to do so, and that shelling should therefore not target power infrastructure around the site. Mr Grossi said that missiles and drones have flown close to two of Ukraines three nuclear power stations during the coure of the war the other being Khmelnitskyi in the west and added that IAEA staff continue to observe safety standards at these facilities. 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 }} Hundreds of Russian soldiers have defected from Vladimir Putin's army using an "I want to live" hotline set up by Ukraine, military intelligence officials in Kyiv have revealed. Created just days before Russia's partial mobilisation of 300,000 reservists in September 2022, the hotline has reportedly received tens of thousands of calls and has led to 220 soldiers defecting to Ukraine. Kyiv's military intelligence unit (GUR), which launched the initiative, said a website that accompanies the hotline has been visited more than 48 million times in 15 months. Despite Russian forces appearing to have seized the initiative on the frontline as the conflict moves into its third calendar year, the drastic figures reflect a persisting suggestion that morale among Putins forces remains low. Tens of thousands of Russian soldiers have been used in suicidal human wave attacks throughout the 22-month war, most recently in Avdiivka, a key frontline city in the eastern region of Donetsk, and US officials have suggested that some Russian commanders are executing those who refuse to join in. The latest US intelligence estimates that 300,000 Russians have been wounded or killed in Ukraine since February 2022, a full 100,000 more than the Ukrainian losses. Towards the end of last year, at least 13,000 were killed in the first six weeks in Avdiivka alone, it suggests. Captain Maksim Kuzminov, pilot of a Russian military Mi-8 helicopter, who, acting in concert with Ukrainian services, flew the machine into Ukrainian territory in August this year and surrendered to the countrys authorities (NurPhoto via Getty Images) According to Vitaliy Matvienko, a spokesperson for the GUR who spoke to the Financial Times, this Soviet Army-style of warfare, where a soldiers life is worth nothing, has led to an average of three Russian soldiers surrendering via their hotline every week. He said they had received 26,000 calls over 15 months and were currently processing 1,000 cases. One of the most recent surrenders, named Operation Barynya, involved a Russian lieutenant, Daniil Alfyorov, 27, giving up his commanding post in southern Kherson. He brought with him 11 other Russian troops and provided Ukraine with valuable battlefield intelligence. Many more Russian soldiers surrendered in Kherson during Ukraines successful liberation effort in November 2022. Another spike happened in March last year, when it was believed that Ukraines Western-funded counteroffensive was imminent. There were as many as 3,000 applications, Mr Matvienko said, though in the end, the counterattack did not start until June. Ukrainian prisoners of war pose for a photo after a prisoner exchange near Sumy, Ukraine, Wednesday, 3 January 2024 (AP) The hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by 10 operators working from a secret location in Kyiv. All employees are military psychologists and analysts specifically trained to speak to Russian soldiers, due to the complicated nature of the task. When an enemy calls you in tears saying that he wants to live, he needs to be calmed down, Mr Matvienko said. But the job has tangible benefits to Ukraine beyond simply removing Russian soldiers from the enemy side of the frontline, and the motivation for the psychological operation has likely saved countless Ukrainian lives. Captured Russians can be swapped for Ukrainian prisoners of war (POW), some of whom will have been subjected to brutal torture. In Ukraine, Russian POWs are treated comparatively better as the authorties work hard to convene to the Geneva Convention on the treatment of POWs, which includes offering three hot meals a day and allowing them to communicate with family back home. On Wednesday, at least 230 Ukrainian POWs were swapped for a similar number of Russians. It was a feat that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky admitted was a rare bit of good news. After their release, Russian soldiers can expect to be debriefed and discharged by the military. The GUR sometimes offers asylum to those that fear they will be killed should they return to Russia. 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 leader of Hezbollah said the group cannot be silent after a Hamas deputy leader was killed in Lebanon. Saleh al-Arouri was killed in a drone strike in Beirut on Tuesday. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied that it was behind the assassination. Hassan Nasrallah warned Hezbollahs heavily armed forces would fight to the finish if Israel chose to extend war from Gaza to Lebanon. In a televised speech in Beirut, Mr Nasrallah called Arouris killing a major dangerous crime and said there would be no ceilings and no rules to Hezbollahs fighting if Israel launched full war on Lebanon. He said: Whoever thinks of war with us, in one word, he will regret it. If war is launched against Lebanon, then Lebanons national interests require that we take the war to the end. Top Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri pictured above in 2017 was killed in a blast outside of Beirut, Hezbollahs TV station says (REUTERS) Mr Nasrallah added that Hezbollah had so far been careful in its strategic calculus in the conflict, balancing the need to support Gaza and to take into account Lebanese national interests. But if the Israelis launch a war on Lebanon, the group is ready for a fight without limits. Israeli forces meanwhile kept up their aerial and ground blitz against Hamas militants in Gaza and told civilians to leave a refugee camp in the north of the Palestinian enclave. A military spokesperson said Israeli forces were in a high state of readiness and prepared for any scenario. Arouris killing was a further sign that the nearly three-month-old Israel-Hamas war was spreading well beyond Gaza, drawing in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Hezbollah forces on the Lebanon-Israel border and even Red Sea shipping lanes. The leader of Hezbollah said the group cannot be silent after a Hamas deputy leader was killed in Lebanon (REUTERS) Arouri, 57, who lived in Beirut, was the first senior Hamas political leader to be assassinated outside Palestinian territories since Israel began its offensive against the Palestinian Islamist group in response to its deadly rampage from Gaza into Israeli towns on Oct. 7. Hezbollah, a Hamas ally, has been embroiled in nearly daily exchanges of shelling with Israel across Lebanons southern border since the Gaza war began. On Wednesday evening, a local Hezbollah official and three other members of the Iran-aligned group were killed in an Israeli strike on southern Lebanon, two security sources told Reuters. The strike brought the death toll in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Wednesday to nine Hezbollah members in one of the deadliest days for the group since it began exchanging cross-border fire with Israel in October. Hezbollah and Israel last fought a major war in 2006 and it ended in essentially a stalemate. Analysts say Hezbollah has become a more formidable fighting force since with thousands of rockets, missiles and other heavy weaponry. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech 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 IndyTech email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Microsoft is to introduce a dedicated keyboard button for its AI-powered assistant, Copilot, as part of plans to further embed AI into daily computer use. The technology giant said consumers would begin to see the Copilot key on Windows 11 PCs announced during 2024, which the firm said would be the year of the AI PC. The update is the first significant change to the Windows PC keyboard design in nearly 30 years, and when pressed will enable users to quickly access the AI assistant, which can be used to help with productivity tasks such as organising files and windows on a users screen and carrying out more useful internet searches. It is the latest move by a large technology company to highlight the increasingly central role AI is taking in electronics and computing devices, as harnessing the technology becomes the key battleground across the industry. Many of the worlds largest tech firms including Amazon, Google, and Meta have all announced new or updated AI assistants over the last year, alongside the rise of generative AI chatbots such as OpenAIs ChatGPT. In a blog post announcing the Copilot key update, Microsoft consumer chief marketing officer Yusuf Mehdi said the company was ushering in a significant shift toward a more personal and intelligent computing future where AI will be seamlessly woven into Windows from the system, to the silicon, to the hardware. He said adding the Copilot key would simplify peoples computing experience but also amplify it and would empower people to participate in the AI transformation more easily. Mr Mehdi confirmed that the first devices housing the new key would begin to appear ahead of and during CES, the technology trade show taking place in Las Vegas next week, and would go on sale from late February. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel 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 Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Another year dawns, promising another 12 months brimming with potential when it comes to travel. Our priorities might be different in terms of trips some of us plump for hiking through untouched landscapes, while others are all about experiencing destinations through the unique prism of their food scenes but The Independents travel team are all equally excited by the prospect of exploring new corners of the world in 2024. Some places are obvious contenders for our hard-earned tourism pounds thanks to big, showstopping, landmark events; some are less attention-grabbing, but have piqued our interest thanks to more understated, under-the-radar charms that offer the allure of bigger-name rivals without the crowds. Whatever manner of wanderlust youre currently experiencing, heres our selection of destinations to sate it for 2024: from world-class cities to blissfully rural regions where nature reigns supreme. Read more on travel inspiration: Aurillac, France Build it and they will come. The 2024 version of that aspiration is: put a place on the map by launching a night train, and see who turns up. Until French Railways (SNCF) announced that Aurillac in southern France would be the next destination for a sleeper service, I harboured no ambition to visit the prefecture of the Cantal department. Now, though, I can barely wait to board the train at Paris Austerlitz for a 13-hour, 350-mile overnight journey through the heart of France to Aurillac. This garrison town, population 28,000, is perched at 600m above the Mediterranean which is 160 miles away. It is protected by a ninth-century chateau (though the Volcano Museum it houses appears closed until June). Aurillac is also well placed for a journey south to the coast via the amazing Millau Viaduct, which I have yet to cross. A visionary transport secretary may be a mere aspiration in the UK, but Frances ministre des transports, Clement Beaune, sees Aurillac as just the start in reconnecting the nation de nuit. Simon Calder Kent, UK Kent has numerous vineyards and wineries (Getty Images/iStockphoto) OK, Ill hold my hands up I live in Kent. But I rarely stray further than my town of residence, Folkestone, or the surrounding coastal spots, something thats definitely going to change in 2024. That is, in part, due to some major wine tourism openings happening in the next year. Opportunties to swill and swallow will increase when Domaine & Evremond in Kent premiers its first fizz in September the first time a Champagne House, in this case Champagne Taittinger, has planted its own vines in the UK along with the launching of a winery visitor centre in late 2024. Tudor Peacock has also opened as a Kent wine emporium offering tastings, events and a wine bar in a Grade II listed building in the village of Chilham; plus Wine Tours of Kent is running new Twilight Tours. Helen Coffey Nordland, Norway Whirlpools of the maelstrom of Saltstraumen, Nordland (Getty/iStock) Ive wanted to return to Norway since chasing the Northern Lights from Tromso to Svalbard in early 2019. Nordland has been firmly on my go-to list since then, a county strewn with mountains, forests and lakes that bonds southern Norway with the remote north, cut through by the border of the Arctic Circle. The largest town in the region, Bod, is one of the European Capitals of Culture (the first above the imaginary Arctic line), with a bumper programme of more than 1,000 events. Id use Bodo as the gateway to the rest of Nordland, making journeys through the phenomenal Lofoten archipelago (over the meandering E10 road, via the bridges and undersea tunnels that carve up the Norwegian Sea), as well as hiking around fjords, visiting Sami landmarks and, of course, hoping to see the aurora borealis. If you want a show-stopping place to stay, the architecturally magnificent Six Sense Svart, on the Helgeland coastline, is due to welcome guests in 2024. Benjamin Parker Oran, Algeria When South Sudan separated from Sudan, Algeria became Africas biggest country. International tourism has hardly troubled the nation, but it is gradually opening up with a visa-on-arrival arrangement for visitors accredited with a local travel firm. In 2023 I visited for the first time and found classical ruins devoid of other tourists and the breathtaking eastern city of Constantine a joy after the hard work of appreciating the capital, Algiers. But I have yet to explore the much-praised second city, Oran, with its spectacular Mediterranean location and mix of Islamic and French architecture. SC Prague, Czech Republic The capital of the Czech Republic is hardly a hidden gem, and yet I have somehow never managed to make it to this famously beautiful city, with its baroque and Gothic architecture, charm-steeped old town and castle, and wallet-friendly food and drink options. Thats set to change in 2024, when an extended sleeper train service will make it far easier for this flight-free travel editor to reach by rail. From 25 March, European Sleeper will broaden its existing night train connecting Brussels, Amsterdam and Berlin to finish up in Prague. HC Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico Santa Elena in Yucatan, Mexico (Getty Images/iStockphoto) In December 2023, the Tren Maya, 900 miles of partially elevated railway that chugs through Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula (crossing five states), carried its first passengers, and should be fully operational by February 2024; it was travel writer Laura Sanders who grabbed my attention ahead of the inaugural trip with her comprehensive overview to all things Mexico mega train. What the new 22.5bn route represents is an easier way of getting to the heavy hitters that visitors love, such as Chichen Itza and Tulum, but also less-seen ruins, many overgrown with jungle, and Pueblos Magicos, culture-rich hubs officially recognised as magical towns all while travelling in a train carriage, which beats a bus any day. Theres been controversy in Mexico over the environmental and social impact of such an enormous transport project, so my advice is to tread lightly and try to support local communities as you step off at some of the 34 stations. BP Niagara Falls, Canada/US Niagara Falls: the perfect spot to experience an eclipse (Getty Images) On 8 April 2024, the Great American Eclipse will sweep across North America from the Pacific to the Atlantic. During the course of that magical Monday, the path of totality in which the moon blots out the sun will cross alluring locations from Mexico to Canada. While eclipse guru John Mason will be in southern Texas to maximise the chance of clear skies, I have instead bought a C$25 (15) rail ticket from Toronto to Niagara Falls on the appointed morning. The aim: to dodge the eclipse-hunting traffic and find a location whose surroundings will make up for any disappointment if the weather is overcast. This concept worked for Dieppe in 1999 a great day out on the beach beneath the cliffs, despite the untimely presence of cloud cover. And with New York State a few steps away across the Rainbow Bridge (from Canada, not Dieppe), I have a choice of nations from which to witness the greatest natural show on (and off) earth. SC Paris, France Paris is gearing up to host the worlds premier sporting event (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Already an incredibly attractive city break prospect thanks to its proximity to the UK, the French capital gets an extra injection of va-va-voom for tourists in 2024 thanks to its very high-profile hosting of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics this summer. Tickets are still being released for various events for reasonable prices, but even you dont manage to get of a slice of the sporting action, its worth going just to soak up the atmosphere plus the City of Light is always a beguiling setting for a chic weekend away. And its just a 2h 16m hop on the Eurostar away from London. HC Dorset, UK When I was younger, we never really went on holiday. Growing up in west Dorset, we lived where people wanted to go on holiday. It captivates me still, though Ive moved away, from the countys gigantic golden cliffs to the rolling hills that inspired Thomas Hardy. With a wonderful baby boy getting (terrifyingly) close to making an entrance, Im excited to whisk the little man out of London and give him an early West Country fill. Dorset is brilliant for children of all ages offering a swannery, steam train, Monkey World, fossil hunting, long days on the sand (or pebbles) and has more than its fair share for adults, such as consistently good places to eat (Dorshi in Bridport, The Ollerod in Beaminster) and plenty of decent places to lay your head. It will be a getaway of apple cake and Black Cow vodka between nappy changes and lullabies and I cant think of a better place to do it. BP Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel 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 Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Passengers on Royal Caribbeans Ultimate World Cruise have shared videos on TikTok of the flooding on board, only three weeks into their nine-month-long trip. The clips come less than a month after the ship departed from Miami, Florida, as travellers headed for their 274-night voyage to visit 11 world wonders and over 60 countries. The cruise will conclude in the United States on 10 September 2024, as it docks back in Miami after a day in the Bahamas. In a video shared by one passenger, Adita, one deck of the ship could be seen with floods of water along the carpeted floors. The footage went on to show the large amounts of water that were coming from the outside deck of the ship, the Serenade of the Seas. The traveller continued to walk through the floors of the ship amid the flood, before they went down a flight of carpeted stairs. The video was also posted during a cruise day, as the ship was heading to South America. Our first storm of the Ultimate [World Cruise], 60mph winds, flooding, forward elevators closed until further notice. Were really swinging now, Adita wrote in her caption. The video of the Ultimate World Cruise has quickly gone viral, with more than one million views, as of 4 January. In the comments, many viewers poked fun at the flood, while also questioning if it could get worse as the trip continues. Now is it only the Premium players that get this experience or is it open to all? one quipped. The Drake passage is gonna be ROUGH, another wrote, referring to the body of water between South America and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica. Was ship flooding on the bingo card?!? a third commenter joked, referring to a viral TikTok video about all the things that could happen during the nine-month cruise. In a follow-up video, Adita went to deck 12 and revealed that the flood on the boat had cleared up. She also noted that the carpet was entirely dry and that the deck did not smell like mildew. Everything is back to normal, elevators functional again, almost all dry, no smells! Royal Caribbean was definitely prepared and took care of everything quickly! she wrote in the caption. Another passenger, Nadine, also shared in a TikTok video from the cruise that she had to be temporarily moved to another room because her initial room was impacted by the flood. Where my balcony was, there was an overhang, and the rain was coming in so heavy that it was heading directly to the window and coming down, she said. So the flooding in my room wasnt severe, pretty minor. But they have the blowers in my room. In a second video, Nadine returned to her initial room and noted that it was almost dry after the flood. She also took to the caption to add: My steward Baby and the team did a great job drying it out... heres hoping the smell is gone by time I go back later today. In a statement to The Independent, a representative for Royal Caribbean said: On Tuesday 2 January, while sailing to Montevideo, Uruguay, the Serenade of the Seas experienced heavy wind and rain. One set of elevators and six rooms were impacted by some of the rain. Our team on board is managing the minor cleanup and elevator repairs. Seranade continued to its next destination, as scheduled, and arrived in Montevideo on Thursday. Last month, the Ultimate World Cruise went viral on social media, with passengers opening up about their time on the boat. As noted by Royal Caribbeans itinerary, the trip consists of 274 nights, with some of the destinations including Aruba, Barbados, Japan, Italy, Greece, Spain, Denmark, Germany, and France. Passengers will also have the opportunity to bond with like-minded explorers over global discoveries across all seven continents, according to Royal Caribbeans website. When posting videos on TikTok, people often use the #UltimateWorldCruise hashtag, which has more than 170.8 million views as of 4 January. Throughout the last month, people have gone on to make jokes about what could happen on the cruise, with a woman named Kara, who goes by the name @whimsysoul on TikTok, sharing The Ultimate Bingo Card for the next year for anyone else who is buckling in for this nine months TikTok reality show. Some of the spaces on her Bingo Card included someone goes home early, staff dates passenger, lobster style sunburn, brands sponsor passengers, and minor mystery to solve. The Ultimate World Cruise comes at a hefty price. As noted by Royal Caribbeans website, the most inexpensive room option is $59,999 per person for an interior stateroom. Prices for other rooms are in a higher range, with the junior suite starting at $117,599 per person. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel 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 Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} London Underground workers are set to stage a series of strikes next week in a dispute over pay, sparking a major headache for commuters into the capital. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action over a 5% pay offer. On Sunday (7 January) services will stop early, with little or no service across the entire Tube network from Monday to Thursday. Service is expected to resume late on Friday morning. London Underground passengers have been advised by Transport for London (TfL) to only travel if their journey is essential. Different parts of the workforce will strike on different days to cause maximum disruption without employees having to lose out on four days pay. But why are the strikes taking place? And is there a chance they will be called off before disruption begins on Sunday? What are your rights for a refund if youve already purchased travelcards? And what alternative transport options will be available during industrial action? I will be on hand from 2pm GMT on Friday 5 January to answer all your travel questions in an Ask Me Anything event. I will be answering live in the comments section below. Register to submit your question in the comments box under this article. If youre not already a member, click sign up in the comments section to leave your question. For a full guide on how to comment click here. Dont worry if you cant see your question they may be hidden until I join the conversation to answer them. Then join us live on this page at 2pm as I tackle as many questions as I can. If you have more questions you can sign up to my weekly Ask Me Anything email, exclusively for Independent Premium subscribers. All you need to do to sign up is subscribe to Independent Premium, which you can do here. When you subscribe you will be asked to select the newsletters you would like to receive - make sure you pick Ask Me Anything to receive my weekly email. If youre already subscribed to Independent Premium and want to check out our full offering of Premium and free newsletters click here. A huge funnel-web spider has been handed into the Australian Reptile Park - where it will be milked for life-saving anti-venom. Meet Hercules - measuring at 7.9cm, hes the biggest male funnel-web spider that weve ever had handed in, the park, located in New South Wales, Australia, wrote on its social media. Males are typically much smaller than females but Hercules is just as big as the biggest female funnel-web that weve had handed in. The park added that Hercules will join an important program, where his venom will be used to create life-saving anti-venom. Will Smith sent his support in a surprise video call to a Guinean student who cycled across Africa to study at a top university. Mamadou Safaiou Barry made headlines in 2023 with his determination to study Islamic theology at an elite school. Unable to afford a flight to Egpyt from Guinea, he drew a map of Africa in his notebook and set off on a second-hand mountain bike. The 25-year-old cycled thousands of kilometres across the continent in the hope of landing a place and finding a way to fund it. Four months and seven countries later, he was handed a full scholarship to Cairos Al-Azhar University. His incredible story caught the attention of Smith, who sat down to chat with Barry in a video call. A suspect was caught on CCTV spraying a shop worker with lighter fluid as he tried to start a fire in California, newly-released footage shows. Police in Santa Ana have issued an appeal for information about the incident, which occurred just before 12pm on 25 October at a store in the 1800 block of S. Standard Street. Footage shows the suspect pushing a customer out of the way before dousing a staff member with lighter fluid and attempting to start a fire. Authorities said he did take any money and fled the scene on a Razor-type scooter. No injuries were confirmed. Young Palestinian athletes in the Gaza Strip have turned destroyed neighborhoods into parkour arenas. When the war broke out we began to train on top of the ruins of bombarded neighbourhoods. Its a message to the world that our resolve to live is stronger than ever, Najem Ammar, from Spiders Parkour Gaza, said. Five of the teams members have been killed in the Israel-Hamas conflict. It comes as Gaza health ministry officials said Israeli shelling killed 14 Palestinians on Thursday in Khan Younis, in an area packed with people who fled attacks in other parts of Gaza. Multiple gunshot victims were found by law enforcement officers responding to a shooting at a high school in Iowa on Thursday 4 January. Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante said that it remains unclear how many people have been injured in the incident at Perry High School. There is no further danger to the public, the community is safe, he told reporters. Mr Infante added that he will update the press later on Thursday. He did not provide any details on the shooter, but said they have been identified. Local reporters witnessed several ambulances arriving at and leaving the school, but they were unable to confirm if anyone was injured. The tax take last year beat its previous record but extra spending and saving meant the Exchequer surplus came in lower than 2022. Total tax receipts of 88.1bn were collected in 2023, up by 5bn or 6pc on the previous year, thanks to higher income tax, Vat and corporation tax. However, the figure is slightly down on the 88.3bn forecast on Budget Day, Exchequer returns for December show. Spending amounted to 107.3bn in 2023, around 6bn ahead of the previous year, thanks in part to a 4bn transfer to the national reserve fund. That leaves the Exchequer surplus which accounts for around three-quarters of total government spending and revenues at 1.2bn for last year. The figure is less than a third of the 5bn surplus recorded in 2022. It is different to the wider or general government surplus, which the Department of Finance said on Budget Day would amount to 8.8bn for 2023. The general government surplus includes things like PRSI receipts and income from semi-state bodies. The Exchequer returns for last year show the public finances are still in rude health. Corporation tax was the second-highest revenue raiser again last year, with a total of 23.8bn collected, up 5.3pc or 1.2bn on 2022 levels and slightly ahead of Budget Day predictions. December corporation tax returns also surprised on the upside, even though it is not a tax collection month, with the take up almost 20pc on December 2022, at 1.8bn. The increase follows another uptick in November, the biggest corporation tax collection month, which came after three consecutive months of decline in the tax head. However, Finance Minister Michael McGrath has warned of a significant moderation in corporation tax growth compared to recent years, and is committed to putting excess receipts away into two new savings and investment funds due to be finalised in the coming weeks. The department estimates that the budget would have recorded a deficit of 6.5bn last year if excess corporation tax receipts were not included. The December returns show income tax was the biggest revenue-raiser last year, with 2.6bn recorded in December 4.8pc ahead of the same month in 2022 and 32.9bn collected in the year, up 7.1pc. The labour market has been powering ahead, with record numbers of people employed and IDA-backed companies predicting net jobs growth this year after a slight downturn in 2023. Vat receipts, the States third-largest tax head, amounted to 200m in December a non-Vat due month and totalled 20.3bn for the year. That is 1.7bn, or 9.4pc higher than in 2022. However, both income tax and Vat returns were very slightly down on Budget Day predictions made last October. Excise duty receipts were flat in December, compared to the previous year, but are up 3.2pc in the full year to 5.6bn. Stamp Duty receipts of 1.8bn were collected in total last year, down 3.5pc on 2022. Capital Gains Tax receipts for the year stood at 1.5bn, down 13.1pc on 2022 and down 15.8pc on Budget Day forecasts. Customs receipts of 582m for the year are down 8.5pc on 2022, largely reflecting weaker exports in the first few months of the year. Capital acquisitions taxes of 634m were collected last year, up 4.7pc on 2022. Motor tax receipts to the end of December came in at 900m and were broadly flat on 2022. There looks to be a drop off in employers offering working-from-home and hybrid options. Stock image: Getty Employers will seek to bat away pay demands with alternative perks like healthcare or training and also plan to rein in working from home in the coming year, as higher costs replace staff shortages as firms top concern. Rising costs are the biggest challenge facing 84.4pc of Irish firms this year, according to the survey of more than 1,000 company bosses by employment advisers Peninsula Ireland. A similar proportion of firms in the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand said the same. Labour shortages and employee retention are the next-biggest challenges, cited by just under half of firms here and a similar proportion of global firms. When it comes to staffing, more than a quarter of Irish employers (27.8pc) say their biggest challenge is pay increase requests well ahead of the other countries surveyed. Almost two-thirds of firms (62.2pc) here say they have already offered financial remuneration to try to retain staff, up 17pc on this time last year. But there has been a more than threefold (222pc) increase in the number of Irish firms offering rewards and recognition programmes and a 58pc bump in firms offering skills and training, the largest jump of any country surveyed. There is a real concern about labour and trying to appoint people and retain them, said Moira Grassick, Peninsula Irelands chief operating officer. Maybe, for example, they might have put bonus schemes in place, extra training, they may have other benefit schemes, such as healthcare. There is much more of an emphasis on that now than just solely on pay increases. However, flexible working options are down 14pc on last year and hybrid working is down 17pc in Ireland, whereas it has risen in the four other countries surveyed. Almost half of Irish firms (49.1pc) say staff are now in the office full time. We are seeing, slowly, that people are looking to move back into the workplace full time, and its not just from employers, Ms Grassick said. There is a little bit of a drive from employees as well. People feel a little bit isolated. I think, as the year goes by, we will probably see more businesses coming back not necessarily on a full-time basis, five days a week, but definitely more than what were doing at the moment. The survey also showed an eightfold increase in Irish employers citing other challenges going into 2024, which Ms Grassick said could be related to a raft of new legislation on sick pay, minimum wages and leave that is coming into force this year. Employers group Ibec recently called for a moratorium on new labour laws as firms try to implement what has already been agreed. Employers have had a lot to deal with, a lot to implement, Ms Grassick said. And some of those pieces of legislation that we have brought in arent fully enacted yet. We probably need to make sure that all of that is done and all of it is implemented in the workplace before we look and say whats next?. Meanwhile, retail and hospitality firms are considering layoffs and redundancies as the new year begins. That isnt completely unusual when you have the peak of the Christmas season, Ms Grassick said. Some of that may be linked back to the cost of living crisis, and obviously the increase in the different wage elements as well. Container costs soar on Red Sea attacks and ship diversions Missile threat from Houthi militants causes shipping lines to hike prices The SKS Doyles crude oil tanker moves along the Suez Canal towards Ismailia in Suez, Egypt, on December 21. Photo: Bloomberg Brendan Murray Thu 4 Jan 2024 at 23:43 Short-term rates for container shipping between Asia, Europe and the US are climbing on reduced capacity caused by the ongoing threats to cargo vessels in the Red Sea. A leading historian at the EPIC Museum has praised Shane MacGowan and The Pogues, saying that they gave Irish migrants dignity abroad in the 1980s, during a time when the IRA were very much active. Epic, The Irish Emigration Museum, and Hot Press, have spent months making the They Gave the Walls A Talking exhibition which pays tribute to The Pogues and the late Shane MacGowan. They had hoped that MacGowan would be there for the opening, but sadly, that wasnt to be. Dr Catherine Healy, Historian-in-Residence at EPIC told the Irish Independent about how the band were trailblazers by bringing their unique sound across the Irish Sea. Dr Catherine Healy,Historian-in-Residence at EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum pictured with the newly opened Shane MacGowan and Pogues exhibition.Picture Credit:Frank McGrath 12/12/23 Shane MacGowan is an iconic figure, hes someone who has always been mentioned by visitors. We have a big focus in this museum on the impact of Irish emigrant musicians, which is quite often overlooked in traditional histories of Irish migration. "Irish music was very important in changing perceptions of the Irish and providing a sense of home and connection for those far from home. The Pogues very much did that, they came of age in London in the 1980s during a time when the IRA were very much active, a lot of Irish people in the city were viewed with suspicion. The Pogues validated that sense of Irish identity and gave the Irish immigrants in Britain a voice. Their style is very much drawn from the tradition of Irish emigrant musical gatherings, the rebel ballads that came across the Irish sea. There were very strong Irish literary influences. The Pogues were trailblazers. They infused punk music with traditional Irish music in a way that was never done before. "Theres a lot of neo-Irish trad groups that are popular now, but the Pogues were the first to do that. Glen Hansard says that they did punk music without a single electric guitar, she said. The exhibition will run until the end of January 2024. Shane's wife Victoria has given her blessing with the museum hoping shell visit the exhibition. Their music is timeless in a way: it speaks to generations of Irish immigrants. In Fairytale of New York, two Irish immigrants come together and thrash out their sense of hopelessness and the reality of their dreams being abandoned. "Thats something that can resonate with a lot of people who left Ireland with high hopes for themselves, but the reality turns out to be a bit different. Dr Healy added: They brought the experience of the drunk, the migrant labourer, they brought that into their music and gave it dignity which hadnt been done before. This exhibition has been months in the works. We hoped that Shane MacGowan could come to the opening, but sadly, that wasnt to be, but we think its a fitting tribute to his work and his legacy. Were delighted to have input from Shane's friends and relatives from the beginning of this. Victoria Clarke has given it her blessing and Siobhan; Shane's sister was interviewed extensively as part of the project as well. Firefighters battle blaze at vacant Ringsend pub that was earmarked for the homeless Better communication wouldnt have made a blind bit of difference in stopping an arson attack on a homeless hub, according to Minister Simon Harris. The Further Education Minister, who previously served as Justice Minister, said people who set the building alight do not want a briefing or a public meeting. An unoccupied building on Thorncastle Street in Ringsend was set ablaze after speculation it was going to be used to house migrants. A statement from the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) on Sunday said it had informed local politicians that the building was to be used for emergency accommodation for families. However, local councillors Dermot Lacey for Labour and Danny Byrne for Fine Gael said they did not receive any information from the DRHE. Local politicians have called for better communication by public bodies with the public before empty housing is used to house people. Minister Harris said a public meeting or a briefing wouldnt have made a difference. Whilst I think communication with communities is extraordinarily important, as a constituency politician, I know the importance of that myself, he told reporters at Government buildings. I dont believe that in and of itself would have made a blind bit of difference because the people who torched a building - not prejudicing any investigation - arent people who want communication, theyre people who are spreading hatred. These people didnt want to be briefed on what were the plans. They wanted to cause fear and damage, criminal damage. I dont believe having a public meeting would have changed the motivations of people who torched a building. Theyre two important issues but theyre different issues. He said of course there needs to be work on communication by Government but said it is a big leap suggesting that failure to communicate resulted in somebody torching a building. Minister Harris also called on Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald to clarify her call for an open debate about immigration and called it populist rhetoric. He said immigration is debated regularly already and said Ms McDonald should clarify her comments. I dont know what it means, this rhetoric lets have an open debate. Whats the difference between an open debate and a closed debate? I dont understand it, its populist rhetoric that comes from the leader of Sinn Fein on a terribly regular basis. The Minister said there is an extremely worrying trend where arson attacks happen on empty buildings and said the Gardai take this very seriously. We need to be very, very careful that we dont ever get into any sort of what-abouttery in relation to some of what we have seen in this country. And Ive no doubt the leader of the opposition would agree with me on this. We see thugs and criminals torching buildings that could be made available to provide shelter to people. It is an extremely serious and concerning situation and I know it is being treated by the Gardai as such. Beer giant told to stop running ads after complaint from Sinn Fein senator Lynn Boylan against greenwashing ads Sinn Fein senator Lynn Boylan says there needs to be an overhaul of advertising regulations. Photo: Collins Budweiser has been told to stop running advertisements in Ireland claiming its beers are brewed with 100pc renewable electricity. The brewer was also warned it must not repeat claims that it provides Irish pubs with 100pc renewable electricity. The complaints committee of the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland (ASAI) said the claims were exaggerated, unsubstantiated, likely to mislead and in breach of the authoritys honesty codes. Sinn Fein senator Lynn Boylan made the complaint against the company part of the worlds largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch for a series of online advertisements. One begins: Since January 2021, every single can, bottle and keg of Budweiser imported into the Republic of Ireland is now brewed with electricity from solar and wind sources. Solar and wind do provide part of the companys electricity, but follow-up statements refer to the use of 100pc renewable electricity. It is not currently possible to use 100pc renewable electricity anywhere in Europe. The UK, where some Budweiser products are brewed, has about 43pc renewable electricity and Ireland has about 40pc. In response, Budweiser said it generated some of its own renewable electricity but accepted it bought the rest from electricity companies. However, it said it could legitimately call it 100pc renewable because of the purchase of Guarantees of Origin (GO) certificates. Electricity companies can say they provide 100pc renewable power if they buy GOs from wind and solar farms somewhere else to match on paper the amount of power they cant directly produce from renewables. The ASAI ruled on a previous complaint by Ms Boylan about electricity firm Energia that claims to provide 100pc renewable electricity could not be made if GOs were used. It applied the same standard in the Budweiser case. The committee considered that the claim that the products were brewed using 100pc renewable electricity was exaggerated and was therefore in breach, it said. Ms Boylan said the GO system needed urgent reform. Guarantees of origin in national and EU regulations is providing a convenient loophole for corporations like Budweiser to tout green initiatives that are just PR spin, she said. In relation to the pubs, the ads say Budweiser is putting solar panels on 100 Irish pubs to provide 100pc renewable electricity, with specific reference to night-time pub activity. Budweiser defended this on the basis that the power from the panels would be 100pc renewable. The ASAI said, however, that what counted was the impression created by the whole of the message. Unqualified claims may mislead if they omit significant information, it said. Budweiser can appeal the ruling. Its 100pc renewable claims feature widely throughout its international promotional material, which includes Irish imagery. Ms Boylan called for an overhaul of advertising regulations. The current system for detecting and reporting greenwashing relies on the public to remain vigilant, she said. The lengthy delay in decisions by ASAI and the lax repercussions means the current advertising framework is completely ineffective in curbing deceptive environmental claims. Companies should be forced to run ads everywhere they run the original greenwashing ad highlighting and apologising for the misleading advertising. Several of the searches targeted young people who are still living at home with their parents A suspect arrested by gardai during a day of action in relation to the shooting of a 44-year-old man at a Co Wicklow building site is suspected of being linked to the car used by the gunmen to take them to and from the scene. Father-of-three Clinton McCormack died at St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin on December 19 as a result of an undiagnosed brain condition, five days after he was shot in the legs at a housing development in Delgany. Since then gardai have carried out a major investigation and have trawled through hundreds of hours of CCTV footage as well as identifying the Bray organised crime gang involved in the attempted murder. This led to six properties being searched on Thursday morning four in Bray and two in south Dublin. A man in his 40s was arrested at a property in the Loughlinstown area where officers recovered 2,500 worth of drugs. He is being questioned about his links to a 2007 black Ford Focus hatchback about which gardai previously made a public appeal for information. The vehicle was seen near the scene of the shooting between Bellevue Hill and Kindlestown Woods car park between 3pm and 5pm on December 14. Mr McCormack was targeted at Bellevue Hill at around 4.30pm as he and his adult teenage son were carrying out exterior insulation work on a house. The teenager was assaulted during the attack on his father. Sources have also revealed that four of the other five searches that took place targeted young people who are still living at home with their parents. A number of mobile phones and other devices were seized in the searches which were carried out by detectives from Bray and Shankill garda stations. A clear enough picture has now developed in this case the analysis of these devices may prove to be very important, a source said. Mr McCormack was targeted by two masked gunman who fired multiple shots from two handguns but still failed to cause serious injury to their target even though they "cornered him behind a van in a reckless gun attack. It is understood the victims subsequent death is not being treated as homicide. Almost 200 mourners attended Mr McCormacks funeral in Gorey, Co Wexford, last Saturday, many wearing matching red and black outfits. Following the funeral mass, one of the deceased's favourite songs, Maniac 2000, was played from a speaker set on top of the black horse-drawn carriage that transported his funeral casket to the adjacent cemetery for burial. Gardai announced details of their search operation on Thursday in which one man has been arrested and charged in relation to drug offences. He will appear before the courts at a later date Gardai investigating a shooting incident and assault that occurred in Delgany, County Wicklow on Thursday 14th December 2023, have arrested a man, a spokesman said. Earlier this morning, Thursday, 4th January 2023, Gardai carried out a total of six searches across Co Wicklow and Dublin as part of their investigations. The man, aged in his 40s, is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in the Eastern Region, he added. The chief suspects for the gun attack are a Bray-based organised crime gang considered the main supplier of drugs, particularly heroin, in the north Wicklow area and are led by a criminal aged in his early 40s. Jailed rapist and gun-for hire Eoghan O'Connell (34) is serving a 12-year sentence for a previous attempted gun murder on Mr McCormack. That incident happened in 2016 when O'Connell approached the victim and attempted to fire at him but the shotgun jammed. A struggle ensued and O'Connell was later identified before being arrested. There were dozens of CCTV cameras, but no clue where she is disappearance of Jean Tighe four years ago was plagued by confusion from the start Sinn Fein TD Louise OReilly outlined concerns to minister after sacking of Wix worker at Dublin office Employment Minister Simon Coveney was responding to concerns about worker protections following the firing of Wix employee Courtney Carey last October Employment Minister Simon Coveney insisted that a robust suite of laws are in place to protect workers after concerns were raised over the firing of a worker who criticised the Israeli state. Mr Coveney was commenting after being urged to investigate if extra protections are needed for employees following the dismissal of a staff member at Israeli company Wix. Courtney Carey, from Clondalkin in Dublin, lost her job at the companys Dublin office last October after describing Israel as a terrorist state in a social media post. An email from Sinn Fein TD Louise OReilly to the minister raised concerns over attempts to censure workers who expressed solidarity with Palestine. Ms OReilly said it must be reinforced that criticism of the actions of the Israeli state is not antisemitic. In correspondence released under Freedom of Information legislation, she claimed there is no mechanism to prevent employers from censuring workers for legitimate views expressed outside the workplace. She said this leaves workers in a vulnerable position. I am compelled to reach out to you regarding recent reports of the alleged dismissal of a worker for expressing their views on the crisis in the Middle East, said Ms OReilly. Furthermore, concern has also been expressed of the possibility of workers being censured in the workplace for expressing views, online and outside of the workplace, regarding the conflict in the Middle East in a manner that is non-discriminatory, inoffensive, and neither Islamophobic nor antisemitic. She added that this is a very worrying development, especially as there are numerous reports of workers across Europe being reprimanded for expressing support for the Palestinian people. Ms OReilly said it would be worthwhile for Mr Coveneys department to investigate what additional protections are required for workers. Mr Coveney said he could not comment on the specifics of any current or potential legal case. I would emphasise that Ireland has a robust suite of employment rights legislation in place to protect employees, he said. The minister said there are laws to protect employees from being unfairly dismissed, including for expressing political opinions. They place the onus on the employer to show there are substantial grounds to justify a dismissal, he said. Mr Coveney said officials at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment closely monitor labour market practices and case law to ensure legislation remains fit for purpose. He welcomed Ms OReillys proposal to co-operate and investigate the additional protections that could be put in place. Mr Coveney said work is ongoing to set up an employment law review group on a statutory basis. The issue of whether unfair dismissals laws offer sufficient protections for workers is an area it may consider. In internal correspondence, department officials noted that the story of the dismissal had been reported on in newspapers and had turned viral. They noted that it could potentially be raised as a parliamentary question. A Covid variant that is fuelling outbreaks in hospitals and nursing homes will be dominant for months while flu will remain a threat for weeks, even after it peaks by the middle of this month, health officials have warned. The winter illness wave, involving several viruses, which has led to misery for thousands of people, has been compounded by the arrival of the fast-spreading JN.1 Covid variant, which is highly transmissible and overtaking other strains. HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said: It will be with us right through to spring as the dominant variant. Nursing home and long-term care managers were told they can risk-assess where facemasks can be worn and limit visits to control infection spread, although no bans should be imposed. Around 800 people a week are expected to be hospitalised with flu. The peak will see 2,700 struck with flu in a week, with a peak imminent, but Dr Henry said the lingering impact of cases of the virus afterwards will put pressure on hospitals. Outbreaks of flu and Covid cause harm and disrupt flow, availability of beds and staff, he added. Visiting restrictions are in place in St Lukes Hospital, Kilkenny, and Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, due to Covid and flu outbreaks. In the week before Christmas, 966 people were reported as having flu, while 921 had Covid infections. There were 671 cases of RSV, mostly in very young children. While RSV is down from a high of 985 in recent weeks, there is still a lot of the virus circulating and parents need to be vigilant, said Greg Martin, of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. The estimate is that between the middle of last month to the third week of this month, around 2,900 will have been hospitalised with flu. Hospitals were better prepared for the predictable surge on attendances after Christmas and New Year this winter. As a result, more beds were emptied in advance, planned procedures were put on hold and more medically-fit patients were moved home or to step-down facilities. As of 8am yesterday, HSE figures showed 388 patients were on trolleys, including 290 in emergency departments, with 351 in surge beds that would normally be used by people having planned procedures. Around 74 patients were waiting more than 24 hours for a bed. Figures for January 2, 2023 show there were 600 on trolleys compared to 318 on Tuesday this year. In the week before Christmas there were 30 Covid outbreaks in hospitals, 24 in nursing homes and 20 in residential institutions. Dr Henry said there is no evidence the new variant causes more severe disease, although Covid cases will continue to increase. Dr Eimear Brannigan, HSE clinical lead on infection control, told nursing-home managers that in order to control an outbreak they can consider limiting visitors but not an all-out restriction. She also urged them to risk-assess areas such as rooms which are multi-occupancy where facemasks should be worn. Infection prevention and control should not be a barrier to transferring patients and residents when managed safely, she added. A vacant former nursing home in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 is to reopen in the coming days as a 40 room, 220-bed emergency accommodation facility for families seeking international protection, the Department of Integration has confirmed. St Marys Home will be used to accommodate up to 220 people and is expected to house families for up to a year. The Victorian building near St Conleths College on Pembroke Park was built as a school in 1891 and was used as a nursing home until 2020. Labour Party Dublin City Councillor Dermot Lacey said he and Labour leader Ivana Bacik had a very good meeting with local residents on Thursday night about how the facility was set to be used. "There were around 70 or 80 people there and it was a very constructive meeting, he said. "People had questions mainly to do with the suitability of the building and mainly to do with fire safety. I dont think anybody voiced outright opposition. "Some people certainly werent enamoured by it but the vast majority were happy enough that it was going ahead." Labour councillor and former Dublin lord mayor, Dermot Lacey. Photo: Caroline Quinn Mr Lacey said a Dublin 4 welcome group will be established to help new residents settle in, to which more than 20 people have already signed up. "They have offered their services to engage with the new residents and to provide links to the local community, which is what weve done already in Rathmines and Ranelagh, so that was very constructive and positive, he said. Last month more than 200 international protection applicants were left without State accommodation due to a shortage of beds. "The Department are currently providing over 26,100 people seeking international protection with State-sourced accommodation and support services, in addition to that, since February 2022, we are also providing accommodation to 74,000 people who have fled the war in Ukraine, resulting in over 100,000 people in State-provided or pledged accommodation in Ireland, and that number continues to increase, a spokesperson for the Department of Integration said. It follows the destruction of the vacant Shipwright pub, also known as Sallys bar, in Ringsend, Dublin, over the weekend after speculation it was going to be used to house asylum seekers. However, the Department of Integration has said there were no plans to use the building to accommodate asylum-seekers. A statement from the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) on Sunday said it had informed local politicians that the building was to be used for emergency accommodation for homeless families. The fire follows a spate of attacks on premises earmarked to house asylum-seekers as the Government struggles to accommodate Ukrainian refugees, homeless people and asylum-seekers. Last month, the Ross Lake Hotel in Co Galway was burnt out after it emerged it was to be used to house asylum seekers. Gardai launch investigation into suspected arson attack on completely derelict Tipperary schoolGardai said they are aware of disinformation and misinformation about the proposed use of the derelict buildingDepartment of Integration said it had neither considered or examined this property for use as accommodation for international protection applicantsHowever, comments on social media mistakenly identified the building as being earmarked for refugee accommodation Gardai are investigating if a former Tipperary school was set ablaze after possible rumours" the derelict building was to be repurposed as accommodation for asylum seekers. Gardai said they are aware of disinformation and misinformation about the proposed use of the derelict building. The Department of Integration said it had neither considered or examined this property for use as accommodation for international protection applicants, a spokesperson confirmed. However, comments on social media mistakenly identifyed the building as being earmarked for refugee accommodation. Fire crews in Fethard, Co Tipperary spent several hours tackling a blaze at the old primary school on the Rocklow Road in the town which broke out at 9.20pm last night. Three fire units from Cashel and Clonmel battled the blaze until the early hours of this morning. Gardai remained at the scene overnight. No-one was injured in the blaze. It is understood significant damage was caused to the building which has been left idle for a number of years. Finance Minister Michael McGrath defended migration to the country, during a press conference at which he revealed the overall budget surplus last year was just under 8bn, thanks largely to still-booming tax receipts. He said that the cost-of-living crisis will progressively ease this year and that living standards will improve as government supports kick in and inflation cools. He said the housing situation would also improve. Last year was the first time in many years the government spent its entire capital allocation, including for housing, he said. While he acknowledge the ongoing accommodation shortages, Mr McGrath defended migration, saying a lot of people are coming to Ireland seeking an employment permit and a visa to come here, and usually because of the opportunity that there is in Ireland. Public Expenditure Minister also made the case "for the benefits that migration has brought to our country. Its because of migration that many different parts of our hospitals and our health service are able to perform the way they are at the moment, Mr Donohoe said Migration also plays such an important role in the high levels of employment that we have in our economy, and in the growth that is underpinning our tax revenues. The last two weeks have seen fires set in buildings that are to be used for housing asylum seekers and homeless people. Gardai are also investigating a fire in an unoccupied pub on Thorncastle Street in Ringsend on Sunday, which was set ablaze after speculation that it was going to be used to house asylum seekers. The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) later said it had informed local politicians that the building was to be used for emergency accommodation for families, but local councillors said they had not been informed. Mr Donohoe said it would not have made any difference if they had been told. I dont believe a lack of consultation is the reason why we saw a premises in our city attacked, he said on Thursday. And part of the reason why the opening of these facilities is normally kept low key is to avoid any stigma or any challenge that people could face, who may be using these facilities. I dont believe at all that consultation would have made any difference to the events that we saw, and I would again make the case for public support for the opening and for the maintenance of facilities that are about providing refuge and support to those who are very vulnerable. While Mr Donohoe said he understood the issues involved in opening such facilities that understanding of those issues can never excuse criminal activity, and can never excuse harm to property or potential threats to people who may be working in facilities or living in them for a while. A spokesperson for Justice Minister Helen McEntee said: A Garda investigation is ongoing into a fire at a former school in Co. Tipperary last night. This building was derelict and not intended for use as accommodation of any kind. Arson is a serious crime. While the Minister has strongly condemned arson attacks on sites intended for accommodation in recent weeks, she has also said that speculation only feeds into the hands of those trying to sow division and fear. Politicians in Tipperary said they didnt hear any rumours locally about potentially using the old school as migrant housing. Fine Gael Senator Garret Ahearn said he heard nothing locally about it and Independent TD Mattie McGrath said he also wasn't aware of rumours. Politicians speculated privately if rumours had been started on social media by people who are not local to Fethard. "The whole community of Fethard are in shock by the suspected arson attack on a former school in the town, said Senator Ahearn. I know the local Gardai are investigating the incident, and I've full confidence they will find out exactly what happened and if action needs to be taken. This is a wonderful community, and locals are appalled by the incident." Mr McGrath said it is a pity the building was set alright. A burnt building is no good to anyone and its senseless carry on, he said. It could have been just an act of vandalism and thank God nobody got hurt. The school is placed in a central area and Fethard is an affluent town, one local source said, as it is home to the world's biggest thoroughbred racehorse breeding stud farm, Coolmore Stud. Fianna Fail TD Jackie Cahill said he did not want to speculate on what caused the very significant blaze. Its an ongoing situation in a number of areas where theres a number of empty buildings and people speculate about what purposes they may be put to. But if people are objecting to any building in any town, theres a process to object to any development. We have a democratic society and people changing the use of buildings or using them for other purposes is a choice for the owner. In a statement, gardai confirmed they are investigating the cause of the fire and are treating it as suspected criminal damage. Gardai said they are aware of possible misinformation, disinformation and rumour in relation to the use or proposed use of this derelict building. Speaking on Thursday morning just hours after the fire, Fianna Fail councillor Kieran Bourke said the old school had closed several years ago and fallen into dereliction. While its probably arson, it wouldnt be an attack like weve had around the country. It was an old school house building that was derelict, not earmarked for anything, said Cllr Bourke. There had been certain people in the area who had been in and out of it, causing vandalism and more than likely, thats whats after happening, he said. The long narrow building was completely derelict. It is in close proximity to a creche, but there was no damage to the creche. The building may hold some sentimental value to local people if they or their siblings attended school there, added Cllr Bourke. The scene has been preserved by gardai to allow for forensic investigators to examine the scene today. The arson attack comes just three days after the recently-sold Shipwright pub in Ringsend, Dublin was set ablaze. The building had been earmarked to be turned into a family hub for homeless people by Dublin City Council, but was at the centre of rumours it would house international protection applicants. The scaling-up of that investigation, now to be led by a senior investigating officer at Irishtown Garda Station, comes amid alarm in Government that more such incidents could follow after a spate of deliberate attacks on premises set to be used to house asylum seekers. Concern Concern is growing within the government parties that the deliberate fire that destroyed the intended shelter for homeless families may become the model for copycat attacks. A series of low-level petrol bombings and burnings last year culminated in the loss of the Ross Lake House hotel near Oughterard, Co Galway, before the destruction of the vacant Shipwright pub in Ringsend in Dublin, over the weekend. A forensic examination of the Ringsend scene has now been completed and gardai are treating the fire as suspected arson. Justice Minister Helen McEntee warned on Sunday that arson was a criminal offence punishable by several years in prison. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said all efforts would be made to bring the perpetrators to justice. Anyone with information should contact the gardai, he said. The premises was intended for use as emergency accommodation for families, said Mr Varadkar, reflecting a series of official denials that the former Shipwright pub, also known as Sallys bar, would be used to house refugees or asylum-seekers. The warnings of garda enforcement came as there was a row at local level over claims by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) that its proposed future use of the property at Thorncastle Street as a homeless hub for families had been communicated to local representatives. Two councillors, Labours Dermot Lacey and Fine Gaels Danny Byrne, rejected that assertion, with the latter saying the lack of information had been a factor in what he suggested was a deliberate attack. The DRHE is the arm of Dublin City Council responsible for accommodating homeless people. A DRHE spokesperson was unable to provide a further response last night. A Government source said: This has been brewing for a while in Ringsend. You could see sinister comments online for weeks, with jokes about a fire starting. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris insisted last month that there was no hidden hand behind a series of burnings, but this latest incident will renew questions about the level of information communicated to residents and the gardai. While not all vacant properties in the country can be patrolled throughout the hours of darkness, some ministers want to see action as serious as that in response to the Dublin riots. Ms McEntee last night warned that arson is a very serious crime, adding: Arson carries heavy prison sentences. No one has the right to cause damage to property, to cause fear or to threaten public order. She said gardai were doing everything possible to determine the cause of the fire, and asked for the assistance of locals. A new synthetic opioid called nitazines are 15 times more potent that fentanyl and were responsible for an unprecedented amount of overdoses last year. While fentanyl has not yet entered the Irish drug market, nitazines have been sold as a new or strong heroin in Dublin and Cork despite having a much higher risk than even heroin. Professor Eamon Keenan, the National Clinical Lead for addiction services in the HSE today told Morning Ireland on RTE Radio One about the worrying new trend. He said nitazines emerged as a real drug of concern for those working addiction services last year when the synthetic opioids were associated with 57 cases of overdose in Dublin and 17 in Cork. "They were being sold as new heroin or strong heroin, but when we did the analysis we identified that there was actually no heroin in it. "It was nitazene drug mixed with paracetomol and caffeine and being sold, so in some ways we were wondering whether dealers were testing the market by introducing this new drug," he said, adding that the number of overdoses seen in Dublin in early November were unprecedented. Since the Taliban have taken control in Afghanistan, the production of heroin has decreased significantly and our colleagues in the EMCDA (the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction) identified a 95pc drop off in heroin production in Afghanistan, Prof Keenan said. "So, we think that drug dealers are then looking at new and novel ways that they can get product to people. He said the drugs were first synthesised around 60 years ago as a potential alternative to morphine. "They were never marketed as such because of the potency and the risk of overdose with them and the risk of dependency with them. The risk associated with these drugs is far higher than the risks associated with heroin. He added that the nitazines identified in Ireland are about 15 times more powerful than fentanyl. There is currently no evidence that opioid drug fentanyl has arrived in the Irish drug market, however, nitazine drugs have been identified and are actually more potent than fentanyl. "Our concern about all the talk about fentanyl is that maybe thats distracted people, maybe people are focused in on fentanyl, when they hear us talking about nitazines they say well, at least its not fentanyl and then they maybe tempted to take the nitazines. "When in actual fact, the nitazines are more potent than fentanyl. He said the drugs act on the system much quicker than heroin, with some people seen to collapse almost straight away after use. "The risks of overdose are much higher with these nitazine drugs because of their mechanism of action. Prof Keenan said the HSE is currently working with the coroner in both Dublin and Cork to identify whether nitazines are responsible for any drug-related deaths. This is a powerful substance which causes overdose and in some cases can cause death. The HSE are working with local outreach groups to raise awareness about the recent overdose clusters and provide advice to drug users. Nollaig na mBan is traditionally celebrated on January 6 and is a day in which all women are relieved of house chores. Photo: Independent/NPA archive Known in Ireland as Little Christmas or Nollaig na mBan, January 6 is regarded as the end of the Christmas season. Originally celebrated as the Feast of the Epiphany, or Three Kings Day, January 6 is a Christian feast which marks the visit of the three wise men to Bethlehem after the birth of Christ. How is it celebrated? Traditional Irish celebration of Nollaig na mBan focuses more on the role of the woman in the household, relieving her of the household chores and leaving the work up to the men for the day. It is a day when women would head to the pub and inhabit this mans domain without shame according to Irish actress and writer Sheila Flitton. Women would call to the houses of their friends to chat, relax in each other's company and enjoy some last pieces of Christmas cake. In the modern day where more men are becoming involved in housework, the tradition is celebrated by acknowledging the role and accomplishments of women in our society. Irish people now often associate January 6 with the end of the Christmas season, and the tree and decorations are taken down for another year. This is due to the old, traditional superstition that it was bad luck to pack away the tree and decorations before the 12th day of Christmas, which falls on January 5. What is there to do? In the current Covid-19 environment, not very many physical events are taking place, but there are some great online events marking the day. TED is hosting its inaugural TEDxMerrionSquareWomen an online, free webinar with speakers Catherine OKeefe, Susannah Healy, Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh, Sally Murphy and Rachel Reidy. The Irish Writers Centre is also hosting an online event for Nollaig na mBan entitled: Emergence, Empowerment, Evolution to celebrate the achievements of women in Ireland and internationally. But applicants must commit to working for the HSE afterwards Student doctors from the Republic of Ireland will be subsidised to study in Northern Ireland in a new drive to get more medics into the HSE. Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has funded the availability of medicine places in universities in Belfast and Derry to students from the Republic. These students will be exempt from paying much higher fees students in the North face. UK students pay up to 9,250 (10,724) a year in tuition fees for medical universities. As part of the arrangement, students will pay the 3,000 fee charged in the Republic with the State covering the rest of the tuition cost. But a condition of the subsidy is that the students must commit to working for the HSE for a period after their graduation and qualification. We have already funded nursing and therapy places in Northern Ireland for students here, Minister Harris told the Irish Independent. In September 2024, we want to make that available for medicine students. These students would return to take up an intern post in the HSE on completion of their degree. Later this month, the ministers department officials will be meeting their counterparts in the departments for the economy and health in Northern Ireland. These meetings have been scheduled with a view to finalising all arrangements. Mr Harris is then expected to make an announcement on the number of places covered. Ireland is aiming to double the number of medical training places here because a large proportion of our doctors are hired from abroad. This percentage stood at more than 40pc of medics here in 2019. That is despite the fact the Republic trains more doctors per capita than most countries. About half of the students here are from overseas. They avail of Irish educational expertise but dont go on to work here, instead returning to their home countries. A recent ESRI study showed that Ireland will need at least 2,600 more doctors in hospitals alone by 2035. From last September, 80 additional places in related health disciplines were made available at Ulster University to students from the Republic. The Department of Health is separately funding 140 nursing students in both Queens University Belfast and Ulster University, which has campuses in Derry, Coleraine and Belfast. Now, the push is on to open up medicine to students from the Republic because of the fierce competition for existing places in this jurisdiction. Mr Harris said: We have made significant progress over the past three years to improve access to education on an all-island basis. We have made it easier for students from Northern Ireland to access their education here, we have created all-island apprenticeships, and we are funding research on an all-island basis. Now we want to continue to expand the opportunities in order to ensure there are no barriers or borders to students accessing the education they need. We are not quite there yet, but we are hopeful we can make progress this month towards a formal announcement. Mr Harris said his department is strongly committed to collaboration between the Republic and Northern Ireland. He said it has undertaken a series of measures in recent years to facilitate further promotion of this collaboration. It comes as they continue to question an 18-year-old man in relation the killing at Brownes Steakhouse in Blanchardstown Gardai investigating the murder of a gangland gunman Tristan Sherry in a Dublin restaurant on Christmas Eve have made a third arrest. It comes as they continue to question an 18-year-old man in relation the killing at Brownes Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on the night of Saturday, December 24. The third arrest was made on Wednesday evening. "Gardai arrested a male on the evening of Wednesday 3rd January 2024 as part of the investigation into the murder of Tristan Sherry that occurred at a premises on the Main Street in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 at approximately 8pm on Sunday, 24th December 2023, a garda spokesperson said this morning. He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda Station in West Dublin. This male is the third arrest made as part of this investigation. The garda spokesperson added that the teenager arrested is still being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in West Dublin. Tristan Sherry (26), a father of one, was killed after opening fire inside the steakhouse in Blanchardstown on the night of Saturday, December 24. A 48-year-old man was struck several times after Sherry opened fire with a sub-machine gun. The victim's condition has deteriorated in recent days. Sherry was disarmed at the scene and was then fatally assaulted. Last nights arrest marks the third so far in the investigation. Michael Andrecut (22), with an address at Sheephill Avenue, Dublin 15 appeared at Dublin District Court last Saturday charged in relation to the case. He faces a single charge that he murdered Sherry on the evening of December 24. Once upon a time it was a day off for housewives but now it is more of a celebration of women Little Christmas was traditionally a day when women got to put their feet up. Marking the official end to Christmas festivities, January 6 sees Irish tradition celebrate the women of Ireland with Nollaig na mBan, translating to Womens Christmas. Also referred to as Little Christmas, Three Kings Day or Twelfth Night, universally, the day brings the Christmas period to a close. How has the occasion changed over the years? Unlike other European countries, Ireland traditionally celebrates January 6 differently, honouring the women of the household, those who historically held the main household duties such as cooking and cleaning. The holiday allowed women to have a downtime from their household work and enjoy some well needed time off to spend with their female friends and relatives, resulting in the men taking over the cooking and chores. With women taking on bigger roles in society, the need for a break from household chores has become a distant thought rather, the day has welded into a working day, seeing households put away their Christmas decorations in place of the traditional day off. The ever-changing landscape of women in the workplace has seen the holiday become an obsolete event. A smaller occasion and celebrated less throughout Ireland in modern society, a number of counties still pride themselves on the tradition, such as Kerry and Cork. Todays society sees the day celebrated differently from 100 years ago, with a number of women meeting for a special ladies afternoon tea, or seeing clubs packed with groups of female revellers celebrating. The day focuses on scheduling festivities with friends and gathering for brunch. A century ago Irish women might have used the occasion to gather at one anothers homes for food, drinks and laughter while their husbands stayed home and watched the children. Traditionally, goose was the chosen meat served on the day, while the women called to the homes of their friends and neighbours to enjoy tea and the last of the Christmas cake. Today, many organisations have embraced the day to celebrate womens contributions in society, with galas and charity fundraisers for womens causes taking centre stage. For example, The Irish Writers Centre run an annual event marking the occasion, celebrating women writers worldwide, with the theme of this years night marked as Home. The programme aims to turn this quaint custom on its head with its 21st century interpretation of the meaning home, taking inspiration from the words of Meave Brennan: Home is a place in the mind. While Ireland remains different in their traditions, other European countries celebrate January 6 with gift giving. Hispanic tradition sees Spain celebrate Christmas day as a solemn religious occasion, reserving Three Kings Day or Dia de los Reyes for celebrating and exchanging gifts. This tradition originates from the Bibles story of the three Kings following a bright star to Bethlehem on the night Christ was born, presenting him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Meanwhile, in England, a Yule log was kept lit until the twelfth night in order to bring blessings and good fortune throughout the upcoming year. While children in Germany tend to go from house to house on Epiphany Eve singing carols and chalking the year and initials of the three Kings near the entrance of each home. The Forge in the Square, Boherbue, was renovated and became home to the previous Post Office in 1975 after Patsy O Sullivan passed away In 1970, Patsy O Sullivan, the local Blacksmith, became Post Master and the office moved the family home on the Mallow Road. Councillor Frank O Flynn, Mayor of Cork County and Councillor Bernard Moynihan chatting to An Post employee Ted Burke at the official opening of the new Post Office in Duhallow Retail Park, Boherbue Margaret Fitzgerald pictured on one of her final days in the old Post Office in the Square, Boherbue. Margaret was Postmistress from 2006 until last October and her Mother Tess was Postmistress from 1975 until 2006. Mayor of Cork County Frank O Flynn cut the ribbon and officially opened the new Post Office in Duhallow Retail Park (beside SuperValu) in Boherbue, with Tadhg O Leary, Chairman of Boherbue Co-Op, Declan O Keeffe, CEO, Board member Eddie O Mahony, Councillor Bernard Moynihan and Michael Moynihan TD. All photos by Sheila Fitzgerald. In one of his last official duties of 2023, Mayor of Cork County Frank O Flynn officially opened the new post office in Boherbue which is located in the Duhallow Business Park beside SuperValu. Also present at the opening were Tadhg O Leary, Chairman of Boherbue Co-Op, Declan O Keeffe, CEO, Board member Eddie O Mahony, Michael Moynihan TD and Councillor Bernard Moynihan. The post office has been operating at its new location since October 23 of last year with Michael Foley, formerly Manager of SuperValu, taking on the role of Postmaster. The post office is a new and welcome addition to Boherbue Co-op and SuperValu. We have very big shoes to fill as we take over from Margaret Fitzgerald who ran the post office in Boherbue for a number of years, said Michael. Margaret provided a valuable and comprehensive service to the community and we look forward to continuing her good work serving the people of the area now and into the future. In an ever changing environment, we will continue with the traditional services of the post office while adapting to new ideas and challenges in this digital age, he continued. Local author and historian Louis McCarthy outlined to The Corkman the history of the village post office. The site of the post office in Boherbue has changed many times since we acquired the status of a postal town in the late 1850s. The first post office was in the Square in the eastern part of Sean Murphys house and the Postmistress was Kitty O Leary, known locally as Kitty the Post he said. Next, it passed on to the premises of Mary and Elly O Connell in Main St where it remained until circa 1927. Patsy Sheehans was home to the post office for a short time until John O Riordan from Kiskeam was appointed Post Master in the early 1930s. He held the position until 1970 in the house where Sheila Scully now lives, Louis continued. In 1970, Patsy O Sullivan, the local Blacksmith, became Post Master and the office moved to his residence on the Mallow Road. When Patsy passed away, his wife Tess moved the post office to the site of the Forge owned by the family in the Square. Tess ran the post office from 1975 until 2006 when her daughter Margaret took on the role of Postmistress and ran the post office until last October Louis said. Several events in solidarity with the Palestinian cause have been organised around the county for this weekend The Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign (CPSC) claims that support for the Palestinian people is growing rapidly in Cork, with several events organised to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza taking place across the county this weekend. According to Gaza officials and reports, over 20,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israel began assaulting the territory following the October 7 attacks by Hamas. CPSC said that it supports the demands of opposition TDs for the Irish government to join South Africa in taking a case to the UNs International Court of Justice accusing Israel of acts genocidal in character against Palestinians and has called for protests against the Gaza conflict to continue in order to put pressure on Israel. The case will add to the international pressure on Israel and the US to stop the assault, CPSC said in its latest release. That pressure has been sustained for three months by a global protest movement in solidarity with the Palestinians of Gaza and the West Bank, the campaign said. Sustaining that pressure for the many months ahead will be a hard task. But we must make every effort to do so. CPSC have called on people to march in Cork city every Saturday, and have asked those who will participate to bring empty pots and pans to communicate the threat of famine and starvation taking place in Gaza. The campaign has also asked participants to bring South African flags to highlight the South African/Palestinian solidarity and ICC referral. The campaign said that the solidarity with Palestinians movement is growing rapidly and spreading across the county with a several events in support of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza organised around Cork for this weekend. Gaza Bridge initiatives are scheduled to take place at Mahon Bridge on Friday, January 5 at 3pm and Ballincollig Bypass on Friday at 4.30pm. A Mna ag Snamh Womens Christmas swim fundraiser has been organised for the morning of Saturday, January 6 at Lough Ine in Skibbereen by Maria Collins in aid of UNICEF Gaza Crisis Emergency Appeal. In Clonakilty, a candlelit vigil will take place at Astna Square at 5pm on Saturday while a similar event will take place on Main Street in Carrigaline at 3.30pm on Sunday, January 7. Solidarity rallies will also take place in Youghal at 12pm on Saturday and at 2pm on Sunday in Midleton, in front of the towns courthouse. An evening of music and talks will take place at the Maritime Hotel in Bantry for Peace in Palestine from 6.30pm to 11.30pm on Friday, January 12. Louisa Santoro, CEO of Mendicity Institution, inside the charity's centre on Island Street in Dublin. Pic: Gerry Mooney A Dublin-based charity that provides food, internet access and hygiene facilities to rough sleepers has reported that nearly half of those accessing their day service in the last month were international protection applicants. It has now been one month since the Department of Integration announced it was unable to provide a bed to all international protection applicants due to a severe shortage of emergency accommodation. The latest figures, released on Tuesday, show that 500 male international protection applicants have arrived here since December 4. Of those, 124 were offered accommodation, while 376 were not. Records show that in the last month, 46 international protection applicants who were sleeping rough have used the charitys facilities. New asylum seekers continue to arrive daily at the International Protection Office on Mount Street in Dublin. They are being told that there are places for women and children, but not for most single men. Those turned away are given a sheet of paper with the names of charities that provide services for homeless people, such as Mendicity. Mendicity, Dublins oldest charity located at Island Street, Ushers Island, said some of the countries these asylum seekers are fleeing from include Uganda, Afghanistan and many more. The CEO of Mendicity Institution, Louisa Santoro, said the number of asylum seekers using their services is well over 10pc of the total number of international protection applicants that have come into the country. Ms Santoro also said she had several telephone and email queries from people who may have misunderstood their services and are seeking accommodation. Im getting calls from people who might be sleeping on a friends floor, with other people finding refuge from religious communities, she said. The majority of these are short-term arrangements that could collapse at any moment. On top of that, Im talking to roughly 20 individuals who are not using our services per se but are in precarious circumstances. This time last year, we would have seen zero international protection applicants, so for them to make up nearly 50pc of our presentation in less than one calendar month is a huge upward curve for us. She also outlined a freephone number for people sleeping rough provided by the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE), but asylum seekers cannot avail themselves of any of their emergency beds. In a statement, the DRHE said: DRHE does not have a role in the provision of accommodation to International Protection applicants. That falls under the remit of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, Youth. International Protection applicants are provided with the relevant contact details to access support should they contact our services or be encountered sleeping rough. The Department of Integration has also reported that Ireland is currently accommodating more than 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and other international protection applicants. They also reported that there are intensive efforts to source more beds and that the most vulnerable are being identified for accommodation. Ms Santoro believes there needs to be a joint approach to tackle rough sleeping in the city. It would be amazing to see a cross-departmental offering for asylum seekers and anyone who is sleeping rough. If youre sleeping on the street, we need a response fit for purpose, she said. The numbers keep rising, and we need action. A spokesperson for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth said: Ireland is currently accommodating more than 100,160 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection (IP) applicants. This includes over 74,160 Ukrainian people who have sought accommodation from the State and over 26,000 IP applicants currently in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation. Despite intensive efforts to source emergency accommodation, the Department is currently not in a position to provide accommodation to all international protection applicants due to the severe shortage. Department officials are working to bring more bed spaces into use, and since January 2022 have brought over 17,300 bed spaces into use to accommodate those who arrive in Ireland seeking International Protection (IP). All IP applicants who present to the International Protection Office (IPO) during this period are assessed by IPAS and HSE staff for significant vulnerabilities and health issues, and prioritised for accommodation as necessary. IP applicants who are not provided with accommodation receive a temporary increase of 75 to their expense allowance from the current rate of 38.80 per week to 113.80 a week for all eligible applicants. In addition to the increased expense payment day services are provided to those who wish to avail of them. In such centres IP applicants can access facilities including hot showers, meals and laundry services seven days a week. The Department liaises and coordinates efforts with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the most vulnerable applicants continue to be identified and provided with accommodation. With these measures the Department are working towards limiting the number of international protection applicants who are rough sleeping. Irish Rail has confirmed the development of a passing railway loop in Oranmore, which is expected to enhance the link between Galway city and Athenry. Iarnrod Eireann explained that the passing railway loop will be developed at the existing Oranmore Train Station following the investment of 9.3 million. The fund is being made available through the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF) and a planning application is planned in early 2024. A passing railway loop is a place on a single line railway, often located at or near a station, where trains travelling in opposite directions can pass each other. Irish Rail explained that the project will allow the busy commuter link between Athenry and Galway to grow. Iarnrod Eireann also confirmed works at Ceannt Station, in Galway city, will begin in 2024. The station will be regenerated as part of a major Galway City Council Transport Connectivity project. The investment will include the increase in platforms in the station from two to five, supporting significantly expanded rail services well into the future. A new southern entrance and facade to Ceannt Station will be developed, creating a modern station including new customer facilities, retail units and toilet facilities. A new roof on the existing train hall will transform the platform and circulation areas into bright, welcoming spaces, and renovations to the existing northern elevation will prioritise accessibility and customer mobility through the entire station complex. Also, the project aims at enhancing connectivity and interchange between rail and bus services, making it easier and more attractive to customers to use multiple modes, and including improved accessibility and waiting areas, as well as Bus Eireann ticket office improvements. Additionally, future bus bay expansion will be provided for, which is envisaged under the development of adjacent lands. People are being urged to say at home until major symptoms of flu and COVID-19 have resolved for two days (Yui Mok/PA) Health services in the North East are under 'significant pressure' due to high levels of flu, COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses currently circulating in the community, the HSE has stated. Dr Suzanne Cotter, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Public Health HSE Dublin and North East, is urging people to stay at home until 48 hours after major symptoms of COVID-19 and flu have resolved, and to get vaccinated. We know from previous years that a delayed peak in flu season such as we are seeing now, will inevitably lead to further pressures throughout the health services with heightened risk of outbreaks in healthcare settings, she said. According to the IMNO Trolley Watch, there were 15 people on trolleys in the Emergency Department waiting for a bed in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital at 8am this morning. Dr Cotter advised people that if the are they unwell they should stay home until 48 hours after major symptoms have resolved; avoid visiting people who are more vulnerable if unwell, especially avoid visiting hospitals or residential care facilities if unwell. This is Louth Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Louth newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details 'As schools and childcare facilities reopen this week we also ask parents and guardians to keep their children home from school/creche if they have respiratory symptoms, she said. We remind people about good infection control practice, including washing hands regularly and covering nose and mouth if you have coughs and sneezes. Healthcare settings are assessing the risks locally and monitoring their own local risks, and this may lead them to take additional measures in certain settings, such as the wearing of masks if deemed necessary. Such measures will help protect those who may be more vulnerable to the effects of these infections. Significant work has taken place and continues, to support acute hospitals deal with the expected rise in attendances and admissions. It is not too late to get vaccination, which can protect you and your loved ones, and help reduce the burden on the health service at a very busy time of year, she continued. Vaccination remains the best way to reduce the incidence or these respiratory illnesses. Flu and COVID-19 are caused by two different viruses and require two different vaccines. The HSE is urging every eligible person to get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 as soon as possible. People with long-term health conditions, healthcare workers (HCWs) and children aged 2-17 can avail of free vaccination. You can get the flu and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time. For information on COVID-19 and flu vaccination and to find where to get your vaccines, visit the HSE.ie or call HSELive on 1800 700 700, added Dr Cotter. Carole Broadbank, Chief Officer of Midlands Louth Meath Community Health Organisation (CHO 8), said: Getting vaccinated now can offer significant protection against acute respiratory infections as our Emergency Departments continue to be extremely busy due to the very high levels of flu, COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses circulating in the community. Topping up your protection by getting the flu and COVID-19 vaccines if you are eligible remains the best way to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. Also, knowing how to manage common illnesses and where to go if you need medical assistance will also make it that bit easier if you, or someone you care for, becomes ill or is injured. There are a number of options available to you depending on what medical assistance you need including an extensive GP Out-of-Hours service and local injury units. Please consider all the options that are available to you to help determine your best course of action. Ann Marie & Valentin Gallagher who graduated from online part-time MSc in Environmental Health & Safety Management after completing both their Level 7 & Level 8 qualifications online. ATU has seen a 15% increase in applications and 20% increase in student numbers across the portfolio of part-time, online, flexible, and professional development programmes. ATU is now one of the largest providers of flexible and online learning programmes in Ireland. As a university, we are acutely aware of the need to provide access to higher education, not just to those who seek full-time options, but also to those who seek to upskill, retrain or progress in their career. The models offered need to work for those in employment, using part-time and flexible learning delivery, be that online or blended online and on-campus. This is Sligo Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Sligo newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details Our close links with industry ensures we offer a portfolio matched to industrys needs, supporting employers in our region and beyond to attract and retain talent, said Dr Billy Bennett, VP for Academic Affairs and Registrar. Professor Jacqueline McCormack, VP for EDI, and Online Development said: At ATU we are leaning into our combined strengths. Across the western seaboard, we have expertise in Biopharma, MedTech, Fintech, Quality, Digital Manufacturing, Computing, to name but a few. We have supported global, national and regional employers as they seek to develop staff in this tight labour market. Initiatives such as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) have enabled 20 staff in the Fintech sector to learn together as a group, with ATU recognising their prior experiential learning to gain advanced entry to a Degree in Computing. Our My Career Path support, has helped over 500 employees from 32 companies, navigate the vast number of courses available, matching them to the career stage of potential learners within their company. Were seeing increased interest in the Work-Based-Learning (WBL) model, where students combine practical experience with online learning. Building on our foundations as the leaders in online learning, we are driven to continuously improve, making higher education accessible to all. Through the HEAs Springboard+ and HCI initiative, access and funding is being supported at a national level, giving students free and partially funded places on approved courses, where there are identified skills shortages. In September 2023, ATU enrolled over 1500 students on Springboard+ funded programmes. Joanne Harmon, Head of Online Learning Student Experience said: Flexible learning is available to students at all levels. We support many students who are taking their first step into higher education. For some, its a long time since they have participated in formal education and we are here to help, every step of the way. At ATU, we have built our community of online and flexible learners around that concept all learners need support, whether it is their first or fifth qualification. Recently, a dedicated on-boarding programme for online learners, crafted a series of virtual talks that helped students build confidence in areas of academic writing, study skills and time management. Tracy Sheridan, recently commenced her online learning journey on the Masters in Professional Leadership. The online student advisors have been really helpful. Navigating new systems can be challenging when trying to carve out time to study. Their guidance is invaluable. Everyone experiences bumps along the way, so its just nice to know you have someone to reach out to, she said. ATU is now accepting applications for a further 100 Online, Flexible & Professional Development programmes commencing in January 2024. For more information, visit www.atu.ie/january-start They think they can get away with whatever they want Respected shopowner Peter Steemers who owns the familiar newsagents Steemers OLearys on Main Street in Bunclody has been forced to change the opening times of the business due to ongoing anti-social behaviour. Mr Steemers says that his staff have been harassed, name called and accused of various things by a pair of youths on an ongoing basis. "Recently there has been two young fellas in their teens who come into the shop with the sole objective of annoying the staff, he said. This is Wexford Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Wexford newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details They are the most entitled and self righteous group of people I know. They are loose cannons and they think they can get away with whatever they want, he added. The shop-owner took to Facebook to update customers. "Due to the unacceptable and unsocial behaviour of a few reprobates, we closed early last night and will continue to do so at 6pm into the new year. We apologise for the inconvenience, he wrote. The CCTV footage and identities of individuals of several incidents have now been sent to the Gardai, he added. He also included a photo of the bin outside the shop that had been left with noodles pouring out of it onto the ground by the teens. Mr Steemers has captured CCTV footage of the teens harassing a female staff member that he has given to the Gardai. They were pestering staff and one staff member had to ring me and I walked down to the shop and they were not expecting me and when they saw me they ran as if I was a werewolf, he said. "One of them jumped out onto the road in front of a van and that proves just how careless they are, he said. Mr Steemers says he has barred the pair but because the shop is usually only staffed with one person in the evenings he has taken the decision to change his closing time from 9pm to 6pm in order to keep staff and customers safe. He said that he has barred other people in the past and with the help of Gardai has been able to implement the bans. Mr Steemers says that he has heard of other businesses around Bunclody who have also encountered the pair, but due to the fact that his newsagents is a small business he can't afford to take the same measures. "We are a small independent retailer and I cant afford to put out security, he said. They go into bigger shops as well and they can perhaps afford to take other measures, he added. The local community has supported the small business in its decision with many offering messages of support to Mr Steemers and his staff. Despicable behaviour shouldn't be tolerated hope you're all okay, one person said. "Sorry to hear this Peter hope you and all the lovely staff are okay," commented another. Hannah Morrissey and Doireann Doyle were at St Kevins National School's Carol Service in Tara Hill Church on Wednesday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell Lana and Emmet Gregan were at St Kevins National School's Carol Service in Tara Hill Church on Wednesday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell First class performing during St Kevins National School's Carol Service in Tara Hill Church on Wednesday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell Pupils from Second class pictured during St Kevins National School's Carol Service in Tara Hill Church on Wednesday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell First class performing during St Kevins National School's Carol Service in Tara Hill Church on Wednesday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell Beth Morrissey and Elise Marcilecey were speakers during St Kevins National School's Carol Service in Tara Hill Church on Wednesday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell Kayleigh Coade and Sophie Hughes pictured at St Kevins National School's Carol Service in Tara Hill Church on Wednesday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell Pupils from first class during St Kevin's National School's Carol Service in Tara Hill Church on Wednesday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell Students from 1st to 6th class at St Kevins National School performed a carol service in Tara Hill Church recently. Parents and grandparents watched on in awe as students sang a mixture between religious songs and Christmas classics such as Silent Night, Away in a Manger and Frosty the Snowman. Each class also performed a poem. 1st class impressed the packed audience with their version of Frosty the Snowman. Each class, had a strong display of Christmas jumpers and festive gear on the night. 5th classs performance was accompanied on the guitar by talented students Kayleigh Coade and Sophie Hughes. Every second year, the school host a carol service, next year theyll perform a school play again. Concerns have been raised about traffic management at the ever-expanding Killeens area outside Wexford town. Naturally, some concerns were going to arise from the recent announcement of a 250m masterplan for the Killeens area of Wexford town. While warmly welcomed, it didn't take long for people to begin to question how an already congested area would cope with the addition of a university campus, two schools, a League of Ireland Stadium and other sporting facilities and up to 600 housing units. Independent councillor Leonard Kelly raised the issue at a recent meeting of Wexford County Council, asking if developments in Killeens had been included within the eagerly-anticipated Wexford Local Transport Plan, so as to future-proof traffic management in town. This is Wexford Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Wexford newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details "Its very nearly complete. We need to tie in with TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) on a few things, but I'd imagine it will be completed by the end of the year or early next year. Councillor Lisa McDonald expressed grave concerns about traffic build-ups in that part of town. "Traffic around Killeens is very bad as it is, she said. All roads heading into town from out my way, Piercestown and Murrintown, are very congested. I hope these issues will be looked at as a whole in the plan and some concerns alleviated. Home Instead, the leading provider of home care services with an office based in Kilmacanogue, launched its pioneering campaign Not Just a Carer just before the Christmas break, aimed at dispelling myths surrounding the care sector and spotlighting the stories of real people receiving their care so that they can remain living in their own home. This is Wicklow Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Wicklow newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details According to recent findings from Family Carers Ireland, family carers alone are saving the state a staggering 20 billion annually, contributing 19 million unpaid hours per week underscoring the urgent need for increased recognition and support for the vital role played by those who care in our communities. The campaign will span various media channels, including TV, print, broadcast, and social media. It will feature the inspiring stories of professional caregivers from across Ireland, highlighting their ingenuity, compassion, and creativity in improving the lives of the people they care for. "We are immensely proud of our professional caregivers and their commitment to changing lives. 'Not Just a Carer' is not just a campaign; it's a testament to the extraordinary work happening daily across the country," said Michael Lowe, General Manager at Home Instead Wicklow. The Not Just a Carer campaign celebrates Home Instead caregivers and their commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of those they care for. It is an invitation to individuals with a passion for caregiving to join the Home Instead team on its mission to enhance the lives of ageing adults and their families. Deirdre Donaghy, Head of Marketing at Home Instead, said: Delivering quality home care starts with finding the right people to care for our clients. Thats why we wanted to use real care scenarios to show exactly the kind of professional caregivers were looking for. They are people who value relationships and use their skills, attitude, and personality to find a way to solve a problem, ultimately helping our clients continue being who they are, living fulfilled lives in the place they are most familiar. We launched the campaign over Christmas during a time when we know families are coming together and may be faced with the realisation that parents and grandparents need some extra support. Wed urge anyone is this situation to reach out to us and our care teams will be happy to help. The installation of a new electric vehicle (EV) charging point in the village of Hollywood, west Wicklow, has been met with disdain by some local residents who have labelled the development an eye-sore. Located next to Tuttys pub in Hollywood Village, the public facility provided by the charger has been welcomed by some, while others have voiced their displeasure at its visual impact on what is an authentically rural village. I can understand its needed, but what an eyesore - everyone works so hard to make our village beautiful, and this is planted in the village centre, a commenter on a popular west Wicklow forum wrote. This is Wicklow Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Wicklow newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details Echoing that sentiment, one Hollywood resident noted: Great to have in the area, but definitely an odd place to locate them, while another asked: How could anyone put this abomination in such a location? What's the point? The speed at which the charger was installed by Wicklow County Council and the lack of consultation required to construct such a visually imposing development were also broached in the online discussion. It kinda makes a mockery of why the Council put the village forward to represent Wicklow in the National Pride of Place Awards, one commenter wrote. It's not exactly a subtle construction, and as the Council planning guidelines would suggest, it is not in keeping with its surroundings. As others have stated, at least have it more in keeping with its environs. Surely not too much to ask? Reacting to the installation of the charger, local Councillor Patsy Glennon recognised that it had not gone down well in the community while raising his own concerns about the viability of the location and the volume of usage the charger could expect. It was mentioned at an environmental JPC that Hollywood would be getting an EV charger, along with other towns, but people dont seem to be happy with where it has been put, Cllr Glennon said. Aesthetically, it doesnt look well. It looks like a big petrol pump in the middle of an old, quaint village. Its quite tall. Id say it stands about six feet, if not higher. Its certainly taller than the walls around it, so its sticking up like a sore thumb. Sometimes, it just takes time for the movement of thought, and peoples thoughts can move after a while, and a thing doesnt look so much out of place. But it certainly looks out of place as we speak. Again, I question the location with regard to usage, he continued. The main artery from the N81 to Glendalough gets a lot of traffic. Id say 30 or 40 per cent of the traffic to Glendalough goes up through Hollywood because all the traffic from the west of Ireland comes up across the Curragh. Where they put the charger, in the spur up into the village, is not on that route. Essentially, youd have to know it was there to drive by it. Obviously, the consideration for where it was put is that there is a transformer on the pole beside there, which saves digging up streets to bring wires down etc. So, Id say logistics was a factor in it. Listen, well have a look at it, see how we go with it, and well find out if theres a more appropriate location for it. A pal of mine had her handbag stolen recently a real scourge. Aside from the replacing of cards etc, the real pain, she told me, was the fact that her makeup bag had been in there. She is a normal human being, not a deranged beauty collector like me, so the bag had contained almost all of her products. She had to start again and was looking for some advice. The idea of starting a makeup collection from scratch is one that has often popped into my head. When buying many products at once, you have to budget carefully. With that in mind, these are the products I would buy if I was starting all over again. 1. Foundation LOreal Paris True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Skin Serum (19.99, via boots.ie) LOreal Paris True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Skin Serum, 19.99, boots.ie No foundation needs that many words in its name but, aside from that, this product is a dream. A skincare/makeup hybrid that contains 1pc hyaluronic acid, this feels like a serum but delivers impressive coverage, which is easy to build to a level youre happy with. The result is skin that looks healthy and luminous but still like actual skin. 2. Concealer Sculpted by Aimee Brighten Up Concealer (17, via sculptedbyaimee.com) Brighten Up Concealer, 17, sculptedbyaimee.com I love this concealer, which ticks all the boxes for me. Its hydrating and comfortable, doesnt look cakey and delivers beautiful coverage. I use it on the undereye and on blemishes or patches of discolouration, but if you regularly suffer from breakouts, you may also want to pick up the brands pot concealer, Complete Cover Up (16, via sculptedbyaimee.com). 3. Brows Max Factor Brow Shaper Pencil (8.99, via garrettodonnellpharmacy.ie) Max Factor Brow Shaper Pencil, 8.99, garrettodonnellpharmacy.ie Brow pencil is an integral part of my makeup routine, but I fly through them so I try to avoid spending too much. This brow pencil does the job via a very fine twist-up pencil on one end and a blending brush comb on the other. The three shades are not overly warm (something I find too common with brow products) and it will last the day. 4. Blush Lukey Lukey Creme Blush in 11:11 (29, via lukeylukey.com) Lukey Lukey Creme Blush in 11:11, 29, lukeylukey.com I like my blush to look radiant so I am always on the hunt for a product that delivers colour and luminosity. This shade of rosy taupe has a beautiful sheen and blends like a dream. I use my fingers to apply it, and I find that you can easily build layers of this product to achieve the precise level of colour youre looking for. 5. Contour Kiko Milano Sculpting Touch Creamy Stick Contour in 201 Chocolate (13.64, via amazon.co.uk) Kiko Milano Sculpting Touch Creamy Stick Contour in 201 Chocolate, 13.64, amazon.co.uk This contour product is only available online in Ireland, but I promise you its worth a shot. I find too many contour products veer into orange territory, but this is truly cool-toned, making it perfect for adding definition to the face. It also blends like a dream. If you ever pass a Kiko Milano shop on a weekend away, I implore you to pop in. The products consistently outperform their price tag. 6. Eyeshadow BPerfect x Laura B The One Palette (37.95, via meagherspharmacy.ie) BPerfect x Laura B The One Palette, 37.95, meagherspharmacy.ie This palette contains a mix of neutrals and brights, giving you loads of creative options, and it also contains two powder bronzers, two blushes and two highlighters. Ideal for a brand-new makeup bag! 7. Mascara Maybelline Lash Sensational (8.99, via mccauley.ie) Maybelline Lash Sensational, 8.99, mccauley.ie I never stop banging on about this. Sure, you can spend more, but there is no need to. This delivers length and volume in spades. My number one. Lost in translation Youre probably familiar with retinol at this stage, but have you heard of bakuchiol? Bakuchiol is a natural, gentler alternative to retinol, which stimulates collagen production and is said to reduce the appearance of fine lines. Suitable for all skin types, a bakuchiol product might be worth trying if you have skin sensitivities that preclude you from using retinol. Something old... The Solution Retinol Smoothing Body Lotion, 13, boots.ie Body products with active ingredients like retinol are a relatively new concept for most of us, although when you think about it, why wouldnt you apply the same standards to the skin on your body as you do your face? Why wouldnt you want the skin on your body to be supple and bright like your complexion? Cynics might argue that the skin on your body needs less attention because it gets less exposure to the elements, and they may also say that this seems like a convenient new way for skincare brands to make money, and they may be right. Still, I like the idea of doing something a little extra for my epidermis so when The Solutions Retinol Smoothing Body Lotion (13, via boots.ie) landed on my doorstep, I started using it. Containing 3.05pc active ingredients, this body moisturiser promises to reveal the skins radiance, and I really feel its made a difference. ... Something new Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion, 31.05, spacenk.com Naturiums ethos is that high-performance skincare should be both clinically effective and affordable. Their formulations are focused entirely on ingredients that directly contribute to the skins health, or ensure the formula itself works most effectively. Their latest launch is Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion (31.05, via spacenk.com), made with encapsulated stabilised pure retinol, which means the powerful ingredient is essentially surrounded with a fatty acid or lipid, allowing it to penetrate the layers of the skin more deeply. This formula is vegan and contains nourishing, hydrating allantoin. Oscar Pistorius to be released from prison on Friday Oscar Pistorius to be released from prison on Friday Thu 4 Jan 2024 at 14:36 Oscar Pistorius will be released on parole from a South African prison on Friday, more than 10 years after shooting his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp dead through a toilet door. A tranche of documents relating to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein have been published including the evidence of a woman who claimed the Duke of York touched her breast. A US judge ruled last month that documents naming more than 170 people who were either associates, friends or victims of Epstein should be made public. Vehicles wait in line on a snow-covered road following a snowfall in Ekerod near Horby, Sweden January 3, 2024. Johan Nilsson An avalanche killed a mother and her child in Northern Finland this week as hundreds of people were trapped in their cars in Northern Europe due to heavy snow and extreme wintry conditions. The mother and child died in Finnish Lapland while on a ski hike. The body of the mother was found on Tuesday while her child was located dead among the snow on Thursday. Thousands of people took to the streets of Beirut on Thursday for the funeral of top Hamas commander Saleh Arouri, who was killed earlier this week in an apparent Israeli airstrike on an apartment in the Lebanese capital. Draped in Palestinian and Hamas flags, Arouris coffin and those of two of his comrades were first taken to a Beirut mosque for prayers before being carried to the Palestine Martyrs Cemetery where top Palestinian officials killed by Israel over the hast five decades are buried. Thats going to be the least of it: Donald Trump claims US is facing a bloodbath if he loses November election Hezbollah chief warns Israel over taking the war into Lebanon after Beirut assassination There are currently 342 Irish troops serving with Unifil in Lebanon Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah speaks via video link before supporters yesterday. Photo; AP Mohammad Azakir Thu 4 Jan 2024 at 03:30 The head of Lebanons Hezbollah yesterday said the political party and militant group cannot be silent after the assassination of the Hamas deputy leader in Beirut and warned that his heavily armed forces would fight to the finish if Israel chose to extend war from Gaza into Lebanon. The so-called Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for two suicide bombings targeting a memorial service for an Iranian general killed in a 2020 US drone strike, the worst militant attack to strike Iran in decades as the wider Middle East remains on edge. Experts who follow the group confirmed that the statement, circulated online among jihadists, came from the extremists, who probably hope to take advantage of the chaos gripping the region amid Israels war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Pressure of war and mounting political woes give huge jolt to Benjamin Netanyahu Israeli PM may yet be toppled by more domestic concerns Bodies of Palestinians killed in the Israeli bombardment lie covered in the road in Gaza City. Photo: AP Ethan Bronner Washington Post Thu 4 Jan 2024 at 03:30 When Israels supreme court struck down a judicial overhaul law of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu last Monday, his Likud party assailed the judges for ruling during the war on Hamas, when national unity is paramount. A 16-year-old was already nervous about his first lone flight to Ohio then he landed in Puerto Rico Logan Lose finds himself in San Juan after Florida boarding agent allegedly neglected to scan his ticket (Stock image) Joe Sommerlad UK Independent Thu 4 Jan 2024 at 09:31 A teenage boy from Florida suffered a scare this Christmas after he accidentally boarded the wrong flight and ended up in Puerto Rico rather than Cleveland, Ohio, where he had intended to join his mother for the holiday season. Billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein once told one of his victims that Bill Clinton likes them young, according to dramatic testimony revealed in court documents unsealed for the very first time. Photo Courtesy: Pixabay The Indian Toy industry witnessed remarkable growth in FY 2022-23 in comparison to FY 2014-15, with a decline in imports by 52%, a rise in exports by 239% and a development of the overall quality of the Toys available in the domestic market. These observations have been noted in a Case Study on Success Story of Made in India Toys has been conducted by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow at the behest of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The report states that the efforts of the Government have enabled in creation of a more conducive manufacturing ecosystem for the Indian Toy industry. It highlighted that in a span of 6 years, from 2014 to 2020, these dedicated efforts have led to the doubling of the number of manufacturing units, reduction in dependence on imported inputs from 33% to 12%, increase in gross sales value by a CAGR of 10%, and overall rise in labour productivity. The report analyzed that India is also emerging as a top exporting nation due to the country's integration into the global toy value chain, along with zero-duty market access for domestically manufactured toys in countries including UAE and Australia. The report stated that in order to position India as a viable alternative to current toy hubs of the world, i.e., China and Vietnam, consistent collaborative efforts of the Toy industry and the Government are essential for advancements in technology, embracing e-commerce, encouraging partnerships and exports, investing in brand-building, engaging with educators and parents to communicate with children, valuing cultural diversity and collaborating with regional artisans, etc. The report emphasized that to address these issues and foster growth in the Indian toy industry, a strategic plan of action was needed. The government has implemented several interventions and initiatives, including: a). Formulation of a comprehensive NAPT having 21 specific action points, and implemented by 14 Central Ministries/Departments, with DPIIT as the coordinating body. b).Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on toys (HS code 9503) was increased from 20% to 60% in February 2020, and subsequently to 70% in March 2023. c). Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has mandated sample testing of each import consignment to curb the import of sub-standards toys d). A Quality Control Order (QCO) for Toys was issued in 2020, with effect from 01.01.2021. e). Special provisions were notified by BIS on 17.12.2020 to grant licences to micro sale units manufacturing toys without testing facility for one year and without establishing in-house testing facility, which was further extended by three years. f). BIS has granted more than 1200 licences to domestic manufacturers and more than 30 licences to foreign manufacturers for manufacture of toys with BIS standard Marks g).Cluster-based approach adopted to support domestic Toy industry. The Ministry of MSME is supporting 19 Toy clusters under the Scheme of Funds for the Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI), and the Ministry of Textiles is providing designing and tooling support to 13 Toy clusters. h).Several promotional initiatives have also been undertaken to promote indigenous toys and encourage innovation, including The Indian Toy Fair 2021, Toycathon, etc. In line with the recommendations made in the report, the Government has already initiated/ undertaken measures under the NAPT. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during his Mann ki Baat address in August 2020, expressed his desire to establish India as a global Toy manufacturing hub. To fulfil the vision, the Government has undertaken a series of initiatives including formulation of a comprehensive like the National Action Plan for Toys (NAPT) to promote designing of toys, using toys as a learning resource, monitoring quality of toys, promoting indigenous toy clusters, etc. The policy initiatives of the Government together with the endeavours of the domestic manufacturers have resulted in remarkable growth of the Indian toy industry. A VinFast VF 6 electric car (Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons) Chennai: Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast is preparing to open its first manufacturing facility in India to produce batteries, media reported. The plant, located in Thoothukudi city in Tamil Nadu, will produce batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), Reuters reported citing sources. This project is distinct from VinFast's previously announced plans to assemble vehicles from Vietnam-sourced parts. While the company, a competitor to Tesla and China's BYD, declined to comment, an official announcement on the new facility is expected soon, the report said. According to the Reuters report, VinFast has indicated that it will disclose detailed plans at an "appropriate time." A senior official involved in the matter noted that several VinFast representatives have visited Thoothukudi district to assess potential sites. According to a report in September, VinFast was making efforts to recruit for various roles in India. Key details, including the size of the investment and the operational commencement date of the VinFast factory in Tamil Nadu, are still not known, said the report. Image Credit: Images posted on X by @byadavbjp New Delhi: India has proposed the names of three cities Indore, Bhopal, and Udaipur for accreditation as international wetland cities. The Ministry of Environment said these are the first three cities for which nominations have been submitted for Wetland City Accreditation. The proposals were formulated through collaboration between state wetland authorities and municipal corporations. The voluntary Wetland City Accreditation system was endorsed by the Ramsar Convention during COP12 in 2015. Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav stated that the objective of the Wetland City Accreditation scheme is to encourage the conservation and sustainable use of urban and peri-urban wetlands, fostering socio-economic benefits for local communities. Taking to X, Yadav informed this will also provide an opportunity for cities that value their natural or human-made wetlands to gain international recognition and positive branding opportunities for their efforts in demonstrating strong positive relationships with wetlands. Delighted to announce the nomination of India's first three cities Indore, Bhopal, and Udaipur submitted to @RamsarConv for its prestigious voluntary Wetland City Accreditation scheme. The scheme aims to promote conservation and wise use of urban and peri-urban wetlands as pic.twitter.com/l7hOFsotP0 Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) January 4, 2024 In a statement, the ministry said that the wetlands situated in and around these cities provide a plethora of benefits to its citizens in terms of flood regulation, livelihood opportunities, and recreational and cultural values. Sirpur Wetland (Ramsar site in Indore), Yashwant Sagar (Ramsar site closer to Indore), Bhoj Wetland (Ramsar Site in Bhopal), and several Wetlands (Lakes) in and around Udaipur are lifelines to these cities. Recognizing the importance of wetlands in urban and peri-urban environments and taking appropriate measures to conserve and protect these wetlands, the Ramsar Convention during COP12 held in the year 2015 approved a voluntary Wetland City Accreditation system under Resolution XII.10. It recognizes cities that have taken exceptional steps to safeguard their urban wetlands. The Wetland City Accreditation scheme aims to further promote the conservation and wise use of urban and peri-urban wetlands, as well as sustainable socio-economic benefits for local populations. Additionally, the Accreditation seeks to encourage cities that are close to and dependent on wetlands, primarily Wetlands of International Importance, but also wetlands with other conservation category status, to develop and strengthen a positive relationship with these valuable ecosystems. To be formally accredited, a candidate for the Wetland City Accreditation should satisfy the standards used to implement each of the six international criteria mentioned in Operational Guidance for WCA of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Photo courtesy: Facebook/Arvind Kejriwal New Delhi/IBNS: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is likely to issue the fourth summon to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal amid the speculation over his possible arrest on Thursday, media reports said. The speculation kickstarted after Delhi minister Atishi posted on X, "News coming in that ED is going to raid @ArvindKejriwals residence tmrw morning. Arrest likely." News coming in that ED is going to raid @ArvindKejriwals residence tmrw morning. Arrest likely. Atishi (@AtishiAAP) January 3, 2024 The security around Kejriwal's residence was beefed up following the minister's claim. Now as per a report by NDTV, the ED is examining the reply sent by Kejriwal who on Wednesday snubbed the third summon sent to him by the probe agency. The probe agency is investigating the Delhi excise policy which has handed over liquor shop licences to private players. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleges that liquor companies and middlemen were "actively involved in irregularities in the framing and implementation" of the excise policy. Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and Kejriwal's colleague in the party, Manish Sisodia, is already in jail in the same case as the prime accused. In April last year, the CBI questioned Kejriwal as a witness for nine hours, after which he slammed the agency. "The CBI asked me 56 questions (but) everything is fake. I am convinced they don't have anything on us... not a single piece of evidence," he said after being quizzed at its Lodhi Road office. Photo courtesy: UNI Yathindra Siddaramaiah, the son of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has urged people to prevent the saffron brigade from making India a Hindu Rashtra, so as to ensure it did not become "bankrupt and dictatorial" like Pakistan and Afghanistan. "Ambedkar had said that if our nation becomes a Hindu Rastra then there is no greater danger. Today Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan have become bankrupt by dictatorship in the name of religion. People lost their rights there," he said while addressing a rally. "Today there is a threat to secularism due to the BJP and RSS. They want to make a Hindu Rastra. We shouldn't give them that opportunity. If not we too will be in the same situation as Pakistan and Afghanistan," Yathindra added. Earlier in the day, Congress leader BK Hariprasad had alleged that attempts were on to replicate a Godhra-type incident ahead of the installation of Lord Rama's statue at Ayodhya. "Back in Gujarat, Karsevaks were burnt alive in Godhra (of Gujarat on February 27, 2002). They are attempting to replicate that incident in Karnataka. We must not allow such untoward incidents to take place here. "We need to give adequate security to all those visiting Ayodhya. We cannot afford another Godhra in Karnataka," Harisprasad said. The Congress leader also termed BJP's protests over Ramjanmabhoomi Karsevak Shrikant Poojari's arrest "politically motivated and fictitious". "The government should take all precautions in Karnataka," Hariprasad said. Taking a swipe at Hariprasad for his comments, BJP MLA TS Srivatsa said it appears that such a conspiracy is being planned somewhere and the Congress leader should be taken into custody. "Harisprasad may be hatching a conspiracy and he should be arrested," he said. Srivatsa also alleged that Hariprasad is instilling fear in the minds of Ram bhaktas to prevent them from visiting Ayodhya. It also looks like Hariprasad has made such a comment to embarrass Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Srivatsa said. Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from X post Mumbai/IBNS: Ahead of the Ram Temple consecration ceremony, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Jitendra Ahwad has triggered a controversy by claiming Lord Ram was "non-vegetarian", media reports said. Speaking to the reporters, Ahwad said, "Lord Ram was vegetarian. Ram was Kshatriya and Kashatriyas are meat-eaters. What was he used to eat? Has anyone seen Ram having vegetarian food?" "Lord Ram was a non-vegetarian!" -- This motormouth, uncouth man, MLA Jitendra Awhad, belongs to the NCP, an I.N.D.I. alliance partner. Hold them accountable!!#AyodhyaRamMandir pic.twitter.com/BEK902txHl Priti Gandhi - (@MrsGandhi) January 4, 2024 The comment has triggered massive controversy with people from the ruling camp have demanded action against the politician for allegedly hurting Hindu sentiments. Extra police force has been deployed outside Ahwad's residence amid protests from the opposition camp. Slamming Ahwad, BJP leader Ram Kadam said, "The members of INDI Alliance have a mindset to hurt the beliefs of crores of Ram Bhakts by saying such meaningless things." "It is the way of Ahwad's well thought out political strategy," Kadam added. Mumbai | BJP leader Ram Kadam to file a police complaint against NCP -Sharad Pawar faction leader Jitendra Awhad for his statement about Lord Ram being a "non-vegetarian" "Their mindset is to hurt the sentiments of the Ram bhakts. They can't make fun of the Hindu religion to pic.twitter.com/1SUUXUZMwF ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2024 Meanwhile, security has been heightened in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya where the Ram Temple will be consecrated on January 22. Photo courtesy: facebook.com/MahuaMoitraOfficial New Delhi/IBNS: In no relief for Trinamool Congress' firebrand leader, the Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to hear Mahua Moitra's plea challenging her expulsion from Parliament over "cash for query" charges brought against her, media reports said. The top court said it will first examine whether it has the jurisdiction to hear the case. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared for Lok Sabha Secretary General, said the Supreme Court should not interfere in matters of Parliament, which has its own sovereignty. "If we have the power of judicial review, we will investigate," the Supreme Court said as quoted by NDTV. The next hearing will take place on March 11. Moitra, now a former MP from West Bengal's Krishnanagar constituency, was expelled from the Lok Sabha on Friday over a report by the Ethics Committee on the 'cash for query' charges against her. The TMC leader is accused of taking bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for asking questions that are critical of the Narendra Modi-led government in the Centre. The Krishnanagar MP was even accused of surrendering log-in credentials to a confidential account on the parliamentary website which would enable Hiranandani to post questions directly. She denied the bribery charges but admitted sharing login details. Photo courtesy: Mahua Moitra Facebook New Delhi/IBNS: In a setback for Mahua Moitra, the Delhi High Court on Thursday asked the Trinamool Congress (TMC) expelled Lok Sabha MP to move the Directorate of Estates to continue occupying the allotted government bungalow, media reports said. The court has allowed Moitra to withdraw the petition. The government will take steps to evict the petitioner, Times Now reported. Moitra, who was the MP from West Bengal's Krishnanagar constituency, pleaded in the court to set aside the December 11 order of Directorate of Estates or allow her to continue occupying the government bungalow till the declaration of the results of 2024 General Elections. Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha on Friday over a report by the Ethics Committee on the 'cash for query' charges against her. The TMC leader is accused of taking bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for asking questions that are critical of the Narendra Modi-led government in the Centre. The Krishnanagar MP was even accused of surrendering log-in credentials to a confidential account on the parliamentary website which would enable Hiranandani to post questions directly. She denied the bribery charges but admitted sharing login details. Though Moitra had challenged the expulsion in the Supreme Court, the top court said it will first examine whether it has the jurisdiction to hear the case. The next hearing will take place on March 11. Image Credit : UNI New Delhi/IBNS/UNI: The Supreme Court Thursday dismissed a plea of Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera for quashing criminal proceedings against him over the alleged remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi . After hearing a special leave petition filed by Khera against the order passed by the Allahabad High Court, a bench of Justice B R Gavai and Justice Sandeep Mehta refused to quash the criminal proceedings against him over his alleged 'Narendra Gautam Das Modi' comment made at a press conference in Mumbai. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state of Uttar Pradesh pointed out that the reply to Khera's petition has been filed based on the chargesheet. "They have only relied on the chargesheet. But, now you go on seeking apologies and apologies," Justice Gavai asked Senior Advocate Salman Khurshid, who was appearing for Khera. The Court dismissed Khera's plea saying "Anyway, sorry, we are not inclined to give you any relief," Justice Gavai said. In October, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Khera, had tendered a clarification that the comment had been made inadvertently and a prompt apology was issued in a separate post on X ( formerly known as Twitter). He also argued that the charges leveled against Khera, which included defamation, attempting to degrade and destabilise the nation, promoting enmity and hatred between different groups, and disturbing public peace were a 'complete stretch'. He also tendered an unconditional apology in the Allahabad High Court for the purported incident. The high court, however, declined to grant him any relief and dismissed his plea. The case relates to multiple first information reports that were registered against congress leader Pawan Khera over his 'Narendra Gautam Das Modi' remark at a press conference in February this year. Charges of (promoting communal enmity), 153B (imputations prejudicial to national integration), 500 (defamation), 504 (insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), and other provisions of the Indian Penal Code were leveled against him. On February 23, the Assam police arrested Khera from the Delhi airport in connection to an FIR registered over the remark. On the same day of his arrest, the Supreme Court granted Khera temporary relief and directed his release on interim bail till the next date of hearing. The interim relief was later extended from February 28 to March 3, and again till March 17. On March 20, the Supreme Court clubbed the FIRs registered against him at Varanasi and Assam and transferred them to the Hazratganj police station in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Khera was also granted liberty to apply for regular bail before the jurisdictional court in the matter. In August, Khera was granted bail by a local court in Lucknow. The Congress spokesperson also approached the Allahabad High Court seeking the quashing of the summons order and chargesheet filed against him. He also tendered an unconditional apology for the purported incident. The high court, however, declined to grant him any relief and dismissed his plea. Justice Rajeev Singh of Allahabad High Court said that the evidence collected by the investigating officer could not be assessed by the court during the ongoing proceedings under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Proceedings. In Image MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal/ Courtesy: UNI New Delhi/IBNS/UNI: The Indian government has 60 days to appeal in the highest court against the varying quantum of sentences awarded by Qatar 's Court of Appeal which has commuted the death sentence handed down to the eight ex-Navy personnel in an alleged espionage case a week ago, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Thursday. The verdict of Qatar's Court of Appeal came weeks after the family members of the Indians filed an appeal against the earlier order by another court. The Navy veterans were earlier given death sentences by Qatar's Court of First Instance in the case. Addressing a weekly press conference, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "The legal team has the court's order, and the government is in touch with the legal team and family members for further action." "The court order clarifies that the death penalty is overturned and there are varying quantum of sentences. We have 60 days to appeal in the highest court," said Randhir Jaiswal. The statement comes after the death sentence of eight former Indian Navy officials commuted by a court of appeal in Qatar on Dec 28. The former Indian Navy officers were employees of Al Dahra Global Technologies. It is a private firm that provides training and other services to Qatar's armed forces and security agencies. On the extradition request to Pakistan to hand over 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed, Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian government had submitted all the required documents to Pakistan for his extradition. "I hope that Pakistan will consider it," he added. On the issue of the Iran bombings, the MEA Spokesperson said, "We condemn this incident. We stand with the people of Iran and the government. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Iran." On Indian nationals getting extortion calls in Canada, Randhir Jaiswal said, "Indians getting extortion calls in Canada is concerning to us, and we have other security issues that have to be discussed." Giving details about External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar's visit to Nepal, Randhir Jaiswal said, "EAM is there in Nepal on Thursday and Friday( today & tomorrow)." He informed that Jaishankar has called upon the President and PM of Nepal and will be chairing the India-Nepal joint meeting. The EAM and Foreign Minister of Nepal N P Saud co-chaired the 7th India-Nepal Joint Commission meeting held in Kathmandu on Thursday. Photo Courtesy: twitter.com/@Khamenei_fa Tehran: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed a tough response and punishment to both the perpetrators and organisers of the terrorist attack in the city of Kerman, which killed nearly 100 people on Wednesday. A total of 95 people were killed and 211 others were wounded on Wednesday by two explosions at Iranian General Qasem Soleimanis memorial site in Kerman, during a ceremony marking the fourth anniversary of his assassination by US forces. "Both the hands stained with the blood of innocent people and the corrupt, evil minds that led them to this miscalculation will definitely be the target of a severe pounding and a deserving retribution," Khamenei said in a statement posted on his website. "They should know that, God willing, this tragedy will be met with a strong response." The Iranian government declared Thursday a day of national mourning for the victims, and the country's President Ebrahim Raisi said the masterminds and perpetrators of the terrorist attack would be identified by security forces and law enforcement agencies and brought to account. Soleimani, who commanded the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force, was killed by a US drone strike in Baghdad on January 3, 2020. Washington claimed he had been involved in organising the attack on the US embassy in Baghdad on December 31, 2019. In response, Iran launched strikes on US bases in Iraq, including the al-Asad Airbase. The New York Times reported Wednesday, citing two sources familiar with Iran's internal discussions, that Ayatollah Khamenei had instructed Iranian military commanders to pursue "strategic patience" and avoid a direct military confrontation with the United States. The sources said he had ordered the military to "limit retaliation" to covert operations against Israel or proxy militia attacks on US bases in Syria and Iraq. (With UNI/Sputnik inputs) Photo Courtesy: Pixabay Over 50 huts were gutted as a fire broke out under Karachis Teen Hatti Bridge in Pakistan on Thursday. Supermarket police Station House Officer Aslam Bhatti told Dawn News that around 50-60 huts were destroyed in the fire. The exact cause of the fire was not known. Sindh Rescue 1122 Director General Dr Abid Shaikh told Dawn.com the fire erupted in the huts under the bridge at around 6pm. He said initially one fire tender was sent to the location but after the department realised the gravity of the situation, more were dispatched. Eleven fire tenders worked at the spot to bring the flames under control. No casualty or injury has been reported so far. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash Baloch Yekjehti Committee (BYC) has announced it will start protesting in front of the United Nations (UN) offices to press their demand for the recovery of missing persons after their seven-day ultimatum given to the Pakistan government ended on Wednesday. She also expressed gratitude to the judiciary for restraining the Islamabad police and capital administration from taking any action against their protest camp outside the National Press Club. Talking to Dawn, Dr Mahrang Baloch criticised the Islamabad police for profiling the participants as well as visitors to their camp. Nobody has sought security from the police, but their large presence is only to intimidate the participants of the protest camp, she said, adding that, they cannot scare us now after the directives of the courts. Pakistan's Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, who appeared to be visibly irked, on Monday said those supporting Baloch protest should join the 'Baloch militants'. Advocates of terrorists in Balochistan should go and join them if they are convinced on the veracity of their issue and fight the state along with them, so that we know where they stand and how to deal with them, he was quoted as saying by Dawn News during a press conference, alluding to rights activists and journalists standing with the Baloch marchers. Pakistan police allegedly used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters in Islamabad last month. The protesters demonstrated against alleged enforced disappearances of men in Balochistan province. Jeffrey Epstein killed himself in 2019 while awaiting trial in sex trafficking cases. (Photo courtesy: wikipedia.org) New York: A US court Wednesday publicly released a fresh batch of documents related to notorious sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, who committed suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial, media reports said. A judge directed the disclosure of records in connection with a legal matter linked to Ghislaine Maxwell, an associate of Epstein, reported AP. These records pertain to a resolved case brought by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, an American woman who alleged sexual abuse by Epstein when she was a minor, and that he was aided by Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former girlfriend, as per CNN's report. According to CNN, attorneys for Ghislaine Maxwell said in a statement on Wednesday: She has consistently and vehemently maintained her innocence. The records include portions of depositions from both Maxwell and Virginia Roberts Giuffre. The documents include a deposition from Johanna Sjoberg, who recounted an incident in which Prince Andrew, in a joking manner, touched her breast while taking photographs, according to the report. The groping accusation included in the documents has been denied by Prince Andrew. Former US presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump are also named, though neither is accused of illegality. Following his conviction, some well-known acquaintances distanced themselves from Epstein, including former presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump. However, many others did not sever ties. Epstein remained in social circles with prominent people for another decade, frequently engaging with the wealthy and famous, often through philanthropic endeavours, according to the AP report. However, more documents in the case are expected to be released in the coming days. Of more than 100 people named, some are accused of wrongdoing, while others in the court records are making allegations or are potential witnesses, reported BBC. The legal documents underscore the influential social network associated with Epstein, who pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2009. The initial batch of the filings, revealed following a December 18 court order, are expected to be followed by more in the upcoming weeks. It is noteworthy that the initial set does not seem to contain any bombshell revelations. Epstein was known for associating with celebrities, politicians, billionaires and academic stars. The first 40 documents, of around 250 expected to eventually be unsealed, largely mention figures whose names were already known, including high-profile friends of Epsteins and accusers who have spoken publicly, AP reported. A millionaire known for associating with celebrities, politicians, billionaires and academic stars, Epstein was initially arrested in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2005 after he was accused of paying a 14-year-old girl for sex, according to the AP report. Photo Courtesy: Pixabay Unknown attackers shot dead an imam outside a mosque in Newark city of the US on Wednesday. Police are hunting for those behind the killing of the imam. The motive of the attack is still not known. According to reports, Imam Hassan Sharif was shot outside the Masjid Muhammad-Newark just before the dawn prayer. He died later in the hospital. It does not appear that the Imam was a victim of a biased crime or that this is related to terrorism, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II said at a Wednesday news conference as quoted by CNN. Reacting to the incident, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka posted on X: "I mourn the death of Imam Hassan Sharif and know any expression of condolence and comfort for his family and loved ones is inadequate. Our hearts are broken." The killing comes amid increasing reports of threats, violence and hate speech against Muslim and Jewish Americans since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October. The increase has had Muslims on high alert, reported CNN. Jyothika made her long-awaited return to Malayalam cinema with the release of Kaathal - The Core, which starred Mammootty in the title role. The movie was highly received by critics when it debuted in theaters on November 23, 2023. Mammootty plays a closeted gay guy in Kaathal - The Core who is compelled to come out and learn the value of self-acceptance after his wife Omana (Jyothika) files for divorce. In addition to starring RS Panickar, Pooja Mohanraj, and Sudhi Kozhikode, the film is directed by Jeo Baby. The movie has finally arrived on OTT. Imdb Where To Watch Kaathal - The Core? The movies streaming partner is Amazon Prime Video. When To Watch Kaathal - The Core? The movie Kaathal - The Core will be available on rent from 5th January 2024. Imdb Jyothika Is All Praise For Mammootty I have acted with most of the South Indian superstars. But I cant help but say that Mammootty is the real superstar. When I met him for the first time when he went to act in Kaathal, I asked, Sir, how did you choose such a role? Mammootty replied, Who is the real hero? A real hero should not be someone who just goes and beats up villains, does action or acts in romantic scenes, but also solves problems and fills gaps. Siddharth agreed with Jyotika and said, "Specifically, Mammuka's last two years and the choices he's making are just mind-bending. He's just leaving vanity and ego at the door. It's unbelievable what he's doing. With 'Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam' and 'Kaathal' to this year - it's amazing to play and the curiosity he has in discovering a new character is unmatched." Imdb Mammoottys Upcoming Projects Yatra 2 will feature Mammootty next. The late chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy will be portrayed by Mammootty, while Jiiva will play his son, YS Jagan. Mahi V Raghav is the director. Yatra 2 is set to release on February 8, 2024, the same day as Yatra was released five years prior, on February 8, 2019, and is produced by Shiva Meka in collaboration with Three Autumn Leaves and V Celluloid. (To read more such stories related to movies and shows released on OTTs, keep reading Indiatimes BINGE) "Gym se seedha mandap par aa gaye jiju!" A lot of people poked fun at Aamir Khan's son-in-law Nupur Shikhare's wedding outfit. Wearing shorts and Ganji, he first jogged 8 km to the wedding venue, arrived at his Baraat with a dhol around his neck, danced his heart out, and had a ball in his comfy clothes at his wedding. But why did he wear shorts and Ganji? #WATCH | Actor Aamir Khan attends daughter Ira Khan & Nupur Shikhare wedding reception at Taj Lands End, Bandra in Mumbai. The couple solemnized their relationship via a registered marriage. pic.twitter.com/qsaQe0JDPy ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2024 Nupur is a fitness trainer who has trained celebrities like Aamir Khan and Sushmita Sen. Wearing athleisure, he also jogged 8 km to reach the wedding venue. He also sat down to sign the marriage documents in the same clothes. However, changed later into traditional attire as the newlyweds posed for the papparazi. How did his wife Ira react to his wedding attire? In one of the videos doing the rounds, Ira takes the microphone and quips, "He's going to go shower, goodbye." Everyone burst into laughter at this. After exchanging wedding vows, Ira shared a picture of herself with hubby Nupur Shikhare, which looked like a fresh morning photo. What caught the eye of social media users is Iras Bride to be headband, which she kept flaunting from the day of her wedding. In the image she dropped today, she slashed to be with just the bride lettering getting visible. Ira can be seen in a towel gown. At the wedding, Aamir opted for a cream-coloured sherwani and a pink turban. Aamirs first wife, Reena Dutta, his ex-wife, Kiran Rao and his sons, Junaid Khan and Azad, also posed for family pictures. Nupur's mother Pritam Shikhare, who is a trained Kathak dancer, also posed with them. Reportedly, Nupur and Ira met during the COVID-19 lockdown when Nupur was training Aamir Khan and Ira was living with her father. The duo had an engagement party in November last year. Also, a grand wedding function has been planned in Udaipur on January 8. The couple, along with their families, will head to Udaipur soon. This will reportedly be followed by another wedding reception on January 13 in Mumbai. (With inputs from ANI) For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. The JEE-Main 2024 examination is being made cheat-safe. Now, candidates appearing for the engineering entrance exam will have to undergo frisking and biometric attendance after toilet breaks as well, according to National Testing Agency (NTA) officials. This is being done to ensure zero incidents of cheating. Jee Main Aim to make exam foolproof "The move is aimed at ensuring there are no cases of use of unfair means or proxy attendance. We have strict mechanisms in place already, but the idea is to make the exam completely foolproof to ensure there are zero incidents," NTA Director Subodh Kumar Singh said. Not just students but also officials, observers, staff members and even those serving refreshments will have to undergo the same process of frisking and biometric attendance. At present, aspirants are screened at the entry and biometric attendance is also recorded there. "The same process will be extended to other exams as well in the longer run," Singh added. Representative image From Whatsapp sharing to hacking software: I nstances of cheating in JEE Exam Five students were caught cheating in the JEE Advanced 2023 exam held in June 2023. Reportedly, the students carried their smartphones into the exam centre. Among the five, two were caught clicking screenshots of the questions from the computer screen and sharing them via WhatsApp. The students had hidden the phones in their innerwear while the candidate who took the Secunderabad exam had hidden the phone in his shoe, police said. Cases were registered against the students in different police stations on charges of cheating and other sections under the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Telangana Public Examination (Prevention of Malpractice and Unfair Means) Act. In 2022, CBI arrested a Russian national, Mikhail Shargin, for hacking the JEE Main 2021 examination software and allegedly aiding 820 students to cheat. The probe had revealed that "remote access" was provided from an exam centre in Sonepat, Haryana. iStock When is JEE Main 2024? The JEE Main 2024 Computer-Based Test (CBT) will be conducted from January 24 to February 1, and the results will be announced on February 12. The JEE (Main)-2024 will be conducted in 13 languages - English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. This year, the NTA has received a record 12.3 lakh registrations for the exam. The second edition of the bi-annual exam will be conducted in April, from April 1 to April 15, 2024. The Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) Main is the screening test for admissions to centrally-funded technical institutions such as NITs and IITs. The top 20 per cent of the merit list becomes eligible to sit for the JEE (Advanced), the entrance test for Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). For more information on exams, results and careers, please visit Indiatimes Education. The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the plea filed by Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national arrested in the Czech Republic in connection with an alleged assassination plot targeting Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of Sikhs for Justice. The SC said it is a sensitive matter, and the Government of India will decide how to go about it. BCCL What Supreme Court said "Considering the public international law and comity of courts, we can't intervene," the SC said. "There is nothing much we can do. You are entitled for consular access under the Vienna convention, which you have already got," the bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta said. The bench told senior advocate CA Sundaram, appearing for the kin of Gupta, that this court should respect the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the foreign court and law of that land and, therefore, it cannot go into the merit of the matter. "We will not allow you to speak anything about the foreign court," the bench said. FREEPIK What Gupta's family sought A habeas corpus plea was filed in the SC last month by his family, on Gupta's behalf, asking for the Indian government to intervene in extradition proceedings initiated by the US. The plea had alleged that Gupta was not allowed to contact his family and that despite being a vegetarian, he was only being provided with beef and pork in jail. India has no jurisdiction: Czech Justice Ministry The Czech Justice Ministry, which rejected the allegations, had also said that India's judicial authorities have "no jurisdiction" in the case. "Any judicial authorities of the Republic of India have no jurisdiction in the matter in question; the case is under the jurisdiction of the competent authorities of the Czech Republic," Czech justice ministry spokesperson Vladimir Repka told PTI last month. REUTERS Charges against Nikhil Gupta 52-year-old Gupta, who lives in India, was arrested by authorities in the Czech Republic on June 30 at the Prague Airport under US extradition orders. He has been indicted in a murder-for-hire case by the US Justice Department. He is accused of hiring a hitman to kill a New York-based Indian-origin US citizen. Though Gupta's intended target's name has not been officially revealed, it is assumed to be Pannun, the founder of SFJ, who is declared a terrorist by India. BCCL It was alleged that Gupta was an associate of a senior Indian government employee with responsibilities in "security management" and "intelligence" and is said to have previously served in India's Central Reserve Police Force. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shared pictures of his visit to the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, where he enjoyed the culture and experienced the island archipelago's breathtaking beauty. "Recently, I had the opportunity to be among the people of Lakshadweep. I am still in awe of the stunning beauty of its islands and the incredible warmth of its people. I had the opportunity to interact with people in Agatti, Bangaram and Kavaratti. I thank the people of the islands for their hospitality. Here are some glimpses, including aerial glimpses from Lakshadweep," PM Modi said. Narendra Modi PM Modi goes Snorkelling "During my stay, I also tried snorkelling - what an exhilarating experience it was! For those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them, Lakshadweep has to be on your list," Modi added. Recently, I had the opportunity to be among the people of Lakshadweep. I am still in awe of the stunning beauty of its islands and the incredible warmth of its people. I had the opportunity to interact with people in Agatti, Bangaram and Kavaratti. I thank the people of the pic.twitter.com/tYW5Cvgi8N Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 4, 2024 Sharing a photograph of him seated on a beach, the PM said, "And those early morning walks along the pristine beaches were also moments of pure bliss." For those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them, Lakshadweep has to be on your list. During my stay, I also tried snorkelling - what an exhilarating experience it was! pic.twitter.com/rikUTGlFN7 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 4, 2024 Lakshadweep's tranquillity is mesmerising "In addition to the scenic beauty, Lakshadweep's tranquillity is also mesmerising," the Prime Minister posted. Narendra Modi "It gave me an opportunity to reflect on how to work even harder for the welfare of 140 crore Indians," PM Modi captioned one of his posts. The PM said that Lakshadweep is not just a group of islands; it is a timeless legacy of traditions and a testament to the spirit of its people. "My visit has been an enriching journey of learning and growing," PM Modi said. And those early morning walks along the pristine beaches were also moments of pure bliss. pic.twitter.com/soQEIHBRKj Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 4, 2024 Uplift lives through enhanced development He also said that his government's focus is to uplift lives through enhanced development. "Our focus in Lakshadweep is to uplift lives through enhanced development. In addition to creating futuristic infrastructure, it is also about creating opportunities for better healthcare, faster internet and drinking water, while protecting as well celebrating the vibrant local culture. The projects that were inaugurated reflect this spirit," the PM said. The PM also shared photos taken during his interaction with the beneficiaries of various government schemes. "Had excellent interactions with the beneficiaries of various government schemes. It's inspiring to see firsthand how these initiatives are fostering better health, self-reliance, women's empowerment, improved agricultural practices and more. The life journeys I heard were truly moving," he said. Narendra Modi The PM also met Ali Manikfan, a self-taught multi-discipline expert from Lakshadweep who was awarded the Padma Shree in 2021. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Dozens of previously sealed court documents related to Jeffrey Epstein were made public late Wednesday, as a court released more records from a years-old lawsuit connected to the late financier. maxwell A court in New York decided to expose the names associated with the notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The names constitute 170 illustrious individuals from various walks of life. The first 40 documents, of around 250 expected to be unsealed eventually, primarily mention figures whose names were already known, including high-profile friends of Epstein's and victims who have spoken publicly. The names include bigwigs from the world of politics, science, and business. Names such as former US Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, as well as Stephen Hawking, have come up during the investigation. Bigwigs in Epstein's files Bill Clinton The former US President has been named 'Doe 36' several times (about 50 times) in the documents. Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's victims, claimed that Clinton visited Epstein's private island with two young women. Although the politician denied the claims, flight records have shown that he had used Epstein's plane to travel to places such as Paris, Bangkok, and Brunei. Johanna Sjoberg, another Epstein victim, in her 2016 deposition, recounted Epstein's claim that "Clinton likes them young." AP Photo/ Evan Vucci Stephen Hawking An email from Epstein to his paramour, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell shows that the late financier offered huge rewards to Giuffre's friends to silence her claims of the late British scientist Stephen Hawkings participating in an orgy in 2006. "You can issue a reward to any of Virginia's friends, acquaints, family that come forward and help prove her allegations are false. The strongest is the Clinton dinner, and the new version in the Virgin Islands that Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy," read the email, as per the Irish News. However, another revelation from the documents has claimed that the late scientist did not participate in the underage orgy. However, he was a guest at a conference on the island. The event was sponsored by Epstein. Michael Jackson As per the documents, Sjoberg also claimed that she met late pop icon Michael Jackson and illusionist David Copperfield in Epstein's house in Palm Beach, however, she denied giving Jackson a massage. Michael Jackson Prince Andrew Prince Andrew, a member of the British Royal family, is also among the accused. Giuffre claimed she was trafficked to Prince Andrew in March 2001. Some of the documents were shared with the public after US District Judge Loretta Preska ruled that there is no legal basis for maintaining the confidentiality of the names mentioned in the Epstein files last month. The documents are part of a lawsuit filed in 2015 by Giuffre. She claimed that the late financier hired her as a massage therapist when she was 17 and sexually abused her. She was also made to service several men in Epstein's orbit. Who is Jeffrey Epstein? A millionaire known for associating with celebrities, politicians, billionaires and academic stars, Epstein was initially arrested in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2005 after he was accused of paying a 14-year-old girl for sex. Dozens of other underage girls described similar sexual abuse, but prosecutors ultimately allowed the financier to plead guilty in 2008 to a charge involving a single victim. He served 13 months in a jail work-release program. Some famous acquaintances abandoned Epstein after his conviction, including former presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, but many did not. Ghislaine Maxwell and her former boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein in an undated photo Epstein continued to mingle with the rich and famous for another decade, often through philanthropic work. Reporting by the Miami Herald renewed interest in the scandal, and federal prosecutors in New York charged Epstein in 2019 with sex trafficking. He killed himself in jail while awaiting trial. The U.S. attorney in Manhattan then prosecuted Epstein's former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, for helping recruit his underage victims. She was convicted in 2021 and is serving a 20-year prison term. For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Protest to Demand a San Jose Palestine Resolution Date: Sunday, January 07, 2024 Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Event Type: Protest Organizer/Author: FRSO San Jose Email: Location Details: San Jose City Hall courtyard 200 E Santa Clara St San Jose, CA 95113 As the San Jose City Council prepares to return to session after their holiday break, let's remind them that the people of San Jose still demand a resolution for Palestine. We have not forgotten and we will not rest until they pass a resolution! Meet at San Jose City Hall this Sunday, January 7 at 1pm for a rally including speeches, chanting, and more. Family friendly, please share widely! In conjunction with the U.S. Palestinian Community Network national week of action for Palestine. Popular Nigerian Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has vowed to ensure that the soldier who was arrested by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu over road traffic offence is prosecuted. Recall that the Governor, on Tuesday, was spotted in a viral video, ordering security men to arrest some Okada riders plying one-way along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the soldier was heard telling the Sanwo-Olu that he is an officer. Speaking during an interview, on Channels Television, Falana stated that men of the armed forces in the country often see themselves as above the law. READ MORE: Useless Boy Sanwo-Olu Orders Arrest Of Soldier Plying One-Way (VIDEO) The lawyer, on Wednesday, added that military officers believe that the country is still under the military dictatorship, saying that Nigeria should be a country where there is a rule of law and there must be equality before the law. He said: In our country, men of the armed forces believe, as if were still under the military dictatorship, that theyre above the law. Were even lucky there was no unfortunate incident. Last year August, some policemen were controlling the traffic around Ojo and because vehicles were stopped, soldiers came from one of the vehicles and pounced on one of the police officers and an inspector was killed in the process. Others were injured and detained in the barrack. Even to release the soldiers for investigation was problematic. It was the same thing in the case of Wadume, where a captain led soldiers to attack three policemen and killed them who had come to arrest a very dangerous criminal and what happened? Soldiers were even charged but a former Attorney-General Malami withdrew the case from the court that the soldiers will try them. These guys have been promoted. So, we must run a country where there is rule of law and there must be equality before the law and Im going to ensure that we get the human rights community to pressurise the Lagos State Government to have that soldier tried. Femi Falana, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has faulted Chief of Army Staff Taoreed Lagbajas opposition on citizens bearing of arms to defend themselves. Following the violent attacks in Plateau State during yuletide last year in which over 200 persons were killed, there have been calls for the government to allow citizens carry arms for self defense. However, Lagbaja rebuffed the agitation, saying granting such request was a recipe for anarchy. I do not support that. I think that is a call for anarchy, the Army chief said on Sunday during a chat on Channels Television. Reacting to Lagbaras position, Falana says the Nigerian constitution backed acquisition of firearms by the citizens. Speaking on Wednesday during the Sunrise Breakfast show on Channels Television, Falana said the laws in both North and South recognised right to self defense. In the first place, it is not correct to say Nigerians have no right to bear arms. Apart from the fact that the penal code applicable in the North and the criminal code applicable in the South recognises the right to self-defence. READ ALSO: Speak Out Against APCs Reckless, Anti-Democratic Policies PDP To Nigerians In New Years Message In the first place, we have to discuss the rights and proceed to examine the propriety. In other words, if someone aims a gun at me, and I can quickly grab another gun, I have the right to shoot, he stated. Asked to clarify if the law allows for one to bear guns, the human rights lawyer replied in the affirmative, noting that one needs a gun licence. But you are required to apply for the licence first, he said. However, Falana sounded a note of caution as regards what the constitution mandates when it comes to self-defense. I am just saying the right to self-defence which is also guaranteed by the constitution. All I am not allowed to do is not use a force that is not proportional to the threat. In other words, If you are going to hit me with a cane I must not go for a gun which is not proportional, he added. Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Kano State have arrested one Chidera Ugwu, 24, an alleged fake medical doctor who specializes in aborting unwanted pregnancy. Spokesman of the State Command, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa disclosed this in a statement to newsmen. According to him, on 20/12/2023 at about 1030hrs, the police received complaint from one Nura Balarabe of Tofa LGA Kano that one Ukasha Muhammed of Langel Village Tofa LGA Kano impregnated his 19-year-old sister and conspired with Chidera Ugwu and injected her to death. READ ALSO: The Last Money You Sent To Me For Our Sons Feeding Was 3 Months Ago Portables Babymama Queries Singer Over Romantic Affair With Koko Zaria He said the suspects administered injections and drugs to the girl with intent to cause miscarriage which resulted in her death. The suspects were arrested and confessed to the crime. Investigations revealed that the said Chidera Ugwu is a fake doctor and has allegedly been administering fatal injections to pregnant women, leading to tragic consequences, he added. Kiyawa said the arrest was part of the commands ongoing efforts to safeguard the lives and well-being of all the residents of the State. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says the brunt of the debt burden that have crippled Nigerias economy, would be bore by the coming generations who would have no option but to pay. He stated this via a Wednesday statement by his Media Aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, while speaking on the incompetent mismanagement of the countrys resources that has made the nation ensnared in a destructive debt trap. According to the statement, the elder statesman spoke during an engagement with 2023 awardees of the Future Africa Leaders Foundation, an initiative of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of the Christ Embassy Church. Obasanjo during his administration as the President in 2003, secured a debt relief for Nigeria likewise his counterpart from Algeria at the same period. He, however, asserted that with the recklessness and mismanagement of the previous debts written off for the country, it would be almost impossible for any administration to get similar gesture in the continent. READ ALSO: Tinubu Is Walking The Talk APC Tackles PDP Over Comments On Tinubus 2024 Message Debts, he said, were a trap that no individual or nation should fall into as it constitutes an albatross on any economy. The former President disclosed that leadership was the number one problem facing the continent. He said the coming generations will have no choice but pay the current debt being incurred by different countries in the continent. Highlighting the qualities a leader during the questions and anwers session, Obasanjo said, a leader should be able to set good examples, being bold and courageous when making decisions, accepting mistakes and learning from them as well as having a realistic dream He hailed Pastor Oyakhilome for the efforts being put into building leaders, adding that the nation needed more people like him to address the leadership deficit facing the continent. No fewer than three persons were killed while six others sustained degrees of injuries in a separate accidents which occurred around the J4 junction of Ijebu Ode-Benin expressway on Wednesday. According to PUNCH, the first accident involved a Chevrolet car with number plate AGL 254 HF and another car without a registration number, including a Bajaj motorcycle, reportedly happened around 8.55am, claiming one life. The injured was said to have been taken to a clinic in Ijebu Ode while the body of the deceased was deposited at the General Hospital, Ijebu Ode. However, the second accident reportedly occurred around midday a few metres after the J4 Junction, involving a Toyota Sienna car with number plate LSD 315 FU and a Honda Accord car with number plate ENU 04 GO, said to have claimed two people instantly while five others were injured. Confirming the horrible incident to the public, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Florence Okpe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday. READ MORE: Three Inmates Escape From Ogun Correctional Centre The statement partly reads: The first crash occurred at about 0855 hrs around J4 junction involving two vehicles with registration number AGL254HF Chevrolet and the second vehicle with no registration number on it, a Boxer Bajaj motorcycle A total of four persons were involved (three male adults and one female adult) one person was injured, one female adult was killed and two persons were unhurt The suspected cause of the crash was excessive speed and the vehicle veered off the road. The injured victim was taken to Hope Clinic while the corpse was deposited at the General Hospital Ijebu-ode morgue. The second crash occurred at about 1200 hrs few metres after J4, 13 persons were involved in the crash which comprised of ( six male adults, five female adults and two male children). Five persons were injured and six persons were unhurt. Two persons were recorded dead from the crash ( two female adults). Kenneth Okonkwo, a former spokesman for the Labour Party (LP) has posited that the actions of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, indicate that his Party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is no longer significant in Nigerian politics. He stated this in relation to Wikes position in the administration of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC). The LP chieftain made this statement in an interview with Arise Television following a comment by the LP presidential candidate in the 2023 polls, Peter Obi. Obi had recently said that his Party would continue to cement its new role as the countrys main opposition party. To safeguard Nigerian interests, Obi said, the Labour Party will stay solidly in opposition and keep the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) on its toes. Emphasising Obis comments, Okonkwo said that given that the LP was the only opposition with a strong agenda ahead of the 2023 general elections and its winning of 25% in all the six geopolitical zones, it had cemented its opposition as the main opposition party. Following Obis remarks, Okonkwo emphasized that the LP had solidified its place as the primary opposition party since it was the only opposition with a coherent platform ahead the elections in 2023 and had achieved a 25% victory in each of the six geographical zones. READ ALSO: Aregbesola Can Never Lead Any Political System In Osun Lasun Yusuf He said: To take you back to the time of the campaigns, you may remember that Peter Obi was the only person who crafted the seven-point agenda that all the other parties were copying from, albeit doing a terrible job at it. You may remember he was the one who came out as a candidate and defended his agenda which included security and uniting the country. If you checked all these people (the presidential candidates), you would realize that they were simply copying from him without learning the routes he wanted to achieve those things. Apart from knowing exactly what he wanted, he had the commensurate competence, capacity, and character to thrive, which are lacking in the other candidates. So thats why hes now saying we are the main opposition party. So he has earned the accolade of being the main opposition leader. And I will tell you that he will do it effectively well pending when Nigeria would realize the dream of a new nation through him. And in all honesty, PDP is not in existence in the political realm of Nigeria. Because lets take an example of what is happening in the PDP. A presidential aspirant of the PDP (Wike) who was the first runner-up during the presidential primary election of the party, and who vowed that he would never leave the party no matter what is now a minister in the APC, telling you that PDP has been absorbed by the APC. People watched early New Year's Eve fireworks from Penn Treaty Park in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, some revelers were left disappointed when they learned they had purchased tickets for a bar crawl that wasn't happening. Read more Madeleine Coutts was looking forward to barhopping with friends for New Years Eve. The 23-year-old Fairmount resident and her friends were eager to participate in the Philadelphia NYE Bar Crawl event, which they had found through a Google search and seen in Facebook posts. The Eventbrite page, managed by a group called NYE Bar Crawls, said their tickets included free entry to at least six bars and other perks. But when the group showed up at Misconduct Tavern to check in, the security guard told them the organizers didnt show up, so there is no bar crawl. Theres nothing we can do about it, said Coutts, a teacher. She and her friends, some of whom paid around $60 per ticket, all lost that money. Coutts and her friends were surprised because theyd been in contact with a man who identified himself as Chris with a Massachusetts phone number and told them he was an event organizer, she said. He gave them a code, she said, that reduced the price to less than $35 a person after fees, according to email confirmation. Advertisement I wasnt worried about the crawls legitimacy, Coutts said. The organizers were supposed to be there and give you a wristband. After being turned away from the bar, she said, they tried to contact Chris. The calls went unanswered and then their phone numbers were blocked. Coutts experience is just one recent example of consumers across the country who say they bought online tickets to a crawl that either didnt happen or didnt provide participants with what was advertised. Its also not the first time consumers and bar owners have voiced concerns about New Years crawls run by NYE Bar Crawls on Eventbrite. Last year in Raleigh, N.C., bar owners told the local NBC affiliate that event organizers became unreachable on New Years Eve, leaving hundreds of ticket holders out about $70 each for an event that wasnt happening. Meanwhile, bar owners in Birmingham, Ala., told the Fox station there that they had never spoken with the organizers, which they said seemed to be duplicating an existing bar crawl. This year, a crawl organizer told St. Louis Fox network that the event was canceled after a longtime bar owner questioned its legitimacy. When reached by The Inquirer on Tuesday, Chris, who declined to give a last name, denied organizing the crawl but said he was affiliated with it. He said that he was trying to figure out exactly what went down in Philadelphia on New Years Eve. He did not provide contact information for crawl organizers or affiliates, and emails to an address listed on the event page have gone unanswered. The allure of the bar crawl The crawl was billed as PHILADELPHIAS #1 NYE BAR CRAWL THE LAST 8 YEARS on its event page. The same wording was used to describe other NYE Bar Crawl events in other cities. In Philadelphia this year, participants were promised no cover charge at Misconduct, Drinkers Pub, Pulse Nightclub, Raven Lounge, A Bar, and Fados, (a misspelling of popular Irish bar Fado). Along with drink vouchers and an appetizer buffet, revelers would get food and drink specials, a champagne toast, access to a photo booth and other backdrops, live music/karaoke, and VIP viewing of ball drop, the page read. Groups of 10 to 45 people could get free shuttle or limo service, according to the page. Coutts said her group inquired about that via email and then were told the limo was full but were provided a few ticket discount codes instead. The page also featured a warning: This is a VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE PLEASE READ: The last few years we have had fraud companies from out of state copying our event descriptions and listing false events for their own gain. Last year in the pouring rain we had people walking in to check-in and being turned away at the door for having a different ticket purchased that never existed thus ruining hundreds of peoples New Years Eve! We have worked directly with every bar owner listed below for over 10+ years directly and any other event on NYE is not affiliated with us or these venues. Eventbrite prompts organizers to set their own refund policies. However, they require organizers to provide refunds, regardless of their policy, if an event is canceled or otherwise not fully performed. The refund policy set by NYE Bar Crawl: Contact the organizer. Coutts says she and her friends have reached out numerous times via phone and email and have received no response. The last her group heard from the crawl organizers was an automated email message sent through Eventbrite earlier on Dec. 31: We have a staff member with COVID and are looking for 2 people to help with staffing? free tickets. Drinks, food provided please dm if interested. Eventbrite said in a statement that it will review the event and take applicable actions if the event is determined unauthorized or significantly not as described per our terms of service. A complete mess At Drinkers Pub in Rittenhouse, owner Joseph Crouse said he worked with NYE Bar Crawls for at least the last two years and had issues each year. Crouses contact with NYE Bar Crawls was also a man named Chris, whom he reached at the same Massachusetts number on which Coutts friends had talked to him. This year, Crouse said he declined invitations to participate in the event organized by NYE Bar Crawl. Last year, it was a complete mess, Crouse said. Neither Chris, nor anyone else associated with the event showed up on New Years Eve at Drinkers. Crouse declined to work with NYE this year and said he was upset when he saw Drinkers listed as one of the participating bars on the Eventbrite page anyway. By 8 New Years Eve, Crouse said, the line for Drinkers stretched down the block. When space allowed, security let in customers who had signed up for the bars own event and for three citywide bar crawls organized by upcomingevents.com, pubcrawls.com, and Barcrawlerz, groups with which Crouse said he always has good experiences. But Crouse said there were also people showing up for bar crawls for which Drinkers had never authorized participation. They were aggravated its New Years Eve, youre trying to go out somewhere, Crouse said. I feel bad for the people. That messed up their night. A few blocks away, similar frustration was brewing at Fado, where general manager Dani Corbett had agreed to take part in the NYE Bar Crawls event with specific parameters. We had an event for later in the evening, so we only agreed to participate in the afternoon, Corbett said in a statement. We would not agree to let anyone skip the line or skip the cover charge. Fado management approved a flier for the NYE Bar Crawls event that conveyed that information, Corbett said. But on New Years Eve, customers who arrived at the bar werent showing that flier. The Eventbrite page listed the start time as 6 p.m. and advertised Fados as one of the bars where ticket holders would not have to pay cover. Over the past five years, these crawls were always declined because of past issues, Corbett said. I think its fair to say that we wont be participating in the future due to the miscommunications from the organizers. A damper on their night Isabella DUrso, 25, of Northern Liberties, was among those in line at Drinkers as the clock ticked toward midnight. She had bought passes through Crave Tickets to a Philly NYE Bar Crawl, an event that Crouse said he had never seen before despite his bar, Drinkers, being listed as the check-in location. After fees, DUrso had paid $37 for her ticket, which she had gotten a week earlier with an early bird discount, according to her emailed ticket confirmation. On New Years Eve, DUrso got tired of waiting and went to Pulse Nightclub, which was listed on the event page as a place where they could redeem drink tickets with their VIP passes. Staff at Pulse told the group they couldnt provide them drink vouchers, so DUrso and her friends ending up buying their own drinks. Im very upset that we ended up having to spend $100 each on drinks when we had already paid for an event that we got nothing out of it, said DUrso, a nurse. I basically threw $30 away. I dont know if it was a scam, or if it was just a miscommunication and badly organized. Im just really disappointed. Education advocates have come up with a plan to fix's Pennsylvania's unconstitutional education funding system, and attached a $6.2 billion pricetag to it. They say the state should ramp up to adequacy over five years. Read more Education advocates on Thursday laid out a plan to fix Pennsylvanias unconstitutional school-funding system, and attached a price tag: $6.2 billion. A group of activists detailed their plan Thursday in advance of next weeks anticipated release of a state Basic Education Funding Commission report. That report, the product of months of testimony before lawmakers, is expected to issue recommendations for a path forward following last years Commonwealth Court ruling that Pennsylvanias school funding system is unconstitutional. Donna Cooper, executive director of Children First, which is part of the Pennsylvania Schools Work Coalition that issued the plan, said a historic opportunity is in front of Gov. Josh Shapiro, who has said his next budget plan, due in February, will include a broader remedy to the funding system, which a Commonwealth Court judge said shortchanged poorer districts and did not adequately account for student needs. We know and hope that he agrees with us that this is the right time this year to right the unconstitutional wrong, Cooper said of Shapiro at Thursdays news conference. Advertisement The advocates plan sent to Harrisburg in December could inform the Basic Education Funding Commission report, but lawmakers have been charged with coming up with their own fixes and are under no obligation to adopt any part of the activists roadmap. A constitutional shortfall fund In addition to regular education funding, the coalition said, the state should create a constitutional shortfall fund of the $6.2 billion, a figure calculated this fall by a Penn State professor who served as an expert witness for the plaintiffs during the 2021 trial and analyzed how much school districts need to spend to adequately educate students. That sum would be distributed over five years, with allocations made based on each districts adequacy shortfall. READ MORE: See how much money your school district has for students In the next budget cycle, Pennsylvania ought to start with $2 billion in the constitutional shortfall fund. That money would be distributed to districts proportionally based on their constitutional shortfall as determined by the states own measures, the advocates said. Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg, a Public Interest Law Center of Pennsylvania lawyer who represented plaintiffs in the education-funding trial, said the state should evaluate all educational needs basic education funding, special education, facilities, career and technical education, and pre-kindergarten develop a formula to determine how much each school district needs to come into constitutional compliance, and meet adequacy targets over a period of five years. Districts must be made whole, Urevick-Ackelsberg said. Even if its not in one year, it cant be in 10, said Urevick-Ackelsberg. According to the advocates suggested formula, the William Penn School District in Delaware County, which was a plaintiff in the funding suit, has a state-funding shortfall of about $20 million, and would receive $6.2 million in additional state money next year. The larger Allentown School District, in Lehigh County, has a $203 million gap, and would get $65 million beyond its regular state funding next year. While Pennsylvania currently has a funding formula that steers additional money toward needier school districts, it only applies to a portion of what the state spends on education, reducing its impact. We are prepared to go back to court Though Commonwealth Court ordered the legislature to fix Pennsylvanias funding system, the process figures to be a bumpy path in a divided General Assembly. Deborah Gordon Klehr, executive director of the Education Law Center and a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, said she and others will be watching. We are prepared to go back to court, Gordon Klehr said. We cannot accept a plan that is politically convenient but fails our students. The advocates said there is broad support statewide for funneling more money into public schools. They cited a survey they commissioned, which found that a majority of Pennsylvania voters believe that the quality of public education is uneven across the commonwealth and that a majority of voters no matter the gender, political affiliation, race or education level of those polled should be doing more to make sure that schools are sufficiently and equally funded. David Bowie artwork by Jonathan Mandell in the David Bowie Pop-Up Gallery and Art Sale that will be part of the Bowie Bash at the National Liberty Museum on Jan. 5 as part of Philly Loves Bowie Week. Read more David Bowie was born (in 1947) and died (in 2016) in January, and the shape-shifting British rock stars illustrious time on the planet and special relationship with Philadelphia is celebrated every winter with Philly Loves Bowie Week. This years events take place a half-century after Bowie made two albums in Philly in the space of a few months: the in-concert David Live, which captures performances from the Tower Theatre in Upper Darby, and the plastic soul studio album Young Americans, which Bowie came to Sigma Sound Studios to record. All week long, Bowie business will abound. The eight-night run brightens up what otherwise would be one of the slowest of the year for live music. It begins Friday with tribute band Candy Volcano performing at WXPN-FMs Free at Noon at World Cafe Live. Early that evening, the National Liberty Museum in Old City will host a Bowie Bash that will include a pop-up gallery and art sale, musical performances, a DJ set by John Morrison, and an opening night party for the exhibit Amplified: Art, Music, Power. Later that night, theres a Bowie Masquerade ball at Johnny Brendas with DJ Baby Berlin and DJ Jem. On Saturday, Candy Volcano billed as The Band Who Stole The World plays Ardmore Music Hall. Hazy Cosmic Jive covers David Live at Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia. Starman: The Bowie Tribute is at City Winery. And in one of the highlights of the week, the Bowie-ized version of Robert Drakes Sex Dwarf dance party happens at Broad Hall, under the Divine Lorraine Hotel. In 1978, Bowie narrated a recording of Sergei Prokofievs Peter and the Wolf with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Kathy OConnell will play it on her WXPN show Kids Corner on Monday. That night and on Tuesday, Doobies Bar owner Patti Brett, one of the original Sigma Kids who camped outside the recording studio, will screen her favorite Bowie videos while Bowie-themed beers will be served. Advertisement On Wednesday, Sara Sherrs Sing Your Life Karaoke becomes Bowieoke at MilkBoy Philly. And back at Doobies on Thursday, Brett will host Bowie Quizzo Night. The Trestle Inn hosts a Sound + Vision happy hour on Friday, Jan. 12, with deejays SoundInBetween and The Slinky Vagabond and Go Go by Farrah Fox and Prudence Farrow. And Philly Loves Bowie Week goes out with A Night of Stardust, the all-star band who will play a 25-song Bowie set at Union Transfer on Saturday, Jan. 13. Five vocalists will be featured: former Bowie back-up vocalist Emm Gryner, Go-Gos drummer Gina Schock, Jimmy Gnecco of Ours, Camille K, and Nitro Nitra. More information about Philly Loves Bowie Week at phillylovesbowie.wordpress.com. Four cases of measles have been confirmed in Philadelphia since mid-December, including among three children hospitalized at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. Read more A measles cluster that started with an infant hospitalized at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia last month has spread to at least three other unvaccinated city residents, Philadelphia health officials said Thursday. The city has confirmed four cases of measles. Two additional possible cases are under investigation. The two unconfirmed cases are among people exposed to an infected person who spent time at a day-care center in violation of quarantine orders, the Department of Public Health said. READ MORE: One in five Philadelphia newborns is not protected from measles, CHOP-Penn study finds We are seeing cases of measles that have spread to vulnerable individuals, including young children, due to people declining vaccination and also failing to adhere to quarantine recommendations, Philadelphia Health Commissioner Cheryl Bettigole said in a statement. Advertisement The department is contacting people potentially exposed to measles on the following occasions: Jefferson Health building at 33 S. Ninth St. on Dec. 19 between 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Multicultural Education Station Day Care at 6919 Castor Ave on Dec. 20 and 21. CHOP emergency department on Dec 28. In addition, the department is investigating suspected exposure at: St. Christophers Hospital for Children emergency department between the night of Dec. 30 and midafternoon Dec. 31. St. Christophers Hospital for Children inpatient unit 5 North between Dec. 31 and Jan 3. Nazareth Hospital emergency department on Dec. 31 and Jan 2. Measles is a highly infectious virus that spreads through breathing in droplets or touching infected surfaces, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The illness can be especially dangerous for children under 5, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems. An unvaccinated person exposed to measles should isolate for 21 days. The MMR vaccine provides protection against measles, mumps and rubella. People who were vaccinated are not at risk of exposure. The health department wants unvaccinated people in any of the locations identified for known or possible exposures, and who are not otherwise immune to measles, to contact their health provider as soon as possible. That includes children under 15 months who typically have not yet had the MMR vaccine. From CHOP to the community Measles symptoms initially present like a regular flu-like illness, said Ericka Hayes the medical director of infection prevention at CHOP. The rash that is characteristic to measles can appear four days after other symptoms begin. Before and after it appears, the infected patient can infect others. The measles virus stays in the air for two hours, making it very easily spread. This is why health officials require strict isolation for patients. So when CHOP admitted an infant with fever in mid-December, two days passed before the rash appeared and a measles diagnosis was confirmed. The infant was recently in a country where measles is regularly occurring. Unfortunately, adjacent roommates were infected, Hayes said. Two hospitalized children were infected: an infant too young to have been vaccinated and a child whose parents had refused to vaccinate. The older childs parents also refused medication that can prevent infection following exposure. The unvaccinated parent of the older child who was hospitalized at CHOP is the fourth confirmed case. READ MORE: Philly health officials announced a possible measles exposure at a Center City building with Jefferson Health offices In response to these measles cases, the hospital took isolation precautions and reached out to all potentially exposed people, Hayes said. It is absolutely safe to come to CHOP emergency departments and CHOP medical facilities, she said. Last month, health officials warned of a potential measles exposure at a Center City building with Jefferson Health offices, which health officials now say was related to the CHOP cluster. On Wednesday, the health department learned that a person who had been told to isolate had violated the public health requirement. What are the symptoms of measles? A measles infection can lead to respiratory failure, inflammation of the brain, and death. Before the measles vaccines was available, 400 to 500 people died of the virus each year in the United States. MMR is an extraordinarily effective vaccine in preventing measles, said Hayes, the infectious disease specialist at CHOP. READ MORE: Too many Philly kids are missing routine vaccines, putting us all at risk. Heres how to keep our city safe. | Expert Opinion In 2000, after decades of vaccination efforts, the U.S. met the World Health Organizations definition of having eliminated measles. Since then, the number of children receiving routine vaccines has decreased, especially since the start of the pandemic in 2020. Experts now worry about outbreaks of a disease that once was no longer considered a threat in the U.S. In the fall of 2022, 85 children in central Ohio were sickened with measles. Of those, 80 were unvaccinated and 36 had to be hospitalized. Last year, through Dec. 7, the CDC reported 41 cases nationally. In Philadelphia, nearly 93% of children who attended kindergarten in Philadelphia public and private schools last school year had received at least two doses of the MMR vaccine, according to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The statewide rate was 94%. For additional information about where to get children vaccinated in Philadelphia, visit the health departments website. Inspectors cited Suburban Community Hospital, shown here in file photo, for failing to staff its senior behavioral health unit and suspending the service without notifying the state. Read more Suburban Community Hospital suspended psychiatric services for seniors without notifying the state in violation of patient-safety laws, state inspectors said in a report released last week. Inspectors found the 15-bed psychiatric unit for adults aged 55 and older was empty during an Oct. 2 visit to Suburban: No staff were on duty, and the psychiatrist had resigned. Administrators told inspectors the last patient had been discharged more than two weeks earlier. State law requires hospitals to notify the state within 24 hours of any disruption to services that could compromise patient safety. The hospitals website still describes the psychiatric unit as available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. READ MORE: Nurses at Lower Bucks and Suburban Community hospitals return to work without a new contract after five-day strike Advertisement Hospital administrators told regulators they were currently, actively recruiting a new psychiatrist to lead the unit. The East Norriton hospital also planned to evaluate the need for psychiatric services for seniors at a meeting of its advisory board in early January. The hospital is expected to update the health department on its plans for geriatric behavioral health services by Jan. 18, according to the inspection report. Suburban and its owner, Prime Healthcare, have offered mixed messages to the community about its psychiatric services. Prime laid off about a dozen nurses who worked in the unit in September, but said the service was not closed and that the layoffs would not affect patient care. Geriatric psychiatry services at Suburban Community Hospital are not closing, said Michelle Aliprantis, a spokesperson for Prime, when asked about inspectors findings. Inspectors cited the hospital for failing to provide the appropriate resources for the unit, failing to formulate short- or long-term plans to develop the unit, and failing to notify the state as required by law when services are suspended. Abrupt layoffs Suburban is one of three Philadelphia-area hospitals that Prime appears to have put up for sale earlier this month. The California-based, for-profit hospital company also owns Lower Bucks Hospital in Bristol and Roxborough Hospital in Philadelphia. Roughly 240 nurses at Suburban and Lower Bucks Hospital represented by Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals went on a five-day strike late last month. Nurses said Primes decision to suspend services in the geriatric behavioral health unit without telling the state speaks to their concerns about staffing and patient safety. Carrie Walz, a nurse who worked at Suburban Community Hospital for 15 years, now worries that vulnerable seniors may not know where to get the care they need. She was laid off from the geriatric psych unit in September. Its just not fair to the community at all, she said. In September, Aliprantis described the layoffs to The Inquirer as a slight reduction in staff and said that the unit is not closed. These changes will not adversely impact patient care, she said at the time. Lori White, co-owner of Zed's Beer, samples of a beer from one of their stainless steel tanks at the brewery.. Read more The New Jersey Legislature was meeting Thursday evening to try for a second time to pass a bill that would ease restrictions on state craft breweries. The Senates budget and appropriations committee unanimously passed a similar version of the legislation on Thursday afternoon. The bill would give breweries more latitude to plan events, and to allow customers easier access to food. Removal of these unneeded restrictions for our craft brewery owners will allow them to think more creatively, find new opportunities to expand their operations, and serve their communities, said co-sponsor Sen. Linda_Greenstein (D-Middlesex/Mercer). The effort comes after Gov. Phil Murphy conditionally vetoed a craft brewery bill in November, saying he wanted to broaden the legislation because it was an opportunity to reform antiquated aspects of New Jersey liquor laws. Advertisement Legislators hope that the bills under consideration will be combined into a single piece of legislation to be presented to Murphy next week. Timing is key: A final bill has to be passed by both houses by Monday, the last day of the 2022-2023 legislative session, lobbyists and legislators said. Murphy then has until Jan. 16 to sign or veto the measure before a temporary loosening of brewery regulations is set to expire. A similar version was unanimously passed by the legislature in June, five months before Murphy issued his veto. A revised version of the legislation aims to address Murphys desire to make businesses relinquish unused liquor licenses and allow them to be repurposed to create new jobs. The governor also wanted to allow alcohol sales in mall food courts. The New Jersey craft brewing and distilling industry is growing rapidly across New Jersey, becoming a mainstay for tourists and locals alike, said Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth), a sponsor of the legislation. It only makes sense to give this industry room to grow and prosper. Eric Orlando, executive director of the Brewers Guild of New Jersey, said Thursday that hes optimistic the legislation will be adopted. Its been a long journey we thought wed already won once, he said, but seemingly in Trenton, you have to pass a bill twice to get it done. When I see the governors signature on the legislation, Ill be happy. Murphys office did not respond to a request for comment. What led to this? During the summer, while everyone waited for Murphy to sign the bill into law, breweries were granted a reprieve from following the rules from July until the end of the year. That meant being able to hold unlimited special events (trivia contests, fundraisers, open-mic nights, and the like), as well as being permitted to coordinate with food trucks so patrons could enjoy meals while drinking. But on Nov. 27, Murphy who had himself denigrated the brewery rules issued his conditional veto. Murphy wanted the bill revised to mandate businesses that hold pocket licenses liquor licenses currently not in use to relinquish them if they arent used within eight years of the bills enactment. There are roughly 1,385 pocket licenses throughout the state, ABC statistics show. Murphy aims to get the unused licenses back on the market to generate revenue and jobs. Murphy also wanted to allow malls of 500,000 feet or larger permission to sell alcohol in food courts. The Senate version of the bill addresses aspects of Murphys concerns, sources said, adding that they believed the Assembly version expected to be completed Thursday would meet similar conditions. After Christmas, brewery owners had worried that the suspended rules would be reapplied. But on Dec. 28, the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) extended the suspension until Jan. 16. The ABC did not answer requests for information. Trenton insiders had believed that legislators wouldnt come up with a new bill to present to Murphy before the legislative session ended. But it now looks as though theyre poised to do just that. Along with limiting events and regulating food trucks, state rules stipulate that anyone entering a brewery for the first time must take a mandatory brewery tour. Kitchens arent permitted on the premises; neither is coffee or Coke. No more than two televisions are allowed, each not to exceed 65 inches. Such restrictions dont apply in Pennsylvania. In one major difference, breweries can have kitchens. In fact, commonwealth law demands that food sufficient to constitute breakfast, lunch, or dinner be available in breweries, because drinking without eating hastens intoxication. The ABC initiated the regulations based on 2012 state legislation that labeled brewers as manufacturers with beer-tasting rooms not bars. The idea was to nurture breweries without siphoning business from bars and restaurants that pay $500,000 or more for liquor licenses. Brewer manufacturer licenses run from around $1,250 to $7,500. Myriam Ramirez (right) holds up a sign during a rally to raise the state and local minimum wage in Philadelphia, Pa., on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Philadelphia Councilmember Kendra Brooks (left) addresses the group. Read more In nearly half of the U.S. states, the lowest paid workers got a raise earlier this week. Pennsylvania wasnt one of them, despite attempts in the legislature last year to raise the states minimum wage. The Pennsylvania House, which has a Democratic majority, passed a bill in June that would have increased the state minimum wage from $7.25 to $11 at the start of 2024, $13 in 2025, and $15 in 2026. A similar bill was introduced in the state Senate. While that legislation did not make it to the finish line in time for an increase this month, Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, a Republican, told reporters on Tuesday that raising the minimum wage is on the table for 2024, Penn Live reported. She didnt say how high shed like to see it go. Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed a statewide minimum wage of $15 last year in his first budget address. State lawmakers from Philadelphia wanted an even greater increase, to $18. Advertisement New Jersey and Delaware are among the 22 states where minimum wage increased effective Jan. 1. In Delaware, it reached $13.25 per hour (it will go up to $15 in 2025), and in New Jersey its now $15.13. Pennsylvania is one of 20 states that hasnt exceeded the federal minimum wage of $7.25, which was set in 2009. All of the states bordering Pennsylvania have higher minimum wages. In Philadelphia, that pay level has less buying power than in other parts of the state. A study by personal finance website Smart Asset last year found that when adjusted for the cost of living in the city, Philadelphia has the fourth lowest real minimum wage. According to the Economic Policy Institute, 48 localities in the U.S. have adopted minimum wages above what their state law requires. But Philadelphia is bound by the state minimum wage. Still, local leaders have made efforts to raise pay for groups of workers in the city. In 2018, Mayor Jim Kenney signed a law requiring a gradual increase in the minimum wage for city workers, contractors, and subcontractors, which brought it up to $15 per hour in 2022. In 2021, City Council passed a wage increase for airport workers that brought their pay up to $15.06 per hour and added a benefits supplement. Even though state law doesnt require it, many employers in Pennsylvania have raised their pay above $7.25. Nearly 70% of Pennsylvania hourly workers made at least $15 per hour in 2022, according to state data, and just 2% were paid minimum wage or less. Here are the 22 states where minimum wage rose this week: West Goshen officers were called to Derek Calzadillas by his relatives, who said they hadn't heard from him in 24 hours, investigators said. Read more Police in West Goshen Township are investigating the death of two men this week in an apparent murder-suicide. Relatives of Derek Calzadillas, 41, called police on Jan. 2 to request a wellness check after their calls to him had not been returned for 24 hours, investigators said Thursday. When an officer arrived at the apartment Calzadillas rented on Hightop Road just after 4 p.m., they saw a man lying unresponsive on the floor through a window. The officers entered and identified the man as Kai OConnor, 22, who also lived at the apartment. OConnor was taken to Chester County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said. While searching the home, officers found Calzadillas dead inside a closet. How the men died remains under investigation, according to police, but prosecutors said that no guns were used in the incident. Advertisement In a statement, Chester County District Attorney Chris de-Barrena Sarobe said there was no danger to the public. Calzadillas father, John, said Thursday that his son was originally from Canton, Mich., a suburb of Detroit. He had relocated to the Philadelphia area a few years ago to work at Comcast, but had recently moved to Chester County after taking a new job. The elder Calzadillas said his ex-wife had contacted West Goshen Police after their son didnt call him or other family members back, behavior that he said was unusual for him. He was a great kid, a smart kid, Calzadillas said of his son. He was just a normal, everyday person. West Goshen Police are asking anyone with information about Calzadillas or OConnors deaths to call them 610-696-7400 or the Chester County Detectives at 610-344-6866. The Philadelphia Police Departments first diversity, equity, and inclusion officer was fired Tuesday morning, shortly before the swearing-in of Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel and Mayor Cherelle Parker, police said. Leslie Marant, who began her job in April 2022, was fired by then-acting Commissioner John M. Stanford at a 10:30 a.m. meeting, who said that Bethel would be restructuring the department and would no longer need her services, a source with knowledge of the dismissal said. Marant, 57, declined to comment. The Police Department declined to give the specific reasons for the job termination or to make Bethel and Stanford available to speak, citing department policy to not comment on personnel matters. Advertisement Under new leadership, restructuring and realignment of an organization is common, a department spokesperson, Sgt. Eric Gripp, said in a statement. We want to express our sincere gratitude to Ms. Marant for her dedicated work and professionalism during her time with the PPD. The DEI office will continue and remain active under Bethels administration, Gripp said, adding that the department would announce an interim director shortly. A national search for a permanent replacement for Marants post will be conducted, he said. As this is a Police Department personnel matter, the administration has no comment, said Joe Grace, a spokesperson for Parker. Marant was hired as part of former Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaws administration. Before her time as the departments DEI officer, Marant was former chief counsel to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, then-Commissioner Danielle Outlaw wrote in a 2022 post on X, formerly known as Twitter, announcing the appointment. Marant earned a bachelors of science in finance and human resources administration and a juris doctor and masters of law in trial advocacy from Temple University, the post said. Marant did not have law enforcement experience before starting in her role as the departments DEI officer. According to a presentation by Outlaw in April 2023 posted on the departments website, Marants role was to oversee the departments DEI efforts at every level of the organization and develop plans to ensure that the department prioritized DEI. Marant had a base salary of $170,569, according to the citys public database. Staff writer Barbara Laker contributed to this article. Adam Thiel, former Philadelphia fire commissioner and newly named managing director, listens to then-Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker announce his appointment at City Hall in Philadelphia, Pa., on Tuesday, Dec., 26, 2023. Read more Adam K. Thiel has more than 30 years of emergency management experience. He worked in four other states before becoming Phillys fire commissioner in 2016, and he also served as the director of the citys Office of Emergency Management from 2019 to 2022. But for many community advocates, the man Mayor Cherelle Parker has tapped to be her managing director and implement her vision of a cleaner, greener, safer city is a mystery. He is definitely an unknown, said the Rev. Michelle Simmons, founder and CEO of Why Not Prosper, a reentry program for women that takes a housing-first approach in providing services. That choice came way out of left field. From mystery comes doubt Simmons isnt alone in her assessment. I dont understand how a fire chief becomes the managing director. J. Jondi Harrell I didnt really know him, said J. Jondhi Harrell, founder and executive director of TCRC Community Healing Center, which sponsors some of the citys largest weekly food giveaways in West and North Philadelphia. I dont understand how a fire chief becomes the managing director. I dont know him personally, Ive just seen him out and about. But I know people who worked under him and they speak highly of him, said Tonie Willis, founder of Ardellas House, a residential program for women returning from incarceration. At her inauguration, Parker promised to install an executive team that would include the best talent in city government, across the Philadelphia region, and the country. Advertisement During her announcement, she called Thiel a big thinker and said he sees the big picture and how all of the collaboration at the federal state and local level, and how all of that collaboration is essential. Winning over critics It isnt the first time Thiel has faced questions regarding his bona fides. Thiel was deputy secretary of Virginias Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs department when then-Mayor Jim Kenney picked him to lead Philadelphias fire department, the first non-Philadelphian to ever do so. The announcement was greeted by a chorus of discontent from firefighters who opposed the hiring of an outsider. Kenney said at the time that he wanted a fresh perspective on the problems that were plaguing the fire department including reports of sexual harassment, high racial tensions, and poor emergency response times. But Thiel was replacing a Black fire commissioner, Derrick Sawyer, who had a good record and the backing of the union. Club Valiants, which represents Black professional firefighters, responded by releasing a statement, saying, While we respect the mayor exercising his prerogative to choose his own administration, we do not believe that there is justification for removing an effective leader with a stellar record. READ MORE: Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker names Philly Fire Commissioner Adam K. Thiel as her managing director From skeptics to supporters Thiel gradually won over his doubters. Ruth Birchett is a longtime community volunteer. For more than 10 years, she was also a volunteer with the American Red Cross, often dispatched to neighborhoods to help after fires and other disasters. For over 10 years I was a disaster response leader and Red Cross volunteer and whenever there was a fire we would get a call from the fire department to be dispatched to assist at the scene because of the citizen impact, Birchett explained. Hes very personable and cares about community. Ruth Birchett Thats how she met Thiel. Commissioner Thiel shows up. Not as a performance. He shows up as a real fire professional. Hes very personable and cares about community, she said, adding that its exciting to hear that Thiel is now the citys managing director. Others who have worked with Thiel also give him a thumbs up. [The] Fire department, under his leadership, has been intentional about hiring bilingual and bicultural staff as a way to be inclusive and better serve our diverse Philly community, said Amy Eusebio, executive director of the Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA). [The] Fire department under his leadership has been intentional about hiring bilingual and bicultural staff. Amy Eusebio Romana Lee-Akiyama, executive director of the Mayors Office of Public Engagement, said, [Thiel] had been a steadying force for the city during the onset of the COVID pandemic some of the most challenging times. The competing demands begin The managing director is essentially the citys chief operating officer, but each mayor defines the role and the balance between administrative duties, operational control, and decision-making influence. The demands are already beginning to pour in, which will test Thiels ability to deliver on Parkers promise of a safer, greener city while addressing the urgent concerns of hundreds of community leaders. Immediately after Parkers inauguration ceremony, she signed her first executive order, calling for new Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel and Thiel to come up with comprehensive plans that address public safety across the city over the next 100 days. Thiel along with City Solicitor Renee Garcia are also responsible for determining whether the city should invoke additional emergency powers. READ MORE: Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker declares public safety emergency Share Food Program executive director George Matysik, who applauds Thiels handling of the pandemic, wants him to help such organizations as Share eliminate food insecurity. The managing directors role is about properly scaling and equitably administering city resources and services. In the emergency management world, we saw Adam Thiel expertly do this as fire commissioner and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Matysik said. In his new role, were hopeful that Managing Director Thiel will continue to invest in our city, and to help organizations like ours eliminate food insecurity in the region, he added. Harrell is more specific and wants Thiel to appoint a food czar to help organize what he considers a chaotic distribution of free food in the city. I want him to pay attention to what is happening on State Road and how people are being treated in the jails. Tonie Willis I want him to support our organization and see food distribution as a priority. Someone to really look at how food is distributed and pantries are supported, Harrell said. Willis said: I want him to pay attention to what is happening on State Road and how people are being treated in the jails. Simmons wants Thiel to avoid breaking things that are working. She is concerned with losing ground on collaborative community efforts launched under Erica Atwood, the senior director of the Office of Policy and Strategic Initiatives for Criminal Justice and Public Safety, which is part of the managing directors office. The last five years, we have worked with them and I am thankful for that, Simmons said. We dont know much about him but were about to find out. Previous Rebuild academy participants restore the walls of the Eastern State Penitentiary. Read more For some Philadelphians, the start of a new year might mean the start of a new career. The citys Rebuild initiative is currently accepting applicants for its Winter 2024 Carpentry and Masonry Academies. The six-week academies are full-time, paid training programs designed for people interested in new careers in carpentry and masonry. No previous experience is necessary. The Carpentry Academy runs from March 4 to April 12, while the Masonry Academy runs from March 25 to May 3. The academies, which first began in 2020, take place at Eastern State Penitentiary, where the citys partner, the Preservation Trades Center (PTC), hosts a workplace development hub for preservation trades. Academy participants will learn and hone their skills while restoring and preserving the penitentiary, which is a National Historic Landmark. The academies are also organized in partnership with PowerCorpsPHL, PA CareerLink, Eastern Atlantic Regional Council of Carpenters, and the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 PA/DE. Over the course of the programs, participants will also gain soft skills necessary for their new careers, like OSHA entry-level safety certification. At the end of the six weeks, participants will have the opportunity to interview for a fulltime apprenticeship in their new field. Theres a need for trades [in Philadelphia], said Alijandrina Martinez, recruitment manager for PowerCorps PHL, referencing all of the public and private construction projects happening across the city. These academies were just born out of need in those areas. Advertisement Martinez especially encourages people who have been impacted by the criminal justice system to apply. I am North Philadelphia born and raised, and I just know from lived experience how many people,[especially] young people make mistakes, she said. Programs like this recognize that people need a second chance and deserve living wages [and] careers, not just jobs. Individuals must meet the following qualifications to apply: At least 18 years old Philadelphia resident Hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent Have valid photo ID, with an unexpired Drivers License preferred Willingness to undergo a background check Ability to pass a drug screening Ability to engage in strenuous physical work Have interest in a career in construction Applicants must also attend one mandatory information session. There are two Zoom sessions coming up, with one on Jan. 4 at 6 p.m. and another on Jan. 9 at 12 p.m. More information on the Zoom sessions is available at easternstate.org/tradescenter. Applicants are also required to attend the in-person demonstration day, which shows applicants what the careers are like, and the differences between carpentry and masonry. It takes place on Jan. 16 at 9 a.m. at Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Ave. Applications for the winter academies close on Jan. 9 at 5 p.m. Links to the online application will be provided at the virtual information sessions. Dr. Ladman set new standards as editor of the Anatomical Record from 1968 to 1998. "This level of stewardship is totally unprecedented," colleagues at the Record said in a tribute. Read more Aaron J. Ladman, 98, of Chalfont, retired dean and professor emeritus of anatomy at Hahnemann and Drexel, longtime managing editor of the Anatomical Record, business owner, and veteran, died Tuesday, Nov. 7, of congestive heart failure at his home. Dr. Ladman fused his unending curiosity, tireless work ethic, and collegiality into a 63-year academic and research career that included professor of anatomy at Hahnemann University from 1981 to 1994, dean of Hahnemanns School of Allied Health Professions from 1981 to 1986, and professor of anatomy and neurobiology at Drexel after it absorbed Hahnemann in 2002. He reduced his workload in 2008 but continued to teach and advise at Drexel and the University of Pennsylvania until retiring in 2015. Before that, Dr. Ladman spent 17 years at the University of New Mexico as professor and founding chairman of the schools Department of Anatomy. He worked for three years as associate professor of anatomy at the University of Tennessee, and earlier for a decade at Harvard University as a research fellow and associate professor of anatomy. Much of his pioneering scrutiny focused on the biology of reproduction, the retina, cancer cells, and cancer cases in both smokers and nonsmokers. He published dozens of papers, led workshops for researchers and writers, and won career development awards from the Public Health Service. Colleagues at the American Association for Anatomy said his legacy is a testament to dedication, mentorship, and unwavering passion for the intricate study of the human form. He donated his body for research to the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. It was his final wish to continue teaching, his family said in a tribute. Dr. Ladmans enjoyment of writing, attention to detail, and ability to connect with others led to his appointment as managing editor of the Anatomical Record in 1968. For 30 years, he worked with writers, other editors, and readers to create a timely journal with an expanded editorial board and a growing roster of reviewers. Advertisement When he left the job in 1998, colleagues at the American Association for Anatomy created the A.J. Ladman Exemplary Service Award for distinguished work in the field of anatomy. In a recent tribute, Heather F. Smith, current editor of the Anatomical Record, called Dr. Ladman an exemplary scholar, a proficient editor, and a kind man. He was also vice president for the American Association for Anatomy and active with the American Association for the Advancement of Science and other medical and editorial groups. He championed education and served as spokesperson in several of Hahnemanns student recruiting advertisements in the 1980s. The health care industry is a dynamic and changing field with an open and expanding job market, he said in a 1985 ad. He served in Europe for two years during World War II and joined his wife, Pat Bergbauer, as an owner of the Goddard School in Blue Bell in 2002. He wanted to educate people, said his son Peter. He wanted to know as much as he could, and he wanted other people to know as much as they could. The son of Russian immigrants, Aaron Julius Ladman was born July 3, 1925, in Jamaica, N.Y. His intellect shined even as a young man, and he graduated from high school at 16. He attended Miami University in Ohio for a year, was drafted into the Army in 1944, and earned a bachelors degree from New York University in 1947. He attended graduate school at the University of Cincinnati and received his doctorate from the University of Indiana in 1952. He married Barbara Powers in 1948, and they had daughter Susan and son Thomas. They divorced later. He met Bergbauer at an editors conference, and she felt an instant rapport. They married in 1982, had son Peter, and lived in Philadelphia, Ambler, North Wales, and Chalfont. Dr. Ladman was a lifelong dog lover who walked his pets four times a day for years. He and his wife liked to vacation in Ocean City and traverse the world on memorable cruises. He embraced the culture and food of the American Southwest while living in New Mexico, and he kept a few bolo ties even after moving to Philadelphia. He played racquetball a lot, sang occasionally in a choir, and became a subscribing member of the Philadelphia Orchestra. He could be direct and serious, but colleagues said his gruff exterior belied a heart of gold, a blend of toughness tempered with kindness. A niece noted his intelligence, humility, and kindness in a tribute. His wife said: He was warm and loving. In addition to his wife and children, Dr. Ladman is survived by two grandchildren and other relatives. His former wife, a brother, and a sister died earlier. Services were held Dec. 5. Donations in his name may be made to the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund, 580 Virginia Dr., Suite 110, Fort Washington, Pa. Thirty years ago, after joining the Big Sisters of Philadelphia program, I hung out with a young African American teenager from West Philadelphia, who told me it was easier to get drugs at her high school than a book to take home so she could do her homework. After my young friend had been beaten up by a group of girls on her way to high school, she transferred to a new school midsemester. She struggled in French class and was in danger of failing but her teacher refused to let her take the textbook home so she could try to catch up with the rest of the students. When she told me about this, we went to the school together so I could plead on her behalf. The teacher and principal explained they didnt have enough books for class, so students were not allowed to take books home. They were afraid they would be lost or stolen. My frustrated and terrified mentee eventually dropped out of high school. Years later, she did get a GED. Advertisement This is the Philadelphia too many of us have known for too long. Our new mayor, Cherelle Parker, has promised to change our city by giving everyone a seat at the decision-making table. At her inauguration this week, she led the crowd in chants of One Philly. It sounds like a good idea, sure. But what will happen when diverse racial, ethnic, generational, and economic classes with opposing interests and lived experiences get in that room together? Ive facilitated dozens of risky and uncomfortable conversations over the years at newsrooms, a law enforcement agency, and even a military command. Too often, these conversations start with a blame game. For instance, when talk turns to public safety, police officers will bemoan the loss of community cooperation and support. Then community leaders will bring up incidents of police brutality. Employers call for a more educated workforce, prompting civil rights activists to warn that many disconnected youth dont engage because they arent given opportunities in local workplaces. That could bring us to public schools and their sliding performance, for which I suspect parents will say poor classroom conditions or low expectations are responsible. Teachers, then, will bring up the lack of adequate funding and parental involvement. These conversations play a role during periods of transformation. But if all we do is say how much our city would improve if someone or something else changes, we will only worsen tensions. And cause a collective heartbreak. Instead, over the years, Ive developed a few ground rules that can help everyone rethink our beliefs by seeing the world from someone elses perspective. Rule 1: Consider all perspectives Resolve not to limit your concerns to the people who live in your neighborhoods, or belong to your faith, generation, or ethnic group. Walk into Parkers big tent looking out for the greater good not your own self-interest. Yet often, people will bring a narrow perspective into an uncomfortable dialogue: They argue the problem of crime in Philadelphia is because of the policies of District Attorney Larry Krasner, or the shortage of police officers, or some other reductive cause that ignores all the dimensions of the problem. That is like trying to cross a busy intersection while glancing only at the traffic coming from your right. To cross safely, pedestrians need to look in all directions and be mindful of everyone nearby. We need the people who disagree with us because they see obstacles and hazards we cant see. If we believe police are part of the problem, we need to listen to them and view the streets stained by tragedy through their lens. If we believe Krasners office is to blame, we need to understand that his efforts to restore confidence in the criminal justice system are critical to crime reduction. And we also need to ask ourselves what we may be doing or not doing that is worsening the situation. Most importantly, we must adopt the attitude that we will rise or fall together. None of us are safe until all of us feel safe. Rule 2: Understand hidden biases Each of us should arrive with an understanding of our own hidden biases, and how they could trigger blind spots that keep us from seeing the truth. Self-awareness is the foundation for cultural competency, a term Parker uses quite often in her speeches. To be culturally competent, you must accept that culture and lived experiences affect everyones including our own behavior and beliefs. To understand anyone, you have to be aware of their specific cultural beliefs, values, and sensibilities. Rule 3: Ask the right questions Our questions should guide us toward solutions, not spark more tension, hostility, and outrage. Instead of asking, Why are our young people killing each other? we might ask, What else do young people in Philadelphia need from the adults in their lives to be hopeful, successful, and safe? Instead of asking, What are we going to do about people experiencing homelessness? we might ask ourselves, What responsibilities do we have to our neighbors without decent or safe places to live? Then we gather youth, parents, educators, neighborhood leaders, religious leaders, business executives, civil rights leaders, law enforcement, and legislators together to decide how each can help. We work as a cohesive unit to imagine a city where everyone in every zip code regardless of their age or educational attainment has opportunities to succeed. Over the decades that I have lived here, Philadelphia has successfully avoided tough conversations that prompt deep self-reflection. We dont always consider how some of us have benefited from policies that spread wealth and opportunity unequally across neighborhoods. I think it is just too painful to admit the shortcomings that have led to some of the unfortunate choices we have made. In years past, when we sent teenagers into dangerous high schools with too few textbooks, we were not thinking about the citys future or the greater good. We can make up for it now by breaking the stubborn cycle of poverty for public school students and their families and resolving to finally shed the title of Americas poorest big city. Only then can we truly become One Philly. Linda S. Wallace, a veteran of more than three decades in journalism who spent eight years as a reporter and editor at The Inquirer, is a blogger who writes about diversity and belonging on her blog, Cultural IQ. A tiny number of higher education institutions monopolize our attention often Ivy League institutions such as Harvard or Penn. Perhaps thats not surprising, considering the degree of wealth and resources that are concentrated in those colleges and universities. According to a report by the Education Trust, in 2013, 75% of all the endowments for colleges and universities were held by only 3.6% of all institutions. These colleges educate a fraction of all college students and even fewer low-income students, yet the attention we give them is outsized. This disparity is a clear case of educational injustice. In New York state, a group of legislators is tackling this inequality in higher education directly. They are proposing eliminating tax breaks for the wealthiest universities (New York University and Columbia) in the city and using that money to fund the City University of New York (CUNY), the largest city-based public university in the nation. The bill would stop New Yorkers from effectively subsidizing these wealthy universities, even though most of their children have little chance of attending them. Advertisement If this legislation succeeds, it has the potential to address one of the most glaring inequalities in higher education. It could also provide a model for our own city. READ MORE: Penn, Jefferson, and Drexel should pay their fair share of property taxes | Opinion I work at the University of Pennsylvania, the wealthiest private institution in Philadelphia. But as a nonprofit, it also does not pay property taxes. Meanwhile, Temple University and the Community College of Philadelphia educate our citys neediest students. Before I came to Penn, I taught at CUNY and saw firsthand the impact of educational inequality on students. At Penn (where, according to college planning tool College Raptor, the endowment per student is more than $600,000), my students live in beautiful dorms and have access to a wide range of resources to help them succeed. I teach first-year seminars with fewer than 20 students. I get to know my students. When they need support, I can send an email and a team will get involved writing tutors, student life deans, mental health professionals. The system, fallible as it is, is designed to ensure students receive the help they need to keep succeeding. This stands in stark contrast to my experience teaching at the City College of New York (CUNY), where the estimated endowment per student is roughly $20,000. The students were as motivated, brilliant, and interesting as my students at Penn full of stories and lives that were as different from each other as could be. But they faced a multitude of challenges in their path toward a degree, such as being non-native speakers of English, or having to hold a job outside of school to cover expenses, and CUNY had far fewer resources to help them. I would direct CUNY students to the resources available on campus, knowing full well that these offices were so overburdened by relentless belt-tightening enforced by state lawmakers in Albany that there would often be little our institution could do to get these struggling students back on track. Over the 10 years I taught at CUNY, the number of students in my classes increased. When I started, one of my writing-intensive courses had 25 students a challenge, given how much hands-on help each student would require, but manageable. By the end of my time there, the same course had 40 students. Some CUNY professors would teach as many as five such courses in a semester. Students were supposed to learn to write college-level essays in this course, but with 40 students and no teaching assistants, it was virtually impossible for me to provide valuable, detailed feedback on every writing assignment. So it became a writing course in name only. Id advise students who needed help with their writing to make an appointment at the writing center months before their term papers were due; only then would they have a chance of getting more help with their writing. Still, I know many students who would likely have fared better if theyd received more help. But the resources CUNY had to offer couldnt keep up with what they needed to succeed. Low-income students in our city face similar challenges. Whether they attend Temple (endowment $22,000 per student, according to College Raptor) or the Community College of Philadelphia (endowment less than $2,000 per full-time student, based on the fiscal year 2021 endowment), their path toward mobility involves jumping through obstacles rather than being buoyed to the finish line by resources. There are many glaring inequalities in Philadelphia, but surely this is one our legislators ought to have the courage to tackle. If the legislators in Albany succeed, it will be a win for equality in higher education, one that Philadelphians should consider emulating. Our elite universities conduct important research and can play a vital role in civic life, but thats no reason to allow obscene inequalities in institutional wealth. Jennifer Morton is a Presidential Penn Compact associate professor of philosophy with a secondary appointment at the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. Hours after her inauguration, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker signs executive orders in her new office at City Hall on Tuesday. Read more Cherelle L. Parker said all the right things in her history-making inauguration speech as the first woman elected mayor of Philadelphia. Parker is rightly focused on reducing crime the main issue that powered her election victory. To be sure, she brings a much-needed pulse to City Hall. Having a woman in charge is a welcome change after 99 men combined to give us the poorest big city in America and one of the most heavily taxed. Now comes the hard part: Can Parker deliver on her promise to make Philadelphia the safest, cleanest, greenest city in America? So far, she is off to a good start. In her first official act Tuesday, Parker signed an executive order declaring a citywide public safety emergency. Advertisement The measure directs new Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel to work with the citys new managing director, Adam Thiel, and other department heads to deliver a plan within 100 days that details how they will hire more police officers, reduce violent crime, combat quality-of-life offenses, and shut down open-air drug markets. The order directs Bethel to employ any lawful means necessary to abate the public safety emergency. That all sounds well and good, but the execution of Parkers strategy is what really matters. For now, just having a fresh approach and a focus on crime is a welcome first step. It certainly helps Parker that the bar is low. The Kenney administration lacked leadership and energy as it presided over a record rise in shootings and murders, which topped 500 two years in a row. While the number of homicides dropped about 20% last year, it remains among the highest level in recent years. Indeed, murders and shootings are down across the country following a spike in gun violence during the pandemic. Parker will likely benefit from a continued decrease in crime. But it remains to be seen if Parker and Bethel are up to the challenge of reforming a Police Department that is a model of inefficiency and corruption. After all, declaring a public safety emergency is one thing. Solving the crime problem is another. Recall in 2018 when then-Mayor Jim Kenney declared an opioid emergency in Kensington. But record numbers of people continued to die from overdoses in the city. When it comes to reducing shootings and murders, just spending more tax money is not the solution. The Kenney administration added tens of millions of dollars to the police budget. The city now spends nearly $1 billion a year to fight crime with little to show for it. Two steps that could make a real difference: better use of data to predict crime, and winning over the recalcitrant police union. Going forward, one area of early concern bears watching. While Parker brings fresh energy to the Mayors Office, her key hires so far are retreads from past administrations or loyal members of her inner circle. And everyone is from Philadelphia. While continuity and knowledge of the city are helpful, so are new ideas and fresh perspectives. At the same time, several key roles and the heads of almost all of the operational departments remain vacant. Parker said any delay was the result of a more deliberative approach and the use of an outside recruitment office to screen candidates rather than rely on a system of who-do-you-know. That makes sense, though Parker has essentially had six months to assemble her administration, and so far, all the hires are insiders. In the long run, perhaps none of that will matter. If Madam Mayors bumper sticker pledge to make our city the safest, cleanest, and greenest city in America with economic opportunity for all becomes a reality, then both she and Philadelphia stand to benefit. This isnt a column about Claudine Gay, who resigned as Harvards president earlier this week. Shes been all over the news because lets face it journalists are obsessed with the Ivy League. Its about Carole Hooven. Never heard of her? I didnt think so. But Hoovens story speaks volumes about the real problem at Harvard, and in American universities more broadly: the lack of academic freedom for diverse perspectives. Weve heard the word diverse a lot since Gay stepped down because she was Harvards first African American president. I dont know if she was targeted by her right-wing critics because of her race, as her defenders alleged. Nor do I know if her record of lifting unattributed passages from other scholars should have disqualified her for the presidency. Advertisement Heres what I do know: Harvard talks a good game about diverse views, but it doesnt actually protect them. And thats very bad news for higher education. Hooven had to learn this lesson the hard way. She was a lecturer in the department of evolutionary biology at Harvard when she went on Fox News in 2021 to promote her new book, T: The Story of Testosterone, the Hormone that Dominates and Divides Us. During the interview, she said that there are just two biological sexes: male and female. Hooven made a point of distinguishing sex from gender, which can assume many different forms. We can treat people with respect and respect their gender identities and use their preferred pronouns, so understanding the facts about biology doesnt prevent us from treating people with respect, she said, repeating the term respect three times. No matter. The director of her departments diversity and inclusion task force took to Twitter (now X) to denounce Hoovens transphobic and hateful comments. This dangerous language perpetuates a system of discrimination against non-cis people, the director added. It directly opposes our Task Force work that aims to create a safe space for scholars of ALL gender identities and races. After that, the digital outrage machine kicked in. Students drew up a petition denouncing Hooven, who quickly became a pariah at Harvard. She walked around campus with her head down, fearing that someone might recognize her as the transphobe from whom students needed to be protected, Hooven wrote. Nor could Hooven teach her popular lecture course, because no graduate students would agree to serve as her teaching assistants. Who wants to be associated with a bigot? Never mind that scholars are deeply divided on whether sex is a binary, as Hooven claimed. Indeed, when the controversy broke, a Harvard colleague told the campus paper that sex was a contested topic and super complex. But nobody on campus wanted to explore those complexities; instead, they wanted Hoovens head. And they got it. Another person in the same situation might have stayed on, but I could not, Hooven wrote. Her mental health deteriorated, and she resigned. And heres the kicker: No member of the Harvard administration spoke up for Hooven. That included Gay, who was the dean of Harvards Faculty of Arts and Sciences at the time. The issue came up during Gays fateful testimony before a congressional committee on antisemitism last month, when Rep. Tim Walberg (R., Mich.) pressed her about Hooven. In what world is a call for violence against Jews protected speech, but a belief that sex is biological and binary isnt? Walberg asked. Gay replied that Harvard supports constructive dialogue, even on the most complex and divisive issues. But the case of Carole Hooven demonstrates the opposite, of course. The meaning of sex is hugely complex and divisive, and Harvard did not support Hoovens effort to dialogue constructively about it. Instead, it threw her under the bus. Harvard did not support Hoovens effort to dialogue constructively. Instead, it threw her under the bus. Likewise, Gays resignation letter said all the right things about the universitys enduring commitment to open inquiry and free expression in the pursuit of truth. If that were true, Hooven would still be teaching there. Harvard forsook that principle in the service of protecting students from harm, as Hooven wrote, which is what academic censors always trot out when they want someone to shut up. But dont tell that to Americas overwhelmingly liberal professoriate, which continues to insist that all the censorship comes from conservatives like Elise Stefanik and Ron DeSantis. There is a right-wing political attack on higher education right now, warned Irene Mulvey, president of the American Association of University Professors. For presidents to be taken down like this, it does not bode well for academic freedom. Shes right. But well never rebut the growing conservative challenges to academic freedom if were restricting it ourselves. Although Gay quit the Harvard presidency, shes still on the faculty. And Hooven is not. We cant blame that on the right-wing politicians we love to hate. The fault, dear professors, is not just in our conservative stars. Its in ourselves. In his annual year-end report for 2023, Chief Justice John Roberts came out and said it: The high court, and the American judiciary in general, has a big looming problem in front of it: Artificial intelligence. After the year of ChatGPT and a fast-moving revolution in AI, Roberts said any advantages in quicker legal research should be weighed against the clear potential for fraud and the broader moral risks of relying too much on technology. Legal determinations often involve gray areas that still require application of human judgment, the chief justice wrote. I predict that human judges will be around for a while. Maybe, but Roberts year-ender was less newsworthy for what it said than for what it didnt say. Somehow, the jurist didnt think it was worth mentioning that 2023 was arguably the worst year for ethical scandal in the U.S. Supreme Courts 234-year history especially, although not limited to, reports of billionaires lavishing luxury travel and other perks on Justice Clarence Thomas for years. Advertisement Now, as 2024 begins, the growing legitimacy crisis of Americas highest court is steaming toward a giant political iceberg at least two major decisions about whether states can bar the likely GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump from the ballot over the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, and his claim of immunity from criminal charges. These rulings, coming when public trust in the high court is at a record low, will show us whether the ailing U.S. democracy still has a pulse, months before a possibly contested election, and the threat of a Trump dictatorship in 2025. For the chief justice to try to change the Supreme Court conversation to something less controversial Hey, humans are better than robots, amirite? feels like the captain of the Titanic obsessing over tomorrows menu or the temperature in the cabins rather than steering away from that giant white thing in front of the boat. But I also think the broader political establishment is also in denial about the coming crisis at SCOTUS, and how that will affect voters. The courts central role in 2024 became clear just three days into the new year when Trump and his campaign asked the justices to overturn Decembers ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court to bar the 45th president from the March GOP primary. It found that his ties to 2021s Capitol Hill mayhem render him ineligible under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which prevents insurrectionists from holding federal office. The court is also expected to ultimately decide a pressing matter now before Washington, D.Cs U.S. Court of Appeals: Trumps claim of total criminal immunity for any actions while president, aimed at dismissing his federal felony indictment for his role in seeking to overturn his 2020 election defeat even before the case comes to trial. Trumps legal argument here seems absurd; as special counsel Jack Smith has noted, this theory suggests that a president could murder his political opponents and thered be no legal path for stopping him or punishing him. But the case of Trump, the insurrection, and the 14th Amendment is a lot more complicated, both legally and politically. No one disputes the objective rules that bar millions of Americans from seeking the White House those under age 35, the foreign-born, or two-term presidents but the insurrection language in Section 3 of the 14th Amendment is more subjective and less clear. The Maine secretary of state has agreed with the Colorado court in barring Trump, but other states have rejected the constitutional argument. Many Americans, myself included, believe the events of Jan. 6 were an insurrection, aimed at blocking the peaceful transfer of presidential power, and that Trump who urged his followers to come to Washington, rallied them in a speech, and told them to march on the U.S. Capitol engaged in it. But its also true that Trump has not been formally charged with insurrection, let alone convicted, and that his February 2021 Senate impeachment trial on similar charges resulted in an acquittal. Sorting this out will be nine justices who might claim to be umpires calling balls and strikes, but who in reality might prove susceptible to the less-legal-than-political argument that Trumps future should be decided by voters, not judges and state functionaries. Assuming that no other states move to block Trump, the practical consequences could be small. In 2016 and again in 2020, Trump received only one Electoral College vote from Colorado and Maine. But the impact on Americas fragile psyche will be huge. If the Supreme Court upholds Colorados and Maines position, it will confirm the suspicions of the Trumpist masses that elite institutions are thwarting the populist will. But a ruling to reinstate Trump by somehow denying that POTUS 45 was a Jan. 6 insurrectionist will make the other half wonder if the words in the Constitution mean anything. READ MORE: The Supreme Court ethics mess is todays Watergate. Lets treat it that way. | Will Bunch Indeed, I have a hard time imagining that Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, already the courts liberal lioness after less than two years on the bench, will rule to water down the Reconstruction-era 14th Amendment. Thats unfortunate for Roberts because I agree with the legal analysts who suspect the chief justice would love to engineer a unanimous ruling as happened in the most famous case involving presidential power, when an 8-0 SCOTUS ordered Richard Nixon to turn over his White House tapes in 1974. Knowing the five other conservative justices are quite likely to rule in favor of Trump, Roberts will probably try to woo at least one of the liberal jurists Elena Kagan, perhaps? to join them. But seeking consensus isnt really Roberts biggest problem or Americas. No, the biggest problem is the ethical morass around Justice Thomas. Throughout 2023, journalists at ProPublica chronicled the perks worth hundreds of thousands of dollars a forgiven RV loan, buying his moms house, private school tuition, luxury vacations, and jet travel that the courts longest-serving justice has received from right-wing billionaires. ProPublicas reporting made a compelling case that billionaires like Harlan Crow wanted Thomas to have an opulent lifestyle so that the Supreme Courts most reliable conservative vote wouldnt quit to get rich in the private sector. Wielding that vote to help a tainted Republican win the 2024 election would be the ultimate return on their investment. But it gets even worse. Weve also learned a lot over the last three years about the role the justices wife, the conservative activist Ginni Thomas, also played in those efforts to overturn the 2020 election, including lobbying officials in key states to deny electoral votes to President Joe Biden. Despite this massive, glaring conflict of interest, Thomas has so far mostly refused to recuse himself from cases connected to the 2020 election controversies and theres little reason to expect the frequently defiant justice to begin doing so now. But his participation would raise very real questions about the legitimacy of any ruling not to mention the legitimacy of the Supreme Court and, thus, U.S. democracy. This could mean the shipwreck of the American Experiment could come months before Nov. 5, 2024, or Jan. 20, 2025, the two dates democracy doomers have long circled on their calendars. I have little doubt that whatever the Supreme Court which already has a near-record-low public trust of just 41% decides will deepen the broader loss of trust in our institutions like Congress or the media or higher education. Despair might depress voter turnout, which could be very good news for Trump and his I alone can fix it plans for autocratic government. But it doesnt have to be this way. I would urge voters who are infuriated by the current sorry state of the Supreme Court not to get discouraged but to get more involved. Weve seen this before, in the 2022 midterms, when rage over the courts reversal of the Roe v. Wade abortion rights precedent turned out young voters and women in ways Bidens weak-tea defense of democracy probably cant. Those same voters will likely be more furious than ever at the high court in 2024, and Democrats need to use that to their advantage. They should make major Supreme Court reforms as well as the impeachment of Justice Thomas if given a 2025 House majority major and heavily promoted parts of a party platform for November. A pro-democracy movement might thrive with dreams of clear sailing for a newly rechristened Supreme Court if we can somehow navigate the ice floes of 2024. READ MORE: SIGN UP: The Will Bunch Newsletter Former Mayor John Street (right) poses for a photo with former City Council president Darrell Clarke (left) and newly-elected City Council president Kenyatta Johnson (center) following inauguration ceremonies for Mayor Cherelle Parker on Tuesday at the Met on North Broad Street. Read more Former Mayor John Street was seated Tuesday on stage as Mayor Cherelle Parker was inaugurated as Philadelphias 100th mayor. But first he faced a scuffle at the back door of the venue, where his grandson, the son of Pennsylvania Democratic Party chair Sharif Street, was arrested for allegedly punching a security guard in the face. As you might expect, there are competing versions of what actually prompted the fracas. The Philadelphia Police Department said the 80-year-old former mayor and his grandson, Sharif Street Jr., 24, were turned away from the backdoor about 10:10 a.m. at the Met, the grand old North Philadelphia theater where Parker was sworn in to office. Advertisement The former mayor was scheduled to be on stage for the ceremony, which was set to begin at 10 a.m. The line to get in the front entrance stretched around the block more than an hour before the curtain went up. Streets grandson told Clout the guard grabbed the former mayor, who identified himself and explained why he was trying to enter. I saw my grandfather get grabbed and I just sort of blacked out, he said. Police said Streets grandson, who was charged with simple assault and disorderly conduct, punched the guard in the face and then struggled with officers who arrested him. His father, a Democratic state senator whose district includes the North Broad Street theater, told Clout in a statement that his son was protecting his grandfather when the security guard initiated the altercation. Sen. Street added: I do not condone violence of any kind, but I am certain that any hired personnel need to be firmly trained when handling people of all ages looking to enjoy an event. The guard, police said, was treated at the scene for injuries to his face. Former U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, chair of the Democratic City Committee, said he did not see the altercation but spoke to the former mayor and the state senator about it later. They were pushing his grandfather around, said Brady. How can you not recognize John Street? The guy got physical with him. He was the mayor. Parker gave the former mayor a warm shout-out during her hour-long speech, calling his signature Neighborhood Transformation Initiative program to address blight a thing people will never forget. Court records show Sharif Street Jr., who was arrested for disorderly conduct in September in an unrelated case, was approved on Dec. 11 for a court diversion program that required him to perform five hours of community service. Parker spokesperson Joe Grace referred Clout to the Police Department when asked for comment. Met spokesperson Ike Richman also referred Clout to the Police Department. Oddest inaugural shout-out One person who had no trouble getting into Parkers inauguration Tuesday was New York Mayor Eric Adams. Thats because he wasnt there. Parker wasnt so sure. Her prepared speech, which ran to more than 2,300 words, included a short shout-out to Adams near the top. In her actual speech, which included a series of off-script remarks and ran just over an hour, Parker said this: Im not sure if its true, but someone told me that we have Mayor Eric Adams from New York here. Wherever you are, hello Mr. Mayor. Heads craned in the crowd as the packed audience scanned for the mayor who was not there. Adams was, at that moment, 80 miles away at New Yorks City Hall delivering his first public comments of the new year. Clout hears that Adams was not scheduled to be there but that Parker and her staff heard at the last minute that he was in the audience. So they added his name to her speech before it was clear he wasnt really there. Jan. 6 on the ballot President Joe Biden is scheduled to speak in Blue Bell on Friday about the three-year anniversary of the Jan. 6 insurrection. Hell use that to cast the man he defeated in 2020 and is likely to face again this year Donald Trump as a threat to democracy. Expect to hear about Jan. 6 from candidates up and down the ballot this year. State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro of Erie County, who was endorsed for state treasurer by the Democratic Party three weeks ago, will use an event on the steps of the state capitol in Harrisburg on Friday to connect incumbent Treasurer Stacy Garrity to the insurrection. Garrity, a Bradford County Republican, spoke at a Jan. 5, 2021, rally in Harrisburg where state legislators were urged to reject Pennsylvanias votes in the 2020 election. U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, the York County Republican Trump ally who worked to overturn the 2020 election, faces a new lawsuit seeking to remove him from the ballot as he runs for a seventh term. Activist Gene Stilp argues that the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution bars from office people who engaged in insurrection. And State Sen. Doug Mastriano, the Franklin County Republican who pushed to overturn the 2020 election and attended the Jan. 6 rally before the riot, now faces an ethics complaint for those efforts. State Sen. Art Haywood, a Democrat who represents parts of Philadelphia and Montgomery County, said his complaint is a push to maintain integrity in the Senate. The lawsuit and ethics complaint dont need to succeed to reintroduce the remnants of the Jan. 6 chaos into the 2024 conversation. Staff Writer Anna Orso contributed to this column. Clout provides often irreverent news and analysis about people, power, and politics. Jamila H. Winder (from left), Neil Makhija, and Thomas DiBello are seated together on stage at the Montgomery County Community College gymnasium Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, during ceremonies before they were sworn in as Montgomery County's new Board of Commissioners. Read more Before this year, there had never been an Asian American county commissioner in all of Pennsylvania, or an elected Black female commissioner in Montgomery County. That changed Wednesday with the swearing-in of Democrats Neil Makhija and Jamila Winder, as well as Republican Tom DiBello. The commissioners represent the countys largest leadership shake-up in more than a decade, as Winder begins her first full term and Makhija and DiBello take office for the first time. The new majority members, who bring youth and diversity to the board, have already shown an interest in leading differently. While the three-member board typically elects a chair for the duration of the four-year term, Democrats Winder and Makhija have opted to share power by alternating as chair each year, beginning with Winder. DiBello, a Republican, holds the one minority-party seat. Advertisement READ MORE: The Montco Board of Commissioners is about to look different and lead differently Long a Republican stronghold until Democrats flipped the county government in 2011, Montgomery County has become one of the bluest parts of the region. Supporters on Wednesday filled a gymnasium at Montgomery County Community College a Plan B venue due to the high demand of the event to celebrate the commissioners and various county row officers as they took their oaths of office. The audience gave a standing ovation when Winder, who was initially appointed to the board in early 2023, announced that she was the first Black woman elected as commissioner in the county. She took office for her historic term the day before her grandmother, the Rev. Mary B. Duff, a retired teacher, turns 104. She grew up in the era of segregation as the granddaughter of indentured servants during a time when opportunities were limited, and voices like hers were often silenced, Winder, 45, said of her grandmother. Despite those challenges, her resilience and determination have been a beacon guiding me to this very moment of promise and possibility made a reality. Makhija also made history Wednesday as the first Asian American county commissioner in all of Pennsylvania, and one of the countys youngest ever commissioners at 37. Makhija, an election lawyer and civic leader, had the support of Sen. John Fetterman for his bid for office Makhija also supported Fetterman during his 2022 race. The Democratic senator chatted and took selfies with attendees in the lobby before the ceremony, and Makhija joked that Fetterman didnt stay for the event due to not meeting the dress code requirements. On a more serious note, Makhija said his parents were able to provide him the American Dream after they immigrated to Pennsylvania from India in 1971. I didnt run to make history. I ran to make a difference, he said. And the reason I stand before you today, then, is that at this time of great division in politics, and economic uncertainty and the erosion of fundamental rights, my familys experience is what instills in me a commitment to the expansion of that opportunity that we must bestow on the next generation. And Makhijas familys journey brought them to the same pizza place that DiBellos frequented, he noted in a nod to DiBellos remarks, in which the minority party member said the two men discovered they spent a lot of time at the same local joint. Everyone knows big decisions are always often made while enjoying pizza, DiBello joked. The pizza motif the new colleagues shared in their speeches symbolizes how the three commissioners say they will lead. Both Democrats, Winder and Makhija can make decisions without buy-in from DiBello, and have their own agenda to deliver on. But all three commissioners have common ground and want all hands to be on deck. People ask me what it feels like being in a minority role, DiBello, 61, said. My response to them: to me it feels like Im part of majority rule. All of the commissioners cite addressing homelessness as a priority, for example, but itll be up to the majority members how much they want to collaborate with DiBello on policy specifics before pushing them through. And while DiBello wants either no or minimal county tax increases, Makhija and Winder have ambitions for social programs that could be costly. DiBello, a businessman with a background in technology, wants to delve into how the county spends its money; Makhija wants to survey city employees to identify where inefficiencies can be improved; and Winder believes the county should create a department focused on identifying grant or government funding opportunities. There are tons of ideas that we have to really put Montgomery on the map, to bring in new programs, Winder said last month in an interview. But it costs money to do that, and I want to ensure that we as Montgomery County are not leaving money on the table. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker at press conference announcing the 29th Annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at Girard College on Wednesday. Read more It was her first full day on the job, and Mayor Cherelle L. Parker was running behind schedule. Packed into a room at Girard College, dozens of people the citys school superintendent, a City Council member, top administration officials, and two dozen teenagers were waiting for Philadelphias brand new mayor. She was supposed to appear at 10:30 a.m. to begin the citys Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. By 11:35, they started the event without her. I wanted to welcome the mayor; shes not here yet, said David P. Hardy, interim college president. I welcome her anyway. Advertisement Fifteen minutes later, as students unveiled a banner depicting a mural theyd created, Parker rushed into the room. She stood next to Dyymond Whipper-Young, an artist and educator, who looked at Parker and said she felt inspired: I have never seen a mayor represent Black women the way Cherelle has. Such is the emotion and the chaos of leading the sixth largest city in America. Wednesday was Parkers first full day in office following her historic inauguration Tuesday, when the former City Council member publicly took the oath of office to become the 100th mayor of Philadelphia and the first woman to ever hold the job. After a packed schedule Tuesday that ended with a late-night party in Fishtown, Parker had a public schedule Wednesday that was decidedly lighter the MLK Day of Service event was the only appearance her office publicized. Parker said her day was filled with phone calls and staff meetings. Asked about her schedule, she said she was following her staffs lead. So, one, they didnt tell me, Parker said with a smile in front of a gaggle of reporters. I thought that after the campaign, that I would full disclosure have just a little bit more discretion over controlling my schedule. But it happens that it really doesnt work that way. In the morning, Parker talked with Gov. Josh Shapiro and with national and statewide organizations that work with city governments. Right before heading out to Girard College, she received a briefing on the state of affairs at a city agency she declined to identify. READ MORE: Familiar faces and an unusual structure: How Cherelle Parker is shaping her mayoral administration After Parker arrived at Girard and flipped through her prepared remarks, she was animated, veering off-script seconds after beginning to speak. She said she was super-duper excited to present the annual Harris Wofford Active Citizenship Award to Edward J. Hazzouri, the chairman of the lobbying firm Hazzouri and Associates. And she told the crowd about her favorite Martin Luther King Jr. speech his 1968 drum major instinct sermon, during which he talked about how everyone has a desire to be out front, a desire to lead the parade, a desire to be first. Parker stuck around and glad-handed with attendees. She posed for photos, on several occasions summoning new City Council member Jeffery Jay Young to stand alongside her. She told the art students how so super proud she was of them. She signed a copy of her administrations 100-Day Action Plan for a woman who wanted the new mayors autograph. And, as she tried to leave, she was bombarded by reporters who wanted to know about her crime plan, her education plan, and her plans for the day. After the event, Parker arrived at City Hall for the part of her new job that features far fewer selfies: meetings with her staff. Their tasks included scheduling interviews with candidates for some of the key administration roles that remain vacant, including the commissioners of the Streets Department and the Department of Licenses and Inspections. Ive got to work on Streets, she said while walking into her new City Hall office on the second floor, and Ive got to work on L&I. "Street parking" was the No. 1 search term in Philadelphia on Zillow last year. Here, Philadelphia Parking Authority enforcement officer R. Gesior tickets a truck on Filbert Street in 2022. Read more Searching for home features and amenities on a real estate listing website can be a way for serious home buyers to narrow down their options or just a fun way for people to spend some free time. And Americans were doing plenty of both last year. Zillow analyzed more than 250 billion search queries to come up with the top terms that its website users looked for in 2023. In Philadelphia a place that the National Association of Realtors chose as a top market to watch for home sales in 2024 the most popular search terms on Zillows website related to space, comfort, and style. Advertisement READ MORE: Parking, walk-in closets, and these other key features in home listings attract buyers (From 2021) The citys No. 1 search term was street parking, which isnt much of a surprise given that parking can be a hot commodity depending on the neighborhood. But it wasnt just a Philly thing. Across the country, garage was the most-searched home amenity on Zillows website. Second and fifth on Philadelphias top-five list of search terms were basement and finished basement, reflecting searchers desire for space in their homes. Philadelphias third most popular search term was central air-conditioning, which is far from a given in a city with old housing stock. Climate control systems for cooling and heating were in the top three search terms in 22 out of 30 cities Zillow analyzed. And an enduring favorite was Philadelphias No. 4 most popular search term: hardwood floors. Nationwide, after garage, the most popular search terms were backyard, fireplace, walk-in closet, and patio, according to Zillow. Top search terms varied widely by city. In Atlanta, a lot of people were looking for double vanities, which a Coldwell Banker Real Estate amenity guide for wealthy homeowners called both convenient and the luxury standard in primary bathrooms. In Miami and New York, searchers prioritized fitness areas and gyms. People searching in San Antonio, Texas, wanted eat-in kitchens. In Seattle, mountain views, city views, and water views were among the top-five search terms. Zillows search data came from a feature it started offering last year that is powered by artificial intelligence and allows users to search for homes in a conversational way. The start of a new year is usually an aspirational time when we consider how we want our lives to look. So lets begin todays newsletter by dreaming of what our homes would look like if we didnt have to worry about money. I browsed some luxury home trends that agents selling multimillion-dollar properties say will define wealthy owners homes in 2024. Keep scrolling for that story and to read about the $57 billion cost of racial and ethnic inequity in Phillys housing market, find out what New Jersey homeowners will have to start telling potential buyers, and peek inside a Victorian home with modern-style decor. What do you think of Coldwell Bankers luxury home trends list? For a chance to be featured in my newsletter, email me. Advertisement Michaelle Bond If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here. Coldwell Banker Real Estate released its first-ever online guide showing home trends and must-have amenities for wealthy homeowners. Its called Best of the Best. Whats in style? Chefs kitchens, spa-like bathrooms, resort-style backyards, and living spaces that seamlessly connect the indoors and outdoors. Whats out? Stainless steel. According to the guide: A luxury chefs kitchen should have two islands and range hoods that are an object of beauty. The yards of luxury properties should have outdoor kitchens and water features. Luxurious bathrooms should have freestanding soaking tubs that are the artistic focal point for the room. And this wasnt on Coldwell Bankers list, but an agent I talked to said he recently visited a home that had his-and-hers toilets. Imagine. Keep reading for more luxury home trends and discover the $10,000 amenity that the style guide highlighted as an ultraluxe pick. We know that home ownership is the way most families in the United States build wealth, especially wealth that can be passed down through generations. But how much and how fast properties grow in value depend on a bunch of factors, including who lives in the neighborhood where the property is. From 1950 to 2022, home values in neighborhoods where most residents were white grew much faster than home values in neighborhoods where most residents were not, according to an analysis by the nonprofit Economy League of Greater Philadelphia. Homeowners in Phillys Black and Latino neighborhoods collectively would have $57 billion more in property wealth if their homes appreciated at the same rate as homes in majority-white neighborhoods. The report is the first of its kind in Philadelphia, according to the Economy League. Keep reading for reasons why home value growth is slower in certain neighborhoods and what that means for Black and Latino homeowners. The latest news to pay attention to Desmond Patton and Jeffrey Keyes bought their late Victorian-style brownstone in 2022. (I almost wrote last year.) Their home, which was built in 1910, has an ornate staircase, wrought-iron Juliet balconies, and other Victorian hallmarks. But the couples decorating tastes are much more modern. Artwork includes a print by a graffiti artist and an abstract Mondrian painting of red, blue, and yellow rectangles. The foyer features wallpaper with blue strokes on a white background. Patton and Keyes also created their own artwork colorful miniature boxes they bought on Etsy and attached to a wall. Previous owners moved the kitchen to the basement. The couple kept the arched exposed bricks that create a grotto effect but painted some brick walls white to lighten up the space. Peek inside their home and find out where they went to pick out art and furniture. Trivia time One property a hospital represents more than 10% of a Delaware County boroughs tax base, and the hospitals owner owes about $350,000 for last years tax bill. To make up for that shortfall, Ridley Park has approved a tax increase for all property owners. Question: If the borough doesnt reach a deal with the hospitals owner, how much will property taxes in Ridley Park go up this year? A) 8% B) 17% C) 25% D) 33% This story has the answer. Photo quiz Do you know the location this photo shows? If you think you do, email me back. You and your memories of visiting this spot might be featured in the newsletter. Shout out to John M., David P., Kathy P., and Denise S. They knew that the photo of a Christmas tree on a beach in the Dec. 21 newsletter was taken in Ocean City. The Philadelphia metropolitan area was one of the top 10 metros that home buyers were looking to leave in November, according to Redfins analysis of searches on its website. The online real estate brokerage found that the top out-of-state destination for these home searchers was Salisbury, Md., for some reason. But before we rise up to defend our region, the difference in the number of people looking to leave and the number looking to move in was 3,000 home searchers, which I dont think is any reason to worry. About 13,000 people were looking to get out of the Washington metro, for example. Enjoy the rest of your week. By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10. So, my thoughts are, for this year, that we're going to have a really great year from an insurance perspective, he said. And I believe that APAC will be set up to lead the world as the dominant insurance market, at least, when it comes to the growth and the trending scale. It may never surpass US or Europe in terms of sheer size, but certainly in the growth perspective, I think we're going to see APAC become a leader. When I look at all this stuff around Tesla, and all the noise around it, I think some of it is just that Elon Musk is larger than life. People react to him, and they try to jump on any bad news, said Denninger. While AIG opted not to provide a statement on the matter, details indicate that the insurance policy primarily focuses on hull damage. This coverage was put to the test following the incident at Haneda airport, where a Japan Airlines Airbus A350 collided with a De Havilland Dash-8 Coast Guard turboprop. The collision resulted in the deaths of five out of six crew members on the smaller aircraft, although all 379 passengers on the Japan Airlines plane were safely evacuated. It is clear that we can no longer take for granted the stable and peaceful international conditions that Canada helped to shape following the Second World War. This moment calls for a sober assessment of our international priorities and a recalibration of how we engage with other nations, said Beatty. I am flattered by Darrens commitment to join our firm; the timing could not be any better as Stonybrook continues to build its book of business in the UK and beyond, Scheerer added. Stonybrook is especially excited about the MGA market in the UK and Darrens ambition to build upon our FAL (Funds at Lloyds) efforts with our own Chris Harman. Paglieri has more than 15 years of underwriting experience. He has expertise in environmental risk, specializing in general liability, product liability, site pollution, and excess liability. Prior to joining AXIS, Paglieri helped launch the environmental division at Ascot. He also spent two years as a P&C producer with Program Brokerage Corp. (now known as Specialty Wholesale Insurance Solutions), where he focused on New York construction. The cost of buying a program has also increased significantly, and in some cases, the terms and conditions and the coverage provided have been restricted a fair bit as well. I think that has driven the market to look at some of the alternative risk transfer strategies, for parametric or structured solutions, or other ways of retaining risk. What we're trying to create, and what we're building at Betterfly is a new category with the incumbent, della Maggiora said. We decided early on, and this was a very big bet, because at the beginning we didn't know how it would work out, [to] choose one partner for every market we open and go with a value proposition that is differentiation on product, a product or service that is 10x better, and not necessarily competing on price per se. This post is part of a series sponsored by AgentSync. Once upon a time, in Michigan A licensed life insurance agent went door-to-door, posing as a Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) employee. According to consumer complaints that the actual DIFS received, this agent told the unsuspecting home owners that their current life insurance carrier was being investigated for fraud and that she needed them to cancel their policies so she could issue new ones with a different carrier. In reality, there was nothing wrong with these life insurance policies, and the agent was merely conducting a scheme to sell new policies, which she stood to make large commissions on. All of this is according to a Sept. 2023 Order for Summary Suspension of Insurance Producer License and Notice for Opportunity of Hearing issued by the Michigan DIFS. This story may be one of the most egregious examples of an insurance agent engaging in fraudulent practices, but many types of insurance fraud arent nearly as obvious. Because we care so much about compliance, and do everything we can to keep licensed producers and dually licensed broker-dealers in good standing with their state departments of insurance, we thought itd be helpful to break down some of the most common types of insurance fraud so that you (consumers, producers, carriers, and compliance staff, alike) can recognize and avoid them. It should go without saying, but please note: AgentSync isnt your attorney and this article doesnt constitute legal advice. If you think you or someone you know may be heading down the path towards insurance fraud, please seek professional help and guidance from the appropriate sources. 12 types of insurance fraud to look out for According to statistics from the FBI, insurance fraud costs more than $40 billion each year. And thats not even counting fraud related to health insurance! This amount of fraudulent activity absolutely costs the average American money, but it isnt always as easy to spot as the example above. How insurance fraud shows up can range from small, seemingly harmless acts all the way to highly coordinated efforts involving multiple people. The following are seven specific types of insurance fraud that everyone working in the industry should be aware of and on the lookout for. 1. Premium diversion or stolen premiums Insurance consumers understand the basic concept of insurance: If you pay a premium, youll have coverage when you need it. Thats true, unless the insurance agent, broker, or producer has committed the most common type of insurance fraud. Premium diversion refers to when the person selling insurance collects premiums but never passes them along to the insurance company. The producer in this situation pockets the money or spends it on other things. Regardless, the money never makes it to the insurance carrier and the policy is never in effect. 2. Fee Churning Unlike premium diversion, which one bad apple can pull off alone, fee churning is a scheme that relies on multiple people and companies. Fee churning is when most or all of the premiums that a consumer pays are lost to commissions taken by different intermediaries along the way. The result is that theres no money left to pay claims by the time any of the original premium trickles its way through the scheme. At the bottom of the fee-churning pyramid, there may be a company that the bad actors set up to look like it was legitimate, but was only ever intended to become insolvent once the bulk of the money made its way into everyone elses pockets. This type of insurance frauds elaborate nature makes it easy to miss since each transaction taken on its own looks legitimate. Its only when someone connects the dots that a fraudulent scheme emerges. 3. Asset diversion Asset diversion is another complex and sophisticated form of insurance fraud. It relies on intricate coordination between multiple people in positions of power. In an asset diversion scheme, one insurance company uses borrowed money to acquire, or to merge with another insurance company. Once the merger or acquisition is complete, the first company pillages assets from its new underling to pay off the loan it got to make the purchase in the first place. With the loan paid off, company management can divert even more assets from the acquired company into their own pockets, ultimately draining the company dry entirely or sometimes keeping it open and collecting new premiums to continue fueling the fraud. 4. Workers compensation fraud Workers compensation insurance is a requirement in nearly every state for any business with at least one employee. Given how prevalent this coverage is, its no wonder there are several different types of fraud that insurance carriers, agents, employers, and employees can perpetrate. Stolen workers compensation premiums: According to the FBIs insurance fraud page, some unscrupulous insurance carriers may try to sell low-cost workers comp policies to a company and then walk away with the premiums while never actually providing a policy. According to the FBIs insurance fraud page, some unscrupulous insurance carriers may try to sell low-cost workers comp policies to a company and then walk away with the premiums while never actually providing a policy. Employer workers compensation fraud: Since workers compensation premiums are based on a companys employee payroll, some employers may try to misclassify employees as independent contractors to reduce the cost of their policy. Employers can also commit insurance fraud by providing inaccurate payroll information to their carrier or lie about having certain safety programs in place, which often lead to discounts. Since workers compensation premiums are based on a companys employee payroll, some employers may try to misclassify employees as independent contractors to reduce the cost of their policy. Employers can also commit insurance fraud by providing inaccurate payroll information to their carrier or lie about having certain safety programs in place, which often lead to discounts. Employee workers compensation fraud: Its not unheard of for an employee to blame a totally unrelated injury on something that happened at work. While its not fraudulent to report a workers comp claim if something job-related exacerbates a pre-existing injury or illness, its definitely against the law to claim an injury occurred while on the job when it didnt. 5. Fake accidents or claims When it comes to fabricating an insurance claim, the only limit is your imagination. People have done some crazy and bizarre things to try to get insurance payouts. From faking their own death to actually chopping off a friends hand, people will go to great lengths for money. Policyholders themselves are typically the perpetrators of this type of insurance fraud. But insurance agents shouldnt turn a blind eye if something seems suspicious. Even being involved in the submission of a fake or exaggerated claim can put an agents insurance license at risk, if not get them into more serious legal trouble. 6. Settlement or benefit theft If an insurance producer helps a client submit a claim and knows a large settlement check is on the way, there are several fraudulent and illegal things they can do to steal the money away from the policyholder. This type of fraud usually happens when an agent changes the address on record to their own, or even to a fictitious business address. The check ends up in the agents hands, and pocket, instead of with the client whos entitled to it. An agent would have to have a lot of chutzpah to commit this type of fraud, but its not unheard of. 7. Misrepresentation Whether on the part of the policyholder or the agent, providing false information during the insurance policy application process is insurance fraud. This can happen, for example, when a life insurance agent wants to be able to sell a large policy (hence, earning a large commission) that the customer wouldnt qualify for based on medical questions. It might seem harmless to fudge the truth so the client appears to be in better health than they really are, but getting a policy written based on incorrect details is a serious offense. 8. Ghost brokers or phony policies Who you gonna call? NOT ghost brokers, if youre smart. A ghost broker is an agent who sells a nonexistent insurance policy. They often go as far as to create fake policy documents to give to their clients, making it look like theres a legitimate insurance policy in place when theres not. Ghost brokers tend to prey on people who need policies badly and cant get them easily, or those who cant afford a policy from a more legitimate source. They target their victims by promising cheap insurance and/or loose underwriting requirements, both of which are easy to offer when youre not actually selling a real insurance policy! 9. Backdating insurance policies No one likes the idea of going without insurance coverage for something as important as a home, car, or their health. But, if youre an agent and a client asks you to make their policy start before the day they purchased it, run dont walk away from that deal. What may feel like a small favor is actually a serious act of insurance fraud. Other motivations for backdating may come from an unscrupulous producer looking to get a large commission on a policy they know wouldnt get approved under current conditions. For example, if an applicant for a large life insurance policy got diagnosed with a terminal illness and the agent thought they could get a policy in place effective before the date of diagnosis. Certainly, the producer and the client stand to gain a lot from that scenario, but it comes at a high cost, including hefty fines and even prison time, if convicted. 10. Twisting and churning Twisting and churning in insurance are two types of potentially fraudulent activity that weve covered in depth before, both here and here. These terms refer to the practice of replacing one insurance policy with another, usually referring to life insurance and annuity products since their commission structures offer the most incentive for producers to write new business. Twisting refers to the act of canceling a current insurance policy and replacing it with one thats similar, or not as good, from a different insurance carrier. refers to the act of canceling a current insurance policy and replacing it with one thats similar, or not as good, from a different insurance carrier. Churning refers to the same thing except replacing the current policy with one thats comparable, or not as good, from the same insurance carrier. Sure, policyholders have the right to cancel their current policy and move to a different one at any time, for whatever reason. There are some times when moving to a less beneficial policy makes sense: Maybe a married couple has finally paid off their home and no longer supports their (now adult) children. Moving to a more modest, and less expensive, life insurance policy is reasonable. Twisting and churning, on the other hand, are unethical (and often illegal) practices initiated by an insurance agent without a legitimate benefit to the consumer. 11. Sliding Twisting, churning, and now sliding? These insurance fraud terms can sound like fun dance moves, but theyre far from it. Sliding refers to when an agent slides some extra coverage into a policy without the insured agreeing to it. This probably isnt an issue if the producer sees the chance to add a rider to offer extra protection at no extra cost. But it becomes a major act of fraud when the agent beefs up a policy beyond what the client needs, simply to raise the price and boost commissions. 12. Binding without consent Unlike sliding, where an agent slides some extra coverage in under the radar, binding without consent refers to issuing an entire policy that the insured never agreed to. This is an objectively clear-cut case of fraud and not something an agent could just accidentally do. Even more ways to commit insurance fraud These 12 types of insurance fraud are among the most well-known, but hardly the only ways an insurance agent, carrier, or consumer can get into hot water. This article from Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) provides an in-depth look at an agents professional responsibilities to both their clients and their insurance carrier partners. Is insurance compliance the same as insurance fraud? No one (we hope!) wants to fall out of compliance with state or federal insurance regulations. Doing so can bring fines, administrative, and legal penalties onto everyone involved. Fortunately, falling out of compliance is not the same thing as committing insurance fraud, in most cases (though they can overlap). Unlike insurance fraud, which were pretty sure almost no one can commit without trying, compliance mishaps can happen to the best of us. The manual nature of insurance compliance makes it time-consuming, costly, and just plain hard to keep up with when youve got producers selling different lines of business across different states. Despite its challenges, regulators dont just turn a blind eye to producer compliance violations. They expect insurance carriers, MGAs, MGUs, agencies, brokerages, and individual agents and producers to stay on top of managing state licenses and carrier appointments. If youre starting to think your current compliance management system (or lack thereof) isnt pulling its weight, see how AgentSync can take the pain out of producer compliance and make it effortless and risk-free to keep your producers selling while adhering to all applicable laws. Topics Fraud A cyber incident that reportedly began on December 24 disrupted the electronic medical records system and caused a Massachusetts hospital to redirect ambulances to other hospitals on Christmas day. Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport told WCVB-TV that it was again accepting ambulances on December 26 and has remained open to all patients even as it continues to work on restoring systems. The not-for-profit community hospital, part of the Beth Israel Lahey Health System, has not released any details on the incident or indicated whether patient records have been affected. According to the Newburyport Daily News, which first reported the incident, the hospital said on January 2 more than a week after the event that it was still working with external cybersecurity officials to restore information systems affected by the attack. The hospital spokesperson told the local newspaper that the FBI is conducting its own investigation. The hospital, with more than 1,000 employees, is the largest employer in the small coastal city that is north of Boston and close to the New Hampshire border. Nurses at Anna Jaques have been complaining about working conditions and low pay. New contract negotiations between the hospital and nurses are currently underway. As a result of a merger in 2019, Anna Jaques is clinically affiliated with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a Boston academic medical center and teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. Topics Cyber Massachusetts New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the arrest and arraignment of a New Jersey man for allegedly stealing more than $1 million that was intended to be paid to doctors who provided medical care to injured workers covered under workers compensation. Prosecutors said Amrish Patel, who provided billing services to a Brooklyn-based orthopedic surgery practice, allegedly submitted falsified claim forms to the New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF) to steal at least $1.1 million in workers compensation reimbursements for himself. Patel and his two companies Medlink Services, Inc. and Medlink Partners, LLC have been charged with 27 felony counts for the thefts they allegedly committed from January 2012 through January 2019. The charges are accusations only and Patel is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. According to the 27-count complaint, Patel diverted payments that were intended for surgeons who provided health care services to workers compensation claimants. Under the law, authorized providers are reimbursed for their treatment of injured workers by the insurance carrier for the employer. Under the terms of their client agreement, Patel submitted bills for surgical procedures to NYSIF, the workers compensation carrier in this instance, and then the payments would subsequently be issued directly to the surgical practice or its doctors. In exchange for these transactions, Patel and his companies were paid monthly service fees. However, Patel allegedly submitted falsified claim forms to NYSIF and requested that the payments be sent to his companies instead of the doctors. In total, Patel allegedly stole at least $1.1 million in payments originally intended for three doctors for services provided between January 1, 2012 and January 4, 2019. Fraud in any part of the workers compensation system is detrimental to trust and hurts the entire system, including medical providers, carriers, businesses, and injured workers, said NYSIF Executive Director Gaurav Vasisht. Source: New York Attorney General Topics New York Fraud Workers' Compensation Talent NE China port launches container ship route to South America Xinhua) 08:25, January 04, 2024 This photo taken on Jan. 2, 2024 shows a container ship named "WAN HAI 357" berthing at the Dalian port in northeast China's Liaoning Province. The container ship arrived at the Dalian port on Tuesday, marking a regular container ship route linking the port and the west coast of South America has been launched. (Liaoning Port Group/Handout via Xinhua) DALIAN, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A container ship, named "WAN HAI 357," arrived at the Dalian port in northeast China's Liaoning Province on Tuesday, marking a regular container ship route linking the port and the west coast of South America has been launched. The ship loaded with 3,000 twenty-foot-equivalent unit (TEU) containers of goods, such as bananas and white prawns, left the Guayaquil port in Ecuador on Dec. 28. The route links the Dalian port with ports in Colombia and Ecuador as well as other major ports on the west coast of South America. The entire journey now takes only 25 days, saving at least seven days compared to the previous transportation mode via transit shipment service. This will expedite the entry of cold chain goods, such as seafood and fruits, from South America into the northeast China market. The new route is operated once a week by WAN HAI LINES Ltd., a Taiwan company, with six 3,000-TEU container ships. According to Li Xiaoguang, general manager of Dalian Container Terminal Co., Ltd. of Liaoning Port Group, which is in charge of Dalian port, there are currently 105 container ship routes from Dalian port, reaching more than 300 ports in over 160 countries and regions around the world. This photo taken on Jan. 2, 2024 shows a container being loaded onto a container ship named "WAN HAI 357" at the Dalian port in northeast China's Liaoning Province. The container ship arrived at the Dalian port on Tuesday, marking a regular container ship route linking the port and the west coast of South America has been launched.(Liaoning Port Group/Handout via Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Insurance giant Allianz SE is looking to replace the biggest bond remaining under Europes old regulatory regime as it taps the market for new issues early on this year. The Munich-based insurer priced a new 1 billion junior note on Wednesday while proposing to buy the entire 1.5 billion perpetual note that is set to lose regulatory value at the end of 2025. Allianzs move to manage its debt is the latest in a series of operations by European insurers over the past year dealing with subordinated issues that regulators will cease to recognize as capital. There are still 13.8 billion of so-called Solvency II grandfathered notes by European insurers outstanding, with Allianzs issue being by far the largest, based on data compiled by Bloomberg. Market activity on Tuesday showed that investors have appetite for new issues, a spokesman for Allianz said by email. Buyers placed more than 30 billion of orders, or almost twice the amount sold, for the bonds launched on the first trading day of the year in Europe, based on data compiled by Bloomberg. The timing of Allianzs operation also reflects its conservative approach to managing refinancing risk, the spokesman said. The rule-set known as Solvency II came into force in 2016 with the aim of making insurance companies more resilient. It dictates capital requirements for the insurers and granted them a 10-year grace period to deal with junior bonds that dont satisfy the regulations. Allianzs perpetual note is rising only marginally on the secondary market after the announcement as it was already indicated near face value, based on data compiled by Bloomberg. The old note also includes an early redemption option in September. The new tier 2 bond, which is callable after 10.5 years, was priced at a yield of 4.851%, according to a person familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified because theyre not authorized to speak about it. Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Europe K-12 Allianz BMS, the London-based specialist insurance and reinsurance broker, has completed its majority stake acquisition of Berns Brett Masaood (BBM), a leading UAE insurance broker established in 2007 and headquartered in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Financial details of the transaction, first announced in April 2023, were not disclosed. This is BMS first acquisition in the region. In 2023 alone, BMS successfully completed 10 acquisitions and a 30% growth across its core pillars of specialty, reinsurance, and international. Now operating as BMS Masaood, the UAE broker will continue its specialism in energy, institutional and affinity sectors while also expanding into new specialisms to complement BMS specialty operations in London. I am delighted to be able to announce the formal completion of our partnership with BMS Masaood. Developing a hub in this key financial region is a crucial part of BMSs growth strategy and the expertise of BMS Masaood has been and will continue to be crucial to this, commented Peregrine Towneley, chairman of international operations at BMS. All of us here are thrilled to join the BMS team. Our philosophies and approach to business are well aligned and made the acquisition process all the more seamless, according to Vedanta Baruah, CEO of BMS Masaood. I have no doubt that becoming a part of BMS growth story promises an exciting future for BMS Masaood and look forward to deepening our ties and accelerating the work we do together under the BMS name. Source: BMS Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Europe experienced stark weather contrasts on Wednesday, with extreme cold and snowstorms disrupting transportation and closing schools in Scandinavia while strong winds and heavy rain in western Europe caused flooding and at least one death. Temperatures fell below minus 40 degrees Celsius (minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit) in the Nordic region for a second day in a row Wednesday. In Kvikkjokk- Arrenjarka in Swedish Lapland, the mercury dropped to minus 43.6 C (minus 46.5 F), the lowest January temperature recorded in Sweden in 25 years, Sweden`s TT news agency reported. Extremely cold temperatures, snow and gale-force winds disrupted transportation throughout the Nordic region, with several bridges closed and some train and ferry services suspended. Several schools in Scandinavia were closed. Police across most of Denmark urged motorists to avoid unnecessary trips as wind and snow battered the northern and western parts of the country. Western Russia has been swept by a wave of cold air coming from Siberia and the Arctic region, with temperatures in Moscow and other areas plummeting to minus 30 degrees Celsius. Weather experts say western Russia is recording much colder temperatures than the average in early January, when they typically hover around minus 10 degrees Celsius. Officials in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other areas have issued orange weather warnings, cautioning residents against possible health risks. Mild but wet and windy conditions prevailed further south, where a storm wreaked havoc in parts of western Europe. In Britain, a driver died after a tree fell on his car in western England. Gloucestershire Police said the man died in the incident near the town of Kemble on Tuesday afternoon. The storm, which has been named Henk by the official weather services of Britain, Ireland and the Netherlands, has caused power cuts, transport troubles, property damage and disruption across the UK. More than 300 flood warnings were in place across England and Wales on Wednesday, while 10,000 homes remained without power. A severe flood alert, meaning a danger to life, was announced for the River Nene in Northampton in central England. Several residents were evacuated from houseboats and caravans at the nearby Billing Aquadrome. The U.K.s rail network was hit by flooding and power cuts, with many operators reporting ongoing issues for the Wednesday morning commute into work. The strongest gales in the U.K. were recorded on the Isle of Wight, just off the coast in southern England, where wind speeds reached 94 miles per hour (151 kilometers per hour). In the Netherlands, police near the city of Eindhoven said strong winds may have played a role in the death of a 75-year-old man who fell off his bicycle late Tuesday as high winds lashed much of the country. Also in the southern Netherlands, a small section of a dike that regulates water levels was washed away Wednesday afternoon, the country`s water authority said. The water was flowing into the already swollen river Maas near the city of Maastricht. Owners of a number of houseboats were being evacuated as a precaution. Parts of Germany were also grappling with flooding, which could be aggravated by more rain falling in the worst-affected northwestern state of Lower Saxony. ___ Associated Press writers Geir Moulson in Berlin, Mike Corder in Amsterdam, Pan Pylas in London, Jari Tanner in Helsinki and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report. Photograph: Northamptonshire Fire and rescue service rescue people from houseboats at the Billing Aquadrome in Northampton, England, on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2023, after the pathway to land was blocked due to rising water caused by Storm Henk. A severe flood alert, meaning danger to life, was in place for the River Nene in Northampton. (Jacob King/PA via AP) Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Europe Flood MONONA, Wis. (AP) A vehicle fleeing a suburban Madison police traffic stop crashed overnight, killing all three people who were riding inside, authorities said. Monona police tried to stop a suspicious vehicle about 9 p.m. Monday, but the driver fled, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation said. After a Dane County deputy deployed a tire deflation device, the vehicle crashed in the nearby town of Cottage Grove and all three people in the vehicle died at the scene, DCI said in a statement. The agency`s statement did not elaborate on the circumstances of the crash, including whether the driver may have lost control after running over the device or swerved to avoid it. DCI did not immediately respond Tuesday to messages left by The Associated Press asking about the specific circumstances of the crash and also why Monona police had deemed the vehicle suspicious. The AP also left a message for the Dane County Medical Examiner asking whether the three crash victims have been identified. Monona Police Chief Brian Chaney said in a statement that he has requested the assistance of DCI and the Wisconsin State Patrol in investigating the pursuit and fatal crash. The officers involved have been placed on administrative duty while DCI investigates with assistance from the Wisconsin State Patrol. DCI said it will turn over its findings to the Dane County District Attorney when the investigation is completed. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Auto Law Enforcement Wisconsin A U.S. anti-discrimination agency has asked a federal judge to reject Tesla Incs bid to pause a lawsuit alleging widespread racial bias at the electric carmakers flagship Fremont, California, assembly plant. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in a filing in federal court in San Francisco late on Wednesday said its September lawsuit is not duplicative of two other pending racial discrimination cases against Tesla, as the company had argued in an attempt to pause the case last month. Tesla has filed a groundless motion in a transparent attempt to deflect attention from the EEOCs substantive allegations and the serious racial problems that pervade its Fremont Facilities, the agency said. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The EEOC alleges that from 2015 to the present, Black workers at the Fremont plant have routinely been subjected to racist slurs and graffiti, including swastikas and nooses, and have faced retaliation for complaining. Californias Civil Rights Department in a 2022 lawsuit accused Tesla of tolerating similar conditions and discriminating against Black workers when making decisions about pay, promotions and work assignments. A pending proposed class action filed by Tesla workers in 2017 also alleges racial harassment. Tesla, which has denied wrongdoing, also is appealing a $3.2 million award granted to a Black former elevator operator at the Fremont plant in a separate racial harassment lawsuit. In its motion last month, Tesla claimed that the commission had rushed to sue the company as part of an interagency feud with the California agency. Tesla said that because the claims are similar, the California case and the proposed class action should play out before the EEOC case moves forward. The commission on Wednesday said its case is not redundant because it alleges violations of a federal workplace discrimination law, while the other cases are in state court and involve California laws. The EEOC also disputed Teslas claim that it did not give the company an opportunity to settle the claims before suing. Tesla last month also moved to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the EEOC failed to identify any specific instances of discrimination. The commission has not yet responded to that filing. Topics Lawsuits California Tesla The Southern Baptist Convention and others have reached a confidential settlement in a high-profile lawsuit that accused a former leader of sexual assault, ending a six-year legal drama that helped prompt a broader reckoning over child sexual abuse in evangelical churches, expanded victims rights in Texas and showed that a prominent conservative activist and Texas House candidate repeatedly downplayed abuse allegations. In 2017, Duane Rollins filed the lawsuit accusing Paul Pressler, a longtime Southern Baptist figure and former Texas judge, of decades of rape beginning when Rollins was a 14-year-old member of Presslers church youth group in Houston. Rollins claimed in court documents that the alleged attacks pushed him into drug and alcohol addictions that kept him in prison throughout much of his adult life. After disclosing the alleged rapes to a prison psychiatrist, Rollins filed the suit in Harris County against Pressler along with other defendants who he accused of enabling or concealing Presslers behavior including the Southern Baptist Convention and Jared Woodfill, the former chair of the Harris County GOP and Presslers longtime law partner. Rollins claims were a key impetus for Abuse of Faith, a 2019 investigation by the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News into sexual abuse in the SBC, the nations second-largest faith group. The series led to major reforms in the SBC, revelations that top leaders had routinely ignored or downplayed warnings about a sexual abuse crisis, and an ongoing Department of Justice investigation. As part of Rollins suit, at least seven other men came forward with their own allegations of sexual misconduct by Pressler in incidents spanning four decades. The suit also showed that Woodfill, a prominent anti-LGBTQ+ activist, was aware of allegations that Pressler was a sexual predator but continued to provide him with young, male personal assistants who worked out of Presslers River Oaks home. Three of the men have alleged sexual abuse or misconduct. Woodfill is currently running for a Texas House seat against incumbent Rep. Lacey Hull, R-Houston, and has been endorsed by Attorney General Ken Paxton and Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. Pressler, 93, is one of the most influential evangelical figures of the last half-century, and is considered the co-architect of the SBCs conservative resurgence that began in the late 1970s and prompted the faith group to adopt literal interpretations of the Bible, align more closely with the Republican Party, ban women from preaching and strongly condemn homosexuality. Pressler who formerly represented Houston in the Texas House and served for 14 years as a state appeals court judge is also an influential figure in GOP politics. His endorsement has for years been sought by conservative evangelical politicians, including U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. In 1989, Pressler was nominated to lead the Office of Government Ethics under President George H.W. Bush, though the bid was later withdrawn; and Pressler is a founding member of Council for National Policy, a secretive network of conservative judges, politicians, media figures, megadonors and wealthy business owners that is currently led by Tony Perkins, head of the anti-LGBTQ+ Family Research Council. Pressler denies the allegations and has not been criminally charged for any of the alleged abuses. An attorney for Pressler did not respond to a request for comment about the settlement, which is not public. In a statement, legal representatives for the Southern Baptist Convention and its executive committee confirmed that they had entered into a confidential settlement agreement despite being fully prepared to proceed to a trial that was scheduled for February after being postponed twice this year. However, several factors ultimately made settlement the more prudent choice, they wrote. Chief among those factors was the horrendous nature of the abuse allegations, the likelihood that counsel for the SBC and Executive Committee would have to confront and cross-examine abuse survivors, the Executive Committees current financial condition, and the willingness of multiple insurance carriers to contribute to the terms of the settlement. Michael Goldberg, who represented Rollins along with a team of lawyers from Baker Botts, said Friday that they had resolved the matter with Pressler on mutually satisfactory terms, and added that his team was very proud of the settlement we reached against the Southern Baptist Convention and Jared Woodfill. Woodfill has denied wrongdoing and said this week that he has not settled the case, though a Harris County judge signed off on a motion last week that said all claims, counterclaims and controversies in the suit were resolved. We are fighting the insurance company and oppose any payment, Woodfill said in a text message on Thursday. A pattern The settlement almost never happened. By the time that Rollins disclosed the alleged abuses to a prison psychiatrist in 2016 and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as a direct result of the childhood sexual trauma he suffered, the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit against Pressler had long passed. Nevertheless, Rollins pushed forward with the suit, arguing that the alleged rapes by Pressler a spiritual mentor who Rollins said weaponized religious language to justify his predations were so traumatizing that he unconsciously developed a sort of Stockholm syndrome that, coupled with the drug and alcohol addictions he blamed on the trauma, made it impossible to recognize himself as a victim until decades had passed. Thus, Rollins argued, his statute of limitations should have begun when he realized he had been abused, rather than when the last assault occurred. His lawsuit was initially dismissed on statute grounds. But Rollins appealed and, eventually, had the dismissal overturned by the Texas Supreme Court, which agreed with Rollins arguments. The courts opinion was a major victory for sexual abuse victims and their advocates, who have for years pointed to research that shows child sexual trauma can remap developing brains and make it difficult for many survivors to come forward until after their 50th birthday, and after their standing to file lawsuits has elapsed. Rollins lawsuit also uncovered a 40-year pattern of alleged abuses by Pressler. As part of the suit, a former member of Presslers youth group said in a sworn affidavit that Pressler molested him in 1977 while the two were in a sauna at the country club in Houstons tony River Oaks neighborhood. The man was entering his sophomore year in college at the time; Pressler, meanwhile, was a youth pastor at a Presbyterian church in Houston. He was ousted from that position in 1978 after church officials received information about an alleged incident, according to a letter introduced into the court file. Soon after, Pressler ramped up his involvement in Southern Baptist life. Rollins said Pressler began sexually abusing him not long after. He said the rapes continued on and off for nearly a quarter-century, often while he was working as Presslers aide. In 2004, court records show that a small group of leaders at the massive First Baptist Church of Houston were made aware of allegations that Pressler, a powerful deacon at the megachurch, had undressed and groped a young man at his home. In a letter to Pressler that was unearthed as part of Rollins lawsuit, the church leaders condemned Presslers morally and spiritually inappropriate behavior. They also feared that publicizing the allegations would damage Presslers reputation in their church and the Southern Baptist Convention. An attorney for First Baptist Church of Houston, which was a defendant in Rollins lawsuit, did not respond to a request for comment Thursday about the lawsuit settlement. The church has previously defended its handling of the 2004 incident, saying that there were differing accounts of what happened and that Presslers position on church committees and as a teacher were eliminated as a result. The same year that First Baptist was made aware of those allegations, Rollins filed a lawsuit for non-sexual assault against Pressler that was quickly settled for $450,000. Woodfill, who represented Pressler in the matter, said under oath last year that he was told by Rollins attorney at the time that Pressler had sexually abused Rollins as a child. Despite that, Woodfill continued to lean on Presslers conservative reputation, connections and influence to bolster their law firm, providing him with young, male personal assistants despite Pressler doing almost no work. I can think of one or two cases that he brought in, Woodfill testified as part of Rollins new lawsuit last year. He may have gone to one hearing in his entire time with us, two at the most. Really, it was his name. He got an employee that worked for him. So he didnt get a salary. He didnt get a draw. He didnt get a bonus. We paid for someone to come and assist him. Thats how he got compensated. Woodfill similarly downplayed sexual misconduct allegations in 2016, after a 25-year-old lawyer at his firm alerted Woodfill that Pressler had told him lewd stories about being naked on beaches with young men and then invited him to skinny-dip at his ranch, court records show. The attorney said he addressed the incident with a longtime employee of Woodfills law firm, who made it clear that this was not the first time hed heard such allegations. I discovered that this was not unusual behavior for Pressler, and that he had a long history of lecherous behavior towards young men. Even going as far as bringing scantily clad men and parading them through the office, the attorney wrote in an affidavit that was filed as part of Rollins lawsuit. Woodfill whod just played a key role defeating an equal rights ordinance for LGBTQ Houstonians responded to the young mans request for help with shock. This 85-year-old man has never made any inappropriate comments or actions toward me or any one I know of, he responded, court records show. The young attorneys claims are similar in detail to those from other Pressler accusers, who said he leaned on his stature and connections in conservative religious and political circles to try and coerce them into lewd massages, naked swimming sessions or sex. One accuser a young Houston Baptist University student said in a sworn affidavit that he stopped pursuing a career in ministry, frequently had panic attacks and attempted suicide as a result of Presslers alleged behavior. Court filings also show that Presslers family was alerted about his behavior in 2017, when an aide claimed in a letter that he had both heard stories of and personally witnessed Pressler getting nude massages from young men who work for him. He also claimed that Pressler had recently bragged about skinny-dipping with three boys who were younger than 10, and that he had seen Pressler manipulate a 20-year-old into giving him a massage and then repeatedly kiss him. He talks way more about nudity, the male body, being naked in spas in Europe, being naked in general than God, or his Baptist background, the aide wrote before announcing his resignation. Pressler, he added, needs to be stopped. This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/29/southern-baptist-convention-sexual-abuse-lawsuit-settlement/. The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org. Topics Lawsuits Texas Leadership Ahead of Floridas 2024 legislative session that begins Jan. 9, at least a dozen bills have been filed that could have an impact on the states insureds and insurers. Its a sign that lawmakers are under renewed pressure to take further steps to reduce still-rising property insurance rates. Most of the bills have been introduced by Democrats, and they have been given little chance of passage in the Republican-controlled Legislature this year. But one measure, offered by Republican Rep. Alina Garcia, of Miami, has generated some buzz as a back-door approach to reducing exposure for insurers and cutting premiums for homeowners. House Bill 809 and its companion, Senate Bill 1070, would require insurance companies to offer HO policies that cover only the unpaid principal on a mortgage. Such a move would satisfy mortgage company requirements that protect the loan but could conceivably trim premiums that are usually based on full coverage and the replacement value of a home. I dont really see a downside to it for insurers, said Chris Burand, a Colorado-based industry consultant who keeps an eye on the Florida market. Technically, policyholders in most states already have the option of vastly under-insuring their properties, as long as the mortgage principal is covered. But in practice, insurance agency guidelines strongly encourage agents to protect homeowners and ensure that they understand the policy limits, Burand noted. HB 809, in fact, would require the insurance policy to state, in 18-point type: YOU ARE ELECTING TO PURCHASE COVERAGE AT A LIMIT THAT IS EQUAL TO ONLY THE UNPAID PRINCIPAL BALANCE OF THE MORTGAGE LOANS ON YOUR HOME. ACCORDINGLY, IN THE EVENT OF THE TOTAL LOSS OF YOUR HOME OR A LOSS FOR WHICH THE COST TO REPAIR YOUR HOME EXCEEDS THE UNPAID BALANCE ON YOUR MORTGAGE LOAN, YOU WILL INCUR SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL LOSSES, INCLUDING THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF 36 SOME OF YOUR HOMES EQUITY. But that may not be enough to fully inform some policyholders homeowners who could easily be turned out of their damaged homes and have no money left to rebuild or to buy a new house after a hurricane, critics said. That could lead to claims litigation by irate homeowners. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has not seen similar legislation in other states, an official there said. And in Florida, the bill has met with some criticism. Frankly, its very bad public policy to encourage people to buy this coverage, said Scott Johnson, an insurance educator and consultant in Florida. Theres lot of additional work for both agents and carriers in making a required offer, theres liability exposure for uncovered damages and possible E&O for the agent. And its not certain that a mortgage-only policy would save much on premiums, Johnson and Burand agreed. Proponents of the bill may suggest that, if a home is valued at $300,000 but has only $150,000 left on the mortgage, for example, then a mortgage-only insurance policy would surely slash premiums, right? Not necessarily. Most HO policies include liability, law and ordinance and other coverage. Premiums for those items can help cover property losses for an insurer. Without economies of scale, carriers still have fixed costs and may have to charge a little more than might be expected for mortgage-only policies, the consultants said. I would never tell someone to consider this coverage option, Johnson added. Its like sleeping in the park to save on rent. Other issues could complicate things. Contents would not be covered, perhaps resulting in a total loss for the insured. And most HO policies now require that at least 80% of the value of the home, which means new policy forms would have to be developed, said Bill Wilson, a certified underwriter and regular insurance industry commentator. The market in Florida is bad but this isnt a solution, Wilson said. This just creates a secondary problem. He and Johnson noted that force-placed insurance already is available when mortgagees dont insure their homes, and those policies can be quite pricey. HB 809 also would bar insurance carriers from placing a coverage limit on the dwelling that would include the value of the land the house sits on. But if the policy only covers the structure, not the land, how do you divide that baby? Burand asked. And would the legislation apply to condominiums? Condo associations may object if the units insurance does not fully cover repairs and replacement. Garcia, who is in the real estate business, could not be reached for comment about her bill. HB 809 has been assigned to the House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee of the Commerce Committee. The text of the bill can be seen here. Topics Florida The head of a Tampa-area labor supplier has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after she pleaded guilty to defrauding the IRS and workers compensation insurers out of millions of dollars. A federal judge in Tampa last week ordered Gabriela Inamagua, director of Uno Construction and Perfect Builders Group, to time behind bars, along with restitution of more than $8.9 million, the U.S. Attorneys office said Tuesday. The sentencing came 18 months after another Polk County labor supplier, Guillermo Inamagua, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for managing shell companies that supplied labor to contractors in central Florida. Prosecutors did not explain if the Inamaguas were related. Both acted in similar ways and provided insurance certificates to contractors, then underreported the number of workers to insurers, according to prosecutors and court documents. In reality, (Gabriela) Inamaguas companies received and cashed more than $34 million in checks from various construction contractors for these purported employees,' the U.S. Attorneys office said in a statement. Those payroll figures far exceeded the very limited payroll figures that Gabriela Inamagua had reported to her workers compensation insurance companies. As a result, these employeeswho were, in reality, the employees of other entitiesperformed work on jobsites without adequate insurance coverage. Topics Florida Fraud California lawmakers returned to work this week for the start of an election-year legislative session dominated by decisions on artificial intelligence and the state`s struggling budget. The budget is a big issue every year in California, which is the nations most populous state and has an economy larger than that of all but four countries. But this year, lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom will have to figure out how to cover an estimated $68 billion deficit, a shortfall that is larger than the entire operating budgets of many states. And with California companies at the forefront of the artificial intelligence boom, a number of state lawmakers are eyeing new rules to govern the use of the technology before it can dominate daily life, much like social media has. The California Legislature convened Wednesday afternoon, giving lawmakers a week to settle in before Newsom sends over his first budget plan. Cutting the budget is never easy, but it`s especially difficult in an election year when many legislators must then ask voters in November to reelect them. Plus, lawmakers will be following a pair of new leaders as they navigate their first budget negotiations, an arduous process that happens mostly behind closed doors and requires gaining consensus among the Democrats who control a majority of seats in the Legislature. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas took over last summer, and incoming Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire is scheduled to take over next month. They will also guide debates on the use of generative artificial intelligence tools and attempts to rein in the fast-growing industry. Multiple lawmakers are preparing a host of bills to regulate the use of generative artificial intelligence tools, bills aimed at the potential impacts on privacy, discrimination, job protections and misinformation during an election year. Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan has said she will introduce a bill to prohibit the use of AI systems that discriminate against people, which would have required companies to evaluate the algorithms they develop and disclose any potential discriminatory risks. She introduced a similar bill last year but couldnt advance it. Assemblymember Ash Kalra wants to protect actors and artists by limiting studios ability to replicate performers work using AI, a sticking point in contract negotiations last year between actors and studios. The bill would allow performers to escape vague language in contracts that allow companies to use AI to create a digital version of themselves. State Sen. Scott Wiener said he will try to establish a sweeping industry-wide safety framework. The San Francisco Democrat aims to focus on tackling some of the biggest risks in public safety and security, such as AI-generated bioweapons, cyberattacks and misinformation campaigns. The bill, still light in details, will be among the first attempts at broad regulation of AI, Wiener said. Beyond the budget and artificial intelligence, lawmakers are also expected to fight over rules governing their own elections. Republican Assemblymember Vince Fong is running to replace former U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Congress. But he`s also on the ballot for reelection to his Fresno Assembly seat, creating a legal kerfuffle that has angered Democrats. Fong decided to run for Congress after he had already filed for the Assembly seat. California Secretary of State Shirley Weber at first refused to put Fong on the ballot for the Congressional seat, citing a state law that does not allow people to appear on the ballot twice. But Fong sued and a state judge ruled in his favor. Weber has said she will appeal the ruling. Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo, who is not running for reelection because she is seeking a seat on the Los Angeles City Council, has vowed to introduce legislation she says will clear up this mess. Under no circumstances should candidates be able to run for two offices at the same time, she said. The legislative session runs through the end of August, but lawmakers only have until the end of January to decide which of the bills introduced last year, if any, they will attempt to pass this year. Among the leftover bills is a proposal by Democratic Senators Catherine Blakespear and Nancy Skinner to require gun owners to carry liability insurance to cover the negligent or accidental use of their firearms. The bill, introduced in 2022, faced fierce opposition from firearms groups last year who said such requirements violate gun owners constitutional rights. Other bills include a proposal to require community colleges and California State University campuses to establish a mental health hotline, a measure to subsidize housing for seniors and adults with disabilities, and a plan to ban homeless encampments within 1,000 feet of a school, park, or library, among others. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics California Legislation InsurTech Data Driven Artificial Intelligence Gun Liability A detailed action plan to deal with issues relating to supports for forest owners whose ash plantations were devasted by the dieback disease is being prepared for submission to the Cabinet for approval. The move by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine follows a report by an independent group, which had been tasked by Minister of State Pippa Hackett to review existing supports. After engaging with relevant stakeholders, the group submitted its report in September, with thirteen recommendations covering a diverse range of issues. Answering pre-Christmas Dail questions, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said the plan being prepared will outline comprehensive actions. Detailed deliberations are taking place to ensure an efficient, appropriate, and proportionate response. The Minister said there is currently an attractive and enhanced reconstitution scheme for ash dieback open for applications under the new Forestry Programme 2023 - 2027. It includes a 100% increase in the site clearance grant rate from 1,000 to 2,000 and enhanced replanting grant rates. A top-up premium equal to the difference between the equivalent forestry type and the existing premium will be paid for those in receipt of farmer rate premium. Minister McConalogue said this will be calculated for the remaining years left in premium and paid in a single sum. He said he had stated when the Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme opened in July that if a forest owner made an application, they would not be disadvantaged if any changes were made because of the independent review process. I want to reiterate that message clearly and encourage ash plantation owners once again to engage with the enhanced reconstitution scheme as the quickest and most effective way to clear and reconstitute affected sites in compliance with the Forestry Act 2014, he said. Outlining the action taken to protect ash forests against dieback, he said airborne transmission has resulted in its rapid spread throughout the island of Ireland, where the disease is now widespread. It is not known when the disease first arrived. The first detections were made in 2012 in both Ireland and Northern Ireland. In the same year it was also first detected in Britain. The Minister said the Department initiated actions to eradicate the disease by clearing infected sites and trees that were infected. There is currently a scheme in place for landowners to clear their ash plantations and replace them with another species. The first such scheme, introduced to slow the spread of the disease and replace infected ash crops with another species of tree was put in place in 2013, he said. Deputy Joe Flahery said during another Dail debate that virtually every ash tree in the country is rotten. In a lot of estates taken in charge by county councils the tree of choice was ash. I have talked to tree surgeons who told me they have never dealt with as many trees in need of removal as they did after the last storm. Something needs to be done by the Department in conjunction with the Departments of agriculture and transport. It is going to be a huge issue on our roads as well. I suspect a time will come when insurance companies will void policies if they detect ash trees along the roadside. Major work needs to be done on this in the new year, he said. Senator Victor Boyhan told the Upper House last month that ash dieback is all over the place and must be addressed. I would like a debate on forestry with a specific focus on ash dieback and the challenges in terms of insurance, he said, Meanwhile, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan told the Dail that his Department has no plans to grant-aid the cutting or removal of trees infected with ash dieback. IFA Farm Forestry Chair Jason Fleming said the report vindicated farmers. The Governments response, particularly between 2018 to 2023, was ineffective and did not meet the needs of forest owners. The speed at which the Government respond on the foot of this report will be critical to rebuilding trust and confidence in forestry and will be fundamental to how farmers judge the attractiveness of forestry as a land-use, he said. The Police Service of Northern Ireland has said it apologises unreservedly for failings in its handling of incidents preceding the killings of Michael and Marjorie Cawdery. Mr and Mrs Cawdery, both 83, were stabbed to death at their home in Portadown, Co Armagh, on May 26, 2017. The apology comes after a coroner found that the deaths of the couple, who were killed by a man with a severe mental health illness, were entirely preventable. Paranoid schizophrenic Thomas Scott McEntee, who is now in his mid-40s, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and was given a life sentence in June the following year. I want to reiterate my sincere apologies to the Cawdery family on behalf of the Police Service of Northern Ireland for all failings which have been highlighted in our handling of this tragic case Delivering inquest findings at Banbridge courthouse in December, coroner Maria Dougan said that, on the balance of probabilities, the deaths could have been avoided if police and health care workers had dealt differently with McEntee in several interactions in the days leading up to the fatal incident. She identified a series of omission and missed opportunities that, if acted on, would have meant McEntee would not have been in the location of the Cawderys home on the day he killed them. The coroner raised particular concern about a police failure to use powers available to them under mental health legislation to take McEntee to a place of safety when they encountered him in the days prior to the killings. Ms Dougan also said she was not satisfied that all the lessons from the incident had been learned by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Belfast and Southern health and social care trusts. The coroner identified four incidents prior to the killings when McEntee had been displaying signs of mental illness and was involved in interactions with either police or health care staff. The first was in Belfast city centre and then the Mater Hospital in the city on May 22; the second was at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry on May 24; the third was the following day in Warrenpoint, Co Down; and the fourth on May 26 at both Daisy Hill Hospital and Craigavon Area Hospital. McEntee, who was from Kilkeel, Co Down, ultimately absconded from Craigavon Area Hospital and broke into the Cawderys home on nearby Upper Ramone Park when they were out shopping. When they returned he was still in the property and he killed them. It is imperative that we learn the lessons and do everything we can to prevent such a tragedy from happening again Mr Cawdery was a retired veterinary surgeon and research pharmacologist. He had worked for the colonial government of Kenya and Uganda. Mrs Cawdery was a civil servant in the colonial government of Uganda and latterly a company director and housewife. In a statement on Wednesday, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said: I recognise that the family of Mr and Mrs Cawdery have had to live with the lasting impact of this horrendous attack and the loss of Michael and Marjorie. We have, following the stark findings of the inquest, carried out our own internal review, and a serious adverse incident review conducted by the Health Trust, established a gold co-ordinating group under Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson, head of our justice department, to develop an action plan to address identified shortcomings and develop our engagement with the Department of Health and other partners. I am keen to reassure the family about our commitment to this work. I want to reiterate my sincere apologies to the Cawdery family on behalf of the Police Service of Northern Ireland for all failings which have been highlighted in our handling of this tragic case. It is imperative that we learn the lessons and do everything we can to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. Tributes have been paid following the death of respected ornithologist and conservationist, Julian Wyllie, who was known affectionately as the birdman of Sherkin Island. Mr Wyllie, a Scot who had lived on Sherkin Island, off the Cork coast, for almost two decades, was found dead close to his home on January 2. He was in his mid-60s. Garda officers have major security concerns around the funerals of two men who were killed as a result of a reckless gun attack on a restaurant in west Dublin on Christmas Eve. It follows the death of a second man, Jason Hennessy senior, who was shot by gunman Tristan Sherry as he sat having a meal with family and friends at Browne's Steakhouse restaurant in Blanchardstown village at 8pm. Sherry, aged 26, was overpowered in the busy pub and was fatally stabbed. A second accomplice also took part in the gun attack, though he managed to flee. So far, two men have been charged in relation to Sherry's death. Associates of Mr Hennessy have been actively looking for him since. Officers and local communities in Finglas and Blanchardstown are bracing themselves for retaliation in what is being linked to a feud between volatile gangs in the two areas. Mr Hennessy, aged 48, was shot in the neck in the attack and was in a serious condition in Connolly Hospital. Although it was initially thought he might survive, his condition deteriorated and he was moved to the Mater Hospital, where he died today. A post-mortem examination on Mr Hennessy's body will be carried out by the State Pathologist in the coming days. The father, from Sheephill Avenue, Corduff, Blanchardstown, leaves behind his wife and four grown up children three boys and a girl, ranging in age from their late teens to late 20s. Mr Hennessy was known to gardai and was due to go on trial next year on money laundering charges. While his involvement in the feud between a Corduff gang and a rival one in Finglas is unclear, gardai suspect associates of his are. Gardai suspect he may not have been the intended target, or, at least, the main target, in the gun attack. High alert Armed Support Units have been operating on a heightened level in the Corduff and Finglas areas since the shooting, with extra patrols funded by overtime. They are in addition to local patrols from Blanchardstown and Finglas garda stations. Gardai are still trying to locate the gun thought to be a machine pistol that Mr Sherry used in the attack, with concerns as to what purpose it might be used. Gardai have particular concerns regarding the policing of the two funerals, with Mr Sherrys first, then Mr Hennessys. Policing plans will be put in place. Local sources expect retaliation may happen after Mr Hennessys funeral, but some sources said the volatility of gang members made predictions difficult. The pubs after the funerals will be what gardai will need to watch, said one local source. Youll have guys drinking, getting coked up [taking cocaine] and tooled up [armed] and doing something stupid. Meanwhile, a man has been charged with murder in relation to the death of Tristan Sherry. Michael Andrecut, 22, with an address in Sheephill Avenue, Corduff, was charged with murder during a special sitting of the Criminal Courts of Justice on Saturday. A second man, arrested earlier this week, has been charged and is due to appear before a sitting of Blanchardstown District Court on Friday morning. A third man was arrested today. He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in West Dublin. Gardai continue to appeal for any witnesses to the incident or for anybody with video footage to contact Blanchardstown Garda Station on 01 666 7000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station. Some 376 asylum seekers were awaiting an offer of housing on Tuesday as new accommodation for those seeking international protection remains in short supply. In November, the Government warned that single men arriving in Ireland may not be offered State-provided accommodation, with the policy coming into effect on December 4. The Department of Integration says that, since then, 500 eligible men presented to its services. A total of 58 of those were offered accommodation after an "accommodation and vulnerability triage" and 66 have been accommodated since, leaving 376 awaiting State-provided accommodation. Within the Government, there is some alarm at the numbers who arrived over Christmas, with 414 arrivals of non-Ukrainian refugees into the State in the week before Christmas Eve. The weekly International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) report for December 24 shows that on Christmas Day 2018, there were 6,106 people in State accommodation. That figure was 26,176 on Christmas Day 2023. Ireland is currently accommodating more than 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine, and International Protection (IP) applicants. This includes over 74,000 Ukrainian people who have sought accommodation from the State and over 26,000 IP applicants currently in IPAS accommodation. Sources said that there has been little change to the pre-Christmas landscape in terms of available accommodation, but stressed that all avenues are being explored. However, the placement of facilities has become an issue following several high-profile incidents at centres earmarked for use. Gardai are investigating the criminal damage of the former Shipwright pub in Ringsend in Dublin, which came after another building which was also earmarked to house refugees, was set on fire in Rosscahill in Co Galway last month. The Ringsend site had been picketed for weeks, but was never to be used as accommodation for asylum seekers and was to be a family hub for homeless people. Local councillors have criticised the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) for not engaging with them and creating a "vacuum of information". But the DRHE responded that it had responded to councillors who had made contact with it. "The DRHE was contacted directly by local politicians and people from the area about the proposed use Shipwright. "It is correct to say we were not contacted by all residents and locally based politicians and therefore some may not have been aware of our intention to use the accommodate for homeless families. It had been agreed with one cllr who contacted us that if we were meeting residents we would inform all Cllrs but events overtook." The rumour that the building would be used by IPAS spread on far-right social media from the middle of December, with videos showing threats made against another publican in the area and claims it was a "human trafficking centre". The department said that those who are not housed are given an additional payment. "All male IPAs [international protection applicants] who present to the International Protection Office (IPO) during this period are assessed by IPAS and HSE staff for significant vulnerabilities and health issues, and prioritised for accommodation as necessary. "IPAs who are not provided with accommodation will receive a temporary increase of 75 to their Daily Expense Allowance (DEA). This will increase the allowance from the current rate of 38.80 per week to 113.80 a week for all eligible applicants." Sinn Fein MP Gerry Adams was shot and wounded by gunmen, who struck as he drove away from a Belfast court during the lunchtime recess. The West Belfast MP and four other men were in a car riddled with bullets from automatic weapons from a car which pulled alongside them in Howard Street, behind Belfast City Hall. Mr Adams, 35, was hit in the neck, shoulder and arm. The attack happened on one of the few days when it was known where Mr Adams would be in court. Normally, his movements are cloaked in secrecy and he lives a well-protected life in Republican strongholds. This is part of the Irish Examiner's 1984 series which is going online this week from Monday, January 1. The series is also published in the 'Irish Examiner' in print and ePaper from Tuesday. Responsibility for the attack was claimed by the outlawed Ulster Freedom Fighters terrorist group long thought to be a cover name for the Ulster Defence Association. In a statement issued hours after the shooting, the UFF claimed Mr Adams was responsible for the continuing murder campaign being waged against Ulster protestants and is therefore regarded as a legitimate target of war. Trouble erupted in republican areas after the shooting. The old home of former MP Gerry Fitt now Lord Fitt in the Antrim Road was set alight, but the blaze was quickly put out. Lord Fitt was ousted as West Belfast MP by Mr Adams last summer, and the house has been described as derelict following an attack on it shortly after the election. There were reports of buses being stoned in other Republican areas and of at least one being hijacked and set alight. Tanaiste Dick Spring, in a reaction to the shooting, said he was saddened at yet another outbreak of violence and called on all sides once again to denounce violence and to work towards a peaceful resolution to the problems of this island. In Washington, the Taoiseach, Garret FitzGerald, in a brief statement, said violence has once again been employed for political ends in Northern Ireland. There are no circumstances which can justify acts of violence of this kind. The Rev Ian Paisley said in Strasbourg: He who lives by the sword will perish by the sword. Happy 2024 to all. Seems like a year since I last inflicted my thoughts on everyone, and thats the last lame new-year joke Ill inflict on everyone. To kick off 2024 properly I note a Brent Toderian post on social media which asked a simple question. Did your city get better or worse as a city for people in 2023? This is a great question to ask Toderian is a city planner and urbanist, a past Vancouver chief planner, by the way and the answer options were varied. My city got a) better b) worse c) stayed the same, or d) its complicated. And yes, there were one or two pointed observations about Cork that were difficult to argue with. I just wanted to turn that question around slightly. Is it possible to see ways to make Cork a better city for people in 2024? Are there easy wins we could achieve month by month, even for the first half of the year alone? January: Crumbling quay by South Gate Bridge This is an obvious place to start, not least because its been going on for so long (this problem goes back to the middle of 2022). The quay wall has already been declared derelict, as reported here a full year ago, with the city council being told that securing repairs to the wall was a complicated process. The quay wall at the South Gate Bridge, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan Luckily theres a workable precedent available to local officials here. Just take the discussions with the local Freemasons lodge which preceded that organisation receiving part of Bishop Lucey Park for 1 as a template. Surely that series of informal talks between City Hall and the Freemasons could be replicated here to progress repairing the wall? February: Marina Market Can we put this market on a more secure footing, please? Every year we seem to have sabre-rattling about its legal status, with huffing and puffing before those swords return to their scabbards once more. Here we have a large space which is accessible to families and children, where they can mingle without fear of a drunk throwing up on them, where schools can bring entire classes, where a part of the city dead for years is now vital, lively and busy. Shouldnt we examine ways to see if this phenomenon can be replicated in other parts of the city rather than finding an annual threat to shut the Marina Market down? This venture should be supported wholeheartedly and an end brought to the annual threat of closure. March: The Bus Station Youre probably expecting some feedback on BusConnects here, and though I have some views on that process, its not why I mention bus infrastructure here. (But just on BusConnects . . is everyone happy to see busybodies trawl through the BusConnects submissions in order to pull out chunks of those submissions to post on social media? They are? No queasiness about those submissions being circulated far and wide? Fair enough then.) A view of the Bus Station, right, in Cork city. Picture: Dan Linehan I mention the bus station here specifically because in the US several cities have seen bus stations move from traditional city centre settings to remoter, less convenient locations or bus stations have simply closed. The Greyhound bus company has shut or is shutting its bus stations in Chicago and Philadelphia, while Clevelands bus station is to be moved 11 miles away from the city centre. There are other factors at play here related to ownership of those stations, but given the way discredited US theories of urban development eventually trickle over here, I place this warning on the record. The bus station in Cork needs to remain in the centre of the city. April: Bishop Lucey Park The only real green space in the heart of the city is shut down for redevelopment at the moment. Its expected, per Eoin Englishs reports, to be finished in 2025, over a year after it was closed for works. Bishop Lucey Park which will be redeveloped in Cork. Picture: Denis Minihane By springtime this year, when we begin to yearn for grass under foot and the open air, will we know if this work will be on schedule? Theres a lot involved. According to Eoins report, the new-look park will include improved access to the historic city wall, a new events pavilion and plaza, improved access and seating and a new tower to mark the eastern entrance. Hopefully, well have good news this spring that the new tower plus the Freemasons Hall extension leave some room for what we usually expect in a public park. Some trees and plants. Easy win. May: Event centre Or should we just move the park down the road to the event centre? I ask because, while I dont like to be negative, is there a case for calling a halt to the event centre altogether? As reported here recently, Cork City Council provided Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien with a final detailed submission before Christmas which included a request for additional State support. Asked if he felt the project still represented value for money, Tanaiste Micheal Martin said, I think there is still a strong case, yes, to be made for the Event Centre,, which isnt quite the powerful endorsement one might think at first glance. This would be a tricky relocation, admittedly, but at least wed have something. At the moment our event centre resembles nothing so much as an art prank Banksy would be proud of. June: Christmas Lights There hasnt been a ceremony to switch on the Christmas lights in Cork since 2019 for reasons of public safety and challenges related to crowd management. City council officials have pointed out that it is notable that Galway City, Limerick City, and Dublin City have not announced plans to have a public switch-on event". So, if Galway, Limerick and Dublin decide not to do something, then Cork simply follows suit? Thats an interesting way to assert our independence. As for public safety and crowd management, the above is bad news for every event planned for Cork in 2024 which will be attended by more than a dozen people, surely. How can any of those be run safely? On a more positive note, take the new years eve event organised... Checks notes. Sorry, nothing. Certainly nothing compared to, say, Dublins New Year Festival. So: we follow Dublins example on large public events. When it suits. There are plenty of other challenges facing us, not all of them as narrowly focused as the matters mentioned above. From the general lack of enforcement of existing legislation and regulations in many areas of Irish life to the casual attitude to the general obligations of citizens in modern society, we have a lot to deal with. Tackling the specific issues above would be a step forward both in terms of the resolution of individual problems and maybe in improving morale overall within the city. Gloom and disappointment are contagious, but adopting a can-do attitude is a good way to combat that. Its certainly better than a cant-do attitude. They say that every disaster movie begins with a scientist being ignored. While it was supposed to be virtually impossible, there is now a better than evens chance that global temperatures this year will for the first time in millennia rise by 1.5C over the pre-industrial average. What makes this number so significant is that its the point at which scientists warn that critical climate tipping points begin to be breached, with the direst of consequences for humanity and the natural world. Already, 2023 is understood to have been the hottest year on Earth in the last 125,000 years with temperatures averaging around 1.4C above pre-industrial. 800,000 Hiroshima-sized bombs every day To try to grasp the magnitude of this heating, scientists calculated that in July 2023 the hottest month in Earth history the planet absorbed the equivalent energy from human actions as released by 800,000 Hiroshima-sized bombs every single day. SUSTAINABILITY & CLIMATE 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. This colossal additional energy has provided fuel for epic weather disasters on all continents. Record-smashing extreme heatwaves were recorded repeatedly across Europe, North America and much of Asia, and as the southern hemisphere swung into spring and summer later in the year, temperatures above 35C were recorded in South America in its midwinter. To understand just how extraordinary these heatwaves are, the temperatures being experienced from northern Argentina to Chile were 22-25C above normal for the time of year. In parts of Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia, temperatures breached 40C in the depths of winter. A study by the scientific group World Weather Attribution found that these freakishly hot conditions, that led to multiple deaths, were made 100 times more likely as a result of human-induced climate change. Stronger El Nino effect expected this year While the developing El Nino played a minor role in spiking 2023 temperatures, its impact is expected to be much more pronounced in 2024. El Nino is a naturally occurring climate pattern of sea surface warming, originating in the Pacific Ocean. Typically in an El Nino year global temperatures increase slightly, as more heat energy from the oceans enters the atmosphere. The strengthening El Nino effect into 2024 has the power to turbocharge the global atmosphere, which is already heating quickly as a result of the rapid accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from human activity. At the Cop21 conference in Paris in 2015, nations of the world agreed to limit the rise in global temperatures to well below 2C aiming to hold the line at 1.5C. In the years since then, scientific evidence has underlined the extreme sensitivity of Earth systems to increased levels of GHGs. At that time, it was still being projected that the world would not experience its first 1.5C year until into the 2030s. This has turned out to be entirely optimistic. While temperatures race forward, the political response to the crisis still moves at a glacial pace. Little concrete progress at Cop28 The recently-concluded Cop28 conference in Dubai managed to mention the phrase fossil fuels for the first time in its history. Beyond that, little concrete progress was made. Emissions reductions remain largely voluntary and left up to individual states to implement or ignore. While most politicians headed home from the conference largely satisfied with the non-binding nature of the process, how many of them will have read the State of the Cryosphere 2023 report? This was produced recently by 60 top experts in the field and began with the stark statement: We cannot negotiate with the melting point of ice. We are, the study warned, on the cusp of catastrophic sea level rises. Melting polar ice could swamp Irish cities The cryosphere refers to the worlds frozen landscapes from the poles to Greenland and massive glaciers such as in the Himalayas, as well as permafrost. From the cryosphere point of view, 1.5C is not simply preferable to 2C or higher, it is the only option, the report noted. Failure to drastically cut global carbon emissions locks in humanity to centuries of catastrophic sea level rise, of a scale and at a rate that will be impossible for societies to adapt to. The central conclusion of the cryosphere report is that if temperatures are allowed to reach 2C, it will trigger an irreversible collapse of the worlds major ice shelves leading to the inundation and loss of much of the worlds coastal settlements and infrastructure. For Ireland, this would mean the gradual abandonment of much of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Wexford and Galway. Put simply, this cannot be allowed to happen. Yet politicians, lobbyists, and corporations are carrying on with the delusional conceit that we can cobble together some kind of last-minute compromise with the laws of physics. Deadly heat all over Europe last summer After the blistering European summer heatwaves of 2022, deadly heat returned to the continent in 2023 with the mercury hitting 45C in areas of Spain and across the Mediterranean in mid-July last. Many Irish tourists found themselves in unbearable temperatures in traditional European holiday spots. The flip side of high temperatures are extreme flooding events. The most severe of these occurred when Storm Daniel ripped into Libya in September 2023, killing an estimated 20,000 people with many deaths attributed to the collapse of a poorly maintained dam. Analysis by World Weather Attribution found that the devastation in Libya was made far more likely and worse by climate change. Reconstruction costs are expected to run into billions of dollars. There was much fanfare at Cop28 at agreement having been reached on a Loss and Damage Fund to help compensate countries being impacted by climate change, yet the total (voluntary) commitments to this fund run to around $700m. As Libya illustrates, this is a drop in the bucket for a single country let alone as a global fund. Storm Babet gave Ireland a taste of extreme weather Ireland received a taste of extreme weather when Midleton, Co Cork, was hit by a severe flooding event in October. Storm Babet dumped over a months rainfall on the area in a 24-hour period, leading to millions in damage. For every 1C rise in global temperatures, the atmosphere can hold an additional 7% of water vapour, and Irelands rainfall has increased by this amount in just the last 30 years in line with rising temperatures. What is becoming increasingly clear is that, while engineering solutions can work in limited instances, the only longer-term way to safely manage increased precipitation in Ireland is to employ nature-based solutions such as restoring uplands and paying farmers to allow their fields in floodplains to flood, as nature intended. In some cases however it will be simply impossible to defend properties and infrastructure, and a planned retreat from high-risk areas is inevitable. We may have already breached tipping points It is astonishing to consider that all 10 of the hottest years ever recorded on the instrumental record, stretching back to the late 1800s, have all occurred since 2012. The chance of this sequence being a coincidence is less than one in a billion. The problem with tipping points is that, because of system inertia, you can have breached one or more without the true impacts being immediately apparent. All we know for sure is that we are already in a parlous situation. And 2024 promises to be yet another year of living dangerously. While we should be tip-toeing carefully along, humanity continues instead to blunder forward more quickly than ever wandering deeper and deeper into a veritable minefield of climate impacts. Will our luck finally run out in 2024 or, like in the movies, will we engineer an unlikely last-minute escape? Time will tell. A study by the OECD indicates no excess deaths in Ireland during the pandemic, based on a number of factors. There is a lot to unpick in those findings. How many people died from covid-19? In Ireland up to early January this year, some 9,466 covid-19 deaths were reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC). Globally, during each of the three years from 2020 to 2022, the OECD counted around 2m additional deaths compared to the five-year pre-pandemic average. Its analysis, OECD Health Working Paper No 163, found an estimated peak of almost 13.5m deaths recorded across the 38 OECD countries in 2021. What does excess deaths mean? The OECD paper, written at a remove from the realities of overcrowded intensive care units and nursing homes tragedies, focuses on a specific way of analysing patterns in deaths. Excess deaths include the total number of deaths registered weekly, monthly or annually compared to the number that might have been normally expected across all age groups. The OECD analysis places Ireland among four countries with the lowest levels of excess deaths during the years examined, along with New Zealand, Iceland, and Norway. Mexico had the highest number of excess deaths during this period, followed by Colombia, Bulgaria, and the USA. What factors did the OECD take into account? The authors acknowledge countries saw periods when deaths rose quickly. They said weekly analysis shows a much greater degree of variance and that this led to acute pressures on health systems, which may not be apparent from examining average annual mortality rates. In Ireland, the month of January 2021 is one such devastating time people will not soon forget. During just one week, some 440 people died with covid-19, and deaths stayed at over 300 weekly for four weeks heading into early February, HPSC data shows. The OECD team factored in rapid demographic change, highlighting particularly an increase in older people. There was an 8% rise in the overall population in Ireland between 2016 and 2022, as well as a 22% increase in the number of over-65s. This increase among older people is particularly noticeable as it is more than double that seen across the OECD. In a statement on the OECD paper, the Department of Health said: Adjusting mortality rates to take account of these changes has shown that Ireland did not record excess mortality during 2020-2022. In fact, Ireland had a lower than expected death rate. The OECD paper also states that, during the pandemic, there were lower numbers of deaths from violence, accidents, and other infectious diseases which people would usually be exposed to over those years. However, as public concern in recent days has shown following the Department of Healths comments, the paper also reflects the complexities involved in analysing mortality rates. The team found the number of deaths directly linked to covid-19 dropped in countries where vaccination programmes were successful. At the same time, they said: The pandemic also disrupted healthcare systems, making it harder for people to access medical care at times. They suggested this may have contributed to an increase in deaths from other illnesses. In Ireland, oncologists have separately warned the pandemics impact on cancer rates may not be understood for another decade. Is this the only study on pandemic deaths in Ireland? Research by Maynooth University and the University of Limerick found excess mortality for the covid-19 period is almost 40% higher than that recorded for the severe flu season of 2017/18. They measured this using notices on the funeral website Rip.ie but also noted fewer notices at other times during those years. In April 2022, health regulator Hiqa said: There were an estimated 2,019 excess deaths in Ireland between 2 March, 2020 and 28 November, 2021. They found two lengthy periods where deaths increased in early 2020 and early 2021, saying also between mid- and late 2021, the excess mortality in Ireland was observed to be amongst the lowest in Europe. Will these findings form part of an inquiry in Ireland? Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said: The inquiry will certainly be up and running in 2024. Terms of reference set out its scope and these are expected to be before the Cabinet shortly. However, The Irish Patients Association has called for further analysis of the deaths as part of preparation for this inquiry. We think that the OECD needs to further explain its calculations, in the interests of the families who have been affected by those deaths, a spokesperson said. We need to know more about what that indicator is telling us. Then, importantly, analysis of mortality in Ireland should be done prior to any public inquiry, with a root focus on why were doing this to ensure it doesnt happen to other people. The year of elections has started as it may well go on. Last Sunday, a fire gutted a former public house in Ringsend. The premises of the former Shipwright pub was vacant and had been earmarked for occupation by a State agency. An inaccurate rumour took flight that international protection applicants would be housed there. Dublins Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE) had intended to use the facility as a hub for families. Local politicians have suggested that had this been known, there might have been no attack on the premises. We have now reached a point where all State agencies are expected to inform widely if it intends to use a premises in order to, allegedly, alleviate fears. These fears have no rational basis and concern foreigners, many if not most of whom, are fleeing war or persecution or were in fear for their lives in their country of origin. So now, agencies like the DRHE are expected to point out that children who have no homes are moving into the area, highlighting the status of these children and probably stigmatising them. Meanwhile, the message to those who may be fleeing for their lives is that you are not wanted here, go flee somewhere else. Fuelling this atmosphere are a small but dedicated number of bad actors, from what we call the far right. They spread fears and talking about men of military age and unvetted males and all sorts of tropes. In this year of local elections, the far right are on the pigs back. Most local councillors have re-election to the forefront of their minds and therefore are in no mood to confront irrational fears or to tackle misinformation. They dont want an argument on the doorstep. They want a smile and a nod and to convey the impression that they feel the voters pain. This failure to lead at a local level is afflicting councillors from across the political spectrum. This was obvious last Tuesday in an extraordinary interview on RTEs Morning Ireland, given by Danny Byrne, a Fine Gael councillor for the Ringsend area. He told Mary Wilson the Shipwright had been sold last year and people were apprehensive about what might happen there. There was lots of misinformation, outside influences, people saying that people were coming in from all over and that theyre not vetted and fears were stoked up, he said. The presenter asked whether he attempted to quell the fears. This became a big issue outside of my remit as a local councillor, Byrne replied. Asked was a homeless hub more acceptable locally than an accommodation centre for asylum-seekers, he replied: Thats not for me to say I very much take my decisions from the electorate, from the local community so I would very much side with the community. He did condemn the arson attack but once again referenced the outside influences talking about unvetted migrants. Would he use that word, Wilson asked. It wasnt me who came up with that word. People have fears and its not for me to say that those fears are unwarrantedI dont have small children but I do feel for people who have small children, he said. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said 'we should have an open and honest debate about migration in this country but it has to be based on facts'. Picture: Conor O Mearain As a result primarily of the war in Ukraine, more than 100,000 refugees of one sort or another have entered this State in the last 18 months. There is no record of any heightened danger to children as a result. The huge bulk of danger to any children anywhere comes from within the home or a familys social or family orbit. As for the councillors reluctance to address head-on the despicable unvetted trope, he might want to refer to what his party leader said just before Christmas. I think we should have an open and honest debate about migration in this country but it has to be based on facts, the Taoiseach told reporters. It has to be based on information. It has to avoid anything that is othering or racist. "I hear, for example, people talking about asylum-seekers being unvetted. Everybody who comes into the country who claims international protection is photographed, is fingerprinted, is checked against a watchlist. At least until such a time as we can process their application and decide whether they're allowed to stay or not, they should be treated with a minimum degree of dignity and respect. That's what we seek to do. That's what I'd ask people to do." The dissonance between the positioning of candidates in the local elections this year and that of their partys leadership will be one of the striking features of debate around asylum-seekers in the coming months. It is already under way. Just before Christmas, Labour party candidate in Dublin, Carol Reynolds, was filmed being interviewed outside the Shipwright premises in Ringsend, an episode that will probably haunt her in light of what happened two weeks later. Her interviewer was Gavin Pepper, a figure associated with the far right. The pair discussed the housing of international protection people in the building, for which it was never going to be used. At one point, Pepper says: Theyre not putting Irish homeless in it. This is precisely what it was going to be used for. Pepper asked the Labour Party candidate whether she agreed with open borders and mass migration. I think we have enough, we have too many immigrants here at the moment, she said. Theyre just coming in because theyre calling us treasure island. It is unclear whether it was the 'pressure' of an upcoming election which prompted two Fianna Fail councillors in Galway to let rip in the wake of the arson attack on the Ross Lake Hotel. Picture: Twitter/X Ms Reynolds obviously has difficulty distinguishing between immigrants and asylum-seekers, the former of which are here either by right or invitation, the latter to apply for sanctuary. She did subsequently apologise for her comments, saying she had been under pressure. It is unclear whether it was the pressure of an upcoming election which prompted two Fianna Fail councillors in Galway to let rip in the wake of the arson attack on the Ross Lake Hotel. If it was done maliciously, it was absolutely the fear for the safety and wellbeing of their families that drove people to this, Cllr Seamus Walsh said at the time. He didnt elaborate on what fears existed and whether they were rooted in evidence or fact, or were actually the product of a hate campaign. He didnt make any effort to address the fears, such as they were. Seven months before an election, he just appeared to be pandering to the idea of fears. Cllr Noel Thomas said the inn is full, at a time of year when most of the west celebrates the life of a person who was excluded from the inn. We have flooded the country at the moment, Mr Thomas said on Virgin Media. Theres no regulation on how people are being brought into the country and unfortunately people are just fed up with it. This is wholly erroneous, suggesting a policy of some kind of open borders exists. Both councillors are being subjected to an internal inquiry in the party, but it is highly unlikely they are shaking in their boots at the prospect. Various Sinn Fein councillors have found themselves at variance with their party leadership on this issue. Among them was Aidan Mullins, who contributed to a debate in Laois County Council on housing asylum-seekers in the area. He pitched the plight of those arriving here against that of homeless people. Where are we going to house them? But I guarantee you, they will be housed. And then we wonder why somebody comes to say how come theres an arrangement for people coming into the country, as opposed to people on the housing list. Thats the reality. In fact, the reality is that nobody arriving in the country, even if and when they might be granted asylum, are bumped up the housing list ahead of those already waiting. It is surprising a politician in a forum where housing dominates would not be aware of that. Of the last nine tweets on Mr Mullins's Twitter feed, eight deal with immigration. One of those is an unequivocal condemnation of the Dublin riots, but all others express views that would not be expressed by his partys leadership. Two of the tweets carry articles from Gript.ie, an online media outlet opposed to immigration policy and one which would ordinarily be alien to what Sinn Fein purports to stand for. Conversely, Mr Mullins may not be as out of step with his party leadership today as he would have been a month ago. Just before Christmas Mary Lou McDonald made a number of statements that inferred changes to her partys position on asylum-seekers, including that Ukrainians should be asked to leave in 2025 if they are not doing work deemed necessary for the economy. In the broader picture, however, what is definitely emerging in a year of local elections among the main parties is a drift away from the long-held consensus that this country is obliged to welcome those fleeing war and pestilence. There are exceptions among those seeking re-election, but there is also plenty of evidence that many are, and will be, willing to pander to illogical fears and even compete in turning up the dial of intolerance for the sake of chasing votes, wherever they are to be found. I returned to my old school in Rome last January; an experience that lifted my spirits. I was there to talk to students about some of the issues I covered in my book on the climate challenges facing Europe. By the end of that afternoon, I felt reassured, and not just because of how engaged these 16- and 17-year-old students appeared, asking well-informed questions and commenting on my work. It was because behind many of their interventions there was something very personal. They were not discussing abstract concepts unrelated to their lives but were well aware that this is their Europe and their planet, and that it is up to them to contribute to save both. They wanted to know how best to fight back against Russian disinformation; how to change their lifestyles to make the European green deal a reality; and how to contribute to a more rational and humane approach to migration. Yes, Europe was at war, with no end in sight to Russias invasion of Ukraine, while the energy crisis was in full swing, as Europeans waded through their first winter without Russian gas. And it was still unclear whether the return of energy security to the agenda would have shelved climate action. Important elections loomed, especially those in Turkey, Spain and Poland. Over the subsequent months, many of these issues turned out for the better. European governments maintained their support for Ukraine. Germany in particular, while rightly criticised for moving too little and too late, now ranks second to the US in terms of military assistance to Kyiv. Whereas at the beginning of the war US aid far outstripped that from Europe, now Europe, collectively, surpasses the US. The peak of the energy crisis is now behind us. There is some way to go to definitively cut the fossil-fuel umbilical cord with Russia, but the fact that Europe has largely weaned itself off Russian gas is a remarkable achievement. The legislative agenda aimed at ensuring at least a 55% reduction of emissions by 2030 is basically accomplished, with some of the targets, for instance, those concerning renewables, now even more ambitious than when the war began. Elections in 2023 also brought some encouraging news. True, the opposition in Turkey failed to unseat Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the pro-Russian populist Robert Fico returned in Slovakia, while in the Netherlands the hard-right Geert Wilders unexpectedly surged in the polls. However, in Spain, the feared victory of the Peoples Party with the hard-right Vox did not pan out, while in Poland, Donald Tusks Civic Platform won the elections and has now begun the essential task of restoring the rule of law in the country. Ukraine support But even for a Euro-optimist like me, the dark clouds of the past few months have tested my confidence. In Ukraine, the West has reached the end of its current strategy, which was (temporarily) sufficient to prevent Ukraine from losing the war, but a far cry from providing Kyiv with the support it needs to win. While Russia has put its economy on a war footing aimed at waging a long campaign against the West, in Washington and many European capitals magical thinking about negotiations has died hard. The need to change tack on Ukraine is only dawning now all the more so given the risk of the US stalling, with Congress still holding $60bn of assistance to Ukraine hostage and Donald Trump threatening to withdraw it altogether if he returns to the White House. Some steps are being taken, with the opening of EU accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova. And I am sure that this month an agreement will be reached on the 50bn in EU aid for Ukraine that was blocked by Viktor Orbans Hungary. This is all necessary, but it is insufficient to enable Ukraine to win this war and for Europe to defend itself against a Russian threat that will persist for the foreseeable future. On climate, the political headwinds are building. The European green deals legislative agenda is largely complete and Cop28 did at least mention the need to transition away from fossil fuels. But with the hard right gaining ground in Europe ahead of Junes European elections, there are real questions concerning implementation, let alone whether Europe will begin tackling the wider sustainability agenda, beginning with reform of agriculture. Middle East In the Middle East, Europe has been an utter disaster. The criticism used to be levelled at EU governments that they were payers but not players in the Middle East, acting as a poor second fiddle to the US. The US, for good or ill, was the major power to be reckoned with in the region. Today, the US remains the indispensable power, but it is unable to dispense anything at all, resisting a ceasefire for Israels war that so far has resulted in more than 20,000 deaths and untold destruction while remaining far from its declared (and probably unachievable) goal of destroying Hamas. Europe has revealed itself in all its weaknesses, repeatedly dividing itself at the UN between countries that support, reject and abstain from calling for a ceasefire, and loosely tagging on to Washington rather than mustering a position of its own. I was struck during a recent trip to the Middle East how no one mentions Europe at all, certainly not before discussing first the roles of the US, China, Russia, and even India, alongside those of regional players. Europes approach to war in the Middle East has been as unethical as it is irrational, making no sense either in terms of norms, interests, or even a genuine desire to support Israels long-term security. At the end of December, during an award ceremony for a youth essay competition sponsored by my institute, one of the winners reminded us in his speech about the value of hope and the need to latch on to it in the darkest moments. We have gone through dark times in the recent past, with the economic crisis followed by a surge of nationalist populism and Brexit. During the pandemic and the first year of war in Ukraine, Europe pulled together, and it is only in the past months that it has wavered again. Like the students at my old school, Davide was right: positive change is still possible, but we first have to believe in it. Nathalie Tocci is a Guardian Europe columnist South Africas request for an interim measure by the international court of justice to prevent Israel from committing acts of potential genocide primarily by calling for a halt to combat operations has suddenly taken on an urgency and relevance that seemed implausible a fortnight ago. Crack legal teams are being assembled, countries are issuing statements in support of South Africa, and Israel has said it will defend itself in court, reversing a decades-old policy of boycotting the UNs top court and its 15 elected judges. The first hearing in The Hague is set for January 11 and 12. If precedent is any guide, it is possible the ICJ will issue a provisional ruling within weeks, and certainly while the Israeli attacks on Gaza are likely to be still under way. The wheels of global justice at least interim justice do not always grind slowly. South Africas request for a provisional ruling is in line with a broader trend at the ICJ for such rulings. Parties have been seeking and obtaining provisional measures with increasing frequency: in the last decade the court has indicated provisional measures in 11 cases, compared with 10 in the first 50 years of the courts existence (1945-1995). Like interim injunctions issued by national courts, ICJ provisional measures seek to freeze the legal situation between parties to ensure the integrity of a future final judgment. For a while doubt persisted as to whether these measures were deemed binding by the ICJ. But the court put those doubts to rest in the LaGrand judgment in June 2001, where it held that the rulings were binding, given the courts basic function of judicial settlement of international disputes. They are intended to be binding, but are they in practice? One assessment prepared by a US lawyer, Mattei Alexianu, suggested that the courts measures were complied with by the state parties in only 50% of cases, while in some normally the most high-profile recent cases, including Ukraine v Russia in 2022, the Gambias claims of genocide against Myanmar in 2020, Nagorno-Karabakh, and US sanctions on Iran the losing state party simply defied the court. Not surprisingly, the more intrusive an adverse ruling to a countrys sense of national sovereignty, the less likely they were to comply. But putting aside whether Israel would comply with any ICJ order to change its military tactics and desist from any act ruled as genocide, the reputational damage to Israel of such a ruling would be substantial, and at minimum may produce a modification of its military campaign. The very fact that Israel has chosen to defend itself at the ICJ a UN sponsored body and is a signatory to the genocide convention makes it harder for it to brush aside an adverse finding. It is a high-risk move by Israel. What are the chances of an adverse finding being made? First, it should be said that although the South African claim to the ICJ seemed to come out of the blue on December 29, it is not something its lawyers cobbled together while wrapping up Christmas presents. It is a substantive, tightly argued 80-page claim, replete with detailed references to senior UN officials and reports, which only rarely strays from its chief necessary purpose of seeking to prove Israels genocidal intent. The lawyers South Africa is sending to The Hague are its best. Much of South Africas argument is derived from the ICJ judgment on provisional measures it issued in the Gambia v Myanmar case in 2020. Palestinians mourn relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip outside a morgue in Khan Younis on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. According to the application, acts and omissions by Israel are genocidal in character, as they are committed with the requisite specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group and that the conduct of Israel through its state organs, state agents, and other persons and entities acting on its instructions or under its direction, control or influence in relation to Palestinians in Gaza, is in violation of its obligations under the genocide convention. By seeking provisional relief under article 74 of the court, as opposed to a definitive ruling, South Africa can lower the threshold of what it is required to prove before the court provides interim relief, and possibly minimise some of the prime facie jurisdictional issues facing the court. Indeed, South Africa argues the court is not required to ascertain whether any violation of Israels obligations under the genocide convention has occurred. Importantly, as previously held by the court, such a finding, which would notably depend on the assessment of the existence of an intent to destroy, in whole or in part, the group [of Palestinians] as such, could be made by the court only at the stage of the examination of the merits of the present case. Instead, what the court is required to do at the stage of making an order on provisional measures is to establish whether the acts complained of are capable of falling within the provisions of the genocide convention. The court does not have to determine that all of the acts complained of are capable of falling within the provisions of the convention. It suffices that at least some of the acts alleged are capable of falling within the provisions of the convention. Equally, the court does not need to ascertain whether the existence of a genocidal intent is the only inference to be drawn from the material before the court, as this requirement would amount to the court making a determination on the merits. South Africa seeks to prove that the measures Israel has taken go beyond self-defence and into the destruction of the Palestinians. The claim details the familiar, if shocking, death toll, forced displacement, deprivation of food, and the restrictions on births, through attacks on hospitals, saying they are sufficient evidence to infer plausible genocidal intent. The claim adds two other elements the degree to which the Palestinian cultural life has been targeted, and the degree to which Israeli officials without reproach have repeatedly advocated for the destruction not just of Hamas but of Palestinians. South Africa details numerous examples of direct and public incitement to commit genocide by Israeli state officials, including by the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. The threats to make Gaza permanently uninhabitable, the references to Palestinians as human animals, are all documented in the claim. The calls by the far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir to resettle Palestinians outside Gaza are also cited. Inside Israel itself, former officials have written to the attorney general, Gali Baharav-Miara, asking that action be taken against public officials and elected politicians who have called for ethnic cleansing. The signatories on this letter include the former ambassador Dr Alon Liel, Prof Eli Barnavi, Ilan Baruch and Suzie Bachar. The explicit calls to commit atrocities against millions of people have become, for the first time that we can recall, a legitimate and ordinary part of the Israeli dialogue, they state. It is this kind of evidence, perhaps born of a new Israeli pessimism about the possibility of peace, that may sway judges to assess that Israel believes its security is dependent on the removal of Palestinians from Gaza. But there have been many statements by Israeli officials countering that view, which the court will have to balance. The reluctance of the Netanyahu government, partly for internal political reasons, to discuss its plans for the day after at minimum complicates the courts task to discern Israels collective intention. Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) In a rhetorical tour de force, Israels spokesperson Eylon Levy previewed Israels response on Tuesday, focusing on its right to self-defence and the innovative measures taken to reduce civilian casualties. But he started by questioning whether South Africa had a genuine dispute with Israel and challenging the countrys bona fides as an opponent of genocide given its support in Darfur for the former Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir. It was South Africa that was acting as the pro-bono advocate of a genocidal rapist Hamas machine, he said. South Africa has sought to protect itself from this line of attack by criticising Hamas for the massacre on October 7 and by sending a formal note to Israel in advance of the claim, to which it says Israel did not reply. It says both countries are signatories to the 1948 genocide convention, which stipulates that they accept the ICJ jurisdiction with respect to adherence to that convention. Levy said that Israel had taken measure unprecedented in the history of warfare to minimise civilian casualties. We have been clear in word and in deed that we are targeting the October 7 monsters and are innovating ways to uphold international law, including the principles of proportionality, precaution and distinction in the context in a counter-terror battlefield no army has faced before. That is why we spent weeks urging residents in northern Gaza to evacuate before the ground offensive. To warn civilians we placed over 70,000 phone calls, sent 13m text messages, left 14m voice messages and dropped nearly 7m leaflets urging civilians to evacuate temporarily for their safety, informing them about humanitarian pauses and precise evacuation routes. That is why we secured humanitarian corridors for civilians to escape Hamas, set up helplines for Palestinian civilians to tell our army if Hamas was stopping them fleeing, and that is why we designated a humanitarian zone in one of the only places in Gaza where Hamas was already hiding behind civilians. The Hamas rapist machine bears full moral responsibility for all the casualties in this war that it launched on 7 October and is waging inside and under schools, mosques, homes and UN facilities. South Africa can argue these precautionary steps have been performative at best, and knowingly ineffective at worst. But the limited reference to Hamas fighters embedding themselves in civilian life, or to Israels right to self-defence may make it hard for the court to accuse Israel even on a preliminary basis of the crime of crimes. ~ The Guardian Argentinas new president Javier Milei suffered a judicial blow when a court suspended labour rule changes which form part of sweeping deregulation and austerity measures aimed at reviving the struggling economy. Wednesdays ruling by a three-judge court followed a legal challenge the General Labor Confederation, the main union group, which argued the changes affected workers rights. Mr Mileis decree, announced in December, included increasing job probation from three to eight months, reducing severance compensation and allowing the possibility of dismissal for workers taking part of blockades during some protests. Alejandro Sudera, one of the three judges, said the administration went beyond its authority to decree labour changes, which needed to discussed and approved by Congress. Argentinas President Javier Milei speaks outside the Congress in Buenos Aires (AP) The government said it would appeal the courts ruling. The union confederation said the decision puts a stop to the regressive and anti-worker labour reform. Labour activists have questioned whether Mr Milei, a self-described anarcho-capitalist who has long railed against the countrys political caste, can impose the measures using emergency decree to bypass the legislature. On December 20 he announced sweeping initiatives to transform Argentinas economy, including easing government regulation and allowing privatisation of state-run industries. The libertarian economist made about 300 changes. The measures have stirred protests in the capital city Buenos Aires. Since his inauguration on December 10, the president has devalued the countrys currency by 50%, cut transport and energy subsidies and said his government will not renew contracts for more than 5,000 state employees hired before he took office. He says he wants to transform Argentinas economy and reduce the size of the state to address rising poverty and annual inflation, which is expected to reach 200% by the end of the year. A tranche of documents relating to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein have been published including the evidence of a woman who claimed Britain's Prince Andrew touched her breast. US Judge Loretta Preska ruled last month that documents naming more than 170 people who were either associates, friends or victims of Epstein should be made public. One site where the documents were being released on Wednesday evening crashed within minutes, warning that the server might be overloaded. In one document, a woman named Johanna Sjoberg claimed Prince Andrew touched her breast while sitting on a couch inside the US billionaires Manhattan apartment in 2001, while giving testimony in May 2016. The documents were published following a civil claim made by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell in 2015 (Crime+Investigation/PA) Buckingham Palace previously said the allegations are categorically untrue. The documents are part of a 2015 US defamation case by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell, the disgraced British socialite who supplied Epstein with underage girls. An email sent from Epstein to Maxwell, which was released as part of the tranche of documents, appeared to show the financier ask her to issue a reward to any of Ms Giuffres friends who come forward and help prove her allegations are false. Among the allegations listed by Epstein in the email were a Clinton dinner and claims described as the new version in the Virgin Islands that Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy. In Ms Sjobergs interview under oath, which is called a deposition in the US, she also said Epstein had told her former President Bill Clinton likes them young, referring to girls. In other documents, Maxwell could be seen sending an email in January 2015, shortly after a civil claim had been filed against her, in which she described herself as out of my depth. She added: I have already suffered such a terrible and painful loss over the last few days that I cant even see what life after press hell even looks like statements that dont address all just lead to more questions what is my relationship to Clinton? Andrew on and on. The court documents show that during Maxwells videotaped deposition in 2016, she claimed she could only recall him on Epsteins island once. Asked whether any girls under the age of 18 were present on that one occasion, she replied: There were no girls on the island at all. No girls, no women, other than the staff who work at the house. Girls meaning, I assume you are asking underage, but there was nobody female outside of the cooks and the cleaners. The duke has strenuously denied any wrongdoing following claims made by Ms Giuffre (US Department of Justice/PA) Andrew stepped down from public life after the furore over his friendship with Epstein and paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case to Ms Giuffre, a woman he claimed never to have met. Andrew was cast out of the working monarchy and no longer uses his HRH style after Ms Giuffre, who was trafficked by Epstein, accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17. He strenuously denies all allegations. Myanmars military government has pardoned nearly 10,000 prisoners to mark the 76th anniversary of gaining independence from Britain but it was not immediately clear if any of those released include the thousands of political detainees jailed for opposing army rule. The head of Myanmar s military council, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, pardoned 9,652 prisoners to mark the holiday, state-run MRTV television reported. Mr Min Aung Hlaing also granted amnesty to 114 jailed foreigners who will be deported, MRTV said in a separate report. The prisoner releases were expected to begin on Thursday and take several days to be completed. At Insein Prison in Yangon notorious for decades for housing political detainees relatives of prisoners gathered at the gates from early morning. The identities of those granted pardons were not immediately available. Myanmars Deputy Chairman of State Administration Council, Vice Senior General Soe Win, speaks during a ceremony marking Myanmars 76th anniversary of Independence Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar (Aung Shine Oo/AP) There was no sign that among the prisoners being released would be Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been held virtually incommunicado by the military since it seized power from her elected government in February 2021. The 78-year-old is serving 27 years behind bars after being convicted of a series of politically tinged prosecutions brought by the military. The charges on which she was convicted include illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies, election fraud, corruption, violating coronavirus restrictions, breaching the official secrets act and sedition. Her supporters and independent analysts say the cases against her are an attempt to discredit her and legitimise the militarys seizure of power while keeping her from taking part in the militarys promised election, for which no date has yet been set. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a rights monitoring organisation, 25,730 people have been arrested on political charges since the army takeover. Of those arrested, 19,930 people were still in detention as of Wednesday, AAPP reported. Members of an honour guard and representatives of national ethnic races salute their national flag (Aung Shine Oo/AP) At least 4,277 civilians, including pro-democracy activists, have been killed by security forces in the same period, the group says. Most of those detained are being held on incitement charges for allegedly causing fear, spreading false news or agitating against government employees. Mass prisoner releases are common on major holidays in the Southeast Asian nation. Myanmar became a British colony in the late 19th century and regained its independence on January 4 1948. In the capital, Naypyitaw, Myanmars military government celebrated the anniversary with a flag-raising ceremony and a small military parade at City Hall. Myanmar has been under military rule since the armys takeover, which was met with massive resistance that has since turned into what some UN experts have characterised as civil war. A military band marches during a ceremony marking Myanmars Independence Day (Aung Shine Oo/AP) Despite huge advantages in trained manpower and weaponry, the military government has been unable to quash the resistance movement. After an alliance of ethnic minority armed groups launched a co-ordinated offensive against the military last October in Shan state in the north and Rakhine in the west, it is now facing its greatest battlefield challenge since the conflict began. Min Aung Hlaing did not touch on the countrys extended political crisis in his Independence Day message, which was published in the state-run press. Vice-Senior General Soe Win, the vice-chairman of the ruling military council, delivered Mr Min Aung Hlaings speech at a flag-saluting ceremony, which was broadcast live on state television. He appealed to ethnic minority groups, many of which are engaged in armed struggle against military rule, to strengthen national unity, and promised that the military government will hold an election and hand over state responsibilities to the elected government. However, he did not give a timeframe for the election. With fangs that could pierce a human fingernail, the largest male specimen of the worlds most venomous arachnid has found a new home at the Australian Reptile Park, where it will help save lives after a member of the public discovered it by chance. The deadly Sydney funnel-web spider, dubbed Hercules, was found by chance on the Central Coast, about 50 miles north of Sydney, and initially given to a local hospital. Experts retrieved it and soon realised the eight-legged creature, which has fangs that could pierce a human fingernail, is the largest received from the public in Australia. Hercules measures 7.9cm (3.1 inches) from foot to foot, surpassing the parks previous record-holder from 2018, the male funnel-web named Colossus. The spider, given the name Hercules, measures 7.9cm (Caitlin Vine/Australian Reptile Park via AP) Sydney funnel-web spiders usually range in length from one to five centimetres, with females being generally larger than their male counterparts but not as deadly. They are predominantly found in forested areas and suburban gardens from Sydney, Australias most populous city, to the coastal city of Newcastle in the north and the Blue Mountains to the west. Hercules will contribute to the reptile parks anti-venom programme. Safely captured spiders handed in by people undergo milking to extract venom, essential for producing life-saving anti-venom. The spider will help with an anti-venom programme (Caitlin Vine/Australian Reptile Park via AP) Were used to having pretty big funnel-web spiders donated to the park, however receiving a male funnel-web this big is like hitting the jackpot, said Emma Teni, a spider keeper at Australian Reptile Park. Whilst female funnel-web spiders are venomous, males have proven to be more lethal. With having a male funnel-web this size in our collection, his venom output could be enormous, proving incredibly valuable for the parks venom programme. Since the programmes inception in 1981, there has not been a fatality in Australia from a funnel-web spider bite. Recent rainy, humid weather along Australias east coast has provided the ideal conditions for funnel-web spiders to thrive. The young daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is seen as her fathers likely heir apparent, South Koreas spy agency said in its first such assessment on the girl unveiled to the outside world a little more than a year ago. There has been intense outside debate and speculation about the girl, reportedly about 10 years old and named Ju Ae, since she made her first public appearance in November 2022, when she watched a long-range missile test-launch with her father. The girl has since accompanied her father at a number of major public events, with state media calling her fathers most beloved or respected child and churning out footage and photos proving her rising political standing and closeness with her father. A senior general knelt and whispered to her when she clapped while watching a military parade at a VIP observation stand in September. Kim Jong Un, centre, inspects an agricultural machinery exhibition in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Tuesday (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP) She was photographed standing in front of her father at one point during a visit to the air force headquarters in November, with both Kims wearing sunglasses and long leather jackets. In a New Years Eve celebration at a packed Pyongyang stadium on Sunday, Mr Kim kissed her on the cheek and she did the same to her father. Most of these scenes are something that had been unimaginable in North Korea, where Mr Kim is the subject of a strong and loyal following that treats him like a god. South Koreas main spy agency, the National Intelligence Service (NIS), said on Thursday that it sees Kim Ju Ae as her fathers highly likely successor, citing a comprehensive analysis of her public activities and the state protocols provided to her. The NIS public affairs office said it still considers all possibilities regarding the Norths power succession process because Mr Kim is still young, has no major health issues and has at least one other child. Mr Kim turns 40 on Monday. The NIS statement confirmed the comments by politician Youn Kun-Young, who cited the nominee for the NIS chief, Cho Tae-yong. Mr Youn said Mr Cho made the same assessment in written responses to his questions ahead of his parliamentary hearing. Pyongyang citizens pay respect to mosaics depicting smiling images of their late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang on Monday (Jon Chol Jin/AP) In an interview with the Associated Press (AP), Mr Youn, a member of parliaments intelligence committee, reconfirmed Mr Chos assessment, which matched what the NIS told the AP. He said Mr Chos written responses to his questions contained no other details about Kim Ju Ae. The NIS has a spotty record in confirming developments in North Korea, one of the worlds most secretive nations. North Koreas state media have yet to make any direct comments on the succession plan. Du Hyeogn Cha, an analyst at Seouls Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said while the NIS currently sees a high possibility for Kim Ju Ae to be primed as her fathers successor, few can predict whether she will eventually become the Norths next leader. Mr Cha added that Kim Ju Ae lacks political achievements that he said are essential to be formally anointed as the countrys future leader. NIS and other South Korean officials earlier said it was premature to view Kim Ju Ae as her fathers heir, given Mr Kims relatively young age and North Koreas Confucianism-influenced, male-nominated power ranking. They had said the girls repeated appearances were more likely meant to shore up public support of Mr Kims ruling family and his plan to hand over his power to one of his children. Since its foundation in 1948, North Korea has been successively ruled by male members of the Kim family. Kim Jong Un inherited power upon his father Kim Jong Ils death in late 2011. Kim Jong Il took over power after his father and state founder Kim Il Sung when he died in 1994. The name of Ju Ae matched what retired basketballer Dennis Rodman called Mr Kims baby daughter, whom he said he saw and held during a trip to Pyongyang in 2013. In 2023, the NIS told politicians Kim Ju Ae has an older brother and a younger sibling, whose gender has not been made public. Britain's Prince Andrew has been reported to the UK police by the campaign group Republic after allegations of sexual assault resurfaced in unsealed court documents. Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, urged the Metropolitan Police to reopen investigations and called on Britain's King Charles to make a public statement and take questions from the press on the matter. Andrew, 63, who has previously strenuously denied the allegations, paid millions a year ago to settle a civil case out of court with Virginia Giuffre with no admission of guilt after she accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17. The Duke of York, Sarah, Duchess of York, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice attending the Christmas Day morning church service in Sandringham (Joe Giddens/PA) The development is a fresh setback for the late Queen Elizabeths second son who, just 10 days ago, walked to church on Christmas Day with Charles and the rest of the British royal family, symbolising his gradual rehabilitation within the monarchy after his public appearance at his brothers coronation in his garter robes in May. Allegations Andrew had an orgy with underage girls and touched a womans breast while posing with a puppet of himself have hit the headlines again after appearing in legal documents relating to the scandal surrounding billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew is mentioned more than 70 times in nearly 1,000 pages of interviews and transcripts released in the US in connection with a 2015 defamation case brought by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell, who was jailed for sex trafficking young girls for Epstein. The names of more than 170 people who were either associates, friends or victims of Epstein are being made public following a judges order last month, including high-profile figures such as former US president Bill Clinton. Ghislaine Maxwell with Jeffrey Epstein (US Department of Justice/PA) Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, said on Thursday that he had reported Andrew to the police, accusing the Met of failing to conduct a serious criminal investigation into the case. The force said in August 2022 that it was taking no further action over allegations made against Epstein and that any future probes into human trafficking by the sex offender were focused on activities outside the UK. It also previously said it stood by its 2015 decision not to investigate claims by Ms Giuffre that she was sex trafficked to London by Epstein. Mr Smith said: To date, there appears to have been no serious criminal investigation, no interview of the accused or other witnesses, and no clear justification for taking no action. I am calling on the Met Police to reopen this case, I am calling on MPs to debate this affair in Parliament, and I am calling on Charles to make a public statement, in front of the press and taking questions, to respond to these allegations and what they say about the monarchy. How can we not expect a response from the government and head of state? At the time of the alleged offences, Andrew was a government trade ambassador and an active member of the royal family. They fudged and obfuscated for 11 years before taking any definitive action. The Duke of York (right) attending the Coronation Concert held in the grounds of Windsor Castle in May (Jonathan Brady/PA) Mr Smith added: The question many people will be asking is simple: if the accused were anyone else, do we believe they wouldnt have been investigated and prosecuted? Buckingham Palace, which no longer speaks on behalf of Andrew after he stepped down as a working royal in 2019 over his friendship with Epstein, has not commented on the documents. Evidence from Johanna Sjoberg, who worked for Epstein as a masseuse, alleged Andrew touched her breast while sitting on a couch inside Epsteins Manhattan apartment as he posed for a photo with a caricature of himself in 2001. The claim, which has been alleged previously, is thought to refer to a Spitting Image puppet of Andrew. Ms Sjoberg said, while giving evidence in May 2016: Ghislaine told me to come upstairs, and we went into a closet and pulled out the puppet, the caricature of Prince Andrew, and brought it down. And there was a little tag on the puppet that said Prince Andrew on it, and thats when I knew who he was. Ms Sjoberg was asked what the puppet looked like and replied: It looked like him. And she brought it down and presented it to him; and that was a great joke, because apparently it was a production from a show on BBC. The duke at the Kings coronation last May (Yui Mok/PA) And they decided to take a picture with it, in which Virginia and Andrew sat on a couch. They put the puppet on Virginias lap, and I sat on Andrews lap, and they put the puppets hand on Virginias breast, and Andrew put his hand on my breast, and they took a photo. Other mentions of Andrew include previous allegations that Epstein forced Jane Doe #3 to have sexual relations with was a member of the British Royal Family, Prince Andrew (a/k/a Duke of York) at three locations including on Epsteins private island in an orgy with numerous other under-aged girls. The document claimed that Epstein instructed Jane Doe #3 to give Andrew whatever he demanded and that Maxwell facilitated Prince Andrews acts of sexual abuse by acting as a madame for Epstein. Ms Giuffre has claimed she was trafficked by Epstein to have sex with Andrew three times when she was 17 and a minor under US law at Maxwells London home, in Epsteins New York home and during an orgy with Epstein at Caribbean island. She was questioned over the whereabouts of the famous photograph showing her with Andrew, who has his arm around her, with Maxwell grinning in the background. Photo issued by the US Department of Justice the Duke of York, Virginia Giuffre, and Ghislaine Maxwell (US Department of Justice/PA) Ms Giuffre added it may have been in storage boxes that were full of Nerf guns, my kids toys, photos at her mother and father-in-laws home in Sydney, Australia. She said she gave the picture to the FBI in 2011 but had last seen it before she packed up her home to emigrate to Australia from Colorado. Among the documents appears to be an email sent by Maxwell expressing her fears she would be questioned about her own relationship with Andrew. It reads: I have already suffered such a terrible and painful loss over the last few days that I cant even see what life after press hell even looks like statements that dont address all just lead to more questions what is my relationship to Clinton? Andrew on and on. In Maxwells videotaped deposition in 2016, she claimed she could only recall Andrew visiting Jeffrey Epsteins private island in the US Virgin Islands once. The Met Police and representatives of Andrew have been approached for a comment. Thursday, Jan 4th, 2024 (8:34 am) - Score 2,040 SpaceX has moved a step closer to introducing a global 4G mobile service via Starlinks mega constellation of ultrafast broadband satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), which occurred after the company successfully launched its first six satellites with support for their new Direct to Cell product this week. The Starlink network currently has around 5,289 LEO satellites in orbit around the Earth (altitude of c. 500km+) and they have approval to add roughly 7,500 more by the end of 2027. Customers in the UK pay from 75 a month, plus 449 for the regular home kit (standard dish, router etc.) and 20 for shipping on the Standard package, which promises fast latency times of 25-50ms, downloads of c. 25-100Mbps and uploads of c. 5-10Mbps. However, in 2022 the space firm signed the starting gun on a new agreement (here and here), which will enable them to launch a global space-based 4G mobile network called Direct to Cell to connect with regular unmodified Smartphones on the ground. Satellites with this capability have an advanced eNodeB modem onboard that acts like a cellphone tower in space, allowing network integration similar to a standard roaming partner. At the time, the company proposed to launch their first beta test product in select areas of the USA by the end of 2023 (i.e. continental US, Hawaii, parts of Alaska, Puerto Rico and their territorial water), which is being supported by mobile operator T-Mobile. But this is running a little behind schedule because SpaceX has only this week launched the first batch of 6 Direct to Cell capable Starlinks, which were lofted alongside a batch of 15 other Starlink birds aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceX envisages that the testing phase will eventually involve 840 satellites transmitting 4G mobile to around 2,000 unmodified Smartphones on the ground. According to the companys website, the plan is still to launch a basic TEXT (i.e. SMS, MMS and participating messaging apps) service sometime in 2024, while the ability to make calls (voice) and use a slow mobile broadband (data) link wont follow until sometime in 2025. The ability to connect to Internet of Things (IoT) devices also wont follow until sometime in 2025. In addition, Starlink doesnt yet have supporting access agreements for this service with cellular providers in every country, although hopefully well soon learn which operator might support it in the UK. But Vodafone and EE (BT) seem like fair bets, since both have experience working with satellite solutions and are testing rival systems. Starlinks Global Direct to Cell Partners T-Mobile (USA) Optus (Australia) Rogers (Canada) One NZ (New Zealand) KDDI (Japan) Salt (Switzerland) ENTEL (CHILE) Entel (PERU) But Elon Musk has cautioned (here) that the first Direct to Cell capable Starlinks can only support data speeds of ~7Mb per beam and the beams are very big, so while this is a great solution for locations with no cellular connectivity, it is not meaningfully competitive with existing terrestrial cellular networks. Related documents released last year revealed that the Direct to Cell system will be able to provide theoretical peak speeds of up to either 3Mbps or 7.2Mbps peak upload (Earth-to-Space) over 1.4MHz or 5MHz bandwidth channels per beam, respectively, and up to either 4.4Mbps or 18.3Mbps on the downlink (Space-to-Earth) over the same bandwidth channels per beam using LTE (4G) technology. However, we still dont know how much it will cost to add this kind of global roaming, which will need to be competitive with traditional roaming services. On top of that, SpaceX are facing some challenges to their plans in the USA due to concerns about spectrum interference, not least from AT&T (theyre testing a rival solution via AST SpaceMobile) and Omnispace. We might see similar disputes occurring in other markets too, since the product requires reciprocal access and spectrum agreements with more mobile operators, as well as support from regulators and ground stations across the world. Shelton, CT January 4, 2024 As the ITEXPO #TECHSUPERSHOW, one of the largest and longest-running business technology events, approaches, we are pleased to announce the addition of Datagate Telecom Billing to the already impressive lineup of exhibitors and sponsors. ITEXPO, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024, once again projects total attendance of more than 7,000 business and technology professionals. Datagate Telecom Billing will showcase their innovations and contribute to the dynamic discussions shaping the future of business technology. Details: Event Name: ITEXPO #TECHSUPERSHOW Dates: February 13-15, 2024 Location: Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida Event Website: https://www.itexpo.com Exhibitor Company: Datagate Telecom Billing Exhibitor Booth Number: #462 Exhibitor Website: www.datagate-i.com Media Opportunities at the ITEXPO #TECHSUPERSHOW: Explore innovations and new releases from more than 400 exhibitors. Conduct interviews with company representatives. Gain insights into the latest business technology trends, including AI, automation and new contact center technologies. For Media Inquiries or Press Passes: Michelle Connolly Senior Marketing Manager Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. [ Free eNews Subscription Share this Page Tweet Share Edited by Greg Tavarez 1371138342::cfb49c8e-2422-11e5-99a3-d7f5c6e8b241 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. How to Clip Click and hold your mouse button on the page to select the area you wish to save or print. You can click and drag the clipping box to move it or click and drag in the bottom right corner to resize it. When you're happy with your selection, click the checkmark icon next to the clipping area to continue. By Naomi Schalit, The Conversation | In the midst of Israels fierce war against Hamas in Gaza, the countrys highest court on New Years Day drew attention back to a previous conflict within the country. In a narrowly divided decision, the justices struck down a significant part of the contentious judicial reform passed in July 2023 by the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. That reform would have taken away from the Supreme Court the ability to review and limit the governments actions. Netanyahu and his cabinet the most religious and politically conservative in Israels history claimed the court had become too powerful, vetoing government policies. Opponents of the legislation said it was an attack on democracy, aimed at neutering the judicial system so that government had nearly unfettered power. Demonstrations against the reform began in January 2023 and grew over several months into massive expressions of opposition featuring hundreds of thousands of protesters in the streets. The public opposition grew so large and emphatic, attracting figures previously uninvolved in politics such as members of the military and 18 former Supreme Court justices that it was seen as unprecedented in Israels history. The Conversation followed the path of the legislation in Israels parliament, as well as the demonstrations that accompanied its debate and passage. Here are three stories from our archives that can help readers understand what was at stake. 1. Unchecked majority power In an early analysis of the Netanyahu cabinets legislative moves, Boaz Atzili, a scholar of international relations at American University School of International Service, wrote that there were a number of ways Israels democratic institutions, customs and practices were endangered by the new government. Among those threats were the governments hostility to freedom of speech, dissent, equal rights especially for the LGBTQ community and the new governments intention to de facto annex the West Bank. Perhaps the most important front in the battle is the Israeli Supreme Court, wrote Atzili. The courts are the only institution that can check the power of the ruling parties and uphold the countrys Basic Laws, which provide rights in the absence of a formal constitution. But the new government wants to erase this separation of power and explicitly aims at weakening the courts. This would, in effect, remove all barriers placed upon the power of the majority. small> This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons. Information from its description page there is shown below. Commons is a freely licensed media file repository. Y Summary Description : English: Supreme Court of Israel; Date 15 April 2009, 16:18:37; Source https://www.flickr.com/photos/visitisrael/6180275423; Author israeltourism; Camera location 31 46 56.75 N, 35 12 13.15 E Kartographer map based on OpenStreetMap. View this and other nearby images on: OpenStreetMap info; This photograph was taken with a Canon EOS 450D; Licensing; This image, which was originally posted to Flickr, was uploaded to Commons using Flickr upload bot on 13 June 2013, 06:52 by Triggerhippie4. On that date, it was confirmed to be licensed under the terms of the license indicated. w:en:Creative Commons attribution; This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. 2. Perception isnt reality As the protests grew in Israel, we interviewed political scientist and Israel expert Dov Waxman, the director of UCLAs Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies, about the proposals to limit the independence and power of the judiciary. He said that there was a perception that the Supreme Court had overstepped boundaries. Since the 1990s, Israels high court has become very involved in Israeli politics, something it did not do in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, Waxman said. It has intervened, overridden and disqualified many government decisions and laws. So the perception, particularly by those on the right, that this is an activist court, that it has been too active, is reasonable. But, Waxman said, This perception among the right that the court has really restrained Israeli governments isnt actually accurate. I think many people would accept that there could be an argument for some kind of judicial reform, at least passing a law to clarify the role and powers of the Supreme Court. But whats being presented in this reform is actually a revolutionary attempt to essentially take away the independence and power of the Supreme Court. 3. Secular power vs. settlers and the Orthodox Behind the judicial reform effort by Netanyahus government was the move to wrest state power away from the longtime liberal, secular interests that had long dominated Israels politics. A country once known for left-leaning politics now has a right-wing government dominated by Jewish religious nationalists who spearheaded the efforts to curb judicial checks on executive power, wrote David Mednicoff, a scholar of Judaic and Near Eastern studies at UMass Amherst. This reform appeals to important sectors of Netanyahus supporters who see the Supreme Courts power as an inappropriate secular check on Israels increasingly pro-settler and pro-Orthodox government, Mednicoff wrote. At the center of this battle, wrote Mednicoff, is the man who has played a leading role in Israeli politics since the 1990s, Benjamin Netanyahu. He did this in part by allying himself increasingly with the countrys settler population, many of them Orthodox Jews. Todays Israel is marked by growing splits between secular, urbanized citizens near the Mediterranean coast and Orthodox and other settlers in or near the West Bank. The two groups have different visions for Israels future, with the latter citizens pushing the country in a more theocratic direction. This divisive battle over Israels nature owes a great deal to Benjamin Netanyahus leadership, wrote Mednicoff. This story is a roundup of articles from The Conversations archives. Naomi Schalit, Senior Editor, Politics + Democracy, The Conversation This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. January 4th, 2024 TheNewswire Pickering, On -- Renforth Resources Inc. (CSE:RFR) (OTCQB:RFHRF) (FSE:9RR) (Renforth or the Company) would like to update shareholders on positive assay results obtained in the 5 grab samples obtained from stripping of the Beaupre copper discovery in the north-eastern part of the Surimeau property, the closing of the previously announced financing and the departure of Mr. Kurt Breede from the Board of Directors as a requirement of his new role as Technical Director within the mining group at Scotiabank. Beaupre Copper The Beaupre copper mineralization was discovered at Surimeau in 2018 by SOQUEM conducting exploration under an option agreement. Upon the termination of that option, during data review, Renforth became aware of the copper discovery, and has conducted prospecting work on several occasions in the area to confirm the discovery, tracing copper and silver mineralization on surface over ~165m in strike length. In November 2023 Renforth stripped overburden to expose bedrock along strike for approximately 110m and perpendicular to strike for a length of approximately 150m in order to better evaluate and map the mineralization in the main zone and search for additional mineralization to either side of the main zone. Unfortunately, temperatures dropped significantly early in the winter, making removal of overburden difficult due to freezing of exposed dirt and rock, eventually covering the stripped bedrock in a layer of snow. As a result, only 5 grab samples were taken. The work at Beaupre will continue later this year with channel sampling and mapping, in warmer conditions. Sample Location Cu (ppm) Cu (%) Ag (g/t) F669451 Beaupre 118.5 0.07 F669452 Beaupre 6410 0.641 0.8 F669453 Beaupre 62.9 0.02 F669454 Beaupre 3710 1.33 F669455 Beaupre 27600 2.76 5.39 The five grab samples taken in the program were taken from the "main vein" and the vein walls to either side, results again confirm the presence of previously unknown copper and silver mineralization on surface. Grab samples are selective in nature and not reflective of the entirety of the exposed mineralized system. "Assay results in this press release confirm the visual mineralization on surface seen in the field at Beaupre, unfortunately this was only possible in a couple of locations due to weather challenges, however, we will return to this area of our Surimeau property in the future. While the priority at Surimeau is definitely the 20km long mineralized Victoria structure, a copper discovery striking towards, and on surface within 500m of, the Cadillac Break cannot be ignored. We do not yet know if this is significant, however this work, once completed, may help answer that question. Drill results from our November 2023 drilling at Victoria, are still awaited" states Nicole Brewster, President and CEO of Renforth. Previous work at Beaupre demonstrates a northeast striking deformation zone surface sampled along a ridge line over ~165m within the Pontiac sediments which underlie most of Surimeau. At its narrowest (~20cm pre-stripping), it has the appearance of a weakly chloritized shear zone but widens in places to ~1m thick areas of silicification, brecciation and quartz flooding. Mineralization occurs as very coarse, irregular, clots of chalcopyrite, occasional bornite and tight disseminations of fine pyrite are found within the vein and the along its margins. Future mapping and sampling of the stripped areas will further inform the characterization of Beaupre. Financing Renforth completed a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") for gross proceeds of C$396,600 from the sale of 300,000 non-flow-through units of the Company (each, a Unit) at a price of C$0.026 per Unit and 12,959,999 flow-through units of the Company (each, a FT Unit, and collectively with the Units, the Offered Securities) at a price of C$0.03 per FT Unit. Each Unit consisted of one common share of the Company (each, a Common Share) and one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a Warrant). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at a price of C$0.05 for a period of 24 months following the distribution date. Each FT Unit consisted of one Common Share to be issued as a flow-through share within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (each, a FT Share) and one half of one FT Warrant. Each FT Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at a price of C$0.05 for a period of 18 months following the distribution date. In connection to the financing, the company paid a cash commission of $17,500 Board Change Renforth would like to Thank Mr. Kurt Breede for his contributions as a Director of the Company and congratulate him on his appointment as Technical Director within the mining group at Scotiabank. Unfortunately this role required Mr. Breede to step down from his directorship at Renforth in early December, however, the Board offers Mr. Breede best wishes for success in this new role. About Renforth Renforth is a battery metals area play with the dominant brownfield land position south of the world class Cadillac-Larder Lake Fault ("CLLF") in the prolific Cadillac and Malartic mining camps of Quebec's Abitibi. Offering exposure to gold, zinc, nickel, copper, cobalt and more, including lithium, Renforth's land position encompasses several areas of interest. Renforth's position is unique in that the both the battery metals mineralization at Surimeau and our gold deposit at Parbec are road accessible, with hydro power crossing the properties, in an established and secure mining jurisdiction which regularly ranks as Top 10 (as determined by the Fraser Institute) in the world. Renforth is engaged in the active exploration of the proven Surimeau battery metals mineralization, working towards a maiden resource statement, and the remodeling of our Parbec gold deposit to incorporate the ~15,000m drilled subsequent to the 2019 effective date of the last MRE. Technical disclosure in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Francis R. Newton PGeo, OGQ a qualified person pursuant to NI 43-101. For further information please contact: Renforth Resources Inc. Nicole Brewster President and Chief Executive Officer C:416-818-1393 E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. #Unit 1B 955 Brock Road, Pickering ON L1W 2X9 No securities regulatory authority has approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and information under applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward looking. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as may, will, plan, expect, believe, anticipate, estimate, intend and similar words referring to future events and results. Such statements and information are based on the current opinions and expectations of management. All forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, the risks of obtaining necessary approvals, licenses and permits and the availability of financing, as described in more detail in the Companys securities filings available at www.sedar.com. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and the reader is cautioned against placing undue reliance thereon. Forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is provided, and the Company assumes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law. /VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 3, 2024 /CNW/ - Kainantu Resources Ltd. (TSXV: KRL) (FSE: 6J0) ("KRL" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it has closed the second and final tranche of its previously announced private placement financing of C$2,000,000 (the "Offering"), originally announced on November 23, 2023. In the first tranche of the Offering, the Company has issued an aggregate of 87,500,000 common shares of the Company (the "Shares") at a price of C$0.02 per Share to raise gross proceeds of C$1,750,000. In the second and final tranche of the Offering, the Company has issued an aggregate of 12,500,000 Shares at a price of C$0.02 per Share to raise gross proceeds of C$250,000. The Common Shares issued pursuant under the second tranche of the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of approximately four months ending on May 4, 2024, in accordance with applicable securities law. The net proceeds of the Offering will be used as follows: (i) to satisfy a US$500,000 (approximately C$685,000) payment due to Harmony Gold (PNG) Exploration Limited ("Harmony") under the Asset Sale and Royalty Agreement dated April 6, 2022 with Harmony (which amount has been paid, see news release on December 1, 2023), (ii) to carry out exploration work of approximately US$500,000 (approximately C$685,000) on its properties in Papua New Guinea, and (iii) the balance on general administrative and working capital purposes. In connection with the first tranche of the Offering, the Company issued to the finder 875,000 Shares and 875,000 share purchase warrants (each, a "Compensation Warrant"). Each such Compensation Warrants will be exercisable for one Share at an exercise price of C$0.05 per Share at any time prior up to 36 months following the closing date of the Offering. Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Related Party Transaction Snowfields Wealth Management Limited ("Snowfields") and Oceanside Strategies Inc. ("Oceanside") are all insiders of the Company by virtue of Geoffrey Lawrence, a director, controlling Snowfields and Dain Currie, a director controlling Oceanside. Snowfields and Oceanside participated in the first tranche of the Offering by purchasing 4,509,587 Shares, and 3,250,000 Shares, respectively, for an aggregate subscription price of C$90,192 and C$65,000, respectively and accordingly, the Offering constitutes a "related party transaction" for the Company within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval under MI 61-101 as the fair market value of each of the insider's participation in the Offering does not exceed more than 25% of the market capitalization of the Company, as set forth in Sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101. About Kainantu Resources (KRL) KRL is an Asia-Pacific focused gold mining company with four highly prospective gold-copper projects, Kili Teke, KRL South, KRL North and the May River Project. All projects are located in premier mining regions in PNG. Both KRL North and KRL South show potential to host high-grade epithermal and porphyry mineralisation, as seen elsewhere in the high-grade Kainantu Gold District. The May River project is near the world-renowned Frieda River Copper-Gold Project, with historical drilling indicating the potential for significant copper-gold projects. Kili Teke is an advanced development project with an existing inferred mineral resource. KRL has a highly experienced board and management team with a proven track record of working together in the region; and an established in-country partner. Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Disclaimer and Forward-Looking Information Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainty affecting the business of KRL. In making the forward-looking statements, KRL has applied certain assumptions that are based on information available, including KRL's strategic plan for the near and mid-term. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. KRL does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Gold Terra Resource Corp. (TSX-V:YGT) (Frankfurt:TX0) (OTCQX:YGTFF) ("Gold Terra" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its deep drilling directional program designed to establish the extension of high-grade gold mineralization in the Campbell Shear (CS) below the Con Mine underground workings on the Con Mine Option (CMO) Property. The CMO Property is under option from subsidiaries of Newmont Corporation and is 100% acquirable by the Company upon fulfillment of certain conditions set out in the CMO Property agreement, as reported in the Company's news release dated November 22, 2021. 2023 Highlights post last Mineral Resource Estimate (see September 7, 2022 news release) Completion of 5,769 metre drilling program to expand the Campbell Shear gold structure (CS) near surface at the Yellorex zones south of the existing Con Mine underground workings. to expand the near surface at the Yellorex zones south of the existing Con Mine underground workings. The first deep drill hole GTCM23-055 completed in October (2,228 metres from surface) intersected the CS some 200 metres below the Robertson shaft (-1900 metres) with an excellent high-grade intersection of 12.70 g/t Au over 1.7 metres (see November 15, 2023 press release). The confirmation of the extension of the high-grade CS structure at depth opens up the high-grade Campbell Shear zone in all directions. The Company controls + 70km of the CS structure north and south of the Con Mine option where it holds 100% of the district potential outlined in the last mineral resource update of September 2022 (see September 7, 2022 press release) with multiple high-grade satellite zones that could potentially contribute to a larger mill operation. The deep drilling program targeting the CS at depth is expected to resume the week of January 8th 2024, with Foraco drilling company. The next hole is a lateral wedge from GTCM23-055, the Master hole, targeting the CS some 75 metres north of the first high-grade gold intersection. Grant of Stock Options The Company announces that the Board of Directors has approved a grant of stock options under the Company's Stock Option Plan to its directors, officers, employees, and consultants to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,200,000 treasury shares at $0.10. The options are exercisable at a price of $0.10 per share for a period of 5 years and are subject to the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange and the Company's Stock Option Plan which includes a vesting period beginning six months after issue for 25% of the options, and 25% every six months following. The Company has also granted 200,000 stock options to Henry Weingarten as compensation for strategic planning advice, marketing and business timing recommendations as a Marketing & Corporate Development Consultant commencing January 1, 2024, and continuing on a month-to-month basis. Qualified Person Joe Campbell, P. Geo., Senior Technical Advisor for Gold Terra is a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. About Gold Terra The Yellowknife Project (YP) encompasses 918 sq. km of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, Gold Terra controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 kilometres of the City of Yellowknife, the YP is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power, and skilled tradespeople. Gold Terra is currently focusing its drilling on the prolific Campbell Shear, where 14 Moz of gold has been produced, and most recently on the Con Mine Option (CMO) property claims immediately south of the past producing Con Mine which produced 6.1 Moz between the Con, Rycon, and Campbell shear structures (1938-2003). The YP and CMO properties lie on the prolific Yellowknife greenstone belt, covering nearly 70 kilometres of strike length along the main mineralized shear system that hosts the former-producing high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The Company's exploration programs have successfully identified significant zones of gold mineralization and multiple targets that remain to be tested which reinforces the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada. Visit our website at www.goldterracorp.com. For more information, please contact: Gerald Panneton, Chairman & CEO This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Mara Strazdins, Investor Relations Phone: 1-778-897-1590 | 604-689-1749 ext 102 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Information Concerning Estimates of Mineral Resources Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Therefore, investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource could ever be mined economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of "Measured Mineral Resources," "Indicated Mineral Resources," or "Inferred Mineral Resources" will ever be upgraded to a higher category. The Mineral Resource estimates contained herein may be subject to legal, political, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of such mineral resources. Refer to the Technical Report, once filed, for more information with respect to the key assumptions, parameters, methods and risks of determination associated with the foregoing. Cautionary Note to United States Investors The Company prepares its disclosure in accordance with the requirements of securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Terms relating to Mineral Resources in this news release are defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under the guidelines set out in CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Council on May 19, 2014, as amended ("CIM Standards"). The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") has adopted amendments effective February 25, 2019 (the "SEC Modernization Rules") to its disclosure rules to modernize the mineral property disclosure requirements for issuers whose securities are registered with the SEC under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC will now recognize estimates of "Measured Mineral Resources", "Indicated Mineral Resources" and "Inferred Mineral Resources", which are defined in substantially similar terms to the corresponding CIM Standards. In addition, the SEC has amended its definitions of "Proven Mineral Reserves" and "Probable Mineral Reserves" to be substantially similar to the corresponding CIM Standards. U.S. investors are cautioned that while the foregoing terms are "substantially similar" to corresponding definitions under the CIM Standards, there are differences in the definitions under the SEC Modernization Rules and the CIM Standards. Accordingly, there is no assurance any Mineral Resources that the Company may report as "Measured Mineral Resources", "Indicated Mineral Resources" and "Inferred Mineral Resources" under NI 43-101 would be the same had the Company prepared the Mineral Resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules. In accordance with Canadian securities laws, estimates of "Inferred Mineral Resources" cannot form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies, except in limited circumstances where permitted under NI 43-101. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements made and information contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation ("forward-looking information"). Generally, this forward-looking information can, but not always, be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotations thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information regarding the current drilling on the Campbell Shear, potentially adding ounces to the Company's current YCG mineral resource, and the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as the Company's actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section in the Company's most recent MD&A and annual information form available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that would cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this news release. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. All of the forward-looking information contained in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Except as required under applicable securities legislation and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information. The leader of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) held talks in Kenya on Wednesday amid regional diplomatic efforts to try to forge a ceasefire in the war at home. Kenya is the latest leg of Mohamed Hamdan Daglo's first trip abroad since the fierce fighting erupted between the RSF and the Sudanese army in mid-April. President William Ruto posted pictures on X of him meeting with Daglo, saying Kenya appreciated the commitment of the RSF and Daglo "in ending the conflict in Sudan through dialogue". "The ongoing Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) talks should bring about a political settlement that would effect a lasting peace in the country," he added. IGAD, an eight-nation East African bloc headquartered in Djibouti, is leading diplomatic efforts to broker a meeting between Daglo and his rival, Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The warring generals have not met face-to-face since the outbreak of the conflict that has killed more than 12,000 people by some conservative estimates, and forced millions to flee. Daglo said his discussions with Ruto focused on latest developments in Sudan, "examining the root causes of the war and exploring solutions to alleviate the crisis and the suffering of our people". "I presented our strategy to cease hostilities and start negotiations for a comprehensive resolution," he said on X, without elaborating. A scheduled press conference by Daglo in Nairobi did not take place. The RSF leader has previously visited Djibouti, Ethiopia and Uganda on his regional tour and said he was committed to ending the conflict. "Next week, as chair of IGAD, Djibouti will also prepare the ground for Sudanese dialogue and will host a critical meeting," Djibouti Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said on X on Saturday when Daglo visited. Last Wednesday, Djibouti's foreign ministry said a meeting between the rivals planned for December 28 had been "postponed to early January for technical reasons". The UN Security Council in November voiced alarm at the growing violence in Sudan and the spread of fighting to areas previously considered a haven for those displaced by the conflict. By the end of November, at least 12,190 people had been killed, according to a conservative estimate from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project. The United Nations says more than seven million people have been internally displaced by the war, while another 1.5 million have fled into neighbouring countries. Both sides have been accused of war crimes. bur-txw/giv X Russia and Ukraine said Wednesday that they had swapped hundreds of captive soldiers, their first publicly announced prisoner of war exchange in almost five months. The two sides have carried out dozens of exchanges throughout Moscow's 22-month long invasion, but the process stalled in the latter half of last year. In almost simultaneous statements, the Russian defence ministry and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced they had received over 200 soldiers each. "More than 200 of our soldiers and civilians have been returned from Russian captivity," Zelensky said on Telegram, posting a video of uniformed men celebrating. Ukraine's human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said 230 Ukrainian soldiers had been released in total, marking what he said was the 49th exchange between the two sides. Moscow's defence ministry said 248 of its soldiers had been returned in a deal that came about after "complex" negotiations mediated by the United Arab Emirates. Neither side discloses how many prisoners are in their custody. Among the Ukrainian soldiers released were 66 from the city of Mariupol, which fell to Russian forces in May 2022, an official who took part in the negotiations told AFP. Dozens of Ukrainian soldiers who fought in Mariupol have been tried by Russia for war crimes, in court proceedings denounced by Ukraine and rights groups as illegal. The United States on Wednesday criticized South Africa for bringing a genocide case against Israel before the UN's top court, rejecting accusations against its ally over the war in Gaza. The International Court of Justice in The Hague will next week hold hearings on a filing by South Africa that alleges "genocidal acts against the people in Gaza" and seeks to order Israel to end the military operation. "We don't think it's a productive step," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said of the South African submission. "We have not at this point seen acts that constitute genocide," Miller told reporters. "Genocide is, of course, a heinous atrocity," he said. "Those are allegations that should not make be made lightly." Israel has angrily rejected the accusation, with the foreign ministry calling it "blood libel," a reference to ancient anti-Semitic conspiracies. South Africa has often criticized Israel and alleged parallels to its own history of apartheid. In The Hague application, South Africa says that Israel has been acting "with the requisite specific intent... to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group." Palestinian Hamas militants infiltrated Israel on October 7 and killed some 1,140 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. In response to the deadliest attack in its history, Israel launched a relentless offensive that has reduced vast swathes of Gaza to rubble and claimed over 22,300 lives, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. US relations with South Africa have already been shaken over Pretoria's refusal to join Western pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. The US ambassador publicly accused South Africa last year of sending a ship of weapons to Russia, claims walked back by the State Department. The Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya, Moses Wetangula has underscored the need to constantly equip Members of Parliament through workshops, and financing, among others to keep them abreast with matters of the environment. Delivering a keynote address at the ongoing 27th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth in Munyonyo, Wetangula emphasized the need to pass laws, particularly in countries that are water-secure, to protect heritage. He, however, quickly added that countries can only do so by having a proper legal framework. Whoever pollutes must pay but the polluters are paying themselves; they have been harvesting carbon credit proceeds. So our Parliaments must be forever alert, Wetangula noted. The conference themed on climate change seeks to among other things; maintain, foster and encourage impartiality, as well as promote knowledge and understanding of parliamentary democracy in its various forms. According to parliament, it is attended by 33 Speakers, out of the 43 that had earlier confirmed attendance. The Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Mr Joel Ssennyonyi has warned government against disregarding matters to do with local leadership. This is after the Local Government Minister Raphael Magyezi yesterday announced another extension of the term of office for Local Council 1 and 2 chairpersons for another three months, from January, 6th 2024. Magyezi said this was due to lack of funding and the pending harmonization of all administrative units across the country. In an exclusive interview with KFM, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Secretary to the Treasury Ramadhan Ggoobi confirmed that funds meant for conducting local council elections had been re-allocated based on government priorities. However, Ssenyonyi tells KFM that whoever was responsible for the re-allocation of these resources must make a formal explanation before parliament which appropriated the same. One of the biggest challenges with this government is the way they deal with taxpayers money. Money is stolen, misappropriated, not accounted for, and moved from here to there illegally. Parliament appropriated money for LC elections, but now they have reallocated that money to other priorities. What are these priorities anyway? This is again an illegality which the ministry must come to parliament and explain, Ssenyonyi told KFM. By PPU President Kaguta Museveni has appealed to dairy farmers to put more emphasis on producing casein and powdered milk in order to benefit from the lucrative international market. The President made the appeal while meeting a group of dairy farmers from Kazo and Kiruhura districts at Karo Primary School in Nshwere, Kiruhura District, yesterday. Shifting focus from liquid milk to processed products for export is crucial. This is something that you must take seriously, Mr Museveni said, highlighting the products potential for longevity and better prices in the global markets. Acknowledging Ugandas current milk production of five billion litres annually, the President emphasised that exploring the international demand is essential. We need to meet the external market requirements. Liquid milk is heavy in nature and very costly for exportation but if you take time and process it into powdered milk, it becomes light and less expensive, this I can assure you, he urged. Reflecting on past successes in the dairy industry, President Museveni lauded the transformation achieved by farmers who embraced strategic changes, including zero grazing. Senior Pastors have asked Police to expedite its inquest into the assassination attempt on their colleague, Aloysius Bugingo, of House of Prayer Ministries. Pastor Bugingo was on Tuesday night attacked by unknown assailants along Namungona Zone 2, Kasubi, Rubaga Division, at Bukalasa Junction along National Housing Road in Kampala, as he headed home. His bodyguard, Richard Muhumuza from the elite Special Forces Command (SFC) was killed. Police say the shooting targeted Pastor Bugingo, but offer no clear-cut motive, prompting his colleagues to theorise what may have been the assailants motive. Pastor Martin Ssempa of Makerere Community Church, says he suspects the assassination attempt on Pastor Bugingo was due to his preaching against homosexuality, adding that he, too, has also received several death threats because of his evangelism against the vice. It is possible that Bugingos preaching may be annoying some people. I have also received death threats because of preaching against homosexuality. Bugingo is also one of those people who is against homosexuality, he said in an interview on Wednesday. Pastor Ssempa has asked President Museveni to upgrade Pastors security, saying their lives are in danger. Pastor Bugingos attempted assassination shocked me a lot. That very day, I decided to stay in a hotel in Kampala, I never wanted to travel; I said: This is a wave of killing pastors now. I was extremely concerned about my own safety, he added. Pastor Solomon Male of Arising for Christ Church in Kampala, wonders why the pastor has SFC soldiers, which he says are normally for politicians. What was he (Bugingo) afraid of by having an SFC? He trusts God and tells people to trust God, but trusts a gun and a guard instead of God whom he always preaches about. I dont have a bodyguard, lead car or escorts, I only trust God. Religious leaders should put away guns and trust God, he said. Pastor Male added that many pastors have been involved in sodomy, fraud, and land grabbing, while other people have lost land to some pastors and are hurt; so, they decide to hire killers because they have failed to get justice, Pastor Male suggested. Pastor Zachariah Sserwadda, of Evangel Church in Jinja, condemned the attempt on his colleagues life and urged the government to protect all Ugandans from such attacks. I dont know whether he had some conflicts with anyone, but I hardly doubt. Although he is involved in politics, his level of politics cant reach the extent of fueling an assassination, he said, adding that the assassination attempt has created fear amongst most of them. Pastor Paul Batambuze, of New Creation Church in Jinja City, described as unfortunate for a pastor, who is not into active politics, to receive an assassination attempt. Bugingo is not into politics, but we pray for peace in our country, he said. - - 1 of 1 , khaskhabar.com : , 04 2024 4:30 PM Exploring half a century of excavations Founded in 1973, Oxford Archaeology is today one of the largest commercial units operating in the UK. Here we see one of its recent excavations, exploring a Roman villa estate at Priors Hall, Corby. IMAGE: Oxford Archaeology With one of the UKs oldest commercial units recently celebrating its 50th birthday, Carly Hilts spoke to its founding director, Tom Hassall, and current CEO, Ken Welsh, about how the archaeological profession has changed over this period and what the future might hold for the ways in which we engage with the past Back in CA 40, our Editor-in-Chief Andrew Selkirk described being abandoned by a taxi driver and left to pick his way across a building site towards a row of condemned cottages. This unlikely setting was the scene of launch celebrations for a new arrival in the heritage world the Oxfordshire Archaeological Unit and, 50 years later, it was my turn to travel to Oxford to mark an equally important milestone: the units half- century. Today, the organisation is known as Oxford Archaeology, and the festivities were held in the rather more comfortable surroundings of an airy conference centre a stones throw from the units present head office in Osney Mead. Afterwards, I caught up with OAs founding director, Tom Hassall, and its CEO, Ken Welsh, to share their thoughts about commercial archaeologys past, present, and future. Oxfordshire and the city of Oxford itself had long been a centre of archaeological activity, spearheaded by the Ashmolean Museum and with important fieldwork also undertaken by Oxford Universitys Archaeology Society. As development boomed in the region, though, it was decided in 1965 to found a county-wide museums service to lead responses to the twin threats of urban growth and rural gravel extraction. The fledgling Oxford City and County Museum was unable to meet the accelerating demands of rescue archaeology, however, and a number of independent excavation committees sprang up to help (see CA 35). One of the first was the Oxford Archaeological Excavation Committee, founded in 1967 with Tom Hassall as its first director; the historic towns of Abingdon and Banbury also had their own dedicated committees, as did the Upper Thames Valley, and another team focused on the construction of the M40. From its earliest days, the unit has been occupied with investigating rural sites including gravel quarries and road schemes as well as busy urban environments. This photo shows work at Frewin Hall, part of Brasenose College in Oxford. IMAGE: Oxford Archaeology While each of these groups had specific aims, they soon found themselves competing for funds and personnel and so they pooled their resources to create a single archaeological service that could tackle projects across historical Oxfordshire and North Berkshire. The result was the Oxfordshire Archaeological Committee, a registered charity with public benefit at its heart, which held its first meeting in the summer of 1973. Its fieldwork was to be carried out by the new Oxfordshire Archaeological Unit, with Tom at its helm. Unit was the trendy word of the time, taking inspiration from the Research Unit that Martin Biddle had founded in Winchester in 1968, he added. Toms team were riding the crest of a wave that was set to transform the way that archaeology was done in the UK. In 1971, the gauntlet had been thrown down by the creation of RESCUE and its campaigns for state funding of development-led excavations, and in this period the seeds of many of todays major commercial units were sown. The York Archaeological Trust (born in another historic city facing a crisis of rapid development; see CA 400) was founded in 1972, while Londons Department of Urban Archaeology (a forerunner of MOLA) was established in 1973, and Wessex Archaeology began in 1979. Over in East Anglia, 1973 also saw Peter Wade-Martins founding the Norfolk Archaeological Unit under the auspices of the local council, and similar conversations were happening across the nation. The Westgate site in Oxford, dug first by the Oxford Archaeological Excavation Committee (this photo is from 1969), then by OA. IMAGE: Oxford Archaeology EARLY INVESTIGATIONS The new Oxfordshire unit hit the ground running, undertaking influential surveys of historic towns and excavating Iron Age and Roman remains in the Upper Thames Valley (see CA 86 and 121). Two of the most significant projects of this period, both on the outskirts of Abingdon, were at Barton Court Farm, the intended site of a new housing development, and on the Ashville Trading Estate, close to the old MG Car factory (which closed in 1980; see CA 63 for more on both sites). Ashville yielded Bronze Age ring-ditches and Roman field systems, as well as the remains of a long-lived Iron Age settlement, its frequently shifting footprint reflected in the intercutting outlines of numerous roundhouses. Meanwhile, Barton Court Farm was home to a Roman villa and associated cemetery, as well as a number of Anglo-Saxon buildings and a handful of furnished graves that had been inserted into the by-then ruined villa. Another key site of the 1970s was All Saints Church on Oxfords High Street. Its entire interior was excavated ahead of its conversion to become Lincoln Colleges library; Tom recalls members of the public ascending into the gallery to watch the dig. IMAGE: Oxford Archaeology Back in Oxford, the units staff were hard at work on the site of the new Westgate shopping centre. The planned development was set to cut a swathe through the city centre, crossing the line of its medieval defences and encompassing the site of the 13th-century Greyfriars friary. The team was also offered the opportunity to explore a slice of the main east west route into Oxford, exposing a fascinating layer-cake of 19 late Saxon-to-medieval road surfaces. The Westgate finds attracted so much attention that, when the late Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Oxford in 1976, they were shown the results of the excavations (and presented with a copy of the units historic towns survey). Tom Hassall recalled: When Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh were standing in the central square at Westgate, and I was showing them the archaeology and the architect was showing them the development, Prince Philip turned to me and said: I wonder when they will pull this down and excavate it too. As it happens, he lived so long that he did see the shopping centre demolished and OA excavate the site again I have always found that amusing. Despite such a proliferation of work, however, the units access to development sites and their underlying archaeology was far from guaranteed. In the decades before PPG16 formally embedded rescue excavations within the planning process, developers were under no obligation to allow archaeologists to explore their sites before construction began. Instead, every two weeks Tom and the County Museums field officer would go through all new planning applications for the county, trying to spot potential projects so that they could negotiate with the developers. They were given a tantalising early glimpse of how things could be, though, when Tom and some of his colleagues were invited to address the American Association of Archaeology in 1975. They came away with intriguing insights into how practices were changing Stateside. We learned about a new law that stated that, in all federal development projects, the polluter had to pay for the archaeological work What an interesting idea!, we thought, he said. The Oxford Archaeological Unit in 1982; the carved stone relief above the door depicts the head of Janus, its original logo. This was a challenging period for the unit, which saw its financial model change and its transformation into a Limited Company. IMAGE: Oxford Archaeology TURBULENCE AND TRANSFORMATION The later 1970s were a period of great opportunities for the Oxfordshire unit, but also significant challenges. In 1976, Northamptonshire County Council invited them to move outside their traditional territories to dig in Towcester, and investigations in Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Kent, and Berkshire followed, prompting the organisation to drop the -shire from its name, becoming the Oxford Archaeological Unit (this was simplified further to Oxford Archaeology in 2001). Financial waters, however, were becoming choppy. The unit had always enjoyed the City and County Councils support, and had received core funding from the Department of the Environment. Towards the end of the decade, though, this model changed and the team suddenly had to apply for funding on a project-by- project basis. Projects at the beginning of the alphabet seemed to get the larger grants, so I remember that we thought of putting forward the mythical site of Abingdon Aardvark in the hopes of securing massive funding, Tom said. The Eton Rowing Lake project revealed Early Neolithic middens, Bronze Age ring-ditches, and important waterlogged wooden remains. IMAGE: Oxford Archaeology In such trying times, job-creation schemes that had been set up to combat the decades high level of unemployment proved an invaluable source of staff for the units projects: many volunteers from the Manpower Services Commission became permanent staff who remain with OA today. Oxford Universitys Archaeology Society was another key place for recruitment; as the university only introduced an undergraduate degree in (Anthropology and) Archaeology in 1992, prior to that the Society was the main place to find students keen for fieldwork experience. Come the 1980s, though, and state funding and administrative support ended altogether: OA was on its own. The unit responded by becoming a Limited Company (but retaining its charitable status), and while it ultimately managed to weather the financial storm, this period was a useful introduction to the sometimes harsh realities of the commercial world that the organisation was about to enter. The introduction of PPG16 in 1990 changed everything. Units were now able to submit competitive tenders for projects and to work anywhere in the country. OA, which was by now well-established in the south of England, was one of the first units to take advantage of these new opportunities but such perceived incursions on to other groups turf proved controversial. Geographically based organisations and county units resented the arrival of outsiders who were seen as lacking understanding of the local archaeology indeed, OAs present CEO Ken Welsh, who was working for the Department of Greater London Archaeology at the time, recalls his outrage when he heard that Oxfordshire archaeologists were excavating in Southwark. This is an extract of an article that appeared in CA 407. Read on in the magazine or on our new website, The Past (click here to subscribe), which details of all the content of the magazine. At The Past you will be able to read each article in full as well as the content of our other magazines, Current World Archaeology, Minerva, and Military History Matters. One man has been arrested and over 235,000 in heroin has been seized during searches conducted in county Dublin and county Meath. The searches were carried out on Wednesday, January 3, by gardai from the Finglas Divisional Drugs Unit in an operation targeting the sale and supply of controlled drugs in the Dublin area. "At approximately 10am on Wednesday 3rd January 2024, gardai from the Finglas Drugs Unit, the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) West Search Team and the garda Dog Unit conducted a search under warrant at a premises in the Scribblestown area of Dublin 15," gardai said in a press release. During the course of this search, approximately 81,200 of suspected heroin was seized and a man in his thirties was arrested. One of this weeks seizures as part of our ongoing activity targeting the sale and supply of illegal drugs across the country is 235k worth of heroin which was discovered yesterday during searches in Dublin and Meath.#KeepingPeopleSafe pic.twitter.com/xZcuXjAoXG Garda Info (@gardainfo) January 4, 2024 He is currently being detained at a garda station in west Dublin under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996. A follow-up search was later conducted by the Finglas Drugs Unit assisted by the Meath Drugs Unit at a premises near Navan in Meath where approximately 155,400 of suspected heroin was seized, along with a hydraulic press. The seized drugs, valued at a total of 236,600, will now be sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis, and investigations are ongoing. An Irish animal rescue has expressed fury after a puppy was discovered tied to the door of a Dublin off-licence. According to My Lovely Horse Sanctuary (MLHS), the eight to nine month old dog was found abandoned last night (December 3) at the Carry Out off-licence in Clondalkin. Two young men were reportedly seen running from the scene. In a statement posted to their Facebook page, an MLHS spokesperson said, "[The] poor little mite was terrified. Thankfully the lovely guy working at the off-licence took her in, MLHR Sara got there quickly with her scanner to see if chipped and make sure she was safe for the night." The rescue - which suspects the puppy may be pregnant - confirmed she is on her way to their vet. They continued: "We have never witnessed this amount of dogs needing serious help ever. We honestly have not got the room or resources for so many poor dogs but we will NOT ignore this awful situation. "MLHR are working from morning till late at night, we just cant stop, [there are] so many animals in dire straights." The animal charity is encouraging anyone interested in supporting them to do so by donating, raising awareness or fostering. "We ask that you please support us, we cant keep this up without public help," they said. Tributes have been paid to a Newbridge native who sadly passed away. Niall McDonnell was a member of the Defence Forces, and he was also described by Sarsfields GAA Club in Newbridge as 'a true Sash man.' Extended family members own and operate McDonnell's Bar or Neeson's in Newbridge. The late Niall McDonnell (Rest In Peace). Sarsfields GAA Club wrote on its official Facebook page: "Sarsfields GAA are deeply deeply saddened by the the untimely passing of Niall McDonnell. "Niall was a true Sash man (Son of Sarsfields). "Niall is going to be missed sorely by his wonderful loving family Jobie, Frances, Joseph, Claire, Paula and Brian and his niece Layla & extended family and friend." A member of the Defence Forces Headquarters Communications and Information Services Corps, Amy Crook, also had this to say about the late Niall McDonnell: "Thinking of all the McDonnell family, absolutely devastating news. Niall was such a nice fella and a pleasure to work with. "Ar dheis De go raibh a anam." A number of Newbridge businesses paid tributes to the late soldier, including Moloney's Bar and Music Venue. Management for the pub said in a statement: "Moloneys Bar & Music Venue extend our deepest sympathies to the McDonnell and Murray family on the loss of Niall McDonnell. "Our sincere thoughts are with Jobie and Frances, all the McDonnell & Murray families and all of Nialls friends and comrades at this very difficult time. "Ar dheis De go raibh a anam." In addition, the management of The Inn at Milltown paid tribute to the late Niall McDonnell: "We at The Inn are very sad to learn of the untimely passing of Niall. "Sending our warm regards to all his family and friends. "May he rest in eternal peace." FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS Arrangements have changed - Time change. Reposing at his family home from 4pm on Friday until 8pm with Rosary at 7pm. Removal by Glennons Funeral Directors on Saturday morning to arrive at St Conleths Parish Church, Newbridge, for requiem mass at 11.30am. Burial afterwards in St Conleths Cemetery, Newbridge. Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu to Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue at: https://www.dwmrt.ie/ Donations box in Church and house. Mass will be live-streamed on https://newbridgeparish.ie/parish-church Somerset has been a fertile hunting-ground for Current Archaeology since the magazines inception. There is a wealth of archaeological sites and landscapes there, from the uplands of the Mendips to the lowlands of the Levels and many points in between, including some significant urban settlements. In addition, there are strong personal connections that led the founders of Current Archaeology, Andrew and Wendy Selkirk, to visit the county regularly, including with the archaeologists Philip Rahtz (1921-2011); John Coles (1930-2020) and Bryony Coles (born 1946), Johns research partner and later wife; and Mick Aston (1946-2013) all of whom worked, and in some cases lived, in the county at different times. To do justice to this rich heritage, I will spread my coverage of the county over two issues. The first half of this double column will focus on central and south Somerset, and is primarily rural; and next month the second half will look to Bath, Bristol, and their environs, and is more urban in focus. Before anyone writes in to complain, yes, I know that this does not stick within the official county boundaries, but I could think of no other way to tell the story of such an extraordinarily rich archaeological area. THE COLESES OF THE LEVELS Telling the story of Current Archaeologys coverage of Somerset is easy: you begin at the beginning, in CA 1 (March 1967), where the second-ever site visited was that of prehistoric (primarily Bronze Age) Meare Lake Village, near Glastonbury. CA 27 (July 1971) and CA 77 (May 1981) returned there, and this site and these names then set me up neatly for the next step in my Somerset story that of its wetlands. Covering some 25,000 acres, the archaeology there is inextricably linked to the Coleses. The first overview of these sites came in CA 38 (May 1973) from John and, at that point, Bryony Orme (her maiden name the pair married in 1985). This feature provides a superb snapshot of both research and practice at this time and place. CA 52 (September 1975) returned with their examination of the Walton Hurdle, a length of Neolithic trackway dating to c.2200 BC, which was discovered, excavated, and lifted prior to the sites destruction due to peat-cutting. Coles and Orme were next back in CA 84 (October 1982) for a general overview of the Levels, including the first mention in the magazine of the Sweet Track, another Neolithic structure, this one dating to c.3200 BC. Bar occasional snippets of notes and news, the story of the Somerset Levels, at least in the pages of Current Archaeology, then went quiet for a long time, until a magisterial reappearance in the wetlands special of CA 172 (February 2001), a survey not just of the Somerset Levels but of wetlands across the UK, published in association with a conference that was being held at the British Academy. Work by the Coleses has featured on at least two covers of Current Archaeology: CA 52, which examined the Walton Hurdle Neolithic trackway, and CA 172, a wetlands special that highlights excavations in the Somerset Levels. GOOD KING RAHTZ Moving from the lowland wetlands and one famous surname, Current Archaeologys coverage of the county moves seamlessly to its uplands and another similarly distinguished name. Glastonbury Tor featured in CA 2 (May 1967), when Philip Rahtz was leading excavations there, investigating its early and later medieval history. Rahtz already had a solid archaeological pedigree in the area, thanks in particular to his work in the mid-1950s on the site of what became Chew Valley reservoir to the south of Bristol a multi-period site that he excavated on behalf of the Ministry of Works. The full story of Rahtzs life and work, and of his friendship with the Selkirks, is too detailed to go into here, but you can read more from Andrew himself in CA 173 and 258 (April 2001 and September 2011). Returning to Glastonbury, the famous medieval abbey there was examined in detail in CA 320 (November 2016); this is also a good place to flag the examination of nearby Wells Cathedral in CA 73 (August 1980). And returning to Philip Rahtz, we next turn to the site of Congresbury/Cadcong (sometimes also known as Cadbury) in the summer of 1968. Confusingly, at this time two Cadburies were under simultaneous excavation in different parts of the county by two different teams, often publishing their results at the same time: this one (the site of a primarily Iron Age hillfort settlement with later medieval occupation just to the north-east of Weston-super-Mare) was examined by a team led by Philip Rahtz and Keith Gardner (see CA 11, November 1968, and CA 23, November 1970); and South Cadbury/Camelot (an Iron Age and early medieval site north-east of Yeovil) was examined by a team led by Leslie Alcock (see CA 8, May 1968; CA 11, November 1968; and CA 18, January 1970). The latter sites legendary associations with King Arthur garnered the bulk of attention at this time, unfairly overshadowing Gardner and Rahtzs exemplary fieldwork at the former, and it is fascinating to compare the approaches to such similar site-types during the same period. The magazines coverage of Philip Rahtzs work began all the way back in CA 2, which covered his excavations at Glastonbury Tor, and has continued as recently as CA 320, which examined the history of Glastonbury Abbey. CHEDDAR, MAN Cheddar Gorge and its Palaeolithic inhabitants made the magazine for the first time in CA 160. Moving into the Mendips proper, Rahtz was long involved in fieldwork there, especially in and around the internationally significant location of Cheddar Gorge, with remains found dating from the Upper Late Palaeolithic (12,000-13,000 years ago) as well as of more recent date. Strangely, it took until CA 160 (November 1998) for the magazine to pay an in-depth visit to Cheddar, long after Rahtzs excavations, as part of a wider review of Palaeolithic archaeology in the UK at this time. This can be usefully contrasted with a similar such review undertaken 15 years later in CA 288 (March 2014), and again in CA 330 (September 2017), showing the rapid advances in our understanding of our oldest ancestors. Beyond this placement of Cheddar in a national/international context of early human occupation in what would later become the British Isles, there was also a steady flow of wider stories of the Gorge, most notably in CA 199 (September 2005), when some Mesolithic era engravings were discovered there as part of a wider survey of early artworks at that time (see CA 197, May 2005); the story was followed up in CA 212 (November 2007). MICK DIGS IT The cover of CA 151 showed Mick Aston, his left foot in plaster due to an accident involving him falling over the remains of a holy well, but still determinedly in the field in Somerset. For the final part of this months column, I will look to more recent times and a final famous name: Mick Aston. Due to his work on Time Team, Mick needs no introduction to readers of Current Archaeology, but as a practitioner, away from his later media fame he had a long and distinguished career working across Somerset, of which he was also a long-term resident. Mick had moved there from Oxfordshire in 1974, becoming its first County Archaeologist, setting up the first formal Sites and Monuments Record (SMR which became the modern-day Historic Environment Records, HERs), and overseeing the excavation of many sites, including along the route of the M5. But Micks enduring archaeological passion was for medieval landscape archaeology, and he excelled in particular in the fieldwork that he led around Shapwick, located halfway between Bridgwater and Street, a story that he shared regularly through the pages of Current Archaeology, including in CA 151 (February 1997) and CA 272 (November 2012). The wider story of Micks life and legacy is told in CA 200, CA 271, and CA 282 (November 2005, October 2012, and September 2013), but the glorious image of Mick on the cover of CA 151, with his left foot in plaster due to an accident involving him falling over the remains of a holy well, but still determinedly in the field in his adopted county, is the perfect place to end this first foray into Somerset. I will return with part two next month, moving north and east into Bath, Bristol, and their surrounds. About the author Joe Flatman completed a PhD in medieval archaeology at the University of Southampton in 2003, and since then has held positions in universities, and local and most recently central government. Since March 2019, he has been a Consultancy Manager in the National Trusts London and South-East Region, leading a team working on Trust sites across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. You can follow him on X: @joeflatman. YEREVAN, JANUARY 4, ARMENPRESS. Russia and Ukraine have exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war in the biggest single release of captives since the war began in February 2022. Russia said on Wednesday that 248 of its soldiers were returned while Ukraine said 230 of its prisoners were released after mediation by the United Arab Emirates. On January 3, 2024, as a result of a complicated negotiation process, 248 Russian servicemen were returned from the territory controlled by the Kiev regime. The return of the Russian servicemen from captivity was made possible thanks to the humanitarian mediation of the United Arab Emirates, TASS news agency quoted the Russian Defense Ministry as saying in a statement. Al Jazeera quoted Ukraines human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, as saying that 230 Ukrainian prisoners, including six civilians, had been released, marking what he said was the 49th exchange between the two sides. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. YEREVAN, JANUARY 4, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has lauded Spain for its activities during its Presidency of the Council of the EU and welcomed Belgiums presidency in 2024. My congratulations to Jose Manuel Albares and outgoing Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU for activities during exceptionally challenging times, Mirzoyan said in a statement on X. Appreciated that EU Council Spanish Presidency advanced our common agenda, aimed at further strengthening EUs partnership with Armenia based on shared vision. Warmly welcoming Belgiums Presidency of EU Council, I wish every success to my counterpart Hadja Lahbib. Armenia looks forward to working jointly with Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU to further deepen & strengthen our partnership with EU to effectively meet aspirations of our citizens, he added. YEREVAN, JANUARY 4, ARMENPRESS. Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi canceled his planned visit to Turkiye after attacks in the southeastern city of Kerman on Wednesday that killed more than 100 people and injured over 200. "Following the terrorist attacks in Kerman that martyred many Iranians, the president has canceled his visit to Turkey ... this trip will take place in an appropriate time," Mohammad Jamshidi, political deputy at Raisi's office, told IRNA state news agency, according to Reuters. Turkey's state news agency Anadolu reported that the visit was delayed to a later date. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday expressed condolences to his Iranian counterpart over the deadly explosions near the tomb of slain Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. During the call, Erdogan reiterated his call for joint action in the fight against terrorism with Iran. Meanwhile, it was decided to postpone the visit of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Turkiye to a later date. Raisi was scheduled to arrive in Turkiye on Thursday, Anadolu reported. By Donald Kirk The New Year is opening on a disturbing note. Wars in Ukraine and Gaza are killing hundreds if not thousands a day, and we have to endure threats of war by China against Taiwan and by North Korea against South Korea, and maybe against Japan and the U.S. too. Those are just the more obvious flashpoints. War could erupt almost anywhere, often by surprise. No one had predicted the murderous onslaught by Hamas terrorists against southern Israel on Oct. 7, and no one had expected the Russians simply to invade Ukraine nearly two years ago. War, however, does not always break out when and where most feared. North Koreas Kim Jong-un keeps saying hell unleash holy hell against South Korea, maybe fire off a few nukes, but his rhetoric includes a huge qualifier. Hell attack only if provoked. Those two words mean his threats are not altogether serious; you do not see Koreans running to bomb shelters. The sense, with nothing really to prove it, is that Chinas President Xi Jinping is urging Kim to cool it. North Korea, remember, has not tested a nuke in more than six years. They have fabricated quite a few since then, and theyre opening a new reactor that should reinforce the threat, but its hard to imagine Kim is going to be so foolish as to make good on his bold words considering the response could finally destroy his regime. For that matter, President Xi may not be totally serious about his repeated vows to take over the island province of Taiwan, which hasnt been under mainland control since the Japanese defeated the rotting Qing dynasty in 1895. Taiwanese then, as now, did not want the mainlanders lording it over them and were not so averse to Japanese rule as the Koreans, who fell to Japan 15 years later. With a presidential election coming up in Taiwan on Jan. 13, the candidates now agree on one thing: Taiwan should remain a province of China even if Beijing exercises no control. China will not go beyond raising a ruckus as long as Taiwan does not declare itself an independent nation-state. While the ruling Democratic Progressive Party represents latent Taiwanese nationalism, the opposition Kuomintang, having fled the mainland in 1949, wants to foster great relations with Beijing in the interests of commerce and plain common sense. Let us hope there will be no surprises to disturb the peace that somehow prevails in East and Northeast Asia despite all the big talk, but the sparks are still flying. Look at the South China Sea where the Philippines are facing up to big bully China, whose coast guard vessels are obstructing Philippine fishing boats. The Americans, now bonding with the Philippines, returning to bases from which Philippine nationalists kicked them out more than 30 years ago, are pledged to defend the pro-American regime of President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos, son of the dictator who was thrown out with American assistance in 1986. For sure, however, Washington does not want to go to war with the Chinese for the South China Sea. Better to live with threats and counter-threats than to unleash the dogs of war that are growling within the cages of alliances and groupings on all sides. The Ukraine and Gaza wars demonstrate, however, the uncertainty of where and when the rhetoric will burst into full-scale death and destruction. The volatility of American politics makes the future even harder to predict. No one can be sure Donald Trump, if he returns to the White House, will want to lavish multi-billions in arms on Ukraine in a war against Russias President Putin. Russian textbooks are now saying the 2020 presidential election was stolen, just as Trump contends. Had Trump been elected to a second term, Ukraine by now would be under Russian control. Voices in the U.S. are also weary of the need to go on supporting Israel in a campaign in Gaza that could go on for months, if not years. We can be pretty sure Trump would support Israel, but what if the war extends to southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah poses an even greater threat to the Jewish state than Hamas? And what if Iran, Israels regional foe, provides more arms for Israels enemies while fostering attacks on U.S. forces? Then there is Americas own porous southern border with Mexico, which Trump would like to close to the flood of immigrants. Everywhere, fortress America is under assault, from within and without. Donald Kirk (www.donaldkirk.com) in London at this writing, writes on war and peace mainly from Washington and Seoul. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Variably cloudy with snow showers. Temps nearly steady in the low to mid 30s. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 60%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A few flurries are possible. Low 27F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Auburn, IN (46706) Today Snow showers. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 70%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A few flurries are possible. Low 26F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Netizens pointed out the "poor" reception of the 33rd Seoul Music Awards, which generated a discussion regarding the ceremony's relevance and integrity. Here's what people are saying. Is Seoul Music Awards Losing its Appeal? K-Netz Discuss 2024 SMA's Relevance After Event Encounters 'Emptiest' Seat Dilemma Earlier on January 2, the 33rd Seoul Music Awards (2024 SMA) was held at the Rajamangala National Stadium, in Bangkok, marking the event's first time to take place abroad. As the annual year-end show had already fueled everyone's anticipation, it was intensified by the attendance of numerous K-pop artists, who received their awards and gave energetic performances in between segments. The event was also hosted by top actor Lee Seung Gi, Girls' Generation Tiffany, and GOT7 BamBam, who showed their irresistible chemistry as MCs of the night. Furthermore, some of the show's main highlights were NCT Dream receiving the Daesang award (Grand Prize) for 2024 SMA, alongside NewJeans with Best Song ("OMG), BLACKPINK with World Best Artist, and BTS with World Trend Artist. YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: 33rd Seoul Music Awards Winners Announced: SEVENTEEN, Sandara Park, NCT Dream, More Secure Major Wins from Yearly Hallyu Event! However, on January 3, the 33rd Seoul Music Awards was discussed in an online thread for having lots of unoccupied seats. The post's author uploaded still shots from the event's loading time, followed by a barren of empty seats across the arena. While the first few photos displayed the preparation, the emptiness became more obvious during the main event, when lightsticks from different fandoms were present. See the photos below: OP then added a comparison by uploading several of BLACKPINK's concert photos at the same arena (Rajamangala National Stadium), showing how the venue would look like if it was thoroughly filled or sold-out. In the comments, netizens exclaimed how irrelevant the Seoul Music Awards was, and questioned its decision to be held outside South Korea. They also criticized the expensive ticket prices, which they claimed was one of the factors why the show didn't sell out. Some mentioned BamBam, who candidly expressed his disappointment with the awards show for its poor sound system and how the event simply wanted to get money out of them. Here's how they reacted: "Let's just get rid of this show. Nobody acknowledges this award show, so why even do it overseas?" "They had an award ceremony? I just learned about it because it made no impact." "What is this? They went overseas? But why?" "It's not even a solo concert and my bias would only be performing 1-2 songs so who would go?" "What's worse is that the tickets cost the local people almost a month of their salary." "Even NCT fans weren't able to fill up the whole venue." "I just wish that we get rid of SM-A." "After reading the exchange BamBam has on Twitter, maybe idols don't want to deal with these badly run, insignificant, clearly rigged awards." What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below! Read KpopStarz for more K-pop news. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'Seoul Music Awards Rigged': ARMYs Rally Online Due to BTS Suga's 'D-DAY' Not Being Nominated KpopStarz owns this article Written by Riely Miller Edwards will focus on renewable energy litigation in his new role as special counsel when he leaves office on January 8. YEREVAN, JANUARY 4, ARMENPRESS. Representatives of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia Anahit Manasyan have visited the Armavir Correctional Facility in the town of Vagharshapat for an unannounced inspection. According to a press release issued by the Human Rights Defenders Office, the staffers held private meetings with inmates, studied the state of ensuring their rights, as well as documents and detention conditions. The identified problems have been discussed with the prison administration and the medical personnel of the prison healthcare center. The Ombudspersons office said that the results of the unannounced visit will be summed up and recommendations will be sent to authorized bodies. YEREVAN, JANUARY 4, ARMENPRESS. The State Revenue Committee (SRC) of Armenia collected 2 trillion 221 billion drams in tax revenues in 2023, which is 296 billion drams more compared to the previous year, SRC Chairman Rustam Badasyan told reporters Thursday. The revenue section of the state budget was executed around the figure of 2 trillion 221 billion drams in terms of tax revenues, which is around 296 billion drams more compared to the previous year, Badasyan said. He added that the government projects the tax-to-GDP ratio to improve significantly , which, according to Badasyan, means that the shadow economy is being reduced. Badasyan said that billions of drams have been recovered from shadow circulation in 2023, which in turn positively impacted tax discipline. New Delhi, Jan 4 (PTI) The Centre has ruled out the possibility of granting a national status to the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Project, but has assured fund support under other schemes, Telangana Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said on Thursday. Along with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, the Telangana Irrigation Minister met Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekawat and requested him to consider granting a national status to the Palameru-Rangareddy Irrigation project and provide funds. Also Read | COVID-19 in Maharashtra: State Reports 171 Coronavirus Cases, Two Deaths; JN.1 Variant Tally Now 110. "The Union minister responded saying that we don't have anything like national project status now but considering on the basis of our representation he will try and accommodate in some other schemes and allot funds for this project," the irrigation minister said after the meeting. The Union Minister has ruled out a national status to the project because it has stopped doing it since 2014. Also Read | India Will Be a Hindu Nation When PM Narendra Modi Comes to Power Again, Says Sri Ram Sena Chief Pramod Muthalik. In the last 10 years, the central government has not given a national status to any projects, he said. The Palameru Rangareddy Irrigation project, on which the state government has already spent 40 per cent of the project cost, aims to tackle the extreme drought-prone conditions in six districts by irrigating about 12 lakh acres, he added. Asked if the state government will let go its demand for national status and accept funds from other schemes, the irrigation minister said, "The chief minister will take a call." The project is important, especially for the chief minister, because he had promised bringing irrigation water to his constituency in Kodangal ahead of the recently concluded assembly polls. Kodangal was to get irrigation water from the Narayanpet-Kodangal Lift irrigation scheme, which was sanctioned in May 2014 just before the BRS (then TRS) government came to power in 2014, but was not possible to provide water from Jurala. Therefore, the Narayanpet-Kodangal Lift irrigation was included in the proposed Palamuru-Rangareddy irrigation project. Uttam Kumar Reddy said Telangana has about 90 thousand cubic feet of water and sought early approval from the Central Water Commission to utilise this water for the project. He said there was no discussion on the Kaleshwaram irrigation project during the meeting. The minister said a delegation led by the CM will meet the UPSC chief on Friday to discuss restructuring of the Telangana State Public Service Commission on the lines of UPSC to put in place a transparent recruitment process. "Unemployment is a serious problem in Telangana. The previous government failed the youth in providing employment... the little recruitment they did was marred by paper leak and corruption," 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], January 4 (ANI): A Delhi Court has ordered the release of gangster Deepak Pahal alias Deepak Boxer, in connection with a firing incident at the residence of liquor baron and former Faridkot MLA Deep Malhotra, in Delhi's West Punjabi Bagh on December 3, last year. The motive behind the firing was Malhotra's refusal to pay the extortion money demanded by Lawrence Bishnoi, claimed Delhi Police. Also Read | Odisha Bear Attack: Wild Animal Strays Into Village in Balasore, Injures Two People. Deep Malhotra was a Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA from Faridkot in Punjab. His son Gautam Malhotra was arrested in February 2023 in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. Later on he was granted bail in May 2023. The police sought the gangster's release stating that they found no incriminating evidence against him. Also Read | YSRTP Chief YS Sharmila Joins Congress in Presence of Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, Merges Party (Watch Video). Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Suman Gupta at Tis Hazari Court, in an order passed on January 2 this year noted, "Since it is submitted by the Investigation Officer (IO) that there is no recovery affected from the accused and there is only a disclosure statement of the accused which has no evidentiary value in the eyes of the law, therefore, in the absence of any incriminating evidence against the accused, he is hereby released from the present case." The court directed immediate release if the accused is not required in any other case. The application for the release of Deepak Boxer was moved by the Crime branch of the Delhi Police. Application disposed off accordingly. The Court noted that the accused was arrested based on a disclosure statement. Advocate Virender Mual appeared for accused Deepak Pahal alias Boxer. The firing incident was initially reported by the security guard deployed at Deep Malhotra's residence, Om Villa, on December 3, 2023. Security Guard Yogesh Kumar reported that on December 3 around 6.30 PM, while he was on duty at the main gate of Kothi, he heard gunshots noises and he saw two unidentified boys, approximately 25 years old, firing towards the main gate of Kothi, Om Villa, West Punjabi Bagh, Delhi. Following the firing, both individuals fled towards Gandha Nala, Punjabi Bagh. During the investigation, police checked the CCTV footage and found two masked boys firing towards the main gate before fleeing the scene. During the course of the investigation, on, December 7 last year as per the order of senior officers, the present case was transferred to Crime Branch. On December 8 last year based on secret information, a suspect named Aakash alias Kasha a resident of Village Bhatgaon, District Sonipat, Haryana, was apprehended, police said in the reply. During interrogation, Aakash disclosed that he came in touch with Vishal Chaudhary of Lawrence Bishnoi and Gogi gang through Signal App. Vishal Chaudhary sent him five pistols and some live cartridges for firing at the residence of Deep Malhotra. Police said that Aakash further disclosed that he, along with two accomplices, namely Sombir alias Totla from Bhatgaon, Sonipat, Haryana, and Nitesh alias Sinti from Charkhi Dadri, were involved in the conspiracy related to the firing incident at the residence of Ex-MLA Deep Malhotra. The motive behind the firing was Deep Malhotra's refusal to pay the extortion money demanded by Lawrence Bishnoi, Delhi police stated. During the investigation, on December 8, 2023, on the instance of accused Aakash alias Kasha co-accused Nitesh alias Sinti was also arrested who disclosed that he is greatly influenced by the Lawrence Bishnoi Gang and aspires to become a notorious gangster similar to Lawrence Bishnoi, the reply said. It is alleged that One member of Lawrence Bishnoi Gang namely Sunder Malik assigned him the task of firing at Deep Malhotra's house and provided the Signal ID of Aakash alias Kasha. Thereafter, on December 13, 2023, the accused Sombir alias Totla was also arrested. Investigation revealed the involvement of accused Sombir and Nitesh along with co-accused Aakash, Gaurav Rana, and Vansh Gola in conspiring to carry out the firing. Further investigation in the case is underway to ascertain the potential involvement of jailed gangster Rohit Moi and Lawrence Bishnoi, the police added. During the investigation, on December 15, 2023, in the instance of accused Aakash alis Kasha, accused Vansh alias Gola was arrested. Vansh Gola disclosed that he is in touch with Gaurav Rana of Gogi Gang and Lawrence Bishnoi Gang. On the direction of Gaurav Rana, he received a bike from Deep Vihar, Sector-23,24 Rohini, Delhi and provided the same to Aakash alias Kasha at Madipur Metro Station before the firing incident. Thereafter, on the instance of Vansh alias Gola, co-associate Gaurav Rana was arrested. Gaurav Rana is the person who was in contact with Vishal Chaudhary and jailed Gangster Rohit Moi of Gogi Gang through the Signal app, police said. During the course of the investigation, all the accused persons were arrested and are in judicial custody and further jailed gangsters Rohit Moi Deepak Boxer and Lawrence Bishnoi are yet to be interrogated to recover weapons used in the commission of crime and to unearth the conspiracy behind the firing incident as well as to trace Vishal Chaudhary, Delhi police said. The accused Vansh is part of an organized crime syndicate infamously known as Gogi Gang and Lawrence Bishnoi gang which is involved in several gang-related crimes including murder, extortion, and attempt to murder among others, police 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, January 4: A 36-year-old resident of Gautam Vihar in New Usmanpur in the national capital was hospitalised after being shot at by his friend over a minor altercation, police said on Thursday. According to Delhi Police the victim, Naveel Khan was sitting outside his house on Wednesday with his friends Sadiq (30) and Nadeem (30) when Nadeem's younger brother, Junaid (25) arrived with a country-made pistol. "To show off his pistol, Junaid fired at the ground and both Sadiq and Nadeem Khan were hit by shrapnel/pellets on their toes and legs." Following this, Naveel abused Junaid and confronted him for his folly. In anger, Junaid fired at Naveel and shot him on his left thigh. Delhi Shocker: Two People Shot At in Tilak Nagar, Police Launch Manhunt to Nab Accused. A case has been registered under Section 307 IPC r/w 25/27 Arms Act at New Usmanpur police station. All the four reside at Gautam Vihar and are employed at an Aluminium Smelting Factory. Efforts are being made to apprehend Junaid, police said. Further investigation is in progress. (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, Jan 4 (PTI) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will skip the convocation of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology on Thursday as the aircraft ferrying him could not land in Jammu due to adverse weather conditions, officials said. The vice president is heading to Kathua to inaugurate the Biotech Startup Expo at the Biotech Park in the district along the International Border, they said. Also Read | YSRTP Chief YS Sharmila Joins Congress in Presence of Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, Merges Party (Watch Video). "Due to adverse weather conditions and poor visibility, the landing was not possible in Jammu. Therefore, the vice president won't be able to attend the convocation of Sher-e-Kashmir University in Jammu," an official said. "He is heading directly to the other event in Jammu and Kashmir to inaugurate the Biotech Startup Expo at Biotech Park in Kathua," he added. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Out on Bail, Murder Accused Kills Borewell Operator Over Dispute on Liquor Consumption at Work Site in Lakhimpur Kheri, Probe On. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], January 4 (ANI): A 21-year-old youth battling blood cancer was airlifted from Ahmedabad to Telangana with the help of Gujarat health minister Rushikesh Patel. The youth was studying in Gujarat's Rashtriya Raksha Shakti University and sought help due to his financial inability to return to his home in Telangana. Also Read | Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Eidgah Dispute: Mosque Committee Moves Supreme Court Against Allahabad High Court Order Allowing Survey of Shahi Idgah Complex in Mathura. The blood cancer patient had become unconscious after which he was taken to Apollo Hospital in Gandhinagar. Normally a person's WBC count is 4000 to 11000 but in this case, it had increased to 4,50,000. The team of doctors cured the patient by performing a surgery. Also Read | Gurugram Hotel Murder Case: Accused Abhijeet Singh Spent 6 Hours With Divya Pahuja's Body After Killing Her. The man had sought help from the Health Minister due to financial inability to return. After which, Rushikesh Patel helped the patient return home by airlift and admitted him to the hospital in Telangana. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) YEREVAN, 4 JANUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 4 January, USD exchange rate up by 0.14 drams to 405.42 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 1.29 drams to 444.14 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.01 drams to 4.44 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 3.42 drams to 515.09 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price down by 322.43 drams to 26617.86 drams. Silver price down by 8.56 drams to 303.44 drams. Shimla, Jan 4 (PTI) Barely three days after the state government issued a notification granting tribal status to the Hatti community, Himachal Pradesh High Court on Thursday issued an interim order staying the notification. Passing an order on a bunch of petitions, a division bench of Chief Justice MS Ramachandra Rao and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua said prima facie there appears to be "manifest arbitrariness and glaring unconstitutionality in the impugned law". Also Read | Rashmi Shukla, Senior IPS Officer, Becomes First Woman DGP of Maharashtra. The Himachal Pradesh government on Monday issued a notification granting Scheduled Tribes status to the Hatti community of Sirmaur district's Transgiri area. Members of the community had been demonstrating against the state government over not implementing the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Act, 2023, and notifying the community as Scheduled Tribes. Also Read | Odisha Road Accident: Two Killed As Tanker-Truck Collide, Fall Into Gorge, Catch Fire at Bangiriposi Ghat in Mayurbhanj District (Watch Videos). The bench said there exists a balance of convenience in favour of the petitioners and irreparable injury is likely to be caused if the interim relief is not granted. The court then stayed the notification till March 18. However, the high court clarified that the observations or findings recorded are only prima facie and tentative and shall not have any bearing during the final hearing. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ayodhya, January 4: The Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is formulating a plan to host the International Kite Festival in Ayodhya, the Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) said on Thursday. The ADA has initiated preparations for the festival, which is likely to take place between January 19 and 21, providing renowned kite flyers from both within the country and around the world with an opportunity to showcase their art. The ADA will engage a private agency to give concrete shape to the event. The Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) has invited applications through the Request for Proposal format to appoint an agency for the conceptualisation, designing, execution, and supervision of event management, as well as the development of temporary structures and related infrastructure for hosting the International Kite Festival in Ayodhya. Spelling Mistake in Ram Mandir Inauguration Invitation Card Video Goes Viral, Netizens Point Out Typo Ahead of Ayodhya Ram Temple Event. "The agency that will carry out this programme will be chosen based on the applications received through this process," an official statement said. The entire selection process is scheduled to be completed by January 8, following which a comprehensive plan for organizing the International Kite Festival will be formulated. It further said that to organize this event on a grand scale, inspiration is being taken from various kite festivals being held in the country and abroad. As per the press statement issued by the ADA, the visitor area will have seating arrangements for 750 people. Ram Temple Inauguration: AI Surveillance Planned for Ram Temple's Consecration on January 22 in Ayodhya. "A lounge with 50 VVIP sofas will be constructed to accommodate the special invitees at the event. Arrangements for 350 cushioned chairs and 350 other chairs will also be made in the programme. Volunteers will be deployed to ensure that the competitors and spectators have a pleasant experience," it added. The food counter will feature dishes made from millet with local flavours and attendees will have the opportunity to savour Awadhi cuisine. "Precautionary measures will be taken to safeguard tents and equipment from monkeys during the event," it said. In addition, high-quality cameras will be installed, along with sound arrangements for effective capturing of the event. Given the widespread tradition of kite flying on Makar Sankranti in various parts of the country, including Ayodhya, this event is poised to be a focal point of discussions not only locally but also nationally and internationally. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], January 4 (ANI): Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president and MLA KT Rama Rao on Wednesday said that KCR is the only leader who comes to mind "when we say Telangana." The son of former Telangana Chief Minister KCR said that the state has gained recognition across the country only because of the extensive efforts made since the Telangana movement period. Also Read | Kendriya Vidyalaya Admissions: Centre Apt for Setting Income Threshold To Determine EWS Category Eligibility, Says Delhi High Court. "Every state has a leader and party that make it more recognizable. West Bengal has Mamata Banerjee. Tamil Nadu has Stalin. Andhra Pradesh has Jagan and Chandrababu. Bihar has Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav. Odisha has Naveen Patnaik. KCR is the only leader who comes to mind when we say Telangana. No one has any doubt in this matter," he said. "Telangana has gained recognition across the country, only because of the extensive efforts made since the Telangana movement period. Just like NTR is remembered when we say the self-respect of Telugu people, KCR is remembered when we say Telangana. KCR means Telangana, Telangana means KCR," he added. Also Read | Republic Day 2024: Two All-Women Marching Contingents To Take Part in 26 January Parade (Watch Videos). KTR was addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan after the first Lok Sabha constituency-wise preparatory meetings, which started in Adilabad on Wednesday. "Many Karyakartas expressed their views in today's Adilabad Parliamentary constituency meeting. People in the villages are discussing that they never thought that KCR would lose. They are saying that they didn't want the MLAs; however, they never wanted the BRS government to lose," he said. Hitting out at Congress, he said, "We will take the 420 promises given by the Congress party to the people and question the government on them. In today's meeting, all our party workers were given a booklet of 420 promises made by Congress. More meetings will be held Parliament and Assembly constituency-wise." The meeting would be organized for all 17 constituencies ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. (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, Jan 4 (PTI) The BJP on Thursday accused Arvind Kejriwal of "running away" from a probe after the Delhi chief minister skipped the third summons by the ED in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. In a letter addressed to the Enforcement Directorate, the AAP leader on Wednesday cited Rajya Sabha polls, Republic Day preparations and the probe agency's "non-disclosure and non-response approach" as reasons for not appearing before it. He also said he would be "happy to answer" any questionnaire sent by it. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh: Woman Dies by Suicide After Cousin Uploads Her Obscene Video Online in Banda. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said, "Aam Aadmi Party leaders are making noises that their CM may get arrested anytime... They have committed theft, and corruption and now they are creating a ruckus." "The investigating agency has given you a chance to testify, but you are running away and behaving like a fugitive," Sachdeva added. Also Read | Delhi Fire: Major Blaze Erupts at AIIMS Directors Office, Seven Fire Tenders on Scene (Watch Video). BJP spokesperson Bansuri Swaraj said Kejriwal is forgetting that he is not above the law. "The ED has sent three summons, but the CM is running away from an investigation. He doesn't want to be involved in the investigation," Swaraj said. AAP leader and Delhi cabinet minister Atishi on late Wednesday wrote on X that the chief minister is likely to be arrested. "News coming in that ED is going to raid @ArvindKejriwal's residence tmrw morning. Arrest likely," Atishi said. Kejriwal was asked to appear before the ED on Wednesday for questioning. It was the third ED notice to Kejriwal, also the AAP's convener, after he refused to appear before the federal agency on two earlier summonses for November 2 and December 21. (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], January 4 (ANI): BJP and Aam Admi Party are at loggerheads again with the saffron party slamming Arvind Kejriwal for skipping the third summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate and stating that the AAP chief is behaving like a fugitive. "One by one, the scams done by Kejriwal and his party are coming to light. Today, he is not ready to appear before ED and is behaving like a fugitive. If there is nothing to hide, why is he not appearing before, even after the 3rd summons?" BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla told ANI. Also Read | 'Modi Gallery' in Delhi Expected To Open For Visitors From January 16 To Show Key Events From PM Narendra Modi's Tenure. Delhi Chief Minister skipped the third summons issued to him by the ED on Wednesday. The ED issued a third summons to CM Kejriwal on December 22 last year, in connection with the alleged Delhi liquor scam case, asking him to appear before the agency on January 3. Earlier in the day, Arvind Kejriwal said that he would not bow down to the hooliganism and dictatorship of the BJP. Also Read | Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Eidgah Dispute: Mosque Committee Moves Supreme Court Against Allahabad High Court Order Allowing Survey of Shahi Idgah Complex in Mathura. Alleging that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sent a "false summons" to him, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that he has explained to the ED why their summons is illegal adding that his biggest strength and asset is his "honesty." Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Delhi's Chief Minister said, "In the last two years, all the agencies of BJP have conducted many raids but not a single penny was found. If there is corruption then where is the money? AAP leaders are kept in jail in such fake cases. Now BJP wants to arrest me. My biggest strength and asset is my honesty." Questioning the timing of the notice just before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Delhi CM said that the Bharatiya Janata Party wants to stop him from campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections. "My lawyers told me that the summons was illegal. I wrote the question and sent it to ED. Should I obey an unlawful summons? If a legal summons comes, I will comply with it. Why am I being called just before the Lok Sabha elections? Eight months ago, I was called by CBI. I went and gave all the answers. Today they want to stop me from campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections," he added. Coming down heavily at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Jasmine Shah alleged that the only target of the BJP is to "finish" AAP and "arrest" Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal before the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Shah claimed that all the summons served to the Delhi CM by the investigating agency were illegal."It is clear that they (BJP) want to finish Aam Aadmi Party and arrest Arvind Kejriwal before Lok Sabha elections. He is ready to cooperate with the legal process. Till now, all summons served to him are illegal," Shah said. Arvind Kejriwal, who received support from Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday, said that this is nothing new, adding that the government is doing a probe against all opposition leaders. "This is nothing new; the government is doing a probe against all opposition leaders, putting pressure on them and insulting them. The whole nation knows that agencies are being misused." The biggest scandal till now was demonetization. One by one, all opposition leaders are being probed. This is nothing but a political agenda to distract people," the SP chief said. Also, former Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, TS Singh Deo, said, "Arvind Kejriwal has asked the ED for the basis of all the summons. Arvind Kejriwal never said he would not go. He has just asked in writing the basis for the summons." Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday slammed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for not appearing before the Enforcement Directorate and said people are asking if the Aam Admi Party leader is above the law of the land. Talking to reporters here, Thakur said Kejriwal is "scared to appear before the ED". "One after another, scams keep coming out. The leaders of the AAP have been in jail for more than a year. Arvind Kejriwal has an equal role in all these scams. People are asking if Arvind Kejriwal is above the law today. Why is he so scared to appear before the ED?" Anurag Thakur asked. As the suspense continued to build around the next course of action by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal skipped the third summons by the agency in connection with the liquor policy case, Union Minister Gen (retd) VK Singh on Thursday said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor should not fear an inquiry if he is, indeed, 'innocent' and should cooperate with the ongoing investigation in the case. AAP chief further said that he has always fought for the country and till his last, he will fight for the country." "Today, opposition leaders are being included in the BJP through ED. Whoever joins his party, all his matters get resolved. Today honest leaders like Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Vijay Nair have been put in jail. I have always fought for the country. Every breath of mine is for the country. We have to save the country together. I am fighting against them with all my heart, I need your support," he said. Earlier on Wednesday, Kejriwal, in his reply to the ED, expressed his readiness to cooperate with the investigation but declined to appear on the summoned date, calling the notice "illegal." Kejriwal further questioned the agency for not responding to his earlier replies when the summons was sent to him and he had raised certain queries on the nature of the agency's investigation. In his written reply to the ED, the Delhi CM said "As a premier investigating agency the non-disclosure and non-response approach adopted by you cannot sustain the test of law, equity or justice. Your obstinacy is tantamount to assuming the role of judge, jury and executioner at the same time which is not acceptable in our country governed by the rule of law." "In these circumstances, I urge you to respond to my earlier response and clarify the position so as to enable me to understand the real intent, ambit, nature, sweep and scope of the purported inquiry/investigation for which I am being called" he added in his response. (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, Jan 4 (PTI) Lt Governor V K Saxena has ordered a CBI probe into the allegations of fake diagnostic tests prescribed by the Delhi government-run mohalla clinics to benefit private labs, Raj Niwas sources said on Thursday. The development comes days after Saxena ordered a CBI probe into the alleged supply of drugs to Delhi government hospitals that had failed "quality standard tests". Also Read | Ram Mandir Consecration Ceremony: Ayodhya Gets Ready for Green Pilgrimage with Electric Cars for Public Transport Ahead of January 22 Event (Watch Video). "Last year, it emerged that doctors were not coming to mohalla clinics but were still shown as present. It was found that despite their absence, tests and medicines were being prescribed. Later, it was found that tests were conducted on ghost patients. Following this, a CBI probe has been ordered," a source said. No immediate reaction was available from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over the development. Also Read | Goa Shocker: 48-Year-Old Man Arrested on Charges of Raping Minor at His House. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chandigarh (Punjab) [India] January 4 (ANI): The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, arrested deed writer Vasika Navees, alias Jaspal Singh, on Thursday for demanding a bribe of Rs 10,000 in the name of revenue officials. The arrested accused is a resident of Mohalla Kot Mangal Singh, Shimlapuri, Ludhiana. Also Read | Gurugram Hotel Murder Case: Accused Abhijeet Singh Spent 6 Hours With Divya Pahuja's Body After Killing Her. Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said this case has been registered against the accused on the basis of an investigation of a complaint lodged at the Chief Minister Anti-Corruption Action Line by Balwinder Singh, a resident of Ishar Nagar, Ludhiana. The complainant informed in his online complaint that he had registered a sale deed for his plot situated at New Janta Nagar, Ludhiana, from the office of Sub Registrar Ludhiana Central on November 7, 2023. Also Read | Hyderabad Road Accident: School Bus Crushes Toddler to Death in Habsiguda Area. The above-mentioned deed writer was pressuring him to pay a bribe of Rs 10,000 for accomplishing his work from the officials of Sub Registrar Ludhiana Central. The complainant has recorded the conversation that took place with the said accused, Jaspal Singh and filed this online complaint with audio evidence with the VB. He further informed that during the investigation, it came to light that the said accused was demanding a bribe of Rs 10,000 from the complainant in the name of revenue officials to get the sale deed of the plot in question. The role of officials of Sub Regisrar (Central) Ludhiana would be examined during the probe, he added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bengaluru, Jan 4 (PTI) Karnataka Congress MLA, H A Iqbal Hussain on Thursday said Ram is his 'family God' and he is his devotee. The legislator from Ramanagara also said he will celebrate 'Ramotsava' in a "grand but secular way". Also Read | Rashmi Shukla, Senior IPS Officer, Becomes First Woman DGP of Maharashtra. "I've already said I'm a Rama devotee. I worship all Gods and welcome them. There is no second thought about that," Hussain told reporters. Also Read | Man Dies in His Sleep in Ayodhya-Bound Sabarmati Express Train, Family Unaware of Incident Sits Next To His Dead Body For 13 Hours. He added that since his childhood he had been worshipping Saraswati, Lakshmi, Ganesha and Rama. "I have decided to celebrate 'Ramotsava' with devotion with all the political parties in a grand but secular way," Hussain said. On the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, he said, "some people do something for their political gain but Congress never uses God and religion to divide people." "Congress has an ideology, commitment and discipline, which I follow," Hussain said. To a query on the consecration of Ram temple in Ayodhya in an election year, he merely said: "it is left to them (BJP)." "We worship all the Gods including Rama. For them it could be new but not for us. For us, Rama is our family God and we have a Pooja room. They are using Rama for politics. We are not," Hussain 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, Jan 4 (PTI) The Delhi Police on Thursday started afresh its argument on whether to frame charges against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh before a local court in an alleged sexual harassment case lodged against him by women wrestlers. The police made the submissions before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Priyanka Rajpoot, who recently started hearing the matter after the judge trying the case earlier was transferred. Also Read | Rajasthan: Couple Die of Suffocation Due to Burning Firewood in Room in Kota. During the arguments, the police told the court that there is sufficient "prima facie" evidence to put Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar, the former assistant secretary of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), on trial. The judge also granted an exemption from personal appearance to Singh, also a BJP MP, for the day on an application moved by his lawyer. Also Read | Supreme Court Junks Plea of Indian National Nikhil Gupta Detained in Czech Republic for Foiled Plot To Kill Sikh Separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in US. "Counsel for the accused persons has moved an application seeking exemption on behalf of accused Brij Bhushan Sharan. Heard. Perused. In view of averments made in the application, accused Brij Bhushan Sharan is exempted from personal appearance for today only," the judge said. The court will further hear the matter on Saturday. The city police filed a charge sheet in the case against Singh, a six-time MP, on June 15 under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. The police have also charged Tomar in the case. (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], January 4 (ANI): Two wanted sharpshooters of the notorious Himanshu alias Bhau and Naveen Bali gang were arrested following an exchange of fire in the national capital, police said on Wednesday. According to the police, the Delhi Crime Branch arrested Kapil (22) and Rahul (19), both residents of Rohtak district in Haryana. Also Read | Kendriya Vidyalaya Admissions: Centre Apt for Setting Income Threshold To Determine EWS Category Eligibility, Says Delhi High Court. "Accused Kapil fired three rounds upon the police. In retaliation, the police team also fired three rounds in self-defence, out of which one bullet hit the right leg of the accused. The accused was shifted for treatment to the nearest hospital," police said, adding that a stolen car was also recovered from the possession of the accused. Special Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Ravindra Singh Yadav said, "Secret information was received that Kapil would go to Dwarka via Chawla Drain for committing heinous crimes. (Immediately), a team was constituted to nab the sharp-shooter." Also Read | Republic Day 2024: Two All-Women Marching Contingents To Take Part in 26 January Parade (Watch Videos). "The team reached the spot. At around 6.20 AM, one four-wheeler was intercepted. But, instead of stopping, the driver of the car accelerated his vehicle in an attempt to flee," they said. "He also hit the barricade and started firing upon police. During the ensuing encounter, the police team fired two rounds upon the criminal in self-defence and to apprehend him. During this exchange of fire, accused Kapil sustained a bullet injury to his right leg and was overpowered by police officials. The accused was immediately shifted to the nearest hospital for treatment," they added. As per officials, Kapil disclosed that he was coming to the Dwarka area to meet his associate Rahul. Further, he disclosed that Rahul is also present in the area of Goyla Dairy, Dwarka. At his instance, co-accused Rahul was apprehended from the area along with a pistol and two live cartridges. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) YEREVAN, JANUARY 4, ARMENPRESS. The UN Security Council has strongly condemned the terrorist attack in the city of Kerman, Iran and underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers, and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable, the Security Council said in a press release. The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the cowardly terrorist attack in the city of Kerman, the Islamic Republic of Iran on 3 January, reads the statement. The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers, and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice. They urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as all other relevant authorities in this regard. The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable. Sitapur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 4 (ANI): A wanted gangster carrying a Rs 25,000 bounty on his head was arrested following a brief exchange of fire with the police in Uttar Pradesh's Sitapur district, police said on Wednesday. According to officials, Bittan Ali, alias Suhail, a resident of Badayun district, is accused in cases of cow smuggling. He has been hospitalized after being hit by a bullet in his leg. Also Read | Kendriya Vidyalaya Admissions: Centre Apt for Setting Income Threshold To Determine EWS Category Eligibility, Says Delhi High Court. Suhail sustained gunshot injuries to his leg in retaliatory firing by police personnel as he fired upon them in an attempt to flee, they said. Sitapur Superintendent of Police Chakresh Mishra said, "Today, in an operation conducted against cow smugglers by the police and SOG team of Pisawa police station, a person named Bittan Ali alias Suhail was caught." Also Read | Republic Day 2024: Two All-Women Marching Contingents To Take Part in 26 January Parade (Watch Videos). "He was a wanted gangster, and a reward of Rs 25,000 was declared on him. When Bittan Ali was intercepted, he fired at the police...During the operation, he got shot in the leg. He is being treated at the hospital," SP Mishra said. He said that a motorcycle without a number plate, illegal weapons, and live cartridges were also recovered from his possession. An investigation into this matter is underway, he added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], January 4 (ANI): Javed Matto, a wanted Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist involved in 11 known terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, was arrested on Thursday in the national capital, Delhi Police said. Matto (32), a resident of Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore, is an A++ category terrorist of the banned terror organisation Hizbul Mujahideen. He had been evading his arrest for the last 13 years, the police said. Also Read | Bihar: Narrow Escape for Six As Boat Capsizes in Ganga River in Munger After Hitting Rock. Delhi Police informed further that it seized several arms and ammunition from Matto. "One 9 mm Star pistol with six live cartridges, one extra magazine, and a stolen car were recovered from him," an officer said. Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Congress Gets Into Poll Mode; Discusses Strategy, Manifesto and Seat Sharing at Key Meet (Watch Video). According to the sleuths, the Hizbul terrorist was planning to carry out 'audacious' terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir and at another place on the instructions of his Pakistan-based handler. According to the police, they received information that Matto would be coming to Delhi-NCR to collect arms and ammunition. "On this information, sources keeping tabs on sleeper cells and weapon suppliers were activated. Today, i.e., on January 4, specific source information was received that Javed Ahmed Mattu, resident of Sopore J-K, a wanted A++ category terrorist of Hizbul Mujahideen, would be coming to Delhi to collect arms and ammunition from his associates at the behest of PAK ISI," Delhi Police informed through a statement. "Matto's Pakistan-based handler was about to coordinate the delivery of arms and ammunition," Delhi Police informed further, adding that Matto was planning to carry out some 'audacious terror strikes' in the Union Territory at the behest of his handler. A case under appropriate sections was registered in this regard at the Special Cell police station, the sleuths said, adding that further investigation is underway. The police added that Matto was one of a gang of seven dreaded terrorists of Hizbul Mujahideen operating in North Kashmir, particularly Sopore. After being injured in an exchange of fire with security forces, he went underground and allegedly fled to Nepal on the instructions of Pakistan's external espionage agency, ISI, even as the Jammu and Kashmir Police were in hot pursuit. Besides indulging in terror activities, he also managed finances and logistics, including the procurement of weapons from ISI handlers across the border, the police added. Matto was involved in the killing of HC Mohd Yousf of CID, Sopore, near Sopore police station in 2010. He was also involved in an attack on the residence of Sopore SP in 2010. Also, in the same year, Matto was involved in the killing of two CRPF personnel in Pattan and the snatching of their service rifles. Matto, along with his associates, was also involved in the killing of one police constable, Mohd Shahfi Lone, in 2011. "He, along with his other associates, was also involved in an IED blast at Police Station Sopore, in which one SgCt Morifat Hussain of PS Sopore was killed in 2011. He was also involved in the grenade attack on Sopore police station, which involved Ishfaq Kana and Saleem Beig in 2011. In 2012, Matto was injured after he, along with other cadres of the outfit, attacked Sopore Police. He came to be associated with a disability after the injury. He was also involved in a grenade-throwing incident at the CRPF station in the SBI Complex of Hathishah. Many civilians were injured in the incident," the officer 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, Jan 4 (PTI) The speculation on whether Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Sonia Gandhi will attend the Ram temple consecration ceremony continued with the party on Thursday saying that their decision would be conveyed at the "right time". Asked whether Kharge and Gandhi will attend the ceremony, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh, at a media briefing after a meeting of general secretaries, state in-charges, state unit chiefs and Congress Legislature Party leaders at the AICC headquarters here, said, "Don't try to divert, this is about 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra'. There was no discussion on this topic (at the meeting)." Also Read | Mimicry Episode Over, Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee Gets Dinner Invitation From Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. "There was discussion about the 2024 (Lok Sabha) elections and about 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra'. You asked about the invitation, I have said it again and again, I will say it once again... Kharge ji has received the invitation, Sonia ji has received the invitation. At the right time, I will tell you their decision," Ramesh said. Besides Kharge and Gandhi, Congress' leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has also been invited to the ceremony. Also Read | Bihar: Narrow Escape for Six As Boat Capsizes in Ganga River in Munger After Hitting Rock. The consecration ceremony will be held on January 22 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and more than 6,000 people are expected to attend it. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Gurugram, Jan 4 (PTI) A court here on Thursday granted bail to cow vigilante Monu Manesar in connection with an attempted murder case in the Pataudi area, said police. According to the order issued by the court of additional district and sessions judge Jasbir Singh, Monu will have to remain in jail pending trial in another case. Also Read | RPF Recruitment 2024: Notification Released For 2,250 Constable and SI Posts; Know Age Limit, Educational Qualification and Other Details. Monu has not yet got relief in Rajasthan's Nasir-Junaid murder case, a senior police officer said. Monu's counsel, Advocate Shyamveer Yadav, said that his client was denied bail in the murder case by the Sessions court under contention he could put pressure on the witnesses, and also because other accused are yet to be arrested in the case. Also Read | GATE 2024 Admit Card for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering Examination Likely To Be Released Today at gate2024.iisc.ac.in, Know How To Download. On 7 February 2023, a youth was shot at in a fight between two communities in an area under the Pataudi Police Station. On October 7, Gurugram Police brought Monu from Ajmer Jail to Gurugram on a production warrant. Police took him on four days' remand after being produced in Pataudi court. In the course of investigation, they recovered from a gun house a rifle which Monu had deposited for safekeeping 20 days after the incident. They later recovered a Mahindra Scorpio car with 4 live rounds and 2 empty shells in it, said police. On October 11, police produced Monu in court and sent him to jail. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Gulmarg (JK), Jan 4 (PTI) Asia's highest cable car project, locally known as Gulmarg Gondola, ferried one million tourists and earned a revenue of Rs 108 crore in 2023, the tourism said. "During the year passed by, more than a million tourists (10,13,458) enjoyed the rides of the Gondolas enabling the J&K Cable Car Corporation to earn a revenue of more than Rs 108 crore," an official of the Tourism department said. Also Read | RPF Recruitment 2024: Notification Released For 2,250 Constable and SI Posts; Know Age Limit, Educational Qualification and Other Details. The official said the figures were encouragingly higher than the 2022 figures, which stood at Rs 91 crore in revenue and 8.50 lakh tourist rides. A couple of tourists PTI spoke to described the experience as surreal. Also Read | GATE 2024 Admit Card for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering Examination Likely To Be Released Today at gate2024.iisc.ac.in, Know How To Download. "The people of Gondola are so friendly. My daughter felt cold and these people helped her with everything they could", Kian Tan, a tourist from Vietnam, said, adding, he is keen to visit the place once again. "It was an amazing ride. The bookings were seamless. I invite people from all across to enjoy the experiences of Gulmarg Gondola," Akshay, an NRI from London, said. Shubham and Ajat, who are visiting Gulmarg for the first time, were fascinated by the arrangements and sanitation at both the phases of Gulmarg Gondola. The J&K Cable Car Corporation runs and manages the Gulmarg Gondola, considered the flagship attraction of Kashmir tourism. It is possibly India's most popular ropeway, and at a height of 14,000 ft, Asia's highest operating cable car. Managing Director, J&K Cable Car Corporation, Raja Yaqoob appealed to tourists to book tickets online to save time and avoid falling prey to black marketers. Yaqoob promised of even better facilities in the days to come and appealed to tourists to adhere to timings mentioned in the ticket to avoid any inconvenience. (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, Jan 4 (PTI) A 40-year-old woman has been arrested for allegedly cheating buyers interested in purchasing flats at a project in Haryana's Sonipat to the tune of over Rs 5 crore by misappropriating the payments, the police said on Thursday. The accused, Rashmi Rathi, a resident of Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh, allegedly took money from buyers and provided them with forged and fabricated documents in return, they added. Also Read | RPF Recruitment 2024: Notification Released For 2,250 Constable and SI Posts; Know Age Limit, Educational Qualification and Other Details. She was an employee of Max Heights Promoters Private Limited for the last 12 years and worked as the front office-coordinator of the company's projects, Deputy Commissioner of Police (EOW) Surendra Choudhary said on Thursday. According to a complaint, a woman alleged that she had purchased a flat at Max Heights Dream Homes, Kundli, Sector-61, Sonipat on January 1, 2021 and got the possession of the house, a senior police officer said. Also Read | GATE 2024 Admit Card for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering Examination Likely To Be Released Today at gate2024.iisc.ac.in, Know How To Download. The complainant later expressed interest in purchasing another flat in the society that was up for sale at Rs 17 lakh. On the directions of two persons -- Arun Rathi and Prateek Rathi -- she paid Rashmi a total of Rs 12 lakh in cash and Rs 5 lakh through RTGS, the officer said. The woman further alleged that the keys of the flats were handed over to her after the payment but the directors of the company denied the receipt of money and refused to transfer the ownership rights in her name through official registration, the officer added. During investigation, the actual allottees of the flats said they were issued allotment letters by M/s Maxheight Promoters Private Limited. They said they never got in touch with Rashmi for reselling their flats and have original documents, the officer said. Rashmi sold their flats on the basis of forged and fabricated documents and collected over Rs 5 crore in her two bank accounts and the funds were either siphoned off through cash withdrawal or transferred to other accounts, the officer said. Rashmi was absconding and later apprehended from Bulandshahar on Monday, Choudhary said. She was involved in client service and was fully versed with the details of the projects OF Max Heights Promoters Private Limited. Being the office coordinator, she was overseeing the routine work of the company and was in touch with the owners of the flats for recovery of due payments and other dues, the DCP said. She was also in charge of maintaining the sub-ledger accounts and payment records, including cheques/RTGS received, the DCP said. Rashmi created shell companies and used them to pay and receive money from buyers or sellers and subsequently issue sham no-objection certificates. She had also made several smaller transactions from her shell companies and from her own account as well as her sister's in order to settle the sub-ledgers of different flats, Choudhary said. She used several stationery articles, letter heads and rubber stamps of the company to dupe the buyers, he added. (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, January 4: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a petition by a family member of Indian national Nikhil Gupta, under detention in a Czech prison over allegations of involvement in a foiled plot to kill pro-Khalistan Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the US, for consular access. The US has accused Gupta of plotting to kill Pannun, an American citizen, at the behest of an Indian intelligence official. "There is nothing much we can do. You are entitled for consular access under the Vienna convention, which you have already got," a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta said. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun Murder Plot: Supreme Court Rejects Plea for Consular Access to Nikhil Gupta Charged by US in Pannun Plot; Says 'It's for Government to Decide'. It said in view of the principles of public international law and comity of courts, none of the prayers made in the petition (for intervention by the government of India in extradition proceedings and cooperation in legal proceedings in Czech Republic) can be granted. "We have examined the prayers made in the present writ petition. Keeping in view the principles of public international law and sovereignty and comity of courts, we do not think any of the prayers can be granted. As per the writ petition itself, the officer of the Indian embassy in Prague visited the petitioner while in detention on September 17, 2023," the court said in its order. Indian National Nikhil Gupta Charged by US With Conspiracy To Kill Sikh Separatist: This Is a Matter of Concern and Contrary to Government Policy, Says India (Watch Video). During the hearing, the bench told senior advocate CA Sundaram, appearing for Gupta's relative, that the court should respect the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the foreign court and law of that land and, therefore, it cannot go into the merit of the matter. When Sundaram claimed that Gupta has been lodged in solitary confinement, the bench said, "We are not concerned with all those facts. Don't argue about something which we will not go into and examine. Look, there are two principles...this is a matter related to public international law. We have to respect the sovereignty and jurisdiction of other courts. We will not allow you to comment upon and say something about the other court's jurisdiction etc." Sundaram, however, insisted it was purely a human rights issue and he has not got any assistance that was sought from the Indian embassy and the Ministry of External Affairs. "Only thing under the Vienna Convention you are entitled to is consular access. In case consular access has been denied or it's not acceptable, you can approach the authorities. That's all. As per your list of dates, you yourself accept that twice consular access has been granted," Justice Khanna told the lawyer. Sundaram, while referring to the petition, said, "I have sought assistance from the Indian embassy (in Czech Republic). I have sought assistance from the Ministry of External Affairs. I have not received any response from any of them. I am saying as an Indian citizen, I have a right to seek assistance from my State to enable me to defend myself in whatever manner I can." He said an official from the Indian embassy met Gupta but that was prior to his indictment and launch of extradition proceedings. Sundaram said Gupta was seeking assistance from Indian authorities as he has been indicted for acting at their behest. Gupta has been charged by the US authorities with trying to hire a hitman for USD 100,000 to kill Pannun in New York. "The indictment is entirely on the basis that I have acted at the behest or I would say at the instruction of authorities concerned with the Union of India," he said. Telling the lawyer that he was digressing from his petition, the bench said, "We are not going to allow you to even touch that topic. We are not in seisin (a term related to possession of land) of that matter. We are not concerned with the issues which are pending over there." The bench said it is a sensitive matter and the government alone can decide if it wants to deal with it or not. After the bench had dictated the order, Sundaram said the government should treat the petition as a representation. The bench said it is taking the statement on record but it is up to the government to decide on it. Gupta was arrested in Czech Republic on June 30. He has alleged grave human rights violations in solitary confinement, including being forced to consume beef and pork. He has also alleged that he was denied consular access, the right to contact his family in India and the freedom to seek legal representation. On November 29, 2023, Gupta was charged by federal prosecutors in the United States for his alleged participation in the foiled plot to assassinate Pannun on American soil. The 52-year-old was charged with murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, which also entails a maximum sentence of 10-year jail term. Slough [UK], January 4 (ANI): Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, a Sikh Member of Parliament from Britain, hosted a meeting with his Canadian counterpart, Iqwinder Singh Gaheer, during the latter's visit to the United Kingdom, an official release stated. The meeting took place in Slough, where both MPs engaged in discussions covering a wide array of political and global Sikh matters. Also Read | Jeffrey Epstein List: Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, Stephen Hawking Among High Profile Names Unsealed in Court Documents. In a press statement, Tan Dhesi hailed Iqwinder Singh Gaheer as a promising and dynamic individual, possessing immense potential to contribute significantly to the welfare of the Sikh community in Canada. "It was an enriching discussion revolving around various facets of international politics, recent global Sikh concerns, and the exploration of opportunities to fortify the bilateral relationship between our nations," stated Dhesi. Also Read | AI To Predict COVID-19 Variants: Scientists at MIT in US Develop New Artificial Intelligence Model To Predict SARS-CoV-2 Variants That May Cause Infection. The interaction between the two distinguished parliamentarians centred on fostering deeper understanding and cooperation on issues pertinent to the Sikh community as well as broader global political affairs. The deliberations aimed at identifying pathways to enhance collaboration and solidarity between Canada and the United Kingdom while addressing shared concerns and interests of the Sikh diaspora worldwide, the release added. Tan Dhesi highlighted the importance of such dialogues in promoting cross-border understanding and emphasised the significance of collaborative efforts in addressing common challenges faced by Sikhs globally. Both MPs expressed their commitment to continue such constructive engagements for the betterment of their respective communities and to foster stronger ties between their nations. This meeting serves as a testament to the dedication and collaborative spirit of leaders striving to address critical issues impacting the Sikh community on a global scale, promoting unity, and seeking avenues for cooperation between nations, the release also 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 York, Jan 4 (PTI) An Indian-origin real estate developer has been charged by federal authorities in the US with perpetuating a USD 93 million fraud scheme. Rishi Kapoor, a Miami-based developer, faces charges filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission Wednesday. Also Read | Jeffrey Epstein List: Newly Released Unsealed Court Records Reveal Details on Old Sex Abuse Allegations Against Former American Financier. The SEC announced that it obtained an asset freeze and other emergency relief concerning the alleged USD 93 million real estate investment fraud perpetrated by Kapoor. The SEC also charged real estate company Location Ventures, its affiliate Urbin and 20 other related entities in connection with the fraud scheme, a statement said. According to the SEC's complaint, from approximately January 2018, until at least March 2023, Kapoor and certain of the defendant entities solicited investors by, among other things, making several material misrepresentations and omissions regarding Kapoor, Location Ventures, Urbin, and their real estate developments. Also Read | Hezbollah Chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah Vows to Wage War Against Israel if It Expands Attacks on Lebanon. The false statements allegedly included misrepresenting Kapoor's compensation; his cash contribution to the capitalization of Location Ventures; the corporate governance of Location Ventures and Urbin; the use of investor funds; and Kapoor's background. The SEC's investigation found that Kapoor allegedly misappropriated at least USD 4.3 million of investor funds and improperly commingled approximately USD 60 million of investor capital between Location Ventures, Urbin, and some of the other charged entities. The complaint also alleges that Kapoor caused some entities to pay excessive fees and to represent higher returns to investors by significantly understating cost estimates. The complaint alleges that among other things, Kapoor and other insiders misappropriated at least USD 6 million of investor funds - USD 4.3 million of which Kapoor misappropriated for himself. He purchased a 68.7 foot yacht for five million dollars and leased an uber-luxury sportscar. As alleged in our complaint, Kapoor was the architect of a multi-pronged real estate offering fraud that misappropriated millions from more than 50 investors, said Eric I. Bustillo, Director of the SEC's Miami Regional Office. The SEC's complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, charges Kapoor, Location Ventures, Urbin, and the 20 related entities with violating provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The SEC seeks permanent injunctions, civil monetary penalties, an officer-and-director bar against Kapoor, and disgorgement of ill-gotten gains with prejudgment interest against Kapoor and certain of the charged entities. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Tel Aviv [Israel], January 4 (ANI/TPS): As Israel continued its offensive in Gaza, soldiers discovered long-range rocket launchers in the heart of a refugee camp, the Israel Defense Forces said on Thursday. The rocket launchers were found in the Burrej refugee camp in central Gaza. Before the war, more than 46,000 refugees were registered as living there, according to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which supports Palestinian refugees. Also Read | AI To Predict COVID-19 Variants: Scientists at MIT in US Develop New Artificial Intelligence Model To Predict SARS-CoV-2 Variants That May Cause Infection. Fighting continued in Khan Yunis, Gaza's second-largest city and a personal stronghold of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, whose family lives there. Israeli aircraft eliminated three terrorists trying to plant a bomb. Soldiers also killed two terrorists hiding in a nearby building. A fighter jet also destroyed a Hamas weapons warehouse Also Read | UK: Indian-Origin Man Jailed for 'Indecent Exposure' in Front of Woman Onboard London Underground Train. During the operation, a terror squad fired an anti-tank missile at an Israeli combat team. Aircraft directed by ground forces struck the squad. In the central Gaza area of Deir al-Balah, a fighter jet struck two buildings used by Hamas to direct terror squads. The terrorists escaped and removed many weapons. However, one terrorist was killed when he returned to the buildings looking for weapons. Israeli naval, air and ground forces continued hammering Hamas targets along the Gaza coast. At least 1,200 people were killed in Hamas's attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. The number of men, women, children, soldiers and foreigners held captive in Gaza by Hamas is now believed to be 129. Other people remain unaccounted for as Israeli authorities continue to identify bodies and search for human remains. (ANI/TPS) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sent a condolence message to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, in connection with the tragedy in Kerman, the PM's Office said. January 4, 2024, 09:35 Pashinyan sends condolence message to Ebrahim Raisi STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 4 , ARTSAKHPRESS: The message reads: "It is with a heavy heart that I learned about the tragedy that happened in Kerman today, as a result of which innocent people were killed and injured. Your Excellency, at this difficult moment, on behalf of the people of the Republic of Armenia and myself, let me to send words of sorrow to all the relatives of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to all the wounded." Kathmandu, Jan 4 (PTI) The Nepal government has suspended the issuance of work permits to its citizens to travel to Russia and Ukraine following the death of at least 10 Nepalese citizens who joined the Russian Army in the ongoing war between the two neighbours, media reports said on Thursday. Nepal's Department of Foreign Employment, in a notice, said that the matter was of serious concern as several Nepali youths were being illegally recruited into the Russian Army, My Republica newspaper reported. Also Read | Jeffrey Epstein List: Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, Stephen Hawking Among High Profile Names Unsealed in Court Documents. "The DoFE has stopped the approval of work permits to Russians and the Ukranians because of the reports of deaths of Nepali citizens joining the Russian Army. Lately, Nepali youths are being illegally recruited into the Russian Army. So far, 10 Nepalis serving in the Russian Army have died," the report said. Russia and Ukraine have engaged in a full-scale war since February 2022. Also Read | AI To Predict COVID-19 Variants: Scientists at MIT in US Develop New Artificial Intelligence Model To Predict SARS-CoV-2 Variants That May Cause Infection. At least 10 Nepali nationals serving in the Russian Army have been confirmed killed so far while fighting Ukrainian forces. According to Milan Raj Tuladhar, the Nepali ambassador to Russia, it is estimated that around 150200 Nepali nationals have been serving in the Russian Army, according to another report by The Kathmandu Post. On December 4 last year, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that the government had information that some Nepali nationals are serving in the Ukrainian Army too. However, the government does not have exact data on how many Nepali citizens are currently serving in the Russian and Ukrainian armies. The government has asked the Russian government to repatriate Nepalese currently serving in Russian forces as soon as possible, Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs was quoted as saying. Meanwhile, the ministry had stated that diplomatic efforts are on to rescue and repatriate Bibek Khatri, who was fighting for Russia and has been captured by the Ukrainian Army. PTI (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Dhaka, Jan 4 (PTI) Bangladesh's main opposition party BNP on Thursday called for a 48-hour nationwide general strike starting Saturday to demand the resignation of the "illegal government" of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and to protest against the January 7 general election, which it is boycotting. Led by former prime minister Khalida Zia, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is boycotting the general election on Sunday. It is demanding an interim non-party neutral government to hold the election. The demand was rejected by the government headed by Prime Minister Hasina, who is heading the ruling Awami League. Also Read | UK: Indian-Origin Man Jailed for 'Indecent Exposure' in Front of Woman Onboard London Underground Train. BNP Joint Senior Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the general strike at a press conference on Thursday. "The 48-hour hartal will be observed from 6 am on January 6, to 6 am on January 8, Rizvi said in a virtual press conference as last-minute preparations were underway for the 12th general elections. Also Read | US: Woman Gets Revenge And Rs 83 Lakh By Blowing Whistle On Her Cheating Boyfriend's Tax Evasions. The strike calls for the resignation of the illegal government, establishment of a non-party neutral government and release of all party leaders and activists from prison, he said. The BNP aims to garner support for its non-cooperation movement against the Awami Party-led dispensation through the strike. It has urged people not to pay taxes and utility bills to press its demand for a non-party interim government for election oversight by amending the country's Constitution. Through the strike, the opposition party is also demanding the release of its leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, who were arrested over charges of violence. Police arrested thousands of opposition activists and figures after, according to Human Rights Watch, at least 16 people died and thousands were injured in the past three months, when dozens of vehicles, including buses and trucks, were set on fire in political violence. At a previous virtual press briefing, Rizvi said the BNP would hold processions and conduct mass campaigns across the country on Friday in protest against the election. The opposition's call for a strike came a day after authorities deployed army troops across the country to assist the civic administration in maintaining order and peace during the BNP-boycotted elections. Since October 29, the BNP has been holding intermittent nationwide strikes and transport blockades. The party has been saying that no election under Hasina's government would be fair while claiming that the January 7 elections would be a sham designed to reinstall the ruling Awami League for the fourth consecutive term. Hasina, 76, is the longest-serving prime minister of Bangladesh, with the first term from 1996 to 2001 and three consecutive terms from 2009 to 2014, 2014 to 2019 and 2019 to date. The BNP had boycotted the 2014 election but took part in the 2018 polls, which party leaders later said was a mistake, alleging that the voting was marred with widespread rigging and intimidation. Zia, the BNP chairperson, has been debarred from politics and is effectively under house arrest to serve a 17-year prison term handed down by a court on two graft charges. The 79-year-old ex-prime minister is now in a hospital with multiple health issues. Her elder son and BNP's acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has been in self-exile since 2007 in the UK to evade several graft and criminal charges. Several Bangladeshi courts declared him a fugitive as he took refuge in the UK to evade jail terms for several criminal charges, including a grenade attack on a rally of the then-opposition Awami League in 2004 in which 24 people were killed. Hasina narrowly escaped the attack, which also wounded some 500 of her party leaders, activists and supporters. Bangladesh has deployed armed forces to assist the administration in holding the upcoming national election in a free, fair, and peaceful manner. The US and other major Western countries called for dialogue between the ruling Awami League and particularly with the BNP to ensure an inclusive and credible election, which saw no headway due to reluctance from both sides. With the BNP boycotting the election and no other credible opposition party against it, Hasina's Awami League is likely to gain the upper hand and will likely form the government for the fourth consecutive term. (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], January 4 (ANI): Three shepherd children have been killed in a landmine blast in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's North Waziristan, ARY News reported, quoting the police. According to local sources, the explosion occurred in the fields in Mir Ali, where the children, aged between five to 15 years, were grazing goats. The deceased children belonged to Khajoori Zakir Khel village, the police said. Also Read | Jeffrey Epstein List: Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, Stephen Hawking Among High Profile Names Unsealed in Court Documents. The bodies were moved to the hospital for legal formalities, as per ARY News. The latest incident came after at least six barbers were killed by unidentified armed men in the Mir Ali area of the North Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Also Read | AI To Predict COVID-19 Variants: Scientists at MIT in US Develop New Artificial Intelligence Model To Predict SARS-CoV-2 Variants That May Cause Infection. As per the police, the victims were running barber shops in the local bazaar, adding that they were abducted a day earlier and their bodies had been recovered on Tuesday from a nearby area. The police, meanwhile, launched an investigation into the incident and started a search for the arrest of culprits. Further details are awaited. (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], January 4 (ANI): The Islamabad High Court (IHC) in Pakistan ordered local authorities and police of using force or creating any hinderance to remove the Baloch protesters staging a sit-in outside the National Press Club since December 20, The News International reported on Wednesday. It reported that Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard a petition filed by Baloch activist Sammi Deen Baloch against harassment and attempts to remove marchers by force. Also Read | Hezbollah Chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah Vows to Wage War Against Israel if It Expands Attacks on Lebanon. Taking notice of complaints, the high court ordered Islamabad's deputy commissioner (DC) and senior superintendent of police (SSP) operations to ensure in-person in the next hearing. Sammi's lawyer, Ataullah Kundi Advocate, apprised the court that the sit-in of the Baloch families was peacefully continued outside Islamabad's press club since December 20. He added that the capital authorities had made multiple attempts to forcefully remove the marchers from the venue. Also Read | Russia-Ukraine War: Russia, Ukraine Exchange Hundreds of Prisoners in Biggest Release of War. He continued that they attempted to vacate the sit-in venue by forcing women to sit in buses, adding Islamabad policemen were continuously harassing them by seizing speakers and sometimes by creating tense situations of relaunching crackdowns. The police had arrested several women and children after lodging cases before the court ordered their release, he added. The judge questioned whether the protestors were advancing to somewhere other than their venue. The lawyer replied that Baloch marchers were not advancing anywhere. The judge remarked that Shahra-e-Dastoor, in other words, Constitution Avenue has a history of hosting big demonstrations and sit-ins. Some people had used the same spot to stage months-long sit-ins on Shahrah-e-Dastoor and hurled abuses at the courts, he continued. While reprimanding the federal capital's authorities, Justice Kayani observed that Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) was responsible for handling the situation but the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) apparently had no interest in holding local government (LG) polls despite court orders. He added an administration was now running Islamabad's municipal authority and no one had an interest to accept the constitutional rights of the citizens. Later, the IHC judge issued orders, barring authorities from harassing and removing the Baloch marchers by force besides ordering DC Islamabad and SSP Operations to ensure their personal appearance in the next hearing. The hearing was adjourned till January 5. The News International reported that last month, the long march participants led by Baloch women were detained by authorities during a demonstration in Islamabad against the enforced disappearances of Baloch missing persons. The march began from Turbat on December 6 and reached Islamabad's press club on December 20 when the police intercepted them. An advance party of Baloch Yakjehti Council (BYC) reached Islamabad through the Motorway, but the police intercepted it at Chungi No. 26 and barricaded all the main and artery roads, including Kashmir Avenue, leading to the Red Zone. When they arrived in the capital, cops launched a crackdown against the protesters and dismantled their camps set up outside the National Press Club. Most of the protesters were arrested by the police, a move that sparked anguish across the country. On December 21, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq warned the capital city's top cop against any hindrance in the protest staged by the Baloch marchers, saying that they have the constitutional right to demonstration. Following the court directives, all protestors were released in phases after several rounds of talks with the caretaker government's negotiation team. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Salt Lake City, Jan 4 (AP) A pilot accused of threatening to shoot a commercial airline captain who wanted to divert a flight to get medical attention for a passenger was set to make his first federal court appearance Thursday. Former Delta Air Lines pilot Jonathan J. Dunn was indicted by a grand jury Oct. 18 and charged with interfering with a flight crew during a trip from Atlanta to Salt Lake City in August 2022. Also Read | Jeffrey Epstein List: Newly Released Unsealed Court Records Reveal Details on Old Sex Abuse Allegations Against Former American Financier. Dunn, who was the first officer, or co-pilot, threatened to shoot the captain during a heated argument in the cockpit over whether to change course to accommodate a passenger's medical issue. The captain had proposed diverting to Grand Junction, Colorado, if the passenger's condition worsened, the U.S. Attorney's Office alleges in court documents. Dunn objected and threatened multiple times to shoot the captain, whom he accused of going crazy, the documents state. Dunn could face up to 20 years in prison. Also Read | Hezbollah Chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah Vows to Wage War Against Israel if It Expands Attacks on Lebanon. The 42-year-old pilot from Rapid City, North Dakota, had been authorized by the Transportation Security Administration to carry a firearm on board for security. The TSA has since revoked that authority, and Delta says Dunn no longer works for the airline. Dunn is an Air Force Reserve lieutenant colonel who was relieved of his command for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Seoul, January 4: Tesla Korea, Hyundai Motor and four other carmakers will recall over 72,000 vehicles due to faulty components, the transportation ministry said on Thursday. The six companies, including Ford Sales & Service Korea, Nissan Korea, Kia Corp. and Honda Korea, are voluntarily recalling a total of 72,674 units of 13 different models, according to the ministry. The problems that prompted the recall include a software error in the auto pilot system of some 63,991 Tesla units, including the Model Y, reports Yonhap news agency. Some 1,990 units of the company's Model X were found to have issues with the door lock mechanism in cases of collisions. Hyundai Achieves 6.9 per Cent Sales Growth, Kia Sets New Sales Records With 3.08 Million Units Sold in 2023. Some 2,400 units of Hyundai models, including the G80, were found to have faulty components in the drive shaft of the rear wheel, which could prompt toe vehicles to stop while driving. The ministry said 2,156 units of Ford's Mustang models failed to properly issue warnings in cases of brake oil depletion. Around 1,100 units of Nissan models, including the Altima 2.0, were discovered with issues with the rear view camera unit. 2024 Kawasaki Eliminator Launched in India: Check Price, Specifications and Features. Also, 922 Kia Seltos compact sport utility vehicles were subject to recall due to faulty parts in its air bag system, while 49 Honda Odyssey minivan units were discovered with faulty engine parts. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 04, 2024 11:31 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Ira Khan, the daughter of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, is set to take the traditional route with pheras in lake city Udaipur after signing the marriage registration document on Wednesday in Mumbai. The couple, which is legally married now, will head to Udaipur for a round of traditional festivities lined up for family members. The traditional wedding ceremony will take place at Taj Aravali Resort located on Kodiyat Road in Udaipur with festivities taking place from January 8 to 10. All 176 rooms of the hotel have been booked for around 250 guests including Bollywood stars and family members of the bride and groom. Aamir Khan Poses with Newlyweds Ira Khan and Nupur Shikhare in Post-Wedding Photos. The wedding festivities will be a family affair and will see relatives attending the functions. The couple will then head to Mumbai and host a reception at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre on January 13. Nupur Shikhare proposed to Ira in 2022 and is the official fitness trainer of Ira and Aamir. The pre-wedding festivities started with a Haldi ceremony on Tuesday. The couple made it official on the night of Wednesday. They signed the marriage registration document in the presence of friends and family at the Taj Lands End in the Bandra area of Mumbai. Ira Khan-Nupur Shikhare Married! Newlyweds Look Adorable As They Pose With Their Families in Traditional Attire (Watch Videos). View Ira Khan and Nupur Shikhare Are Officially Married: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) On Thursday, Ira shared the first picture of her with her hubby after they became husband and wife. The ceremony on Wednesday was thoroughly entertaining as Nupur ditched the traditional choice of a horse and jogged for to the wedding venue from Santacruz to the Bandra area in Mumbai. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 04, 2024 03:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Gurugram, January 4: Abhijeet Singh, the man accused of murdering Divya Pahuja, a former Gurugram-based model and girlfriend of slain gangster Sandeep Gadoli, has spent almost six hours with the body of the 27-year-old woman after killing her at a hotel here, the police said on Thursday. According to the police, Abhijeet and Divya, who were in a relationship, had an altercation on January 2 following which he shot at her head with an illegal pistol in an intoxicated state. The incident took place at City Point Hotel -- owned by Abhijeet. Divya was staying in Room Number 111 of the same hotel where she was killed by Abhijeet, following which he spent around six hours with the body in the hotel room. Gurugram Shocker: Former Model Divya Pahuja, Accused of Gangster Gadoli's Murder, Killed in Hotel; Disturbing Video of Body Being Dragged and Dumped in BMW Emerges. During questioning, Abhijeet told the police that Divya had some of his objectionable pictures, and she was blackmailing him as well as extorting money from him. He told Divya to delete those pictures and sought the password for her cell phone. However, she refused to do so. Eventually, both had a heated argument following which Abhijeet opened fire on her. The Gurugram Police on Thursday got a five-day remand for Abhijeet and his two associates -- Om Prakash and Hemraj, for their alleged involvement in the murder case. According to the police, Om Prakash and Hemraj used to work at City Point Hotel. Gurugram: Thieves Set ATM on Fire After Robbing Rs 20 Lakh From It in Kherki Daula Area (Watch Video). "After an altercation between Abhijeet and Divya over some objectionable pictures, Abhijeet shot at Divya's head. Thereafter, he, with the help of Om Prakash and Hemraj, dragged Divya's body to the boot of the BMW car. Abhijeet then drove around 1.5 km and handed over the car's keys to his associates identified as Balraj and Ravi Banga, who drove the car towards Punjab to dispose of the body," Deputy Commissioner of Police, Vijay Pratap Singh (crime), said. It is being suspected that Diya's body has been dumped somewhere in Punjab. When the police opened the boot of the BMW car that was later recovered, her body was not found in the boot. The police said that Divya was killed on January 2 at around 5 p.m. and at around 11 p.m., Abhijeet sought the help of Om Prakash and Hemraj to dispose of the woman's lifeless body. However, after developing suspicion, one Anoop who was on the reception desk of the hotel informed the police around 9 p.m. Police reached the spot but did not find anything suspicious and went back after checking Room Number 114 which was booked in Abhijeet's name, the DCP said. "But the police visited the hotel again after 11 p.m. after getting some information from Divya's sister, Naina. The police found blood stains and other objects of Divya after searching the entire hotel and Room Number 111. "It was seen on CCTV footage that three men including Abhijeet dragged Divya's body to the boot of BMW car and Abhijeet drove off with the car. Later, he returned to the hotel but without the car. Police then nabbed Abhijeet and his two associates in the hotel," the police officer said. Abhijeet completed his engineering from NIT Kurukshetra in 1989. He recently ventured into the hotel business. "We also found some criminal records of Abhijeet. One case of fighting and quarrel was registered against him at Sector 14 police station in Gurugram while another case of the Arms Act was registered against him with the Delhi Police," the DCP said. The police officer said that Divya came in contact with Abhijeet through a jailed gangster, Binder Gujjar. Gujjar had apparently asked Abhijeet to assist with his children's education and during that phase, Abhijeet came in contact with Divya. Binder Gujjar is said to be the prime conspirator in the alleged "fake encounter" of gangster Sandeep Gadoli, along with the Gurugram Police, which took place in Mumbai in 2016. Divya was the prime accused in the case. Later, she was arrested in connection with the gangster's murder and spent seven years in jail. She was granted bail last year in June by the Bombay High Court. Divya's family has alleged that her murder was conspired by Sandeep Gadoli's family members, along with Abhijeet. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 04, 2024 10:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, January 4: An A++ category terrorist of the Hizbul Mujahideen, who carried a bounty of Rs 10 lakh for his involvement in a series of terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, has been arrested by Delhi Polices Special Cell in coordination with other central agencies, the police said on Thursday. The arrested terrorist has been identified as Javeed Ahmed Mattoo (32), a.k.a. Irsad Ahmed Malla alias Ehsan, who hails from Sopore in J&K's Baramulla district. He was allegedly involved in five grenade attacks in the Valley. Mattoo, categorised as an A++, had been evading arrest for the past 13 years. He was wanted in connection with 11 known terror attacks in J&K. According to the Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell), H.G.S. Dhaliwal, the arrest was made possible through coordinated efforts with the central agencies. Delhi Police Special Cell Nabs Hizbul Mujahideen Operative Involved in Jammu and Kashmir Terror Acts. Hizbul Terrorist Javeed Ahmed Mattoo Nabbed in Delhi #WATCH | Delhi: Visuals of the Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Javed Mattoo who was arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell earlier today pic.twitter.com/GY9qZlVW9J ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2024 Sometime back, a tip-off was received saying that Mattoo would be arriving in the National Capital Region (NCR) to collect arms and ammunition. The Special Cell then activated its sleeper cells, said Dhaliwal. On Thursday, a specific information was received that Mattoo is in Delhi to acquire weapons at the behest of the Pakistan ISI, with plans to execute terror strikes in J&K and another location. Acting on this precise input, a raiding team successfully apprehended Mattoo from the Nizamuddin area, and seized a 9 mm pistol, six live cartridges, an extra magazine, and a stolen Santro car from his possession. A case has been registered at the Special Cell police station, the officer said. Jammu and Kashmir Terror Attack: Three Army Personnel Killed, Three Others Injured in Terrorist Attack on Two Military Vehicles in Rajouri. The Special CP said that Mattoo was part of a notorious gang of seven terrorists associated with the Hizbul Mujahideen, operating primarily in North Kashmir, particularly in Sopore. The officer said Mattoo's Pakistan-based handler would coordinate the delivery of arms and ammunition, and Mattoo would carry out terror strikes in J&K. "He is the lone surviving A++ category terrorist based out of J&K. He had earlier gone into hiding after escaping to Nepal on the directions of the ISI. The J&K police were actively pursuing him," the officer said. The Special CP also revealed that Mattoo was shot at a decade ago by security forces during an encounter, resulting in a bullet injury on his leg. "This had impacted his ability to directly engage in attacks against security forces, as he used to before the incident," the officer said. Mattoo's other six associates have been identified as Abdul Majid Jarger (currently in Pakistan), Abdul Qayyum Nazar (killed in a clash with security forces), Tarik Ahmed Lone (reportedly drowned while attempting to evade arrest), Imtiyaz Kundu (fled to Pakistan in 2015-16), Mehraj Halwai (killed in an encounter with the security forces), and Waseem Guru (killed in an exchange of fire with security forces). (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 05, 2024 12:11 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Deputy Superintendent of Police Jivba Dalvi informed that the incident occurred in March, 2023, which came to light recently when the victim girl narrated this incident to the school teacher councillor. Russia and Ukraine have exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war in the biggest single release of captives since the war began in February 2022. January 4, 2024, 11:26 Russia, Ukraine exchange hundreds of prisoners STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 4 , ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS: Russia said on Wednesday that 248 of its soldiers were returned while Ukraine said 230 of its prisoners were released after mediation by the United Arab Emirates. On January 3, 2024, as a result of a complicated negotiation process, 248 Russian servicemen were returned from the territory controlled by the Kiev regime. The return of the Russian servicemen from captivity was made possible thanks to the humanitarian mediation of the United Arab Emirates, TASS news agency quoted the Russian Defense Ministry as saying in a statement. Al Jazeera quoted Ukraines human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, as saying that 230 Ukrainian prisoners, including six civilians, had been released, marking what he said was the 49th exchange between the two sides. The BJP in Karnataka on Thursday launched a campaign, 'I'm also a Karsevak, Arrest Me Too' as it stepped up its protests in several parts of the State over the recent arrest of a Hindu activist in connection with a 31-year-old case related to the Ram Janmabhoomi agitation. The Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) of the Uttar Pradesh Police late on Wednesday arrested a 24-year-old man from Jhansi for "provocative social media posts" related to the Ram temple in Ayodhya. In a significant development, the Delhi Police Special Cell successfully apprehended a Hizbul Mujahideen operative on Thursday, January 4. The arrested individual is reportedly linked to multiple terror acts in Jammu and Kashmir. Reportedly, the terrorist, identified as Javed Matto, was carrying a bounty of Rs Five lakh on his head and was also wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). This arrest follows the recent capture of another Hizbul terrorist, Mohammed Yousaf Chouhan, in Kishtwar by Jammu and Kashmir Police. Delhi Fake Currency Racket Busted: Three Arrested for Running Web Series Farzi-Like Racket, Accused Circulated Rs Five Crore in Five Years, Say Police. Delhi Police Special Cell Nabs Hizbul Mujahideen Operative The name of the arrested terrorist is Javed Matto. NIA team was also in search of him: Delhi Police Special Cell ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2024 Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist, said an official. According to police, the accused was wanted in a multiple terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir. pic.twitter.com/vc7gGfXj5P Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 4, 2024 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) During his recent visit to Lakshadweep, Prime Minister Narendra Modi indulged in snorkelling. He shared images of the vibrant corals and fish, encouraging those with a love for adventure to include this location in their travel plans. Lakshadweep is a must-visit for those looking to unleash their adventurous side. I had the opportunity to try snorkelling during my stay, and it was a truly thrilling experience, the Prime Minister shared on X. He also expressed his admiration for the picturesque beauty and peaceful ambiance of Lakshadweep terming his experience as exhilarating. The tranquil surroundings provided him with a chance to contemplate on intensifying his efforts for the betterment of 140 crore Indians. The Prime Minister also posted pictures from his morning strolls along the untouched beaches. PM Narendra Modi Writes Letter To Ujjwala Beneficiary Meera Manjhi, Sends Gifts For Her Family (See Pics). PM Narendra Modi Goes Snorkelling For those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them, Lakshadweep has to be on your list. During my stay, I also tried snorkelling - what an exhilarating experience it was! pic.twitter.com/rikUTGlFN7 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 4, 2024 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) India's Ministry of External Affairs expressed shock and sadness over the devastating twin bombings in Kerman City, Iran. Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal conveyed solidarity with the Iranian government, stating, "At this difficult time, we express our solidarity with the government and people of Iran." The death toll from the terror attack near the burial site of Qasem Soleimani has risen to 95, with 211 others reported injured. India extends heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the families of the victims and those wounded in the tragic incident. Iran Blasts: 103 Killed, Several Injured After Deadly Explosions Near Grave of General Qasem Soleimani. India Expresses Solidarity We are shocked and saddened on the terrible bombings in the Kerman City of Iran. At this difficult time, we express our solidarity with the government and people of Iran. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and with the wounded. Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) January 4, 2024 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) ISIS has claimed responsibility for the deadly bomb attack in Irans Kerman that left over 100 people dead. On Wednesday, at least 103 people were killed and 284 others injured in the Iranian city of Kerman after twin blasts near the burial site of slain military commander Qasem Soleimani. This comes after some Iranian leaders initially blamed Israel for the attack. Iran Blasts: 103 Killed, Several Injured After Deadly Explosions Near Grave of General Qasem Soleimani. Iran Blasts JUST IN - ISIS claims responsibility for bomb attack in Iran. Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) January 4, 2024 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) London, January 4: A 43-year-old Indian-origin man has been sentenced to nine months in prison for performing a sex act in front of a lone woman onboard a London Underground train, leaving the victim "frightened" and "upset". Mukesh Shah, a resident of Primrose Way in Wembley, was found guilty of indecent exposure at London Inner Crown Court last month, the British Transport Police (BTP) said on Tuesday. Shahs disgusting actions have not only secured him time behind bars, but restrictions following his release prevent him from repeating his actions in the future," Investigating Oofficer, Detective Constable Mark Luker, said. Shah was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years and subjected to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Singapore: Indian-Origin Man Gets Four Weeks in Jail for Causing Hurt to Railway Officer. The court heard that on November 4, 2022, that at around 11.40 p.m., the victim was travelling alone in an empty Piccadilly Line carriage between Sudbury Town and Acton Town when Shah boarded the train. Despite the empty carriage, Shah sat diagonally opposite the victim and she noticed him staring at her, making her feel uncomfortable. "It was then that she noticed he was exposing himself and masturbating," the transport police said, adding that the victim "bravely" captured Shah on camera hoping it would deter him. Indian-Origin Man Jailed for 16 Weeks for Sexually Assaulting Woman on Train in UK. But when it didn't, she confronted Shah and told him to stop and move away from her. He protested he hadnt done anything wrong but moved along the carriage. The victim reported the incident to the BTP along with the video, which was circulated within the police and led to the identification of Shah. This was a frightening and upsetting experience for the victim and I commend her bravery in confronting the offender, managing to capture an image of Shah and reporting this," Luker said in a statement. We will always take reports of sexual offences seriously and will do everything in our power to bring offenders to justice. I urge anyone who sees or experiences this behaviour to report it to British Transport Police," the police official added. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 04, 2024 04:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). On 3 January a Guatemalan judge ordered the release of, formerly the top prosecutor for the attorney generals (AG) special unit against corruption (Feci) in Quetzaltenango department. End of preview - This article contains approximately 394 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Texas Governor Greg Abbott's tactic of busing migrants to New York may be backfiring as many of these migrants are heading back to the state while others go to Chicago and Florida, the latter also being infamous for busing migrants as a political stunt. Newsweek has gotten its hands on data from New York City Hall, and it showed that tens of thousands of migrants have left New York City as they try and seek opportunities in other states. These include at least 3,000 migrants who went to the states that likely sent them to New York, which are Texas and Florida. The data showed that Illinois is the most popular destination for these migrants, with the second being elsewhere in New York State. Texas ranks third, while Florida stands in fourth place for migrants leaving New York City. For now, over 19,000 migrants have taken New York City Mayor Eric Adams up on his offer to leave the city, though so far, this only takes up 13% of the migrants in the city. The New York City government has already spent over $4.6 million from March 2022 and November 2023 to book one-way plane tickets to relocate the migrants, with 19,366 tickets being issued across the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the New York City Emergency Management and the Department of Homeland Security. "Here, the city will redouble efforts to purchase tickets for migrants to help them take the next steps in their journeys, and it helps us triage operations at The Roosevelt for new arrivals," City Hall spokesperson Kayla Mamelak told Newsweek. READ MORE: Mexico, Venezuela Begin Repatriation Flights for Migrants Amid Pressure From Biden Administration New York City Mayor Eric Adams Begins Measures Vs. Texas Migrant Busing Stunts Meanwhile, Eric Adams has now also started pushing back against all the buses that Texas Governor Greg Abbott is sending to New York City. In a new order designed to restrict the flow of migrant charter buses sent specifically from Texas, Adams mandated that "any buses carrying migrants arrive in the city only between 8:30 a.m. and noon on weekdays. The buses' arrival must also be announced 32 hours in advance." According to Politico, Adams announced this after a joint briefing with the mayors of Chicago and Denver. These three Democratic cities have been pressing the White House and federal government for more migrant aid as Republican states send more and more migrants, with each city struggling with the "economic and governmental burden of housing, feeding and educating tens of thousands of migrants." Texas Migrant Buses Now Dropping Them Off in New Jersey as New York Bus Restrictions Take Effect Meanwhile, as the edict takes effect, Texas migrant buses are now forced to drop off the migrants not in New York City but in train stations in New Jersey as an effort to bypass Eric Adams's anti-busing measures. USA Today reported that four buses transporting migrants destined for New York City did not arrive at their planned destination but instead dropped them off at the train station at Secaucus Junction. This was confirmed by Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli, who added that the migrants are told to continue the trip to New York by train instead. READ MORE: Mexico: Data Reveals Shocking Reality About War on Drugs This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: NYC migrant crisis: Mayor Adams doubles down on executive order - FOX 5 New York Mexico authorities successfully rescued 31 kidnapped migrants, including women and children, who were abducted over the weekend in the northern Mexican state of Tamaulipas, Reuters reports. The rescue operation was confirmed by Presidential spokesperson Jesus Ramirez via the social media platform X on Wednesday. "They are already in the hands of the authorities and are undergoing the appropriate medical examinations," Ramirez assured, sharing a photo depicting men, women, and children, including one child clutching a stuffed animal. Mexican Interior Minister Luisa Alcalde later affirmed the migrants' safety, stating they were "safe and sound," as the state's governor reported. The kidnapped migrants hailed from Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, Honduras, and Mexico, according to Mexican Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodriguez. Honduran Foreign Minister Enrique Reina later disclosed that among the rescued were six Hondurans, including three teenage girls, whose statements were currently being recorded by Mexican authorities. The Colombian consulate in Mexico City also reported that four Colombian nationals were part of the group. READ NEXT: Mexico Officials Rescue 5 of 31 Kidnapped Migrants The Mexico Kidnapping Incident The kidnapping incident sheds light once again on the perilous migrant route through the Gulf of Mexico, notorious for witnessing heinous acts against migrants, such as the San Fernando massacres in 2010 and 2011. The Mexico kidnapping occurred on December 30 when an armed group intercepted the migrants' bus with five vans, Pledge Times noted. The criminals took most of them, leaving only five and the drivers, who promptly alerted the authorities. Little information is available about the fate of the 31 kidnapped migrants left stranded on a complex border, exposed to criminal groups viewing migrants as lucrative opportunities. The reasons behind their kidnapping, the specific location of their captivity, and the selective nature of the abduction-why 31 were taken but not the other five-remain unknown. Rodriguez emphasized the atypical nature of this event, stating, "It is not an issue that is occurring frequently in that area." Mexico authorities are actively engaged in various investigative actions, including phone monitoring to locate participants, analyzing videos left on the bus, tracking the routes of the kidnapped migrants, and utilizing canine units in multiple locations. Rodriguez has not confirmed whether the recent rescue of five Venezuelan migrants in the same area is linked to the case of the 31. Escalating Problems Involving Migrants This incident comes amid an escalating kidnapping crisis in Tamaulipas, a region bordering the United States, where migrants are frequently targeted for extortion or ransom payments by criminal groups. The situation has become a focal point for the US, with a record number of migrants traveling through Central America and Mexico to reach the US border, according to Financial Times. Last week, senior US officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, were discussing the issue with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in Mexico City. Republicans have criticized Democratic efforts to address the border crisis, with Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, and other Republican leaders surveying the situation at the US-Mexico border. The Senate is attempting to forge a bipartisan agreement to tackle the border crisis, but a deal remains elusive. The issue has also sparked political tensions between US states, with Texas arranging transportation of migrants to Democratic-led cities. In the year leading up to September, US authorities recorded a staggering 2.5 million people illegally crossing the southern US border. Notably, more than half of these migrants are arriving from regions beyond Mexico and northern Central America, according to the Migration Policy Institute's data from 2023. READ MORE: Mexico: Zapatista Rebels Celebrate 30th Anniversary Drug Cartels This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: 31 migrants abducted from bus near US border - From KTSM 9 NEWS An Aussie fisherman has become a national hero after putting on an impressive display in front of stunned onlookers who watched as he successfully lured in a mammoth barramundi. The unidentified man rose to "legendary" status in the eyes of witnesses who stood by and eagerly waited as the determined angler pulled out all the stops to land his "epic" catch at Tinaroo Falls Dam, located on the Barron River in Far North Queensland this week. The dam, about 100 km inland from Cairns, is a popular fishing spot among locals and is well known for its oversized barramundi and sooty grunter. Recent storms have ravaged the area and caused waterways to flood, including the Barron River where the dam was built in 1958. Although the storms have eased and the rivers have returned to normal, the fisherman was still faced with a mighty challenge. The 45-metre drop from the dam into the rapids below means that fast-flowing water can be rough and dangerous but that didn't stand in his way. The Queenslander was spotted crossing the river in an attempt to score his mega catch. Source: Facebook. Fisherman's wild stunt caught on camera A video shared on social media filmed by an onlooker shows the blonde-haired fisherman standing on the edge of the riverbank, firming gripping his fishing rod stretched out in front of him, appearing to have already hooked his barramundi. The clip then cuts to the shirtless man neck-deep in the water as he crosses the river, still latching on to his rod in a desperate attempt not to lose his catch. The heavy-flowing water appears to take the fish downstream with the tip of the rod bending with the force. Eventually, the angler finds an island where he can safely stand and continue in his efforts to reel in his catch. And when he does, he proudly holds it in the air to show the crowd that he'd unwittingly attracted. Loud cheers from the audience can be heard as they celebrate the catch before he swims back to land with his barramundi in tow. Story continues It is legal to fish in Lake Tinaroo however a Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP) is required to do so. It's unclear if fishing is permitted so close to the dam wall where hazards may be present. Yahoo News Australia has contacted Queensland's Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for confirmation. The man successfully managed to lure in the giant barramundi in front of an impressed crowd. Source: Facebook Social media in awe of 'awesome' catch Convinced it's an "epic tale" to tell after watching it all unfold, one woman shared the video on Facebook. It was later reshared in a Cape York community group. "I doubted the barra would be on the bite after surviving the dam fall but dayum did this legend prove me wrong," the impressed woman wrote alongside the clip which she'd backed with the 'Eye of the Tiger' soundtrack. "Hoping someone knows and tags him so he can have his friends actually believe his epic new year tale". And she wasn't alone in her praise of his efforts. "Awesome catch mate," said one. "That's brilliant, great catch," another shared. Meanwhile, others praised the "dedication" shown by the "bloody awesome" fisherman. "Ripper, great stuff," wrote another. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new weekly newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. A small, local drug cartel in the Central Mexico state of Michoacan has employed a new way of extorting residents, and that is to pay for the makeshift WiFi they installed in the village or be killed. Local media has called this makeshift WiFi service "narco-antennas," The drug cartel would set up mostly stolen internet antennas in a town with stolen equipment and provide internet. However, residents of the town are then forced to subscribe under the threat of death. The Michoacan state prosecutor's office told The Associated Press that the local drug cartel, known as the Los Viagras cartel, which is not as big or well known as the two biggest organizations fighting over the state, is charging between 400 and 500 pesos ($25 to $30) a month. With this extortion scheme, the cartel usually earns around $150,000 a month. Prosecutors stated that the Mexican villagers are terrorized "to contract the internet services at excessive costs, under the claim that they would be killed if they did not." So far, no death in regards to not paying the internet fees has been reported yet. Currently, Michoacan is a battleground between the much larger Familia Michoacana and the invading Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). However, these smaller cartels like the Los Viagras have lately been branching out and creating monopolies of their own that do not directly compete with the bigger cartels. This includes extorting villagers for an internet connection by force. Mexico Authorities Confiscate Illegal WiFi Equipment Set Up by Local Drug Cartel Authorities in Mexico have actually acted on these extortion methods and seized some equipment that the cartel has been using for the scheme. They also arrested at least one individual in connection to extorting people as part of this nefarious modus operandi. READ MORE: Mexico: Zapatista Rebels Celebrate 30th Anniversary of Uprising as Drug Cartels Become Bigger Threat Than Them According to BNN, the stolen equipment being used originally came from Telmex, a Mexican internet company owned by tycoon Carlos Slim. The company's labels were still visible when the police seized the stolen equipment, though it is unclear whether the company would be getting its equipment back as they would likely be used as evidence. Mexico Drug Cartels Dabbling in Communications Technology Is Nothing New Drug cartels in Mexico may be known more for making and trafficking illegal narcotics, but they have been known to branch out to other industries in the past, and back in 2011, one even tried to make its own national radio system. This national radio system was set up by the Zetas drug cartel which created it as a way to alert the cartel whether police or the military are coming. They would hire a normal person to become a lookout known as a "halcon," or hawk, and radio the cartel to inform them that authorities are headed their way. Mexico has since dismantled this system, which ranged from professional-grade towers to handheld radios, It allowed the cartel to conduct encrypted conversations without depending on the official cellphone network, and it made not just the Mexican government concerned, but also the US. READ MORE: Mexico: Ex-Drug Czar Took Bribes From El Chapo, Sinaloa Cartel This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Day 3 of Living with the Mexican Cartel - Arab Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has successfully filed with Utah's elections office, marking the first step in his challenging endeavor to secure a spot on the presidential ballot in every state, according to CNN. Utah holds particular significance for the RFK Jr. campaign, the initial state where his name will appear on the ballot. The campaign aims for a nationwide presence, harboring optimism that Kennedy could make history as the only independent presidential candidate to win an election since the founding of the Democratic and Republican parties. In Utah, RFK Jr. expressed gratitude to his campaign staff and volunteers for collecting the 1,000 signatures required for independent candidates to file for ballot access. The Salt Lake County Clerk's office verified the signatures, meeting the state's stringent requirements. Kennedy acknowledged the state's Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, who faced a lawsuit from the campaign seeking an extension of the filing deadline. Although the state moved the deadline to March, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised the volunteers for meeting the original deadline despite challenging weather conditions. READ NEXT: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Makes Shocking Decision RFK Jr.'s Campaign Momentum and Potential Impact Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s successful filing in Utah signals that his campaign is gaining momentum as the country enters the presidential election year, per Fox News. This could complicate the race for President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, which is evident in recent polls indicating significant support for Kennedy, drawing from both major party candidates. A Fox News poll released before Christmas showed Kennedy securing 14% support, with Trump at 41% and Biden at 37%. Including RFK Jr. in another poll led to an increased lead for Trump over Biden from 2% to 5%, with Kennedy garnering 16% support. Kennedy initially launched a campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination but transitioned to an independent candidate in October after the Democratic National Committee declined primary debates. As the scion of the renowned Kennedy family, he departed from the Democratic Party and embraced an independent bid. Notably, RFK Jr. has gained attention for promoting public health conspiracy theories during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly regarding vaccine safety and effectiveness. Navigating RFK Jr.'s Political Landscape and Potential Spoiler Role Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s alignment with influential figures on the far right while emphasizing his environmentalist background reflects his strategy to play the middle ground in a polarized political climate. The question of whether he could play spoiler for the eventual Democratic and Republican nominees arises as he attracts support from diverse political spheres, France 24 reports. While it remains unlikely for an independent candidate to win the presidency, they can impact the significant candidates by diverting support in key states. RFK Jr.'s success in Utah prompts uncertainty about how many states he will qualify for ballot access, considering varying requirements nationwide. To overcome these challenges, the super PAC American Values 2024, supporting Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has pledged up to $15 million to aid in securing ballot access in pivotal states. This financial backing played a crucial role in Kennedy's legal victory in Utah, where a lawsuit pushed back the state's candidate filing deadline. Notably, RKK Jr.'s anti-vaccine organization is involved in a lawsuit against several news organizations, including The Associated Press, alleging antitrust violations for combating misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines. While Kennedy distanced himself from the organization upon announcing his presidential run, he remains listed as one of its attorneys in the lawsuit. READ MORE: Donald Trump Disqualification This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: RFK Jr.: 'We're going to be able to get on the ballot in 50 states' | Dan Abrams Live - From NewsNation During his New Year's Day address at the Vatican, Pope Francis expressed concern over what is happening in Nicaragua as dictator Daniel Ortega continues his crackdown against the Roman Catholic Church that has seen priests be arrested, foreign missionaries be expelled, and religious processions be banned. During his New Year address at St. Peter's Square for the traditional New Year's Angelus prayer and blessing, the first Pope from Latin America admitted he was "following with concern what is happening in Nicaragua, where bishops and priests have been deprived of their freedom." The pontiff added that he has "closeness in prayer to them, their families, and the entire church in the country," and then called on Catholics to "pray insistently" to find "a path of dialogue to overcome difficulties." He then concluded, "Let's pray for Nicaragua today." This focus on Nicaragua came after at least 14 priests, two seminarians, and a bishop were arrested in recent days as part of President Daniel Ortega's crackdown on any form of dissent. This includes cracking down on the Roman Catholic Church, which he blames for initiating the 2018 protests that he violently put down. As Ortega cracked down on all of his political opponents, imprisoning them or forcing them into exile, the Roman Catholic Church has become the leading voice of dissent against the government's corrupt and inhumane practices. However, this resulted in the government cracking down on the Church as well. The Church initially tried to mediate between the Ortega regime and the political opposition during the early days of the crackdown. Still, it was unsuccessful, with the government only intensifying its arrests and mistreatment of perceived opponents, including the Church itself. Nicaragua Cardinal Asks Roman Catholic Faithful To Remain United Amid Persecution The bishop who was arrested by Nicaraguan authorities was Bishop Isidoro del Carmen Mora Ortega of the Diocese of Siuna. He was arrested for praying publicly for exiled Bishop Rolando Jose alvarez Lagos, the Bishop of Matagalpa. READ MORE: Nicaragua Explainer: Why is the Daniel Ortega Government Feuding With Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios? Shortly after the second bishop was arrested, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church of Nicaragua, Cardinal Leopoldo Jose Brenes Solorzano, the Archbishop of Managua, expressed in a Mass his closeness "to the families and communities that, at this moment, feel the lack of their priests." He added that the faithful in the country must remain united in prayer. "Church unity," he told those in attendance, "is our strength... With Mary, our mother, at the foot of the Cross, may the Lord console us and show us His mercy." Nicaragua's Role in the US Migrant Crisis Revealed After France Captures Airplane Full of Migrants Meanwhile, as Pope Francis and the Roman Catholic Church are lamenting what is happening in Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega is also helping to make the US migrant crisis even worse. According to The Guardian, the flight that was bound for Nicaragua contained 303 Indians, all of whom were headed to the US-Mexico border. The country has since become a springboard for migrants from other continents seeking to head to the US. Nicaragua does not impose strict entry requirements for citizens of other countries. Its close proximity to Mexico also makes it an ideal springboard. With his history of criticizing the US, Ortega has taken this opportunity to profit from these migrants trying to get into the US and fueling the migrant crisis even further. READ NEXT: Daniel Ortega Net Worth This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Pope Francis calls Nicaragua government 'gross dictatorship' amid Catholic church crackdown - NBC News Donald Trump has not even won the Republican nomination yet, but several MAGA personalities are now coming forward to ask him for a job. This includes George Santos, with the former New York congressman taking to social media to ask Trump for a job, specifically asking to be the next director of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). "It's time to reclaim our country and if you believe the nonsense numbers the media is giving you then you are accepting the big lie," said the man who was known as the "Lying Congressman" before he was expelled from Congress. "We have over 50M+ people who have invaded our sovereignty over the years due to careless and neglectful immigration policy, if given the job I know exactly where to start and run the much needed raids of removals proceedings this country needs," he continued to claim in an effort to be noticed by Donald Trump. However, Newsweek noted that it was not clear where Santos got those numbers from. Data from the US Census Bureau placed the number of unauthorized immigrants in the country at approximately 10.5 million in 2021. As to why Santos wanted the job as the director of ICE, he says, "Enough abuse and disregard for our sovereignty, we are the United States OF America and not a global dumping hub." He added, "ICE has had their hands tied for far too long with the sole exception of the great four years of DJT. The time is now and that's why I'm putting my name in the mix for a role that will take grit and a fearless person and not a coward that will fear media spin." READ MORE: Donald Trump Tried To Spread Fake News About New York Judge Overseeing Fraud Trial But Gets Exposed George Santos Claims He Makes More Money From Cameo Than in Congress Soon after he was expelled from Congress over his various scandals, George Santos has been making money on Cameo, replacing his $174,000 of federal income to earning around $200 - $500 for each personalized video on the platform. In an interview with CBS New York, Santos now claims he makes more money than he ever did as a lawmaker, telling the interviewer, "I can tell you that by the end of this week, that is actually factual. I will have made more money in seven days than I would've made in an entire year in Congress." George Santos May Still Have Not Reported His Personal Finances While claiming he is earning more money now than he has ever done as a lawmaker, anti-corruption watchdog, CREW, pointed out that Santos may have still not done one of the things he was in trouble with in the first place, and that is reporting his personal finances. A report from the organization stated that Santos was given a new deadline last weekend to submit his personal finances, the fourth one in total. However, he "apparently missed yet another deadline to file yet another legally required financial disclosure." Santos is required to submit a final financial disclosure, or at least request an extension, within 30 days of leaving office. Crew revealed that he has not done that yet after being extended for a fourth time. READ MORE: George Santos' Wildest and Unbelievable Lies This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: George Santos Makes History (By Getting Expelled) - LegalEagle UPDATE: Gabriel Cartagena, 43, of Allentown, turned himself in to Allentown police about 8:45 p.m. Thursday to face charges for allegedly killing a 44-year-old woman and her 1-year-old grandson in a shooting that also injured the womans husband Friday, Dec. 29, in the citys 100 block of Chestnut Street, according to a news release from the police department. ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Investigators on Thursday identified the man they say is wanted for fatally shooting a 44-year-old woman and her 1-year-old grandson Friday night in Allentown. Gabriel Cartagena, 43, of Allentown, was not in custody and should be considered armed and a danger to the public, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan said during a late afternoon news conference in his office. Holihan and Allentown police Chief Charles Roca said information from the community helped develop Cartagena as the suspect. Anyone who knows of Cartagenas whereabouts is advised not to approach him but to dial 911, Holihan said. We believe hes still in the area generally speaking, the district attorney said, but we are eager to take Mr. Cartagena into custody and have him face justice. Cartagena is accused of breaking into a home in Allentowns 100 block of Chestnut Street and fatally shooting 44-year-old Ada Ortiz and her 1-year-old grandson, Sebastian Serrano Jr., about 8:40 p.m. Friday. Both died of multiple gunshot wounds and each of their deaths was ruled a homicide, Lehigh County Daniel Buglio said. Police responding to the gunfire found a third victim, Leandro Ortiz, in the kitchen of the home with a gunshot wound to the upper chest that is not believed to be life-threatening. That victim, who is the husband of Ada Ortiz, told police the intruder was armed with a semiautomatic firearm and took aim at the couples 7-year-old grandson, as well, according to the DA. Leandro Ortiz was shot when he stepped between the shooter and that child, investigators said. Investigators do not believe Cartagena knew the victims, nor are they aware of any familial relationship or indication that this was a domestic violence incident. There is no known motive for the shooting, and nothing of value was believed to have been taken from the home, Holihan said. The suspect fled on foot. Court records list a last-known address of Cartagena in Allentowns 800 block of West Liberty Street. He stands 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 185 pounds, according to the court records. A photo of Gabriel Cartagena, 43, of Allentown, is displayed during a news conference Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, in the Lehigh County District Attorneys Office featuring, from right, District Attorney Gavin Holihan, Allentown police Detective Miguel Villa, Chief Charles Roca and Detective Theodore Kiskeravage. Investigators at the news conference identified Cartagena as the suspected gunman who they say is wanted for fatally shooting a 44-year-old woman and her 1-year-old grandson at a home in the city's 100 block of Chestnut Street about 8:40 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2023.Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com Among the list of agencies that are assisting in the investigation is U.S. Homeland Security Investigations to help restrict Cartagenas movements, Holihan said. Holihan credited the work of lead Allentown police Detectives Theodore Kiskeravage and Miguel Villa in identifying the suspect, with assistance from other investigative and patrol officers in the department, the Lehigh County District Attorneys Office, Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, Pennsylvania State Police, and additional federal agencies the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Marshals Service. Weve received much input from the community in this investigation, and vital support from the community helped to aid law enforcement, Holihan said. Cartagena is wanted on an arrest warrant obtained Thursday, charged by criminal complaint with two counts each of homicide, attempted homicide and aggravated assault, in addition to single counts of burglary and carrying a firearm without a license. He is also charged with illegal possession of a firearm due to a 2005 robbery conviction, Holihan said. Once Cartagena is taken into a custody, he would appear before a district judge to be committed to jail. A preliminary hearing would be scheduled to determine if there is sufficient evidence to send the charges toward trial in the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas. The shooting was one of three Friday night into early Saturday in Allentown that left two people dead and six hospitalized; authorities said they do not have reason to believe they were related. State Rep. Joshua Siegel, D-Lehigh, on Thursday commended Holihan and investigators for their work following the double killing that the lawmaker called a particularly heinous crime. We must take from this moment of grief, a renewed sense of urgency to eradicate gun violence in our community; one life lost is too many, one less child in our community is too much to bear, and one more family made less whole is all our loss, Siegel stated. We have more work to do together. Holihan was sworn-in Tuesday, following his election last Nov. 7 to succeed longtime Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin. Investigators on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, identified Gabriel Cartagena, 43, of Allentown, as the suspected gunman who they say is wanted for fatally shooting a 44-year-old woman and her 1-year-old grandson about 8:40 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, in Allentowns 100 block of Chestnut Street.Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Pet shops and breeders are no longer able to legally sell certain pets in Bethlehem. Bethlehem City Council unanimously passed an ordinance Tuesday that bans the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits. There are no current pet stores in Bethlehem that are impacted by the ordinance but the new law would prevent any pet sellers from conducting business in the city. The ordinance states, a significant number of Dogs and Cats sold at pet stores come large-scale, commercial breeding facilities where the health and welfare of the animals are not adequately provided for. Pet stores, breeders, brokers or rescue organizations may not transfer the specified animals for payment or other compensation, according to the ordinance. The ordinance further states, dogs and cats produced in mills often have health and behavioral issues, which many consumers are unaware of when purchasing animals due, in part, to misleading sales tactics of pet stores. These health and behavioral issues can impose exorbitant financial and emotional costs on consumers. Bethlehem City Council member Grace Crampsie Smith thanked her fellow council members for supporting the ordinance. I know our furry friends in Bethlehem and throughout the communities, as well as their families, are very grateful too, Crampsie Smith said. The ordinance does not prohibit pet shops from providing space to animal shelters or animal rescue organizations for the purpose of displaying dogs, cats or rabbits for adoption, as long as the pet shop does not receive a fee for providing the space. A pet shop that sells or offers to sell a dog, cat or rabbit is subject to a $500 fine per animal offered in violations of the ordinance. Shelter or rescue organizations would face a $250 fine per violation for purchasing a dog, cat or rabbit. The ordinance does not prohibit a Bethlehem resident from purchasing an animal outside of the city. The Bethlehem ordinance mirrors laws passed in Allentown in October 2022, in Easton in May and Forks Township in August. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. A fun day out for one family turned "horrific" in an instant when the sound of a toddler's "blood-curdling" screams filled the air at a children's park. Aussie mum Emma Ferrato said she's "still in shock" after hearing her toddler cry out in pain when she tripped and fell onto a hot metal plate, which caused significant and excruciating burns to most of her little body. The family was enjoying lunch at Westport Water Park in from Port Macquarie, NSW, on Wednesday when the incident occurred. Ferrato said her daughter Holly had just finished eating and was running around on the grass "like all the other kids". Suddenly, the little one tripped on the elevated edge of the metal plate, sending her toppling forward onto it. One-year-old Holly, was at the playground with her parents (pictured with her father) when she fell and burnt her arms and legs on hot metal. Source: Emma Ferrato "My partner, who had followed her, scoped her up within 1 to 2 seconds but then that was it," the Port Macquarie local told Yahoo News Australia. "She was screaming, she had imprints of the metal and blisters on her skin. We went straight to the emergency". Some burns 'likely to scar' The metal plate was just metres from the children's play equipment and had been exposed to the blistering sun. It was only 11:45am on a 27-degree day but still, the outcome was "horrendous". "The leg is paler than the hand burns, indicating a deeper burn and more likely to scar," Ferrato explained. "Her hands need to be stretched out multiple times a day so the creases don't fuse and require surgery. The bottom of her foot makes it painful for her to walk as well." The hotel metal play was just metres from the equipment where children play. Source: Emma Ferrato The toddler suffered from excruciating burns on her arms and legs and may require surgery. Source: Emma Ferrato Horrific photos show the extent of Holly's burns before and after treatment at Westmead Children's Hospital who are "involved in her care". "But we dont need to present there unless she needs surgery in 2 weeks if burns aren't healing properly," the mum explained. Mum calls on council to take responsibility Ferrato is still in disbelief over the incident that could have easily been avoided especially since they regularly spend time outdoors camping and fishing, without injury. Story continues "We decided to do the kids' park instead of hanging out with the spiders, snakes and bullrout. But our baby had to be sedated with fentanyl and ketamine to treat the burns because we decided to go to a kids' play area instead of the state forest," she explained on Thursday. The frustrated mother is now calling on the council to make changes to the park, insisting the "community deserves better". The dangers of metal slides are relatively known, she claims. "So why aren't metal plates on the ground in a child's play area banned?" she questioned The toddler required emergency treatment at the hospital for her burns. Source: Emma Ferrato "Our children are a public responsibility to keep safe and have expectations on what safety precautions are in place when such places are made available to the public," she said. "There should be a standard across all Councils to not have any bare metal exposed in direct sunlight on the ground where children play." "She tripped on it first, then landed on the blistering metal," she added. "If it was levelled out around the edges she probably would have run straight over the top and not tripped and fallen onto it with her one-year-old skin." Warning to other parents as council responds Hoping to avoid another incident like her daughter's, Ferrato shared photos of Holley's injuries on Facebook. "Beware of this metal plate near the path," the distraught mum wrote. "Yesterday was only 27 degrees so on a hotter day, little feet might stick to it! What a horrendous experience. We are still in shock that a trip to a local kids' water park resulted in the below pictures and the recovery ahead for our baby". Port Macquarie-Hasting Council told Yahoo News Australia that it was made aware of the incident via social media. "We empathise with her and the family for the injuries she has sustained, and we hope for a speedy recovery," a council spokesperson said on Thursday. "Council staff and the parks maintenance contractors are currently assessing the area and are taking appropriate actions to prioritise a safe playing environment for all." Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new weekly newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. A bomb squad and members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation were called Wednesday afternoon to investigate a fire that broke out in Salisbury Township, police said. Crews with the Western Salsibury Fire Department responded to the 2900 block of Meadowbrook Circle North shortly before 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. A township officer found flames and smoke billowing out of a basement window, police said. Responding officers initially used fire extinguishers to suppress the flames until firefighters arrived at the scene. All occupants managed to escape safely with at least one occupant advising authorities fireworks, black powder and other chemicals could be inside the home, police said. That drew the response from the Allentown Bomb Squad and other authorities, including the FBI, according to WFMZ-69 News. A firefighter was injured while fighting the flames and treated at the scene, police said. Some residents were displaced, but police did not have specifics on how many. The American Red Cross PA Rivers Chapter, which covers the region, is assisting those who remain homeless, police said. Salisbury Township Police Fire Marshals Office continue to investigate the origin and cause of Wednesdays blaze. Also responding were firefighters from the Eastern Salisbury Fire Department; Emmaus Fire Department; Greenawalds Fire Rescue in South Whitehall; and the Lower Macungie Fire Department, as well as Cetronia and Allentown emergency medical services. Those with information are asked to call the Salisbury Township Police Department at 610-797-1447 or the police Tip Line at 610-402-2400. Crews shortly before 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024 responded to the 2900 block of Meadowbrook Circle North. Flames and smoke could be seen coming out of the basement, police said.Mike Nester | lehighvalleylive.com contributor Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Pennsylvania environmental regulators and the American Lung Association urge testing for radon in homes, in recognition of National Radon Action Month in January. Radon is responsible for an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year in the United States, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection said, citing Environmental Protection Agency data. About 40% of Pennsylvania homes have radon levels above the EPA action level of 4 picocuries per liter, according to the DEP and American Lung Association. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer after smoking in the United States, and is a serious concern within the Commonwealth, Jessica Shirley, DEP interim acting secretary said in a news release Tuesday. The Department of Environmental Protection remains committed to working with home builders, school districts, realtors and other Pennsylvania departments to address radon issues and keeping all Pennsylvanians safe. Pennsylvania is particularly prone to elevated radon levels. The colorless, odorless and radioactive gas occurs naturally through the breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks, and it can seep into homes through cracks in basements and foundations and build up indoors. The only way homeowners can know for certain if they have a radon problem is to test their home, according to the DEP. Experts recommend that all homes, public and private buildings get tested. The DEP and American Lung Association are working together to provide radon test kits to residents who have not yet tested their homes for the dangerous gas. Visit lungradonkits.org to see if a free kit is available to you. These test kits are funded through a grant from DEP and the EPA State Indoor Radon Grant Program. Radon test kits also are available for purchase at many home improvement and hardware stores, as well as from Pennsylvania-certified radon laboratories. Radon test kits typically cost around $20-$30. Completed test kits are sent to a Pennsylvania-certified lab where the sample is analyzed, and the results are sent to the home or building owner. Homeowners are also able to hire a state-certified radon testing company to do the testing for them. The public is encouraged to call DEPs Radon Division at 717-783-3594, or the Radon Hotline at 800-237-2366, for help with interpretation of their test results and what follow-up action may be necessary. Permanent radon mitigation systems typically cost between $800 and $1,200 and require minimal maintenance, according to the DEP. A list of state-certified radon contractors, labs and testers is available on DEPs website, dep.pa.gov. Radon in homes is more common than many people think. Exposure to radon shouldnt be taken lightly because it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, stated Kevin M. Stewart, director of environmental health for the American Lung Association. The good news is that it is easy to test for radon. Do-it-yourself test kits are simple to use and inexpensive. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Developers of an unbuilt solar farm in Laois are seeking planning permission to connect it to a future Laois electricity substation that has been fought for years by local objectors. Lightsource Renewable Energy Ltd got planning permission from Laois County Council back in 2017 to build a photovoltaic solar farm in Bigbog, Coolnabacky south of Portlaoise. It was granted despite multiple local objections over the large size of the farm. They got permission for a Distribution Network Operator substation, transformers and storage batteries along with the ground mounted solar panels. In full it was for: "construction, operation and decommissioning of a photovoltaic solar farm comprising photovoltaic panels on ground mounted frames, inverter stations, 1 no DNO/ Customer substation, switchgear substations, field transformers, auxiliary transformers, GRP cabinet, monitoring house communications building, single storey storage shed, battery containers, transformer containers, WC, fencing, temporary construction compound, access tracks, cabling, CCTV cameras, landscaping, creation of a new access and all associated ancillary development works." It is close to EirGrid's planned 400kV Coolnabacky substation, part of a new electricity line between Kilkenny and Laois. That substation plan was hotly protested for years by local residents in Ratheniska Substation Action Group. They fear it would become a hub for massive industrial windfarms in the Stradbally and Timahoe area south of Portlaoise. They held a lengthy blockade to stop site work, and paid to appeal the plan to An Bord Pleanala, unsuccessfully. The RSA group and residents objected to the solar farm application, on several grounds including its size and the lack of detail of how it would be connected to Eirgrid's substation. The latest on the substation is that Eirgrid plans to "commence 110 kV GIS Building Works in Q1 (January to March) 2024. The solar farm applicant now called East Laois Solar Farm Ltd now seeks to install an underground cable to that new substation, changing the plans for their own substation and other equipment. Their amended planning application requests: "Replacement of permitted Distribution Network Operator (DNO) 110kV substation and all associated infrastructure (Glass Reinforced Polyester (GRP) Cabinet, monitoring house, storage shed, auxiliary transformer and WC) with an Air Insulation Switchgear (AIS) 110kV substation comprising a single-storey control building (c. 6.28m height and c. 133.7sqm) within a palisade-fenced compound (c. 2.6m height and c. 1,779.8sq.m) and all associated electrical infrastructure and apparatus, and realignment of permitted solar arrays. "The proposed development will consist of: Construction of a new vehicular entrance and access track connecting to permitted internal vehicular tracks; Construction of an underground cable (c. 160m length) to provide a tail fed connection to the permitted 400kV Coolnabacky substation (An Bord Pleanala Case Ref. PL11.VA0015); and, All ancillary site development works, including lighting, drainage, temporary construction compound and on-site parking to serve the operational and maintenance needs of the substation." They say that a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) will be submitted to the planning authority with the application. The application was received by Laois County Council in early January 2024 and a decision is due by February 27. A man shot in a Dublin restaurant on Christmas Eve has died in hospital. Jason Hennessy Snr, who was in his late 40s, sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the shooting at Brownes Steakhouse in Blanchardstown. Mr Hennessy, who was well known to gardai, was initially treated in Dublins Connolly Hospital but had been transferred to the citys Mater Hospital, where he died. On the night of the attack two gunmen entered the busy restaurant at about 8pm and opened fire. One of the suspected gunmen, Tristan Sherry, sustained fatal injuries after being tackled and assaulted inside the premises after the shooting. Last week Michael Andrecut, 22, of Sheephill Avenue, Corduff, appeared at a special sitting of the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin charged with Mr Sherrys murder. Two other men have been arrested for questioning in connection with Mr Sherrys death. On Thursday they were still being held at Garda stations in west Dublin under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. A second murder investigation has now been launched after Mr Hennessys death. A second man has been charged in connection with the death of a suspected gunman who was assaulted following a shooting in a Dublin restaurant on Christmas Eve. Tristan Sherry, who was one of two suspected gunmen involved in the shooting, sustained fatal injuries after being tackled and assaulted inside the premises in Blanchardstown after the shooting. One man has already appeared in court charged with Mr Sherrys murder. The second man charged is due to appear before a sitting of Blanchardstown District Court on Friday morning. The development comes on the same day gardai announced the death of the man who was shot in the initial gun attack inside Brownes Steakhouse in Blanchardstown. Jason Hennessy Snr, who was in his late 40s, sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Mr Hennessy, who was known to gardai, was treated at Dublins Connolly Hospital and then transferred to the citys Mater Hospital, where he died. A second murder investigation has been launched after Mr Hennessys death. Two gunmen had entered the busy restaurant at about 8pm and opened fire. Last week Michael Andrecut, 22, of Sheephill Avenue, Corduff, appeared at a special sitting of the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin charged with Mr Sherrys murder. A third man has also been arrested for questioning in connection with Mr Sherrys death. On Thursday he was still being held at a Garda station in west Dublin under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. Kildare County Council's Local Enterprise Office Women in Business Network, in collaboration with County Kildare Chamber and Network Ireland Kildare, is proud to announce the Brigid 1500 Luncheon. This will be a unique event to celebrate and commemorate St. Brigid, the woman, the life, and the legacy on Thursday February 1st in Kilkea Castle from 12pm 2.30pm. The inspirational award-winning author of 'Poor', Dr. Katriona O'Sullivan will be the guest speaker on the day, offering attendees insights about her life as the middle of five kids growing up in dire poverty. Poor is her extraordinary story - moving, funny, brave, and sometimes startling - of how Katriona turned her life around. Today Dr Katriona OSullivan is an award-winning lecturer whose work explores barriers to education. Despite her professional success, and happiness in her marriage and as a loving mother, Katriona lives with the indelible legacy of her early years. Her book is a stirring argument for the importance of looking out for our kids, of giving them hope, practical support and meaningful opportunities. Attendees at the The Brigid 1500 Luncheon will come together to honour and explore the legacy of St. Brigid in a way that transcends time and resonates with the spirit of empowerment and inspiration. We are delighted to celebrate and recognise the life of St. Brigid, in the wonderful surroundings of Kilkea Castle. It is so important to champion the values of St. Brigid and recognise her achievements. We look forward to this and the full programme of events and festivities over the coming weeks, commemorating St Brigid., said Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council. Due to limited availability, early booking is recommended at www.Local Enterprise Office.ie/Kildare For further details on the Brigid 1500 festival programme, which runs from 27th January to 6th February, visit www.brigid1500.ie A man caught with cocaine in a hotel room in Donegal Town has been fined 150 after failing to appear in court. Paul McCauley, 20 Lisnafin Park, Strabane, Co Tyrone was due to appear before Donegal District Court on Wednesday. Inspector Seamus McGonigle confirmed to the court that the defendant had been notified of the court date, and that the state was in a position to go ahead in McCauleys absence. Retired Detective Garda Paul McHugh gave evidence of receiving a report of suspected drug activity in a bedroom in the Abbey Hotel. A warrant to search Room 126 was obtained. One occupant of Room 126 was Paul McCauley, said the former detective. He said that there was some dope in the room. McCauley handed over a small bag containing powder which he told gardai was cocaine. Subsequent analysis confirmed that the substance was cocaine worth 50. He was totally compliant, said retired Detective Garda McHugh. The court heard that the defendant had no previous convictions. Judge Ciaran Liddy acknowledged that the defendant had been notified of proceedings and had not appeared in court. He recorded the facts as proven and imposed a fine of 150. The judge set recognisance of 100 cash and a 100 bond in the event of an appeal. Simon Harris has said that better communication from authorities would not have made a blind bit of difference in preventing a fire at a former pub in east Dublin. The Minister for Further and Higher Education said there was an extremely worrying trend happening where vacant buildings were being set on fire on purpose. A former pub in Ringsend was set alight on New Years Eve amid speculation it was going to be used to house immigrants. Authorities have since said that it was to be used for people who were homeless. The incident followed a suspected arson attack at a disused hotel in Rosscahill, Co Galway, that was to be used to house asylum seekers days before Christmas. On Thursday, Gardai said they were investigating suspected criminal damage by fire at an unoccupied building in Fethard, Co Tipperary. The blaze broke out at around 9.20pm on Wednesday and was extinguished by local fire services. Gardai have appealed for information to aid their investigations in all three cases and Mr Harris said that gardai were taking the matter extraordinarily seriously. What were seeing happening in this country right now and I acknowledge that all political parties absolutely utterly condemn this but what were seeing is an extremely worrying trend happening, where on an all-too-frequent basis, arson attacks are happening on vacant buildings. Weve seen it in urban areas, weve seen it in rural areas. But we just need to be very, very careful that we dont ever get to any sort of whataboutery in relation to some of what we have seen in this country. What were seeing, though, is extremely worrying at a time of a real shortage of housing supply, where we as a government, and people on building sites right across the country on a daily basis are working to try and grow supply that we see thugs and criminals torching buildings that could be made available to provide shelter to people. It is an extremely serious and concerning situation, and I know its being treated by the gardai as such. Asked about comments by Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, who called for an open, democratic conversation on immigration, Mr Harris said that immigration was debated on a very regular basis. Government ministers get asked about it on a regular basis, it gets discussed in the Dail on a regular basis and I dont know what an open debate on immigration means, he said. He added that people who were behind the fires dont do it in our name. I think we just have to be really clear on this: what is the motivation of these people, other than to cause fear, terror, panic, divide, reduce the amount of housing supply in the middle of a housing emergency? he said. It needs to be called out for what it is. I do feel grateful that we live in a country where, largely speaking, with some notable exceptions, there has been a degree of political consensus And I think as we enter 2024, we need to be even more resolute in pulling together on recognising that there can never ever, ever be any sort of justification or whataboutery when it comes to these arson attacks. Asked whether there could have been better communication from authorities in the case of the Ringsend fire, Mr Harris said it would not have made a difference. Thats the space I just dont think we should get into because while I think communication with communities is extraordinarily important as a constituency politician, I know the importance of that myself but I dont believe that in and of itself would have made a blind bit of difference, because the people who torched a building, not prejudicing any investigation, arent people who wanted better communication, theyre people who are spreading hatred, he said. These people didnt want to be briefed on what were the plans. They wanted to cause fear and damage, criminal damage. So I dont believe having a public meeting would have changed the motivations of people who torched a building. So there are two important issues. But theyre two different issues. Of course, we need to keep on working as government to communicate and update, and theres a huge amount of work ongoing in relation to that in building teams in the local authorities, and all of that is happening and needs to continue. But its a big leap to go from a communications issue, to trying to in any way, shape or form suggest that failing to communicate has resulted in somebody torching a building and I just dont buy into that. Mr Harris was speaking as he announced a package of supports for third-level students included as part of Budget 2024. From next week, 60,000 students will benefit from up to 342 euro in maintenance grants, as well as a 3,000-euro increase in the stipend for PhD researchers funded by the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland. A video showing a winding queue of people waiting to inspect a rental property shows just how quickly symptoms of Australia's housing shortage are reappearing after a brief lull over the festive period. A video shared online captioned "Rental crisis in Melbourne" shows a seemingly never-ending line of hopeful tenants waiting to view a $370 per week one-bedroom apartment near the city. Many Aussies have since reacted in shock at the "unbelievable" scene. One expert says a spike is to be expected, with demand "generally moving through a seasonal high" at the beginning of the year, but warned prices will likely continue upwards. "With rental vacancy rates remaining well below average across most regions of the country, a seasonal lift in rental demand is likely to run headlong into an ongoing undersupply of available rental accommodation," Tim Lawless, Research Director at CoreLogic Australia, told Yahoo News Australia. "With demand likely to outweigh supply, rent [prices] could see some renewed upward pressure through the first part of the year." Scenes of queues outside rental inspections are back with a bang. Source: TikTok Rental property shortages a strain across the country A spokesperson from the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) told Yahoo a tight Victorian rental market is nothing new, but more must be done to secure supply. "There are regular reports of queues for rental properties. We must do more, and soon, to support new supply into the market," they said. Across the country, in Perth, the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA)'s CEO Cath Hart shared that a decrease in rentals, combined with ongoing strong demand has seen the vacancy rate fall with the number of properties advertised for rent "mostly below 2,000" since August 2022. "Supply and demand are also putting upward pressure on rent prices. Perths median dwelling rent was $600 per week in December. This was 15.4 per cent higher than the same time last year," she told Yahoo. Story continues Lawless warns as rental affordability pressures mount, we are likely to see a change in the way people rent, including "a move towards group households" and "more multi-generational households". "Severe negative social outcomes [include] worsening homelessness, rough living and couch surfing," he continued. Aussies divided over footage of long queue Demand increases in rental markets are more obvious across the capital cities, "especially inner city precincts and transit-oriented suburbs that are popular with students," Lawless explains. This is why people looking for well-maintained places that are affordable in inner-city suburbs are being met with long lines and stiff competition something some furiously pointed out in the comments. "People need to live in a specific suburb or their life is over.. sheep," one person wrote. Others argued short-term holiday rentals have taken away affordable housing. "If people would stop buying investment properties they cant afford and turning them into Air B&Bs or keeping them vacant to up the market (sic)," another said. Many more agreed that they would leave if they saw a queue so long and the only way forward is to not even "bother with inspections". "The way Id see that line and say nope, and walk away. That's unbelievable." Good news may be ahead for renters according to experts Domains Chief of Research and Economics Dr Nicola Powell says that while this imbalance between housing supply and demand means the rental market "continues to be a landlord's market", things are improving. "We are seeing signs of stabilising conditions in some markets - Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane experiencing a slight increase in vacancy rates," she told Yahoo. Lawless shared this slight optimism adding that "the good news for renters is that rental growth is showing some signs of slowing". REIV has welcomed "in principle" government efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of Victorias housing supply after the Government's Housing Statement was announced. "The REIV applauds the focus on improving the availability and quality of social and affordable housing," a spokesperson shared. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Freight Farms, Inc., to Participate in the 26th Annual ICR Conference TORONTO and BOSTON, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Agrinam Acquisition Corporation (TSX: AGRI.U) ("Agrinam") and Freight Farms, Inc. ("Freight Farms"), a rapidly growing innovative agtech company and a leader in the global revolution for sustainable, hyper-local and ultra-fresh food production, today announced that Rick Vanzura, Chief Executive Officer of Freight Farms, and Monalisa Shroff, Chief Financial Officer of Freight Farms, will participate in the 26th Annual ICR Conference, to be held January 8-10, 2024 in Orlando, FL (the "Conference"). At the Conference, Mr. Vanzura and Ms. Shroff will meet with investors and participate in a fireside chat at approximately 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. A live webcast of the presentation can be accessed at www.agrinamspac.com and a replay of the webcast will be available for approximately thirty days following the event. About Agrinam Acquisition Corporation Agrinam Acquisition Corporation is a special purpose acquisition corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia for the purpose of effecting, directly or indirectly, an acquisition of one or more businesses or assets, by way of a merger, amalgamation, arrangement, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization, or any other similar business combination within a specified period of time. For more information, visit www.agrinamspac.com. About Freight Farms Founded in 2012, Freight Farms debuted the first vertical hydroponic farm built inside an intermodal shipping container with the mission of democratizing and decentralizing the local production of fresh, healthy food. Since its inception, Freight Farms has refined its product offering to arrive at the Greenerytm container farm. With global customers ranging from small business farmers to the corporate, hospitality, retail, education, and nonprofit sectors, Freight Farmers make up one of the largest network of IoT connected farms in the world. AgTech Breakthrough named Freight Farms the 2022 "IoT Monitoring Solution of the Year" for its farmhand IoT automation software. For more information, visit https://www.freightfarms.com/. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information contained in this press release may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always identified by the use of words such as "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "foresee", "could", "estimate", "goal", "intend", "plan", "seek", "will", "may" and "should" and similar expressions or words suggesting future outcomes. This press release includes forward-looking information and statements pertaining to, among other things, the Conference and the attendance of Mr. Vanzura and Ms. Shroff at the Conference. These forward-looking statements reflect material factors and expectations and assumptions of Agrinam and Freight Farms which are based on Agrinam's and Freight Farms' perception of historical trends, current conditions and expectations, as well as other factors believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. Agrinam's and Freight Farms' estimates, beliefs and assumptions are inherently subject to uncertainties and contingencies regarding future events and as such, are subject to change. Numerous risks and uncertainties could cause the actual events and results to differ materially from the estimates, beliefs and assumptions expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements in this press release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect Agrinam's and Freight Farms' expectations only as of the date of this press release. Agrinam and Freight Farms disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by law. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. For further information contact: Investor Contact: Reed Anderson, ICR [email protected] Media Contact: Keil Decker, ICR [email protected] SOURCE Freight Farms 4 january 2024 at 08:00 News published onand distributed by: Merck Expands Colorectal Cancer Portfolio Through Licensing Agreement with Inspirna Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced a licensing agreement with Inspirna, Inc. (New York, NY) for ompenaclid (RGX-202), a first-in-class oral inhibitor of the creatine transport channel SLC6A8, and SLC6A8-targeting follow-on compounds. Ompenaclid is currently being evaluated in a Phase II study for the second-line treatment of RAS-mutated (RASmut) advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). "Over the past decade, the treatment paradigm for patients with RAS-mutated CRC, accounting for approximately 45% of the second-line population, has not seen major innovation," said Victoria Zazulina, MD, Head, Development Unit, Oncology for the Healthcare business sector of Merck. "With our expertise in the treatment of CRC, and based on the encouraging early data for ompenaclid, this agreement with Inspirna offers the opportunity to advance a potential new first-in-class therapy that may improve outcomes for patients." Ompenaclid is a first-in-class oral inhibitor of the creatine transport channel SLC6A8. Data from the Phase Ib/II study of ompenaclid in combination with FOLFIRI and bevacizumab showed encouraging efficacy and safety for second-line treatment of RASmut mCRC. Results presented at the 2023 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress showed that, as of the September 18, 2023 data cutoff, median progression-free survival was 10.2 months and median overall survival was 19.1 months across all 41 patients with RASmut mCRC. Of the 30 patients evaluable for response, the objective response rate was 37%, with 11 partial responses. Ompenaclid was well-tolerated, with no dose-limiting toxicities observed in the dose-escalation cohort and combination safety profile comparable to FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab backbone treatment. Inspirna has initiated a Phase II double-blind randomized controlled trial in second-line RAS-mutant advanced or metastatic CRC comparing ompenaclid versus placebo plus FOLFIRI and bevacizumab. The collaboration with Inspirna builds on Merck's long-standing commitment to the colorectal cancer community. 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the introduction of ERBITUX, for which the company has marketing rights outside the U.S. and Canada, as a backbone treatment in mCRC; today, multiple active clinical trials continue to evaluate ERBITUX in this disease. The company is also developing M9140, a CEACAM5-targeting antibody-drug conjugate with an exatecan payload currently being evaluated in an ongoing Phase Ia/b study in patients with mCRC. "We are excited to partner with Merck, a leader in the oncology field with global drug development and commercial expertise in colorectal cancer specifically, to help bring our novel therapies to more patients in need," said Dr. Usman "Oz" Azam, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Inspirna. "The data to date validates our belief in ompenaclid as a potential first-in-class therapy for advanced colorectal cancer and underscores the power of our proprietary target discovery platform RNA-DRIVErtm. We look forward to working closely with Merck as we continue to evaluate ompenaclid in the ongoing Phase II randomized controlled trial." Under the terms of the license agreement, Merck will receive an exclusive license to ompenaclid outside of the United States and an option to co-develop and co-promote ompenaclid in the US. Furthermore, the parties agreed to collaborate on Inspirna's SLC6A8 follow-on compounds for which Inspirna will retain US co-development and co-commercialization rights. Inspirna will receive an upfront payment of $45 million. Upon the achievement of certain development and sales milestones for ompenaclid, Inspirna is eligible to receive milestone payments with tiered royalty rates in the low teens on net sales outside of the US. Inspirna is eligible to also receive development, regulatory and sales milestone payments for each follow-on compound targeting SLC6A8 along with up to double-digit royalties on net sales outside of the US. About ERBITUX (cetuximab) ERBITUX is an IgG1 monoclonal antibody targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). As a monoclonal antibody, the mode of action of ERBITUX is distinct from standard non-selective chemotherapy treatments in that it specifically targets and binds to the EGFR. This binding inhibits the activation of the receptor and the subsequent signal-transduction pathway, which results in reducing both the invasion of normal tissues by tumor cells and the spread of tumors to new sites. It is also believed to inhibit the ability of tumor cells to repair the damage caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy and to inhibit the formation of new blood vessels inside tumors, which appears to lead to an overall suppression of tumor growth. Based on in vitro evidence, ERBITUX also targets cytotoxic immune effector cells towards EGFR-expressing tumor cells (antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity [ADCC]). ERBITUX has already obtained market authorization in over 100 countries worldwide for the treatment of RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer and for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Merck licensed the right to market ERBITUX, a registered trademark of ImClone LLC, outside the U.S. and Canada from ImClone LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, in 1998. All Merck press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck website. Please go to www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service. About Merck Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates across life science, healthcare and electronics. More than 64,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people's lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices ? the company is everywhere. In 2022, Merck generated sales of ? 22.2 billion in 66 countries. Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck's technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare, and EMD Electronics in electronics. 4 january 2024 at 08:15 News published onand distributed by: Inspirna to Present at the 42nd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference Inspirna, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class cancer therapeutics, announced today that Chief Executive Officer Dr. Usman "Oz" Azam, M.D., will participate in a corporate presentation at the 42nd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 8:30am PT / 11:30am ET. About Inspirna Inspirna, Inc., is a privately-held clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel cancer drugs that target key pathways in cancers of high unmet need. The company is pursuing several first-in-class drug candidates. Inspirna's lead drug candidate, ompenaclid (RGX-202), is an orally-administered small molecule that targets the CKB/SLC6A8 pathway. This pathway becomes activated in the tumors of select patients where it enables the generation of the energy molecule ATP in response to tumor hypoxia. Ompenaclid is currently being tested in multiple mid stage clinical trials in patients with advanced or metastatic RAS mutant colorectal cancer. Inspirna's second clinical stage drug candidate, abequolixron (RGX-104), is an oral small molecule activator of LXR/APOE that inhibits angiogenesis and tumor myeloid derived suppressor cells to enhance the immune response against tumors. Abequolixron is currently being tested in a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial in patients with advanced or metastatic lung cancer in combination with docetaxel and endometrial cancer in combination with ipilimumab through a clinical collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb. Inspirna identifies novel cancer targets using its microRNA-based target discovery platform, RNA-DRIVEr, which was originally developed by Inspirna's scientific co-founders at The Rockefeller University and exclusively licensed to Inspirna. The Company brings together distinguished scientific founders, a seasoned board of directors, and a leadership team comprised of experienced drug developers. The Company is funded by leading biotechnology investors, including Novo Holdings A/S, Sofinnova Partners, Sands Capital, Vivo Capital, Lepu Holdings Limited, Sixty Degree Capital, Silicon Valley Bank, K2 HealthVentures, Oceanpine Capital, WuXi PharmaTech Healthcare Fund I, LP, Alexandria Venture Investments, LLC, Dreavent 6, Exor Seeds, and the Partnership Fund for New York City. For more information, please visit https://inspirna.com/. 4 january 2024 at 08:15 News published onand distributed by: Workhuman Customers Rank the Company as #1 Provider in G2's Enterprise Grid Report for Employee Recognition, 2024 Workhuman, the company revolutionizing the way employees celebrate, connect with and appreciate each other in the workplace, is proud to announce that it has been ranked #1 in G2's Enterprise Grid Report for Employee Recognition Winter 2024. Workhuman's Social Recognition software, its industry-leading employee recognition solution, received great praise from Workhuman's customers, highly regarding its Integrations, Pricing, User Interface, and Customer Service capabilities, among others. In addition, the company was rated high in Ease of Use and Quality of Support, the highest against competition, while receiving a 9.4 user satisfaction score. For over 20 years, Workhuman has revolutionized the employee experience for enterprise businesses worldwide ? and its customers agree. In fact, a large majority of Workhuman users rate the company 5 out of 5 stars. Workhuman's leadership status is also reflected in the more than 30 additional honors the company received in G2's winter reports, being prominently featured in the Performance Management, Career Management, and Employee Engagement categories. Click HERE to see the full list and rankings. One Workhuman user says that Workhuman creates "a cross-company culture of gratitude", stating: "My favorite thing about using Workhuman Social Recognition is that it allows our employees to recognize other employees outside of their own departments. Previously, we had department-specific recognition programs that didn't allow employees to reward one another when working cross-departmentally. I also love that Workhuman Social Recognition is peer-recognition focused, which allows employees (especially individual contributors) to receive recognition and rewards directly from those they are working most closely with on projects rather than having to rely on someone sharing praise with their leader that maybe translates to additional recognition from the top down." "Workhuman is constantly innovating to evolve the future of work, working with our customers to cultivate magnetic workplace cultures through the power of recognition," said Zoe Peterson-Ward, Workhuman Chief Customer Officer. "Our Social Recognition solution is highly configurable and when utilized strategically and in line with best practices, is proven to drive true business impact. The power of recognition and gratitude in the workplace can and should be felt at all levels, from CEOs to entry-level employees. It's fantastic that our customers who ranked us on G2 feel the impact." G2 is a leading and trusted review site used by more than 90 million people annually?including employees at all Fortune 500 companies?to make smarter software decisions based on authentic peer reviews. G2 has ratings for over 145,000 software providers across 2,100 categories ? including Employee Recognition, and those ratings can be trusted because only 100% validated reviews, written by real users are included. Workhuman's Social Recognition solution is more than a simple way to say "thank you." It's a data-powered, science-backed tool that revitalizes workplaces and leads to real ROI for businesses. In fact, companies that partner with Workhuman can see the transformative power of recognition through lower turnover, higher employee engagement and satisfaction scores. In addition, employees get the emotional connection they need to thrive at work, like feelings of belonging and appreciation, all with a platform that is intuitive, rewarding, and fun. For more information about how Social Recognition can transform your organization for the better, please visit: www.workhuman.com. About Workhuman Workhuman is helping companies meet today's biggest human capital challenges - including unprecedented turnover, employee engagement, hybrid work environments, and DEI - through the Workhuman Cloud, a secure SaaS platform that provides the industry's best-in-class Social Recognition solution. As the leading global provider of technology solutions, analytics, expertise, and services helping organizations of all sizes build and foster workplace cultures powered by employee recognition and crowdsourced feedback, Workhuman is revolutionizing the way employees celebrate, connect with, and appreciate each other in the workplace. Combined with unmatched data through Workhuman iQ, we empower HR (Human Resources) and business leaders with proactive insight to understand issues as they develop and tools to help them make the right decisions to align business objectives and culture to deliver immediate impact. And, with world-class award redemption from our proprietary global network, Workhuman is committed to building more connected human-centered workplaces that recognize the value and potential of each and every employee. For more than 20 years, Workhuman has been pioneering the human workplace by disrupting legacy and obsolete HR approaches to improve the employee experience at work, with solutions that engage with approx. seven million customer employees in 30+ languages, in 180 countries, generating 100 million instances of human connection. With dual headquarters in Dublin, Ireland and Framingham, Massachusetts, Workhuman deploys solutions and services at scale, committed to helping companies improve returns on their most important investment? their people. For more information, please visit www.workhuman.com. 4 january 2024 at 10:00 News published onand distributed by: An interview by the son of French film legend Alain Delon with a magazine has sparked open warfare in his family, with the screen legend immediately indicating he would file a complaint over his child's comments. Anthony Delon told Paris Match in an interview published on Thursday, January 4, that his father finds it hard to accept his frail state of health and accused his half-sister of leaving him vulnerable by concealing health problems. Concerns have grown about Delon's health after the family published a picture of a Christmas Eve dinner showing the actor, who has been rarely seen in public in recent years, looking thin and weak. In a "weakened" state Alain Delon, 88, "can no longer bear to see himself like that, diminished," Anthony Delon told Paris Match. The star of classic films including Swimming Pool, The Leopard and Purple Noon suffered a severe stroke in July 2019 and now rarely leaves his estate in Douchy in France's Loire region. "He doesn't speak much, it tires him or it annoys him when we make him repeat [himself], because his voice is no longer always clear, or audible," Anthony Delon said in the interview. There are "major risks" that this was "his last Christmas," he added. But Alain Delon was "extremely shocked by the media outburst orchestrated by his son Anthony" and will file a complaint against him, his lawyer Christophe Ayela told AFP in a statement. Read more Subscribers only Depardieu case blurs all standards, including those of Macron Alain Delon told him "he cannot stand the aggressiveness of his son Anthony who keeps telling him that he is senile", and what is even "more shocking" is that his son "claims that he may have lived his last Christmas." The lawyer said Delon had asked him: "But what father could bear that?" 'To harm the reputation' There was already concern about Alain Delon's well-being after his three children last year filed a complaint against his former live-in assistant Hiromi Rollin, accusing her of harassment and threatening behaviour. Anthony Delon also filed a second complaint accusing Rollin of violence and trying to sequester his father. Rollin, who was evicted in July from the actor's property, has written to prosecutors to dispute the accusations against her and also filed a complaint of her own. French prosecutors on Thursday said no further action would be taken regarding any of the complaints, saying there was insufficient evidence to indicate any crime. But in the interview, Anthony Delon, the son of Delon's former wife Nathalie Delon, also revealed new tensions within the family over the care of his father. He said he had reported his younger half-sister Anouchka, the daughter of Alain Delon and Dutch model Rosalie van Breemen, to the police for failing to inform the family of his father's performance in cognitive tests from 2019. "My sister never informed my brother and me that between 2019 and 2022, my father had been subjected to five cognitive tests during his visits to the clinic in Switzerland and that he did not pass any of them," he told the magazine. The results showed "a cognitive degradation which places my father in a position of psychological weakness, and therefore of vulnerability," he added. Alain Delon's lawyer said Anthony "has only one goal, to harm the reputation of his daughter Anouchka and the unique relationship that he has always had with Anouchka." Anthony Delon said day-to-day care of his father is now in the hands of his father's youngest child Alain-Fabien Delon, whose mother is also Rosalie van Breemen and who published the family photo on his Instagram account. Former President of Harvard University and current Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Claudine Gay listens during Harvard Universitys 372nd Commencement Exercises in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., May 25, 2023. BRIAN SNYDER / REUTERS Harvard University's former president said on Wednesday, January 3, following her resignation that she made mistakes but insisted she was the target of a sustained campaign of lies and personal insults. Claudine Gay stepped down on Tuesday after coming under ferocious attack over plagiarism accusations and her response to pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus amid the Israel-Hamas war. "Those who had relentlessly campaigned to oust me since the fall often trafficked in lies and ad hominem insults, not reasoned argument," she wrote in The New York Times. "They recycled tired racial stereotypes about Black talent and temperament. They pushed a false narrative of indifference and incompetence." "It is not lost on me that I make an ideal canvas for projecting every anxiety about the generational and demographic changes unfolding on American campuses: a Black woman selected to lead a storied institution. Someone who views diversity as a source of institutional strength and dynamism," she added. Read more Subscribers only Republicans claim victory after resignation of Harvard president Claudine Gay Gay had been criticized in recent months after reports surfaced alleging that she did not properly cite scholarly sources. The most recent accusations came Tuesday, published anonymously in a conservative online outlet. 'Morally bankrupt testimony' Gay was also engulfed by scandal after she declined to say unequivocally whether calling for the genocide of Jews would violate Harvard's code of conduct, during testimony to Congress alongside the heads of MIT and the University of Pennsylvania last month. Gay, who made history as the first Black person to be president of Harvard said she was targeted because she believed "that a daughter of Haitian immigrants has something to offer to the nation's oldest university." Gay, 53, was born in New York to Haitian immigrants and is a professor of political science. Her downfall comes after the powerhouse university in Cambridge, Massachusetts's governing Harvard Corporation had initially backed her after the public relations disaster of the congressional testimony. The university's governing Harvard Corporation said that Gay had "shown remarkable resilience in the face of deeply personal and sustained attacks." Yet the body did criticize the university's initial response to the Hamas October 7 attacks that Israel said killed 1,140 people inside Israel and saw around 240 people taken hostage. Israel's offensive has reduced much of Gaza to rubble and killed at least 22,313 people, according to Gaza's health ministry. The House Republican who challenged Gay out during her testimony with the question about whether free speech extended to calling for genocide of Jews has now called for members of the Harvard Corporation to apologize. "Neither the resignation from Claudine Gay nor the statement from the Harvard Corporation included any apology for the morally bankrupt testimony," she wrote on social media. Read more Subscribers only How the Israel-Hamas war tore Harvard apart TWO KUWAITI students who had just come to Limerick to study in UL were beaten and stabbed in a racially-motivated attack in broad daylight at the rear of one of the principal cultural and tourist attractions in the city. An elderly man, who had been at Barringtons Hospital earlier and was enjoying tea at the Hunt Museum Cafe with his wife, received a knife wound after running over to break it up. Judge Tom ODonnell said it was a very, very serious case. Charlie Clarke, aged 20, of Donoughmore Crescent, John Carew Park, Southill pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm at the rear of the Hunt Museum on September 20, 2022. A co-accused, who cannot be named as he is a juvenile, pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to assault causing harm during the same incident. Defence counsel said both defendants, from the Travelling community, offered their sincere apologies and expressed remorse. The court heard both men have been exposed to violence including assaults, have had difficulties with drugs, one fractured his skull after falling from a horse, while the other was kicked in the face by a horse. Prosecuting barrister John OSullivan, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Detective Garda Ronan OReilly. Mr OSullivan said two natives of the state of Kuwait came to Limerick on August 30, 2022 to study civil engineering and aeronautical engineering in University of Limerick. On September 20, 2022, they had classes in the morning and decided to make their way to the city centre on their e-scooters afterwards. One of their e-scooters was stolen while they went into McDonalds in a crime unrelated to the accused. Mr OSullivan said they had their lunch in the recently developed park at the rear of the Hunt Museum which is one of the principal cultural and tourist attractions in Limerick city. They were sitting on a park bench. At around 3pm they were approached by two youths. They were asked, What were they looking at?. The two accused began shouting at the two students, Do we have a problem? The students ignored them. The accused got very close to the victims. One of the victims told gardai one of the accused had yellow hair and bad teeth. The victims were asked about their nationality and why they came to Limerick. Bad things were said about the victims mothers, said Mr OSullivan. The barrister said the Kuwaiti students were asked to fight where there were no cameras. One of the victims said, If you are going to do something, do it here. Mr Clarke, who had a knife, punched one of the victims in the face. The victim grabbed Mr Clarke to protect himself. He felt pain in his left side but didnt know what it was. He said Mr Clarke tried to stab him in the head but he blocked his arm. He saw that he was bleeding. He received at least five stab wounds, said Mr OSullivan. An elderly man who went over to break it up received a knife wound which required a plaster. The second Kuwaiti student got a few boxes from the accused, who cannot be named, suffering minor head wounds. Mr OSullivan said the stabbing victim had quite significant blood loss and was at risk of death but for medical intervention by paramedics and staff in UHL. The barrister said the attack has greatly affected the victim as he wanted to work in the army but now will not be able to unless he gets plastic surgery. He cant go out on his own and finds it hard to sleep at night as he dreams of the knife at his head, said Mr OSullivan. The prosecuting barrister put it to Det Garda OReilly that Mr Clarke and his juvenile co-accused behaved in a feral manner? I would agree, said Det Garda OReilly. Mr OSullivan asked if there was an element of racial motivation? I believe that is the case, said Det Garda OReilly. The two defendants were also charged with violent disorder in relation to an incident nine days earlier - September 11, 2022 - at around 3am at Dromroe, Rhebogue. The court heard a young man was set upon by a gang of youths - he was kicked in the face and body and relieved of his watch valued at 500. Roisin Lacey SC, who represented both accused, said there was an offer to reimburse the victim the value of the watch as a gesture of goodwill. She said Mr Clarke has minor previous convictions and the juvenile accused has none. Both young men are offering sincere apologies. There is clear remorse and regret, said Ms Lacey. The senior counsel said both young men had been exposed to violence including assaults, had difficulties with drugs, one fractured his skull after falling from a horse while the other was kicked in the face by a horse. There is a blank denial that it was racially motivated. Both young men have contact, interaction and friendship with people from other races and backgrounds, said Ms Lacey. She said the death of Mr Clarkes grandfather was the catalyst for him turning to drink and drugs to stop thinking about it. Ms Lacey said after a brother of Mr Clarkes was stabbed in the face, Mr Clarke started carrying a knife for his protection. Ms Lacey said Mr Clarke had had an argument with his girlfriend on the morning of the incident at the rear of the Hunt Museum, had taken tablets and anger took over. He thought they (victims) were talking about them (the two accused) and looking at them in a judgemental way. He should not have engaged and he wouldnt be here, said Ms Lacey. The senior counsel said these are serious charges but asked Judge ODonnell to look at the alternatives in relation to the juvenile accused and take into account Mr Clarkes lack of previous violent convictions. Both of these young men can become contributing members of society, said Ms Lacey. Judge ODonnell said it was a very serious matter, referring to the graphic CCTV footage. I dont want to rush to judgement, said Judge ODonnell, who adjourned sentencing until later this month. PLANNERS have denied permission for the second phase of a housing estate in Adare - despite approving the first part. Dwellings Developments sought permission from the local authority to construct 28 new homes and a creche at land near the N21 road which passes through the village. This came in addition to proposals for 74 new homes on the same site, which were green-lit by council, but subsequently appealed to An Bord Pleanala which is scheduled to make a decision on the proposals by next month. Its for this reason local planners have ruled that without full permission on the first set of houses, it would be premature to approve the second. According to the planning application, the latest set of houses would be broken down into three, two-storey four-bed detached houses, two two-storey four-bed semi-detached units and eight, two-storey three-bed semi-detached homes. On top of this, 12 apartments are proposed. These would be made up of one, two and three-bed apartments. However, the application attracted objections, with two people living locally saying there is no assumption that can be made on the layout of the new estate, given its first phase has not been given planning permission. In such a situation, the council must ask itself if its in a position to consider the present application, the residents added, through an agent. If the applicants had wished to apply for a greater number of houses, they should have done so at the time of the original application. Indeed, the original application was for 99 homes which was reduced during the assessment of the application to 74, the objectors pointed out. We now see an additional 28 houses being proposed bringing the total to 102. Could this be described as project splitting in order to increase the likelihood of permission in the first instance, they asked. The initial application, for 74 new homes attracted a number of submissions. Among the objections from locals were concerns that it would cause traffic hazard and congestion at the main N21 road, as well as fears of the impact it could have on the local water supply. There was support, however, from the Adare Recreation and Community Complex which trades as the Manor Fields. An Bord Pleanala has said it will make a decision on the first 74 houses in this development by Tuesday, February 6 next. The developer did not return a request for comment from the Limerick Leader. Elsewhere, a new development of 28 homes in Kilmallock has been given the green light from council subject to a total of 25 conditions. Loquatlane Ltd was given the go-ahead to construct the new houses in Glenfield on the edge of the town, near Kilmallock National School. According to the application, there will be 12 semi-detached and 16 terrace units as part of the development. Disturbing footage has emerged of the moment a man evaded security and leapt across a judge's bench as she read out his prison sentence, brutally attacking her while court officers scramble to help. The shocking incident occurred on Wednesday, January 3 (local time) at Clark County District Court in Nevada in the US, as Judge Mary Kay Holthus sentenced Deobra Delone Redden for aggravated battery with substantial bodily harm. Redden had previously pleaded guilty to the offences in a prior hearing. In the footage, Holthus can be heard denying Redden's request for probation due to his prior convictions and criminal history. Deobra Redden was being sentenced by Judge Mary Kay Holthus when he leapt across her bench and attacked. Source: Clark County District Court. Extraordinary scenes play out in Las Vegas court She is heard preparing to sentence him to prison time, seemingly responding to Redden's lawyer. In cut off footage she can be heard saying: "I can appreciate that, but I think it's time he gets a taste of something else, because I just can't with that history..." before she's swiftly ambushed. Redden's voice can then be heard over the top of Holthus's, screaming "no f**k that bitch" before he leaps across the Las Vegas courtroom, taking guards, the judge, and other staff by surprise. In extraordinary vision, a struggle can be seen taking place behind the judge's bench, as her screams reverberate throughout the courtroom. Four men a mix of security and court personnel attempt to restrain the man, seemingly to no avail. Brutal struggle ensues During the ordeal, both the American and Nevada flags, that had stood behind Holthus, are brought to the ground. "Please, please. Don't do this!" a woman's voice can be heard yelling throughout the struggle. Redden can then be heard repeatedly punching Holthus and yelling expletives, before eventually he is restrained. According to the Las Vegas District Court, Holthus experienced "some injuries" and her condition "is being monitored", though the extent of the wounds is unclear. Story continues The marshal sustained injuries and was hospitalised. It's expected now that Redden will face further charges in addition to his previous sentencing. The 30-year-old had pleaded guilty to a number of offences. Source: Clark County District Court. It's believed Holthus suffered head injuries as a result of the attack. Source: Clark County District Court. "We commend the heroic acts of her staff, law enforcement, and all others who subdued the defendant," the court said in a statement. "[We] remain committed to a safe and secure courthouse and courtrooms. We are reviewing all our protocols and will do whatever is necessary to protect the judiciary, the public, and our employees." THE HSE Mid-West have warned the Limerick public over the high levels of respiratory illness in the area. The Mid-West region has been experiencing a surge in influenza (flu) and Covid-19 cases, hospitalisations, and outbreaks in healthcare settings in recent weeks. On the week of December 17, flu cases had quadrupled in the space of two weeks, which was the first major spike in the region this flu season. The incidence of flu will likely reach its peak in the next two to three weeks. In the intervening period pressures on the health service will increase including GP presentations, emergency department presentations, hospital admissions and outbreaks in long-term care facilities. Covid-19 continues to circulate at high levels with, with slight increases in recent weeks. The JN.1 variant of interest is fast becoming the dominant strain. The variant may be more transmissible than previous variants, resulting in more infections. Consequently, this may contribute to more cases overall, again increasing demand for services and leading to outbreaks in healthcare settings. While RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is steadily declining following its peak in early December, it continues to widely circulate in the community. This poses a serious risk of bronchiolitis in young children and severe illness in older adults. Christmas and New Year social activity will likely lead to a further substantial increase in acute respiratory infections in the community. The HSE have said that this burden could be reduced by people staying at home or avoiding social activity if feeling unwell. A spokesperson also said that its not too late for anyone who has not yet been vaccinated for flu and Covid-19 to get their vaccine if they're eligible because it will help prevent serious illness and it will help prevent the spread of these illnesses to people who are more vulnerable. TWO LIMERICK locations have been listed in the top 10 Irish destinations to visit in 2024. The list was compiled by Airbnb and is based on trending searches for future travel by users living in Ireland, from January 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023. Limerick city comes in at sixth on the list while the county Limerick village of Adare, came in at eighth. The Mid-West region did particularly well, with two Clare destinations of Miltown Malbay and Ennis also making the list. Dublin also ranked as fifth, with the 3Arena welcoming Niall Horan for three nights in February, the Aviva stadium will see Taylor Swift take to the stage for three nights in June, and Croke Park will light up with Coldplay for two nights in August. Wexford came in on top of the list as the most searched for future 2024 visits in Ireland, while the top global destination of a separate international travel list for 2024 saw Indianapolis, Indiana come out on top for Irish searches. THE SCEIRDE Rocks Windfarm, a 450 MW offshore wind project off the west coast of Ireland, has successfully completed geophysical and metocean surveys that will inform its forthcoming planning application. The surveys help provide a clearer understanding of the seabed and the prevailing sea conditions of the proposed development area. Geophysical surveys map the seabed, while metocean surveys are used to assess water quality, wave behaviour and the strength and direction of sea currents. The work was conducted between September and early November 2023 using survey vessels operated by Green Rebel, a Cork and Limerick-based offshore survey service company. Corio also worked with Green Rebel and other surveying companies to complete geotechnical and benthic surveys that will inform the environmental impact assessment of the project. Tim Coffey, project director of the Sceirde Rocks Windfarm, said: We are proud to partner with a local Irish company to deliver the high-quality data required for the design and development of the Sceirde Rocks projects planning application. We are committed to supporting the Irish supply chain, and met recently with 50 national and local businesses recently to outline the opportunities that will be available for companies during the construction and operation of the project. The windfarm will make a significant contribution to reducing Irelands reliance on fossil fuels, with the volume of CO2 emissions avoided roughly equivalent to taking 180,000 petrol cars off the road. The project will also generate employment opportunities and provide significant investment for the local community for years to come, he added. Kieran Ivers, CEO of Green Rebel, added: These surveys will play a key role in informing the next stage of the Sceirde Rocks Windfarm, providing the data needed to finalise engineering plans and reduce environmental impact. We were delighted to partner with Corio Generation on this project and we look forward to working together in the future. In May 2023, Irelands energy grid operator EirGrid and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications confirmed that Sceirde Rocks was one of four wind farms that were successful under the countrys first Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS 1). Ireland is facing plunging temperatures at the weekend with a risk of hail showers in the coming days. A chilly start is predicted by Met Eireann for Thursday with patchy frost in southern areas. It will be a mostly dry day across Leinster and Munster with sunshine and just the odd shower. However, it will be somewhat cloudier across Connacht and Ulster with occasional bright spells and scattered showers, some heavy. Maximum temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees in a moderate to fresh west or southwest breeze. Clear spells and scattered showers are forecast for Thursday night, with showers most frequent in Atlantic coastal areas, some of hail. It will be rather cold with patches of frost and ice forming in some sheltered areas, mainly across the east and south of the country. Lowest temperatures of -1 to +3 degrees in generally moderate northwest winds, fresh along the Atlantic coast. A nice cool clear morning for most and a nice bit of sunshine ahead. Down to 1.4c at my station with a little on the car windscreen, a sign of what is to come. pic.twitter.com/FbDBprT3Pv Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) January 4, 2024 Friday is forecast to be a bright but rather cold day with sunshine and showers. The showers will be most frequent across the west and north of the country with the chance of hail. Top temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees in moderate to fresh northwest winds. Saturday looks set to be a fine day with lots of sunshine expected once early mist or fog clears. Highest temperatures will range from 5 to 8 degrees in light breezes which will vary in direction. However, it will be very cold on Saturday night with widespread frost developing along with some icy patches. Areas of mist and fog will form with the potential for some pockets of freezing fog. Lowest temperatures generally ranging from -3 to zero degrees in light variable breezes or near calm conditions. A cold and frosty start on Sunday. Mist and fog will struggle to clear in many inland areas, lingering throughout much of the day. Where mist or fog clears it will be dry and mostly sunny. Highest temperatures generally ranging from 2 to 5 degrees but holding near freezing where fog lingers. Another cold and frosty night on Sunday night with some mist or fog at first. However, a moderate southeast breeze will develop later allowing a few showers to drift in to Irish Sea coastal areas and clearing much of the fog. Lowest temperatures of -3 to +2 degrees. The family of a teenager who died after waiting for treatment in a hospital for 12 hours has criticised the HSE for not consulting them on the parameters of the inquiry into her death. Aoife Johnston, 16, died on December 19 2022 after waiting 12 hours in University Hospital Limericks emergency department for treatment for sepsis. Her family has said that her condition deteriorated to such a degree during that time that other patients began advocating for her to be seen. A solicitor for the family Damien Tansey said that they are haunted by their memories of being hospital waiting for Aoife to receive treatment. You cannot imagine the difficulties they are confronted on a daily basis, and it was particularly acute and difficult for them just coming up to Christmas. They were in the hospital for the entire of the 12 hours when they were pleading with the medical staff to assist their daughter, other patients in the casualty department that night were advocating as well for Aoife. They saw that she was in serious danger and they too pleaded with the medical staff to attend to Aoife. They are living with that experience on a daily basis and its haunting them. The HSE has announced that an independent inquiry would be carried out into Ms Johnstons death, led by retired chief justice Frank Clarke. On Tuesday, the HSE published its terms of reference for the investigation. HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster said the judge-led inquiry would provide an evidence-based report on the circumstances surrounding Ms Johnstons death as well as the clinical and corporate governance of University Hospital Limerick. A systems analysis review (SAR) report found that overcrowding in UHLs emergency department is endemic, and that doctor and nurse staffing levels are insufficient. Mr Tansey said that the family were informed of the terms of reference the evening before they were published, and without any consultation with the family, without any warning that they were about to be published. There was absolutely no discussion or consultation with us, the legal representatives, or the Johnson family with a view to the makeup of those terms of reference, he told RTEs Morning Ireland. Basic courtesy dictates, for example, that the family first should have been told in advance that the terms of reference were about to be published, and it was entirely inappropriate that they should learn about this effectively from the media. The media announced the fact that the terms of reference had already been determined before, by email, we got the terms of reference. Clearly, after due consideration and consultation with the family, we expect that we will seek to add to, or perhaps alter, some of the terms of reference. Mr Tansey said that the report from the review committee was delivered to the family a day before the anniversary of Aoife Johnstons death. He also said that there appeared to be at least one interim report that the family had not received. The main issue they are now concerned about is the fact that they learned everything from the media thats not appropriate given the nature of this tragedy. Its an unspeakable tragedy. The Johnson family, for example, got the report produced by the review committee a day before the anniversary of this tragedy, and they were dealing with that, and were challenged in the manner in which they were dealing with that and they then get the report. The HSE said in a statement that it is very conscious of the significant upset and distress for Aoifes family. The CEO has previously communicated an open-ended invitation to meet with them about any and all issues associated with Aoifes care and the systems analysis report which was provided to them in December. This invitation remains. Mr Tansey said that the Johnston family and their legal representatives are ready, willing and able to attend a meeting with the HSE, and said we will attend as soon as a concrete invitation emerges. Views sought on the proposal of introducing a selfie verification to watch pornography online has been established. Coimisiun na Mean, Irelands new body for regulating online media, has opened a public consultation on its draft Online Safety Code for video-sharing platform services. This includes that of pornography and over 18 online content, including violent and other videos of a harmful nature. The new rules proposed by the regulator would include uploading a selfie or passport/official documentation to verify age before being permitted access to a website. This aims to block underage access to harmful content, but the media watchdog has said that no one form of verification can be 100% effective in preventing children from seeing inappropriate material. We care much more about the effectiveness than how its [Online Safety Code] achieved, said Coimisiun na Mean executive chairperson Jeremy Godfrey. There are other ways people could consider, like a live selfie each time you want to access it and using biometrics to check. "Its less accurate, it might be hard to distinguish between a 17 and 18-year-old that way, but it will protect younger children. Once finalised, the Code will be legally binding on designated video-sharing platforms based in Ireland. Coimisiun na Mean will be able to impose fines of up to 20 million for breaches of the Code. Online safety commissioner, Niamh Hodnett, said: Coimisiun na Mean is determined to use its full suite of powers to keep people safe online. We are now inviting members of the public to have their say in this critical part of our new online safety regime. Once the consultation closes, we will move to finalise Irelands first online safety code. This effective regulation of video-sharing platforms will significantly reduce the potential harms that these services can cause to children and young people. The consultation is open for responses until Friday, January 19, 2024. The son-in-law of an elderly couple killed at their home by a man with severe mental illness has called for the urgent return of devolved government to address avoidable deaths. Charles Little contended the lack of a Stormont executive kills people as he argued for a cross-department mental health strategy. His father and mother-in-law Michael and Marjorie Cawdery, both 83, were stabbed to death at their home in Portadown, Co Armagh, on May 26 2017. On Wednesday evening the Police Service of Northern Ireland issued an unreserved apology for failings in its handling of incidents preceding the killings. It came after a coroner found that the deaths were entirely preventable. Paranoid schizophrenic Thomas Scott McEntee, who is now in his mid-40s, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and was given a life sentence in June the following year. Following the inquest in December, the Belfast and the Southern Health Trusts issued apologies to the family. We accept the Coroners findings and extend our apologies to the Cawdery family for the failings by the trust, as identified by the Coroner. We are reviewing in detail the Coroners written recommendations and will work in partnership with others across the Health and Social Care system (HSC) and with the PSNI, the Southern Trust said. Mr Little said the family with happy with the apology from Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, but said the health service and police must work together to avoid anything like this happening again. Jon Boutcher was very apologetic. He fully accepted that there had been failings and that we should have had an apology earlier. Hes new in post, hes determined to go forward and improve the situation and get work done to try and prevent these things happening again, he told the BBC. In December, coroner Maria Dougan said that, on the balance of probabilities, the deaths could have been avoided if police and health care workers had dealt differently with McEntee in several interactions in the days leading up to the fatal incident. She identified a series of omission and missed opportunities that, if acted on, would have meant McEntee would not have been in the location of the Cawderys home on the day he killed them. Ms Dougan also said she was not satisfied that all the lessons from the incident had been learned by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Belfast and Southern health and social care trusts. Mr Little went on: Its not purely the domain of one or the other, both deal with mental health patients on a daily basis, 25% of the people police deal with every day are mental health patients, and both are short of resources, and at the moment both are trying to deal with the problems independently. It was quite clear in the inquest that the police officers had no idea what happened to a patient when they took him in to a hospital what sort of assessment he got. On the other hand, the health service had no idea how the police were operating, that they were bringing people in who ought to be detained but they hadnt detained them to prevent antagonising them and they were being treated as a not so serious patient. That sort of thing cannot go on, thats how problems happen. Mr Little also urged the return of the Stormont Assembly and Executive to deal with mental health and create a policy which involves all government departments. In Northern Ireland mental health has on average 300 avoidable deaths every year, year on year. Thats twice the average rate of deaths in the Troubles. Nobody is actually doing anything about that, why, because we dont have a government to do anything about that, he said. The lack of an executive kills people. Its as simple as that. Politicians really need to get their minds round that. They need to get together, we need to have an executive, we need to have a real government-wide mental health policy, we need to implement it and number one, we need to address the avoidable deaths. In a statement on Wednesday, Mr Boutcher said the PSNI carried out an internal review and established a gold co-ordinating group under assistant chief constable Ryan Henderson to develop an action plan to address identified shortcomings and develop our engagement with the Department of Health and other partners. It is imperative that we learn the lessons and do everything we can to prevent such a tragedy from happening again, he added. RUAILE Buaile are set to bring their foot-stomping sounds to Limerick. The five-piece twisted-trad band, based in the midlands of Ireland will be performing in Cask, on January 31. Formed in 2011, Ruaile Buaile were joined by world renowned musician and fiddle player Cathal Guinan in 2021, followed by banjo player Sean Bourke in 2023. Along with original members vocalist and guitarist Niall Kelly, percussionist Jack Godley and bassist Shane Lynam, the quintet are entertaining audiences with a bigger than ever sound. After years of requests from fans at live show, Ruaile Buaile released their own version of the song, 'The Bog' in April 2023. High tempo, rooted in tenor banjo and fiddle, with the group's unmistakable vocals - it's set to get the crowds moving and singing along. They also released their own version of The Offaly Rover alongside a music video, which set the tone for the All-Ireland U-20 Final between Offaly and Cork back in June. More recently, they joined forces with other groups for a charity Christmas single, with the classic Do They Know It's Christmas? From upbeat old Irish favourites, ground thumping trad, and unique twists on recent day classics, this collective are bringing their energy to masses around Ireland and further afield. In 2023, the band received a total of 2.1m streams on Spotify and has a total of 315.5k listeners in 149 countries. Tickets are now on sale via casklimerick.com. A pet owner has vowed to never take her dogs to the beach again after her Labrador ended up with a nasty injury caused by a fishing hook. Local resident Fay was at Horse Shoe Beach, Newcastle's designated dog beach when the fish hook became lodged in her dogs tongue. It happened so quickly, she told Yahoo News Australia. The hook double-pierced the tongue of the animal, named Eccles, and required an urgent trip to the vet last week, sparking a warning to other pet owners. Fay said the dog had to have general anaesthetic to remove the hook and is on antibiotics to minimise infection. Despite visiting the beach for over 20 years incident-free, she now fears taking her pets to the popular fishing spot. I will no longer be taking my dogs to any beaches for fear this could happen again, she said. Eccles the labrador had a fish hook caught in his tongue after a visit to the dog beach. Source: Facebook Fish hooks 'very common' danger Sharing the ordeal on social media, Fay was inundated with messages from Aussies who had similar experiences with their dogs at the beach. "This happened to my dog two weeks ago," said one woman, sharing an X-ray image of a fish hook in her pet's stomach. "Happened to us as well," another said. Dr Tim Hopkins of the Small Animal Specialist Hospital (SASH) told Yahoo that fish hooks can be incredibly distressing to pets as well as their owners and are unfortunately very common across beaches where there are lots of lovely fishing areas. The vast majority of fishermen and women are responsible and conscious of the effects that their tools can leave on domestic pets and wildlife. But there are still occasions where it's impossible to prevent like if a line breaks or something like that. If an incident occurs with fishing gear, Dr Hopkins advises going straight to a 24-hour centre or regular vet. The message is don't try and deal with this yourself, he said. The best bet is to try and keep the animal calm and get them to the vet as quickly as possible. We can sedate them and quickly address the issue which can involve minor surgery or more serious intensive procedures as well. Story continues Other common beach hazards Dr Hopkins warned of several other beach hazards that can cause dogs to fall ill. We see cases where animals have ingested large amounts of sand, he said. People dont realise how dangerous a small amount of sand can be. Just a few centimetres can cause an obstruction. Snapping at waves while playing in the whitewash can also cause lung damage. Animals that are playing in the whitewash and snapping at the waves can cause nasty lung damage, he explained. If they are obsessive about chasing waves, keep an eye on how much they are swallowing. Heat stroke, sunburn and consuming too much saltwater can also cause pets to become unwell along with encountering sea creatures like jellyfish, puffer fish and toadfish. Just keep an eye on them, he advises as the best way to prevent any beach mishaps. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Perplexity, a startup going after Googles dominant position in web search, has won backing from Jeff Bezos and venture capitalists betting that artificial intelligence will upend the way people find information online. Started less than two years ago, Perplexity has fewer than 40 employees and is based out of a San Francisco co-working space. The companys product, which it calls an answer engine, is used by about 10 million people monthly. Those ingredients were enough to persuade Institutional Venture Partners, Bezos and other tech executives to invest $74 million in the company, the largest sum raised by an internet search startup in recent years. The investment valued Perplexity at $520 million, including the new money, said Chief Executive Officer Aravind Srinivas. Amazon.com, the e-commerce company chaired by Bezos, has committed to investing billions in Anthropic, the AI startup behind the chatbot Claude. The path to competing with Google is littered with carcasses, and Microsoft itself has struggled for years to dislodge the companys roughly 90% market share in online search. Others, including tech giants, are incorporating AI into their search engines. Perplexitys founders said their advantage is using advances in AI to provide direct answers, instead of website links, in response to search queries, without some of the limitations felt by larger companies. If you can directly answer somebodys question, nobody needs those 10 blue links," Srinivas said. Google has begun rolling out a feature that provides lengthy summaries in response to some search queries, though Google has yet to introduce it widely.While Perplexity only serves a fraction of the billions who rely on Google daily, it has attracted a following among tech workers eager to adopt new services making use of generative AI, the software behind chatbots such as ChatGPT. The company offers a paid version of its site for heavy users. Perplexitys website and mobile apps had 53 million visits in November, up from 2.2 million when the service became available in December 2022, according to Similarweb data. The startup has spent almost nothing on traditional marketing, relying on word of mouth and buzz on X to attract new users, the founders said. It has also attracted the attention of Google executives. Susan Wojcicki, the former YouTube CEO, and Jeff Dean, a senior vice president focusing on AI research, both made personal investments before this most recent round of funding. The Information previously reported that Institutional Venture Partners was in talks to invest in Perplexity. The startup will have to overcome a host of challenges to go head to head with Google, whose parent company, Alphabet, is valued at $1.7 trillion. Google has invested billions to answer the widest range of queries possible in dozens of languages, a difficult task for a smaller startup. Neeva, a search startup that used generative AI to provide direct answers, shut down last year after it failed to gain enough traction to compete with Google, Sridhar Ramaswamy, who had been the startups CEO, testified in October during the search companys antitrust trial. Microsoft has struggled to make a dent in Googles share of the search market since it introduced a version of its Bing search engine that can act like a chatbot. Perplexity maintains its own index of webpages, which it combines with a mixture of AI technology it has designed itself and purchased from outside providers such as OpenAI. The company charges $20 a month for a more powerful version of the search engine that uses GPT-4, OpenAIs most advanced technology. Perplexity isnt profitable and makes about $5 million to $10 million in annual revenue from subscriptions and selling its AI software to other businesses, Srinivas said. The company hasnt ruled out introducing ads in the future. Srinivas said Perplexity would try to reduce costs as it gained more users and studied the patterns of their queries.If this works, it could eventually be really big," said Cack Wilhelm, a general partner at Institutional Venture Partners, adding: Theyre not trying for it to beat Google today." Write to Miles Kruppa at miles.kruppa@wsj.com Zillion , one of Indias largest multi-brand loyalty programs, that is part of the BharatPe Group, today announced the launch of Rewards-as-a-Service (RaaS) platform for brands that have an existing loyalty currency, but would need a robust rewards redemption platform to offer a best-in-class experience to their customers. With this newly launched product, the company will be targeting to onboard banks and large enterprises, including those with an extensive distribution network. Rewards-as-a-Service platform will enable brands to have the flexibility of running their own loyalty currency, while offering an exciting redemption platform for their customers. The platform offers a host of options to choose from, including e-vouchers, Products, Utilities, Air Miles and more. This will also eliminate the hassle of brands having to onboard multiple partners to offer a plethora of redemption choices to their customers. The pricing will be competitive as the platform will operate on a bidding model which will ensure customers get the best price at all times. Speaking on the launch, Mr. Rijish Raghavan, CEO, Zillion , said, The loyalty industry has undergone a transformational shift over the last few years. Today, the loyalty industry is democratized and loyalty is not limited to only big brands. Young and unconventional brands have realized that loyalty is a great tool to drive customer stickiness and hence, are investing in a robust loyalty program. However, in a majority of cases, the redemption process is broken or very sub-standard with minimal redemption options as brands usually have a select set of options for customers to choose from. Our rewards platform with over 250 choices in e-vouchers, over 4000 products, Air Miles, etc., will enable these brands to offer a superlative loyalty experience to their customers. Rewards-as-a-Service will widen the offering from Zillion and allow us to partner with brands who are looking for pure-play rewards management versus overall loyalty management. We are confident that this will be a game changer in the industry and will help us further strengthen our foothold in the market." Zillion (erstwhile PAYBACK India) is a unique multi-brand loyalty program, designed to engage with customers and reward them for their purchases with loyalty coins that can be redeemed later. Currently, its members can earn coins at 50+ brands in-store & online and redeem them at select partners or for products and vouchers from leading brands. The customers can earn Zillion coins for their routine spends, across the network of offline and online partners, including groceries, fuel, entertainment, travel, apparel and more. The partners of Zillion include renowned brands from multiple industries including retail, fuel, banking, payments, entertainment, hospitality and travel. Some of its key partners include HPCL, BookMyShow, American Express, Amazon, Flipkart and many more. About BharatPe Group BharatPe was founded in 2018 to make financial inclusion a reality for Indian merchants. In 2018, BharatPe launched Indias first UPI interoperable QR code, the first zero MDR payment acceptance service. In 2020, post-Covid, BharatPe also launched a card acceptance terminal BharatPe Swipe. Currently with a registered network of over 1.3 crore merchants across 450+ cities, the company is one of the leading players in UPI offline transactions, processing 370 million+ UPI transactions. The company processes payments of annualized Transaction Processed Value of over Rs. 1.7 Lac Crores. BharatPe Group has already facilitated the disbursement of loans of over Rs. 12,400 crores, in partnership with NBFCs. BharatPes POS business processes payments of over Rs. 29,000 crores annually on its machines. It has raised over US$ 583 million in equity till date. The companys list of marquee investors includes Peak XV Partners (formerly known as Sequoia Capital India), Ribbit Capital, Insight Partners, Amplo, Beenext, Coatue Management, Dragoneer Investment Group, Steadfast Capital, Steadview Capital and Tiger Global. In June 2021, the company announced the acquisition of PAYBACK India (Rebranded to Zillion), the countrys largest multi-brand loyalty program company with 100 million+ members. In October 2021, the consortium of Centrum Financial Services Limited (Centrum) and BharatPe, was issued a Small Finance Bank (SFB) license by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). BharatPe Group also entered the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) segment with the launch of postpe in October 2021. postpe has over 15 million downloads. In January 2023, BharatPe Group received an in-principle nod from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as an online payment aggregator. BharatPe is also a promoter in TrillionLoans, a renowned NBFC (Non- Banking Financial Company). For more details, please visit- https://bharatpe.com/. Follow BharatPe Group on: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram Media Contact Details Akanksha Jain (Head-PR and Communications), BharatPe akanksha@bharatpe.com, +91-9871900447 Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Interim Budget 2024-25 on February 1, 2024. While, it's very likely that major announcements may hold off until after the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. The upcoming Union Budget presents an opportunity to address lingering concerns and set the stage for future economic growth. It is most likely that this budget would prioritise fiscal discipline and avoid populist measures," said Archit Gupta, Founder, and CEO, of ClearTax. However, there is optimism for potential relief in the realm of personal income tax, particularly in the New Tax Regime, Gupta added. Here are income tax benefit expectations from Budget 2024 80D deduction limit The deduction limit under Section 80D for medical insurance premiums should be increased from 25,000 to 50,000 for individuals and 50,000 to 75,000 for senior citizens, reflecting rising healthcare costs. "Extending Section 80D benefits to the new tax regime would promote equitable access to healthcare, said Archit Gupta. Ease TDS compliance for home buyers Currently, 1% TDS is deducted on property purchases exceeding 50 lakh. While this process is straightforward for resident sellers (using Form 26QB), it becomes more complex for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) sellers," said Gupta. Simplification of capital gains taxation The complexity of the current capital gains tax regime poses challenges for investors, with numerous factors to consider, such as asset classes, holding periods, tax rates, and residency status. The government should streamline the classification of equity and debt instruments, unify tax treatment for listed and unlisted securities, and simplify indexation provisions," said the CEO of ClearTax. Bengaluru to be considered a metro city for HRA exemption Despite being recognised as a metro city by the Indian Constitution, Bengaluru remains classified as a non-metro for income tax purposes, According to Gupta, this is limiting HRA deductions to 40% for its residents instead of the 50% available in other metro cities. Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! At Escorts Kubota Ltd, the 80-year-old heavy equipment maker, theres much emphasis on the next generation. On the one hand, the Indian conglomerate, along with its older Japanese partner, is developing autonomous tractors at a time of dwindling availability of farm labour. And on the other, its trying to figure the right fit for Navya Naveli, the fourth generation of the founders family. Naveli, the 26-year-old daughter of chairman and managing director Nikhil Nanda, has been working with the countrys third-largest tractor maker for some time now. She is like any other individual who has to prove herself," said Nanda, in a rare instance of speaking with the media about his daughters role in the company founded by his paternal grandfather in 1944. We areseeing what value she can add. We talked about the youth in the farming sector, who are very different in the decision-making they do, when they make a decision to acquire or buy an asset. So, we hope she can bring that mindset to the company," Nanda said. Escorts is now majority owned by Kubota Corp. after the Japanese farming giant acquired a 53.5% stake for 9,400 crore in 2021. Nanda insisted that under the Kubota partnership, the emphasis was on institutionalizing the company, and not on operating it as a family-run business. (The Nanda family owns 14.15% of the joint company.) I always wanted to institutionalize this platform, and through Escorts Kubota, I am happy to say to our shareholders that today, this company is institutional," he said in an interview. I did not look at protecting only the family interest. The Nanda family has not even sold one share, and we have equal participation in terms of the way we make decisions." Naveli, he said, also has been working on womens empowerment through her nonprofit as well as via other social organizations. She is also the granddaughter of actor Amitabh Bachchan and the great-granddaughter of actor-director Raj Kapoor. The Kubota way On the tractor and construction equipment makers future, Nanda said Escorts was aligning" with the Kubota way of doing thingsfrom implementing its production systems and processes to revamping its operations. With Kubotas know-how, we no longer have to worry about what future farming technology will emerge in India because Kubota has done tremendous work in that aspect," Nanda said. He added that Escorts Kubota was also looking to establish a research and development (R&D) centre for farm equipment in India, with a focus on digital precision farming. India is going to become an R&D hub for tractor tech. We are going to do research; we want to bring in technology and products that already exist globally to India, and also jointly develop technology and products for India and for the world," he said. The overall agriculture mechanization level in India currently is at 47%, as per a parliamentary panel report in July. That is lower than that of other developing countries such as China (59.5%) and Brazil (75%). The panel has urged the agriculture ministry to strive to achieve 75% in farm mechanization from the present 47% in a much shorter period than 25 years earlier. Given that a significant part of Indias population is dependent on agriculture, increasing mechanisation in farming is expected to continue to drive both tractor sales and advancements in technology. Tech in farming Escorts Kubota is working on developing driverless or autonomous tractors. This could come handy, especially since anecdotal evidence shows many young folk from agricultural households are opting out in search of greener and easier pastures. Also, demand for higher farm yields will trigger digitization in the sector, said Seiji Fukuoka, deputy managing director at Escorts Kubota. In India, technology in farm machinery will be introduced in phases: first will be mechanization, then automation, and then the sector will focus on improving farm yield," Fukuoka said, speaking in Japanese with an interpreter assisting him. So, for these needs that India is going to have in the future, we want to be able to offer unique technology to the market together with Escorts. Precision farming is most suitable in India and we want to grow in that segment," he added. Kubota, which already sells electric tractors in Europe, is also exploring electric ride-on mowers and excavators, anticipating global demand, Fukuoka said. Fukuoka added that growing Escorts exports business was key to the Escorts-Kubota partnership. Escorts is exporting in many countriesin America, Asia, Europe. But regarding the present lineup that Escorts has, we think that there is scope for improvement in the line itself, the suitability of the place and the service," he said. Kubota has (strong distribution) channels in Europe, America, and Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countriesand we have a little more experience (Kubota was founded in 1890). So, based on our experience, we are trying, and once we give the complete know-how and the channel expertise to Escorts, we believe that the exports will increase," he said. On potential synergies between Kubota and Escorts in the railways business, he said: In the long history that Kubota has, they dont have the experience of railways. We expect good growth out of (Escorts) railway business, but within Kubota, we are not actually thinking as to what to do with this railway business. We are in a learning phase." Bankrupt airline Go First, facing legal actions from aircraft lessors due to non-disclosure of plane documents, has initiated a collaborative effort with its former staff to engage with the leasing companies, as per an Economic Times report. The beleaguered airline has established SP Mumbai Aviation, spearheaded by Sachin Naik, a former employee from the company's finance department. Also Read: Go First Says Lessors Tactically Using Different Forums Against Airline According to a letter by Go First's resolution professional, the company has been formed "by certain Go First" employees for the "collation of aircraft records/documents". The letter further suggested that Go First, via Naik, could facilitate engagements with Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul firms (MROs) for necessary aircraft maintenance, based on identified needs documented in the records. Some Concerns While most lessors have agreed to the new development, a lawyer representing one of the lessors, however, raised concerns when speaking to the paper. Also Read | Go First Insolvency: Carrier faces bleak future as lenders assess fund infusion plans "This is a weird move which has come as a reaction to the contempt petition. It's also because Go First has no manpower to maintain the aircraft. Most lessors have agreed to this "tripartite arrangement" because we have to protect our aircraft. Under IBC norms, the resolution professional is responsible for the upkeep of the assets, including aircraft. But Go First has no money or people. So the lessors will bear the costs of maintenance. At least then the aircraft will not go to decay," the lawyer said. Naik, SP Mumbai Aviation, Go First parent Wadia Group, and the resolution professional did not respond to queries, as per the report. Also Read: SpiceJet expresses interest in buying bankrupt Go First Challenges Amid Legal Battles Go First faces challenges from dissatisfied lessors amid its pursuit of an investor bid within India's bankruptcy court. Additionally, it contends with a legal dispute against engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, holding it responsible for financial woes. Notably, DAE (SY22) 13 Ireland Designated Activity Company, part of DAE Capital, filed a contempt petition in the Delhi High Court, accusing the resolution professional of non-compliance with court orders. This legal tussle arises from the airline's default on lease payments before entering bankruptcy. Also Read: NCLT extends Go First's resolution timeline by 90 days Go First attributes its predicament to engine issues supplied by Pratt & Whitney, resulting in fleet grounding and substantial financial losses. Conversely, lessors cite non-payment of rentals as a key concern. Investor Interest but No Substantial Bids While three entities displayed interest in acquiring Go First, including Sky One, Safrik Investments, and rival SpiceJet, none have yet submitted viable bids. Also Read: Go First to chase 12,000 crore with litigation finance The airline, admitted to corporate insolvency resolution last year, faces financial challenges, legal disputes, and the critical task of addressing lessors' concerns amidst ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! NEW DELHI : ONGC Videsh will get oil supplies from Venezuela in lieu of dividend worth $600 million for its 40% stake in the San Cristobal field, said Pankaj Jain, secretary, union ministry of petroleum and natural gas. Jain told reporters that OVL is waiting for the final dates to lift the cargo. Mint on Wednesday reported that OVL is in talks with its Venezuelan partner to secure oil cargoes in lieu of unpaid dividends totalling $600 million. They have agreed to give us some oil in lieu of OVLs dues. We are waiting for dates (for lifting the crude) from them," the secretary said. OVL acquired 40% in San Cristobal in 2008, with PdVSA owning the balance. OVL holds the stake through ONGC Nile Ganga (San Cristobal) BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of ONGC Nile Ganga BV. Meanwhile, union petroleum minister Hardeep Singh told the media that there are no talks underway with oil marketing companies for a revision in petrol and diesel prices. Noting that India is the only country where fuel prices have come down amid the Russia-Ukraine crisis, he said the governments focus is on ensuring availability and affordability of energy amid geopolitical tensions in West Asia and Ukraine. I have clarified that there have been no discussions with OMCs (oil marketing companies)," Puri said. We are in a highly turbulent situation. There are two areas on the global map which are in conflict situation," he said. He said that in other South Asian countries, the prices of petrol and diesel increased by around 40-80% while in India, the Centre had lowered the excise duty in November 2021 and May 2022. On reports that payment issues with Russia have impacted imports of crude from the country, Puri said that there are no issues regarding payment and that India is buying around 1.5 million barrels of Russian oil every day. The country is still buying 1.5 million barrel a day of crude from Russia and if there had been any payment issues then there should have been no supplies at all," Puri said, pointing out that India is the third largest consumer of crude oil. He added that several other countries have also offered discounts to India because of the high demand. Vodafone Idea Limited on 4 January announced that it will take appropriate legal action for rectification and reversal of an order it received under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, entailing a penalty of 10.76 crore. The troubled telco, in a BSE filing, stated that the contravention related to the 'alleged wrong transition of CENVAT credit into GST regime'. "The company does not agree with the order and will take appropriate action(s) for rectification/ reversal of the same," Vodafone Idea said in the filing. Mentioning the details, VIL said that it received an order on 3 January under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, entailing a levy of a penalty of 10,76,56,733. ALSO READ: Vodafone Idea stock in focus as SEBI seeks clarification on stake sale to Elon Musk VI loses customers: In the latest data, released by the Telecom Authority of India, Vodafone Idea lost 20.44 lakh wireless users in October. The subscriber losses of Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL) dragged its wireless user base to 22.54 crore in October, the data revealed. Cash-strapped VIL has been battling fundraising woes and subscriber losses. VI's senior executive P Balaji resigns: Among other details, VI on 3 January said that its chief regulatory and corporate affairs officer P Balaji has resigned and will cease to be a senior management personnel of the company with effect from January 10, 2024. In his resignation letter, which was shared by the company as part of the filing, Balaji wrote: "I appreciate the opportunity given to me by Vodafone Idea to serve for over 9 years and am proud of the work we have done together to help transform the company". Balaji further said at this point in his life he is eager to pursue personal and professional goals outside of VIL. "I would like to resign from the services of the company with immediate effect. I shall be grateful if the company releases me from my responsibilities at the earliest and waives the contractual notice period obligation," he said. With agency inputs. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! On January 3, Xerox revealed its intention to reduce its workforce by 15 per cent as part of a strategic initiative to introduce a new organizational structure and operating model. By implementing this new operating model, the company will take action this quarter, targeting a 15 per cent workforce reduction. Proposed reductions will be subject to formal consultation with local works councils and employee representative bodies where applicable. Xerox is committed to providing transition support for affected employees," the company announced in an official statement. Also Read | Tech majors may be staring at the end of their life cycles As of December 31, 2022, Xerox, specializing in digital printing and document management technologies, had approximately 20,500 employees, as disclosed in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. With this figure as a reference, the workforce reduction announced on Wednesday is expected to impact around 3,075 employees. Also Read | Over 100 Indian startups laid off more than 15,000 staff this year: Report The evolution of Xeroxs Reinvention aligns our resources in three key areas improvement and stabilization of our core print business, increased productivity and efficiency through the formation of a new Global Business Services organization, and disciplined execution in revenue diversification," said Steven Bandrowczak, Chief Executive Officer at Xerox, said in an official release. Also Read | The Long Goodbye: Why Laid-Off Employees Are Still on the Job The shift to a business unit operating model is a continuation of our client-focused, balanced execution priorities and is designed to accelerate product and services, go-to-market, and corporate functions operating efficiencies across all geographies we serve," he further added. Moreover, Joanne Collins Smee, executive vice president and president of Americas, and Tracey Koziol, executive vice president of Global Offering Solutions and chief product officer, have departed the company effective December 31, 2023. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The government may set a divestment target for the coming fiscal year that is at least 20% lower than what was estimated for the current year, two people aware of the development said. The Union budget for FY24 had estimated raising 51,000 crore from the sale of the governments shares in public sector companies. It is unlikely that any new big-ticket additions will be made to the divestment list for FY25, the people mentioned above said on condition of anonymity. For FY25, the divestment targets will likely be lower than the FY24 target as the focus will be to complete stake sale processes initiated during FY24," one of the two people cited above said. As of 3 January, the government had raised only about 10,050 crore through various divestments, making it unlikely to meet the years target. Since 2014, more than 3 trillion worth of disinvestments have been done. The low-hanging fruit has been picked, and now public sector units should be taken to the market when theres a demand for it and theres adequate confidence that whatever is put out for sale gets picked up," the person cited above said. A spokesperson for the finance ministry didnt respond to emailed queries. Eight strategic disinvestments are currently in various stages: IDBI Bank Ltd, BEML Ltd, Shipping Corp. of India Ltd, HLL Lifecare Ltd, Projects & Development India Ltd, Indian Medicines Pharmaceutical Corp. Ltd and Ferro Scrap Nigam Ltd. The government is yet to seek expressions of interest for Container Corp. of India Ltd and has no plans to restart the disinvestment process of Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd. Most of the divestments are yet to make progress, and may spill over to the next fiscal year. Other likely candidates for divestment during FY25 are Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL) and some subsidiaries under AI Assets Holding Ltd. However, higher non-tax revenues, including dividends from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and state-run banks, are expected to offset revenue shortfall from disinvestments, maintaining the fiscal deficit target of 5.9% of gross domestic product (GDP) for FY24, the second official said. For FY24, the government has collected 43,843 crore as dividends from central public sector enterprises, higher than the budget estimates of 43,000 crore. Dividend collections have been more than estimated for the second year running, with nearly 59,000 crore received from central public sector enterprises, compared to 40,000 crore targeted for FY23. The first person mentioned above said that the slow pace of disinvestment may not trouble the government as dividend income from central public sector enterprises has been higher than expected on the back of improvement in performance metrics of the public sector units as well as the Centres change in policy of giving dividend return every quarter instead of one single return towards the end of the financial year. The government will probably look at tougher divestments, leading them to make a more realistic assumption of the divestment target," said N.R. Bhanumurthy, vice-chancellor of Dr B.R. Ambedkar School of Economics University, Bengaluru. On the fiscal deficit front, the government is likely to overachieve during FY24 on the back of higher-than-expected non-tax revenues and with expenditure staying within the budgeted targets. We expect the trend to continue in FY25," he added. Non-tax revenue is estimated at 3,01,650 crore in FY24, an increase of 15.2% over the revised estimate of FY23. This includes interest receipts worth 24,640 crore, dividends worth 91,000 crore, and other non-tax revenue worth 1,81,382 crore. During FY23, RBI transferred 87,416 crore as dividends to the government. An additional dividend of about 13,800 crore was received from publicly traded state-run banks during the year. Since 2016, the Centre has given in-principle" approval for strategic disinvestment of 36 cases of public sector enterprises and government-owned companies. NEW DELHI : India should explore alternatives to lithium-ion batteries for scaling up electric mobility, the governments principal scientific advisor Ajay Kumar Sood said, amid a global scramble for critical minerals. Sood, who also chairs the Prime Ministers Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council specifically mentioned sodium-ion and aluminium air batteries as alternatives to lithium. Mining lithium is yet to take off in India although reserves found in Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan make India among the top 10 holders of the mineral. Sood said that although efforts are underway in India for making lithium-ion batteries, these are only produced in a small scale, meriting a search for alternatives. The question is, can we do sodium-ion technology on a commercial scale? That is the goal because lithium is less abundant. Its not something India will have for a long time. Instead of lithium-ion battery for electric mobility, can we go for sodium-ion battery and aluminium air battery which entails a (battery) swapping kind of mechanism. Can we adopt these for our electric vehicles?" said Sood. Aluminium air batteries are not recharged with external power, but the aluminium plates used as anode are replaced once fully usedspelling further logistical challenges. Sood said some of the sodium-ion battery technologies developed indigenously by private firms and CSIR can be used for commercial-scale production. Everyone is trying to improve. You dont see sodium-ion batteries in vehicles now. But they will come because they will be cheaper as sodium is available in plenty. This is what we should do. This is what India has to think," said Sood. As per information available from the science and technology department, the government supports 32 research projects in battery storage which have led to several prototypes, including sodium-ion battery packs and accessories developed by IIT Bhubaneswar and Kharagpur. Experts say challenges in developing alternatives to lithium-ion batteries include high production costs, the need for significant continued investments and tackling production bottlenecks. The biggest challenge for emerging solutions such as sodium-ion or aluminium air batteries is how quickly their manufacturing cost can be brought down to a level where they can be integrated into the electric mobility ecosystem," said Rajat Verma, founder and chief executive officer of Lohum Cleantech Pvt Ltd, an integrated lithium-ion battery manufacturer and recycler. According to Prajwal Sabnis, co-founder, Orxa Energies, a Bengaluru- based company that builds performance electric motorcycles, India will need meaningful investments in research and development, strategic tie-ups for global knowledge exchange and talent development. Sabnis said a few companies are working on both sodium chemistry and aluminium air chemistry but work in this space is at a relatively early stage and production limited to lab-scale. Scaling up production requires tackling manufacturing bottlenecks such as equipment setup and commissioning," said Sabnis. For the moment, said Lohums Verma, industry representatives see a clear advantage for lithium-ion batteries over others. We appreciate the sentiments around exploring alternative battery solutions but we believe that India can become a global leader in lithium-ion batteries as technology only keeps getting refined." Verma said the cost of producing lithium-ion batteries has come down from $1,000 per kilowatt hour in 2010 to about $100 per kilowatt hour. According to a report by the International Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD) released in September 2023, lithium demand in India which stood at 1,634 tonnes in 2022, is expected to reach 11,398 tonnes by 2030 in a business as usual scenario, while in case of an accelerated deployment, the demand would surge to 40,499 tonnes by the end of this decade. Although lithium imports do not form a significant chunk of Indias import bill, the demand for EV batteries and other segments has increased the imports. In FY23, India imported lithium worth $33.05 million, higher by 49% from $22.16 million in the previous fiscal, according to data from the commerce ministry. The import of lithium-ion batteries increased 56.84% to $2.87 billion in FY23. Although India is looking to boost manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries in view of its ambitious energy transition and electric mobility goals, through the 18,000 crore production linked incentive scheme for advanced chemistry cells (ACC), efforts are underway to look for alternative chemistries. Government also plans to offer incentives for research and development of niche batteries, wherein newer chemistries would be explored. Lithium iron phosphate, nickel manganese cobalt, and lithium titanium oxide batteries, which come under the category of lithium-ion batteries, are among the most commercially viable batteries. The search for new technologies and battery chemistry comes against the backdrop of an acute shortage of lithium in India. Although, the Centre is making efforts to source lithium and cobalt from other major producers, including Australia and Argentina, and new sites for lithium exploration have also been discovered in India, parallel efforts are underway for other options. The efforts have gained momentum amid the governments ambitious targets to combat climate change and also due to the strong focus on boosting domestic production of electric vehicles. Also, the fire incidents affecting electric scooters and cars in the country have accentuated the need to look for safer chemistries. Along with sodium sulphide, vanadium batteries and flow batteries are other options on which research is underway globally. Sector experts also suggest that a boost to local development of newer chemistries would put India at the forefront of catering to the global supply chain. With the focus on achieving 500GW of renewable energy by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2070, the push on battery manufacturing and battery storage has gained momentum in the country. In the Union budget for FY23, too, the government said it would encourage the private sector to develop sustainable and innovative business models for battery or energy as a service. A priority pest alert has been issued by authorities after an invasive toad was discovered by a man walking near a suburban train station. Discovered close to a golf course, on a trail that runs alongside railway tracks in Melbournes southeast, the Asian black-spined toad was in poor condition according to Agriculture Victoria who disposed of the amphibian after it died. The agency's biosecurity manager Adam Kay described the species as widespread and abundant in countries directly north of Australia, including Bali, Thailand, and Papua New Guinea. Since 1999, authorities have found 18 Asian black-spined toads across the state but they have never become established in the wild. The Asian black-spined toad (pictured) was discovered near Huntingdale Station. Source: Agriculture Victoria Like cane toads, the Asian black-spined toad excretes a milky substance when it is disturbed that can harm and kill native animals. Why Asian black-spined toads are dangerous to Australia Since cane toads were intentionally introduced into Queensland in the 1930s, they have spread to the Northern Territory, Western Australia and NSW. In December, residents were in disbelief as they reported "millions" of juvenile toads had infested a Gold Coast street. A Melbourne resident discovered the toad on a track in Huntingdale. Source: Google Earth Its only this century that native animals like ibis and rakali have been observed working out how to dissect the toad's poison glands so they dont get sick when eating them. In a statement, Kay said the toads pose a serious biosecurity threat and authorities are seeking help from the Huntingdale community to determine how the animal made it onto Djerring Trail near Huntingdale train station. They do not naturally occur in the wild within Australia, however, the species is frequently intercepted at Australian borders in shipping containers and in personal luggage as stowaways, Kay said. They are poisonous, and compete with native species for food and habitat, with the potential to cause environmental impacts like those of the cane toad in Queensland. Why was the invasive toad in Australia? In a response to questions from Yahoo News Australia about whether the toad was genetically tested to determine its source, Agriculture Victoria said the animals usually enter the country as stowaways, rather than as pets. Story continues "Asian Black-spined toads are stowaways, coming into Australia in peoples luggage or via cargo and shipping containers," Kay said in a statement. "Genetic testing can be useful in certain situations, including when its critical to determine a link between different animal populations, however this is more relevant with the illegal exotic animal trade rather than with those known to be stowaways. "In this instance, there was no doubt that the species in question was an Asian Black-spined toad, so no further testing was required to confirm identification." Authorities have released an image detailing key characteristics of the toad. Source: Agriculture Victoria Flood of invasive species breach Aussie boarders When news of the discovery spread to online conservation forums, many were not surprised. Oh dear, more unwanted biosecurity, slip ups, one person wrote. Penalties are not serve enough to deter people bringing things into this country, they need to be lifted significantly, another said. The discovery of the toad is just one of many recent biosecurity breaches in Australia. Advocacy groups like the Invasive Species Council have urged state and federal governments to do more to strengthen the nations biosecurity. The Varroa mite has spread rapidly across NSW, threatening honey bee hives, since it was discovered at a Newcastle port in 2022. Meanwhile Queensland and Commonwealth authorities have failed to stop the invasion of fire ants which have been described as a "global super pest" and are on the verge of becoming an established pest species in Australia. In Tasmania, a small colony of China fir borers was discovered inside a bed bought at Harvey Norman in 2023, although action taken by the customers prevented them from escaping into the wild. The retailer did not respond to questions about the incident at the time. If you see an Asian black-spined toad, you can report it here. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new weekly newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Its that time of the year when several heads of state, the richest and most powerful businessmen, civil society and the media head to the snowclad resort town of Davos in the Swiss Alps for a five-day pilgrimage to brainstorm and shape the global agenda. The 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum starting on 15 January is being held against the backdrop of escalating tensions in West Asia amid the continuing Israel-Hamas war, new shocks to supply chains, growing threats from climate change, and emerging risks from the increasing application of artificial intelligence. As always, more than 100 governments, including heads of state, will attend the meeting, which is being convened under the theme Rebuilding Trust. Some 2,500 delegates are expected to congregate at Davos and the adjoining village of Klosters. India is represented by a few Union ministers, chief ministers and dozens of businessmen and top professionals. The prime minister attends the meeting some years. Why is the Davos conference important for politicians and businessmen? It is perhaps the only event where heads of state and governments, top businessmen, global institutions and civil society come together from across the world to discuss pressing global issues and appropriate responses. Given the profile of delegates that congregate for the five-day meeting, it provides an unrivalled opportunity to all to network and establish contacts to further business relationships. The World Economic Forum offers a platform for governments and businessmen to share their vision and hard-sell business and investment opportunities in their home country. The soirees in the evenings provide an informal setting for networking. For civil society, it is an opportunity to present an alternate view to what is seen as a capitalist worlds agenda. Some of them also use the summit to focus attention on issues that are ignored by governments, businesses and media. What does the 2024 meeting hope to achieve? The 54th meeting is happening amid a rising humanitarian crisis in the West Asian region and a war that is threatening to disrupt global commerce. The world is also facing other challenges like climate change and risks from the rising use of artificial intelligence. Given this situation, the WEF notes on its website that it is necessary to start restoring trust at three fundamental levels: into the future, within societies and among nations". WEF adds that the 54th annual meeting will convene under the theme Rebuilding Trust to provide the crucial space to step back and focus on the fundamental principles driving trust, including transparency, consistency and accountability". Discussions and debates at various sessions of the meeting will have four thematic prioritiesachieving security and cooperation in a fractured world, creating growth and jobs for a new era, artificial intelligence as a driving force for the economy and society, and a long-term strategy for climate, nature and energy. What does India hope to achieve at Davos? India usually has a large business delegation attending the summit. India has used it multiple times to hard sell the country as an attractive investment and business destination. Several annual meetings have been addressed by the prime minister of the day. Indias delegation usually comprises a few Union ministers, chief ministers and regulators, besides the whos-who from the corporate world. Rahul Bajaj and Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani are regular attendees. This year, Indias delegation will include the chief ministers of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana. Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are also expected to send a delegation of ministers and bureaucrats to the summit. Each state is expected to use the opportunity to woo investment. Parallel sessions are often organised where Union ministers, state governments and businessmen can talk about investment opportunities and reforms taking place. In the past, Union governments have timed announcements of significant policy changes to make a splash at the annual event. For instance, significant FDI reforms were announced in 2006 just before India mounted an ambitious India Everywhere campaign at Davos. After hosting a successful G20 Leadership Summit last year, India is looking to underscore its proactive role in shaping a future built on trust, collaboration, and sustainable development. Towards this, it is organising 15 panel discussions and round tables on various topics at Davos. Stockbroker Mina Tadrus recruited investors in his hedge fund from communities that trusted him the most: his relatives and fellow Egyptian Coptic Christians in Brooklyn, N.Y., and around the U.S. In his pitch, he promised annual returns of as much as 30% and claimed to use artificial intelligence to make high-frequency trades. In reality, the fund was a $5 million Ponzi scheme that Tadrus used to cover meals at restaurants, make car payments and shop at luxury retailers, prosecutors said when they charged him in September. The case of Tadrus, who has pleaded not guilty, is part of a push by U.S. Attorney Breon Peace in Brooklyn and other law-enforcement officials to focus on financial scams, called affinity frauds, that target close-knit communities, often built on bonds of ethnicity, nationality or religion. The alleged perpetrators are usually members of those communitiesor at least pretend to beand the cases can be a challenge to prosecute, in part because it can be difficult to persuade victims to talk or cooperate with the authorities. Peace, whose jurisdiction is one of the most diverse in the U.S., has brought more than 10 recent cases. His office is prosecuting the owner of an airline-ticket company charged with running a $23 million Ponzi scheme that targeted members of the Indonesian and Indo-American community. Another case centers on a Brooklyn credit-counseling business that allegedly stole $2.8 million from members of New Yorks Russian immigrant community who had come for help modifying their mortgages. And in March, a Queens, N.Y., man pleaded guilty to fraud for stealing more than $1 million from fellow members of the Bengali-American community who invested in bogus real-estate deals. The Brooklyn office also has been publishing Justice Department alerts and announcements in several languages. Peace said he realized the importance of those translations in his first month in office during the trial of John Won, who was convicted in 2021 of defrauding Korean-Americans in an investment scheme that falsely promised no-risk returns through foreign-currency trading. What struck me when I watched the trial was how important language was in connection with the fraud scheme," said Peace, adding that positive information about the investments was in Korean and risks were detailed in English. One of the largest recent affinity-fraud cases came from the neighboring federal district in Manhattan, N.Y. Eddy Alexandre, the chief executive of crypto exchange EminiFX, pleaded guilty in February 2023 to defrauding over 25,000 investors out of more than $248 million. Most of the victims were members of the Haitian community and the Seventh-day Adventist Church, according to the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office, which brought the case. Alexandre, a Haitian immigrant who was a deacon in the Adventist church and the son of a well-known pastor, would host weekly Zoom sessions in which he falsely promised to double investors money within five months and claimed to use AI trading technology. He would spread his stuff through the churches, through members," said Phucien Baptiste, a victim who lost more than $25,000. He got people to believe in him like he was doing something. In reality, he was not doing anything." Separately, the Securities and Exchange Commission, which handles civil enforcement, has brought more than 30 affinity-fraud cases since March 2022. The agency last year charged a former New Jersey corrections officer with investment-fraud schemes targeting law-enforcement personnel, and a Florida man with duping church members through a $35 million Ponzi scheme. The SEC also accused a former Los Angeles resident of defrauding members of his Orthodox Jewish community of $47 million through fake investment opportunities. The man provided investors with Hebrew documents that made the transactions legal under Jewish religious law, the agency said. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has seen a range of affinity frauds tied to current events ranging from natural disasters to armed conflicts, said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Paul Roberts, who leads the complex-financial-crimes branch in the FBIs New York office. He said the bureau was on the lookout for fraudulent charity schemes targeting Jewish communities that seek to leverage the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Folks will look at newsworthy events and how those impact certain communities, and exploit that," Roberts said. Write to Corinne Ramey at corinne.ramey@wsj.com and James Fanelli at james.fanelli@wsj.com EMRS recruitment exam 2023: The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) has published the answer key for the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) recruitment examination, covering 10,391 teaching and non-teaching positions, including TGT, PGT, Lab Attendants, Principal, Hostel Warden, and JSA. Where to check EMRS answer key 2023? Those who participated in the examination conducted on December 16 and 17 and December 23 and 24, 2023, can review the outcomes, which are now available on the official website at emrs.tribal.gov.in. Also Read: CAT Results 2023: IIM Lucknow expected to release scorecard soon on iimcat.ac.in. Check details here How to check EMRS answer key 2023? Follow these steps to access the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) Answer Key 2023: 1. Open your web browser and navigate to the official NESTS website at www.emrs.tribal.gov.in. 2. On the homepage, find and click on the Recruitment" option located in the top bar. 3. A new page will be visible. Identify the section labeled "ESSE Schedule 2023." 4. Click on the relevant link associated with the Answer Key" corresponding to the specific position for which you appeared in the EMRS ESSE Exam 2023. 5. The EMRS Answer Key 2023 will be presented in PDF format, containing the accurate answers. 6. Download the file and, if needed, print it for future reference. Also Read: CLAT 2024 results for UG, PG to be released today! Know and where to check score Meanwhile, candidates who are unsatisfied with any answer(s) have the opportunity to dispute it/them by submitting a non-refundable prescribed fee of Rs.1000/- per question as processing charges. Only challenges accompanied by payment within the specified timeframe will be considered. Challenges submitted without the necessary fee or through alternative mediums like email, letter, or representation will not be recognized. Subject experts will comprehensively assess all challenges, and the ultimate answer keys will be formulated based on their evaluations. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! A report published by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) on the electoral bonds funding political parties in India in financial year 2022-23 (FY23), has revealed that Megha Engineering and Infrastructure , Adar Poonawalla headed Serum Institute of India (SII), and Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India has emerged as the highest donors. Further the ADR also mentioned that of the total 366.495 crore funding that political parties received, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the recipient of the highest amount- 259.08 crore or 70.69 per cent. The report mentions, Prudent Electoral Trust donated 256.25 crore to BJP, in contrast to 336.50 in FY 2021-2022, hinting at a significant drop for the political party which received the highest donation. In 2021-22, the BJP declared 1,033.70 crore through electoral bonds but only 614.52 crore through other contributions. Another electoral trust Samaj ET Association donated 1.50 crore to BJP in FY23, and 50 lakhs to Congress. The report by ADR reveals that five electoral trusts received contributions for FY 23, of which 366.48 crore (99.99 per cent) to various political parties. The report reveals that Telangana's former chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) received the second highest donation- 90 crore, or 24.56 per cent. Andhra Pradesh based Yuvajana Shramika Rythu (YSR) Congress, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Mallikarjun Kharge-led Congress received a total funding of 17.40 crore collectively, ADR report stated. Of the corporates, Megha Engineering and Infrastructure, Serum Institute of India (SII), and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel emerged as the top donors. Megha Engineering and Infrastructure made the highest contribution of 87 crore, followed by Serum Institute of India at 50.25 crore, and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Ltd at 50 crore. According to the ADR report, ten corporates gave 332.26 crore, or 90.66 per cent of the total donations, to electoral trusts during FY23. All these 10 donors contributed to Prudent Electoral Trust. Corporates and individuals from Telangana contributed 145.51 crore, followed by 105.25 crore from Maharashtra, 50.20 crore from Gujarat, 30.08 crore from West Bengal, 10 crore from Haryana, 7 crore from Tamil Nadu, 6.5 crore from Madhya Pradesh, 3 crore each from Andhra Pradesh and Delhi and 2 crore from Rajasthan. ADR said 13 of the 18 electoral trusts, registered with the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), submitted their contribution details for FY23 to the Election Commission, of which, only five declared that they received donations during that year. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The Reserve Bank of India recently proposed new rules on dividend declaration by banks, nearly two decades after the regulator previously updated its rules on the payouts. While RBI has invited comments from banks and other stakeholders till the end of this month, bankers say the proposed rules wouldnt have much impact on how the lenders already operate. Mint takes a look into why that might be so, and why RBI needed to update the rules. What are the new guidelines on dividend declaration? The proposed framework seeks to tie payout ratios to net non-performing asset ratios, in place of the existing grid-based framework that links capital adequacy levels and net NPA ratio. RBI has tightened the NPA criteria for banks to be eligible to pay dividends. Only banks with net NPA ratio under 6% can declare dividends under rules proposed in the draft circular, as compared to the prevailing 7%. Banks also need to meet the applicable capital requirement for each of the previous three financial years, including the financial year for which the dividend is proposed. For instance, a commercial bank should have a minimum total capital adequacy of 11.5% to be eligible for declaring dividend. The proposed requirement for small finance banks and payment banks is 15%, and for local area banks and regional rural banks its 9%. RBI has also proposed increasing the ceiling on dividend payout ratiowhich is the ratio between the amount of the dividend payable in a year and the net profitto 50% if net NPA is zero, up from the earlier ceiling of 40%. The regulator has also made it clear that banks cannot make ad hoc dividend payments, which was not the case earlier. Why does RBI want to revise the dividend declaration rules? RBI says in its draft circular that its revising the guidelines in light of implementation of Basel III standards, the introduction of the prompt corrective action (PCA) framework, and the introduction of differentiated banks where the capital requirements are different. International reforms under Basel III require banks to maintain certain ratios and reserve capital to mitigate risk. Its implementation began in 2022. RBIs guidelines on payout ratios were previously updated in 2003-05. How will the new rules, when implemented, affect banks? Historically, dividend payouts by banks have been at around 20% while net NPAs were between 2% and 6%. Most banks in India have brought down their net NPAs to below 2%, and their dividend payouts have not increased beyond 25%. Bankers say the proposed rules are unlikely to impact banks requiring them to change their dividend payout policies. One of the reasons that the impact of the guideline is lower is because banks have been looking to grow their balance sheet ahead of their internal accruals," Kotak Institutional Equities said in a report. Hence, most banks are still in a capital consumption mode, which implies payout ratios are likely to be lower for nearly all banks. Overall, we do not see any reason for banks to change their dividend payout policies based on the current guideline." Defence stocks were among the top performing stocks of 2023. Investors and traders alike were extremely bullish on them for the short term and long term. This sentiment hasnt changed but it wouldnt be wise to expect the same kind of market-beating performance from defence stocks every year. Its perfectly reasonable to assume that these stocks may take a breather this year or at least slow down their rapid rise. In that case which sector will take up the mantle of the hottest sector of the year? Could the power sector step up to this challenge? Lets examine this Indias Power Sector is on a Roll The Indian economy has bounced back strongly from the recession of 2020 due to covid. With rapid economic growth comes a rapid increase in electricity consumption. In fact, so sharp was the recovery in power demand, there was a time when coal plants were struggling to keep up. The governments direct intervention was needed to solve that problem. Now, most power plants in India are running close to full capacity and fuel supply is not a big challenge anymore. Thus, growth will come from an increase in capacity. Indias biggest power firms along with their suppliers have already begun this process. Theyre rising to the challenge of meeting steadily growing demand. Indias electricity consumption is expected to grow at about 7% for the near future. So, we can expect the sector as a whole to grow at this pace. Capacity addition will likely grow at an even faster rate. And of course, some firms will grow faster than others. Therein lies an opportunity for investors. The Raw Material Challenge Most of Indias electricity is coal-based thermal power. The supply of coal proved to be a challenge during the re-opening phase of the economy after the lockdowns. This is because electricity demand bounced back strongly and coal power plants did not have sufficient reserve stocks of coal. Even worse, an irregular monsoon had hindered supply of coal from Coal India. Some power firms had to import expensive coal from the global market. The government had to intervene to ensure supplies from Coal India were delivered on time. Special trains had to be run for this purpose. Thankfully, the sector has put these woes behind it. Coal India has taken steps to prevent a repeat of such a supply crunch. Global commodity prices have also fallen. This will ensure that input prices for Indias power plants, at least in the short term, wont hurt margins. Combine stable or improving margins with solid revenue growth and we get above average profit growth. This is exactly what the stock market likes. Governments Support India's target to become net carbon zero by 2070 ensures that the government will likely allocate a decent amount to the power sector. The FY 2023-24 Union Budget allocated 73.3 bn for solar energy, a jump of 48% from its revised estimates. It included grid, off-grid, and the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) projects. From the allocated budget, 49.7 bn is towards interactive-grid, 20 bn for PM-KUSUM, and 3.6 bn for off-grid solar energy projects. Wind energy projects bagged an allocation of 12.1 bn and 2.8 bn was allocated to the national green hydrogen mission. The governments estimate is that demand for power in India is also likely to grow approximately 1.6 times in the next 4 years. As of November 2023, India's power sector has an installed capacity of 426 gigawatts (GW) and is expected to grow to 692 gigawatts by 2028. This translates to a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.9%. All this is bullish for the sector. The upcoming Union Budget could have more good news in store for power stocks. Look Beyond the Largecaps The market has noticed the positive developments in the sector and power stocks have responded to the same. Largecaps like NTPC were up 87% in 2023. Its green hydrogen roadmap was looked at favourably by the stock market. However, as investors you shouldnt confine your choices to the frontline stocks. An ideal investing strategy in power stocks should encompass the entire value chain. Consider engineering firms that are suppliers to power plants. Consider the companies playing a role in the transportation of coal. Also look at the intermediaries, i.e. the companies involved in the actual supply of electricity to the end consumer as well as the power trading firms. Pay particular attention to the renewable energy stocks. This is the big focus area of the government as well as the private sector. Clean energy stocks are the biggest beneficiaries of Indias EV boom. So, this is a megatrend you should not ignore. And then there is the smart metering space. This is an exciting new megatrend that will change the sector forever in a positive manner. Read more about smart metering here. Conclusion Power stocks are looking like a good choice for investors in 2024 and beyond. The entire sector is in a secular long-term bull market due to Indias steadily rising power demand as well as the renewal energy and EV megatrends. Trends like urbanisation and rising disposable incomes will only lead to higher demand for electricity as. This will be driven by consumers purchasing items like ACs, refrigerators, decorative lighting, smart TVs, as well as multiple cell phones, tablets, smart watches, laptops, and desktops in a single home. This megatrend will certainly create many wealth building opportunities in stocks across the entire power value chain. 2024 could provide the right opportunities to buy these stocks at reasonable prices. However, investors should not go overboard on this megatrend. Do not allocate most of your funds into this space. Ensure sufficient diversification of your portfolios. Also do your due diligence before considering the purchase of any power stock. Happy investing. Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such. This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com Shares of consumer firm Cupid hit their 5 percent upper circuit at 1,252.80 apiece, also its new high, on Thursday, after a Mauritius-based FII bought stake in it. It has now skyrocketed 432 percent from its 52-week low of 235.30, hit on March 29, 2023. Minerva Ventures Fund bought 75,000 shares of the firm at 1,193.15 apiece, taking the total investment to 8.9 crore. The consumer stock has given exceptional returns to its investors in the last 1 year, surging over 354.50 percent in this period. The stock surged from 275.60 in January 2023 to around 1,252.80 currently. This implies that an investment of 10,000 in this penny stock in January 2023 would have turned into over 45,000 today. The stock has surged 12 percent just in January so far, extending gains for the seventh straight month. Before this, it rose 32 percent in December 2023. Between July 2023 and January 2024, the stock has soared 398.50 percent. Before that, it was in the red in May and June 2023, down 8.7 percent and 2 percent, respectively. It was also negative in January 2023, down 9 percent. Meanwhile, it rose the most in October, up 53.6 percent, followed by November, up 35 percent, and December, up 32 percent. In December last year, Columbia Petro Chem Private and Aditya Halwasiya successfully completed a 113-crore open offer to acquire up to 3.47 million equity shares or 26 percent stake of Cupid Limited at 325 per share. Only 367 shares were tendered by public shareholders against an open offer for up to 34,67,880 fully paid-up equity shares, the firm said in a press release. In the September quarter, the company's total income fell to 36.45 crore from 46.21 crore in the year-ago period. Its net profit also declined to 5.12 crore in the September quarter versus 8.58 crore in the corresponding period last year. Cupid Limited designs, manufactures, markets, and exports male and female condoms in India and internationally. The company also offers water-based lubricant jellies. In addition, it provides contract manufacturing services. The company was formerly known as Cupid Condom Limited and changed its name to Cupid Limited in January 2006. Cupid Limited was incorporated in 1993 and is based in Nashik, India. While the stock has demonstrated impressive returns, it is essential to emphasise the inherent risks associated with penny stocks. These stocks are characterised by their high-risk nature and may not be suitable for investors who prefer a risk-averse approach. It is advisable that only high-risk investors contemplate investing in penny stocks, and even then, they should allocate only a small percentage of their portfolio to such high-risk assets. Seeking guidance from a financial advisor before making any adjustments to the portfolio is strongly recommended. The challenges associated with penny stocks arise from their status as very small companies, often lacking substantial analyst coverage and providing limited information in the public domain. Access to insights from the management of these companies can also be difficult. Due to these factors, unless there is a compelling and well-researched reason, investing in penny stocks is generally not recommended for serious, long-term investors. Prudent investment decisions in this domain require careful consideration of the associated risks and potential volatility, underscoring the importance of professional financial advice. Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. Please speak to an investment advisor before making any investment decisions. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The first gold bond of 2024, SGB Series 2023-24 Series IV will open for subscription on February 12, 2024. The subscription window, as per the RBI's notification, is from 12th to 16th February 2024. The bonds will be issued on February 21, 2024. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues the bonds on behalf of the central government. SGB 2023-24 Series IV Date of Subscription: February 12 February 16, 2024 Date of Issuance: February 21, 2024 The tenor of the Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) is for eight years with an option of premature redemption after 5th year to be exercised on the date on which interest is payable. The maximum limit of subscription is 4 kg for individuals, 4 kg for HUF, and 20 kg for trusts and similar entities per fiscal year. The investors are compensated at a fixed rate of 2.50 per cent per annum payable semi-annually on the nominal value. How are the prices of SGBs fixed? The price of SGBs is fixed in Indian Rupees based on a simple average closing price of gold of 999 purity, published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association Limited (IBJA) for the last three working days of the week preceding the subscription period. SGB income tax rules The interest on SGBs shall be taxable as per the provision of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961). The capital gains tax arising on redemption of SGB to an individual is exempted. The indexation benefits will be provided to long-term capital gains arising to any person on transfer of the SGB. Where can you buy SGBs? The SGBs will be sold through Scheduled Commercial banks (except Small Finance Banks, Payment Banks, and Regional Rural Banks), Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL), designated post offices, and recognised stock exchanges viz., National Stock Exchange of India Limited and Bombay Stock Exchange Limited. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) fixed the issue price for the third tranche of the Sovereign Gold Bond scheme - SGB 2023-24 Series III at 6,199 per gram. The issue opened for subscription on December 18, and was available till December 22. The issuance of SGB 2023-24 Series III was done on December 28. View Full Image Sovereign Gold Bonds 2023-24 Series IV Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! In this digital age, financial transactions, including instant loan applications, have become effortlessly streamlined with just a click of a button. This ease of access has given rise to an alarming surge in loan scams . However, it is important to adopt a vigilant approach and follow a comprehensive checklist to safeguard your financial security when using instant loan apps. Loan scams on the rise The advent of the internet has undeniably simplified transactions, eliminating the need for extensive paperwork in the loan application process. Nevertheless, this newfound convenience comes at the expense of heightened security risks. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported around 13 thousand bank fraud cases across India in fiscal year 2023. Loan frauds have become increasingly prevalent, with scammers often impersonating reputable lenders. These fraudulent operators promise a hassle-free experience and quick funds without conducting background checks or scrutinising credit history. Essential measures to avoid falling victim A common scam targets individuals facing financial challenges, particularly those struggling to secure loans due to unfavourable credit histories. In this scheme, scammers send messages and links to vulnerable individuals, claiming that a loan has been approved for them. Upon clicking the link, users are prompted to grant access to their contacts, gallery, location, and more. This ploy allows fraudsters to take information from the devices of unsuspecting loan seekers. Preventive measure Thorough research: Before engaging in any kind of loan scheme, conduct in-depth research on any potential lender. Rely on reviews, testimonials, and ratings from reputable sources to verify the legitimacy of the lender before proceeding. Identifying scams: Be cautious of unsolicited loan offers via email, text, or phone. Only engage with well-known financial institutions and avoid sharing sensitive information until the legitimacy of the lender is confirmed. Stay informed: Verify the authenticity of lenders, scrutinise loan documents, and refrain from paying upfront fees for loan approval. Staying informed and exercising caution are essential to mitigating the risks associated with cyber fraud. How to report a scam and stay protected? Report to Authorities: If you suspect a scam, report it to the relevant authorities. Capture evidence by taking clear screenshots of any relevant evidence, such as messages or website interactions. Compile a brief of how you came into contact with the alleged person or website and detailing the subsequent fraud activities. Head to the nearest police station or cyber cell, providing them with the evidence and a concise explanation of the incident. Additionally, for online reporting, visit the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Refrain from providing additional information or money to the scammers and cease communication with them. Contact your bank: Inform your bank about the situation, and if the payment is recent, they may freeze your funds before they reach the criminals. Change passwords: If you've logged into accounts during the scam or provided passwords, change them immediately. Make your online accounts safer by creating passwords that are both strong and unique. In an interconnected world, where financial transactions are seamless yet susceptible to scams, adopting a cautious and informed approach is crucial to protecting your financial well-being. Stay vigilant, conduct thorough research, and report any suspicious activities to relevant authorities to ensure a secure financial environment for yourself and others. Akshay Mehrotra, Co founder & CEO, Fibe Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! A Pune man was recently conned of a whopping over 2.1 crore by cyber criminals in a well-organised fraud . The victim went to the extent of borrowing 70 lakh, and used the proceeds of his house in order to invest. Although it appears startling to cough up a whopping 2.1 crore on the nudging of an obscure investment platform, it is more than what meets the eye. The investment platform very subtly enabled the investor to transfer 3 lakh to his bank account from this platform which made him believe that the platform carries out legitimate investment activity. It is vital to remember that this was not first-of-its-kind online fraud. A number of such con jobs have taken place across the country in the recent past. Rajesh Kumar, CEO of India Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) recently was quoted in a media report saying that India has lost RS 10,319 crore to reported cyber heists since April 2021. Out of this money, 1,127 crore belonging to 4.5 lakh victims was blocked on account of prompt government initiatives. However, only 9 to 10 per cent of this money was returned to the victims. The bad news is that these con artists are tech savvy, but the good news is that the modus operandi that they use is similar in most if not all of these cases. If you want to protect yourself and your money from fraud (s) of any nature, be extra cautious and make sure you follow the steps mentioned below. Four steps to save yourself from cyber criminals Reputation matters: Dont get carried away with the promise of high returns. Invest only via virtual platforms that are reputable and are often quoted in the media reports. Also, it helps if you have seen the founder or CEO on business channels, or your friends or family have recommended the platform. In the matters of investment, it is advisable to follow recommendations. Dont fall prey to your greed: No matter how smartly the fraudster plays, you can save yourself if you are not greedy. The greed of maximising your returns is a weakness, and it prompts gullible investors to make investment far beyond their investible corpus. For instance, in the case of this Pune victim, he was induced to sell off his property to raise money for the purpose of investment. Going to this length in order to invest usually stems from a profound desire bordering on greed to maximise the returns. Exercise caution: Merely checking the claims of an investment platform on social media is not adequate. It is imperative to make phone calls, speak to the people who are sending you texts on Whatsapp and even checking the veracity of their claims from credible sources. You may also check if the company has a physical office and if its located in the same city as yours, it does not harm to visit the place, particularly if you plan to invest a large sum. In this case, the Pune man was released after transferring 2.1 crore that he had never spoken to a single representative from the investment platform. No extraordinary returns: One of the most common ploys of fraudsters is to woo investors by offering extraordinary returns which s/he would not earn on regular investment platforms such as mutual funds or stocks. It is the investors desire to earn extraordinary returns which induces him/her to invest large sums in these fraudulent platforms. So, whenever someone promises you a disproportionately high return, it should simply ring the bell. Its better to run away, it is a trap! Remember that the return on investment is never more important than the return of your investment. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Australias most annoying insects are bad now, and their impact could be about to get worse. International travel combined with hotter weather will likely elevate the emergence of new mosquito-borne diseases across Australia. This week, a reminder was issued about infections including Kunjin virus, Ross River fever, Barmah Forest virus, Japanese encephalitis and Murray Valley encephalitis in NSW after heavy rain. Residents were told to beware of serious symptoms including tiredness, headaches, rashes, along with sore and swollen joints. While there are several fatal mosquito-borne diseases in Australia, the population isnt yet threatened by the worst of them. Dengue fever, chikungunya and Zika virus aren't common because the mosquito species that carry them arent established on the mainland, but that could be about to change. This year has been the world's hottest year on record, and authorities are concerned changing climate could increase the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Source: AAP/Getty How dengue fever could become established across Australia As a leading researcher in medical entomology, Cameron Webb from the University of Sydney believes health authorities around the country are mindful that climate change will have an impact on mosquito-borne viruses and bacterial infections. With a warmer world, Australia becomes more suitable for these mosquitoes that are prevalent throughout tropical parts of the world, he told Yahoo News Australia. The yellow fever mosquito or the tiger mosquito may one day make their way to mainland Australia. Then that's a game changer in terms of the mosquito-borne disease risk to our major cities. Most mosquito-borne diseases also require mammal or bird hosts to complete their lifecycle and spread. If mosquitos capable of carrying these diseases were to become established on the mainland, then anyone who enters Australia with an infection could pose a health risk to the local population. It would mean every traveller that returns to Australia that's been infected with dengue while on holidays in Bali, the Pacific, South America or Southeast Asia, has the potential to trigger a local outbreak of dengue, Webb said. Story continues At the moment there are no mosquitoes in Sydney for instance that can transmit it. So even though we might see a thousand travellers come back every year infected with dengue, there's no risk that they're going to trigger a local outbreak. But once you've got these mosquitoes in your in your cities, or towns or suburbs, that are kind of like the tinder in the forest just waiting for that spark of infected traveller to trigger an outbreak. In India, fumigation is required to reduce the risk of dengue fever. Source: Getty Experts preparing to limit spread of mosquito-borne diseases In recent years, Australia has experienced a string of noteworthy mosquito summers caused by the La Nina weather event which caused heavy rainfall. Its caused major outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis and Murray Valley encephalitis pathogens that have caused fatalities. There have been higher occurrences of Ross River virus around 5,000 across Australia each year. And while this disease does not result in death it can be extremely debilitating. Flooding, above-average rainfall, and excessive inundation of coastal wetlands by king tides will increase numbers of mosquitoes, but that wont necessarily mean they will trigger increased disease in humans. For a disease to complete its lifecycle, vertebrate hosts are often needed. Ross River virus is most commonly spread through macropods, while encephalitis is primarily transmitted between mosquitoes and waterbirds. To limit the spread of mosquitoes in cities, Webb and his colleagues are particularly interested in ensuring trends towards greening metropolitan centres dont result in increased habitat for the insects. Experts are also examining how to respond to extreme weather events in regional centres. This would include alerting local populations to the presence of disease and controlling their spread. While use of fumigation similar to what occurs in South East Asia could be required in future, Webb believes its use in Australia would remain limited where there is widespread flooding. "One of the best things we can to inform health authorities is doing surveillance to understand how the mosquitoes respond to floodwaters," he said. "Sometimes there's too much water and it will flush away mosquitoes. Then it's only after the floodwaters recede, and you start to get more stagnant water that their populations increase." Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new weekly newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Rich Dad, Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki has recently shared a unique take on debt, and investment, one that encompasses assets and liabilities. The best selling author took to social media platform Instagram, and said that he uses debt to pay assets. Elaborating further, Kiyosaki said that luxury vehicles that he owns-- A Ferrari, and a Rolls Royce-- are fully paid off, and therefore qualify as liability, and not asset. In the reel, Kiyosaki voiced doubt about the act of saving cash, pointing to the US dollar's detachment from the gold standard during President Richard Nixon's tenure in 1971. Rather than saving cash, Kiyosaki opts to store gold and convert his earnings into silver and gold. Kiyosaki credits this strategy for amassing a debt of $1.2 billion, an amount he openly acknowledges. He says he is in debt because if I go bust, the bank goes bust. Not my problem." Elaborating further on the reason behind the debt, Kiyosaki said that the money had been used to buy assets. Instead of saving cash, Kiyosaki saved gold and converted his earnings into gold and silver. This strategy, according to him, led to the accumulation of such a large debt. Kiyosaki on Good Debt, Bad Debt Of this good debt is that which helps build wealth, such as loans used for acquiring income-generating assets like real estate, businesses or investments. Kiyosaki advocated using debt as leverage in investments, especially in real estate, and saw it as an efficient way to tackle market fluctuations. Kiyosaki on Gold, Silver, Real Estate, Wagyu cattle "I dont own any copper. I own a lot of silver. I found a silver mine in Argentina and Yamana Gold (Canadian mining company) bought it from me. I do own tons of gold and silver," Kiyosaki had said in an interview with Stockpulse at Vancouver Resource Investment Conference in 2022. Kiyosaki has always talked in favour of real assets" like Bitcoin, silver, gold, and Wagyu cattle. Bitcoin, in particular, is a favorite of his, perceived as a hedge against the deteriorating value of the US dollar. Kiyosaki views gold as more stable and reliable than cash, which he calls trash" because he just doesn't trust the frickin' dollar." Silver, too, forms a significant part of his investment strategy. He views it as a long-term investment, particularly because of its increasing rarity and relatively lower price compared to gold. Real estate remains a cornerstone of his investments, valued for its dual benefits of rental income, and capital appreciation. The most unconventional of his investments is in Wagyu cattle. This investment of the best-selling author only mirrors his belief beyond traditional investments. Robert Kiyosaki's "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" released in 1997 and has sold over 40 million copies. In the book, Kiyosaki disputed the notion that earning big was the only route to wealth generation and vouched for the advantages of calculated risk taking and entrepreneurship. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Women with exemplary skills and resilience have achieved significant milestones, breaking barriers in various sectors. Droupadi Murmu's historic presidency, Arundhati Bhattacharya's influential role at SBI, and Falguni Nayar's ascent to self-made billionaire status exemplify these achievements. Beyond headlines, women contribute to households, societies, and corporate landscapes every day. Despite their contributions, persistent stereotypes, such as being labelled poor drivers or inefficient investors, persist. Nevertheless, women have shown remarkable progress continually. In recent years, there's been a surge in women taking charge of their financial affairs. According to the Global Findex 2021 report by the World Bank, there has been a significant surge, indicating that 75.4% of adult women in India had accounts with financial institutions in 2021, marking a substantial 38.3% increase since 2014. The AMFI annual report for 2022-2023 reveals 27.50 lakh women investors joined the mutual fund landscape in the last three years. According to a Periodic Labour Force Survey Report 2022-23, the Female Labour Force Participation Rate in the country has improved significantly by 4.2% in 2023 and now stands at 37%. While it's encouraging to witness women asserting control over their finances, challenges persist. Limited financial literacy, awareness, and access to resources hinder many women from starting their financial journey. Lack of confidence also discourages active financial management. Also Read: Real estate trends: Will the sector witness a rise in women homebuyers in 2024? Experts decode How to overcome these challenges? In my opinion, enhancing women's access to available resources is key to building their confidence for financial independence. Initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) have successfully opened millions of accounts for previously unbanked individuals, with a particular focus on women. The proliferation of financial literacy programs, coupled with the convenience of mobile banking, has significantly improved women's accessibility to banking services. The growing rates of female employment and economic opportunities have contributed to increased disposable income for women to save in bank accounts. The evolution of digital wallets and online banking platforms has simplified financial transactions, especially for women in rural and remote areas. Moreover, banks are developing tailored products and services to meet women's specific financial needs, providing additional incentives for them to open accounts. Also Read: Rising youth and female employment are good signs for Indias economy The rise of zero-commission and low-commission trading platforms, zero/discount brokerage on all segments and exchanges in India, provides a cost-effective means for new investors, especially women, to engage in financial markets. Some of these platforms also offer AI-powered tools to provide valuable insights and guidance, which can be leveraged for making informed decisions Additionally, exchanges and brokers conduct regular educational campaigns to raise awareness. Exchanges offer various courses catering to both beginner and advanced investors, while most brokers provide educational platforms and share informative videos on social media to promote awareness. It is imperative for investors, especially women, to take advantage of these resources. Empowered by these resources, cultivating confidence and assertiveness becomes pivotal in embarking on the path to financial independence. It's imperative for women to overcome impostor syndrome and gender bias, safeguarding their self-esteem and performance. By believing in their capabilities, embracing risks, and learning from mistakes, women can construct essential resilience, fostering a supportive community within the realm of finance. Ramneek Singh Ghotra, Head of Growth and HR, Finvasia Group Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Delhi ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bhardwaj, late on Wednesday, claimed citing unnamed inputs that the ED is likely to arrest Chief Minister and AAP convener, Arvind Kejriwal on 4 January. Kejriwal skipped the agency's summons in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case on Wednesday. Taking to X, AAP leader and Delhi's Law and PWD Minister, Atishi, said, News coming in that ED is going to raid Arvind Kejriwal's residence tomorrow morning. Arrest likely." After Atishi's post, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj also took to X, claiming speculations about Kejriwal's arrest by the ED. "It is heard that tomorrow morning, ED is going to reach the house of Chief Minister Kejriwal and arrest him," Bharadwaj said. Also Read: What happens to the AAP-led Delhi govt if Arvind Kejriwal is arrested? AAP leader Jasmine Shah said, "It is clear that they (BJP) want to finish Aam Aadmi Party and arrest Arvind Kejriwal before Lok Sabha elections...He is ready to cooperate with the legal process. Till now, all summons served to him are illegal. From credible sources, we have got to know that a raid will be conducted and Arvind Kejriwal will be arrested." These claims by the AAP ministers came a day after Kejriwal skipped the 3rd summons for questioning in the Delhi excise case on Wednesday. Yesterday, AAP stated that Arvind Kejriwal is willing to cooperate with the ED, but they have argued that the intent behind the summons is to facilitate his arrest. The party has also said that the ED has not yet specified in what capacity has Kejriwal been called for questioning, is he witness or accused in excise policy case. The party further alleged that BJP-led Centre is hatching conspiracy to arrest CM Kejriwal to stop him from campaigning for Lok Sabha polls. Prior to this, ED had issued summons on November 2 and December 21 however, Kerjirwal refused to appear before the federal agency on both the occasions. In the second summons, Kejriwal reportedly went on a 10-day 'Vipassana' meditation course at an undisclosed location and returned on December 30 while he skipped the first summons on November 2 alleging that the notice was "illegal" and politically motivated." (With ANI, PTI inputs) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Mumbai: A wider deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) technology by India Inc will likely make 15,000-20,000 jobs redundant this year, as a large number of coding profiles, system maintenance and support functions at junior levels get automated. Consulting firms and recruiters emphasized that companies, specially in the IT, hospitality and banking industry are trying to upskill their workforce, but warned that the advent of AI will lead to retrenchments in the coming months, while employees play catch-up with this sophisticated technology. In the short run for sure, there will be a very distinct impact on jobs that are purely process-driven and can be automated, as well as jobs that require basic levels of coding or communications skills," Anandorup Ghose, a partner at Deloitte India, said. Ghose highlighted that the moot point is about how employers and employees are preparing their skilling agendas to meet demands from this newer technology. We have maintained for some time now that enhancing the skilling agenda is the number one priority in India right now, given the size of the workforce, as well as the size of the opportunity. This opportunity will get missed if the workforce is not skilled to take charge of the opportunity," he added. Recruiters say software development and customer support roles that can be done from the backend are the most vulnerable. We expect about 20,000 jobs to go in this year because companies are implementing chatbots in first level of interaction with the customers," said Prasadh M.S., head of workforce research and analytics at recruitment firm Xpheno. Although the initial investments in AI will be expensive, companies will benefit in the long run, as the work done by the bots will be equal to five junior executives, he stressed. This shift will further impact recruitments. The overall headcount growth in the IT sector in FY24 over the previous fiscal is estimated to be barely 2.4%, according to Xpheno. This tardy pace is in sharp contrast to the years just after pandemic, when the industry went on a hiring frenzy, as companies of all sizes and across sectors picked up talent in digital skills or wanted IT companies to help them grow after more than a year of muted business. In fact, the manpower growth in FY22 over FY21 was 20%. Recruitment firm TeamLease has seen the impact of AI-led skills on mandates that are rolled out by IT companies. The mandates now have demand for fewer candidates from the clients end as larger portions of the job are digitised. We estimate about 15,000 job loss in the IT sector, amongst the junior profiles," said Sunil Chemmankotil, chief executive officer for TeamLease Digital. However, AI is also expected to create new jobs, as more companies manage to upskill the workforce. Ashish Kumar Singh, chief human resources officer at e-commerce firm Meesho, said that it is the call centres where a lot of the customer support work is done by AI. Meesho partners with third parties for its call centre services and some aspects of the calls and first-level chats with customers are undergoing AI implementation. There are places around analytics and first-level coding where the evaluation is still on It will mostly be used as a co-pilot in supporting somebody. Immediate job losses I dont see, but over a very long term, yes," Singh told Mint. Hospitals and blood banks can only charge processing fees for blood from now on, the health ministry said, in a move to stop them from overcharging. In a notice dated 26 December, the apex drug regulator Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) said all other fees associated with supply of blood were being scrapped. The Drugs Controller Genral of India (DCGI) Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi said the decision was taken because of the view that blood is not for sale". Referring to a meeting of the Drugs Consultative Committee held on 26 September, the DCGI said, With respect of agenda ... for overcharging of blood, it was opined that blood is not for sale, it is only for supply and only processing cost may be charged by the blood centre." The new guidelines stipulate that only processing fees can be charged for blood or blood components which ranges between 250 and 1,550. According to officials, private hospitals charge as much as 3,000 to 8,000 per unit of blood. In cases of blood shortage or rare blood groups, the charges may go up higher. However, the blood bank organisations are of the opinion that this notice is going to make little impact on the costing. When a blood is collected, it is divided in four categories - red blood cell, white blood cell, plasma and platelets. So irrespective of a blood bank or a hospital, there is always going to be that minimal charges. Blood is a donated thing, and cannot be given randomly. There were many complaints on the malpractices of the private hospitals, and hopefully with this re-tweak notice, it will come to an end," said Bhawna Arora, Founder KAB Welfare Foundation. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned the hearing of the CBI's plea challenging the Bombay High Court order granting bail to former ICICI Bank CEO and MD Chanda Kochhar and her husband Deepak Kochhar in a loan fraud case. The apex court will now hear the plea on January 12. Kochhar's other case against ICICI Bank's approval to prosecute her is set to be taken up by the Bombay High Court on January 5. Noting the case, the SC bench comprising Justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal adjourned the matter. "It is stated by the counsel for the respondents that the main writ petitions are fixed for hearing before the High Court on January 5. It is expected that the same shall be heard by the High Court on that date and neither of the parties shall ask for the adjournments before the said Court. List the matters on January 12," the bench said. The SC bench, on October 16 sought a response from the couple on the CBI petition challenging the interim bail granted to them by the Bombay High Court. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju noted that the Bombay High Court had proceeded on a wrong presumption that the offense committed by Chanda Kochhar was punishable with a maximum sentence of seven years in jail. However, section 409 of the IPC (criminal breach of trust by public servant), entails a sentence that could range from 10 years to life imprisonment. The top court had pulled up CBI for not objecting to the repeated extension of the two-week interim bail granted to Chanda Kochhar and her husband. The Bombay High Court, on January 9 last year, granted bail to the couple, stating that their arrest violated the provisions of law. After the bail was granted, Chanda Kochhar walked out of the Byculla women's prison in Mumbai, while her husband was released from the Arthur Road jail. Videocon-ICICI Bank loan fraud case The two were arrested by the CBI on December 23, 2022, for their line with the Videocon-ICICI Bank loan case. The investigating agency had also arrested Videocon group founder Venugopal Dhoot in the case. The CBI has alleged that ICICI bank had sanctioned a credit of 3,250 crore to the Videocon Group companies promoted by Dhoot in violation of the Banking Regulation Act, Reserve Bank of India's guidelines, and the credit policy of the bank. The CBI, in its FIR, had also alleged that as a part of quid pro quo, Dhoot invested 64 crore in Nupower Renewables through Supreme Energy Pvt Ltd (SEPL). He also transferred SEPL to Pinnacle Energy Trust managed by Deepak Kochhar through a circuitous route between 2010 and 2012. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! NCP-Sharad Pawar faction leader Jitendra Awhad has expressed regret on his "non-vegetarian" comment on Lord Ram. I express regret. I did not want to hurt anyone's sentiments," he said. Earlier today, Awhad sparked controversy over his recent statement on Lord Ram. He claimed that Lord Ram was a non-vegetarian due to the lack of vegetarian food in the forest during his exile. His statements came during an event in Maharashtra's Shirdi. He said, "Lord Ram was not a vegetarian, he was a non-vegetarian. Where would a person living in the forest for 14 years go to find vegetarian food? Is it correct or not (question to the public)?..." Also Read | Watch: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi's remark ahead of Ram Temple opening, says We have lost our Masjid He added, We dont read history and forget everything in politics. Ram is ours. Of us Bahujans. Who used to hunt to eat Ram was never a vegetarian. How can a man who lived in the jungle for 14 years remain a vegetarian." Soon after his statement, BJP leaders reacted and called for action against Jitendra Awhad. Arun Yadav who is BJP Harayana State Head Social Media posted the video of Awhad and demanded the Maharashtra government to immediately arrest him. Another BJP leader Ram Kadam took to X and slammed the Udhav Thackeray faction and said that if Balasaheb Thackeray were alive today, he would have spoken harshly on editorial Saamna, the mouthpiece of UBT Sena about Jitendra Awhad. He said, "If late Balasaheb were alive today. So today's Saamna newspaper would have spoken harshly to those who called Lord Ram a non-vegetarian... would have made sharp attacks... would have attacked them... But.. what is the reality today.. They don't care.. they are as cold as ice. But when the turn of elections comes, they will talk about Hindutva by gathering false power. The reality is this... no one cares about Hindus or Marathi people... I have no affection for anyone. Additionally, Kadam has filed a complaint to register FIR against NCP -Sharad Pawar faction leader Jitendra Awhad for his statement about Lord Ram being a "non-vegetarian" Their mindset is to hurt the sentiments of the Ram bhakts. They can't make fun of the Hindu religion to gather votes. The fact that Ram mandir has been built has not gown down well with the 'ghamandi' alliance," he told ANI. Earlier on This comes a day after BJP MLA Ram Kadam urged the Maharashtra government for a one-day ban on alcohol and meat on the Ayodhya consecration ceremony day on January 22. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! BENGALURU : The second half of 2023 saw an uptick in office demand and leasing, propelled by global capability centres (GCCs), flex operators, and domestic corporates. Is this the beginning of a sustained recovery curve for the commercial office sector? Mint explains: Why was the sector underperforming? After a seven-year bull run, the sector cooled in 2020 when offices shut down due to the pandemic and work-from-anywhere became the new norm. Companies postponed leasing decisions and renegotiated rentals, leading to a rise in vacancy. Construction delays also led to a dip in new office supply. After the pandemic, residential real estate took off but the office sector saw no respite, hit by global headwinds this time. US technology companies, the largest occupiers of office space in India, laid off people and put expansion plans on hold. A funding crunch in the startup ecosystem didnt help either. Is an office revival expected in 2024? It would appear so. After a sluggish first half, net absorption of office space picked up in the July-December period of 2023. Last year saw an annual absorption of 41.97 million sq. ft in the top seven cities, trailing only the levels recorded in 2019, as per property advisory JLL India. This is seen as the beginning of a sustained growth phase. Property advisory CBRE sees demand picking up in the second half of 2024, led by clearer visibility of the global macroeconomic situation and an uptick in the IT services sector. Bengaluru, followed by Delhi-NCR and Hyderabad may drive the office market. How does India compare with global office markets? It is worse elsewhere. Global vacancy rates have been rising, with North America the worst hit. As a mix of hybrid and work-from-home model prevails, office rents and leasing may fall further in 2024. In comparison, the fundamentals of Indias office market look stronger. Economic growth projections suggest demand for office real estate will stay resilient. What will propel Indias recovery? Multinational companies (MNCs) are reducing their dependence on Indian IT services firms by making their own tech centres, known as GCCs or captive centres. These MNCs, from financial services, engineering, manufacturing and tech sectors will expand their office real estate footprint and set up more research, development and innovation centres. CBRE expects existing GCCs to explore large campus-style offices and new entrants to opt for flexi workspaces, which will drive part of the demand. Are there any concerns? There has been a shift in demand among occupiers, with techs share decreasing. In 2016, tech firms commanded a 40.73% share of leasing. This halved to 20.9% in 2023, according to JLL. Further, outsourcing companies have slowed down because of slower revenue growth. Even as IT firms call employees back to offices, the hybrid model remains in place. Office rentals have also been under pressure, with limited increase, and even fell in Hyderabad. This year, too, rentals will only see a moderate rise. For those who were in Japan Airlines (JAL) Airbus A350 aircraft which crashed into a De Havilland Dash 8 turboprop aircraft at Haneda airport in Tokyo on Tuesday evening, it was a miracle. The five of the six on board the turboprop aircraft died while the over 300 flyers on the JAL aircraft left the burning plane and arrived at their destination safely. There are various reasons for this miraculous saving of the flyers. First is the Japanese culture. The Japanese term Kiritsu, or disciplinary practice or self-discipline in various acts of life be it school, work, or social interactions", is practiced by the Japanese. And this is what happened when the plane caught fire. The crew had the presence of mind to figure out the safest door to evacuate the flyers as there were flames everywhere. They picked a door at the rear and guided the flyers to calmly walk out of the aircraft. Compare this to the Emirates Boeing 777 which also crashed while landing at Dubai airport in 2016. Video clips of this flight (which originated in Kerala) showed passengers arguing with the cabin crew and carrying their hand bags as they evacuated the aircraft. Luckily there were no casualties. What also helped was the superior technology used in the modern generation aircraft like the 350 and 787. These planes have fire walls that delay or prevent them from burning immediately. This is because carbon fibre materials (of which these aircraft are made) burn at 350 degrees while aluminium (of which earlier aircraft were made) burnt at around 700 degree. A 2007 FAA study on the flammability properties of carbon fibre composites says that the composite body in these modern aircraft retains its structure but eventually burns from the vaporization of the resin. When it burns, the resin vapor is forced out of the fibre pores. The fibres create an insulating, char-like structure that causes a reduction in the internal heating, and consequently, the burning rate drops in time. As the burning rate drops, extinction can naturally occur due to insufficient heating," the study says. A cross section of Indian pilot who fly widebody aircraft like the JAL aircraft felt it was a combination of things including the flight having the correct cabin crew who had the presence of mind to ensure the use of only one section of the aircraft to evacuate and Kiritsu following which the flyers listened to the cabin crew which resulted in a quick evacuation. JAL also pays a lot of attention to its safety training Japan has had a clean safety record for flying for over four decades. The accident on Tuesday was the first in the last 40 years. The airline set up a Corporate Safety & Security Division in 2006 consisting of professional staff members knowledgeable about the operation, maintenance, cabins, airports and cargo. Using this organization as a source of power, JAL drives a safety management structure across the whole group. The document lists out eight accidents involving JAL aircraft between April 1952 and August 1985 including one in Delhi Palam in June 1972 when JAL flight 471 being operated by a Dakota aircraft slammed into the banks of the Yamuna river before Palam airport resulting in the death of 86 passengers and crew and injuring three others. In 2006, Japan Airlines opened a museum-like facility near Haneda for promoting safety awareness among its employees. "In face of the pain and grief of the bereaved families and public distrust in airline safety [after the 1985 crash], we pledged that we would never again allow such a tragic accident to occur," Japan Airlines wrote on the facility's webpage. All this shows what airlines and aircraft have to do to keep the flying public safe. While accidents will happen, efforts can help prevent loss of life. Further, the incident also shows that major cities need to have more than one airport which is capable of handling large aircraft. When the accident happened at Haneda airport, the airport had to be shut but the remaining flights to Tokyo were not disrupted as they were diverted to Narita airport. Of course, the situation in India is very different right now. If an aircraft has to be diverted from Mumbai it lands at Ahmedabad or Hyderabad, inconveniencing flyers. Same is the case with Delhi where the planes are diverted to Jaipur, Amritsar and Lucknow. Hopefully this will change soon as new airports are coming up in both Mumbai and Delhi. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Former president Donald Trump has urged the US Supreme Court to overturn a ruling that would bar him from the presidential ballot in Colorado. In December 2023, the Colorado Supreme Court barred Trump from appearing on the Republican primary ballot in Colorado because of his role in the January 6, 2021 assault on the US Capitol by his supporters. Trumps run for the White House will test Americas Rule of Law Trump's lawyers have asked the conservative-dominated Supreme Court to agree to hear the case and "summarily reverse the Colorado Supreme Court's ruling." Why America is jittery ahead of Presidential polls The lawyers added, "If allowed to stand, will mark the first time in the history of the United States that the judiciary has prevented voters from casting ballots for the leading major-party presidential candidate. The filing appeared a day after Trump lodged an appeal against a ruling by the top election official that would keep him off the primary ballot in Maine. Geopolitics is leading us to fragmentation. Can it be stopped? Trump's attorneys urged the Maine Superior Court to toss out the ruling by Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, calling her a "biased decisionmaker" who "acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner." After Colorado, Donald Trump disqualified from Maine's primary ballot The Colorado Supreme Court and Maine secretary of state both ruled that Trump is ineligible to appear on the primary ballot because of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution. Section Three of the 14th Amendment bars anyone from holding public office if they engaged in "insurrection or rebellion" after once pledging to support and defend the Constitution. Courts in Minnesota and Michigan have also ruled that Trump should stay on the ballot in those states under the 14th Amendment. Trump wins Michigan SC battle to qualify for primary election ballot Trump, 77, is scheduled to go on trial in Washington in March for conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election won by incumbent Joe Biden. He also faces racketeering charges in Georgia for allegedly conspiring to upend the election results. Maine and Colorado hold their presidential nominating contests on March 5. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! A 37-year-old mum eager to re-enter the workforce has received a devastating first blow after a prospective employer told her she wasn't eligible for the job due to her age. Maria Nielsen has worked several casual jobs and run her own online business since giving birth to her first child in December 2019. However, with her two daughters now older, she is ready for a permanent role. "My youngest is now two-years-old and is not affected by daycare sickness anymore so I thought it was the perfect time to get back into barbering again," the Sydney woman told Yahoo News Australia. Mum-of-two Maria Nielsen was turned down for a job because she was deemed an inappropriate age by the employer. Source: Maria Nielsen She explained she had "applied for a barber job in about 10 places in the last few months" but was left speechless when she received her first response back, with the reason behind the rejection "angering" Maria. 'Rude' employer apologises but rejects mum regardless Maria shared the message exchange between herself and the male employer who started his response by apologising before jumping right into the reason why he wouldn't consider her application. "I'm sorry but honestly I don't want to be rude but with all my respect, as I have a lot of young clients, I'm looking for someone a bit younger to work with me, hope you don't get offended," he wrote. Maria said the whole thing was disappointing and admitted she "never imagined" she would receive a message like that. "At first I was laughing, thinking he was being too honest, but at the same time I also got offended by it," she said. Age discrimination is illegal in Australia Rejecting a job applicant based on age is illegal in Australia, much like discriminating against a candidate based on their gender, race or religion. Age discrimination is categorised into two groups labelled 'direct' and 'indirect', with Maria's experience coming under 'direct' discrimination because she has been explicitly unfairly treated because of her age. 'Indirect' discrimination occurs when a rule is the same for everyone, but unfairly impacts people of a particular age. Story continues In NSW, compensation payable for discrimination has an upper limit of $100,000. Maria hasn't reported the message and said she has tried to shrug off the comment, but it has made her "think more about [her] options in the future". "I want to get back into the workforce so I'm feeling fine," she said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed on behalf of Nikhil Gupta, who is accused by the United States of conspiring with Gurpatwant Singh Pannun , a Khalistani terrorist. As reported by ANI, the petition sought consular access, legal aid, and updates on the ongoing extradition proceedings in the Czech Republic. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta said it's a sensitive" matter and it is for the Central government to take a call if it wants to intervene on the issue. The bench said, It should respect the jurisdiction of the foreign court where the matter is pending." "There is nothing much we can do. This is an international matter, and all aspects are covered under the Vienna Convention. If consular access is not granted, authorities can be approached directly. However, as per your own list of dates, consular access was given to you twice," the bench told C Aryama Sundaram, representing the kin of Gupta. Also Read: Pannun murder plot accused Nikhil Gupta arrested on Americas request', says Czech ministry Sundaram contended that being an Indian citizen, Gupta possesses the right to seek assistance from his country. He asserted that Gupta has not been granted consular access and is currently held in solitary confinement. "It's a sensitive matter, and let the government decide on this," Justice Khanna said. Sundaram said he would approach the Centre to treat this petition as a representation and sought the court's direction to ask the government to consider his representation. To this, the bench said, It is for the Central government to decide whether to intervene in the matter or not." Also Read: Nikhil Gupta 'forced' to eat beef in Czech, Hindu beliefs 'violated', says plea in Supreme Court A Habeas Corpus petition was submitted to the Supreme Court on behalf of Gupta, who is presently held in custody in the Czech Republic awaiting extradition to the United States. The extradition pertains to his alleged involvement in a plot to murder Pannun, ANI reported. According to the plea, Gupta, aged 52, was on a business exploration trip in the Czech Republic when he was unlawfully detained on June 30 at Prague airport. Since then, he has been held in solitary confinement. Also Read: Watch: EAM S Jaishankar speaks on India giving consular access to Nikhil Gupta, presently in Czech custody The plea stated, The circumstances surrounding his arrest were marked by irregularities, with no formal arrest warrant presented, and the apprehension executed by self-claimed US agents rather than local Czech authorities." The petition requested the Supreme Court to instruct the Union of India to intervene in the ongoing extradition proceedings before the Extradition Court in Prague, Czech Republic. The aim is to ensure that Gupta is provided with a fair and transparent trial. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is an Indian-designated terrorist, holds citizenship in both the United States and Canada. Also Read: Matter of concern, India on US indicting Indian national Nikhil Gupta in plot to kill The petition provided a comprehensive account of his purported detention at the airport following immigration clearance. It further alleged that Gupta was deprived of consular access, the ability to communicate with his family in India, and the right to secure legal representation. Gupta asserted that he is a devout Hindu and vegetarian, claiming that he was compelled to consume beef and pork against his will during his detention in Czech custody. He contended that such actions directly violated his religious beliefs. Also Read: Khalistani leader Pannun threatens to target BSE and NSE, calls for dumping Indian stocks before March 12: Report The petition additionally urged the Indian Embassy in the Czech Republic to offer full cooperation to Gupta while he remains unlawfully detained and incarcerated in the country. It was mentioned in the plea that Gupta and his family have submitted numerous representations to various Indian government authorities, seeking prompt assistance and intervention. Also Read: Who is Nikhil Gupta, arrested for planning to kill Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in US? Despite representations, emails, letters and phone calls both to the Ministry of External Affairs of India and to the Indian Embassy in Prague, Czech Republic, there has been no action or involvement by the Respondent Department in the current matter. There have been numerous procedural violations threatening the fundamental rights and even the most basic human rights of the Petitioner, and the same," the plea said. Moreover, the petitioner is aggrieved by the blatant negligence and omission of the respondent department in handling the petitioner's case with the due care and caution needed," the plea added. As per the US Justice Department indictment, Indian national Nikhil Gupta is currently in custody and has been charged with murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Czech authorities arrested and detained Gupta on June 30, pursuant to the bilateral extradition treaty between the United States and the Czech Republic. Also Read: Who is Damian Williams? US prosecutor who charged Indian official with plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun As per the US Justice Department's assertions in an indictment filed in a federal court in Manhattan, an unnamed Indian government employee recruited an Indian national identified as Nikhil Gupta. Gupta was allegedly hired to engage a hitman for the assassination of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a plot that was reportedly thwarted by US authorities. According to the Justice Department, Gupta is linked to CC-1, an unidentified individual presumed to be orchestrating the alleged conspiracy. Gupta's involvement in international narcotics and weapons trafficking was reportedly communicated to CC-1. The indictment suggests that CC-1 directed the assassination plot from India. (With inputs from ANI) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Jeffrey Epstein documents release: Many previously released documents sealed court documents related to Jeffrey Epstein , the American financier who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex crimes, were made public on Wednesday evening. The list includes some prominent names like Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, and Stephen Hawking, among others. Among them are Epstein's victims who provided testimony during his procurer's and ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell's criminal trial. The documents were submitted about Virginia Giuffre, the victim of Epstein, and her lawsuit against Maxwell in federal court in Manhattan. Also Read: Live updates on Jeffrey Epstein document release Jeffrey Epstein document release: Full list of names 1) Prince Andrew: A woman who has said she was victimized by deceased sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein said Britain's Prince Andrew put his hand on her breast at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse in 2001, according to court documents from a civil suit unsealed on Wednesday. 2) Glenn Dubin: In her deposition, Giuffre said she had sex with other prominent figures who have previously denied her allegations, including hedge-fund owner Glenn Dubin, former US senator George Mitchell, and former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. 3) Bill Clinton: Throughout the documents, Clinton is mentioned more than fifty times. According to ABC News, his name may be connected to a lawsuit filed in 2015 by Virginia Giuffre, an Epstein accuser. It's also believed that Clinton was brought up to Maxwell and Giuffre to get Epstein to come clean back in 2016. 4) Michael Jackson: A deposition made by Johanna Sjobergwho Maxwell allegedly hired to have sex acts performed on Epsteinwas included in one of the documents. Sjoberg claimed that renowned magician David Copperfield and late musician Michael Jackson were present at Epstein's Palm Beach estate. 5) Jean-Luc Brunel: Jean-Luc Brunel is a French modeling agent with close ties to Epstein, who faced charges of raping underage girls before he died in a Paris jail in 2022. Virginia Giuffre was among the women who had accused Brunel of sexual abuse. 6) Johanna Sjoberg: Another document stated that Maxwell approached Johanna Sjoberg to engage in sexual acts with Epstein. Did you ever meet anybody famous when you were with Jeffrey? I met Michael Jackson at [Epsteins] house in Palm Beach," she was asked. 7) Stephen Hawking: The renowned scientist has also been mentioned in a reward" email to Ghislaine Maxwell. He was among the guests at a barbecue conference sponsored by Epstein. Hawking was on the billionaire's private Caribbean island, Little St James, dubbed the Island of Sin", according to The Independent. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! A U.S. judge unsealed the names of dozens of people who appeared in testimony or depositions connected to an old lawsuit filed by one of Jeffrey Epsteins accusers. Where do these names come from? The disclosure in federal court in New York stems from a defamation suit filed in 2015 by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell, who was later sentenced to 20 years in prison. Giuffre accused Epstein and Maxwell of trafficking her to powerful people including Prince Andrew in the early 2000s when she was a teenager. Maxwell said at her sentencing that meeting Epstein was the greatest regret of my life." Prince Andrew in 2022 settled a lawsuit brought by Giuffre and said he regretted his association with Epstein. His representatives said at the time that, Prince Andrew has never intended to malign Ms. Giuffres character, and he accepts that she has suffered both as an established victim of abuse and as a result of unfair public attacks." Are these all new names? No. Many of the unsealed names were previously known associates of Epstein or had already been linked to the case even though they had been referred to anonymously in the court documents as John Does or Jane Does. The individuals werent defendants in the civil lawsuit, which was settled in 2017. Is this an Epstein client list? No. Some of the John Does and Jane Does are Epstein victims, former employees, people who traveled on Epsteins plane and other types of associates. Some are journalists or individuals that might have never met Epstein. Who are the prominent people in the documents? Among the high-profile names are some known Epstein associates such as Bill Clinton. A spokesman for Clinton said in 2019 that the former president had cut off ties with Epstein more than a decade before and didnt know about Epsteins alleged crimes. The spokesman said then that Clinton took four flights on Epsteins plane and once visited the townhouse, each time with his Secret Service team and for reasons related to the Clinton Foundations work. Clinton wasnt accused of wrongdoing and didnt object to the unsealing. Why are the names being unsealed now? It was a decision by a judge who said too many names have been redacted in the documents filed in the old suit. The Miami Herald and others had asked the court to release the names. U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska ruled in December that many of the names were already reported in the media or the person in question didnt raise any objections that would outweigh the presumption of access. Where can I learn more about Epsteins associates? The Wall Street Journal over the past year has revealed Epsteins VIP circle after he pleaded guilty in 2008 to procuring and soliciting a minor for prostitution. The Journal showed how Epstein used his connections to lure women whom he abused up until his death and was also meeting powerful people in his last decade, including software billionaire Bill Gates and the current CIA director William Burns. Both of the men have said they regret the association. Gates has said he met with Epstein because he thought Epstein was going to help with philanthropy. A spokeswoman for Burns has said he met with Epstein for advice related to transitioning to the private sector and didnt have a relationship with him. Epstein died in 2019 in jail awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. Write to Khadeeja Safdar at khadeeja.safdar@wsj.com and David Benoit at David.Benoit@wsj.com Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Jeffrey Epstein , a wealthy individual known for his connections with celebrities, politicians, billionaires, and academic figures, faced in initial legal trouble in 2005 when he was arrested in Palm Beach, Florida. Also Read: Jeffrey Epstein document release LIVE Updates: Stephen Hawking, Michael Jackson, other names exposed in records The charges stemmed from allegations of paying a 14-year-old girl for sexual services. Despite numerous accounts from other underage girls describing similar incidents of sexual abuse, prosecutors allowed Epstein to plead guilty in 2008 to a charge related to a single victim. He served a 13-month sentence in a jail work-release program, AP reported. Also Read: Prince Andrew named in Jeffrey Epstein court files The report further noted that following his conviction, some notable associates, including former Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, distanced themselves from Epstein, while others continued their associations. Despite the controversy, Epstein remained in social circles involving the rich and famous for an additional decade, often engaging in philanthropic activities. What are these records about? The unsealed documents are associated with a lawsuit initiated in 2015 against Ghislaine Maxwell by one of Jeffrey Epstein's victims, Virginia Giuffre. Giuffre is among numerous women who filed lawsuits against Epstein, alleging that they were subjected to abuse at his residences in Florida, New York, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and New Mexico. Also Read: Bill Gates was blackmailed by Jeffrey Epstein for his affair with a 20-yr-old Russian bridge player Giuffre claimed that when she was 17 years old, she was enticed away from her job as a spa attendant at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club to work as a masseuse" for Epstein. This role involved engaging in sexual activities. Approximately 2,000 pages were made public by a court in 2019, and further documents were disclosed in the subsequent years of 2020, 2021, and 2022. The upcoming set of approximately 250 records contains redacted sections or is entirely sealed. How to access these records? The Court Listener website, where Epstein documents are hosted, experiences a crash due to an overwhelming increase in traffic. View Full Image The Court Listener website observed a surge in traffic. However, Free Law Project in a post on X said, We are getting utterly hammered by the Epstein docs and are working on a fix. In the meantime, the https://storage.courtlistener.com. links work fine. Reply here with the storage links folks will want and hopefully, we can recover the site. Thank you and apologies!" Opposition leaders in Bangladesh have gone on the run as a general election approaches. Critics have also lashed out at Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over what they call a "one-sided dummy election" due in this week. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party has boycotted the upcoming polls after the PM refused to cede power to a caretaker government. We're not even in the election, but they are still not sparing us. Police and other government agents were hunting for our leaders, particularly in their homes. The situation instilled fear in our minds," opposition leader Abdul Moyeen Khan told Reuters. The party claims that 10 million of its workers are now on the run to escape a government crackdown. Around 25,000 people have been arrested following deadly anti-government protests on October 28. Khan told the publication that he had been forced to hide in the homes of a several acquaintances until poll nominations closed. ALSO READ: Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus faces jail in Bangladesh court ruling Rights organisations have issued repeated warnings about a crackdown to subdue the Opposition over the past few months. Hasina and her Awami League however condemn the BNP as troublemakers out to sabotage the elections. A November report by the New York-based Human Rights Watch said that around 10,000 BNP activists had been arrested. At least 16 have been killed including two police officers and about 5,500 injured in the violence. Human Rights Watch has found evidence that security forces are responsible for using excessive force, mass arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings in a recent spate of election-related violence.Videos and witness reports show disturbing evidence of coordination between the police and the Awami League supporters in threatening and targeting opposition party activists," the report contends. The developments come amid a leadership vaccum and disarray in the Opposition ranks. Ailing party president and former PM Khaleda Zia famed for her bitter, decades-long rivalry with Hasina continues to stay away from active politics. While her son has taken the mantle temporarily from exile and the party's next most senior leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been in jail since October 29. (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! No one has taken responsibility for the explosions Wednesday that killed more than 100 Iranians at a memorial for terrorist leader Qassem Soleimani, and it could be an act of domestic terrorism. The Tehran regime has many internal enemies, including Sunni Islamist groups that specialize in mass-casualty attacks. The bombings are despicable no matter the perpetrator. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promised a harsh response" without specifying those responsible. The regime might be tempted to blame Israel and the U.S., its usual suspects, but such explosions arent in either countrys interests. They also arent the way the U.S. and Israel have pursued Iranian targets when they have wanted to do so. The Israeli method is like the explosion Tuesday in Beirut that killed Saleh al-Arouri, a senior Hamas leader suspected of playing a role in the Oct. 7 massacre. Israels military declined comment on the attack, as it usually does, but Israeli leaders have said openly that, after Oct. 7, Hamass leaders arent safe anywhere in the world. Expect many more such assassinations in the months to come. Thats also how the U.S. killed Soleimani on the orders of President Trump four years ago. Soleimani was the leader of the expeditionary arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and was responsible for hundreds of American deaths over many years. The U.S. had good reason to kill Soleimani, but the U.S. also wants to support the Iranian public against the dictatorial regime. Targeting civilians at a memorial service would be tactically and strategically stupid as well as immoral. If anything, the Biden Administration has bent over backward to avoid a violent engagement with Iran. That includes only tepid military responses to attacks on U.S. soldiers or ships by Irans proxies in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. That restraint has encouraged Iran and its proxies to believe they can continue to attack with impunity. But could U.S. patience finally be running out as the Houthis in Yemen continue to attack shipping in the Red Sea? That is one way to read the joint statement Wednesday by a dozen nations, including the U.S., warning the Houthis against escalation. Ongoing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are illegal, unacceptable, and profoundly destabilizing," said the statement, which included Japan, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Bahrain and several European countries as signatories. These attacks threaten innocent lives from all over the world and constitute a significant international problem that demands collective action." France was notably absent. Thats the toughest U.S. language to date on the Houthi attacks, which are backed with weapons and intelligence from Iran. It also comes two weeks after the U.S. announced Operation Prosperity Guardian to safeguard merchant shipping through the Red Sea. That news hasnt deterred the Houthis, who continue to fire missiles at ships. Iran has also dispatched a warship to the Red Sea in a show of military support for the Houthis. The joint allied statement suggests a looming ultimatum. Let our message now be clear: we call for the immediate end of these illegal attacks and release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews. The Houthis will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and free flow of commerce in the regions critical waterways." It isnt clear what the countries mean by consequences," and the statement notably included no mention of Iran as the fulcrum of the regions violence. Sooner or later the U.S. and its allies will have to reestablish deterrence if they want a more stable Middle East, and that means dealing with Iran. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Jharkhand counterpart Hemant Soren are the two CMs who currently under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over money laundering cases. They both have skipped summons by the financial probe agencies and are in a close radar of the financial prove agency. Speculations are rife that these two chief ministers may get arrested. But can they be arrested being the chief ministers of the state? And what are the cases against them? Let take a deep dive into the matter: Arvind Kejriwal's case Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was summoned by the ED thrice on January 3, November 2 and December 21. He skipped them all, calling them "illegal" and "politically motivated". The financial probe agency had called him to record his statement in connection with an excise policy-linked money laundering case. The summons to Kejriwal were issued after the Supreme Court had asked the ED in October 2023 to explain why the political party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which was allegedly the beneficiary of the Delhi Excise Policy 'scam', has not been made an accused in the money laundering case. Kejriwal's party colleagues Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are already in judicial custody in connections the same case. ALSO READ: 'Law will decide if Arvind Kejriwal can..': BJP Delhi chief hits out at CM over ED summons in excise case Meanwhile, the ED had earlier claimed the AAP used 100 crore received as kickback from various stakeholders for its campaign in the 2022 Goa assembly elections. It has been alleged that the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22 to grant licences to liquor traders allowed cartelisation and favoured certain dealers who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge repeatedly refuted by the AAP. The policy was subsequently scrapped and the Delhi lieutenant governor recommended a CBI probe, following which the ED registered a case under the PMLA. Hemant Soren's case Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren is also under the ED scanner over a host of cases. Some of them include a "land scam case" and a corruption case involving an office of profit case. According to reports, he is also under the scanner in connection with the allegations of a Maoist about the protection money his gang paid to individuals close to the CM. On January 3, the ED conducted raids against Soren's associates in connection with an illegal mining and money laundering cases. According to ANI sources, searches were conducted at over 10 locations, including the residences of Abhishek Prasad, press advisor to Hemant Soren, and Rajendra Dubey, DSP Hazaribag. Following this, speculations were rife that the Jharkhand Chief Minister may be out of power in view of the ongoing ED raids. Earlier, the ED had issued fresh summons to Hemant Soren for questioning in connection with an alleged land scam. This was the seventh summons issued to Soren by the ED under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, asking him to appear before the agency and record his statement in connection with the alleged scam. ALSO READ: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren says there is artificial tornado in the state. Here's why Like Kejriwal, Soren also skipped all the seven summons, accusing the BJP-led Centre of using central agencies to destabilise his democratically elected government. According to the Hindustan Times, the ED said it was the last opportunity provided to Hemant Soren. Besides, the Election Commission had sent a letter to the then governor of Jharkhand Ramesh Bais in August 2022 which is believed to have recommended his disqualification as an MLA as a mining lease given to him was renewed during his tenure as the states chief minister, PTI reported. Can Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren be arrested? Speculation are rife that both these CMs may get arrested. But, these are just mere speculations. Kejriwal's AAP had recently launched door-to-door campaign to find answer to the question: "Should Arvind Kejriwal resign or should he work from jail if get arrested?" Meanwhile, the Times of India had reported on December 14, 2023 that the ED may be considering the arrest of Soren for no-show after six summons. The reports cited Soren as saying that his questioning is crucial for the probe and emphaised that his appeals against the summons were turned down by the high court and the Supreme Courts. What law says on arrests of CMs? In the eyes of the law, every Indian citizen is an common person. Chief ministers are not any immunity from arrest during their time in office. According to the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 (CrPC), the law enforcement agency can arrest any person against whom an arrest warrant has been issued by the court, the Financial Express reported. A a chief minister can only be arrested if there is enough reason to believe that the accused would abscond, will try to destroy evidence, or act in a way so as to avoid the legal process, the report said. Moreover, a chief minister could be removed from office only when he is convicted in a case. The CM is not legally prohibited from holding office while under investigation. As per the law, only the President of India and governors of states are given protection from arrest in both civil and criminal cases while in office. Article 361 in The Constitution Of India 1949 says, "No process for the arrest or imprisonment of the President, or the Governor of a State, shall issue from any court during his term of office." Also, the Supreme Court had earlier said in an order that while considering prosecution against cabinet members and the chief minister, the governor can act independently without the recommendation of the council of ministers. "...it was rightly thought that in deciding to sanction or not to sanction the prosecution of a Chief Minister, the Governor would act in the exercise of his discretion and not with the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers," a Supreme Court order in 2004 had said. However, according to Jagran, "if the chief minister or an Assembly member has to be arrested even in a criminal case, then first of all, the approval has to be taken from the Speaker of the House. The arrest can be made only after the approval of the Assembly Speaker." (With inputs from agencies) ARVIND More Information Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Bangladeshi voters head to the polls on Sunday for an election in which the result is all but preordained. Thanks to an opposition party boycott, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of the ruling Awami League is poised to win a fourth consecutive term as leader of the Muslim-majority nation of 170 million people. A Hasina victory will also mark a defeat for President Biden, who has made Bangladesh a centerpiece of his effort to place democracy at the heart of U.S. foreign policy. The 76-year-old Ms. Hasina, who has held power longer than any currently serving elected female leader worldwide, presents a striking paradox. She has curbed radical Islam, ensured civilian supremacy over the army, and led her country out of extreme povertyachievements not many developing countries leaders can claim. At the same time, Ms. Hasinas take-no-prisoners approach to politics fits Game of Thrones" better than a parliamentary democracy. Those who refuse to bend the knee risk legal harassment or even violence. As part of Mr. Bidens bid to contrast his administration with Donald Trumps, the White House has sought to punish Ms. Hasinas government for human-rights abuses and for cowing opposition parties with mass arrests. But Ms. Hasina has thumbed her nose at these efforts, refusing to make more space for the opposition or civil society groups. In the runup to the elections, the government has arrested about 10,000 opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party workers and supporters. This is absolute brute force," says Avinash Paliwal, an expert on South Asian geopolitics at Londons School of Oriental and African Studies, in a phone interview. There isnt even a semblance of free and fair elections." The U.S. failure in Bangladesh stands out because the country was in theory an ideal testing ground for Mr. Bidens values-centric foreign policy. The worlds eighth most populous nation is arguably big enough to matter, but at the same time not vital enough for Washington to need to place strategic and economic interests above democracy promotion. Though the country has slipped toward one-party rule under Ms. Hasina, it has deeper democratic roots than many other developing nations. As part of British India until 1947, Bangladesh had some familiarity with elections as well as with liberal institutions such as an independent judiciary and free press. Many leading Bangladeshi journalists and intellectuals were educated in the West. Until 2006 the country boasted an opposition party, the BNP, vigorous enough to alternate power with the Awami League. Moreover, the Bangladeshi economys reliance on garment exports to the U.S. and the European Union$32 billion in 2022gave Washington a measure of leverage. But the White House was either too tentative to use that leverage or overconfident that it could shame Ms. Hasina into better behavior. Mr. Biden pointedly excluded Bangladesh from the U.S.s two high-profile Summits for Democracy, while inviting several countries with arguably worse records. In 2021 the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Bangladeshs Rapid Action Batallion, an anticrime and antiterrorism unit, for serious human-rights abuses. Last year the U.S. ambassador to Dhaka made his concerns about Bangladeshi elections public, and the State Department imposed visa restrictions on people it identified as responsible for, or complicit in, undermining" the Bangladeshi election. The White House should have known that harsh words and half-measures would have scant effect on Bangladesh. If anything, they played into the Awami Leagues foundational storyas the plucky party that in 1971 led the country to independence from Pakistan, despite Islamabads U.S. backing. Ms. Hasina has skillfully countered American pressure by building an unlikely coalition of backersRussia, China, and, most important, India, where shes seen as a bulwark of stability in a volatile country. Any serious effort to nudge Bangladesh toward greater liberalism would have entailed getting New Delhi on board from the get-go. Instead, the Biden administration alienated a broad swath of Indian opinion makers, who view American pressure on Bangladesh as dangerously naive and would rather the U.S. worked more closely with New Delhi to curb Chinese influence in the country. From the Indian perspective, whatever Ms. Hasinas shortcomings, the alternative is much worse. The last time the BNP was in power it was quiescent in attacks on Bangladeshs Hindu minority and gave sanctuary to separatist and terrorist groups that targeted India. The BNP has long allied with the Islamist group Jamaat-e-Islami, which was responsible for unspeakable atrocities against civilians during Bangladeshs 1971 war of independence. Indians arent willing to take a chance on another BNP government. Unable to convince India that liberal democracy in Bangladesh is worth saving, the White House instead relied on finger wagging at Ms. Hasina. That it now has little to show is a result typical of a U.S. administration whose reach has often been greater than its grasp. And it shows how, in a complex world, its much easier to talk about democracy than it is to promote it successfully. The ministry of external affairs denied reports that India had exported artillery shells to Ukraine. This came after reports in news publications and social media claimed that Russia had traced shells used by Ukraines military to an Indian supplier. We can categorically say that we have not sent any of these artillery ammunitions to Ukraine. We have not exported, we have not sent," said Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson of the ministry. The reports were featured by agencies linked to the Russian government. India has thus far avoided aligning with a particular side since the Ukraine war began in February 2022. While India has sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine and has participated in aid conferences aimed at rebuilding Ukraine, it has refrained from condemning Russia for its invasion of the country. India has also continued its deep energy and defence relationship with Russia. New Delhi has kept up engagements with both sides. External affairs minister S. Jaishankar completed a five-day visit to Russia in December with a focus on improving the trade balance between the two countries and signing agreements related to nuclear power plants. On Wednesday, Jaishankar also spoke with Ukraines foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba regarding the ongoing conflict. My first call in 2024 was with @DrSJaishankar on Ukrainian-Indian relations. I informed my counterpart of Russia's recent escalation of terror and mass air attacks, which caused civilian suffering and the destruction," Kuleba posted on social media platform X. The two sides discussed plans for bilateral cooperation, Jaishankar stated after the conversation. The ministers also decided to hold India-Ukraine inter-governmental commission meetings soon, Kuleba added. The two sides have not held such a meeting since 2018. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Congress leaders will embark on the newly renamed Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from January 14. The route will take senior party leaders including Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi across the country from Manipur to Mumbai over a span of 67 days. The development is being seen as a bid to rally support for the party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Details shared by the party indicate that the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra (previously called the Bharat Nyay Yatra) will pass through 14 states and 85 districts from the east to the west of India. Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi is slated to lead the march and efforts are underway to finalise the route. Top Congress leaders held a meeting on Thursday to discuss the party's strategy for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and preparations for the Manipur-to-Maharashtra yatra. The second version of the Bharat Jodo Yatra that was held between September 2022 and January 2023 will be held from Imphal to Mumbai between January 14 and March 20. The yatra from India's east to west is an attempt by the Congress to reach out to people and connect with them ahead of the Lok Sabha polls due in April-May. The BJP is pushing emotive issues to cover up the failures of its government in the last 10 years. They deliberately involve Congress in every issue. We have to unite and give a befitting reply to the lies, deceit and wrongdoings of the BJP on grassroots issues in front of the people," Kharge said during Thursday's meeting. The Congress president also lauded Rahul Gandhi for undertaking the the Kanyakumari to Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra and expressed confidence that his Bharat Nyay Yatra from Manipur to Maharashtra will bring issues of social justice to centre of the national discussion. (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! HIT: The Auburn chapter of international nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace reached two milestones at the close of 2023, delivering its 300th bed of the year and the 700th bed since 2020. Skyler and Bentlee, along with their sister, Maekenna, 3, and parents, Adam and Melissa Pille watched the volunteers set up the beds recently at their home in Port Byron, where a fire on the second floor of the building in April force the entire family move downstairs. The boys both said they were excited to be in their new beds instead of the large couch they had been using for months. Noting that Maekenna has been sleeping in a bed brought by the local chapter earlier this year, Adam and Melissa said they were thrilled about the assistance. "We're very thankful that they have this group to help people out," Melissa said. The Sleep in Heavenly Peace chapter will hold a community build, where people can come to the Fingerlakes Mall workshop to help make beds, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. More information can be found on the group's website. MISS: U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams was the victim of a "swatting" incident on Christmas Day in which a false emergency call was made reporting a shooting at his home in Sennett. The Cayuga County Sheriff's Office New York State Police responded and quickly confirmed the incident to be false. "It is unfortunate that someone would make such a false report on Christmas Day and cause Congressman Williams and his family such an inconvenience on this important holiday," sheriff Brian Schenck said. The Cayuga County Sheriff's Office was working to determine who made the 911 call, and Williams said on his social media accounts that Capitol Police were also investigating the incident. He thanked local law enforcement for being "polite, professional and prompt." HIT: The Cayuga County Homsite Development Corporation has received a $700,000 grant from the New York State HOME Program and a $500,000 grant from the state's RESTORE program as part of a $46 million package supporting affordable home ownership. The central New York region received a total of $4,183,870 in grants, with the rest going to recipients outside Cayuga County. The HOME grant for Homsite will support manufactured housing replacement, New York State Homes and Community Renewal said in the news release. The RESTORE grant will support emergency repairs for elderly homeowners. A nonprofit housing agency based in Auburn, Homsite provides property management, home repair and housing choice vouchers throughout the county. For more information, visit homsite.org or hcr.ny.gov. Gallery: Cayuga County bedmaking nonprofit marks 700th delivery Cracks within the Opposition INDIA bloc widened this week with the Congress and Trinamool Congress sparring over seat-sharing in West Bengal. The development came after reports indicated that the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC had offered the other party two Lok Sabha seats in the upcoming polls. It is Mamata who needs the Congress to win, not the other way around. We are quite capable of waging a solo fight in the state and winning more seats than we did last time. We are prepared to show as much. We don't need Mamata's pity and are quite capable of retaining these two seats (even if the TMC contests them)" said Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. The party's West Bengal chief scoffed at the reported allocation, noting that the seats in question were already held by Congress representatives. The TMC won 22 seats while the Congress won two (Behrampore and Malda South) Lok Sabha seats in the 2019 elections. We won these seats defeating Mamata Banerjee's TMC and the BJP. Are they doing us a favour? Who will trust her (Mamata) with seat allotment?" he asked. Chowdhury also asserted that the Trinamool Congress was not serious about strengthening or forging an alliance in Bengal". The TMC is busy pleasing and serving Prime Minister Narendra Modi to protect themselves from the clutches of the CBI and the ED. The Congress is not going to beg before TMC for seats; we don't need their alms. Who are they to decide how many seats the party will contest? If needed, we will fight on our own; let the party high command take a call on it," he told reporters. (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! YS Sharmila, the sister of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy and founder of YSR Telangana Party, on Thursday joined the Congress party. She has also announced the merger of her party with the grand old party in the presence of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and former Congress president Rahul Gandhi. The Congress party is still the largest secular party of our country and it has always upheld the true culture of India and built foundations of our nation," Sharmila said, adding that it was her father's dream to see Rahul Gandhi as prime minister. Sharmila had announced her support to the Congress during the recent assembly polls in Telangana. She had underscored the need to strengthen the Congress to end the alleged corrupt and anti-people rule of the BRS led by K Chandrasekhar Rao. This time, the Congress emerged as the winner crossing the halfway mark, and winning 64 seats in the state. BRS won 39 seats, followed by the BJP with 8 seats, AIMIM with 7 seats, and one seat for the CPI. Rift in YSR family behind Sharmila's decision The political tussle between the Reddy siblings began in February 2021 when Sharmila claimed that there was no presence of the Yuvajana Shramika Rythu Congress Party in Telangana. A few months later, she parted ways with her brother Jagan Mohan Reddy, and launched her new party YSR Telangana Party on July 8, 2021, the birth anniversary of her father Rajasekhara Reddy who died in September 2009. After his father's death, Jagan Mohan Reddy started a condolence tour or Odarpu Yatra across Andhra Pradesh in April 2010 to console the families of those who died of shock or committed suicide following Rajasekhara's death. Notably, the Congress did not support the yatra and asked Reddy to call off the tour. However, he refused to budge and went ahead with the Odarpu Yatra. The rift widened between Jagan and Congress loyalists over the years. He then eventually came out of the party and established his own YSR Congress Party' (YSRCP), taking up the political legacy left by his father. Sharmila parted ways with YSRCP about three years ago. In November 2023, she announced that her party would not run in the Telangana Legislative Assembly election. She recognised the electoral potential of the Congress party and emphasised that her goal was not to destabilise the Congress but rather to promise support if the Congress wins power in the state. Sharmila is likely to get a key post in the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and also in the run-up to the Andhra Pradesh state assembly elections. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The Supreme Court has refused to quash criminal proceedings against Congress leader Pawan Khera over his remarks against PM Modi. A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta saidon Thursday that was not inclined to interfere with the Allahabad High Court order. The apex court had earlier clubbed three FIRs lodged against the senior Congress leader for making objectionable remarks against PM Narendra Modi. "Sorry, we are not inclined," the bench said on Thursday. The senior politician had stoked outrage in February 2023 after referring to the Prime Minister as Narendra Gautam Das Modi. The remark seen as a reference to industrialist Gautam Adani had not gone down well with BJP leaders and supporters. The senior politician was arrested by the Assam Police soon after the incident and remains out on bail. Khera faces charges under several sections of the IPC including 53A (promoting communal enmity), 153B (imputations prejudicial to national integration), 500 (defamation) and 504 (insult with intent to provoke breach of peace). The SC had clubbed FIRs filed against Khera in Assam and Uttar Pradesh while extending his interim bail in March. It had also transferred the matter to the Hazratganj police station in Lucknow. Khera has tendered an unconditional apology in the court for the alleged remarks. The Allahabad HC had dismissed Khera's plea on the matter in mid-August last year. It said that the evidence collected by the investigating officer of the case could be evaluated in petition filed under section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for quashing the case. (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! When Zaher Jabarin ran a Hamas cell in the 1980s, he borrowed cash from his mother to buy weapons. Now, he oversees a financial empire that the U.S. estimates is worth hundreds of millions of dollars and funds Hamass operations against Israel. The 55-year-old militant manages Hamass financial relationship with its main benefactor Iran and handles how Tehran gets cash to the Gaza Strip, U.S. and Israeli officials say. He looks after a portfolio of companies that deliver income annually for Hamas and runs a network of private donors and businessmen who invest for the Islamist group. Jabarins influence over Hamass finances is so significant that current and former U.S. and Israeli security officials believe he enabled the group to pay for weapons and fighters wages to mount the Oct. 7 attacks. Jabarin played a huge role because he handles all of Hamas finance outside Gaza," said Uzi Shaya, a former Israeli security official who has researched illicit finance. Jabarin is the CEO of Hamas." Jabarin was close to Saleh al-Arouri, the Hamas official killed Tuesday in an explosion attributed to Israel. The pair helped found Hamass military wing in the West Bank and were both considered close to Iran. Arouri wrote the introduction to a book that Jabarin published after his release from prison. Days have not weakened his resolve." Arouri wrote of his comrade. He is continuing, god willing, to complete this journey, which is the path of jihad." Israel fears that even if it destroys Hamass military in Gaza, the groups financial empire will remain. Jabarin for years defied layers of Western sanctions to use financial systems in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Sudan, and lately Turkey, to establish companies and move money into Gaza, according to the current and former U.S. and Israeli security officials, and current and former Palestinian finance officials. The enduring financial flows illustrate the difficulty the U.S. and Israel have faced shutting down funding to Hamas. The U.S. has sanctioned Hamas officials and affiliated companies for more than two decades but has struggled to disrupt its ability to raise cash. Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by Washington, but it has maintained support in the Arab and Muslim world as a proponent of the Palestinian cause. Under Jabarin, Hamass financial office is based in a dark-glass windowed building in Istanbul, where it holds stakes in companies, including shares in a real-estate firm listed on Turkeys stock exchange, according to U.S. sanctions against Hamas officials and related companies. It is an honor to get funds for Hamas," Jabarin said in an interview. But he denies his own involvement in raising money. This is an accusation, not a fact." He is now part of Hamas, the political party, not Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the organizations military wing, he said. Hamas has relationships with many countries, such as Iran, Russia, Algeria, Turkey and others, he said. Israel tries to mix apples and oranges," he said. Al-Qassam has its own ties, far away from Hamas the political party." Turkey has said it doesnt consider Hamas a terrorist organization and distinguishes between the military and political wings. Ankara has said legitimate Turkish businesses dont finance Hamass military operations and its financial system hasnt been abused. The Turkish government didnt respond to a request for comment. Jabarin has built relationships with people close to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Israeli security officials say helped Hamas procure weapons and funding. Jabarin has helped maintain Hamass relationship in Lebanon with Iranian proxy Hezbollah, working with money changers there, according to U.S. officials who have tracked the financial flows. Iran transferred tens of millions of dollars to Hamas in recent years via money changers using the hawala system, and more recently cryptocurrencies, The Wall Street Journal reported. The cash was routed via exchanges in Beirut, Istanbul and other regional business hubs before getting to Gaza, according to the U.S. officials, and the current and former Palestinian officials. U.S. officials said the entirety of Hamass organization funds its military operations and attacks against Israelis. Like Yahya Sinwar, the current leader in Gaza, Jabarin was released from prison in 2011 as part of a deal to free more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners for an Israeli soldier. While Sinwar rose through the ranks of Hamas in Gaza, Jabarin worked his way up outside the Palestinian territories. Within Hamas, Jabarin is also responsible for prisoners, and with Sinwar negotiated the deal brokered by Qatar and Egypt to release Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, according to Egyptian officials. You dont come out of prison and pick up this portfolio as a newbie or a midlevel somebody," Matthew Levitt, a former U.S. Treasury official now of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said of Jabarins role as Hamass unofficial finance chief. This is a position of serious trust and authority." Since the Oct. 7 attacks, the U.S. has imposed four rounds of sanctions targeting Hamas officials, companies and businessmen associated with the group. Those designated have included shareholders in the listed Turkish company, who are considered front men for Hamas, and a Lebanese money exchanger and its owners. The U.S. also has blacklisted a Sudanese businessman who the U.S. said managed companies for Hamas and whose own investments have included a gold-mining firm in Sudan and a stake in the countrys biggest telecom operator. Yet funding by Iran and private donors has continued since the beginning of the war, according to Western officials and statements by groups raising money. Online donations have surged to charities in Europe, Asia and the Persian Gulf accused of connections to Hamas by the U.S., Israel or Australia. If Hamas money continues to flow from abroad into Gaza and the West Bank, we will find ourselves in the same position to intervene again and again," said Ehud Levi, a former director of terrorism finance at the office of the Israeli prime minister. The Shooting Squads Born in 1968, Jabarin grew up in Salfit, a town in the northern West Bank, and became religious as a boy, attending the local mosque and reading works by Hassan al-Banna, the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist political movement of which Hamas is an offshoot, according to a book that Jabarin published. In his late teens, he headed a gang of youths called The Shooting Squads" that joined in the uprising against Israel in 1987, known as the first intifada, according to an interview with Gaza-based Felesteen newspaper. One of Jabarins first acts of resistance, he told Felesteen, was to write anti-occupation graffiti around Salfit. His ambitions soon turned more violent. To buy weapons, one member of Jabarins group sold his car and another sold his wifes jewelry, Jabarin said in the Felesteen interview. Jabarin himself asked to borrow money from his mother, according to a profile of him on the Palestinian Information Center website, which Israeli researchers say is affiliated with Hamas. Jabarins biggest early contribution to Hamas was that he recruited a Palestinian, Yahya Ayyash, who studied how to make improvised explosive devices. At the start of the violence, Israeli forces arrested Jabarin over the killing of an Israeli soldier and a court convicted him of murder with a life sentence, according to a former prison official who spent time with him. Ayyash, meanwhile, was assassinated in 1996 when a phone exploded next to his ear, according to press reports at the time. In prison, Jabarin learned Hebrew, studied for a degree and was one of the Hamas members in charge of managing the welfare of prisoners. He began writing his book, published a year after his 2011 release. During his imprisonment, Hamas evolved from a fringe Palestinian movement to the most popular faction in the West Bank and Gaza. The group won elections in 2006 for the Palestinian Authoritys legislature, causing Israel and the international community to boycott Hamas. A year later, Hamas wrested control of Gaza from the Palestinian Authority, allowing it to levy taxes and boosting the militant groups ability to raise cash. From Jeddah to Istanbul By the time Jabarin was freed, Hamas had created a network of companies that provided the group with income and were used to launder money so the cash wasnt associated with the group, according to the former U.S. and Israeli officials. The base of this operation, according to the U.S., was initially Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where Hamas moved tens of millions of dollars from Iran to its military wing and operations in Gaza. Hamas owned a construction and real-estate business there, as well as a similar firm in Sudan, ruled at the time by an Islamist dictatorship, led by Omar al-Bashir, which was sympathetic to Hamas. Sudan subsequently shifted allegiances and established diplomatic ties with Israel. Under sanctions pressure from the U.S., Saudi Arabia forced Hamass finance officials from Jeddah, according to the current and former U.S. and Israeli officials. A Saudi government spokesperson didnt respond to a request for comment. Jabarin found a new home for the business empire in Turkey. Its leader, Erdogan, is a supporter of Islamist movements across the Middle East. The Hamas finance chief received assistance from a Turkish associate to purchase and rent commercial and residential properties, and buy luxury vehicles, according to a 2018 investigation by Israels domestic security services involving the arrest of a Turkish academic accused of working with Hamas. Jabarin used his position to fund attacks against Israelis. In 2018, the Israeli agency arrested an Arab citizen of Israel who had taken hundreds of thousands of euros in cash for al-Qassam operatives in the West Bank, money that had been provided by Jabarin in Istanbul, according to Israels domestic security service. The U.S. imposed sanctions directly on Jabarin in 2019, later saying he had become the brains behind a financial network that allowed Hamas to raise, invest and launder vast sums of money" from Turkey. Jabarin, working closely with other Hamas officials, developed a real-estate portfolio in the country, which made up the bulk of its $500 million worth of assets globally, the U.S. said a few years later. It included stakes in companies based in Algeria and the U.A.E., which didnt respond to requests for comment. The highest-profile asset was real-estate developer Trend GYO. Listed on the Turkish stock exchange, it was owned 75% by front men for Hamas, according to the U.S., which sanctioned the firm in May 2022. The Turkish government granted one of Trends founders citizenship and a new name, according to U.S. officials. Hamas officials based in Turkey have opened Turkish bank accounts to move cash and transfer it to operatives in the West Bank, they said. In a statement, Trend said it didnt know Hamas or people associated with the group. Trend said that as a listed firm it is obliged to be transparent about how it uses its earnings, making it impossible for Hamas or any other unofficial organization to transfer money." Months before the U.S. Treasury sanctioned Trend, officials asked Ankara to take action against the company, according to people familiar with the matter, with no effect. Jabarin has spent time recently in Beirut, where he nurtured Hamass relationship with Tehrans Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah, and money changers based in the city. The U.S. on Nov. 14 sanctioned a Lebanese money changer who worked with Hezbollah on transferring millions of dollars from Iran to Hamass military wing. Israel is concerned that such designations have limited impact on Jabarins ability to move money. A senior Lebanon official said it had no intention to interfere with Hamass presence in the country. We dont always like what they do, but we decided from the beginning to be an open country," he said. Saleh al-Batati, Ghassan Adnan and Elvan Kivilcim contributed to this article. Write to Rory Jones at Rory.Jones@wsj.com, Benoit Faucon at benoit.faucon@wsj.com and Ian Talley at Ian.Talley@wsj.com A decade ago, global fashion companies set out to raise the pay of workers who make the clothes they sell to a living wage. It hasnt happened. In Bangladesh, the nearly 600,000 people making clothes for Swedish giant H&Mone of the biggest retailers in this space to start talking about paying living wagesearned an average of $119 a month in the first half of 2023, excluding overtime, the latest available data shows. That is well below the $194 living-wage figure for the suburbs of Dhaka, the capital, where clothing factories are clustered, according to the Global Living Wage Coalition, a research and advocacy group whose benchmarks are widely used in the industry. At those income levels, workers say they have no savings. Often, they borrow from relatives to cover medical expenses or meet unforeseen emergencies. Some months, they even buy food on credit. Frustration over low wages boiled over in October when workers in Bangladesh set factories ablaze and smashed machines in protest. Western fashion companies say they want wages to rise, but cant wave a wand and make it happen. They generally dont own the factories where their products are made and dont determine pay for workers. They say they dont want to go down the road of imposing specific wage levels on supplier factories. Instead, they have tried other solutions. H&M, for instance, brought Swedish study circles to Bangladesh to train workers in negotiation, experimented with model factories and pushed for more transparent pay structures for workers. Advocates for higher wages say it was clear from the start these methods wouldnt move the needle. What will work, they say, is setting a higher wage level supplier factories must meet and a clear schedule for phasing in those higher wages. Its entirely feasible to do this, it will just cost more money," said Scott Nova, executive director of the Worker Rights Consortium, a labor-monitoring group based in Washington, D.C. For the companies, this has never been about raising wages, this has always been about kicking the can down the road on an issue that carries a lot of reputational risk." H&M said it agrees wages are too low in many sourcing markets, but that setting wage levels for suppliers is a shortsighted tactic that undermines the role of workers, unions, employers organizations and governments." They, and others like Zara-owner Inditex, stress the importance of workers negotiating higher pay for themselves via collective-bargaining agreements, where labor unions hammer out higher wages with employers. But in many of the places Western brands buy from, such as China, Vietnam and Bangladesh, independent unions are either banned or repressed. A review of Inditex disclosures shows just 3% of its supplier factories in Asia have collective-bargaining agreements. A spokesperson for Inditex says it promotes collective bargaining and worker participation as the most efficient mechanism to facilitate living wages, and declined to comment on why only a small share of its factories in Asia have collective-bargaining agreements. Part of the problem is low wages are core to fast fashion. It is no coincidence that Bangladesh, the worlds second-largest exporter of clothes, is also the place where workers who make clothes earn among the lowest wages of industrial workers anywhere. To sell shorts and shirts cheaplyand increasingly, compete with so-called ultrafast fashion brands like China-founded Shein, known for their rock-bottom pricesclothing giants pressure their suppliers to keep costs down. Insisting on higher wages would mean paying more for the clothes and potentially putting themselves at a competitive disadvantage if other companies arent making similar moves. Garment-worker pay has gone up in certain manufacturing powerhouses such as Vietnam and China where competition to recruit factory labor is fierce. But in some of the worlds largest and most populous clothing-export hubs like Indonesia, India and Bangladesh, it remains very low. After dayslong protests last year, Bangladesh increased the monthly minimum wage to around $113more than 55% higher than it was, but half of what workers were demanding. The U.S. government in November called on Bangladesh to revisit the minimum-wage decision. German shoemaker Puma said in its 2022 annual report that its factories in Pakistan and Bangladeshaccounting for roughly an eighth of its total productsdont pay a living wage. Even California-based Patagonia, known for its progressive ethos, says that of the 29 factories it bought clothing from, only 10 paid a living wage in 2022. Puma said it is important to approach wage matters as a collective effort as it is not a challenge a single brand can address alone." A Patagonia official said it still has more work to do, but that the company remained committed to supporting its partners around the world toward living wages. In 2013, H&M took a big leap and committed to push for a living wage for workers. A larger share of the value should end up in the pockets of the workers, and the process is far too slow," Helena Helmersson, H&Ms chief executive, said in 2013. She was H&Ms global head of sustainability at the time. Among the steps it took was a pilot project to promote social dialogue, according to emails H&M sent to worker advocates that were seen by The Wall Street Journal. Bangladeshi workers were trained in what H&M called a mix of Swedish study circles and Japanese improvement circles to impart negotiation skills. The Swedish labor movement has long used study circles to teach fellow workers about organizing. Armed with similar training, H&M said Bangladeshi workers could form democratically elected committees that would be free to form trade unions that could push up wages. Today, more than 90% of the factories H&M sources from in Bangladesh have elected worker representatives. Worker committees dont negotiate pay, however, and few of them have turned into unions. Only a fifth of H&Ms supplier factories in Bangladesha country where labor organizing is repressedhave trade unions. An H&M spokesman acknowledged that there was a declining unionization trend in the countries the company sources from and said that was worrying given the fact it has been outlined as one key factor in improving wages." In addition to its efforts to promote worker voices, H&M also began gathering and publishing data on worker wages, and pushed for workplace management systems at factories to improve pay fairness and transparency. The overall effect on wages has been minimal. An academic paper published in the Journal of Accounting Research in 2023 found that factories subject to H&Ms interventions saw wage increases after three years that were 5% higher than at factories where these efforts werent made. An H&M spokesman said this data shows the impact of one brands efforts while there are other brands sharing factories with us, hence the importance of collaboration to achieve systematic and sustainable change." Greg Distelhorst, an associate professor at the University of Toronto who co-wrote the paper, said the size of the gain was modest, not revolutionary." I think its a good thing that H&M implemented these wage programs, and I would be pleased if more companies followed their lead," he said in an email. At the same time, I think we should have realistic expectations for what such programs can accomplish." Write to Jon Emont at jonathan.emont@wsj.com View Full Image Big Fashion Still Hasnt Figured Out How to Pay a Living Wage The U.S. Army is resurrecting production for the M777 howitzer after its heavy use by Ukraine brought new demand for a big gun whose most recent order was five years ago. The M777s production comeback highlights how the war in Ukraine is helping to reshape the global armaments industry, with battlefield use of artillery and missile-defense systems, in particular, leading to a surge in demand. For now, the effort is focused on producing new parts to refurbish old guns in Ukraine. But it shows how the nearly two-year Ukraine war is taking a toll on Kyivs Western-donated equipment, some of which is no longer produced. That leads to future problems in acquiring spare parts needed to keep guns operational. British defense company BAE Systems said Thursday that it will restart production of M777 parts for the U.S. Army. The newly manufactured parts will be used to refurbish M777s deployed in Ukraine, according to a person familiar with the matter. BAE said that with M777 production running again it expects contracts for whole guns. More than eight countries have made inquiries about buying the M777 since the start of the Ukraine war, the company said. While Western militaries sent Kyiv more nimble self-propelled howitzers, the M777, which has to be towed into position, won favor for being less prone to breakdowns and easy to use and repair. Weapons that get visibility and credibility during a conflict often generate foreign sales," said Mark Cancian, an adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank and a former artillery officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. Cancian said that restarting weapon production lines after they shut down is rare. The U.S. Army, which runs the M777 program and must approve all foreign sales, didnt immediately reply to requests for comment. The British Starstreak air-defense missile is also being brought back into production after its deployment in Ukraine. Rheinmetall of Germany is looking at resurrecting a facility connected to ammunition manufacturing after a surge in demand for shells from Ukraine. Ukraine has become similar to a giant arms fair for defense companies, with some weapons winning particular attention. Air-defense systems have been pivotal for Ukraine, allowing it to stymie the Russian air force and protect its cities and infrastructure from missiles and drones. The howitzer, a class of long-barreled, battlefield gun, has taken on a more prominent role in this war than in other recent conflicts, such as the one in Afghanistan or the second war in Iraq. Ukraine has more M777 howitzers than any other Western-supplied artillery. At least 170 have been donated from the U.S., Australia and Canada. But about 77 of those have been damaged or even destroyed, according to Oryx, an independent team of analysts that has tracked open-source intelligence on equipment losses throughout the war. Towed howitzers such as the M777 are slower to move after firing than self-propelled artillery, making them more vulnerable to enemy counterfire. Crews in most self-propelled howitzers also have the protection of their vehicle, unlike those with towed pieces. Moreover, the M777s lightweight titanium parts also make it more susceptible to damage from shrapnel, operators say. Still, the M777s Ukrainian artillerymen say they find the howitzer very accurate and that those lightweight parts make it easier to move across muddy fields. The gun is also easier to operate and repair than other Western howitzers used in Ukraine, which is essential given that Ukrainian crews didnt have long to learn how to operate them. The ease of fixing the M777 means that the mainly British-made gun is in action more than other foreign howitzers, Col. Serhiy Baranov, chief of the main directorate of missile troops and artillery and unmanned systems of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, said in September. On average, less than 70% of Ukraines foreign howitzers are operating at any one time, he said. The M777 is in action roughly 85% of the time. Restarting weapons production takes time. The new M777s will be delivered in 2025, said BAE, which had to look for a new supplier of titanium. In general, the longer the line is shut down, the harder and more costly the restart is," said Cynthia R. Cook, who also works for the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Workforces need to be trained on the system, the supplier base needs to be re-engaged and new tooling is sometimes necessary, she said. U.S. arms maker RTX had to redesign some parts of its Stinger missile after receiving its first orders for the weapon in almost two decades in 2021. Parts used in earlier versions of the portable antiaircraft system were no longer produced. Some of the Western equipment used in Ukraine is no longer made. That includes the British AS-90 self-propelled howitzer, Germanys Gepard air-defense gun and early versions of the Leopard tank. Write to Alistair MacDonald at Alistair.Macdonald@wsj.com Google is going forward with sweeping changes to how companies track users onlinemoves that have been years in the making. Advertisers still arent ready. The changes, among the biggest in the history of the $600 billion-a-year online ad industry, center on the use of cookies, technology that logs the activity of internet users across websites so that advertisers can target them with relevant ads. Starting Thursday, Google will start a limited test that will restrict cookies for 1% of the people who use its Chrome browser, which is by far the worlds most popular. By years end, Google plans to eliminate cookies for all Chrome users. Marketers, advertising technology companies and web publishers are working to ensure their businesses can weather the transition. They said Google, which has introduced software tools designed to help replace cookies, hasnt done enough to prepare the market. The industry is nowhere near ready, said Anthony Katsur, chief executive of the IAB Tech Lab, an ad-tech industry trade group that is funded by its members including Google. He said Google should give people more time to test its replacement technologies before eliminating cookies and that Googles planned timing for the full bannear the crucial fourth-quarter advertising blitzwould be brutal for the industry. The timing remains poor. Launching it during the industrys greatest revenue-generating part of the year is just a terrible decision," Katsur said. Google executives said their efforts to eliminate cookies involved extensive collaboration with the internet ecosystem. Many in the advertising industry have urged Google to push ahead with the changes following previous delays in the process, they said. Googles tools for replacing cookies are intended to help the industry meet business goals while respecting consumer privacy, they said. Were confident in the ability for the industry to navigate the transition," said Anthony Chavez, a Google vice president overseeing the changes. Cookies have been around since the early days of the web. Googles changes target third-party cookies the online ad industry places on websites to track users around the internet. For instance, a clothing manufacturer can use the technology to target someone reading articles on a news outlets website after that person clicked a competitors ad on another site. Googles changes dont affect the kinds of cookies sites use to store basic information such as login details. Though Googles efforts will only affect a fraction of Chrome users at first, they could eventually mean billions of internet users see fewer ads that appear to closely match their online browsing habits. Consumer advocates have argued third-party cookies invade user privacy because they can be used to compile detailed profiles, including sensitive information such as a persons medical history. Late last decade, Mozillas Firefox and Apples Safari browsers began placing limits on tracking cookies because of privacy concerns. Google followed in 2020 with plans to banish them from Chrome but has delayed the process several times to address complaints from the ad industry and privacy advocates. Googles plans have faced vocal resistance from ad brokers that rely on cookies to help marketers target customers and track the effectiveness of their spending. Some of them have also raised concerns that the changes will reinforce the tech companys dominance by centralizing more critical functions in the companys browser technology. Chrome accounts for 65% of internet traffic worldwide, making it three times as popular as Safari, the next most widely used browser, according to Statcounter data. Google said it promised not to give any preferential treatment to the companys own products as part of an agreement with the U.K.s Competition and Markets Authority, which is overseeing the plans to eliminate cookies. The company has said its agreement with the CMA will be applied globally. Major ad-tech companies have also complained to the CMA and Google that its proposals contain significant gaps for important features such as video and are technically difficult to implement, said people familiar with the discussions. Those issues have made it difficult for publishers, brokers and ad buyers to perform the testing required to prepare for the elimination of cookies, the people said. Googles efforts are part of a broader project named Privacy Sandbox that also spans Android, its widely used mobile software. Google described the changes this month as a limited test before it moves forward with eliminating cookies. The CMA has the power to effectively veto the plans if it concludes they will harm other businesses. Some industry executives said Googles lucrative search advertising business stands to benefit from the elimination of cookies because it doesnt rely as heavily on them, making it a safer destination for marketers during the transition. As a result, Privacy Sandbox likely has very few winners outside of Google, if there are any at all," Bill Simmons, vice president of product at Trade Desk, one of the largest platforms for digital ad-buyers, wrote last month. He wrote that Googles elimination of cookies would likely depress the overall value of online advertising. Google executives said the companys primary goal is to improve user privacy while providing as much value to advertisers as possible. The changes will require some companies to rework their existing products or invent new ones, they said. This is not a static, point-in-time picture," Googles Chavez said. The ecosystem contains thousands of companies, and theyll continue to adapt and optimize over time." A spokeswoman for the CMA said it will continue to engage with industry participants and others that could be affected by Privacy Sandbox changes to ensure that their views are considered." Some advertising executives said they were relieved Google was pushing ahead with the changes after it delayed the process twice. In late 2023, Google began widely allowing others in the industry to simulate what it would look like if cookies were eliminated. It was hot for a minute, and then things kind of cooled off," said Evelyn Mitchell-Wolf, a senior analyst at Insider Intelligence, which tracks the online ad industry. Advertisers are only just starting to pick up those conversations" again, she said. Other ad executives said Googles schedule hasnt given the industry enough time to prepare. Some predict the changes will cause disappointing results for both advertisers and ad-supported websites, as marketers might find it more difficult to target consumers, leading to depressed ad prices. They point to the way ad prices fell in Firefox and Safari after those browsers restricted cookies. Criteo, an ad-tech vendor and early tester of Googles solutions, found third-party cookies were five times more effective at targeting users than one of Googles proposed replacements named Topics, according to a November 2022 report published on its corporate blog. A Google spokesman said it had made changes to Topics since the Criteo study. Jamie Seltzer, an executive vice president at ad agency Havas Media, said its tests with advertisers have shown a mix of alternatives to cookies can produce similar or better results most of the time. It is difficult to tell how well they will work in higher volumes until Google moves forward with its plans, she added. Many of our clients are waiting to see where things go and how things evolve," Seltzer said. Write to Miles Kruppa at miles.kruppa@wsj.com and Patience Haggin at patience.haggin@wsj.com As the political theatrics unfold in Washington, its becoming glaringly evident that certain politicians are using their platforms not for the betterment of the nation, but as a tool to manipulate financial markets. The recent comments from House GOP lawmakers, led by Speaker Mike Johnson and Joe Bidens Administration trying to attach something as serious as border security to a massive money giveaway on the brink of a potential government shutdown are not just concerning but should be deemed criminal if they intend to deliberately tank or rally the market for political gain. In a perplexing series of comments, Johnson and his Republican colleagues hinted at a looming government shutdown, focusing their negotiations on making border issues a pivotal part of funding talks. While their intent to address immigration is clear, the lack of clarity on compromise pathways is deeply troubling, while the Biden Administration poses not only economic risks but also exposes blatant disregard for the welfare of the nation. Its no secret that markets thrive on stability and predictability. However, when politicians exploit their positions to send mixed signals, the ramifications can be catastrophic. The recent musings from lawmakers have only exacerbated concerns, with economic observers like Brian Gardner from Stifel suggesting a probable partial government shutdown. Such volatility can erode investor confidence, leading to significant financial repercussions. Furthermore, the overt politicization of critical issues, such as funding for Homeland Security and foreign aid debates, further underscores the need for legislative responsibility. Instead of engaging in divisive rhetoric, lawmakers should prioritize bipartisan collaboration, ensuring the nations stability and economic prosperity. While Democrats are printing money to giveaway at a breakneck pace, House Republicans like Beth Van Duyne and Andy Biggs advocate for stringent measures, including potential shutdowns, aa of their actions risk undermining Americas national security and economic growth. Such reckless posturing is not only detrimental but sets a dangerous precedent, allowing political agendas to overshadow the nations best interests. The forthcoming weeks are critical, with looming deadlines for various government sectors. Yet, instead of fostering unity and cooperation, Washington remains embroiled in partisan battles, further jeopardizing the nations stability. In conclusion, its high time for Washington to prioritize the nations welfare over political grandstanding. Deliberate attempts to manipulate markets for political gain should be unequivocally condemned and deemed criminal. As citizens, America must hold elected officials accountable, ensuring they uphold their duties with integrity and foresight, rather than perpetuating divisiveness and economic instability. Shayne Heffernan Beijing (Gasgoo)- BAIC Groups new energy vehicle branch, BAIC BJEV, unveiled impressive sales figures for December 2023, with 20,815 units sold, contributing to a yearly total of around 92,000 units, marking an outstanding 84% year-on-year spike. Photo credit: ARCFOX The subsidiary's electric vehicle brand, ARCFOX, stood out, accumulating a robust annual sales figure of 30,016 units, showcasing a remarkable 138% year-on-year soar. Additionally, BAIC BJEVs BEIJING brand sold 62,156 electric vehicles throughout the year of 2023, demonstrating a notable 66% surge from that of the previous year. As a pivotal high-end brand under BAIC BJEV, ARCFOX introduced five models in 2023, including the S HI Edition, the S and T Forest Edition, the ARCFOX KAOLA, and the T5. Among these, the T5 officially hit the market on December 27, 2023, presenting four variants within a price range of 155,800 yuan to 199,800 yuan. BAIC BJEV is employing a two-pronged strategy of pursuing overseas market opportunities while emphasizing a "scenario-based" approach. On October 9, 2023, ARCFOX signed a partnership agreement with Bin Omeir Holding Group Limited, an enterprise based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This agreement paves the way for BAIC BJEVs ARCFOX premium electric vehicle brand to venture into the expansive Middle Eastern markets, specifically targeting the UAE and Saudi Arabia with its premium electric vehicle models. Beijing (Gasgoo)- Hongqi, the premium passenger vehicle brand under FAW Group, achieved a remarkable milestone in 2023 as its annual retail sales soared past 370,000 units, marking a 29.5% year-on-year jump. HS5; photo credit: Hongqi Notably, the brand's new energy vehicle retail sales saw an outstanding surge, surpassing 85,000 units throughout the year and reflecting a phenomenal 135% year-on-year soar. Specifically, two of Hongqis mainstay models, namely, the H5 and the HS5, both saw their annual sales exceed 100,000 units in 2023, which leapt 40% from the previous year. On September 19 last year, FAW Group announced a significant reinforcement of Hongqi's marketing management system, which included the consolidation of various institutions and functions within the marketing innovation institute, marketing center, and new energy marketing center. This strategic move aims to deeply align with Hongqi's "All in" new energy strategy. Hongqi's commitment to the "All in" new energy strategy has led to a comprehensive electrification plan for its entire vehicle lineup. This transformation spans from the new energy brand architecture, brand logo, design language, to technological platforms and product planning. Setting ambitious sales targets, Hongqi aims to surpass the 1-million-unit mark in total sales by 2025, with new energy vehicle sales exceeding 500,000 units. By 2030, the brand anticipates exceeding 1.5 million units in cumulative sales, with new energy vehicles forming the core of its sales strategy. In 2025, the brand plans to establish over 700 Hongqi experience spaces, a service network exceeding 1,000 locations, and 600,000 charging terminals overseas. The brand aims for overseas sales to contribute over 10% of its total sales by then. The fire department confirmed there was a fire in the boiler room, but they quickly got the fire under control. The previous fire was on the roof area of the facility. A dog has been missing from its family in Arkansas for three years. A good Samaritan and a helpful tool found the dog's owner, who suffers from medical issues. Many are coming together to reunite the two. Here are the latest outage numbers for the states in the Local 3 News viewing area. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On January 2, GAC Energy Technology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. was officially registered, marking another substantial stride in GAC Energy Technology Co., Ltd.'s energy industry deployment since its establishment on July 19, 2022, according to a post on GAC Energy's WeChat account. The newly registered company is a joint venture between GAC Energy, Suzhou Energy Development Group, Suzhou High-Tech City Transportation Development Group, and a subsidiary of SND Financial Holdings, established and registered in the local high-tech zone of Suzhou city. The company will initially focus on Suzhou and gradually expand its presence to other regions in the Jiangsu province, aiming to establish a comprehensive "photovoltaic, energy storage, EV charging, and battery swapping" energy supply network. At the end of 2023, GAC Energy unveiled its "Ten Thousand Charging Piles Plan," signaling an accelerated push for high-quality charging and swapping operations in 2024. The plan involves the rapid deployment of 1,000V high-voltage supercharging terminals in the year, with an initial target of 10,000 and no upper limit set. Besides, the year 2024 marks a new starting point for GAC Energy to deeply implement the GAC Group's 2 Energy Action and create a new model for the 1+N scenario of the energy ecosystem. The integration of high-voltage fast charging, rapid battery swapping, Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) car-network interaction, and other product technologies will build a collaborative "vehicle-pile-network" system, supporting the company in swiftly transforming towards a low-carbon, efficient, and environmentally friendly energy supply system. Photo creditL: GAC Energy By the end of 2023, GAC Energy has concentrated its efforts on the South, North, East, and Central-West regions of China, establishing nearly a thousand supercharging stations. Remarkably, it has achieved outstanding construction results in the East China region, with over 300 stations built annually, averaging one station per day. Suzhou, being one of the economic centers in the East China region and the country, aligns with the goals outlined in the "Suzhou New Energy Vehicle Industry High-Quality Development Action Plan (2023-2025)." The plan sets a target to build 3,000 public charging stations and 330,000 various charging piles by 2025, including the ambitious goal of 45,000 charging piles in public areas. If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view unlimited articles for the month, please choose this option. Tributes have poured in for the victim of a crash that occurred on New Years Eve in Roscommon. Helen Horan (nee Kelly), aged in her late 80s, tragically died following a road traffic accident, on Sunday, December 31. Helen was the first person I encountered when first arriving in Sligo for interview with North West Radio way back in 1990, and I was met her trademark Yeess? along with inquisitive look. She was always a lady and great fun. Rest in peace, wrote one person in tribute. Another tribute read: I cannot find the words to say I cannot believe you have gone I really hope you have arrived in heaven met with your husband and two daughters you so longingly missed. We were so looking forward to being with you in the new year and for you to finally meet your great grandson, I hope you're shining down on us granny, I love you so much x x x x x A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Joseph's Church, Boyle on Friday, January 5 at 12 noon, followed by private cremation. On Sunday, Gardai and emergency services were alerted shortly before 5pm after a two vehicle collision on the N4 at Doon near Boyle. Helen, the driver of one of the cars, was pronounced dead at the scene. A man in his 30s was the driver of the second car, he was taken by ambulance to Sligo University Hospital and his injuries are understood to be serious. Gardai are appealing for witnesses to come forward and make camera footage available to them, including dash-cam. Anyone with information can contact Castlerea Garda Station 094-9621630 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111. Helen Horan is late of Maple Close, Boyle in Co Roscommon. She was originally from Sligo. Predeceased by her husband Kieran, daughters Siobhan and Moya, sisters May Arney (Boyle), Tessie Emmett (Ballyfarnon) and Lily Gilchrist (Longford). Helen will be deeply regretted and sadly missed by her sister Nuala Mc Kenna (Boyle) brothers Pat Kelly (Boyle) Joe Kelly (UK) and sister-in-law Ann, granddaughters Hannah and her partner Karl, Samantha and husband Sean, also her great-grandson Max, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, neighbours and her many friends. Good news if you are a student availing of a SUSI maintenance grant! The grant is set to increase next week as part of Budget 2024 announcements last October. Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD announced a significant package of supports for third level students and researchers. The package will allow for increases of up to 342 in maintenance grants from next week. There will also be a re-introduction of maintenance grants worth up to 2,384 to eligible post-graduate students. There will be a 3,000 increase in the stipend for PhD researchers funded by the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland. These increases will take effect this week and will see money back in peoples pockets as students and their families prepare for the return to college. Speaking today, Minister Harris said: This is a really important increase at a difficult time for families across the country. The cost-of-living has had a real impact on families. This investment, made as part of a wider package of supports in Budget 2024, will see eligible students receive an increased student maintenance grant. For some that can mean a total of 342 between now and May and a total increase of 615 in their grant rate for the year. For others, it will see the return of post-graduate maintenance grants at all levels for the first time since the economic crash. This will put 2,384 into the pocket of those postgrads who will become eligible for the highest rate of increase between now and May. This cost of education package is in addition to the 1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for eligible undergraduate students. Minister Harris is also announcing a once-off increase to the Student Assistance Fund of 1,476,541 million bringing the total investment to over 19 million. Minister Harris added: Since this Department was established, we have made important changes. We know there is much more to do but I really do believe our record shows we are standing up for families and making sure that cost is not a barrier to accessing education. The once off increase to the Student Assistance Fund will provide additional financial support to eligible full or part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties due to the cost of living while attending college and brings the total available funding for the 2023/24 academic year to over 19 million. Minister Harris added: I am delighted to be in a position to increase the support available to help students in this academic year. I am conscious of the fact that the cost of attending college has increased and this extra funding will support students who are experiencing financial trouble while attending higher education institutions. It is a valuable assistance for students in need of help with either temporary or ongoing financial difficulties and can be used towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: January 03 2024 Amrish Patel and Medlink Allegedly Stole Funds Intended for Surgeons Who Provided Care to Injured Workers. New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the arrest and arraignment of Amrish Patel, 61, of Monroe Township, New Jersey, for allegedly stealing more than $1 million that was intended to be paid directly to doctors who provided medical care to injured workers under the New York State Workers Compensation Law. Patel, who provided billing services to a Brooklyn-based orthopedic surgery practice, allegedly submitted falsified claim forms to the New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF) to steal at least $1.1 million in workers compensation reimbursements for himself. Patel and his two companies, Medlink Services, Inc. and Medlink Partners, LLC (together, Medlink), were charged today with 27 felony counts for the thefts they allegedly committed from January 2012 through January 2019. Doctors and health care professionals provide crucial care to our communities, and they rely on accurate and ethical billing to sustain these services and ensure our wellbeing, said Attorney General James. When money is illegally diverted away from doctors and providers, all New Yorkers suffer as a result. Fraud of any kind will never go unchecked in our state, and my office will continue to use every measure to hold accountable those who seek to cheat New Yorkers for personal gain. I thank our partners for their invaluable support and collaboration on this case. Fraud in any part of the workers compensation system is detrimental to trust and hurts the entire system, including medical providers, carriers, businesses, and injured workers, said New York State Insurance Fund Executive Director and CEO Gaurav Vasisht. I am thankful for the collaboration of the Attorney General and Inspector Generals offices on this investigation. Workers compensation fraud is not a victimless crime, said New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang. The defendant compromised the integrity of this crucial safety net when he took advantage of his trusted position to ensure accurate billing for medical providers and health insurers. I am grateful to the Office of the Attorney General and the New York State Insurance Fund for their partnership in rooting out this fraud. As outlined in the 27-count complaint, Patel abused his position as a medical billing agent over the course of nearly seven years by diverting payments that were intended for surgeons who provided health care services to workers compensation claimants. Starting in 2011, Patel and his companies handled billing services for a Brooklyn-based orthopedic surgery practice and were responsible for submitting billing for surgeries related to work-related injuries under the New York State Workers Compensation Law. Under the law, authorized providers are reimbursed for their treatment of injured workers by the insurance carrier for the employer. Under the terms of their client agreement, Patel submitted bills for surgical procedures to NYSIF, the workers compensation carrier in this instance, and then the payments would subsequently be issued directly to the surgical practice or its doctors. In exchange for these transactions, Patel and his companies were paid monthly service fees. However, Patel allegedly submitted falsified claim forms to NYSIF and requested that the payments be sent to his companies instead of the doctors. In total, Patel allegedly stole at least $1.1 million in payments originally intended for three doctors for services provided between January 1, 2012 and January 4, 2019. Patel was arraigned today before the Honorable Holly Trexler in Albany City Court. Patel and the companies were charged with one count of Insurance Fraud in the First Degree (Class B felony), one count of Grand Larceny in the First Degree (Class B felony), one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (Class C felony), one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (Class D felony), one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree (Class E felony), 11 counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree (Class E felony), and 11 counts of Workers Compensation Fraud (Class E felony). Patel was released with electronic monitoring and a $100,000 bond. The charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Todays charges are the result of a joint investigation by the Office of the Attorney Generals (OAG) Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau (CEFC), NYSIF, and the New York State Offices of the Inspector General (OIG). Attorney General James thanks NYSIF and OIG for their valuable assistance on this case. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Cheryl Lee of CEFC. Analytical work was provided by Legal Analyst Brooke Starkey, under the supervision of Supervising Analyst Paul Strocko and Deputy Supervising Analyst Jayleen Garcia. Forensic accounting was conducted by Principal Supervising Auditor Investigator Jason Blair, under the supervision of Deputy Chief Auditor Sandy Bizzarro of the Forensic Audit Section. CEFC is led by Bureau Chief Stephanie Swenton and Deputy Bureau Chief Joseph G. DArrigo. The criminal investigation was conducted by Detective Dennis Churns, under the supervision of Deputy Chief Juanita Bright and Assistant Chiefs Samuel Scotellaro and Mitchell Paurowski of the Major Investigations Unit. The Investigations Bureau is led by Chief Investigator Oliver Pu-Folkes. Both CEFC and the Investigations Bureau are part of the Division for Criminal Justice, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Jose Maldonado and overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: January 04 2024 Jorge Bonilla Gutierrez allegedly drove through red light and launched victims vehicle into a tree. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Freeport man was indicted for allegedly killing a six-year-old girl while driving drunk in West Hempstead in August 2023. Jorge Bonilla Gutierrez, 18, was arraigned today before Judge Terence Murphy on grand jury indictment charges of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a C felony), Vehicular Manslaughter (a D felony), Assault in the Second Degree (a D violent felony), two counts of Assault in the Third Degree (an A misdemeanor) and two counts of Driving While Intoxicated (an unclassified misdemeanor). The defendant pleaded not guilty, was remanded and is due back in court on January 22, 2024. If convicted of the top charge the defendant faces a potential maximum of five to 15 years in prison. Katerine Vanges Hernandez was two days shy of her seventh birthday when this defendant, allegedly drunk and speeding, plowed his SUV into the car she was seated in, DA Donnelly said. The force of the impact propelled the vehicle into a tree and sadly, Katerine died shortly afterwards at the hospital. This crash is yet another reminder that drunk driving kills innocent people every day. DA Donnelly said that, according to the charges, on August 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 a.m., the defendant was allegedly intoxicated, speeding and drove through a red light when he crashed into the rear of the victims vehicle. The victims car, a Toyota Corolla, was stopped in the right lane of Hempstead Turnpike, near Westminster Road, with the hazard lights on. The force of the impact sent the Corolla off the roadway and into a tree, while the defendants vehicle, a Nissan Pathfinder, flipped multiple times. Bonilla Gutierrez allegedly slammed into the rear drivers side of the stationary vehicle, where six-year-old Katerine Vanegas Hernandez was seated, causing significant internal injuries. The child was taken to NYU Langone and died shortly afterwards. Katerine was killed two days before her seventh birthday. The victims five-year-old brother suffered a fractured spine, while the driver of the Corolla suffered multiple broken ribs. The defendant was apprehended by a member of the Nassau County Police Department near the crash scene. Empty beer cans were allegedly observed inside the defendants vehicle and next to the vehicle at the crash scene. Bonilla Gutierrez was transported to Nassau University Medical Center for broken ribs and a broken nose. Deputy Bureau Chief Katie Zizza of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau is prosecuting the case. The defendant is represented by Taryn Schechter, Esq. An international coalition of 13 countries said that the Iranian-backed Houthis with will bear the responsibility of the consequences if the militia continues to attack ships passing through the Red Sea and the Bab al Mandeb Strait. Iran, which supports the Houthis and aids in directing attacks, was not directly acknowledged in the demarche. The White House released a joint statement on Jan. 3 by the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom that warned the Houthis to cease attacks on international shipping. Ongoing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are illegal, unacceptable, and profoundly destabilizing, the statement declared. There is no lawful justification for intentionally targeting civilian shipping and naval vessels. Additionally, the Houthi attacks, which began on Nov. 19, 2023, constitute a significant international problem that demands collective action. The 13 countries demanded the immediate end of these illegal attacks and release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews and said that they are determined to hold malign actors accountable for unlawful seizures and attacks. The language and posture from the 13 countries, including the U.S., is markedly different from that of the past month and a half. The Biden administration has sought to keep the fighting between Israel and Hamas confined to Gaza and fears escalating the fight against Irans proxies in the region. There have been no counterstrikes against the Houthis or Iran despite the fact that U.S. warships have been directly targeted on multiple occasions. Irans militia proxies in Iraq and Syria have launched more than 100 attacks on U.S. bases, and there have been only six counterstrikes. Yet, Iran which supplies weapons, money, training and intelligence to the Houthis to continue their war to take over Yemen as well as to attack international shipping was conspicuously not mentioned in the statement issued by the 13 countries. An Iranian spy ship is providing intelligence and targeting data to the Houthis in order for them to launch drones and anti-ship cruise and ballistic missiles at commercial vessels, according to The Wall Street Journal. The Houthis are part of Irans Axis of Resistance, which seeks to aid Hamas in its fight again Israel. The Houthis are also belligerent to the U.S. for the latters support of Saudi Arabia and the UAE for interfering in Yemens ongoin civil war. The U.S. formed a coalition of 11 countries, called Operation Prosperity Guardian, on Dec. 18 in an effort to counter the Houthis threat. However, Operation Prosperity Guardian was a defensive coalition in nature and designed only to escort ships through the dangerous waters of the Red Sea and the Bab Al Mandeb. The Houthis were undeterred and continued to attack both commercial vessels and U.S., U.K., and French warships. Since Dec. 30, the Houthis have launched a series of strikes at commercial shipping, including one on Dec. 31 in which four Houthi fast attack boats attempted to board a cargo ship. Attack helicopters from the USS Eisenhower Strike Group destroyed three of the boats and killed several Houthi fighters after taking fire, according to U.S. Central Command. The Houthis have launched 24 attacks since Nov. 19, 2023, according to CENTCOM. Nearly one-sixth of all shipments and more than 10 percent of all oil transits through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea, one of the most critical routes on the planet. Danish shipping giant Maersk, who owns one of the container ships attacked over the last week, suspended shipping through the Red Sea and Suez Canal until further notice on Wednesday. Other shipping companies are instead routing vessels around the bottom of Africa and the Cape of Good Hope for precaution. Just as they were when the defensive Operation Prosperity Guardian coalition was formed last month, the Houthis remain undeterred by Wednesdays warning from the U.S. and 12 other countries. The Houthis issued a defiant statement according to their military spokesman, Yahya Saree. The Yemeni armed forces [Houthis] also confirm that any American aggression will not go unanswered or punished, Saree said on X. The Yemeni armed forces warn the American enemy or others against any attack or action that represents the protection of commercial ships that go to the Zionist entity. Joe Truzman is a research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian militant groups and Hezbollah. Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal. The U.S. military killed an influential commander of Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba, a powerful Iranian-backed militia based in Iraq and Syria, in an airstrike in Baghdad on Thursday. The commander also served in the Popular Mobilization Forces, which is an official branch of Iraqs military. Thursdays strike marked just the seventh by the U.S. against the Iranian-backed militias, which have launched 115 attack on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The first six U.S. attacks targeted weapons storage facilities, safe houses or vehicles involved in attacks. This was the first to target a commander of the militias. The U.S. military did not officially confirm the strike, however an anonymous official told The Wall Street Journal that the target had American blood on his hands. The Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba commander who was killed was Abu Taqwa Al Siadi, according to Entifadh Qanbar, the President of the Kurdish Protection Action Committee. The strike killed Siadi and his driver as they entered the headquarters of the Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba in Baghdad, according to Qanbar. According to Qanbar, Siadi was a notorious terrorist who was very close to Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis, the former head of the Popular Mobilization Forces who was killed by the U.S. military on Jan. 3, 2020 alongside Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps leader General Qassem Soleimani. Muhandis and Soleimani were responsible for establishing the Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. In addition to his role as a leader within Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba, Siadi also served as the deputy director of operations for the Popular Mobilization Forces in what is known as the Baghdad Belts, or the regions surrounding Baghdad. Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba is an Iranian proxy formed in 2013 from elements of Hezbollah Brigades and Asaib Ahl al Haq to support Syrian President Bashir al Assad in its fight against the Islamic State, Al Qaeda, and insurgent groups. It is is led by Akram Abbas al Kabi, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist who previously served as a senior commander in both the Mahdi Army and Asaib Ahl al Haq. Harakat al Nujaba receives training, funds, weapons, intelligence and other key aid from Irans Qods Force. The U.S. government listed Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organization in March 2019. Thursdays strike by the U.S., as well as previous strikes, have been condemned by the Iraqi government. In a statement released earlier today by Iraqs Prime Minister, Major General Yahya Abdullah described the attack as a blatant violation of the sovereignty and security of Iraq and an act no different from terrorist acts, and called those who were killed martyrs. Last week, after condemning U.S. airstrikes that targeted three Hezbollah Brigades facilities, Iraqs Prime Minister said it was time for the U.S. military to leave Iraq. The Iraqi government is proceeding with ending the presence of the international coalition forces, which include advisors in the fields of training, advice and intelligence cooperation, in light of the presence of capable Iraqi forces, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani said. Joe Truzman is a research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian militant groups and Hezbollah. Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.State lawmakers in Missouri have introduced proposals that would require mandatory age verification for adult users looking to access pornography websites. A total of four bills are currently filed in both chambers, with two bills looking virtually identical. According to the Free Speech Coalition, the four bills are House Bills (HB) 1993, 1426, 1855 and Senate Bill (SB) 961. HB 1993, introduced by Rep. Sherri Gallick, implements such a policy as a private right of action, with requirements for age verification mechanisms, digital ID, and commercially reasonable methods that rely on publicly available and sensitive transaction data. HB 1426, proposed by Rep. Mike McGirl, and HB 1855, proposed by Rep. Brad Banderman, are virtually identical. McGirls bill is likely to supersede Bandermans bill, given that it has a fiscal note and legislative explanation. SB 961, proposed by Assistant Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck, is a proposal that would institute a civil action against adult companies that decline to comply with AV. Becks bill might see traction. Under the act, a commercial entity shall not publish or distribute material harmful to minors, as defined in the act, on the internet from a website that contains a substantial portion, defined in the act, of such material unless the commercial entity performs age verification to ensure that an individual attempting to access the material is at least 18 years of age, reads a bill summary on SB 961. Violations of provisions of this act may be reported to the Attorney General. If the Attorney General finds that a commercial entity violated provisions of this act, the Attorney General shall bring a civil action against a commercial entity for such violations. AVN reported last month that another Missouri lawmaker, Republican state Sen. Rick Brattin, wants to introduce pornography content filters at the level of internet service providers. Note: Since publication, SB 961 was withdrawn by the sponsor. This action took place on January 4. LIVONIA, MICH. In honor of the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Madonna University will be closed on Monday, January 15 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day continuing a tradition that began in 2023 in response to a Student Senate proposal. The decision aligns with the Universitys core values of respect for the dignity of all people, and peace and justice, while honoring Dr. Kings message to work for equality and justice for all people. Students, faculty, and staff of Madonna University will celebrate Dr. Kings legacy through several events. The fishbowl-style event, will be held Wednesday, January 17, from 1-3 p.m. in Kresge Hall. The inclusive format of the event will provide a platform for thought-provoking discussions about civil rights, Dr. Kings influence, and questions about equality, justice, and freedom. Representatives from the Livonia Human Relations Commission will be on hand to award the essay contest scholarship and the winner of the MLK photo contest will be announced. Musicians and vocalists will add their artistry to the conversation to create an afternoon of dialogue and inspiration. Throughout the following week, a series of events will offer opportunities for individual and collective learning and action. On Tuesday, January 23, from 2-3 p.m., in Rm. 2213 Admin. Bldg., Kim Redigan, director of campus ministry at Cristo Rey High School, will lead a presentation on non-violence, exploring its application in contemporary social justice movements. On Thursday, January 25, from 4-6 p.m., the Madonna University library will host the Human Library, during which people will share personal stories and diverse perspectives. Immediately following the Human Library, will be the annual MLK Pilgrimage. on Wednesday, January 31 in Rm. 2213 of the Admin. Bldg. there will be a movie double feature, with The Secret Life of Bees shoing at 4:30 p.m., and The Burial showing at 6:30 p.m.. All are welcome to participate in these events to honor Dr. King. The University community is thrilled to welcome the Livonia Equity and Anti-Racism Network to campus for its Livonia MLK Legacy Breakfast on January 15. Young artists can engage in the Livonia MLK Legacy Youth Art Contest, open to students in grades K-12. Visit the Livonia Equity & Anti-Racism Network website for details and registration information. Manchester, VT (05254) Today Generally cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Temps nearly steady in the mid to upper 30s. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Occasional snow showers. Low 26F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Grace Gerhardt, a supervisor at aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney who leads a team of more than 30 mechanics in quality engine production, will be the speaker at the Zonta Club of Quaboag Valleys Jan. 15 celebration of trailblazing aviator Amelia Earhart. Each January, Zonta International celebrates the spirit and impact Earhart, a famous air pioneer in the 1920s and 30s, and a member of the Zonta Club of Boston and New York. By her example, Amelia Earhart encouraged women to expand their horizons by exploring occupations and holding positions beyond those traditionally held by women. By supporting the Amelia Earhart Fellowships, Zonta International encourages women to enter the aerospace engineering and space science fields and keep the Earhart legacy alive, said Mary F. Knight, visibility chair/communications and webmaster for the Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley. The $10,000 Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowships are offered annually to 30 women pursuing graduate/doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering and space sciences. Since the beginning of the fellowship in 1938, there have been 1,734 Amelia Earhart Fellowships, totaling more than $11.6 million, awarded to 1,305 fellows from 77 countries. The fellowships are funded annually through generous contributions by Zontas more than 27,000 members in 63 countries. One of the 30 Amelia Earhart Fellows for 2023 is Chloe Gentgen, a doctoral candidate in the Aeronautics and Astronautics Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Zonta International and its members work at the international, national and local levels to realize our vision of a world in which womens rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential, where women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men, and where no woman lives in fear of violence. This vision is our driving force in advocacy and service initiatives and in fundraising, Knight said. The Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley invites the public especially young women interested in a STEM career to attend the Jan. 15 event at 6 p.m. at the Ludlow Country Club. Gerhardt the guest speaker has driven a significant reduction in engine build-time while the team ramps up production, Knight said. Grace believes as long as you take care of your people, the product will build itself. Gerhardt completed her bachelors degree in aerospace engineering with a minor in English from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2019 and is expected to graduate with her masters degree in systems engineering in May. Grace graduated from WPI with a degree in aerospace engineering, a field that has few women. Graces experiences as a woman in a male-dominated field and the success she has had are an inspiration for young women and women of all ages, commented Zontas acting co-president Karen Keough-Huff. The Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley is hosting this event as an advocacy measure to encourage and inspire others to join in the vision of the founders to empower one another in making a better world for women and girls. While not a fundraiser for the club, attendees will have an opportunity to donate to the Zonta Foundation for Women and target the Amelia Earhart Fellowship Fund. The event at the Ludlow Country Club begins at 5:30 p.m. for socializing; at 6 p.m. there will be a buffet dinner, followed by the program. Cost for the dinner is $28, payable by cash, check or credit card the night of the event. RSVP to info@zontaqv.org by Jan. 8. Online payment and more information are available on the Zonta Club of Quaboag Valleys website. To learn about local opportunities, go to ZontaDistrict1.org or email info@zontadistrict1.org. Guests are welcome at club meetings; the meeting schedule is available at ZontaQV.org. Two teenagers from Dorchester were among the four teenagers inside a car that crashed on Morrisey Boulevard on Thursday, killing two boys inside the vehicle, Massachusetts State Police announced. State police said their preliminary investigation indicates the teens were driving fast in a Hyundai Accent when it crashed on Morrissey Boulevard near UMass Boston. A state trooper saw the rollover crash happen at 3:17 a.m. and called for backup. Read more: Fall River man sentenced for OUI crash that killed his friend One of the teenagers who died in the crash was only identified as a 14-year-old male from Dorchester, while the other teenager killed has been tentatively identified and thus not confirmed, state police said in a statement. A third teenager, also male, was not identified. He remains in grave condition in a Boston hospital. The fourth teenager, who is expected to survive but remains hospitalized, was identified as a 15-year-old male also from Dorchester. So far in the investigation, the Hyundai they were in was reported stolen out of Jamaica Plain Thursday morning, state police said. A gun was found inside it and taken by the State Police Ballistics Unit, while the car was towed by State Police for further investigation. One of the teens was declared dead at the scene, and the other three were rushed to a hospital where a second boy was pronounced dead, state police said. Pictures of the crash shared on social media Thursday morning show the Hyundai still on its side. Authorities are still investigating the crash, but Morrissey Boulevard was fully open again as of about 7:30 a.m. after being partially closed for more than four hours. The investigation into the crash remains ongoing. AGAWAM A plan to improve the availability of affordable housing in Agawam is now getting a look by the state. The towns 11-member City Council voted unanimously last month to approve a proposed Housing Protection Plan shaped during a year of work with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission that included surveys of residents. The plan was developed because residents, especially young people and seniors, have been unable to find affordable housing due to the lack of availability. Roughly 4.5% of our housing stock is affordable right now, said Pam Kerr, director of Agawams Office of Planning & Community Development. The plan was submitted by the towns Planning Commission to the state for further review and approval for funding. Carpenter Paul Pennell of Holyoke installs door hardware on a unit at Rosewood Way, Wayfinder's new affordable and market rate housing development in Agawam. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 12/14/2023The Republican Kerr said that any municipality in Massachusetts with less than at least 10% of affordable housing stock is vulnerable to real estate developers, under Chapter 40B a state law that allows developers to build regardless of zoning laws. Municipalities with over 10% available affordable housing stock can retain local control over housing development and are exempt from 40B projects, the plan said. About one-third of Agawams households make 80% or less of the local area median income, said Corinne Wingard, a former city councilor who spoke at the Dec. 18 council meeting when the plan was approved. Wingard has been working with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission on get the plan ready. With the implementation of this plan, we, as a town, can gain protection from other (outside developers), Wingard said. In July 2023, Rosewood Way, a mixed-income, affordable housing project funded by MassHousing and developed by the nonprofit Wayfinders, was approved in Agawam. It is set to be ready by August. Rosewood Way is a 40B project and is slated to help the town meet its affordable housing goal as identified by the plan to produce 62 units of such housing per year. A view of Rosewood Way, Wayfinder's new affordable and market rate housing development in Agawam. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 12/14/2023The Republican This new development will also be 70% local preference, Wingard said. As the town waits to hear back from the state about whether funding for the plan will be approved, Kerr said the town can start working on some of the plans more immediate goals. They include: - Identifying municipally owned parcels that can be made into affordable housing. - Possible adoption of a 40R Smart Growth Overlay District, which would create affordable housing as well as missing middle housing that meets the needs of a wider range of Agawam residents. - Discussing potential opportunities with the Agawam Housing Committee, Housing Authority and town officials. We need more housing that is affordable to all, Wingard said. (This plan) suits Agawam and it meets our needs. Several bomb threats were made to various Massachusetts institutions on Thursday, and Massachusetts State Police believe them to be hoaxes. We are aware of numerous emailed robo-threats to courthouses, hospitals, synagogues, and other institutions in Massachusetts and across the country, state police said in a statement to MassLive. They are all similar in nature and all have proven to be hoaxes thus far. Our bomb squad has responded to a few locations to conduct sweeps at the request of local police, including Beverly Hospital and Falmouth Jewish Congregation Synagogue. Massachusetts State Police added that it became aware of these threats on Thursday morning, and the threats are believed to be coming from the same source. The news comes after the Nantucket Current reported that the towns probate court at the Town and County Building was evacuated after it received a bomb threat Thursday morning. The newspaper posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, a 17-second video of police cruisers, a fire truck and a paramedic stopped along Broad Street. People in the area were told to stay 300 feet away, the post read. The Nantucket Current followed up with a post about numerous buildings across the state also receiving bomb threats. A third post said Nantucket town employees were being allowed back into the building. We are told there will be a police presence on scene for some time, but the situation has been resolved, the newspaper wrote. The newspaper shared a copy of the email sent to a probate court clerk with the subject line Explosives inside your COURT, sent by an email called morgue999lol@gmail.com, in a fourth X post. I placed explosives inside of your Court, but also inside of every Court in your state, the email read. The explosives are well hidden and they will go off in a few hours. You will all end up dead. WE ARE A GROUP CALLED Terrorizers111. GIVE OUR GROUPS NAME TO THE MEDIA OR WE WONT STOP CAUSING CHAOS. On Wednesday, bomb threats were emailed to government offices in 23 state capitols, including Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi and Montana, CNN reported. The FBI told the news network that these threats were also hoaxes. Maines Department of Public Safety issued a statement on Wednesday that said 300 people were in the statehouse when a bomb threat came at around 1:45 p.m. There were no explosives found and the threat was deemed to be a hoax, the statement read. The threat was similar to threats emailed to state offices across the country. This comes after synagogues in Massachusetts also received bomb threats on Dec. 19. State Police said at the time that 30 Jewish institutions received some sort of threat communication believed to be hoaxes. The state police bomb squad responded to three synagogues and a Jewish community center in Framingham, a Jewish cultural center in Tisbury and a Jewish synagogue in Florence. This was the second bomb threat to Beit Ahavah Reform Synagogue in Florence, which also received a bomb threat in November. A Boston man spat and tried to bite officers who were trying to arrest him after a woman told Massachusetts State Police that the man raped her on New Years Day, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Haydens office announced Wednesday. Milthon Correa-Regifo, 45, was charged with rape, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (shod foot), resisting arrest, two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 and two counts of assault and battery on a police officer. Judge James Coffey set his bail at $5,000 during Correa-Regifos court appearance on Wednesday. At around 2:16 a.m., a woman approached a Massachusetts State Police trooper near Ashburton Place and said she had just been raped in an apartment on Bowdoin Street, Haydens office said in a statement. While they spoke, a man walked out of the apartment building toward them. The woman told the trooper, Yeah, it was him. The woman told police that he bit her on the buttock before raping her. The trooper then approached Correa-Regifo, who became belligerent, Haydens office said. Then an off-duty Boston police officer helped the trooper in arresting him. Correa-Regifo violently resisted arrest both at the scene and at Boston Police Area A-1, where officers attempted to book him, the statement read. He screamed at officers, attempted to bite them, and spit at them. Several officers had minor injuries after arresting and booking Correa-Regifo, Haydens office said. This is yet another example of how quickly a situation can escalate and how unpredictable each minute of a police officers life can be, Hayden said in the statement. Im thankful that neither the victim or the officers sustained serious injuries, but clearly an incident like this has repercussions above and beyond any physical injuries for sexual assault victims. Coffey also revoked Correa-Regifos bail from an unrelated assault case from 2022, Haydens office added. He is expected to appear in court for a probable cause hearing on Jan. 31. A 15-year-old Boston Public Schools student is facing firearms charges stemming from an incident Wednesday during which school staff found a loaded gun in his backpack, according to Boston police. Officers were called to Snowden International High School on Newbury Street around 11:40 a.m. for a report that a student may be carrying a firearm, police said in a press release. At the scene, school staff told police they found a gun in the students backpack. Officers secured the firearm a handgun loaded with 10 rounds and arrested the student, police said. He is facing four firearms charges and is expected to be arraigned in Boston Juvenile Court. The Back Bay school went into Safe Mode for about an hour during the incident, according to a letter to families from Snowdens Head of School, Raquel Martinez. K-9 units were brought in to ensure there were no other firearms in the school. The firearm did not go off during the incident, and no one was physically harmed, according to the letter. The student, who has not been identified, will also face disciplinary action from the school. I commend those who immediately reported the firearm to a trusted adult and are grateful to school staff, Safety Specialists, and BPD officers who followed all of our safety protocols and helped manage through a challenging moment, Martinez wrote in the letter. ... Thank you to the entire Snowden community for your teamwork and patience as we work together to ensure the safety of all members of our community. SPRINGFIELD A three-day trial triggered over the citys controversial residency requirement is scheduled to kick off in mid-February in Hampden Superior Court. The trial is set to begin Feb. 13, according to semi-retired City Solicitor Edward M. Pikula. A Fall River man was sentenced to state prison on Wednesday after he pled guilty to a drunk driving crash that resulted in the death of his friend, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn IIIs office announced. Jason Lindsay, 23, pled guilty in Fall River Superior Court to indictments charging him with manslaughter while operating under the influence and two counts of operating under the influence with serious injury, Quinns office said in a statement. On Jan. 29, 2021, Lindsay picked up Jaedin Monteiro, 18, along with another Fall River man, 19, and a Fall River teenager, 15, in his 2003 Lexus sedan. That afternoon, they went to a liquor store where Lindsay met an unknown man who bought several alcohol mini bottles of Captain Morgan for him, Quinns office said. Lindsay drank one outside the car and one inside the car as he drove off. The four then smoked marijuana as the car kept moving, Quinns office said. When they entered Dartmouth, Lindsay started to drive recklessly and driving fast at about 100 mph, Massachusetts State Police later determined. Driving on Route 6, the car swerved and Lindsay lost control, striking a utility pole near the China Belle Restaurant, Quinns office said. The crash ripped the back seat passenger door behind Lindsay, next to where Monteiro sat. He had serious injuries to his head and died. Read more: Franklin teen killed in Hopkinton car crash identified The 19- and 15-year-olds were both seriously injured, with the 15-year-old suffering a fractured vertebrae, a neck fracture and fluid on his right knee, Quinns office said. The 19-year-old had two fractures to his lower back. Lindsay only had minor injuries. The State Police investigation found that Lindsay over-corrected the cars speed and it began to spin after the back end of the drivers side hit the utility pole. The back of the car had catastrophic damage and continued hundreds of feet before coming to a rest, the statement read. The speed limit for that stretch of road where the crash happened is 35 mph, Quinns office said. No one in the car was wearing a seatbelt. Read more: Former Stoneham police officer sentenced for defrauding landlords Lindsay was sentenced to serve five to seven years in state prison. This is yet another tragic example of a defendant driving recklessly while drunk, and causing death and serious injuries to his friends, Quinn said in the statement. My heart goes out to the families of all who have been impacted for the rest of their lives by this terrible, yet avoidable, accident. A Fall River was sentenced to prison on Thursday after she was found guilty of stabbing another driver following a crash in 2019, Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruzs office announced. Jacqueline Mendes, 36, pled guilty to one count each of manslaughter and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on Dec. 8, 2023, Cruzs office said in a statement, after a two-day deliberation by a Plymouth County jury. On Thursday, she was sentenced to serve 10 to 12 years in prison. At around 3:45 p.m. on June 28, 2019, Brockton police received several 911 calls reporting a stabbing in the area of 276 Belmont St. and the intersection of Grafton Street, Cruzs office said. First responders arrived to find a woman bleeding profusely and from the neck. She was flown by helicopter to Boston Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. The woman was identified as Jennifer Landry, 41, of Brockton. About 15 minutes after the crash, Mendes went to the Brockton Police Department and said she was involved in an altercation with a motorist in the area of Belmont Street and that there was a stabbing, Cruzs office said. An ensuing investigation found that a fight followed after a crash between Mendes and Landry, where Mendes stabbed Landry and drove off, Cruzs office said. A former detective sergeant in the Stoneham Police Department was sentenced Thursday to two years of probation after pleading guilty last year to defrauding his landlords in a scheme to live rent-free at various apartments. Robert Kennedy, 54, a member of the Stoneham Police Department from 2001 until his resignation last February, repeatedly lied on his rental applications, hiding a history of evictions and unpaid debts, federal prosecutors said. U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper sentenced Kennedy to serve the first 90 days of probation under home confinement with an electronic monitor, according to the office of Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy. Kennedy was also ordered to pay restitution of $14,275. Todays sentence should send a clear message: no one is above the law. We remain steadfast in our commitment to hold accountable those who exploit their positions and engage in fraudulent activities that compromise the very principles they are sworn to uphold, Levy said in a statement. FBI Special Agent Jodi Cohen, who is in charge of the agencys Boston office, said in a statement that Kennedy broke the laws he was sworn to enforce and failed his department in doing so. (Kennedy) betrayed the trust of three landlords whom he lied to and defrauded, Cohen said. An FBI official who investigated Kennedys history of scamming landlords described him as a serial debt fraudster. After reaching an agreement with the Department of Justice, Kennedy pleaded guilty in September to two counts of wire fraud. Kennedys conviction guaranteed the end of his policing career in Massachusetts. The states police oversight board, the Peace Office Standards and Training (POST) Commission, is required by law to revoke the certification of any officer found guilty of a felony, and has done so about a half-dozen times. The commission will also submit Kennedys name to a national registry of decertified officers, which could prevent him from finding police work in other states as well. What was Robert Kennedy accused of doing? Kennedy was accused of defrauding three landlords between 2020 and 2023. Federal officials said he applied for rental housing with false information, filling out tenant screening forms using the Social Security number and birth date of a relative who shared his first and last name, to conceal financial troubles and his pattern of evictions. At one recent apartment, Kennedy provided the landlord with checks for rent and the security deposit that he knew were sure to bounce, federal prosecutors said in a court filing. Kennedy and his girlfriend then lived at the apartment practically rent-free for more than 7 months as he opposed eviction proceedings and refused to vacate the apartment, the prosecutors said. Following Kennedys guilty plea on Sept. 20, Bailey said his client had accepted full responsibility for the conduct on which he stands charged. Bailey also stressed that Kennedys criminal infractions did not in any way relate to his duties as a police officer. Federal prosecutors requested Kennedy be sentenced to 90 days in prison and two years of supervised release. Bailey asked for two years of probation, in part citing Kennedys four years in the Army Reserve, 22 years of police duty and accolades from his career. In a court filing, Bailey said Kennedy acknowledged losing substantial sums of money due to gambling addiction and said his client had taken steps to remedy his behavior. Bailey also submitted letters from Kennedys family in his support. As a detective sergeant for the Stoneham police, Kennedy earned between $141,000 to $187,000 in recent years, according to an FBI affidavit. NBC Boston first broke the story of Kennedys rental scam last February, a month before he was arrested by federal law enforcement officials. Under the plea agreement, the Justice Department agreed not to prosecute Kennedy for a third wire charge nor for identity theft in connection with using family members personal information on rental applications without their knowledge. The case was prosecuted by assistant U.S. attorneys Elysa Wan and Dustin Chao. A Worcester restaurateur is embracing his well-deserved retirement as he is about to celebrate his 50th anniversary of running a landmark Worcester diner before it switches ownership later this month. Looking back at his time owning and operating Kenmore Diner, James Jimmy Yantsides is grateful for the legacy he built after 50 years. The diner is my baby. I grew up with this diner, he told MassLive in an interview in the diner Wednesday morning. I will miss everybody. Most of all, I will miss the little kids, like under 10, under 5. Kenmore Diner originally opened on Franklin Street in Worcester in 1965.David Cifarelli While it took him some time to decide what he wanted to do, Yantsides ultimately decided to walk away so he can enjoy retirement, which is something he is definitely looking forward to. Im not a teenager. Im 73 years old. For 50 years, I had enough, Yantsides joked while sitting in one of Kenmores booths Wednesday morning. I got nothing to prove. Ive done everything. Read More: Mayflower Tavern in Plymouth permanently closes after owner sells business Yantsides does not have any immediate plans on how hell spend retirement, aside from going on his daily walks or the occasional road trip. He eventually plans on traveling to Greece for three weeks with his wife, Pauline Yantsides. Until then, the 73-year-old will just be a phone call away in case the new owner needs anything. Hes welcome to come and have his morning coffee here and critique what Im doing, said Christon Paddock, who bought the diner from Yantsides and is taking over once he leaves. She compared the feeling of taking over a restaurant to buying a house and the underlying anxiety that comes with it. However, Paddock is looking forward to keeping the diner going. Kenmore Diner in Worcester is known for its train car-style aesthetic.David Cifarelli My career path has been, you know, a winding road but this is where it led me and so Im excited for that, she said. Paddock plans on offering lunch, keeping the diner open later in the afternoon, freshening up the menu and dabbling with social media to help increase Kenmores brand. But before she takes the reigns, Paddock wants to learn as much from Yantsides as possible. That way I can use that knowledge and make conscientious decisions moving forward and not just change things arbitrarily, she said. I dont want to disrupt the profitableness of 50 years and the loyalty of customers from the last 50 years. Kenmore Diner, which first opened in 1965, has overcome several obstacles including the Blizzard of 1978 and the 1999 Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Co. fire. Yantsides took over the diner in 1974 when he was 22 years old. At the time, the restaurant had been closed for two years and needed a major face lift. Yantsides spent about 40 days cleaning the space with others help. But despite breathing new life into the diner, Yantsides initially had trouble getting the business off the ground. Owner James "Jimmy" Yantsides prepares an omelette at Kenmore Diner in Worcester.David Cifarelli It had such a bad reputation that nobody wanted to come in, he said, referring to peoples perception of Kenmore during that time. They used to walk for a meal and go across the street. They didnt stop here. Yantsides recalls thinking hed give it a year before choosing to give up. After 11 months of being open, Yantsides finally had some money left over from paying all the bills a whopping $37. Thats when he knew Kenmore Diner would survive. I knew I will be OK, Yantsides recalled. People started coming in. They got impressed. Kenmore has developed a strong following of generous customers. Customers, many who have been getting the same breakfast for decades, who have praised Kenmore for its quintessential diner food and aesthetic. The food is freshly-prepared and everything is consistently well made, one Yelp reviewer from Wallingford, Connecticut wrote in March. I had a ham, cheese, and onion omelette that was also wonderful, came with tasty home fries and buttery toast. The sausages come in quantity and theyre very tasty. Service was impeccable, host and wait staff very friendly. The Greek omelette at Kenmore Diner in Worcester.David Cifarelli Mid-mod decor makes a neat change from the (awesome) standard train car, another reviewer said. Great service, food on par with the VERY high standard in Worcester. To give back to everyone who supported him over the years, the diner will be serving customers a free breakfast if they stop by on Monday, Jan. 15. That will also be Yantsides last day before he retires. Customers can visit Kenmore Diner at 250 Franklin St. Until Paddock takes over, the diner is open for breakfast from 6 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday and 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Restaurant chain TGI Fridays shocked customers Tuesday by permanently shuttering 36 underperforming locations across the country, including six in Massachusetts. The closures also came as a surprise to many of the chains now-unemployed workers. Two local, longtime TGI Fridays employees said they found out about the closures the same day the public did. One also said they were told by people above them at TGI Fridays that they will not be receiving severance pay or any other type of compensation. TGI Fridays has not responded to a request for comment on when they notified their restaurant employees of the closure or whether its former workers will receive severance pay or compensation. In a press release issued a day after the closures, the chain said it is offering transfer opportunities to more than 80% of impacted employees across the U.S., but MassLive spoke to laid-off workers who said that solution likely wont work for them. Its a slap in the face. Ive worked for that company for more than eight years, said Sara Clements, who worked as a bartender at the TGI Fridays in Marlborough. How laid-off employees were notified Clements, 29, said neither she nor her managers knew about the restaurants closure in advance. The locations employees gathered there Tuesday afternoon so that a corporate TGI Fridays employee could explain the situation to them. That employee told them the workers wouldnt be receiving severance pay, but that the chain would pay them minimum wage if they helped clean up the restaurant over the next few days, she said. That was kind of insulting, Clements said. You no longer have a job, but well pay you minimum wage to help clean our mess. Sara Clements, 29, was laid off from her job as a bartender at TGI Fridays on Tuesday as the restaurant chain permanently closed its Marlborough location, along with 35 others across the country.Sara Clements Nikki Badeau, a former waitress at the TGI Fridays in Dedham, said her layoff experience was similar. Her manager had actually contacted her Monday to ask if she could cover a shift the next day, but come Tuesday, Badeaus daughter, who also worked at TGI Fridays Dedham location, told her heard from a manager that the restaurant was permanently closed. Badeau said her phone is not working, so she hasnt been able to communicate with corporate. Even so, she said she hasnt heard anything about severance pay or compensation with the layoff from other workers, which comes as a disappointment after working at the Dedham location for more than 13 years. I dont think [the layoff has] set in yet, but Im not happy about it, she said. How can you just walk in after all these years and just be like, Bye, the doors are locking. Nikki Badeau, 53, was laid off from her job as a waitress at TGI Fridays on Tuesday as the restaurant chain permanently closed its Dedham location, along with 35 others across the country.Nikki Badeau Why transferring to a different location isnt always a solution Both Clements and Badeau said they loved working for TGI Fridays. Despite this, both women said they do not plan on trying to move to a new location. Clements said the only location close to Marlborough, where she lives, is Millbury, and she was told by the manager there that they are fully staffed. Badeau lives in Norwood but takes an Uber to work, so shes hoping to find a job closer to home than the nearest TGI Fridays location, which is in Stoughton. Additionally, most of the TGI Fridays locations left in Massachusetts are franchises, which could make the transfer process more difficult, Clements and Badeau said. Restaurants closing with short notice and without offering severance pay is by no means unprecedented, but such closures can deeply impact a businesss employees. Both women expressed concern for their finances in the wake of the layoff. Clements said she also works as a paraprofessional, but that she made more money working for TGI Fridays. I just spent all my money at Christmas, and I was expecting to make $1,000 this weekend, she said. I dont know what Im going to do. Whats next for TGI Fridays and its former employees Badeau said shes worried about finding a job and having to compete with younger servers. Its hard. I mean, Ive got to look for a new job now. Im 54 years old. Ive got COPD. Im not the healthiest thing, she said. Coincidentally, both women said they were previously laid off in this manner when they worked for Friendlys restaurants. After this second experience, Clements said shes not sure she wants to stay in the restaurant industry. Clements also said her TGI Fridays location was struggling due to a lack of customers, but in the restaurant chains Wednesday press release, its leaders seemed optimistic about the companys future. Our top priority has always been delivering a superior experience for each and every TGI Fridays guest, TGI Fridays U.S. President and Chief Operating Officer Ray Risely said in the release. " ... By strengthening our franchise model and closing underperforming stores, we are creating an unprecedented opportunity for Fridays to drive forward its vision for the future. SPRINGFIELD The new president of MGM Springfield comes in with nine years of experience working for the casino company and brings a wealth of knowledge about legal and regulatory issues. MGM Resorts International on Wednesday confirmed Louie Theros has been appointed as president and chief operating officer of the downtown casino, replacing Chris Kelley who announced in November that he would be leaving to be closer to family who live on the west coast and will be pursuing new career opportunities. Were thrilled to have Louie leading the charge at MGM Springfield, said Steve Zanella, MGM Resorts Operations president. Louie brings more than 30 years of leadership, legal, and regulatory experience to the property and has a strong vision to continue to drive growth throughout both the city of Springfield and the larger region. For the past nine years Theros has worked with MGM Resorts, most recently as vice president, legal counsel, and assistant secretary at MGM Grand Detroit, Michigan. Before that, he spent 20 years as a private practice lawyer and served as vice president of the Detroit law firm Butzel Long. Theros, who holds degrees from the University of Michigan and Vanderbilt University Law School, is married, has two sons and plays drums with a band he formed a decade ago, MGM officials said. As we begin the new year, Im excited to continue building on MGM Springfields success, Theros said. The incredible team at MGM Springfield makes the magic happen for our guests every day, and Im honored to have the opportunity to work with them. Im also eager to jump right in and focus on supporting downtown Springfields continued development, while creating even stronger connections across the community. Mayor Domenic J. Sarno welcomed Theros on Wednesday and thanked Kelley for his friendship and dedication as president and chief operating officer, especially acknowledging his hard work during the COVID-19 shutdowns and reopening under complex mandates to keep people safe. Through it all, Chris (Kelley) and his team were the utmost professional and helped to keep the operations going strong under a difficult and challenging situation, he said in writing. I wish him continued success and all the best in all of his future endeavors. Sarno said he was happy with Theros appointment, touting his experience at MGM Resorts, adding he is anxious to continue a good partnership that the city has had with the casino. I have the utmost confidence that hell hit the ground running and continue the strong leadership and partnership between MGM Springfield, the city of Springfield, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and all of our community stakeholders as we look to bring even more excitement and energy in 2024 and beyond, Sarno said. A Northampton man charged with shooting at his neighbors with an AK-47-style gun and blaming his dog remains held without the right to bail at Bridgewater State Hospital. His ability to stand trial remains doubtful as an initial evaluation found him mentally unfit. Joshua Martinelli, 29, of Northampton, pleaded not guilty Friday, Dec. 8, to a total of 17 charges in Northampton District Court in connection with a shooting where residents inside an apartment on Wright Avenue were shot at through the walls by 14 rounds. Martinelli reportedly told police after the shooting that his dog Biggie had told him to shoot at his neighbors. The gunfire narrowly missed the four neighbors inside their apartment and no injuries were reported. On Tuesday, Northampton District Court Judge Janine Simonian ordered Martinelli held for another six months at Bridgewater for further mental evaluation. A court hearing is set for April 2 to revisit Martinellis mental competency to stand on trial. We anticipate the competency issue will be addressed (at the hearing), said Andrew Covington, a prosecutor for the Northwestern District Attorneys Office. Well see what happens. He (Martinelli) was initially found incompetent to stand trial. Joshua Martinelli, a Northampton man charged with intent to murder, appears for a dangerousness hearing on Thursday, Dec. 14.Luis Fieldman Thomas M. Glynn, the defense attorney listed for Martinelli, could not be reached on Thursday. At a dangerousness hearing on Dec. 14, a court-ordered clinician said she conducted a mental competency evaluation to determine whether Martinelli could be held criminally responsible for the shooting. While he demonstrated a factual understanding of some of his charges and some of what he was accused of doing, he was expressing some beliefs of notably and likely delusional and paranoid content, said Dr. Marika Faytell Grimm, a licensed psychologist. The doctor stated that due to his delusional understanding of what happened, she said it could impact his rational decision-making and his ability to work effectively with an attorney on his defense. During the December hearing, Judge Danielle Williams ordered Martinelli held while further hospitalization and mental evaluation were completed. Martinelli will remain held at Bridgewater for up to six months while a clinician evaluates his mental competency. What happened during shooting? Four residents of a Northampton apartment were narrowly missed by gunfire from an AK-47-style rifle on Thursday, Dec. 7. The four neighbors were on the second floor of their apartment and dove to the ground to take cover once the bullets started flying through the wall. It was only later that one of the neighbors discovered a bullet hole in their pants that passed through near their backside. Read more: Video shows defendant leap onto judge during sentencing in Vegas court Covington, the prosecutor on the case, commended city police for their quick response to the extremely volatile situation. Responding officers quickly apprehended the defendant and protected the public from any further harm, Covington said. Fortunately, no one was killed or injured by the defendants dangerous conduct. Martinelli blames dog for shooting, police say Police were called at about 5:20 p.m. on Dec. 7 by one of the four residents because their neighbor in their two-family home was firing a gun, according to court documents. Martinelli surrendered to police without incident and reportedly told police he shot at his neighbors because his neighbors were trying to poison his dog. Police found an AK-47-style rifle in his apartment and there were numerous bullet holes through a shared wall into the adjacent apartment. Spent shell casings and live ammunition littered the floor and police found what appeared to be an interior grow system for growing marijuana. During an interview with Northampton police detectives, Martinelli reportedly told detectives Lt. Timothy Satkowski and Sgt. Corey Robinson that there was an ongoing dispute with his neighbors and that he believed they were poisoning his dog. Following which he told investigators that his dog told him to shoot the neighbors, court documents state. Martinelli elaborated by stating that tonight the dog told him to kill the neighbors as they were poisoning him (dog). He also told police that he could hear his neighbors voices through the walls and that he was aware they were home when he decided to fire the rifle into their apartment. His dog Biggie was later taken by animal control and later a suitable home was found, according to court documents. Human remains that were found in a wooded area in Upstate New York have been tentatively identified. The Saratoga Springs Police Department said Tuesday that a citizen called to report possible human remains found in the area of South Broadway and Adelphi Street on Saturday, Dec. 30. Personal property at the scene identified the victim as Paul Jamison, a 79-year-old man with a last known address in Glens Falls. Read more: Answers to 4 questions on the unsealed Jeffrey Epstein documents Police said an autopsy was conducted on Dec. 31 and preliminary reports show no signs of suspicious activity or a criminal aspect to his death. According to the Times Union, police believe Jamison was homeless at the time of his death. DNA samples were taken to confirm Jamisons identity. New York State Police and the Saratoga County Coroners Office assisted Saratoga Springs Police with the investigation. SPRINGFIELD Two men accused of shooting another man in the leg early Thursday morning were tracked down by police and arrested on a variety of charges. Both men have a long list of convictions and one was recently arrested for assault with a dangerous weapon and was out on bail in a case from Northampton District Court. Police Superintendent Cheryl C. Clapprood expressed frustration with the fact that the men were in the community. This happens daily in our world and somewhere, sometime, someone has to come out and say bad, evil, convicted repeat felons have to be held in jail so injuries dont happen to innocent people, my people, my K-9s, Clapprood said. Lets start doing the right thing as a society. You demand a lot from us, lets start demanding a lot from the courts, she said. The victim, who was brought to Baystate Medical Center by a private vehicle, was treated for injuries that are not life-threatening, said Ryan Walsh, police spokesman. The shooting took place at about 1:50 a.m. on Dickinson Street between the intersection of Orange Street and Marengo Park. Police responded following a ShotSpotter activation and found evidence of the shooting, Walsh said. Crime analysts with the department were able to identify a vehicle believed to have been involved in the shooting that was recorded on city cameras. Officers later spotted the car and tried to stop the driver at about 2:45 a.m. He sped away, but crashed a short distance away on Longhill Street, Walsh said. Men arrested Police arrested the driver, Antonio Vega, and Julio Nunez-Jimenez, both 24, of Springfield, on a variety of charges. They include possession of a large-capacity firearm, carrying a firearm without a license, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a Class B drug, Walsh said. After the arrest, officers searched the car and found crack cocaine and two firearms, including an unlawful ghost gun capable of holding 14 rounds of ammunition, he said. Vega was recently arrested for assault with a dangerous weapon and is out on bail in a case from Northampton District Court. He has been convicted of heroin trafficking on firearms offenses in the past, Clapprood said. Nunez-Jimenez has two previous firearms convictions and was recently released from prison, she said. This is the second shooting in Springfield in the first four days of 2024. Last year 31 people were killed, mostly by gunfire, which was an all-time high for the city. Both shooting victims are expected to recover from their injuries. The person who posted the original public Facebook forum post mentioned in this article removed it Friday. This article has been edited for clarity. A swastika was drawn onto a classroom whiteboard at Longmeadow High School and discovered after students returned from winter break, prompting law enforcement to open an investigation with school administration. In a letter to the school community on Jan. 3, Superintendent Marty OShea described the swastika as small and faintly drawn, and said it was a disturbing and disheartening event. Certainly, racist, discriminatory speech of any kind is not consistent with the policies of Longmeadow Public Schools, and is not aligned with our commitment to being a learning community that embraces and affirms all student identities and cultures, the letter read. LPS denounces any acts of hate, racism or discrimination in any form, the superintendent said. OShea also reshared a statement thatd been previously sent on Dec. 27, which included resources for school community members to foster a culture of respect and unity. The statement also said, Recent global and national events remind us to stress the importance of protecting students from discrimination based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics. Though the letter did not include mention of any ramifications or potential disciplinary actions, its 2023-2024 Student Handbook has a policy section titled Harassment, which states all alleged harassment, outside of Title IX, which has separate policies is not tolerated by the school. It listed, but was not limited to, 14 basis for harassment, including religion. Employees or students who have been found to violate this policy will be subject to discipline up to and including, termination of employment, subject to contractual disciplinary obligations or up to an expulsion, the handbook said. The Longmeadow Police Department confirmed to MassLive its school resource officers had opened an investigation into the suspected hate speech incident with school officials. No further information was available on the investigation or circumstances surrounding the incident. Many former and current parents of Longmeadow students were in an uproar over the swastika drawing, including in a Longmeadow Facebook group post on the topic. Theres just no place for it, Richard Goldstein, a father of two former Longmeadow High School students and Jewish resident of the town told MassLive Thursday morning. The schools have a real opportunity and a challenge ahead of them to educate these children on whats right and wrong, around all forms of hate, not just anti-semitism, Goldstein said. The Longmeadow father cited his own religion and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war as points of sensitivity for himself, and potentially for other members of the Longmeadow community, in light of the discovered hate symbol. Shawn Schrager, a Jewish father from Longmeadow who currently has a daughter at the high school and a child in the towns middle school, called the incident shocking and disappointing. Schrager made a comment vouching in favor of the superintendents letter to the community, which stuck out on a post questioning the letter thatd been shared on Jan. 3 in the Longmeadow MA Open Forum Facebook page. The open forum post had said the superintendent emailed and confirmed it was a swastika, but felt the need to call it a small and faint one, then quipped, Does that make it ok? The post garnered more than 70 comments from both supporters and non-supporters of the email. There is no small symbol, a user named Gracie Jones agreed with the post in a comment underneath. The fact that that its there speaks volumes and may as well be as big as the size of the building. But in a phone call with MassLive, commenter Schrager further reiterated he felt the superintendent was attempting to be clear in his description of the hate symbol. I did not see anything to suggest the superintendent meant anything beyond what was said in that email, Schrager said. I found nothing about the email that was offensive, except for the whole purpose of the email, which was the act itself. This is not something I take lightly, he said. Not to discount peoples concern over anti-semitism I mean, Im living it, were seeing whats happening in the world. Read more: Fall River man sentenced for OUI crash that killed his friend Its very upsetting this is happening in a place where my daughter goes to school, in a community were raising our children, but the superintendent in no way did anything wrong, Schrager said. The father added he felt OShea had gone out of his way to inform the community as clearly and publicly as possible and was very outspoken on how unacceptable the situation is. He added the superintendent cited the Jewish Community Center and other meetings hes attended on hate and discrimination in his email. Two people are dead as a result of an early morning single-car crash in Bostons Dorchester neighborhood, according to Massachusetts State Police. Boston police said officers responded to the intersection of Morrissey Boulevard and Old Colony Avenue around 3:15 a.m. for a report of a rollover car crash with injuries. State police wrote on social media just after 7 a.m. that two people had died as a result of the crash and that a third had life-threatening injuries. A fourth person in the vehicle suffered minor injuries. A portion of Morrissey Boulevard was closed Thursday morning as a result of the crash. Pictures of the crash shared to social media show the car still on its side. Authorities are still investigating the incident. No further information about the crash, including the identities of the victims, has been released. State police said they would release more information about the crash at a later time. Two people who died as a result of an early morning single-car crash in Bostons Dorchester neighborhood on Thursday were both teen boys, as were two other passengers in the car, state police said. A third victim is in grave condition at a Boston hospital as of 10:45 a.m. Thursday, and a forth victim is hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, Massachusetts State Police said in a news release. The victims have not been identified, as authorities are still confirming the identities of all four teen boys. State police said their preliminary investigation indicates the teens were driving fast in a Hyundai Accent when it crashed on Morrissey Boulevard near UMass Boston. A state trooper saw the rollover crash happen at 3:17 a.m. and called for backup. One of the teens was declared dead at the scene, and the other three were rushed to a hospital where a second boy was pronounced dead, state police said. Pictures of the crash shared on social media Thursday morning show the Hyundai still on its side. Authorities are still investigating the crash, but Morrissey Boulevard was fully open again as of about 7:30 a.m. after being partially closed for more than four hours. A local community has helped house 12 bunnies that were found abandoned in the Wilbraham woods last week, and it all started from a Good Samaritan who stopped to rescue the rabbits during her afternoon hike. The community really pulled together to get the word out and the experienced bunny people came forward to support, Maureen Callahan told MassLive on Friday, Dec. 29. The Wilbraham resident was walking her dog at Fountain Park when, at around 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 28, she noticed several animals hopping in and out of the base of a crate. As she got closer, Callahan realized it was a box of 12 bunnies that she believed someone had abandoned in the woods. Maureen Callahan, a Wilbraham resident, found a box of 12 bunnies hopping around Fountain Park during her hike on Thursday, Dec. 28.Maureen C. I put the word out on the Wilbraham Forum page and people have been very responsive, Callahan said. Ive been reaching out to as many bunny rescues as I can. On Thursday, Jan. 4, Callahan said all of the bunnies have either been taken in by animal shelters or people who responded to her post. One of these people was Samantha Quesnel, another Wilbraham resident. I took in two of the females that may be pregnant, Quesnel told MassLive Tuesday. They are so sweet and docile and I am so mad that these babies were left out there like that. Quesnel, who already has three rabbits of her own, wanted to give the bunnies happy loving homes, and she knew that she could provide that. Quesnel said the bunnies have gotten better under her care. They are both very skinny and need to gain some weight, they had some scratches and bite marks on them but have both been healing great, she explained on Thursday. They love to eat which is great and really show how thankful they are with all the love they give. One of the bunnies found abandoned at Fountain Park in Wilbraham.Samantha Quesnel Quesnel plans on keeping the bunnies, that she is waiting to name until she better understands their personalities. Meanwhile, three other bunnies were taken in by Everybunny Counts Rabbit Rescue in Ellington, Connecticut. The non-profit organization has two boys Twizzler and Zachary and a girl named Cannoli. They are very happy in their foster homes for the time being, Rebecca Becky Bernardo, who is president of Everybunny Counts Rabbit Rescue, told MassLive via email Thursday. She said the bunnies were illegally dumped and that the rescue team at Everybunny Counts helped round up the rabbits after animal control declined to intervene. Wilbraham Animal Control deferred MassLive to Wilbraham police for comment on the matter, including whether the incident is being investigated as a criminal matter. Wilbraham police did not immediately respond to MassLives request for comment. Twizzler, Cannoli, Zachary and the other buns are safe. Unfortunately, they are in rough shape, Everybunny Counts wrote in a Facebook post. Zachary has scabbed and cut ears, a cataract, potential deafness and Cannoli (and likely all the other females from this group) is pregnant. Bernardo said each rabbit will need several months to recover before they are sprayed/neutered and available for adoption. Each bunny will require a minimum of $400 in veterinary care, she added. Everybunny Counts is looking for donations to help cover the cost of the bunnies upcoming veterinary costs. People can donate by clicking here. An Act Establishing a Jail and Prison Construction Moratorium ( S.1979 / H.1795) was co-written by state Sen. Jo Comerford of Northampton and state Rep. Chynah Tyler of Boston. The bill, which passed during the last session but was vetoed by former Gov. Charlie Baker, is awaiting review by the Joint Judiciary Committee. The current version would institute a moratorium on all new construction while clearly stating that all needed repairs to existing facilities must be made. Governor Healey supports efforts to stop new construction of prison infrastructure provided it does not preclude the state from making critical renovations to maintain safe, modern facilities and attain quality programming and services, Karissa Hand, a Healey spokesperson, said in a statement. Massachusetts had been planning to build a new womens prison costing $50 million, a staggering amount of money that could go towards rebuilding vulnerable communities. The moratorium represents a step towards divesting from carceral systems and investing in what people need to live healthy and safe lives. The root causes of incarceration are complex, including lack of access to education, job training, and drug treatment. Incarceration of women is often a consequence of childhood sexual abuse. As a nurse practitioner, I provided womens health care at the Ludlow jail as part of my role at Brightwood Health Center in Springfield. The campaign to build the new jail in Chicopee included public relations efforts to convince the public (and apparently the Legislature) that the incarcerated women would benefit from having their own jail. We incarcerate to set free was their slogan. The Legislature later approved expansion of the jail. Many of the women were arrested on charges of Common Street Walking and Common Night Walking. Police use these statutes to arrest vulnerable women who usually have no previous record of prostitution convictions. I heard many stories of mistreatment by the police. You may have seen features on the local news programs about cleaning up the streets before a big event in downtown Springfield. The womens unit was subsequently filled. Over the years I cared for many women who were locked up pretrial, which usually meant they could not afford bail. Nationally, most people locked up pretrial are not convicted. Even being locked up for a few days can have disastrous effects on a womans family, housing, employment and health. The vast majority of the women I saw had a history of childhood sexual trauma and/or untreated substance use disorders. Grassroots groups in Springfield did not have the resources for effective street outreach or harm reduction strategies that could have provided women with access to treatment and other needed services. Incarceration does not solve structural social problems, nor is it a tool for justice and accountability. It is simply punishment. How can a person move towards accountability when they are isolated, deprived of the ability to care for themselves and possibly exposed to more violence and suffering? Medical providers and social workers at the jail see an opportunity to improve the health status of prisoners and that is a daunting task. Incarcerated people have a higher incidence of mental health and substance use disorders, traumatic brain injury, hypertension, cardiac disease, diabetes, asthma and stroke. They have a lower life expectancy than the general population. Prison scholar and activist Ruth Wilson Gilmore, who has been working on prison abolition for decades, calls to build life-affirming institutions. She also works to end the building of new prisons, often alongside people in local communities. For her, and other prison abolitionists, including Angela Davis, abolition means government investment in jobs, housing and high quality health care what people need for a productive life, free of violence. We have opportunities to explore transformative and restorative justice through the work of Families for Justice and Healing and others. The American Public Health Association recently released an extensive policy paper recommending the abolition of carceral systems and building in their stead just and equitable structures that advance the publics health. It calls to reduce the number of incarcerated people, to invest instead in housing and employment and to use noncarceral measures for accountability, safety and well-being. This report deserves careful consideration. Lets support the prison building moratorium. Ellen Miller-Mack lives in Hadley. Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has said shed go after universities tax-exempt status as a way to bring those institutions to heel if they ignore incidents of violence on campus, according to a published report. The former South Carolina governor, who made headlines last week for omitting slavery as a cause for the Civil War, made her remarks during a town hall in New Hampshire on Wednesday, the Boston Globe reported. The second you go after their wallet thats when they change every bit of their personality, Haley said in response to a question by a man who identified himself as a Harvard graduate, the newspaper reported. The man asked Haley, who served as the Trump administrations United Nations ambassador, how shed remove the scourge of diversity, equity, and inclusion in American higher education if shes elected in November, the newspaper reported. He also referred to this weeks resignation of Harvard University President Claudine Gay, the institutions first Black president, whose departure opened a new front on the culture wars. Critics on the right have declared Gays decision to step down a victory, with one commentator calling it a huge scalp for civilizational sanity, in a post to X, formerly Twitter. We cant stop until the DEI cancer is fully eliminated, the commentator, Josh Hammer, an editor-at-large for Newsweek, wrote. Gays defenders, meanwhile, have decried what theyve described as a witch hunt mentality to oust the university administrator, who also came under scrutiny for apparent plagiarism in her academic work. Racist mobs wont stop until they topple all Black people from positions of power and influence who are not reinforcing the structure of racism, Boston University scholar Ibram X Kendi wrote on X. What these racist mobs are doing should be obvious to any reporter who cares about truth or justice as opposed to conflicts and clicks. Gays resignation came after University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill resigned in the wake of a controversial appearance last month before a congressional panel investigating antisemitism on college campuses. Gay, and Massachusetts of Institute of Technology President Sally Kornbluth, who is facing mounting pressure to step down, also testified before lawmakers during that hearing. In New Hampshire on Wednesday, Haley told the crowd that I saw those those three college presidents get out there, and they could not acknowledge the evil of antisemitism, the Globe reported. If this had been the [Klu Klux Klan], all these presidents would have been up in arms. This is just as bad. Its just as bad when a student feels unsafe, the Republican said, according to the newspaper. Warning: This article mentions domestic violence. If you or a loved one need assistance, please contact Safe Link, a 24/7 domestic violence hotline at: 800-799-7233. Additional resources can be found here. Dover police found a mother, father and teenage daughter dead inside their home last month in what police believe was the result of domestic violence. The Kamal family killings are part of a dramatic increase in domestic violence incidents across Massachusetts, according to a recently released state report. The number of murders and non-negligent manslaughters in the Commonwealth increased from 21 in 2020 to 28 in 2022, according to federal data cited in the State Domestic Violence Fatality Review Teams 2023 annual report. Except for kidnapping and intimidation, other crimes such as aggravated assault which includes assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation and assault and battery on a pregnant person have increased from 5,690 cases in 2020 to 6,102 in 2022. Read More: DA identifies family members found dead in Dover mansion In Dover, local police were called Dec. 28, 2023 to check on the people at 8 Wilsons Way from a family member concerned about the Kamal family. Police said they not only found a gun in the house near the deceased body of Rakesh Kamal, 57, but they also found his wife, Teena Kamal, 54, and daughter, Arianna Kamal, 18, dead as well evidence that points to an incident of domestic violence. A similar case played out in February 2023, when mother and son Linda and Sebastian Robinson were shot and killed by Andrew Robinson Sebastians father and Lindas husband in their Andover home. What needs to be done? The report suggests Massachusetts bolster its efforts in educating the public on how to identify red flags in relationships, and provide more resources to support survivors of abuse as well as offenders seeking to change their behavior. Oftentimes when people think of domestic violence, they imagine physical violence in a home setting, Hema Sarang-Sieminski, the deputy director at Jane Doe Inc., a non-profit that supports survivors of domestic violence, told MassLive. But the reality is, although physical harm is one form of domestic violence, several other forms of abuse can take form in a relationship, she said. The most important thing to understand is that at the core of domestic violence or intimate partner violence or partner abuse, as it can be referred to, in many ways is about power and control and the abuse of that power and control, Sarang-Sieminski said. Behaviors such as isolating people from their family and friends, over-monitoring their social media or restricting what they can do in their free time can all be signs of intimate partner abuse, according to Sarang-Sieminski. Those are the types of behaviors that we really feel that as community members, as coworkers, as colleagues, as folks who are in schools together we can all play a part in spotting some of those kinds of dynamics and reaching out to our friends and family who might need some support, she continued. In 2018, Massachusetts launched RESPECTfully, a statewide campaign aimed at educating teens on how to build healthy successful relationships, the report said. The campaign included a series of short, animated videos that taught audiences how to navigate issues such as jealousy, conflict and name-calling in relationships. Later in 2020, Massachusetts launched the Healthy Relationships Grant Program, an initiative that awarded money to five programs across the Commonwealth to work with young people and youth-serving organizations on how to build healthy relationships, according to the report. Despite having strong support from the governors office and legislature for these programs, the number of domestic violence cases shows, that more needs to be done, the report said. It is our recommendation to explore whether these programs should be expanded, or new programs need to be created to reach more people across the Commonwealth, the report said. The State Team also recommends lawmakers file legislation to expand state records regarding offenders. Current state law does not open up all records regarding offenders from certain state agencies, according to the report. Members believe this oversight have left them at a disadvantage during reviews, the report said. Medical records such as emergency rooms within hospital visits or mental health information are also sealed from view, the report said. Looking ahead to 2024 will bring opportunity for fresh perspectives on the continued development of the fatality review team and process, the report said. As always, the State Team has identified and secured the partnering District Attorney Offices and will continue to review cases to assist in determining recommendations each year with the goal of ending the cycle of violence. If you or a loved one need assistance, please contact Safe Link, a 24/7 domestic violence hotline at: 800-799-7233. Additional resources can be found here. About seven and a half years after state policymakers began seriously pursuing a cleaner generation source and following a bumpy road full of delays, the grid that powers Massachusetts received the first electrons generated by offshore wind late Tuesday night. One turbine of the Vineyard Wind 1 project delivered approximately five megawatts of power at 11:52 p.m. Tuesday, project co-owners Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) announced Wednesday morning. Eventually, the wind farm about 15 miles south of Marthas Vineyard is expected to have 62 turbines capable of generating just more than 800 MW of power. The projects energy comes ashore at a grid interconnection point in Barnstable. The transmission of first power, as limited as it was and coming later than had been expected, was roundly celebrated Wednesday by elected officials, clean energy advocates and others. Gov. Maura Healey called Wednesdays announcement a historic moment for the American offshore wind industry. Soon, Vineyard Wind will be producing power equivalent of over 400,000 Massachusetts households, the governor said. As we look ahead, Massachusetts is on a path toward energy independence thanks to our nation-leading work to stand up the offshore wind industry. Massachusetts now is the second state in the country, following New York, to get electricity from a major offshore wind development. This truly is a milestone for offshore wind and the entire renewable industry in North America, Tim Evans, partner at CIP, said. He added, By delivering first power, we have broken new ground and shown a viable path forward with power that is renewable, locally produced, and affordable. Much of the credit for this milestone must go to our local partners, labor leaders and the projects skilled union workforce, and local communities from New Bedford to Barnstable. Project developers said the first megawatts transmitted to the grid came as part of the initial commissioning process and said there is additional testing expected to happen both on and offshore in the coming weeks. Vineyard Wind 1 expects it will have five of its 62 turbines operating at full capacity early in 2024. Each turbine is capable of generating 13 MW of power. On Tuesday, after missing its self-imposed target of delivering first power by the end of 2023, a project spokesman clarified the timeline a top official gave last year for full commercial operations. The full 806 MW wind farm is now expected to be fully operational in 2024 opposed to the more specific mid-2024 target shared in August. Once it is fully operational, Vineyard Wind 1 is projected to produce at least 3,600 jobs, reduce costs for Massachusetts ratepayers by an estimated $1.4 billion over 20 years, and eliminate 1.68 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Vineyard Wind 1 was the first offshore wind project selected by Massachusetts utility companies with input from the Baker administration to fulfill part of a 2016 clean energy law, and is likely to be the only Massachusetts offshore wind project to become a reality until at least 2028. Subsequent projects have run into headwinds that developers determined threatened their ability to finance their projects and resulted in the termination of those contracts. That Vineyard Wind 1 would be constructed at all has not always been a sure thing and the project has had to navigate choppy waters to get to this point. Project developers originally planned to financially close on the project and begin on-shore construction work in 2019, put the first turbine into the seabed in 2021 and begin generating electricity in 2022. But under the Trump administration, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in the summer of 2019 decided to undertake a broad study of the potential impacts of offshore wind projects planned up and down the East Coast, holding up a key permit approval for Vineyard Wind 1. After meetings between the U.S. Department of the Interior, Baker and members of the Congressional delegation proved fruitless, Vineyard Wind announced on Dec. 1 of that year that it was pulling its project out of the federal review pipeline. The Trump administration declared the federal review of the project terminated. But Vineyard Winds decision to yank its plan from review also meant the projects ultimate fate would not be decided under Trump, who frequently expressed concerns about wind power and held the project back while his administration looked into impacts that the burgeoning industry could have on commercial fishing. Less than a month into Joe Bidens presidency, in February 2021, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced that it was resuming the federal review of the Vineyard Wind 1 project from the point at which the developer withdrew it. By May of 2021, the Biden administration had approved the projects construction and operations plan and cleared the way for construction to begin. And the Bay State had a previous foray into offshore wind. The 130-turbine wind farm known as Cape Wind, which won federal approval in 2010 and was expected for a time to be the first offshore wind development in the country, was called off in 2017 after years of wrangling and opposition to its location at Horseshoe Shoal within Nantucket Sound. The federal government and energy developers after that began to focus on bigger projects in waters further offshore. A slew of elected officials provided quotes for Avangrid and CIPs press release Wednesday: Gov. Maura Healey of Arlington: This is a historic moment for the American offshore wind industry. Soon, Vineyard Wind will be producing power equivalent of over 400,000 Massachusetts households. This is clean, affordable energy made possible by the many advocates, public servants, union workers, and business leaders who worked for decades to accomplish this achievement. As we look ahead, Massachusetts is on a path toward energy independence thanks to our nation-leading work to stand up the offshore wind industry. House Speaker Ronald Mariano of Quincy: This announcement is a historic step towards ensuring that the Commonwealth plays its role in combating the climate crisis and is representative of the enormous potential that Massachusetts has to be a regional hub for the offshore wind industry. I want to thank the folks behind the Vineyard Wind project for their commitment to delivering clean energy to the people of Massachusetts, as well as my colleagues in the House and our partners in state government who helped to make this milestone a reality. Senate President Karen Spilka of Ashland: It is heartening to see the Vineyard Wind 1 project take this meaningful step forward towards supplying clean to the Commonwealths grid. I look forward to seeing the project continue to come fully online, as Massachusetts continues to set an example for innovative solutions to solving the climate crisis. Senate Ways and Means Chairman Michael Rodrigues of Westport: This is a historic day for the Commonwealth, as we take the first step towards transitioning to the energy of the future! We now can realize the investment that Massachusetts has made in offshore wind to yield tangible results in the form of real electrons. Vineyard Winds clean and affordably priced electricity will benefit my constituents on the Southcoast, and all residents of the Commonwealth for years to come. Sen. Julian Cyr of Truro: Today marks a historic moment for Massachusetts, and indeed the nation. Vineyard Wind is now delivering clean energy to the grid produced right off our shores! This milestone is a testament to the achievements we can reach through collaboration, persistence, and a dedication to a green future. Cape Codders and Islanders are proud to pave the way for continued advancement of a clean energy future in Massachusetts powered by offshore wind, one thats critical to saving our planet and coastal communities. House Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee Chairman Jeff Roy of Franklin: This represents a historic milestone and celebrates an important step for the first commercial-scale offshore wind farm in the United States. And it all started with the foresight of now-Speaker Mariano and the House to see the incredible potential of the offshore wind industry to combat climate change, drive economic growth, and generate clean, affordable energy. I applaud the Vineyard Wind project and the Commonwealths many partners in industry and labor who have worked tirelessly to transform this vision into reality. Rep. Tony Cabral of New Bedford: New Bedford has invested a great deal of its time, energy, and manpower into supporting the successful launch of the offshore wind industry in Massachusetts. As a community that understands the power of the ocean better than most, with this first transmission of power from the Vineyard Wind I project, that commitment and long-term vision has been realized. We are, once again, the city that lights the world and look forward to more turbines coming on-line as this collaboration between public and private partners energizes the next chapter in New Bedfords maritime development. Rep. Christopher Markey of Dartmouth: This is a wonderful story, however it is truly just the beginning of a tremendous story to come. There are too many people to thank, but Vineyard Winds trust in Massachusetts should be acknowledged and appreciated. Congratulations to Vineyard Winds determination and success. Rep. Christopher Hendricks of New Bedford: Were thrilled that the first power from the Vineyard Wind Project has made its way to the Massachusetts grid. This is a monumental victory for climate mitigation; not just in New Bedford and Massachusetts, but the country too. As Vineyard Wind 1 turbines continue to come online, we will remain committed to working with the Healey-Driscoll administration and our partners at the federal level to deliver more green energy solutions. Rep. Dylan Fernandes of Falmouth: This is a pivotal moment in our fight against climate change. As clean, renewable wind power flows to Massachusetts homes for the first time, we are making tangible progress toward our climate goals while also putting hundreds of local community members to work. Rep. Sarah Peake of Provincetown: Cape Cod is extremely vulnerable to climate change and sea level rise, and therefore it is fitting that our region will lead the nation in the development of offshore wind to green our electric grid. The Vineyard Wind 1 project will provide affordable, renewable electricity that can power Massachusetts for years to come. A win for the climate and ratepayers. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell: I congratulate Vineyard Wind on this important, hard-won milestone, demonstrating yet again that offshore wind in America is real, and that the Port of New Bedford well-suited to support the industry. This is a great way to kick off 2024. In its own press release, Conservation Law Foundation President Bradley Campbell said, This is a historic moment thats been years in the making. Its proof positive that New Englands transition away from polluting fossil fuels and towards clean, renewable energy is underway in earnest. We must now quadruple the rate of clean energy deployment, and New England is where it can be done responsibly. CLF said its been at the table to ensure these projects are built responsibly and limit harm to marine life and the fishing industry. Most importantly, project ships need to slow down to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. Snow stuck to the ground in Massachusetts for the first time in 2024, according to the National Weather Service, the first reported snowfall ahead of a weekend winter storm expected to bear down on the Bay State. The light snow began in the Western part of the state around 3 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 4, said Boston/Norton office forecaster Kristie Smith. It was 4 a.m when the bulk of the dusting started to fall, leaving trace amounts on the ground before the band pushed southeast into Eastern Massachusetts, the forecaster said. Theres a cold front thats pushing through today, so were seeing these light snow showers that leave coatings on the ground, ahead of that front thats going to move through this evening, Smith explained. Snow in Springfield, Mass. the morning of Jan. 4, 2024. Photo by Irene RotondoIrene Rotondo Were not really anticipating much more than a coating, which [was] seen out there in Western Mass. today, Smith said, adding temperatures were too warm for snow to stick to the ground in Eastern Massachusetts. Both Hampden and Hampshire County were the regions to receive a dusting that stuck, and multiple towns and cities in the Springfield area like Chicopee and Springfield itself were under a light blanket as of Thursday morning, Smith said. The forecaster said the area may see some more flakes in the next two or three hours as of 9 a.m., as another light band of snow could come down before tapering off for the afternoon. The coating is expected to melt by mid-day, Smith added. Read more: Here are Massachusetts weekend snow predictions in 5 maps The snowfall reports in lower Western Massachusetts first came in from local airports just after 6:20 a.m., Smith said, including from Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport at 6:53 a.m. on Jan. 4, and just over the Connecticut border at Staffordville Regional Airport at 5 a.m. The forecaster added it was difficult to tell the exact locations where the snow stuck, as it the light dusting data was self-reported by local airports. Smith said though she couldnt guarantee somebody didnt see a flake somewhere in the state during the first previous three days of the new year, this was the first reported coating seen in the state in 2024. Snow in Springfield, Mass. the morning of Jan. 4, 2024. Photo by Irene RotondoIrene Rotondo The flakes come as a precursor to the expected winter weather storm on track to hit Massachusetts late Saturday evening and into Sunday. The entire state has between a 60% and 80% chance of getting more than half a foot of snow, NWS reported. The snow is expected to hit Western Massachusetts first between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturday, and will continue to move overnight and into Sunday across the state before tapering off by 10 p.m. in southeastern Massachusetts. PLANNING permission has been granted for the development of a 114 Megawatt gas fired peaking plant to be located in Bellacorick in north Mayo. Mayo County Council granted planning permission to Limerick-based company, Constant Energy Ltd to develop the gas fired peaking power plant in the townlands of Croaghaun west and Srahnakilly in Bellacorick. The development will consist of a 114 Megawatt gas fired peaking power plant which will be capable of running on a mix of natural gas and hydrogen comprising the electricity generating station. The electricity generating station will consist of two open cycle gas turbine (OCGT) generators each consisting of an air intake filter system, a 28 metre high exhaust stack, air vent stack, intercooler system, turbine control room and transformers. The decision to grant planning permission was made despite opposition to the development by local residents who expressed concern of how the power plant will affect them from a health point of view as well citing negative impacts the plant will have on the local environment and their quality of life. The nearest property is situated approximately 200 m to the southwest of the application site, with the next nearest property located 900m to the south. The nearest property to the north is 1.1km away. The site of the proposed OCGT Peaking Plant is located at the site of an abandoned farmstead consisting of a bungalow farmhouse and farm buildings set on a raised area of land immediately adjacent to the Oweninny River approximately 1.8km from the village of Bellacorick. The applicants stated that the plant will be supplied with natural gas from a spur off the gas transmission network but it can also operate using a blend of hydrogen which can be supplied with hydrogen from a neighbouring Hydrogen Plant. As an emergency backup, the OCGTs will also be able to operate on diesel fuel which will be stored onsite; but the applicants state it is unlikely that this will ever be needed. Electricity will be exported to the national grid via a 110 kV substation located on the site. In the planning statement, the applicants stated that the development is designed to address the gap between the renewable power being generated and the level of demand on the grid. It is intended that the plant will operate as a 'peaking power plant' therein comprising a highly efficient power plant with a low switchon price and a rapid start time, which is designed to deliver superflexible power generation during times of peak demand for electricity. The proposed development will therein facilitate the integration of more renewable energy into the electricity network, helping to maintain security of supply and supporting Ireland in its transition to a low carbon economy, the planning statement read. It was anticipated by the applicants that the plant will be fully operational in 2026 and it anticipated that the OCGT will have a design life of at least 25 years. At the end of the design life, the plant would either be decommissioned or the lifetime could potentially be extended. As well as submissions by local residents against the development, submissions were made by local angling groups as well as Inland Fisheries Ireland who expressed concern on how the development may impact fisheries in the nearby rivers. Planning permission was granted by Mayo County Council on December 22, 2023 subject to 32 conditions. The current Chieftain of the O'Malley Clan will pay tribute to the clan's most famous ancestor, Grainne Uaile, by officially unveiling a statue to the Pirate Queen in Newport. Nano OMalley McMahon, the current Chieftain of the OMalley Clan will join the people of Newport at 12 noon on Saturday, January 13 to officially unveil the statue of her ancestor Grace O'Malley. The unveiling of the statue located on Medlicott Street at the entrance to the town is the culmination of a Newport Business Association (NBA) strategy, developed in 2019, which was to brand and promote Newport as 'The Town of the Two Graces' Grainne Uaile from the 16th Century and Grace Kelly from the 20th Century. A key action of this strategy was to commission sculptures of the two Graces, to be located in the town, which would reflect the lives of these great women icons who still have strong connections with Newport. Newport has had a long-standing historical link with the Pirate Queen - Grainne Mhaol, the Irish version of her name which is now more popularly termed as Grainne Uaile. Protector of Clew Bay and the Barony of Burrishoole (Newport), this larger than life figure is known for her commanding leadership and consummate bravery. Grainne Mhaol is revered as a fiercely independent woman whose family stronghold at Carraigahowley (Rockfleet) outside Newport, is the castle most associated with Grainne Uaile and it is where she lived on almost a continuous basis until her death in 1603. Carraigahowley Castle still stands sentinel over Clew Bay, immortalising her imposing presence from those distant centuries. The event will mark the completion of this project when Newport celebrates Grainne Uaile, who in 1593 successfully negotiated with Queen Elizabeth I of England for the secure ownership of her lands and property and for her right to live in peace and continue her livelihood along the Atlantic shores which is evidence of Grainnes trading and commanding presence in the locality. Mary Keane, Chairman of the Newport Business Association, commented: This is a great occasion and the start of a new chapter for a thriving Newport we are moving forward with confidence, thanks to the achievements of our emigrant families and the legacies of history these statues will ensure that future generations will continue to be inspired by the achievements of our Two Graces. The sculptor, Mark Rode who works from his studio in Kilasser, near Swinford, was commissioned to undertake this artistic endeavour. Mark is well-known throughout Ireland for his work which includes The Barack Obama bust in Moneygall, The Quiet Man statue in Cong, and Titanic Memorial in Addergoole, Co Mayo. Mark can now add Newports 'The Two Graces' to his list of creative achievements. The Grace Kelly sculpture, located at the Viaduct Bridge, was officially launched in March 2023 by her son, Prince Albert of Monaco. The Newport Business Association has worked closely with Mayo Co Council in planning the location of the sculptures. Mayo Local Action Group through its implementing partner South West Mayo Development Company provided LEADER funding to support the project with the balance being raised through private sponsorship, donations, and fundraising events. A MAN involved in an early morning traffic collision in Ballinrobe this morning is in a serious condition in hospital in Castlebar. The man was rushed to Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar after receiving serious injuries following a collision between a tractor and a van at approximately 7.15am on the N84 Castlebar Road in Ballinrobe. The busy N84 Castlebar Road was closed to traffic throughout the day as a technical examination of the scene was completed by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators . Diversions were put in placed during the day and it is understood that the road will reopen later this evening. The collision is believed to have occurred at approximately 7.15am this morning close to the entrance to McHale Machinery and involved a tractor and a white work van. The emergency services were called to the scene to assist the injured parties. It is understood that the driver of the tractor was seriously injured and rushed to Mayo University Hospital where he remains in a critical condition. The driver of the van was treated for injuries at the scene but they are not believed to have been serious. Gardai in Claremorris investigating the collision have asked for anybody who may have witnessed the collision or may have been travelling in the area with camera footage (including dash cam), to make this available to the investigation team. Gardai can be contacted at Claremorris Garda Station on 094 9372080, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station. A BOOK profiling the history of the village of Murrisk from the time of the arrival of the Augustinian Monks has been launched. The Murrisk Development Association (MDA) recently held a book launch in the Murrisk Community Centre to celebrate the reprint/update of the book 'Murrisk: The History of an Irish Fishing Village'. The book is written by Chris Grady (current president of Westport GAA Club and former chairperson of the Murrisk Development Association) with the help of the MDA and edited by Chris' son Ray Grady. Starting with the Augustinian Monks' arrival in Murrisk in 1456 and ending with modern day fish farming, the book is a detailed history of the local fishing industry, how it evolved over time and some of the many people involved along the way. It also includes the incredible story of Austin Bourke and the crew of the Myra who in 1947, after running into a fierce storm off the south-west coast of Ireland, spent three weeks stranded at sea and were feared dead, only to be miraculously rescued off the coast of Scotland. The book was first published in 2017 and subsequently sold out of all of the 500 copies that were printed. In the years since, many people have come forward with extra information and corrections which have been added to the new edition of the book and is available in Duffy's Bookshop, Bridge St, Westport; McLoughlins Bookshop, Shop St, Westport; Tertulia Bookshop, The Quay, Westport; The Castle Bookshop, Castle St, Castlebar and online at www.croaghpatrickcrafts.com. The launch night was attended by locals from the community of Murrisk and was launched by Martin Keating, Chairperson of the Croagh Patrick Stakeholders Group. Around 20 sheep suffered tortured deaths at a farm in County Limerick following a savage Christmas Day attack by dogs. Eddie Moriarty, Limerick IFA sheep chairman from nearby Anglesboro, said 20 ewe lambs were killed by dogs and more were badly injured. He spoke to a man who saw the carcasses dotted around the field. He said, It was the most pitiful sight I ever saw. He said it was a lonesome sight. He was there when they came to take them away, said Mr Moriarty, who added that more sheep will die in the coming months from the stress of the attack. A dog killed 16 lambs belonging to him around 10 years ago. They are stressed sheep for the rest of their lives. It does affect sheep badly. I saw it myself with my own sheep. More died of stress months later. The dog who killed mine was a pet for children. Any dog will kill sheep. It is a dogs natural instinct to kill sheep, said Mr Moriarty. He called on dog owners to take responsibility for their pets and know where they are at all times. The Limerick IFA sheep chairman also hit out at the enforcement of regulations and lack thereof. There are no rules being enforced about licences. There are three government departments looking after the control of dogs - you have justice, agriculture and rural and community development. They just cant settle among themselves who is taking full responsibility. There is a dog control bill going on for two years. As we speak today there are sheep being killed all over the country and there is nothing being said about them. Its just that this one got out, said Mr Moriarty. Limerick IFA chairman Sean Lavery said the incident over Christmas was a bad attack. People need to know where their dogs are. The dogs only kill a few. The rest of them are wounded and go into shock. It is a tortured death. "When ewes are in lamb it can cause abortions. They would all be lambing in March," said Mr Lavery, who is a sheep farmer. A garda spokesperson said they are aware of an incident where several sheep were killed in the Galbally area of County Limerick - close to the Tipperary border. However, they added that no offences have been disclosed to date. A new report has revealed over 8,000 abortions took place in Ireland in 2022. The Annual Report on the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 found that 8,156 medical procedures were carried out under the Act between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022. According to the report - which has been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas as required under section 20 of the Act - 22 procedures were carried out due to a risk to the life or health of the woman, and four were due to a risk to the life or health of the woman in an emergency situation. Eighty eight procedures were performed due to a fatal foetal anomaly, amounting to just over 1% of the number of terminations in 2022. A total of 8,042 terminations in early pregnancy (up to twelve weeks) were recorded in the same time period. This is almost double the number of terminations which occurred between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021, when 4,577 procedures were carried out. The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act requires the date on which the termination of pregnancy was carried out (and place of residence of the pregnant woman) to be notified to the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly. Data indicates January, March and December were the months with the highest number of terminations in 2022, with 783, 751 and 752 respectively, while July was listed as the month with the fewest notifications to the minister (487). The county with the highest number of terminations recorded was Dublin, where 3,005 terminations took place. This is followed by Cork (734 terminations) and Limerick (377 terminations). Leitrim was noted as the county with the fewest number of terminations (48). A full list of terminations by county in 2022 is available below: Additionally, 12 pregnant women listed Northern Ireland as their place of residence, while five other women were reportedly from a location outside of Ireland. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has also submitted a report on reviews carried out in 2022. According to the Department of Health, the report shows that four applications for review were received in 2022, with two withdrawn; one application was found to have met the requirements for a lawful termination of pregnancy and one did not meet the requirements. Minister Donnelly recently announced the provision of termination of pregnancy services in five additional maternity hospital sites, including Kilkenny, Portiuncula, Letterkenny, Wexford and Portlaoise hospitals. It brings the total number of maternity hospitals providing early (under 12 weeks) termination services to seventeen. Announcing the news at the time, Minister Donnelly said, "This expansion is a significant step towards the provision of full termination services for women in all nineteen Maternity hospitals. I would like to acknowledge the work of the HSE National Women and Infant Health Programme, the hospitals and the service providers who have contributed to this important milestone in termination of pregnancy services in Ireland. "I look forward to further expansion of services in 2024 and the reality of safe, equitable access to this service for all women." Currently in Ireland, a pregnant woman seeking termination services must wait at least three days between being certified and having the abortion procedure. Women's groups and activists are among those who have called for an end to this waiting period. However, concerns on removing this reflection period have also been expressed, most recently in a Joint Committee on Health debate in October 2023 by Deputy Peadar Toibin and Senator Ronan Mullen. by Laurie Sullivan , Staff Writer @lauriesullivan, January 3, 2024 California needs more money to support several laws that took effect on January 1, 2024, such as becoming the first state to offer free health insurance for all undocumented immigrants coming into the U.S. based on President Biden's policies, so it is going after an expanding industry that will affect each and every company that advertises or markets on the web. To subsidize free health-care insurance for undocumented immigrants, lawmakers in the state will host a flurry of attempts to regulate the use of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) tools. Two Bay Area lawmakers reportedly are leading these efforts. One bill is aimed at the "potential impacts on privacy, discrimination, job protections and misinformation during an election year," according to the Associated Press, but it will certainly impact the way the advertising industry conducts business. Assembly member Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, who has taken on a new role as chair of the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee, plans to introduce a bill to prohibit the use of AI systems that discriminate against people, which would have required companies to evaluate the algorithms they develop and disclose any potential discriminatory risks. She introduced a similar bill last year but could not advance it. advertisement advertisement Bauer-Kahan will focus on creating bills to address specific known harms from the technology -- such as discrimination and bias in algorithms and maintaining the privacy of medical records as doctors embrace AI in their practices. She expects all major AI legislation will come before her committee and that successful bills will need to show what specific problems they aim to address, according to the GT Industry Insider, which lists many bills in the works related to AI. State Senator Scott Wiener told the Associated Press that he plans to create an industry-wide safety framework to focus on tackling some of the biggest risks in public safety and security such as AI-generated bioweapons, cyberattacks and misinformation campaigns. "If we can successfully land a workable bill in California, I think it will help as other states start to think about how to do this, said Chandler Morse, vice president of corporate affairs for the finance and HR software company Workday, GT Industry Insider reported. Workday in January said it would restructure and realign its business by eliminating 3% of its global workforce in response to a challenging global economic environment. No word if AI contributed to the decision for this company that relies heavily on automation. CNBC reported that more than 100,000 U.S.-based technology company workers were laid off in 2023. A judge sentenced a Butte man to 30 years in the Montana State Prison on Wednesday for raping a 14-year-old girl in 2022 when he was 36 years old. The defendant, Andrew Jacob Calderon, said his crime was evil and wrong and he deserved prison time. Defense attorney James Dolan argued for 20 years with no restrictions on parole eligibility, saying Calderon was remorseful and a low risk to re-offend. But District Judge Robert Whelan agreed to prosecutor Ann Sheas recommendation of 60 years in prison with 30 years suspended, and no consideration of parole for at least 12 years. Whelan and Shea said Calderon held a position of trust with the girl, and the sentence was just. I cant think of any bigger betrayal of trust that was put in you, and quite honestly, I think the sentence that has been recommended by the state is a win for you because it wasnt what I initially had in mind, Whelan said. Calderon pleaded guilty in October to sexual intercourse without consent. Under Montana law, no one under the age of 16 can legally consent to sex, and because of the differences in ages in the case, Calderon faced a minimum sentence of four years and maximum of life. Shea cited a presentence investigation interview, during which Calderon said he was lost and misguided at the time of the crime. Your honor, people who are lost or misguided walk out for a pack of cigarettes and they dont come back, Shea said. They might climb a mountain or they might go somewhere. They dont rape a child. The girl told investigators she had rejected sexual advances from Calderon on previous occasions but then had sex with him. He used a condom on that and two subsequent occasions, she said. The girls mother found out about them, retrieved a condom from the trash and brought it and a pair of the girls underwear to authorities before a forensic medical exam was performed, prosecutors say. The mother also showed a detective a messaging-app conversation she had with her daughter about the incidents. A plea deal in the case allowed Calderon to argue for a lesser sentence than Shea recommended and Dolan did just that, first by having Christopher Quigley, a forensic examiner, testify via Zoom. Quigley said he performed a psychosexual examination of Calderon and determined he was a low risk to commit further sex crimes and would do well in a treatment program. He was unusually forthright and culpable regarding what he had done and the impact (it had) on his victim, Quigley said. He seemed sincerely remorseful about what he had done and pretty much accepted the fact that he was going to prison. Calderon appeared via Zoom from the Butte jail and at times seemed to fight back tears while talking. Ann Shea was right I was far beyond lost and misguided, he said. I was evil and wrong. He said he wasnt asking for a slap on the wrist or even mercy, but did want an opportunity for treatment to learn how someone like me could ever do what I did. The girl and her mother did not testify Wednesday but they did submit victim impact statements to the judge. They had a lot of input into the sentencing recommendation, Shea said, and she called the crime a travesty. Judge Whelan agreed. I can tell you that in my time on the bench, these are the worst types of cases, and this is definitely one of the worst, he said. by Ray Schultz , January 3, 2024 A full 91% of U.S. publishers using a Consent Management Platform are passing consumer data to third parties before consent, Compliant reports. This means publishers are in a dangerous situation with pervasive data leakage, unlawful mass surveillance and broken consent, says Jamie Barnard, CEO and co-founder, Compliant. Compliant recently looked at over one billion impressions measured across over 1,000 programmatic media campaigns. It also found that 82% of U.S. publishers have elevated data leakage risk through excessive vendors and unauthorized piggybacked tags. On average, it says, U.S. publishers have five data brokers acquiring consumer data from their websites. Compliant concludes that most of the online advertising ecosystem is out of sync with such laws as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and Virginia's Consumer Data Protection Act [VCDPA]). These laws require that consumers should be able to: Delete personal information collected from them (with some exceptions) Opt-out of the sale or sharing of their personal information Correct inaccurate personal information that a business has about them Limit the use and disclosure of sensitive personal information collected about them advertisement advertisement Our data supports the recent findings of the ANA Programmatic Study, Bernard continues. There is a violent gap between what the law requires, what consumers expect and what is happening in practice. With this data, we hope industry stakeholders will take action and narrow that gap. Compliant provides two indexes for advertisers, agencies and publishers: The Publisher Compliance Index (PCI) measures data compliance and scores regulatory risk for individual publishers The Campaign Compliance Index (CCI) measures data compliance across a brands entire media spend According to Compliant, publishers can use such tools to identify their compliance risks and benchmark them against competitors. by Teresa Buyikian , January 3, 2024 January has somehow become not only the month of new gym memberships and broken New Years resolutions, but a guilt-filled time of forgoing previous holiday season sins like eating meat and drinking alcohol. For those observing Dry January, Uno Pizzeria & Grill has a new nonalcoholic drink menu, courtesy of Ritual Zero Proof cocktails. Beginning Jan. 6, customers of the national Chicago-based chain will have multiple booze-free Ritual Zero Proof cocktails to choose from, including a margarita, hurricane, old-fashioned and peach mule. The alcohol-free cocktail category is growing as an increasing number of customers are adopting more mindful drinking habits. According to a recent December 2023 Drinks Market Analysis data release from IWSR, found here, the no-alcohol share of the overall alcohol market is expected to grow to nearly 4% by 2027, with almost a fifth of all 2023 no-alcohol consumers new entrants to alcohol free spirits. The no-alcohol segment grew at a volume CAGR of +8% between 2019 and 2023 alone. advertisement advertisement "We are always looking for tasteful ways to meet consumer demand for better-for-you alternatives that don't detract from the dining experience," said Uno Pizzeria & Grill Director of Marketing, Chris Dellamarggio, in a release. "When we identified the opportunity to expand our beverage menu for the mindful drinker (as) we couldn't ask for a better partner than Ritual Zero Proof to help us offer an expanded line of zero-proof cocktails. Ritual Zero Proof drinks are made from natural botanicals to mimic the flavor and burn of spirits, but without the alcohol or calories. The brand offers booze-free versions of gin, whiskey, tequila, rum and aperitifs. by Colin Kirkland , January 3, 2024 Elon Musk's microblogging app X (formerly known as Twitter) is slashing the price of verification for small businesses -- lowering the price from $1,000 per month to $200. After alienating its biggest advertisers with concerns over brand safety, X is now prioritizing small businesses, hoping they will make up for the offset in revenue due to the loss of ad-spend from AT&T, Coca-Cola, General Motors, Capital One, Nike, Bank of America and other major brands. Our new Verified Organizations Basic tier is now available for $200/month or $2,000/year!, reads a tweet from X's Verified account. Designed for smaller businesses, subscribers receive ad credits & priority support to enable faster growth on X. advertisement advertisement The package will include a gold checkmark for brand profiles, as well as priority support, access to job listings via X Hiring, X Premium+ benefits and more, at a fifth of the original price. Musk began hinting at this low-cost option not long after the company launched its Verification for Organizations tier globally in April 2023, addressing concerns that small businesses would not be able to pay the $1,000 per month, or that they wouldn't want to due to a lack of incentive. Above all else, the offering allows an organization to link any number of their affiliated individuals, businesses and brands to their account. From there, affiliated accounts receive a small badge of their parent company's profile picture next to their blue or gold checkmark. Employees' accounts will also receive an automatic blue checkmark. Critics of the original Organizations tier launch wondered why X did not announce a lower-cost tier back in April. Now that it has arrived, nine months later, the incentive may be less effective due to the app's dwindling user base and tarnished reputation. The company has used other tactics to win over small businesses, suggesting potential ad opportunities in Q5-- the period between mid-December and mid-January -- highlighting reduced CPMs and cost-per-conversion as consumers shop for post-holiday deals and products to support their New Year's ambitions. In addition, after Musk told major brands that had halted or suspended advertising on X to go f*** yourself, he tried to court small businesses, saying that they are a very significant engine that we have definitely underplayed for a long time. It [was] always part of the plan, he added. Now we will go even further with it. by Teresa Buyikian , January 3, 2024 One of the first Veganuary promotional dishes has hit the fast-casual world. (Veganuary is the January trend where people give up meat and all animals products for the entire month.) Today the Just Salad chain announced its collaboration with James Beard-nominated, Michelin Star-winning chef Amanda Cohen, proprietor of the Dirt Candy restaurant in New York City, in honor of Veganuary. As part of the chains new winter menu, Cohen created the vegan Dirt Candy salad, which contains romaine and arugula greens, organic sesame tofu, cucumber, broccoli, Tajin spiced pumpkin seeds, pepperoncini and Castelvetrano olives. Accompanying the salad is a Creamy Vegan Ranch dressing, containing veganaise, nutritional yeast, garlic, lemon juice, white vinegar, salt, parsley and water. The salad and dressing are available in-store, online and in-app nationwide through Jan. 31. advertisement advertisement "Embarking on this Veganuary journey with Just Salad is a fusion of culinary passions and a shared food ethos," said Cohen in a release. "Our collaboration stems from a mutual dedication to redefining dining experiences through plant-based innovation and sustainable practices. The rest of the chains winter menu, available through late March, features five seasonally inspired salads, including the Mediterranean Bowl, with black lentils, kale, arugula, onion, cucumber, chickpeas, pickled onions and yogurt cucumber dressing; and a Maple Crispy Chicken salad with baby spinach, arugula, chicken, white cheddar, almonds, dried cranberries, corn, carrots, and a Maple Cider vinaigrette. Just Salad has previously successfully collaborated on menu items with other like-minded partners such as wellness educator and entrepreneur, Mona Vand and Baked by Melissa Founder and CEO Melissa Ben-Ishay. Rocket Companies has hired Jonathan Mildenhall as the first ever CMO of the Detroit-based fintech platform. Mildenhall, a MediaPost All Star in 2018, previously led marketing for Airbnb and Coca Cola. He will oversee all marketing and communications teams for the Rocket brands, which include mortgage, real estate and other financial services businesses. He will be responsible for creating a unified and compelling voice for all businesses under the Rocket Companies umbrella, with all marketing and communications teams for the companys brands reporting to him. Rocket was attracted to Mildenhalls strong reputation for consistently delivering compelling campaigns that break through the clutter and become socially relevant, said Varun Krishna, chief executive officer for Rocket Companies, in a release. advertisement advertisement Mildenhall brings more than 30 years of experience on both the client and agency side of the business. A Black man from Leeds, England, Mildenhall has recounted how difficult it was for him to land his first job in marketing. He has been an critic of the industrys lack of diversity, going so far as to invite a group of minority candidates for job interviews at the Cannes Advertising Festival in 2018, according to the MediaPost story about his All Star selection. In 2018, he co-founded TwentyFirstCenturyBrand, one of the world's leading branding and marketing consultancies. Over the past five years, the business has helped companies including Pinterest, LinkedIn, Zalando, PepsiCo, NextDoor and Walmart. Mildenhall will remain chairman of the business. Mildenhall is also a board member of GoFundMe, Fanatics and Peloton Interactive. He began his career on the agency side with leadership positions at several London shops including Mother, where he was head of strategy, and TBWA London, where he was managing director. Prior to founding his own firm, Mildenhall served as the first CMO of Airbnb. Airbnb aired its first Super Bowl commercial under Mildenhall. Mildenhall also led Coca-Colas marketing as vice president of global advertising strategy and content excellence. He and his team created the companys global marketing campaign Open Happiness, which helped the brand see its most profitable growth period in 20 years. During his time leading Cokes marketing, it was named the Creative Marketer of the Year at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. by Colin Kirkland , January 4, 2024 With Americans becoming more comfortable shopping on Chinese e-commerce apps, and concerns about a nationwide TikTok ban evaporating, ByteDances TikTok is looking to grow its short-form video shopping platform, TikTok Shop, tenfold in the U.S. to $17.5 billion in 2024. According to information Bloomberg obtained from internal meetings about the 2024 merchandise volume goal for the U.S. version of TikTok Shop, the company is hoping its social-media reach paired with its viral videos and live-shopping model -- proven successful by Chinas doppleganger app Douyin -- will result in TikTok Shop becoming a direct competitor with Amazon, Temu and Shein. Last year, TikTok was on track to hit about $20 billion in global gross merchandise value, with the majority of sales originating in Southeast Asia, the report notes. advertisement advertisement The company is now looking to expand sales across the U.S. and Latin America, where TikTok is planning to launch TikTok Shop in the coming months. To help persuade continuous activity on the app in the U.S., TikTok offers influencers free shipping and subsidies for selling goods in videos and live streams. Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals that the company pushed in November resulted in over 5 million new U.S. customers buying products on the app, the company says. Recent reports also state that TikTok will begin raising the commission it charges on most in-app items from 2% to 8% per transaction, which are still lower than Amazons typical 15% seller fees. ByteDances revenue outpaced the projected growth of major social-media companies like Meta Platforms and Tencent Holdings, surging roughly 30% in 2023 to more than $110 billion. TikTok Shop is still fairly new. The feature officially launched in the U.S. in September, with over 200,000 registered sellers and 100,000 content creators participating in an affiliate program that allowed users who had 5,000 followers to create videos that went straight to the platform's For You feed. If it becomes nearly as successful as Douyin, TikTok -- which has 150 million users in the U.S. and 2 billion worldwide -- will prove for the first time that live stream shopping can thrive on a large scale in the West. by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, January 4, 2024 Walgreens Boots Alliance just reported its first quarterly results under new leadership, resulting in another soup sandwich. Sales increased 10% to $36.71 billion, up from $33.38 billion in the first quarter of last year, thanks to gains in pharmacy transactions. But sales in the company's retail division fell 6.1%. Walgreens posted a net loss of $278 million -- better than expected -- compared to $3.82 billion in the year-ago period. To cut costs, the company announced it was slashing its dividend in half, worrying investors. As it looks for additional ways to save money throughout its sprawling holdings, everything is on the table, said Tim Wentworth, chief executive officer, in a webcast discussing the results. Its been a tough year for the company, including an executive exodus. Wentworth, a veteran of Cigna, took the helm in October, signaling an increased focus on the healthcare properties Walgreens has acquired. He replaced Rosalind Brewer, who had joined the company in 2021 from Starbucks, at a moment when Walgreens vowed to focus on consumer-centricity. advertisement advertisement Walgreens' chief financial officer also left. And amid layoffs trimming 5% of its corporate workforce in November, chief marketing officer Linh Peters also departed after joining in 2022 from Calvin Klein. Chief medical officer Kevin Ban also left. The Deerfield, Illinois-based company said it sees potential for a cost plus model for pharmacy reimbursement, which allows retail pharmacies to be reimbursed for the cost of the drug and a markup. CVS, one of Walgreens' largest competitors, has already said it is pursuing cost plus reimbursements. By division, retail sales dropped 6.1%, attributed to macroeconomic-driven consumer trends, a weaker flu season and Thanksgiving holiday store closures. Pharmacy sales climbed 10%. Revenue in the U.S. healthcare business increased to $1.9 billion, reflecting the acquisition of Summit Health by VillageMD and organic growth. Sales at VillageMD grew 14%, and Shields increased 27%. That segments operating loss came in at $436 million, even with the same period in 2023. Macroeconomic conditions are clearly difficult for retailers, and I fully acknowledge the structural headwinds in our core pharmacy business and the growing pains in our healthcare segment, Wentworth said. None of this is a surprise to me. I came to WBA eyes wide open, with a clear mandate to act with everything on the table in terms of putting our business on the right track. Its an ultra-competitive category, with Rite Aid continuing to close stores as part of its bankruptcy process that began last year. And so many moving pieces have made many observers lukewarm about Walgreens' prospects. Deutsche Bank currently has a hold rating on Walgreens. Thats based on financial modeling that continues to reflect Walgreens' low earnings quality, low visibility, and our expectation of potential negative revisions, writes analyst George Hill. It also reflects the structurally challenging position of the retail pharmacy space and the high expectations in the health segment. Walgreens is yet to show more evidence of stability in their core business and evidence of the turnaround at Village. by Teresa Buyikian , January 4, 2024 Tim Hortons is bringing back some of its past favorites chainwide to honor its 60th anniversary in Canada and 40 years in the U.S. On Jan. 10, two old-school customer favorites will return for a limited time: the Walnut Crunch, a chocolatey cake donut speckled with walnuts throughout and lightly glazed, and the Cinnamon Twist, a yeast twist donut tossed in cinnamon sugar. "This year represents a series of milestones at Tim Hortons, and we can't wait to celebrate them with our guests," said Tim Hortons U.S. President Katerina Glyptis in a release. The company says it will introduce Tim Hortons to more Americans in 2024, with plans to open more restaurants and launch in new markets." Since it began as one coffee shop in Canada in 1964, Tim Hortons has grown to more than 5,100 systemwide restaurants in Canada, the U.S and worldwide. advertisement advertisement To continue the anniversary festivities, beginning Jan. 20 guests will receive their orders in special 60th-anniversary packaging, including limited-time designs for the red Tims cup, Timbit boxes and donut boxes, while supplies last. Tim Hortons is also commemorating January as Member Month for the chains Tims Rewards loyalty club members, who will receive a free medium hot or iced coffee with a $2 purchase every Monday. The coffee chain is also celebrating the 50th anniversary of Tim Hortons Foundation this year, which has supported over 315,000 underserved youth since its inception through operating Tim Hortons Foundation Camps. The camps, per the foundations website, are designed to equip young people from low-income families with the skills they need to design their future. A Forsyth woman was sentenced Thursday to 51 months in prison for defrauding customers through her insurance brokerage business to finance her alcohol and gambling addictions. Kileen Moria Hagadone, 57, pleaded guilty in August to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. She could have been sentenced to as little as two years the minimum sentence for identity theft but District Judge Susan Watters included 27 additional months for wire fraud. In her decision, Watters referenced that Hagadone had defrauded Chief Dull Knife College and called her crimes fairly egregious. Hagadone had operated an insurance brokerage business for 30 years, receiving payments from her customers and transmitting them to national insurance companies. But in 2020, she stopped sending customer payments to the insurance companies, instead spending them on personal expenses. These were people she knew, people who had known her for years, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich at the sentencing. Many of Hagadones customers paid the entire cost of the insurance premium when their policies began, but Hagadone would then arrange to pay the premiums in installments so that she did not have to give the entire payments over to the insurance companies immediately. When she could not to pay in installments directly with the company, she would impersonate customers so that she could contract with third-party insurance financing companies. Because she was often unable to pay the installment payments, customers often had their policies canceled. One of her largest customers was Chief Dull Knife College. In November 2021, CDKC paid Hagadone $91,883, the full cost of the insurance premium for a year. Hagadone then forged the signature of a CDKC representative to contract with a financing company. The policy was terminated in April 2022 after she failed to pay the installments. In November 2022, Hagadone told CDKC that they needed to renew their policy. This time, she fabricated a $98,893 policy and embezzled the entire payment, leaving CDKC uninsured from April 2022 to April 2023. Local Forsyth businessowner Dave Ofalt, a customer of Hagadones for 20 years, attended the sentencing. He had paid an insurance policy for his business and truck in full, after which he received a notice of monthly payments due. When he asked the insurance company for a copy of the paperwork, he saw a girly signature that was not his own. She had many copies of my signature, he said. She at least couldve done a better job faking it. Ofalt was pleasantly surprised by the sentencing. Everyone in town thought shed get two years, he said. Hagadone was released from the James F. Battin Federal Courthouse Thursday morning and will self-surrender once she is assigned to a prison. Washington Elementary in Billings could be converted into a campus for high school students focusing on early college and technology careers next year. That's what Billings School District 2 Superintendent Erwin Garcia proposed during a public meeting at the school on Wednesday evening. SD2 officials met with dozens of parents and community members in the Midtown elementary schools gym to outline his proposal to create the Washington Innovation Center. Garcia explained that Washington students would be moved next fall to Miles Avenue, Broadwater and Newman elementary schools. Teachers and support staff from Washington would also move with the students. The district would then convert Washington to house two new programs, one aimed at providing college credits to high school students and the other offering intensive classes for those pursuing technology jobs. The Early College High School program would enroll students in joint high school and college classes, allowing them to graduate as seniors with both a high school diploma and an associate's degree. It would be the first in the state, Garcia said. The Opportunity School would offer career certifications in various fields of information technology, with classes on computer repair, cybersecurity, coding, artificial intelligence, robotics and other fields. Garcia explained that Washington was chosen as the venue because it has a steadily declining enrollment and now has the lowest enrollment of all 22 district elementary schools. As a result, the school is the most expensive per student to run. With enrollment declining, Washington now has 208 students and is operating at 77% capacity. The annual cost of educating one student at Washington is $9,429 versus around $5,500 at some other Billings elementary schools, Garcia said. The elementary school district is running on a $3.5 million budget deficit. Using Washington for high school classes would allow SD2 officials to move $1.5 million from the high school district budget into the elementary district, helping to reduce the elementary deficit, Garcia said. With three high schools and the career center operating beyond capacity, the high school district is now running with a $500,000 deficit. Garcia said officials have applied for charter school funding for the early college and opportunity programs as well as another program for newcomers. If approved, the money for the charter schools would infuse money into the district and help with overcrowding at the other high schools and the Career Center, he said. Other financial challenges adding to the districts woes are the increasing costs of providing health insurance for employees and Montana having the lowest pay in the nation for starting teachers, Garcia said. He also cited the limited opportunity for students to access college classes or the Career Center during their first two years of high school as contributing to the districts 15% dropout rate. He said Billings lost 260 students during the last school year and 250 dropped out the year before. We all know what has happened recently with the acts of violence in the community, he said. And we know dropout rates and violence are connected. Garcia said he wants to use Washington to provide a pathway to keep students who dont want to wait until they reach their junior or senior year of high school to start pursuing college credits or technology jobs. Garcia also pointed out the district lost 97 teachers and 56 support staff at the end of the last school year through regular attrition. He said he plans to reassign the teachers, administrators and staff from Washington Elementary, rather than letting them go. Garcia said his proposal is an administrative decision not requiring approval of the nine-member school board. However, he said, he does not intend to move forward without the trustees support. The school board is expected to discuss the proposal at its next meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 22 at the Lincoln Center, 415 N 30th St. Garcia has also scheduled another public meeting to discuss the change with parents and community members for 6 p.m. on Jan. 24 at Washington Elementary, 1044 Cook Ave. Multiple Montana courthouses in Missoula, Bozeman and Great Falls reported being the target of bomb threats Thursday morning, according to press releases. Sandra Barker, a spokesperson with the Salt Lake City FBI field office which helps to oversee Montana, said that their office has no information to indicate that any of the threats were credible. "As Missoula County employees reported for work this morning an anonymous threat was received via email by the Clerk of Court stating there were explosives in the Missoula County Courthouse," according to a press release from Missoula County. "We are also aware that the threat was sent to multiple state and local agencies across the nation." A release from the Gallatin County Sheriff told a similar story: The Clerk of District Court received an anonymous email "claiming that bombs were put into courtrooms in Gallatin County District Court, Justice Court, and Bozeman Municipal Court." Nothing suspicious was found in Gallatin or Missoula County buildings following sweeps by law enforcement, according to releases from those counties. The Cascade County Sheriff's Office received a bomb threat targeted at the county courthouse early Thursday, but roughly an hour later the building was reopened for business, according to emails from Sheriff Jesse Slaughter. It is still unknown who made the threat on the Great Falls building and how it was communicated. Yesterday the Montana State Capitol in Helena, along with capitol buildings around the country, was the subject of a bomb threat that was found to be not credible. The Cascade County Sheriff's department did not immediately respond to request for comment. "At this time, nothing suspicious has been found," a press release from Missoula County read. "We are working closely with the FBI to further investigate what appears to be an unfounded threat." The Associated Press reported Mineral County Justice Court was also the subject of a bomb threat. The Montana Attorney General's office said that it's coordinating with federal authorities, but it's unable to provide anymore details "due to the ongoing nature of these incidents." "The FBI is aware of the numerous hoax bomb threats sent to various government buildings and other facilities in Montana," Barker said in an email. "The FBI takes hoax threats very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk...We urge the public to remain vigilant, and report any and all suspicious activity and/or individuals to law enforcement immediately." WASHINGTON The mother and American uncle of a U.S. service member were safe outside of Gaza after being rescued from the fighting in a secret operation coordinated by the U.S., Israel, Egypt and others, a U.S. official told The Associated Press on Wednesday. It is the only known operation of its kind to extract American citizens and their close family members during the months of devastating ground fighting and Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. The vast majority of people who have made it out of northern and central Gaza through the Rafah crossing into Egypt fled south in the initial weeks of the war. An escape from the heart of the Palestinian territory through intense combat has become far more perilous and difficult since. Zahra Sckak, 44, made it out of Gaza on New Year's Eve, along with her brother-in-law, Farid Sukaik, an American citizen, a U.S. official told The Associated Press. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to confirm the rescue, which had been kept quiet for security reasons. Sckaks husband, Abedalla Sckak, was shot earlier in the Israel-Hamas war as the family fled from a building hit by an airstrike. He died days later. One of her three American sons, Spec. Ragi A. Sckak, 24, serves as an infantryman in the U.S. military. The extraction involved the Israeli military and local Israeli officials who oversee Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, the U.S. official said. There was no indication that American officials were on the ground in Gaza. The United States played solely a liaison and coordinating role between the Sckak family and the governments of Israel and Egypt, the official said. A family member and U.S.-based lawyers and advocates working on the family's behalf had described Sckak and Sukaik as pinned down in a building surrounded by combatants, with little or no food and with only water from sewers to drink. There were few immediate details of the on-the-ground operation. It took place after extended appeals from Sckak's family and U.S.-based citizens groups for help from Congress members and the Biden administration. The State Department has said some 300 American citizens, legal permanent residents and their immediate family members remain in Gaza, at risk from ground fighting, airstrikes and widening starvation and thirst in the besieged territory. With no known official U.S. presence on the ground, those still left in the territory face a dangerous and sometimes impossible trip to Egypt's border crossing out of Gaza, and a bureaucratic struggle for U.S., Egyptian and Israeli approval to get themselves, their parents and young children out of Gaza. - Associated Press writer Tara Copp contributed. A soldier who was critically wounded alongside two other troops during a drone attack in Iraq nearly two weeks ago will return to the U.S. to receive further medical treatment, friends and family told Military.com on Thursday. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Garrett Illerbrunn was being treated at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany after being transported from Baghdad following the attack. As of Tuesday, Illerbrunn was in a coma, but was able to respond to external stimuli and could breathe on his own, according to a GoFundMe started by his friends and verified as connected to the family by Military.com. During the drone attack, which occurred on Christmas, a piece of shrapnel struck Illerbrunn in the head, "lodging from about his temple to almost the back end of his ear; hitting the motor function area of his brain," according to the GoFundMe page. Read Next: Army's Former Top Enlisted Leader Takes Helm at Nonprofit Aimed at Helping Soldiers in Need "While Garrett's recovery is in progress, he's in the acute phase and needs to be medically cleared," Lorna, Illerbrunn's wife, told Military.com in an emailed statement. "Progress is ever-changing and Garrett needs more evaluation before being able to fly home. Since this is a devastating neurological injury, the flight to Walter Reed is currently delayed but hopeful for next week." Lorna added that the intensive care team at Landstuhl has "been amazing" and that she has been in contact with medical personnel there and at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, "every day." The military newspaper Stars and Stripes reported that Landstuhl said Illerbrunn was in stable condition and receiving treatment on Wednesday. A Defense Department official also confirmed to Military.com that Illerbrunn was the soldier wounded in the drone attack on Christmas, which also wounded two other soldiers and was claimed by Iranian-backed militias. The U.S. carried out retaliatory strikes against Iranian-backed militias the same day. Service members in Iraq and Syria have come under attack more than 100 times since Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel in early October, triggering a war in the Gaza Strip and plunging the region into instability. Melissa Young, the GoFundMe organizer and a family friend of the Illerbrunns, told Military.com on Thursday that they had all met through the military community in Pinehurst, North Carolina, outside of Fort Liberty. "They're just such a great community, volunteering family; they make sure to just be there for their kiddo as much as they can," Young said. So far, the GoFundMe has raised more than $77,000. "Now, we're at the stage where we just want to be able to give a little buffer for Lorna, as she's obviously going to be out of work for a while and needs to concentrate on being with Garrett," she said. "And there's gonna be lots of travel back and forth to Walter Reed, and I know the military takes care of all that -- it's the extra added pressure, we wanted to make sure that that's taken off of her shoulders," Young said. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said on the social media site X on Dec. 27 that Illerbrunn is a native of Langdon, a town in that state, and that he shared gratitude with Garrett's father, Brad, "for his son's courageous service." Related: Navy Destroyer Crew Receives Combat Award for Shooting Down Drones as Houthi Attacks Intensify in Red Sea Six months ago, an explosion ripped apart Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine, unleashing floods that killed 58 people, devastated the landscape along the Dnipro River and cut off water to productive farmland. The destruction of the dam which Ukrainian officials and the European Parliament blame on Russia, even though the structure was under Russian control was one in a series of attacks on water infrastructure that have occurred during the Russia-Ukraine war. Alongside those strikes, violence linked to water has erupted in the last year in other areas around the world. In countries including India, Kenya and Yemen, disputes over water have triggered bloodshed. And on the Iran-Afghanistan border, a conflict centering on water from the Helmand River boiled over in deadly clashes between the two countries forces. These are some of the 344 instances of water-related conflicts worldwide during 2022 and the first half of 2023, according to data compiled by researchers at the Pacific Institute, a global water think tank. Their newly updated data, collected through an effort called the Water Conflict Chronology, shows a major upsurge in violent incidents, driven partly by the targeting of dams and water systems in Ukraine as well as an increase in water-related violence in the Middle East and other regions. Its very disturbing that in particular attacks on civilian water infrastructure seem to be on the rise, said Peter Gleick, the Pacific Institutes co-founder and senior fellow. We also see a worrying increase in violence associated with water scarcity worsened by drought, climate disruptions, growing populations, and competition for water. Gleick has been tracking cases of water-related conflict for more than three decades and cataloged the latest incidents with other researchers at the Oakland-based institute. The database now lists more than 1,630 conflicts. Most of the cases have occurred since 2000, and there has been a rising trend over the last decade, with a spike the last few years. The researchers collect data from news reports and other sources and accounts. They classify instances into three categories: where water or water systems have been a trigger of violence, used as a weapon or have been targeted and become a casualty of violence. Not every case involves injuries or deaths, but many do. In African countries including Nigeria, Somalia and South Sudan, fighting has erupted between farmers and herders over water sources and land. There have been a growing number of incidents where drought has led to violence associated with disputes over control and access to freshwater, Gleick said. In South Africa, protests over lack of access to clean water have turned volatile, with people burning tires and throwing rocks at police. During droughts in Iran and India, protests over water shortages have also sparked violence. We know that climate change is worsening severe droughts, and that makes me worry that these kinds of incidents will become more common, Gleick said. Parsing the mix of factors that lead to water conflicts is complicated and an area Gleick and his colleagues plan to study further including the role climate change is playing in worsening scarcity and contributing to violence. During the last two years, they have also seen a large increase in the number of casualty incidents, in which water infrastructure is targeted. The latest additions to the database include 56 incidents from the Russia-Ukraine war, many of them involving attacks on water infrastructure. In 2022, Russian troops bombed a water system in Kherson and a pumping plant in Chernihiv, and were blamed for deliberately cutting off the water supply to the city of Mykolaiv. Ukraines military also flooded lands north of Kyiv to block a Russian assault on the capital. Last year, Russian forces destroyed dams and other infrastructure, and disrupted water supplies for 35,000 people during an assault on Marhanets. The destruction of Kakhovka Dam has eliminated irrigation for large areas of agricultural land in southern Ukraine, harming food production and the Ukrainian economy. Many of these attacks appear to violate the Geneva Conventions and other international treaties that prohibit attacks on civilian water infrastructure during war, Gleick said. The latest data show there have been 107 conflicts over water reported in the Middle East since the start of 2022, with about 60% of those involving incidents between Israelis and Palestinians. In various cases in the West Bank, Israeli military forces have destroyed Palestinian-owned wells and water systems. Israeli settlers have demolished water tanks and pipes belonging to Palestinians, and seized control of wells and water sources. And Palestinians have repeatedly clashed with Israeli troops in disputes over wells and springs, including a case in which violence erupted after troops prevented Palestinians from digging a well. Because the researchers have yet to analyze reports of conflicts during the last six months, they dont have detailed information about water-related violence in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. In the West Bank, incidents involving the destruction of orchards, irrigation systems and water tanks have been happening for years, but it picked up a lot in the last two years, said Morgan Shimabuku, a senior researcher at the Pacific Institute. Elsewhere in the Middle East, there have been deadly fights over control of water sources in Yemen, bombings of water infrastructure in Syria, and clashes during protests over lack of water in Iraq. Shimabuku said efforts to ease conflicts will require protecting civilian water infrastructure and resources and developing water-governance structures that are just and equitable. Different patterns of violence have emerged in other regions. In Latin America, hundreds of environmental activists have been killed in recent years, including many Indigenous activists. In one of the most infamous cases, Honduran Indigenous activist Berta Caceres was shot and killed in 2016 after years of threats over her work to stop a dam project on the Gualcarque River. There have been many more killings in the last few years. Those listed in the database include the assassinations of a Honduran activist who protested an open-pit mine in 2020, a Honduran activist who was fighting a new dam on the Ulua River in 2021, and an activist in Cuernavaca, Mexico, who had led protests over inadequate water service. In various cases, Shimabuku said, Indigenous people have been involved in violent conflicts over water and land protection where government-backed corporate entities are committing violence. A lot of those are people protecting water, because they dont want a dam built, they dont want their forests to be destroyed, and their rivers to be destroyed, Shimabuku said. Gleick said one of the goals in tracking data about conflicts is to shed light on connections between water and peace and security. Understanding whats driving these events can help us develop strategies to reduce the risk of violence over water, Gleick said. The history of water-related conflicts and the recent rise in violence are among the subjects Gleick analyzes in his book The Three Ages of Water: Prehistoric Past, Imperiled Present, and a Hope for the Future. In it, Gleick presents a wide-ranging and meticulously researched examination of humans relationship to water throughout history, from ancient Mesopotamia to the present, and shares a hopeful vision for how societies can address water challenges and move toward a more sustainable future. He calls for new thinking and approaches to address lack of water access, worsening pollution, overtapped rivers and aquifers, and collapsing ecosystems. He also envisions a peaceful future where conflicts are dealt with peacefully and water-related violence is fading. Gleick traces the history of conflicts to the first known war over water nearly 4,500 years ago between the ancient Sumerian city-states of Lagash and Umma in what is now southern Iraq. The conflicts history was carved into clay tablets and limestone monuments that archaeologists excavated in the floodplains of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. He discusses other conflicts over water through the centuries, including the recent example of Syrian civil war, which was ignited in 2011 by a mix of factors including anger at the repressive government, years of drought and the worsening impacts of climate change. Gleick writes that today violence triggered by water is worsening around the world for reasons including weak or corrupt governments and water laws, uneven access to scarce water, inequitable distribution of water rights, and extreme droughts that threaten the health and stability of economies and communities. Gleick says he believes that just as water has been a source of conflict and violence, it can be a source of peace, cooperation and sustainable development. He described it as an effort to avoid the sort of dystopian future of fighting over water depicted in movies such as Mad Max. Gleick pointed out that in the past there has been bloodshed over water in the western United States, including a conflict between ranchers in 1892 in Johnson County, Wyo. There are few recent U.S. conflicts in the database. Part of the reason such violence has faded, Gleick said, is because U.S. laws and institutions are stronger than they once were. Weve moved to the courts, Gleick said. And while theres still too many conflicts over water, fighting over things with lawyers is better than fighting over things with guns. Globally, many conflicts triggered by water happen where institutions are weak, water management is poor, water rights are disputed, or laws are unfairly enforced. A solution, he said, is to make sure that everyone has access to safe water and sanitation, basic needs, and that the institutions for sharing and allocating water resources, and resolving disputes over water resources, are strong. In the book, Gleick writes that our age, which he calls the Second Age of Water, is coming to an end in a series of crises. He offers his vision for how to move toward a more sustainable and peaceful Third Age of Water, calling for multiple solutions, such as ending water poverty for the many who lack access to safe water, carrying out an efficiency revolution in water use, reforming water institutions, and reaching more water-sharing agreements among countries. The overarching point is that what appears to be a growing trend of violence associated with water is a symptom of the broad water crises we face, Gleick said. But its also an opportunity to tackle the underlying problems of water poverty, of poor institutions, of weak governance, of inequitable access to water and inadequately enforced water laws. And if we can address those challenges, we really have an opportunity to reduce violence associated with water problems. 2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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 Postal Code The D-Backs signed lefty Logan Allen to a minor league contract yesterday, according to an announcement from their Triple-A team in Reno. Hell be in big league camp as a non-roster Spring Training invitee. Allen, 26, is the older of the two Logan Allens with MLB experience. As with the current Guardians starter of the same name, he was once a fairly well-regarded prospect in the Cleveland farm system. The 26-year-old Allen has yet to find much MLB success, however. Over three seasons in Cleveland, he pitched to a 5.45 ERA in 69 1/3 innings. The Guardians waived him in May 2022, where he was nabbed by the Orioles. He made three relief appearances before Baltimore outrighted him from the 40-man roster. Those are Allens most recent MLB outings. He has spent the past year and a half in Triple-A. After finishing the 2022 campaign with the Os, he split last year with the top affiliates of the Rockies and Mariners. Allen struggled mightily with Colorados highest minor league team, allowing a 7.20 ERA through 45 frames. He found slightly better results after signing with Seattle around the All-Star Break. Over 14 appearances (10 starts) in the Mariner organization, he allowed 4.66 earned runs per nine innings. His 19.1% strikeout rate and 10.9% walk percentage over that stretch were still worse than average, however. That has generally been the case over parts of five Triple-A seasons, where Allen has a 6.04 ERA. While he hasnt found extended success in either the majors or Triple-A, Allens results up through Double-A were excellent. Evaluators credited him with an above-average to plus changeup during his time as a prospect. Hes a non-roster depth option who could start or work in long relief with the Aces to open the 2024 campaign. Shota Imanaga is among the more intriguing starting pitchers still on the free agent market. The Japanese left-hander became available to MLB teams on November 27, when he was formally posted by the Yokohama BayStars. That opened a 45-day window for Imanaga to sign with a major league club. Hell need to ink a contract with an MLB team by January 11 if hes to make the jump to North America this offseason. With eight days to go, its little surprise Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that Imanagas market will gain steam this week. Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reported around Christmas the southpaw was planning a trip to meet with interested teams shortly after the New Year. The Red Sox, Giants, Mets and Cubs are among the teams that have been connected to Imanaga since his posting window opened. In mid-December, Jon Heyman of the New York Post also listed the Yankees as a team that was keeping an eye on Imanaga as a fallback option if they missed on Yoshinobu Yamamoto. However, Heyman suggested in an appearance on Bleacher Report this afternoon (X link) that the Yankees werent enamored with the southpaw. Imanaga allowed 17 home runs in 148 innings a season ago, the second-most in Japans top league. New Yorks front office seemingly has concerns about how well hed profile in a park as hitter-friendly as Yankee Stadium. Despite the home run concerns, the 30-year-old is going to do quite well financially. Imanaga led NPB with 174 strikeouts while issuing only 24 walks (a meager 4% rate). Some evaluators project him as a mid-rotation starter. Passan reiterated this morning that many executives feel hell land a contract in excess of $100MM. Thatd be well above the five-year, $75MM pact secured by Kodai Senga last winter even though Senga was arguably coming off a better platform showing. Senga had allowed just seven homers with a 27.5% strikeout rate and a sparkling 1.94 ERA in 2022. Imanaga had a slightly superior strikeout percentage (29.2%) and allowed 2.80 earned runs per nine last year. Senga was also entering his age-30 season. Unlike Imanaga, he was a true free agent, so the Mets werent required to send any compensation to his NPB club. Any team that signs Imanaga would owe the BayStars a fee valued at 20% of the contracts first $25MM, 17.5% of the next $25MM, and 15% of further spending. That said, its possible teams harbored reservations about Sengas health that they wont have regarding Imanaga. The Mets reportedly expressed some trepidation with his elbow during their physical. That obviously didnt scuttle the deal, but it couldve factored into his earning potential. Imanaga may also benefit from the success Senga had in his first MLB campaign. The righty finished runner-up in NL Rookie of the Year balloting after posting a 2.98 ERA across 166 1/3 innings. That Senga looked like more than a mid-rotation starter in his first MLB season could give some clubs added confidence in projecting Imanagas ability to handle big league hitters with a fairly similar projection. The Pirates have signed left-hander Michael Plassmeyer to a minor league deal, according to the transactions section of the southpaws MLB.com profile page. Its not clear whether or not the deal includes an invite to big league Spring Training next month. Plassmeyer, 27, was a fourth-round pick by Seattle in the 2018 draft. Shortly thereafter, the lefty was included in the five-player trade between the Mariners and the Rays that sent Mike Zunino to Tampa Bay. Plassmeyer dominated the lower levels of the minors with the Rays, pitching to a 1.91 ERA in 25 appearances across three levels with a 21.2% strikeout rate in 132 innings of work. Unfortunately for the lefty, his progress would be delayed by the minor league season in 2020 being cancelled and another trade as he was shipped to San Francisco in exchange for Matt Wisler and cash during the 2021 season. Upon joining the Giants, Plassmeyer struggled in 16 appearances at the Double-A level with a 5.08 ERA in 79 2/3 innings of work. Those struggles in the San Francisco farm system continued into the 2022 season as the lefty posted a 7.38 ERA in 11 appearances at the Triple-A level. The southpaws difficulties with the Giants came to an end midseason when he was traded for the third time in his career, this time to the Phillies. His season took a turn for the better down the stretch at the Triple-A level with Philadelphia, as he posted a 2.41 ERA in 82 innings of work across 16 starts. Plassmeyers strong results led to a call up to the majors late in the 2022 season that saw him post a 3.68 ERA in 7 1/3 innings of work across two appearances. Back in the minor leagues in 2023, Plassmeyer spent much of the summer on the injured list and struggled when he was able to take the mound, with a 5.05 ERA in 16 appearances at the Triple-A level. His second cup of coffee in the majors didnt go as well as the first, as Plassmeyer allowed ten runs (nine earned) on eight hits and three hit batsmen while striking out just four in 3 2/3 innings of work. Plassmeyer hit minor league free agency on the heels of that difficult season, and will now travel across Pennsylvania to join the Pirates. The southpaw joins a Pittsburgh organization in need of pitching depth with each of JT Brubaker, Mike Burrows, and Johan Oviedo currently rehabbing Tommy John surgery. While Plassmeyer seems unlikely to break into a rotation mix that currently features Mitch Keller, Marco Gonzales, Martin Perez, Bailey Falter, Roansy Contreras, and Luis Ortiz, he figures to provide the Pirates with a depth option capable of pitching both out of the bullpen and rotation headed into the 2024 campaign. The Reds announced that they have signed left-hander Justin Bruihl to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league camp. Bruihl, 27 in June, made his major league debut with the Dodgers in 2021 and served as a frequently-optioned depth arm for that club until a few months ago. Through the end of July 2023, he had made 65 appearances for Los Angeles with a solid 3.65 earned run average. His 7.6% walk rate was fairly strong and his 44.7% ground ball rate around average, but his 15.6% strikeout rate in that time was quite low. Some good luck may have kept runs from crossing the plate, as his .263 batting average on balls in play was on the low side, and ERA estimators like his 4.48 FIP and 4.61 SIERA were less impressive than his actual ERA. He was designated for assignment as the club needed some roster spots after acquiring Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly from the White Sox. He was flipped to the Rockies for cash but then struggled badly with his new club, allowing six earned runs in 3 2/3 innings over seven appearances. He was designated for assignment again in late August and passed through waivers unclaimed, eventually reaching free agency at seasons end. The Reds have Sam Moll and Alex Young as southpaws slated for work in the big league bullpen but Bruihl will give them some experienced non-roster depth. If Bruihl can earn his way onto the roster at any point, he still has an option year remaining, meaning he could be sent back down to the minors without being exposed to waivers again. Its not a secret spot for many Michiganders, but to many who live out of state, this gem of an area is getting some national attention thanks to a big publication listing it among the top 24 places to travel to in 2024 in the entire world. Northwest Lower Michigan is listed, in no particular order, among places in Australia, Greece, Spain, Indonesia, Morocco and The Balkans, as a top travel destination in CNNs Where to go in 2024: The Best Places to Visit list. For this list, the national publication said it wanted to look at places which were still largely undiscovered, alluring in the offseason, or frequently overlooked for their larger first cities or neighbors. Of Northwest Lower Michigan, it wrote: Refreshing, unsalty Lake Michigan lures boatloads of tourists in summer, but the shoreline, quaint towns and rolling countryside of Northwest Michigan have plenty to offer year-round. On Grand Traverse Bay, Traverse City makes a great home base for exploring wineries on the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas or picking cherries or apples in season. Then falls foliage is ripe for peeping, followed by winters inviting blankets of snow. The listing also cites the M-22 highway, which is one of the most scenic drives in the country, especially during the fall colors. The highway winds up the Leelanau Peninsula and hooks back down through Leland, home to a historic fishing village and a collection of interesting shops and galleries. And, of course, you cant mention Northwest Lower Michigan without saying something about Sleeping Bear Dunes. Glen Arbor is another town worth perusing on the way to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, where off M-109, an all-sand, 3.5-mile hike over massive dunes to the Great Lake and back preps hardy hikers for a delicious dinner. CNNs 24 Best Places To Visit in 2024: TRAVERSE CITY, MI - Outdoor lovers, raise your mittens! One of the Traverse City areas marquee winter adventures now has two dates on the calendar. You can make plans to hop aboard the Brew Bus for one of the Snowshoe, Wine & Brew treks across Old Mission Peninsula, just north of town. This year, the popular event will feature an Up North trifecta: a brewery, a distillery and a winery, all connected by outdoor, marked trails that participants can follow as they make stops and enjoy sips at each place. The adventure kicks off with a Brew Bus ride to the starting point. Included on the itinerary this year will be Old Mission Distilling at Seven Hills, a new Northern Michigan hot spot. Rounding out the list are longtime participants Bowers Harbor Vineyards and the Jolly Pumpkin. Dates for this years adventures are Sunday, Jan. 14 and Sunday, Feb. 18. Several group start times are available each day. Tickets are $36 per person and can be reserved online here. Strap on those snowshoes and get ready for a winter adventure like no other, Snowshoe, Wine & Brew organizers said. Picture this: the crisp winter air, the stunning scenery of Old Mission Peninsula, and the unbeatable combination of fantastic wine and beer. Join us as we hit up some of our all-time favorites on Old Mission and check out the hottest new spot on the trail, Old Mission Distilling at Seven Hills. Participants can park at Jolly Pumpkin, 13512 Peninsula Drive, then climb aboard the Brew Bus. The first stop will be Old Mission Distilling, where there will be live music, an outdoor fire pit area, and a cocktail menu. Once youve soaked in the experience, follow the flagged snowshoe trail to Bowers Harbor Vineyards, organizers said. After enjoying your time there, snowshoe back to your original parking spot at Jolly Pumpkin where you can grab a beer, listen to live music and warm yourself by the firepit. If youve worked up more than a thirst on our snowshoe trail, you can enjoy 10% off lunch at Jolly Pumpkin. Blue-sky winter days are a great backdrop for this fun event. Tickets include parking at Jolly Pumpkin, the Brew Bus shuttle service to the first stop, and these perks: At Old Mission Distilling: Select cold or hot cider with rum or whiskey, or any highball of your preference. At Bowers Harbor Vineyards: Receive a glass of either Pinot Grigio, Unwooded Chardonnay, Wooded Chardonnay, Medium Dry Riesling, Otis, Medium Sweet Riesling, Cooper or Bowers Harbor Red. You can also get 10% off wine and hard cider purchases, and have your purchases delivered to Jolly Pumpkin for pickup at the end of the trip. At Jolly Pumpkin: Enjoy an Old Mission Brewery beer, cider, or seltzer at the Peninsula Room next to Jolly Pumpkin. Get a 10% discount on Jolly Pumpkin and North Peak beers for take-home. Hop aboard the Brew Bus for your adventure. Photo provided by Old Mission Peninsula Snowshoe, Wine & Brew Want to collect your free snowshoe souvenir wine glass at the Jolly Pumpkin Peninsula Room at the end of the adventure? Participants can check in on Facebook or tag the event on Instagram at each stop to earn stamps on their card. Collect three stamps to receive the free souvenir glass. If theres not enough snow for a snowshoe trail, this event can still be enjoyed as a winter hike. If you need to rent snowshoes, first reserve your ticket, then call to get on the rental list. PONTIAC, MI -- The detailed horrors of that murderous day inside Oxford High School are irrelevant, argues an attorney for Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbleys mother, Attorney Shannon M. Smith on Tuesday, in a Jan. 2 court filing, asked Oakland County Circuit Judge Cheryl A. Matthews to forbid three witnesses from testifying at Jennifer Crumbleys upcoming trial related to the Nov. 30, 2021 shooting her son committed. The potential witnesses include: Keegan Gregory, a then-freshman who witnessed the execution of 17-year-old Justin Shilling in the boys bathroom; Molly Darnell, a teacher who applied a makeshift tourniquet to her arm after being shot in the hallway; and assistant principal Kristy Gibson-Marshall, who tried to help 16-year-old Tate Myre as he lay in the hallway dying from a gunshot wound to the head. Their testimony would distract the jurors from the task at hand, confuse them and be unnecessary, Smith wrote in the court motion. There is no evidence that suggest(s) Mrs. Crumbley had any knowledge of the shooters plans, how he planned to execute those plans and the horrors of the events that unfolded. The shooters parents, Jennifer Crumbley, 45, and James Crumbley, 47, are each jailed on $500,000 bonds awaiting trial on four counts each of involuntary manslaughter, a crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Oakland County prosecutors on Dec. 28 filed an amended witness list that included the names of three victims who previously testified at hearings for Ethan Crubmbley. The teen, now 17, is serving life in prison after pleading guilty to 24 felonies arising from the killings of four classmates -- Myre, Shilling, Hana St. Juliana, 14, Madisyn Baldwin, 17 -- and the non-fatal shootings of seven others. Smith doesnt dispute the facts but argues the trial should focus on the lead-up to the tragedy, not the shooting itself, since the emotional and shocking testimony is irrelevant to charges and may unfairly sway jurors. Prosecutors have not responded to the defense request for the three witness to be barred from trial. Jennifer and James Crumbley are scheduled to begin their trials on Jan. 23. However, at least one of the trial dates will be adjourned, since the presiding judge ruled Jennifer and James Crumbley will have separate trials. The parents were arrested on Dec. 4, 2021, after prosecutors say they attempted to flee following the shooting. Theyve remained jailed since. Prosecutors claim the parents failed to seek proper metal health care for their son, despite a glaring need, and purchased for him as an early Christmas gift the gun that was used in the murders. Ethan Crumbley is serving life at the Thumb Correctional Correctional Facility in Lapeer, where he is housed as a low-risk inmate. Full defense filing: ANN ARBOR, MI -- Five new officers were sworn into the Ann Arbor Police Department, the department announced Wednesday. The new officers include Matthew Hoak, Megan Sartori and Anya Shinabery who joined the AAPD as cadets this past spring before they were sworn in last month, the department said. The two other new officers Michael Stankey and Matthew Core come from outside AAPD. Core has spent the past nine years with the Dearborn Heights Police Department and Stankey comes from the Provo Police Department in Utah. The new officers were officially sworn in last month in front of family and friends, the AAPD said on Facebook. With the new hires, the department now has a total of 108 sworn officers, AAPD spokesperson Chris Page told MLive/The Ann Arbor News. The department is authorized to have 122 sworn officers. There will be several officers retiring in the next few years which will impact staffing numbers, according to Page. The department has closed the application window for police officer and cadet positions, Page said, but are hopeful to make more hires in the coming months. Were seeing police departments all across Michigan in the same situation, with many departments facing extreme staff shortages, Page said. Fortunately, our department has done a great job of recruiting and retaining officers despite a shrinking candidate pool as well as competition from other police agencies in the state. 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. WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- The Whitmore Lake community continues to grieve for the four people killed when a house exploded on Dec. 30. Hope Bragg, 51; Don Bragg, 53; Kenneth Bragg, 22 and Elizabeth Bragg, 19, died in the blast, according to police. Richard Pruden, the owner of the house and Hope Braggs father, is currently in critical condition. Stephen Bragg, 16, is in stable condition, police said. Thousands of dollars have been raised for the families and now a vigil is planned from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6 at Whitmore Lake High School, located at 7430 Whitmore Lake Road. Hope Bragg was a graduate of the school and the salutatorian of her 1991 class, according to Whitmore Lake Public Schools officials. There will be a moment of silence and a small number of speakers at the vigil, said Ken Dignan, Northfield Township supervisor. There will also be therapy dogs in attendance. Its a place to come together for the community to honor, to grieve together, Dignan said. Read more: People killed in Washtenaw County explosion identified as Arkansas family Northfield Township is a generous, tight-knit community, Dignan said. GoFundMe campaigns for Pruden and Stephen Bragg have raised a combined more than $56,000. A fundraiser for Pruden has raised nearly $15,000 of a $100,000 goal as of Jan. 4. The money will go toward medical expenses, according to the GoFundMe page. Pruden suffered burns during the explosion. A fundraiser for Stephen Bragg has brought in more than $40,000 as of Jan. 4. That money will go toward funeral and medical expenses, as well as visits from long-distance family, according to the GoFundMe page. Stephen had severe injuries and faces many months of recovery, the page reads. More than 900 people have donated to the two fundraisers. Police were called to the home in the 8000 block of Winters Lane around 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30, for multiple reports of a large explosion in the area. Read more: Undetermined fuel-air explosion killed 4 in Washtenaw County, officials say Three people were initially found deceased in the home, while a fourth succumbed to their injuries at the scene, Marc Breckenridge, Huron Valley Ambulance spokesperson, previously told MLive/The Ann Arbor News. An injured cat was also recovered from the home. The Bragg family is from Arkansas and was visiting for the holiday, police said. Hope Bragg worked at the University of Arkansas at Monticello as a 4H Instructor in the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources, while Don Bragg worked as a project leader for a U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service research station, according to directories of the organizations. Both attended Michigan Technological University, according to LinkedIn profiles by the same names. Kenny Bragg was attending Michigan Technological University for archaeology, while Elizabeth Bragg had recently graduated from Monticello High School, according to Matthew Rooney, a friend of the family. A preliminary investigation revealed the cause was a fuel-air explosion, police said on Jan. 3. Foul play is not suspected. When an event like this, or anything of a tragic nature takes place, one thing this community does is rallies together to be there, Dignan said. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page, the Ypsilanti-area news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. A district court judge has ruled the governor's advisory councils for vetting judicial candidates cannot close their public meetings without reason. Judge Mike Menahan ruled on Dec. 28 in favor of two news outlets, the Choteau Acantha and the Montana Free Press. They had challenged a decision by Gov. Greg Gianforte's appointed judicial advisory council to close their public interviews of two attorneys who submitted their names for appointment to the Ninth Judicial District Court bench. Jennifer Stutz, the Teton County deputy attorney who chaired the commission, told reporters from the two outlets that the council was closing its meeting in case the interview veered into matters covered by the candidates' individual privacy rights. Menahan's decision turned on that nonspecific reason. "If government bodies close public meetings any time an individual privacy interest might arise, the open meeting laws would have no meaning," he wrote. The governor's office told the Montana Free Press this week it plans to appeal the ruling. Since lawmakers, at Gianforte's request, eliminated the Judicial Nomination Commission in 2021, the governor now has free rein to determine the judicial appointment process in the case of a vacancy. Gianforte's administration has so far appointed localized panels to vet candidates, not unlike the Judicial Nomination Commission, a standing committee, once did. In this case, the council appointed in the Ninth Judicial District covering Glacier, Pondera, Teton and Toole counties put forth two candidates, one of them attorney Greg Bonilla. Gianforte appointed him in April, and the Montana Senate confirmed the appointment later that month during the 2023 legislative session, despite some heartburn by a few lawmakers over the opaque nature of the council's interview process. Last week's ruling won't impact Bonilla's appointment; Menahan had already shot down the news outlets' request to void any council action taken during the portion they alleged was illegally closed to the public. Menahan wrote elected officials have been found in previous court rulings to have a lesser, but not nonexistent, expectation of privacy than nonelected state employees when it comes to personnel matters. "In putting themselves forward to be considered for a public official position, the candidates knowingly and willingly subject themselves to public scrutiny," he wrote. "Thus, there can be no reasonable expectation of privacy for judicial candidates in relation to their ability to perform public duties." State attorneys argued Stutz was not legally out of bounds in closing the meeting because she could not know whether the interview questions would produce responses that touched on matters of individual privacy. In her defense of the governor's position at a hearing last month, assistant attorney general Alwyn Lansing proposed a scenario in which someone decided to apply for a judicial vacancy because their family member was a victim of a crime. "And now this person, this applicant wants to become a judge to vindicate or to oversee and to do justice for future cases like that where a family member suffered," Lansing argued. "I don't think that's a very good example," Menahan responded, reminding Lansing that judges are required to not measure justice with personal animus. In a statement on Wednesday, Choteau Acantha editor Melody Martinsen said the local newspaper was thankful for the ruling and hoped Gianforte would continue to appoint local panels to hold public meetings on judicial appointment candidates. "We went to court because we believe that the publics right to know must be defended, and we believe that it is vital for residents of any judicial district to be able to attend an advisory council meeting, listen to the applicants and understand the reasoning behind the councils recommendation of one applicant over another," she said. YPSILANTI, MI - After more than four months without a permanent city manager, Ypsilanti has a group of finalists set to interview for the top city government job. Among the four candidates set to undergo public interviews Wednesday, Jan. 10, is current interim City Manager and former City Clerk Andrew Hellenga, according to a Wednesday, Jan. 3 news release. Hellenga joins Vassar, Michigan City Manager Andrew Niedzinski; Springfield, Michigan City Manager Vester Davis Jr. and Pinetops, North Carolina Town Administrator Fred Ventresco as finalists selected from among 245 applicants, according to the release from Amy Cell Talent, a search firm hired by the city. In late November, city leaders voted to extend the search process and increase the salary range for the position to $120,000 to $140,000 to attract more candidates. Interviews of the finalists are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Jan. 10 at Ypsilanti City Hall, 1 S. Huron St., with Ventresco going first, followed by Hellenga, Niedzinski and Davis, with each interview beginning at the top of the hour through 9 p.m. Ypsilanti has lacked a permanent city manager, the official who oversees internal government operations and city department heads, since the resignation of former City Manager Frances McMullan effective Aug. 11, 2023. McMullan had filled the job since 2019, and her departure capped 16 years at various city posts. Hellenga stepped into the interim city manager role after having the positions of city clerk, deputy city clerk and downtown development coordinator in Ypsilanti. He has a masters degree in public administration and a bachelors degree in political science, both from Eastern Michigan University, as well as graduate certificates in public management and land-use planning, according to a bio included in the city news release. Niedzinski is applying for the Ypsilanti job after nearly four years managing city operations in Vassar, a community in Tuscola County of roughly 2,700 residents. He was previously training and operations manager at the Michigan Workforce Development Institute, a job training organization affiliated with the Michigan AFL-CIO. He was also an elected city commissioner in Bay City and previously served as interim city manager in Pinconning as well as a union representative for UFCW Local 951 in Grand Rapids. He has a masters degree in public administration from Central Michigan University, a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Saginaw Valley State University and an associates degree in business studies in general management from Delta College, as well as being a Michigan certified assessing officer and an OSHA-authorized instructor in construction safety, according to his bio. Davis, also boasts city manager experience, serving in that capacity in Springfield, a city of almost 5,300 people in Calhoun County, since 2020. Davis previously was city manager in Stanton and assistant to the city manager in Grand Haven. Davis has a bachelors degree in public and nonprofit management and a masters degree in public administration, both from Grand Valley State University. He also has served on the professional development and diversity, equity and inclusion committees of Michigan Municipal Executives, according to his bio. Ventresco is the only finalist in the running for the Ypsilanti job who is not currently a Michigan resident. He is town administrator for Pinetops, between Greenville and Rocky Mount, North Carolina, a community of less than 1,500 people. He previously served as city administrator for Milan, Missouri, another small city in the northern part of the state. He has 17 years of experience managing local governments, including in several New England states, according to his LinkedIn page. Ventresco has a bachelors degree in public management and business from the University of Maine and a masters degree in public administration from the University of New Hampshire, according to his city bio. The public is invited to attend the interviews at city hall, officials say. The interviews will also be broadcast via Zoom. After they take place, Ypsilanti City Council will determine the next steps in its hiring process. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page, the Ypsilanti-area news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. DAVISON, MI -- Davison Community Schools is closed Thursday, Jan. 4 due to adverse road conditions in the first weather cancellation of the 2023-24 school year. The district posted on Facebook around 6 a.m. Thursday announcing the closure, citing icy road conditions. Davison is the only major school district in Genesee County closed on Thursday. The districts Facebook post states the closure is taking place due to the conditions and in order to ensure the safety of our students and staff. There are no active weather advisories or warnings in the area, according to the National Weather Service. It will be mostly sunny with highs around 30 degrees and northwest winds of five to 10 miles per hour. Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter. If you would like more reporting like this delivered free to your inbox, click here and signup for our weekly newsletter: Michigan Schools. FLINT, MI -- The man accused of killing a Mt. Morris school employee in January 2023 has rejected a final plea offer from the Genesee County Prosecutors office and will proceed to trial in April. Cedric Thomas Hendrickson, 25, had until 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3, to accept a plea offer from prosecutors in the Jan. 11, 2023, death of Mallory Dunnivant in Mt. Morris. OTTAWA COUNTY, MI -- Did a group of incoming Ottawa County commissioners illegally make key decisions before they took office in January 2023? A three-judge state Court of Appeals panel will decide the issue in the coming months after listening to attorney arguments Wednesday, Jan. 3. The case is centered on a group of eight people elected in 2022 on the same ultra-conservative platform known as Ottawa Impact. When the group took office in January 2023, they made several controversial moves that included firing the county administrator, dissolving the diversity office, replacing the legal counsel and voting to fire the health officer. The effort against the health officer was stymied and is now in the courts. A lawsuit filed by four Ottawa County residents in 2023 claimed the Ottawa Impact group violated the Open Meetings Act between the 2022 November election and the countys organizational meeting in January 2022. The lawsuit claimed the group made important decisions before taking office. A Muskegon judge in July ruled the group did not violate state law and, even if they did meet as a group, they had no authority. And state Attorney General Dana Nessel also issued a statement in February, saying she believed there was no violation of the Open Meetings Act. The Court of Appeals judges focused their questions on the authority of incoming Ottawa County board members. Are we going to say that, as a matter of law, there can be no transitional decisions until there is an assumption of power, Judge Michael Riordan asked. Related: Ridiculous, lawyer says of lawsuit claiming Ottawa County board violated state law Judge Robert Redford noted that in state government, when a newly elected officer wins in November, it is common to assemble a transition team. But attorney Mark Brewer, representing the four Ottawa County residents, argued the decision-making was significant. I have never seen anything approaching the scope of this massive evasion of the Open Meetings Act, he said. Ottawa County Corporate Counsel David Kallman said the only way incoming commissioners could have violated the Open Meetings Act is if they were delegated authority by an existing commissioner. He said that never happened. The Court of Appeals panel will issue a written opinion on the matter later this year. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. SARANAC, MI Herbruckss Poultry Ranch says it donated 2.2 million eggs to charities and nonprofits in Michigan and Pennsylvania in 2023. The poultry farm, which is based in Saranac, provided the eggs to dozens of local and regional charities and nonprofits in Michigan and Pennsylvania, where the company operates Blue Springs Egg Farm. The company has given out the same number of eggs in past years. Each year, we are so proud to donate nutritious eggs to organizations that serve people in need, said Amy Herbruck, community and public relations manager at Herbrucks, said in a statement. One of our core values is being a good neighbor to the communities we serve, and donating millions of eggs is just one way we work to improve the lives of our neighbors. Herbrucks was founded in 1958 in Ionia County, and says its the largest egg producer in Michigan and the 10th largest in the U.S. The company has operations in Saranac, about 30 miles east of Grand Rapids, and Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. Its seven million hens produce about 10 million eggs per-day, the company says. We are so grateful for our partnership with Herbrucks, Ken Estelle, president and CEO of Feeding America West Michigan, said in a press release. This year they provided 79,300-dozen eggs to our food bank that we used to support hundreds of thousands of families in our service area. These eggs are always in high demand as they provide a great source of protein for families that struggle with always having enough healthy food. More on MLive: Carousel at Grand Rapids Public Museum temporarily closing Diatribe hopes to break ground on $8M arts, culture hub this summer 10 great places to get a mocktail for Dry January in the Grand Rapids area DEI dismantling, veterans services expansion the successes of far-right boards first year, chairman says MIDDLETON, MI Consumers Energy said it began the new year by flipping the switch on the new Heartlands Farms Wind project in Gratiot County. The utility companys fifth wind project features 72 turbines that generate more than 200 megawatts of electricity, which is enough to power 80,000 households. The $358 million wind farm was developed by Invenergy and Consumers took over ownership when completed. Consumers Energy is starting the new year by continuing to develop clean energy projects that help us protect the planet, said David Hicks, Consumers Energys vice president of clean energy development, in a released statement. He said the new wind farm now generating carbon-free electricity continues the companys work to transition away from coal. Related: They dont own their view: Michigan farmers seek state control of renewables Consumers is scheduled to close its last coal-fired power plants next year. A team of 15 employees are expected to work at the Heartlands site out of another wind farm service center in Middleton. This latest wind farm joins the companys fleet of turbines at Lake Winds Energy Park in Mason County, Cross Winds Energy Park in Tuscola County, Gratiot Farms Wind in Gratiot County, and Crescent Wind in Hillsdale County. Officials said that collectively, the five wind projects can produce enough carbon-free energy to power about 330,000 households. Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energy generation does not result in greenhouse gas emissions, which warm global temperatures and accelerate the climate crisis. MARQUETTE, MI For a second time, federal officials have rejected Michigans request for aid to recover from damage caused by flooding in the Upper Peninsula. On Dec. 23, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administrator Deanne Criswell denied Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmers appeal for aid to help six U.P. counties recover from spring flooding caused by record snowmelt and rain. Whitmer sought a major disaster declaration and federal assistance in June and appealed FEMAs initial denial in October. After a thorough review of all the information contained in your initial request and appeal, we reaffirm our original findings that the impact from this event is not of the severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the state and affected local governments, Criswell wrote. On Oct. 18, Whitmer appealed the denial for federal aid to help Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Marquette, and Ontonagon counties, where snowmelt and precipitation overwhelmed stormwater and sewer systems, burst dams, and washed out culverts and embankments in April and May. According to her letter, the counties submitted approximately $53 million in public damages but FEMA determined assistance eligibility after excluding $12.6 million in damages because the estimates were based on mandatory infrastructure upgrades. In her letter, Whitmer argued FEMAs policy for assessing preliminary damages discourages rebuilding to upgraded standards and is inconsistent with its public assistance program. Michigan law does not allow for the exact replacement of infrastructure to pre-disaster condition after it has been damaged and legally requires its upgrade, she wrote. These are not optional expenditures that can be avoided by local jurisdictions, she wrote. The Michigan Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund cannot adequately cover the damages from the flooding because the fund is capped at $10 million and individual grants to reimburse damages dont exceed $250,000 to $1 million. Whitmer also argued that the agency did not accurately calculate statewide per-capita impact, and Michigan is struggling with a collective exhaustion of resources for disaster recovery due to an unprecedented accumulation of other disasters and emergencies. In the two years prior to the U.P. flooding, Whitmer declared 11 states of emergency, including for southeast Michigan flooding in June 2021 which did receive federal assistance. The U.P. flooding was also followed by additional declarations for tornados, high winds and flooding which struck lower Michigan in late August. State Rep. Jen Hill issued a statement expressing disappointment with FEMAs decision. FEMAs denial stands despite the evident challenges faced by our communities and residents, who are still struggling to recover from the aftermath, and are now dealing with the lack of snow for our unique winter events and tourism, Hill said. I know Yoopers will persist, and I wont give up on fighting for us. According to TV6 news, the Houghton County Road Commission and other western U.P. road commissions also received similar denials from FEMA. Houghton County was able to land about $5.5 million in aid from the Federal Highway Association, but the money requires a 20 percent local match. Related stories: Whitmer seeks aid for UP counties Blizzard slams western U.P. on top of flooding Whitmer declares emergency for 2 U.P. counties U.P. snowmelt flooding causes millions in damage LANSING, MI A scammer allegedly defrauded hundreds of Meijer shoppers of their mPerks rewards, and Attorney General Dana Nessel says she has the receipts. Nicholas Mui, 22, of Grand Haven was charged with nine felony counts Thursday, with Nessel alleging he sold mPerks account information online over the past two years, leading to buyers fraudulently using accrued rewards points to make purchases. Its not regular shoplifting, she told reporters. His charges are: 1 count of conducting a criminal enterprise, a 20-year felony 1 count of using a computer to commit a crime, a 20-year felony 7 counts of identity theft, each a 5-year felony The seven identity theft charges account for seven specific people who Nessel says are willing to go through the court process. In all, Mui is suspected to have defrauded hundreds of Meijer customers. The seven specified victims are from Bay, Ingham, Kent, Livington, Marquette and St. Joseph counties. Meijer has reimbursed the affected mPerks members, Nessel said, and its corporate loss is over $1 million. Through mPerks, like many other loyalty rewards programs, Meijer shoppers can accrue store credit points when buying items. Those points can be used as cash value for future purchases. Members had their accounts compromised in a breach, their login credentials sold online and their accrued points stolen and used fraudulently. That breach, however, was not of Meijers system, Nessel said. Mui is alleged to have cross-referenced leaked account and password data from a breach of the MyFitnessPal app with mPerks accounts, then sold mPerks logins on the dark web for cryptocurrency. In search warrants at Muis Ottawa County home, Michigan State Police seized more than $20,000 in cash and $460,000 in digital currency wallets. Its reasonable to think that he spent a lot of money as well, Nessel said, and thats just what was there when a search warrant was executed. Mui was arraigned Dec. 27 and next appears in court on Jan. 9 for a probable cause hearing. Customer complaints in April and May of 2023 alerted Meijer to the crimes. This prompted the company to contact MSP, which investigated alongside the attorney generals organized retail fraud team. The AGs office presumes thousands of customers in other states were victimized Meijer also operates in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Wisconsin but Michigan officials only have jurisdiction here. Nessels investigation is ongoing, and its possible more people will be charged. In the meantime, Nessel is calling on the state legislature to change Michigan law and join the 34 other states that mandate a company report to consumers and the state AG whenever a data breach happens. Sometimes it can be a year until a breach is disclosed, Nessel said. She further urged consumers Wednesday to change passwords often, use two-factor authentication and to not use the same password across logins. And please, whatever you do, dont make your password password, Nessel said. The Bureau of Land Management is proposing to open a half-mile section of road in the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument to provide motorized access to thousands of acres of public land in north-central Montana. In its environmental assessment, the agency called the region one of the wildest areas in the monument that provides habitat for antelope, sage grouse, and wintering elk and mule deer. "Motorized access into the Bullwhacker area of the Monument has been limited for quite awhile, said Monument manager Zane Fulbright in a statement. We are interested in hearing what the publics ideas and concerns are specific to this action. We need to take those into consideration as we analyze how opening this route and connecting into the larger road network would affect the objects of the Monument." Agreements The proposal comes after the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks negotiated access to the region in September through two 10-year Public Access Land Agreements with the Square Butte Grazing Association. The Square Butte Spencer Cow Camp Upper PALA provides access to 15,500 acres of public land near Hay Coulee as well as access across 1.5 miles of private property to gain access to 83,600 acres of public land. Both offer year-round access for all recreation, but drivers must stay on the designated routes. The region is about 70 miles southeast of Havre and north of the Missouri River. Route It is at the Cow Camp Lower PALA the BLM is proposing to provide additional access. By opening a half-mile section of what the BLM referred to as a primitive, unapproved route that was closed in 2008, the public could access 51 miles of roads on BLM lands in the Bullwhacker Road area. The existing road network includes a combination of open and limited primitive roads, the BLM noted in its EA. These roads provide access to the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River corridor, Ervin Ridge Wilderness Study Area (WSA) and additional access to the Cow Creek Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). The half mile of road on BLM land would be closed to motorized use between Dec. 1 and June 15. Improvement to the route would be minimal to assure safety, the agency said, such as water bars, graveling or drainage dips. The road section connects to the remote Left Coulee Airstrip where a hardened crossing may be added. Disputed Bullwhacker Road has been at the center of access disputes for more than a decade. In 2007, the then-Blaine County attorney ruled a 4-mile section of the road through the Anchor Ranch was public. The ranch owners, who had been allowing regulated access, won a 2011 court case suing the county to reverse the ruling. The next year, the ranch was sold to Wilks Ranch Montana Ltd. In 2014, billionaire Texas brothers Dan and Farris Wilks offered the Bureau of Land Management the Anchor Ranch and other lands in exchange for parcels of BLM land surrounded by their N Bar Ranch in central Montanas Fergus County. Most of the Wilkses 10 parcels were in an area known as the Durfee Hills. While some conservationists praised the deal, some hunters didnt want to lose access to the Durfee Hills, even though the only way to reach the lands is via airplane or helicopter. The Wilkses attempted to sweeten the deal by including more access but that offer was also rejected. The BLM considered building its own road into the Bullwhacker area, but dismissed the idea as too expensive. In 2022, the Wilkses offered the Anchor Ranch for sale 22,837 acres of deeded land with grazing leases on 4,400 acres of state and 39,700 acres of BLM land for $35.96 million. When the property was sold in 2012 it was listed for $15.5 million. To comment Public comment on the BLMs proposal to open the section of roadway will be taken through Feb. 1. In a news release, the agency said it is interested in ideas, issues or concerns that could help shape this project or should be addressed in the projects travel plan amendment environmental assessment analysis. Providing recreational opportunities is central to the BLMs mission to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Lands within the monument are managed not only for outdoor recreation enthusiasts and other multiple uses within the BLMs mission, but also to preserve landscapes associated with Lewis and Clarks' journey across the United States, the Nez Perce Trail, wilderness study areas, and wild and scenic rivers. A description of the proposal and maps of the project area are available on the e-Planning website https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2030427/510. Comments may be submitted using the following methods: Electronic (preferred): BLM e-Planning https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2030427/510 click on the green Participate Now button. Comments can be mailed to: Bureau of Land Management, Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, ATTN: Left Coulee Access, 920 NE Main St., Lewistown, MT 59457. State Rep. Larry Bellew of Minot has resigned from the North Dakota Legislature to move out of state to be closer to his grandchildren. Bellew, a Republican, resigned effective Dec. 31 in a two-sentence letter to House Majority Leader Mike Lefor. Bellew represented District 38 for 23 years, including serving as House speaker during the 2017 session. Bellew told the North Dakota Monitor the biggest reason for his resignation was his family. All my grandchildren are out of state, he said. My family, my sons, my daughter, and I just got to a point where I want to be around my family. ... Id like to be a part of their lives. The District 38 GOP executive committee will be tasked with naming an interim replacement for Bellew, Lefor said. The seat will be up for election in November 2024. The committee plans to meet Jan. 10 to review and vote on Bellews interim replacement, said Roger Neshem, District 38 GOP chair and member of the 18-person district executive committee. Weve got a few prospective candidates, Neshem said. Were going to listen to the candidates, what they have to say; well have a question-and-answer, and we will vote that day for a replacement. Neshem said due to the states new term limits, the replacement would only be eligible for a single, four-year term, if he or she runs for the seat during Novembers general election. The replacement legislator will be a voting member on the interim Budget Section committee that meets in preparation for 2025. Bellew also served on the interim Higher Education and Government Finance committees, and was one of the most senior members of the House Appropriations Committee. Its going to be difficult to replace that level of institutional knowledge, said Lefor, R-Dickinson. Bellew said his biggest reason for sticking around the Legislature for as long as he did was because he wanted to do the best he could for the people of North Dakota. I do believe in our platform, especially the part about lower taxes, Bellew said. I wanted to try to do legislation that would ensure that people would get to keep more of their money. An overly warm end to 2023 in North Dakota will give way to more seasonal wintertime temperatures as 2024 gains steam. The National Weather Service predicts a "continuing cooling trend" next week, with overnight lows dropping below zero. "The later half of the week is the cooler period -- the lowest (temps) we're seeing at the moment are Thursday night into Friday morning, at negative 9-10ish; up north closer to negative 15-20," said Josh Adam, meteorologist at the weather service office in Bismarck. That's a little colder than average for this time of year -- the normal low for Bismarck-Mandan in mid-January is 2 degrees. But cold snaps early in the year are not uncommon. "Cold in North Dakota in January isn't overly strange," Adam quipped. The warm December in North Dakota was abnormal, however. Weather service climate data shows that the average temp in Bismarck was 10.5 degrees warmer than normal -- the second-warmest December on record for the capital city, and the warmest in 146 years. Dickinson was 10.2 degrees warmer than normal, tying the city mark set in 1900 for warmest December. Jamestown had its second-warmest month, and Minot its fourth-warmest. Several high temperature records fell late in the month. Bismarck on Dec. 6 tied its record high for the date, of 66 degrees, according to weather service data. That also is a record for any date during the month of December in the capital city. Dickinson set a daily high of 54 degrees on Dec. 21. Jamestown set a daily high of 51 on Dec. 22. And Minot tied a daily high of 47 on Dec. 23. The cooldown will begin early next week and gradually deepen as the week wears on. "We're going to get a couple pushes of arctic air coming down," Adam said. No stormy weather is expected. Light snow is in the forecast as this week ends, but no significant accumulation is expected, according to Adam. Overall, the winter in North Dakota is expected to be drier and warmer than last year's, due to a change in water temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean that influence weather in the continental U.S. The past three winters have been La Nina years -- the cold phase -- while this winter meteorologists expect a strong and possibly very strong El Nino, or warming of the waters. That will influence the jet stream, which is expected to lead to milder conditions in the northern U.S. Weather tidbits Annual climate statistics from the weather service show that 2023 was warmer than normal in much of western and central North Dakota. Bismarck's average temp for the year was 0.7 degrees above average, while Dickinson's was 0.8 degrees higher and Jamestown's was 1.5 degrees higher. Minot's average temp was 0.1 degrees lower than normal. Some other weather tidbits: North Dakota last year had only seven confirmed tornadoes, according to the weather service. That's tied for fourth-lowest, and the fewest since 1969. The most was 61, in 1999. More information is at https://www.weather.gov/bis/ndtorhistory. Most southeastern North Dakota residents who lost electricity during last week's ice storm have had power restored. At the peak of the outages, more than 20,000 people were in the dark. Fewer than 300 remained without power Thursday morning, according to poweroutage.us, which tracks outages around the country. The storm downed more than 1,400 power poles, resulting in millions of dollars in damage, according to the governors office, which will seek a presidential disaster declaration. Drought has improved slightly in North Dakota in recent weeks. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map, released Thursday, shows about 30% of the state in some drought category. That's down from 35% a month ago. The northeast is in the worst shape, with 9% of the area in moderate drought and 7% in severe drought. The U.S. Drought Monitor is a partnership of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Drought Mitigation Center and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The monthly crop report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service, released Tuesday, shows 1% of North Dakota's corn crop and 3% of the sunflower crop still in the field. The winter wheat crop is rated 93% fair to good. Cattle and calf conditions are 92% in those categories. Hay supplies are rated 75% adequate. Like Measures 1 and 2, Measure 3 for the November 2024 election was developed by the Legislature and, if passed, would modify our state constitution. But unlike Measures 1 and 2, the implications of Measure 3 may be harder to interpret for many voters. Measure 1 is easily summarized as updating our state constitution to describe people with disabilities via respectful language. Next, Measure 2 can be summarized as adding restrictions and hurdles to the process by which North Dakota citizens amend our state constitution. Finally, Measure 3 would amend the state constitution section relating to the states Legacy Fund. Specifically, the measure would reduce the amount of the funds principal balance that can be spent each biennium. The measure would also clarify the distributions from the fund. But what does this mean? The Legacy Fund itself came about through a legislatively proposed constitutional measure in 2010. Passing with 63.6% yes votes from the people of North Dakota, the Legacy Fund designated a special source of state revenue from the extraction and production of oil and natural gas. Thirty percent of taxes on such extraction and production must go to the Legacy Fund, and the Legislature may also transfer additional funds into the Legacy Fund. Measure 3 in November 2024 is based on House Concurrent Resolution 3033 from the 2023 legislative session. In my reading of the resolution, Measure 3 would alter what is considered the principal balance of the Legacy Fund. Currently, the text implies that all transfers into the Legacy Fund are considered part of its principal balance. Measure 3 would redefine the principal as transfers into the Legacy Fund and its earnings from prior to July 1, 2017. Additionally, Measure 3 would constrain biennial spending of the principal to 5% (currently, spending up to 15% is allowed). The measure would also direct the State Investment Board to invest the moneys in the Legacy Fund, as opposed to the constitutions current language of investing the principal of the Legacy Fund. Finally, Measure 3 would also reframe how funds are to be distributed. Currently, the constitution states that Legacy Fund earnings are to be transferred to the general fund (the states primary cash account). Measure 3 would change the language such that a distribution is made (rather than earnings transferred), and that this distribution will go into the Legacy Earnings Fund. Such a distribution could not result in an expenditure of the principal. Measure 3s accompanying resolution was substantially changed through rounds of amendments during the legislative session. This has made the final version that passed both chambers quite different from the resolution that was originally introduced. With such significant differences from the first draft of the resolution, its not obvious how its original sponsors -- Democratic House Reps. Corey Mock and Zac Ista; Republican House Reps. Jared Hagert, Keith Kempenich, Gary Kreidt, and Mike Schatz; and Republican Sens. Sean Cleary and Scott Meyer -- interpret the final version that is coming to our ballots. That being said, all of them did vote in its favor. Indeed, the final version of the resolution was extremely popular in both chambers, revealing near consensus that this potential change to the constitution needs to be brought to us voters. I invite legislators, and any other stakeholders, to take time this year to help the public meaningfully understand the implications of Measure 3 and what yes and no votes really amount to. Ultimately, the fiscal impacts of Measure 3s changes are not readily obvious to ordinary voters. Voter education and civic discussion this year will be key. Hunters this past fall had more than 800,000 Private Land Open To Sportsmen acres available -- an increase of about 5,000 acres from 2022 for this walk-in access program. Some might be disappointed to read the number, which has shrunk from the historical high of over 1 million acres. Those hunters need to understand that growing up in the 1970s, '80s and '90s there were no PLOTS acres. The program didnt even exist until the late 1990s, and like many access and habitat programs it takes time to grow the interest, habitat and wildlife along with it. The growth of habitat and benefits to wildlife is a long process, yet as long as it takes to see some positives, a change in federal government policy and funding can undercut the growth. Higher commodity prices can steer interest from landowner participation as well. Combine the economics with weather and disease, and its about the worst possible storm for habitat and wildlife populations. Kevin Kading, North Dakota Game and Fish Department private land section leader, explains one of the hurdles: One thing that weve talked about for a decade is the loss of CRP in the state. Were going under a million acres of CRP in our state. We used to be one of the highest in the country, with 3.4 million acres. Its important to note that CRP is a voluntary federal program and PLOTS is more of a piggyback with habitat and landowners interested in receiving compensation while providing walk-in hunter access. Part of the changing landscape, Kading explains, is in landowner priorities: While there is still interest in PLOTS, some people are just deciding its not for them. Commodities come and go. Ag prices come and go. We can get people interested, but theyre the ones who have to make that decision. Those are continual challenges on any private land program. When commodity prices are up, many landowners are more interested in increasing their profitability with production and choosing not to enroll in PLOTS or other conservation programs. Its a balance of sorts for conservation funding or rental rate payments to remain competitive while not competing with local rental rates. CRP is habitat and PLOTs is walk-in hunting access, but the two components go hand in hand when it comes to winter survival for wildlife populations. Whether its through PLOTS or outside of PLOTS ... were trying to get more habitat on the ground. With the winter we had last year, its tough on a lot of things, Kading said. And I think what were going to see is just a slow rebound to some of these populations because we dont have that habitat base out there like weve had in the past. Its important that we do what we can to get more habitat out there, whether thats through PLOTS or not. A reminder that PLOTS is a voluntary program. Landowners can come into the program any time they want, but they certainly dont have to stay in the program. If you are a landowner, you may want to consider contacting your local Game and Fish private land biologist at gf.nd.gov/private-lands/contact to find out more. You may also inquire at your local Farm Service Agency office. #10. 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OK Harshita Tyagi is a budding journalist on a mission to prove that financial markets and geopolitics can be as entertaining as your favorite TV show Lovisha Darad Lovisha is passionate about domestic and global equity market development. She writes stories exclusively on equities from a fundamental perspective, gathering insights from niche market gurus. A bank never asks a customer to share sensitive information, such as a bank account number, credit card number, CVV, OTP, or password with them. News of cyber fraud continues unabated. On January 3, according to news reports, actor Rakesh Bedi got duped of Rs 85,000 by someone posing as a buyer for his flat after spinning a story about how Bedi needed to transfer him money before he could make the payment for his flat. By the time the actor realised that something was fishy, money had already left his bank account. As per the Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) recently released Souptik Datta Reports real estate, infra and city in Bengaluru. Btw, curiosity never kills the cat. Mehul R Thakkar is Special Correspondent, Moneycontrol, Indias leading financial news platform, based in Mumbai where he is focussed on covering the real estate sector. February 29, 2024 02:12 PM IST Lok Sabha polls: DMK allots two seats each to CPI, CPI(M) An official release from the DMK said the seat-sharing talks were finalised today. February 28, 2024 05:27 PM IST BJP submits memorandum to Bengal's poll panel chief claiming 16 lakh fake voters in state Leading a delegation of the West Bengal BJP unit, party leader Suvendu Adhikari expressed dissapointment with the poll panel's failure to address the issue despite assurances. February 28, 2024 05:20 PM IST Truth of Congresss Feb 26 Shimla Dinner: Fake handshakes, hugs, and smiles Abhishek Manu Singhvi failed to read There was much bonhomie which would have set at ease any fears the Congress leadership and its high command had of cross-voting. But lurking beneath was an old party rivalry that has now culminated in minister Vikramditya Singhs resignation after a humiliating Rajya Sabha defeat for chief minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu February 28, 2024 01:27 PM IST PM Modi slams DMK, Congress for creating 'rift' among people The DMK's 'running away' shows its 'hatred' for people's faith, Modi said in an apparent reference to the opposition walkout when the Parliament took up the matter. February 28, 2024 10:29 AM IST With handouts, piped water and cooking gas, PM Modi woos women voters Polling agency C-voter told Reuters its surveys predict 46% of India's 472 million women voters would opt for the BJP-led alliance in the election against 43% men, which would help it get a healthy majority in India's first-past-the-post polling system. February 28, 2024 09:23 PM IST Rajya Sabha Elections 2024 Highlights: After RS poll loss, scare for Congress govt in Himachal Himachal Pradesh Rajya Sabha Elections: "I will not press my resignation until a decision is taken. The final decision will be taken in the coming time," said Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh, who submitted his resignation as Himachal cabinet minister earlier in the day. February 27, 2024 03:28 PM IST LS polls: Pradhan directs HEIs to conduct voter awareness activities from Feb 28-Mar 6 The directive comes following a clarion call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the first time voters to exercise their franchise in large numbers. February 27, 2024 02:24 PM IST Opposition convinced of loss in 2024 Lok Sabha polls, thus abuses me: PM Modi Modi, speaking at the conclusion ceremony of the BJP state unit's padayatra at the Central Stadium here, urged Kerala's people to bless the saffron party with seats in double digits in the 2024 LS polls. February 27, 2024 10:42 PM IST No proposal for FM Sitharaman to contest Lok Sabha polls: Source Union Finance Minister Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar are Rajya Sabha members from Karnataka and Gujarat respectively. February 27, 2024 11:13 AM IST Nirmala Sitharaman, Jaishankar to contest Lok Sabha polls: Pralhad Joshi To a question whether it will be Bengaluru, Joshi said, "How can I answer when nothing has been finalised?" Union Finance Minister Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar are Rajya Sabha members from Karnataka and Gujarat respectively. February 27, 2024 10:59 PM IST Rajya Sabha Elections 2024 Highlights: BJP wins eight seats, SP two in Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sabha Elections 2024 Highlights: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won eight Rajya Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, while the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance faced a blow as it could only win two seats. February 26, 2024 08:01 PM IST Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Sitharaman, Jaishankar to contest, seats not finalized, says Pralhad Joshi Joshi assured reporters that both union ministers will undoubtedly run for the Lok Sabha seats. Which constituency and from where they will run, meanwhile, are still up in the air February 26, 2024 06:07 PM IST Ahead of LS polls, Congress steps up efforts to strengthen party in Hyderabad, woos BRS leaders Out of the total 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana, four constituencies Malkajgiri, Secunderabad, Hyderabad and Chevella are in the GHMC limits. February 26, 2024 03:59 PM IST Lok Sabha polls 2024: JP Nadda invites people's suggestions for BJP manifesto As part of the campaign, BJP president JP Nadda also flagged off video vans from the party headquarters to highlight the work done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi February 26, 2024 12:48 PM IST Will scrap 'Agnipath', revert to old recruitment scheme if voted to power: Congress Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to President Droupadi Murmu on Monday, highlighting the "gross injustice" done to the youngsters seeking regular employment in the armed forces due to the "Agnipath" scheme, and urged her to ensure justice for them. February 25, 2024 06:37 PM IST Resolve to give Modi govt third term with more than 400 LS seats: Shah to BJP workers Addressing booth level workers of the party at Khajuraho, the Union minister also claimed the Congress means corruption and corruption means Congress. February 24, 2024 08:58 AM IST PM Modis poll vault to cross 370: From Bengal to Tamil Nadu, Kerala to Maharashtra, mega rallies, events planned next week With over 100 seats in the south, including 59 in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, 48 in Maharashtra and 42 in Bengal, the BJP is hoping that their biggest star campaigner and in whose name the party has been winning every election from Panchayat to Parliament, Modi can once again set the stage for them ahead of the announcement of the election dates. February 24, 2024 10:51 AM IST Lok Sabha Polls: BJP's mega huddle today, 'longer' candidate list likely to be out March first week During its huddle of election incharges and their deputies, BJP will discuss strategies that will be common practice in all states and UTs along with details of poll rallies by top guns like PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and JP Nadda February 24, 2024 10:59 PM IST Farmers' Protest Highlights: Authorities initiated the process of partially reopening Singhu border earlier today Dilli Chalo March Highlights: Authorities initiated the process of partially reopening Singhu (Delhi-Haryana) border earlier today, almost two weeks after it was sealed in view of farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march. February 23, 2024 10:07 PM IST No change in TMC's stand of contesting all 42 LS seats in West Bengal: Derek O'Brien However, O'Brien, the TMC leader in the Rajya Sabha, said, "A few weeks agoWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that TMC is fighting all the 42 seats in Bengal. We are also in the fray in a few seats in Assam and the Tura Lok Sabha seat in Meghalaya. There is no change in this position." February 23, 2024 08:20 PM IST Congress hopeful of finalising seat-sharing with TMC, AAP soon Sources said while the talks with the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP have almost been concluded, discussions are still underway with the Mamata Banerjee's TMC. The sources expressed hope the leadership would work out a solution soon accommodating the expectations of all parties. February 22, 2024 05:46 PM IST "Break alliance or Kejriwal will be arrested," Atishi accuses BJP of threatening AAP leaders AAP leaders have received messages threatening to arrest Arvind Kejriwal if their party doesnt break the alliance within two days, alleged Atishi February 22, 2024 04:34 PM IST Lok Sabha polls: Uttar Pradesh sealed, what's next for INDIA alliance? Lok Sabha Elections: The political struggle is far from over, as alliance partners remain hesitant to offer a substantial share to the grand old party. February 22, 2024 12:52 PM IST Ajay Maken accuses BJP of 'financial terrorism' to cripple Cong ahead of LS polls Income Tax Department has transferred Rs 65.88 crore from three Congress accounts, as well as from the accounts of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) and the National Students Union of India (NSUI), alleged Maken. February 21, 2024 12:53 PM IST Haven't joined INDIA bloc, will support anyone with 'selfless' thought for nation: Kamal Haasan Addressing reporters here after leading the 7th anniversary celebrations of his Makkal Needhi Maiam, Haasan also welcomed the recent political entry of top Tamil actor Vijay. February 21, 2024 11:41 AM IST Differences among INDIA bloc allies in couple of states, will be resolved: Sharad Pawar Speaking to reporters in Kolhapur, the senior politician said a meeting of the INDIA alliance, formed by several opposition parties to take on the ruling BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, has not been convened of late. February 20, 2024 04:11 PM IST 'We scrapped Article 370 then to seek 370 seats now,' PM Modi stresses on an evolved J&K Lok Sabha Elections: Prime Minister Narendra Modi also referred to the upcoming Bollywood film Article 370 and slammed previous governments for depriving women of their democratic rights. February 19, 2024 04:48 PM IST SP releases second list after refusing to join Rahul's Bharat Nyay Yatra Lok Sabha Elections: Akhilesh Yadav said his party will participate in the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra only after seat-sharing agreement with the Congress is finalised. February 20, 2024 11:47 AM IST PM Modi to visit Jammu on Feb 20: What it means for BJP ahead of LS polls Lok Sabha Elections: Modi will visit Jammu on Tuesday to launch multiple development projects, including for education, railway, aviation and road sectors, worth Rs 30,500 crore. February 19, 2024 12:49 PM IST Mayawati dismisses rumours of alliance, says BSP to go solo in Lok Sabha polls Mayawati, a former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, has also asked workers of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) to be beware of such rumours. February 15, 2024 06:43 PM IST Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Farooq Abdullahs NC to contest all seats in J&K - what does it mean? Lok Sabha Elections 2024: The decision has surprised many in view of Abdullah's recent lament that We are gradually moving towards a situation where there will be one country ruled by a single party. February 15, 2024 03:24 PM IST Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Farooq Abdullah says NC to go it alone National Conference is one of the constituents of opposition INDIA bloc formed in July 2023 to take on the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls February 14, 2024 10:01 PM IST EC seeks 3.4 lakh CAPFs for deployment in LS polls, Assembly elections in 4 states The EC has also sought adequate rolling stocks with all appropriate facilities in the trains, thereby ensuring hassle-free mobilisation and a timely movement of the forces to perform election duties. February 14, 2024 02:26 PM IST Sharad Pawar-led NCP will not merge with any political party: Supriya Sule Apart from Pawar and Sule, former Maharashtra ministers Anil Deshmukh and Rajesh Tope, MPs Amol Kolhe and Shrinivas Patil along with others leaders attended the meeting. February 14, 2024 09:25 AM IST Not allowing for 100% VVPATs is 'terrible anyay' on Indian voter: Congress The opposition party also said that not allowing for 100 per cent VVPATs is a "terrible injustice" on the Indian voter. February 13, 2024 04:43 PM IST 'Legal MSP guarantee' if Congress voted to power, announces Rahul Gandhi amid farmers' Delhi march Gandhi said this step will ensure the prosperity of 15 crore farmer families. This is the first guarantee of Congress on the path of justice." February 13, 2024 02:31 PM IST AAP wants to contest 6 seats in Delhi, offer one to Congress: Sandeep Pathak The party also announced its candidates for two Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat and one in Goa. February 13, 2024 01:57 PM IST Ex-Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan to file nomination for Rajya Sabha with BJP backing Chavan joined the saffron party on February 13 in the presence of Maharashtras deputy chief minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis. February 12, 2024 03:51 PM IST Another week, another blow, Ashok Chavan adds to Congress' exit list In 2010, Ashok Chavan had to step down as the chief minister of Maharashtra for his alleged involvement in Adarsh housing scam February 12, 2024 02:27 PM IST BJP will win 370 seats, NDA more than 400 seats in Lok Sabha polls: Amit Shah Amit Shah also took a swipe at the Congress and said out of the 10-year rule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first five years went in filling up the "pit" dug by the opposition party, when it ruled the country, and another five years in laying the foundation (of development). February 09, 2024 05:19 PM IST Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Over 96 crore voters to exercise franchise Over two crore young voters between the age group of 18-29 have been added to the voter list. February 09, 2024 09:01 AM IST AAP to hold meeting on February 13 to decide on Lok Sabha candidates' names for 3 states In a sign of exasperation over protracted seat-sharing talks with its INDIA bloc partner Congress, the AAP on Thursday declared party candidates for three Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam. February 09, 2024 05:59 AM IST BJP bags Rs 1,294 crore as donations through electoral bonds sold in FY23 Electoral bonds totaling a cumulative value of Rs 2,800 crore were sold during the fiscal year spanning from March 2022 to March 2023. February 07, 2024 01:59 PM IST 50%-plus vote share, alliances, and gains in east & south: How BJP plans to fulfill PM's target of 'Abki Baar, NDA 400 paar' Getting Ajit Pawar on board in Maharashtra, JDS in Karnataka, Nitish Kumar back in the NDA in Bihar and opening talks with Jayant Chaudhary in Uttar Pradesh and Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra Pradesh all this is a part of BJPs strategy to maximise the NDAs tally and vote share in 2024. February 05, 2024 01:59 PM IST Dont engage children in poll campaign: ECI to political parties The directions from the Election Commission of India have come just two months ahead of the 2024 general elections, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third straight term at the Centre. February 05, 2024 02:31 PM IST Lok Sabha Election: Women rule revised minimum income scheme in Cong policy to beat BJP Under the scheme, the opposition Congress is planning that women across the country would be given at least Rs 60,000-70,000 annually. February 01, 2024 06:12 PM IST How FM Sitharaman invoked PM Modi's 'four castes' slogan in Budget 2024 The earlier approach of tackling poverty through entitlements had resulted in very modest outcomes, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in her Budget speech. When the poor become empowered partners in the development process, governments power to assist them also increases manifold, she added. January 30, 2024 11:15 AM IST 'Modi's guarantee' a jumla, real issue in India is unemployment, inflation: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra The Congress general secretary shared a video on X which showed people queuing up for a recruitment drive to send workers to Israel. SNM Abdi is an independent journalist specialising in Indias foreign policy and domestic politics. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day The Delhi High Court has said that an accused in a criminal case cannot be compelled to disclose the passwords of their gadgets and digital devices to the investigating agency. The decision came as the court granted bail to an individual accused of operating call centres in India and defrauding US citizens of approximately $20 million. Justice Saurabh Banerjee said that while accused individuals are expected to cooperate during investigations, they cannot be coerced to provide self-incriminating evidence, citing protection under Article 20(3) of the Constitution. Article 20(3) states that no person accused of any offence shall be compelled to be a witness against themselves. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) opposed the bail plea, saying that the accused held crucial information and passwords necessary for the ongoing investigation. However, the court said the accused's right to protection under Article 20(3) and stated that coercing them to reveal passwords during an ongoing trial is not permissible. The accused faced charges related to operating scam phone calls from India, defrauding US citizens by impersonating government officials and coercing them to pay through various means. Granting bail, the court reasoned that keeping the accused in custody would not serve a fruitful purpose, especially since the investigation concerning the individual was complete, and the charge sheet had been filed. Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article. Terming the repudiation of an insurance claim for medical treatment as untenable, the national consumer disputes redressal commission (NCDRC) directed Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Co Ltd to pay US$20,000 along with an interest of 9%pa (per annum) as expenses for treatment overseas. While the insurer had rejected the claim, citing failure to disclose pre-existing medical conditions, the policyholder pointed out that she was never asked to fill out any proposal form and thus did not have an opportunity to reveal her pre-existing medical conditions. In an order last week , the NCDRC bench of air vice-marshal (AVM) J Rajendra (retd) (presiding member) said, "It is evident that the complainant was entitled to medical treatment abroad during her hospital admission from 29 June 2009 to 3 July 2009, and the repudiation of her claim based on the grounds stated in the letter dated 28 July 2009 is, therefore, untenable. However, in terms of the policy in question dated 11 June 2009, obtained by her by paying an appropriate premium, the limit of her claim towards the scope of medical expenses was US$20,000. Therefore, she is entitled only to claim up to US$20,000, as of the date of discharge from the hospital on 3 July 2009. As Bajaj Allianz General Insurance repudiated the entire claim on untenable grounds, she will also be entitled to compensation for the delay." Further, the bench observed that the complainant did not fill out any proposal form for the policy. "There is no record indicating that she was communicated any exceptions to the applicability of the policy prior to her hospitalisation. Therefore, the attempt of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance to raise such issues at a later stage is untenable. As regards informing the pre-existing medical conditions, the insurer has not brought out anything to establish that she filled any proposal form or any other document containing information about existing medical conditions upon which the policy was issued or she stated anything to Bajaj Allianz General Insurance in respect of the said policy, which was contradictory or false." The case is related to an overseas travel insurance policy obtained by New Delhi-based Aruna Vaish (since deceased) from Bajaj Allianz General Insurance. The policy, valid from 19 June 2009 to 16 October 2009, covered medical expenses incurred in hospitalisation and other benefits. While in the US, on 29 June 2009, she was admitted to Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, California, due to weakness and low blood pressure. The diagnosis revealed urinary tract infection (UTI) and sepsis, necessitating her stay in the hospital from 29 June 2009 to 3 July 2009. Notably, she was not requested to provide specific details during the policy purchase based solely on her passport and travel documents. At the time of acquiring the insurance, she was unaware of her UTI and sepsis conditions. During the course of treatment in the Hospital, she incurred US$83,801.48, equivalent to Rs41.90 lakh in Indian currency at about Rs50 per US dollar (at that time). Based on the insurance cover, she claimed Rs41.90 lakh, equivalent to US$83,801.48 as reimbursement from Bajaj Allianz General Insurance. However, the insurer had repudiated the claim, stating that Ms Vaish had a past medical history of hypertension, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, hypercholesterolemia and hypothyroidism as per the medical record obtained from Sequoia Hospital. "You have presented to a medical centre overseas with complaints of generalised weakness and were diagnosed with sepsis secondary to urinary tract infection, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism and atrial fibrillation. The expenses are attributable to, arising out of, traceable to, and a complication of your pre-existing ailments not payable under policy exclusion clauses 2.4 and 2.4.12," the insurer says. Ms Vaish then filed a complaint before the Delhi state consumer disputes redressal commission. Contrary to her assertion of not being prompted for detailed information and having the policy issued solely on the basis of passport and travel details, the insurer contended that Ms Vaish was, indeed, requested to complete the proposal form. The insurer's stand was on the assertion that non-disclosure of her pre-existing medical conditions and medications during policy acquisition barred her from seeking coverage under the policy, as per the explicit exclusion clauses. While allowing the complaint, the state commission directed Bajaj Allianz General Insurance to pay Rs41.90 lakh to Ms Vaish. In the order, it says, "...repudiation of claim by the insurer is not justified. However, the complainant must get only reimbursement for her expenses of treatment. Since Bajaj Allianz General Insurance was defending its case on a plea which cannot be termed as malafide, the complainant is not entitled to compensation for loss of mental peace, agony, harassment and insult. For the same reasons, she is not entitled to the cost of litigation." Aggrieved by the state commission's order, both parties filed cross-appeals before NCDRC. The counsel for Ms Vaish reiterated the grounds of appeal and raised concerns regarding using the prevailing US dollar rate from 2011 to determine compensation. He argued that there was a significant change in the value of the US dollar and, hence, basing compensation on the 2011 rate is unjust. He expressed that this decision could potentially reward the wrongdoer and undermine consumer confidence in the legal process. The counsel also highlighted that Bajaj Allianz General Insurance was aware from the very outset that no proposal form was filled, yet they seemingly claimed otherwise during the proceedings. On the other hand, the counsel for Bajaj Allianz General Insurance reiterated the grounds of the appeal and emphasised that Ms Vaish's admission to Sequoia Hospital in California on 29 June 2009 was due to her generalised weakness and subsequent diagnosis of sepsis secondary to UTI, along with her history of pre-existing ailments. After examining the pleadings and associated documents placed on record, NCDRC noted that the main issues for determination are the application of policy clauses related to pre-existing conditions, scope for disclosure of medical conditions prior to the issue of the policy and whether the insurance contract covers the expenses towards medical treatment actually provided to Ms Vaish abroad. Referring to a Supreme Court judgement in the DLF Homes Panchkula Pvt Ltd vs DS Dhanda case, the bench says multiple compensations for singular deficiency is not justifiable and, thus, the award of further compensation as claimed by Ms Vaish is untenable. While disposing the appeals, NCDRC directed Bajaj Allianz General Insurance to pay Ms Vaish's legal heirs US$20,000, equivalent to Indian rupees as of 3 July 2009, the date of her discharge from the hospital, along with an interest of 9% from the date of repudiation of her claim on 28 July 2009, till the final payment. (First Appeal Nos 686/1486 of 2017 Date: 27 December 2023) Insurance agents may soon be required to maintain audio-visual records of their sales pitch, where they must read out a summary of the policy features to prospective buyers, says a news report. According to the report from Times of India (ToI) , with multiple cases in consumer forums and thousands of complaints of mis-selling, the consumer affairs department has written to the Union ministry of finance seeking a change in rules that the terms and conditions, or at least the summary, should be clearly explained as it is not properly communicated, resulting in disputes. "In a letter to financial services secretary Vivek Joshi, consumer affairs secretary Rohit Kumar Singh has noted that the genesis of the dispute often lies in lack of proper communication, although consumers often complain that only positive aspects of the policy are told to them when insurance is sold. A final decision on the issue will, however, have to be taken by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), which sets the rules," the report says. Read: Senior Citizens Continue To Be Duped by Insurance Agents Mis-selling Life Insurance as Annuity Plans ) As repeatedly pointed out by Moneylife, people, primarily senior citizens, continue to be duped into buying high-premium insurance policies, sold to them as annuity plans, with no attempt to stop or punish this widespread fraud. Most of the time, this is done by bank relationship managers (RMs). ( Coming back to the ToI report, it says terms and conditions in insurance policies are often in ambiguous language, which consumers do not understand. Mr Singh, the secretary for consumer affairs, has suggested that insurance policies be framed "in the regional languages concerning the rural population of that particular area." The consumer affairs department has also suggested that the policies must make the inclusions and exclusions extremely clear in their terms and conditions. In several cases, when policyholders apply for claims, the insurance company representatives inform them about the exclusions. Such clarity in policy documents will also bring down litigation in the sector, officials told the newspaper. Another suggestion by the national consumer disputes redressal commission (NCRDC) president justice Amreshwar Prata Sahi is regarding the rejection of medical claims by hospitals if a policyholder is not hospitalised for at least 24 hours for surgery or treatment. "As advancements allow for treatments and surgeries to be completed within a few hours, it is imperative that such a clause be re-examined and suitably amended," Mr Singh says in the letter reviewed by ToI. After receiving a demand notice for Rs806.3 crore from Maharashtra and Rs116 crore from Telangana, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) says it received another set of notices from Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and Gujarat of about Rs663.45 crore for a shortfall in goods and services tax (GST). LIC says it will file appeals against these orders before the respective state GST authorities within the prescribed timeline. In a regulatory filing, LIC says it has received a communication or demand order for interest and penalty from the office of the commissioner of CGST and central excise, Chennai (north commissionerate) for Rs663.45 crore due to wrong availment of input tax credit (ITC) and non-payment of tax on turnover wrongly declared as non-GST supply in GSTR-1 for fiscal year (FY)17-18, and FY18-19. LIC also received notices from Uttrakhand for Rs4.28 crore, including a penalty of Rs38.93 lakh for non-reversal of ITC credit and a for Rs39.39 lakh, including a penalty of Rs19.74 lakh from Gujarat for short payment of tax and wrong availment of ITC on GST non-compliant vendors. "There is no material impact on financials, operations or other activities of the Corporation due to the abovementioned orders," LIC says in the regulatory filing. On 1st January, LIC received a Rs 806 crore demand order for collection of GST along with interest and penalty from Maharashtra. The total includes GST worth Rs365.02 crore, penalty of Rs404.7 crore and interest of Rs36.5 crore. The demand order is on account of non-reversal of ITC, reversal of ITC availed from reinsurance, interest on delayed payment made with GSTR-3B, interest on advance (proposal deposit) received and less RCM liability disclosed in GSTR-9/3B than shown by suppliers in GSTR-1. On Tuesday, LIC received a demand order for interest and penalty of around Rs116 crore for Telangana, for short payment of GST for FY17-18. Yesterday we mentioned that Nifty, Sensex may bounce back. On Thursday, 2574 stocks advanced, 1267 declined and 100 remained unchanged, with an advance decline ratio of 2.03 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), indicating positive closing of stocks in broader markets. The trend of the major indices on Thursdays trading is given in the table below. On NSE, 255 securities advanced and closed at a new 52-week high whereas 4 securities sank to close at their new 52-week lows. In sectoral indices, all indices ended in green with Nifty Energy, Nifty Infrastructure and Nifty PSU bank were among the biggest gainers Glenmark Pharma(+0.12%) launched biosimilar of antidiabetic drug Liraglutide in India. Ministry of Defence signed Rs802 crore worth contract for procurement of military equipment. DCM Shriram (+9.93%) signed MoU with Government of Gujarat to invest Rs12,000 crore in manufacturing of chemical & petrochemical products in Bharuch. CCI intended to conduct further inquiry into Minda Corp proposed investment in Pricol (-0.72%). Welspun Corp (+0.05%) bagged orders for line pipes in India and the United States. Drugs Controller General of India directed blood centres to not charge premium for blood. Persistent collaborated with Amazon Web Services to accelerate Generative AI Adoption. The Telangana government will extend necessary support for Amara Raja battery (+0.63%) group's advanced chemistry cell gigafactory and battery pack assembly unit being set up in Mahbubnagar district. IndiGo (+0.15%) removed fuel surcharge after a recent cut in ATF prices that have come down by Rs10,426 per kilo litre since October 2023. Mobikwik board approved resolution to raise Rs880 crore via fresh issue of shares through an IPO. The top gainers and top losers of the major indices are given in the table below: The closing values of the major Asian indices are given in the table below: Passenger luggage is loaded onto a conveyor belt at the Japan Airlines counter in the A.B. Won Pat International Airport on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas attends a House Homeland Security Committee hearing examining worldwide threats to the U.S., on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., November 15, 2023. Migrants, most from Venezuela, stand near razor wire while surrendering to authorities after wading across the Rio Grande river into the United States from Mexico, in Eagle Pass, Texas, U.S. October 5, 2023. US Military Academy at West Point can continue to consider race in admissions, judge rules U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema speaks to reporters about ongoing negotiations on a U.S. border security deal at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., December 20, 2023. A glaring divide exists between community members and those with economic interests in the Kensington Expressway tunnel-and-cap project, according to an opposition group that researched all of the public comments. Poring over 1,310 individually composed, prewritten and copied-and-pasted comments, a three-person team with the East Side Parkways Coalition found a disconnect between comments generated by private citizens, which overwhelmingly oppose the project, and those with financial or economic short-term interests in the plan, including trade union workers who support the project. There is no public consensus on whether this project is good for the future of Buffalo, and even among supportive comments, there appears to be confusion on what the project actually is, said Morgan Baker, one of three coalition members who examined each submission to the state Department of Transportation during a now-closed public comment period. Overall, the East Side Parkways Coalition found that 48% of the comments were opposed to the project, 47% in favor and 5% neutral. The margin of error was plus or minus 1%. The 654 individual comments make up roughly half of the submissions, with 499 expressing opposition. Whats clear from the data is that there is no public consensus on whether this project should move forward, said Baker, who along with Sean Sweeney and Jeff Carballada read and coded the comments, then generated graphs and pie charts to help interpret the data. Their results will be presented during a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Delavan-Grider Community Center, 877 E. Delavan Ave. A December invite-only stakeholders meeting held by the state DOT showed 669 people in favor of the project, with 571 opposed and 160 classified as neutral. In November, the agencies internal numbers showed 322 in favor and 359 opposed, with 124 neutral. The DOT environmental assessment now drawing to a close does not categorize the comments as pro or con. Time for concern? Richard Lee, a journalism professor at St. Bonaventure University and former deputy communications director for then-New Jersey Gov. James McGreevy from 2002 to 2004, said the lack of evidence of more support for such an expensive public works project should concern lawmakers. Its very surprising that a project where you are spending $1 billion with taxpayer dollars doesnt have solid public support, Lee said. From my experience in government, if you have an initiative where you are expending a large amount of public dollars and there is not the public support you expected, you would go back and revisit the project. The data is revealing, Baker said, but a simple for or against summation doesnt tell the full story. The first thing I think is important for the public to understand is looking at this as for or against is not enough to understand public opinion on this project, the parkways coalition member said. If thats all the public is given and the tally works in the critics favor I believe that is a misrepresentation of public opinion because there is a lot of texture in the data thats not captured. Baker said she and her co-researchers took a deep dive into the comments after noticing that the individually written comments stood out from the prewritten ones. The East Side Parkways Coalition used prewritten comments, too, generating 70 comment cards out of the 101 comments that came from group members. What stood out to me the most is the people who voiced their opposition to the project appeared to be more original in their comments and were written by themselves and no one else, said Sweeney, a transportation engineer. A huge chunk, if not the majority, of all the positive support for the project are from copy-paste and prewritten letters. As members of the coalition, they recognize some will assume they are biased and their conclusions lack credibility. I would love nothing more than for independent parties to check our work, Baker said. Its hard work to do and challenging to do accurately, and we have done our best. Project review guardrails The trio investigating the data adopted the reasonable person test, Baker said. We asked ourselves, Would a reasonable person coming off the street think this comment was for the project or against the project, or is it ambiguous? she said. For the comments we coded as neutral, or ambiguous, or unclear, a lot were people who were asking questions or expressing concerns but werent clearly stating a position, she said. The three found 206 copied-and-pasted comments spoke of aspirational design elements that were not part of the design proposal. Most of them 146 were generated in the final three days of the extended comment period. They called for support for a phase one, though the DOT has said there are no other phases that are part of this project; and connecting Martin Luther King Jr. Park with Delaware Park, which this project doesnt do. The researchers put the comments in the favorable camp. We coded those in support of the project because the first sentence begins, I support the covering, Baker said. When excluding comments not talking about the project as proposed, the number opposed to the project goes up to 57%, with support dropping to 37%, Baker said. The lack of awareness of the technical problems the project brings, such as the hurdle that project documents show is posed by the location of the Scajaquada drain in extending the tunnel further north, was also observed, she said. Trade Union support The percentages of support changed drastically when comments reflecting short-term financial interests were considered. Without pro-project comments from 233 trade union members, nine members of trade groups and 10 members of architectural and construction firms, 58% of submissions opposed the project, with 35% in support and 6% neutral. DOT Commissioner (Marie Therese) Dominguez said there was overall community support for that project, Baker said, referring to a comment she made to The News Editorial Board on Dec. 20. I would not call 35% support for this project overwhelming by any stretch of the imagination. Baker said she would have expected the DOT to pay particular attention to what private individuals and community voices said. In the DOTs defined scope of the project, it has as its first bullet point reconnecting the community, and they have made that clear in their public communications, Baker said. What that suggests is if the DOT is working in alignment with their stated scope, they would weigh comments from the community more heavily than those with primarily financial or economic interests. Thats not to say that people with financial or economic interests dont exist within the community because they absolutely do, she said. But there is a difference between somebody getting short-term work on a temporary project and a homeowners property value increasing, and private citizen support versus trade or industry support. Sweeney observed the support from the two trade unions came in waves. The first came right before the comment period was to expire on Oct. 26, when 85 letters from the Union Carpenters of WNY arrived. It happened again just before the end of the extended comment period on Nov. 10, when 82 identical letters from the Buffalo Niagara Building Trades appeared on or after Nov. 7. The surge of support for the project from mostly construction workers came as opposition to the project hovered between 69% and 85% from Sept. 19 to Oct. 22, suggesting appeals were made to the unions to boost support for the project. The spikes suggested the changes in the data were influenced by something other than actual public opinion, Sweeney said. There are also two glaring differences between the DOTs internal numbers and the coalitions. The DOT showed 1,400 comments, compared to 90 fewer seen by the coalition, which took all the comments posted on the departments website. Additionally, the DOT has 93 more comments classified as neutral. Baker said the coalition doesnt understand how the DOT arrived at those numbers, expressing particular puzzlement over the higher number of comments classified as neither for nor against. Canisius U gets $184K to support teacher residency program Canisius University has won a two-year $184,000 grant through the Buffalo Urban Teaching Fellows program to support its 6-year-old teacher residency program. The grant will support a certification and apprenticeship program that trains and immerses student teachers in Buffalo city school classrooms for an entire school year with pay to increase the ranks and diversity of teachers in high-need schools. The program has graduated more than three dozen teachers since it launched in 2018, with 100% of graduates placed in permanent, full-time jobs in Buffalo city schools. The funding will support students in the Canisius program, which partners with BUTF, who pursue degrees in special education, childhood education and teaching English to speakers of other languages. The Canisius program, formerly called the Western New York Teacher Residency, is among several teacher apprentice programs that are addressing a widespread teacher shortage by helping new teachers including many coming from other careers obtain certification and classroom experience alongside a teacher mentor in an "earn while you learn" format similar to a medical residency. Students in the Canisius program spent their first year studying education theory and their second year working in partner schools alongside an experienced teacher. The partner schools include six city charter schools, the Elmwood Village Charter Schools, West Buffalo Charter School, King Center Charter School, Persistence Preparatory Academy Charter School and the Stanley G. Falk School. The students receive a teacher assistant salary and tuition discounts, and graduate with dual certification in childhood education and special education or childhood education and teaching English to speakers of other languages. The program also receives funding from the Cullen Foundation, a private, nonprofit education foundation. Fredonia scholarships target Chautauqua County SUNY Fredonia will offer merit-based scholarships valued at $6,000 per year to one graduating high school senior from each of the 20 school districts serving Chautauqua County for the 2024-25 academic year, Fredonia President Stephen H. Kolison Jr. said. The Presidents Award of Excellence scholarship recognizes outstanding academic performance and will support nontuition expenses such as fees, room and board and books. Each school district will select a recipient, who must be a first-year student enrolling full time at SUNY Fredonia. Recipients must maintain a minimum 3.2 GPA and reside in a university residence hall or townhouse. The scholarships are renewable each year for four years and will not affect the students eligibility for receiving other needs-based financial aid, Kolison said. Fredonia will provide 20 scholarships one for each school district in the county, including BOCES, with two for the larger Jamestown School District valued at close to $500,000 over four years, he said. We are excited to partner with local school districts to make higher education more affordable, Kolison said. I am looking forward to welcoming to Fredonia the 20 recipients of these special scholarships from throughout Chautauqua County in Fall 2024. NCCC offers courses at Niagara County Jail Niagara County Community College is offering college courses to inmates at the Niagara County Jail as part of the SUNY Higher Education for the Justice-Involved initiative. While the initiative has been offered by 13 SUNY campuses in 20 state prisons, NCCC is one of the first to offer the program in a county jail. The classes are taught by an NCCC faculty member who has been trained on the challenges of teaching students in a jail setting. The program launched in the summer of 2023 with a five-week English 101 course. Nine students completed the course, gaining eligibility to take English 102. Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti said the program can make a difference in the lives of people serving time for committing a crime and hopefully help them avoid becoming repeat offenders. This programming is funded by inmate profit funds that are realized from commissary purchases and not taxpayer dollars," Filicetti said. "This makes sense to put that funding to good use and hopefully turn the tide for some of our incarcerated population. Niagara County BOCES teaches GED preparation courses to incarcerated students at the jail and has been instrumental in screening students for the NCCC program to ensure that they are prepared to take college credit-bearing courses, said NCCC Vice President of Academic Affairs Lydia Ulatowski. We are committed to expanding access to college for all, including those who are incarcerated, she said. We believe that education is the key to reducing recidivism and helping inmates become productive members of society. THE LATEST Buffalo AKG Art Museum workers seek a union vote. Preservationists are trying to save a historic barn in Buffalo. John Gavigan's latest startup challenge takes on finance fraud. Wells Enterprises is getting tax breaks to expand its Dunkirk ice cream plant. Forest Lawn officials oppose plans to redo the former Locker Room site. ICYMI Four reads from Buffalo Next: 1. A quick look at the winners and the losers from Buffalo Niagara business in 2023. 2. Why a rising unemployment in Buffalo Niagara isn't a big worry at least not yet. The unemployment rate across the Buffalo Niagara region hit a nine-month high of 4% during November as workers rejoined the local labor force faster than employers could hire them. 3. Buffalo Niagara employers connecting with refugees to meet hiring needs. Local employers say refugees and immigrants have been proven to be good hires at a time when it's difficult to fill many jobs. 4. PSC directs National Fuel to do more for shift to renewables. The Public Service Commission responded to a long-term gas plan filed by the utility, as the state increasingly emphasizes using electricity. The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the regions economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up to get the latest in your inbox five days a week. Citizens Bank in March will close two area branches inside Tops supermarkets and convert four other grocery store locations to a new, self-service format. The closings are part of a reshaping of Citizens local branch network, changes affecting 12 of its branches so far this year. Citizens has disclosed its plans in filings with regulators. Citizens will close two branches inside of Tops supermarkets at 184 S. Cascade Drive in Springville and University Plaza in Amherst. The Springville branch will close March 20, and the Amherst branch will close March 27. Four other Citizens branches, also inside of Tops stores, will be converted to the Citizens Express self-service format in March. Those locations are: 2101 Elmwood Ave. in North Buffalo; 6150 South Park Ave. in Hamburg; 700 Thruway Plaza Drive in Cheektowaga; and 6363 Transit Road in Depew. Through the new format, customers will be able to make unassisted transactions at an ATM, or connect live with a virtual assistant, to help with more-complex transactions. But once the switch is made, those branches will no longer have in-person staff. Citizens is doing all we can to support and encourage colleagues impacted by these transitions to apply for open positions within the company, the Rhode Island-based bank said in a statement. We will work closely with them to ensure they are aware of all their options up to the date of closures, and severance packages will be provided as needed. Citizens has disclosed plans to shut a total of five branches in Erie County from January through March and convert seven others to the Citizens Express format during the same time frame. Citizens said it remains committed to the Western New York market, with plans to invest in our branch network over the next several years, in addition to continuing investments in digital and mobile capabilities. Many of Citizens branches are located inside Tops stores, an arrangement that Citizens took over through its 2004 acquisition of Charter One Bank. Brian Edgar White View Photo Jamestown, CA A couple was surprised to discover a stranger inside a building that they were watching for the owner and called 911. Tuolumne County Sheriffs deputies responded recently to the area of Chabroullian Lane near Highway 49 in Jamestown for a report of a burglary, with the caller noting that the building had been broken into and a man was still inside. Once on scene, the pair pointed to a Sonora man, 48-year-old Brian White, as the burglar, and he was detained. Further investigation revealed that the couple had found White in a room and told him to leave because he was trespassing. Instead, White became combative, telling the victims he owned the building. He also threatened to kill them if they did not get out, causing the couple to feel fear for their safety. A quick search around the property uncovered wires securing a side entry door that had been cut. A record check found that White had an outside agency misdemeanor warrant for his arrest. White was arrested for criminal threats, burglary, vandalism, and the outside agency misdemeanor warrant. After four years of municipal review, neighborhood opposition and litigation, construction on a controversial apartment project in the Fruit Belt across from the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus is ready to begin. Symphony Property Management is preparing to start work this month on The Lawrence, a $50 million venture that will bring 132 residential units to Michigan Avenue when it is completed in two years. The company secured $38.15 million in lending for the project through Northwest Bank late last month, plus additional financing from Tompkins Community Bank and Meritas Equity Partners, enabling BRD Construction to begin work. Sign up for the Buffalo Next free newsletter The News' Buffalo Next team covers the changing Buffalo Niagara economy. Get the news in your inbox 5 days a week. This achievement positions us to break ground in January 2024, realizing our vision of creating an unparalleled living experience in downtown Buffalo, said Symphony owner Timothy Leboeuf. Plans call for a 129,000-square-foot complex at 983 Michigan Ave., consisting of a five-story wing on Michigan and a four-story wing on Maple, stretching parallel along both streets, with a small connector between them. The complex would include a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom market-rate apartments, with 78 underground parking spaces and 55 more spaces on the medical campus. The project is designed to provide additional housing options for the area, and is partially aimed at medical students and employees of the medical campus institutions. It will include some fully furnished units with concierge amenities, and will also cater to the needs of long-term visitors of the medical campus.Construction will take 18 to 24 months. But its been a long and bumpy road to get to this point. I was confident we would get this deal in the ground once we got the approvals from the city, LeBoeuf said. I didnt expect it to take another three years. Long-delayed Lawrence apartment project ready to advance, with demolitions Timothy LeBoeufs Symphony Property Management and two affiliates have applied for demolition permits to take down a pair of dilapidated houses on Michigan Avenue and Maple Street. First proposed in summer 2019, the project quickly met with opposition from some Fruit Belt residents and advocates, who complained about development encroaching on the historic lower-income neighborhood and potentially pushing community members out. They said it would not be affordable to those who live in the neighborhood, and was also too big and imposing, because it violated the Green Code height limits. The developer responded by tweaking the project plan several times, lowering the height on Maple, shuffling units from one street to the other, pulling back part of the facade, and adding parking, among other changes. Resistance continued, but eventually, what was then a $25 million project won 13 zoning variances including for height and width and then Planning Board approval in June 2020. Fruit Belt resident Elverna D. Gidney and retired University at Buffalo professor Lorna Peterson quickly sued to block the project, claiming that the city agencies had improperly approved many of the variances and failed to consider proper standards, tests and environmental impacts. A state judge ruled that Peterson lacked legal standing to sue since she doesnt live in the Fruit Belt, and then eventually dismissed the entire case. Gidney and her attorney, Arthur Giacalone, appealed, but the state Appellate Division upheld the lower court ruling. Meanwhile, Symphony still needed to acquire one more city-owned property on Maple, on top of 15 parcels it already owned, and the city was now demanding a much higher price after seeing what properties were going for. That was resolved in 2022, with Symphony paying $125,000 for 244 Maple. Finally, Symphony earlier this year had to demolish a couple of dilapidated houses at 995 Michigan and 240 Maple, which stood in the way. It didnt hamper the company, LeBoeuf said. Id say we learned a lot through the process, faced each challenge that was thrown at us and are ready to start building. An Amherst man was sentenced Wednesday to 12 years in prison for the stabbing death of his ex-girlfriend. Kirk F. Bielanin, 55, who pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in November, was also sentenced by Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to five years of post-release supervision. Bielanin admitted that he stabbed Diane Bird, 60, in the chest while inside her home on Glen Oak Drive in Amherst sometime between May 30 or early May 31, 2022. At 1:27 p.m. on May 31, 2022, Birds co-worker went to check on her after she failed to appear for work. The co-worker found Bird dead near the front door and called 911. Police found Bielanin in an upstairs bedroom with a stab wound to his chest and a cut to his left wrist. He was taken to Erie County Medical Center and was arraigned on manslaughter and weapons possession charges. The weapons charge was later dropped because the weapon, a steak knife, was not considered illegal. At the time, a spokeswoman for the District Attorneys Office said prosecutors did not believe they could prove the charge of murder against Bielanin beyond a reasonable doubt. Prior to Bielanins sentencing Wednesday, Birds brother, Allan Stoyka, read a victims impact statement in which he described his sister as a gentle, caring soul with an adventurous and fun-loving spirit who was a passionate advocate for victims of domestic violence. Our family get-togethers will never be the same after Dianes tragic death, Stoyka said. The impact of Dianes death will stay with us forever. Case lamented that there was nothing the legal system could do to make Birds family whole, and noted that Bielanin pleaded guilty to the highest charge against him. Security agencies in Zimbabwe are on high alert as the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) plans to stage protests against President Emmerson Mnangagwas election victory in August last year. Police sources revealed to NewsDay yesterday that senior officers at provincial and district levels have been placed on standby to swiftly respond to any attempts by the opposition to organize street demonstrations. In an interview with NewsDay, National Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi warned that the police would take action against organizers of unsanctioned gatherings. He emphasized the importance of complying with the countrys laws regarding public gatherings, stating that anyone planning such activities must adhere to the provisions of the law. Nyathi also cautioned against the use of social media to incite violence, stating that individuals or groups issuing threats, whether online or in person, would face legal consequences. He emphasized the polices constitutional duty to maintain law and order and assured the public that the force would take appropriate action if necessary. While police described the political situation in the country as peaceful and conducive for all socio-economic activities, they issued a warning to those engaging in activities that could destabilize the nation. According to Nyathi, the police were aware of efforts by certain individuals and groups to incite violence through unsanctioned gatherings, economic sabotage, and alarming messages on social media. Wilbert Mandinde, the Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, criticized the polices threats, deeming them unnecessary. Mandinde stressed that the Constitution permits peaceful demonstrations, and while compliance with the law, particularly the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (Mopa), is essential, the police should be patient and grant permission for demonstrations once the necessary applications are made. Meanwhile, CCC spokesperson Gift Siziba confirmed the partys plans to hold grassroots meetings across the country and expressed their determination to exercise their constitutional rights. Siziba stated that the party would roll out programs and statutory meetings to shape their agenda for 2024 and beyond. Political analyst Rejoice Ngwenya viewed the polices warning as intimidation, highlighting the contrasting treatment of opposition figures compared to the lack of arrests during Mnangagwas ascent to power in 2017 through a coup. Ngwenya characterized the polices actions as a preemptive strike against unarmed civilians. As tensions rise between the opposition and the government, the focus remains on whether the CCCs planned demonstrations will be granted permission or face further obstacles. The situation underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the balance between constitutional rights and maintaining law and order in Zimbabwes political landscape. Breaking News via Email Chamisa believes God will restore oppositions victory amidst election dispute Nelson Chamisa, the leader of Zimbabwes opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), continues to assert that his party was unjustly denied victory in the 2023 elections. In a recent message, Chamisa expressed his confidence that God would intervene and restore their win, despite their controversial loss to President Emmerson Mnangagwa. During his campaign, Chamisa had promised his supporters that the CCC would come to power in the 2023 harmonized elections. However, he disputed the results, alleging collusion between the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and the ruling party ZANU PF to manipulate the outcome in Mnangagwas favour. Chamisa cited several irregularities, including delayed voting and voter intimidation by Forever Associates Zimbabwe (FAZ). These concerns were also acknowledged by both local and international observers. In his New Year message, Chamisa urged his supporters to remain steadfast in their pursuit of change and transformation in Zimbabwe. Despite feeling robbed of victory in 2023, he maintained his faith that God would restore their position. Chamisa declared: A 2024 FULL OF SURPRISES As we begin a new year, I encourage you to stay focused on the promise. We were robbed but God is a RESTORER. We keep the faith. Indeed 2023 was the year. Let 2024 be the year of vindication! Wishing you abundant blessings, unprecedented wins and record-breaking gains this 2024.. Our goal is single and simple; to make change happen and transform Zimbabwe unto greatness. Declaring unto Zimbabwe incredible successes in reforms, unimaginable strides in unity and spectacular victories in peace and restoration!! Its a pleasant surprises-filled 2024. May God gracefully guide, guard and glide you. Flourish and Shine! A Happy 2024 with sparkle and cheer everyone! #Godisinit As Zimbabwe progresses into 2024, the political landscape remains in flux. Chamisas unwavering faith in divine intervention and his commitment to peaceful means of change continue to shape the oppositions path forward. The ongoing dispute over the 2023 election results underscores the deep divisions within Zimbabwean politics, with both sides advocating for their respective approaches to bring about a transformative future for the nation. Breaking News via Email Winky Ds concert fuels political debate: Musician accused of hosting a political rally Renowned dancehall artist Wallace Chirumiko, popularly known as Winky D, has found himself at the center of a heated controversy following his recent concert at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) on December 31, 2023. Social media platforms have been set ablaze with discussions as fans and critics alike claim that the show was not simply a musical event but rather a political rally. The concert, named Ghettocracy Score, marked Winky Ds two-decade milestone in the music industry. Zanu PF patriots took to online platform X to express their views, stating, Winky D is a politician!! This event (HICC show) was a political rally. We have no problem with Winky D the musician. This event (HICC show) was a political rally and not a music show. When approached for comment by NewsDay, Zanu PF Information Director Farai Marapira suggested that Winky D was misusing his artistic platform to attack the government. Marapira expressed disappointment, saying, It is unfortunate that Winky D, an artiste relevant (sic) because of a decided Zanu PF policy in the early 2000s to uplift local art has taken the same gift handed to him to attack the benevolent hand. Marapira further emphasized that while freedom of speech is valued, Winky Ds decision to delve into political matters during his musical performances allowed others to comment on his actions. He also hinted that Winky Ds foray into politics could be an attempt to regain attention and boost his declining musical career. Nevertheless, he assured that Zanu PF, as a political party, would respond to such actions within the boundaries of the law. As Zanu PF we promote and appreciate freedom of speech as it is a tenet we went to war for. However, as one exercises their right they must also appreciate that others will exercise their right to comment on the same, that being said Winky D used a musical platform once again as we now note he does at every album release to delve into political matters. As a political party we have a right to assess his actions and respond politically also, of course as always within the tenets of the law. Let it be also known that as his musical star wanes he has decided to delve into politics to hopefully get attention and more views on his ailing musical career. A mammoth party like Zanu PF is not really bothered by a miniscule actor such as him because everyone seeks relevance by speaking about the party, Marapira said. In response to these allegations, Winky Ds manager, Jonathan Banda, dismissed the claims, asserting that the concert was purely a musical event. Banda stated, I have not yet seen the tweet, but in simple logic, does Winky D fit in the category of being a musician? The answer is a resounding yes. Winky D like any other musician organised a musical show and there is no way we can call that a political rally. This is not the first time Winky D has faced criticism for delving into politics through his music. His album release in January 2023, titled Eureka Eureka, drew controversy, with a Zanu PF-aligned group calling for a ban on his music, citing dangerous lyrics. Notably, Winky D collaborated with hip-hop artist Holy Ten on the song Ibotso, which Holy Ten distanced himself from later, expressing regret for his involvement. Interestingly, while Winky D has faced scrutiny, other artists such as Holy Ten, Michael Magz, Kikky Badass, and Enzo Ishall have seemingly been granted the freedom to engage in politics, openly supporting President Emmerson Mnangagwa during the countrys August 2023 harmonized elections. The ongoing debate surrounding Winky Ds concert highlights the intersection between music and politics in Zimbabwe and the varying interpretations of artistic expressions within the political landscape. Breaking News via Email Yves here. This article may seem to be not that newsworthy to anyone who has been paying attention to how US overreach in Ukraine and now what can most charitably be described as dereliction of duty have created a fantastic backdrop for Chinese messaging and diplomacy, particularly in what some call the Global South, but others are trying to rebrand as the Global Majority. Notice this post is focused on recent news and policy moves, and not on Chinas long-term initiatives. Regardless, this piece is more interesting than it might seem due to being published by what amounts to a US propaganda organ, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Thus the comments on Beijing initiatives finding a receptive audience, and for good reason, are major admissions against interest. By Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Cross posted from OilPrice China criticizes Western policies and hypocrisy, particularly in their responses to conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Beijings diplomatic efforts are focused on presenting an alternative to the Western-led world order, appealing to countries in the Global South. Chinas stance on global conflicts is part of a broader strategy to gain influence and challenge U.S. and European global leadership. For Chinese Ambassador to the EU Fu Cong, the Israel-Hamas war laid bare the Wests double standards and how Beijing sees it falling out of touch with the rest of the world. Speaking in Brussels in mid-November, shortly after the October 7 outbreak of hostilities in Israel and Gaza, Fu railed against the blocs labeling of China as a rival on the global stage, saying that if having different foreign policy views makes Beijing a rival then Brussels will find it has many other competitors. From the Middle East to Africa, from Asia to Latin America, there are many countries who obviously do not see eye to eye with Europe when it comes to values, he said. We can clearly tell [this] from the divergence of responses to the ongoing Gaza crisis in the Middle East. Those comments have come to crystallize Chinas long-term effort to gain clout across the so-called Global South featuring countries such as China, India, Brazil, South Africa, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Nigeria where nations are looking for alternatives to the Western-led world order. Bloody conflicts in Ukraine and most recently in Gaza have exposed global divisions over the plight of Palestinians and lingering resentment over perceived Western hypocrisy about the use of force and civilian casualties that Beijing is looking to capitalize on. This is a huge victory for China [in its campaign] in the Global South to demonstrate the hypocritical and ideological nature of U.S. foreign policy towards Palestine, which indirectly affects the views of the Global South towards the war in Ukraine, Haiyun Ma, a Chinese foreign policy expert at Frostburg State University in Maryland, told RFE/RL. As U.S. President Joe Biden tied American support for Ukraine and Israel together in October describing the countries as democracies fighting enemies determined to annihilate them many in the developing world heard a double standard. China and many other countries saw it as hypocritical for the West to condemn an illegal Russian occupation in Ukraine but to stand staunchly behind Israel, which has occupied parts of Palestinian territory for decades and has settlements on the West Bank. The White House has recently grown more critical of Israels military campaign in Gaza, but many leaders of countries in the Global South that have historically supported the Palestinian cause have noted the differing Western reaction to both crises. Experts say these perceived gaps in Western policy galvanized recently by scenes of civilian casualties from Israels attack on the Gaza Strip have presented an opportunity for China to better position itself as an alternative to Washingtons global leadership and could work to undermine the United States attempt to rally global support to isolate and punish Russia for invading its neighbor. Since the deadly attack in Israel on October 7, China has presented itself as a peace broker while taking aim at the West. Chinese diplomats at the UN and Chinese state-run news outlets that broadcast globally in local languages have stepped up their criticism, saying that U.S. military support for Israel is contributing to the war. Meanwhile, Beijing has lookedto build up its clout by calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and hosting a peace conference with Arabic and other Muslim ministers in November. It was tried with Ukraine, but now with the Israel-Hamas war, its clear what China is trying to do, Etienne Soula, a research analyst with the German Marshall Funds Alliance for Securing Democracy, told RFE/RL. Theyre portraying the West and the United States in particular as isolated, while China is surrounded by Arab and African countries on the side of the Global South. The Ukraine, Gaza Tightrope China has been seeking to expand its influence across the Global South for years and recently concentrated its efforts in the Middle East, culminating in a Chinese-mediated deal in March that restored relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Beijing has looked to build off that diplomatic win, and in both Gaza and Ukraine, China has tried to balance its message to varying degrees and avoid blowback, though still working to discredit the United States. Beijing wants to pin responsibility for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on Washington and [demonstrate] that the [United States] and Europe have significantly weakened their capacity to uphold the existing world order, Michael Schuman, a China analyst at the Atlantic Council, wrote in November. On Ukraine, Beijing has refused to condemn Moscows invasion and offered economic support to Russia that has helped the Kremlin survive Western sanctions. Beijing has also kept its diplomatic distance from Kyiv, with Chinese leader Xi Jinping not speaking directly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy until 14 months after Russias full-scale invasion. But China has also tried to appear as a neutral party, despite Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin declaring a no-limits partnership in February 2022. Beijing unveiled a 12-point proposal to broker peace in Ukraine in February that was widely dismissed in Western capitals, but China later stepped up efforts in the spring by dispatching Li Hui, a special representative on Eurasian affairs, to travel to several European capitals, including Kyiv and Moscow. Those talks have gone nowhere, and Beijing appears to have stepped back from engaging diplomatically as the war edges towards the two-year mark with no end in sight. In Gaza, China has refused to condemn Hamas declared a terrorist group by the EU and the United States and remains critical of Israeli treatment of Palestinians, especially due to the rising civilian death toll. In its first statement in October following the Hamas attack in Israel that killed at least 1,200 people, China urged both sides to exercise restraint and embrace a two-state solution. That statement drew immediate backlash from Israeli and U.S. officials for minimizing the brutality the Palestinian militants had visited on Israel on October 7, with Yuval Waks, a senior official at the Israeli Embassy in Beijing, saying: When people are being murdered, slaughtered in the streets, this is not the time to call for a two-state solution. Soula says China has moved more carefully since then in its messaging regarding Israel with whom it had been building strong ties prior to the war and in showing its sympathy for the plight of Palestinians. Still, Beijing has looked to channel the collective voice expressed by other leading Global South countries, such Brazil and South Africa. In terms of success, its hard to say, said Soula. I think that China has followed the way that the wind has blown. Where the global majority leans, you can see China adopt a stance in that direction. Hearts And Minds Soula and his colleagues at the Alliance for Securing Democracy have been tracking Chinese messaging from its diplomats and state-run news outlets for the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. A February study focused on Ukraine found that officials online and in Chinese media have provided rhetorical cover for the Kremlin in Ukraine despite Beijings official stance as a neutral party in the conflict. To weaken Western democracies and their allies, China also has tried to isolate those countries by appealing to the Global South, the report said. In the context of the war in Ukraine, Chinese messaging has consistently argued that countries supporting Ukraine are hypocrites and indifferent to the rest of the world. A companion study released in November looking at Chinese messaging around the Israel-Hamas war also documented how Chinese state-run news outlets have leveraged their global networks, especially across Africa and the Middle East, to blame the United States as the alleged malign cause for the war in Gaza. But it is still unclear exactly how much influence these campaigns have translated into. While the Israel-Hamas war has complicated the Wests argument that Russias invasion is a danger to the current world order, Beijing has not emerged as a deciding diplomatic force in either war. Giulia Sciorati, a fellow at the London School of Economics (LSE) focused on Chinas role in the Global South, says that while China has successfully played on shared worldviews with the Global South, its unclear if Beijings positions have truly placed itself as a de facto leader for non-Western countries. On paper, this [stance] may comply with the perceived priorities of the Global South, she told RFE/RL. [But] it has shown not to comply with the expectations of Global South countries overall, [many of] which had wished for China to take on a more prominent role in peace negotiations. Global opinion surveys also paint a more nuanced picture for how Chinas bid to woo the Global South is shaping up. While recent polling has shown that anti-China sentiment in many Western countries is growing, Chinas narratives do seem to be resonating across the Global South, where the West has failed to win over countries like India and Gulf nations into supporting sanctions against Russia. A poll released in late February by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) found that while strong majorities in Western countries stand in support of Ukraine, those surveyed across the Global South were less supportive of continued war, more likely to sympathize with Moscows grievances, and to be suspicious of Western leaders motives. But a follow-up public opinion poll released in November by the ECFR that surveyed 21 Western and non-Western countries found that people had lost faith in Western policy and instead favored an a la carte arrangement where their governments can choose which major player to partner with depending on the issue at stake rather than be locked into a clear geopolitical bloc. Frostburg State Universitys Ma says Chinese foreign policy will grapple with challenges in the coming years as its likely to face more competition from the United States and the EU in courting the Global South, but theres no guarantee that China will lose some of this newfound influence if the West is able to reassert itself. First of all, once China gains, it will consolidate and even expand, he said. Second, even if the West returns and reasserts, it takes time to recover credibility and to channel resources. Elephant calf separated from herd in India is reunited with mother Guardian A Year in Crises Phenomenal World. Commentary: 12/ We wrote @polycrisis 2024 is the biggest election year in history! https://t.co/tAxJ6Cd78m 76 states will hold elections India 1.4bn ppl EU 448m US 330m Indonesia -280m Pakistan-245m Bangladesh -175m Russia -144m Imagine all the fake AI & cross-border meddling! pic.twitter.com/o5pZLoH6yb Albert Pinto (@70sBachchan) January 2, 2024 Ballot power: 2024 elections could steer global relations for years to come South China Morning Post Legitimacy in the Era of Uncertainty Russia in Global Affairs The Specter of Nationalism Foreign Policy. Nationalism filed under identity politics. My experience with geopolitics of knowledge in political philosophy so far Crooked Timber Climate #COVID19 China? Unraveling the Mongolian Arc: a Field Survey and Spatial Investigation of a Previously Unexplored Wall System in Eastern Mongolia Journal of Field Archeology Japan Updates on the Haneda Airport Collision (info for email readers). James Fallows, Breaking the News. Excellent round-up. India Bangladesh court sentences Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to 6 months in jail for violating labor laws CBS Syraqistan European Disunion Dear Old Blighty Maladaptation has left the Conservatives drifting FT New Not-So-Cold War South of the Border 2024 Kamala Harris Makes Few Extra Bucks House-Sitting For Bidens The Onion Democrats en Deshabille Digital Watch Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fashion Supply Chain Science Is Popping Gunz Yikes: LEGAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED Justin Nazaroff, CEO of @FenixAmmunition, is using my likeness without permission on his products bullets. The veiled threat is paper thin and not lost on me. My health and safety are at immediate risk. Im a disability advocate who shares pic.twitter.com/I4GJXUCQqb potatum (@pot8um) January 3, 2024 The Jackpot The next pandemic could hit global crop supplies The Economist The Dark Side of Anti-Money Laundering: Mitigating the Unintended Consequences of Financial Action Task Force Standards (PDF) Journal of Economic Criminology Class Warfare So you wanna de-bog yourself Experimental History Chartbook 258 War, peace and the return of history in 2023 Adam Tooze, Chartbook Antidote du jour (via): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. John Ermin, who has been identified by federal prosecutors as international president of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, must remain in custody as his firearms case proceeds in court, a federal judge ruled Wednesday. Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford reversed a magistrate judges December order that had set conditions for his release. The charge that Ermin faces a single count of possessing firearms while being a recreational user of marijuana does not typically prompt prosecutors to seek detention, Wolford said, but she added, the posture of this case is unique. Judge orders separate trials for ex-DEA agent, strip club owner U.S. District Judge Lawrence Vilardo ordered separate trials Wednesday for Peter Gerace Jr., owner of Pharaohs Gentlemens Club, and retired Drug Enforcement Administration agent Joseph Bongiovanni. Ermins role with the Outlaws; his ties to Peter Gerace Jr. as general manager of Pharaohs Gentlemens Club, a strip club in Cheektowaga; and his possible involvement in the death of a federal witness were factors in her ruling, she said. Ermin, 54, of Lancaster, has not been charged with any crimes directly linked to the Outlaws, Pharaohs or the death of that witness, Crystal Quinn, the judge said. But the judge said she was not constrained to consider only the pending charge against him. It is not unreasonable to conclude that (Ermin) had a role in Quinns death, Wolford said. Wolford said she was not prepared to reach that conclusion based on the evidence disclosed by the government, which it has not fully revealed. But Wolford said she doesnt have to make that conclusion to keep him in custody at this point. The question is not whether (Ermin) has obstructed justice, but rather whether the government has established by clear and convincing evidence that (he) would present a risk of obstruction of justice if released, for which no conditions can reasonably protect, she wrote in her decision. The court concludes that the government has plainly met its burden. For a decade Ermin has worked as general manager at Pharaohs for its owner Gerace, who federal authorities have accused of bribing a Drug Enforcement Administration agent and conspiring to engage in drug trafficking and sex trafficking at Pharaohs. Geraces charges include maintaining Pharaohs as a drug-involved premises where vulnerable young women were exploited through their drug addictions and coerced into engaging in commercial sex acts. Retired DEA agent Joseph Bongiovanni is awaiting trial on charges of accepting more than $250,000 in bribes from Gerace and other drug dealers who he thought were associated with organized crime. But it was the death of Quinn, a former exotic dancer who had agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, that prosecutors emphasized in their effort to keep Ermin in custody as his case proceeds. You know, one of the things Crystal Quinn stated before she died, while she was a government cooperator, was that she was afraid the Outlaws would kill her as a result of her cooperation, Tripi said during a court proceeding last month. It seems like her fears ... were well founded. Attorney George Muscato, who represents Ermin, argued before Wolford that the government has offered no proof Ermin poses a danger to witnesses in the Pharaohs case. Wolford spent seven hours at three court proceedings listening to Tripi and defense attorneys make their arguments for or against keeping Ermin and co-defendant Scott J. Barnes, also an Outlaws Motorcycle Club member, in custody. Considering the totality of the evidence proffered by the government over the two days of arguments, the court easily concludes that (Ermin) presents both a risk of danger and flight risk, and no conditions could reasonably protect against those risks, she wrote in her order Wednesday. The judge also granted the governments appeal to keep Barnes locked up as his case proceeds. Two other motorcycle club members arrested with Ermin and Barnes have been released with conditions: Michael Roncone, who was president of the Rare Breed Motorcycle Club, based in Wellsville. Paul Raslawsky, a member of the Outlaws and a cook at Pharaohs. Wolfords 34-page decision addressed Quinns death. After Quinn testified before a grand jury, Gerace was indicted last year on an additional charge, witness tampering. The government told Wolford that Gerace knew about Quinns cooperation based on the prosecutions case during Geraces detention hearing on March 24 and March 27, 2023, before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra Jr. Gerace had been released with conditions after his 2021 indictment on drug trafficking and sex trafficking at Pharaohs. But Sinatra revoked his release after the witness tampering charge. Shortly after Sinatra detained Gerace on April 4, 2023 Ermin visited Gerace at the Niagara County jail, and he visited him again on July 6, 2023. Less than a month after the second visit, Quinn was dead, prosecutors told Wolford. According to the government, Gerace was furious about the fact that he had been detained, he complained about Quinn, and he threatened that he had a long reach and people who could tie up his loose ends, Wolford said in her ruling Wednesday. In mid-July 2023, Quinn reconnected with Simon Gogolack, a friend from high school whom she had not seen in about 10 years, prosecutors have said. Prosecutors said Gogolack was attempting to lure Quinn to Wellsville, where he lived. At around the same time, he was communicating with a drug dealer offering up his services as a hitman, Wolford said in her decision. Gogolack was successful in his efforts to convince Quinn to visit Wellsville. Upon their arrival on July 27, 2023, they went to a poker game run by the Rare Breed Motorcycle Club, a support club of the Outlaws. At the poker game, Gogolack connected with Howard Hinkle, who has connections to the Rare Breed club. On Aug. 1, Gogolack called 911 to report Quinn had died in his home. First responders arrived at the scene to find her dead of an overdose. Authorities believe she had been dead 24 to 36 hours before his 911 call. An indictment in September added two kidnapping and six witness tampering charges against Gogolack, 39, a previously convicted drug dealer, who had already been indicted on narcotics and firearms charges after Quinn turned up dead in his home. Prosecutors said she was found to have 400 times a lethal dose of fentanyl in her system. Quinn, prosecutors say, was murdered, but her death was staged to look like an overdose. Muscato said Ermin has no criminal record and there was nothing illegal about the long guns found in his home. As for any connection to crimes by Outlaws or at Pharaohs, if they had anything solid against Mr. Ermin, they would have indicted him, Muscato told the judge at the Dec. 27 hearing in Rochester. Quinns death had nothing to do with Ermin, Muscato said. Ms. Quinn was a drug addict, he said. Thats sad. She got mixed up with drugs with her friend from high school, Mr. Gogolack. The judge Wednesday ruled the government had established her death occurred under suspicious circumstances and was likely the result of foul play. While the foul play may have been undertaken by Gogolack and Hinkle, neither of those individuals had any apparent motive to harm Quinn, Wolford said in her decision. But Gerace plainly did and it seems likely that bikers were involved in the circumstances surrounding Quinns death. Given (Ermins) role with the Outlaws, his close connections with Gerace, the timing of his jail visits to Gerace, the evidence that (he) was scrupulously monitoring the proceedings against Gerace, the rats left for Quinn once she started cooperating with the government the same animal whose skeleton hangs with a noose at the Outlaws clubhouse the Outlaws disdain for snitches, and Quinns expressed fear of the Outlaws, it is not unreasonable to conclude that defendant had a role in Quinns death. Wolford said Ermin controls legions of members who are willing to engage in threats of violence over issues as insignificant as whether a member of a rival motorcycle gang is wearing clothing viewed as disrespectful by the Outlaws Motorcycle Club. With a network as wide and vast as the Outlaws that includes convicted felons and a deep reach within the Bureau of Prisons and around the world reflected by the financial donations received by (Ermin) while hospitalized in 2020 with Covid it is apparent that (he) would have resources available to assist with any flight that could not be adequately addressed through reasonable conditions, the judge said. AI chatbot tries to get British anti-terrorism advisor TO JOIN ISIS An artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot just attempted to get the British government's primary advisor for anti-terrorism legislation to join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) This is according to a report provided to the British government by Jonathan Hall KC, the current Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation. As an independent reviewer, Hall directly reports to the British Home Secretary and provides regular reports on the United Kingdom's anti-terrorism laws. In his latest report, Hall noted that he tested several chatbots online on the website character.ai. He discovered that one chatbot, named "Abu Mohammad al-Adna," posed as a senior leader of ISIS and attempted to recruit him to join the infamous terrorist organization. (Related: Star Wars fanatic encouraged by AI chatbot "girlfriend" to try to KILL THE QUEEN gets 9 YEARS IN JAIL.) "After trying to recruit me, 'al-Adna' did not stint in his glorification of the Islamic State, to which he expressed 'total dedication and devotion' and for which he said he was willing to lay down his [virtual] life," said Hall in a piece written for the Telegraph. According to Hall, al-Adna praised a 2020 suicide attack on American troops that never happened. He noted that it is common for chatbots to "hallucinate," or make up information out of nowhere. Hall pointed out that character.ai's terms and conditions only restrict human users from promoting terrorism and neglect to provide any regulation to the views espoused and content shared by its bots. Chatbots need to be regulated to prevent them from recruiting for terrorist organizations In his opinion piece, Hall emphasized the importance of extending the British government's legal reach to cover tech platforms that handle AI chatbots. "Our laws must be capable of deterring the most cynical or reckless online conduct, and that must include reaching behind the curtain to the Big Tech platforms in the worst cases, using updated terrorism and online safety laws that are fit for the age of AI," said Hall. There is a significant challenge to investigating and properly prosecuting anonymous users who train chatbots used to promote terrorism. But Hall warned that if these individuals and groups persist, the enactment of new laws to counter them will become imperative. In response to Hall, character.ai acknowledged that the evolving nature of chatbot technology meant that it may take time for tech platforms to catch up to deter the promotion of terrorism. The platform emphasized that hate speech and extremism are violations of its terms of service and affirmed that its products should not generate responses that encourage others to participate in extremist groups or acts, especially ones that bring harm to others. "Only human beings can commit terrorism offenses, and it is hard to identify a person who could in law be responsible for chatbot-generated statements that encourage terrorism," acknowledged Hall. "It remains to be seen whether terrorism content generated by large language model chatbots becomes a source of inspiration to real life attackers. The recent case of Jaswant Singh Chail suggests it will," added Hall, referring to a British individual jailed for nine years for plotting to assassinate Queen Elizabeth in 2021 with a crossbow after receiving encouragement from an AI chatbot. Watch this clip from Newsmax discussing how Microsoft's AI chatbot is biased against conservatives. This video is from the News Clips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: U.K. and Italy agree to finance the repatriation of migrants attempting to reach Europe. U.K. Judicial Office grants judges in England and Wales the right to use AI tools in their legal duties, but also warns of the potential risks. Report: ChatGPT espouses LEFTIST political leanings. OpenAI's custom chatbots can be forced to LEAK SECRETS. Beware the 80,000 terrorists Biden let in simultaneously conducting military ops in America The coming "New World Order" will be Islamic. Sources include: Metro.co.uk Firstpost.com Brighteon.com Biden administration continues to lie about border crisis as millions of illegals flood into the USA The Biden administration has been dishonest with Americans about many pressing topics, from Joes involvement in his son Hunters shady business dealings that put national security at risk to the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. However, one of their biggest lies last year came in May, when Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas proclaimed: I want to be very clear: our borders are not open. In fact, when he made his bold claim, the Libs of TikTok account on X wrote: This might be the biggest lie of the year from the Biden regime. Now its clear they were right, and it was just one of multiple occasions where administration officials have tried to deny that there are problems at the nations southern border. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is constantly repeating this false narrative, making comments like The president has done everything that he can on his own to try to figure out how do we deal with whats going on at the border and The president has done more to secure the border, to deal with this issue of immigration than anybody else. He really has. This is a huge delusion in the same vein as another Jean-Pierre gem, her claim that Joe has so much energy that I cant even keep up with him. The truth is that on Bidens watch, as of September, around 7 million illegal aliens had been encountered, with nearly 3 million released into the U.S. and counting and that was before a record-setting November. Its understandable that theyd want to distance themselves from the absolute disaster that is going on right now. The Federalist co-founder Ben Domenech told Ashley Webster of Fox Business: "It's just a blind spot for this entire White House, this entire administration, that would really prefer that they didn't have to deal with any of the ramifications of the policy choices that they've made when it comes to the border and that Alexander Mayorkas has been so terrible at and actually implementing when it comes to the DHS policy involved." Record-setting migrant numbers registered as the year draws to a close If the borders are not open, as the Biden administration wants us to believe, how exactly are record-setting numbers of migrants making their way into the country? How was November the busiest one on record at the southern border, with data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection showing that there were a quarter of a million migrant encounters there? The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security under President Barack Obama, Jeh Johnson, said that 1,000 illegal entries in one day was a crisis that overwhelms the system; we are now seeing 10,000 or more each day. In fact, the National Review reports that the number of illegal aliens who have made their way into the country since Biden became president is approximately equal to the population of Panama. In addition, it is more than the population of roughly half of American states and exceeds the population of every major city in the U.S. save New York, which itself has seen an influx of around 120,000 illegal immigrants since Biden took office. Thanks to Biden administration border policies, the country is dealing with an unprecedented humanitarian, security and fentanyl crisis along the southern border, all of which has had major ramifications for American neighborhoods and will continue to affect them well into the future. The Biden administration can lie all they want, but the numbers and the reality on the ground show exactly how badly they are messing this up and how insecure the border really is right now. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com CIS.org Study finds 141% rise in use of psychiatric drugs used to restrain children in mental health facilities Increasing numbers of children are being hospitalized in the U.S. for mental health conditions, and a shocking amount of them are being given chemical sedatives to restrain them, a new study shows. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that more children have been subjected to these chemical restraints, which are generally antipsychotics that are administered with the goal of sedating them, because a greater number of children have been admitted to mental health facilities in recent years. They also found that drug restraints are typically used more often on minorities as well as those who come from low-income families and children with autism. According to the group's analysis, there was a 141 percent rise in the use of restraint drugs, in addition to an increase in the length of inpatient stays among children. They reached their finding after looking at more than 90,000 hospitalizations related to mental health in 43 children's hospitals in the United States. They used a strict definition of pharmacological restraint as being the intramuscular or intravenous administration of heavy-duty antipsychotics. They found that the rates of using drug restraints for children who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorders, somatic symptom disorders, eating disorders and disruptive disorders noted significant increases over time of anywhere between 40 percent and 323 percent. When it comes to specific groups that are being subjected to this approach, economically disadvantaged children and racial minorities are disproportionately victimized. For example, children who were insured by federal programs like Medicaid had twice the likelihood of being restrained compared to those with private insurance, while younger black males also had double the likelihood of being restrained when compared to their white peers. The practice is coming under fire, with the Citizens Commission on Human Rights International calling for physical and psychiatric restraints to be banned. A November report from the group sought legal protections banning chemical and physical restraint and punitive seclusion rooms, not only in the U.S. but globally. Making the practice even more upsetting is the lack of safety data on the psychotropic drugs used as chemical restraints for children. Another problem is a lack of informed consent. In many cases, these drugs are administered to children without following proper procedures, such as explaining the potential side effects to the children or their caregivers. One contributing factor could be the rise in mental health patient days registered between 2016 and 2021 of 138 percent. This may have led to a shortage of pediatric psychiatric resources, which means that facilities are relying more heavily on restraints. Part of the rise in pediatric mental health patients is being blamed on the pandemic, which took a toll on many peoples emotional state, as did the lockdowns and other restrictions placed on the population. All of the antipsychotic drugs used for chemical sedation carry FDA black box warnings The five antipsychotic drugs the study targeted are strong nervous system depressants that can sedate young people very quickly. All of them contain black box warnings from the FDA outlining horrific side effects like increased mortality and the impairment of normal physical and mental functioning. Many of these drugs are linked to seizures, while some of them, such as olanzapine, aripiprazole and ziprasidone, have been linked to suicidal thinking and behavior. Psychotropic drug expert Dr. Peter Breggin cautioned parents not to put their children on psychiatric medications. He said he hopes that drugging children will be viewed by society as a huge and tragic mistake and will be banned, much like other types of abuse. This eagerness to sedate kids in the care of mental health facilities with pharmaceuticals is not surprising for an industry that loves to throw drugs at whatever problems people face, as evidenced by the outrageous increase in antidepressant prescriptions in the U.S. After all, antidepressants are a lot more profitable than meditation. Medicating children does nothing to address the root of their problems, but it does give the bottom line a nice boost. Sources for this article include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org DOI.org Journalists believe US intel agencies will run some sort of cyber 9/11-style event around the 2024 election Watch out! Theres a growing consensus among some experts that US intelligence agencies are chomping at the bit to play a significant role in the 2024 election. In their eyes, theyre the final barrier preventing President Trump from returning to the White House. Many believe that they will pull off a 9/11-style attack on the US election system, and 2024 will be a complete and total wipeout. (Article republished from Revolver.news) Chief Nerd: ? Whitney Webb on Why Intel Agencies Are Running Election Simulations They basically conducted these simulations of what types of hacks and events could trigger the cancellation of a U.S. Presidential ElectionIts very likely theres going to be some sort of cyber 9/11 style event next year [2024] and thats unsettling. ? Whitney Webb on Why Intel Agencies Are Running Election Simulations They basically conducted these simulations of what types of hacks and events could trigger the cancellation of a U.S. Presidential ElectionIts very likely theres going to be some sort of cyber 9/11 pic.twitter.com/M4tUmngnGL Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) January 1, 2024 You can watch the entire compelling discussion here: The burning question now is: why are intelligence agencies conducting these simulations if not to election-meddle on an even broader scale? And also, whos bankrolling this research? Probably some left-wing radical group disguised as election integrity. Also, its fair to note that this isnt just a theory being kicked around by a few random people. Even a former CIA analyst believes the US intelligence agencies are gearing up for big involvement in 2024. It seems logical from their standpointallowing President Trump back into office is something theyre determined to avoid at all costs. Its a do-or-die situation for them, and nothing is off the table. Fox News: A Georgetown University professor who spent 12 years as a CIA intelligence analyst is warning that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts and the overall politicization of the intelligence community have become a significant problem and that he is confident those agencies will attempt to interfere with the 2024 election similar to their efforts in 2020. My guess is that the the proverbial deep state within the intelligence community will reemerge because presumably a Republican candidate will again be seen as a threat to the internal policies that many intelligence people like, Dr. John Gentry, author of the new book, Neutering the CIA: Why US Intelligence Versus Trump Has Long-Term Consequences, told Fox News Digital. Within days of the bombshell New York Post story that detailed the contents of Hunter Bidens laptop in the lead-up to the 2020 election, 51 former intelligence officials signed onto a letter in an attempt to discredit the laptop, saying it has all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation. [] Gentry told Fox News Digital that downplaying the Hunter Biden laptop was clearly political and that a highly placed source told him in no uncertain terms that it was done explicitly with the intent to help the Biden campaign. They literally coordinated in order to lie to the American public with their favorite scapegoat: the Russian boogeyman. Its a tried-and-true tactic they know will work flawlessly with their low-info supporters, who accept these laughable narratives without question. Theres a clear political divide in our country. On one side, left-wingers, the former anti-government types, now back the US intelligence agencies. On the other, Republicans are wary of a weaponized big government and its expanding surveillance capabilities. However, its worth noting that a staggering 70 percent of Americans are concerned about potential interference by US intelligence agencies in this years elections, since weve seen them do it before. The Cradle: An overwhelming majority of US voters say they are concerned about law enforcement and intelligence agencies interfering in future elections, according to a new Harvard CAPS-Harris poll. When asked whether they were concerned about interference by the FBI and intelligence agencies in a future presidential election, 37 percent of respondents said they were very concerned, while 33 percent said they were somewhat concerned. The only real cure for all this interference and cheating? Good old-fashioned paper ballots. No electronic voting or mass mail-in ballots, just trusty paper. Isnt it curious how the left steers clear of this very simple solution? Theyre all in for a month-long voting spree, electronic ballots, and a flood of questionable mail-in votes. Its like theyre fighting tooth and nail to control elections, and theyve got plenty of firepower to back them up. Read more at: Revolver.news Israel killed more Palestinians in 2023 than in any year since 1948 Israel killed more Palestinians in 2023 than in any year since 1948, when the Nakba (Catastrophe) started, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics said on Sunday. Of the 22,404 recorded killings of Palestinians last year, 22,141 have been killed since 7 October, 98 per cent of them in the Gaza Strip. The figure includes nearly 9,000 children and 6,450 women. At least 319 Palestinians have been martyred in the Israeli-occupied West Bank since 7 October, including 111 children and four women. (Article republished from MiddleEastMonitor.com) Over 7,000 Palestinians have been reported missing in Gaza, 67 per cent of them children and women, while nearly 1.9 million have been internally displaced in the coastal enclave. The total population of the territory stands at 2.3m, almost half of whom are children. Israel has targeted civilian infrastructure during its offensive against the Palestinians in Gaza. At least 65,000 housing units have been destroyed completely, while 290,000 have been partially destroyed since 7 October. Moreover, 100 journalists have been targeted and killed; doctors and other medical staff, as well as hospitals, have also been targeted deliberately by Israel. The Palestinian Commission of Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners Affairs has confirmed that Israel was holding 7,800 Palestinian prisoners as at the end of November, including 76 women and 260 children. The number of administrative detainees held without charge or trial stands at 2,870. According to data from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 745,000 Jewish settlers were living in 151 settlements built on Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem at the end of 2022. All of Israels settlements and the settlers who live in them are illegal under international law. Read more at: MiddleEastMonitor.com Israeli Military Censor lists 8 topics journalists are banned from covering The Israeli military has been engaging in strict censorship practices as it continues its war against Hamas terrorists in Gaza, and a document recently obtained by the Intercept outlines just how far its reach extends in silencing the media when it comes to certain topics. The directive comes from Israels chief censor, Brigadier General Kobi Mandelblit, and it contains a list of eight topics that the media may not report on without first securing approval. It is titled "Operation Swords of Iron Israeli Chief Censor Directive to the Media", and although it does not bear a date, the fact that it refers to the current military operations in Gaza indicates that it was issued since the war broke out. A source who received a copy of the document directly from the Israeli military gave it to the Intercept; the same document can be seen on the Israeli government's website. It instructs media entities to inform their staff about the document and the topics that are banned, particularly news desk and field reporters. The document prohibits the media from reporting on the details of military operations, as well as rocket attacks that may hit sensitive locations within the country and Israeli intelligence in general. Visits made by senior officials to battle sites and cyber-attacks are also banned topics. According to the Intercept, potentially embarrassing revelations about weapons used by Israel or captured by Hamas are also banned, along with details of security cabinet meetings. Another topic listed is details about the Israeli hostages in Gaza, a subject that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come under fire for handling poorly. The ban includes personal details, their medical situation, and any posts they held. Some of the topics that fall under the directive's purview are related to military strategy, and it is understandable that Israel would not want its enemies to be aware of its plans. However, many feel it goes too far. The director of Democracy in the Arab World Now and former editor-in-chief of +972 Magazine, Michael Omer-Man, said that this directive is very different from those issued by the censor in the past, which tended to be more limited and general in nature. I havent ever seen instructions like this sent from the censor aside from general notices broadly telling outlets to comply, and even then, it was only sent to certain people, he commented. Censorship efforts are in full force as Israel-Hamas war continues The Israeli Military Censor is a part of the IDF's military intelligence directorate. It serves to monitor and control media coverage of Israeli military operations. Censorship continues to be a major issue as the conflict extends into its third month. The Israel Democracy Institute's Guy Lurie reports that since the war began, more than 6,500 news pieces have been fully or partly censored, which is a notable rise compared to the time before the conflict broke out. This is leading to growing concerns about how much access the Israeli public has to uncensored information about the conflict as well as freedom of the press. It's also worth noting that the real number of news stories that have been affected by directives from the censor cannot be accurately counted because many journalists simply censor themselves in hopes of avoiding running into problems. A 2022 U.S. State Department report about human rights in Israel reported that although the IDF did not routinely censor two Arabic-language newspapers in East Jerusalem, Editors and journalists from those publications, however, reported they engaged in self-censorship due to fear of retribution by Israeli authorities. The Intercept notes that the directive memo was written in English, which implies it was geared toward the Western media. Journalists from abroad who work in Israel are required to get permission from the government and vow to abide by the censors directives. Sources for this article include: ReclaimTheNet.org TheIntercept.com Israeli politician: We should take advantage of the Holocaust to ethnically cleanse and occupy Gaza Israel should "take advantage of the Holocaust [Jews] went through" to bomb Gaza to smithereens, ethnically cleanse the Palestinians and build Israeli settlements on their land, so says Israeli politician Moshe Feiglin. (Article by Chris Menahan republished from InformationLiberation.com) "We should overturn all the laws and take advantage of the Holocaust we went though and throw out all the laws so that we can achieve a crushing and painful victory, which means three things: occupation, displacement and settlement," Feiglin said in Hebrew during an interview last week. "As Churchill said, there are no innocent Germans. He destroyed and burned all of Dresden - and America did not look." Israeli politician Moshe Feiglin slams Netanyahus leadership, adding that a genuine victory in Gaza should involve occupation, displacement, and settlement. pic.twitter.com/JqTuci7H3U Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) December 30, 2023 Israeli analyst and Unit 8200 veteran Eliyahu Yossian said in another recent interview that Palestinian babies and first graders are Israel's enemies and insisted Jews must not adopt "Western values" which say otherwise. "The woman there is an enemy, the baby there is an enemy and the first grader is an enemy," says Eliyahu Yossian, Israeli analyst and veteran of Unit 8200, a high-tech spy branch of the Israeli military. pic.twitter.com/JWRf85RfTF Electronic Intifada (@intifada) December 27, 2023 Israel has killed over 10,000 children in less than three months in their relentless bombing campaign performed with US-supplied weapons. As I reported last month, Israel's war on Gaza is killing children at 100x the rate of Russia's war on Ukraine. When US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Israel on Oct 12 and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to underline the US's support for Israel's war, he cited the Holocaust and his own Jewishness to justify US backing for Israel's war. "I come before you, not only as the United States Secretary of State, but also as a Jew," Blinken told Netanyahu. "My grandfather, Maurice Blinken fled pogroms in Russia. My stepfather, Samuel Pisar, survived concentration camps: Auschwitz, Dachau, Majdanek. So, Prime Minister, I understand, on a personal level, the harrowing echoes that Hamas's massacres carry for Israeli Jews, indeed, for Jews everywhere." Secretary of State Antony Blinken: I stand here as a Jew as well. My grandfather fled pogroms in Russia. My stepfather survived Auschwitz, Dachau and Majdanek - I understand the horror of Hamas' actions. - He continues to attempt to place blame on Russia for everything. pic.twitter.com/fFWXyiWG6R Russian Market (@runews) October 12, 2023 Metula Council head David Azoulai said last month that Israel should ethnically cleanse Gaza and make it "resemble the Auschwitz concentration camp." Any opposition to this explicit ethnic cleansing campaign is being labeled "anti-Semitic" by the controlled media. Read more at: InformationLiberation.com Only half of Ford dealers agreed to sell electric vehicles in 2024 Ford has announced that only half of all 1,550 Ford dealers have agreed to sell electric vehicles in 2024 . The figure has gone down from two-thirds who in 2022 said they would sell electric cars in 2023. The other half of Ford dealers will sell and service internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid models. According to Ford spokesman Martin Gunsberg, electric vehicle rates "vary across the country, and we believe our dealers know their market best." Gunsberg said "dealer enrollments for 2024 entry have stabilized at just over 50 percent of the network," or about 1,550 dealers. This enrollment level places 86 percent of the population within 20 miles of a Ford dealership capable of selling and servicing a Ford EV, added Gunsberg. The decline in buy-in from Ford dealerships follows the relaxation of requirements for Ford's EV dealer program which mandated fewer L2 chargers and extended installation deadlines. Previously, certified Ford EV dealers were required to spend $500,000 for a single public direct current (DC) fast charger, or $1 million if they wanted to be in the Elite tier of EV dealers. The extra $500,000 was for several things, such as another fast charger and demo units. However, the high price tag made many Ford dealers hesitate. (Related: Automakers cut programs and reassess future plans for EV production as consumer demand plummets.) There was a similar engagement among Buick dealers in 2022, with at least 50 percent of Buick dealers choosing buyouts of their franchises instead of selling electric cars. This resulted in General Motors (GM) having 47 percent fewer Buick dealers by the end of 2023 compared to January of the same year. The hardline taken by GM with regard to its Buick dealers is aligned with Buicks ambitious plan to be all-electric by 2030. Early in December, Ford announced that it would reduce the number of F-150 Lightning EV trucks it would produce by half in 2024. The automaker plans to produce only 1,600 F-150s per week beginning in January, down from 3,200 per week, to match customer demand. Dealers worried about significant investments required to sell EVs Dealer worries are partly attributed to the large investments Ford requires from its dealers to sell electric cars, including DC fast-chargers that allow each sales lot to double as a charging location for owners, along with other training for staff. The certification programs, which can cost up to $1 million or more, has landed Ford in several lawsuits. In one case, an Illinois board ruled in favor of a dealership group that said Ford's program violated state laws. Ford plans to appeal the decision. Ford dealers were some of the first to raise alarm bells on waning EV demand early in 2023 when some stores started turning down Mustang Mach-E allocations. Later in 2023, some Ford dealers said they were struggling to fill orders for the electric F-150 Lightning. Back in December, Ford reduced production of the Lightning after temporarily cutting a shift of production in October. The company sold 16,000 electric trucks in the first nine months of 2023, but this was only a small fraction of the estimated 570,000 F-series vehicles it sold in the same period. Ford has also postponed a $12 billion investment in EV manufacturing amid the sales slowdown. Ford's relationship with dealers has suffered since the company started enforcing the new requirements for electric vehicles. The company came in last in a recent survey of dealers' trust in their franchises, with 46 percent of Ford dealers admitting that they have "no trust" in the franchise. Visit RoboCars.news for more updates about electric cars in America. Watch this clip about 95,000 General Motors vehicles made without certain chips. This video is from the Chinese taking down EVIL CCP channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Ford Motor Company scales down EV investments at Michigan plant due to declining demand and inflation pressures. Electric cars in Florida catching fire after Hurricane Ian. Over 1.1 million Tesla electric cars in China RECALLED over dangerous braking defect. Sources include: OilPrice.com BusinessInsider.com Brighteon.com Palestinian Christians in Gaza fear Israels ongoing bombing campaigns will lead to their EXTINCTION Palestinian Christians in Gaza are worried their community could go extinct as Israel continues its relentless attack on the territory. Gaza's health ministry notes that over 22,000 Palestinians have been killed since Oct. 7, with most of these deaths being women and children killed by Israel's indiscriminate bombing of Gaza. Residential towers, places of worship and schools have been demolished by air strikes while Israel has also stopped almost all fuel, water, food and electricity supplies from entering the beleaguered region. (Related: Gazas dwindling Palestinian Christian community could be COMPLETELY WIPED OUT by Israeli attacks.) As attacks escalated on churches in Gaza, where several Christians are taking shelter, the community has voiced fears over their existence. Before the war began, Gaza had around 800 to 1,000 Christians a decline from around 3,000 Christians in 2007. There is no telling how many more Palestinian Christians have fled from Gaza or been killed by Israel since Oct. 7. "We're one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, and we face the threat of extinction," said Hammam Farah, a Palestinian Christian of Gazan descent living in Canada. In an interview with Middle East Eye, Farah said he has already lost many of his relatives who were still living in Gaza due to Israel's current "genocidal campaign." Christians in Gaza not safe even in their own churches Israel's military and genocidal campaign in Gaza has forced many Christians to evacuate their homes and head to the three remaining churches in the Strip. Many of these Palestinian Christians later found out that they couldn't even find sanctuary in their places of worship when, on Oct. 19, Israel bombarded the historic Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius. "The ceiling collapsed [in the church], killing 18 people, including my cousin Soliman. He was 35 years old," said Farah. "His wife sustained serious injuries and has a broken back, broken hip and a broken jaw. They have two little boys who witnessed their father perishing beneath the rubble." The bombing of the church the current version of which was built in 1150 killed nine children among the 18, injured nearly another 100 people and completely leveled the church's annex building. The Holy Family Church, the only Catholic church in Gaza, was also recently targeted by the Israeli Defense Forces. The church is believed to be sheltering around 300 people, Christian and Muslim alike. In a statement, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which oversees Catholic institutions in Palestine, Israel, Jordan and Cyprus, said that an Israeli sniper "murdered two Christian women inside the Holy Family Parish" and that an Israeli soldier fired a rocket that hit the neighboring Convent of the Sisters of Mother Theresa on Dec. 16. The two women were Nahida Anton and her daughter Samar, who were walking from the church to the convent when they were fatally shot. Nahida was shot first, and then the sniper shot Samar while she was trying to carry her mother to safety. A day after Christmas, the Gaza Baptist Church was significantly damaged following an Israeli attack. Rev. Hanna Massad, who leads the Baptist mission to Gaza, noted that more than 70 people from about 15 families had been sheltering inside the church. There is no word yet on how many people were killed or injured during the bombing. "It breaks our hearts to see these images, as we built this building step by step in early 2000," said Massad, who has led the mission for decades. "This place had been a beacon of light for many people to come to know the Lord in Gaza, and we pray that it continues to be a blessing for our community." Follow Genocide.news for more news about the Israeli military's genocidal campaign in Gaza. Watch this video discussing how the Palestinian Christian community of Bethlehem canceled Christmas celebrations as they mourn over the ongoing genocide in Gaza. This video is from the Vigilent Citizen channel on Brighteon.com. More related articles: Christian Zionism harbors a contradiction genocide can't be reconciled with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Evangelical Christians turn their backs on Christians in Palestine who are being murdered and attacked by Israelis as they give unconditional support to Israel. Israeli airstrike destroying nearly 1,600-year-old Gaza church stuns Christian community. Israeli airstrike hits CHURCH in Gaza, kills at least 18 Christians. Sources include: MiddleEastEye.net AlJazeera.com TheMessenger.com WordAndWay.org Brighteon.com Pfizers mRNA vaccine makes aberrant proteins, warn experts concerned about autoimmunity Roughly one out of every 10 people who got "vaccinated" for the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) with Pfizer's mRNA (modRNA) formula received something other than the spike protein-generating formula listed on the vial, new research suggests Scientists from the University of Cambridge discovered that roughly eight percent of the time, Pfizer's COVID injections mistranslate, resulting in the formation of "aberrant proteins" like those linked to autoimmune disease. The primary driver of this mistranslation appears to be the modifications that Pfizer made to its mRNA bases, which are where the company put the instructions that the rest of the injection uses in conjunction with the human body to produce spike proteins. "Our work presents both a concern and a solution for this new type of medicine," stated leading author Anne Willis in a press release. (Related: Pfizer's share price is tumbling as the company scrambles to overcome a dismal 2024 economic outlook will the company benefit from another surprise "pandemic?") Big Pharma's "mRNA" is actually synthetic modRNA The way it is supposed to work is that mRNA injections are dispensed into muscle tissue before entering cells. Once inside the cells, the mRNA instructions are read and interpreted by ribosomes, which respond by producing proteins, in this case spike proteins for COVID. With the Pfizer formulation, this process goes awry roughly one out of 10 times, creating problems for the recipient. Aberrant proteins of the kind produced one out of 10 times with the Pfizer formula are linked to autoimmune diseases, or diseases in which the immune system attacks itself. "If the instructions are misinterpreted, errors in the final protein may be produced," writes Marina Zhang for the Epoch Times. "Some errors are minor, like misspelling one word in a text, while others are more detrimental." "This misinterpretation is called a frameshift, which occurs when one or two mRNA bases are skipped. Since mRNA bases are translated in sets of threes, skipping a base would affect all the sequences downstream, leading to new proteins being formed." This frameshifting process ends up leading to the creation of "multiple, unique and potentially aberrant proteins," to quote immunologist Jessica Rose, who discussed the matter in a Substack article. Naturally occurring mRNA usually contains a compound known as uridine, but Pfizer's mRNA injections just have something called N1-methylpseudouridine. Pfizer chose N1-methylpseudouridine because it is supposed to make the mRNA sequence stronger and less prone to succumbing to immune system degradation and breakdown. It is for this very reason (Pfizer's use of N1-methylpseudouridine) that many scientists are now referring to mRNA as modRNA since modRNA is technically what is inside Pfizer and Moderna's COVID vials. Big Pharma's modRNA is synthetic, in other words, and must be designated as such to differentiate it from naturally occurring mRNA. As usual, the study's authors stipulate in their conclusion that there is "no evidence" to suggest that the aberrant proteins generated by Pfizer's modRNA injections are "associated with adverse outcomes." They likely have to say things like this, or feel as though they should, to avoid retribution from Pfizer. It would also be accurate to say that there is no evidence that the aberrant proteins produced by Pfizer's modRNA injections are not associated with adverse outcomes. In fact, there is plenty of evidence to the contrary as adverse event reports are piling up sky high these days. "Under ideal circumstances, ribosomes translate the vaccine mRNA into the S [spike] protein," commented Dr. Adonis Sfera, an assistant clinical professor of medicine at Loma Linda University. "If the cellular machine (ribosomes) 'detects' the difference [between normal uridine and N1-methylpseudouridine], it can result in stalling or mistranslation." Did you or someone you know get jabbed for COVID and now want answers? Find out more at ChemicalViolence.com. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com NaturalNews.com JessicaR.substack.com The Pharaohs strip club defendants will get their separate trials after all. U.S. District Judge Lawrence Vilardo, who took over the case last summer, ordered separate trials Wednesday for Peter Gerace Jr., owner of Pharaohs Gentlemens Club, and retired Drug Enforcement Administration agent Joseph Bongiovanni. Vilardo said justice now requires severance of Bongiovannis case so that it may proceed expeditiously. His ruling comes eight months after U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra Jr., who previously presided over the case, ordered a joint trial. Gerace is awaiting trial on charges of bribing the DEA agent, drug trafficking, sex trafficking and witness tampering. Geraces charges include maintaining Pharaohs as a drug-involved premises where vulnerable young women were exploited through their drug addictions and coerced into engaging in commercial sex acts. Bongiovanni is awaiting trial on charges of accepting more than $250,000 in bribes from Gerace and other drug dealers who he thought were associated with organized crime. Both have pleaded not guilty. Pharaoh's trial likely to be delayed again as judge deals with 'mess that this case is in right now' The latest delay was triggered by an effort by the U.S. Attorneys Office to block defense attorney Eric Soehnlein from representing Peter Gerace Jr., the owner of Pharaoh's strip club who is awaiting trial on charges of bribing a Drug Enforcement Administration agent, drug trafficking, sex trafficking and witness tampering. Federal prosecutors in November moved to disqualify one of Geraces lawyers, delaying the Jan. 8 trial date that had been set for the two. Lawyers for Bongiovanni, who was indicted in 2019, did not want to wait months longer as prosecutors and Geraces lawyers wrangle over Geraces legal representation or for a potential replacement lawyer to come up to speed preparing for trial. Prosecutors did not oppose Bongiovannis request for a new trial, and neither did Gerace. But Gerace requested a different type of severance. Rather than separate trials for the defendants, Gerace sought to sever the counts. He proposed the first trial cover all of the counts against Bongiovanni, and also the counts on which he and Bongiovanni overlap. Gerace proposed a second trial just for the remaining charges against him. Vilardo declined that request. Severing some of the counts against Gerace would complicate rather than streamline this complex case, Vilardo said in his order. The judge scheduled the trial for Bongiovanni to start Feb. 12. Vilardo said he will schedule the trial for Gerace after deciding the U.S. Attorneys Office motion to disqualify attorney Eric Soehnlein from representing Gerace. Seeking lawyers removal Prosecutors on Nov. 21 filed a document asking that Soehnlein be removed as one of Geraces two defense lawyers. The document plus related documents are sealed from public view, and the reasons for seeking his removal have not been aired in open court proceedings. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Tripi said in court last month that information was uncovered that led to another investigation that caused a conflict for Soehnlein. The government motion to remove Soehnlein triggered the delay that ultimately led to Vilardo ordering separate trials. Federal judge rules arrested Outlaws Motorcycle Club leader must remain in jail Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford reversed a magistrate judge's December order that had set conditions for John Ermin's release. Lawyers involved in the case have declined to comment about it, citing the sealed nature of the motion. In a filing last week, Gerace co-counsel Mark Foti said the governments motion to disqualify Soehnlein has left the Gerace trial team in disarray and unable to prepare or proceed with the trial on all of the pending charges against Gerace. When the government filed its first document in November, Foti defended his co-counsel. He, as the court knows, has a reputation in this community that I think is well-earned and well-deserved, Foti said at a court hearing. He is an attorney of integrity. Lawyers not involved in the Gerace case have taken note of the situation Soehnlein finds himself in. Eric is a rising star. I dont know many prosecutors who want to go up against him, said attorney Cheryl Meyers Buth. Getting him off the case gives the government an advantage simple as that. The court documents are sealed but the tactics are pretty transparent, she added. Granted, not all lawyers have great reputations, but they are clearly going after the wrong guy here. Ive worked on cases with Eric and can tell you he sets a high bar with his academic and ethical standards. If this defendant was as bad as they claim, then the government should try its case instead of bringing these other issues up now and causing more delay. The public is smart enough to see through all of the subterfuge. Spillover prejudice Since taking on the case after Sinatra recused himself, Vilardo has said he will not reconsider Sinatras previous rulings unless a development or new information requires him to do so for fairness. Bongiovanni previously moved for severance in April and again in August, but both of those requests were denied. In May, Sinatra decided on one joint trial after both defendants sought separate trials. At the time, Bongiovannis previous lawyer feared the former federal agent accused of protecting drug dealers with ties to organized crime would not get a fair trial if he had to stand trial together with a strip club owner facing a sex-trafficking count. And a previous lawyer for the strip club owner worried Gerace wouldnt get a fair trial if jurors heard about the former agents alleged ties to organized crime. The indictment against Bongiovanni and Gerace makes clear the two are alleged to have participated in a common scheme, Sinatra said at the time, with federal prosecutors alleging concrete examples of direct interactions between the two to further their conspiracies to defraud the United States and also distribute controlled substances, Sinatra said in his May ruling. The two men are both named in two counts in the indictment: conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Gerace faces eight other counts: paying a bribe to a public official; maintaining a drug-involved premises; and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He also faces a four-count indictment filed in March alleging witness tampering and cocaine charges. Bongiovanni faces 13 other counts, including seven counts of obstruction of justice; two counts of false statements to a U.S. agency; two counts of a public official accepting a bribe; and two other conspiracy counts. Faking GREEN: Scotlands wind turbines are secretly using generators that run on FOSSIL FUELS Scotlands power sector faced backlash in February after it was revealed that dozens of giant turbines in the country were using diesel generators According to the whistleblower who revealed the practice, the "environmentally friendly" windmills were running because of hydrocarbon fuels, which are also known as fossil fuels. The shocking revelation prompted various environmental, health and safety concerns, especially because the diesel-generated turbines were running for up to six hours a day. Wind turbines required fossil fuels due to grid issues According to ScottishPower, an electric power distribution company based in Glasgow, Scotland, the company had no choice but to connect 71 wind turbines to the fossil fuel supply after a fault on its grid. The move was allegedly an attempt to keep the wind turbines warm and running in December, one of the coldest months of the year. South Scotland Labor Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) Colin Smyth said that regardless of the reasons, using diesel to de-ice faulty turbines is "environmental madness." (Related: GREEN PANIC: Siemens Energy shares crash 37% after admitting wind turbine troubles.) The Scottish National Party (SNP) and the Green Party were held responsible for the incident. The two parties "dishonesty" over Scotlands renewable potential had been criticized previously because they used data that they knew was inaccurate. Ministers were under fire for incorrectly announcing that Scotland possessed 25 percent of Europes wind energy potential. On top of this being false, the revelation in February shed light on the fact that 60 turbines at Arecleoch Wind Farm in South Ayrshire and 11 at Glen App Wind Farm are running because of six huge diesel generators. In November, the Scottish Energy and Climate Change Directorate (ECCD) responded to a Freedom of Information Act request (FoI) asking how many wind farms use diesel generators as backup and how many do not. This inquiry revealed that the Scottish Government "does not specifically gather information on whether wind farms use diesel generators as backup." ECCD told the FoI requester to check the Energy Consents website to view Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports submitted by applicants that indicate whether hydrocarbon-powered generators will be used at the wind farm. "For example, we are aware that Whitelee Windfarm does have permission to use diesel generators located on the Ardochrig site as backup," said the ECCD. The link provided by the ECCD revealed a reference to "reserve diesel generators" in an application document titled "Supporting Statement providing further detail relating to the Development." According to the document, the backup diesel generators "will very seldom be used on Site." Now unable to deny that diesel generators are used to power the wind turbines at Arecleoch and Glen App wind farms, the ECCD admitted that it is "also aware from recent official level engagement with ScottishPower Renewables" that both wind farms use diesel generators as backup. Meanwhile, a quick search on the Energy Consents website reveals that ScottishPower Renewables submitted 203 documents when it applied for more than 20 onshore wind projects. It could take even the most determined person many hours to find the specific document mentioning that diesel generators will be used as a backup. And because many of the application documents cover all 20 projects, it is possible that all of ScottishPowers wind farms use diesel generators as backup. So much for wind turbines being a green energy source. Visit GreenTyranny.news for more stories about the energy infrastructure and fuel usage in the U.S. and other countries. Watch the video below to find out if Australian wind turbines run on coal. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Wind turbine blades could account for more than 43 million tons of waste each year by 2050. House passes bill to block Biden from banning gas stoves as Republicans push back against anti-fossil fuel policies. Relying solely on wind and solar power requires the TAKEOVER of so much land compared to fossil fuels. Sources include: Expose-News.com EnergyVoice.com Gov.scot EnergyConsents.sco Brighteon.com Canadian government plans to accept more refugees from Gaza amid record-high immigration and food bank dependency The Canadian government plans to welcome refugees from war-torn Gaza despite the country already dealing with record-high immigration and struggling from a surge in food bank dependency among its citizens. In a press conference on Dec. 21 in Ottawa, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller announced that beginning Jan. 9, the government will issue three-year visas to Palestinians in Gaza with extended family in Canada. (Related: Breitbart editor Joel Pollak: Israel should wipe out Gaza and the U.S. should take the refugees.) The new measures seek to provide a pathway for Gazans who are extended relatives of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to escape the conflict zone and get temporary residence status in Canada. Miller explained that, as part of the new regulations designed to help Palestinians to obtain visas to Canada, the definition of the family will be expanded to spouses, common-law partners, children of any age, grandchildren, siblings, parents and grandparents. He added that immediate family members of these direct and extended family members would also be given consideration for temporary residence visas. Miller also announced the potential expansion of the program to include individuals who, while not permanent residents and Canadian citizens, are closely associated with Canadian families. "This expands the definition and allows us a greater set of people that may not be permanent residents or Canadians, but for all intents and purposes, represent the family," said Miller. "Many are concerned about the safety of loved ones currently residing in Gaza. It is unlivable." Under the new measures, hundreds of Gazans expected to qualify for temporary residence Miller expects many Palestinians to qualify for temporary residence in Canada under these new measures. He believes "hundreds" of Gazans could come to Canada but declined to provide a proper estimate. He added that "security is paramount" for Canada and noted that the government has a "two-stage approach" to vetting temporary residence visa applicants. The first stage involves Gazans being screened at the Rafah Border Crossing between Gaza and Egypt and a biometric evaluation in Cairo. He stressed that Canada cannot guarantee safe passage, as the decision on who, when and how many individuals can cross Rafah is beyond the government's control, but still assured Canadians and Palestinians of the government's flexibility in addressing difficult circumstances. The temporary immigration measures also extend support to Israelis and Palestinians alike who have already successfully sought refuge in Canada. For these people, the Canadian government is waiving fees for work and study permits. This waiver applies to Israelis and Palestinians from Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Israel proper who feel unsafe returning to their homes and wish to stay in Canada for an extended period. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau noted that the situation in Gaza is "extremely difficult" and that the government is already providing a lot of support to get citizens and their extended families out of the region. Trudeau said "well over 600" Gazans have already come to Canada, "but there is more to do." He added: "Ultimately, what we need to do is ensure the viability of a Palestinian state alongside an Israeli state living in peace, living in security into the future." Watch Paul Dragu of the New American magazine discussing Democrats wanting to see Gaza refugees in America. This video is from The New American channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: MIGRANT INVASION: Large influx of Gaza refugees coming Germany as Israel bombs them out of Gaza. Israel wants U.S. and Western allies to take in Gaza refugees. You're paying for the Israel war. You'll also pay for the refugees. GOP congressmen introduce GAZA Act to stop Biden from importing Palestinian refugees into the USA. Thousands flee Gaza as Israel moves full-steam ahead with military invasion that will slaughter innocent women, children and civilians. Sources include: RMX.news GlobalNews.ca Brighteon.com Tom Fitton: Congress HAS THE POWER to ARREST Hunter Biden According to Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton, Congress has the power to arrest Hunter Biden if it wants to. Fitton explained that both houses of Congress have what is known as an inherent contempt authority (ICA), but lamented that the two houses probably don't want the American people to know about this. He added that the ICA was often exercised by Congress up until the 1930s, leaving this power dormant as it hasn't been invoked for a long time. "[Congress] can, under this ICA, send the respective sergeant-at-arms in this case the House sergeant-at-arms [to] go get the witness, haul him in and detain him until he's ready to testify," the Judicial Watch president said. He added that this authority can be invoked if Congress is "conducting an investigation, issue a subpoena or request someone's presence and that person doesn't want to show up; doesn't cite privileges or seek relief in the courts from the subpoena; lawfully object; or just show up and assert their Fifth Amendment privilege, which is their God-given right as referenced in the Constitution." While Fitton acknowledged that the presidential son can be prosecuted under federal law for contempt of Congress, he said it won't yield the testimony Congress needs. (Related: Hunter Biden DEFIES House Oversight Committee subpoena.) "It may not vindicate Congress' desire to get the information as they are able to do under their constitutional powers. As I said, they don't want you to know this because they would have you think that 'Oh, Hunter didn't show up and there's nothing we can do, especially because of the Biden Department of Justice.'" ICA is just one option to make Hunter Biden testify "It's easily done if the majority wants to. In my view, they can find [Hunter] in contempt and get the [House] sergeant-at-arms to haul him in and make him testify. Otherwise, he sits in the detention facility in the U.S. Capitol," Fitton continued. "So this is another option, and if they want the testimony of Hunter Biden, there are other ways to get it as opposed to just waiting around for a court either to enforce the subpoena or civil means or for the federal government to prosecute him which obviously doesn't get you the testimony." Meanwhile, Rep. James Comer (R-KY) said Americans just saw "a snapshot of the arrogance and entitlement" of Hunter Biden after the presidential son skipped his scheduled deposition with the House Oversight Committee (HOC) and instead spoke to the press outside the Capitol. "We've been firm. We will hold him in contempt of Congress. This will not stand, and we expect to see Hunter Biden in here for a deposition," said Comer, who chairs the HOC. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee (HJC), kept his threat of holding the presidential son in contempt after the latter appeared on Dec. 13 at the steps of Capitol Hill. The younger Biden demanded a public hearing rather than a closed-door deposition as required under a subpoena. Jordan warned that the HJC will "move forward with contempt proceedings" if Hunter Biden continues to ignore the subpoena. "The president's son does not get to set the rules," Comer said alongside Jordan at a press conference on Capitol Hill after Hunter's defiance. "These two committees are going to hold firm. We have taken steps to go by the book in this investigation. Now we're in the phase where we do the depositions, and you know what he did is unacceptable." Follow BidenCrimeFamily.news for more news about the Biden family. Watch Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton explain the concept of inherent contempt authority, which will allow Congress to summon Hunter Biden and make him testify. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Emails show Weiss, DOJ colluded to SUBVERT congressional investigation on Hunter Biden case. SMOKING GUN: Hunter Biden sent Joe Biden direct monthly payments from a business account that received funds from China. Hunter Biden INDICTED on 9 tax charges, could spend up to 17 years in prison. Merrick Garland refuses to answer questions by House Judiciary Committee about ongoing Hunter Biden investigation. Stand-alone unit formed by FBI to investigate and mitigate threats against prosecutors and agents was involved in Hunter Biden probe. Sources include: Brighteon.com JustTheNews.com 1 JustTheNews.com 2 Israel takes out deputy head of Hamas in drone attack on Beirut suburb, well inside Hezbollah territory Hamas has officially confirmed the death of high-ranking political official Saleh al-Arouri, who was reportedly killed by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in a drone attack on a suburb of Beirut. Though IDF has yet to take responsibility for the attack, al-Arouri, Hamas' deputy leader abroad, died in an Israeli strike on the Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh, this according to the Hezbollah-linked Al-Mayadeen. The 57-year-old headed up Hamas' political bureau and was considered to be the de facto leader of Hamas' military wing in the West Bank. According to Israeli intelligence, al-Arouri helped plan the June 2014 kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teens: Gil-ad Shaar, Eyal Yifrach and Naftali Fraenkel, as well as several other attacks. Al-Arouri had previously served multiple stints in Israeli jails before being released in March 2010 as part of an endeavor to reach a larger prisoner swap for Gilad Shalit, an IDF corporal who was kidnapped by Hamas in 2006. Having served as both the founding commander of Hamas' military wing, the Qassam Brigades, and as Deputy Chairman of the Political Bureau of Hamas, al-Arouri is one of the highest-ranking Hamas figures to ever be assassinated by Israel. Hamas also confirmed the deaths of two other members of the Qassam Brigades in the attack. Why it matters: Arouri is the most senior Hamas leader that was killed since the October 7 attack. The assassination which took place in the heart of Beirut very close to Hezbollahs headquarters could push the Lebanese militia to escalate its attacks against Israel https://t.co/Lxb5enkt7U Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) January 2, 2024 (Related: Previously unreleased footage shows that an Israeli tank, and not Hamas militants, killed civilians in Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7.) Middle Eastern conflict intensifying An Al-Mayadeen correspondent in the southern suburbs of Beirut confirmed that six people total were killed as a result of three missile attacks from a low-flying Israeli drone that struck the building from the sky. These deaths are considered to be an "escalatory event" in that the Middle Eastern conflict is now likely to worsen. Fears are growing that Iran is the next country to get deeply involved now that Israel is moving north into Lebanon where Hezbollah, backed by Iran, is active. Meanwhile, Israel is promising even more targeted assassinations of top Hamas leadership. The southern suburbs of Beirut where all of this action is taking place is considered to be a stronghold of Hezbollah. Washington Post Beirut correspondent Sarah Dadouch confirmed that a large explosion occurred in Beirut's Dahieh neighborhood, explaining that "a Hezbollah spokesman told me a Palestinian official headquarters was targeted in Dahieh." Lebanese state media issued a statement about the incident claiming that an Israeli drone had targeted the Hamas office in Dahieh. At least four people died and several others were wounded, according to the Lebanese News Agency, whose four deaths figure deviates from the six deaths figure reported by Al-Mayadeen. While it is certainly nothing new for Israel to have conducted targeted operations such as this on Hamas offices in Beirut, this particular escalation is likely to really rile up Hezbollah, which is promising to provide protection for the Palestinians currently in Israel's crosshairs. Unconfirmed reports that a drone hit a car in Dahiyeh, the southern suburb of Beirut. #Lebanon pic.twitter.com/L0Y5Zck71n Sharmine Narwani (@snarwani) January 2, 2024 Seeing more indications from a few reliable sources on social media that the explosion tonight in Dahiyeh, a #Hezbollah stronghold, may have been targeting a Palestinian HVT. Lots of #Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad commanders frequent Beirut. pic.twitter.com/U2xNnYo8m7 Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) January 2, 2024 The latest news about Israel's war on Gaza can be found at WWIII.news. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com TREASON: Leftist groups setting up guerrilla camps near southern border to help illegal migrants INVADE AMERICA more easily The sheer volume of illegal migrants pouring across America's southern border would simply not be possible were it not for the leftist non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are reportedly setting up "guerrilla camps" in places like Sasabe, Ariz., to help all the illegals and the drug cartels they are associated with to more easily breach the border and enter the United States illegally. The below video depicts what these leftists are doing by harboring and supporting illegals as they reach the southern border at Arivaca, Ariz., with the intent of passing through it without detection: OK, here is the whole video. You have to watch it all - it just gets worse and worse! Leftists caught directly aiding and abetting the invasion of our country the wall in Sasabe, Arizona. These are some of the same people that we previously exposed harboring illegals at their pic.twitter.com/Z0RmDOwQup Ben Bergquam - Real Americas Voice (RAV-TV) News (@BenBergquam) January 1, 2024 (Related: Christmas Day in 2023 saw another massive migrant caravan march towards America to bum-rush the border.) Open borders mean death of the nation It turns out that there are many different NGOs, many of them far-left, that are aiding and abetting illegal aliens as they trek north through Mexico towards the United States. "A lot of NGOs are helping Biden open the border to unlimited illegal crossing," said Byron York, chief political correspondent at the Washington Examiner. "But none of this could happen without the president's approval." Illegal Alien Invasion Maps Exposed - CRITICAL THREAD EXPOSING NUMEROUS MASS MIGRATION BLUEPRINTS Muckraker has obtained multiple maps, handed out by non-government organizations across South and Central America, that detail the routes to take to the U.S. and where to cross the pic.twitter.com/wt0DDslM4w Muckraker.com (@realmuckraker) December 23, 2023 According to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, the ongoing crisis at America's southern border is "not unusual." A simple fact check refutes this, though, showing that the border crisis right now is the worst it has ever been. From day one, the Biden regime has sought to undermine and undo everything former President Trump did to try to seal up the southern border and restore law and order to the country. The latest data shows that in December, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) recorded 302,000 encounters with illegal migrants just in December 2023. Since October 1 of last year, CBP recorded 785,000 encounters with illegals at the southern border. "It appears Democrats might be funneling taxpayer funds into radical leftist groups, which are reportedly assisting cartels in America's invasion," speculated Zero Hedge. In the comments, someone wrote that none of this is surprising when considering the lawlessness that has taken over America right in the belly of the beast known as Washington, D.C. "The thing is, the little helpers in D.C. and elsewhere assisting in the invasion all think they will be promoted to lofty positions of power," wrote another. "When their usefulness ends, they will find out about the communism they forgot to study in school (because it wasn't taught)." Another asked why individual states such as Arizona are failing to uphold their own state-level immigration laws, despite what the traitors in D.C. are doing. "I believe aiding and abetting drug cartels to import illegal immigrants is a crime even in Arizona," this person wrote. "With all his faults, anyone who still thinks that America's survival does not depend on electing Trump is completely delusional," expressed another. "At this rate, the country will be lucky to make it through 2024 to the election date." "Kiss your country goodbye: it's finished," wrote someone else. Open borders America is fast-becoming a failed state. Learn more at InvasionUSA.news. Sources for this article include: Infowars.com NaturalNews.com ZeroHedge.com Microsoft acquires over 1,000 acres of land in Wisconsin for data center campus Technology giant Microsoft has acquired more than 1,000 acres of land in Wisconsin for almost $176 million to build a $1 billion data center campus. The company acquired 407 acres in the town of Mount Pleasant from the Creuziger family for $76 million. Included in this 407-acre purchase is the Land of the Giants pumpkin farm and a corn maze measuring nine acres. However, this was not the first time the Creuzigers were offered a huge sum for their land. Back in 2017, negotiations between the family and the local government took place with the Creuzigers being offered a third of the final sum as part of an agreement with the Taiwan-based Foxconn Technology Group. The family turned down the initial offer and chose to wait for a better deal. Aside from this, Microsoft also purchased 641 acres from the town itself for $99.7 million. The company paid $63.2 million for 400 acres on Braun Road and Durand Avenue. It shelled out another $36.5 million for 241 acres on County Highway H. (Related: Microsoft inked deals with ChiCom propaganda outlets, documents show.) All in all, Microsoft acquired a total of 1,048 acres for the total price of $175.7 million. According to The Verge, Microsoft intends to kick off its presence in Mount Pleasant by building a data center campus signaling a substantial investment of over $1 billion in the region. The tech giant plans to hire an initial 200 employees, with the potential to increase the workforce to over 460 jobs over time. However, this falls short of the initially promised 13,000 jobs by Foxconn in 2017. Critics: Data center not going to produce enough jobs Microsoft earlier announced plans to develop a $1 billion data center campus in Mount Pleasant. The site was initially reserved for Foxconn, which planned to build an LCD screen manufacturing plant in the area. The Taiwanese company known for being a major manufacturer of Apple's iPhones entered into a $10 billion agreement with then-Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker in 2017. Under the agreement, Foxconn would build a facility employing 13,000 people in exchange for substantial subsidies. However, the company was forced to downsize causing it to fail to deliver on its job promises. This also prompted a need for alternative development on the Mount Pleasant site. The agreement mandates Microsoft to begin construction by 2026, and allows the imposition of 42 percent of property taxes capped at $5 million annually. Moreover, the local government of Mount Pleasant can repurchase the land at the original price if Microsoft fails to meet the construction deadline. While the 2017 Foxconn deal faced criticism for its lack of transparency and unmet promises, Microsoft's entry into the region is seen as a positive development. Although data centers aren't seen as significant job creators, they play a crucial role in processing and storing vast amounts of computer data and form the backbone of the internet. David DeGroot, village president of Mount Pleasant, said: "Through local investments, we have transformed this area of Mount Pleasant and equipped it with the infrastructure necessary to support a major investment by Microsoft." However, Racine County Board Supervisor Marlo Harmon expressed skepticism about the deal. She stressed that a data center may not provide the required job opportunities for the county compared to a factory. Based on her estimates, a data center on this scale could only employ fewer than 100 people. "Any business coming into the county especially a business as successful as Microsoft is a good thing," said Harmon. "I'm only in disagreement with Microsoft coming because its not going to produce the jobs we need for the county." Follow TechGiants.news for more news about Microsoft. Watch this video about Microsoft's Bing search engine experiencing a glitch. This video is from the Biblical Solution channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Is Microsoft front-running communist Chinese propaganda? Microsoft Edge leaking sites visited by users to Bing. How Microsoft is engineering massive, nationwide criminal election fraud with the help of a shady browser plug-in called "NewsGuard." Microsoft's Bing search engine CENSORING searches for politically sensitive Chinese personalities. Microsoft admits Bing censors search results, says its necessary to promote "equality." Sources include: En-Volve.com SeattleTimes.com Brighteon.com New York Times sues Microsoft, OpenAI, claiming artificial intelligence copyright infringement In defense of its own existence, theis suing Microsoft and OpenAI for copyright infringement, arguing that the two entities' artificial intelligence (AI) platforms constitute unfair competition and a threat to both the free press and society at large. The first major American media organization to do so, the Times is concerned about the AI takeover of media as there is growing talk about AI robots taking over writing and journalism from the real-life humans who currently wordsmith the news. According to the Times, Microsoft and OpenAI are responsible for "billions of dollars in statutory and actual damages" for their "unlawful copying and use of The Times's uniquely valuable works." The Times also wants the two corporate giants to destroy any and all chatbot models and training data currently in existence because they are using the media outlet's copyrighted material, the suit alleges. "Defendants seek to free-ride on the Times' massive investment in its journalism," the suit further states, further accusing Microsoft and OpenAI of "using the Times' content without payment to create products that substitute for the Times and steal audiences away from it." (Related: Even though his own businesses are doing the exact same things, billionaire electric vehicle [EV] guru and X [formerly Twitter] icon Elon Musk says that Microsoft is working on a real-life Skynet AI program that will control "every facet" of human life.) Will Microsoft and OpenAI take over the news? One of the examples presented in the suit to substantiate these claims is the ChatGPT-powered Browse with Bing product, the result of which "reproduced almost verbatim" a product review website called Wirecutter that is run by the Times. The suit accuses Microsoft and OpenAI of failing to attribute the content to Wirecutter and removed all of the referral links used by the Times to generate commissions from sales, resulting in a loss of revenue. Microsoft and OpenAI "placed particular emphasis," the suit adds, on using journalism from the Times because of the "perceived reliability and accuracy of the material," the media outlet claims. "If the Times and other news organizations cannot produce and protect their independent journalism, there will be a vacuum that no computer or artificial intelligence can fill," the complaint reads. "Less journalism will be produced, and the cost to society will be enormous." Back in April, the Times tried to approach Microsoft and OpenAI directly about the matter in an attempt to explore "an amicable resolution" to the copyright issue. The attempt failed as Microsoft and OpenAI refused to come to an agreement. Numerous other media outlets have successfully reached similar agreements with OpenAI concerning the use of their content. These include the Associated Press (AP) and Axel Springer, the German owner of Politico and Business Insider. Representing the Times in the case is Susman Godfrey, the same law firm that early in December 2023 filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against Microsoft and OpenAI. Susman Godfrey also represented Dominion Voting Systems in its defamation case against Fox News back during the 2020 U.S. presidential election scandal. Microsoft has stated publicly that it intends to invest $13 billion into OpenAI and is already using some of its technology in its search engine, Bing. "They are just jealous that the AI bot can lie better than them," joked one commenter about the beef between the Times and Microsoft/OpenAI. "Kind of tells you all you need to know as to just how intelligent Ais are going to be if all they do is regurgitate BS off of the internet," wrote another. What do you think: Will AI successfully take over the world? Find out more at FutureTech.news. Sources for this article include: RT.com NaturalNews.com President Clinton is a key person: Epstein files finally unsealed The Jeffrey Epstein files have been unsealed. As expected,- as John Doe #36. (Article by Tyler Durden republished from ZeroHedge.com) As noted by attorney and journalist Techno Fog of The Reactionary... "Apart from the defendant [Ghislaine Maxwell] and Epstein, former President Clinton is a key person who can provide information about his close relationship with the Defendant and Mr. Epstein..." What's more, Bill allegedly 'likes them young'... Testimony from one witness: Q: "Did Jeffrey ever talk to you about Bill Clinton?" A: "He said one time that Clinton likes them young, referring to girls." ? pic.twitter.com/bAXCWJ44gn Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) January 3, 2024 One Epstein accuser also listed George Mitchell, Jeal Luc Brunel, Bill Richardson, Marvin Minsky, and couldn't remember the names of several other individuals. Victim Virginia Giuffre states she slept with billionaire Tom Pritzker (another John Doe) "once" Pritzker is a member of the prestigious Aspen Institute and Executive Chairman of Hyatt Hotels. hello @AspenInstitute pic.twitter.com/z1QDfNfCkG Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) January 4, 2024 More allegations by Virginia Giuffre - She was trafficked by Epstein and Maxwell to have sex with Prince Andrew. Maxwell directed her to have sex with billionaire hedge fund manager Glenn Dubin. pic.twitter.com/Tjnciypy7m Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) January 4, 2024 And who's not alleged to have gotten a massage from one of Epstein's girls? Trump... Trump cleared by the Epstein List dump: pic.twitter.com/6Qwoi6boHn @amuse (@amuse) January 4, 2024 Just the News has all the files here. Live discussion: As noted earlier, the documents include over 150 names which stemmed from a civil lawsuit against Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence on sex trafficking and other charges for participating in Epstein's enterprise. As Axios notes; Last month, U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska ordered most of the material within 187 entries listed under the pseudonym "J. Doe" be released after Jan. 1. in regard to the suit. In part of that lawsuit, Virginia Giuffre accused Maxwell of facilitating her sexual abuse. The case was settled in 2017, though the terms were not made public at the time. Preska also noted that anyone who may be named in the documents could file an appeal prior to the documents' release. Developing... * * * Documents containing previously unknown names of Jeffrey Epstein associates are set for release on Wednesday, after a New York federal court ordered court documents unsealed, CNBC reports. Over 150 people are reportedly named in the filings, some of whom have previously been disclosed as connected with the dead pedophile, who was found dead in a New York jail after being arrested on federal child sex trafficking charges. "Things should start getting unsealed today," Edward Friedland, the district executive for that court, told CNBC. The documents were filed in connection with a Manhattan federal court lawsuit brought by Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former girlfriend and 'madam,' who recruited girls for exploitation by Epstein and pals. Only Epstein and Maxwell have been criminally charged in connection with his longstanding abuse of girls and young women at residences in New York, the U.S. Virgin Islands and elsewhere. -CNBC That said, Judge Loretta Preska granted a 30-day extension of the disclosure of several names, including a woman identified as "Doe 107," in order to review her claim that she faces risk of physical harm in her home country if her name is released. Read more at: ZeroHedge.com Russian governor predicts Ukrainian military to falter by spring or summer of 2024 Yevgeny Balitsky, the governor of Russia's frontline Zaporizhzhia Region, forecasted that by the spring or summer of 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's army would collapse as it will no longer be a credible fighting force. Balitsky told reporters that he expects "tectonic shifts" in Ukraine to "finish it off from the inside," citing his military experience as well as grapevine signals from the other side as the sources of his insight. "Most likely [the hostilities] will end in late spring or early summer. The Ukrainian army will collapse," he predicted. In a separate interview with the official Russian Defense Ministry channel Zvezda TV, the governor also identified Kyiv's lack of manpower as the key factor, which he believes will lead to the fall of the Ukrainian army. As per his estimate, Kyiv has roughly one million fighting-age men to draft from. Others have fled the country, while some are too young or too old to be soldiers. Some are already serving in security agencies such as the Border Guard Service or the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), he argued. "They are trying now to drag people from cellars, houses and garages, where they are hiding, by their noses and ears," Balitsky said of the beleaguered nation's ongoing military mobilization effort. "The winter will be critical for the Ukrainian army. And the spring will be victorious for us," he added. Russia's claim of Ukraine's "wearing out" manpower has been confirmed by retired German Air Force Colonel and prominent military analyst Ralph D. Thiele. According to the former personal staffer of the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, around 800 Ukrainian troops are being killed and wounded daily amid the conflict with Russia and because of this Zelensky needs to recruit more than 20,000 soldiers every month to replace its dead and injured. Also, the decreasing Western support for Kyiv is "eating away at the morale" of the Ukrainian troops, who "will have to save ammunition in a war of attrition and endure slaughter at the front without rest and without a greater sense of achievement," Thiele stressed. Earlier in the week, a bill was introduced in the Ukrainian parliament which would radically alter military service in the country. Among other things, it provides for harsh punishments for draft dodgers. People failing to report for duty would be denied basic rights under the proposed system, including control over their assets and the permission to drive vehicles. Senior Ukrainian officials have urged foreign nations hosting Ukrainian refugees to help Kyiv coerce eligible recruits into returning home. Estonia has already expressed its willingness to assist. Biden, Western allies to shift Kyiv counteroffensive forces; give up parts of Ukraine to Russia According to Politico's national editor Michael Hirsh, a President Joe Biden administration official, who was given anonymity because they are not authorized to speak on the record, and a Washington-based European diplomat revealed that Biden and other European officials are quietly shifting their focus to improving its position in an eventual negotiation to end the war, with a great possibility of giving up parts of Ukraine to Russia as a result. The Department of Defense has been open in insisting that it continues to support Ukraine's aim of forcing Russia's military completely out of the country. But key officials from the West are reportedly discussing the redeployment of Kyiv's forces away from Zelensky's "failed counteroffensive." (Related: After squandering $111B on military aid for Ukraine, Biden administration is asking for yet more funds.) "This effort has also involved bolstering air defense systems and building fortifications, razor wire obstructions and anti-tank obstacles and ditches along Ukraine's northern border with Belarus, these officials say. In addition, the Biden administration is focused on rapidly resurrecting Ukraine's own defense industry to supply the desperately needed weaponry the U.S. Congress is balking at replacing," Hirsh reported. The said U.S. official also told the media outlet that much of this strategic shift to defense is aimed at shoring up Ukraine's position in any future negotiation. "That's been our theory of the case throughout the only way this war ends ultimately is through negotiation," said the official. "We want Ukraine to have the strongest hand possible when that comes." However, no talks are planned yet and Ukrainian forces are still on the offensive in places that continue to kill and wound thousands of Russian troops. "We want them to be in a stronger position to hold their territory. It's not that we're discouraging them from launching any new offensive," the spokesperson added. Bookmark WWIII.news for more stories related to the dragging war between Ukraine and Russia, in which the Western powers are playing a big part. Sources for this article include: RT.com Politico.com Sen. Ron Johnson accuses the Biden administration of intentionally pursuing open border policies TO DESTROY AMERICA Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin has accused the administration of President Joe Biden of intentionally pursuing open border policies to destroy America "The challenge we have in dealing with this administration is that they caused the problem," said Johnson during an appearance on "Sunday Morning Futures" with host Maria Bartiromo on Fox News. "They are the root cause. They want an open border. The repercussions of this massive, unprecedented flow are going to be with us for years, probably decades. This is a disaster." Johnson also claimed that the recent efforts of the Biden Administration to supposedly address the escalating border crisis are merely superficial attempts by Biden to salvage his plummeting polling numbers ahead of November's presidential election. "The only thing they see is a threat to Joe Bidens reelection, which is why they're trying to do something about it. This is so unprecedented. This is going to take unprecedented actions to fix it. The same old business as usual, 'let's do a deal, let's tweet the legislative language,' that's not going to work." Johnson argued that political optics and not a genuine commitment to securing the borders were the primary motivations of the administration behind addressing the border crisis. He stressed that conventional approaches, such as negotiating deals or relying on legislative language, would be insufficient to resolve the issue. "We need to stop this flow. We need to show the world that were going to secure our border; were going to seal it," Johnson said. Moreover, Bartiromo pointed out that leftist forces that supported open border policies were pursuing a "New World Order" to fully transform America. Johnson agreed and concluded: "They want global governance. They want no borders. They certainly want people coming to this country and probably destroying it, so I guess we level the playing field with the rest of the world. This is going to destroy our country. Theres no other way of looking at this." Another four years of Biden's border invasion will destroy America Political commentator, former New Hampshire Republican congressional candidate and former White House Assistant Press Secretary under former President Donald Trump Karoline Leavitt, in an opinion piece written for the Telegraph, supported Johnson's claims, noting that the Biden administration's policies have created a so-called "golden era" for illegal aliens attempting to enter the country. For instance, the House Judiciary Committee report reveals that over 99 percent of the 2.1 million illegal immigrants released under Biden have been allowed to stay in the country. Chinese nationals, in particular, have witnessed a staggering 7,000 percent increase in apprehensions at the southern border since 2021. (Related: Chinese nationals being let into U.S. via Bidens pathetic open borders policies, raising new fears of espionage.) According to the Federation for American Immigration Reform, this influx of migrants has cost around $150 billion annually to provide services such as healthcare, education and welfare to illegal migrants. The flow of deadly drugs like fentanyl crossing the southern border has also surged by 462 percent since 2020. The quantity of fentanyl entering the U.S. monthly is now sufficient to potentially kill every American. Additionally, a record number of individuals on terror watch lists have crossed into the U.S. from Mexico. "Biden's border crisis is unsustainable. No nation can withstand a nonstop flow of millions of unvetted illegal immigrants and deadly drugs. If Biden is reelected and this crisis continues for four more years, it will destroy our country forever," Leavitt wrote. She then compared the track records of former President Donald Trump and Biden on immigration policies: Trump deported hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants annually during his term and plans to use the Alien Enemies Act to deport gang members in his second term. Meanwhile, Biden only implemented a deportation moratorium, suggesting a DUI should not lead to deportation, and saw a significant decrease in ICE arrests during his first year. Watch Alex Newman, host of "The Sentinel Report" on Brighteon.TV, explain how the Biden administration serves as a travel agent for illegal aliens. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Open borders policies are really just are a child trafficking operation run by Democrats. Breitbart's Alex Marlow: Biden favoring OPEN BORDERS to keep wages down and Democrats in power. Video leaves many with impression China is building secret army in U.S. thanks to Bidens open borders. As U.S. helps Israel ethnically cleanse the "holy land," Biden is deploying heavy machinery to U.S. southern border to LIFT razor wire, allowing more illegals to flood into America. Health Ranger Report: Wars create mass migrations, sending refugees pouring into U.S.'s open borders. Sources include: Infowars.com Telegraph.co.uk Brighteon.com Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday said she wants to improve lagging literacy rates among New Yorks schoolchildren by making it easier for them to learn how to read. The governor described her Back to Basics plan as a major policy shift that would make sure students receive foundational, evidence-based instruction in reading. Hochul said she will propose legislation providing $10 million to train 20,000 teachers across the state in what is known as the science of reading. Were going to be reforming how we teach reading and bringing our states curriculum in line with the nations accepted best practices, Hochul said at an elementary school near Albany. The governor whose arm was in a sling because she tore her pectoral muscle in a gym mishap made the second in a series of announcements that preview themes of next weeks State of the State address. She was joined by representatives from the educational realm who welcomed this change in direction. Debut of second Sabres Literacy Hub in Buffalo Schools comes with special gift Elementary students at International School 45 last week received an academic treasure: a Buffalo Sabres phonics-focused book titled "Who Will Be King?" to commemorate the opening of the area's second Buffalo Sabres Literacy Hub. This is a part of a national movement, like the governor mentioned, said Melinda Person, president of the nearly 700,000-member New York State United Teachers union. And it acknowledges not only the importance of literacy, but it also recognizes that teaching students to read is a complex task. The state has invested billions of dollars into its schools, but illiteracy remains a problem. Teaching children how to read well, particularly by the time they reach third grade, is vitally important, the governor said. Schools in New York in recent decades have taken a balanced literacy or whole language method to reading instruction. This encourages students to figure out how to read by, for example, using contextual clues in books they are known to enjoy. The science of reading, or structured literacy, is based in phonics and, research has shown, provides a better foundation by having students sound out words or groups of letters. Many states encourage or mandate instruction based in the science of reading. New York City school leaders in May said they would switch to this curriculum. Data show reading proficiency has fallen among New York students since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Study after study has emerged over the last few years showing its not getting the job done, Hochul said. This outdated curriculum is still even though we know its not good it is still the most common way theyre teaching reading and literacy in our schools. Hochul in her State of the State address will call for legislation directing the state Education Department to create and share standards for science-based reading instruction. All school districts by 2025 will need to certify that they are following this departmental guidance. With the 'literacy gap' widening, educators turn to the science of reading The WNY Education Alliance has formed a collaborative with 11 other groups to increase awareness of the science of reading and help develop partnerships between local schools and educational organizations that support evidence-based reading instruction through teacher training and the implementation of high-quality, content-rich curriculum. She also will seek $10 million to train 20,000 teachers in how best to present the science of reading in their classrooms. Its not a curriculum and its not one method. Its 50 years of research thats constantly evolving, said Tarja Parssinen, founder of the WNY Education Alliance and a member of the WNY Literacy Initiative, which aims to improve literacy rates in underserved communities. Programs aligned with the science of reading are dedicated to explicit, systematic instruction, where young readers learn the sounds that letter patterns make, and then use that knowledge to decode full words. The 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress scores in which more than 40% of New York fourth-graders could not read at a basic level were the most sobering, and metrics generally agree that less than half of area students read at grade level, she said. Parssinen and two other area educators were encouraged by the governors Back to Basics plan. They expressed cautious optimism for the difference it could make for students especially in kindergarten through second grade across the state. In an interview Wednesday, Parssinen told The Buffalo News that Hochuls plan would be a step toward the goal of setting state policy for teaching students to read. It was shy of formal legislation but an unmistakable sign the state is making literacy a priority, she said. Hochuls efforts come at a time when school districts across Western New York are at different places in their journey toward alignment with the science of reading, Parssinen said. Buffalo schools implementing 'science of reading' training for teachers, mentors Buffalo schools have invested close to $1 million in Orton-Gillingham training programs to not only curb learning loss but serve as a building block for the future. She added that large urban districts, including Buffalo Public Schools and Niagara Falls City Schools, are among the most advanced, while others are trying to move forward but need help. Niagara Falls Superintendent Mark Laurrie said hes excited about the infusion of state money in teacher training, but Hochuls plan will not affect daily operations. His district has relied upon science of reading-backed curricula since at least 2006. We couldnt afford not to, Laurrie said Wednesday. Niagara Falls uses a phonics program called Fundations, part of the Wilson Language Training Corp., and Laurrie holds weekly meetings with district principals to discuss fidelity to the reading strategy in classrooms. John Strong, assistant professor of literacy education at the University at Buffalo, said he was pleased to see state-level action regarding literacy. His questions, however, revolve around how the state will select and verify science of reading-backed curricula and teacher trainings. Determining which programs fall under the science of reading can be controversial, he said, considering this refers to a massive, nuanced body of research that reveals how students best learn to read. Surveillance cameras from BANNED Chinese tech company allegedly installed in 50 Quebec cities and public facilities Surveillance cameras manufactured by Hikvision, a sanctioned Chinese tech company, are allegedly installed in 50 Quebec cities and public facilities. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has issued warnings about the potential national security risks posed by Hikvision's surveillance systems. A Dec. 19 article published in Le Journal de Montreal revealed warnings from CSIS about Hikvision cameras. In a document the outlet obtained dated November 2, 2022, CSIS warned that Hikvision cameras could potentially be used for espionage activities throughout Canada. A portion of the document was included in the published article. The document, which was in French and titled "CSIS Security Alert," said that "Chinese company Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. Ltd poses a threat to Canada's national security because it and its products could serve as an intelligence collection platform at home and abroad." In a CSIS security alert, CSIS cited reports dating back to as early as 2020 that the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) had issued a warning about Hikvision being owned and operated by the Peoples Liberation Army of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). In an annual report to Congress, the DOD emphasized Chinas ongoing efforts to boost its defense capabilities by integrating military and civilian technologies and seeking global leadership in certain areas like artificial intelligence (AI). Additionally, the report identified Hikvision as one of several "AI champions" from China that has been exporting AI surveillance technology worldwide. Hikvision did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (Related: Data privacy concerns raised as analysis finds China-based developers were responsible for TikToks code.) CSIS shares security alert to raise awareness about Hikvision To raise awareness about Hikvision, CSIS has shared the security alert detailing numerous security flaws in the company's cameras with its partners, including Quebecs Ministry of Digital Cybersecurity. The CSIS document stated that "smart city" systems across the globe are using Hikvision's facial recognition technologies, which the PRC can use "to carry out espionage activities abroad." The agency also warned that Hikvision's products have security flaws that make them extremely vulnerable. These, along with gaps in privacy controls, will "allow the PRC to intercept private data remotely." In another article published on Dec. 18, Le Journal de Montreal reported that at least 50 Quebec organizations have installed Hikvision cameras. This includes the City of Montreal, Hydro-Quebec (which generates, transmits and distributes electricity), Quebecs Ministry of Transport and many schools, health and social services centers and senior homes. However, despite warnings from CSIS, the Quebec transport ministry purchased 4,000 Hikvision cameras in 2022 specifically for video conferences for its officials. The City of Montreal also didn't immediately reply to a request for comment. Hikvision facing sanctions over security concerns and links to human rights abuses Hikvision, which is headquartered in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, is facing sanctions over security concerns and reported links to the Chinese regime's human rights abuses, including the control and suppression of ethnic minorities in China. In November 2022, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission extended its ban on the sale and import of Chinese technology from firms that are considered a threat to U.S. national security. The move imposed additional restrictions on Hikvision and other Chinese tech companies like Huawei and ZTE. The British government also took action in November, banning the installation of new surveillance equipment from China at sensitive government sites. The decision was made more than a year after the U.K. Ministry of Defense reportedly released guidance against the use or installation of Hikvision cameras. In March 2023, the U.S. government announced additional sanctions on five Chinese tech companies that were alleged to be subsidiaries established by Hikvision, as indicated in a 2019 document from the company. The sanctions were passed because of their presumed participation in the repression of the Uyghur minority in China's Xinjiang region. Media reports have suggested that, at the time of the sanction, at least four of these companies were subsidiaries of Hikvision. The CSIS document also discussed the links between Hikvision and Beijing's repression of Uyghur minorities. According to CSIS, Hikvision's security equipment was used to closely monitor public places and concentration camps in the Chinese region, as well as to provide in-depth analysis. CSIS also said that Hikvision isn't a passive supplier because the company "is responsible for organizing, implementing and directly managing surveillance projects in Xinjiang, at least until 2040." A December 2022 report from Internet Protocol Video Market (IPVM), a Pennsylvania-based video surveillance information company, about Hikvision has also sparked concerns because the company was allegedly tracking protesters and adherents of Falun Gong. According to the IPVM report, Hikvision has initiated alarms to track protesters, Falun Gong practitioners and "religion," alongside offenses like drug use, gambling, kidnapping, homicide and rape. IPVM also reported that Hikvision had deleted these references from the company's website following its inquiry. Watch the video below to learn more about surveillance in China. This video is from the Channel News channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Big Brother Biden surveils conservatives and puts them on a secret government watchlist. Canada passes controversial bill regulating online streaming and compelling local content. U.S. warns China about plans to increase military drills in South China Sea region. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com 1 JournalDeMontreal.com Media.Defense.gov [PDF] TheEpochTimes.com 2 Brighteon.com Trump APPEALS Maines decision to disqualify him from the states primary ballot Former President Donald Trump has filed an appeal against the state of Maine's decision to exclude his name from its primary ballot. According to the Daily Mail, Trump's legal team made the appeal to the Kennebec Superior Court following Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows' Dec. 28 decision. Bellows, a Democrat, argued that Trump shouldn't be on the state's primary ballot based on Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment. The provision disqualifies anyone who has engaged in "insurrection" from holding office. "The court must decide by Jan. 17. From there, it could potentially go to [the] Maine Supreme Judicial Court (MSJC), and then up to the [U.S.] Supreme Court," the Mail wrote. Meanwhile, Bellows suspended her decision until the MSJC issued a ruling on the matter. (Related: The 2024 U.S. presidential election is fast becoming a JOKE: Trump DISQUALIFIED from appearing on primary ballot in Maine.) The Pine Tree State wasn't the first one to disqualify the former president from appearing in the primary ballot. On Dec. 19, the Colorado Supreme Court (CSC) ruled 4-3 to remove Trump from the Centennial State's primary ballot which the former president is expected to appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the Colorado Republican Party issued an appeal against the CSC's decision, putting Trump back on the ballot for the time being. While the rulings in both Colorado and Maine apply "only to the March primary election," they "could affect Trump's status for the November general election." The Mail noted that "it likely will add to pressure on the U.S. Supreme Court to resolve questions about Trump's eligibility nationwide under the constitutional provision." Democrat prosecutors have launched cases against Trump in a bid to prevent him from running for a second presidential term. However, this has only galvanized his chances of winning; the former president leads opinion polls by a large margin for the Republican presidential nomination. Colorado GOP appeals CSC decision to disqualify Trump On Dec. 27, the Colorado GOP asked the federal high court to look at the CSC's ruling. The petition was filed by Jay and Jordan Sekulow of the American Center for Law & Justice. Incidentally, Jay was a former member of Trump's legal team. "We've been saying from the day we took this case that this was one that would end up at the U.S. Supreme Court," the Sekulow father-and-son tandem wrote in a statement. They also denounced the CSC's decision which, according to them, was based on a "dangerously flawed twisting of the Fourteenth Amendment." "This is the most important case we have ever taken on because if we lose our right to vote, we lose our constitutional republic. We expect this case to move very quickly, and we will keep you updated on its progress." Meanwhile, Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold announced that Trump will remain on the Centennial State's primary ballot for the time being. Despite this, she openly criticized the former president and lauded the CSC justices for excluding him from the ballot. "Trump engaged in insurrection and was disqualified under the [U.S.] Constitution from the Colorado ballot. The [CSC] got it right," Griswold said in a press release. She also confirmed that the Colorado high court's decision is now being appealed, and urged the U.S. Supreme Court "to act quickly given the upcoming presidential primary election." Head over to Trump.news for more stories about the former president's fight to keep his name on the ballot. Watch this Fox News report about Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows removing Trump from the state's primary ballot. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Michigan Supreme Court rules Trump can stay on state's 2024 primary ballot. BREAKING: Colorado Supreme Court disqualifies Trump from appearing on state's primary ballot. Bukele says, thanks to Colorado banning Trump, the US lost its ability to lecture anyone about "democracy" Legal scholar Jonathan Turley blasts Colorado Supreme Court decision to remove Trump from Republican primary ballot. ATTACK ON DEMOCRACY: California lieutenant governor urges state secretary to find a way to remove Trump from Golden State primary ballot, just like in Colorado. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk Brighteon.com U.S. appeals court: FDA overstepped its authority with campaign to smear IVERMECTIN A federal appeals court has sided with three physicians who sued the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over its campaign smearing the antiviral drug ivermectin. Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), reported on the development in a post on X. He wrote: "The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans has ruled in favor of three doctors allowing them to move forward with their lawsuit." According to Kirk, the bench argued that the FDA "abused its authority with anti-ivermectin messaging to Americans." "[The] FDA is not a physician. It has authority to inform, announce and apprise but not to endorse, denounce or advise," Circuit Judge Don Willett ruled. "Left unmentioned in most of that messaging: Ivermectin also comes in a human version." "Remember: The FDA shamed Americans who used ivermectin off label," Kirk ultimately remarked. "The 'experts' failed you during [the Wuhan coronavirus] COVID-19 [pandemic]. Never again." (Related: FDA now admits doctors can prescribe IVERMECTIN to treat COVID-19.) Cardiologist Dr. Peter McCullough lauded the appeals court's decision in a post on X. He thanked the three plaintiffs Drs. Mary Talley Bowden, Paul Marik and Robert Apter for their "strength and courage." McCullough ultimately pointed out that "doctors decide the community standard of care," not the FDA or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rogan: Ivermectin smeared in order to secure EUA for vaccines Podcaster Joe Rogan of "The Joe Rogan Experience" also disclosed why the FDA was actively smearing ivermectin. According to him, the regulator did so in order to invoke the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the COVID-19 injections. "In order to utilize the EUA, they had to have no other remedies, no other effective treatment," Rogan told liberal actor and talk show host Bill Maher, who appeared on the podcast. "They didn't want any sort of way that you could get over this without taking their medicine." Kirk also shared a video of Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), an ardent defender of health freedom, with Maria Bartiromo of Fox News. The senator described the destruction caused by the actions of the FDA during his appearance on "Mornings with Maria." "The doctors I've been dealing with and talking to for years now, they believe that probably hundreds of thousands of Americans lost their lives because they were denied early treatment," Johnson said. "They were denied it because the FDA sabotaged ivermectin." "They said: 'Come on, you all. You're not a cow, you're not a horse.' You know, this is supposedly horse medicine. No, this was a Nobel Prize-winning medicine that could have saved hundreds of thousands of lives." The TPUSA founder also thanked Johnson for his "leadership and bravery," and also accused the FDA of having "blood on its hands." Kirk continued: "How many Americans senselessly died because Big Medicine called this cheap, readily available Nobel Prize-winning medicine horse paste?" Visit IvermectinScience.com for more stories about ivermectin and the FDA's attempts to discredit it. Watch this video that talks about ivermectin, the wonder medicine that Big Pharma hates. This video is from the Swedish Rebel channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: FDA now admits doctors can prescribe IVERMECTIN to treat COVID-19. Doctors sue FDA for campaigning against use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19. FDA sued for concealing documents related to suppression of ivermectin and HCQ. FDA is NOT a physician: Appeals court sides with doctors on the use of ivermectin for COVID-19. Federal court rules against FDA, says agency's anti-ivermectin stance and public urges to "stop" using drug are unconstitutional. Sources include: WLTReport.com Brighteon.com Woke California expands health care coverage to more than 700K ILLEGALS Woke hotbed California has expanded the state's Medi-Cal health care coverage to include more than 700,000 illegal immigrants The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), which is under the California Health and Human Services Agency, announced that the expansion took effect on Jan. 1. Under the health coverage expansion, individuals aged 26 to 49 will be eligible for health insurance in the Golden State. California has been progressively broadening access to Medi-Cal, having previously extended coverage to illegal immigrant children in 2016, individuals under 26 in 2020 and those over 50 in 2022. With the latest move, the state is set to become the only one nationwide offering free health care for individuals with low incomes irrespective of their citizenship status. This expansion, which would cost the state around $1.2 billion, is part of the $310.8 billion 2023-2024 budget approved by Gov. Gavin Newsom. This would bring the number of uninsured individuals under 65 in California to a record-low 2.57 million. But according to the California Simulation of Insurance Markets (CalSIM), around 520,000 illegals remain uninsured. This group earns too much for Medi-Cal insurance and lacks employer coverage, putting them at risk for exclusion from Covered California enrollment and federal subsidies. Based on CalSIM's projections, approximately 110,000 illegals in California will pay the full cost of individual market coverage. Cost remains a prevalent barrier for those eligible for Covered California or employer coverage and a lack of awareness and administrative hurdles further impede access to health insurance. Medi-Cal expansion could lure more illegals However, the Golden State's decision to cover illegals did not sit well with many. Critics expressed concerns that the expansion may act as a motivator for many more illegals to enter the U.S. unlawfully. Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, was among those critics. "I think many of us are very sympathetic to the immigrant community, but we really wish we had better control of who enters this nation and this state," said Coupal, the association's third president. As per the Pew Research Center, illegals make up about nine percent of California's workforce. Illegals have a significant presence in the state's agriculture, construction and manufacturing sectors. But as hundreds of thousands anticipate accessing Medi-Cal coverage in the coming year, millions of Californians face potential removal from the rolls due to resumed eligibility verifications. The state resumed the verification process after the expiration of federal healthcare policies enacted during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic earlier last year. State records show that over 930,000 people had their Medi-Cal terminated as of October, with nearly 90 percent of cases attributed to procedural issues such as missing paperwork. The California Health Care Foundation estimates that two to three million Californians could lose their coverage during the ongoing verification process. Currently, over 15 million Californians, representing 40 percent of the state's population, are enrolled in the Medi-Cal program. As the state navigates the complex landscape of healthcare access, the expansion sparks debates about immigration policy, fiscal responsibility and the balance between providing services and ensuring control over illegal immigration. Check out CaliforniaCollapse.news for more stories about California. Watch Mike Martins discussing how illegal aliens crossing the northern border from Canada are affecting the United States. This video is from the Mike Martins Channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: USBP agents report 743% increase in illegal migrants trying to cross northern border. Record-high 12,600 illegal migrants break into America in one day while government officials snooze away. European border agency Frontex confirms: 92% of illegal migrants arriving in EU are fighting-age MEN. ABSURD: Biden administration asks for $3.3B to fund more housing for illegal migrants. Bidens federal border patrol agents sabotage Texas Gov. Abbotts efforts to keep illegal migrants out. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com LaborCenter.Berkeley.edu Brighteon.com Wind is the natural air or gas movement on a planet's surface. It is the reason why sometimes we feel land or sea breeze running through our cheeks and other parts of our body. This natural phenomenon is also evident when trees or plants in general have their leaves blown off. The phenomenon is often associated with weather events such as storms and even climatic conditions like drought. Wind is also a renewable energy source, especially for wind turbines that use mechanical spinning to generate electricity. In this context, it is important to determine wind origin or what causes wind since this invisible moving air has a significant part to play in Earth's environment and energy crisis of the future, where it will be a part of mankind's technological advancement and sustainability. What Causes Wind? Scientists have long known that wind is caused by Earth's rotation in its own axis. With this, the direction of prevailing wind on our planet flows from east to west. It is also the trajectory that the Sun seems to follow from the time it rises in the east until it sets in the west. This is only the case from Earth's surface and relative to the planet's rotation. In the context of wind formation, researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa state there are two main factors affecting wind patterns: The heat distribution of the planet The constant rotation of the planet Since Earth's rotation is not the only reason for wind formation, the Sun's uneven solar heat or heating effect towards our planet is also significant to what causes winds. The Hawaii university researchers explain that the energy from sunlight is not evenly distributed when it reaches the Earth's surface. Meanwhile, the continuous rotation of Earth is causing a phenomenon called the 'Coriolis effect' which is the deflection of air and water masses. While these components of the planet seem to be affected by Coriolis, it does not entail that living organisms, including humans, feel this astronomical rotation phenomenon. Also Read: Health Advantages of Wind Power Could Reduce the Amount of Fossil Fuel-based Power Plants That Are Operating Daily Wind Cycle Since moving air is an inseparable part of Earth's environment, wind is a non-limited resource abundant on the surface. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the daily wind cycle involves the warmer air above land compared with water during the day. This warm terrestrial air eventually expands and rises but will be replaced by cooler air to create wind. Meanwhile, the process is the opposite during the night since this is the time when the air cools more rapidly over land than over water. The IEA explains supports the evidence that the uneven heating from the Sun mentioned earlier is one example of the daily wind cycle. After all, Earth (with its different marine and terrestrial terrains) absorbs heat from the Sun at different rates, the US government agency adds. Related Article: Wind Erosion and Arctic Tundra: Carbon Effects The amazing bioluminescent beetles in Brazil have declined in the last three decades or 30 years due to agricultural expansion and pesticide use. In addition, the report recorded the fireflies in the area and 52 bioluminescent species near the Cerrado and Coleoptera in Brazil. The findings became helpful in analyzing the declining number of said species due to habitat destruction. The research findings were published in the Annals of the Entomological Society of America. Brazil's Bioluminescent Beetle Declining Number Bioluminescent beetles play a significant role in ecosystems and biodiversity with their vibrant colors. According to recent reports, some of the popular bioluminescent species are the following: railroad worms click beetles metallic Wood-Boring Beetles Soldier Beetles Researchers conducted several expeditions to study the population of bioluminescent beetles in the region and farms. According to recent reports, bioluminescent beetles use signals to communicate with other species. However, the researchers noted that the firefly species are threatened due to the following: widespread use of pesticides habitat destruction Artificial light Agricultural expansion Amazingly, the bioluminescent species can shine in different colors. For instance, luminescent beetles can show the colors of red, orange and green. Professor Vadim Viviani, from the Federal University of Sao Carlos's Science and Technology for Sustainability Center (CCTS-UFSCar), expedited farms and the Emas National Park. In the Cerrado and surrounding parks, the researchers discovered the alarming decline of bioluminescent beetles in the last 20 years. The agricultural expansion and sugarcane plantations have affected the beetle's diversity. In addition, the species of railroad worms are also impacted. People recognize the said worms as a centipede. It has about six legs that can light up like a train. Meanwhile, artificial lightning (LAN) and pesticides have become problematic for the species of bioluminescent beetles. In the Emas National Park, the researchers said that the decline of bioluminescent species is due to the emergence of urban centers with high artificial lightning. Also Read: Amazon Extreme Drought Exposes Ancient Dozens of Rock Formations, Carvings Brazil Drought Conditions and Rock Formations In the Amazon Forest in Brazil, widespread habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity were reported due to deforestation. The country also suffered from prolonged drought conditions that have affected water security and brought raging wildfires. The severe drought in Brazil uncovered rare rock formations and carvings in the Amazon that could date back 2,000 years ago. The recent report highlighted that drought could result in economic and environmental impacts. Related Article: Brazil Amazon States Suffer From Dry, Drought Conditions Affecting Residents, Rainforest For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World News. African wildfires have been persisting in the continent of Africa for thousands of years, threatening wildlife and their natural habitats. Wildland fires, including forest fires and bush fire, occur in different parts of the world, particularly in the tropics and subtropics regions. However, recurring ignitions are relatively rare and this kind of phenomenon has baffled scientists for a long time. Recently, a study found that the "everlasting" blaze in Africa is being caused by a positive aerosol feedback loop as part of the continent's regional climate. This means a self-sustaining natural process is behind the African wildfire loop. Although wildfires can be triggered by both natural and human factors, scientists did not indicate significant anthropogenic impacts as a fundamental factor to the loop. African Wildfires Outside mainland North America, South America, and Europe, where wildfires are relatively common throughout the year and are prevalent during the summer months, another part of the world is also suffering from the same natural disaster: Africa. In 2023 alone, the North African country of Algeria experienced massive wildfires across the region, resulting in the deaths of dozens of people and the mobilization of thousands of firefighters. The scorching fires started in July last year, the month when meteorologists recorded the warmest ever on record. To reveal the complete magnitude of wildland fires in the continent, an international team of scientists from Spain and the Netherlands examined African wildfires in a study published in the journal PNAS in February 2021. They found that wildfire-burnt areas comparable to the size of Europe in Africa are emitting greenhouse gases and aerosols. Also Read: Wildfires Can Become More Frequent in Western US, New Research Warns Aerosol Feedback Loop In a more recent study published in the journal iScience on November 2023, researchers from the United States discovered that a positive aerosol feedback loop (as mentioned earlier) is responsible for the everlasting African wildfires. The said continental blaze covers over 50% of the area of Africa that has been burning, on average, and with no signs of stopping it, according to the 2023 research paper, which revealed that the wildfire is feeding itself without any significant human intervention. The researchers involved in the study explain that large quantities of aerosols emitted by wildfires can affect the regional climate. On the other hand, regional climate is a strong regulator of wildfire occurrences and one of the reasons is the drying of fuel load increases fires, according to the study. This process is what makes the aerosol feedback loop possible, in addition to known natural triggers of wildfires like fire weather conditions. Combined with the impact of aerosols, which are fine solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in the air. They can also be natural or anthropogenic. For instance, aerosols can take the form of mineral dust, sea spray, smoke, and volcanic ash, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Related Article: Deadly Wildfires in Canada, United States Linked to Smart Cities Based on 'Conspiracy Theories' [Report] Weather experts warned that the southeast portion of the United States would experience heavy rains and tornadoes due to a storm. They said that the same expansive storm that is expected to spread accumulating snow in the Ohio Valley as well as in the Northeast would also bring heavy rains and thunderstorms from the Gulf Coast into the Southeast on Friday and into the weekend. Downpours To Cause Floods While the rain will be much welcomed since ongoing extreme to exceptional drought remains across parts of lower Mississippi and Tennessee valleys, it will still bring a threat of flooding downpours in the areas in the mentioned valleys. Meteorologists also forecasted that another powerful storm is poised to impact the central and eastern portions of the US. The new storm will draw in moisture and warmer air from the Gulf of Mexico, which will then set the stage for a higher risk of severe weather system across the Southeast on Monday and even on Tuesday. Forecasters further raised concerns about the threat of nocturnal tornadoes as severe storms are expected to continue into the night. They explained that a nocturnal tornado threat is especially dangerous since people are often asleep or cannot see the tornado approaching at night. They advised the public to have a weather radio and enable their weather alerts to ensure everyone's safety during bad weather. The National Weather Service, meanwhile, bared that low pressure over the Eastern Gulf Coast moves northeastward out over the Western Atlantic by Thursday morning. The storm is expected to produce light rain over parts of the Eastern Gulf Coast or towards the Southeast, expanding into the Southern Mid-Atlantic overnight Wednesday and moving off the Mid-Atlantic Coast by Thursday afternoon. Meanwhile, the upper-level low will induce an area of low pressure over the Western Gulf Coast overnight Thursday, moving to the Central Gulf Coast by Friday evening. Read Also: West Coast Weather Forecast: Cross-Country Storm To Bring Mountain Snow, Heavy Rain in Mid-January Light Snow To Move Eastward On Thursday evening, it is forecasted that light snow will continue to move eastward over the Central or the Southern Rockies. Meteorologists said that in the evening of Thursday, rain with embedded thunderstorms will develop over the Southern Plains, while snow will develop over parts of the Central or Southern High Plains. On Friday, it is expected that the light snow will expand into parts of the Middle and Lower Mississippi Valley while showers and thunderstorms develop over parts of the Central Gulf Coast. Moreover, a front extending from the Lower Great Lakes into the Middle Mississippi Valley will move to the Northeast Coast by Thursday evening. The lake-effect or the lake-enhanced snow associated with the front develops over the Upper Great Lakes and the Lower Great Lakes, with upslope snow developing over parts of the Central Appalachians and Northern New England that will end by late Thursday afternoon. Meanwhile, in the Southwest, snow is expected following a mild and dry start to the new year. A large storm is seen to interact with cold air and spread snow across the region during the middle to late parts of the week. The storm will spread on Wednesday, with snow accumulating in Nevada before moving into Utah and Arizona on Wednesday night. Moreover, by Thursday, snow will spread eastward into New Mexico and into the southern High Plains on Thursday night. Related Article: NWS Weather Forecast: More Rain To Unload in Pacific Northwest; Lake-Effect Snow to Hit Great Lakes With the growing threats of diseases and widespread use of pesticides, researchers managed to successfully engineer the plant biome to increase their chance of survival. Plants are important for the environment and communities, providing clean air and food security. However, they are threatened by the following factors that hamper their survival: Climate Change Deforestation Rising Temperatures Agricultural Expansion Diseases Pesticides Rising Temperatures Understanding Plant Microbiome To Save From Alarming Diseases As a result, international researchers, from Austria, China and the University of Southampton conducted the study to understand the microbiome homeostasis on rice leaves and plants. The study analyzed the microbiota that helps with the plant's disease resistance. It will be helpful in sustainable crop production and protection against the stressors brought by climate change, rising temperatures and diseases. The research findings were published in the Nature Communications journal. Researchers explained that plants and other microorganisms have viruses or bacteria living in their bodies. Studies worldwide have been studying the microbiome to protect crops and plants from decline. In an attempt, researchers were successful in finally engineering the plant microbiome that can save crops from bacteria or viruses. Associate Professor and Dr. Tomislav Cernava said that they managed to change the plant microbiome which can contribute to their survival. Part of the study is to understand the potential plant health benefits to other crops, the reports showed. The harmful bacteria can also affect the plant's metabolism and immune system. With the engineered microbiome, it can save money and dependence on the widespread use of pesticides. Dr. Cernava added that it could also apply to other plants. Dr. Cernava is also the study's co-author and from Plant-Microbe Interactions at the University of Southampton. According to the reports, the researchers, then, exposed the rice crops on a pathogen (Xanthomonas oryzae). Amazingly, the crop showed increased resistance in bacteria. In the recent NWN report, reducing air pollution can help plant productivity. Also Read: Reducing Air Pollution Benefits Plants' Ability to Fight Climate Change Protecting Plants: Why Is It Important? The protection of plants is crucial in providing habitats for insects and other species. When plants are destroyed, it can have a devastating impact on the environment, birds and other mammals. Furthermore, commercialization and pollution have significantly affected the air quality. The emergence of chemical pollutants can have environmental and health impacts, especially for older adults and people with medical conditions. Researchers emphasized that plants can improve air quality, especially in foggy or areas suffering from pollution. As a result, planting more plants is important for urban areas. Related Article: Reducing Air Pollution Benefits Plants' Ability to Fight Climate Change For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News. Enterprise and Westminster have shown their grit. The Buffalo charter schools fight for survival has become at least for now a tale of recovery, persistence and leadership while dwelling in the gray area of a contentious, growing divide between district and charter schools in the state. The fate of the two kindergarten-through-eighth-grade charters will be more clear this spring when the Buffalo School Board, with potential input from the state, makes a decision on their future. For at least three months in 2021, there appeared to be no future at all. That spring, all 950 students at Enterprise and Westminster charter schools believed they would have to find new schools after the Buffalo School Board voted to shut down the two schools it had overseen for nearly 20 years. The pair would have been the states only charter schools to be closed by their authorizer during the Covid-19 pandemic. Enterprise, Westminster charter schools have two years to improve The two charter schools had faced board criticism last year because their proficiency rates in math and English language arts have historically been lower than the districtwide average on state assessments. The otherwise unassociated charters each petitioned the ruling, however, and after a preliminary injunction, a judge determined the Buffalo School Board had not followed proper procedure because members made the closure decision without public input and did not offer an appropriate appeal. Enterprise and Westminster were permitted to stay open for two years, provided they worked toward a list of academic and enrollment targets, replaced their principals and accepted a Buffalo Schools appointee on their boards. Last month, leaders of both charter schools presented their academic improvements to about half the Buffalo School Board at renewal hearings. Enterprise and Westminster, each in hourlong slots, packed a City Hall conference room with parents, students, teachers, staff and administrators to trumpet their achievements as well as the value of tight-knit, longstanding communities in what felt like a celebration of impending renewal. As much as were here to celebrate all the great things that weve done academically to get us to this point, Id be remiss if I didnt say the school has been much more than that to me, said Denise Terrell, Enterprises senior director of operations. Terrell, along with Principal Jordan Schmidt, was among those credited with orchestrating the turnaround. Some uncertainty It might be a little premature to celebrate. Last springs state assessment results, which measure grade-level proficiency for third- through eighth-graders, were released in mid-December, following the charter renewal hearings. The tests revealed that Enterprise at 12% proficiency in English language arts and 6% in math still severely lags behind the vast majority of Buffalo public schools. Westminster fared better on state tests in math, especially where it beat Buffalo Schools average by five percentage points. Its about average in English language arts. But Westminster leaders acknowledged struggles in non-academic categories: enrollment decreased by 19 students to 423 this year, down from 549 in 2019. Its teaching staff is 85% white, too, an area in which the charter hoped to diversify, but also a barrier that confronts district schools. NYS tests: Different year, different test, same results The latest New York State assessments in English language arts and math continue to show a gap between urban school children and their peers from wealthier suburbs. The two charters had been tasked by the board to show growth, however, and not proficiency, although low proficiency rates caused the School Board to decide to pursue closure in 2021. State assessments may not even matter. The Buffalo School Board is expected to discuss the two charters futures with Constance Moss, the adviser the board selected to work with both for much of the last 18 months. While its uncertain how much authority the state will wield the Board of Regents denied a three-year renewal for both charters in 2019 the Buffalo School Board, as charter authorizer, makes the final decision on whether they remain open. The decision typically is made in March or April. Sharon Belton-Cottman, the Buffalo School Board president previously outspoken in her criticisms of charter schools, showed empathy in addressing Westminster leadership at the hearing. Im glad to see that youre on the path back, she said. I do believe that we are kindred spirits because the same things we struggle with on the public side, you guys are struggling with on the charter side. Enterprises recovery Enterprise, a startup approved by a pro-charter Buffalo School Board in 2003, is a unicorn considering that school boards have not been allowed to authorize new charter schools for the last 14 years. The states Board of Regents and the State University of New York Board of Trustees are the only two authorizers. Despite the Oak Street schools past poor academic performance, the Buffalo School Board renewed its charter six times before the 2021 conflict. Buffalo Wishes to kick off holiday season fundraiser for children's needs The program collects, wraps and delivers gifts that are matched to the personal wish lists of underprivileged children. Beth Mascitti-Miller, an Enterprise leader who fought Buffalo School Boards decision to close the school in 2021, explained the basics of recovery. The first thing we did was develop a school improvement plan together as a team, Mascitti-Miller said. We put our heads together. The blueprint was a curriculum better aligned to state standards, professional development for teachers and staff, and a commitment to engage with parents, improve school culture and emphasize diversity, she explained at the hearing. Academic growth was significant: in reading, Enterprise more than doubled the median percentage growth of a predetermined group of Buffalo Public Schools in i-Ready, a common diagnostic assessment, and improved in math by a greater margin than its Buffalo counterparts, too. In the end, Enterprise met 10 of the 12 academic goals set by the School Board, with the missing two still to-be-determined. Eight or more were required. With state scores delayed again, Buffalo Schools picks a balanced route forward While awaiting state testing data and the dawn of the new standards, Buffalo Schools has placed greater emphasis on internal assessments for math and reading, as well as identifying whether students are showing growth, not meeting a perceived standard. We have always known that our children were brilliant, and we are excited to share these results with the community, said new Enterprise CEO Jeremy Esposito on behalf of school leadership. Academics were only part of the equation. Mascitti-Miller praised Terrell, a 16-year veteran at Enterprise, for remarkable recruitment that saw enrollment rise from a low of 335 in 2021-22 to 400 this year. How do we build community again, how do we expand this to other families? Mascitti-Miller said of the questions Enterprise tackled. We put a lot of effort into it and were very proud of that. Belton-Cottman said she hopes for more collaboration between the board-authorized charter and public school district. Im glad were working together in a more fluent and no longer parental way, she said. Youre off to a great start. Westminsters balanced leap Unlike Enterprise, Westminster was converted from a Buffalo Public School into a charter in 2004. It has long been backed by M&T Bank and its Buffalo Promise Neighborhood. The charter is unusual because it honors Buffalo Schools union agreements, including its teachers contract. At its renewal hearing, Westminster Principal Teresa Gerchman showed students massive academic growth: 152% median progress in reading and 145% in math, according to i-Ready. For its strategy, Westminsters presentation emphasized a partnership with third-party education consultant SchoolWorks, while longtime teacher Brittany Barnes credited her peers for facilitating student improvement. I also just want to acknowledge our areas for growth and setbacks, Barnes said. And while both definitely ebb and flow, one thing I take pride in is the unwavering commitment of our staff. Gerchman emphasized how Westminster, at Kensington and Bailey avenues, has welcomed the growing Bangladeshi population surrounding its school. Its enrollment is now 21% Asian. Westminster has reduced student suspensions, in part thanks to its work with the Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition, Gerchman said. Members of the school community praised Gerchmans tireless community efforts, too, like starting a farmers market to aid families. Westminsters decline despite M&T funding highlights an uncomfortable truth When it comes to turning around a poor, inner-city school, whats more important: Money or leadership? 25-year experiment at one Buffalo school shows you need The principal acknowledged that not everything is rosy. The battle against enrollment decline continues, and Gerchman said shes working with SUNY Buffalo State University to attract more instructors of color. Its not as diverse as we want it to be, Gerchman said of her teaching staff. Similar to her response to Enterprise, Belton-Cottman stressed to Westminster leadership a common goal with Buffalo schools. Its not about charter, its not about [district], she said. Its about making sure our children achieve to the highest level they can. Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. Meanwhile, PM Modi had always reiterated that all countries should respect international law and the sovereignty of countries, disputes should be resolved with diplomacy and dialogue, not war. Ahead of his US visit in June, 2023, Narendra Modi in an interview with the Wall Street Journal said that when it comes to the Ukraine conflict, Some people say that we are neutral. But we are not neutral. We are on the side of peace. The trial court further said, the evidence and material show involvement of the applicant in the commission of the alleged offence of money laundering because he is shown to have been, directly or indirectly, involved in the process or activities connected with proceeds of crime generated through the scheduled offences case of CBI. It is noteworthy that SEBI has failed to complete its investigation into the violation of securities laws and stock manipulation by the Adani Group and its associates ten months after the Supreme Courts expert committee asked it to do so, he said. It is unclear what will change in the next three months other than the Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha elections coming into effect, he said. South gains prominence in state politics Traditionally, the Saurashtra zone has held significant influence in Gujarats political sphere, especially in selecting BJP state presidents. However, now with C.R. Patil from South Gujarats Navsari becoming the state president, there has been a noticeable shift in influence towards South Gujarat. This shift has been evident in the state governments decisions and organizational choices over the past few days. Recent reports indicate that three IAS officers had been transferred, mostly with Surat City in the south of Gujarat being a key focus for these appointments. It clearly suggested that there was a growing political clout in the region. They share the same ancestry and culture as the Mizos of Mizoram. Chin is also a state in western Myanmar. Lalduhoma, who became the chief minister of the northeastern state last month, called on Modi in his official residence in New Delhi during the day. This is their first meeting. Our new government will work to fulfill whatever promises have been made. Those promises include a job for every family, houses for the beneficiaries of the Ladli Behna scheme and also a slew of promises for farmers. Striking an emotional chord with the women, Chouhan said, Whether Im the CM or not is immaterial, Ill not go anywhere, Ill live here and die here. My life is for you, Im here to eliminate pain from your lives. However, sources indicate that the party faces complex negotiations, particularly with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi and Punjab, and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal. While the Bengal state unit is demanding 6-8 seats, TMCs chief Mamata Banerjee seems reluctant to concede more than two of the 42 seats. The ongoing discord between Congress state chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Mamata Banerjee, coupled with the friction between TMC and CPM, poses significant challenges in forming an alliance in West Bengal. Nevertheless, the state leaders remain optimistic about a potential tie-up. The police had seized two kilogrammes of heroin, 24 gold biscuits, a country-made pistol, a315-bore pistol and two Pakistani SIM cards from them. After being granted bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday, Khaira was arrested by Kapurthala Police in the fresh case. In the wake of the alarming incidents involving aggressive wildlife in Uttarakhand, the tigress responsible for preying on three women in Bhimtal has been relocated to the Dhela Rescue Center. According to the Wildlife Institute of India's findings, the tigress has been identified as a man-eater. Consequently, it will no longer be able to roam freely in the wild and will spend the remainder of her life confined to the rescue center. Erie Community College Board Chair Jeffrey Stone and ECC President Adiam Tsegai have stated that they have found the South Campus wanting in the way that it handles current needs and will explore a smaller site while maintaining a presence in the Southtowns. I disagree. This beautiful campus with its abundant (and free) parking, its lovely buildings with spines to walk through to protect students from the weather, a marvelous, up-to-date library, an expansive auditorium and modern classrooms is the jewel in the ECC system. Currently, it offers the college's business, communications, emergency medical technician and information technology programs. These programs are helpful to the community, but much more is needed. Instead of downsizing to a smaller site, it should meet the needs of business and industry. Over and over, I hear protests from business owners that they cannot find trained employees to do their work. One answer for these employers is to have ECC South offer more certificate courses and microcredential courses to train students in business and the trades. Certificate courses take one year to complete and cover disciplines such as: industrial equipment technology, machine tool technology, welding technology and corrections officer technology, as well as many others. These courses can be applied toward earning an associate degree in applied science. Microcredential courses are nine to 15 credit hours, can be completed in one semester, are work-focused and are designed to cover a specific skill. The students only take courses relevant to their chosen area. Some examples are medical office assistant, accounting, engineering mechanics, veterinary technician and phlebotomy technician. ECC should communicate with business leaders to discover what market-ready skills are needed and design courses to fill these needs. Internships could be planned as part of the curriculum. Education has changed. It has become more geared to the working world, and colleges are beginning to reflect this. ECC must offer more of these courses. Better ties with the community should also be explored. Enrollment is dropping at colleges all over the country and many will not survive. Colleges should not be isolated venues for learning but should include interaction with people on many levels. Some will have to share space with other disciplines in order to remain active. Many companies would profit by being located on a campus where microcredential courses are being taught to complement their needs. Another solution to under-usage at the South Campus is community involvement. Community organizations could rent some of the buildings for many types of events, from weddings to business meetings. Do not downsize or close this wonderful campus. Let's make ECC South a hub of activity in the Southtowns. Joan Fitzgerald is a member of the Humanities Department (retired) at Erie Community College, City Campus. The agency had earlier said that the alleged illegal funds generated by the app were shared as bribes to politicians and bureaucrats in the state even as it has summoned many celebrities and Bollywood actors for questioning on the mode of payment and their links with the online betting platform. A fire broke out at the second floor of the #AIIMS Director's building in #Delhi last night after which 7 fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The fire was in furniture, fridge and office records. No casualties and injuries were reported.@NewIndianXpress @santwana99 pic.twitter.com/l8B1JQZxx2 More than 180 people have been killed and several hundred injured since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3 last year when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status. "The actual estimates will come later but in many districts across the state, the crop is destroyed. Not only that it is a double whammy for those who had gone for diversification, as not only the disease has damaged the crop but also the wholesale rate of potatoes has crashed in the market. It is now being sold for around Rs 4 to Rs 5 per kg. Last year it was between Rs 10 to Rs 12 per kg. This will also affect the potato seeds. The government should allow us to export the produce to compensate this heavy loss, he said. BJP and its alliance partners will win at least 400 seats in 2024 Lok Sabha elections with 51 per cent vote share. The people have immense faith in the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and his developmental vision. Our focus is welfare of farmers, youth, women and poor families. These are the backbone of our economy and our government has been strengthening it. We are reaching out every household, he added. The controversy has forced Avinash Gehlot on the back foot. Today was the first day in office, and the chamber is still being set up. Due to time constraints and the auspicious timing, pictures of all the great men are not yet displayed, but they will be added soon. We fully respect great personalities, Gehlot said, emphasizing that he assumed charge on New Year after prayers and chanting of mantras in his room at the Mantralaya building of the Secretariat. "India not only seeks to escape the "political dwarf" resulting from its history as a colony, but also wants to act as a "world mentor", both politically and culturally. In December 2023, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations organized the first "Knowledge India Visitors Programme," which brought together more than 77 scholars from 35 countries. Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar emphasized the importance of building a strong "Bharat narrative" and explained the "Bharat narrative" in terms of economics, development, politics, and culture. India no longer only regards cultural tradition as a channel to achieve its interests or as a symbol to attract foreign tourists, but also sees it as one of the pillars of India's status as a great power, Jiadong wrote in his article. The plea was filed after the top court, on December 15 last year, had refused to stay the Allahabad High Court's decision allowing the court-monitored survey of the Shahi Idgah on an oral plea by the Muslim side and had asked them to challenge the order by way of an appeal. "Those invited to the Christmas reception were a select group of Christians. While the invitation was from the Prime Minister, here was an opportunity for them to courteously decline the invite in the light of what has been happening to the Christians in Manipur and elsewhere. Hence their acceptance of this invite was not in our name!" the statement said. Sayeed said the MRM had presented a collection of signatures from over 8.5 lakh Muslims in favour of the removal of Article 370 and 35A to then President Pranab Mukherjee. Nearly 11 lakh Muslims from across the country signed a petition to impose an immediate ban on cow slaughter. The MRM has been running campaigns for several years within the Muslim society against practices such as triple Talaq and halala, he said. Its tremendously good news to end one year and begin a new one: The number of shootings in Buffalo fell dramatically in 2023. For that, credit the strategic response of Buffalo Police as well as national trends that have precipitated a similar decline around the country. Here, through Dec. 17, 156 people were shot compared to 245 over the same period in 2022. Thats down by more than one-third, according the figures provided by the Police Department. Gun-involved homicides also dropped, to 25 from the 59 people killed in 2022, a decline of 58%. Its still too many, but the trend moved aggressively in the right direction. A good part of the reason is that Buffalo Police last year adopted a focused, data-driven program that floods zones of gunplay with their presence. The principal goal is to discourage additional violence, not necessarily to make arrests but definitely to interact with residents. The idea is based on one used in Dallas. By sending police into areas where shootings or other crimes have occurred, officers can discourage additional violence. The numbers clearly suggest that its working. An important, additional goal of the effort is to humanize police, especially in neighborhoods where their presence may not always be welcome. As valuable as the approach has been, its also likely that Buffalo is seeing what many other American cities are experiencing: As the pandemic fades and the horror of George Floyds murder recedes, crime is broadly falling. As the New York Times reported last week, the country is on track for what may be the largest-ever annual decline in homicides, basing the conclusion on FBI data and statistics collected by independent criminologists and researchers. The dramatic fall is possible, in part, because if follows a historic rise in homicides from 2020. Not coincidentally, that was the year the pandemic began and the year that a Minneapolis police officers public murder of Floyd roiled the nation. Its not just homicides that declined in 2023. As the Times reported in the same story, of nine violent and property crimes tracked by the FBI, only one saw an increase over the first three quarters of 2023. That one was motor vehicle thefts, a problem that is too familiar to Western New Yorkers, especially those in Buffalo. Car thefts have vexed the city and its police department for the past year. A big driver of that trend has been the phenomenon of stealing certain model years of cars made by Kia and Hyundai. Here, it was a deadly escapade for four young people in a stolen Kia Sportage. They were killed when the 16-year-old driver crashed the vehicle on the westbound entrance to the Scajaquada Expressway from the inbound Kensington. In August, the driver was sentenced to 1 to 4 years of incarceration. Its a problem that has eluded easy solution, though Buffalo Police are making efforts, including through the use of a helicopter. In October, city police arrested five people after officers, assisted by a State Police helicopter, tracked down a Kia stolen from Amherst. While many critics have concluded that the states bail reform law was responsible for rising crime rates, falling crime rates suggest otherwise. That law has been adjusted twice, now, though not to the satisfaction of its detractors. Whether more changes are advisable or not, crime is falling even with its continuation. Its not the issue. Plainly, efforts against shootings and other offenses need to continue, but for now its worth some sense of relief that crime, especially gun violence, has fallen so precipitously. If changing conditions helped lead to this development, so did the efforts of Buffalo Police. They served us well. Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing. The court also said that if the defendant failed to pay the compensation to the plaintiff within two months, the plaintiff shall be entitled to 6% per annum interest on the principal amount from the date of this judgement till the actual date of payment, said the court in its order. Sanjay Singh, addressing a press conference in Lucknow on August 2021, accused the UP Jal Shakti department of dubious transactions, calling then Jal Shakti minister paani chor (water thief). Nation SC rejects plea of Indian detained in Czech Republic for foiled plot to kill Sikh separatist in US Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic in June last year on the suspicion of hatching an international assassination plot on Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani terrorist. Cheetahs declared extinct from India in 1952 Notably, three cheetah cubs born in March 2023 to a female Namibian cheetah, named Jwala, died in a sweltering heatwave in May, 2023. Cheetah was formally declared extinct from India in 1952. According to wildlife research organisation Bombay Natural History Society, the last three cheetahs were killed in 1947 by the king of Koriya, a princely state of Central India. The main reasons for the decline were large scale capture of animals from the wild for coursing, bounty and sport hunting, consequent decline in prey base. Matoo is named in "11 known terror attack cases", including five grenade attacks and killing of at least five police personnel in sperate incidents, in Jammu and Kashmir, Dhaliwal said and added that he is a member of the terrorist outfits Hizbul Mujahideen and Al Badr. Centre urged to release fund as per TNs demand Chennai: Members of CPM staged a demonstration in front of Shastri Bhavan to exert pressure on the union government to release funds as per the state governments demand for carrying out relief works following Cyclone Michaung and flooding in four southern districts. Later, partys state secretary K Balakrishnan told reporters they would organise a massive protest with the support of all democratic forces if the centre fails to release the fund. Jeremy Renner opens up on overcoming aftermath of snow-plough accident last year Los Angeles, Jan 1 Hollywood star Jeremy Renner has reflected on the past year of his life and spoke about his road to recovery after his near-fatal snow-plough accident that took place on January 1, 2023. He further mentioned: I have a giant family, I have a 10-year-old daughter, (and) I would've disappointed and really messed up a lot of people's lives if I would've passed, and so there's a lot for me to get better for. As per People, the Marvel star noted that he is also "pretty stubborn. He said: "There was a lot for me to fight for, and recovery was just a one-way road in my mind. My recovery became a relief for me, because I knew I could give relief to my family, my daughter and all those that I really affected. And my poor nephew, who was there with me on that day, I gave him images that he can never unsee, but I know that my healing would be healing for him. Renner added: "With that, I'd never thought about my own physical ailments, my own pain, or my own anguish. I had so many things to fight for, so the one-way road of recovery was my mental, sort of, attitude, and that attitude was always to get better. There's no option other than that. And I still work at every part, every day, and thank God that I have a lot to fight for. People further states that Renner broke over 30 bones and underwent multiple surgeries after his snow-plough ran him over while he was helping his nephew get a stuck vehicle out of the snow on New Year's Day at his property in Reno, Nevada, last year. He has remained steadfast in keeping his social media followers updated on his recovery over the last year, including a post shared earlier in the week, in which he revealed that he recently visited the Reno, Nevada, hospital where he was treated for his accident one year ago. Before that, in November, Renner shared a video of himself exercising outside on Instagram to mark 10 months of recovery. (IANS - Posted on 01 January 2024) Jeremy Renner opens up on overcoming aftermath of snow-plough accident last year Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! NTR Jr stands defiantly on a boat in new 'Devara' poster Mumbai, Jan 1 Telugu star NTR Jr, whose film RRR became a global rage, is gearing up for his upcoming film Devara. The actor took to his X and shared a new poster from the film on Monday. Sharing the poster on X, NTR Jr wrote: Wishing you all a very Happy New Year. Cant wait for you all to experience the glimpse of #Devara on Jan 8. Devara is directed by filmmaker Koratala Siva, who is known for Janatha Garage, Bharat Ane Nenu and Acharya. The film, which marks second collaboration between Koratala Siva and NTR Jr, also marks Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoors Telugu debut. It also stars Saif Ali Khan. The music for Devara is orchestrated by Anirudh Ravichander, and the cinematography is handled by R. Rathnavelu. Produced by Yuvasudha Arts and NTR Arts, presented by Nandamuri Kalyan Ram. Part I of Devara is slated to hit screens nationwide on April 5, 2024. (IANS - Posted on 01 January 2024) NTR Jr stands defiantly on a boat in new 'Devara' poster Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Assam's economy will be close to Rs 10 lakh cr by 2026, says Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Guwahati, January 1 Stating that the size of the economy of Assam is expected to rise to Rs 10 lakh crore by the year 2026, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said that path-breaking mega-investments are happening in the state, adding that the state has also witnessed growth in tax collections. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "Our tax collection was Rs 19,568 crore last year. We got externally aided projects worth Rs 58,000 crores of sanctioned projects from institutions like the World Bank and ADB. The GDP size projection for 2024-25 is pegged at Rs 6.38 lakh crore. Mega-investments are happening in the state." Assam CM further informed that the crime cases in the state have witnessed a significant reduction. "A total of 1.33 lakh total crime cases were reported in 2021 and now it has come down to 63,000 in 2023," said CM Sarma, adding that the conviction rate has gone up from 6 percent in 2021 to 17 percent in 2023. Sarma also informed that his government is taking tough steps to curb corruption in the state. "A total of 103 government employees were caught red-handed and arrested. Rs 4.33 crore was recovered from their houses," he said. On the education sector, the Assam CM stated that the state government is taking measures and that various schools and colleges will open in the future. "2 medical colleges will come, and a total of 500 schools will be constructed by 2026," he said. Sarma also said that 3000 state roads will be upgraded to the National Highway level. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also said that the ULFA accord has been created to secure the people of Assam and that nearly Rs 1.5 lakh crore will be invested in the state through this agreement. "I thank PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for this. We created this accord instrument to secure the people of Assam.I thank the pro-talk faction of ULFA for signing the peace accord to secure the political rights of the indigenous people of the State," CM Sarma said. (ANI - Posted on 01 January 2024) Assam's economy will be close to Rs 10 lakh cr by 2026, says Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! 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. Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of newspapers, radio and TV stations statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association. Monica McCoy, paralyzed after being struck by a car in 2020, said she has had to watch her only son, Nazir McCoy, grow up from the vantage point of her bed. We have two copies of each chromosome in every cell in our bodies except in our reproductive cells. Sperm and egg cells contain a single copy of each chromosome with a unique mix of genes from our parents, an evolutionary trick to give our offspring genetic variability. The sperm and egg are made during meiosis, the process by which cells with two chromosome copies reduce their chromosome numbers to one. For meiosis to work, the two chromosomes must align perfectly and exchange the correct amount of genetic information. Any deviation puts fertility at risk. Enter the synaptonemal complex (SC), a zipper-like protein structure that lines up and anchors the two parental chromosomes together, end-to-end, to facilitate successful genetic exchanges. Failure to regulate this exchange is a leading cause of age-related infertility in humans and could compromise fertility across the tree of life. Humans, fungi, plants, worms and anything that reproduces sexually uses the SC to make reproductive cells, known as gametes. Despite its importance, we don't understand how proteins within the SC regulate chromosomal interactions because this multi-step process happens in internal organs and has been impossible to recreate in a lab. In a new study, University of Utah biologists developed a method for illuminating the intricate interactions of the SC in the nematode C. elegans. The authors identified a trio of protein segments that guide chromosomal interactions, and pinpointed the location where they interact with each other. Their novel method uses a technique known as genetic suppressor screening, which can serve as a blueprint for research on large cellular assemblies that resist traditional structural analysis. This is a way to lock in on systems in cells that are too 'loosie-goosey' to use methods that rely on crystallization. A lot of the interactions in cells are loosely bonded together. The problem is that you can't look at it under an electron microscope because nothing is stable enough-;everything is constantly moving. Our approach allows you to study even the interactions that are relatively weak or transient." Ofer Rog, associate professor of biology at the U and senior author of the study The study published on Dec. 6, 2023, in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The birds and the bees and the nematodes Let's dig into meiosis. Chromosomes are thread-like structures made of DNA that carry genetic information when cells divide and from generation to generation. Regular cells have a certain number of chromosomes; humans have 46 and C. elegans have 12. Chromosomes come in pairs called homologous chromosomes that carry the genes we inherited from each of our parents-;one from our mom, one from our dad. When meiosis begins, homologous chromosomes arrange themselves into elongated structures organized along a backbone called the axis. The axes of homologous pairs are aligned lengthwise to each other while at the same time, the synaptonemal complex (SC) forms between the parallel axes. The homologous pairs have matching genes arranged in the same order, with small variations within the genes-;these are the variations that make each individual unique. "You can think of it like a zipper," Rog explained. "The axes of the chromosomes are like the two sides of your shirt. The synaptonemal complex is kind of like the teeth of the zippers that lock onto each other and can pull and align the two sides of the shirt correctly." Scientist previously knew that the SC of C. elegans formed between homologs, but the U biologists are the first to pinpoint the exact position where the SC interacts with itself to facilitate genetic exchanges. "When you exchange information between the chromosomes, you want to make sure that at the end you still have two complete chromosomes," said Rog. "The way the cell does it is that the two chromosomes are perfectly aligned. So, when you exchange segments between them, you're not losing any information in the process. How to analyze loosie-goosey structures The researchers bred 50,000 nematodes that had temperature-sensitive defects in the SC. At high temperatures, the worms were unable to form the SC protein zipper needed to join the chromosomes together. Without the zipper, the gene exchanges during meiosis either didn't happen at all or didn't occur at the right number. Lisa Kursel, postdoctoral researcher and lead author of the study ran the experiments. "We grew the worms at the permissive, cooler temperature, then exposed them to a chemical that caused millions of mutations along their chromosomes and watched to see if any of the mutated worms could reproduce at the warmer temperature," Kursel said. The chemically induced mutations that corrected the nematode's infertility are known as suppressor mutations. "Then we'd know if the suppressor mutations restored their fertility." To identify the animals with mutations that made them fertile again, the researchers put the nematodes on agar plates filled with yummy bacteria. The agar plates that had fertile nematodes were soon empty as their progeny ate the food. The agar plates with sterile worms died off before they could clean their plate, allowing the bacteria to flourish. Once they had fertile nematodes, they could test if the mutation "fixed" the protein zipper. They then screened every single base pair on the DNA-;100 million base pairs-;and identified which mutations restored the worms' ability to reproduce. They found that all the helpful mutations occurred in short segments of three proteins, SYP-1, SYP-3, SYP-4. Moreover, the mutations carried distinct signatures of interaction. For example, while the original mutations changed the electric charge from positive to negative, the helpful mutations flipped the charge back. "This was a strong indication that SYP-1, SYP-3 and SYP-4 interact with each other like magnets, with positive and negative regions attracted to each other," said Rog. Such "sticky" interactions could also help tether the chromosomes together. Jesus Aguayo Martinez, a senior biology major and co-author of the study, looked at the behavior of the suppressor mutation in nematodes without the original SC-disrupting mutation. "We thought that since the original mutation alone produced a fertility defect, then the nematodes with the suppressor mutation alone would also have a fertility defect. That wasn't the case," said Aguayo Martinez. "Surprisingly, normal worms and worms with only the suppressor mutations produced similar numbers of progeny." Next steps Uncovering the SC's role in meiosis may help to better understand fertility in humans. The SC has a similar role across all eukaryotes, from nematodes to fungi to plants to humans. Previous research by the Rog Lab at the U showed that the structure itself looks the same and acts similarly to bring in parental chromosomes to facilitate exchanges. However, the actual sequences of the protein components are different between organisms. Such a pattern is unusual: Most cellular structures that carry essential, basic functions like cell division, genome duplication or metabolism are highly conserved, and could in fact be swapped between different organisms. "A question that we think a lot about is what is special about the SC? Why can it do the same thing and look the same way, but consist of different building blocks?" Rog asked. Kursel, Aguayo Martinez, Rog and other members of the lab are doing more analysis on the evolution of the SC across species, and of other cellular structures that defy the common wisdom of evolution. This work was funded by the National Institute for General Medical Sciences grant R35GM128804. Kursel was supported by the Developmental Biology Training Grant from the U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and Aguayo Martinez was supported by a University of Utah Biology Research Scholar Award. When KFF Health News published an article in August about the "prior authorization hell" Sally Nix said she went through to secure approval from her insurance company for the expensive monthly infusions she needs, we thought her story had a happy ending. That's because, after KFF Health News sent questions to Nix's insurance company, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, it retroactively approved $36,000 worth of treatments she thought she owed. Even better, she also learned she would qualify for the infusions moving forward. Good news all around except it didn't last for long. After all, this is the U.S. health care system, where even patients with good insurance aren't guaranteed affordable care. To recap: For more than a decade, Nix has suffered from autoimmune diseases, chronic pain, and fatigue, as well as a condition called trigeminal neuralgia, which is marked by bouts of electric shock-like pain that's so intense it's commonly known as the "suicide disease." "It is a pain that sends me to my knees," Nix said in October. "My entire family's life is controlled by the betrayal of my body. We haven't lived normally in 10 years." Late in 2022, Nix started receiving intravenous immunoglobulin infusions to treat her diseases. She started walking two miles a day with her service dog. She could picture herself celebrating, free from pain, at her daughter's summer 2024 wedding. "I was so hopeful," she said. But a few months after starting those infusions, she found out that her insurance company wouldn't cover their cost anymore. That's when she started "raising Cain about it" on Instagram and Facebook. You probably know someone like Sally Nix someone with a chronic or life-threatening illness whose doctor says they need a drug, procedure, or scan, and whose insurance company has replied: No. Prior authorization was conceived decades ago to rein in health care costs by eliminating duplicative and ineffective treatment. Not only does overtreatment waste billions of dollars every year, but doctors acknowledge it also potentially harms patients. However, critics worry that prior authorization has now become a way for health insurance companies to save money, sometimes at the expense of patients' lives. KFF Health News has heard from hundreds of people in the past year relating their prior authorization horror stories. When we first met Nix, she was battling her insurance company to regain authorization for her infusions. She'd been forced to pause her treatments, unable to afford $13,000 out-of-pocket for each infusion. Finally, it seemed like months of her hard work had paid off. In July, Nix was told by staff at both her doctor's office and her hospital that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois would allow her to restart treatment. Her balance was marked "paid" and disappeared from the insurer's online portal. But the day after the KFF Health News story was published, Nix said, she learned the message had changed. After restarting treatment, she received a letter from the insurer saying her diagnoses didn't actually qualify her for the infusions. It felt like health insurance whiplash. "They're robbing me of my life," she said. "They're robbing me of so much, all because of profit." Dave Van de Walle, a spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, said the company would not discuss individual patients' cases. "Prior authorization is often a requirement for certain treatments," Van de Walle said in a written statement, "and BCBSIL administers benefits according to medical policy and the employer's benefit." But Nix is a Southern woman of the "Steel Magnolia" variety. In other words, she's not going down without a fight. In September, she called out her insurance company's tactics in a Change.org campaign that has garnered more than 21,000 signatures. She has also filed complaints against her insurance company with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Labor, Illinois Department of Insurance, and Illinois attorney general. Even so, Nix said, she feels defeated. Not only is she still waiting for prior authorization to restart her immunoglobulin infusions, but her insurance company recently required Nix to secure preapproval for another treatment routine numbing injections she has received for nearly 10 years to treat the nerve pain caused by trigeminal neuralgia. "It is reprehensible what they're doing. But they're not only doing it to me," said Nix, who is now reluctantly taking prescription opioids to ease her pain. "They're doing it to other patients. And it's got to stop." Do you have an experience with prior authorization you'd like to share? Click here to tell your story. Mumbais eagerly awaited Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), famously known as Atal Setu, is all set to debut this month, bringing with it a toll of Rs 250 for car commuters. Having said that, the Maharashtra Cabinet has passed the decision wherein the toll proposal has been approved. Initially, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority proposed a toll of Rs 500 per trip based on estimates from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. However, the Urban Development Department (UDD) has revised it to Rs 250 for cars, considering various factors, as reported by the Indian Express. The proposed toll is set for 30 years, from 2024 to 2053. The initial five years will determine traffic flow and financial patterns, potentially leading to further adjustments in toll rates. As per the Cabinet note, the toll rates will see a 6 percent annual increase. Besides cars, other vehicles will face varying toll charges: mini buses at Rs 560, bus/2-axle trucks at Rs 1,180, 3-axle trucks at Rs 1,290, 4-6 axle vehicles at Rs 1,850, and oversized vehicles at Rs 2,250. The MTHL, costing Rs 17,843 crore and spanning 21.8 km, will link Sewri in Mumbai to Chirle in Navi Mumbai, boasting six lanes with a significant portion built over water. Its anticipated to cut travel distance between South Mumbai and Chirle by about 30 km, reducing travel time from hours to just 16 minutes across the bridge. The concept of a bridge connecting Mumbais Island City to the mainland was first proposed in 1962, aiming to enhance economic integration between Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and surrounding regions like Pune, Goa, Panvel, and Alibaug. Stocks To Watch On January 04: GIFT Nifty on the NSE IX traded 36.5 points, or 0.17 per cent, higher at 21,616.50, signaling that Dalal Street was headed for positive start on Thursday. Heres a slew of stocks that will be in focus today for various reasons. Adani Ports: The board of directors of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) has approved raising funds up to Rs 5,000 crore via public issuance of non-convertible debentures. Bajaj Finance: The customer franchise increased by 3.85 million in Q3FY24, with new loan bookings rising 26 per cent Y-o-Y to 9.86 million. Assets under management (AUM) grew by 35 per cent to approximately Rs 3.11 trillion as of December 31, 2023. Jio Financial Services: Jio Financial Services Ltd and BlackRock Financial Management have filed papers with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to launch a mutual fund business in India. NTPC: The company has reportedly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for projects worth Rs 1.5 trillion with the state government of Gujarat ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit. Power Grid, Torrent Power, Gujarat Industries Power: Similar to NTPC, these two companies have also signed MoUs with the Gujarat state government worth Rs 15,000 crore, Rs 47,350 crore, and Rs 8,000 crore, respectively. Amara Raja Energy and Mobility: The Telangana government will extend necessary support for Amara Raja groups advanced chemistry cell gigafactory and battery pack assembly unit, worth Rs 9,500 crore, being set up in Mahbubnagar district, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said on Wednesday. Vedanta: The company is likely to be in focus amid a slew of news flows. First, the company has raised Rs 3,400 crore through a private placement of Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs). Second, Vedanta Resources has secured support from bondholders for its proposed restructuring of four series of bonds. Lastly, it clocked a 6 per cent year-on-year increase in aluminum output at 599 KT, a 4 per cent Y-o-Y dip in refined zinc output at 203 KT, and a 15 per cent Y-o-Y decline in oil & gas average gross operated output at 1,23,413 boe/day. Larsen and Toubro: It has completed its stake sale in L&T Infrastructure. RVNL: It has signed a MoU with REC to finance multi-modal infrastructure projects up to Rs 35,000 crore over the next five years. Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea: Bharti Airtel lost 1.2 million active subscribers in October, which is the highest in the last 17 months, according to data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). The Reliance Industries-owned Reliance Jio added 1.8 million active subscribers, while Vodafone Idea lost nearly 1.4 million active subscribers. Wipro, Infosys: JPMorgan has reportedly increased its target price on Wipro to $5 from $4.4. Besides, it has revised the rating on Infosys and L&T Tech to Overweight from Neutral. It has also upgraded Wipro, HCL Tech, Mphasis, and Persistent Systems to Neutral from Underweight. Dhampur Sugar Mills: The company will buyback 1 million equity shares at a price of Rs 300 per share. BGR Energy Systems: State Bank of India has classified its Rs 2,060-loan to the company as sub-standard. ONGC, Reliance Industries, Oil India: State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) on Wednesday won seven of the 10 areas for exploration of oil and gas, while a consortium of Reliance Industries Ltd and BP Plc, Oil India Limited, and Sun Petrochemicals Pvt Ltd walked away with one each in the latest bid round. Life Insurance Corporation: LIC has received GST demands totalling Rs 667.5 crore along with penalties from three statesTamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and Gujarat. Maruti Suzuki: Maruti Suzuki India said the Gujarat GST authority has upheld the tax demand of Rs 173.9 crore along with a penalty of Rs 17.4 crore against its arm Suzuki Motor Gujarat Pvt Ltd. The subsidiary company will move the first appellate authority to challenge the order. A 19-year-old college student allegedly died by suicide by jumping off from the 14th floor of a building in Mumbai where she was residing. The girl, identified as Vidhi Kumar Singh, was a student of Mithibai College and had been living in the building as a paying guest for the last few years, police said, reported ANI. A college student committed suicide by jumping from the 14th floor of the Millionaire Heritage building in Andheri in Mumbai. As soon as information about the incident was received, DN Nagar police reached the spot, took the body in their custody, and sent it for post-mortem, a DN Nagar police station official told the news agency. The students blood-soaked body was found by the building watchman who informed the society members and they in turn called the police. A case has been registered and an investigation is underway. DN Nagar police station official said that the student left behind a one-page note. The girl was worried about something and that is why she took this step, the police said. In another case, a first-year hotel management student died by suicide after allegedly consuming sleeping pills in Bengaluru. The student was allegedly suspended from college. A few days after his suspension, the student had penned his thoughts in a notebook in which he mentioned how disturbed he was with what had happened in college due to an old matter and the management was not allowing him to return to his classes, police said, reported PTI. The student was staying at a paying guest accommodation in Chandra layout with his friends. He was suspended about a month ago citing his behaviour, indiscipline and absence from college. Depressed over this, he allegedly consumed some pills on Thursday which led to his death, a senior police officer said. DISCLAIMER: If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) The Directorate of Government Examinations, DGE has released the final answer key of the Andhra Pradesh National Means Cum Merit Scholarship (NMMS) 2023. Students who took the examination can access the final answer key on the official website, bse.ap.gov.in. The Ministry for Education grants the NMMS scholarship to 100,000 students across India out of which 4,087 scholarships are designated for students in Andhra Pradesh. The AP NMMS 2023 examination was conducted on February 5, to identify talented and meritorious students for financial assistance and support in their academic journey. The selected students will receive a scholarship of Rs 1,000 per month for four years, from Class 9 to Class 12. These scholarships were granted to districts based on participation in Classes 7 and 8 and child population for each academic year. AP NMMS Final Answer Key 2023: How to Check Step 1: Visit the official website of the Andhra Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (BSE), bse.ap.gov.in. Step 2: On the homepage, click on the final answer key link. Step 3: A pdf file containing the answer key will open on the screen. Step 4: Download and save for further use. To apply for the AP NMMS scholarship scheme, the students annual household income should not be more than Rs 3,50,000. Those who clear the written exam are entitled to Rs 12,000 per annum, but to receive it, they must establish a joint savings account at any nationalised bank with ESC or core banking capabilities with their parents. When the scholarships are being awarded, accounts that are not affiliated with Savings Bank will be declined. The scholarship test is open to students enrolled in government, municipal, aided schools, and model schools (without residential amenities). To be eligible for AP NMMS 2023 scholarship scheme, candidates must have scored 55 per cent of marks in case of OC and BC students and 50 per cent of marks in case of SC and ST students or equivalent grade, that is, B+ for all categories in class 7 exam which the candidate must have studied during the year 2022-23. The Kerala Public Service Commission, KPSC is currently inviting online applications for Sub Inspector of Police (Trainee) jobs. The eligible candidates can visit the application page on their official website at keralapsc.gov.in. As per the provided schedule, the registration process for the Kerala Police SI 2024 will remain open until January 31 this year. Kerala Police SI Recruitment 2024: Eligibility Criteria Educational Qualification: Candidates who are looking to apply for the Kerala Police SI Recruitment 2024 must at least hold a graduation degree. If there arent a sufficient number of qualified SC, and ST candidates then applications for SC, and ST candidates who have passed the Intermediate, Pre-University Examinations will also be entertained. Age limit: The age limit for the Kerala Police SI Recruitment 2024 has been broadly categorised into three main categories including the following: 1. Category I Also known as the Open Market category, the candidate should not be less than 20 or more than 31 years of age. He/she must hold a graduate degree from a recognised university. 2. Category II The Ministerial category prescribes that the candidate should not be more than 36 years of age and must be a graduate. 3. Category III The Constabulary category also requires the candidate to be less than 36 years of age while also holding a graduate degree. Kerala Police SI Recruitment 2024: How to apply Candidates who are looking to apply for the Kerala Police SI Recruitment 2024 can follow the below-mentioned steps to ensure a smooth registration process Step 1. In the first step you will have to visit the official website Kerala Police SI website atkeralapsc.gov.in. Step 2. When on the homepage, you need to find ONE TIME REGISTRATION and then click on it. Step 3. The third step is to find the Apply Now button and then click it to register yourself. Step 4. An application form should now be displayed on your screen where you will be required to fill in all the necessary details. Step 5. Make sure you go through the entire form once before confirming. After which you can continue with document upload. Step 6. Once all the essential documents have been uploaded then you will have to download the application form for future reference. Kerala Police SI Recruitment 2024: Salary Selected candidates can expect a pay scale anywhere from Rs 45,600 to Rs 95,600. Getting into poll mode, the Congress on Thursday initiated discussions on the partys strategy, manifesto and seat-sharing for the Lok Sabha elections while also finalising the route map for the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, a hybrid version of the earlier foot march. As the top leadership of the party got into a huddle at the Congress headquarters to give final shape to their plans, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge told party leaders to unite by sinking their differences and not talk out of turn on sensitive issues outside the party line that often causes embarrassment. Sources said the party decided to concentrate with full strength on around half the Lok Sabha seats where the Congress stands a chance of victory. They added that the Congress is looking to contest more than half the total seats. The sources said the party has asked the state units to begin the process of candidate selection and provide the first list. It is likely to announce screening committees for all states by this week and candidate selection would start immediately, the sources add, noting that the party would declare the first list of candidates very soon. Separately, the party initiated discussions for manifesto formation as the committee formed in this regard met for the first time and held discussions on key issues to be included in the partys alternative positive agenda to be presented to people. The partys committee on seat-sharing also held final discussions with the Congress president at his residence, where former party chief Rahul Gandhi was also present. The committee, of which Mukul Wasnik is the convener and has former chief ministers Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel in it, held final talks and suggested the way forward to the party leadership. The panel has already talked to all state units on seat-sharing talks with other parties. In his inaugural address, Kharge alleged the BJP is raising emotive issues to hide its failures of 10 years in power at the Centre. They deliberately involve Congress in every issue, Kharge said at the meeting of party leaders from across the country. We have to unite and give a befitting reply to the lies, deceit and wrongdoings of the BJP on grassroots issues in front of the people, Kharge said as he asked the leaders to sink their differences, not raise internal issues in the media and work as a team. He lauded Sonia Gandhis services as Congress president for 25 years and how she worked in every state to ensure that the Congress-led UPA defeated the NDA in 2004 and remained in power for 10 years. He also lauded Rahul Gandhi for undertaking the Kanyakumari-Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra and expressed confidence that his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will bring issues of social justice to the centre of the national discussion. Back then, our workers in every village and city stood up. Today, we will have to work with the same dedication and hard work to take the party forward, Kharge said. Noting that all the attacks of the BJP were on the Congress and the INDIA bloc, he said, The NDA remains only in name while the INDIA bloc has major grassroots parties that have a strong cadre, base and ideology. Accusing the Modi government of continuously trying to ignore the contribution of Congress towards creating a modern India, he said, We have to give them a concrete answer. He asked the cadre to forever remember the contributions made by the Congress in the foundation of parliamentary democracy and modern India. Because those who forget history, cannot create history, he said. and day, we will be able to provide an alternative government to the people after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he said. Leave aside differences, do not indulge in nitpicking and do not raise internal issues in the media and work as a team to ensure Congress victory, he told the gathering. Senior Congress leaders from across the country discussed the preparations for the upcoming yatra which has now been rechristened as Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra beginning January 14 and finalised its road map. The Manipur-Mumbai yatra starting on January 14 will travel through 100 Lok Sabha segments in 15 states including Arunachal Pradesh, with party leader Jairam Ramesh asserting it will prove to be as transformative as his earlier march. He said the party is inviting all leaders of the Indian National Inclusive Developmental Alliance (INDIA) bloc to join the yatra anywhere along its route. Only one thing was said in the context of alliance. Everyone said alliance has to be strengthened and we should not leave any stone unturned for it. In one voice everyone said the Congress president should take whatever step he deems necessary to strengthen the INDIA bloc, he said. The yatras route was finalised at the nearly three-hour meeting Kharge chaired with general secretaries, state in-charges, state unit chiefs and Congress Legislature Party leaders at the AICC headquarters here, Ramesh said. The yatra would stay the longest period in Uttar Pradesh, covering 1,074 km in 11 days. It would pass through the politically-vital areas of Amethi, Rae Bareli, Varanasi and Prayagraj. Ramesh said the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra would traverse 6,713 km in buses and on foot. The yatra will cover 110 districts, 100 Lok Sabha seats and 337 assembly segments in 66 days, starting January 14 from Imphal. He asserted that the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra would prove to be as impactful and transformative as the earlier Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. Explaining the reason for the renaming the yatra from the earlier Bharat Nyay Yatra, Ramesh said all members who attended the meeting including Kharge were of the unanimous view that the success of the Bharat Jodo Yatra had led to it becoming a brand in its own right and had gotten embedded in the minds of people. The Nyay idea comes from the first line of the preamble of the Indian Constitution which secures for all its citizens justice social, economic and political, he said. This is the first meeting of the newly appointed party office bearers after Kharge carried out a reshuffle in December. West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Wednesday hit out at chief minister Mamata Banerjee and said her real intention has been revealed, which was to serve Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said his party is sure that the Trinamool Congress will not work out a fair seat-sharing formula in the state for the Lok Sabha elections as that could be an obstacle to Banerjees true purpose. Both the TMC and the Congress are part of the INDIA bloc, but Chowdhurys words signalled a rift in the opposition alliance when it comes to seat-sharing across states with dominant regional parties. In fact, in the run-up to the recently held assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, the grand old party got into a tussle with the Samajwadi Party over the same issue with Akhilesh Yadav using strong words to express his displeasure and, at one point, even threatening to leave the alliance. Chowdhury, however, said it is not for him to decide about the number of seats the Congress will be contesting from in Bengal, as that decision lies with high command. But, he made it clear that he will not be contesting the polls on Mamatas pity. The partys high command will decide this (seat sharing). I have nothing to do with this. I dont want to contest in the election by taking help from anyone, he said, adding that the two seats offered by the TMC already have Congress MPs as incumbents. VIDEO | "Party's high command will decide this (seat sharing). I have nothing to do with this. I don't want to contest in the election by taking help from anyone," says Congress leader @adhirrcinc on the INDIA alliance's seat-sharing. pic.twitter.com/6dVaLwtt96 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 4, 2024 He added: The real intention of Mamata Banerjee is out. They are saying that they (TMC) will give two seats (to Congress) in West Bengal. Those seats already have Congress MPs. What new are they giving us? We won these two seats by defeating Mamata Banerjee and the BJP. What favour are they doing to us? Who will trust her (Mamata Banerjee)? Chowdhury further said it is Banerjee who needs the Congress to win while the Congress is capable of winning more seats on its own. It is Mamata who needs Congress to win Congress can fight and is capable of winning more seats on its own. We will show. We dont need to keep these two seats on Mamatas pity he said. According to a report published by India Today, sources in the TMC have said the dominant or the ruling party in the state should have the final say when it comes to seat-sharing. At the same time, the TMC also reiterated its choice of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge as the INDIA bloc convener instead of Bihar CM and JD(U) boss Nitish Kumar. Responding to the Congress leaders remarks on seat-sharing, the TMC hit back saying he is behaving like a BJP person. The regional party said it does not need anyone to fight the BJP but Banerjee is fully cooperating with the main spirit for the sake of the alliance. Adhir Chowdhury is behaving like a BJP person. In the 2021 assembly polls, the TMC fought the battle alone but Adhir Chowdhurys party fought in alliance with CPM and got zero. What is he talking about? The TMC doesnt need anybody to fight the BJP, but for the sake of INDIA alliance, our leader Mamata Banerjee is fully cooperating with the main spirit. But, the Congress is playing a double-faced game, said senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh. Dismissing the Enforcement Directorates claims that AAP is spreading a rumour, party leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said, We have full information that he would be arrested today. Are they denying that they will not arrest. You did not arrest today because the matter came into the open. What does sahyog in jaanch mean? That we should go to jail. Have ED or CBI given any certificate to Jain or Sisodia? he asked. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has claimed the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) may arrest Delhi Chief Minister and party convener, Arvind Kejriwal, soon. Citing sources, AAP leader and Delhis Law and PWD Minister, Atishi, said that Delhi CMs residence is also likely to be raided by the probe agency. AAPs big claim came after Kejriwal skipped the probe agencys summon in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case on Wednesday. Kejriwal Skipped 3rd ED summon Calling it illegal, Kejriwal asked ED to withdraw its notice against him and refused to come for the interrogation. However, he maintained that he was ready to cooperate with the probe. This was the third time when the ED summoned the Delhi CM in connection with the case after he refused to appear before the probe agency on November 2 and December 21 last year. A non-bailable warrant (NBW) can be issued against an individual after three ignored ED summons, forcing them to appear before a court. Failure to do so can lead to their arrest. Delhi Fortified Since yesterday evening, security has been increased around the AAP office and the Chief Ministers residence in Delhi. Kejriwals staff members alleged that they were not being allowed to enter the Chief Ministers residence. AAP sources claimed that the roads leading to Arvind Kejriwals residence in Delhi were blocked and police personnel deployed at all gates as the ED was gearing up to raid and arrest the chief minister. The party alleged the probe agency intended to arrest the Chief Minister and wanted to prevent him from election campaigning. The Delhi Police, however, said the security around the CM house was beefed up to manage media persons who have gathered there since Wednesday after party leaders claimed that Kejriwal would be raided and arrested. What Was the Delhi Excise Policy? In 2021, the AAP government introduced a series of changes in its liquor excise policy, which included, the cessation of government-owned liquor stores with the issuance of store operation licenses to private entities, lowering of the legal drinking age from 25 to 21 years, and separate registration criteria for liquor brands on account of factors such as pricing and sales performance in areas outside of Delhi. It also proposed an increase in the annual liquor vending license fee from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 75 lakh. The Delhi government also withdrew from the liquor retail business, granting licenses to 849 private vendors through competitive bidding. However, soon after the policy came into force, it was marred with allegations of corruption and favouritism in the licensing process by the Opposition. Adding to AAPs trouble, Delhis Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena initiated an investigation into the new excise policy. Based on a report from Delhis top bureaucrat, Saxena formally called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. Amid all the drama, the government announced the rollback of the excise policy. Delhi Liquor Policy Case: A Timeline Simply scanning the internet for escort services proved to be costly for a 25-year-old software engineer, who was cheated of Rs 48,500 when he tried to set up a meeting with a sex worker. According to police, the victim is an employee of a private firm and a paying guest at an accommodation in Kundalahalli. As he was looking for escort services online, he soon received a call from a person claiming to be a pimp through a classified ads portal, police added. The police said the engineer agreed to pay Rs 4,000 for a two-hour session but the caller demanded additional money citing different reasons. The total sum that he lost ended up being Rs 48,500 in multiple transactions, but the woman never showed. Police have registered a case under relevant sections pertaining to cheating in the IPC and the Information Technology Act. The engineer, in his complaint, told the police that he found the phone number in a classified ads portal and tried to contact through WhatsApp. The call went unanswered but he later received a message quoting Rs 4,000 for a two-hour session, he said. The victim agreed to the terms and booked the service while the caller shared a live location near Brigade Tech Park in Brookefield, police said. The caller demanded Rs 5,500 over the phone, citing reasons such as safety charges for the woman, they added. The victim, police said, was asked to pay via digital payment apps. The caller and his aides collected Rs 11,000 and Rs 25,000 on various pretexts, they added. The engineer, however, realised he was being cheated but by that time, he had lost Rs 48,500. Cybercrime cases shoot up in Bengaluru in 2023, detection low Cybercrimes have shot up by a whopping 77 percent in 2023 in Bengaluru compared to the previous calendar year with the police registering 17,623 cases. Official data shows 6,422 cybercrime cases were reported in the Karnataka capital in 2021 and 9,940 in 2022. Out of 17,623 cases reported in 2023, the police could detect only 1,271. A senior police officer said cybercrime has been the biggest challenge for the city police and such cases are now being registered in all police stations, leading to a spike in complaints. Even complaints from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and complaints received at 112 (all-in-one emergency helpline number) gets converted into FIRs. Through the social media accounts of the city police, the Bengaluru Police has also started its awareness campaign by giving cyber tips, he said. (With PTI inputs) Former model Divya Pahuja, who was allegedly shot dead at a Gurugram hotel on Wednesday (January 3), was out on bail after being in jail for seven years as an accused in a gangsters fake encounter case in Mumbai. According to police, five people took the 27-year-old model to a hotel room late on January 2 and shot her in the head because she was extorting money from the hotel owner by blackmailing him with his obscene pictures. This claim, however, has been denied by her family who suspect her murder is connected to the fake encounter case from 2016. Heres all you need to know: In her formal complaint to the police, Divya Pahujas sister Naina Pahuja has alleged that slain gangster Sandeep Gadolis sister Sudesh Kataria and his brother Brahm Prakash gave money to the main accused, Abhijeet Singh, for the murder. Divya was the main witness in Sandeep Gadoli murder case and we have full surety that Sandeep Gadolis sister Sudesh Kataria and his brother Brahm Prakash gave money to Abhijeet for the murder of Divya, she stated in the FIR. Three accused have been arrested so far, including hotel owner Abhijeet Singh, a native of Model Town in Hisar, and his two employees Hemraj (28), a resident of Nepal, and Omprakash (23), a resident of Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Singh told the police during his initial interrogation that he shot Divya dead because she extorted money from him after blackmailing him with his obscene pictures. He said she wanted a huge sum this time. The hotel belongs to him but he has given it on lease. A police spokesperson said Singh came to the hotel with Divya on January 2 and told her that he wanted to delete his obscene photos from her phone but she did not tell him the password. Due to which Abhijeet shot dead Divya Pahuja and along with Hemraj and Om Prakash, who worked as cleaning and reception workers in the hotel. They kept the dead body in the accused Abhijeets BMW car, the spokesperson said. Footage from CCTV cameras installed at Hotel City Point shows the accused purportedly dragging the body wrapped in a white sheet through the lobby of Hotel City Point. Singh then called two other associates and gave them his car to dispose of the dead body. The police are conducting raids to nab the remaining accused and recover the body. But, the account of Divyas sister Naina differs from this. She has said her sister last went to meet Singh on January 1 and the family even spoke to her on January 2 around 11.50 am. After that, her family tried but failed to reach her phone. Naina said this concerned her and they went to Singhs house at South Extension in New Delhi, where they found his friend Balraj (who has been identified in the police version as Hemraj) with Divyas phone. Naina said she took Divyas phone and reached Singh in his hotel, where her sister was last present. When I requested him to show the CCTV footage, he kept denying and arguing with me. In the end, I called the police and they started an investigation, she stated in the FIR, adding that she found her sisters blazer in the hotel and, when she was returning, he handed over Divyas debit and pan cards saying she left them with him. Naina further said she found bloodstains on the floor of a hotel room and her sisters ring, shoes and other articles in a store room. In the FIR, she also mentioned a woman, who had boys cut hair and was wearing a black and white sweater, as being involved in her sisters murder. The police said Singhs housekeepers Hemraj and Prakash helped him dispose of the body, adding that the accused also offered people Rs 10 lakh to get rid of the body. His partner Anup also helped him dump the body, the police added. What is the Sandeep Gadoli fake encounter case? Gangster Sandeep Gadoli was killed in a shootout in Mumbai on February 6, 2016. Later, the Mumbai Police said he had been lured into a trap with Divya Pahujas help, who posed as his girlfriend, and killed in a fake encounter. Virendra Kumar alias Binder Gujjar, who ran a rival gang, had allegedly conspired with officials of Haryana police to eliminate Gadoli. Gujjar was in prison at the time of the encounter, but he planned the whole thing with the help of his brother Manoj and roped in Divya as a honey trap. An FIR was registered against five police personnel, Divya, her mother and others. The Bombay High Court had granted bail to Divya in June last year, about seven years after she was arrested. (With PTI inputs) The Kerala High Court, on January 3, issued directions to the Travancore Devaswom Board to address the challenges faced by pilgrims stranded in Sabarimala due to the high influx during the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season. The bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and G Girish instructed the board to provide essential amenities such as drinking water and light refreshments to the pilgrims in need. The court noted that as per the senior government pleader, on January 2, 2024, a total of 1,00,372 pilgrims had darshan at Sannidhanam. The HC was also told that although the total capacity of the parking grounds at Nilakkal is around 8,000 vehicles, there was underutilisation of the facility despite the heavy footfall of the pilgrims. Therefore, the court directed the Travancore Devaswom Board and the district police chief of Pathanamthitta to ensure that the maximum number of vehicles are parked at the Devaswom parking grounds at Nilakkal. On the amicus curiaes submission that there is a shortage of drinking water and light refreshments near U-turn and S-valavu, the court ordered, The Travancore Devaswom Board has to deploy more number of volunteers/employees at those locations, especially during night hours. The HC further ordered the superintending engineer, Kerala Water Authority, Public Health Circle, Pathanamthitta, to make provisions for an adequate supply of drinking water at U-turn and S-valavu, in consultation with the Board. This order was passed in a suo moto petition, where the court addressed concerns related to the management of crowds at Sabarimala. In addition to provisions for basic amenities, the court inquired about parking facilities and instructed the Travancore Devaswom Board and the district police chief of Pathanamthitta to ensure the efficient use of Devaswom parking grounds at Nilakkal, maximising the parking capacity for vehicles. On December 13 last year, the same division bench issued directions for crowd management during the festival season. The directions included instruction to the chief police coordinator at Sannidhanam to regulate the movement of pilgrims through Pathinettampadi, prioritising their safety while ensuring maximum pilgrims have darshan through the route. The court had ordered for a special queue to be designated for the movement of women, children of tender age, and persons with disabilities to guarantee their safety. It had further ordered the board to maintain cleanliness in queue complexes and pilgrim sheds, deploying 72 employees working round the clock in shifts while adding that an executive magistrate would conduct daily inspections to ensure cleanliness. KERALA LOTTERY KARUNYA PLUS KN-503 RESULT ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala State Lottery Department has announced the results for the Karunya Plus KN-503 lucky draw for Thursday, January 4. Check the district-wise full list of winning numbers below. ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Result Today LIVE: Sthree Sakthi SS-397 WINNERS for January 9, 2024; First Prize Rs 75 Lakh! FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR KARUNYA PLUS KN-503 WINNING NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE WORTH RS 8,000 ARE PN 107873 PO 107873 PP 107873 PR 107873 PS 107873 PT 107873 PV 107873 PW 107873 PX 107873 PY 107873 PZ 107873 WINNING NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE WORTH RS 80 LAKH IS PU 107873 (THRISSUR) Agent Name: RAMYA Agency No.: R 9141 WINNING NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE WORTH RS 10 LAKH IS PZ 394010 (KOLLAM) Agent Name: KANNAN S Agency No.: Q 4757 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE WORTH RS 1 LAKH ARE PN 399162 (KASARAGOD) PO 815710 (KOTTAYAM) PP 305214 (VADAKARA) PR 733566 (KARUNAGAPALLY) PS 328882 (GURUVAYOOR) PT 168509 (KANNUR) PU 940816 (KOLLAM) PV 495835 (KARUNAGAPALLY) PW 824912 (WAYANADU) PX 720623 (KAYAMKULAM) PY 147999 (KOTTAYAM) PZ 493243 (CHITTUR) WINNING NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE WORTH RS 5,000 ARE 0204 0273 0289 2053 2535 2549 4042 4736 5290 5667 6026 6444 6711 7296 7580 7593 8090 9647 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE WORTH RS 1,000 ARE 0815 0918 1031 1297 1342 1389 2099 2162 2494 2599 3139 3235 3933 4117 4715 4780 5219 5349 5689 5959 5985 6126 6500 6823 7090 8121 8397 8416 8516 9406 9455 9537 9590 9949 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE WORTH RS 500 ARE 0056 0146 0449 0480 0586 0667 0723 0977 1254 1327 1329 1431 1490 1524 1541 1589 1655 1690 1945 2222 2231 2475 2588 2756 2835 3092 3114 3115 3166 3639 3658 3815 3845 3914 3998 4539 4887 5061 5316 5391 5508 5590 5866 5880 5890 5912 5928 6088 6154 6503 6593 7207 7659 7748 7819 7996 8013 8044 8162 8302 8321 8431 8442 8643 8702 8852 8998 9003 9059 9106 9126 9220 9221 9438 9561 9595 9730 9735 9828 9838 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE WORTH RS 100 ARE 0117 0152 0226 0324 0542 0654 0724 0744 0855 0896 1054 1102 1311 1331 1509 1532 1615 1646 1658 1715 2027 2127 2254 2274 2313 2628 2673 2687 2737 2810 2888 3044 3233 3269 3372 3425 3500 3573 3598 3636 3758 3812 3954 3957 4095 4126 4439 4477 4509 4670 4792 4865 4892 5042 5050 5164 5207 5393 5416 5458 5560 5581 5699 5743 5780 5812 5872 5881 5999 6060 6177 6209 6243 6290 6625 6727 6799 6852 6973 6980 7011 7094 7106 7310 7357 7515 7542 7562 7701 7784 7802 7803 7874 7948 7970 8016 8069 8411 8425 8465 8479 8549 8584 8589 8621 8624 8660 8701 8774 8830 8844 8904 9006 9079 9161 9228 9306 9314 9330 9396 9404 9446 9452 9668 9799 9984 ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Xmas New Year Bumper BR-95 Lucky Draw on January 24; First Prize Rs 20 Crore! KARUNYA PLUS KN-503 LOTTERY: PRIZE STRUCTURE 1st Prize: Rs 80 Lakh 2nd Prize: Rs. 10 Lakh 3rd Prize: Rs. 1 Lakh 4th Prize: Rs. 5,000 5th Prize: Rs. 1,000 6th Prize: Rs. 500 7th Prize: Rs. 100 Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000 HOW TO CHECK KARUNYA PLUS KN-503 RESULTS? To check the results of the Kerala Karunya Plus KN-503 lottery, visit the official website of the Kerala Lottery Department at www.keralalottery.info. Alternatively, you can personally verify your ticket numbers at the Kerala Government Gazette office to ensure accuracy. It is recommended to rely on the official sources provided by the Kerala Lottery Department for comprehensive and precise information. HOW TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE MONEY? To claim prize money, individuals should compare their ticket numbers with the winning numbers listed in the Kerala Government Gazette. If there is a match, they qualify for a prize. Winners must redeem their prizes at the Kerala lottery office in Thiruvananthapuram within 30 days of the result announcement. During the prize claim process, it is essential to present both the winning ticket and valid identification proof for verification purposes. Xmas New Year Bumper BR-95 Lucky Draw on January 24; First Prize Rs 20 Crore The Kerala State Lottery Department will hold Xmas New Year Bumper BR-95 lucky draw on 24 January 2024. The winner of the first prize will get Rs 20 crore. You can try your luck by purchasing ticket worth just Rs 400 from an authorised agent in stae state. The tickets will be available in 10 series XA, XB, XC, XD, XE, XG, XH, XJ, XK, XL. Xmas New Year Bumper BR-95 Lottery Prize Structure Divya Pahuja, an accused in her ex-boyfriend and gangster Sandeep Gadolis murder, has been shot dead in a hotel in Haryanas Gurugram, months after she came out of jail on bail. On Tuesday night, five people took Divya (27) to a hotel and shot her in the head. Three of them were arrested by Haryana police. The search is on for the other two. A massive manhunt is also on for Divyas body, which the accused allegedly disposed of. Who Was Divya Pahuja? A former model, Divya was the daughter of a vegetable and fruit seller in Gurugrams Baldev Nagar. Her father is differently abled. She has one younger sister apart from her parents in her family. Divya got herself enrolled in a B.Com course in 2018. It was around that time that she started modelling. However, she dropped out of the B.Com course later. Her association with the underworld began in 2016 when she was just 18 years old. She was the girlfriend of Gurugrams most-wanted gangster Sandeep Gadoli, who was killed in an encounter by Haryana Police in a Mumbai hotel in 2016. Gadolis encounter came under scrutiny later, resulting in the arrest of Divya, her mother and five policemen, for allegedly revealing the gangsters whereabouts. According to the Mumbai Police, Virendra Kumar alias Binder Gujjar, who ran a rival gang, allegedly conspired with Haryana Police officials to eliminate Gadoli, according to a report by news agency PTI. Gujjar was in prison at the time of the encounter, but he hatched the conspiracy with the help of his brother Manoj and roped in Divya as a honey trap. As part of the plan, Gadoli was lured into a trap with the help of his then-girlfriend Divya and killed in a fake encounter on February 7, 2016, Mumbai police said. After spending seven years in jail, Divya was granted bail by the Bombay High Court in June 2023. While granting her bail, the court cited her prolonged incarceration and the expected lengthy trial as grounds for her release. Five people allegedly took her to a hotel in Gurugram on Tuesday night and shot her in the head there. Divyas Connection With Sandeep Gadoli Gadoli was a dreaded gangster from Gurugram, who was charged with a string of murders over the period of two decades. Before he died in 2016, he had 36 cases registered against him and carried a cash reward of Rs 1.25 lakh on his head. He was also accused of killing municipal councillor Binder Gujjars driver in October 2015. After his death, Gadolis family members alleged that Divya was not his girlfriend, and she was passing information about him to her mother Sonia at regular intervals, who shared the information with Gurugram Police and Gujjar. During the probe, Divya told cops that Gadoli was not her boyfriend and was introduced to her as Rishabh by one Manish Khurana. She went on a trip to Goa with him as he promised that he would give her a flat in Gurgaon. Ankit Gupta, the co-founder and director, Hunger Pangs Pvt Ltd. spearheads Burma Burma Restaurant and Tea Room, the Burmese restaurant chain in the country renowned for its genuine Burmese culinary offerings set in a modern ambiance, complemented by a curated selection of teas. Graduating in Hotel Administration from Rizvi College and earning a Higher Diploma in Hospitality Management from the American Hotel and Lodging Association in 2008, Ankit commenced his career as a Management Trainee at the Taj Group of Hotels. He steadily ascended the ranks, achieving the position of Assistant Manager at the iconic Taj Mahal Palace and Tower in Mumbai. Beyond his professional journey, Ankit is a third-generation hotelier, with his family boasting a legacy of four decades in the hospitality industry. Question 1: Can you explain a bit about your journey of how Burma Burma came into existence. When we started Burma Burma, the vision was to bring to the mainstream Indian table, an authentic representation of the Burmese tastes and flavours, that I had experienced across my childhood. The inception and inspiration for the restaurant was deeply rooted in my personal connections to Burma and its cuisine. In 2011, I embarked on a journey to explore the concept of a specialty restaurant, driven by my mothers Burmese heritage. Growing up, my mother often cooked Burmese dishes at home, and it was an integral part of my upbringing. Our home had a dedicated pantry stocked with Burmese ingredients, and the aroma of my mothers cooking attracted friends and family over for meals. These memories kindled my fascination for Burmese culture and its culinary treasures. Over 2011 to 2013, together with my Head Chef Ansab, we embarked on extensive travels across Burma. We immersed ourselves in the local food scene by dining in homes, sampling street food, and sourcing ingredients from their bustling street markets. This immersive experience, combined with my mothers cherished recipes, culminated in the concept of the specialty Burmese restaurant and tea room- Burma Burma. To test the waters, we organized pop-up events in Mumbai and Goa, where we introduced Burmese cuisine to Indian diners. The enthusiastic response validated our idea, and I shared this with my school friend Chirag Chhajer. Together, we opened the first Burma Burma Restaurant in 2014 in Mumbais Kala Ghoda area. This endeavour fused my hospitality industry background, deep cultural connections, and the culinary and cultural knowledge amassed from multiple visits to Burma. Our original vision was two-fold: to present the richness and variety of Burmese cuisine to Indian diners and to infuse our restaurants with authentic Burmese craftsmanship, art, and textiles. Burma Burma isnt just about the various facets of Burmese food; it is a celebration of my filial heritage and the culture of Burma. Witnessing the excitement and enthusiasm of people lining up to savour the food I had cherished growing up, was immensely heart-warming. Since our inception in 2014, our journey has been very dynamic. Weve expanded to nine restaurants across Mumbai, Delhi NCR (Delhi, Gurgaon & Noida), Bangalore and Kolkata. In mid-2023 we launched our second restaurant in the heart of Bangalore in Brigade Road followed by a restaurant in Palladium, Ahmedabad in Aug 2023. We followed that with our first restaurant in Knowledge City in Hyderabad in Oct 2023 and one at Mall of Asia in Hebbal, a fast growing suburb in North Bangalore in December 2023. We have also extended our reach beyond the restaurants with our new retail offering available at our restaurants as well as online at Shop Burma Burma. Bringing Burmas true taste and eclectic flavours, the retail range of Shop Burma Burma includes new ready-to-cook sauces and pastes, snacks and spice mix along with a selection of teas, souvenirs and giftable items from Burma. In the summer of 2023, we launched a range of artisanal small batch ice creams, which are available both for in-restaurant dining and retail. Our latest menu launch is the most extensive yet, reflecting our commitment to continuous innovation through our food and beverage program. Each year, our travels to Burma breathe fresh inspiration into Burma Burma. Our evolution encompasses diverse facets from restaurant design to culinary exploration and cultural representation. This ongoing journey mirrors the vibrant evolution of Burmese cuisine itself, intertwining tradition with contemporary flair. Question 2: How is the response of people towards Burmese cuisine? We have received a very enthusiastic response to our cuisine and beverage offering from the very first day. The multiple flavours and textures that are a part of Burmese cuisine, resonate well with the Indian palate. We have put together a menu that has a universal appeal and goes much beyond the usual Khao Suey, with a lot of focus on small plates, refreshing salads, and hearty mains. Add to that a wide repertoire of Burmese cuisine inspired desserts and international desserts. Burmese cuisine overall has many nuanced flavours and textures, which are at the same time familiar, making it an easy transition for most Indian diners. Diner response overall has been one of surprise and delight, once they discover the sheer variety we have to offer. It also finds appeal across age groups, and we have many repeat customers coming to our restaurants across cities. Question 3: Why a vegetarian restaurant? Any specific reason? Burma Burma is a product of years of research, conducted over our many trips to Burma, where we are inspired to bring a slice of the culture and cuisine of this lesser-known neighbouring country of India. Our belief in the appeal of the cuisine, as well as its familiarity with the Indian palate, gave us the confidence to launch Burma Burma in 2014, and since then grown to multiple restaurants across Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolkata and Ahmedabad. Our efforts were to bring back the local ingredients, spices, and artefacts to India and to create the most authentic Burmese experience. It is a continuous effort that has resulted in the growth of the brand today to 11 restaurants and delivery kitchens across eight cities by the end of calendar year 2023. The decision to keep the menu vegetarian at Burma Burma is a conscious choice. We believe that the essence of Burmese cuisine can be effectively represented in its original vegetarian form by exploring various textures, cooking techniques, and flavours. Considering India has a large vegetarian food eating culture, we wanted to ensure that Burma Burma would be a welcoming and inclusive place for all. People come to experience the flavours of Burmese cuisine and there is so much to choose from that they never seem to miss or complain about the absence of non-vegetarian options. And thats precisely what we are aiming at a cuisine style. As people visit our restaurants and taste the sheer variety and flavours of Burmese food, the way that we showcase it; they are delighted by the offering, taste, and presentation. And ultimately that is what counts. In indigenous Burmese cuisine, vegetarian dishes are prevalent, with meats typically added as broths or toppings. While traveling across Burma, it is common to come across a wide range of vegetarian dishes. We recognized the significance of this vegetarian aspect of the cuisine, which lies at the soul and core of Burmese cuisine, and felt it was crucial to showcase that through our menu offering. We have carefully researched traditional recipes and incorporated them into our offerings. Our aim was to create a wholesome dining experience that appeals to all. While some dishes traditionally include meat, we have taken the approach of using meat alternatives like mock-meat and tempeh to replicate the textures and flavours that individuals may miss. This allows us to offer a comprehensive menu that reflects the essence of Burmese cuisine while catering to vegetarian preferences too. Question 4: Tell us a bit about your expansion plans. We currently operate a total of 11 restaurants and delivery kitchens across 8 cities in India, including Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, Mumbai, three restaurants in Bangalore, and one each in Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad. The calendar year 2023 was a particularly active year for Burma Burma as we launched four new restaurants and took the brand to three new cities. The next Burma Burma is scheduled to open in February 2024 at Oberoi Mall, Goregaon (our third in Mumbai after the restaurant in Fort, and a delivery kitchen in Santa Cruz). We are actively exploring new markets and suitable spaces for our brand and 2024 will see us exploring new cities where we believe there is a potential for a restaurant brand like Burma Burma. For the first nine years of our journey, we operated on a bootstrap budget. The first round of fundraise was done in December 2022. Lead investor was Negen Capital. The round size of funding was about 2.1 Million dollars. We are currently in the process of raising our Series B round. We are raising growth capital to open 7-8 restaurants by 2025. Apart from this we have launched our new Retail products under Shop Burma Burma in September 2023. World Braille Day, marked annually on January 4, serves as a tribute to Louis Braille, the visionary behind the braille system. Born in 1809 in France, Louis Braille suffered the loss of his sight following a childhood accident. Despite this adversity, his resilience and determination led to the creation of one of the most revolutionary systems in history. World Braille Day: History At the tender age of 15, inspired by Charles Barbiers night writing, Louis conceptualised a method of tactile reading and writing, known today as braille. This innovative system, with its matrix of six raised dots arranged in various patterns within cells, facilitates the representation of letters, numbers, punctuation, and an array of symbols. Over time, Braille underwent refinements, evolving into a universally embraced communication tool, empowering individuals with visual impairments worldwide. This day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018. It coincides with Louis Brailles birth date. World Braille Day stands as a testament to his groundbreaking contributions, highlighting the impact of his invention on the lives of the visually impaired. Braille transcends mere language or sign forms; it functions as a tactile code, offering a gateway to literacy and communication for those unable to rely on traditional visual modes. World Braille Day: Significance The advent of Braille proved transformative, democratising access to education and literature for the visually impaired. It granted them the ability to read, write, and engage in various academic disciplines on par with their sighted counterparts. Its versatility extends beyond the realm of alphabets and numbers, encompassing musical notations, scientific symbols, and specialized characters, fostering independence and inclusion. World Braille Day aims to raise awareness about the challenges encountered by individuals with visual impairments, advocating for their rights and societal integration. It serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of empathy and compassion towards those navigating a world without sight. The day prompts communities worldwide to acknowledge the resilience and capabilities of the blind population, encouraging an inclusive and accommodating environment for all. Contrary to common misconceptions associating Braille with a language or sign language, it operates as a structured code. The intricate arrangement of six dots within each cell forms unique patterns, translating into a tactile language comprehensible to the visually impaired. This system allows for the representation of an extensive range of characters and symbols, ensuring access to information and fostering literacy. In essence, Louis Brailles ingenious creation, Braille, remains an enduring legacy, symbolizing not just a reading method but a pathway to empowerment, equality, and inclusivity for millions globally living with visual impairments. World Braille Day celebrates this remarkable legacy, emphasising the importance of accessibility and understanding in a diverse and inclusive society. World Braille Day: Quotes Live without seeing, but be what you are Braille is knowledge, and knowledge is power We must be treated as equals and communication is the way we can bring this about Access to communication in the widest sense is access to knowledge, and that is vitally important for us if we are not to go on being despised or patronized by condescending sighted people Determination does triumph physical deprivation Facts About Louis Braille Louis Braille was an accomplished pianist: Alongside his mastery of the organ, Braille was also skilled at playing the piano. He had a profound love for music and excelled in various musical instruments despite his visual impairment. He developed a code for musical notation: Not only did Braille create the tactile reading and writing system for the blind, but he also invented a system for music notation. The Braille music code allows visually impaired individuals to read and write music using a system of raised dots similar to the one he created for reading and writing. Braille was an esteemed teacher: After developing the Braille system, Louis Braille became a dedicated teacher at the Royal Institute for Blind Youth in Paris, where he taught various subjects including mathematics and music. His commitment to education and empowering blind students through accessible learning methods left a lasting impact. His code was initially met with resistance: When Braille introduced his tactile writing system, it faced resistance and scepticism from some educators and institutions for the blind. It took several years for the Braille system to gain widespread acceptance and recognition for its effectiveness in facilitating literacy for the visually impaired. He was posthumously honoured: Louis Brailles contributions were not immediately recognised during his lifetime. However, in 1952, his remains were exhumed from his humble grave in Coupvray and reinterred in the Pantheon in Paris, a prestigious mausoleum where celebrated French figures are laid to rest. This act acknowledged his monumental impact on the lives of the visually impaired worldwide. Greta Gerwigs blockbuster comedy, Barbie, is set to compete in the adapted screenplay category at the upcoming Oscars, despite an initial campaign for consideration in the original screenplay category. Variety has exclusively learned that the Writers Branch executive committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has classified Barbie as an adapted screenplay. Initially, it was widely assumed that Barbie would be campaigned for the best original screenplay category, as reported by Variety earlier. The decision to reclassify the screenplay has raised eyebrows, especially considering that the Writers Guild of America designated the film as an original work. This classification will be held for the upcoming WGA Awards, but the Academys Writers Branch has the autonomy to make its own eligibility determinations. The Academys decision to categorise Barbie as an adapted screenplay recalls similar instances in the past where films campaigned as original by the WGA were reclassified by the Academy committee. Notable examples include Barry Jenkins Moonlight (2016) and Stephen Gaghans Syriana (2005). In the case of Barbie, the move to adapted screenplay is likely due to the films characters, Barbie and Ken, originating from Mattel dolls long before their adaptation to the big screen. This aligns with the Oscars tendency to classify films featuring pre-existing characters as adapted screenplays, as seen with past nominees like Borat 2, Toy Story 3, Before Sunset, and Before Midnight. The film, directed and written by Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, stars Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken. The storyline follows Barbies journey through an identity crisis in Barbie World, prompting her and Ken to venture into the real world in search of answers regarding her existence. As the Oscar nomination voting officially opens on Thursday, January 11, members of the Writers Branch will only be able to cast their votes for Barbie in the adapted screenplay category. The film is expected to face tough competition in this category, contending against other notable scripts like Poor Things by Tony McNamara, Killers of the Flower Moon by Eric Roth and Martin Scorsese and the Christopher Nolan-helmed Oppenheimer. Now that Barbie is not competing in the original screenplay category, its a chance for other movies to become the top contenders. Films like Celine Songs Past Lives and Alexander Paynes The Holdovers might be the ones to compete for the lead, while Todd Haynes May December and Justine Triets Anatomy of a Fall have been doing well in the preliminary awards. The latest episode of Karan Johars popular talk show Koffee with Karan 8 saw Khushi Kapoor make her debut on the Koffee Couch with her sister Janhvi Kapoor. It was also the first time that the two sisters appeared for an interview together. During the episode, Janhvi said that if she could set up Khushi with an actor, she would pick Vedang Raina. During the rapid-fire round, Karan asked Janhvi, If you could set up Khushi with someone from the industry, who would it be? Janhvi replied, Vedang is cute. They are cute. They look cute. Hes got a good vibe. Meanwhile, Khushi smiled and nodded. Earlier during the episode, Karan had asked Khushi if there was any truth to the rumours that she was dating Vedang Raina. She said, False. I say false, Its not true. She later added, You know that scene in Om Shanti Om where there is a row of people saying, Om and I are just good friends.' A day before the release of the episode, Vedang was spotted returning to Mumbai after celebrating New Years with Khushi, Janhvi, Boney Kapoor and Shikhar Pahariya. However, the actor had previously denied the dating rumours. The actor addressed rumours in the interview and clarified that he and Khushi are just good friends. Khushi and I connected on so many levels. We had a similar taste in music. Khushi and I are not dating. I have a really strong bond with her. Weve known each other for so long, and we have connected on many things, he said. After the release of The Archies, it was speculated that Khushi Kapoor was dating her co-star Vedang Raina, who played Reggie in the film. The duo sparked dating rumours after they were frequently spotted together around town. Vedang was also a part of Khushis intimate birthday lunch with Janhvi, her rumoured boyfriend Shikar Pahariya and Orry. He was also present for Khushi Kapoors Christmas celebrations with her close friends. Thalapathy Vijay was attacked at Vijaykanths funeral in Chennai last week. The Tamil actor joined the film fraternity to pay his last respects at the funeral. However, an angry mob of mourners attacked Vijay, with one even hitting him with a slipper. Following that incident, there was a widespread social media outrage urging the authorities to take strict action against the perpetrator. Now, an official complaint has been lodged. A police complaint has been filed by an office bearer of Thalapathy Vijay, Makkal Iyakkam, claiming that a chappal was allegedly hurled at popular actor Vijay when he came to the DMDK headquarters to pay his final respects to Captain Vijayakanth who passed away on Dec 28. The funeral took place in Chennai with several Tamil stars attending it. Vijay was one of the stars present at the funeral. In a video that went viral on X, previously known as Twitter, a distraught Vijay was seen making his way through the mob to offer his last respects. He met Vijaykanths family and offered his condolences. As he made his way out, the actor was brutally mobbed while the police helped him wade through. A video also showed an unidentified man threw a slipper at him. Fortunately, Vijay managed to escape the hit. The complaint was filed by TVMI South Chennai district president. The complaint asks the police to take action against the individual who hurled the chappal at Vijay, which according to the complainant, caused hurt to Vijay fans. Meanwhile, Vijaykanth died on Thursday, December 28. The 71-year-old actor turned politician was on ventilatory support after testing positive for Covid-19. The actor-turned political leader who also founded the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) party was admitted in MIOT International. Janhvi Kapoor opened up about her mother Sridevis death on the recent episode of Koffee With Karan. Janhvi was joined by her sister Khushi Kapoor and was seen revealing her first reaction when she learnt Sridevi had passed away. However, this is not the first time that Janhvi spoke about Sridevis shocking death. In an interview in 2018, months after Sridevi died, Janhvi opened up about Sridevis last day with Janhvi. She said that Sridevi put Janhvi to sleep before she left for her flight to Dubai. Sridevi died in February 2018. She was attending Boney Kapoors nephew, Arjun Marwahs wedding. she died of accidental drowning. Janhvi revealed that Sridevi was busy packing when Janhvi asked her to help her sleep. Speaking with Karan Johar for Vogue India, Janhvi said (as quoted by NDTV), The day before she left for the wedding (Mohit Marwahs wedding in UAE), I had to shoot, but I couldnt sleep, so I was like, I need you to come and put me to sleep. But she was packing, so by the time she came to me I was half asleep. But I could feel her patting my head. She revealed that Sridevi had watched 25 minutes of Janhvis debut film Dhadak and had given her feedback as well. She was very technical about it. The first thing she told me was the things I needed to improve she felt the mascara was smudged and it really bothered her. The second half has to be different, she told me, You cant wear anything on your face. Thats all she told me but she was happy, Janhvi said. Dhadak released a few months after Sridevis death. The film also starred Ishaan Khatter, marking his Bollywood debut as well. In the recent episode of Koffee With Karan 8, Janhvi revealed she learnt about Sridevis death over a phone call and rushed to Khushis room to be with her. Media is rife with rumours that Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren is most likely to appoint his wife as CM, because of his imminent arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on serious charges of corruption. The situation in the state is unerringly similar to the Jungle Raj of Bihar of the 1990s. Sections of the media are interestingly referring to it as Rabri Devi redux. Irrespective of whether the speculation turns out to be true, the similarity goes beyond just the imminent political appointment. Law and order of the state is in a shambles, the youth in various parts of the state are on the streets on the issue of unemployment, there are serious corruption charges against the CM himself, and dynastic politics is at its peak both in letter and spiritall reminiscent of Bihar in the last decade of the last century. It is perhaps a good time to take stock of what has transpired in the state in the last four years under the present government politically, socially, and economically. Let me begin with a very interesting but shocking anecdote. Addressing an election rally in Jharkhands Ramgarh on February 23, 2023, the CM said, Paisa plastic me rakh kar zameen me gaad do, maine humesha kaha hai, paisa bank me mat rakho (Keep your money in plastic bags and bury it in the ground. I have always said, do not deposit your money in banks). Yes, you read it right: an elected chief minister of a state exhorting the public to stay away from the formal banking system. These words capture in many ways the essence of the governments economic vision (or the lack of it) for the state. In the last four years, Jharkhand has descended into administrative chaos marred by similar regressive policies and thinking in all spheres. Corruption Chief minister Hemant Sorens alleged allocation of mining rights to himself is a blatant abuse of power, typical of Jungle Raj. Sorens closest aides have been arrested, indicating a widespread network of corruption infiltrating the highest levels of his administration. The government is even accused of the diversion of PM-GKAY rations, meant for the underprivileged, depriving the societys most vulnerable sections. Each sector, whether it be mining, land resources, or land revenue is marred by the presence of a large number of middlemen and brokers from the block level to the secretariat indicative of a well-oiled collusive system of rent-seeking, and systemic failure of public institutions. It will not be an exaggeration to say pictures of hordes of cash being recovered from a Congress MPs premises in the heart of the state capital Ranchi very well capture the extent of moral degradation of public offices in the state. Failure on key promises As per NCRB data, under the incumbent government, Jharkhand is one of the leading states in crimes like murder and rape. Criminals sitting in jails are emboldened enough to threaten the heads of media houses with dire consequences. One interaction with businesses in industrial towns like Dhanbad is enough to tell you that extortion from businessmen in the name of protection money has become a major menace. No wonder, private investments have been reduced to a trickle. Even announced projects are not seeing the light of the day. This, in a state with the highest mineral wealth in the country, does not augur well for the development of the nation. The chief ministers grand promise of providing 5 lakh jobs in 5 years stands in stark contrast to the harsh reality: a mere 357 jobs have been realised, as his government admitted in the assembly. The commitment to conduct 4 JPSC exams each year has fallen by the wayside, with only 1 exam conducted in 4 years. The 7,587 recruitments in the Group 3 JPSC exam are mostly carryovers from the previous BJP government, a fact that speaks volumes about the current governments inaction and inability to initiate new opportunities. The entire selection process for the appointment of panchayat secretary, completed under the BJP government in 2019, was left in limbo for 4 years by Hemant Sorens administration. The situation was similar for clerical appointments. Only after the Supreme Courts reprimand did the government reluctantly distribute appointment letters. Today, the streets of Jharkhand are filled with the voices of our youth, crying out for jobs and opportunities. Groups like chowkidar, panchayat, secretariat, and divyang individuals are raising their voices, yet they find no audience with the government. Lip service on tribal issues Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first PM to visit Bhagwan Birsa Mundas native village Ulihatu when he launched the Viksit Bharat Abhiyan from there on November 15. On an occasion to kickstart a programme to achieve 100 per cent saturation of schemes, the CM said, Achhi baat hai desh ke PM pehli baar aaye, hum sab toh yahan aate rehte hain. This remark is a stark reminder that the incumbent government in Jharkhand has not progressed beyond lip service and symbolism as far as tribal issues as concerned. After having annulled the domicile policy of the previous Raghubar Das government, the Hemant Soren government has failed to come up with a domicile policy of its own that can stand legal scrutiny. In a sign of major political desperation, within a span of 1 year, the government has done a volte-face on the issue of domicile by declaring 1,932 land records as the cutoff date for the definition of a local. This is a stance the CM himself criticised in the state legislative assembly on March 23, 2022, declaring that a domicile policy based on 1932 Khatiyan alone will be struck down by courts in one minute. Without a domicile policy, state employment has suffered in the last 4 years and impacted locals/tribals the most, a segment the CM claims to represent. The chief minister and his close aides, many of whom are behind bars, are accused of grabbing huge parcels of tribal land, making a mockery of the very same Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act, which the CM had accused the previous BJP government of diluting when he was in opposition. Politics of appeasement The unchecked influx of migrants, many allegedly hailing from Bangladesh, has notably changed the demographics in several regions like Sahibganj, Santhal Pargana, Bhoganandi, and Godda in the last 4 years. This demographic shift is worrisome for many tribal communities, who now culturally and socially feel sidelined. Incidents of forced eviction of Mahadalit families and the atrocities on tribal girls are rampant in some parts of the state. Reports of forced religious conversions and marriages of tribal girls are not just social issues; they are direct assaults on the cultural and social fabric of our indigenous communities. Under the aegis of Hemant Sorens leadership, theres a growing perception that the states governance has swayed towards religious appeasement as evidenced by the decision to drop charges against thousands protesting the Citizenship Amendment Act and NRC. Conclusion As someone who grew up in Bokaro in the 1990s, we were the children of promise, the heirs to a legacy of progress and prosperity that set us apart in erstwhile Bihar. Anyone living in Jharkhand in the early 2000s will tell you that the first government under Babulal Marandi (present BJP state president) did raise hopes through very good work in infrastructure and law and order. But unfortunately, political instability did catch up with the development of the state in later years. JMMs mantra for politics in this government has been simple: Blame the past BJP governments when questioned on key matters of development. It is noteworthy to mention that for all the rhetoric of lack of fund support from the Centre, the JMM-led government had accepted that the state got more funds from the Centre under the Modi government than the previous UPA regime on the floor of the legislative assembly. Contrary to popular perception, the Soren family has been part of the government for more than 11.5 years of the 23 years of the states existence. They are the pre-eminent political family of the state whose accountability in power should be established both politically and legally. The CM is not responding to the ED summons, knowing fully well that he can be arrested, given the seriousness of the charges. The obvious political calculation: gain sympathy by being seen as a martyr in the voters eyes. It is at best a cliched, jaded political tactic that the Jharkhand voters can see through. The story of Jharkhand is one of potential and promise. The gains of the states creation and good work by the past governments have been squandered away in the last 4 years. Jharkhand is fed up with this politics and yearning for change politically, and more importantly a reset, free from appeasement, corruption, and dynasty. The author was born and brought up in Bokaro, Jharkhand. He is a member of the board of governors of IIM Shillong and also served as OSD to the Union Finance Minister ( 2021-2023). Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. 2024 will be an extremely consequential year for India. Indians will elect a new government in less than five months, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains the frontrunner to win the polls by a wide margin. Morning Consult has once again found that Modi is the worlds most popular leader, with a 76 per cent approval rating. PM Modis lead in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls is not without good reason. From a country that accepted mediocrity in governance to one that now wants a lot more, India is transforming as we know it. Since 2014, the Modi governments primary focus has been on building resilient infrastructure that aids Indias economic growth. The development on the ground is visible, and therefore, it is not odd that Modi remains the most-favoured Prime Ministerial candidate even after 10 years in power. The people want Indias development trajectory to continue unscathed, and the popular sentiment is that Modi is the man who can ensure that. Take the case of Ayodhya, for starters. As the nation gears up for the inauguration of the Ram Mandir, Ayodhya is the city at the centre of all attention. On December 30 last year, PM Modi dedicated a swanky new airport and a revamped railway station to Ayodhya. That was just the tip of the iceberg. The prime minister proceeded to dedicate development projects amounting to more than Rs 15,700 crore across Uttar Pradesh. Out of this sum, Rs 11,100 crore has been tailored for Ayodhyas development alone. Roads leading up to the Ram Mandir have been expanded and beautified alongside old ashrams, ancient ponds and temples across the town. Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat trains symbols of a new India will run to and from Ayodhya as well. Ayodhya offers a sneak peek into the kind of development that is taking place across the country. Today, infrastructure building is happening across the length and breadth of India at a scale that was previously deemed impossible, given the reputation India had prior to 2014. From being a country riddled not very long ago with insurmountable red-tapism, corruption and policy paralysis, India is today seen as a country determined to achieve glory. This year alone, India will see some mega infrastructure projects getting inaugurated, especially in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls. Reported by News18, at least five landmark projects are set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the next two months. The five big projects on the PMs table are the worlds highest rail bridge in J&K Chenab Bridge, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, the stretch of Delhi-Mumbai expressway falling in Gujarat, the Dwarka Expressway in Delhi and the Agra Metro to the Taj Mahal. Besides these, this year will also see the completion of big-ticket projects like the Navi Mumbai International Airport, Noida Airport, Aqua Line 3 of the Mumbai metro network and the Mumbai coastal road. Besides these, the Trans-Arunachal Highway, Sela Tunnel and Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway are also nearing completion. Indias Road Revolution A hallmark of Indias incredible infrastructure push is the focus on not just expanding road networks across the country, but ensuring that they are among the best in the world. For a country to turn the fate of its economy around and ensure a developed future for itself, it is a prerequisite to have a robust and high-quality network of roads. Today, India has the worlds second-largest road network, behind only the United States. When it comes to road networks, India has left China behind and that has been made possible by the work done over the past 10 years. The road network length in India at present stands at about 63.31 lakh km. The numbers speak for themselves. In 2014, the total length of National Highways was 91,287 km. In 2022-23, this length went up to 1,45,240 km, registering a staggering 59 per cent rise in just nine years. The pace of construction of national highways has increased six-fold since 2010. Similarly, the length of four-lane National Highways has doubled from 18,371 km in 2014 to 44,654 km now. The goal for this year is to build 13,800 km of highways the highest-ever target set by the country. The pace at which roads are being built has also witnessed a remarkable upswing. In 2014-15, about 12 km of roads were built every day. By 2021-22, the rate of road construction went up to 29 km per day. Also, since 2014, more than 350,000 km of rural roads have been made under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. This has played a crucial role in making Indias villages accessible round-the-year, which is naturally having a positive impact on Indias rural economy. A report titled The Indian Roads and Highways Sector, released last year by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) pointed out that there has been a large increase in average annual award length and average annual road construction length between 2015 and 2022. It also notes that expressways have emerged as a favoured option when it comes to giving Indias road network a facelift. Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari has predicted that Indias road infrastructure will rival that of the United States in the next five years. The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is developing 27 Greenfield corridors, including five expressways of 9,860 km in length, at a total cost of Rs 4.08 lakh crore. The focus on Greenfield corridors is especially consequential, since these pass through uninhabited and underdeveloped areas, they will prove instrumental in ushering progress in new regions that will, in turn, boost the local economy. For example, in the Northeast alone, the Modi government has sanctioned national highway projects worth nearly Rs 3 lakh crore since 2014. Robust infrastructure in border areas is a strategic asset for any country, and India understands this well. All along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), India has ramped up infrastructure development in an unprecedented way. In just the past two years, 205 projects have been completed along the LAC. The Modi government has increased the budget for the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) by a whopping 100 per cent. This year, the BRO is working on projects worth Rs 16,000 crore, including roads, bridges and tunnels, and airfields. It was in 1956 that the then US President, Dwight D Eisenhower understood the importance of building roads to give momentum to a countrys economic rise. He facilitated the creation of Americas interstate highway system. Today, India is undergoing a similar road revolution that will propel efficient and rapid travel while also spurring economic development by connecting urban centres, rural areas, and everything in between. The Changing Face of Indias Railways and Airways Roads, while an important component of Indias ongoing infra push, are not the sole focus of the Modi government. The holistic upgradation of Indias railways and aviation sector figures quite prominently on the governments policy priorities as well. There is a reason why PM Modi is himself flagging off Vande Bharat trains, which are now operational on 25 routes across the country. The Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat trains represent the changing face of Indian Railways. From the slow, unclean and unpunctual trains of yesteryears, to the swanky, high-speed and modern Vande Bharat trains now, Indias railways are undergoing a much-needed transformation. This transformation has been made possible because the Modi government decided that the Railways needed a major upgrade to better suit the needs of the country as it progresses on the developmental path with the goal of a Viksit Bharat in mind. Investment in railway infrastructure has shown consistent growth in the last five years, reaching Rs 2.4 lakh crore in the current fiscal. The electrification of railway tracks is almost complete, covering 37,011 route kilometres in the past nine years. India will have a fully electrified rail network in a matter of months now, and that is a big deal. Additionally, the deployment of KAVACH automatic train collision avoidance system will increase to 5,000 kilometres per year by 2025-26, with the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes all set to have 100 per cent deployment of the system by March 2025. The focus, therefore, is as much on safety as it is on upgrading the railways look and feel. The railways are also working on a mega expansion plan that will make the infamous waitlists history. The plan involves rolling out 3,000 more trains in the next 3-4 years and increasing the number of trains that run daily to 13,000. To accommodate these trains, a network of 4,000-5,000 km track will be laid out every year. Speaking of railways, the ongoing metro boom in India cannot be ignored. Approximately 462 kilometres of metro rail is currently under construction, 372-kilometre routes have been approved, while another 1,056 kilometres have been proposed. This will take Indias cumulative metro rail network to about 2,750 kilometres. Thereafter, India will have the worlds second-largest metro rail network. Remember, in 2014, only five Indian cities had metro rail. Today, that number has gone up to 20. Similarly, in 2014, India had a 248-kilometre-long metro network in total. In nine years, the length of metro networks in India has gone up to 870 kilometres. Before 2014 the monthly average of metro lines was 0.68 km which has increased to 5.6 km per month. One of the biggest achievements of the Modi government has been the democratisation of air travel in India. Prime Minister Modi had once said that it was his dream to make air travel possible for even those who wear slippers. In the past one year alone, India has seen five new airports and terminals being opened, taking the number of operational airports to 150. The Modi government aims to take this number up to 220 by 2025. In 2014, India had just 74 operational airports. India is also the worlds fastest-growing aviation market. Industry insiders see the broad trend. It is therefore not surprising that Air India and IndiGo have placed mammoth orders for new aircraft, with the former ordering 470 planes from Boeing and Airbus, and the latter ordering 500 planes from Airbus. Akasa Air, the latest entrant in the Indian aviation market, is expected to place an order with Boeing for 150 aircraft soon. The mood in the sector is obviously very bullish, and the mega aircraft orders will play a critical role in making India the next aviation superpower of the world. Bharats Time to Shine Infrastructure is expected to become the biggest contributor to Indias economic growth. The Centre plans to invest Rs 143 lakh crore on infrastructure between 2024 and 2030. That is double of what India has spent on infrastructure in the past seven years. This is all part of Prime Minister Modis goal of making India a developed nation by 2047. Is the transformation underway in India a coincidence? Morgan Stanley has a different take on the matter. The American Investment Bank says Indias key policy decisions since 2014, including supply-side reforms, formalisation of the economy, real estate regulation, digitising social transfers, insolvency and bankruptcy reforms, focus on FDI and a host of others are having a transformative impact on the Indian economy. Morgan Stanley has also predicted that Indias manufacturing capacity will reach $1,500 billion by 2032 as compared to $447 billion in 2022. Its export market share is expected to more than double to 4.5 per cent by 2031, as compared to 2.2 per cent in 2021. Similarly, Indias per capita income is expected to more than double to about $5,200 by 2032. Also Read: Naysayers Have It Wrong, Incomes in India Are Rising Driven by a rise in housing demand and massive state spending on infrastructure, Indias construction sector is booming too. This sector, according to consultancy firm Knight Frank, could add up to 30 million jobs by March 2030 to the current 70 million. Today, Indias massive infrastructure push is being powered by the PM Gati Shakti Masterplan. The buzzword in the power corridors of New Delhi is now multimodal connectivity, which is why there has been a significant push towards increasing the share of inland waterways, ports and railways in Indias logistics sector. India wants to exert greater maritime heft around the world and to ensure that, it is necessary for the country to have modern ports that can handle increased volumes of cargo. The average turnaround time at major ports has fallen from 127 hours in 2010-11 to 53 hours as of 2021-22. Major ports have added more than 100 million tonnes in additional traffic since 2014-15, which translates into an increase of roughly 24 per cent. Port capacity since 2014, meanwhile, has grown by 83 per cent or more than 700 million tonnes. We are still to see the true size and scale of the transformation India is going through. In the coming years, as more and more infrastructure projects get completed and even more ambitious ones are taken up, India will have shed its reputation of being a country that cannot make the wheels of development turn. Instead, it will be seen as a country that embarked on a stunning infrastructure journey to complement the rise of its economic stature. After all, India is expected to become the worlds third-largest economy by 2027. It is only befitting for the countrys infrastructure to represent this economic rise. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. The evolving landscape of international relations has witnessed the pervasive influence of cognitive warfare reaching into diplomatic realms. Particularly pronounced in heated geopolitical regions such as the Indo-Pacific, diplomatic engagements between nations often reverberate beyond immediate stakeholders, impacting the interests of other states. As the spectre of alleged Chinese interference looms over Taiwans upcoming January 2024 elections, its transient influence on Indias diplomatic engagements becomes a focal point. This incident serves as a paradigmatic recurrence, showcasing the pitfalls of reactive responses instead of strategic foresight, echoing previous diplomatic missteps in regions like the Maldives and Oman. The Trajectory of Events In the initial days of November 2023, discussions surrounding a mobility agreement between Taiwan and India took precedence. Confirmation from the official spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on November 9, 2023, marked the commencement of the discourse. A subsequent Bloomberg report on November 10 speculated on the potential recruitment of up to 100,000 Indians by Taiwan under the proposed agreement. By November 13, as Taipei officially acknowledged ongoing negotiations, the report had already permeated both social and traditional media in Taiwan. Despite Taiwanese Labour Minister Hsu Ming Chun refuting claims, a racial undercurrent against Indians emerged, placing the Taiwanese government on the defensive. Within a mere 15 days, India and Taiwan found themselves issuing clarifications and engaging in damage control, overshadowing the intended mobility agreement. As December came to a close, the Taiwanese governments categorical denial of a significant influx and the absence of clarity on the Memorandum of Understandings finalisation were attributed to the prevailing anti-mobility sentiment, shaping the governments stance in the lead-up to the January 2024 Presidential elections. Tracing the Chinese Interference The genesis of the controversy surrounding the mobility agreement remains enigmaticwhether a meticulously crafted disinformation campaign or the release of genuine information out of context remains uncertain. However, the diffusion and response to this claim warrant examination. The Taiwanese government labelled the panic-inducing claim as a textbook example of cognitive warfare and information campaign. The recent surge of racist remarks belittling Indian workers bears the hallmarks of #PRC cognitive warfare. Its a devious move to tarnish our national image & strain #Taiwan#India relations, but the attempt to destroy goodwill in the #MilkTeaAlliance wont prevail! pic.twitter.com/8RHbwQUXmr Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROC (Taiwan) (@MOFA_Taiwan) November 21, 2023 Reports implicated the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) in fuelling confusion through modularised messages, with thousands of Facebook accounts following a distinct pattern. The China Times publication of a racist backlash against Indian migrants, purchased by pro-China Taiwanese tycoon Tsai Eng-Meng in 2008, added another layer to the orchestrated campaign. This was complicated by official media accounts attached to Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office releasing videos questioning the Taiwanese governments decisions. Notably, the numerical claim entered Taiwans media discourse even before official confirmation from the Taiwanese government. Understanding Manipulation of Cognitive Environments These events underscore three pivotal aspects. First, cognitive warfare transcends mere disinformation, embracing a broader spectrum. The distinction between disinformation and partial truth becomes inconsequentialthe presentations ability to trigger collective social reactions is paramount. Once initiated, organic conversations sustain the propaganda, constituting participatory propaganda. Defending against such campaigns proves challenging, offering deniability to the originators. Second, cognitive warfare exploits existing fault lines within a community. The social reaction to a potential migrant influx in Taiwan tapped into pre-existing racist stereotypes, emphasising the importance of cognitive resilience and awareness within and between states. Third, this incident is not isolated but part of a broader cognitive campaign orchestrated by China against states perceived as counter to its regional and global interests. Hence, a response to Chinese cognitive campaigns shall require Chinas regional or global objectives and vulnerabilities, instead of perceiving it from an India-centric lens. Collaboration from like-minded countries in monitoring, engaging, and responding to such threats could be mutually beneficial. In this case, for instance, the cognitive campaigns must be faced by the QUAD and QUAD+ countries as a collective making cognitive awareness more expansive, and cognitive responses more effective. Tejusvi Shukla is a Research Associate with the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems at Chanakya University, Bengaluru, and Research Analyst with the Online Indian Journal of Peace and Conflict Resolution. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. 2023 was an eventful year for Indiaplomacy a newly coined and merged word of India and diplomacy, indicating diplomacy to advocate Indian interests. The year was anything but simple, from the G20 presidency to the first visit of S Jaishankar to four Latin American countries to the allegations of encounters on foreign land by India. But what challenges and opportunities will Indiaplomacy face in 2024? Forecasting the future is a tricky business, as many known unknowns and some unknown unknowns make the world. However, certain events are pending this year that may undoubtedly impact the Indiaplomacy. A reader should take this article as an exercise to summarise the potential events that may shape the Indiaplomacy in the new year rather than a precise prediction. India, the worlds largest democracy, is undergoing general elections this year. First things first. PM Modi-led BJP won the 2023 assembly elections in three states, proving an unwavering public support for his leadership in the absence of credible alternatives by the Opposition alliance. Welfare schemes, development, and civilisational issues like Ram Mandir favour Prime Minister Narendra Modi over other candidates. The Lok Sabha elections 2024 are less than six months away and as things stand now it seems almost certain that PM Modi will return to the Centre. Thus, a nationalist and pragmatic foreign policy might likely prevail in 2024. Not just India but 50-odd countries contributing to half of the worlds GDP are undergoing elections, including the United States of America, which will have presidential elections in 2024. However, before these elections, the ill-advised Biden administration seemed unwilling to tolerate a multi-aligned and independent India, which was perceived to go against American interests. First, the US provided intelligence to Canada in the killings of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, followed by the Department of Justice (DoJ) inquiry on Nikhil Gupta. Second, the US declined Indias invitation to join the Republic Day parade as a chief guest. Now, Paris has accepted New Delhis invitation, and analysts cant rule out the prospect of an anti-China bloc, not subservient to the US, if Americans elect Biden again. This year, the equations between India and Russia would also be interesting in the backdrop of Americas attempts to meddle in Indias strategic autonomy. In the last days of 2023, EAM Jaishankar visited Moscow to reaffirm strong and steady ties and signed several deals on trade, connectivity, energy, military, and collaboration of an Indian nuclear plant, possibly irking the Western establishment. During this visit, Russian President Putin invited PM Modi to Moscow for the annual summit this year. At this point, the dragon in the room must be addressed, as the elephant enters its fourth year in a frozen relationship with it. India remains an option for the China plus one strategy for sourcing and supply chains for European and American companies. The Modi government has invited and incentivised manufacturing companies to produce more in India. A full-scale war is unlikely, but this can surely annoy China. Beijing may hit back by luring other South Asian countries and increasing its strategic positions. However, this, in turn, can increase the cooperation between New Delhi and Tokyo. Another country that will have polls soon is Bangladesh. On January 7, the country will have elections where Sheikh Hasina and her party, Awami League, are likely to win due to the absence of her rival Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) from the polls. Dhaka, under Hasina, is also going through a rough patch with Washington DC, and Beijing has all eyes on it. In this case, one challenge could be an engagement of India with Bangladesh, obviously in the absence of US support, to keep Indian interests safe by keeping China at arms distance. However, in the case of Jamaat-backed candidates win or prolonged socio-political instability, a fresh round of persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh may begin due to extremism. It can increase their exodus, and illegal infiltration by other communities in pursuit of economic prosperity may also increase. This situation also poses a different challenge for India to deal with. In our neighbourhood, Pakistan is undergoing the elections with results due in February, but as usual, the one favoured by the Army would winthe administration change in Islamabad yields little results as foreign policy operators sit in Rawalpindi. Sri Lanka is back on track for economic recovery, and Nepals ruling party has reduced anti-India statements. Other than these dynamics, the continued conflict between Israel and Palestine will compel India to take measured and balanced steps. The US-Houthi confrontation may create troubles in the Red Sea in the coming days as well. In conclusion, 2024 holds a tapestry of diplomatic challenges and opportunities for Indiaplomacy, shaped by elections, geopolitical realignments, and regional dynamics. Navigating these complexities requires a nuanced and proactive approach to secure Indias interests on the global stage. The writer is an independent columnist who writes on international relations, and socio-political affairs. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. The Rahul Gandhi-led Manipur-Mumbai march, titled Bharat Nyay Yatra, has been renamed Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra by the Congress. The party on Thursday said the Bharat Jodo Yatra was embedded in the minds of the people as a brand and it was important that the country resonates with it; hence, the name change, said general secretary Jairam Ramesh. The name change of the yatra, which begins on January 14 and travels through 15 states, was announced after a meeting of party general secretaries, state in-charges, state unit chiefs and Congress Legislature Party leaders chaired by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge at the party headquarters in New Delhi. In the meeting of all general secretaries, in-charges, PCC chiefs and CLP leaders, it was felt that the Bharat Jodo Yatra has become a brand that is embedded in minds of people. We should not lose it, Ramesh said, according to a report published by Hindustan Times. The Bharat Jodo Yatra was held from Kanyakumari to Kashmir between September 2022 to January 2023. Ramesh said the Congress has invited all INDIA bloc leaders to take part in the new yatra and pointed out that invitations are being sent out for it. He said the yatra will cover 6,713 km in buses and on foot. It will cover at least 110 districts, about 100 Lok Sabha seats and 337 assembly segments. The HT report said the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will begin at noon from violence-hit Manipurs capital Imphal on January 14. Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will be addressing the march twice daily over the course of 66 days, the report added. Based on the discussions today we finalised routes. We always had Arunachal Pradesh in mind and therefore BJNY will cover 15 states, including Arunachal, Ramesh was quoted as saying. The initial plan was to march from Arunachals Pasighat to Porbandar in Gujarat, which is the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. But, the Congress changed its itinerary after ethnic violence hit Manipur on May 3. Before beginning his previous yatra, Gandhi had said it did not have anything to do with electioneering or campaigning. Only that he wanted to travel the length and breadth of the country and interact with different communities. This time, however, the march comes ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha elections. The Congress had gone all out to make the Bharat Jodo Yatra a success, with intensive social media campaigning and presence. But, the yatra received a mixed response. During its previous run, the party faced its worst defeat in Gujarat but managed to form the government in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka. And recently, while it lost three major states to the BJP Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan it scored an unexpected victory in Telangana. (With PTI inputs) With just a couple of months to go before the Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party has done a major rejig of the organisational heads of its morchas (wings). The party released the list of all the new organisational appointments late on Wednesday evening. The BJPs Yuva Morcha will be led by the experienced party general secretary Sunil Bansal. He takes over the reins from fellow party general secretary Tarun Chugh. In the upcoming election, the party will focus particularly on the youth and first-time voters. Bansal, who is extremely close to the BJP top leadership, will be spearheading the partys initiative through its youth wing. At present, the national president of the BJP Yuva Morcha is Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya. Another crucial responsibility in the organisation has been given to yet another general secretary, Vinod Tawde. Tawde will be the organisation incharge of the OBC Morcha. Reaching out to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) has been high on the agenda of the Narendra Modi government. Even in the last reshuffle by the Modi government, special emphasis was laid on the representation of the OBC community. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself is an OBC leader. Tawde, who was brought from Maharashtra to be a party general secretary, assumes a couple of key responsibilities in the central organisational structure. After his removal as BJP state president for Telangana, Bandi Sanjay was recently made party general secretary, in JP Naddas team at the centre. He too has been made an organisation incharge of the Kisan Morcha. Among other appointments announced by the party, Tarun Chugh has been made organisation incharge of the Scheduled Caste (SC) Morcha. The new Scheduled Tribe (ST) Morcha incharge is Radha Mohan Das Agarwal. Dushyant Gautam will now be in charge of the Minority Morcha. Party vice president Baijayant Jay Panda will have the responsibility of the Mahila Morcha, which is the womens wing. In the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, the party is likely to make many new appointments soon, including the announcement of several committees for better election management. However, as of now, three general secretaries assume extremely important roles in the BJPs scheme of things. Sunil Bansal, Tarun Chugh, and Vinod Tawde have multiple roles and responsibilities. The three are also in charge of the Lok Sabha Pravas of the saffron party. This is to coordinate activities of the party in the 160 Lok Sabha seats identified as weak since the party has not been able to win them in the last two elections. Senior leaders of the party, JP Nadda and Amit Shah, have done pravas on these seats at least once in the last two years. This apart, Bansal, Chugh, and Tawde are also an important part of the committee that has been formed to reach out to women and the youth by holding programmes across the country. They are also a part of the committee that has been formed to oversee the joinings to the party in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls. Apart from the organisational responsibilities, while Sunil Bansal is incharge of West Bengal and co-incharge of Telangana, Vinod Tawde is incharge of the eastern state of Bihar. Tarun Chugh, who is incharge of the party in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir is also co-incharge of Telangana. In a rare show of political comradery, Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee thanked Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar for the latters wishes on his birthday. The TMC leader said the Rajya Sabha Chairman has invited him and his wife for dinner at his residence in Delhi. Taking to X, Banerjee wrote, I thank Honble VP for his warm greetings on my Birthday. Im overwhelmed that he personally had a telephone conversation with my wife and conveyed his blessings to my entire family. He also invited my wife and me to have dinner at his residence in Delhi with his family. I thank Hon'ble @VPIndia for his warm greetings on my Birthday. I'm overwhelmed that he personally had a telephone conversation with my wife and conveyed his blessings to my entire family.He also invited my wife and me to have dinner at his residence in Delhi with his family. Kalyan Banerjee (@KBanerjee_AITC) January 4, 2024 This came days after the TMC leader stirred a row by mimicking the Rajya Sabha Chairman, while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi filmed the act on his phone, during a protest by MPs suspended during the winter session of Parliament at the complexs Makar Dwar. At the time, Banerjee termed his mimicry of Dhankhar an art form, and asserted that he would continue to do so a thousand times and that he had a fundamental right to do so. Later, in an apparent reference to the mimicry incident, Dhankhar described himself as a sufferer and asserted that despite taking all affronts and insults, one must never deviate from the path of service. He also said that one must give space to the points of view of others but people must show their spinal strength when views are presented with a design to derail others from their path. Relations between the Trinamool Congress party leaders and Dhankhar plummeted while the latter was serving as the governor of West Bengal before assuming the post of Vice President. The Modi Gallery showcasing key events from Prime Minister Narendra Modis tenure is expected to be opened to visitors from around January 16. The opening of the gallery, located on the ground floor of the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, will come days ahead of the consecration ceremony at the upcoming Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22. Nripendra Misra, chairperson of the executive council of the Prime Ministers Museum & Library (PMML), said the work on this new gallery is almost complete. We are hopeful that visitors can start coming from January 16 or 17, Misra told PTI. It was earlier decided that key events and decisions taken by PM Modi during his tenure as also decisions which will have long-term implications, will be showcased in a gallery, he said. A small section has also been formed on foreign policies, Misra added. The Modi Gallery will showcase major achievements which took place since his taking charge as the prime minister and till the end of 2022. Construction of the Ram temple and rejuvenation of other temples will be showcased as part of a section called Sanskriti, and other sections will include Vikas, Paryavaran and Suraksha; among others. Through cutting-edge technology, visitors will get a rare experience at this gallery, he said. The position of Panna Pramukh is perhaps the most micro role in the BJPs grand scheme of things, but is often credited for the saffron partys astounding strike rates. In the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections, Amit Shah was in-charge of Uttar Pradesh where he surprised everyone by ensuring that the BJP got 71 out of 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state, helping the party to an absolute majority of 282 seats in the Lower House and bringing Narendra Modi to power. While Shah had travelled 93,000 km over the year in the state and visited 52 districts, his magic mantra was believed to be the concept of Panna Pramukhs. The idea was simple go micro, go personal. Each voter roll has numerous pages. At each booth level, one person was made in-charge of one page of the local voter list. That person was made responsible for maintaining regular contact with all those whose names figure on that single page often three to five families. They would also be responsible for encouraging the voters to avail welfare measures and facilitate the same. Their duty ended only on the day of the election when voters returned from polling booths. Panna translates to page. Hence, the one in-charge of the page is called Panna Pramukh. The BJP has widely deployed this position in two Lok Sabha elections and Assembly elections in Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh among other states. But in West Bengal, it has so far been unable to implement it. Sources, however, say come Lok Sabha polls 2024, the BJP will introduce the concept in Bengal as well. In his last visit to Bengal towards the end of December 2023, Union Home Minister Amit Shah told the state leadership, including state president Susanta Majumder and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, that it was high time Bengal BJP had Panna Pramukhs. Sources say the nomenclature, however, would be changed to suit Bengali sentiments, with Prishtha Pramukh among the options. Panna or page translates to Prishtha in Bengali. We are confident that we will do well. Even when we got 18 seats (in 2019 General Elections), we could not recruit so many Panna Pramukhs. Now we have done that and we believe that it will cross 10 lakh, said a Bengal BJP source. But its easier said than done. BJP sources told News18 the party is planning a mega drive through which it will delegate duties to as many as 10 lakh BJP cadres. Not so long ago, the Bengal unit had undertaken a massive drive to empower booths across the state. During that drive, more than 1.5 lakh such positions were filled, News18 has learnt. But Shahs order of filling around 8.5 lakh such positions means a race against time for the West Bengal unit. The total target is 10 lakh Panna Pramukhs. While the situation on the ground is far better than it was after the 2021 Assembly poll defeat, many of our active cadres have either left politics for good or switched sides due to fear. In many places, booth committees are not yet ready. It will be particularly difficult in those places to appoint Panna Pramukhs, said a BJP State Executive Committee Member, requesting not to be named. Another BJP MP, who recently was part of Amit Shahs closed-door meetings, called the target highly ambitious. The MP, who also requested anonymity, said that till a few months ago, there were many Shakti Kendras that were dysfunctional. Generally, one Shakti Kendra can have multiple booths. But state leaders agree that if the BJP wants to get any closer to its ambitious Mission 35 in Bengal set by Amit Shah, Panna Pramukhs or Prishtha Pramukhs are its best bet. West Bengal has 42 Lok Sabha seats. BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar has already started campaigning in North Bengal. We are strong in North Bengal thats why we have started our campaign preparation from there. We will remain in North Bengal till January 6, he told News18. Sources said that the BJP will form a special election management committee next week along with 42 separate constituency committees. The ruling TMC dismissed the BJPs battle-plan, saying Sukanta Majumdar should focus on his seat first. Ask Sukanta to give more time to his own area as he lost his own booth. He has time, he can go anywhere for campaigning, but first he needs to win his own booth, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh told News18. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar deserved to be the prime ministerial candidate, and not merely the convenor of INDIA coalition, a couple of the JD(U) presidents close aides asserted here on Thursday. The averment came from ministers Madan Sahni and Ratnesh Sada, both of whom had visited the JD(U)s Bihar headquarters here for Jan Sunwai, a daily programme as part of which one or more members of the state cabinet interact with common people. Our leader has made it clear that he does not desire for himself any fancy-sounding designation in the coalition. But, since a response is being sought on the buzz that he may be made the convener, I would say why not make him the prime ministerial candidate, Sahni told reporters. Sahni, who holds the crucial social welfare portfolio in the Nitish Kumar cabinet, also said, All parties seem to agree that the JD(U) president is the most experienced and capable leader in the coalition. If he is given prominence, it will galvanize voters of Bihar and may also enthuse people elsewhere, who want a credible alternative to the BJP. The JD(U) leader, however, made it clear that his party was not demanding anything for Nitish Kumar who is too tall a leader to need such backing. We are mindful of the alliances strategy not to announce a prime ministerial face and take a decision after the Lok Sabha polls. We fully respect that, he said. Ratnesh Sada, who holds the SC and ST welfare portfolio, said Nitish Kumar is a leader who has endeared himself to the socially weaker sections in Bihar and elsewhere. He got the caste census done and followed it up with a hike in reservations, demonstrating that he meant business and was not paying lip service to the downtrodden. Besides, Kumars vision of bottom-up development has been there for all to see with schemes like Har Ghar Nal Ka Jal that brought piped water to every household, and Jal Jeevan Hariyali is proof that he cares about environmental degradation, Sada said. As such, making him the prime ministerial candidate will be of benefit not just to the JD(U) but all INDIA partners. I must make it clear, though, that we are not trying to press the demand, he said. It was pointed to Sada that the BJP was trying to fish in troubled waters by alleging the RJD and the Congress, both JD(U)s allies in the state, were against Nitish Kumar being given prominence. He shot back: It is the BJP which cannot stomach a backward leader like Nitish Kumar gaining prominence. There is no problem within the coalition. All issues, including seat-sharing, will be sorted out in good time. Notably, Kumar, who had been a BJP ally, quit the NDA more than a year ago and formed a new government upon joining the Mahagathbandhan that includes Congress, RJD and three Left parties. The JD(U) supremo, who had accused the former ally of trying to split his party, vowed to bring all parties opposed to the BJP together, expressing the belief that such a coalition could trounce the mighty NDA. He visited several parts of the country to hold parleys with like-minded leaders of different parties and hosted a meeting here in June last year that laid the foundation for INDIA bloc. The longest-serving CM of Bihar has been, of late, voicing concerns over the tardy pace at which things were moving in the new coalition. Last week, he formally took over as the national president of the JD(U), in a move that may be seen as his willingness to play a more proactive role in the Lok Sabha elections. Allies and adversaries alike have been taking note of a newfound aggression in the JD(U), as evident from its senior leader K C Tyagis assertion, after Kumar took over, that the Bihar CM was ideological convener and ideological prime minister of INDIA. The JD(U) also seems to have decided to steal a march by declaring its candidate for one of the two Lok Sabha seats in Arunachal Pradesh, and having dropped hints that it wanted to field Bihar legislative council Chairman Devesh Chandra Thakur from Sitamarhi. Former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday held a telephonic conversation with Lalu Prasad Yadav, Nitish Kumar and Arvind Kejriwal regarding consensus over the convener for INDIA bloc. Top sources in Shiv Sena told News18 that all INDIA alliance leaders are in conversation with each other for better coordination. They further told the publication that the meeting has been deferred and will now happen on Friday, December 4. Earlier in the day, sources had told News18 that Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is likely to be picked as INDIA alliances convener as leaders of the Opposition bloc are set to meet virtually around 6:30pm on Thursday. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar may be picked as INDIA alliances convener on Wednesday as leaders of the Opposition bloc are set to meet virtually around 6:30pm. Sources said that not all parties will be available for the discussion. Around 10-12 parties will participate, and the decision will be conveyed to other, a source added. Sources further said that there is near consensus on Nitish Kumar as Rahul and Sonia Gandhi, and Mamata Banerjee pushed for the Janata Dal (United) leader. One of the main reasons behind picking Kumar is that hes from the Hindi heartland (Bihar), which the Opposition feels will counter Prime Minister Narendra Modis strength and popularity in the belt. At a time when Rahul Gandhi is embarking on an important yatra, we want to keep the momentum going. If Nitish Kumar crosses over to the BJP-led NDA, the effort to unite the Opposition will fizzle out. Most of the INDIA bloc members seem to share this concern. The Congress, anyway, will maintain its primacy as the leading party in the alliance by keeping the position of national president or chairperson with Kharge, a report in Indian Express quoted a Congress leader as saying. Meanwhile, Congress Bihar president Akhilesh Prasad Singh also signalled that Nitish Kumar will be made their alliance convener. A report in Times of India quoted Singh as saying that rumours were being floated about Nitish going away from the INDIA bloc, but nothing such was going to happen. He praised the Bihar CM for his efforts in uniting the opposition parties and called him the axis of their INDIA bloc. The Congress leader said Nitish had all the skills and the latter would be made the convener of the INDIA bloc. Very soon, the confusion will be clear and BJP will get a lesson in 2024. In fact, BJP people lost their sleep the day Nitish left them, Singh was quoted as saying. Kumars deputy, Tejashwi Yadav, also supported the proposal. He said that the Bihar CM is an experienced leader and it would be great if he is made the convener of the INDIA coalition. Yadav, who belongs to the RJD, also exuded confidence that the seemingly thorny issue of seat-sharing will be sorted out without any problem. Nitish Kumar is such a senior leader. If such a proposal comes, it will be great for Bihar, Yadav told reporters at the Gaya airport when his comments were sought on the speculations that the JD(U) president could be made the convener of the opposition coalition. (With inputs from Pallavi Ghosh in New Delhi and Vinaya Deshpande in Mumbai) There could be no imminent arrest of Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) but further legal actions could follow including the agency likely to issue fourth summons against the Delhi chief minister in the alleged excise policy case. AAP is wishing for a political spectacle if the ED moves to arrest Kejriwal, as it could become a rallying point for the party in elections. Both Kejriwal and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren have been avoiding the ED summons, even as agency sources say there are incriminating evidence against them. Senior ED officers feel that the AAP chief is trying to delay the trial and the investigation process by creating a political atmosphere, which he thinks, may help him ahead of the elections. The ED could move the court for directions after making a strong case of investigation being impeded by the CMs by ignoring the summons. Sources in the opposition camp say it is the political strategy of Kejriwal and Soren to repeatedly avoid ED summons for appearance, as it fuels the narrative that ED is acting as a political agency to target their top leaders. If the ED wants to act against Arvind Kejriwal, it might as well drag him from his house for arrest as that will show the political vindictiveness of this government and its handmaiden agency, the ED. Kejriwal will not appear before the ED, an AAP source told News18. Evidence Piling Up Against CM Soren The raids at office and residential premises of Hemant Sorens close associates, which include a senior IAS officer, have given ED more incriminating evidence against the Jharkhand chief minister, sources in ED said. Following the raids in office and residential premises of the Deputy Commissioner of Sahibganj, ED has seized 14 rounds of cartridges of banned weapons, a packet containing Rs 8 lakh hidden inside a government file and a laptop with information related to the land deals, News18 has learnt. Sorens latest letter to the ED is being studied by the legal team of the directorate. The three-page letter, dated January 2, called the summons by the ED bad in law and accused it of acting in a motivated by extraneous reasons. ED is now mulling the next legal option against the Jharkhand CM, which may surprise him, a source in the ED said. Waiting to be an Oppositions Hero? AAP leaders have been daring the ED to act against Kejriwal, and all its top leaders on Wednesday night put out statements on X (formerly Twitter) that the ED was going to arrest Kejriwal on Thursday morning from his residence. The AAP had also gone public with such an apprehension earlier, but Kejriwal was not acted against. The CM himself did a press conference on Thursday questioning the timing of the EDs summons. According to the directorates officers, the ED has enough evidence to establish the necessity to examine the Delhi CM in the court of law. The statements given by the arrested accused members of Kejriwals party, and others indicate the Delhi CMs complicity in the scam, ED officers told News 18. ED had earlier arrested Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut after he skipped the ED summons in a probe but it has not adopted that strategy later in the case of Soren and Kejriwal who have skipped seven and three summons respectively from the central agency. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made heads turn in the recently concluded assembly election by fielding a total of 21 Members of Parliament (MPs) as candidates across four states. These included then sitting Union cabinet minister Narendra Singh Tomar, who was asked to fight the Madhya Pradesh election, and former Union minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, who was fielded from Jothwara and is now a Rajasthan minister after winning the seat. Rajasthans Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari was also an MP when her name was announced as a candidate from Vidhyadhar Nagar seat in Jaipur. Of the 21 MPs fielded, 12 won the election. Now, if sources are to be believed, BJP is actively considering asking many of its sitting Rajya Sabha members to fight the Lok Sabha election and prove their mettle. This includes sitting Union ministers who were elected in the Upper House. In 2014, then Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley was asked to fight from Amritsar. But this time, the party is weighing its options to field a bouquet of Rajya Sabha MPs, including top ministers, in the Lok Sabha poll. News18 has spoken to multiple sources in the BJP who have hinted that the move is under active consideration. Though any final decision in this regard will be taken by BJPs Central Election Committee (CEC), which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a part of, sources indicate that certain names have been considered for a while now. Nirmala Sitharaman Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is a Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka, is one such name. BJPs top leadership is considering asking her to fight the Lok Sabha poll from Tamil Nadu. Sitharaman was born in a Tamil Iyengar family in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. She did her schooling in Villupuram, Chennai, and Tiruchirappalli. The BJP is keen to make inroads in the state where its state president Annamalais aggressive outreach made former NDA ally AIADMK break up the alliance in the state. The Modi government has been wooing Tamilians every December through the Kashi Tamil Sangamam in PMs Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi since 2022. The idea was to bridge the perceived gap between North and South. Besides the Kasi Viswanathar temple in Tenkasi, there are hundreds of Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu that bear the name of Kashi. In 2022, when the Sangamam began, Sitharaman was present in Varanasi. Ashwini Vaishnaw The former IAS officer was brought into the Rajya Sabha in 2019 from Odisha for his domain expertise. Ever since, he has become an intrinsic part of BJPs organisation and was appointed the partys election co-in-charge for the Madhya Pradesh assembly poll last year. Sources say the BJP wants to field him from a seat in either Rajasthan or Odisha. While he was born in Rajasthan and studied there, Vaishnaw served as a collector in the Cuttack and Balasore districts of Odisha. His hands-on approach during the rescue mission after the Balasore train accident and camping on railway tracks is said to have impressed the BJPs top leadership. Bhupendra Yadav Yadav, who enjoys Amit Shahs trust and is widely credited for BJPs Gujarat election win in 2022 and Madhya Pradesh victory in 2023, is another name doing the rounds. Currently the environment minister, Yadav is a Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan. Also a BJP general secretary, Yadav is likely to be fielded from either Rajasthan or Haryana, say party sources. Though he was born in Ajmer, he has close links with Haryana as well. Not many know that his ancestral house is in Gurugram. He has a great deal of influence in that belt of Gurugram, Manesar, Rewari, said a BJP leader on condition of anonymity. Jyotiraditya Scindia The BJP put all speculations about Scindia to rest when it elected Mohan Yadav as its new chief minister in Madhya Pradesh. The former Congressman, who joined BJP in 2020, is the Union civil aviation minister and also elected to the Upper House. In 2019, he fought the Lok Sabha election from Madhya Pradeshs Guna and lost to the BJP. But much has changed ever since. There are murmurs that Scindia too may be asked to fight the Lok Sabha election this time from Madhya Pradesh if the CEC okays his name. Informed sources say the prime minister is happy with the way he coordinated as aviation minister during Indias various evacuations, particularly during the Ukraine-Russia war. Dharmendra Pradhan Known as an organisation person who always wears a smile, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan too is likely to be fielded in the Lok Sabha election this time. Party sources say Pradhan himself is also keen to fight it out instead of staying in the Upper House. The BJP thinks if Pradhan, who hails from Odisha fights Lok Sabha poll from the state, it will put the party in a better position on many adjoining seats as well. Pradhan earlier fought Lok Sabha in 2009 from Odishas Devgarh, which got split into two seats after delimitation. Mansukh Mandaviya Mandaviya is among the most prominent Patidar leaders of the BJP. He comes from Saurashtra region of Gujarat, where the party performed poorly in the 2017 assembly elections. He enjoys the trust of Prime Minister Modi due to his performance during the pandemic despite not holding the health portfolio back then. As a Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, he played a key role in bridging the gap between the demand and supply ratio of oxygen during the height of the pandemic. This seems to have earned him the cabinet berth post reshuffle. This Leuva Patidar leader was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) in Rajya Sabha from Gujarat. A few days ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi voiced regret over Indias delayed entry into the semiconductor realm, stating that the mission should have been initiated 30 years ago. His viewpoint resonates with industry sentiments, acknowledging the belated step into the semiconductor realm. However, despite the delay, the announcement of Microns Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging (ATMP) project is considered pivotal, regarded a watershed moment by Sanjay Gupta, the chairperson at India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA). It is anticipated that this announcement marks a turning point, signifying a positive and upward growth trajectory for the industry in India from this juncture onward, with more projects and plans in the pipeline. Industry insiders recognise that semiconductor-specific policies implemented in states such as Gujarat and Odisha play a vital role, not only in drawing investments but also in creating opportunities for states to cultivate a competitive edge. These policies encourage a conducive environment where states compete to provide superior and distinctive incentives. Focused initiatives within states can nurture the growth of proficient workforces and complementary ecosystems, rendering them attractive investment hubs. Moreover, states will have the flexibility to customise their policies to entice particular segments of the industry, such as chip fabrication, design, or testing, leveraging their inherent strengths and available resources. This tailored approach enables states to align their strategies with specific facets of the semiconductor industry, further enhancing their appeal to potential investors. While in Gujarats Sanand, Microns ATMP plant is taking shape, the Odisha government late last year announced that the government has entered into agreements with three entities to establish a semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. The memoranda of understanding were signed with the IESA, Synopsys, and the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC). Following in the footsteps of Gujarat and Odisha, UP is now gearing up to introduce a semiconductor policy within the state. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to assess policies from other states and collaborate with industry experts and stakeholders. The aim is to craft a comprehensive semiconductor policy, propelling UP towards becoming a prominent hub. Meanwhile, in the southern part of the country, Tata is expected to set up an ATMP plant in the Kolar district of Karnataka, with plans to invest Rs 200 crore into this unit. During the Winter Session, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, MoS for Electronics and IT, said Foxconn has submitted its application under the Modified Programme for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing for setting up of semiconductor fab, which is under consideration. Similarly, there are positive discussions around the revamp of the Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL) situated in Mohali, with the Ministry of Electronics and IT spearheading this effort in Indias pursuit to enhance semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. Industry insiders believe that enhancing the infrastructure to match commercial fabs would immensely benefit the country and industry. This move would also streamline the local supply chain, allowing quicker operations from design to manufacturing, and cutting costs for companies. Also, local availability of chips would reduce import-related expenses, enhancing competitiveness within the Indian ecosystem compared to global counterparts. However, according to the IESA chairperson, apart from MeitY, the Ministry of External Affairs also actively works to foster semiconductor partnerships globally. An initiative like the USIndia Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), where semiconductors hold a significant place, was driven by MEA. Such joint efforts are pivotal in furthering Indias knowledge and advancement in this field. In terms of global partnerships, last year, the cabinet approved a Memorandum of Cooperation between India and Japan concerning the Japan-India semiconductor supply chain partnership. But, there are also doubts about Indias potential to rival colossal entities like Taiwan. In this matter, the IESA chairperson emphasises avoiding blindly mimicking other countries paths. Instead, India should pursue strategies aligned with its current needs. Focusing on mature nodes is advocated since the majority of the demand resides in this domain. Despite the allure of 2-nanometer or 5-nanometer chip technologies, it is understood that significantly less demand exists in these advanced nodes, prompting the question of why India should venture into them immediately. Similarly, discussions persist about Indias hesitance to enter the primary domain of wafer fab. In that case, it was highlighted by industry insiders that if establishing wafer fabs was simple, numerous nations would have already done so. They now hold the belief that as ATMP projects start shaping up, fabs will follow suit once the country is fully prepared. Luck can be a capricious companion, sometimes choosing to reveal its favour at the most unexpected moments. Such was the case for a woman in Germany, whose life took an unforeseen turn when she stumbled upon a 2-year-old lottery ticket while cleaning her house for Christmas. According to the report by the New York Post, the woman had participated in the Lotterie Super 6 in February 2021, only to forget about it entirely. It wasnt until the holiday season that she uncovered the ticket in a desk drawer. To her astonishment, the ticket turned out to be a winner, bringing her a windfall of $110,000 (approximately Rs 91,61,449). I cannot believe it. It feels like rediscovering a forgotten treasure, she told the news agency, encapsulating the surprise and joy that accompanies unexpected good fortune. With her newfound financial windfall, the woman expressed her intention to use the money for a well-deserved vacation, turning a mundane cleaning session into the catalyst for a life-changing experience. Lottery officials were equally amazed to find the ticket in pristine condition when it was submitted for verification. Their surprise was compounded by the fact that there were still unclaimed winnings from 2021 in Saxony-Anhalt amounting to more than $660,000 (More than Rs 5 crore). Lotto-Toto Sachsen-Anhalt director Stefan Ebert urged other potential winners to step forward before the looming December 31, 2024 deadline, the NY Post reported. This was the only six-figure winning amount that was currently open for such a long time, Ebert explained, highlighting the rarity of the situation. Interestingly, this tale of forgotten fortune isnt an isolated incident. Lucille Robinson, a resident of the Arkansas city of Little Rock, seized a life-changing moment when she cashed in her $500,000 (Rs 41,655,000) ticket from the Arkansas Lottery on December 27, as reported by USA Today. The windfall came from her success in the 200X instant game, as reported by the lottery authorities. Robinson, accompanied by her son Dewayne Johnson, decided to spend $20 (Rs 1,666) on a lottery ticket at the 12th Street Market in Little Rock. Choosing the 200X game for its aesthetic appeal and vibrant colours, Robinson scratched off the ticket right there at the gas station. She handed it over to Johnson to check if any fortune awaited them. Mama, you just won half a million dollars, exclaimed Johnson upon discovering the winning ticket, recounting the pivotal moment as shared by the lottery. Overwhelmed with excitement, Robinson expressed her gratitude to God, immediately sharing the news with her other son and granddaughter before making her way to the ticket claim centre. Revealing a penchant for purchasing lottery tickets two to three times a week, Robinson disclosed to lottery officials that she has practical plans for her newfound wealth. The winnings will be allocated towards settling bills, addressing other financial commitments, and setting aside funds for unforeseen circumstances. Additionally, she expressed aspirations to enhance her familys quality of life with the unexpected windfall. Iran blamed Israel and the US on Wednesday for twin bomb blasts that killed at least 95 people in the countrys south, ripping through a crowd commemorating Revolutionary Guards general Qasem Soleimani four years after his death in a US strike. The two explosions labelled a terrorist attack by state media and regional authorities came amid high Middle East tensions over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and the killing of a Hamas senior leader in Lebanon on Tuesday. The unclaimed attacks, which sparked fears of a widening conflict in the region, rattled global markets where oil prices jumped more than three percent and sparked global condemnation. Washington says USA and Israel had no role in terrorist attack in Kerman, Iran. Really? A fox smells its own lair first, the Iranian presidents political deputy, Mohammad Jamshidi wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Make no mistake. The responsibility for this crime lies with the US and Zionist regimes (Israel) and terrorism is just a tool, he added. The United States had earlier rejected any suggestions that it or ally Israel were involved while Israel declined to comment. The United States was not involved in any way We have no reason to believe that Israel was involved in this explosion, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. Asked about the blasts, Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said: We are focused on the combats with Hamas. Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blamed evil and criminal enemies of the country for the attack and vowed a harsh response. President Ebrahim Raisi, who scrapped a visit to Turkey on Thursday, condemned the heinous crime as the Islamic Republic of Iran declared Thursday a national day of mourning. The blasts, about 15 minutes apart, struck near the Martyrs Cemetery at the Saheb al-Zaman Mosque in Kerman, Soleimanis southern hometown, as supporters gathered to mark his killing in a 2020 US drone strike in Baghdad. Official IRNA news agency initially reported 103 people were killed while state television said 211 wounded, some in critical condition. Health minister Bahram Eynollahi later revised the toll, saying, The exact number of the people killed in the terrorist incident is 95. He said the reason for the earlier figure of 103 was that some names were wrongly registered twice. Three paramedics who rushed to the scene after the first explosion were among those killed, said Irans Red Crescent. IRNA said the first explosion took place around 700 metres (yards) from Soleimanis grave while the other was around one kilometre away. Tasnim news agency, quoting what it called informed sources, said two bags carrying bombs went off and the perpetrators apparently detonated the bombs by remote control. Online footage showed panicked crowds scrambling to flee as security personnel cordoned off the area. Shocking cruelty State television showed bloodied victims lying on the ground and ambulances and rescue personnel racing to help them. We were walking towards the cemetery when a car suddenly stopped behind us and a waste bin containing a bomb exploded, an eyewitness was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency. We only heard the explosion and saw people falling. By nightfall, crowds returned to the Martyrs Cemetery in Kerman chanting: Death to Israel and Death to America. In Tehran, thousands gathered at the Grand Mosalla Mosque to pay tribute to Soleimani. We condemn todays bitter terrorist incident I hope the perpetrators of the crime will be identified and punished for their actions, Soleimanis daughter, Zeinab, said. Soleimani headed the Quds Force, the foreign operations arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, overseeing military operations across the Middle East. The United Nations, European Union, and several countries including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Germany and Iraq denounced the blasts. UN chief Antonio Guterres strongly condemns the blasts, his office said, and the EU said: This act of terror has exacted a shocking toll of civilian deaths and injuries. Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote to Raisi and Khamenei that the killing of peaceful people visiting the cemetery is shocking in its cruelty and cynicism. Iran ally Hamas denounced the criminal attack while the Saudi foreign ministry in Riyadh voiced solidarity with Iran in this painful event. The blasts came a day after Hamas number two Saleh al-Aruri an Iran ally was killed in a strike, which Lebanese officials blamed on Israel, on a southern Beirut suburb that is a stronghold of Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah. Wednesdays bomb blasts were Irans deadliest since a 1978 arson Cinema Rex attack in the southwestern city of Abadan, which killed at least 377 people, according to AFP archives. Previous plots Iran has long fought a shadow war of killings and sabotage with arch enemy Israel and also battled various jihadist and other militant groups. In September, the Fars news agency reported that a key operative affiliated with the Islamic State group, in charge of carrying out terrorist operations in Iran, had been arrested in Kerman. In July, Irans intelligence ministry said it had disbanded a network linked to Israels spy organisation which had been plotting terrorist operations across Iran, IRNA reported. The alleged plots included planning an explosion at the grave of Soleimani, it said. Soleimani, whom Khamenei years ago declared a living martyr, was widely regarded as a hero in Iran for his role in defeating IS in both Iraq and Syria. Long seen as a deadly adversary by the United States and its allies, Soleimani was one of the most important power brokers across the region, setting Irans political and military agenda in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will leave Thursday on a trip to five Arab countries, the West Bank, Turkey and Greece, in addition to a previously announced stop in Israel, the State Department said. Among other issues, he will discuss immediate measures to increase substantially humanitarian assistance to Gaza, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters. He will also discuss preventing the conflict from expanding, Miller said, days after an Israeli strike killed a Hamas militant in Lebanon and as Iranian-backed Huthi rebels fire on ships in the Red Sea. He will discuss specific steps parties can take, including how they can use their influence with others in the region, to avoid escalation, Miller said. It is in no ones interest not Israels, not the regions, not the worlds for this conflict to spread beyond Gaza, he said. Blinken will be paying his fourth visit to the region since a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, which triggered a massive Israeli retaliatory campaign in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip. On the latest visit, he will visit Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Miller said. A 49-year-old man was arrested after three separate shooting incidents on Wednesday night in Merseyside County in North West England. The first incident unfolded at the News and Booze store locally known as Sangha newsagents on Lower House Lane, Norris Green area in Liverpool, at around 8:30 pm. A man entered the shop, threatened the store assistant, demanded cash, fired a gun, and left the store empty-handed. The second incident occurred just before 8:50 pm outside the Showcase Cinema on Stonedale retail park in Croxteth. Armed with a gun entered the cinema complex, the man threatened two staff members in the foyer, fired shots in the air upon leaving, and escaped in a car. Police said no injuries were reported, and no damage was caused. Lone gunman in Liverpool last night fires shots in a newsagents and the showcase cinema. pic.twitter.com/fsL4vVatLl Grumpy Old Man (@grumpyoldman176) January 4, 2024 At around 10:20 pm, further reports emerged of gunshots heard at a property on Malpas Road. A 49-year-old man from Fazakerley was arrested by Armed Response Officers at 4.46 am when warrants were carried out at a property in Fazakerley. When officers attended the property the male was aggressive and a Taser was deployed, Merseyside police said in a statement. The arrested individual faces charges of possession of a Section 1 firearm with intent to endanger life and robbery. He is currently in custody at a police station in Merseyside. Assistant Chief Constable Jenn Wilson, said: Thankfully incidents like this, involving a single offender in three separate shootings in close proximity and quick succession, are extremely rare and this is the first time we have had to deal with an incident of this nature on the streets of Merseyside. The shocking and distressing impact these incidents will have had on the shop assistant, the staff at the Showcase Cinema and those filmgoers who found themselves in a lockdown situation in the complex after shots were fired outside the cinema and the residents of Malpas Road cannot be underestimated. Officers were on the ground immediately following the first incident and were able to respond swiftly to the subsequent discharges, and a male was identified, located and arrested on suspicion of all three discharges within nine hours, she added. New law requires 22% of cars sold in UK to be zero-emission New rules requiring car manufacturers to sell a minimum proportion of zero-emission vehicles has come into force, according to the governments Department for Transport (DfT). That generally means electric vehicles (EVs). Under the new mandate which became law on Wednesday, car manufacturers will have to make sure at least 22 per cent of vehicles sold are zero-emission - or pay the government 15,000 per polluting vehicle sold above the limits. The threshold will rise annually until it reaches 100% by 2035. There is also a threshold for van sales, starting at 10 per cent this year. The mandate is a devolved policy and was developed with the Scottish government, Welsh government and Northern Irelands Department for Infrastructure. The law comes as it emerged on Tuesday that a government target for EV chargers near motorways had been missed (AFP via Getty Images) The Westminster Governments technology and decarbonisation minister Anthony Browne, who will visit an EV charging hub installed by bp pulse in central London on Wednesday, said: Alongside us having spent more than 2bn in the transition to electric vehicles, our zero-emission vehicle mandate will further boost the economy and support manufacturers to safeguard skilled British jobs in the automotive industry. We are providing investment certainty for the charging sector to expand our charging network, which has already grown by 44 per cent since this time last year. This will support the constantly growing number of EVs in the UK, which currently account for over 16 per cent of the new UK car market. The threshold will rise annually until it reaches 100% by 2035. There is also a threshold for van sales, starting at 10% this year (AFP via Getty Images) Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders chief executive Mike Hawes said: The industry is investing billions in decarbonisation and recognises the importance of the zero-emission vehicles mandate in delivering net zero. The law comes as it emerged on Tuesday that a government target for EV chargers near motorways had been missed. The DfT set an ambitious goal for there to be at least six rapid or ultra-rapid chargers at every motorway service area in England by the end of 2023 in a bid to improve the confidence of drivers to make long journeys. However, new RAC analysis of data by charger locator service Zapmap found that just 39 per cent of the 119 sites met the target. The DfT said the number of public charge points is surging across the country. A batch of newly released US court documents, related to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, who killed himself in 2019 while awaiting trial, has created great hype. The Internet has been rife in recent weeks with posts speculating the documents amounted to a list of whos who of powerful men who were Epsteins clients. The first 40 documents in the court-ordered release largely consisted of already public material revealed through nearly two decades of newspaper stories, TV documentaries, interviews, legal cases and books about the Epstein scandal. The records, including transcripts of interviews with some of Epsteins victims, had mentions of his past links with former US President Bill Clinton and Britains Prince Andrew. It is important to note that Clinton is not accused of wrongdoing and there is no implication of any illegality. When contacted for comment, his representatives referred to a statement he issued in 2019 saying he knows nothing about Epsteins crimes, according to the BBC. Clinton Likes them Young In her May 2016 deposition, Epstein accuser Johanna Sjoberg, according to The Associated Press, testified that Epstein once remarked to her that Clinton likes them young. This remark Sjoberg took as a reference to young women or girls. The newly released files, which name more than 170 Epstein associates were ordered released by a US federal Judge last month. They were filed in a since-settled defamation lawsuit that Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre brought against the late sexual offenders former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, in 2015. Epstein was initially arrested in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2005 after he was accused of paying a 14-year-old girl for sex. Dozens of other underage girls described similar sexual abuse, but prosecutors ultimately allowed the financier to plead guilty in 2008 to a charge involving a single victim. He served 13 months in a jail work-release program. Some famous acquaintances abandoned Epstein after his conviction but the US financier continued to mingle with the rich and famous for another decade. Subsequently, reporting by the US media renewed interest in the scandal, and federal prosecutors in New York charged Epstein in 2019 with sex trafficking. He later killed himself in jail while awaiting trial. After he hanged himself in a prison cell in 2019, Epsteins ex-pilot, testifying in Ghislaine Maxwells sex trafficking trial, had revealed that a list of powerful men, including Clinton, who flew aboard Epsteins private plane. The pilot, Larry Visoski, said he would typically be given notice if Clinton or high-profile passengers like him would be flying, CNN reported at the time. He recalled Prince Andrew, Maine Sen. George Mitchell and Ohio Sen. John Glenn on flights. At that time, Visoski also said hed fly Epstein to Columbus, Ohio, where Epstein also had property, to see billionaire businessman Les Wexner. At that time, none of the high-profile passengers mentioned in Visoskis testimony were alleged to have committed any wrongdoing. Clintons spokesperson previously admitted to Clinton being aboard Epsteins plane four times but said the former US president knew nothing about Epsteins terrible crimes. In 2002 and 2003, President Clinton took a total of four trips on Jeffrey Epsteins airplane: one to Europe, one to Asia, and two to Africa, which included stops in connection with the work of the Clinton Foundation, Clinton spokesperson Angel Urena said in 2019. In bombshell reports from July 2020, media outlets said that Clinton had flown to Jeffrey Epsteins orgy island with two young girls. This information came to light following the release of a trove of historic Ghislaine Maxwell court documents by a New York court. In the documents, Epsteins victim Virginia Giuffre had said the former US president visited Epsteins infamous private Caribbean Island. When Giuffre was asked: Do you have any recollection of Jeffrey Epstein specifically telling you that Bill Clinton owes me favours?' Yes, I do, she answered, according to The Sun newspaper. It was a laugh though. He would laugh it off. You know, I remember asking Jeffrey whats Bill Clinton doing here [on Epsteins island] kind of thing, and he laughed it off and said well he owes me favors. He never told me what favours they were, Giuffre had said at the time. (With agency inputs) Dozens of sealed court documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein were publicly released on Wednesday (local time). The court is releasing more records from a lawsuit filed against sexual offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2015. These documents are part of a 2015 lawsuit filed against Ghislaine Maxwell who was prosecuted for helping recruit Epsteins underage victims. She was convicted in 2021 and is serving a 20-year prison term. Epstein was charged in 2019 with sex trafficking and killed himself in jail while awaiting trial. Giuffre is one of the dozens of women who sued Epstein saying he had abused them at his homes in Florida, New York, the US Virgin Islands and New Mexico. The US district judge Loretta Preska said that there was no legal basis for maintaining confidentiality regarding the names of individuals, including prominent figures such as Britains Prince Andrew and former president Bill Clinton because much of the information within them is already public. The people named in the records include many of Epsteins accusers, members of his staff who told their stories to tabloid newspapers, people who served as witnesses at Maxwells trial, people who were mentioned in passing during depositions but arent accused of anything salacious, and people who investigated Epstein, including prosecutors, a journalist and a police detective, news agency Associated Press said. How Is Bill Clinton Connected to Jeffrey Epstein? Bill Clinton who is referred to as Doe 36" in court documents is mentioned at least 50 times in the sealed records. Clinton denied visiting the island in the US Virgin Islands, which has been referred to as Epsteins Island since the scandal unfolded, but Giuffre claims he saw him with two young women there. Giufrre has not accused Clinton. Flight records show that Epsteins plane was used by Clinton after his presidential tenure and he visited places like Paris, Bangkok, and Brunei. Another victim Johanna Sjoberg said that Epstein once told her that Bill Clinton likes them young" referring to girls. Bill Clintons presidency was tainted due to his affair with a 22-year-old White House intern. How Is Stephen Hawking Connected to Jeffrey Epstein? A report by Irish News from 2015 revealed that Jeffrey Epstein asked Ghislaine Maxwell in an email to offer a reward to anyone discrediting Virginia Giuffres claims about Professor Stephen Hawkings involvement in an underage orgy. You can issue a reward to any of Virginias friends, acquaintances, and family that come forward and help prove her allegations are false. The strongest is the Clinton dinner, and the new version in the Virgin Islands that Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy," the email read. In 2015, photos emerged showing Stephen Hawking on Jeffrey Epsteins private Caribbean island before Epsteins initial charges in 2006. The images depicted Hawking at a barbecue on Little St James and participating in a boat cruise and submarine tour. The Cambridge professor was one of 21 internationally-renowned scientists attending a conference on gravity in March 2006, which was funded by Epstein. He passed away in 2018 aged 76 due to complications arising from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a condition which slowly paralysed him. How Is UK Royal Prince Andrew Connected to Jeffrey Epstein? Giuffre claimed that she was trafficked to Prince Andrew and described it as a really scary time". She said that Ghislaine Maxwell instructed her to do for Andrew what I do for Jeffrey" after a nightclub visit. Prince Andrew denied her allegations but the Duke of York paid a financial settlement to his accuser and formally ended the civil case brought against him in the US in 2022. Sjoberg also claimed that Prince Andrew groped her breast while they were seated on a couch inside Jeffrey Epsteins Manhattan apartment in 2001. How Is Larry Page Connected to Jeffrey Epstein? The US Virgin Islands sought documents from Googles Larry Page in its lawsuit against JPMorgan linked to Jeffrey Epsteins alleged sex trafficking. Other Major Names Virginia Giuffre also named billionaire hedge fund manager Glenn Dubin and said Maxwell asked her to give Dubin a massage. And when they say massage, that means erotic, okay? Thats their term for it. I think there are plenty of other witnesses who can attest to what massage actually means. And Im telling you that Ghislaine told me to go to Glenn Dubin and give him a massage, which means sex," Giuffre said, as per court documents, according to Forbes. Giuffre claims Maxwell asked her to have sex with attorney Alan Dershowitz, politician Bill Richardson, the late MIT scientist Marvin Minsky, lawyer George J Mitchell and MC2 modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel. Nobel laureate Lawrence Krauss, Michael Jackson, magician David Copperfield, comedian Chris Tucker, actor Kevin Spacey, Victorias Secret magnate Les Wexner and model Naomi Campbell also reportedly visited Epsteins Island. Former US president Donald Trumps attorney Alina Habba on Wednesday told US-based news outlets that Trump is concerned that the US Supreme Court may rule against him in regard to recent decisions in Colorado and Maine that barred from the states 2024 primary ballots. Habba, during an interview on Fox News, said that Trump voiced his concerns to her. Thats a concern hes voiced to me, hes voiced to everybody publicly, not privately. And I can tell you that his concern is a valid one, Habba said, responding to comments made by New York Times reporter Maggie Habermans recent comments. You know, Republicans are conservative, they get nervous. They unfortunately sometimes shy away from being pro-Trump because they feel that even if the law is on our side, they are swayed much like the Democratic side, right? So theyre trying so hard to look neutral that sometimes, they make the wrong call, she told Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum. Trump has appealed Colorados ruling to the US Supreme Court a day after he appealed Maines decision. Both state removed Trump from their 2024 state primary ballots last month citing an insurrection clause from the 14th Amendment of US Constitution. The Supreme Court of the US has a 6-3 conservative majority. Haberman last week cited concerns that the three of the justices on the nations highest bench were appointed by Trump. Haberman told news outlet CNN that Trump and his advisers generally believe that they will succeed in the Supreme Court but the former president is concerned that the judges will try to look as if they are not trying to rule in his favour. Trump attorney Habba encouraged the justices to look at the law in the Constitution. Its just a simple decision, and it should have nothing to do with if youre Republican or Democrat, Habba said. Legal experts across the United States have given varied predictions for how the US apex court will rule if it decides to hear the case. Twelve nations led by the United States on Wednesday jointly warned Yemens Houthi rebels of unspecified consequences unless they immediately halt sea attacks that are increasingly disrupting global commerce. President Joe Bidens administration described the statement joined notably by Britain, Germany and Japan as a final warning as he weighs possible military strikes against the Houthis if attacks persist. The Iranian-backed rebels, who control much of Yemen including the capital Sanaa and most of the Red Sea coast, have been firing on ships allegedly linked to Israel in avowed solidarity with Palestinians in the battered, Hamas-run Gaza Strip. Let our message now be clear: we call for the immediate end of these illegal attacks and release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews, said the joint statement released by the White House. The Houthis will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy and free flow of commerce in the regions critical waterways. A senior Biden administration official, while not specifying the consequences, called the message very clear. I would not anticipate another warning. I think this statement speaks for itself, the official told reporters. Biden consulted with his national security team on the morning of New Years Day while on holiday in the US Virgin Islands to discuss options over the Huthi attacks, the official said. Britain a close US ally on security issues has issued its own warning of direct action, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak saying that the Houthis must end their deadly and destabilizing attacks on vessels. The UK will always take action to defend freedom of navigation, Sunak wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. The United States earlier sent an aircraft carrier to the area and announced a naval coalition to protect movement in the Red Sea, through which 15 percent of global trade passes, according to UN figures. The UK has contributed a Royal Navy destroyer, HMS Diamond, to bolster the longstanding British presence in the Gulf area. On Sunday, the US military said it had sunk three Huthi boats following attacks on a container ship of Danish shipping giant Maersk. The rebels said 10 of their fighters were killed in the incident. The Houthis on Wednesday announced the latest of its more than 20 attacks, saying they attacked a Malta-flagged freighter believing it was headed for occupied Palestinian territory. The ship was not hit. Shipping prices spike At a Security Council meeting on Monday, the UNs maritime agency said that 18 shipping companies were re-routing vessels around Africa to avoid the Red Sea due to the upsurge in attacks. Going around Africa instead of through the Suez Canal means an additional 10 days of travel, International Maritime Organization chief Arsenio Dominguez said. After the latest attack, French operator CMA CGM announced a big hike in prices, with a 40-foot container between Asia and the western Mediterranean doubling from $3,000 to $6,000. Maersk on Tuesday extended a suspension of services through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, south of Yemen, until further notice. Khaled Khiari, an assistant UN secretary-general, voiced concern about global commerce and also the risk of Yemen being dragged into a regional conflagration. Since Tuesday, Iran has been hit by a major blast and a suspected Israeli attack killed a senior Hamas leader in Lebanon. The Biden administration official said that the Huthi missiles which can travel at Mach 5, five times the speed of sound were very clearly coming from Iran. The Biden administration was initially cautious in its response as it is seeking to preserve a fragile peace in Yemen, where a decade of civil war has caused one of the worlds worst humanitarian crises in the Arabian peninsulas poorest country. A truce between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed, internationally recognized government has largely held since April 2022. The only regional country to sign the White House-led statement was Bahrain, the tiny Gulf state that has particularly tense relations with Iran, which supports the Houthis. The other signatories were Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands and New Zealand. India and Nepal signed several key agreements on Thursday as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a comprehensive and productive meeting with his Nepalese counterpart NP Saud. The talks between the two ministers covered bilateral ties, trade, connectivity, and defense cooperation. Discussions focused on our overall bilateral ties, trade & economic relations, land, rail & air connectivity projects, cooperation in defense & security, agriculture, energy, power, water resources, disaster management, tourism, civil aviation, people-to-people & cultural exchanges and development partnership, Jaishankar said in a post on X. Witnessed exchange of agreements on Implementation of High Impact Community Development ProjectsLong Term Power TradeCooperation in Renewable Energy DevelopmentMunal SatelliteHandover of 5th tranche of post-Jajarkot earthquake relief supply.Also jointly pic.twitter.com/KhRCyinvSj Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 4, 2024 Jaishankar, who arrived in Nepal earlier in the day on his first visit to a foreign country in 2024, co-chaired with Saud the 7th India-Nepal Joint Commission meeting. In Jaishankars presence, Nepals Energy Secretary Gopal Sigdel and his Indian counterpart Pankaj Agrawal inked the bilateral agreement that will facilitate the export of 10,000 MW of electricity from Nepal to India in the next 10 years. The two countries had reached an understanding on the electricity export during Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal Prachandas visit to India from May 31 to June 3 last year. Both sides had signed several major pacts including one on increasing New Delhis import of power from the neighbouring country to 10,000 MW in the next 10 years from the current 450 MW. India has also helped Nepal develop multiple hydropower projects on these high-volume rivers and more projects are in the pipeline. During Thursdays meeting, the two sides also exchanged agreements on implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects, Cooperation in Renewable Energy Development, Munal Satellite and Handover of 5th tranche of post-Jajarkot earthquake relief supply. The two sides also jointly inaugurated three cross-border transmission lines. Nepals Foreign Ministry said that various aspects of bilateral relations were discussed on the occasion under the thematic areas of economic relations, connectivity, trade and transit, power and water resources, education and culture and political matters among others. Earlier, Jaishankar called on President Ramchandra Paudel and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda during which the two sides exchanged substantive views on the age-old, unique, and multifaceted ties. Jaishankar called on Prime Minister Prachanda at the latters office Singhdurbar and conveyed the warm wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nepal is important for India in the context of its overall strategic interests in the region, and the leaders of the two countries have often noted the age-old Roti Beti ties. The country shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Land-locked Nepal relies heavily on India for the transportation of goods and services. (With agency inputs) An Indian-origin man has been sentenced to nine months in prison in the UK after being found guilty of masturbating on board a London Underground train in front of a woman. The incident occurred in November 2022. Mukesh Shah, who hails from Wembley in north London, was found guilty of indecent exposure at London Inner Crown Court in December and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years. In a statement released on January 2, the British Transport Police (BTP) said 43-year-old Shah would be subjected to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order over the incident, which occurred on November 4, 2022, during a tube journey. This was a frightening and upsetting experience for the victim and I commend her bravery in confronting the offender, managing to capture an image of Shah and reporting this, said BTP Investigating Officer, Detective Constable Mark Luker. Shahs disgusting actions have not only secured him time behind bars but restrictions following his release to prevent him from repeating his actions in the future. We will always take reports of sexual offences seriously and will do everything in our power to bring offenders to justice, he said. The court heard how on November 4, 2022, at around 11.40 pm, the victim was travelling alone in an empty Piccadilly Line carriage between Sudbury Town and Acton Town when Shah boarded the train. Despite the empty carriage, Shah sat diagonally opposite the victim and she noticed him staring at her, making her feel uncomfortable. It was then that she noticed he was exposing himself and masturbating, BTP said in a statement. Bravely, the victim captured Shah on camera hoping it would deter him, when he didnt, she confronted him and told him to stop and move away from her. He protested he hadnt done anything wrong but moved along the carriage. The victim reported the incident to BTP along with the video, which was circulated within the police and led to the identification of Shah. (With agency inputs) An elderly woman trapped in a house destroyed by a huge earthquake in central Japan was found and rescued by a search dog, the countrys defence minister said Thursday. The dog, named Jennifer, is one of the specially trained canines deployed to the regions hardest hit by the magnitude-7.5 quake that struck on New Years Day. They have joined thousands of troops and firefighters in the desperate search for survivors on the Sea of Japan coast. The Self-Defence Forces had rescued 122 people by yesterday, including an elderly woman in a house in Wajima City, who was found and rescued by a search dog (Jennifer), Defence Minister Minoru Kihara wrote on X. Today, which is a crucial day, the number of personnel will be increased to approximately 4,600, he added. At least 84 people have been confirmed dead after the earthquake and a series of strong aftershocks, with 79 others listed as missing by local authorities. Hopes are fading for other successful rescues, however, as the third day of the desperate hunt draws to a close. Mondays earthquake toppled tall buildings and flattened homes, triggering major landslides and tsunami waves over one metre high. Rescuers searched the rubble of collapsed homes on Wednesday in the hopes of finding more survivours. (With agency inputs) Former US presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump and UK royal Prince Andrew were among the dozens of people named in court documents that detailed people connected to sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein. The names were released as part of a lawsuit related to Epsteins associate Ghislaine Maxwell following a New York federal judges order. The UK socialite is serving a 20-year jail term for crimes she committed with Epstein. The document which spans over 943 pages was released on Wednesday evening. Some of those who were named are accused of wrongdoing while others on the list made allegations or are potential witnesses. Epstein killed himself in 2019 as he awaited trial for sex crimes. A report by the Associated Press pointed out that social media has been rife with misinformation ahead of the unsealing of the documents with many social media users claiming that the judge will release a list of clients or co-conspirators of Jeffrey Epstein. The report said there is no such list and court documents related to Epstein that were previously sealed are being unsealed. The great majority of those whose names appear in the documents arent accused of wrongdoing or have been mentioned previously in legal proceedings or news accounts, the Associated Press said. It carries no allegation of complicity in Epsteins crimes. Even though Clinton is named in the documents, there is no implication of illegality and his representatives told news agencies that the former president knows nothing about Epsteins crimes. New York Judge Loretta Preska also pointed out that many of those named in the lawsuit were already identified by the media or during Maxwells criminal trial. She added many others did not object to the release of the documents but some individuals have objected to the disclosure of their identities in the case. The documents are part of 2015 civil lawsuit centred on allegations that Epsteins former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell facilitated the sexual abuse of Virginia Giuffre who alleges she was a victim of trafficking. Giuffres attorneys sought to depose former US president Bill Clinton as part of her defamation lawsuit against Maxwell. They argued that Clinton is one of the key persons who can provide information about his close ties with defendant and Mr Epstein, the court documents unveiled. The document from 2016 marks the first time Giuffres attorneys indicated their desire to depose Clinton for his testimony, according to a separate report by US-based ABC News. Giuffre also claimed she was pressured into having sex with men in Epsteins social orbit, most famously with Britains Prince Andrew. All of those men said her accounts were fabricated. She settled a lawsuit against Prince Andrew in 2022. Johanna Sjoberg has also made a deposition who says Prince Andrew touched her breast jokingly while taking photos. Sjobergs account has been public but this is the first time her deposition was unsealed. She worked sometimes for Epstein and she said that Epstein pressured her to go beyond her comfort level at times in giving sexualized massages, according to a separate report by CNN. Johanna Sjoberg also recalled a time she was with Epstein on one of his planes and pilots informed them they needed to land in Atlantic City and that was when Epstein said they could contact Donald Trump. Jeffrey said, Great, well call up Trump and well go to I dont recall the name of the casino, but well go to the casino, Sjoberg said, according to CNN. Sjoberg later said in her deposition she never gave a massage to Trump. Trump is also not accused of wrongdoing related to Epstein in the documents. (with inputs from BBC and AFP) Large-scale protests have been launched against enforced disappearance of Baloch people in Pakistan. Protests have been launched in Gilgit-Baltistan. Rallies were taking out London, Karachi as well as Islamabad. People across all ages protested against the disappearance of youth. Mama Qadir Baloch, Baloch human rights activist, told CNN-News18 that Pakistan army and several Pakistani agencies like the Pakistan Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He also claimed that 68,000 Balochs are currently missing. He said Balochs kept in Pakistani jails are treated in an inhuman manner. Mama Qadir said international community needs to stand beside Baloch people. Baloch people demanded that the government in Pakistan set up commission to probe crimes against them. Pakistan also banned donations to the protesters and barred protesters from receiving comforters, blankets and food to the Balochs who took out a rally in Islamabad. The protesters said that since the state is unable to tolerate a peaceful protest, there should be concerms regarding how they treat Balochs in Balochistan. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haques remarks regarding Baloch people where he asked people protesting against Pakistan government to join militancy has also upset the community. Baloch say this is undermining their democratic rights and attack on those who are standing in solidarity with them. Meanwhile, Islamabad police thrashed Baloch protesters who took out the March Against Baloch Genocide rally. They were also barred from visiting the camp of missing persons. People familiar with the developments told CNN-News18 that many young Balochs were arrested and were injured by tear gas shelling and violence. We are being treated worse than animals. Will the world raise its voice for us against this barbarism? Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch said. The sit-in which entered its 25th day on Wednesday and is aimed highlighting the broader issue of enforced disappearances in the region. The demonstration was launched from Turbat as a long-march to Islamabad. Former president Donald Trump urged the US Supreme Court on Wednesday to toss out a ruling by Colorados highest court that would keep him off the presidential primary ballot in the western state. The Colorado Supreme Court barred Trump last month from appearing on the Republican primary ballot in the state because of his role in the January 6, 2021 assault on the US Capitol by his supporters. Lawyers for the former Republican president, in a 43-page filing, asked the conservative-dominated Supreme Court, which includes three Trump appointees, to agree to hear the case and summarily reverse the Colorado Supreme Courts ruling. They said the ruling, if allowed to stand, will mark the first time in the history of the United States that the judiciary has prevented voters from casting ballots for the leading major-party presidential candidate. The question of eligibility to serve as President of the United States is properly reserved for Congress, not the state courts, to consider and decide, they added. The Colorado case filing comes one day after the 77-year-old Trump lodged an appeal against a ruling by the top election official in Maine that would keep him off the primary ballot in the northeastern state. Trumps attorneys urged the Maine Superior Court to toss out the ruling by Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, calling her a biassed decision maker who acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner. The Colorado Supreme Court and Maine secretary of state both ruled that Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is ineligible to appear on the primary ballot because of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution. Section Three of the 14th Amendment bars anyone from holding public office if they engage in insurrection or rebellion after once pledging to support and defend the Constitution. The amendment, ratified in 1868 after the Civil War, was aimed at preventing supporters of the slave-holding Confederacy from being elected to Congress or from holding federal positions. Similar 14th Amendment challenges to Trumps eligibility have been filed in other states as well. Courts in Minnesota and Michigan recently ruled that Trump should stay on the ballot in those states. The twice-impeached former president is scheduled to go on trial in Washington in March for conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election won by Democrat Joe Biden. He also faces racketeering charges in Georgia for allegedly conspiring to upend the election results in the southern state. Maine and Colorado hold their presidential nominating contests on March 5 also known as Super Tuesday when voters in more than a dozen states, including California and Texas, go to the polls. When I took a solo honeymoon, people thought it meant my marriage was doomed. It was actually so healthy for our relationship. After getting married, I went on an extended honeymoon by myself. My husband was a medical resident with limited time off, so he had to return to work. It strengthen our bond, and I would choose to do it again. "Hi everyone. My name is Laura. I'm a doctor from Nova Scotia, Canada, and a fun fact about me is that even though I'm here alone, I just got married last month." This is how I introduced myself to the members on my Southeast Asia tour in summer 2019. They didn't react with congratulations at my "solomoon" through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Most people on my tour were befuddled by my announcement: "You just got married but you're here alone?" Some demanded to know where my husband was and asked why he wasn't traveling with me. "Well, it sounds like your marriage is off to a great start," one woman in her 60s who had never been married snarked. My husband had to return to work It's not that I didn't want my husband to come on the trip. He has always been my favorite travel companion, and we've traveled to nine countries together, including a short trip to Italy right after our wedding. But as a busy medical resident with limited vacation time, he had to return to work immediately. On the other hand, I was fortunate to secure two months of time off before starting the next chapter of my medical education as a hospital-based physician, providing acute and end-of-life care to my patients. I decided to solomoon without the love of my life because, through my work, I'd seen how fragile life was. I had met so many people whose dreams of travel had evaporated after a life-changing diagnosis or the development of a significant disability. I never wanted to take my health or physical ability to travel for granted and knew how easily it could vanish. My husband and I wanted to start a family soon after the wedding since we were in our 30s, and it would be challenging to do a backpacking tour through Southeast Asia with a baby in tow. Story continues He supported me Fortunately, my husband understood and supported my decision to go it alone. He was in the minority: I didn't care about these strangers but felt like a broken record when I tried to explain why he wasn't with me on the trip and why it was psychologically and emotionally healthy for me to have experiences apart from him. While traveling alone, I faced challenges and grew my ability to manage these independently in the moment, while leaning on my husband when I needed support. When I called him, deeply shaken after touring Cambodia's "killing fields" the haunting site of genocide when the Khmer Rouge ruled in the 1970s he listened to me over the phone, thousands of miles away, offered compassion, and told me about his similar heartbreak years before when visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum in Japan. When one of our tour drivers fell asleep at the wheel while driving our group, I stepped out of my comfort zone and insisted to the organizers that we stop the vehicle and allow him to rest before resuming our journey. When I later relayed this to my husband, he commended my advocating for the group and driver's safety. Two pregnancies and a pandemic later, I know traveling alone after our wedding wasn't a harbinger of distance or discord in my marriage, regardless of what anyone else thought. What people didn't realize when they saw me on my solomoon was that despite the physical distance between us, and perhaps even because of it, my bond with my husband remained deep and was further strengthened through the growth I found in exploring the world outside my own. Read the original article on Business Insider A convicted felon lunged at a US judge on Wednesday as she was about to sentence him to jail, in a dramatic courtroom scuffle caught on video. Footage shows Deobra Redden, 30, launching himself over the bench at Judge Mary Kay Holthus and attacking her in the Clark County court in Las Vegas. #BREAKING: A Man attacks Clark County judge inside Nevada court after the judge denied his probation#LasVegas | #NevadaWitness the shocking moment when a 30-year-old three-time felon, Deobra Redden, attacked a Las Vegas judge, forcing her to take cover and injuring a pic.twitter.com/YoNegqvIA4 R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 3, 2024 Court staff leapt to the judges defence, pulling the convict off the judge and pummeling him repeatedly, as they try to keep him away. A court marshal was injured in the fight, and was later taken to hospital, a court spokesperson said. The judge was also hurt, though was not hospitalized. The apparently expletive-laden moment came after Reddens attorney asked the judge for probation over the conviction for attempted battery with substantial bodily harm. I think its time he gets a taste of something else, Holthus can be heard to say, before Redden hurls himself at her. Redden, who has previously served prison time for domestic battery, was booked on new charges of battery and battery on a protected person, the local 8 News Now reported. He has been ordered to appear in court on the new charges on Thursday. A spokesperson for Clark County Court said a review of protocols was being carried out in the wake of the attack. Judge Holthus experienced some injuries and her condition is being monitored, the spokesperson said. The marshal sustained injuries and has been transported to the hospital. Our understanding is that he is in stable condition. We commend the heroic acts of her staff, law enforcement, and all others who subdued the defendant. Last May, the new Vietnamese carmaker VinFast invited several dozen auto journalists to the coastal city of Encinitas, California, to test drive its VF8, a five-seat electric SUV that marked the companys arrival in the United States. For a few reasons, the VinFast VF8 Media Launch Event was peculiar, reporters in attendance recall. First, the car wasnt ready. VinFast put out an unfinished product that was not fully functional, Scott Evans, an editor at MotorTrend, told The News & Observer. In his review, Evans cautioned the whole car shudders violently when put in reverse. I was hoping it would be good, said Ezra Dyer, a senior editor for Car and Driver who lives in Southern Pines. Dyers review was headlined Tested: 2023 VinFast VF8 Proves Building Cars Is Hard. In it, he wrote the suspension is way underdamped, delivering a bounce-house ride. Ahead of the media launch, some within VinFast had internally warned about the vehicles shortcomings. A lot of people in that company absolutely said, However astounding it is to get a car of this maturity on the road in three years, we cant have a media launch yet, a former VinFast employee told The N&O. So, you can imagine what it takes to basically decide to do it anyway. The answer, the former employee explained, is a headstrong startup that has often prioritized moving quickly over moving deliberately. After the California test drives, VinFast did something else out of the ordinary: Before lifting its embargo on reviews, it reached out to the journalists and offered them $100 prepaid debit cards. Multiple auto reporters told The News & Observer this was atypical and that accepting the cards would have violated their publications ethics standards. A VinFast spokesperson, who requested his name not be used in keeping with company policy, said the cards werent for gifts or presents. Those were for their travel and meals and that was spelled out to everybody that attended. Story continues Carmakers do commonly provide travel and accommodations for reviewers to attend media launches. But any amount of direct payment is not standard, the auto journalists said. However, scholars who study modern Vietnam say the debit card offer doesnt come as a surprise. Its common in Vietnam for journalists to receive some payment when they attend big events, said Eddy Malesky, a Duke University political science professor who specializes in Vietnams economic development. Bill Frasure, an emeritus professor at Connecticut College who has organized educational programs in the country for the past 25 years, noted the test drive gift resembles the common Vietnamese practice of phong bi (literally meaning envelope), which people give as a tradition or to facilitate transactions. It is a standard part of contemporary Vietnamese culture in business and government, he said. Last springs underwhelming test drives and debit card gifts, combined with previous delivery delays, management turnover, and a shifting battery lease policy, revealed 6-year-old VinFast had a learning curve both mechanically and culturally as it attempted to break into the fiercely competitive U.S. automotive market. Seven months later, construction is underway at VinFasts first North American factory in eastern Chatham County, a projected $4 billion assembly and battery plant about 30 miles southwest of downtown Raleigh. In its incentive agreement with the state, the electric vehicle producer pledged to employ at least 7,500 workers at the site by 2027. It is North Carolinas first major car manufacturing site, fulfilling a statewide pursuit that dates back decades. VinFast CEO Le Thi Thu Thuy and Gov. Roy Cooper participate in a a groundbreaking ceremony Friday, July 28, 2003 at the future site of a Vinfast plant in Moncure. Travis Long/tlong@newsobserver.com Chatham County and the state together allocated $1.25 billion in tax and other incentives for the company, including about $250 million for road and rail improvements in and around the plant. Most of the state incentive benefits are contingent on VinFast meeting future hiring goals. Entering the new year, VinFast has arrived to North Carolina in another sense: In late December, the Raleigh-based Leith Automotive Group opened the countrys inaugural VinFast franchise dealership, a store in Cary with 60 VF8s in stock. This week, VinFast announced deals with four other dealerships in New York, Texas and Kansas. By the end of 2024, it hopes to be in 50 markets worldwide. For a company that started producing electric vehicles in 2021, VinFasts global dreams are undeniably ambitious. Yet those whove interacted with the fast-moving, deep-pocketed automaker say it has to adjust its operations to get where it wants to go. Every three or four months, theres a new set of people VinFast is a subsidiary of Vingroup, the largest private conglomerate in Vietnam. The conglomerate is owned by the countrys wealthiest person, Pham Nhat Vuong, who made his initial fortune selling instant noodles in Ukraine. He has a net worth of $4.6 billion, according to Forbes. Vingroup businesses are ubiquitous in the Southeast Asian country of nearly 100 million people. Each subsidiary follows a similar naming pattern that hints at their purpose: Vinhomes (residential real estate), Vinmec (healthcare), Vinpearl (resorts), Vincom (shopping malls), Vinschool and VinUni (education), VinAI (artificial intelligence technology) and several others. The joke in Vietnam is: From birth to death, you do it in a Vingroup building, Malesky said. Launched in 2017, VinFast initially only produced gas-powered cars in Vietnam. Then in 2021, the company announced it would pivot to exclusively make electric cars and sell them both at home and globally. It represented the first major international expansion for a Vingroup subsidiary. Vietnam has not had a large number of big domestic companies that have been able to succeed abroad, Malesky said. VinFast is among the first big opportunities. In 2021, VinFast hired automotive executive Michael Lohscheller as its Global CEO. Lohscheller had most recently headed the German manufacturer Opel, and some viewed him as an ideal choice to helm a fledgling car company looking to navigate European and North American markets. However, Lohscheller resigned within six months due to what the company called personal reasons and was replaced by veteran Vingroup executive Le Thi Thu Thuy. The move away from (Lohscheller), from an outsiders perspective, was kind of unthinkable, said the former VinFast employee who spoke on condition of anonymity when commenting on the startup. A shipment of VinFast VF 8 vehicles arrives at the Port of Benicia in California. VinFast In March 2022, VinFast announced its future North Carolina factory. That year, the company promoted its plan to require U.S. buyers to lease their car batteries via monthly subscriptions, a concept unfamiliar to most American customers. A few months later, the company made battery leasing optional before eventually scrapping the plan altogether. It appears that VinFast is kind of launching the car while theyre still working on a lot of these aspects, said Bengt Halvorson, an editor with the outlet Green Car Reports. Theyre always very optimistic about timelines. In late 2022, VinFast brought its first batch of 1,000 VF8s from Vietnam to California. Yet these cars went undelivered for several months and initial delivery dates were missed. Early last year, VinFast also postponed the scheduled opening of its North Carolina factory from 2024 to 2025. VinFast had only delivered 350 VF8s to U.S. customers as of last summer. And of the roughly 11,300 electric vehicles the company delivered globally over the first six months of 2023, more than half were purchased by Green and Smart Mobility, a Vietnamese taxi service controlled by Vingroup, filings to U.S. financial regulators show. High turnover among VinFast leadership hasnt helped steady operations, said Alex Guberman, an electric car content creator who partners with VinFast to produce promotional reviews for his YouTube channel, E for Electric. Every three or four months, theres a new set of people, he said. Im in the middle of my deal with them, and the direction has changed four times because new people are jumping in. Last winter, three top VinFast executives exited in short succession, including the chief marketing officer and chief service officer who left after the company reorganized its management model. In June, four other senior executives left. Burnout was common, said Barry Weisblatt, who quit VinFast after six months in October 2022. Based in Vietnam, Weisblatt said he worked 18-hour days for six days a week setting up consumer finance platforms for VinFast customers in North America and Europe. VinFast is not for everybody, CEO Thuy told the Wall Street Journal in December. A detail view of a VinFast electric car at the new Leith VinFast dealership in Cary Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. The Vietnamese automaker announced in March 2022 that it would open an electric vehicle assembly plant in North Carolina. Travis Long/tlong@newsobserver.com Those familiar with VinFasts work culture describe it as hierarchical, with Vuong heavily involved in decisions. Even responses to media questions or small adjustments in pricing go up to the chairman for approval. Decision making is very much centralized in Hanoi, Weisblatt said. A hundred percent to the chairman of the company, if you need approval, even for a relatively minor thing, said the other former VinFast employee. Both he and Weisblatt saw this chain of command as a hindrance, with North America and European personnel having to wait for signoff from Vietnam before proceeding with certain daily tasks. This lag between time zones could sometimes clash with the startups overall goal of moving quickly, the former employee said, and thus complicated its ability to keep up with competitors. Independent reviewers wait for next test drive Guberman, who is based in Thailand, spoke to the N&O in December. The next day, he flew to Vietnam to meet with VinFast representatives. Despite his partnership, Guberman didnt soften his criticism. The other negative thing about VinFast is that they just dont know how to (expletive) run a company that caters to Western customers and Western media, he said. This includes other awkward slip-ups with American reviewers. During a podcast in late 2022, prominent auto journalist Matt Farah shared that VinFast had offered him $10,000 on top of a free trip to Vietnam. Farah called the approach shady. VinFast confirmed Farahs account to the outlet Carscoops, explaining its third-party public relations firm, Blue C Advertising, had incorrectly identified Farah as an influencer instead of an independent journalist. VinFast told the N&O it no longer works with Blue C. Since the flood of negative reviews in May, VinFast has sponsored promotional reviews from content creators who framed the VF8 favorably. Guberman released one in June. The next month, influencer Kim Java posted a paid promotion titled My Brutally Honest VinFast VF8 Review! that is not very brutal. Im not really sure why we see some of these mixed reviews because I think the average person would enjoy this vehicle, she says at one point during the review. A detail view of a VinFast electric car at the new Leith VinFast dealership in Cary Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. The Vietnamese automaker announced in March 2022 that it would open an electric vehicle assembly plant in North Carolina. Travis Long/tlong@newsobserver.com The common industry practice of influencer marketing is a part of our integrated marketing strategy, VinFast said in an email to the N&O. As part of its promotional. strategy, the company coordinated with Jimmy Kimmel Live! to have the talk shows host drive a VF8 when he picked up pop star Olivia Rodrigo in a video that went viral last fall. However, no independent journalists have been given the opportunity to test drive the latest VF8 model themselves. VinFast told the N&O we will publish information about the test drive program as soon as it is available. The route to success Those who have driven the VF8 believe it can be fixed. I think that their path to improving it, its not huge things, Ezra Dyer of Car and Driver said. Its a lot of small things. And honestly, it comes down to price. If they have any leeway to cut the price, thats what they need to do because they have no brand equity. Nobodys buying VinFast because its the cool thing to have. Nobody knows what a VinFast is. The company currently markets its VF8 Eco model for $46,000 and its Plus model at $51,800. For comparison, Teslas Model Y SUV starts at $48,990. VinFast has other models, including a seven-seat VF9 and a mini-SUV called the VF3 that could sell for less than $20,000. Neither is available yet in the U.S, though VinFast plans to showcase the VF3 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next week. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the 2023 VF8 has a mileage range of 207 miles for its Eco model and 191 miles for its Plus. While the Tesla Model Y has a longer EPA-certified range, Dyers publication Car and Driver applauded the VF8 for besting its EPA range estimate. VinFast has also garnered praise for its extensive warranty, which covers 10 years or 125,000 miles. Despite VinFasts hiccups, Guberman believes the company is definitely very determined to break through with international drivers. And they have the money, he pointed out. In 2022, VinFast flew groups of influencers and journalists to Vietnam for extravagant introductory tours, featuring stays at private-island resorts, lavish meals and elaborate stage productions. Guberman called it the most luxurious (auto industry) trip Ive ever been to. Since pivoting to EVs, the now-public VinFast has lost more than $5 billion. While Vuong has pledged additional funding, the company has also sought money elsewhere. VinFast electric cars sit in the parking lot of the new Leith VinFast dealership in Cary Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. The Vietnamese automaker announced in March 2022 that it would open an electric vehicle assembly plant in North Carolina. Travis Long/tlong@newsobserver.com Emails obtained by the N&O show a top VinFast official reached out to the North Carolina governors office multiple times this spring to lobby for help advancing a $1.4 billion federal loan application from the U.S. Department of Energy. The loan application has not yet been approved. In October, VinFast announced a $1 billion agreement with the New Jersey-based investment firm Yorkville Advisors Global that will give VinFast another avenue for cash in exchange for company stock. Frasure, who holds an honorary degree from Vietnam National University, emphasized the country with one of the worlds fastest-growing economies should not be underestimated. If Americans have this notion of Vietnam as sort of a backward, tiny little place, thats just wrong, he said. I remember when people had the same attitudes about Germany and Japan (as car manufacturers) back in the 1950s. People had an attitude about Volkswagen that it was sort of funny. And then along came (Nissan) and that was funny too. Well, whos laughing now? In recent weeks, VinFast has issued multiple press releases explaining it has corrected several of the VF8s flaws. One was headlined: Customer Concerns Addressed by VinFast: A Review of Updates to Noise, Vibration, and Harshness in the VF 8. VinFast has meticulously fine-tuned the VF8s suspension system, vehicle height, damper tuning, and spring tuning, a separate release on Dec. 6 said. The carmaker added, Passengers in the second row experience significantly less bumpiness and choppiness. While VinFasts bumpy U.S. rollout may signal a company in flux, the executive reorganizations and the aborted battery leasing program could also indicate that VinFast is a startup adapting to market demands. The company describes its willingness to try new things as daring and acknowledges some initiatives have been more successful than others. What is indicative (of a good company) is trying to take feedback and improve its products and listen, Dyer said. If VinFast is doing that, then good for them, and I look forward to driving another one. One of the only recent independent VF8 reviews came out in late November, when the team behind the popular car review channel Throttle House (2.78 million YouTube subscribers) borrowed a personally owned VF8 to test. We have heard on multiple occasions about reviewers taking money directly from a car manufacturer, Thomas Holland, one of the Throttle Houses lead creators, told The N&O. However, we have never done that. Nor will we ever. We always remain impartial. Like the reviewers in Southern California last spring, Holland and cohost James Engelsman found the ride fell short. Two complaints were the sheer weight of the vehicle and a lag in its front suspension. Real talk, this car isnt ready, the duo concluded. Open Source Do you enjoy Triangle tech news? Subscribe to Open Source, The News & Observer's weekly technology newsletter and look for it in your inbox every Friday morning. Sign up here. A MAJOR technical fault at the Insukamini substation in Bulawayo triggered countrywide loss of power early yesterday resulting in a loss of production time by business, which lasted up to noon. Several businesses including small to medium enterprises failed to commence operations as a result of the power outage save for those with generators who however, said they incurred huge costs. Motorists also had a torrid time driving through busy intersections in the morning as all traffic lights were not functioning. The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) confirmed the loss of power. Zesa Holdings would like to inform its valued customers that the national grid experienced a system surge this morning at 05.22hrs, which was triggered by a busbar fault at the Insukamini 330kv substation in Bulawayo, said the power utility in a statement. This led to a loss of power in the national grid. Power has since been restored to most parts of the country and our technical teams are on the ground to ensure full restoration of service in the shortest time. Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries Matabeleland Chapter president, Mr Joseph Gunda, said the power outage crippled industrial operations, particularly in Bulawayo as most industries had to shut down. He said most of industries do not have alternative power hence could not operate during the power outage. There are not many companies that have big generators that can power heavy machinery. We have followed up with Zesa and they are talking of a power problem at Insukamini, said Mr Gunda. Bulawayo Chamber of SMEs programmes co-ordinator Mr Nketa Mangoye Dlamini said the electricity outage experienced yesterday adversely affected most SMEs. He said loss of few production hours means a lot to SMEs who have to meet set times to deliver orders. This is the peak period for us as most of our members are into production of school uniforms. We have huge orders for uniforms from different school authorities that we should deliver before schools open on Tuesday, said Mr Dlamini. Residents also expressed concern over the power outage. Mrs Edith Zhou said she had stocked meat to last her through January but feared that power cuts could result in a loss. Its really sad because the day is almost over and we still have no Zesa. I am worried l will lose all the meat and it will be a disaster, she said. Another resident, Ms Gladys Ndlovu, said she is taking diabetes medication so she has to keep her injection in the fridge. She said she was worried when she heard that the power outage was countrywide. Last year the Government commissioned Unit 7 and 8, a component of the US$1,4 billion Hwange expansion project which has added 600MW into the national grid. This has seen a tremendous improvement in power generation hence load shedding was now a thing of the past. Chronicle Republicans have only grown more supportive of Donald Trump and the Capitol rioters since the attack three years ago, new polling shows. Although their views vary more than Democrats' do, Republicans are less likely now to say Trump shares responsibility for the attack, that the rioters were mostly violent , or that President Biden's election was legitimate, according to a Washington Post-University of Maryland poll . Overall, the narrative repeated by the former president is finding greater acceptance among members of his party, with some of those polled saying in interviews that they now believe the unfounded conspiracy theory pushed by Trump and right-wing media that law enforcement agencies were behind the Jan. 6 attack. "From a historical perspective, these results would be chilling to many analysts," said Michael Hanmer of the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement at the University of Maryland. Among them is the finding that, driven by GOP beliefs, 62% of Americans overall believe Biden's victory was real. In December 2021, the same pollsters found that share at 69%. For people who receive information through Fox News, only about 30% believe Biden won fair and square. A majority of Americans polled55%said Jan. 6 was "an attack on democracy that should never be forgotten." Most Republicans, including Trump supporters, think otherwise. Independents largely agree with Democrats on the issue. For many Republicans, Trump's refusal to follow the nation's democratic traditions is a feature. Biden would accept an election defeat because "he's a political person, and he does basically everything everybody tells him to do," Michael Bettger, 49, of Arkansas told the Washington Post. "He doesn't think outside the box." An independent who leans toward GOP candidates has become less bothered by the riot over time but still wishes Trump had tried to stop the attack. "But I don't know that it would have mattered," said Gloria Bowden, 68, of Florida, who has decided law enforcement officials caused it. Bettger said he no longer believes in elections. "We chose Donald Trump, but we didn't get him," he said. Full results can be found here. (More Capitol riot stories.) A man accused of breaking into the Denver building that houses the Colorado Supreme Court, firing multiple shots and causing extensive damage, wasn't acting out of anger at the court's decision to kick Donald Trump off the GOP ballot two weeks earlier, his ex-wife says. Tori Schumacher tells the Denver Post that 44-year-old Brandon Olsen "has no political affiliation whatsoever." She says he was having a mental breakdown during the early Tuesday incident. Schumacher says she heard from Olsen for the first time in years on New Year's Eve, when he called to say he was traveling from Arizona to Colorado to see their children. Schumacher says Olsen has been estranged from the family for years because of mental health and addiction issues. "He wanted to see his children and we didn't allow that and he just went a little crazy," she tells the Post. "It's not some weird political" thing, she says. Olsen, who surrendered peacefully hours after he entered the building, faces robbery, burglary, and arson charges, CBS News reports. He's accused of starting a fire in a stairwell after firing shots in the building. According to court documents, Olsen forcibly took keys to the building from an unarmed security guard, CNN reports. Authorities say the building, which also houses the Colorado Court of Appeals and several state agencies, will be closed for some time due to water damage. Olsen, whose criminal record in Colorado includes drug and theft cases going back to 1997, per CBS, remains in custody. Schumacher says the behavior he's accused of at the court building was shockingand out of character. "He's a really loving, good guy, just had a mental breakdown," she says. "Drugs will do that to you." (More Colorado stories.) UPDATE Jan 8, 2024 12:00 PM CST The judge attacked by a defendant in a Las Vegas courtroom last week sentenced the man Monday to up to four years in prison in an unrelated case. Deobra Delone Redden leapt over the bench and attacked Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus in her courtroom last week after trying to convince the judge he was turning around his violent past. The sentence of 19 months to 48 months handed down Monday was in connection with a baseball bat attack on a person last year, the AP reports. Redden stood in court in shackles with a mask on his face and orange mitts on his hands, flanked by a group of jail officers. He faces 13 other charges in connection with the attack on the judge and court officers who came to her assistance, reports USA Today. Jan 4, 2024 7:44 AM CST A defendant in Las Vegas who was unhappy about being sent to jail is facing multiple new felony charges for attacking a judge. Video from the Clark County District Court shows 30-year-old Deobra Redden throwing himself over the bench and attacking Judge Mary Kay Holthus on Wednesday morning after she rejected his attorney's request to sentence him to probation, Fox News reports. He was seen throwing punches as court officers and attorneys wrestled him to the floor. Courthouse officials said the 62-year-old judge was injured but was not hospitalized, reports the AP. A courtroom marshal who came to the judge's aid was hospitalized with injuries including a dislocated shoulder and a bleeding gash in his forehead. Court documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's case have begun to be released publicly after a federal judge ordered them unsealed, and details from the first release of 943 pages are trickling out. Some names included in the documents that are getting particular attention include Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, and David Copperfield, though none of them are accused of misconduct. A sampling of the coverage around the release: The Guardian explains what's being released: court documents filed as part of Virginia Giuffre's lawsuit against Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, including excerpts of depositions and motions in the case. Deadline sums it up thusly: "Much of it seems to name people and situations that have long ... been out there." Indeed, many of the more than 150 names expected to be made public as part of the release are already well-known. Fox News has a live blog of details, which were coming out slowly at first as the pages were reviewed. See it here. Clinton sometimes flew on Epstein's private plane, and Trump's name comes up when Epstein is quoted as saying he would invite the real estate mogul to a casino, USA Today reports. The newspaper has more on the mentions of their names here. After about two dozen attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea since October, a coalition of mostly Western countries has warned Yemen's Houthis against further aggression. The US, UK, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, and New Zealand issued a statement Wednesday saying the Iranian-backed rebels would "bear the consequences" if attacks continue, the BBC and Fox News report. The Houthis have declared support for Hamas in its war with Israel and have said, often falsely, that they are attacking ships linked to Israel, but the US-led coalition says there is "no lawful justification for intentionally targeting civilian shipping and naval vessels." Officials were describing the message as a final warning, the Wall Street Journal reports, and US officials say they have prepared military options to strike Houthi targets if needed. "Ongoing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are illegal, unacceptable, and profoundly destabilizing," the statement continues. "Attacks on vessels, including commercial vessels, using unmanned aerial vehicles, small boats, and missiles, including the first use of anti-ship ballistic missiles against such vessels, are a direct threat to the freedom of navigation that serves as the bedrock of global trade in one of the world's most critical waterways." Nearly 15% of global trade passes through the Red Sea, and there are concerns about supply chain disruption and increased fuel prices as a result of the attacks. Also Wednesday, the US called on the United Nations Security Council to take action against the Houthi rebels, the AP reports. An official said 18 companies so far have rerouted their shipping vessels around South Africa due to the violence, adding 10 days to their shipping routes. Iran, another official said, "can continue its current course, or it can withhold its support without which the Houthis would struggle to effectively track and strike commercial vessels navigating shipping lanes through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden." (More Houthis stories.) Police in San Antonio say two arrests have been made in connection with the murders of a pregnant 18-year-old and her boyfriend, whose bodies were found in a car in an apartment complex parking lot more than a week ago. Police said Christopher Preciado, 19, and his father, Ramon Preciado, 53, were arrested late Wednesday, the San Antonio Express-News reports. Christopher Preciado, who allegedly shot 18-year-old Savanah Soto, and her boyfriend, 22-year-old Matthew Guerra, has been charged with capital murder, police say. His father has been charged with abuse of a corpse. "Christopher did the killings," said Sgt. Washington Moscoso, per the Express-News. "His father helped him try to hide the car and victims." Moscoso said more charges against the men are possible and there are no other suspects. Soto was nine months pregnant with her first child and the bodies were found days after she was due to be induced. Moscoso said charges could also be filed in the death of the unborn child, ABC News reports. He said the victims were killed elsewhere, possibly in a narcotics deal gone wrong, before the car was moved to the apartment complex. Police believe the father and son are the men seen in a video released last week. Moscoso said investigators believe Soto and Guerra were killed on Dec. 21, five days before their bodies were found. Reporters asked Ramon Preciado whether he felt remorse when he was placed in a patrol car Wednesday night, the AP reports. "Aren't you sorry for lying about what you're saying? You don't even know what's going on," he replied. "You just make stuff up like always." His son, who was placed in a separate car, remained silent. The Express-News reports that the Soto and Guerra families expressed relief on social media after the arrests, "They caught the MF's that killed our babies. Justice for Savanah, Baby Fabian, Mathew, (sic)" wrote Soto's mother. (More Texas stories.) Nikki Haley has said the country "won't survive" another four years with Donald Trump in his old job. Yet she's refused to rule out becoming his running mate. It's all a bit wishy-washy, which has been a mark of her attitude toward Trump for years (she opposed his 2016 presidential bid, then became his ambassador to the UN) as well as of her 2024 campaign. The former South Carolina governor has been "walking a fine line when it comes to [the Republican frontrunner], alternating between opposing and praising him as she aims to appeal to both 'Never Trump' Republicans and those who are open to the idea of voting for him again," reports Politico . Now, with just weeks until the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary, she appears to be "ratcheting up her attacks on her one-time boss." With Haley gaining in polls out of New Hampshire, the Trump campaign has begun targeting her in ads, per NBC News. Last month, a pro-Trump super PAC put out an ad dubbing her "high tax Haley" and accusing her of flip-flopping on support for a gas tax as South Carolina governor. "I have seen the commercials you see. I've seen the little temper tantrums that he's thrown," Haley told a crowd in Londonderry, New Hampshire, on Wednesday, per Politico. "There's not one bit of it that's truthful." Haley did propose a gas-tax increase along with an income-tax cut, which was never approved, but promised to veto a gas-tax increase on its own. "If he wants to talk about raising taxes," Haley said of Trump, "in 2018 he proposed on all of us a 25-cent gas-tax increase." It was the fourth time in two days Haley had accused Trump and his allies of lying about her. She also criticized Trump's handling of the economy as president. "We had $8 trillion dollars in debt just in four years," she said. "Our kids will never forgive us for that." The change in rhetoric comes at a crucial time for Haley and fellow GOP hopeful Ron DeSantis, who need to log "a win or a very strong second that gives them the momentum to continue on beyond Iowa and New Hampshire," Republican strategist Jim Merrill tells the Hill. Yet Haley's attacks on Trump are mild compared with those of GOP candidate Chris Christie. The reason, according to Christie: Haley doesn't want to beat Trump. "If lightning struck her tomorrow, and she got the [VP] nomination, she'd take it," he said Wednesday on the View, per the New York Post. (More Nikki Haley stories.) It's that time of year again, when we find out from Lake Superior State University what words they want to throw in the Dumpster fire of 2023. The Hill reports that the Michigan school's "decadeslong" tradition was helped along this year by more than 2,000 suggestions from folks in nearly two dozen countries, with "hack""frequently utilized to impart an aura of innovation or sophistication to various subjects"emerging at the top of LSSU's list. The university notes that it focuses on "certain words that are often misused, overused, or have lost their meaning over the past year," adding that the yearly ban "encourages us to laugh at ourselves as we reconsider and reflect on the importance of our vocabulary." Here, the "banished" words or terms that made the top 10: The shooter who opened fire at a high school in Iowa Thursday morning is dead of what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, reports CNN and the AP . It remains unclear how many people were shot at Perry High School. Earlier, Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante said there were multiple victims, but he did not specify the number or the severity of their injuries, reports CNN . Two gunshot victims were taken to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, about 40 miles away, and other injured people were taken to a different Des Moines hospital, per the AP. The Des Moines Register talks to two teachers who say principal Dan Marburger was shot. The shootings took place before classes began on the first day back at school for students following the holiday break. High school senior Ava Augustus tells the AP she was in a counselor's office when she heard gunshots, which prompted her and others to begin barricading the door. "And then we hear 'He's down. You can go out,'" she recalls. "And I run and you can just see glass everywhere, blood on the floor. I get to my car and they're taking a girl out of the auditorium who had been shot in her leg." "New year, same horror," said Kris Brown, president of the Brady organization that works to prevent gun violence. "These students were returning to campus after their holiday break only to be met with gun violence that has uniquely plagued their generation." Linda Andorf, board president for the district, called news of the shooting "horrendously awful," per NBC News. "People need to figure out their life. This is just disgusting. It's terrible." This summary was updated with new details throughout. (More school shooting stories.) The Islamic State claimed responsibility Thursday for two suicide bombings in Iran on Wednesday that claimed more than 80 lives. Experts who follow the group confirmed that the statement came from the extremists, who likely hope to take advantage of the chaos gripping the region amid Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, per the AP . Wednesday's attack in Kerman killed at least 84 people and wounded an additional 284. It targeted a ceremony honoring Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed by a US drone strike in 2020. On Thursday, chunks of asphalt appeared missing from the roadway where one bomb went off, suggesting the bomb had been packed with shrapnel to increase its deadly effects. Another spot still bore congealed blood from the wounded. ISIS identified the two attackers as Omar al-Mowahed and Seif-Allah al-Mujahed, saying the men carried out the attacks with explosive vests. It also used disparaging language when discussing Shiites, which the group views as heretics. "This falls under the modus operandi of (ISIS), especially since it was such a mass casualty attack," said Aaron Y. Zelin, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. "They are kind of like the Joker. They want to see the world burn. They don't care how it happens as long as it benefits them." The claim of responsibility came as the extremists separately called on supporters around the world to avenge the bloodshed in the Gaza Strip by attacking Christians and Jews. The group also criticized Palestinian factions for allying with Iran, saying that Tehran has taken advantage of the situation to appear as the defender of Palestinians. (More ISIS stories.) A child was seriously injured on Thursday night after reportedly falling from a window in Lake Hayes, Otago. Police said in a statement they were "called to assist Ambulance/FENZ at 9pm last night 4 January, where it was reported that a child fell from a window. "The child was taken to the emergency department at Lakes District Hospital." St John said an ambulance and a helicopter attended the incident at around 9:10pm. The patient was in a serious condition. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Reported by Mahir Haneef In a passionate parliamentary session Tuesday, the spotlight shone brightly on the Northern Governorate, with MPs painting a stark picture of long-unaddressed challenges and demanding concrete action from the government. From healthcare woes to educational gaps and neglected infrastructure, the grievances echoed through the chamber, urging a new chapter for the region. MP Jalal Kadhem Hasans voice resonated, urging immediate attention to a 28-year saga of unmet needs. His words, laced with personal experiences, echoed the cries of the community for the basic services promised in the National Action Charter. Healthcare, housing, and infrastructure development all stood as glaring omissions, demanding rectification. Lack of vision Abdulnabi Salman Ahmed joined the chorus, lamenting the lack of vision and concrete plans for the region since 2002. The gap between promises and reality, he stressed, needed to be bridged with structured approaches and five-year plans encompassing vital services and infrastructure upgrades. The plight of densely populated areas near Budaiya Street took centre stage with MP Mahdi Abdulaziz Al Showaikhs impassioned plea. The absence of a secondary school for boys, forcing young graduates to navigate congested zones for education, painted a poignant picture of neglect, the MP pointed out. However, amidst the concerns, a glimmer of hope emerged with the Education Ministers ambitious plans for the region. Budaiya Primary and Preparatory Girls Schools ongoing maintenance, with boys section expansion on the horizon, offered a ray of light. Al-Sahla schools maintenance and a new secondary school for boys in Diraz promised to cater to the educational needs of the growing community. The ministers vision, spanning from 2020 to 2030, encompassed 18 schools with 24 buildings, underpinned by a sustainable maintenance strategy. Yet, the need for immediate action resonated through the addresses of MPs Maryam Hasan Al Saegh, Abdulhakeem Mohamed Al Shanoo, and Muneer Ebrahim Seroor. Overcrowded schools, healthcare challenges, sanitation woes, and historical preservation concerns were laid bare, demanding swift improvements and transparent government engagement. Health Ministers Response The Health Minister responded with updates on progress, highlighting the establishment of health centres and the expansion of the Kuwait Health Centre. A focus on maternal and child health underlined the governments commitment to a holistic approach. Infrastructure upgrades also took centre stage, with the Works Minister detailing ongoing projects in the region. Road development statistics and sanitation initiatives painted a picture of progress, reassuring the Parliament of the governments dedication to improvement. As the session concluded, MPs Hasan Ebrahim Hasan, Waleed Jaber Al Doseri, and Hanan Mohamed Fardan delivered a final, fervent plea. Sanitation, housing, and infrastructure projects, they insisted, needed immediate attention. Prioritizing the Northern Governorate and ensuring the well-being of its residents was the clarion call that echoed through the chamber. Tuesdays parliamentary session served as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the residents of the Northern Governorate. It was a call to action, demanding comprehensive planning, swift execution, and transparent collaboration between the government and the people. Only then can the shadows of neglect be lifted and a new dawn of equitable development illuminate the North. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Reported by Zahra Ayaz Health experts worldwide are closely monitoring the rapid spread of the JN.1 variant, a subtype of the coronavirus (COVID-19) that has raised concerns, particularly during the winter season. According to Bahrain Specialist Hospital specialist pulmonologist Dr. Shamil PK, there is growing worry that the JN.1 variant could exacerbate other respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, despite current infections being mostly mild. This could potentially increase the overall burden of respiratory illnesses during the winter months, Dr. Shamil warned. He further tells The Daily Tribune that several illnesses predominantly occur in adults with advanced age or certain underlying medical comorbidities such as diabetes, heart diseases, cancer, and immunocompromised states. These individuals are particularly vulnerable to the JN.1 variant and should take extra precautions to minimise their risk of infection. It is crucial that this high-risk population receives prioritised access to vaccines and continues to follow stringent preventive measures to safeguard their health. One major obstacle to combating the JN.1 variant and future resurgences of COVID-19 is vaccine hesitancy, which the World Health Organisation (WHO) identified as a top global health threat in 2019. Dr. Shamil emphasised that addressing vaccine hesitancy is crucial for successful vaccination campaigns and controlling the spread of the virus. Fortunately, as of January 1, 2024, the global populations immunity combined with the protection provided by XBB1.5 booster vaccines is believed to be effective in preventing severe diseases caused by the JN.1 variant. Existing data indicates that immunity levels are effective in reducing infection severity. Despite the challenges posed by the emergence of the JN.1 variant, Dr. Shamil reiterated the importance of following general measures to protect against infections. These measures include wearing masks, practicing hand hygiene, self-isolation when infected, and maintaining proper cough etiquette. Trusting and adhering to guidelines provided by health authorities and governments is crucial to curbing the spread of the virus. Health authorities worldwide are closely monitoring the behaviour of the JN.1 variant and conducting research to better understand its characteristics, transmissibility, and response to existing vaccines. Efforts are underway to adjust public health measures and vaccination campaigns to address the challenges posed by this variant as it continues to spread. YELLOWKNIFE, NT, Jan. 4, 2024 /CNW/ - Arctic Kingdom Inc. (Arctic Kingdom) announced the acquisition of Blachford Lake Lodge complimenting its unique arctic and northern safaris, expeditions, and experiences for visitors from around the world. 'Arctic Kingdom is excited to announce the expansion of our unique Arctic and Canadian experiences with the purchase of the Blachford Lake Lodge property. This acquisition aligns with our business model and will give the company a competitive advantage' stated Graham Dickson, CEO and founder of Arctic Kingdom. Blachford Lake Lodge - One of the world's best resorts to experience Northern Lights - Photo Credit - Martina Gebarovska (CNW Group/Arctic Kingdom) Arctic Kingdom's vision for the lodge is a transformative journey of excellence. The commitment extends beyond the physical space. Among the focus areas are elevating guest experiences through thrilling activities and showcasing the spectacular northern lights and the unparalleled beauty of the Northwest Territories aligning with the vision of NWT Tourism. Through these enhancements, our goal is not only to captivate visitors but to attract a distinguished global clientele, sharing the extraordinary allure of Blachford Lake with guests from around the world. In the immediate future, Blachford Lake Lodge is set to reopen later this winter offering exclusive private bookings for guests seeking an intimate escape along with groups and individuals. Additionally, a limited number of scheduled bookings for the rest of 2024 season will be made available, providing private events and select groups of individuals to enjoy the lodge. The company looks forward to reengaging travel agents, wholesale partners and industry suppliers to reignite the interest globally to visit the lodge and to experience everything the Northwest Territories has to offer. "Our goal is to transcend being a destination with the lodge as the gateway to everything extraordinary in the Northwest Territories. Harnessing the breathtaking surrounding beauty, we will curate and offer unique experiences for guests to enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences, creating memories that extend beyond the lodge to showcase the unparalleled wonders of the region. This will include pre and post experiences in Yellowknife and beyond." shared Dickson. Arctic Kingdom's strategy for Blachford Lake Lodge is for it to play a pivotal role in the company's exceptional arctic experiences, contributing as a central hub for Private Journeys and bespoke itineraries tailored for a true Northern experience. The company's goal is to not only increase lodge visitation, but also create a long-term economic impact and opportunity throughout the region. ABOUT ARCTIC KINGDOM Celebrating 25 years of arctic tourism expertise, Arctic Kingdom stands as the global leader in polar adventures, providing guests with legendary wildlife encounters and epic landscape experiences. With a commitment to responsible and sustainable operations, ensures that these extraordinary journeys not only captivate but also contribute to the preservation of these pristine polar environments for generations to come, plus generate meaningful local economic and social benefits to indigenous team members and neighboring communities.' ABOUT GRAHAM DICKSON FOUNDER & CEO, ARCTIC KINGDOM As the founder and CEO of Arctic Kingdom, Graham has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to tourism in the Canadian North over the past two-plus decades. His visionary leadership and dedication to showcasing the beauty of the Arctic earned him the prestigious Pioneer of Tourism Award from the Government of Nunavut, marking a historic milestone as the sole recipient of this esteemed recognition for his transformative contributions to the region's tourism industry. Graham's work in the North has been recognized as fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic as well as the Royal Geographical Society. Graham served on the board of Nunavut Tourism for over a decade and is the Vice Chair of Nunavut Film. SOURCE Arctic Kingdom For further information: Katherine Johnson, Arctic Kingdom, Phone: 867 - 444 - 5691, [email protected]; PO Box 6117, Iqaluit NU X0A 0H0, www.arctickingdom.com RICHMOND HILL, ON, Jan. 4, 2024 /CNW/ - Mazda Canada Inc. (MCI) today reported December sales of 4,461 vehicles, representing an increase of 62.9 percent versus December 2022. After ending the first quarter down by 12.3 percent YOY, inventory rebounded to help full-year sales settle at 58,637 vehicles, for an increase of 17.6 percent compared to 2022. DECEMBER AND CALENDAR YEAR 2023 HIGHLIGHTS: Mazda3 sales increased 93.8 percent compared to December 2022 , and are up 35.3 percent for the year. , and are up 35.3 percent for the year. After starting a second shift at Mazda's new production facility in Huntsville, Alabama this summer, sales of CX-50 picked up dramatically, ending the year with a 141.5 percent increase compared to 2022. this summer, sales of CX-50 picked up dramatically, ending the year with a 141.5 percent increase compared to 2022. CX-30 also saw full-year sales rise significantly, besting 2022 by a full 56.6 percent. MX-5 sales enjoyed a resurgence in 2022, leading to the second-best annual sales total in the past 15 years. In 2023, the all-new CX-90 MHEV and CX-90 PHEV took over the flagship position in Mazda's lineup, replacing the outgoing CX-9 as the 3-row crossover in the lineup. Starting sales in May, CX-90 sales surpassed record CX-9 sales in every month, leading to a cumulative total higher than the best full-year record for CX-9, earned in only seven months on sale. In early 2023, all tested Mazda vehicles earned the IIHS 2023 TOP SAFETY PICK . These vehicles included the Mazda3, Mazda3 Sport, CX-30, CX-5, CX-9, and CX-50. . These vehicles included the Mazda3, Mazda3 Sport, CX-30, CX-5, CX-9, and CX-50. Over the summer we held the very first crash test of 2024 CX-90 in the U.S., earning it IIHS's top-tier award, 2023 TOP SAFETY PICK+. As the year came to a close, improved pedestrian crash avoidance in 2024 Mazda3, Mazda3 Sport, and CX-30 earned them upgrades from 2023 TOP SAFETY PICK to TOP SAFETY PICK+ (when equipped with optional front crash prevention). to (when equipped with optional front crash prevention). Leading into the holidays, Mazda Canada built on our past two years of community impact initiatives, pledging up to $1,000,000 to support and celebrate "Rising Legends"; Canadian youth and youth organizations who are working hard to improve their communities. December December YOY YTD YTD YOY 2023 2022 Change 2023 2022 Change Mazda3 783 404 93.8 % 10,880 8,044 35.3 % MX-5 12 32 -62.5 % 1,038 673 54.2 % Passenger Car 795 436 82.3 % 11,918 8,717 36.7 % CX-3 0 0 -100.0 % 0 3,050 -100.0 % CX-30 1,317 610 115.9 % 10,748 6,863 56.6 % CX-5 1,155 1,221 -5.4 % 22,846 23,954 -4.6 % CX-50 620 211 193.8 % 5,711 2,365 141.5 % CX-9 7 217 -96.8 % 2,060 4,113 -49.9 % CX-90 558 0 0.0 % 4,692 0 0.0 % MX-30 9 44 -79.5 % 662 812 -18.5 % Light Truck 3,666 2,303 59.2 % 46,719 41,157 13.5 % MAZDA TOTAL 4,461 2,739 62.9 % 58,637 49,874 17.6 % Mazda Canada Inc. is responsible for the sales and marketing, customer service, and parts support of Mazda vehicles in Canada. Headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Mazda Canada has a nationwide network of 163 dealerships. For additional information, visit Mazda Canada's media website at www.media.mazda.ca. SOURCE Mazda Canada Inc. For further information: Chuck Reimer, Mazda Canada Inc., [email protected]; Sandra Lemaitre, Mazda Canada Inc., [email protected] MONTREAL, Jan. 4, 2024 /CNW/ - Milesopedia, Canada's most widely used credit card comparison solution, publishes its 2024 Milesopedia Awards of the best credit cards. This list guides Canadian consumers toward the most sensible choices based on their needs, enabling them to maximize the benefits of their credit cards and save money on their purchases. Milesopedias 2024 Credit card awards winners in Canada (CNW Group/Milesopedia) In 2024, selecting and evaluating credit cards for households is more important than ever in a multi-challenged economy. "Today, we are rewarding financial institutions that have managed to stand out by offering products meeting current consumer needs. Some institutions, for example, have adjusted their product features to reward consumers for their groceries, gas or recurring bill payments; others have enhanced their travel-related benefits to offset the travel expenses which have continued to rise post-pandemic," states Jean-Maximilien Voisine, President-Founder of Milesopedia. "Earning rewards through credit cards represents a profitable avenue often overlooked due to lack of time and knowledge. Consumers miss out on valuable rewards without realizing it," he continues. The Montreal-based FinTech draws on over 18,000 data points, including annual fees, welcome offers, and insurance. This exercise establishes 32 categories, making it easier for consumers to identify with a specific profile and goal. Among the award-winning financial products, The National Bank's World Elite Mastercard credit card stands out again this year as the Best Travel Credit Card and the Best Credit Card For Travel Insurance. It was particularly popular with consumers in 2023, especially in these challenging economic times, offering up to 5 points per dollar of purchase on eligible grocery and restaurant expenses, travel reimbursement, and excellent insurance coverages. The CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite* Card stands out again in the Best Cash-Back Credit Card category, offering an attractive welcome bonus, a first-year annual fee rebate, and 4% cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases. The complete Milesopedia's 2024 Credit Card Awards winners list with details and conditions for each card is available here on the milesopedia.com website. "Since 2020, the rewards and credit card landscape has evolved significantly: the launch of Air Canada's new Aeroplan program, BMO's acquisition of AIR MILES, the transformation of the Scene+ loyalty program following the partnership between Scotiabank, Cineplex and the Empire Group (IGA, Sobeys, etc.), and most recently, RBC's acquisition of HSBC Canada. All this should encourage consumers to reevaluate their wallets' credit and loyalty cards," declares Marie-Claude Ravary, Director of Clients Relations and Compliance at Milesopedia. Due to new challenges faced by Canadian media (Bill C-18, Google and Meta's reaction, Law 25, etc.), Milesopedia positions itself as a new revenue stream for media and content creators through its white-label credit card and bank account comparison tools, while enabling them to offer their readership quality content to improve their personal finance. After consolidating its position as Quebec's number-one comparator with major players such as Protegez-vous, L'actualite and, most recently, Les Coops de l'information (CN2i), Milesopedia is extending its reach across Canada through strategic collaborations such as FinTech Chexy, RedFlagDeals (VerticalScope Inc.), and is in discussion with one of the country's major English-speaking media. The platform continues its mission to help Canadians maximize the rewards and benefits they earn with their credit cards and now supports an active community of 26,000 members on its private Facebook group to answer questions about rewards programs and financial products. Finally, the company is a member of the Canadian Consumer Rewards Coalition (CCRC) and other leading industry organizations. Media Room https://milesopedia.com/en/about/press-releases/ About Milesopedia Founded in 2015, Montreal-based FinTech Milesopedia has emerged as the leading bilingual Canadian resource for loyalty programs and credit cards. Despite the challenging economic landscape in 2023, the company has continued to thrive, particularly due to its widely used credit card comparison solution. The tool attracts over a million unique visitors each month, thanks to its network of 16 sub-publishers: Protegez-Vous, Francois Charron, Educfinance, Dollars and cents | L'actualite, Mon Fric (Attraction Web), BB Jetlag, Retraite 101, Club Boomerang, Le Jeune Retraite, NoovoMoi (Bell Media), Guides Ulysse, Ca$hmire+, InfoBref, Chexy, RedFlagDeals, and Les Coops de l'information (CN2i). Initially launched as a blog by Jean-Maximilien Voisine, a passionate aviation and travel enthusiast, the team has now grown to 13 permanent employees and over 15 freelance writers. Milesopedia makes financial products more accessible to consumers by simplifying information on financial literacy and promotes responsible and advantageous use of credit cards available in Canada, providing them with valuable information and tools, thus enabling them to make the most of their credit cards. As a socially committed company, Milesopedia has been accredited as a platinum-level Entreprise Enfant Soleil since December 2022. SOURCE Milesopedia For further information: Milesopedia, [email protected] Sadiya Umar-Farouq, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development under ex-president Muhammadu Buhari government, refused to honour the invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission probing an alleged N37.1 billion laundered during her tenure in office through a contractor, James Okwete. Earlier reports that the former Minister was expected to appear before EFCC interrogators at the Commissions head office on Wednesday around 10:00 am in Abuja. However, a source in EFCC who spoke anonymously confirmed that Sadiya Umar-Farouq shunned the Commissions invitation on Wednesday. We just closed from work now because she didnt show up today, and its 6 pm already. Its certain that shes never going to show up today. The development comes barely 24 hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspended Halima Shehu, the national coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, over her involvement in the fraud. Consequently, Halima Shehu was arrested by EFCC. The special military task force of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), has dismissed claims that the sector commander in Bokkos LGA of Plateau, was arrested over alleged connection with recent attacks in the state. In a statement on Thursday, James Oya, media officer of the OPSH in Jos, described the report as false and misleading. On Christmas Eve, more than 150 residents of Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin-Ladi LGAs in Plateau, were killed during an attack by gunmen. Recently, the Middle Belt Forum claimed that the military is aware of the identity of the attackers and their hideouts. Oya said the OPSH and other security agencies in the state are very committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property of citizens. The report is not only baseless but a deliberate attempt to malign the reputation of our gallant troops and undermine the efforts of OPSH, intended to bring those responsible for the reprehensible acts to justice, NAN quoted Oya as saying. OPSH, a multi-agency security initiative, has been steadfastly addressing the recurring security challenges in Plateau and environs. The dedication and commitment of our troops remain unwavering in ensuring the safety and security of the affected communities. We urge the public, individuals, groups, and all stakeholders to support our troops by providing actionable information that will aid in the ongoing efforts to restore peace and security to the region. We also urge the public to disregard the misleading and false information being circulated, as it is designed to serve the selfish interests of its purveyors. National security is a collective responsibility, and the efforts of all well-meaning citizens are crucial in enhancing our nations security. The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Benin Republic, has revealed that over 15,000 students in the country have been affected by the recent ban on schools in the region. NANS, for this reason, is calling for leniency over the ban on validation of degree certificates from the country and Togo. An investigative reporter had recently exposed certificate racketeering in schools in the neighbouring countries. In the wake of the development, the Nigerian Government announced a ban on the validation of degree certificates from the countries. But appearing on Channels Television on Thursday, the NANS President of Benin Republic, Ugochukwu Favour said the government should consider legitimately admitted students. For now, I will say that the Federal Government should look into the issue. Now, you cant, because it is happening in this school, punish everyone because it involved close to 15,000 students in the Benin Republic. I have really not validated if it has been happening for a long time. This is just like what just came out on social media and we are still trying to find out how long it has been happening, the NANS president said. So, that is why I set up a committee as the president to investigate it. The Nigerian government has released a list of at least 37 illegal universities operating in the country. Chris Maiyaki, the Acting Secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television on Wednesday. According to him, arrests have been made in conjunction with security operatives. Maiyaki stressed that the Department of State Services was involved in the clampdown on illegal institutions. The NUC secretary urged parents to check the commissions website for illegal and legal varsities in Nigeria so that their wards dont fail victims of fraud. The NUC statement comes following the suspension of degree certificates from two francophone West African countries after an undercover journalist detailed how he acquired a degree from a university in Benin Republic under two months and was deployed for the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC. Consequently, the federal government blacklisted 18 universities from Benin Republic and Togo. Also, the government on Wednesday hinted at plans to extend sanctions on universities from Uganda, Kenya, Niger Republic and other African countries. Full list of illegal universities below: The Kogi All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign council has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeploy Gabriel Longpet, the states resident electoral commissioner (REC). The APC is accusing the REC of compromising materials for the states governorship election conducted on November 11, 2023. INEC declared Usman Ododo, candidate of the APC, as the winner of the election but Murtala Ajaka, candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has challenged his victory at the tribunal. Ajaka, who has not been able to inspect the election materials to fortify his petition at the tribunal, alleged that there were irregularities in Kogi central during the off-cycle poll. In a statement on Wednesday, Kingsley Fanwo, spokesperson of the council, said INEC should halt the inspection of the materials because of a motion it filed at the tribunal. It will be recalled that the Social Democratic Party and its Candidate obtained an Ex-parte Order of the Tribunal on the 25th day of November 2023, directing INEC to among other things, allow an inspection of electoral materials used for the Governorship Election for the purpose of assisting the SDP and its Candidate institute and maintain a Petition which at the time had not been filed, Fanwo said. INEC was given only 48 hours to comply with the said orders which includes all forms, registers, result sheets, ballot papers and BVAS machines. Upon being served with the Order on the 27th day of November 2023, INEC filed a Motion before the Tribunal on the 29th day of November 2023 praying the Court to set aside the said Orders contending that the Tribunal lacked the jurisdiction to make the said Orders and for other reasons such as apparent contradictions in the said Ex-parte Order. That Motion to set aside dated and filed on 29/11/2023 is to our knowledge still before the Tribunal as it has not been heard. [INEC should] commence disciplinary processes against the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Kogi State, Mr. Longpet, having been heavily compromised by the SDP and its Candidate. Suspend or redeploy the REC from Kogi State pending the outcome of the disciplinary process against him. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has tracked and frozen N30 billion of the N44 billion moved from the accounts of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, NSIPA. The development comes barely 24 hours after Halima Shehu, the embattled National Coordinator of NSIPA, was detained and arrested by EFCC after her suspension by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. A source who spoke anonymously to The Nation revealed on Wednesday that the multiple accounts in which some NSIPA officials moved the anti-graft agency have been frozen as part of an ongoing probe. After hours of interrogation and profiling of many accounts, the EFCC confirmed that unauthorised N44 billion was suspiciously moved out of NSIPAs account to some private and corporate accounts. On Wednesday, EFCC grilled Shehu over the alleged fraud. The anti-graft commission also arrested NSIPAs immediate past Director of Finance and Accounts, DFA, Bwai Adamu Hamza. Hamza retired from the agency in December. Shehu and Hamza were subjected to interrogation yesterday by a special team. To this end, after tracking the cash movement, the EFCC recovered and froze the N30 billion traced to multiple accounts. As of Tuesday, the agency had intercepted and seized N17 billion. Within 24 hours, the commission traced and froze an additional N13 billion in some accounts, raising the cash seized to N30 billion. It was learnt that the N44 billion was suspiciously moved from NSIPAs accounts into private and corporate accounts linked to those serving as fronts. This comes as Former Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, whom Halima Shehu worked under, shunned the EFCC invitation to appear for interrogation. The EFCC invited Umar-Farouq over the alleged laundering of N37, 170,855,753.44 during her tenure through a contractor, James Okwete. The former minister denied the allegations. In a record-breaking move, Russia and Ukraine have announced a mutual release of hundreds of prisoners of war (POWs). Confirming the swap on Wednesday via X, Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian president, said 230 people were released. Today, 213 soldiers and sergeants, 11 officers, and 6 civilians returned home. I am grateful to everyone who achieved this result, Zelensky said. We remember each and every one of our people. And we must return all of them. Russias defence ministry said 248 servicemen have also been freed. This is the biggest exchange between the two countries since the start of the conflict nearly two years ago, and the first one in months. According to officials from both sides, the deal was brokered by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a country that has maintained neutrality in the ongoing war. The UAE ministry of foreign affairs said the success of the mediation efforts was a reflection of the close friendship between the UAE and the Republics of the Russian Federation and Ukraine, which were supported by regular contacts at the highest levels. The ministry said the UAE remains committed to efforts aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine. UAE added that it would continue with calls for diplomacy, dialogue and de-escalation; and would endeavour to support all initiatives aimed at mitigating the humanitarian repercussions of the crisis. The exchange, a rare example of accord between the Russian and Ukrainian governments, came against the backdrop of an escalating cycle of air assaults between the two countries. Last week, Russia fired one of its biggest missile strikes at Ukraine, killing dozens of people and wounding hundreds. Ukraines defence ministry vowed that the terrorists would be punished. A soldier has slammed the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for ordering the arrest of his colleague alongside three other motorcyclists for driving against traffic on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. The yet-to-be-identified soldier, who appeared to be defending his colleague in a viral video on Thursday, faulted Sanwo-Olu for calling a soldier useless in the presence of bastard civilians. Recall that Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, ordered the arrest of a soldier and three other motorcyclists for driving against traffic on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. In a viral video, Sanwo-Olu was seen ordering his men to put one of the motorcyclists who claimed to be a soldier into the vehicle, stating that he was going to lock him up. Reacting to the arrest, the soldier who believed that his colleague had done nothing to have deserved an arrest, said the state governor had no right to arrest a soldier, especially in front of his barracks. He claimed that soldiers are not under the control of any state governor but their senior officers. He said, Did I just hear your governor calling a soldier, lance corporal useless? a lance corporalThis man broke his arm, they fired at the man. There is iron in his hands. You are calling a soldier useless in front of those idiots, those bastard civilians. DSS was pushing a soldier. In any situation where you find yourself as a soldier, the Army only gives you five seconds to compose yourself, so after that, you must know how to reply to any attack or anything that comes your way. Because he is a governor, I know he (arrested soldier) was shocked that the governor was arresting him. I know I am not perfect and I am not saying I am but in any situation I find myself, especially beside your barracks, nobody can arrest you. I repeat, nobody can arrest you because you have to stand your grand and nobody will slap you there. No DSS or police can slap you because you refuse to go. Why will you arrest me when there are IP and military police? Okay, will it be because I took one way beside my barracks? What if I just took the bike out to buy something? Do I have to take the long route because I want to buy something? Who does that? In which Amy? He added that the governors action was because Lagos was peaceful, saying that could never have happened in the North East where he is based. He said, So, now, your governor has the guts to arrest and even call a soldier useless. To be sincere, Lagos has been experiencing too much peace. Lets tell the truth, Lagos has been experiencing too much peace. Let us assume this happened in the North East where I am, is it here the governors convoy that is taking one way will arrest a soldier for taking one way? The governor constituted a nuisance. You are there pursuing civilians, what if they get involved in an accident along the line? The governor was there acting like a tout, a governor! When you are supposed to respect yourself. If the soldier said he is not going anywhere, nobody has the power to slap him. If the governor tries it, he knows he is already a bygone. The governor dare not slap a soldier. If I am directed by the MP, any of my senior, or any other officer to go to the guard room, I will go. But of the governor says so, I will never go. He doesnt have the power. Who does he want to lock up? The Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Governor, Wale Ajetunmobi, revealed in videos shared on his X handle on Tuesday that lawless okada riders plying one way along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway left their motorcycles and passengers upon sighting the convoy of Sanwo-Olu. A Bergen County man was charged Wednesday with sexually assaulting a child after investigators received a complaint from the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency, authorities said. Abraham Rivera, 19, of Ridgefield Park, is accused of sexually assaulting a teenager in Garfield on one occasion, according to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella. Court records say the alleged victim was between 13 and 16 when assaulted. Rivera was arrested in Paramus and charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault and two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child. He was held at the Bergen County Jail pending a first-appearance court hearing. Jail and court records did not contain attorney information for Rivera on Thursday. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. The Bergen County Police Academy, responsible for all police training in the county, is under investigation for alleged rule violations. In a news release on Thursday, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella did not disclose the nature of the complaints. Musella said the prosecutors office is responsible for all training at the academy and that investigators want to ensure police recruits in Bergen County receive the highest quality training. We take all allegations of misconduct seriously, and we immediately began an investigation into those allegations, Musella said. The release was issued weeks after a state agency uncovered offensive and discriminatory policing tactics at a Street Cop conference held in Atlantic City. A spokeswoman for the Bergen County Prosecutors Office, however, said the current investigation has nothing to do with the 2021 conference. According to the New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller, problems arose during the six-day Street Cop conference in October 2021 in Atlantic City. Street Cop is a New Jersey-based company that trains officers on policing tactics. The state report cited offensive and discriminatory content at the conference. Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly linked the Street Cop conference to the current investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutors Office. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. A group gathered outside a Newark mosque Wednesday night to remember a community faith leader who was earlier fatally shot outside the building. Imam Hassan Sharif, of the Masjid Muhammad mosque, died at University Hospital at 2:20 p.m., Mayor Ras Baraka and the Essex County Prosecutors Office confirmed. The shooting was reported around 6:15 a.m. outside the mosque at South Orange Avenue and Camden Street, police said About 200 people gathered in front of Masjid Muhammad Wednesday night and linked arms in a symbolic call for unity just a few feet from where the 52-year-old Newark resident was struck down by a killer who remains at large. United we stand, and divided we fall, Sharif Amen Hotep told crowd before leading them in a call-and-response that filled the cold night air on South Orange Avenue. Peace in the streets! he shouted. Stop the violence! Stop the shooting! Stop the killing! Its a chant thats been heard so many times on so many street corners in Newark. Another shooting death, and another unity circle set up to call for peace. But this time it was one of the citys leading peace activists who was the victim. Sharif had joined many unity circles prior to his death, organizers said Wednesday night. One of the clergy members who marched in the streets with us, who fought in the streets with us, who marched and rallied with us against senseless violence, said Bashir Akinyele, a Weequahic High School teacher and member of the Newark Anti-violence Coalition as he urged people to form a circle and join hands. I had to come out here today. Another local Muslim leader, Abdul Haqq Muhammad, quoted from both the Koran and the Bible, and urged people to focus on peace. He called Sharif a civilizer and a light-giver. Imam Hassan gave his life for God, he said. A bit later he added, our brother Imam Hassan is gone. But how are we to serve now? Newark Public Safety Director Fritz G. Frage said Sharif was the Imam of Masjid Muhammad Mosque for five years, and that he advocated non-violence in Newark. He was a community activist who protested against gun violence, said Frage. He supported efforts to keep our city safe. His is a deep loss that the city will mourn. Adbul Haqq Muhammad, student minister at Muhammad Mosque 25, speaks while holding a Quran during a prayer and peace rally for Imam Hassan Sharif at Masjid Muhammad Newark mosque on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Sharif was fatally shot outside Masjid Muhammad mosque early Wednesday morning.Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media Sharif had also worked as a transportation security officer at Newark Liberty International Airport since 2006, a TSA spokesperson confirmed. As of Wednesday afternoon, investigators did not have a suspect and had not found any evidence that suggested the attack was motivated by Muslim bias, authorities said. We do not yet know the motivation for this crime, and while we are not yet at liberty to discuss the progress of our ongoing investigation, the evidence collected thus far does not indicate this was an act motivated bias or an act of domestic terrorism, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said at a Wednesday afternoon press conference. Platkins office and Essex County Prosecutors Office are assisting city police with the investigation and working to identify suspects, officials said. There were frequent calls for the police to find the killer and bring him to justice. But there were also calls for people in the community to help police in solving the crime or for the killer to turn himself in. The killer of Imam Sharif is the business of us all, Newark City Council President LaMonica McIver told the crowd. West Ward Councilman Dupre Kelly urged people to keep a clear head, and to not let their minds get clouded. He asked people to join together and take back the streets, to find hope amid the heartbreak at the loss of another man of peace. There is a lot of powerful people in this circle, he said. Stand up. Stand strong, and stand with the children of Newark. CAIR-NJ, a Muslim civil rights group, gave its condolences following the news of the Imams death. Imam Hassan was a beacon of leadership and excellence. We are devastated at the news of his killing, CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Dina Sayedahmed said. We are praying for the Imam, his family and loved ones, and his congregation, and we ask everyone to do the same. The organization also said mosques should remain vigilant. While the perpetrators motive remains unknown and irrespective of this specific incident, we advise all mosques to keep their doors open but remain cautious especially given the recent spike in anti-Muslim bigotry, Sayedahmed said. Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura said the Essex County Crime Stoppers Program is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information was told to call 973-621-4111. The prosecutors office was also seeking tips and urged anyone who could aid in the investigation to call 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. Imam Nuruddeen Ali, center, speaks during a prayer and peace rally for Imam Hassan Sharif at Masjid Muhammad Newark mosque on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Sharif was fatally shot outside Masjid Muhammad mosque early Wednesday morning.Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media Reporter Nicolas Fernandes contributed to this report. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. The imam who was shot to death Wednesday outside of his mosque in Newark previously fought off a man armed with a gun, according to a social media post he wrote in August. Imam Hassan Sharif, 52, died Wednesday afternoon at the University Hospital, hours after being shot outside the Masjid Muhammad Newark mosque at South Orange Avenue and Camden Street. The killing sparked outrage from the Muslim community while authorities continued searching for the gunman, whom officials say shot Sharif more than once. The community remembered him Wednesday night as a beacon of leadership, often advocating to reduce gun deaths in the city. Previously, in August, an armed man pointed a gun to the back of Sharifs head as he was exiting his car. The imam wrote that he wrestled the man away, calling the encounter a definite test. The Essex County Prosecutors Office, which is leading the investigation into the imams killing, declined to comment on the August attack. Authorities did not have a suspect in Sharifs killing by Wednesday afternoon. The prosecutors office on Thursdsay did not have an update on the investigation. Sharif worked at the mosque for the past five years. He also worked as a transportation security officer at Newark Liberty International Airport. Using his platform as a local religious leader, Sharif was a community activist who sought to end gun violence in Newark. Sharif, who was born Alonzo Kitchen, grew up in the neighborhood on 13th Street and 16th Avenue, according to his uncle, Timothy Bynum, 60, of Newark. He was a student in the citys public schools, devoting himself to Islam as a young man and spending his life spreading Muslim teachings. Ive known him since he was in diapers, said Bynum, who learned of Sharifs death through media reports after the shooting. You knew he was going to be someone special. The other kids his age, they liked to play and fool around, but he was always more serious. Sharif was married and had two children at the time of his death, Bynum said. Sharif was shot around the time of the Fajr morning prayer, which was scheduled for 6:02 a.m., according to the Islamic Society of North America. For somebody to do this to him, that was heartless because that was planned, Bynum said. Authorities said Wednesday they had not gathered evidence to indicate if the shooting was a hate crime. The shooting was felt particularly hardest among Muslims, who swiftly condemned the violence. The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nations largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, said Thursday it was offering $10,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Authorities on Wednesday announced a separate $25,000 reward. Imam Sharif was a revered faith and community leader in our city who spoke out against the violence in our streets and neighborhoods Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, the Archbishop of Newark, said in a statement Thursday. I share the grief of all who mourn the death of this faithful leader and join my prayers with those of his family and friends and our sisters and brothers in the Muslim community. Funeral arrangements for Sharif were unclear on Thursday. However, Muslim tradition calls for a promptly performed burial ritual, according to the National Library of Medicine. The mosque where Sharif served was founded in the late 1950s as Temple No. 25. It was also visited that decade by Civil Rights activist Malcolm X after a trip to Africa. The Newark Police Department is asking anyone with information about the shooting to call its 24-hour tip line at 877-695-8477. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Starbucks customers are now able to use their own reusable cups for each visit at all company-owned stores in the U.S. and Canada for drive-thru and mobile orders. The company is the only coffee shop in the U.S. to let customers use their own cups when placing mobile orders and the first in Canada to give the option of mobile ordering for all drinks of different sizes, according to a Starbucks press release. This decision comes just days after Starbucks debuted its highly-anticipated 2024 winter menu, which includes three new drinks. The reasoning behind this decision, according to the coffee maker, is to reduce waste by 50 percent by 2030. The coffee chain is also providing customers an incentive if they bring their own cups. If customers bring in any clean, personal cup to a particular Starbucks store, they will receive a $0.10 discount on their beverage. In addition, U.S. customers will receive 25 Bonus Stars if they are registered with Starbucks Rewards. For mobile and delivery orders, the customer will hand over their personal cup without the lid to the barista, who will collect the cup using a contactless vessel. When the drink order is completed, the barista will use that same contactless vessel to return the handcrafted beverage back to the customer. The offer is valid a maximum of three times a day, according to the coffee chain. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. The Israeli flag, flying outside Hoboken City Hall in solidarity with Israel in its war against Hamas, has been stolen three times since mid-October, and now the citys police department is seeking the publics help in catching the thieves. Police Thursday released surveillance camera photos of the people and a vehicle involved in the thefts that occurred at 94 Washington St. on Oct. 20, Nov. 27 and Dec. 13. One Jersey City councilman and multiple Hudson County Republicans are either skeptical or completely opposed to Jersey City officials public support or embracing of migrants arriving from the southern border, arguing that the city may not have the capabilities or resources to support them. The reactions came after Mayor Steve Fulop said on social media that the citys values have never been about turning our back to people in need in response to pushback against the recent arrival of two dozen migrant buses in Secaucus, Jersey City and other locations in New Jersey. While winter officially began just two weeks ago and the days are already getting longer, the start of Daylight Saving Time 2024 is only a little more than two months away. Clocks will spring forward one hour overnight on at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 10. The sun will set at around 6 p.m. in New Jersey on Saturday, March 9. The following day, after the time shift and the end of standard time, sunset is at 7 p.m. The sun will, however, rise nearly an hour later at about 7:16 a.m. on Sunday, March 10, after coming up at 6:18 a.m. on Saturday, March 9. Spring will officially arrive at 11:06 p.m. on March 19. In the meantime, the amount of daylight we have each day in New Jersey will continue to slowly increase. On Jan. 19 the sun will set at 5 p.m. or later for the first time since Daylight Saving Time ended in early November. Daylight Saving Time, sometimes incorrectly referred to by the plural Daylight Savings Time, begins the second Sunday in March and ends the first Sunday in November. This year it concludes on Nov. 3, 2024 at 2 a.m. Until 2007, Daylight Saving Time began at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in April and ended at 2 a.m. on the last Sunday in October. While most states change clocks for Daylight Saving Time, there are some holdouts. Most of Arizona and all of Hawaii does not observe Daylight Saving Time. In addition, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands do not participate in Daylight Saving Time. Indiana didnt start observing Daylight Saving Time until 2006. The Uniform Time Act of 1966 allows states to exempt themselves from observing Daylight Saving Time. Four bills were introduced in the state legislature in New Jersey in 2022 that would establish Daylight Saving Time as the official time year-round, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Two are pending, but any bill would need authorization of the U.S. Congress to be implemented as federal law does not allow year-round Daylight Saving Time. While the U.S. Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act in March 2022, the House of Representatives didnt act on it so it never reached the desk of President Joe Biden. In 2023, 12 U.S. senators re-introduced the bill to make Daylight Saving Time permanent. Nineteen states have either passed resolutions or passed legislation calling for permanent Daylight Saving Time, the NCSL said. A CBS News poll in 2022 showed 46% of Americans prefer year-round Daylight Saving Time, with 33% wanting year-round Standard Time and the remaining 21% happy to continue to switch back and forth. Daylight Saving Time begins again on March 10 when clocks turn ahead one hour at 2 a.m. What role did Benjamin Franklin play in Daylight Saving Time? Benjamin Franklin is credited with coming up with the notion of making better use of the days light. While visiting Paris in 1784, Franklin came to believe that sunlight was being wasted during the day. In a joking letter to the editors of a Paris newspaper, Franklin proposed a tax on all Parisians whose windows were closed after sunrise. He believed that this would encourage the economy of using sunshine instead of candles, according to Michael Downing, author of Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Saving Time. During World War I, the German Empire implemented an idea that most resembles the Daylight Saving Time that we observe today. Believing that it would conserve fuel during the war, the German Empire in 1916 became the first to switch its clocks to save daylight. In 1918, the U.S. enacted the first Daylight Saving Time law as a way to conserve fuel. It was reintroduced during World War II. The U.S. put nationwide, year-round daylight saving into effect during World War II starting on Feb. 9, 1942, thinking it would help conserve energy, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. Nicknamed War Time, it remained in effect until September 1945 when Japan surrendered. In 1973, President Nixon signed into law the Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act, which made DST permanent in the U.S. This helped reduce confusion throughout the country with some regions of the U.S. participating in the practice and some regions opting out. The law was redacted less than a year later, though. A common misconception is that Daylight Saving Time was implemented as a way to improve farming practices. However, this is a myth. During the early adoption of the practice in the U.S., farmers were among the biggest opponents of Daylight Saving Time, believing that it would disrupt their farming practices. Not really, even though that was cited in the 2005 Energy Policy Act that extended Daylight Saving Time by a month. A study three years later by the U.S. Department of Energy determined that the extended daylight throughout the year of 2005 saved a mere .5% in electricity use per day and only about .3% over the entire year. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com The leader of a drug delivery network that distributed narcotics throughout southern New Jersey and the Philadelphia suburbs was sentenced to 18 years in prison by a federal judge ruled Wednesday. U.S. District Court Judge Noel Hillman sentenced Glenn Long, 29, in federal court in Camden for his role in the scheme the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency began investigating in 2020. Long, of Philadelphia, who is also known by the aliases Bless and Max, was sentenced for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Once released, Long must be supervised by the criminal justice system for five years. Long was charged with leading the conspiracy in March 2021 but wasnt arrested until July of that year. In legal documents, prosecutors said Long was the head of Bless DTO, a multiple-person group that distributed various types of drugs throughout the Philadelphia region. Undercover agents used several tactics, including electronic surveillance and controlled drug purchases, to investigate the organization, prosecutors said. Thirteen other people were charged in the case, the U.S. Attorneys Office said previously. Prosecutors say Long used his conspirators to provide drugs to customers who request them through phone calls. His associates were found with more than 2,700 grams of methamphetamine and 400 grams of fentanyl, authorities said. Long led the scheme while he was a fugitive on a federal drug trafficking indictment in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. He has since pleaded guilty to those offenses. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com. Imagine you had hiked through the 60 miles of roadless swamp in Panama known as the Darien Gap. Then you traveled through four more Central American countries. Then you traveled north through Mexico hanging on to that freight train they call the beast. Do you think youd have much trouble figuring how to cover the eight miles from the rail station in Secaucus to the one in New York City? Its not often that an MLB team gets the opportunity to combine defending Cy Young Award winners. With Yoshinobu Yamamoto off the board, the Yankees have a chance to do that by pairing free-agent ace Blake Snell with Gerrit Cole. Multiple reports, including one from NJ Advance Media, have indicated that the Yankees are considering adding Snell to the rotation for the right price. Even Cole, a good judge of talent, is reportedly for it, wrote Jon Heyman of The New York Post on Wednesday. FIXING THE YANKEES: Sign up HERE for our twice-weekly newsletter on the offseason changes But Heyman adds a caveat: Given how negotiations with Yamamoto went, could Snell, whose agent is Scott Boras, use New York to bolster his price and go elsewhere? After the type of season Carlos Rodon, who signed a six-year, $162 million deal with the Yankees last winter, had in 2023, the team might not want to risk taking another chance on a similar pitcher a 31-year-old left-hander with a knack for having inconsistent seasons. In two years before last season, where Snell posted a 14-9 record with a 2.25 ERA, he had a combined 15-16 record with a 3.79 ERA. Even Rodon, before signing with the Yankees, had consecutive seasons with sub-three ERAs before earning his contract. Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media, who spoke with a person with knowledge of the Yankees thinking, reported that New York would like to reunite with Jordan Montgomery anyway. Montgomery, another 31-year-old lefty, has a more consistent track record. Hes also shown improvements in terms of ERA in each of his last three seasons, posting a 3.83 ERA in 2021, a 3.48 ERA in 2022 and a career-low 3.20 ERA in 2023. The problem is that Montgomery, whose resume isnt as impressive as Snells, could be overpaid this offseason given what the Dodgers gave Yamamoto (12 years, $325 million) and because he won a World Series. Both Snell and Montgomery are looking at potential six or seven-year deals worth more than $150 million, according to MLB Trade Rumors projection. Thats an average annual value of at least $25 million, which would put the Yankees past $300 million in payroll. Owner Hal Steinbrenner has indicated that hes willing to carry that type of payroll when Yamamoto was still in play. After landing Juan Soto via trade in December, he may have no choice but to persist. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Manuel Gomez may be reached at mgomez@njadvancemedia.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. POINT JUDITH, R.I. - Robert Ballinger watches every inch of a long green net as it unfurls from a spool on the back of this boat, the Lena Pearl, one of dozens of fishing vessels packed into a tiny harbor in Americas smallest state. Hes concentrating, looking for any tears or debris that might cause trouble next time hes trawling off the coasts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Hed prefer to focus on small problems like these and ignore the big one on his mind: the growing array of wind turbines sprouting along the coast. He wouldnt have much issue with them, he said, if they didnt happen to work best in the same deep, wind-swept waters where he finds his most lucrative catch. Where they want to put those turbines is right where all these are during the summer, he said, grabbing a squid from the deck and giving its slimy, silvery body a frustrated squeeze. And the amount they want to put in its mind-boggling. It will change the entire squid season. With a planned bridge over the Mississippi expected to create a boom, West Bank leaders called for new expressway to be built inland, which would require a new crossing at the Harvey Canal, aka GIWW which itself had seen a boom in maritime traffic. Indeed, the GIWW proved to be such a success that another bottleneck formed on the Harvey Canal, this one of vessels. Tugs and barges lined up five-deep at the lock in Harvey, and, just like the motorists on 4th Street, crews felt they had to wait too long for the drawbridge to allow them to pass. Alternative route authorized Widening the Harvey Canal would be too costly, so in 1948, Congress instead authorized an alternative GIWW route to be dug along the Jefferson/Plaquemines parish line and across Cut Off in Algiers. Excavation began in the early 1950s, followed by the construction of a lock at the river, a bridge for todays Gen. DeGaulle Drive and Woodland Highway, and a combined railroad bridge, auto bridge, and an auto tunnel to access Belle Chassethe first underwater tunnel in the state, according to the Jefferson Parish Yearly Review. The new facilities, including the GIWW Alternative Route (aka Algiers Canal) all opened by spring 1956. Chippewa County officials are looking to beef up security at the courthouse following a May 2023 incident in which a judge and the facility were threatened. The Chippewa County facilities and parks department is working with county administrator Randy Scholz to improve courthouse security, which could entail reducing the number of public entrances to the building from six to one. The facilities and parks committee is expected to make a recommendation to the Chippewa County Board of Supervisors this year. County officials are still studying options and which entrances to address. In addition to the courthouse, the building located at 711 N. Bridge St. in Chippewa Falls houses county offices such as the county administrator, department of public health, housing authority, emergency management, treasurer, register of deeds, coroner and human resources. The building sits next to the law enforcement center and the sheriffs office, which oversees the county jail next door. Courthouse threats On May 4, 2023, a Duluth, Minnesota, man was accused of making threats targeting a Chippewa County judge and to the courthouse as a whole. Harley Alcala, 39, was charged with four felonies on June 20, including making terrorist threats, two counts of battery or threat to a judge, prosecutor or law enforcement officer and threats to injure/accuse of a crime. He has been jailed on a $100,000 cash bond, according to court records. Given the nature of these charges, leading to threats to a judge is a violent crime which then requires the court to consider protection of the community, Chippewa County District Attorney Wade Newell said in May. On May 4, Highway 53 between Tilden and Bloomer was closed for about 90 minutes in both directions after Alcala was suspected of making threats to the courthouse. Authorities said Alcalas vehicle was stopped between exit 110 and 102, on Highway 53 near the town of Woodmohr while Alcala approached the courthouse. When Alcala was pulled over he would not leave his vehicle, according to Chippewa County Sheriff Travis Hakes. Law enforcement attempted to negotiate with him, Hakes said. Negotiations were initiated by a crisis negotiator from the Chippewa Falls Police Department. The SWAT team was called in to get Alcala from the vehicle when he continued to be noncompliant with authorities and refused to exit his vehicle. SWAT eventually used pepper balls to get him out of the vehicle. While no weapons were found on Alcala, Newell said in May that it was unclear if he was planning to obtain one. Security was increased at the courthouse that day while law enforcement monitored Alcalas movements and prevented him from reaching the courthouse. Courthouse security During a Nov. 29 Chippewa County committee meeting, facilities and parks director Larry Ritzinger said the county is working with architects and engineers to study the options for a single entrance to the courthouse building. The conversation came out of the situation in the spring when the court was threatened, he said. Ritzinger said the study looks at the feasibility of reducing the number of entrances the public and building employees can use. Entrance No. 3, the east side handicap entrance, was just too narrow to make it effective at a single entrance. The north entrance to the parking lot was pretty much the same thing just too narrow and it would give us some really challenging issues with accessible sites to make that our main entrance, Ritzinger said. After examining options involving all the entrances, the study identified entrance No. 5 as the best choice for a single point of entry. Were basically left with entrance No. 5, which is the northwest entrance on Bridge Street. So they moved out and did further study on that and what were the costs and what it would look like, he said. So we looked at a whole bunch of things, you know, is there adequate space to accomplish the objective for the screening, for a security office staging area for entry and exit?" Ritzinger said when routing everyone through one entrance, there are concerns about parking and accessibility. Currently there are parking lots in front of and on one side of the building. Street parking surrounds the building as well. People are going to want to park somewhere near the entrance, so parking availability is going to need to be looked at closely. ADA access is always a consideration, too, he said. Courthouse operations allow people to use a lot of doors for a lot of reasons. They deliver packages through multiple doors, staff use all doors, loading equipment gets done where it is most convenient, Ritzinger said. We have to decide if this is what we want to do going forward. Cost considerations The committee may decide not to recommend a single point of entry, Ritzinger and Scholz said. Ritzinger said the hope is that the committee will all be in agreement about its recommendations for courthouse security in 2024 so they can reach consensus and make a recommendation. We'll bring all the pros and cons through this process. And the county board can look at it. Obviously, at the end of the day, they have to make a decision, Ritzinger said. It's not going to be cheap, and it's not going to be convenient. In November, Scholz said the county created a separate security operations fund in 2023. It's not a division. It's not like the jail, but we are separating that in the budget and that's really so that the county board and the citizens can see what security is costing. So we did put $108,787 in there. That's currently what is being spent on the courthouse security, Scholz said during a budget discussion Nov. 6. For the 2024 budget, the county added $225,000 to the fund. Because obviously we're looking at that single point of entry this will give the county board some options. If we didn't budget anything, you really won't have a whole lot of options available to you, he said to the board. If you decide not to do it or or go into a different direction, then that money would just go back in the budget process for next year. But at least itll give you some options and that would fund full-time positions and some operation costs that we've been able to identify so far for the courthouse. Scholz said his department is considering surveying county employees to see how they feel about changing the entrances. It is ultimately about safety, but we need to hear from them because this will impact them if they move forward with a single entrance, he said. Were not ready to make any decisions," Scholz said Dec. 13. "Theres a lot that still needs to happen before any recommendation gets made to the county board. Citizens will definitely be informed and have a chance to contribute during that process." GARY Mayor Eddie Melton kicked off the first Common Council meeting of his term by further developing his leadership team. The newly elected mayor introduced three employment-related pieces of legislation during the Tuesday night council meeting. Two of the ordinances were residency waivers; one for his executive assistant and another for his chief of staff. According to a city ordinance first enacted in 1976 and amended in 2018, city employees must live within Gary. Police officers and firefighters are excluded from the ordinance per state law. However, the ordinance allows the administration to go before the council and seek a waiver. Melton asked that the residency requirement be waived for Marcia Hardinson, who lives in Porter County, and for Ellis Dumas, who was born in Gary but now lives in Merrillville. The council voted to suspend the rules and consider the residency waivers on all three readings. Both waivers were approved unanimously. Melton plans on hiring Hardinson as his executive assistant. Hardinson previously worked with Melton as an administrative assistant at NIPSCO. Up until recently, Melton was NIPSCO's manager of corporate citizen and community relations. Melton has tapped Dumas to become his chief of staff. Dumas is currently transitioning out of his role as vice president of programs and outcomes with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana. Melton thanked the council for approving the residency waivers and assured them that the vast majority of his cabinet will be comprised of Gary residents. "Everyone weve selected to work in this administration has a passion for the city," Melton added. The third employment-related ordinance pertained to the city's new fire chief. Melton named Larry Tillman II fire chief in December, replacing Mark Terry who took over as chief at the beginning of August. Tillman is an 18-year veteran of the department; however, he retired in April 2022 after he was injured in the line of duty. Tillman has remained president of the Gary Firefighters Association Local 359. The employment waiver would allow Tillman to become chief despite his previous retirement. The council voted to consider the employment waiver on all three readings and unanimously approved it. Also in December, Melton named Derrick Cannon Sr. police chief. Cannon, a 24-year veteran of the Gary Police Department, replaced Anthony Titus who was named police chief at the end of June. Melton said he will announce the rest of his leadership team throughout the next few weeks. Some of the new mayor's initial goals are to stabilize the city's finances, work with the police and fire departments to establish aggressive retainment and recruitment strategies and to help the Gary school district transition out of the state takeover. Im looking to forward to participating in these next four years," Melton told the council. "I am looking forward to creating an agenda that we feel will move the city forward." PHOTOS: First Gary Common Council meeting of 2024 Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting Gary Common Council reorganization meeting The Lincoln Funeral Train traveled 1,654 miles from Washington, D.C. to Springfield, Illinois, giving millions along the route the chance to mourn the slain president who held together the house divided. Known as the Lincoln Special, the funeral train made a stop at the depot in Michigan City on May 1, 1865. A large crowd turned out to greet the train to pay homage to Abraham Lincoln, who grew up in Indiana and went on to win the Civil War, preserve the Union and end slavery. Lincoln Special Project Executive Director Chris Allen will commemorate the occasion with a talk at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Michigan City Public Library at 100 E. 4th St. in downtown Michigan City. He will discuss Lincoln's boyhood in Indiana and the funeral train. "Allen is touring Indiana to create awareness of Lincolns legacy and of the importance of remembering the events surrounding the special train that carried his body to its final resting place. Allen is raising support for 'Of Tears and Iron' a film that he is creating to memorialize the events of that rail journey," said William Halliar, the co-president of the Michigan City Historical Society and Old Lighthouse Museum. "This program will be of interest to students of Lincoln, fans of the history of early rail travel and history buffs in general." It's part of the statewide tour to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. Westfield-based The Lincoln Special is visiting 13 cities across the Hoosier State as part of a roadshow. The hour-long symposium that will be presented at the Michigan City Public Library discusses Lincoln's life and legacy after he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at the Ford Theater during a production of "Our American Cousin." While Lincoln is most closely associated with Illinois, he was born in Kentucky and came to southern Indiana with his family at the age of 7 in 1816. He spent much of his boyhood in the Hoosier State, living in Indiana for 14 formative years until his family moved to Illinois in 1830 when he was 14 years old. Its imperative to remind people in Lincolns home state that his story didnt just end at Fords Theater, Allen said. Even in death, Lincolns story continued on, only with us as authors. He's now working on a documentary film about the funeral train. "Every city and town in Indiana that Lincolns funeral train stopped at shares an indelible connection to our nations story," Allen said. Michigan City is particularly exciting given the rich history of the Barker family to President Lincoln. Michigan City put together one of the more prominent arches along Lincolns final journey home. Lincoln's body arrived in Indiana 21 days after he was killed in Washington D.C. Lincolns Funeral Train acted as a zipper that brought hundreds of thousands of people together at this nations most fractured point, Allen noted. His funeral train proved that even in death, this man could unite people like nothing before or since. It wasnt just Lincolns remains that came through here. It was everything Lincoln stood for, the Emancipation Proclamation, the 13th Amendment and the Gettysburg Address that came through here. The presentation is free and open to the public. History has an echo our task is to make it heard," Allen said. For more information, visit www.tearsandiron.com or call 317-967-6190. CROWN POINT A Portage man was charged with sexual misconduct of a minor Wednesday for touching his girlfriend's daughter inappropriately, according to court documents. Joshua Bates, 26, was taken into custody Wednesday. Bail has not yet been set, online court records show. Bates was sitting on a bed watching television Monday at his girlfriend's Hobart house with his girlfriend and her teenage daughter when he began touching the teen's breasts, court documents allege. He unbuttoned her pants and continued to touch her inappropriately. The girl's mother had fallen asleep and did not see the incident happen, court documents state. A friend of the victim told police the victim had arrived at her house crying shortly after the alleged incident and told her and her grandmother what happened. The girl said she "felt uncomfortable and could not speak due to her being in shock and scared," a detective wrote in a probable-cause affidavit. Bates allegedly sent a Facebook message to the victim after the incident and asked her to keep everything between them, court documents state. She replied and told Bates she was not of legal age. When questioned by police, Bates said the girl had grazed her lower body up against him and he pushed her away. Once he was informed the teen victim completed a forensic sexual assault kit, he said he did indeed touch the girl inappropriately but said she was the "aggressor." Per Indiana law, children under 16 are incapable of consenting to sexual intercourse. PORTAGE A 38-year-old motorist has died after her vehicle was struck as she was driving off westbound Interstate 94 on to Ind. 249, officials said. Jessie Anndardini, of Three Oaks, Michigan, died Dec. 24 at the University of Chicago Medical Center, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. Driver dead following U.S. 20 crash, county cops say "Following the collision, the passenger vehicle left the roadway, traveled through a ditch, and rolled several times prior to coming to rest," police said. She was flown to the hospital following the Dec. 21 crash, Portage Police Capt. Rob Maynard said. It is believed Anndardini failed to yield for a stop sign before entering Ind. 249 and she was stuck by a northbound vehicle, he said. Anndardini was stuck inside her vehicle and had to be removed by emergency responders before being flown to the Chicago hospital for care, according to Maynard. The crash temporarily fouled traffic flow in the area of Ind. 249 and I-94, police said at the time. PORTAGE The shocking 911 call began with a fisherman underneath the local stretch of Interstate 94 calmly telling the dispatcher, "There's a car that's been here since Wednesday and there's a person inside of it." "He's still alive too," Portage resident Nivardo Delatorre said during the 911 call obtained by The Times. Nivardo Delatorre 911 call Your browser does not support the audio element. The nearly 9-minute call was placed late in the afternoon on Dec. 26, which meant the man had been trapped in the vehicle for nearly a week. Delatorre goes on to help officials determine the exact location of the vehicle under the local highway bridge along Salt Creek. "Dude that's crazy," he said. "I came down here to check for fishing and he's down here in the car." A short time later, Delatorre assures someone on scene, "They're coming." Emergency officials arrived minutes later and confirmed the driver was Mishawaka resident Matthew Reum and learned he had driven his 2016 Dodge Ram truck off the westbound lanes of the highway and into the creek where he then spent nearly a week trapped and surviving on rainwater. "Looks like he hit the guardrail," Delatorre said. When asked by the dispatcher if the driver was injured, Delatorre responded, "He said his leg might be broken. He said he can't feel his legs." "They're on their way buddy," Delatorre can be heard telling someone on scene, presumably Reum. "They're on their way." Fentanyl fueling overdose deaths; hardest hit those 50-59, officials say Of the opioid toxicity cases confirmed so far from 2023, about 80% involves males, county officials said. "Hey, I'm surprised nobody else seen him," Delatorre says on the call while waiting for help to arrive. "There're guys fishing down here and I just walked up and I seen the truck underneath the bridge. I thought it was kind of weird." The unnamed dispatcher responds, "That's definitely good that you managed to see him, I mean especially if he's been there for that long." Emergency sirens are then heard arriving on scene as the call comes to an end. "The will to survive this crash was nothing short of extraordinary," Indiana State Police Sgt. Glen Fifield has said. Suicides creeping up in Region as nation hits record high "If a person is thinking about suicide, please get help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988." The other fisherman involved in the discovery, Hobart resident Mario Garcia, had said during a press conference that he looked inside the vehicle, moved the white airbag and noticed a body. Garcia went to touch the body and the driver turned around. "It almost killed me there because it was so shocking," Garcia said. "He was alive and very happy to see us." Reum had said he tried yelling and screaming but only heard the "quiet sound of water." Reum was flown from the site to Memorial Hospital in South Bend, which released a statement last week saying he was in critical condition. Reum then posted a message Saturday on social media thanking everyone for their support. "You guys turned an ordinary person who had a miracle happen and made him the most grateful person ever and I can not thank you enough," he wrote in part. "This will be a long road to recovery, and there will be dips and bends and curves," he said. "But I feel like with all of you behind me Ill be able to tackle anything." A GoFundMe account set up on his behalf had raised nearly $90,000 by Thursday morning. Six books are being challenged in New Prairie United School Corp. due to claims of portrayals of sexual scenes and transgender themes. The books are "Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky, Sarah J. Maas's "Kingdom of Ash" and "Empire of Storms," "Tilt" by Ellen Hopkins, "Infinite Moment of Us" by Lauren Myracle and "Rethinking Normal" by Katie Rain Hill. These books are currently in New Prairie Middle School's library. The literature was first challenged by a community member last year, according to New Prairie Superintendent Paul White. After receiving the complaints, committees consisting of administrators, teachers, parents and students were formed to review each book challenge and meet with the resident to hear the person's concerns. The committees voted to keep all six books in the middle school's library, with "Infinite Moment of Us" receiving a split decision. The superintendent mostly concurred with the committees' decisions, with White deciding to move Myracle's novel to the high school since he felt the romantic situations in the book were more appropriate for high school students. The complainant then appealed the decision to the school board. The board will have to decide whether to keep the recommendations of the committees and the superintendent, or to take further action and review the books. If the board decides to further review the books, they may decide to remove the material from the school's library at a later date. "Perks of Being a Wallflower" has been one of the most challenged books across the country, according to the American Library Association. It was also listed as one of the most banned books in schools during the 2022-23 year, according to PEN America. "Empires of Storms" was also on the nonprofit's list of most banned books in schools. Given a new process to challenge school library books now in effect statewide, White said he would not be surprised if the district were to see more book challenges. House Enrolled Act 1447, passed last year, requires public school districts and charter schools to post on their websites a list of books in their libraries and to create a procedure for any parent or community member living in the district to request the removal of library material deemed "obscene" or "harmful to minors". The state law also requires the school board to review each removal request at its next public meeting. However, the standards for removing library material are arguably hard to meet. State law outlines several criteria a book must meet, all at the same time, to be considered "obscene" or "harmful to minors" New Prairie schools' policies also state a book may not be removed solely because it presents topics that may be unpopular or offensive to some. In addition, White said parents have the option of being notified of what their children check out of the schools' libraries. The New Prairie School Board will hear the book challenge appeal on Jan. 8. Chronic absenteeism is still up in schools across the US Chronic absenteeism is still up in schools across the US An improving situation, but not enough 2024 marks three decades for me on-air here at CKCU! To mark the 30 years, over the course of 2024 I will be featuring 30 of the most significant albums in my life. Since these are albums which have been crucial to my musical development, they will be biased towards older albums. This week, we will hear from two of these albums. The first is from the Welsh electronic musician Brian Williams, who records under the name Lustmord. His 1992 album "The Monstrous Soul" was the 2nd album of his that I heard (the first being "Heresy" from 1990). I loved both albums, but, a sign that my show would be unusual, is that I used the entire 6 minute ominous, repeating opening track from "The Monstrous Soul" as my theme for the first six months of my show. It made more sense when the show began at 2am rather than now at 2pm, but we hear it today for nostalgia's sake! The main feature today will be one of my favourite works of music, arguably my favourite piece of music. I fell in love with Beethoven's 9th as a teenager. However, this is not that first, generic, recording of the 9th that I first heard, this recording is with the Berliner Philharmoniker and Herbert Von Karajan. This was the first great recording of the 9th I listened to, and is still one of my favourite performances. There have been oceans of ink spilled about Beethoven's 9th, and I certainly can't summarize everything here! But I will comment on one less discussed aspect of the 9th symphony. Beethoven was a revolutionary, radical composer, and his 9th symphony was his most radical work. It is, without doubt, the single most influential piece of music in the last 200 years, but the 9th was and remains divisive among many music lovers. It is the radical choral finale, the infamous "Ode to Joy", which has split many listeners. Ironically, since the text of Friedrich Schiller's poem calls for unity and the brotherhood of man (I apologize, Schiller was an 18th century poet, it was standard to refer to all humanity solely in male terms). From its legendary premiere in Vienna, 200 years ago in 1824, the choral finale has divided listeners. This split has continued to the current day. In general, more conservative music listeners had trouble with the choral finale, while more liberal listeners found the choral finale to be the greatest moment in music. But here is the unusual thing--for most of those listeners who dislike the finale, almost all of them will sing the highest praises of the first three, instrumental, movements. For example, when I was working on my music degree, I had a professor tell me the first movement was a supreme example of sonata form, but the finale was terrible voice writing. This was a common complaint, how unnatural and difficult the vocal writing is (perhaps why Verdi did not like the finale). But what a bizarre complaint! The world of great music is mostly very difficult to perform as well! This odd situation has led to another strange story. A persistent myth has arisen that Beethoven had been seriously thinking of an instrumental finale instead of the choral finale. This suited the listener who thought the first three movements were perfection, but could not grasp the finale. This idea was made popular around 1850, when a viral pamphlet was published stating that Beethoven had intended an instrumental finale. I believe this had significant, unexpected, repercussions. For example, Brahms' first symphony, composed only a few years later in 1854, had a large dramatic finale with a main melody very reminiscent of the "Ode To Joy". I cannot believe that was an accident, that, at least subconsciously, he was "fixing" Beethoven's 9th with this instrumental end. To the most bold, open, and radical composers in the 19th century, Beethoven's 9th, particularly the "Ode To Joy", was an overwhelming revelation which set them on a path, not to compose derivative copies of Beethoven (like too many of Brahms' attempts), but to try and envision where Beethoven was headed. This included composers such as Berlioz, Liszt, Wagner, and Bruckner. Beethoven had dreamed of setting Schiller's poem to music since he was a young man, and the music had already been preordained in his Choral Fantasia from 1808 (rarely heard, but wonderful, piece which sounds like a draft for the "Ode To Joy"), so it was hardly a whim that Beethoven composed the "Ode To Joy". So sit back, and be thrilled by the journey from the violence and drama of the first movement, the relentless Totentanz of the scherzo, the impossible, escapist utopia of the adagio, to all be rejected in the finale with the irresistible call to seize Earthly, real joy in this life! Beethoven's 9th. Ixaxaar Lustmord - The Monstrous Soul - Side Effects Symphony No. 9 in d minor Op. 125 Ludwig Van Beethoven/Janet Perry, Agnes Baltsa, Vinson Cole, Jose van Dam, Wiener Singverein, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert Von Karajan - Symphony No. 9 - Deutsche Grammophon Protoplasmic Reversion Lustmord - The Monstrous Soul - Side Effects The Daathian Doorway Lustmord - The Monstrous Soul - Side Effects The Fourth and Final Key Lustmord - The Monstrous Soul - Side Effects anche l'inferno e un cielo Bara Gisladottier & Skuli Sverrisson - Caeli - Sono Luminus Zibonakalise Msaki x Tubatsi - Synthetic Hearts - No Format Odofo Nyi Akyiri Biara Ebo Taylor & The Sweet Beans - Afro-Beat Airways - West African Shock Waves Ghana & Togo 1972-1979 - Analog Africa Ti Carole Nemours Jn-Baptiste - Mini All Stars vol. 2 - Mini Records Rete Kassav - Best of vol. 1 - New Deal Juanie Le Groupe Haiti Cherie - A L'Ombre de Septentrional - Marc Records Kudia Kuefu (feat. Camelia Jordana) Bonga - Kintal da Banda - Lusafrica Bandolobourou (feat. Oumou Sangare) Ali Farka Toure - Voyageur - World Circuit Hobolada Hooyibo (feat. Dr. Rafi) Iftin Band - Mogadishu's Finest: The Al-Aruba Sessions - Ostinato Records Kufwa Ntangu Franco et le TPOK Jazz - En Colere vol. 1 - Sonodisc ST. JOHN Just a few days after taking office, St. John's new Town Council has already ousted the town manager, fire chief, town attorney and parks superintendent. During a Monday night special meeting, the council approved a town manager employment agreement for former ward three town council candidate Bill Manousopoulos. Manousopoulos replaced former Town Manager Joe Wiszowaty who was hired in March of 2022. Wiszowaty said he and the former Town Council entered into a mutual separation agreement. His final day as town manager was Jan. 1. According to his LinkedIn profile, Manousopoulos most recently worked as the director of public works for the Village of Glenwood; prior to that he was the director of public works for Calumet City for 13 years. Manousopoulos has lived in St. John for 15 years. Im excited to bring this councils vision to life," Manousopoulos said during the Monday meeting. Manousopoulos unsuccessfully ran as an independent against incumbent Republican Councilman Gerald Swets during the 2022 general election. The St. John Town Council experienced a bit of a sea change during the most recent election season. Three Republican newcomers joined the council during the primary election; Ann Oster beat incumbent ward one representative Bryan Blazak, Mike Bouvat earned one of the council's two at large seats, beating incumbent Mike Aurelio and newcomer Theresa Birlson, and former Lake County Councilman Christian Jorgensen was unopposed in the ward two race. Incumbent Wayne Pondinas won the town council's other at large seat. Incumbent Clerk-Treasurer Beth Hernandez beat challenger Kim Schaver in the Republican primary. St. John did not hold a general election as no Democrats were on the ballot in 2023. The new St. John Town Council includes only two incumbents Pondinas and Swets. During the Jan. 1 meeting the council elected Bouvat president and Jorgensen vice president. During that meeting, the council also voted to replace a large number of board and commission members and hired Joe Svetanoff, of the law firm Kopka Pinkus Dolin, as town attorney. David Westland was town attorney as recently as the Dec. 27, 2023 council meeting. Swets voted against every piece of legislation on the Monday night agenda. He said the special meeting was not "duly and properly called" and was in violation of Open Door Law. I want it on the record that I never received any formal notice of this meeting, I never received any documentation for this meeting, I was never notified about any meeting. In fact, I found out about this meeting from a friend," Swets said. "It is not my intention to diminish the excitement of the council taking power, but doing things right, properly and transparently matters." During a regular council meeting held the following evening, Svetanoff said the Jan. 1 meeting was properly called by Pondinas. "We have again reviewed the legal notices and they are in proper form under Indiana code," Svetanoff said. During the Jan. 2 meeting the council voted to appoint Shane Adams as fire chief. Adams will replace former Chief Kevin LaDuke, who was named chief in January of 2021. The council unanimously approved Adams' appointment, however, Swets did not attend the Jan. 2 meeting. In an email to The Times, Bouvat said LaDuke was re-assigned to his former position of firefighter/paramedic due to "a breach of employment agreement" that required LaDuke to live in St. John for at least two years after becoming chief. Adams was formerly the Lake Hills fire chief. Bouvat also said the parks superintendent position, which had been held by Michael O'Shea, was eliminated. According to Bouvat, the St. John Parks Department had been over budget. He said there are no plans to fill the superintendent position at this time. During the Jan. 2 meeting, the council also approved an ordinance changing the town's personnel, policy and procedure manual. "The changes that are being made will allow the town to undertake organizational restructuring that quite honestly is a direct result of the four years of fiscal irresponsibility, lack of a balanced budget and deficit spending," Bouvat said. "Our new town manager needs this revisions to the policy, personnel manual to implement the necessary organizational changes." The council also voted to eliminate the Storm Water Board, as Bouvat said the board "serves no other purpose than to establish another layer of town government," and changed the "Board of Safety" back to the "Board of Metropolitan Police Commissioners." "This Town Council, or at least the majority, have certain goals that we would like to achieve to get our town back on track and financially healthy," Bouvat said during the Monday special meeting. "The items on our agenda today represent the start of that process. A great deal of thought and preparation has gone into the changes that need to be made. St. John committee and council meetings have been particularly contentious in recent years, with Pondinas often voting against the other members of the former council. Tensions reached a boiling point in April of 2022 when the council voted to eliminate the Park Board, a board Pondinas was council liaison to. Bouvat was the former Park Board president. The Park Board was ultimately reinstated with some new members. Bouvat said the new council hopes to reduce the town's operating expenses and "restore fiscal responsibility." "The changes that were made were not taken lightly and were extremely difficult, however they had to be made for the welfare of the town," Bouvat said. [Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the fact that former Town Manager Joe Wiszowaty entered into a mutual separation agreement with the former Town Council before the new Town Council took office.] The LaPorte County Historical Society Museum is planning a number of events throughout January, including the 118th anniversary of the historical society. The museum at 2405 Indiana Ave., Suite. 1 in LaPorte began the new year with a monthlong scavenger hunt in which people can find nutcrackers scattered around the museum to find an exclusive pin. The Gallery Wall of Local Sights also opened Tuesday. "Stop by to see the work of artists who depicted scenes from around the county," LaPorte County Historical Society Museum Assistant Director Savannah Jackson said. "You might even see some places you recognize." A new pop-up on Westville history also opened and will be open through the end of the month. "Learn about the town of Westville in the first of our 'Towns of LaPorte County Pop-Up' exhibits this year," Jackson said. "Highlights included Westville High School, local business and local clubs." The Pioneer Land Spinners who often demonstrate textiles at the LaPorte County Fairgrounds will appear at the museum from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13. The museum will welcome Westville residents and Westville High School graduates for free on Jan. 13. "All Westville residents and Westville High School graduates will receive Free Admission to the Museum on Saturday, Jan. 13," Jackson said. "Come see the Westville Pop-Up exhibit to learn more about your town." The museum will mark Historical Society Founding Day on Jan. 30, which marks the LaPorte County Historical Society's 118th birthday. The museum includes period rooms from different eras of LaPorte County history, a recreation of the farm of the notorious serial killer Belle Gunness, the Kesling Auto Collection of rare cars and the W.A. Jones Collection of antique weapons. Its many displays also include a model train, a bar, a vintage police car, fossils and the miniature, mechanical Otto Giese miniature church that was crafted by a soldier during World War II who promised while praying that hed make something for the community if he survived the Battle of the Bulge. For more information, call 219-324-6767 or visit laportecountyhistory.org. The much anticipated Carpathia Polish Cuisine Delicatessen is now serving up ham, sausage, stuffed cabbage and pierogi in Schererville. The Polish deli and grocery store stocks a variety of homemade sausages, cheeses and Polish cuisine, including hot food like pork chops, bigos stew, halupki and pierogi. The store at 1642 U.S. 41 has a grocery section with 500 different Polish brands like Cracovia, Krakus and Vavel. It's located at the Crossroads of the Nation intersection of U.S. 30 and Indianapolis Boulevard by China Buffet, Hooters, Harbor Freight Tools and Penn Station. Owner Grzegorz Zarycki said it offered many fresh house-made items like hot pierogi that could be taken home for dinner. The deli case includes a wide variety of meats like Polish ham, pork loin, smoked chicken logs, smoked pork fat, smoked sausage, smoked spare ribs, blood sausage, hunter-style bacon and pork and chicken sausages. In addition to Polish fare, it caters to Bosnians, Croatians, Serbians, Macedonians and other Eastern Europeans. Cheese options include farmer cheese, sheep's cheese Bulgarian white cheese and Greek feta. The spacious, brightly lit grocery store stocks fresh produce, free-range eggs, herring filets, Polish dill pickles, canola oil, tea, coffee, mineral water, mustard, salad dressing and marinated red peppers, green tomatoes and cabbage leaves. It has canned fish, cod liver, sprats and many snacks. "It looks nice," Zarycki said. "It's a pretty good size." The 15,000-square-foot store was originally going to be a Polish restaurant but Zarycki and his business partner have families and kids and wanted to be home with them on nights and weekends so decided on a grocery store instead. They originally signed the lease for the store in January 2020 but it was long delayed because of logistical issues, such as difficulty in obtaining deli cases and equipment. It carries backed goods like rye and pumpernickel bread and desserts like kolache, Polish yeast cakes and paczki, which will be available year-round, not just before Lent like at many Region bakeries. Northwest Indiana, the home of Pierogi Fest and Pierogi Drop, is home to a sizeable Polish population as the steel mills long drew immigrants from Eastern Europe. The Region is home to many Eastern European markets like the AROMA Euro Market in Schererville, Euro Mart in Dyer, MJ's Polish Deli in Hammond, Uma Euro Market in Merrillville and Balkan in Hammond. Zarycki expects Carpathia Polish Cuisine Delicatessen, meant to be a regional destination, will have wide appeal in Northwest Indiana and beyond just people of Polish descent. "Everybody loves Polish food," he said. Carpathia Polish Cuisine Delicatessen is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. For more information, call 219-335-3354 or email info@carpathiadelicatessen.com. A new precision machine shop has set up shop in the Knox Industrial Park. Wakal Machining opened at 205 Kloeckner Drive in Knox. The city and the Starke County Economic Development Foundation recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the company, which cuts, fabricates and finishes various products. It repairs equipment and makes new parts for regional customers, including in the manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, farming and construction sectors. Our client base is farmers and any business that has a maintenance department, owner Bill Wakal said. We hope to be able to serve Valparaiso, LaPorte, Walkerton, Plymouth, Culver, Winamac and surrounding areas initially, and branch out further into northern Indiana and beyond as we grow. The nearest machining shop that can provide the service we will offer is an hour and a half away. Wakal has worked as a tool and die maker for the past 25 years. He founded the company with his wife Sherry. The company is starting out with two employees but plans to hire more in the future. We chose to start our business in Knox because we saw a need for a machine shop in Starke County. The Knox Industrial Park is an ideal location because of the proximity to many of our clients, which will help us to better serve their needs," Wakal said. We hope this opens the door for other small businesses to consider locating in Starke County. The City of Knox and the Starke County Economic Development Foundation have been a positive force behind the success of us starting this business. In 2022, the company approached the Starke County Economic Development Foundation about sites where they could locate. We looked at many possibilities in the Knox area, which is where they wanted to locate, SCEDF Executive Director Lisa Dan said. They felt the Knox Industrial Park was the best location, and we were happy to sell them some land so they could build. They indicated some of their customers would be local industries and this would be an ideal spot for their startup business. Wakal Machining plans to hire through the precision machine program at Ivy Tech and the vocational program the North Central Careers and Technical Education Cooperative offers at local schools. Their long-term plans will also create career opportunities for local students and encourage them to remain in Starke County after they graduate, Dan said. That is so important to our county as we continue to strengthen our niche as a best-of-both worlds destination in proximity to Chicago, South Bend and Indianapolis with an affordable cost of living, unmatched natural resources, and friendly and welcoming communities. Wakal Machining is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. MERRILLVILLE A longtime Hobart community leader is heading to Indianapolis next week as Northwest Indianas newest state senator. Democratic leaders in Senate District 3 selected former four-term Hobart City Councilman Dave Vinzant to complete the 11 months remaining in the Indiana Senate term of now-Gary Mayor Eddie Melton. Vinzant prevailed by a 34-32 margin over Gary Councilman Mark Spencer, who was endorsed by Melton, at the Democratic caucus held Wednesday night in the Dean and Barbara White Community Center in Merrillville. The new senator faces a steep learning curve. The Republican-controlled General Assembly convenes its 9-week session Monday, and the Senate deadline to file proposals for new state laws is Tuesday afternoon just a few hours before the governor delivers his annual State of the State address. While getting acclimated to his new role at the Statehouse, Vinzant also will be preparing to run for a four-year term in his own right. Candidate filing for the May 7 primary election is set to begin Jan. 10. Senate District 3 includes all or portions of Gary, Hobart, Lake Station, Merrillville and New Chicago. Melton first was elected in 2016 to represent the district following 26 years of service by former state Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary. Melton resigned his Senate seat Dec. 5 to prepare to take office as Gary mayor on New Years Day. Gallery: Get to know these new Indiana laws that took effect July 1 AirTags Alcohol permits Animal facilities 'Now here is the rest of the story' as Paul Harvey would say Book bans Bullying Charter schools Child molesting Childrens hospitals Domestic violence Drinking water Electric/hybrid vehicles Encroachment FAFSA Financial literacy Firefighting equipment Food and beverage tax Gender-affirming care Gary schools Gasoline tax Human trafficking Illiana Expressway Inmate gender Insurance fund Juror pay Juveniles Lake County convention center Lake County recorder Landlords Little Calumet River Lost farmland Machine guns Mail-in ballots Mental health Military bases Military pay Pension investments Public health School board elections Service animals Sex education SNAP assistance Speed cameras State comptroller Storage units Tax sales Taxpayer receipt Teachers unions Throwing stars Transit Development District 21st Century Scholars Valparaiso lawsuit Xylazine Several prominent museums have been unable to display their collections online since a cyberattack hit a prominent technological service provider that helps hundreds of cultural organizations show their works digitally and manage internal documents. The Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the Rubin Museum of Art in New York and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas were among the institutions confirming that their systems have experienced outages in recent days. The service provider, Gallery Systems, said in a recent message to clients, which was obtained by The New York Times, that it had noticed a problem on Dec. 28, when computers running its software became encrypted and could no longer operate. We immediately took steps to isolate those systems and implemented measures to prevent additional systems from being affected, including taking systems offline as a precaution, the company said in the message. We also launched an investigation and third-party cybersecurity experts were engaged to assist. In addition, we notified law enforcement. Gallery Systems did not immediately respond to email and phone requests for comment. Signs of disruption were evident on several museum websites because eMuseum, a tool that usually lets visitors search online collections, was down. There was also disruption behind the scenes: Some curators said that they had returned from their winter vacations to find themselves unable to access sensitive information from another Gallery Systems program called TMS. That system can include the names of donors, loan agreements, provenance records, shipping information and storage locations of priceless artworks. Jump to: Todays Theme | Tricky Clues THURSDAY PUZZLE Everyone has a different way of deciding whether a given crossword puzzle is enjoyable. Today Id like to talk about smiling. Social media and comment sections are great, but have you ever stopped to notice your emotional response to a puzzle? The commentary here suggests that the answer is a resounding yes, but Im talking about a silent, almost involuntary expression of pleasure. Todays puzzle by Chase Dittrich and Christina Iverson made me smile every time I wrote in one of the theme entries because the set was so clever. I smiled quite a bit at the surrounding fill, too. This is my standard response to cleverness, along with Wow, I wish Id thought of that and Good for the constructors for spotting this idea. Anecdotally, we know that crosswords and other puzzles are good for the brain, but that genuine smile is important as well. Smiling can lower levels of cortisol, also known as the stress hormone. Releasing pleasure hormones and exercising the brain while lowering stress? Yes, please. Floridas surgeon general on Wednesday called for a halt to the use of Covid vaccines, citing widely debunked concerns that contaminants in the vaccine can permanently integrate into human DNA. These vaccines are not appropriate for use in human beings, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, the states surgeon general and highest-ranking health official, said in a statement released by the Florida Department of Health. Federal health officials and other experts have repeatedly sought to counter Dr. Ladapos erroneous comments about the vaccines, noting that careful review of the scientific evidence has found no basis for his declarations. The Food and Drug Administration said on Wednesday that it had not identified any safety concerns related to the sequence of, or amount of, residual DNA. Hundreds of pages of previously sealed court documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and registered sex offender, were made public Wednesday but as most legal experts familiar with the sordid affair had surmised, there was no smoking gun list of famous men who had sought to have sex with young women and teen girls. The documents, filed in Federal District Court in Manhattan, appeared to add a bit more context to the relationships that Mr. Epstein had maintained over the years with powerful men, such as the former presidents Bill Clinton and Donald J. Trump and a member of the British royalty, Prince Andrew. But they provided little, if any, new fodder for conspiracy theorists who remain fixated on Mr. Epsteins dealings more than four years after his death. The 45 court documents made public on Wednesday were part of a lawsuit brought against Mr. Epstein by one of his victims. The documents were previously sealed or redacted to hide the names of more than 100 victims, associates or friends of Mr. Epstein, all given the designation J. Doe and a unique identifying number. Overall crime fell slightly in New York City last year compared with 2022, though the number of felony assaults and car thefts remained stubbornly high, the police said on Wednesday. The city saw significant drops in the number of shootings and murders, as well as in robberies, burglaries, sexual assaults and grand larcenies all categories described as major crimes. The drop in gun violence and homicides occurred as cities like Detroit, Philadelphia and Los Angeles also saw sharp declines in the number of murders and other major crimes. Mayor Eric Adams of New York lauded the Police Department and touted the decrease as a sign that the city was making progress in improving public safety and increasing the perception that New York is safe. Two pediatric influenza-related deaths in Nebraska have been reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Nationally, 20 children have died from flu this season according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Nebraska, there have been a total of three flu-related deaths so far this season. Antiviral drugs like oseltamivir, commonly known as Tamiflu, should be used as early as possible in people who have flu-like illness. For those who arent sick, common sense preventive measures along with flu vaccines can help prevent flu and other winter illnesses. Tamiflu can safely treat flu symptoms in infants as young as 2 weeks old. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services says people can protect themselves from the flu by: Washing your hands often Avoiding contact with people who are sick Staying home from work, family gatherings and social functions if youre sick Covering your mouth and nose when you cough with a tissue or sleeve, not into your hands Eating healthy and getting plenty of rest Dont smoke DHHS recommends speaking with your healthcare provider as CDC recommends flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older Influenza vaccination can reduce flu-related illnesses, visits to the doctor, missed work and school, and flu-related hospitalizations and deaths. While flu can make anyone sick, certain people are at greater risk for serious complications: Young children Adults 65 years of age or older Pregnant women People with chronic lung disease like asthma and COPD, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, heart disease, neurologic conditions, and certain other long-term health conditions Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities For more flu information, visit the DHHS website at dhhs.ne.gov/flu or the CDC website at cdc.gov/flu. INTERNATIONAL An article on Wednesday about the collision of two aircraft as they landed in Tokyo misstated the type of Japan Coast Guard plane that was involved in the collision. It was a de Havilland Canada DHC-8, not an MA722, which was the aircrafts identification number. NATIONAL An article on Sunday about Stony Brook University misstated the name of the union representing professors and other employees at SUNY. It is United University Professions, not United University Professors. ARTS An article on Monday about scheduled television programs for this week misstated the Hollywood Foreign Press Associations relationship to the Golden Globes. While the association hosted the awards ceremony in the past, Eldridge Industries and Dick Clark Productions now host it. OBITUARIES Because of an editing error, an obituary on Monday about the actor Tom Wilkinson misidentified the university he attended as a young man. It was the University of Kent in Canterbury, England, not the University of Canterbury. A man who had been denied probation attacked a judge during his sentencing in a Nevada courtroom on Wednesday in a violent episode that was captured on video. The man, Deobra Redden, 30, was in court in Las Vegas for a sentencing hearing on Wednesday morning after pleading guilty to attempted battery with substantial bodily harm, a spokeswoman for the Eighth Judicial District Court said in a statement on Wednesday. In a video of the hearing, which circulated widely on social media, Mr. Redden is seen leaping over a courtroom bench onto Judge Mary Kay Holthus, sending flags behind the bench falling to the ground. The bench blocks the view of Judge Holthus and Mr. Redden for a few moments in the video as cursing is heard in the background. Seconds later, three men are seen trying to subdue Mr. Redden while also repeatedly punching him. Judge Holthus, 62, was injured, and her condition was being monitored, the court spokeswoman said. A court marshal was also injured and taken to a hospital, where he was believed to be in stable condition, the spokeswoman said. When Speaker Mike Johnson and scores of House Republicans converged in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Wednesday to call for a crackdown on migrants at the border, they had a somewhat unlikely host. It was only months ago that Representative Tony Gonzales, the Texas Republican who represents the busy border crossing and the majority-Hispanic district that surrounds it, broke with his party in opposition to parts of its hard-line approach on immigration. Back then, he warned his colleagues against an overly draconian approach and urged them not to politicize the issue. Now Mr. Gonzales, who has faced a constituent backlash and multiple primary opponents in his competitive district, has swung into line with the zeal of a convert, becoming a chief champion of Republicans strict border enforcement bill and a proponent of efforts to use it as political leverage against President Biden. He has endorsed calls to make border security improvements a precondition of securing military aid for Ukraine and keeping the federal government open. And he has been working closely with Mr. Johnson to maintain pressure on the rest of Congress to embrace the House G.O.P.s hard line. American, Israeli and Lebanese officials insist that few parties want Israels war in Gaza to become a wider conflict that engulfs the Middle East. But the assassination of a top leader of Hamas in Lebanon on Tuesday, and the deaths of scores of people in mysterious twin explosions in Iran on Wednesday, threatened to bring the Middle East and the United States closer to the brink of a regional war, which the Biden administration has tried to stave off since Hamass deadly attacks against Israel on Oct. 7. Just hours after the bombs went off in Iran, the United States and 12 of its allies issued a written warning to another militia group in the region, the Houthis of Yemen, who have been mounting near-daily missile, drone and seaborne attacks on commercial vessels. So far the United States has held back from retaliating against Houthi bases in Yemen, in large part because it does not want to undermine a fragile truce in Yemens civil war. A day after a blast killed a senior Hamas leader outside Beirut, Lebanon, many Israelis welcomed the assassination as an important step in the campaign to destroy the militant group, but worried it might carry costs. Members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus right-wing coalition in Israel, in particular, cheered the attack. All those involved in the October massacre should know well get to them, and well settle the score, declared Danny Danon, a member of Parliament from the Likud party. But some analysts said the killing of the Hamas official, Saleh al-Arouri, was likely to disrupt any negotiations over freeing more hostages taken in the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7 which would be another setback for Israeli families waiting desperately for their relatives to come home. The assassination also prompted fears of a wider war in the Middle East and of retaliatory attacks in Israel. On Wednesday, the leader of the Lebanese-based militant group Hezbollah, which like Hamas is backed by Iran, denounced the killing as a dangerous escalation and warned that Israel would not go unpunished. If the enemy considers waging a war against Lebanon, our battle will be without boundaries or rules, Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollahs leader, said in a broadcast. We are not afraid of war. Will he? Or wont he? Its a question thats been buzzing at dinner parties and on street corners in Florence, and throughout the Italian art world. The he in question is Eike Schmidt, who until last month was the director of the Uffizi museum, and who has hinted that he might run for mayor of Florence in upcoming municipal elections. Since the summer, Schmidt has been toying somewhat mischievously with the idea of running with the Brothers of Italy, the hard-right majority party in the coalition that governs the country. Even after he was appointed last month as the new director of the Capodimonte Museum in Naples, a four-year posting set to begin this month, Schmidt has not clarified his intentions, except to say in an interview in an Italian newspaper that he would be unable to do both jobs at once. On Wednesday, Italys culture minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano, posted a photo on social media with Schmidt, and wrote in an accompanying post that there were great plans and ideas for the Capodimonte that he had discussed with the new director. What happened to fun? In the clinical white of the gallery, art can be forbidding, aggrieved, elite, academic. Shouldnt it also, sometimes, be joyous? The collaborators behind Luna Luna thought so. This was the amusement park staged in Hamburg, Germany, in 1987, where nearly 30 professional artists including Basquiat, Hockney and Dali designed the rides. About 250,000 people attended that summer families, children, students, hipsters seeking reprieve. But shoestring funding and a thwarted tour let the production sit, disassembled and forgotten in storage, for 35 years. Now, at a staggering cost nearing nine figures, about half the attractions have been restored, beautifully, and arranged for the public in a new show in Los Angeles titled Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy. Last year was the warmest in recorded history. The graphic artists of the environmental movement tried to warn us. Their posters aimed to scare people straight with pictures of ecological ruin, or glorified nature, clean air and water, sunshine and verdure. Some offered earworm-y slogans and haunting visuals. Whatever their approach bright, witty, somber, blunt, even sexy they sought an image, a phrase, that could change enough minds to literally save the world. Through Feb. 25, an exhibition at Poster House in Manhattan demonstrates these visual and rhetorical styles, and how they reflect the evolving movements shifting strategies. There are 33 posters on view, along with dozens of postage stamps and a pair of socks by Vivienne Westwood. Environmentalism began honing its voice in the 1970s, with roots in the counterculture and protests against the Vietnam War. Robert Rauschenberg designed the official poster for the first Earth Day, in 1970. In a deadpan appeal to patriotism, grim scenes of spoiled ecologies frame a bald eagle. The earliest work in the show, a call for clean water from 1961 by Hans Erni, features a ghastly skull in a drinking glass. The choice, the artists argued, was between peace and poison. The Islamic State said it was behind the Iran bombing The Islamic State claimed responsibility for a bombing attack that killed at least 84 people in Kerman, Iran, on Wednesday, according to a post on the extremist groups official Telegram account. The group called the attack a dual martyrdom operation, and described how two militants had detonated explosive belts strapped to their bodies during a commemoration ceremony at the tomb of Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani. The general, a widely revered and feared Iranian military leader, was assassinated four years ago in a U.S. drone attack. The Islamic State was probably seizing an opportunity to hit an enemy, U.S. officials said. The Sunni Muslim group has claimed responsibility for several previous attacks on Iran, which has a Shiite Islamic government and runs an alliance of Shiite groups across the Middle East. The bombing in Iran, and the killing of Saleh al-Arouri, a senior Hamas leader, in Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday, has heightened fears of a regional war that could draw in the U.S. Just hours after the bombs went off in Iran, the U.S. and 12 of its allies issued a written warning to the Houthis of Yemen, who have been mounting near-daily attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Shortly before the media start-up The Messenger launched last year, its president said the company planned to generate more than $100 million of revenue in 2024. It will need a major turn in fortune to get there. The site generated about $3 million in revenue last year, according to two people with knowledge of the companys financial results. And it has told potential investors that it had only $1.8 million in cash on hand at the end of December, after losing about $38 million last year, putting it under severe financial strain. The operating results of The Messenger which until now had not been fully disclosed underscore the difficulties facing the company. The founders, who raised $50 million to start the website, initially said their aim was to transform coverage of U.S. politics, culture and sports. But it has run into editorial and financial troubles. This week the company is laying off roughly two dozen employees, including those who covered national politics, science and technology. It is raising money from investors to maintain its operations through this year. On Tuesday, Richard Beckman, a founder who was a long-serving executive at the magazine company Conde Nast, announced he was leaving the company. A 17-year-old boy who collided with an ambulance while driving a pickup truck in December has died. Seth Feyerherm of Omaha has succumbed to his injuries, the Douglas County Sheriffs Office said in a press release. He was being treated for extremely critical head injuries in a hospital. The crash occurred shortly before 10:16 a.m. on Dec. 21 at the intersection of 204th and Harrison streets north of Gretna. According to the Sheriffs Office, which is still investigating the incident, the crash occurred when Feyerherm attempted a turn left from southbound 204th Street onto eastbound Harrison Street at a traffic light in a Toyota Tundra. As he attempted the turn, a Gretna Fire & Rescue ambulance, which had its lights and siren on, was driving north on 204th Street through the intersection when it collided with the pickup. The ambulance was taking Debra Brookhouser, a 72-year-old from Gretna, to a hospital. Brookhouser was pronounced dead at the scene. Three Gretna Volunteer Fire Department firefighters/medics in the ambulance were injured in the crash. Two of them were treated and released from the hospital while the third responder sustained minor injuries and was not taken to a hospital. The Journal Star's most memorable photos of 2023 Almost no one in the United States experienced a white Christmas. Ski areas in the West are closed. The Great Lakes began the year with the lowest amount of ice in at least 50 years. Midwesterners are jogging in T-shirts in the dead of winter. Record warmth and changing precipitation patterns mean most of the United States is not getting its usual snowfall. The balmy start to winter isnt just hurting skiers and ice fisherman: The snow that blankets mountain ranges in winter serves as a vital reservoir, cooling rivers, propelling hydropower systems and feeding irrigation channels needed for the nations apples, blueberries and almonds. It is also giving many a new appreciation for living in a time of rapid planetary warming. Its a big cultural shift to experience 50 yesterday and how disorienting that is from a geographic perspective, Jessica Hellmann, director of the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota, told my colleagues Ernesto Londono and Michael Levenson (50 degrees Fahrenheit is about 10 Celsius). Its a visceral feeling of what climate change looks and feels like for people who are accustomed to living in a particular climate. Anthony Dias Blue, a longtime wine writer and radio personality whose love for California whites and reds helped elevate the reputation of American vintners, died on Dec. 25 at his home in Los Angeles. He was 82. His daughter Amanda Blue confirmed the death but did not provide a cause. Mr. Blue, known by friends and readers as Andy, moved to San Francisco in the late 1970s and soon found himself enmeshed in the emerging California wine scene. It had been just over a decade since Robert Mondavi opened the first major winery in the state since Prohibition, and just a few years since a pair of Napa Valley wines beat out a host of French Chardonnays, Bordeaux and Burgundies in the so-called Judgment of Paris. Still, American wine as a whole was poorly regarded, even among aficionados. Mr. Blue set out to change that from his post as the wine and spirits editor of Bon Appetit magazine, a job he held for over 20 years. As Covid rises again, killing about 1,500 Americans each week, medical researchers are trying to understand why so few people are taking Paxlovid, a medicine that is stunningly effective in preventing severe illness and death from the disease. A study of a million high-risk people with Covid found that only about 15 percent who were eligible for the drug took it. If instead half of the eligible patients in the United States had gotten Paxlovid during the time period of the research, 48,000 deaths could have been prevented, the authors of the study, conducted by the National Institutes of Health, concluded. Its not because people dont know about the drug most do but the reluctance seems to come from doctors worried about interactions with other drugs and people wary of a possible rebound case or the metallic aftertaste. Regional differences offer a clue, with uptake highest in the Democratic strongholds of the Northeast and Pacific Northwest regions of the United States and lowest in deep red areas including Florida and Indiana. Yet no careful study has clarified why so few people used the medication, which cut the risk of death by 73 percent for high-risk patients in the N.I.H. study. A mighty monster stomps across the skyline, scaled and unstoppable, leaving destruction in his wake. Bridges, skyscrapers, electrical towers: Nothing can withstand his might. Every step produces a shock wave, every breath a firestorm. He swats away missiles and artillery shells like so many gnats. Civilians race before him through the streets, necks craned upward in terror. Godzilla was hardly the first movie monster, but he is undeniably the king. Across almost 40 feature films, the aquatic kaiju has gone from inscrutable menace to heroic savior and back again. Even the casual movie viewer can picture the formula: rubber-suited men wrestling above miniature model cities while puny humans look on with horror and begrudging respect. These rampages have become quaint and kitschy, safe enough to be parodied by Austin Powers and Pee-wee Herman. Yet for the Japanese audiences who saw Ishiro Hondas Gojira in 1954, the sight of annihilated cityscapes would have been quite familiar. Just after midnight on March 10, 1945, a fleet of American B-29 bombers firebombed Tokyo, targeting the citys wood-built low-income neighborhoods with napalm. The firestorm rapidly spread, and over the following hours at least 100,000 people died, scorched and boiled and baked to death, in the words of the operations mastermind, Maj. Gen. Curtis LeMay of the Air Force. Survivors recalled rolling banks of fire. Temperatures so high that metal melted and human bodies burst spontaneously into flame. By Aug. 15, this strategy had expanded to 67 cities and included the dropping of two atomic bombs. Its been estimated that 400,000 Japanese civilians were killed and that nearly nine million more were made homeless. Hondas film directly calls up these events. His Godzilla is a prehistoric beast, a dinosaur awoken from a subterranean chasm by underwater hydrogen-bomb testing. The monster acts with the implacable, impregnable logic of a natural disaster. His destruction of a village on remote Odo Island resembles a typhoon or a tsunami. When he finally reaches Tokyo, humans can do nothing as he rages, torching streets and crushing train cars in his teeth. Shooting in stark black and white, Honda frames the monster against a horizon of fire, like the annihilated cityscapes of the very recent past. Early in Martin Scorseses Killers of the Flower Moon, an Osage woman named Mollie gives her gravely unsuitable white suitor, Ernest, a Stetson. Its a large off-white hat with a bound-edge brim and a wide ribbon around the band. Its a gift but it feels more like a benediction, and anyone whos ever watched an old western film (or Star Wars) will recognize the symbolism of her largess. Mollie is telling Ernest that she sees him as a good guy, even if the movie has already violently upended the familiar dualism of the white hat vs. black. That dichotomy shapes Killers of the Flower Moon, a deeply American story of greed, betrayal and murder told through the anguished relationship between Mollie (Lily Gladstone) and Ernest (Leonardo DiCaprio). Its around 1919 and Ernest is wearing his World War I uniform when he dismounts a train in Fairfax, an Oklahoma boomtown where luxury cars rumble down dirt roads. Hes come to live with his uncle, William Hale (Robert De Niro), a smooth-talking rancher who, in one breath, asks him if he has seen bloodshed and, in the next, describes the Osage as the finest and and most beautiful people on Gods earth. The movie is based on David Granns appallingly all-too-true crime book from 2017, Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the F.B.I. In adapting it to the screen, Scorsese and Eric Roth have dramatically narrowed the role of the F.B.I. to focus on the multiple murders scores, perhaps hundreds of Osage members that took place largely in the 1920s on the tribes oil-rich reservation in northern Oklahoma. As the 19th century gave way to the 20th, oil made the tribe among the wealthiest people in the world. It also made them the target of numerous white predators. As a 1920 article in Harpers ominously put it: The Osage Indians are becoming so rich that something will have to be done about it. The following year, Congress passed a law that required the Osage to prove they could handle their reserves responsibly. If they couldnt, they were declared incompetent and appointed a guardian; it was a status, as Grann explains, that was usually given to full-blooded Osage like Mollie. Its instructive then that the first time you see Mollie in Killers, she is in an office being asked to state her name by an unseen man. Im Mollie Kyle, incompetent, she says, her face a serene blank. The man is her guardian, yet another smooth talker, though one with a picture of a Ku Klux Klan rider on his wall. When Mollie leaves his office, Scorsese cuts to a shot of her feet on a doormat imprinted with KIGY, an abbreviation for Klansman, I greet you. Filmmakers love survival stories, but there are aspects of the so-called miracle in the Andes that pose special difficulties for any movie, not least because, a half-century on, the most notorious turn that events took will be well known to most viewers going in. On Oct. 13, 1972, a Uruguayan plane bound for Santiago, Chile, carrying 45 people, including the rugby team known as the Old Christians, crashed in the Andes. By the time of a rescue operation 10 weeks later, 16 survived. They did so through a mix of resourcefulness, endurance, faith and, famously, the decision in a snowy, mountainous environment without food to eat the dead. Roberto Canessa, a survivor who became an eminent pediatric cardiologist and long-shot 1994 presidential candidate in Uruguay, told National Geographic that anthropophagy is a better word for what happened than cannibalism, which might imply killing people for consumption. Mingling shots from the Andes with locations in the Sierra Nevada mountains in Spain, the Spanish-language Society of the Snow, directed by J.A. Bayona (The Orphanage), has a verisimilitude missing from the 1993 film Alive, with its substantially American cast led by a pre-Reality Bites Ethan Hawke, sporting magazine-ready hair. But Society of the Snow, based on a book by Pablo Vierci, lacks the immediacy that comes from seeing the real survivors, a spectacle offered by the documentary Stranded: Ive Come From a Plane That Crashed on the Mountains (2008). A federal judge, citing complaints of dreadful conditions, near perpetual lockdowns and grave staffing shortages in a long-troubled federal jail in Brooklyn, refused Wednesday to order a man convicted in a drug case to be sent there while awaiting sentencing in March. It is imperative that those detained pursuant to the order of a court are treated humanely, the judge, Jesse M. Furman of Federal District Court in Manhattan, wrote, adding that at least two other judges in recent years had refused to order that defendants be sent to the jail, the Metropolitan Detention Center, on similar grounds. The hulking concrete center, known as the M.D.C., has served at least as a temporary home for many accused mobsters, terrorists and fraudsters and, in recent times, prominent defendants like Sam Bankman-Fried, R. Kelly and Ghislaine Maxwell. The jails current population is about 1,544, according to its website. Most inmates are detained awaiting trial, and others, like the defendant in the case before Judge Furman, have been convicted and are awaiting sentencing. At the same time, the judge said, the M.D.C. is experiencing a severe shortage of correction officers: It is operating at only about 55 percent of its full staffing level, leaving a 10-to-one ratio of prisoners to officers, which the judge called untenable. June Jackson Christmas, a psychiatrist who broke barriers as a Black woman by heading New York Citys Department of Mental Health and Retardation Services under three mayors, died on Sunday in the Bronx. She was 99. Her daughter, Rachel Christmas Derrick, said she died in a hospital of heart failure. As a city commissioner, as chief of rehabilitation services at Harlem Hospital Center, and in her role overseeing the transition of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare to a Democratic administration for President-elect Jimmy Carter, Dr. Christmas ardently advanced her professional agenda. Her priorities included improving mental health services for older people, helping people cope with alcoholism, and assisting children ensnared in the bureaucracies of foster care and the legal system. She also sought to ease the transition of patients from being warehoused in state mental hospitals to living independently. Dr. Christmas publicly championed civil rights from an early age. She staged a sit-down strike at a segregated roller skating rink in Cambridge, Mass., when she was 14, and she later broke ground as a Black woman in education, employment and housing. Lake Luzerne, in upstate New York, is a small mountain town of weathered clapboard houses, with a spired church on Main Street and a public library that offered internet access, a food pantry and twice-weekly story hours for children. Last April, the library announced a one-time addition to its childrens lineup: Drag Queen Story Hour. We knew it would probably be controversial, recalled Amanda Hoffman, who was the librarys director of youth services. We didnt expect it to be what it became. Over the coming months, someone called in a bomb threat to the library, a board meeting ended in punches being thrown and the library itself became so tense that Ms. Hoffman was hospitalized with stress-induced vertigo. Neighbors denounced one another as fascists or predators and complained of being doxxed, threatened and harassed. Claudine Gays resignation this week as Harvard Universitys president marks the end of a shameful chapter for the institution. The debacles architects promise to make Americas elite institutions great again. They say they pushed out Dr. Gay and, nearly a month ago, the University of Pennsylvanias president as a warning to the nations cultural institutions. How they will continue to wield their influence and if they will succeed depends on how willing we all are to keep buying age-old ideas about merit from power-hungry peddlers. Dr. Gays resignation comes nearly a month after the presidents of M.I.T., Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania testified before Congress. (Columbia University was also invited. It declined. As the kids say, Columbia understood the assignment.) These particular schools were chosen not because of their academic bona fides but because of their cultural significance. Yes, Harvard, Penn and M.I.T. boast highly selective admissions and lauded faculty. But they are also institutions with strong international brands built on prestige, history and the perception of excellence. A hearing ostensibly about antisemitism on campus quickly became little more than a coordinated political spectacle about power. You do not have to take my word for it. You can believe Chris Rufo, a conservative activist who was one of the architects of the debacle, who celebrated on X this week for having SCALPED Dr. Gay. Distinct from the campaign waged against Penns former president Elizabeth Magill, the attacks against Dr. Gay have been cut from whole cloth, from a historical narrative about merit and diversity that is a hallmark of Americas higher-education prestige hierarchy. Rufo explained his plan for ginning up controversy about higher educations most prestigious universities in an interview on the heels of Dr. Gays resignation, explaining that it was a coordinated, strategic attack that used narrative, financial and political leverage. His partners included members of Congress, wealthy donors, journalists, media and a bloodthirsty audience. Riding high on success, Rufo said his strategy could push the conservative movement back into what he considers its rightful place: the top of Americas most powerful cultural institutions. Lance Perez wants to change the narrative about engineers and the work they do. The dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln said the image many have of the engineer is somebody sitting alone in a cubicle, staring at plans for roads or bridges on a computer screen that needs a refresh. The truth is (engineering) is about improving the human condition, said Perez, who recently was named the inaugural recipient of the Fred Hunzeker deanship. Thats really what engineers are doing trying to make the world better for people. On Jan. 22, when Kiewit Hall opens to students, the new 181,500-square-foot home of undergraduate engineering education will mark a breakthrough in changing that understanding of engineers and engineering, Perez said. More than 70% of the ground floor which boasts a maker space, the Kiewit Cafe featuring Mediterranean foods, and student lounges is transparent and can be seen by pedestrians and motorists passing by its location at 17th and Vine streets on UNLs City Campus. Throughout the six-story facility, 46% of the interior walls are glass, while 96% of the regularly occupied rooms 176 offices, collaborative work spaces, etc. are visible from public spaces or corridors. So many academic buildings are built where these classrooms are so closed off from everything, and yet, thats the most important thing we do, Perez said. Why not make that visible? Why not let people see our faculty teaching and see how our students interact in the classrooms? What engineers do is cool, right? Its important and we want people to be able to see it, he added. The centerpiece of the basement and first floors is what college administrators are calling the Garage, a maker space complete with a woodshop, CNC machine, 3D printer, and other equipment, such as a crane to hoist engines and other heavy items. The Garage is also where the roughly 50 registered student organizations for rocketry, Baja racing and other engineering-related clubs will have small office spaces and work benches all of which are visible. Kim Wilson, the special assistant to the dean overseeing the $190 million in new facility construction and renovation, said the concept was developed over the course of 372 meetings conducted over Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which 150 individual people took part. That deep involvement led to the building featuring long sightlines, open spaces, and areas for collaboration that are all part of the strategy to elevate not only UNLs College of Engineering, but the engineering profession across the country, according to Wilson. Massive classrooms on either side of a 14,700-square-foot public event space on the main floor of Kiewit Hall are packed with the latest technology to accommodate between 60 and 150 students, depending on the needs of the class. Each classroom is flexible, meaning the tables and chairs can be moved and rearranged to fit the learning goals of each course, as well as visible behind 16-foot-tall glass panels, which puts engineers on display, according to Wilson, who is also a professor of architecture at UNL. Nearly 32,000 square feet of teaching labs on the third floor will allow current and prospective students to witness hands-on learning in real time, while small collaborative spaces offer places for studying or working on group projects. Faculty and staff in construction management will move into a fourth-floor office suite that occupies most of the south side of the building, while on the fifth floor, the colleges student support and engineering student services will make their new home. The top floor will feature the deans office suite, which looks onto City Campus to the southwest, an outdoor patio high above Vine Street, and a board room with a table that can seat 40 people. The buildings HVAC and mechanical systems, which have earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, are also housed on the sixth floor. The design of the building has also earned International WELL Building Institute Silver certification, signaling a workplace optimized for health and well-being. If youre going to build an engineering building, it should be high performing, Perez said. Connecting the first floor and the sixth is a grand staircase which, in a display of the power of engineering, is hung from the ceiling of the massive atrium rather than supported from the ground. And coating the walls is a special plastic designed to minimize the echoes in the enormous space. The facility, which was named for Kiewit Corp., the Omaha-based construction firm that made the lead donation of $25 million, will connect to the rest of the College of Engineerings facilities on City Campus. Once it opens, students, faculty, staff and others will be able to walk from the north end of Nebraska Hall at 16th and X streets, through the Engineering Research Center, Scott Engineering Center and Othmer Hall into Kiewit Hall in a matter of minutes. The integrated engineering complex will symbolically connect disciplines ranging from mechanical engineering to environmental engineering, chemical and biomolecular engineering to construction management, Perez said. A majority of the classes no matter the discipline will take place in Kiewit Hall, however, as it becomes the home to undergraduate education. Perez said the new facility will become the home of a new student convocation and senior design showcase, create spaces for receptions and be a recruiting tool. On Feb. 10, for example, the College of Engineering will host 500 high school students for a statewide robotics competition. We never could have done that with our previous facilities, Perez said. The goal is to help grow the UNL College of Engineering into one of the preeminent engineering education institutions in both the Big Ten Conference as well as the U.S. The colleges current enrollment is 3,413 undergrad students and 654 graduate students. Perez has announced plans to grow enrollment to 5,000 students by 2030. Kiewit Hall will play a part in helping with that growth, he said. The college has heard stories of students who have decided to apply to UNL after seeing the building under construction. But, he said, the building is one piece of the puzzle. Perez said the College of Engineering will continue looking for ways to better support students through scholarships, improving retention and graduation outcomes, even as it looks for ways to make engineering and engineering education more visible to the public. Theres more work to be done to get us to that goal, but this is a really important piece, he said. Its changing who we are. Top Journal Star photos for December 2023 Its been just over two weeks since the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment disqualifies Donald Trump from holding the office of president of the United States, and I spent way too much of my holiday vacation reading the legal and political commentary around the decision, and as I did so, I found myself experiencing deja vu. Since the rise of Trump, he and his movement have transgressed constitutional, legal and moral boundaries at will and then, when Americans attempt to impose consequences for those transgressions, Trumps defenders and critics alike caution that the consequences will be dangerous or destabilizing. There is already a surge in violent threats against the justices of the Colorado Supreme Court. The Yale Law School professor Samuel Moyn has argued that rejecting Mr. Trumps candidacy could well invite a repeat of the kind of violence that led to the prohibition on insurrectionists in public life in the first place. Ian Bassin, a Protect Democracy co-founder, has suggested and I agree that even legal analysis of the 14th Amendment is being colored by the analysts fear of how Trump and his supporters would react to an adverse ruling. This is where we are and have now been for years: The Trump movement commits threats, violence and lies. And then it tries to escape accountability for those acts through more threats, more violence and more lies. At the heart of the but the consequences argument against disqualification is a confession that if we hold Trump accountable for his fomenting violence on Jan. 6, he might foment additional violence now. Enough. Its time to apply the plain language of the Constitution to Trumps actions and remove him from the ballot without fear of the consequences. Republics are not maintained by cowardice. Among the banners that Donald Trumps supporters carried as they stormed the Capitol three years ago 2016s Make America Great Again flags and 2020s Keep America Great flags, Confederate battle flags, Gadsden flags, Pine Tree flags, the Stars and Stripes appeared a now-familiar variant of the American flag: white stars on a black field, with alternating black and white stripes, except for the stripe immediately beneath the union, which is blue. As a piece of design work, it is slightly awkward; the colored stripe attempts to impose symmetry on an image that is fundamentally asymmetric. But as a political totem it is undeniably powerful. A merger of the American flag with a symbol representing the police, the thin blue line flag has become a potent statement in its own right. First introduced in the 2010s, it quickly became the dominant popular symbol of the police, flown in pride, solidarity, memoriam, defiance. It was something more than that, too. Beyond a marker of professional affiliation, it was a symbol of personal identity, one that was not restricted to members of law enforcement one that could even, eventually, be used against them. To the Editor: Re Seeing Threat to Democracy, With Trump on Ballot or Not (front page, Dec. 31): The argument by Republicans like J.D. Vance and Chris Christie and Democrats like Gavin Newsom that removing Donald Trump from the ballot would be anti-democratic and would deprive voters of the right to choose their president is flawed in two respects. First, the 14th Amendment like the rest of the Constitution was adopted through a democratic process. It is no more anti-democratic to deny Mr. Trump a place on the ballot because he engaged in insurrection than it is to disqualify a 34-year-old from running for president because of the age requirement. Second, if the Supreme Court chooses not to enforce the 14th Amendment on the premise that voters should be able to make an unfettered decision, it must give voters an opportunity to assess all of the facts for themselves. If the court were to reverse the Colorado decision to keep Mr. Trump off the ballot, a necessary corollary must be an expedited criminal trial on the Jan. 6-related indictment so that voters can be fully informed before deciding whether to vote for Mr. Trump. The polls suggest that the results of this trial could change the votes of a significant number of Mr. Trumps supporters and could determine the outcome of the election. This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email transcripts@nytimes.com with any questions. astead herndon So after much anticipation, its finally 2024, which not only marks the start of an election year, but opens a new chapter in this campaign. People will start voting soon, and in states like Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina, its getting to be crunch time for the candidates. But this year, while all that typical campaigning is still happening, another storyline has taken off, which could matter even more than any individual candidate. Now, former President Trump fighting to keep his name on the Republican primary ballot in Colorado and Maine. archived recording 1 The Supreme Court of Colorado and Maine Secretary of State have each ruled that the former President is not eligible to run for a second term in the White House. astead herndon Two states, Colorado and Maine, are saying that Donald Trump cant be on the ballot at all. archived recording 2 They say that his actions on January 6 violated the 14th Amendment ban on insurrectionists holding federal office. astead herndon Theyre basing this on a clause in the 14th Amendment, which bars candidates from office who have engaged in insurrection against the United States. Maine Secretary of State, who ruled on the issue, put it this way. archived recording 3 Mr. Trump was aware of the tinder he laid in a multi-month effort to challenge legitimacy of the 2020 election, and then in an unprecedented and tragic series of events, chose to light a match. astead herndon And the Trump campaign fired back, eventually appealing the decision in state court. archived recording 4 A Trump campaign spokesperson releasing a scathing statement, writing, in part, We are witnessing, in real time, the attempted theft of an election and the disenfranchisement of the American voter. astead herndon More than a dozen similar cases are pending, and in some other states, officials have ruled in the opposite way on the same issue, saying that Trump is eligible to be on the ballot. archived recording 5 Now, the Supreme Court faces mounting pressure to wade into uncharted constitutional territory and settle these 14th Amendment questions once and for all. astead herndon The question is almost certainly headed to the Supreme Court, especially because on Wednesday, Trump filed a petition asking the court to keep him on Colorados primary ballot. Separately, the court might also consider a key aspect in one of the criminal cases against Trump the question of presidential immunity, which means that what was already seeming like a big role for the court in the 2024 election. Feels like its getting bigger by the day. And remember the last time that happened, in 2000? archived recording 6 [INAUDIBLE] Count the votes! You cant steal this one! Youre not going to steal this one! Al Gore! Al Gore! astead herndon It got pretty messy. archived recording 7 You cant steal this one! archived recording 8 Count all the votes! astead herndon From The New York Times, Im Astead Herndon. This is The Run-Up. archived recording 8 Hey, Adam, how are you? adam liptak Hey, Astead. astead herndon So to try and make sense of all this, I called my colleague Adam Liptak, who covers the Supreme Court. Its the first day of 2024. Do you have any New Years resolutions? adam liptak Its going to be a hell of a year, it looks like. astead herndon Yeah. Yeah, Thats my personal resolution, is, like, survival. Im just giving myself like full rein of just, make it to the end. adam liptak Exactly. Just survive. astead herndon Its less than two weeks before anyone starts voting, and its really kind of becoming real, in the election sense, for us. And part of the reason we wanted to talk to you is because were already having a question about Donald Trumps eligibility. And it feels kind of tangled. Some states have ruled that Donald Trump is ineligible for the ballot two states specifically, Colorado and Maine. Can you talk us through whats been happening in those states? And what is the kind of legal process thats been playing out across the country? adam liptak So there are lots and lots of challenges brought under a previously obscure part of the 14th Amendment, the Amendment enacted after the Civil War, that, at a broad level of generality and maybe well drill down on this, Astead. But it says that officials who have taken an oath to support the Constitution are not eligible to hold office if they have engaged in an insurrection. And those two states have said that Donald Trumps conduct in plotting to overturn the election culminating in the events of January 6 fit that pattern, and therefore, hes not eligible to be on the primary ballots in those two states. But the logic of the position would knock him off of every ballot everywhere, primary or general. And that really makes you think that this issue of national scope ought to be decided by the nations national highest tribunal, the US Supreme Court. astead herndon Mhm. So the issue at question here is a clause in the 14th Amendment that states that an individual who has taken an oath to protect the Constitution cannot hold office in the future if they have engaged in insurrection. How did this legal theory or how did this kind of come to be in terms of rising up to get to this point? adam liptak Well, the logic of it, in the post-Civil War era, makes a ton of sense. You dont want those people who have taken up arms against the federal government to be eligible to hold office. Maybe, Astead, we should actually look at the words of the 14th Amendment, because I think thatll bring it into scope. Its a little tangled, but its got four basic pieces. It specifies which offices were talking about, it specified who is barred from holding those offices, if they have and heres the third part engaged in insurrection. And then it makes the interesting additional point that Congress can, by a 2/3 vote of each house, give amnesty, remove such disability. So let me read the words of the thing and see if it makes astead herndon Yeah, well love that. adam liptak sense that way. So first, were going to talk about what offices are in play. And as I read this, listen for, does it talk about the president specifically? No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President meaning a member of the electoral college or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States or under any state. Now, theres no specific reference to the president. Theres the electors of the president, members of the electoral college. But it does say hold any office, civil or military, under the United States. And theres some dispute about whether the presidency is an office under the United States. But the Constitution, in many other places, refers to the office of the presidency. So thats, first of all, what positions are covered. Now, lets turn to who is barred. And again, lets look to see if the president is in here. Someone who has previously taken an oath as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any state legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any state to support the Constitution of the United States. Now, here, again, theres some dispute about whether the President is an officer of the United States. But most people, at least in a colloquial sense, would certainly think he is. And Donald Trump took a presidential oath doesnt have the word support in it, but it sure sounds like hes pledged to support the Constitution of the United States. Then theres the question of, OK, lets say youve taken this oath. Lets say it applies to one of these offices. What do you have to have done to be disqualified ? And it says and the antecedent here is support the Constitution of the United States. So shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof, against the same meaning either the Constitution of the United States or the United States. Not completely clear which is the antecedent. But in any event, this question of, does what Trump did in the run-up to and during the January 6 attack on the Capitol amount to insurrection? And there are lots of definitions from the era in which this provision was adopted that strongly suggest that this is the kind of political violence meant to frustrate the operation of government that fits pretty nicely within the definition of insurrection. So you put all these pieces together, and you have two states saying it fits, its required, its a qualification to take office. Its no different from the requirement that you be 35 years old or that you be a natural born citizen of the United States. The logic of these states is, there are lots of people who would like to vote for Donald Trump, but you cant because the Constitution says so. astead herndon OK, so this is really helpful. So its not just the question of, did Donald Trump engage in insurrection and that automatically kind of make someone ineligible to hold office? There is a kind of criteria that the Amendment lays out that these cases are going to test broadly. One, if the president, as a figure, fits in this criteria, did Donald Trump then do the right actions that fall into the category of insurrection? All of that stuff has to add up to something that then leads these states to deem him ineligible. Is this a widely accepted legal theory? Are these states applying something novel and new and this is kind of new ground that were covering here? I guess Im wondering, how widely accepted are the leaps that these states are taking? How widely accepted are they in the kind of legal community? adam liptak So if, by legal community, we mean judges astead herndon Yep. adam liptak this is virgin territory almost entirely. If, by legal community, we mean constitutional scholars, including prominent conservative constitutional scholars, I wouldnt call it a consensus, but I would say that a majority of prominent constitutional scholars think that the logic of the Colorado and Maine rulings are correct. And thats not super new. I mean, this has been an obscure area of the law, but legal scholars study obscure areas of law. astead herndon Thats their jam. adam liptak And they say it works as a legal matter. Now, were going to get all different kinds of answers. The California election official came to the opposite conclusion and said that Trump is eligible to run. These cases arise in different procedural settings. Some of them are limited to the primaries. Some of them say a voter doesnt have standing to bring this claim. There are a million kind of legal crosscurrents. Now, that leaves open the question of the practical and political consequences, and what the Supreme Court, if it gets this case, is going to do with it. But although obscure, although untested, its a serious question. astead herndon The other question I have about the two states, Colorado and Maine, is that if Im understanding it correctly, Colorado happened because of a decision from the state Supreme Court, where Maine was a decision from the states Secretary of State. Is there any difference legally in how this happened? Is there any way that distinction is important? adam liptak I dont think the mechanics of it matter that much. Both cases were brought by voters. The Colorado case was a lawsuit against the Secretary of State asking the court to force her to knock Trump off the ballot. So states will have different procedures. And there may be roadblocks and hurdles and exit ramps and procedural nonsense. But they all get to the same point. I mean, at some point, we really need a definitive answer to, does this provision of the Constitution, which makes at least some people ineligible to hold office, apply to Donald Trump? The Colorado case is already at the court in the following sense. The Colorado Republican Party, last week, went to the court, asked the court to hear its appeal, urged the court to move very fast to resolve the matter by Super Tuesday. astead herndon I mean, it does feel I mean, were about to be in Iowa. And it does feel a little surreal that voters are going to start weighing in on a candidate in person who they dont fully know is going to be eligible come November. What is the likelihood that the court does move fast, and what is the timeline I mean, you mentioned Super Tuesday as the one request. Is that timeline realistic? adam liptak I could imagine the court setting the case down for argument in January and issuing a decision in February. I think theyre capable of doing that. Bush v. Gore worked rather faster than that. Now, Bush v. Gore might not be the best example of the courts finest work. astead herndon Yeah. Youre going to trigger some people relating this back to Bush v. Gore. Is that the territory were in here? adam liptak I think its comparable. But Bush v. Gore was about one state, and this is about the entire national presidential electoral system. So I mean, the court will not be pleased to make this decision, would rather not deal with it, But, probably cant avoid it. astead herndon Do we have a sense of what the Supreme Court is likely to do here? adam liptak The good news for Donald Trump is that there are enough different issues in the case and we havent even talked about some of them, like does Congress have to enact a law under the 14th Amendment before judges can do anything? There are all kinds of threshold issues that the court could find a way to leave him on the ballot even as it takes no position on or even accepts, for the sake of argument, that he engaged in an insurrection. This is a very delicate business for the court, and Im not sure although, obviously, its a 6/3 court with six Republican appointees, three of them appointed by Donald Trump, Im not sure it breaks along those lines. And they may well look for some narrow, technical way to leave him on the ballot without, at the same time, ruling on whether he was an insurrectionist. Its a very delicate business for the court. astead herndon One question I have as a kind of layperson is, you mentioned the partisanship of the court, three justices appointed by Donald Trump, six kind of conservatives. Is there any universe where that kind of partisan makeup would throw him off the ballot? adam liptak So I dont think this court particularly likes Donald Trump. I dont even think the Trump appointees particularly like Donald Trump. And in cases where, you remember, Astead, there were subpoena cases while he was a sitting president from Congress and from the Manhattan DA, Trump lost those cases 7 to 2 with all of his justices in the majority and only Alito and Thomas in dissent. So for sure, theres a partisan tilt to the court in many settings. But Trump is a little bit of a special case. At the same time, its a very, very, very big move, whatever the partisan composition of the court, to say that a leading candidate for the presidency cannot run and the voters may not themselves assess whether his conduct was disqualifying. So this case really puts the court in a pickle. Its going to be a high wire act. astead herndon We mentioned how there are so many cases that are moving along on this front in a lot of different states. Is what Im hearing from you that when the Supreme Court weighs in on Colorado, thats going to affect all these other cases too? Will they have to weigh in on each individual one, or is there going to be a ruling that kind of like puts the eligibility question to bed soon? adam liptak Probably, they will rule in a way that controls every single case in every single state. Are they are they capable of ruling in a Colorado-only way? Sure. They could say that some provision of Colorado law is special, and therefore, this case could not have been brought, and well wait for the next case. They could do that. I dont think theyll do that. I think theyll reach the larger issues. And I dont think they want to have several bites at this apple. This is an apple they dont want at all. astead herndon Yeah. You know, Gavin Newsom, the Democratic governor of California, said in California, quote, We defeat candidates we dont like at the polls. Everything else is a political distraction. Youve heard weve had some Democrats even come out and say that theyre kind of uncomfortable with the idea of Donald Trump being thrown off the ballot, that its kind of a gotcha rather than a kind of core political argument for defeating him. How much are these kind of partisan fights going to weigh on the court, if at all? adam liptak So that argument is superficially appealing, that voters should decide. If Donald Trump did something bad, voters should take account of that, and if they think it was bad enough, they shouldnt vote for him. At the same time, Astead, the thing that hes accused of doing is so profoundly anti-democratic to try to undo an election that its a hell of a thing to say, because were so committed to democracy, were going to let the voters decide, when the very act in question was an attempt to subvert democracy. astead herndon Its a great point, because I really do think that we can talk out of both sides of our mouth on this thing. I totally see the argument that voters should be able to decide this that this is a kind of political matter on its face. But to your point, if engaging in an insurrection, or blocking the transfer of power, or plotting against the government is not enough to kick in said clause thats in the Constitution, it does kind of beg the question of, what is it there for, then? It does feel as if, at some point, the words have to matter, even though I totally understand the voter argument, and I think a lot of people are really more comfortable with the voter argument. adam liptak Right. But its possible there are parts of the Constitution that are anti-democratic. astead herndon Yeah. Thats an important point too. adam liptak Other qualifications for president. Youve got to be 35. I may want to vote for a 30-year-old. Youve got to be a natural born citizen of the United States. I might want to vote for someone born in France. astead herndon Youre saying theres a lot of things that we actually understand that the Constitution lays out in terms of these requirements, and not being an insurrectionist is one of them. Let me ask a last couple questions. We also did an episode recently about Trumps other legal problems. Im thinking of his kind of state criminal cases in New York and Georgia, also the federal cases brought by special counsel Jack Smith. It seems as if theres a big question of presidential immunity in the federal cases that the Supreme Court might also have to weigh in on. Do we have a sense on when and how the court might weigh in on that front also? adam liptak I think theyre likely to weigh in on it soon. The Federal Appeals Court in Washington is going to hear arguments on January 9 on whether Trump enjoys absolute immunity from criminal prosecution. That court will almost certainly act fast. The losing side will almost certainly go to the Supreme Court. And I think the court will hear that case, and might like to hear that case in tandem with the one weve been talking about, because it could give the court an opportunity to give something to each side. The immunity argument is a real stretch, and the court wont have a lot of problem rejecting it, I predict. And if they give Trump a loss on that one and a win on the eligibility, 14th Amendment one, then maybe it seems like theyre being even-handed. astead herndon Its interesting. The kind of optics of it all might lead them, youre saying, to put these cases together. But it also really reminds me, you mentioned Bush/Gore, of just what of a massive role the Supreme Court is about to have in the early stages of this race not only the presidential immunity ruling or the eligibility questions, but even thinking back to the Dobbs decision, of course, the decision on student loans, how much this court has really dramatically shaped the first few years of the Biden administration and will shape this years I said next year. Im so used to saying it. This years presidential election. It feels kind of unprecedented to me. But as someone who has studied the court, how unique is the current position that its in? adam liptak Its a very powerful court. Some people call it an imperial court. Its partly a consequence of the fact that Congress is gridlocked and not able to do anything. Its partly a consequence of the court being very assertive in thrusting itself into the middle of every major controversy, seemingly abortion, guns, religion, the climate, student loans, affirmative action. So I dont want to make broad historical claims, but in the 15 years Ive been covering the court, this court, now with a six-justice conservative supermajority, seems very eager, as a general matter, to get into and decide all of the big issues of the day. But even as I say that, I would footnote that that some of these election cases theyre going to go into holding their noses, because they know nothing good is going to come for the court. Whatever they do on this question of eligibility, half the country is going to be furious. astead herndon I mean, the last question I would ask is, if you could kind of crystal ball this year of the court, with the Trump eligibility coming soon, with the question of presidential immunity coming soon, how much of this do you think is going to be a kind of legacy-defining year for a Roberts court thats already had so many of those moments? adam liptak Yeah. So I would have thought that this would be a quiet term. They had two huge terms before the one that started in October. But these Trump cases, depending on how they come out, and depending on how they affect the election, could be the biggest term of the Roberts court, which has been in business since 2005. And its hard to predict, Astead, because weve got four different criminal trials on the runway. They are going to produce issues we havent even thought about. And its not hard for them to speed to the Supreme Court in a matter of weeks. So this will be a busy time for covering the court. [MUSIC PLAYING] astead herndon Yeah. And I think about the actors that are going to matter so much for the race. We think about the nominees. We think about the parties. But its really making clear to me, we have to think about the court in that same category, because theyre going to play such a big role this year. adam liptak Thats exactly right. astead herndon Thank you so much. I really appreciate your time. adam liptak Thanks for having me. astead herndon More after the break. After talking with Adam, I had a better sense of the legal questions at play when it comes to Trumps ballot eligibility. But I still wanted to talk with someone on the state level who was directly involved in the initial decision to remove his name from the ballot. Secretary Bellows, thank you for joining us. Welcome and happy new year. shenna bellows Thank you so much. Happy new year. Im thrilled to be here. astead herndon So on Tuesday afternoon, I called Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. I wanted to know about her ruling, but I also wanted to understand how she was thinking about the politics of it all considering her decision has already had such huge political impacts. I want to jump into the conversation pretty quick here. Take me through the explanation of how this question of whether Trump is eligible to be on the 2024 ballot in Maine came to your desk. shenna bellows Oh, Im so glad you asked that question, because Maine is unique. To my knowledge, no other state has a process quite like this. Under Maine election law, which is Title 21(a) for those legal geeks out there, once the Secretary has made the initial qualification of any candidate for the ballot and I did that. My office verified Mr. Trumps signatures and indicated that he had met that requirement. Any registered Maine voter may bring a challenge to the candidates qualifications under Maine law. They dont have the option of going right to court. They must bring that challenge to the Secretary. In this case, five registered Maine voters did so, including two former Republican State senators. Under the law, I, as Secretary, am required to hold an administrative hearing, and then must issue a decision following the conclusion of the hearing proceedings. And whats important was that the weight of the evidence made clear that not only were the events of January 6 tragic and unprecedented, but that they did meet the definition of insurrection and that those events, which were an attack not only on the Capitol and government officials, but also attack on the peaceful transfer of power and the rule of law, the evidence presented at the hearing demonstrated they occurred at the behest of and with the knowledge and support of the outgoing president. And Section 3 of the 14th Amendment is clear. The Constitution does not tolerate an assault on the foundations of our government. Maine election law required me to act. astead herndon I hear what youre saying. I wasnt particularly familiar with this specific clause of the 14th Amendment or, to be honest with you, the argument in general. But one of the things I have learned is that there are questions beyond just whether Donald Trump engaged in insurrection on the 6th, questions about whether this clause would even apply to the president, thats not a universally accepted kind of legal theory. I guess Im wondering, considering the range of opinions on this, did that factor into making such a decision that was going to resonate so broadly? How did you weigh what seems to be several legal questions at once? shenna bellows So my obligation, under the law, was to review and make a determination on all of the legal questions brought forward in the hearing, in the record. One thing I want to make clear for your listeners, however, is this is the first step in the process. I voluntarily, in the last page of my decision, suspended the effect of my decision, stayed my decision pending appeal to the courts, because the next step is an appeal to Superior Court, and then the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, and the US Supreme Court. And certainly, the courts will weigh in. And my decision will be upheld or overturned. I will comply with whatever the courts direct me to do. Thats my obligation as Secretary of State under the law. astead herndon Maybe its just because Im a political reporter, but I also thinking about the amount of Republicans we have talked to in the last year who are getting ready to vote for Donald Trump who have made arguments saying that Democratic elected officials across the country are seeking to keep him from office outside of the democratic process, to remove that agency from voters. Ive even seen some Democratic elected officials say a kind of similar argument, saying that the power should really rest with the people, not necessarily these officials. I would love a clear response to that argument. I know youre kind of saying the Constitution should come first, but it does feel like theres an inevitable political backlash with decisions like this. Were you just blocking that out shenna bellows I was blocking it out. My personal safety, the political considerations, my personal views, none of that could enter in, because the Constitution and the law required me to review, solely and exclusively, the evidence in the record. But I do want to address this. So Article I of the Constitution leaves it up to the states to determine their election laws. Article I of the Constitution also leaves it up to the states the administration of elections. Thats why you see such variability. But its not the states that set the qualifications for office. Thats the Constitution. And looking at Maine law, It, was very clear to me if Barack Obama or George W. Bush wanted to run for president and submitted the 2000 signatures required, I would be prohibited from placing them on the ballot. If an 18-year-old or a non-citizen sought to be placed on the presidential ballot in Maine, I would be prohibited from placing them on the ballot. Under Maine law, the qualifications in the Constitution theyre not a menu. Theyre requirements. astead herndon I totally hear that. I guess Im wondering, someone not being 35 is a fact. Someone having served two terms in office previously is a fact. Whether Donald Trump engaged in insurrection is not a legally defined fact, at least at this point. He has not been convicted of doing so in the court. How is this decision the same, I guess, considering there is that kind of legal distinction between something that has been established and something that it seems like, at least in here, you are establishing through the hearing? Do you get what Im saying? shenna bellows I do. There are two things that I would say. So first, in my decision, I determined that the record demonstrated that Mr. Trump engaged in the insurrection of January 6, 2021. And as part of the exhibits accepted as part of the record, those included non-partisan reports from the Senate, from the Government Accounting Office, the GAO, from the Defense Department. There were a variety of the January 6 report, which was also nonpartisan. And so it was my review of the evidence that day that more than 2,000 people entered the Capitol and were present, according to the GAO, for seven hours, attacking police officers, that seven deaths resulted. And it was an attack not just on those police officers, but on the peaceful transfer of power. That is what led to my determination that it was an insurrection. Now, in my decision, I do note that its a closer question of whether Mr. Trump engaged in insurrection. It would have been clear should Mr. Trump have been found guilty or not guilty in a criminal court, that would be an easier question. But Section 3 of the 14th Amendment does not say convicted, it says engaged. And so I was compelled by Maine law, based on facts and legal arguments, to make a determination. Now, the courts will weigh in. The courts will determine whether that analysis and that reasoning was sound. astead herndon Will you only look back at this decision if it is upheld positively, or does that not matter about whether the appellate courts actually agree with your reasoning or not? shenna bellows No, it doesnt matter. Ill do whatever the courts tell me to do. astead herndon No, no, I understand that. I guess Im saying, when you think back to your initial decision or this reasoning here, does it matter what the courts end up saying after? Because Im thinking about a situation where Donald Trump ends back on the ballot, and the impact of some of these moments could be that it fuels a general perception that folks are trying to keep him off. Thats a political impact. But Im saying when I heard earlier, it sounds like you were saying all of that stuff doesnt matter. shenna bellows Exactly, because I have a job to do under the constitutional law. And it would be irresponsible it would be unacceptable for me not to do my job and not to follow the Constitution. And sometimes, secretaries of state get challenged in court. Thats part of the process all of the time. Its not personal. Its not political. Its, what does the law tell you? And thats the way it should work, is to follow established legal processes wherever they take you, even and I do want to talk for a minute even if it means an individual coming to personal harm or there being political consequences. So I anticipated criticism. I anticipated feedback. astead herndon Yeah, I was going to ask about this, yeah. shenna bellows I did not anticipate that I, the people who work for me, my family would be targeted with abusive, aggressive, and threatening communications, starting immediately all day Friday. And then I certainly did not anticipate that my house would be swatted on Friday night. Now, my husband and I were away for the holiday weekend, and law enforcement has been spectacular. Nothing happened. But just because it was a fake call swatting is fake calls doesnt mean it was any less dangerous. My personal home address was posted online, and I was receiving an incredible number of angry calls to my office, but also to my personal cell phone, which of course, I wasnt answering. But it was all of this and I think the swatting, and also the targeting of my family, that is unacceptable. And its time to de-escalate the rhetoric. It is time to tone down communications. We follow the law. We can agree to disagree without threats of violence. astead herndon Those things are not only upsetting Im sorry those things are happening it follows a trend, too, of voting of workers, and what weve seen in the 2020 election, that specter of violence has been used by many to be a real intimidating force. And that is a trend that continues to be concerning. You mentioned the de escalation of rhetoric. The Trump campaign is obviously unhappy with this decision, and wrote that We are witnessing, in real time, the attempted theft of an election and the disenfranchisement of the American voter. Thats not a tone-down of rhetoric, as you mentioned. But theyre also framing your own actions as something that escalates political intensity. What would you say to that as its certainly not swatting. Its certainly not this type of violent rhetoric that weve seen come from Trump. But it is an action to remove shenna bellows Are you comparing my following the law under Maine statute to being swatted? astead herndon No, Im comparing the partisan politics shenna bellows This is really not partisan. It is really not partisan. And heres the thing. Its really important that we stop thinking about the politics and start thinking about the law and where the law leads us, and where the Constitution leads us. And we can agree to disagree. We can have different views. Mr. Trump has that option to appeal this week in court. I know, no doubt, he will. But the political tactics so for example, some Republicans in Maine have called for my impeachment. Well, that is absurd. Under Maines Constitution, I was doing my duty. I was doing my job. But its the same type of rhetoric that you see in Washington, DC. And I think violence and threats of violence have to be different than administrative procedures and an elected official following their obligations under statute. astead herndon My last question would be if you had a general message to Maine voters, maybe even Maine Republicans who were thinking that they were going to have an opportunity to vote for Donald Trump and theyre now hearing some of this kind of rhetoric that you mentioned, what would be your message to the Trump voters of Maine? shenna bellows So I also want to make one thing clear. The effect of suspending my decision means that Trump hasnt been removed from the ballot. It will depend on the courts. So thats first and foremost. And second, though, everyone has to follow the law. Im mindful that no Secretary of State has ever deprived a presidential candidate of ballot access based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Im also mindful, however, that no presidential candidate has ever before engaged in insurrection. If you do not meet the qualifications of the office, if youre 18, if youve been president twice, youre not eligible for the office. astead herndon Yeah. I appreciate your time. Partly, the reason Im asking the political point is because I understand that Secretary of States are bound by kind of legal requirements and see that really clearly. But so much of this is reverberated in different spheres. And the one we live in is a political one. So thank you. I appreciate you for taking those questions. shenna bellows Thank you so much. I appreciate your time today. astead herndon Yeah, have a great day. shenna bellows You too. Take care. astead herndon As of the end of the day Wednesday, everyone is still waiting waiting for the Supreme Court to make a decision on the Colorado case, waiting to see how the Trump campaigns appeal in Maine moves forward. But now that its the new year, one thing we dont have to wait much longer for is for actual voting to get underway. [MUSIC PLAYING] Thats The Run-Up for Thursday, January 4, 2024. Now, to Iowa and New Hampshire for the rundown. After gaining some ground in the polls recently, its been a tough couple of weeks for Nikki Haley. archived recording 9 Thank you, ambassador. archived recording 10 Thank you. archived recording 9 Please, what was the cause of the United States Civil War? archived recording 10 Well, dont come with an easy question. I think the cause of the Civil War was basically how government was going to run, the freedoms and what people could and couldnt do. What do you think the cause of the Civil War was? astead herndon Shes been dealing with controversy after an audience member at a New Hampshire town Hall seemed to catch her off guard with a question about the Civil War. archived recording 9 In the year 2023, its astonishing to me that you answered that question without mentioning the word slavery. archived recording 10 What do you want me to say about slavery? archived recording 9 No, you answered my question. Thank you. astead herndon In the days that follow, shes tried to clean up what she said. archived recording 10 Of course, the Civil War was about slavery. We know that. Thats unquestioned, always the case. We know the Civil War was about slavery. Yes, I know it was about slavery. Im from the South. Of course, you know its about slavery. astead herndon Ron DeSantis and other GOP challengers piled on. archived recording 11 The minute that she faces any type of scrutiny, she tends to cave. archived recording 12 She did it because shes unwilling to offend anyone by telling the truth. astead herndon There are seven candidates left in the Republican primary race. Although Chris Christie archived recording 13 Christie is a friend, but his race is at an absolute dead end. astead herndon is facing pressure to drop out. He released an ad. archived recording (chris christie) people say I should drop out of this race. Really? Im the only one saying Donald Trump is a liar. astead herndon Pushing back on that idea. archived recording (chris christie) kind of President do we want? A liar, or someone whos got the guts to tell the truth? astead herndon Glynis Johns, the British actress who in a trans-Atlantic career that endured for more than 60 years won a Tony Award for her role in A Little Night Music, giving husky, emotion-rich voice to the shows most memorable number, Send In the Clowns, and played an exuberant Edwardian suffragist in the Disney movie classic Mary Poppins, died on Thursday in Los Angeles. She was 100. Her death, at an assisted living facility, was confirmed by her manager, Mitch Clem. Ms. Johns was 49 and on the brink of her fourth divorce when the Stephen Sondheim musical A Little Night Music opened at the Shubert Theater in February 1973. The New York Times described her character, Desiree Armfeldt, as a slightly worldweary and extremely lovewise actress in turnofthecentury Sweden. The critics adored her. To Clive Barnes of The Times, the misty-voiced and glistening-eyed Glynis Johns was all tremulous understanding. Paris to Venice. Barcelona to Amsterdam. Brussels to Bratislava, Slovakia. European cities could see a flurry of new rail connections in the next few years, as governments and private investors respond to climate concerns and strive to keep up with strong demand for cross-border passenger rail traffic. Patience is required: Some new connections will take a year or more to start operating, and there will be the occasional inconveniences like the six-month suspension of nonstop service from Amsterdam to London beginning in June, as Amsterdams Central Station undergoes renovations. The route that passes under the English Channel could also have some slow-building changes in the works. Eurostar has had a monopoly on passenger rail traffic under the Channel for nearly 30 years. But the Channel Tunnel is open access, and competitors are lining up to offer additional services between Britain and the continent. Its all part of Europes ongoing rail renaissance, which is being driven in large part by strong interest from passengers. Through the long, busy months of autumn, the calls kept coming in: Mothers losing grip of their children while trying to cross the treacherous waters of the Rio Grande. Pregnant women getting caught in barbed wire. Bodies washing up on shore. Cities like New York and Chicago have struggled in recent months to accommodate the busloads of migrants arriving during the latest surge in migration. But here on the border, the small town of Eagle Pass, Texas, has been one of several cities facing an even more difficult challenge. Up to 5,000 migrants a day were crossing the border there from Mexico during the height of the influx in recent weeks, gathering along the river, running through peoples yards and looking for help. Many are in urgent need of medical attention when they arrive help that is only available through a city that is already straining to meet the needs of its own 28,000 residents. The city has had to assign one of its five ambulances full time to transport injured migrants from the rivers edge. A lot of the attention is directed to the big cities and the disagreement between politicians and not the boots on the ground here in Eagle Pass, Manuel Mello III, the Eagle Pass fire chief, said this week as a delegation of 60 Republican congressmen, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, gathered in town at the edge of the Rio Grande to call for the Biden administration to stem the immigration surge. New year, new rules. Hundreds of new laws took effect in California on Jan. 1, including many passed by legislators in the fall. And, as I wrote earlier this week, Californias statewide minimum wage was bumped up by 50 cents, to $16 an hour. Here are some of the more noteworthy new state laws: Protections for cannabis users As of Monday, California employers can no longer hold off-the-clock cannabis use against most workers. Assembly Bill 2188 prohibits businesses from firing or otherwise penalizing employees for their marijuana use off the job and away from the workplace. It is also now illegal for most employers in the state to discriminate against employees who test positive in drug screenings for nonpsychoactive traces of marijuana, which the measure says do not indicate impairment, only that an individual has consumed cannabis in the last few weeks. The laws protections do not apply to some categories of workers, including those who work in construction or for the federal government; they can still legally be disciplined for marijuana use off the job. Kim Davis, the former county clerk in Kentucky who said she refused to issue same-sex marriage licenses in 2015 because of her religious beliefs, must pay more than $260,000 in expenses and attorney fees to a couple whom she denied a license, a judge has ruled. The decision, filed on Dec. 28 in U.S. District Court for Eastern Kentucky, said Ms. Davis must pay David Ermold and David Moore $246,026.40 toward their attorney fees, and $14,058.30 for expenses, a total of $260,084.70. Judge David L. Bunning wrote that his decision came at the end of a long and winding road of litigation. In 2015, Ms. Davis, who was the clerk for Rowan County, Ky., at the time, repeatedly refused on religious grounds to issue marriage licenses for same-sex couples, despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriages. Mr. Ermold and Mr. Moore were in a relationship for 17 years and had been residents of Rowan County for 10 years when they went to the county clerks office on July 6, 2015, seeking a marriage license. Ms. Davis refused to issue it, according to their lawsuit, which was filed on July 10. A fraught battle to build long-sought student housing at the storied Peoples Park in Berkeley, Calif., took an extraordinary turn early on Thursday when hundreds of law enforcement officers surrounded the site and removed several dozen activists and homeless campers in preparation for the construction of a wall of shipping containers around the perimeter of the park. The midnight operation, conducted while most students at the nearby University of California, Berkeley, were still away for the winter break, was the latest effort to proceed with a $312 million construction project that was originally scheduled to break ground in 2022. It underscored the mounting tensions surrounding Californias acute housing shortage, particularly in college towns. Law enforcement officers far outnumbered activists at the site who had been tipped off about the operation and who greeted the show of force from trees and tents pitched in the darkness. Were trying to let people leave, but if they refuse, theyre being arrested, Dan Mogulof, a university spokesman, said by phone from inside the police perimeter at about 2 a.m. Everyone was offered shelter. A few took us up on it. But some of the activists are still on the site. Im looking at a couple perched on the roof of the park bathroom and a couple in a tree fort right now. Here is the text of the talk I gave at the Go SF meeting in June, 2012. This is a personal talk. I do not speak for anyone else on the Go... A gunman killed a sixth-grade student and injured five other people at a high school in Perry, Iowa, early Thursday morning just as students were arriving back to school after their winter break. Four of the injured were students, and one was an administrator, Mitch Mortvedt, assistant director of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, said at a news conference on Thursday. One of the injured victims was in critical condition. The administrator was identified by Easton Valley Community School District as Dan Marburger, the principal at Perry High School, where the shooting took place. Officials did not release the names of any other victims. The gunman, identified as Dylan Butler, a 17-year-old student at the high school, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Mr. Mortvedt said. Law enforcement officials believe he acted alone and said the motive for the attack was not yet known. President Biden is under growing pressure to curb record numbers of migrants crossing into the United States not just from the usual Republican critics, but also from Democratic mayors and governors in cities thousands of miles from the border. What used to be a clear-cut, ideological fight between Democrats and Republicans has become a bipartisan demand for action, and some of the most intense pressure on Mr. Biden is coming from places like Boston, Denver, Chicago and New York, where leaders in the presidents own party are issuing cries for help. Publicly, the Democratic politicians have described mounting crises in their cities. Privately, they are in almost daily contact with Tom Perez, director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, and other administration officials. For the most part they are not calling for the kind of severe border restrictions that Republicans are demanding, but they want help with overflowing migrant encampments, packed shelters and busted budgets. The intraparty pressure has turned the politics of immigration upside down at the beginning of a campaign year. And it has increased the likelihood that Mr. Biden and Democratic lawmakers will approve immigration concessions to Republicans that would have seemed improbable just a few years ago. Former Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey said in a new ad released Thursday that he had been wrong to endorse Donald J. Trump in 2016. I have an admission to make, Mr. Christie said directly to the camera in the 60-second ad, part of a series his campaign is running in New Hampshire, where he has staked his campaign on a strong showing. Eight years ago, when I decided to endorse Donald Trump for president, I did it because he was winning, and I did it because I thought I could make him a better candidate and a better president. Well, I was wrong. I made a mistake. Mr. Christie endorsed Mr. Trump in 2016 after ending his own presidential campaign, and he went on to be a powerful surrogate. His campaign argues that, while several Republicans who previously supported Mr. Trump are now running against him for the partys nomination, Mr. Christie is the only one willing to say he erred by supporting Mr. Trump in the first place. He suggested in the ad that this was evidence of his character. Now, were confronted with the very same choice again, he said in the ad, which was first reported by Axios. Donald Trump is ahead in the polls, so everyone says, Anyone whos behind him should drop out, and we should make our choice Donald Trump versus Joe Biden. Well, Joe Biden has had the wrong policies, and Donald Trump would sell the soul of this country. Neither choice is acceptable to me, and it shouldnt be acceptable to you. Mr. Trump, the overwhelming favorite of Republicans in Iowa, is regularly shown in state polls to be around or slightly below 50 percent support, with Mr. DeSantis and Ms. Haley polling below 20 percent in a virtual tie. But Ms. Haley and Mr. DeSantis have so far spent far more money attacking each other than they have Mr. Trump, and they have both been very cautious whenever they do venture toward criticizing the former president. Ms. Haley has focused on policy differences between her and Mr. Trump, on attack ads Mr. Trump has put out against her, and on the chaos that she says has followed him throughout the years. Although Mr. DeSantis has gone after Mr. Trump for making campaign promises in 2016 that he failed to keep while in office, Mr. DeSantis so far appears more comfortable attacking Ms. Haley. He has called her a liberal, a flip-flopper and the favored candidate of Wall Street, while Ms. Haley has mostly ignored him when speaking on the campaign trail. Mr. DeSantiss refusal to more directly criticize Mr. Trump is a version of a problem every other candidate in the race faces: Seemingly every approach to talking about Mr. Trump, whether its aggressively attacking him or coming to his defense, has failed to draw away significant support. Former Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, who is not campaigning in Iowa and is instead staking his candidacy on the later New Hampshire primary, has most aggressively gone after Mr. Trump throughout the race. However, Republicans have so far had little appetite for that message. Nicholas Nehamas and Jazmine Ulloa contributed reporting. A top adviser at the Education Department has resigned over President Bidens handling of the Israel-Hamas war, the second official to do so as the administration faces divisions over U.S. support for Israels bombardment in Gaza. The adviser, Tariq Habash, who is the departments only Palestinian American political appointee, announced on Wednesday that he could no longer serve an administration that had put millions of innocent lives in danger. In an interview on Thursday, Mr. Habash said he had come to the decision after feeling no empathy and no recognition of my own humanity by the president. I care about helping people, said Mr. Habash, who was born in the United States but is the descendant of Palestinian Christians who were expelled from Jaffa in 1948, when the Israeli state was established. I thought the president did, too. The caller had tipped off the authorities in Maine on Friday night: He told them that he had broken into the home of Shenna Bellows, the states top election official, a Democrat who one night earlier had disqualified former President Donald J. Trump from the primary ballot because of his actions during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. No one was home when officers arrived, according to Maine State Police, who labeled the false report as a swatting attempt, one intended to draw a heavily armed law enforcement response. In the days since, more bogus calls and threats have rolled in across the country. On Wednesday, state capitol buildings in Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi and Montana were evacuated or placed on lockdown after the authorities said they had received bomb threats that they described as false and nonspecific. The F.B.I. said it had no information to suggest any threats were credible. The incidents intensified a climate of intimidation and the harassment of public officials, including those responsible for overseeing ballot access and voting. Since 2020, election officials have confronted rising threats and difficult working conditions, aggravated by rampant conspiracy theories about fraud. The episodes suggested 2024 would be another heated election year. The transactions, detailed in a 156-page report called White House For Sale that was produced by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, offer concrete evidence that the former president engaged in the kind of conduct that House Republicans have labored, so far unsuccessfully, to prove that President Biden did as they work to build an impeachment case against him. Using documents produced through a court fight, the report describes how foreign governments and their controlled entities, including a top U.S. adversary, interacted with Trump businesses while he was president. They paid millions to the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C.; Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas; Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in New York; and Trump World Tower at 845 United Nations Plaza in New York. Welcome to our first Trump on Trial newsletter of 2024, a year thats almost certain to put American democracy to the test. If the polls prove right, Donald Trump is on pace to lock down his partys 2024 presidential nomination. And his campaign will unfold as the courts are jammed with accusations of his misconduct. Trump will be juggling hearings and potentially a trial or two in his four criminal cases. He could lose control of his business in a civil fraud case. And he will find out if states can brand him as an insurrectionist and remove him from their ballots, legal moves that are likely to end up in front of the Supreme Court. This pileup of problems would make for utter chaos in a normal year, but 2024 will be anything but normal. Trumps legal woes are set to crash headlong into his crowded campaign calendar, with the first collision coming this month when, as he told Maggie, he wants to testify in a New York case beginning just one day after the Iowa caucuses to determine how much he will have to pay a woman he has already been found guilty of defaming. Sean M. OBrien, the general president of the Teamsters union, sat down with former President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday at Mr. Trumps seaside mansion, Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Fla. Kara Deniz, a spokeswoman for the union, said the meeting was simply one of a series of meetings the Teamsters plan to have with all the presidential candidates. But this particular meeting, which the union detailed in a lengthy post on social media that was accompanied by a picture of Mr. OBrien and Mr. Trump, came at a remarkable moment. At a public hearing in November, Senator Markwayne Mullin, a staunchly pro-Trump Republican from Oklahoma, called Mr. OBrien a thug, a bully and a coward, and challenged him to a fight. President Biden has called himself the most pro-union president in history, as have several leaders of organized labor, and the Teamsters endorsed his candidacy in 2020. In December, Mr. Biden issued an executive order mandating what are known as project labor agreements which establish fixed work, wage and labor standards at construction sites for all federal contracts exceeding $35 million. That order was a potential boon to the Teamsters union, which is likely to control transportation at many of those sites and would have to be brought into contract talks as funds from Mr. Bidens signature domestic achievements start to flow. The White House accused North Korea on Thursday of providing Russia with ballistic missiles that Moscow has begun to fire on targets in Ukraine, and said that in return the North was seeking a range of Russian military technologies. The North Korean-produced missiles, with a range of 550 miles, were shipped to Russia in violation of United Nations restrictions on the North, the White House said as it made public recently declassified intelligence findings. The government of Kim Jong-un regularly ignores the missile restrictions. John Kirby, a White House national security spokesman, said that some of the first of the North Korean-made missiles were fired into Ukraine on Tuesday, though it was unclear how much damage they might have done. In recent weeks, Russia has stepped up its missile and drone attacks against civilian targets and infrastructure in Kyiv and other cities, intent on trying to erode Ukraines will to fight at a moment when Ukraine is running short on missiles and ammunition of its own. Such a move by North Korea poses two major challenges to the United States. It suggests that Russia is bolstering its own production of missiles with new supplies at a time when Congress is still holding up additional aid to Ukraine, including for artillery and air defense systems. And it suggests that Russia, which once cooperated with the United States in trying to restrain North Koreas nuclear and missile programs, is now considering helping the North develop better delivery systems. IHCL () has successfully concluded nine pilot projects focused on the implementation of climate-smart andacross its properties in India. These initiatives were carried out in collaboration with the IFC's TechEmerge Sustainable Cooling Innovation Programme.As a component of the pilot initiative, the hospitality conglomerate implemented a fresh air purification system at the Taj Palace in New Delhi, resulting in a reduction of over 95 percent in PM 2.5 levels within the hotel lobby. Additionally, at the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa in Goa, a low-approach cooling tower was installed to enhance the air conditioning system by maintaining the approach condenser temperature within a 2C range.The Taj Mahal in New Delhi has incorporated a built environment internet-of-things (BE-IoT) system, enabling efficient continuous monitoring and automation, with anticipated cost savings. Furthermore, a chemical-free water treatment system has undergone a pilot implementation at Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa in Goa.It eliminated the need for chemical dosing while positively impacting operational expenses. IHCL human resources executive vice president Gaurav Pokhariyal said, IHCL with Paathya, its comprehensive ESG+ platform, is committed to driving sustainability and social impact measures "."The rigorous testing of nine innovative cooling solutions has allowed us to validate their real-world performance. The implementation of these pilots across our portfolio has the potential to result in savings of up to $18.2m (Rs1.5bn) and a substantial annual reduction of 108,000t [tonnes] of CO emissions. We are delighted to work with IFC for a greener future", he added. These pilot projects have been carried out in various cities including New Delhi, Jaipur, Goa, and more. John Anthony Castro, a 40-year-old Texan, long-shot Republican presidential candidate and the most prolific challenger of Donald J. Trumps eligibility to be president, has gone to court in at least 27 states trying to remove the former president from the ballot. On Wednesday, Mr. Castro found himself in a mostly empty courthouse in New Hampshires capital, where he was making a second attempt to advance his arguments; his initial case was dismissed last fall. None of Mr. Castros lawsuits have succeeded. But the New Hampshire case is part of a growing constellation of ballot challenges some lodged by established groups with national reach, many others far more homemade that have been playing out in more than 30 states. Challengers in Colorado and Maine have succeeded, at least temporarily, in getting Mr. Trump disqualified, while other lawsuits have stalled or been dismissed. In at least 22 states, cases have yet to be resolved. The young daughter of North Koreas leader, Kim Jong-un, who has frequently accompanied her father at public events, including long-range missile tests, is Mr. Kims most likely successor should he die, the South Korean intelligence agency told lawmakers on Thursday. Although North Korea has not revealed any personal details about the daughter, including her name and age, South Korean officials have identified her as Kim Ju-ae. As a baby, Ju-ae drew headlines when the retired N.B.A. star Dennis Rodman said he was allowed to hold the child upon meeting Mr. Kim in Pyongyang in 2013. The Norths state media has referred to her as a most beloved or respected child of Mr. Kim and has shown military generals and other high-ranking officials kneeling before her. Such scenes have triggered widespread speculation among outside analysts that the daughter was being groomed as heir apparent to her father. But until now, the South Korean government has been cautious in speculating about the girls status within Pyongyangs secretive regime. South Korean officials have said that although the dynastic rule of the Kim family would probably continue in the North after Mr. Kims death, they were not sure which child would succeed him. A surge in sightings of balloons from China flying over Taiwan has drawn the attention of the islands military and struck some experts as a calculatedly ambiguous warning to voters weeks before its presidential election. Taiwans Ministry of National Defense has reported occasional sightings of balloons floating from China since last month, and a surge in recent days, according to the ministrys daily tally of Chinese military activities near the island. Official Taiwanese accounts about balloons were previously very sporadic. The recent balloons have mostly stayed off Taiwans coast. On Monday, however, one flew across the island, according to the ministrys descriptions of their paths. Of four spotted on Tuesday, three flew over Taiwan, and two passed through to the islands east side, facing the Pacific Ocean. Another flew over the island on Wednesday. The Taiwanese reports also noted some of the balloons proximity to the islands military bases. Of the four reported on Tuesday, three were first detected 120 to 184 miles from the Ching Chuan Kang Air Base in the city of Taichung. Taiwans defense ministry declined to specify how close to the base they may have flown. When the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant last year for President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, a Moscow court launched a surprise counterattack: It ordered the arrest of a 70-year-old retired judge in Lithuania. The judge, Kornelija Maceviciene, was not connected in any way to the case against Mr. Putin in The Hague or to investigations into Russian war crimes in Ukraine. Her crime, as the Moscow court sees it, was handing down unjust guilty verdicts against former Soviet officers, nearly all Russians, for their role in a brutal crackdown against pro-independence protesters who had gathered at a television tower in Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, on Jan. 13, 1991. In a bloody episode that helped seal the demise of Soviet power, 14 protesters one of them a young woman crushed by a tank were killed and hundreds of others were injured when Soviet forces stormed the tower in an abortive last-ditch attempt to prevent Lithuania from escaping Moscows grip. The Ukrainian military said on Thursday that its troops were fighting in the vicinities of a village behind the eastern frontline town of Marinka, a strong indication that Kyivs forces have lost control of the town, more than a week after Moscow claimed to have seized it. Open-source maps of the battlefield also show that Russian troops have a foothold throughout Marinka. Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, Ukraines top commander, acknowledged last week that Ukrainian troops had all but retreated to the outskirts, saying that Marinka no longer exists because Russian forces had reduced it to rubble with relentless shelling. Several Ukrainian military analysts said that Ukrainian troops had established defensive lines just outside the town and were currently fending off further Russian advances. It seems that Ukrainian forces are out of Marinka but they continue fighting in defensive positions just outside of it, said Oleksandr Musiienko, the head of the Kyiv-based Center for Military Legal Studies. In the weeks since Pope Francis approved a rule allowing the blessing of same-sex couples, some bishops in conservative corners of the church, such as Africa, have said they wouldnt allow priests to perform the practice, which they believe contradicts church doctrine. On Thursday, the Vatican said in a statement that any bishops opposed to the rule should take an extended period of pastoral reflection to wrap their heads around why the Vatican says it is in keeping with church teaching. The Vatican also said that while local culture should be taken into account when it came to applying the declaration, bishops could not in a total or definitive denial forbid priests who want to bestow the blessings from doing so. Bishops who oppose the rule, the Vatican said, should not misconstrue it as a Vatican effort to approve nor justify relationships considered sinful, and should understand that it does not undercut church teaching against same-sex marriage, because informal blessings are not formal rites. The Islamic State claimed responsibility on Thursday for the bombing attack that killed 84 people in Kerman, Iran, a day before, during a memorial procession for Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, according to a post on the extremist groups official Telegram account. The extremist group called the attack a dual martyrdom operation, and described how two militants approached a ceremony at the tomb of General Suleimani and detonated explosive belts strapped to their bodies near the grave of the hypocrite leader. The general, a widely revered and feared Iranian military officer who was the architect of an Iranian-led and -funded alliance of Shiite groups across the Middle East, was assassinated four years ago in an American drone attack. The Islamic State, a Sunni Muslim organization, considers its mission to kill apostate Muslims, including Shiites. Iran, a majority-Shiite country, is led by a theocratic government in which Shiite clerics are in charge. The news that three Israeli hostages were mistakenly shot and killed last month in Gaza by soldiers meant to save them outraged many in Israel, who have since demanded answers about how the army conducts itself on the battlefield and safeguards civilians. The three male hostages, captured by Hamas terrorists near the Gaza border on Oct. 7, were killed in Gaza City on Dec. 15. The men, aged 24, 26, and 28, were unarmed when they were shot. They had removed their shirts to reveal that their bodies were not strapped with explosives, and they were waving a makeshift white flag. A military investigation is underway, but immediately after the shootings, officials said the armys rules of engagement had been violated. The shooting of the hostages was carried out contrary to the open-fire regulations, said Lt. Gen. Herzl Halevi, the Israeli militarys chief of staff. Shooting at someone who raises a white flag and is seeking to surrender is absolutely prohibited. The killings shocked Israelis, for whom the military is a revered national institution in which service for most adult citizens is compulsory. Israelis are taught as early as grade school about the purity of arms doctrine preached by the Israel Defense Forces the idea that soldiers must never use their weapons or power to harm noncombatants. Every Israeli soldier carries in his or her pocket a printed copy of Spirit of the I.D.F., guidelines that lay out the militarys values, said Nir Dinar, an army spokesman. While the deaths of the hostages brought questions about the militarys rules of engagement home to Israelis, human rights groups and the United Nations have said the militarys failures to properly enforce those rules most often apply to troops frequent interactions with Palestinians. A U.S. Special Operations drone strike in Baghdad on Thursday killed a senior figure in an Iran-linked militant group that is part of Iraqs security apparatus, drawing sharp criticism from the Iraqi government, as well as allied groups. The Pentagon acknowledged responsibility for the strike, saying in a statement that U.S. forces had taken necessary and proportionate action, adding that the attack was taken in self-defense and that no civilians had been harmed. A missile fired by the drone struck a vehicle carrying three men near the logistics headquarters for the 12th brigade of the group, Harakat al-Nujaba, killing a brigade commander known as Abu Taqwa and two others, according to Iraqi security officials. The group, closely linked to Iran, was designated as a global terrorist organization by the State Department in 2019. Nujaba, however, has remained part of Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces, an umbrella organization that is in turn part of the governments broader security forces. Nigerias Central Bank Rolls Out Regulations For Financial Institutions Dealing with VASPs The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued new regulations to guide banks and other financial institutions that offer domestic accounts for virtual assets service providers (VASPs). In an official circular released on its website on Jan 3, the countrys leading banking regulator rolled out strict rules on all market participants in a bid to protect investors and the economy citing global crypto regulations. According to the release, following the previous announcement that lifted the ban on cryptocurrency transactions, and the Financial Action Task Force (FAFT) directive requiring VASPs to be regulated to prevent misuse, there is a need for national authorities to set an operational framework. Central Bank of Nigeria Lifts Crypto Ban Following New SEC Regulation The Central Bank of Nigeria has reversed its ban on dealing with companies involved in digital tokens.#CryptoNewshttps://t.co/oKVUvjLwC5 Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) December 23, 2023 Current trends globally have shown that there is a need to regulate the activities of virtual assets service providers which include cryptocurrencies and crypto assets. CBN issues tough laws The new guidelines allow crypto firms to create bank accounts in the country but those accounts are only to be used for digital assets transactions and none other. Cash withdrawals are also prohibited from the account alongside other cheque limitations. No third-party cheques are to be cleared from the VASP bank account except for cases involving a crypto transaction to another account and it shall be done through a managers cheque. Furthermore, financial institutions are required to carry out risk assessment criteria for transaction limits for each account and must not run any account on concession or enter any agreement with a company for that purpose. Banks are also charged to make periodic filings to the CBN on details of VASP accounts opened as well as other facts to ensure proper regulations. The CBN requires financial institutions to conduct due diligence requirements to further anti-money laundering and terrorist prevention efforts in addition to continuous verification and validation of addresses and other facts. FIs shall establish appropriate risk management systems to determine whether a designated account opened under these guidelines has been used, is being used, or is likely to be used for ML, TF, and PF. Fls shall take reasonable measures to establish the Beneficial Ownership, source of wealth, and the source of funds of designated accounts under these guidelines. Nigerias new industry stance The scope and objectives of these regulations are to provide a minimum standard requirement for banking relationships with VASPs and to monitor the activities of registered companies through regulatory agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In 2021, the CBN issued a directive restricting financial institutions from offering services to crypto companies in the country citing cyber crimes, money laundering, and a lack of global regulations. The country has since softened its stance in dealing with markets with the Financial Act 2023 placing a tax on digital assets recognizing it as an asset class. Nigeria now joins South Africa, Botswana, and other countries to release crypto guidelines. When President Trump railed against the election results from a stage near the White House on Wednesday, his loyalists were already gathering at the Capitol. Soon, they would storm it. We analyzed a crucial two-hour period to reconstruct how a rally gave way to a mob that nearly came face to face with Congress. 500 feet WASHINGTON, D.C. White House N Pennsylvania Ave. Trump speech Supporters already at the Capitol Constitution Ave. Supporters gathered Fencing Supporters marching to the Capitol Barricades Washington Monument NATIONAL MALL U.S. Capitol Tidal Basin 500 feet WASHINGTON, D.C. White House N Pennsylvania Ave. Trump speech Supporters already at the Capitol Constitution Ave. Supporters gathered Fencing Supporters marching to the Capitol Barricades Washington Monument NATIONAL MALL U.S. Capitol Tidal Basin 500 feet N WASHINGTON, D.C. White House Pennsylvania Ave. Trump speech Supporters already at the Capitol Constitution Ave. Supporters gathered Barricades Washington Monument NATIONAL MALL Supporters marching to the Capitol Fencing U.S. Capitol Tidal Basin N WASHINGTON, D.C. 500 feet White House Pennsylvania Ave. Supporters already at the Capitol Trump speech Constitution Ave. Supporters gathered NATIONAL MALL U.S. Capitol Supporters marching to the Capitol Tidal Basin Fencing Barricades The days events were captured by protesters and witnesses who live-streamed the action or posted the scenes on social media. The footage shows the simultaneous and alternating perspectives of Mr. Trump at the podium, the lawmakers inside the Capitol and the swelling numbers and growing violence of the rioters on the ground. A Brewing Storm President Trump prepares to go onstage. Supporters gather at the Capitol. For weeks, Mr. Trump had urged his supporters to go to Washington to stop the certification of the election results, and several simultaneous rallies were planned for Wednesday. As the morning arrives, hundreds assemble on the Capitol lawn, more than a mile away from where Trump will soon speak near the White House. Among them are the Proud Boys, a far-right group, identifiable here by their orange hats. 11:50 a.m. East side of Capitol Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/For The Washington Post via Getty Images At the same time, near the White House, Donald Trump Jr. films the president and his inner circle backstage before his fathers speech. In a video uploaded to his Facebook page, they are listening to the song Gloria and marveling at the size of the crowd. 11:54 a.m. South of White House Donald Trump Jr. via Facebook Capitol Crowds Grow Trump calls for march on Capitol. A large crowd heads in that direction. About 15 minutes into his speech, Mr. Trump tells rally attendees to walk to the Capitol. You have to show strength, he says. At this moment, the Capitol grounds are protected by temporary perimeter fences, and there are few officers equipped to defend them. 12:17 p.m. South of White House U.S. Network Pool Supporters leave the rally in a steady stream before Mr. Trumps speech ends, and they head toward the Capitol. 12:29 p.m. Constitution Ave. Talia Jane via Twitter As they arrive, another crowd of Trump supporters that has already gathered along the west perimeter fence becomes more agitated. 12:49 p.m. West of the Capitol grounds Status Coup via Storyful Around this time, a pipe bomb is reported at the Republican National Committee building, just a block away from the Capitol. Not long after, another device is discovered nearby at the Democratic National Committee headquarters. N U.S. CAPITOL Explosives reported at party buildings R.N.C. Building D.N.C. Building N U.S. CAPITOL R.N.C. Building Explosives reported at party buildings D.N.C. Building First Barriers Breached Trump continues speaking. Rioters topple a fence to the Capitols west. Congress begins joint session. About 20 minutes before Trumps speech ends, some people in the Capitol crowd harass officers posted at the barricades and start to get physical. Others follow suit, until they violently overwhelm the police and breach the buildings outer perimeter. 12:53 p.m. Northwest side of the Capitol Elijah Schaffer via Twitter The mob quickly breaks through three additional barricades, forcing officers back onto the west Capitol steps. 12:53 p.m. First barricades breached Fencing N Capitol steps Supporters gathering Supporters marching from Trump rally East side barricades NATIONAL MALL U.S. CAPITOL 1 p.m. Joint session of Congress convenes in House chamber 12:53 p.m. First barricades breached Fencing Capitol steps N Supporters gathering Supporters marching from Trump rally East side barricades NATIONAL MALL U.S. CAPITOL 1 p.m. Joint session of Congress convenes in House chamber N Fencing Supporters gathering 1 Supporters marching to the Capitol East side barricades 2 Capitol steps U.S. CAPITOL 1 12:53 p.m. First barricades breached. 2 1 p.m. Joint session of Congress convenes in House chamber. Once at the steps, the group clashes with a small contingent of officers. After a few minutes, Capitol Police officers in riot gear arrive to help control the crowd. 12:58 p.m. West side of Capitol Status Coup via Storyful At this time, the speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, begins the proceedings to certify the Electoral College vote at a joint session of Congress, alongside Vice President Mike Pence. Outside, the chants begin: Whose house? Our house! 1:03 p.m. House Chamber C-SPAN Trumps Call to Action Trump again calls for a march on the Capitol. Mob continues to clash with police. Ted Cruz objects to certification. As Mr. Trumps speech comes to an end, he calls on his supporters to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue toward the Capitol. Rioters there continue to violently clash with officers, including reinforcements from the local police department who have arrived on the scene. Both sides spray chemical agents. 1:15 p.m. West side of Capitol Status Coup via Storyful Inside the Capitol, members of Congress seem unaware of the extent of the violence outside. The House and Senate have moved to their separate chambers to debate certifying the vote. Senator Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, argues that the Senate should not certify Arizonas electoral votes. 1:48 p.m. Senate Chamber C-SPAN A minute later, Chief Steven Sund of the Capitol Police makes the request for immediate assistance from the D.C. National Guard. Outside, rioters tear through scaffolding in front of the Capitols northwest steps and make their way closer to the building. 1:50 p.m. West side of Capitol Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images Assault on the East Side Groups breach police barricades. Amy Klobuchar and other legislators debate. On the east side of the Capitol, where the police presence is much smaller, another mob is about to reach the doors of the building. Fencing N Mob continues to riot Around 2:00 p.m. Police barricades are breached on the east side West side barricades NATIONAL MALL U.S. CAPITOL Lawmakers continue to debate in both chambers Mob continues to riot Fencing Around 2:00 p.m. Police barricades are breached on the east side N NATIONAL MALL West side barricades U.S. CAPITOL Lawmakers continue to debate in both chambers N Fencing 1 3 West side barricades East side barricades 2 U.S. CAPITOL 1 Around 2:00 p.m. Police barricades are breached on the east side 2 Lawmakers continue to debate in both chambers 3 Mob continues to riot The police remove a barricade at the northeast corner of the building after violent confrontations between officers and the crowd. 1:58 p.m. Northeast side of Capitol Marcus DiPaola via TikTok A YouTube live stream captures the exact moment a massive crowd also breaches a separate, larger barricade on the east side. This is the last physical barrier protecting that side of the Capitol. 2:00 p.m. East side of Capitol Stephen Ignoramus via YouTube Mob Reaches Doors on West Side Group breaches west side barricades. Legislators continue debate. Back on the northwest side of the Capitol, another YouTube livestream captures the mob chasing officers up the steps and breaching the final barrier on that side. 2:10 p.m. Northwest side of Capitol John Sullivan via YouTube Violent clashes with the police have been ongoing for more than an hour by the time the mob finally breaks through. The mob approaches an entrance near the Senate chamber, one floor below where senators continue to debate. Fencing N 2:10 p.m. Group breaches the final barrier East side barricades already breached West side barricades NATIONAL MALL U.S. CAPITOL Lawmakers continue to debate in both chambers 2:10 p.m. Group breaches the final barrier Fencing N East side barricades already breached NATIONAL MALL West side barricades U.S. CAPITOL Lawmakers continue to debate in both chambers N Fencing 1 West side barricades East side barricades already breached 2 U.S. CAPITOL 1 2:10 p.m. Group breaches the final barrier on the west side 2 Lawmakers continue to debate Rioters surround the building on both sides, but theres no indication that the lawmakers inside know the extent of the breach. As the mob approaches the doors of the Senate wing, Senator Kyrsten Sinema, Democrat of Arizona, urges her colleagues to reject this meritless challenge and uphold the will of Arizonas voters. 2:10 p.m. Senate Chamber C-SPAN Rioters Break Into the Building Mob enters the building. Senators continue debate just steps away. Rioters on the west side break into the building around 2:11 p.m. Two minutes later, as they reach the stairs next to the Senate chamber, the Senate is called into recess. 2:13 p.m. Senate Chamber C-SPAN Rioters continue to stream into the building. They enter through a door and a broken window on the northwest side. 2:15 p.m. Northwest side of Capitol John Sullivan via YouTube Rioters chase an officer to the top of a staircase where there are entrances to the Senate chamber in both directions. 2:14 p.m. Inside the Capitol Igor Bobic/HuffPost via Storyful The officer leads the rioters one way, and backup arrives while the police inside the chamber are still trying to lock the doors. N U.S. CAPITOL Second Floor 2:14 p.m. Mob makes it to top of stairs near Senate chamber entrance East side Hallways Mob faces off with officers Senate Chamber 2:13 p.m. Senate goes into recess West side 2:11 p.m. Mob breaks through doors and windows on first floor Capitol grounds and National Mall N U.S. CAPITOL Second Floor East side 3 Hallways Senate Chamber 4 2 West side 1 Capitol grounds and National Mall 1 2:11 p.m. Mob breaks through doors and windows on first floor 2 2:13 p.m. Senate goes into recess 3 2:14 p.m. Mob makes it to top of stairs near Senate chamber entrance 4 Mob faces off with officers Now rioters stand off with the police in the hall, feet away from the entrance to the Senate chamber. Senators are still milling about inside. 2:16 p.m. Hall outside Senate chamber Win Mcnamee/Getty Images The Siege Continues Thousands reach the Capitol. Congress is halted. More than five minutes after the first rioters break into the building, the House also goes into recess. Now, the police are clashing with the mob inside the building as some members of Congress are able to evacuate. Others are trapped inside while rioters pound on the doors. Outside the building, the crowd grows as attendees from President Trumps rally continue to stream in. The mob becomes more violent, dragging and beating officers. Three hours will pass before the sergeant-at-arms declares the building secure. The Jan. 6 Riot Inquiry So Far: Three Years, Hundreds of Prison Sentences Nearly three years after a mob attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in support of former President Donald J. Trump, the criminal investigation into the events of that day pushes on. Prosecutors have called the riot inquiry the largest in the history of the Justice Department, and there is no doubt it is vast by any measure. Every week, a few more people are arrested. As of December, about 1,240 people had been arrested in connection with the attack, accused of crimes ranging from trespassing, a misdemeanor, to seditious conspiracy, a felony. More than 350 cases are still pending. Around 170 people have been convicted at trial, while only two people have been fully acquitted. Approximately 710 people have pleaded guilty ... and among those, around 210 pleaded guilty to felony offenses. After being convicted or pleading guilty, more than 720 people have received sentences so far and more than 450 of them were sentenced to periods of incarceration, ranging from a handful of days to more than 20 years. And while there have been about 1,240 arrests as of early December that may be only half of the total indictments that will ultimately be filed. While some of the cases have attracted nationwide attention, particularly those involving far-right groups like the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers militia, most of the prosecutions have flown beneath the radar, unfolding in quiet hearings often attended only by the defendants and their families. These proceedings have helped to flesh out the story of how an angry crowd of Mr. Trumps supporters, egged on by his lies about a stolen election, stopped the democratic process, if only for several hours. The bulk of the riot cases, more than 710, were resolved without trial through guilty pleas. As of the Justice Departments latest update in December, about 170 people have gone to trial in Federal District Court in Washington, in front of either a jury or just a judge, with a vast majority resulting in convictions. As for punishment, more than 450 people have been sent to jail or prison, with the longest term so far being the 22-year sentence imposed on Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the Proud Boys. Several people who were not associated with extremist groups but who assaulted the police in what officers have described as a medieval battle outside the Capitol have been sentenced to a decade or more behind bars. The mob that surrounded and ultimately stormed into the building was heterogeneous. There were men and women, husbands and wives, fathers and sons, and people of various races. There were carpenters, military veterans, schoolteachers, lawyers, real estate agents, even a former State Department official. And while the roiling events of Jan. 6 are often lumped together as the attack on the Capitol, the truth is that more than one thing happened that day. Some of the defendants planned their roles in the assault for weeks, communicating with compatriots and showing up with weapons and protective gear. Others erupted in the moment, assaulting officers with their bare fists. Still others were swept up in the flow of the crowd and did little more than walk into and then out of the Capitol. One of the most common charges used against rioters has been entering or remaining in a restricted federal building or grounds. More than 1,100 have faced that count. About 450 people have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement officers at the Capitol, and about 330 have been accused of obstruction of the certification of the election that was taking place inside the building on Jan. 6. But the Supreme Court recently announced that it was going to review the obstruction charge to see if it should apply to the Capitol attack. The Justice Department has been forced to confront this array of behavior and tailor its charges to the details of each individuals actions. Over and over, prosecutors have had to make challenging decisions: Should a person who was aggressive at the Capitol be accused of assault or of a lesser crime called civil disorder? Should someone who entered the building be charged with trespassing or merely illegal parading in the Capitol? It has not been an easy or a perfect process, and almost three years after the riot, and well over 700 jail and probation sentences into the investigation, it is most likely nowhere near finished. Chinese media reports that a growing number of pet owners are putting their animals through painful cosmetic procedures in order to give them rounded ears inspired by Mickey Mouse. Most cats and dogs have naturally pointy or droopy ears, but a new disturbing trend sweeping through China these days has pet owners ignoring common sense and their animals physical and mental well-being for the promise of stylish Mickey Ears. Apparently, some shady pet clinics will slice part of the animals ears off to achieve the Mickey Mouse look, but there are also a variety of special clamps available online for pet owners disturbed enough to perform the procedure themselves. Recent coverage of this bizarre trend sparked controversy online, with most of the general public urging authorities to ban the Mickey Ears procedure and punish those who would torture defenseless animals purely for cosmetic purposes. Hong Kong-based newspaper the South China Morning Post recently posted an article on the Mickey Ears cosmetic procedure trend. It focused on an advertisement for a pet clinic in Chongqing which promised customers a discount on the procedure if booked by the Chinese Spring Festival. Shockingly enough, such procedures are perfectly legal in China, although most reputable veterinarians do consider the ethical implications and refuse to perform them. It is rarely performed in pet hospitals in tier-one cities but is common in dog kennels and breeding facilities. Currently, there are no legal restrictions on this surgery in China. Its a moral issue, Liu Yundong, a dean at Loving Care International Pet Medical Centre in Beijing, told SCMP. As veterinarians, we adhere to the principle of animal welfare and do not advocate these surgeries. The colleagues Ive encountered are tacitly opposed to such surgeries. Liu added that the surgical procedure is a two-step process. The first stage involves the cutting and shaping of the pets ears and takes about half an hour, while the second stage takes between 20 and 60 days and ensures that the ears remain upright. The entire experience can be extremely traumatic for animals and can leave them with physical and psychological sequelae. Damaging the natural structure of the ears can cause psychogenic problems in some pets. For instance, some sensitive pets may scratch repeatedly due to excessive pain, Chen Yong, a veterinarian from Shenzhen Lianhe Pet Hospital, warned. It turns out that shady pet clinics arent the only way to give your pet Mickey Ears. Sohu News reports that a simple online search reveals dozens of online sellers offering DIY clamps based on the hemostatic forceps design. Most of them reportedly dont even have the necessary license to sell veterinary equipment, but theyve been getting away with it so far. Every year, Japanese pesticide company Earth Corporation holds a transcendence ceremony at the Myodoji Temple in Ako City to honor insects that sacrificed their lives for research purposes. Earth Corporation prides itself on being the no. 1 preferred household insecticide company in Japan, a status it has achieved over decades of research and trial & error. In order to test the efficacy of its products, the company uses them on various species of insects at a proprietary research facility in Ako City, and some of those bugs inevitably die in the process. The company breeds the bugs it uses for testing, but that doesnt make their sacrifice meaningless, and to show that it doesnt take the tiny creatures for granted, Earth Corporation holds an honorary ceremony at the Myodoji Temple in Ako City. Photo: Earth Corporation Last month, over 60 Earth employees took part in a solemn transcendence ceremony that involved a daoshi (Taoist priest) reading prayers in front of dozens of photos of dead insects. Pictures of mosquitoes, ticks, flies, cockroaches, and other insects were placed near the temple altar, and people put their hands together in prayer as the priest honored them. Tomihiro Kobori, Chief of Earth Pharmaceutical Research, pointed out that many people take the sacrifice of thousands of bugs for granted, without acknowledging the value of their sacrifice in the name of science, but this ceremony helps put things in perspective. At any given time, Earth Corporations research facility breeds around 1 million cockroaches and more than 100 million ticks for testing purposes that end up being sacrificed for the health and comfort of humans, so although the Japanese company thrives on the death of millions of insects, it cant help but honor their sacrifice. According to the Sankei Shinbun newspaper, Earth Corporation has organized this unique ceremony every year for the last four decades. AR Seeks PR to Promote Soybeans Mon., Mar. 18, 2024 The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board is looking to hire a PR firm to educate the public about its activities and the health benefits associated with the "miracle bean." Lanny Davis Lanny Davis & Assocs. has registered Solway Investment Group, the Switzerland-based mining company, to communicate with the US government regarding sanctions for Russian involvement in its Guatemalan nickel mine and refinery. The US Treasury Dept.s Office of Foreign Asset Control issued those sanctions on Nov. 18, 2022. They also covered the chief of Solways Guatemala mine, a Belarusian, for his alleged bribery and corruption schemes. After Solway implemented a series of reforms to improve transparency and accountability, and fired the sanctioned employees, OFAC on Sept. 29 granted a one-year license to operate the mine. Veteran crisis counselor Lanny Davis told the Associated Press that Solways Guatemalan companies are eager to resume exports to the US to help supply the nickel that is needed for electric car batteries and other clean energy uses. In an unrelated matter, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on Dec. 18 ruled that Solway's Guatemalan subsidiary violated the property rights of the indigenous Aqua Caliente community. Solway issued a statement, saying that while it is sympathetic to the cause of justice and the rights of indigenous peoples in Guatemala, the complaint occurred years before it acquired the property. It stressed that it played no part in the alleged violence and threats of harassment against the Aqua Caliente community. Solvay though said it stands ready to work with the Guatemalan government to achieve justice for the indigenous people, whose rights were found by the Court to be injured. FOLLOWING a recent successful gathering of friends of the Brontes in The Hill House, Banagher, a new society called the Banagher Bronte Group has been established. The Hill House (now Charlottes Way, a well-appointed guest house) was home to Arthur Bell Nicholls, husband of Charlotte Bronte from July 1854 until her untimely death in March 1855. Arthur remained at Haworth with Patrick Bronte, Charlottes father until his death in 1861. Sadly Mr Bronte had been predeceased by his wife, Maria Branwell and all of their six children, Maria, Elizabeth, Branwell, Emily, Anne and Charlotte. Membership for 2024 will be set at 20 and will include admission to talks, walks, exhibitions, films, etc., etc., as well as news updates like this one. The objective of the group will be to foster a growing awareness of the association of Charlotte Bronte and her husband, Arthur Bell Nicholls, with the town of Banagher. This will be achieved by hosting a weekend of literary events annually in late April, near to April 21st, Charlotte's birthday and again near to December 2nd, the anniversary of Arthur's death. The winter gathering will consist of commemorative wreath laying ceremony, with readings, walks, talks, films, music and possibly illuminations. The group also intend to publish as many of the letters and manuscripts relating to Arthur Bell Nicholls as possible. Consideration will also be given to the creation of a large triptych mural of Charlotte, Arthur and Mary Anna Bell somewhere prominent in Banagher. Mary Anna Bell was Arthur's second wife whom he married a few years after his return from Haworth in 1864 and lived with for forty-two years in Hill House (now Charlottes Way) until his death in 1906. The group also intend further promote a travelling exhibition of entitled The Legacy of the Brontes made up of embroidered works by the Banagher Crafting Group and Maebh ORegan of NCAD, Dublin. The tapestries depict many of the precious Bronte treasures which Arthur brought back to Banagher in 1861, many of which made their way back to the Parsonage in Haworth after his death in 1906. The memorials of Arthur and Mary Anna and other members of the Bell Family are in need of greater care. Contact has been made with Nigel West, a descendant of Arthur with regard to the possibility of cleaning and refurbishing them. The same Nigel West is deeply involved in the current project to save the Bronte Birthplace at Thornton, near Bradford, Yorkshire. Several members of the Banagher Bronte Group have generously subscribed. THE staff, pupils and parents of Carrig NS bade a sad farewell to their much loved principal Mr Tony Sampson during a function in the school to mark his retirement just before the Christmas break. The pupils were very much involved in this function with carol singing and the re-enactment of their Christmas pageant finishing up with a poem they wrote for the principal. The Shinrone native commenced his teaching career in the boys school in Birr back in 1982. In 2002 he moved to Clonfert school and when the position of principal in Carrig came about in 2005, Tony was successful in his application for the job which he took up later that year. Apart from his successful school career, Tony is also delighted to have been a selector with the three times Offaly Minor hurling All-Ireland champions back when he was just 24 years of age. Deputy Principal Nora Ryan, paying tribute to Tony, said that much had changed over the years since he took on the role of principal. Mr Sampson led by example, with conviction, integrity, cultivating and nurturing an unique welcoming atmosphere of joyful learning and mutual respect, she said. Your dedication and commitment to the school is greatly appreciated, she said as she congratulated him on his retirement and wished him well. Garrett ONeill, Chairman of the school BOM, said he knew Tony for the past twelve years. He mentioned how many have commented that the school is a lovely school. That, he said, has nothing to do with the building, its to do with the people who work here, the pupils, the warmth the respect thats shown to everyone as soon as you walk into this school. The children are so happy, so nice, said Mr. ONeill, and that doesnt happen by accident, that happens from all the confidence given to them by their teachers and staff here and most especially by the leadership of Mr Sampson. He went on to compliment the principal on the enormous amount of work that you do behind the scenes, the workload, the leaving no stone unturned for the betterment of the pupils and the school. Tony has been a credit to his profession in more ways that one and it has been a pleasure to work with you from all the present members, and Im sure the past ones would say the same, he said. In his response, Mr Sampson thanked everyone for their help and support over the years. Its about all the people working together, school staff, parents, grandparents that get the children to where they want to be eventually. He explained how the school always strived to look at academics which he said was first and foremost vital in the school, but also the emotional, spiritual, physical and all those other aspects of a childs education. He detailed aspects such as music, sport, arts and crafts etc. with the school providing as many opportunities as it can for pupils which builds their confidence, he said. Every teacher wants to instil confidence in their pupils which can get them over the line in the future, he said. Mr Sampson thanked his loyal and dedicated staff over the years, many who have become very good friends over that time, he said. He thanked the many parents associations, BOMs volunteers, parents and grandparents along with his family. He paid special tribute to the children who he described as the heartbeat of the school community. We feel we can talk to each other, we can relax and share a laugh together and we get the work done as well, he said as he finished by wishing them all well in life going forward. HARRISBURG The Rev. Bill Allison says theres more than one way to worship God, including praying on horseback. God loves cowboys and cowgirls just like he loves everyone, said Allison, pastor of the Central Pennsylvania Cowboy Church of the Nazarene near Annville. Cowboys and cowgirls see Gods creations when theyre riding. They relate to God. Visitors to the 108th Pennsylvania Farm Show will have the chance to experience the cowboy church style of worship at 9:30 a.m. Sunday in the New Holland Arena. Cowboy churches are Christian churches that usually meet in barns, arenas or rodeo arenas. Attendees sing hymns performed by country gospel bands. The Farm Show cowboy church service will feature scripture, a message from Allison and hymns such as The Masters Call, Rounded Up in Glory and It Is Well with My Soul. Allison said thats in keeping with cowboy church music styles, which include Christian music in the country gospel, country contemporary and bluegrass styles. Wearing jeans and a cowboy hat, shirt and boots, Allison will preach the same gospel that Christians hear in traditional churches. Our worship service is a little more informal, geared to cowboys, cowgirls, rodeo contestants and people in agriculture, he said. The Lord is leading me this year to talk about being angry. Theres a lot of anger going around. People need to find a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and let him take away the anger. Last year, about 500 people attended the service in the cavernous New Holland Arena. During the service, many stood up, clapping and swaying to the music. After the hourlong service, several attendees said they enjoyed the come as you are format. Allison expressed his joy at being pastor of his church, which meets at the Shale Knoll Arena near Annville in the summer and in the Ono Fire Company in the winter. Members come from Dauphin, Lebanon and Lancaster counties. We have worship service every Sunday, he said. On Wednesday, we have youth night with class time for young kids, devotional times for teens and an adult Bible study. Sometimes, people sit on their horses while participating. We have a lot of outreach events like rodeos for families and youth, horse shows, campfire dinners, trail rides, rodeo Bible camps and more. His wife, Sue, is in charge of the womens and childrens ministries. For 50 years, Allison has been a farrier, or a person who trims and shoes horses hooves, and he will demonstrate horse shoeing at 9 a.m. Wednesday in the New Holland Arena. He also said that his church will have a booth throughout the Farm Show. Our intent is to be a real church with ongoing ministries, he said. We want to help people. We may eventually need a building, but it will probably be a pole building near an arena, something basic and simple. Asked if its easy to pray on a horse, he laughed. It depends on what horse youre on, he said, adding that even Jesus rode. Before Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, he sent his apostles to get a colt. The Book of Revelations says that Jesus will come back on a white horse. Horses have a unique way of helping people. Data from the motorstats have revealed the best selling cars in Ireland in 2023. Topping the pile is the Hyundai Tucson which sold 5.238 units in 2023 giving it a 4.3% market share. The Kia Sportage was the second best selling car with over 3,600 sold in Ireland in 2023. Toyota had the third and fourth best selling cars with the Corolla and the Yaris Cross with the Volkswagen ID.4 rounding out the top five. Toyota was the best selling car brand in Ireland. Two more Toyotas made the top ten with the Toyota Yaris at six and the C-HR at seven and the Nissan Qashqai came in at number eight. Rounding out the top ten were the Skoda Octavia and the Hyundai Kona. The data also shows the most popular colour of car sold in Ireland and it shows we are a slightly boring lot. Far and away the most popular colour car was was which accounted for more than a third of the cars sold in 2023. The second most popular colour was black followed by blue and then white. Red rounded out the top five with green well behind in sixth place. Grey and black together was the seventh most popular colour choice with orange adding a brighter splash of colour at number eight. A SOLICITOR representing the family of Aoife Johnston has expressed concern over their lack of input in determining the terms of reference for the upcoming investigation into the teenager's tragic death. Damien Tansey, senior counsel and senior partner at Damien Tansey Solicitors in Sligo, stressed the family's profound interest in the independent investigation into the death of their 16-year-old daughter at University Hospital Limerick. In an interview with Morning Ireland this Thursday, Mr Tansey said certain media outlets had access to an internal review of the case which was conducted by UHL in December 2023, while the family did not receive the same information. He said it was "entirely inappropriate" that they should learn about the latest updates into Aoife's case via the media. "They certainly would like basic courtesy to take place," he added. On Tuesday night, the HSE officially shared details of the report along with the terms of reference for the independent investigation which will be led by former Chief Justice Frank Clarke. The review highlighted concerns and deficiencies at UHL that played a role in the events following Aoife Johnston's arrival at the hospital. It found that overcrowding is endemic in the emergency department and that the "boarding" of admitted patients in the ED is a planned part of patient flow even though the specific staff to care for such patients have not yet been appointed. Mr Tansey stated that the family will need time to thoroughly review the terms of reference for the new review. They intend to provide feedback with the aim of sharing their "observations [or] comments" to address their primary concerns. Scheduled for April in Limerick, the inquest into the teenager's death will take place. Aoife, who was from Shannon in Co Clare, passed away after a 12-hour wait in the UHL emergency department on December 19, 2022, having been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and sepsis. After the report detailing the internal review was produced in December 2023, Mr Tansey reiterated the announcement that the CEO of the HSE and the minister for health offered to meet the Johnston family. "We certainly indicated our willingness to participate in that meeting, it hasn't moved beyond that point," stated the family's representative. "We will attend as soon as a concrete invitation emerges". In terms of the family, Mr Tansey noted the significantly difficult time which the family are going through. "You cannot imagine the difficulties they are confronted with on a daily basis, and it was particularly difficult for them coming up to Christmas." Having been in the hospital on the night of Aoife's attendance to UHL, Mr Tansey said their "pleading" was ignored and they are now "living with that experience on a daily basis and it is haunting them". The review revealed "endemic overcrowding" at UHL. It noted a failure to follow national guidelines on sepsis management on December 17, 2022, resulting in a 12-hour delay in sepsis care. General staffing shortages were also identified and, in Aoife's specific case, Mr Tansey stated that the hospital was "utterly chaotic" on the night in question, with "absolutely no leadership on the ground." Referring to a similar case which occurred at Sligo University Hospital in 2007, Mr Tansey added: "It just beggars belief that lessons are never learned". Air-to-water heat pump systems installed in some retrofitted council housing are so high that is like a 'double rent' for tenants, a councillor has claimed. Cllr John King, Fine Gael, delivered the warning to a fellow public representative who said he was ashamed of unhealthy council housing for the elderly in Mountmellick, Co Laois. The contrasting state of some local authority housing in Mountmellick and Rathdowney was highlighted at a meeting with Laois County Council officials in Portlaoise. Cllr Paddy Bracken, Fianna Fail, tabled a motion that called on the Council to seek funding urgently from the Department of Housing to bring their maisonettes housing stock up to the required standard. He said wonderful work is being carried out in the housing generally by the local authority but some homes and tenants are being left behind. There are 30 maisonettes in my area in a very poor standard, he said. Cllr Bracken said doors and windows are timber and heating systems are in adequate. They are in shocking bad repair. They have been left behind. As a councillor I feel ashamed to see the state of the houses when I visit, he said. He said the tenants are not to blame for this nor is the council maintenance. He argued instead that it the buildings are not fit for purpose anymore. However, he insisted that the council has a responsibility to do something. The quality of housing is not up to standard. On the other hand the local authority is now empowered to inspect privately rented properties but our stock is very very poor. People are suffering from health complaints due to the damp and mould, he said. He said the residents are mainly elderly and have to rely on old and unsuitable solid fuel ranges. It is unreal when you go in with some of those houses, he said. He called for a national response. Id like to see a fund coming from the Government. They need to be retrofitted, he said. Cllr King supported Cllr Bracken and highlighted super work done on similar houses in Rathdowney to bring them up to date. He cautioned about one costly retrofit retrofitting result for tenants due to the air-to-water heat pump systems installed. They are now paying a double rent because they are not used to paying for the heating. They have no control over the cost of it because it has to be on constantly...The running cost is quite expensive it is nearly equal to the rent, he said. Cllr King said that apart from new heating systems, windows and doors were also updated while the houses were insulated. Trevor Hennessy, Acting Senior Engineer, Housing, replied in writing to the motions. Laois County Council will make contact with the Department of Housing in this regard, he said. The issue was raised at the Borris-in-Ossory Moutmellick Municipal District meeting. The terms of reference for Irelands Covid inquiry are to be brought to Cabinet shortly, according to Simon Harris, who said the format should encourage transparency. A review of how Ireland handled the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to analyse the Governments response, how hospitals and nursing homes coped and the effect it had on society and the economy. The Government had planned to establish the inquiry in 2023, but Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it was delayed due to a series of unpredictable events. He also said that time was needed to get the terms of reference right so it did not stray into all sorts of things, as had happened in the UK. The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has publicly questioned Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, former prime minister Boris Johnson, former health secretary Matt Hancock and former adviser to Mr Johnson, Dominic Cummings. Asked about the inquiry, Mr Harris said he expected the terms of reference to come to Cabinet shortly, and said that the format should be one that enables people to be transparent, to be forthcoming. He was responding to questions about whether the inquiry should be protected by legal privilege. While acknowledging that a review of the Covid-19 pandemic was really important, he said that Ireland did a good job overall during the health crisis. I do feel in this country, in a way that didnt happen in other countries, people came together, people pulled together. But I also know that it was a time of great pain for many people, he said at Government Buildings on Thursday. Mr Harris, who was a health minister at the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis, said it was for independent experts and not for him to determine what could have been done better. But certainly there will be, absolutely, lessons to be learned, things that need to be done better. And also, youve got to recognise in a pandemic, that I certainly recognise this, that I believe everybody was doing everything they possibly could to the best of your ability with the information that was available, he said. But of course, as you look back, its right and proper to say, actually with the benefit of hindsight, could something have been done differently. Just Forests kick started their nationwide Ban Tractor Runs campaign in Tullamore on Thursday last with a protest in the town centre at the start of the annual charity Tullamore Tractor Run. The campaign will run through 2024 at randomly selected towns and villages from Malin Head to Roches Point, said Just Forests founder, Tom Roche. The environmentalists said: The current practice of hosting tractor runs, or receiving funds generated by tractor runs by schools and charities in Ireland is as outdated as tobacco sponsorship would be to lung cancer patients. Tractor runs show a total disregard for education for sustainable development (ESD), much needed Climate Action and unquestionable health science. Regardless of how hard pressed the schools and the charities in question are for funding, tractor runs and the resulting carcinogenic emissions that ensues is seriously damaging to our personal and public health, claimed the Rhode based campaigner, Participating schools are not helping their pupils to think outside the box and prepare them for the challenging future that awaits them. They are in fact going against any hope of a just transition to a world where renewable energy becomes the norm. Furthermore, the ever-increasing decline in air quality because of fossil fuel emissions is a source of eco-anxiety and confusion for many school children. He said local charities must ask themselves if they really want to be associated with an activity that perpetuates the very illness, they so desperately try to help people cope with. School boards of management have an obligation to prepare their pupils for challenging times ahead through education for sustainable development.2 Sports clubs must also ask themselves why they would want to receive sponsorship from fossil fuel companies who are responsible for causing such havoc to sporting fixtures as a result of fossil fuel related weather conditions from extreme heat to devastating floods never experienced before in this country, continued Mr Roche. Xi's ties with Iowa remain strong since his 1985 visit China Daily) 08:31, January 04, 2024 Gary Dvorchak, son of Eleanor and Thomas Dvorchak, who hosted Xi Jinping during his 1985 visit to Muscatine in the US state of Iowa, introduces the Sino-US Friendship House to visitors on Sept 17, 2015. BAO DANDAN/XINHUA The author Mark Twain once described the memorable sunsets in Muscatine, a small city on the banks of the Mississippi River in the US state of Iowa, as particularly memorable. In his 1883 book Life on the Mississippi, Twain wrote: "And I remember Muscatine still more pleasantly for its summer sunsets. I have never seen any, on either side of the ocean, that equaled them." Today, a large corn processing plant operates in Muscatine on the banks of the river. President Xi Jinping visited the plant in 1985, when he was Party chief of Zhengding county in Hebei Province, and learned about agriculture. Most people in Muscatine, whose population is around 24,000, are farmers or hold jobs related to agriculture. Farms and wind turbines are the most common sights in the city, which is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Des Moines, the capital of Iowa. Dan Stein, chairman of the Muscatine-China Initiatives Committee and a native of Muscatine, conceded that life in the small city is slow-paced. "There isn't much going on in Muscatine," he said. However, nearly 39 years ago, when Xi led an agricultural delegation from Hebei, his trip to Iowa had an impact on many people in Muscatine. "It changed my life," said Stein, a banker whose clients are mostly local farmers, and who is also involved now in the import and export business between China and the United States' Midwest. In 1985, the trip's organizers contacted Eleanor and Thomas Dvorchak and said they were looking for homestays in Muscatine for a Chinese delegation. The Dvorchaks, whose sons were away at college, happened to have two bedrooms available. Xi, who led the delegation to Iowa, stayed the night in the bedroom of Gary Dvorchak, who is now an investor and has been living in Beijing for more than a decade. The homestay occurred before the internet era and, as the years passed, the Dvorchak family lost track of the delegation member. Then, in 2012, the family discovered that the young man who had stayed in their home years before was China's vice-president. Xi said he wanted to go to Iowa and visit his friends there again, and a reunion was held in Iowa in 2012 when he visited the US as vice-president. "We were all just surprised to encounter someone who has stayed in your home and then later, he rises to such greatness and becomes so famous.... Of course, we're happy for him that his career went so well. But everyone was just like, 'Wow, I can't believe this really happened'," Gary Dvorchak told China Daily in a recent exclusive interview. Now, walking into the bedroom at 2911 Bonnie Drive the address where Xi stayed in 1985 a visitor will see a massive oak tree still standing outside the window. The house, which is white with red bricks, features a master bedroom and two guest bedrooms. Xi slept in one of the guest bedrooms at the end of a hallway. Today, the home is a museum called the Sino-US Friendship House. "I can envision him being in America for the first time, looking outside and, obviously, the architecture and home decor are very different from China. And this huge oak tree back then probably was not so big, but it continues to grow," Stein said. Gary Dvorchak said his room, decorated with a Star Trek theme, was "very much the room of a child". "I was a huge Star Trek fan. I love science fiction, so I had shelves of Star Trek and Star Wars models," he added. In 2012, when Xi returned to Muscatine, he told those who had gathered, whom he has affectionately referred to as "old friends": "You were the first group of Americans that I came into contact with. My impression of the country came from you." Sarah Lande, an 85-year-old Muscatine resident who helped coordinate Xi's 1985 visit and met with him, also recalled that Xi told the friends gathered in 2012, "To me, you are America." During the 2012 reunion, "everyone was a little nervous, but mainly happy and very relaxed. In his role as vice-president, he came there as a friend. There was no talk about policy; the talk was (focused on) reminiscing," said Dvorchak. In November, Xi once again reunited with his old friends from Iowa, this time in San Francisco, where he and US President Joe Biden held a summit. "There was genuine happiness, so you could see the smile on his face, he was really enjoying it," said Dvorchak. "What's really wonderful is that, to him it has personal meaning. It's not just publicity. It's the people he really cares about from the experience he had way back then." Xi wrote in a letter to Lande, who is also author of a 2022 memoir titled Old Friends: The Xi Jinping-Iowa Story, "The Chinese and American people are both great people, and our friendship is not only a valuable asset, but also an important foundation for the development of bilateral relations." Because of Xi's trip, Muscatine, an agricultural city in the heartland of the US, became a bond for Sino-US friendship exchanges. Every year, students at Muscatine High School participate in study programs in China. In 2013, at Xi's suggestion, Muscatine became a sister city of Zhengding county, where Xi was serving when he first visited Muscatine. In 2015, the Muscatine Center opened in Jinan, Shandong province. In addition, the Musser Public Library in Muscatine houses over 500 books on Chinese culture, some in both English and Chinese, according to Muscatine's official website. "This whole story has inspired people in China and in America, but especially people in China to come to America and learn what it was Xi Jinping experienced that was so great that (they think) 'hey, I want to go and see what this is'," Dvorchak said. "It has become an inspiration for people to learn about each other, and it goes in the other direction, that people from Iowa go to China all the time. The house is really a great inspiration to promote people meeting each other." (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Press Release January 4, 2024 CHIZ CALLS ON CHED, DEPED TO ENSURE NO STUDENTS ARE DISPLACED WITH SHS PHASE OUT IN SUCS, LUCS Sen. Chiz Escudero on Wednesday called on the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Education (DepEd) to closely coordinate to ensure that no senior high school (SHS) students will be displaced with the discontinuation of the SHS program in state universities (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs). The veteran legislator said that while the discontinuation of the SHS programs in SUCs and LUCs has legal basis and is aligned with the mandate of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), it is also important that no students will be left behind because of this latest development. "Bagama't legal ang hakbangin ng CHED, mahalaga pa rin na matiyak natin ang kapakanan ng ating mga estudyante sa senior high school. Walang dapat na maiwan at mahalaga rito na nag-uusap ang CHED at DepEd," Escudero pointed out, noting that the SUCs and LUCs were only allowed to accommodate SHS during the transition period to the K-12 program. Escudero, who chairs the Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, also said the DepEd should closely monitor through its regional offices if there are students in danger of being displaced once the SUCs/LUCs should no longer offer the SHS program. CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera III has earlier confirmed that a memorandum dated December 18 has been issued, stating the "discontinuance" of the Senior High School (SHS) Program in SUCs/LUCs in line with CHED's previous directives through CMO Nos. 32 and 33 series of 2015 and 2016. In directing the HEIs to discontinue the SHS program, he said "there is no longer a legal basis to fund the same." De Vera stated that he was obliged to release the memorandum after discovering that "a number" of SUCs and LUCs were still accepting more senior high enrollees as of last year, which is two years after the transition period. De Vera clarified that SUCs and LUCs were already reminded earlier to discontinue their senior high program and stop accepting more enrollees. The fields in which Romania ranks in European agricultural charts are not few, our country contributing significantly at continent level to the EU agricultural production. However, its potential is much higher, according to the analysis on the field made by Eurostat. It must be stated foremost that Romania stands out with the highest number of persons engaged in agriculture compared to the EU member states. At EU level, 8.7 million persons were engaged in agriculture (including hunting and related services), the equivalent of 4.2% of the total EU employees. Agriculture employment has decreased along with the number of farms. The share of agriculture employment in the EU dropped from 5.6 % in 2010 to 4.2 % in 2020. Agriculture represented a very large share of total employment in Romania more than one in five persons (21%) working in this sector in 2020. The share of agriculture in the total employment is also relatively high in Bulgaria (15.5 %) and Greece (9.9 %). Romania has the largest share of people working in agriculture in the EU However, this was less than 1% of the total population in Luxembourg and Malta (0.7 % in both). Between 2010 and 2021, the share of agriculture in total employment decreased in every EU state. Between 2010 and 2021, Romania registered the biggest drop in agriculture employment (-11%), followed by Croatia (-6.4%). Small farmers support European agriculture European agriculture is dominated by family farms, a term which defines farms owned and managed by the members of a family providing more than half of the agricultural labor force. Family farms are by far the most common type of farm in the EU; the majority are small semi-subsistence farms, employing only family members, and farms that must rely on other lucrative activities as well for diversified income, although some are larger and more productive. The vast majority (95%) of total EU farms were classified as family farms in 2020. Romania, followed by Greece, have the highest share of family farms, with over 99% of the total. Moreover, family farms represented more than four fifths of the total farms in most member states, with the exception of Estonia (65.2 %) and France (57.6 %). Romania, among the main EU grain producers In 2022, the area cultivated with grain in the EU was 51.5 million hectares, from which 271 million tons of grain was harvested. France represented little more than one fifth (22.1 %) of the EU grain production 2022, while Germany (16.1 %) and Poland (12.9 %) held the following positions in terms of production. Romanias grain output was 18.9 million tons, representing 7% of the EU total. Most of EUs grain is grown on the vast plains in France, Germany, Poland, Romania and Spain. In 2022, the durum wheat harvested production was mainly focused in Italy (where it is used in making pasta), while the production of rye and oats (used in making bread, vodka and animal feed) was focused in Germany and Poland. Besides Poland, Finland and Spain, countries that registered the highest levels of oats production, Sweden and Ireland were also relatively specialized in such productions, since this type of grain tends to thrive in colder and more humid conditions. Romania, large producer of maize France, Poland and Romania were the main producers of maize, while Italy and Spain were the main rice producers in the EU. 2022 was characterized by a poor grain harvest, Romania being the most affected by drought (-32.1%, a lower harvest by 9 million tons); France registered a 7 million tons drop (-10.4%), Spain (-24,4 %; a drop of 6.2 million tons) and Hungary (-35.2 %; a drop of 4.9 million tons). Romania, slacker in terms of vegetable production In 2023, the EU potato harvest from 1.4 million hectares was 46.6 million tons, including seed potatoes. Romania, with a harvest of 1.4 tons held the 8th position, with 3% of the total production. Germany is the largest potato producer in the EU, with 23% of the total, followed by France, (17%), the Netherlands (14%) and Poland (12%). Romania is not in the top of vegetable producers either, where Spain is the largest producer, holding 23.7% of EU production, followed by Italy (21%). The production of certain types of fresh vegetables is mainly concentrated in several EU member states. For instance, Italy represented nearly two fifths (40%) of the tomato production harvested in the EU in 2022. The Netherlands (24.2% of EU production) and Spain (20 %) were the main onion producers, while Germany (17.7 % of the EU total) had the largest share in the carrot production. Romania produces half of EU plums The EU produces a wide range of fruit. A total of 25.4 million tons were harvested in 2022 (excluding citrus, grape and strawberry), of which 14.7 million tons were fruit with seeds (apples and pears), 6.3 million tons were drupes (such as peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries and plums), 2.6 million tons were subtropical and tropical fruit (such as figs, kiwi, avocado and banana), 1.1 million tons were nuts and 0.7 million tons were berries (others than strawberries). In 2022, Italy (21.6 %), Poland (20.3 %), Spain (13.9 %) and France (11.2 %) were the main producers of fruit, berries and nuts in the EU. Regarding specific fruit, other EU member states were key players, like the Netherlands and Belgium in terms of pears. Romania is first in the EU concerning plum production, holding nearly half of the Unions output (45.2%) Number 6 in terms of wine production According to OIV, in 2023, our country produced 4.4 million hectoliters of wine, 15% more than in 2022 and 4% more than the average of the last 5 years, strengthening its position as the sixth largest wine producer in Europe. Volume increases worldwide were also recorded by the USA (25.5 million hl, 12% more than in 2022), Portugal (7.4 million hl, +8%) and Germany (9 million hl, +1%). Due to climate conditions, drought and vine disease, wine production in the southern hemisphere was severely affected, but Europe also registered some sharp drops of wine production volume. Especially affected were Greece (-50%), Croatia (-46%), Georgia (-28%), Spain (-19%), Italy (-13%) and Moldova (-10%). Second sheep breeder in the EU The EU has a sizeable population of domestic animals: at the end of 2022, EU farms recorded 134 million pigs, 75 million bovines and 70 million sheep and goats. The majority of animals in the EU are held by just some of the member states. Spain held approximately one quarter of the population of pigs (25.4%), sheep (24.5%) and goats (21.8%) in the EU in 2022, while Greece registered a somewhat larger share of the EU goat population (26.2%), and France held 22.7% of the bovine population. Romania is second in terms of sheep breeding (17.4%) and third among goat breeders in the EU, with 13% of the total. Subsistence farms are the animal breeders in Romania A standard unit is used in order to calculate the size of a livestock farm. This is a reference unit that facilitates the aggregation of animals of various ages and species. The reference unit (=1 LSU) is the grazing equivalent of an adult dairy cow producing 3,000 kilograms of milk annually, without addition concentrated feed. Based on this measure, there were 113.4 million livestock units in the EU in 2020. France (19.0 million LSU), Spain (16.6 million LSU) and Germany (16.3 million LSU) were the largest holders. A relative measure of livestock farm size is defined as the number of livestock units per farm. The smallest animal farms in the EU On average, there were 28 livestock units per farm in the EU in 2020. The largest average sizes among EU member states were in Denmark (243 livestock units per farm), the Netherlands (199) and Belgium (168). At the other end of the spectrum, there were on average fewer than 10 livestock units per farm in Croatia and Romania (where semi-subsistence livestock rearing on relatively small farms tends to be predominant). Cheeses, the most valuable products of the EU food industry The food industry in the EU produces a wide range of foods and drinks, from products that can be considered luxury items to high value ones. Subsequently, unprocessed cheese including specialties such as Brie, Edam, Feta or Gorgonzola was the product category with the highest value in European agriculture (EUR 42 billion) in 2022. These products are very valuable for dairy farms. Bread and beer held the second and third positions respectively in terms of value, registering productions of EUR 33.8 billion in 2022, and EUR 32 billion, respectively. These products are important to grain producers, especially those who grow wheat and rye for bread, and barley for beer. Germany was the leading EU producer of both products, with considerably higher shares than any other EU state, with 35% of bread production and 19% of beer production. Three other product groups where production value exceeded EUR 25 billion in the EU in 2022 were: soft drinks (EUR 30.0 billion), cakes and pastries (EUR 27.8 billion) and sausages (EUR 26.6 billion). Romania, in the top of sausage production value The highest level of food industry production in the EU member states is found in 12 different product categories. In terms of value, unprocessed cheese was the most important product for Italy, France, Greece and Estonia, while sausages had the highest production value in Poland, Austria, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. In the Czech Republic and Croatia, beer had the highest production level among foodstuff. Germany was the only member state to report that fresh bread was its main foodstuff product, while Ireland and Sweden both reported the highest production level for fresh beef and veal. For Spain, the most valuable foodstuff product is virgin olive oil. *** It was at breakfast that Maria Salazar-Gil decided to flee the country she loves. The thought had crossed her mind before. Life was becoming more difficult in Venezuela, with a corrupt government and an economy in crisis. Salazar-Gils husband, Fernando, had protested the administration; she was fearful that authorities would try to exact revenge. Still, her familys cell phone store was doing well, and she was in her hometown of Barquisimeto, near beloved friends and family. So it wasnt until one of their daughters spoke up that Maria and Fernando Salazar-Gil determined it was time to go. One day, our oldest daughter said at breakfast, We need to go. I dont want to grow up here. I dont have any economic opportunities here. I need to leave. We deserve a better life, she recalled. Her husband made the trip first, choosing to settle in Charlottesville where a cousin lived. Maria Salazar-Gil and her two daughters followed soon after, arriving on Mothers Day 2016. They made the trip using a tourist visa and asked for political asylum upon arrival. They currently have temporary protected status as they wait for their interview with immigration authorities. Starting a new life was difficult, not just because of the long hours she worked as a nanny, house cleaner and food delivery driver, but because she was without family and friends for the first time in her life. I was alone just with my daughters and husband. It was hard raising two kids. Where is my mom? In Venezuela, when I worked, my mom watched my kids, she said. But they were able to send money back to their loved ones, and they were working towards a dream: to start their own Venezuelan restaurant. We always think: If you want something, you have to work hard. One day, you can do it, she said, sitting in her restaurant on Cherry Avenue. You have to work hard to build what you want. Arepas on Wheels, as the name suggests, started as a food truck selling Venezuelan fare: empanadas, fried yuca and plantains and, naturally, arepas. The truck alone was $28,000, plus thousands more to convert it into a fully functional kitchen. It was a big investment, and a big risk, one that frightened Maria Salazar-Gil. But it was also a big step toward achieving a dream shed held long before coming to the U.S. While Fernando Salazar-Gil is confident about the business future, his wife said she still worries. Every time money is involved, Im scared, she said with a laugh. But I always say I dont want to get old working for someone else. Nevertheless, the food truck was an instant success. For roughly two months, the family had nonstop business, selling out virtually every day as long lines of people queued up for the only spot in Charlottesville serving Venezuelan food. People waited for food for maybe an hour. It was crazy, Maria Salazar-Gil recalled. Its especially surprising considering that arepas, a sort of sandwich with cornmeal bread stuffed with different fillings, are a South American staple but were virtually nonexistent on the Charlottesville dining scene before the Salazar-Gils arrived. The Arepas on Wheels website is a testament to that. It includes a list of frequently asked question. The first one: What are arepas? But Charlottesville has learned the answer to that quickly. And the quicker the better for Maria Salazar-Gil. While the food truck was popular, she told her husband early on that it would not be a viable option in the winter. I need a restaurant by November, she said, just one of the demands she said she regularly makes of the man shes known since the two were in middle school in 1993. Fernando Salazar-Gil obliged, finding a vacant space at 814 Cherry Ave. in the citys Fifeville neighborhood. Apreas on Wheels, the restaurant, opened on Nov. 14, 2022. The hands of the Salazar-Gils crafted everything inside the physical restaurant. They assembled all of the tables and chairs, painted every wall and designed the decor. Now they work the kitchen, slowly serving more and more customers. The restaurant is growing every day. Every day is better, Maria Salazar-Gil said. When any people try our food, they always come again. Thats a good marker for us. One year in, their restaurant is off to a promising start. Still, the hours are long and Maria Salazar-Gil said she misses her family in Venezuela. They are proud. We try to just tell them the good things that we have. We never tell them the worst parts, she said. When I get sick, I never tell my parents because they are so far. They need to know that I am safe, that my family is safe. I dont want to worry them. She has mixed emotions about having built a successful life while much of her family is still in Venezuela, and worries that if her mother falls ill, she will not be there to support her. But I know we are doing the best we can for our family, she said. The city has made the transition easier. They are receptive and friendly, and maybe gentle with us, she said. This is a noble town. Its a good town. Good for creating, good for family, good for business. An excellent place to live. We are feeling very, very grateful for the Charlottesville community. Charlottesville police are investigating a reported stabbing in the citys 10th & Page neighborhood that sent a man to the emergency room Wednesday morning. Officers were dispatched to the University of Virginia ER around 12:02 p.m. Wednesday after a wounded man arrived at the hospital earlier that day. The man was identified as Charlottesville resident Walter Jones. Mr. Jones suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was able to walk into the UVA ER under his own power, police said in a statement issued later in the day. Jones is believed to have been stabbed sometime Wednesday morning in the 900 block of West Street in the city, a residential area directly behind a commercial stretch of Preston Avenue home to shops, restaurants and bars. The suspect in the stabbing was described as a tall Black man in his early to mid-60s wearing all black clothing. At this time, this is believed to be an isolated incident, police said in their statement. The investigation is ongoing, they said, and anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the Crime Stoppers tip line at (434) 977-4000. The Arts Center in Orange: Form + Vision, featuring works created by the Art and Art History faculty at the University of Mary Washington, remains on view through Jan. 27. artscenterinorange.com. (540) 672-7311. The Barn Swallow: Hours: 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Other times available by appointment. 796 Gillums Ridge Road in Charlottesville. thebarnswallow.com. Beverley Street Studio School: Works by Sarah Jones on view Friday through Feb. 25. Reception planned for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday. 217 W. Beverly St. in Staunton. bssschool.org. (540) 886-8636. Botanical Fare Restaurant: Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. botanicalfare.com. (434) 217-4496. Cville Arts Cooperative Gallery: The Studio Sale, offered throughout January, offers lowered prices on locally made, high-quality arts and crafts. 118 E. Main St. (434) 972-9500. The Center at Belvedere: Near and Far: Oil Paintings from Virginia, Maine and Tennessee by Randy Baskerville will be on view through Feb. 29. A reception is planned for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. https://thecentercville.org/. Chroma Projects and Vault Virginia: Ordered Worlds, abstract paintings by Cyd Black, can be seen Friday through Jan. 26 in Chromas Micro Gallery. Alan Box Levine: Sculpted Harmony and Amdane Sanda: Sabr can be seen in the Great Halls of Vault Virginia on view from Friday through March. An opening reception for all three exhibitions is set for 5 to 7 p.m. Friday. Third Street Southeast, just off the Downtown Mall. artlab@chroma projects.com. chromaprojects.com. Crozet Artisan Depot: crozetartisandepot.com. Cuppa Joe Coffee: Paintings and etchings by Tom Tartaglino on display at 90 Joshua Lane in Palmyra. Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. (434) 906-4172. The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia: Madayin: Eight Decades of Aboriginal Australian Bark Paintings from Yirrkala, one of the most significant touring exhibitions of Aboriginal Australian art ever stages, will be on display from Feb. 3 to July 14, 2024. uvafralinartmuseum.virginia.edu. The Gallery at Studio Ix and The Charlottesville Black Arts Collective: Black-Eyed Peas, Greens and Cornbread: A Group Exhibition by the Charlottesville Black Arts Collective can be seen Friday through Jan. 28. An opening reception is set for 5 to 7 p.m. Friday. Look for works by Lizzie Brown, Gabrielle Cash, Sahara Clemons, Sarah Jones, Jae Johnson, Jowarnise, Davis Marion and Ron Stokes. Gallery hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. studioix.co. (434) 242-0905. Grace Estate Winery: 5273 Mount Juliet Farm in Crozet. Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Monday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. graceestatewinery@gmail.com. The Guild Gallery: 300 E. Main St. (434) 227-1333. Harrison Institute and Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia: Their World As Big As They Made It: Looking Back at the Harlem Renaissance, featuring works of writers, artists and thinkers of the Harlem Renaissance, through June 8, 2024, at 170 McCormick Road. library@virginia.edu. (434) 924-3021. Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection: Performing Country, which explores the ways Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists explore the complex idea of Country, on exhibition through March 3, 2024. Free tours are offered by volunteer guides at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily. 400 Worrell Drive. (434) 243-8500. The Looking Glass: Open Saturdays and Sundays. Ix Art Park Foundation has opened a major expansion of its immersive art museum featuring works by new and returning artists. ixartpark.org. Louisa Arts Center: Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at 212 Fredericksburg Ave. in Louisa. louisaarts.org. (540) 967-2200. Loving Cup Vineyard and Winery: Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. (434) 984-0774. McGuffey Art Center: On view Friday through Jan. 28 are De-Circulated, Karen Duncan Papes photography exhibition of reconstructed covers of banned books, in the Smith Gallery; New Members Show, featuring works by Carolyn Brandt, Tori Cherry, Jenn Clemons, Gary Colson, Sarah Gondwe, Stephen Haske, Alan Kindler, Some Lewis, Tobiah Mundt, Jen Poteet, Chris Roelofs, Joe Sheridan and Tammy Tatum, in the First- and Second-Floor Galleries; and Quiet in the Associates Gallery. First Fridays event is set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday. mcguffeyartcenter.com. Museum of Culpeper History: The Culpeper Minute Men Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a new exhibit recognizing 100 years of DAR activity in Culpeper County, will run through July. www.culppermuseum.com or (540) 829-1749. Northside Library: Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sundays. Phaeton Gallery: 114 Old Preston Ave. phaetongallery.org. Piedmont Virginia Community College: pvcc.edu/performingarts. (434) 961-5362. Possums Store Art and Artisan Gallery: 914 Old Blue Ridge Turnpike in Criglersville. www.firnewfarmartistscircle.com. (540) 718-0370. Pour la maison: pourlamaisoncville.com. (434) 284-8706. Quirk Gallery Charlottesville: game of telephone by Michael Reisor is on display through Jan. 22. (434) 365-3774. Random Row Brewery: Acrylic landscapes and abstracted encaustic landscapes and seascapes by Carol Williams on display through the end of February. Works also are offered for sale. Hours: 4:30 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 4:30 to 11 p.m. Fridays, noon to 11 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays. Revalation Vineyards: 2710 Hebron Valley Road in Madison. (540) 407-1236. Rockfish Valley Community Center: (434) 361-0100. Nan Rothwell Studio: 700 Wilder Drive. (434) 263-4023. Scottsville Museum: Museum is closed for the winter season and will reopen in April for regular weekend hours. To research local history, go to scottsvillemuseum.com. To schedule special tours, email info@scottsvillemuseum.com or call (434) 286-2247. 90 E. Main St. scottsvillemuseum.com. (434) 286-2247. Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital: 500 Martha Jefferson Drive. Shenandoah Valley Art Center: Winter Market continues through Jan. 13 with dinnerware sets, vases, jewelry and more by Make Waynesboro members. The Stroke of a Brush by Beryl Jazvic will run from Sunday through Jan. 20. www.svacart.org. Sweet Art Emporium: New works by Lindsay Nolting and Linda Staiger are among works by more than 70 artists on view. Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. 264 Turkeysag Trail, Unit E, in Palmyra. www.sweetartemporium.com. (434) 882-2087. Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Charlottesville: Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays. (434) 293-8179. Wayne Theatre: Seated in Creativity: An Exhibition of Chairs and Drawings by Joe Sheridan can be seen through Feb. 18 in the Exhibit Art Gallery. wayetheatre.org. (540) 943-9999. Welcome Gallery: Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. newcityarts.org. (434) 202-5277. Woodberry Forest School: Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. www.woodberry.org/arts/baker-gallery. Les Yeux du Monde: Gallery will be closed during January for renovations. LYDMGallery@gmail.com. LYDM.co. (434) 882-2622. Editors Note: Exhibits shares information about exhibitions presented on display or online in Charlottesville and Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson and Orange counties. Items must be received by noon Friday for the next weeks issue. Include the opening and closing dates of your exhibit and a telephone number the public may call with questions. Send your information to jsathe@dailyprogress.com. "Transparency is vital with the school system and parents need to be informed of all Local Educational Agencies." - BD1 Candidate John Aaron Brasfield John Aaron Brasfield is running for the seat currently occupied by the retiring George McKenna in LAUSD's Board District 1. As part of my ongoing Candidate Forum series, Brasfield was asked five questions about PROP-39 co-locations. The article LAUSD Candidate Forum: PROP-39 Co-Locations includes an introduction to this subject along with answers from other candidates. It should be noted that these responses were received after the Board meeting on September 26, 2023, where the resolution proposed by Goldberg and Rivas was passed by the LAUSD School Board by a vote of four to two (Kelly Gonez did not record a vote). At this meeting, the Director of the Charter School Division, Jose' Cole-Gutie'rrez, revealed that, despite what has been told to public school parents for years, state law does not state that a room without a certificated teacher is considered empty. This means that it has been the District's choice to force some students with special education needs into closets or stairwells to receive needed services. The following are the candidate's responses, printed exactly how Brasfield provided them with the exception of some minor formatting edits: Question 1: Do you support the "Creating a Charter Schools Co-Location Policy to Mitigate Impacts Caused by Proposition 39" authored by Board President Jackie Goldberg and Dr. Rocio Rivas? YES I'll support making a policy to hold charter affiliates accountable. Transparency is vital with the school system and parents need to be informed of all Local Educational Agencies. Question 2: Under The way that PROP-39 is currently implemented, rooms used to provide Special Education Services are considered to be "empty" and must be turned over to a charter school to satisfy its demand for space. As a Board member would you work to end this discriminatory practice? YES I think charter schools have an opportunity to work with the current school system and increase accountability and opportunity for fairness. I want to eliminate all discriminatory practices. By introducing special charters for students with disabilities along with inclusion to increase diversity. In addition, having a strong history as a mainstream specialist in special education has provided me with the toolkit to help numerous socioeconomic groups of students. Question 3: The text of PROP-39 specifies that charter schools that base their space requests on inflated enrollment must pay an over-allocation fee. Currently, charter schools have a past-due balance of $3,708,006. As a Board Member would you revoke the charter of any school that refused to pay these fees when a bill is presented? NO The district in the past two years just dispersed over 10 billion in funding. I would do a comprehensive investigation of the charter schools spending and check the current enrollment at each location. If charter schools have a past due balance I would make sure there is a service provided for the students if the charter meets the district standards. Services can include extra tutoring or a special activity for the student body. The District role is to make sure the charter is successful if we approve the charter from the beginning. The prorated charge for charter schools are calculated by the amount of space and students according to EC 47614. If we allowed more space then needed for enrollment numbers we did not do due diligence as a unit. In addition, we want every student to succeed so the space is for students first. Organizing the schedule becomes present for utilizing resources. Question 4: In April of last year $7,678,022 of over-allocation debt was suddenly wiped off of the balance sheet without any explanation to the public. As a Board Member would you demand an investigation to determine whether this write-off was legal and proper? YES I would always want a report every year on each Charter School. It keeps everyone aware, in addition, ensures locations will keep their charter status active and aligned with the district's policy. The renewal process takes multiple measures to ensure standards are met. Question 5: The North Valley Military Institute (NVMI) was co-located on the campus of Sun Valley High School / Valley Oaks Center For Enriched Studies (VOCES) when one of its administrators was accused of "abhorrent child sex abuse" against a student. It does not appear that parents of students on the public school campus were ever notified about these accusations. As a Board Member would you terminate the PROP-39 lease agreement for any charter school that put LAUSD students at a district campus in danger? Neutral I would begin an investigation and have the charter on probation. I would have a special task force to monitor the activity of the charter. All concerns I would address in the investigation. Then I would ask the Charter, "how would they like to proceed?". After they give me a definitive answer I will make my decision with the rest of the School Board Members. Carl Petersen is a parent advocate for public education, particularly for students with special education needs, who serves as the Education Chair for the Northridge East Neighborhood Council. As a Green Party candidate in LAUSD's District 2 School Board race, he was endorsed by Network for Public Education (NPE) Action. Dr. Diane Ravitch has called him "a valiant fighter for public schools in Los Angeles." For links to his blogs, please visit www.ChangeTheLAUSD.com. Opinions are his own. There have been all kinds of US presidents: liars (Bill Clinton comes to mind), corrupt (The Teapot Dome Scandal 1921-1923), girlfriend problems (Grover Cleveland 1885-89), and some with other frailties. But no one, easy to recall, who has been as feckless as the current occupant of the White House; none that is as subservient to Israel and the demands of its minority-vote prime minister... in power because of the support of very small religious parties with whom he seems to have made a Faustian bargain. So it is that Palestinian civilians continue to be slaughtered in Gaza, at the approximate rate of 7,000 per month since October 7th when this lopsided conflict began. Now who is likely to have the most influence with Israel? Why, the supplier of the vast arsenal of bombs, artillery shells and the like that penetrate, dismember, kill and embed in the soft flesh of the old men, women and children left in Gaza... while the young men are dispersed in the 300-mile network of tunnels dug over the years by Hamas for protection against Israeli onslaughts. Supplying such weapons to a callous user without accountability renders the supplier also culpable. Article 2(c) of the 1948 Geneva Genocide Convention states expressly in its definition of genocide: deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction as a whole or in part. It fits what is happening in Gaza like the proverbial glove. And unconditional support for Israel makes the US culpable. No wonder Biden has been labeled "Genocide Joe" in the world press. The hapless and feckless Joe has been blinded and mesmerized by the power of the Jewish lobby as he breaks his own word to the people to run for a second term in November 2024. This, despite the fact that many Jewish groups oppose the war and have held rallies against it. The most powerful AIPAC, however, has supported Israel throughout and opposed a ceasefire. For prompt action, the UN security council would have been a better bet. But the surety of a US vote against a ceasefire, in compliance with its ally's position, led the matter to the General Assembly. The overwhelming support for a ceasefire (150 voted 'yes') represented the general feeling in the world about the war. Even India, which has become close to Israel under the Modi government, voted for it. Only 10 countries including the US and Israel voted against. Excluding the US, their total population amounted to 50 million in a world populated by about 8 billion people or a little over a half percent. It is a startling indicator of how the world feels about the issue and how US prestige, influence and support have declined. Bernie Sanders who is the US senator from Vermont and is himself Jewish is asking Congress to block additional funding to Israel while the Gaza war continues. He did not mince words calling the Israeli response, "grossly disproportionate, immoral and in violation of humanitarian law... Enough is enough, congress must reject that funding. The taxpayers of the United States must no longer be complicit in destroying the lives of innocent men, women and children in Gaza." Is Joe Biden listening? A publishing sensation that bursts with photography, stories, films and music, Bharat Katha celebrates the ten-year milestone of artist and author Nitin Krishen's eponymously named project. Taking readers on a journey to the heart of India, crossing languages, cultures and regional boundaries, Bharat Katha shares India's vibrancy, majesty and mysticism. Media Contact Nitin Krishen Email: nitin@bharatkatha.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE UNITED KINGDOM - A visually intoxicating feast for the senses, Bharat Katha If you like to travel and the United Kingdom is one of the most favorite tourist destinations, you must go through this article. If you are an individual with a travel plan UK is your go to place you will require a UK visa multiple entry. This visa route is designed by the UK government for travelers who want to visit the country multiple times. This visa route is one Dear Amy: Ive been with my boyfriend for five years. He has been totally estranged from his mother the whole time Ive known him. Ive never met her. Well, his mother started messaging with me on Facebook and she really wants to get back into his life. She wants to apologize for the mistakes she has made. I invited her over to our house without telling my boyfriend. He blew up when he saw her and now says that he wants to break up with me. I was just trying to help mend his relationship with his mom! What can I do to get him to come back? Devastated Dear Devastated: What you did shows a serious lack of respect for your guy, and for the boundary he has set with his mother. Even though you say you meant well, doing all of this behind his back was devious of both of you. In my far-off view, it seems that you got played by his mother. If she wanted to apologize to him, she could have written him a letter. And now you owe him an apology, as well as a promise to respect his boundaries with family members. An apology might not get him to come back to you, but you owe it to him, anyway. Dear Amy:Wondering Employee was uncomfortable when the boss said he had given up his raise so they could have theirs. This is why companies should have Human Resources policies requiring salary increases be approved in advance within guidelines. I once worked with someone who told me she wanted to forgo her raise and give it to her staff. She meant well, but I finally said, Whether you want a raise or not, you are getting one! We both had a good laugh. The Guy Who Gave Raises Dear Guy: I love it. You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. Over two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oregon Housing and Community Services department distributed $426 million in dollars in emergency rent assistance, providing aid to thousands of Oregonians behind on payments or facing eviction. But an audit released Thursday by the Oregon Secretary of States Office says the agencys handling of the emergency rent assistance program was full of flaws, chief among them a failure to track the money and make sure the funds went to eligible landlords and tenants. Among 61 randomly selected payments made to landlords and renters, auditors found errors with 17 payments, close to a 30% error rate. In one of those cases, the state paid $2,700 to the wrong landlord. At that error rate, auditors estimate that the state may have overpaid $11 million in the 2022 fiscal year alone. The audit echoed comments from landlords and tenants since the programs inception while the program did provide desperately needed funds to Oregonians and likely kept many in their homes, it was marred by misdirected funds, a faulty software system and poor communication between state housing staff and local agencies that helped distribute the funds. While the pandemic-era program has since wound down for good, auditors speculated that the agency would be unprepared to handle another crisis of the same or greater scale. It found that the state housing agency is more than a decade behind on its disaster housing strategy. OHCS leadership has told us on multiple occasions they view the program and any challenges it had as a one-time, emergency-only related occurrence. We disagree with this perspective, auditors wrote. The Governors plans to address homelessness continue to add pressure on OHCS to ensure outcomes in a short amount of time. The housing department is supposed to play a key role in the states emergency plan during events like natural disasters or pandemics, but auditors found that the department wasnt prepared to handle the COVID-19 pandemic or the 2020 wildfires, both of which displaced or threatened the housing of thousands of Oregonians. The department must prepare for other potential emergencies, the audit said, such as Oregons ongoing homelessness crisis and other potential disasters such as earthquakes. The audit included 16 recommendations for the agency, including: a thorough review of the emergency rent assistance program, improving internal oversight of rent assistance programs; better systems for identifying and preventing fraud; collecting more data to understand Oregons housing needs; better preparation for future emergencies; and that the state should make permanent the position of an ombudsperson hired in November 2022 to handle complaints from applicants. Oregon Housing and Community Services Director Andrea Bell acknowledged that the agency was unprepared for the impact of the pandemic. But she said the programs flaws stemmed from the agencys desire to keep the program low barrier, which in some cases meant less stringent controls. This approach prioritized humanity ahead of traditional program development rigor, such as pre-establishing robust internal controls, thoroughly testing new IT systems and prolonged decision-making when initial delivery systems didnt achieve the required outcomes, Bell wrote in a Dec. 29 letter to audits director Kip Memmott. Bell did agree, or partially agree, with most of the audits recommendations. She rejected the notion that her agency needs a full-time investigator to deal with complaints. Bell also said her agency was committed to a review of the emergency rent assistance program but that it does not need a more sweeping review of its information technology systems. She said such a review would be out of scope with an evaluation of the specific emergency rent assistance program, since the agency acted faster than it normally would have in implementing that system. In a statement Thursday morning, Oregon Housing and Community Services spokesperson Delia Hernandez said the agency had begun implementing some of the audits findings and remained focused on ways to keep Oregonians stably housed. She also said that despite the challenges with the program, the agency had distributed more rent assistance in two years than in the previous decade. These are not numbers and abstracts. These are the real lives of our neighbors and beloved communities, Hernandez said. The rent assistance program distributed emergency funds between May 2021 and June 2023. The state scrambled to distribute money as the federal government pushed for states to act faster, threatening to take back unspent funds. The state initially contracted with local nonprofits to distribute the funds. According to the audit, the state housing department relied on those other agencies to develop fraud controls and keep track of applicants eligibility but it didnt oversee the other agencies practices. About five months into the program, facing a massive backlog of applications, the state hired an out-of-state contractor, Public Partnerships LLC, to take over processing the applications. The state paid Public Partnerships more money to approve applications than to deny them, auditors said, which may have created a financial incentive for the company to approve as many applications as possible regardless of eligibility. The agency also didnt comply with federal reporting requirements, at one point submitting inaccurate reports to the U.S. Treasury about how much money it was spending on administrative costs. The agencys failure to track funds may have run counter to its goal to get funds to groups with particularly acute need. State housing staff said they would prioritize larger households, applicants living in lower-income areas and people displaced by the 2020 wildfires. But the state did not account for how much of the emergency funds actually went to renters who met those criteria. The rent assistance program also had a faulty software system that hindered distribution of the funds. Early in the program, staff created a centralized portal where people could apply for rent assistance, community action agencies could process applications and state housing staff could collect data and use it to make decisions. The state paid nearly $400,000 to a software vendor, Allita 360, to implement that application portal. But rather than make applying for rent assistance easier, the program was full of hiccups, some of which auditors said were tied to a rushed rollout of the software. Glitches in the software led to delayed payments, and in some cases sent payments to the wrong landlords. The Secretary of States office first announced that it would audit the rent assistance program in February 2022, after legislators called for scrutiny into the program. Its release was delayed amid a tumultuous year in the office that saw its elected leader, Shemia Fagan, resign as a scandal emerged over her side work for a marijuana company. Officials for the office now led by former Portland City Auditor LaVonne Griffin-Valade, appointed Secretary of State by Gov. Tina Kotek in June said audit timelines are routinely subject to change, and that this one was particularly complex. Jayati Ramakrishnan; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com Medford police on Wednesday confirmed they are investigating potential crimes against hospital patients after southern Oregon media reported allegations that a nurse stole fentanyl and replaced it with tap water, possibly contributing to the deaths of multiple patients. The police statement, however, left many questions unanswered stating little more than that the department had been investigating a former employee of Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford since early December for the theft of controlled substances, which may have led to adverse outcomes for some patients. Here are five key pieces of information about this developing story: 1. A Medford TV station was the first to report the allegations, but officials havent confirmed or denied them. KOBI-5 news broke the story late last week. The Rogue Valley Times then quoted patients relatives who alleged the hospital told them two of their loved ones died of infections after a nurse replaced fentanyl with tap water. Sources said dozens of others may have been affected, and what happened to them is unclear. The hospital, however, has remained tight-lipped toward news media. An unnamed spokesperson for Asante on Sunday told The Oregonian/OregonLive: We were distressed to learn of this issue. We reported it to law enforcement and are working closely with them. Lt. Geoff Kirkpatrick of Medford confirmed Wednesday that police have been investigating for about a month, after the hospital reported concerning information to his agency. But Kirkpatrick declined to say whether the controlled substance that is alleged to have been stolen was fentanyl. He would not say whether the patients were administered non-sterile tap water instead of fentanyl meant to dull their pain, nor would he specify a time period for when the alleged thefts took place. He also declined to quantify how many people may have been hurt or may have died as a result of infections that might have possibly developed because of bacteria or other organisms in water. Police said the investigation is complex, and theyve asked for the publics patience. 2. Infections have been a documented problem at the hospital, even before this news. There is no verified connection between the possible criminal allegations and data collected by the government showing that Asante in Medford has experienced a rapid rise in central line infections. They are caused when germs are introduced through a central line or tube that is placed near a large vein, such as in the chest, neck or groin, and makes administering medications simpler. But according to federal data, Asante has seen a five-fold increase in central line-associated bloodstream infections from 2021 to 2022, from three reported cases in 2021 to 15 in 2022. In 2022, the hospital had the second most such infections of any in the state, behind the states largest hospital, Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. While OHSUs rate of central line infections was below the national standard, Medfords Asante hospital was above it. Asante in Medford is the seventh largest hospital in Oregon in terms of beds. 3. The hospital repeatedly posted in 2023 about the puzzling increase and its efforts to stamp out infections. Asante posted at least three times to its website in spring and summer 2023 about the baffling increase in central line infections in 2022. Some, it said, were associated with tap water. A post dated March 2023 said the best way to reduce water-borne infections was to keep tap water away from patients, including by prohibiting its use for oral hygiene and by being conscious not to splash it on patients. In another post, Asante officials stated that after infections rose, its teams rallied to examine processes to break the chain of transmission. That included stressing good hand hygiene and prohibiting artificial nails. In an April 2023 post, the healthcare system stated it was not aware of a water supply contamination problem at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. Officials titled the post, Water quality rumors at ARRMC are just that. 4. Medical workers stealing fentanyl or other controlled substances is a nationwide problem. Some people who use fentanyl are getting the opioid through professional channels. A Battle Ground police sergeant died in August after overdosing on fentanyl and methamphetamine. Investigators believe the sergeant was intentionally abusing the drugs, though they couldnt determine if he acquired them on the job. On the other side of the country, patients at a Yale University fertility clinic discovered in 2020 and 2021 that a fentanyl-addicted nurse had stolen the drug and replaced it with saline solution administered to them during painful egg-extraction procedures. The deception was documented in the podcast The Retrievals. Speaking generally about diversion, state Rep. Rob Nosse, D-Portland, a former official with the labor union Oregon Nurses Association, said its important to remember that verified cases are few and far between. These cases are awful and disgusting, Nosse told The Oregonian/OregonLive. They are also rare. But they get a lot of attention because theyre awful and disgusting. 5. Patients who suffered serious infections or people who are mourning the deaths of loved ones seek answers. Medford police said Wednesday theyve received numerous calls from individuals asking if they or a family member have been impacted by the suspected actions of the former Asante employee. Police said Asante representatives have told them that theyve identified affected patients and notified them or their families or are in the process of doing so. The Oregonian/OregonLive is interested in hearing from any former patients or their loved ones. If you have any information, contact reporter Aimee Green at agreen@oregonian.com or 503-913-4197. Aimee Green; agreen@oregonian.com; @o_aimee; 503-913-4197 Reporter Fedor Zarkhin contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Medford police said Wednesday that theyre one month into investigating allegations that a former employee of southern Oregons largest hospital stole medication from patients, resulting in an untold number with adverse outcomes. Police shared few other details and declined to verify explosive allegations reported by KOBI-5 News in Medford late last week that confidential sources said eight to 10 patients who were treated at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center may have died after an employee they identified as a nurse allegedly stole controlled substances specifically fentanyl and replaced it with non-sterile tap water that was then administered to patients. The tap water may have led to patients fatal infections, the sources were quoted as saying. On Wednesday, Medford Lt. Geoff Kirkpatrick declined to comment on any of those allegations, including whether the controlled substances believed to have been stolen was fentanyl, the number of patients affected and whether any patients had died. Kirkpatrick said police began looking into what might have happened at the hospital after Asante contacted them with information about potential crimes. (T)here was concern that this behavior resulted in adverse patient care, though the extent of the impact on those patients is yet to be determined, Kirkpatrick wrote in a news release. MPD is actively working on investigating these claims. Kirkpatrick asked for the communitys patience as police investigate. Kirkpatrick said police have received numerous calls from community members asking if they or their family members were affected by the theft of medications. The medical center didnt respond to a request for comment Wednesday. Police, however, said the hospital has informed MPD that they have identified the involved patients and have notified or are in the process of notifying them or their families. Check back on OregonLive.com for more updates on this developing story. If you have any information about the incident, please contact Aimee Green at agreen@oregonian.com or 503-913-4197. Aimee Green; agreen@oregonian.com; @o_aimee; 503-913-4197 Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Parrott Creek Child and Family Services in Oregon City will add 20 new mental health related treatment beds for children and teens, starting later this year. Thats significant, given Oregons immense shortage of inpatient beds for children and teens needing mental health care or treatment for substance abuse disorder. Twelve of the new slots will be to treat addiction, marking a nearly 30% increase in such capacity statewide. Another 12 will serve Oregon foster children with significant behavioral and mental health needs, who have too often ended up living in hotels or offices rather than in a therapeutic setting. Parrot Creek leaders have secured $17 million of the $25 million they say they need to build the new youth treatment facility, half from private donors and half from state and federal programs. Parrot Creek currently treats 16 boys in the juvenile justice system at any given time, providing them residential mental health services as an alternative to serving time in prison. Thats down from its previous 20 slots, after it demolished its outdated original facility, built in 1968, last year. It is providing care for the 16 boys at a temporary location. To expand its inpatient treatment capacity to 40 slots, the nonprofit is hoping for an additional $8 million from the state. That would allow it to complete the full 40-bed facility by November 2024. If the organization is forced to privately fundraise the additional money, the project will be parsed into two phases with 28 permanent beds coming online in 2024 and 12 more beds in 2025, according to Simon Fulford, Parrot Creeks executive director. Across Oregon, there are currently 42 youth substance use disorder beds, 38 acute in-patient psychiatric beds and 147 lower level mental health treatment beds, according to the latest Oregon Health Authority numbers and Adam Kane, spokesperson for Oregon Council for Behavioral Health. While Parrott Creek works to increase mental health related beds, Gov. Tina Kotek announced Thursday the state is providing an additional $25 million to expand youth behavioral health beds across the state. The funding will focus on increasing lower level residential beds and substance use recovery beds for youth in the Portland metro area, Douglas County, Lane County and Morrow County. Slightly more than half the money, $13.2 million, will go to Trillium Family Services to expand its residential treatment capacity in Portland. These investments will help spur and close projects that will propel the state forward in closing key program gaps that have been exacerbated by fentanyl in recent years, Oregon Health Authoritys behavioral health director Ebony Clarke said in a statement. I look forward to this partnership making a real difference in Oregon communities. The Parrott Creek project will include a new 22,410-square-foot residential treatment center on the nonprofits 80-acre campus, including three new buildings. Vancouver-based M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust awarded the group $500,000 to help make the expansion happen. Organizations like Parrott Creek are providing critical behavioral health services to children and youth, but they have been stretched thin as demand has risen, said Jill Lemke, Murdocks vice president for grants management. An architect's rendering of what the expanded Parrott Creek property will look like once construction is complete.Tanya Partem, Parrott Creek The nonprofit also received significant additional state funding at the end of the 2023 legislative session to keep the lights on, the Oregon Capital Chronicle reported. Fulford told the Chronicle without that extra funding, his nonprofit would have been forced to consider ceasing to operate its current residential beds. The residential expansion project will give patients more privacy and peace. Currently, youth must share rooms with one or two other patients. With the new design, each child or teen will have their own room. Fulford, the executive director, said his agency took trauma-informed design and the unique needs of youth and their families into consideration when creating the project blueprints. Private rooms were one change that came from those conversations. Our building is about 50 years old, Fulford said. The expansion will allow Parrott Creek to create three distinct youth wellness programs. The juvenile justice program, which typically accommodates stays from seven to 18 months, will continue in a new, renovated area. And the agency will add an in-patient drug and alcohol recovery program and a foster care program. Fulford expects youth will stay at in the recovery program for one to four months and the foster care program for six to 18 months. The foster care program will target youth who have experienced high levels of trauma and who have struggled to be placed with families because of their behavior. Parrot Creek previously had a similar foster care program with six beds that shuttered during the pandemic. The residential drug and alcohol treatment for youth is something we have never done before, Fulford said. That entered our plan in response to what has occurred in Oregon in the last couple years, including the rise of fentanyl use and overdoses among teens. Oregon has seen an increase in youth addiction in recent years, Fulford said. He said he believes the pandemic, young peoples engagement with social media and improper education about the harm of substances all led to the rise. Voters approval of Measure 110, which decriminalized possession and use of hard drugs, sent a confusing message to young people, he said. I am a proponent of decriminalization in a general sense, Fulford said. But I think it has manifested itself into kids thinking drugs are perfectly OK despite the increases in potency and drugs, even marijuana, being laced with fentanyl. Whether or not congregate care is the best option for youth has been an ongoing discussion for decades. Fulford said the best option for youth is to remain living with their biological families when working through challenges and the second best is placing youth in family-like foster care settings. But when that doesnt work, thoughtful congregate care needs to be available, he said. Nicole Hayden reports on homelessness and mental health for The Oregonian/OregonLive. She can be reached at nhayden@oregonian.com. Days after a federal judge dismissed their bid to keep former President Donald Trump off of Virginia's March 5 primary ballot, two political activists from Hampton Roads are trying again, filing a case in Richmond Circuit Court. But this time, Roy Perry-Bey and Carlos Howard said they would be personally harmed if Trump were on the ballot. That assertion addressed a central reason why U.S. District Court Judge Leonie M. Brinkema of the Eastern District of Virginia dismissed their federal complaint, saying they lacked legal standing - that is, to show they'd be harmed. As eligible voters in Virginia, the two said, they "have standing under Virginia law to challenge the constitutional eligibility of candidates" in the primary. "If an ineligible candidate appears on the ballot that Petitioners will cast in the election, Petitioners will suffer an injury in fact to a legally protected interest under Virginia law ... Petitioners do not support Trump and will vote for another candidate on the ballot. If Trump is on the ballot, voters who would otherwise vote for Petitioners' candidate of choice would instead vote for Trump, reducing the likelihood that Petitioners' candidate of choice will win the election," the two activists' lawsuit said. Their Richmond lawsuit asks the court to order the state Department of Elections to bar Trump from the primary on the grounds he launched an insurrection against the United States and so is not qualified to run for public office. It includes 85 pages of specific allegations of acts of insurrection. The two are representing themselves in Circuit Court, as they did in federal court. Unlike their shorter and less detailed federal complaint, the two base their petition for a court order saying Trump's presence on the ballot would violate state election law, which says only qualified candidates can be on the ballot. They argue that the former president is not qualified to run for office under the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment. That amendment says individuals who engaged in insurrection after taking an oath to defend the Constitution cannot hold any public office. Maine's secretary of state recently announced that she is barring Trump from that state's primary ballot. Last month the Colorado Supreme Court barred Trump from that state's primary ballot. Trump is appealing both decisions. Brinkema dismissed the Virginia voters' federal lawsuit on Dec. 29, writing that that the two activists did not have standing to sue "as the injuries alleged are not particularized to plaintiffs and are not traceable to defendants' ostensible conduct." She wrote that "Plaintiffs merely allege that they are members of a minority group and their right to vote has been abridged ... due to Trump's filing a statement of candidacy to participate in the 2024 Presidential Primary." The Richmond lawsuit does phrase their claim in that way. Brinkema wrote that "ultimately plaintiffs allege nothing more than a 'generalized grievance' in that as Virginia voters they are subject to no more of an injury than any other registered voter in the Commonwealth" and that they "totally failed to demonstrate how their alleged injuries are traceable to the conduct of defendants." On Wednesday Gov. Glenn Youngkin posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he supports the federal judge's ruling. "I applaud this decision in advance of Virginia's presidential primary," Youngkin wrote. "The choice belongs to the voters, not the courts." Youngkin has said that he will not endorse a presidential candidate ahead of Virginia's Super Tuesday primary. ESPN host Pat McAfee apologized Wednesday for controversial comments made by Aaron Rodgers on the Pat McAfee Show when he linked television talk show host Jimmy Kimmel to sexual offender and trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Rodgers associated Kimmel to Epsteins client list on Tuesday during his weekly appearance of McAfees television show that is broadcast on ESPN. Theres a lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel, who are really hoping that doesnt come out, Rodgers said Tuesday. Ill tell you what, if that list comes out, I definitely will be popping some sort of bottle. Rodgers comments drew a fierce response from Kimmel, who threatened to sue Rodgers. McAfee addressed Rodgers comments during his show on Wednesday. McAfee said Rodgers was just talking (stuff) and sometimes what is said can result in people get very (upset) off about, especially when theyre that serious of allegations, so we apologize for being a part of it. I cant wait to hear what Aaron has to say about it. Hopefully those two will just be able to settle this not court-wise but be able to chit chat and move along. We like our show to be an uplifting one.#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/bbT65oZQNN Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 3, 2024 Rodgers statement and Kimmels response continued an ongoing feud between the two that seem to start when Kimmel made a joke in March about Rodgers espousing conspiracy theories about UFOs and the Chinese spy balloons that were shot down. Might be time to revisit that concussion protocol, Kimmel joked. Kimmel has called Rodgers a Wack Packer, tin-foil hatter and joked about his skepticism with the COVID vaccine. Earlier this year, Oregon signed into law rules to strengthen Oregons Buy America preferences, ensuring our state buys American when purchasing iron, steel and manufactured products for public works projects. Instead of implementing them as theyre written, however, the Oregon Department of Transportation says theyre an administrative burden and wants the ability to waive them for five years. It shouldnt be allowed to directly undercut this laws intent. This is how Buy America works: When the government builds a bridge or repairs a highway, these rules make sure American workers get the first chance at supplying the projects materials. By directing public money to domestic enterprises, Buy America promotes the growth of domestic supply chains, expands the tax base, and creates more American jobs. Buy America rules apply to lots of federal infrastructure spending, so many projects funded even in part by federal dollars are supplied by American companies and workers. Oregon has been successfully managing such projects for 40 years. But there were no such rules for only Oregon-funded projects. Thats why HB 3332 was passed by the Oregon Legislature and signed by Gov. Tina Kotek so those Oregon-funded projects would be covered by Buy America too. Were not the first to do this. Similar laws already exist in Texas, Maryland, New York and dozens of other states. But Oregon may be the first to pass such a bill and then immediately allow its implementing agency to neuter it. These rules arent a burden, theyre more than reasonable. ODOT must buy American. Jim Gourley, Sweet Home Gourley is former mayor of Sweet Home and a retired member of the U.S. Steelworkers. To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. The saga of Leo, a 3-year-old golden retriever, proves that cats arent the only animals blessed with nine lives. On New Years Day, Leo fell down a nearly vertical 300-foot hill at Ecola State Park near Cannon Beach, resulting in serious injuries. He ended up in an inaccessible spot on the beach. The owners call for help resulted in the first U.S. Coast Guard rescue of 2024 in Oregon. A helicopter crew arrived from Warrenton, hovered over the beach and lowered a rescue swimmer and basket down to the dog. That morning, Alexa Fery and her fiance, Cody Chimienti, both 26, had decided to take Leo and drive from their home in Forest Grove to the Oregon Coast. They met up with other family members, some with their own dogs, to hike along a trail, one that nearly claimed the life of a German shepherd last summer when she fell down the steep hill. Leo was named because of a dream, but this day became a nightmare. I always wanted a golden retriever, Fery said. I had a dream I had one, he was named Leo and when we got this good boy thats what we named him. During the hike, Fery said she and Chimienti lost track of Leo, who was not on a leash. Her father said the dog ran past him really fast. They went looking for him and found themselves peering over a ledge. They spotted Leo way down below on the beach. He looked hurt. I knew the beach was not accessible by foot and the tide was coming in, Fery said. Trying not to panic, she called 9-1-1. Crews from the Seaside and Cannon Beach fire departments mobilized at about 3 p.m. They quickly showed up and began figuring out how to use rappelling gear to inch their way down the steep hill to the dog. The severity of the incline was going to make it a difficult descent and even harder to bring the dog back up. Then they thought of a better way. A Seaside Police Department dispatcher reached out to the U.S Coast Guard station in Warrenton. The Coast Guard agreed to take on the mission. We launched a helicopter crew, said Petty Officer Steve Stromeyer. They lowered a rescue swimmer. He saw the dog had some visible injuries. He was able to calm the dog down, give it some attention and gingerly put him in the basket. And up in the air went Leo. A U.S. Coast Guardsman holds Leo in his arms, ready to airlift him back to his owners.U.S. Coast Guard Im sure the dog was terrified, the helicopter is loud, said Stromeyer. They got to the top of this hill, landed in the parking lot and the dog was reunited with its owners. Given what the Coast Guard team often deals with searching for missing people in the ocean Stromeyer said it was a good call to start 2024. This was a real chance to help, he said. It was a good outcome. Fery said it was unreal to see her dog in a basket being lowered to her in the parking lot. He looked really lethargic, she said. I was super worried. She and her fiance drove Leo to an emergency veterinarian clinic in Beaverton. There, the couple learned Leos jaw was broken in three spots. Two teeth were broken, his body was bruised, and the doctor found air in his chest cavity. Leo spent two nights in the office, and on Wednesday was sent to a veterinary dentist for jaw surgery. We have the deepest appreciation for the first responders and the Coast Guard, said Fery. We would not have Leo if it wasnt for them. We are forever thankful to them. Fery said the medical bills are expected to be about $10,000, and so she and Chimienti have put up a GoFundMe page to help with expenses. Alexa Fery and her fiance, Cody Chimienti, and Leo on a hike.Family Photo Given the fall, everyone is surprised he lived through it, said Fery. Its incredible. We learned an unfortunate lesson. No matter how well behaved your dog is its always safer to have him on a leash. We should have done that. Fery said they plan to bring Leo home Wednesday night, adding: Were just going to love on him. Tom Hallman Jr 503-221-8224; thallman@oregonian.com; @thallmanjr Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Microchip Technology won $162 million in subsidies Thursday from the federal CHIPS Act, including $72 million for an $800 million expansion already underway at Microchips semiconductor factory in Gresham. Its the second major grant under the $52 billion CHIPS Act legislation Congress approved in 2022 and the first to an Oregon manufacturer. The U.S. Commerce Department is allocating the money in stages, through various programs established by Congress. The vast majority of the funding has yet to be designated. Oregon is hoping for hundreds of millions more from the CHIPS Act in the coming months to help finance Intels expansion in Hillsboro, build a national lithography research center in Oregon and fund other manufacturers growth plans. Thursdays funding is the second big CHIPS Act funding announcement, following a $35 million grant to expand a New Hampshire factory last month. In addition to the money for the Gresham factory, Microchip will receive $90 million to expand a Colorado plant. With the modernization of both facilities Microchip would be able to triple the share of semiconductors the company produces domestically, said Laurie Locascio, director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The Arizona-based company employs about 900 at a 36-year-old factory in Gresham making relatively low-tech chips and microcontrollers that are nonetheless essential components in cars, planes, telecommunications networks, medical tools and industrial equipment. Pandemic-era chip shortages highlighted the crucial support role this class of semiconductor plays in the nations supply chain and helped spur Congress to subsidize increased domestic production. Microchips sales totaled $4.5 billion in the first six months of its current fiscal year, up 13% from the prior year. Oregon awarded Microchip $11 million in September for the Gresham expansion, which the company says will eventually add 300 jobs to the site. Microchip declined to comment on the award. It scheduled a press conference for Friday. Biden administration officials said the federal money will increase the pace and scale of the companys Oregon expansion. This is going to be a big shot in the arm to the states economy. I think this is a big shot in the arm for the state, said U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, a champion of the CHIPS Act in Congress and of efforts to revive Oregons semiconductor industry. He said it demonstrates that initiatives aimed at bringing chip production back to the U.S. are paying off. We are showing that we can come through on reshoring, Wyden said. Last year, Microchip considered seeking CHIPS Act money for a brand-new, $5 billion Gresham factory. The company ultimately decided to outsource the additional production to a contract manufacturers new U.S. factory instead of building its own, but Microchip proceeded with the more modest expansion plan funded Thursday. Several other Oregon manufacturers are hoping for federal money to help finance local expansions, too. Jireh Semiconductor says it hopes to expand its Hillsboro factory with CHIPS Act money, and HP Inc. wants to bring some work back to Corvallis from Asia if it gets federal support. Most prominently, Intel is counting on several billion dollars in CHIPS Act money to offset the cost of new factories or major expansions in Ohio, Arizona and Oregon. Intel and Wyden have also been pushing the Commerce Department to use CHIPS Act money to establish an advanced lithography research center in Oregon. Chipmakers use lithography to imprint complex, microscopic circuitry onto silicon wafers. During a visit to Hillsboro last spring, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo indicated Oregon had made a compelling case for the lithography site. But the federal agency is still in the early stages of evaluating Oregons bid and choosing locations for other domestic semiconductor research facilities funded by the CHIPS Act. Its very competitive, but I think we made a really good case for ourselves, Wyden said this week. -- Mike Rogoway | mrogoway@oregonian.com | 503-294-7699 Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe A cold front over the coastal waters moves inland early Thursday bringing light rain into the metro area mostly during the morning hours. The National Weather Service says winds could be breezy at times with gusts up to about 18 mph possible. Although the chance of rain is at 80%, the amounts should be light with less than a tenth of an inch expected. Thursdays high will be about 49 degrees. Snow levels that started the day around 4,000 feet will rise above 5,000 feet by the afternoon. Cascade pass roads will accumulate some light snow early in the day, then most of that should melt off. Clearing overnight could lead to some fog development in the valleys. Current forecast models show a 20-50% chance of fog along the Interstate 5 corridor from Kelso to Eugene. Light southerly winds on Friday should scour out the fog early in the day. Portland has a 30% chance of rain Friday by the evening, but much of the day should be dry. Skies will be mostly cloudy, and the high temp will reach near 47 degrees. By late Friday night, a stronger cold front will push into the region sliding down from the coast of British Columbia. The front packs more valley rain and heavier snow across the Cascades. Portland will see a very wet day Saturday with rain likely at all hours. The high temp will only reach near 45 degrees. The Cascades will get a good shot of heavy snow Saturday mainly in elevations above 2,500 feet. Current forecasts show estimates of 10-14 inches of snow at elevations above 3,000 feet, 2-8 inches between 2,000-3,000 feet, and little-to-no snow below 2,000 feet. The larger amounts are more likely along the southern Cascades in Lane County. A winter storm watch is in effect in that area beginning Friday night. Rain should taper off in Portland by later Sunday morning. Skies will still be cloudy, and the high temp lowers to around 44 degrees. Extended forecasts are showing continued cold rain on Monday. Laura Zaerr is surrounded by pedal and lever harps in her Northwest Corvallis home studio. One pedal harp, built in Chicago, is about 100 years old. As she plucks the strings of each one, moving her feet over pedals or tuning levers, the gentle, mellow notes of the instruments fill the room. Podcasts 'A Place to Sleep' podcast: Catch all the episodes here Our podcast, A Place to Sleep, explores how Oregon cities are responding to a new law that is meant to provide homeless individuals a place to rest. On her music rack are sheets of music, some of which will be performed at the Out of This World harp duo concert where Zaerr and Illinois-based harpist Julia Kay Jamieson will take center stage. The concert, set for 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, at First Presbyterian Church, 114 SW Eighth St. in Corvallis, is the culmination of a weekendlong Heart of the Valley retreat where harpists from around the country and Canada spend time recharging their creativity through improvisation and reconnecting with their creative sources. Retreat Zaerr and Jamieson have worked together over several years. At the University of Oregon, where Zaerr taught pedal and Celtic harp, Jamieson facilitated harp ensembles and concerts. They both co-facilitated the launch of the American Harp Society's Young Composers Project, of which Jamieson is the chair. The program, which takes place every other year during the society's biannual Summer Institute, encourages harpists under 25 to compose, receive feedback and perform their own music. It's been going on for about eight years. Weve had a lot of success with it, Zaerr said. The gratifying thing is watching these composers year after year submitting their pieces and really developing." Zaerr used to organize the Cascades Harp Retreat up at Suttle Lake for folk harp, until it ran its course. She decided to launch one in Corvallis, also geared toward folk harp, often used as a general term to refer to gut or nylon strung lever harps. Jamieson will take part in the retreat a guest artist. She began taking harp lessons when she was 6, studying under Jocelyn Chang in Cleveland, where students were greatly encouraged to improvise. And so, from the very beginning with me, I was improvising and being creative, Jamieson said. As a teacher, Jamieson said she has carried forward those lessons of improv, and loves to help students loosen up, improving technique while enjoying being musicians and artists regardless of their level. The whole idea of this retreat is to open up your creativity and your improvisation. And Julia is really great at setting an atmosphere where youre not afraid to try anything, Zaerr said. Shes so encouraging and freeing for people who are just starting. Out of this world Zaerr said after she picked the concerts theme, it was tough finding fresh music that suited it. Gustav Holsts The Planets was considered, as was William Alwyn's Lyra Angelica, which she said was way too difficult. It was so hard to find pieces! Zaerr said. Zaerr and Jamieson decided to compose a duo each for the concert. They've received a small grant from the American Harp Society for the event, and most of it will go toward the logistics of bringing Jamieson to Corvallis. Jamieson, who says she loves outer space and astronomy, is composing a two-movement piece, called Sun. The first movement, subtitled Light in the Dark, is about looking up at the nighttime sky, stargazing, the feeling of wonder and appreciating the beauty of the firmaments. The second movement, Heavy in the Light, is about humanitys interest in the science and understanding of stars. I guess that movement is more of a ferocious, unstable dance, Jamieson said. The duo harp pieces are two repeating parts interspersed with unusual effects from fingernail glisses to body taps, thunder slaps and vibrations created with chopsticks or a pencil. People who associate the harp with more mellow and laid-back sounds will be surprised when they attend, as they will see a different side to the harp. Aside from the music both harpists are composing, the concert will also feature pieces by Bernard Andres, Germaine Taillefer, Marcel Tournier, Led Zeppelin and other surprises. The lineup also dabbles in jazz and other popular music that explore themes of outer space and otherworldliness. IF YOU GO: WHAT: "Out of This World" harp duo concert WHEN: 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14 WHERE: First Presbyterian Church, 114 SW Eighth St., Corvallis TICKETS: Suggested donations of $10 to $20 will be accepted. Related stories: Bujumbura, Burundi (PANA) - Local and foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as private entities receiving external support, are once again authorised to have and directly manage foreign currency accounts in the commercial banks, with effect from 1 January 2024, the Bank of the Republic of Burundi (BRB) announced on Thursday Port Sudan, Sudan (PANA) - Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council, Malik Agar, has dismissed the Addis Ababa Declaration signed between the Coordination of Civilian Democratic Forces (Taqaddum) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), saying that it is "a non-starter" due to the alleged alliance between them against the military-led government Photo: (Photo : Scott Olson / Getty Images ) A Colorado mother, Kimberlee Singler, 35, allegedly killed two of her children and injured the eldest one after a Christmas custody decision did not favor her. Colorado Mother Injures Children Over Unfavorable Christmas Custody Decision Kimberlee Singler and her husband, Kevin John Wentz, have been separated for a while now and have been participating in family court to get custody of the children. Just before the holiday season, the Colorado mother was confronted with a decision that was not going to be favorable.' The family court had decided to set a "makeup parenting time" plan, which allowed Wentz, the father of the kids, to be able to spend Christmas with their children. However, upon investigation, it appears from the records that this choice may have been a driving force behind the suspected killing of her own children. During the early morning hours of December 19, police were called to Singler's condominium for a burglary report. At first, it was claimed that there had been a burglary, but it swiftly transformed into a scene of extraordinary sorrow. After the police were dispatched to the unit, they found the two children, aged 9 and 7, dead, while the 11-year-old was severely injured. The Colorado Springs police department swiftly responded to the crime and issued a warrant for Singler's arrest, despite the fact that she had departed the county. However, the Colorado mother was still arrested and is now in custody in the United Kingdom. It still remains unclear how she was able to flee to the UK immediately after the crime. Read Also: Michigan House Explosion Tragedy: Complete List of Victims Released Years-Long Custody Battle During the course of several years, Singler and her ex-husband, Kevin John Wentz, 38, had been engaged in a custody battle. As decided by the court, both parents will do a make-up parenting style this holiday. The decision states that the children were scheduled to be handed over to Wentz at the Stetson Hills Division station of the Colorado Springs Police Department at 9 in the morning on December 16. It also stated the kids will be returned to Singler at noon on December 31. However, the Colorado mother did not adhere to the agreement so Wentz requested an emergency action to the court the next day, December 17, and an officer to assist in enforcing parenting time. Following that, a hearing was scheduled for the 20th of December, which turned out to be the day after the murders. Ira Cronin, who serves as the spokesperson for the Colorado Springs Police Department, informed the media that he would not provide any further commentary on the matter. The mother on the other hand, was brought before the Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday for an extradition hearing, and the authorities in the United Kingdom confirmed she will be in jail until January 29. Her appearance was brought about by the extradition hearing. Additionally, she did not give her approval for her to be brought back to the United States. The police have reported that Singler's daughter, who is 11 years old, is doing well in her rehabilitation and that she is safe and accounted for here in the Colorado Springs region. The daughter is also said to be doing well in her recuperation. Related Article: Roe v. Wade Repercussions: Preemptive Abortion Pill Demand Skyrockets Even Before Pregnancy An Albany man was sentenced to eight years in prison following a bizarre car chase and crash. Authorities said Steven Michael Anderson, 52, chased two women and crashed into their truck because he thought a family member was in danger inside the womens vehicle. A Place to Sleep, episode 10: Wrapping up We check back with some of the people we've met along our travels and we catch up with politicos who are trying to come up with solutions. Anderson was arrested in September on suspicion of second-degree assault, second-degree attempted assault, reckless driving, two counts of menacing and two counts of recklessly endangering another person. Convicted on all charges, Anderson was sentenced in late December to 70 months for second-degree assault, the minimum under state law, and an additional 30 months for second-degree attempted assault. He was also sentenced to 60 days in jail on each of the remaining charges and his license was suspended. The state sought an enhanced sentence for Anderson, who was on conditional release when the crimes occurred, based on his involvement in similar offenses and the belief that rehabilitation efforts would fail. Anderson is currently held at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, according to the Oregon Department of Corrections. On Sept. 27, Albany police responded to a suspicious circumstance call in the 1600 block of Industrial Way Southwest after two women reported an unknown man, later identified as Anderson, was chasing them in a white F-150 Ford truck, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Linn County Circuit Court. A police officer saw the womens vehicle, a black GMC Sierra truck, at a stop sign on Queen Avenue Southwest and Industrial Way, according to the affidavit, which states the driver honked to get the officers attention. While the officer was turning around, she reportedly saw the Ford driven by Anderson heading south on Industrial Way at high speed. The GMC driver turned west on Queen and was followed by Anderson, the affidavit states, with the officer also following and turning on her emergency lights. Both trucks were traveling at a high rate of speed as they ran a red light at Queen and Pacific Boulevard Southwest, according to the affidavit. At the intersection of Queen and Elm Street Southwest, the Ford crashed into the GMC. Both trucks came to a stop, and the officer saw Anderson exit his vehicle and sprint towards the GMC and its occupants, who had gotten out, the affidavit states. The officer intervened and stopped Anderson from chasing the women. Anderson told the officer he saw his niece in the passenger seat of the GMC and she gave him a weird look that he took as her needing help, the affidavit states. He reportedly admitted to following and trying to stop the GMC, including multiple attempts to hit its rear bumper before the crash. One of the women suffered a bloody nose from the crash, the affidavit states. Police determined Andersons niece was not in the GMC, and he had not seen her in a couple of weeks, according to the affidavit. Anderson reportedly could not explain why he felt his niece was in danger inside the vehicle. Anderson was previously convicted of assault, unlawful weapon use, menacing, arson, and meth possession among other crimes. Court records show he has open cases in Benton County alleging stalking, false reporting, disorderly conduct, violating a stalking protective order, and possession of meth. Related story: Photo: (Photo : ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / Getty Images) San Antonio father and son got arrested for double homicide in the killing of pregnant 18-year-old Savanah Soto and her partner Matthew Guerra, 22. The tragic incident has shocked the local community, as Soto is expected to be giving birth to her child. San Antonio Father and Son Charged and Detained The San Antonio Police Department made a key breakthrough in the chilling case that left pregnant 18-year-old Savanah Soto and her partner, Matthew Guerra, dead in their car. The police arrested the father and son, allegedly involved in the killing of the two: Ramon Preciado, 53, and his son, Christopher Preciado, 19. Both Preciado are now detained, and the 19-year-old suspect is going to be charged with capital murder, while Ramon Preciado will be charged with abuse of a corpse for helping move the bodies of both victims. In Texas, the possible punishment for capital murder is either life imprisonment or the death penalty. Furthermore, in a statement, the San Antonio Police Department confirmed that there could still be further charges that are on the way, which may be related to the death of the unborn child. According to Sgt. Washington Moscoso, the investigators suspect that the fatalities were connected to a failed narcotics transaction. Moscoso added that when the police arrived at their home, the father greeted them at the door, fully aware of the reason for their visit, and cooperated with the investigation. Subsequently, both the father and son were questioned by the authorities, leading to detectives securing a judicial warrant, as Moscoso stated. The police acquired footage after midnight, which shows the two suspects being led into a car by officers as they passed the media that was waiting. According to statements made by Sgt. Moscoso during a press conference, Soto's family became concerned when she failed to show up for her scheduled appointment to undergo chemical induction of labor. The two bodies were discovered on December 26 in a Kia Optima sedan that belonged to Guerra. However, upon investigation, it is suspected that the killings occurred at midnight on December 21. It was later revealed that both victims died due to the gunshot wounds to the head, as per the Bexar County Medical Examiner. Read Also: Connecticut Fire in Two Multifamily Homes Kills Four Children, Animals Seeking Justice for Three Lives Lost During the investigation, one of the pivotal moments came with the recovery and analysis of 18-year-old Soto's cell phone. The San Antonio Police, in collaboration with the U.S. Secret Service, managed to extract crucial information from the device, which steered them towards the suspects that they have now. The San Antonio Police Department, while acknowledging the breakthrough, remains deeply engaged in the ongoing investigation, piecing together the events that culminated in this heartbreaking incident. Sergeant Washington Moscoso observed that the case has garnered substantial public interest and has been clouded by numerous rumors and conjectures about the suspects. The Police Department remains steadfast in their commitment to bring justice to those responsible for the double homicide, aiming to offer some solace to a community reeling from this tragic event. The involvement of Christopher and Ramon Preciado in this case underscores the complex challenges faced by law enforcement in resolving crimes of such severity. Related Article: Colorado Mother Allegedly Murders Her Two Children Following Unfavorable Christmas Custody Decision This service is a courtesy for our print subscribers to give them access to our online edition at no additional cost. If you haven't registered on the new site, you must do it now before you do anything else. This just went up on the website of the Interpreter Foundation: The Temple: Ancient and Restored: The Cosmic Mountain in Islamic Tradition,' written by Daniel C. Peterson Part of our book chapter reprint series, this article originally appeared in The Temple: Ancient and Restored, Proceedings of the Second Interpreter Matthew B. Brown Memorial Conference The Temple on Mount Zion, 25 October 2014 (2016) edited by Stephen D. Ricks and Donald W. Parry. For more information, go to https://interpreterfoundation.org/books/the-temple-ancient-and-restored/. And these new items have also recently appeared on the Interpreter Foundation website: Conference Talks: They Shall Be Joined unto Thee: Levi, Levites, and the Importance of Joinings in Temple Architecture and Ritual: 2018 Temple on Mount Zion Conference, presented by Matthew Bowen The fourth Temple on Mount Zion Conference was held on Saturday, 10 November 2018 in the Tanner Building at Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah. The presentations were filmed, and both video and audio recordings of each presentation are available. The videos are currently available both at and on the Interpreter Foundation YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/theinterpreterfoundation. A YouTube playlist is also available at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRMn4gyXMWLsWt34zVNC5FmTqBtFfcnxl. The audio recordings are available at https://interpreterfoundation.org/conferences/2018-temple-on-mount-zion-conference/2018-temple-on-mount-zion-conference-audio/. Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Book of Mormon Lesson 2: I Will Go and Do (1 Nephi 1-5) During 1988, 1989, and 1990, Hugh Nibley taught Honors Book of Mormon classes for four semesters at Brigham Young University. The lectures were video-taped and audio cassettes and printed transcripts were made of the lectures. We believe these recordings will be interesting to listen to and valuable to your Come, Follow Me study program this year. Each week, we will include the lectures covering the Book of Mormon chapters being studied that week. This week, we have lectures 6 through 11, covering 1 Nephi 1-5 and the Dead Sea Scrolls. All 112 lectures are immediately available in PDF, audio, video, and electronic formats, as well as in paperback books that are available for purchase. Links for all of the available online sources can be found in the Complete Bibliography for Hugh Nibley at https://interpreterfoundation.org/bibliographies/hugh-w-nibley/lectures/. The Book of Mormon in Context Lesson 2: I Will Go and Do (1 Nephi 1-5) In the 17 December 2023 Come, Follow Me segment of the Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts Bruce Webster and Kris Frederickson discuss Book of Mormon lesson 2, I Will Go and Do on 1 Nephi 1-5. Their conversation was recorded, and has now been archived (after editing to remove commercial interruptions) and made available at no charge for your enjoyment. The other segments of the December 10 radio show can be accessed at https://interpreterfoundation.org/interpreter-radio-show-december-17-2023. (See below.) Come, Follow Me Study and Teaching Helps (2024): Lesson 2, January 8 14: 1 Nephi 1-5 As he has been faithfully and generously doing for years now, Jonn Claybaugh supplies a concise set of n notes for teachers and students of the Come, Follow Me curriculum of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Please, if there are any out there in my audience who know him, thank him for his efforts. Interpreter Radio Show December 17, 2023 For the 17 December 2023 episode of the Interpreter Radio Show, Bruce Webster and Kris Frederickson discussed Come, Follow Me Book of Mormon lesson 2, The Family: A Proclamation to the World, and an article by Cassandra Hedelius. Their conversation, edited to remove commercial breaks, is now available to you at no charge. The New Testament in Context portion of this show, for the Come, Follow Me Book of Mormon lesson 2, was also posted separately. (See above.) The Interpreter Radio Show can be heard in the Valley of the Great Salt Lake on Sunday evenings from 7 to 9 PM (MDT), on K-TALK, AM 1640. But you can listen live from anywhere on the Internet at ktalkmedia.com. A few days ago, I posted a link to an article arguing that Latter-day Saints no longer constitute a majority in the State of Utah. Here is an interesting response to that article, kindly brought to my attention by Cody Quirk: Response to Mormons Are No Longer a Majority in Utah: Causes, Consequences, and Implications for the Sociology of Religion Im wondering whether this arrest will lead to any break in the coverage that I receive over at the Peterson Obsession Board or any interruption in the stream of daily anonymous hate mail that I receive: 81-year-old man charged with a felony after reportedly stalking LDS church leader. Im not altogether sure that incarcerated criminals or institutionalized mental patients are always granted computer time and unsupervised internet access. Time will tell, in this case, whether this particular fellow is one of my, umm, correspondents or one of the paparazzi who have followed me with such obsessive devotion over the past two decades or so. For Christmas, a neighbor gave us a new book by her brother. The book is Gary C. Lawrence, Millions Believe As We Do, But Havent Yet Found the Church: Conversation Ideas from a National Poll. Gary Lawrence is an active Latter-day Saint currently, I believe, an ordinance worker in the Newport Beach California Temple and a professional public opinion researcher (with a B.A. in political science from Brigham Young University and a Ph.D. in public affairs communication from Stanford University). I was vocally enthusiastic about his 2008 book How Americans View Mormonism: Seven Steps to Improve Our Image, which, in my judgment, is crammed full of insights that, if properly taken into account, could have a potentially enormous impact on Latter-day Saint missionary work and on how we present ourselves to the public. I gave copies of it to several friends, with that hope. Back in 2020, The Atlantic published one of the better recent journalistic articles about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: The Most American Religion: Perpetual outsiders, Mormons spent 200 years assimilating to a certain national idealonly to find their country in an identity crisis. What will the third century of the faith look like? Among other passages, I was struck by this one regarding the hit Broadway musical The Book of Mormon, a passage that strikes me as precisely right: But then I met a theater critic in New York who had recently seen the musical. He marveled at how the show got away with being so ruthless toward a minority religion without any meaningful backlash. I tried to cast this as a testament to Mormon niceness. But the critic was unconvinced. No, he replied. Its because your people have absolutely no cultural cachet. How to develop cultural cachet? This is where a horde of faithful Latter-day Saint composers, playwrights, actors, novelists, artists, and thinkers would come in handy. Plus, we have a really interesting history to tell, with lots of drama. And our demographic center in the Great Basin West features a lot of spectacular terrain that should draw even more interest from tourists than it already does. But I doubt that achieving cultural cachet is a realizable goal for us. And we certainly shouldnt seek it directly, let alone with pathetic and needy desperation. It would be very nice if we were to be more engaged with the wider culture, neither completely disregarded because of our seeming oddness nor having sold out by aping the Gentiles. And perhaps that day will come. However, even then our image as nice and polite, but prim, naive, weird, and intellectually dull the likable simpletons of The Book of Mormon on Broadway and in London will almost certainly continue with us, whether or not its really deserved. Our continuing (though much lessened) isolation in Utah and surrounding areas means that relatively few Americans or others get to know us. And, since we dont dress distinctively (i.e., wearing hijabs or yarmulkes), people elsewhere may well not realize that their dentist, carpenter, pharmacist, delivery man, nurse, attorney, plumber, kindergarten teacher, or accountant is a Latter-day Saint. Theyll only know us as the Other, Out There. Strange, foreign, and exotic while, at the same time, boring, stodgy, uninteresting, and to be avoided if not actually feared. (I regard Gary Lawrences How Americans View Mormonism as a really fine treatise on the topic indicated in its title, with some very practical and easy recommendations for Latter-day Saints.) Heres a good comment on the Atlantic article that appeared in the Deseret News: The Atlantic interviewed the prophet. Heres what it did right But back to this new book by Gary Lawrence, Millions Believe As We Do: As its 2008 predecessor did, this book has suggested to my mind various ways of thinking about how to get our message out to those who have not yet heard it, and I wish that everybody interested in building and expanding the Kingdom would read it. (Its a quick read, but I think I need to return to it and read portions of it very carefully, taking notes on the ideas that come to me as I do so.) I see it as helpful not merely for full-time missionaries and really, not even very much for them but especially for ordinary members of the Church who wish that they could do more to help the Church in its mission of taking the Gospel to all the world. Both How Americans View Mormonism and Millions Believe As We Do offer very practical and surprisingly painless methods of steering conversations toward the teachings of the Restoration. In explaining his thesis, Brother Lawrence cites the official Church missionary manual Preach My Gospel: The people you meet often do not realize that they are looking for the restored gospel until they have found it. This is a crucial point. Gary Lawrences contention is that a sizable proportion of Americans already agree with us on certain centrally important issues. They simply dont realize that they do because, as he showed in his earlier book, despite our nearly two centuries of missionary effort they know remarkably little about us. Of the doctrinal questions the survey measured, the following three beliefs are especially unique to us in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Here are the percentages of non-LDS Christians who agree with us on each as described in the survey questions: Pre-earthly existence 24% We lived with God in heaven before coming to the earth. Gradations in heaven 23% There are different levels in heaven and in hell. Proxy baptisms for the dead 22% Someone else can be baptized on his behalf after he dies. (105, formatting unavoidably altered) Given such statistics (and many others), Dr. Lawrence concludes that there are audiences out there that are ready-made for our message, if we can only devise ways of reaching them. I concur, and my thought is that many of the findings in this book would be especially helpful for Latter-day Saint social-media influencers and just generally for all missionary-minded Latter-day Saints who are involved, even modestly, on various social media platforms. I myself intend to return to the book and try to think of practical ways in which I can respond to it. Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail.[1] Within weeks of my arrival at the first church I was to serve in the suburbs of Milwaukee, I received an invitation into a small local clergy support group. The caller, a United Church of Christ minister said with the invitation, that Id be welcome so long as I didnt go on too much about Jesus. As they knew I was the new Unitarian minister, well. A small joke, containing a serious invitation. I was welcome as I was. I suspected I would like them a lot. And I did. Thanks to social media, Ive continued to be in touch with one of them for well beyond thirty years now. They were kind. And all in differing degree more experienced than I. They helped me through some hard moments. Im not sure I could have made it through my first year without them. In one of our early conversations the subject turned to spiritual practices. One of the colleagues, a Methodist minister, offered how every year he ironed a shirt as a spiritual practice. He described in detail how he proceeded. And it was a good description of the structure of both ironing a shirt and a spiritual discipline. The problem was that it was ironing a shirt once a year. Everyone laughed. He was kidded mercilessly, starting with the big question. What did his wife think of his spiritual practice? On a similar note, in my early Zen days women occasionally ruefully noted how now that cleaning toilets was considered a spiritual discipline, all of a sudden, the men were all agog to take on the task. A couple openly mused about how long this would last. Now my minister friend was not wrong. He outlined how he prepared for the practice. And he described the full-heartedness of every part of ironing a shirt. And, in Zen we do say one time could do it. Those who try zazen even once Wipe away beginningless crimes.[2] We can in a moment see into the heart of the matter. And theres no reason why carefully ironing around buttons one time might in fact do the trick. And usually not. Its important to see how ironing could be a spiritual practice. Could be for any of us. Theres the element of discipline, of regularity, of digging deep. These are generally necessary hallmarks of a genuine spiritual practice. Doing it over and over again is, for most of us, most of the time, going to also be part of the deal. Any of the regular activities of our daily lives can become a significant part of our spiritual disciplines. And so cleaning and cooking are the stuff of Zen practice. When I cook the first step is cleaning up. Preparing to prepare the meal. I find it an invitation into the sacred moment. If Im working from a recipe I read it once or twice. I set out the ingredients, spices, etc. And then I try to do just one thing at a time, and not to fret about the rest of the project. I attempt to proceed deliberately, aware of each step, giving it my full attention. I try not to look at the instructions again until Ive finished the step. I proceed this way to the end. In all these practices Ive found often that less is more. I suspect this is the underlying principle of the conscious life-style choice of voluntary simplicity, and Thoreaus of cited simplicity, simplicity, simplicity. The secret sauce, if you will, is all along the way, to pause. And notice. The other ingredient is: Repeat. One of the great Zen traditions is formal meal practice. In Japanese Soto Zen this is called oryoki. Oryoki means just enough. In Rinzai the practice is called for the bowls, jihatsu. And in Korean Son, gongyang, meaning offering. The roots of the practice trace to the lives of early Buddhist monastics, where the robes and the begging bowl were the essentials of entering the ordained path. Later in Chinese Zen the robe and bowl were the symbols of transmission, recognition of deepest insight. And along the way formal disciplines emerged, rituals of eating. In Japanese and Korean Zen these would become fairly detailed, the Koreans more simply, the Japanese ever more detailed. While it is possible to get lost in those details such as how you hold your hands and even how you use your fingers, something powerful is presented. Doors open. Ive found during retreat that eating can be among the most transformative moments, constant invitations into a presence filled with attention and gratitude. Equal to or even more powerfully inviting than formal meditation or liturgy. The are numerous articles to be found on the internet and Youtube provdes a number of videos that provide detailed instructions for the monastic or retreat meal. For here I want to offer a simple outline for oryoki inspired mindful eating. First, prepare the space. Set out what you will need. Theres no need for it to be the formal Zen bowls and cloths. Use your ordinary plates, bowl, a glass or cup, utensils. Arrange then in some manner. I recommend using our western traditions for table settings, modified to your situation. Google Emily Post, if you need. Arrange the containers with the prepared food. Two, pause. Set an intention of gratitude. Perhaps say a grace. Something from your childhood. Something that touches your heart. The Zen rituals provide a list of ancestors on the way. It can be a guide for you own list of those to whom you are grateful for bringing you to this moment. Three, serve the food. Try to be conscious of the act of picking up bowls or other containers. Appreciate the physicality of serving. Four, do it quietly. And with attention. Traditionally this is a communal meal. But you can do it by yourself. But if with people, less can be more. If doing this as a practice try eating in silence. Or, try eating silently for the first five minutes or so. Then, when talking, not losing sight of the moment, the food, and all that it brings and means. Five, as you move toward the end, pause. Perhaps offer another intention or prayer of gratitude. In formal oryoki as one moves toward cleaning up a special offering is made for hungry ghosts, those mythological (perhaps) beings whose greed has caused them to be reborn with enormous stomachs and tiny mouths beings who can never get enough, who are never satisfied. Remembering them, and perhaps ourselves within them, is a powerful moment. Six, clean up. Washing dishes can be a powerful extension of the practice. The invitation in this and in all these moments of invitation is to notice our ordinary and our sacred lives are not two. Not really. Not as it matters most. Bringing Zen home. [1] Henry D. Thoreau, Walden: Or, Life in the Woods, Thomas Crowell, New York, 1899, p. 94 [2] Hakuin, Song of Zazen, Empty Moon Zen Liturgy, nd, np, p. 7. https://www.emptymoonzen.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/EMZ-General-Liturgy-5th-Edition.pdf Microsoft and its PC partners plan to add a Copilot key to your PC keyboards, making it easy and intuitive to launch Microsofts Copilot AI and avoid using an AI solution from a competitor. PC makers appear to be prepping to replace one of the existing buttons in the no-mans land grouping of keys to the right of the PC spacebar into a key that will launch Copilot on command. (Currently, you can use the Win + C shortcut instead.) Over the coming days leading up to and at CES, you will start to see the Copilot key on many of the new Windows 11 PCs from our ecosystem partners, with availability beginning in late February through spring, including on upcoming Surface devices, Yusuf Mehdi, who now oversees the Windows and Surface businesses after the departure of Panos Panay, wrote in a blog post. Copilot is available in Windows, of course, and its now officially available on iOS and Android as well. Early looks at the new PCs indicate that the new key could potentially replace the menu key on some Windows PCs like Microsoft Surface devices, which are rarely used. It might also replace any Alt key that exists in the same location, depending on the manufacturer and their keyboard layout. Or, in the case of the Acer Triton Neo below, it could be a separate key entirely. Acers Triton Neo 16, with the Copilot key highlighted. Acer Microsoft heads into 2024 preparing for a Windows revamp, probably known as Windows 12, that will lean heavily on AI. Mehdi echoed that expectation. As we embark on this new year, we are filled with optimism and excitement, Mehdi wrote. We will continue to build Windows to be the destination for the best AI experiences. This will require an operating system that blurs the lines between local and cloud processing. The year ahead promises to be nothing short of extraordinary! According to Mehdi, the introduction of the Copilot key marks the first significant change to the Windows PC keyboard in nearly three decades. Thats not absolutely true. Microsoft itself tried to induce laptop makers to put a Cortana key onto their laptops, and Toshiba did. Unfortunately, the addition of the Cortana key didnt stick, and Toshiba disappeared (into Sharp), as did Cortana itself. As for the Copilot key? Well have to see. A Nigerian national named Olusegun Samson Adejorin is facing federal charges in the United States for an alleged US$7.5 million business email compromise scheme that targeted two charitable organisations. Adejorin was arrested in Ghana on December 29, 2023 and awaits his initial appearance in court in Ghana. According to an eight-count indictment unsealed in Maryland, Adejorin operated between June and August 2020. He allegedly gained access to employee email accounts at both charities, one in Maryland and the other in New York. Posing as authorised personnel, Adejorin allegedly tricked the institutions into transferring over US$7.5 million from the New York charity's investment funds held by the Maryland organisation. The indictment details a sophisticated scheme. Adejorin allegedly used a credential harvesting tool to steal login information, created fake domain names to mask his tracks, and even manipulated email accounts to hide his activity. If convicted, Adejorin faces a maximum sentence of 20 years per count of wire fraud, an additional five years for unauthorised computer access, and mandatory two-year sentences for aggravated identity theft. The potential penalty could rise further for domain name misuse. "An indictment is not a finding of guilt," said the U.S. Attorney's Office in a press release, but the serious charges and detailed allegations paint a picture of a complex and audacious crime. The FBI, along with international partners in Ghana, played a crucial role in apprehending Adejorin and bringing him to justice. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, Baltimore Field Office, for its work in the investigation and thanked the FBI Legal Attache in Accra, Ghana, and the Republic of Ghanas Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Office of Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, and the Ghana Immigration Service, for their valuable assistance in this case. 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 African Union and US have called for the respect of Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, in response to a controversial deal that landlocked Ethiopia struck with Somaliland for sea access. The deal has caused diplomatic tension, with Somalia condemning it as an act of aggression and violation of its sovereignty and vowing to challenge it "by any legal means". Somaliland seceded from Somalia in 1991 but is not internationally recognised as an independent state. US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller on Wednesday said that "the United States recognises the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia within its borders". AU Commission chair Moussa Faki has also urged for the respect of the "unity, territorial integrity and full sovereignty...of Somalia and Ethiopia". Both the US and AU have also asked the involved parties to pursue diplomatic dialogue to peacefully resolve the row, amid concerns that the deal could escalate tensions in the Horn of Africa region. 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 QNET, a prominent lifestyle and wellness company that uses a direct selling business model to offer a wide selection of exclusive products that enable individuals to embrace a healthier, more balanced life, has successfully organised free FinGreenfinancial literacy training for more than one thousand women, young people, business owners and students in Ghana. Three tailor-made sessions of the FinGreen training took place at the Accra Technical University, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission hall in Accra and the Ho Technical University in the Volta Region of Ghana. FinGreen is QNETs signature financial literacy programme reflecting the companys commitment to empowering individuals and communities worldwide. It is aimed at educating young people, women, and small-scale business owners, especially in underserved communities, and equipping them with essential financial knowledge and skills needed for their personal and business decision-making, thereby contributing to the general economic and financial growth of the country. FinGreen was officially launched in Ghana in October 24, 2023 in a well-publicised event, attracting financial experts, leaders in the banking sector, university professors, local government officials, students, female traders and many media organisations. The official launch created more awareness about the financial literacy challenge in Ghana and proffered the FinGreen solution. QNETs Regional General Manager for sub-Saharan Africa, Mr. Biram Fall explained: During the official launch of Fingreen in Ghana, I was amazed at the level of reception it had, especially from young people, women, small business operators and other key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, who attended the launch at the Marriott Hotel in Accra. It showed that FinGreen was filling a gap that existed and needed to be filled. Now, more than one thousand young women and youth in Ghana have been taught a better way of taking critical personal and business financial decisions. The training has empowered them to be able to plan better for their present and future and to also impact others with their newly acquired financial literacy skills. Ms. Abass Bushira, a young woman leading an agricultural venture testified: The FinGreen training felt like it was designed with me in mind. The curriculum covered topics such as budgeting, investment strategies, debt management, banking, financial planning and others. These are areas that are very relevant to my business and personal finance. I really learnt a lot and Im in the process of improving my business and my life. According to Michael Andoh, a student of the Accra Technical University, I have learnt how to achieve personal financial discipline and how to carefully prepare a simple budget for my personal expenses. Many students do not think about their financial future because they think things would naturally fall into place. I have learnt that such mindset is very misleading. FinGreen was facilitated in Ghana between October and December 2023 through a strategic collaboration with J. A. Abrahams & Co, a distinguished 65-year-old firm with extensive expertise in assurance services, accountancy, tax, and business advisory services. FinGreen is fully aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Addis Ababa Agenda, recognizing that achieving financial inclusion is a critical component of sustainable development. Since its launch in 2022 in Nigeria and Turkey, QNETs FinGreen has empowered more than 3200 individuals to take control of their financial future. For more information about QNET and FinGreen, please visit https://www.qnet.net/fingreen/ Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, along with her family, paid a visit to The Ark Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing care and support to vulnerable individuals, especially women and children. The visit aimed to express gratitude for the foundation's commendable 25 years of service to the nation. During the engagement, Osei-Opare commended The Ark Foundation for its impactful work in creating safe spaces for those in need. To further demonstrate appreciation, she and her family donated various essential items, including flour, maize, rice, oil, tinned tomatoes, canned fish, beans, toiletries, and detergents. She also made a cash donation of GHC20,000 to support The Ark Foundation's ongoing mission. The financial aid aims to strengthen the Foundation's ability to provide a nurturing environment for individuals facing distress and abuse. The Ark Foundation, founded on Christian principles, has been a pillar of support for countless individuals, offering them a refuge from violence and oppression. Its mission revolves around empowering those in need, allowing them to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, representing The Ark Foundation, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the Chief of Staff's generous contributions. She emphasised the importance of such support in enabling the organisation to continue making a positive impact on the lives of those they serve. The Chief of Staff was accompanied by her two daughters, Dr Mrs Serwa Opare Aryitey and Mrs Linda Sarpong, as well as her granddaughter Dede Aryitey. Their presence underscored the collective commitment of the Opare family to supporting initiatives that contribute to the well-being of the nation's most vulnerable populations. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Corvallis City Council voted no on a resolution calling for two-thirds majority of votes to expel a member. The failed resolution means that when the panel considers ousting Ward 5 Councilor Charlyn Ellis on allegations she has violated the city charter, scheduled for later this month, a simple majority would be all that is needed to seal her fate. The 5-4 vote came during a meeting Tuesday, Jan. 2, with Ward 8 Councilor Tracey Yee breaking what was initially a tie among eight councilors. Podcasts 'A Place to Sleep' podcast: Catch all the episodes here Our podcast, A Place to Sleep, explores how Oregon cities are responding to a new law that is meant to provide homeless individuals a place to rest. As the then-council president, Yee stood in for Mayor Charles Maughan, who was absent. The council's next order of business was to reorganize, with Yee handing off the president's role to Paul Shaffer. Originally raised by Ward 4 Councilor Gabe Shepherd at the Dec. 18 meeting, the resolution asked the council to decide whether a simple majority vote or a two-thirds majority would be required to remove a member from office. I believe that it is very important for us to take seriously the integrity of the elections process, Shepherd said, reiterating his reason for drafting the resolution. While he said it was crucial that the council come into alignment with other state and federal decision-making bodies that require a two-thirds majority to oust a member, Shepherd said the resolution did not seek to revise charter language. It is just a resolution, he said, adding that it can be done and undone by a majority of the current or future council. Both the U.S. and Oregon constitutions require a two-thirds vote to expel a duly elected representative from office. Shepherd said he had proposed the resolution not to protect or defend Ward 5 Councilor Charlyn Ellis ahead of her hearing but to support the people of Ward 5 who elected her to office, as well as the general electorate. At a Jan. 16 due process hearing, the council will decide if Ellis interfered with city administration, a violation of the city charter, when she moved at a September meeting that councilors direct the city manager to fill a vacant position at City Hall, one that traditionally aids the Climate Action Advisory Board. Ellis serves as the council liaison to the board and its chair. As the elephant in the room, the fundamental question Im getting is around process, clarity and how this whole thing works, Ellis said. We are talking about the disenfranchisement of a ward, she said. How many? According to the Corvallis charter, except in a few specified situations, a simple majority vote is all that is needed to decide most questions before the council, as long as a quorum, or majority, is present. It does not detail any process for a members expulsion. Sturgis' Rules of Order which provides parliamentary direction when a matter is not addressed in the charter lays out a majority of votes to expel a member, according to the resolution. Ward 1 Councilor Jan Napack argued that the council was unlike the Congress or the state Senate, which are often divided along partisan or ideological lines, where a two-thirds majority makes sense. We put emphasis on consensus, thats why we use Sturgis, Napack said. She argued that if the council adopted the two-thirds majority for expulsion, then perhaps they should adopt a two-thirds majority for other issues, per Roberts Rules, the parliamentary procedure guidebook used by other decision-making bodies. Though she said she was torn, Napack said she did not feel like the council should stray from the provisions of the charter and Sturgis Code, which it follows. Ward 9 Councilor Tony Cadena echoed this sentiment. We should have had a better process. We possibly could have had a better process. We still might go down that path. I dont really know, Cadena said. In voting against the two-thirds requirement, Cadena said: Weve already lost a lot of faith, and a lot of capital, goodwill, with a great deal of the community over this, adding that it might appear as if things are being made up on the fly or geared toward an anticipated outcome. In his comments, Ward 7 Councilor Paul Shaffer said that while he understood his colleagues' sentiments and the precedent of a two-thirds vote requirement, no other issue was as immediate and urgent as the impending matter of Ellis ouster. I feel like thats something not to be taken lightly, Shaffer said. If this was an ideal world, we will pause the issue with the elephant in the room, and we would look at making a sweep of adjustments to the city charter, Shaffer said. Contradiction Several councilors expressed concern over what they saw as a contradiction between passing the resolution and the charter language. I cant marry that the resolution wont violate that part of the charter, Ward 3 Councilor Hyatt Lytle said, citing Chapter 4, Section 21 of the charter which stipulates majority votes for decision-making. The charter language isn't open to varied interpretations, explained City Attorney Jim Brewer, who joined the meeting via Zoom. He called the situation unique in legislation and a conundrum because the council cannot add or take away from charter language. Only the voters can do that. You may well have the power to do it, but not the authority under the charter and that can/or will be grounds for some litigation, Brewer said. Though she sees the issue at hand as grave, Yee did not believe in passing a resolution that felt situational and could potentially be void on its face. Councilors Napack, Cadena, Lytle and Ward 6 Councilor Laurie Chaplen voted "no" i.e., against a two-thirds vote needed while Councilors Shaffer, Ellis, Shepherd and Ward 2 Councilor Briae Lewis voted "yes." Yee, acting in the capacity of the mayor, broke the tie with her "no" vote. Due process hearing Ellis' due process hearing comes after an initial resolution declaring the Ward 5 council seat open and Ellis as having forfeited her seat was withdrawn from the Dec. 4 council meeting. The resolution had asked the city manager to solicit nominations to fill the position, as Ellis had forfeited her position by virtue of violating the city's charter. In an interview on Nov. 30, Ellis said she had not resigned. She described a Nov. 27 meeting with council leadership, including Yee and Maughan, where she was informed of the alleged violation. It was at this meeting that the city claimed Ellis had waived her rights to challenge the move. But Ellis told Mid-Valley Media she was too stunned to raise any questions or objections at the time. In postponing the Dec. 4 resolution, the city backtracked and announced it would allow Ellis a due process hearing. Ellis will be represented at the hearing, planned for Jan. 16, by a lawyer. The city, on the advice of the City Attorney's Office, has hired an outside counsel for the hearing as well. Details of that contract were not available by deadline. According to Brewer, discovery for the hearing will take place by Jan. 9. Both parties will exchange pre-hearing statements and witness lists among other documents and materials relevant to the hearing. The procedure will be a lot like a court case: Both sides' lawyers will present their opening statements, beginning with the counsel for the city, on which the burden of proof rests. The city's lawyer then will present evidence. Ellis' attorney will be allowed cross-examination of the city's witnesses. Next, counsel for Ellis will present evidence, and the city will have an opportunity to cross-examine Ellis' witnesses. Finally, the advocates will make closing statements and possible rebuttals. "The end result of that will be the council deliberating, making a decision," Brewer said. Related stories: The Presidential candidate of the NDC, John Mahama appears to be leading in terms of social media reception compared to Vice President and NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. This comes ahead of the 2024 presidential elections in which the duo are considered frontrunners so far. This information comes from IMANI Africa's Public Understanding and Literacy for Sentiment and Election. According to the Periodic Social Media Sentiment Analysis Report published in December 2023, more Ghanaians on social media express favorable opinions about Mahama compared to Dr. Bawumia. The study revealed that only 9.74% of posts mentioning Dr. Bawumia or the NPP were positive. In contrast, about 20% of social media posts mentioning John Mahama and the NDC were positive. IMANI highlighted that the number of posts mentioning the NPP and Dr. Bawumia was four times higher than those mentioning the NDC and Mahama. Source: myjoyonline.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 communication specialist and a political scientist with a law background, Barima Sarpong, has been heavily tipped to win the Afigya Sekyere East New Patriotic Party ( NPP) internal primaries after successfully filing for the seat. The fast emerging political asset, who picked position number two at the balloting process, rose through the ranks of the New Patriotic Party from the grassroot and heads into the contest with the endorsement of the masses. Born on November 17, 1982 in Dawu in the Ashanti region, Richard Barima Sarpong had his basic education at Dawu LA JHS before heading to Adu Gyamfi SHS for his secondary education. A further educational career at University of Ghana and Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) pushed the young political activist into Mountcrest University, where he studied Bachelor of Law (LLB) on his way to Ghana School of Law dubbed Makola. The versatile political scientist also studied Legal Insurance at Ghana Insurance College in an array of other courses pursued. As an everpresent figure in the Afigya Sekyere East Constituency, Richard Barima Sarpong networked himself with the grassroot voters and top party officials. His versatility in the world of work saw him shaping the National Health Insurance Authority , where he is the official Spokesperson with his communication strategies. Industry players and pollsters heavily tipped Richard Barima Sarpong to emerge winner at the selection process as the New Patriotic Party heads to the poll to decide their next badge of Parliamentary candidates for seats they have sitting Members of Parliaments across the country. Source: Peacefmonline Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The presidency has strongly denied wild allegations that the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is considering making politically motivated changes to the hierarchy of the Ghana Armed Forces. Director of Communications at the presidency, Eugene Arhin in a statement described the report making rounds as untrue. He maintained that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had no intentions of doing that despite his meeting with the military capos. Indeed, the President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, held a meeting with Heads of Security agencies at Jubilee House on 2nd January 2024, a meeting which has become an annual feature on the Presidents calendar at the beginning of the New Year. At these meetings, the Heads of Security agencies call on the President to offer him their best wishes for the coming year, with the President also using the opportunity to express his appreciation to them for their continued commitment to safeguarding the peace and stability of the nation. Contrary to the allegations made in the publication on social media, no such discussions about changes to the hierarchy of the Armed Forces were held during the meeting. A portion of the statement said. Rumours surfaced on social media that President Akufo-Addo held a meeting with the leadership of the Armed Forces on January 2 ahead of the alleged politically motivated reshuffle to influence the upcoming December 7, general elections. Read below the full statement Your browser does not support iframes. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/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 Dauphin County prosecutors on Wednesday dropped charges against a landlord accused of killing two people inside his Harrisburg rooming house, one day before his scheduled preliminary hearing. Police previously charged Kurt Tasker, 34, with two counts of criminal homicide in the shooting deaths of Shawn Hairston, 35, and Ana Scott, 42, at around 4:40 p.m. March 13, 2022 on the first block of South 16th Street. A man accused of stabbing another man near the Philadelphia International airport this week fled to Harrisburg, where he was arrested in a stolen car, police said. Umar K. Presbery, 29, was being held in the Dauphin County jail on Thursday for charges related to the stolen car. He was wanted on attempted first-degree murder and other charges filed in Delaware County in connection with the stabbing. Court records described Presbery as homeless. Court records said Presbery arrived with another man to get a hotel room near the airport, in Tinicum Township, in the early hours of Jan. 2 when he began stabbing the other man in an SUV, according to WFMZ. The victim stumbled into the lobby of the Holiday Inn Express for help and Presbery fled in the SUV, the news station reported. The victim tried writing Presberys name in blood on the hotel floor in case he died, WFMZ reported, citing court documents. Police then tracked the GMC that Presbery was driving to Lehigh County, where they found it abandoned about 4:25 a.m. Tuesday on the westbound shoulder of Interstate 78 near the New Smithville exit. Police transported the car to a state police station to be processed for evidence., About an hour later, police received a report of a stolen Subaru Outback from a mans driveway about four miles away. Police believed Presbery had taken it and troopers began searching for the white Subaru. Police found the Subaru about 3:50 p.m. Tuesday in the 600 block of Camp Street in Harrisburg, according to police. Presbery was inside the vehicle as well as another man. No details were released about the other man. By Beatrice Forman, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS) PHILADELPHIA There are dozens of shop cats in Philadelphia, but only one employed feline has had a Latin Grammy-nominated pianist compose a tango in its honor. The cat muse in question is Sheldon, the live-in kitty who greets patrons and occasionally corrects dance technique at the Philadelphia Argentine Tango School in the Fishtown neighborhood. He came to reside in the studio and its attached apartment by way of the schools director Meredith Klein, who rescued Sheldon from Palmer Park in 2017. Since then, hes spent the past six years capturing the hearts of guest Argentine tango instructors, novice dancers, and performers including New York City-based tango pianist and composer Emiliano Messiez. Messiez composed the three-part tango Sheldoneando as the opening track for the June 2023 album Psicoporteno, which was coproduced by Klein. It is the first release from Tipicia Messiez, the 10-member traditional tango orchestra Klein helped Messiez create at the 2019 Philadelphia Tango Festival. The songs title translates to Sheldon-ing, or the act of being Sheldon the cat. To Klein, Sheldon-ing includes jumping into strangers laps, finding new positions for snuggles, and secretly craving life back on the streets. Sheldoneando is about having the life of dreams living in a tango studio, having admirers yet yearning to escape to have adventures, Klein said. Klein said Sheldon (whose true age is unknown) was a former outdoor cat who ended up in Palmer Park after his owners abandoned him and moved away. When Klein attempted to domesticate him in 2017, she said he escaped after three days. He was tracked down by a group of Fishtown residents who used to feed him dinner. He used to have a set schedule to canvass the neighborhood for food, said Klein. Hed stop by one house at 5 p.m. to get his first dinner, and then another at 9 p.m. to get his second dinner, and then another at 2 a.m. to get his third dinner, and so on. Hes very smart. Now, Sheldons chief pastimes include lounging in the studios front window, demanding pets at the registration table, and sashaying across the dance floor as if hes commenting on peoples forms, Klein said. Founded in 2008 as a hub for Argentine tango music, dance, and poetry, Klein uses the Philadelphia Argentine Tango School to host guest artists and help them get visas, often offering them the studios attached apartment for their stay. Sheldon, of course, comes with the territory. Our teachers not only have to be extraordinary tango performers, they also have to like Sheldon, Klein said. Cuddling him is part of their job. Messiez, who is from Buenos Aires, met Sheldon and Klein in 2017 when he stepped in as a fill-in pianist for an event the tango school was hosting at the Barnes Foundation. Since then, Messiez has gone on to perform internationally, compose for several Broadway and regional musicals, and collaborate on more than 90 Philadelphia Tango School events with Klein, Sheldon often lounging at the foot of the studios piano while Messiez plays. We always joked that Sheldon deserved a song, said Messiez, who recently received his first Latin Grammy nomination in the best tango album category for his 2022 album Ahora. Messiez said Sheldoneando came together in about a week. After writing the melody from bed one morning in 10 minutes, Messiez began researching sounds that cats enjoy. Im writing a song for a cat, so I asked myself, What do I do to be fair? Messiez said. The composer ended up learning that although cats can hear noises at higher frequencies than humans, they actually enjoy lower register sounds hence the slow, almost ominous-sounding beginning to Sheldoneando. Sheldon, the patron cat saint of the Philadelphia Argentine Tango School, had a tango composed about him in June. He is the only individual cat to have this honor bestowed upon him. (Jose F. Moreno/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)TNS When you hear the song you can see Sheldon stalking across the studio, said Klein. Messiez said he imagines Sheldon happily watching couples dance every time he plays it. As for Sheldon, he seems to like the song, even if he has no idea it was composed for him. Klein says she occasionally plays Sheldoneando to summon him out from hiding. Sheldons not humble, said Klein. He just doesnt know anything about music or composition. 2024 The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC. Visit at inquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. PennLive has extensively covered which dog breed is Pennsylvanias favorite, even the one they spoil the most. But like many favored things, the most beloved pooch breed changes. And the new top dog of this year has just been revealed. Forbes Advisor a subset of Forbes which is dedicated to helping you turn your aspirations into reality when it comes to finances found the favorite dogs of all 50 U.S. state by first sending out a survey to 200 dog owners in each, making for 10,000 respondents total. Those who took the survey were asked to choose their favorite canines on a list of the 25 most popular, as compiled by the American Kennel Club. The resulting study thus found Pennsylvanias favorite dog to be the Bernese mountain dog, which as it just so happens is the most popular in Americas most populated states including California, Florida and Texas. Overall, however, it was the Australian shepherd which took the country by storm, with 7.2 percent of respondents choosing the breed as their favorite. The German shepherds followed in second (7.1 percent), while bulldogs took home the bronze (6.5 percent). Well-known as a highly trainable and intelligent dog, German shepherds ranked as Americas second favorite dog breed in America, elaborates Forbes Advisor. This breed is loyal and known as the most common breed to serve as search and rescue dogs and police K-9s, as well as aids in the military. This powerful breed is generally healthy, but the AKC notes German shepherds can experience bloat, a life-threatening swelling of the abdomen, and recommends owners educate themselves on the symptoms. The bottom three dogs with regards to favoritism were, in descending order, Shih Tzus, dachshunds, and Siberian Huskies. Residents in Lebanon County will no longer need to travel far for Chick-fil-A sandwiches. One of the restaurants is on target to open this fall at 1147 Quentin Road at the Lebanon Plaza shopping mall in North Cornwall Township, according to the chicken chain. Chick-fil-A is building the freestanding 5,905 square-foot restaurant at a former Golden Corral. It will feature 70 seats, 55 parking spots and three drive-thru lanes. It will be the first Chick-fil-A in Lebanon County and one of a handful under development in central Pennsylvania. The chains are known for drawing long lines, and some cities have declared the restaurants a public nuisance due to the high traffic volumes. On average, Chick-fil-As located outside of malls generated more than $8.1 million in revenues in 2021, according to Restaurant Business. The Lebanon County Chick-fil-A will join others in the wings in the region, including one under construction at 219 Gettysburg Pike at Shepherdstown Crossing, a mixed-use development at Gettysburg Pike and Route 114 in Upper Allen Township. Its scheduled to open early this year. Last year, a Chick-fil-A opened in Cumberland County at the Lower Allen Commons near Trader Joes. The Chick-fil-A at 6416 Carlisle Pike in Silver Spring Township will close this month for renovations and reopen in March, according to the franchises corporate office. Another one is in the pipeline at Dodson Court near Kohn Road and Progress Avenue in Susquehanna Township, according to Gary Nalbandian, of RSR Realtors in Lemoyne. A former member of an experimental 1990s rock band was arrested on Tuesday and charged with the murder of his girlfriend. Theobald Theo Lengyel, 54, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Alice Alyx Kamakaokalani Herrmann, 61, according to reports from Fox News and Yahoo. Authorities with the Capitola Police Department said that Herrmanns body was found in a wooded area of Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley, Calif. Herrmann was reported missing last month by her family after she missed a flight to Hawaii on Dec. 12, news reports said. Lengyel, who was a saxophonist and founding member of the avant-garde band Mr. Bungle, was named a person of interest in the case when he refused to cooperate with authorities, Fox News said. As the investigation progressed, it became clear that foul play was involved, leading to the identification of Theobald Lengyel as a suspect, the Capitola Police Department said in a press release. Authorities also said that Hermanns vehicle was found parked in front of Lengyels house and evidence had been found suggesting she was a homicide victim, Yahoo News said. The official identification of the remains is still pending DNA confirmation, both news sources said. Lengyel, who also goes by the name Milo Stone, is currently being held without bail in Santa Cruz County. A group gathered outside a Newark, New Jersey, mosque Wednesday night to remember a community faith leader who was earlier fatally shot outside the building. Imam Hassan Sharif, of the Masjid Muhammad mosque, died at University Hospital at 2:20 p.m., Mayor Ras Baraka and the Essex County Prosecutors Office confirmed. The shooting was reported around 6:15 a.m. outside the mosque at South Orange Avenue and Camden Street, police said About 200 people gathered in front of Masjid Muhammad Wednesday night and linked arms in a symbolic call for unity just a few feet from where the 52-year-old Newark resident was struck down by a killer who remains at large. Imam Saffet A. Catovic, of Justice For All, stands for a prayer and peace rally for Imam Hassan Sharif at Masjid Muhammad Newark mosque on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. (Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media)Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media United we stand, and divided we fall, Sharif Amen Hotep told crowd before leading them in a call-and-response that filled the cold night air on South Orange Avenue. Peace in the streets! he shouted. Stop the violence! Stop the shooting! Stop the killing! Its a chant thats been heard so many times on so many street corners in Newark. Another shooting death, and another unity circle set up to call for peace. But this time it was one of the citys leading peace activists who was the victim. Sharif had joined many unity circles prior to his death, organizers said Wednesday night. One of the clergy members who marched in the streets with us, who fought in the streets with us, who marched and rallied with us against senseless violence, said Bashir Akinyele, a Weequahic High School teacher and member of the Newark Anti-violence Coalition as he urged people to form a circle and join hands. I had to come out here today. Another local Muslim leader, Abdul Haqq Muhammad, quoted from both the Koran and the Bible, and urged people to focus on peace. He called Sharif a civilizer and a light-giver. Imam Hassan gave his life for God, he said. A bit later he added, our brother Imam Hassan is gone. But how are we to serve now? Newark Public Safety Director Fritz G. Frage said Sharif was the Imam of Masjid Muhammad Mosque for five years, and that he advocated non-violence in Newark. He was a community activist who protested against gun violence, said Frage. He supported efforts to keep our city safe. His is a deep loss that the city will mourn. Adbul Haqq Muhammad, student minister at Muhammad Mosque 25, speaks while holding a Quran during a prayer and peace rally for Imam Hassan Sharif at Masjid Muhammad Newark mosque on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Sharif was fatally shot outside Masjid Muhammad mosque early Wednesday morning.Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media Sharif had also worked as a transportation security officer at Newark Liberty International Airport since 2006, a TSA spokesperson confirmed. As of Wednesday afternoon, investigators did not have a suspect and had not found any evidence that suggested the attack was motivated by Muslim bias, authorities said. We do not yet know the motivation for this crime, and while we are not yet at liberty to discuss the progress of our ongoing investigation, the evidence collected thus far does not indicate this was an act motivated bias or an act of domestic terrorism, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said at a Wednesday afternoon press conference. Platkins office and Essex County Prosecutors Office are assisting city police with the investigation and working to identify suspects, officials said. There were frequent calls for the police to find the killer and bring him to justice. But there were also calls for people in the community to help police in solving the crime or for the killer to turn himself in. The killer of Imam Sharif is the business of us all, Newark City Council President LaMonica McIver told the crowd. West Ward Councilman Dupre Kelly urged people to keep a clear head, and to not let their minds get clouded. He asked people to join together and take back the streets, to find hope amid the heartbreak at the loss of another man of peace. There is a lot of powerful people in this circle, he said. Stand up. Stand strong, and stand with the children of Newark. CAIR-NJ, a Muslim civil rights group, gave its condolences following the news of the Imams death. Imam Hassan was a beacon of leadership and excellence. We are devastated at the news of his killing, CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Dina Sayedahmed said. We are praying for the Imam, his family and loved ones, and his congregation, and we ask everyone to do the same. The organization also said mosques should remain vigilant. While the perpetrators motive remains unknown and irrespective of this specific incident, we advise all mosques to keep their doors open but remain cautious especially given the recent spike in anti-Muslim bigotry, Sayedahmed said. Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura said the Essex County Crime Stoppers Program is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information was told to call 973-621-4111. The prosecutors office was also seeking tips and urged anyone who could aid in the investigation to call 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. Imam Nuruddeen Ali, center, speaks during a prayer and peace rally for Imam Hassan Sharif at Masjid Muhammad Newark mosque on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Sharif was fatally shot outside Masjid Muhammad mosque early Wednesday morning.Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media Reporter Nicolas Fernandes contributed to this report. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Unlike his colleagues in some larger U.S. cities, a Pennsylvania mayor is welcoming immigrants with open arms. And hes not the only one. Erie Mayor Joe Schember said on National Public Radios Morning Edition on Wednesday that attracting immigrants was part of his vision when first elected seven years ago. Having new Americans come in and settle here is very, very important, said Schember, a Democrat. That idea is being put to the limit in Democratic cities such as New York and Chicago, where Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, has bused illegal immigrants from his border state to make a political statement about President Joe Bidens immigration policies. Over the last 10 years in Erie, more than 3,330 new U.S. citizens from 110 countries have been sworn in, Schember said. Were very, very proud of that, he said. Schember said his pro-immigration stance ties into his plan to take advantage of Eries rich cultural diversity; welcoming, vibrant neighborhoods; world-class downtown area and Lake Erie bayfront; educational offerings and an abundance of good, family-sustaining jobs. Asked by host Michel Martin about those jobs, Schember replied that, There are a lot of possibilities. Schember told Martin that there are available resources, such as nonprofits and government agencies, to find housing for immigrants and help them settle permanently in Erie. Championing immigration is nothing new for Schember, who offered Erie as a landing spot for Mexican children separated from their parents during the border crisis in April 2021. More recently, he created the position of immigrant and refugee liaison in 2018 and celebrated the states first Afghan community center, which opened in Erie last month. Erie long ago lost its factory jobs and took a downturn, said Schember, losing more than 40,000 residents over the last 50 years. Now, its turning around and were moving forward, he said. Two hours south in Pittsburgh, Mayor Ed Gainey has a similar Rust Belt story to tell with the city and surrounding counties hemorrhaging residents since the demise of the steel industry decades ago. The result is one of the older populations in the country. Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey speaks at a 2021 event at the state Capitol when he was a state representative. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com We are not here to reject any immigration, Gainey, a Democrat, told the Washington Post last month. As a matter of fact, we want to make this the most safe, welcoming, thriving place in America, and you cant do that without immigration. The Post reported that Pittsburgh, under former Democratic Mayor Bill Peduto, was certified in 2021 by the Georgia-based nonprofit Welcoming America as a place for immigrants to settle, and it has an Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs to attract new residents. We are a city of good people, Gainey said. How much more good would it be if we had a more diverse population? In August, both Schember and Gainey signed a letter from six Democratic Pennsylvania mayors to Biden asking him to extend legal protections to illegal immigrants, according to cityandstatepa.com. Other signees included York Mayor Michael Helfrich, Lancaster Mayor Danene Sorace, Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti and Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. The threats to immigrant families continue to grow as extremist politicians propose policies that could ultimately upend their lives and impact the stability of our local communities and economy, the letter read. By Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun (TNS) The federal government denied Marylands request for a fishery resource disaster declaration amid the continued intrusion of invasive blue catfish and northern snakeheads in the Chesapeake Bay, and declines in native fisheries such as blue crabs and striped bass. According to federal officials, Marylands commercial fisheries have not experienced a sharp enough revenue decline at the hands of invasive species to warrant a disaster declaration, and the accompanying federal aid. The fishery did not experience a sudden, unexpected, large decrease in fish stock biomass that resulted in a significant loss of access to the fishery resource, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo wrote in a letter sent last month. The declines in the fishery have been occurring over the last decade. In addition, Raimondo wrote, blue catfish began affecting fisheries in the Chesapeake Bay more than five years ago, which is outside the timeframe allowed by federal law. In a statement Thursday, Maryland Secretary of Natural Resources Josh Kurtz said Maryland officials were disappointed by the Biden administrations decision. But [we] also understand the ruling due to the limits of federal law surrounding fisheries disasters, Kurtz said. Blue catfish await processing at BSA Seafood in Grasonville. The USDA requires that the invasive species are processed separately from other fish. May 19, 2023TNS Under the law, the U.S. Department of Commerce can issue a disaster declaration only if the revenue from a commercial fishery declines at least 35% compared to the previous five-year average. The Commerce Department found that revenue from Marylands fishery declined 24%, according to Raimondos letter. Marylands request was the first from any state to cite invasive species as the cause, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Other requests often cite problems such as hurricanes, droughts, marine heat waves and oil spills. Marylands request, filed by Democratic Gov. Wes Moore last year, documented declines in the harvest of seven species, including crabs, perch and rockfish, between 2012 and 2022. In that 10-year period, harvest declined between 27% and 91% for each species, while the catch data for blue catfish and snakeheads, which are lower-value fish, ballooned. Though there isnt a direct, causal link between the two trends, mounting evidence suggests they are connected, Moore said in his letter. Research has shown that the catfish, which have few natural predators in the Chesapeake, consume a huge variety of bay species, and crowd out native fish. The Chesapeake Bay was last approved for a disaster declaration in 2008, as blue crabs endured a precipitous decline that dated back to the 1990s. In their request letters, Maryland and Virginia officials cited poor water quality and habitat loss, among other factors. They argued that emergency regulations were needed to protect crabs from harvest, and that watermen would face financial headwinds. Following the declaration, the federal government disbursed $30 million for the recovery effort, according to NOAA. Despite the denial this time, Raimondo said federal officials recognize the problem Maryland is facing. NOAA Fisheries recognizes there are many dynamic shifts occurring in the Chesapeake Bay marine ecosystem, including invasive species impacts, and these shifts present significant challenges to Marylands fishing communities, Raimondo wrote. The National Marine Fisheries Service, she continued, would welcome the opportunity to discuss these emerging challenges and opportunities further with you. Kurtz pledged to continue the conversation. We will continue to work with our federal partners to determine what form of federal assistance can help us mitigate the continued and pervasive spread of blue catfish and other invasive species impacting commercial fisheries in the Bay, he wrote in his statement Thursday. In a news release Thursday, the state natural resources department pledged to increase monitoring programs for the blue catfish population in Maryland waters, and bolster research efforts. The department also is trying to urge more fishermen to target the invasive predator, for which there are no fishing limits. DNR said in its news release that it has hired a dedicated program manager to coordinate the management of invasive fish species across multiple departments. Marylands Department of Agriculture is ramping up its marketing efforts encouraging chefs, consumers, restaurants and grocery stores to buy and consume blue catfish, DNR said in its release. The effort so far includes social media posts, roadside billboards and media appearances. The agriculture agency also has hosted blue catfish cooking demonstrations at community events and is encouraging food banks to buy Maryland-caught blue catfish, allocating $1 million for banks to buy filets. The agency is promoting blue catfish as a product that can help colleges and other state institutions buy 20% of their food locally, which is a state goal. News of the federal aid denial comes amid budget shortfalls in Maryland, which are already prompting cuts in Annapolis. Maryland has been contending with increasing numbers of blue catfish over the last few years. The fish, which are native to other parts of the country, were introduced to the MidAtlantic in Virginia during the 1970s. The goal was for recreational fishermen to catch them. But officials did not anticipate that the catfish would be able to make the leap from fresh water to the saltier waters of the Chesapeake. The voracious eaters have taken over rivers, devouring smaller fish and crustaceans along the way. In some tributaries, blue catfish now make up as much as 75% of the total fish biomass, according to DNR. Watermen have started harvesting the catfish, but some barriers exist. Fish processors, for instance, have expressed frustration that blue catfish have more stringent inspection requirements than other fish, a measure supported by domestic catfish farmers. Last summer, the Maryland Congressional delegation which voiced its support of Moores disaster request highlighted a $3.8 million allocation supporting loans to the small number of processors that accept blue catfish to expand their operations. 2024 Baltimore Sun. Visit baltimoresun.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Steelton fire Chief Gene Vance died this week after more than 50 years of fighting fires in the borough and leading the all-volunteer department. Vance, 70, had been serving as the fire chief since 1998 but showed no signs of slowing down before he died on Wednesday. Steelton firefighters found Vance at his home after they were unable to get in touch with him. A Thursday morning autopsy found he died from a stroke, according to the Dauphin County Coroners Office. The Steelton Borough Police Department yesterday lost a very dear friend, colleague, and brother. Yesterday, Fire Chief Gene Vance passed away, Steelton police Chief William Shaub said in an email to PennLive on Thursday. Vance would always lend a helping hand, Shaub said. Gene was not only the fire chief, he was also a very dear and close friend to members of the Steelton Police Department. This is a tragic loss for all of the Steelton community. The Steelton Fire Department issued a press release on Thursday announcing Vances death. Gene was tireless in his efforts to ensure the safety of the volunteer firefighters under him, providing training, necessary equipment, and education, the fire department said. He was a listening ear to many, guiding them through lifes challenges on a personal level. He was a brother, firefighter, colleague, and friend to thousands. Vances work ethic, leadership and calm presence at even the most chaotic fire scenes are traits that wont be easily replaced, according to Brian Enterline, Harrisburgs fire chief. Enterline and Vance knew each other most of their lives, growing up together in Highspire and Steelton. For me, when I think Steelton, the first thing that comes to my mind is Gene Vance, Enterline told PennLive. He has been Steelton through and through his whole life. He was happiest at the fire station. Enterline and Vance fought countless fires together since the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire frequently provided mutual aid to Steelton. Vance was an old-school fire chief, who let his firefighters learn through hands-on experience, trusting them to know their roles and know them well, Enterline said. Gene Vance, at left, with Harrisburg Firefighter Nate Martin. The two were close friends.Nate Martin Vances firefighting career began with Baldwin Fire Co., which later merged with several other Steelton-area departments. He was at Steeltons fire station every day of the week. Enterline sometimes drove over and had a cup of coffee with him in the engine bay. Running a volunteer-run fire department came with its challenges, but Vance was fully dedicated to the Steelton Fire Department, Enterline said. Other fire agencies began sharing their reaction to Vances death online on Thursday. Any loss is hard but this one hits home. The loss of Steeltons Fire Chief Gene Vance is a great loss not only to his family & friends, but to Steelton Fire department, Steelton community & surrounding boroughs, Citizens Fire Co. of Highspire wrote on Facebook. His years & legacy in the Fire department will go on to be remembered for years to come. He led with grit, determination & heart up until his last day. Vance was named fire and rescue leader of the year in 2020 and given the Craig Webb Memorial Award, alongside several other Dauphin County first responders. You will be hard-pressed to find a more dedicated volunteer fire chief in all of Pennsylvania, Enterline said. He gave his entire life to the borough of Steelton and did so willingly. Thats something every firefighter should look up to. Lululemons billionaire founder has blasted the company for prioritizing diversity and inclusivity efforts over exclusivity. In an interview with Forbes, former CEO Chip Wilson seems to think that exclusivity reigns supreme over inclusivity, where making Lululemon products more accessible would hurt the posh leggings brand he stepped down from a decade ago. Theyre trying to become like the Gap, everything to everybody, Wilson, who has an estimated net worth of $8.7 billion, said to the outlet. And I think the definition of a brand is that youre not everything to everybody Youve got to be clear that you dont want certain customers coming in. But is it possible that the billionaire may be onto something? Maybe, if only because he added almost $4 billion to his net worth since 2020 and thats nearly due to the rise in value of his 8% stake in Lululemon stock, Fortune and the Independent reported. This isnt the first time Wilson made his stance regarding Lululemons whole diversity and inclusion thing known. In the past, he repeatedly faced backlash when it came to his anti-Asian, sexist, and fatphobic comments. Way back in 2013, In an interview for Bloomberg Televisions Street Smart, there was mounting criticism that Lululemons popular leggings were low-quality and see-through. In response to that, Wilson insisted that the leggings werent for everyone more specifically, plus-sized women. They dont work for some womens bodies, he told the outlet, before stepping down as the firms CEO and then leaving the board entirely in 2015. Its really about the rubbing through the thighs, how much pressure is there. When discussing the creation of the company back in 1998, he said he specifically came up with a brand name that has three Ls due to the sound not existing in Japanese phonetics. Its funny to watch them try and say it, he said to Canadas National Post Business Magazine. Wilson was also in favor of children working in factories to earn money and avoid poverty, blamed birth control for the rise in divorce rates, and called plus-sized clothing a money-loser for businesses, Fortune reported. Since Wilson stepped down and left, the Canadian company has been actively trying to shake off its reputation as a brand exclusively made for upper-middle-class white women through marketing and strengthening its diversity and inclusion initiatives. With IDEA the new department the company formed in Nov. 2020 named Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Action the new addition was tasked with increasing the diversity of staff and expanding DEI training, development and discourse, both Fortune and the Independent reported. But many employees revealed to Business of Fashion that the new addition was launched to protect the companys image first and resulted in no change. It was also revealed that the company often denied Black employees promotions in favor of less-qualified white counterparts. In a statement to Business of Fashion, the company said it has made considerable progress since launching IDEA, and we are proud of the goals we have achieved, which include maintaining a continuous two-way dialogue with our people. WILLIAMSPORT The city of Williamsport has received $50,000 in a settlement with one of the insurance companies it believes should be providing legal representation for two pending lawsuits. The city, Mayor Derek Slaughter and former Mayor Gabriel J. Campana in 2021 sued The Charter Oak Fire Insurance Co. and State National Insurance Co. Inc. after they refused to provide coverage to defend them in suits brought by Lt. Fred V. Miller IV and now-retired Lt. Stephen Helm. State National, without accepting liability, has settled each of the citys suits for $25,000 according to terms PennLive obtained this week through a right-to-know request. The Miller and Helm suits for which the city seeks legal representation contend the two officers were victims of retaliation by being bypassed for promotions to administrative positions despite being the most qualified. State National provided the city public entity liability insurance from Jan. 1, 2016, to Dec. 31, 2018, when Charter Oak took over. U.S. Middle District Judge Matthew W. Brann in 2022 dismissed the citys suit against the insurance companies in the Helm case. He ruled it involves wrongful employment practice offenses related to Helm suits brought in 2017 and 2018 before the city contracted with Charter Oak for coverage. The State National policy disclaims coverage for future suits arising out of any pending or prior litigation, the judge wrote. He also denied Williamsports request for a finding that the two insurance companies have a duty to indemnify the city. The city appealed Branns decision to the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals where it is today with Charter Oak as the remaining defendant. The settlement with State National also applies to the Miller case still in Middle District Court. The city has been using its money to defend the Helm and Miller lawsuits pending the resolution of the insurance issue. Editors note: This story has been corrected to show there are four Certified Welcoming cities in Pa. A state lawmaker wants to prevent Pennsylvania municipalities and counties from designating themselves as sanctuary cities for undocumented immigrants. State Rep. Ryan Warner, a Fayette County Republican, co-introduced a bill in November that was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. Warner said in a statement released Wednesday that an estimated 300,000 immigrants, 75% of whom were undocumented, were processed by border officials in December. Now, more than ever, we need to work together at the federal, state and local levels to combat the challenges that go along with illegal immigration, Warner said. Communities that grant sanctuary status are severely undermining that effort. Warner told WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh that there is a national crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border and Pennsylvania must do its part to help address it. In a co-sponsorship memo circulated in June, Warner and Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, a Lehigh County Republican, said their bill would keep sanctuary municipalities and counties from prohibiting police from cooperating with federal immigration authorities to detain undocumented immigrants who officers have taken into custody. This misguided attempt at preserving human rights ultimately threatens the safety of citizens legally residing in their communities, they wrote. Police, corrections and parole officers, as well as those working for district attorney and attorney general offices, and judicial staff would be covered by the bill. The memo says that a law enforcement officer who has reasonable cause to think someone arrested is in the country illegally would have to report that person to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Any person adversely affected by a sanctuary policy would also be given standing to sue under the bill. According to the anti-immigration Center for Immigration Studies, there are 13 sanctuary counties in Pennsylvania Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Clarion, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Lehigh, Lycoming, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton and Westmoreland besides Philadelphia, which has been targeted by Republicans for years for its immigration policies. Butler County, which is north of Pittsburgh, abolished its sanctuary county status in February 2023, replacing it with a policy to cooperate with ICE officials. Welcoming America, a national nonprofit based in Georgia, says that it has given Certified Welcoming status to four cities in Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, Lancaster, Pittsburgh and Erie. Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, a newly sworn-in progressive Democrat, told WPXI that the county should welcome immigrants for population stabilization and economic growth reasons. Not only that, she said, it is the right thing to do. Want a say in the news? Email Claudia at todayinpa@pennlive.com to have your thoughts on the stories covered here or on PennLive heard. You can listen to the latest episode of Today in Pa at this link, or on any of your favorite apps including Alexa, Apple, Spotify, and Stitcher. Episodes are available every weekday on PennLive. Feel free to subscribe, follow or rate Today in Pa. as you see fit! Today in Pa. Daily Podcast | January 4, 2024 Hitters are being paid by drug addicts in Philadelphia to shoot them up when they cant find their own veins anymore. A city has banned the sale of dogs along with cats and rabbits from pet mills. The avian flu is influencing this years stock of pheasants. And a teen caught a ghost. Those are the stories we cover in the latest episode of Today in Pa., a daily weekday podcast from PennLive.com and hosted by Claudia Dimuro. Today in Pa. is dedicated to sharing the most important and interesting stories pertaining to Pennsylvania that lets you know, indeed, whats happening today in Pa. Todays episode refers to the following articles: If you enjoy Today in Pa., consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or on Amazon. Reviews help others find the show and, besides, wed like to know what you think about the program, too. As sponsored by Renewal by Anderson of Central PA. HILLBURN, N.Y. New York state troopers killed a person in a shootout on a major highway Wednesday after stopping a vehicle identified in a shooting investigation, authorities said. Two troopers stopped the vehicle on the New York State Thruway, or Interstate 87, in Hillburn near the New Jersey line just before 3 p.m., after discovering it was the subject of a be on the lookout alert, state police said. The driver opened fire on the troopers, who shot back and killed the person, authorities said. One trooper had minor injuries and the other was not harmed, state police said. Police in Albany said Wednesday evening that the person killed by the troopers was wanted in connection with a shooting in the capital city earlier in the day. The victim was shot in the head and was hospitalized in critical condition, Police Chief Eric Hawkins said. Officials did not immediately disclose the name of the person killed by the troopers. A motive for the Albany shooting was not released. The shootout with troopers and ensuing investigation shut down the southbound lanes of the thruway for several hours, causing a major traffic jam that lasted into the evening. Hillburn is about 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of New York City. The significant increase in labor costs initiated by the recent UAW settlement will be expensive for American vehicle manufacturers. Under the new contract, the average salary and benefits package for an assembly line worker at GM will be $80,034 annually. An average Ford plant employee will make $74,691 yearly. Overall General Motors annual labor costs will rise by $9.3 billion, Fords will go up by $8.8 billion. These additional labor costs will add about $900 to the price of a new vehicle. President Bidens decision to walk a picket line in support of UAW strikers should not have gone unnoticed by the American public, especially those shopping for a new car. The president has not been shy in his support for organized labor. His early years in Scranton, Pa., located in the heart of one of the most pro-union regions of the country, no doubt imbued him with the belief in the sanctity of organized labor. Biden was not the first president to become involved in union organized strikes. In 1902 Teddy Roosevelt intervened in the United Mine Workers anthracite coal strike, one of several that plagued the coal mines in the last half of the 19th and early 20th century. Roosevelt formed a commission which addressed the most contentious concerns of miners leading to an eventual end to the strike. However, addressing the inhuman conditions present in the coal mines then, including below substance wages, 10 hour workdays, six-day work weeks, horrible working conditions, and child labor exploitation flagrant in the mines then is a long way from striking to raise total annual wage packages for assembly line auto workers to about $78,000. The American public is not naive. While they may not grasp all the idiosyncratic components of the complex pay package the UAW was able to negotiate, they do understand the impact of significantly increased vehicle prices on their familys current and future wellbeing. They also understand that the current administrations policies overtly favor union members in ways beyond wage and benefit issues alone. For instance, the only electric vehicles eligible for the current $7,500 income tax credit are those built by union workers. Even EVs like Toyotas, BMWs and other foreign brands built in U.S. plants by non-union employees and purchased by Americans are not eligible. This policy increases the UAWs monopoly power and by so doing assure that we will pay more for a new vehicle. This policy is one of the reasons why the union pressed so hard to ensure that existing and new employees working in new American battery production facilities were included in the latest contract. What is a little more difficult to understand is why non-administration economists and policy makers are concerned about the latest UAW contract. Manufacturing output per hour in the United States has grown by just .02% since 2009. As a bargaining strategy it makes sense for John Fein, president of the UAW, to argue that auto manufactures are enjoying significant profits, and that some auto executives are paid giant salaries. However, what is not as well publicized is that productivity in the domestic automobile industry, as measured by output per hour, has declined by 32% since 2012. Some of this precipitous drop in productivity can be blamed on the pandemic, but such drastic productivity decreases were not as apparent in Asia. Simply put, American auto manufacturers and workers are not very efficient. Emboldened by the support the UAW has received from Washington, the union has now set its sights on organizing workers at Toyota, Nissan, BMW and other non-union U.S. auto plants. This will no doubt raise the price of these vehicles. This blatantly pro-union stance is still another example of Washington initiating policies that helps organized labor while harming the American public. Such short-cited policies may also signal the renewal of collusion like the U.S. faced in the 1970s and early 1980s when the UAW and the car companies joined hands with Washington to place quotas on foreign cars. Not only did these contrivances reduce competition, and hence raise auto prices, they also led to a decline in the quality of American made vehicles. Michael A. MacDowell is President Emeritus of Misericordia University. By Steve Bohnel, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS) Jan. 3In her first press conference as Allegheny County executive, Sara Innamorato announced an increase in hourly wages for some county employees, more vacation time, and a change to a longstanding policy so that they can use sick and family leave as soon as they begin work. The moves to raise the minimum wages paid by county government and to otherwise change employment policies came a day after the Democrat was sworn into office, and marked a policy shift from previous administrations. Ms. Innamoratos wage changes apply to a group of non-union employees a few hundred full-time workers and a few dozen part-timers. For 2024, the full-time employees will make at least $18 an hour, increasing annually to $22 an hour by 2027. Affected part-time workers will see a $3-per-hour base increase, meaning theyll be paid a minimum of $15 an hour, effective immediately. The county executive said higher wages for non-union employees will give union employees a stronger footing when they negotiate with county officials at the bargaining table. We have set, on our own terms, a higher floor for them to bargain from, Ms. Innamorato said. She said there will be no fiscal impact on the 2024 budget, but its unclear what impact might occur in future years. The new executive said her office will work with county budget officials to understand potential implications. We know we will be saving money by reducing turnover and making sure that people want to stay and grow with the county, Ms. Innamorato said, adding that those cost savings will be part of any future fiscal analysis. The decision comes in the aftermath of a legal battle last year between the Allegheny County Council and former county Executive Rich Fitzgerald, where the council tried to enact a minimum wage increase law that was ultimately defeated in court. Mr. Fitzgerald had argued that the council was acting outside of the purview of the county charter, and was violating county and state laws when it tried to increase wages. He vetoed the bill, the council overrode the veto, and then he filed a legal challenge to the law. Councilmembers unsuccessfully claimed that they had budgetary authority, as stated within the charter, to make such changes. Ms. Innamoratos actions come as the state minimum wage is set at $7.25 an hour, the same as the federal minimum wage. Numerous Democratic state lawmakers in Harrisburg have tried to increase that figure in recent years, but have failed to get any proposals passed. Some councilmembers were present at Wednesdays press conference, along with scores of state representatives and senators who serve constituents throughout the county. There were also local union representatives, some of whom represent unions that oversee county workers, the county executive said. Ms. Innamorato saw significant support from local unions during her campaign for county executive, where she proposed a jobs training program and a Workers Rights and Wage Enforcement Office that would crack down on anti-worker labor practices by companies that commit wage theft, have wage gaps based on gender and race, and break other labor laws. Some, including supporters of Joe Rockey the Republican she defeated in Novembers election are concerned that SEIU, one of those unions, will have an outsized influence on Ms. Innamoratos administration. The union, which represents health care and other service-sector workers, is seen as already having a considerable impact on Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gaineys administration. In addition to the wage increases, Ms. Innamorato said non-union county employees will be getting more vacation time. Before the policy change, those workers earned one week of vacation time annually for their first five years of employment. Now, she said theyll get three weeks annually for the first five years of employment, four weeks a year for the next five years, and then an additional day per year until hitting a maximum of five weeks of annual vacation time. When I found out that policy had been untouched since at least the 90s, when I was playing with Beanie Babies, I knew that had to change immediately, Ms. Innamorato said. The county will end its policy of requiring a waiting period for employees to use sick time and parental leave, she said. That paid time off will now be available immediately once county workers begin their employment. There wont be a universal requirement for a pre-employment drug test, Ms. Innamorato said. Some positions, such as county police officer jobs, are required by higher laws to complete one. But for non-union workers, there wont be one, officials said. A drug-free workplace will still be observed, but officials will encourage employees struggling with substance abuse to get help, the county executive said. Requiring potential employees to take a drug test and disclose potentially sensitive medical information is beneath the dignity and respect that they deserve, she said. Ms. Innamorato also said Wednesday that she would be looking at changing county practices concerning salary bands, removing college degree requirements for some positions, and whether to implement benefits like education credits and reimbursements. The policy changes come at a time when the county has roughly 1,000 vacancies, and low unemployment rates make it competitive for county officials to find workers, Ms. Innamorato said. I hope this announcement of higher wages, more vacation time, and policies that enforce a culture of dignity and respect will inspire people to come take a look at what the county has to offer, she said. (c)2024 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Visit the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at www.post-gazette.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. In May 2016, Baby Raleigh Alexander plays in the grass on the banks of the Slough as his father Davis "Toler" Alexander casts a fishing line in the distance. The Coast Guard family has many fond memories of spending time in the Blind River Rapids area, and looked back on photos such as this when they won the bid for Mental Health Trust Lot 37. The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority recently sold a prized lot at the mouth of Blind Slough near Blind River Rapids in the Trust's Fall Land Sale Auction. The Lot 37 parcel is located at a popular recreation site for sport fishing about 14 miles south of downtown Petersburg. It is one of the many properties on Mitkof Island that the Trust Land Office plans to sell by 2025. In response to what the Trust's plans are for selling the dozens of lots near the mouth of Blind Slough, Allison Biastock, Chief Communications Officer for the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, stated the Trust... Press Release January 4, 2024 'Magbalik-loob at bigyan ng bagong pag-asa' -- Bong Go calls for strengthening NTF-ELCAC to support rebel returnees as they reintegrate into their communities Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has urged for the continued provision and enhancement of government initiatives designed to encourage and aid rebel returnees in reintegrating into mainstream society. "Alam niyo, gaya ng dati, kapag may namatay na sundalo, nasasaktan po ako, sumasakit ang dibdib ko 'pag may nauulilang pamilya. Habang mayroong nagpapatayan na Pilipino sa kapwa Pilipino, nasasaktan po ako dahil mayroong nauulilang pamilyang Pilipino," said Go in an interview after his visit to Lupon, Davao Oriental on Thursday, December 28. "Ngayon, dapat yung malalayong barangay, engganyuhin ang mga kababayan natin na naging rebelde na magbalik-loob sa gobyerno," he stressed. This call comes after a military engagement in Bukidnon, where nine suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA), including three women, were killed. The clash in Malaybalay City occurred just hours after the declaration of a unilateral ceasefire by the communist group on Christmas Day. Senator Go's emphasis is on the critical need to strengthen programs like the Balik-Loob Program, which operates under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). The Balik-Loob Program, officially known as the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), is a critical initiative of the Philippine government. This program is under the management of Task Force Balik-Loob (TFBL) and acknowledges the significant role played by the Armed Forces of the Philippines in positively impacting the lives of former rebels. Created by Administrative Order No. 10 in 2018, during the time of former president Rodrigo Duterte, the TFBL serves as the central coordinating body for the government's reintegration efforts for members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), including their immediate families. A notable aspect of the Balik-Loob Program is its Balik-Loob Lending Program, which is a credit facility offered by LandBank. This loan program is a key benefit of the E-CLIP. It is designed to assist former rebels in starting or growing their businesses, ultimately aiding in their smooth transition back into civilian life. According to Go, enhancing the capabilities and reach of the NTF-ELCAC is vital in fostering development in areas impacted by the insurgency. He added that by accelerating development, the underlying conditions of poverty that often fuel support for rebel groups can be effectively addressed, thereby reducing their influence. The senator also underscored that by focusing on programs that facilitate the return of rebels to mainstream society, the government aims to create a more inclusive and sustainable path toward peace. "Kasi kapag na-strengthen po ang NTF-ELCAC, maraming developments sa bundok. Tignan nyo ang Paquibato, Lumian sa Davao City, sementado na. I-strengthen nyo po yan para ma-engganyo po ang barangays na sumuporta sa gobyerno at maipaliwanag, ma-explain ng mabuti doon sa mga nagiging rebelde sa bundok na mas magandang mamuhay dito sa bayan," Go encouraged. "Suportahan po natin ang NTF-ELCAC, support Balik-Loob (program) ng gobyerno at bigyan po natin sila ng bagong pag-asa, kung sino po ang gusto na magbalik-loob sa gobyerno," he added. It is a first time that a Burns student from Burns High school signed with Laramie County Community College for livestock judging. Shiriah Eklund is senior this year and received the offer to sign with LCCC. Eklund has been showing cattle for most of her life. Her parents have a great herd for their girls to show how great they are in the beef industry. Eklund along with her father Val Eklund and mother Sherry Eklund had the opportunity sign with LCCC. Eklund spoke to the audience saying, " My parents help me to be sure of myself. Mom, you always hear me and pushed me to do all parts. Dad,... CHEYENNE The Wyoming State Board of Career and Technical Education (SBCTE) and Wyoming State Board of Education (SBE) met virtually on December 21. The board convened as the SBCTE to review recommended updates to the Wyoming Perkins V State plan. The plan allows Wyoming to access federal funding for CTE programs at the K-12 and postsecondary levels. In 2023, under Superintendent Degenfelder's strategic plan initiative of Preparing Students for Jobs Through CTE, a cabinet of stakeholders representing education and business/industry was formed. The cabinet was tasked with providing recom... Michigan Poker Player Says He's the Victim of $2M Extortion Scheme January 03, 2024 Connor Richards Editor & Live Reporter U.S. Michigan poker player George Janssen alleges he is the victim of an extortion scheme that began two years ago when a man held him at gunpoint outside a Detroit casino and demanded $2 million. Janssen, who last month was found zip-tied and bloodied on a rural Michigan road and claimed to have been held captive in a basement for 35 days, told family and friends that he had been regularly giving "large amounts of cash" to the men who threatened him and was seven figures in debt. These details and others about Janssen's alleged abduction appeared in a missing persons report that PokerNews obtained through a public records request. The case, which has been referred to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), describes how Janssen was allegedly preyed upon for his poker winnings, which includes recent $82,823 and $79,861 scores. Poker Player Arrested For Las Vegas Shooting Held At Gunpoint, Ordered to Make Money Drops On Nov. 13, Janssen, a four-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit Ring winner and Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) Main Event champion with $440,763 in live earnings, was reported missing by friends and family. A longtime friend told detectives with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office that they had spoken with Janssen days earlier and he had sounded "broken." Janssen allegedly told his friend that "approximately two years ago after a poker tournament in Detroit, George was leaving the casino (George did not remember which casino when telling the story) and entered his car which was parked in a parking garage." "When George sat in the driver's seat of his vehicle, an unknown masked man pointed a gun to George's head and demanded two million dollars," reads the witness report. George Janssen's vehicle that was found by a family member Janssen allegedly told the attacker (who "was wearing a mask and possibly had a Mexican accent") he did not have $2 million, at which point "the man made George drive to a parking lot down the street ... (where) he was met by multiple subjects who provided him with a cell phone." "Over the course of the next two years, George would be contacted on a cell phone provided by the suspects and they would give him a 'drop' area," the report reads. "At the location provided by the suspects, George would drop increments of large amounts of cash for the suspects. Sometimes in the drop box there would be another cell phone provided by the suspects, or a handwritten note from the suspects advising George where the next box would be. Periodically the suspects would threaten to harm George's family or send George photographs of his children." George Janssen's vehicle that was found by a family member A family member told detectives that Janssen had been given "different meeting spots where he would have to drop off large sums of money." "George advised ... that when he would make these drops, he would place the money in a small box that would be at these locations," the report reads. "On some occasions, there would be a cell phone in the box. If a cell phone was in the box, George would have to put his cell phone in the box and take the new one to continue communications. George stated sometimes there would be handwritten notes in the box advising where the next drop location would be. (The family member) advised that recently George disclosed ... that he told the men extorting him that he was running out of money. The men stated that he would have to make one more last drop valued at 25 thousand dollars." The family member last heard from Janssen the morning of Nov. 13 when he said "he was heading to Novi to talk to someone about 'money'." The same day, a friend discovered Janssen's abandoned car off of Lulu Road with a few $50 bills scattered on the floor. George Janssen's vehicle that was found by a family member Cryptic Messages In Handwritten Letter On Dec. 15, a family member contacted police and said they had received a handwritten letter from the still-missing Janssen. The family member "noticed several items" that stood out in the letter, including references to the names Kirby, Iggy, Daisey Noah, Anthony and Parker. "(The family member) stated that they do not know anyone with these names, nor do they have any pets / animals with these names," the report reads. "It should be noted that the names spell out 'Kidnap.'" A letter believed to be written by George Janssen Janssen's poker earnings were repeatedly discussed throughout the interviews. One person told detectives "George will win frequently and walk out with $80,000+ per poker game," while another described him as "a prominent poker player (who) frequently plays in high stakes poker tournaments across the country." Detectives also learned that Janssen, who owns a used car dealership in Bay City, Michigan, "was in a couple million dollars worth of debt to his bank." One interviewee told detectives that Janssen had "been taking out loans on vehicles that he did not have the money for," and a bank official later confirmed that his account was $2 million in debt. FBI Is Investigating The Monroe County Sheriff's Office closed its missing persons investigation when Janssen was found on Dec. 18 and forwarded the case to the FBI, which had already been looking into Janssen's disappearance. "(Monroe County) Detectives were contacted by the FBI, advising that George was seen in Bad Axe and checked himself into a local hospital," a detective wrote. "The FBI will be continuing the investigation on their end." PokerNews previously reached out to the FBI for comment and the agency would not confirm or deny an investigation. George Janssen *Photos courtesy of Monroe County Sheriff's Office House Republicans have not only failed at their jobs, but they have consistently made the wrong kind of history during their roughly one year in the majority. 1). House Republicans Failed To Elect A Speaker House Republicans were thrilled to win the majority. Then, they promptly faceplanted by getting mired in infighting, which paralyzed them and left the House unable to begin work because Republicans could not elect a Speaker. The nearly week-long drama took 15 ballots and was the first speaker election since 1923 to go beyond one ballot. House Republicans also own the record for the longest speaker election since 1856. This was definitely not the sort of history that any new House majority should want to make, but the Republican House majority of the 118th Congress was just getting warmed up. 2). Kevin McCarthy Became The First Speaker In History To Be Removed Kevin McCarthy lasted nine months on the job as Speaker of the House before he was removed from office by a full vote of the House because a group of far-right House Republicans, led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), used the power that had been given to each of them to bring forward a motion to vacate against McCarthy because he made a deal with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown. To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily. Its uncharted territory because weve never done that in the history of the United States, Matthew Green, a politics professor at Catholic University, said to CBS News. This is the wrong kind of history, as the House Republicans inability to do the basics of governing was affirmed and underlined in black ink for the American people. 3). The House Expels Rep. George Santos There have only been six members who have been expelled in House history. Now, former Rep. George Santos became the sixth in 2023. Before Santos, Rep. Jim Traficant was expelled in July 2002 after being convicted of ten counts of bribery, racketeering, and extortion. Traficant later served eight years in prison. Santos is reportedly trying to negotiate a plea deal on the dozens of federal criminal charges that he is facing, including money laundering, wire fraud, and stealing the identities of his contributors. House Republicans Cant Distract From Their Failures With Impeachments And Border Stunts House Republicans are trying to distract the nation with sham impeachment stunts and photo-ops on the border, but the staged events cant hide the fact from voters that the current House majority is historically bad at its job. House Republicans passed less than two dozen pieces of legislation that became law last year. House Republicans have been making all of the wrong kinds of history, and more will likely come in 2024. A Special Message From PoliticusUSA If you are in a position to donate purely to help us keep the doors open on PoliticusUSA during what is a critical election year, please do so here. We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years as we only answer to our readers and we will not compromise on that fundamental, core PoliticusUSA value. [paypal-donation] Trump has petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn his disqualification in Colorado, but even the beginning of his petition shows contempt for democracy. Trumps lawyers had some interesting uses of quotation marks are they put the question before the Court: The Supreme Court of Colorado held that President Donald J. Trump is disqualified from holding the office of President because he engaged in insurrection against the Constitution of the United Statesand that he did so after taking an oath as an officer of the United States to support the Constitution. The state supreme court ruled that the Colorado Secretary of State should not list President Trumps name on the 2024 presidential primary ballot or count any write-in votes cast for him. The state supreme court stayed its decision pending United States Supreme Court review. The question presented is: Did the Colorado Supreme Court err in order- ing President Trump excluded from the 2024 presidential primary ballot? To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily. It has been a given throughout presidential history that presidents take an oath of office to support the Constitution. Is Trumps legal defense that the president is not an officer of the United States and that it is not the job of any president to support the Constitution? If that is the case, it is difficult to imagine a more hostile position to the Constitution and democracy than the one that Trump and his legal team have chosen. Trumps team goes on to argue that the President Of The United States is no a federal officer, therefor Article 3 of the 14th Amendment does not apply to him. The defense is flimsy, but it is one that Trump has made over and over. Trumps defense for all of his alleged crimes is that presidents are above the law and the Constitution does not apply to them. Trumps argument is fundamentally un-American, and it is a slap in the face to the principles that the nation was founded on. A Special Message From PoliticusUSA If you are in a position to donate purely to help us keep the doors open on PoliticusUSA during what is a critical election year, please do so here. We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years as we only answer to our readers and we will not compromise on that fundamental, core PoliticusUSA value. [paypal-donation] In 2007, then Miami U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta, who would later be appointed by then President Donald Trump to his Cabinet as Labor Secretary, made a non-prosecution agreement with Jeffrey Epstein that barred even his victims from learning about it, a fact that was highlighted in the Epstein file dump from Wednesday evening. Then as Labor Secretary under Donald Trump, Alex Acosta tried to slash funding for sex trafficking victims by 79%. This raises a lot of questions about why he was put in that position by Trump after he gave Epstein the sweetheart deal that shut down federal prosecutions into his sexual abuse and trafficking scheme that involved at least 36 underage girls and silenced his victims. 2007: Alex Acosta, later to be Donald Trump's Labor secretary, made a non-prosecution agreement with Epstein that barred even his victims from learning about it. pic.twitter.com/xhn2qAWChG Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 4, 2024 To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily. Years later, while he was Labor Secretary, this agreement was condemned as illegal because Acosta did not confer with Epsteins victims over it and in fact a confidentiality provision barred its disclosure to anyone, including his victims. In February of 2019, a judge ruled that federal prosecutors under Alex Acosta broke the law when they concealed a plea agreement from more than 30 underage victims who had been sexually abused by wealthy New York hedge fund manager Jeffrey Epstein, a federal judge ruled Thursday. In April of 2019 during an Appropriations Committee Hearing, then Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Rep. Katherine Clark (MA) questioned Acosta about his fitness to oversee the DOL based on his history of siding with the powerful over the victims of exploitation and his proposal to cut programs that are meant to protect workers and survivors. Watch: One out of seven runaways are likely child sex trafficking victims, and there are estimates that hundreds of thousands of adults and children are victims of sex and labor trafficking in the US. And yet, you proposed a budget cut of 79% to the International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB), a cut of $68 million to just $18.5 million. But this isnt the first time youve ignored human trafficking, is it? In Acostas plans for the DOL 2020 budget, he proposed slashing funds for the International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) from $68 million to $18.5 million, a reduction so drastic that experts say it would effectively kill off many federal efforts to curb sex trafficking and put the lives of large numbers of children at risk. The ILAB is a member of the Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, the Department of Labor, responsible for combating exploitative child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. The ILABs mission statement reads like it combats THE issue that supposedly galvanized Donald Trumps supporters to his side (Pizzagate, and Q-Anons obsession with finding pedophilia everywhere except where it actually is): ILABs mission is to strengthen global labor standards, enforce labor commitments among trading partners, promote racial and gender equity, and combat international child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. In July of 2019, the deal Acosta gave Epstein came under renewed scrutiny after Epstein was charged Monday with having allegedly operated a sex trafficking ring in which he allegedly sexually abused dozens of underage girls. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) told Jake Tapper at the time, It was a sweetheart deal and in some ways, Jake, the thing that makes me the maddest is when Secretary Acosta let Epstein plead guilty to prostitution, these girls werent prostitutes. They were middle schoolers who were sex trafficking victims and allowing him to plead guilty to prostitution is like salt in the wound. Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) was not impressed with the Justice Departments handling of Epstein case, after it concluded that Alex Acosta had shown poor judgement. Letting a well-connected billionaire get away with child rape and international sex trafficking isnt poor judgment it is a disgusting failure. Americans ought to be enraged, Sasse said. Acosta eventually resigned. So far, while both former presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton have been named, neither have been accused of wrongdoing. Only one of them is currently running for president, though, and he gave Epstein enabler Alex Acosta a position in his Cabinet with purview over child sex trafficking victims, and Acosta then tried to slash that budget by 79%. In what has become so predictable it mainstreamed projection, a new investigation by Congressional Democrats revealed that during his presidency, Donald Trumps businesses received at least $7.8 million from 20 foreign governments. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released their 156-page report on Thursday. The report was compiled using documents from Mazars USA, Trumps former accounting firm. The report is titled White House for Sale: How Princes, Prime Ministers, and Premiers Paid Off President Trump. Trump accepted more than $7.8 million from foreign states and leaders, including some of the worlds most unsavory regimes (emphasis mine): Drawing from actual receipts and records and using the most conservative possible accounting methodologies, White House for Sale: How Princes, Prime Ministers, and Premiers Paid Off President Trump documents how, as President, Donald Trump accepted more than $7.8 million in payments from foreign states and their leaders, including some of the worlds most unsavory regimes. By elevating his personal financial interests and the policy priorities of corrupt foreign powers over the American public interest, former President Trump violated both the clear commands of the Constitution and the careful precedent set and observed by every previous Commander-in-Chief. To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily. The President is FORBIDDEN from accepting money or gifts of any kind from foreign governments: Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the Constitution forbids the President to accept money payments or gifts of any kind whatever from foreign governments and monarchs unless he obtains the Consent of the Congress to do so. Yet Donald Trump, while holding the office of president, used his business entities to pocket millions of dollars from foreign states and royalty and never once went to Congress to seek its consent. This report sets forth the records showing foreign government moneyand all the spoils from royals we can findpouring into hotels and buildings that the President continued to own during his presidency, all in direct violation of the Constitutional prohibition. This is only SOME of the payments: To be sure, we know about only some of the payments that passed into former President Trumps hands during just two years of his presidency from just 20 of the more than 190 nations in the world through just four of his more than 500 businesses. Despite the Constitutions requirement that a president disclose foreign emoluments and seek Congresss consent to keep them, it took Oversight Committee Democrats years of aggressive litigation against the former President to obtain the subset of documents from Mazars, Donald Trumps accounting firm, that form the factual basis of this report. Republican Oversight Chair James Comer released Trumps former accounting firm from having to comply with the Congressional subpoena and court-supervised settlement: And then, in January 2023, Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer made the abrupt and outrageous decision to release Mazars from having to continue complying with the Committees subpoena and court-supervised settlement agreement. Despite Chairman Comers decision to bury further evidence, however, even this small slice of a picture of unknown proportions allows America to glimpse the rampant illegality and corruption of the Trump presidency. It is true that $7.8 million is almost certainly only a fraction of Trumps harvest of unlawful foreign state money, but this figure in itself is a scandal and a decisive spur to action. Democrats are accusing Comer of burying further evidence, and saying that even in spite of his doing so, they were able to put together this small slice of a picture of Trumps corruption as president. Yet Republicans accuse President Biden of the same, with no evidence Donald Trumps businesses received at least $7.8 million from foreign entities while he was president. Yet Republicans in Congress will say nothing, all while accusing President Biden of the same without evidence, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) wrote. Their brand: willful blindness and hypocrisy. It should not be overlooked that Donald Trump is running as the law-and-order candidate, even as he faces 91 felony counts, including efforts to overthrow the election he lost and careless handling of classified information that has jeopardized the safety of American troops, agents, and here at home. Steve Benen pointed out, As weve discussed many times, the (Emoluments Clause) clause prohibits U.S. officials from receiving payments from foreign governments. Traditionally, this hasnt been much of a problem for sitting American presidents. During the Trump era, however, it became one of the Republicans under-appreciated controversies. Trump had so many scandals as president, and lit so many fires that required immediate attention, that the financial corruption took a back seat. Some of it is coming to light now, even as House Republicans use their power to bury it. Professor of Constitutional Law Emeritus at Harvard University Laurence Tribe noted that he and his colleagues had tried to hold Trump accountable for violations of the Foreign Emoluments Clause, Working with @CREWcrew, my colleagues and I went far toward holding Trump accountable for these grotesque violations of the Foreign Emoluments Clause but he ran out the clock on all our efforts. Thats what he hopes to do again. Only the courts can stop him this time. Go courts. A Special Message From PoliticusUSA If you are in a position to donate purely to help us keep the doors open on PoliticusUSA during what is a critical election year, please do so here. We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years as we only answer to our readers and we will not compromise on that fundamental, core PoliticusUSA value. [paypal-donation] Richard Johnson Jr. was all smiles Wednesday during a celebration of his 95th birthday, and he was happy to be alive on this special day. I feel wonderful, and I feel blessed, Johnson said. As a way to celebrate the Aiken icon, family and members of the community came together to celebrate Johnsons birthday at the Umoja Village resource center that was recently named in his honor. . The celebration included lunch, birthday cake and a story . Johnson shared with attendees how it took him 59 years before he was able to buy a Coke from a store in Barnwell. Johnson is a veteran of the Korea War and served 45 years in the Aiken Municipal Election Commission. He also serves as a deacon at Second Baptist Church in Aiken. His oldest daughter, Charmaine Johnson said she was blessed to be able to celebrate his birthday. We are so blessed to have him for this amount of time, and he is in his right faculties, she said. "It is so heartwarming for the Umoja group to do this." Johnson said he was thankful that the community was able to come to celebrate with him. Thank you for taking time out to attend this event, he said. I am grateful and thank you for seeing everybody." South Carolina attracted $9.22 billion in industrial investment in 2023 spurred by big deals in the electric vehicle industry that included Scout Motors' plan to build a manufacturing site in Blythewood. Last year's total fell shy of the record $10.2 billion the state recruited in 2022, the S.C. Commerce Department reported Jan. 4. All told, the dollar figure for last year represents 81 economic development projects and 14,120 announced jobs. Over the past year, our state proactively prioritized trends and topics that are crucial to maintaining a vibrant and competitive economy, Gov. Henry McMaster said in a written statement. Top among those trends is electric automobiles and the batteries that power them sectors the state has spent billions of dollars to recruit in recent years. Scout unveiled plans in March to revive the International Harvester-branded sport utility vehicle, popular in the 1960s and '70s, with an electric version to be built at a $2 billion factory on 1,100 acres northeast of downtown Columbia. The automaker, a subsidiary of Germany's Volkswagen Group, announced it will hire 4,000 workers and start production in 2026, with a pickup truck to follow. Entering the market with an EV-based vehicle like Scout is a bold move one that will help our state achieve a sustained future," S.C Commerce chief Harry Lightsey said at the time. Scout has opened an office in Columbia while construction takes place up the road. Last week, the company said in a video that it will introduce its new vehicle at an unspecified date this summer. Two other companies announced planned investments of at least $1 billion in 2023 the first time the state has had a trio of such announcements. Albemarle Corp. said it will spend $1.3 billion on a lithium hydroxide processing site in Chester County that will support the battery industry. QTS Data Centers said it will build a $1 billion technology hub in York County to support growth in the internet and other digital platforms. The Americana voice captivating South Carolina in 2023 was decidedly She Returns From War. Hunter Park is known for meshing pop sensibility into nostalgic folk tunes and turning heads with her captivating honky-tonk glam style. Her third album, Ruthless, hit platforms on Nov. 10, 2023. The album overflows with an indisputable Ive-found-myself defiance that Park performs with her trademark luster. Since releasing Mirrored Moon Dance Hall in 2018, Park said she has tried to focus on building a sense of self, which is evident throughout the 10 catchy, soulful tracks on "Ruthless." Park described feeling a little out of touch with herself as she moved away from the Mirrored Moon Dance Hall era and realized that she wanted to channel a more stable sense of identity in her new music. I was a little bit lost, Park said, and I just wanted to have a super solid sense of self and sense of direction. So I wanted to write something to kind of reclaim that. Parks dedication to her identity and the community she surrounds herself with have served to preserve her true self in every bar and line of "Ruthless." I wanted something to stake my claim, and say, This is who I am, and who I identify as, Park said. This is my body of work, that no one can kind of touch. It's the sacred thing within yourself for me, that's country music." As part of imbuing country music with her own essence, Park keeps the goal of familial inclusivity at the forefront of her vision. For trans or queer people, people of color, getting into this game is an uphill battle, Park, who came out as transgender in high school, said. And this was kind of my way of being like, you can try to shut us down that all you want, we're gonna come right back at you with the same amount of fervor and ruthlessness, if you will. The album itself was recorded primarily in Nashville, Tennessee, with support from Parks community back in Charleston and a team of collaborators. Park has worked more frequently in Nashville since 2020 and sees the community there as a big influence in her recent successes. GREENVILLE A few sizable developments coming to downtown Greenville are poised to start work this year and one plans to open. Here's what you need to know: A 153-unit apartment complex coming to the intersection of Westifield and West Broad streets a short distance from Greenville's Unity Park will likely start construction late this year. The project's developer, Virginia-based Red Fox Development, said construction will take about 20 months. The firm's president, Adam Peters, said he expects the apartments will be open for leasing in summer 2026. When Red Fox submitted plans for the development to the city's Design Review Board in January 2023, construction was slated to start later that year. Peters attributed the delay to issues with coordinating drawings and putting together a financing package for the project. Nearly three years after announcing that it would build a seven-story corporate headquarters along the Reedy River, United Community Bank plans to open it's newest building sometime in March or April. When the move was announced, it made United Community the largest bank headquartered in South Carolina. A 19-story, mixed-use apartment complex next to Greenville's Canvas Tower formerly the BB&T building will likely start construction later this year. GREENVILLE Last spring, a mother heard yelling and cursing over the phone as a group of youths attacked her 16-year-old son, who was speaking with her from the Juvenile Detention Center in Columbia. One used a homemade shank to stab him, causing superficial cuts on his hand and his back, but he didn't receive medical attention for two hours. Two staff members locked themselves in a room for half an hour until security officers arrived, according to an affidavit filed in federal court. Jennifer Coyle, a public defender for children in Greenville County, wrote the affidavit in March 2023 as testimony in a federal lawsuit brought by other attorneys against the S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice. Sign up for updates! Get the latest Greenville news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! The agency runs the JDC, a place designed to hold children after they're arrested but before their case goes to court. It's similar to adult jail in some ways, but the juvenile system is supposed to focus on rehabilitation, not punishment. Under normal circumstances, the teenager would have been held in Greenville Countys juvenile detention center. But county officials closed the center in March 2022, saying they had to move detention officers to the adult jail to address a critical staff shortage there. They called the closure a temporary measure. More than 20 months later, the center remains shuttered, and it's unclear when or if it will reopen. Attorneys who represent children in Greenville County have lamented the continued closure, which they said removed a relatively safe, clean place with educational resources for a vulnerable, underprivileged part of the community. GREENVILLE The regulatory battle over Union House, a set of four homes billed as affordable housing near the upscale North Main neighborhood close to downtown Greenville, has started a new chapter in court. A group of homeowners who live near the development on Rutherford Road have asked a judge to block developer Matthew McPheely from leasing the homes by-the-room, arguing that if he does so, it would cause traffic and safety issues. Also, they claim McPheely misled the city and the state by submitting information in construction and traffic permits that they say showed he would lease the homes to individual families rather than a group of individual adults. Sign up for updates! Get the latest Greenville news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! McPheely has argued either would be allowed for the property's zoning, but the city and the neighbors have taken him to court over the issue. McPheely has previously said the project's format mirrors that of many existing single-family homes across Greenville, in which homeowners rent rooms to those looking for cheap housing or in which renters find multiple roommates to be able to afford to live in the growing city. The request for an injunction, filed in Greenville County court by attorney Sarah Anderson Timmons, comes as part of the homeowners appeal of a city zoning board decision that allowed Union House to move forward in October. Timmons declined to comment on the filings. The filing lists the following people as those bringing the appeal: Libby Henson, Joe Henson, Jonathan Stanley, JR Foster, Eliza Foster, Jeffrey Edwards, Deborah Lichtenfelt, David Lichtenfelt and Jerry Hudson. GREENVILLE The onset of the new year has left tens of thousands of Prisma Health patients paying higher, out-of-network costs for treatment as the chief Upstate and Midlands medical provider remains locked in an ongoing contractual dispute with insurer UnitedHealthcare. Based on its patients who had visited a Prisma Health provider in the past year, UnitedHealthcare told The Post and Courier it estimates 58,000 people are being impacted by the expiration of a contract Jan. 1 between the two. The insurance company and Prisma continue to blame each other for the disruption, each saying they are being reasonable and the other is not willing to negotiate. Sign up for updates! Get the latest Greenville news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! UnitedHealthcare said "several proposals" were exchanged before the contract expired, while Prisma has said that each of the proposals had "no good-faith movement" and left the terms "largely unchanged." "We are in this situation because UHC refuses to enter a reasonable agreement that reimburses us for the cost increases we have and continue to absorb for their health plan members," Prisma Health said in a statement. The insurance company says the health system is raising prices beyond what is reasonable. "Throughout our negotiation Prisma maintained its demands for unsustainable price hikes that would have made its hospitals and physicians significantly higher cost than the Columbia and Greenville market averages," UnitedHealthcare said in a statement. What does this mean for those with UnitedHealthcare insurance? Patients with UnitedHealthcare's commercial or Medicare Advantage insurance will now be charged the out-of-network rates for services from Prisma Health providers, including doctor visits and non-emergency care. Regardless of the provider, South Carolina law requires that every insurance company cover emergency services as in-network with no prior authorization, according to the South Carolina Department of Insurance. The federal approval of two new gene therapy treatments for sickle cell disease has created a groundbreaking option for patients. Across the nation, it is unknown how many suffer from the disease, but a new voluntary disease registry aims to change that. South Carolina's Department of Health and Environmental Control launched its sickle cell disease registry earlier in December, aimed at assisting coordination and improving access to services for patients. Sign up for updates! Get the latest Greenville news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! Sickle cell disease is a lifelong inherited blood disorder that affects the shape of a patient's red blood cells, blocking the flow of blood through their body while causing pain and damage to organs. The registry was created as a part of legislation passed in May 2022 that cited a lack of knowledge among health care professionals about how to treat the disease. This lack of knowledge has contributed to a stigma for patients in emergency rooms when they describe the pain, said Malerie Hartsell, DHEC's program manager for blood disorders. Sickle cell disease is estimated to affect about 100,000 Americans, the majority of whom are Black, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 1 in 365 Black children are born with the disease. Two new gene therapy treatments were approved by the Food and Drug Administration in early December. They provide a cure for patients with sickle cell disease using innovative genetic technology but go about it in two different ways. GREEN POND A pilot was critically injured after her single-engine plane crashed Jan. 2 in rural Colleton County minutes after taking off from Beaufort Executive Airport. Colleton County Fire-Rescue reported the plane suffered mechanical problems shortly after takeoff, and the pilot attempted to return to Beaufort. A property owner told fire officials he heard the plane strike several trees and saw the aircraft nose-dive into a small pond on his Wiggins Road property, about 12 miles south of Green Pond. He said the plane's engine was not running before it struck the trees. The pilot, who was reportedly the sole occupant of the plane, was unconscious and had suffered multiple injuries when the property owner reached her. Responders arrived at the crash site about 15 minutes after the man called 911. A CARE Flight medical helicopter was dispatched to the scene and transported the pilot to the MUSC Trauma Center in Charleston. Advanced medical procedures were conducted en route, including the administration of whole blood and airway management, according to the incident report. The aircraft was a Piper Cherokee Arrow, a single-engine aircraft that seats four. According to Federal Aviation Administration records, the plane is registered to Theresa C. McDonald of Beaufort, though the identity of the pilot has not been released. Publicly available flight information shows the plane took off from Beaufort Executive Airport at 10:54 a.m. and reached an altitude of 2,800 feet about four minutes later. About nine minutes into the flight, it began to lose airspeed and altitude. The recording of flight data ended 13 minutes after takeoff. One wing was torn away from the fuselage, and a large amount of fuel spilled into the pond. There was no fire reported. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control responded to the crash scene, as did the FAA, which is investigating the incident. A longtime employee of a North Charleston electronics distributor who is accused of using her financial management position to charge nearly $1 million in personal expenses on the company's credit card pleaded not guilty Jan. 4 and was released on bond. The employee, Christina Soda, stood stoic in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Molly Cherry, denying involvement in the seven-year wire fraud scheme she is accused of running. Soda worked for the private company called Wholesale Industrial Electronics Incorporated since 1995 and assisted in creating a company American Express account as the comptroller in 2015, according to a federal indictment filed Dec. 19. The company alleges she secretly listed herself as an authorized user of the credit card and proceeded to make unauthorized personal purchases from 2015 to 2022. Because of her position as the comptroller, she was able to create fake general ledger entries to hide her purchases, the indictment states. She allegedly racked up more than $966,300 worth of personal expenses throughout the seven-year scheme. Soda was indicted on six counts of wire fraud. The counts detail a $750 purchase from Amazon and $4,360 transfer to a personal PayPal account in 2020; a $2,000 bill for a luxury beauty retailer and a $550 purchase from Wayfair in 2021; a $1,250 Best Buy transaction and $4,980 Carpet Baggers Floor Charleston charge in 2022. If convicted of the charges, she'll face no more than 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Bower said during the hearing. Soda will remain free on bond as the case moves through court. She won't have to pay the $5,000 bond unless she violates her conditions of supervision, which include having no contact with the victims. NORTH CHARLESTON Police are investigating a suspected murder-suicide in the early hours of Jan. 3 after a young girl discovered her mother and the mother's boyfriend lying dead in the driveway of their single-family suburban home. A North Charleston Police Department officer dispatched just after 1 a.m. to a residence on Westview Street found a juvenile girl on the phone near two adult dead bodies lying in the driveway, according to an incident report. The officer observed a 37-year-old woman lying on her back with her body halfway in the driveway and the street. A 32-year-old man lay facedown on top of a green handgun, which rested in his right hand. The officer could not feel a pulse on either person. The girl, who had called authorities, told the officer her mother's boyfriend had been "beating on" her mother inside the home, the report states. She said her mother ran outside and the man followed her. Shortly after, the girl said, she heard gunshots. After the two adults did not return inside the home, she went outside and discovered their bodies. Investigators believe the man gunned down his girlfriend before turning the gun on himself. North Charleston police spokesman Harve Jacobs described the incident as an "apparent murder suicide." The Charleston County Coroner's Office has not yet identified the deceased. The shooting occurred on a residential street outside a yellow home that features the trappings of a suburban American single-family household. A large trampoline takes up most of the grassy front yard, while two children's bicycles, one pink and one blue, sit parked in front of a garage next to a grill and a blue ice chest. The officer wrote in his report that he escorted the juvenile inside the home and away from the bodies. When I was in third grade, my teacher had a vegetable tasting day for us. We each brought in a vegetable from home and shared it with our classmates. I remember coming home, excited, and announcing to my mother that I had fallen in love with rutabaga. After a startled moment or two, she sm Read moreStevens: For the love of rutabaga and our children Denver is forecast for a chilly Thursday, with freezing fog expected to linger through the early morning and possible snow heading into the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in Boulder. Expect areas of freezing fog, mainly before 9 a.m. Mostly cloudy skies are in the forecast and a high of 34 degrees. There's a 30% chance of snow flurries Thursday afternoon, mainly after 4 p.m. This afternoon through tonight, light snow will spread across the southern portion of our forecast area. The Palmer Divide and higher mountain ridges will see 1-4 inches of snow. Less than an inch of snow is expected from Denver northward to the Wyoming border. Snow is expected to continue into Thursday night, with a 50% chance of snow through 2 a.m. Expect a low of 24 degrees. Looking at the weekend ahead, expect chilly temps and the possibility of snow through Monday. On this date in Denver weather history: Featured Local Savings In 1973: Dec. 31 marked the start of a protracted cold spell that extended into January 1974 when temperatures dipped below zero on seven consecutive days. Record daily minimum readings occurred on the 3rd and 5th when the temperature plunged to 17 degrees below zero on both days. A record low daily maximum temperature of only 4 degrees occurred on the 5th. Here's the full forecast from the National Weather Service. Friday: Cloudy skies will gradually become mostly sunny heading into the afternoon. Expect a high of 42 degrees. Saturday: There's a 20% chance of snow, mainly before 11 a.m. Expect partly sunny skies and a high of 38 degrees. Sunday: There's a 20% chance of snow, mainly after 11 a.m. Expect mostly cloudy skies and a high of 34 degrees. Monday: There's a slight chance of snow before 11 a.m. Expect mostly cloudy skies and a high of 31 degrees. News that South Carolina led the nation in population growth last year was no doubt greeted with excitement in some areas of the state and among some types of people. But it was met with dismay in other quarters perhaps particularly in Charleston and other high-growth communities across the state, as people grow increasingly weary of the growth pressures that accompany more new neighbors: particularly but not exclusively the demand for more housing and more restaurants and grocery stores and other businesses to accommodate them and more space on our roads. It's taken as a given by economists and many others in the political class that growth is inherently good that a community that isn't growing significantly is falling behind. But that's not a fact. It's an opinion. And we need to acknowledge that in the opinion of a growing number of South Carolinians, not growing means maintaining the balance that they have and would like to keep. Local elected officials are beginning to engage in debate over how much growth we want, with a slower growth preference emerging in some communities in the form of impact fees and even strict limits on new building permits. Its a debate that needs to move beyond the simplistic question of whether to restrict construction. It's a debate that should expand to the state level. While were encouraged by the Legislatures acknowledgement that growth brings with it new costs, state officials need to understand too that while some areas of the state want and need that growth, others want and need it to slow. The American Red Cross of the Lowcountry is often the unsung hero in any disaster. Its bright red cross is unmistakable, but the agency that relies on volunteers is usually forgotten until they are needed. Read moreCity honors Red Cross of the Lowcountry COLUMBIA The South Carolina Statehouse was the target of a false bomb threat that prompted the building's closure for about two hours Jan. 3, Statehouse security said. The alert came as at least nine other statehouses across the country from Montana to Mississippi received similar threats, The Associated Press reported. A bomb threat was sent to the Statehouse's public email at approximately 7:45 a.m., Maj. Dwayne Brunson, assistant chief of police of the Bureau of Protective Services, said in a media statement. Shortly after the threat was received, the bureau and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division swept the building with bomb-sniffing dogs but found nothing, Brunson said. The building's opening was delayed until 10:15 a.m. The bureau concluded there was "very low likelihood" the threat was credible based on the way it was submitted and because it mimicked threats sent to statehouses across the country, Brunson said. The bureau is investigating the origin of the message with federal and state partners, he said. Gov. Henry McMaster and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette were not present at the Statehouse, where their offices are located, at the time of the threat, spokesman Brandon Charochak told The Post and Courier. The spate of bomb alerts comes on the heels of several false reports of shootings at public officials' homes over the holidays, targeting members of Congress, the Maine secretary of state and the mayor of Boston, among others. The hoax, known as "swatting," is intended to prompt a law enforcement response. Authorities have not determined a connection between swatting and the bomb threats. Regulator the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has a new director general following the early exit of Ezra Chiloba last year. He is David Mugonyi, the former Head of the Presidential Communication Service. Mugonyi, who has over 20 years of leadership experience in the public and commercial sectors, is set to start his new job on 15 January. He holds a Master's Degree in International Journalism from City University in the UK, and a Bachelor's Degree in Education and a Diploma in Mass Communication from the University of Nairobi. His predecessor was appointed in September 2021 for a four-year renewable term but resigned from the office in October 2023 after being suspended for alleged misuse of position and conflict of interest. In his previous job Mugonyi is said to have played a pivotal role as the primary advisor on communications, perception, and reputation management. However, the new post is likely to make some different demands on its new boss. The ITWeb Africa site describes CA as Kenya's ICT regulatory body, with responsibilities in telecommunications, cybersecurity, e-commerce, broadcasting, multimedia, and postal/courier services. The body is also in charge of managing the country's numbering and frequency spectrum resources, as well as maintaining and administering the Universal Service Fund and protecting the rights of ICT service customers. PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 16:01:52 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 884 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Make more data available for analysis and training of machine learning models. Save time when adding plant integrations with the Data Source Connection Wizard. Set reporting time frames for specific sites and user profiles with Schedule Manager. HOUSTON, TX, HASSELT, BELGIUM, and DARMSTADT, GERMANY / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence during the past year has renewed an interest in operational data. Industrial AI solutions, such as anomaly detection models, require the availability of high quality data to train models before they can be deployed and used for making operational decisions.TrendMiner, a Software AG company, is making it easier for manufacturers to access the data they need for successful AI deployment. In its 2023.R4 release, the advanced industrial analytics software is helping manufacturers accelerate their IT/OT convergence by simplifying the integration of generic and Java-based data sources. It empowers manufacturers to improve their level of analytics maturity and advance on their digitalization journeys.The latest version of the software builds on a year of improvements that extended support for cloud-based solutions and the added ability to visualize event and batch process data from Aspentech APRM.Connect to More Data SourcesFactories have many types of data, and connecting to them can be time consuming. The latest release makes it easier for admins to connect to generic (ODBC) and Java-based (JDBC) data sources. They can specify details about time-series data and assign a source a tag. For contextual data, admins can add queries to extract the desired information from the data source.The new Data Source Connection Wizard lets admins quickly add generic (ODBC) or Java-based (JDBC) data sources.With easier connection to more data types, data becomes democratized to users who need it. Operational experts get a more complete view of operations and are better able to make data-driven decisions that lead to operational improvements."While we are always making improvements for our big analytics users, our 2023.R4 release is a notable change for our admins. With the Data Source Connection Wizard, our customers will save hours of time democratizing data to more users across more sites. They will realize an even greater return on investment by providing engineers with the addition of time-series and contextual data sources that provide a more complete view of operations." Julian Pereira, TrendMiner's Director of Products.Introducing the Schedule ManagerUsers can get more tailored reporting experiences with the new Schedule Manager in ContextHub. By configuring settings per TrendMiner instance, admins can provide schedules that account for regional or persona differences. They can use this to:Provide different schedules for each site on the instance. Users can then select the schedule for their site. Give different users different schedule views. For example, a plant manager might want an overview of all plant schedules, while operators may want just the work schedule that applies to them.Using the Schedule Manager, admins can provide custom schedules for each site and user on a TrendMiner instance.The Schedule Manager builds on the global timeframe features first made available in TrendMiner 2023.R2.More Application ImprovementsTag Dependencies -Improve accuracy of tag creation by browsing mapped variable definitions and adding related tags to the focus chart. Users will have more confidence while leveraging custom tags created by other users, as definitions of tags will be visible to all users from the Tag Builder menu.Context Grid Actions Menu-Streamline the process of applying filters and copying field values in a ContextHub view through the new right-click menu.Home Page -Add a custom image for the company's logo or business unit. Admins also can now schedule expirations for custom messages to remove them after a planned event, maintenance, or outage has occurred.TrendMinerConnect -Get improved security without a VPN when communicating with plant integration servers.Cached Asset Permissions-Browse and search context items with improved performance and optimized permissions checks. Further InformationFor details about all the new capabilities and improvements in the TrendMiner 2023.R4 release, please visit www.trendminer.com . Users of the TrendMiner software will get more information via other communication channels. For an interactive demonstration of TrendMiner's functionality and to learn how analytics-empowered process and asset experts can help accelerate operational performance, click here.About TrendMinerTrendMiner, of Software AG, delivers advanced analytics software to optimize process performance in chemical, petrochemical, oil & gas, pharmaceutical, food & beverage, metals & mining, water & wastewater, and other process manufacturing industries. TrendMiner unlocks the full potential of IIoT data infrastructure, regardless of vendor, and taps into the available human intelligence for making data-driven decisions. We offer standard integrations with a wide range of data sources, such as OSIsoft PI, Yokogawa Exaquantum, AspenTech IP.21 , Honeywell PHD, GE Proficy Historian, Wonderware InSQL, Cumulocity, Aveva Data Hub, AWS S3, AWS IoT SiteWise, Amazon Timestream, Microsoft Azure Data Lake, Azure Data Explorer, TSI, and SAP's S/4 HANA, and DMC.TrendMiner empowers everyone in manufacturing operations across multiple locations with powerful yet intuitive capabilities to iteratively generate and validate real-time context-aware time-series insights individually and as a team. Search, diagnostic, and predictive capabilities help speed up root cause analysis, define optimal processes, and configure early warnings to monitor production 24/7. TrendMiner helps operators make data-driven decisions to improve production quality, meet business objectives, and increase profitability.Media ContactMatt Saxton TrendMiner Editor+1 408-490-5345matthew_saxton@ softwareag.com SOURCE: TrendMiner PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 06:00:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 544 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / The Certified Professional Bookkeepers of Canada (CPB Canada) is the source of leadership for bookkeeping standards. Its members represent the primary financial support to small businesses in Canada. From January 15-19, CPB Canada will elevate the profession's work through activities and events supporting National Bookkeeping Week.Since 2007, CPB Canada has set a standard for bookkeeping professionals to grow and develop their careers and businesses, providing education and training and setting the industry standard for excellence through its Certified Professional Bookkeeper (CPB) designation. Over 17 years, these standards have increased the professionalism and ethical foundation for bookkeepers nationwide."We are proud of our growth over the last 17 years," says Lynne Moore, Chair of the Board of Directors for CPB Canada. "To launch National Bookkeeping Week is an exciting opportunity to shape how newer businesses, public policy leaders, and the general public view our profession." Moore, the owner of LAM Consulting Inc., says she "knows the perception of bookkeepers doesn't match the role and function many of us serve. For example, we are the innovative arm utilizing accounting technology - with bookkeepers, often being the first adopters of automation and technology solutions in Canada." To paint a clearer picture, CPB Canada is releasing a national research study this month through PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to reflect the socio-economic footprint of the bookkeeping profession in Canada. This report will provide findings and data on the place bookkeeping occupies within the financial services industry and its impact on small businesses across Canada.Throughout National Bookkeeping Week, CPB Canada will celebrate and recognize its community by offering a Virtual Keynote address from Canadian entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Mid-Day Squares, Jake Karls, interviews and profiles, and a series of live events in major cities across Canada.Rick Johal, CEO of CPB Canada, is heartened by the support National Bookkeeping Week has received. "We are supported by our Principal Sponsor, Intuit QuickBooks, and Supporter level sponsors Xero, Payworks, Telpay." It is incredible seeing our partners come together to support our community and help us continue shining a light on professional bookkeepers"."The future is bright for CPB Canada," adds Moore. "Launching a week dedicated to our profession is quite an undertaking, but it pales compared to our community's longer-term strategic direction. That is, to strengthen the standards from coast to coast for how our profession operates and establish greater professional recognition and respect for our work. We know this is imperative as bookkeeping operates completely unregulated or beholden to any regulatory standards in Canada - making our mandate crystal clear".National Bookkeeping Week takes place annually during the third week of January with a range content and events. More information is available at bookkeepingweek.ca About CPB CanadaCPB Canada is home to nearly 2200 active members who directly support small businesses by setting the professional standard of excellence through the Certified Professional Bookkeeper (CPB) designation. This designation is recognized as the industry-leading standard for expertise and professionalism. It stands alone as the leading credential for bookkeeping professionals in Canada.For More Information and Media Contact:CPB Canada Contact:Rick Johal, Chief Executive OfficerRick@ cpbcan.ca 1-866-616-4722 ext. 601SOURCE: CPB Canada (Certified Professional Bookkeepers of Canada) PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 15:40:27 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 520 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / National plaintiffs law firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP encourages investors in ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. ("ChargePoint" or the "Company") (NYSE:CHPT) who suffered losses from purchasing or otherwise acquiring the securities of ChargePoint between June 1, 2023 and November 16, 2023 to contact us immediately regarding a pending securities fraud class action against ChargePoint. The deadline to apply to be lead plaintiff is January 29, 2024.Class Period: June 1, 2023 - November 16, 2023Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: January 29, 2024Case information: lieffcabraser.com/securities/chargepoint Contact us: Email or text investorinfo@ lchb.com or call 1-800-541-7358ChargePoint is an electric vehicle infrastructure company. Its core business involves providing networked solutions for charging electric vehicles, including the ChargePoint cloud subscription platform and charging hardware.The action alleges ChargePoint made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that it was experiencing elevated component costs and supply overruns for first generation direct current ("DC") charging products and, as a result, the Company's business and prospects were much worse than defendants claimed.On September 6, 2023, after the market closed, ChargePoint reported its second quarter fiscal year 2024 financial results, including an "$28.0 million, or 19 percentage point, inventory impairment charge." The Company stated the "inventory impairment charge was taken to address legacy supply chain-related costs and supply overruns on a particular DC product." As a result, ChargePoint reported a second quarter generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") gross margin of 1%, down from 17% in the prior year's same quarter. On this news, the Company's share price declined $0.77 per share, or 11%, from its closing price of $7.06 on September 6, 2023, to close at $6.29 per share on September 7, 2023, on unusually heavy trading volume.Then, on November 16, 2023, after the market closed, ChargePoint released preliminary financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, which included an "additional non-cash inventory impairment charge" in the amount of $42 million "related to product transitions and to better align inventory with current demand." As a result, the Company expected to report "GAAP gross margin of negative 23% to negative 21%." ChargePoint also reported revenue had fallen to "$108 million to $113 million, as compared to $150 to $165 million as previously expected." Moreover, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer were both replaced, effective immediately. On this news, the ChargePoint's share price declined $1.11 per share, or 35%, from its closing price of $3.13 on November 16, 2023, to close at $2.02 per share on November 17, 2023, on unusually heavy trading volume.About Lieff CabraserLieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, with over 120 attorneys in offices in San Francisco, New York, Nashville, and Munich, Germany, is an internationally recognized law firm committed to advancing the rights of investors and promoting corporate responsibility. Recognized as a "Plaintiffs' Powerhouse" by Law360, Lieff Cabraser has litigated some of the most important civil cases in the United States, and has assisted clients in recovering over $129 billion in verdicts and settlements. For over 50 years, Lieff Cabraser has remained committed to ensuring access to justice for all.Source/ContactSharon LeeLieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP415 956-1000 slee@ lchb.com SOURCE: Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 20:05:09 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 296 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is investigating whether certain directors and officers ofCummins Inc. ("Cummins" or the "Company") (NYSE:CMI)failed to manage Cummins in an acceptable manner, in breach of their fiduciary duties to Cummins, and whether the Company and its shareholders suffered damages as a result.INVESTORS OF CUMMINS STOCK ARE ENCOURAGED TO CLICK HERE OR EMAIL INFO@ KEHOELAWFIRM.COM TO CONTACT KEHOE LAW FIRM, P.C. TO DISCUSS THE INVESTIGATION AND POTENTIAL LEGAL CLAIMS.On December 22, 2023, the United States Department of Justice issued a press release stating, among other things that "[e]ngine manufacturer Cummins Inc. . . . disclosed that it has reached an agreement in principle with the United States and State of California to pay a $1.675 billion penalty to settle claims that it violated the Clean Air Act by installing emissions defeat devices on hundreds of thousands of engines." According to the Department of Justice, Cummins ". . . allegedly installed defeat devices on 630,000 model year 2013 to 2019 RAM 2500 and 3500 pickup truck engines. The company also allegedly installed undisclosed auxiliary emission control devices on 330,000 model year 2019 to 2023 RAM 2500 and 3500 pickup truck engines." CUMMINS SHAREHOLDERS ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT MICHAEL YARNOFF, ESQ., (215) 792-6676, EXT. 804, MYARNOFF@ KEHOELAWFIRM.COM , INFO@ KEHOELAWFIRM.COM , TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CUMMINS BREACH OF FIDUCIARY DUTIES INVESTIGATION AND POTENTIAL LEGAL CLAIMS.Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is a multidisciplinary, plaintiff-side law firm dedicated to protecting investors from securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duties, and corporate misconduct. Combined, the partners at Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. have served as Lead Counsel or Co-Lead Counsel in cases that have recovered more than $10 billion on behalf of institutional and individual investors.This press release may constitute attorney advertising.SOURCE: Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 17:30:23 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 451 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 CAMBRIDGE, UK / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Flux, a global provider of decentralized cloud infrastructure, has announced the open alpha release of its long-anticipated client application, FluxCore. The new application highlights a breakthrough in Flux's approach to Proof of Useful Work as a critical component in addressing existing infrastructural challenges in the Tech industry.FluxCore is built on the ideals of Proof of Useful Work to effectively maximize GPU resources by lending unused computing power to applications and projects. This will contribute massively to solving the infrastructural limitations currently faced by technologies like AI and go a long way in decentralizing supply and addressing e-waste.This application empowers users worldwide to contribute their idle GPU machines to the FluxEdge network, positioning them for rental by customers seeking resources for high-performance applications.In this alpha release, the main focus is dedicated to the benchmarking of hardware setups from the provider side. This comprehensive benchmarking process is pivotal in constructing a resilient database, serving as the cornerstone for informed pricing decisions on the FluxEdge Marketplace for machine rentals.In addition FluxCore incorporates its own mining operation module, seamlessly allowing users to mine cryptocurrencies until FluxEdge is prepared to enable customers to rent these machines for practical tasks such as AI or rendering. The application can be downloaded from theleaderboard websiteand is currently compatible with Windows and Linux operating systems."This release of FluxCore tackles the longstanding scalability challenge by optimizing computing resources to meet dynamic client needs, particularly in the AI sector. It paves the way for a decentralized cloud infrastructure future, emphasizing efficiency and environmental sustainability for everyone's benefit."- Daniel Keller, CEO & Co-Founder, Influx Technologies Limited.FluxCore Alpha is now ready for live testing for members of the community and all interested members of the public. The live test offers the public the unique opportunity to test FluxCore's performance under varying conditions for the first time. It will also allow the development team to gather necessary feedback and key insights essential to releasing the Beta version.About FluxThe Flux Web3 cloudis a decentralized computing service and blockchain-as-a-service solution, offering an interoperable and decentralized development environment similar to AWS or Google Cloud. Flux utilizes a native POW (Proof-of-Work) coin to power this ecosystem, providing incentives for hardware hosters, on-chain governance, and bad actor mitigation via staking requirements for running hardware. The Flux operating system runs on top of Linux to provide the network with verified and benchmarked high-availability compute power and utilizes the blockchain to ensure transparency in governance operations. Flux Cloud is the world's largest and most decentralized cloud infrastructure.Contact Info:Name: Betty Kolibacova - CMO of InFluxEmail: info@ runonflux.io Organization: InFlux Technologies LimitedWebsite: https://runonflux.io/ SOURCE: Flux PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 14:01:38 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 542 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Dollar General Corporation ("Dollar General" or "the Company") (NYSE:DG) and certain of its officers.Class Definition:This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Dollar General securities between May 28, 2020 and August 30, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/dg Case Details:The Complaint alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Dollar General stores were chronically understaffed and suffering from logistical and inventory management problems which left stores with tens of millions of dollars' worth of outdated and unwanted inventory, mispriced goods, and lost and damaged items; (ii) large backlogs of unsellable merchandise had built up at Dollar General's stores, which inventory had not been timely written down due to understaffing and Dollar General's failure to manage its inventory; (iii) the allotment of employee hours per store per week imposed by Dollar General management placed employees in virtually impossible situations where assigned tasks, including those necessary to effective store operations, could not be completed within the allotted time; (iv) Dollar General was systematically overcharging customers for items upon checkout above the listed price in violation of state laws, including state law violations identified by state regulators in Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio; (v) Dollar General's reported revenue and earnings during the Class Period were artificially inflated by defendants' over-pricing scheme; (vi) Dollar General's failure to manage store inventories and accurately price items upon checkout risked the loss of customers, lower sales, adverse regulatory actions, and reputational fallout; and (vii) Dollar General was not on track to achieve its guidance during the Class Period and such guidance lacked a reasonable factual basis.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/dg or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Law Clerk and Client Relations Manager, Yael Nathanson of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Dollar General you have until January 26, 2024, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 22:00:24 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 518 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 DAKOTA DUNES, SD / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / The Dr. Yorell Manon-Matos Scholarship for Healthcare Students, an esteemed initiative from the accomplished hand surgeon Dr. Manon-Matos, is now accepting applications for the 2024 academic year. This scholarship, valued at $1,000, aims to support dedicated undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in healthcare disciplines.Dr. Yorell Manon-Matos, a highly respected board-certified hand surgeon with over 15 years of experience, is committed to fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals. His passion for healthcare education, coupled with a desire to alleviate financial barriers for aspiring students, has led to the establishment of this scholarship.To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be currently enrolled in good standing at an accredited institution of higher education, pursuing a degree in a healthcare discipline. Maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is imperative, as is the demonstration of financial need through supporting documentation and personal essays.Applicants are required to submit a compelling 750-word essay addressing key prompts, including academic goals, financial need, and a passionate commitment to a healthcare career. Dr. Yorell Manon-Matos emphasizes the importance of these essays in understanding the aspirations and challenges faced by each applicant.In addition to financial support, the scholarship serves as a platform for students to showcase their dedication to healthcare. The chosen essay prompts provide applicants the opportunity to articulate their academic goals, discuss specific financial challenges, and express their unwavering passion for making a difference in the lives of others through healthcare.Dr. Yorell Manon-Matos, the driving force behind this scholarship, earned his medical degree from Dartmouth Medical School and completed his fellowship in hand and microsurgery at the University of Louisville. He maintains his certification in Surgery of the Hand by the American Board of Surgery.Dr. Manon-Matos has dedicated himself not only to his medical practice but also to healthcare education. He has served as clinical instructor at the University of Louisville School of Medicine and is currently attending hand surgeon at CNOS in Dakota Dunes, SD.The Dr. Yorell Manon-Matos Scholarship for Healthcare Students is a one-time award of $1,000, with a deadline for applications set on August 15, 2024. The scholarship recipient will be announced on September 15, 2024.For detailed eligibility criteria, application instructions, and to apply for the scholarship, please visit https://dryorellmanonmatosscholarship.com/dr-yorell-manon-matos-scholarship/ Dr. Yorell Manon-Matos remains committed to supporting the dreams of aspiring healthcare professionals and invites eligible students to seize this opportunity. The impact of this scholarship extends beyond financial assistance, providing a stepping stone for students to realize their academic and professional aspirations in the field of healthcare.About Dr. Yorell Manon-Matos:Dr. Yorell Manon-Matos is a highly respected board-certified hand surgeon with over 15 years of experience. He received his medical degree from Dartmouth Medical School and fellowship in hand and microsurgery at the University of Louisville. Dr. Manon-Matos is dedicated to providing the best possible care to his patients and is passionate about helping them regain their function and independence.For more information, visit https://dryorellmanonmatosscholarship.com/ Contact Info:Spokesperson: Dr. Yorell Manon-MatosOrganization: Dr. Yorell Manon-Matos ScholarshipWebsite: https://dryorellmanonmatosscholarship.com Email: apply@ dryorellmanonmatosscholarship.com SOURCE: Dr. Yorell Manon-Matos Scholarship PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 16:46:16 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 638 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Echo Defense Projects Inc. ("ECDP"), a leader in sustainable infrastructure innovation and formerly known as Eco Depot Inc., (OTC PINK:ECDP), today announced the acquisition of CCT, a Mexican construction firm established in 2003. This acquisition marks a significant expansion of ECDP's capabilities and reach.This strategic acquisition is poised to complement ECDP's product offering, particularly benefiting its Eko Pave product line. These products resurface existing concrete and asphalt roads, extending their life span for up to 20 additional years. CCT, known officially as Compania Constructora de Tijuana S.A. de C.V., showcases a strong financial performance in the construction industry with $62 million USD in revenues from January to October 2023 (Unaudited). Over this period, the company generated a gross profit margin of 46.4% and an EBITDA of $6.9 million USD (Unaudited).Jose Alejandro Moya Riezco, General Manager and CEO of CCT, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, "We are thrilled to join forces with Echo Defense Projects. The integration of Eko Pave technology within our operations is a game-changer. It's not just an advancement for our company but a leap forward for the industry. We anticipate that this cost-effective technology will significantly lower infrastructure expenses worldwide, propelling a dramatic increase in our revenues." Under the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement dated December 11, 2023, ECDP acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of CCT. The total purchase price was 110 million newly issued shares of ECDP common stock." CCT's impressive track record and financial performance align perfectly with our growth strategy," said Hadelin Carlos Diericx Trouyet, CEO of Echo Defense Projects Inc. "This acquisition is not only a significant revenue add for Echo Defense, but also underlines our dedication to advancing eco-friendly infrastructure solutions globally. Additionally, our acquisition of Grupo CCT will allow us to expand and implement our Eko Pave product line at an unprecedented pace." CCT's 2022 revenue of $42 million USD and continued growth through 2023 is a testament to their leadership in the construction sector. This financial strength will augment ECDP's mission to provide cost-effective, sustainable alternatives for infrastructure development.Echo Defense Projects Inc. is committed to maintaining the highest standards of environmental, social, and governance principles, and this acquisition is expected to provide synergistic benefits by integrating CCT's operational excellence with ECDP's innovative Eko Pave solutions.For more information about Echo Defense Projects Inc. and the acquisition, please visit www.ecdp.co About Echo Defense Projects Inc.:Echo Defense Projects Inc., formerly Eco Depot Inc., is a publicly traded company offering investments, funding, and support for acquisitions and startups aimed at disrupting their industries. With a keen focus on sustainable innovation, ECDP is dedicated to providing eco-friendly solutions that contribute to more resilient infrastructure and a healthier planet.About Compania Constructora de Tijuana S.A. de C.V. (CCT):CCT is a distinguished construction company based in Mexico, known for its substantial contribution to infrastructure development and its commitment to quality and sustainability. With numerous successful projects and a consistent financial performance, CCT stands as a leading entity in its sector.Safe Harbor Statement:This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements including words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "plan," "make continue," "may," "will," "should," or similar expressions are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results and the timing of events to differ materially from those anticipated.Contact Information:Echo Defense Projects Inc. (formerly Eco Depot Inc.) 2300 West Sahara Avenue, Suite 800 Las Vegas, NV, 89102 Website: www.ecdp.co Email: info@ ecdp.co SOURCE: Echo Defense Projects Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 19:03:51 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 617 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 MORGAN HILL, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / EMQ, developer of the world's leading open-source MQTT messaging platform, EMQX, proudly announces its official membership in the Mobility Data Space (MDS) community. EMQ EMEA Head of Sales Stefano Marmonti expressed his excitement, stating, "We're delighted to join the MDS community-a distinctive platform that integrates data and technology to enhance accessibility, safety, and efficiency in global transportation systems. Joining MDS aligns perfectly with EMQ's strategic vision of fostering a more intelligent and interconnected mobile experience through cross-industry collaboration." Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV), MDS stands as a neutral and trustworthy partner. Its mission is to establish a networked and secure data infrastructure in Europe while adhering to European values of data protection, sovereignty, and interoperability. As a cloud-based data marketplace, MDS encourages collaboration in the mobility sector encompassing the automotive industry, mobility service providers, local municipalities, and transport companies. It promotes the exchange of data and contributes to safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly mobility.Recognizing data as the primary catalyst for innovation in mobility, affecting commuting, journeys, and transportation, MDS operates with a collective commitment among industry leaders to revolutionize smart transportation and sustainable mobility. EMQ believes that its participation in MDS will facilitate collaborative efforts to shape the future of the mobility ecosystem alongside industry pioneers, providing users with convenient and sustainable mobile solutions. EMQ pledges to cooperate with MDS to define the future of networked mobility, setting the stage for a European mobility data ecosystem. Committed to sharing advanced IoT and real-time data technologies, EMQ aims to empower the MDS community to create intelligent travel solutions. Collaborating closely with MDS members, EMQ will drive information sharing and data interoperability, enhancing transportation efficiency and security. Looking ahead, EMQ plans to propel MDS into a global leadership role in mobile data platforms through technological innovation and collaboration, fostering the sustainable development of the mobility ecosystem.Discover EMQ's innovative MQTT solutions on our website and learn more about the Mobility Data Space.About the Mobility Data SpaceThe Mobility Data Space (MDS) is a data marketplace where partners in the mobility sector can exchange data autonomously to enable and enhance innovative, environmentally friendly, and user-centric mobility concepts. . The technical design of MDS is being implemented in close coordination with European and national initiatives to ensure compatibility with Gaia-X projects and other European data spaces. MDS's operating company, the non-profit DRM Datenraum Mobilitat GmbH, evolved from a project initiated by acatech - the National Academy of Science and Engineering. MDS is funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport. The company's partners include major entities from the automotive and technology sectors as well as regional governments in Germany.About EMQEMQ is a leading global provider in the MQTT-based Messaging Platform domain. Its flagship product, EMQX, is a robust and unified MQTT platform, serving as a foundational component for modern IoT solutions. It supports up to 100 million concurrent IoT device connections per cluster, boasts a throughput of up to 1 million messages per second, and ensures sub-millisecond latency. EMQX is trusted by over 20,000 enterprise users worldwide, connecting more than 100 million IoT devices, and catering to over 400 customers in critical IoT scenarios. This includes prestigious brands like HPE, VMware, Verifone, SAIC Volkswagen, and Ericsson.EMQ's global R&D center, a hub for innovation and development, is located in Stockholm, Sweden. With over ten offices spread across the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region, EMQ demonstrates its extensive global reach and commitment to providing top-tier IoT solutions on a worldwide scale.305 Vineyard Town Center, Morgan Hill, CA, USA 95037 www.emqx.com | media@ emqx.io Contact:Melanie WuPR Manager melanie@ emqx.io SOURCE: EMQ Technologies Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 23:16:12 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 712 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Company's actions strengthen communities, create jobs and boost the local economyNEW ORLEANS / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / The greater New Orleans region is enjoying nearly half of $1 billion dollars in economic benefits because the city is host to the corporate headquarters for Entergy, the city's only Fortune 500 company. According to a recent study by Louisiana State University economist Dr. Loren Scott, Entergy's total economic impact in New Orleans reached nearly $500 million in sales in the city in 2021."Entergy's low-cost electricity is helping attract critical investments and is creating jobs making the company a significant economic engine for the economy," said Rod West, Entergy's group president of utility operations. "Our commitment can be felt throughout the state. For every job created at Entergy's headquarters, 2.8 jobs are created elsewhere in the state and in New Orleans specifically, for every job created 1.4 jobs are created elsewhere in Orleans Parish's economy." "Having Entergy's headquarters located here in New Orleans makes a huge impact on our city's economy, and on the state of Louisiana," said Deanna Rodriguez, president and CEO of Entergy New Orleans. "We've always had a sense of that importance, and this study confirms it in hard numbers: Entergy's headquarters being in the city creates jobs, it generates sales for local businesses, and it creates major tax revenue for the parish and the state." "We are truly fortunate to have Entergy as a partner in driving the region's economy," said Michael Hecht, president and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. "Entergy not only provides reliable and affordable energy, but also supports thousands of jobs, hundreds of millions of dollars in sales and income, and millions of dollars in local charitable contributions. Having Entergy's corporate headquarters in New Orleans helps attract major companies into the region, and demonstrates success for existing businesses. Entergy is a true corporate leader who exemplifies the spirit of innovation, resilience, and generosity that makes Greater New Orleans uniquely great." Jobs supported by Entergy in New Orleans carried an average wage of $93,000. That is nearly 36% higher than the average annual wage of $68,000 in Orleans Parish.As one of New Orleans' largest taxpayers, Entergy pays more than $17 million in local taxes and has supported nearly $300 million in household income for New Orleans residents. This is almost as much as the total earnings of all workers in Orleans Parish's oil and gas extraction sector (approximately $280 million in 2020).Each dollar spent by Entergy ripples through the state's economy, triggering employment, new income and spending in virtually every industry sector. In 2021, Entergy also had contributed nearly $4.1 million to more than 100 New Orleans non-profit partners and community organizations and over $9 million to other non-profits outside of New Orleans.Entergy New Orleans recently announced plans toinvest $1 billionin grid hardening projects for the city over the next 10 years.Last fall, Entergy was recognized for the 16th consecutive year as atop utility driving economic developmentin the region.At Entergy's request, Loren C. Scott and Associates Inc. measured Entergy's economic footprint in New Orleans and the state of Louisiana. Financial and operations data for the 2021 fiscal year formed the primary-source information for the analysis.For highlights of Entergy's economic impact in New Orleans,download this infographic . Read the complete Loren C. Scott and Associatesimpact study here .About EntergyEntergy New Orleans, LLC provides electricity to approximately 211,000 customers and natural gas to approximately 109,000 customers in Orleans Parish, Louisiana. Entergy New Orleans is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR), a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We're investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy, visit the Newsroom.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Entergy Corporation on 3 blmedia.com . Contact Info: Spokesperson: Entergy CorporationWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/entergy-corporation Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Entergy Corporation PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 19:21:00 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1017 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Gold Terra Resource Corp. (TSX-V:YGT)(Frankfurt:TX0)(OTCQX:YGTFF) ("Gold Terra" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its deep drilling directional program designed to establish the extension of high-grade gold mineralization in the Campbell Shear (CS) below the Con Mine underground workings on the Con Mine Option (CMO) Property. The CMO Property is under option from subsidiaries of Newmont Corporation and is 100% acquirable by the Company upon fulfillment of certain conditions set out in the CMO Property agreement, as reported in the Company's news release dated November 22, 2021.2023 Highlights post last Mineral Resource Estimate (see September 7, 2022 news release)Completion of 5,769 metre drilling program to expand the Campbell Shear gold structure (CS) near surface at the Yellorex zones south of the existing Con Mine underground workings. The first deep drill hole GTCM23-055 completed in October (2,228 metres from surface) intersected the CS some 200 metres below the Robertson shaft (-1900 metres) with an excellent high-grade intersection of 12.70 g/t Au over 1.7 metres (see November 15, 2023 press release). The confirmation of the extension of the high-grade CS structure at depth opens up the high-grade Campbell Shear zone in all directions.The Company controls + 70km of the CS structure north and south of the Con Mine option where it holds 100% of the district potential outlined in the last mineral resource update of September 2022 (see September 7, 2022 press release) with multiple high-grade satellite zones that could potentially contribute to a larger mill operation.The deep drilling program targeting the CS at depth is expected to resume the week of January 8th 2024, with Foraco drilling company. The next hole is a lateral wedge from GTCM23-055, the Master hole, targeting the CS some 75 metres north of the first high-grade gold intersection.Grant of Stock OptionsThe Company announces that the Board of Directors has approved a grant of stock options under the Company's Stock Option Plan to its directors, officers, employees, and consultants to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,200,000 treasury shares at $0.10.The options are exercisable at a price of $0.10 per share for a period of 5 years and are subject to the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange and the Company's Stock Option Plan which includes a vesting period beginning six months after issue for 25% of the options, and 25% every six months following.The Company has also granted 200,000 stock options to Henry Weingarten as compensation for strategic planning advice, marketing and business timing recommendations as a Marketing & Corporate Development Consultant commencing January 1, 2024, and continuing on a month-to-month basis.Qualified PersonJoe Campbell, P. Geo., Senior Technical Advisor for Gold Terra is a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release.About Gold TerraThe Yellowknife Project (YP) encompasses 918 sq. km of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, Gold Terra controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 kilometres of the City of Yellowknife, the YP is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power, and skilled tradespeople. Gold Terra is currently focusing its drilling on the prolific Campbell Shear, where 14 Moz of gold has been produced, and most recently on the Con Mine Option (CMO) property claims immediately south of the past producing Con Mine which produced 6.1 Moz between the Con, Rycon, and Campbell shear structures (1938-2003).The YP and CMO properties lie on the prolific Yellowknife greenstone belt, covering nearly 70 kilometres of strike length along the main mineralized shear system that hosts the former-producing high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The Company's exploration programs have successfully identified significant zones of gold mineralization and multiple targets that remain to be tested which reinforces the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada.Visit our website at www.goldterracorp.com For more information, please contact:Gerald Panneton, Chairman & CEO gpanneton@ goldterracorp.com Mara Strazdins, Investor RelationsPhone: 1-778-897-1590 | 604-689-1749 ext 102 strazdins@ goldterracorp.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Information Concerning Estimates of Mineral ResourcesMineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Therefore, investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource could ever be mined economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of "Measured Mineral Resources," "Indicated Mineral Resources," or "Inferred Mineral Resources" will ever be upgraded to a higher category. The Mineral Resource estimates contained herein may be subject to legal, political, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of such mineral resources. Refer to the Technical Report, once filed, for more information with respect to the key assumptions, parameters, methods and risks of determination associated with the foregoing.Cautionary Note to United States InvestorsThe Company prepares its disclosure in accordance with the requirements of securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Terms relating to Mineral Resources in this news release are defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under the guidelines set out in CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Council on May 19, 2014, as amended ("CIM Standards"). The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") has adopted amendments effective February 25, 2019 (the "SEC Modernization Rules") to its disclosure rules to modernize the mineral property disclosure requirements for issuers whose securities are registered with the SEC under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC will now recognize estimates of "Measured Mineral Resources", "Indicated Mineral Resources" and "Inferred Mineral Resources", which are defined in substantia PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 19:54:31 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 735 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / DOW:Originally published in Dow's 2022 INtersections Progress ReportAligned to our 2025 Sustainability Goals, Dow's Total Worker Health (TWH) index weighs a composite score based on three strategic elements: Healthy Workplace, Healthy People and Healthy Culture. We continued to make progress and exceeded our internal targets in 2022, keeping us on track to achieve a 100% score by 2025. See GRI 403: Occupational Health & Safety for more information.Dow Launches Its Well-Being PortalThe Dow Well-Being Portal officially launched to employees in 2022. The hub, hosted on a mobile app, offers a variety of resources geared toward supporting the well-being of our employees - emotionally, financially, mentally, physically and socially. "Wellbeing champions" volunteered to generate awareness, increase engagement and advocate for the benefits of using the portal. They are committed to continue to do so in 2023.HEALTHY WORKPLACE: RISK REDUCTIONThe reduction of high-priority health risks (P1s) is one of four metrics within the TWH index. For example, we routinely evaluate our workplaces to identify ways to reduce these risks: potential exposure to chemicals, high noise levels and ergonomic stressors. In 2022, additional progress was made to reduce such risks. Here are some examples:The Integrated Supply Chain function made investments to install a robotic system and a bag reject conveyor in Plaquemine, Louisiana, which led to increased production, cost savings, eliminated ergonomic risks and increased work efficiency by nearly 25%. Our ethoxylates plant in Saint Charles, Louisiana, reduced full-shift noise exposure below the occupational exposure limit after the implementation of mufflers on rail car vent outlets. Our Consumer Solutions business implemented a new, lower-noise raw material charging ventilation system, which significantly reduced full-shift noise exposure at our Campinas, Brazil, site. An enclosed drainage system was installed for 42 pumps at the Tarragona facility in Spain, which eliminated benzene and butadiene exposure potential associated with pump purging activities. HEALTHY CULTURE: TRACKING OUR PROGRESSSince we started tracking our progress in 2015, our performance against our healthy culture metrics has improved each year, exceeding our 2025 target. Worksites, from offices to plants, annually self-assess their efforts to maintain or improve employee health through a healthy culture survey. As of 2022, 105 sites have received a gold or platinum rating.Our U.S. sites piloted the Well-Being Champion Network to promote the portal and improve enrollment and engagement within the region. More than 400 individuals have volunteered to be champions.Our 2022 global goals for the Well-Being Portal were for at least 50% of eligible employees to have enrolled by year-end and to maintain portal engagement of 60% or above.HEALTHY PEOPLE: DESTIGMATIZING MENTAL HEALTHWe are working to destigmatize mental health by providing resources that help employees deal with personal or work-related challenges. In 2022, we continued to expand mental health resources. For example:Our MeQuilibrium partnership powered by Virgin Pulse provides a free, digital tool on our Dow Well-Being Portal to help employees manage their emotional resilience. More than 8,500 employees, or 23% of the eligible population, are enrolled to use MeQuilibrium. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a tool for employees to use in maintaining positive mental health and helping them navigate life's challenges. Available in all regions, EAP services are available 24/7, 365 days a year, offering free confidential, professional guidance and support for employees and their dependents. We continued to analyze the health of our population through our medical questionnaires that also focus on mental and lifestyle health. This strategy has opened a line of communication between employees and occupational health providers, better equipping our workers with resources and access to the support they might need. Listen Up! Seeks to Prevent Hearing Loss and Promote InclusionDow introduced Listen Up!, a global video series where employees shared firsthand accounts on the impact of congenital hearing loss, or other hearing disabilities that were non-work-related. This series of videos had a high impact on our employees. It sensitized Team Dow to the importance of the protection of hearing quality on and off the job, and also the importance of an inclusive culture for those with disabilities.Dow received Gold Level recognition from the American Heart Association for workplace health achievement. This achievement is reflective of our continued commitment to reducing stress and burnout, addressing health inequities and supporting organizational wellbeing. It is aligned with our steady healthy culture improvement.Read moreView additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from DOW on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: DOWWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/dow Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: DOW PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 08:00:31 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 983 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Publication of 2022 ESG ReportEASTLEIGH, UK / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / i3 Energy plc (AIM:I3E)(TSX:ITE), an independent oil and gas company with assets and operations in the UK and Canada, is pleased to announce the publication of its 2022 ESG report on its website ( www.i3.energy ).Highlights of 2022 Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) ReportEmissions Reduction Initiativesi3 is committed to being net zero for Scope 11 and Scope 22 emissions for its operated assets by 2050, with accelerated targets to be set following additional pathways analysis. Since 2021, during which period the scope and scale of i3's operations grew significantly and production by 23%, the Company managed to achieve a 4% reduction in its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Continued the successful efforts to reduce methane emissions - completed the replacement of the Company's entire inventory of hi-bleed pneumatic controllers with low bleed or instrument air and commenced the replacement of 400 pneumatic pumps on the assets acquired from Cenovus with solar powered electric pumps; once complete these initiatives in aggregate will reduce annual methane emissions by an estimated 64,600 tCO2e3, which is equivalent to circa 28% of the Company's total CO2e emissions in 2022. Commenced electrification of well pumpjacks, completing 30 conversions in 2022 at the Company's Carmangay and Retlaw properties, reducing emissions by 6,366 tCO2e annually. Reduced emissions from the Company's extensive fleet of compressor engines by installing air-to-fuel gas gauges to optimise fuel efficiency and engine performance and converting rich burn engines to lean burn engines.Emissions ReportingGHG Scope 1 and Scope 2 total emissions intensity for 2022 was 41 KgCO2e/boe, a 4% reduction on the 2021 level and below the average for Canadian conventional oil production and gas production and processing of 48.14 kgCO2e/bbl and 42.04 kgCO2e/boe, respectively. In 2022 commenced an alternative Fugitive Emissions Management Programme (launched in 2023), which uses a crewed aircraft equipped with laser technology to image methane emissions from the air, allowing more rapid and efficient repair operations, which could reduce fugitive methane leakage by more than 10% across our operations. Invested in software to optimise field process data acquisition to proactively detect and repair leaks, track fugitive emissions, and enhance reporting. When fully implemented across the Company's portfolio the software will assist in further reducing emissions.Environment i3 operates in jurisdictions with environmentally responsible operating contexts and world class regulations for all aspects of ESG, with currently circa 77% of its production being gas and natural gas liquids. Abandonment and reclamation are ongoing activities, and in 2022, 70 wells were abandoned, 37 well sites were decommissioned and 9 reclamation certificates were received. The Company had 4 reportable spills in 2022 (a 53% reduction from 2021), all of which were rapidly cleaned up and remediated.Social Safety is a top priority for i3; there were no employee loss time injuries and only 2 contractor loss time injuries in 2022. The Company is proud of its gender diversity with 26% of employees being women. i3 has an ongoing program of support, via charitable donations, to the communities in which it operates.Governance Established i3 Energy's ESG committee which reports to the CEO and comprises a multidisciplinary team of senior leadership and subject matter experts across the organisation, tasked with assessing and recommending policies, programs and practices that promote the Company's ESG goals and long-term sustainability strategy. Established ESG-linked Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as well as monitoring leading and lagging indicators of safety. Majid Shafiq, CEO of i3 Energy plc, commented:"Since 2021, during which period the scope and scale of our operations grew significantly and our production by over 23%, we are very proud to say that multiple initiatives and Company-wide efforts have managed to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity by 4%, and our emissions intensity remains below the average of our peers operating in Alberta on a CO2e/boe basis. This achievement is down to the strong oversight of our ESG Committee, and especially to the skill, ingenuity, dedication and hard work of all our employees and the daily efforts of our operations teams in the office and at the field level. We look forward to the future with optimism, as we continue to responsibly grow a sustainable energy business serving the needs of the communities and countries in which we operate." Footnotes:Scope 1 - direct greenhouse gas emissions that occur from sources that are controlled or owned by an organisation (e.g., emissions associated with fuel combustion in boilers, furnaces, and vehicles). Scope 2 - indirect greenhouse gas emissions associated with the purchase of electricity, steam, heat or cooling. tCO2e is tons of CO2 equivalent per year. Source: Canada's Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollutant Emissions Projections 2021. Published by Environment and Climate Change Canada, ENDSEnquiries:i3 Energy plc Majid Shafiq (CEO)c/o CamarcoTel: +44 (0) 203 781 8331WH Ireland Limited (Nomad and Joint Broker) James Joyce, Darshan PatelTel: +44 (0) 207 220 1666Tennyson Securities (Joint Broker) Peter KrensTel: +44 (0) 207 186 9030Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited (Joint Broker) Ashton Clanfield, Callum StewartTel: +44 (0) 20 7710 7600Camarco Andrew Turner, Violet Wilson, Sam MorrisTel: +44 (0) 203 757 4980Notes to Editors:i3 Energy is an oil and gas Company with a low cost, diversified, growing production base in Canada's most prolific hydrocarbon region, the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin and appraisal assets in the North Sea with significant upside.The Company is well positioned to deliver future growth through the optimisation of its existing 100% owned asset base and the acquisition of long life, low decline conventional production assets.i3 is dedicated to responsible corporate practices and the environment, and places high value on adhering to strong Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") practices. i3 is proud of its performance to date as a responsible steward of the environment, people, and capital management. The Company is committed to maintaining an ESG strategy, which has broader implications to long-term value creation, as these benefits extend beyond regulatory requirements.i3 Energy is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange under the symbol I3E and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ITE. For further information on i3 Energy please visi PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 12:00:39 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 333 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. ("Arbor" or "the Company") (NYSE:ABR) for violations of the securities laws.The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. Arbor is the subject of a report issued by Viceroy Research November 17, 2023, titled, ""Arbor Realty Trust - Slumlord Millionaires." According to the report, "Arbor's high-risk multifamily bridge loans, which comprise substantially all of its asset book, are going bad fast The end is near." Viceroy Research then issued a follow up report on December 5, 2023, titled "Arbor - Jacksonville Case Study." In the second report, Viceroy Research claims that the Company's "entire loan book is distressed and underlying collateral is vastly overstated." Based on this news, shares of Arbor fell by more than 5% over the next two trading sessions.If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com , or by email at bschall@ schallfirm.com The class in this case has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member.The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.CONTACT:The Schall Law FirmBrian Schall, Esq. www.schallfirm.com Office: 310-301-3335 info@ schallfirm.com SOURCE: The Schall Law Firm PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 20:00:24 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 437 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Brian Guza has joined Just in Time GCP's Executive Team as COOPHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Just in Time GCP, a Clinical business & technology and TMF Services company, announced that Brian Guza has joined the company as Chief Operating Officer. In his role, Guza will be responsible for leading the execution of the strategic vision and growing the organization's presence in the industry.A seasoned healthcare executive with nearly three decades of experience in healthcare operations, strategic planning, technology, and executive leadership, Guza brings his unique pharma service partner experience and insights to help empower Just in Time GCP to serve its clients and shape the future of Clinical technology consulting and service delivery at Just in Time GCP."I am excited to join a talented team that has had a very successful growth trajectory over the past several years," said Guza. "I am looking forward to bringing my industry and operational expertise to an organization that is committed to industry leadership, innovation, and strategic growth." Prior to his appointment as COO, Guza served in similar roles at Perspective Pharmacovigilance, Inc as well as executive roles at ICON and IQVIA. In his new role, Guza will oversee day-to-day operations and be responsible for executing a strategic vision that is based on a mission of helping clients bring treatment to patients by ensuring their People, Process, & Technology are aligned with their organizational goals. Just in Time GCP's mission is to provide high quality services to clients in areas of GCP Compliance, Quality Management Systems, and Inspection Readiness and assist our clients in leveraging systems in achieving these goals."We are thrilled to welcome Brian as our COO. Brian's leadership and experience is integral to the execution of our strategic vision for growth over the next 3 years. In addition to offering invaluable executive experience, he understands the complicated environment of drug development today," said Donna Dorozinsky, Founder & CEO of Just in Time GCP. "We are confident that his experience, background, and personality are an excellent match for the culture here at Just in Time GCP." About Just in Time GCPJust in Time GCP is a clinical compliance services and consulting company that supports pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in managing their clinical trials. They are experts in Good Clinical Practice (GCP) compliance; inspection preparedness; TMF management; clinical technology implementation and optimization; and the processes that support clinical trial management and oversight. For more information, visit www.justintimegcp.com Contact InformationAlycia HannumHead Human Resourcesahannum@ justintimegcp.com 215-343-4484SOURCE: Just in Time GCPView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 07:20:24 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 996 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 New level 1 data from the MAXA Clinical Trial comparing standalone MagnetOs to the gold standard autograft in the challenging posterior spinal fusion approach, demonstrates a fusion rate of 78% versus 45% after one year In the difficult-to-treat patient population of smokers, MagnetOs demonstrates impressive 80% fusion rate compared to 32% fusion rate with autograft (intrapatient control) MagnetOs Easypack Putty becomes the second product in the MagnetOs portfolio to receive FDA clearance to market for interbody use MagnetOs Putty receives FDA clearance for standalone use and can now be used without the need for autograft ZURICH, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Kuros Biosciences, a leader in next generation bone graft technologies, announced today three advancements related to its MagnetOs portfolio of products: specifically positive results from the MAXA level 1 clinical trial comparing standalone MagnetOs to autograft in a real world patient population in the challenging posterolateral fusion procedure, and two 510(k) clearances from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) related to its MagnetOs family of products.New Data from MAXA StudyKuros announced additional data from the MAXA level 1 clinical trial evaluating MagnetOs in a challenging posterior spinal fusion model compared to the gold standard autograft (containing at least 50% iliac bone crest), following initial data that was announced on December 27, 2023 . In this trial, MagnetOs was evaluated as a standalone alternative to autograft in an instrumented posterolateral fusion (PLF) model in 91 patients and a total of 130 segments. Notably, 20% of the patients in this study were smokers - an extremely challenging patient population when it comes to achieving fusion. In the 91 subjects that were analyzed after one year, a fusion rate of 78% was observed with MagnetOs compared to a 45% fusion rate with autograft (the intrapatient control), as evaluated by independent reviewers using fine-cut computed tomography (CT) scans.In the patients who were smokers, a fusion rate of 80% was observed with MagnetOs compared to just 32% with autograft, further demonstrating that MagnetOs should be the preferred choice for predictable fusions.Professor Moyo Kruijt, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon at the University Medical Centre Utrecht, Netherlands, and Principal Investigator of the study, commented, "The first results from this level 1 study indicate excellent fusion rates for MagnetOs when used standalone. These fusion rates appear to exceed those of other bone graft substitutes we have previously studied in this indication. We look forward to sharing the definitive numbers after full statistical analysis and peer review." Chris Fair, Chief Executive Officer of Kuros, commented, "This additional data from smokers in the MAXA clinical trial, showing more than twice the fusion rate when compared to autograft, provides even further support for MagnetOs as a standalone alternative to autograft in instrumented PLF procedures. This difficult study design was chosen to give surgeons greater confidence in our product and its ability to enable predictable fusions, even in a difficult-to-treat population of patients." The MAXA study is designed as a multi-center, observer-blinded, randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial with intrapatient comparisons. This study compared MagnetOs standalone to autograft for posterolateral fusion. A challenging real-world population of patients requiring up to four-level instrumented posterolateral fusion (T10 - S2) were included, and lumbar/thoracolumbar fusion was assessed by CT-scan 12 months after surgery. Patients were randomized to have MagnetOs placed on one side of the spine and the gold standard autograft (at least 50% bone harvested from the iliac crest of the greater pelvis) on the other side of the spine, allowing each patient to act as its own control.510(k) Clearances for MagnetOs Easypack Putty and MagnetOs PuttyMagnetOs Easypack Putty has become the second product in the MagnetOs portfolio to be cleared for use in the interbody space by FDA. As a result, MagnetOs Easypack Putty can now be used in any interbody space (cervical, thoracolumbar); and packed into any cage approved for use with a bone void filler.Additionally, MagnetOs Putty has been cleared for use either standalone or mixed with autograft. This 510(k) clearance expands the device's indications to also allow use of the device on a standalone basis in the posterolateral spine, pelvis and extremities.Chris Fair, Chief Executive Officer of Kuros, said: "We are delighted to have two MagnetOs products now cleared for interbody use, increasing the opportunity to serve our surgeon customers and the patients they treat." Fair continued, "The commercial advancements to our MagnetOs portfolio along with the impressive level 1 clinical trial results, will continue to fuel our growth ambitions through 2024 and beyond." All products within the MagnetOs portfolio promote bone growth by optimizing the effect of Kuros' established NeedleGrip TM surface technology. MagnetOs has been used in over 15,000 fusion procedures and is now cleared for more indications than any other synthetic bone graft substitute in the market today.For further information, please contact:Kuros Biosciences AG Daniel GeigerChief Financial Officert: +41 44 733 47 47e: daniel.geiger@kurosbio.comLifeSci Advisors Sandya von der WeidInvestor Relationst: +41 78 680 05 38e: svonderweid@ lifesciadvisors.comAbout MagnetOsMagnetOs is a bone graft like no other: thanks to its NeedleGrip TM surface technology, it grows bone even in soft tissues.*This surface technology provides traction for our body's vitally important pro-healing' immune cells (M2 macrophages). 3,4 This in turn, unlocks previously untapped potential to stimulate stem cells - and form new bone throughout the graft. 5-8 The growing body of science behind NeedleGrip TM is called osteoimmunology. But for surgeons and their patients it means one thing: a more predictable fusion. 7,8U.S. Indications StatementMagnetOs Easypack Putty is intended to fill bony voids or gaps of the skeletal system, i.e., the intervertebral disc space, and posterolateral spine. The osseous defects may be surgically created or the result of traumatic injury to the bone and are not intrinsic to the stability of the bony structure. In the intervertebral disc space and posterolateral spine, MagnetOs Easypack Putty must be used with autograft as a bone extender. When used in intervertebral body fusion procedures, MagnetOs Easypack Putty must also be used with an intervertebral body fusion device cleared by FDA for use with a bone void filler. M PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 16:18:30 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 623 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 GRAND RAPIDS, MI / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Grand Rapids-based accounting firm, Beene Garter, A Doeren Mayhew Firm, has announced it has changed its name effective immediately to reflect its parent company's name Doeren Mayhew, a top 60 U.S. CPA and advisory firm. The rebranding signifies the final transition of Doeren Mayhew's 2022 acquisition of the West Michigan CPA firm.Serving the Grand Rapids market since 1949, the Beene Garter name has been known synonymously for its unparalleled client service, and high-quality accounting and advisory services focused on meeting West Michigan business's needs. This commitment to client satisfaction is only heightened by operating as Doeren Mayhew, with an expanded suite of traditional CPA and unconventional advisory solutions to address the evolving needs of businesses in the region, supporting them at every stage."This rebranding initiative is not just about a name change for us," says Joshua Garvey, managing shareholder of the Grand Rapids office. "It marks another milestone in the evolution of our firm, strengthening our position in the region and strategically moving us forward to grow our local team and expand our West Michigan footprint." Over the past decade, Doeren Mayhew has experienced exciting double-digit growth to position as the 55th largest CPA firm in the nation, coming in at nearly $140 million in annual revenue. Within the past five years alone, the firm has seen its revenue growth increase by 54% and employee headcount by 49% nationwide. Attributed to numerous strategic acquisitions, an enhanced menu of non-traditional CPA service offerings and an expanding team of 590 employees, this growth has solidified the firm as a leader in the industry, being recognized as a top U.S. firm by Accounting Today and best-managed firm by INSIDE Public Accounting. Additionally, the firm has been recently recognized as the 5th largest West Michigan CPA firm by Crain's Grand Rapids Business and West Michigan's Best & Brightest Places to Work.Timing of this name change aligns with Doeren Mayhew unveiling of a new brand identity itself, reflecting its growth and empowering its strategic vision for a successful path forward. Paying homage to the company's heritage, the rebranding honors where the firm has been, while repositioning it to better reflect the firm as a powerhouse in the industry, and its core values, client-service philosophy, unconventional solutions and future aspirations. The firm's new, modern look includes a refreshed visual identity, website, and renewed value proposition to clients and employees."Doeren Mayhew is a uniquely different CPA firm. We are immensely proud of this," said Chad Anschuetz, managing shareholder and chairman. "As the accounting industry continues to evolve, we knew we had to take stock in ourselves and push the boundaries of what a CPA firm can be. As a result, we worked hard to redefine our brand to stand out amongst our peers, reignite our value proposition to clients, attract top talent and unite us with a powerful purpose. We're excited to have our Grand Rapids team along for the journey." As a part of the rebrand, the firm introduced a renewed commitment to be more than traditional CPAs. Going further and thinking deeper as strategic wayfinders to help clients navigate all the complexities of doing business, domestically and abroad, to ensure they arrive at the future they seek.About Doeren MayhewFounded in 1932, Doeren Mayhew is a top CPA and advisory firm comprised of a group of strategic wayfinders who think outside the traditional mindset to holistically provide assurance, tax, advisory and outsourcing solutions necessary to guide mid-sized privately held businesses and nonprofit organizations alike, in their path toward success. Please visit www.doeren.com for more information.CONTACTS:Taryne Spirovski PCM Chief Marketing Officer 248.244.3159spirovski@ doeren.com orMatt Brzezinski Marketing Manager 616.228.9194mbrzezinski@ doeren.com SOURCE: Doeren Mayhew PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 16:01:52 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 303 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 BERN, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / LEM Surgical AG, an innovative surgical robotics company headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, announces the successful completion of its Series B funding, securing CHF 22 million. The round, which was strongly oversubscribed, reflects the strong investors' confidence in LEM Surgical's differentiated approach.LEM Surgical Logo Company Logo of LEM SurgicalThis substantial funding boost is attributed to the enthusiastic participation of new investors from both the United States and Switzerland. The infusion of capital is strategically earmarked to propel the advancement of LEM Surgical's product development initiatives and readiness for FDA submission in the second half of 2024. With this latest injection of capital, LEM Surgical is well-positioned to achieve its objectives and to further solidify its potential in the field of surgical robotics.Yossi Bar, founder and CEO of LEM Surgical, expressed the company's vision, stating, "Our goal is to revolutionize the experience for surgeons, clinical teams, and hospitals engaged in robotic surgery. We deeply appreciate the trust and support of our new investors. It underscores the unwavering confidence our investors have in the future success of our groundbreaking technology." About LEM Surgical AGLEM Surgical is at the forefront of shaping the future through the creation of the next generation of robotic surgery platforms. The primary focus of its development efforts is centered around surpassing the capabilities of existing robotic platforms for spine surgery.The company was founded in 2021 by Prof. Dr. Stefan Weber (CEO, CAScination AG), Marco Matulic (CTO, CAScination AG), Simon Michel (CEO, Ypsomed Group), Prof. Dr. Andreas Raabe (Director, Department of Neurosurgery, Inselspital Bern) and Yossi Bar (previously Director R&D at Mazor Robotics Ltd).Follow on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/lem-surgical-ag/ Contact InformationYossi BarChief Executive Officercommunications@ lemsurgical.com SOURCE: LEM Surgical AGView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 16:01:44 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 473 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Medisafe , an industry-leading digital health company specializing in medication management, is pleased to introduce 'Data Pulse,' a new data package offering, that will enable partners to inform their user experience strategy by leveraging real-world, real-time insights derived from aggregated, de-identified, HIPAA- and GDPR-compliant user data.As new treatments continue to emerge daily, pharma companies and healthcare providers need effective tools to help them connect patients to the therapies that will benefit them most. Utilizing real-world data and advanced analytics, brand planning and go-to-market teams can more accurately identify and engage with patients, therefore advancing the potential of improving health outcomes.As a leader in the market with 10+ years of consumer medication behavior and outcomes reporting insights, Medisafe empowers its partners to impact their performance and grow their brands with real-time detailed information not found anywhere else. With insights based on over 30 billion behavioral data points collected through interactions with 90+ health trackers, partners will be able to understand insights on users' needs and habits, aid in the development of personalized medicine and treatment plans, generate real-world data evidence for market access, demand forecasting and identify gaps in treatment adherence to develop targeted user support programs.Data Pulse provides partners with brand-specific andcondition-specificmedication management profiles that can help them develop targeted interventions to address social determinants of health (SDOH) and increase health equity, including insights intodemographics , specific medications, behavioral patterns (such as time-of-day and day-of-week activity trends), medical conditions, doctor appointments, health trackers, and medication adherence and persistence.The offering is scalable and includes customizable surveys, aimed at generating primary research for user insights, segmentation analysis, competitive analysis, and condition analysis for commercialization."By empowering healthcare through real-time precision insights, Data Pulse allows us to unlock the full spectrum of user behavior, offering a level of detail in self-reported behavioral and medication adherence data that sets us apart," said Stacey Wasserman, Medisafe's Chief Business Officer. "We don't just manage medications - we revolutionize care by delving into the intricacies of patient behavior and are leading the way towards a more informed and patient-centric future for pharma brands." Medisafe's industry-leading digital solutions can support your organization. Connect with us atJP Morgan's 42nd Healthcare Conferenceand book a meetinghere .About MedisafeMedisafeis a leading integrated digital medication management solution that empowers users to seamlessly manage their treatment journey and holistic health while providing real-time intelligence to partners. By combining advanced technology - including smart, customizable, and scalable solutions for any needs - with behavior science, its Connected Health Platform supports patients, caregivers, providers, and payers at-scale by supporting better engagement, health management, and outcomes. Over 11 million people rely on Medisafe's platform to manage over two billion medication doses. Medisafe is a HIPAA and GDPR compliant solution and is ISO 27001:2013 and ISO 13845 certified.CONTACT:SOURCE: Medisafe PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 03:05:21 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 396 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 In recognition of National Blood Donation Month, Pennsylvania-based nonprofit, Heme Foundation, launches an effort to develop an innovative solution to the global blood shortage.BETHLEHEM, PA / ACCESSWIRE / January 3, 2024 / This January, as the world observesNational Blood Donor Month , the Heme Foundation plans to develop a product that will work towards the global effort to alleviate critical blood supply challenges. Despite international cooperation, many countries grapple with obstacles such as specialized handling, limited shelf life, and constant testing requirements for donated blood.Heme Foundation , however, is making significant strides to bridge this gap and create a healthier, safer, and more equitable world.In a world where the demand for donated blood is ever-present, Heme Foundation recognizes the urgency of the challenges faced by countries worldwide. With the maximum "shelf life" of donated blood limited to 42 days and the demand for specialized handling and testing, there is a crucial need for innovative solutions to ensure a stable and reliable blood supply.At the heart of Heme Foundation's contributions will be innovative technologies that offer alternatives to traditional blood donations. These solutions, to be developed for the foundation, will aim to provide a safe and effective means to address the challenges associated with the handling and availability of donated blood. By developing groundbreaking technologies, Heme Foundation will be paving the way for a more sustainable and accessible blood supply system.The Heme Foundation has partnered with the inventors of a revolutionary therapy,universal oxygen carrier (UOC)which can be used in place of red blood cell transfusions. UOC has been proven in clinical tests to be a safe and effective replacement therapy. This life-saving solution can be used when traditional blood supplies are not available."Once UOC is approved, the Heme Foundation would control its manufacturing and distribution, which is a unique role for a nonprofit," says Heme Foundation's Jonathan Barkman.The Heme Foundation has set a fundraising goal of raising at least $10-million to begin the approval process for UOC, which will take approximately 3 years."UOC is a game-changer and will save many lives, which is why we're so excited to share the opportunity with like-minded donors and foundations," Barkman says.For more information on the Heme Foundation, visit their websitehemefoundation.org Contact Information: Name: Jonathan BarkmanCompany: Heme FoundationAddress: Bethlehem, PAEmail:jbarkman@ hemefoundation.orgPhone: 484-484-3025Website: https://hemefoundation.org SOURCE: Heme Foundation PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 22:06:33 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 835 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Experienced Investors Georgina Russell and James Flynn Join Board of Directors to Advance Strategic ReviewTOMBALL, TX / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / RiceBran Technologies (OTC PINK:RIBT) ("RiceBran" or the "Company"), today announced that James Flynn and Georgina Russell have been appointed to the Company's Board of Directors. Both Mr. Flynn and Ms. Russell qualify as independent directors.Mr. Flynn is currently the Managing Member and Portfolio Manager of Nerium Capital LLC, an investment adviser he founded in 2021. He also currently serves on the Board of Directors of ARCA Biopharma, MEI Pharma, and Axiom Health (private). From 2017 to 2018, Mr. Flynn worked as a therapeutics analyst at Aptigon Capital (a Citadel Company), an investment firm. Prior to that, from 2003 to 2017, Mr. Flynn served in various roles at Amici Capital, LLC, an investment firm, including healthcare portfolio manager (2008 to 2017). From 2002 to 2003, Mr. Flynn worked in the credit research/high yield group at Putnam Investments, an investment firm. He earned an S.B. degree in Management Science with a concentration in Finance and a minor in Economic Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Mr. Flynn is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charterholder.Ms. Russell is the Managing Partner of Chicane GP LLC and the Portfolio Manager of Chicane Opportunities Fund LP, roles she has held since January 2019. From January 2015 through December 2018, she was a Portfolio Manager at Willett Advisors, LLC ("Willett") where she managed a long-term, concentrated fund of publicly traded securities. Prior to Willett, from April 2012 through July 2014, Ms. Russell was a Managing Director at Smithwood Advisers L.P. ("Smithwood"), a Los Angeles based investment advisory firm. Earlier in her career, Ms. Russell worked as an Analyst at Lonestar Capital Management, LLC in San Francisco, from January 2009 through April 2012. From August 2007 to December 2008, Ms. Russell did a first stint at Smithwood in their Hong Kong office. Before establishing her career in investing, Ms. Russell was a software engineer. She architected and authored cloud-based distributed systems. Ms. Russell was awarded three patents for her work. Ms. Russell graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in Computer Science. She received an MBA with honors from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 2007.Eric Tompkins, RiceBran's Executive Chairman, commented, "This announcement adds important and experienced voices to advocate for the best interest of shareholders as we advance our strategic review." About RiceBran TechnologiesRiceBran Technologies is a specialty ingredient company focused on the development, production and marketing of products derived from traditional and ancient small grains. We create and produce products to deliver improved nutrition and ease of use, while addressing consumer demand for all natural, non-GMO and organic products. The target markets for our products include human food, animal nutrition manufacturers and retailers, as well as specialty food retailers. More information can be found in the Company's filings with the SEC and by visiting our website at http://www.ricebrantech.com Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release includes statements concerning RiceBran and its future expectations, plans and prospects that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such "forward-looking statements" include, but are not limited to, statements about RiceBran's intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, projections as to the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, the anticipated impact of the proposed transaction on the Company's business and future financial and operating results. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "would," "expect," "plans," "anticipate," "could," "intends," "target," "projects," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," or "continue," or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements in this press release are only predictions. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry and markets in which the Company operates and management's beliefs and assumptions. The Company cannot guarantee that it actually will achieve the financial results, plans, intentions, expectations or guidance disclosed herein. Such forward-looking statements, and all phases of the Company's operations, involve a number of risks and uncertainties, any one or more of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in its forward-looking statements. Assumptions and other information that could cause results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking information can be found in RiceBran's filings with the SEC, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Except as required by law, RiceBran does not undertake to update forward-looking statements in this press release to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting such forward-looking information.Investor ContactRob FinkFNK IR ribt@ fnkir.com 646.809.4048SOURCE: RiceBran Technologies PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 22:16:31 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 349 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. ("Arbor" or the "Company") (NYSE:ABR). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.The investigation concerns whether Arbor and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.[Click here for information about joining the class action]On November 17, 2023, hedge fund Viceroy released a research report entitled "Arbor Realty Trust - Slumlord Millionaires." In its report, Viceroy concluded that "Arbor's high-risk multifamily bridge loans, which comprise substantially all of its asset book, are going bad fast The end is near." Then, on December 5, 2023, after purportedly receiving information from "whistleblowers" regarding distressed Arbor deals and underlying assets, Viceroy released a second research report on the company entitled, "Arbor - Jacksonville Case Study." The second report highlighted three multifamily properties in the Jacksonville, Florida area encumbered by Arbor loans, which Viceroy submits have property values likely below Arbor's loan balances. Asserting that Arbor's "entire loan book is distressed and underlying collateral is vastly overstated", Viceroy concluded that "Arbor is a donut. $0.00."On this news, Arbor's stock price fell $0.71 per share, or 5.12%, over two trading sessions, to close at $13.15 per share on December 6, 2023.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 02:50:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 299 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 3, 2024 /Tandem Biotherapeutics , a pioneering biotech firm based in Boston, andTherakind Ltd , a UK-based pharmaceutical company specializing in innovative drug formulations, are proud to announce their intellectual property licensing agreement.This alliance is set to propel the significant discoveries of Dr. Gramignoli, Associate Professor of Laboratory Medicine, at Karolinska Institutet and the Head of Cell Therapy Research at Tandem Biotherapeutics, and the bacteriologist, Dr. Federico Iovino, Associate Professor of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet.Louise Rawcliffe, Program Director of Therakind Ltd, commented, "Our vision for a new therapy to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria carries significant implications for human health. We are committed to transforming these early-stage discoveries into viable solutions that benefit patients across the globe." Dr Christineh Sarkissian, CSO of Tandem, added, "This agreement is a testament to Tandem's innovative discovery platform and reinforces our dedication to adding value by licensing promising discoveries." "Tandem's core mission, focusing on cell therapy for congenital organ defects, continues to guide our strategic focus", explains David Paolella, Tandem's CEO.For additional details on this exciting collaboration or to speak with a company representative, please reach out to:insights@ tandembio.comorbd@therakind.com About Tandem Biotherapeutics Tandem Biotherapeutics specializes in the development of cell therapy treatments for Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEMs) in Boston. Utilizing regenerative medicine techniques, Tandem strives to create cutting-edge cellular product treatments.About Therakind Ltd Therakind, a pharmaceutical company based in London (UK), is focused on developing niche medicines in difficult-to-treat patient groups including children, the elderly, and those suffering from chronic illness. Children and the elderly are two population groups with a higher risk for infections due to their non-fully developed or weaker, respectively, immune systems.Contact Information: Company: Tandem BiotherapeuticsAddress: Boston, MAEmail: insights@ tandembio.com Website: www.tandembio.com SOURCE: Tandem PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 23:01:40 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 790 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Torq Resources Inc. (TSXV:TORQ)(OTCQX:TRBMF) ("Torq" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed its previously announced concurrent public and private offerings of equity securities (the "Offering"). The Company issued 23,206,860 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of C$0.23 per Unit for gross proceeds of C$5,337,577.80 including C$1,305,999.80 in a concurrent private placement to Gold Fields Atacama Holdings Inc. ("Gold Fields"), a wholly owned affiliate of the international major mining company, Gold Fields Limited. This brings Gold Fields ownership of Torq to 15.48%, an increase from its initial position of 15.05%.The Company has issued a total of 23,206,860 common shares, 23,206,860 investor warrants and 1,084,814 agents compensation warrants. The investor warrants have a three-year term to January 4, 2027, the warrants issued to Gold Fields have up to an additional 24 months and the agents compensation warrants have a two-year term to January 4, 2026. All investor warrants have an exercise price of C$0.30, and the agents compensation warrants have an exercise price of C$0.23. The units issued to Gold Fields, as well as the underlying warrants and shares and the agents compensation warrants issued in connection with the private offering, are subject to a 4-month resale restricted period, while the other investor securities are not restricted for resale in Canada. The proposed use of proceeds from these financings is for exploration at Torq's Santa Cecilia gold-copper project in Chile and for general corporate and working capital purposes, as disclosed in the Company's amended and restated prospectus supplement dated December 22, 2023. Paradigm Capital Inc. and Red Cloud Securities Inc. acted as co-lead agents for the public offering, and Beacon Securities Limited acted as a member of the syndicate of agents (collectively, the "Agents"). In connection with the Offering, the Company paid to the Agents a cash fee of C$249,507.17, in addition to the agents compensation warrants, together with a 4% fee to a third-party advisor in connection with the Gold Fields portion.Three directors of the Company purchased an aggregate of 575,000 Units in the Offering for a total of C$132,250. Their participation, together with the Gold Fields portion, collectively constitutes "related party transactions" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). Such participation is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the securities acquired by the insiders was less than 25% of the Company's market capitalization.The securities offered have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,Shawn WallaceCEOFor further information on Torq Resources, please visit www.torqresources.com or contact Natasha Frakes, VP, Communications, at (778) 729-0500 or info@ torqresources.com About Torq ResourcesTorq is a Vancouver-based copper and gold exploration company with premium mineral projects in Chile. The Company is establishing itself as a leader of new exploration in prominent mining belts, guided by responsible, respectful and sustainable practices. The Company was built by a management team with prior success in monetizing exploration assets and its specialized technical team is recognized for their extensive experience working with major mining companies, supported by robust safety standards and technical proficiency. The technical team includes Chile-based geologists with invaluable local expertise and a noteworthy track record for major discovery in the country. Torq is committed to operating at the highest standards of applicable environmental, social and governance practices in the pursuit of a landmark discovery. For more information, visit www.torqresources.com Forward Looking InformationThis release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking information is information that includes implied future performance and/or forecast information in particular relating to or associated with the financing of exploration work on its mineral properties. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different (either positively or negatively) from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including risks relating to securing investor interest and participation in the target financing goal, and general market and economic conditions. For a discussion of risk factors which could adversely affect the forward looking statements, see the Company's public record filings at www.sedarplus.ca Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: Torq Resources Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 12:00:23 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 961 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 KELOWNA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Tryp Therapeutics Inc. ("Tryp" or the "Company") (CSE:TRYP), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing intravenous-infused psilocin (the active metabolite of psilocybin) for diseases with high unmet medical needs,is pleased to announce that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase 2a clinical trial being conducted by the University of Michigan in a collaboration with Tryp Therapeutics. The clinical trial is evaluating Tryp's TRP-8802 in patients with fibromyalgia.Commenting on the announcement, Jim Gilligan, Tryp's Chief Scientific Officer, said, "We are excited to announce that the first person has been dosed in a clinical trial at the University of Michigan using oral psilocybin in combination with psychotherapy to explore its utility in patients with fibromyalgia. With positive results in this study, Tryp would look to continue clinical development in fibromyalgia with TRP-8803, our proprietary formulation of IV-infused psilocin, which alleviates numerous shortcomings of oral psilocybin including: significantly reducing the time to onset of the psychedelic state, controlling the depth and duration of the psychedelic experience, and reducing the overall duration of the intervention to a commercially feasible timeframe. Our ultimate goal is to provide even more favorable outcomes and relief to the millions of patients currently suffering from chronic pain. Currently nearly one third of fibromyalgia patients resort to opiates at some point for pain relief." TRP-8802 is the predecessor to Tryp's lead psilocybin-based drug candidate, TRP-8803. TRP-8803 (IV-infused psilocin) includes a unique formulation and delivery system and is designed to enhance the positive effects of psilocybin and psilocybin-related compounds, while markedly reducing the limitations of psilocybin dosed through other routes of administration. In combination with psychotherapy, TRP-8803 is intended to serve as a treatment for certain neuropsychiatric disorders including fibromyalgia, binge eating disorder and irritable bowel syndrome. Tryp is utilizing TRP-8802 to evaluate the use of psilocybin-related compounds in certain neuropsychiatric disorders in early-stage trials. If initial efficacy is shown, TRP-8803 will be studied in future trials.About Tryp Therapeutics:Tryp Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing proprietary, novel formulations for the administration of psilocin in combination with psychotherapy to treat diseases with unmet medical needs. Tryp's lead program, TRP-8803, is a proprietary formulation of IV-infused psilocin (the active metabolite of psilocybin) that alleviates numerous shortcomings of oral psilocybin including: significantly reducing the time to onset of the psychedelic state, controlling the depth and duration of the psychedelic experience, and reducing the overall duration of the intervention to a commercially feasible timeframe. The Company has completed a Phase 2a clinical trial for the treatment of Binge Eating Disorder at the University of Florida, which demonstrated an average reduction in binge eating episodes of greater than 80%. The Company has also started a Phase 2a clinical trial with the University of Michigan for the treatment of fibromyalgia and is preparing to initiate a Phase 2a clinical trial (IND has been cleared to proceed) with Massachusetts General Hospital for the treatment of abdominal pain and visceral tenderness in patients suffering from IBS. Each of the studies are utilizing TRP-8802 (synthetic, oral psilocybin) to demonstrate clinical benefit in these indications. Where a positive clinical response has been demonstrated, subsequent studies are expected to utilize TRP-8803 (IV-infused psilocin), which has the potential to further improve efficacy, safety and patient experience. For more information, please visit www.tryptherapeutics.com Investor & Media ContactPeter MolloyChief Business OfficerTryp Therapeutics pmolloy@ tryptherapeutics.com Forward-Looking InformationCertain information in this news release, including statements relating to the anticipated closing date of the Private Placement, constitutes forward-looking information. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events.Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Tryp as of the date of this news release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to the factors described in greater detail in the "Risk Factors" section of Tryp's final prospectus available at www.sedar.com . These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect Tryp; however, these factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and Tryp expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAS REVIEWED OR ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.SOURCE: Tryp Therapeutics PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-04 07:20:14 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 480 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 DUBAI, UAE / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / In an exciting and game-changing move, Unified Capital and Investments, the renowned Indian investment company, has expanded its operations into the heart of the Middle East, Dubai, under the new name "Unified Investments LLC." This dynamic expansion is poised to create waves in the financial world, redefining the investment landscape in the region with returns that surpass traditional real estate investments.Unified Investments LLC, owned by Subodh Bajpai, has swiftly established itself as a formidable player in Dubai's bustling market. With a visionary approach and a commitment to innovation, the company is gearing up to provide investors with unparalleled opportunities, promising returns that go far beyond what's typically associated with real estate investments.Subodh Bajpai, the owner of Unified Investments LLC, expressed his enthusiasm about this strategic expansion, stating, "Dubai is a global financial hub, and we believe it is ripe for transformation in the investment sector. Our team is eager to bring fresh perspectives and exciting opportunities to our clients, with the aim of delivering returns that will exceed their expectations." Unified Investments LLC is set to leverage its extensive expertise in investment strategies and deep market insights to craft a diversified portfolio encompassing real estate, technology, infrastructure, and more. The company's unwavering commitment to transparency, professionalism, and a client-centric approach is expected to set a new industry standard.The Middle East has long been recognised as a lucrative investment destination, with Dubai at its forefront. Unified Investments LLC aims to harness the city's dynamism, forward-thinking policies, and robust infrastructure to generate substantial returns for its clients.This expansion not only marks a significant milestone for Unified Capital and Investments but also underscores the growing international appeal of the UAE's investment ecosystem. It aligns perfectly with the country's vision of becoming a global economic powerhouse, attracting businesses and investors from around the world. Investors and financial experts are closely watching Unified Investments LLC's every move, anticipating a disruptive transformation in the investment landscape. With a strong presence in India and now Dubai, the company is poised to offer a unique blend of insights, opportunities, and innovation that could redefine the investment game across the Middle East.As Unified Investments LLC, owned by Subodh Bajpai, charts its path toward a future of unprecedented growth and prosperity, investors in the Middle East and beyond have an exciting journey ahead. This company's entry into Dubai's bustling financial landscape promises to usher in a new era of investment returns that far exceed traditional real estate, setting a new benchmark for financial success in the region. Unified Investments LLC is ready to make history as the harbinger of change in the Middle East's investment landscape. Stay tuned for more exciting updates!CONTACT: www.unifiedinvestments.aeCompany Name: Unified Investment LLCContact Person Name: Richank TiwaryPhone number: 9919920687Email: connect@ unifiedinvestment.ae Website: www.unifiedinvestment.ae SOURCE: Unified Investment LLC The National Hospital Abuja has denied referring popular actor, Zack Orji, to a private hospital for brain surgery. The development is in reaction to reports insinuating that the 64-year-old actor who reportedly slumped on New Years eve was admitted to the facilitys Intensive Care Unit (ICU) but was later transferred to a private hospital for surgery. The hospital, in a statement Thursday and signed by its spokesperson, Tayo Haastrup, explained that the actor was stabilised at the facility before he was taken away by his relatives while they were preparing for his surgery. The statement reads in part: To set the record straight, the actor, who was brought in on New Years Eve and admitted to the intensive care unit, was stabilised by National Hospital Abuja and moved to the ENT ward. Later in the day, he was transferred to the orthopaedic ward, where our surgeons began preparing him for surgery. However, the relatives of the patient signed a form Leaving Against Medical Advice on 1 January 2024. This thwarted all preparations for his surgery. Nevertheless, the Management of National Hospital Abuja wishes him a speedy recovery. Minister seeks support for actor The news of Mr Orjis brain surgery became public after the Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, visited him at the private hospital. Mrs Musawa, in a statement by her Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Nneka Anibeze, revealed that the actor underwent brain surgery on 1 January 2024. Expressing sympathy for the veteran actors family, Mrs Musawa described him as a national asset and expressed confidence in his recovery. READ ALSO: She said: God will heal him, and he will be well. We will do all we can to support him. We solicit the collective prayers of Nigerians because he is like a part of our families. We have watched him entertain us, and we see him as a national treasure. So the best we can do is to ensure that we support him to have the best treatment. We will reach out to other well-meaning Nigerians to support Zack Orji through prayers and other means available to ensure that he survives this ailment. This is not only about the ministry which I am representing. You know that Zack Orji has been in the industry for decades. This is a man who has given his time and effort to entertain Nigerians. The minister said Mr Orji was one of the individuals who laid the foundation for Nollywood and the film industry in Nigeria but now he is sick and the least we can do as an administration is to give him all the necessary support through prayers and otherwise to ensure that we save his life. This will also propel the administration to look at the welfare of artistes and others in the industry who have not only given their time and energy but people like Zack Orji who have become national treasures, the minister added. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print North Africa and the Sahel have generally been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Coups last year rocked Mali, Niger, Chad and Burkina Faso, warring factions are tearing Libya asunder, and African migrants seeking greener pastures are defining domestic politics in the European Union (EU). Several natural disasters caused widespread destruction in 2023, including Libyas floods and an earthquake in Morocco. Another quake hit the country this week. However, a new analysis of Moroccos development prospects provides some good news. The country is unique in several respects. Geographically, its the only African nation with Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, and a land border with an EU member (Spain) at the tiny enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. It claims the disputed Western Sahara territory, a sparsely populated area of mostly desert and a former Spanish colony rich in phosphates and fisheries, which it part-annexed in 1975. The status of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), proclaimed as such by the Polisario Front, remains a divisive issue in the African Union (AU). Morocco left the AU in 1984 shortly after the SADR was admitted as a member, only rejoining in 2017. Morocco is one of only two semi-constitutional monarchies in Africa Lesotho is the other. Both have an elected Parliament, placing them in a modestly more democratic league than Eswatini, Africas last absolute monarchy. Unlike most other North African states, Morocco depends heavily on imported hydrocarbons to meet its energy needs. It has been unable to develop oil or gas resources despite vigorous exploration efforts. While the amount of electricity production from renewable sources increases year-on-year, the share of renewables in total final consumption decreases, given Moroccos expanding energy demand. In the wake of the Arab Spring that started in Tunisia in December 2010, Morocco witnessed street protests demanding, among others, the removal of the kings executive powers. Morocco was ultimately less affected by the widespread popular revolt than other countries in the region, probably because it had experienced several years of solid economic growth. King Mohammed VI, who ascended to the throne in 1999, also adopted several reforms early in his reign that softened the harsh authoritarianism evident previously. The Moroccan constitution prepared through a consultative commission and reflecting some political reforms was adopted by referendum in 2011. It outlaws single-party rule and requires that political parties not be founded on a religious, ethnic or regional basis. It grants the political opposition the right to free, honest and transparent elections, equality between men and women, and various personal and political rights, including the right to strike. After years of steady growth, Morocco experienced a sharp economic deceleration in 2022 due to domestic and international shocks, including a drought and high commodity prices. This happened despite efforts to open its economy for greater private-sector participation and investments in education, health and ICT competitiveness that improved productivity. Still, the country struggles with an inflexible labour market. A large component of its labour force is engaged in the informal sector with up to two-thirds of Moroccan jobs in the grey economy. Nearly 77 per cent of employment is informal if one includes the large subsistence agricultural sector. The dominance of state-owned enterprises that receive favourable treatment and are exempt from competition laws is a drag on economic growth. With a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of $8,368 (in 2017 values), Morocco is classified as a lower-middle-income economy. On the Current Path or business-as-usual forecast based on the International Futures forecasting platform, Moroccos GDP per capita will rise to $10,718 in 2043. But it has the potential for an increase of up to 33 per cent above that, outperforming its low-middle-income African peers. One of the reasons for this optimistic forecast is that Morocco has a more mature population structure than most African countries and already benefits from a large working-age population relative to dependents. On the Current Path trajectory, Moroccos population will increase from 36.5 million in 2019 to 43.3 million in 2043. However, inequality is relatively high. Among the eight sectoral interventions modelled, full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area scenario will have the greatest positive impact on GDP per capita. In contrast, the manufacturing scenario is most likely to reduce extreme poverty, followed by growth in agriculture. Morocco is one of the few African countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of eliminating extreme poverty. Moroccos efforts to benefit from excellent trade relations with the United States (US) and Europe have been disappointing. Comprehensive free trade agreements were signed with the US in 2006 and the EU in 2000. Trade in industrial products is entirely liberalised, and Morocco also has substantial access to the EUs agriculture market. Negotiations for a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area started in 2013 but were put on hold in 2014 at Moroccos request. An amendment of the EU-Morocco Association Agreement protocols, which extended tariff preferences to products originating in Western Sahara, entered into force in 2019. In response to the lacklustre results from trade with the US and Europe, recent years have seen a determined effort to turn more towards trade and investment in Africa, which offers significant opportunities. Morocco has launched an aggressive campaign to woo African countries, including joining the AU in 2017, hosting the organisations 2018 summit, and serving on its Peace and Security Council. READ ALSO: Morocco to host Africas fourth public health conference Still, its trade with the rest of Africa is low, as is regional trade integration in North Africa. The Western Sahara/SADR dispute is the single largest impediment to economic growth and diversification of the economies of Morocco and North Africa generally. Progress towards resolution is urgently needed. Jakkie Cilliers, Head, African Futures and Innovation, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Pretoria (This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday raided the headquarters of the Dangote Group in connection with ongoing investigation into forex allocations in the country. Sources told PREMIUM TIMES that on arrival at the headquarters of one of Africas largest conglomerates in Lagos, the EFCC operatives demanded documents relating to allocation of foreign exchange to the group in the last ten years. They then scrutinised the documents provided by officials of the Group for hours, carting some of them away. This newspaper learnt that the EFCC had written to 52 companies directing them to supply documents supporting the allocation and utilization of foreign currencies to them in the last 10 years. The EFCC letter to the companies is part of ongoing investigation into alleged preferential Forex allocations to individuals and organisation by the Godwin Emefiele-led Central Bank of Nigeria. Investigators have in the past months accused the CBN of favouring and enriching some individuals and companies through non-transparent allocation of foreign exchange to them. PREMIUM TIMES had reported in December how the forensic audit of the CBN under Mr Emefiele uncovered 593 bank accounts domiciled in the United States, the United Kingdom and China in which Nigerian funds were deposited without authorisation from the board and investment committee of the apex bank. READ ALSO: The special investigator revealed that the sum of 543.4 million pounds was kept by Mr Emefiele in fixed deposit accounts, adding that the ex-CBN chief manipulated the naira exchange rate and committed fraud in the e-Naira project. Our source said while some of the companies the EFCC wrote to had since complied, others asked for more time to gather the requested information and documents. But in a surprising move, the EFCC stormed Dangote headquarters Thursday just as the company tried to surrender boxes of documents to the anti-graft agencies, The Dangote people intimated the EFCC that the documents were ready and that they were bringing them over, a source familiar with the matter told PREMIUM TIMES. But the EFCC said its operatives would rather come to the company to collect the documents. The source said such Gestapo tactics by the EFCC could discourage foreign investors from coming to Nigeria. The Dangote Group is perhaps Africas largest conglomerate and it is troubling that the EFCC could deal with it in an unnecessary show of force especially when it is not obstructing its investigation in any form, the source added. When contacted, the spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, declined comment on the matter, saying he was at a meeting. He did not answer or return subsequent calls made to him. The spokesperson for the Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, could not be reached to comment for this story. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Commanders and officers of Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun Corps, on Wednesday, in Akure, Ondo State, held a special candlelight procession in honour of the late Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. The officers, led by the Corps Commanders of Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, and Ekiti States, began their procession from the Cathedral area through Oyemekun-Oba Adesida road, Akure to the Governors office, Alagbaka, where Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa received them. Mr Aiyedatiwa, who praised Akeredolus vision in establishing Amotekun Corps with other governors in the South-west, vowed that he would be committed to the security agency like his former principal. He extolled his late boss as a man who left enduring legacies as testament of his doggedness and resilience, one of them being the Amotekun Corps. He was a man of great courage. He spoke and everyone listened. His exit has created a vacuum that has to be filled. We celebrate him for his vision and all he stood for. Aketi impacted a lot of lives, Mr Aiyedatiwa said. The Corps Commander for Ondo State, Adetunji Adeleye, while addressing journalists at the end of the walk which terminated at the Amotekun headquarters in Alagbaka, said the event was organised to pay last respect to the late governor for leading the formation of the agency at the critical time in the history of Yorubaland. Mr Adeleye, who is the Chairperson of the South-west Amotekun Commanders, commended the good works that late Governor Akeredolu had done in the area of security, adding that the people would not forget him. We are all living testimonies of the fact that the security situation in the South-west has greatly improved. We are resolute and determined in continuing the good work that he started; thats our own contribution in immortalising our great leader, he said. Mr Adeleye assured that the death of Mr Akeredolu will not affect the operations of Amotekun, given that Governor Aiyedatiwa had pledged to continue with the good works Akeredolu was doing with the Corps. On his part, the Oyo State Commander, Nathaniel Olayanju, said that the South-west Commanders of Amotekun are very proud of the late Governor, adding that his call to glory is just a phase because he will continue to be with us. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print ENTERPRISE-A collective sigh of relief was heard as the massive box containing the new Steinway Concert Grand Piano was maneuvered from the delivery truck into the Fine Arts Building on the Enterprise State Community College Campus Saturday morning. It took the transporters more than one hour to move the 1,400 pound Steinway Model D Concert Grand Piano into Forrester Hall, where it will remain boxed until moved into its new home at the Fine Arts Facility and Performing Arts Center expected to be completed on campus next year. But meanwhile, said ESCC Fine Arts Division Chair Dr. Ken Thomas flashing his trademark smile, people are invited to view the boxed-up concert piano that traveled from New York City, adding that any tax deductible donations earmarked for the Steinway Piano Project sent to the college at PO Box 1300, Enterprise, 36331, are much appreciated. Calling the nearly nine-foot long new arrival the grandfather of all pianos, Thomas said he and ESCC Piano Instructor Carol Windham had travelled to New York City to select the piano. There were four pianos to choose from. She played all four in a special room with perfect acoustics. I just listened. We didnt talk much during the process, Thomas said. The night before the Steinway rep had told us that we would know within 15 minutes which piano we wanted and we knew in just about that time which one we wanted. Thomas said the concert grand pianos were initially built by German immigrant Henry E. Steinway in the late 1800s after standard pianos were not able to accommodate the massive concert halls that were being built at that time. This piano was built specifically for concert halls, he said about the pianos, which are built only in New York City and Hamburg, Germany. It can fill a large concert hall with sound and can easily be heard over a large orchestra. With this concert grand piano, and our new state-of-the-art performing arts building, artists are going to seek opportunities to perform here in the Wiregrass at Enterprise State, said Thomas. The buzz is already out there. It. Is. Exciting. ESCC President Danny Long agreed. The concert grand piano will be unboxed and assembled in its new home, the 50,000 square-foot performing arts center being built on the ESCC campus. The facility, expected to be completed a year from now, will consist of some 35,000 square feet of performance space that will hold approximately 600 spectators and approximately 15,000 square feet of instructional space that will house the ESCC Fine Arts Division. Progress on the academic wing, with rehearsal rooms, instructional spaces, and office suites, is visible now. Its great to see the steel being erected at the construction site and great to see that were starting to assemble performance pieces, said Long. Forrester Hall, renovated in 2019, and current home of the Fine Arts Division will be repurposed when the new facility opens. Were excited to be able to provide an opportunity for our students to play the superior instrument that this Steinway Concert Piano is and our goal for this new building is to be able to attract national performers, said Long. The new Fine Arts Facility and Performing Arts Center is going to be a phenomenal tool for our students but we also want it to be a community venue that attracts artists from all over the countryand if were going to do that were going to have the appropriate technology, including a piano of this caliber. A cross-section of workers in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, have called on the federal and state governments to review the salaries of civil servants. The workers said this on Wednesday, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki. They said that the review and revamping of sectors would help address the economic hardship in the country. Kenneth Usulor, a civil servant and resident of Abakaliki, said there was a need to raise the pay and allowances of workers to encourage their efforts. He said, Reviewing of salaries and other welfare of the workforce means a lot to them, the system, productivity and development. Judith Eze, also a civil servant, said that a pay raise would drive behavioural change and that the empowerment of youths would help tackle youth restiveness. Another civil servant, Stanley Uguru, added that the empowerment of the youth would also reduce social vices among them. Engagements of youth will promote peace and development in the country, Mr Uguru said. An entrepreneur, Denis Eze, called for the revitalisation of the commerce and industry sector, saying this would help small businesses to thrive. Mr Eze bemoaned the rate at which businesses were closing shop and moving out of the country due to outrageous taxations. There is a need to urgently address the multiple taxation witnessed in Ebonyi State and other parts of the country, Mr Eze said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In line with plans to close the Iyana Oworonshoki-Adeniji Adele bound of the Third Mainland bridge for repairs from Tuesday, 9 January, the Lagos State government, on Thursday, issued a travel advisory to ease the burden of commuting and ensure seamless movement for residents. Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, who made the disclosure, said the closure is part of the ongoing work that started in November 2023 with the fixing of the ramps, adding that the remaining parts of the bridge would also be repaired in phases. Mr Osiyemi informed residents that from 12 a.m. to 12 noon, the bridge would be open for Mainland Inbound Island travels, while those who intend to come from the Island to the Mainland are advised to use Eko Bridge. Conversely, from 12 noon to 12 a.m., motorists would be able to access the bridge from the Island to the Mainland while motorists from the Mainland heading towards the Island will have to use Eko Bridge, he said. Mr Osiyemi noted that the timings were selected to match the peak period flow of traffic and reduce travel stress. He urged road users to cooperate with the states traffic management officials throughout the duration of the repairs. The Federal Government had earlier announced plans to close a section of the bridge from the second week of 2024 in two phases, with each phase scheduled to last for six weeks. Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, Olukorede Kesha, who announced this in a statement, explained that the planned closure will commence from 11 a.m. on Tuesday, 9 January 2024. Mrs Kesha disclosed that the first phase of the closure would be done on the Lagos Island-bound carriageway of the bridge. Consequent upon the above, motorists are hereby advised to use alternative routes and links, which include Ojota-Ikorodu Road-Funsho Williams Avenue-Eko Bridge-Apogbon-CMS and Ojota-Ikorodu Road-Jibowu-Yaba-Oyingbo-Iddo-Carter Bridge-CMS. Motorists can make use of Gbagada-Anthony-Ikorodu Road-Funsho Williams-Eko Bridge-Apogbon-CMS. Motorists are further advised to cooperate with the traffic management officials deployed to manage traffic and ensure hitch-free movements to minimise discomfort during this repair period. While thanking the general public for their past cooperation and understanding, more is expected this time, the statement read in part. The 11.8 km bridge has witnessed series of rehabilitation in recent times before the latest planned repairs. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says the Ministry of Finance has released N50 billion to the FCT to finance ongoing capital projects. The amount, according to the minister, is 50 per cent of FCTs N100 billion 2023 supplementary budget, approved by the National Assembly. Mr Wike made the announcement, after an inspection tour of some ongoing projects in Abuja on Thursday. The minister said that he has directed the permanent secretary to immediately make payments to the contractors handling projects in FCT. I am happy to announce to you that the ministry of finance has released 50 per cent of the national supplementary budget. That in a way, has given us that hope that the contractors will be paid anytime from now. We have also gotten assent to the FCT Statutory Budget, which again, has given us hope that no project will be left uncompleted as promised. As you can see, these are quality projects, which we are very satisfied with. We believe that the arrangements made by the contractors will enable us to commission the projects to celebrate Mr Presidents one year in office, he said. He commended the residents of Abuja for their support, while assuring them that there was no promise made that would not be fulfilled. He expressed confidence that the projects would be delivered on schedule, saying we are quite hopeful; we are quite convinced that they would keep to the time scheduled as agreed. We are happy with what we have seen, and we will continue to do things to the satisfaction of the residents of Abuja and assure them that the renewed hope agenda is not a mere talk. So, it is a promise and a promise kept. Mr Wike acknowledged some challenges in the course of delivering the projects, adding, however, that the challenges were surmountable. He added that with the kind of support from President Bola Tinubu, there were no challenges that would not be surmountable. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wike inspected the Outer Southern Expressway, which stretched from A.A Rano, through Deeper Life Junction, SARS, Apo roundabout to Wasa District. The road is being constructed by China Geo-Engineering Corporation (CGC) Nigeria Limited. Mr Wike also inspected the Northern N-20 Expressway in Jahi District being constructed by Gilmor Construction firm, and the Vice Presidents residence being constructed by Julius Berger. The Area Manager, CGC Nigeria Ltd., Yong Hong, assured the minister that the Outer Southern Expressway would be delivered before May. Similarly, the representative of Julius Berger, Oliver Berger, said that the team was on site for the past two months and had done a lot of work on the VP residence project. We have done a lot of cleaning inside and outside. As you can see a lot of infrastructural work has happened; earth work around the fence line has been done, sewage and other trenches have been done. All the procurement processes have commenced already and from the preparation point of view we are in a good position to turn all our plans and procurement activities into action, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The year 2023 will be remembered as one of the most eventful in recent history with many events making international headlines from different parts of the world. These include the Nigerian elections in February and March, the Sudan crisis that erupted in April, the Sierra Leone elections in June, and the Niger coup of July. This 2023 wrap-up by PREMIUM TIMES also looks at the record-shattering warming that the earth experienced this year according to climate change experts, the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East, the Gabon coup that ended the Bongo dynasty, the first election in Liberia following the departure of the UN mission and COP28. Nigerias General Election After months of anticipation, 25 February finally arrived for eligible Nigerians to choose the next leader of Africas largest economy. There were three major candidates. It was the first time in Nigerias recent history, at least since the return to democratic rule in 1999, that a third force would arise. It was the first election since 1999 where no candidate with a military background would contest. It was an all-civilian affair. Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos State, was announced the winner of the hard-fought contest with 8.7 million votes of the over 24 million votes cast in the election. His tally represents only 37 per cent of the votes, the lowest by a winner since 1979. Yet, it was 8 percentage points higher than his closest rival, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The third force and arguably the most popular amongst Nigerian youth, Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), was further behind with a 25 per cent share of the ballots. As is the norm with Nigeria elections, neither of the other candidates accepted defeat, they cried foul as results were announced and proceeded to the tribunal to contest the election result. The electoral commission (INEC) was faulted for not keeping to its promise of uploading results online in real-time. The Supreme Court pronounced Mr Tinubu the winner, which ended the judicial battle. Sudan Crisis The crisis erupted on 15 April when members of the paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF) attacked the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF). Over 10,000 people have died in the violence between these former allies and another 5.6 million people have been displaced. As fighting intensified in the North African country, governments, including Nigeria, began to evacuate their nationals. Nigeria evacuated students who had cried out requesting the government to evacuate them. Even though the war in Gaza has taken over international headlines, the crisis continues in Sudan. Several attempts at a ceasefire have failed. Sierra Leone Election and failed coup attempts In June, Sierra Leonians went to the polls to elect new leaders for their country or re-elect current leaders including the incumbent president, Julius Bio. Mr Bio was re-elected in the 24 June election. There were two major contenders for the West African countrys topmost position, Mr Bio and Samura Kamara, runner-up in the 2018 presidential elections. He came second behind Mr Bio in that election. Three days after Sierra Leoneans went to the polls, the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) declared Mr Bio of Sierra Leones Peoples Party (SLPP) winner of the presidential election. This announcement did not go without dispute from the opposition and also from civil society and other foreign observation missions. A parallel voter tabulation (PVT) run by National Election Watch (NEW), a domestic observation group made up of civil society organisations in the country, estimated that Mr Bio scored 53 per cent and less than the required numbers to avert a run-off. International missions were also concerned about the collation process. In a joint statement, the American, British, Irish, German, French and European Union missions to Sierra Leone said they share the concerns of national and international observation missions about the lack of transparency in the tabulation process. In July, one month after the elections, there was a coup scare that led to the arrest of senior military officers working to undermine the peace and tranquillity of the state and unleash violence on peaceful citizens of Sierra Leone. Again in November, there was an attack on the military armoury at Wilberforce barracks in the capital, Freetown, leading to the release of some prisoners. President Bio while addressing his country after the attack referred to it as a failed coup. Niger coup What started as a rumour of an attempted coup became a full-blown coup and led to the arrest of the democratically elected president of the West African country, Mohamed Bazoum. Led by Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, the soldiers announced they had carried out a coup and closed all West African borders. In a statement broadcast on national television and quoted by Aljazeera, Mr Abdramane said that the defence and security forces have decided to put an end to the regime you are familiar with. Reacting to the coup, ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Niger including power cuts by Nigeria, a member state and current leader of ECOWAS. The subregional bloc also threatened a military intervention if the putschists failed to reinstate ousted President Bazoum. It later backed down from military intervention. The putschists ignored the threats and went ahead to form a new government. Several mediation groups have been sent to Niger to negotiate a way forward to no avail. President Bazoum has since remained in custody. Gabon Coup Barely one month after the Niger coup, in August, military officers in Gabon toed the same part, ousting and arresting President Ali Bongo. The coup plotters said they were taking over the government following a general election that was termed not credible. The election returned Mr Bongo as president for a third term; he took over the presidency in 2009 after his father. General Brice Nguema, leader of Gabons Republican Guard, was named transition leader. He was in charge of the presidents security. The coup led to the end of the 56-year grip of the Bongos on Gabon. The African Union also suspended Gabon from all its activities until the restoration of constitutional order in the country. Morocco Earthquake In September, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Morocco in North Africa killing over 2,000 people. The earthquake hit six cities and was the deadliest the country had experienced in 60 years, leaving scores homeless. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake near Oukaimedene occurred due to oblique-reverse faulting at shallow depth within the Moroccan High Atlas Mountain range, roughly 75 km southeast of Marrakech. Libya Storm In the same month as the earthquake in Morocco, Storm Daniel hit Libya, also in North Africa, causing a flood that affected five cities. The storm led to the collapse of two dams sending one billion cubic feet of water into already inundated areas, hence the flood. Over 6,000 people died and thousands missing following the fatal storm. Israel-Hamas war The ongoing war in Gaza that has killed over 20,000 people escalated on 7 October when Hamas launched an attack on Israel killing nearly 1,200 people. The hostilities between Israel and Hamas have recently tested multilateralism with some experts opining that it has failed owing to the failure of several attempts at a ceasefire. In a bid to wipe out Hamas, Israels offensive has targeted hospitals, schools, civilian accommodation, and UN camps amongst others. Israeli defence claims that Hamas uses Palestinian civilians as human shields while attacking them (Israel). Several attacks have been carried out on hospitals where Israel claims Hamas fighters are. At least five attempts by the UN Security Council have failed to reach a ceasefire rather it has left the council divided. Liberia Elections The October election in Liberia was the fourth since the Civil War. It was also the first time the West African country would have a presidential election without a UN mission on the ground. Twenty candidates had their eyes on the Executive Mansion in Monrovia but in reality, it was a two-horse raise between the incumbent president George Weah and former vice president Joseph Boakai. Liberians came out in their numbers on 10 October to vote for a new leader. Neither of the two major candidates secured the minimum number of votes required to be announced winner. The election went into a run-off that returned Mr Boakai as president-elect. In a heartwarming development, Mr Weah conceded defeat and congratulated the winner. COP28 The 28th UN Climate Change Conference was somewhat special to the extent that the world took stock of how well it has done concerning climate action. Called the Global Stock Take (GST), the UN Climate Change Agency (UNFCCC) said it is a moment to take a long, hard look at the state of our planet and chart a better course for the future. The conference was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with over 70,000 participants from different parts of the world in attendance to discuss climate change and the science of it. After two weeks of negotiations and various declarations, participants left Dubai with mixed feelings about the next steps on fossil fuels which according to scientists are responsible for climate change. The conference ended with parties agreeing to transition away from fossil fuels; some parties wanted the phase-out of fossil fuels. The loss and damage fund which was established at COP27 was operationalised on the first day of the conference. If the outcome of the conference is anything to go by, it is clear that the world will inevitably move away from fossil fuels. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print As part of efforts to tackle the brain drain in the health sector, the Lagos State Government has announced plans to establish the University of Health and Medical Sciences before the end of 2024. While speaking at the inauguration of the Femi Gbajabiamila General Hospital in Surulere, Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu revealed that the launch of the university will be a product of a strategic collaboration between the state and the Federal Ministry of Health. Mr Sanwo-Olu noted that the initiative is aimed at significantly increasing the production of healthcare workers throughout the year, adding that Lagos State is poised as a model and the goal is to extend the initiative nationwide to tackle the persistent issue of medical migration. According to him, the launch of the medical university is part of a comprehensive set of initiatives planned by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Tunji Alausa. Increase in annual enrollment According to a separate statement signed by Mr Alausa, the medical university will integrate all general hospitals in the state as teaching hospitals, aligning with practices in the United Kingdom and the United States. This approach allows for a substantial increase in annual enrollment, with the university targeting the admission of 2,000-2,500 medical students, along with 3,500 nurses, 500 physiotherapists, biomedical engineers, and other allied healthcare professionals, the statement reads in parts. It noted that the Federal Governments objective is to replicate this successful model in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. This strategic expansion aims to enhance the production of medical staff and allied healthcare professionals nationwide, effectively addressing the challenge of brain drain in the healthcare workforce, it added. Retaining best talents Speaking further at the inauguration, Mr Sanwo-Olu said one of the reasons for the initiative is to scale up all training for youth that required to be trained in everything within our health space We cannot sit back and fold our arms as a government that cannot intervene, so we will as a state leading the park and we hope that other states will take the initiative and set up this university to be able to produce more doctors every year, he said. He said the state is dedicated to providing the best facility to retain the best talent in the country. We will ensure that we put in required resources, and interventions, and improve the infrastructure and the training required in that sector, he added. Brain Drain The exodus of healthcare professionals, especially doctors, pharmacists, and nurses to developed countries has been on the increase. With a doctor-patient ratio over five times worse than the WHO recommendation, Nigeria has continued to lose hundreds of doctors annually to brain drain, a large number of them to the UK. Various statistics show that over 5,000 Nigerian medical doctors have migrated to the UK between 2015 and 2022. READ ALSO: Jigawa medical students protest delay in being licensed Data documented by the development Research and Project Centre (dRPC) shows that in 2015, 233 Nigerian doctors moved to the UK; in 2016 the number increased to 279; in 2017 the figure was 475, in 2018, the figure rose to 852, in 2019 it jumped to 1,347; in 2020, the figure was 833 and in 2021, it was put at 932. The continued emigration of health practitioners has led to a shortage of skilled health workers in the country, which has negatively affected the quality of healthcare services provided to the citizens. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print South Africas luxury goods tycoon Johann Rupert and his family have taken the crown as Africas top billionaire after Nigerias Aliko Dangote lost the prime spot. According to the latest Forbes billionaire ranking, Mr Rupert and his family are currently the 201st wealthiest in the world, while Mr Dangote is the 219th. The valuation of the wealth of Mr Dangote, who held the first place on the African billionaire ranking for more than 12 years, came under pressure after a major devaluation of the naira by roughly 40 per cent last June and the free fall that followed left his wealth much weaker in dollar terms. Mr Dangote earns the bulk of his fortune in naira, which finished 2023 as the third worst-performing currency in the world of the 151 currencies tracked by Bloomberg. Presently valued at $9.5 billion, Mr Dangotes wealth declined by nearly one-third last year. Born over 73 years ago in Stellenbosch, South Africa, Mr Rupert chairs the Swiss-based luxury goods company Compagnie Financiere Richemont and South Africa-based investment holding company Remgro. Richemonts most iconic brands include Cartier and Montblanc. His net worth, together with that of his family, is estimated to be $10 billion. The billionaire also holds a 26 per cent stake in Reinet, an investment holding company headquartered in Luxembourg. The wealth of Mr Rupert & family has been on a steady rise since 2020 after slumping by 34.3 per cent over the two previous years. It climbed to $7.1 billion in 2021 from $4.6 billion a year ago, jumping to $8.9 billion in 2022 and reaching an all-time high of $11.1 billion last year. That feat lifted the billionaire to the 157th position on the Forbes World Billionaire Ranking in 2023. Mr Rupert part-owns the Saracens English rugby team and Anthonij Rupert Wines, named after his deceased brother. He counts his biggest regret as the failure to acquire 50 per cent of Gucci when he had the chance to buy it for just $175 million. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Ltd (JSM) says it is restructuring, and not shutting down its operations in Nigeria. The Managing Director of VKS Group of Companies, Onur Kumral, said in a statement on Wednesday night to clarify a previous one which claimed that the company, in Onna, Akwa Ibom State, was shutting down its operations because of Nigerias harsh economic environment. Mr Kurmal said the restructuring phase will only make the company experience a brief break within this period. Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Ltd is a subsidiary of VKS Group of Companies. Mr Kumral, a Turkish national, issued the statement on behalf of the Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Ltd investors. We want to assure our esteemed customers that there is no need to panic, Mr Kumral said in the statement. We are still in business as Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Limited and we are poised to keep to our commitment to remain as the producer of the highest quality syringes in Nigeria. The company urged the public to disregard the claim that it was shutting down its operation. Challenges Mr Kumral explained the challenges affecting the company. JSM, which was inaugurated on 23 September, 2017, by the former Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has become the market leader with its top-quality syringes in Nigeria in addition to creating hundreds of employment opportunities for Akwa Ibom people and Nigerians at large. However, despite the huge sum invested in the syringe factory, the management staff have been unable to meet up with its expected target, hence the decision of the investors to restructure and reorganise the management team and the entire structures of the production lines for better profitability and sustainability. Mr Kumral said the reorganisation of the syringe company is a decision of the investors following the inability of the management to meet up with its expected targets for several years, stressing that the shake-up only affects management staff and the entire structures of the production line, which is geared towards better productivity of the company. He assured that the company will return to full operations soon. When you set up a multimillion-dollar factory such as JSM, it is important to take a critical review of its operations and that of the management staff. JSM is a for-profit business and when expected targets are not met year after year, a shake-up is inevitable, which is what we have decided to do, he added. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Benin Republic, Ugochukwu Favour, has appealed to the Nigerian government to reconsider its position on the suspension of the evaluation and accreditation of certificates from universities in Benin and Togo Republics. The Nigerian government recently announced the decision following an investigative report titled: UNDERCOVER: How DAILY NIGERIAN Reporter Bagged Cotonou Varsity Degree in Six Weeks. Mr Favour, who appealed to the Nigerian government for leniency, made the plea as a guest on Sunrise Daily show on Channels Television on Thursday. He said not less than 15,000 Nigerian students who are currently studying in Benin would be affected if such a decision is taken by the government. He did not elaborate on the source of the data he relied on. According to him, the Nigerian government shouldnt punish all students studying in Benin Republic over what he described as the crime committed by a single institution. He said: As the president of the association in Benin Republic, we have constituted a committee to probe into the matter and we will make sure we bring those involved in the scandal to book and face the consequences of their actions. I have not validated if it has been happening for a long time. This is just what just came out on social media and we are still trying to find out how long it has been happening, he added. NYSC reacts The Director of Press for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Eddy Megwa, while speaking on the television programme, said the universities in Cameroon, Togo, among others, need to go through tests to make sure that the students coming from their institutions are graduates before being enrolled into NYSC. According to Mr Megwa, NYSC has ensured that the input of Nigerias National Identity Number (NIN) is also part of the registration processes so that if a person wants to register multiple times the system will fish him or her out. READ ALSO: He said: We also have the intention of collaborating with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to ensure that they are doing their job. So the process of helping the Nigerian government by way of having their passport stamped in that process will be a thing of the past. We are synergising with other organisations and also doing some other internal control measures so that issues like this will not happen again. Mr Megwa also noted that his organisation had consistently complained over the quality of graduates from both Benin and Togo Republics, and other countries. NYSC not a testing agency Mr Megwa, apart from listing the measures put in place by NYSC to checkmate corruption and fake certificates by students, however, noted that it is not the organisations mandate to test and verify the authenticity of graduates from higher institutions. He said NYSC relies on the approved lists of graduands by the Senate of each university as a condition for eligibility for participation in the scheme, among other conditions. When we interface with these students, we have discovered that they cant write a simple sentence, let alone speak it. The universities too need to intervene in cases like this and we also need to sanitise our process to ensure that the people we are enrolling need to be worthy, he said. Minister speaks In his reaction, the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, said on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Televisions Politics Today show that the government would review the operations of the various ministries and agencies responsible for recognition of accredited degrees from outside the country. Mr Mamman said the ministry is working on its internal control mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability. For instance, if a particular institution or operator has been operating, say in the last 10 years, we will check if we can get records of Nigerians who attended that institution, he said. The minister also noted his ministry is not stopping at those two countries alone, noting that the reports at his disposal extend to many other countries. It extends to many countries, Western Africa, Central Africa, and all that of course. Were not going on a voyage of discovery, but we (will) do everything possible to ensure we get the necessary information, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Senate has debunked claims that each of its members has started taking stock of the Federal Governments palliative items for their constituents. Olusegun Dada, the special assistant on social media to President Bola Tinubu on his official X handle on Thursday, confirmed the distribution of palliative items worth N200 million to senators and palliative items worth N100 million to House of Representatives members. After initial logistics delay, I can now confirm that Senators and members of the House of Representatives have started taking stock of the Federal Governments palliative items for their constituents as part of efforts to ease life for all Nigerians. Each HoR member received items worth N100m while Senatorial constituencies got palliative items worth N200m the presidential aide said. Reacting to the claim, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, said he has yet to receive any palliative items from the federal government. Mr Adaramodu explained that he distributed food items and money to his constituents for the celebration of Christmas and New Year but that the distribution was funded by him and not the federal government. Was it the minister that said that or the president because as for me I have not seen anything he said. If they had handed it over to us, you would see trailers loaded with food items across all constituencies in Ekiti State, Ondo and Oyo states and other states. Our people will even be happy to get the items from the federal government. As for me, Yemi Adaramodu, I have not received any food items from the federal government. The food I distributed to my people across my constituency was funded personally by me and that has been my tradition every year even while I was the Chief of Staff, before I got elected to the House of Representatives. I have read all these things on the internet too, many people are just saying a lot of things but for me, Yemi Adaramodu, I have not received any food items from the federal government, maybe when they give us, I will tell you. Mr Adaramodu said distributing food items to members of his constituency has been his tradition since he was chief of staff to Ekiti State Government before he was elected into the House of Representatives and then the Senate. It is my tradition to distribute rice and money to my constituent members every year, I have done that this year independently and it is not from the federal government, I have not seen anything from the government. Ezrel Tabiowo, media adviser to the immediate past Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, also said he is not aware whether his principal received the palliative items or not. But, Mr Tabiowo said many of the outreaches and palliative distribution the former senate president had done were personally funded by his foundation. N200 million cannot even buy bags of grains that will be sufficient for one constituenency in Nigeria. Do the calculations, I doubt if that money will buy bags of grains that will sustain a constituency, it is not possible. N200 million can only buy 6000 bags of rice at an average price of N30,000 per bag. To get the number of bags each lawmaker can get as palliative, divide 6000 bags by 470, that is about 12 bags each. The claim makes no sense as you can see Mr Tabiowo said. An aide to the Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, who requested anonymity because he was not permitted to speak on the matter, said his principal has yet to receive any palliative items from the government. The aide noted that the items his principal distributed to members of his constituents were personally funded. Presidential Spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, did not respond to a message sent to his mobile phone requesting his comments. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In like manner, the current deadly attacks on Gaza might be raising a generation of non-Hamas Palestinian young people for whom this carnage makes no sense, except to breed in them a fresh spirit of revenge that only perpetrates the cycle of violence, even after the last Hamas has been destroyed. Netanyahu must end this war, if not for his own sake, then for the sake of his own children and childrens children. After futile attempts by others to get the prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate allegations of genocide against the parties in the war in Gaza, South Africa raised the stakes by filing a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Unlike the ICC, the ICJ is an organ of the UN for civil complaints, and Israel is a signatory to its charter. But South Africas latest action may well be symbolic. It means nothing to Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who has sworn not to stop the war in Gaza until the last member of Hamas has been eliminated. In pursuit of that remnant in hospitals, schools, UN safe spaces, bunkers, tunnels wherever they may be found at least 20,000 people have been killed in Gaza. No one is exactly sure how many of the dead are members of Hamas, although Israeli military authorities claim theyre hunting them down. Depending on where youre getting your figures, however, the number of children, women, innocents (including humanitarian workers) caught in the crossfire are between 12,600 and 15,000. After three months of bombardment, the last Hamas and we dont know how many survivors they are is obviously still on the run. The deadly hunt goes on, as does the war. First Strike Of course, we cant minimise how this latest round of war started. The deadly attack by Hamas on Israeli holidaymakers, tourists and picknickers on 7 October in the coastal town of Ashkelon and border towns provoked a global outrage and evoked memories of the Six Day War and the Yom Kippur War. Israel was obliged to defend itself and take reasonable steps to prevent a recurrence. It does appear, however, that Israel under Netanyahu and with the backing of the US, appears to be telling the world that reasonable steps mean, among other things, the killing of thousands of people, apart from the destruction of about 70 per cent of the infrastructure in Gaza, on top of a mounting pile of humanitarian carnage. Im not sure that South Africas case against Israel at the ICJ would dissuade Netanyahu from the devastatingly bloody hunt for the last Hamas. Even though South Africas parliament passed a motion to sever ties with Israel in November, the resort to ICJ was just another in a series of desperate attempts by a number of concerned countries to get Netanyahu to stop the war. Will he? I doubt that. Yet, I also doubt that this bloody chase that is daily claiming more and more innocent lives on both sides, would track down the last Hamas or even if it does, that it would not be replaced by something worse. Netanyahu has said this war is about justice for the innocent dead and security for Israel. Unfortunately, history hardly supports the view that a lasting peace can only be purchased by a pledge to destroy an idea or a people with the force of arms. The existence of the State of Israel today, despite all odds, is one proof of that. A Page from History Netanyahu has said this war is about justice for the innocent dead and security for Israel. Unfortunately, history hardly supports the view that a lasting peace can only be purchased by a pledge to destroy an idea or a people with the force of arms. The existence of the State of Israel today, despite all odds, is one proof of that. If military victory alone could guarantee peace, we might not have had the Second World War. The unfair terms of the Treaty of Versailles, for example, which included territorial annexation, demilitarisation and heavy war reparations, pushed Germany to the brink. It created conditions that led to the rise of Hitler. In its blind and desperate pursuit of the last aggressive German in particular, for example, the Allied forces sowed the seed that led to the rise of exactly what they hated the most: the Weimar Republic, and finally, Nazi Germany. Over 70 years later, the same mistake was repeated in Iraq. Saddam Hussein was framed as the Hannibal of Mesopotamia with a religious fervour, deadly cult following, and enough weapons to destroy the world, beginning, of course, with the potential destruction of his neighbours. Well, it turned out that even though he was a really bad guy, his capacity had been maliciously exaggerated. Yet, the effect of the war to eliminate Saddam left the country and the entire region broken, with religious extremism rising faster than had been known for decades in the region, and deadly franchises of extremism also exported for good measure. In Afghanistan, the US was too obsessed with its bloody chase of the dangerous Taliban to learn the lessons that humbled Britain and Russia decades earlier. As surely as a stumble imitates a trot, after 20 years, an estimated 243,000 dead as direct result of the war, and $2.3 trillion spent, the US left Afghanistan with its tail between its legs, leaving in charge the same dangerous, but savvier group of Taliban than the ones it set out to vanquish. That was not all. Like cutting off the head to cure the headache, we also saw this madness, this obsession to suss out, to hunt down, to chase, to search and destroy again in Libya. Moummar Ghaddafi was thought to be spreading a dangerous form of extremism which the West, especially the US and the UK, said it could not ignore because Ghaddafi was thought to possess the capacity to put his money and tons of it exactly where his mouth was. The plan was to strike him and scatter the sheepfold. A US-led attack under President Barack Obama struck Ghaddafi, of course, chasing him down a sewage drainage and killing him there. But what have we got since? The sheep didnt go away meekly as was planned. Netanyahu thinks it would be different in Israel. That the destruction of the last Hamas would deliver peace and security to Israel. Its more complicated than that. If he hasnt learnt anything from such futile chases in history, then his own personal story should have taught him. After the killing of Ghaddafi, there has been a significant rise in extremism in the Sahel, destabilising much of the region, from Mali to Chad and Niger, with consequences reaching many Northern states in Nigeria. Gaddafi is dead, but his spirit and the vacuum caused by his death have infused radical groups on the continent, making wolves of the sheepfold. The chase continues, but neither Libya nor its neighbours are secure. Break the Cycle Netanyahu thinks it would be different in Israel. That the destruction of the last Hamas would deliver peace and security to Israel. Its more complicated than that. If he hasnt learnt anything from such futile chases in history, then his own personal story should have taught him. Apart from his belated attempt to use this war to cover his governments pre-attack intelligence failure and the chaos of the last few years of his premiership, Netanyahu is also a product of years of bitter resentment and distrust of Palestinians. He is proof that wars, more often than not, breed new warriors. His resolve not to relent until he destroys the last Hamas has been shaped just as much by the killing of his brother, Yoni, after Arab hijackers diverted a plane to Entebbe, as it has by the half a dozen Arab-Israeli wars, a number of which he fought as a soldier. In like manner, the current deadly attacks on Gaza might be raising a generation of non-Hamas Palestinian young people for whom this carnage makes no sense, except to breed in them a fresh spirit of revenge that only perpetrates the cycle of violence, even after the last Hamas has been destroyed. Netanyahu must end this war, if not for his own sake, then for the sake of his own children and childrens children. 7 October was inexcusable and stands condemned. But unlike the previous wars with the Arabs, the long-term impact of this war on Gaza beamed live by the minute to our homes with all the horrors, misery and deaths will be hard for generations of Palestinian children to forget, even when allowance has been made for fabrications. The cycle of heart-wrenching violence has to stop at some point. And the world must line up behind South Africa to increase the pressure on Netanyahu to stop. Enough! Azu Ishiekwene is Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print SLOCOMB A Texas man was arrested on New Years Day after he and another man allegedly stole a church van and attempted to break into an ATM, according to police. Stanley Cordell Varner II of Houston, Texas, is charged with first-degree theft of property, possession of burglary tools, first-degree criminal mischief, attempting to elude, resisting arrest, and second-degree possession of marijuana. He is currently being held in the Geneva County Jail. On Monday, Jan. 1, officers responded to the First National Bank of Hartford in Slocomb in reference to an ATM alarm call. Upon arrival, officials discovered a white church van was backed up to an ATM, and chains were hooked to the van and wrapped around the machine. According to Slocomb Police, the two suspects, one of whom was later identified as Varner, fled the scene but was taken into custody without incident at a nearby business. Investigators said Varner was out on bond for theft in Texas, and he will also face charges of first-degree theft and breaking and entering into a motor vehicle for the van that was taken from the Faith Full Gospel Church in Hartford. The whereabouts of the second suspect are unknown. Police say he is a black male in his 20s, about 6 feet tall and 165 pounds. He was last seen running toward Kelly Street wearing dark clothing and a mask. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Slocomb Police Department at 334-886-3333. Out of office he remained committed to the progress and wellbeing of our nascent democracy and all those who were members of the National Assembly between 1999 and 2003, even those who had opposed his tactics, acknowledged his vision and commitment. At the height of the so-called Third Term imbroglio, he was at the heart of the struggle to stop any attempt at tenure extension for the president, and his influence went a long way. The last time I saw my boss, brother and friend, Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar NaAbba (CFR), was at the National Hospital, Abuja, and he looked at me and tried to talk. There was something he wanted to tell me, but no words came. My heart broke. I had seen him sick before, he had been ailing off and on for a couple of years now, but he had never lost the power of speech and the force of his character always shone through. This time, however, though his fiery eyes looked fiery still, he hadnt been able to muster a word since he was brought to the hospital. I had visited him every day, was with him on Christmas Day before I travelled the next day to Minna, where I got the call by 3:20 a.m. from his son that he was gone. It was devastating news as I had not only lost a leader and mentor, but a brother and colleague with whom I was in the trenches for many years, fighting to save our nascent democracy from the dictatorial clutches that were the hangovers of decades of military rule. I first met Ghali in 1999 as a member of the House of Representatives and we basically gravitated towards the same group of likeminded members determined to prove the point that democracy could work, that Nigerians from all regions and religions could strive together despite their differences; that patriotism was not an anachronism. After the wheeling and dealing, the horse trading that was a necessary adjunct to selecting the leadership of the House, one from our group, the young and charismatic Salisu Buhari, emerged Speaker, and Ghali Naabba who had been gallant enough to step down for him, became the chairman of the Appropriations Committee. Although I had not originally sought it, I was elected the Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, a position I was to hold for eight long years, during which time Salisu Buhari was forced to resign and Ghali was elected in his stead. As Speaker, Ghali had a unique perspective on leadership. He had grown up amongst aristocrats, and had seen his father and grandfather hobnob with emirs, ministers and business moguls, so he had this natural affinity to power and its uses. He also began his political tutelage as a member of the welfarist Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). As he said sometimes later, I grew up in a family that was rich but also radical and that influenced a lot about my life. Between July 1999 and June 2003, Nigerians were to benefit from those influences as he led the 360 members of the House of Representatives, and the nation, on an exciting rollercoaster. Ghali was a man without cant, confident in his own skin, bold and sagacious, and utterly without fear or greed. He was often willing to forego whatever emoluments were promised, in order to ensure that the freedom of the legislature or the interest of Nigerians were protected. Perhaps no other leader but one with the iron will and unique acumen of Ghali would have made such a success of the job within a brief period. He was able to rally together members from different parts of a country fragmented by primordial beliefs, which had only worsened by 1999, and made them believe again in the possibility of One Nigeria. We all could see that he was as impartial, as he was quick at seeing the strength and capabilities of every member As part of the leadership of the National Assembly and being the House Whip, I was almost always involved in the efforts to mediate between the head of the executive branch, President Olusegun Obasanjo, and the leader of the House of Representatives, Speaker Ghali Naabba, over issues that ranged from budgetary matters, to bills that the House had passed against the wishes of the Presidency, to alleged misappropriations and interference in the running of the party or the National Assembly. Things came to a head when the executive branch initiated the plan to impeach Ghali on some spurious charges, having bribed a number of members to lead the charge at the plenary. We were able to expose the shenanigans of the executive by shaming some of those bribed into bringing the money to the floor of the House, where it was laid out for the media and the world to see. Subsequently, it was determined that the President may have committed impeachable offences and a list of these was made, and proceedings started towards his removal. In the end, a truce was reached and the charges were dropped but the battle to establish the separation of powers between the legislature and the executive remained unrelenting, because Ghali would give no quarter. It was all part of the process of growing our democratic culture, especially as the legislature had so often been absent from governance in the past, that the new administration tended to ignore this critical arm of government. It wanted a rubber stamp National Assembly and couldnt understand why with the Peoples Democratic Party, having such an absolute majority in the House, we werent just saying Yes Sir to every demand of the executive. But Ghali, a student of political science and of power, knew instinctively that while the country had returned to democratic rule, the executive had poor ideas about how to govern with checks and balances. The very idea that the legislature is to act as a check on the excesses of the president and his cabinet was anathema to a coterie of leaders who had always thought the head of government rules by fiat. Even the citizenry tended to take the part of the executive and see the members of parliament as a group of upstarts who presume to question the older, more experienced and, in their eyes, more legitimate President. It was the first time the country was been ruled by democratically elected leaders after 16 years of a military interregnum and we had to build the parliamentary institutions from scratch. There were no precedents for most of the things we needed to do and we had to write our own guide book or rule of procedure, determine budgeting procedures and committee numbers and membership, provide offices and accommodations for members, many of whom were coming to the nations capital for the first time, set our roles apart from an executive branch used to combining both roles, and reestablish relations with other international parliamentary organisations, at a period when we were just emerging from the wilderness as a pariah nation. Perhaps no other leader but one with the iron will and unique acumen of Ghali would have made such a success of the job within a brief period. He was able to rally together members from different parts of a country fragmented by primordial beliefs, which had only worsened by 1999, and made them believe again in the possibility of One Nigeria. We all could see that he was as impartial, as he was quick at seeing the strength and capabilities of every member, and he was more concerned with finding those who could help in advancing the legislative process and building a virile democracy than with any desire for personal aggrandisement. He was bold and he made us bold, leading us to face down all kinds of prejudices against the parliament and take back leadership for Nigeria in many international institutions and partnerships, for which we were signatories. We learnt quickly that so many opportunities had been lost to the country as a result of the long years of military rule, and that if we hoped to restore these, we had to be both determined and audacious and put our best foot forward. As a man, he earned the respect of everyone who came across him, and there were always many who were willing to follow him blindfolded. He had a commanding presence and a deliberate attitude that some mistook for arrogance but he was just not one to give respect, unless it was earned and he was not swayed by position, wealth or power. His lack of pretensions was to make him many enemies and to cost him his reelection when he tried to return to the House in 2003. Soon we were taking up leadership positions in such crucial international parliamentary organisations as the African Parliamentary Union (APU), Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), International Parliamentary Union (IPU), and the Africa, Caribbean, Pacific and European Union Parliamentary Assembly (ACP-EU), which we successfully hosted less than one year later in 2000, at Abuja. In the same year, we were at the forefront of the inauguration of the ECOWAS Parliament in Bamako, Mali, and the rest is history. Ghali helped lay the foundation for a thriving National Assembly and his gallantry earned him the nickname of The Lion. He had a way of reaching decisions through a direct route and his serious, sometimes forbidden mien brooked no frivolities. Time and again he chose to bear the brunt of the antagonism against the National Assembly and the House of Representatives particularly, and to sacrifice his comfort for the benefit of that institution or any of its deserving members, rather than sacrifice some other individual. He was big on loyalty but he reciprocated that with his trust, friendship and all that his big heart could give. As a man, he earned the respect of everyone who came across him, and there were always many who were willing to follow him blindfolded. He had a commanding presence and a deliberate attitude that some mistook for arrogance but he was just not one to give respect, unless it was earned and he was not swayed by position, wealth or power. His lack of pretensions was to make him many enemies and to cost him his reelection when he tried to return to the House in 2003. Out of office he remained committed to the progress and wellbeing of our nascent democracy and all those who were members of the National Assembly between 1999 and 2003, even those who had opposed his tactics, acknowledged his vision and commitment. At the height of the so-called Third Term imbroglio, he was at the heart of the struggle to stop any attempt at tenure extension for the president, and his influence went a long way. Ghali was a national icon but he had left his position as speaker without accumulating any money or property and when he first fell ill, friends had rallied round to send him abroad for treatment. This time, however, the close group of former presiding officers of the National Assembly was still rallying around him when he passed on. At his burial, Kano people again proved that they dont do things in halves. The mammoth crowd that gathered and sang his praises, the way people from every part of the country fell over themselves to attend and pay their last respects and the sheer weight of emotions that attended his death, was evidence that the contribution of Ghali to the growth of our democracy will never be forgotten. There are talks of immortalising his name and while the Kano State Government and the Federal Government may eventually choose to name a building or an institution after him, the fact is that the name of Ghali Umar Naabba is already written in gold. Abubakar Bawa Bwari, former minister of Mines and Steel, was the chief whip of the House of Representatives from 1999 2003 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Legislative responsibility in all of its essence is one of the core attributes of democracy. Drawn from the concept of representative government, it entails that a few sets of people are given the mandate to represent the collective interest of a larger number of the entire citizenry. The bane of controversy in most representative democracies over the years and in places like Nigeria has been the quality of such representation and whether most of these smaller percentages truly have the peoples interest at heart. It is equally about whether good dividends get to those whom they represent. For distinguished Senator Isah Jibrin (aka Echocho), serving his people has always been a calling. The Banker and financial expert has over the years been involved in several humanitarian gestures and when destiny beckoned on him to represent the good people of Kogi East in the Red Chamber, his performance was never in doubt. Being his second term in office, Senator Isah Jibrin has wasted no time in consolidating on the gains he made in his first four years when he focused on delivering beneficial dividends to his people. A compendium of some of his achievements across the nine (9) Local Government Areas (LGAs) that make up Kogi East revealed that in Ankpa Local Government Area, the senator facilitated the supply of 500KVA transformer in Olufofo, Ejegbo, Ofugo, Inye. He also provided solar-powered boreholes in Emere, Emekutu, Mission Street, Erane, and Angwa, and similarly made available tractor and farm implements to many areas in Ankpa LGA. With the senators foresight, a modern Integrated Cassava Processing plant was constructed in Ankpa LGA while youths and women were trained and empowered on cassava processing. Several youths and women from the communities in the LGA also acquired agricultural farm produce skills coupled with empowerment. Understanding the role light plays in facilitating day and night socio-economic possibilities, the senator facilitated solar street lights, In Okenyi, Ogodo, Okaba, Abache, Ojoku, and Aku in Ankpa LGA. The senators arm of representation spread to Ibaji Local Government Area, where he constructed and commissioned an ultra-modern rice milling factory in Ejule Ojebe, with the supply of a 500KVA transformer. His intention for this strategic act was his desire to tap into the agrarian tendency of Ibaji which is renowned for such ventures. The establishment has made it easier for farmers within this locality to take their rice paddy for processing. Market is also created and the products to meet such demand are locally manufactured. This initiatives ripple effects amongst many other things, is the job opportunities which have been created. The senators solar street lights, In Ejule-Ojebe, Anafonu, Echeno, Onyedega, Odeke, and Ayah Communities in Ibaji LGA are a resounding testament of the victory of light over darkness and the emerging tendencies of such conquest. To ensure that community members are qualified as a workforce in the constructed Rice milling factory, the senator facilitated the training and empowerment of youth and women in using modern technology in rice processing. He also supplied tractors and farm implements for farmers in the LGA. Some of the senators impactful giant strides in Dekina LGA include the reactivation of Acharu Oil Mill with supply of transformer in the factory; the construction of Skills Acquisition Centre at Anyigba; surface dressing of Ajagwumu-Odu rural road; construction of Ajekelaga- Alokoli township road and the construction of solar-powered borehole in Anyigba. The senator also constructed a Modern health care centre at Okete, while he presented at the Senate Chamber the Bill for the Establishment of Orthopedic Hospital in Dekina. He further facilitated the construction of Primary Health Care Centre at Ajiolo Ajikpome, construction of Primary Health Care Centre at Ajiolo Ajikpome, supply of medical equipment and drugs to the General Hospital in Dekina and Primary Healthcare Centre at Ajiolo Ojaji, all in Dekina LGA. There was also the Installation of solar-powered lights in Ajiolo, solar street lights in Etutekpe, Iyale, Ogane Uge, Ate-Uge, Ojonoja, Ojogba, Etutekpe, Dekina Township, Uraye Street in Egume and Akwu Egume. Another noteworthy intervention by the senator was the construction of three blocks of classrooms at Akpelu, renovation of two blocks of classrooms in Our Lady of School, Anyigba, Utra-Modern market, construction of town Hall in Ajiolo Ojaji, Dekina LGA, donation of security vehicle for the vigilante group, Odu branch, Dikaina LGA as well as construction of Area Commander Police station in Anyigba, Dekina LGA, and a host of other locations. In Ofu LGA, the senators touch of quality representation is also being graciously felt through the supply of tractor and farm implements to farmers, construction of an Integrated Cashew Processing factory in Ofagolo, training and empowerment of youths and women in various agricultural ventures, Skills acquisition programme in Ejule and Agricultural Farm Produce all across Ofu LGA. To add icing to the cake, the man with great concern for the well-being of his people presented the Bill for the Establishment of the Federal Eye Centre in Ochadamu, Dekina LGA. The senator also provided solar street light, In Itobe, Adumu, Ogwolawo, Ajegwu, Ajengo, Allo, Ajokopi, Ijagiji, Ajiobala, Ukwunobe, Obubu, Ogonicha, Emichege, Ugbedu, Ofogede, Ofoke and Umomi. On top of those strides, he made provisions for the supply of drugs and medical equipment to Primary Health Care Centre, Ofu LGA. Omala Local Government similarly witnessed the supply of tractors and farm implements as well as construction of a solar-powered borehole in Olla, construction of solar-powered boreholes in Ogodu. The senator also undertook the construction of a solar-powered borehole in Abejukolo and yet another Integrated Rice milling factory at Abejukolo. To tackle the problem of incessant electricity supply in some of the communities, the senator supplied a 500KVA transformer to Igodo community, while solar street lights were constructed In Abejukolo, Ojaji, Olla, and Igodo Communities in Omala LGA. Supply of drugs and medical equipment to Primary Health Care Centre, training and empowerment of women and youths in Agricultural Farm Produce, and Skills Acquisition Training and Empowerment programme in Omala LGA were also numbered among Senator Isah Jibrins efforts. Senator Isah Jibrins interventions in Bassa revolved mostly around humanitarian efforts amongst several other issues that he raised in the Red Chambers as it concerns the LGA. Distinguished Senator Isah Jibrin moved a motion before the Senate, calling on the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs & Disaster Management and other relevant organisations to provide aid for the displaced persons and communities in Bassa local government in Kogi State. Given the senators follow-up, attention was given immediately, relief materials were provided in large quantities. The people had since been reunited back to their respective villages. Other areas where the Bassa people have received intervention include the supply of tractors and farm implements for massive agricultural efforts and a massive boost to the peoples farming efforts. The Senator also constructed solar-powered borehole in Ogodo, Ejule, and other communities in dire need of portable water in Bassa LGA, supplied drugs to Health Care Center, Installation of solar-powered lights in Ejule, Ogodo, and other communities. Olamaboro LGA under Senator Isah Jibrins legislative interventions was provided with tractor and farm implements. The LGA also witnessed the construction of a Primary Health Care Centre at Akpoli and the Provision of medical equipment and drugs to the Health Care Centre in Olamaboro LGA. Communities like Imane, Okpo, and Ogugu were provided with solar-powered boreholes and solar street lights. In Idah and Igalamela Odolu, Senator Isah Jibrin supplied tractors and farm implements, Constructed of solar-powered boreholes in several communities, and trained women and youths while they were also empowered with grants, there was the supply of drugs and medical equipment to Primary Health Care Centre in both LGAs. Across board, distinguished Senator Isah Jibrin on different occasions, has supported students in higher institutions of learning with various forms of scholarships to enable them to focus on their studies, and registration of Jamb and SSCE for ambitious students who couldnt afford them. Senator Isah Jibrin, during the Senate valedictory session to mark their two years in office, called on the federal government to provide legal backing to NATFORCE in order to close the obvious gap in the countrys security architectures, and many others. When you consider the senators scorecard and antecedents, his focus is to develop the economic status of the region, through construction of factories that ensure production of local products and employment for the youths. He has also put in focus the education and health of his people, while issues of empowerment and training have also taken the front burner. Being a man of little words, Senator Isah Jibrin prioritizes action and has shown unequaled passion and dedication to providing quality representation to the people of Kogi East. I think Senator Echocho needs to tell his own story. Mr Abdullahi wrote from Kogi East Senatorial District Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print About 10 years after abducting over 200 students from a school in Chibok, Borno State, Boko Haram terrorists attacked the community again, killing at least 12 residents. The latest attack occurred on New Years Day in Chibok town, the headquarters of Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State. Residents said that many other people were injured in the attack. The terrorists also stole food items from peoples homes and medicine from the general hospital in the area. The spokesperson of the Borno State Police Command, Nahun Daso, confirmed the attack to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday. He said a combined team of security operatives were trailing the suspected Boko Haram members to their hideouts. The deadly attack was carried out on January 1st, between the hours of 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm where 12 residents of the community in Chibok were killed and two persons seriously injured, Mr Daso, a superintendent of police, said. The suspected Boko Haram members during the attack had stolen some properties from the communities and escaped to an unknown destination into the forest. Presently a combined team of security operatives comprising soldiers and the vigilante are combing the forest in the area to counter them, Mr Daso said. The latest attack is not the first since the 2014 mass abduction of female students, dozens of whom are yet to be freed. Chibok, like many other communities in Borno, still witness sporadic attacks by Boko Haram although the group has been significantly weakened by Nigerian forces. However, there had not been any attack on the community in several weeks before the Monday incident, residents said. A resident of Chibok town, Baba Barka, told PREMIUM TIMES that they want security operatives to be more proactive in protecting the community. Mr Barka also called on the state and federal governments to secure Chibok communities by bringing military personnel to stay permanently in the area. The insurgents stole our animals, foodstuff and other important materials. They also stole medicine from our general hospital. They came ridding on about 20 or more motorcycles heavily armed with sophisticated weapons where they started shooting sporadically killing and maiming our people. At the end of the attack, we discovered that many people were killed and scores of our people wounded, Mr Barka said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to halt the Thursday-scheduled inspection of the 11 November 2023 Kogi Governorship Election materials by the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The party also called for the removal and discipline of the Kogi INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Gabriel Longpet, for having been allegedly compromised by the SDP and its candidate. The Director of Media and Publicity, APC Campaign Council, made the calls in a statement issued in Lokoja on Wednesday. The party frowned at the readiness of INEC to allow the legal team of SDP to inspect the election materials in disregard to an alleged preliminary objection earlier raised by its (INECs) counsel before the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja. The party said: We hereby call on the Chairman and Management of INEC to immediately halt any inspection of electoral materials used in the Nov. 11, 2023, governorship election in Kogi, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice filed by INEC and others to set the Order of inspection aside. INEC should commence disciplinary processes against the REC, Dr Longpet, having been heavily compromised by the SDP and its Candidate. This is because the message from the REC to INEC officials to appear for the inspection on Thursday, Jan. 4, is an admission of graft by him and a final nail on his fraudulent activities in the State. He (REC) has clearly misrepresented the integrity and legal interest of INEC. The commission should suspend or redeploy the REC from Kogi pending the outcome of the disciplinary process against him, the party urged. According to the APC, the appeals became imperative following clear moves by the REC to aid the SDP in compromising/tampering with and or destroying electoral materials used in the concluded 11 November 2023, governorship elections in Kogi. It alleged that the SDP and its candidate, Murtala Ajaka, had obtained an Ex-parte Order of the Tribunal on 25 November 2023, directing INEC to, among other things, allow an inspection of electoral materials used for the election to assist the SDP and its candidate institute and maintain a petition which at the time had not been filed. INEC was given only 48 hours to comply with the said orders which includes all forms, registers, result sheets, ballot papers and BVAS machines. Upon being served with the Order on Nov. 27, 2023, INEC filed a Motion before the Tribunal on Nov. 29, 2023, praying the Court to set aside the said Orders contending that the Tribunal lacked the jurisdiction to make the said Orders and for other reasons such as apparent contradictions in the said Ex-parte Order. That motion to set aside dated and filed on 29/11/2023 is to our knowledge still before the Tribunal as it has not been heard. It must also be noted that till date, the said order for inspection granted on 25/11/2023 has not been served on the winner of that election, Alhaji Usman Ododo and the APC, who are listed as parties in the said Order of Court. Most importantly is the fact that the Petition in respect of which the order of inspection was initially sought and granted was filed on Dec. 2, 2023, with the SDP and its candidate admitting at paragraph 92 of the contentious petition that INEC had given them documents contained in the order which included Voters Register, BVAS Accreditation Reports and Result Sheets. With the above background in mind, It is therefore shocking to learn that the REC of INEC in Kogi, who works for a body which has asked a Court to set aside the Ex-parte Order for inspection it made, is now organising an inspection exercise in Abuja for the SDP and its Candidate, an exercise which is fully and financially sponsored by the SDP and its candidate, the party further alleged. APC, therefore, frowned at the messages the said REC sent out to the affected staff of INEC in Kogi to show up in Abuja for the inspection of the election materials on Thursday. The messages no doubt show the desperation of the Kogi Resident Electoral Commissioner, who has been heavily compromised by the Social Democratic Party, its Candidate, and their cohorts, APC submitted. Reacting to the allegations, the Kogi INEC Head of Voters Education and Publicity (VEP), Haruna Sule, expressed surprise over the allegations raised by APC about the scheduled 4 January inspection of the election materials. APC false allegations cant hold water because the matter is beyond our Kogi office but that of the INEC Headquarters in Abuja. REC is acting based on instructions from the headquarters and shouldnt be unjustly accused, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A terror group led by a notorious kingpin, Damina, has killed 10 residents of Kwanar Dutse in Zamfara State after the community failed to pay the N20 million levy he imposed on them some weeks ago. Mr Damina led hundreds of fighters into the community a few minutes after 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Kwanar Dutse in the Dansadau emirate of Maru Local Government Area is one of the most attacked communities in the state. A resident of Kwanar Dutse who asked not to be named for security reasons told PREMIUM TIMES over the phone that the attackers stormed the community after the early evening Islamic prayer. We were sitting down outside a mosque when the terrorists drove into the community from all corners and started shooting indiscriminately. Some of our vigilantes tried to fight back but the terrorists have more weapons. I ran into my house and waited for my fate, the resident, a community leader, said. The terrorists burnt down some shops and houses in the community during the attack, residents said. The community leader said his cousin was one of those killed by the terrorists during the assault that lasted for hours. READ ALSO: Another resident of Dansadau town who also asked not to be named for security reasons said his house is filled with refugees from Kwanar Dutse. Residents of Malele, Ruwan Tofa, Mutunji and Kwana and most of the communities in the northern part (of Dansadau) are in a critical situation because theyve become easy targets for the terrorists especially those under Damina. They routinely impose huge levies running into millions of naira on the communities and when they fail to pay, they descend and kill them like animals, he said. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that several people from the community were also abducted by the terrorists. It was terrible, the Dansadau resident said. One of the women in my house lost her son and two of her daughters have been abducted. The situation is critical. We could only help them with where to live temporarily. The police spokesperson in the state, Yazid Abubakar, did not respond to calls and SMS sent to him on the attack. In November last year, Mr Daminas group abducted over 100 residents of Mutunji and two other communities in Dansadau emirate after the community failed to pay levies imposed on them for allegedly revealing information on terrorists movements to security agents. What began as farmers-herders clashes in Zamfara State around 2011 has snowballed into terrorism, locally called banditry. The terrorists engage in kidnap for ransom, cattle rustling, armed robbery and other forms of criminalities. The activities of terrorists have led to the death and displacement of hundreds of thousands of people in Nigerias north-west region. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print ( Read 2941 Times) In the divine aura of Ayodhya, Mahant Brijmohan Das, the revered head of the Dashrath Gaddi, has sung a soul-stirring anthem, "May the Roar Always Resonate," expressing profound devotion to Lord Shri Ram. The world will witness the grandeur of the consecration of the idols of Lord Shri Ram, Mata Janaki, and Shri Lakshman in the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Temple on the sacred soil of Ayodhya on January 22. As preparations for this auspicious event are in full swing, Mahant Brijmohan Das takes a back seat, immersing himself in the divine devotion of Shri Ram. The anthem, titled "May the Roar Always Resonate," captures the magnificence of the upcoming temple's consecration. The music video begins with Mahant Ji's arrival in a helicopter, setting a majestic tone. Surrounded by thousands of Shri Ram devotees, the video portrays Mahant Ji participating in the filming of the anthem. The viral video, available on MBD Music World on YouTube for the past four days, has captivated audiences worldwide. Mahant Brijmohan Das emphasizes the significance of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, asserting that its completion signifies the triumph of eternal truths and the victory of Sanatan Dharma. The saffron flag fluttering in all directions symbolizes the resurgence of Sanatan Dharma, and the cheers of victory resonate globally. With Lord Shri Ram's grace, Hinduism has asserted its dominance worldwide, a testament to its enduring strength. This devotional anthem, sung by Mahant Shri Brijmohan Das in his melodious voice, has become a sensation, spreading the spirit of devotion and respect for Lord Shri Ram. The lyrics, penned by renowned Ayodhya poet Yogesh Das Shastri, are set to music by Babbu and Vishnu. Mahant Ji expresses the conviction that the influence of this anthem will endure, resonating with the divine grace of Lord Shri Ram Lalla. Source : ( Read 2949 Times) Udaipur : In collaboration with the Forest Department, WWF India, and Green People Society, a two-day bird identification workshop began on Wednesday at the Forest Building in Chetak Circle. On the first day, environmentalist Dr. Satish Kumar Sharma shared crucial information about birds, emphasizing their life cycles. Another speaker, Vinay Dave, shed light on Sarus Cranes and their associated aspects. The chief guest, Chief Forest Conservator Wildlife Raj Kumar Jain, highlighted the objectives of the workshop, expressing the importance of enhancing knowledge about birds and promoting their conservation. Rahul Bhatnagar, President of Green People Society, expressed gratitude for joining this workshop at the Udaipur Bird Festival. He mentioned that it provides a golden opportunity for emerging bird enthusiasts to learn. Deputy Forest Conservator Wildlife Arun Kumar D informed that on January 4, all participants in the workshop will be taken on a field visit to the Jungle Safari Park. Bird enthusiasts participating in the workshop will be awarded certificates on January 14 during the closing program of the Bird Festival. Source : ( Read 3062 Times) Udaipur: Following the directives of the esteemed secretary of the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority, Jaipur, ADJ Kuldeep Sharma conducted inspections of Sakhi Van Stop Center, Bal Griha operated by Seva Parmo Dharma, Government Kishore Gruh, Government Observation Home, and the Rain Basera located at the Stand. Under the guidance of the Chief Forest Conservator Wildlife Raj Kumar Jain, Sharma also visited the Rajkiya Vridhashram and the Mahila Paramarsh Kendra at Hiran Magri Police Station. During the visit, ADJ Sharma briefed law students interning with the authority in Udaipur about the activities of the authority. Sharma emphasized the importance of these facilities and their adherence to guidelines. He checked the attendance register of staff at the Sakhi Van Stop Center and inspected the feedback register of women who had previously stayed there. He gathered information about the facilities provided to children at the Government Kishore Gruh and Government Observation Home. In addition, during the visit to Tara Sansthan-managed Rajkiya Vridhashram in Balicha, Sharma learned about the rights of the elderly residents and discussed their issues. At Hiran Magri Police Station, while visiting the Mahila Paramarsh Kendra, he gathered information about women visiting the center and their issues. Furthermore, during the visit to the Bal Kalyan Samiti in Udaipur, discussions were held on preventing child labor and measures to stop child marriages. A campaign awareness drive about "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao," "Stop Child Marriage," and the Rain Basera campaign was conducted in Badgaon and Chitrakoot Nagar areas. Source : Overlooked for another promotion? Didnt get invited to be part of that special project team that had the office buzzing? Then its time to switch your career mode from passive to active. If you wrapped up 2023 feeling like you stood still professionally, then youve probably been pondering what your next move at work should be. Do you wait for your boss to realise you are ready for your next challenge or cut your losses and try for a new opportunity with a different organisation? While it can be both frustrating and disheartening to be skipped over or ignored in the workplace, it is rarely intentional. Management may be unaware of your desire to progress your career, or you may have been pigeon-holed by a perceived strength or weakness in your ability. If this sounds like you, then its time to make 2024 the year where you make it known what you want from your job, and the skills you bring to your team. But to do this, youll need a sponsor. Youre probably quite familiar with the idea of having a mentor in the office, in fact, you may have had one, or even been one yourself for junior team members. So whats the difference between a mentor and a sponsor? A mentor provides insights and feedback based on their own experiences to help you broaden your skillset. They are important for building confidence and can provide you with a safe space to soundboard ideas, before sharing them with your team or direct manager. A sponsors role is to act as an advocate for you. By knowing your aspirations and skills, they can make sure your name is in the mix when projects and promotions are being discussed. Ideally, your sponsor will have positional power to be able to influence your current role, and actively open doors for your next. While most workers will experience the disappointment of a missed moment to advance their career, data shows women are particularly affected by a lack of opportunity in the workplace. Women Risings The Voice of Women at Work 2023 Report shows that 67 per cent of Australian women believe that their career is not progressing as quickly as they would like. Furthermore, 40 per cent state there is nowhere to move up within their organisation. Career development is the key for employers to retain women, with almost three quarters (74 per cent) saying they would leave their organisation if their current employer did not invest in them. Additionally, women are also challenged in their careers by a lack of clarity on their goals and vision. For 43 per cent, it comes down to a lack of mentors and sponsors. Any worker can, and should, find a sponsor to advocate for their personal progression, but it is especially important for women to ensure their skills, talent and worth are valued by their peers and leaders. You cant just ask someone to be your sponsor, it takes conversation and effort. Start small by identifying an individual in your organisation that is well respected and has a track record of developing and promoting talent. Be proactive in building a relationship with this person and use your catch ups to learn more about their personal career journey and aspirations. Dont be afraid to ask questions about how they got where they are, and the experiences that were most helpful to them. You can then share your own objectives, but remember you are looking to create a two-way relationship. Offer your help to them where you can and show genuine interest in the advice they share with you. Once a relationship has been established, keep them informed about your progress, accomplishments and interests, so they can advocate on your behalf and put you forward for opportunities suited to your goals. Continue to foster the relationship and be transparent about your career goals and aspirations. However, it is important to remember you are not outsourcing your career development to your sponsor. You are still accountable for anything that does, or does not, happen. A sponsor has their own reputation to consider too, so give them plenty of reasons to advocate for you and make the most of every opportunity you are given. Relationships are one of the most important factors in our careers. Once you have one sponsor, start building a network of people who support you, and who you advocate for in return. And, when you achieve your goals, remember to pay these moments forward. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Purpose, Community, Connection: Sculpture Honors Dairy's Goodness HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- American Dairy Association North East and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, revealed the highly anticipated butter sculpture, a tableau that showcases the importance of the dairy industry's traditions and its focus on sustainability. "Table for All: Pennsylvania Dairy Connects Communities" is the theme of the 33rd butter sculpture. The sculpture depicts members of the community gathering around the dinner table, connecting through a delicious bounty of food while celebrating the hard work of Pennsylvania's farmers. Dairy farmer Walt Moore of Walmoore Holsteins in Cochranville, Pennsylvania, said, "Agriculture plays an important role in all of our lives, and I'm proud that the wholesome food we produce brings people together. This year's butter sculpture illustrates the important connection between farmers and their local communities. That is very meaningful to me because I love what I do as a dairy farmer." The sculpture was constructed over several weeks by artists Jim Victor and Marie Pelton of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, using more than 1,000 pounds of butter donated by Land O' Lakes in Carlisle, Cumberland County. "Creating art that showcases the hard work of dairy farmers is an immense source of pride for us," said Jim Victor. "We also enjoy knowing that the sculpture tells an impactful story about the importance of agriculture," added Marie Pelton. The butter sculpture is on display in the Farm Show's Main Hall. Following the Farm Show, the butter will be recycled on the Reinford Farm in Juniata County and converted into renewable energy in the farm's methane digester. Half a million people are expected to visit the butter sculpture at the PA Farm Show during its eight-day run from January 6th through January 13th. About American Dairy Association North East The American Dairy Association North East (ADANE) is the local affiliate of the National Dairy Council and the regional consolidation of three promotion organizations, including the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Inc., Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program. Committed to nutrition education and research-based communications, ADANE provides science-based nutrition information to, and in collaboration with, a variety of stakeholders committed to fostering a healthier nation, including health professionals, educators, school nutrition directors, academia, industry, consumers and media. Funded by dairy checkoff dollars from 9,000 dairy farm families in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and northern Virginia, ADANE works closely with Dairy Management Inc. to bring a fully integrated promotion program to the North East region. For more information, visit AmericanDairy.com . About Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program is the farmer-directed organization funded by participating dairy farmers to build demand and sales for milk and dairy foods throughout Pennsylvania. Managed by American Dairy Association North East, Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program develops and implements local programs to drive milk and dairy sales at retail outlets and in schools. The organizations also conduct consumer education about dairy through events, traditional and social media, and in collaboration with health professionals through National Dairy Council. For more information, visit www.AmericanDairy.com or call 315.472.9143. SOURCE American Dairy Association North East COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Apogee, a leading defense and security solutions provider, announced the promotion of Anitra Simmons to director of operations for its Mission Operations portfolio effective Nov. 1, 2023. Simmons will work closely with Apogee's leadership team and its federal government customers to ensure superior contractual delivery, employee engagement, and customer relations. In this role Simmons will lead program implementation and support federal government business development for Apogee's Mission Operations portfolio which is focused on U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) programs. The company's mission operations include 15 projects and 118 employees across Federal Agency Operations, Air Force (AF) Operations and Sustainment, and AF Major Commands (MAJCOM) Staff programs. Anitra Simmons, Director of Apogee Mission Operations "Anitra has continually dedicated herself to the mission of our customers and maintains the highest level of professionalism with our workforce and within our local communities. She leans forward, embraces responsibility, and embodies Apogee's culture. Anitra makes an excellent addition to our senior leadership team. I cannot wait to see her help shape Apogee's evolving operational strategy," said Frank Varga, Apogee Chief Operating Officer. Previously Simmons served as program manager and long-range senior planner for Apogee. She has over 25 years of diverse experience in the military and defense industry and in mental health and community fundraising, receiving her bachelor of arts degree in sociology and anthropology from the University of Virginia and her master of education degree from the College of William & Mary. Simmons recently served as a volunteer and member of the board of directors for The King's Daughters, the founding organization of the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters (CHKD), which provides volunteers, funds, and advocacy for children in the southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina area. About Apogee Apogee is a nimble and mission-driven organization committed to delivering proven U.S. defense and national security solutions. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO with regional offices nationwide, Apogee offers multi-domain expertise in digital transformation, science & technology, adaptive acquisition, and mission operations. See what peak performance can look like by visiting www.ApogeeUSA.com. Media Contact: Rhea Phaneuf [email protected] SOURCE Apogee Engineering LLC NEW YORK, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The cancer immunotherapy market is expected to grow by USD 38.57 billion from 2022 to 2027. In addition, the momentum of the market will progress at a CAGR of 7.42% during the forecast period, according to Technavio Research. The market has been segmented by type (monoclonal antibodies, checkpoint inhibitors and immunomodulators, and cancer vaccines), application (lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and others), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and the Rest of World (ROW)). North America is estimated to contribute 41% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. The growth in the region is due to the vast investments made in the oncology sector in the US. The US and Canada are the key contributors to the market in the region. A major investment in the pharmaceutical sector, especially with a focus on oncology, is an important factor that supports US dominance both here and around the world. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Cancer Immunotherapy Market 2023-2027 This report offers an up-to-date analysis of the current market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. Read PDF Sample Report Company Profile: Amneal Pharmaceuticals Inc., AstraZeneca Plc, Bayer AG, Bristol Myers Squibb Co., Dendreon Pharmaceuticals LLC, Eli Lilly and Co., F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd., Fresenius SE and Co. KGaA, Gilead Sciences Inc., Amgen Inc, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Immunocore Holdings Plc, Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., Johnson and Johnson, Merck KGaA, Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc., Sanofi, Seagen Inc.,Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. Amgen Inc. - The company offers cancer immunotherapy solutions such as Oncolytic Immunotherapy, Amgen Oncology To gain access to more company profiles available with Technavio, buy the report! Cancer Immunotherapy Market: Segmentation Analysis The market share growth by the monoclonal antibodies segment will be significant during the forecast period. Monoclonal antibodies are used to diagnose and treat a variety of disorders, including some forms of cancer. Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and thorough descriptions. View a Free PDF Sample Report Cancer Immunotherapy Market: Market Dynamics Key Driver Growing awareness among consumers regarding cancer immunotherapy High prevalence of cancer Strong R and D pipeline of monoclonal antibodies The growing awareness among consumers regarding cancer immunotherapy is a key factor driving market growth. This cancer treatment is a type of biological therapy. Sometimes, immunotherapy is adopted for cancers that cannot be removed by surgery. Advancements in massively parallel sequencing technology, or NGS, have greatly improved the understanding of tumorigenesis and tumor evolution linked with disease progression. Major Trend The adoption of various strategies for cancer immunotherapy market growth is a key trend in the market. Identify key trends, drivers, and challenges in the market. Download a sample to gain access to this information. Related Reports: The Sepsis Therapeutics Market is estimated to grow by USD 1.42 billion, at a CAGR of 6.98% between 2023 and 2028. The Global Immunotherapy Drugs Market size is estimated to grow by USD 111.35 billion at a CAGR of 11.31% between 2023 and 2028. What are the key data covered in this cancer immunotherapy market report? CAGR of the market during the forecast period Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the cancer immunotherapy market between 2022 and 2027. Precise estimation of the cancer immunotherapy market size and its contribution to the market in focus on the parent market Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior Growth of the cancer immunotherapy market across North America, Europe, Asia, and ROW A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about companies Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of cancer immunotherapy market companies. ToC: Executive Summary Market Landscape Market Sizing Historic Market Sizes Five Forces Analysis Market Segmentation by Type Market Segmentation by Geography Customer Landscape Geographic Landscape Drivers, Challenges, & Trends Company Landscape Company Analysis Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com SOURCE Technavio Welcome to AI Weekly, where we delve into the cutting-edge and ever-evolving world of artificial intelligence and bring you concise yet comprehensive summaries of the most exciting AI developments. IBM Research Introduces Breakthrough Analog AI Chip for Efficient Deep Learning IBM Research has unveiled a groundbreaking analog AI chip demonstrating exceptional efficiency and accuracy in complex computations for deep neural networks (DNNs). Published in Nature Electronics, this breakthrough signifies a significant leap toward achieving high-performance AI computing while substantially conserving energy. Traditional approaches on digital architectures face limitations in performance and energy efficiency due to constant data transfer between memory and processing units, hindering computations and energy optimization. Google Cloud Launches Imagen 2 Text-to-Image Generator Google Cloud has introduced Imagen 2, the latest upgrade to its text-to-image capabilities. Exclusively available for Vertex AI customers on the allowlist, Imagen 2 enables users to create and deploy photorealistic images with intuitive tooling and fully-managed infrastructure. Developed with Google DeepMind technology, Imagen 2 offers improved image quality and diverse functionalities tailored for specific use cases, including diverse image generation, multilingual text rendering, logo creation, and advanced image understanding for captions and question-answering. Intel Unveils AI Products Portfolio Intel, the chip-making giant, has revealed a new lineup of products designed to enhance AI solutions across various platforms, including data centers, the cloud, networks, edge computing, and personal computers (PCs). The Intel Core Ultra mobile processor family, built on Intel 4 process technology, signifies a significant architectural shift, ushering in the era of AI-powered PCs. The 5th-Gen Intel Xeon processor family incorporates AI acceleration in each core, resulting in significant advancements in AI and overall performance, while reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO). Intel is collaborating with over 100 software vendors to bring AI-boosted applications to the PC market. OpenAI Achieves Annualized Revenue Over $1.6 Billion OpenAIs annualized revenue has surpassed $1.6 billion, just two months after reaching the $1.3 billion mark. The Information reported this milestone on Saturday, citing sources familiar with the matter. OpenAIs sales momentum follows the launch of the paid version of its ChatGPT service, ChatGPT Plus, in February 2023. The company, primarily generating revenue through providing AI models to developers via an API, reportedly faced a loss of $540 million in 2022 on a revenue of $28 million. How Leading AI Startup Investors Approached Artificial Intelligence in 2023 In the past year, discussions with leading AI investors indicate a shift towards tools and applications over foundation-level models due to high capital requirements. The rapid adoption of AI tools, such as ChatGPT, by consumers marked a pivotal moment. Investors anticipate the generative AI era, with technologies like ChatGPT capturing widespread attention and inspiring non-technical individuals. Despite a wait-and-see approach, investors acknowledge imminent disruptions from new silicon and solutions beyond parlor tricks. The ongoing evolution in AI models, combined with decreasing storage and processing costs, drives growth. Investors focus on companies building domain-specific models on private data sets, foreseeing transformative impacts on existing companies and the emergence of new players. Despite current expenses, predictions suggest decreasing AI software costs, making AI more accessible and driving higher margins. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. WILTON MANORS, Fla., Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Wilton Manors, in partnership with Broward County Cultural Division Public Art & Design Program, is seeking the public's input for a survey that will inform its new Public Art Plan. This major initiative is part of the City's overall Strategic Plan, and underscores Wilton Manors' dedication to fostering a vibrant arts and culture community. The Public Art Plan will serve as a pivotal starting point, shaping the City's arts and culture policy, and establishing the process for selecting public art for the City. By adopting a strategic approach to public art, Wilton Manors aims to create inclusive and engaging artistic experiences throughout the City. Envisioned by the Wilton Manors City Commission, the public art program aims to elevate the quality of life for residents and drive economic prosperity for local businesses. Embracing creativity and innovation, new public art installations will appeal to residents and attract visitors, enhancing the City's reputation as a thriving cultural hub. Community comment and engagement are vital to the public art planning process. Recognizing this, and the important role that residents and stakeholders of Wilton Manors play in shaping the City's artistic landscape, the survey provides an opportunity to share valuable insights, preferences, and ideas about desired locations for public art, types of art installations, and elements of Wilton Manors that hold special significance. "We are thrilled to collaborate with Broward County Cultural Division's Public Art & Design Program to bring this Public Art Plan to fruition. The collective voice of our residents and community members will be a driving force behind creating a vibrant and culturally enriched Wilton Manors," said Mayor Scott Newton. No prior art experience is required to participate in the survey, which welcomes all residents, business owners, and individuals working within the City to contribute. To take part in the survey and be an integral part of shaping the City's artistic vision, visit https://bit.ly/WMartsurvey2024. The survey will remain accessible until April 30, 2024. About Broward County Cultural Division's Public Art & Design Program: Broward County Cultural Division's Public Art & Design Program, launched in 1976, enhances our community through 80 annual art activities. We advise cities on developing public art programs, and Broward County County's collection now boasts 310+ public artworks. Explore our collection here and experience the art of Broward County. About the City of Wilton Manors: Wilton Manors was laid out in 1925 by Edward John "Ned" Willingham, a land developer from Georgia, as an upscale residential community. It was recognized as a village in 1947 and incorporated as a city in 1953. Today, the City of Wilton Manors offers all the benefits of a big city, from shopping and dining to public art and family-friendly events, yet still maintains miles of natural waterways perfect for kayaking, paddle boarding and other outdoor activities. In 2018, Wilton Manors was named the "Second Gayest City" in the United States, celebrating the inclusivity of its approximate 12,000 residents. In 2023, the City received its Certified Local Government designation for historical preservation from the United States Department of the Interior. To learn more about the live, work, and play opportunities in Wilton Manors call (954) 390-2100 or visit www.wiltonmanors.com. For media inquiries and additional information, please contact: Meredith Clements Broward Cultural Division Phone: 954-357-7463 Email: [email protected] Pamela Landi City of Wilton Manors Phone: 954-390-2103 Email: [email protected] CONTACT: Aimee Adler Cooke, (561) 302-6902 (or) [email protected] SOURCE City of Wilton Manors MENLO PARK, Calif., Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Patient Square Capital , a leading health care investment firm, today announced that Dr. Joshua Makower and Dr. Stephen Oesterle joined as Senior Advisors to the firm. Both will provide guidance to Patient Square as it continues to identify and partner with leading companies in the medical technology space consistent with Patient Square's mission to improve the health and wellness of patient lives. Dr. Makower will also be joining the board of Elevage Medical Technologies, a Patient Square portfolio company focused on growth-stage medical technologies. Dr. Makower is the Yock Family Professor of Medicine and of Bioengineering at the Stanford University Schools of Medicine and Engineering and the Co-Founder and Director of the Stanford Byers Center for Biodesign. Dr. Makower is also the Founder & Executive Chairman of ExploraMed, a medical device incubator, creating eleven companies since 1995. Transactions from the ExploraMed portfolio include NeoTract, acquired by Teleflex, Acclarent, acquired by J&J, EndoMatrix, acquired by C.R. Bard, and TransVascular, acquired by Medtronic. Dr. Oesterle is the former SVP of Medicine and Technology for Medtronic, Plc., where he oversaw long term internal technology development while participating in strategic corporate investments in emerging private health care companies. Prior to joining Medtronic, Dr. Oesterle spent 20 years with academic Faculties of Medicine, where he led the Interventional Cardiology programs at Stanford University and the Massachusetts General Hospital, part of the Harvard Medical School. "I have known Josh and Steve for a long time and have an enormous amount of respect for their contributions to medical device innovation. I'm proud to consider both of them friends and not only true luminaries in their fields," said Jim Momtazee, Managing Partner of Patient Square. "I'm thrilled to welcome them to the Patient Square family and know that they will make us better at what we do." "Dr. Oesterle and Dr. Makower are undisputed leaders, innovators, and investors in the medical technology space," said Neel Varshney, M.D., Founding Partner of Patient Square. "They are also wonderful human beings who share our mission of creating lasting impact on the health and wellness of patients that we ultimately serve." "I am very pleased to be advising the team at Patient Square as we work to grow and invest in businesses that will have a deep impact on patients' lives," said Dr. Makower. "This firm is comprised of some of the most experienced and knowledgeable health care investors in the world, and I'm looking forward to working with them to foster increased innovation." "The resources Patient Square has assembled for the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes are transformational," added Dr. Oesterle. "I'm very pleased to be advising the team in these investments and am eager to see the difference we can make." Dr. Makower serves on the boards of Revelle Aesthetics, ExploraMed, Moximed, X9, Willow, and Coravin. He holds over 300 patents and patent applications. He received an MBA from Columbia University, an MD from the NYU School of Medicine, a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from MIT. Additionally, Dr. Makower is a Member of the National Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of The National Academy of Inventors and The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, and was awarded the Coulter Award for Healthcare Innovation by the Biomedical Engineering Society in 2018. Dr. Oesterle currently serves on the public boards of Baxter International, Paragon 28, and Peijia Medical. He is an independent director of privately held companies SHL Medical and CeramTec, and venture backed Alcyone Therapeutics and Anuncia Medical. He graduated from Harvard College, summa cum laude in Chemistry, and holds an M.D. from Yale School of Medicine. He was a post-doctoral fellow in Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital and in Cardiology at Stanford University. About Patient Square Capital Patient Square Capital ("Patient Square") is a dedicated health care investment firm with more than $7.5 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2023. The firm partners with best-in-class management teams whose products, services and technologies improve health. Patient Square utilizes deep industry expertise, a broad network of relationships and a partnership approach to make investments in companies grow and thrive. Patient Square invests in businesses that strive to improve patient lives, strengthen communities, and create a healthier world. For more information, visit www.patientsquarecapital.com. Media Contact: Doug Allen / Zach Kouwe Dukas Linden Public Relations (646) 722-6530 [email protected] SOURCE Patient Square Capital Digestive Concerns Are Common, and the Holidays Are Filled With Unknown Food Choices. Intoleran Restores a Sense of Enjoyment and Comfort to the Holiday Menu. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The holidays are a time to rest, relax, and enjoy friends, family and food. That last item is a challenging one for those managing digestional issues. It's difficult to know what foods will be available at any given gathering, and even when basic dishes are known, individual and unknown ingredients can be an issue for those with gastrointestinal concerns. Over 60 million Americans suffer from digestive diseases of one form or another. While some of these are serious conditions that require careful medical attention, others, such as food intolerances and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), are manageable if an individual invests even a moderate amount of attention and effort. Intoleran is a Dutch health brand that equips those with sensitive digestive tracts to successfully manage holiday menus. "We are a brand founded on helping everyone enjoy their food again," explains Intoleran owner Harmen Treep. "Our founder, Remko Hiemstra, was lactose intolerant, and he sought out ways to help others like him enjoy their food again. This is how we developed our line of pure, efficient digestive enzyme products." Intoleran's product line includes digestive enzymes for intolerances to dairy, sugar, starch, grains, fruits, and more. The brand's quatrase 10.000 (forte) is also a uniquely potent enzyme supplement that addresses several intolerances at once and can help streamline digestion for those with IBS and similar concerns. Intoleran enzymes can be taken right before a meal that has or might have a troublesome food. Each product is clean and made with minimal ingredients. Excess enzymes simply pass through the digestive tract, making the supplements an ideal tool for unknown or concerning food choices. "Our enzymes are the perfect digestive tool to keep on hand as you head from one party and gathering to the next," Treep declares. "That way, whenever you're faced with a food choice that might cause a flare-up, you can eat with confidence, knowing you can enjoy your holiday food again without worrying about feeling pain and discomfort after the fact." About Intoleran Intoleran was founded in the Netherlands in 2008. The Dutch health brand specializes in creating enzyme-based supplements that address a variety of food intolerances, including lactose, fructose, fructans, galactans, starch, and sucrose. Intoleran products assist the digestive system by helping to properly digest food and, consequently, avoid many of the unpleasant side effects that come from food intolerances. To preserve quality and effectiveness, Intoleran only uses ingredients necessary for the effect of the supplements and no unnecessary additives. This allows as many people as possible to use the products without unwanted side effects. Learn more at intoleran.com . Media Contact: Bouke Smeets M: +31(06)23763626 370725@email4pr.com SOURCE Intoleran Company's actions strengthen communities, create jobs and boost the local economy NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The greater New Orleans region is enjoying nearly half of $1 billion dollars in economic benefits because the city is host to the corporate headquarters for Entergy, the city's only Fortune 500 company. According to a recent study by Louisiana State University economist Dr. Loren Scott, Entergy's total economic impact in New Orleans reached nearly $500 million in sales in the city in 2021. "Entergy's low-cost electricity is helping attract critical investments and is creating jobs making the company a significant economic engine for the economy," said Rod West, Entergy's group president of utility operations. "Our commitment can be felt throughout the state. For every job created at Entergy's headquarters, 2.8 jobs are created elsewhere in the state and in New Orleans specifically, for every job created 1.4 jobs are created elsewhere in Orleans Parish's economy." "Having Entergy's headquarters located here in New Orleans makes a huge impact on our city's economy, and on the state of Louisiana," said Deanna Rodriguez, president and CEO of Entergy New Orleans. "We've always had a sense of that importance, and this study confirms it in hard numbers: Entergy's headquarters being in the city creates jobs, it generates sales for local businesses, and it creates major tax revenue for the parish and the state." "We are truly fortunate to have Entergy as a partner in driving the region's economy," said Michael Hecht, president and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. "Entergy not only provides reliable and affordable energy, but also supports thousands of jobs, hundreds of millions of dollars in sales and income, and millions of dollars in local charitable contributions. Having Entergy's corporate headquarters in New Orleans helps attract major companies into the region, and demonstrates success for existing businesses. Entergy is a true corporate leader who exemplifies the spirit of innovation, resilience, and generosity that makes Greater New Orleans uniquely great." Jobs supported by Entergy in New Orleans carried an average wage of $93,000. That is nearly 36% higher than the average annual wage of $68,000 in Orleans Parish. As one of New Orleans' largest taxpayers, Entergy pays more than $17 million in local taxes and has supported nearly $300 million in household income for New Orleans residents. This is almost as much as the total earnings of all workers in Orleans Parish's oil and gas extraction sector (approximately $280 million in 2020). Each dollar spent by Entergy ripples through the state's economy, triggering employment, new income and spending in virtually every industry sector. In 2021, Entergy also had contributed nearly $4.1 million to more than 100 New Orleans non-profit partners and community organizations and over $9 million to other non-profits outside of New Orleans. Entergy New Orleans recently announced plans to invest $1 billion in grid hardening projects for the city over the next 10 years. Last fall, Entergy was recognized for the 16th consecutive year as a top utility driving economic development in the region. At Entergy's request, Loren C. Scott and Associates Inc. measured Entergy's economic footprint in New Orleans and the state of Louisiana. Financial and operations data for the 2021 fiscal year formed the primary-source information for the analysis. For highlights of Entergy's economic impact in New Orleans, download this infographic. Read the complete Loren C. Scott and Associates impact study here. About Entergy Entergy New Orleans, LLC provides electricity to approximately 211,000 customers and natural gas to approximately 109,000 customers in Orleans Parish, Louisiana. Entergy New Orleans is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR), a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We're investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy, visit the Newsroom. SOURCE Entergy Corporation Religious persecution watchdog Global Christian Relief releases open-sourced database in cooperation with the International Institute for Religious Freedom SANTA ANA, Calif., Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time ever, incidents of violent religious persecution are searchable through a new database that records violent attacks on Christians and people of faith around the world. Unveiled by Global Christian Relief, America's leading watchdog of Christian persecution, the Global Christian Relief Violent Incidents Database (VID) is the first and only events-based global religious freedom dataset. Accessible to anyone, the database tracks more than a dozen categories of violence including killings, arrests, abductions and forced marriages; and users can search by country, religion and perpetrator. In addition to providing a level of verification like never before, the database will serve as a resource for journalists, advocacy groups, government officials, and anyone concerned with data on violent religious persecution. The database contains global reports of violent attacks beginning in 2022, and is currently tracking more than 6000 incidents. "This database helps give a voice to the voiceless by recording and sharing details of specific attacks suffered by Christians and other people of faith globally," said David Curry, CEO of Global Christian Relief. "Our hope is that this remarkable resource will be utilized by anyone advocating and reporting on behalf of the persecuted church." Funded by Global Christian Relief, the ongoing research for the GCR Violent Incidents Database is conducted by the International Institute for Religious Freedom (IIRF), one of the oldest thinktanks specializing in religious freedom. "We live in a world where the violent persecution of Christians and other religious groups is rampant and increasing," said Ronald Boyd-MacMillan, Chief of Global Strategy and Research for Global Christian Relief. "This database not only helps us track the violence but helps us better understand what persecuted Christians really need from their brothers and sisters around the world." The GCR Violent Incidents Database will be highlighted during the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington D.C., January 30-31. The database will be a key contributor to the GCR Global Religious Freedom Index, an even more sophisticated tool launching this spring that will measure religious freedom around the world by tracking every element of persecution, not only violence. For interviews with David Curry, please contact Paige Collins at Icon Media Group, at: [email protected]. About Global Christian Relief Global Christian Relief (GCR) is America's leading watchdog organization focused on the plight of persecuted Christians worldwide. In addition to equipping the Western church to advocate and pray for the persecuted, GCR works in the most restrictive countries to protect and encourage Christians threatened by faith-based discrimination and violence. Dr. David Curry, president of GCR, currently serves on the United States Commission on Religious Freedom. For more information, visit globalchristianrelief.org SOURCE Global Christian Relief SUTHERLAND, Iowa, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kevin Virgil, a former Army Ranger and CIA operations officer, announced today that he is running for Iowa's 4th Congressional District as a Republican. Virgil, a political outsider, says that his campaign is founded on the principles of true conservatism, emphasizing Iowa's need for a representative who will fervently defend these values in Washington. Former Army Ranger and CIA Officer Enters Race for Iowa's 4th Congressional District Virgil, 50, says his distinguished career in the military and intelligence community, as well as his experience as an entrepreneur in the private sector, have equipped him with the leadership skills and values that are required to address the complex challenges facing the nation. "I am running for Congress because Iowa's 4th District deserves a representative who advocates for conservative values," said Virgil. "The current political establishment in Washington DC has failed to provide the leadership that America needs. Here in western Iowa, our current congressman, Randy Feenstra, has repeatedly voted to protect the interests of his largest donors and political backers while ignoring those of his constituents. I intend to uphold my oath to the Constitution and will only support legislation that remains true to its principles." "I am honored to continue my service to our country, and to fight the internal and external forces that threaten our way of life", said Virgil. "Over the past three decades, America's small towns have experienced steep economic decline, while Washington DC and our state capitols have attracted staggering wealth through the relentless expansion of government. It is a zero-sum game that needs to stop. I intend to work relentlessly to constrain the federal bureaucracy and return prosperity to our communities. I look forward to listening to voters across the district, and earning their trust and support." Virgil was born in Lincoln, Nebraska and raised in Sutherland, Iowa. He graduated from South O'Brien High School and attended West Point before serving in the 82nd Airborne Division and ultimately in the 75th Ranger Regiment. Later, he attended business school and worked on Wall Street before joining the CIA shortly after 9/11, where he narrowly missed being in the World Trade Center. After serving his country overseas, he eventually started a company that builds AI-enabled security solutions for the Department of Defense and corporate customers around the world. Virgil's campaign is already gaining momentum, with endorsements from key conservative leaders and grassroots support from across the district. He invites the community to join him in this journey to bring principled, conservative leadership to Congress. For more information about Kevin Virgil's campaign, his policy positions, and upcoming events, please visit www.virgilforcongress.com. Contact: Carlos Montero, Campaign Manager [email protected] 202.941.9001 SOURCE Virgil for Congress DUBLIN, Jan. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Luxury Travel Market Report by Type of Tour, Age Group, Type of Traveller, and Region 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global luxury travel market size reached US$ 2,049.2 Billion in 2022. Looking forward, the market is expected to reach US$ 2,683.9 Billion by 2028, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.60% during 2022-2028 The rising demand for exclusive and personalized travel experiences, expanding high-net-worth individual (HNWI) population seeking luxury travel options, and increasing focus on wellness and sustainability in luxury travel offerings are some of the major factors propelling the market. Europe held the biggest share in the market since the region is home to an array of iconic and culturally rich destinations, from the historical cities of Rome, Paris, and Prague to the scenic beauty of the Swiss Alps and the Mediterranean coast, offering a diverse range of luxury experiences. Apart from this, Europe boasts a long history of luxury hospitality, with its heritage luxury hotels and boutique properties, providing travelers with opulent accommodations and impeccable service. Moreover, rising emphasis of the region on gastronomy and fine dining attracts luxury travelers seeking culinary excellence, with numerous Michelin-starred restaurants and local gourmet experiences. Furthermore, Europe's efficient transportation infrastructure and access to exclusive cultural events, from fashion shows to art exhibitions, enhance its appeal to luxury travelers. Additionally, Europe's commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism aligns with the values of eco-conscious luxury travelers, ensuring that the region continues to lead the way in delivering high-end, sustainable travel experiences that resonate with the evolving preferences of affluent global travelers. Competitive Landscape The market is experiencing steady growth as key players are continually innovating to meet the evolving preferences of discerning travelers. Recent innovations include the integration of advanced technology to enhance the booking and travel experience, with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) being used to provide immersive previews of accommodations and destinations. Additionally, there is a growing focus on sustainability, with luxury hotels and resorts adopting eco-friendly practices and designing carbon-neutral properties to cater to environmentally conscious travelers. Personalization remains a key trend, with luxury travel providers leveraging data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to curate bespoke itineraries and offer highly tailored services. Furthermore, luxury cruise lines are introducing cutting-edge amenities such as underwater lounges and sustainable ship designs. These innovations collectively aim to elevate the luxury travel experience, providing travelers with unique, sustainable, and personalized journeys that align with their values and preferences. Luxury Travel Market Trends/Drivers Growing affluence of high-net-worth individuals (HNAWIs) The increasing affluence of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and affluent consumers is a primary driving force behind the luxury travel market's expansion. As economies grow and prosperity spreads globally, more individuals are gaining access to higher disposable incomes, enabling them to indulge in luxury travel experiences. This demographic seeks exclusivity, comfort, and premium services when exploring the world. They are willing to invest in opulent accommodations, private transportation, and curated itineraries that cater to their preferences. The luxury travel industry capitalizes on this trend by continuously innovating and offering top-notch services to meet the discerning tastes of affluent travelers. This growing affluence fuels demand for luxury travel and encourages the development of new destinations and experiences that cater to the evolving desires of this segment. Rising desire for unique experiences Luxury travelers today are not satisfied with mere comfort; they seek meaningful and distinctive experiences that set their journeys apart. This driver has led to the rise of experiential luxury travel, where travelers immerse themselves in local cultures, traditions, and landscapes. They opt for bespoke itineraries that cater to their interests, from culinary adventures and private art tours to wildlife safaris and wellness retreats. The desire for unique experiences has given rise to a trend where luxury travel becomes a form of self-expression, allowing travelers to collect memories and stories that differentiate them from conventional tourists. The luxury travel industry responds by providing exclusive access to hidden gems, private guides, and off-the-beaten-path adventures, ensuring that each journey is a one-of-a-kind experience tailored to individual preferences. Increasing sustainability and wellness consciousness Sustainability and wellness have emerged as crucial drivers in the luxury travel market. As travelers become more socially and environmentally conscious, they seek accommodations and experiences that align with their values. Luxury travelers now expect eco-friendly practices, responsible tourism, and sustainable accommodations, which include everything from eco-lodges in remote natural settings to sustainable cruises that minimize environmental impact. Additionally, the wellness aspect of luxury travel emphasizes physical and mental well-being, with travelers seeking spas, fitness centers, meditation retreats, and nutrition-focused experiences during their trips. The luxury travel industry recognizes these trends and is incorporating sustainable and wellness-focused offerings into its portfolio, ensuring that travelers can enjoy guilt-free luxury experiences that promote both personal well-being and environmental responsibility. This shift is an ethical choice and a competitive advantage for luxury travel providers, as it meets the evolving preferences of a socially conscious and health-focused clientele. Luxury Travel Industry Segmentation Breakup by Type of Tour: Customized and Private Vacation Adventure and Safari Cruise and Ship Expedition Small Group Journey Celebration and Special Event Culinary Travel and Shopping Adventure and safari hold the largest market share Breakup by Age Group: Millennial (21-30) Generation X (31-40) Baby Boomers (41-60) Silver Hair (60 and above) Baby boomers (41-60) represents the leading age group segment Breakup by Type of Traveller: Absolute Luxury Aspiring Luxury Accessible Luxury Absolute luxury is the most popular type of traveler Breakup by Region: North America United States Canada Asia-Pacific China Japan India South Korea Australia Indonesia Europe Germany France United Kingdom Italy Spain Russia Latin America Brazil Mexico Middle East and Africa Some of the key players in the market include: Abercrombie & Kent USA LLC. Butterfield & Robinson Inc. Cox & Kings Ltd. Exodus Travels Limited (Travelopia) Kensington Tours Ltd. Micato Safaris Scott Dunn Ltd. Tauck Thomascook.in (Fairbridge Capital ( Mauritius ) Limited) ) Limited) TUI Group For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/glmoo4 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets DUBLIN, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Off-Highway Vehicle Telematics Market - 5th Edition" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Off-Highway Vehicle Telematics Market is the fifth consecutive report analysing the latest developments on the market for telematics solutions used in the construction, mining, agriculture and forestry sectors. This report covers the latest trends and developments in the dynamic telematics industry. The report forecasts that the global installed base of active off-highway vehicle telematics systems will grow at a CAGR of 13.1 percent from 7.9 million units at the end of 2022 to 14.6 million units by 2027. Highlights from the report Insights from 30 executive interviews with market-leading companies. Overview of the construction, mining, agriculture and forestry sectors. Profiles of 42 equipment OEMs and their telematics offerings. Comprehensive overview of the off-highway vehicle telematics value chain and key applications. Summary of the latest industry trends and developments. Market forecasts lasting until 2027 The top-10 equipment manufacturers offering telematics together account for around 70 percent of the total number of off-highway vehicle telematics systems in use across the construction, mining, agriculture and forestry sectors globally. The report ranks Caterpillar as the leading off highway vehicle telematics provider. Caterpillar was the first to surpass the milestone of 1 million connected assets across all segments and the company now has more than 1.4 million units. The runners-up are SANY and Komatsu. Other major manufacturers with estimated installed bases of more than 100,000 units include Volvo Construction Equipment, Deere & Company, XCMG, Hitachi Construction Machinery, JCB, HD Hyundai and Doosan Bobcat. Additional players having estimated installed bases of off-highway vehicle telematics units in the tens of thousands include CNH Industrial, Liebherr, Terex, JLG Industries, AGCO, CLAAS Group and Tadano. The aftermarket for off-highway vehicle telematics is expected to shrink as the equipment manufacturers continue to introduce standard fitment on additional machine models and at the same time increase the length of free software subscriptions. Arguments such as the OEMs' weak spot being the inability to adequately serve the needs of mixed multibrand fleets are becoming less valid thanks to initiatives such as the AEMP telematics standard which makes it possible to collect data from different brands and manage it all from a software interface of choice. There are however promising opportunities for telematics players that partner with the OEMs, either as end-to-end full-service providers or - in many cases maybe more realistically - working alongside OEM personnel to optimise the telematics functionality. In addition to the standard-fitted systems and time-limited subscriptions commonly included for free, the telematics players can also benefit from upselling of more advanced functionality. There are several notable examples of partner-powered and codeveloped offerings in the equipment OEM telematics space. In line with trends in adjacent markets such as fleet management for commercial vehicles, the partner strategy may grow in popularity among the equipment manufacturers at the expense of in-house telematics development efforts. This can especially be the case for equipment manufacturers that do not currently offer OEM telematics to their customers. The future development path is however far from certain as there are also numerous examples of OEMs moving from partner-powered to in-house developed telematics offerings in recent years. An increasing number of players such as vendors focused on on-road commercial vehicle fleet management are nevertheless expected to diversify into telematics for various off-highway vehicles and stationary objects. This enables fleets to monitor and manage all of their business-critical assets through the same back-office interface, using familiar applications and reporting tools. Asset tracking, especially for smaller and lower-value items, represents a heavily underpenetrated market with considerable potential for telematics providers that are ready to diversify the product offering. Particularly strong growth is expected for solutions that also enable tracking of ancillary equipment such as attachments, implements, handheld tools and similar items. The report will answer the following questions Which are the main telematics systems offered by off-highway vehicle manufacturers? Which are the key off-highway vehicle telematics applications? What business models are used by OEMs offering telematics? Which OEM telematics offerings are powered by telematics partners? How are aftermarket providers approaching the off-highway vehicle telematics market? Which equipment manufacturers have developed their telematics offerings in-house? How does the off-highway telematics market compare with other related markets? How will the off-highway vehicle telematics market evolve in the future? Key Topics Covered: 1 The Global Off-Highway Vehicle Market 1.1 Introduction 1.2 The construction sector 1.3 The mining sector 1.4 The agricultural sector 1.5 The forestry sector 2 Off-Highway Vehicle Telematics Technologies and Solutions 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Off-highway vehicle telematics infrastructure 2.3 Off-highway vehicle management 2.4 Equipment operator management 2.5 Safety management 2.6 Business models 3 Market Forecasts and Trends 4 Construction and Mining Equipment Manufacturers Caterpillar CNH Industrial Deere & Company Doosan Bobcat Epiroc HD Hyundai Construction Equipment HD Hyundai Infracore Hitachi Construction Machinery JCB Komatsu Liebherr Sandvik Volvo Construction Equipment Bell Equipment BOMAG JLG Industries Kobelco Kubota Link-Belt Cranes and LBX (Sumitomo) LiuGong Mahindra & Mahindra Manitowoc Mecalac SANY Tadano Takeuchi Terex Wacker Neuson XCMG 5 Agriculture and Forestry Equipment Manufacturers AGCO ARGO Tractors CLAAS Group CNH Industrial Deere & Company Krone Kubota Mahindra & Mahindra Ponsse Rottne SDF Tigercat Vermeer For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/4omoqp About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets SHANGHAI and GEMBLOUX, Belgium and HEIDELBERG, Germany, Jan. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Full-Life Technologies ("Full-Life"), a fully integrated global radiotherapeutics company, today announced the completion of $63.3 million financing, comprised of $47.3 million in Series B equity financing and $16 million in loan facilities. The financing will advance development of the Company's radiopharmaceutical pipeline and manufacturing capabilities, as well as optimize its proprietary discovery platform, UniRDCTM. With completion of such financing, Full-Life has secured more than $110 million funding since its inception in August 2021, including equity financing, loan facilities, and government subsidies. The $47.3 million Series B equity financing was co-led by Prosperity7 Ventures and an undisclosed healthcare specialist investor, along with new investors Sky9 Capital, Summer Capital, and GuanghuaWutong Fund, as well as existing shareholders Chengwei Capital, HongShan, and Junson Capital. The $16 million loan facilities, secured in conjunction with the Series B equity financing, provide Full-Life with a flexible financing solution for the Company's pipeline development and construction of the radiopharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Belgium. "Cancer remains a formidable global challenge, causing immense suffering and loss," said Aysar Tayeb, Executive Managing Director of Prosperity7 Ventures. "Full-Life is dedicated to addressing this issue within the field of Radionuclide Drug Conjugates (RDC) by leveraging its exceptional vector and linker design capabilities, as well as its expertise in radionuclides. Through its UniRDCTM platform, Full-Life has the potential to extend its therapeutic indications to a wider range of cancers. We eagerly anticipate the future advancements of Full-Life, as it strives to deliver differentiated and superior solutions that will significantly improve the outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients." "The financing reflects strong support from our new and existing investors of our strategy and faith in the significant progress we have made in just over two years to build a fully integrated radiopharmaceutical company," said Julie Wu, Chief Financial Officer of Full-Life. "The funding will support our evolution into a clinical-stage company, the advancement of our pipeline programs, and the construction of a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) manufacturing facility." Since completion of its Series A equity financing in 2022, Full-Life has achieved multiple significant milestones, including but not limited to: Advancing the Company's lead drug candidate, 225 Ac-FL-020, towards Phase I clinical trials in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients. Clinical trials are planned to start in both Europe and the U.S. in early 2024. Full-Life's PSMA-targeting vector, FL-020, is specifically designed to deliver the highly potent alpha-emitter, Actinium-225. Ac-FL-020, towards Phase I clinical trials in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients. Clinical trials are planned to start in both and the U.S. in early 2024. Full-Life's PSMA-targeting vector, FL-020, is specifically designed to deliver the highly potent alpha-emitter, Actinium-225. Assembling a strong pre-clinical portfolio including both first-in-class and best-in-class programs as well as development of the novel UniRDC TM discovery platform. UniRDC TM is a proprietary platform established to streamline the discovery process of RDC. discovery platform. UniRDC is a proprietary platform established to streamline the discovery process of RDC. Acquiring a 17,000 square meter of land in the Walloon region of Belgium , obtaining the required construction permit, and beginning construction of a 4,000 square meter state-of-the-art GMP-level radiopharmaceutical production facility. The facility is designed to advance Full-Life's end-to-end solution and manufacture a broad spectrum of radiopharmaceuticals. About 225Ac-FL-020 225Ac-FL-020 is a novel, next-generation PSMA radioligand candidate currently being developed for the treatment of mCRPC. Its targeting vector, FL-020, was discovered using Full-Life's proprietary Clear-XTM linker technology, which enables significant improvement of drug uptake at the tumor while maintaining fast systemic clearance. In pre-clinical models, 225Ac-FL-020 has demonstrated promising anti-tumor activity. About UniRDCTM UniRDCTM is a proprietary discovery platform, which rationalizes and accelerates the discovery process of RDC drug candidates. UniRDCTM enables a short discovery timeline of 18 months or less from a target to an RDC development candidate with human biodistribution data, which has been repeatedly validated internally. UniRDCTM covers a range of modalities including small molecule, cyclic peptide, and nanobody. It is centered on a rich set of proprietary synthetic chemistry and protein engineering tool kits, including Clear-X linker technology and Res-X modification methods. Such tool kits have been proven to be essential to rapidly turn an affinity matured binder to a development candidate with a therapeutically optimal biodistribution profile. Details of the platform can be found at: https://www.full-life.com/radio/unirdc About Full-Life Technologies Full-Life Technologies Limited ("Full-Life") is a fully integrated global radiotherapeutics company with operations in Belgium, Germany, and China. We seek to own the entire value chain for radiopharmaceutical research & development, production & commercialization in order to deliver clinical impact for patients. The Company plans to attack core issues affecting radiopharmaceuticals today through innovative research that targets the treatments of tomorrow. We are comprised of a team of fast-moving entrepreneurs and scientists with a demonstrated track record in the life sciences, as well as radioisotope research and clinical development. About Prosperity7 Prosperity7 Ventures (P7) is the diversified growth fund of Aramco Ventures, a subsidiary of Aramco, the world's leading integrated energy and chemicals company. The fund's name derives from "Prosperity Well', the 7th oil well drilled in Saudi Arabia and the first to strike oil. Taking forward this pioneering history, P7 invests globally with a long-term view in breakthrough technologies and transformational business models that will bring prosperity and positive impact on a vast scale. https://www.prosperity7vc.com/ Follow us: Website: www.full-life.com SOURCE Full-Life Technologies BOSTON, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Goulston & Storrs, an Am Law 200 firm, is pleased to announce that director Christian Habersaat has been named a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, an invitation-only trial lawyer honorary society. Fellows are selected based upon excellence and accomplishment in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels, and superior ethical reputation. Christian Habersaat, a director at Goulston & Storrs, has been named a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, an invitation-only trial lawyer honorary society. (PRNewsfoto/Goulston & Storrs PC) Habersaat has more than 30 years of experience handling complex litigation matters for private and public companies, governmental agencies, and individuals before federal and state courts, administrative agencies, and arbitration tribunals. His practice focuses on civil cases involving a broad range of commercial disputes, including business contracts and torts, land use and property disputes, construction matters, complex insurance coverage disputes, and data privacy and cybersecurity matters. He also has extensive experience representing companies and individuals in governmental investigations, civil enforcement actions, and investigation-related litigation. He is ranked in Best Lawyers in America: Commercial Litigation (2023-2024) and Litigation - Real Estate (2024) and rated AV Preeminent in the Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings system. Habersaat received his J.D., cum laude, from Suffolk University Law School and his B.A. from Drew University. The Litigation Counsel of America is a trial lawyer honorary society composed of less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers. Fellowship in the LCA is highly selective and by invitation only. Established as a trial and appellate lawyer honorary society reflecting the American bar in the twenty-first century, the LCA represents the best in law among its membership. The number of Fellowships has been kept at an exclusive limit by design, allowing qualifications, diversity, and inclusion to align effectively, with recognition of excellence in litigation across all segments of the bar. Fellows are generally at the partner or shareholder level or are independent practitioners with recognized experience and accomplishment. About Goulston & Storrs Collaboration is not just a pillar of our strategy; it is the key to our competitive advantage and approach to clients, community, and each other. At Goulston & Storrs, we practice law with excellence and integrity. We are a place where mutual respect and collaboration drive open discussion, transparency, creativity and optimal results for our clients. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace where sophisticated business is conducted with genuine camaraderie. To learn more about us, visit www.goulstonstorrs.com. Contact: Leigh Herzog Amy Blumenthal Goulston & Storrs PC Blumenthal & Associates PR (617) 574-2259 (617) 879-1511 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Goulston & Storrs PC Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting: On January 3, a terrorist attack killed nearly 100 people and wounded about 200 persons at the commemorating ceremony of General Qassem Soleimani in Kerman. Whats the comments of the Chinese government in this regard? Wang Wenbin: We are deeply shocked by the devastating terrorist attack in Irans southeastern province of Kerman which has inflicted heavy casualties. We express our deep condolences over the loss of lives and sincere sympathies to those who have been injured and the families of the victims. China opposes terrorism in any form and strongly condemns terrorist attacks. We firmly support Iran in safeguarding national security and stability. CCTV: In the just concluded 2023, the world economy emerged from COVID-19 and slowly recovered. China played an important role in keeping the Asia-Pacific and global economy growing. How will China contribute to global growth in 2024? Wang Wenbin: In 2023, Chinas economy sustained the momentum of recovery despite external pressure and achieved solid progress in high-quality development. Relevant international institutions projected Chinas economic growth rate in 2023 to be around 5.2 percent, holding the lead among major economies and continuing to be the largest engine for global growth. China secured a bumper harvest for the 20th year in a row with the total grain output exceeding 0.65 trillion kilos for nine consecutive years, hitting another record high. Some media outlets estimated that China would surpass Japan for the first time to become the largest car exporter in 2023. During the recent New Year holiday, 135 million domestic trips were made, up by 9.4 percent on a comparable basis from the same period in 2019; and domestic tourism generated RMB 79.73 billion of revenue, up by 5.6 percent compared with the same period in 2019. As a mega market, China continues to unleash its vast potential of domestic demand. The fundamentals sustaining Chinas steady growth in the long run have not changed and the world has shown confidence in Chinas economy this year. IMF Senior Resident Representative in China predicted that the Chinese economy will maintain sound growth in 2024 and continue to account for one third of global economic growth. The Economist Intelligence Unit predicted that the fundamentals of Chinas economy in 2024 will be further cemented. Institutions such as the US Center for Strategic and International Studies believe that Chinas exports remain strong in electric vehicle batteries, electronic products and minerals and quite a few Chinese industries have become globally competitive. Several international media outlets commented that Chinas large economic size, mature industrial ecosystem and rising middle class mean it is a market hard to give up. In 2024, China will apply the new development philosophy on all fronts, speed up building the new development paradigm, promote high-quality development and continue to harness its strong innovation capacity, huge market, sound infrastructure, complete industrial chain and rich and high-quality human resources. China will expand high-level opening up, further ease market access, foster a world-class, market-oriented business environment governed by a sound legal framework, and share with the rest of the world new opportunities created by Chinese modernization. China will remain an important engine driving world economic growth. In a world battling economic uncertainties, China is a source of certainty and positive energy. AFP: There were media reports yesterday that an artillery shell crossed from Myanmar into the Chinese town of Nansan in Yunnan Province where it exploded, causing injuries to multiple people. Can you provide any more details about this incident? Were there Chinese casualties? Wang Wenbin: China follows closely the recent conflict in northern Myanmar. We strongly deplore the Chinese casualties caused by the conflict, and have lodged serious demarches to relevant parties. China once again asks all parties to the conflict to reach immediate ceasefire, take concrete actions and stop any malicious incident that endangers the tranquility in the China-Myanmar border area and Chinese lives and property from happening again. China will take necessary measures to safeguard the lives and property of Chinese nationals. Global Times: Sartaj Aziz, former Financial Minister, Foreign Minister, and advisor to the Pakistani Prime Minister on national security and foreign affairs, passed away in Islamabad on January 2. He was very friendly to China. Does China have any comment on his passing? Wang Wenbin: Mr. Aziz was a veteran statesman, strategist and economic expert and also a long-standing good friend of the Chinese people. He devoted himself abidingly to Pakistans prosperity. He spared no effort in advancing China-Pakistan relations and did so with great passion. He made outstanding contribution to China-Pakistan friendship and cooperation, especially the launch and development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. We mourn Mr. Azizs passing and would like to extend sincere sympathies to his family. Reuters: Over 10 countries, including the US, Australia, Canada, Germany and Japan issued a joint statement yesterday to urge the Houthis to immediately halt their attack in the Red Sea. Why didnt China condemn the Houthis? Wang Wenbin: The Red Sea is an important international trade route for goods and energy. Keeping the region safe and stable serves the common interest of the international community. China stands for protecting the safety of international sea lanes and against causing disturbance to civilian ships. We believe all parties need to play a constructive and responsible role in keeping the shipping lanes safe in the Red Sea. AFP: Chinese military said it has been conducting patrols in the South China Sea yesterday and today. This coincides with joint naval drills held by the United States and the Philippines. Could you describe the Chinese patrols such as their precise location and main goals? Wang Wenbin: The Southern Theater Command of the PLA has released relevant information. We would like to stress that the US and the Philippines muscle-flexing, provocative military activities in the South China Sea are not conducive to managing the situation on the sea and handling maritime disputes. We urge relevant countries to stop the irresponsible moves, and respect regional countries effort to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea. China will continue to firmly safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and make active efforts to uphold peace and tranquility in the region. China Review News: Its reported that recently when entering the US border, several Chinese students suffered from lengthy interrogation and their cellphones, computers and other electronic devices were inspected. Some of them saw their visas revoked and were given 5-year ban from entering the US. Whats your comment? Wang Wenbin: The US has long been wantonly suppressing and ill-treating Chinese students traveling to the US with lawful and valid identifications and visas. Some of the students were interrogated, confined, forced into confession, induced and even deported without just cause. Every month for the past few months, the US deported dozens of Chinese arriving in the US, including students. This is a clear case of selective, discriminatory and politically motivated law enforcement. We strongly deplore and firmly oppose this. The US likes to portray itself as open, inclusive and a place for academic freedom, but it wrongly adopted Proclamation 10043 and put it into force, overstretched the concept of national security, politicized and weaponized academic research and repeatedly interrogated, harassed and deported Chinese students. Such behavior has seriously undermined the students lawful rights and interests and poisoned the atmosphere for China-US people-to-people exchanges. It goes against the two Presidents agreement to promote and facilitate people-to-people exchanges and the two peoples shared desire for more friendly exchanges. China urges the US to act on its commitment of welcoming Chinese students to study in the US, withdraw the unjust Proclamation 10043 and stop bullying and restricting Chinese students in the name of national security. The US needs to ensure the security and lawful rights and interests of Chinese students and scholars in the US and take concrete steps to support and facilitate people-to-people exchanges and cross-border travel between the two countries as it has promised. China will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely protect Chinese citizens lawful rights and interests. We also remind Chinese students traveling to the US to be mindful of such risks. An employee counts Vietnamese banknotes at a bank in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy Vietnam disbursed VND580 trillion ($23.78 billion) in public investment last year, 82% of the set goal by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. High disbursement rates of 85-95% were recorded among the State Bank of Vietnam, Ministry of Transport, and Ministry of Defense. Localities that posted a 90% or higher rate included Long An, Dong Thap and Ca Mau in southern Vietnam and Quang Ngai in the central region. Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong said that public fund disbursement was one of the economic bright spots last year, which helped put nearly 700 kilometers of expressways into operation in efforts to have 3,000 kilometers nationwide by 2025. But some government bodies and state-owned firms posted a low disbursement rate of under 20% such as the Ethnic Committee, Tobacco Corp and Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park Management Board. Ho Chi Minh City disbursed 39% of plan, while the rate of the central province of Phu Yen is 29.4% and the northern province of Hoa Binh 26%. LAS VEGAS, Jan. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- We proudly announce the grand opening of the Las Vegas Buddhist Temple and Asian Cultural Center January 2024, previously known as the Nevada Buddhist Association. Rising from the ashes of a tragic accidental fire in October 2019 that destroyed the original Temple, the new Temple stands as a testament to resilience, unity, and the enduring spirit of the community it serves. Las Vegas Buddhist Temple and Asian Cultural Center Grand Opening January 2024 Visit www.Temple.Vegas Post this Las Vegas Buddhist Temple and Asian Cultural Center Fire that destroyed the previous Temple and the amazing journey that took place to rebuild the new Temple Abbess Venerable Hui Kuang, Deputy Abbess Venerable Yin Kin, and Director Venerable Man Jing Mr. Newman Arndt and his Husband Mr. Johnathon Arndt, Ms. Eva Chin and Mr. Prince Kopp Established in 1989 by the esteemed Abbess Venerable Hui Kuang under the Humanistic Buddhism teachings of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the original Temple served as a beacon of spiritual guidance and community service in Nevada for over three decades. In May 2021, the legacy of the former Temple touched the hearts of philanthropists Mr. Newman Arndt and his husband Mr. Johnathon Arndt. Introduced by devoted Buddhist disciple Mr. Steven Chow to the Abbess Venerable Hui Kuang, Deputy Abbess Venerable Yin Kin, and Director Venerable Man Jing, the Arndts felt a deep-seated calling to contribute to the rebirth of this spiritual haven. Imbued with a profound sense of purpose, the Las Vegas Buddhist Temple is dedicated to sharing the wisdom of Dharma, echoing the timeless teachings of Sakyamuni Buddha. It is a sanctuary where souls can gather, hearts can find solace, and minds can awaken to the profound truths of Buddhism, enriching lives with the tranquil rhythms of ancient wisdom. Moved by the Temple's rich history and determined to overcome the financial challenges that hindered its rebuilding, Mr. Newman Arndt and Mr. Johnathon Arndt stepped forward as donors and underwriters, embodying the role of both benefactors and designers of the new Temple. Offering state-of-the-art technology to disseminate the enduring wisdom of Buddhist teachings to a global audience the new Temple will now be able to offer continued education and inspiration to all. Working closely with Abbess Venerable Hui Kuang, Deputy Abbess Venerable Yin Kin, and Director Venerable Man Jing and development director, Mr. Corey Yanke, Mr. Newman Arndt and Mr. Johnathon Arndt envisioned a grander purpose for the new Temple the creation of an Asian Cultural Center. This Center would serve as a vibrant bridge between Eastern and Western cultures, collaborating with a harmonious coexistence among diverse cultures, religions, and generations. Funded generously by Mr. Newman Arndt and his husband Mr. Johnathon Arndt, the Asian Cultural Center will not only continue the tradition of imparting ancient Buddhist teachings and promoting Asian cultural programs, but also emphasize education, philanthropy, and community engagement. Partnering with international universities, the Center aims to offer the younger generation greater access to explore Asian cultures. The educational fund will support scholarship programs, reflecting the Center's commitment to global development. In the spirit of philanthropy, the Asian Cultural Center will support non-profit organizations worldwide, ranging from orphanages, student scholarships, food banks to animal rescue projects, thus extending its reach beyond local boundaries. As we step into 2024, we cordially invite you to join us in celebrating the grand opening of the Las Vegas Buddhist Temple and Asian Cultural Center. Experience a transformative journey of Buddhist teachings and Asian culture, right in the nexus of Las Vegas, within the sacred sanctuary that has been reborn with renewed vigor, purpose, and unity. Visit www.Temple.Vegas 4189 S. Jones Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89103 SOURCE Las Vegas Buddhist Temple and Asian Cultural Center Home sponsored by Bass Pro Shops and Lennar BULVERDE, Texas, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Helping a Hero, a non-profit providing support for military personnel severely injured in the war on terror, Bass Pro Shops, and Lennar, one of the nation's leading homebuilders, recently welcomed U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Scott Adams (Ret.), to his brand-new Lennar home adapted to make daily life easier for the amputee injured by an explosion while on duty in Iraq. The new Lennar home is in the master-planned Hidden Trails community in Bulverde, TX, near San Antonio. Helping a Hero, a non-profit providing support for military personnel severely injured in the war on terror, Bass Pro Shops, and Lennar, one of the nation's leading homebuilders, recently welcomed U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Scott Adams (Ret.), to his brand-new Lennar home adapted to make daily life easier for the amputee injured by an explosion while on duty in Iraq. The new Lennar home is in the master-planned Hidden Trails community in Bulverde, TX, near San Antonio. Neighbors lined the streets waving American flags and holding handmade signs cheering "Welcome Home, SSG Adams." Adams was greeted by special guests Helping a Hero Founder Meredith Iler; SSGT Daniel Gilyeat, USMC (Ret) and Helping A Hero Home recipient; SSG Shilo Harris, USA (Ret) and Helping A Hero Home recipient; and Brian Barron, Division President for Lennar's San Antonio Division and Jeff Sarver, Area Construction Manager for Lennar San Antonio. The home was part of Helping a Hero's 100 Homes Challenge, which was launched by Johnny Morris, Founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops. Lennar has joined the effort and committed to building 10 homes for Helping a Hero as part of the 100 Homes Challenge. Homes by Lennar are being built in Texas, Arizona, Florida and Colorado with more homes to be added. Lennar worked with Helping a Hero to adapt the new home a single-story Kimball plan showcasing Lennar's Next Gen home-within-a-home design. The 2,792-square-foot home includes four bedrooms and three baths. The design will be adapted for accessibility and the flexible Next Gen suite can be used for various purposes. The main home features an open-concept main living area with direct access to an expansive covered patio. In addition to the owner's suite with a spa-style bathroom and zero-threshold accessible shower, there are two secondary bedrooms and a two-car garage. Hidden Trails is one of the newest master-planned communities in Bulverde close to the city, but away from it all. The beautiful community features multiple amenities including miles of walking trails, swimming pools, fitness center, monthly community events and more. "It's overwhelming for me and my family to have such a beautiful home personalized for our unique needs," said Adams. "This home is beyond anything I have ever imagined. I am incredibly grateful to Helping a Hero, Lennar and Bass Pro Shops for making my dream come true." "After celebrating 30 years of marriage, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Scott Adams (Ret.), was faced with the crisis of his life. His wife and caregiver, Susie, became wheelchair bound. He stepped up and pressed through his own pain to serve her. This home will allow Scott and Susie to be as independent as possible inside the home while allowing a caregiver to live in the attached Next Gen One Bedroom fully equipped living suite. A special thank you to Lennar for bringing this Next Gen model to San Antonio as it is a perfect fit for the Adams family," said Meredith Iler. "As a wounded warrior myself, I think about Scott's situation and how your life changes from that moment forward. When our Lennar team had an opportunity to design this home, I said, "put me first in line," said Jeff Sarver, Area Construction Manager for Lennar San Antonio. " I'm so proud to be part of a team of Lennar Associates and our trade partners that joined forces to create this beautiful home for Scott and his family. It's incredible to see their smiles and how happy they are. I can't wait to see them move in and begin enjoying their new home." Staff Sgt. Adams joined the Army in 1986 right out of high school and served six deployments to Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. On his sixth deployment, Adams was on patrol near Baghdad when two anti-tank mines laced with white phosphorus ripped through his vehicle. Adams was engulfed in flames and sustained third- and fourth-degree burns over 50% of his body. Adams also sustained injuries to his back, neck, spinal cord, and lungs. He lost most of his sweat glands despite plastic surgery that minimizes the burn damage to the naked eye. Regulating body temperature is almost impossible, which requires Adams to keep his interior air temperature at home at 64 degrees. Adams uses a cane and tries to be as independent as possible. His wife, Susie, has been his primary care giver since 2007, but after moving to San Antonio in 2020, she suffered a spinal embolism and now requires the use of a wheelchair. About Helping a Hero: Texas-based Helping a Hero is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization providing support for military personnel severely injured in the war on terror. Our principal activity is to provide specially adapted homes for qualifying service members as well as engage the community to provide services and resources for our wounded heroes and their families. Home recipients include veterans whose permanent injuries from combat have left them paraplegics, quadriplegics, amputees, blind, with severe burns and other injuries. Helping A Hero provides additional support programs including marriage retreats, caregiver retreats, recreational activities, and emergency needs support. Helping a Hero Outdoors has expanded to serve our heroes through hunting and fishing outings. About the 100 Homes Challenge: Johnny Morris, founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops and noted conservationist, launched the 100 Homes Challenge and committed to fund 25 percent of the cost of the next 100 Helping a Hero homes. Helping a Hero invites the public to join Johnny Morris in the 100 Homes Challenge by making a donation, however large or small, to help to fund the other 75 percent of the cost of these homes. Helping A Hero is accepting applications from Post 9-11 wounded warriors needing a specially adapted home due to their combat injuries to become part of the 100 Homes Challenge. We also invite the public to Nominate a Hero. Both the home application and the Nominate a Hero form are available on our website at www.helpingahero.org. About Lennar Corporation Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation's leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar's Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title and closing services primarily for buyers of Lennar's homes and, through LMF Commercial, originates mortgage loans secured primarily by commercial real estate properties throughout the United States. Lennar's Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. LENX drives Lennar's technology, innovation and strategic investments. Contact: Danielle Tocco Vice President Communications Lennar Corporation [email protected] Direct Line: 949.789.1633 SOURCE Lennar Corporation ML-Ephant Machine Learning API Joins KittyCAD Design API to Create Zoo Ecosystem, Laying the Foundation For A Modern Hardware Design Toolkit ML-Ephant Offers Open Source Text-To-CAD UI to Create CAD Models From Natural Language Text Prompts LOS ANGELES, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's only company to develop advanced tools for hardware design announced today the creation of Zoo, a new company that includes KittyCAD and ML-ephant APIs. Zoo creates an ecosystem with the infrastructure to allow anyone to develop, use, and customize modern hardware tools, while also offering pre-built tools. "Design demands have outpaced today's hardware design infrastructure, and the industry is due for a refresh. At Zoo, we believe that no designer should be limited by their tools," says Jordan Noone, Zoo's co-founder and Executive Chairman, who also led Relativity Space's technical development as CTO and co-founder for five years. The newest addition to Zoo, ML-ephant bridges machine learning and hardware design by shortcutting from design intent to a CAD model. Starting with ML-ephant's Text-to-CAD endpoint, designers can build prompt interfaces to generate starter CAD models through text prompts. The machine learning behind ML-ephant is trained on Zoo's proprietary data sets and utilizes KittyCAD Design API, which is built on Zoo's custom, GPU-native Geometry Engine, to programmatically analyze training data and generate CAD files. "With the addition of ML-ephant and the creation of the Zoo ecosystem, we are building on the groundwork we've laid with the KittyCAD Design API to add machine learning capabilities to design tools never before possible," says Jessie Frazelle, Zoo's co-founder and CEO, who was previously Chief Product Officer at Oxide Computer Company and long-time infrastructure engineer. Zoo offers a secure infrastructure that is built to help businesses grow efficiently. The company's KittyCAD and ML-ephant APIs help designers increase productivity by automating workflows and creating customized tools. Zoo's proprietary Geometry Engine does the computation for geometry processing and visualization rendering, allowing for tools to be built for any device or operating system. To learn more, visit Zoo . ABOUT ZOO Zoo is the world's only company to develop advanced tools for hardware design. Its ecosystem consists of the KittyCAD Design API and the ML-ephant Machine Learning API, creating an infrastructure that allows anyone to develop, use and customize modern hardware tools. Zoo was incubated within Embedded Ventures with additional investors including Venrex Partners, USC's Viterbi School of Engineering, Gaingels, Kelvin Beachum, Matt Terrell, Undeterred Capital, Chestnut Street Ventures, Liquid 2, Tom Preston-Werner's Family Office, Madrona Venture Group, Bernie Lagrange, and Nat Friedman. Zoo is led by co-founders Jordan Noone, Jenna Bryant and Jessie Frazelle. ABOUT ML-EPHANT ML-ephant is Zoo's machine learning API, bridging machine learning and hardware design by shortcutting from design intent to a CAD model. ABOUT KITTYCAD KittyCAD is Zoo's Design API, built from the ground up on Zoo's custom, GPU-native Geometry Engine, offering modern infrastructure for hardware design. For more information: Zoo, [email protected] Erin Haworth, High10 Media for Zoo, [email protected] SOURCE Zoo SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Display, the world's leading innovator of display technologies, announced today that it has successfully completed the development of its 27-inch 480Hz QHD Gaming OLED display and prepared an official showcase for CES 2024, opening a new era of OLEDs featuring ultra-high refresh rates. LG Display Unveils Industrys First 480Hz QHD Gaming OLED Display at CES 2024 LG Display's latest Gaming OLED display leverages the company's unique OLED technology, which allows each pixel to emit light independently without a backlight unit, to deliver an unprecedented 480Hz refresh rate, immersive QHD (2,560 x 1,440) resolution, and the fastest response time (0.03ms) of any panel on the market today, combining to realize the optimal gaming experience for avid gamers. The display's 480Hz refresh rate represents its ability to generate 480 images per second. A higher refresh rate is considered a crucial element in gaming monitors as it makes gameplay smoother and clearer, even during rapid screen transitions. LG Display's Gaming OLED displays offer enhanced image quality through the company's cutting-edge 'META Technology,' which crucially incorporates a 'Micro Lens Array (MLA)' to maximize the emission of organic light from the OLED panel and minimize external light reflections during darker scenes. The company's Gaming OLEDs emit the lowest level of blue light in the industry and approximately half the amount emitted by premium LCDs. This reduction in blue light not only minimizes eye fatigue but also eliminates flickers, providing gamers with more comfortable and enjoyable gaming sessions. LG Display is set to launch the 27-inch 480Hz QHD Gaming OLED display during the first half of the year. Meanwhile, the company will unveil its full lineup of Gaming OLED displays in sizes 27, 31.5, 34, 39, and 45 inches at CES 2024 as it announces its entry into the high-end gaming display market. LG Display's Gaming OLED displays in the 30-inch range are the latest additions to the already impressive lineup. Most notably, the new 34- and 39-inch Gaming OLED displays offer an ultra-wide (21:9) aspect ratio for an immersive gaming experience, while the 31.5-inch panel supports a UHD (3840x2160) resolution that makes it suitable not only for gaming but also for office work and content consumption. "To strengthen our leadership in the high-end gaming display market, we will continue to harness the power of OLED's distinctive qualities such as ultra-high refresh rates, fast response times, and perfect black for next-level viewing experiences," said Won-seok Kang, Vice President and Head of the Large Display Product Planning Division at LG Display. About LG Display LG Display Co., Ltd. [NYSE: LPL, KRX: 034220] is the world's leading innovator of display technologies, including thin-film transistor liquid crystal and OLED displays. The company manufactures display panels in a broad range of sizes and specifications primarily for use in TVs, notebook computers, desktop monitors, automobiles, and various other applications, including tablets and mobile devices. LG Display currently operates manufacturing facilities in Korea and China, and back-end assembly facilities in Korea, China, and Vietnam. The company has approximately 70,707 employees operating worldwide. For more news and information about LG Display, please visit www.lgdisplay.com . Media Contact: Joo Yeon Jennifer Ha, Manager, Communication Team Email: hjy05@lgdisplay.com SOURCE LG Display VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Luca Mining Corp. ("Luca" or the "Company") (TSXV: LUCA) (OTCQX: LUCMF) (Frankfurt: Z68) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa Dea as Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), effective January 2, 2024. Lisa Dea, CPA, CA, is a highly experienced financial executive with over three decades of expertise in finance, securities, and accounting. As the former Chief Financial Officer of Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd., a TSX-V listed mid-tier producing silver company, Ms. Dea played a pivotal role in strategically reactivating past producing silver and gold mines in central Mexico. Her comprehensive skills span corporate and M&A activities, debt and capital markets, operations, financial reporting, and human resources. Ms. Dea has a proven track record of successfully negotiating and completing numerous debt and equity deals, fostering and maintaining banking relationships with international institutions, and leading teams with a focus on collaboration and mentorship. Holding a Chartered Accountant designation earned in 1997 and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia, Lisa Dea has been instrumental in overseeing all aspects of finance and legal functions, implementing structural controls, governance, and fiscal policies throughout her career. With a strong foundation built during her eleven-year tenure at Deloitte & Touche LLP, where she achieved the position of Senior Manager, Ms. Dea's strategic financial management has been evident in her roles as the CFO of several TSX, TSX-v, CSX and ASX listed companies throughout her career in the finance industry. CEO, Mike Struthers, stated, "I'm very pleased to announce Lisa joining the Luca team. She brings a wealth of experience both corporately and in operations. Her recent experience in Mexican mines is directly relevant and will be invaluable as Luca continues to optimise administrative and accounting functions at the mines and corporately, especially at our new gold mine at Tahuehueto. Lisa will quickly become a valuable leading member of the Vancouver-based team, and her strategic experience will also help shape Luca's future. Welcome Lisa." The Company also extends its sincere gratitude to Mr. Omar Garcia Abrego for his dedicated service as the CFO over the last 7 years, significantly contributing to the Company's current success. Mr. Abrego will continue to support Luca Mining Corp. as a consultant over the coming weeks, facilitating a seamless transition. The Company announces that pursuant to its Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, it has granted incentive stock options to purchase an aggregate 200,000 shares in the capital stock of the Company. The options will be exercisable at a price of $0.35 per share for a period of 5 years. Board Resignation The Company also announces the resignation of Ralph Shearing from the Board of Directors. Ralph, the founder of our company, has played an instrumental role in shaping Luca Mining's trajectory from its inception over 30 years ago. His leadership and unwavering commitment have been a cornerstone, guiding the company through challenging times in the public markets, ensuring its survival and growth. While Ralph steps down from the Board, we are pleased to announce that he will continue to contribute to our future growth as an advisor to the company. We extend our heartfelt appreciation for his dedication and tireless efforts and wish him continued success in his future endeavors. "On behalf of the Company I want to thank Ralph for his dedication to laying the foundations for Luca to become a successful mining company", commented Mike Struthers, CEO. "On a personal note, I also want to thank Ralph for ensuring such a smooth transition when I joined Luca. Ralph is a consummate professional and has always put the interests of the Company and its shareholders first and foremost. I look forwards to continuing to draw on Ralph's knowledge of the projects as we push forwards with our plans for 2024." About Luca Mining Corp. Luca Mining Corp. is a Canadian based mining company with two 100% owned Mexican gold, silver, and base metal mining projects. With one mine ramping up, and another going through an optimisation program, the Company expects these operations to achieve consistent positive free cash flow during 2024. Luca's Tahuehueto Mine is a new underground gold mine in northwestern Durango State, Mexico, located within the prolific Sierra Madre Mineral Belt which hosts numerous producing and historic mines along its trend. Currently in the final stages of construction to the nameplate capacity of 1,000 tonnes per day, Tahuehueto is on track to become a significant and one of Mexico's newest gold mines to come into production. The Pre-Feasibility Study updated in 2022 contemplates an operation achieving production of 40,000 ounces gold-equivalent per year, with approximately 75% of the revenues from precious metals, and a 10-year mine life. The Campo Morado Mine, located in Guerrero State, Mexico, is an operating underground base and precious metals mine with a throughput of approximately 600,000 tonnes per year, producing zinc, copper, and lead concentrates with significant precious metals credits. It is currently undergoing an optimisation program which is already generating significant improvements in recoveries and grades, and cashflows. Visit: www.lucamining.com On Behalf of the Board of Directors (signed) "Mike Struthers" Mike Struthers, CEO and Director Cautionary Note Regarding Production Decisions and Forward-Looking Statements It should be noted that Luca declared commercial production at Campo Morado prior to completing a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. Accordingly, readers should be cautioned that Luca's production decision has been made without a comprehensive feasibility study of established reserves such that there is greater risk and uncertainty as to future economic results from the Campo Morado mine and a higher technical risk of failure than would be the case if a feasibility study were completed and relied upon to make a production decision. Luca has completed a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") mining study on the Campo Morado mine that provides a conceptual life of mine plan and a preliminary economic analysis based on the previously identified mineral resources (see News Release dated November 8, 2017, and April 4,2018). Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding the planned program to improve mining operations at Campo Morado; and other possible events, conditions or financial performance that are based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action; the timing and costs of future activities on the Company's properties, such as production rates and increases; success of exploration, development and bulk sample processing activities, and timing for processing at its own mineral processing facility on the Tahuehueto project site. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified using words and phrases such as "plans," "expects," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "anticipates" or variations of such words and phrases. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, that the current exploration, development, environmental and other objectives concerning the Campo Morado Mine and the Tahuehueto Project can be achieved; that the program to improve mining operations at Campo Morado will proceed as planned; the continuity of the price of gold and other metals, economic and political conditions, and operations. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Luca Mining Corp. Cutting-edge UltraSharp monitors deliver the best screen performance, now with world's first 5K monitor with eye comfort certification. Author: Yoon Lee, Vice President, Displays, Dell Technologies AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Raising the bar and becoming a CES 2024 Innovation Award Honoree, Dell Technologies is introducing the world's first 40-inch 5K monitor certified for five-star eye comfort,1 the Dell UltraSharp 40 Curved ThunderboltTM Hub Monitor (U4025QW). Marking nine years of being an industry leader in PC monitors2, Dell continues to push the boundaries of display innovation, bridging the gap for those who demand ultimate performance with the best technology and design. Dell UltraSharp 40 and 34 Curved Thunderbolt Monitors (U4025QW and U3425WE) Whether you're a content creator, data scientist or engineer, or you just need a monitor to keep you in your flowa device with the best value in precision and efficiency is critical to keeping you productive in any work environment. Known for outstanding visuals, the U4025QW is a must-have for professionals who require clarity and remarkable color. This ultrawide curved VESA DisplayHDR 600 certified monitor comes with IPS Black Panel technology for greater color contrast and intricate detail in 5K resolution (5120x2160). Enhancing Eye Health with the New UltraSharp Monitor As we continue to innovate to provide the best viewing experience, we have also partnered with TUV Rheinland in enhancing eye wellness. Dell's UltraSharp monitors are the first to have TUV Rheinland five-star eye comfort certification, a new industry standard for eye comfort to help reduce signs of eye fatigue. Dell was the first to meet this new industry standard by achieving three things: We doubled the refresh rate, going from a 60Hz to 120Hz refresh rate, to deliver smoother and sharper motion visuals.3 We built in an ambient light sensor to automatically adjust screen brightness and color temperature according to ambient light condition. Recent studies show this can reduce the frequency of eye fatigue signs by 7% to 17% compared to a screen maintaining constant brightness. 4 We improved Dell ComfortView Plus by reducing harmful blue light exposures with more advanced LED backlight, going from 50% exposure to less than 35% exposure. Research shows this can reduce signs of eye fatigue by 8% after 50 minutes of performing a search task. 5 Precision, Productivity and Convenience When it comes to tasks requiring pinpoint color accuracy, a monitor isn't just a luxuryit's a necessity for ensuring your work looks as vibrant and true-to-form as intended. This monitor boasts a 99% DCI-P3 / Display P3 color space, perfect for those color-critical tasks. Users can also easily calibrate the colors on their screen with Dell Color Management software.6 This monitor goes above and beyond with its connectivity options, offering Thunderbolt 4 for single-cable convenience with up to 140W power delivery. It also supports high-speed wired Ethernet connectivity at 2.5 Gbps via RJ45, along with HDMI 2.1 FRL (Fixed Rate Link) and DisplayPort 1.4 for smooth image transmission, minimizing any loss in visual quality. The UltraSharp monitor is presented in a premium platinum silver finish for a clean aesthetic, and its intuitively designed front-facing quick access ports make it easy to connect your external devices. If you're looking for a smaller size display, the new Dell UltraSharp 34 Curved ThunderboltTM Hub Monitor (U3425WE) will be available with WQHD resolution (3440x1440) and offers many of the same great features including TUV Rheinland five-star eye comfort certification, IPS Black technology and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity (up to 90W power delivery). Advancing Sustainability We have increased our commitment to more sustainable materials in both production and packaging processes. Made from 100% recycled and/or renewable content,7 the packaging used to protect the UltraSharp monitors brings us one step closer to meeting our ambitious 2030 Goals. Both the U4025QW and U3425WE monitors are made from 85% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic8 and 100% recycled aluminum. These monitors also meet the latest environmental standards such as EnergyStar and TCO Certified Edge and are EPEAT Gold9 registered. Dell is an EPEAT Climate+ champion and has the industry's widest portfolio of monitors10 achieving the EPEAT Climate+ designation, meaning these products have met the industry's best practices for sustainability and emissions reductions. See the Difference Check out our official CES 2024 press kit here for more information on each of the announcements and find out about our CES 2024 Innovation Award Honorees here. Follow and stay connected with us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. Pricing and Availability Dell UltraSharp 40 Curved Thunderbolt TM Hub Monitor (U4025QW), starting at $2,399.99 (US) and $3,289.99 (CA) available globally beginning February 27, 2024 Hub Monitor (U4025QW), starting at (US) and (CA) available globally beginning Dell Ultrasharp 34 Curved ThunderboltTM Hub Monitor (U3425WE), starting at $1,019.99 (US) and $1,399.99 (CA) available globally beginning February 27, 2024 1 Based on Dell analysis of 5120 x 2160 resolution monitors, August 2023 2 Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly PC Monitor Tracker, Q3 2023 3 Based on research performed by the Light and Health Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, using a model developed by Denes, et al (2020). Results will vary. https://doi.org/10.1145/3386569.3392411 [doi.org] 4 Based on calculations performed by the Light and Health Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, using a model developed by Hou et al. (2021). Results will vary. 5 Based on research performed by the Light and Health Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, using a model developed by Chen et al. (2017). Results will vary. 6 Compatible with external colorimeter (Portrait Displays: C6 HDR2000, X-Rite: i1Display Pro, i1Display Pro Plus, Klein Instruments: K10, Calibrate: ColorChecker Display Pro, ColorChecker Display Plus), sold separately 7 By weight of the total weight of plastic parts in product. Excludes printed circuit boards, labels, cables, connectors, electronic components, optical components, ESD components, EMI components adhesives, and coatings. 8 For select models only. Certified by Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). FSC is an international, non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world's forests. FSC's certification system enables businesses and consumers to choose wood, paper and other forest products made with materials that support responsible forestry. 9 EPEAT registered where applicable. EPEAT registration varies by country. See www.epeat.net for registration status by country. 10 Based on EPEAT Climate+ Designations achieved in all applicable countries. EPEAT registered where applicable. EPEAT registration varies by country. See www.epeat.net for registration status and tier levels by country. Data as available in October 2023. SOURCE Dell Technologies Appoints new vice president of marketing and vice president of growth strategy MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, Wash., Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mindful Therapy Group (Mindful), a collaborative network of over 1,000 licensed, independent mental health clinicians, today announced the addition of two new executive leaders. Stephen Oshyn joins as Vice President of Growth & Strategy and Jason Wilensky, MBA, joins as Vice President of Marketing. In addition to the new hires, Krystal Tonning has been elevated to Executive Vice President and Ryan Bourke has been promoted to Vice President of Operations. "Jason and Stephen are tremendous additions to our leadership team, bringing decades of experience in marketing and corporate strategy," said Derek Crain, co-founder and CEO of Mindful. "With these appointments and promotions, we are positioning Mindful Therapy Group to continue to rapidly scale not only in the Pacific Northwest but into other markets in 2024, including Arizona and Colorado." As Vice President of Growth Strategy, Oshyn will focus on exploring new market opportunities and ensuring sustainable growth through implementing best-in-class planning processes and strategies. Previously, Oshyn held senior management roles at well-known brands like Target, Amazon, and T-Mobile. Most recently he was vice president of strategy at Freshly, where he oversaw the overall corporate roadmap, identifying priorities and establishing programs around them. Joining as Vice President of Marketing, Wilensky brings more than 20 years of experience in business leadership, marketing, and sales. In his new role, Wilensky will lead the development and execution of marketing strategies that drive brand awareness, lead generation for new patients and providers, and support the overall growth of the company. Wilenksy has held various senior marketing roles at tech, healthcare, and consumer companies, most recently serving as director of marketing for Sound Physicians. "We are investing in our people because we see great opportunity ahead to advance our mission to improve access to high-quality and comprehensive mental health care in our communities," said Crain. In 2023, Mindful opened three new offices in Tacoma and Spokane, Wash., and Portland, OR, raising its total network of therapy offices to 11. In 2023, it added 483 new providers to its collaborative network and logged 700,000 total therapy sessions, including more than 12,000 new patient visits. It also announced a new partnership with the Seattle Seahawks on the team's Mental Health Matters Campaign and amplifying conversations on the importance of mental health. For more information about Mindful Therapy Group, visit mindfultherapygroup.com. Clinicians interested in joining Mindful can visit mindfulsupportservices.com. About Mindful Therapy Group Mindful Therapy Group (Mindful) is improving access to high-quality and comprehensive mental health care through its diverse and collaborative network of over 1,000 licensed, independent clinicians serving more than 15,000 clients weekly in Washington and Oregon. Its network of therapists covers hundreds of specialty areas such as depression, anxiety, relationship problems, behavioral and learning disorders like ADHD and more. Mindful was established in 2011 and has 11 offices throughout Washington, including Mountlake Terrace, Northgate, Fremont, Downtown Seattle (Elliott Bay), Southcenter, Vancouver, Tacoma and Spokane; and three offices in the Greater Portland Area, including Tigard, Sylvan, and close-in Northeast. For more information about Mindful Therapy Group, visit mindfultherapygroup.com. Clinicians interested in joining Mindful can visit mindfulsupportservices.com. SOURCE Mindful Therapy Group Application Deadline is March 15, 2024 OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced today that scholarship applications are now being accepted for college-bound high schoolers as well as current college and continuing education students with a primary residence in Northern and Central California. More than $200,000 is being made available through scholarships created by PG&E's 11 employee resource groups (ERG) and two engineering network groups (ENG). These groups support and advance diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging within PG&E and the hometowns it serves. These scholarships are awarded annually to help offset the cost of higher education. ERG and ENG scholarship winners will receive awards ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 for exemplary scholastic achievement and community leadership. PG&E ERG and ENG scholarship information, including criteria and applications, is available on PG&E's website. To be considered for a scholarship, all applications must be submitted by March 15, 2024. "Our ERG and ENG scholarships support the ambitions and dreams of young people in our communities. These awards help develop our future leaders and breakthrough thinkers and are part of how we're living our purpose at PG&Edelivering for our hometowns, serving our planet, and leading with love," said Marie Waugh, PG&E Vice President, Chief Talent, Culture and Inclusion Officer. Making an impact "I am the first in my family to go to school in America and the costs of higher education came as a big shock to us. Thanks to this scholarship, college has become more affordable for me. Earning a computer science degree will help me enter the tech industry and make an impact on my community through technology," said Megan Jacob, a 2023 National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) ENG scholarship recipient, who's majoring in computer science at UCLA. Since 1989, PG&E's ERGs and ENGs have awarded more than $6 million in scholarships to thousands of recipients. The funds are raised entirely through employee donations, employee fundraising events and Campaign for the Community, the company's employee giving program. More than 6,000 of PG&E's 26,000 coworkers belong to ERGs and ENGs. Each group helps further the company's commitment to serving its hometowns and growing coworker engagement. PG&E's ERG and ENG scholarships are available through these 13 groups: Access Network (individuals with disabilities) AAPI (Asian American, Pacific Islander) Black Latino Legacy (tenured coworkers) MEENA ( Middle East , Europe , and North Africa ) , , and ) National Society of Black Engineers (STEM career coworkers) NuEnergy (newer coworkers) PrideNetwork (LGBTQ+ coworkers) Samahan (Filipino) Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers (STEM career coworkers) Veterans Women's Network Other scholarship opportunities Besides the ERG and ENG scholarships, the Pacific Service Employees Association (PSEA), a nonprofit mutual benefit organization serving PG&E coworkers and retirees, also provides scholarships for dependents of company coworkers. In addition, PG&E Corporation is providing STEM scholarships through its Better Together STEM scholarships program. About PG&E Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than sixteen million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA is inviting people to send their names to the surface of the Moon aboard the agency's first robotic lunar rover, VIPER short for Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover. The rover will embark on a mission to the lunar South Pole to unravel the mysteries of the Moon's water and better understand the environment where NASA plans to land the first woman and first person of color under its Artemis program. An artist's concept of the completed design of NASA's VIPER, or Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover. VIPER will get a close-up view of the location and concentration of ice and other resources at the Moon's South Pole, bringing us a significant step closer to NASA's ultimate goal of a long-term presence on the Moon - making it possible to eventually explore Mars and beyond. Credits: NASA/Daniel Rutter As part of the "Send Your Name with VIPER" campaign, NASA will accept names received before 11:59 p.m. EST, March 15. Once collected, the agency will take the names and attach them to the rover. To add your name, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/send-your-name-with-viper The site also enables participants to create and download a virtual souvenir a boarding pass to the VIPER mission featuring their name to commemorate the experience. Participants are encouraged to share their requests on social media using the hashtag #SendYourName. "With VIPER, we are going to study and explore parts of the Moon's surface no one has ever been to before and with this campaign, we are inviting the world to be part of that risky yet rewarding journey," said Nicola Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "Just think: Our names will ride along as VIPER navigates across the rugged terrain of the lunar South Pole and gathers valuable data that will help us better understand the history of the Moon and the environment where we plan to send Artemis astronauts." This campaign is like other NASA projects that have enabled tens of millions of people to send their names to ride along with Artemis I, several Mars spacecraft, and the agency's upcoming Europa Clipper mission. It draws from the agency's long tradition of shipping inspirational messages on spacecraft that have explored our solar system and beyond. "Our VIPER is a game-changer," said Daniel Andrews, VIPER's project manager at NASA's Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley. "It's the first mission of its kind, expanding our understanding of where lunar resources could be harvested to support a long-term human presence on the Moon." In late 2024, Astrobotic Technologies' Griffin Mission One is scheduled to deliver VIPER to the lunar surface after launching aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Once there, VIPER will rely on its solar panels and batteries for its roughly 100-day mission to survive extreme temperatures and challenging lighting conditions, while powering a suite of science instruments designed to gather data about the characteristics and concentrations of lunar ice and other possible resources. NASA's VIPER delivery is part of its CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative under the Artemis program. With CLPS, as well as with human exploration near the lunar South Pole, NASA will establish a long-term cadence of Moon missions in preparation for sending the first astronauts to Mars. The rover is part of the LDEP (Lunar Discovery and Exploration Program), managed by the Science Mission Directorate at the agency's headquarters and is executed through the Exploration Science Strategy and Integration Office. In addition to managing the mission, NASA Ames leads the mission's science, systems engineering, real-time rover surface operations, and flight software. The rover hardware is designed and built by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, while the instruments are provided by NASA Ames, the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and commercial partner Honeybee Robotics in Altadena, California. For more information about VIPER, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/viper SOURCE NASA Cain Pledges in Open Letter, with 200+ Military Veterans and Active-Duty Service Members, to Bring Justice to Those Military Leaders & Public Officials Who Cast Aside the Constitutional Rights of 1.3 Million Service Members In Forced Experimental Vaccine Mandate CHARLESTON, W.Va., Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nate Cain, a Republican candidate for Congress in West Virginia's 2nd District, is an original signer of the pledge to hold military leaders accountable for the vaccine mandate. This pledge comes as a response to the Biden administration's policy that all military personnel must be vaccinated against COVID-19 with an experimental vaccine. The vaccine forced upon the military had not been approved before given to our armed forces. Nate Cain, Candidate for Congress, WV-2 Cain, a former U.S. Army veteran, has been a vocal advocate for the rights and freedoms of military personnel. He believes that the forced and coerced use of experimental vaccines on service members is illegal and a gross violation of the Constitution. "I am proud to stand with my brothers and sisters at arms to honor the oath we've sworn," said Cain. "Accountability is coming for those who violated theirs. It's going to be prophetic." Along with more than 200 active service members and veterans led by Robert A. Green, Jr., an active duty Navy Commander and author of "Defending the Constitution Behind Enemy Lines," Cain pledges to hold military leaders accountable for the vaccine mandate. It has gained support from fellow veterans, members of the military community, and notable figures, such as General Flynn, Rep. Matt Gaetz, Rep. Andy Biggs, and Rep. Margorie Taylor Greene. In the open letter written by Green, Cain emphasized the actions that he and 231 veterans and active service members have pledged to do. It was important to Cain that this letter acknowledged the need for God's help and that all the actions they pledged to do was in accordance with the law. As the 2024 elections approach, Cain's pledge and stance on the vaccine mandate for military leaders is bold and a key issue in his campaign. He believes that it is crucial for elected officials to stand up for the rights and freedoms of those who serve and protect our country. "I am committed to fighting for the rights of our military members and holding those in power accountable for their actions," said Cain, "as there are potential repercussions on the future of our nation's armed forces and to national security." The original 231 signatures were solidified in this document as an article of history. They have opened a petition for the American people to support this effort: Declaration of Military Accountability #2024Accountability Contact: Nate Cain for Congress Communications Director [email protected] 844-750-0364 Nate Cain is a veteran and the FBI Federal Whistleblower written about in the Daily Caller. He submitted evidence to the DOJ IG, referenced in the Durham Report, page 78. Nate Cain is a Cyber Security Expert and founder of Cain & Associates. He worked extensively on election integrity, having been called on as an expert witness and cyber forensic investigator by Donald Trump's White House in the 2020 election. Nate Cain stands firmly with Donald Trump and endorses him for President of the United States. Cain is running as a Republican, the true Conservative candidate for US Congress in WV-2, www.NateCain4WV.com DONATE @NateCain4WV. #RaisingCain #2024Accountability Military Service: SOURCE Nate Cain for Congress Former Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Hoang Quoc Vuong at a police station. Photo courtesy of the police Former deputy minister of industry and trade Hoang Quoc Vuong was detained for investigations into violations at state-monopoly Vietnam Electricity (EVN). Vuong, 61, was arrested Tuesday on allegations of abuse of power, spokesman for the Ministry of Public Security To An Xo said Thursday. Vuong was arrested just one day after his retirement. He had held several positions, including deputy chairman of the Thai Nguyen Province People's Committee, before becoming Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade in August 2010. He became the chairman of the management board and Party committee secretary of EVN in September 2012. He left both positions at EVN in 2015 to return to his post as deputy trade minister. During his time as deputy minister from 2015 to 2020, he was in charge of electricity, renewable energy, environment, sustainable development and IT. In November 2020, he became the chairman of the management board of Petrovietnam. He retired on Jan. 1. Also related to the case at EVN and the trade ministry, the Ministry of Public Security launched investigations into six others for abuse of November last year. DUBLIN , Jan. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Natural Killer Cells Therapeutics Market: Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global natural killer cells therapeutics market is experiencing substantial growth, according to recent market analysis. In 2022, the market valuation stood at US$ 2.5 Billion, with projections indicating a surge to US$ 5.4 Billion by the year 2028. This leap reflects a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.70% during the forecast period of 2022-2028. The burgeoning demand for natural killer (NK) cell therapeutics is primarily driven by the escalating prevalence of cancer, infectious diseases, and liver disorders worldwide. These conditions, exacerbated by lifestyle factors such as poor nutrition, sedentary habits, pollution, and use of substances like alcohol and tobacco, necessitate advanced therapeutic options. Moreover, the aging population, particularly vulnerable to cancer, is also contributing to the market expansion. Current trends in the natural killer cells therapeutics market reveal a focus on enhancing the effectiveness of immunotherapies. Techniques include ex vivo conditioning with cytokines or drugs and the engineering of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) NK cells. The promise of allogeneic NK cell therapies, offering robust expansion and improved targeting features, underscores an era of sustained and potent anti-cancer immune responses. The regional analysis details market data across North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa, with insights into countries like the United States, Canada, China, Japan, India, and several others. Key Market Players and Industry Dynamics The competitive aspect of the market showcases an array of influential companies making strides in NK cell therapeutics, including those involved in developing innovative NK cell therapies and directed antibodies. These players are instrumental in driving forward novel treatments poised to change the paradigm of immune-mediated cancer therapies. The extensive report seeks to answer critical questions concerning market drivers, regional market performance, and the influence of COVID-19 on market dynamics. It also provides a comprehensive account of the current state and anticipated future of the global natural killer cells therapeutics market. Strategic Market Analysis Thorough market segmentation has been conducted in the research, providing intricate details across various categories. The report segments the market by therapeutics, application, and end-user, alongside a geographical analysis that encompasses key regions and countries actively participating in the natural killer cells therapeutics domain. Therapeutics: Includes NK Cell Therapies and NK Cell Directed Antibodies. Includes NK Cell Therapies and NK Cell Directed Antibodies. Application: Encompasses Cancer, Gastrointestinal Diseases, and Immunoproliferative Disorders. Encompasses Cancer, Gastrointestinal Diseases, and Immunoproliferative Disorders. End User: Highlights Hospitals and Research Centers and Institutes. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/i6z2kb About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC) issued an order in the application for a 2024 change in customer base rates by Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), a wholly-owned subsidiary of PNM Resources (NYSE: PNM). The order modified the recommended decision in the case and equates to an estimated increase in base rates of $15.3 million, based on a 9.26% return on equity and a 50% equity capitalization structure on $2,557 million of rate base. PNM had requested a $63.8 million increase to base rates. PNM's current authorized rates are based on a 9.575% return on equity with a 50% equity capitalization ratio. "We are disappointed with this outcome after holding rates steady for the past six years," said Pat Vincent-Collawn, Chairman and CEO of PNM Resources. "The transition to clean energy means our system is changing rapidly, requiring investments to upgrade the grid to maintain reliability while bringing solutions to customers at affordable prices. As we move forward it will require collaboration by stakeholders to achieve the clean energy transition while preserving the financial health of the utility." In addition to the changes made to the return on equity and equity capitalization structure, the final order also includes adjustments related to traditional legacy power sources: Disallowance of $64 million net rate base investments in the Four Corners coal plant, net rate base investments in the Four Corners coal plant, No return on $39 million of rate base associated with the Palo Verde leasehold improvements regulatory asset, as well as a of rate base associated with the Palo Verde leasehold improvements regulatory asset, as well as a Separate rate rider to refund $38 million associated with expiration of Palo Verde leases over two years. The order also postpones recovery of $55 million of rate base investments that may be requested again in PNM's next filing and $9 million of adjustments to forecasted annual costs. PNM will evaluate the final order and consider its next steps, including the potential appeal of certain issues. Additionally, PNM plans to file its next rate case during 2024 with rates requested to be implemented during 2025. ADDITIONAL DETAILS ON WEBSITE Additional information detailing the estimated ongoing earnings impacts of the order, including continuation of the 5% long-term earnings growth target, are available at https://www.pnmresources.com/investors/events-and-presentations.aspx. Customer rates under the order are expected to take effect in January 2024. The order and additional materials pertaining to the filings are available at https://www.pnmresources.com/investors/rates-and-filings.aspx. Background: PNM Resources (NYSE: PNM) is an energy holding company based in Albuquerque, N.M., with 2022 consolidated operating revenues of $2.2 billion. Through its regulated utilities, PNM and TNMP, PNM Resources provides electricity to more than 800,000 homes and businesses in New Mexico and Texas. PNM serves its customers with a diverse mix of generation and purchased power resources totaling 2.7 gigawatts of capacity, with a goal to achieve 100% emissions-free energy by 2040. For more information, visit the company's website at www.PNMResources.com . Contacts: Analysts Media Lisa Goodman Ray Sandoval (505) 241-2160 (505) 241-2782 Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 Statements made in this news release for PNM Resources, Inc. ("PNMR"), Public Service Company of New Mexico ("PNM"), or Texas-New Mexico Power Company ("TNMP") (collectively, the "Company") that relate to future events or expectations, projections, estimates, intentions, goals, targets, and strategies, including the unaudited financial results and earnings guidance, are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned that all forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and estimates and apply only as of the date of this report. PNMR, PNM, and TNMP assume no obligation to update this information. Because actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, PNMR, PNM, and TNMP caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements. PNMR's, PNM's, and TNMP's business, financial condition, cash flow, and operating results are influenced by many factors, which are often beyond their control, that can cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of risk factors and other important factors affecting forward-looking statements, please see the Company's Form 10-K, Form 10-Q filings and the information included in the Company's Forms 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which factors are specifically incorporated by reference herein. SOURCE PNM Resources, Inc. CHICAGO , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pharmaceutical Excipients Market in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth $10.0 billion in 2023 and is poised to reach $13.9 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The pharmaceutical excipients market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period of 2023 to 2028. The major factors attributing to the growth of the market are increasing demand for generic drugs and pharmaceutical products, increased R&D Investments for the development of novel excipients and growing emphasis on patient-centric formulations. Collaborations and partnerships with pharmaceutical companies for customized excipient solutions are likely to boost the growth of the market in the near future. Download an Illustrative overview: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=956 Browse in-depth TOC on "Pharmaceutical Excipients Market" 760 - Tables 45 - Figures 503 - Pages Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $10.0 billion Estimated Value by 2028 $13.9 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% Market Size Available for 20212028 Forecast Period 20232028 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Product, By Functionality, By Formulation, By Functionality application Geographies Covered North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Increasing growth of functional/Multifunctional Pharmaceutical Excipients Key Market Drivers Increasing demand for generic drugs and pharmaceutical products is propelling the demand for pharma excipients The organic chemicals segment dominated the market share in 2022 for the product segment. Based on product, the global pharmaceutical excipients market is categorised into organic chemicals, inorganic chemicals and other chemicals. Organic chemicals are mainly chemicals with carbon atoms covalently linked to atoms of other elements. The non-toxic nature of organic chemicals is expected to drive the organic chemicals segments which in turn will uplift the pharmaceutical excipient market from 2023 to 2028. Fillers and Diluents segment achieved top market share for the functionality segment in 2022 The fillers and diluents segment accounted for a majority of the market share in 2022. Fillers and diluents give form, bulk, or consistency to the product. The fillers and diluents market is expected to grow due to the rising use of fillers and diluents in developing and producing solid oral drugs. Tablets are the most popular dosage forms due to their advantages to manufacturers and patients and hence can drive the fillers and diluents market. The lubricants and glidants market is expected to grow at the fastest rate because they can improve the flow properties of a formulation by reducing the friction and cohesion between particles. The Asia Pacific region predicted to showcase the most rapid growth during the forecast period. The Asia Pacific region is poised to lead the market's expansion with the fastest market growth, driven by the low labor and manufacturing costs in China and India. These cost advantages have attracted significant investments from pharmaceutical giants to these countries. Additionally, the growing prevalence of lifestyle-related and age-related diseases, the rising disposable income, and government initiatives to improve healthcare infrastructure further contribute to the region's robust market growth. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=956 Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Dynamics: Drivers: 1. Increasing demand for generic drugs and pharmaceutical products is propelling the demand for pharma excipients Restraints: 1. High Development Costs associated with Novel excipients Opportunities: 1. Increasing growth of functional/Multifunctional Pharmaceutical Excipients Challenge: 1. Stringent Regulatory Requirements Key Market Players of Pharmaceutical Excipients Industry: The global pharmaceutical excipients market comprises of many key market players competing for markets shares like International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (US), Ashland Inc. (US), Evonik Industries AG (Germany), BASF SE (Germany), Kerry Group Plc (Ireland), Roquette Freres (France), Merck KgaA (Germany), Associated British Foods Plc (UK), ADM (US), Wacker Chemie AG (Germany). The primary interviews conducted for this report can be categorized as follows: By Respondent: Supply Side- 80%, and Demand Side - 20% By Designation (Supply Side): Managers - 45%, CXOs & Directors - 30%, Executives- 25% By Region: North America -20%, Europe -10%, Asia-Pacific -55%, Latin America -10%, MEA- 5% Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=956 Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Recent Developments: In June 2023 , Ashland introduced Polyplasdone Plus, a co-processed multifunctional direct compression superdisintegrant comprising a glidant and lubricant. , Ashland introduced Polyplasdone Plus, a co-processed multifunctional direct compression superdisintegrant comprising a glidant and lubricant. In October 2023 , Lubrizol Life Science Health was awarded the Finished Formulation Award for Apisolex Polymer solubilizing excipient at CPhI Barcelona. , Lubrizol Life Science Health was awarded the Finished Formulation Award for Apisolex Polymer solubilizing excipient at CPhI Barcelona. In July 2022 , DFE Pharma announced the broadening of its Dry Powder Inhalation (DPI) portfolio by launching Lactohale 400. Pharmaceutical Excipients Market - Key Benefits of Buying the Report: The report will help market leaders/new entrants by providing them with the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall pharmaceutical excipients market and its subsegments. It will also help stakeholders better understand the competitive landscape and gain more insights to better position their business and make suitable go-to-market strategies. This report will enable stakeholders to understand the market's pulse and provide them with information on the key market drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges. The report provides insights on the following pointers: Analysis of key drivers (Increasing demand for generic drugs and pharmaceutical products, increased R&D Investments for the development of novel excipients, growing emphasis on patient-centric formulations, collaborations and partnerships with pharmaceutical companies), restraints (Stringent Regulatory Requirements, High Development Costs), opportunities (Rising demand for functional/multifunctional pharmaceutical excipients, advancements in nanotechnology, emerging markets in Asia-Pacific and Latin America ) and challenges (Safety & quality concerns, limited availability of certain raw materials) are influencing the growth of pharmaceutical excipients market. and ) and challenges (Safety & quality concerns, limited availability of certain raw materials) are influencing the growth of pharmaceutical excipients market. Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on newly launched products of the pharmaceutical excipients market. Functionality Apllication: Additional segment provided for functionality applications where segregation has been provided based on the applications of various excipients highlights the various uses of different excipients classes. Market Development: Comprehensive information about lucrative markets the report analyses the pharmaceutical excipients market across varied regions. Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new services, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the pharmaceutical excipients market. Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of market shares, growth strategies, and service offerings of leading players include International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (US), Ashland Inc. (US), Evonik Industries AG ( Germany ), BASF SE ( Germany ), Kerry Group plc ( Ireland ), Roquette Freres ( France ), MERCK KGaA ( Germany ), Associated British Foods plc (UK), ADM (US) , Wacker Chemie AG ( Germany ) and among others in the pharmaceutical excipients market. Related Reports: Autoinjectors Market - Global Forecasts to 2028 Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Market - Global Forecasts to 2027 High Potency APIs Market - Global Forecasts to 2027 Pharmaceutical Drug Delivery Market - Global Forecasts to 2026 Wearable Injectors Market - Global Forecasts to 2026 About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/pharma-excipients-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/pharma-excipients.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2297424/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- RTX (NYSE: RTX) today announced Phil Jasper has been appointed president of Raytheon and will report to President and Chief Operating Officer Christopher T. Calio. Jasper, a 31-year aerospace and defense veteran, succeeds Wesley D. Kremer who will retire from the company at the end of Q1 2024. "Phil is a proven leader with significant depth of experience delivering defense solutions to the military customer," said Calio. "His recent integration of RTX's connected battlespace solutions, a critical customer priority and growth driver for the company, is one of many business transformations he has led over his career. I am confident he will drive the newly restructured Raytheon business to accelerate performance to effectively meet customer commitments." As president of Raytheon, Jasper, 55, will serve as a member of the RTX senior leadership team and will be responsible for leading the business and its industry-leading franchises in missile defense, air-to-air missiles, fire control radars, and electro-optical/infra-red systems. In 2018, Jasper was named president of Collins Aerospace's Mission Systems strategic business unit, responsible for delivering military, government and civil solutions to help customers worldwide safely and successfully complete their most complex missions. He transitioned commercial aerospace technologies to the defense sector, delivering innovation in battlefield communications and networking solutions. In addition, Jasper designed, developed and integrated multiple mission-specific capabilities for military aircraft, including airdrop; refueling; intercept; and guidance and control products and functions. Kremer has served in executive leadership positions since 2003 and was named a business president in 2015. Calio continued: "Wes has contributed significantly to the advancement of missile defense systems for the U.S. and its allies and played a critical role in structuring the Raytheon business in 2023. We thank him for his many contributions to RTX and wish him well as he retires from the company." Additional Leadership Appointments Following Jasper's appointment, several other executive leadership changes aligned with the company's succession plan are effective today. Troy Brunk has been named president of Collins Aerospace's Mission Systems unit. Heather Robertson has been named chief operating officer for Collins Aerospace's Mission Systems. has been named chief operating officer for Collins Aerospace's Mission Systems. Nathan Boelkins has been named president of Collins Aerospace's Avionics unit. About RTX RTX is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. With more than 180,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems for operational success, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2022 sales of $67 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. MEDIA CONTACT [email protected] 202-384-2474 SOURCE RTX SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Simplilearn , the world's #1 online boot camp for digital economy skills training, hosted its 10th convocation ceremony along with Purdue University for over 600 post-graduates. Gracing the event with their presence were Professor Dimitrios Peroulis, Senior Vice President for Purdue University Online, and Mr. Kashyap Dalal, Cofounder and Chief Operating Officer, Simplilearn as the Guest of Honour. The convocation ceremony was held to felicitate the meritorious students on their graduation. It was a joint celebration by Purdue University and Simplilearn on the successful completion of the various post-graduate programs of learners in the following categories: Post Graduate Program in Business Analysis | Post Graduate Program in Digital Marketing | Post Graduate Program in Digital Transformation | Post Graduate Program in Digital Supply Chain Management | Post Graduate Program in Data Analytics | Post Graduate Program in Data Engineering | Post Graduate Program in AI and Machine Learning | Post Graduate Program in Data Science The convocation ceremony was filled with enthusiastic students full of energy and excitement. Congratulating the post-graduates at the ceremony, Mr. Kashyap Dalal, Co Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Simplilearn, said, "I am delighted to join in this convocation, surrounded by individuals who are passionately pursuing their academic and professional goals. Witnessing the successful academic journeys of our learners brings me immense joy, and I extend heartfelt congratulations to all who have completed their postgraduate programs. On behalf of Simplilearn, I applaud your steadfast dedication and achievements. As you embark on your future endeavors, I encourage you to foster curiosity, embrace innovation, and aim to create a significant impact wherever your journey takes you. Remember, it is the perfect time to upskill, and those who take charge of their careers are poised to reap the benefits of continuous learning and growth." A learner from the Post Graduate Program in Data Science, Ms. Malathi Govind, shared, "The Simplilearn Post Graduate Program in Data Science was meticulously crafted and thoughtfully tailored to accommodate the schedules of working professionals like myself. The curriculum and content were both informative and engaging, and the culminating projects in each module reinforced the concepts we had covered in class. The instructors were knowledgeable and demonstrated exceptional patience in explaining intricate concepts." Another learner from the Post Graduate Program in AI & Machine Learning, Mr. Shady Saeed, expressed, "Artificial Intelligence for me is much more than just a business tool. It had this mystical and philosophical nature and the Purdue - Simplilearn PG AI/ML course was very engaging. For someone who left programming in the '90s it was a bit hard in the beginning but with all the examples and the support of the faculty, have started to get along and eventually was able to complete projects and even move to elective courses. I would say this course was worth all the effort and an exciting Journey through the world of Learning." About Simplilearn Founded in 2010 and based in San Francisco, California, and Bangalore, India, Simplilearn, a Blackstone portfolio company, is the world's #1 online Bootcamp for digital economy skills training. Simplilearn offers access to world-class work-ready training to individuals and businesses worldwide. The Bootcamps are designed and delivered with world-renowned universities, top corporations, and leading industry bodies via live online classes featuring top industry practitioners, sought-after trainers, and global leaders. From college students and early career professionals to managers, executives, small businesses, and big corporations, Simplilearn role-based, skill-focused, industry-recognized, and globally relevant training programs are ideal upskilling solutions for diverse career or/and business goals. For more information, please visit www.simplilearn.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1100016/4169121/Simplilearn_Logo.jpg SOURCE Simplilearn Solutions Private Limited FRISCO, Texas, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas fans of Taylor Swift organize a Caribbean cruise to celebrate their favorite pop star with a music (Taylor's Version) ONLY Summer Era Cruise hosted by Quality Travel. The Texas port cruise will be the first of its kind to set sail in the USA. Join us on Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas out of Galveston, Texas on June 15-20, 2024, with stops in Cozumel and Costa Maya for the five-night cruise. More at Summer Era Cruise. Summer Era Cruise There is limited cabin availability on this exciting fan sponsored cruise that is packed with Swiftie Surprises; Swiftie Sips, goody bags, trivia, bingo, theme nights, tours, karaoke, bracelet exchanges, dance parties, PJ party, prizes, door decorating contests etc. Summer Era Cruise is hosted by Quality Travel founder, Rebecca Landry, and co-hosted by her Swiftie family members: husband Steve, daughter Parker, and sons Blake and Bryce. Summer Era Cruise and Quality Travel are not endorsed or affiliated with TASRM or Taylor Swift. Co-host Parker states, "I've always adored Taylor. I mean how could you not? My goal is to spread her name and music by creating genuine, enjoyable activities that represent all her music stands for and the things she has done like the Eras tour. We won't just have a dance party; each activity will be based on a piece of her work or music, like Mirrorball, Lover, or bracelet making. I will incorporate activities that genuinely represent Taylor's kindness and heart. I'm extremely thankful that girls like me have a role model like Taylor to look up to, and I will carry on her culture and vibes throughout the cruise." Rebecca Landry says, 'As a former teacher who loves to work with kids, nothing will bring more joy to me than seeing kids (and adults) of all ages having a great time on this great ship celebrating the amazing music of a beautiful person, inside and out.' Quality Travel is a Master of Adventure through Royal Caribbean's agent university training program, Best of Frisco-Travel Agency, and Diamond Crown Jewel member of Travel Quest. Owner, Rebecca, was nominated as one of the top three travel agents in the US by the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) for 2023 for excellence, customer service, and integrity. Summer Era Cruise is a Quality Travel fan sponsored event and not endorsed or affiliated with TASRM or Taylor Swift. As fun as it would be to see her in person, Ms. Swift will not be making an appearance on the cruise or at any port stops. Rebecca Landry, Founder 405-413-7222 [email protected] Summer Era Cruise SOURCE Quality Travel BANGKOK, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- UniFAHS, a trailblazing biotechnology company specialising in phage technology for sustainable agriculture and food safety, today announced it has raised over USD 1.4 million in its seed funding round. This significant step propels the company forward in its mission of growth and transforming food production using environmentally friendly and sustainable approaches. UniFAHS - Empowering sustainable phages to take care of our planet The funding round, led by A2D Ventures and supported by contributions from Asian Development Bank Ventures (ADB Ventures) and InnoSpace (Thailand), underscores the strong confidence in UniFAHS's innovative approach and future potential. A2D Ventures is a prominent community-led early-stage investing platform that aims to tackle fragmentation and democratise access to investment opportunities. "We are thrilled to lead and syndicate this strategic investment opportunity in UniFAHS, recognising the synergies between their groundbreaking technology and the founders' scientific prowess. This investment underscores our confidence in Thai founders and Thailand-based startups' potential to redefine and recreate industries, offering solutions that can be exported to global markets and achieve substantial growth quickly," says Ankit Upadhyay, Founder and CEO of A2D Ventures. Co-founded by Dr Kitiya Vongkamjan, a distinguished Cornell University alumna and leading figure in phage research and food safety, and Chalita Wongpukdee, who brings expertise in agribusiness marketing and sales with extensive connections in agriculture, food, feed, and animal health, UniFAHS's patented phage solutions are at the forefront of combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and promoting climate-friendly agricultural practices. Dr Vongkamjan shares, "Our vision at UniFAHS is to create a sustainable future for food production. This funding is a financial boost and a strong endorsement of our phage technology's potential to revolutionise the agriculture and food safety sectors." Recognised as one of the Top 10 Livestock Management startups globally by StartUs Insights in 2023, Dr Vongkamjan and her team continue to further groundbreaking research and sustainable food production to redefine the biotechnology landscape. This investment serves as a catalyst that will enable the company to expand its production capacity and extend its reach across Southeast and South Asia by working closely with its distribution partners to expand the customer segments by 20% in 2024 to impact the world's food production significantly. As UniFAHS embarks on a journey of growth and expansion, ADB Ventures has emerged as a critical partner, contributing financial support and a wealth of experience and global connections with both companies sharing a united commitment to prioritising environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices in the pursuit of economic growth. "UniFAHS's innovative solutions represent a transformative opportunity in the agriculture and food sectors, significantly reducing our dependence on antibiotics. We believe UniFAHS has the potential to make a considerable impact on the climate in the region. We are enthusiastic about supporting UniFAHS's expansion across Asia," expressed Thitirat Sittakaradej, Investment Specialist at ADB Ventures. To date, UniFAHS has successfully secured partnerships with the world's top poultry producers in the region. By harnessing the power of phages, UniFAHS offers a game-changing approach to addressing pressing challenges for bacterial control and tackling antimicrobial resistance issues in agriculture and animal health. InnoSpace (Thailand) also emphasised its strategic commitment: "Our investment in UniFAHS is driven by a commitment to fostering sustainable solutions for global challenges. We are excited to support UniFAHS's journey to empower the team to expedite developing and deploying its cutting-edge phage solutions." Join Our Journey: For more information, visit https://unifahs.com/. For the latest developments, follow us on X (@Phage_UniFAHS) and LinkedIn (@UniFAHS). For investor enquiries, please get in touch with Dr Kitiya Vongkamjan at [email protected] . About UniFAHS UniFAHS is a pioneer in applying phage technology, ensuring the sustainable production of safe foods from farm to fork, promoting the holistic concept of "One Health", and actively combating the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance. The company is dedicated to shaping a brighter and more sustainable future through cutting-edge phage technology to enhance the well-being of communities and ecosystems as a "One-Health" approach. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2310955/image.jpg $50,000 grant will help transitioning military service members, veterans and their families LOUISVILLE, Ky., Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- USA Cares, a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing financial and advocacy assistance to post-9/11 veterans and their families, is proud to announce that it has been named a recipient of the Boeing Company's Global Engagement Grant. The $50,000 grant will be used to help veterans relieve financial barriers to obtaining and maintaining employment. "We are inspired by and grateful for Boeing's support of our military and their families," said Trace Chesser, President & CEO of USA Cares. "This grant will allow us to continue providing critical support to veterans and their families during their time of need." USA Cares was founded in 2003 with the goal of supporting veterans and military families who have been impacted by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since then, the organization has provided more than $12 million in financial assistance to help families pay for basic living expenses such as housing, utilities, and transportation. The Boeing Company's Global Engagement Grant is part of its ongoing commitment to supporting non-profit organizations that are making a positive impact in their communities. By partnering with organizations like USA Cares, Boeing is able to help make a difference in the lives of those who have served our country. About USA Cares USA Cares is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. Its mission is to provide military veterans, service members, and their families with emergency financial assistance and post-service skills training to create a foundation for long-term stability. SOURCE USA Cares Currently Running Through January 31, Viking's "Wave Season" Offer Applies to Voyages on All Seven Continents LOS ANGELES, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Viking (www.viking.com) today announced the Discover More sale, providing North American travelers with a variety of new booking incentives across the company's collection of river, ocean and expedition voyages. From now through January 31, 2024, Viking is offering special fares, up to free airfare and a $25 deposit on all itinerariesas well as additional savings for both new and returning guests. Viking today announced the Discover More sale, providing North American travelers with a variety of new booking incentives across the companys collection of river, ocean and expedition voyages. From now through January 31, 2024, Viking is offering special fares, up to free airfare and a $25 deposit on all itinerariesas well as additional savings for both new and returning guests. For more information, visit www.viking.com. "For more than 26 years, we have invited curious travelers to explore the world in comfort. We focus on the destination, and we design travel experiences for the thinking person. This approach has always allowed our guests to discover more history, science and culture when they travel with us," said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. "As this new year begins, we look forward to welcoming returning guests back on board, as well as introducing new travelers to the Viking way of exploration." Viking now explores all seven continents, with river, ocean and expedition voyages calling in more than 500 ports in more than 85 countries. Highlights of the company's most popular itineraries include: Viking Homelands (15 days; Stockholm Bergen ) Sail historic waters and discover more of Scandinavia with overnights in Stockholm , Oslo and scenic Bergen . See charming Alborg and Gdansk, and visit the grand cities of Berlin and Copenhagen . Witness breathtaking scenery from your ship as she glides through majestic Norwegian fjords in the legendary homelands of the Vikings. Sail historic waters and discover more of Scandinavia with overnights in , and scenic . See charming Alborg and Gdansk, and visit the grand cities of and . Witness breathtaking scenery from your ship as she glides through majestic Norwegian fjords in the legendary homelands of the Vikings. Empires of the Mediterranean (10 days; Venice Athens ) Ten days. Nine magnificent destinations. One epic journey. Sail the Adriatic and Aegean, taking in all the riches of this fabled region. On an exploration bookended by iconic Venice and Athens , discover the ancient ruins of Olympia and the Acropolis. Explore the medieval warrens of Zadar and Dubrovnik, and admire the famed whitewashed villages of Santorini. Delight in the beauty of Corfu and be captivated by Koper, the gateway to picturesque Slovenia . Ten days. Nine magnificent destinations. One epic journey. Sail the Adriatic and Aegean, taking in all the riches of this fabled region. On an exploration bookended by iconic and , discover the ancient ruins of and the Acropolis. Explore the medieval warrens of Zadar and Dubrovnik, and admire the famed whitewashed villages of Santorini. Delight in the beauty of Corfu and be captivated by Koper, the gateway to picturesque . Rhine Getaway (8 days; Amsterdam Basel ) Explore one of Europe's best-loved rivers. Discover the turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, historic cities, medieval towns and stunning scenery of the Middle Rhinea UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taste the region's renowned white wines, the roots of its terraced vineyards reaching back to Roman times. Savor the various culinary traditions of Alsace. With calls in Amsterdam , Cologne and Basel , this journey reveals a rich landscape of beauty and culture. Explore one of best-loved rivers. Discover the turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, historic cities, medieval towns and stunning scenery of the Middle Rhinea UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taste the region's renowned white wines, the roots of its terraced vineyards reaching back to Roman times. Savor the various culinary traditions of Alsace. With calls in , and , this journey reveals a rich landscape of beauty and culture. Danube Waltz (8 days; Budapest Passau) Soak up soothing steam at a Budapest thermal bath. Learn to waltz at a Viennese dance school. Savor Austro-Hungarian cuisine in Vienna and Budapest . Admire the Wachau Valley's beauty. Explore lesser-known Central European cities like Bratislava and Passau. Witness daily monastic life on an exclusive visit to Gottweig Abbey. This eight-day itinerary reveals the best of these places while cruising leisurely through spectacular scenery. Soak up soothing steam at a thermal bath. Learn to waltz at a Viennese dance school. Savor Austro-Hungarian cuisine in and . Admire the Wachau Valley's beauty. Explore lesser-known Central European cities like and Passau. Witness daily monastic life on an exclusive visit to Gottweig Abbey. This eight-day itinerary reveals the best of these places while cruising leisurely through spectacular scenery. Great Lakes Collection (15 days; Ontario Duluth) Join Viking for a unique voyage across the historic waterways of all five of the majestic Great Lakes. Experience culture-rich urban centers and admire the awesome power of thundering Niagara Falls . Explore the granite islands and sheltered inlets of Georgian Bay and traverse the famous Soo Locks . Study the aquatic ecosystems of the lakes as you journey and venture into the dense boreal forests that line the shores of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan . Join Viking for a unique voyage across the historic waterways of all five of the majestic Great Lakes. Experience culture-rich urban centers and admire the awesome power of thundering . Explore the granite islands and sheltered inlets of Georgian Bay and traverse the famous . Study the aquatic ecosystems of the lakes as you journey and venture into the dense boreal forests that line the shores of and . Antarctic Explorer (13 days; Buenos Aries Ushuaia) This ultimate adventure takes you to the Antarctic peninsula, where you will witness towering glaciers, snow-covered landscapes, immense icebergs and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife viewing. In the footsteps of explorers such as Amundsen, Shackleton and Scott, you will be one of the few to discover the world's last truly wild frontier. Each day brings new surprises and the opportunity to change plans to maximize wildlife sightings and adapt to ever-changing weather. This ultimate adventure takes you to the Antarctic peninsula, where you will witness towering glaciers, snow-covered landscapes, immense icebergs and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife viewing. In the footsteps of explorers such as Amundsen, and Scott, you will be one of the few to discover the world's last truly wild frontier. Each day brings new surprises and the opportunity to change plans to maximize wildlife sightings and adapt to ever-changing weather. Heart of the Delta (12 days; New Orleans - Memphis ) Immerse yourself in history and heritage on this journey bookended by New Orleans and Memphis . Attend a Privileged Access Mississippi Delta blues experience in Greenville and be inspired by the stories of famed musicians and iconic civil rights heroes. Savor delicious Cajun and Creole cuisine, as well as Memphis's famous barbecue. And stir your soul with the rhythms of Dixieland jazz, Delta blues and gospel. Recently, Viking was honored with seven awardsmore than any other linein the 2023 Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards, including Best River Line, Best for First-Timers and Best Service in the river category. The company also made history when it was voted #1 for rivers, oceans and expeditions by Conde Nast Traveler in the publication's 2023 Readers' Choice Awards. Viking was also voted to the top of its categories for rivers, oceans and expeditions by Travel + Leisure in the 2023 World's Best Awards. No other travel company has simultaneously received the same honors by both publications. Booking Details From now through January 31, 2024, Viking is offering North American travelers the Discover More sale, with up to free international airfare, special fares and a $25 depositwith additional savings for both new and returning guestson all-inclusive river, ocean and expedition voyages. Call Viking toll free at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464) or contact a travel advisor for details. Media Assets For more information about Viking, or for images and b-roll, please contact [email protected]. About Viking Viking was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans and lakes around the world. Designed for curious travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences for The Thinking Person. Viking has more than 450 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions by Conde Nast Traveler in the 2023 Readers' Choice Awards. Viking is also rated at the top of its categories for rivers, oceans and expeditions by Travel + Leisure. No other travel company has simultaneously received the same honors by both publications. For additional information, contact Viking at 1-800-2-VIKING (1-800-284-5464) or visit www.viking.com. For Viking's award-winning enrichment channel, visit www.viking.tv. SOURCE Viking Candidates walk through security clearance for a Korean language proficiency exam in 2017. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy Around 15,400 people will be selected to work in South Korea in the first wave of recruitment this year, 3,000 more compared to the first wave in 2023. The workers will go to South Korea under the Employment Permit System (EPS), Dang Huy Hong, director of the Center of Overseas Labor under the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, said Wednesday. Candidates will need to pass two rounds of tests, one for proficiency in the Korean language and the other for work skills. "The number of recruited candidates in future waves will depend on demands from the South Korean side," Hong said. For this recruitment wave, over 11,200 people will be hired for manufacturing, 200 for construction, 900 for agriculture and 3,000 for fisheries. This year, South Korea also wants workers for reinforced concrete and wood, which falls under construction. Candidates must be aged 18-39 and have never been expelled from South Korea. Those who illegally stayed in the past, but willingly returned to Vietnam, must be able to present documents as proof. Those working for the agriculture and fishery sectors have extra requirements: being of an ethnic minority and living in one among 128 poor districts and communes on the coasts and islands for the 2021-2025 period. Registration for the tests will begin later this month, while the Korean proficiency tests will be carried out from March 5 to June 14. Workers who pass this round of tests will have their work skills put to the test from April 16 to July 6. After the two rounds, eligible candidates will have enough requirements to apply for jobs in South Korea. The fee for the entire process is $28. The EPS program has been available since 2004. Vietnam has brought around 127,000 people to South Korea for work so far. By October 2023, over 36,000 EPS workers, including 10,000 who illegally stayed, had been living in South Korea. By November 2023, around 1,700 insurance packages worth over 1.8 billion ($1.38 million) have not been received by workers returning from South Korea to Vietnam. Per existing regulations, those who have completed their contracts under EPS and return to Vietnam on time will receive two insurance packages from South Korea. Vietnam sent around 155,000 people to work abroad last year, an 8.5% increase from 2022. Around 650,000 Vietnamese workers are currently working in 40 countries and territories. Japan hosted the most Vietnamese workers (80,000), followed by Taiwan (58,600) and South Korea (11,600), according to the labor ministry. January 3, 2024 | 04:30 pm PT Throughout our years of living abroad, anytime a foreign friend asks about traveling to Vietnam, I and my wife always try our best to give detailed advice. After our friends came back from the Vietnamese trip, I always followed up to learn about their perspective on my home country. Through the years, I have noticed that the feedback has gradually improved, much less negative than online reviews I usually see in travel forums. This is evidenced by the enthusiasm that my friends had retelling their travel experiences. If a decade ago, my foreign friends only praised the beautiful scenery, now, there have been more positive comments about the hospitality. For example, a couple I knew had recently traveled across Vietnam in three weeks, crossing 12 cities and spending VND300 million (US$12,400), not including unexpected expenses and tips, on a trip tailored to their needs. The husband was most impressed by the careful and thorough hospitality of Vietnamese workers. Hotel staff were attentive and cheerful in helping tourists, carrying luggage and treating tourists with the utmost respect. While waiting for the hotel check-ins, the hotel displayed a digital sign with the couple's name, saying welcome. The husband was also very impressed with the low visibility of homeless people and beggars on the street, which is said to be a "miracle" considering the number of homeless people in larger and more affluent cities like Sydney or New York. While traffic was rather chaotic, the husband admitted, the taxi drivers always took the couples where they needed, when they needed, and always with a cheerful attitude. Even though some drivers only have limited English proficiency, they always attempted to make enjoyable conversations with the tourists. In the couple's eyes, Vietnam is a cheerful, hospitable country that is constantly trying to improve. The wife, meanwhile, was very impressed with the Vietnamese cuisine. While my friends used to praise the affordability of food in Vietnam, now, more and more, they praise the quality of the food. In Hoi An, the wife demanded the husband to take her back to a banh mi stall three times a day, and she still regretted not having the chance to try all the stall had to offer. The wife was less enthusiastic about Hue, saying that the citys nostalgia was not her vibe, but was very impressed with the imperial cuisine. In her eyes, Vietnam is a foodie heaven, with a street food soul that Vietnamese restaurants abroad have failed to deliver. The couple already started making plans for their next Vietnam trip. Despite being generally excited with places like Sa Pa, Ha Long, Da Lat, Can Tho, the couple said that they are the "discovery" type of locations, and only need to visit once. The wife wished to return to Hanoi and Hoi An for their exquisite local cuisines, while the husband preferred Da Nang and HCMC for their friendliness and hospitality. I believe that they would soon come back. The experience of the couple can provide some perspective for Vietnamese tourism. First, the industry in Vietnam is constantly improving, and the world has acknowledged our efforts. Keep improving and keep experimenting for the better. The strong positive feedback would soon translate to repeated visits, revenue and profit improvement. Vietnam is rapidly closing its gap with the worlds tourism industry. Second, while "discovery" tourism can be very attractive to first time tourists, Vietnam should also attempt to build a tourism system where tourists would wish to return. Vietnamese tourism should build a unique identity, personalizing and tailoring experiences so that foreign tourists could find no similar experiences elsewhere globally. Cuisine and food tourism is a strong example of this direction. Customers are willing to pay big bucks for a worthy experience, and if they feel satisfied, they would further introduce to their friends and families. Third, Vietnamese tourism workers need to quickly improve their language skills to approach and serve customers better. The tourists would feel more comfortable and well-treated if they can communicate with the tourist workers serving them. There would be unavoidable issues in every industry, but with sufficient language skills, workers could also be receptive of the customers' feedback, provide suitable explanations, avoid significant backlashes, and ensure an overall satisfaction of the customers. Nowadays, I believe that there are less and less hospitality workers intentionally attempt to "rob" their customers, with most issues being more likely the result of miscommunication. With improved language skills, we may one day mitigate this risk. In my opinion, honesty, enthusiasm, and receptiveness is the strongest bet for Vietnamese tourism industry to conquer the world. *To Thuc is a lecturer at James Cook University in Australia. 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 Washington, Jan 4 : Former President Donald Trump has asked the US Supreme Court to invalidate a recent ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court, which removed him from the state's 2024 presidential primary ballot. Two weeks ago, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Trump, who is the 2024 Republican frontrunner, isn't an eligible presidential candidate, with a vote of 4-3. The ruling cited a US constitutional provision prohibiting people who have engaged in "insurrection" from federal office. Lawsuits in Colorado, as well as some other states, argue that Trump should be disqualified from ballots because he engaged in inciting the Capitol Hill insurrection on January 6, 2021, in an attempt to block the 2020 presidential election victory of Joe Biden. The Colorado Supreme Court's ruling marked the first time a US state court agreed that Trump should be disqualified from the 2024 presidential election citing the rarely used insurrection clause. The Trump campaign said earlier that it would ask the US Supreme Court to overturn the ruling, which would be placed on hold until January 4, one day before the state's primary ballot was to be certified. It was unlikely the high court would resolve the case as quickly as this week, according to a CNN report. Last week, Maine's Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, barred Trump from the primary ballot, making Maine the second state to block the former president from running again. Trump appealed the decision in the state court on Tuesday, and could turn to US Supreme Court as well. Both states hold their primaries on Super Tuesday, March 5, but ballots must be printed "well before then", according to The Washington Post. Tehran, Jan 4 : Iranian Health Minister Bahram Einollahi has revised the death toll of two explosions near the burial site of Iran's slain General Qassem Soleimani from 103 to 95. In a live interview with the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network (IRINN) on Wednesday, the minister said the previous higher figures resulted from mistakenly calculating some of the victims' names twice, Xinhua news agency reported. Mohammad Saberi, head of Kerman's emergency organization, also confirmed the lower death toll, according to the Iranian Students' News Agency. The blasts occurred with an almost 20-minute difference at around 15:00 local time as many people gathered at the cemetery in the southeastern city of Kerman to mark the fourth anniversary of Soleimani's death in a US drone strike. The first blast was about 700 meters from Soleimani's tomb, and the second was a kilometre away, Iran's official news agency IRNA reported. Rahman Jalali, Deputy Governor of Kerman province, said the explosions were carried out by "terrorists", the IRNA reported. The IRINN said the cause of the blasts was still under investigation and that rescue teams were at the scene. It added that most of the injuries were caused by overcrowding and panic. The Iranian government has declared Thursday a day of national mourning. Soleimani, one of the most powerful military commanders in Iran, was killed on January 3, 2020, near Baghdad's international airport in a drone strike ordered by then-US President Donald Trump. He was buried in his hometown of Kerman after a funeral that drew millions of mourners across Iran. Iran denounced the assassination as "state terrorism" and vowed revenge. Will the Russian invasion of Ukraine echo in FIDE elections?. Image Source: IANS News Kiev, Jan 4 : Ukraine and Russia carried out their largest prisoner swap since February 2022, the Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War has said. Under the exchange on Wednesday, 230 Ukrainian captives, including six civilians, had been returned from Russian custody, the agency was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency reported. Among those freed are service people from the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service and the National Police. The exchange marked the first prisoner swap between the parties since August. More than 2,800 Ukrainians taken captive in the Russia-Ukraine conflict have been released so far as a result of prisoner exchanges. (HEALTH PACKAGE) Long Covid is here to stay: How does it express itself? And are we safe? (IANS Column). Image Source: IANS News Lucknow, Jan 4 : A 63-year-old woman, who had tested positive for Covid, succumbed to the virus during treatment at SGPGIMS. The woman died on Wednesday. This marks the first Covid-related death among patients in the state this year. Dr Manoj Agrawal, chief medical officer (CMO) of Lucknow, shared details of the patient's medical condition, stating, "The patient was suffering from acute kidney injury (stage 3) along with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, morbid obesity, severe sepsis, type-2 respiratory failure, and Covid pneumonia." She had been receiving treatment at PGI since December 31, 2023, and died on January 2. During the day, no new Covid cases were reported, but four individuals were declared as recovered. As of now, there is one active Covid-positive patient in Lucknow, said Yogesh Raghuvanshi, spokesperson for the office of CMO in Lucknow. Lucknow's cumulative Covid statistics include 3,09,474 cases and 2,706 deaths. The state, since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, has reported a total of over 21.45 lakh Covid cases, with 1,347,98,497 samples tested. According to health officials, the deceased woman had recently returned via flight from a family trip to Trivandrum, after which she fell ill and was admitted to PGI. She resided with her husband in the Nigoha area of Lucknow. Health teams conducted contact tracing and screening for all her family members and contacts, and none of them tested positive. It is noteworthy that Uttar Pradesh last reported a death among the Covid-positive patients in April 2022. Lucknow, Jan 4 : Uttar Pradesh notified 6,24,490 TB patients in 2023 which is the highest among all states in the country. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who also holds the health portfolio, said "This is the highest number of notifications made under the programme in the country so far within a year." He gave credit for this achievement to the hard work of the state and district level officials as well as the active participation of village heads. Pathak said that the Central TB Division had given the target of notification of 5.50 lakh TB patients to Uttar Pradesh in 2023. In 2023, the maximum number of TB patients were notified in Lucknow at 28,283 whereas in Agra 27,231, Kanpur Nagar 24,624, Aligarh 19,282, and in Ghaziabad, 19,191, TB patients were notified. In 2022, about 5.23 lakh TB patients were notified in the state. Pathak said that integrated Nikshay Day organised on the 15th of every month at health centres, identification of TB patients during Dastak campaign and running active case finding campaigns from time to time also played a big role. "The initiative of TB-free panchayat has also been helpful in this because now there is a competition among the village heads to make their villages TB-free," he said. The decision to set up State TB Training Demonstration Centres in Lucknow and Gorakhpur has been taken which will further accelerate the TB eradication programme. Tel Aviv, Jan 4 : Amos Hochstein, US President Joe Biden's special energy envoy, is scheduled to arrive here on Thursday and hold talks with top leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant . Hochstein's visit comes as the US is intensifying efforts to defuse thetensions between Israel and Hezbollah in the wake of the killing of Hamas's deputy politburo chief Saleh Al-Arouri on Tuesday in Lebanon. Al-Arouri and six of his aides were killed in an alleged Israeli strike that targeted a Hamas officein the southern suburb of Beirut. Even as Israel has not officially taken responsibility for the killing, both Hamas and Hezbollah have blamed the Jewish nation for carrying out the attack. The US has in recent days, sent messages to its allies and other contacts in the Middle East to prevent an escalation of the cross-border violence between the Israel Defense Forces and Hezbollah on the Jewish nation's northern border. The US officials have publicly said that the country has taken "deterrent steps and diplomatic steps" to deliver the message. New Delhi, Jan 4 : A fire broke out in the AlIMS Director's office on Thursday, a fire department official said, adding that no one was injured. Sharing the details, Atul Garg, the director of Delhi Fire Services, said the call regarding a blaze at the Director's Office, second floor, Gate No. 2, Teaching Block, AIIMS at 5:58 a.m. "A total of seven fire tenders were rushed to the site," said Gar, He said that the fire was in the furniture, fridge and office records on the second floor in the Director's building. "No casualty/injuries were reported, however, the reason of fire is yet to be ascertained," Garg added. China no longer Thailand's largest source of tourists in 2023 Tourists visit the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, on Jan. 7, 2023. Photo by Reuters Malaysia has surpassed China to become the biggest feeder market for Thailand tourism in 2023 with 4.56 million arrivals. Chinese tourists came in second with 3.51 million, followed by South Koreans (1.65 million), Indians (1.62 million), and Russians (1.48 million), according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Travel between Malaysia and Thailand, two ASEAN members, is faciliated by visa exemption. Before the pandemic, Chinese tourists were the biggest market of Thailand's tourism industry. In 2019, over 11 million Chinese tourists visited Thailand, accounting for more than a quarter of its total foreign arrivals. However, a mall shooting last September in Bangkok that killed two foreigners including a Chinese affected Chinese tourist confidence. A series of Chinese carriers canceled flights to Thailand for December and January due to low demand. A quarterly travel sentiment survey released last November by Singapore-based digital marketing firm China Trading Desk found Thailand no longer a top choice of Chinese tourists. The survey polled over 10,000 Chinese residents on their upcoming international travel plans and their top answers were Singapore, Europe and South Korea. Amid falling number of Chinese tourists, Thai Prime Minister SretthaThavisin announced on Tuesday that Thailand and China would permanently waive visa requirements for each other's citizens starting March. Last year Thailand received 28 million foreign arrivals and generated tourism revenues of 1.2 trillion baht (US$35.03 trillion). This year it is targeting 35 million foreign tourists. Washington, Jan 4 : A US Army spokesperson has said that nearly 100 American soldiers who were deployed to the Middle East in the wake of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, have returned to their home stations. "To date, since October 2023, approximately 1,100 Army Soldiers have deployed forward to the US Central Command Area of Responsibility (AOR) from home stations in the continental United States," Lt. Col. Rob Lodewick told CNN on Wednesdya. "Of these, approximately 100 have since returned to their home stations." Lodewick further said that that 1,300 soldiers still remain on prepare-to-deploy orders. It however, remains unclear which soldiers have returned to the US since their deployments. Roughly 1,200 service members total were deployed to the Middle East in the days following the massive Hamas assault as part of a broader deterrence message to keep the conflict from spilling out into the region. The troops deployed included those assigned to Patriot and THAAD batteries from Fort Liberty, North Carolina; Fort Bliss, Texas; and Fort Sill, Oklahoma, as well as soldiers providing explosive ordnance disposal, communications and other support capabilities. London, Jan 4 : A group of Western nations have jointly warned the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen from carrying out any new attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Since November 2023, the militia have carried out attacks on commercial shipping in the region more than 20 times after it declared support for Hamas in the militant group's ongoing war with Israel, the BBC reported. The Houthis have used missiles, drones, fast boats and helicopters to carry out the attacks and have often claimed that the targeted ships were linked to Israel. In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the group of 12 nations -- Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, the UK and the US -- issued the formal warning to the Houthis and called the attack in the Red Sea "illegal, unacceptable, and profoundly destabilising". They said there was "no lawful justification for intentionally targeting civilian shipping and naval vessels", adding if the attacks continued then the Houthis would "bear the consequences", reports the BBC. The nations also called for an "immediate end" to the attacks which, they said, posed a "direct threat to freedom of navigation" in the critical waterway through which almost 15 per cent of global trade passes. According to the International Chamber of Shipping, 20 per cent of the world's container ships are currently avoiding the Red Sea and steaming around southern Africa as a result of the attacks. This development comes as the Houthis claimed a new attack on a cargo ship in the Red Sea. On Wednesday, the group's military spokesman Yahya Sarea in a live broadcast aired by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV said that the militia carried out an operation targeting the ship CMA CGM TAGE, Xinhua news agency reported. "The operation came after the ship's crew refused to respond to calls from our forces, including fiery warning messages," he said. The Houthis confirm that they will continue to prevent Israeli ships or those heading to Israel from navigating in the Red Sea and Arab Sea until food and medicine aid are allowed to enter the Gaza Strip, the spokesman stressed. Wednesday's attack came nearly three days after a military helicopter of the US Navy forces patrolling the Red Sea shot and killed 10 Houthi militants and sank their three boats while they were trying to approach a merchant ship. The Houthis have been fighting a civil war since 2014 against Yemen's government and control much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah. Washington, Jan 4 : US President Joe Biden's administration has filed a lawsuit against Texas over a controversial immigration law that makes entering the state illegally a crime -- one of the toughest immigration laws passed in the country's history to curb illegal immigration. In December last year, the state's Republican Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill into law SB 4 -- a transformative package of border security legislation to bolster Texas' unprecedented border security efforts and crackdown on human smuggling; deter the flow of illegal border crossings; and protect the lives and property of Texans by funding the ongoing construction of the state's border wall, an official statement had said at the time. SB4 also allows local and state police officers to stop and arrest anyone suspected of having crossed the border illegally, except in schools and hospitals. Punishments range from misdemeanours to felonies that can lead to jail time or fines of up to $2,000 The Texas legislature had passed the measure in November 2023 and is expected to take effect in March this year. In its lawsuit filed on Wednesday, the Justice Department argued that Texas "cannot run its own immigration system" and the measure undercuts the federal government's "exclusive authority" to enforce immigration law, CNN reported. "Its efforts, through SB 4, intrude on the federal government's exclusive authority to regulate the entry and removal of noncitizens, frustrate the United States' immigration operations and proceedings, and interfere with US foreign relations. SB 4 is invalid and must be enjoined," the complaint, filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Texas, says. The Justice Department requested that the measure be blocked. "SB 4 is clearly unconstitutional," CNN quoted Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta as saying in a statement. "Under the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution and longstanding Supreme Court precedent, states cannot adopt immigration laws that interfere with the framework enacted by Congress. The Justice Department will continue to fulfill its responsibility to uphold the Constitution and enforce federal law." Just a day before the Texas law was signed, the US Customs and Border Protection had announced it would temporarily suspend operations at the international railway crossing bridges in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas due to a surge in border crossings by migrants. Border authorities apprehended about 192,000 migrants between ports of entry in November 2023, a 2 per cent increase compared with the 188,000 migrant apprehensions in October, according to the US Border Patrol. Kolkata, Jan 4 : Sujay Krishna Bhadra, a prime accused in the cash-for-school job case in West Bengal, returned to the state-run S.S.K.M. Medical College on Thursday after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) got his voice sampling test done at the Centre-run E.S.I. Hospital. After being taken to the E.S.I. Hospital late Wednesday evening following a surprise operation by the ED sleuths aided by central armed forces personnel, the process of his voice sampling test was completed by late Wednesday night. Sources said that he was taken to a special sound-proof room at the E.S.I. Hospital and there he was asked to repeat the same sentence a number of times which were recorded. Now the recordings will be matched with a call recording that ED sleuths secured from his mobile phone where he was asking someone to delete all records from his mobile phone. The entire process was completed on late Wednesday night and finally on early Thursday morning he returned to S.S.K.M. where he has been admitted since August last year soon after his bypass surgery. Getting the voice sampling test of Bhadra was not an easy task for ED following the reluctance of the S.S.K.M. authorities to allow them to conduct the test on medical grounds. Even the ED sleuths also complained to the Calcutta High Court accusing S.S.K.M. of deliberately trying to create hindrances for the voice sampling test. The counsel of the central agency had also challenged the medical reports furnished by the S.S.K.M. authorities by virtue of which the latter tried to halt the process of voice sampling. New Delhi, Dec 4 : A predictable market trend is that high valuations will lead to corrections. The unpredictable part is the timing and the trigger for the correction. In the last few days, globally markets are correcting and the trigger for the correction is profit booking, which is normal and rational, says V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services. Markets have a tendency to overreact. Perhaps the sharp rise in the US market in response to the Fed pivot was a bit overdone. The marginal rise in the US bond yield is a reflection of the market concern regarding the timing of the expected Fed rate cut, he said. A good strategy now would be to move some money from the overpriced mid and small-caps to the fairly- priced high quality large-caps like the leading banking names, he added. BSE Sensex is up 447 points at 71,803 points on Thursday. NTPC is up 4 per cent, Bajaj Finance is up more than 3 per cent. Indusind Bank and Tata Motors are up more than 2 per cent. Mumbai, Jan 4 : Actor Akshay Oberoi says the forthcoming film 'Fighter' also gave an opportunity to bond with fitness icon and star Hrithik Roshan. "Although a fitness enthusiast from a young age, collaborating with Hrithik on 'Fighter' has given me a fresh perspective on maintaining fitness and a healthy body," said Akshay. "Hrithik is a true fitness icon in Bollywood, and working on the same project has brought two fitness aficionados together. His dedication and passion for fitness are truly inspirational," he added. Hrithik, widely acclaimed for his chiseled physique and commitment to a healthy lifestyle, has become a guiding force for Akshay. Akshay acknowledged the transformative impact of working with Hrithik. "Driving inspiration from my co-actor has given me fresh perspective in leading a fitter life. It's not just about physical fitness; it's a holistic approach that Hrithik embodies, and it's truly motivating," he said. 'Fighter' is an action film directed by Siddharth Anand. The film stars Deepika Padukone, Hrithik and Anil Kapoor, and serves as the first film in a planned aerial action franchise. 'Fighter' is slated to release on January 25. The Hague, Jan 4 : The International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced that it will hold hearings next week on a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of committing "genocidal" acts" in Gaza amid the raging war with Hamas. According to The Hague-based ICJ -- which is the UN's principal judicial organ -- the hearings will be dedicated to South Africa's request for "provisional measures" -- emergency steps the court can order to preserve the rights of a party, reports CNN. The development comes after the court confirmed South Africa's case filed on December 29, 2023, concerning "alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide concerning Palestinians in the Gaza Strip". Following its 84-page application to the ICJ, South Africa's presidency said in a statement that the country was obliged "to prevent genocide from occurring". "South Africa is gravely concerned with the plight of civilians caught in the present Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip due to the indiscriminate use of force and forcible removal of inhabitants," the BBC quoted the statement as saying. "Furthermore, there are ongoing reports of international crimes, such as crimes against humanity and war crimes, being committed as well as reports that acts meeting the threshold of genocide or related crimes... have been and may still be committed in the context of the ongoing massacres in Gaza." On Tuesday, Israel's National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi told local media that the Jewish nation has decided to appear at The Hague-based court. "Israel has signed the convention against genocide for decades, and we will certainly not boycott the proceeding, but stand up and repel the absurd blood plot against us," Hanegbi added. South Africa is scheduled to present its oral arguments on January 11, with Israel set to do the same the following day. Immediately after South Africa submitted its application, spokesperson for Israel's Foreign Ministry Lior Haiat had said that the nation's claim "constitutes despicable and contemptuous exploitation of the Court". He said South Africa was "cooperating with a terrorist organisation that is calling for the destruction of the State of Israel". The development comes as South Africa has been highly critical of Israel's ongoing military operation in Gaza. In November 2023, it recalled all of its diplomats from Israel. Israel, in turn, recalled its Ambassador from Pretoria. In addition, the South African national assembly voted to suspend all diplomatic relations with Israel, but the government is yet to formally responded to the vote. Hubballi, : Jan 4 (IANS) The Karnataka Government has sent on compulsory leave the police Inspector who arrested an alleged Kar Sevak in Hubballi, stirring up a huge controversy in the state. Inspector Mohammad Rafeeq attached to the Hubballi Shehar police station had arrested Srikanth Poojari on December 29, in connection with an arson case reported 31-years-ago. Poojari was sent to judicial custody and sources said that a special team was also formed to reopen the pending cases lodged during the Ayodhya Rath Yatra. Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner, Renuka Sukumar, has handed over charge to BA Jadhav, police sources stated. The BJP staged a protest across the state on Wednesday condemning the arrest of Poojari in connection with a case of arson during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra has given a deadline of 48 hours to the state government to release Poojari. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah issued a press statement over the arrest turning into a major controversy, saying that assigning caste and religious labels to criminals is extremely dangerous. Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara while reacting to the protest launched by the BJP condemning the arrest stated that the man was not a Kar Sevak and has 16 police cases against him. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that Poojarias arrest was a law and order issue and not vendetta politics. However, the decision to send the officer on duty on compulsory leave has put the ruling government on the back foot and raised questions on the action initiated against the alleged Kar Sevak. Ktaka BJP MLA launches 'I am Kar Sevak, arrest me' campaign, detained. Image Source: IANS News Bengaluru, Jan 4 : Karnataka BJP MLA and General Secretary V. Sunil Kumar was detained by police for staging a protest and launching "I am Kar Sevak, arrest me" campaign in Bengaluru on Thursday. Bengaluru, Jan 4 (IANS) Karnataka BJP MLA and General Secretary V. Sunil Kumar was detained by police for staging a protest and launching "I am Kar Sevak, arrest me" campaign in Bengaluru on Thursday. MLA Sunil Kumar sat in front of the Sadashivanagar police station in Bengaluru alone holding a placard which said, "I am Kar Sevak who participated in Ayodhya Ram Mandir movement on Dec 6, 1992, arrest me." As the permission was not obtained to stage the protest, the police took him into custody. The BJP held a statewide protest on Wednesday demanding the immediate release of Srikanth Poojari, a Kar Sevak in connection with a case lodged 31 years ago during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. State President B.Y. Vijayendra had given a 48-hour deadline to the state government for the release of Kar Sevak. The development has brought the Congress government in Karnataka and opposition BJP on a confrontation mode. Wimbledon ban on Russian, Belarus players makes no sense, says Victoria Azarenka.(Photo:Twitter). Image Source: IANS News Brisbane, Jan 4 : Two-time former champion Victoria Azarenka advanced to the quarterfinals at the Brisbane International with a 7-5, 6-2 win over France's Clara Burel. Eighth-seeded Azarenka, the World No.23, needed 1 hour and 33 minutes to end a firm challenge from 22-year-old Burel, a former junior World No.1 now ranked No.56, in their first-ever meeting, WTA reports. The 34-year-old is through to the quarterfinals at the tournament for the fifth time in her career. Azarenka won titles in Brisbane in 2009 and 2016, and was also a finalist in 2014. Two-time Australian Open titlist Azarenka will now face another Grand Slam champion, No.3 seed Jelena Ostapenko, in the quarterfinals. Ostapenko advanced by overcoming No.16 seed Karolina Pliskova 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in 2 hours and 17 minutes on Thursday. Ostapenko snapped Pliskovaas 10-match winning streak at the Brisbane International. Pliskova, who defeated former World No.1 Naomi Osaka in the second round, is a three-time Brisbane champion, including at the two most recent editions of the tournament in 2019 and 2020. Xianne from Singapore said the quality of beauty care services and shopping in Ho Chi Minh City is just as good as at home, while also being 3-4 times cheaper. Xianne is one of many foreigners who have been spending money shopping and visiting hair and beauty salons in HCMC due to the southern metro's uniquely attractive cost-quality ratio. Before traveling to HCMC in November, Xianne scoured social media and travel sites to plan a three-day trip. Instead of visiting sightseeing spots like when she traveled Europe, her activities in Saigon mainly involved shopping and beauty treatments, as well as trying Vietnamese delicacies and visiting the city's popular cafes. Xianne said she explored a number of hair salons and clothing stores reviewed on TikTok as "places only locals know about." She went to a hair salon in an alley in District 1 for a hairdressing that cost a total of VND1.4 million (US$57.35). Xianne receives hairdressing services at a beauty salon in District 1, HCMC, November 2023. Photo courtesy of Xianne She said the price was more than three times cheaper than in Singapore, where she would have paid about VND5 million. Despite cheap cost, the customer service was "irreproachable" and the salon also used hair care products by famous brands, Xianne said. "Saigon is a shopping and beauty paradise. I will definitely come back there," she added. She said the language difference was the biggest barrier while undergoing beauty care services in Saigon, as staff at the hair salons she visited could barely communicate with her and had to use translation software. On Oct. 17, Vietnamese social media was filled with posts about Lisa a world-famous member of K-pop's biggest girl group Blackpink visiting Saigon for shopping. Lisa and her friend visited three famous local shopping locales: apartment building 26 Ly Tu Trong, The New Playground, and the 42 Ton That Thiep building, all of which are popular with young Saigonese. Nguyen Huy Hoang, managing director of e-commerce platform Klook's Vietnamese market, said an increasing number of foreigners have been arriving in HCMC to spend on beauty services and shopping. However, beauty establishments in Ho Chi Minh City still operate on a small scale and have not yet developed their services into tourism products, Hoang said. Revenues from shopping and beauty services contribute to the tourism industry at a modest figure about 5%, compared to other services such as accommodation, sightseeing, and dining, according to Hoang. He noted the example of Thailand, where spa and massage chains located in tourist cities such as Bangkok and Phuket are promoted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand as well as other countries' tourism departments, with product coverage on online travel platforms. Due to the advantage of exchange rate differences, dental and hairdressing services in Vietnam are three to four times cheaper than in Singapore, Australia, and South Korea, while the skills of providers and the quality of services are "always rated much better," said Nguyen Thi Hai Yen, director of travel company Elena Vietnam Travel. In the first 11 months of the year, tourism revenues in HCMC reached VND160 trillion, up 25% against pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Of that figure, revenues from international visitor shopping contributed 9%, according to statistics. Belagavi, Jan 4 : A man, who threatened his wife to make her private video and photos viral if she does not give him divorce, has been arrested from Karnataka, police said on Thursday. The accused has been identified as Kiran Patil, a resident of Belagavi city. According to police, the accused resorted to blackmailing his wife to get married to his lover, the police said. The wife had made many attempts to convince him but failed. The accused had approached the court seeking divorce from the victim. Meanwhile, he also started blackmailing her over making her private video and photos viral on social media. The victim had lodged a complaint with the District Cyber Crime Police station. The police had questioned the accused and found private videos and photos of the victim on his mobile. The accused husband tried to escape from the police station and attempted to commit suicide by drinking poison. The police had admitted him to a hospital and after his discharge on Wednesday night sent him to the Hindalaga prison. New Delhi, Jan 04 : Magazine St. Kitchen, the epicentre of culinary innovation, is set to redefine the gastronomic landscape of Mumbai in January 2024 with a trio of exceptional Guest Chef Series events, each promising an unrivalled experience. Flavours of the Nawabs a" Manzilatas Magazine St. Kitchen Embark on an exquisite journey with Chef Manzilat Fatima, a culinary luminary and a distinguished member of the Royal Family of Avadh. Born into Calcutta's oldest Shia Muslim family, Chef Manzilat's culinary prowess goes beyond her professional expertise, reflecting a deep passion for food and history. From being a lawyer to curating unique authentic Awadhi home dining experiences in Calcutta, she seamlessly combines tradition with local ingredients. Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Awadh as Chef Manzilat crafts a sharing-style menu, featuring both Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options, inviting you to partake in a gastronomic experience that fuses history and flavour.Dates: Friday, January 12, 2024 and Saturday, January 13, 2024 | 7:30 pm - 10:30 pmPrice: Rs. 3,750/-Venue: Magazine St. Kitchen, 13-A, Gala No. 3/4/5, Magazine St., Devidayal Mill, Reay Road East, Darukhana, Byculla, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400010 BBQ at the Baug with Chef Christopher Fernandes at The Table Farm Indulge in the ultimate meat fiesta with Chef Christopher Fernandes at The Table Farm in Alibag. Revered as one of India's foremost barbecue pit masters, Chef Christopher, owner of Cravings by Chris in Goa, is set to create a culinary spectacle. Renowned for his exceptional cuts of meats and smoking techniques, including the famed brisket, Chef Chris is a cultural icon in India's live-fire cooking scene. The event promises an immersive experience with an open pit and slow roast, crafted uniquely by Chef Chris and The Table Farm team.Date: January 21, 2024 | 11:30 am - 3:30 pmPrice: Rs. 5,000/-Venue: The Table Farm, Awas Road, Sasawane Koliwada Road, Aliabug, Maharashtra 402201 Get bowled out at Magazine St. Kitchen with Kricket, UK Experience the debut of Kricket in India as Magazine St. Kitchen proudly hosts the renowned London-based collection of modern Indian restaurants founded in 2015 by university friends Will Bowlby and Rik Campbell. Chef Will, the creative force behind Kricket, brings his unique fusion of British ingredients and Indian flavours to Mumbai. The menu, presented as a tasting experience with both Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options, showcases Kricket's mastery in combining the best of both culinary worlds. Be part of this historic occasion as Magazine St. Kitchen transforms into the stage for Kricket's Indian premiere with the Honar Group and Monika Alcobev.Dates: Wednesday, January 24, 2024 & Thursday, January 25, 2024 | 7:00 pm - 10:30 pmPrice: Rs. 5,000/-Venue: Magazine St. Kitchen, 13-A, Gala No. 3/4/5, Magazine St., Devidayal Mill, Reay Road East, Darukhana, Byculla, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400010 "We are thrilled to start 2024 on such an experimental note. Getting in Kricket to Magazine St. Kitchen for the first time is a pleasure, and Chef Chris yet again to The Table Farm. The first time I had Manzilatas food in Kolkata, I knew I had to get her to Magazine St. Kitchen. Each collaboration represents a cultural and culinary bridge between great food and our guests - a testament to our commitment to bringing diverse, global culinary experiences to our patrons," shares Gauri Devidayal, Co-Founder, of Food Matters Group. IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in Tel Aviv, Jan 4 : The Reichman University in Israel has announced that 20 families who were evacuated from the Kibbutz Kfar Aza, one of the worst-hit sites of the October 2023 Hamas attack, will move into new apartments within the varsity complex. Reichman University -- Israel's only private university located in Herzliya, Tel Aviv -- transformed the new student dormitories on campus as new homes for the evacuees of Kibbutz Aza. The evacuees who have been temporarily residing in Shfayim since the October 7 assault, will be the first residents of a five-storey apartment complex in the university. Each apartment comes furnished with bedding, towels, kitchen utensils, electrical appliances and decorations. A huge sign, that reads, "Kibbutz Kfar Aza, how good that you have come" has been kept at the entrance of the university. In a statement on Wedmesday, Professor Uriel Rehman, the founding president and chairman of the University's Board of Governors, said: "We welcome the families from Kfar Aza with an open heart as part of our university community. We will meet them in the cafeteria, in the campus lawns, assist them with welfare and counseling matters, and we would be happy if they join us as listeners in lectures and events." On the day of the attack, about 70 Hamas gunmen broke through a fence and gained access to Kfar Aza, located about 3 km from the border with the Gaza Strip. After entering the kibbutz, the militants then went on a rampage, massacring residents, including children and elderly persons. Kfar Aza had more than 700 residents prior to the attack, and it took two days for the Israel Defense Forces to regain full control of the community. At least 52 residents were listed as dead, and a further 20 or more were missing. New Delhi, Jan 4 : Hiring expansion in India is expected to be 8.3 per cent in 2024, with a growing demand for talent in AI/ML, data science, and cybersecurity, a new report said on Thursday. Hiring activity in 2023 was 5 per cent lower than in 2022, indicating a slowdown in the job market. However, in December last year, there was a 2 per cent increase in the hiring activity, suggesting a possible turnaround in the hiring scenario, according to the talent management platform foundit (formerly Monster jobs). "Stepping into 2024 marks a shift from resilience to an era of remarkable growth in certain sectors. It is not merely about scaling up teams but fundamentally reimagining how we approach recruitment. In this dynamic landscape, the key to success lies in prioritising investments in cutting-edge technologies like AI, fostering sustainability practices, and seeking strategic guidance," said Sekhar Garisa, CEO of foundit. In 2023, certain sectors showcased remarkable resilience and growth. The maritime and shipping industry surged by 28 per cent, capitalising on increased global trade, and adeptly managing supply chain disruptions. The Retail and Travel & Tourism sectors, both witnessed a 25 per cent uptick, reaping the benefits of the resurgence in consumer spending. The Advertising, Market Research, and Public Relations (PR) sector saw an 18 per cent increase, attributed to the rise of digital marketing and e-commerce, according to the report. Conversely, certain sectors faced significant challenges, registering negative growth. IT-Hardware and Software experienced an 18 per cent decline, reflecting challenges from saturated markets, skill gaps, and global competition. The Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences sectors (-12 per cent) and the Banking/Financial Services and Insurance sector (-9 per cent) also experienced a decline in hiring. Manufacturing faced disruptions with an 8 per cent decline, attributed to supply chain issues and rising input costs, the report noted. Moreover, a notable shift in geographical hiring patterns emerged in 2023. Ahmedabad, experiencing a 6 per cent growth, emerged as the top hiring hub, enticing companies with its talent pool and cost competitiveness. On the other end of the spectrum, traditional employment giants like Bangalore and Pune witnessed declines of 16 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively. Sharmila merges YSR Telangana Party with Cong, says father's dream to see Rahul as PM. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Jan 4 : YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP) leader Y.S. Sharmila on Thursday merged her party with the Congress. Sharmila, daughter of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. Rajasekhara Reddy, joined the Congress in the presence of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and top leader Rahul Gandhi. Both the leaders welcomed her into Congress with party scarves. Supporters of Sharmila raised slogans at the programme held at AICC headquarters here. Sharmila's husband Anil Kumar, AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal and Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president G. Rudra Raju were also present. Later, Sharmila told media persons that she was delighted to merge YSRTP with the Congress party. Sharmila said whatever responsibility the Congress party gives her, she will try to fulfill with loyalty and integrity. "It was my father's dream to see Mr Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Minister and I am happy that I am going to be a part to make it happen," she said. "Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the legendary leader of Telugu people not only served the Congress party all his life but also gave his life serving the Congress party. Today it will give him great joy that his daughter is following in his footsteps and going to be a part of the Congress party," she added. Sharmila, who is sister of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, noted that Congress is still the largest secular party of the country. "The Congress party always upheld the true culture of India and unwaveringly served all communities, uniting all sections of people of India," she said. Sharmila also said that as a Christian she was pained over the cruelty that took place in Manipur. "Two thousand churches were vandalised and 60,000 people became homeless," she said, adding that it struck her that this is what will happen if a secular party is not in power. "Therefore, I am merging YSR Telangana Party into the Congress party gladly today because I know the Congress party will uphold all sections of the society," she said. YSR's daughter said that Rahul Gandhi through his Bharat Jodo Yatra gave immense confidence to most people in India. She claimed that since Congress stood a chance of winning in Telangana, she graciously withheld YSRTP from contesting Assembly elections as she did not want to divide anti-KCR votes. She said she was happy that they contributed to the Congress victory in Telangana. Sharmila, who had actively campaigned for YSRCP in 2019 elections, felt sidelined by Jagan after the party came to power with a landslide victory. In 2021, she entered politics in Telangana and floated the YSRTP. Tel Aviv, Jan 4 : The Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group on Thursday named four of its members who were killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon overnight. In a statement, the Hezbollah said the deceased fighters were identified as Hussein Hadi Yazbek, Hadi Racha, Ibrahim Pahtz and Hossein Ghazala. With the fresh fatalities, the number of Hezbollah militants killed in the ongoing skirmishes with the Israeli army since the October 2023 Hamas attack has increased to 151. Hezbollah said that most of its members were killed in Lebanon but a few in Syria as well. In a televised address on Wednesday night, the group's chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah warned to attack Israel "without restraint" if it expands attacks against Lebanon. Nasrallah made the remarksto commemorate the fourth anniversary of the assassination of top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone attack on January 3, 2020. The Hezbollah leader said that the assassination of Saleh al-Arouri, Hamas' deputy chief, and other Hamas officials in Beirut a day earlier was "a dangerous crime." He said the current confrontation on Lebanon's southern border has been limited, considering the priority of protecting Lebanon's stability and security. However, "if Israel expands its attacks ... all our power will be used to attack Israel; we do not fear the war, and we are not hesitant about it; otherwise, we would have stopped fighting on the southern front", he added. The Lebanon-Israel border witnessed increased tension since October 8, 2023 after the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Israel in support of the Hamas attacks on Israel the previous day, prompting Israel to respond by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. --IANS aal-ksk/ Auckland, Jan 4 : Defending champion Coco Gauff extended her winning streak at the ASB Classic on Thursday by securing a spot in the quarterfinals with a commanding 6-3, 6-0 win against fellow teenager Brenda Fruhvirtova of Czech Republic. Gauff, the No.1 seed from the United States, took 70 minutes to defeat 16-year-old Czech Fruhvirtova in their first meeting on tour. The 19-year-old Gauff has now prevailed in her last seven matches at the ASB Classic. "I thought that I played well. (Fruhvirtova) started off playing really well, and I was able to raise my level. I thought I served well and did better on the returns, and I think I played a great match today," Gauff said on her on-court interview. The reigning US Open champion will next face No.8 seed Varvara Gracheva of France, who defeated Swiss qualifier Lulu Sun 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday. It will be Gauff's first meeting with World No.42 Gracheva. Lucknow, Jan 4 : Pre and post-wedding photo shoots at Lucknow's heritage monuments will now come at a cost. Heritage sites such as Rumi Darwaza, Satkhanda, Clock Tower, Bada and Chhota Imambaras, are among the sites that are favoured by couples for romantic shoots. However, from Thursday onwards people will have to shell out Rs 2,000 for using the premises of heritage sites for photo shoots, read a recent circular released by Hussainabad and Allied Trust (HAT). The officials said that they have already formed a team that will do the rounds in the area and see to it that the orders are followed. "As per the new rules, we will now be levying Rs 2,000 for each wedding shoot that is scheduled around heritage sites such as Bada Imambara and Chhota Imambara, Rumi Darwaza, Picture Gallery, Satkhanda, and the Clock Tower. The pass will be valid only for two hours and once the time limit lapses, a new pass will have to be availed," said Habibul Hasan, Assistant Superintendent, HAT. The trust hopes to generate around Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 a day during the peak wedding season. Depending on the success of this experimental exercise, the trust will deliberate on setting up dedicated counters for booking wedding shoots. "On an average, there are around 25 to 30 wedding shoots each day during the wedding season. The nominal fee that we have fixed will help us generate sufficient revenue that would be directed towards proper maintenance and upkeep of these sites," Hasan added. Bhopal, Jan 4 : A 25-year-old man, who along with his friend went to attend a procession of Lord Hanuman in Indore, was stabbed to death by a group of men during a scuffle on Thursday. As per information, Shubham Raghuvanshi was attacked by knives by a group of youth during the 'prabhat pheri' (procession) around 07.30 a.m. in Indore's Mhow. When Shubham, along with his friend Krishna Prajapati (29), was participating in the procession, they entered into an argument with another group, after which Shubham was stabbed in stomach multiple times. The accused persons also hit Krishna when he tried to save his friend. As Shubham collapsed on the ground, he was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died during treatment. The police are investigating the matter. It is also being investigated whether this is a case of mutual enmity. Thousands of devotees took part in Ranjeet Hanuman Prabhat Pheri amid fog and cold winds. After the incident, a group of right wing Bajrang Dal members staged a protest at Mhow police station and demanded investigation into the matter. The right wing members raised questions as to how the youths entered into the procession with knives. Catastrophic floods kill over 120 in Europe, many still missing. Image Source: IANS News Berlin, Jan 4 : Germany is struggling with widespread flooding caused by heavy rainfall and swelling rivers, with disaster control reaching its limits in some areas due to a lack of sandbags and overflowing dykes. Weeks of persistent rainfall have caused problems in large parts of Germany, and led to the deaths of at least two people, reports Xinhua news agency. The German Weather Service (DWD) is expecting "heavy rain with only brief interruptions", as well as storms and gale-force winds into Thursday. Within 30 to 60 hours, there will be up to 50 liters of rain per square meter in many places, and up to 100 liters per square meter in the mountains. The northern German state of Lower Saxony, which has been hit particularly hard, is now dependent on outside help. Neighbouring federal states have supplied 1.5 million sandbags, while relief workers have also been sent from France, bringing a 1.2-km-long mobile dyke system. Although the financial losses incurred in Germany cannot yet be quantified, politicians are calling for a national emergency situation to be declared in order to be able to take on new debt in 2024. "The floods are causing immense damage, especially in Lower Saxony," Andreas Schwarz, member of the Bundestag for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD), told Spiegel magazine. "We could suspend the debt brake to cover these costs." The debt brake is Germany's instrument for preventing new borrowing. Over the last four years, the government has already suspended the regulation twice, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the energy crisis. During a visit to the flooded area in Lower Saxony on Sunday, Scholz assured the affected states and local authorities that the government would support them "to the best of its ability". Travel searches for Bangkok soared by 200% on Chinese travel platforms following the announcement of a permanent visa waiver between China and Thailand. Thai Prime Minister SretthaThavisin said on Tuesday that Thailand and China would permanently waive visa requirements for each other's citizens from next March as both countries seek to recover tourism post-pandemic. Data from travel platform Mafengwo showed searches for the keyword "Bangkok" surged by 200% by Tuesday noon, Global Times reported. Searches for round-trip tickets between China and Thailand jumped 3.6-fold day-on-day by 2 p.m. Tuesday based on data from travel app Flight Master. Bookings by Chinese tourists for Thailand from now until the Chinese New Year, which occurs around the same time as Vietnam's Lunar New Year (Tet) in early February, have increased by more than 10 times compared with 2023, according to data from Trip.com. Data from Ctrip also showed a 90% increase in searches an hour after the visa waiver announcement while flight searches from Shanghai to Bangkok and Beijing to Bangkok jumped by 40%, iChongquing news site reported. Thailand welcomed 28 million foreign tourists in 2023. The top source market was Malaysia with 4.5 million visitors, followed by 3.5 million arrivals from China. This year Thailand eyes 35 million foreign arrivals. Patna, Jan 4 : Amid buzz that Nitish Kumar may become the convenor of INDIA bloc, some JD(U) leaders are demanding that he be projected as the prime ministerial face ahead of the Lok Sabha election. Madan Sahani, the cabinet minister in the Bihar government under the JD(U) quota, said that the convenor post was not enough for a leader like Nitish Kumar. "NItish Kumar is the most experienced chief minister in the country. He has done many things in Bihar that were followed by the other states. I want to say that convenor in the INDIA bloc is not good enough for him. He should be projected as the prime ministerial face of the INDIA bloc. The work of the convener has already been done by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar," Sahani said. "NItish Kumar was the one who united the opposition parties in the country. The first meeting was also held in Patna followed by three more meetings in Bengaluru, Mumbai and New Delhi. It is an initiative of Nitish Kumar to unite the opposition parties," Sahani said. During the meeting in New Delhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal projected Mallikarjun Kharge as the prime ministerial face of the INDIA bloc. However, many other leaders have said that the selection of PM face will be decided post-Lok Sabha election. Ayodhya : , Jan 4 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh government is formulating a plan to host the International Kite Festival in Ayodhya, ahead of the consecration ceremony scheduled for January 22. The Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) has initiated preparations for the festival, which is likely to take place between January 19 and 21, providing renowned kite flyers from both within the country and around the world with an opportunity to showcase their art. The ADA will engage a private agency to give concrete shape to the event, said a government spokesman. The Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) has invited applications through the Request for Proposal format to appoint an agency for the conceptualisation, designing, execution, and supervision of event management, as well as the development of temporary structures and related infrastructure for hosting the International Kite Festival in Ayodhya. The agency that will carry out this programme will be chosen based on the applications received through this process. The entire selection process is scheduled to be completed by January 8, following which a comprehensive plan for organising the International Kite Festival will be formulated. It is noteworthy that to organise this event on a grand scale, inspiration is being taken from various kite festivals being held in the country and abroad. A visitor area will be made with seating arrangements for 750 people. A lounge with 50 VVIP sofas will be constructed to accommodate the special invitees at the event. Arrangements for 350 cushioned chairs and 350 other chairs will also be made in the programme. Volunteers will be deployed to ensure that the competitors and spectators have a pleasant experience. The food counter will feature dishes made from millet with local flavours. Attendees will have the opportunity to savour Awadhi cuisine. Precautionary measures will be taken to safeguard tents and equipment from monkeys during the event. In addition, high-quality cameras will be installed along with sound arrangements. Given the widespread tradition of kite flying on Makar Sankranti in various parts of the country, including Ayodhya, this event is poised to be a focal point of discussions not only locally but also nationally and internationally. Lucknow, Jan 4 : The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has launched a drive to exhort people to light at least five earthen lamps (diyas) outside their homes on Ram temple consecration day on January 22. Each diya would symbolise the "wait of 100 years" for the temple which is scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "This time Ram is coming back to his home after 500 years. It is just like the time when he returned to Ayodhya after spending 14 years in exile in Treta Yug," said VHP national secretary general Milind Parande. He said the VHP will reach out to crores of families in at least 5 lakh villages and cities of the country to convey the message of lighting diyas. The drive is being carried alongside the 15-day 'akshat' (sacred rice) distribution campaign which started on January 1 in which the VHP cadres are urging people to hold special puja in nearby temples during the consecration ceremony. The exercise would be a recapitulation of what was done in Ayodhya during Diwali last year in November, when the Yogi Adityanath government organised a 'Deepotsav' in which over 21 lakh earthen lamps were lit on the ghats of Saryu and Ram in Paidi. VHP too had steered a drive in the temple town to light five lamps for the upcoming Ram temple. The campaign had attained significance as it was the last Diwali before the grand opening of the Ram temple. VHP spokesperson in Ayodhya, Sharad Sharma said: "Every temple and household in Ayodhya had lit up earthen lamps in Diwali to signify the coming of Ram Temple. We hope to see the same happening across the country on the day of Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla." He said VHP plans to scale up the campaign at the global level. "We will help Ram Bhakts in over 50 countries, including the US, Australia and the UK, in holding prayers at the temples and lighting up diyas to celebrate the occasion," he said, adding that the ceremonies conducted abroad will match the time zone in India. Sources said VHP cadres will reach out to Dalits and other socio-economic sections to ensure their participation in the diya lighting campaign. Bengaluru, Jan 4 : Karnataka Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwara said on Thursday that he will not suspend the police inspector "at any cost" who arrested Kar Sevak Srikanth Poojari in Hubbali. Parameshwara said this while reacting to BJP's demand for the immediate release of Kar Sevak and suspension of the police inspector who made his arrest by January 9. "Inspector of Hubballi will not be suspended. Why should he be suspended? What wrong has he done? Let the BJP protest. If they think there should not be law and order in the state, let them continue with protest," he stated. "Why should the inspector of Hubballi be suspended? He has done his duty. Is it correct to demand his suspension on BJP's disliking for his work? Do we have to suspend all officers?" "It is our duty to maintain law and order. As per the law, the action has been initiated by the Hubballi police. Barring the fact that the arrest has been made during the Ram Mandir inauguration, police have not done anything against the law. BJP is unwantedly blowing it up for political reasons. We can't tolerate the politics of BJP. Let the BJP protest and we will do what is required," Parameshwara said. Asked about the officer being sent on compulsory leave, Minister Parameshwara stated, the officer is not sent on compulsory leave. He has gone on leave for two days and will take charge after returning and carry out his duties. Commenting on the "I am Kar Sevak, arrest me" campaign by BJP leaders in the state, Parameshwara said, "Let them do what they want, we will do our job." Earlier, sources said the Karnataka government had sent the Police Inspector Mohammad Rafeeq, who arrested the Kar Sevak in Hubballi on compulsory leave. Inspector Rafeeq attached to Hubballi Shehar police station had arrested Srikanth Poojari on December 29 in connection with a case reported 31 years ago during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in 1990's. Poojari was sent to judicial custody and sources said that a special team was also formed to reopen the pending cases lodged during the Ayodhya Rath Yatra. The Karnataka BJP staged a protest across the state on Wednesday condemning the arrest of Poojari. Karnataka BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra has given a deadline of 48 hours to the Congress government to release the arrested Kar Sevak. BJP leaders have demanded suspension of police inspector Mohammad Rafeeq. Prabal revolvers to be sold by private arms dealers in Kanpur. Image Source: IANS News Kanpur : , Jan 4 (IANS) Residents of Kanpur can now purchase Prabal revolvers from authorised private arms dealers of the Small Arms Factory (SAF) here. The SAF, a premier weapons production unit of Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited, has granted authorisation for private arms dealers to sell Prabal revolvers from their counters. Launched on August 18, 2023, the new 0.32 side swing lightweight revolver is designed and manufactured by the Small Arms Factory of Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited. The standout feature of Prabal is the side swing cylinder. This innovation provides a firepower of up to 50 metres, more than double that of other revolvers in the market. New Delhi, Jan 4 : India's fintech sector saw funding plunge 63 per cent in 2023 -- at just $2 billion -- from $5.4 billion raised in 2022, a report showed on Thursday. InCred was the only unicorn created in 2023, while the fintech sector saw 31 acquisitions and two IPOs. Only five $100 million+ funding rounds took place last year. India ranked third globally in 2023 in terms of fintech startup funding, strengthening its position as a significant player on the global stage, according to the report by Tracxn, a leading market intelligence platform. Alternative lending, payments and banking-tech were the top-performing segments in the Indian fintech sector. Alternative lending received a funding of $835 million in 2023, down from $2.28 billion in 2022. The BNPL segment saw significant growth due to its adoption within the country, which contributed to the growth of the sector, said the report. "Despite a 63 per cent decline, our sector stands strong as the third-highest funded ecosystem globally, affirming its position as a hub of innovation. The implementation of regulatory measures and the government's commitment to digitalisation have set the stage for a promising future," said Neha Singh, co-founder at Tracxn. Late-stage rounds in 2023 secured $1.4 billion in funding, reflecting a 56 per cent drop compared to the $3.2 billion raised in 2022. Early-stage rounds faced a similar trend, with funding plummeting to $489 million, marking a stark 73 per cent decline from the $1.8 billion raised in 2022, said the report. Seed-stage rounds were also not immune to this downward trajectory, securing $145 million, a 69 per cent drop compared to the $474 million raised in the preceding year. Peak XV Partners, Y Combinator, and LetsVenture were the top investors in the space. Two companies, Zaggle and Veefin, announced IPOs in 2023, compared to five companies that went public in 2022. Bengaluru emerged as the leader in total Fintech funding raised in 2023, followed by Mumbai and Jaipur, said the report. Jaunpur : , Jan 4 (IANS) A 35-year-old doctor was shot dead in Jaunpur by three bike-borne men on Thursday, police said. The incident took place in the wee hours of Thursday in the Jalalpur area in Jaunpur when the accused entered the house of Dr Tilakdhari Singh Patel, located in the same building as his clinic, and shot him dead, Superintendent of Police (City), Brijesh Kumar Gautam said. According to the neighbours, Patel used to keep the door of his residence open at night to help patients reach him in case of an emergency. The doctor, a BAMS degree holder, had been running his clinic 'Sai Chikitsalaya' for the past eight years in a rented accommodation, the police said. The SP said the motive behind the murder was yet to be ascertained, adding that the body had been sent for post-mortem. Efforts were on to nab the accused who went absconding after the incident, he added. India tech startups see lowest funding in 5 years, just 2 unicorns in 2023. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Jan 4 : Despite facing global challenges in 2023 like valuation issues, few IPOs, regulatory changes and macroeconomic and geopolitical trends, India remains the third largest tech start-up ecosystem globally, with over 950 tech startups founded last year, a report showed on Thursday. The cumulative funding for more than 31,000 tech start ups has exceeded $70 billion (from 2019 to 2023), said the report by Nasscom in collaboration with Zinnov. Despite the news on layoffs dominating the startup sector in 2023, as per the survey of over 100 start-up founders, over 65 per cent of them have done moderate hiring last year, said the report. "In 2023, despite facing global economic and regulatory challenges, Indian tech startups have prioritised the imperative of enhancing their business fundamentals, driving profitability and growth," said Debjani Ghosh, President, Nasscom. "The proliferation of tech startups in tier 2 and 3 cities marks the ecosystem's resilience," she added. Navigating 2024, tech startup founders expect to continue the revenue growth path with measured steps focusing on optimising expenditure and maximising profitability for B2B tech startups. Investments in deeptech will continue an upward trend in 2024. With generative AI (GenAI) acceleration, 70 per cent of start-up founders are embedding artificial intelligence (AI) in their solutions. Pari Natarajan, CEO at Zinnov, said the India startup story is no longer about just scale and innovation but also efficiency and adaptability -- all building blocks of sustainable value. Kathmandu, Dec 4 : India on Thursday announced a Rs (Nepalese Rupee) 1,000 crore grant for Nepal's reconstruction bid during the seventh meeting of Nepal-India Joint Commission at the Foreign Ministerial-level, an official said. Earlier, following the devastating earthquake in 2015 in the Himalayan nation, India had announced a $1 billion grant and loan for Nepal's reconstruction bid. The newly announced assistance of Rs 1,000 crore, however, is a fresh one, an official said. The agreement was signed during the visit of Indian External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar to Kathmandu. Jaishankar arrived here on a two-day visit on Thursday and paid a courtesy call to President Ram Chandra Poudel and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda. The other three agreements are the implementation of 'High Impact Community Development Projects' in Nepal for which India will provide NPR 200 million for each small project in its neighbouring nation. Another agreement is for the long-term power trade between the two countries wherein Nepal can export up to 10,000 MW of energy in the next 10 years. Likewise, both sides have launched a Service Agreement for nano satellite developed by Nepal Academy of Science and Technology. The pact was signed between Nepal Academy of Science and Technology and NewSpace India Limited. An official said the another MoU was for cooperation in Renewable Energy Development between Nepal Electricity Authority and NTPC Limited, India. Bengaluru, Jan 4 : The murder tally in Bengaluru has gone up with with 207 cases of the crime being reported in 2023 against 173 in 2022 and 153 in 2021, as per the city policy. Sudden and grave provocation led to most of the murders, at 49, and illegal affairs was the second-most frequent cause, at 32, and 14 murders were committed against the backdrop of love intrigue, as per the comparative statement of motive for murders released by Bengaluru City Police. . Four murders occurred due to conflict in live-in relationships. Previous enmity (31), 'rowdy' murders (7), for gain (2), dowry-related (2), domestic problems (31), disputes over loans/money (17), property dispute (4) were the other triggers for murder and "other reasons" accounted for the remaining 14. As per the police, 36 cases of dacoity, 673 cases of robbery, 153 cases of chain snatching, and 5,909 cases of motor vehicle thefts were also reported in 2023. Of the total 1,189 kidnapping cases reported last year, 981 persons were rescued. A total of 342 boys were kidnapped and 66 remain undetected, while 780 girls were kidnapped and 112 of them are yet to be traced. A total of 48 men and 19 women were kidnapped in Bengaluru and police detected 22 and 15 of them, respectively while 30 remain untraced. As many as 631 cases of crimes against children were reported in Bengaluru in the previous year. Of them, 560 cases were under the Pocso act, 6 under the Child Marriage Restraint Act, and 40 cases were booked under the Juvenile Justice Act. As many as 11 cases of concealment of birth by secret disposal of a child (Section 318 IPC) were reported and none of the cases were detected. Among 560 cases under Pocso Act, 538 were detected. A total of 17,623 cases of cybercrimes have been reported in Bengaluru and 14,285 are detected. The number of reported cybercrimes in 2022 were 9,940 and 6,422 in 2021. Total number of suicides reported in the city stood at 2,358, against 2,299 cases in 2022 and 2,292 in 2021. Out of them 1,466 males and 574 females ended life by hanging. As many as 3,490 persons lost lives in accidental cases of death this year. The Bengaluru cops have detected 3,443 cases of drugs and seized 5,387 kg of narcotic substances, while 4,399 arrests were made. The value of seized drugs was Rs 103.22 crores. As per the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) report, 247 foreign nationals were deported, while 126 foreigners were arrested and 92 cases were registered against foreign nationals for involvement in crime. The Russian Federation ended the old year and welcomed the new as one would have expected of a country that has no respect for human beings, human rights, or international law: by continuing its shameless attacks on Ukrainian civilian populations and infrastructure. Indeed, according to United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, Khaled Khiari, the intensity of the attacks is escalating. On December 27, Russia conducted one of the largest aerial assaults since its full-scale invasion began in February 2022, launching 158 combined drones and missiles against Ukraine. This assault is a stark reminder that, after nearly two years of this devastating war, Putins objective remains unchanged. He seeks to obliterate Ukraine and subjugate its people, said John Kelley, Political Minister Counselor at the United States Mission to the United Nations. Rather than peace, Putin chose to mark this holiday season and usher in the New Year with an unprecedented number of drone and missile attacks against another UN Member State. Current estimates are these strikes killed at least 30 and injured more than 120 others, he said. And these numbers are expected to climb. The blasts were nationwide. There were reports of strikes hitting a maternity hospital, a kindergarten, a shopping mall, a metro station, and other civilian areas. In defense of this horrendous attack on Ukrainian civilians, the Russian Federation made the absurd claim that its missiles did not harm anyone in Ukraine and that instead, Ukraines defense systems caused the deaths of the victims. The Kremlins rhetoric and lies do not erase or conceal the horrifying wreckage across the country and thousands of innocent lives lost since the start of its war, said Ambassador Kelley. This attack is yet another warning of what is at stake. It shows us why the international community must continue to support Ukraine. It shows us why the international community must continue to demand Russia cease its aggression and immediately withdraw from Ukraines internationally recognized territory, he said. The United States stands with Ukraine and will continue to call for accountability for the crimes of Russian officials and forces against the people of Ukraine, said Ambassador Kelley. We will not abandon the brave people of Ukraine who are fighting today for their freedom [and] for their country. Mumbai, Dec 4 : After two days of decline, Nifty on Wednesday regained strength and closed with gains of 141 points (+0.7 per cent) at 21,659 levels, said Siddhartha Khemka, Head of Retail Research at Motilal Oswal Financial Services. The broader market outperformed with the Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 up 1 per cent. All sectors ended in green with realty, PSU bank, and financials being the top gainers. Real-estate saw a sharp rally of 6 per cent on the back of strong launch pipeline, Khemka said. Niche sectors like defence, power finance, and hotels were too in the limelight. Impressive quarterly business updates from financial heavyweights lifted the domestic equities Thursday, despite weak global cues. "Overall, the market showed strong resilience on Thursday, which is likely to strengthen further as we head into the results season and more companies announce their business updates," Khemka said. Nifty Realty was the sector which outperformed on Thursday, up by 6.76 per cent. Expectations of robust pre-sale figures in real-estate companies fueled optimism in the sector, said Vaibhav Vidwani, Research Analyst at Bonanza Portfolio. Most of the banks and PSU banks were up on Thursday, because of the robust guidance reported by IndusInd Bank, Central Bank and Ujjivan Small Finance bank. Bajaj Finance, NTPC, ONGC, Tata Consumer and IndusInd Bank were among the top gainers on the Nifty, while the losers included BPCL, LTIMindtree, Dr Reddy's Laboratories, HCL Technologies and Hero MotoCorp. Bengaluru, Jan 4 : Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai attacked the state government on the issue of disbursement of drought relief, on Thursday. Bommai said that the state government has been giving the excuse of Aadhaar linkage for the delay in the disbursement of drought relief. "Already, 69 lakh bank accounts of farmers have been Aadhaar-linked to the FRUITS Software but Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is giving technical reasons to cover up the sad economic condition of the state," said Bommai. He told reporters here on Thursday that it would become difficult for any government to function if the farmers revolt. "The government must immediately put Rs 2,000 in the bank account of each farmer and stop buying time," he said. He further stated that most of the taluks have been declared drought-hit and the crops in both Kharif and Ravi seasons have failed. "So far, the government hasn't released any money and work hasn't started. By not doing anything in the last six months, the Siddaramaiah Government is cheating farmers by hiding behind the issue of Aadhaar-linkage. "The agriculture department has predicted a fall in food production but no precautions have been initiated," he said. For everything the state government is pointing towards the Centre, he said. "The previous governments distributed compensation to farmers without waiting for funds from the Centre," Bommai stated. The CM had committed to put Rs 2,000 in the bank account of every farmer as relief for every hectare but now the Government is insisting on Aadhaar-linkage, he said. Panaji, Jan 4 : Speaking on the summoning of only a six-day assembly session in the first half of 2024, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao on Thursday said that the BJP government is too rattled to face the Opposition. Alemao was reacting to the summoning of a six-day session of the Legislative Assembly from February 2. "It is now certain that the first six months of 2024 will have only six days of business in the Goa Legislative Assembly as the next session is expected only in July-August 2024. This is being deliberately done because the BJP government is rattled to face the Opposition," Alemao said. "It is loud and clear that the BJP government headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has completely failed in fulfilling its commitments. The government could implement hardly 34 percent of the budget announcements of 2022-23. This year the performance will be worse as the government could initiate the process of only 10.51 percent of the budget announcements of 2023-24. This data was revealed by the Department of Planning, Statistics and Evaluation," Alemao pointed out. "We will take up the issues pertaining to giving additional time to the opposition MLAs during various debates and discussions, increasing the number of Calling Attentions and giving maximum opportunities to the Opposition during the Business Advisory Committee meeting. We will also demand strict action against the officials who give incomplete, incorrect and misleading replies to the Legislative Assembly questions," stated Alemao. Kathmandu, Jan 4 : Nepal and India on Thursday comprehensively reviewed the status of bilateral ties and areas of cooperation that exist between the two countries during the seventh meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Commission here. To take part in the meeting, India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday and co-chaired the talks along with his Nepal counterpart, N.P. Saud. "Had a comprehensive and productive meeting of the 7th India-Nepal Joint Commission. The discussions focused on our overall bilateral ties, trade and economic relations, land, rail, and air connectivity projects, cooperation in defence and security, agriculture, energy, power, water resources, disaster management, tourism, civil aviation, people-to-people contact, cultural exchanges and development partnership, Jaishankar tweeted. The Joint Commission is the highest-level political mechanism between Nepal and India to take stock of the state of bilateral relations. During the meeting, Nepal and India inked several agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoU), where India announced a grant of NPR 1,000 crore for the country's reconstruction bid after the devastating earthquake last year. This is a new grant announced by India to assist Nepal in its reconstruction bid. Both sides also inked another agreement on long-term power trade, setting a target to reach 10,000 megawatt of electricity exports to India in the coming 10 years. Nepal's Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Gopal Sigdel, and India's Energy Secretary Pankaj Agarwal signed an MoU on the deal during a meeting at the Yak and Yeti Hotel here. The energy deal was among the four agreements signed on Thursday. Another agreement is related to an increase of Indian aid for small development projects in Nepal. As of now, India has been providing Rs 5 crore to execute small development projects. Now, the budget has been increased to Rs 20 crore, according to the agreement. This small development grant will be provided through government bodies and other organisations. According to Amrit Rai, spokesperson for Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, India has also agreed on Rs 10 billion financial aid to Nepal for the reconstruction of Jajarkot and Rukum West, which were worst hit by the earthquake in November. Likewise, an agreement has been reached for the launch of Nepali satellites between the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology and New Space India Limited under the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). ISRO will launch the made in Nepal satellites. Similarly, an MoU was inked for cooperation in the renewable energy sector between the Nepal Electricity Authority and the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), India. Saud and Jaishankar also jointly inaugurated three cross-border transmission lines. New Delhi, Jan 4 : The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Thursday advised citizens to beware of malicious incoming calls from international numbers claiming to cause disruption in India's stock exchanges and trading. New Delhi, Jan 4 (IANS) The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Thursday advised citizens to beware of malicious incoming calls from international numbers claiming to cause disruption in Indiaas stock exchanges and trading. Such malicious calls are initiated by anti-national elements aimed at creating panic, it said. DoT has directed all the telecom service providers to block malicious calls from such numbers. Citizens, on receiving such calls, are advised to report them either to DoT at help-sancharsaathi@gov.in or their telecom service provider. New Delhi/Aizawl, Jan 4 : Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Thursday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and discussed several issues including the Myanmar refugee issue. Lalduhoma apprised the Prime Minister that the current border with Myanmar was forced upon the two ethnic groups by the then British government without the prior consent of the people and that it is still unacceptable for people on both sides of the border. He further stated that the wish of people on both sides of the border was to come under one administration and that the refugees seeking shelter inside Mizoram were not treated differently but as brothers and sisters of the Mizo people. The Myanmar refugees belong to the Chin-Zo ethnic tribe and have similar ethnic, cultural and traditional ties with the Mizos of Mizoram. The Chief Minister also extended his wish for a 'Greater Mizoram' as part of the 'Akhand Bharat'. Lalduhoma also stated in his social media posts that the Prime Minister had advised him to submit a proposal for a better and uniformed system of the Inner Line Permit (ILP). The ILP, under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, is now being enforced in Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. The main aim of the ILP system is to check the settlement of other Indian nationals in these states to protect the native and indigenous population. Protection is also extended to the indigenous people with regard to land, jobs and other facilities. The Mizoram Chief Minister on Wednesday met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and discussed the Myanmar refugee issue. The first influx from Myanmar started after the military toppled the Aung San Suu Kyi Government and seized power in a coup in February 2021. Since then, over 32,000 people, including women and children, have taken shelter in the northeastern state of India from Myanmar. Lalduhoma is a former Indian Police Service officer and batchmate (1977) of Jaishankar in the Indian Civil Service. After meeting him, Jaishankar said on X, "So glad to meet Chief Minister of Mizoram Shri Lalduhoma ji. We began Government service at the same time and trained together. Discussed how MEA and the state government could collaborate more closely." The Mizoram Chief Minister on Thursday also held a meeting with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and discussed the progress of ongoing National Highway projects in the state. This was Lalduhoma's first visit to the national Capital after assuming the office of the Chief Minister of Mizoram on December 8. New Delhi, Jan 4 : Microsoft has rebranded its Edge browser on iOS and Android to "Microsoft Edge: AI browser". Users noticed that the company recently renamed its mobile browser to Microsoft Edge: AI browser, reports Neowin. The browser's page on the App Store and Google Play Store advertises new AI-powered capabilities such as the DALL-E 3 image generator, article summarization with Copilot, image recognition, and more. "Microsoft Edge, your AI-powered browser, with Copilot built in to enhance your browsing experience. Empowered by GPT-4, Copilot enables you to ask questions, refine searches, receive comprehensive summaries and create images with DALL-E 3. Microsoft Edge is a smarter way to browse, find, create and shop on the go," the company said in its updated App Store listing. The new name seems to be generating mixed reactions from customers. Some claim Microsoft has no right to call Edge an "AI browser", while others support the new naming scheme considering how many extra features you get by pressing the Copilot button on the toolbar. "Microsoft has apparently decided to name Edge on Android "Microsoft Edge: AI Browser". I'm so deeply disappointed at every decision that Microsoft leadership makes around Edge. It's like every time they're presented with two options, they intentionally chose the worse option," a user wrote on X. Meanwhile, Microsoft has disabled its ms-appinstaller URI scheme (App Installer) after observing that threat actors are using it to distribute malware. According to a blog from Microsoft Threat Intelligence, the tech giant has been observing threat actors since mid-November 2023. Mumbai, Jan. 4 : The much-awaited showpiece Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) will be opened this month, and the toll for cars has been fixed at Rs 250 for the first year, officials said here on Thursday. The state Cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and attended by Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar and other ministers accorded approval for the toll proposal of Rs 250 per car for the opening year. Shinde said the toll is 50 per cent lower than the rate charged for vehicles as per the general rules of road tax and it will be reviewed next year. For frequent travellers, the return pass will come at a discount of 50 per cent of the one-way fare, the daily pass will cost 2.5 times the one-way fare, while the monthly pass will be 50 times of Rs 250. The MTHL, officially aAtal Bihari Vajpayee Shivdi-Nhavasheva Atal Setua, is likely to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the next few days, according to officials. Post the Cabinet meeting, state minister Girish Mahajan informed mediapersons that the toll is very reasonable and lower than other highways for travel on the 21.8-km long MTHL, which has cost a total of Rs 21,200 crore, including a loan component of Rs 15,100 crore. Mahajan said that in order to recover the mega-project costs, the toll will be levied for around 30 years by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), for which toll booths have been built at Chirle in Navi Mumbai. The MTHL will slash the travel distance between Panvel and south Mumbai by around 15 km, and save commuting time of almost 100-120 minutes during peak hours, enabling motorists to save hugely on fuel costs, reducing pollution, traffic and congestions. In order to avoid disturbing the protected flamingo bird sanctuary at Sewri mudflats in the Thane Creek, a Ramsar wetland site, MTHL has installed sound-barriers on both sides. It also has visual barriers for the sensitive locations like the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and the Mahul Oil Refinery along the MTHL. The MTHL will offer faster connectivity to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg, the Mumbai-Pune Highway and other major national and state thoroughfares. Work on what is the countryas longest creek road-bridge started in 2018, but missed several deadlines, including during the Covid pandemic. New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee with party MPs at the Parliament House Complex. Image Source: IANS News Kolkata, Jan 4 : Infighting in the ruling Trinamool Congress seems to be taking a murkier turn with the office of a rebel Trinamool Congress legislator from Hooghly district being ransacked on Thursday morning just a day after he made a social media post targeting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Posting a picture of his ransacked office, the Trinamool Congress legislator from the Balagarh Assembly constituency in Hooghly district, Manoranjan Byapari has accused the local TMC leader and zilla parishad member Runa Khatun of masterminding the attack. Byapari has also said that Khatun, who enjoys the confidence of some influential Trinamool Congress leaders in Kolkata, always belittles him, the latest example of which was the ransacking of his party office within his constituency. Khatun has, however, denied the charges and claimed that the ransacking was because of public anger over the legislator's derogatory social media post. She has also filed a counter general diary at the local police station accusing Byapari of making derogatory comments against her on the social media. Embarrassed by the development, the Trinamool Congress leadership, on Thursday directed Byapari not to visit his constituency for the time-being. However, Byapari had clearly said that he will not abide by the directive and fight his battle with the support of the local people. In his explosive social media post on Wednesday, Byapari has accused Khantun of spreading false allegations against him of passing the literary works of a deceased and eminent writer as his own creation. On this point he had raised the issue of Mamata Banerjee. "I have been made the legislator of Balagarh by the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. My question is if she can choose a corrupt person like me for that position, what kind of person she is? Why didn't the Chief Minister enquire about me before nominating me? So am I to believe that the accusations of the Opposition parties are right in claiming that all in Trinamool Congress are thieves?" Byapari posted. Jaipur, Jan 4 : Manvendra Singh Jasol, the son of late BJP stalwart Jaswant Singh, who joined the Congress from the BJP in 2018, is reportedly upset with the grand old party, giving rise to speculation that he might return to the saffron camp. On Wednesday, talking to the media on the birth anniversary of his father late Jaswant Singh Jasol, he said, "I did not wish to contest elections from Siwana, but when I was sent there, I fought." When he was asked about joining the BJP, he said- "Let's see how the weather is. The supporters will decide what happens next." Earlier on the same day, in an interview given to the media on the birth anniversary of former minister Jaswant Singh, he said - "Do not make it public until the relationship is finalized with someone." On the question of the changed profile on social media, he said "Today is the birth anniversary of father Jaswant Singh. It was his closest friendship with Atal ji. Both are together in the other world also. Have remembered him." "Atal ji's family also finds this photo the best and beautiful. Keeping this in mind, I have posted a photo remembering both of them." According to political analysts, as soon as the BJP's Bhajanlal Sharma was made the Rajasthan Chief Minister, speculation about Manvendra Singh joining the BJP had increased. Singh has had political differences with former CM Vasundhara Raje and the party neither made Raje the CM face nor gave her any post in the cabinet. In such a situation, it is now being said that talks are going on with senior leaders of the BJP and Manvendra Singh can again return to the BJP after 'Malmas' i.e. January 14. In fact, in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, former Foreign and Defence Minister late Jaswant Singh wanted to contest from the Barmer-Jaisalmer Lok Sabha seat. But the then CM Vasundhara Raje got Colonel Sonaram Choudhary from the Congress to join the BJP and got him the ticket. Since then a battle of self-respect started between Vasundhara Raje and the Jasol family. During this time, Jaswant Singh got injured after he slipped at home, went into a coma and later passed away. Due to this fight, Manvendra Singh left the BJP and joined the Congress in 2018. He contested two assembly and one Lok Sabha election on Congress tickets but lost all three. The Congress made Colonel Manvendra Singh contest the 2018 assembly elections against the then CM Vasundhara Raje, but Manvendra lost. After this, he contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Barmer-Jaisalmer on a Congress ticket but lost to the BJP's Kailash Chaudhary by a huge margin. Manvendra was made the chairman of the Sainik Welfare Board in the Congress government. In 2023, Manvendra Singh wanted to contest the assembly elections from Jaisalmer and started preparations there. But at the last moment, the Congress did not give him the ticket from there but from the Sivana seat. Manvendra contested the election from Siwana but due to the rebellion of the Congress candidate, the Congress got divided into two factions. Manvendra again lost and came third. He is reportedly annoyed with the Congress for not giving him the ticket from Jaisalmer. The United States will defend itself and its interests from attacks by Iran-backed Houthis, who have escalated their targeting of commercial shipping to show support for Hamas, after Hamas brutal October assault on Israel. The Houthis have launched missiles and drones in dozens of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea region. In December, the United States organized a multinational maritime coalition to strengthen security for mariners and global shipping in the areas critical waterways. On December 31, in responding to an SOS [emergency distress] call, and after being fired on by Houthis trying to hijack a Maersk container vessel in the Red Sea, the United States military sank three boats, killing the Houthi crews on board. It was the first time there were fatalities among the Houthis from U.S. defensive actions taken in response to the militants attacks. After the incident, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communication John Kirby said the United States does not seek a widening of the conflict, but he insisted the U.S. will act in self-defense going forward. The Houthis could not do what they are doing without the support of Iran. To counter it, the United States also continues to take aim at the Houthis financial networks. On December 28, the Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, designated one individual and three entities responsible for facilitating the flow of Iranian financial assistance to the Houthis. In a statement, the Treasury Department noted that among the designated were the head of the Currency Exchangers Association in Sanaa, Nabil Ali Ahmed Al-Hadha, and three exchange houses in Turkiye and Yemen Al Aman, the Nabco Money Exchange and Remittance Company, and Al Rawda Exchange and Money Transfers Company. The Treasury Department said that those sanctioned have facilitated the transfer of millions of dollars to the Houthis at the direction of U.S.-designated Said al-Jamal, who is affiliated with Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard CorpsQods Force. Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson wrote that the U.S. action underscores our resolve to restrict the illicit flow of funds to the Houthis ... The United States, along with our allies and partners, he declared, will continue to target the key facilitation networks that enable the destabilizing activities of the Houthis and their backers in Iran. Kolkata, Jan 4 : Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday appraised a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court that they have collected the voice sample of Sujay Krishna Bhadra, a prime accused in the multi-crore cash-for-school job case in West Bengal, and will sumit the detailed report soon with the court. After a brief hearing in the matter on Thursday afternoon, the single-judge bench of Justice Amrita Sinha said that the next hearing will be scheduled on January 10. Now murmurs are going in the legal circles on the reason for asking the state advocate general to be present on the next date of hearing since this is the time such a direction has been given at least in the matter being heard at Justice Sinhaas bench. Incidentally, Justice Sinha, on Thursday, also directed the state advocate general Kishor Dutta to be present during the hearing on January 10. On Thursday, a counsel of Bhadra approached the bench with a plea for not giving any direction in the matter without hearing the argument from his clientas end. However, the bench did not give any specific instruction in the matter. On Wednesday, an in-camera hearing was conducted at the bench of Justice Sinha. While nothing relating to the proceedings at the in-camera hearing surfaced, what followed was the sudden operation by the ED sleuths through which Bhadra was shifted from the state-run S.S.K.M Medical College & Hospital to Centre-run ESI Hospital on late Wednesday evening. The voice sampling test was conducted on the same night and ultimately Bhadra was shifted back to S.S.K.M in the wee hours on Thursday morning. New Delhi, Jan 4 : India's toy industry has witnessed a remarkable growth in FY 2022-23 in comparison to FY 2014-15, with the decline in imports by 52 per cent, rise in exports by 239 per cent, and development of overall quality of the toys available in the domestic market. These observations have been noted in a case study on "Success Story of Made in India Toys" conducted by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow at the behest of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The study highlights that in a span of 6 years, from 2014 to 2020, these dedicated efforts have led to the doubling of the number of toy manufacturing units, reduction in dependence on imported inputs from 33 per cent to 12 per cent, increase in gross sales value by a cumulative annual growth rate of (CAGR) of 10 per cent, and overall rise in labour productivity. The report states that the efforts of the government have enabled the creation of a more conducive manufacturing ecosystem for the Indian toy industry. The report analyses that India is also emerging as a top exporting nation due to the country's integration into the global toy value chain, along with zero-duty market access for domestically-manufactured toys in countries including the UAE and Australia. The report stated that in order to position India as a viable alternative to current toy hubs of the world, i.e., China and Vietnam, consistent collaborative efforts of the toy industry and the government are essential for advancements in technology, embracing e-commerce, encouraging partnerships and exports, investing in brand-building, engaging with educators and parents to communicate with children, valuing cultural diversity and collaborating with regional artisans, etc. The report emphasised that to address these issues and foster growth in the Indian toy industry, a strategic plan of action was needed. The government has implemented several interventions and initiatives such as formulation of a comprehensive National Action Plan for Toys (NAPT) having 21 specific action points, and implemented by 14 Central Ministries/Departments, with DPIIT as the coordinating body. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his "Mann ki Baat" address in August 2020, had expressed his desire to establish India as a global toy manufacturing hub. To fulfill the vision, the government has undertaken a series of initiatives including formulation of a comprehensive programme like the NAPT to promote designing of toys, using toys as a learning resource, monitoring quality of toys, promoting indigenous toy clusters, etc. The basic customs duty on toys was increased from 20 per cent to 60 per cent in February 2020, and subsequently to 70 per cent in March 2023. The grant of licences was made easier to micro sale units manufacturing toys without testing facility for one year and without establishing in-house testing facility, which was further extended by three years. The BIS has granted more than 1200 licences to domestic manufacturers and more than 30 licences to foreign manufacturers for manufacture of toys with BIS standard marks. Besides, a cluster-based approach was adopted to support domestic toy industry. The Ministry of MSME is supporting 19 toy clusters under the Scheme of Funds for the Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI), and the Ministry of Textiles is providing designing and tooling support to 13 toy clusters. Several promotional initiatives have also been undertaken to promote indigenous toys and encourage innovation, including The Indian Toy Fair 2021, Toycathon, etc. New Delhi, Jan 4 : China, India, and Japan are the three leading countries in Asia in terms of the number of new cancer cases, deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), according to a study. The findings, published in the journal The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia, examined the temporal patterns of incidence, mortality, disability and risk factors of 29 cancers for 49 Asian countries from 1990 through 2019. India emerged as the second-highest contributor to the disease burden in Asia with about 12 lakh new cancer cases and 9.3 lakh deaths in 2019. China was the top-ranked country with 48 lakh new cases and 27 lakh deaths. Japan was the third leading country with about 9 lakh new cases and 4.4 lakh deaths. Out of 49 countries, 15 had DALYs count of more than one million, led by China (673 lakh) and India (271 lakh), revealed the study, conducted by an international team of researchers, including experts from the National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur and Bathinda. Overall, tracheal, bronchus, and lung (TBL), breast, colon and rectum cancer (CRC), stomach and non-melanoma skin cancer were mostly among the top-5 most frequent cancers in Asia in 2019 with few countries having leukemia, prostate, liver and pancreatic cancer among the top-5 cancers. Among the 34 risk factors, smoking, alcohol consumption, and ambient particulate matter (PM) pollution remained the dominant risk factors. In addition, high prevalence of smokeless tobacco such as khaini, gutkha, betel quid and paan masala also showed a public health concern in South Asian countries such as India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. The study results showed that India alone accounted for 32.9 per cent of global deaths and 28.1 per cent of new cases of lip and oral cavity cancer in 2019. As per the global adult tobacco survey (GATS), 199.4 million adults in India consumed smokeless tobacco (SMT). Notably, more than 50 per cent of the oral cancer burden has been attributed to SMT, whose prevalence has grown in recent times in South Asia, including India. SMT not only increases the risk of oral cancers but also enhances the risk of oesophageal and pancreatic cancer. "With growing incidence, cancer has become a more significant public health threat in Asia, demanding urgent policy attention and guidance. Its heightened risk calls for increased cancer awareness, preventive measures, affordable early-stage detection, and cost-effective therapeutics in Asia," said the researchers in the paper. "The current study can serve as a useful resource for policymakers and researchers in Asia for devising interventions for cancer management and control," they added. Amber Heard humbled by audience response to her 'Aquaman 2' role. Image Source: IANS News Los Angeles, Jan 4 : Hollywood actress Amber Heard, who reprised her role of Mera in 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom', is pleased with the response to her work from the audience. The actress took to social media to acknowledge all the support she's been receiving from fans who watched the DC Studios film, reports Deadline. "After all this time, 'Aquaman 2' made its splash (sorry, it's too easy)", Amber posted on Instagram along with a series of photos from the set of the movie. "Thank you to all of my fans for the overwhelming support and love in Mera's AQ return. Thank you so much". As per Deadline, Amber first played the role of Mera in 2017's 'Justice League' before reprising her role in the 'Aquaman' film in 2018 directed by James Wan. The Aquaman sequel directed by Wan from a screenplay by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick was released on December 22, 2023. 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom' picks up several years after Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) became king of Atlantis, married Mera, and had a son they named Arthur Jr. The film's sequel was announced after the allegations Amber raised against Johnny Depp. Warner Bros. removed Johnny from 'Fantastic Beasts 3' and an online petition to have Amber removed from the 'Aquaman' sequel garnered over 1.5 million signatures. Earlier this year, Wan addressed rumours that Amber's involvement in the sequel was watered down. Hyderabad, Jan 4 : With the Y.S. Sharmila joining the Congress party, the political equation may alter in Andhra Pradesh, where the grand old party is looking to revive its fortunes. A decade after being virtually wiped out from the political scene of Andhra Pradesh due to public anger over bifurcation of the state, the Congress is trying to stage a comeback. Sharmila, who merged YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP) with the Congress on Thursday, has expressed her readiness to accept any task in the party including a responsibility in Andhra Pradesh. If this happens, it will set the stage for a direct confrontation between Sharmila and her brother and Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. While Jagan Mohan Reddy invoked the legacy of his father Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy to float YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) to push out Congress and occupy its political space in the state politics, now the Congress is looking to cash in on part of the same legacy to bounce back in its former stronghold. Sharmila stood by his brother when he raised the banner of revolt against Congress in the aftermath of the demise of their father and then chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh YSR in a helicopter crash in 2009. Now, she is seen as someone who can give a new lease of life to the Congress in Andhra Pradesh. The Congress' recent victory in Telangana after failing twice to capture power despite claiming credit for carving out the state has given the party hopes of a revival in the other Telugu state. With Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh due along with the Lok Sabha polls in April-May, the Congress party under Sharmila's leadership may try to win back YSR loyalists and also those unhappy with Jagan Mohan Reddy's leadership. Even before Sharmila joined the Congress, it drew the first blood with Alla Ramakrishna Reddy declaring his support. The YSRCP MLA from Mangalagiri recently quit the party and also resigned as MLA. Some other YSRCP leaders are likely to join hands with Sharmila. Political observers say coming days may see swift developments. As Jagan Mohan Reddy is planning to drop many sitting MLAs to overcome perceived anti-incumbeny, some of them may look towards Congress. In 2019 elections, YSRCP had bagged 151 Assembly seats in 175-member Assembly. It had also won 22 out of 25 Lok Sabha seats. In the second consecutive election, the Congress party drew a blank both in Assembly and Lok Sabha polls. Its vote share dropped to less than two per cent. With most of its senior leaders joining YSRCP and other parties during the last one decade, the Congress appeared totally demoralised. "Even if a section of sitting YSRCP MLAs join Congress after being denied re-nomination, it will make a huge difference to Congress to at least improve its vote share and have representation in Assembly," said political analyst Palwai Raghavendra Reddy. Sharmila along with her mother Y.S. Vijayamma had held YSRCP's banner when Jagan Mohan Reddy was arrested and jailed in alleged disproportionate assets casein 2012. She undertook state-wide padyatra to mobilise support for Jagan, who was spent 16 months in jail. Sharmila had played an active role in YSRCP campaign in 2014 elections but the party narrowly lost the fight to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). She was again the star campaigner for YSRCP in 2019. After YSRCP stormed to power with a landslide majority in 2019, Sharmila was sidelined by his brother. Unhappy over this, she decided to chart her own course by entering politics in Telangana in 2021. She floated YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP) promising to bring back Rajanna Rajyam, a reference to the 'golden rule' of her late father. She undertook a padyatra to highlight the problems faced by people and confronted the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government. On a few occasions, she landed in controversies with her bitter attacks on BRS leaders and was even arrested. She was keen to field candidates in all 119 Assembly seats in Telangana. After Congress' victory in Karnataka, she began talks with the grand old party for a merger. She also had a meeting with Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. However, the merger did not materialise as a section of Congress leaders in Telangana was against Sharmila's entry into Telangana politics. Her decision not to contest the Telangana elections and support to Congress party was acknowledged by the central leadership. A month after the Congress victory in Telangana, the party invited her for the merger and she readily accepted it. Sharmila has joined the Congress at a time when TDP and Pawan Kalyan-led Jana Sena have joined hands to tak on YSRCP. Pawan Kalyan is also trying to rope in BJP to avoid any split of anti-YSRCP votes. In 2019, YSRCP had polled 49.95 per cent votes. The TDP was distant second with 39.17 per cent votes and 23 Assembly seats. While Jana Sena had secured over 5 per cent votes, the Congress and the BJP had polled less than two and one per cent votes, respectively. Row as Maha Minister orders cops to 'break bones' of guests at his own birthday bash. Image Source: IANS News Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar : , Jan. 4 (IANS) Maharashtra Minority Development Minister Abdul Sattar became the target of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) after he was purportedly seen and heard ordering the police to "cane and break bones" of guests invited to his own birthday bash late on Wednesday Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Maharashtra), Jan. 4 (IANS) Maharashtra Minority Development Minister Abdul Sattar became the target of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) after he was purportedly seen and heard ordering the police to "cane and break bones" of guests invited to his own birthday bash late on Wednesday A video of the incident showing the Minister raising his voice, raising his arms and asking the police "to beat them like dogs, so much that their buttock-bones are broken", drew flak from the MVA allies Congress and Shiv Sena-UBT. The minister, belonging to the ruling ally Shiv Sena, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, shouts his orders on the mike, ostensibly after the crowds became wild and uncontrollable during a performance by the popular 'Lavni' dancer Gautami Patil plus her troupe to celebrate his birthday, which fell on January 1. Leader of Opposition in the Council, Ambadas Danve, of the Shiv Sena-UBT, slammed the Minister for his use of words like "demon", "dogs", "buttocks", etc before the crowds. "The kind of language that Sattar has used suits his culture It is also accepted by the ruling allies Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party which are ruling the state," he said. Congress state chief spokesperson Atul Londhe asked whether Sattar "is a Minister or a goon", and "whether CM Shinde will show courage to take action" against his arrogant colleague. "The more shocking part is that Sattar orders the police to 'beat these people like dogs, break their backs, what's the point of having a thousand cops when you can't beat up these 50,000 people?'" The Minister's ire came after the crowds went rapturous and then became berserk, resulting in chaos and confusion in the darkness. Initially, Sattar attempted to appeal for peace and calm, but when it failed to restore order, he virtually screamed out the orders to the police to use brutal force on the invitees of his own birthday bash. Terming Sattar "unfit to be a Minister", Londhe demanded of Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis whether the police are being used to provide security to the minister's private parties. "Sattar has always been controversial Earlier his name came up in the TET scam, the 37 acres cattle grazing land-scam, and his aide's name cropped up in a fake raid case, he also abused Nationalist Congress Party-SP MP Supriya Sule. He has always displayed arrogance of power, but now the people of the state will teach him a lesson," he said. Kolkata, Jan 4 : Congress's West Bengal President, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who is a five-time MP from Baharampur constituency in the state's Murshidabad, on Thursday challenged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to contest against him in the coming Lok Sabha polls. Interacting with media persons at his constituency, Chowdhury, citing Banerjee's suggestions to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi to contest from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said: "You suggested Priyanka Gandhi contest against the Prime Minister. Now I am challenging you to contest against me this time. I also want to see how powerful you are. Do not forget that we did not win the seats in 2019 because of your mercy. Do not forget that Congress is your necessity for your own survival." He said that the Chief Minister had agreed not to field any candidate from two Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, namely Baharampur and Malda South, where Congress candidates got elected in 2019. "We won from those two constituencies defeating the Trinamool Congress candidates. Our victory was not because of the mercy of Trinamool Congress or the Chief Minister. Remember Congress is capable of contesting on its own strength from other constituencies as well," Chowdhury said. He also ridiculed the Trinamoolas demand for seats in Assam, Meghalaya, and Goa. "Remember Congress has nothing to lose in West Bengal," he added. At the same time, he said that his party's state unit is rather keen on having a seat-sharing agreement with CPI(M)-led Left Front. "However, the final decision of the alliance or seat-sharing agreement will rest with the party high command. The high command will also decide whether the All India Secular Front will be acceptable as an ally there," Chowdhury said. Kolkata, Jan 4 : West Bengal Congress President Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who is a five-time MP from Baharampur in Murshidabad district, on Thursday challenged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to contest against him in the coming Lok Sabha polls. Interacting with media persons at his constituency, Chowdhury, citing Banerjee's suggestions to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi to contest from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said: "You suggested Priyanka Gandhi contest against the Prime Minister. Now I am challenging you to contest against me this time. I also want to see how powerful you are. Do not forget that we did not win the seats in 2019 because of your mercy. Do not forget that Congress is your necessity for your own survival." He said that the Chief Minister had agreed not to field any candidate from two Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, namely Baharampur and Malda South, where Congress candidates got elected in 2019. "We won from those two constituencies defeating the Trinamool Congress candidates. Our victory was not because of the mercy of Trinamool Congress or the Chief Minister. Remember Congress is capable of contesting on its own strength from other constituencies as well," Chowdhury said. He also ridiculed the Trinamoolas demand for seats in Assam, Meghalaya, and Goa. "Remember Congress has nothing to lose in West Bengal," he added. At the same time, he said that his party's state unit is rather keen on having a seat-sharing agreement with CPI(M)-led Left Front. "However, the final decision of the alliance or seat-sharing agreement will rest with the party high command. The high command will also decide whether the All India Secular Front will be acceptable as an ally there," Chowdhury said. New Delhi, Jan 4 : An A++ category terrorist of the Hizbul Mujahideen, who carried a bounty of Rs 10 lakh for his involvement in a series of terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, has been arrested by Delhi Police's Special Cell in coordination with other central agencies, the police said on Thursday. The arrested terrorist has been identified as Javeed Mattoo, a resident of Sopore in J&K. He was allegedly involved in five grenade attacks in the Valley. Addressing a press conference here, Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell), H.G.S. Dhaliwal, said that Mattoo was also involved in the killing of five policemen in separate incidents. The officer said that Mattoo was nabbed from the Hazrat Nizammudin area and is presently being grilled by the police. "He was the kingpin of a major module of Hizbul Mujahideen, heading a gang of six dreaded terrorists. His associate Abdul Qayoom Nazar was killed in an encounter. A third associate is also dead while the fourth went to Pakistan. His fifth and sixth associates, Mehraj Halwai and Wasim Guru, both were neutralised in an encounter," Dhaliwal said. As per the police, Mattoo has been arrested for the first time since 2010. He was involved in hurling grenades on CRPF platoon, attacking police personnel, orchestrating IED blast outside the Sopore police station, attacking outside Sopor SP's house, besides killing head constable Yusuf, among others, in 2010. New Delhi, Jan 4 : The Delhi High Court has overturned the transfer of an orthopaedically handicapped railway employee to Chhattisgarh, saying that the state must ensure persons with disabilities (PWDs) are not subjected to unnecessary harassment by being transferred to locations unsuitable for their working conditions. Justice Chandra Dhari Singh pointed out the legal provisions for equal opportunities for persons with disabilities, stating that office memorandums mandate transfers and job postings in a manner that allows employees to choose their preferred location, with possible exemptions from rotational transfers. The petitioner, an employee of IRCON International Ltd, cited his knee-length prosthetic, requiring regular maintenance in Delhi, and his need for medical supervision in the city. The court noted that the petitioner's transfer to another state would hinder access to necessary healthcare, especially given his special medical condition. The court stressed the need for sensitivity and empathy towards individuals with disabilities, ensuring that constitutional values are protected. Citing Section 20 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, the court stressed the government's obligation to provide reasonable accommodation and a conducive environment. The court set aside the transfer orders, stating that the respondent disregarded the petitioner's special needs and violated Article 14 of the Constitution. The orders transferring the petitioner to the Chhattisgarh Rail Project were consequently annulled. ELKO The Elko Holiday Blood Drive collected 206 units of blood over three collection days last week, one of them in Spring Creek on De. 27th and two in Elko on Dec. 28 and 29. We really struggle with blood over the holidays, Danny Chung, account growth manager at the West Division of the Vitalant blood bank, explained. The community is focused on family time and vacations and they forget to give. But the need for blood is consistent, especially with cancer patients who are going through ongoing treatment, because they use 25% of our blood supply. He said the blood bank has to get really creative over the holidays, so it partnered with Elko County and the Bureau of Land Management. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was another crucial partner, hosting the first day of the drive inside the church on Boyd Kennedy Road in Spring Creek. The second and third days of blood donation happened at the Elko County Nannini Administration Building in downtown Elko, which is home to Elko County agencies such as the District Attorneys Office. Last year, we collected 112 units in Elko during the holidays. This year we collected 206 between Spring Creek and Elko, Chung said. Last year, it was only a two-day blood drive. Spring Creek was not part of it. And this year, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined in on the events. So that is why the numbers were a little elevated this year, he said. Vitalant supplies hospitals in Northern Nevada. Elko County assisted with outreach for the event, Chung said, specifically Elko County Manager Amanda Osborne and Elko City Manager Jan Baum. The Bureau of Land Management pitched in as well, with city, county and federal emails spreading news of the event. As an incentive, donors received perks such as I Made A Difference T-shirts and $15 gift cards for the Vitalant donor rewards store. Chung explained the types of logistical planning needed to run a blood drive. For us, we like to plan three months ahead for patient needs, because it is whats available on the shelves that saves lives. So we time the dates with them around three months out and then a month and a half before the blood drive is when we start promoting it, Chung said. Year after year, there are less and less new donors, he said. Thus, motivating and educating the next generation of donors is crucial. Upcoming blood drives will take place at the Elko County High School gym on Jan. 8 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and at the Spring Creek High School gym on Jan. 31 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nagpur, Jan 4 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has nabbed four persons, including two top officials of Petroleum & Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO), director of a Rajasthan-based company, and a local agent, in a bribery case of Rs 10 lakh, an official said here on Thursday. The accused have been identified as Vivek Kumar and Ashok K. Dalela, PESO Deputy Chief Controllers of Explosives; Devisingh Kachhawaha, Director of Super Shivshakti Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., Chittorgarh, Rajasthan; Priyadarshan Dinkar Deshpandey, a tout. According to a complaint lodged with the CBI, Deshpandey and the two PESO officials allegedly hatched a plot to carry out some work of Kachhawaha in return of illegal gratification amounting to Rs 10 lakh. The CBI set up a trap and caught Kachhawaha and Deshpandey red-handed during exchange of the bribe amount. After the involvement of Kumar and Dalela emerged, they were also arrested. Raids at the Nagpur home of middleman Deshpandey led to the recovery of Rs 1.19 crore cash, gold biscuits, silver metal and other incriminating materials. Searches at Kumaras premises led to the recovery of Rs 88 lakh cash, while certain other documents were found at the home of Dalela. The four accused persons were produced before a special CBI court here, which remanded them to police custody till Saturday, an official official. Hubballi : , Jan 4 (IANS) Sri Ram Sena founder Pramod Muthalik said on Thursday that India is going to be a Hindu nation when Prime Minister Narendra Modi comes back to power in 2024. Speaking to reporters, Muthalik slammed Yathindra, son of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, for taking objections to making India a Hindu nation. "India will surely become Hindu nation. If Yathindra has capacity, let him prevent it. "In 2024, PM Modi is going to win Lok Sabha elections and become Prime Minister for the third time. Then no force would prevent India from becoming a Hindu nation," Muthalik stated. "Yathindra does not know about Hindutva, he came up in the shadow of his father. Former Dy CM and senior BJP leader K.S. Eshwarappa stated that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his son Yathindra should get converted to Islam and become Muslims. Because, they don't have respect and love in any other community other than Muslims. Let them go away to Pakistan as they don't deserve to be in India," he said. Muthalik also stated that only India can become a Hindu nation in the world. Unlike India, in Pakistan bombs are exploded in mosques while prayers are offered. Yathindra does not have any idea of Hindu religion, he slammed. Former national general secretary of BJP, C.T. Ravi maintained that it is the tactic of the Congress party to weaken Hindus and divide them. This will lead to the creation of another Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh were parts of India once. The parents' home of Gandhari (the wife of Dhritrashtra) was in Afghanistan. If Hindus are united here, the matter of Pakistan won't arise, he maintained. If Hindus are in majority, the Constitution will survive. When Hindus become a minority, the country will turn into Pakistan, Ravi stated. Gurugram, Jan 4 : The Gurugram Police on Thursday got a five-day remand of three men arrested for their alleged involvement in the murder of slain gangster Sandeep Gadoli's girlfriend, Divya Pahuja, at a hotel here on January 2. Pahuja, 27, a former model, was allegedly killed by Abhijeet Singh -- owner of the City Point -- the same hotel where she was staying, along with his associates, Om Prakash and Hemraj. According to the police, Om Prakash and Hemraj used to work at City Point Hotel. "We got a five-day remand for the suspects. The police will collect information about illegal weapons used in the crime, and the whereabouts of the two other accused who are still on the run. The deceased's body is also missing, and we need to trace that," Deputy Commissioner of Police Vijay Pratap Singh (crime) said. The police officer said that the investigating team has recovered the mobile phones of Pahuja and Abhijeet, and sent the devices to Panchkula for forensic examination. Abhijeet allegedly killed the former model and then paid his associates Rs 10 lakh to dispose of her body. The police have, meanwhile, accessed the CCTV footage where the accused can be seen escaping the crime spot in a blue BMW car, carrying Pahuja's body in the boot. Besides, another CCTV footage shows Abhijeet, the woman, and one more person arriving at the hotel reception on January 2 and proceeding towards Room Number 111. Later, on the same night, Abhijeet and others were seen dragging Divya's body inside the hotel wrapped in a sheet. Meanwhile, Crime Branch teams of the Gurugram Police have conducted raids at multiple locations in Haryana and Punjab to nab the two absconding accused -- Balraj, a resident of Mohali in Punjab, and Ravi Banga, a resident of Hisar, and also to recover the body of the deceased. Meanwhile, the Gurugram Police have also recovered the BMW car which was used to carry the deceased's body. "After an altercation between Abhijeet and Divya over some objectionable pictures, Abhijeet shot at Divya's head with an illegal pistol in an intoxicated condition on Tuesday. Thereafter, he, with the help of Om Prakash and Hemraj, dragged Divya's body to the boot of the BMW car. Abhijeet then drove around 1.5 km and handed over the car's keys to his associates identified as Balraj and Ravi Banga, who drove the car towards Punjab to dispose of the body," the DCP said. It is being suspected that Diya's body has been dumped somewhere in Punjab. When the police opened the boot of the BMW car, her body was not found. Meanwhile, the police said that Divya and Abhijeet were in a relationship. During questioning, Abhijeet told the police that Divya had some of his objectionable pictures, and she was blackmailing him as well as extorting money from him. Divya's family has alleged that her murder was conspired by Sandeep Gadoli's family members, along with Abhijeet. Gadoli was killed in an encounter in Mumbai in February 2016. He was also "suspected" of being a police informer. Divya was the prime accused in the case. Later, she was arrested in connection with the gangster's murder and spent seven years in jail. She was granted bail last year in June by the Bombay High Court. New Delhi, Dec 4 : Public sector power major NHPC has signed an MoU with Gujarat Power Corporation Limited for an investment of Rs 4,000 crore in the proposed 750 MW Kuppa Pumped Hydro Storage Project situated at Chhota Udaipur in the state, according to an official statement issued on Thursday. The NHPC and the Gujarat government plan to develop and utilise pumped hydro storage projects as an effective solution for energy storage. The implementation of this project will create significant employment opportunities and boost the local economy, the statement said. The MoU signed on Wednesday in Gandhinagar under the aegis of 'Vibrant Gujarat' aims to contribute towards achieving the national objective of setting up 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and 'Net Zero' target by 2070. The agreement was signed by Arun Mahesh Babu, Managing Director, GPCL, Government of Gujarat, and V.R. Srivastava, Executive Director, Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen, NHPC, in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. NHPC has a total installed capacity of 7,097.2 MW of renewable energy (both wind and solar) through its 25 power stations, including 1,520 MW through subsidiaries. At present, NHPC (including subsidiaries and joint venture companies) is engaged in the construction of 15 projects with an aggregate installed capacity of 10,449 MW. Never had intention to hurt anyone, helpless he has taken on his shoulder: MP Kalyan Banerjee on mimicry row. Image Source: IANS News Kolkata, Jan 4 : The bad blood between Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee over the latter's mimicry of him during the recent Winter Session of the Parliament seems to be over. Dhankhar not only wished Banerjee on his birthday on Thursday but had also invited him along with his wife for dinner at his official residence. Banerjee himself confirmed the development, saying that he was overwhelmed that the Vice President personally had a telephonic conversation with his wife where he conveyed his blessings to the entire Banerjee family. Banerjee also confirmed the dinner invitation from Dhankhar to him and his wife. The three-time Trinamool MP from Sreerampore constituency in Hooghly district sparked off controversy after he was spotted mimicking the Vice President within the Parliament premises. Dhankar himself took strong objection and said that such an insult of the chair of the Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman was totally unacceptable. Banerjee, on his part, claimed that mimicry is a form of performing art. President Droupadi Murmu also condemned the manner in which the Vice President was insulted within the Parliament premises. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also called up Dhankar and expressed his concern. Visakhapatnam, Jan 4 : Nara Bhuvaneswari, wife of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Thursday, consoled the families of TDP activists and sympathisers, who died unable to digest his arrest in the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) case in September. As part of aNijam Gelvalia (truth should prevail) yatra, she visited three families in Srikakulam district on Thursday, the second day of her yatra in north coastal Andhra and presented cheques of Rs 3 lakh each to the families. She first visited the house of Sambamurthy, 76, in Amadalavalasa constituency and consoled his family members. Shocked over Naiduas arrest, he died of cardiac arrest on September 9. Bhuvaneswari, who is daughter of TDP founder and former Chief Minister of united Andhra Pradesh N.T. Rama Rao, also went to the house of A. Parayyah, 73, and consoled his family members. She assured them that the party will extend all possible help. She also consoled the family of G. Yerraiah, 67, who had also died of cardiac arrest. Resuming the yatra from Vizianagaram district on Wednesday, she consoled bereaved families of three TDP supporters in the Vizianagaram Lok Sabha constituency. She inquired about their living conditions and provided them with financial assistance of Rs 3 lakh each. She will console more bereaved families in Visakhapatnam on Friday. In October 2023, she had consoled families of eight TDP supporters. Naidu was released on bail on October 31 after spending 52 days in jail. After his arrest, Bhuvaneswari, who manages the family-owned company Heritage Foods, came out in public to participate in various protest programmes to mobilise support for her husband. --IANS ms/vd London, Jan 4 : UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Thursday that it is his "working assumption" that general elections will take place in the second half of 2024, a media report said. peaking in East Midlands, Sunak was asked if he knew when Britons will head to the polls, Sky News reported. "My working assumption is we'll have a general election in the second half of this year and in the meantime, I've got lots that I want to get on with," Sunak said. Pressed if he could rule out a May election, he repeated it is his "working assumption" that polls will be held later in the year. "I want to keep managing the economy well and cut people's taxes. But I also want to keep tackling illegal migration," he said, Sky News reported. "So, I've got lots to get on with and I'm determined to keep delivering for the British people," he added. Sunak had previously ruled out elections in January 2025, which would be the latest possible date for the polling day, Sky News reported. New Delhi, Jan 4 : A woman has been arrested for allegedly duping people to the tune of over Rs 5 crore on the pretext of offering them resale flats for purchase in Max Heights Dream Homes residential society in Haryana's Sonipat, an official said on Thursday. The arrested individual has been identified as Rashmi Rathi, a resident of Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh. She was arrested in Uttar Pradesh by a team of Delhi Police. The matter came to light after a case was registered at the Economic Offences Wing based on a complaint from a resident of Rohini in Delhi. She alleged that on January 1, 2021, she purchased a flat at Max Heights Dream Homes at Kundli in Sonipat, and made the payment through RTGS. The directors of Max Heights provided possession and registered the flat in her name. Subsequently, she intended to buy flat number B-201 in the same society, for Rs 17 lakh. "The payment was directed to Rashmi Rathi at C-407, Manglam Paradise Mall, Sector-3, Rohini, Delhi, on the instructions of Arun Rathi and Prateek Rathi. She alleged that Rs 12 lakh was given in cash and Rs. 5 lakh was transferred through RTGS. Keys were handed over to her after the payments. However, the company directors denied receiving the payments and refused to transfer ownership rights officially," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (EOW) Surendra Choudhary. The complainant further claimed that Rashmi Rathi had cheated her and others using a similar modus operandi, amassing more than Rs 5 crore through fake and fabricated documents. Investigation revealed that the actual allottees of the flats had never intended to sell their flats. "Rathi, using forged documents, sold their flats, collecting over Rs 5 crore in her bank accounts, which were either withdrawn as cash or transferred elsewhere," said the DCP. Rathi deceived multiple individuals in the guise of providing resale flats using forged documents. During the probe, Rathi was found absconding but was later apprehended in Podari village in Bulandshahr. Rathi was an employee of Maxheights Promoters Private Limited for the past 12 years, and served as the Office Coordinator. "She managed the front-office and was involved in client service, having comprehensive knowledge of the project. Over time, she gained complete trust within the company. As the Office Coordinator, she oversaw routine company operations and interacted with flat owners for payment recovery," said the DCP. Misusing her position, Rathi, in collaboration with local property dealers, deceived unsuspecting buyers/sellers. "She established shell companies to facilitate her activities, paying and receiving money from involved parties and issuing sham NOCs. She conducted smaller transactions from her shell companies, her own account, and her sister's account to settle sub-ledgers of different flats," said the DCP. Rathi used various stationery articles, letterheads, and rubber stamps of the company to deceive unsuspecting buyers. --IANS ssh/pgh Washington, Jan 4 : The chronic wasting disease -- also called as "zombie deer" disease -- detected across America currently, may be spreading in humans, but there is no way to know it, according to a scientist. Chronic wasting disease is a deadly and severely contagious neurological disorder found in deer caused by prions abnormal, transmissible pathogenic agents. It causes emaciation, loss of bodily functions among deer, elk and moose, and has so far spread to at least 26 states in the US. "We could be having human transmission occurring today and we wouldn't even know it," Dr Michael Osterholm, director of the Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, was quoted as saying to The Independent. He said that it took nearly 10 years to detect human transmissions of the so-called mad cow disease, otherwise known as the variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. "We're dealing with a disease that is invariably fatal, incurable, and highly contagious. Baked into the worry is that we don't have an effective easy way to eradicate it, neither from the animals it infects nor the environment it contaminates," Dr Cory Anderson, also from the University of Minnesota, was quoted as saying to the Guardian. While the zombie deer disease can be transmitted to humans, there have been to date no known human transmissions of the disease at this point, according to the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC). According to experts, the absence of a "spillover" case yet does not mean it will not happen. It is one of a cluster of fatal neurological disorders that includes mad cow disease. "The mad cow disease outbreak in Britain provided an example of how, overnight, things can get crazy when a spillover event happens from, say, livestock to people," Anderson said. "We're talking about the potential of something similar occurring. No one is saying that it's definitely going to happen, but it's important for people to be prepared." Unlike the mad cow disease, the chronic wasting disease can be seen "in the muscle as well, so it's actually much more present in the meat that you're eating. Cooking doesn't do anything to destroy it," Osterholm said. Officials said that the public can take steps to avoid coming in contact with it and not consuming contaminated meat. Tel Aviv, Jan 4 : The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Thursday that it has killed Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) commander, who headed PIJ's operations in northern Gaza. In a statement, the IDF said the slain PIJ leader has been identified as Mamdouh Lolo. The deceased was instrumental in planning military and terror operations against IDF during and before the ongoing war with Hamas for many years. The IDF said he was especially involved in masterminding the attacks on the Israeli territory and in the home front in general. Sources in the IDF told IANS that the Shin Bet had provided proper and specific intelligence about the PIJ leader. ELKO A man accused of threatening two judges was bound over to district court on Tuesday. Tyler Vavak, 41, attended a preliminary hearing in Elko Justice Court on charges of solicitation to commit murder, a category B felony, and threatening or intimidating a public officer with physical force, a category C felony. Justice of the Peace Bryan Drake ruled from evidence and testimony presented there was slight or marginal evidence to order Vavak bound over to Elko District Court and remain in custody at the Elko County Jail. His bail also was increased, from $100,000 to $500,000. Drake also ordered a sentence of 180 days to be imposed on Vavaks 2022 conviction of violating a domestic violence temporary protective order and first-offense stalking, of which he pled guilty. The sentence initially had been suspended. Vavak was arrested Dec. 5 on a report of a person making threats toward two Elko judges. Court documents allege Vavak sent nearly three dozen messages to two other people, stating the judges were corrupt and that he could hire someone to kill them. He also messaged I can make there [sic] bodies go missin [sic] and I can make 1 phone call and they all go missing. On Jan. 2, Vavak, who was transported from the Elko County Jail, appeared before Drake in Justice Court for a preliminary hearing that lasted about an hour. Elko County District Attorney Tyler Ingram represented the state, submitting three pieces of evidence and calling five witnesses, including the two judges. Public Defender Brian Green represented Vavak. The defense did not produce any witnesses or evidence at the hearing. According to state law, the penalty for a conviction of solicitation to commit murder could be 2 to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. A date for arraignment in district court is pending. New Delhi, Jan 4 : An A++ category terrorist of the Hizbul Mujahideen, who carried a bounty of Rs 10 lakh for his involvement in a series of terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, has been arrested by Delhi Police's Special Cell in coordination with other central agencies, the police said on Thursday. The arrested terrorist has been identified as Javeed Ahmed Mattoo (32), a.k.a. Irsad Ahmed Malla alias Ehsan, who hails from Sopore in J&K's Baramulla district. He was allegedly involved in five grenade attacks in the Valley. Mattoo, categorised as an A++, had been evading arrest for the past 13 years. He was wanted in connection with 11 known terror attacks in J&K. According to the Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell), H.G.S. Dhaliwal, the arrest was made possible through coordinated efforts with the central agencies. "Sometime back, a tip-off was received saying that Mattoo would be arriving in the National Capital Region (NCR) to collect arms and ammunition. The Special Cell then activated its sleeper cells," said Dhaliwal. On Thursday, a specific information was received that Mattoo is in Delhi to acquire weapons at the behest of the Pakistan ISI, with plans to execute terror strikes in J&K and another location. "Acting on this precise input, a raiding team successfully apprehended Mattoo from the Nizamuddin area, and seized a 9 mm pistol, six live cartridges, an extra magazine, and a stolen Santro car from his possession. A case has been registered at the Special Cell police station," the officer said. The Special CP said that Mattoo was part of a notorious gang of seven terrorists associated with the Hizbul Mujahideen, operating primarily in North Kashmir, particularly in Sopore. The officer said Mattoo's Pakistan-based handler would coordinate the delivery of arms and ammunition, and Mattoo would carry out terror strikes in J&K. "He is the lone surviving A++ category terrorist based out of J&K. He had earlier gone into hiding after escaping to Nepal on the directions of the ISI. The J&K police were actively pursuing him," the officer said. The Special CP also revealed that Mattoo was shot at a decade ago by security forces during an encounter, resulting in a bullet injury on his leg. "This had impacted his ability to directly engage in attacks against security forces, as he used to before the incident," the officer said. Mattoo's other six associates have been identified as Abdul Majid Jarger (currently in Pakistan), Abdul Qayyum Nazar (killed in a clash with security forces), Tarik Ahmed Lone (reportedly drowned while attempting to evade arrest), Imtiyaz Kundu (fled to Pakistan in 2015-16), Mehraj Halwai (killed in an encounter with the security forces), and Waseem Guru (killed in an exchange of fire with security forces). New York, Jan 4 : Former US President Donald Trump has sought to "debunk" any relationship with late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, saying any claims linking him with Epstein were untrue. The response from Trump's spokesperson Steven Cheung came after the former President was named in a release of court documents involving late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, saying any claims regarding Trump's relationship with Epstein were "thoroughly debunked". Epstein was indicted in 2019 on charges of operating a sex trafficking ring involving underage girls after Virginia Roberts Giuffre alleged he abused her as a minor and alleged his girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, aided in the abuse. He was found dead in his jail cell while awaiting trial, while Maxwell was found guilty in 2021 and sentenced to 20 years in prison, media reports said . Trump and Epstein were reportedly friends with the Republican telling New York magazine in 2002 that he'd known Epstein for 15 years and that he was a "terrific guy." Trump also flew on his jet a number of times, though he distanced himself from his comments following Epstein's arrest and said they had not spoken in years.. In the 40 previously redacted documents in the settled case released on Wednesday, a deposition of Johanna Sjoberg claims she traveled from Florida to Atlantic City with Epstein and went to one of Trump's casinos. "Jeffrey said, 'Great, we'll call up Trump and we'll go to'a"I don't recall the name of the casino, buta"'we'll go to the casino'," Sjoberg said, according to her testimony, Newsweek reported. While in Atlantic City in New Jersey, they visited one of Trump's casinos, according to Sjoberg, who said Giuffre was not allowed in because she was underage. Later, when asked if she ever massaged Trump, Sjoberg twice responded that she never had. Individuals named in the documents are not necessarily accused of wrongdoing and Trump has not been linked to any offenses committed by Epstein or Maxwell, the news magazine said. Trump flew on Epstein's jet four times in 1993, as well as once in 1994, 1995 and 1997. The flights were between Palm Beach, Florida, and New York City airports, with the 1994 flight stopping at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Following the release of the documents, MAGA influencers on X, formerly Twitter, said they showed Trump had not engaged in any illicit behavior. Britain's Prince Andrew, who Giuffre alleged was forced to have sex with as a 17-year-old sex trafficking victim, was also named on the list. Andrew settled a case brought by Giuffre in 2022 out of court, paying an undisclosed sum to her which is thought to be in the millions. He did not admit liability and has denied her allegations. Another former President, Bill Clinton, was also named in the document. Varanasi : PM Narendra Modi during the inauguration of SwarVed Mahamandir. Image Source: IANS News Jaipur, Jan 4 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to meet top Rajasthan unit BJP leaders on Friday here during his visit to the city to attend the DGPs-IGPs conference here scheduled to be held from January 5-7. A party leader said that PM Modi would chair a meeting of MLAs and other party office bearers. In this regard, a meeting was held on Thursday in the BJP office in which Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, state BJP president CP Joshi, and state Organisation General Secretary Chandrashekhar were present. During the meeting, guidelines were also given to BJP leaders regarding PM Modi's programme. Tehran, Jan 4 : Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed "harsh response" to the attack on an event marking the anniversary of Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani's assassination by the US. The attack in Kerman city, which left at least 84 dead, as per revised figures released by Iranian officials on Thursday, and many more injured, has been claimed by the Islamic State. "Cruel criminals must know that they will be strongly dealt with from now on and undoubtedly there will be a harsh response," Khamenei said in a statement. The IS, which has attacked civilians and security forces in Iran several times in recent years and had welcomed the death of Gen Soleimani - who had stitched up a regional coalition against it, made the claim of responsibility via its channels on Telegram. Hyderabad, Jan 4 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday urged the Centre to collect Rs 408 crore from Andhra Pradesh for its using Telangana properties even after bifurcation of the state and pay the sum to Telangana. Making the request during a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, he said that he wanted the money to be collected from Andhra Pradesh for using the buildings like Raj Bhavan, High Court, Lokayukta and State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) in Hyderabad. In his first meeting with Amit Shah after assuming office, Revanth Reddy requested him to allocate 29 additional IPS officers to Telangana in view of creation of new districts and supervision of various departments. According to Chief Ministeras Office (CMO), Amit Shah assured the allocation of additional IPS officers to Telangana from the 2024 batch of IPS officers. The Chief Minister also requested the Union Minister to solve the long-pending division of assets between the two states under the Ninth Schedule of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, settle the disputes on pending organizations between the two states, and complete the bifurcation of State Bhavan in New Delhi in a smooth manner. He also requested the Union Minister to focus on claiming the ownership of institutions, which were not mentioned in the bifurcation act, by Andhra Pradesh. In his meeting with Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, the Chief Minister urged him to to give approval to Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase-2 proposals. He said that the Hyderabad Metro Second Phase (BHEL-Lakdikapul, Nagol-LB Nagar, 26 km, Rs 9,100 crore) and (Airport Metro Corridor-Rayadurg-Shamshabad airport a" 32 km with Rs 6,250 crore) needs to be realigned. He requested the Union Minister to consider the matter of taking up this project jointly by the Central and State governments. The CM also told the Union Minister that the state government decided to develop the Musi Riverfront in Hyderabad by establishing amusement parks, waterfalls, children's water sports, business centre and shopping complexes and pleaded with him to extend necessary support to the state government in this regard. Revanth Reddy said hat the state government decided to build Indiramma houses for the poor in the state and requested the Union Minister to give permission to provide them under the Prime Minister's Awas Yojana. He also appealed to the minister to release the balance funds to be given along with sanctioning new houses to Telangana. The Chief Minister, along with Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy met Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekawat and requested him to give national project status to the Palamuru-Ranga Reddy lift irrigation project. They said that 12.3 lakh acres in the districts of Nagarkurnool, Mahabubnagar, Vikarabad, Narayanapet, Rangareddy, and Nalgonda, which are suffering from drought and fluoride, will get irrigation facility from Palamuru-Rangareddy lift project. Drinking water will also be supplied to 1,226 villages in six districts as well as Hyderabad city, they added. --IANS ms/vd Jaipur, Jan 5 : The winter vacation of children from Classes 1 to 8 in Jaipur and Sikar districts of Rajasthan has been extended till January 13 due to severe cold. As January 14 is Sunday and January 15 is holiday for Makar Sankranti in Jaipur, the schools in the district will now open on January 16. While in Sikar, schools will open on January 15. The minimum temperature has reached below 5 degree Celsius in Jaipur. The district administration on Thursday extended the winter vacation of students from Classes 1 to 8 by eight days. Jaipur District Collector Prakash Chandra Rajpurohit issued an order in this regard and said that the weather will continuously fluctuate for the next one week. Keeping in mind the changing weather conditions, the period of winter vacation is extended till January 13. However, during this period the pre-scheduled examinations will remain the same. Strict action will be taken against school which disobeys these rules of the government. Earlier the Rajasthan government had declared 13 days winter holidays starting from December 24, 2023. Jaipur, Jan 5 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Thursday gave a general consent to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for investigation in matters related to the state. According to the proposal, now the CBI will not require the permission of the state government to investigate any case in the state. The general consent given to CBI for investigating matters in the state was withdrawn by the previous government. But now, after the Chief Minister's decision, the CBI will not be requiring state government's permission to investigate any matter. New Delhi, Jan 5 : In a rare commendation, China's leading daily Global Times acknowledged India's significant strides in economic development, social governance, and foreign policy. In an op-ed penned by Zhang Jiadong, Director of the Center for South Asian Studies at Fudan University, the author noted that India "no longer only regards cultural tradition as a channel to achieve its own interests or as a symbol to attract foreign tourists, but also sees it as one of the pillars of India's status as a great power". India has achieved "outstanding results in economic development and social governance, and its great power strategy has moved from dream to reality", Jiadong said highlighting New Delhi's achievements in the past four years. According to him, India's economy has gained momentum and is on track to becoming one of the fastest-growing major economies. Sharing his experience about his conversation with Indian representatives during his recent visit to India, Jiadong noted in the article that the attitude of Indian scholars was "more relaxed and moderate" toward Chinese scholars, instead of being "stubborn at times". "For example, when discussing the "trade imbalance" between China and India, Indian scholars used to primarily focus on China's measures to reduce the trade imbalance. But now they are placing more emphasis on India's export potential, actively seeking to reduce the trade deficit with China by taking the initiative and increasing Chinese imports from India," he said. "Furthermore, with its rapid economic and social development, India has become more strategically confident and more proactive in creating and developing a 'Bharat narrative'," the author noted. About New Delhi's foreign policy, Jiadong said, "Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed power, he has advocated for a multi-alignment strategy, promoting India's relations with the US, Japan, Russia and other countries and regional organizations. Now, India's strategic thinking in foreign policy has undergone another change and is clearly moving toward a great power strategy." "Regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India has distanced itself from the West and aligned itself more closely to the developing world. At the same time, India's reservations about Western powers have significantly diminished, and its activities within Western countries have become more frequent, extending beyond organizing large-scale diaspora events," he added. Jiadong also said that India "not only seeks to escape the 'political dwarf' resulting from its history as a colony, but also wants to act as a 'world mentor' both politically and culturally". "India has always considered itself a world power. However, it has only been less than 10 years since India shifted from multi-balancing to multi-alignment, and now it is rapidly transforming toward a strategy of becoming a pole in the multipolar world. The speed of such changes is rarely seen in the history of international relations," he said. "India is indeed a major power, and rapid changes in internal and external strategies pose challenges to both itself and the international community. It appears that a transformed, stronger, and more assertive India has become a new geopolitical factor that many countries need to consider," he concluded. Tehran, Jan 5 : Iran's Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi has revised from 95 to 84 the death toll from two explosions near the burial site of slain Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in the southeastern city of Kerman. He made the announcement on Thursday while visiting some of those injured in the terror attacks at Shahid Bahonar Hospital of Kerman, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the Iranian Students' News Agency. Vahidi put the number of the injured at 284, of which 220 were hospitalized, with some in critical condition and in intensive care units. The minister said the death toll could rise in the coming hours or days. Commenting on the situation in Kerman, the minister said that the security, law enforcement and intelligence apparatuses have taken full control of the case, as calm and normalcy is restored. Elaborating on the reason for the drop in the death toll, Jafar Miadfar, head of Iran's National Medical Emergency Organization, told the official news agency IRNA on Thursday that in such incidents, miscalculations were possible as there were many severed limbs scattered on the ground, some of which could be counted as one whole body. He added that the other reason for the inaccurate death toll was calculating some of the victims' names twice. In a live interview with the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network (IRINN) on Wednesday, Iranian Health Minister Bahram Einollahi revised the death toll from 103 to 95. The two blasts occurred some 20 minutes apart at around 15:00 local time as many people gathered at the cemetery to mark the fourth anniversary of Soleimani's death in a US drone strike. The first blast was about 700 meters from Soleimani's tomb, and the second was 1,000 meters away, the IRNA reported. Rahman Jalali, deputy governor of the Kerman province, said the explosions were carried out by "terrorists," the IRNA reported. The Iranian government has declared Thursday a day of national mourning. Premium online access is only available tosubscribers. If you have an active subscription and need to set up or change your password, please click here New to PW? To set up immediate access, click here. NOTE: If you had a previous PW subscription, click here to reactivate your immediate access. PW site license members have access to PWs subscriber-only website content. If working at an office location and you are not "logged in", simply close and relaunch your preferred browser. For off-site access, click here. To find out more about PWs site license subscription options, please email Mike Popalardo at: mike@nextstepsmarketing.com. ELKO In 1983, the Tomera family sold their ranch property near State Route 228 to the state of Nevada. The property would soon be home to a new staple of Elkos waterworks, as that same year development of the South Fork Dam swung into action. It eventually led to the South Fork Reservoir and South Fork State Recreation Area. Along with creating a 1,640-acre body of water, which is home to thousands of fish throughout 2022, the South Fork Reservoir was stocked with 66,275 rainbow trout, for instance, according to Mike Starr of the Elko Field Office of the Nevada Department of Wildlife the dam also controls the Upper Humboldts flows. According to the Nevada Legislature Oral History project, A.B. 207 (1983) would have authorized the issuance of bonds to finance the construction of a dam and park on the South Fork of the Humboldt River in Elko County. Although it died in the Assembly, S.B. 153, introduced by Senator Norman D. Glaser (D-Elko), passed and authorized the initial bond issue. [Nevada Assembly Speaker Byron] Bilyeus A.B. 22 authorized the issuance of additional bonds for the South Fork dam in 1985. The dams financial resources came from a combination of Nevada residents and state government, according to Nevada State Parks. It was completed in 1988. The dam is a rolled-earth dam, which means it is made out of compacted dirt. It is part of the South Fork Recreation Area, which offers camping and hiking around the lake. The parks departments 2018 performance audit shows 21,378 vehicles visited South Fork Recreation Area in 2017, generating revenue of over $101,000 with a 95% compliance rate. As explained in a 2020 South Fork Dam budget status report from the Nevada Division of Water Resources, the South Fork Dam and South Fork State Recreation Area came into being thanks to a combined contract between Elko County Recreation Board and Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Since 1988, NDWR has operated and maintained the dam. The dam requires careful checkups in order to properly safeguard against possible incidents. According to the status report, HDR Engineering received a contract in 2019 to create an updated inundation map for the dam. The map helps plan for flooding if the dam ever breaks. The most recent inundation map for the Dam dates from 2010, but does not include possible flooding of the Humboldt River beyond the Carlin tunnels along Interstate 80. NDWR must determine, should the Dam fail, whether flood damage may occur past the current scope of the inundation map, the report stated. If the dam gave in, Carlin might flood. In April, a recent revised plan from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers noted if the dam failed, Carlin would receive 11 feet of water in about seven hours and the main railroad would become inaccessible. Close The setting sun shines through two interlocking chunks of ice on the frozen surface of the South Fork Reservoir on Jan. 1, 2023. Frozen waves pile up along the shore of the South Fork Reservoir on Jan. 1, 2024. A crack spans the ice-covered surface of the South Fork Reservoir on Jan. 1, 2024. Driftwood meets ice at the South Fork Reservoir on Jan. 1, 2024. Along the shore of the South Fork Reservoir, the ice collects into patterns, textures and clumps on Jan. 1, 2024. Facing towards the South Fork Dam, the South Fork Reservoir is quiet and still under a sheet of ice covering its approximately 3-mile span on Jan. 1, 2024. The sun sets behind South Fork Recreation Area-adjacent mountains, reflecting a beam of light toward the eastern shore of South Fork Reservoir on Jan. 1, 2024. The hazy orange hue of the sunset contrasts against the deep blue of the ice at the South Fork Reservoir on Jan. 1, 2024. A final glimpse of the Jan. 1, 2024, sunset over the South Fork Reservoir, as seen from a South Fork Recreation area walking path. Gallery: The frozen-over South Fork Reservoir as a new year begins As the first day of the new year winds down along the South Fork Reservoir, patterns and shapes emerge along the 3-mile waterway. The setting sun shines through two interlocking chunks of ice on the frozen surface of the South Fork Reservoir on Jan. 1, 2023. Frozen waves pile up along the shore of the South Fork Reservoir on Jan. 1, 2024. A crack spans the ice-covered surface of the South Fork Reservoir on Jan. 1, 2024. Driftwood meets ice at the South Fork Reservoir on Jan. 1, 2024. Along the shore of the South Fork Reservoir, the ice collects into patterns, textures and clumps on Jan. 1, 2024. Facing towards the South Fork Dam, the South Fork Reservoir is quiet and still under a sheet of ice covering its approximately 3-mile span on Jan. 1, 2024. The sun sets behind South Fork Recreation Area-adjacent mountains, reflecting a beam of light toward the eastern shore of South Fork Reservoir on Jan. 1, 2024. The hazy orange hue of the sunset contrasts against the deep blue of the ice at the South Fork Reservoir on Jan. 1, 2024. A final glimpse of the Jan. 1, 2024, sunset over the South Fork Reservoir, as seen from a South Fork Recreation area walking path. Gallery: River views, dam architecture of South Fork Reservoir South Fork Shore Beach rocks South Fork Dam view South Fork River wide view South Fork Reservoir rainfall South Fork Dam Buoys South Fork Dam buoy string close-up South Fork Dam Bridge South Fork Dam mechanics South Fork Dam exit South Fork River flows out of South Fork Dam South Fork River and South Fork Dam meander South Fork River marshy South Fork Dam gravelly South Fork Dam and South Fork Reservoir parallel view Additionally, in 2022 the NDWR and HDR Engineering determined which structures a dam break would affect. Several ranch homes and the Bullion Road Bridge are directly in the flow area controlled by the South Fork Dam. Walking by the dam, one may not realize how much of an influence it has over the surrounding environment. However, it holds sway over the area and changes the landscape. It even minimizes the impacts to wildlife habitat in the Humboldt Sink, according to Nevada State Parks. Property details: Huge Deal - VACANT LAND 2805 W 12th Ave, Pine Bluff, AR 71603 Jefferson County Land for sale by Owner Two blocks west of the Greenville Elementary School - Pine Bluff, AR Parcel ID 930-21361-000 Huge Lot of 8901 sq. ftCalculated Acres 0.20433Land 60 X 154 No Credit Check, No Income Documentation, No Prepayment Penalty Hablo Espanol Estimated Taxes: $31 Land in Pine Bluff for Sale with an affordable price. You can build your own house there. Land for Sale with Utilities. Build your own house in t... Price: $ 1,211 Seller State of Residence: Arkansas Type: Homesite, Lot Property Address: 2805 W 12th Ave, Pine Bluff, AR Zip/Postal Code: 71603-1335 Zoning: Residential City: Pine Bluff State/Province: Arkansas Location: 716**, Pine Bluff, Arkansas You will be redirected to eBay Nearby Arkansas The aviation regulator slapped fines amounting to Rs 2.75 crore on Indian airlines in 2023, marking a 39 per cent rise in financial penalties from Rs 1.97 crore in 2022. Photograph: Shaun Best/Reuters The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said it imposed fines on domestic carriers such as Air India, IndiGo, AirAsia India and SpiceJet for issues related to non-compliance in 2023. The regulator also carried out a record number of 5,745 surveillance activities in the year to ensure compliance by airlines, aerodrome operators, and aviation personnel among others. Of these, DGCA said, 4,039 instances were of planned surveillance besides 1,706 spot checks and night inspections. It had carried out 4,378 surveillance activities in 2022. Based on the evaluations, it enforced measures against 542 non-compliant entities in 2023, marking an increase from the 305 cases in 2022. Consequent to the findings of the surveillance conducted, enforcement action on non-compliant personnel, airlines, and other operators was taken. "Enforcement actions were also taken on erring pilots/cabin crew, ATCOs (air traffic control officers), non-scheduled airlines, flying training organisations and aerodrome operators, the regulator said in a statement. As regards enforcement action in terms of financial penalties, the regulator, in two separate incidents, imposed Rs 30 lakh each on Air India in 2023. One infamous incident involved an unruly passenger allegedly urinating on a co-passenger during a New York-Delhi flight, while in another case the airline was fined for a pilot letting a female friend enter the cockpit on a Dubai-Delhi flight. Similarly, a penalty of Rs 10 lakh was also imposed on the airline for its failure to compensate passengers affected by delayed flights and unserviceable seats. A Rs 30-lakh fine was levied on IndiGo after it suffered four tail strikes on its aircraft last year. The airline paid Rs 20 lakh in revised penalty to the regulator last month. AirAsia India and SpiceJet were also slapped with fines amounting to Rs 20 lakh respectively for issues related to non-compliance. A penalty of Rs 3 lakh each was levied on eight examiners of AirAsia India for failing to discharge duties. In 2022, the regulator had imposed a Rs 70-lakh fine on Vistara for not operating the minimum number of mandated flights to underserved areas of the Northeast region. Other than financial penalties on airlines, DGCAs enforcement actions included suspension of Air Indias (A-I) approved training organisations in August. The regulator had suspended A-Is Airbus simulator facility in Hyderabad and the airlines Boeing simulator unit in Mumbai after it found lapses during a spot check. In June 2023, the regulator placed SpiceJet under enhanced surveillance as a matter of precaution given the incidents during the 2022 monsoon season. The airline had reported at least eight incidents of technical malfunction between June 19 and July 6 that year, following which the DGCA had ordered the airline to operate just 50 per cent of its scheduled flights. CARSON CITY State Sen. Robin Titus, R-Wellington, and the National Taxpayers Union filed a lawsuit on Tuesday in Nevadas First Judicial Court in Carson City challenging the constitutionality of SB420, the 2021 law establishing a state-managed public health care option in Nevada. The legal challenge says the law violates the Nevada Constitution in three ways, including that it generates public revenue but was not passed by the required two-thirds majority vote of legislators. Filing of the lawsuit comes just days after state officials filed a waiver to seek federal funding to support the proposed public option program on Dec. 29. Federal officials have 45 days to determine if Nevadas application is complete and an additional 180 days (including a 30-day public comment period) to evaluate the application. Titus, a Republican lawmaker and medical doctor who voted against the bill during the 2021 session while she was serving in the Assembly, didnt return a call from The Nevada Independent on Wednesday seeking comment. In a statement published on the National Taxpayers Union website, Titus said the public option will worsen our states already severe shortage of doctors and nurses, harm Nevadans access to quality health care, and drive costs even higher. The lawsuit also alleges the public option law gives the state treasurer and Department of Health and Human Services director nearly unlimited discretion to use unspecified amounts of funds from the state treasury for unspecified purposes the Legislature did not approve and violates the separation of powers principle by impermissibly delegat[ing] lawmaking authority to executive branch agency directors without any guardrails. A spokesperson for Gov. Joe Lombardo, who is named as a defendant in the lawsuit, said the governors office cannot comment on pending litigation. The lawsuit is the latest challenge in the states ongoing saga to implement a state-managed public health insurance option by 2026, amid opposition from industry leaders and an attempted rebranding of the law by Lombardos administration as a market stabilization program through establishing a reinsurance program as part of the public option implementation. Reinsurance programs function as insurance for insurance companies, paying a portion of high-cost claims and thus allowing insurers to lower the premiums for individual health insurance plans. Tamil Nadu is leaving no stone unturned in marketing its upcoming global investors meeting on January 7 and 8. Photograph: Courtesy, X While business veterans are promoting the positives of the states industrial climate through the 'Titans of Tamil Nadu campaign, the state is narrating the human stories behind its robust industrial growth via the One Trillion Dreams campaign. Among the industry bigwigs, who are showcasing Tamil Nadu to the world through this mega marketing initiative include Venu Srinivasan of TVS Motor Company, K M Mammen of MRF Ltd, Pratap Reddy of Apollo Hospitals, P R Venketrama Raja of Ramco Group, Mallika Srinivasan of TAFE; and Vellayan Subbiah of Murugappa Group. Tamil Nadu is not the only state that is using local industry to hard-sell its investors meeting. Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (January 10-12) has engaged over 1,000 companies to showcase Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). It is not by accident that we have Leyland (Ashok Leyland), Daimler, BMW, Hyundai, TVS, TAFE, Ola and Ather here. "There is something in this environment that clearly attracts people. "That is the continuity of policies. "I think our quality of education with private engineering colleges coming in has exploded. "We are far ahead of any other state in the number of engineering graduates coming out, said Srinivasan as part of the Titans of Tamil Nadu campaign. A source said these campaigns were in line with the vision of Minister for Industries TRB Rajaa to market an otherwise shy industrial sector. Our focus is to draw attention to the dynamic ecosystem and rich talent pool we have meticulously cultivated over time, underscoring that these solid regional foundations are what fuel business successes. "These campaigns are not just a precursor to the Global Investors Meet 2024, they will continue beyond that to showcase our successes in the future too, Rajaa said. It is time the state celebrated our own Titans from the industry. "The state has such a big legacy of industrial houses, they should also be celebrated. "We will also continue this post GIM. Startups get their own limelight, but these companies should be highlighted. "Trillion dollar dreams will honour workers from all sectors, said V Vishnu, Guidance Tamil Nadus managing director and chief executive officer. The One Trillion Dreams (OTD) campaign also aligns with the states target of becoming a $1 trillion economy by boosting its talent pool with innovative schemes like Naan Mudhalvan (career-oriented and skill-based training to the students) and Puthumai Penn (financial assistance scheme for girl students). This OTD campaign will feature a series of social media posts, each telling an emotive story of an individual or a group of employees contributing significantly to the state's industrial sector. The campaign was designed following the wide circulation of a post by the industries minister after a visit to a factory a few months ago. For a long time now we have been shy about speaking about our tremendous success. "I felt it was time to talk about the real Tamil Nadu - the cosmopolitan, progressive, inclusive, equitable and industrious state. "Our status as an industrial giant is accompanied by socio-economic indicators that rival those of developed Western nations. "We lead across various sectors in India. "Then, why not actively promote our state's astounding social and economic metrics, and these campaigns that we are running ahead of the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet 2024 are to draw attention to those achievements, Rajaa said. A young couple sharing a laugh in the living room over a Polish joke book, on the beach, in the rain with the tagline, Made for each other, hung from billboards at prominent street corners from the 1960s to the 1990s. It was a campaign for one of the largest selling cigarette brands in India, Wills (Navy Cut) from the ITC stable, that resonated with a generation of smokers and non-smokers alike till the curtains came down on tobacco advertising in 2004. As we prepare to welcome 2024, ITC has metamorphosed from a tobacco giant into a conglomerate straddling multiple large-sized businesses. In the mind space of Gen Z or millennials, the company represents a gamut of branded products from frozen food (ITC Master Chef), noodles (YiPPee!), and cookies (Sunfeast) to snacks (Bingo!) and notebooks (Classmate), and so on and so forth. But Rome was not built in a day, and nor was a diversified ITC. The threat of regulations on the tobacco industry had been looming large the world over. As the market leader in cigarettes in India, ITC read the warning signs early and hedged its bets. Our entire DNA for FMCG has been innovation, says B Sumant, executive director, ITC. FMCG is short for fast-moving consumer goods. Atop the food chain The seeds of diversification were sown by its first Indian chairman, Ajit Narain Haksar, with a hotel in Chennai, the ITC Welcomgroup Hotel Chola in 1975. Paperboards, the specialty papers arm, came two years later. But it is the entry into non-tobacco FMCG, powered by the companys longest-serving chairman, Yogesh Chander Deveshwar, in the early part of 2000s, that holds the highest promise for value creation with an addressable market size of Rs 5 trillion. It is also the largest chunk in ITCs non-cigarettes basket. Numbers show that the non-cigarettes business of ITC accounts for about 62 per cent of revenues, based on figures for the first half of the current financial year. FMCG is at more than 38 per cent of the non-cigarette revenue pie. Foods dominate the non-cigarettes FMCG play, with a presence in more than 20 categories. And ITC is currently the countrys largest FMCG company in the foods space by domestic sales, up from fourth last year. According to Nielsen IQ numbers for the nine-month period ended September 2023, ITC is at Rs 17,100 crore, ahead of Britannia Rs 16,700 crore), Adani Wilmar (Rs 15,900 crore) and Parle (Rs 14,800 crore). Nielsen declined to comment on company-specific data as per its global policy guidelines. House of brands Deveshwar, who died in May 2019, would often refer to ITC as Indias Trademarks Corporation. In more than two decades of the non-cigarettes FMCG push, the company has managed to build more than 25 mother brands having an annual consumer spend of Rs 29,000 crore. The largest brand is Aashirvaad, at more than Rs 8,000 crore; Sunfeast is above Rs 5,000 crore and Bingo!, YiPPee!, Mangaldeep, Classmate, and Sunrise are in the Rs 1,000 crore-plus club. When we came into FMCG, every single category already had established players, says Sumant. In atta, Pillsbury and Annapurna were already there; in the North, Shakti Bhog had a strong presence. How did ITC break into the branded atta space? We just focused on delivering the softest chapati possible, because we could come up with right blends with wheat sourced by our agri business, Sumant explains. Whether it is sourcing from the agri business or cuisine expertise from hospitality, institutional synergies are ITCs unique advantage. We have been able to leverage the power of synergies, which has contributed immensely to our success, Sumant adds. For instance, the culinary expertise of ITCs hotel chefs helped develop differentiated offerings in the food space. The 400 scientists-powered Life Sciences and Technology Centre is also a source of immense strength. All of this enabled ITC to launch a deluge of FMCG products: 300 in the last three years. Acquisitions had been few and far between for ITC, but got a leg-up in recent years. Acquisition spree Sunrise, the big-ticket buy in 2020, has seen an 1,100 basis points (bps) market share gain in West Bengal and 1,000 bps in the Northeast after its acquisition, according to a BNP Paribas report. Savlon, acquired in 2015, peaked during the Covid-19 pandemic and ventured into a plethora of adjacencies. The acquisition of B Natural (2015), Charmis (2017), and Nimyle (2018) have marked ITCs presence in juice, cold cream, and homecare. ITCs FMCG portfolio is perhaps the most diversified, says Amnish Aggarwal, head of research at Prabhudas Lilladhar. In personal care, it competes with Hindustan Unilever, in biscuits with Britannia and Parle, and in noodles with Nestle. Investments have been made in direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands, such as Mother Sparsh, a premium ayurvedic and natural personal care start-up, and Mylo, a one-stop platform addressing parenting needs. Earlier this year, ITC announced the acquisition of Sproutlife Foods, which owns the Yoga Bar brand. The brand play is also visible in the hospitality business, which is in the process of being demerged. It has six brands: ITC Hotel and Mementos at the luxury end, Welcomhotel in the upper upscale, Storii in the boutique segment, Fortune in the mid-market to upscale segment, and WelcomHeritage in the heritage luxury segment. But not all of ITCs diversifications have had the same runway. Sundrop was sold to ConAgra when the company exited the edible oil business in 1998. The same year, it exited financial services under ITC Classic Finance. Last year, the lifestyle retailing business under Wills Lifestyle was wrapped up. And even before that, menswear brand John Players was sold to Reliance Retail in 2019. Whiff of the future If the first phase of diversification was about identifying multiple drivers of growth for ITC, the current phase, led by chairman and managing director, Sanjiv Puri, is focused on giving it more legs, profitably. Puri articulated the ITC Next strategy, which is about the drivers for growth, profitability and competitiveness, in 2017. In 2019, it was sharpened with a focus on digitalisation, premiumisation, cost optimisation, et al. And it is reaping dividends. The FMCG business recorded a 310 bps expansion in Ebitda (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation) margins in the last three years. A big part of ITCs strategy in the last two to three years has been premiumisation, which has also added to the margins. We discovered that the post-pandemic recovery is K-shaped. "At the top end of the market, people have money. But at the bottom end, there is stress. "So we launched a slew of premium products in every segment, Sumant says. Accent on premium is across businesses, from hotels to paperboards and agri. And the results are showing. In profit before interest and tax, the share of non-cigarette businesses has climbed from 15.94 per cent in FY20 to 22.46 per cent in the first half of FY24. That the heavy-lifting cigarettes is also on a stellar run, clawing back share from the illicit trade in the backdrop of a stable taxation regime, has landed ITC in a sweet spot. The highly anticipated 2024 next-gen Renault Duster (external link) made its global debut on November 29, 2023 in Portugal in the form of Dacia Duster, Renaults sister brand. With this new generation Duster, Renault promises to redefine the SUV landscape with exciting tech updates and interior enhancements. From its striking design inspired by the 2021 Dacia Bigster concept to a revamped interior and new powertrain options, the new Duster is assured to be a game-changer in the midsize SUV segment. Design & Exterior The new Duster embraces a more squared and muscular style, drawing inspiration from the futuristic Dacia Bigster concept. The reflector-type LED headlights, a focal point of the exterior, comes with slim-looking integrated DRLs that start from the edges and merge into the grille seamlessly. The SUV's proportions remain faithful to its predecessors but we can expect an increase in length to around 440 cm. The lower part of the bumper houses a huge air intake along with fog lamps placed at the bottom of both the ends. Moreover, it is complemented by vertically placed side air curtains, aiding aerodynamics. Off-Road Specific Details Being an off-road capable SUV, the new Duster will offer a respectable ground clearance of 216 mm along with an approach angle of 31 degrees and a departure angle of 36 degrees. Moreover, for better durability and a more rugged appeal, the new Duster will come with squared-off wheel arches and thick cladding of scratch-resistant plastic all around it. Powertrain & Drivetrain Built on the RenaultNissanMitsubishi Alliance CMF-B platform, the India spec 2024 Renault Duster is expected to come with mainly two engine options, i.e. a 1.2 litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol coupled with a 48V mild hybrid tech and a 1.6 litre 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine coupled with an automatic gearbox and strong hybrid tech. The strong hybrid powertrain gets dual motors and a 1.2kWh battery pack, enabling 80 percent of city usage possible in pure electric mode. Moreover, in some markets, Duster will also come with a 1-litre petrol/LPG engine option. While the inclusion of 4WD (4-wheel drive) or AWD (all-wheel drive) tech is confirmed for the 1.2-litre turbo petrol mild hybrid powertrain, it is not confirmed for the 1.6-litre petrol strong hybrid and the 1-litre petrol/LPG powertrains. Moreover, there won't be any diesel powertrain option, aligning with the industry's shift towards electric/hybrid and petrol-only technologies. Interior & Tech Upgrades Inside the cabin, the new Duster promises increased premiumness with a fully digital large driver's display, enhanced sound insulation, heated front seats and a variety of new equipment. A new 10.1-inch floating touchscreen infotainment with wireless Android auto/Apple carplay and a detachable smartphone holder located between the driver's display & infotainment screen are some of the new tech upgrades in the new Duster. Moreover, the SUV will also come equipped with modern conveniences such as wireless charging, automatic climate control, electric parking brake with auto hold and a comprehensive suite of safety features including ADAS tech. However, the pictures released by Dacia signals towards a camera-based ADAS rather than a radar-based one. Off-Roading Features For off-road-loving buyers, the new Duster will offer advanced hill descent control along with 5 terrain modes i.e. Auto, Snow, Mud/Sand, Off-Road, & Eco. Also, during an off-road trail, the driver will be able to see all the off-road related statistics like roll & pitch angle, steering angle, inclination, power & torque distribution between front and rear wheels etc on the infotainment screen of the all-new Duster. Global Debut & India Launch Although the 2024 Renault Duster has already been revealed during its global debut in November 2023, its India launch was confirmed recently. However, its exact India launch date is yet to be announced. Well, we expect it sometime around the first half of 2025 if not the 2024 end. Moreover, we expect Renault to go with the 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine with mild hybrid tech and the 1.6-litre petrol with strong hybrid tech for the Indian market. Also, Renault might consider exporting the new Duster from India to other Asian and African countries as well. Segment & Rivals When launched, the new Duster will go head-to-head with popular models like Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, MG Astor, etc in the highly competitive mid-size SUV segment. Also, its 4WD/AWD capable variants will give tough competition to SUVs like the Mahindra Scorpio-N, Mahindra Thar & the upcoming Thar 5 Door, Maruti Suzuki Jimny, Force Gurkha, Jeep Compass, etc. Conclusion The all-new 2024 next-gen Renault Duster promises a transformative SUV experience with futuristic design, robust off-road capabilities, innovative powertrain options, and a tech-enhanced interior. Moreover, with its India launch, Renault will finally have a true winner and a real game-changing product in its India lineup, aiding the brands future growth in India. 'This award is funded by American money so I took this decision.' IMAGE: Palestinian children at the site of an Israeli strike in south Gaza. Photograph: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters Social activist Dr Sandeep Pandey has returned his Ramon Magsaysay Award in protest against the United States' support for Israel, which, he says, is indulging in war crimes in Gaza. Dr Pandey tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com why he returned the prestigious Magsaysay Award, which he received in 2002. Why have you returned the Magsaysay Award? The atrocity committed by Israel on Palestinians in Gaza has exceeded all limits. Children and women are dying every day due to the Israeli attacks on the population of Gaza. They have not even spared hospitals. Israel is attacking hospital patients too and refugee camps. This is a war crime. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is trying his best to stop the war, but the major powers, especially the United States of America, is supporting it blindly by selling arms to Israel. They continue to do so in spite of so much destruction, so I felt I need to do something about it. And the only thing I could think of sitting in India was to return the Magsaysay Award conferred on me. This award is funded by American money so I took this decision. If the US changes its position on the Israel-Palestine war, I am sure the war will stop. At present Gaza is in danger of being wiped out. Israel is attacking Gaza because Hamas attacked Israel on October 7. Don't the Israelis have the right to retaliate? Of course, they have a right to retaliate in self-defence. But once you attack in self-defence you have to go to the United Nations Security Council rather than going on attacking the innocent civilians of Gaza for three months. You also have to see why the October 7 attack was carried out by Hamas. The answer is that Israel prevented the Arabs from entering the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. This is the reason why Hamas named the October 7 attack as Operation Al Aqsa Flood. You also have to look into Israel's attack on the Al Aqsa mosque on September 17 before talking about the attack of October 7. Does returning the Maysaysay Award not make you a Hamas supporter? I have clearly said, 'What is wrong with Hamas?' They won the elections in Palestine. It should have ruled all of Palestine because it had a majority in the 2006 Palestinian elections. But Hamas is a terrorist organisation, yet you are supporting it by returning your award. If you are calling Hamas a terrorist organisation, what do you call the Taliban? The USA was very happy to hand over Afghanistan to the Taliban. Everybody in the world knew when the Taliban came to power the women of Afghanistan will lose their right to education and work. And yet, the USA handed over power to the Taliban, but is complaining against Hamas. Hamas is a legitimate organisation as it has won elections in Palestine. They had the right to form the government in the West Bank, but Israel and the USA forced Hamas to rule only in Gaza and not the West Bank which they handed over to the Palestinian Authority of Mahmoud Abbas. The fact that Israel is unable to conquer Hamas after three months of attack shows that Hamas has popular support in Gaza. It is for the Palestinians to decide whether Hamas is a legitimate body to rule over them or not. Israel is attacking Hamas because it wants to eliminate its leadership. Hamas leaders inflict pain on the people of Gaza too, isn't it? All governments are involved in human rights violations at home. I will not say Hamas is the most democratic government to rule Gaza, but the fact remains they won the election. They have a legitimate right to rule. I have met Khaled Mashal (the former head of Hamas now living in Qatar) in Damascus. He considered Mahatma Gandhi as his ideal. He told me Gandhi inspired him to fight against Israel the same way he fought against the British. You should also remember that Khaled Mashal's life was saved by American intervention when he was attacked by Mossad agents. The USA forced Israel to give the antidote to the poison that was administered to Khaled Mashal. It was inserted in his ears by Mossad agents. If Hamas is a terrorist organisation, why would the USA save the life of one of its most important leaders at one point of time? It is doublespeak of the USA as it negotiated with the Taliban and handed over power to them in Afghanistan. If you want a solution to the Gaza problem, Israel will have to negotiate with Hamas today. Mahatma Gandhi believed in non-violence and here Hamas is using every means of violence. Isn't it hypocritical for Khaled Mashal to tell you that he admires Gandhiji? I asked him the same question and he said that from Mahatma Gandhi he gets inspiration. Mahatma Gandhi guided him in the fight of the weak against the strong. There is no comparison between the Israeli war machine and the weapons that Palestinian fighters carry. So, he said that is the inspiration he gets from Gandhi, to fight when he himself has no resources to fight against the Israelis. There is no economy in Gaza -- everything has to be smuggled in through underground tunnels in Rafah. His argument was that if we do not resist, Israel will walk over Gaza. His point was that he had to resist so that he could survive the might of Israel. Violent resistance? Mahatma Gandhi too said that if one has to choose between cowardice and violence, then it is better to choose violence. Today, Israel is pushing Palestinians in Gaza towards Egypt, which does not want to open its doors. So where will they go? One day Israel will take over Gaza completely. Israel does not want to give any place to the Palestinians. They want to finish them off. It is here that the USA must intervene and bring both sides to the negotiating table to find a solution. They are not doing that; the USA sold arms to Israel just two days back. But Hamas does not believe in the two-State solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. It was Hamas' position earlier, but not now. Yasser Arafat (the late leader of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation) did not believe in the two-State solution initially, but later on he agreed. The problem with Israel is that whatever it agrees to in peace accords, they never honour those agreements. Be it the Oslo agreement or the Camp David agreement where the USA was playing the role of mediator. For example, they are not willing to remove Israeli settlements which have forcibly been set up on Palestinian land. If there is a proper negotiation where Israel is forced to commit to certain things, then there will be peace. I think the pre-1967 war borders of Israel, most people will agree to this solution. In 1947, the UN passed a resolution to create two States through which Israel was created. And today, Palestine has just an observer status (at the UN) which was given in 2012. What about the Israelis captured by Hamas? If you compare their number with the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, there is no comparison. I agree that the Israeli hostages captured by Hamas should be released. But one cannot forget that 40 per cent of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails are behind bars without any trial. The law in Israel says the Israeli police can arrest any Palestinian without any charge. How can the USA then talk about establishing democracy and implementing human rights values across the world? How can they tolerate such injustice against the Palestinian people? What was the turning point that made you return the award? Was it because Israel said on New Year that the war in Gaza would continue for the next one year? I had been contemplating for some time to return the award. It was on my mind, but on the eve of New Year I decided to return the award when Israel started attacking south Gaza too. I have been to Gaza and I know how bad the situation in Gaza is because it is a very densely populated area. Israel pushed them to one corner. Egypt, which borders Gaza, their forces are very insensitive to the Palestinians of Gaza. I recall we had to bribe Egyptian security forces to send across relief material into Gaza. Why do you think the US supports Israel? One is the guilt that this white race has about the Holocaust (when the Nazis killed 6 million Jews during World War II). The more important reason is the hold of the Jews over the American economy. This lobby is very strong and therefore, the United States supports Israel. 'We will be happy if Nitishji becomes convenor of INDIA.' IMAGE: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav celebrates his birthday in the presence of his father Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, right, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, left, and others, in Patna, November 11, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Shakti Singh Yadav, the Rashtriya Janata Dal's chief spokesman, is considered close to Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. From early morning to late night, he spends time with Tejashwi or RJD founder Lalu Prasad Yadav, crafting the RJD's reactions to events, policies and statements. Shakti Singh Yadav lost the election for the Hilsa assembly seat in the 2020 election by 12 votes. Five years earlier, in the 2015 election, he was elected from Hilsa, which is located in Nalanda, Janata Dal-United President and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's home district. Political circles in Patna are abuzz with speculation that all is not well in the state's ruling Mahagathbandan and differences are growing between Nitish Kumar and Lalu Yadav. While there were rumours last week that Nitish Kumar may return to the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance, which he abandoned in August 2022, these have ebbed after he was elected JD-U president on December 29, clearing the way for his appointment as convenor of the INDIA bloc. "Ram resides in our hearts and is part of our soul. This is not something to display in public for political benefit. We are devotees and followers of the real Ram, not of Nathuram who killed Mahatma Gandhi," Shakti Singh Yadav tells M I Khan. Is everything okay in the Mahagathbandan in Bihar? Reports suggest that tension is brewing between Nitish Kumar and Lalu Yadav, and their parties. There is no such thing. We are totally united. The Mahagathbandhan is stable and intact. This is part of an effort to establish a hypothetical perception about us. Some cooked up stories were planted by certain platforms. We have noticed that certain media is also involved to create an impression that differences are growing and tension is brewing between the RJD and JD-U. This is to send out a message that the Mahagathbandhan is unstable. This is not new. Soon after the Mahagathbandan government was formed in August 2022, BJP leaders and certain media were trying to create an image that this ruling coalition would not last long. Laluji and Nitishji disappointed them time and again. Thanks to Laluji and Nitishji, for the first time in the country a caste survey was conducted in Bihar and its report was released to the public. After that, the Mahagathbandan government increased reservation. The high court and apex court vindicated our stand on the caste survey. The BJP-led central government publicly refused to conduct a caste census in the country. BJP and RSS leaders have opposed the caste census. The Mahagathbandhan government is committed to fulfilling its promises including 10 lakh government jobs to youth. The government recently appointed more than 1.5 lakh school teachers and more teachers will be appointed soon. The government has given employee status to 3.5 lakh contractual school teachers. The BJP is afraid because it has forgotten to provide 2 crore jobs per year and to ensure Achche Din. The RJD and JD-U are busy preparing to take on the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections. IMAGE: Nitish Kumar pays homage to his mother at his village, January 1, 2024. Photograph: Kind courtesy Janata Dal (United)/Twitter Nitish Kumar neither visited Lalu Yadav to greet him for the new year nor did he wish Rabri Devi on her birthday on January 1. Tejashwi Yadav also did not visit Nitish to greet him for new year. Till a month ago, both Nitish and Lalu enjoyed a warm relationship and were visiting and talking to each other regularly. Nitishji greeted Laluji and Rabriji on the telephone on new year. Nitishji and Laluji spoke to each other and shared their wishes for each other. As is known to all, Nitishji visits his native village Kalyanbigha in Nalanda district on January 1 for several years to pay tribute to his mother. He was busy so he could not visit Laluji; as far as Tejashwiji is concerned, he was not well on January 1. There is no naaraazgi between them or between the RJD and JD-U. The Mahagathbandhan government led by Nitishji is running smoothly. Reports say Nitish Kumar is set to become the INDIA convenor. Will the RJD welcome it? We will be happy if Nitishji becomes convenor of INDIA. Laluji, Nitishji and Tejashwiji played an important role to unite the Opposition and together worked hard to shape INDIA. Nitishji is leader of the Mahagathbandhan, he has vast experience working at the Centre and in the state. Nitishji has long experience to manage and run coalitions. Both Laluji and Nitishji are seasoned politicians who are committed to social justice. They are product of the jan andolan (Jayaprakash Narayan's movement in the mid-1970s). Laluji is widely known for his social revolution in Bihar that inspired and motivated others to follow and replicate him. IMAGE: Nitish Kumar is welcomed by supporters after becoming JD-U president on his arrival at the Jayaprakash Narayan airport in Patna, December 30, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo BJP ally Upendra Kushwaha, president of the Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal, claims Lalu Yadav wants to replace Nitish Kumar as CM by Tejashwi, and that if Nitish does not agree to this, Lalu will plot against him. Upendra Kushwaha is not a leader, we hardly accept him as a politician. He is himself on the margins and struggling to make the BJP happy by issuing statements. Kushwaha is doing all this to get at least one Lok Sabha seat from the BJP this time. IMAGE: Leaders of the INDIA bloc meet in New Delhi, December 19, 2023. Photograph: Ishant/ANI Photo Senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi predicted last month that Lallan Singh would be removed as JD-U president, that Nitish Kumar would become party president, that Lalu Yadav is set to play a major game against Nitish and that Nitish will not last long as CM. Sushil Modi is a BJP leader who has been totally sidelined in his party. We call Sushil Modi 'Afwah Miya' (Rumour Man) because he has no work but to spread lies, misinformation and rumours. All this to keep himself alive in the media and to create an impression that he still matters in his party. IMAGE: Shakti Singh Yadav. Will Lalu and Tejashwi attend the consecration of the Ram temple if they are invited? Laluji is committed to dharam and like a true Hindu, he visits temples. He respects and honours all other religions. Every temple has its own significance and importance. Ram is ours, we accept Ram as a model of compassion, tolerance and love. We follow Hey Ram and Jai Siya Ram. Ram resides in our hearts and is part of our soul. This is not something to display in public for political benefit. We are devotees and followers of the real Ram, not of Nathuram who killed Mahatma Gandhi, whose last words were 'Hey Ram'. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Amid a war of words triggered by Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's comments regarding seat-sharing in West Bengal, sources from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday said they will give more time to ally Congress to sort out issues, adding the party is committed to the opposition bloc. IMAGE: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Photograph: ANI Photo The TMC had pushed for a December 31 deadline for seat sharing talks in the last meeting of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) on December 19. While the deadline has passed, the Congress leaders have said the seat sharing talks are set to start any time now. "We are big hearted, we are committed to the INDIA alliance. It seems they want a few more days to sort this out," said a senior TMC leader. A formula was proposed by the TMC, where they had suggested that the vote share of last parliamentary election or the vote share of the last assembly polls or both can be taken in account for finalising the strongest party on a seat and the decision should be left to the strongest party in the state. However, no standardised formula has been finalised and the discussions are to be held by the state leaders. Asked about speculations over Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar being made the convener of the INDIA bloc, a TMC source said party chief Mamata Banerjee had proposed Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's name as it could have benefitted the opposition bloc on at least 58 seats, where the Dalit community is dominant. The source added that no discussions have been held on any joint rallies yet, one of the decisions taken at the December 19 meeting, as seat sharing talks need to be concluded before deciding on campaigning. With the Congress set to launch the second leg of 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' -- the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra', which will cross through West Bengal, the TMC source said so far there have been no discussions on holding any joint programmes. The route map for the yatra was released on Thursday. The yatra will be in West Bengal for five days, covering 523 km and seven districts, including Murshidabad. Chowdhury's constituency Baharampur is in Murshidabad district. The Congress and the TMC on Thursday clashed over seat-sharing for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal. "The grand old party won't beg for seats from the TMC," said Chowdhury. This prompted a sharp reaction from West Bengal's ruling party. TMC MP Sougata Roy said, "Badmouthing TMC and our party supremo Mamata Banerjee and alliance can't go hand in hand. The regular insults hurled at us by Chowdhury and some leaders of the Bengal Congress have to stop if the party wants an alliance." "The Congress high command must rein in Adhir Chowdhury if they want an alliance in Bengal," he added. Y S Sharmila, the daughter of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and founder of Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Telangana Party, joined the Congress in New Delhi on Thursday. IMAGE: YSR Telangana Party chief Y S Sharmila joins Congress and merges her party in the presence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi, in New Delhi on Thursday. Photograph: ANI Photo She also announced the merger of her YSR Telangana Congress with the Congress, and said she would fulfil any responsibility given to her. Sharmila joined the Congress in the presence of party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and former party president Rahul Gandhi. She later met Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi at her residence and paid her respects. Sonia Gandhi welcomed her in the party fold. Lauding the Congress, she said it is the largest and 'most secular' party in the country as it unwaveringly serves all communities and unites all sections of people. "I am very happy to be merging the YSR Telangana party with the Congress. It gives me immense joy that the YSR Telangana party is going to be a part of the Indian National Congress from today onwards," she said. Describing her father and former chief minister YSR Reddy as a legendary leader of the Telugu people, she said he not only served the Congress all his life, but also gave his life serving the Congress. "Today, it would give him great joy that his daughter is following in his footsteps and is going to be a part of the Congress itself," she said. "The Congress is still the largest secular party of our country. The Congress has always upheld the true culture of India. The Congress has built our nation's foundations. The Congress has unwaveringly served all communities, uniting all sections of the people of India," Sharmila said in the presence of top party leadership. "I truly honour the Congress because it is the most secular party, the largest secular party of the country," she said. She said Rahul Gandhi has won the confidence of the people with his Bharat Jodo Yatra and that also led to the party's victory in Karnataka. Sharmila said she was happy that she was part of the Congress victory in Telangana. She had announced her support to the Congress during the recent assembly polls in Telangana to end the alleged corrupt and anti-people rule of the Bharat Rashtra Samiti led by K Chandrasekhar Rao. "I also realised that is going to have a domino effect in Telangana and, therefore, I graciously withheld from contesting in Telangana. Congress stood a chance of victory in Telangana and we did not want to break the anti-KCR vote. The Congress won in Telangana and I am most happy that we contributed a part to that victory," she said. She said it was her father's dream to see Rahul Gandhi as prime minister and she would be happy to contribute to it. "It was my father's dream to see Rahul Gandhi as prime minister of our country and I am very glad that I am going to be a part in making that happen. Whatever responsibility the Congress will lay on me, I promise to fulfil that responsibility with all loyalty, integrity and diligence," Sharmila said. In a post on X, she later said she is delighted on merging the YSR Telangana Party with the Congress, the party her father belonged to, 'the party that he lived in, that he served tirelessly, and breathed his last in'. "This moment would make him most ecstatic and nothing can be more heartening than this homecoming for me," she said. "Back to the party that is the biggest secular party in the country and upholds the pluralistic and true culture of India and had built this nation from its foundation, unwaveringly serving all communities, uniting all," she said. "As much as the daughter of YSR I will perform as the soldier of Congress for the people of the country, to uphold democratic values, protect constitutional rights and preserve unity and brotherhood amid current disturbing trends perpetrated from divisive forces," she also said in her post. Sharmila earlier during her joining also raised the issue of ethnic violence in Manipur, and said 'as a Christian it pained me that such cruelty took place in Manipur'. She said 2,000 churches were vandalised and 60,000 people became homeless in the state. "That kind of cruelty is something that I have not been able to digest even to this day. That struck me that this is what will happen if a secular party is not in power," she said. "Therefore, I am joining the Congress and merging the YSR Telangana Party with the Congress very gladly today because I know that the Congress will uphold all sections of the people in Indian society," she asserted. After chairing her party meeting on Tuesday in Hyderabad, Sharmila had said she and other leaders will meet the top leadership of the Congress, including Kharge, and make a 'crucial' announcement in Delhi. Sharmila is the younger sister of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy. On a day when Sharmila joined the Congress, her brother Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy met former Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao, who is recuperating after a hip replacement surgery. The Bharatiya Janata Party in Karnataka on Thursday launched a campaign, 'I'm also a Karsevak, Arrest Me Too' as it stepped up its protests in several parts of the State over the recent arrest of a Hindu activist in connection with a 31-year-old case related to the Ram Janmabhoomi agitation. IMAGE: BJP MLA V Sunil Kumar stages a sit-in demonstration near the Sadashivanagar police station. Photograph: @karkalasunil/X Leading the campaign in Bengaluru, MLA and former minister V Sunil Kumar staged a sit-in demonstration near the Sadashivanagar police station, amid chants of "Jai Sri Ram" by BJP workers. Holding a placard with a message 'I'm also a Karsevak, Arrest Me Too', Kumar said he too took part in the Rama temple agitation in 1992, for which he should also be arrested. Later, the police took him into preventive custody. Senior BJP leaders K S Eshwarappa and C T Ravi lead the protests in the district headquarters town of Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru, respectively. Srikanth Poojari , a Karsevak, was arrested by police in the north Karnataka city of Hubballi last week in connection with a case of rioting registered in December, 1992. The BJP has accused the Congress government of being harsh on Hindus, and also indulging in minority appeasement. The Congress has charged the BJP with politicising the issue. The Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has described Poojari as a "social miscreant" and "criminal suspect" and said he is facing allegations of involvement in 16 anti-social activities, including illegal liquor sales, gambling and matka. Talking to reporters, Kumar said, "The campaign 'I'm also a Karsevak, Arrest Me Too' has been launched to condemn the "anti-Ram and anti-Hindu policies" of the Congress government. He said that thousands of people from Karnataka participated in the 1990 and 1992 "Kar Seva" in Ayodhya despite the threats of the government of that time. He alleged that the ruling Congress in Karnataka has resorted to a strategy of intimidating Karsevaks, and Ram devotees. Denouncing the Siddaramaiah government over the arrest, Kumar said the Hindu activist is being portrayed as a criminal but the Mangaluru cooker bomb accused is called as innocent. He alleged that the "Congress leaders are writing letters to the government to set free the accused persons of KJ Halli and DJ Halli riot cases". Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday alleged the BJP-led central government wanted to arrest him and prevent from campaigning for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, saying the ED summons issued to him was aimed at hurting his "biggest asset", honesty, and defaming him. Kejriwal, however, said that he would cooperate with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) provided he was issued legally valid summons. "My lawyers have told me that the ED summons are illegal. The BJP wants to arrest me to stop me from campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls," he alleged at an online press briefing. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener has so far skipped three summons by the Enforcement Directorate for questioning in connection with a money laundering case linked to the alleged liquor scam. Kejriwal said the liquor scam case that was being talked about for the last two years was "fake" and the probe agencies have so far failed to present any evidence of corruption. "My biggest asset is my honesty and the BJP wants to hurt my honesty with fake cases. I have always fought for the country, every breath of mine, every drop of my blood is dedicated to the country," Kejriwal asserted. The AAP national convener appealed people for their support to him at his hour of crisis. The country cannot move forward by putting honest leaders in jail and allowing corrupt people to join their party. What's going on? Whatever is going on is very dangerous. This is very bad for our democracy. It must be stopped," he said. Kejriwal said that he has written to the ED, saying their summons are "illegal" but has not got any response. "They haven't replied because they know that their summons are illegal. Should I follow illegal summons? If legally sound summons will be issued, I will follow them. My greatest wealth is my honesty. They want to break me by tarnishing my image," he said. Kejriwal said that he had appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) when he was called by the agency eight months ago. "Why am I being summoned before the Lok Sabha polls? It is because the BJP does not want to get me interrogated but arrested by the ED," he claimed. The chief minister underlined there is no excise policy scam as it is being alleged and there is no evidence against any of the AAP leaders, who are in jail. "Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Vijay Nair are not in jail because they were involved in corruption but because they did not join the BJP. We are able to fight them because we have not been involved in corruption," he said and alleged misuse of the probe agencies by the BJP for political reasons. The chief minister said that for the last two years, the probe agencies have raided many persons and made arrests in connection with the alleged scam but not even a single penny has been found from anywhere. If corruption has really happened then where have all those crores of rupees gone? Did all the money disappear into thin air? The truth is that there was no corruption of any kind, if it had happened then money would also have been received," he said. Kejriwal said the AAP has been able to stand against the BJP because it is not involved in corruption. He added that if his party leaders had been involved in any irregularities then they would have joined the saffron outfit like other "corrupt" leaders did. Meanwhile, Kejriwal announced his three-day poll campaigning in Gujarat beginning Saturday. In a related development, the AAP leaders claimed that the roads leading to Kejriwal's residence in New Delhi were blocked and the police personnel deployed at all gates as the ED was "gearing up" to raid and arrest the Delhi chief minister. The Delhi Police, however, said that security around the chief minister's house was beefed up to "manage" the media-persons, who have gathered there since Wednesday after AAP leaders claimed that Kejriwal would be raided and arrested. Sources said the ED is currently examining Kejriwal's five-page reply sent to the investigating officer of the case on Wednesday and may reject his charges of calling the summons illegal. The agency may issue its fourth summons to Kejriwal as per provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said. AAP leader Atishi, who is a minister in Kejriwal's government, charged that the probe agencies were not able to present any evidence or begin trial in the alleged liquor scam because there was no evidence with them despite two years of investigation. She alleged that it was the BJP's standard operating procedure to use the PMLA against the leaders of opposition parties because getting bail in such cases was almost impossible. The alleged liquor scam is nothing but a "political conspiracy", Atishi charged. "Under this conspiracy now efforts are being made to arrest Kejriwal before the Lok Sabha polls. The BJP wants that Kejriwal should not be able to campaign for Lok Sabha polls," she alleged. The BJP hit back at the AAP and Kejriwal, saying he was "running away" from the ED probe like a "fugitive". Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said, "They have committed theft and corruption, and now they are creating a ruckus." The alleged liquor scam is related to the excise policy 2021-22 that was scrapped by Kejriwal's government last year after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena recommended a CBI probe into "lapses and irregularities" in its implementation. The Congress' National Alliance Committee, which met party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday and apprised them about the feedback from state units on seat-sharing with other Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) parties for the Lok Sabha polls, asserted that state-wise talks with coalition partners will commence soon. IMAGE: Congress Party President Mallikarjun Kharge along with party leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, and others during the CWC meeting, at AICC headquarters in New Delhi, December 21, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo The committee, of which Mukul Wasnik is the convener and has former chief ministers Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel as well as Mohan Prakash and Salman Khurshid in it, held final talks and suggested the way forward to the party leadership. "Over the last few days, the committee held extensive deliberations with party leaders of various states on alliance with INDIA bloc parties. We have put before Kharge ji, Rahul ji and Venugopal ji, the details of the discussions," Wasnik told reporters after the meeting at the Congress president's residence. "Now after this we are going to soon commence talks with alliance partners. We will look at the convenience and availability of various paries and then proceed further with discussions," he added. Wasnik said the party was aware that seat-sharing has to be done soon and it will give it top priority. There will be no delay in this, added Wasnik, who was flanked by Gehlot, Baghel, Prakash and Khurshid. It is important that discussions are held state-wise because there is a unique situation in various states, Wasnik said. "There is already an alliance called INDIA. We will be talking with parties that have influence in areas and keeping their influence in view, we will have our dialogue. Certainly this will be a state wise discussion and then we will move forward," he added. Asked about seat-sharing in Punjab and Delhi, Wasnik said that he was not in a position to talk about specific states and parties. "Our objective is to ensure that INDIA bloc forms government after the Lok Sabha polls," he added. Wasnik asserted that the party and leadership were giving priority to seat-sharing. The TMC has been pushing for an early settlement on seats to be contested for the Lok Sabha polls. It had kept December 31 as the deadline for seat-sharing talks, however, that could not fructify. The opposition bloc parties are now keen to finalise the seat-sharing arrangement with the clock ticking for the Lok Sabha polls. LAS VEGAS Lion Habitat Ranch founder and owner Keith Evans has agreed to stop issuing fundraising pitches claiming he may have to euthanize the former MGM lions in his care for lack of resources. In a handwritten solicitation for donations revealed last year by the Current, Evans wrote, It scares me deeply to think what might happen if I cant afford to feed the 40 lions and other animals on site. Its possible they would be euthanized because they simply have nowhere else to go. Lion Habitat Ranch, which is near the south end of Las Vegas Boulevard, is home to lions once appearing at MGM Grand, as well as their captively-bred offspring. Evans entered into an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance with the Attorney Generals Bureau of Consumer Protection. In it, he agreed to not engage in any unlawful, unfair or deceptive trade practices with respect to the status of the Lion Habitats animals in connection with fundraising solicitation or advertising. The agreement, signed in December, says Evans knowingly misrepresented the circumstances of its lions in violation of the states deceptive trade practices law. Violations may result in fines up to $5,000. Evans claimed the letter was written by a third party hired to solicit donations. He agreed not to mislead consumers in advertising or fundraising messages, and to approve any ads or pitches created by a third party. I think a fine would have been appropriate in light of the donations and revenue hes accumulating, said Animal Protection Affiliates founder Annoula Wylderich, who filed the complaint with the attorney generals office that led to the settlement. The AGs office initially told Wylderich the U.S. Department of Agriculture was better suited to handle the matter, but revisited her complaint following an inquiry by the Current. The USDA, which is charged with inspecting zoos, has not noted a violation of the facility since 2014. In 2015, Clark County threatened to close Lion Habitat Ranch, which had more lions than permitted and was engaging in captive breeding. Evans agreed to stop breeding in order to remain open. Evans created Lion Habitat Ranch and began a non-profit organization after MGM Grand discontinued its lion exhibit in 2012, putting Evans and his lions out of work. The organizations tax returns indicate gross revenue of more than $2.5 million in 2022 and 2021, and about half a million dollars in revenue after expenses. Evans spent more than $66,000 on professional fundraising fees in 2022, according to the return. The speculation on whether Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Sonia Gandhi will attend the Ram temple consecration ceremony continued with the party on Thursday saying that their decision would be conveyed at the 'right time'. Photograph: ANI Photo Asked whether Kharge and Gandhi will attend the ceremony, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh, at a media briefing after a meeting of general secretaries, state in-charges, state unit chiefs and Congress Legislature Party leaders at the All India Congress Committee headquarters in New Delhi, said, "Don't try to divert, this is about 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra'. There was no discussion on this topic (at the meeting)." "There was discussion about the 2024 (Lok Sabha) elections and about 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra'. You asked about the invitation, I have said it again and again, I will say it once again... Kharge ji has received the invitation, Sonia ji has received the invitation. At the right time, I will tell you their decision," Ramesh said. Besides Kharge and Gandhi, Congress' leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has also been invited to the ceremony. The consecration ceremony will be held on January 22 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and more than 6,000 people are expected to attend it. India has emerged as a 'major power' by achieving outstanding results in economic development and social governance and its transformation as a stronger, assertive country has made it a 'new geopolitical factor', according to a commentary by a Chinese scholar in a state-run newspaper in Beijing. IMAGE: Indian Army formations including the T-90 and T-72 tanks and BMP infantry combat vehicles carry out drills in Eastern Ladakh. Photograph: ANI Photo Writing his impression based on his two recent visits to India, Zhang Jiadong, the Director of the Centre for South Asian Studies at Fudan University, said he has found 'India's domestic and foreign situation have changed tremendously compared to four years ago'. 'What I feel about the 'Bharat narrative' in India,' Zhang said while India has always considered itself a world power, 'it has only been less than 10 years since India shifted from multi-balancing to multi-alignment, and now it is rapidly transforming toward a strategy of becoming a pole in the multipolar world', he says in an opinion piece in the Global Times. 'The speed of such changes is rarely seen in the history of international relations,' Zhang said in the opinion piece published on Tuesday in the tabloid, amidst the chill in bilateral ties since the deadly border clash in 2020 in eastern Ladakh. 'India is indeed a major power, and rapid changes in internal and external strategies pose challenges to both itself and the international community. It appears that a transformed, stronger, and more assertive India has become a new geopolitical factor that many countries need to consider,' he said. It is rare for Chinese scholars to praise India about which most of them often take a bitterly critical view considering the strategic rivalry. It is also rare for the Global Times, part of the ruling Communist Party of China's mouthpiece, the People's Daily group known for its offensive commentaries on India, to publish it. According to Zhang, 'India has achieved outstanding results in economic development and social governance, and its great power strategy has moved from dream to reality', though potential risks and crises have also begun to unfold. 'On the one hand, India has made great achievements in economic development and social governance. Its economy has gained momentum and is on track to becoming one of the fastest-growing major economies,' he says. 'Furthermore, with its rapid economic and social development, India has become more strategically confident and more proactive in creating and developing a "Bharat narrative," he says. On the diplomatic front too, India has rapidly shifted toward a great power strategy, he says. 'Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed power, he has advocated for a multi-alignment strategy, promoting India's relations with the US, Japan, Russia and other countries and regional organisations,' he writes. 'Now, India's strategic thinking in foreign policy has undergone another change and is clearly moving toward a great power strategy,' Zhang says. 'Regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India has distanced itself from the West and aligned itself more closely to the developing world. At the same time, India's reservations about Western powers have significantly diminished, and its activities within Western countries have become more frequent, extending beyond organising large-scale diaspora events,' he said. Days after a blast near the Israeli embassy, the Delhi Police has written to the Jamia Millia Islamia to provide the CCTV footage from the cameras installed at the walls of the university, sources said on Thursday. IMAGE: Delhi Special Cell and NIA officials carry out an investigation outside the Israel Embassy, in New Delhi on December 27, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Police suspect that one of the persons who visited the blast site at the Prithviraj Road two hours prior to the incident had come from Jamia Nagar in southeast Delhi. He had taken an auto-rickshaw nearby the Jamia Millia Islamia metro station. "The letter was written to the university as multiple CCTV cameras are installed at the walls of the university. These cameras are faced towards the Okhla Road from where one of the suspects in the blast took the auto-rickshaw," a police officer said. The accused, who is yet to be identified, is believed to be the prime suspect who planted the bomb near the Israeli embassy on December 26, the officer added. Police have already questioned the auto-rickshaw driver, sources said. Police have found with the help of the CCTV footage that the suspect moved towards the India Gate after visiting the spot at the Prithviraj Road. Sources said the NSG, which had collected the samples from the spot, has told the Delhi Police that it was not an IED (improvised explosive device) blast but it could be a locally made bomb. However, its report is yet to be submitted. The blast occurred on December 26 evening in the area between the boundary walls of a house on plot number four -- Nanda's House -- and the Central Hindi Training Institute on plot number 2A on the Prithviraj Road. The area has bushes, plants and trees and no CCTV camera. The blast site is behind the Israeli embassy on Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road, running parallel to Prithviraj Road. No one was injured in the blast. Police had found an "abusive" letter addressed to the Israeli ambassador near the blast site. On December 29, the Delhi Police registered an FIR against 'unknown' people and transferred the case from the local police station to the Special Cell. The Maharashtra cabinet on Thursday cleared a proposal that offers an option of availing the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) to the state government employees who joined the service after November 2005. The decision comes days after the government as well as semi-government employees and officials went on a strike to press for their demand of restoring the OPS. The cabinet gave its nod to the proposal that offers an option of the OPS to the state employees who joined the service post-November 2005, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said. Talking to PTI, Vishwas Katkar, general secretary of the Maharashtra state employees' confederation, said, "The cabinet's decision will benefit some 26,000 state government employees who were selected before November 2005 but received joining letters later. This decision will benefit only these 26,000 state employees." There are as many as 9.5 lakh state employees who joined the service before November 2005 and they already enjoy the benefits of the OPS. Under the OPS, a government employee gets a monthly pension equivalent to 50 per cent his/her last drawn salary. There was no need for contribution by employees. The OPS was discontinued in the state in 2005. The state cabinet asked these 26,000 employees to opt between the OPS and New Pension Scheme within six months and submit relevant documents to their departments in another two months. It is a one-time option for these employees, the CMO statement said. Under the New Pension Scheme (NPS), a state government employee contributes 10 per cent of his/her basic salary plus dearness allowance with the state making a matching contribution. The money is then invested in one of the several pension funds approved by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) and the returns are market-linked. The state cabinet also cleared a proposal to charge Rs 250 as toll amount for cars for using the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), the country's longest sea bridge that connects Sewri in Mumbai to Nhava Sheva in neighbouring Raigad district. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the MTHL on January 12. The 21.8-kilometre long bridge will bring down the journey from the current two hours to around 15-20 minutes. The cabinet gave its nod to the proposal to issue Rs 5 per litre subsidy to the milk producers in the state. The decision was announced in the winter session of the state legislature held last month. In a revised statement issued later in the day, the CMO said, "The cooperative and private milk dairies should first deposit money as per the procurement rate of Rs 27 per litre to the milk producers' bank account. Once the payment is made, state will transfer its Rs 5 per litre contribution into the same bank account." "The state government has fixed the standards of the milk at 3.5 fats and 8.5 SNF. If the milk contains more than the prescribed standard points, the dairies can pay 30 paise per extra unit to milk producers. Similarly, for lower points than the standard, 30 paise will be reduced per unit, the CMO statement informed. The government estimates the total payment of subsidy amount to Rs 230 crore, it added. In another proposal okayed by the cabinet, the clerks-typists working in the Mantralaya will be given a monthly allowance of Rs 5,000 over and above their current remuneration, the CMO said. The government has approved expenditure of Rs 11.34 crore for the benefit of 1,891 clerk-typists working in Mantralaya. The decision has been taken as their attrition rate is high with many giving reasons as inadequate and costly accommodation, non-availability of houses on rent and difficulty in travelling to workplace, it added. The state cabinet cleared a proposal to give Rs 750.49 crore as Maharashtra's contribution to build a broad-gauge railway line between Nanded district and Bidar in Karnataka. "The state government has adopted a policy of bearing the cost of railway line construction up to 50 per cent to connect rural and backward regions. Of the 157 km route between Nanded and Bidar, 100 km lies in Maharashtra," the CMO said. With the state government relaxing NPA conditions, some 400 units in Ichalkaranji Powerloom Mega Cluster (in Kolhapur district will benefit, the CMO said. The cabinet also cleared a proposal to disburse 45 per cent subsidy as a one-time transaction instead of the earlier decision of giving it in three instalments. A proposal of the state cooperation department that a no-confidence motion cannot be moved against officers for two years, up from the earlier six months, was also accepted. The wine industry stimulus scheme will be implemented for the next five years to develop the sector in the state, the CMO said. Industries that have paid the value-added tax would get their rebate in time, which will help people set up units for raisin production and encourage farmers to opt for grape cultivation, the CMO said. The eight jailed former Indian Navy personnel in Qatar have been given 60 days' time to appeal against the varying prison terms handed by a Qatari court last week that came following commutation of their death sentences, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. Image used only for representation. Photograph: Pixabay.com The Court of Appeal in Qatar on December 28 commuted the death sentence handed down to the Indians in October and sentenced them to prison for varying durations, weeks after their family members filed an appeal against the earlier order by another court. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the legal team of the Indian nationals received a copy of the court order that he described as a 'confidential document'. "On December 28, the Court of Appeal had given a judgement. Thereafter, we issued a press release giving details (and) telling that the death penalty has been reduced. Now, we have the judgement order, which is a confidential document," he said. Jaiswal was responding to a question. "The court has given 60 days for the appeal to be made before the Court of Cassation, which is the highest court in Qatar. And it is for the legal team now to decide the next course of action. So, that is where we are," he added. The spokesperson further added: "What we can confirm to you is that the death penalty has now been converted into varying prison sentences for the eight Indian nationals." "We are in touch with the family members. We are also in touch with the legal team," Jaiswal said. It is learnt that the prison terms handed to the former Indian Navy personnel ranged from three years to 25 years. The Navy veterans were on October 26 given death sentences by Qatar's Court of First Instance. The Indian nationals, who worked with private company Al Dahra, were arrested in August last year reportedly in an alleged case of espionage. Neither the Qatari authorities nor New Delhi made the charges against the Indian nationals public. The charges were filed against the eight Indian navy veterans on March 25 and they were tried under Qatari law. All of the former Navy officers had 'unblemished stints' of up to 20 years in the Indian Navy and had held important positions including that of instructors in the force. In May Al-Dhara Global closed its operations in Doha and all those working there (primarily Indians) have since returned home. It is learnt that India is also looking at the possibility of invoking provisions of a bilateral pact on the transfer of sentenced persons. The pact signed between India and Qatar in 2015 provides for citizens of India and Qatar who have been convicted and sentenced for criminal offences to serve their sentences in their home country. However, there was no clarity on whether Qatar had ratified the agreement. Hospitals and blood banks can now only charge processing fees for blood as the apex drug regulator has decided to do away with all other fees to check the practice of overcharging. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Kind courtesy Indian Red Cross Society, Chhapra In a communication to all states and UT drugs controllers cum licensing authorities, the Drugs Controller Genral of India (DCGI) stated that the decision was taken in view of the opinion that "blood is not for sale". Referring to the 62nd meeting of the Drugs Consultative Committee held on September 26, 2023, the DCGI in the letter on December 26 said, "It was recommended with respect of agenda No. 18 of ATR point 3, for overcharging of blood, it was opined that blood is not for sale, it is only for supply and only processing cost may be charged by the blood centre." The revised guidelines stipulate that only processing fees can be charged for blood or blood components which ranges between Rs 250 to 1,550 for blood or blood components. The DCGI has asked states and UT drug controllers to direct all blood centres under their jurisdiction to adhere to the revised guidelines. According to official sources, per unit of blood in case of no blood donation is priced between Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000 by private hospitals. In cases of blood shortage or rare blood groups, the charges may go up higher. The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a petition by a family member of Indian national Nikhil Gupta, under detention in a Czech prison over allegations of involvement in a foiled plot to kill pro-Khalistan Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States, for consular access. Photograph: ANI Photo The US has accused Gupta of plotting to kill Pannun, an American citizen, at the behest of an Indian intelligence official. "There is nothing much we can do. You are entitled for consular access under the Vienna convention, which you have already got," a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta said. It said in view of the principles of public international law and comity of courts, none of the prayers made in the petition (for intervention by the government of India in extradition proceedings and cooperation in legal proceedings in Czech Republic) can be granted. 'We have examined the prayers made in the present writ petition. Keeping in view the principles of public international law and sovereignty and comity of courts, we do not think any of the prayers can be granted. As per the writ petition itself, the officer of the Indian embassy in Prague visited the petitioner while in detention on September 17, 2023,' the court said in its order. During the hearing, the bench told senior advocate CA Sundaram, appearing for Gupta's relative, that the court should respect the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the foreign court and law of that land and, therefore, it cannot go into the merit of the matter. When Sundaram claimed that Gupta has been lodged in solitary confinement, the bench said, "We are not concerned with all those facts. Don't argue about something which we will not go into and examine. Look, there are two principles...this is a matter related to public international law. We have to respect the sovereignty and jurisdiction of other courts. We will not allow you to comment upon and say something about the other court's jurisdiction etc." Sundaram, however, insisted it was purely a human rights issue and he has not got any assistance that was sought from the Indian embassy and the Ministry of External Affairs. "Only thing under the Vienna Convention you are entitled to is consular access. In case consular access has been denied or it's not acceptable, you can approach the authorities. That's all. As per your list of dates, you yourself accept that twice consular access has been granted," Justice Khanna told the lawyer. Sundaram, while referring to the petition, said, "I have sought assistance from the Indian embassy (in Czech Republic). I have sought assistance from the Ministry of External Affairs. I have not received any response from any of them. I am saying as an Indian citizen, I have a right to seek assistance from my State to enable me to defend myself in whatever manner I can." He said an official from the Indian embassy met Gupta but that was prior to his indictment and launch of extradition proceedings. Sundaram said Gupta was seeking assistance from Indian authorities as he has been indicted for acting at their behest. Gupta has been charged by the US authorities with trying to hire a hitman for USD 100,000 to kill Pannun in New York. "The indictment is entirely on the basis that I have acted at the behest or I would say at the instruction of authorities concerned with the Union of India," he said. Telling the lawyer that he was digressing from his petition, the bench said, "We are not going to allow you to even touch that topic. We are not in seisin (a term related to possession of land) of that matter. We are not concerned with the issues which are pending over there." The bench said it is a sensitive matter and the government alone can decide if it wants to deal with it or not. After the bench had dictated the order, Sundaram said the government should treat the petition as a representation. The bench said it is taking the statement on record but it is up to the government to decide on it. Gupta was arrested in Czech Republic on June 30. He has alleged grave human rights violations in solitary confinement, including being forced to consume beef and pork. He has also alleged that he was denied consular access, the right to contact his family in India and the freedom to seek legal representation. On November 29, 2023, Gupta was charged by federal prosecutors in the United States for his alleged participation in the foiled plot to assassinate Pannun on American soil. The 52-year-old was charged with murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, which also entails a maximum sentence of 10-year jail term. The Congress on Thursday renamed the Rahul Gandhi-led Manipur-Mumbai yatra starting on January 14 as the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, which will travel through 100 Lok Sabha segments in 15 states including Arunachal Pradesh, and asserted it will prove to be as 'transformative' as his earlier cross-country march. IMAGE: Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during a party meeting in New Delhi on January 4, 2023. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the party is inviting all leaders of the Indian National Inclusive Developmental Alliance (INDIA) bloc to join the yatra anywhere along its route. The yatra's route was finalised at a nearly three-hour meeting Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge chaired with general secretaries, state in-charges, state unit chiefs and Congress Legislature Party leaders at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in New Delhi, Ramesh said at a press conference. According to the route released by the party, the yatra would stay the longest period in Uttar Pradesh, covering 1,074 km in 11 days. It would pass through the politically-vital areas of Amethi, Rae Bareli, Varanasi and Prayagraj. Ramesh said the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra would traverse 6,713 km in buses and on foot. The yatra will cover 110 districts, 100 Lok Sabha seats and 337 assembly segments in 66 days, starting January 14 from Imphal. He asserted that the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra would prove to be as impactful and transformative as the earlier Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. Explaining the reason for the renaming the yatra from the earlier Bharat Nyay Yatra, Ramesh said all members who attended the meeting including Kharge were of the unanimous view that the success of the Bharat Jodo Yatra had led to it becoming a brand in its own right and had gotten embedded in the minds of the people and that its value should not be lost. "The 'Nyay' idea comes from the first line of the preamble of the Indian Constitution which secures for all its citizens justice -- social, economic and political," Ramesh said. Then comes liberty, equality and fraternity and all these are all inter-related principles, he said. During the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Gandhi had raised three big issues of rising inequality, growing social polarisation and increasing political tyranny and authoritarianism, and the way out of this is to ensure justice for the people, Ramesh said. "The idea of justice is the idea of the yatra but because we had a yatra which proved to be transformative of Indian politics, everyone was unanimous that we should combine the two... Nyay is the objective of the yatra," he said. Ramesh also pointed out that though earlier it was announced that the yatra would cover 14 states, they also had Arunachal Pradesh in mind but there were some logistical and security issues, which have now been sorted out. So, the yatra would now cover 15 states, including Arunachal Pradesh, he added. Giving details of the yatra and its route, Ramesh said it will begin on January 14 from Imphal and will be in Manipur for a day, covering 107 km and four districts. Then it will enter Nagaland and cover 257 km and five districts in two days before traversing 833 km and 17 districts in Assam in eight days, Ramesh said. The yatra will then move to Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya for a day each. According to the route map, the yatra in West Bengal will be for five days, covering 523 km and seven districts, and in Bihar for four days, covering 425 km and seven districts. In Jharkhand, the yatra will cover 804 km and 13 districts in eight days, Ramesh said. It will travel through four days in Odisha, covering 341 km and four districts and in Chhattisgarh for five days, covering 536 km and seven districts. Ramesh said the east to west yatra will be of maximum time in Uttar Pradesh for 11 days, covering 1,074 km and 20 districts. In Madhya Pradesh the yatra will cover 698 km and nine districts in seven days and two districts in Rajasthan for a single day. The yatra will cover five days each in Gujarat and Maharashtra, traversing 445 km and 479 km respectively. The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra would conclude in Mumbai on March 20 or 21, Ramesh said. Asked whether Aam Aadmi Party leaders would also be invited to join the yatra, Ramesh said all INDIA bloc leaders would be invited to join the yatra at various points of the yatra and asserted that AAP was part of the coalition. Ramesh also said civil society members and organisations will also be invited to join the yatra. The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra comes at a crucial juncture ahead of the Lok Sabha polls as the party seeks to revive its fortunes after a poor showing in the last round of assembly polls. The Bharat Jodo Yatra, which started on September 7, 2022, was credited by the Congress for its electoral gains in assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana. The party had claimed that it had enthused its rank and file and revitalised the its connect with the masses. The Bharat Jodo Yatra covered 75 districts and 76 Lok Sabha constituencies across 12 states and two Union territories. During the course of the Yatra, Gandhi addressed 12 public meetings, more than 100 street-corner meetings and 13 press conferences. He held more than 275 planned walking interactions and over 100 sitting interactions. Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Rashmi Shukla on Thursday became Maharashtra's first woman Director General of Police (DGP). IMAGE: Rashmi Shukla, Director-General Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) meets Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, at his residence in Lucknow on March 16, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo The state home department issued the order of her appointment. The 59-year-old IPS officer of 1988 batch was posted as director general of the Sashastra Seema Bal on deputation. Mumbai police commissioner Vivek Phansalkar was holding additional charge as DGP Maharashtra after Rajnish Seth retired from the post on December 31, 2023. Shukla was embroiled in controversy during the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government's tenure when she was named as an accused in phone tapping cases. The Bombay high court in September 2023 quashed two first information reports (FIRs) registered against Shukla in this connection. The two FIRs were registered in Pune and Colaba in south Mumbai for allegedly illegally tapping phones of some opposition leaders when Devendra Fadnavis was chief minister of the state and Shukla headed the state intelligence department. The Pune case was registered for allegedly recording phone calls of state Congress chief Nana Patole, while the Mumbai case was for allegedly recording phone calls of Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray MP Sanjay Raut and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Eknath Khadse, who was earlier with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The FIRs came to be registered after Fadnavis, as leader of opposition, cited a letter purportedly written by Shukla to the then-Maharashtra Director General of Police about alleged corruption in transfers in the police department. In the Pune FIR, the police had submitted a C-Summary report (case is neither false nor true) and had sought to close the case, while in the Mumbai case, the government had refused to grant sanction to prosecute Shukla. Fadnavis is now deputy chief minister and home minister. In fresh trouble for Congress leader Pawan Khera, the Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed his petition challenging the Allahabad high court order refusing to quash criminal proceedings against him for making objectionable remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, paving the way for his trial. IMAGE: Congress leader Pawan Khera during a protest in New Delhi on July 21, 2022. Photograph: Ayush Sharma/ANI Photo At a press conference in Mumbai in February 2023, Khera had called the prime minister "Narendra Gautam Das Modi", a comment that did not go down well with BJP leaders and supporters, and was seen as a reference to industrialist Gautam Adani. Prime Minister Modi writes his full name as Narendra Damodar Das Modi, with Damodar Das being his father's name. In several Indian states, people use their father's name as middle name, and Khera tinkering with it drew sharp criticism and protests. A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta said it was not inclined to interfere with the high court order. "You go on seeking apologies and apologies. Sorry, we are not inclined," the bench told senior lawyer Salman Khurshid, who appeared for Khera. During the brief hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Uttar Pradesh, told the court that a reply to Khera's petition has been submitted on the basis of the charge sheet filed in the case. Salman Khurshid requested the apex court to grant some time to file a rejoinder which was declined. The bench, while dismissing the plea, remarked, "Wishing away an offence, is that possible? Khera had moved the top court against the August 17, 2023, order of the high court, which had dismissed his plea saying the evidence collected by the investigating officer of the case cannot be evaluated in the petition filed under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) for quashing the case. The high court observed that since the top court had asked Khera to raise all his contentions before the jurisdictional court in Lucknow, it would be appropriate for him to put forth his grievances before the said court. On March 20 last year, the apex court had clubbed three FIRs lodged against Khera in Assam and Uttar Pradesh over his remark and transferred them to Hazratganj police station in Lucknow. It had also extended Khera's interim bail. The Lucknow court had later granted him regular bail in the case. Khera has tendered unconditional apology in the court for his remark. The Congress spokesperson was arrested from Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on February 23 last year after he was de-boarded from a plane that was supposed to take him to Raipur. However, he was granted interim bail by the top court the same day, which was extended from time to time. Nutri Soil JSC holds a ceremony in Buon Ma Thuot city in Dak Lak province on January 3 to send the first container of macadamia to the Republic of Korea (RoK) in 2024. (Photo: VNA) The 10-tonne macadamia batch has gone through many examinations by authorised agencies, meeting all requirements, including in food safety. The importer is an enterprise in Jeollabuk province, which set up partnership with Dak Lak since 2017. Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Industry and Trade Huynh Ngoc Duong said that the shipment via official channels to the RoK, the second market of Dak Lak macadamia after Japan, will open up opportunities for the product to enter other Asian countries as well as the world. Dak Lak boasts favourable soil and climate conditions for macadamia farming, which were initially piloted in Phu Loc and Dlie Ya communes in Krong Nang district in 2003 with a total area of 4 hectares, and expanded to other localities in the province. To date, Dak Lak has more than 4,500 hectares of macadamia with an output of more than 1,500 tonnes per year. This year, the locality expects the export revenue of over 1.6 billion USD. Over 255 tonnes of durian exported via Lao Cai border gates in first days of 2024 Over 255 tonnes of durian were exported to China via border gates in the northern province of Lao Cai in the first three days of 2024, earning nearly 1 million USD, the Vietnam News Agency qouted the figures of the Lao Cai Border Gate Customs Office. Deputy Head of the office Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh said that in the period, total trade turnover via Lao Cais border gates reached nearly 5.4 million USD, of which 2.8 million USD came from exports. Over 255 tonnes of durian exported via Lao Cai border gates in first days of 2024 (Photo: VNA) Last year, the total value of imports and exports through border gates in the province reported a year-on-year rise of 39%. The northern border province is striving for the total import-export revenue via its border gates of 4.5 billion USD in 2024, up 264.7% against that in 2023. Vietnams coffee exports reach nearly 4.2 billion USD in 2023 Vietnam shipped 1.61 million tonnes of coffee abroad in 2023, earning 4.18 billion USD, down 9.6% in volume but up 3.1% in value year-on-year, the Vietnam News Agency reported. The average coffee export price in 2023 was 2,834 USD per tonne, an increase of 14.1% compared with the previous year. Vietnams coffee exports reach nearly 4.2 billion USD in 2023 (Photo: VNA) Vietnams coffee industry benefited from a hike in Robusta coffee price. The price of Robusta in the world market hit a 28-year peak at the end of 2023 due to low inventories and sale restrictions. The price of Robusta coffee is forecast to continue increasing in 2024, even reaching a new peak due to concerns about supply shortages. According to the Vietnam Coffee-Cocoa Association (Vicofa), Vietnams coffee production for the 2023-2024 crop will decline to 1.6-1.7 million tonnes, lower than 1.78 million tonnes in 2022-2023. Vietnam shipped 1.61 million tonnes of coffee abroad in 2023, earning 4.18 billion USD, down 9.6% in volume but up 3.1% in value year-on-year. (Photo: VNA) This year, Vietnam is focusing on solutions to promote the sustainable development of the coffee industry, including ensuring origin traceability and meeting the European Union deforestation regulation (EUDR). Vietnam named as safest country to visit in Asia World-leading travel news source Travel Off Path has listed Vietnam as the safest country to visit in Asia for 2024, said Radio the Voice of Vietnam. According to Travel Off Path, safety is a primary concern for Americans traveling abroad, especially amid the current climate where conflicts are breaking out internationally and security is decreasing across a number of destinations. Over the last few years, Asia has been no exception, but Vietnam has proven to be remarkably stable and safe for tourists, said the newswire. The website cited the latest Global Law and Order Index indicating Vietnam is not only the most peaceful state in Asia, but is also the seventh worldwide. According to the newest Global Law and Order ranking which was published by Gallup in late 2023, Vietnam is the highest-charting country in Asia with an enviable score of 92 out of a maximum of 100. Elsewhere, the top 10 is dominated by European countries. Vietnam is the safest country to travel in the Asia (Photo: tienphong.vn) Travel Off Path also shared that Vietnam is both prosperous and peaceful, as it enjoys low rates of crime and impressive political stability. It jumped to conclusions the country is a lot safer than the United States and the majority European countries, where violence is increasing. In terms of tourist offers, the website noted, that Vietnam is ideal for slow travelers and backpackers seeking to reconnect with nature and expose themselves to a culture that is almost entirely different than their own, especially for that those coming from the Northern Hemisphere. The travel outlet suggested that when traveling the country from north to south, or vice-versa, visitors should definitely take time to stroll around the charming, yellow-washed streets of Hoi An which is a river port and UNESCO World Heritage Site internationally recognised for its numerous historical temples and French colonial architecture. Also not to be missed is neighboring Hue, home to an imposing moated citadel; further down the coast, the sandy beaches and forested reserves of Da Nang are a mandatory stopover, as are the golden sand dunes and sleepy coastal towns lining the laid-back Mui Ne section of the coast, said the website. It stressed that from vibrant city breaks in Ho Chi Minh City, the busy coastal port of Nha Trang, the capital of Hanoi, to escapes into nature in Ninh Binh which famous for its rice fields and monumental geological formations, travellers can truly never exhaust their to-do list while exploring the country. It also revealed that Vietnamese Government are welcoming tourists with open arms, recently moving to ease visa requirements for Americans, thereby allowing them to remain in Vietnam for a total of 90 full days./. A first information report (FIR) has been lodged and efforts are on to trace the culprit while taking note of a message on social media using abusive language against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and threatening to kill him, police said on Thursday. IMAGE: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Photograph: ANI Photo Superintendent of Police (SP) Sankalp Sharma said that a youth named Ajit Yadav has in a message on social media platform X threatened to kill the chief minister and it has been viral since Wednesday midnight. The police took cognisance of the viral message and lodged an FIR against Yadav under relevant sections at the Rudrapur police station around 3 am on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday, he added. The SP further said that investigations are on in this regard and efforts are on to trace the culprit. The youth in his post also mentions the October 2 violence in the district over a land dispute that claimed six lives. A local court had earlier found the house of one of the parties named Prem Yadav built on the government land following which the youth has stated that 'if it is demolished then come what may Yogi will be killed'. On October 2, six people, including five of a family, were killed in the violence in Fatehpur village of Deoria. Former district panchayat member Prem Yadav (50) was attacked with sharp-edged weapons and killed by his rival Satyaprakash Dubey and his family when he went to his house. Soon after, Yadav's supporters from Abhaipur attacked Dubey's house in retaliation and killed him as well as his wife Kiran (52) , daughters Saloni (18) and Nandani (10) and son Gandhi (15). The worst terror attack in Iran this century occurred when Iranians marked the fourth anniversary of Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander General Qassem Soleimani's death. Soleimani was killed by a US drone on January 3, 2020. There were two blasts in an interval of 20 minutes during the ceremony on Wednesday at the cemetery where Soleimani is buried in the south-eastern city of Kerman. Iranian Health Minister Bahram Eynollahi said the blasts killed 95 people and wounded 211 others though the toll is expected to rise. No one has taken responsibility for the blasts though Iranian officials were quick to blame Israel for the attacks. Caution: Graphic content. Viewer discretion is advised. IMAGE: Iranian women hold pictures of Qassem Soleimani at a ceremony to mark the fourth anniversary of his killing in Tehran. Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Reuters IMAGE: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi speaks at the ceremony in Tehran. Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/WANA/Reuters IMAGE: The ceremony in Tehran was a peaceful event unlike what occurred in Kerman, which is located about 990 kilometres south east from the Iranian capital. Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/WANA/Reuters IMAGE: CNN reported that Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi told Iran's government news channel IRIB that the first explosion occurred at 3 pm local time and 'the second, more deadly blast took place 20 minutes later, when other pilgrims came to help the injured.' Photograph: WANA/Reuters IMAGE: SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB A body lying on the ground at the scene of the explosions in Kerman. Photograph: WANA/Reuters IMAGE: SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB The first explosion was caused by a bomb placed in a suitcase in a Peugeot-405 car, CNN reported. Photograph: WANA/Reuters IMAGE: SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB. IRNA, Iran's government news agency, reported that the first explosion took place 700 metres from Soleimani's grave; the second occured at a distance of about 1 km away. Photograph: WANA/Reuters IMAGE: 'I warn the Zionist regime, do not doubt that you will pay a heavy price for this crime and the crimes you have committed,' Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi warned after the blasts in Kerman. Israel has previously attacked Iranian military and nuclear facilities and personalities; it is not known to target civilians in Iran. Wednesday's blasts have the ISIS imprint about it, some observers speculate. Photograph: WANA/Reuters Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/ Rediff.com Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Considerable cloudiness. High 42F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. A few flurries are possible. Low around 30F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. BRATTLEBORO Billy Fritz is getting to know the community as he takes on the very new role of EMS supervisor. Santa Claus of Vietnam Airlines appears and surprises passengers. (Photo: nhandan.vn) Celebrate Christmas and New Year in Hanoi On this occasion, although Vietnamese people dont have days off on December 24-25, visitors can hear Christmas songs on every street, from shops to hotels in Hanoi. On December 23 - 24, Noi Bai Airport organized five points to present gifts to passengers at the international and domestic terminals. Passengers unexpectedly received stuffed animals and conical hats from Santa Claus, watched music performances, and experienced 360-degree check-in video. All created a warm, bustling festive atmosphere right at the capital's international aviation gateway. In addition, on the night of December 24, many young people and foreign tourists also flocked to the center of the capital to immerse themselves in the Christmas atmosphere. This year, Hanoi Cathedral is decorated with colorful flower lights and a 15m high Christmas tree, attracting local people and tourists. The miniature grotto inside the church where Jesus was born is elaborately decorated. Besides the Cathedral, Hang Ma Street where many Christmas decorations are sold also attracted many people. International tourists enjoy celebrating Christmas in Binh Thuan According to baotintuc.vn, on these days, the spaces at tourist areas and resorts in Ham Tien and Mui Ne areas were all decorated quite early with bright colors on pine trees, snowmen, Santa Claus amd reindeer carts. A few days ago, most hotels in Binh Thuan organized a Christmas tree candle lighting program as an opening activity for the festive season. Along with that, a series of new tourism products were launched right on these days to create travel service packages for the Christmas season. International tourists welcome Christmas in Binh Thuan with their families. (Photo: baotintuc.vn) According to General Manager of Pandanus Resort Peter Gahuser, on this holiday, the resort welcomed about 300 guests, with room occupancy reaching about 50%; more than 80% are international guests, mainly German, Korean, Swiss, Austrian or French. The staff there practice a lot of Christmas songs to bring a close atmosphere to tourists. In addition, Santa Claus also gave gifts to guests to bring a happy atmosphere. International visitors to Binh Thuan in 2023 reach about 220,000 arrivals. The busiest season for guests to stay is Christmas and New Year. Mr. Christoph Holzapfe, General Manager of Anantara Resort, said, "Compared to last year, the number of guests in this year's Christmas increased. Most guests stay for a long time, so we try to organize many activities for guests to take rest and explore here. Accordingly, the activities last from December 22 to January 2, 2024. We hope the number of visitors in 2024 will continue to increase." Foreign visitors enjoy warm Christmas in Saigon According to VnExpress, on the occasion of Christmas 2023, Paris Commune Square and Notre Dame Cathedral attract a large number of local people and tourists. This is the first year the church has decorated for Christmas since its restoration began in 2017. Bhumij Gupta, an Indian tourist coming to Saigon for the first time, shared that every store and shopping center here is decorated splendidly with the highlight of beautifully decorated pine trees. Margaux Maille, a French tourist who welcomed Christmas abroad, chose Ho Chi Minh City to stop to experience this holiday season in a tropical country. Another French tourist, Bern Licie Siavy, shared that Christmas in Saigon is wonderful, everywhere is beautifully decorated and the people are very friendly. More than 1,000 Christians in Ho Chi Minh City attend the Christmas mass at Notre Dame Cathedral on the evening of December 24, 2023. In Vietnam, for many years, Christmas is no longer just a holiday for Christians but has become an occasion for many people to have fun and give each other gifts and wishes of well-being. Therefore, on these days, many activities are organized across the country, giving tourists, especially international visitors, many interesting experiences in many localities of Vietnam. Whether you choose Hanoi, Saigon, Binh Thuan or other localities, each place brings you unforgettable memories. The beauty and uniqueness of each location in Vietnam will certainly make visitors' Christmas season richer and more meaningful than ever./. Argentinas Equilibrium Global news website runs a story highlighting the unique values of Vietnams Bamboo diplomacy. (Photo: VNA) The article noted that throughout the Vietnamese history, foreign affairs have played an extremely important role, not only contributing to protecting the country's independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, but also helping to promote its national construction and development. It said that at the National Conference on Foreign Affairs held in Hanoi on December 14, 2021, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong emphasised the determination to build and develop a modern Vietnamese diplomacy imbued with strong national identity the Vietnamese bamboo diplomacy. Vietnams external policy aims to ensure a peaceful and stable environment, taking advantage of favourable international factors for the national reform, protecting and enhancing the countrys position. The journal commented that the Bamboo diplomacy of Vietnam shows the strategic balance in relations with world powers and the world based on the core principle of ensuring the national interest, independence and self-reliance in external relations, which have been deeply ingrained in President Ho Chi Minh's diplomatic ideology. The article on Argentinas Equilibrium Global news website. (Photo: VNA) The article underlined that Vietnam has been elected to many international organisations and performed the role of Vice President of the UN General Assemblys 77th session, a member of the UN Human Rights Council in the 2023-2025 tenure and the International Law Commission in the 2023-2027 tenure. Vietnams engagement in meetings of many UN agencies have fully demonstrated the country's increasingly active position, role and contributions in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy and promoting international cooperation on the global scale. This is a vivid demonstration of achievements of the Bamboo diplomacy, it said. The article added that the Bamboo diplomacy has elevated Vietnam's role in the international arena, helping the country maintain relations with world powers while ensuring national interests. It affirmed that by applying the Bamboo diplomacy, Vietnam has affirmed that it is a trustworthy partner and an active and responsible member in the international and regional integration process./. The attack near Bangkok happened several days after Thai authorities arrested Cambodians at a civic workshop. Thai police have arrested two suspects in an attack near Bangkok of a Cambodian activist who has been leading civic workshops for Cambodian workers living in Thailand. Srun Srorn and a co-worker were physically assaulted by unidentified men at a Buddhist temple in Thailands Samut Prakan province on Sunday, he told Radio Free Asia. Srun Srorn said he was in the province for a workshop on Cambodias 1991 Paris Peace Agreement, which formally ended decades of war in the country and paved the way for parliamentary democracy in the country. The attack came two days after Thai authorities raided another workshop given by Srun Srorn in Bangkok. The workshop also about the Paris Peace Agreement was attended by 30 Cambodian migrant workers and political asylum seekers on Dec. 29. Immigration police arrested 10 Cambodians at that workshop who they accused of illegally staying in Thailand. All 10 have refugee or asylum status from the United Nations refugee agency, or UNHCR, that gives them legal protection in Thailand, according to one of the arrestees, activist So Metta. Seven of the 10 are still being detained, activists told RFA. Srun Srorn said the assault on Sunday left him with a cut on his head. Police phoned him on Tuesday to say that two arrested suspects had confessed to the attack, he said. The officer added that the suspects said the assault wasnt related to the workshop they were angry over an argument that took place at a nearby restroom more than four hours earlier, Srun Srorn said. An investigator at Phra Samut Chedi police station, south of Bangkok, told RFA on Wednesday that the attackers were two Thai men in their 30s or early 40s who turned themselves in on Tuesday. They were charged with physical assault. They hit him with a baton and kicked him as well, police Capt. Suwit Pudonnang said. Livestream dispute The argument apparently started over Srun Srorns broadcast of a live video. Suwit Pudonnang said the two suspects told police they felt repulsed as Srun Srorn stared at them while doing the livestream. They hit him just once but were chased away, outnumbered by the Cambodians, he said. Srun Srorn said he was skeptical of that explanation. He said police sent him photos of the suspects, and the men looked like the attackers who he said had been following him since the Dec. 29 workshop. Why did they have a car waiting for them? Why did they have a gun and sticks? he said to RFA. I noticed before that they were following me, but I thought they were Thai police officers who were just watching my activities, he said. I did not expect them to assault us like this. I dont know what their nationalities were because when they attacked us they did not speak at all. Several Cambodians have said they were attacked in public in Thailand in 2023 because of their activism. Dozens of pro-democracy Cambodian activists have fled to Thailand to seek asylum in recent years as the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party, or CPP, has used intimidation and the courts to neutralize the political opposition. Thailand is also host to more than 1 million Cambodian migrant workers. The arrests at the Dec. 29 workshop were made several days after nine minor political parties and 15 NGOs aligned with the CPP urged Thai authorities to monitor opposition activists in Thailand. The workshops are part of efforts to educate Cambodians about the development of democracy in the country. They come almost six months after a general election was held in which the main opposition Candlelight Party wasnt allowed to field candidates because of a paperwork technicality. With no real competition, CPP candidates won 120 of 125 seats in the National Assembly. Translated by Sum Sok Ry. Edited by Matt Reed. Some are forced to return home after pursuing grievances in Beijing, while others are held in detention. A petitioner holds photos of evidence in her grievance against local officials, outside a government petition office in Beijing, China, March 2, 2016. Authorities around China are tightening security measures around people who complain about the government, dispatching "interceptors" to stop anyone with a grievance from lodging petitions ahead of regional People's Congresses later this month, petitioners and local residents said on Thursday. Provincial governments have started announcing dates for regional People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference sessions, which are typically held in mid-to-late January, ahead of the National People's Congress in Beijing in early March. A petitioner from the southwestern province of Sichuan who gave only the surname Yang said she was recently intercepted on a petitioning trip to Beijing, and forcibly brought back to the provincial capital Chengdu recently. "We were stopped by Beijing police at Changqiao, who checked our ID cards," she said. "They told the [Chengdu] interceptors that they were not to abuse us physically or verbally when they got us back home." China's army of petitioners, who flood the ruling Chinese Communist Party's official complaints departments daily, frequently report being held in unofficial detention centers known as "black jails," beaten, or otherwise harassed if they persist in a complaint beyond its initial rejection at the local level, even if they follow legal channels. They are often escorted home forcibly by "interceptors" sent by their local governments to prevent negative reports from reaching the ears of higher authorities, where they face surveillance, violent treatment and possible detention on criminal charges, particularly during major political events or on dates linked to the pro-democracy movement. Police officers check the identification cards of people visiting Tiananmen Gate ahead of China's 20th Communist Party Congress in Beijing, Oct. 13, 2022. (Noel Celis/AFP) A rights activist in the northeastern province of Liaoning who gave only the surname Zhang said "stability maintenance" operations are in full swing where he lives. "People are being detained on a daily basis," he said. "They're holding a lot of petitioners in the detention center." "People from the neighborhood committee won't let you go anywhere -- all the petitioners know that security guards and auxiliary police will turn up the moment they make any kind of move," Zhang said. Mobilizing 'interceptors' A resident of the northern port city of Tianjin who gave only the surname Li for fear of reprisals gave a similar account. "They started arresting people a few days ago," she said. "If you have ever petitioned [the government], they won't let you board a bus." "There are more people intercepting petitioners than there are petitioners right now," she said, adding that neighborhood committees, the most local unit of the Chinese government, are also mobilizing "interceptors" to make sure nobody from that neighborhood is seen petitioning in provincial capitals and other major cities during the People's Congress season. Sometimes, they don't even wait to see if people are planning a petition, Li said. "In a lot of places, they just go right ahead and detain you if you have ever petitioned," she said, citing the recent detention of petitioner Lin Minghua in Beijing for no obvious reason. Local residents with red armbands, identifying them as security volunteers, keep watch near Zhongnanhai leadership compound in Beijing, March 1, 2017. (Jason Lee/Reuters) A Beijing-based petitioner who gave only the surname Zhou said that the provincial and municipal People's Congress season is a politically sensitive time for the authorities, and the government is stepping up stability maintenance operations aimed at preventing public dissent or protest before it gets under way. "All petitioners, rights activists and dissidents are targeted by the government [at this time] for stability maintenance," Zhou said. A move to neighborhood 'grids' China is moving ahead with plans to shift local law enforcement from police stations to neighborhood "grids," where local volunteers and teams of vigilantes will enforce the law and residents will be encouraged to inform on each other, the Public Security Ministry announced in March 2023. Authorities across the country are starting to lay off auxiliary police officers and merge local police stations with a view to outsourcing much of their daily work to neighborhood officials and local militias under a "grid management" system. The shift will likely intensify China's "stability maintenance" operations a system of coercion and surveillance that seeks to prevent acts of defiance against the ruling Chinese Communist Party before they take place. Shanghai-based petitioner Ma Yalian, whose home was forcibly demolished by local authorities, said it scarcely matters whether petitioners stick to legal channels or not they are still likely to be targeted. "There's actually no such thing as legal or illegal petitioning," Ma said. "You are legally allowed to report issues." "But now they say it's illegal, and control [petitioners] very tightly for stability maintenance," she said. "They don't even abide by their own laws any more." Provincial People's Congresses will be held in Yunnan province on Jan. 17, in Hebei on Jan. 21, in Shanghai, Tianjin, Liaoning, Jiangxi, Hainan and Ningxia on Jan. 23 and in Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia on Jan. 30, according to recent media announcements. Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Roseanne Gerin. Online comments take aim at the government's bid to boost falling birth rates and encourage bigger families. The creator of the sculpture titled "A Better Future in Wuhans Jiangtan Park recently added two more children at the request of park officials. A riverside sculpture in the central Chinese city of Wuhan of a mother, father and single child has spooked local residents by appearing to have given birth to two extra offspring as the ruling Communist Party tries to encourage people to have more kids to boost flagging birth rates. The sculpture in Wuhan's Jiangtan Park, titled "A Better Future, was created by Guo Xue in 2017 to show the "beauty and happiness of family life, according to media reports. Guo was recently asked to give his work a makeover by the management team at the park, and added two extra children to reflect the government's current "three-child" policy, rather than the one-child policy of recent decades, according to the Lai Times. "The old family planning policies have changed ... because society is aging now, and the birth rate has declined," a resident of Wuhan who gave only the surname Mou for fear of reprisals told Radio Free Asia. "I think the government is trying to guide people to have more kids," he said. "I don't think the policy is having much effect because of the economic decline." People walk past the original version of the sculpture titled "A Better Future in Wuhan, in Chinas Hubei province on May 16, 2020. (Hector Retamal/AFP) "Everyone is worried about the drop in living standards, and can't afford to raise kids, nor to buy homes for them when they grow up," Mou said. Faced with plummeting marriage rates, flagging births and a rapidly aging population, President Xi Jinping wants the country's women to step up and embody "the traditional virtues" of marriage and raising children in a bid to "rejuvenate" the nation. Authorities in Hangzhou, Zhengzhou and other major cities with populations in the tens of millions, are promising cash subsidies for new families, with the Wuhan Donghu High-tech Zone offering 60,000 yuan (US$8,400) per child, the highest known rate so far, according to recent media reports. Where are the grandparents? But online comments poked fun at the propaganda drive, with one user quipping: "Let the sculpture have more kids, because we can't afford to." Some pointed out that the sculpture had omitted another thing people are expected to take care of from the family scene -- two sets of grandparents. "[Three kids] would be hard, then there's Grandma and Grandpa [to take care of] on top of that," one Weibo user commented. "Who would have time to take a walk with all that to do?" another user replied, while another wrote: "They should have a few more and line them up along the riverbank." Others called on the government to refund the fines they had to pay for "excess births" during the "one-child" policy. "I'm not having more kids until they refund that fine in full," one comment said, while another added: "Let's just have more statues." Forced abortions A resident of Wuhan who gave only the surname Pan said many people in China haven't forgotten the trauma of the one-child policy, when local family planning officials would haul women off for late-term forced abortions and sterilizations, and attack and harass families over "excess births," to the point of beatings and forced evictions. "Some people were taken to hospital for a forced abortion at eight months," Pan said. "Now they want us to have three kids." The ruling Communist Party has a long history of controlling the reproductive lives of Chinese women, mostly through a decades-long "one-child" policy that led to widespread violence and rights violations against women by local family planning officials keen to stay within birth quotas. The period, which ended in 2015, became infamous worldwide for the use of late-term, forced abortions, compulsory sterilization, female infanticide or selective abortion amid the constant policing of women's fertility. In recent years, young people have increasingly avoided the traditional milestones of adult life, citing a lack of economic future to support their aspirations. The number of Chinese couples tying the knot for the first time has fallen by nearly 56% over the past nine years, the financial magazine Yicai quoted the 2023 China Statistical Yearbook as saying, with such marriages numbering less than 11 million in 2022. A fellow Wuhan resident who gave only the surname Peng said his kids have no intention of getting married, let alone having three children. "My kids don't want to marry nobody I know wants to get married," Peng said. "Life's not good right now." "You don't get any social benefits [for having kids]; how can ordinary people afford it?" Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Government reduces annual candy gifts and gives them to fewer children ahead of Kim Jong Uns birthday. North Korean authorities traditionally give candy to children in daycare centers and kindergartens ahead of Kim Jong Uns birthday but have cut back this year. North Korea is toning down its annual candy giveaway to children this year ahead of leader Kim Jong Uns Jan. 8 birthday, handing out less candy and snacks than in previous years and to fewer children, residents in the country told Radio Free Asia. The quality of candy is also lower, they said. Meanwhile, adults were buying their annual New Years present from the state: wall calendars that came with a variety of illustrations, including rockets and images of plump children. The calendars, marking the important dates for Juche 113 also known as 2024 were once free, but now must be purchased. Gifts of sweets to children on or around the birthday of the countrys leader has been a tradition in North Korea dating back to the reign of national founder Kim Il Sung Kim Jong Uns grandfather and continued during the rule of his father Kim Jong Il. But this year the government is limiting the gift to kids aged 6 or younger. The government began distributing this years candy gift on Dec. 31, a resident of the northeastern province of North Hamgyong told RFA Korean on condition of anonymity for security reasons. But children will likely be disappointed because they are getting less this year, and the quality has declined, he said. The number of recipients who qualify for the gifts also decreased significantly, he said. Starting this year, elementary school students [and anyone older] are excluded from receiving confectionery gifts. The gift package this year consists of hard candy, packaged snacks like chips or sweet breads, bean powder coated candy, and other select items, he said. The government has not overtly said that the candies are for Kim Jong Uns birthday, however. But residents assume that must be the reason, because they remember that under the rule of the previous leaders, children received candy ahead of their birthdays, the resident said. Self-reliance With the changing of the year from Juche 112 to Juche 113, adults are also given paper calendars from the state, which they must purchase. Juche, is North Koreas founding philosophy of self-reliance, and the Juche era is said to have begun with the birth of Kim Il Sung in 1912. RFA reported in 2022 that pandemic concerns had resulted in people having to pay for their own annual calendar gift, and those who could pay more received better quality calendars. That trend is continuing into this year, but the people have several versions of the official calendar they can buy, with themes centered around missiles, the cult of personality, the military, education, and tourism, another North Hamgyong resident told RFA on condition of anonymity for personal safety. The missile calendar is titled The Status of the Juche Powerhouse, he said, while the calendar about soldiers and marines is called, Lets Destroy the U.S. Imperialist Invaders, the Bitter Enemies of the Korean People. A North Korean wall calendar for the year 'Juche 113' or 2024. Residents were "gifted" calendars like these, this year, though they had to be purchased. (RFA) The tourism-themed calendar seemed tone deaf though, because it pictures a lifestyle that most North Koreans can not even dream of, he said. How many people in North Korea can enjoy sightseeing and eating at restaurants on a boat like in the calendar? he said. Furthermore, there are students who cannot go to school because they are starving, and there are all these chubby students featured in the [education] calendar. The calendars are printed on low-quality paper this year due to a paper shortage, and even then there are different versions of varying cost, a resident of North Pyongan province in the northwest told RFA on condition of anonymity to speak freely. A multipage calendar costs 5,000 won (59 U.S. cents), and a single page calendar [displaying the entire year] costs 500 won (6 cents), she said. Well-off residents purchase the multipage calendars and there is a high demand for calendars featuring pictures of flowers and souvenirs. She said that the militaristic calendars were less popular because they feature missiles, soldiers or scenes from the 1950-53 Korean War, which North Korea calls the Great Fatherland Liberation War. The overly militaristic themes are a turnoff for some, but the resident said that people will always find reasons to complain. Last years calendar featured a picture of a young child holding a milk cup, but milk is a luxury for most people. she said. Translated by Claire Shinyoung Oh Lee. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster. NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue presents gifts to units at the Moc Bai International Border Gate. (Photo: VNA) Moc Bai is one of the three international border gates in Tay Ninh, which borders three provinces of Cambodia, along with Xa Mat and Tan Nam. The top legislator stressed that Vietnam and Cambodia have completed up to 84% of the workload of border demarcation and marker planting so far, and they are working hard to complete the remainder. He hailed competent forces at the Moc Bai Border Gate Economic Zone for good border management, thus facilitating border trade between the two countries, and especially their care for local residents as the 2024 Lunar New Year is approaching. The leader also emphasised Tay Ninhs role in connecting the Moc Bai HCM City Expressway with the Phnom Penh Bavet (Cambodia) Expressway, and other inter-regional transport routes to form a development network. Reviewing the first Cambodia Laos Vietnam (CLV) Parliamentary Summit which took place in Vientiane, Laos, last December, the NA Chairman said it has opened up a new page for cooperation between the three legislative bodies. To enhance cooperation with neighbouring Cambodia, apart from promoting political trust and friendship, it is crucial to boost economic and trade ties, he said, urging border competent forces to further facilitate the exchange of goods with the country. The leader suggested digital transformation in border gate development, and called for greater efforts in the fight against cross-border crimes, as well as administrative reforms. Later the same day, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue attended a programme in Ben Cau district marking the 65th anniversary of the border guard force (March 3, 1959), and presented gifts to poor border households./. A White House spokesperson said the US was still assessing the impact of launches on Dec. 30 and Jan. 2. John Kirby, spokesman for the White Houses National Security Council, discusses Russias recent launch of North Korean missiles into Ukraine, during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. The map at left shows the missiles flight path. Russian forces have for the first time fired North Korean-made ballistic missiles into Ukraine, a White House spokesman said Thursday. Pyongyang recently provided Russia with ballistic missile launchers and several ballistic missiles, and Moscow appeared to have twice test-fired the missiles into Ukrainian territory, said John Kirby, the spokesman for the White Houses National Security Council. Kirby said the first launch took place Saturday and appears to have landed in an open field in the Zaporizhzhia region. The second took place on Tuesday, launched multiple North Korean ballistic missiles into Ukraine, including as part of this overnight aerial attack. We're still assessing the impacts, he said. We expect Russia and North Korea to learn from these launches, and we anticipate that Russia will use additional North Korean missiles to target Ukraine's civilian infrastructure and to kill innocent Ukrainian civilians. He said the missiles had a range of about 900 kilometers (about 550 miles) and called the supply of the weapons a significant and concerning escalation in North Koreas support for Russia. In return for its support, we assess that Pyongyang is seeking military assistance from Russia, including fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles, ballistic missile production equipment or materials, and other advanced technologies, Kirby said. The spokesman said that the United States would unveil new sanctions against some of the people responsible for the transfer of the North Korean weapons and that American diplomats would raise the illegal provision of the weapons in a U.N. Security Council session. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russia's President Vladimir Putin talk during a tour in Russia, Sept. 13, 2023, in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency. (KCNA via Reuters) U.S. officials have for months warned of the budding ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, both of whom have been on the receiving end of a slew of heavy-hitting and isolating U.S.-led sanctions. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Russia in a high-profile meeting in September and South Koreas spy agency in November said that it believed North Korea had already shipped more than a million artillery shells to Russia. Also in November, a Russian soldier appeared to debunk the denials from Mosow and Pyongyang of any such transfers occurring, posting images of himself posing in front of North Korean-made rockets. The United States says the arms transfers violate multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions against dealings with the Pyongyang regime, all of which Moscow voted in favor of at the time. Edited by Malcolm Foster The decision comes amid the firm stance of South Koreas President Yoon Suk Yeol on implementing hardline policy towards Pyongyang. The inter-Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex is seen behind North Koreas propaganda village of Gijungdong, in this picture taken near the truce village of Panmunjom inside the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, South Korea, July 19, 2022. South Korea has officially decided to dissolve its foundation designed for facilitating the inter-Korean economic complex on Thursday, further solidifying its hardline policy towards Pyongyang. Considering operational efficiency and the overall situation of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, we have decided to dissolve the Kaesong Industrial District Foundation, the Souths Unification announced on the same day. The foundation, which was established in 2007, is a legal entity established under the Act on Supporting the Kaesong Industrial Region. It had the responsibility of managing and operating the inter-Korean economic zone of the Kaesong Industrial Complex. Following the suspension of the complexs operations in 2016 due to deteriorating inter-Korean relations, the foundation redirected its efforts towards supporting the normalization of the inter-Korean business operations. After dissolution, the foundation will be converted into a liquidation corporation and will operate with a minimal staff of no more than five employees, the ministry said, adding that the official procedure is likely to take place from March. The decision comes amid the firm stance of South Koreas President Yoon Suk Yeol on implementing hardline policy towards Pyongyang. Yoons conservative administration has been openly vowing to proceed reciprocal responses to North Koreas provocations. North Korea has been ramping up its provocation against South Korea. In a rare New Year message delivered late Tuesday, for instance, the North Korean leaders powerful sister Kim Yo Jong claimed that Seouls hardline policy was only providing justification for Pyongyangs development of its self-defense military capabilities. The prolonged suspension of the complex has essentially rendered the foundations work ineffective, and issues have been continuously raised regarding the inefficiency of operating the foundation externally, a unification ministry official told reporters in Seoul. Additionally, the recent infringement of our property rights by North Korea also impedes the possibility of resuming the foundations work. Seouls decision also follows a rare criticism by Yoon in July, directed at his own government. Yoon openly stated that the Unification Ministry should not be primarily focusing on providing aid to North Korea, hinting at a shift in the governments approach towards its northern neighbor. Traditionally, the ministry has been largely dedicated to offering humanitarian aid to the North Korean nationals, whom the South Korean Constitution defines as its own people. With escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, the prospects of unification appear increasingly remote for both sides, with Kim Jong Un warning that military conflicts on the Korean peninsula could arise at any moment, as reported by the Norths state-run Korean Central News Agency on Monday. The KCNA report also said that North Koreas Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, along with the head of the United Front Department Ri Son Gwon, hosted a meeting to discuss ways to deliver Kims orders to restructure organizations involved in South Korean affairs. Kim, as he wrapped up its Central Committee Plenary Meeting of the Workers Party Korea Saturday, also said the inter-Korean unification could never be achieved. Meanwhile, South Korea and the United States began their first joint military drills for this year on Thursday, involving the U.S Air Force asset, Rivet Joint, a reconnaissance aircraft designed for intelligence collection. Edited by Taejun Kang and Elaine Chan. The explosives are used both by the military and rebel groups, a monitoring group says. People in more than half of Myanmars townships are at risk getting injured or dying from landmines, which are used by both the military and ethnic rebel forces, a landmine monitoring group said. Nearly 170 of 330 townships are at risk of landmines a figure that has increased by 68 townships since 2020, according to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, whose monitoring wing tracks progress in eliminating landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war. The group issued the Burmese version of its latest 34-page Landmine & Cluster Munition Monitor report on Dec. 28. It did not include the total number of landmine incidents or victims for 2023, but recounted individual incidents covered in media reports. In 2022, there were 384 deaths and 124 injuries caused by landmines in Myanmar, according to the monitoring group. Myanmar is not a member of the Ottawa Convention, also referred to as the Mine Ban Treaty, which prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel landmines. Neither is the United States, China, Russia, India or Pakistan. Both the ruling juntas armed forces and non-state armed groups have produced and used antipersonnel mines, including improvised blast and fragmentation mines that are victim-activated, said the reports 28-page English-language version. Myanmars Armed Forces have repeatedly used antipersonnel mines since seizing power in a coup in February 2021, the report said. This use represents a significant increase in use in previous years, including use around infrastructure such as mobile phone towers, extractive enterprises, and energy pipelines. A member of the anti-junta Karenni Nationalities Defense Force holds landmines planted by the Myanmar military and removed during demining operations near Pekon township in Myanmar's southern Shan state, July 11, 2023. (AFP) From 2018 to 2021, the Myanmar military was the only armed forces in the world to use anti-personnel landmines, though Russia joined the list in 2022, said Yeshua Moser-Puangsuwan, a researcher for the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor, said at a press conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on Dec. 28. Myanmar is the only country in the world that uses deadly landmines from its military, he said. Among the mines seized by resistance armed groups were various types produced by the state-owned weapons production facility known as KaPaSa, or Defense Products Industries of Myanmar, the report said. Some individual cases The report cited numerous instances where landmine explosions killed or maimed civilian adults and children in 2023. At the beginning of March, a man was seriously injured after stepping on a landmine in the May mountains, where a Myanmar Army contingent is stationed near Cedipyin village in Rathedaung township of Rakhine state. On Dec. 26, Lwang Kham, 12, was injured when a landmine exploded near Ma Ding village in Waingmaw township in northern Myanmars Kachin state, near where the juntas 58th Light Infantry Battalion is stationed, a resident who did not want to be named for security reasons, told RFA. In the afternoon, while he was looking after the cattle, the cattle stepped on a landmine and [the explosion] hit him near Ka War Hka creek, the villager said, adding that many pieces of shrapnel hit his legs and his left eye. The injured boy was taken to Myitkyina Hospital for surgery and medical treatment, he said. In western Myanmars Chin state, residents are afraid to go to their hillside farms for fear of setting off an explosion, said Salai Vang Sweesan, assistant director of the Institute of Chin Affairs. In Chin, every village depends on the hillside farms to make a living. Since landmines are being planted along the roads [to the hillside farms], even if people want to go to the farms, its risky. Shan state Northern Shan state, where fighting between junta troops and an alliance of ethnic armies is intense, has seen an increase in civilian casualties from landmines. At least five civilians were injured and lost their limbs due to mine explosions in the towns of Kutkai, Lashio and Kyaukme towns amid fighting in December 2023 between junta forces and the Taang National Liberation Army, or TNLA, local residents said. Aik Pee, who lost his leg after stepping on a mine, is seen in Hsipaw in Myanmar's northern Shan state, Feb. 28, 2022. (RFA) On Dec. 6, a man from Nam Kyan village in Lashio township lost one of his legs and his other limbs were damaged when he stepped on a mine while looking for honey in the forest, residents said. Two days later, a 63-year-old man from Nam Hu Twang village in Kyaukme township lost one of his legs when he stepped on a mine while cutting bamboo, according to people living in the community. Residents used to gather firewood in the forest or work in cornfields before the fighting escalated, but now they have stopped and it has affected their abilities to provide for themselves, she said. Now they often hear blasts when dogs and cattle step on the mines. Villagers know that the mines are there, she said. Thats why we dont go to the forest at all. RFA could not reach junta spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun for comment on the landmines. Last August, the Cluster Munition Coalition condemned the new use of cluster munitions by the juntas armed forces and demanded an immediate end to the use of this prohibited weapon. At the time, a report by the organizations monitoring wing indicated that junta forces had used what appeared to be domestically produced cluster bombs in attacks in several parts of the country since 2021. Myanmars production and use of cluster bombs is gravely concerning as these indiscriminate weapons primarily kill and injure civilians, Moser-Puangsuwan said in a statement. There can be no justification for using them. All governments should condemn this use of an internationally-banned weapon. Translated by Htin Aung Kyaw for RFA Burmese. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster. But high-profile prisoners such as Aung San Suu Kyi , and many of those serving long terms, were not part of the release. Family members are waiting for the release of prisoners in front of Yangons Insein Prison on Jan 4, 2024 UPDATED on January 4, 2024 at 4:08 p.m. ET Myanmars junta granted amnesty to 9,652 prisoners on Thursday, according to a statement released by the juntas State Administration Council said. The prisoner release took place on the 76th anniversary of the countrys independence from the United Kingdom. The amnesty was conditioned on the agreement that, should they reoffend, they would be required to serve both the remaining sentence and any new punishment. About 114 foreign prisoners were included in the amnesty, according to a separate statement from the junta. It said they were released to maintain friendly relations with other countries. Among those released is Kaung Set Lin, a photojournalist from the Myanmar Press Photo Agency in Yangon, who had been sentenced to three years on charges of damaging public interest. Kaung Set Lin was arrested while injured when police and soldiers, using a vehicle, charged into an anti-coup protest he was covering on Pan Pin Gyi Street in Yangon's Kyimyindaing township. Yes, he is freed. My son is among the released. Now we are about to go home. Needless to say, I am so happy. I wanted to see my sons face before I died. Now my wish has come true, Myo Myint, the father of the journalist, told RFA Burmese. Kaung Set Lin's mother died while he was incarcerated. My mother died of cancer. I didnt get a chance to see her at the last moment. But as a son, I was dutiful," he told RFA Burmese. "Until now, I never made my mother feel she had a low prestige. I want all my remaining [political prisoner] brothers to be released as well. 'Nothing but pray' Another six of Kaung Set Lin's co-accused were released today. However, Hmu Yadana Khet Moh Moh Tun, a reporter from the Myanmar Press Photo Agency, who was arrested the same day remains imprisoned. Her mother Myint Myint Maw said that she wanted her daughter to be released, though she could do nothing but pray. Anyway, I'm expecting her release. But since she has been sentenced for two more charges, I dont expect much," she said. "When the others were released, I just sent prayers and love for her. "[The authorities] have to release her, so I can do nothing but pray. She will be free only when they release her, so I feel bad. A Burmese photo journalist Kaung Set Lin was released from Insein Prison on Jan.4, 2024. (RFA) However, another journalist, Hmu Yadanar Khat Moh Moh Tun from the Myanmar Press Photo Agency, who was arrested alongside him, has not been released. Actress Thin Zar Wint Kyaw and model Nan Mwe San, who faced criticism from the junta and were sentenced to several years in prison on charges of undermining Myanmar culture and sexual orientation, were also released, according to media reports. But RFA has not been able to independently verify this information. More than 1,000 prisoners were released from Mandalays Obo Prison on Thursday, and among them were Dr. Ye Lwin, former Mandalay mayor, and Kyaw Zeya, a member of the Mandalay City Development Committee, both served under the National League for Democracy-led government, lawyers said. While a few political prisoners were released today, detained former political leader Aung San Suu Kyi and former President Win Myint, who have received lengthy prison sentences under various charges, along with members of the NLD government, lawmakers, university students and democracy activists remain incarcerated. 'No hope' for those given long terms A family member of Tun Tun Hein, NLD-led governments deputy speaker, said he has not heard any news about his release yet. Tun Tun Hein, the 72-year-old deputy speaker who also served as the chairman of the countrys lower house in the parliament, had been sentenced to more than 30 years. I wished he would be released because he is old. I hope he comes out with amnesty and I am praying for it. I haven't heard any news yet, said the family member. A lawyer, who is handling the cases of political prisoners and requested anonymity for security reasons, informed RFA Burmese that none of the political prisoners serving long-term sentences were among those released on Thursday. Only those who had been sentenced to terms between two and three years and were close to their scheduled release dates were freed, the lawyer added. A family member of a political prisoner who was sentenced to a long jail term in Thayet Prison in Magway region said that there was no hope for those who have been given long prison terms. There is no expectation for their release. They [the authorities] released the inmates who have just two, three or four, five more months to serve. They dont release people who have to serve for four, five or six more years," he said. Based on the junta statements, there have been 14 amnesties granted since the coup, including the one on Thursday. In total, more than 92,000 prisoners have been released during these amnesties, but only a small number of them were political prisoners. According to the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, or AAPP, in 2023 alone, the junta released more than 20,000 prisoners, but only 2,400 political prisoners were among them. Edited by Taejun Kang, Elaine Chan, and Eugene Whong. Updates to add that former Mandalay mayor was released, adds comments from Kaung Set Lin and the mother of his still incarcerated colleague, and AAPP figures. They say the junta must first ensure their labor rights, while others refuse to fund a coup regime. Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand protest in front of the United Nations office in Bangkok against the junta's 2% taxation of their income, Dec. 17, 2023. Myanmar nationals working abroad say they wont pay income tax to their countrys junta as required by a newly passed law unless they are guaranteed protection of their labor rights, while others oppose funding what they see as an illegitimate military regime. Myanmars Union Taxation Law of 2023, signed by junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, went into effect on Oct. 1, requiring migrant workers to pay a portion of their income to the regime. The new law ends an exemption that had been in effect since 2012. On Dec. 13, the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok announced a tax rate of 2% on the earnings of migrant workers in Thailand. But workers in Thailand are questioning why they should be forced to make the payments when they are afforded little assistance from the junta in protecting their rights abroad. Weve witnessed many migrant workers suffering violations of their labor rights, but they dont receive any assistance from Myanmar officials, said Kyaw Zeya, a Myanmar national who works in Thailand. So we wont pay taxes without any protections. Migrant workers in Thailand told RFA Burmese that they are already struggling to make ends meet on low wages and that the new income tax will mean additional burdens. Salaries for migrant workers in factories, workshops, agriculture and livestock, construction, and services is fixed at 7,500 baht (US$220) per month, meaning they will now be required to pay 150 baht (US$5) to the junta from each monthly paycheck. Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand protest in front of the United Nations office in Bangkok against the junta's 2% taxation of their income, Dec. 17, 2023. (RFA Photo) In Japan, the Myanmar Embassy in Tokyo also recently announced a 2% tax on migrant worker incomes. Under this taxation scheme, a Myanmar national in Japan who earned 200,000 yen (US$1,385) or more each month had to pay the junta 4,000 yen (US$30), while those who earned less had to pay 3,000 yen (US$20). Following resistance to the scheme, the requirements were reduced to 3,000 yen and 1,000 yen (US$5), respectively. And while labor rights are generally better protected in Japan, Myanmar nationals working in the country told RFA that they prefer to pay their income taxes to the host nation, where the money wont be spent on funding a military that kills and arrests those who object to its seizure of power in a Feb. 1, 2021 coup detat. Those [Myanmar nationals] who need to extend their passport cannot avoid the tax, said Ye Zaw Htet, who lives and works in Japan. But I refuse to pay a tax that can be used to harm people in Myanmar. Migrant workers who have paid the tax receive a certificate, which is needed to renew ones passport, apply for labor ID cards and request certain official documents. Funding a civil war Analysts RFA spoke with said that the junta wants additional revenue to fund its purchase of aviation fuel, arms and ammunition, even while Myanmar has seen its economy contract and foreign investment vanish amidst a raging civil war. With an estimated 5 million Myanmar nationals working in Thailand, the junta can expect to earn nearly 750 million baht (US$22 million) per month at a rate of 150 baht per worker. From Singapore, where around 300,000 Myanmar nationals work and are required to pay a tax rate of 2%, the junta can expect to earn some 2.4 million Singapore dollars (US$1.8 million) per month. One Myanmar citizen in Singapore who is working as a technician and spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, said they will only pay taxes to a government with a legitimate mandate. We arent talking about a tax payment, the worker said. We will pay taxes to both our home and host countries for the development of our country under an elected government. But we arent willing to pay the coup regime. Sein Htay, an economist, said that regardless of how it is generated, government revenue should be spent for public development programs and services, not for war expenses, and certainly not to fund a civil war. Living quarters in a camp where Thai and Myanmar construction workers reside in Bangkok. (Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP) Attempts by RFA to contact Myanmars embassies in Tokyo, Bangkok and Singapore, as well as the juntas Planning and Finance Ministry, for their response to criticism of the taxation plan went unanswered by the time of publishing. However, Nyunt Win, the permanent secretary of the juntas Labor Ministry, characterized the tax scheme as a way to pay for work permits for Myanmar nationals overseas. Work permits abroad have no connection to the government in the homeland, he said. The tax is needed to pay to the home country. In addition to the recent taxation plan, the junta has forced migrant workers to hand over 25% of their salaries to the regime when remitting money home through official transfer channels. Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand staged a protest against the monthly 2% taxation plan in front of the United Nations office in Bangkok on Dec. 17, which received a message of support from the Ministry of Labor under the countrys shadow National Unity Government. Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. Human rights groups applaud the move, but they say more transparency is needed. UPDATED at 6:41 P.M. ET on 01-04-2024 U.S. biotechnology company Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has stopped selling DNA collection kits in Tibet after human rights groups said the products were used by Chinese authorities to further police and repress Tibetans. The Massachusetts-based companys human identification, or HID, technology is used for forensic applications, such as tracking down criminals, stopping human trafficking and freeing the unjustly accused, the company said in an email. Based on a number of factors, we made the decision in mid-2023 to cease sales of HID products in the region, Thermo Fisher said. While we dont disclose sales by business, it is important to note that our sales of this technology are consistent with routine forensic application in an area of this size, the email said. The development was first reported by Axios on Wednesday. In recent years, Chinese authorities have arbitrarily collected biometric data and DNA in the form of involuntary blood samples from school children at boarding schools without parental permission, Radio Free Asia reported. Tibetans see the measure as part of the Chinese governments larger goal of the forcible assimilation and erasure of their cultural identity. Human rights groups, who had called for Thermo Fisher to stop selling the DNA kits in Tibet, approved of the move. Companies must understand that their complacency enables repression in occupied Tibet, Chemi Lhamo, campaign director at Students for a Free Tibet, told RFA. Thermo Fisher, the top bioinformatics company, accepted the evidence we shared about the reality of policing in Tibet and has taken action to end its DNA kit sales in Tibet, she said. This is the result of our collective organizing, and the same power will continue to hold Thermo Fisher to its promise. Not enough Maya Wang, interim China director and associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said the move showed how pressure works to improve the human rights situation in China, even in Tibet and Xinjiang, where there are serious violations. Chinese authorities also have forcibly collected DNA samples from Uyghurs and other Muslim groups in Xinjiang amid a wider campaign of mass surveillance and repression. But this is not enough, Wang said, referring to Thermo Fishers discontinuation of sales of DNA collection kits to Tibet. Companies, according to U.N. Guiding Principles, should not contribute to human rights abuses, she said. So, it is important that Thermo Fisher review its business practices in China and put in place human rights due diligence systems and mechanisms, to make sure that its sales in China [do] not contribute to human rights abuses throughout the country of China. However, even though the company has halted sales of equipment to Xinjiang and Tibet, it can easily be resold in China into these regions, Wang cautioned. She added that the U.S. government and Congress should ensure Thermo Fisher conducts business responsibly and complies with human rights standards in China. A view of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.'s headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts, Aug. 2, 2023. (Brian Snyder/Reuters) In September 2022, Human Rights Watch reported that authorities had been conducting mass DNA collection drives in all seven prefectures or municipalities in the Tibet Autonomous Region, or TAR, which covers the western part of the Tibetan plateau. The collection drives are part of ongoing efforts by Chinese authorities to establish police presence at the grassroots level throughout the region, the rights group said at that time. Tenzin Yangzom from the International Tibet Network, another rights group that put pressure on the company to stop the sales in Tibet, wants Thermo Fisher to be more transparent about human rights due diligence. Transparency can be improved through enhanced disclosures including reports from their existing ethics team, she said. Weve asked them for impact reports where they agreed to halt sales and continue the ongoing dialogue. We will be closely monitoring the situation. The Central Tibetan Administration, or CTA, headquartered in Dharamsala, India, also welcomed the move, but told RFA it was imperative that Thermo Fisher follows through on its commitment to halt sales of DNA collection kits in Tibet. "It's not just Thermo Fisher; there are several other companies that sell such kinds of DNA collection kits and surveillance instruments in China and outside," said CTA spokesman Tenzin Lekshey. "These companies should also ensure they stop the sale of such products that are being used to violate the human rights of Tibetans in Tibet." 'The right choice' Thermo Fishers investors also praised the move. Joshua Brockwell, director of investment communications Azzad Asset Management in Falls Church, Virginia, a Thermo Fisher shareholder, said the company made the right choice by helping end biometric repression as a tool of Chinese authoritarian surveillance. Halting sales of DNA collection kits to Tibetan authorities is not only more consistent with American values, it is an important way to mitigate potential harm to shareholder value from reputational risks associated with doing business in occupied territories, he said. Individual investor Mari Mennel-Bell told RFA she was pleased that Thermo Fisher had stopped the sales of the HID kits in Tibet. This process shows that companies should not assume that individual shareholders will be passive investors, she said. Increasingly, they are following their consciences to push companies to do the right thing. Chinese authorities have collected DNA samples in the rest of China as well. In 2019, RFA reported that provincial and municipal authorities across China were buying large amounts of DNA sampling kits, testing instruments, sequencers, and other tools from domestic companies, though most of the DNA instrument analyzing technology was being supplied by Thermo Fisher. In December 2022, the bipartisan U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China wrote a letter to Thermo Fisher, expressing concern over the companys sales of DNA kits and replacement parts for sequencers in Tibet. They asked President and CEO Marc Casper to conduct a rigorous review" of the reported use of the company's products and equipment in the TAR, and ensure that the company would take steps to stop further use. Translated by Tenzin Pema for RFA Tibetan. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster. Adds comments from the Central Tibetan Administration. With a campaign targeting outspoken critics of the ruling Communist Party largely complete, authorities in Vietnam say they are now turning their attention to the countrys small fish, according to political and human rights activists. Over the past six months, authorities have been conducting a dragnet of Vietnams activist community, inviting people to police stations for warnings, forcing them to meet with security officers at restaurants and cafes, and even arresting them in their homes as was the case with YouTuber Phan Van Bach on Dec. 29. In conversations with RFA Vietnamese, three rights campaigners in Vietnam who asked to be identified only by their first initial, citing security concerns, said they had been summoned many times over the past few months by security officers who questioned them about their activities some of which had occurred several years earlier. Mr. L, a resident of the capital Hanoi, said he had been invited for conversations with police twice in the second half of 2023 alone. They claimed they had already arrested all the prominent activists and bluntly said that it was time to catch the small fish, he said. After threatening me in that way, they started using psycho tactics, advising me that I should think about [the safety of] my family. Mr. L said that after the second warning, he had stopped all activities, fearing that he could end up detained, or worse. If I am arrested now, my family would fall apart, he said. Besides him, Mr. L said, almost everyone who had previously spoken out about Vietnams socio-political issues had been told to meet with security forces. They began to check on the remaining people even those who used to post stories online or take part in [pro-democracy and human rights] activities, he said. All were invited. Mr. L said anyone using YouTube to post videos about sensitive topics was told to stop or face arrest, and that if police were repeatedly ignored after issuing a summons, they will go straight to that persons home [to arrest them]. Targeted whether active or not Another activist, who gave his name as Mr. H, told RFA of a similar situation in Vietnams commercial capital, Ho Chi Minh City. He said that while he had refrained from taking part in pro-democracy and human rights activities or criticizing the government for two to three years, he had recently been invited to three separate meetings with police. They grilled me about things I had done in the past, he said, adding that police had also asked him about his Facebook account, as well as foreign media reports about his activities. They threatened me, saying my file was completed and that they could imprison me at their discretion at any time, Mr. H said. I heard that there is currently a campaign underway to arrest all people who have engaged in any previous activism, regardless of whether they are still active or not. Mr. B, another human rights activist in Ho Chi Minh City, described a similar situation, noting that even though YouTuber Phan Van Bach had ceased activities in recent years, they did not spare him. Many [who were targeted] were confused, as they had quit [activism] but were still arrested, he said. Eradicating the democratic movement Commenting on the current situation of activists in Vietnam, rights researcher Minh Trang suggested that Vietnams security forces no longer differentiate between active and inactive activists. She said that tactics used by authorities that include reminding, warning and threatening activists to stop appear to be working. All the prominent activists in Vietnam have been arrested or migrated to another country to live, she said. Therefore, the authorities are inviting those who are left to meetings to collect information, create records, and make new arrests. Their goal is to eradicate the democratic movement and civil society activities in Vietnam. Nguyen Tien Trung, an activist who authorities sought to arrest throughout 2023 before he fled to Germany as a refugee in December, said the Communist Party wants to hunt down and wipe out political dissidents because they worry that global developments beyond their control could negatively affect Vietnam and cause unrest at any time. The government is afraid that when upheavals take place, and there is a democratic force waiting to take over the leadership, the people will stand up and remove the totalitarian one-party regime, he said. He noted that the war in Ukraine could impact food and oil prices in Vietnam, while potential conflicts resulting from Chinas territorial claims over Taiwan and the South China Sea could have profound political implications. The Communist Party itself gained power after the end of World War II amid a power grab in the country at that time, he said. Therefore, the authorities want to destroy all sprouts and seedlings of the democratic leadership so that there is no opposition waiting to lead a popular revolution. Translated by Anna Vu. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. Male students who enrolled in Taliban-run religious schools say that sexual and physical abuse has led some to end their pursuit of an education in Afghanistan. The students, all of whom were aged 10 to 17 and spoke to RFE/RL's Radio Azadi on condition of anonymity out of fears of repercussion, described numerous instances in which they and fellow classmates were pressured to engage in sexual acts with teachers and subjected to corporal punishments. The reported cases took place in western and southwestern Afghanistan at Taliban-run madrasahs, part of the network of religious schools that the extremist group has expanded significantly as part of its drive to foster religious education more in keeping with its hard-line Islamist views. One 16-year-old student, a resident of Farah Province, described being propositioned by a teacher at the madrasah he attends. "One day at school a Taliban member who teaches there made an inappropriate offer, but I did not accept it," the boy told Radio Azadi, using inexplicit language to describe sexual abuse, a culturally taboo topic in Afghanistan. "When the lessons were over, he bothered me again." The boy said he reported the incidents to a "qari," a person who has memorized the Koran and serves as a religious authority at the school, to no avail. "I told the qari that the teacher was doing bad things to me, and the qari told him not to do these things, that he was a teacher," the boy said. "The teacher admitted doing it, but it had no effect. He has continued to do bad things and made sexual requests to numerous students at the school." Another student in southwestern Afghanistan, a 17-year-old in the 10th grade, gave a similar account of his experience during his six months studying at a Taliban-run madrasah. "A Taliban member who teaches at the school proposed having a relationship with me and said some other things that I did not accept," the boy said. After being refused, the teacher swore and issued threats, the boy said, adding that his fellow students have faced similar treatment. "He also harassed several of my classmates, and one of them left the school," the boy said. "He told me I should not go to school anymore because the same teacher is harassing me." The boy said the experience has left him "damaged" and unsure of whom he can confide in. "I can't tell my family," he said. The Taliban has come under widespread criticism for the severe restrictions it has placed on the daily lives of the Afghans since seizing power in August 2021. In its pursuit to impose its extreme interpretation of Islam, the Taliban has restored many of the draconian rules it was infamous for during its first stint in power from 1996 to 2001. The ban on the education of girls past the sixth grade, and the erasure of women's role in society stand out among the measures the Taliban has taken. But other steps -- including prohibitions on music and idolatry through art, and pressure against students and teachers -- have affected all walks of life regardless of sex. Since the Taliban returned to power, many educators have left the country, while female teachers have been left at home without work due to restrictions on women's freedom of movement and their ability to teach males. Meanwhile, the Taliban has steadily worked to replace secular state schools and informal madrasahs with a system of religious schooling. The system does allow for girl students, including those of university age, but critics say it falls far short of the standards of modern education for girls and boys alike and often promotes extremism. According to a report on Afghanistan issued by the United Nations in February, the Taliban has established 6,836 madrasahs for males and 380 for females and was expected to finalize a standardized religious curriculum in time for the new school year beginning this month. The recruitment of madrasah teachers is also in full swing, according to the report, following a decree by the Talibans spiritual leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada to have 100,000 new madrasah teachers in place. In December, Human Rights Watch gave a stinging assessment of the state of education in general, saying that in addition to the obstacles to the education of girls and women, the Taliban had "also inflicted deep harm on boys' education" in Afghanistan. "Many boys were previously taught by women teachers; the Taliban has prohibited women from teaching boys, depriving women teachers of their jobs and often leaving boys with unqualified replacement male teachers or sometimes no teachers at all," HRW said. "Parents and students said that corporal punishment, which has long been a problem at Afghan schools, has become increasingly common. The curriculum in many schools appears to be under revision to remove important school subjects and promote discrimination." The rights watchdog said the circumstances had "led many boys to leave school altogether" and "left boys struggling with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression." Shortly after the Taliban regained power, the United Nations highlighted the dire situation for children in Afghanistan, including exposure to sexual violence and increased risk of students dropping out of school. Difficulties in ensuring the protection of children are exacerbated, according to the UN, by the Taliban's refusal to consider people below the age of 18 to be children, as is the international standard, instead using the onset of puberty as the basis for adulthood. Younger madrasah students in western and southwestern Afghanistan below or at the age of puberty said they were not spared physical abuse and sexual harassment from teachers. One young man who spoke to Radio Azadi said he recently learned that his young brother was being subjected to sexual abuse at a madrasah in western Afghanistan. The young man said his brother was being assigned extracurricular "homework by a teacher, or to put it bluntly, he was being asked for sex, [the teacher] fondled his hands and feet and kissed him." As a result, the young man said he told his brother not to go to school anymore. Fear of sexual harassment and sexual and physical abuse were cited as a common factor leading boys in western and southwestern Afghanistan to give up their studies. "Some teachers harass our students and make immoral requests," said one 14-year-old boy who also described common methods of corporal punishment at his madrasah. "They strike our faces or beat our hands and feet under the pretext of disciplining us for not learning our lessons properly." The boy said many students were studying hard in fear of being taken to a special room for punishment, and that "some even drop out of school." Another student, aged 10, said his teacher separated him and other students from their class to beat the soles of their feet. Afterward, he told Radio Azadi, he stopped going to class because he was afraid. And upon hearing about the incidents, his and his classmates' parents "did not allow us to go to school." The Taliban authorities did not respond to requests for comment on the allegations of abuse at madrasahs it has established. And efforts to speak to individuals aware of the situations at madrasahs in other areas of Afghanistan were met by refusals to comment due to fear of reprisals. A women's rights activist who asked that her name not be published told Radio Azadi that families have no avenue to lodge complaints about the abuse their children encounter at Taliban-run madrasahs because they, too, would face threats. The activist said that not only had she been made aware of sexual harassment against both girls and boys at Taliban-run madrasahs, but the curriculum also serves to "increase the level of extremism in the country." Reducing the risks of both threats, she said, would require greater oversight by the Taliban authorities and ideally, she said, a reduction in the number of madrasahs. Najib Amini, a civil society activist in western Afghanistan, said that for now, the onus falls on families to be aware. "Children are subjected to sexual abuse in madrasahs established under the Taliban regime," Amini said. "Families have an important and essential role in this regard. If they do not want their children to be abused in schools, if they want their children to get a basic education...then they should not send their children to madrasahs under the control of the Taliban." Written by Michael Scollon based on reporting by RFE/RLs Radio Azadi PRISTINA -- Before clocks chimed in their new visa-free relationship with the EU on New Year's Day, an informal poll of Kosovar students in the capital produced a seemingly modest list of dream destinations. Outside the faculty where she studies graphic design, Fatjona Hajdaraj said she'd choose Italy or Greece for the culture. Naron Bllaca, a dentistry student, said probably Austria or maybe a Scandinavian country. Enxhi Sada, a medical student, said she and a friend were eyeing a concert in France. Rilind Berisha, a pharmaceutical student, said he'd like to go to Teubingen, an idyllic German town at the foot of the Swabian Alps where about 1 in 4 people is a student at the local university. "I want to see how they study there, what student life is like," Berisha told RFE/RL's Balkan Service. As of January 1, holders of biometric Kosovar passports can travel visa-free for short stays to all 27 countries in the mostly borderless Schengen Area, the result of a 12-year "dialogue" with the European Commission. Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti described it on X, formerly known as Twitter, as achieving "equal standing to visit family or pursue educational, cultural & business opportunities one short flight away -- one step out of isolation, one step closer to [the European Union]. While Kosovars are keen to travel -- for all the reasons Kurti mentioned -- a sluggish economy has meant that not many of the country's 1.8 million people have the means to visit the EU. And the government, fearing a mass exodus of Kosovars seeking work abroad, is trying to persuade its citizens, especially young people, to stay at home. Low Salaries, High Unemployment One of the biggest obstacles facing Kosovars is economic. All of the students who spoke to RFE/RL in Pristina expressed concern about the cost of traveling. And they are probably not alone. Incomes per capita have risen by nearly half in the past decade and the poverty rate is falling. The average salary in Kosovo, however, is still just 521 euros ($569) -- less than half that in EU laggards Bulgaria and Romania. Even at two-decade lows, Kosovo still has some of the highest official unemployment in Europe at 12.6 percent, despite tens of thousands of its citizens emigrating each year. Official youth unemployment is even higher at 21 percent. "Although Kosovo's growth has largely been inclusive, it has not been sufficient to provide enough formal jobs, particularly for women and youth," the World Bank concluded in its latest overview on Kosovo. Many Kosovars have abandoned the domestic labor market. Sanije Kadriu, a university graduate in economics, stayed home to raise two children because she says wages were low in the private sector and she couldn't find a job in the public sector. "A salary of 300 euros a month was worthless to me," she told RFE/RL's Balkan Service. "The daycare for one child alone was 100 euros, and with such a small salary, I couldn't cover my expenses." Kadriu has been out of the labor force for more than a decade now, she said, and expects to spend her 50s unemployed, too. In fact, more than 60 percent of working-age citizens are economically inactive, which translates into around 730,000 people between 15 and 64 who are unemployed, aren't seeking a job, or have fallen off the unemployment rolls completely. Of that total, 460,000 of them are women. Brain-Drain Fears The EU called visa liberalization a "significant milestone" and "a recognition of the hard work that Kosovo has done" along with Kosovars' strong support for EU integration. The bloc has also said it was a chance for the sides to get better acquainted. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and has since gained recognition from over 110 countries. As momentum accrues for countries such as Moldova, Ukraine, and Bosnia-Herzegovina to join the EU, Kosovo remains just a "potential candidate" for accession. Despite some progress the country has made on reforms -- a requirement for EU membership -- Kosovo faces significant obstacles to membership, namely from enlargement skeptics within the EU and Brussels' demand for Pristina and Belgrade to resolve their many issues before either can join the bloc. To complicate matters further, five EU member states -- Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain -- don't even recognize Kosovo as an independent state. While Kosovo's government also recognizes visa liberalization as a milestone, as January 1 neared, political and business leaders became increasingly nervous about an unbridled rush for the exits from a country bedeviled by political instability and a runaway informal economy, as well as fallout from an ongoing battle for more widespread international recognition. Prime Minister Kurti has urged his compatriots to "respect the conditions" and reminded them that EU visits are limited to 90 days in any 180-day period and that they are not allowed to work for the duration of their stay. Kurti's government has consistently pleaded with people not to use the trips to look for jobs in the EU. Those government pleas might be falling on deaf ears. There have been reports suggesting that many Kosovars with jobs have been saving money and vacation days for the spring, with the hope of traveling to EU countries to land a job or paving a path to staying abroad -- even at the risk of running afoul of EU warnings against violating the rules of the new visa-free regime. WATCH: Starting from January 1, Kosovars no longer need visas to enter the Schengen Area. Among the first who used the opportunity were 50 winners of a Vienna tour lottery organized by Kosovo's government. Losing a sizeable chunk of its workforce would deal a blow to even the most promising sectors in Kosovo, where budding entrepreneurs have been dealing with decades of brain drain that has been sapping the workforce. Kosovars were already a nation on the move, with remittances accounting for 17 percent of Kosovo's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022, according to the World Bank. A widely cited survey conducted in 2020 by the Group for Legal and Political Studies showed that 48 percent of Kosovars wanted to emigrate, an accelerating trend since 2014. Kosovo's Developing Tech Sector Like the government, an emerging class of business owners in Kosovo is eager to stop the hemorrhaging of the workforce. One of the most dynamic sectors is information and communications technology (ICT), where 700 new companies were launched last year to bring the total to 1,950, versus just 930 four years earlier. Fikret Murati is the owner of Speeex, a tech-focused business service provider he launched in 2016. The company now has offices in six cities across Kosovo and employs about 2,000 people with an average age of 29 and an average monthly salary of 1,200 euros -- competitive but not unusual for the sector. A child of ethnic Albanian emigrants who was raised in Switzerland, Murati said he thinks that reliable employers cannot only encourage young people to stay but also lure Kosovars back home. "I think that if it offers them a secure job and opportunities for the future, opportunities for development, it isn't difficult," he told RFE/RL's Balkan Service. The entrepreneur appears to be taking a page out of the textbooks of early U.S. tech start-ups with Speeex's new offices in Pristina offering prayer rooms and a kitchen, which Murati says is very popular among the employees. Aldo Baxhaku, the public communications officer at local networking association STIKK, insisted that the ICT sector and its baked-in advantages make it "the only sector that has the potential to fight the emigration trend" in Kosovo. "The [ICT] sector is growing all over the world," Baxhaku said, "but Kosovo has this advantage of young people -- 65 percent [of the population] is under 30 years old. That means you have potential." To capitalize on that potential, Baxhaku and other high-tech entrepreneurs said that Kosovo should pick a lane in one of the fast-moving sectors -- artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or software development -- and stick with it. Their hope is that while Kosovars may remain frustrated with their second-tier status within the EU, the lure of visa-free travel -- and working abroad -- will be diminished as their careers take off at home. Written by Andy Heil based on reporting by RFE/RL Balkan Service correspondents Arton Konushevci and Doruntina Baftiu Explosions were reported in the occupied Crimean Peninsula late on January 4 after Ukraine said that it hit a Russian military command post near Sevastopol and a military unit near the city of Yevpatoria in separate strikes on the peninsula. Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk thanked the pilots and everyone who planned the operation for perfect combat work," in a message posted on Telegram. He also published a screenshot of a social media post showing smoke rising from an explosion near an area identified as Sevastopol. The second round of explosions were heard near Sevastopol and the Kerch Strait. The Crimean Bridge, which Russia built after it annexed Crimea and which Ukraine has targeted multiple times since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, is reportedly closed. 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 counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here. The Russian Defense Ministry said that its forces had foiled a Ukrainian attack, but it did not comment directly on the explosions in Yevpatoria. It said in a statement later in the day that its air-defense units had downed a total of 36 Ukrainian drones over Crimea. Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russia-installed governor of Sevastopol, said 10 Ukrainian missiles were destroyed over the Crimean Peninsula by regular air defense means. Razyozhayev also said one person was injured as debris struck houses and fell into the streets. Rescue services were at the scene, he said, urging residents to remain calm. It was not possible to verify the claims made by either side, but a correspondent with RFE/RL reported that about 10 explosions were heard in Sevastopol around 5:15 p.m. local time. Rocket launches were heard before the explosions, the correspondent reported. Kyiv seeks to reclaim Crimea, which Russia seized and illegally annexed in 2014. It has staged a string of damaging attacks on the peninsula during the war, including on warships, the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, and the bridge that connects the peninsula to southern Russia. The attack on Crimea comes after an intensification of Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukraine. Russian hypersonic and other missile attacks combined with drone strikes blanketed Ukraine on December 29 and again on January 2, killing more than 40 people and injuring dozens more. Ukraine hit back with attacks in southern Russia on December 30. Authorities in the Belgorod region said 25 people were killed. U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters at the White House on January 4 that recently declassified intelligence found that North Korea has provided Russia with ballistic missile launchers and several ballistic missiles. Russian forces fired at least one of those missiles into Ukraine on December 30, and it landed in an open field in the Zaporizhzhya region, Kirby said. Russia also launched multiple North Korean ballistic missiles on January 2 as part of an overnight attack, he added. Kirby also said Russia is seeking close-range ballistic missiles from Iran. A deal has not been completed, but the United States is concerned that negotiations "are actively advancing. With Russia ramping up its missile and drone attacks, Ukraine has pleaded with its Western allies to keep supplying it with air defense weapons. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on January 3 expressed confidence that Ukraine will continue to receive the international aid it needs. "Ukraine will always fight with the resources given to it. And...what is given to Ukraine is not charity. It's an investment in the protection of NATO and in the protection of the prosperity of the American people." The remarks coincided with a warning by the commander of Ukrainian joint forces. Serhiy Nayev said after the recent massive Russian bombardments that his country will soon struggle to withstand such attacks with its present supply of air-defense ammunition. "The current situation with man-portable air defense systems for mobile air-defense groups is that there is enough ammunition to withstand the next few powerful attacks," Nayev said. U.S. President Joe Biden has proposed a national security spending bill that includes $61 billion in aid for Ukraine, but it has been blocked by Republican lawmakers who insist Biden and his fellow Democrats in Congress address U.S. border security. If President Biden wants a supplemental spending bill focused on national security, it better begin with defending Americas national security," House Speaker Mike Johnson (Republican-Louisiana) said on January 3. We want to get the border closed and secured first." Biden has expressed a willingness to make compromises on immigration policy and border protection as he prepares to ramp up his campaign for reelection. With reporting by CNN and Reuters Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue speaks at the working session with the Standing Board of the Party Committee of Tay Ninh province. (Photo: VNA) At the event, the top legislator commended the provinces efforts to overcome formidable challenges, and carve out achievements across various areas, especially foreign investment attraction, social welfare and tourism. Tay Ninh has the lowest household poverty rate in the country, and its GRDP expanded by an estmated 6.12% in 2023. He attributed the provinces success to its due attention to the Party and political system building work, and strengthening of local solidarity. Expressing his impression of Tay Ninhs development aspiration, Hue said the province should roll out its planning in tandem with the implementation of the resolutions on regional development, while continuing to enhance connectivity with Cambodia and the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), making contributions to the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV) cooperation mechanism and the CLV Development Triangle Area. Additionally, the NA Chairman urged the province to accelerate the development of infrastructure, and coordinate with Ho Chi Minh City to connect the HCM City Moc Bai highway with Phnom Penh Bavet highway, given the provinces strategic location on the trans-Asia route, which NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said provides Tay Ninh with great potential to become an important trading destination. He agreed on the provinces projects to construct the Moc Bai border economic zone under a modern and sustainable industrial-urban area-service model, and develop the Ba Den (Black Lady) Mountain national tourism area into an international-level tourism site. Furthermore, he requested the province to build farm produce value chains with Cambodia, step up infrastructure connectivity with localities in the vicinity and Cambodia, and prevent cross-border crimes. The same day, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue offered incense and flowers at martyrs' cemetery Hill 82 in Tan Bien district./. Vladimir Putin has claimed a fifth presidential term with a landslide victory in a tightly controlled election that has been condemned by the West as neither free nor fair as the Russian leader seeks to prove overwhelming popular support for his full-scale invasion of Ukraine and increasingly repressive policies. With 99.75 percent of ballots counted, Putin won another six-year term with a post-Soviet record of 87.29 percent of the vote, the Central Elections Committee (TsIK) said on March 18, adding that turnout was also at a "record" level, with 77.44 percent of eligible voters casting ballots. The 71-year old Putin -- who has ruled as either president or prime minister since 2000 -- is now set to surpass Soviet dictator Josef Stalins nearly 30-year reign to become the longest-serving Russian leader in more than two centuries. "This election has been based on repression and intimidation," the European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told journalists in Brussels on March 18 as the bloc's foreign ministers gathered to discuss the election, among other issues. The March 15-17 vote is the first for Putin since he launched his invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 that has killed tens of thousands of Russians and led to a clear break in relations with the West. In holding what has widely been viewed as faux elections, Putin wants to show that he has the nations full support, experts said. The vote was also held in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, where hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers are located. Moscow illegally annexed the regions since launching the invasion, though it remains unclear how much of the territory it controls. The Kremlin's goal "is to get as many people as possible to sign off on Russia's war against Ukraine. The idea is to get millions of Russian citizens to retroactively approve the decision Putin single-handedly made two years ago," Maksim Trudolyubov, a senior fellow at the Kennan Institute, wrote in a note ahead of the vote. In remarks shortly after he was declared the winner, Putin said the election showed that the nation was "one team." But Western leaders condemned the vote, with a White House spokesman saying they "are obviously not free nor fair," and EU foreign ministers roundly dismissing them as a sham ahead of agreeing to impose sanctions on individuals linked to the mistreatment and death of Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told RFE/RL in an interview in Tbilisi on the second day of a visit to the Caucasus that the Russian election was "not free nor fair." He said those who have had the courage to oppose Putin "are either force to flee, to live abroad, they are jailed, or some of them are killed as we saw with Aleksei Navalny." German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, speaking at the start of the EU foreign ministers' meeting, said Russia's election was "an election without choice." French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said the conditions for a "free, pluralistic, and democratic election were not met," and British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said the election outcome highlighted the "depth of repression" in Russia. "Putin removes his political opponents, controls the media, and then crowns himself the winner. This is not democracy," Cameron said. France, Britain, and other countries condemned the fact that Russia had also held its election in occupied regions of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Putin has become "sick with power" and he is just "simulating" elections. "This imitation of 'elections' has no legitimacy and cannot have any. This person must end up in the dock in The Hague [at the International UN Tribunal for War Crimes]," Zelenskiy said on X. Putin's allies were quick to heap praise on the Russian leader for his election success. China, one of Russia's most important allies, congratulated Putin, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian saying President Xi Jinping and the Russian leader "will continue to maintain close exchanges, lead the two countries to continue to uphold long-standing good-neighborly friendship, deepen comprehensive strategic coordination." Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi called Putin's victory "decisive," the state news agency IRNA reported, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said in a congratulatory message to Putin quoted by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) that Russian voters had shown "unshakeable support and trust in" their president, state media reported. In the tightly controlled race, Putin was opposed by three relatively unknown, Kremlin-friendly politicians whose campaigns were barely noticeable. Prior to the election the Kremlin banned anti-war politician Boris Nadezhdin from the ballot after tens of thousands of voters lined up in the cold to support his candidacy. Nadezhdin threatened to undermine the narrative of a united nation behind Putin and his war, experts said. Russias opposition movement suffered a serious blow last month when Navalny, who was Putins fiercest and most popular critic, died in unclear circumstances in a maximum-security prison in the Arctic where he was serving a 19-year sentence on charges of extremism widely seen as politically motivated. Russian political analyst Ivan Preobrazhensky said in an interview with Current Time that Putin was also frightened by the rebellion staged by mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in June when Prigozhin's forces briefly took control of Rostov-on-Don and were greeted by many citizens as heroes. Prigozhin ended his rebellion before reaching Moscow and was later killed in a plane crash that many believe was retaliation by the Kremlin. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and dpa Viewed 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. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (1st R, Front) welcomes Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio (2nd R, Front) in Algiers, Algeria, on Jan. 3, 2024. Algeria and Sierra Leone affirmed on Wednesday their commitment to closely collaborate in upholding international peace and security in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. (Algerian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua) ALGIERS, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Algeria and Sierra Leone affirmed on Wednesday their commitment to closely collaborate in upholding international peace and security in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. In a joint press conference with visiting Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said, "As non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, Algeria and Sierra Leone are dedicated to preserving global peace and security in accordance with the UN Charter and international law." Both Algeria and Sierra Leone were elected as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for the 2024-2025 term, starting their tenure on Jan. 1, and serving until Dec. 31, 2025. Tebboune said both nations called on the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to acknowledge historical injustices faced by the Palestinian people, notably in the Gaza Strip. Moreover, both leaders vowed to strengthen cooperation across various sectors, including energy, trade, industry, agriculture, education, research, and fishing, and discussed the establishment of a joint business council. For his part, Bio said that the meeting with his Algerian counterpart was "important," during which they discussed issues of common interests and agreed to strengthen bilateral relations at all levels. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (C-L) welcomes Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio (C-R) in Algiers, Algeria, on Jan. 3, 2024. Algeria and Sierra Leone affirmed on Wednesday their commitment to closely collaborate in upholding international peace and security in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. (Algerian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua) Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (R) welcomes Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio (L) in Algiers, Algeria, on Jan. 3, 2024. Algeria and Sierra Leone affirmed on Wednesday their commitment to closely collaborate in upholding international peace and security in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. (Algerian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua) Editor: ZAD Azerbaijan doesn't intend to restrict Armenians' passage through its territory, the country's Presidential Representative for Special Assignments Elchin Amirbayov told Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR) company, Azernews reports. Amirbayov noted that Azerbaijan has begun discussions with Armenia on the restoration of the Zangezur Corridor to provide citizens of Azerbaijan residing in Nakhchivan or the main part of Azerbaijan with the opportunity for unimpeded passage through this territory. He explained that this involves a 42-kilometer railway track which, unfortunately, was destroyed as a result of the conflict. "But it's not just about building the missing section. By the way, from our side, this work is practically completed. I mean, the Horadiz-Aghband section. Unfortunately, work on the technical justification of this project has not even started on the Armenian side," the official said. "However, the main question for us is how the safety of Azerbaijani citizens who want to travel through this 42-kilometer section will be ensured." "Currently, we are only talking about the railway. In the future, of course, we would like road communication between the main part of Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, and further to Turkiye and Europe to be coordinated as well," Amirbayov noted. "We have no intention of restricting Armenians' ability to pass through the territory of Azerbaijan in any way, but if we refer to the commitments that the parties undertook under the trilateral statement on a ceasefire, its ninth paragraph clearly outlines this part of the restoration of communications. Globally, this also means the restoration of connectivity between Asia and Europe." Amirbayov emphasized that, undoubtedly, if citizens of Armenia want to travel through the territory of Azerbaijan, their safety will be ensured by the Azerbaijani side. "Another matter is that, within the same trilateral statement, the Armenian side committed itself to ensuring the security of the aforementioned railway section with the forces of Russian Federal Security Service, which currently ensure the security of Armenia's external borders with at least two neighboring countries - Turkiye and Iran," he said. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced that its experts have not been granted access to reactor halls of three of the six power units of the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in the occupied city of Enerhodar, Zaporizhia region. "Five of the ZNPP's six reactors remain in cold shutdown, while unit 4 is in hot shutdown to produce steam and heat, including for the nearby town of Enerhodar, where most plant staff live.The IAEA team has continued to conduct walkdowns across the site as part of activities to monitor the nuclear safety and security situation at the ZNPP, as well as adherence to the five concrete principles for the protection of this major facility. However, the IAEA experts remain unable to gain access to all parts of the site, and for the past two weeks they have not been allowed to access the reactor halls of units 1, 2 and 6," IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said in a statement on the situation in Ukraine on January 3. According to the statement, "this is the first time that IAEA experts have not been granted access to a reactor hall of a unit that was in cold shutdown. This is where the reactor core and spent fuel are located. The team will continue to request this access." In addition, access to some parts of the ZNPP's turbine halls continues to be restricted, including those areas of reactor units 3, 4 and 6 over the past week. Also, the IAEA experts still await the access to the reactor rooftops planned on 19 December that didnt happen due to stated security concerns. "In a separate development during a walkdown of the safety system rooms of unit 6 on 22 December, the IAEA experts observed boric acid deposits on valves, a pump and on the floors of several rooms in the containment building. The plant informed the team that the source of the leak is one of the boric acid storage tanks and that considering the small magnitude of the leak it is not planned to be repaired immediately, but rather as part of the planned maintenance of the impacted system. This type of leak can occur during the operation of a plant. However, this kind of event requires proper and timely attention, investigation and response from the operator, to prevent further and potentially more severe safety implications. The team will closely follow developments regarding this issue," the IAEA said in the statement. Frequent power cuts have remained a source of serious concern for safety and security at the plant, Grossi said, as it needs electricity to cool its reactors and for other essential functions, even when all reactor units have been shut down. Since August 2022, the ZNPP has suffered eight events with a complete loss of off-site power. the plant carried out work on its back-up electrical transformers and two out of three are now operational, of which one is permanently connected to the on-site back-up power lines known as busbars of all six reactor units. Roscommon University Hospital is appealing to the public not to visit the hospital if they are feeling unwell or have respiratory symptoms, due to an outbreak of Covid-19 at the hospital. The hospital is currently dealing with a Covid outbreak in St. Comans Ward and St. Teresas Ward. Visiting to both wards will be facilitated on compassionate grounds, on an exceptional basis only. Those who wish to arrange a visit on compassionate grounds should contact the ward manager in advance. We appreciate that restricting visiting at this time of year is difficult for patients and their families. However, this is a necessary measure to ensure the hospital can continue to keep all our patients safe, said Marie Doorly, Interim Hospital Manager. Everyone coming to the hospital should follow public health guidance and use hand gel regularly during their visit, remember your cough etiquette, and if needed, masks are available for use throughout the hospital. The HSE is urging people in high-risk groups to get their flu and Covid-19 vaccinations. The best way to avoid getting the flu and Covid is to get vaccinated. 'Danny Jigar-Ek Matra' Movie OTT Release Update Yash Soni to Lead an Ensemble Cast in a Cinematic Blend of Action, Comedy, and Mystery in Danny Jigar-Ek Matra 'Danny Jigar-Ek Matra' Movie OTT Release Update: Gujarati cinema enthusiasts are eagerly counting down the days to the theatrical release of the much-anticipated film, "Danny Jigar-Ek Matra." Scheduled to hit the big screen on January 5, 2024, the movie promises to be a groundbreaking moment for the industry, offering a unique blend of action, comedy, and mystery. Under the directorial and writing prowess of Krishnadev Yagnik, the film introduces viewers to the stylish supercop, Danny Jigar, essayed by the charismatic Yash Soni. The narrative unfolds as Danny embarks on a mission to recover a stolen 600-year-old statue from the revered Lallubhai Museum. With unmatched style, quick-witted humor, and unconventional investigative methods, Danny Jigar turns what could have been a serious case into a comical escapade, ensuring a laughter-filled cinematic experience. Advertisement 'Danny Jigar-Ek Matra' Movie OTT Release Update Despite the excitement building around the movie, the Over-the-Top (OTT) release date and platform for "Danny Jigar-Ek Matra" are yet to be confirmed. Fans eagerly await an official announcement, and we will keep you updated as soon as information about the OTT release becomes available. To get all the latest updates, join us on Whatsapp Broadcast Channel. Advertisement In addition to Yash Soni's captivating performance, the film features a stellar ensemble cast, including Tarjanee Bhadla, Jitendra Thakkar, Chetan Daiya, Prem Gadhavi, Hetal Puniwala, and Rajan Thakar. With a talented team both in front of and behind the camera, "Danny Jigar-Ek Matra" is poised to transcend cultural boundaries, offering a cinematic extravaganza that captures the hearts of audiences. (For More News Apart from 'Danny Jigar-Ek Matra' Movie OTT Release Update Latest News, Stay Tuned to Rozana Spokesman) 'Panchak' Movie OTT Release Update Madhuri Dixit Nene's Marathi Comedy-Drama "Panchak" Nears Theatrical Release 'Panchak' Movie OTT Release Update: Anticipation is building in the Marathi film industry with the impending release of "Panchak," a comedy-drama directed by Rahul Radheshyam Awate and Jayant Jathar. Backed by the production prowess of Madhuri Dixit Nene and Dr. Shriram Nene, the film features a powerhouse cast including Addinath M Kothare, Dilip Prabhavalkar, Bharti Achrekar, Anand Ingale, Tejashree Pradhan, Satish Alekar, Nandita Dhuri, and Deepti Devi. Unique Storyline of "Panchak" Advertisement "Panchak" unfolds as a situational comedy, navigating the aftermath of an elder's passing during the cosmic alignment of Panchak. This celestial event, involving five constellations, is steeped in superstition as it is believed to bring ill fortune, potentially leading to the demise of five family members within the subsequent year. The film skillfully weaves humor, superstition, and familial bonds, offering a fresh perspective on life's challenges. 'Panchak' Movie OTT Release Update While the theatrical release date approaches, details regarding the Over-the-Top (OTT) platform and release date for "Panchak" remain undisclosed. As of now, no official announcement has been made. Typically, post-theatrical releases, high-profile films take some time before transitioning to digital platforms. Updates on the OTT release date and platform are eagerly awaited, and this article will be promptly updated upon receiving official confirmation. Advertisement To get all the latest updates, join us on Whatsapp Broadcast Channel. As the Marathi film industry braces for the arrival of "Panchak," the collaboration of Rahul Radheshyam Awate, Jayant Jathar, and the esteemed cast promises an entertaining cinematic experience. Stay tuned for further updates on the digital release, ensuring you don't miss the opportunity to witness the laughter-filled narrative at your convenience. (For More News Apart from 'Panchak' Movie OTT Release Update Latest News, Stay Tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Arvind Kejriwal Arrest News Delhi Chief Minister Faces Possible Arrest in Connection with Delhi Excise Policy Case Arvind Kejriwal Arrest News: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has expressed apprehensions that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal might face arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) today, according to posts on social media by Delhi government ministers Atishi, Saurabh Bhardwaj and Harjot Bains. The party alleges that Kejriwal's residence is slated for an ED raid, raising concerns about the Chief Minister's potential arrest. In a social media post, Atishi conveyed, "News is coming that Arvind Kejriwal's residence will be raided by ED, there is also a possibility of arrest." Saurabh Bhardwaj echoed this sentiment, stating, "ED is going to arrest Chief Minister Kejriwal at his house in the morning." Advertisement Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains also expressed concern on Twitter, stating, "It seems that everything is ready. According to the news received from sources, ED can arrest our leader Arvind Kejriwal anytime." Despite the concerns, he expressed confidence in Kejriwal's resilience, saying, "You can't cage them, they will grow up." Heavy Police Presence Reports indicate a significant police presence outside Kejriwal's residence, with both roads leading to the Chief Minister's house reportedly closed. The staff of the residence is being denied access, and the area has been cordoned off in anticipation of potential developments. Advertisement BJP Responds Delhi BJP state president Virender Sachdeva responded to the claims, asserting, "Aam Aadmi Party leaders are shouting that ED can arrest the Chief Minister of Delhi; will ED come and tell them?" Sachdeva suggested that there is no need to fear arrest if there is no wrongdoing, accusing AAP of attempting to turn the situation into a political event. To get all the latest updates, join us on Whatsapp Broadcast Channel. Advertisement This development follows ED's third summons to Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case. Kejriwal has refused to appear, labeling the previous summons on November 2 and December 21 as "illegal and politically motivated." As the situation unfolds, concerns and speculations loom over the possibility of the Delhi Chief Minister's arrest, with the Aam Aadmi Party claiming a potential move by the Enforcement Directorate. (For More News Apart from Arvind Kejriwal Arrest News, Stay Tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Ayodhya Ram Mandir Emails were allegedly created by an individual named, Zubair Khan, who claimed to be an official from ISI. Ayodhya Ram Mandir Bomb Threat News: The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) on Wednesday arrested two people in a case related to the bomb threat to UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the soon-to-be-inaugurated Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Reportedly, the alleged bomb threats were also sent to STF Additional Director-General of Police (ADG) Amitabh Yash, and a man named, Devendra Tiwari. According to information, the arrested people have been identified as Tahar Singh and Om Prakash Mishra who hail from Gonda. The duo had threatened UP CM Yogi Adityanath, STF chief Amitabh Yash, and Ayodhya's Ram Mandir in a post on X in November with the handle @iDevendraOffice, the statement said. Advertisement During the initial investigation, it was revealed that email IDs alamansarikhan608@gmail.com and zubairkhanisi199@gmail.com were used to send the bomb threat to Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, it added. It has been reported that the technical analysis led to the identification and arrest of the culprits. Reportedly, the accused used a Vivo T-2 mobile phone and a Samsung Galaxy A-3 to create the email IDs and send the emails. In addition, a Wi-Fi router and a DVR (Digital Video Recorder) of CCTV cameras at the location where the emails were sent were also recovered. As per police, the emails were allegedly created by an individual named, Zubair Khan, who claimed to be an official from ISI. Advertisement In the meanwhile, STF Deputy Superintendent of Police Pramesh Kumar Shukla, stated that the arrested accused revealed that they were acting under the instructions of Devendra Tiwari, who has been running NGOs under the names of Bharatiya Kisan Manch and Bharatiya Gau Seva Parishad. The accused further confessed that they had destroyed the mobile phones after sending the emails on Tiwari's instructions while the office Wi-Fi was utilized for internet access. Japan earthquake today: Tsunami warning issued following series of quakes in western areas Rate cut expectations were reinforced amidst the FOMC minutes revealing a Fed concerned about overly restrictive monetary policy. However, gains were limited as the discussions revealed no definite time frame for rate cuts. Meanwhile, inflation updates from Europe indicated uptick in inflation more or less in line with expectations. Wall Street Futures are trading with minor gains. Major European benchmarks are trading above the flatline. Asian stocks finished trading on a negative note. Dollar Index declined in line with concerns about overly restrictive monetary policy revealed in the FOMC minutes. Bond yields moved in a mixed fashion. Crude oil prices gained in response to continuing tensions in the Middle East. Gold prices gained amidst dollar weakness. Cryptocurrencies plunged heavily as the SEC ETF decision loomed. Here is a glimpse of the major world at this hour. Stock Indexes: DJIA (US30) at 37,481.50, up 0.14% S&P 500 (US500) at 4,712.90, up 0.17% Germany's DAX at 16,579.21, up 0.25% U.K.'s FTSE 100 at 7,691.27, up 0.12% France's CAC 40 at 7,428.39, up 0.22% Euro Stoxx 50 at 4,460.55, up 0.28% Japan's Nikkei 225 at 33,288.29, down 0.56% Australia's S&P ASX 200 at 7,494.10, down 0.39% China's Shanghai Composite at 2,954.35, down 0.43% Hong Kong's Hang Seng at 16,614.00, down 0.08% Currencies: EUR/USD at 1.0967, up 0.42% GBP/USD at 1.2715, up 0.42% USD/JPY at 143.79, up 0.35% AUD/USD at 0.6748, up 0.28% USD/CAD at 1.3325, down 0.21% Dollar Index at 102.22, down 0.27% Ten-Year Govt Bond Yields: U.S. at 3.937%, up 0.80% Germany at 2.0385%, down 1.24% France at 2.579%, down 0.81% U.K. at 3.6965%, up 1.50% Japan at 0.609%, down 1.38% Commodities: Brent Oil Futures (Mar) at $78.95, up 0.89%. Crude Oil WTI Futures (Feb) at $73.54, up 1.16%. Gold Futures (Feb) at $2,057.05, up 0.70%. Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin at $42,996.11, down 5.30% Ethereum at $2,226.09, down 6.45% BNB at $323.71, up 0.15% Solana at $98.80, down 9.25% XRP at $0.5771, down 9.08%. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News A group of 13 nations have given a strong warning to the Houthis against their ongoing attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea. In a joint statement, the Governments of the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom called for an immediate end to the attacks and release of vessels and crews held by the rebels in Yemen. The group of mainly Western countries warned that the Houthis will face the consequences if they continue to threaten lives, the global , and free flow of commerce in the region's critical waterways. The warning comes in the wake of a significant escalation over the past week targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea with missiles, small boats, drones, helicopters, and attempted hijackings. Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who support Hamas in the war against Israel, have been attacking the ships since November, claiming they were linked to Israel. For the first time, they also used anti-ship ballistic missiles against the vessels. The nations said the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are a direct threat to the freedom of navigation that serves as the bedrock of global trade in one of the world's most critical waterways. The statement notes that these attacks threaten innocent lives from all over the world and constitute a significant international problem that demands collective action. The Red Sea is a critical waterway that has been essential to freedom of navigation and a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade. Nearly 15 per cent of global seaborne trade passes through the Red Sea, including 8 per cent of global grain trade, 12 per cent of seaborne-traded oil and 8 per cent of the world's liquefied natural gas trade. International shipping companies continue to reroute their vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, adding significant cost and weeks of delay to the delivery of goods. According to the International Chamber of Shipping, around 20 per cent of the world's container ships are avoiding the Red Sea and re-routing around southern Africa, raising fear of rise in fuel prices. The White House said the United States remains focused on working with a range of partners to protect the free flow of international commerce in the Red Sea. At a news conference Wednesday, NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby explained details of the massive force presence that the Pentagon established in the Middle East. This includes an aircraft carrier strike group, centred around the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, with its air wing of some 80 aircraft, as well as an amphibious ready group. Led by the assault ship USS Bataan, it was moved into the Eastern Mediterranean in recent days. "An amphibious ready group with an embarked Marine expeditionary unit is capable of a wide range of operations and, because it is sea-based, remains a highly flexible option to any Commander-in-Chief when it comes to the potential use of force," Kirby told reporters. These are augmented by three additional squadrons of land-based fighter and attack aircraft and additional highly capable warships at sea, including a number of destroyers that are designed for ballistic missile defense. "Some of those warships are operating in the Red Sea, where they alongside the ships, aircraft, and capabilities of more than 20 other nations continue to counter Houthi attacks on civilian maritime shipping," Kirby said. President Joe Biden has already made it clear that although the United States does not want to see the war between Israel and Hamas widen in the region, it will not "shrink from the task of" defending its interests and partners, or the free flow of international commerce. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Political News RPM International, Inc. (RPM) reported Thursday that net income attributable to RPM for the second quarter grew to $145.51 million or $1.13 per share from $131.34 million or $1.02 per share in the prior-year quarter. Excluding special items, adjusted earnings for the quarter was $1.22 per share, compared to $1.10 per share in the year-ago quarter. Net sales for the quarter remained relatively flat at $1.79 billion. On average, analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report earnings of $1.22 per share on net sales of $1.84 billion for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. Looking ahead to the third quarter, the company now projects consolidated sales to be flat compared to prior-year record results and consolidated adjusted EBIT growth of 25 to 35 percent. The Street is looking for net sales of $1.59 billion for the quarter. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Following the steep drop seen in the previous session, the price of gold showed a modest move back to the upside during trading on Thursday. Gold for February delivery rose $7.20 or 0.4 percent to $2,050 an ounce after plunging $30.60 to $2,042.80 an ounce during Wednesday's session. The uptick by the precious metal came amid a modest pullback by the value of the U.S. dollar, with the U.S. dollar index edging down by 0.1 percent after moving notably higher over the past few days. Meanwhile, traders were also looking ahead to the release of the Labor Department's closely watched monthly jobs report on Friday. Economists currently expect employment to increase by 170,000 jobs in December after jumping by 199,000 jobs in November. The unemployment rate is expected to inch up to 3.8 percent from 3.7 percent. Payroll processor ADP released a report this morning showing private sector employment in the U.S. increased by more than expected in the month of December. ADP said private sector employment climbed by 164,000 jobs in December after rising by a downwardly revised 101,000 jobs in November. Economists had expected private sector employment to grow by 115,000 jobs compared to the addition of 103,000 jobs originally reported for the previous month. A separate report released by the Labor Department showed first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits fell by much more than expected in the week ended December 30th. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims declined to 202,000, a decrease of 18,000 from the previous week's revised level of 220,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to edge down to 216,000 from the 218,000 originally reported for the previous week. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis Recent developments indicate that Ford could be planning a re-entry into the fast-growing Indian automotive space Just a couple of weeks back, Ford had cancelled its Chennai plant sale deal with JSW Group. And now, Ford has filed a design patent for its Endeavour SUV. Not only that, there have been new job listings by Ford India in recent weeks. These developments give a strong indication that Ford could soon restart operations in India. As may be recalled, the company had announced a phased withdrawal from the Indian market in 2021. Ford Endeavour design patent filed Ford has filed the design patent of Endeavour in India. It is the new-gen model that was introduced globally in 2022. Endeavour is also marketed as Ford Everest across select international markets. One of the most notable developments is the cancellation of Fords initial plan to sell its Chennai plant. Instead, the company has pivoted its approach by filing design patents for the next generation Endeavour SUV. This move underscores Fords commitment to reestablishing its footprint in the competitive Indian automotive landscape. Moreover, Fords resurgence is further emphasized by its active recruitment initiatives, as evidenced by job listings posted on various social media platforms. The openings span across crucial domains, showcasing the companys intent to build a robust team for its renewed operations. The job listings include positions such as: Senior Engineer PD (Body Exterior): This role focuses on the development of the body exterior, a pivotal aspect in designing automobiles that resonate with the markets demands. ADAS Feature Owner: Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) are becoming integral in modern vehicles, and Fords search for a feature owner highlights its dedication to incorporating cutting-edge technology in its products. Manufacturing Digital Transformation Integration Architect Manager: With a focus on digital transformation, this role underlines Fords endeavor to modernize manufacturing processes, a critical aspect in the era of Industry 4.0. AEM Author/Developer: The need for skilled individuals in digital platforms like Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) signifies Fords aim to enhance its digital presence and customer experience. New Ford Endeavour To Take On Fortuner New Endeavour packs in a comprehensive range of exterior and interior updates. It has a more rugged profile, featuring larger headlamps, C-shaped DRLs, a new grille, refreshed front and rear bumpers, new bonnet design and a redesigned tailgate. Dimensionally, new-gen Endeavour gains 50 mm (2 inches) in wheelbase. It has an impressive road presence with large 21-inch alloy wheels. Inside, new-gen Ford Endeavour offers a comprehensive range of premium features. Some of the key highlights include a large 12-inch portrait touchscreen, a digital instrument screen of up to 12.4 inches and a new 3-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel. The centre console has been updated and seamlessly integrated with the large touchscreen. The control switches and gear select knob have been updated as well. The SUV has premium upholstery and comes with contrast stitching and quilted patterns. Tech kit includes features like wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charging, USB charging and 360 camera. Safety features include blind spot information system, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane-keeping system with road edge detection, reverse brake assist, evasive steer assist, 7-airbags and active park assist. Endeavour also has adaptive cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring system, electronic stability control, traction control system, hill descent control, hill launch assist, rollover mitigation, front and rear parking sensors and reverse camera. Ford Endeavour performance Engine options for Ford Endeavour (Everest) vary, based on the market. In the Asia-Pacific region, the common options include a 2.0-litre single turbo and a 2.0-litre Bi-turbo diesel engine. The former churns out 170 PS of max power and 405 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift. The Bi-turbo engine delivers 210 PS and 500 Nm. It is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift. Ford Endeavour has up to 6 drive modes depending on the variant. Both 42 and 44 options are available. When it was last available in India, Ford Endeavour was a popular choice in the large SUV segment. It was the only real challenger to the Toyota Fortuner. Many enthusiasts were eagerly waiting for the new-gen Endeavour to be launched in India. It remains to be seen if Ford will start manufacturing the new-gen Endeavour locally or choose the CBU / CKD route. In case of the former, Ford will also explore export possibilities with India-made Endeavour. In a missile attack by Russian aggressors on the city of Kropyvnytsky on Thursday morning, one of the facilities of the National Power Company Ukrenergo was damaged, one person has been killed and five wounded, the Ministry of Energy reported. According to a ministry's report on its Telegram channel, the facility of PJSC Kirovohradoblenergo was also damaged, and two power engineers were injured. "Due to the attack, the overhead lines were disconnected. Household consumers and the railway were left without power. Now, power engineers are working to restore the power supply. The situation is under control," the ministry said. The ministry expressed condolences to the relatives of the deceased and wished a quick recovery to the injured. Samsung Electronics along with Hyundai and Kia have signed an MOU to integrate the automakers telematics features with Samsungs SmartThings IoT platform Once flagship features, telematics and connected features have been on offer with many mainstream vehicles today. Where the South Korean carmakers are concerned, both Hyundai and Kia offer it with their affordable vehicles. Now, Hyundai and Kia intend to take their telematics game to a new level by collaborating with leading electronics maker, Samsung. Hyundai And Kia Partners With Samsung For Enhanced Telematics Samsung is a leading name in consumer electronics across a plethora of segments and sub-segments. It has a significant fan following too and the company has been building a robust ecosystem of connected gadgets, electronic devices and appliances to ease customers daily charades by binding them together with clever software. This South Korean electronics juggernaut, Samsung, is now teaming up with two South Korean automakers to expand its ecosystem features to involve automobiles. Hyundai and Kia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on January 3rd in Seoul, South Korea. The primary objective behind this partnership is to link Hyundai and Kias telematics services with Samsungs SmartThings IoT (Internet of Things). Together, the three South Korean brands intend to blur the boundaries between mobility confined spaces and living confined spaces. Were sure Hyundai would implement these features on its Genesis cars too, which is its luxury division. The key agenda is to save users time by offering them a robust list of connected features that they could access cross-platform to increase convenience. The trio will ensure this with tailor-made Car-to-Home and Home-to-Car features that they will bake into Samsung-branded electronic devices, gadgets and appliances. What are the use cases? The three companies promise organic integration of Hyundai and Kias connected car features with Samsungs SmartThings IoT platform. Users will be able to bundle certain functions into a mode and with just one press, activate a variety of tasks listed in that mode. For example, Home Mode and Away Mode can be tasked to control various appliances and electronic devices running Samsungs SmartThings platform. Conversely speaking, users can access vehicle related information at their convenience too. For example, EV owners can monitor vehicle stats efficiently and hassle-free. These Car-to-Home and Home-to-Car features can be baked into future vehicles and provide these features to existing owners too via OTA or USB updates. Words from the manufacturer This is an opportunity to make the connected cars Car-to-Home and Home-to-Car services more convenient in various fields, said Haeyoung Kwon, Vice President of Hyundai and Kias Infotainment Development Center. We plan to accelerate our technology development to continuously make global Hyundai and Kia customers journeys meaningful. This collaboration will enable communication from Home-to-Car and integrated home energy management services that are optimized for future lifestyles, said Chanwoo Park, Executive Vice President at Samsung Electronics. By connecting the SmartThings platform with vehicles, well be able to significantly enhance the customer experience in both the home and the car. Royal Enfield Hunter 350 new colours launched, are Dapper O and Dapper G and theyre an addition to three Dapper series shades currently on sale Royal Enfield, the Chennai-based 2W manufacturer, has launched two new colours with Dapper series of Hunter 350. This will help in strengthening REs 350cc middleweight portfolio which it is already dominating with quite a lead. New Hunter 350 colours are an addition to Dapper series of Metro variant and will cost Rs. 1,69,656 (ex-sh). Called Dapper O and Dapper G, these new colours bring out peppy vibrance to already youthful Hunter 350. RE Hunter 350 New Colours Launched New Dapper shades The new Dapper G and Dapper O are addition to three other shades offered within Dapper series Dapper White, Dapper Ash and Dapper Grey. As the alphabets denote, Dapper O is Orange and Dapper G is Green. Personally think Dapper Orange is the best looking of the bunch with popping colours with complementing White accents on fuel tank. For starters, Hunter 350 is the most affordable of Royal Enfields portfolio and will share much of its design elements and engine specifications with other RE 350s. Hunter 350 is a roadster style motorcycle that also pays tribute to retro styling akin to that seen on other Royal Enfield bikes. Based on the companys J-Platform, the new Hunter 350 borrows design inspiration also from other Roadsters from legacy manufacturers with a long single-piece seat, tear drop-shaped fuel tank, a rounded headlamp, tail lamp and turn indicators and an upswept exhaust. Retro variant of Hunter 350 is the lightest 350cc RE motorcycle too, at 177 kg. It gets a low seat height offering a sportier stance with an upright riding position and mid-set foot pegs along with flat handlebars. Being a roadster, it rides on 17-inch wheels at the front and rear. It gets a semi-digital instrument cluster too with Tripper Navigation that offers turn-by-turn navigation using Bluetooth connectivity. Engine, Braking and Suspension Royal Enfield Hunter 350 will share its engine lineup and underpinnings with other RE 350s. Meaning, the same J-Series 349cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that offers 20.2 hp power at 6,100 rpm and 27 Nm torque at 4,000 rpm and is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Top speed is pegged at around 120 km/h. RE Hunter 350 is presented in two variants. The base Retro variant will see braking via a disc brake in the front and drum brake at the rear with single-channel ABS. The top-spec Metro variant gets disc brakes at both front and rear with dual-channel ABS. In terms of suspension, the RE Hunter 350 will get 41mm RSU telescopic forks in the front and preload-adjustable twin shock absorbers at the rear. Hunter 350 currently undercuts all of its Roadster style rivals from brands like Harley-Davidson, Triumph, Jawa and Yezdi. Prices for base Retro variant start from Rs. 1.5 lakh (ex-sh) and Metro variants cost Rs. 1.7 lakh (ex-sh) for Dapper shades and Rs. 1.74 lakh (ex-sh) for Rebel shades. Suzuki Motorcycle India showed off strong presence in domestic markets even as performance globally lacked pep Two-wheeler makers, Suzuki Motorcycle India saw YoY sales growth in December 2023 to the extent of 24.36 percent. On a MoM basis however, sales dipped by 11.03 percent when compared to sales in November 2023. These figures indicate sales both in domestic and global markets. Suzuki 2W YoY Sales December 2023 In November 2023, Suzuki was in attendance at the 2023 EICMA Show with a series of new bikes. These included the GSX S1000 GX ADV and GSX-8R fully-faired machine while there was also the 25th Anniversary Edition of Hayabusa, 2024 V-Strom 650XT, 2024 GSX S950, 2024 V-Strom 800 SE and 800 DE, 2024 V-Strom 1050 DE and 1050 SE. Total sales last month stood at 79,483 units, up 24.36 percent from 63,912 units sold in December 2022. This was a volume growth of 15,571 units YoY. Taking only domestic sales into account, there was a YoY growth of 68.74 percent to 69,025 units, up from 40,905 units sold in December 2022. Volume growth stood at 28,120 units with an 86.84 percent share. In domestic market, it is the Suzuki Access scooter that has found favour among buyers in the country and is a regular feature on the list of top 10 scooter sales each month. Key models also include the Burgman Street 125, Gixxer 155 and 250 series which led to outstanding sales growth. Domestic sales constituted 86.84% of total Suzuki sales. MoM sales performance dropped across the charts Exports on the other hand dipped significantly by 54.54 percent to just 10,458 units in the past month whereas the company had shipped 23,007 units in the same month last year. Export share stood at 13.16 percent last month. On a month-on-month (MoM) basis, Suzuki sales dipped 11.03 percent to 79,483 units from 89,338 units sold in November 2023. This was a volume de-growth of 9,855 units. Domestic sales and exports showed off lower sales. Domestic sales dipped by 5.62 percent MoM to 69,025 units from 73,135 units sold in November 2023 when share percentage stood at 81.86. Exports saw an even deeper de-growth of 35.46 percent when compared to 16,203 units shipped in November 2023 relating to a 5,745 unit dip in volumes. Suzuki Sales January to December 2023 However, during the calendar year 2023, the company has seen positive sales through each month of except in February 2023. Sales opened at 66,205 units in Jan 2023, a YoY growth of 9.21 percent when compared to 60,623 units in Jan 2022. Feb 2023 sales fell by 10.49 percent to 52,455 units but again in March 2023 sales surged 44.02 percent to 73,069 units. This ended Q1 2023 with 1,91,729 units sold, up 12.81 percent from 1,69,960 units sold in Q1 2022. Through Q2 2023 as well, the company reported increased sales each month to end the quarter with 1,97,358 units, up 17.63 percent from 1,67,773 units sold in the same quarter of last year. H1 2023 sales also grew by 15.21 percent to 3,89,087 units from 3,37,733 units sold in H1 2022. The winning streak continued over Q3 to end the quarter with 2,47,210 units, up 25.14 percent from 1,97,549 units sold in Q3 2022. Again in Q4, sales were up 30.38 percent to 2,26,462 units from 1,73,695 units sold in Q3 2022. This ended H2 with a 27.59 percent growth to 4,73,673 units, up from 3,71,244 units sold in H2 2022. Total sales in the period January to December 2023 thus stood at 8,62,759 units, a YoY growth of 21.69 percent from 7,08,977 units sold in the same period of 2022. The Polish-Ukrainian border will not be opened for Ukrainian goods, the embargo on the export of these products will be indefinite until it is lifted, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister of Poland Czesaw Siekierski has said at a press conference following a meeting with the representatives of the Polish Association of Trade Unions of Farmers and Agricultural Organizations on Thursday. "The borders will not be opened, the embargo on Ukrainian products is indefinite until it is lifted. I support the demands of Rolnicza 12, which, however, should be streamlined with the current legislation in Poland, including the EU law," the Ministry for Agriculture and Rural Development of Poland quoted the minister as saying on X Social Network. The official noted the importance of talks with the protesting farmers for working out better solutions. "However, legal sanctioning of all demands takes time. There is no reason to believe that what I promised will not be implemented," Siekierski said. As reported, on January 4, the farmers representing the Deceived Subcarpathian Village organization resumed the protest and blocked the movement of trucks across the Medyka-Shehyni checkpoint. The Kyiv Court of Appeal confirmed the seizure of 47.855345% of the shares of the largest Ukrainian telecom operator Kyivstar and 100% of the largest player in the mineral water market IDS Ukraine, imposed in October last year as part of a criminal case against Mikhail Fridman, as indicated in the court ruling dated December 18, made public on January 1. According to information in the state register of court decisions, the court consolidated appeals of VEON Ltd. VEON Holdings B.V., Kyivstar.Tech LLC and Ukraine Tower Company, as well as New World Value Fund Limited, which owns 34.83% of IDS Ukraine, and a number of other persons. The materials of the proceedings indicate that at this stage of criminal proceedings, the needs of the pre-trial investigation justify such interference in the rights and interests of these property owners for the purposes defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 2 of Article 170 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine, that is, in order to ensure the preservation of material evidence in criminal proceedings, the panel of judges justified. In turn, VEON noted that it is not part of any consortium and does not have a contractual relationship with the Alfa Group consortium, controlled by Fridman, and Fridman himself and other sanctioned entities do not have the status of final beneficiaries of VEON. The company also indicated that the seizure of Kyivstar's corporate rights would lead to a stop or excessive restriction of lawful business activities, which are of critical importance in the context of martial law in Ukraine. In turn, the appellants regarding the seizure of shares of the companies of the IDS Ukraine group noted that in the event of confiscation of Fridmans assets, the matter will concern mot only 18.23% of the share of corporate rights, and the share of the remaining sanctioned representatives of Alfa Group, who are not involved in this criminal case, is 31.76%. New World Value Fund Limited emphasized that its beneficiaries are British citizens who are in no way connected with Alfa Group. As reported, the Shevchenkivsky District Court of Kyiv on October 13 reduced the package of seized shares of PrJSC Kyivstar from 99.994654% to 47.85%, and the arrested share of Lifecell LLC - from 100% to 19.8% as part of security measures at the open case against co-owner of Alfa Group Fridman at the end of September. It made such changes to the earlier ruling dated October 4 on the basis of a petition from the prosecutor of the Prosecutor General's Office due to a clerical error. Regarding the remaining seized assets, the Shevchenkivsky court confirmed the correctness of their initial description. In particular, the corporate rights of four companies affiliated with Kyivstar remain under arrest, in particular Kyivstar.Tech (100%), Helsi (69.99%), Ukraine Tower Company (100%) and VimpelCom Global Services Ukraine (100%). The list of seized shares also includes 100% of Lifecell-related LLC Paycell and Ukrtower and assets in the financial sector of 100% of Alfa Insurance, Alfa Leasing Ukraine, Parity Finpans, Sense Digital, Universal leasing company Alfa. High Representative of the European Union for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell reported on a conversation with Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski regarding increasing military assistance to Ukraine, in particular with long range missiles. "Good discussion with Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski. We shared increasing concerns over intensified Russian air attacks against Ukraine civilian infrastructure. We agreed on the need to enhance our military support to Ukraine, including with long range and anti aircraft missiles," he said on the X social network on January 3. The hacker group Sandworm, which is a regular unit of Russian military intelligence, was behind the cyber attack on the Ukrainian mobile operator Kyivstar at the end of December 2023, Head of the Security Service of Ukraine's (SBU) cybersecurity department Illia Vitiuk said in an interview with Reuters. "The SBU helped Kyivstar restore its systems within days and to repel new cyber attacks. After the major break, there were a number of new attempts aimed at dealing more damage to the operator," the SBU press service quoted Vitiuk on its Telegram channel on Thursday. According to the head of the department, the enemy planned to strike several times in a row, seeking to leave people without communication for as long as possible. "In this case, other operators might not be able to withstand a prolonged overload of their networks," he said. Vitiuk said that the SBU continues to investigate the case of a large-scale hack of Kyivstar under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. "Currently, cyber specialists of the Security Service are already examining individual samples of malicious software used by the enemy. The attack was diligently prepared for many months," the head of the SBU department said. Vitiuk confirmed that the hacker group Sandworm, a regular unit of Russian military intelligence and has previously repeatedly carried out cyber attacks on Ukrainian targets, including telecom operators and Internet providers, is behind this attack. He also emphasized that this cyber attack had a significant impact on civilians but did not have a serious effect on military communications, since the Defense Forces use different algorithms and communication protocols. In general, according to Vitiuk, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the SBU has detected about 9,000 cyber attacks on government resources and critical infrastructure facilities in Ukraine. Tyrannosaurs are among the most intensively studied and best-known dinosaurs. Despite this, their relationships and systematics are highly controversial. An ongoing debate concerns the validity of Nanotyrannus lancensis, interpreted either as a distinct genus of small-bodied tyrannosaur or a juvenile of Tyrannosaurus rex. In new research, paleontologists from the University of Bath and the University of Chicago examined multiple lines of evidence and showed that the evidence strongly supports recognition of Nanotyrannus lancensis as a distinct species. The first skull of Nanotyrannus was found in Montana in 1942, but for decades, paleontologists have gone back and forth on whether it was a separate species, or simply a juvenile of the much larger T. rex. In the new study, University of Bath paleontologist Nick Longrich and University of Chicago paleontologist Evan Saitta re-analyzed the fossils, looking at growth rings, the anatomy of Nanotyrannus, and a previously unrecognized fossil of a young T. rex. Measuring the growth rings in Nanotyrannus bones, they showed that they became more closely packed towards the outside of the bone its growth was slowing. It suggests these animals were nearly full size; not fast-growing juveniles. Modeling the growth of the fossils showed the animals would have reached a maximum of around 900-1,500 kg and 5 m about 15% of the size of the giant T. rex, which grew to 8,000 kg and 9 m or more. When I saw these results I was pretty blown away. I didnt expect it to be quite so conclusive, Dr. Longrich said. If they were young T. rex they should be growing like crazy, putting on hundreds of kilograms a year, but were not seeing that. We tried modeling the data in a lot of different ways and we kept getting low growth rates. This is looking like the end for the hypothesis that these animals are young T. rex. Supporting the existence of distinct species, the researchers found no evidence of fossils combining features of both Nanotyrannus and T. rex which would exist if the one turned into the other. Every fossil they examined could be confidently identified as one species or the other. Neither did the patterns of growth in other tyrannosaurs fit with the hypothesis that these were young T. rex. If you look at juveniles of other tyrannosaurs, they show many of the distinctive features of the adults. A very young Tarbosaurus a close relative of T. rex shows distinctive features of the adults, Dr. Longrich said. In the same way that kittens look like cats and puppies look like dogs, the juveniles of different tyrannosaurs are distinctive. And Nanotyrannus just doesnt look anything like a T. rex. It could be growing in a way thats completely unlike any other tyrannosaur, or any other dinosaur but its more likely its just not a T. rex. But that raises a mystery if Nanotyrannus isnt a juvenile Tyrannosaurus, then why hasnt anyone ever found a young T. rex? Thats always been one of the big questions. Well, it turns out we actually had found one, Dr. Longrich said. But the fossil was collected years ago, stuck in a box of unidentified bones in a museum drawer, and then forgotten. Nanotyrannus was more lightly-built and long-limbed than its thick-set relative. It also had larger arms, unlike the famously short-armed T. rex. The arms are actually longer than those of T. rex. Even the biggest T. rex, has shorter arms and smaller claws than in these little Nanotyrannus. This was an animal where the arms were actually pretty formidable weapons. Its really just a completely different animal small, fast, agile, Dr. Longrich said. T. rex relied on size and strength, but this animal relied on speed. The long arms and other features suggest it was only distantly related to T. rex and may have sat outside the family Tyrannosauridae, which T. rex is part of, in its own family of predatory dinosaurs. A paper on the findings was published in the journal Fossil Studies. _____ Nicholas R. Longrich & Evan T. Saitta. 2024. Taxonomic Status of Nanotyrannus lancensis (Dinosauria: Tyrannosauroidea) A Distinct Taxon of Small-Bodied Tyrannosaur. Foss. Stud 2 (1): 1-65; doi: 10.3390/fossils2010001 NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is convening a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the ambassadorial level on January 10 at the request of the Ukrainian side after Russian air attacks. "Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will convene a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council on Wednesday January 10 at ambassadorial level on Ukraine's request following recent Russian missile and drone attacks," NATO Spokesperson Dylan White said on X (Twitter). The Sterling Heights-based company IMAGIO Glass Design took home the Associate of the Year Award at the Home Builders Association of Southeastern Michigans 2023 Industry Leadership Awards, it was announced late last month. IMAGIO co-founders Paula Badalamente and Mike Trego shared the award, which the professional trade association reserves for those exhibiting outstanding and distinguished service as an Associate Member each year.Badalamente and Trego founded IMAGIO Glass Design in 2011 on the strength of a proprietary process for decorative interior glass, which includes custom digital imagery and back-painted glass. The company specializes in custom kitchen backsplashes, shower walls, and other interior features, but has also expanded in scope and size, including the creation of a 180 ft. backlit wall display at the University of Michigan.The Home Builders Association of Southeastern Michigan annually recognizes individuals and businesses that exhibit outstanding contributions to the homebuilding industry, and IMAGIO Glass Design is proud to stand among this distinguished group of recipients, reads a statement from the company. At IMAGIO, we take immense pride in our glass designs, and this recognition serves as a testament to the creativity and craftsmanship that define our brand. As we reflect on this achievement, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our clients, partners, and everyone who has been a part of our journey.The Home Builders Association (HBA) of Southeastern Michigan hosts its annual Industry Leadership Awards to honor those individuals and companies promoting the objectives of the HBA and the best interests of the housing industry, per the HBA. More than a dozen awards were presented at the December ceremony, including the Hall of Fame Award, the associations highest honor, which was given to Richard Kligman, founder and owner of Superb Custom Homes in Plymouth. IMAGIO Glass Design is located at 42778 Mound Rd. in Sterling Heights.Got a development news story to share? Email MJ Galbraith here or send him a tweet @mikegalbraith The new year promises to be a tasty one for Metro Detroiters as a fresh wave of bars and eateries make their debut on southeast Michigans food and beverage scene. From small-batch wines to pizza, donuts and Afro-fusion eats, Motowns hospitality industry is buzzing with new activity everywhere from the city to the suburbs. Heres a peek at eight up-and-coming spots that weve got our eye on in 2024:5001 Grand River Ave., Detroit // www.vesperbooksandwine.com Slated to open its doors this spring, Vesper Books and Wine aims to bring new life to the former Detroit savings bank on the corner of Grand River and West Warren avenues. Owners Rob Wilson and Symantha Duggan are fashioning their wine-bar-book-shop concept into a neighborhood sanctuary that will highlight culinary-driven sustainability and intentional living.We always envisioned Vesper being a third space or a sacred space between work and home, where folks in the community can just bring their whole selves and unplug, Duggan says. Being able to provide a safe space for the city's introverts is something that I'm personally really looking forward to. I'm curious to see who's going to be our regulars. I'm curious to see what kind of community that we can build upon surrounding Vesper.Besides offering a variety of wines from small producers, Vesper will carry local beers, kitchenware, hospitality-focused books, and limited bistro-style snacks with an emphasis on tinned fish. Wilson and Duggan also hope to host events at the store that could span from book signings to pop-up dinners.We want to bring as many chefs as we possibly can to the city, Wilson says. I think we have a lot of really fun, interactive programming thats going to bring a lot of people to our space. There's a little bit of something for everyone.8140 W. Nine Mile Rd., Oak Park // piescipizza.com Nearly eight years since setting up shop in Woodbridge, the celebrated Pie Sci Pizza is expanding its cult following for out-of-the-box pies to a second location in Oak Park. Projected to open early in the year, the new carryout store will feature a touchscreen kiosk, allowing customers to order their pizzas at the push of a button.Oak Park is awesome and filled with lots of young, wonderful people, says Pie Sci founder Jeremy Damaske. Ferndale has done its part in making Nine Mile totally hip and cool, and now its time to continue the progress westward down the road. The amount of people that have stopped by to let us know that they live nearby and are excited is kind of overwhelming.19000 Woodward Ave, DetroitOpening under new ownership for the first time in three years, this Detroit institution is coming back in 2024, and adamantly keeping the same family recipes that originated with the bake shop in 1947.We have wonderful news to share, the store announced in a Facebook post. Dutch Girl has accepted an offer and very soon will be open again. The icing on the donutJon Timmer [grandson of the original owners] will be making the family recipes for all of us to enjoy. Just as we remember! The tradition of Dutch Girl that we all love and miss will be alive and well again. Thank you for all the love and support. Stay tuned, as there is much more to come!185 N. Old Woodward Ave. Birmingham // www.1701hospitality.com A new restaurant and cocktail bar is replacing downtown Birminghams Mad Hatter Bistro, which has stood closed since 2020. CEO of 1701 Hospitality Randy Dickow will redesign his former concept into something completely different and expects to reopen the bistro sometime within the year. The eaterys new name, Bell Bistro, was selected to honor the building's original owner and will feature sophisticated American fare, according to a report from Downtown Publications.220 W. Congress St., DetroitComing soon to downtown Detroit, Nuevo Seoul will offer street-style Mexican-Korean fusion eats with menu items like kimchi papas fritas, Korean BBQ tacos and Korean fried chicken. Stay tuned.6005 Gotfredson Rd., Plymouth // (734) 455-8450 // www.karlscabin.com After an extensive remodel in 2023, this historic log-cabin-turned-restaurant is open again to the public, featuring a modernized dining room and the American comfort food that has kept diners coming back for just shy of a century.We are thrilled to announce the grand reopening of our restaurant with two new dining rooms to choose from, their website reads. The Lodge features a luxe, modern log cabin vibe with light, airy, white-washed walls and a comfy lounge area. The Cabin, our historic dining room where weve served guests for over 75 years, boasts warm elegance and historic charm. Most importantly, youll receive the same great food and service no matter where youre seated. We cant wait to serve you again.Woodward Ave., Detroit // (734) 877-9095 // littleliberia.comMasterChef finalist Ameneh Marhaba has been bringing the flavors of Liberia to Detroit for eight years through Little Liberia, the pop-up kitchen that she developed in 2016 to hone her passion for cooking and honor her roots. After winning the Comerica Hatch Detroit contest in 2022, Marhaba got to work developing her own Afro-fusion brick-and-mortar, projected to open in 2024.If you missed it, Little Liberia now has an official brick-and-mortar location, Marhaba wrote in an Instagram post. We have been busy with the design phase of the space, which has been an exciting process. Although I am eager to open the space, designing a place where everyone will feel welcome and want to come back is of upmost importance. Stay tuned for updates as we transform our new home. We cant wait to welcome you all there!9 S. Main St., Village of Clarkston // (248) 625-3033 // www.rudysmarket.com Opened in 1933, Rudys Market has been a classic stop in downtown Clarkston for over 90 years. Now co-owned and operated by Robert Esshaki and Christopher Thomas, the historic space is nearing the end of an expansion project that will add several restaurants to the market. The first of these is Rudys Prime Steakhouse, which is expected to open in the summer of 2024.The reason we selected a steakhouse is because of all the concepts and formats that we thought of, we thought it was missing in this area, Esshaki said as he announced the project. We also thought that it's something that everybody loves. It just speaks to everybody. Its going to be really busy and fun, and you can come as you are. Bikes are a must have for many unsheltered. There currently are about 30 people on the waiting list for bikes. Bikes give Dignity in Motion for Kalamazoo unhoused Tomczyk Chiezan and Kelley Climie sit in front of Karma House at Sokukoji Buddhist Temple Monastery Kelsey Harness, social services coordinator for Kalamazoo Public Safety's new Community Service Team, looks around a wooded area where unhoused people camped until recently on the city's East Side. This artwork was created by Taylor Scamehorn. Co-owner Kat Perkins Many a high school senior photo has been taken along the Magnificent Pines Trail at The Arb. Trail Tales: Kalamazoo's Lillian Anderson Arboretum flourishes Sharon Skutt, who was a student at Holy Childhood School of Jesus in Harbor Springs, stands next to a memory board she made. Sharon Skutts story about surviving the Holy Childhood of Jesus Mary Bourgeois, a U.S. Army veteran, stands in front of the entrance to the chapel at St. Thomas Episcopol Church. The increase of ALICE households Suipi is enthusiastic about cooking. Jennifer Cooley, KIA Director of Museum Education and Community Engagement Ive always been a curious person, Jennifer Cooley says. I want to know the why.Jennifer Cooley is the new director of museum education and community engagement at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (KIA). She began the position on October 23, 2023, and has spent her time since asking why and listening closely to responses what is happening in the greater Kalamazoo community, what people want to see, what are the varied perspectives people bring to the local art world and why.Ive been pleasantly surprised to see all of the growth in Kalamazoo, Cooley says. While I am a Michigander by birth, Im coming to Kalamazoo with new eyes, with fresh eyes, of seeing it maybe with a different perspective than those who have been here for a while.The Battle Creek native returns to Michigan after more than 20 years away, primarily in Des Moines, Iowa. Cooley earned a degree in art history and museum studies at Michigan State University, but then moved to California for her Master's Degree in Museum Studies and Public Programming at the John F. Kennedy University (now National University), then to Des Moines for a second Masters Degree in Public Administration and Executive Leadership from Drake University.Cooleys rich work experience in museum education and community engagement includes the State Historical Society of Iowa and two other Des Moines cultural institutions Salisbury House, where she served as volunteer and education coordinator, and the Des Moines Art Center, where she was the museum education and docent program manager. She brings expertise in collection interpretation and curricula development to the KIA, but also grant writing and DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion) training to her new role.Before her return to Michigan, Cooley served on the board of the Iowa Museum Association and as a grant reviewer for the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Museums for America.I love art museums, Cooley says. One of my goals at KIA is to help other people love art museums. It doesnt matter to me what type of museum you may be drawn to Im drawn to art, to history, to historic homes. I love science museums as well because I love to learn. And really, thats what museums are they are that conduit to help park that interest in maybe something you know about or maybe something completely new to you. But museums may also present information in a way that you havent experienced before.Her love of museums, Cooley says, began early. She recalls a family vacation to the nations capital as a child. The little girl was overwhelmed by all the museums the family visited.Even just the architecture, she says. All those stairs leading into the beautiful buildings. I knew I was someplace special. The world seemed to slow down when we went inside and I still feel that way. The worlds pace can be so fast, but when you enter a museum, everything slows down and there is something new to see and learn. I can appreciate what is in front of me.Cooleys interest in art, too, came from early school years. When she was a student at Lakeview High School in Battle Creek, she took as many art classes as she could squeeze into her schedule, and her resulting artwork was exhibited in a school art show. The thrill remained with her, even as she realized she was more of an appreciative audience than a participant.I loved the act of creating, she says. But I could also appreciate what others could do when I wasnt able to it was the next best thing to being an artist myself.When the position opened at the KIA, Cooley embraced it with enthusiasm. It was time to come back to Michigan.Ive missed Michigan, she acknowledges. Especially the past couple of years, my thoughts have been drawn toward the Mitten State because of all the wonderful changes that have been happening in the arts and culture community in Southwest Michigan. When this position opened up, I jumped at applying for it in order to move back to Michigan, but also to be closer to family again.Her timing was on target. In 2024, the KIA will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Cooley is already brimming with plans even as she says, with a twinkle in her eye, that she cant yet reveal all the wonderful surprises to come.There is so much opportunity here, she says. Ive been talking with staff and with docents to capture their reflections of KIA over the years. I have been pleasantly surprised at how proud everyone is of KIA in our community, at how important it is to people. At the same time, I realize not everyone feels that connected to museums, not everyone loves museums as much as I do, and that is going to be my work to focus on those people and bring them in.Cooley says she plans to especially zero in on younger generations, those future fans of KIA. She hopes to help youth realize how fun a museum can be, and to nurture that connection as families grow up. An upcoming effort to do so will be a program called Art Detectives of Kalamazoo Public Library, beginning in February 2024 and traveling from branch to branch. Activities will be available for children to read books and create art projects corresponding to those books.Willing to be a student herself, Cooley talks about the Kirk Newman Art School within the KIA. She attended art classes there when she was growing up in Battle Creek and plans to attend again this time, to try her hand at ceramics.I dont know if everyone realizes what a truly amazing art school Kirk Newman is, Cooley says. There is so much there for everyone to learn and enjoy. I will have to relearn working with clay, but its okay to be a beginner. There are one- and two-day workshops there to try out, too.Cooley encourages the greater Kalamazoo community to watch the KIA Events Calendar for upcoming events to celebrate the museums 100th year. There will be something for everyone, she promises, and plenty of reasons to ask why and learn the answers. U.S. National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said all equipment supplied to the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) is used by the Ukrainian side properly and without any abuse. "We are working very, very hard to make sure that every system that is provided to Ukraine, there's a measure of accountability for it. That we can assure the Congress and the American people that that materiel is being used appropriately on the field of battle. And we've seen no indication that there's been some widescale corruption or misuse by the Ukrainian military," Kirby said in an interview published on the White House website. He said the United States has added individuals to its team in Kyiv specifically for accountability purposes. "And the Ukrainians understand our need for accountability. They share that, and they have made it clear that they're willing to work with us on accountability measures for all the systems that are being provided," the U.S. National Security Council coordinator said. According to Kirby, all equipment supplied to Ukraine is provided "with thoughtful deliberation based on what they say they need in the moment and in coming weeks." "And we've seen that with every package that we've delivered In many cases, this stuff is going right from the trucks and the trains to the hands of a soldier on the battlefield not every one, but oftentimes, it's that fast. They are using these things appropriately in defense of their country," he said. When asked how much of the equipment supplied to Ukraine by the United States was damaged by the Russian occupiers, a representative of the National Security Council said "that's a better question put to the Ukrainian defense forces, not the United States." Kirby also could not confirm that the United States plans to dispose of several hundred "expired ATACMS" that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy requested, answering "that's really a better question put to the Department of Defense." At the same time, when asked whether U.S. President Joseph Biden supported the confiscation of Russian frozen assets totalling $300 billion to help Ukraine, he replied: "We're still talking to partners about what reconstruction and recovery needs to look like in Ukraine after the war. But obviously, our main focus right now is helping them in this fight against Russian aggression." Assessing the performance of the Russian occupation forces in Ukraine, Kirby said: "When they engage the Ukrainian forces on the ground, they're not having much success. For so-called ballyhooed counteroffensive that they were going to launch themselves, they've really achieved nothing in recent weeks and months." He said Russia continues to launch drone and missile strikes, including ballistic ones, against targets inside Ukraine, including not only military but also civilian targets. "For all the ballyhoo that I heard in the last few days about Mr. Putin in some press reports that hes all of a sudden willing to negotiate, he sure doesnt act like a guy who's willing to negotiate. He's doing everything he can to try to put the Ukrainians on their back feet, which is why it's so important that the supplemental funding request that the President put forward gets passed. We have given now Ukraine the last security assistance package that we have funds to support right before New Year's, right after Christmas. And we've got to get support from Congress so we can continue to do that," Kirby said. Politics spotlight San Francisco prepares to implement new tax despite legal challenges The legality of a new San Francisco tax on vacant homes is under question but until they hear otherwise, city officials and property owners said theyre operating as if its going to withstand judicial scrutiny. A challenge to the Empty Homes Tax, adopted by voters in November 2022, is moving forward following a court ruling that allowed it to proceed last month. But until a judge tells The City to stop in its tracks, San Francisco will implement and eventually collect the tax, which is expected to raise millions of dollars in revenue by punishing property owners who leave an apartment or house vacant for more than half a calendar year. Opponents of the tax filed a challenge in San Francisco Superior Court in February 2022. Were educating property owners on how the tax will work (notwithstanding the lawsuit) and giving them information on market conditions, design and unit amenity trends, and new leasing technology that will help them rent their available apartments quickly, said Charley Goss, government and community affairs manager for the San Francisco Apartment Association, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit against The City. Nearly a year later, the two sides have yet to actually debate the legality of the tax itself but may do so this year. After last months initial loss in court, the City Attorneys office told The Examiner it is evaluating all of our options. How it started Pointing to an analysis that found 40,000 homes were vacant in San Francisco Craig Lee/The Examiner Irving Street at 17th Avenue in San Francisco on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. in 2019, Supervisor Dean Preston sponsored Proposition M in 2022. The measure created a tax that starts at between $2,500 to $5,000 per vacant unit in 2025, depending on the size of the unit. There are a number of exceptions, and the tax does not apply to properties with two or fewer residences, such as single-family homes. Penalties escalate the longer a unit remains vacant, potentially reaching as high as between $10,000 and $20,000 per year in 2026 and beyond. Although it technically took effect on Jan. 1, the tax wont actually begin to be collected until 2025. According to city estimates, the tax could generate more than $20 million in annual revenue for The City. The measures proponents hoped that the Empty Homes Tax would deter speculation by large companies that would see more benefit in buying and holding vacant real estate than actually leasing it to tenants. Opponents of the tax didnt wait for it to be levied, instead quickly asking the court to invalidate it last February. In their initial court filing, the real-estate organizations argued that state courts have already ruled that property-owners cannot be compelled to continue renting property that they no longer wished to rent, and that existing state law prohibits the government from compelling a landlord to rent their property. The Citys defense, led by City Attorney David Chiu, did not address the opponents arguments on their merits. Instead, The City argued that opponents of the tax could not invalidate it before it was ever collected. The court disagreed . Plaintiffs may obtain a declaration on essential validity of the tax without payment of the not yet accrued tax, Superior Court Judge Charles F. Haines wrote in a brief ruling. Now, The City has until Jan. 12 to file a response to the tax opponents that directly addresses their legal arguments. How its going to go While the legal back-and-forth continues, The City says its going to proceed on schedule, the Office of the Treasurer and Tax Collector confirmed Wednesday to The Examiner. Inspired in part by a vacant-unit tax implemented in Vancouver, Canada, San Franciscos Empty Homes Tax was built on the assumption that taxing property owners would motivate landlords to rent out apartments. For The City , the consequences of any court decision are significant. The Controllers Office estimated that the tax would bring in more than $20 million every year. After the administrative costs of implementing the tax are covered, the revenue will be dedicated to programs that subsidize rent for low-income households and used to fund affordable-housing projects. The Apartment Association said it believes that landlords arent just willfully leaving their units empty, and worries that renting vacant units will prove to be a challenge in some neighborhoods. The most frustrated and concerned property owners that weve talked to own buildings in neighborhoods that are struggling to deal with open-air drug use and drug dealing, homeless encampments and other public safety issues, Goss said. The bottom line is that it can be very hard to get an apartment rented in those neighborhoods if the prospective tenants dont feel like the neighborhood is a safe place for them to live. Belgium outlines format of its participation in F-16 coalition for training Ukrainian pilots, technical personnel Belgium will send two F-16 fighters and about fifty personnel to Denmark from March to September to train Ukrainian pilots, RTBF television channel said on Thursday, citing the Belgian Ministry of Defense. According to the publication, this training mission is Belgian participation in the F-16 coalition, formed by 13 countries with the leading role of Denmark, the Netherlands and the United States. The goal of the coalition is to provide the Ukrainian Air Force with multirole single and two-seat fighters of this type of the old model, built in 1980-1990, as well as to prepare qualified flight and ground personnel for their use. Pilot training will be carried out simultaneously in the UK, Denmark, Romania and the United States. The day before, Norway announced the sending of two F-16s to train Ukrainian pilots at the Danish air force base "Fighter Wing Skrydstrup." Kyiv sees exhibition in Modena about 'prosperity' of Mariupol under Russian occupation as provocation Spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine Oleh Nikolenko has described an exhibition in Modena, Italy, dedicated to alleged "prosperity" of Mariupol under the Russian occupation as a provocation. "The exhibition in Modena about the 'prosperity' of Mariupol under the Russian occupation is a provocation. The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine has instructed the Ukrainian Embassy in Rome to prepare an official letter on the issue," he said in a commentary to Interfax-Ukraine. The ministry emphasized that, at the official level, Italy strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. "And we expect to see a response to this propagandist event," the diplomat said. Earlier, it was announced that Modena, Italy, would host an event dedicated to the alleged fact that Mariupol has been going through "a prompt recovery process" after Russia had occupied. The announcement was posted on Facebook by the organizers: https://www.facebook.com/events/1057231218927901/?ti=ls. Negotiations between Baku and Yerevan gained much more breakthrough chances, Azerbaijan's Presidential Representative for Special Assignments Elchin Amirbayov told Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR) company, Azernews reports. He reminded that the last meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian delegations took place on November 20, 2023. "It took place at the provisional border of the two countries because the actual borderline is yet to be determined. These delegations were led by the deputy prime ministers of both sides, who are also responsible for the restoration of communications," Amirbayov said. "Over the last six months, negotiations have not taken place for various reasons, as the parties had questions for the so-called intermediaries, the parties that facilitate the negotiations." The official expressed hope that another round of negotiations will take place soon, and discussions on the draft of this peace agreement, which was drafted by Azerbaijan and first presented to Armenia just over a year ago, will be resumed. "In the absence of physical negotiations on the text of the agreement between the two parties, the exchange of drafts continues, meaning each party submits its comments and amendments to the next draft of this agreement. We, and not only us, hope that after Azerbaijan has fully restored its territorial integrity, the chances of a breakthrough through negotiations have become much greater," Amirbayov also said. He noted that as a result of counter-terrorism operations in Karabakh in September 2023, the main obstacle to peace was eliminated, namely the illegal military presence of the armed forces of Armenia on the territory of Azerbaijan. "Now, with 15,000 military personnel having left our territory, this issue is no longer relevant. Therefore, now we need to finalize the coordination of those parts of the peace agreement that are still open," Amirbayov said. Receiving theses from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine before business trips abroad is not an attempt to limit their activities, but will contribute to the implementation of the one voice principle in public policy in the international arena, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk said. "The issue of receiving theses from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has caused a great flurry of discussions. I would like to remind you that during the period of martial law, one voice from the state is very important. And those who criticize this, going on a business trip, still receive such theses, because this is government policy. Of course, you can say whatever you want on your own, but on the main issues (weapons, finances, assistance to Ukraine, rehabilitation support) we all have to speak with one voice. And that is why such theses should be provided. And this is right, because we, as the state of Ukraine, are one team at the international level," Stefanchuk said in an exclusive interview with the InterfaxUkraine agency, commenting on the changes in the order regarding the business trips of deputies abroad that have come into force. According to him, these are "elementary requirements" (existing in many parliaments), which the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine brings to "appropriate standards", which will allow for effective activities. "To begin with, the order clearly stipulates that the MP must receive these theses or coordinate his own in order to have one voice. If a deputy acts apart from the position of Ukraine, does such a deputy have the right to represent parliament in international relations? I have big doubts. Moreover, I want to emphasize that a business trip is one of the components of interparliamentary activity. And when a deputy represents the Parliament of Ukraine, then on his behalf he should say what the Ukrainian people need today, and not pursue any business interests of his own. Again, we have established such a flexible norm in the order, because we understand that the Foreign Ministry cannot dictate to parliament, but the main provisions, the basic one voice on state policy should be supported by everyone who represents Ukraine abroad," the speaker explained. At the same time, he stressed that the effectiveness of interparliamentary activities is its priority. "The Parliament of the 9th convocation has something to present to the Ukrainian society in terms of interparliamentary diplomacy. These are issues related to the decisions of the parliaments of the countries of the world to support Ukraine, to provide financial assistance, and weapons. This is a great job of the parliamentary assemblies. This is making decisions on sanctions against the aggressor, on recognizing [Russia] as an aggressor state. These issues are related to the support of the Peace Formula, the Crimea Platform. These are the Holodomor issues: in two years we have managed to double the number of parliaments that recognized the Holodomor as genocide, and we are talking about parliaments that they said they would never do this. Yes, I have something to present to the Ukrainian society about the work of this parliament. But is it perfect? Of course not. Therefore, after analyzing how we carried out parliamentary activities over the previous period, it became necessary to make some adjustments from January 1," Stefanchuk said. According to him, in addition to the provisions concerning the theses from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the updated order also provides that deputies will not be able to independently extend the number of days of a business trip: now it will be clearly regulated, because "they must go, fulfill their mission and turn back." At the same time, according to the order of the head of the Verkhovna Rada, before going on a business trip abroad, parliamentarians undertake to present its plan indicating the results with which he plans to return to Ukraine. Stefanchuk also emphasized that deputies will not be able to "declare one business trip, but go to another country, because it is more interesting there." "Next, we have a number of issues related to the reports. Perhaps some business trips are so productive that there is nothing to report on. But at the same time, I want to remind you that such reports are a requirement of the law on the status of a deputy," the chairman of the Ukrainian parliament added. As reported, on January 1, 2024, amendments to the order of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada No. 806 dated December 30, 2022 "On certain issues of the procedure for registration of business trips abroad by Members of Parliament of Ukraine under martial law" came into force. The updated decree provides, in particular, that parliamentarians, before the start of such business trips, will have to receive official explanations from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine regarding the foreign policy course of the state or the theses of official statements and comments of an MP agreed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to implement state policy in the field of foreign relations on issues related to the topic of business trips abroad. Commander of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Mykola Polischuk, commented on the explosions in occupied Sevastopol and Yevpatoria and thanked the Ukrainian pilots and all those who planned the operation for their impeccable combat work. "On January 2, the Ministry of Lies of the Russian Federation reported on the defeat by Russian missiles of a bunker with Deputy of Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhny and nine more generals of the Armed Forces of Ukraine." Greetings to the occupiers in Crimea! I am waiting for the same epic report from enemy propaganda from Sevastopol and Yevpatoria on January 4, and once again I thank the pilots of the Air Force and everyone who planned the operation for their impeccable combat work, he wrote on the Telegram channel. Earlier, the AFU Strategic Communications Service (Stratcom) reported that a command post of Russian troops near Sevastopol was hit. Today, at about 15:00, the Armed Forces of Ukraine hit the command post of the unification of the Russian occupation forces near Sevastopol. Glory to the Armed Forces of Ukraine! the Telegram channel of the AFU Stratcom says. Earlier, the Telegram channel Crimean Wind and the publication Crimea.Realities news portal reported that explosions were heard in Sevastopol and Yevpatoria in the temporarily occupied Crimea. Air India, owned by the Tata Group, has named P Balaji to the newly established position of 'group head- governance, regulatory, compliance (GRC), and corporate affairs.' This announcement came shortly after reports emerged of Balaji's resignation from his role as the director of regulatory and corporate affairs at Vodafone Idea. Balaji is set to assume his role at Air India on January 11, the company stated in a press release. "He will report to Air India CEO & MD, Campbell Wilson and will oversee the Government Affairs, Legal, Ethics, Sustainability, and Corporate Communications functions at Air India, among others", the release said. Having served Vodafone Idea for a decade, Balaji submitted his resignation and is scheduled to be relieved on January 10, according to a regulatory filing by the mobile network operator. It was expected that he would transition to Air India after departing from his current position. With a wealth of experience exceeding 30 years in the Telecom & IT Sector, Balaji's return to Tata marks a full circle in his career, as Tata Administrative Services is where he initially started. Speaking on the announcement, CEO Wilson said, "We are pleased to have Balaji on board. Having worked in the regulatory and policy space, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be valuable to the ongoing transformation at Air India. At Air India, we remain committed to building top leadership as we continue to invest in all the resources that are required to take the airline to the upper echelons of global aviation". Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal, one of the largest steel producers globally, has joined forces with the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, to establish Asia's inaugural Hyperloop facility. ArcelorMittal and its joint venture, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India, will contribute materials and engineering expertise for the construction of the Hyperloop testing facility at the IIT Madras campus. The facility is anticipated to be operational by the end of March, as per the company's statement. ArcelorMittal is set to collaborate closely with Avishkar Hyperloop, a student team, and TuTr Hyperloop, a start-up incubated at IIT Madras. These entities are actively engaged in the development of affordable Hyperloop technology for both passenger and cargo transportation on a large scale. ArcelorMittal and AM/NS (ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel) India are providing foundational steel materials, as well as engineering, design and project management expertise to support the creation of Indias and Asias first Hyperloop test track at IIT Madras 163-acre Discovery Campus at Thaiyur, on the outskirts of Chennai", the statement said. Hyperloop is a ground-based transportation technology concept, both for passengers and cargo, wherein pods inside vacuum tubes will be accelerated through a propulsion system at ultra-high speeds. This is a hugely exciting project to be part of. IIT Madras is at the vanguard of deep-tech development in India, and TuTr Hyperloops technology and tenacity inspire great confidence about their potential to be pioneers in Hyperloop, a mobility transition industry in which steel would have an important role to play", said Pinakin Chaubal, Chief Technology Officer, ArcelorMittal. ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India will supply about 400 tonnes of steel for the fabrication of a 400-metre vacuum tube at the site, in which autonomous, levitating pods will be tested at speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour. Experienced engineers from ArcelorMittals design and engineering arm will provide assistance to the Hyperloop team, oversee project progress and provide design and engineering expertise during the installation process. We are extremely delighted with ArcelorMittals partnership for this deep-tech initiative which will significantly accelerate our efforts to commercialize Hyperloop technology. This dream collaboration between Government, Academia, and Industry has the potential to create an efficient, sustainable, and affordable mass mobility technology for the future from India to the World", said Aravind S. Bharadwaj, Mentor of the Hyperloop Technology Development Team at IIT Madras and Co-Founder, TuTr Hyperloop. 8.34 crore to In December 2022, TuTr Hyperloop entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with Tata Steel to collaboratively advance the development and widespread deployment of Hyperloop technology. This objective aligns with ArcelorMittal's partnership goals, aiming to validate the technological and commercial potential of Hyperloop technology. The government is actively promoting the creation of indigenous Hyperloop technology through collaborative efforts between academia and industry. The Ministry of Railways has initiated support for this initiative by providing an initial funding of8.34 crore to IIT Madras In November, Dr. V.K. Saraswat, a Member of NITI Aayog, expressed the view that the prospects of developing Hyperloop transportation in India in the near term are limited. He highlighted that this technology, initially conceived in developed Western nations, is not yet mature and lacks current commercial viability. Nevertheless, there is an ongoing effort to establish a comprehensive policy framework that will establish standards and technological parameters for Hyperloop in India. NITI Aayog is actively working on a report that assesses the technological and commercial feasibility of implementing Hyperloop technology in the country. Gujarat has signed initial investment agreements with 58 companies, amounting to an impressive Rs 7.17 trillion (approximately $86.07 billion). These agreements cover a wide array of sectors, such as energy, oil and gas, and chemicals, as per the state government's statement. The signing of these agreements precedes the forthcoming Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, a biennial event that has garnered global attention for investment and development initiatives, positioning Gujarat as a key player. Set to take place in the state capital Gandhinagar from January 10-12, the summit is a pivotal occasion attracting significant domestic and international investment attention. Among the notable agreements, NTPC Renewable Energy Limited stands out with its proposal to invest Rs 900 billion ($10.80 billion). This investment is aimed at establishing 15 gigawatts (GW) renewable energy parks and projects, primarily to support the agricultural sector's power needs, said a senior official from the Industries Department. The NTPC also has ambitious plans for an additional investment of Rs 700 billion ($8.40 billion). This funding is earmarked for a range of innovative projects, including fuel cell electric vehicle mobility, hydrogen blending with natural gas, and the production of green chemicals like ammonia and methanol. It is also focusing on 5 GW hydrogen-based energy storage projects. The Russian occupation forces attacked Nikopol district, Dnipropetrovsk region, on Thursday. During the day, the enemy launched eight kamikaze drone attacks and mounted six artillery attacks, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration Serhiy Lysak has said. "Nikopol, Pokrovske, Chervonohryhorivka and Marhanets communities were attacked. Two men, 56 and 67, were injured," he said on the Telegram channel. Almost two dozen of houses were damaged in the district. A private and industrial enterprises were mutilated. Also, several garages, cars and outbuildings were damaged. Power lines and gas pipelines were damaged. Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is scheduled to embark on a two-day visit to Nepal, where he will co-chair a bilateral joint commission meeting and engage in discussions with Nepalese leaders on diverse areas of collaboration, particularly in connectivity and development. The visit underscores India's commitment to bolster the strong and amicable ties between the two nations as part of its "Neighbourhood First" policy. The agenda for discussions includes topics such as electricity procurement, trade, and enhancing connectivity. Additionally, the visit may witness the inauguration of completed development projects supported by Indian assistance. Upon the invitation of Foreign Minister NP Saud, S Jaishankar will be visiting Nepal, where both ministers will jointly preside over the seventh meeting of the joint commission. This commission, established in 1987, serves as a pivotal platform for the two foreign ministers to comprehensively review all facets of the bilateral partnership between India and Nepal. During the visit, Jaishankar will call on the leadership of Nepal and meet prominent political figures, the external affairs ministry said in a statement announcing the visit. Nepal is a priority partner of India under its Neighbourhood First policy. The visit is in keeping with the tradition of high-level exchanges between two close and friendly neighbours", the statement said. People familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity that among the issues that are expected to figure in Jaishankars talks with the Nepalese leadership are ways to take forward an agreement on India purchasing 10,000 MW of electricity from Nepal within the next 10 years, bolstering connectivity by road, rail and rivers, and trade. In June 2023, when Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal visited India, both nations reached an agreement for New Delhi to increase the import of hydropower from Nepal . Furthermore, India has consented to permitting the export of electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh through its territory. The three countries have collaboratively finalized a draft agreement, currently pending ratification. During Jaishankar's visit, it is anticipated that several development projects, accomplished with Indian support, will be inaugurated. Additionally, he is expected to hold meetings with Nepalese leaders, including Dahal, also known as Prachanda, as per sources. Motorola Mobility India has declared the selection of Mr. T.M Narasimhan as the Managing Director of the Mobile Business Group in India. With a commitment to the Indian smartphone market and aspirations to become one of the top 3 smartphone brands, Motorola has reinforced its leadership in India by appointing T.M. Narasimhan to oversee the business. He will report to Mr. Prashanth Mani, who will maintain his position as the head of Motorolas Asia Pacific business. Bringing a wealth of experience in sales operations, business and financial planning, as well as P&L management, T.M. Narasimhan has held diverse roles in FMCG and consumer tech organizations such as PepsiCo, Britannia, and Samsung. His demonstrated success in building and fostering teams highlights a consistent delivery of business results while effectively managing the balance between short-term objectives and long-term goals. Sharing his excitement, Mr. T.M Narasimhan, Managing Director, Mobile Business Group India said, "I am excited to be a part of the Motorola family and look forward to contributing to the brands growth journey in India. Motorola has been a pioneer in innovation and has been disrupting the smartphone market in India with its exceptional product strategy, innovative business model and brand prowess. I look forward to building upon the solid foundation that has been laid and taking the India business to new heights while consistently delivering on consumer experience and satisfaction". In the Indian market, Motorola has consistently experienced double-digit growth, surpassing the market average over the past year. Despite a stagnant or declining market, the brand achieved a remarkable 37 perecnt premium to the market in Q2 FY23, indicating its rapid acquisition of market share. True to its commitment to democratizing technology, Motorola has excelled with its popular Moto G franchise, renowned for offering premium features at more affordable price points. Notably, models like Moto G54 5G and Moto G84 5G in 2023 have contributed to this success. In 2023, Motorola was acknowledged as India's best 5G smartphone brand and witnessed substantial year-over-year growth in 5G smartphone activations. The Supreme Court has dismissed the OCCRP report concerning the Adani group, asserting that it cannot be considered as a basis to question the SEBI investigation. The court concluded that there is no justification to shift the inquiry from SEBI to SIT. Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, along with Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, delivered the verdict on multiple petitions related to the Adani-Hindenburg dispute. This case involves accusations of stock price manipulation against the Indian corporate giant. "The reliance on OCCPR report is rejected and reliance on a third party organization report without any verification cannot be relied upon as a proof", the SC bench noted, reported Bar and Bench. While reading the conclusions, the CJI said, "The power of this court to enter the regulatory framework of SEBI is limited. No valid grounds were raised to direct SEBI to revoke its amendments on FPI and LODR regulations. The regulations do not suffer from any infirmities". Additionally, the Supreme Court dismissed the contentions raised by the petitioners concerning the Expert Committee members' potential conflict of interest. Chief Justice Chandrachu mentioned that both the Center and SEBI should consider the committee's recommendations to enhance the protection of Indian investors' interests. "The Govt of India and the Sebi to look into if there is any infraction of law by the Hindenburg report on short selling and if so, take action in accordance with law", the CJI said. The bench had reserved a verdict on the PILs on November 24 last year that were filed by lawyers Vishal Tiwari, M L Sharma and Congress leaders Jaya Thakur, and Anamika Jaiswal, reported. Addressing the issue of transferring the case, the CJI said the power to transfer investigation must be exercised in exceptional circumstances. "Such powers cannot be exercised in the absence of cogent justifications", he added. He also said that relying on newspaper reports and third-party organizations to question the statutory regulator does not inspire confidence. "They can be treated as inputs but not conclusive evidence to doubt SEBI probe", he was quoted as saying. The bench further noted that SEBI had used the term opaque to describe the FPI which was misconstrued by the expert committee. "SEBI says FPI regulations did not prohibit opaque structure and could in fact locate the beneficial owners. Mandatory upfront disclosures meant that opaque structure was omitted in 2019 we find merit in sebi arguments and do not find a reason to interfere in delegatory legislative powers. The current regulations are not tainted with illegality", it added. The bench said the petitioner has not challenged the vires of regulations but there is a regulatory failure and thus it is a prayer "which is unknown to this court and this is an afterthought based on value judgment and is thus rejected". "This court cannot take over the role of the delegatory legislation of SEBI . This court has the power under article 32 and 142 to transfer the probe to CBI etc but such powers can only be used sparingly and this court will not ordinarily supplant this role and the petitioners must put forth strong evidence to show that the investigative agency acted in a biased manner", the bench said while rejecting the pleas. "PIL as a tool was invented so that legitimate causes are brought to this court by ordinary citizens however plea with unsubstantiated reports should not be pursued and thus members of the bar must be conscious of this", the bench concluded. Meanwhile, advocate and petitioner Vishal Tiwari said, "The Supreme Court has very clearly said that whatever report, given by any third party, cannot be taken as conclusive proof and there must be evidence that may support (the case)". Dubai The last 12 months have seen monumental strides in the development of AI technologies, particularly the emergence of generative AI (GenAI), leading to accelerated adoption across market-leading organizations. And with International Data Corporation (IDC) forecasting worldwide annual spending on AI-centric systems to top $300 billion by 2026, there is a pressing need for organizations to brace themselves for an 'AI Everywhere' future. "Embracing an 'AI Everywhere' mindset is no longer a choice but a necessity for organizations aiming to maintain competitive parity," emphasizes Jyoti Lalchandani, IDC's group vice president, and regional managing director for the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa. "Forward-thinking governments and digital-savvy businesses are prioritizing AI to drive digital innovation, enhance customer experiences, and optimize operational efficiencies." Against this backdrop, IDC is delighted to announce that Kuwait's Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT) will serve as an official Support Partner for the IDC Middle East CIO Summit 2024. Taking place in Dubai on February 21-22 under the theme 'The Future of IT: Rethinking Digitalization for an AI Everywhere World', the event will underscore the imperative role of digitalization and AI in setting the stage for previously unimaginable improvements in efficiency, productivity, and profitability. "The future of every industry lies in digitalization and AI," says Dr. Ammar Alhusaini, acting director general of CAIT. "The AI revolution has already dawned upon today's digital world, emphasizing the critical need for CIOs and IT leaders to embrace these advancements. This transformative shift is inevitable across all sectors, including public and government, aiming to attain efficiency, productivity, and profitability within the swiftly evolving digital landscape. We eagerly anticipate the AI-focused discussions at the upcoming IDC Middle East CIO Summit 2024 an esteemed platform that, for the past 17 years, has fostered constructive dialogue between the region's leading tech companies and its most influential ICT decision makers. IT leaders now find themselves in multidimensional, strategic roles as AI intertwines with services, products, and experiences. AI is set to underpin various aspects of life, including performance, growth, engagement, satisfaction, safety, security, governance, privacy, sustainability, ethics, wellbeing, and payments. With CAIT's support, the IDC Middle East CIO Summit 2024 will explore the evolving role of IT leadership in today's increasingly AI-infused tech landscape. Expert speakers will provide essential guidance on adapting to this new business environment as they share proven best-practice strategies for establishing data-centric platforms, migrating to cloud infrastructure, governing cloud economics, redefining security and digital trust, and investing in skills development. The Summit will facilitate in-depth discussions around AI's impact on digital innovation and the evolving role of the modern CIO. It will showcase insights into the integration of AI with employee and customer experiences and advise on strategies for building organizational readiness for an 'AI Everywhere' world. iCET aligns India's software expertise and population with the U.S.'s tech reputation, emphasizing technology's pivotal role in strengthening the nation's strategic partnership and fostering trust and shared values. The prevailing aspect defining today's worldwide political landscape centers on the ongoing competition for global power where technology intersects with geopolitics. The control, expertise, and oversight of digital technologies are ushering in a new era reminiscent of historical power struggles, notably observed in the establishment of technological spheres of influence, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. During the Quad Summit in Tokyo, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden announced the establishment of strategic technology and defense industrial cooperation. The initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) was officially launched under the leadership of the National Security Council Secretariat of India and the National Security Council of the US. iCET has quickly gained momentum, resulting in a significant enhancement and expansion of relations between India and the United States in a remarkably short period. CETs, a subset of advanced technologies crucial for a nation's advancement, encompass advanced computing, financial technologies, quantum information technologies, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence. In the pursuit of enhancing national security and fostering economic development, India and the United States are collaboratively engaging in a technological partnership through initiatives like iCET. This alliance aims to establish the groundwork for a decade defined by technological advancements that benefit democracies worldwide. The principles are delineated within iCET, detailing broad areas of collaboration that involve mutual development and production in crucial emerging technologies within defense, space, and advanced telecommunications. These technologies include 6G networks, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and other essential engineering, science, and biotechnology fields. The creation of iCET is a key step in acknowledging India as a crucial Indo-Pacific ally. The organizational structure of iCET is designed to facilitate continuous communication by bringing together multiple agencies and stakeholders, fostering ongoing collaboration. The iCET initiative positions the government as a facilitator, fostering collaboration among academics, private entities, MSMEs, technologists, and think tank analysts. Notable Indian initiatives like the National Quantum Mission, New Space Policy 2023, and the India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X) enhance transparency for potential US investors in India. India's procurement plans include 31 MQ-9B Predator drones from the General Atomics Global Corporation, and GE Aerospace is set to transfer 80 percent of its technology to India to produce F414 fighter jet engines. Additionally, in the field of space, the US will impart training to India for the development of a commercial lunar space program. Furthermore, collaboration in human spaceflight involves exchanges, including advanced training for an astronaut from the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Department of Space at the NASA Johnson Space Center. In semiconductors, a task force was initiated under iCET to scrutinize the complementarity of semiconductor technologies. An MOU has been approved to create a collaborative mechanism aimed at strengthening resilience and diversification within the semiconductor supply chain. Furthermore, there have been talks about fostering cooperation in high-performance computing (HPC), involving collaboration between the U.S. government, Congress, and the Senate to address legislative obstacles hindering the export of HPC technology and source code to India. The iCET has pinpointed biotechnology, advanced materials, and rare earth processing technology as prospective areas for future collaboration. Recognizing India's association with software, population, data, and scaling solutions, alongside the U.S.'s reputation for tech, inventions, and innovations, iCET aims to align both nations. Prime Minister Modi and President Biden have affirmed the pivotal role of technology in strengthening their strategic partnership. They praised the ongoing efforts of iCET in creating open, accessible, secure, and resilient technology ecosystems and value chains. The initiative aims to establish confidence and trust, reinforcing shared values and democratic institutions between the two nations. Dear Annie: Frequently, I read letters in your column from older people complaining that their children, grandchildren and others do not acknowledge gifts or send thank-you notes. I have another take on this. If someone doesnt thank another for a favor done or a gift given, maybe it is because he or she doesnt feel the emotion of gratitude. How sad. It is a wonderful feeling to know that you are important enough to another person for them to give you a gift or a special service. If they dont feel this, they are the ones who are the poorer for it. I have come to realize that the inability to feel gratitude is terribly impoverishing. Maybe gratitude is the modern secular equivalent of the Christian idea of grace. The gift-giver loves me despite my faults, just as Christians believe that God loves and forgives them despite their faults. -- Secular Grace Dear Secular Grace: In response to your lovely letter, a quote: I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. -- G.K. Chesterton How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner? is out now! Annie Lanes second anthology -- featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation -- is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Parts of New Jerseys Monmouth Mall will soon be demolished, allowing the popular shopping destination to be rebranded as a pedestrian-friendly live, work and play development called Monmouth Square. According to our sister site, NJ.com, the vacant JCPenney and Lord & Taylor stores, which were once property anchors, will face the wrecking ball sometime in March, making room for the construction of 1,000 new luxury apartments. The remaining retail outlets will undergo a de-malling that entails changing the enclosed space to an open-air configuration. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Want a grande frappe in your Stanley cup? Starbucks will now make that happen on all orders, including those that are on-the-go, submitted via the Starbucks app or at any drive-thru window. At Starbucks, we envision a future where every beverage can be served in a reusable cup, Michael Kobori, Starbucks chief sustainability officer, noted in a press release about the service, which started this week. Offering customers more options to use a personal cup when they visit Starbucks marks tangible progress toward the future. According to the brand, Starbucks is the first national coffeehouse in the United States to offer customers this option when mobile ordering. The company is calling it part of a larger cultural movement that will hopefully shift the world toward reusable vessels and away from single-use plastics. So how will this work? STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Its called Tikun Olam or healing the world a commitment to service, social justice, political activism, and, in the broadest sense, to ethical and compassionate behavior. Every Christmas, for more than a quarter of a century, Congregation Temple Israel in Randall Manor has embraced this sacred tenet through food specifically by remembering the hungry. This year was no different. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced a major change for New York schools that would ensure students improve reading proficiency. Hochul unveiled the Back to Basics plan during the 2024 State of the State a plan to transition New York to reading instruction that teaches students the foundational skills they need to become proficient readers. Enemy launches six rocket, 14 airstrikes over day, carries out 13 attacks from MLRS During the day, the Russian occupiers launched six rocket and 14 air strikes, carried out 13 multiple rocket launchers on positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on Thursday evening. The enemy also launched an air strike near Heorhiyivka, Donetsk region, and in the area of Zmiyivka, Kherson region. In total, more than 92 settlements in Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, Mykolaiv, Kherson regions and the city of Kherson suffered from artillery and mortar attacks by the occupiers. Harrison Bader is headed back to New York this time with the Mets. On Thursday, Andy Martino of SNY reported that the former Yankees outfielder signed a one-year deal with the Mets. ESPNs Jeff Passan confirmed the report, adding that the deal is worth $10.5 million. Its another short-term reclamation project for the club, which, under David Stearns, has taken to signing one-year deals on players with something to prove. They signed former Yankees pitcher Luis Severino, who is seeking to reclaim his ace status, for one year, and did the same with infielder Joey Wendle, whos two years removed from an All-Star nod. In Bader, they get a player with a Gold Glove. Since debuting in 2017, the 29-year-old Bronxville native has 68 outs above average, which ranks second among outfielders with at least 4,500 innings played, behind Kevin Kiermaier. His 52 defensive runs saved at the position ranks sixth in MLB in the same period. The Yankees saw something in Bader, trading away pitcher Jordan Montgomery for him ahead of the 2022 trade deadline. For a period, Bader lived up to the hype, especially in the postseason, where he had 10 hits, half of which were home runs, in 30 at-bats against the Guardians and the Astros. But the oft-injured outfielder kept landing on the injured list, which is how he came to the Bronx in the first place. In 2023, the Yankees placed Bader on the IL twice with issues to his hamstring and oblique. Eventually, the team gave up on the outfielder, designating him for assignment in August. After the Reds claimed him, teary-eyed, he spoke to reporters. Growing up in Manhattan, my family lives in Bronxville, I went to Horace Mann on 242nd street, Bader said outside the Yankees clubhouse after hearing the news, via NJ Advance Medias Randy Miller. Obviously, Yankee Stadium is on 161st St. in the Bronx. You know, I never thought Id play in the big leagues let alone in the Yankees uniform. I have no idea whats to come for the future. I certainly hope its in a Yankees uniform again, if thats an option. That said, it just means so much to me to be a New York City kid playing in the Bronx for the Yankees. Theres a lot of good moments. Man, that was special. In signing with the Mets, Bader gets to return to New York, but his wish of wearing the Yankees uniform will have to wait. At least for one more year. Manuel Gomez may be reached at mgomez@njadvancemedia.com. A bomb threat emailed to officials in several states early Wednesday briefly disrupted government affairs and prompted some state capitol evacuations, but no explosives were found and federal officials quickly dismissed the threats as a hoax. The threats follow a spate of false reports of shootings at the homes of public officials in recent days. Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi and Montana were among the states that evacuated statehouse offices or buildings. The FBI said it was aware of numerous hoax bomb threats at state Capitol buildings, but had no information to indicate a specific and credible threat. The bureau said it was working with state, local and federal law enforcement to gather, share and act on information. The FBI takes hoax threats very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk, it said in a statement. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said on X that the Capitol was evacuated while state police investigated a threat received by the Secretary of States Office. Lawmakers were elsewhere for ethics training, but Secretary of State spokeswoman Michon Lindstrom said some candidate filings were disrupted. The mass email warned of multiple explosives that would go off in a few hours. Public safety officials locked down the Mississippi Capitol on the second day of the legislative session and the state Senate delayed its morning meeting. The building was evacuated and bomb-sniffing dogs circled before an all-clear was given. This is an ongoing investigation and there is no further threat to the Capitol or surrounding buildings, said Bailey Martin, a spokesperson for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. The closures were brief and disruptions minimal in most states. Montanas Capitol building reopened within two hours after a sweep of the building was completed and the threat was found not to be credible, said Megan Grotzke, spokesperson for the Department of Administration. In Minnesota, oral arguments at the state Supreme Court inside the Capitol were interrupted, but were moved to other courtrooms in the Minnesota Judicial Center, said Kyle Christopherson, a spokesperson for the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Other states including Wyoming, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri and Maryland received threats, but didnt close. Several public officials have been hit by swatting calls in recent days. Swatting is a prank call made to emergency services intended to bring a police response. Republican U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia was targeted by a fake emergency call on Christmas morning. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows was hit by a swatting attempt a day after she removed former President Donald Trump from the states presidential primary ballot under the Constitutions insurrection clause, a decision Trump is appealing. Other public officials targeted in recent days include Republican U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams of New York, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. Hundreds of swatting cases occur annually. UPDATE: The defendant has been identified as Michele Cenci, 54, of Annadale. *** STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. District Attorney Michael E. McMahon will hold a press conference Thursday inside the Richmond County District Attorneys office alongside Special Commissioner of Investigation for the NYC School District Anastasia Coleman. The pair plans to announce the indictment of a Staten Island school secretary and employee of the NYC Department of Education after a long-term investigation into the alleged theft of funds. The secretarys name and the charges being filed werent made immediately available. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The New York City public hospital system is reinstating mask requirements in the wake of a rise in COVID, flu and other respiratory illnesses, multiple media outlets are reporting. The mandate, which went into effect just after Christmas, applies to anyone entering New York H+H hospitals, community health centers and nursing homes, the Daily News reported. Citywide data shows that COVID hospitalizations have been climbing, with 106 hospitalizations as of Dec. 20. The neighborhoods in the city with the most hospitalized residents are East New York in Brooklyn, Mott Haven/Port Morris in the Bronx and Silver Lake/St. George on Staten Island, the report said. In fact, three Staten Island-based ZIP codes: 10301 Silver Lake/St. George; 10304 New Dorp/Todt Hill; and 10310 Port Richmond/Randall Manor/West Brighton, show the highest numbers of recent hospitalizations and death, according to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan said Wednesday the mask requirement is for areas of the hospital where patients are being treated, ABC7 reported. Vasan said also it is partially to protect the staff from incoming sickness as the numbers of patient cases rise. City hospitals are currently handling patient levels well and none are overwhelmed, the report said. Support the Peninsulas only locally-owned newspaper. Subscribe! Subscribing annually brings you big savings. We also offer monthly and weekly subscriptions. Premium Subscription As low as $8.25 per month Premium Includes: Access to the Daily Journals e-Edition: a digital replica of our daily newspaper including crossword puzzles, games, comics, classifieds and ads. The ability to download a digital replica of the Daily Journal for offline reading. The ability to clip & download articles or images to share with others. Access to the last 90 days of e-Editions with search, downloading and clipping options. Unlimited access to our award-winning online content Commenting access on all stories as a valued member of the DJ community If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Go to form Its no spoiler to say theres an engagement just 13 minutes into the show. In that sense, its more a plot detail in the series premise. Maybe think of this as Pride & Prejudice: The Blink-and-Youll-Miss-It Edition. Tailor-made for the we-just-watched-the-trailer-so-we-might-skip-the-series generation, Belgravia: The Next Chapter does something quite unexpected: it opens at the mid-point, during a ball. Just one scene in which the mesmerising ingenue Miss Dunn (Harriet Slater) accompanies the pianoforte, and she and Lord Trenchard (Ben Wainwright) are smitten. Somewhere out there, in the period playbook, the story goes something like this: boy has title, girl comes from well-to-do but unexpectedly impoverished family, nebulous aristocratic mutual friend thoughtfully throws ball, boy meets girl, chemistry ensues, romance follows, and they all live happily ever after. Despite the resemblance, Belgravia: The Next Chapter is less a Jane Austen piece, in which the wheels of romantic destiny turn as slowly as the storylines on The Bold and the Beautiful, and more Daphne du Mauriers Rebecca, which runs through the romance on fast-forward to essentially set up the real story: the troubled infancy of a marriage. If youre coming here fresh from Belgravia, Julian Fellowes television adaptation of his own novel, there are a couple of things you will immediately notice. The key one being that there isnt a familiar face in sight. Thats because this series has spun the clock forward several decades, to 1871. The Marquise DEtagnac (Claude Perron) in Belgravia: The Next Chapter. Credit: Binge A few clues are dropped in the first few scenes to recalibrate the calendar, but if youre not completely up to speed with the architectural dates of Victorian London the opening of the Royal Albert Hall in 1871 is date-checked in the first few minutes then this may not be immediately obvious. In terms of universe detail, things run mostly to the playbook: Lord Trenchard has an estranged brother, Reverend James Trenchard (Toby Regbo), who will no doubt become a source of trouble, and Clara has a ladys maid named Davison (Elaine Cassidy). Shes got a whiff of something-not-quite-right about her, a detail that is confirmed when she meets the valet Fletcher (Liam Garrigan) and the air almost freezes between them. Theres also a dashing young medico, Dr Stephen Ellerby (Edward Bluemel), whose good looks can surely also bring no good to the House of Trenchard, and then theres the striking and sultry French businesswoman, the Marquise DEtagnac (Claude Perron). If reality cooking competitions were cakes, the contestants would be the fluffy sponge and the judges would be the creamy filling, keeping the airy layers intact. But what is a cake without some decoration? Thats what the hosts are for. They may only be a small component, but theyre the first thing you see and for anyone who has tried to pick just one gateau from the counter of a fancy cake shop, you know that first impressions count. So, when the first episode of The Great British Bake Offs most recent season aired on Foxtel in September, its no surprise all eyes were on the baking shows shiny new facade. Would the new fondant icing entice viewers, or have them reaching for an alternative confection? Prue Leith, Noel Fielding, Alison Hammond and Paul Hollywood in The Great British Bake Off season 14. Credit: Channel 4 For three years, Matt Lucas (best known for his role in the sketch comedy series Little Britain) helmed the famously feel-good baking competition alongside comedian Noel Fielding (The Mighty Boosh). But in 2023, he cheerfully passed the baguette to Alison Hammond, a British television personality known for her time on Big Brother and Strictly Come Dancing. Initially, the switch-up seemed stark, perhaps a little too stark. Wed become accustomed to the constant riffing between Lucas and Fielding, two comedians famous for their eye-rolling puns and double entendres. Hammonds nurturing, perpetually positive energy seemed entirely different, if not dull. Fieldings corny jokes about egg-washing his legs and his eclectic jumper collection would surely outshine someone who appears to only bring nice to the table. What makes running even better So how does running compare with walking? Its more efficient, for one thing, says Duck-chul Lee, a professor of physical activity epidemiology at Iowa State University. Why? Its more than the increased speed. Rather than lifting one foot at a time, running involves a series of bounds. This requires more force, energy and power than walking, Olenick says. For many people starting out, running at any pace even a slow jog will make your heart and lungs work harder. That can raise your level of effort to whats known as vigorous activity, meaning youre breathing hard enough that you can speak only a few words at a time. Australian government guidelines recommend that adults aged 18 to 64 complete between 2 and five hours of moderate activity a week, like brisk walking, or half as much vigorous activity. That might suggest that running is twice as good as walking. But when it comes to the key outcome of longevity, some studies have found running to be even more effective than that. In 2011, researchers in Taiwan asked more than 400,000 adults how much vigorous exercise (like jogging or running) and moderate exercise (like brisk walking) they did. They found that regular five-minute runs extended subjects life spans as much as going for 15-minute walks did. Regular 25-minute runs and 105-minute walks each resulted in about a 35 per cent lower risk of dying during the following eight years. Loading Those numbers make sense, given runnings effect on fitness. In a 2014 study, Lee and his colleagues found that regular runners were 30 per cent fitter than walkers and sedentary people. They also had a 30 per cent lower risk of dying over the next 15 years. Even though hes an enthusiastic proponent of running, Lee suggests looking at walking and running as being on a continuum. The biggest benefit occurs when moving from none to a little exercise, he says. Whether youre walking or running, consistency matters most. But after that, adding at least some vigorous exercise to your routine will increase the benefits. How to start walking, and then running Running does have its downsides. Its high-impact and hard on your connective tissue. Researchers have debunked myths that running will always wreck your knees, but short-term injuries are more common in runners than walkers. Easing into walking first allows your body time to adapt, which in turn reduces risk, says Dr Bella Mehta, a rheumatologist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. In fact, even experienced runners who take a break should gradually build back up. Its always better to start or increase an exercise program by going slow and low, Zielinski says. If you want to try running for the first time or return to it try this progression. Step 1: Add steps Increase your step count, Lee says. If you havent been exercising at all, begin by trying for an extra 3000 walking steps a day, at least a few days a week. Step 2: Slowly pick up the pace Set aside 10 minutes for brisk walking three to four times a week, Olenick says. Aim for an effort level of three to five on a scale of 10. Gradually increase the duration, until you can stay on your feet for an hour. Step 3: Sprinkle in running As you gain fitness, youll notice you must walk even faster to reach moderate intensity. Once this happens usually after about a month or two start adding in run-walk intervals. Warm up with a five-minute brisk walk. Then alternate a minute of jogging with three minutes of walking. Repeat this three to five times. Step 4: Try running continuously Loading Each week or two, increase your running interval and decrease your walking time, until youre running continuously. Check with your doctor first if youre being treated for heart disease or another chronic condition, or if you have symptoms like chest pain, Zielinski says. You might need to undergo a stress test or other evaluation before being cleared to do vigorous activity. Those who cant run (or dont want to) can turn up the intensity in other ways, Olenick says. For instance, add a few hills to your walking route, and push the pace as you climb them. You could jump on a trampoline or try a HIIT workout, on land or in the pool. During the day, the Ukrainian military repelled 23 enemy attacks in Avdiyivka direction, a total of 44 military clashes took place at the front, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports. "In Avdiyivka direction, our defenders repelled 14 attacks in the areas of Novobakhmutovka, Stepne, Avdiyivka and nine more attacks near Pervomaiske and Nevelske, Donetsk region, where the enemy unsuccessfully tried to improve the tactical situation," says a report posted on Facebook on Thursday evening. At the same time, the AFU repulsed two enemy attacks near Synkivka and east of Petropavlovsk, Kharkiv region, in Kupyansk direction, three attacks near Bohdanivka, Klischiyivka and Andriyivka, Donetsk region, in Bakhmut direction, where the enemy unsuccessfully tried to break through the defenses of the Ukrainian military. In addition, the Defense Forces repelled seven attacks by the occupiers near Robotyne and northwest of Verbove, Zaporizhia region, where the enemy unsuccessfully tried to restore the lost position. In turn, the enemy, with the support of aviation, unsuccessfully tried seven times to break through the Ukrainian defense in the areas of Maryinka and Novomykhailivka, Donetsk region, in Maryinka direction, where the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to restrain the occupiers. The occupiers also carried out six unsuccessful assault operations on the left bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson direction. The enemy did not conduct offensive actions in Lymany and Shakhtar directions. A man accused of pulling the trigger in a brazen underworld execution also faces charges for allegedly selling a kilo of cocaine and possessing a WWII-era Luger pistol. Dut Deng faced Parramatta Local Court on Thursday, after being charged in relation to the 2023 shooting of convicted drug dealer Alen Moradian in a Bondi Junction car park. The 24-year-old appeared in court via videolink from jail, and watched silently as his lawyer Mohamed Bejjaoui stated Deng was not applying for bail. Deng, from Fairfield Heights in Sydneys west, was arrested on Wednesday and is alleged by police to have been the one who pulled the trigger in Moradians murder. Technology is revolting. Just ask Carole Baxter of Woodgate Beach (Qld): Coming back from Brisbane during a mega storm last weekend, husband realised the petrol indicator was on red. Service station number one had pumps out of order; number two had no power and number three had power and some pumps working but eftpos took over half an hour for each transaction. I normally carry cash, but was returning from hospital whereas husband relies on plastic. On that same day, an 80-year-old friend was locked out of her home because of the power outage. She didnt take a key, instead depending on her electronic garage doors. How many people will that happen to these days? She actually broke into her house by climbing in a window! This spells trouble. In naming the quaint little town Tombulgum, Dave Williams (C8) has opened the floodgates, which is fair, considering he was discussing rainfall: While were talking pronunciation, lets talk spelling, says Annie Smith. I live in Murwillumbah and Tumbulgum is the village next door. Its pronounced Tum-bul-gum. Odille Esmonde-Morgan of Glenorchy (Tas) has a technique: Both us are pronounced as in gum, not as in bull. I lived nearby for ten years, and woe betide you if you pronounced it differently. It also has a terrific pub. Stan Goodacre of Pennant Hills will keep it brief: Can anyone explain why Jockey Y-fronts are almost invariably inside out when taken from the tumble dryer? Readers are no doubt impressed with the regal ascension of Hobarts finest, but Alison Brooks of Hope Island (Qld) claims that Mary of Denmark will not be Australias first queen. Her Majesty Queen Susan of the Albanians 1941-2004 was born in Waverley. A 12-year-old girl is dead and her younger sister is fighting for her life after their family car crashed head-on into a sedan that police say was being driven erratically by a disqualified driver. Mia Rossiter, 12, died at the scene on the Hamilton Highway in Stonehaven, near Geelong, on Wednesday night. Her sister Willow, 7, was taken to hospital, where she was in a serious condition on Thursday night. Mia Rossiter flanked by her parents, Danica and Paul Rossiter. Parents Danica Rossiter, 36 who was driving and Paul Rossiter, 38, were also badly injured in the crash. Both remain in hospital in a serious condition. Zach Challoner, a friend of the Rossiters, said the family was likely to have been travelling home to the small town of Lismore after visiting relatives in Geelong. Maureen and Edward Sweeney on their wedding day in County Mayo, 1946. Weather forecasting turned out to be an essential part of the Allies most famous gambit of the war D-Day, the invasion aimed at gaining a foothold on the European mainland. It took two years of meticulous planning. The American general Dwight D. Eisenhower, who led the assault, decided to send more than 160,000 troops, nearly 12,000 aircraft and nearly 7000 sea vessels to invade a 80-kilometre stretch of beach along the Normandy region of the French coast. The Allies settled on June 5, 1944, which promised a full moon, aiding visibility, and low tides, granting easier access to the beach. A successful invasion would also depend on clear skies for the Allies aerial assault and calm seas for their landing. And the relatively primitive technology of the day no satellites, no computer models meant that the Allies would have only a few days warning about the weather. By 1944, Flavins work orders had increased from on high: she and her colleagues now sent in weather reports not every six hours, but every hour of the day. You would only have one finished when it was time to do another, she recalled in a documentary made by RTE, Irelands public broadcaster, in 2019. US troops taking part in Normandy landings in June 1944. On her 21st birthday, June 3, she had an early-morning shift: 12am to 4am. Checking her barometer, she saw that it registered a rapid drop in pressure, indicating a likelihood of approaching rain or stormy weather. The report went from Dublin to Dunstable, the town that housed Englands meteorological headquarters. Flavin then received an unusual series of calls about her work. A woman with an English accent asked her: Please check. Please repeat! Flavin asked the postmistresss son and Blacksods lighthouse keeper, Ted Sweeney, if she was making a mistake. We checked and rechecked, and the figures were the same both times, so we were happy enough, she later told Irelands Eye magazine. That same day, Eisenhower and his advisers were meeting at their base in England. James Stagg, a British military meteorologist, reported that, based on Flavins readings, bad weather was expected. He advised Eisenhower to postpone the invasion by a day. Blacksod lighthouse: Maureen Sweeneys home from the 1940s until the mid-1970s. The general agreed. June 5 saw rough seas, high winds and thick cloud cover. Some commentators including John Ross, the author of Forecast for D-Day: And the Weatherman Behind Ikes Greatest Gamble (2014) have argued that the invasion could well have failed if it had occurred that day. Postponing the invasion beyond the 6th presented other issues. The tides and moon would not have been favourable again for several weeks, when the Germans expected an attack. The element of surprise would have been lost. Ross told USA Today that victory in Europe might have been delayed by a year. Yet Flavins reports indicated not only that June 5 would be disastrous, but also that the weather on June 6 would be just good enough. Eisenhower ordered an invasion in which he proclaimed: We will accept nothing less than full victory. Loading By noon on the 6th, the skies cleared. The Allies endured thousands of casualties, but they won a European beachhead. We owe a lot to Maureen of the west of Ireland, us who invaded France on D-Day, Joe Cattini, a British D-Day veteran, said in the RTE documentary, because if it hadnt been for her reading of the weather we would have perished in the storms. Maureen Flavin was born on June 3, 1923, in the south-western village of Knockanure, Ireland, where she grew up. Her parents, Michael and Mary (Mullvihill) Flavin, ran a general store. She married Mr Sweeney, the lighthouse keeper, in 1946. When his mother, the postmistress, died, Ms Sweeney succeeded her in the job. Flavin by then Ms Sweeney first heard about the significance of her weather forecast in 1956, when officials discussed it after moving the local weather station from Blacksod Point to a nearby town. It gained wider publicity during D-Days 50th anniversary, when the meteorologist Brendan McWilliams wrote about the episode in The Irish Times. Maureen Sweeney and great-granddaughters Eva (left) and Molly. Sweeney died in 2001. In addition to Fergus Sweeney, Maureen Sweeney is survived by three sons, Ted, Gerry and Vincent, all of whom have worked in the Irish lighthouse service; a daughter, Emer Schlueter; 12 other grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. In interviews, Sweeney marvelled at the contrast between the immense forces in need of a weather forecast and the little world of the Blacksod Point post office. The plan to recommend large new projects offset all their emissions did not survive a relentless industry and media barrage capped off by a phone call from then-premier Mark McGowan. Premier Roger Cook took a slightly slower approach, announcing in December a legislative overhaul to slash green tape after a review that lasted less than seven weeks. Loading At the time Cook cryptically said, while the EPA gives independent advice to government, it is not independent of government. Tonts, who was consulted by one of the reviews authors Paul Vogel, himself a former EPA chair, said many of the recommendations were similar to what the EPA had wanted to do, but it was thwarted by a lack of resources. The number one thing is we need people to be able to do that work, he said When Tonts joined the EPA in 2021, it had the most projects referred to it in six years, and more came in the following year. All of a sudden the workload went up, and we werent able to scale up the staff quickly enough, he said. More resources have been promised by the government and Tonts expects to feel the benefit within months. Permissions for emissions The government is looking at further adjustments to its environmental approvals regime, including whether the EPA is duplicating efforts of the federal government in reducing carbon pollution. After the 2019 backdown, the EPA under Hatton responded with a policy to recommend that emissions from all large projects reduce in a roughly straight line to zero by 2050. It is an approach Environment Minister Reece Whitby has signed off on for Chevrons two giant gas export projects Gorgon and Wheatstone. Tonts said the greenhouse gas policy was one of the things the EPA was most proud of. He said there were still uncertainties about the federal governments revamp of its safeguard mechanism, including emissions reductions requirements after 2030. In November, the Cook government held an energy transition summit where a recurring theme was that mining minerals for electric vehicles and other projects that would help the world reduce greenhouse emissions should perhaps have an easier path to environmental approval. Loading We must be mindful that we cant trade off amazing biodiversity values necessarily for that agenda, Tonts said. The government is also looking at the number of opportunities for appeal and public comment in the environmental approval regime. One of the great things about the WA system is there are at least four points at which there is significant community engagement, Tonts said. The public can refer an issue to the EPA for consideration and comment on whether something should be assessed and then on the proponents detailed submission. The final chance is after the EPA has published its recommendation that can be appealed by both the public and the proponent. The EPA should not hide from scrutiny, Tonts said. Only after the independent Office of the Appeals Convenor has published its report can the environment minister weigh up environmental and other issues, such as the economy, and decide what conditions to impose on a project. Tonts accepts there has to be a balance between a rigorous process that includes the public and a reasonably timely outcome. When I hear green tape, its actually a mixture of a whole range of different things, he said, including waiting for proponents to provide sufficiently detailed and robust surveys and scientific studies. The government plans to legislate so it can direct the EPA to assess projects it deems significant to the state within a specified time frame. Tonts hopes this will drive proponents to provide better quality information upfront. Meet a high bar at the outset and that leads to a more efficient assessment process, he said. Mining in the jarrah forest Some of the most complex work for the EPA is assessing bauxite mining in the jarrah forest that extends from inland of Perth to Collie in the south. Loading South32, which owns the Worsley alumina refinery, lodged an 815-page environmental review document in mid-2022 that was accompanied by more than 60 appendices. Alcoa is expected to lob something similar to the EPA shortly for an expansion of its mining areas. In December, the EPA accepted a referral from the WA Forest Alliance to assess some of Alcoas existing mining areas. A man once dubbed WAs most wanted is back behind bars after he was arrested again over a New Years Day burglary in Woodvale and a string of other alleged offences. Laurie Dodd was released from prison in August 2022 after nearly three years in prison over his latest crime spree. Police at the time described him as violent, dangerous and a threat to the community. Laurie John Dodd was described as violent and dangerous. Credit: WA Police Dodd, now 48, was only out of prison for a few months before he allegedly reoffended. Charges against him were heard in Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday related to an alleged stealing incident in October. PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in a Central Committee meeting on January 4, 2024. The Central Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 11.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The agenda point is: Ontwerplandsverordening houdende regels met betrekking tot een basisbetaalrekening voor consumenten (Landsverordening basisbetaalrekening) (Zittingsjaar 2023-2024-174) (IS/292/2023-2024 d.d. 20 december 2023) (Draft National Ordinance containing rules regarding a basic payment account for consumers (National Ordinance Basic Payment Account) (Parliamentary year 2023-2024-174) (IS/292/2023-2024 dated December 20, 2023) Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules. The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg. The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament PHILIPSBURG:--- The Central Bank of Curacao and St. Maarten announced on Tuesday that the new Caribbean guilder currency will be enacted in 2024. Member of Parliament Rolando Brison expressed concerns about this announcement, emphasizing that the Central Bank cannot speak for the Parliament of St. Maarten. He also advised the bank to "hold its horses" when releasing any further information regarding this enactment. The MP reacted to the press release from the Central Bank issued on Tuesday indicating that the Caribbean guilder will be introduced in Curacao and St. Maarten during the second half of 2024 at which time the currency sign will change from the current NAf. (Netherlands Antilles guilder) to Cg. (Caribbean guilder). Brison pointed out that implementing the Caribbean guilder would necessitate substantial legislative amendments, requiring approval from the Parliament of St. Maarten. He criticized the Central Bank's presumptive approach, especially in its annual report, and accused the institution of overstepping of its role. Brison expressed skepticism about the assumption that the Parliament would readily approve the Caribbean guilder by the second quarter of 2024, labeling such an expectation as premature. While they (the Central Bank) did make a presentation to Parliament regarding the Caribbean Guilder, I did express various concerns in that meeting about the execution and usefulness of establishing such at this time, especially at the cost of 15 million guilders that it would cost to the monetary union, MP Brison said. The MP stressed that the Parliament of Saint Martin holds a free mandate to vote based on their conscience regarding proposed legislation. He emphasized that the Central Bank should seek the support of the Parliament rather than assuming it, as the introduction of the Caribbean guilder would require changes to various national ordinances. While acknowledging the necessity of moving away from the original Netherlands Antillean guilder which cannot continue for practical reasons including from a country perspective, Brison urged a broader discussion on currency alternatives. He proposed considering options such as dollarization and emphasized that the decision should not be automatic. It is presumptuous to assume that it will be automatic for St. Maarten to follow the guidelines of the Central Bank, who, if we are to be fair, have not always been accurate or correct as to what the best direction of monetary policy for St. Maarten should be, he said, insisting that a significant debate and stakeholder participation should precede any move forward with the Caribbean guilder. Additionally, MP Brison also acknowledged the potential benefits of the Caribbean guilder, including reduced printing costs and the elimination of the non-existent Netherlands Antilles from the currency. However, he also cautioned against overlooking potential drawbacks, such as increased costs and the decline in the use of the guilder over the years. Brison highlighted the need for a balanced evaluation of the pros and cons before deciding on the country's monetary policy direction. MP Rolando Brison cautioned the Central Bank against speaking for the Parliament of St. Maarten in any future press releases and reminded them of their role to propose legislation, not enact it. He urged a more thorough and inclusive debate with increased stakeholder participation to ensure that the decision-making process on the Caribbean guilder is well-informed and reflective of the diverse perspectives within the community. He said as the discussion unfolds, the fate of the Caribbean guilder will undoubtedly be influenced by the collaborative efforts of all relevant parties. CORRECTION Solodev ORLANDO, FL (Marketwired) 05/11/17 In the news release issued earlier today by Solodev, we are advised by the company that Consulting Partner should read Technology Partner throughout the release. Complete corrected text follows. Web Experience Platform Provider, Solodev, Named an Advanced Technology Partner in Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner Network ORLANDO, FL May 11, 2017 Web experience platform, , announces today its status of Advanced Tier as an . The achievement aids in Orlando-based Solodevs mission to help businesses of all sizes fully embrace the AWS Cloud. Through its Advanced Tier Partner status, Solodev also expands its visibility to high profile clientele and business around the world, while attracting new talent to Central Floridas technology hub. The Advanced Tier designation with AWS fills a growing need in the business community for proven assistance in designing, architecting, building, migrating and managing workloads and applications on the AWS Cloud. Meeting this milestone enables Solodev to further expand its services through additional funding and marketing opportunities, such as visibility on the AWS company profile partner solutions finder. The Advanced Tier Partner status also allows Solodev to reach a wider audience through involvement in AWS events, webinars, case studies and industry competencies. In 2016, the Solodev team completed the process of re-architecting our web experience platform, as well as our own company website, to be optimized for AWS. While this process was time-consuming and presented many challenges, we persisted because we understood the critical value of offering our customers the most secure, scalable and reliable hosting infrastructure available, said Shawn Moore, CTO at Solodev. Following the completion of that project, Solodev began its journey with the APN to further equip our customers with the expertise and tools needed to fully embrace the AWS Cloud. Were proud to reach the Advanced Tier milestone and look forward to our next achievement on this exciting journey. To achieve Advanced Tier Partner status within the APN, Solodev was required to meet stringent criteria including: AWS Technical Validation; minimum direct, influenced and Marketplace monthly AWS billings of $50,000 or APN Competency (three-month average); six approved customer references on Amazon Web Services; and AWS training and partner practice plans. Solodev employees were also required to successfully earn AWS Certification, an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates proven skills and knowledge in building AWS solutions. Solodev believes in the power of AWS and is therefore committed to continued investment in strengthening our expertise and engagement with the leading cloud computing services provider, adds Moore. As an Advanced Tier Partner, Solodev receives many benefits that increase our visibility to prospective customers, thereby elevating Central Floridas recognition as a hub for technology and innovation. This is a huge opportunity for Solodev to share our experience and guide companies of all sizes through a successful and rewarding migration to the AWS Cloud. For more information about Solodev, visit . Melissa Landy Uproar PR for Solodev (321) 236-0102 x233 InfiNet Wireless provides critical connection for Colombian town to apprehend and convict criminals quicker than ever The entire town is now monitored 24/7 Valletta, Malta. 25 July 2017: InfiNet Wireless, the global leader in fixed broadband wireless connectivity, has deployed a cost-effective solution to improve surveillance of Bojaca, Colombia using the latest CCTV technologies, enabling the local law enforcement agencies to present solid evidence in court in order to convict criminals. Bojaca, a municipality and town of the Western Savanna Province and located 40 km from the capital Bogota, had started to fight against rising crime in the area, and had failed to tackle this social issue due to its unreliable existing network of closed circuit security cameras which operated on a legacy fibre optic network. The Bojaca government approached InfiNets partner in Colombia, Maicrotel, a leading communication solutions integrator providing turn-key video monitoring solutions for the police force, to advise on the best technological platform for tackling crime. Despite Bojaca town being a busy tourist spot in Colombia, we previously had terrible experience with our old fibre optic infrastructure, making it expensive to deploy and impossible to move cameras to other parts of the town, said Juan Carlos Gaitain, Bojaca Mayor. Maicrotels design and installation, along with InfiNets local support in Colombia, has allowed the law enforcement agencies to extend the area they are able to monitor efficiently, and the entire town of Bojaca is now monitored 24/7, causing criminals to be caught quicker than ever before. Maicrotel and InfiNet deployed an entirely wireless network which could carry IP cameras some fixed and some pan tilt zoom (PTZ) initially in six important sites of Bojaca. The high-performing InfiMan 22 Point-to-Multipoint solution was ultimately deployed in four central sites, while the InfiLINK 22 LITE Point-to-Point solution was selected in the two sites that were out of the base station coverage, as the InfiLINK operates in both line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight conditions. The InfiNet solution deployed not only prevents crime and allows the police to catch criminals more quickly, it also helps to accurately identify offenders, including those committing drug offences nearby schools and posing a serious risk to children and local communities. The town of Bojaca needed a solution that was both flexible in terms of geographical coverage, and cost-effective without compromising reliability, said Carlos de la Madrid, LATAM Director at InfiNet Wireless. The Bojaca police now have all eyes on the CCTV in the town, and have installed cameras in remote and isolated places where little else exists except for the crossroads, allowing the local police to monitor all vehicles leaving and entering the town. The local support and solution provided by InfiNet Wireless, along with Maicrotels design and installation, has allowed the Bojaca government to improve surveillance in the knowledge that it has put in place a reliable and scalable wireless infrastructure that supports all its needs for voice, data and video transmissions across the town. Ensuring the supply of air defense systems and missiles to them remains number one priority, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video message on Thursday. According to him, the end of last year, the first days of this year, the rulers of the terrorist state tried to break our spirit and bring back the old threat we faced last year. The threat of destruction of our energy sector, the foundations of our life. The entire team of our diplomats, all those responsible for communication with partners, and Ukrainian representatives abroad are doing everything they can to ensure the delivery of additional air defense systems and missiles. This is the number one priority, Zelenskyy said. Of course, he noted, the same top priority is new support packages for our warriors. Artillery, including 155 mm caliber, electronic warfare equipment, new drones and other necessary items. Zelenskyy also commended all those who are working day and night, on any holiday and in any conditions, throughout Ukraine to eliminate the consequences of Russian strikes. Sumy, Chernihiv, Lviv, Odesa, Kharkiv and Kyiv, Dnipro and Nikopol, Kryvyi Rih and Orikhiv. Zaporizhzhia. The cities of Donetsk region. Kherson region. Everywhere. Our rescuers from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. Volunteers who help. Our police officers. I thank all of you whose job is to rescue people! the President said. AAI Worldwide Logistics Goes Live on Ramco ERP across 7 operating units Paranaque, Philippines / Chennai, India July 25, 2017 Philippines based logistics and freight-forwarding giant AAI Worldwide Logistics Inc. today announced that it has completed first phase of implementing Ramco Systems ERP solution for Logistics. In Phase I of the go-live, AAI has implemented group-wide centralized systems to digitize Financial Management and Supply Chain Management functions. In addition, complete Project Cargo modules are live at AAI +PEERS Inc., a member of the Project Cargo Network (PCN) organization specializing in transportation and handling of Over Dimensional Cargo (ODC) used for engineering, procurement and construction companies across the island. Ramco ERP for logistics service providers is being implemented across all of AAIs freight-forwarding & warehousing operations, including those of its new Express Courier unit, Black Arrow Express, thereby consolidating operations for Finance, Project Cargo, and end-to-end Supply Chain Management across seven AAI operating units in the Philippines. Rico Brizuela, Chairman, AAI Group of Companies, said, This is a major leap in our digital journey to become The Philippines number one logistics company. As more companies abandon disparate manually operated systems for paperless processes, Ramcos user-friendly technology will enable us to stay ahead of the curve in the fast-changing logistics industry. Arnold Brizuela, President, AAI Worldwide Logistics Inc., said, The implementation of Ramcos comprehensive suite has brought in complete visibility to AAIs overall business, thus allowing us to make timely and informed decisions, to support our planned business growth. Standardization of operations across organization, has built a great foundation for the subsequent phases of the implementation. We strongly believe that Ramcos innovative solution will help us sustain our Groups growth in the region and beyond. Allan Brizuela, President, Black Arrow Express, said, With technological growth significantly influencing the courier industry, adapting newer technology to be at the forefront of innovation is the need of the hour. With Ramco as our technology partner, we have achieved considerable visibility across processes. Thanks to Ramco for going the extra mile with hands-on workshops. Virender Aggarwal, CEO, Ramco Systems, said, The role of back-end technological infrastructure in businesses should not be underestimated in this increasingly Uberised, service-on-demand logistics industry. Our ability to address the Logistics service provider segment with a comprehensive offering coupled with Mobility, Command Centre, HUB, optimization engine and chatbots, is helping us win customer trust. The go-live at AAI marks a significant milestone in Ramcos success in the Philippines as a market. Ramco Logistics Software is an integrated Cloud-based platform for Third Party Logistics, Freight Forwarders, and Parcel / Courier service providers seeking a high-performance logistics software. Ramco offers an Integrated end-to-end solution that can link every stage of a logistics chain and bring all the functionalities under a single technology platform. The solution is flexible, scalable, cognitive, and ready to adapt to change. These features is helping the Ramco solution attract customers, worldwide. Duo Security Raises $70 Million, Earning Valuation of More than $1 Billion ANN ARBOR, MI (Marketwired) 10/18/17 , one of the fastest growing information security and software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies in the world, today announced it has raised $70 million in additional financing led by Meritech Capital Partners and Lead Edge Capital. The Series D round also included new investors, Geodesic Capital and Index Ventures, as well as existing investors Redpoint Ventures and True Ventures. A new strategic partner, Workday, also participated in the round. Duo now ranks among the worlds most valuable private SaaS companies with total funding of $119 million, and a company post-money valuation of $1.17 billion. Alongside this financial milestone, Duo is also pleased to announce it has exceeded 10,000 customers and protects more than 300 million logins worldwide every month. Additionally, Duo welcomes Lorrie Norrington, Operating Partner for Lead Edge Capital, former eBay President and former Board Member for McAfee, to the Board of Directors and Rob Ward, Co-founder of Meritech, as Board observer. Duo helps defend organizations against breaches by making security easy and effective. Anchored by its flagship two-factor authentication (2FA) app, Duos Trusted Access product suite verifies the identity of users and the health of their devices before granting them access to data and applications helping prevent breaches and account takeover. Cybersecurity has become the biggest geopolitical problem of our time. We are at a point where every organization in every industry is challenged with the overwhelming cost and complexity of securing a modern workforce, said Dug Song, Chief Executive Officer, Duo Security. Duo pioneered cloud-delivered security by making user access easy, effective, and trustworthy. With this investment, we will continue to innovate solutions to the worlds most fundamental security problems, expand our global reach, and accelerate our leadership position in the industry. In a world with innumerable security products that are difficult to implement, use and maintain, Duo stands alone as a vendor beloved by its customers and end users, said Rob Ward, Managing Director at Meritech Capital Partners. As a result, Duo has established itself as the leader in cloud-based trusted access and we are delighted to support their rapid growth. Duos momentum is underlined by more than doubling its annual recurring revenue (ARR) for the past four years. The company also: , including Etsy, Facebook, K-Swiss, Paramount Pictures, Random House, Yelp, Zillow and more. , today with over 500 team members globally. Duo represents one of the most exciting opportunities in the security market today. Through its product excellence, market leadership and outstanding team, Duo has demonstrated best in class financial and operating performance, commented Lorrie Norrington, Operating Partner for Lead Edge Capital. Lead Edge is thrilled to continue to support Duo through the next phase of its growth and I am delighted to join the Board of Directors. Alongside this largest round of funding to date, Microsoft recently announced integration of Duos 2FA product into their Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) platform. Duo also continues to drive innovation in security with Duo Beyond, the first major commercial implementation of Googles BeyondCorp framework that drastically improves and simplifies the security management of how people and their devices access critical corporate applications. Duo gives administrators visibility into all end user devices including personal Macs, PCs and mobile devices all without agents. Some recent product enhancements include: Duo now extends secure single sign-on (SSO) capabilities for all its paid product editions. With Trusted Endpoints, Duo customers can now establish policies to allow only trusted laptops, desktops and mobile devices to access critical work applications such as Workday, Salesforce, source code repository or an engineering VPN all without installing any agents. Duo has expanded its Trusted Access vision to healthcare, offering Electronic Prescriptions for Controlled Substances (EPCS) compliant remote identity (ID) proofing and strong authentication. This helps hospitals fight against prescription drug fraud and comply with regulations easily. For more information, please visit Duo helps defend organizations against breaches through its easy and effective cloud-based Trusted Access product suite. The company verifies the identity of users, and the health of their devices, before granting them access to applications. Duos balance of security and usability has led them to be an enduring and trusted partner to thousands of customers world-wide, including Dresser-Rand, Etsy, Facebook, K-Swiss, Random House, Etsy, Yelp, Zillow, Paramount Pictures, and more. The Ann Arbor, Michigan-based company maintains offices in Austin, Texas; San Mateo, California; and London, and is backed by Benchmark, Geodesic Capital, Google Ventures, Index Ventures, Lead Edge Capital, Meritech Capital Partners, Radar Partners, Redpoint Ventures, True Ventures, and Workday. Visit duo.com to find out more. Meredith Corley & Jordan Fylonenko Duo Security Openwave Mobility Wins Three Industry Innovation Awards Openwave Mobility Recognized for Outstanding Excellence and Innovation Across the Board 3 Awards in the Past 3 Months REDWOOD CITY, Calif October 18 2017 Openwave Mobility, a software innovator enabling operators to manage and monetize mobile traffic, was recently awarded three major industry accolades recognizing the companys innovation and excellence in products, solutions and marketing. The company was voted a winner at Telecom Asia Readers Choice & Innovation Awards for video traffic management. It also won a prestigious Network Transformation Award at the NFV World Congress, and finally it won the title 2017 Mobility Tech Zone Product of the Year for Subscriber Data Management. Openwave Mobilitys Video Traffic Manager is now Video Platform Innovation of the Year as determined in the 10th annual Telecom Asia Readers Choice & Innovation Awards 2017. All the more remarkable since Openwave Mobility won this award from a shortlist that included industry giants such as Huawei and ZTE. Currently over 70 percent of network traffic is encrypted, creating a crucial challenge for mobile operators to manage traffic that is invisible and maintain video QoE, thereby avoiding churn. Openwave Mobilitys Video Traffic Manager enables the intelligent virtualized optimization of web and video content to ensure the most efficient use of RAN and network resources, maximizing network capacity while optimizing end-user experience across multiple screens. At the NFV World Congress in The Hague, Openwave Mobility won the Network Transformation Award for Marketing Excellence, honoring its landmark NFV Playbook for Best Marketing Campaign. The Openwave Mobility Video Traffic Manager was also shortlisted for Best New VNF Application in these awards. The awards, determined by an impressive panel of nine independent leading industry analysts, recognize achievement, celebrate innovation, and inspire determination for future progress. And thirdly, Openwave Mobilitys Smart Identity Manager (SmartIDM) solution was named 2017 Mobility Tech Zone Product of the Year by TMCs Mobility Tech Zone portal. The Mobility Tech Zone Product of the Year Award honors development of technologies geared toward the evolution of todays cutting-edge wireless networks. Innovation is in our DNA, said John Giere, President and CEO of Openwave Mobility. Our persistent, committed and aggressive R&D strategy has led to continually disruptive and successful solutions for our customers. I am delighted that our dedication and agility in cloud-based deployments is now recognized throughout the industry. Giere continued: Its especially rewarding that some of these accolades are awarded by our industry peers, while others are determined by leading industry luminaries. That speaks to our broad appeal and unquestionable relevance to mobile operators. Operators today face significant challenges from exponential growth of encrypted traffic to competitive cost pressures. Our focus is to deliver solutions that ease these burdens. Thats why innovation is key. We are honored and humbled by this recognition. Maximizer Software appoints Leasba Consulting as Certified Solutions Provider New partnership to bring increased customisable and tailored CRM solutions to the Spanish market Maximizer, Bracknell, United Kingdom, 01 November 2017 Maximizer Software, a leading CRM solutions provider, today announced the appointment of Spanish IT consultancy, Leasba Consulting as a Certified Solutions Provider. Leasba Consulting, who are experienced ERP providers, are partnering with Maximizer in order to expand their offering and help to grow their own and Maximizers presence in the Spanish markets. Based in Leon in Spain, Leasba Consulting have been working within the software development sector for over 10 years providing IT services. Leasba Consulting also specialise in business intelligence and Big Data development. Maximizer aims to provide its customers with a competitive advantage while simultaneously helping to strategically grow their business through its highly customisable solutions. These work to optimise sales productivity, boost marketing activities and improve customer service. Leasba Consulting are keen to monopolise on the opportunity to introduce Maximizer into Spain and other Spanish speaking countries. Our appointment as a Maximizer Certified Solutions Provider is very exciting for us as it provides access to new markets and new business opportunities says Francisco Jose Bermejo Campazas, Partner and Project Manager at Leasba Consulting. There were multiple reasons why we wanted to embark on this new partnership, what stood out was the efficiency and user-friendly features of Maximizer. However, the most compelling factor was the ease at which Maximizer can be adapted and integrated with other systems. We hope that this new partnership will provide an optimal return on investment for both companies. Mike Richardson, Managing Director EMEA at Maximizer Software comments: Since our initial meeting with Leasba Consulting, it was clear that this partnership would be strategically beneficial to both companies, especially by growing Maximizers presence in Spain. Leasba Consulting recognised the unique qualities of the Maximizer product could broaden their appeal so the partnership would not only help them to grow their bottom line, but also to break into new markets all while growing Maximizers presence in Spain. MODIO Addresses Leading Guestroom Complaint BURLINGTON, ONTARIO (Marketwired) 11/01/17 Editors Note: Photos for this release will be available on the Canadian Press picture wire via Marketwired. K.R. Moeller Associates Ltd. (KRM), a global developer and manufacturer of sound masking technology, today announced the launch of MODIO, a sound masking device specifically designed for hotel guest rooms. MODIO provides a solution to one of the most common hotel guest complaints: noise. MODIO addresses the hotel noise problem using a sound similar to soft airflow. It covers up intruding noises or reduces their disruptive impact by minimizing the amount of change between volume peaks and the guest rooms baseline background sound level. In the past, guests tried unsuccessfully to use the HVAC system, white noise apps or other gadgets in this manner. Prior to MODIOs launch, KRM successfully implemented its commercial sound masking system, LogiSon Acoustic Network, in properties for Hilton, Marriott, Fairmont, The Ritz Carlton, and Dream Hotel, as well as the Roxy Hotel (formerly Tribeca Grand) and Fogo Island Inn. Although feedback from both hotel guests and managers who experienced the technology was overwhelmingly positive, the company decided to go back to the drawing board to integrate what they had learned into a new product specifically designed for hotel guest rooms. KRM developed the LogiSon system with office applications in mind. Prior to MODIO, the company often had to get creative with installation techniques in order to handle all of the unique environments presented by the hospitality industry. MODIO is a commercial-grade device that is as easy for guests to use and as effective at covering noise as the LogiSon system, but only takes minutes to install meaning no lost room night. Niklas Moeller, Vice President, KRM, underlines the importance of offering a commercial-grade masking system. Its vital that the sound be properly generated, adjusted via effective volume and frequency controls, and produced over a high-quality loudspeaker. Introducing a poor-quality sound will irritate rather than help the guest, said Moeller. Other approaches havent caught on, because they simply cant do the job, he added. Noise presents a significant operational and consumer issue for hotel owners, operators and guests. In 2011, a survey from JD Power (North American Hotel Guest Satisfaction Survey) ranked noise at the top of the list of complaints industry wide. Many hotel guest rooms exhibit the type of acoustic conditions weve successfully addressed in offices over the last forty years, said Moeller. Basically, their low ambient level makes it very easy for occupants to hear noises occurring in other areas, whether its from a conversation, television or telephone, mechanical or plumbing equipment, car or airplane traffic, the hotels pool or bar. These noises irritate guests and disrupt their sleep. Hotel owners/operators can choose to install MODIO in one or a few rooms with consistent noise problems, or in every room to prevent unforeseen complaints. The device quickly mounts to the back of any flat screen TV using standard VESA brackets, to furniture or the wall, allowing installation to be handled by the hotel maintenance staff in approximately 10 minutes. MODIOs location also means the device is virtually hidden and ensures the masking sound is evenly diffused into the bed area and across the room. The sound spectrum or curve MODIO produces is specifically engineered to balance acoustic control and occupant comfort. The company recommends customizing the curve to each guest room using specialized software and a sound analyzer, a service offered by MODIO representatives. However, in cases where this option is not feasible, a default setting can be used, which still delivers industry-leading masking performance in guest rooms. Instructions on the control pad and in the guest services guide tell guests about the purpose and use of this amenity. The dial on the control pad allows an occupant to set their rooms background sound level according to personal preference or as needed to cover disturbances. These days, a dial might seem low-tech, but it makes MODIO easy for all guests to use, said Moeller. Theres no need to fuss with pairing to a mobile app. It also prevents guests from having to look at a blue-light emitting device, a known sleep disruptor. Guest feedback to our technology is very positive, said Moeller. They like the feature, feel it works well, and perceive it as an amenity. It also shows a proactive approach to dealing with noise in that the hotel is addressing it before it becomes a problem. Its much better to prevent a complaint in the first place than try to fix it later, he added. MODIO is certified for use in commercial applications in numerous regions around the world including North America, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Southeast Asia. The device is covered by a 5-year warranty. Patents are pending. About K.R. Moeller Associates Ltd. K.R. Moeller Associates Ltd. is a global developer and manufacturer of sound masking technology, including the first networked sound masking, paging and music system: LogiSon Acoustic Network. K.R. Moeller is committed to product innovation and high-quality customer service, as well as to providing sound masking education for customers and related professionals. K.R. Moeller is headquartered in Burlington, Ontario, Canada and is a privately-held company. For more information about MODIO, visit . For more information about the LogiSon Acoustic Network, visit . Contacts: For more information, additional photo options and interview requests, please contact: Colleen Finnegan Finnegan Communications 647.341.3240 / 416.618.4605 SEMICON Southeast Asia 2018 to Debut in Kuala Lumpur Premier Electronics Industry Conference to bolster growing semiconductor industry in the region KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22, 2017 (ACN Newswire) For the first time, SEMICON Southeast Asia (SEMICON SEA), the regions premier gathering of the industry, connecting people, products, technologies and solutions across the electronics manufacturing supply chain, will be held in Kuala Lumpur. Taking place 8 to 10 May 2018, the conference will debut in the newly constructed Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC). With more than 85 percent of the exhibition space already sold, SEMICON SEA 2018 will represent companies from Southeast Asia, China, Taiwan, Europe and the U.S. More than 300 companies will exhibit and as many as 8,000 visitors from 15 countries are expected to participate in SEMICON SEA. Organised by SEMI, the SEMICON SEA 2018 theme will be Think Smart Make Smart. The Southeast Asia region is a world-class electronics manufacturing hub with end-to-end R&D capabilities, and SEMICON SEA 2018 is the comprehensive platform for the electronics industry in the region. The event will feature three themed pavilions, five country pavilions, keynote presentations, and forums that will address critical trending topics within the semiconductor eco-system. The show will connect decision makers from the industry, demonstrate the most advanced products, and provide the most up-to-date market and technology trends. Ng Kai Fai, President of SEMI Southeast Asia says, The growth of SEMICON Southeast Asia is attributed to the rapid expansion and robust growth of the Electrical & Electronics (E&E) sector across Southeast Asia, with companies emerging as world leaders in mobile, automotive, medical and Internet of Things (IoT) supply chains. As one of the high-growth markets in the region, Malaysia contributes 44 percent of the total manufacturing output and 26 percent of the total Gross Domestic Product of the region and is forecasted to generate approximately US$ 382 billion in exports in 2018. Over the past three years, SEMICON SEA has become the annual gathering of the full regional supply chain. SEMICON SEA 2018 will feature a supplier search programme to encourage cross-border business matching as well as a technology start-up platform which will bring together Southeast Asia technology entrepreneurial resources. In conjunction with SEMICON SEA 2018, this event will also include the SEMICON University Programme which aims to encourage and promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) interest amongst young talent and will also include a job fair. SEMICON Southeast Asia 2018 sponsors include Carl Zeiss Pte Ltd while partners include Malaysia Investment & Development Authority (MIDA), Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA). To register for SEMICON Southeast Asia 2018 or to explore exhibiting opportunities, visit http://www.semiconsea.org/ or contact Ms. Shannen Koh at skoh@semi.org. About SEMI SEMI connects over 2,000 member companies and 1.3 million professionals worldwide to advance the technology and business of electronics manufacturing. SEMI members are responsible for the innovations in materials, design, equipment, software, devices, and services that enable smarter, faster, more powerful, and more affordable electronic products. FlexTech and the MEMS & Sensors Industry Group (MSIG) are SEMI Strategic Association Partners, defined communities within SEMI focused on specific technologies. Since 1970, SEMI has built connections that have helped its members prosper, create new markets, and address common industry challenges together. SEMI maintains offices in Bangalore, Berlin, Brussels, Grenoble, Hsinchu, Seoul, Shanghai, Silicon Valley (Milpitas, Calif.), Singapore, Tokyo, and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.semi.org and follow SEMI on LinkedIn and Twitter. Please contact on behalf of SEMI: Acendus Communications Sdn Bhd Michael Poh at +60 12 395 5202 Reshvinder Kaur at +60 17 275 7985 Topic: Trade Show or Conference Sectors: Electronics, Engineering, Digital http://www.acnnewswire.com From the Asia Corporate News Network Copyright 2017 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Asia Corporate News Network. Suprema FaceStation 2 Takes Top Prize at the Detektor International Awards 2017 SEOUL, KOREA, Nov 23, 2017 (ACN Newswire) Suprema, a global leader in biometrics and security solutions, was recognized with the Best Product Award in the ID & Access Control category at the Detektor International Awards 2017, presented at the Stockholmsmassan (Stockholm International Fairs and Conference Centre) in Stockholm, Sweden on November 21. Detektor Best Product Awards were presented to the top companies of the year in each of four categories; Suprema in ID & Access Control, Axis in Alarm & Detection, Bosch in Video Surveillance and Genetec in IoT Security. The worlds fastest facial recognition terminal and the first to support Bluetooth shows Supremas commitment to maintaining its leadership in the global biometric access control market, said the jury of Detektor International Awards 2017. At Suprema, we are honored that our new FaceStation 2 has been acknowledged by the prestigious Detektor International Awards, said Hanchul Kim, Suprema Director of Global Sales. Recognizing both technological and practical innovation within a product, Suprema FaceStation 2 was selected by the jury as an innovative biometric security product that carries industry standards to the next level with its proven performance and reliability. Introduced earlier this year, FaceStation 2 has already been shipped to over 50 countries worldwide, and is positioned as the ultimate facial recognition access control solution in the market today, Kim added. FaceStation 2 opened a new generation in facial recognition technology, defying preconceived limits and delivering innovation exceeding the growing expectation of the markets. The Detektor International Awards is an independent program which annually recognizes manufacturers displaying the most genuine innovation and greatest originality in the opinion of Detektors international team of jurors. About Suprema Inc. Suprema is a leading global provider of biometrics and ID solutions. By combining world renowned biometric algorithms with superior engineering, Suprema continually designs and develops industry-leading products and solutions. Supremas extensive range of portfolio includes biometric access control systems, time & attendance solutions, fingerprint live scanners, mobile authentication solutions and embedded fingerprint modules. Suprema has worldwide sales network in over 130 countries and is one of the worlds Top 50 security company in its turnover (ranked in A&Ss Security 50, 2010-2015). For more information, please visit www.supremainc.com. Contact: Andy Ahn Suprema Inc. Head of Marketing andyahn@suprema.co.kr Source: Suprema Inc. Topic: Awards received Sectors: Security/Biometrics http://www.acnnewswire.com From the Asia Corporate News Network Copyright 2017 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Asia Corporate News Network. Interconnecting legacy technologies and LTE will revolutionise operations in Mission Critical Communications, says ETELM The migration from TETRA to LTE will not come without its challenges, but a unified, standardized platform is the answer, says ETELM President Cologne, Germany, 28 November 2017 Technologies in Mission Critical Communications (MCC) are incorporating functionality with LTE, but during this transition period, the performance must not be affected, said Pierre Minot, President of ETELM, a leading manufacturer of advanced Mission Critical communications infrastructures. Speaking today during a session titled PMR broadband communication technical implementation at PMRExpo in Germany, Minot commented: LTE offers new broadband and data-hungry possibilities; however, it brings its own challenges. At present, there is a major drive to introduce more MC standards by working with users and manufacturers to ensure services are adopted internationally. The process of standardisation is a long one it takes time for standards to be tested and vendors to implement enhancements. While LTE is currently being utilised with consumers in mind, it is expected to take around five to seven years to reach full maturity for MC users, although certain features will be implemented sooner. ETELM has long championed LTE and TETRA working together, as opposed to replacing each other. This will enable legacy equipment and infrastructure to be revitalized, without the expense of upgrades each time a new technology becomes available. Minot explained the different use cases of migration from TETRA to LTE and the challenges that each of these use cases bring in terms of services, performances and devices. Minot continued: As smart cities develop around the world, it is important that MCC infrastructures are built during the initial planning, development, and design phase, rather than being an afterthought. This is the only way to ensure smart cities become safe cities. As blue light services continue to face increasingly challenging and complex situations, there is a need to bridge the channels between individual services, so they may come together and act as one, while utilising advanced applications. In response to the need for hybrid networks, ETELMs 4GLinked solution is the first fully integrated platform connecting multiple MC technologies over a single LTE EPC core, allowing seamless communications and services across technologies to the benefit of any use case. Performance is a key factor that only a fully standardized solution that doesnt bring any third-party technology can ensure, continued Minot. With ETELMs 4GLinked solution, it is one unified, standardized platform that is much easier to maintain and operate than having several infrastructures connected by gateways. 4GLinked was successfully tested with many vendors at the ETSI MCPTT Plugtests in June 2017 and all interfaces are compliant with ETSI/3GPP LTE rel13. 4GLinked has also been successfully deployed and tested by customers. ETELM is well known for its more than 35 years experience developing advanced radio communications infrastructure. With continuous innovations, ETELM has overcome legacy issues by integrating its TETRA solution to the LTE Core, which enables its TETRA base stations to connect directly to the same LTE Core network as any 4G LTE base station. If youd like to find out more about ETELM, visit booth F01 at PMRExpo in Frankfurt, Germany (28-30 November 2017), or for further information, visit the website at: http://www.etelm.fr/. Russian occupiers shelled Krasnohorivka, Pokrovsky district of Donetsk region, as a result, a 72-year-old woman was killed, head of the Regional Military Administration Vadym Filashkin said. "The Russians killed another civilian in Krasnohorivka. Today, the city has been subjected to numerous attacks, as a result of one of them, a 72-year-old woman was killed," Filashkin wrote on the Telegram channel on Thursday evening. Germany has announced another package of military assistance to Ukraine which includes a new air defense system Skynex with ammunition, according to the press service of the German Government. In addition, Ukraine received ammunition for Patriot and IRIS-T SLM systems and Leopard 2Ag tanks. The assistance package also includes ten infantry fighting vehicles Marder, two air surveillance radars TRML-4D, some 9,080 rounds of 155mm ammunition, two mine clearing tanks WISENT, one bridge-laying tank BEAVER, some 3,350 combat helmets, 30 drone detection systems, ten ground surveillance radars GO12, ten trucks Zetros, three truck tractor trains 8x8 HX81 and one semi-trailer, 34 other vehicles, 305 assault rifles MK 556, some 750,000 million rounds of ammunition for fire arms, and 1,152 winter camouflage nets. It is also planned to transfer four air defense systems IRIS-T SLM, one more Skynex system with ammunition, 20 drone detection systems, 26,850 combat helmets, 41 Mercedes trucks, 4,695 assault rifles MK 556, some 450,000 rounds of ammunition for fire arms, and 8,000 anti-tank mines. 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. Lord Simon Wolfson, chief executive of Next, told the PA news agency that it could take another two to two and a half weeks for its stock to reach the UK if ships are forced to continue bypassing the Red Sea. This is why Israel has decided to dial up the temperature. US officials believe that Israel has a good case to demand Hezbollah withdraw its forces from the border region as the UN requires. No country, they believe, can accept an entire region being made up of internal refugees indefinitely. But they do not want a full-scale war which they believe would bring devastating bombardment to Lebanon and Israels major cities alike. This is why the US and France, the former colonial power, are trying diplomatic measures to make Hezbollahs commandos at least withdraw in exchange for Israel agreeing to demark the entire border. Our general instinct when it comes to picking a European city for a weekend away, can be to look south to Barcelona or Rome, Lisbon or Dubrovnik. But equally, it can make sense to look north and east, towards Scandinavia and the Baltic countries. Their capitals may not boast a Sagrada Familia or a Colosseum, but are just as worthy of a visit. "As officers continue to work on this investigation over the coming days and weeks, it is anticipated that this will be the case for the overwhelming majority," said the force. Prosecutors allege Brockhouse was reckless as to whether his actions in flying UFF and Ulster Defence Association (UDA) flags and posting images of them on social media would encourage others to support the organisations, which were outlawed in 1973 and 1992 respectively. The pair were also charged in relation to a blaze at a restaurant in Long Lane, Finchley at around 11pm on the same night. The North Finchley and Golders Green MPs constituency office was allegedly attacked at about 7pm on Christmas Eve and a shed at the back of the property in Ballards Lane burnt down. On a visit to Kosovo, Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said: "This is illegal. It's not to do with Gaza, it's not to do with Israel. This is about the freedom of navigation. This is about the ability of ships to carry their cargo." A Met Police spokesperson said: "In order to meet our obligations to support the ongoing ICC investigation linked to Israel and Palestine, and due to the fact we were aware that relatively large numbers of people - including many British nationals - were returning on flights to the UK from the region, posters signposting how people could contact the War Crimes Team have been displayed at certain airports to make any potential witnesses or victims aware of how they can get in touch," it added. In the letter to Ms Pritchard, BMA chairman Professor Banfield, said: This refusal to provide the information necessary to take well informed decisions is fundamentally undermining the derogation process as we are being asked to take decisions about our members right to strike without the requisite information. NHS England, it seems, is wilfully placing the BMA in an impossible situation. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 4. Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan Mukhtar Babayev has been appointed COP29 president, Trend reports via the COP28 UAE page in X. "We wish Mukhtar Babayev, President-Designate of COP29, and Yalchin Rafiyev, Lead Negotiator of COP29 every success in their roles as Azerbaijan hosts the Conference of the Parties this year. We look forward to working alongside the COP29 and COP30 Presidencies, and the UNFCCC to build on the transformative and historic success of COP28 and keep 1.5C within reach," reads the post. Eastern European Regional Group has chosen Azerbaijan to host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which was officially announced on December 11 within the COP28 conference in Dubai. COP29 is scheduled to be held in Azerbaijan in November 2024. Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel An update from Scotland Yard said: "Officers have been in liaison with CPS in relation to this investigation and a case file has now been passed to them for consideration. The Times focuses on a demand issued to Yemen by a 12-nation state coalition, which includes the UK and the US, over attacks on tanker ships in the Red Sea by rebels. After resigning, the president would also become a permanent lifelong member of the upper house of parliament. Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who fled to neighboring Lithuania in 2020, said the new law is Lukashenko's response to his "fear of an inevitable future," suggesting Lukashenko must be concerned about what happens to him when he leaves power. "Lukashenko, who ruined the fates of thousands of Belarusians, will be punished according to international law, and no immunity will protect him against this, it's only a matter of time," Tikhanovskaya said. The country's political opposition is seeking an investigation into the disappearances of opposition politicians and the removal of Ukrainian children from Ukraine. "We will ensure that the dictator is brought to justice," Tikhanovskaya said, emphasizing that there are still about 1,500 political prisoners behind bars in Belarus, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski. Local media quoted a government official as saying surveillance footage from the route to the commemoration at Kerman's Matryrs Cemetery clearly showed a male suicide bomber detonating explosives. An earlier death toll of 103 was twice revised lower after officials realised that some names had been repeated on a list of victims and due to the severity of wounds suffered by some of the dead, health authorities said. Mr Platkin said: I know that in light of global events and with a rise in bias directed at many communities we're experiencing across our state particularly the Muslim community there are many in New Jersey right now who are feeling a heightened sense of fear or anxiety at the news of this slaying. He added: "Whilst LGBTQ folks maintained the right to fight for their rights. They must be legally protected from dangerous people in the society who may seek to harm them, if not worse kill them." There has been persistent speculation it could repeat the unpopular move, perhaps after the next presidential election in March in which Putin is set to stroll to a new six-year term. The mission of observers from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Azerbaijan's early presidential election will be headed by the CIS Secretary-General Sergey Lebedev, Azernews reports via the CIS Executive Committee. The committee said that his candidacy has been approved by the decision of the Council of Permanent Representatives of the CIS Participating States at the statutory and other bodies of the CIS. "The CIS observer mission will monitor the electoral campaign at the invitation of the Government of Azerbaijan. The Executive Committee of the CIS has sent invitations to the CIS countries, requesting the submission of candidates for their representatives to the mission," the committee said. "As in previous campaigns, the mission's work will be based on the principles of political neutrality, non-interference in the electoral process and internal affairs of the state, strictly in accordance with national legislation," the committee added. On December 7, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on holding an extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan on February 7, 2024. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 4. A military vehicle accident on January 4 in Lachin district claimed the lives of Azerbaijani servicemen Hasan Ismayilov and Sakhavat Akhundov, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry told Trend. "The Ministry of Defense expresses deep condolences to the families and relatives of the victims," the ministry said. The incident is being investigated. Nearly 9,000 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania on Wednesday, while a total of 234,800 Romanian and foreign citizens and about 58,000 means of transport went through control formalities at border crossings throughout the country. "There were 133,667 persons entering Romania, of whom 8,916 were Ukrainian citizens. As of 10.02.2022 (pre-conflict period), 7,033,239 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania," reads a press release the Border Police Inspectorate General sent to AGERPRES on Thursday. In their area of operation, the crossing points and the "green border," the police found 32 illegal acts (18 offences and 14 misdemeanors) committed by both Romanian and foreign citizens, and the value of the fines imposed amounts to over RON 9,600.Goods worth approximately RON 146,700 were seized for confiscation.On Wednesday, 13 foreign citizens were not allowed to enter the country because they did not meet the conditions provided by the law and 18 Romanian citizens were not allowed to leave the country for various legal reasons. The Bihor border police at the Bors II border checkpoint, working together with the Bihor County Commissariat within the National Environmental Guard and the Bihor Consumer Protection Office, returned more than 15 tonnes of second-hand clothes brought from the Netherlands back to this country. "The driver of the truck could not present the necessary documents for import, according to the legal provisions in force, and thus the control authorities did not allow the means of transport and the load to enter the territory of Romania," reads a press release from the Oradea Border Police Territorial Inspectorate. The police conducted their usual control routines when they found a truck driven by a Romanian citizen loaded with undocumented textile waste from a trading company in the Netherlands meant for a company in Romania.Having suspicions about the legality of the transport in question, the border police requested authorized support from the representatives of the Bihor County Commissariat within the Bihor National Environmental and Consumer Protection Guards."It was found that the truck was loaded with 15,160 kg of textile waste for which the driver did not present the necessary documentation provided by law for the import of such products. Consequently, the control authorities prevented this means of transport from entering the territory of Romania," the same source specified. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced on Thursday, at the beginning of the Government meeting, that the payment of pensions increased by 13.8% will start on Friday. "Even though we are facing a very important election year, I would like to promise nothing that we cannot deliver. We must continue to put Romania and Romanians first in all our decisions. The first commitment this year will be to pensioners. Tomorrow we will start paying pensions increased by 13.8%. Also, for those who receive their pension on a card, this will happen in the next few days," said Prime Minister Ciolacu. He added that this is the first pension increase of the year, followed in September by the recalculation, "which will do justice to millions of pensioners." The Ministry of National Defense (MApN) will purchase 200 missiles for the PATRIOT systems, the cost being over one billion euros, an acquisition that is part of an allied contract, informs a press release from the Ministry of National Defense (MapN) sent to AGERPRES on Thursday. Within this consolidated multinational acquisition, which uses the principles of the European Sky Shield Initiative, Romania will acquire 200 PAC-2 GEM-T missiles. MApN requested and obtained Parliament's approval for participating in this joint procurement program, the estimated total cost for the entire package of 200 missiles intended to supplement the combat stocks of the Romanian Army being 1.09 billion euros, without VAT, including spare parts, related services and FMS costs. "This purchase proves that the Alliance has adequate and adapted solutions to the security situation we are facing in Eastern Europe, with the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. I consider this project to be a success, a model of cooperation between allies and an example of the development of production capacities for defense that deserves to be replicated at the European level", said the minister of national defense, Angel Tilvar, quoted in the press release. He added that, in order to fulfill the objectives of Romania's defense policy, MApN will continue the steps for the acquisition of the latest generation military equipment and ammunition. The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has signed a contract for the joint purchase of up to 1,000 PAC-2 GEM-T missiles for the PATRIOT surface-to-air missile systems equipping German, Dutch, Romanian and Spanish armies. According to MApN, NSPA has awarded a contract to the COMLOG Company, Germany, for the making of missiles in Europe, which will be approved by an FMS (Foreign Military Sales) LOA (Letter of Offer and Acceptance) type agreement by the Government of the United States of America. AGERPRES A 52-year-old Sri Lankan citizen was detected in the town of Moers, Germany, following the exchange of information carried out by the SIRENE Bureau of the International Police Cooperation Center - IGPR, with the SIRENE Bureau Germany, convicted for committing a crime of murder committed in 1991. "In fact, in December 1991, the man killed a foreign citizen, after which he tied him up and wrapped him in the carpet from his house, located in Bucharest, and transported him to the Crangasi neighbourhood, throwing him into Lacul Morii. For the crime committed he was sentenced to 19 years in prison," informs a press release from the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police (IGPR) sent to AGERPRES on Thursday. On October 14, 2013, the Romanian SIRENE Bureau introduced an alert in the Schengen Information System in the name of the man, a Sri Lankan citizen, requesting his arrest for extradition, based on a European arrest warrant issued by the Bucharest Court, for committing the crime of murder."Between October 13, 2023 and January 3, 2024, since there was information that the person was on the territory of Germany, the SIRENE Bureau Romania exchanged data and information with the SIRENE Bureau Germany, in order to detect the person in question," the quoted source says.Currently, the judicial procedures for the execution of the European arrest warrant are completed. The dark days of winter, after the excitement of the holidays has passed, can leave us feeling cooped up and frankly, a little bored. Thats the perfect time to explore. Take a drive and visit an area thats new to you, explore and eat, then hop in your car and head back home. We found seven of our favorite nearby destinations, perfect for a daytrip or even a weekend getaway. Pickle Springs Less than 10 miles outside of Farmington, theres a natural wonderland called Pickle Springs. This National Natural Landmark is a geological and biological treasure. On the nearly 2-mile loop Trail Through Time visitors can experience the diverse spectacle of the states geology rock outcroppings, a double arch, box canyons and waterfalls. Hughes Mountain is a large igneous knob that provides a scenic overview of the surrounding countryside. The moderate level trail, which can take more than an hour to complete, has a few steep sections to reach the Devils Honeycomb rock at the highest point. Its taken millions of years to create this topography sandy beaches of an ancient sea turned into Lamotte Sandstone, which was buried under deposits. Over time, erosion carved the tunnels, arches and hoodoos. Plant fossils dating to the Ice Age inhabit the area, along with 250 vascular plant species. Glacial relict species at Pickle Springs include the four-toed salamander, hay-scented fern, large whorled pogonia and ground cedar, all species of conservation concern, as well as rattlesnake plantain and shining clubmoss, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation. Pickle Springs is adjacent to southwest corner of Hawn State Park, one of the most stunning parks in Missouri and filled with miles of trails worth exploring. Where: Just south of Highway 32 east of Farmington or west of Interstate 55. Take Highway 67 south to Highway 32 east to Missouri Highway AA and watch for the sign at the gravel road leading to Pickle Springs Natural Area. Its about a 1-hour 15-minute drive from Arnold. Detailed directions at alturl.com/dzdab. More information: 573-290-5730, Missouri Department of Conservation southeast regional office. Aisha Sultan Springfield, Illinois Illinois is the Land of Lincoln it says so right on the license plates. And in Illinois there is nowhere more Lincolny than Springfield. You can tour the house the Great Emancipator lived in for 16 years its the only house he owned and learn more about his life before he became president, and also during his presidency, at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. You can see the pew where he and his family worshipped and the tomb that is his final resting place. If youve had your fill of Lincolniana, Springfield offers plenty more to do. The Dana-Thomas House is a terrific example of Frank Lloyd Wrights Prairie School architecture, and it is filled with the original Wright-designed furniture and light fixtures. The Old State Capitol is being renovated, but the current state Capitol is open for tours. And for a frothy bit of fun, the Ace Sign Co. has its own sign museum with more than 85 signs on display, a significant number of which are neon. And if you are very, very hungry, try the signature local dish, available at a number of restaurants. The Horseshoe Sandwich is Texas toast covered with meat, cheese sauce, eggs and French fries. Where: Take Interstate 55 north to Springfield; follow I-55 Business Route into downtown. The Visitors Center is at 1 Old State Capitol Plaza More info: Springfield Visitors Center, 217-789-2360 Daniel Neman Hermann, Missouri Fresh off the release of A Christmas Vintage (now available on Prime Video, Peacock, Roku and Xumo streaming services), which was filmed in Hermann, the small Missouri town is ready for its closeup. Hermann is known for wine and its German heritage, and its easy to get a dose of both on a short day trip. Beverage tastings are the biggest draw to the area. Adam Puchta Winery, featured in the movie and a longtime favorite of mine, offers six tastings for $10 and you keep the glass. You may even catch a glimpse of a shop cat or two. Hermanhoff and Stone Hill are two of the biggest wineries in the area and offer beautiful patios on nice days. At Stone Hill, take the tour, which takes you underground to the largest series of arched underground cellars in the U.S. If you are not a wine drinker, the Tin Mill Brewery is in the middle of town, and Copper Mule Distillery and Pickney Bend are just outside of town. For that taste of Germany, dont miss the Hermann Wurst House, a market and restaurant where you will want to try the bratwurst or grab some to take home. Explore historic German homes at the Deutschheim State Historic Site. Finish your trip with a fun visit to Doxie Slush, which has an abundant menu of frozen cocktails as well as inventive seafood dishes. Dance the night away with live music at 1837 Cellar Bar, but then at that point you may want to just spend the night. Where: Hermann is about an hour and half west of downtown St. Louis. Amy Bertrand Murphysboro-Ava If you visited 17th Street BBQ when it boasted an outpost in the metro east, you know the baby-back ribs rubbed with Magic Dust are worth the two-hour drive south to the original Murphysboro, Illinois, location. Call it a barbecue pilgrimage and a tribute to 17th Streets late, great pitmaster Mike Mills. Mills daughter Amy now stokes the 17th Street legacy and has expanded its reach, opening the cafe Faye nearby. Make a day of it in southern Illinois with lunch at 17th Street followed by a visit to Scratch Brewing Co. in Ava, Illinois, about a 20-minute drive from 17th Street. A nationally renowned brewery in a lovely woodsy setting, Scratch brews its beers with locally sourced sometimes even foraged ingredients. Dont fill up on too much barbecue at 17th Street. Scratch also bakes pizza and bread in its wood-fired oven. (Hit the ATM before you head to Scratch; the brewery is cash-only.) Where: 17th Street BBQ, 32 North 17th Street, Murphysboro, Illinois Where: Scratch Brewing Co., 264 Thompson Road, Ava Ian Froeb Hannibal, Missouri The folks of Hannibal know why youre there: to see Mark Twain stuff. And they deliver. Mark Twain is of course the famous humorist who wrote The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, both of which are set in St. Petersburg, Missouri, a thinly veiled Hannibal, Mark Twains birthplace. The two boys, Tom and Huck, were best friends and visited grave yards, explored caves, painted fences (or got their friends to), and famously drifted down the river on a raft with a runaway slave. You can follow in their footsteps (not drift down the Mississippi on a raft, but the other stuff) in Hannibal. The first stop should obviously be the Tom and Huck statue. Theyre at the base of the somewhat massive staircase that leads up to the Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse, which offers a great view of the Mississippi River, where Twain worked for several years as a steamboat captain. (Mark Twain is actually a riverboat term and it indicates the depth of the water (12 feet). Twains real name was Samuel Clemens.) Make your way down from the Lighthouse to North Street and head to the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum Properties. With just one ticket, you can tour Mark Twains boyhood home, the Becky Thatcher House, the Huckleberry Finn House, and the J.M. Clemens Justice of the Peace Office. Theres also an interpretive center and museum gallery. Now, not all of those people are real, so they couldnt have possibly had houses in Hannibal, but the exhibits explain a lot about the characters and that the houses are based on the fictional homes from St. Petersburg. Right across from Becky Thatchers house is a fence with a bucket and a brush so you can get a photo of yourself painting a mock up of the famous fence from Tom Sawyer. When you get tired of Mark Twain, you can hop on a steamboat and tour the Mississippi River or head up to the home and museum for the Unsinkable Molly Brown, a famous Titanic survivor. (Yes, surprisingly, Hannibal has two famous former citizens.) But we also urge you to head to the Mark Twain Cave, a pivotal location in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Where: Take Interstate 64/Highway 40 west to Highway 61 north. The Tom and Huck statue is on North Street near Main Street. More info: Hannibal Convention and Visitors Bureau, visithannibal.com, 573-221-2477 Rosalind Early Elephant Rocks State Park Elephant Rocks State Park is usually an add-on when people visit Johnson Shut-Ins, which is about 20 minutes away. But Elephant Rocks is a great destination in its own right and, unlike the Shut-Ins, which typically require some camping trip to explore properly, is great for a day trip. Nowadays, you can get food (hot dogs, nachos, etc.) at the park itself from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, but we recommend a quick stop at Moms, Volpi or Gioias (or another favorite deli) to pick up some sandwiches and drinks for the cooler before heading out. The park is about 90 minutes away from St. Louis, and what it contains is pretty much in the name, Elephant Rocks. The giant rocks look like the landscape of Mars and offer plenty of Instagram friendly photos and fun spots to climb, play and sit to take in the view. Even if youre not outdoorsy, Elephant Rocks has an easy, informative trail (theres even an electric seated scooter for people with mobility issues) that will loop you back to the parking lot so youre guaranteed not to get lost. If you have the time and energy, definitely take the extended Engine House Ruins trail to see, well, the ruins of an old railroad engine house and to enjoy more time in the park. Remember that lunch we told you to pack? If the weather is nice, the park has a ton of picnic tables for you to eat at. Where: Take Interstate 55 south to Highway 32 west to State Highway N. (Printing out directions as a safeguard is a good idea.) Rosalind Early Ste. Genevieve You dont have to be a lover of history to be swayed by the charms of Ste. Genevieve, the oldest permanent European settlement west of the Mississippi River. But if you do enjoy history, that is a definite plus: The city of 5,000 is home to an array of fabulous old buildings dating back as far as 1790 (note the unusual vertical log walls), a few of which are open to the public. And dont miss the Centre for French Colonial Life, which vividly depicts what life was like for the areas original French settlers. Aside from the history, Ste. Gen is a lively small town, its enchanting streets dotted with shops, restaurants and the occasional bar that service residents and tourists alike. For visitors, there are plenty of gift shops, art galleries and antiques stores. And the Mississippi River is never far away; a short walk brings you to the Ste. Gen-Modoc River Ferry, which is fun to watch even if you arent crossing into Illinois. The local restaurants offer plenty of options (seriously, dont miss the onion rings at the Anvil Saloon its been in business since 1855), but for more elegant surroundings, be sure to head to Chaumette Winery. When the weather is nice, you can dine on the porch with stunning views of vineyards spaced across gently rolling hills. If it is still light when you head back from the town, and if youre going north, do yourself a favor and head up Route 61 instead of the interstate. Youll be wowed by the sudden pastoral vistas that add an exclamation point of beauty to a wonderful day. Where: Take Interstate 55 south to Exit 150 (Mo. Routes A, B and 32). Follow Route 32 east into Ste. Genevieve, where it will become Center Drive, which will curve into 4th Street. Follow 4th Street to the center of the town. Daniel Neman Pepper is a 1-year-old Australian cattle dog mix who came to the Humane Society of Missouris Macklind Avenue headquarters in September as a stray. He is playful and loves to explore new spaces. As a high-energy breed, he would love to find a family that can live an active lifestyle with him. To adopt Call the Macklind Avenue Headquarters at 314-951-1562, or visit hsmo.org/adopt. Daya is a 3-year-old female goat who came to Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in July 2022. In her early days at Longmeadow, she was apprehensive of human interaction but has grown to love people. She has a quirky personality and loves to show off for visitors. During the month of January, all goats are $24 To adopt Call Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union at 636-583-8759 to schedule an interview. Linus is a 1-year-old Australian cattle dog mix. He came to the Humane Society of Missouris Maryland Heights shelter in late November as an owner surrender. In his previous home, he lived with kids, cats and other dogs. He played and interacted well with all of them To adopt Call the Best Buddy Pet Center in Maryland Heights at 314-951-1588, or visit hsmo.org/adopt. Last weeks pets Dogs named Harvey and Brie and a horse named Mist are all still available for adoption. More info You can support these pets and others by making a donation at hsmo.org/donate. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 4. Azerbaijan and Armenia are capable of conducting direct bilateral talks without mediators, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan - Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev said in an interview with Berliner Zeitung newspaper, Trend reports. "After the end of the Second Karabakh War in 2020, it was Azerbaijan who initiated the peace negotiations with Armenia by submitting the five basic principles in accordance with the well-known norms of international law, which, among other, include the mutual respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual confirmation of the absence of territorial claims against each other, and establishment of the diplomatic relations. Azerbaijan has been negotiating with Armenia in good faith in different venues to achieve a long-awaited peace in the region. We really believe there is a historic chance to reach a peace treaty and we should not to miss this opportunity. Significant progress has been achieved with regard to the text of the peace treaty, however there are still a few pending issues," he said. Hajiyev noted that recently both countries astonished the world with positive agenda. "I refer to the landmark joint statement of the Azerbaijani President's Office and the Armenian Prime Minister's Office on December 7, as a result of which 34 soldiers were released as part of the mutual exchange deal. Furthermore, Azerbaijan has supported the Armenian candidature for Eastern European Group COP Bureau, while Armenia has supported Azerbaijan's candidacy to host COP29. This shows that Azerbaijan and Armenia are capable of conducting direct bilateral talks without mediators," he added. Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Joe Holleman Political correspondent/columnist Follow Joe Holleman Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Politics in Maplewood did not take a break for the holidays. Several contentious issues have cropped up over the last three weeks: a mayoral election challenge; a mystery salary for the new city manager; and not one, but two ethics complaints. On the ballot front, former Mayor Barry Greenberg said Wednesday he will mount a write-in campaign aimed at defeating incumbent Mayor Nikylan Knapper in the April municipal elections. Supporters of Greenberg met Tuesday night to organize the campaign, which is starting off with the slogan inclusion is for everyone. The whole foundation of the mayors campaign back then was inclusion, Greenberg said. But since shes been elected, its all been about her appointing her backers to committees and commissions. After serving 14 years as a Maplewood councilman, Greenberg was elected mayor in 2017. He lost a reelection bid in 2021 to Knapper, who got 58.3% of the vote. Underscoring some dissatisfaction with Knappers first term is the fact Sandi Phillips, a former council member who supported Knapper in her first race, is Greenbergs campaign treasurer; and a key member of Greenbergs campaign is Jon Erik Hanson, Knappers former treasurer. Knapper declined to comment Wednesday about Greenberg entering the race. Greenbergs challenge is in no small part connected to the citys recent hiring of Amber Withycombe as Maplewoods new city manager. Withycombe is a close ally of Knapper, who has appointed both Withycombe and her husband, Joshua Kryah, to several city commissions. Withycombe has no experience working for a municipality and still is in the process of earning a masters degree in public administration. Withycombe, who officially starts Thursday as city manager, could not be reached for comment. Greenberg and others have been critical of what they labeled as a secretive process used to pick Withycombe. The job was not posted in any professional publications and the field included only three candidates, all suggested by council members. The previous city manager was Michael Reese, who resigned in October and was paid about $130,000 to leave his job without comment. Police chief Matt Nighbor has been serving as interim city manager since Reese departed. On Tuesday, the Post-Dispatch filed a Missouri Sunshine records request for the salary that Withycombe will be paid as city manager. As of Wednesday evening, the city had yet to respond to the request. The dueling ethics issues also have ties to Withycombe: Both complaints involve Councilwoman Chasity Mattox, the only council member who voted against hiring Withycombe at a Dec. 12 council meeting. Mattox said that after the vote, Maplewood resident Brad Jackson posted disparaging personal remarks about her on a community Facebook page. Jackson sits on both the citys Plan and Zoning Commission and the Sustainability Committee. He said he was appointed to both posts by Knapper. Im politically active and I support the mayor, and Ill support her again, Jackson said. But its not like we hang out or anything. Jackson said his post which was taken down by the page moderator, who then blocked him from the site was in response to criticisms directed at him by supporters of Mattox. Mattox said she filed a complaint against Jackson because he is a member of the city boards. Then on Dec. 18, Mattox said she was told Jackson had filed a complaint against her. Jackson said he filed the complaint because Mattox, who represents the ward in which he lives, is not fit to serve on the council. Mattox has referred further questions to her attorney, Bevis Schock. I dont think this ethics complaint (against Mattox) has a lot of merit, Schock said. Schock said he had no further comment until the council makes a decision on Jacksons complaint, because the situation could very well end up in another court. Knapper said the decision to move quickly on investigating Jacksons complaint against Mattox was required by city ordinances. The mayor said the city has a defined process and timetable it must follow when a complaint is filed against an elected official. But we dont have an ordinance that deals with appointed officials named in ethics complaints, she said. Knapper said the council currently is discussing the issue with the city attorney and the matter is slated for discussion during the work session of the Jan. 9 council meeting. When asked about the Mattox-Jackson situation, Knapper said, I dont condone harassment of any kind for anyone. ST. LOUIS A man imprisoned at the downtown St. Louis jail was left without a wheelchair, was not given regular access to clean clothes or a shower and developed a hernia the size of a cantaloupe that went unaddressed for months, his family said in court Thursday. Kevin OShaughnessy, 31, was shot multiple times by police in April and charged weeks later after police said he pointed a gun at officers, set his house on fire and threatened others while having mental issues. He was left partially paralyzed with with a traumatic brain injury, according to court documents. On Thursday, his attorney asked a judge to release him on bond because the citys troubled jail cant care for his basic needs. Its so inhumane and neglectful, his sister, Caitlin OShaughnessy, said in court. The accusations are the latest against the troubled City Justice Center, which has been rocked in recent years by a series of inmate deaths, including some that raised allegations of inadequate medical care. City officials announced in November they had hired a new health care provider on a one-year contract, but complaints about the facility have continued. Two members of the jails citizen oversight board resigned last month claiming city officials obstructed them from properly investigating deaths and other complaints. A spokesman for the citys public safety department, Monte Chambers, declined to discuss Kevin OShaughnessys medical conditions in a statement, citing federal privacy laws. But Chambers said the city had taken major steps toward supporting detainees, in part by launching audits of medical care and working to hire a chief medical officer. The Corrections Division remains committed to ensuring the health of detainees remains a priority as we continue to improve service, he said. Kevin OShaughnessy had been struggling for months with mental health issues before the incident that ended in his arrest. His mother, Susan OShaughnessy, and sister said Thursday they regularly took him to appointments and called police for wellness checks when they thought he was in trouble. At around 11:20 p.m. on April 17, police were called to a home in the 6800 block of Balson Avenue, south of Manchester Avenue, for a disturbance. OShaughnessy then barricaded himself inside the home, police said, and wouldnt answer the phone when officers tried to get him to come out. At around 2 a.m., OShaughnessy pointed a rifle at police through a broken window, police said. Officers shot him, and he was rushed into surgery after falling from the window. He was eventually charged with six felonies and taken to the City Justice Center in June. Since then, his sister said, its been a struggle to get the medical care he needs. Late last summer, Caitlin and Susan OShaughnessy visited him in jail and they noticed a large hernia growing above his hip. His sister said she contacted jail officials, and at one point he was taken to Barnes Jewish Hospital for a brief visit. But the problem continued. Months passed, and the hernia grew. Caitlin OShaughnessy said no one monitored her brother. And because of his mental health problems, he was unable to speak for himself. She kept contacting jail officials, but many of her inquiries went unanswered, she said. Finally, in November, the hernia had grown bigger than a cantaloupe, she said. Her brother was taken to the hospital for surgery. He was forced to stay there for several days because of complications. And even after he returned, his wheelchair was lost somewhere in transit and was never replaced, leaving a man with limited mobility struggling to get around, his sister said. He has fallen multiple times in recent weeks, she said. On top of that, Caitlin OShaughnessy said her brother went weeks without showering and days without clean clothes. His wound dressings werent regularly changed in the jails infirmary, and he wasnt given medications he had been prescribed, she wrote in emails to jail officials. My mother and I visited my brother Kevin OShaughnessy ... today and have some major concerns, she wrote in an email Dec. 2. This facility should be absolutely ashamed for their treatment towards those incarcerated there. Working in health care I can tell you I am absolutely disgusted! Last month, Kevin OShaughnessys public defender, Jordan Cohen, filed a motion to reduce his clients bond. Cohen said the jail could not care for him and hed be better off living with his family. In court on Thursday, Caitlin OShaughnessy asked the judge to help her brother. Our family feels helpless, she said. Nobody listens to our pleas, and we believe no person should have to live like Kevin has been forced to do incarcerated or not. Judge Katherine Fowler pledged to speak with jail officials about the concerns but wouldnt reduce his bond. She said she worried about releasing him given his history of mental health problems and the incident that put him in jail. She suggested he be sent to Barnes Jewish Hospital to be re-evaluated instead, to see if he is still fit for confinement given his health. Hes a very lucky man to have you as his sister, Fowler told her. Youve been a good advocate for him. Following the evaluation, Kevin OShaughnessy could be kept in the hospital, remain in the justice center or be transferred to a different jail that could better meet his needs. OShaughnessys case has not yet been set for trial. Editors note: This story was updated at 7:25 p.m. Thursday with a statement from the citys Department of Public Safety. LADUE A former teacher filed suit this week claiming she was demoted after filing a discrimination complaint at the Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School. The suit filed on behalf of Ghada Ead, a Muslim woman who taught at the Ladue private K-12 school for about five years, claims she was demoted last April months after she complained about comments made by an administrative assistant at the school. A school spokesperson, Amy Zlatic, told the Post-Dispatch in an email this week that Country Day doesnt comment on pending litigation. The school has been and remains committed to non-discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, and other protected characteristics in both its employment and educational practices, Zlatic wrote. The suit claims Ead dresses modestly and wears a hijab as part of her religious beliefs. In August 2022, according to the suit, one of the schools administrative assistants placed a bulk order for homecoming week T-shirts for students and teachers but refused Eads request for a long-sleeved version of the shirt. Because of her sincerely held religious beliefs, plaintiff requested a minor accommodation in the form of a long-sleeved shirt so she could participate in defendants homecoming spirit events like all other faculty, the suit states. The administrative assistant told Ead to make it work, the lawsuit claims. The suit says Ead elevated her concerns about the shirt to the schools superintendent Jay Rainey and was accommodated. The next month, according to the suit, Ead made a complaint to the schools human resources department about the administrative assistant. Her complaint included several more comments the administrative assistant made about her hijab, including suggesting that she remove the hijab for school photo day because, the assistant said, it would be funny for the students to see Ead without it. The assistant claimed the comment was a joke, according to the suit. These types of discriminatory remarks were not funny to plaintiff, the suit states. Eads suit claims human resources at the school told her to confront the assistant directly, despite Ead already explaining the religious reasons for the hijab to the assistant. In the months after her complaint, the suit claims Ead was placed on a performance improvement plan and reprimanded without good cause. Ead signed a teaching contract at MICDS in March 2023 for a position with a $51,000 salary, but in April 2023 the school informed her they would not honor the contract and would instead demote her to a position paying $10,000 less, according to the suit. The pay cut forced Ead to leave the school to find a livable wage in another teaching position, according to the suit. The suit claims MICDS breached Eads contract and violated the Missouri Human Rights Act by refusing to grant her a religious accommodation and then demoting her without cause. Attorneys Paige Sparks and Samantha J. Sparks are representing Ead in the case. JEFFERSON CITY A very St. Louis-centric debate over a certain kind of cheese could be coming to the Missouri House this year. In a bill filed Wednesday, Rep. Adam Schwadron, R-St. Charles, called on his colleagues to adopt Provel as the official state cheese of Missouri. The move, like the cheese, could be mildly controversial for Schwadron, who is running for secretary of state in the August GOP primary. The cheese, which is popular on pizza in the St. Louis area, has vocal supporters and detractors, although there are no known studies showing how that might affect voting patterns in secretary of state elections. Everyone has their own taste, but what cheese is more Missouri than Provel, Schwadron said Thursday. Provel has a rich history in the St. Louis area. According to a 2012 Post-Dispatch report, the cheese dates to 1947, when a trademark application was applied for by J.S. Hoffman Co. of Wisconsin. The Hoffman company, according to the report, was working with either Tony Costa or Jim Sigillito, both downtown St. Louis grocers, to develop the cheese, which officially secured its trademark in 1950. The cheese jumped in popularity with the advent of the Imos pizza chain in 1964. Schwadron attempted to insert Provel as the official state cheese during last years session, but the addition was sliced off in the Senate based on procedural and technical grounds. The gooey topping that sits above a cracker-style crust has inspired many debates. In 2021, gymnast Simone Biles professed her love of Imos Pizza and Provel while she was a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! after the host made disparaging remarks about the iconic St. Louis pies. Kimmel, whose wife is from St. Louis, called Imos very, very bad pizza, to which Biles responded, Provel is the best! We can fight right now. Someone then brought an Imos pizza from backstage, and Kimmel ate a square, remarking that it was better than the last one I had almost as good as a supermarket frozen pizza. Campaign spending records show Imos has bipartisan and geographical support, based on pizza purchases reviewed over the past two years. The campaign fund of Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, D-Independence, for example, purchased Imos pies for meals last year, as did Rep. Wendy Hausman, R-St. Peters. In 2022, the campaigns of Rep. LaDonna Appelbaum, a St. Louis County Democrat, and Rep. Brad Christ, R-Sappington, also paid for the Provel-topped, square-cut pizzas to help feed staff and supporters. Meantime, as lawmakers face tough decisions on state spending and policies affecting the states 6.1 million residents, the proposal could compete for debate time on the House floor against an initiative to name Springfield-style Cashew Chicken as the official state dish. The Missouri version of the Asian dish includes fried chicken, duck sauce and the nuts. If Schwadron can overcome the potential pitfalls and maneuver his legislation through both chambers and to the governors desk, Provel would join a roster of other official state symbols, including the state exercise of jumping jacks and the fiddle, which became the official state musical instrument in 1987. In addition to Schwadron, other Republicans seeking the secretary of state post include Senate President Caleb Rowden, Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller, Sen. Denny Hoskins, Valentina Gomez and Kimberly Bell. The Provel legislation is House Bill 2189. JEFFERSON CITY A panel of state lawmakers wants to exempt low-income workers from St. Louis 1% earnings tax and phase it out altogether if the city meets certain revenue benchmarks. Those are two of the recommendations released Wednesday by the Republican-led House Special Committee on the Earnings Tax, which held a series of public hearings during the legislative off-season last year. The committee, led by Rep. Jim Murphy, R-south St. Louis County, proposed exempting workers earning less than 150% of the federal poverty level or less than $21,870 for an individual from the tax. And, a phase-out would be tied to pre-determined revenue increases, with a 10% reduction triggered until complete elimination, according to a news release. The committee also recommended tax exemptions for new residents and to create Earnings Tax Opportunity Zones to boost business and population in St. Louis and Kansas City, the two jurisdictions where a local earnings tax is levied. The committee issued its recommendations as lawmakers returned to the capital city for their five-month legislative session. The earnings tax has faced pushback for years in the Republican-controlled Legislature, but city voters have largely affirmed it. In a 2011 referendum, 88% of voters voted to keep the tax in place. In 2016, that number was 72%. In 2021, the tax was supported by 79% of voters. The tax generated more than $200 million for city coffers in fiscal year 2022. Paul Payne, budget director for the city of St. Louis, said in October that 79% of the earnings tax comes from individuals and 21% comes from corporations. He said probably about two-thirds of the revenue coming from individuals is coming from nonresidents. Nick Dunne, spokesman for Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, said the earnings tax funds critical government services and that proposals to scale back or eliminate the tax without plans to replace the revenue are proposals to gut fire and police services, street maintenance and upgrades, parks, the courts, the Circuit Attorneys office, and much more. Dunne said there was no evidence the earnings tax a barrier to economic growth and that Jones administration is making targeted investments to spur economic and population growth that will restore disinvested neighborhoods and boost tax revenue under the current structure. We are only interested in plans that will lead to growth and prosperity, not austerity, Dunne said. Murphys committee also studied residential real property assessments. One of the recommendations is to close loopholes in state law that allow local governments to evade the Hancock Amendment, which limits tax increases. These proposals aim to promote fairness, relieve burdens on low-income workers, and encourage economic growth, Murphy said in a statement. Rep. Steve Butz, D-St. Louis, said Thursday none of the committees three Democrats signed onto the committee report. He said he was preparing a formal response. Butz said Democrats philosophically supported exempting low-income workers from the tax, but that he hadnt heard back from the city on the fiscal effect of such a change. On phasing out the tax as revenue benchmarks are met, Butz said, the recommendations miss the mark in the sense that there is no other viable taxing option to replace that kind of revenue in St. Louis and Kansas City. During an address to lawmakers Wednesday, House Speaker Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres, blasted egregious property tax increases. Why are we leaving unchecked egregious property tax increases that are starting to erode the American Dream? Plocher asked. After the speech, Plocher said the earnings tax wasnt the right way to help the city of St. Louis thrive. Senate President Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, said Thursday the House had done good work on the issue. Its not good public policy, Rowden said of the earnings tax. Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, D-Independence, said voters have overwhelmingly supported the earnings tax in elections. If people dont like the e-tax, they can vote against it, Rizzo said. The House and Senate must sign off on any of the recommendations before they head to Gov. Mike Parsons desk for consideration. The legislative session ends May 17. JEFFERSON CITY A massive renovation of Missouris century-old Capitol building inched forward Thursday, sidestepping a dispute over whether a nearby government building should be included in the project. In a unanimous vote, the Missouri State Capitol Commission, which oversees the seat of state government and its surrounding grounds, approved the hiring of a construction manager to serve as the point person on the long-sought $755 million project. The plan, once a manager is hired, will give the commission the ability to consider any alternative plans that might be presented as renovations move forward, said Commission Chairman Patrick Baker, who serves as the Senate administrator. The vote came at the urging of Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, who said lawmakers have approved money for the project for two years running while work on the building has stalled. I dont want to kick the can down the road, Kehoe said. This allows us to keep moving forward. Commission member Dana Miller, who serves as the chief House clerk, said the building is a jewel that needs to be preserved. Another commission member, Sen. Greg Razer, D-Kansas City, said, We cant just sit still. We have 100-year-old water and sewer pipes that are leaking on our employees. We have a responsibility to preserve this building. The rehabilitation project has been on pause for more than two months amid longstanding questions about the Missouri Department of Transportation headquarters next to the Statehouse grounds. Although the MoDOT building is not part of the Capitol renovation project, its proximity has put it in a spotlight as a possible space that could be used by lawmakers and staff while construction is underway across the street. Office of Administration Commissioner Ken Zellers, a top aide to Gov. Mike Parson, confirmed talks are underway to purchase the 1920s-era building, which is owned by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. There have been no funds that have exchanged hands, Zeller said. Those talks raised red flags for commission member Cody Smith, who is chairman of the House Budget Committee. He said the administration is trying to use an estimated $50 million earmarked to repair and expand the Capitol to buy the MoDOT building. I would consider that a willful defiance of legislative intent, Smith said. Im very concerned about that. In addition, the commission has not determined if the MoDOT building is usable in connection with the renovation project, he said. I feel like were putting the cart before the horse here, Smith said. Although both voted in favor of hiring a construction manager, Razer shared Smiths concerns. I feel like were having an elephant attached to the back of this project that no one was anticipating, Razer said. Plans for the century-old Capitol, which have been under discussion since 2016, include the removal of parking in the Capitol basement and the replacement of the current parking structure used by the Senate with additional spaces for both the executive branch and the general public. The building would gain an estimated 100,000 square feet of space for lawmakers by extending the basement south toward High Street, which is Jefferson Citys main downtown street. There also could be an underground visitor center on the north side of the Capitol that could be the entry point for the estimated 450,000 people who visit the building annually. The plan also would do away with a 1970s-era change that placed some members of the House into cramped mezzanines on the first and second floors. The gerrymandered office space, in addition to being noncompliant with federal accessibility laws, cuts off the natural light that was part of the original design, leaving many corridors gloomier than what was envisioned by the architects in the early 1900s. The plan would move some of the executive branch operations, such as the governors budget office, out of the Capitol to nearby state office buildings. The governors office on the second floor also would be extended to the first floor with an interior elevator, eliminating the need for office workers to walk into the public corridor to get to another office in the suite. The lengthy project would not result in the closure of the Capitol during the construction period, according to a draft proposal of the overhaul. JEFFERSON CITY Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he is trying to make Missouris 2024 general election ballot. To have a shot at Missouris 10 electoral votes, Kennedys campaign will need to turn in at least 10,000 voter signatures to the Missouri secretary of state by July 29. We are actively collecting signatures in Missouri and have several hundred so far, Stefanie Spear, spokeswoman for the Kennedy campaign, said this week. The campaign was on par to turn in the 10,000 required signatures by the July 29 deadline, she said. We are continuing to grow our field team and volunteer base in the state. Kennedy, a longtime anti-vaccine activist and nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, had launched his presidential campaign as a Democrat but has since pivoted to an independent run. Kennedy last month held a rally in Kansas City and his campaign bus was viewed traveling west on Interstate 70. He is challenging President Joe Biden, a Democrat, and former President Donald Trump, a Republican, in the race. Kennedy rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic for his embrace of public health conspiracy theories and has a loyal following of people who reject the scientific consensus that vaccines are safe and effective. An October New York Times/Siena College poll found nearly a quarter of voters in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin said they were leaning toward supporting Kennedy. Kennedy said earlier this week he had filed to run as a 2024 presidential candidate in Utah after meeting the 1,000-signature requirement needed to appear on that states ballot. Utah is the first state where Kennedys campaign submitted signatures and qualified for ballot access, Spear said. She expected Arizona may be next. Kennedy criticized the many barriers to ballot access for candidates not backed by a major political party, saying the requirements in some states make it almost impossible to challenge the chokehold that Republicans and Democrats have over U.S. politics. The Associated Press contributed to this report. ST. LOUIS Respiratory viruses are spreading and sickening more people across Missouri and the country. But after years of dealing with a new virus and the unknowns of a pandemic, area hospital officials say that this cold and flu season actually feels normal. Its winter, and this is kind of weird to say, but its like were sort of getting back into a more typical rhythm, said Dr. Alex Garza, chief community health officer for SSM Health, speaking on behalf of St. Louis-area health systems. Winter is prime time for the spread of cold and flu. People are more likely to be indoors and closer to others, especially for holiday celebrations. The viruses survive better in cooler temperatures with lower humidity. Recent winters saw overwhelming numbers of extremely sick COVID-19 patients fill hospital beds, causing fear over the capacity to handle a severe flu season. More children were unexpectedly sickened after their first exposure to viruses like RSV when prevention measures like mask-wearing and social distancing waned. While emergency departments and urgent cares are busy, Garza says the wait times are typical. Breaking news, he said. Were boring again. Though COVID-19 has been added to the mix of respiratory viruses, Garza said COVID-19 patients are not as sick as they have been in the past because of vaccination and exposure to the virus. Its acting more like a typical respiratory virus, where it come up in the winter time and can cause some upper respiratory infections and cough and things like that, he said, but its not impacting the health care systems as dramatically as it was previously. The number of people admitted to hospitals in Missouri with COVID-19 has been climbing since the beginning of October, but especially since the Thanksgiving holiday going from 518 a week a month ago to 752 during the week ending Dec. 23, the latest data available from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thats the highest number seen since last winter, which saw a peak of 942 during the week ending Dec. 31, but still a far cry from the highest of 2,982 admitted during a week in January 2022, when the omicron variant took over. Missouri is currently one of 18 states mostly surrounding the upper Midwest seeing medium rates of new COVID-19 hospital admissions, while the rest of the country is low, according to the CDC. When it comes to influenza, or flu, Missouri is currently seeing moderate activity, while much of the country is at high levels. Statewide data shows 210 patients with confirmed influenza were admitted during the week ending Dec. 23, up from 58 a month ago. Though flu cases can surge again as late as March, this flu season so far appears to be milder than recent flu seasons except for the first winter of the pandemic in 2020-21, which saw hardly any flu cases because of COVID-19 prevention measures. Though specific statewide data is not available, hospitals are also seeing more patients with other respiratory viruses, such as RSV, rhinovirus and enterovirus, Garza said. Hard to find at the start of cold season were a new immunization against RSV for infants and a new vaccine approved for pregnant women which can protect their babies against RSV. But those are now more readily available and can have an impact, Garza said. The vaccine was also approved for adults over the age of 60. Each year, RSV lands between 60,000 to 160,000 adults over the age of 65 in the hospital, and kills between 6,000 to 10,000 in that age group, the CDC estimates. Among children younger than 5, RSV causes 58,000 to 80,000 hospitalizations and 100 to 300 deaths. Garza because of education efforts during the pandemic, he sees more people wearing masks in public and staying home of they are sick efforts that can keep all viruses at bay. Because of COVID, people are being a little more cognizant of stuff like that, he said. It does seem that people are more aware of how respiratory pathogens work and are taking the precautions. ST. LOUIS The number of lead poisoning cases in children linked to tainted applesauce pouches has climbed to 31 across Missouri, according to state health officials. St. Louis County officials also stressed that the county health department offers walk-in lead testing at its three health centers in Sunset Hills, Berkeley and Pine Lawn. In November, WanaBana USA recalled its WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree squeezable pouches regardless of expiration date due to reports of elevated levels of lead in the product. The recalled product is also sold as Schnucks-brand and Weis-brand cinnamon applesauce pouches. The WanaBana product has been available through multiple retailers, including Amazon, Dollar Tree and Family Dollar. The Schnucks brand is sold at Schnucks and Eatwell Market grocery stores. The Weis brand is sold at Weis Markets stores. A total of 287 lead poisoning cases linked to the pouches have been reported in 37 states including Missouri, according to data through Dec. 29 reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cases are defined as those found with abnormally high blood lead levels within three months of consuming a recalled product. If a parent or guardian suspects that a child may have been exposed to the product, the child should be taken to a health care provider for a lead screening. Most health departments and community clinics also offer appointments for the screening. The blood tests are typically covered by insurance. The St. Louis County Department of Public Health alerted the public this week that it provides walk-in lead screenings, which involve a blood draw, at all three of its health centers. The screenings are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Those without insurance will be billed $29. Children are at high risk for lead poisoning since even small amounts of lead have been shown to negatively impact a childs health and brain development. We want the community to be aware that the department of public health offers lead screenings, St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page said in a press release. Exposure to lead is more harmful to children less than six years of age because their bodies are still developing and growing rapidly. Low levels of lead exposure have been associated with learning and behavior problems, hearing and speech problems and slowed growth and development. Those exposed to large amounts of lead may develop symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, seizures or coma. Other sources of lead exposure for children include peeling lead-based paint in homes built before 1978, certain water pipes and some toys and jewelry. Living near an airport and parents who work with lead-based products can also expose children to lead. Health officials recommend a blood test for all children under the age of 6 and pregnant women at risk of lead exposure. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 4. The recent informal meeting between the President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia in St. Petersburg was held in a positive vein, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan - Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev said in an interview with Berliner Zeitung newspaper, Trend reports. He noted that after the 19-20 September antiterror operation and the full restoration of sovereignty of Azerbaijan, the main source of tension between Azerbaijan and Armenia - the Karabakh issue - is completely taken off the table. "So, at the moment, we see no serious obstacle to the conclusion of a peace treaty. Now we observe the calmest days in last 30 years between two countries. There are even no incidents of skirmishes as both armies returned to their barracks. And the recent informal meeting between the President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia in St. Petersburg was also held in a positive vein. But it is a bit difficult to talk about specific timelines, as further negotiations are still needed between Armenia and Azerbaijan to finalize the process. To be honest, I dont think that it would appropriate to put strict timeline and thus to work under time pressure," added Hajiyev. BAGHDAD A U.S. airstrike on the headquarters of an Iran-backed militia in central Baghdad on Thursday killed a high-ranking militia commander, militia officials said. Thursdays strike comes amid mounting regional tensions fueled by the Israel-Hamas war and fears that it could spill over into surrounding countries. It also coincides with a push by Iraqi officials for US-led coalition forces to leave the country. The Popular Mobilization Force, or PMF, a coalition of militias that is nominally under the control of the Iraqi military, announced in a statement that its deputy head of operations in Baghdad, Mushtaq Taleb al-Saidi, or Abu Taqwa, had been killed as a result of brutal American aggression. A U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide information that has not yet been publicly released confirmed that U.S. forces conducted a strike on a vehicle in Baghdad on Monday against the group Harakat al-Nujaba. The group, one of the militias within PMF, was designated a terrorist organization by Washington in 2019. Iraqi military spokesman Yehia Rasool said in a statement that the Iraqi army blames the U.S.-led International Coalition Forces for the unprovoked attack on an Iraqi security body operating in accordance with the powers granted to it by the Iraqi military. The primary mission of the U.S.-led coalition is to fight the Islamic State, the Sunni extremist militant group that continues to carry out periodic attacks in Iraq despite having lost its hold on the territory it once controlled in 2017. Since then, the coalition has transitioned from a combat role to an advisory and training mission. The PMF, a group of Iranian-backed, primarily Shiite militias, were also key in the fight against Islamic State after it overran much of Iraq in 2014. The PMF is officially under the command of the Iraqi army, but in practice the militias operate independently. Thursdays strike killed two people and wounded five, according to two militia officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. One of the officials said al-Saidi was driving into the garage of the headquarters affiliated with the Harakat al-Nujaba militia, along with another militia official, when the car was hit, killing both. Heavy security was deployed around the location of the strike on Baghdads Palestine Street, and Iraqi war planes could be seen flying overhead. An Associated Press photographer was eventually allowed access to the scene of the strike, where he saw the remains of the charred car. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, a group of Iranian-backed militias calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has carried out more than 100 attacks on bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria. The group has said the attacks are in retaliation for Washingtons support of Israel in the war against Hamas that has killed more than 20,000 people in Gaza, and that they aim to push U.S. forces out of Iraq. Thursdays strike is likely to increase calls for a U.S. departure. Last week, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani who came to power with the backing of Iran-linked political factions but has also attempted to maintain good relations with the U.S. said that his government is is proceeding to end the presence of the international coalition forces. The strike also comes two days after a suspected Israeli drone strike in the suburbs of Beirut killed Hamas deputy leader Saleh Arouri. Asked whether Israel had involvement in Thursdays strike in Baghdad, an Israeli military spokesperson declined to comment. Associated Press staff writers Ali Jabar in Baghdad, Tara Copp in Washington, Bassem Mroue in Beirut and Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem contributed to this report. Updated at 9:11 a.m. HARTFORD, Conn. Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel, whose murder conviction in the 1970s killing of a teenager in Connecticut was overturned, is suing the lead police investigator in the case and the town of Greenwich for alleged malicious prosecution, civil rights violations and other claimed wrongdoing. Skakel, 63, a nephew of Robert F. Kennedys widow, Ethel Kennedy, was found guilty in 2002 of the 1975 bludgeoning death of Martha Moxley, who lived across the street from the Skakel family in wealthy Greenwich and whose body was found in her familys backyard. Both Skakel and Moxley were 15 at the time of her death. The Connecticut Supreme Court overturned Skakel's conviction in 2018, after he had served more than 11 years in prison, saying his defense lawyer failed to present evidence of an alibi. A state prosecutor announced in 2020 that Skakel would not be put on trial again and the murder charge was dropped. The new lawsuit alleges the investigator, Frank Garr, was intent on getting Skakel convicted and withheld key evidence about other potential suspects from Skakel's trial defense. The defendants in the lawsuit knew that there were other more likely suspects and that there was no probable cause to arrest and/or maintain a prosecution against the Plaintiff (Skakel), but continued to do so intentionally and maliciously, in order to convict a Kennedy Cousin, the suit alleges. The state attorney general's office, which is defending Garr, declined to comment Tuesday. Skakel's attorney, Stephan Seeger, called the lawsuit a civil rights action against Garr and the town. He spent 11 and a half years in jail for a crime he didnt commit and was put through every thinkable proceeding until the case was finally dismissed, Seeger said. The lawsuit, filed in state court in Stamford in November, seeks unspecified damages over $15,000. The case drew international attention because of the Kennedy name, Skakels rich family, numerous theories about who killed Moxley and the brutal way in which she died. Several other people, including Skakels brother Tommy Skakel, were mentioned as possible killers. Tommy Skakel denied involvement in the killing. The slaying took place in the exclusive Bell Haven section of Greenwich where Martha and Skakel were neighbors. At trial, prosecutors said Skakel was angry with Martha because she had spurned his advances while having a sexual liaison with Tommy. There also was witness testimony about incriminating statements Skakel allegedly made. Skakel's appellate lawyers later argued that Skakel's trial attorney, Mickey Sherman, made poor decisions, including not focusing on Tommy as a possible suspect and failing to attempt to contact an alibi witness. They said Skakel was several miles away from the crime scene, watching a Monty Python movie with friends when Moxley was killed on Oct. 30, 1975. Sherman has defended his representation of Skakel. There was no physical evidence and no eyewitness linking Skakel to the killing, his attorneys said. Skakel's cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now a presidential candidate, was one of his staunchest defenders and wrote a book saying Skakel was framed. Skakel was first arrested in 2000, after new books about the Moxley case reignited the police investigation. The lawsuit claims Greenwich police, prosecutors and Garr, who worked for Greenwich police before becoming an inspector with the state's attorney's office, withheld crucial information beneficial to Skakel from his trial defense. The information, the suit says, included sketches of a potential suspect who did not resemble Skakel, psychological reports on other suspects and statements from witnesses who said two other men were in Moxley's neighborhood on the night of her killing, including one who made incriminating comments. The lawsuit also alleges Garr had deep antipathy toward Skakel and his family, was looking to profit from collaborating on a book about Skakel killing Moxley, and threatened witnesses so they would testify against Skakel. Skakel suffered violations of his constitutional rights, loss of liberty from his time in prison, humiliation, embarassment, severe emotional distress, terror and fear, financial loss and harm and destruction of reputation and family relationships, the lawsuit says. Lawyers for Garr and Greenwich have not yet filed their responses to the suit. Moxley's family has maintained their belief that Skakel was the killer. 25 best true crime documentaries 25 best true crime documentaries #25. Roll Red Roll (2018) #24. Bus 174 (2002) #23. 13th (2016) #22. Tales of the Grim Sleeper (2014) #21. Athlete A (2020) #20. Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory (2011) #19. Strong Island (2017) #18. The Murder of Fred Hampton (1971) #17. Deliver Us from Evil (2006) #16. The Fog of War (2003) #15. Crime + Punishment (2018) #14. 4 Little Girls (1997) #13. Citizenfour (2014) #12. Inside Job (2010) #11. Big Men (2013) #10. I Called Him Morgan (2016) #9. Capturing the Friedmans (2003) #8. Graves Without a Name (2018) #7. Time (2020) #6. The Act of Killing (2012) #5. Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992 (2017) #4. Tower (2016) #3. The Look of Silence (2014) #2. Brother's Keeper (1992) #1. Collective (2019) WASHINGTON Federal officials are seizing more shipments of unauthorized electronic cigarettes at U.S. ports, but thousands of new flavored products continue pouring into the country from China, according to government and industry data reviewed by The Associated Press. The figures underscore the chaotic state of the nation's $7 billion vaping market and raise questions about how the U.S. government can stop the flow of fruit-flavored disposable e-cigarettes used by 1 in 10 American teens and adolescents. More than 11,500 unique vaping products are being sold in U.S. stores, up 27% from 9,000 products in June, according to tightly held industry data from analytics firm Circana. "FDA whacks one product and then the manufacturers get around it and the kids get around it," said Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, a Stanford University psychologist who develops anti-vaping educational materials. "It's too easy to change your product a little bit and just relaunch it." Halpern-Felsher says she is "constantly" updating her curriculum to keep pace with new vaping brands and trends. Nearly all the new products are disposable e-cigarettes, according to the sales data gathered from gas stations, convenience stores and other shops. The products generated $3.2 billion in the first 11 months of this year. The FDA authorized a handful of e-cigarettes for adult smokers and is reviewing products from several major companies, including Juul. Regulators consider nearly all other e-cigarettes to be illegal. "Those committing illegal acts don't advertise their crimes, and those trying to import illegal tobacco products into the United States are no different," FDA's tobacco director, Brian King, said in a written response to AP questions. "The FDA and our federal partners are using tools, like import alerts, to stop these illegal tobacco products at the border and to deter countless others." The rise in e-cigarettes sold continues despite a record number of products detained. An FDA database shows officials "refused" entry to 148 containers or pallets of "tobacco" goods last month, consisting almost entirely of vaping products from China. Refused imports are typically destroyed. Through the end of November, U.S. officials refused 374 such shipments in 2023, more than double the 118 refused in 2022. The items in 2023 included $400,000 worth of Esco Bars, a disposable brand placed on a list of banned imports in May. The agency's posted data is often preliminary because it takes time to finalize refusals. Recent history shows how easily companies can maneuver around import bans. In July 2022, the FDA barred dozens of e-cigarettes from Chinese manufacturer Fume, including flavors Pineapple Ice and Blue Razz. Fume sales dipped after the ban, but the company launched a slew of new products, posting $42 million in U.S. sales in the third quarter of 2023, the data shows. Roughly 98% of sales came from products not on the FDA's "red list" of products that can be detained. Industry shipping tactics are also challenging the usefulness of import restrictions. In July, FDA and customs officials intercepted $18 million worth of illegal vapes, including leading brand Elf Bar. The shipments were mislabeled as shoes, toys and other items not e-cigarettes requiring officials to individually open and verify the contents of more than two dozen containers. Circana, formerly IRI, restricts access to its data, which it sells to companies and researchers. A person not authorized to share it gave the AP access on condition of anonymity. The FDA has no schedule for updating its import lists but said it is "closely monitoring" instances where companies try to avoid detection. "The FDA has a variety of tools at our disposal to take action against these tactics," FDA's King said. The agency has limited powers to penalize foreign companies. Regulators sent hundreds of warning letters to U.S. stores selling their products, but those are not legally binding. Even as the FDA attempts to work with customs officials, it is struggling to complete a yearslong review of applications submitted by manufacturers hoping to market their products to adults. The few tobacco-flavored products currently authorized by FDA are deeply unpopular. Their combined sales were just $174 million, or 2.4% of the vaping marketplace this year, according to Circana. "Nobody wants them," says Marc Silas, owner of 906 Vapor shop in Michigan. "If people wanted them, they'd be on the shelves and they're not." Frustrated with the pace of FDA's review, public health groups successfully sued the agency to speed up the process. The agency aimed to complete all major outstanding applications in 2023, but it recently said the process would stretch into 2024. The delays raised questions about the viability of the the current regulatory framework for e-cigarettes. "FDA is trying to operate with an old model when the whole environment has changed," said Scott Ballin, a health policy consultant who previously worked for the American Heart Association. "They have this long line of products that have to be reviewed one by one and now they're in a giant hole." One alternative approach would be to make decisions about entire classes of e-cigarettes, rather than individual products. The idea initially came from small vaping manufacturers who did not have the money to conduct the large studies typical of FDA applications. Public health advocates urge the FDA to ban all flavored disposable e-cigarettes, the products used by most of the 2 million underage teens who vape. When will Missouri legislators wake up from their Rip Van Winklelike slumber? The Show-Me State is turning into the Slow-Me State: a place young people flee and families and businesses dont want to be. We need to fix that. Time for a quick tour around our state, looking at trends in the eight neighboring states. Theres a good reason we call the states the laboratories of democracy. Policy differences cause some states to thrive and others to wither. Lets start at the top with Iowa. It has received a lot of recognition recently for lowering taxes and becoming the third state in the country to offer universal education choice. Since then, six more states have done so. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds took office in 2017. Iowa then had the sixth-highest income-tax rate in the nation at almost 9 percent. Iowas income tax now stands at 6 percent, and it is on track to fall to 3.9 percent in 2026. That would give Iowa one of the lowest income-tax rates in the country. Iowa has also abolished the inheritance tax, and it is lowering corporate taxes. All of these tax cuts have one thing in common, Gov. Reynolds says. They reward work. On Jan. 24 of last year, she signed the Students First Act into law. It allows all Iowa families to receive funds in an education savings account, or ESA, for their children to attend the school of their choice, whether public or private. By the 20252026 school year, every single child in Iowa will qualify for an ESA of approximately $7,500, which covers the entirety of private tuition for most private elementary schools in the state. Any leftover funds may be used for other education-related expenses, such as textbooks and tutors. Iowa has won national recognition for leadership in these two important areas. The Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C., honored the governor and her state with the Foundations 2023 Education Freedom Award. A year ago, the Cato Institute, another free-market, limited- government think tank in the nations capital, named Reynolds the top governor in the nation. Reynolds has restrained spending growth, which has generated large surplus and budget reserves, while allowing for major individual and business tax reforms, the Cato Institute said. This, combined with her abolition of the inheritance tax has earned her the #1 spot on this years report card. As we come to the end of 2023, two other states that border Missouri Arkansas and Oklahoma have followed Iowas lead in slashing taxes and turning universal school choice into a reality for their residents. Tennessee, which abolished its state income tax a number of years ago, now appears to be getting ready to join them in offering a strong universal education plan. Nebraska has taken strong action in cutting income and property taxes. Kansas hasnt made state funds available to families for private schooling. But then, as Susan Pendergrass, the Show-Me Institutes Director of Education Policy, puts it: Kansas has the strongest mandatory public school open enrollment program in the country. The new Kansas law allows open enrollment both within and between districts in the state, and the state money follows the students to the public school of their choice. Kentucky has cut income taxes, but it has not yet implemented greater school choice. That leaves Illinois as the one outlying state that hasnt done much of anything on either front. So, the final tally: Seven of eight neighboring states are moving decisively in the right direction, and most of them have made real progress in reducing taxes, expanding school choice, or both. All of which raises a big question. What about Missouri? We are falling behind. Missouri has made some real progress in lowering the states income tax from 6 to 4.95 percent, and it should decline further in the coming years. But other states are moving faster on that front than we are. And Missouri has done little in expanding school choice. Missourians are not stupid. Over time they will move to places with the best jobs and the best education for their children. If politics is the holdup in Jefferson City, our elected leaders should ask themselves: whats going to happen when Missouri voters realize that right across the border, families are paying less in taxes, getting both better public schools and more alternatives to public education, and living in communities where businesses want to move and grow? We know that good government isnt as easy as it looks. We understand, and value, Missouris tradition of watching and waiting to see if new ideas work before trying them. The time for action has arrived. Our neighbors have shown enough to satisfy even the Show-Me State. The people of Missouri need not and will not wait forever to have the quality of life that their neighbors enjoy. Dont make them vote with their feet. Is St. Louis city government so technologically inept that it can no longer provide the kind of detailed crime data that it used to, and that other local governments still do? Or is the city simply hiding behind that excuse to prevent the public from getting a full accounting of the current crime situation? The answer is inescapably one of the two and there are troubling indications its the latter. How else to explain the fact that detailed crime data is being provided to government insiders while the press and the public are being told it doesnt exist? These are among the questions raised by a Post-Dispatch analysis of the citys failure, for about three years now, to provide detailed public data showing exactly where criminal activity is happening in St. Louis. Its a failure that hobbles efforts to fully assess and address the citys crime, which is at the core of so many of its other problems. As the Post-Dispatchs Josh Renaud reported last week, St. Louis police used to post detailed data online every month, with geographic coordinates that pinpointed what crimes were happening where. The value of such data cannot be overstated. Crime researchers use it to study how vacant lots, building projects, government spending and other factors impact criminal activity. Understanding what spurs, inhibits or simply relocates crime is the first step toward combating it. But those monthly postings abruptly stopped in late 2020 just as the city was facing major spikes in homicides and other crimes. Police blamed the interruption on a new computer system that was installed to interact with a new federal system designed (ironically enough) to better track crime across the country. By June of 2021, the problem still hadnt been solved. This has been a challenge and its something we hope to address in the very near future, a police spokesman told the Post-Dispatch at the time. That was more than two years ago. And yet mysteriously, maddeningly the situation persists. City police have essentially presented it as an intractable technological problem that cant be solved. Never mind that the St. Louis County Police Department and other local entities that faced the same glitches with the new federal system have since worked it out and resumed posting detailed data. People interested in St. Louis city crime trends, meanwhile, can get only generalized data by neighborhood. The granular data by geographic location that was available until 2020 the kind of data thats crucial for accurately tracking and analyzing crime trends remains publicly unavailable. A few Post-Dispatch readers commenting online about the situation have noted the persistent dog ate my homework nature of the citys excuse-making. But all indications are that its actually worse than that. The most disturbing revelation in Renauds reporting is the citys claim that it can no longer provide the kind of detailed crime data it used to apparently isnt true. Even as the police department has declined media Sunshine Law requests for detailed data, claiming it no longer exists under the current computer system, it has provided those kinds of figures to city officials and government contractors. Washington Universitys Institute for Public Health, for example, needed detailed data for a city-contracted study on the effectiveness of violence interrupters, a favored project of Mayor Tishaura Jones. The institute was able to obtain the data from police, Renauds reporting found. Yet a police spokesperson told the Post-Dispatch she was unaware of such data being provided to anyone. Other city officials arent commenting. So which is it? Are city police technologically unable to comply with legally valid requests to produce important crime data? Or does it just depend on whos asking? Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Because the Jones administration and the police department arent explaining this discrepancy, its inevitable that the public will wonder whether the lack of crime-related data is an intentional attempt to obfuscate the true parameters of St. Louis crime crisis. If that sounds like paranoia well, thats what happens in the vacuum of governmental silence. Lack of transparency in government, always a bad thing, is especially intolerable when it comes to crime. Jones and Police Chief Robert Tracy should pledge to do whatever it takes to resume full public access to detailed crime data immediately. And if theyre going to continue claiming that isnt possible, they need to explain why the claim appears to be situational. St. Louis police have crime data they wont share. Researchers call it embarrassing. Three years ago, the St. Louis police department abruptly turned off its public spigot of detailed geographic crime data. Its left community groups and researchers in the lurch. Regarding the editorial "Some thoughts about the year just passed and hopes for the new one" (Dec. 31): Here are more suggested New Year's resolutions: St. Louis is always listed among the most dangerous cities in the nation. Resolution: My family and I will not visit the city until St. Louis politicians lift the city off these lists. I live in the royal blue, one-political-party state of Illinois. Resolution: When no choice is available, vote for Democrats who will work for the better good of all Illinoisans not just the political party. I find banning guns as egregious as banning books. Resolution: Support politicians that will do the hard work to find a solution that does not trample Second Amendment rights. Having spent 20 years in the military I can say with confidence that leadership is lacking in the U.S. President Joe Bidens failing mental and physical condition is on full display whenever he is in public. Former President Donald Trump is an anathema and a pox on all that is near and dear to a large swath of Americans. These individuals are so incompetent that they would have difficulty leading a congregation in silent prayer. Resolution: Vote for anyone not named Biden or Trump. George Lacy Collinsville BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 4. In reality, it is Armenia that still hinders the opening of communication in the South Caucasus region, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan - Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev said in an interview with Berliner Zeitung newspaper, Trend reports. "Our concern is that we can't leave Azerbaijani cargo and passengers just to the mercy of Armenian law enforcement agencies. And our concerns are well grounded. This year Azerbaijani flag was burned in weightlifting event held in Yerevan in the presence of Armenian Prime Minister. Internet is full of footages how an Azerbaijan soldier lost in foggy weather was brutally beaten in Armenia. But important thing is whether Armenia is truly interested in this project or not. Once good willingness is on place could be found through creative thinking. There is no need to invent bicycle. The route through Armenia is Yerevans commitment and they should honor it. In other words, Pacta sunt servanda," he said. Hajiyev noted that international practice, humanitarian principles also demand from Armenia to stop blockading Nakhchivan from mainland Azerbaijan proper. "So far, we dont see any engagement from Armenia. On the contrary, Armenia by initiating The Crossroad of peace project, tries to deviate from its commitment deriving from the Trilateral Declaration and to falsely present itself as a party that vehemently supports regional unblocking. But in reality, it is Armenia that still hinders the opening of communication in the region," he added. FORT LAUDERDALE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / In the spirit of compassion and community service during the holiday season, icreatives, a nationally recognized marketing and creative staffing company headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, is pioneering a unique approach to support children affected by unforeseen disasters. icreatives Steven and the team dressed as elves, getting ready to deliver the toys to the kids. Rather than traditional gift baskets, icreatives encourages its customers to compose heartfelt messages of support for families in need. The company will then attach these messages to personalized gifts at no cost to its customers, offering a distinctive way to express gratitude for their business. What sets icreatives apart is its commitment to delivering these personally chosen gifts directly to the recipients. Over the past several years, the company has extended its outreach to assist victims of hurricanes and floods in the United States, the Bahamas, and Puerto Rico. Steven Cohen, President of icreatives, shared the motivation behind this distinctive initiative, stating, "This initiative began when Puerto Rico was devastated by a Category 5 hurricane in 2017. We felt compelled to help and, in reaching out to a local church for guidance, we anticipated the need for essentials like diapers, generators, and water filters. However, they conveyed that while those items were available, gifts for the children would bring a sense of normalcy back to their lives. We've been carrying on this tradition for seven years now, even during the pandemic." Building on its past successes, icreatives is gearing up for an extraordinary venture. In time for Jan. 6, Three Kings Day, the company will be flying to Poland to personally deliver toys to Ukrainian refugee children in Warsaw, extending its goodwill and support overseas. To gain insights into icreatives' impactful project, watch this video. For more information about icreatives, please visit www.icreatives.com. Contact Information Natalia Persin VP of Marketing and Sales [email protected] (954) 716-7703 SOURCE: icreatives View the original press release on newswire.com. DUBLIN, IRELAND / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / On 22 November 2023, CRH plc announced that it had reached an agreement to divest its lime operations in Europe for a total consideration of c.$1.1 billion. CRH is pleased to announce that the first phase of the transaction, comprising the Group's lime operations in Germany, Czech Republic and Ireland, is now complete. *** Contact CRH at +353 1 404 1000 Albert Manifold Chief Executive Jim Mintern Chief Financial Officer Frank Heisterkamp Director of Capital Markets & ESG Tom Holmes Head of Investor Relations About CRH CRH (NYSE: CRH),(LSE: CRH) is the leading provider of building materials solutions that build, connect and improve our world. Employing c.75,800 people at c.3,160 operating locations in 29 countries, CRH has market leadership positions in both North America and Europe. As the essential partner for road and critical utility infrastructure, commercial building projects and outdoor living solutions, CRH's unique offering of materials, products and value-added services helps to deliver a more resilient and sustainable built environment. The company is ranked among sector leaders by Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) rating agencies. A Fortune 500 company, CRH's shares are listed on the NYSE and LSE. Registered Office: No 12965. Registered Office: 42 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2, R02 R279, Ireland This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact [email protected] or visit www.rns.com. SOURCE: CRH PLC View the original press release on accesswire.com Designed with You in Mind: Discover the New Direct.com NEEDHAM, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Direct Federal Credit Union (www.direct.com) is excited to launch a new Direct.com. Direct Federal serves its 30,000 members primarily through its digital channels, including Direct.com. The new website will continue to offer credit union members, and the community, the ability to do business with Direct Federal anywhere, anytime. With input from Members, the new website has been designed with members' needs in mind. It will allow members to seamlessly browse the site on any device including desktops, smartphones, and tablets. The new website boasts improved search capabilities, faster page load times, an interactive financial wellness resource for all ages, and a new FAQ library. Members can now schedule a call with a Relationship Banker through Direct.com at any time. In addition, the new Direct.com is fully accessible to all and meets all ADA requirements. Direct.com offers members a wide variety of calculators and educational content to help assist them in their banking decisions. "We are excited to introduce our members to a newly designed Direct.com. We strive to constantly optimize how members feel when interacting with us through our digital channels, including our main channel, Direct.com. We believe our new website offers our members a seamless experience that will inform, educate, and guide members throughout their financial journey," said Project Lead, Kassandra Martin, Assistant Vice President, UX Architecture, Design, and Analytics at Direct Federal. "We worked hard to understand our members' banking needs through surveys and analytics and create a website with them in mind." Direct Federal partnered with Webflow, an industry-leading website builder that offers a safe, secure, and easy-to-use website management platform. Direct Federal is well positioned to grow and expand Direct.com for many years to come as consumers' financial needs and preferences change. Direct.com will continue to seamlessly connect members to our existing Digital Banking systems. About Direct Federal Credit Union: Direct Federal is a federally insured credit union located in Needham, Massachusetts. Starting as a local lender in 1953. Direct Federal Credit Union is a leading financial institution committed to providing its members with a wide range of financial products and services. With a focus on community involvement and financial education, Direct Federal Credit Union has been serving Massachusetts residents from Middlesex and Norfolk County and surrounding areas for 70 years. Contact Information Danya Raphael Vice President of Marketing [email protected] 6178696228 SOURCE: Direct Federal Credit Union View the original press release on newswire.com. Evergreen Podcasts Enriches Portfolio with the Acquisition of the Practical Stoicism Podcast - Transforming Ancient Wisdom into Modern Insight CLEVELAND, OH / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Evergreen Podcasts (Evergreen) proudly welcomes the Practical Stoicism podcast, providing listeners with a guide to applying Stoic principles in their daily lives. Hosted by Tanner Campbell, Practical Stoicism skillfully translates the ancient wisdom of Stoicism into modern, practical insights. This distinctive approach aligns with Evergreen's mission to deliver captivating and thought-provoking content to its global audience. Practical Stoicism Podcast Cover Art Practical Stoicism Podcast, Hosted by Tanner Campbell "I have been a huge fan of Tanner's for many years," noted Michael DeAloia, Chief Executive Officer of Evergreen Podcasts, "And to now be working with him and to have Practical Stoicism on the Evergreen Network is a wow moment for me." Practical Stoicism is a unique podcast designed to introduce newcomers to the profound world of Stoic philosophy, and without watering it down. For listeners aiming to adopt Stoicism as a life philosophy, Tanner presents realistic observations, making the dense aspects of the philosophy more accessible. Committed to helping listeners grasp Stoic principles, episodes of Practical Stoicism are released two times a week -- Monday and Friday. This regular schedule ensures a steady flow of content for its engaged audience. On joining the Evergreen Podcasts Network, Tanner Campbell stated, "Evergreen Podcasts, as a network and a team of individuals, has shown me the sort of character I encourage my listeners (and myself) to work to embody every day: one that is honest, thoughtful, appropriately-intentioned, and hardworking (among other things). For this reason, I couldn't be more pleased to move into my new digital home in Cleveland, Ohio." Evergreen Podcasts values the strategic importance of Practical Stoicism in delivering diverse, thought-provoking content. The acquisition aligns with Evergreen's commitment to connecting listeners with informative, entertaining, and inspiring shows while also amplifying the reach of the Practical Stoicism podcast. As part of the Evergreen Podcasts network, Practical Stoicism gains collaborative promotional opportunities and potential partnerships, opening new avenues for cross-promotion and audience expansion. Listeners are encouraged to connect by visiting the Practical Stoicism Podcast Website and by subscribing to Practical Stoicism on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or their preferred listening platform. Press inquiries: If you'd like to interview members from Evergreen Podcasts, or the Host of Practical Stoicism, Tanner Campbell, please contact Samantha Maloy at Evergreen Podcasts. About Evergreen Podcasts Evergreen Podcasts is one of the world's largest independent podcast networks with a premier catalog of over 300 entertaining and thought-provoking shows. A full-service podcast production, brand marketing, and sales organization, Evergreen is rooted in high production values and artistic integrity. With a diverse roster of storytellers from true crime, pop culture, comedy, and beyond, Evergreen Podcasts connects listeners with content that informs, entertains, and inspires. For more information, visit evergreenpodcasts.com. Contact Information Samantha Maloy Director of Marketing [email protected] SOURCE: Evergreen Podcasts View the original press release on newswire.com. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / FedEx Corporation "It was an amazing experience, I wouldn't know how to explain what we felt when we received hugs from the children, the thousand times that both teachers and the children thanked us, it was a day that we will surely never forget", said one of our FedEx Cares volunteers in Argentina. He had driven a FedEx delivery van 150 kilometers from our station in Mendoza, all the way to Uspallata, the gateway to the Cordillera de los Andes high mountain area, to meet the children to deliver the Operation Warm coats, just in time to face an impending cold and snowy forecast. This year, the South Cone chapter of the Operation Warm campaign evolved between June and September, and left a mark in both Chile and Argentina: 888 donated coats from Operation Warm from the U.S. into Chile and Argentina. 89 hours of community service, working together with local non-profit organizations in both countries. 59 FedEx Cares volunteers whose hearts were touched by the experience. 18 primary schools and childcare institutions benefited in Southern Chile, to provide relief to communities in an area that had been impacted by the wildfires at the beginning of 2023; as well as in most of the FedEx Express direct served cities in Argentina, in times of so much need and abandonment to those who have less. With great pride and satisfaction for the mission accomplished, the operations team went above and beyond to help throughout the import process. The best outcome was the engagement demonstrated by the FedEx Cares teams who organized themselves, sorted, delivered the coats and even travelled from very distant stations to share time with the children, showing an outstanding teamwork and camaraderie. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from FedEx Corporation on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: FedEx Corporation Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/fedex-corporation Email: [email protected] SOURCE: FedEx Corporation View the original press release on accesswire.com Live presentation on Monday, January 8th at 11:30 AM PT MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / iTolerance, Inc. ("iTolerance" or the "Company"), an early-stage, privately-held biotechnology company focused on the development of innovative regenerative medicines, today announced that Dr. Anthony Japour, Chief Executive Officer of iTolerance, will present at Biotech Showcase" 2024 on Monday, January 8, 2024 at 11:30 AM PT in San Francisco, CA. In addition to the presentation, management will be available to participate in one-on-one in-person meetings with qualified members of the investor community who are registered to attend the conference. Biotech Showcase is an investor and networking conference devoted to providing private and public biotechnology and life sciences companies with an opportunity to present to, and meet with, investors and pharmaceutical executives in one place. Investors and biopharmaceutical executives from around the world gather at Biotech Showcase during this bellwether week which sets the tone for the coming year. Now in its 16th year, this well-established, highly respected conference features multiple tracks of presenting companies, plenary sessions, workshops, networking, and an opportunity to schedule one-to-one meetings. Biotech Showcase is produced by Demy-Colton and EBD Group. Both organizations have a long history of producing high-quality programs that support the biotechnology and broader life sciences industry. For more information about the event, visit the conference website. About iTolerance, Inc. iTolerance is an early-stage privately-held regenerative medicine company developing technologies to enable tissue, organoid or cell therapy without requiring life-long immunosuppression. Leveraging its proprietary biotechnology-derived Streptavidin-FasL fusion protein/biotin-PEG microgel (SA-FasL microgel) platform technology, iTOL-100, iTolerance is advancing a pipeline of programs using both allogenic pancreatic islets and stem cells that have the potential to cure diseases. Utilizing iTOL-100 to induce local immune tolerance, the Company is developing its lead indication as a potential cure for Type 1 Diabetes without the need for life-long immunosuppression. Additionally, the Company is developing iTOL-201 for treating liver failure by utilizing hepatocytes and iTOL-401 as a nanoparticle formulation for large organ transplants without the need for life-long immunosuppression. For more information, please visit itolerance.com. Investor Contact: Jenene Thomas Chief Executive Officer JTC Team, LLC T: 833.475.8247 [email protected] Media Contact: Susan Roberts T: 202.779.0929 [email protected] SOURCE: iTolerance, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com New level 1 data from the MAXA Clinical Trial comparing standalone MagnetOs to the gold standard autograft in the challenging posterior spinal fusion approach, demonstrates a fusion rate of 78% versus 45% after one year In the difficult-to-treat patient population of smokers, MagnetOs demonstrates impressive 80% fusion rate compared to 32% fusion rate with autograft (intrapatient control) MagnetOs Easypack Putty becomes the second product in the MagnetOs portfolio to receive FDA clearance to market for interbody use MagnetOs Putty receives FDA clearance for standalone use and can now be used without the need for autograft ZURICH, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Kuros Biosciences, a leader in next generation bone graft technologies, announced today three advancements related to its MagnetOs portfolio of products: specifically positive results from the MAXA level 1 clinical trial comparing standalone MagnetOs to autograft in a real world patient population in the challenging posterolateral fusion procedure, and two 510(k) clearances from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) related to its MagnetOs family of products. New Data from MAXA Study Kuros announced additional data from the MAXA level 1 clinical trial evaluating MagnetOs in a challenging posterior spinal fusion model compared to the gold standard autograft (containing at least 50% iliac bone crest), following initial data that was announced on December 27, 2023 . In this trial, MagnetOs was evaluated as a standalone alternative to autograft in an instrumented posterolateral fusion (PLF) model in 91 patients and a total of 130 segments. Notably, 20% of the patients in this study were smokers - an extremely challenging patient population when it comes to achieving fusion. In the 91 subjects that were analyzed after one year, a fusion rate of 78% was observed with MagnetOs compared to a 45% fusion rate with autograft (the intrapatient control), as evaluated by independent reviewers using fine-cut computed tomography (CT) scans. In the patients who were smokers, a fusion rate of 80% was observed with MagnetOs compared to just 32% with autograft, further demonstrating that MagnetOs should be the preferred choice for predictable fusions. Professor Moyo Kruijt, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon at the University Medical Centre Utrecht, Netherlands, and Principal Investigator of the study, commented, "The first results from this level 1 study indicate excellent fusion rates for MagnetOs when used standalone. These fusion rates appear to exceed those of other bone graft substitutes we have previously studied in this indication. We look forward to sharing the definitive numbers after full statistical analysis and peer review." Chris Fair, Chief Executive Officer of Kuros, commented, "This additional data from smokers in the MAXA clinical trial, showing more than twice the fusion rate when compared to autograft, provides even further support for MagnetOs as a standalone alternative to autograft in instrumented PLF procedures. This difficult study design was chosen to give surgeons greater confidence in our product and its ability to enable predictable fusions, even in a difficult-to-treat population of patients." The MAXA study is designed as a multi-center, observer-blinded, randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial with intrapatient comparisons. This study compared MagnetOs standalone to autograft for posterolateral fusion. A challenging real-world population of patients requiring up to four-level instrumented posterolateral fusion (T10 - S2) were included, and lumbar/thoracolumbar fusion was assessed by CT-scan 12 months after surgery. Patients were randomized to have MagnetOs placed on one side of the spine and the gold standard autograft (at least 50% bone harvested from the iliac crest of the greater pelvis) on the other side of the spine, allowing each patient to act as its own control. 510(k) Clearances for MagnetOs Easypack Putty and MagnetOs Putty MagnetOs Easypack Putty has become the second product in the MagnetOs portfolio to be cleared for use in the interbody space by FDA. As a result, MagnetOs Easypack Putty can now be used in any interbody space (cervical, thoracolumbar); and packed into any cage approved for use with a bone void filler. Additionally, MagnetOs Putty has been cleared for use either standalone or mixed with autograft. This 510(k) clearance expands the device's indications to also allow use of the device on a standalone basis in the posterolateral spine, pelvis and extremities. Chris Fair, Chief Executive Officer of Kuros, said: "We are delighted to have two MagnetOs products now cleared for interbody use, increasing the opportunity to serve our surgeon customers and the patients they treat." Fair continued, "The commercial advancements to our MagnetOs portfolio along with the impressive level 1 clinical trial results, will continue to fuel our growth ambitions through 2024 and beyond." All products within the MagnetOs portfolio promote bone growth by optimizing the effect of Kuros' established NeedleGrip TM surface technology. MagnetOs has been used in over 15,000 fusion procedures and is now cleared for more indications than any other synthetic bone graft substitute in the market today. For further information, please contact: Kuros Biosciences AG Daniel Geiger Chief Financial Officer t: +41 44 733 47 47 e: [email protected] LifeSci Advisors Sandya von der Weid Investor Relations t: +41 78 680 05 38 e: [email protected] About MagnetOs MagnetOs is a bone graft like no other: thanks to its NeedleGrip TM surface technology, it grows bone even in soft tissues.*This surface technology provides traction for our body's vitally important pro-healing' immune cells (M2 macrophages). 3,4 This in turn, unlocks previously untapped potential to stimulate stem cells - and form new bone throughout the graft. 5-8 The growing body of science behind NeedleGrip TM is called osteoimmunology. But for surgeons and their patients it means one thing: a more predictable fusion. a 7,8 U.S. Indications Statement MagnetOs Easypack Putty is intended to fill bony voids or gaps of the skeletal system, i.e., the intervertebral disc space, and posterolateral spine. The osseous defects may be surgically created or the result of traumatic injury to the bone and are not intrinsic to the stability of the bony structure. In the intervertebral disc space and posterolateral spine, MagnetOs Easypack Putty must be used with autograft as a bone extender. When used in intervertebral body fusion procedures, MagnetOs Easypack Putty must also be used with an intervertebral body fusion device cleared by FDA for use with a bone void filler. MagnetOs Easypack Putty resorbs and is replaced with bone during the healing process. MagnetOs Putty is an implant intended to fill bony voids or gaps of the skeletal system i.e., the extremities, pelvis and posterolateral spine. MagnetOs Putty may be used standalone or mixed with autograft. These osseous defects may be surgically created or the result of traumatic injury to the bone and are not intrinsic to the stability of the bony structure. MagnetOs Putty resorbs and is replaced with bone during the healing process. MagnetOs Granules is an implant intended to fill bony voids or gaps of the skeletal system, i.e., the extremities, pelvis and posterolateral spine. MagnetOs Granules may be used standalone or mixed with autograft, blood, and/or bone marrow. These osseous defects may be surgically created or the result of traumatic injury to the bone and are not intrinsic to the stability of the bony structure. MagnetOs Granules resorbs and is replaced with bone during the healing process. About Kuros Biosciences Kuros Biosciences is a fast-growing leader in the development of spinal fusion biologics that ease the burden of back pain. With locations in the United States, Switzerland and the Netherlands, the company is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. The company's first commercial product, MagnetOs, is a unique advanced bone graft that has already been used successfully across three continents and in over 15,000 fusion surgeries. Forward Looking Statements This media release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You are urged to consider statements that include the words "will" or "expect" or the negative of those words or other similar words to be uncertain and forward-looking. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements include scientific, business, economic and financial factors, Against the background of these uncertainties, readers should not rely on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no responsibility for updating forward-looking statements or adapting them to future events or developments. 1. iData Research, How Many Spinal Fusions are Performed Each Year in the United States? https://idataresearch.com/how-many-instrumented-spinal-fusions-are-performed-each-year-in-the-united-states/, accessed November 2023 2. AcuityMD, procedure numbers estimated by CPT code Q4 2022-Q3 2023 3. Duan, et al. eCM. 2019;37:60-73 4. Van Dijk, et al. eCM. 2021;41:756-73 5. Van Dijk, et al. JOR Spine. 2018;e1039 6. Van Dijk, et al. J Biomed Mater Res. Part B: Appl Biomater. 2019;107(6):2080-2090 7. Van Dijk, et al. Clin Spine Surg. 2020;33(6):E276-E287 8. Data on file *In large animal models a Results from in vivo laboratory testing may not be predictive of clinical experience in humans. For important safety and intended use information please visit kurosbio.com aMagnetOs is not cleared by the FDA or TGA as an osteoinductive bone graft For a 510(k)-cleared synthetic bone graft MagnetOs has been proven to generate more predictable fusions than two commercially available alternatives in an ovine model of posterolateral fusion. SOURCE: Kuros Biosciences AG View the original press release on accesswire.com NEWPORT BEACH, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Spirits Capital Corporation ("Spirits" or the "Company") (OTC PINK:SSCC), a provider of distinctive opportunities in premium American whiskey via secured alternative investment options, announced today that Neil Sahota has agreed to join the Company's Advisory Board and lead AI-focused projects. "AI enables the ability to analyze volumes of data including variables from climate, water, ingredients and down to the particular wood density of an individual barrel can and will affect the overall taste and quality of the spirit aging inside," says Neil Sahota. Todd Sanders, Chairman & CEO, of Spirits Capital Corporation states, "We are thrilled to have an expert of Neil's stature join the Spirits Capital Advisory Board. Given the many factors that can affect the development and quality of whiskey, as well as historical data, we believe an AI-based solution that analyzes trends from climate to production resources is vital to maintaining an exceptional level of insight into this emerging asset class." About Neil Sahota| Currently an AI advisor to the United Nations, Neil Sahota possesses over 20 years of business experience in a wide range of fields including legal services, healthcare, life sciences, retail, travel and transportation, energy and utilities, automotive, telecommunications, media/communication and government. He was selected for IBM's Corporate Service Corps leadership program that pairs leaders with NGOs to perform community-driven economic development projects. He is a member of several investor groups like the Tech Coast Angels and assists startups with investor funding. Neil also serves as a judge in various startup competitions and a mentor in several incubator/accelerator programs. About Spirits Capital Corporation Spirits Capital provides investors with a secure way to capitalize on the growth in value of premium American whiskey while it matures in the barrel. When fresh whiskey is first poured, it must age over the course of several years to achieve its full value. By working directly with premium U.S. distillers, we've created a unique investment that enables investors to participate in that double-digit growth during the aging period with a clear time frame and exit strategy. We've integrated whiskey and technology experts to bring our customers the finest premium product and value through secure and transparent transactions. Media Contact Adam Handelsman Vice President of Corporate Communications Spirits Capital 512-363-0596 or [email protected] Certain statements in this release constitute forward-looking statements. These statements include the capabilities and success of the Company's business and any of its products, services or solutions. The words "believe," "forecast," "project," "intend," "expect," "plan," "should," "would," and similar expressions and all statements, which are not historical facts, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, any of which could cause the Company to not achieve some or all of its goals or the Company's previously reported actual results, performance (finance or operating) to change or differ from future results, performance (financing and operating) or achievements, including those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's filings with the SEC, copies of which may be obtained from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov . The Company assumes no, and hereby disclaims any, obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. SOURCE: Spirits Cap Corp View the original press release on accesswire.com New AI Tool Leverages Nextech's Extensive 3D Model Library For Faster 3D Model Production TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 4 , 2024 / Nextech3D.AI (OTCQX:NEXCF)(CSE:NTAR)(FSE:1SS), an AI-3D model supplier for major e-commerce retailers announces it has gone live with its proprietary AI-Powered 3D model search engine. This groundbreaking AI search engine uses computer vision with AI and is designed to speed-up and scale-up operations for the 3D modeling process. The AI based search engine uses images to search Nextech's internal library of 3D models and recommends a close match to the given image. This enables the Company to speed up the process of 3D model creation, thus increasing the number of 3D models the company can produce. The Company is continuing to develop patents around its proprietary technology while building and launching breakthrough AI for the mass scale of 3D models, which it sees as a significant growth market in 2024. As a leading 3D model supplier for e-commerce and AR, Nextech3D.ai recognizes the challenges faced by 3D artists and the time required in building intricate designs from scratch. To address these challenges the Company has built this innovative AI-powered search engine that instantly searches for similar model meshes within Nextech's vast 3D model library of hundreds of thousands of 3D parts and meshes. In just a few seconds the 3D artist is able to choose from multiple 3D matches, leveraging its library of previously built 3D models with similar colours, textures and shapes. This breakthrough AI 3D model search engine was created in-house by the Company's team of AI engineers and scientists, showcasing the Company's technical strength and expertise. Watch a demo of the AI-Powered 3D model search engine tool - click here CEO of Nextech3D.ai Evan Gappelberg commented, "Our AI-powered Search engine represents a giant step forward in our Company's ability to scale production of 3D models. By combining our five years of technical expertise in the 3D modeling industry with our new cutting-edge AI capabilities, we're enabling our production capabilities to rapidly scale-up and move ahead in 2024. AI is allowing us to do things in terms of productivity that we just were not able to do previously, and I expect that to start showing up in the bottom line profitability of our 3D business starting in Q1, 2024." Key features of the Mesh Search Tool include: Advanced AI Algorithms: Nextech3D.ai integrates state-of-the-art AI algorithms to enable precise and rapid mesh searches, ensuring 3D artists can find the matches they need in seconds. Intuitive User Interface: The user-friendly interface offers a seamless experience built directly into the Company's platform, allowing 3D artists to search the vast 3D model library quickly and effortlessly. Comprehensive Mesh Database: An extensive and continuously expanding database of hundreds of thousands of 3D parts and meshes. The mesh search tool covers a wide range of diverse products from various industries. This new tool leverages cutting-edge artificial intelligence to enable 3D artists to effortlessly navigate and locate specific 3D meshes, streamlining workflows and saving valuable time while increasing productivity. Recent News Sign up for Investor News and Info - Click Here About Nextech3D.ai Nextech3D.ai or the "Company," (OTCQX:NEXCF)(CSE:NTAR)(FSE:1SS), is a versatile augmented reality and AI technology company that utilizes its proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) to craft immersive 3D experiences at scale for E-COMMERCE. The Company's primary focus lies in creating high-quality 3D WebAR photorealistic models for various other online retailers. Nextech3D.ai has adopted a unique approach to creating shareholder value beyond its operating business of creating 3D models. The Company also develops or acquires disruptive AI-technologies, which are subsequently spun out to shareholders as standalone public companies. This spin-out strategy allows Nextech3D.ai to issue stock dividends to its shareholders while maintaining significant ownership in the public spin-out, without dilution to the parent company Nextech3D.ai. Notably, Nextech3D.ai successfully spun out "ARway," (OTCQB: ARWYF)(CSE:ARWY)(FSE:E65 ) its spatial computing platform, as a standalone public company on October 26, 2022. The Company retains a 49% stake with 13 million shares in ARway Corp. while distributing 4 million shares to Nextech shareholders. Similarly, Nextech3D.ai accomplished its second spin-out launching Toggle3D.ai, (OTCQB: TGGLF)(CSE:TGGL)(FSE:Q0C ) an AI-powered 3D design studio aimed at competing with Adobe. The Company retains a 44% stake with 13 million shares in Toggle3D.ai Corp. To learn more, please follow us on Twitter , YouTube , Instagram , LinkedIn , and Facebook , or visit our website: https://www.Nextechar.com . For further information, please contact: Investor Relations Contact Julia Viola [email protected] Nextech3D.ai Evan Gappelberg CEO and Director 866-ARITIZE (274-8493) Forward-looking Statements The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "will be" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the completion of the transaction are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Nextech will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE: Nextech3D.ai View the original press release on accesswire.com BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 4. After receiving information about a car accident involving military personnel in Lachin, the Gubadli Military Prosecutor's Office employees, along with the Department of Criminalistics and Information Technologies of the Military Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan, conducted an inspection at the accident site, Trend reports. They examined the bodies of the deceased, obtained explanatory notes, and performed other necessary actions. The ongoing investigation aims to address the circumstances surrounding the military vehicle accident that occurred on January 4 in the Lachin district. The victims of the incident have been identified as Azerbaijani servicemen Hasan Ismayilov and Sakhavat Akhundov. The official statement assures that all necessary measures will be taken in accordance with legal requirements as the investigation progresses. NCQA Welcomes Health Care Leaders Dr. Asaf Bitton of Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Dr. Lynn Todman of Corewell Health and Dr. Thomas Tsang of Valera Health WASHINGTON, D.C. / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) today announced the appointment of three esteemed health care leaders to its Board of Directors: Asaf Bitton, MD, MPH, Executive Director of Ariadne Labs at Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Lynn Todman, PhD, Vice President of Health Equity and Community Partnerships for Corewell Health; and Thomas Tsang, MD, MPH, founding CEO and current Chief Strategy Officer of Valera Health. "Dr. Bitton, Dr. Todman and Dr. Tsang bring a wealth of experience and deep expertise to our board. Their work in primary care policy, health equity and digital health will be invaluable as NCQA works to improve health care across the U.S.," said NCQA President Margaret E. O'Kane. Dr. Asaf Bitton brings extensive experience in primary care policy. He has contributed significantly to the design and testing of major primary care initiatives at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. He was a core founder and vice chair of the steering committee for the Primary Health Care Performance Initiative, a partnership that includes more than 30 countries, World Bank, World Health Organization, UNICEF, The Global Fund, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and others, all dedicated to improving global primary health care. Dr. Bitton is an elected member of the International Academy of Quality and Safety. Dr. Todman brings deep understanding of social justice and health equity issues, based on her leadership at Corewell Health in Michigan aligning health equity activities across an integrated health care system. She has held teaching and research positions at institutions worldwide, including the University of Milan, the Royal Institute of Technology and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Todman is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leader and a member of the Founding Advisory Board of the Global Institute of Health Equity at the Meharry Medical College. She is also Mayor Pro Tem and former City Commissioner for the city of St. Joseph, Michigan. Dr. Tsang is an experienced leader in mental health. He is also the former Chief Medical Officer at Healthcare Services and Solutions, a Merck wholly owned subsidiary. Prior to Merck, he was part of the team that crafted the Affordable Care Act through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Institute of Medicine Health Policy Fellowship. As Medical Director at the Office of the National Coordinator for HIT, Dr. Tsang contributed to the development of ACO regulations and a national framework for the use of health information technology and electronic health records to improve coordination and quality. NCQA is governed by an independent Board of Directors composed of 18 members and the NCQA president. The board includes representatives from purchasers, clinicians, public policy experts, consumer groups and health systems, representing a multi-stakeholder perspective for improving health care system quality through delivery system reform and transparency. About NCQA NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA Accredits and Certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA's Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. In recognition for its leadership in diversity, equity and inclusion, NCQA has won the Excellence in Diversity Award from the Chesapeake Human Resources Association. NCQA's website (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make informed health care choices. NCQA can also be found on Twitter @ncqa and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncqa. Media Contact Theresa Masnik SHIFT Communications [email protected] Contact Information Theresa Masnik SHIFT Communications [email protected] 508-395-7416 SOURCE: National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) View the original press release on newswire.com. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / Torq Resources Inc. (TSXV:TORQ)(OTCQX:TRBMF) ("Torq" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed its previously announced concurrent public and private offerings of equity securities (the "Offering"). The Company issued 23,206,860 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of C$0.23 per Unit for gross proceeds of C$5,337,577.80 including C$1,305,999.80 in a concurrent private placement to Gold Fields Atacama Holdings Inc. ("Gold Fields"), a wholly owned affiliate of the international major mining company, Gold Fields Limited. This brings Gold Fields ownership of Torq to 15.48%, an increase from its initial position of 15.05%. The Company has issued a total of 23,206,860 common shares, 23,206,860 investor warrants and 1,084,814 agents compensation warrants. The investor warrants have a three-year term to January 4, 2027, the warrants issued to Gold Fields have up to an additional 24 months and the agents compensation warrants have a two-year term to January 4, 2026. All investor warrants have an exercise price of C$0.30, and the agents compensation warrants have an exercise price of C$0.23. The units issued to Gold Fields, as well as the underlying warrants and shares and the agents compensation warrants issued in connection with the private offering, are subject to a 4-month resale restricted period, while the other investor securities are not restricted for resale in Canada. The proposed use of proceeds from these financings is for exploration at Torq's Santa Cecilia gold-copper project in Chile and for general corporate and working capital purposes, as disclosed in the Company's amended and restated prospectus supplement dated December 22, 2023. Paradigm Capital Inc. and Red Cloud Securities Inc. acted as co-lead agents for the public offering, and Beacon Securities Limited acted as a member of the syndicate of agents (collectively, the "Agents"). In connection with the Offering, the Company paid to the Agents a cash fee of C$249,507.17, in addition to the agents compensation warrants, together with a 4% fee to a third-party advisor in connection with the Gold Fields portion. Three directors of the Company purchased an aggregate of 575,000 Units in the Offering for a total of C$132,250. Their participation, together with the Gold Fields portion, collectively constitutes "related party transactions" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). Such participation is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the securities acquired by the insiders was less than 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The securities offered have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, Shawn Wallace CEO For further information on Torq Resources, please visit www.torqresources.com or contact Natasha Frakes, VP, Communications, at (778) 729-0500 or [email protected]. About Torq Resources Torq is a Vancouver-based copper and gold exploration company with premium mineral projects in Chile. The Company is establishing itself as a leader of new exploration in prominent mining belts, guided by responsible, respectful and sustainable practices. The Company was built by a management team with prior success in monetizing exploration assets and its specialized technical team is recognized for their extensive experience working with major mining companies, supported by robust safety standards and technical proficiency. The technical team includes Chile-based geologists with invaluable local expertise and a noteworthy track record for major discovery in the country. Torq is committed to operating at the highest standards of applicable environmental, social and governance practices in the pursuit of a landmark discovery. For more information, visit www.torqresources.com. Forward Looking Information This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking information is information that includes implied future performance and/or forecast information in particular relating to or associated with the financing of exploration work on its mineral properties. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different (either positively or negatively) from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including risks relating to securing investor interest and participation in the target financing goal, and general market and economic conditions. For a discussion of risk factors which could adversely affect the forward looking statements, see the Company's public record filings at www.sedarplus.ca. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Torq Resources Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Taqueria Durango, a Mexican restaurant in St. Louis, and Interfaith Dental, a nonprofit dental clinic in Nashville, were honored for serving those in need around them NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 4, 2024 / U.S. Bank Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog U.S. Bank recently honored two small business clients for their extraordinary commitment to their communities with the bank's first-ever Boundless Potential award. Photo: Tim Welsh, Vice Chair, Consumer and Business Banking at U.S. Bank, presenting the award to Dr. Rhonda Switzer, CEO of Interfaith Dental. Taqueria Durango, a Mexican restaurant in St. Louis, and Interfaith Dental, a nonprofit dental clinic in Nashville, were recognized for going above and beyond to serve those in need around them. Each organization was given a $5,000 donation for their charity of choice. This award was created to honor the spirit of clients who step up and make a lasting impact in their communities, said Tim Welsh, Vice Chair, Consumer and Business Banking at U.S. Bank. "At U.S. Bank, we invest our hearts and minds to power human potential," he said. "Our clients are engines of local economies, generating jobs for others and enhancing the overall quality of life in the communities where they live and serve. When we power the potential of our clients, they can power more potential across their communities - the combined impact is truly boundless." Taqueria Durango opened in 2009 following the success of Miguel and wife Isidora Lopez's first business, Durango Grocery Store, a Mexican market located next door. In early March 2020, an accidental kitchen fire destroyed the restaurant - and a few days later, the country shut down due to Covid. In the midst of their own hardship, however, the Lopez family focused on giving back to their community. They partnered with organizations to distribute food, diapers, face masks and other supplies on their property, and later worked with the U.S. Army to be a Covid vaccination site. Watch a video about the Lopez family above. Interfaith Dental, the second award winner, is a volunteer-driven nonprofit dental clinic that provides vulnerable populations in Middle Tennessee with quality, affordable dental care. More than half of all expenses must be covered by donations. Established in 1994 to help working poor families and the elderly who fall between the cracks of private practice and public healthcare, it now has a main location in Nashville and a satellite clinic in Murfreesboro to serve the Rutherford County community. The waitlist currently has more than 1,200 people on it, demonstrating the tremendous need for this service in the area. "Interfaith Dental is a special place for hope and healing," said Dr. Rhonda Switzer, CEO of Interfaith Dental. "The service we provide is absolutely vital for equity - it's a disparity that shows on a person's face. A smile can truly change everything in someone's life." To see the story of Interfaith Dental, watch the video above. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from U.S. Bank on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: U.S. Bank Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/us-bank Email: [email protected] SOURCE: U.S. Bank View the original press release on accesswire.com Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc. (NYSE: MLP) announced the appointment of two new Independent Directors to its Board, effective January 1, 2024: Catherine Ngo, a seasoned leader at the intersection of finance, technology, and law; and Maui native Ken Ota, a successful local entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in the construction industry and water infrastructure. Catherine and Ken embody esteemed leadership and we are honored to add them to our diverse slate of Directors. We look forward to their thoughtful guidance as we chart the course for a future of growth, said Race Randle, CEO of Maui Land & Pineapple Company. Their expertise includes local and national best practices in areas ranging from finance to critical infrastructure, which will bring valuable insights as we maximize the utilization of our land and commercial assets. Our next steps aim to support community needs while delivering increased value to our stakeholders. Catherine Ngo is an expert in finance, technology, and law, with decades of experience in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. She currently serves as the Chair of Central Pacific Financial Corp, and was previously Executive Vice Chair. Prior to that, she served as President and CEO of Central Pacific Bank for six years. Ngo was also a founding general partner of Startup Capital Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm established in 2005. A graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, Ngo started her career in private law practice for seven years, then joined Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) as Executive Vice President and General Counsel until 2005, where she also oversaw the operations and risk divisions of the company. Ngo is actively involved in several prominent boards and committees including Queens Health Systems, Hawaii Community Foundation, and Catholic Charities of Hawaii. She also serves as a board member for Hawaii Gas, chairs the Federal Reserve Bank Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council (FRB CDIAC) for the 12th District, and is a member of the National FRB CDIAC in Washington, D.C. Ken Ota has more than three decades of experience in the construction industry and has become a local expert in water-related infrastructure. Ota founded and led Pacific Pipe Company as President and CEO. In 2021, Pacific Pipe Company was acquired by Core and Main, Inc. (NYSE: CNM), one of the worlds leading distributors of water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products, where Ota continues to serve as Hawaii Area Director. Ota is an active member of the Maui community and currently serves on the State of Hawaii Licensing Board of Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects as well as the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum. He is also a board member of the private equity and real estate company, Tradewind Capital. Ken graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a bachelors degree in Business Finance. With the addition of Ngo and Ota, Maui Land & Pineapple Companys Board of Directors will be comprised of seven independent directors of diverse communities with versatile expertise. Ulf Ewaldsson of T-Mobile Takes Helm as Chair; Barbara Baffer of Ericsson Reaffirmed as Treasurer BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, 5G Americas, the voice of 5G and beyond throughout the Americas, announced the election of Ulf Ewaldsson, the President of Technology at T-Mobile US, as the Chairman of its Board of Governors for the year 2024. Barbara Baffer, who is the Vice President of Government & Policy Advocacy at Ericsson, has been re-elected as the Treasurer of the wireless trade association. Chris Pearson, the President of 5G Americas, stated, There are significant issues and opportunities to address in the future for mobile communications. I look forward to working with the newly elected leadership and all members of the Board of Governors in 2024 to continue the success of 5G and beyond. Ulf Ewaldsson, as the President of Technology at T-Mobile, oversees the management and development of T-Mobiles wireless network, IT services, and technology operations. His prior role as the Executive Vice President & Chief Network Officer saw him leading a nationwide team focused on delivering an exceptional network experience to customers. Ewaldsson has been instrumental in creating innovative industry products and concepts that have received global recognition. He is known throughout the wireless industry for his passion and track record for driving innovation, operations, and execution. Commenting on his election, Ulf stated, Modern wireless networks are the worlds largest machines, and they underpin the capabilities of every society. I am honored to be elected as Chairman of 5G Americas, which continues to play a pivotal role in ensuring wireless networks in the US and throughout the Americas continue to advance and unleash new capabilities for people in our region. Barbara Baffer, Vice President of Government & Policy Advocacy at Ericsson, has been re-elected as Treasurer. Baffer, who has been with Ericsson for 33 years, manages the company's regulatory and legislative advocacy in the U.S. and Canada. She is also involved with leadership of several other industry organizations, including the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), Tech Titans and TIA. Barbara Baffer stated, It is an honor to continue leading our work at 5G Americas to help build cooperation that guides our industry toward a robust connected future. I look forward to an exciting year ahead in wireless, as 5G partnerships and ecosystems continue to create new opportunities throughout the Americas. About 5G Americas: The Voice of 5G and LTE for the Americas 5G Americas is an industry trade organization composed of leading telecommunications service providers and manufacturers. The organizations mission is to facilitate and advocate for the advancement of 5G and beyond throughout the Americas. 5G Americas is invested in developing a connected wireless community while leading 5G development for all the Americas. 5G Americas is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. More information is available at 5G Americas website, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter). 5G Americas Board of Governors Members include Airspan Networks Inc., Antel, AT&T, Ciena, Cisco, Crown Castle, Ericsson, Liberty Latin America, Mavenir, Nokia, Qualcomm Incorporated, Rogers Communications, Samsung, T-Mobile US, Inc., Telefonica, and VMware. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104027884/en/ 5G Americas Viet Nguyen +1 206 218 6393 [email protected] Source: 5G Americas LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B (Fair) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of bb (Fair) of Life Insurance Corporation (International) B.S.C. (c) (LICI) (Bahrain). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. These ratings reflect LICIs balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and weak enterprise risk management (ERM). LICIs balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by the strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), albeit the BCAR decreased in 2022, driven by material operating losses for that year. Moreover, volatility in LICIs capital adequacy and its high level of sensitivity to financial markets remain offsetting factors to its balance sheet strength assessment. However, AM Best expects the companys prospective capital adequacy to demonstrate greater resilience following a capital injection from its parent company, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC of India), and internal capital generation. LICIs operating performance has weakened in recent years, as evidenced by a five-year (2018-2022) weighted average return-on-equity ratio (ROE) of -9.8%. The company has historically returned positive operating results; however, it demonstrated a material loss in 2022, resulting in a -26.6% ROE. Operating performance has proven sensitive to financial market movements, as well as bonus rates credited to policyholders. An operating profit of BHD 4.5 million has been reported for the first 9 months of 2023. LICI benefits from its niche market position, targeting Indias expatriate community in the Gulf Cooperation Council states by leveraging LIC of Indias strong brand in the region, as well as the portability of its policies back to India. LICIs ERM framework is assessed as weak, which has been evident through poor capital management capabilities in recent years. Furthermore, the companys risk management has proven to be more reactive than proactive, with remedial actions having taken extended periods of time to be executed. AM Best expects LICI to continue to formalise and enhance its risk management framework and capabilities. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2024 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104842635/en/ Anna Sheremeteva Financial Analyst +44 20 7397 6264 [email protected] Jessica Botelho-Young, CA Associate Director, Analytics +44 20 7397 0310 [email protected] Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 882 2310 [email protected] Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 882 2318 [email protected] Source: AM Best North Jacksonville, Fla. location marks BJs 242nd club MARLBOROUGH, Mass. & NORTH JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BJ's Wholesale Club (NYSE: BJ), a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs, announced today that its club in North Jacksonville, Florida, will open on Friday, January 12, 2024. The club, located at 12884 City Center Blvd in North Jacksonville, is BJs 37th club in Florida. BJs offers unmatched value on everyday essentials in a convenient one-stop shop. BJs members can save on fresh foods, produce, full-service deli items, fresh bakery goods, household essentials, home decor and pet supplies. The club will feature a BJ's Gas location on-site, with everyday low fuel prices and the opportunity to earn extra savings through BJs Fuel Saver Program. Were excited to start the new year by providing unbeatable value and convenience to North Jacksonville, said Tom Condon, Club Manager, North Jacksonville BJs Wholesale Club. Our mission is to serve the families who depend on us by delivering up to 25% off grocery store prices every day. North Jacksonville will also feature the treasure-hunt experience that BJs members know and love with a variety of seasonal favorites, fashion for the family, toys, tech and a selection of local products. BJs has a longstanding commitment to nourishing its communities and is partnering with Feeding Northeast Florida, a food bank serving the Jacksonville community. Once the club is open, BJs will donate unsold produce, meat, dairy and more to the food bank every week to support families in need. Were grateful to kick off the new year by deepening our partnership with BJs Wholesale Club, said Susan King, President and CEO of Feeding Northeast Florida. We thank BJs for helping provide the nourishment families need to thrive. BJs Wholesale Club has partnered with Feeding America and the Feeding America network of food banks for over 15 years, providing more than 125 million meals to local families. BJs has also donated more than $40,000 to fund classroom projects in 55 Jacksonville area schools, helping provide teachers and students the resources they need to succeed. BJs Charitable Foundation partners with DonorsChoose, a national non-profit organization, to help meet needs for classroom supplies. At BJs Wholesale Club, members can choose from a variety of convenient shopping options like in-club shopping, curbside pickup, in-club pickup, same-day delivery*** and standard delivery from BJs.com. When shopping in-club, members will have access to ExpressPay through the BJs mobile app, a service that allows shoppers to scan products as they go and avoid the checkout line. Local shoppers can join the new club now with BJs limited-time founding member offer* available through Thursday, January 11, 2024. New members can sign up for The Club Card Membership at $25 for 1-year membership with BJs Easy Renewal or The Club+ Card Membership at $70 for 1-year membership with BJs Easy Renewal. The Club+ Card Membership holders receive 5 off/gal. at BJs Gas and earn 2% back in rewards on most BJs purchases. To sign up for a membership at BJs Wholesale Club, members can visit BJs.com/NorthJacksonville or sign up in person at the membership center, now open, at 13141 City Station Dr. Suite 143 in Jacksonville. BJs members can always expect: Unbeatable savings: Members can save up to 25% off grocery store prices every day on everything they need for weekly shopping. Members can save up to 25% off grocery store prices every day on everything they need for weekly shopping. Risk-free: Shoppers can try BJs risk-free with the companys 100% money-back guaranteed membership. Shoppers can try BJs risk-free with the companys 100% money-back guaranteed membership. Save even more: BJs is the only warehouse club that accepts manufacturers coupons so members can stack savings using a mix of manufacturers' coupons, BJs exclusive coupons, and personalized offers from BJs to get even more value. BJs is the only warehouse club that accepts manufacturers coupons so members can stack savings using a mix of manufacturers' coupons, BJs exclusive coupons, and personalized offers from BJs to get even more value. Choose the way you shop: Members can shop online at BJs.com and choose free curbside pickup or have it delivered with same-day grocery delivery** or ship-to-home. All BJs memberships are subject to BJs current membership terms, ask in-club or go to BJs.com/terms. *Offer is valid at the North Jacksonville, FL, membership center and online at BJs.com/NorthJacksonville only, may not be combined with other offers, not redeemable for cash, nontransferable and only good for new members. Plus, sales tax where applicable. Offer is contingent upon your enrolling in BJs Easy Renewal, and you authorize BJs to charge the debit/credit card first used at BJs after accepting this offer, an annual recurring charge in the amount of the then-current membership fee for all active memberships on your account, plus tax where applicable, on the first day of the month your membership expires. Expires: 1/11/24. **BJs Same-Day Delivery is not available in all ZIP codes. Log in to your account to confirm availability. The Club+ Card members earn 2% back in rewards on eligible purchases of goods and services in-club at BJs front-end registers, on BJs.com, or in the BJs app (minus any redeemed rewards, returns, refunds, or credit adjustments) when they scan their membership card for these purchases, unless the primary member or the member making the purchase is a cardholder in the BJs One Mastercard program, in which case the member will only earn rewards in accordance with the BJs One Mastercard program rewards terms (see BJs.com/bjsoneterms). Rewards earned may not exceed $500 in any 12-month period. Eligible purchases exclude eye exams, shipping, sales tax, bottle deposits, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and tobacco-related products, lottery tickets, gift cards, propane, BJs Gas, online optical purchases, membership fees and add-ons, warranties and protection plans, BJs services provided by third parties (e.g., BJs Travel), and BJs B2B and BJs Global Sales transactions. See BJs.com/terms for information on excluded services. Eye exams and online optical purchases are not eligible for reward redemption. The Club+ Card members receive an instant discount of 5 off each gallon of fuel purchased at BJs Gas when they scan their membership card for these purchases, unless the primary member or the member making the purchase is a cardholder in the BJs One Mastercard program, in which case the member will only receive an instant discount at BJs Gas in accordance with the BJs One Mastercard program rewards terms (see BJs.com/bjsoneterms). BJs Gas purchases are not eligible purchases and do not earn rewards. For MD and NJ transactions, discount will be applied after sale, before payment. Subject to applicable state law restrictions. Rewards are yours for the life of your The Club+ Card Membership they will not expire while your membership remains active and in good standing. Rewards earned may not exceed $500 in any 12-month period. Must have a minimum balance of $10 in rewards to redeem. Minimum eligible purchase amount is $10 at BJs checkout. The rewards program is provided by BJs Wholesale Club, Inc. and its terms may change at any time. For full rewards terms and conditions, please see BJs.com/terms. About BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BJ) is a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs focused on delivering significant value to its members and serving a shared purpose: We take care of the families who depend on us. The company provides a wide assortment of fresh foods, produce, a full-service deli, fresh bakery, household essentials, various exclusive offerings, gas and more to deliver unbeatable value to smart-saving families. Headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts, the company pioneered the warehouse club model in New England in 1984 and currently operates 241 clubs and 172 BJ's Gas locations in 20 states. For more information, please visit us at www.BJs.com or on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), or Instagram. About Feeding Northeast Florida (FNEFL) Feeding Northeast Florida (FNEFL) is the regions largest nonprofit (501c3) food bank and hunger relief network. FNEFL provides nutritious foods and other essential goods to those in need and strives to improve the quality of life for people living in and around Northeast and North Central Florida by addressing food insecurity, poverty and poor health. Alongside our network of food distribution, agency and community partners, the Food Bank provides food resources and hope to help all people living in our 12-county service area (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Levy, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns and Union) who struggle to feed themselves and their families. Feeding Northeast Florida works daily to find solutions to address the issues of food insecurity and poverty through awareness, advocacy, education, and action in ways that promote dignity, respect and empowerment. For more information, visit feedingnefl.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104986798/en/ Media: Kirk Saville Head of Corporate Communications BJs Wholesale Club [email protected] 774-512-5597 Briana Keene Sr. Manager, External Communications BJs Wholesale Club [email protected] 774-512-6802 Source: BJ's Wholesale Club SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Breakout Ventures, the home for creative bioscience entrepreneurs, today announced the promotion of Dana Watt, Ph.D. to Partner and Nima Ronaghi, Ph.D. to Principal. Susanna Harris, Ph.D., will join the firm as Director of Community, and succeeds Renee Shenton, who has been promoted to Chief of Staff. The firm is launching its third fund in 2024. Dana and Nima play vital roles in the sourcing and due diligence of new investments, as well as the ongoing support of portfolio companies, said Julia Moore, Managing Partner, Breakout Ventures. Their deep expertise and passion for science have made them invaluable members of our team. Dana Watt joined Breakout in 2021 as Principal to drive the firms seed investment strategy and support company founders as they achieve commercialization milestones. She has led due diligence on key Breakout investments including Canaery, Phantom Neuro, and Vitra Labs. Dana began her venture career at Ascension Ventures after co-founding a molecular diagnostics company. She earned her Ph.D. in cellular and molecular neurosciences at Washington University in St. Louis, where her research focused on axon growth and regeneration. Dana is also a Kauffman Fellow. Nima Ronaghi started working with Breakout as a Fellow in 2017 while earning his Ph.D. in organic chemistry at Georgia Tech with a fellowship in the Renewable Bioproducts Institute. In 2021, Nima joined Breakout Ventures full-time as an Associate, using his scientific background to identify and support companies at the intersection of technology, biology, and chemistry. His expertise has helped the firm secure investments in synthetic biology and biomanufacturing, including EnPlusOne and ZymoChem. Susanna Harris, Ph.D., joins Breakout as Director of Community with deep experience translating complex scientific concepts into compelling narratives. Susanna earned her Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from UNC-Chapel Hill and works with organizations advocating for academics and first-time entrepreneurs. Her board member and committee volunteer roles include Equalize, SEEN (Sustainable Energy Entrepreneurship Network), and PhD Balance. Susanna is an integral part of the bioscience ecosystem having helped hundreds of scientists communicate the power of their technologies to the world, said Lindy Fishburne, Managing Partner, Breakout Ventures. Were thrilled to welcome Susanna to the team to scale our community efforts, amplify portfolio accomplishments, and support our ecosystem of founders, funders, and corporate partners. Renee Shenton has been a core member of the Breakout team since 2017. She has been responsible for building the strong Breakout community and ecosystem. As Chief of Staff, she will continue to play a central role in shaping fund operations working closely with James Chan, CFO, and Ziv Yoash, General Counsel, who joined Breakout in 2023. To learn more about Breakout Ventures, please visit: https://www.breakout.vc. About Breakout Ventures Breakout Ventures is the home for creative bioscience entrepreneurs. We invest in early-stage companies harnessing the power of cells to build solutions in human health and sustainability. Our team has spent the last decade supporting science-driven companies moving with urgency. We partner with bold founders throughout the entire life cycle, from seed to scale. Portfolio companies include Twelve, Immusoft, Ecovative, Cytovale and ZymoChem. Breakout Ventures was founded in 2016 and is based in San Francisco, CA. Breakout Ventures. Building a future powered by science. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104548200/en/ Media Renee Shenton [email protected] Source: Breakout Ventures CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cencora, Inc. (NYSE: COR) today announced that it plans to release its results for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2024 on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, prior to the opening of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The Company will host a conference call to discuss the results at 8:30 a.m. ET on January 31, 2024. Participating in the conference call will be: Steven H. Collis, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer James F. Cleary, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer The live call will be webcast via the Companys website at investor.cencora.com. Users are encouraged to log on to the webcast approximately 10 minutes in advance of the scheduled start time of the call. To access the call via telephone from within the United States and Canada, dial (833) 470-1428. From outside the United States and Canada, dial +1 (404) 975-4839. The access code for the call will be 457478. Replays of the call will be made available via telephone and webcast. A replay of the webcast will be posted on investor.cencora.com approximately one hour after the completion of the call and will remain available for one year. The telephone replay will also be available approximately one hour after the completion of the call and will remain available for 7 days. To access the telephone replay from within the United States and Canada, dial (866) 813-9403. From outside the United States, dial +1 (929) 458-6194. The access code for the replay is 308642. Please check the website investor.cencora.com for updates regarding the timing of the live webcasts and for replay information. About Cencora Cencora is a leading global pharmaceutical solutions organization centered on improving the lives of people and animals around the world. We partner with pharmaceutical innovators across the value chain to facilitate and optimize market access to therapies. Care providers depend on us for the secure, reliable delivery of pharmaceuticals, healthcare products, and solutions. Our 46,000+ worldwide team members contribute to positive health outcomes through the power of our purpose: We are united in our responsibility to create healthier futures. Cencora is ranked #11 on the Fortune 500 and #24 on the Global Fortune 500 with more than $250 billion in annual revenue. Learn more at investor.cencora.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104912017/en/ Bennett S. Murphy Senior Vice President, Head of Investor Relations and Treasury 610-727-3693 [email protected] Source: Cencora HSINCHU, Taiwan--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Edgecore Networks, a leader in innovative network solutions for enterprises, data centers, and telecommunication service providers, proudly announces the launch of the EAP111, a cutting-edge Wi-Fi 6 dual-band access point. Designed to meet the diverse and evolving demands of modern wireless connectivity, the EAP111 plays a role akin to a Swiss Army Knife in complex network deployment scenarios, satisfying a wide range of unique environmental conditions and offering a blend of high performance, versatility, and robustness. Building upon the iconic legacy of Edgecore's Wi-Fi products, the EAP111 elevates environmental adaptability to new heights. Primarily crafted as an indoor access point, its performance transcends conventional boundaries, showcasing exceptional resilience across diverse settings. This adaptability is particularly pronounced in areas that merge indoor and outdoor elements, such as covered arcades, walkways, and eaves, as well as in locales susceptible to high humidity and rainfall, like mountainous and coastal regions. The EAP111 is ingeniously designed with versatile features to address a broad spectrum of network deployment challenges, granting customers increased flexibility in deploying Wi-Fi access points to maximize network efficiency and coverage. When compared to typical indoor access points in the market, the EAP111 stands apart with its IP55 rating. This rating is a testament to its ability to endure demanding environments marked by elevated humidity levels and the likelihood of rainwater exposure. Additionally, the EAP111 is thoughtfully designed with an array of mounting options, including installations on walls, ceilings, T-bars, and poles. This diversity in mounting alternatives provides customers with unmatched flexibility, allowing them to customize their deployment strategies to meet specific environmental conditions and installation needs. Key Features of the EAP111: Dual-Band High-Speed Performance : The EAP111 ensures exceptional wireless performance with speeds of up to 574 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and up to 2,400 Mbps on the 5GHz band. This capability allows for seamless streaming, fast downloads, and smooth online experiences for numerous users and devices simultaneously. : The EAP111 ensures exceptional wireless performance with speeds of up to 574 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and up to 2,400 Mbps on the 5GHz band. This capability allows for seamless streaming, fast downloads, and smooth online experiences for numerous users and devices simultaneously. Indoor Elegance, Outdoor Robustness : Boasting an IP55 rating, the EAP111 is designed for both elegance and resilience. While it excels as an indoor Wi-Fi AP, it is also dust and water-resistant, making it suitable for outdoor or semi-outdoor environments. : Boasting an IP55 rating, the EAP111 is designed for both elegance and resilience. While it excels as an indoor Wi-Fi AP, it is also dust and water-resistant, making it suitable for outdoor or semi-outdoor environments. Versatile Mounting Options : Embodying the adaptability of a Swiss Army Knife, the EAP111 offers various mounting choices, including walls, ceilings, T-bars, and poles. This flexibility ensures optimal placement in diverse settings, from sophisticated office spaces to challenging outdoor areas. : Embodying the adaptability of a Swiss Army Knife, the EAP111 offers various mounting choices, including walls, ceilings, T-bars, and poles. This flexibility ensures optimal placement in diverse settings, from sophisticated office spaces to challenging outdoor areas. Advanced Technology Integration : Beyond traditional Wi-Fi capabilities, the EAP111 is equipped with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Zigbee, making it a comprehensive hub for IoT connectivity. This integration positions the EAP111 as a future-proof solution in the rapidly evolving landscape of wireless technology. : Beyond traditional Wi-Fi capabilities, the EAP111 is equipped with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Zigbee, making it a comprehensive hub for IoT connectivity. This integration positions the EAP111 as a future-proof solution in the rapidly evolving landscape of wireless technology. Efficient and Scalable Management : The EAP111 can be managed through Edgecore's ecCLOUD, ecCLOUD-VPC, or EWS/VEWS Series controllers, offering scalable solutions for network management. It also supports standalone operation, providing flexibility for various deployment scenarios. : The EAP111 can be managed through Edgecore's ecCLOUD, ecCLOUD-VPC, or EWS/VEWS Series controllers, offering scalable solutions for network management. It also supports standalone operation, providing flexibility for various deployment scenarios. Enhanced User Capacity and Efficiency: With support for 2x2:2 uplink and downlink MU-MIMO, the EAP111 efficiently handles communication between the access point and multiple clients, supporting up to 512 users simultaneously. This feature makes it ideal for high-density environments where numerous devices require reliable connectivity. "The EAP111 is our innovative response to the complex demands of modern wireless connectivity," said TengTai Hsu, VP of Edgecore Networks. "With its combination of high-speed performance, versatile mounting options, and advanced technology integration, the EAP111 is perfectly suited for MDUs, hotels, businesses, schools, hospitals, and public spaces seeking a robust, adaptable, and high-performing wireless solution." Synthesizing all these characteristics, the EAP111 showcases exceptional flexibility, perfectly illustrating its pronounced features of indoor elegance and outdoor robustness. With the growing expectation for ubiquitous Wi-Fi connectivity, network infrastructure must evolve to meet environmental conditions and user demands. This was a key goal for the Edgecore Wi-Fi team in designing the EAP111. Furthermore, considering the overall Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for Wi-Fi networks, Edgecore Wi-Fi has strategically priced the EAP111 at a highly competitive point, aiming to reduce customer TCO and enhance the efficiency of overall network service operations. The EAP111 is now available for purchase through Edgecore Networks and its authorized distributors. For more information about the EAP111 and other Edgecore products, please visit https://wifi.edge-core.com/access-point/wifi-6-access-point/eap111/. Availability: The Edgecore EAP111 is now available. For more product information, please contact [email protected]. About Edgecore Networks Edgecore Networks is a wholly owned subsidiary of Accton Technology Corporation. Edgecore delivers network solutions through channel partners worldwide that keep information moving and connections strong for SMB, enterprise, data center, and service provider customers. For more information, visit https://wifi.edge-core.com/. 2024 Edgecore Networks. All trademarks, service marks, registered marks, or registered service marks are the property of their respective owners. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. Edgecore Networks shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104014100/en/ Tony Stramandinoli, Vice President, Edgecore Networks [email protected] Lucille Lu, Head of marketing, Edgecore Networks [email protected] Source: Edgecore Networks BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 4. Armenia should finally make it clear what it wants, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan - Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev said in an interview with Berliner Zeitung newspaper, Trend reports. He noted that due to the illegal occupation by Armenia of Azerbaijani territory recognized under international law - Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur - Armenia has not been included in the main energy and connectivity projects of the South Caucasus region. "For many years Armenia self-isolated itself. Within the framework of the process of normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, various projects for opening regional communications can also be discussed. The commissioning of the transportation link across the Armenian territory to Nakhchivan would play an important role in the inclusion of Armenia in the Middle Corridor project. But Armenia should finally make it clear what it wants," said Hajiyev. The new referral program empowers site hosts, EV drivers, and others to get paid for referring high quality gas stations, convenience stores, and quick service retail locations SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Electric Era Technologies, a leading technology provider of EV fast charging stations, today announced its first-of-its-kind referral program to allow EV drivers and site hosts to get paid for referring eligible site hosts for its PowerNode EV fast charging stations along major highway corridors throughout Washington, Oregon, and California. Eligible site hosts receive additional monthly payments for use of their parking spots. We are seeing EV demand and sales surge, and were working to reduce one of the primary barriers to EV adoption, access to reliable EV charging station locations for drivers. Our referral program is powering a grassroots movement to build our network of tens of thousands of EV fast charging stations across America, said Quincy Lee, Founder and CEO of Electric Era. With our new referral program, consumers and convenience retailers are finally behind the wheel of helping increase the number of reliable EV fast charging stations where theyre needed most along West Coast highways. PowerNode provides an end-to-end commercial service that delivers EV refill on an accelerated timeline without costly grid updates and high utility bills. The charging stations are battery-backed and leverage a proprietary, vertically-integrated software system for intelligent energy management and integrated reliability features. PowerNode can even serve as a backup power supply to certain retail sites in the event of a power outage. Plaid Pantry CEO Jonathan Polonsky commented on the ribbon cutting of the convenience store chains first commercial install of a PowerNode fast charging station in this video. Electric Era is currently installing its PowerNode fast charging station at seven sites, including five sites near the I-5 corridor through Washington, Oregon, and California. The company showcases its commitment to data transparency by displaying live site reliability metrics on its website. The referral program offers EV advocates and small business owners up to $1,500 each for a referral which leads to a successful installation. Program Information: Referral partners should first fill out the referral program form on Electric Eras website, then follow the directions. Ideal sites for a PowerNode fast charging station meet the following criteria: Gas station, convenience store or quick service retailer Located within one mile of a major highway A minimum of twelve parking spaces For full details on the PowerNode referral program please visit the Electric Era referrals page. Follow Electric Era Technologies on LinkedIn and X for the latest news and updates. About Electric Era Technologies Launched by former SpaceX engineers in 2019, Electric Era Technologies mission is to enable the electrification and decarbonization of the transportation industry by making EV fast charging ubiquitous, reliable and affordable. Its proprietary PowerNode EV charging stations and AI-driven software platform deliver convenient, high-speed, electrical grid-friendly charging at gas stations, convenience stores and quick service retailers across the United States. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240102581500/en/ Eric Schudiske [email protected] Source: Electric Era Technologies Next-Generation Oil and Gas Marketplace Platform Makes Ambitious Plans with Market Intelligence Technology Purchase FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Energy Domain, the pioneering tech-enabled online marketplace based in Fort Worth, Texas, has successfully acquired market intelligence technology product Energent from U.K.-based Westwood Global Energy Group. Founded by Ryan Vinson and the 5Ms Technologies team that created MineralWare and Energy Freelance, Energy Domain has parlayed dedication to technology, speed, and efficiency into two solid years of triple-digit growth, integrating data, analytics, and alerts to improve the way oil and gas properties are bought, sold, and leased since 2021. With Energent, Energy Domain has acquired a market intelligence product that uses an artificial intelligence (AI) model to interpret satellite imagery, tracking rig locations, identifying frac crews, and providing valuable completion activity data. Energy Domain CEO Ben Heinzelmann noted the immediate benefits the technology and data offer Energy Domain clients, The delta between seller and buyer expectations is almost always development timing. In our experience, thats where deals fall apart, especially when youre dealing with mineral, royalty, and non-operated working interest transactions. Operators are also in need of reliable data on their competitors and general market trends. With Energent, were providing all parties with accurate intelligence to bridge those gaps, helping clients make informed decisions to successfully complete acquisitions on Energy Domain and elsewhere. Energy Domain COO Malcolm Smith agreed, explaining, The synergies here are unmistakable. Having advanced knowledge about the location and timing of upstream capital allocation is important to both sides of the equation. Incorporating Energent's location intelligence technology into the Energy Domain platform allows our clients to make better, data-driven decisions." Westwood Global Energy CFO David Clark explained Through our discussions with Energy Domain it was clear that they valued the innovation and potential of the Energent solutions. We recognized that this young and hungry team would provide the capability to accelerate its development and ensure it is exposed to the entire industry. With Energent, Westwood Global Energy created vital and evolving tools to analyze the unconventional markets and we are excited to see Energy Domain spearhead this next stage of expansion." At Energy Domain, weve been strategic about data aggregation from the beginning, Heinzelmann agreed. With the Energent purchase, weve acquired a data gathering tool we can continue to improve on into the future, thanks to its AI functionality and we have big plans for that future. Were on the cusp of a new era, and we hope youll stay tuned as we get ready to unveil the next generation at Energy Domain. Energy Domain leadership shared that - as a testament to the optimism surrounding the Energent purchase and plans for the future at Energy Domain - oil and gas industry veteran Hollis Sullivan, founder, and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Veritas Energy LLC, will be joining the company as an investor. ABOUT ENERGY DOMAIN Born from a desire to revolutionize the oil and gas asset transaction process, Energy Domain is a pioneering online marketplace fueled by data and driven by results. Energy Domain empowers both sellers and buyers with a streamlined platform, nationwide reach, and powerful analytical tools. Sellers benefit from instant connections to a diverse pool of qualified buyers, maximizing asset value through clear market data and efficient deal management. Buyers gain access to exclusive deals, simplified buying options, and targeted alerts that put them a step ahead of the competition. With over 150 successful transactions facilitated since 2021 and ambitious plans for the future in progress, Energy Domain stands poised to unlock new potential and reshape the way the industry operates in 2024 and beyond. Visit energydomain.com for more information. ABOUT ENERGENT Energent provides unconventional market intelligence for the oil and gas value chain, allowing users to examine the well lifecycle, from permit to production and to visualize the frac sand supply chain, from mine to well. Using satellite imagery, machine learning (AI), and a team of analysts, Energents SatScout technology identifies when an operator has constructed a pad, rigged up for drilling, or started fracturing with a frac crew. Significantly, the tool can provide notifications of observed activity before that information is reported in quarterly earnings, investor presentations, or via state regulatory organizations. Energents daily monitoring through SatScout of the key unconventional areas provides visibility into the number of frac spreads, well completions, and operator activity for the worlds most prolific oil growth region. ABOUT WESTWOOD GLOBAL ENERGY GROUP Westwood Global Energy Group provide energy market intelligence solutions, supporting clients to address their strategic, technical and commercial questions. Home to some of the leading solutions in energy market intelligence, Westwood Global Energy Group offers subscription-based research, bespoke insights, and consultancy services across Exploration & Production, New Energies, and Offshore and Onshore Energy Services and the Energy Transition, providing independent insights and critical intelligence across our specialist areas. Our commitment to data quality, the unrivalled insight from industry experts, and our ability to integrate intelligence into daily workflows means that clients trust our solutions when making critical decisions time and time again. Westwood Global Energy Group is headquartered in London and has offices in Aberdeen, Houston and Singapore. Visit www.westwoodenergy.com for more information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104226168/en/ Lauren Kwedar Cockerell 817-405-9878 [email protected] Source: Energy Domain Ludwig de Mot will focus on the acceleration of EUROAPIs transformation, including the finalization and execution of the strategic review initiated in Q4 2023 PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News: EUROAPI (Paris: EAPI) today announced the appointment of Ludwig de Mot as Executive Vice President (EVP) - Chief Transformation Officer. Ludwig de Mots roadmap will focus on accelerating the companys transformation, including the completion and execution of the Strategic Review initiated by EUROAPIs Board of Directors in Q4 2023. This comprehensive review spans the entire spectrum of EUROAPI as an organization, including the assessment of its current product portfolio, cost structure, and balance sheet. With over 30 years of experience in several industrial groups, Ludwig de Mot has held various senior executive positions in global companies. This includes his role as President and CEO of the German, North American, and later European and Asian operations of Lhoist, the global lime and mineral-based products and solutions producer, between 2006 and 2017. More recently, Ludwig de Mot served as CEO for companies undergoing transformation. Ludwig de Mot is a seasoned executive with strong leadership skills and a solid track record in executing transformation programs. He will be instrumental in the transformation of our company, and I look forward to working with him in the best interests of all our stakeholders, said Viviane Monges, EUROAPIs CEO and Chair of the Board of Directors. Biography of Ludwig de Mot A graduate of KU Leuven University in Belgium, Ludwig de Mot, a Belgian national, worked for SCA Packaging between 1996 and 2006. He then joined Lhoist, the global lime and mineral-based products and solutions producer, where he held several executive positions in Europe, Asia, and North America until 2017. Ludwig de Mot served as Chief Executive Officer for various international companies, including ArcelorMittal Mining in Canada, McBride in the UK, Swissport in Switzerland and, more recently, Tereos in France. Since May 2022, Ludwig de Mot has been the Chair of the Board of ESCO Couplings and Transmissions (Belgium) and is also a member of the Board of Directors of Graymont (Canada) and VPK Packaging Group (Belgium). About EUROAPI EUROAPI is focused on reinventing active ingredient solutions to sustainably meet customers and patients needs around the world. We are a leading player in active pharmaceutical ingredients with approximately 200 products in our portfolio, offering a large span of technologies, while developing innovative molecules through our Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) activities. Taking action for health by enabling access to essential therapies inspires our 3,450 people every day. With strong research and development capabilities and six manufacturing sites all located in Europe, EUROAPI ensures API manufacturing of the highest quality to supply customers in more than 80 countries. EUROAPI is listed on Euronext Paris; ISIN: FR0014008VX5; ticker: EAPI). Find out more at www.euroapi.com and follow us on LinkedIn. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information contained in this press release is forward looking and not historical data. These forward-looking statements are based on opinions, projections and current assumptions including, but not limited to, assumptions concerning the Groups current and future strategy, financial and non-financial future results and the environment in which the Group operates, as well as events, operations, future services or product development and potential. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words expects, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, plans and similar expressions. Forward looking statements and information do not constitute guarantees of future performances, and are subject to known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, a large number of which are difficult to predict and generally outside the control of the Group, which could cause actual results, performances or achievements, or the results of the sector or other events, to differ materially from those described or suggested by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include those that are indicated and detailed in Chapter 3 Risk factors of the Universal Registration Document approved by the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorite des marches financiers, AMF) on April 14, 2023, under number R.23-009 and the Amendment to Universal Registration Document approved by the AMF on April 25, 2023 under number R.23-015. These forward-looking statements are given only as of the date of this press release and the Group expressly declines any obligation or commitment to publish updates or corrections of the forward-looking statements included in this press release in order to reflect any change affecting the forecasts or events, conditions or circumstances on which these forward-looking statements are based. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104253209/en/ Media Relations Contact: Laurence Bollack Mob.: +33 (0)6 81 86 80 19 [email protected] Investor Relations Contact: Sophie Palliez-Capian Mob.: +33 (0)6 87 89 33 51 [email protected] Camille Ricotier Mob: +33 (0)6 43 29 93 79 [email protected] Source: EUROAPI Fisker expects to have approximately 100 dealer locations in both Europe and North America. Fisker expects to send its first Fisker Ocean vehicles to new dealers by the end of Q1 2024. Fisker is making this move to align with its asset light business model and to scale for significant acceleration of Fisker Ocean deliveries and higher volume production of additional future models. In Europe, Fisker will continue to offer direct sales but will bring on sales and distribution partners. LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fisker Inc. (NYSE: FSR) (Fisker), driven by a mission to create the worlds most emotional and sustainable electric vehicles, today announced that the company is developing an innovative Dealer Partnership model in North America. In Europe, Fisker intends to pursue a hybrid of direct sales and dealer arrangements. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104345319/en/ Fisker Inc., driven by a mission to create the worlds most emotional and sustainable electric vehicles, today announced that the company is developing an innovative Dealer Partnership model in North America. In Europe, Fisker intends to pursue a hybrid of direct sales and dealer arrangements. (Photo: Business Wire) Henrik Fisker, Chairman and CEO, said: As we saw throughout 2023, the EV market has changed dramatically. As a high-growth startup, Fisker is transforming its strategic efforts by putting in place the brand accessibility and sales channels required to satisfy increasing demand for the Fisker Ocean and to prepare for launch of additional future models. As a result, we are evolving our business model and intend to add as many as 50 dealer partners in the US and Canada and a similar number of dealer locations in Europe this year. In keeping with our asset light strategy, I expect the Dealer Partnership model should enable Fisker to expand its sales and delivery network at a faster pace. Large dealer territories, no-haggle pricing, and vehicles to first dealers by end of Q1 2024 The Dealer Partnership model combines the goal of offering our customers no-haggle pricing on Fisker vehicles (where permitted) while also providing our dealer partners with larger market territories, so they can maintain pricing without concern for local competition. The company has been in discussions with numerous potential dealers since late November 2023. The company is implementing this approach to expedite the expansion of its sales, delivery, and test drive network. Fisker expects that its first dealers will start receiving vehicles by the end of Q1 2024, and that it will have all its initial dealer partners in place when higher-volume vehicle models arrive in the marketplace in the future. Sustainable dealerships and streamlined customer support In keeping with its sustainability mission, Fisker does not plan to require its dealer partners to make extensive, time-consuming, or costly changes to their existing facilities. The company has developed corporate identity features that it can quickly provide to its dealer partners so that they can commence sales and service as soon as possible. Fisker will continue to maintain its own Fisker Lounges in global markets so that customers may experience the brand and contribute sales leads that the company can send to its dealers. Fisker will be working with dealer partners who place a high emphasis on delivering excellent customer satisfaction, providing streamlined customer support and service, as well as expanded test-drive opportunities as the range of Fisker models and trim levels expands. Dealers will also facilitate financing and insurance arrangements and assist customers with matters related to Fiskers warranty. Hybrid business model in Europe Following the agency model, Fisker plans to sign up sales and distribution partners in its European markets, while the company continues direct sales in the region. Dealers can inquire by using the following email address: North America Market: [email protected] EU Market [email protected] About Fisker Inc. California-based Fisker Inc. is revolutionizing the automotive industry by designing and developing individual mobility in alignment with nature. Passionately driven by a vision of a clean future for all, the company is on a mission to create the worlds most sustainable and emotional electric vehicles. To learn more, visit Fiskerinc.com and enjoy exclusive content across Fisker's social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Download the revolutionary new Fisker mobile app from the App Store or Google Play . Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements, which are subject to the "safe harbor" provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by words such as "feel," "believes," expects," "estimates," "projects," "intends," "should," "is to be," or the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology and include, among other things, the quotation of our CEO, the statements regarding the planned development of a dealer partnership approach to vehicle distribution, the planned timing of the opening of Fisker facilities, the Companys future performance, expansion of operations, software updates, and other future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein due to many factors, including, but not limited to: Fiskers limited operating history; Fiskers ability to enter into additional manufacturing and other contracts with Magna or tier-one suppliers in order to execute on its business plan; Fiskers ability to transition to a dealer partnership approach from a direct-to-consumer distribution model; the risk that OEM and supply partners do not meet agreed-upon timelines or experience capacity constraints; Fisker may experience significant delays in the design, manufacture, regulatory approval, launch and financing of its vehicles; Fisker's ability to execute its business model, including market acceptance of its planned products and services; Fisker's inability to retain key personnel and to hire additional personnel; competition in the electric vehicle market; Fisker's inability to develop a sales distribution network; and the ability to protect its intellectual property rights; and those factors discussed in Fisker's Annual Report on Form 10-K, under the heading "Risk Factors", filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), as supplemented by Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other reports and documents Fisker files from time to time with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and Fisker undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104345319/en/ European Media: [email protected] US Media [email protected] Customer service: [email protected] Fisker Inc. Communications: Matthew DeBord VP, Communications [email protected] Franziska Queling Regional Head of Public Relations Europe [email protected] Investor Relations: Frank Boroch, VP of Investor Relations [email protected] Source: Fisker Inc. Additional Health Plans Contract with Kestra Medical Technology Services, Inc., increasing patient access to the ASSURE system as a covered service. KIRKLAND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kestra Medical Technologies announced today that the ASSURE Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator (WCD) system is now available to cover over 200+ million health plan members across the U.S. The company reached this covered-lives milestone less than eighteen months after commencing the national commercial launch phase of the ASSURE system in the U.S. The more than 200 million total covered lives include broad coverage for members of all national commercial insurers and many of the regional commercial insurers and networks, including Cigna, Premera, CareCentrix, Florida Blue, and multiple other Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) plans. These new contracts follow previously announced network participation agreements with UnitedHealthcare, additional Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) plans, and traditional Medicare and select state Medicaid programs. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104748165/en/ Kestra Medical Technologies announced today that the ASSURE Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator (WCD) system is now available as a contracted coverage benefit to over 200 million insurance plan members across the U.S. The ASSURE WCD system represents the next generation of monitoring and therapy to protect patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest and has protected thousands of patients to date. (Photo credit: Kestra Medical Technologies, Inc.) Since launching the ASSURE system, prescriber demand and patient preference have enabled us to rapidly contract with both national and regional payors, said Brian Webster, CEO of Kestra Medical Technologies. Prescribers and payors are recognizing the advantages of a modern WCD option, particularly given our emphasis on addressing the needs of underserved female cardiac patients. The ASSURE WCD system represents the next generation of monitoring and therapy to protect patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest. The system includes a wearable device that provides autonomous detection and defibrillation for ventricular arrhythmias, when needed. It is the first WCD designed and developed with specific options for female cardiac patients. Since introduction, the ASSURE system has received ongoing technology updates, including the addition of an enhanced arrhythmia suite of features incorporating heart rate histograms, trending, and patient-triggered episode reporting. The complete Cardiac Recovery System includes the ASSURE WCD, the ASSURE patient app, and Kestra CareStation remote patient data platform, all working together to provide comfortable protection for patients and clear insights for their healthcare providers. The system also includes additional support for patients who experience a life-threatening heart rhythm while wearing the ASSURE WCD with the ASSURE Assist servicedesigned to send an alert via the ASSURE patient app to an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) operator after a defibrillation shock. Since introduction, patients ranging in age from 21 to 97 years old, presenting with a variety of cardiac risk factors and diagnoses, have had lethal cardiac arrhythmias detected and lifesaving defibrillation delivered by an ASSURE WCD system. Thousands of patients have been prescribedand protected byan ASSURE WCD system since introduction. About Kestra Medical Technologies Kestra Medical Technologies, Inc. is a privately held wearable medical device and digital healthcare company that protects cardiac patients with diagnostic monitoring and therapeutic technologies that are intuitive, intelligent, and mobile. Kestra was founded in 2014 by leaders from the external (AED) and internal (ICD) defibrillation industries. Based in Kirkland, Washington, Kestra is a portfolio company of Bain Capital, one of the worlds leading alternative investment firms with deep global experience in healthcare. For more information, visit www.kestramedical.com. Forward Looking Statements Statements Kestra makes in this press release that relate to future plans, events, prospects, or performance are forward-looking statements and as such, are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed. While these current forward-looking statements represent the current beliefs of Management as of the date published, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Kestra undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, changed circumstances, or unanticipated events. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104748165/en/ Debra Schotz, Kestra Medical Technologies, (425) 384-3523, [email protected] Source: Kestra Medical Technologies, Inc. VICTORIA, Seychelles--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As the incubator and investment arm of the KuCoin ecosystem, KuCoin Labs has gladly announced its strategic investment in DeMR, a decentralized Mixed Reality (MR) infrastructure network (MR-DePIN) built on the Solana Chain, marking the inception of a comprehensive collaboration in community operations and subsequent product development. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104676602/en/ (Graphic: Business Wire) This collaboration not only reflects the recognition of the DePIN track by KuCoin Labs, but also highlights its profound understanding of the future development of the crypto industry. "Future growth in the DePIN track will incentivize more providers to join in a self-reinforcing, long-term growth cycle. KuCoin Labs will support DeMR in its efforts to continue to achieve its key milestones" said Lou Yu, Head of KuCoin Labs. DeMR, integrating MR seamlessly, stands out with assets like Compass NFTs, Land NFTs, and Node License NFTs, fostering strong connections with DeMR ecology and amplifying real-world influence and economic value. KuCoin looks forward to thrive with DeMR, and unlock more opportunities collaboratively for user in the future. About KuCoin Launched in September 2017, KuCoin is a global cryptocurrency exchange with its operational headquarters in Seychelles. As a user-oriented platform with a focus on inclusiveness and community action reach, it offers over 700 digital assets and currently provides spot trading, margin trading, P2P fiat trading, futures trading, staking, and lending to its 30 million users in more than 200 countries and regions. KuCoin is currently one of the top 5 crypto exchanges according to CoinMarketCap. In 2023, KuCoin was named one of the Best Crypto Exchanges by Forbes and recognized as a highly commended global exchange in Finder's 2023 Global Cryptocurrency Trading Platform Awards. About KuCoin Labs Since its launch in May 2018, the KuCoin investment and incubation program has brought together a group of crypto experts for in-depth market research, analysis, investment, and incubation in the crypto industry. KuCoin Labs has diversified investments into early-stage projects to help project owners achieve sustainable growth and success in the decentralized world. About DeMR DeMR is a decentralized Mixed Reality (MR) infrastructure network (MR-DePIN) built on the Solana Chain. To find out more, visit http://www.demr.xyz/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104676602/en/ For media inquiries: [email protected] Source: KuCoin Dixon has experience delivering complex placements in the nontraditional insurance space IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Miles Dixon has joined Alliant Insurance Services as Vice President within its Alliant Americas division. Based in Lafayette, Louisiana, Dixon joins a growing regional brokerage team, where he will service a diverse client portfolio. An innovative producer with deep roots in Louisiana, Dixon has extensive experience delivering complex placements in the non-traditional insurance space. In his new role with Alliant, he will work closely with clients across a broad range of industries and disciplines. Miles will bring creativity, ingenuity, and strategic thinking to our Louisiana team as we continue to grow our regional presence, said Bob Bennetsen, Executive Vice President and Senior Managing Director with Alliant. He has the ability to look beyond traditional risks and deliver transformative programs for his clients. Prior to joining Alliant, Dixon was a producer within the Lafayette, Louisiana, office of a regional insurance brokerage and consulting firm. He also has extensive experience in business development, growing existing accounts and finding new strategic opportunities. Dixon attended Louisiana State University and can be reached at (225) 202-3915 or [email protected]. About Alliant Insurance Services Alliant Insurance Services is one of the nations leading distributors of diversified insurance products and services. We operate through a network of specialized national platforms and local offices to offer our clients a comprehensive portfolio of solutions built on innovative thinking and personal service. The business of managing risk is getting more complex, and Alliant is meeting this complexity head-on, not with more layers of management, but with more creativity and agility. Alliant is changing the way our clients approach risk management and benefits, so they can capitalize on new opportunities to grow and protect their organizations. Visit us at alliant.com. #TheMoreRewardingWay View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104060462/en/ ALLIANT P&C CONTACT Megan Ford Communications Manager Alliant P&C (213) 406-8755 [email protected] ALLIANT CORPORATE CONTACT Nick Kopinga First Vice President Corporate Marketing and Communications (949) 260-5004 [email protected] Source: Alliant Insurance Services NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The endeavors of Momcozy, exemplified by initiatives such as the "Just Be a Cozy Mom" campaign and the Breastfeeding Support Program, are designed to offer tangible support for moms. Video: https://youtu.be/jItEWiZSoJs "Just Be a Cozy Mom" One such initiative was our Mother's Day campaign, "Just Be a Cozy Mom," which launched in May as a departure from mere celebration to a global empowerment movement for mothers. A pivotal element of the campaign was our "Cozy Power by Momcozy" TV commercial. This powerful piece brought real mothers' voices and stories to the forefront, sparking a global conversation about the realities of motherhood. A Summer of Support for Breastfeeding Moms In July, we launched the Breastfeeding Support Programa comprehensive initiative crafted to provide mothers with everything they need for a successful breastfeeding journey. This program offered accessible educational resources, convenient shopping solutions tailored for breastfeeding mothers and a community support system to connect moms with others on a similar path. Continued Momentum in August In August, Recognizing the importance of breastfeeding in the early stages of motherhood and infancy, we collaborated with impactful charities and renowned celebrities. Our community events created a space for mothers to connect and learn from each other. Additionally, our product giveaways brought more tangible support to breastfeeding moms to care for breastfeeding moms. We also launched the Cozy Case with a kneading lactation massager, nipple cream, and breastmilk storage bags to care for breastfeeding moms. A Night of Laughter with Momcozy in November In November 2023, Momcozy hosted a memorable comedy show in London, "Stand Up for Mums," as part of our commitment to the "Remove Breastfeeding Barriers" campaign Wrapping Up the Year with a Holiday Cheer To conclude the year, Momcozy made a grand appearance at the Mini Market in Austin in December. This event, attracting over 1,000 families for a boutique shopping experience with women and/or mom-owned vendors Acknowledging the stress of the holiday season, we created a peaceful retreat for mothers with our "Cozy Lounge" and "Cozy Courtyard," offering festive hot chocolate and treats. In later Christmas, Momcozy teamed up with artist mom Victoria Johnson to create illustrations, celebrating the essence of motherhood and the warmth of family. It is also combined with the Momcozy Christmas gift box. Momcozy Stands with Moms As we wrap up 2023, we reflect on how Momcozy has been more than just a brand, but a true companion for moms. About Momcozy Since 2018, Momcozy has been bringing the best in comfort to mothers with wearable breast pumps, nursing bras and other mom caring products. Endorsed by 3 million mothers in over 40 countries, Momcozy is a companion to women from pregnancy to early motherhood. With continuous innovation and a commitment to creating cozy designs born from love, Momcozy is growing in reach and impact to make moms lives easier around the world. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104058248/en/ Josefine Pan [email protected] Source: Momcozy VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- New Found Gold Corp. (New Found or the Company) (TSX-V: NFG, NYSE-A: NFGC) is pleased to announce an expansion of the exploration program at its 100% owned Queensway Project (Queensway), located on the Trans-Canada Highway 15km west of Gander, Newfoundland. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104537087/en/ Figure 1. An inclined 3-D view of the approximately 6km north-south mineralized corridor along the Appleton Fault Zone at Queensway North with modelled zones. (Graphic: Business Wire) Highlights: To date the Company has completed 516,263m of drilling at Queensway. During 2023, New Found drilled 195,899m of core, employing an average of 10 drill rigs, equating to 15,400m of core production per month and leading to the discoveries of Iceberg, Iceberg East, K2, Monte Carlo, and Jackpot. New Found is now planning to drill a total of 650,000m as part of its ongoing drilling program at Queensway, an increase of 150,000m over the Companys initially planned 500,000m. as part of its ongoing drilling program at Queensway, an increase of 150,000m over the Companys initially planned 500,000m. Much of the 2024 drilling will be designed to target prospective areas both peripheral to and beneath the current mineralized zones defined to date by New Found along the Appleton North Corridor. Drilling will also occur along the parallel JBP Fault Zone, located 5km to the east, as well as at Queensway South. In 2023, the Company contracted HiSeis to complete an industry-leading 3D seismic program covering the Appleton North Corridor at Queensway North that is capable of capturing high-resolution imagery down to a depth of 3,000m. The Company expects to receive an initial interpretation of this data in the coming weeks. Melissa Render, VP of Exploration of New Found, stated: Much of the initial 500,000m of drilling undertaken by New Found has been focused along the Appleton North Corridor, where a combination of systematic grid drilling and targeted drilling has successfully outlined a multitude of zones forming a string-of-pearls configuration that spans approximately 6km of strike and includes several key discoveries such as Keats, Keats West, Iceberg, Golden Joint, Lotto, K2 and Jackpot. As shown in Figure 1 below, these zones are clustered along the Appleton Fault, a regional scale structure that we believe is responsible for channelling mineralizing fluids towards surface and depositing epizonal gold mineralization at Queensway. While our initial drilling has been focused on drill defining the near-surface, low-hanging fruit, our exploration thesis and accompanying geological model illustrate a scenario whereby gold mineralization is not necessarily constrained to the near-surface domain, but instead has the potential to persist to depth. Queensway mineralization is in an orogenic gold system a system that often extends deep along the structures that form them. As we move into 2024, our exploration team will focus its attention on unlocking the next layer of the cake through targeted deeper drilling. In addition, we will continue to look for new areas of mineralization that are peripheral to the Appleton Fault Zone, the 110km of strike that is covered by the Queensway Project. The discovery of Iceberg East and Jackpot, which are zones located at distances ranging from 300m-500m away from the Appleton Fault, highlight the ability of this system to concentrate gold well outside of the narrow window we were initially targeting. We have been fortunate to identify a system of scale that starts at surface, with the majority of the drilling completed testing only the top 250m vertical. We will now apply the knowledge garnered from our near-surface exploration, combined with the results of the 3D seismic program, to unlock what lies further outside and beneath our current discoveries made to date (Figure 2). Qualified Person The scientific and technical information disclosed in this press release was reviewed and approved by Greg Matheson, P. Geo., Chief Operating Officer and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Matheson consents to the publication of this press release dated January 4, 2024, by New Found. Mr. Matheson certifies that this press release fairly and accurately represents the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this press release. About New Found Gold Corp. New Found holds a 100% interest in the Queensway Project, located 15km west of Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, and just 18km from Gander International Airport. The project is intersected by the Trans-Canada Highway and has logging roads crosscutting the project, high voltage electric power lines running through the project area, and easy access to a highly skilled workforce. The Company is currently undertaking a 650,000m drill program at Queensway and is well funded for this program with cash and marketable securities of approximately $57.3 million as of January 2024. Please see the Companys website at www.newfoundgold.ca and the Companys SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Acknowledgements New Found acknowledges the financial support of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Contact To contact the Company, please visit the Companys website, www.newfoundgold.ca and make your request through our investor inquiry form. Our management has a pledge to be in touch with any investor inquiries within 24 hours. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statement Cautions This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, relating to exploration, drilling and mineralization on the Companys Queensway gold project in Newfoundland and Labrador; assay results; the interpretation of drilling and assay results, the results of the drilling program, mineralization and the discovery of zones of high-grade gold mineralization; plans for future exploration and drilling and the timing of same; timing of the receipt of the initial interpretation of the data from the seismic program; the merits of the Queensway project; future press releases by the Company; and funding of the drilling program. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words expects, plans, anticipates, believes, interpreted, intends, estimates, projects, aims, suggests, indicate, often, target, future, likely, pending, potential, goal, objective, prospective, possibly, preliminary, and similar expressions, or that events or conditions will, would, may, can, could or should occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of assay results and the drilling program, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's Annual Information Form and Managements discussion and Analysis, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.ca for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104537087/en/ New Found Gold Corp. Per: Collin Kettell Collin Kettell, Chief Executive Officer [email protected] +1 (845) 535-1486 Source: New Found Gold Corp. Veteran tech industry executives leadership priorities: innovation, growth, relationships, operational excellence and great client service HEBRON, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pomeroy Technologies, LLC (Pomeroy) an industry leader in technology solutions and services has named Tom Signorello as its new CEO, effective January 2. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104057266/en/ Tom Signorello, who has a 25-year track record of transformational leadership in the IT industry, has been named CEO of Pomeroy Technologies, LLC, an industry leader in technology solutions and services. (Photo: Business Wire) Signorello is a respected executive in the IT industry with a 25-year track record of transformational leadership. He has been championed for the entrepreneurial prowess that has been his trademark while leading thriving technology companies with a focus on accelerating their business objectives, instilling operational excellence and advancing their market leadership position. In his new role, Signorello plans to build upon Pomeroys rich history as a global technology leader. He was tapped for the CEO position because of his track record of sharpening strategic direction; history of empowering executives and employees to collaborate and think creatively; established relationships and experience with the channel; ability to align with innovative partners; and laser focus on the client experience. Signorello views the move as an opportunity to take a proven industry leader to the next level. Pomeroy has tremendous talent, a great brand and a great heritage, he said. Now its about bringing focus to its portfolio, optimizing delivery and operations, and ensuring we deliver an excellent client experience while we scale. Prior to taking the reins at Pomeroy, Signorello held the CEO position at several companies, where his history as a growth leader was evidenced through a host of metrics. During his two-and-a-half-year tenure at PlanSource, a benefits engagement software company and a Vista Equity Partners portfolio company, the company realized annual bookings growth of 20% and EBITDA growth of 900%. As CEO of Arcserve, a data protection software company, Signorello exceeded sales goals, set the strategic direction of the companys portfolio, and ultimately orchestrated the 2021 merger of Arcserve with StorageCraft, a TA Associates portfolio company. And as CEO of OnX Enterprise Solutions, which designs, builds and manages enterprise data center solutions, he increased top-line growth by 15% and expanded EBITDA growth by 30% within one year. He restructured OnX for effectiveness, sustainable efficiency, and optimum growth; ultimately, he successfully envisioned and executed the sale of OnX to Cincinnati Bell. Signorello has also served on the Board of Directors of technology firm Anexinet and financial services firm Clarocity, Inc. Pomeroy Technologies, LLC enables organizations to optimize and enhance the way they do business through technology. Its 2,000-plus employees advise, deploy, monitor, and manage all aspects of the digital workplace for clients, ensuring they are always secure, always connected and always working. Signorello succeeds Bob Watts, who had served as Pomeroys CEO since 2021. He holds an MBA in Finance and a BSBA in Finance from the Sawyer Business School at Suffolk University in Boston. As he embarks on this new challenge, Signorello likes what the future holds. Pomeroy is positioned for growth, he said. Im excited to collaborate with this skilled team at this pivotal moment to take the company into the next chapter of its storied history. About Pomeroy Pomeroy Technologies, LLC is an industry-recognized global technology solutions and services provider headquartered in Hebron, Kentucky. Pomeroy delivers comprehensive solutions, managed services, and technical talent to top companies in retail, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and other industries. Its 2,000-plus employees advise, deploy, monitor, and manage more than 50,000 client locations across North America and Europe, ensuring they are always secure, always connected, and always working. Visit www.pomeroy.com for more information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104057266/en/ Karen Bells 513-334-9444 [email protected] Source: Pomeroy Technologies, LLC BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 4. The explosions in Iran's Kerman bear all the hallmarks of an ISIS attack, US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said during a briefing on January 4, Trend reports. "We extend our sympathy for the victims of what we do believe was an apparent terrorist attack. Based on all the information available, it's clear to us that this was a terrorist attack. We've seen the reports that ISIS has taken responsibility for it. I'm not ready to offer a formal assessment from this podium at this time, and when it comes to responsibility, this attack does bear all the hallmarks of an ISIS attack," he added. The terrorist organization ISIS has claimed responsibility for explosions in Kerman. Two explosions occurred in Iran's Kerman on January 3 during a procession commemorating the anniversary of the death of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. The explosions resulted in the loss of 84 lives. Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US Air Force airstrike in Iraq in 2020. Highest-Performing Flash LiDAR Sensors Provide Affordable, Powerful Sensing Capabilities for Wide Range of Applications PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PreAct Technologies (PreAct), an Oregon-based developer of near-field flash LiDAR technology, today announced a line of new flash LiDAR sensors - Sahara, Borrego and Moab - to address various use cases across multiple industries including agriculture, healthcare, smart cities, retail, security, transportation, education or any field that requires detailed 3D mapping and modeling. The high-performance, low-cost sensor solutions provide the $30 billion near field sensing market a significantly better alternative to the existing, decades-old technologies that are being used today. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104538477/en/ PreAct's line of flash LiDAR sensors address various use cases across multiple industries including agriculture, healthcare, smart cities, retail, security, transportation, education or any field that requires detailed 3D mapping and modeling. (Graphic: Business Wire) The more we interacted with customers and prospects, the more we realized how we could take our core technology and create multiple sensors to meet the needs of various markets, said Paul Drysch, Co-Founder and CEO of PreAct Technologies. The flexibility and software-definability of our technology enables the creation of different form factors that not only out-perform existing technology being used today, but also meet the regulatory hurdles around data privacy as well as consumer demands for better safety and more convenience. The following sensors will debut publicly at CES for the first time: SAHARA Sahara is perfect for use cases that are outdoors and require up to 20 meters sensing capabilities, such as robotics, automotive, trucking and university research. It has a IP69K rating and holds up in harsh ambient light settings. The small packaging is designed for flexibility of placement at 110mm x 45mm x 33mm. Field of View (FOV) 70 x 52.5 degrees Resolution H & V 320 x 240 (77k) Pixels Range 12 meters @ 10% reflective target (2 milliseconds integration time) Power 6 - 42 watts based on software selectable illumination and frame rate Depth Accuracy Depth Information 1.4 million points per second BORREGO The Borrego sensor is designed to provide long, narrow space coverage for security, logistics and agriculture applications. The out of the way undetectable design has a protective mounting secured behind a support beam, positioning Borrego to not be an obstruction to precious cargo or draw attention. Bluetooth connectivity gives options in mounting placement and also reduces costs in installation. Accurate volume determination of a cargo container is an example of an application perfectly suited for Borrego. FOV 108 x 77 degrees Resolution H & V 320 x 240 (77k pixels) Range 16.5 meters @ 20% reflectivity Power Low power standby 4 watts (typ) MOAB Combining a higher-power version of PreActs general purpose LiDAR sensor, Mojave, and the AI capabilities of Nvidias Jetson Nano, Moab is best suited for education, healthcare, smart cities, ITS, agriculture, retail, security applications. With its flexible integration, Moab supports wireless communication (4G LTE, WIFI) and multiple I/O (Ethernet, USB-C), and can stand up to industrial indoor applications. Moab's strong AI-on-the-edge capability extends its applications to people counting in retail settings, inventory management, public transportation monitoring for safety, patient monitoring, and much more. The integrated all in one box packaging means that developers just need to plug Moab into their system and start developing. FOV 108 x 77 degrees Resolution H & V 320 x 240 (77k) pixels Range 7 meters @ 10% reflectivity Power 30 watts maximum In April of this year, PreAct launched Mojave, the industrys first software-definable flash LiDAR. With its software-definable capabilities, depth accuracy error of less than 2%, and a single unit retail cost of $350, Mojave is the first truly mass-market LiDAR. Mojave is currently distributed globally by Amazon, Brevan Electronics, Arrow Electronics and Digikey. All PreAct sensors are GDPR compliant and 100% solid state. About PreAct Technologies PreAct Technologies is the market leader in near-field software-definable flash LiDAR technology and integrated SDK (software development kit). Its patent-pending suite of sensor technologies provides high-resolution, affordable LiDAR solutions to a wide range of industries including robotics, healthcare, ITS, logistics, security, industrial, consumer electronics, trucking, and automotive. With unmatched quality and accuracy, PreActs edge processing algorithms drive technology resulting in 3D depth-maps of small objects at sub-centimeter accuracy up to 20 meters. PreActs LiDARs and SDK enable companies and innovators to address the industrys most pressing business and technology needs. The firm is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with offices in Ashburn, Virginia, and Barcelona, Spain. For sales inquiries, please contact [email protected]. For more information, visit www.preact-tech.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104538477/en/ Angela Simoes 415-302-2934 [email protected] Source: PreAct Technologies Company will provide research, development, test and evaluation for Strategic Systems Programs and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Science Applications International Corp. (NYSE: SAIC) has been awarded a $63 million contract from the U.S. Navy to support hypersonics advanced concepts and strategic mission solutions for the Navys Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) and the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane, Ind., Strategic Systems Hardware Division (GXW). Every day, SAIC provides expertise in systems integration and delivery solutions in support of the U.S. Navys strategic priorities, said Barbara Supplee, senior vice president, Navy Business Group at SAIC. We look forward to furthering the full lifecycle of research and development, technology maturation, test and evaluation and eventually the insertion of next-generation technology for hypersonics through our work at the Navys Crane facility and other key performance locations. Under the new contract, SAIC will enhance hypersonics advanced concepts and strategic missions focused on next-generation systems, subsystems, components, features and technologies to include Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) and Software-in-the-Loop (SWIL) simulations, manufacturing techniques and other strategic mission areas. SAICs continuing support to NSWC Crane will also include developing unique test capabilities, assessing and addressing technology gaps, recommending requirements and solutions for hypersonics advanced concepts and strategic mission areas, identifying critical enabling technologies and assessing a technologys suitability for specific applications including flight qualification. SAIC will assist SSP and NSWC Crane in driving quick-reaction analysis and rapid engineering principals across Department of Defense hypersonic advanced concepts and strategic mission initiatives to enable continued technological superiority. Additional support by SAIC will include developing improvements to leading-edge technologies, including new technical approaches and opportunities for technology transfer and integration, as well as inserting, enhancing, modernizing and sustaining state of the art hypersonics advanced concepts and strategic mission technologies to keep pace with continually emerging and evolving threats. For more information on SAICs work in systems integration and delivery, visit https://www.saic.com/what-we-do/mission-support/systems-integration-and-delivery About SAIC SAIC is a premier Fortune 500 technology integrator driving our nations technology transformation. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian and intelligence markets includes secure high-end solutions in engineering, digital, artificial intelligence and mission solutions. Using our expertise and understanding of existing and emerging technologies, we integrate the best components from our own portfolio and our partner ecosystem to deliver innovative, effective and efficient solutions that are critical to achieving our customers' missions. We are approximately 24,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, fostering a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion, which is core to our values and important to attract and retain exceptional talent. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $6.9 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this release contain or are based on forward-looking information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as expects, intends, plans, anticipates, believes, estimates, guidance, and similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements in this release may include, among others, estimates of future revenues, operating income, earnings, earnings per share, charges, total contract value, backlog, outstanding shares and cash flows, as well as statements about future dividends, share repurchases and other capital deployment plans. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risk, uncertainties and assumptions, and actual results may differ materially from the guidance and other forward-looking statements made in this release as a result of various factors. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause or contribute to these material differences include those discussed in the Risk Factors, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Legal Proceedings sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated in any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the SEC, which may be viewed or obtained through the Investor Relations section of our website at saic.com or on the SECs website at sec.gov. Due to such risks, uncertainties and assumptions you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. SAIC expressly disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statement provided in this release to reflect subsequent events, actual results or changes in SAICs expectations. SAIC also disclaims any duty to comment upon or correct information that may be contained in reports published by investment analysts or others. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240103820080/en/ Thais Hanson 703.676.8215 | [email protected] Source: Science Applications International Corp. September acquisition of Billerud Managed Packaging by Mimir Group leverages packaging expertise and Asian production network, rebrands to become Trillora Packaging Solutions. PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Trillora Packaging Solutions proudly announces a new name and brand redesign following their recent acquisition by Mimir Group. An emerging leader in the packaging industry, Trillora delivers sharper strategies and service-first solutions for ambitious brands in the apparel, footwear, sporting goods, and outdoor equipment industries. The companys formidable roster includes leading brands Traeger, Wilson, and Barebones. The acquisition is a carve-out divestiture from Swedish paper company Billerud and is a defining chapter in the companys 25-plus-year history. Trillora was originally founded as PACCESS in Portland, Oregon serving brands such as Nike and Levi Strauss & Co. Since 2013, the company has been known to the industry as Billerud Managed Packaging. "Today marks a significant milestone for our company as we proudly unveil the Trillora brand to the world. This is not just a name change; it's a reflection of our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence, explains Richard Lange, CEO of Trillora Packaging Solutions. Trillora represents a new chapter in our journey, and we are excited to continue delivering exceptional value to our clients and partners worldwide." Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, the U.S. office leads design, testing, sales, project management, and finance. With strategically positioned operations spanning three continents, Trilloras expert production network connects long-standing partnerships throughout Asia with management offices in Shenzhen, China, and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and others. The Trillora model provides a pivotal advantage in efficiently managing operations, sourcing, compliance, quality assurance, design, and testing for product brands manufacturing in these regions. Trilloras sales and account management team ensures seamless service delivery. About Trillora Packaging Solutions Trillora serves leading global brands with a rigorous dedication to design, produce, and deliver expert packaging solutions tailored to maximizing optimization, sustainability, and performance. Visit trillora.com for more about Trillora Packaging Solutions and the new brand. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240103889884/en/ Kathy Guilfoyle Marketing Manager Email: [email protected] Phone: 503.528.6798 Source: Trillora Packaging Solutions Chris Walker appointed CEO Former Google and Nvidia executive Amir Salek, Ph.D., joins Board of Directors and as Senior Technical Advisor Next generation speedAI device in fabrication TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Untether AI, the leader in energy-centric AI acceleration technology, today announced Board of Directors and senior leadership appointments as it enters a new phase of growth. Chris Walker, previously President of Untether AI, has been appointed as CEO. Dr. Amir Salek, former head of Silicon for Google Technical Infrastructure and Google Cloud and current Senior Managing Director at Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. (Cerberus), has joined Untether AIs Board of Directors and as a Senior Technical Advisor to the company. In addition, these appointments come amid an unprecedented explosion of machine learning and generative AI use cases, and as Untether AIs next-generation AI inference accelerator, the speedAI family, is in fabrication and on track to sample in the first half of this year. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104033093/en/ Chris Walker, CEO, Untether AI (Photo: Business Wire) Mr. Walker joined Untether AI as President in 2023 from Intel Corporation, where he was Corporate Vice President and General Manager. At Intel, Mr. Walker oversaw the business Mobile Client Platforms encompassing SoCs, wired and wireless products. He was instrumental in driving P&L and strategy across engineering, products, customers, and ecosystem partnerships, and grew Intels largest business line to over $25 billion. He also led from vision through scale the transformation of laptop innovation through Project Athena and the creation of the Intel Evo platform. 2024 is the year well see artificial intelligence being deployed at scale, necessitating better approaches to energy consumption and power," said Mr. Walker. With over 1,400 optimized processors computing At-Memory, the speedAI240 device represents the next generation of efficient AI acceleration for LLMs to the performance and accuracy needed for vision analytics. Were seeing strong demand for the devices capabilities and have already received pre-production orders. Its an exciting time for Untether AI to see the customer response and anticipation for speedAI in the first part of this year. Im thrilled for the opportunity to lead Untether AI on its next phase of growth and to have Amir be part of our leadership. "Intel Capital invested in Untether AI from an early stage, and with their next generation at-memory speedAI solution in fabrication, I am even more excited for the companys future," said Saf Yeboah-Amankwah, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Intel Corporation. "I send my heartfelt congratulations to Chris as he leads Untether AI into their next stage of growth in architecture." Dr. Salek started and led multiple lines of products that today are part of the de facto infrastructure behind Google services. Over the past two decades, Dr. Salek has led the development of products for a wide range of markets such as machine learning, networking, graphics, video, and mobile processors. Prior to Google, Dr. Salek was a Senior Director of Engineering at Nvidia, where he was the Founder and head of Nvidias System-on-a-Chip Design organization. Dr. Salek holds a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Southern California. The rise of AI compute workloads requires a radical re-thinking of how compute is done, which is what Untether AI is pioneering with its energy efficient, scalable solution for AI applications, said Dr. Salek. Im looking forward to engaging with the company at both the strategic and technical level. Untether AI is at the forefront of creating a new approach to highly efficient AI inference solutions. This is an imperative for scaled AI customer deployments in the data center, cloud, at the edge, and embedded solutions from Machine Learning to Generative AI, said Dr. Shaygan Kheradpir, technology executive, Untether AI Board member, and Senior Managing Director at Cerberus. Amir and Chris bring unique and unparalleled leadership experience in delivering innovative solutions and results at the highest levels of scale with partners. Outgoing CEO Arun Iyengar, who will continue to support the company during the transition, commented: Im gratified by Untether AIs accomplishments over the past five years. Were shipping runAI devices, the worlds first at-memory compute device for AI acceleration, taped-out our second generation speedAI devices, and have put in place a team ready to take the company to its next level of growth and success. About Untether AI Untether AI provides energy-centric AI inference acceleration from the edge to the cloud, supporting any type of neural network model. With its at-memory compute architecture, Untether AI has solved the data movement bottleneck that costs energy and performance in traditional CPUs and GPUs, resulting in high-performance, low-latency neural network inference acceleration without sacrificing accuracy. Untether AI embodies its technology in runAI and speedAI devices, tsunAimi accelerator cards, and its imAIgine Software Development Kit. Founded in Toronto in 2018, Untether AI is funded by CPPIB, GM Ventures, Intel Capital, Radical Ventures, and Tracker Capital. www.untether.ai. All references to Untether AI trademarks are the property of Untether AI. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104033093/en/ Media Contact for Untether AI: Michelle Clancy Fuller, Cayenne Global, +1.503.702.4732 [email protected] Company Contact: Robert Beachler, Untether AI, +1.650.793.8219 [email protected] Source: Untether AI SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CRISPR QC, a biotechnology start-up based in San Diego, is pleased to announce a major stride in its ongoing Series A funding round. Known for their CRISPR Analytics Platform, powered by the CRISPR-Chip, CRISPR QC analyzes and optimizes aspects of CRISPR editing before cell work, enabling researchers to save valuable time, money, and resources. The company has secured substantial funding from Xcellerant Ventures, a distinguished player in healthcare venture capital; the commitment signals a shared vision for advancing gene editing technologies. Xcellerant Ventures Fuels CRISPR QC's Momentum The strategic backing from Xcellerant Ventures will fund further developments in the CRISPR Analytics Platform. As the companys staff grows, so does the need for offices across the country: the first satellite office is set to open in Sedona, Arizona. Chris Yoo, a managing director at Xcellerant says, The infrastructure, talent pool, and resources available in Arizona serves as a strong launchpad for CRISPR QCs growth. Momentum in the Growing Gene Editing Industry CRISPR QCs mission is now more crucial than ever, with new crops and therapies coming to market, there will be a growing need for the interrogative data that CRISPR QC provides. Ross Bundy, co-founder of CRISPR QC, remarks, As the FDA just approved the first CRISPR therapy, its proven clinical utility will power the field's growth. However, the brute-force methods to develop this therapy are expensive and cost prohibitive, and safety concerns regarding these therapies linger on. CRISPR QCs Analytics Platform is needed now more than ever. About CRISPR QC CRISPR QCs CRISPR Analytics Platform provides comprehensive measurements and analysis around CRISPR activity, enabling scientists and researchers to optimize gene editing outcomes and ensure the highest levels of quality control. The platform is built on the companys proprietary CRISPR-Chip technology, which allows for direct, real-time measurement of CRISPR activity. About Xcellerant Ventures Phoenix-based Xcellerant Ventures is a cutting-edge venture capital firm focusing on early stage, pre-seed and seed investing within the health and med tech sectors of Arizona and the Southwest. We have a sharp focus on identifying and investing in the latest transformational trends that are improving the healthcare industry. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104480597/en/ Ross Bundy, President CRISPR QC 858-285-4122 [email protected] crisprqc.com Source: CRISPR QC FILE PHOTO: A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia June 4, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo By Laura Sanicola (Reuters) -Oil settled lower on Thursday in a choppy see-saw session, as massive weekly gasoline and distillate stock builds overshadowed a larger-than-expected crude stock draw. Brent crude settled down 66 cents, or 0.8%, to $77.59. During the session it both rose and fell over $1. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures settled down 51 cents, or 0.7%, to $72.19. Low fuel demand and large inventory increases in data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration weighed on prices. Gasoline stocks rose by 10.9 million barrels to 237 million barrels, their highest week-on-week rise in more than 30 years. Distillate stocks rose last week by 10.1 million barrels to 125.9 million barrels. Distillate product supplied, a proxy for demand, fell to its lowest level since 1999, EIA data showed. "The key Northeast region is still indicating relatively mild temperatures well into the 3rd week of this month in likely limiting diesel gains," said Jim Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch and Associates LLC in Galena, Illinois. While crude inventories drew by 5.5 million barrels in the week, EIA data showed, much of that reflects shipping disruptions in the Red Sea, said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho. "The situation in the Red Sea has forced a lot of refiners and buyers of crude oil to go to the United States rather than sail their boat around the Horn of Africa," Yawger said. Shipping concerns lingered after Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis on Wednesday said they had "targeted" a container ship bound for Israel. U.S. Central Command said the militant group had fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles in the southern Red Sea the previous day. Downbeat economic data sent prices lower earlier in the session. Euro zone business activity shrank in December. German inflation rose, possibly offering the European Central Bank an argument in favour of keeping interest rates steady for some time. Both oil benchmarks gained about 3% on Wednesday to settle higher for the first time in five days. Oil also found support from American Petroleum Institute data showing crude stocks fell by 7.4 million barrels, double the expected drawdown. On Wednesday two explosions killed nearly 100 people and wounded scores at a ceremony in Iran to commemorate commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed by a U.S. drone in 2020. Iran has vowed revenge. (Reporting by Laura Sanicola; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle and David Gregorio) Barclays (NYSE: BCS) today announces the appointment of Ryan Voegeli as Head of Investment Banking for Canada. Mr. Voegeli will be based in Toronto. Mr. Voegeli has twenty years of investment banking experience, and joins Barclays from CIBC Capital Markets where he was Head of Global Diversified Industries Investment Banking. In this role he led a highly successful team spanning Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Chicago and San Francisco. Prior to joining CIBC in 2011, Mr. Voegeli was Head of Canadian Telecom, Media & Technology Investment Banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Throughout his career, Mr. Voegeli has performed key roles in a vast number of landmark transactions, including advising the Special Committee of Shaw Communications in connection with its $26bn sale to Rogers Communications, and advising Shaw Communications on its $1.6bn acquisition of Wind Mobile. He advised George Weston Limited in connection with its sale of Weston Foods, and Loblaw in connection with its $845mm acquisition of Lifemark Health Group, as well as on the $460mm IPO of Choice Properties out of Loblaw. Mr. Voegeli also advised TELUS on its $2.9bn acquisition of Lifeworks, and GFL on its $5.125bn recapitalization led by BC Partners and OTPP. He also has extensive experience in Initial Public Offerings, having advised as Joint Bookrunner on the $1.4bn IPO of TELUS International, Joint Bookrunner on the US$531mm IPO of Ceridian, Joint Bookrunner on the $460 million IPO of Aritzia, and Joint Bookrunner on the $380mm IPO of Hudsons Bay Company. Ryans extensive industry relationships, combined with his proven leadership capabilities, will be of enormous value to our clients and colleagues, said Geoffrey Belsher, Chairman and Country Chief Executive Officer for Canada. With this outstanding addition to our platform, the whole team looks forward to even better serving our clients, and making increased inroads into key business areas such as cross-border M&A, equity financing, and high-yield financing. We are deeply committed to Canada and the Canadian markets, and we look forward to working together with our clients to further build on our shared successes, added Taylor Wright, Global Co-Head of Investment Banking. Under Ryans leadership the team will continue to drive best in class outcomes for our clients, both within Canada and for our broader Americas and Global Investment Banking businesses. Barclays has served clients in Canada for close to a century, is the leading non-Canadian bank in the country, and is consistently ranked in the top five banks in Canada for overall market share. The Barclays Canada team delivers Investment Banking, Global Markets, and Global Research coverage, providing clients in Canada with seamless access to Barclays global network, and extensive in-country opportunities for international clients. California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) today announced that after conducting an extensive, nation-wide search, it has selected James P. Lynch to join the company as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, effective January 3, 2024. He succeeds interim Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer David B. Healey. Mr. Healey will serve as Principal Financial Officer on an interim basis, ensuring a smooth transition and supporting the company in its fiscal year 2023 financial reporting. Mr. Lynch is an accomplished senior executive and seasoned finance leader with more than 22 years of experience in the water utility industry, including 12 years at SJW Group where he served as Chief Accounting Officer and, prior to that, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer. Before joining SJW Group, Mr. Lynch spent 14 years as an Audit Partner at KPMG, LLP, where he served as a lead audit partner on a portfolio of international and domestic publicly traded and privately held companies, including five years as independent audit partner for SJW Group and California Water Service Group. California Water Service Group retained a national search firm where Jim quickly rose to the top of the list, said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Martin A. Kropelnicki. Jims financial expertise, along with his extensive experience with regulated water utilities, makes him the perfect fit for this role. Ive known Jim for many years, and Ive long been impressed by his professionalism and integrity. Im very pleased to have him join our leadership team. A Santa Clara University alumnus, Mr. Lynch served as a member of the Santa Clara University Accounting Advisory Board and currently serves on the board of directors of Childrens Health Council. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. Elevance Health (NYSE: ELV) today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Paragon Healthcare, Inc., a company specializing in life-saving and life-giving infusible and injectable therapies. For more than 20 years, Paragon Healthcare has provided infusion services to patients through its omnichannel model of ambulatory infusion centers, home infusion pharmacies, and other specialty pharmacy services. The company, headquartered in Plano, Texas, provides high quality and convenient care to patients with a broad range of chronic and acute conditions. The acquisition of Paragon Healthcare will deepen our capabilities around providing affordable, convenient access to specialty medications and best-in-class services for our members living with chronic and complex illnesses, said Pete Haytaian, Executive Vice President, Elevance Health and President, Carelon. Together, Elevance Health and Paragon Healthcare will have the ability to provide members with greater choice on the most appropriate site of care options, such as ambulatory or in-home locations, which will remove barriers to care and better support members whole health. Paragon Healthcare serves more than 35,000 patients at over 40 ambulatory infusion centers across 8 states as well as patients homes. The company helps treat more than 300 health conditions with 24/7 on-call support. Following the acquisition, Elevance Health will look to expand Paragon Healthcares geographical footprint and operations while bolstering its therapeutic coverage. Elevance Health will also remain committed to the companys leading customer service approach. Once integrated, Paragon Healthcare patients who receive both medical and pharmacy benefits from Elevance Healths subsidiaries will benefit from the companys ability to leverage medical and pharmacy data to deliver proactive, whole health insights. After the acquisition closes, Paragon Healthcare will operate as part of CarelonRx, the pharmacy services segment within Carelon, Elevance Healths health services division. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the first half of 2024; it is not expected to have a material impact on adjusted earnings per share in 2024. Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE: HLI), the global investment bank, announced today that both Dudley Baker and Kerr Robertson have joined the firms Healthcare Group as Managing Directors. Mr. Baker is based in Dallas covering healthcare information technology (HCIT), while Mr. Robertson is based in Charlotte, covering behavioral healthcare and other healthcare services. Mr. Baker joins the firm after spending eight years with Canaccord Genuity Group. Most recently, he served as a Managing Director and Head of Digital & Tech-Enabled Health Investment Banking for Canaccord Genuity. Prior to joining Canaccord Genuity, Mr. Baker spent almost five years at Avondale Partners, where he led coverage of HCIT. Mr. Baker will partner with Luiz Greca in the HCIT practice to bring best-in-class insights, relationships, and experience to our HCIT clients. Mr. Robertson comes to Houlihan Lokey from William Blair, where he was a Partner and Managing Director for healthcare investment banking, covering healthcare services focused on behavioral health, post-acute/home health, healthcare staffing, radiology/imaging, and specialty pharmacies. Prior to joining William Blair, he spent 15 years at Wells Fargo Securities. I am excited to have both Dudley and Kerr joining our team, said Mark Francis, Managing Director and Global Head of Healthcare at Houlihan Lokey. Both of them bring significant experience and insights into two fast-growing healthcare sectors that will enhance our leadership in healthcare services and HCIT. Their expertise and client focus will be a great value for our clients as we continue to grow our market-leading Healthcare Group. These appointments follow the addition of Jay Ferguson, who joined the Healthcare Group in Charlotte in September as a Director to further bolster the Groups coverage of the pharma services sector. Dudley and Kerr both exemplify Houlihan Lokeys team-oriented and deeply client-centric culture, added Mike Pisani, Co-Head of U.S. Healthcare. These additions, along with Jay joining earlier this year, place us in a better position than ever to deliver outstanding service to our HCIT and healthcare clients around the world, he added. Houlihan Lokeys Healthcare Group is among the largest of its kind in investment banking, with around 100 financial professionals in New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Charlotte, Tokyo, Milan, Gurugram, Zurich, and London. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 4. Today, the work on text of the peace treaty is being carried out directly between Baku and Yerevan, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan - Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev said in an interview with Berliner Zeitung newspaper, Trend reports. He pointed out that each format has its own advantages, and it would not be correct to compare their effectiveness. At various stages, different formats have allowed us to move forward, and we are grateful to all the mediators who have been involved. The venue is not important for us. Most important is the outcome. We are for result-oriented negotiations. In principle, we are not against the honest facilitation, but our preference is direct talks. Today, work on the text of the peace treaty is being carried out directly between Baku and Yerevan, added Hajiyev. Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc., ("MAA") (NYSE: MAA) today announced that its operating partnership, Mid-America Apartments, L.P. ("MAALP"), priced a $350,000,000 offering of MAALP's 5.000% senior unsecured notes due March 15, 2034 (the "Notes") under its existing shelf registration statement. The Notes were priced at 99.019% of the principal amount. The closing of the offering is expected to occur on January 10, 2024 , subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. MAALP intends to use net proceeds from the offering to repay borrowings outstanding under its unsecured commercial paper program, with any remaining net proceeds to be used for general corporate purposes, which may include, without limitation, the repayment of other debt and the acquisition, development and redevelopment of apartment communities. Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC, Truist Securities, Inc. and U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. were the joint book-running managers for the offering. Bass, Berry & Sims PLC is serving as legal counsel to MAALP, and Sidley Austin LLP is serving as legal counsel to the underwriters. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and has become effective. The offering of these securities will be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. Copies of these documents may be obtained from: Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Attention: WFS Customer Service, 608 2nd Avenue South , Suite 1000, Minneapolis, MN 55402, email: [email protected], or by telephone: 1-800-645-3751; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, Attn: Prospectus Department, 1155 Long Island Avenue , Edgewood, NY 11717, or by telephone: 1-866-803-9204; Mizuho Securities USA LLC, 1271 Avenue of the Americas , New York, NY 10020, United States , Attention: Debt Capital Markets (Fax: +1 (212) 205-7812); Truist Securities, Inc., Attn: Prospectus Department, 3333 Peachtree Road NE , 9th floor, Atlanta, GA 30326, email: [email protected], or by telephone: 1-800-685-4786; and U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., 214 N. Tryon Street , 26th Floor, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202, Facsimile: (877) 558-2607, Attention: Debt Capital Markets. Alternatively, investors may obtain these documents, when available, for free by visiting EDGAR on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes, nor shall there be any sale of the Notes in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. Mesas all-electric fire truck is officially in service. The pumper truck, stationed at Fire Station 221 in southeast Mesa, will reduce toxin exposure for firefighters as part of the Mesa Fire and Medical Departments commitment to implementing cutting-edge health and safety practices. The truck, manufactured by E-ONE, a subsidiary of REV Group, Inc. (NYSE: REVG), is the first fully electric fire North American style engine in Arizona and will support the City of Mesas Climate Action Plan and goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 by helping to reduce the departments carbon footprint. Im an advocate for electric vehiclesits a more efficient technology and shifting City vehicles from gas-powered to electric is another step we can take toward reaching our Climate Action Plan goals, said Mayor John Giles. We look forward to this as a study in the potential cost-savings and efficiency of electric vehicles in City operations. This is further testament to Mesas investment in public safety and our Mesa Fire and Medical Departments strong tradition of innovation and leadership in the state and the nation. The new fire truck excels at sustainability and performance with low to no carbon emissions, less noise pollution, range extension for prolonged power needs and life-long batteries. It can pump four hose lines at 750 gallons per minute for four hours on a single charge allowing for continuous emergency response, when needed. The communities this electric fire truck will serve were built over the former GM Proving Grounds - where concept vehicles were tested. Eastmark is the focus of the innovation mindset in Mesa. It is reflected in our street names like Ampere Avenue, Innovation Way, South Electron, and Inspiration Parkway. It seems only fitting Southeast Mesa is home to this first innovative fire apparatus, said District 6 Councilmember Scott Somers. Station 221 is equipped with an electrical charger capable of fully recharging the fire truck in approximately 3 and a half hours. The fire station, which opened in 2021, was designed and built to keep firefighters healthy and safe. Safety measures include positive pressure airflow to keep contaminants out of living areas, exhaust capturing systems to remove vehicle exhaust in the bays while fire trucks are running prior to leaving the station and a decontamination area which now includes showers for firefighters to remove contaminants prior to entering living areas. We are proud of what today signifies. As a department, we are taking a unique step towards improving the health and safety of our personnel, said Fire Chief Mary Cameli. Every innovative step that contributes to the overall health and safety of our personnel is a step in the right direction. As a department, we are fortunate to be part of a city that uses data and research combined with technology and a willingness to test ideas and analyze the results. Trailblazing, the use of technology like this truck to help reduce the risks to our crews exemplifies the Mesa Way. On behalf of Fire Truck Solutions, E-ONE and REV Fire Group, we are delighted that City of Mesa and Mesa Fire and Medical have chosen the E-ONE to support the citys goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, said REV Fire Group President Mike Virnig. Thank you to the City of Mesa and Mesa Fire and Medical for your partnership. Funding for Mesas all-electric fire truck is from 2018 bonds approved by voters and the Citys General Fund. FILE PHOTO: Attendees watch a display on curved OLED screens at the LG Electronics booth during CES 2023, an annual consumer electronics trade show, in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. January 6, 2023. REUTERS/Steve Marcus/File Photo By Max A. Cherney and Abhirup Roy SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - (This Jan. 4 story has been corrected to say that Bosch is scheduled to speak at CES on AI and cybersecurity, not that Bosch is expected to showcase a gun-detection system, in paragraph 9 and fixes executive's name to Aakash Arora in paragraph 11) OpenAI boss Sam Altman will not appear at the CES trade show in Las Vegas next week. But the generative artificial-intelligence fever his startup set off last year will be on full display as gadget makers race to find consumer uses for the technology. In devices for the visually impaired, and safety systems involving guns at schools, to facial-recognition software that can assess vitals, and cabin-monitoring systems inside autonomous cars, dozens of companies have planned announcements for the show about how they are building AI into their gadgets. CES 2024, formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show, runs Jan. 9-12. OpenAI's influence at the show despite Altman's physical absence is reminiscent of Apple and its founder Steve Jobs, whose clout was felt despite him avoiding the show, with many firms jockeying to display gadgets compatible with the company's sleek products. Altman is widely regarded as the poster child for the AI frenzy that has gripped the tech industry for the past year. He made headlines in November when he was briefly ousted by the ChatGPT maker's board, and reinstated days later after more than 700 employees threatened to quit and join OpenAI investor Microsoft in solidarity. Among other projects, OpenAI is working on a secretive AI hardware project with famed former Apple designer Jony Ive, according to media reports. Funding for generative AI projects exploded last year, surging more than fivefold to $23.78 billion through the beginning of December from 2022, according to PitchBook data. "It's the year of AI in everything," said Maribel Lopez, tech analyst at Lopez Research. "If you don't have AI in your product, don't show up, it's not worth talking about." Germany's Bosch, which recently won a CES award for a near-invisible gun-detection system that pairs video and audio AI for proactive security involving firearms at schools, is scheduled to speak on AI and cybersecurity at a panel in the show. Japan's NEC will unveil AI software that enables mobile devices to analyze face patterns and pupil conditions to estimate human vitals and mental state. A slew of companies is expected to show off how using AI in vehicles is making them smoother and safer for drivers through better in-vehicle virtual assistants and cabin monitors. The new focus area for automakers after years of investment into autonomous technology that used AI is technology that allows a "hyper personalized" experience while buying and driving cars, said Aakash Arora, a managing director at Boston Consulting Group. "They're trying to figure out 'if I could get to this level of customer experience it can really differentiate me in the market,'" he said of companies in the auto industry. For instance, Cerence, which makes AI-powered virtual assistants, is set to announce a partnership with Volkswagen, and Israel-based Cipia is expected to unveil a system that monitors signs of distraction and drowsiness in drivers. Many automakers are also adopting AI in various stages of production to reduce costs, said Wendy Bauer, vice president of automotive and manufacturing at Amazon Web Services, which counts BMW and Toyota as customers. AI can help carmakers save money by speeding up vehicle development and ensuring better quality checks during manufacturing, she said. PC and smartphone makers are also likely to showcase how their products use AI, which chipmakers including Intel and AMD are betting will offer a new revenue stream. Microsoft said on Thursday that PCs with a new AI button on the Windows keyboard will be on display at the show. But it is not clear whether consumers will pay extra for AI capabilities on their computers because these developments perform less obvious tasks than OpenAI's ChatGPT bot. "Consumers love ChatGPT, but the consumer benefit of having it on a device isn't clear," said Jay Goldberg, chief executive of D2D Advisory. "That's why everyone is going to talk about it - because everyone is scrambling for the consumer utility." (Reporting by Max A. Cherney and Abhirup Roy in San Francisco; Editing by Sayantani Ghosh and Matthew Lewis) FILE PHOTO: An illuminated Google logo is seen inside an office building in Zurich, Switzerland December 5, 2018. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo By Daniel Wiessner (Reuters) -Alphabet Inc's Google violated U.S. labor law by refusing to bargain with a union representing contract workers for YouTube Music, a federal agency has ruled. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in a decision on Wednesday rejected claims by Google, which owns YouTube, that it should not be considered the employer of workers provided by staffing firm Cognizant Technology Solutions. The group of YouTube Music content operation workers voted 41-0 last April to join the Alphabet Workers Union, which was formed three years ago to organize the company's employees. The labor board in July upheld the election results, rejecting Google's claim that it did not have enough control over the workers to be considered a so-called "joint employer" that must bargain with their union. Employers cannot appeal decisions in election cases, so Google refused to bargain in order to get the case back before the NLRB. The NLRB on Wednesday said the company had not raised any new issues warranting review. Google in a statement said it would ask a federal appeals court to review the ruling. "As we've said before, we have no objection to these Cognizant employees selecting to form a union. We simply believe it's only appropriate for Cognizant, as their employer, to engage in collective bargaining," the company said. Katie-Marie Marschner, a YouTube Music worker and member of the union, said in a statement that Google and Cognizant have made various changes to working conditions without bargaining, including requiring workers to return to the office and removing sick pay. "Any future appeals by Alphabet are just an attempt to avoid collectively bargaining with the union and pad the pockets of shareholders and executives," she said. Google has faced an uptick in labor organizing in the United States and abroad in recent years, including a series of worker protests over the company's business and employment policies. In November, a group of about 120 employees of Google contractor Accenture who work on artificial intelligence applications voted to unionize. Google claims it is not the workers' joint employer and is challenging the results of that election. The standard for determining when businesses are joint employers of contract and franchise workers has been in flux since the Obama administration. An NLRB rule that takes effect in February and is being challenged by major business groups says companies are joint employers even when their control over working conditions is indirect. In Google's case, the board applied a rule on joint employment adopted during former President Donald Trump's administration that says businesses have to exercise direct control over workers in order to be required to bargain with unions. The NLRB said Google directly supervises workers provided by Cognizant and has control over their hours and benefits. (Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi, Tomasz Janowski and David Gregorio) LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ADC Therapeutics SA (NYSE: ADCT) today announced that it received a notice from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on January 2, 2024 that the Company has regained compliance with the continued listing minimum price criteria set forth in Section 802.01C of the NYSE Listed Company Manual and, as a result, will be removed from the NYSEs noncompliant issuers list. The Company previously received a notice from the NYSE that it was not in compliance with the continued listing minimum price criteria, as the average closing price of its common shares was below $1.00 over a consecutive 30 trading-day period. As closing price of the common shares on December 29, 2023 and the average closing price of the common shares over the 30 trading-day period ending on December 29, 2023 were both above $1.00, the deficiency was cured. About ADC Therapeutics ADC Therapeutics (NYSE: ADCT) is a commercial-stage global leader and pioneer in the field of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). The Company is advancing its proprietary ADC technology to transform the treatment paradigm for patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. ADC Therapeutics CD19-directed ADC ZYNLONTA (loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl) received accelerated approval by the FDA and conditional approval from the European Commission for the treatment of relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy. ZYNLONTA is also in development in combination with other agents and in earlier lines of therapy. In addition to ZYNLONTA, ADC Therapeutics has multiple ADCs in ongoing clinical and preclinical development. ADC Therapeutics is based in Lausanne (Biopole), Switzerland and has operations in London, the San Francisco Bay Area and New Jersey. For more information, please visit https://adctherapeutics.com/ and follow the Company on LinkedIn. ZYNLONTA is a registered trademark of ADC Therapeutics SA. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as may, will, should, would, expect, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, potential, seem, seek, future, continue, or appear or the negative of these terms or similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially from those described. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the actual ZYNLONTA revenue for 4Q 2023, the success of the Companys updated corporate strategy including operating efficiencies, capital deployment and portfolio prioritization; the Companys ability to achieve the decrease in total operating expenses for 2023 and 2024, the expected cash runway into 4Q 2025, the effectiveness of the new commercial go-to-market strategy, competition from new technologies, and the Companys ability to grow ZYNLONTA revenue in the United States; Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (Sobi) ability to successfully commercialize ZYNLONTA in the European Economic Area and market acceptance, adequate reimbursement coverage, and future revenue from the same; approval by the NMPA of the BLA for ZYNLONTA in China submitted by Overland ADCT BioPharma and future revenue from the same, our strategic partners, including Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, ability to obtain regulatory approval for ZYNLONTA in foreign jurisdictions, and the timing and amount of future revenue and payments to us from such partnerships; the impact, if any, from data reported by the University of Miami for their IIT in FL; the timing and results of the Companys or its partners clinical trials including LOTIS 5 and 7, ADCT 601 and 602 as well as the Companys early-stage pipeline research projects, actions by the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities with respect to the Companys products or product candidates; projected revenue and expenses; the Companys indebtedness, including Healthcare Royalty Management and Oaktree and Blue Owl facilities, and the restrictions imposed on the Companys activities by such indebtedness, the ability to repay such indebtedness and the significant cash required to service such indebtedness; and the Companys ability to obtain financial and other resources for its research, development, clinical, and commercial activities. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements is contained in the Risk Factors section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F and in the Company's other periodic reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, achievements or prospects to be materially different from any future results, performance, achievements or prospects expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this document. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release, except as required by law. CONTACTS: InvestorsEugenia LitzADC Therapeutics[email protected]+44 7879 627205+1 908-723-2350 MediaNicole RileyADC Therapeutics[email protected] +1 862-926-9040 Source: ADC Therapeutics SA TORONTO, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AGF Management Limited (TSX: AGF.B) will release its financial results for fiscal 2023 on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at approximately 8:00 a.m. ET. AGF will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss these results at 11:00 a.m. ET. The discussion will feature remarks by Kevin McCreadie, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, and Ken Tsang, Chief Financial Officer. Judy G. Goldring, President and Head of Global Distribution, will also be available for the question-and-answer period with investment analysts following the presentation. The live audio webcast with supporting materials will be available in the Investor Relations section of AGFs website at www.agf.com or at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/5oqk38wy. Alternatively, the call can be accessed over the phone by registering here or in the Investor Relations section of AGFs website at www.agf.com, to receive the dial-in numbers and unique PIN. A complete archive of this discussion along with supporting materials will be available at the same webcast address within 24 hours of the end of the conference call. ABOUT AGF MANAGEMENT LIMITED Founded in 1957, AGF Management Limited (AGF) is an independent and globally diverse asset management firm. Our companies deliver excellence in investing in the public and private markets through three distinct business lines: AGF Investments, AGF Private Capital and AGF Private Wealth. AGF brings a disciplined approach, focused on incorporating sound, responsible and sustainable corporate practices. The firms collective investment expertise, driven by its fundamental, quantitative and private investing capabilities, extends globally to a wide range of clients, from financial advisors and their clients to high-net worth and institutional investors including pension plans, corporate plans, sovereign wealth funds, endowments and foundations. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, AGF has investment operations and client servicing teams on the ground in North America and Europe. With nearly $43 billion in total assets under management and fee-earning assets, AGF serves more than 800,000 investors. AGF trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol AGF.B. AGF MANAGEMENT LIMITED SHAREHOLDERS, ANALYSTS AND MEDIA, PLEASE CONTACT: Courtney LearmontVice-President, Finance647-253-6804, [email protected] Source: AGF Management Ltd. Riverton, Wyoming, Jan. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jay Nardini, Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Chair has announced Dr. Carlton Underwoods appointment to the ACCT Finance and Audit Committee. ACCT is a national organization that brings community college leaders together to address real-world challenges and help students succeed through advocacy and education. Based in Washington, D.C., ACCT is a major voice of community college trustees to the presidential administration, U.S. Congress, the Departments of Education and Labor, education and workforce-oriented think tanks, and more. Dr. Carlton Underwood joined the Central Wyoming College Board of Trustees in December 2012. During his service on the Board, Underwood has served as Treasurer, Vice Chair, and represented the CWC Board of Trustees on the Board of Directors for the CWC Foundation. He served as Board Chair for two years from 2020 through 2021. The ACCT Finance and Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring executive compliance with fiscally related policies and bylaws, reviewing the annual budget, the financial audit, establishing procedures for the periodic audit of association programs and services, and reporting to the ACCT board of directors, according to the association. Were grateful to the talented and insightful trustees who dedicate their time to volunteer for committees, said ACCT President and CEO Jee Hang Lee. Many committee members have advanced to the board of directors, and both bodies are essential to keeping ACCT focused on the needs of community college boards and the needs of institutions they serve. Underwood graduated from Central Wyoming College in 1997 with an Associates of Science in Accounting. He continued his higher education at the University of Wyoming having graduated in 1999 with his Bachelors of Science in Accounting. Underwood worked for the Northern Arapaho Tribe for ten years in various positions before pursuing his Master of Business Administration at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville graduating in 2010. Dr. Underwood continued his career in various leadership positions with the Northern Arapaho Tribe until 2022. Underwood is now the Fiduciary Trust Officer for the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration under the Department of the Interior and works with both Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes in managing their trust funds assets. Dr. Underwood graduated from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles in 2022 with his Doctor of Education Degree in Organizational Change and Leadership. Carlton considers himself a servant leader and enjoys contributing back to the communities that Fremont County and is currently serving as Board Clerk on the Board of Trustees for Fremont County School District #14, Wyoming Indian Schools in Ethete. Carlton believes very strongly in the efforts and actions of Central Wyoming College. Central Wyoming College's mission is to transform lives and strengthen communities through learning, leadership and connection. The college includes a main campus in Riverton, an outreach center, the Alpine Science Institute in Lander, and outreach centers in Jackson and Dubois. CWC is a designated Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institution (NASNTI), and serves the largest American Indian student population in the state of Wyoming. The Association of Community College Trustees is a non-profit educational organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern over 1,200 community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States and beyond. IMAGES: https://www.cwc.edu/media-center/ All Photos Courtesy of Central Wyoming College www.cwc.eduhttps://www.acct.org/INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST Attachment Jennifer Marshall Central Wyoming College 5052311776 [email protected] Source: Central Wyoming College SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- C-Bond Systems (the Company or C-Bond) (OTC: CBNT), a developer and marketer of glass strengthening solutions for enhanced safety, announced today its 2023 highlights. The Company also participated in an investor podcast to discuss 2023 achievements and 2024 goals, which can be heard here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64_UULOJ3zM 2023 Highlights Revenue was over $1.7 million for the first nine months of 2023, exceeding revenue for the first nine-month period of any prior year, even without the contribution of any revenue from our previously owned C-Bond nanoShield product, which we sold in the second quarter of 2023 C-Bond sold its C-Bond nanoShield windshield strengthener and related automotive assets for more than $4 million Company strengthened its balance sheet, paid off debt, and restructured its last remaining convertible note to eliminate convertible features and stop accruing interest C-Bond filed to officially establish Patriot Glass Solutions as a subsidiary as a result of expanding operations and strong revenue growth, with its products now installed in 162 schools in Texas as well as many other commercial facilities Strong pipeline of purchase orders already received for 2024 2023 was a transformational year for us as we sold the C-Bond nanoShield business, allowing us to strengthen our balance sheet and focus on our core Patriot Glass Solutions products, stated Scott R. Silverman, Chairman and CEO of the Company. Further growing our Patriot Glass Solutions subsidiary and our best-in-class products is our primary goal for 2024. We already have a solid pipeline of projects lined up to begin in 2024 and we will continue to expand by getting our ballistic and security film products specified by architects and growing our dealer network across the country. Patriot Glass Solutions protects personal, commercial and government property from looting, smash-and-grabs, break-ins, and gunfire. Its leading products are C-Bond BRS, a ballistic-resistant film system, and C-Bond Secure, a multi-purpose glass strengthening primer and window film mounting solution that deters forced entry. To see a demonstration of Patriot Glass Solutions security products, watch our video at: https://bit.ly/3l93oZV For more information about Patriot Glass Solutions products, please call 844-602-2663 or email Michael Wanke at [email protected]. About C-BondC-Bond Systems, Inc. (OTC: CBNT) is a San Antonio-based nanotechnology company and marketer of the patented C-Bond technology, which is independently proven to strengthen glass in architectural applications. The Companys Patriot Glass Solutions subsidiary sells ballistic-resistant glass solutions and forced entry deterrent solutions to private enterprises, schools, and government agencies. For more information, please visit our websites: www.cbondsystems.com, www.patriotglasssolutions.com, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cbondsys/ and Twitter: https://twitter.com/CBondSys and https://twitter.com/Patriot_Glass. Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release about our future expectations, including the likelihood that we already have a solid pipeline of projects lined up to begin in 2024 and we will continue to expand by getting our ballistic and security film products specified by architects and growing our dealer network across the country; any forward-looking statements contained in the podcast interview; constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and our actual results could differ materially from expected results. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the Companys ability to successfully commercialize its products; the likelihood that schools will comply with the Texas Education Agencys rule on school safety; the Companys and its customers ability to source materials; construction delays; film delays; the Companys ability to raise capital; regulatory risks; as well as other risks. Additional information about these and other factors may be described in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) including its Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2023, its Forms 10-Q filed on November 14, 2023, August 14, 2023, and May 15, 2023, and in future filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this statement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. Contact: Allison TomekC-Bond Systems[email protected] Source: C-Bond Systems New York, New York, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In response to the escalating concerns of overtourism in popular travel destinations, CheapOair, a leading online travel agency operated by New York based travel technology innovator Fareportal, Inc, encourages travelers to explore alternative destinations through its Miles Away blog. This week, the blog site published an insightful article titled, "Escape the Crowds, Combat Overtourism with These 'Destination Dupes'", highlighting lesser known yet equally enchanting locations that offer a similar experience without the crowds. Overtourism creates environmental strain, inflated costs, and a diminished experience for both locals and visitors. In many cases, local governments have been forced to act, such as Machu Picchu in Peru and the Acropolis in Athens placing caps on the number of daily visitors. However, savvy travelers should view this as an opportunity to explore different options off the beaten path. The concept of "destination dupes" advocates for exploring alternative destinations that provide the ambiance, historical richness, and cultural vibrancy akin to popular destinations but without the overwhelming crowds. Miami - Durban, South Africa Miami is considered the most over-touristed city in the United States, with data showing 18.6 visitors per 1 resident in 2023. This has contributed to overtourism challenges impacting the environment and affordability for tourists and locals. CheapOair MilesAway suggests Durban, South Africa, as an alternative, offering beautiful beaches, a warm subtropical climate, and a rich cultural mix. Durbans Golden Mile, architectural influences and cultural festivals make it a captivating substitute for those seeking Miamis coastal allure with a distinctive South African twist. Santorini - Paros, Greece Santorinis charm is undeniable, but the environmental strain and overcrowding have prompted searches for alternatives. Paros, Greece, part of the Cyclades, provides a captivating option with picturesque villages, golden beaches, and a deep cultural heritage. Paros offers the same aesthetic as Santorini, without the crowd-induced stress, allowing for a more relaxed and authentic experience. Amsterdam - Gdansk, Poland Amsterdams picturesque canals and vibrant cultural scene draw millions of tourists, contributing to overcrowding and increased living costs for locals. Addressing this, city officials have taken measures to address nuisance tourism in particular, by enacting a limit on holiday rentals and capping the number of bed and breakfasts allowed in each city district. Gdansk, Poland is a compelling alternative, boasting beautiful waterways, impressive architecture, and a rich maritime history. Phuket Da Nang, Vietnam Phuket was named the worlds most overcrowded tourist destination according to information published in October 2023 by Travel Weekly Asia. Da Nang, Vietnam, is an alluring substitute, offering natural beauty and cultural vibrance. Da Nangs pristine shores, cultural wonders and fewer tourists provide a relaxed and rewarding travel experience. Glenn Cusano, Fareportal President and CFO, has this to say, Travel is our business, and we consider it our duty to help the traveling public explore the world. 2024 has just begun, and travelers are already beginning to make their vacation plans for the year. In addition to the Destination Dupes shared in this CheapOair MilesAway article, our writers frequently address the topic of responsible tourism. I urge readers to visit the site frequently for travel ideas and inspiration. To view the entire list of suggested destinations and read the complete article, visit Miles Away . About CheapOair CheapOair is an online travel agency that specializes in providing cheap flights and great last-minute flight deals for travelers worldwide. Consumers can book online, on mobile apps for iOS and Android, by phone, or by live chat. Part of Fareportals family of travel brands, CheapOair bridges the gap between an online travel agency and a traditional agency with travel agents available worldwide to help find great deals on flights to global destinations on over 500 airlines, a million lodgings, and 100s of car rental companies. Follow CheapOair on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for travel inspiration and helpful travel tips. About Fareportal Fareportal is a travel technology company powering a next generation travel concierge service. Utilizing its innovative technology and company-owned and operated global contact centers, Fareportal has built strong industry partnerships providing customers access to over 500 airlines, a million lodgings, and hundreds of car rental companies around the globe. With a portfolio of consumer travel brands including CheapOair and OneTravel, Fareportal enables consumers to book online, on mobile apps for iOS and Android, by phone, or by live chat. Fareportal provides its airline partners with access to a broad customer base that books high-yielding international and domestic flight, hotel, and other travel and add-on ancillaries. Kathi Moore CheapOair 646 738 7813 [email protected] Source: CheapOair SOUTHAMPTON, Pa., Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Environmental Tectonics Corporation (OTC Pink: ETCC) (ETC or the Company) announced that its Aircrew Training Systems business unit (ATS) was awarded four contracts totaling $9.7 million. Three are for CLS contracts for repeat customers in the Middle East, and the U.S., and one is for a mid-life upgrade of Spatial Disorientation equipment for an Asian customer. In addition, ETC Simulation, located in Orlando, Florida, received a $2.7 million order for the delivery of a customized ADMS simulation system for an emergency response training center being established by an international client active in the oil industry. These contracts represent the continuing strong relationship with its global aeromedical customers and the expansion of ETC Simulations product line and customer base, stated Robert Laurent, CEO and President. About ETC: ETC designs, manufactures, and sells software driven products and services used to recreate and monitor the physiological effects of motion on humans, and equipment to control, modify, simulate and measure environmental conditions. Our products include aircrew training systems (aeromedical, tactical combat, and general), disaster management systems, sterilizers (steam and gas), environmental testing and simulation systems, and other products that involve similar manufacturing techniques and engineering technologies. ETCs unique ability to offer complete systems, designed and produced to high technical standards, sets it apart from its competition. ETC is headquartered in Southampton, PA. For more information about ETC, visit http://www.etcusa.com/. Forward-looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements, which are based on managements expectations and are subject to uncertainties and changes in circumstances. Words and expressions reflecting something other than historical fact are intended to identify forward-looking statements, and these statements may include words such as may, will, should, expect, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, future, predict, potential, intend, or continue, and similar expressions. We base our forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events or future financial performance. Our forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about ETC and its subsidiaries that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results implied by these forward-looking statements. We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Contact: Tim Kennedy, CFO Phone: (215) 355-9100 E-mail: [email protected] BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 4. The State Service for Mobilization and Conscription for Military Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan has provided clarification on granting martyr status to the military personnel who lost their lives in the Lachin accident, Trend reports. In accordance with the law, the martyr status is designated upon receiving a notification from a military unit in adherence to legal procedures. The servicemen Hasan Ismailov and Sakhavat Akhundov, who tragically passed away in Lachin, will be posthumously honored with the status of martyrs following the presentation of an official certificate confirming their demise while in active service, said the State Service for Mobilization and Conscription for Military Service. A military vehicle accident on January 4 in Lachin district claimed the lives of Azerbaijani servicemen Hasan Ismayilov and Sakhavat Akhundov. Evexta Bio Announces the Appointment of Paul Gineste, PharmD, as Chief Development Officer Paul Gineste brings 25 years of experience in clinical development and strategy with leading international pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Recently, Paul served as Vice President, Clinical Operations at Abivax, where he led the development of drug candidates from discovery through global Phase 3 programs. Paris, France, January 4, 2024 - Evexta Bio SA, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing first-in-class therapies in oncology, announces the appointment of Paul Gineste as Chief Development Officer (CDO), effective January 1, 2024. Paul is an experienced senior executive with a track record of successful achievements in the Pharma and Biotech Industry. He has worked with leading international pharmaceutical and biotech companies, including as International Clinical Trials Manager at Boehringer Ingelheim, Head of Clinical Research and Development at Altana Pharma, Executive Vice President, Clinical Development at Theravectys, a lentiviral vector spin-off from the Institut Pasteur, and most recently for 9 years as Vice President, Clinical Operations at Abivax, where he led drug candidates from discovery through global Phase 3 programs. Scott Filosi, CEO of Evexta Bio, said: "I am delighted to welcome Paul as the new Chief Development Officer of Evexta Bio. With his extensive track record in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, Paul is the best suited to lead our clinical development and strategy as our lead candidate, rupitasertib, is expected to enter a phase 2/3 clinical trial in refractory ER+ HER2 metastatic breast cancer. Paul Gineste, PharmD, CDO of Evexta Bio, added: I am genuinely pleased to join Evexta Bio and its experienced management team to advance its development strategy and in particular its clinical programs. Evexta Bio has two proprietary therapeutic assets with original mechanisms of action that may address unmet medical needs in multiple cancer indications. I look forward to leading and accelerating their clinical development. ***** Upcoming opportunity to meet our team: EVEXTA BIO will be in San Francisco, CA, during the JP Morgan's 42nd Annual Healthcare Conference, January 8-11, 2024. Contact us today to arrange a meeting with our executives in San Francisco: Scott Filosi, Chief Executive Officer, and Dominique Bridon, Chief Scientific Officer. About Evexta Bio (https://www.evextabio.com) Evexta Bio, formerly Diaccurate, is a biopharmaceutical company revolutionizing cancer treatment with potential first-in-class therapies with unique mechanisms of action for combating tumor resistance . Now in the clinic, the French biotech is currently developing two proprietary therapeutic assets across several indications: Rupitasertib, formerly DIACC3010, a first-in-class S6K inhibitor addressing tumor resistance while blocking the compensatory AKT feedback loop. The oral anti-tumor agent is expected to enter phase 2/3 clinical trial in refractory ER+ HER2- metastatic breast cancer. EVX-020, formerly DIACC2020, an antibody-drug conjugate program using a first-in-class KIF20A kinesin inhibitor as payload in hematological and solid tumors. Founded by Truffle Capital, Evexta Bio has forged alliances with leaders in academia and industry, including CNRS, Paoli-Calmettes Institute (Marseille, France) and Merck KGaA (Darmstadt, Germany). The company is supported by seasoned management team, board of directors and medical advisory board. Contacts ATCG PARTNERSMarie Puvieux+33 (0)6 10 54 36 72[email protected] Attachment Source: EVEXTA BIO Interim analysis estimated to occur in late Q2 2024 and will be based on at least 50% of anticipated primary outcomes Pivotal Phase 3 trial continues to progress with over 75% of initially-planned patients enrolled European Patent Office notice allows for expansion of FDY-5301 patent protection into the EU SEATTLE, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Faraday Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the prevention of heart failure by reducing myocardial damage in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) through the treatment of reperfusion injury, today announced its agreement with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) amendment, enabling the company to expedite its planned Phase 3 study interim analysis. The company also announced its receipt of a notice of intention to grant its FDY-5301 patent application from the European Patent Office (EPO), allowing for the expansion of FDY-5301s protection across the European Union (EU) into 2035. The SPA amendment optimizes the timing, based on the studys current enrollment rate, and expands the data set of the interim analysis. The interim analysis covers at least 50% of the studys anticipated primary outcomes and enables the company to potentially upsize the studys enrollment to increase the likelihood of meeting its primary endpoints. In addition, once Faradays European patent application (no. 15746855.4, entitled Halogen Treatment of Heart Attack and Ischemic Injury) is officially granted and validated, the company will have achieved its goal of securing FDY-5301 patent protection in major markets worldwide. We are grateful for the FDAs continued support and guidance and pleased to have its written agreement on our expedited interim analysis for the pivotal Phase 3 trial of FDY-5301, said Dr. Stephen A. Hill, Chief Executive Officer of Faraday. The interim analysis is now expected four to six months sooner than previously planned, and if our data monitoring committee recommends upsizing the study, we will gain a meaningful range of statistically supported probabilities of success by doing so. Dr. Hill continued: In addition, the European patent grant will enhance the commercial potential of FDY-5301. We look forward to completing our Phase 3 study enrollment and potentially bringing FDY-5301 forward as the first therapy for reducing post-STEMI ischemia-reperfusion injury. The ongoing Phase 3 IOCYTE AMI-3 study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessing the efficacy and safety of FDY-5301 in reducing cardiovascular (CV) death and heart failure events in anterior STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous intervention (PCI). Unless upsized based on the interim analysis, the study plans to enroll approximately 2,300 anterior STEMI patients across 150 centers in North America, Europe, and Israel. The trial is being conducted under a Special Protocol Agreement reached with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For more information on the IOCYTE AMI-3 Phase 3 please visit ClinicalTrials.gov and reference Identifier NCT04837001. About STEMI Acute STEMI is a leading cause of cardiovascular death and remains a primary cause of the development of heart failure. Standard treatment of a STEMI involves PCI, during which a catheter is inserted into the artery to remove the blockage and restore blood flow. Following a STEMI episode, one of the critical factors influencing patient outcome is reperfusion injury which occurs when the oxygen-rich blood supply returns to the ischemic area. About FDY-5301FDY-5301 is an elemental reducing agent containing sodium iodide for which Faraday has obtained method of use patent protection in major markets worldwide. FDY-5301s unique properties are well-suited to mitigate ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). In preclinical IRI models, FDY-5301 reduced tissue damage, infarct size, and inflammation. FDY-5301 functions as a catalytic neutralizer of hydrogen peroxide, a prominent reactive oxygen species implicated in the IRI cascade leading to cardiomyocyte death, and also acts as an immunomodulating agent. A Phase 2 clinical trial of FDY-5301 in treating IRI following a STEMI demonstrated the treatment was well-tolerated and provided encouraging signals of potential efficacy in minimizing cardiac damage. Results from that trial known as IOCYTE AMI were reported in the January 15, 2022, issue of the International Journal of Cardiology. About Faraday Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Faraday Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the prevention of heart failure by reducing myocardial damage in acute STEMI. The company was founded by Dr. Mark Roth of the Fred Hutch Cancer Center and is backed by an investor group led by ARCH Venture Partners and Polaris Partners. The companys lead program, FDY-5301, is in a pivotal Phase 3 trial and is designed to reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury in acute STEMI, a leading cause of death and a primary cause of the development of heart failure. The company is headquartered in Seattle. For more information, visit www.faradaypharma.com or follow the company on LinkedIn. Contact:Brian BlackmanChief Financial Officer[email protected] PJ KelleherLifeSci Advisors, LLC+1-617-430-7579[email protected] Source: Faraday Pharmaceuticals GRAD1405 uses Gradalis breakthrough gene silencing bi-shRNAi technology to specifically reduce the expression of certain mutated KRAS genes Existing therapies have experienced rapid drug resistance due to KRAS gene mutations GRAD1405 reduces the three key KRAS mutant proteins driven by KRAS gene mutations and has shown it can control tumor cell growth in resistant cancer Gradalis gene silencing platform has been proven to dramatically reduce gene expression activity when applied as part of its Vigil immunotherapy, which has demonstrated positive results in ovarian and other cancers DALLAS, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gradalis, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing personalized anti-cancer therapies, announced GRAD1405 has demonstrated robust, dose-related tumor growth control. GRAD1405 is a single agent that has demonstrated the ability to consistently reduce three KRAS mutant proteins: KRAS G12C, G12D and G12V, which are responsible for the rapid resistance to existing therapies and a resulting loss of efficacy. This approach may eliminate the need for multiple therapeutic compounds to address the different genes. Additionally, a precursor of GRAD1405 tested in a pancreatic cancer animal model showed improved benefit, suppression of tumor growth beyond 30 days and no evidence of resistance, over existing therapies. GRAD1405 achieves the silencing of specific genes using Gradalis proprietary bi-shRNAi technology, which has consistently reduced targeted genes in clinical trials in multiple cancer indications. John Nemunaitis, MD, Gradalis Chief Scientific Officer and a co-founder of the company, stated, We believe this gene silencing technology platform is a major step forward in treating solid tumors and will be applicable beyond NSCLC, colon cancer and pancreatic cancer. This approach can be used to target any mutation driving cancer growth. RNAi interference technology was first approved for disease treatment in August 2018. Since then, four siRNA single gene silencing products have been approved for disease management. Preliminary head-to-head preclinical evidence comparing the same cancer at the same cleavage site supports that this bi-shRNAi approach may be more active than the siRNA approaches and also less toxic (Rao et al Adv Drug 2009; Phadke et al DNA and Cell Biol 2011; Barve et al Mol Ther 2015). We expect this improved mechanism will correlate with more robust clinical benefit. Donald Rao, PhD, Gradalis Director of Interference Technology and the inventor of bi-shRNAi technology, stated, The unique aspect of bi-shRNAi technology relates to its bi-functional mechanism. Other RNAi molecular technologies like siRNA disrupt mRNA to protein gene expression by only one mechanism: cleavage dependence. Gradalis bi-shRNAi technology controls the DNA to protein pathway by an unprecedented two mechanisms: mRNA cleavage dependence and cleavage independence. This mechanism has shown a five-fold improvement in cancer gene and protein target expression knockdown compared to siRNA controls in two prior clinical trial products, pbi-shRNA STMN1 lipoplex (Barve et al Mol Ther 2015; Wang et al Toxicol Sci 2017) and pbi-shRNA EWS/FLI1 lipoplex (Rao et al Mol Ther 2016). About KRAS protein and GRAD1405KRAS protein acts as a switch to control cell growth. When mutated the KRAS protein switch goes into hyperdrive and stimulates uncontrolled cancer growth. KRAS mutations are particularly common in lung cancer (20-40%), colon cancer (30-50%) and pancreatic cancer (90%). KRAS mutations of the C, D and V types at the G12 position are the most frequent cancer driver mutations found in solid tumors. The G12C mutation is the most common KRAS mutation in lung cancer, and KRAS G12D and G12V are common in colon and pancreatic cancer. GRAD1405 also demonstrated robust reduction of key KRAS activated downstream cancer promoting signals Myc and elF4A1 (p Myc and elF4A1 pathways. GRAD1405 can block cancer growth and return Myc, efF4A1 to normal function. We have effectively demonstrated this in preclinical testing of bi-shRNAKRAS-cdv using a proprietary delivery vehicle (DOTAP-cholesterol) complex in mice (Rao et al PLoS ONE 2018). Preclinical studies indicate that this bi-shRNAi approach selectively decreases the expression of targeted genes better than any other approach. About bi-shRNAiGradalis patented bi-functional short hairpin RNA interference (bi-shRNAi) technology platform is a DNA vector-based technology that produces both siRNA-like and miRNA-like molecules in cells for degrading certain mRNA targets. By utilizing both the siRNA and miRNA modes of action, the bi-shRNAi technology enables and enhances RNAi drug action in a broad spectrum of diverse cell populations resulting in wide bioavailability and pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. As a DNA vector-based technology, bi-shRNAi technology can be constructed within a single plasmid to impact multiple targets thereby further broadening the range of drug action. bi-shRNAi delivery has also been optimized in preclinical testing of delivery with a proprietary DOTAP cholesterol vehicle, but based on small plasmid length can likely be utilized in multiple delivery approaches. About Gradalis, Inc.Founded in 2006, Gradalis is a privately held, clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a new category of personalized therapies based on proprietary bi-shRNAi technology. Its lead product, called Vigil, is an immunotherapy that has been tested in multiple studies in ovarian and other cancer tumor types. Vigil is the first cellular immunotherapy to demonstrate longer-term survival benefits in a randomized controlled trial of patients with solid tumors. The results of the companys Phase 2b study have been published in Lancet Oncology, Gynecologic Oncology and presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology. The company is preparing to initiate a confirmatory Phase 2 clinical study in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer patients with the HRP profile. Vigil is also being studied in other womens cancer types and has shown positive results in combination with checkpoint inhibitors. Gradalis Vigil platform uses the patients immune system to target the entire tumor. Based on multiple clinical studies, Gradalis has developed a pioneering oncology platform that is designed to decloak the full repertoire of a patients tumor antigens, including all clonal neoantigens, reactivate the immune system, and summon key effector cells to deliver a durable clinical response. When combined, these are a powerful Trifecta of anti-cancer activities, potentially eliminating even the elusive metastatic cells, and as shown in Phase 2 clinical studies in ovarian cancer, a potential gamechanger in oncology. Our clinical trials have also demonstrated that Gradalis platform is better tolerated compared to standard cancer treatments since Vigil uses the patients immune system operating within its natural state of balance rather than in an artificial overdrive as with some technologies. Vigil utilizes proprietary bi-shRNAi technology that has been proven to silence multiple genes EWS/FLI1, KRAS, STMN1, PDX-1 in a variety of cancers and has the potential to be used in other diseases. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the success, cost, and timing of our product development activities and clinical trials, our plans to research, develop, and commercialize our product candidates, and our plans to submit regulatory filings and obtain regulatory approval of our product candidates. These forward-looking statements are based on Gradalis current expectations and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements, which are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include but are not limited to: (a) the timing, costs, and outcomes of our clinical trials and preclinical studies, (b) the timing and likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals for our product candidates, and (c) the potential market size for our product candidates. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and, other than as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities. Gradalis ContactMark Early(214) 442-8161[email protected] LifeSci Advisors ContactJoyce Allaire+1 (617) 435-6602[email protected] Source: Gradalis, Inc. MONTREAL, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Knight Therapeutics Inc., (TSX: GUD) ("Knight"), a pan-American (ex-USA) specialty pharmaceutical company, announced today the launch of IMVEXXY in Canada. IMVEXXY (estradiol vaginal inserts) is approved for the treatment of postmenopausal moderate to severe dyspareunia, a symptom of vulvar and vaginal atrophy (VVA). VVA is a prevalent, chronic, and progressive condition associated with menopause. Common symptoms of VVA include dryness, discomfort, and pain in the vaginal and vulvar areas1-4. IMVEXXY is the only product in its therapeutic class to offer a 4 mcg and 10 mcg dose of 17 estradiol; the 4 mcg represents the lowest effective Health Canada-approved dose of vaginal estradiol. Dr. Vivien Brown, a family physician known to advocate on a national and international scale on womens health issues, preventative healthcare, and healthy aging commented There is a need to raise awareness amongst patients about the challenges of menopause, in particular the most bothersome symptoms such as painful intercourse. The launch of IMVEXXY provides a safe, simple, easy to use and effective treatment to add to our armamentarium. We are very excited about the launch of IMVEXXY, a new treatment option for postmenopausal women in Canada. IMVEXXY offers women a simple, effective alternative that is reimbursed across Canada and will address the very bothersome and painful VVA symptoms that significantly impacts quality of life, said Samira Sakhia, President and Chief Executive Officer of Knight. Knight and TherapeuticsMD signed a license agreement in July 2018 pursuant to which TherapeuticsMD granted Knight the exclusive Canadian commercialization rights to IMVEXXY (estradiol vaginal inserts). Under the terms of the license agreement related to IMVEXXY in Canada, Knight will pay TherapeuticsMD sales milestone fees and royalties based upon certain aggregate annual sales of IMVEXXY in Canada. About IMVEXXY IMVEXXY (estradiol vaginal inserts) was developed for the treatment of postmenopausal moderate to severe dyspareunia, a symptom of vulvar and vaginal atrophy (VVA). IMVEXXY is a small, light pink, tear-shaped, softgel vaginal insert that is digitally inserted into the vagina. IMVEXXY inserts contain 4 mcg or 10mcg of estradiol and is administered initially intravaginally once daily at approximately the same time for two weeks, followed by one insert twice weekly, every three to four days. IMVEXXY was designed for easy insertion at any time of day and with no need for an applicator. The goal of IMVEXXY is to provide an early onset of efficacy, with low systemic estrogen levels and improved administration to enhance treatment compliance and patient satisfaction. About VVA VVA is a chronic and progressive medical condition that can have a deleterious effect on quality of life (QOL), significantly increase risk for depression and anxiety5, interfere with sexual function and lead to loss of intimacy with partners6. Up to 84% of postmenopausal women report symptoms associated with VVA and approximately half of women report their symptoms to be moderate or severe7-14. However, VVA is severely undertreated with only 7% of women who receive a prescription treatment15. Common symptoms of VVA include dyspareunia, vaginal dryness, irritation, burning sensation, dysuria, and vaginal discharge1,2,16. Dyspareunia and vaginal dryness are closely linked and are the most commonly reported symptoms by women with VVA due to menopause, and can either occur early during the menopause transition or after several years of reduced estrogen levels17. Unlike vasomotor symptoms (VMS) associated with menopause, VVA symptoms are progressive and do not subside or resolve with time2. Results of multiple surveys show that VVA symptoms can have a negative impact on sex life, marriage/relationship, self-esteem, and social life6,9,10,15. For most women, pain during intercourse can be a factor in loss of libido and arousal and can affect their relationship with their partner 20. VVA symptoms can have a psychological impact on sexual activities, with 52% to 80% of women (nationally and internationally) believing that vaginal discomfort would have a negative impact on their QOL and 40% to 68% believing that VVA would decrease satisfaction, frequency, and spontaneity of sex10,15,16. For the treatment of VVA, most women (55%) chose the treatment that was recommended by their HCP, 25% chose a method based on how it was administered, and only 5% chose it based on recommendation of a friend or family member. A small percentage of women (7%) were using prescribed VVA therapies, 25% were using OTC therapies, 18% were past users of a prescribed therapy, and 50% had never used a treatment. Before talking to an HCP, only about one-third of the women were extremely or very familiar with VVA treatment options (oral hormone therapies (HT), vaginal ET, OTC products, and lifestyle changes)7. Please see the Full IMVEXXY Canadian Product Monograph available at https://knighttx.com/CA/products/. About Knight Therapeutics Inc. Knight Therapeutics Inc., headquartered in Montreal, Canada, is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on acquiring or in-licensing and commercializing pharmaceutical products for Canada and Latin America. Knight's Latin American subsidiaries operate under United Medical, Biotoscana Farma and Laboratorio LKM. Knight Therapeutics Inc.'s shares trade on TSX under the symbol GUD. For more information about Knight Therapeutics Inc., please visit the company's web site at www.knighttx.com or www.sedarplus.com. Forward-Looking Statements for Knight Therapeutics Inc. This document may contain forward-looking statements for Knight Therapeutics Inc. and its subsidiaries. These forward-looking statements, by their nature, necessarily involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Knight Therapeutics Inc. considers the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based to be reasonable at the time they were prepared but cautions the reader that these assumptions regarding future events, many of which are beyond the control of Knight Therapeutics Inc. and its subsidiaries, may ultimately prove to be incorrect. Factors and risks, which could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations are discussed in Knight Therapeutics Inc.'s Annual Report and in Knight Therapeutics Inc.'s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2022 as filed on www.sedarplus.com. Knight Therapeutics Inc. disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether because of new information or future events, except as required by law. References: Mac Bride MB, Rhodes DJ, Shuster LT. Vulvovaginal atrophy. Mayo Clin Proc. 2010;85(1):87-94. The North American Menopause Society. Management of symptomatic vulvovaginal atrophy: 2013 position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2013;20(9):888-902. Wysocki S, Kingsberg S, Krychman M. Management of vaginal atrophy: implications from the REVIVE survey. Clin MedInsights Reprod Health. 2014;8:23-30. Chen L, Ng M, van der Vlugt TH, Price PH, Orencia A. Statistical considerations for the efficacy assessment of clinical studies of vulvar and vaginal atrophy. Ther Innov Regul Sci. 2010;44(5):581-588. Moyneur E, Dea K, Derogatis LR, Vekeman F, Dury AY, Labrie F. Prevalence of depression and anxiety in women newly diagnosed with vulvovaginal atrophy and dyspareunia. Menopause. 2020;27(2):134-142. Kingsberg SA, Wysocki S, Magnus L, Krychman ML. Vulvar and vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: findings from the REVIVE (REal Women's VIews of Treatment Options for Menopausal Vaginal ChangEs) survey. J Sex Med. 2013;10(7):1790-1799. Kingsberg SA, Krychman M, Graham S, Bernick B, Mirkin S. The Women's EMPOWER Survey: Identifying Women's Perceptions on Vulvar and Vaginal Atrophy and Its Treatment. J Sex Med. 2017;14(3):413-424. Krychman M, Kingsberg S. REVEAL: Revealing Vaginal Effects at Mid-Life: surveys of postmenopausal women and health care professionals who treat postmenopausal women. Wyeth; 2009. Nappi RE, Kokot-Kierepa M. Vaginal Health: Insights, Views & Attitudes (VIVA) - results from an international survey. Climacteric. 2012;15(1):36-44. Nappi RE, Kokot-Kierepa M. Women's voices in the menopause: results from an international survey on vaginal atrophy. Maturitas. 2010;67(3):233-238. Nappi RE, Mattsson L, Lachowsky M, Maamari R, Giraldi A. The CLOSER survey: impact of postmenopausal vaginal discomfort on relationships between women and their partners in Northern and Southern Europe. Maturitas. 2013;75(4):373-379. Palma F, Volpe A, Villa P, Cagnacci A. Vaginal atrophy of women in postmenopause. Results from a multicentric observational study: The AGATA study. Maturitas. 2016;83:40-44. Santoro N, Komi J. Prevalence and impact of vaginal symptoms among postmenopausal women. J Sex Med. 2009;6(8):2133-2142. Simon JA, Kokot-Kierepa M, Goldstein J, Nappi RE. Vaginal health in the United States: results from the Vaginal Health: Insights, Views & Attitudes survey. Menopause. 2013;20(10):1043-1048. Krychman M, Graham S, Bernick B, Mirkin S, Kingsberg SA. The Women's EMPOWER Survey: Women's Knowledge and Awareness of Treatment Options for Vulvar and Vaginal Atrophy Remains Inadequate. J Sex Med. 2017;14(3):425-433. Parish SJ, Nappi RE, Krychman ML, et al. Impact of vulvovaginal health on postmenopausal women: a review of surveys on symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy. Int J Womens Health. 2013;5:437-447. NAMS. Changes in the Vagina and Vulva. 2017; http://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/changes-at-midlife/changes-in-the-vagina-and-vulva. Accessed April 3, 2017. CONTACT INFORMATION: Knight Therapeutics Inc. Samira Sakhia Arvind Utchanah President & Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer T: 514.484.4483 T. +598.2626.2344 F: 514.481.4116 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.knighttx.com Website: www.knighttx.com Source: Knight Therapeutics VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Madison Pacific Properties Inc. (the Company) (TSX: MPC and MPC.C), a Vancouver-based real estate company announces judgement issued by the Tax Court of Canada (TCC) on its tax court case. As previously reported in the Companys Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company and certain subsidiaries have received from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Alberta Tax and Revenue Administration (ATRA) tax notices of reassessment for various taxation years. The reassessments deny the application and usage of certain non-capital losses, capital losses, deductions and investment tax credits arising from prior years. The Company and its subsidiaries have filed notices of objection and notices of appeal to the reassessments with the CRA and ATRA. The appeal with the Tax Court of Canada (TCC) for one of the reassessed companies, Madison Pacific Properties Inc., was heard in March 2022 and in November 2023 (the MPP Appeal). The TCC released its judgement on the MPP Appeal on December 27, 2023 in favour of the CRA, confirming the CRAs and ATRAs reassessments. The decision denied Madison Pacific Properties Inc.s ability to use certain carryforward losses for certain taxation years within its 2009 to 2017 taxation years. Additional taxes payable for the reassessed years plus estimated interest and awarded legal costs totals approximately $6.2 million for the MPP Appeal. The Company had previously made deposits of $2.3 million related to the MPP Appeal with the balance owing now payable. The Company and its counsel are currently assessing whether to appeal the decision issued by the TCC. In addition, the Company and its counsel are also assessing the impact that this decision may have on its subsidiaries tax appeals. The Company is also assessing the impact the decision may have on any financial statement adjustments. For a review of the risks and uncertainties to which the Company is subject, see its most recently filed annual and interim MD&A. For more information please contact: Contact: Mr. John DeLucchiPresident & CEO Ms. Bernice Yip Chief Financial Officer Telephone: (604) 732-6540 (604) 732-6540 Address: 389 West 6th Avenue Vancouver, B.C. V5Y 1L1 Source: Madison Pacific Properties Inc. TORONTO, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims (the Association) invites media and members of the public to join with them in commemorating the passing of four years since the downing of Flight PS752 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The tragedy claimed the lives of 176 innocent passengers, crew, and an unborn child. Please join the Association in honoring their memory. Visitation of Cemetery & Candlelight Vigil When: Sunday, January 7, 2024Visitation of cemetery: 2:00pm Candlelight vigil public gathering: 5:00pm Where: Three cemeteries will be visited in the following order (beginning at 2pm EST): Wadi Al-Salaam Cemetery, 10992 Kennedy Road, Markham, ON L6C 1P1 Elgin Mills Cemetery, 1591 Elgin Mills Road East, Richmond Hill, ON L4S 1M9 York Cemetery and Funeral Centre, 160 Beecroft Road, Toronto, ON M2N 5Z5 Neda and Sohrab Memorial Trees near Mel Lastman Square in North York, ON Candlelight vigil to be held at Mel Lastman Square5100 Yonge St, North York, ON M2N 5V7 What: The Association invites members of the public to join with them as they visit the gravesides of victims of Flight PS752. A candlelight vigil will follow. Who: Iranian human rights activists, Hamed Esmaeilion and Atena Daemi, will be speaking at the event. Fourth Anniversary Ceremony When: Monday, January 8, 2024, from 2:00-5:00pm - Doors Open: 2:00pm- Ceremony: 3:30-5:00pm Where: Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts10268 Yonge St, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3B7 What: The Association is hosting a ceremony to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the downing of Flight PS752. The official ceremony will include speeches, special presentations, and performances. Who: Navaz Ebrahim, President of the AssociationKourosh Doustshenas, Spokesperson of the AssociationVarious elected officials Media Details Media will be asked to present credentials upon entering the venue. Badges are required for media personnel and will be issued upon showing credentials. Media recording and photography activity will NOT be permitted inside the auditorium during the official ceremony. A livestream feed of the ceremony will be available on the Associations YouTube channel. The feed can be accessed at username @PS752Justice or https://www.youtube.com/@PS752Justice. Additional Canadian & Global Events Additional events will be taking place in cities across Canada and globally on January 7th and 8th, 2024. Edmonton, AB: Jan. 7th at 4:30pm MDT at CCIS North Lecture Theatres, University of Alberta Montreal, QB: Jan. 7th at 1:00pm EST at Phillips Square Ottawa, ON: Jan. 7th at 6:30pm EST at MAC Hall, Bronson Centre Vancouver, BC Event #1: January 7th at 5:00pm PST at the Vancouver Art Gallery Event #2: January 8th at 5:00pm PST at The Pipe Shop, North Vancouver Ville de Quebec, QB: Jan.8th at 4:30pm EST at Laval University Event details will be updated continually at https://www.yekseda.org/en-US. Please check this website for up-to-date details on your regions event. Media Contact [email protected] Source: PS752 Justice Ashburn, VA, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A newly released report from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) demonstrates the vast economic impact of our nations local parks. According to the results of the Economic Impact of Local Parks report, the shared impact of operations and capital spending by U.S. local park and recreation agencies in 2021 resulted in nearly $201 billion in economic activity and $196.8 billion in added gross domestic product (GDP) and supported more than 1.1 million jobs that paid salaries, wages and benefits totaling $63 billion. This is a conservative estimate that does not capture parks other economic benefits, including: higher real estate values, health and wellness benefits, conservation/resiliency benefits, tourism and other economic development activities. Park and recreation professionals at the more than 10,000 agencies across the United States positively contribute to their communities in many different ways. Not only are parks leading the way in terms of health and wellness, equity, and conservation, but they also drive significant economic activity. Local park and recreation agencies employed nearly 326,000 full-time and part-time employees in 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That translates to more than $41 billion of operations spending by the nations more than 10,000 local park and recreation agencies. This spending combined with capital expenditures ripples through the national, regional and local economies as park and recreation employees spend their paychecks, park and recreation agency vendors hire workers, and both agencies and their vendors purchase products and services to serve their clients. The report also includes a state-level analysis that highlights the economic impact of local parks in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The top 10 states with the highest economic impact include: California - $21 billion Florida - $15 billion Texas - $14 billion New York - $10 billion Illinois - $8 billion Colorado - $7 billion Ohio - $5 billion Washington - $5 billion Minnesota - $4 billion North Carolina - $4 billion Not only do park and recreation professionals work tirelessly to provide essential physical and mental health and environmental benefits to their communities, but the agencies in which they serve are also powerful engines of economic activity, said Kristine Stratton, NRPA president and CEO. This report demonstrates why policymakers and elected officials at all levels of government should prioritize park and recreation funding in communities everywhere now more than ever. The benefits these investments provide are critical to communities nationwide. Dr. Terry Clower, lead investigator for the study, observes: Local park and recreation agencies are growing in economic importance, not only as generators of jobs and local business opportunity, but as major contributors to local quality of life. Clower further notes that quality of life and the availability of recreation amenities are increasingly important for attracting and retaining workers and employers, which extend the economic impacts of park and recreation spending beyond what is captured in the current study. NRPA joined forces with the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University in 2015, to conduct the first nationwide study on the economic impact of local park and recreation agencies operations and capital spending. Since then, NRPA and the Center for Regional Analysis have partnered three times to update that landmark 2015 research: in 2018, 2020 and 2022. Public support for parks and recreation has never been stronger. According to NRPAs 2023 Engagement With Parks Report, nearly nine in 10 people agree that it is important to fund local park and recreation agencies to ensure every member of the community has equitable access to amenities, infrastructure and programming. Additionally, 88 percent of people agree that parks and recreation is an important service provided by their local government. To access the full report, visit www.nrpa.org/EconomicImpact. To learn more about NRPA, visit www.nrpa.org. ### About the National Recreation and Park Association The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 60,000 members, NRPA advances this mission by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals and advocates the catalysts for positive change in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPAs flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org. Danielle Doll National Recreation and Park Association 571-223-2420 [email protected] Source: National Recreation and Park Association Global womens health market projected to reach $67.07 billion by 2031 Private equity investment in womens health exceeded $3 billion in 2022 NEW YORK, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PRISM MarketView, a leading provider of unbiased market insight and company news, today announces the launch of its PRISM Emerging Womens Health Index. The growth of the womens health market is accelerating with the introduction of next-generation therapeutics and artificial intelligence (AI) powered imaging and diagnostics tools. The PRISM index tracks emerging companies delivering innovative solutions to address womens health issues. The global women's health market was valued at $44.36 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% from 2024 to 2030, according to GrandView Research. In 2022, investment in womens healthcare companies in the US surged to an all-time high of $3.3 billion. In 2023, the contraceptives segment commanded the highest market share (35.25%) of global revenue as rapid technological advancements in contraception contributed to market growth. In terms of deal size, investment in the fertility services segment is the fastest-growing. The fertility segment was valued at $3.6 billion in 2022 and is expected to rise at a CAGR of more than 9% through 2026. The menopause segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 9.6% from 2024-2030 as the global population ages. According to Boston Consulting Group, the winners in womens healthcare over the next 25 years will offer patient journeys that are coordinated, digitally-enabled, and personalized. PRISM Emerging Womens Health Index outperformers this week include Minerva Surgical, which is up 12.63% in morning trading on Thursday, Sera Prognostics which has risen 6.90% and Agile Therapeutics which has gained 1.84% PRISM MarketView reviewed a selection of the companies set to transform the womens health landscape in 2024. Aspira Womens HealthAspira Women's Health is dedicated to transforming women's health, starting with ovarian cancer. The company reported a continued growth trend with second quarter 2023 revenue of $2.5 million, an increase of 23% over the second quarter of 2022, and reduced cash used in operations to $3.4 million, compared to $6.3 million in the second quarter of 2022, a reduction of 46% year-over-year. In July 2023, Aspira raised $4.7 million in gross proceeds in a registered direct offering of common stock. The companys market cap is $42.38 million. Minerva SurgicalMinerva Surgical is commercializing a complete suite of devices that treat the root causes of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) and is on the leading edge of significant technological advancements in gynecologic surgery. The company reported revenue of $12.0 million in the third quarter of 2023, and operating expenses of $12.3 million, compared to $17.3 million in the same period of 2022. Minervas market cap stands at 8.151 million. CollPlant BiotechnologiesCollPlant is a regenerative and aesthetic medicine company developing innovative technologies and products for tissue regeneration and organ manufacturing. The company reported revenues of $10.7 million and an operating loss of $2.4 million for the first nine months of 2023 and highlighted achievements including a $10 million milestone payment from its partner, AbbVie Inc. CollPlants market cap stands at 68.02 million and its cash and cash equivalents were $29 million as of September 30, 2023, representing an estimated cash runway of at least two years. About PRISM MarketView:Established in 2020, PRISM MarketView is dedicated to the monitoring and analysis of small cap stocks in burgeoning sectors. We deliver up-to-the-minute financial market news, provide comprehensive investor tools and foster a dynamic investor community. Central to our offerings are proprietary indexes that observe emerging sectors, including biotech, clean energy, next-generation tech, medical devices and beyond. Visit us at prismmarketview.com and follow us on Twitter. PRISM MarketView does not provide investment advice. Contact:PRISM MarketView[email protected] 646-863-6341 SOURCE: PRISM MarketView Source: PRISM MarketView Stuart Quin joins GHO Capital as Partner Former CEO of Medica Group Plc and regional CEO of Synlab to support the continued growth of GHO Capitals portfolio and origination of future investments London, UK 4 January 2024: Global Healthcare Opportunities, or GHO Capital Partners LLP (GHO), the European specialist investor in global healthcare, is pleased to announce today that Stuart Quin joins as a Partner. Stuart, who holds a PhD in Immunology, has nearly two decades of experience within private equity, principally at 3i, and in healthcare leadership across Diagnostics, Pharma and Biotech. He most recently served as Chief Executive Officer at Medica Group PLC (Medica), the UKs leading teleradiology services company which was listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. During his tenure, revenue more than doubled and the company expanded via four acquisitions across the UK, US and Ireland moving the business into clinical trials and digital pathology reporting, culminating in the companys sale to IK Partners in July 2023. Prior to his role at Medica, Stuart established and later became CEO of Labcos UK business which was acquired by Cinven and merged with Synlab in 2015 to create Europes largest clinical laboratory services company. He expanded UK revenue 7-fold by winning new NHS outsourced diagnostic service contracts and through the acquisition of four companies including those specialising in drugs and veterinary testing. At Synlab, he became the Group Chief Commercial Officer and latterly Chief Executive of a fast-growing region spanning 15 countries across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and West Africa. The Partners at GHO Capital commented: One of our core principles at GHO in the pursuit of better, faster and more accessible healthcare is that we dont just invest in companies, we focus on strategic alignment and collaboration with management teams. Stuarts experience in building sustainable value across multiple international healthcare businesses reinforces this commitment, ensuring our portfolio companies, current and future, have access to the very best support and guidance to deliver the healthcare of the future. We are very excited to welcome Stuart to our leadership team to strengthen our ability to build the next generation of healthcare together. Stuart Quin, Partner at GHO Capital, said: GHO Capital is Europes leading healthcare specialist private equity firm, dedicated to making a difference for patients, healthcare systems, and society, whilst delivering long-term sustainable value to stakeholders. Throughout my career I have always been committed to these values and I am excited to be joining such a strong firm to further support its impressive portfolio of healthcare opportunities, identifying the companies of the future and helping them to deliver success. -Ends- Further information: GHO Capital Partners LLP T +44 20 3700 7440 E [email protected] For Media Enquiries ICR Consilium Amber Fennell, David Daley Tel: +44 (0) 20 3709 5700 [email protected] About GHO Capital Global Healthcare Opportunities, or GHO Capital Partners LLP, is a leading specialist healthcare investment advisor based in London. We apply global capabilities and perspectives to unlock high growth healthcare opportunities, targeting Pan-European and transatlantic internationalisation to build market leading businesses of strategic global value. Our proven investment track record reflects the unrivalled depth of our industry expertise and network. We partner with strong management teams to generate long-term sustainable value, improving the efficiency of healthcare delivery to enable better, faster, more accessible healthcare. For further information, please visit www.ghocapital.com. Iselin, NJ, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- World Insurance Associates LLC (World), a Top 50 Insurance Brokerage, announced today that it acquired the business of TW Group, Inc. (TWG) of Westmont, IL on December 31, 2023. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. TWG was founded in 1946 and provides insurance to individuals and businesses. They specialize in business, personal, life and health insurance. Our mission has always been about working hard to establish trusting client relationships, says Thomas J. Walsh, President, TW Group. We look forward to joining World and are committed to continuing the tradition that our family founder, Thomas J. Walsh Sr. startedto build relationships with our clients, one customer at a time. On behalf of the World family, I would like to welcome TWG, says Rich Eknoian, CEO and Co-Founder of World. They have a team of experienced insurance professionals that are committed to helping their customers find products and services that meet their needs. They will be a great addition to World. Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla provided legal counsel and TAG Consulting Services advised World on the transaction. Donatelli & Coules, Ltd. provided legal counsel and The Manhattan Group advised TWG on the transaction. No other advisors, diligence firms or legal counsel were disclosed. About World Insurance Associates LLCWorld Insurance Associates LLC (World) is headquartered in Iselin, N.J., and is a nationally ranked, full-service insurance organization providing individuals and businesses with top products and services across personal and commercial insurance, employee and executive benefits, retirement and financial services and human capital management solutions. Since its founding in 2011, World has completed over 200 acquisitions and serves its customers from more than 250 offices across the United States. World is ranked #28 on the 100 Largest Brokers of U.S. Business list by Business Insurance, ranked #3 on the Fastest Growing Brokers list by Business Insurance, ranked #3 on the Fastest Growing Benefits Brokers list by Business Insurance, ranked #15 on the Top 100 P&C Agencies by Insurance Journal, ranked #19 on the Top 50 Personal Lines Agencies and ranked #19 on the Top 50 Commercial Lines Agencies by Insurance Journal. For more information, please visit www.worldinsurance.com. Media Contact:Jean Wiskowski, Chief Marketing OfficerWorld Insurance Associates LLC732-380-0900 Ext. 736[email protected] Mergers & Acquisitions Contact:Bradley Unger, Senior Vice President, Business DevelopmentWorld Insurance Associates LLC732-712-2230 Ext. 186[email protected] Source: World Insurance Associates BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 4. Russia doesn't prevent US from conducting diplomatic efforts for normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said during a briefing on January 4, Trend reports. "Russia does not in any way prevent us from conducting the important diplomatic efforts we think are necessary for Armenia and Azerbaijan and we will continue to pursue them," he said. Talking about the possible meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers in the US, he noted that Washington will have an announcement to make when there is a meeting scheduled. Earlier in December 2023, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien said that Secretary Blinken looks forward to hosting foreign ministers Bayramov and Mirzoyan in Washington soon for peace negotiations. Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry later said the place and date of the next meeting between the foreign ministers haven't been agreed upon yet. NEW YORK, Jan. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C., a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm, is investigating potential claims against Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) on behalf of long-term stockholders following a class action complaint that was filed against Wells Fargo on June 28, 2022 with a Class Period from February 24, 2021 to June 9, 2022. Our investigation concerns whether the board of directors of Wells Fargo have breached their fiduciary duties to the company. In 2020, Wells Fargo expanded its so-called Diverse Search Requirement, also referred to as a diverse slate hiring policy, requiring that at least 50% of interview candidates must represent a historically underrepresented group with respect to at least one diversity dimension (including race/ethnicity, gender, LGBTQ, veterans, and people with disabilities) for most posted roles in the U.S. with total direct compensation greater than $100,000 per year. In addition, at least one interviewer on the hiring panel must represent a historically underrepresented group with respect to at least one diversity dimension. On May 19, 2022, the New York Times published an article entitled At Wells Fargo, a Quest to Increase Diversity Leads to Fake Job Interviews. Citing discussions with seven current and former Wells Fargo employees, including Joe Bruno, a former executive in the Companys wealth management division, the article reported, in relevant part, that [f]or many open positions, employees would interview a diverse candidate, but that often, the so-called diverse candidate would be interviewed for a job that had already been promised to someone else. The article further reported that Mr. Bruno was fired after complain[ing] to his bosses about the practice. On this news, Wells Fargos common stock price fell $-.44 per share, or 1.04%, over two trading sessions, closing at $41.67 per share on May 20, 2022. On June 6, 2022, Reuters published an article entitled Wells Fargo Pauses Diverse Slate Hiring Policy after Reports of Fake Job Interviews. The article reported that Wells Fargo is pausing a hiring policy that requires recruiters to interview a diverse pool of candidates, after the New York Times reported such interviews were often fake and conducted even though the job had already been promised to someone else. The same article also reported that [t]he bank also plans to conduct a review of its diverse slate guidelines, Chief Executive Officer Charles Scharf told staff on Monday, according to a memo seen by Reuters. Then, on June 9, 2022, the New York Times published an article entitled Federal Prosecutors Open Criminal Inquiry of Wells Fargos Hiring Practices. The article reported that federal prosecutors are investigating whether Wells Fargo violated federal laws by conducting fake job interviews in order to meet the Companys Diverse Search Requirement. The article also revealed that, since the New York Times May 19, 2022 article focusing on the banks wealth management business, another 10 current and former employees have shared stories about how they were subject to fake interviews, or conducted them, or saw paperwork documenting the practice, and that sham interviews occurred across multiple business lines, including its mortgage servicing, home lending and retail banking operations. That same day, Wells Fargo issued a press release entitled Wells Fargo Response to New York Times Article, which confirmed that [e]arlier this week, the [C]ompany temporarily paused the use of its diverse slate guidelines, and that, [d]uring this pause, the [C]ompany is conducting a review so that hiring managers, senior leaders and recruiters fully understand how the guidelines should be implemented and so we have confidence that our guidelines live up to their promise. Following these disclosures, Wells Fargos common stock price fell $3.68 per share, or 8.62%, over the following two trading sessions, closing at $38.99 per share on June 13, 2022. The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Companys business, operations, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Wells Fargo had misrepresented its commitment to diversity in the Companys workplace; (ii) Wells Fargo conducted fake job interviews in order to meet its Diverse Search Requirement; (iii) the foregoing conduct subjected Wells Fargo to an increased risk of regulatory and/or governmental scrutiny and enforcement action, including criminal charges; (iv) all of the foregoing, once revealed, was likely to negatively impact Wells Fargos reputation; and (v) as a result, the Companys public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. If you are a long-term stockholder of Wells Fargo, 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 Marion Passmore by email at [email protected], by 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 and California. 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. Contact Information: The U.S. cybersecurity market is anticipated to reach $79.37 billion during 2023, reaching $117.10 billion by 2028 Vulnerabilities compromising millions of customers sensitive information have been exposed in major enterprises such as Comcast, Boeing, MGM, and Caesars Casino, in the wake of ransomware and other cybersecurity breaches Sekurs suite of cybersecurity and internet security services makes it possible for businesses and individuals to communicate online safely without the threat of breaches and offer Swiss-based servers for maximum protection Businesses nationwide are facing cybersecurity breaches that threaten the security of their customers personal information, often being recognized only after its too late. According to Mordor Intelligence, the cybersecurity market in the United States is expected to reach $79.37 billion during 2023. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.09%, reaching approximately $117.10 billion by 2028 (https://ibn.fm/NLtpQ). The report attributes this growth to the rising sophistication of cyberattacks with the last decade seeing an escalation in the number and severity of attacks on enterprises, resulting in enormous financial and data losses. Most recently, a vulnerability and breach was reported by Comcast, believed to have compromised sensitive information of approximately 36 million Xfinity customers (https://ibn.fm/xaSPw). The vulnerability, identified as a CitrixBleed, is found in Citrix networking devices, which are often used by Read More>> NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SWISF are available in the companys newsroom at https://ibn.fm/SWISF About TechMediaWire TechMediaWire (TMW) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on pioneering public and private companies driving the future of technology. It is one of 60+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, TMW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists, and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in todays market, TMW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. TMW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge. To receive SMS alerts from TechMediaWire, text TECH to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only) For more information, please visit https://www.TechMediaWire.com Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the TechMediaWire website applicable to all content provided by TMW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.TechMediaWire.com/Disclaimer TechMediaWire Los Angeles, CA www.TechMediaWire.com 310.299.1717 Office [email protected] TechMediaWire is powered by IBN FILE PHOTO: Flags wave in front of the Phillips 66 refinery near Lake Charles, Louisiana, U.S. October 11, 2020. REUTERS/Stephanie Kelly/File Photo By Mrinalika Roy and Laura Sanicola (Reuters) -U.S. refiner and petrochemical manufacturer Phillips 66 is in active discussions for a sale of its non-core assets, Chief Executive Mark Lashier said on Thursday during an energy conference. Last year, the company said it would monetize $3 billion in non-core assets in 2024 as part of a plan to boost returns by cutting costs and assets. Lashier, however, said there was no fixed timeline when such potential sales may occur. "We don't have (a) sense of urgency... It's really going to be a function of whether someone puts a greater value on these assets than we do." The refiner has lagged behind its rivals at a time when the industry benefited from higher fuel demand and saw a surge in margins. The company has also come under fire from activist investment firm Elliott Investment Management for its refining operations. About the refining business, Lashier said inventories continue to be low, but he sees strength going into next year. The CEO was also optimistic about the long-term prospects of CP Chemical, a 50/50 joint venture with Chevron, that some Wall Street analysts have pegged as a potential divestiture. "We still have good, strong conviction around the long-term benefits of chemicals business but we did hit bottom in 2023... we see fundamentals continue to improve." (Reporting by Mrinalika Roy and Laura Sanicola; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar) Saskatoon, Saskatchewan--(Newsfile Corp. - January 4, 2024) - 1844 RESOURCES Inc. (TSXV: EFF) (the "Company" or "1844") is pleased to provide an update with respect to its previously announced non-brokered private placement of units (each, a "Unit") for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $1,000,000 (the "Unit Offering") and its previously announced amended and restated option agreement with Nickel North Exploration Corp. (the "Option Agreement") with respect to the Hawk Ridge property in Quebec. The Company increases its previously announced Unit Offering of up to 50,000,000 Units to up to 75,000,000 Units for gross proceeds of up to $1,500,000. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Unit Warrant"), at a price of $0.02 per Unit. Each Unit Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.05 for a period of 36 months following the closing of the Unit Offering. The Company expects to close the Option Agreement concurrently with the closing of the Unit Offering. Closing of the Unit Offering and the Option Agreement remain subject to a number of conditions, including, without limitation, receipt of all regulatory approvals, including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"). None of the securities issued in the Unit Offering will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and none of them may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state where such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. About 1844 Resources Inc.: 1844 is an exploration company with a focus in strategic and energetic metals and underexplored regions "Gasp, Nunavik Quebec". With a dedicated management team, the Company's goal is to create shareholder value through the discovery of new deposits. 1844 RESOURCES INC. (signed) "Sylvain Laberge" Sylvain Laberge President and CEO 514.702.9841 [email protected] FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release includes "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements with respect to the expected closings of the Unit Offering and the Option Agreement and the receipt of regulatory approval, including approval by the Exchange. Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "potential", "target", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management based on the business and markets in which the Company operates, are inherently subject to significant operational, economic, and competitive uncertainties, risks and contingencies. These include assumptions regarding, among other things: general business and economic conditions; the availability of additional exploration and mineral project financing; and Exchange approval. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results, and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include exploration or other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators, including those described under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's most recently filed MD&A. The Company does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable law. Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/193129 Kingston, Jamaica--(Newsfile Corp. - January 3, 2024) - Cornerstone Financial Holdings Limited (CFHL), a distinguished financial institution in the Caribbean, proudly announces its partnership with the World Economic Forum, marking a historic milestone as the first-ever Caribbean entity to join forces with the international organisation dedicated to improving the state of the world. The World Economic Forum brings together stakeholders from all sectors of society to shape a better future and generate impact. The Forum is proud to serve as a trusted platform for high-level, multistakeholder cooperations. As a Forum partner, Cornerstone gains the ability to contribute to global networks, thought leadership platforms, and participate in research collaboration opportunities, enhancing its ability to contribute significantly to shaping global agendas. This pivotal partnership propels Cornerstone onto the global stage, enabling the institution to actively participate in discussions on critical issues affecting the Caribbean and the wider world, ensuring that a Caribbean voice and perspective is present. "Becoming the first Caribbean partner of the World Economic Forum is a historic moment for Cornerstone. We are excited to collaborate with global experts and offer our unique perspective on Caribbean economic development. This partnership perfectly aligns with our vision of advancing the region and fostering sustainable growth," said Paul Simpson, CEO and Group President of Cornerstone United Jamaica Holdings Limited. In alignment with its strategic vision, Cornerstone has proactively sought global engagement to transform the Caribbean into a competitive global region. Committed to people-centric and sustainable development initiatives, Cornerstone plans to leverage its expertise and regional insights to contribute to the initiatives and communities championed by the World Economic Forum. Through innovative partnerships and projects, Cornerstone will share insights gained from its Caribbean experiences, driving global change. "Our collaboration with the Forum allows us to network with influential leaders, policymakers, and innovators worldwide. This network will expand our global reach, establish strategic partnerships, and drive impactful initiatives within the Caribbean region. Our partnership with the World Economic Forum underscores Cornerstone's commitment to excellence. Through active participation in global conversations and sharing our expertise, we aim to position the Caribbean as a key player in the new global economy," Simpson added. Thales de Paula, Head of Business Engagement for Latin America at the World Economic Forum, expressed his enthusiasm: "We are delighted with Conerstone's commitment to the Forum's mission and key role as the first Caribbean partner organization. We recognize the partnership's potential to elevate the region's status in our global dialogues. It's promising to see this engagement across the Forum's platform to drive change and value creation in the Caribbean." For more information about Cornerstone Financial Holdings Limited or the World Economic Forum, please visit their respective websites: World Economic Forum or Cornerstone Financial Holdings Limited. Phone: (876) 926-2681 or 1-888-429-5333 Email: [email protected] [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/193049 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 4, 2024) - InZinc Mining Ltd. (TSXV: IZN) ("InZinc" or the "Company") is pleased to report it has received all laboratory results from the 2023 exploration drill program at the Indy project (100% interest) ("Indy" or the "Project") located 100 kilometres (km) southeast of Prince George in central British Columbia. Highlights include a high percentage of samples exceeding the detection limits in barium of greater than 10,000 ppm or 1% ("overlimits"). Overlimit samples are currently undergoing further laboratory analysis to establish the barium content with results anticipated in late February, depending on lab turnaround time. Enriched levels or deposits of barium, usually in the form of the mineral barite, are commonly associated with Sedimentary hosted zinc (SEDEX) deposits and are considered an important indicator of proximal mineralization. The 2023 ground-based reverse circulation drill program (9 holes) explored zinc-lead-barium in soil signatures and rare earth element with associated nickel-cobalt-copper targets. From the drill program, 59 samples have returned overlimits in barium representing approximately 90 metres of sampling in the 1,064-metre program. All 2023 holes have returned barium overlimits in samples, with the abundance of overlimits ranging from several to 22 samples (or 35% of samples) per hole. About InZinc InZinc is an active explorer and, through its Indy project (100% interest), equity and royalty interests, is exposed to a diverse portfolio of active North American base metals and precious metals projects. The Company has discovered and continues to explore for expansion of near surface zinc, nickel-cobalt-copper and rare earth element mineralization at the easily accessible Indy project located in a new and under-explored mineral region of central British Columbia, Canada. A Canadian subsidiary of South32 (ASX, LSE, JSE) became a major tenure holder in the belt by staking approximately 200 km2 of adjacent claims in late 2021. InZinc has a significant equity investment in American West Metals (ASX) which is advancing multiple North American base metals projects. In addition, InZinc has a production royalty and will receive 50% of the revenue (NSR) from the sale of indium mined from American West's West Desert project. InZinc Mining Ltd. Wayne Hubert ____________ Chief Executive Officer Phone: 604.687.7211 Website: www.inzincmining.com For further information contact: Joyce Musial Vice President, Corporate Affairs Phone: 604.317.2728 Email: [email protected] Qualified Person Brian McGrath, B.Sc., P.Geo. a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has approved the technical content of this news 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 securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information includes, but are not limited to, statements that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. 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: "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "plan", "design", "postulate" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results, performance, or actions and that actual results and actions may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, those risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022 and for the nine months ended September, 2023 filed with certain securities commissions in Canada and other information released by the Company and filed with the appropriate regulatory agencies. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedarplus.ca. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/193132 703,300 Ounces of High-Grade Gold; Greater than 2,000,000 Ounce Total Resource Amends Terms of Private Placement Closing February Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 4, 2024) - Mayo Lake Minerals Inc.(CSE: MLKM)(Mayo or Company)is pleased to confirm that Mayo and WestMountain Gold, Inc. (WestMountain) remain committed to complete their merger as described in Mayo's press release of August 17, 2023. The Letter of Intent (LOI) as described in the press release outlined the proposed terms and conditions of a transaction pursuant to which Mayo and WestMountain plan to effect a three-cornered amalgamation of a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mayo and WestMountain that would result in Mayo indirectly acquiring all of the outstanding share capital of WestMountain (Transaction). The amalgamated entity resulting from the Transaction will continue to carry on the combined operations of Mayo and WestMountain. The Transaction, which is contemplated for completion in the first quarter of 2024, remains subject to Mayo and WestMountain entering into a definitive agreement (near completion) and the receipt of all regulatory and other approvals. Mayo will issue a comprehensive press release pursuant to the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange upon execution of a definitive agreement. To date, the companies have carried out extensive due diligence and are pleased with the progress to date. Pursuant to the LOI, Mayo will issue WestMountain shareholders that number of common shares at a deemed value of $0.08 per share in the capital of Mayo equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of the common shares issued and outstanding on a fully diluted basis at the time of closing. As additional consideration, Mayo will issue two (2) tranches of warrants on a pro-rata basis, each tranche equal to 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Mayo at the time of closing of the Transaction calculated on a fully diluted basis. Each warrant shall be exercisable for five (5) years from the date of issuance at the market price of Mayo's common shares at the time of closing of the Proposed Transaction. Each tranche will be exercisable when the following thresholds are met: (a) delineation of a compliant gold resource consisting of a minimum of two million inferred or better ounces and (b) delineation of a compliant gold resource consisting of a minimum of three million, inferred or better ounces. Upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, Mayo's board of directors will be reconstituted and consist of three directors nominated by current Mayo shareholders and two directors nominated by current WestMountain shareholders. Mayo is expected to assume a principal amount of US $3 million of WestMountain secured notes and accrued interest maturing on February 7, 2025. The completion of the Transaction is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent, including: receipt of all necessary consents, approvals and authorizations of any regulatory authorities, shareholders or third parties; Mayo having obtained such regulatory approvals as are necessary in connection with the completion of the Proposed Transaction, including but not limited to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange; all claims and leases comprising the Terra Gold Project's (Terra) being in good standing at closing with annual payments and other fees paid in full and all permits and approvals to conduct exploration and development at Terra being in good standing; WestMountain having converted approximately US$5 million of its total debt and related obligations into common shares on or before closing; and with the exception of the amount of the US $3 million secured notes of WestMountain to be assumed by Mayo, all other outstanding notes of WestMountain and any interest accrued shall have been discharged through payment of cash or share conversion prior to closing, or as otherwise agreed by the parties. Amendment to Terms of Private Placement - After due consultation between management and certain parties followed by a review with the board of directors, the Company has passed a resolution amending the terms of the common share unit (CS Unit) portion of its ongoing $1.4M private placement to include one whole warrant per CS Unit that is now exercisable at $0.09 for an extended period of four years as opposed to the previous three-year period. The planned closing date has now been rescheduled for on or about February 9, 2024. The revised Term Sheet has been attached hereto as Schedule A. In the event of multiple closings, the day of the final closing will be the closing date of record. The securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period in Canada of four (4) months and one day after the closing date. Finders that source investments in the Offering may earn a cash commission of up to 7% and warrants to purchase that number of common shares equal to 7% of the number of the respective type of units sold by the finder which are valid for four years. The CS Unit proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes as well as certain exploration expenditures and the FT Unit proceeds will be used for eligible exploration expenditures, qualifying as "CEE" under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and applicable regulations, on Mayo's Anderson-Davidson, Carlin-Roop and Trail-Minto properties. Mayo also confirms that it has recently closed the first tranche of the above noted placement for a total of 1,975,001 CS Units totaling $118,500.06. The first tranche closing is subject to the recently amended terms. Merger Financing Subsequent to the completion of Mayo's current financing, Mayo shall complete a second private placement financing prior to closing of the proposed Transaction for minimum gross proceeds of $1,400,000, and a maximum of $2,800,000, or such amount as mutually determined by Mayo and WestMountain. Merger Synergy. Dr. Vern Rampton P. Eng., President & CEO of Mayo had previously stated, "The proposed Transaction would result in a well-diversified set of prospective gold properties within the Tintina Gold Province. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Mayo would hold an advanced-stage project with an attractive resource and prospective projects in the pipeline that are open to the discovery of upper-tier mineral deposits in the future. The significance of Terra's present delineation of high-grade veins with associated envelopes of low-grade mineralization cannot be overstated, as it provides a core to which successful drilling can rapidly increase the total gold resource. Dr. Rampton continued, "The Terra Gold Project brings with it a significant number of favourable characteristics including extensive historical data, well-defined drill targets, and particularly significantly, a planned improvement in infrastructure access. These factors bolster our confidence in Terra's potential to become a robust gold-producing asset. Upside blue-sky potential has also been identified in the relatively restricted part of Terra that has been evaluated to date." Mr. Rick Bloom, President & CEO of WestMountain also commented, "We have been waiting to team up with the right partner for a number of years and only recently were introduced to Mayo, which we believe has the ideal professional group with an experienced professional understanding of regional mineralization, decades of working in a harsh environment and a strong commitment to environmental matters. Mayo's executives have a combined track record of successful exploration and development that underlines their capacity to unlock the full potential of the combined company's projects." WestMountain Gold Reports 703,300 Ounces of High-Grade Gold: WGM brings in the Terra Gold Project (https://www.westmountaingold.com) a new primary flagship property to the amalgamated company. In 2020, R.J. (Jim) Robinson, B.Sc. P.Geo., (QP) reported to WestMountain 1that Terra contains Indicated Resources ("IND"), 435,360 ounces gold at 12.08g Au/t and Inferred Resources ("INF"), 267,943 ounces gold at 10.59g Au/t with a 5.0g Au/t cut-off for a total of 703,303 ounces at 10.28g Au/t based on an under-ground ("UG") narrow vein mining model. Robinson also reported in an internal report to WestMountain that resources for a model with extraction by open pit at the Fish Zone) and bulk mining at the Ben Zone were IND, 1,422,330 ounces gold at 2.31g Au/t and INF, 588,789 ounces gold at 2.05g Au/t for a total of 2,011,119 ounces gold at 2.23g Au/t. For Mayo's purposes, these resources are deemed historical. Thirty diamond drill holes (DDHs) were completed during drilling in 2018 and 2019. Of the thirty DDHs, twenty-five cored quartz veins assaying over 10g Au/t; with multiple veins being cored in fifteen DDH. The gold values ranged from 10g Au/t up to 246g Au/t with widths ranging from 0.2 to 1.5m in a total of sixty-four intercepts, averaging 36.3g Au/t. As of August, 2023, 4,500 ounces of gold have been extracted from ~ 3,000 tonnes of excavated ore; this equated to a gold grade of ~ 46g Au/t. On-site pilot studies determined that the gold and silver (partially) could be extracted by crushing and pulverizing followed by gravity separation without the use of chemicals. The Ben and Fish zones lie within a 2.5 km N-S trending, mineralized corridor. The two zones contain numerous multi-phased high-grade veins up to 1m in width and of various strike lengths. These veins parallel the primary vein within each zone. The high-grade veins are commonly within an envelope of stringers and stockwork silification, increasing the width of the mineralization adjacent to the main vein widths to anywhere up to 10m; a configuration that could lead to a reduction of costs in underground mining. Both zones are open along strike and at depth, being only tested to approximately 250m below ground surface. Parallel high-grade veins and adjacent low grades enveloping the veins offer the opportunity for a rapid upgrade in resource quantity and quality with strategically located drill holes. 1Revised N.I. 43-101 Technical Report on the Geophysical Surveying, Diamond Drilling, Soil and Rock Sampling, and Resource Estimates of the Terra Property, Lime Hills Quadrangle, McGrath Mining District, Mt. McKinley Recording District, Alaska, USA; June 20, 2020. Report prepared by Mr. Ronald James (Jim) Robinson, B.Sc., P. Geo. Of Aurora Geoscience Ltd., 1901 Davis Ave. Unit B1, Juneau, AK99801, USA for Westmountain Gold Inc. 1001-A East Harmony Road, Suite 340, FT Collins, CO80525, USA. Terra has infrastructure and facilities at the site including: a 25-person camp facility with a mess tent, showers, water wells, laundry facilities, and privies, plus an office, core shack, storage area, a mill building, a storage shed, fuel depot, bulldozers and vehicle equipment, a road network and a 1,463m airstrip. Services are available at Anchorage some 210 km to the southeast. A winter road from the Alaska Highway Network presently ends within 65 km of Terra and an all-weather road is planned by the state to replace the winter road in the near future. WestMountain has stated that there are no significant fish, wildlife, wetlands or environmental issues, no indigenous land claims and no Federal mining permits required. For more information on WestMountain's properties, please visit: https://www.westmountaingold.com/ Mayo holds pipeline of drill-ready projects in the Yukon: Mayo controls 5 properties covering 244 square kilometres where it has completed extensive exploration over the last 12 years. Independent of any activities proposed for Terra, Mayo plans to drill prospective gold targets within the Anderson Gold Belt and to trench its Carlin West and AJ targets at its Carlin-Roop property in 2024. Mayo's Trail-Minto property, which may well host similar mineralization to that at Banyan Gold's AurMac or Victoria Gold's Eagle Mine (intrusion related with sheeted veining), will be the subject of additional groundwork before planned drilling in 2024. The reader can access a number of maps and Mayo's history in addition to property news and descriptions and the current private placement Term Sheet that it has in place in order to complete this exploration at https://www.mayolakeminerals.com. Qualified Person. The technical and scientific information contained within this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Vern Rampton, P.Eng., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standard of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101). Rampton, in addition to data reported on https://westmountaingold.com relied on a technical report, dated June 20, 2020 (see footnote 1) and an internal report (2023) prepared for WestMountain and authored by Jim Robinson, B.SC., P.Geo. (QP). Rampton accepts responsibility for any interpretations or projections based on the information contained within the two reports. The information contained in these documents provides an indication of the exploration potential of Terra as interpreted by Rampton, but he cannot certify that the reported projections will result in development and mining About Mayo Lake Minerals Inc. : Mayo is actively engaged in the exploration and development of five precious metal projects in the Tombstone Gold (Plutonic) Belt of the Tintina Gold Province. The properties cover 244 square kilometres in the Yukon's Mayo Mining District and lie within the traditional territory of the Na-Cho Nyk Dun First Nation. Mayo is presently focusing on its two flagship properties; the Carlin-Roop Silver Project lying within the Keno Hill Silver District and the promising Anderson-Davidson gold property. Two active mines; Victoria Gold's Eagle Gold Mine and Hecla Mining's Keno Silver mines are nearby. For additional information, please contact : Vern Rampton, Ph.D., P.Eng. President & CEO; [email protected] Tel. 613-836-2594 Tyrell Sutherland, M.Sc., P. Geo., VP Exploration; [email protected] Darrell Munro, BB.A, LL.B Corporate Administrator; [email protected] Tel. 613-836-2594 About WestMountain Gold, Inc. : WestMountain is a junior mineral exploration and development company that is seeking to explore and develop its current prospective advanced-stage Terra Gold Project in Alaska, consisting of 339 unpatented lode mining claims and 5 leased unpatented lode mining claims. For additional information on WMG please contact : Rick Bloom, President & CEO: [email protected] Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forwardlooking statements and forwardlooking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forwardlooking statements or information. The forwardlooking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by management of Mayo and WestMountain. Although management of Mayo and WestMountain believe that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forwardlooking statements and information since no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of Mayo and WestMountain relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forward The forward Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SCHEDULE 'A" TERM SHEET (Rev. December 31, 2023) Offering Any combination of Common Share Units and Flow Through Share Units up to $1,400,000. Closing Date: On or about February 9, 2024 or such other date determined by the Corporation. Unit Offering The Company shall offer Units (the "CS Units") at a price of $0.06 per Unit (the "CS Unit Offering"). Each CS Unit will be comprised of one common share (a "Common Share") and one (1) Common Share purchase warrant ("CS Warrant"). Each CS Warrant is exercisable into one (1) Common Share at a price of $0.09 per Common Share for a period of 48 months from the closing date. In the event of multiple closings, the day of the final closing will be the Closing Date of record. Flow-Through Offering The Company shall offer Flow-Through Units ("FT Units") at a price of $0.08 per FT Unit (the "FT Unit Offering"). Each FT Unit will be comprised of one flow-through share in the capital of the Company (a "FT Share") and one purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable into one Common Share at a price of $0.12 for a period of 48 months from the closing date. Each FT Share will be issued as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act"). Use of Proceeds: The net proceeds received by the Corporation from the sale will generally be applied as follows: CS Unit funds will be primarily used to cover working capital, property Acquisitions and general operating costs; Flow Through Unit funds will be used for eligible exploration expenditures qualifying as "CEE" under the Tax Act and applicable regulations, on the Company's exploration properties in the Yukon. Finders Fees Finders that source investment in the Offerings may earn a cash commission of up to 7% of the gross proceeds raised by such Finder and warrants ("Finder Warrants") valid for three years entitling the Finder to purchase that number of Common Shares equal to 7% of the number of Units or FT Units at sold by such Finder at $0.06 and $0.08 respectively. Resale Restrictions: The securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period in Canada of four (4) months and one day after the Closing Date. Purchasers should consult their legal advisors in this regard. Securities held by residents in the United States will bear a legend regarding re-sale into the United States, which will be removed on request to the Corporation. Offering Jurisdictions: The Common Share Units will be offered for sale to purchasers in: (i) all of the provinces and territories of Canada pursuant to available prospectus exemptions; (ii) the United States on a private placement basis only under Regulation D, Rule 144A or other available U.S. registration exemptions and (iii) jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States, in accordance with all applicable laws provided that no prospectus, registration statement or similar document is required to be filed in such jurisdiction and the Corporation does not thereafter become subject to continuous disclosure obligations in such jurisdictions. NOT TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/193199 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 4, 2024) - MIDEX RESOURCES LTD. ("Midex" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that numerous samples at the Company's 100% owned Crescent Lake and Allison Lake projects returned significant spodumene-in-till counts ranging up to approximately 800 grains per sample. The overall program consisted of 30 surface pit till samples collected during orientation survey work at the Crescent Lake and Allison Lake lithium projects. As shown in the table below, two samples were taken directly down-ice of known spodumene-bearing pegmatites (Chappais and L61W spodumene occurrences) at Crescent Lake, with a samples returning very high spodumene counts distal from any known spodumene-bearing pegmatites at Crescent Lake. Up to 100 spodumene grains per sample were recovered from the Allison Lake program. Background spodumene-in-till grain counts are estimated at 0-2 grains per nominal 10 kg sample. Highlights of the Fall 2023 till sampling program at Crescent Lake include: 800 spodumene grains recovered from a single sample at Crescent Lake on-trend but distal from known pegmatites. recovered from a single sample at Crescent Lake on-trend but distal from known pegmatites. A duplicate sample taken for QA/QC adjacent to the 800 grain sample returned 120 spodumene grains. 68 total spodumene grains recovered from three samples indicate a second spodumene mineralized pegmatite trend is likely present in volcanic rocks northwest of the Seymour-Crescent trend. recovered from three samples indicate a second spodumene mineralized pegmatite trend is likely present in volcanic rocks northwest of the Seymour-Crescent trend. 16 spodumene grains recovered in the footwall area of the KM61 molybdenum-copper deposit. Highlights of the Fall 2023 till sampling program at Allison Lake include: 168 total spodumene grains recovered across the Allison Lake Lake property. recovered across the Allison Lake Lake property. 150 spodumene grains recovered from two till samples on the southwestern portion of the property indicates spodumene-bearing pegmatites in close proximity. recovered from two till samples on the southwestern portion of the property indicates Spodumene counts generally increase strongly from east to west on the Allison Lake property. A westerly fractionation trend for a fertile pegmatite system is given additional confirmation by these results and is now shown to extend at least 5 km west of the Allison Lake batholith margin. High spodumene counts indicate a 2 km x 2 km area for detailed prospecting and geochemical exploration suited to "see through" glacial cover. David Jamieson, President and CEO, of Midex stated: "The results of our early till sampling work has exceeded our expectations. Recovery of spodumene in medium density concentrates ultimately targets spodumene-rich LCT systems. With only 30 samples taken and processed, we are closing in on a new spodumene discovery at Allison Lake and have located several highly prospective new areas to focus on at Crescent Lake. Additional work on the various till fractions and indicator minerals is expected to provide further guidance toward locating new LCT pegmatite mineralizing systems. We estimate that background spodumene-in-till counts are approximately 0-2 grains, therefore double and triple-digit spodumene counts are extremely significant." Table 1 Crescent Lake and Allison Lake till sampling key results Sample Number Sample Type ODM Table Feed Spodumene Grains Recovered Comment Crescent Lake Project 488861 TILL 9.2 800 1.6 km down-ice from known spodumene mineralization 589052 TILL 8.5 120 Duplicate till pit for 488861 589053 TILL 9.7 200 350 metres from known spodumene mineralization 48857 TILL 11.3 40 48858 TILL 15.0 40 New trend 48859 TILL 8.5 40 48854 TILL 9.8 30 New trend 48860 TILL 10 22 New trend 48856 TILL 9.4 16 New trend 48862 TILL 11.4 14 2.4 km down-ice from known spodumene mineralization Allison Lake Project 480701 TILL 7.1 100 New trend 480703 TILL 11.0 50 New trend 589057 TILL 15.2 7 New trend Crescent Lake Several potential new spodumene pegmatite trends and target areas are indicated in the Crescent Lake results. Spodumene counts of 800 and 120 grains are located along the main Seymour-Crescent Lake pegmatite trend on the property and are 1.6 kilometres southwest of the known Chappais pegmatite, indicating a new LCT pegmatite system close by. A spodumene grain count of 200 grains is located 350 metres southwest of the Chappais pegmatite, but somewhat outside the down-ice direction of the Chappais outcropping. This may indicate a larger pegmatite system is present in the immediate Chappais spodumene occurrence area. Spodumene grain counts of 40, 30 and 22 grains are located approximately 330 metres north of the Chappais-L61W-L40W-L28W pegmatite trend and indicate a second as yet undiscovered spodumene pegmatite trend. A spodumene grain count of 16 grains is located in the footwall area of the KM61 molybdenum-copper-silver deposit, approximately 3.5 kilometres northeast of Green Technology Metals Seymour Lithium Project. This sample appears to be slightly north of the Seymour-Crescent Lake trend. The historic drill core from the KM61 deposit is being reviewed to locate any indicators of LCT pegmatite mineralization. Allison Lake Spodumene grain counts of 100 and 50 grains in two till samples at Allison Lake, separated by only 350 metres is highly significant. The samples are located on the southwest portion of the property in an area that may represent the extension of a cesium geochemical anomaly identified by Kenorland in their 2023 geochemical surveying program. This trend is also marked by a pegmatite-rich tail from the "tadpole" shaped Allison Lake Pluton and a regional magnetic low that extends southeast toward the Uchi-English River subprovince boundary, a regional controlling structure for lithium deposits. The very high spodumene-in-till counts at Allison Lake are west of widespread beryl, apatite and tourmaline mineralized pegmatites focused along the western margin of the Allison Lake batholith and related intrusions. The increase in spodumene counts and decrease of apatite and tourmaline counts from Midex till samples moving west agrees with the westerly fractionation trend in the Allison Lake area identified by Breaks and Selway (2005). General Methodology Midex has undertaken orientation surveys at its Crescent Lake and Allison Lake properties using bulk surface till pit samples (greater than 10kg) processed by Overburden Drilling Management to obtain mid-density (MDC's) and heavy mineral concentrates (HMC's). Surface pit samples were taken in the field by Midex personnel experienced in bulk till sampling for recovery of heavy minerals. Till pits were dug by shovel to identify the presence of till, preferably down to the bedrock interface. Cobbles and coarser pebbles were screened out of the sample, with the remainder placed in individual clear 6 mil plastic bags able to hold up to 15 kg of sample. Each sample was then stored and shipped to Overburden Drilling Management in 5 gallon plastic pails. The program at Crescent Lake was a true orientation survey, as till samples were taken down-ice of known spodumene mineralization, as well as in areas having no indication of spodumene mineralization. No historical spodumene mineralization is known at Allison Lake, thus the program was designed to test the entire area of the property. Surface pit sampling in some locations at Allison Lake was by glaciolacustrine cover sediments. There is little information in the literature regarding MDC's recovery of spodumene. Accordingly, the Crescent Lake survey provides some framework for interpreting LCT pegmatite indicators recovered from bulk till samples in this area of northwestern Ontario. It is expected that future till surveys focusing on LCT pegmatites will aid in analysing the nature of these types of dispersal trains. Till Sample Processing and QA/QC Nominal 10 kg till samples of glacial till were shipped via Manitoulin or Gardewine Transport to Overburden Drilling Management (ODM) in Nepean, Ontario for processing by panning and shaking table to produce heavy mineral concentrates, which are further refined by electromagnetic separation heavy liquid separation to produce mid-density concentrates and picked for indicator minerals. Representative spodumene and other minerals are checked using a scanning electron microscope to confirm identification (See Photos 1 and 2). ODM removes a 300 gram archival split for each sample. Midex provided one duplicate sample for the Crescent Lake program to verify high spodumene counts. Qualified Person The technical elements of this release have been approved by David Jamieson, P.Geo. (PGO), who is a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101. About Midex Resources Ltd. Midex is a private junior exploration company focusing on lithium, specifically the exploration and development of pegmatite hosted spodumene deposits. Midex is focused on the coming decades of demand for metals needed for infrastructure development around electrification and electricity storage. Ontario boasts a mining, manufacturing and automotive culture that has been established for over 100 years, with a clean nuclear and hydropower electricity base, a well-established US interconnected rail system and the St. Lawrence seaway transportation routes for bulk shipping, all of which are required for a low CO 2 emissions EV supply chain. Midex believes that Ontario spodumene projects can feed into some of the shortest, most geopolitically stable supply chains and will have a monetary, environmental and technical advantage. Midex's current portfolio of lithium Projects are located across Ontario and include the 100% owned Berens (subject to the Patriot Lithium earn-in on lithium rights), Crescent Lake, Allison Lake, Onion Lake and Case Lake properties. To obtain more information on Midex or for information on investment in the Company's financing, please contact: Scott Young +1 705-888-2756 [email protected] David Jamieson, President and CEO +1 705-750-5568 [email protected] Forward-looking statements This release contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements about strategic plans, including future operations, future work programs, capital expenditures, discovery and production of minerals, price of Lithium or other resources and currency exchange rates, timing of geological reports and corporate and technical objectives. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, but not limited to, the risks inherent to the mining industry, adverse economic and market developments. This press release details some important factors that could cause Midex's actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made in this release. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Midex disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Figure 1 Midex Crescent Lake Property relative to Green Technology Metals Seymour, North Seymour, Falcon and Junior Lake Properties. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9762/193195_figure_1.jpg Figure 2 Till Sample Locations Allison Lake (base=Surficial Geology Interpretation, Trinder 2023). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9762/193195_figure_2.jpg Photo 1 Selected spodumene grains recovered from Allison Lake till sampling program. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9762/193195_photo_1.jpg Figure 3Regional Interpretation showing "tadpole" shaped outline of the Allison Lake Pluton and possible regional structural control on LCT pegmatite intrusions (thick dashed line). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9762/193195_figure_3.jpg Figure 4 Till Sampling Locations Crescent Lake; base=2023 Lidar survey DEM model and OGS Geology MacDonald et. al. 2009. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9762/193195_figure_4.jpg Figure 5 Till Sampling Locations Crescent Lake (detail of eastern portion of property); base=2023 LiDAR survey DEM model. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9762/193195_abfe1651d4925932_006full.jpg Photo 2 Selected spodumene grains recovered from Crescent Lake till sampling program. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9762/193195_abfe1651d4925932_007full.jpg NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/193195 Quasar Markets joins global leaders in Davos to shape the future of finance. New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - January 4, 2024) - Quasar Markets, a pioneering force in AI-driven financial market research, is excited to announce its participation in the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), taking place from January 15 to 19, 2024, in Davos, Switzerland. Quasar Markets To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/193166_e7ef04dfa4386b89_002full.jpg This prestigious event will be a convergence point for global leaders to deliberate on fostering trust through transparency, consistency, and accountability. It is set to host over 100 government delegations, major international organizations, 1000 partners of the Forum, alongside leaders from civil society, academia, the youth sector, social entrepreneurship, and media. Steven E. Orr, CEO of Quasar Markets, commented, "Our attendance in Davos aligns perfectly with Quasar Markets' vision of integrating cutting-edge technology with financial expertise. This forum offers an invaluable opportunity to engage with global leaders and drive discussions on the future of finance, especially in the rapidly evolving AI and Web3 domains." Joining Steven E. Orr will be Quasar Markets' key partners - Oliver N.E. Kellman, Jr., J.D., Chairman and CEO of Dragon List Global and Rakesh Gupta, Founder and CEO of KiwiTech - who share the company's vision for a technologically empowered financial future. Oliver N.E. Kellman, Jr. expressed his enthusiasm, "Dragon List Global is excited to collaborate with Quasar Markets in Davos. It's a platform where innovative ideas meet real-world challenges, and we are eager to contribute to shaping a sustainable financial ecosystem." Rakesh Gupta, echoing this sentiment, added, "KiwiTech is committed to enriching the lives of people by making the advanced use of technology. The Davos forum is an ideal stage to showcase how collaborations like ours with Quasar Markets can redefine the finance industry." About Quasar Markets: Quasar Markets offers innovative solutions for researching financial markets, providing unparalleled insights and personalized client experiences. With a next-gen AI & Web3 platform and strategic partnerships with industry leaders, Quasar Markets is reimagining the future of finance. For more information, visit:https://quasarmarkets.com/. Contact Info: Name: Steven E. Orr Email: Send Email Organization: Quasar Markets Address: Wesley Chapel, Florida 33543, US Phone: +1 (202) 841-9009 Website: https://quasarmarkets.com/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/193166 The Estonian "Err.ee" website published an interview with Ambassador Elchin Amirbeyov, representative of the President of Azerbaijan on special tasks, Azernews reports. In an interview entitled "Elchin Amirbayov: If Armenia and Azerbaijan sign a peace treaty, Europe will only benefit from it", the representative for special tasks said in response to a question about the tasks on the agenda after the restoration of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan: "Today we say that yes, the territory our integrity has been restored, but at the same time, the time has come to conclude a peace treaty to formalize the end of the conflict. Perhaps this will create the necessary conditions for the peaceful coexistence of the two states." Speaking about the Great Return Program, E. Amirbayov noted that in the survey conducted in this regard, the absolute majority of former internally displaced persons said that they wanted to return to the territories freed from occupation. Moreover, such a desire was expressed not only by those who remember their lives there, but also by the younger generation, that is, the children and grandchildren of those who were subjected to ethnic cleansing at that time. "More than three years have passed since the signing of the Tripartite Declaration. During this period, the number of former IDPs who returned to their native lands was 5 thousand people. By the end of 2026, about 140,000 people are planned to be relocated to those lands. Of course, the process will not end there, it will continue," the ambassador emphasized. In the interview, E. Amirbayov also touched on the issue of opening communications, which is an integral part of the peace process. "The main line of negotiations is the agreement on the text of the peace agreement. Here are all the main parameters of the future peace, including the restoration of communications. In addition to the main track, there are two more directions - the opening of communications, as well as the delimitation and demarcation of the state border between Azerbaijan and Armenia," the article emphasized. Speaking about the negotiations on the peace agreement, the representative on special tasks noted: "We hope that the next round of negotiations will be held soon and the discussion of the draft peace agreement drawn up by Azerbaijan and submitted to Armenia will be resumed." Assessing the role of the European Union in the current situation in the South Caucasus, specifically in the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the special representative of the President of Azerbaijan appealed to the EU countries and called on them to support the peace process of our country and the desire to conclude the peace agreement with Armenia as soon as possible. It was noted that this will allow us to turn the page of hostility and gradually start normal life in the entire South Caucasus. He called on the parties and interested parties in the region to refrain from any actions and statements that could harm this perspective. "I think that if Armenia and Azerbaijan sign a peace treaty in the near future, Europe will only benefit from it," Elchin Amirbayov emphasized. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 4. Azerbaijan possesses a significant number of resources, especially in wind and solar energy, Rolande Pryce, WB Regional Director for the South Caucasus, told Trend. "One of the countrys notable advantages is its strategic geographic location. The country's current strategies outline how they plan to implement renewable energy initiatives. The World Bank operates by invitation from the government to assist in specific types of changes. Intensive discussions are already underway between the World Bank and the government of Azerbaijan," she said. According to Pryce, investments in wind and solar projects are aligning with regional initiatives like the Black Sea Energy Submarine Cable project, enabling Azerbaijan to potentially export green energy. "The government has specific plans for developing offshore wind potential in the Caspian Sea, attracting considerable private investments. There is an opportunity for the WB to collaborate with the government in building the project pipeline," she added. The regional director pointed out that creating a list of shovel-ready projects and determining how to engage the private sector is crucial. "Careful planning and consideration are needed to incentivize private sector actors to invest in these areas. These endeavors require thoughtful reflection and planning, and the bank is prepared to support this process," she concluded. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 4, 2024) - Zonetail Inc. (TSXV: ZONE) (OTC Pink: ZTLLF) ("Zonetail" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company and Belgravia Hartford Capital Inc. (CSE:BLGV) ("Belgravia") (together the "Parties") have executed a Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release (the "Agreement"). Background In 2019, Belgravia brought a frivolous insolvency claim against Zonetail, which disrupted the Company's operations and had a significant negative effect on Zonetail's ability to raise capital. In response, Zonetail served a statement of claim against Belgravia for damages, and in 2020, Belgravia filed a counterclaim (together the "Action"). The Parties have been engaged in a costly legal battle ever since. Terms of Settlement The Parties have agreed to settle all outstanding matters, including the Action, on a without cost basis, resulting in Zonetail writing off all indebtedness to Belgravia in the amount of approximately $557,000 and terminating all obligations under previous agreements with Belgravia. Mark Holmes, CEO of Zonetail, stating, "It has taken the better part of five years, but we have finally put this mess behind us. This settlement proves once and for all that Zonetail's position in this matter was justified. With this settlement, we not only remove a significant amount of debt off our balance sheet, but we also eliminate the heavy legal costs that the Company has been incurring since 2019. Our shareholders should be very pleased at this outcome." In addition to the $557,000, Zonetail also recently paid off a debenture from 2019 for $160,000 plus accrued interest for a total of $756,000 in debt that is no longer owed. 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. About Zonetail Zonetail Inc. (TSXV: ZONE) (OTC Pink: ZTLLF) is a mobile platform and market network. Our Mission is to provide a state-of-the-art mobile platform that enables high-rise residents to better manage their homes by connecting people to products, amenities, and services. Our Vision is to build a critical mass of users in the hard-to-reach, high rise residential vertical, through a unique mobile market network model - providing vital information, products, and services at the tap of a screen. We are the search engine to optimize your home. Zonetail is partnered with Yardi, Shiftsuite and now MRI Software which together account for an estimated 50 million households across North America. Please visit https://www.zonetail.com. For more information, please contact: Mark Holmes, President and CEO, Zonetail Inc. T: (416) 994-5399 E: [email protected] Legal Disclaimer and Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that relate to Zonetail's current expectations and views of future events. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "aim", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "seek", "believe", "potential", "continue", "is/are likely to" or the negative of these terms, or other similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. Certain matters discussed in this announcement contain statements, estimates and projections about the growth of Zonetail's business, potential distribution partnerships and/or clients, and related business strategy. Such statements, estimates and projections may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time-to-time. Zonetail undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The recipient of this information is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analysis made by Zonetail in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors Zonetail believes are appropriate, and, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Although Zonetail believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, prospective purchasers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/193139 Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation. AVRillo Conveyancing (0208-370-3877) has announced its conveyancing services for residents in and around Enfield, London seeking expert legal advice when buying a property. AVRillo Conveyancing's latest service expansion into Enfield comes shortly after the company was awarded the Best In Postcode for the EN1 region, and won gold in the Conveyancer Awards for Best National Group in 2023. More information is available at https://avrillo.co.uk/conveyancing-lawyer/ By using AVRillo Conveyancing's recently announced conveyancing services, clients in Enfield can get legal assistance throughout the property buying and selling process, including the drafting and exchanging of contracts, pre-sale property searches, negotiations, and money transfers. The national average for conveyancing can take up to 20 weeks from start to finish, and a 2023 survey by 'Compare My Move' found that the average conveyancing cost is 2,238 for buying a home and 1,690 for selling. If the initial transaction falls through, these costs may even double, the team says. To prevent these expenses from increasing further for clients, AVRillo Conveyancing charges a fixed fee of 850 to 1750 and requires no upfront deposits. The team also boasts an industry-beating average of 8-10 weeks to complete a transaction. "Bid farewell to taking risks with your choice of conveyance," Angelo Piccirillo, senior partner at AVRillo, says. "Given the alarming 31% rate of negligence and complaints lodged against conveyancers in the UK, its unwise to gamble on unnecessary expenses. Its high time to opt for the finest services available in the UK." Having been working in the industry for over 23 years, the team at AVRillo Conveyancing has built significant expertise in the market and keeps a close eye on current market trends and customer requirements. As such, the team provides services that streamline the legal process of buying or selling a property, while retaining the attention to detail the process requires. AVRillo Conveyancing has achieved a 95% success rate, compared to the national 39.8% fall-through rate, having provided conveyancing services to over 40,000 clients. The high success rate has also seen them become the most awarded conveyancing firm in the UK, with 70 awards from across the industry. A spokesperson said, At our conveyancing firm, we understand that buying or selling a property is a significant financial commitment. Thats why we strive to provide exceptional service and ensure that every client receives personalised attention. Interested parties can find more information by visiting https://avrillo.co.uk/conveyancing-lawyer/ Contact Info: Name: Tony Brotherton Email: Send Email Organization: AVRillo Conveyancing Address: 257 Green Lanes,, London, England N13 4XE, United Kingdom Website: https://avrillo.co.uk Release ID: 89117695 Should you detect any errors, issues, or discrepancies with the content contained within this press release, or if you need assistance with a press release takedown, we kindly request that you inform us immediately by contacting [email protected]. Our expert team will be available to promptly respond and take necessary steps within the next 8 hours to resolve any identified issues or guide you through the removal process. We value the trust placed in us by our readers and remain dedicated to providing accurate and reliable information. Collaboration to leverage Umoja's VivoVecTM gene delivery platform and AbbVie's expertise in oncology to develop in-situ generated chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy candidates NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. and SEATTLE , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), and Umoja Biopharma (Umoja), an early clinical-stage biotechnology company, today announced two exclusive option and license agreements to develop multiple in-situ generated CAR-T cell therapy candidates in oncology using Umoja's proprietary VivoVecTM platform. The first agreement provides AbbVie an exclusive option to license Umoja's CD19 directed in-situ generated CAR-T cell therapy candidates. This includes UB-VV111, Umoja's lead clinical program for hematologic malignancies currently at the IND-enabling phase. Under the terms of the second agreement, AbbVie and Umoja will develop up to four additional in-situ generated CAR-T cell therapy candidates for discovery targets selected by AbbVie. "As we continue to strengthen our oncology portfolio, we believe that in-situ CAR-T cell therapy represents a paradigm shift utilizing genetic medicine concepts," said Jonathon Sedgwick , Ph.D., vice president and global head of discovery research at AbbVie. "We look forward to working with Umoja's team to advance next-generation in-situ CAR-T therapies, and potentially expand the patient populations and indications benefitting from conventional CAR-T approaches." Umoja's VivoVecTM gene delivery platform combines third generation lentiviral vector gene delivery with a novel T-cell targeting and activation surface complex. This enables T cells in the body to manufacture their own cancer-fighting CAR-T cells in vivo. This has the potential to eliminate a number of challenges associated with traditional CAR-T approaches including reliance on gathering a patient's own or donor cells which are modified externally before being delivered back to the patient, the associated time lag and manufacturing challenges of ex vivo cell modification, and the need for patient's lymphodepletion. "AbbVie is an ideal partner for Umoja given their broad expertise in development and commercialization of novel therapeutics in hematology, oncology, and beyond," said David Fontana , Ph.D., chief operating and business officer at Umoja. "By bringing together AbbVie's like-minded pursuit of addressing patient unmet needs with our investments in vector biology and fully-owned commercial-scale manufacturing, we look forward to progressing multiple VivoVec drug candidates into the clinic in the coming years," added Andrew Scharenberg, M.D., co-founder and chief executive officer at Umoja. Under the terms of the two agreements, Umoja received upfront payments and an equity investment from AbbVie. Additionally, for the two agreements combined, Umoja may be eligible to receive up to $1.44B in aggregate for option exercise fees, development and regulatory milestones, with the potential for Umoja to earn additional sales-based milestones and tiered royalties on worldwide net sales. About AbbVie AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube. About Umoja Biopharma Umoja Biopharma, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company aiming to develop off-the-shelf therapeutics that improve the reach, effectiveness, and access of CAR T cell therapies in both oncology and autoimmunity. Umoja's VivoVecTMin vivo gene delivery technology empowers a patient's own immune system to fight disease. Enabling its core technology is the Company's state-of-the-art lentiviral vector development and manufacturing facility in Louisville, Colorado . Umoja believes its approach can provide broader access and improved effectiveness of the most advanced immunotherapies, enabling more patients to live better, fuller lives. To learn more, connect with Umoja on LinkedIn and visit http://umoja-biopharma.com/. AbbVie Forward-Looking Statements Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions and uses of future or conditional verbs, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, challenges to intellectual property, competition from other products, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, and changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of AbbVie's 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. AbbVie undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines, to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law. Umoja Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements about Umoja Biopharma, Inc. (the "Company," "we," "us," or "our"). The Company has based these forward-looking statements largely on its current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about future events and financial trends that it believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to vary materially, including, among others, the risks inherent in drug development such as those associated with the initiation, cost, timing, progress and results of the Company's current and future research and development programs, preclinical and clinical trials, as well as any economic, market and social disruptions. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/abbvie-and-umoja-biopharma-announce-strategic-collaboration-to-develop-novel-in-situ-car-t-cell-therapies-302025722.html SOURCE AbbVie A distinguished digital engineering and transformation leader will showcase innovative solutions, world-class services, and cutting-edge technological advancements globally. Join ACL Digital at one of the most influential tech events from January 9 to 12 in Las Vegas, Nevada . SAN JOSE, Calif. , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ACL Digital, an ALTEN Group Company, is a pioneer in design-led digital experience, innovation, enterprise IT modernization, and product engineering services. The company will exhibit at CES 2024 from January 9 to January 12, 2024 , at Booth #29-226 in the Venetian Exhibitor Suite, Las Vegas, Nevada . In response to the ever-growing technological needs, the organization offers innovative expertise through a design-driven digital transformation framework in engineering and IT services. Moreover, ACL Digital provides a full spectrum of solutions to assist clients in designing and building cutting-edge products (AI, Cloud, and Mobile-ready), content and commerce-driven platforms, and connected, converged digital experiences for the modern world. Through the seamless integration of strategic design, engineering, and industry expertise, the leading technology consulting and engineering company empowers clients to unlock the potential of the digital future, providing steadfast support for their innovation strategies. The service offerings and platforms at ACL Digital enable enterprises, technology providers, and OEMs to design and develop various technology-based solutions, including 5G technology-led solutions, AI-enabled solutions, digital healthcare, connected products and services, enterprise applications, and cloud solutions. "Today's emerging technology is transforming industries and companies, bringing together people, data, and intelligent machines. At CES 2024, we look forward to engaging with our customers, business executives, and product innovators to help them grow with digital transformation as their top operational priority. Our focus will be to ensure they understand that digitization is not a one-time task but a continuous business activity generating real value for the business," said Ramandeep Singh , CEO of ACL Digital - an ALTEN Group Company. About ACL Digital ACL Digital an ALTEN Group Company, is a digital product innovation and engineering leader. We help our clients design and build innovative products (AI, Cloud, and Mobile ready), content and commerce-driven platforms, and connected, converged digital experiences for the modern world through a design-led Digital Transformation framework. Headquartered in Silicon Valley , ACL Digital is a leader in design-led digital experience, innovation, enterprise modernization, and product engineering services converging to Technology, Media & Telecom. The company has a workforce of 55,000+ spread across more than 30+ countries. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1245971/2410332/ACL_Digital_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/acl-digital-at-ces-2024-driving-innovation-to-deliver-digital-excellence-302025413.html SOURCE ACL Digital CHICAGO , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) is pleased to announce the recapitalization of American Pain Consortium (APC) by Cresset Partners, Cedar Pine , and American Discovery Capital. BGL's Healthcare & Life Sciences investment banking team served as the exclusive financial advisor to APC in the transaction. The specific terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction builds upon BGL's market leadership position in advising physician practices and related ancillary services and represents its sixth transaction involving interventional pain management practices. The transaction builds upon BGL's market leadership position in advising physician practices. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana , APC is a growing network of interventional pain management practices and pain-focused ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) that provides state-of-the-art, patient-focused support services to comprehensive pain management practices in Indiana and Ohio . Providers at APC focus on managing acute and chronic pain with treatments that include interventional procedures such as nerve blocks and neuromodulation, complemented by restorative physical therapy and behavioral therapy services. This transaction will enable APC to build upon its interventional pain management platform to expand its growth in an important and underserved sector of healthcare. BGL's Healthcare Provider Services Group is one of the most experienced and respected financial advisory teams in the U.S. for physician practice M&A and related technical services, with a long track record of expertise in physician practice valuation and in successfully advising physicians and alternate site providers through strategic transactions like selling a physician practice. About Brown Gibbons Lang & Company Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) is a leading independent investment bank and financial advisory firm focused on the global middle market. The firm advises private and public corporations and private equity groups on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructurings, business valuations and opinions, and other strategic matters. BGL has investment banking offices in Chicago , Cleveland , Los Angeles , and New York , and real estate offices in Chicago , Cleveland , and San Antonio . The firm is also a founding member of Global M&A Partners, enabling BGL to service clients in more than 35 countries around the world. Securities transactions are conducted through Brown, Gibbons, Lang & Company Securities, LLC, an affiliate of Brown Gibbons Lang & Company LLC and a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. For more information, please visit www.bglco.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bgl-announces-the-recapitalization-of-american-pain-consortium-by-cresset-partners-cedar-pine-and-american-discovery-capital-302026677.html SOURCE Brown Gibbons Lang & Company David Dove to Lead Firm's Regulatory and Economic Investment Practice in Georgia ATLANTA , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- David B. Dove , executive counsel to Georgia Governor Brian Kemp , will join Troutman Pepper to lead the national law firm's Regulatory and Economic Investment Practice in Georgia on February 1 . Dove has served in several high-ranking government positions throughout his career, including executive counsel to Georgia's 83rd governor, interim director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, and chief of staff and legal counsel to the Georgia Secretary of State. "Through his career in public service, David gained distinctive insight into the intersection of government, politics, and litigation," said Partner Charlie Peeler , Troutman Pepper's new Atlanta office managing partner. "We are delighted he has chosen to return to private practice with Troutman Pepper and are excited about what his diverse and unique experience can offer our clients here in Georgia and beyond." "His broad experience with the economic investment efforts in Georgia over the last five years, coupled with his specific and demonstrative expertise in environmental and other state regulatory matters, make David the ideal partner," said Partner John West , chair of the firm's Business Litigation department. "His leadership will substantially expand client offerings in Georgia ." The practice is part of the firm's larger Regulatory Investigations, Strategy + Enforcement (RISE) Practice Group, which counsels clients in a wide range of legal and public policy matters. For businesses in heavily regulated industries, the team offers guidance on compliance and reporting as well as, when necessary, litigation and administrative appeals of regulatory enforcement actions. The team also partners with businesses and industry groups to work proactively on legislative strategy, state attorneys general interactions, and the regulatory rulemaking process. "I am looking forward to re-entering private practice with Troutman Pepper , which has the client service, innovation focus, and industry reputation that aligns with my practice vision," Dove said. "I have been honored to work with Governor Kemp and the Kemp family in many different capacities over the last 14 years. I am thankful for the trust they have placed in me to manage his office's legal matters, and I look forward to applying my skills and expertise to the representation of Troutman Pepper's clients." As the Governor's executive counsel, Dove's achievements were many. Working with the Attorney General's office, he helped to secure landmark victories in the Tri-State Water Wars, namely in In Re ACF Basin and in the 9-0 decision at the Supreme Court of the United States in Florida v. Georgia. He also marshaled Governor Kemp's appointments, resulting in the most diverse group of judicial appointments in Georgia history. He is one of four Georgia commissioners for the Uniform Law Commission. He served as a member of the Georgia Coronavirus Fraud Task Force, the Georgia Jobs and Water and Sewer Infrastructure Committee, and Chair of the Georgia Opioid Settlement Advisory Commission. Dove earned his JD and bachelor's degrees from the University of Georgia, where he remains engaged, serving as chairman of the Alumni Board of Directors for its School of Public and International Affairs and as a board member for the Law School Alumni Council. He also serves as an adjunct professor of law. About Troutman Pepper Troutman Pepper is a national law firm with more than 1,200 attorneys strategically located in 23 U.S. cities. The firm's litigation, transactional, and regulatory practices advise a diverse client base, from startups to multinational enterprises. The firm provides sophisticated legal solutions to clients' most pressing business challenges, with depth across industry sectors, including energy, financial services, health sciences, insurance, and private equity, among others. Learn more at troutman.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chief-legal-counsel-to-georgia-governor-to-join-troutman-pepper-302026363.html SOURCE Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP NEW YORK , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cosmetic Executive Women, Inc. (CEW), the premier organization for beauty industry professionals, announces the appointment of Agnes Chapski as the new Executive Vice President, Business Strategy and Growth Officer. Agnes has a proven track record in driving transformative initiatives and brings a wealth of expertise in business strategy and growth. She previously held positions as SVP and Group Publisher at Meredith overseeing InStyle, Shape, and Health. Prior, she was President of NewBeauty, and spent 18 years at Conde Nast in roles such as Publisher and Chief Revenue Officer of Allure. In her new role, Agnes will be leading the development and execution of innovative strategies to fortify CEW's market position and drive growth. Her visionary leadership, strategic acumen, and deep understanding of the beauty industry will be instrumental in propelling the company towards new milestones. "We are thrilled to welcome Agnes Chapski to our executive team," said President, Carlotta Jacobson . "Her unparalleled expertise and commitment to CEW will be pivotal in shaping our strategic direction and accelerating our growth trajectory." Chapski expressed her excitement, stating, "I am honored to be part of such a dynamic organization renowned for its commitment to women, community, and leadership in the beauty industry. I look forward to driving innovation, fostering growth, and delivering unparalleled value to our members." About CEW: Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) is an international organization of 9,000+ thought leaders, trendsetters, and rising stars in the beauty industry with diverse backgrounds at leading brands, indies, retailers, fragrance houses, media outlets, and suppliers. Our goal is to deliver inspiration, information via always-on programming and content that connects the beauty industry. About Agnes Chapski : Agnes Chapski is the Founder of Agnes Chapski Consulting serving clients in media, beauty, fashion, and the wellness industries. She is also the Founder and COO of Eat It Productions, which recently launched the WTFork.com platform based on the best-selling book by Stefanie Sacks , MS, CNS, CND called "What the Fork are You Eating". Prior to that, she served as the SVP and Group Publisher at Meredith overseeing InStyle, Shape and Health. Before joining Meredith, she was President of NewBeauty, and spent a total of 18 years at Conde Nast in roles such as Publisher and Chief Revenue Officer of Allure, as well as Associate Publisher at Vanity Fair and Lucky since the publication's launch in 2000. In addition to her professional success, Agnes has been involved in numerous philanthropic initiatives, serving on the CEW Foundation board and as a Board of Trustee member to the Emma Willard School, a nationally recognized boarding and day school for girls. Ms. Chapski is a graduate of Smith College and resides in New York City with her husband and two children. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cosmetic-executive-women-cew-appoints-agnes-chapski-as-evp-business-strategy-and-growth-officer-302025930.html SOURCE Cosmetic Executive Women CALGARY, AB , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Canadian Pacific Kansas City (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) (CPKC) Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer Nadeem Velani will address the 27th Annual CIBC Western Institutional Investor Conference on Jan. 18, 2024 , at 4:30 p.m. ET . CPKC will provide access to the live audio webcast at investor.cpkcr.com. A replay will also be available following the conclusion of the event. About Canadian Pacific Kansas City With its global headquarters in Calgary, Alta. , Canada , CPKC is the first and only single-line transnational railway linking Canada , the United States and Mexico, with unrivaled access to major ports from Vancouver to Atlantic Canada to the Gulf of Mexico to Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico. Stretching approximately 20,000 route miles and employing 20,000 railroaders, CPKC provides North American customers unparalleled rail service and network reach to key markets across the continent. CPKC is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpkcr.com to learn more about the rail advantages of CPKC. CP-IR View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cpkc-executive-vice-president-and-chief-financial-officer-to-address-the-27th-annual-cibc-western-institutional-investor-conference-on-jan-18-2024-302025752.html SOURCE CPKC SALT LAKE CITY , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DiscGenics, Inc., a privately held, late-stage clinical, biopharmaceutical company developing allogeneic, cell-based, regenerative therapies for musculoskeletal degeneration, today announced that Flagg Flanagan , Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of DiscGenics is presenting at Biotech Showcase 2024. Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2024 Time: 2:45 PM PST Track: Franciscan A (Ballroom Level) Flanagan will present an update on DiscGenics' lead product candidate, IDCT (injectable disc cell therapy, or rebonuputemcel), a standalone, single-injection biologic treatment designed to halt progression of lumbar disc degeneration and regenerate the disc from the inside out. He will also provide a brief overview of the Company's pre-clinical development of a follow-on allogeneic cell platform and a total biologic disc replacement in development with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Biotech Showcase is an investor and networking conference focused on driving advances in therapeutic development. Now in its 16th year, the conference takes place annually in San Francisco during one of the industry's largest gatherings and busiest weeks. "We are delighted that DiscGenics will be joining us in San Francisco and presenting at Biotech Showcase this year," said Sara Demy, CEO of Demy-Colton. "Biotech Showcase is a prime opportunity for life science entrepreneurs and investors to come together to discover the potential of innovative technologies that will drive the future of drug discovery." Registered attendees can view DiscGenics' presentation live and on-demand. About DiscGenics DiscGenics is a privately held, late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company developing allogeneic, cell-based regenerative therapies for musculoskeletal degeneration. It's lead product candidate, IDCT (injectable disc cell therapy, or rebonuputemcel), is a standalone, single-injection biologic treatment designed to halt progression of lumbar disc degeneration and regenerate the disc from the inside out. IDCT is entering pivotal Phase III trials in the U.S. to target pain and disability in patients with lumbar disc degeneration. The active ingredient in IDCT is a live, manufactured progenitor cell population derived from donated adult human intervertebral disc tissue, mixed with a viscous carrier. IDCT has been granted regenerative medicine advanced therapy (RMAT) and Fast Track designations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. DiscGenics is also developing a follow-on allogeneic cell platform to enable new musculoskeletal indications. To further development of these unique therapies, and to maintain control over compliance, cost, and production timelines, DiscGenics has built and validated an in-house scalable, allogeneic cell manufacturing process and cGMP facility at its headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah . For more information, visit discgenics.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/discgenics-to-present-at-biotech-showcase-2024-302026730.html SOURCE DISCGENICS, INC. Company's actions strengthen communities, create jobs and boost the local economy NEW ORLEANS , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The greater New Orleans region is enjoying nearly half of $1 billion dollars in economic benefits because the city is host to the corporate headquarters for Entergy, the city's only Fortune 500 company. According to a recent study by Louisiana State University economist Dr. Loren Scott , Entergy's total economic impact in New Orleans reached nearly $500 million in sales in the city in 2021. "Entergy's low-cost electricity is helping attract critical investments and is creating jobs making the company a significant economic engine for the economy," said Rod West , Entergy's group president of utility operations. "Our commitment can be felt throughout the state. For every job created at Entergy's headquarters, 2.8 jobs are created elsewhere in the state and in New Orleans specifically, for every job created 1.4 jobs are created elsewhere in Orleans Parish's economy." "Having Entergy's headquarters located here in New Orleans makes a huge impact on our city's economy, and on the state of Louisiana ," said Deanna Rodriguez , president and CEO of Entergy New Orleans. "We've always had a sense of that importance, and this study confirms it in hard numbers: Entergy's headquarters being in the city creates jobs, it generates sales for local businesses, and it creates major tax revenue for the parish and the state." "We are truly fortunate to have Entergy as a partner in driving the region's economy," said Michael Hecht , president and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. "Entergy not only provides reliable and affordable energy, but also supports thousands of jobs, hundreds of millions of dollars in sales and income, and millions of dollars in local charitable contributions. Having Entergy's corporate headquarters in New Orleans helps attract major companies into the region, and demonstrates success for existing businesses. Entergy is a true corporate leader who exemplifies the spirit of innovation, resilience, and generosity that makes Greater New Orleans uniquely great." Jobs supported by Entergy in New Orleans carried an average wage of $93,000 . That is nearly 36% higher than the average annual wage of $68,000 in Orleans Parish . As one of New Orleans' largest taxpayers, Entergy pays more than $17 million in local taxes and has supported nearly $300 million in household income for New Orleans residents. This is almost as much as the total earnings of all workers in Orleans Parish's oil and gas extraction sector (approximately $280 million in 2020). Each dollar spent by Entergy ripples through the state's economy, triggering employment, new income and spending in virtually every industry sector. In 2021, Entergy also had contributed nearly $4.1 million to more than 100 New Orleans non-profit partners and community organizations and over $9 million to other non-profits outside of New Orleans . Entergy New Orleans recently announced plans to invest $1 billion in grid hardening projects for the city over the next 10 years. Last fall, Entergy was recognized for the 16th consecutive year as a top utility driving economic development in the region. At Entergy's request, Loren C. Scott and Associates Inc. measured Entergy's economic footprint in New Orleans and the state of Louisiana . Financial and operations data for the 2021 fiscal year formed the primary-source information for the analysis. For highlights of Entergy's economic impact in New Orleans , download this infographic. Read the complete Loren C. Scott and Associates impact study here. About Entergy Entergy New Orleans, LLC provides electricity to approximately 211,000 customers and natural gas to approximately 109,000 customers in Orleans Parish, Louisiana . Entergy New Orleans is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR), a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas , Louisiana , Mississippi and Texas . We're investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana , and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy, visit the Newsroom. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/entergy-delivers-nearly-500m-in-economic-impact-for-greater-new-orleans-region-302026732.html SOURCE Entergy Corporation New Eyesafe CFX technology reduces blue light emissions while improving overall display performance. MINNEAPOLIS , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Eyesafe, a leading innovator in blue light management solutions and standards, announced today its new color filter technology, Eyesafe CFX, has received a 2024 CES Innovation Award in the Computer Hardware and Components category. The CES Innovation Awards are an annual competition honoring outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products. The award underscores Eyesafe's commitment to displays designed for human health. Eyesafe CFX, a 2024 CES Innovation Award winner, enables the healthiest and most energy efficient displays in the world. Eyesafe CFX color filter technology enables the healthiest and most energy efficient displays in the world. Nagase and Eyesafe demonstrated this breakthrough technology at Display Week 2023, emphasizing its ability to improve luminance up to 20%, expand color gamut coverage, and reduce blue light emissions. Eyesafe CFX boosts power efficiency and has the potential to deliver energy savings, which may help displays pass regulatory certifications. Commenting on the prestigious CES Innovation Award, Justin Barrett , CEO at Eyesafe, expressed gratitude and excitement: "Receiving the Innovation Award is a testament to our team's dedication to advancing technology in a way that positively impacts users' lives. Eyesafe CFX is not just a display solution; it's a commitment to fostering healthier digital experiences and improving display performance. This recognition motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation, addressing the evolving needs of consumers worldwide." For more information about Eyesafe CFX award-winning technology, please visit eyesafe.com/cfx. About Eyesafe Eyesafe Inc. is the world leader in blue light management, including display technology, standards, certification, and accessory solutions. With an expansive portfolio of intellectual property, the company employs a world-class team of eye doctors, engineers, and scientists with decades of experience in electronics, display materials, light management, optometry, and ophthalmology. The Eyesafe brand is trusted by consumers and integrated in millions of digital devices from Dell, HP, Lenovo, LG, ZAGG and more. Eyesafe is recognized by Inc. 5000 as one of the fastest growing private companies in America and by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal as the #1 Fastest Growing Company in Minnesota . Learn more at eyesafe.com. Media Contact: Elishaa Batdorf Marketing Director, Eyesafe [email protected] eyesafe.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eyesafe-wins-2024-ces-innovation-award-for-advanced-display-technology-enhancing-power-efficiency-and-color-302025880.html SOURCE Eyesafe SUTHERLAND, Iowa , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kevin Virgil , a former Army Ranger and CIA operations officer, announced today that he is running for Iowa's 4th Congressional District as a Republican. Virgil, a political outsider, says that his campaign is founded on the principles of true conservatism, emphasizing Iowa's need for a representative who will fervently defend these values in Washington . Virgil, 50, says his distinguished career in the military and intelligence community, as well as his experience as an entrepreneur in the private sector, have equipped him with the leadership skills and values that are required to address the complex challenges facing the nation. "I am running for Congress because Iowa's 4th District deserves a representative who advocates for conservative values," said Virgil. "The current political establishment in Washington DC has failed to provide the leadership that America needs. Here in western Iowa , our current congressman, Randy Feenstra, has repeatedly voted to protect the interests of his largest donors and political backers while ignoring those of his constituents. I intend to uphold my oath to the Constitution and will only support legislation that remains true to its principles." "I am honored to continue my service to our country, and to fight the internal and external forces that threaten our way of life", said Virgil. "Over the past three decades, America's small towns have experienced steep economic decline, while Washington DC and our state capitols have attracted staggering wealth through the relentless expansion of government. It is a zero-sum game that needs to stop. I intend to work relentlessly to constrain the federal bureaucracy and return prosperity to our communities. I look forward to listening to voters across the district, and earning their trust and support." Virgil was born in Lincoln, Nebraska and raised in Sutherland, Iowa . He graduated from South O'Brien High School and attended West Point before serving in the 82nd Airborne Division and ultimately in the 75th Ranger Regiment. Later, he attended business school and worked on Wall Street before joining the CIA shortly after 9/11, where he narrowly missed being in the World Trade Center . After serving his country overseas, he eventually started a company that builds AI-enabled security solutions for the Department of Defense and corporate customers around the world. Virgil's campaign is already gaining momentum, with endorsements from key conservative leaders and grassroots support from across the district. He invites the community to join him in this journey to bring principled, conservative leadership to Congress. For more information about Kevin Virgil's campaign, his policy positions, and upcoming events, please visit www.virgilforcongress.com. Contact: Carlos Montero , Campaign Manager [email protected] 202.941.9001 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/former-army-ranger-and-cia-officer-enters-race-for-iowas-4th-congressional-district-302026583.html SOURCE Virgil for Congress SHANGHAI and GEMBLOUX, Belgium and HEIDELBERG, Germany , Jan. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Full-Life Technologies ("Full-Life"), a fully integrated global radiotherapeutics company, today announced the completion of $63.3 million financing, comprised of $47.3 million in Series B equity financing and $16 million in loan facilities. The financing will advance development of the Company's radiopharmaceutical pipeline and manufacturing capabilities, as well as optimize its proprietary discovery platform, UniRDCTM. With completion of such financing, Full-Life has secured more than $110 million funding since its inception in August 2021 , including equity financing, loan facilities, and government subsidies. The $47.3 million Series B equity financing was co-led by Prosperity7 Ventures and an undisclosed healthcare specialist investor, along with new investors Sky9 Capital, Summer Capital, and GuanghuaWutong Fund, as well as existing shareholders Chengwei Capital, HongShan, and Junson Capital. The $16 million loan facilities, secured in conjunction with the Series B equity financing, provide Full-Life with a flexible financing solution for the Company's pipeline development and construction of the radiopharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Belgium . "Cancer remains a formidable global challenge, causing immense suffering and loss," said Aysar Tayeb , Executive Managing Director of Prosperity7 Ventures. "Full-Life is dedicated to addressing this issue within the field of Radionuclide Drug Conjugates (RDC) by leveraging its exceptional vector and linker design capabilities, as well as its expertise in radionuclides. Through its UniRDCTM platform, Full-Life has the potential to extend its therapeutic indications to a wider range of cancers. We eagerly anticipate the future advancements of Full-Life, as it strives to deliver differentiated and superior solutions that will significantly improve the outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients." "The financing reflects strong support from our new and existing investors of our strategy and faith in the significant progress we have made in just over two years to build a fully integrated radiopharmaceutical company," said Julie Wu , Chief Financial Officer of Full-Life. "The funding will support our evolution into a clinical-stage company, the advancement of our pipeline programs, and the construction of a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) manufacturing facility." Since completion of its Series A equity financing in 2022, Full-Life has achieved multiple significant milestones, including but not limited to: Advancing the Company's lead drug candidate, 225 Ac-FL-020, towards Phase I clinical trials in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients. Clinical trials are planned to start in both Europe and the U.S. in early 2024. Full-Life's PSMA-targeting vector, FL-020, is specifically designed to deliver the highly potent alpha-emitter, Actinium-225. Ac-FL-020, towards Phase I clinical trials in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients. Clinical trials are planned to start in both and the in early 2024. Full-Life's PSMA-targeting vector, FL-020, is specifically designed to deliver the highly potent alpha-emitter, Actinium-225. Assembling a strong pre-clinical portfolio including both first-in-class and best-in-class programs as well as development of the novel UniRDC TM discovery platform. UniRDC TM is a proprietary platform established to streamline the discovery process of RDC. discovery platform. UniRDC is a proprietary platform established to streamline the discovery process of RDC. Acquiring a 17,000 square meter of land in the Walloon region of Belgium , obtaining the required construction permit, and beginning construction of a 4,000 square meter state-of-the-art GMP-level radiopharmaceutical production facility. The facility is designed to advance Full-Life's end-to-end solution and manufacture a broad spectrum of radiopharmaceuticals. About 225Ac-FL-020 225Ac-FL-020 is a novel, next-generation PSMA radioligand candidate currently being developed for the treatment of mCRPC. Its targeting vector, FL-020, was discovered using Full-Life's proprietary Clear-XTM linker technology, which enables significant improvement of drug uptake at the tumor while maintaining fast systemic clearance. In pre-clinical models, 225Ac-FL-020 has demonstrated promising anti-tumor activity. About UniRDCTM UniRDCTM is a proprietary discovery platform, which rationalizes and accelerates the discovery process of RDC drug candidates. UniRDCTM enables a short discovery timeline of 18 months or less from a target to an RDC development candidate with human biodistribution data, which has been repeatedly validated internally. UniRDCTM covers a range of modalities including small molecule, cyclic peptide, and nanobody. It is centered on a rich set of proprietary synthetic chemistry and protein engineering tool kits, including Clear-X linker technology and Res-X modification methods. Such tool kits have been proven to be essential to rapidly turn an affinity matured binder to a development candidate with a therapeutically optimal biodistribution profile. Details of the platform can be found at: https://www.full-life.com/radio/unirdc About Full-Life Technologies Full-Life Technologies Limited ("Full-Life") is a fully integrated global radiotherapeutics company with operations in Belgium , Germany , and China . We seek to own the entire value chain for radiopharmaceutical research & development, production & commercialization in order to deliver clinical impact for patients. The Company plans to attack core issues affecting radiopharmaceuticals today through innovative research that targets the treatments of tomorrow. We are comprised of a team of fast-moving entrepreneurs and scientists with a demonstrated track record in the life sciences, as well as radioisotope research and clinical development. About Prosperity7 Prosperity7 Ventures (P7) is the diversified growth fund of Aramco Ventures, a subsidiary of Aramco, the world's leading integrated energy and chemicals company. The fund's name derives from "Prosperity Well', the 7th oil well drilled in Saudi Arabia and the first to strike oil. Taking forward this pioneering history, P7 invests globally with a long-term view in breakthrough technologies and transformational business models that will bring prosperity and positive impact on a vast scale. https://www.prosperity7vc.com/ Follow us: Website: www.full-life.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-radiotherapeutics-company-full-life-technologies-announces-usd-47-3-million-series-b-financing-prosperity7-ventures-jointly-leads-the-round-302024254.html SOURCE Full-Life Technologies COPENHAGEN, Denmark and CAMBRIDGE, Mass. , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hemab Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel prophylactic therapeutics for serious, underserved bleeding and thrombotic disorders, today announced the appointment of Akshay Vaishnaw , MD, PhD, to its Board of Directors. The company also announced CEO Benny Sorensen , MD, PhD, will present an update on Hemab's progress and outlook for 2024 at the 42nd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, January 10 , at 4:30 PM PST / 7:30 PM EST . "In the last year, Hemab has achieved several important milestones, including raising a substantial Series B round, initiated its first Phase 2 clinical study and continued to build its pipeline of development candidates," said John Maraganore , PhD, Board Chair. "With the appointment of Akshay to the Board, we add a biotech veteran who brings deep R&D experience at a time when Hemab will be advancing multiple clinical programs across a range of blood-clotting disorders. We welcome Akshay and the expertise he brings to Hemab and its mission." Dr. Vaishnaw is the Chief Innovation Officer at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. Since joining the company in 2006 he has served in positions of increasing responsibility across Research and Development (R&D), and most recently as President of Alnylam. Prior to Alnylam, Dr. Vaishnaw was Senior Director, Translational Medicine at Biogen. Dr. Vaishnaw received a bachelor's degree from University College Cardiff, UK , he received his MD from the University of Wales College of Medicine, UK , and a PhD from the University of London, UK , in Molecular Immunology. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, UK . Dr. Vaishnaw is a member of the Board of Directors for Editas Medicine Inc. and Scholar Rock Inc. "Hemab's product development approach allows for a spectrum of modalities to be utilized, which holds immense promise for transforming the treatment of multiple blood-clotting disorders like Glanzmann Thrombasthenia, Factor VII Deficiency, and Von Willebrand Disease that remain urgently in need of novel prophylactic treatments," said Dr. Vaishnaw . "I am excited to join Hemab's Board of Directors and work with the leadership team who are clearly driven by patient need in their mission to deliver life-changing treatments for many people." "Akshay joins our Board at a time when his experience leading translational research, clinical development and delivering regulatory success will be invaluable," said Dr. Sorensen . "I am thrilled to have his partnership and to bring his passion for science and commitment to building people-focused cultures to Hemab." About Hemab Therapeutics Hemab is a clinical-stage biotech company developing novel prophylactic therapeutics for serious, underserved bleeding and thrombotic disorders. Based in Cambridge, MA and Copenhagen, Denmark , Hemab is progressing a pipeline of monoclonal and bispecific antibody-based therapeutics to transform the treatment paradigm for patients with high unmet need. The company's strategic guidance, Hemab 1-2-5, targets the development of 5 independent assets by 2025 to deliver long-awaited innovation for patients with high unmet need blood-clotting disorders like Glanzmann Thrombasthenia, Factor VII Deficiency, Von Willebrand Disease and other serious disorders. Learn more at hemab.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hemab-therapeutics-appoints-dr-akshay-vaishnaw-to-board-of-directors-and-announces-presentation-at-the-42nd-annual-jp-morgan-healthcare-conference-302025908.html SOURCE Hemab Therapeutics Hyundai Motor and Kia will link Samsung's 'SmartThings' IoT (Internet of Things) platform to their connected car services and Kia will link Samsung's 'SmartThings' IoT (Internet of Things) platform to their connected car services The three companies aim to break the boundaries between living spaces and mobility spaces, enhancing the time value of driving before, during and after -- Car-to-Home service to provide remote and touch-based control of various home appliances through voice commands while driving -- Home-to-Car service to check vehicle status, control functions and manage charging before and after driving Car-to-Home service to provide remote and touch-based control of various home appliances through voice commands while driving Home-to-Car service to check vehicle status, control functions and manage charging before and after driving Customers can also experience seamless connectivity with OTA and USB-based updates SEOUL, South Korea , Jan. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation announced that they have signed an agreement on January 3 with Samsung Electronics for a Car-to-Home and Home-to-Car service partnership, aiming to enhance the connectivity between residential and mobility spaces. Under this agreement, Hyundai and Kia customers will be able to remotely control digital appliances via touch and voice commands through their cars' in-car infotainment systems. Conversely, they will have remote vehicle control via AI speakers, TVs and smartphone apps to control various vehicle functions. This is made possible through the organic integration of Hyundai and Kia's connected car services and Samsung's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, 'SmartThings'. Customers are expected to use it in various ways in their daily lives, enjoying uninterrupted connectivity experiences. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hyundai-kia-and-samsung-electronics-to-collaborate-on-connecting-mobility-and-residential-spaces-302025800.html SOURCE Hyundai Motor Company; Kia Corporation Current CEO, Craig Meier , to become Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors OMAHA, Neb. , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical Solutions (the "Company") today announced the appointment of Rebecca Rogers Tijerino as CEO, effective Feb. 1, 2024 . At that time, Craig Meier , who has served as CEO since 2014, will become Vice Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors and focus on strategy and M&A initiatives. Tijerino has more than 25 years of leadership experience in the staffing and recruiting industry. Most recently, she served as the Group President of Randstad, where she was responsible for multiple business lines including Manufacturing and Logistics, Engineering and the Spherion franchise organization. Prior to joining Randstad, Rebecca was CEO of the Intersect Group, a privately held company specializing in Technology and Accounting staffing. She has also held executive positions at Adecco, Seaton Corp. (now TrueBlue) and Kelly Services. Over the course of her career, Rebecca has developed deep expertise for scaling businesses and building strategies to leverage technology to deliver best in class solutions and experiences. "Having led Medical Solutions for nearly a decade, and with the company in a solid position as we look to the future, I am confident that now is the right time for a new leader to take the company forward," said Craig Meier , CEO of Medical Solutions. "Rebecca is an empowering leader who brings to Medical Solutions a unique set of skills and a track record of helping organizations reach their growth potential. I look forward to supporting her in my capacity as Vice Chairman as she guides our organization and our amazing team on this next chapter." As Medical Solutions' new CEO, Tijerino will advance the Company's strategy and vision of serving customers with its ecosystem solution and product offerings. Today, Medical Solutions is a nearly $4 billion company with almost 3,000 team members, making it the third largest healthcare staffing company in the U.S. In recent years, the Company has consistently been ranked as one of the fastest-growing staffing firms nationwide and recognized as one of America's greatest workplaces due to its supportive, human-first culture. "I am excited by the opportunity to drive Medical Solutions' next phase of growth as the Company's CEO," said Tijerino. "Medical Solutions has clearly distinguished itself as a leader in the staffing industry with a compelling vision: creating a healthcare talent ecosystem that delivers great patient outcomes and enriches the lives of the people who provide care. I look forward to collaborating with the entire team, along with Craig and the Board, to build on Medical Solutions' foundation for the benefit of our employees, clients, clinicians, and all our other important stakeholders." Linda Galipeau , Chairman of the Board, added, "On behalf of the entire Board, I would like to thank Craig for his many contributions to Medical Solutions over the past ten years. His deep commitment to the organization, our clients, and our mission has been invaluable in fostering a strong culture and positioning the company for future growth. Looking ahead, we remain focused on supporting Medical Solutions as it executes its strategy, working closely with Rebecca to achieve our goals." ABOUT MEDICAL SOLUTIONS Medical Solutions is one of the nation's largest healthcare talent ecosystems. Together with its family brands, Aureus Medical Group, Matchwell, HOST Healthcare, FocusOne Solutions, and WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions, Medical Solutions connects nurses, allied health clinicians, and clinical leaders with healthcare facilities across the U.S. Its service offerings include contingent staffing, managed services, strike staffing, permanent placement, local contract, per diem, and international staffing. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska , Medical Solutions maintains office locations in San Diego, California ; Denver, Colorado ; Cincinnati, Ohio ; Tupelo, Mississippi ; Durham, North Carolina ; and Tampa and Jacksonville Beach, Florida . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/medical-solutions-appoints-rebecca-rogers-tijerino-as-ceo-302026669.html SOURCE Medical Solutions LLC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- National RIA firm Mission Wealth announced today five named Partners of the firm for 2024. Brandon Baiamonte , Nicole Madosik , Jessica Mora , Emil Nazaretyan , and Jessica Neves have left an indelible mark on the firm through their remarkable contributions to client and employee retention, innovative merger and investment opportunities, and driving overall firm growth. National RIA firm Mission Wealth announces five named Partners to the firm for 2024. The recent promotions in various roles represent the firm's commitment to developing future financial leaders and confidence in its career pathways as it strengthens its position in key growth markets. The newly appointed Partners bring the total number of the partnership at Mission Wealth to 36 professionals. Their collective expertise and dedication solidify the firm's position as a leader in wealth management and advisory services. "We are thrilled to welcome Brandon, Nicole, Jessica, Emil, and Jessica to our partner group," said Dannell Stuart . "During their respective tenures at the firm, they have each demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to outstanding professionalism. Their commitment, adaptability, caring attitude, and growth-mindset have benefitted the firm in immeasurable ways. We are so thankful to have Mission Wealth be their forever home." Please read the full article here. For a deeper insight into the pivotal roles of these newly appointed Partners, and to discover how they further enhance Mission Wealth's services and client experience, please click on their names below. Brandon Baiamonte - Partner and Director of Tax Strategy Nicole Madosik - Partner and Director of Mergers & Integrations Jessica Mora - Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor Emil Nazaretyan - Partner and Director of Investments Jessica Neves - Partner and Director of Human Resources "We extend our heartfelt congratulations to our newly appointed partners. These promotions are incredibly well deserved. Thanks to the generosity of our cofounders Seth Streeter and Brad Stark , Mission Wealth remains uniquely committed to remaining 100% employee-owned and to being a firm of permanence." Matthew Adams , CEO of Mission Wealth. About Mission Wealth Established in 2000, Mission Wealth is a nationally recognized Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) dedicated to serving over 2,945 valued clients and families, managing assets exceeding $7.0 billion across the United States . For comprehensive information about Mission Wealth's core values and services, please visit www.missionwealth.com or contact us at (805) 882-2360 for a complimentary consultation. Mission Wealth | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube 00563920 01/24 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mission-wealth-welcomes-five-new-partners-in-2024-302026394.html SOURCE Mission Wealth Management, LP TORONTO , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Multi-Health Systems Inc. (MHS), a leader in scientifically validated assessment and technology solutions serving the mental and behavioral health industry for over 40 years is proud to announce John Clarke as their new Chief Executive Officer. John joined MHS in 2020 as Chief Revenue Officer bringing a wealth of experience in sales, marketing and digital transformation significantly impacting MHS' growth and success. John demonstrated his excellent leadership skills navigating MHS through the pandemic and return to normal. His career highlights feature notable roles at Google leading partnerships with some of the world's largest technology, finance, and automotive firms, AutoTrader updating their business model to reflect the digital economy and advising SaaS startups to help these companies scale and grow. John brings a passion for making a difference and a drive to succeed. John steps into the CEO role at MHS at an important time as supporting better outcomes in mental health has become a key focus for businesses and communities. We are excited about the next phase for MHS, and confident John's leadership will build our business and strengthen our global social impact. Clarke shares, "From its founding over 40 years ago MHS has always been in the business of helping others. This purpose shines though in all that we do. I am grateful and inspired by the opportunity to lead with this purpose in mind and with our passionate, committed team at MHS we will continue to positively impact the world around us" About MHS For over 40 years, MHS has provided trusted data-driven solutions across our core disciplines: Clinical, Education, Talent Development, and Public Safety. Science and research are the basis of MHS' roots and future innovations. With new standards for toolsets, we help clients evaluate, track, and leverage human-centric data to help realize full potential. We are guided by a clearly articulated digital trust framework to ensure that the rights and privacy of our clients are always protected. We strive for fairness and equity in the development and deployment of the products we make, the solutions we provide, and in the people we lead. Our ethos extends beyond products to the core of our values, which serve as guiding principles shaping our behavior, characterizing our commitment, and forming the foundation of our actions as a company. Driven by science and research, we believe in opportunities that pave the way for progress. Providing complete solutions, we work to benefit the individuals behind the data points, aligned with our overarching mission to consistently advance our science and research capabilities because progress has no limits. For more information, visit MHS.com or follow MHS on LinkedIn. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/multi-health-systems-inc-mhs-announces-john-clarke-as-ceo-302026332.html SOURCE Multi-Health Systems Inc. CALGARY, AB , Jan. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Nanalysis Scientific Corp. (TSXV:NSCI, OTCQX:NSCIF, FRA:1N1) ("Nanalysis" or the "Company") announces that the Company's Board of Directors has granted 475,000 Restricted Share Units ("RSU"s) to its independent Directors, pursuant to the Company's RSU plan. Each RSU is exercisable for one common share in the capital of the Company for a period ending at the end of the calendar year, three years after the date of grant. 100,000 of the RSUs vest immediately, and the remaining RSUs vest as to one-third on each of the 12-month, 24-month, and 36-month anniversary of the date of grant. About Nanalysis Scientific Corp. (TSXV: NSCI, OTCQX: NSCIF, FRA: 1N1) Nanalysis' business is what we term "MRI and NMR for industry". The Company develops and manufactures portable Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometers or analyzers for laboratory and industrial markets. The NMReady-60 was the first full-feature portable NMR spectrometer in a single compact enclosure requiring no liquid helium or any other cryogens. The Company has followed-up that initial offering with new products and continues to have a strong innovation pipeline. In 2020 Nanalysis announced the launch of its 100MHz device, the most powerful and most advanced compact NMR device ever brought to market. Nanalysis' devices are used in many industries (oil and gas, chemical, mining, pharma, biotech, flavor and fragrances, agrochemicals, law enforcement, and more) as well as numerous government and university research labs around the world. The Company continues to exploit new global market opportunities independently and with partners. In 2022 the Company acquired K'(Prime) Technologies Inc. (K'Prime), a North American sales and service company which provides sales services for scientific instrumentation for pharma, food, chemical and oil & gas customers, as well as imaging systems for security applications. K'Prime's service organization provides airport and commercial security installation and maintenance solutions across North America . Additionally in 2022, the Company acquired a 43% ownership in Quad Systems AG ("Quad Systems"), a Zurich-based Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) company focused on high-field NMR for pharmaceutical and other vertical markets. Notice regarding Forward Looking Statements and Legal Disclaimer This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of such statements under applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "anticipates", "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed", "positioned" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nanalysis-scientific-corp-announces-grant-of-restricted-share-units-302025804.html SOURCE Nanalysis Scientific Corp. WASHINGTON , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA is inviting people to send their names to the surface of the Moon aboard the agency's first robotic lunar rover, VIPER short for Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover. The rover will embark on a mission to the lunar South Pole to unravel the mysteries of the Moon's water and better understand the environment where NASA plans to land the first woman and first person of color under its Artemis program. As part of the "Send Your Name with VIPER" campaign, NASA will accept names received before 11:59 p.m. EST , March 15 . Once collected, the agency will take the names and attach them to the rover. To add your name, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/send-your-name-with-viper The site also enables participants to create and download a virtual souvenir a boarding pass to the VIPER mission featuring their name to commemorate the experience. Participants are encouraged to share their requests on social media using the hashtag #SendYourName. "With VIPER, we are going to study and explore parts of the Moon's surface no one has ever been to before and with this campaign, we are inviting the world to be part of that risky yet rewarding journey," said Nicola Fox , associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington . "Just think: Our names will ride along as VIPER navigates across the rugged terrain of the lunar South Pole and gathers valuable data that will help us better understand the history of the Moon and the environment where we plan to send Artemis astronauts." This campaign is like other NASA projects that have enabled tens of millions of people to send their names to ride along with Artemis I, several Mars spacecraft, and the agency's upcoming Europa Clipper mission. It draws from the agency's long tradition of shipping inspirational messages on spacecraft that have explored our solar system and beyond. "Our VIPER is a game-changer," said Daniel Andrews , VIPER's project manager at NASA's Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley . "It's the first mission of its kind, expanding our understanding of where lunar resources could be harvested to support a long-term human presence on the Moon." In late 2024, Astrobotic Technologies' Griffin Mission One is scheduled to deliver VIPER to the lunar surface after launching aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida . Once there, VIPER will rely on its solar panels and batteries for its roughly 100-day mission to survive extreme temperatures and challenging lighting conditions, while powering a suite of science instruments designed to gather data about the characteristics and concentrations of lunar ice and other possible resources. NASA's VIPER delivery is part of its CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative under the Artemis program. With CLPS, as well as with human exploration near the lunar South Pole , NASA will establish a long-term cadence of Moon missions in preparation for sending the first astronauts to Mars. The rover is part of the LDEP (Lunar Discovery and Exploration Program), managed by the Science Mission Directorate at the agency's headquarters and is executed through the Exploration Science Strategy and Integration Office. In addition to managing the mission, NASA Ames leads the mission's science, systems engineering, real-time rover surface operations, and flight software. The rover hardware is designed and built by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston , while the instruments are provided by NASA Ames, the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida , and commercial partner Honeybee Robotics in Altadena, California . For more information about VIPER, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/viper View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-invites-public-to-send-names-aboard-artemis-robotic-moon-rover-302026593.html SOURCE NASA PEORIA, Ill. , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Technology Services, Inc. (ATS) is proud to announce it has been recognized by Newsweek as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity in the mid-size company category. The 2024 list features companies "recognized by their employees for genuinely respecting and valuing individuals from different walks of life." James Hefti , Vice President of Human Resources at ATS said, "We take a proactive approach to recruiting, developing, and retaining a diverse workforce that reflects the communities and customers we serve. Our presence and five-star ranking on Newsweek's elite list is an honor and testament to our efforts toward inclusiveness and well-being to drive innovation and organizational success." The industrial services provider's workforce is a fundamental asset to the organization and its customers, and one that supports its cultural commitment to live safety, value employees, engage customers, and deliver results. ATS employs talent from diverse backgrounds and skill levels to grow in their careers and help execute its mission to make factories run better. "For example, having veterans comprise approximately 20% of our workforce is a tremendous source of pride," added Hefti. "Through recruiting and alliance initiatives, including our new U.S. Department of Defense SkillBridge program partnership, ATS is steadfast in our commitment to hire, train, and support veterans and exiting service members for technician and leadership roles." To compile its list, Newsweek partnered with market data research firm Plant-A Insights Group to examine publicly available data, interview HR professionals, and conduct more than 220,000 independent surveys of U.S. workers about employers they were familiar with, yielding over 1.5 million company reviews. About Advanced Technology Services: Advanced Technology Services, Inc. (ATS), is a global services provider with nearly four decades of proven experience as a single source for industrial maintenance, technology, and parts. Established in 1985, the company has grown to be a market leader supporting over 1,400 customer manufacturing sites. Through its industry-leading safety, people, processes, and technologies, ATS is advancing solutions that make its customers' operations more productive, more reliable, and more data-driven. Learn how ATS makes factories run better and smarter at www.advancedtech.com. PRESS CONTACT: Tina Stallone Manager, Marketing Communications 847-781-6747 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/newsweek-names-advanced-technology-services-inc-among-americas-greatest-workplaces-for-diversity-2024-302025544.html SOURCE Advanced Technology Services, Inc. Set sail on an epic 59-day Grand Voyage from Barcelona to Singapore Download images of Riviera here MIAMI , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Oceania Cruises , the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, has announced that its 1,250-guest ship Riviera will explore the continents of Africa and Asia at the end of 2024, and into 2025 with three brand new itineraries. The jewel of these itineraries is a once-in-a-lifetime 59-day Grand Voyage which offers guests the opportunity to explore the truly off-the-beaten path ports across Africa and Asia . Riviera will sail from Barcelona , call at the Canary Islands , before heading down the western coast of Africa with days at sea punctuating enticing ports in Senegal , Gambia , Ghana and an overnight stay in Walvis Bay , Namibia . At the journey's most southern point, guests will enjoy an overnight stay in Cape Town before heading up the eastern coast via Madagascar , for an overnight stay in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania ; and then across to the Seychelles , Maldives , Thailand , Malaysia , before the journey culminates in an overnight stay in Singapore . "These longer, destination-immersive voyages offer curious, well-traveled guests the chance to explore some of the most off-the-beaten-path ports in the world, all from the elegant surroundings of Riviera. Sailing from Europe to Asia , via both coasts of Africa , is a true bucket list journey, combining iconic cities and unknown gems, with our incredible onboard service and the best value in luxury cruising, these voyages are hard to resist," stated Frank A Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. Offering the largest standard staterooms at sea and home-away-from-home residential-style luxury, Riviera will explore bucket list African ports such as Cape Town , Port Elizabeth, Walvis Bay and Dar Es Salaam as well as stopping in the iconic Asian ports of Phuket , Penang, Colombo and Male. Her new itineraries range from 27 to 59 days, traveling from Europe across Africa and Asia . Riviera will also take guests to smaller, more niche ports across the globe, stopping at Antsiranana in Madagascar , Hambantota in Sri Lanka , Sao Tome and Lome in Togo . Travelers will have the opportunity to delve deeper into the natural wonders and local cultures of these destinations with more than 400 shore excursions to choose from. Riviera's New Itineraries: A Tale of Five Seas , 59-day voyage departing on November 14, 2024 from Barcelona , and arriving in Singapore on January 12, 2025 . Ports of call: Seville , Las Palmas de Gran Canaria , Arrecife, Mindelo, Dakar , Banjul , Abidjan , Sekondi-Takoradi, Lome , Sao Tome , overnight stay in Walvis Bay , Luderitz, overnight stay in Cape Town , Mossel Bay , Port Elizabeth, Maputo , Nosy Be, Mayotte , overnight stay in Dar Es Salaam , Antsiranana, Mahe, overnight stay in Male, Colombo , Hambantota, Phuket , Langkawi, Penang, Melaka, Kuala Lumpur , finishing with an overnight stay in Singapore . West African Rhythms , 27-day voyage departing on November 14, 2024 , from Barcelona , and arriving in Cape Town on December 11, 2024 . Ports of call: Seville , Las Palmas de Gran Canaria , Arrecife, Mindelo, Dakar , Banjul , Abidjan , Sekondi-Takoradi, Lome , Sao Tome , overnight stay in Walvis Bay , Luderitz, finishing with an overnight stay in Cape Town . Colonial Crowns , 32-day voyage departing on December 11, 2024 from Cape Town , and arriving in Singapore on January 12, 2025 . Ports of call: Mossel Bay , Port Elizabeth, Maputo , Nosy Be, Mayotte , overnight stay in Dar Es Salaam , Antsiranana, Mahe, overnight stay in Male, Colombo , Hambantota, Phuket , Langkawi, Penang, Melaka, Kuala Lumpur , finishing with an overnight stay in Singapore . All guests sailing on these itineraries benefit from Oceania Cruises' simply MORE offering, which includes a generous shore excursion credit of up to $2,600 per stateroom, in addition to free roundtrip airfare; free airport transfers; free Champagne, wine and more during lunch and dinner; free soft drinks and specialty teas and coffees; free gourmet specialty dining and free unlimited WiFi for the best value in luxury cruising. Beautifully re-inspired, Riviera offers unparalleled experiences to curious world travelers. Her incredibly spacious standard staterooms measure an astounding 291 square feet and all categories of staterooms have been stunningly reimagined with luxurious furnishings, thoughtful design touches and larger showers. With 800 officers and crew for 1,250 guests, service levels are second to none and guests receive a friendly welcome at every turn. Boasting one chef for every 10 guests, travelers can savor sumptuous dishes at seven open-seating gourmet restaurants as they marvel at the turquoise sea in Thailand , or relax after a day's safari in Tanzania . Whether you choose from an array of international and Continental dishes at The Grand Dining Room , the ultimate steakhouse experience at Polo Grill, bold Pan-Asian fare at Red Ginger, masterfully prepared Italian dishes at Toscana, delectable French cuisine at Jacques, hallmark Chef's Market Dinners and ever-changing menus at Terrace Cafe or handmade pizzas at the new alfresco pizzeria at Waves Grill, every meal aboard Riviera becomes a memorable culinary experience. Riviera, Re-inspired Riviera had a sweeping rejuvenation with all suites and staterooms being restyled with new custom furnishings, wood finishes and designer accents radiating Oceania Cruises' signature essence of elegance. Some notable highlights of the reimagined vessel include: Concierge Level Veranda Staterooms and Veranda Staterooms are the largest standard staterooms afloat at 291 square feet All Penthouse Suites and staterooms are beautifully redesigned, bringing a chic, warm and comforting sense of home with sleek restyled bathrooms in Italian marble Riviera 's public spaces have all been elevated with plush new carpets and leather-covered armchairs 's public spaces have all been elevated with plush new carpets and leather-covered armchairs All the convivial lounges and bars, and decadent dining venues have been elegantly restyled, elevating social and epicurean experiences while maintaining the home-away-from-home ambiance The Grand Dining Room reflects a renewed sense of grandeur that radiates from the glistening chandelier, plush carpets and butter-soft leather armchairs reflects a renewed sense of grandeur that radiates from the glistening chandelier, plush carpets and butter-soft leather armchairs Dining alfresco in the evening has been completely revamped with a delightful new pizzeria and trattoria, featuring an array of handmade pizzas, succulently grilled Italian specialties, spicy chicken wings, tantalizing salads and indulgent desserts every evening For additional information on Oceania Cruises' small-ship luxury product, exquisitely crafted cuisine, and expertly curated travel experiences, visit OceaniaCruises.com, call 855- OCEANIA , or speak with a professional travel advisor. About simply MORE Oceania Cruises offers travelers simply MORE, with virtually everything included in the voyage fare: free roundtrip airfare; free airport transfers; a generous shore excursion credit of up to $1,400 per stateroom to be spent on tours of their choice; and a comprehensive beverage package available during lunch and dinner at onboard restaurants featuring dozens of vintage Champagnes, premium wines and international beers. Created to elevate the guest experience, simply MORE means travelers receive the greatest value in luxury cruising. About Oceania Cruises Oceania Cruises is the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line. The line's eight small, luxurious ships carry a maximum of 1,250 guests and feature The Finest Cuisine at Sea and destination-rich itineraries that span the globe. Expertly curated travel experiences are available aboard the designer-inspired, small ships, which call on more than 600 marquee and boutique ports in more than 100 countries on seven continents, on voyages that range from seven to more than 200 days. Oceania Cruises is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH). To learn more, visit www.nclhltd.com . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/oceania-cruises-announces-inspiring-new-voyages-on-riviera-exploring-lesser-known-ports-across-the-african-and-asian-continents-302026333.html SOURCE Oceania Cruises NEW YORK , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- One Rock Capital Partners, LLC ("One Rock") today announced that one of its affiliates has successfully completed the acquisition of Constantia Flexibles ("Constantia" or the "Company"), a leading global packaging manufacturer, from Wendel (Euronext: MF.FP), a European investment firm, Maxburg Capital Partners and other shareholders. Constantia is a leading producer of flexible packaging and the partner of choice to more than 4,000 pharmaceutical, food and consumer goods customers worldwide. Headquartered in Vienna, Austria , the Company employs over 7,150 employees globally at 28 sites in 15 countries. "We are thrilled that Constantia is officially a part of the One Rock portfolio," said Telmo Valido , Partner at One Rock. "This is a business already distinguished by a dedicated focus on its customers, and we look forward to contributing One Rock's industry and operational expertise to further support the Company's ongoing growth initiatives." "Constantia's commitment to product innovation, sustainability and quality underscores its position as a market leader in the flexible packaging industry," said Kurt Beyer , Partner at One Rock. "We look forward to working alongside Constantia's management team to enhance its operational capabilities and suite of packaging solutions to maximize its potential." "Demand for flexible packaging is increasing, and Constantia continues to strive to provide leading products and service for our customers' growing needs," said Pim Vervaat , CEO at Constantia Flexibles. "As we enter this next chapter of growth, we look forward to collaborating with One Rock to continue to build on our success." J.P. Morgan served as lead financial advisor and Latham & Watkins LLP served as legal advisor to One Rock on the transaction. Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP served as legal advisor and Evercore served as financial advisor to Constantia. ABOUT ONE ROCK CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC One Rock makes investments in companies with potential for growth and operational improvement using a rigorous approach that utilizes highly experienced Operating Partners to identify, acquire and enhance businesses in select industries. The involvement of these Operating Partners is designed to afford One Rock the ability to conduct due diligence and consummate acquisitions and investments in all types of situations, regardless of complexity. One Rock works collaboratively with company management and its Operating Partners to develop a comprehensive business plan focused on growing the enterprise and its profitability to enhance long-term value. For more information, visit www.onerock.com . ABOUT CONSTANTIA FLEXIBLES Constantia is the world's third-largest producer of flexible packaging. Based on the guiding principle of 'People, Passion, Packaging', over 7,150 employees manufacture tailor-made packaging solutions at 28 sites in 15 countries. Many international companies and local market leaders from the consumer and pharma industries choose the sustainable and innovative products of Constantia Flexibles. Sustainability is a top priority in product development at Constantia Flexibles: the company was rated Level A- by Climate Change Leadership (CDP) and Gold by EcoVadis in 2022. For more information, visit www.cflex.com . MEDIA CONTACT Julia Kaufman Prosek Partners [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/one-rock-capital-partners-completes-acquisition-of-constantia-flexibles-from-wendel-302026574.html SOURCE One Rock Capital Partners, LLC JACKSONVILLE, Fla. , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Red Cross recognizes Paul Davis Restoration, a nationwide network of nearly 350 franchises, headquartered in Jacksonville, FL , for its pledge of $500,000 to the Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). By making a proactive donation to Red Cross Disaster Relief, Paul Davis Restoration helps ensure the organization is prepared to meet the needs of people affected by disasters big and small across the U.S. ADGP members, along with their employees and customers, pledge financial and in-kind donations in advance of disasters to power the Red Cross with strong infrastructure, trained volunteers, innovative technology, and critical resources necessary to provide relief and support when needed. Anne McKeough , Chief Development Officer at the American Red Cross said, "We're extremely grateful for Paul Davis Restoration's donation, which will help ensure that we can continue to build our capacity and resources ahead of time, keep up with the pace of frequent disasters and assist people in their darkest hours." "There really is no better sponsorship match for us in 2024," said Darren Impson , President and Owner of Paul Davis Restoration of Tampa . Impson also heads up the company's franchisee advisory council where he proposed the idea of a national sponsorship with the American Red Cross. "My office and team have been collaborating with the Red Cross locally for several years. Both organizations have seen a massive uptick in disasters in the past few years." "We are thrilled to embark on a meaningful sponsorship with the American Red Cross, as our mutual dedication to providing extraordinary care while serving people in their time of need aligns seamlessly," added Rich Wilson , President and CEO of Paul Davis Restoration. Paul Davis Restoration has established their own fundraising site with the goal of increasing their overall donation to the American Red Cross from their initial $500,000 to a total of $1,000,000 . To help them reach this goal please go to https://www.redcross.org/donate/cm/pauldavis-pub.html/ and give what you can. All proceeds will go to the American Red Cross. About Paul Davis Restoration Paul Davis Restoration has restored residential and commercial properties damaged by fire, water, mold, storms, and disasters for over five decades with hundreds of locations throughout the United States and Canada . For more information visit the company website at www.pauldavis.com. For further info on available franchise territories go to www.pauldavisbusiness.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/paul-davis-restoration-supports-american-red-cross-disaster-relief-efforts-with-500-000-donation-302025716.html SOURCE Paul Davis Restoration Inc. Mildenhall is an internationally recognized marketing leader with decades of experience growing brands for public companies including Coca Cola and Airbnb. DETROIT , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT), the Detroit -based fintech platform company including mortgage, real estate and other financial services businesses, today announced that it has named Jonathan Mildenhall as its first ever group Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), effective January 8, 2024 . In this new role, Mildenhall will be responsible for creating a unified and compelling voice for all businesses under the Rocket Companies umbrella, with all marketing and communications teams for the Company's brands reporting directly to him. "Jonathan is one of the top marketing minds in the world, with a strong reputation for consistently delivering compelling campaigns that break through the clutter and become socially relevant," said Varun Krishna , Chief Executive Officer for Rocket Companies. "I have been highly impressed by the number of incredible stories we have to tell. Countless customers, team members and vendors have told us how working with Rocket changed their lives. I am looking forward to Jonathan and the team creating new and innovative ways to share these inspiring narratives with the world." Mildenhall brings more than 30 years of experience building and promoting large, brand-focused companies. In 2018, he co-founded TwentyFirstCenturyBrand, one of the world's leading branding and marketing consultancies. Over the past five years, the business has helped some of the world's most influential companies scale their impact including Pinterest, LinkedIn, Zalando, PepsiCo, NextDoor and Walmart. Mildenhall will remain Chairman of the business. "The role Rocket plays in helping people achieve the American Dream through home ownership and financial freedom is massive and cannot be overstated," said Mildenhall. "I am honored to be given the opportunity to work with this talented team, led by Varun, to tell stories that will inspire and motivate. It will be our mission to create integrated marketing campaigns that live up to the extraordinary social impact that Rocket makes every day." Prior to founding his own firm, Mildenhall served as the first CMO of Airbnb and led the marketing through a period of unprecedented growth of the company. He and his team helped the brand become a household name while the short-term rental company expanded from 400,000 homes on the platform to more than 4.5 million residences in 191 countries in just three and a half years. Airbnb aired its first Super Bowl commercial under Mildenhall and forged many co-marketing partnerships with culturally relevant brands to raise awareness and legitimacy for the business. Before his time at Airbnb, Mildenhall led Coca-Cola's marketing as Vice President of global advertising strategy and content excellence. He and his team took Coke's creative in new directions and created the company's global marketing campaign "Open Happiness," which helped the brand see its most profitable growth period in 20 years. During his time leading Coke's marketing, it was named the Creative Marketer of the Year at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Mildenhall, a British-American, is also a board member of GoFundMe and Fanatics. He has been included on Forbes' list of the World's most influential CMOs, Business Insider's list of the most innovative CMOs and won Adweek's Brand Genius award. About Rocket Companies Founded in 1985, Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT) is a Detroit -based fintech platform company including personal finance and consumer technology brands including Rocket Mortgage, Rocket Homes, Amrock, Rocket Money , Rocket Loans, Rocket Mortgage Canada, Lendesk, Core Digital Media and Rocket Connections. The Company helps clients achieve the goal of home ownership and financial freedom through industry-leading client experiences powered by its simple, fast and trusted digital solutions. J.D. Power has ranked Rocket Mortgage, #1 in client satisfaction for both primary mortgage origination and servicing a total of 21 times. For more information, please visit the Rocket Companies Website or Investor Relations Website. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rocket-companies-appoints-jonathan-mildenhall-as-chief-marketing-officer-302025805.html SOURCE Rocket Companies, Inc. ARLINGTON, Va. , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- RTX (NYSE: RTX) today announced Phil Jasper has been appointed president of Raytheon and will report to President and Chief Operating Officer Christopher T. Calio . Jasper, a 31-year aerospace and defense veteran, succeeds Wesley D. Kremer who will retire from the company at the end of Q1 2024. "Phil is a proven leader with significant depth of experience delivering defense solutions to the military customer," said Calio. "His recent integration of RTX's connected battlespace solutions, a critical customer priority and growth driver for the company, is one of many business transformations he has led over his career. I am confident he will drive the newly restructured Raytheon business to accelerate performance to effectively meet customer commitments." As president of Raytheon, Jasper, 55, will serve as a member of the RTX senior leadership team and will be responsible for leading the business and its industry-leading franchises in missile defense, air-to-air missiles, fire control radars, and electro-optical/infra-red systems. In 2018, Jasper was named president of Collins Aerospace's Mission Systems strategic business unit, responsible for delivering military, government and civil solutions to help customers worldwide safely and successfully complete their most complex missions. He transitioned commercial aerospace technologies to the defense sector, delivering innovation in battlefield communications and networking solutions. In addition, Jasper designed, developed and integrated multiple mission-specific capabilities for military aircraft, including airdrop; refueling; intercept; and guidance and control products and functions. Kremer has served in executive leadership positions since 2003 and was named a business president in 2015. Calio continued: "Wes has contributed significantly to the advancement of missile defense systems for the U.S. and its allies and played a critical role in structuring the Raytheon business in 2023. We thank him for his many contributions to RTX and wish him well as he retires from the company." Additional Leadership Appointments Following Jasper's appointment, several other executive leadership changes aligned with the company's succession plan are effective today. Troy Brunk has been named president of Collins Aerospace's Mission Systems unit. Mission Systems unit. Heather Robertson has been named chief operating officer for Collins Aerospace's Mission Systems. has been named chief operating officer for Mission Systems. Nathan Boelkins has been named president of Collins Aerospace's Avionics unit. About RTX RTX is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. With more than 180,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems for operational success, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2022 sales of $67 billion , is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia . MEDIA CONTACT [email protected] 202-384-2474 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rtx-names-phil-jasper-as-president-raytheon-302026726.html SOURCE RTX Key Takeaways Standard's Gasoline Fuel Injection program features more than 2,100 parts, including GDI, MFI and TBI Injectors and related parts for the most complete program in the industry New award-winning Blue Streak High-Pressure Fuel Pump Kits for direct injection engines include everything needed for a complete repair High-Pressure Fuel Pump Kits for direct injection engines include everything needed for a complete repair SMP-manufactured all-new Injectors are built in SMP's IATF 16949-certified Greenville, South Carolina facility NEW YORK , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP) continues to expand its aftermarket-leading Gasoline Fuel Injection program. With more than 2,100 part numbers, Standard offers the most complete program in the industry, including everything needed for a complete repair. Standard's complete Fuel Injection program features over 1,100 all-new, not remanufactured, Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI), Multi-Port Fuel Injection (MFI) and Throttle Body Injection (TBI) Injectors, as well as Fuel Injector Multi-Packs for a complete repair solution. New Fuel Injectors manufactured by SMP are built in SMP's IATF 16949-certified Greenville, South Carolina facility. Standard New Fuel Injectors are also extensively tested at this facility for flow and spray pattern and durability to ensure that they match OE-designed performance in all conditions. In addition to Injectors, the Standard program also includes High-Pressure Fuel Pumps and Kits, Fuel Injector Rail Kits, Fuel Pressure Sensors, Fuel Feed Lines, Fuel Pressure Regulators, GDI Service Kits, Fuel Pressure Sensor Connectors, Camshaft Followers and more for a complete line of GDI components, with coverage for import and domestic vehicles through the 2023 model year. Blue Streak Direct Injection High-Pressure Fuel Pump Kits Standard recently launched its line of Direct Injection High-Pressure Fuel Pump Kits for popular import and domestic applications. These award-winning Kits simplify high-pressure fuel pump replacements by including everything needed for a complete repair: a high-pressure fuel pump, camshaft follower, and any additional components needed based on the manufacturers' repair procedures. These complete kits are designed to save technicians' time and ensure that the job is done correctly the first time with all-new components. New Coverage Multiple new GDI and MFI Injectors have been released recently, offering coverage for millions of Ford, Hyundai, Audi, Honda, Infiniti, and Volvo vehicles. Popular applications include the 2022-21 Ford F-150, 2023-21 Hyundai Elantra, 2021-19 Honda Insight and 2019-17 Infiniti Q60. Several Fuel Pressure Sensors have been introduced, adding new coverage for popular vehicles like the 2023-22 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2013-06 Honda Civic. Fuel Feed Lines are new for nearly 1 million Audi and Volkswagen vehicles, as well as the 2018-13 Nissan Altima , 2020-19 Toyota RAV4 and more. Fuel Pressure Sensor Connectors have been released for Ford vehicles through 2021 and Jeep vehicles through 2023. Commenting on the expansion, John Herc , Vice President of Vehicle Control Marketing, SMP, stated, "Our Fuel Injection Program includes all of the parts technicians are looking for to perform a complete, start-to-finish repair. Standard is committed to continued expansion to maintain the most complete line in the industry." All new Standard Fuel Injection applications are listed in the eCatalog found at StandardBrand.com, and in electronic catalog providers. About Standard Standard provides unmatched coverage for all import and domestic vehicle applications equipped with gas, hybrid, and electric powertrains. Standard's line offers premium automotive products in multiple product categories for vehicle systems such as electric, safety, fuel, and ignition. Product categories include Ignition Coils, Sensors, Switches, VVT Components, ADAS Products, TPMS Sensors, Fuel Injection, and more. For additional information, contact an SMP sales representative or visit StandardBrand.com. About SMP With over 100 years in business, Standard Motor Products, Inc. is a leading independent manufacturer and distributor of premium automotive replacement parts utilized in the maintenance, repair and service of vehicles in the automotive aftermarket industry. In addition, SMP continues to increase its supplier capabilities with a complementary focus on specialized original equipment parts for manufacturers across multiple industries such as agriculture, heavy duty, and construction equipment. SMP sells its products primarily to automotive aftermarket retailers, program distribution groups, warehouse distributors, original equipment manufacturers and original equipment service part operations in the United States , Canada , Europe , Asia , Mexico and other Latin American countries. For more information, download the SMP Parts App or visit SMPcorp.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/standard-motor-products-expands-gas-fuel-injection-program-offering-302026566.html SOURCE Standard Motor Products, Inc. Board appointees represent expertise of Maryland's academic research institutions COLUMBIA, Md. , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TEDCO, Maryland's economic engine for technology companies, announced the recent appointment of Christina DeMur, director of technology development at Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures, to the Maryland Innovation Initiative Board of Directors. Board appointees represent expertise of Maryland's academic research institutions The Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII) was created as a collaboration between the State of Maryland and five Maryland academic research institutions: Johns Hopkins University (JHU); Morgan State University (MSU); University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP); University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB); University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Recently this collaboration has expanded to include two more comprehensive universities Frostburg State University and Bowie State University. This expansion will allow MII to further its reach and help bring more innovative research to the market. "Christina's appointment to the MII Board of Directors is sure to aid our continued support of innovation and research throughout Maryland ," said Renee Winsky , MII Board Chair. "Her expertise will offer new perspectives that will support the growth and diversification of not only the MII program, but the State's overall entrepreneurial ecosystem." Over the past 11 years, MII has continued to uplift Maryland's innovation ecosystem; the program has invested $52.3 million in project grants and investments and created 176 start-ups, which have in turn raised over $737 million in follow-on funding and created more than 370 Maryland-based jobs. Additionally, the program helped secure 7 exits. A full list of the MII Board members includes Renee Winsky , Bay One Group LLC; Wendy Martin , UMBC; Mary Morris , UMB; Kenneth Porter , UMCP; Wayne Swann , MSU; and Christina DeMur, JHU. "Christina's appointment enhances the current board, allowing us build on the successes of the past 11 years and continue creating a more inclusive and efficient technology transfer-based economic development for the State of Maryland ," said Dr. Arti Santhanam , executive director of MII. "MII was created to commercialize promising technologies through the creation of new ventures, and the Board's level of expertise and leadership reflect the commitment of our collaborative institutions to this core mission." For more details on eligibility and application requirements, please visit: https://www.tedcomd.com/funding/tech-transfer/maryland-innovation-initiative. About TEDCO TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, enhances economic empowerment growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. TEDCO identifies, invests in, and helps grow technology and life science-based companies in Maryland . Learn more at www.tedcomd.com. Media Contact Tammi Thomas , Chief Development & Marketing Officer, TEDCO, [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tedco-announces-new-board-member-for-the-maryland-innovation-initiative-302026445.html SOURCE TEDCO LAS VEGAS , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Thrive Aviation is thrilled to announce the appointment of Mr. Rickey Oswald , previously Senior Vice President of Flights Operations and Fleet Management, as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Rickey joined Thrive Aviation in January of 2022 and made an immediate impact to the company. He comes with a distinguished 20+ year career in the aviation industry; Rickey has built Part 135 flight departments by providing strategic vision, and holding key Leadership roles such as Chief Pilot , Director of Operations, and Management Executive. His deep understanding of the industry's complexities and his forward-thinking approach make him an invaluable leader and the right person for the right seat. In his role as COO, Mr. Oswald will play a pivotal part in overseeing and optimizing the day-to-day operations. In addition, he will help guide the strategic vision of Thrive Aviation as the company continues its accelerated growth trajectory. His experience and expertise will be instrumental in driving the company's development and maintaining Thrive Aviation's commitment to excellence in aviation, safety, and client experience. "For the past two years, Rickey's contribution to Thrive has been insurmountable. I'm extremely proud of Rickey and am excited to see him take on the role of Chief Operating Officer" said Curtis Edenfield , CEO of Thrive Aviation. "His extensive experience, passion for innovation, and commitment to operational excellence align perfectly with our company's vision and values. We are confident that Rickey's leadership will contribute significantly to our continued success and growth in the aviation industry." Rickey Oswald expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "I have been honored to be part of the Thrive Aviation team thus far, a company known for its dedication to quality and the experience we deliver to our clients. I'm eager to continue collaborating with Curtis, the Leadership team, and the entire Thrive Aviation organization." Joining Rickey Oswald on the Leadership Team includes the recent of promotions of Stuart Edenfield assuming the role of Vice President of Flight Operations, Nate Nelson assuming the role of Vice President of Finance, Kelly Krahenbuhl assuming the role of Vice President of People and Culture, Michelle Adair assuming the role of Vice President of Sales, and Henry Hage assuming the role of Vice President of Aircraft Maintenance and Ground Operations. Edenfield states "I'm very excited about the next chapter of Thrive Aviation and where this team will help lead the company." About Thrive Aviation Thrive Aviation is a U.S. owned and globally operated curator of private aviation services, recognized as one of the Nation's Top 20 charter operators. Thrive's innovative aircraft and fleet management strategy has fueled its ability to provide bespoke asset-management, superior service, and elevated flight experiences for its guests and partners around the world. With corporate headquarters in Henderson, Nevada's exclusive Green Valley Corporate Center , the operator serves the North American and global markets from its operational base in Las Vegas, NV. Thrive Aviation's owned/operated and managed fleets of light, super-mid, large cabin, and ultra-long-range aircraft have steadily emerged as some of the industry's most coveted aircraft. Learn more at: www.flythrive.com Contact: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thrive-aviation-announces-executive-promotions-including-industry-veteran-rickey-oswald-as-chief-operating-officer-coo-302025806.html SOURCE Thrive Aviation NASSAU , The Bahamas , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bahamas continues its meteoric rise in tourism as air and sea arrivals reach unprecedented heights, marking sustained growth that has surpassed previous years' benchmarks. As of the end of November 2023 , the cumulative count of foreign air and sea arrivals soared to a staggering 8,645,374, showcasing an astounding 41.8 percent surge compared to the corresponding period in 2022. This substantial increase reflects The Bahamas' unwavering allure and growing popularity among global travellers. The Honourable I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, lauded these remarkable achievements, highlighting the continued upward trajectory of visitor numbers. "Notably, air arrivals through November 2023 , totaling 1,555,636, have eclipsed both 2022 and 2019 levels, boasting an impressive 18.6 percent upsurge over the same period in 2022," expressed Cooper. Furthermore, sea arrivals for the year-to-date through November 2023 amounted to 6,938,193, unveiling a remarkable 49.1 percent escalation from 2022 and an impressive 42.4 percent rise compared to 2019. "This surge in sea arrivals underscores the consistent appeal and magnetism of our breathtaking islands among travellers worldwide," Cooper said. It is noteworthy that all islands, including Nassau/Paradise Island , Grand Bahama and The Family Islands, have experienced record-breaking overall foreign air and sea arrivals during the first eleven months in 2023, with Bimini leading Family Island overall growth with 110 percent compared to 2022, and 925 percent compared to 2019. Comparative foreign air arrivals only figures show Grand Bahama Island leading overall year-over-year growth by exceeding 2022 numbers by 38 percent, followed by Abaco, Nassau/Paradise Island , Bimini, Andros, Cat Island , Exuma, Eleuthera and Long Island , respectively. Post-Dorian recovery shows Grand Bahama's overall visitor arrivals exceeding 2019 numbers by 3 percent and 2022 by 53 percent, while Abaco's overall recovery reflects 6 percent above 2019 and 27 percent beyond 2022 numbers. Highlighting the hotel industry's flourishing performance, major New Providence/Paradise Island hotels witnessed a notable surge in November 2023 , with foreign air arrivals exceeding the once-historic 2019 numbers by 17 percent that month. These hotels recorded a substantial 70.6 percent occupancy rate, surpassing the 68.8 percent rate observed in November 2022 . Average Daily Room Rates surged by 16.7 percent, while revenue per available room soared by 20 percent, propelling overall room revenue to a commendable 16.8 percent increase during the month. Cooper reflected on the visitor demographics, noting, "Up to the end of November 2023 , 35.8 percent of visitors from all regions embraced the charm of our islands once more, embodying the spirit of return. Key source markets such as Africa , Canada , the USA , the Caribbean , Australasia , Europe , and Latin America displayed strong repeat visitor rates, symbolizing the enduring allure of The Bahamas ." During this period, the statistics indicated that 62.5 percent of stopover visitors chose The Bahamas primarily for leisure, followed by 16.9 percent for weddings and honeymoons, 5.7 percent seeking the thrill of our casinos, and 3.5 percent for business purposes. "Such a diverse mix of interests and motivations underscores the multifaceted appeal of our islands, catering to varied preferences and interests," Cooper added. "The Bahamas stands at the pinnacle of its tourism prowess, fueled by an unwavering commitment to excellence, a diverse array of offerings and a genuine hospitality that beckons travellers from every corner of the globe. As we close out 2023, we should note that December has yet to be counted, and we expect to easily exceed the 9 million visitor arrival mark. These remarkable statistics serve as a testament to our unwavering dedication to providing unparalleled experiences, ensuring that The Bahamas remains a premier destination for discerning travellers worldwide." ABOUT THE BAHAMAS The Bahamas has over 700 islands and cays, as well as 16 unique island destinations. Located only 50 miles off the coast of Florida , it offers a quick and easy way for travellers to escape their everyday. The island nation also boasts world-class fishing, diving, boating and thousands of miles of some of the earth's most spectacular beaches for families, couples and adventurers to explore. See why It's Better in The Bahamas at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram. PRESS INQUIRIES Anita Johnson-Patty Director, Global Communications Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tourism-arrivals-outperform-expectations-through-november-302026540.html SOURCE The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation New contract presents optimum conditions for a likely restart of M777 production LONDON and FALLS CHURCH, Va. , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BAE Systems has signed an agreement with the U.S Army for M777 lightweight howitzer major structures, under an Undefinitized Contract Action (UCA), which is currently limited to $50 million . This allows BAE Systems to start delivering on the program, while finalizing the details of the contract and its total value with the customer. "This restart of production of the major structures for the U.S. Army's M777s comes at a critical time" BAE Systems will work with its supply chain in the UK and the U.S. to produce the major M777 titanium structures, which form the basis of the gun. The first major structures are due to be delivered in 2025. BAE Systems has seen an increase in interest from across Europe , Asia , and the Americas in the M777 gun system. This new contract creates the optimum conditions for a restart of M777 production in the UK , and presents an opportunity to new and existing users to join a new M777 production initiative and take advantage of the benefits from a hot production line and economies of scale. The U.S. , as well as Canada and Australia , has donated M777s to Ukraine . "This restart of production of the major structures for the U.S. Army's M777s comes at a critical time, with howitzers deployed on operations in Ukraine . The U.S. , as well as Canada and Australia , has donated M777s to Ukraine . We understand that they are performing well and we are very proud of our role in supporting our allies," said John Borton , vice president and general manager of BAE Systems Weapons Systems UK , which manages the manufacture and assembly of the M777 lightweight howitzers. "The M777 will remain at the forefront of artillery technology well into the future through the use of technical insertions, long-range precision guided munition developments, and flexible mobility options." At half the weight of other 155mm towed howitzers, the M777 provides a rapid reaction capability and a proven pedigree that delivers decisive firepower when needed most in sustained combat conditions. With more than 1,250 M777s in service with ground forces in the United States , Ukraine , the Americas , Australia and India , the M777 is the only battle-proven 155mm lightweight howitzer in the world. For more information, please contact: Natasha Bolton , BAE Systems Mobile: +44 (0)7900 051316 [email protected] www.baesystems.com/US @BAESystemsInc View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-army-signs-agreement-with-bae-systems-for-new-m777-structures-302026278.html SOURCE BAE Systems, Inc. $50,000 grant will help transitioning military service members, veterans and their families LOUISVILLE, Ky. , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- USA Cares, a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing financial and advocacy assistance to post-9/11 veterans and their families, is proud to announce that it has been named a recipient of the Boeing Company's Global Engagement Grant. The $50,000 grant will be used to help veterans relieve financial barriers to obtaining and maintaining employment. "We are inspired by and grateful for Boeing's support of our military and their families," said Trace Chesser, President & CEO of USA Cares. "This grant will allow us to continue providing critical support to veterans and their families during their time of need." USA Cares was founded in 2003 with the goal of supporting veterans and military families who have been impacted by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan . Since then, the organization has provided more than $12 million in financial assistance to help families pay for basic living expenses such as housing, utilities, and transportation. The Boeing Company's Global Engagement Grant is part of its ongoing commitment to supporting non-profit organizations that are making a positive impact in their communities. By partnering with organizations like USA Cares, Boeing is able to help make a difference in the lives of those who have served our country. About USA Cares USA Cares is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky . Its mission is to provide military veterans, service members, and their families with emergency financial assistance and post-service skills training to create a foundation for long-term stability. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/usa-cares-receives-boeing-companys-global-engagement-grant-302026717.html View a video of Mon Power's solar site construction from start to finish FAIRMONT, W.Va. , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) subsidiary Mon Power rang in the new year by celebrating the completion of its solar site at Fort Martin Power Station in Maidsville, West Virginia , during a ribbon cutting event on Jan. 4 . The site is the first of five solar sites Mon Power and its sister company Potomac Edison have planned to help bolster and diversify the region's energy mix. Public officials and entities that subscribed to receive a large portion of the energy generated at the Fort Martin solar site toured the facility and met with company leadership during the event. View photos on the company's Flickr page. Nearly 50,000 solar panels are now generating renewable energy at the approximately 80-acre Fort Martin site, which can produce up to 18.9 megawatts (MW) of solar energy per hour. One MW of solar energy powers a national average of 173 homes, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. Jim Myers , President of West Virginia Operations: "We're proud to have achieved our goal of completing this solar site using local union workers. It is important to have this voluntary option available to customers, as renewable energy is a large economic driver in both attracting new industry to West Virginia and keeping existing companies that now require a portion of their electricity to come from renewable sources." Mon Power hired more than 100 local union workers, primarily from the Morgantown and Parkersburg areas, to complete the work at the Fort Martin solar site. Additionally, the solar panels, racking systems and supporting electrical equipment were made in the United States . Watch a video about the labor workers and resources used to complete the solar site. Ultimately, the companies' five sites are expected to collectively generate up to 50 megawatts of renewable energy. In August, the West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) approved the companies' request to construct the Fort Martin solar site and two others in Rivesville , Marion County (5.5 MW), and Marlowe , Berkeley County (5.7 MW). Construction of the sites is expected to be complete by the end of 2024. The companies plan to seek final approval from the PSC later this year to build the additional two solar sites in Davis , Tucker County (11.5 MW), and Weirton , Hancock County (8.4 MW) once customers subscribe to the energy they will produce. The companies expect to complete construction of the final two sites by the end of 2025. To subscribe or find out more about the solar program, Mon Power and Potomac Edison customers in West Virginia can submit their information through the website at firstenergycorp.com/WVSolar or by calling 1-800-505-7283. Mon Power serves about 395,000 customers in 34 West Virginia counties. Follow Mon Power at mon-power.com, on X, formerly known as Twitter, @MonPowerWV, and on Facebook at facebook.com/MonPowerWV. Potomac Edison serves about 275,000 customers in seven counties in Maryland and 155,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia . Follow Potomac Edison at potomacedison.com, on X @PotomacEdison and on Facebook at facebook.com/PotomacEdison. FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio , Pennsylvania , New Jersey , West Virginia , Maryland and New York . The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at firstenergycorp.com and on X @FirstEnergyCorp. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/west-virginia-enters-new-energy-era-with-completion-of-solar-site-302026527.html SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp. America's beloved fast-food burger chain continues its 33-year tradition with in-Castle dining, exclusive merchandise and a new "Love Clutch Collection" meal to share. Reservations open Jan. 5 ; guests are encouraged to book soon. COLUMBUS, Ohio , Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- There are plenty of ways to celebrate Valentine's Day , but few are as special and memorable as spending the holiday at White Castle . The fast-food pioneer will again be hosting its annual Valentine's Day Dinner a beloved tradition that started in 1991 on Feb. 14 from 4 to 9 p.m. White Castle turns into Love Castle on Valentine's Day . Reservations will be accepted at more than 300 participating Castles beginning tomorrow at OpenTable.com. Valentine's Day is a one-of-a-kind event at White Castle . On this day, participating White Castle restaurants become " Love Castles ," transforming their dining rooms into fine dining establishments. Guests are treated to hostess seating, tableside services and festive decor befitting the holiday of love. Couples, friends and families are all welcome. Each year, tens of thousands of people celebrate Valentine's Day at White Castle . "Celebrating Valentine's Day at White Castle has become a tradition for hopeful romantics and Slider enthusiasts alike," said Jamie Richardson , vice president at White Castle . "We look forward to opening our doors once again to romance and fun and making this Valentine's Day another one to savor." Cravers can find their closest participating Castle by visiting OpenTable.com and searching for reservations on Feb. 14 at White Castle . The "Love Clutch Collection" shareable meal available on Valentine's Day Valentine's Day is all about sharing the love, and White Castle is making that easy to do with its new Love Clutch Collection. This limited-edition packaging, available Feb. 9 through 18 , includes 10 Cheesy Sliders, 20 Chicken Rings and a sack of fries. So, whether celebrating at home or in a Castle, it's easy to share the goodness of White Castle with friends, family and other loved ones. "Nothing says 'I love you' like the Love Clutch Collection," Richardson said. "It's a recipe for unforgettable moments with people you hold close." Cravers will fall head over heels with White Castle's Valentine's Day merch Forget the chocolate and roses. This Valentine's Day , say "I love you" with something truly unique: exclusive White Castle -branded merchandise with a Valentine's Day theme. The collection features the following items, all available on White Castle's House of Crave, an online store featuring a wide assortment of White Castle -branded items. Love Castle Robe: The almost-too-magical-to-touch magenta robe featuring a red belt is perfect for lounging and relaxation on Valentine's Day and every other day of the year. Robe: The almost-too-magical-to-touch magenta robe featuring a red belt is perfect for lounging and relaxation on and every other day of the year. Love Castle Sunglasses: These heart-shaped glasses are the perfect accessory piece for your date-night attire. Sunglasses: These heart-shaped glasses are the perfect accessory piece for your date-night attire. White Castle T-shirts in two different designs: The Love Castle Candy Tee and the Love Castle Crave Tee crew neck shirts allow you to wear our heart on your sleeve. CraverNation loyalty program has deals for Valentine's Day and more White Castle's CraverNation loyalty program app is easy to download and free to join! Members can check the app for special Valentine's Day deals. New members get a free Original Slider Combo meal. And now, CraverNation offers delivery right in the app with a low flat fee, giving customers the best value on their orders any day of the year. About White Castle White Castle , America's first fast-food hamburger chain, has been making hot and tasty Sliders since 1921. Based in Columbus, Ohio , the family-owned business owns and operates about 350 restaurants as well as a retail division providing its famous fare in freezer aisles of retail stores nationwide. As part of its commitment to offering the highest quality products, White Castle owns and operates its own Slider Provider meat plants, bakeries and frozen-Slider retail plants. White Castle has earned numerous accolades over the years including Time magazine's "Most Influential Burger of All Time" (2014, The Original Slider) and Thrillist's "Best Plant-Based Fast-Food Burger" (2019, Impossible Slider). In 2021, Fast Company named the fast-food pioneer one of the "10 Most Innovative Dining Companies." White Castle received the Great Place to Work Certification in 2021, 2022 and 2023 the only fast-food restaurant to earn this distinction three years in a row and is known for the legendary engagement of its team members, more than 1 in 4 of whom have worked for the business for at least 10 years. White Castle is beloved by its passionate fans ("Cravers"), many of whom compete each year for entry into the Cravers Hall of Fame. The official White Castle app makes it easy for Cravers to sign up for the Craver Nation loyalty program, access sweet deals and place pickup orders at any time. They can also have their orders delivered using one of White Castle's delivery partners. For more information on White Castle , visit whitecastle.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/white-castle-announces-the-return-of-the-love-castle-an-unforgettable-valentines-day-dinner-experience-302025793.html By Valerie Insinna and Joanna Plucinska WASHINGTON/LONDON (Reuters) - Tuesday's runway collision in Japan marks the first time a modern lightweight airliner has burnt down and is being seen as a test case for how well a new generation of carbon-composite airplanes copes with a catastrophic fire. The Japan Airlines (JAL) Airbus A350 crashed into a De Havilland Dash-8 coast guard turboprop plane shortly after landing at Haneda airport in Tokyo, bursting in to flames. All 379 people aboard the A350 were evacuated from the burning aircraft, but five of the six coast guard crew were killed. Photographs of the wreckage showed the A350 fuselage in cinders. While investigators seek the cause of the collision, the aviation industry is keen to confirm the survivability of high-tech composite airliners which have transformed the economics of long-haul flight and airlines in the past decade. The crash "is really the first case study that we have, not only from a fire perspective, but also just from a crash survivability perspective," said Anthony Brickhouse, an air safety expert at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Both Boeing, with the 787 Dreamliner, and Airbus, with the A350, made big bets in the early 2000s that lightweight carbon composites would produce major fuel savings and be less susceptible to fatigue, reducing maintenance. Shortly after being put into service, the Dreamliner contended with battery problems that led to fires, resulting in its brief grounding in early 2013. A later fire on an Ethiopian Airlines 787 in July 2013 was caused by a short circuit in the jet's emergency locator transmitter and led to fuselage repairs. None of these incidents resulted in hull losses, however. The A350 contains 53% composite materials by weight, with composites making up most of its external structure, including its fuselage, major portions of its tail and wings, and part of the nose section. Experts said the fact that all passengers and crew evacuated safely while the structure was intact will renew confidence in the materials which were certified with special conditions. But they cautioned it is too early to draw full conclusions about how the A350's composite hull held up against fire or what technological lessons may be learned. Comparing the A350 crash to a 2013 crash involving a Boeing 777 operated by Asiana Airlines - which caught fire after it struck a sea wall, killing three passengers - could provide engineers with valuable insights into the differences between composite and aluminum planes during a fire, Brickhouse said. The JAL A350 is the first commercial airliner built mainly of composites to be destroyed by fire but not the first transport aircraft, though it is unclear what lessons about composite fires will be available to Japanese investigators. In 2015, an Airbus A400M military airlifter - which also relies heavily on composites - plowed into a field outside Seville, Spain, after wrongly installed software jammed its engines. But an investigation into the crash by Spanish military investigators was kept confidential. The accident, which resulted in a high-speed impact and fire, killed all four flight test crew and left hardly any visible trace of the plane in the blackened earth. HOW COMPOSITES WORK Composite airframes have several advantages over aluminum planes, said Bjorn Fehrm, a composites expert at trade publication Leeham News. While aluminum has a melting point of about 600 degrees Celsius (1,100 degrees Fahrenheit) and conducts heat, carbon fiber can withstand temperatures about six times that, with the structure smoldering and burning away instead of melting, he said. Airbus, in a 2019 guide for firefighters, said the A350 demonstrated "an equivalent level of safety" compared to traditional aluminum planes, with tests showing an "increased resistance" to fire penetration. But when exposed to intense heat for long periods of time, Airbus noted that composite airframes can lose their structural integrity even if the composite skin appears to be intact. In particular, the resin will burn off first and flames will propagate more slowly while the fire is ongoing, according to a United States Federal Aviation Administration document. The JAL A350 burned for more than six hours before firefighters were able to completely extinguish the flames, broadcaster TBS reported, citing the fire department. That raises a question about whether firefighters need additional training for handling fires involving composite jets. Photos of the accident showed firefighters wearing surgical masks and helmets but no other protective clothing. "The fire brigades of the airports actually have to look at why couldn't they stop the fire," Fehrm said. Airbus noted earlier tests have shown composites offer similar fire-resistance to aluminum, with a spokesperson adding that it had carried out a full evacuation test of the an Airbus A350-1000 in 2018 with authorities present. Various factors can impact how flammable composites are, including the structure, fiber materials and layers of fire-blockers used, said Nabil Al Kabir, a sales manager at German fire safety solutions firm svt Products GmbH. "One point can be taken for sure, if the heat generated from burning kerosene is that intense, aluminum would also fail." (Additional reporting by Lisa Barrington in Seoul, Allison Lampert in Montreal, Tim Hepher in Paris; Editing by Mark Potter) FILE PHOTO: The Citigroup Inc (Citi) logo is seen at the SIBOS banking and financial conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada October 19, 2017. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Photo By Selena Li HONG KONG (Reuters) - Citigroup Inc is aiming to launch its wholly owned China investment banking unit as early as the end of this year and hire about 30 people for the business, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said. The Wall Street bank could triple staffing in the unit, which will focus on the domestic capital market, to nearly 100 in the coming years by making local hires and transfers from Hong Kong and other markets, the person said. Citi, which offers corporate, institutional and other banking services in China, applied for a wholly owned mainland Chinese brokerage business licence in late 2021 as part of its push to ramp up its presence in the market. The Chinese securities regulator permitted the U.S. bank to proceed and set up the unit last month, said the person, who declined to be named as the bank's China business plans are not public yet. The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) official record shows that the regulator on Dec. 28 "made a decision" on accepting or rejecting Citi's application for setting up a local investment banking unit. It did not elaborate. A Citi spokesperson declined to comment, while CSRC did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. The launch of the China venture will see Citi join its Wall Street rivals Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley who have boosted their equity holdings of local brokerage businesses in recent years. It will come at a time when the growth engine of the world's second largest economy is losing steam, dragged down by a deepening real estate crisis. The economic woes as well as U.S.-Sino friction kept overseas investors underweight on Chinese equities last year and led to a flight of foreign capital. However, its domestic initial public offering (IPO) market remained robust and was globally the busiest in 2023 for the second year in a row. China's long-term prospects are still a draw, and with the country continuing to open up its financial sector worth trillions of dollars to foreign players, a string of U.S.-based financial firms have expanded their operations there. TOP BRASS IN PLACE Citi, which has been serving Chinese clients by helping them raise funds overseas, is targeting to launch the China investment banking unit in 12 to 18 months, the source said. Its Chinese clients raised around $20 billion last year in equity and debt capital overseas via the bank. Citi has already hired the chief executive, chief financial officer and chief compliance officer for the China investment banking unit, the source said, and will add 30 other staff by end of this year. The bank is communicating with Chinese regulators on data compliance as part of its infrastructure build-out for the business. China's new data regime has posed operational challenges and burdened global financial firms with extra costs. Citi's China expansion also comes as it is in the midst of its largest restructuring exercise globally in decades and after it announced in November the appointment of a regional investment banking leader. The U.S. lender exited the retail banking business in China and sold its China wealth portfolio to HSBC last year as part of a plan to globally withdraw from 13 retail banking markets. (Reporting by Selena Li; Editing by Sumeet Chatterjee and Muralikumar Anantharaman) Denmark's Queen Margrethe is escorted by the Gardehusar Regiment's Horseskort in the gold carriage from Christian IX's Palace, Amalienborg to Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen for the New Year's reception, in Denmark January 4, 2024. Ritzau Scanpix/Emi By Johannes Birkebaek COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Denmark's Queen Margrethe II on Thursday defied a cold spell to ride through the streets of Copenhagen in a gold-coated horse carriage for the last time as monarch before handing over the throne to her son Crown Prince Frederik next week. The 83-year-old queen, who was crowned in 1972, announced on live TV during her traditional New Year's Eve speech that she intends to abdicate the throne, taking many in the country of 5.9 million people by surprise. "I was shocked when I saw the queen abdicated. I was also a bit sad because she's been queen for 52 years and I thought it would be ongoing," said Laura Zinkel, a 21-year-old student, who came to the royal palace with her mother to catch a glimpse of the queen. "The Danish royal family is very accessible to the Danish people because they participate in quite normal things, which is extraordinary," she added. The queen rode from her home in the Amalienborg Palace near the waterfront to the parliament for a traditional New Year's reception in a carriage built for Christian VIII by carriage maker Henry Fife in 1840 and coated with 24-carat gold leaf. The queen has enjoyed broad support throughout her life from the public, who have described her as a tactful and yet creative personality. "She has been a stable figure and a kind big mother for all of us (Danes)," said Bente Lundbak Pihl, 57, as she and her daughter watched the carriage. The queen has often designed costumes and scenography for theatre plays and ballets interpreting the fairy tales of famous Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. She became heir to her father in 1953 at 13, after a constitutional amendment allowed women to inherit the throne. She will abdicate on Jan. 14 and be succeeded by her eldest son, who will become King Frederik X. (Reporting by Johannes Birkebaek; Editing by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen and Hugh Lawson) FILE PHOTO: Servicemen of a combat UAVs company of the Ukrainian 92nd Ivan Sirko Separate Assault Brigade warm up inside a dugout as they fly with a Vampire combat drone over positions of Russian troops near the frontline town of Bakhmut, amid Russia's at By Yuliia Dysa (Reuters) - A Ukrainian parliamentary committee met on Thursday to review proposed changes to the rules on army mobilisation that would enable Kyiv to call up more people and tighten sanctions against draft evasion as the war with Russia drags on. The proposals have faced criticism from the public and some politicians. Parliament's human rights commissioner says some of the proposals are unconstitutional. Below are details of the proposed changes and the approval process, during which changes could be made to the proposals. PARLIAMENTARY PROCESS Once the parliamentary committee has approved a version of the legislation, it will be debated and can change over two or three readings in parliament, whose approval is required. It then requires the signature of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Lawmakers and a senior presidential official have said the initial version of the bill, which was published online in December, will be modified before it is discussed by parliament in a first reading, perhaps as early as next week. The changes set out in the draft legislation were submitted by the government to parliament in late December following discussion with the military. WHY HAVE THE PROPOSALS BEEN MADE? Ukraine began mobilising civilians into the army after declaring martial law in February, 2022 when Russia launched its full-scale invasion. An influx of volunteer fighters helped at first, but their number has dwindled. Nine thousand criminal cases have been opened into cases of draft evasion, according to the interior minister. Zelenskiy said last month the military had proposed mobilising 450,000-500,000 more people. Army Chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi has said the figure takes into account military plans and projections of possible losses. Military analysts say the half a million figure would be for the whole year. PUNISHMENTS FOR DRAFT EVASION The bill sets out a series of sanctions for those who flout the law on mobilisation, which governs how civilians are conscripted into the army during martial law. People who don't abide by the law on mobilisation would be placed on a registry and face restrictions on conducting operations involving property, be banned from travelling abroad and denied loans. They could also be suspended from state benefits and services, and restricted from using a car and obtaining a driving licence. Another draft bill submitted simultaneously proposes substantially increasing fines for failing to register at draft offices, flouting mobilisation rules and legislation on military duty. It also proposes introducing three- to five-year jail terms for those who refuse a military medical examination. MOBILISATION AGE The draft bill proposes lowering the age people can be mobilised for combat duty to 25 from 27. Such a move would allow Ukraine to call up more people to replenish its reserves. The figures have not been made public for security reasons. Parliament approved this change last spring, but it did not come into force because Zelenskiy did not sign it. He has said he will support such a change if arguments are presented in its favour. ONLINE CALL-UPS Draft offices would be able to issue online call-ups to people by email or via some other electronic platform. Such a step would likely make it harder to evade draft officers who currently issue call-up papers to civilians in the street or send them to people's known home address. DEMOBILISATION The bill proposes discharging soldiers who have served continuously for 36 months during martial law. This is a highly sensitive issue for families of soldiers who have been fighting Russia for almost two years and are exhausted. There is currently no time limit on wartime military service. Zaluzhnyi has said such a step will be possible only if there is no escalation on the battlefield and Ukraine has enough reserves ready by 2025 to replace troops. MILITARY REGISTRATION FOR THOSE ABROAD Martial law prohibits men of military age from leaving the country and those who are already abroad cannot currently be called up. The bill proposes tracking people who are abroad and requiring them to have up-to-date military registration, something that is currently obtained at draft offices. The bill says that consular services such as the issue of passports would require citizens to present their military registration documents. (Reporting by Yuliia Dysa, Editing by Tom Balmforth and Timothy Heritage) FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump rallies with supporters at a "commit to caucus" event at a whiskey bar in Ankeny, Iowa, U.S. December 2, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo (Reuters) -Former President Donald Trump leads a pack of six candidates jostling to be the Republican presidential nominee in the 2024 election, while President Joe Biden faces little opposition in the Democratic Party in his campaign for a second term. Here is a timeline of events related to the Nov. 5, 2024, election between now and Inauguration Day in January 2025. 2024 - Jan. 10: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley will go head-to-head in a CNN debate, taking place in Des Moines, Iowa, at 9 p.m. ET (0200 GMT on Jan. 11). Trump is boycotting the event, like all other debates so far, due to the large lead he holds over his rivals for the Republican nomination, and will instead take part in a town hall on Fox News at the same time. The other three candidates failed to meet the qualification criteria. - Jan. 15: Republicans in Iowa hold their nominating contest, known as caucuses, the first of the 2024 election cycle. Caucuses are private meetings organized at the county, precinct or district level where participants divide into groups according to the candidate they support, determining how many delegates each candidate receives. Iowa Democrats, separately, are choosing their candidate entirely by mail-in ballot and will release their results on March 5, Super Tuesday. - Jan 18: ABC News and WMUR-TV host a Republican presidential primary debate in Manchester, New Hampshire. The top three candidates from the Iowa caucuses will be invited to participate alongside any other hopeful who meets a 10% polling threshold. - Jan. 21: CNN hosts a Republican presidential debate in Goffstown, New Hampshire. Qualification will depend on reaching at least 10% in polling, along with other criteria. - Jan. 23: The date set by New Hampshire for its first-in-the-nation primary, a contest run by state and local governments where participants vote for their preferred candidate in a secret ballot. The Democratic National Committee had wanted the state to hold the primary on Feb. 6 after South Carolina, which had been due to go first in the 2024 Democratic primary calendar. But New Hampshire Democrats said they wanted to retain their tradition of being first, prompting Biden's campaign to announce in October that his name will not be on the ballot in the state. - Jan. 31: Federal Election Commission 2023 year-end filing deadline for candidates to declare the money they have raised and spent - Feb. 3: Democratic presidential primary in South Carolina - Feb. 6: Democratic primary in Nevada - Feb. 6: Nikki Haley has filed to take part in the Nevada state-run primary, two days ahead of the Republican Party's caucuses in the state. - Feb. 8: Nevada caucuses for Republicans - Feb. 24: South Carolina Republican primary - Feb. 27: Democrats and Republicans vote in the Michigan state-run primary, which was brought forward by the Democratic-controlled state in a move opposed by Republicans. Republicans will instead choose the majority of their delegates during caucuses in March. - March 2: Republicans in Michigan pick most of their delegates during party-run caucuses. - March 5: Known as Super Tuesday, this is the biggest single day of primaries and often helps whittle down the field of candidates. Both parties hold them in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Virginia. Democrats in Utah will also vote in their primary while Republicans hold their caucuses in the state. Republicans in Alaska vote in their primary. - March 12: Primaries held in the states of Georgia, Mississippi and Washington. Republicans in Hawaii hold caucuses. - March 19: Primaries held in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kansas and Ohio. - June 4: The final states to hold their presidential primaries are scheduled to do so on this date. Some states have yet to set their primary or caucus dates. - July 15-18: Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the party formally chooses its candidate. - Aug. 19-22: Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where the party formally chooses its candidate. - Sept. 16: The date set by the Commission on Presidential Debates for the first presidential debate to take place. It will be held at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. - Sept. 25: The date set for the only vice presidential debate, to be held at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. - Oct. 1: The date set for the second presidential debate, to be held at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia. - Oct. 9: The date set for the third and final presidential debate, to be held at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. - Nov. 5: Election Day - Later in November: It could take days for the election result to be known, especially if it is close and mail-in ballots are a factor. 2025 - Jan. 6: The vice president presides over the Electoral College vote count at a joint session of Congress, announces the results and declares who has been elected. Ahead of the count on Jan. 6, 2021, then-President Trump lambasted his vice president, Mike Pence, for refusing to try to prevent Congress from certifying Biden's win. On that day, the U.S. Capitol was attacked by rioters and some people chanted, "hang Mike Pence" as they tried to stop the count. Both chambers of Congress later resumed their work and certified Biden's win. Congress has since passed the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022, which requires approval of one-fifth of the House and Senate to consider a challenge to a state's results - a much higher bar than existed before, when any single lawmaker from each chamber could trigger a challenge. - Jan. 20: The inauguration of the election winner and their vice president takes place. At this ceremony, the victor is officially sworn in and takes office. (Reporting by Costas Pitas; editing by Jonathan Oatis) FILE PHOTO: Media tycoon Jimmy Lai, founder of Apple Daily, looks on as he leaves the Court of Final Appeal by prison van, in Hong Kong, China February 1, 2021. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo GENEVA (Reuters) -Lawyers for Hong Kong pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai said on Thursday they had appealed to the United Nations expert on torture over the treatment of a witness they believe was tortured before giving incriminating evidence. Lai, 76, founder of now-shuttered pro-democracy paper Apple Daily and a leading critic of the Chinese Communist Party, faces two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces under a national security law China imposed in 2020. He pleaded not guilty on Tuesday. "The appeal expresses grave concerns over the treatment of a key prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Jimmy Lai, Andy Li (Li Yu-Hin), and its implications for Mr Lai's trial," Lai's legal team from Doughty Street International said. "Credible evidence is emerging that Andy Li was tortured when in prison in China before confessing to allegedly conspiring with Jimmy Lai to collude with foreign entities to endanger national security," their statement added. There was no immediate comment from Alice Jill Edwards, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Replying on Friday to a request for comment, a Hong Kong government spokesman said it "strongly condemns and firmly opposes" the initiative by Lai's legal team, which it said was designed "to abuse the United Nations mechanisms to interfere with the judicial proceedings". Prosecutors have accused Lai of conspiring with pro-democracy activist Li, who was among a group of 12 people intercepted by mainland authorities in August 2020 on a boat believed to be en route to Taiwan. Li is due to be sentenced for violating the national security law after Lai's trial concludes. The United States and Britain have called for Lai's immediate release, saying his trial is politically motivated. Hong Kong authorities dispute claims that Lai cannot enjoy a fair trial, saying all are equal before the law and that the national security law has brought stability to Hong Kong after mass protests in 2019. (Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-FarberEditing by Andrew Cawthorne and Frances Kerry) BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 5. Explosive devices near a cemetery in the Iranian province of Kerman, where the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, General Qasem Soleimani, is buried, were detonated by suicide bombers, Trend reports. This became obvious after a thorough study of the crime scene and CCTV footage. The terrorist organization ISIS has claimed responsibility for explosions in Kerman. Two explosions occurred in Iran's Kerman on January 3 during a procession commemorating the anniversary of the death of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. The explosions resulted in the loss of 84 lives. Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US Air Force airstrike in Iraq in 2020. Snow is cleared with wheel loaders, cars and trucks are recovered and people are evacuated with the Home Guard's tracked vehicle at Ekerodsrasten on the E22 between Horby and Kristianstad in southern Sweden, January 4, 2024. TT News Agency/ Johan Nilsson STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Rescue services on Thursday evacuated motorists from hundreds of cars stuck overnight on Swedish and Danish roads as heavy snowfall, strong winds and icy conditions led to big traffic jams. In Sweden, the military mobilised tracked vehicles to aid the evacuation and bring food and water to those who were stranded on a motorway in southern Sweden. The Swedish transport agency said it expected the affected stretch of the E22 road between Horby and Kristianstad to reopen Friday, after the road clogged up with vehicles on Wednesday as trucks got stuck and ploughs struggled to clear the roadway. Many cars were abandoned as the evacuation continued, while others were able to turn around as rescue workers cut holes in the metal barriers separating southbound and northbound lanes, news agency TT reported, citing rescue services. (Reporting by Anna Ringstrom, editing by Terje Solsvik and Alex Richardson) RAMALLAH (Reuters) -Israeli forces searched houses in the Nour al-Shams refugee camp in the occupied West Bank city of Tulkarm on Thursday, detaining hundreds of people suspected of militant activities, the military said. As the extended raid ended in the afternoon of its second day, the Palestinian Red Crescent said it had treated 21 casualties, of whom 17 suffered injuries from beatings during detention and interrogation and one from live fire. Tulkarm, location of one of the main crossing points between the West Bank and Israel, has seen repeated raids by security forces since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. According to residents, Israeli forces detained at least 120 people and demolished three houses, including one belonging to a member of the Tulkarm Brigades, an armed militant group linked to the Palestinian faction Fatah. "IDF forces continue to operate, alongside other Israeli security forces, in a broad divisional operation to suppress terrorism in the Nour al-Shams refugee camp in Menashe," the military said in a statement. The Tulkarm Brigades said fighters had exchanged fire with the Israeli forces. The military said hundreds of individuals had been detained for questioning. Troops destroyed militant infrastructure and identified numerous weapons, it said. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh called on the United Nations to monitor Nour al-Shams and the separate Tulkarm camp. "Israel targets the camps to inflame the situation in the West Bank," he said. The West Bank had already experienced the highest levels of unrest in decades during the 18 months preceding the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas gunmen but confrontations have risen sharply as Israeli forces have launched an invasion of Gaza. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in clashes with Israeli soldiers and settlers over the past weeks and security forces have carried out thousands of arrests, with repeated confrontations between troops and Palestinian protesters. (Reporting by Ali Sawafta; writing by James Mackenzie; editing by Nick Macfie and Gareth Jones) A man who lost his house in the earthquake reacts as he visits the graveyards of his parents, which were rattled by the earthquake, in Wajima, Japan, January 4, 2024. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon WAJIMA, Japan (Reuters) - Thousands of rescuers pressed on in a search for survivors of a New Year's Day earthquake that killed at least 84 people in Japan, hoping to save as many as possible despite a three day survival window that ended on Thursday afternoon. "We must continue putting all of our efforts into rescuing people, even beyond 72 hours after the disaster," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at a news conference. Survival rates drop off 72 hours after a quake, according to emergency responders. So far 156 people have been rescued, but at least 179 others remain unaccounted for, according to authorities. The extent of the damage from the earthquake and the tsunami it triggered remains unclear, with rescuers struggling to reach the northernmost areas of the peninsula - where much of the fatalities are - due to severed roads. Three days after disaster struck, 30 villages remain inaccessible, according to Ishikawa prefecture authorities. Material aid has trickled in but many evacuees remain largely cut off from food, water, electricity, and communications amid freezing temperatures and bad weather, authorities have also said. The 3,000 meals and 5,000 bottles of water that were delivered as of Wednesday is not nearly enough for the 11,000 evacuees in Wajima city, its mayor, Shigeru Sakaguchi, said at a regional disaster response meeting. "First and foremost, it's the road - severed roads are hampering not just aid supplies, but also the recovery of electricity, water, mobile signals and other lifeline infrastructures," he said. There were almost 100 chokepoints and blockages on prefectural roads as of Thursday, according to Ishikawa officials. "Compared to other disasters the road situation into Wajima is very bad. I feel it's taking longer than usual for assistance to arrive," Shunsaku Kohriki, a medical worker who has assisted other disasters, told Reuters in the city. "I think realistically speaking the evacuees will have to live in really tough conditions for a while yet," he said. NO RUNNING WATER Basics such as internet access, medical supplies and clean toilets were also lacking. "We have no running water. We cannot wash our hands after going to the bathroom," Kyoko Kinoshita, 62, said as she queued in line with a couple of hundred other survivors for food in Wajima. "One of the babies at the evacuation centre is 3 weeks old and it looks like there is not enough water or milk for the baby either," she added. The government has pledged it will proactively provide supplies instead of waiting for official requests from local authorities. It also quintupled the number of Self-Defence Force members tasked with rescue operations since Monday, putting the total number of rescuers at about 7,000. Some aid has been delivered via sea instead of land, with coast guard boats reaching ports in Wajima and Suzu on Wednesday. However, larger ships have been unable to dock in some bays of the Noto peninsula because the seabed had buckled from the earthquake, Ishikawa Governor Hiroshi Hase said on Thursday. BUSINESS IMPACT Survivors may have escaped death, but face a lo ng road to recovery in an area that had hoped for more tourists after years of pandemic gloom. As Japanese businesses returned from the New Year holidays on Thursday, manufacturers also gauged the impact of the quake on their production lines. Display makers Japan Display and EIZO, as well as semiconductor firm Kokusai Electric, said they were repairing damaged factory facilities. Tokyo Stock Exchange observed a minute of silence instead of ringing a bell to mark the opening of trade, out of respect for those who died in the earthquake and a separate accident at Tokyo Haneda airport where five Coast Guard members were killed en route to deliver aid. Kishida pledged on Thursday to tap roughly 4 billion yen ($28 million) of the national budget for disaster relief. (Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka and Chris Gallagher in Wajima, Sakura Murakami and Kantaro Komiya in Tokyo; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Stephen Coates) FILE PHOTO: Dr. Syed Naqvi, a pulmonologist, dons an N95 mask before entering the ICU at SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S., January 28, 2021. REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File By Brad Brooks (Reuters) - Hospitals in at least four U.S. states have reinstated mask mandates amid a rise in cases of COVID, seasonal flu and other respiratory illness. Healthcare facilities in New York, California, Illinois and Massachusetts have made masks mandatory among patients and providers. New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan told WABC TV on Wednesday that mask mandates had resumed at all 11 of the city's public hospitals, 30 health centers and five long-term care facilities. "What we don't want is staffing shortages, right? When we saw the omicron wave in 2022, the biggest issues were not only people getting sick, but that we had a lot of frontline health workers, they were out with COVID," Vasan told WABC. The most recent weekly data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed there were over 29,000 hospitalizations from COVID across the U.S. from Dec. 17-23, up more than 16% from the previous week. The CDC also reported over 14,700 flu hospitalizations in that same period. Mask mandates were political and cultural flashpoints during the COVID pandemic, sparking anger among those who bucked medical advice and felt masks did little to suppress the spread of the illness. A conservative-dominated Supreme Court struck down President Joe Biden's federal vaccine-or-test mandate for companies, and a judge appointed by his Republican predecessor struck down his public transportation mask mandate. There was also deep resentment among those who did wear masks and felt their health was put in jeopardy by those who did not. More than 1.1 million Americans have died from COVID, CDC figures show, a greater rate than most other wealthy countries. Rush University medical system in Chicago said on Tuesday that it was requiring "patients, visitors and staff to wear hospital-approved masks in some areas of the campus. They include clinical waiting areas and patient registration." Cook County Health, which encompasses Chicago, and Endeavor Health in the Chicago suburbs, last month started requiring masks again, after the Illinois Department of Public Health asked hospitals to step up mitigation efforts in several areas, including facility-wide masking. In Massachusetts, Berkshire Health Systems began mandatory masking on Wednesday, according to a statement. In California, Los Angeles County on Saturday reinstated masking at all licensed health care facilities, according to a county statement provided to the City News Service. The county's health department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (Reporting by Brad Brooks in Longmont, Colorado; Editing by Heather Timmons and Stephen Coates) Students create a human chain in memory of victims of the shooting at Prague University, Prague, Czech Republic, January 4, 2024. REUTERS/Eva Korinkova PRAGUE (Reuters) - Students and teachers remembered the 14 victims of the Czech Republic's worst mass shooting on Thursday as they formed a human chain to symbolically hug the university building where the gunman opened fire just before Christmas. Mourners passed from Charles University's medieval headquarters through Prague's Old Town Square to the Faculty of Arts building where a 24-year-old history student went on a rampage on Dec. 21 before killing himself when cornered by police. A crowd of more than a thousand people then stood quietly hand-in-hand as the city's historic churches rang bells for 14 minutes to commemorate each victim. Thousands of candles lay on the steps of the faculty building, which will remain closed until the end of January. "I am encouraged by the words of students who say hate will not win. We will live and study on," university rector Milena Kralickova told the crowd ahead of the march. "Our academic community is hurt, but unbroken. Our steps through Prague today toward the Faculty of Arts will also symbolise out path to recovery." Kralickova and the Faculty of Arts dean led the march, each helping to carry a kerosene lamp lit from candles at the university headquarters to kindle a memorial flame outside the Faculty building that will burn for a month. The shooting has prompted discussion among university, student, police and political leaders about changes in security measures. But they have initially agreed to keep letting people enter university buildings without having to go through metal detectors. There are nearly 1 million guns, including rifles, owned legally by more than 300,000 people in the country of nearly 11 million. The shooting has prompted calls for tighter rules for getting gun licences and for compulsory psychological checks. Police said last week the shooter had left a suicide note, admitting to the killing of a man and a two-month-old child earlier in December. He also killed his father earlier in the day of the university shooting. Police won plaudits for arriving on the scene minutes after the first reports of gunfire and for confronting the gunman. A police inspection has been looking into whether a wider alarm could have been raised faster after police found the shooter's father dead earlier on the day of the tragedy. (Reporting by Jan Lopatka, Editing by Michael Kahn and Andrew Heavens) People wait in line to enter the Polish border control checkpoint, from Ukraine, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Medyka, Poland, December 16, 2022. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/file photo WARSAW (Reuters) - Polish farmers blockaded the Medyka border crossing with Ukraine on Thursday, private broadcaster Polsat News reported, resuming a protest intended to secure government subsidies for corn and prevent tax increases. The farmers, who are demanding a written agreement with the government, had suspended their protest at the crossing in southeastern Poland on Dec. 24 after a meeting with Agriculture Minister Czeslaw Siekierski. Protest leader Roman Kondrow was quoted by Polsat News as saying the farmers were happy with talks they had with the minister and the local governor, but that they wanted a formal agreement. On Wednesday Kondrow, said that although Siekierski had provided a note telling the farmers their demands would be met, the prime minister had not given a signed declaration. "We want to sign a bilateral agreement," Kondrow told a press conference on Thursday. "If such a thing is created, the protest will be suspended until the demands are implemented." Polish truck drivers have been blocking several border crossings with Ukraine since Nov. 6. They want the European Union to reinstate a reciprocal system that requires Ukrainian companies to obtain permits to operate in the bloc. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in December that he believed Warsaw was close to being able to end the truckers' protest. (Reporting by Alan Charlish and Anna Koper, Editing by Timothy Heritage) (Reuters) - Russian air defence systems downed 10 airborne targets late on Thursday over the southern city of Belgorod, with two people injured and some damage to a residence, the regional governor said. Vyacheslav Gladkov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said the targets were downed as they approached the city. Two people were being treated in hospital for injuries. Gladkov said windows were blown out in a multi-storey apartment building and at least 30 cars sustained damage. Ukraine launched missile and drone attacks on Wednesday on Belgorod region, local officials said. Russia said 25 civilians, including five children, were killed in attacks last weekend. (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Sandra Maler) FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: The Tesla logo is seen at a dealership in Durango, northern Spain, October 30, 2023. REUTERS/Vincent West/File Photo By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A group of 33 senators on Thursday urged Tesla and 12 other automakers to remain neutral in ongoing efforts by the United Auto Workers (UAW) to organize U.S. auto plants. The letter, signed by Democrats Gary Peters, Ron Wyden, Dick Durbin, Patty Murray, Alex Padilla, Sherrod Brown Debbie Stabenow and others, went to Tesla CEO Elon Musk and top executives at Toyota Motor, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Rivian, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Nissan, BMW and others, urging them to pledge not to interfere in any organizing activities. "We believe a neutrality agreement is the bare minimum standard manufacturers should meet in respecting workers rights, especially as companies receive and benefit from federal funds related to the electric vehicle transition," the letter first reported by Reuters said. The letter raised concerns about reports that management of numerous automakers has acted illegally to block unionization efforts. It also cited National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) findings that Tesla employed "multiple illegal tactics aimed at stopping organizing efforts including online harassment, employee interrogations, and retaliatory firings." VW refuted claims of union-busting and intimidation by the German automaker. It said claims VW destroyed pro-union materials in a breakroom at the company's Tennessee plant were untrue and that the room had simply been cleaned by maintenance staff. "Labor representation is part of our company's culture; half of our global supervisory board members are labor representatives," VW said in a statement. "We respect our workers' right to decide the question of union representation." In echoing the opinion of others automakers, Hyundai said it was up to its workers whether they join a union, but those workers benefit from dealing with the company directly. "The UAWs recent accusations regarding Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama are not accurate, and we remain in compliance with the rules of the National Labor Relations Board," the South Korean automaker said in a statement. "Hyundai provides excellent wages and benefits." Toyota, Subaru and Rivian declined to comment. The other automakers did not respond to requests for comment. In late November, the UAW said it was launching a first-of-its-kind push to publicly organize the entire nonunion auto sector in the U.S. after winning record new contracts with the Detroit Three automakers. The Detroit-based UAW announced simultaneous campaigns by workers at 13 nonunion automakers to join the union. Those automakers employ nearly 150,000 workers at their U.S. assembly plants, about the same number as those employed by the Detroit Three companies that signed new labor agreements with the UAW. "Every autoworker in this country deserves their fair share of the auto industry's record profits," UAW President Shawn Fain said in a statement. "We applaud these U.S. senators for standing with workers who are standing up for economic justice on the job. Its time for the auto companies to stop breaking the law." The UAW's deals with General Motors, Ford Motor and Stellantis included an immediate 11% pay hike and 25% increase in base wages through 2028, a reduction in time needed to reach top pay to three years from eight, and is boosting the pay of temporary workers by 150% and making them permanent. Many non-union automakers have responded by hiking pay for U.S. factory workers. The UAW has for decades unsuccessfully sought to organize auto factories operated by foreign automakers. Efforts to organize Nissan plants in Mississippi and Tennessee failed by wide margins, and two attempts to organize VW's plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, narrowly failed. Last month, the UAW said 30% of workers at VW's Tennessee plant had signed union authorization cards. (Reporting by David Shepardson; additional reporting by Ben Klayman, Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Bill Berkrot) By Jack Kim SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean and U.S. troops have conducted joint combat firing drills near the border with North Korea involving heavy weapons, as Pyongyang lambasted the allies for dangerous moves pushing the region to the brink of "an inferno of nuclear war." The exercise by a South Korean Army mechanised infantry brigade and U.S. Army armoured Stryker brigade was to test and enhance combat readiness simulating enemy aggression, South Korea said in a statement on Thursday. The drills took place over a week starting on Dec. 29 and ended on Thursday, the South Korean Army said. The allies have dramatically increased the scale and intensity of joint drills in the past year amid escalating tension on the Korean peninsula as Pyongyang tested both long-range ballistic missiles and tactical weapons designed to strike targets in the South and the Pacific. The U.S. has also deployed more military assets near the Korean peninsula including a nuclear missile submarine, aircraft carriers and large bombers. Wrapping up a major ruling party meeting, leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday lashed out at Washington for deploying large weapons and vowed to increase the North's nuclear arsenal and grow attack capabilities to "pacify the South." The North called the joint firing drills "reckless war manoeuvres" and mocked South Korea for backing Washington's hegemonic ambitions "when it has no chance of winning or survival." "With the instinct of confrontation deep in their bones, the puppets again marked the new year by making the aggressive choice that stokes war," the North's official KCNA news agency said in a commentary. "2024 is the year of the highest risk of conflict," it said. The joint drills involved more than 110 large combat weapons including South Korean army tanks, anti-aircraft artillery and combat earthmovers supported by U.S. military attack aircraft and armoured fighting vehicles, the Army said. South Korea's navy on Wednesday conducted live firing drills and anti-submarine manoeuvres in the waters in the east, west and the south involving destroyers, frigates and corvettes, the navy said. (Reporting by Jack Kim; Editing by Lincoln Feast) BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 4. The United States and 11 other countries have demanded that Yemen's Houthi rebels stop attacking military and commercial ships in the Red Sea and warned of the consequences, Trend reports. "We call for an immediate end to the unlawful attacks and the release of the illegally detained ships and crews. The Houthis will be held accountable if they continue to threaten human life, the global economy and the free flow of trade along the region's critical waterways," US, Australia , Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the United Kingdom are mentioned in a joint statement published on the website of the White House. "Attacks on ships, including commercial ones, using drones, small boats and missiles pose a direct threat to freedom of navigation," the document added. These events caused a number of groups in the Middle East to intensify their attacks against US forces in Iraq and Syria. Yemen's Houthi rebels, in turn, have started firing at ships in the Red Sea. Taiwan flags can be seen in the streets in Taipei City, Taiwan January 3, 2024. REUTERS/Ann Wang TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan's foreign minister says it is documenting its experiences with China's alleged attempts to interfere in elections next week and will publish its analysis soon after the vote. Taiwan's government has pointed to military and economic pressure as well as Chinese-subsidised trips to China for local Taiwanese officials, as evidence of Beijing's alleged interference ahead of the Jan. 13 presidential and parliamentary election. China's Taiwan Affairs Office has called Taiwan's elections a "purely an internal Chinese matter" and that the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is trying to call any kind of interactions between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait election interference. "Taiwan is taking measures to counter China's interference and is documenting its experiences. Analysis will be published soon after the elections in consultation with international experts," Foreign Minister Joseph Wu wrote in the latest issue of The Economist, without giving details. Taiwan's presidential and parliamentary elections are taking place against a backdrop of what the island's government says is a concerted effort by China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, to sway the vote to get electors to vote for candidates Beijing may prefer. China has cast the election as a choice between war and peace, and says Taiwan's government has been "hyping up" a military threat from China for electoral gain. "Should China succeed in shaping the outcome of voting in Taiwan, it will apply the same tactics to other democracies to promote its preferred international order," Wu wrote. He urged the international community to pay more attention to China's efforts to undermine Taiwan's democracy through influence and disinformation campaigns, as well as hybrid warfare, including cyberattacks. "Our desire is to turn Taiwan's experience into a positive contribution to the rules-based international order, thereby helping the free world's fight against authoritarian powers bent on eroding democratic systems," Wu wrote. "It is our belief that democracy will prevail." On Thursday, China's Taiwan Affairs Office, in a statement responding to DPP accusations of election interference, said such attacks were the DPP's "usual trick" in elections to shift the focus of attention away from the party's own problems. "These dirty and lame tricks are used too much, and they will only make themselves become a laughingstock," it said. Taiwan's government rejects China's sovereignty claims. China has aimed its ire at the DPP's presidential candidate, current Vice President Lai Ching-te, accusing him of being a dangerous separatist. Lai has repeatedly offered talks with China but been rebuffed. Both the DPP and Taiwan's largest opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), which traditionally favours close ties with China but denies being pro-Beijing, say only Taiwan's 23 million people can decide their future. But the KMT also says it strongly opposes Taiwan independence. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Michael Perry and Raju Gopalakrishnan) FILE PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump attends a campaign event in Waterloo, Iowa, U.S. December 19, 2023. REUTERS/Scott Morgan/File Photo By Gram Slattery and James Oliphant SIOUX CITY, Iowa (Reuters) -A school shooting in Iowa, where Republican nominating contests begin next week for the U.S. presidential election, prompted prayers from among those wanting to be the party's candidate, but elicited no substantial policy proposals among the top contenders. The incident saw a sixth-grade student killed and five people wounded after a 17-year-old opened fire on the first day of classes following the winter break, law enforcement officials said. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is locked in a close battle for second place in Iowa with former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, said in an interview with NBC News and the Des Moines Register newspaper that authorities have a "responsibility to create safe environments" at school, but the federal government "is probably not going to be leading that effort." He added in a later interview that if he were president, he would sign a bill abolishing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which plays a major role regulating guns in America. The candidates' reactions underscored how deeply gun ownership rights, which are enshrined in the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, are valued by Republican caucus-goers in conservative Iowa. Most of the candidates ardently oppose any efforts to regulate guns and routinely dismiss calls for more gun control after mass shootings as attempts to politicize tragedies. Vivek Ramaswamy, who is polling fourth in Iowa, said in a statement that he canceled a campaign event due to take place in Perry, where the school shooting happened, and changed it into "a prayer and conversation." Haley offered her sympathies on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. "No parent, student, or teacher should have to wake up and face news about a school shooting," she wrote. "My heart aches for the victims of Perry, Iowa and the entire community." Former President Donald Trump, the clear frontrunner who looks set to face President Biden in November's election, made no public comment about the incident. Here are some other takeaways from the campaign trail: TRUMP CAMPAIGNS BY PROXY Donald Trump's campaign on Wednesday night held one of the largest events of the Iowa presidential caucuses this January, and the Republican frontrunner was not even there. Hundreds of the former president's supporters piled into a convention center in Sioux City, braving bitter temperatures and flurries to hear South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem speak on Trump's behalf. Many attendees were emblazoned head-to-toe in Trump gear, while vendors outside sold merchandise from Trump T-shirts to stickers to keychains. Trump is scheduled to host eight events in person before the Jan. 15 caucus, a small number when compared to the other candidates. DeSantis held four events on Wednesday alone. Instead, Trump is relying on his allies. In addition to Noem, firebrand far-right Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and Eric Trump, one of the president's sons, hosted events in the eastern part of the state on Thursday. Ben Carson, Trump's former housing secretary, will host an event next week. Trump has opted to attend many of the court proceedings related to his business dealings and his attempts to overturn his presidential loss to Biden. He is expected to appear at a federal appeals court hearing next week regarding the scope of his presidential immunity while in office. If his voters care he is absent from some of his campaign events in Iowa, they are not letting it show. The Noem event was far larger than two DeSantis events in western Iowa on Wednesday, one of which was right down the road. Dwayne Brown, a Trump supporter wearing a T-shirt with the former president's mugshot, praised Noem for keeping South Dakota largely open during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Everything was open, except for the restrooms on the interstate," he said. As the night wore down, an elderly woman stood on a chair in front of the stage and waved a "Caucus for Trump" sign while dancing to ABBA. After most attendees left, a pick-up truck flying a pair of Trump flags circled the empty parking lot. DESANTIS, HALEY NEEDLE TRUMP, IGNORE EACH OTHER At back-to-back televised town halls on Thursday night, DeSantis and Haley took targeted swipes at Trump, with the Florida governor attacking the former president's record on abortion and Haley warning he would bring "four more years of chaos" to the White House. Asked if the former president was "pro-life," DeSantis replied: "Course not. I mean, when you're saying that pro-life protections are a terrible thing, by definition, you are not pro-life." Most Republican caucus-goers in Iowa are firm opponents of abortion rights, and the DeSantis camp has tried to position the Florida governor as a more resolute defender of their position than Trump. But while DeSantis and Haley dialed up the heat on certain elements of Trump's policies, they largely avoided talking about his character. Despite being locked in a tight battle for second in Iowa, neither candidate spent much time talking about one another. Both candidates appeared to turn in solid performances, but neither produced a moment that would alter the dynamics of the Iowa contest, which Trump leads by more than 30 points. Haley reiterated she would pardon Trump if he were convicted of crimes related to attempts to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss to Biden. DeSantis said that Jan. 6, 2021, the date a mob of Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol building, was "not a good day for the country." He added, though, that the "media has taken that and I think the left has taken that and really tried to politicize it." HALEY: ONE STATE WILL 'CORRECT' ANOTHER Haley drew fire from rivals on Thursday after saying voters deciding on their party's candidate in New Hampshire, where polls put her second behind Trump, will "correct" the vote in Iowa, where she faces a much tougher contest. "You know how to do this. You know Iowa starts it. You know that you correct it," Haley told an audience in New Hampshire on Wednesday evening, prompting laughter and applause. Haley, who served as U.N. ambassador under Trump, and DeSantis are vying to become the clear alternative to Trump in a contest that is already down to six candidates. After months of campaigning, Iowans will be the first to pick their preferred nominee in their caucuses, followed by New Hampshire's primary on Jan. 23. DeSantis, who has staked a huge amount on a strong result in Iowa, seized on Haley's comments in a radio interview. "I think it was incredibly disrespectful to Iowans to say somehow their votes need to be, quote, corrected. I think she's trying to provide an excuse for her not doing well," he said on KFAB radio. Haley defended her statement during the town hall on Thursday, saying she was making a light-hearted joke. "New Hampshire makes fun of Iowa. Iowa makes fun of South Carolina," she said. "It's what we do." (Reporting by Gram Slattery, James Oliphant and Costas Pitas; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Alistair Bell, Chris Reese and Tom Hogue) (Reuters) - Britain on Thursday condemned what it called Russia's decision to use ballistic missiles sourced from North Korea in recent attacks against Ukraine. "The UK strongly condemns Russias decision to use ballistic missiles sourced from North Korea in recent attacks against Ukraine," the UK's Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement. "We urge North Korea to cease its arms supply to Russia." The reaction followed the White House, citing newly declassified intelligence, saying that North Korea recently provided Russia with ballistic missiles and launchers for use in Moscow's war against Ukraine, some of which Russia has fired into Ukraine. U.S. national security spokesperson John Kirby also said that the United States will raise the development with the United Nations Security Council, and would impose additional sanctions against those facilitating the arms deals, while calling North Korea's arms transfer to Russia a "significant and concerning escalation." North Korea is subject to a robust sanctions regime, the UK Foreign office spokesperson said. "UK will continue to work with its partners to ensure that North Korea pays a high price for supporting Russia's illegal war in Ukraine." (Reporting by Baranjot Kaur in Bengaluru; Editing by Matthew Lewis) FILE PHOTO: The Tesla logo is seen at a dealership in Durango, northern Spain, October 30, 2023. REUTERS/Vincent West/File Photo By Daniel Wiessner (Reuters) - A U.S. anti-discrimination agency has asked a federal judge to reject Tesla Inc's bid to pause a lawsuit alleging widespread racial bias at the electric carmaker's flagship Fremont, California, assembly plant. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in a filing in federal court in San Francisco late on Wednesday said its September lawsuit is not duplicative of two other pending racial discrimination cases against Tesla, as the company had argued in an attempt to pause the case last month. "Tesla has filed a groundless motion in a transparent attempt to deflect attention from the EEOCs substantive allegations and the serious racial problems that pervade its Fremont Facilities," the agency said. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The EEOC alleges that from 2015 to the present, Black workers at the Fremont plant have routinely been subjected to racist slurs and graffiti, including swastikas and nooses, and have faced retaliation for complaining. California's Civil Rights Department in a 2022 lawsuit accused Tesla of tolerating similar conditions and discriminating against Black workers when making decisions about pay, promotions and work assignments. A pending proposed class action filed by Tesla workers in 2017 also alleges racial harassment. Tesla, which has denied wrongdoing, also is appealing a $3.2 million award granted to a Black former elevator operator at the Fremont plant in a separate racial harassment lawsuit. In its motion last month, Tesla claimed that the commission had rushed to sue the company as part of an interagency feud with the California agency. Tesla said that because the claims are similar, the California case and the proposed class action should play out before the EEOC case moves forward. The commission on Wednesday said its case is not redundant because it alleges violations of a federal workplace discrimination law, while the other cases are in state court and involve California laws. The EEOC also disputed Tesla's claim that it did not give the company an opportunity to settle the claims before suing. Tesla last month also moved to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the EEOC failed to identify any specific instances of discrimination. The commission has not yet responded to that filing. (Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi) SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 13G Amendment No. 16 Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Capital Properties, Inc. (Name of Issuer) Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value (Title of Class of Securities) 140430109 (CUSIP Number) December 31, 2023 (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement) Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed: Rule 13d-1(b) Rule 13d-1(c) Rule 13d-1(d) *The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting persons initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page. The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be filed for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Act) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes). CUSIP No. 140430109 1 NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS TowerView LLC 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) (b) 3 SEC USE ONLY 4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH 5 SOLE VOTING POWER 577,400 6 SHARED VOTING POWER 7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 577,400 8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 577,400 10 CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) 11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9) 8.7% 12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) CO Page 2 of 5 Pages Item 1(a) Name of Issuer: Capital Properties, Inc. (the Issuer) Item 1(b) Address of Issuers Principal Executive Offices: 5 Steeple Street Providence, RI 02903 Item 2(a) Name of Person Filing: TowerView LLC Item 2(b) Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence: 460 Park Avenue New York, New York 10022 Item 2(c) Citizenship: Delaware Item 2(d) Title of Class of Securities: Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value Item 2(e) CUSIP Number: 140430109 Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to 240.13d-1(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a: N/A (a) Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o). (b) Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c). (c) Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c). (d) Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8). (e) An investment adviser in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E); (f) An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F); (g) A parent holding company or control person in accordance with 240.13d1(b)(1)(ii)(G); Page 3 of 5 Pages (h) A savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813); (i) A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a3); (j) A group, in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J). Item 4. Ownership. As of December 31, 2023, TowerView had sole voting power and sole investment power with respect to 577,400 shares of Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value, or 8.7% of the 6,599,912 shares that were reported as outstanding by the Issuer as of September 30, 2023. Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class. If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following [ ]. N/A Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person. N/A Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company or Control Person. N/A Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group. N/A Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group. N/A Item 10. Certification. By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect. Page 4 of 5 Pages SIGNATURE After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I hereby certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. January 4, 2024 TowerView LLC By /s/Daniel R. Tisch Daniel R. Tisch General Member On New Years Eve, a bomb team was called out to the Pajaro Dunes, after recent storms washed up what was determined to be an inert military ordnance. Explosive ordnance personnel from Travis Air Force Base responded and collected the bomb. (Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office/Facebook) (Tribune News Service) Recent storms and strong waves were responsible for washing a World War II-era practice bomb onto the shore of a Santa Cruz County beach on New Years Eve, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office. The sheriffs bomb team responded to a call at Pajaro Dunes around 2 p.m., west of Watsonville and 22 miles south of Santa Cruz. Because of its size and degraded state, bomb technicians requested that the Travis Air Force Base Explosive Ordnance Disposal team inspect the bomb, according to an Air Force public affairs spokesperson. After conducting a visual inspection and X-ray scan, the team deemed the bomb an inert military ordnance, free of explosives, and approved its transport to the Air Force base in Fairfield. Inspectors identified the artillery as a World War II-era U.S. Navy Mk 15 Mod 2 practice bomb. It will be stored with the Travis team. This type of artillery is designed for training, incorporating working mechanics but lacking explosive materials, according to the U.S. Naval Academys website. It simulates live ammunitions weight, size and handling characteristics during a training exercise. Every few years, we will see military ordnances wash up, said Ashley Keehn, public information officer for the Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office. We occasionally see sea flares uncovered. This washing up on shore goes to show the intensity of the high surf we saw this past week. A spokesperson from the National Weather Service in Monterey attributed high tides for beaching the bomb. An inert bomb lies on Pajaro Dunes in Santa Cruz County, Calif., after recent storms washed it ashore and before eExplosive ordnance personnel from Travis Air Force Base removed it. (Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office/Facebook) The weather service issued warnings of high surf and coastal flooding on Dec. 30. Additionally, on New Years Eve, it warned of hazardous coastal conditions due to debris washing on shore. 2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Dr. Eric Thompson, a research engineer with the Warfighter Interface Division, Battlespace Acoustics Branch, part of the 711th Human Performance Wing at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, sits inside their Auditory Localization Facility (ALF). The facility allows researchers to test 3-D audio software that spatially separates sound cues to mimic real-life human audio capabilities. (Richard Eldridge/U.S. Air Force) (Tribune news Service) Despite encouragement from Ohio lawmakers, the Air Force has declined to memorialize a lab on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in honor of a late Army officer and contractor who helped design the lab. A former Dayton-area resident, John Cavanaugh, continues to push for recognition of his father, Col. William Cavanaugh, an engineer who served with the Army and with the Massachusetts engineering firm of Bolt, Beranek & Newman, later known as Raytheon BBN. Cavanaugh died in July 2019 at the age of 90. While Ohio lawmakers passed a resolution recommending that the elder Cavanaugh be recognized and the Air Force has expressed appreciation for Cavanaughs work Air Force representatives conveyed to Sen. Sherrod Browns office that the service will not rename the facility for Cavanaugh. A Dec. 6 letter from Browns office to John Cavanaugh cites two principal reasons for the decision Col. Cavanaughs overall limited involvement in the Air Force and the fact that Air Force policy does not allow memorializing or naming service property for contractors. As the proposal to recognize him is for his work as a contractor, and not an Army colonel or private sector individual, the relationship is based on a commercial or profit-making relationship, and thus memorialization would be prohibited, Browns office quoted an Air Force representative as saying in the Dec. 6 letter. The same standard applies to historical markers and placards, according to Browns letter. Unfortunately, due to DAF ( Department of the Air Force) policy, and ethics concerns, the Air Force is unable to rename any facility at AFRL after Col. Cavanaugh at this time, Browns office told the younger Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh is frustrated. He was a great man, a great father, he uplifted everyone in sight, he said. In response to questions from the Dayton Daily News, Brig. Gen. Robert K. Bogart, commander of the 711th Human Performance Wing, emphasized that the wing and the Air Force are thankful for Cavanaughs service. But he added that Air Force memorialization policies are meant to provide lasting honor and pay tribute to deceased as well as living Air Force military and civilian personnel with records of outstanding and honorable service. While we are certainly thankful for his contributions in designing the anechoic chamber, Col. Cavanaugh worked as a contract employee while working on the anechoic chamber, Bogart said. Due to his overall limited involvement with the Air Force, there are no current plans to rename the chamber after him. An anechoic chamber is a room designed to dampen echoes of sound. Researchers from the Battlespace Acoustics Branch, part of the 711th Human Performance Wing at Wright-Patterson, have used anechoic chambers to research how to protect hearing in noisy environments, among other research objectives. An Ohio House measure urging recognition of Col. Cavanaugh was directed to the Ohio Senate, which passed it in late 2022. Thats too bad, State Rep. Brian Lampton, R- Beavercreek, one of the principal co-sponsors of the state legislation, said Wednesday when he learned of the Air Forces decision. Its certainly disappointing. I guess I want to leave it at that. Im disappointed. The state bill recommended that the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) at Wright Patterson recognize Cavanaugh for his contribution to the design and architecture of the AFRL Bio Acoustics Laboratory, building 441 on Wright Pattersons Area B. Lampton added that he understood the Air Forces position, however. I totally understand. Its a military installation. Its U.S. government property. You dont want to let that start. Because its going to open up floodgates for all kinds of naming of things. Asked to expand on the situation, a spokesman for Brown referred back to the senators letter to John Cavanaugh. In a statement, however, he later said that Brown advocated for Col. Cavanaugh to receive this well-deserved recognition and will continue to look for opportunities to honor his legacy. Ohio legislators cited a 2018 Wired magazine article describing the Wright-Patterson chamber. The chamber helps with a wide range of research efforts focused on human perceptions of sound, Wired said, citing Brian Simpon, a senior engineering research psychologist with AFRL. We have psychologists, engineers, physicists, and audiologists working on these problems, and this chamber gives us tremendous capability, Simpson told Wired. Theres nothing quite like it in the world. The Dayton Daily News requested an interview about the situation with an AFRL representative. In an interview, the younger Cavanaugh, who owns a Columbus business consulting firm, said base personnel explained the contours and difficulties at the time of naming things after people in a 2021 meeting. I was OK with that, Cavanaugh said in an interview. But he said he still would like the base to recognize his fathers work somehow, perhaps with a historical marker. I just wanted his work recognized, he said. (c)2024 the Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio) Visit www.daytondailynews.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A CV-22B Osprey arrives at Yokota Air Base, Japan, April 5, 2018. (Stars and Stripes) A U.S. Navy salvage ship recovered the vast majority of the Air Force CV-22 Osprey that crashed off the coast of Japan in November, including equipment necessary for further investigation, according to the Air Force. The USNS Salvor delivered the wreckage to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, where it will be inspected as part of the ongoing investigations, Air Force Special Operations Command spokeswoman Lt. Col. Rebecca Heyse told Stars and Stripes by email Thursday. The Salvor, a Military Sealift Command rescue-and-salvage ship, joined recovery efforts near Yakushima, an island just south of Kyushu, on Dec. 23 alongside Japanese and civilian crews. Critical equipment identified by investigation officials has been recovered, including the Voice and Data Recorder, often called the black box. The equipment will be transported to laboratories for data retrieval with follow analysis of the data at AFSOC, she wrote. The analysis process is expected to take several weeks, Heyse said. The wreckage was raised Dec. 27 from the underwater crash site south of Kyushu, the southernmost of Japans four main islands, and arrived at the base on Saturday, according to a Sunday report by Japan Today that cited an anonymous source in the Iwakuni city government. Air Force Special Operations Command, headquartered at Hurlburt Field, Fla., did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation of the dates on Thursday afternoon. The delivery of wreckage and equipment marks a significant milestone for the recovery operation and investigation underway since the Osprey went down Nov. 29. Maj. Eric Spendlove, 36, of St. George, Utah, was a flight surgeon and medical operations flight commander. (U.S. Air Force) The tiltrotor aircraft callsign Gundam 22 crashed on a routine training mission while en route from MCAS Iwakuni near Hiroshima to Kadena Air Base on Okinawa, killing all eight crewmembers. The remains of Staff Sgt. Jake Galliher, 24, of Pittsfield, Mass.; Maj. Luke Unrath, 34, of Riverside, Calif.; Tech Sgt. Zachary Lavoy, 33, of Oviedo, Fla.; Capt. Terrell Brayman, 32, of Pittsford, N.Y.; Staff Sgt. Jake Turnage, 25, of Kennesaw, Ga.; Senior Airman Brian Johnson, 32, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio; and Maj. Jeff Hoernemann, 32, of Andover, Minn., were recovered between Nov. 29 and Dec. 10. The body of Maj. Eric Spendlove, 36, of St. George, Utah, is still unaccounted for, but the search is still underway, Heyse said in the Thursday email. Spendloves family remembered him as kind of a hometown boy who always liked to keep to himself, his brother-in-law Tyler Murset told the St. George News last month. Spendlove and his wife, Chelsea Spendlove, have four children, the report said. Born in California, Spendlove moved to St. George at 13 and later majored in biology at Utah Tech University; he went to medical school at the University of Pikeville in Kentucky, part of which was funded by the Air Force, according to the article. He was willing to serve his country and was looking to offset some of his medical school expenses, Murset said, according to the St. George News. He was a family man. A man of faith. A man of God. A man of his country. Everything he did was for the benefit of his family and country. Gov. Tim Walz has ordered all U.S. and Minnesota flags to fly at half-staff at all state buildings in the state of Minnesota from sunrise until sunset on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, in honor of Sgt. Cade Michael Wolfes memorial. (U.S. Army) (Tribune News Service) Gov. Tim Walz has ordered all U.S. and Minnesota flags to fly at half-staff at all state buildings in the state of Minnesota from sunrise until sunset on Friday in honor of Sgt. Cade Michael Wolfes memorial. Wolfe, a native of Mankato, Minn., was killed in an aircraft crash during a training exercise over the Mediterranean Sea in November. He died on Nov. 10, two days after he turned 24, according to his obituary. The four other service members who died in the crash were Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen R. Dwyer, 38, of Clarksville, Tenn.; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Shane M. Barnes, 34, of Sacramento, Calif.; Staff Sgt. Tanner W. Grone, 26, of Gorham, N.H.; and Sgt. Andrew P. Southard, 27, of Apache Junction, Ariz. The five were all part of the Armys 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment based at Fort Campbell, Ky. The fallen soldiers were highly decorated, with multiple combat deployments in addition to responding to deployments with no notice, sent overseas to respond quickly to various national security needs. Minnesota is deeply saddened by the loss of Sgt. Cade Michael Wolfe, a Minnesotan who dedicated himself to selflessly serving our nation and keeping our country safe, Walz said in a statement released on Thursday. With deep gratitude, Minnesota recognizes Sgt. Cade Michael Wolfe for his dedicated service to, and sacrifice for, his state and country. His family, loved ones, and community are in our prayers. Individuals, businesses and other organizations are also encouraged to join in lowering their flags. Wolfe, the son of Scott Wolfe and Julia Molden, graduated from Mankato East High School and immediately went to serve in the U.S. Army in 2018, according to his obituary. He enlisted as a UH-60 Black Hawk repairer and upon completing advanced training, he was assigned to the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii. In 2022, Wolfe was assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky. After completing the regiments extensive training and assessment program, Green Platoon, he served as an MH-60M Direct Action Penetrator (DAP) Basic Mission Qualified Crew Chief, his obituary states. Cades awards and decorations include Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Services Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and the Basic Aviation Badge. In November, the militarys European Command said the MH-60 Blackhawk helicopter went down during an air refueling mission as part of military training. The U.S. Army Special Operations Command said the five Army aviation special operations forces were each a national treasure whose loss cut deeply. In addition to his parents and stepparents, Wolfe is survived by his wife, Danielle Wolfe, and extended family members including his brother, Cooper Wolfe. Cade was loved by all who met him and made a remarkable impact on each and every one of us. He will be greatly missed and honored by us all forever, the obituary states. There will be a celebration of life held at 3 p.m. on Friday at the Mankato National Guard Armory, 100 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, according to Wolfes obituary. Military honors will be provided by C/1-160th SOAR (Abn). A social hour event will immediately follow at the Venue in Mankato. All are welcome to join Cades family and loved ones to honor him, his obituary states. Livestreaming will be available on Cades obituary page at mankatomortuary.com. 2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit twincities.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Nicholas Dural poses for a photo April 6, 2023, after receiving the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal at Quantico, Va. Dural, 20, of Lafayette, La., died Dec. 19, 2023, while assigned to the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Congo. (Keegan Bailey/U.S. Marine Corps) A Marine security guard honored last year for stopping a stabbing in Virginia died several days before Christmas in the Republic of Congo. Marine Lance Cpl. Nicholas Dural, 20, of Lafayette, La., died Dec. 19 while assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Brazzaville, his mother confirmed to Stars and Stripes. Kimberly Dural said she was unable to provide any further information about the circumstances of her sons death because the matter is under investigation. A State Department official confirmed the death of a U.S. service member in the Republic of Congo but declined to comment further. A Marine Corps official referred questions to the U.S. Embassy in Brazzaville. Dural was one of three Marines who received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal last April for intervening in a fight in which two teenagers attacked a third teenager at a Chick-fil-A in North Stafford, Va. Witnesses told local police at the time that one male teenager was approached by the other two. The three boys got into an argument before a physical altercation ensued. As the two teenagers assaulted the other teen, one of them pulled out a knife, police said. The three Marines jumped into action and attempted to separate the parties. One Marine broke the knife in half and the two suspects quickly fled. Kimberly Dural said Nicholas was the Marine who broke the knife. Thank you to the hero Marines who stepped up. Without you, this altercation could have been a lot worse, the sheriffs office said at the time. The three Marines were students at the Marine Security Guard School in Quantico, Va., taking a course to prepare them to act as security at U.S. embassies around the world. His mother said Nicholas always wanted to be a Marine since he was a little boy. She did not know why he picked the Marines because they did not have any immediate family in the service branch. Its just something he always wanted to do, Kimberly Dural said. Her son wanted to ship off to boot camp after high school. His sisters cried so much that he opted to go to college instead. When college didnt work out, he spent some time working on tugboats along the Mississippi River. One day, she found out Nicholas was going to boot camp when a letter from his job arrived at the family house, noting he resigned to join the Marines. We found out about two weeks before he shipped off, she said. I was like, Sweetie, you werent going to tell us? He said, I was going to tell you, but I didnt want anyone to talk me out of it. Dural excelled as a Marine, his mother said. Nicholas was a squad leader at boot camp. Drill instructors and new Marines alike came up to his parents during graduation commending them on their son. Nick was very mature for his age, Kimberly Dural said. He was a natural leader. Thats the thing. No matter where he was, whatever he did, he always rose up to be a leader. After boot camp, he went to infantry training and then security guard training in Quantico. Nicholas enjoyed being in the Republic of Congo where he got to see a new part of the world and meet new people. He kept busy by enrolling in college online studying psychology, according to his mother. Nicholas organized the embassys Marine Corps birthday ball in November. Its really hard to even comprehend what life is going to be like after this. What I can say is he did a lot in his 20 years, Dural said. She said the family has been told their sons body will be transported to New Orleans on Jan. 10. Services will be held in Lafayette on Jan. 13. Nicholas Dural will be given full military honors. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 4. The terrorist organization ISIS has claimed responsibility for explosions in the Iranian city of Kerman, Trend reports. The terrorist organization announced this in its Telegram channel. Two explosions occurred in Iran's Kerman province on January 3 during a procession commemorating the anniversary of the death of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. The explosions resulted in the loss of 84 lives. Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US Air Force airstrike in Iraq in 2020. This undated photo provided by the U.S. Marshals Service shows Leonard Francis, also known as Fat Leonard. Francis appeared Thursday, Jan. 4, 2023, in San Diego federal court for the first time since he left house arrest and fled the country in 2022, just weeks before he was set to be sentenced. (U.S. Marshals Service) (Tribune News Service) Leonard Glenn Francis, the mastermind behind the worst bribery and corruption scandal in U.S. Navy history, appeared Thursday in San Diego federal court for the first time since he left house arrest and fled the country in 2022, just weeks before he was set to be sentenced. Known as Fat Leonard because of his size, Francis was not charged Thursday with any new crimes related to his escape. Federal prosecutors said they may seek new charges at some point, but not until after hes sentenced in the bribery and fraud scheme. Francis, once a powerful military contractor, had spent more than 15 months jailed in Venezuela, where Interpol agents captured him a few weeks after he fled house arrest in San Diego. He was extradited to Miami on Dec. 20 as part of a prisoner swap with Venezuela that freed 10 jailed Americans, Francis and 25 imprisoned Venezuelans in exchange for Alex Saab, an ally of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro. Thursdays hearing marked the first time the Malysian-born Francis was back in San Diego since his Memorial Day weekend 2022 escape, and his first time back in a San Diego federal courtroom in several years. Francis pleaded guilty in San Diego in 2015 to corruption charges related to his wide-ranging scheme to bribe Navy officials and overcharge the military for ship-servicing contracts. A gregarious presence at Navy functions and port visits across Southeast Asia, Francis would shower officers with high-end meals, luxury resort stays and the services of prostitutes so they would do his bidding inside the Navy, steering ships to ports he controlled. But he had avoided sentencing in the case since his 2013 arrest at a downtown San Diego Bay resort, spending several years as a cooperating witness for the U.S. government in the continuing investigation and prosecution of dozens of Navy officials ensnared in his scheme. Francis was granted pretrial release in 2018 due to his health and eventually moved into a luxurious Carmel Valley-area rental home, complete with hired staff and private security guards paid for by him who reportedly rarely interacted with him. On Sept. 4, 2022, he cut off his GPS ankle monitor and fled to Mexico. From there he went to Cuba, then Venezuela. Officials have said he was trying to make it from South America to Russia. Thursdays hearing largely centered on who will represent Francis moving forward. A few weeks after his escape, his defense attorneys informed U.S. District Judge Janis Sammartino that they would seek to withdraw their representation based on an irreparable breakdown in the attorney-client relationship. Defense attorney Jeremy Warren confirmed in court Thursday that he and his partners still intended to withdraw from the case. Were not in a position to advocate for Francis, Warren told the judge, adding that he would file a motion under seal if she needed further explanation of their reasoning. He said it was a decision made with a heavy heart, but that Francis is in need of counsel who are fully able to advocate for him. Francis, wearing a tan jumpsuit and a white COVID face covering, spoke only two words. No, maam, he told Sammartino when she asked if he had any objections to the withdrawal of his attorneys. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Sheppard objected to the withdrawal, arguing that Warren and his firm knew the case too well and had represented Francis too long to be allowed to withdraw now. He also argued that finding Francis new attorneys and getting them up to speed on the case would cause a lengthy a delay. But Sammartino, pointing out the long history of the case, which has now stretched on for more than 10 years, indicated a delay of a few more weeks would not be an issue. Sheppard told the judge that prosecutors are considering additional charges related to Francis going on the lam. But he told Sammartino that a potential new case might have to go to a different judge, since the charges could involve contempt of Sammartinos court. Sheppard said that because Francis was on house arrest as part of a medical furlough when he fled, prosecutors might file an indirect contempt case rather than a straight escape case. Francis is next expected in court Feb. 8, by which time Warren said Francis should have new representation. 2024 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Suzuki Mohei Shoten sells a variety of Japanese lanterns, including those seen here Nov. 9, 2023, in Mito, Ibaraki prefecture, Japan. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes) Japanese paper lanterns, or chochin lanterns, have many purposes in Japan, including festival ornamentation, displays outside of restaurants and bars or interior lighting. Suzuki Mohei Shoten in Mito city, Ibaraki prefecture, about two hours north of Tokyo, has been making and distributing lanterns in Japan for more than 150 years. The shop, founded in 1865, continues to make lanterns suitable for a variety of occasions. The shop windows display all types of these traditional Japanese lanterns, and the shop itself is filled with them from floor to ceiling. Suzuki Mohei Shoten has lanterns for myriad occasions, including Obon chocin, lanterns that are lit for the prayers of condolence towards the deceased; Bon chocin, which mark the return of the spirits of ancestors and the deceased; and cylindrical chochin for portable shrines and wedding ceremonies. More conventional chochin include those used for advertising and a new chochin the shop invented called MIC. Shiho Abe makes a lantern at the Suzuki Mohei Shoten in Mito, Ibaraki prefecture, Japan, on Nov. 9, 2023. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes) The MIC chochin is nature inspired, and comes in the shapes of birds, stars, mushrooms and moons. A light inside turns on and off with a clap. The shop also sells lanterns online and will customize a lantern from a design submitted by a customer. Engraved names are a popular request. Another shop specialty is the Suifu chochin, a 400-year-old design that originated in the Edo period from 1603 to 1868. Lower-ranking samurai started making these lamps in their spare time to support the economy, Kota Suzuki, of Suzuki Mohei Shoten, told Stars and Stripes Nov. 9 at the shop. The Suifu is made with circles of bamboo strips tied together with string to produce a frame. Suzuki Mohei Shoten also schedules lantern-making workshops at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. every Friday from October to April. Admission is 3,300 yen, or about $22. Reservations are required; forms are available on the shop website. The workshop takes around 90 minutes, which includes 30 minutes for the lanterns to dry. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. We want to pass on the tradition of chochining, Suzuki said. Suzuki Mohei Shoten in Mito, Ibaraki prefecture, Japan, seen here Nov. 9, 2023, was founded more than 150 years ago. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes) ON THE QT Directions: 1-chome-7-5 Hakamatsuka, Mito, Ibaraki 310-0055; about 2 hour drive from Yokota Air Base; no nearby train station. By bus from the Mito Station on the JR Joban Line, take the bus for Ibaradaimae via Sakaemachi. Times: Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday; closed Wednesdays from June to Aug. 12 Prices: Lanterns range from 4,500 yen or $31.54 to 16,000 yen or $112.16 Dress: Casual Information: www.suzumo.com Somali Police officers hold a banner with a quote from Somalias President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud during a demonstration in support of Somalias government following the port deal signed between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland at Eng Yariisow Stadium in Mogadishu on Jan. 3, 2024. Somalia vowed to defend its territory after a controversial Red Sea access deal between Ethiopia and the breakaway state of Somaliland that it branded as aggression. (Abdishukri Haybe, AFP via Getty Images/TNS) (Tribune News Service) The African Union and the U.S. called on Ethiopia and Somalia to de-escalate tensions in a region thats situated on the approach to a global shipping choke-point. A diplomatic spat erupted this week when Ethiopia, the worlds most-populous landlocked nation, signed a pact with Somaliland, a breakaway enclave of Somalia, to give the nation access to the Red Sea. Somalia rejected the accord calling it an act of aggression against Somalias sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Somalilands Council of Ministers issued a stern warning that it would take appropriate action against those who tried to disrupt or oppose the memorandum of understanding, it said in a statement. The African Union and the U.S. joined the European Union in weighing in on the dispute thats brewing near a route that accounts for 12% of global trade the Bab El-Mandeb strait, which leads to the Red Sea and Suez Canal. While the AU asked both parties to respect each others territorial integrity, the EU reminded Ethiopia of the importance of Somalias sovereignty and the U.S. urged them to engage in dialog. The AU Commission Chief Moussa Faki Mahamat called on the two countries to refrain from any action that unintentionally may lead to a deterioration of the good relations between the two neighboring eastern African countries, according to a statement on its website Wednesday. U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said we join other partners in expressing our serious concern as well about the resulting spike in tensions in the Horn of Africa. The U.S. recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia within its 1960 borders. The agreement announced in Addis Ababa on Monday, days after Somalia agreed to resume talks with Somaliland following years of deadlock, will grant Ethiopia a 50-year lease to establish a naval base and commercial maritime services on the strategically important Gulf of Aden. In exchange, Somaliland will get a stake in Ethiopian Airlines. Somalilands council of ministers said in the statement Wednesday, Ethiopia will also recognize its sovereignty. Ethiopia has said the government will make an in-depth assessment of whether it would grant recognition to the breakaway region. 2024 Bloomberg News. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. U.S. Navy Adm. John C. Aquilino, commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, during a ceremony at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, on July 12, 2023. Aquilino is expected to attend the annual Operationalizing Integration in the Indo-Pacific Conference set for Jan. 16 and 17, 2024. (Haley Fourmet Gustavsen/U.S. Marine Corps) (Tribune News Service) Honolulu think tank Pacific Forum is hosting a defense conference on Oahu in January that will bring together 200 speakers from across the globe, including current and former senior government leaders, military officials, academics and defense industry executives. The annual Operationalizing Integration in the Indo-Pacific Conference is set for Jan. 16 and 17. Among those expected to attend are former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, United Kingdom Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Tevelyan, German Navy chief Vice Adm. Jan Christian Kaack and the U.S. militarys top officer in the Pacific Adm. John Aquilino. In a news release Wednesday, Pacific Forum said the event aims to foster collaborative approaches to regional security challenges and provide actionable insights for policymakers. Given the evolving geopolitical landscape and the increasing importance of the Indo-Pacific region, this years discussions are particularly timely. Oahu which is home to Aquilinos headquarters and the nerve center for all U.S. military operations in the region has become an increasingly busy hub for diplomats, military leaders and policymakers from around the world holding meetings in Honolulu. The conference comes as tensions have simmered in the South China Sea, a critical waterway that more than a third of all global trade travels through. Bringing together key leaders and experts to discuss these issues is crucial at this juncture, said John Hemmings, senior director of Indo-Pacific foreign and security policy at Pacific Forum. The Operationalizing Integration in the Indo-Pacific provides a platform for meaningful dialogues that can shape policies and strategies for a secure future. Beijing claims the entire South China Sea as its exclusive sovereign territory over the objections of neighboring countries. The Chinese military has built bases on disputed land formations and occasionally attacked vessels and maritime workers from neighboring countries, particularly the Philippines. Beijing has charged that the United States and other countries that have sought to support the Philippines are outsiders that are interfering with Asian affairs and stoking tensions. In July, Germany released its first ever China strategy in a document that proclaimed China has changed. As a result of this and Chinas political decisions, we need to change our approach to China. This years attendee list for the Honolulu conference reflects the increased interest in Pacific affairs among European countries as growing Asian economies play an increasingly prominently role in the 21st century and as Chinese influence over ports and trade routes has grown. Benedetta Berti-Alberti, an Italian national serving as NATOs head of policy planning for the Office of the Secretary General, is expected to attend. (c)2024 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Visit www.staradvertiser.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Petty Officer 2nd Class Dean Cates, a radio and video production supervisor for American Forces Network at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Aimee Ford, who works in public affairs for Naval Air Force Atlantic in Norfolk, Va., pose with their son, Lucas, in Virginia Beach in January 2023. (Dean Cates) Troops who live apart from their family members will see a $150 increase in their separation pay this year due to changes in the National Defense Authorization Act. The NDAA for fiscal year 2024, signed on Dec. 22 by President Joe Biden, includes an increase from $250 a month to $400 a month for the Family Separation Allowance. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, was among the congressional sponsors of an amendment to increase the allowance. #Results: Proud to have secured an increase in the Family Separation Allowance (FSA) this year, he wrote Dec. 28 on X, formerly known as Twitter. This is the first time the FSA has been raised in two decades Ill always stand with our military families. Petty Officer 2nd Class Dean Cates, a radio and video production supervisor for American Forces Network at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, has received $250 a month in separation pay for two years, he told Stars and Stripes on Wednesday via Facebook Messenger. I think the pay bump would give just a little more breathing room, but still not enough to be comfortable, said the San Francisco native. As it stands, a majority of my paychecks go toward supporting my family, often leaving me to essentially live like a broke college student. Cates wife, Petty Officer 2nd Class Aimee Ford, is stationed with Naval Air Force Atlantic in Norfolk, Va., and cares for their son, Lucas, who is almost a year old. Some positives about receiving separation pay is that it helps to supplement mortgage payments, childcare costs, an emergency fund and college fund, Cates said. As a dual military marriage and as a geo-bachelor Im not entitled to basic housing allowance, just overseas housing allowance, if I had elected to live off base, he said. However, in terms of financial responsibility, going that route, living off base, I feel would not have been financially responsible, especially with the removal of Overseas Cost-of-Living Allowance for service members in our area. To receive the Family Separation Allowance, service members must complete a DD Form 1561, Statement to Substantiate Payment of Family Separation Allowance, according to the Department of Defense official website. Eligible service members are those involuntarily separated from their dependents, which includes troops whose dependents do not live at or near the members permanent duty station. Other eligible service members include those aboard a ship away from its homeport, or who are under orders to remain aboard the ship at the homeport for more than 30 continuous days. Service members on temporary duty away from their permanent duty stations for more than 30 continuous days, whose dependents do not live at or near the temporary duty station, are also eligible. A Japanese citizen holds up a sign protesting the Chinese government's claim of ownership of the Senkaku Islands in this undated photo. (Wikimedia Commons) Beijing plans to keep ships around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea for 365 consecutive days this year to reinforce its claim on the Japanese-administered islands, according to a Japanese news agency. Chinese leader Xi Jinping, during a Nov. 29 visit to a Chinese coast guard command office in Shanghai, highlighted the necessity to constantly strengthen Beijings claim on the islands, Kyodo News reported Saturday, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter. The Chinese coast guard then drafted a plan to have ships near the islands every day and conduct inspections of Japanese fishing boats in the sea area, if necessary, Kyodos sources said in the report. U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel lambasted the plan Tuesday in a post on X, formerly Twitter. On New Years Day [Chinese] leadership announced that they will keep ships in and around Japans Senkaku Islands for 365 consecutive days, quite the New Years resolution, he wrote. Asked for additional information or a source for Emanuels post, embassy spokesman Yuji Okui in an email Wednesday referred Stars and Stripes to Kyodos report, which did not mention a New Years address. A transcript of Xis speech released by Chinas foreign ministry did not include remarks about the Senkakus. Eight Chinese ships were spotted in the contiguous zone on Monday, and four were reported there Tuesday through Thursday, according to the Japan coast guards website. Chinese ships were spotted there on 352 days in 2023. The Japanese government is aware of Chinas plans through media reports but it is not confirmed if the Chinese government officially announced such a plan, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs China and Mongolia Division said by phone Thursday. The spokesman declined to comment on whether Japanese officials are attempting to confirm the reports with Beijing or if Tokyo plans to lodge a protest. Some government officials in Japan speak to the media only on condition of anonymity. Japans position regarding the Senkaku Islands stays the same, and we will take a resolute response to any movement to change the status quo, he said. A spokesperson for Japans Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday. The Senkakus are about 100 miles northeast from Taiwans northern coastline and about 250 miles west of Japans Okinawa prefecture. The islands are strategically situated near key shipping lanes, rich fishing grounds and potentially significant oil and natural gas reserves, according to the CIA World Factbook website. Servicemen of the National Guard of Ukraine sail on a boat as they deliver food to the residents of a flooded area in Kherson on June 8, 2023, following damages sustained at Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam. Ukraine and Russia accused each other of shelling in the flood-hit Kherson region on June 8, 2023, even as rescuers raced to save people stranded after the destruction of a Russian-held dam unleashed a torrent of water. (Genya Savilov, AFP/Getty Images/TNS) (Tribune News Service) Six months ago, an explosion ripped apart Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine, unleashing floods that killed 58 people, devastated the landscape along the Dnipro River and cut off water to productive farmland. The destruction of the dam which Ukrainian officials and the European Parliament blame on Russia, even though the structure was under Russian control was one in a series of attacks on water infrastructure that have occurred during the Russia-Ukraine war. Alongside those strikes, violence linked to water has erupted in the last year in other areas around the world. In countries including India, Kenya and Yemen, disputes over water have triggered bloodshed. And on the Iran-Afghanistan border, a conflict centering on water from the Helmand River boiled over in deadly clashes between the two countries forces. These are some of the 344 instances of water-related conflicts worldwide during 2022 and the first half of 2023, according to data compiled by researchers at the Pacific Institute, a global water think tank. Their newly updated data, collected through an effort called the Water Conflict Chronology, shows a major upsurge in violent incidents, driven partly by the targeting of dams and water systems in Ukraine as well as an increase in water-related violence in the Middle East and other regions. Its very disturbing that in particular attacks on civilian water infrastructure seem to be on the rise, said Peter Gleick, the Pacific Institutes co-founder and senior fellow. We also see a worrying increase in violence associated with water scarcity worsened by drought, climate disruptions, growing populations, and competition for water. Gleick has been tracking cases of water-related conflict for more than three decades and cataloged the latest incidents with other researchers at the Oakland-based institute. The database now lists more than 1,630 conflicts. Most of the cases have occurred since 2000, and there has been a rising trend over the last decade, with a spike the last few years. The researchers collect data from news reports and other sources and accounts. They classify instances into three categories: where water or water systems have been a trigger of violence, used as a weapon or have been targeted and become a casualty of violence. Not every case involves injuries or deaths, but many do. In African countries including Nigeria, Somalia and South Sudan, fighting has erupted between farmers and herders over water sources and land. There have been a growing number of incidents where drought has led to violence associated with disputes over control and access to freshwater, Gleick said. In South Africa, protests over lack of access to clean water have turned volatile, with people burning tires and throwing rocks at police. During droughts in Iran and India, protests over water shortages have also sparked violence. We know that climate change is worsening severe droughts, and that makes me worry that these kinds of incidents will become more common, Gleick said. Parsing the mix of factors that lead to water conflicts is complicated and an area Gleick and his colleagues plan to study further including the role climate change is playing in worsening scarcity and contributing to violence. During the last two years, they have also seen a large increase in the number of casualty incidents, in which water infrastructure is targeted. The latest additions to the database include 56 incidents from the Russia-Ukraine war, many of them involving attacks on water infrastructure. In 2022, Russian troops bombed a water system in Kherson and a pumping plant in Chernihiv, and were blamed for deliberately cutting off the water supply to the city of Mykolaiv. Ukraines military also flooded lands north of Kyiv to block a Russian assault on the capital. Last year, Russian forces destroyed dams and other infrastructure, and disrupted water supplies for 35,000 people during an assault on Marhanets. The destruction of Kakhovka Dam has eliminated irrigation for large areas of agricultural land in southern Ukraine, harming food production and the Ukrainian economy. Many of these attacks appear to violate the Geneva Conventions and other international treaties that prohibit attacks on civilian water infrastructure during war, Gleick said. This photograph taken on June 21, 2023, shows an abandoned car in Kherson in an area flooded by rising water following the collapse of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam. (Arthur Khanov, AFP/Getty Images/TNS) The latest data show there have been 107 conflicts over water reported in the Middle East since the start of 2022, with about 60% of those involving incidents between Israelis and Palestinians. In various cases in the West Bank, Israeli military forces have destroyed Palestinian-owned wells and water systems. Israeli settlers have demolished water tanks and pipes belonging to Palestinians, and seized control of wells and water sources. And Palestinians have repeatedly clashed with Israeli troops in disputes over wells and springs, including a case in which violence erupted after troops prevented Palestinians from digging a well. Because the researchers have yet to analyze reports of conflicts during the last six months, they dont have detailed information about water-related violence in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. In the West Bank, incidents involving the destruction of orchards, irrigation systems and water tanks have been happening for years, but it picked up a lot in the last two years, said Morgan Shimabuku, a senior researcher at the Pacific Institute. Elsewhere in the Middle East, there have been deadly fights over control of water sources in Yemen, bombings of water infrastructure in Syria, and clashes during protests over lack of water in Iraq. Shimabuku said efforts to ease conflicts will require protecting civilian water infrastructure and resources and developing water-governance structures that are just and equitable. Different patterns of violence have emerged in other regions. In Latin America, hundreds of environmental activists have been killed in recent years, including many Indigenous activists. In one of the most infamous cases, Honduran Indigenous activist Berta Caceres was shot and killed in 2016 after years of threats over her work to stop a dam project on the Gualcarque River. There have been many more killings in the last few years. Those listed in the database include the assassinations of a Honduran activist who protested an open-pit mine in 2020, a Honduran activist who was fighting a new dam on the Ulua River in 2021, and an activist in Cuernavaca, Mexico, who had led protests over inadequate water service. In various cases, Shimabuku said, Indigenous people have been involved in violent conflicts over water and land protection where government-backed corporate entities are committing violence. A lot of those are people protecting water, because they dont want a dam built, they dont want their forests to be destroyed, and their rivers to be destroyed, Shimabuku said. Gleick said one of the goals in tracking data about conflicts is to shed light on connections between water and peace and security. Understanding whats driving these events can help us develop strategies to reduce the risk of violence over water, Gleick said. The history of water-related conflicts and the recent rise in violence are among the subjects Gleick analyzes in his book The Three Ages of Water: Prehistoric Past, Imperiled Present, and a Hope for the Future. In it, Gleick presents a wide-ranging and meticulously researched examination of humans relationship to water throughout history, from ancient Mesopotamia to the present, and shares a hopeful vision for how societies can address water challenges and move toward a more sustainable future. He calls for new thinking and approaches to address lack of water access, worsening pollution, overtapped rivers and aquifers, and collapsing ecosystems. He also envisions a peaceful future where conflicts are dealt with peacefully and water-related violence is fading. Gleick traces the history of conflicts to the first known war over water nearly 4,500 years ago between the ancient Sumerian city-states of Lagash and Umma in what is now southern Iraq. The conflicts history was carved into clay tablets and limestone monuments that archaeologists excavated in the floodplains of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. He discusses other conflicts over water through the centuries, including the recent example of Syrian civil war, which was ignited in 2011 by a mix of factors including anger at the repressive government, years of drought and the worsening impacts of climate change. Gleick writes that today violence triggered by water is worsening around the world for reasons including weak or corrupt governments and water laws, uneven access to scarce water, inequitable distribution of water rights, and extreme droughts that threaten the health and stability of economies and communities. Gleick says he believes that just as water has been a source of conflict and violence, it can be a source of peace, cooperation and sustainable development. He described it as an effort to avoid the sort of dystopian future of fighting over water depicted in movies such as Mad Max. Gleick pointed out that in the past there has been bloodshed over water in the western United States, including a conflict between ranchers in 1892 in Johnson County, Wyo. There are few recent U.S. conflicts in the database. Part of the reason such violence has faded, Gleick said, is because U.S. laws and institutions are stronger than they once were. Weve moved to the courts, Gleick said. And while theres still too many conflicts over water, fighting over things with lawyers is better than fighting over things with guns. Globally, many conflicts triggered by water happen where institutions are weak, water management is poor, water rights are disputed, or laws are unfairly enforced. A solution, he said, is to make sure that everyone has access to safe water and sanitation, basic needs, and that the institutions for sharing and allocating water resources, and resolving disputes over water resources, are strong. In the book, Gleick writes that our age, which he calls the Second Age of Water, is coming to an end in a series of crises. He offers his vision for how to move toward a more sustainable and peaceful Third Age of Water, calling for multiple solutions, such as ending water poverty for the many who lack access to safe water, carrying out an efficiency revolution in water use, reforming water institutions, and reaching more water-sharing agreements among countries. The overarching point is that what appears to be a growing trend of violence associated with water is a symptom of the broad water crises we face, Gleick said. But its also an opportunity to tackle the underlying problems of water poverty, of poor institutions, of weak governance, of inequitable access to water and inadequately enforced water laws. And if we can address those challenges, we really have an opportunity to reduce violence associated with water problems. 2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 4. Germany issued a travel warning to its citizens in Lebanon and urged them to leave the country, Trend reports. In a written statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany, German citizens were warned to leave Lebanon due to military conflicts that may escalate in the border region between Lebanon and Israel. The statement said current travel warnings should be heeded and German citizens wishing to leave Lebanon safely are asked to use available commercial travel options. Palestinians line up in front of Bank of Palestine ATMs to withdraw money after the Palestinian Authority deposited salaries, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday. (Loay Ayyoub for The Washington Post) JERUSALEM Tariqs neighborhood in Gazas Jabalya Camp was rapidly becoming a war zone when he and his family of eight fled Israeli bombing in November. When he returned home Sunday after weeks spent scrounging for food, on the run from artillery and firefights it was unrecognizable. What remained was half a house, he told The Washington Post on Wednesday. Ruins we could live on. Tariq, who spoke on the condition that he be identified only by his first name out of concern for his safety, was among the first displaced residents to venture back to homes in Gaza this week after a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from the north. They encountered destroyed buildings, ravaged roads, piles of rubble some with decaying corpses still uncollected and huge uncertainty about their future. Amid the gradual downshift from full-scale war in some parts of Gaza, the fate of the enclave and its 2.1 million inhabitants remains far from clear. As some residents trickle back to their ruined neighborhoods, prominent politicians in Israel have questioned whether they should go home at all. Controversial proposals from some Israeli officials to evacuate Gazans to camps in Egypt or other countries are causing rifts with Washington, Europe and the United Nations, and have been included in a case filed against Israel at the International Court of Justice alleging genocide in Gaza. Far-right members of the governing coalition have proposed sending displaced Palestinians to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the European Union or Chile. The Post reported in December that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had urged President Biden and other U.S. officials to pressure Egypt to open its border with Gaza and accept Palestinian refugees. A report in Israeli media last week said Netanyahu was in discussions with the Democratic Republic of Congo to receive voluntary migration from Gaza. Netanyahus office and the Israeli Foreign Ministry declined to comment. The Congolese government did not respond to requests for comment. Critics say such proposals could amount to the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian enclave. Forced displacements are strictly prohibited as a grave violation of [international humanitarian law] & words matter, Josep Borrell, the European Unions top diplomat, wrote Wednesday on X, formerly Twitter, in response to calls by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir for Palestinians to leave Gaza. What needs to be done in the Gaza Strip is to encourage emigration, Smotrich said in an interview Sunday with Israeli Army Radio. If there are 100,000 or 200,000 Arabs in Gaza and not 2 million Arabs, the entire discussion on the day after will be totally different. Ben Gvir echoed that call Tuesday, posting on X, that the migration of hundreds of thousands from Gaza will allow the residents of the enclave to return home and live in security and protect [Israel Defense Forces] soldiers. U.S. officials say they have been reassured that the proposals do not represent official Israeli policy. But the State Department on Tuesday issued a rebuke to Smotrich and Ben Gvir: This rhetoric is inflammatory and irresponsible, spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. We have been clear, consistent, and unequivocal that Gaza is Palestinian land and will remain Palestinian land. In private, Israeli officials say the proposals stem from the political imperatives of Netanyahus coalition and his dependence on far-right parties to maintain power. Ben Gvir and Smotrich are excluded from the emergency war cabinet, where security policy is being set. But their statements play well among religious settlers and activists who would like to see Israel annex Gaza rather than turn it over to a revitalized Palestinian Authority, as U.S. officials have advocated. The professionals in the military and the security establishment know this is not even in the realm of possibility, said a person directly familiar with conversations inside the government, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. They know there is no future without Gazans in Gaza and the PA as part of the government. But the relocation proposals, and Netanyahus refusal to refute them, continue to roil relations with the international community as opposition grows to Israels war on Hamas, which has killed more than 22,000 people in Gaza and displaced nearly 90 percent of its inhabitants. This really is Israel shooting itself in the foot, Shira Efron, director of research at the Israel Policy Forum, said of the proposals. It would help if Netanyahu came out in his voice and said this is not the policy, but its election season and he has to cater to his base. Next week, Israel will respond to charges brought by South Africa at the International Court of Justice in The Hague that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide or a failure to prevent genocide. Ten pages of the 84-page filing are devoted to Israeli officials and soldiers, in their own words, calling for the forcible transfer of Palestinians and the destruction of Gaza. Israel vociferously disputes the claims, which spokesman Eylon Levy called South Africas absurd blood libel. We have been clear in word and in deed that we are targeting the Oct. 7 monsters and are innovating ways to uphold international law, including the principles of proportionality, precaution and distinction in the context of a counterterror battlefield no army has faced before, Levy said at a briefing. But even some international law experts who believe Israel is adhering to the laws of war say the rhetoric coming from the far right undermines the countrys defense. Its truly disturbing to look at the list, Amichai Cohen, a law professor at Israels Ono Academic College, said of the statements compiled by South Africa. Even though I know that most of these were either made by people who have no seat at the decision-making table or were taken out of context. For all the devastation in Gaza, and the fears that much of it has been rendered unlivable, Tariq and other Gazans who ventured homeward told The Post they will never leave. We would rather die and be buried under the soil of Gaza than go out and live in any other country, Tariq said. His family saw fewer tanks on the perilous journey home, and the sounds of gunfire and artillery were more sporadic. But their community was in ruins. The streets, schools, infrastructure, everything here was completely destroyed, Tariq said. The reports of relative calm also brought Moamen al-Harthani, 29, and his family back to their Jabalya neighborhood Sunday. His hopes for their five-story building were dashed as soon as he reached his block: It was completely demolished. I couldnt remove even a single piece of fabric, he said. As they surveyed the neighborhood, they found boxes of spent ammunition and, in one house, plastic handcuffs. The walls of some homes were spattered in blood, he said, and others had Hebrew words carved into them. Still, Harthani is determined to stay and rebuild. How can you think that I will leave Gaza? he asked. All I ask now is for the war to end and for me to live on the rubble of my house. Harb reported from London and Parker from Cairo. Katharine Houreld in Nairobi contributed to this report. Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandon Frayde guides an E-2C Hawkeye to launch aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea in November 2023. ( Janae Chambers/U.S. Navy) A warning issued this week by the U.S. and 12 other countries likely puts the American military on course to strike an Iranian-backed group that is brazenly attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea, according to analysts. Houthi militants have emerged from nearly 10 years of civil war in Yemen with a missile and drone arsenal that theyve launched at ships transiting the Red Sea as a show of support for Hamas in its war with Israel. The Houthis were warned against further attacks in a Wednesday statement from the White House that included the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Bahrain and eight other countries. But the Houthis are unlikely to back down, meaning the U.S. will feel compelled to shift from protecting civilian sea traffic to offensive tactics if it wants to ensure the free flow of freight in an economically critical part of the world, experts said. The Houthis are starting to open up more, full throttle, in part because it doesnt seem to be that theres much perceived cost to the Houthis themselves, said Jonathan Lord, senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security in Washington. The group should not expect another warning if attacks continue, a senior Biden administration official told reporters Wednesday without detailing rules of possible engagement. The U.S. defensive posture in the Red Sea has included a naval task force dubbed Prosperity Guardian, which thus far is composed primarily of Americas Navy and western allies. Aside from the task force, U.S. destroyers have shot down dozens of Houthi drones and missiles in recent months. The destroyer USS Gravely sails in the Persian Gulf in early December 2023. The ship shot down two missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on Dec. 31, 2023. (Janae Chambers/U.S. Navy) The militants have attacked cargo ships 25 times, a total that includes firing missiles and drones, attempted hijackings and small boat skirmishes, according to Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of the 5th Fleet. The group says the attacks are meant to pressure Western countries into ending their support for Israels offensive into Gaza. U.S. officials say that the ships under attack arent connected to Israel and that the disruptions affect a transit route for roughly 15% of global seaborne trade. The Red Seas commercial importance has gained international attention for the Houthis, which gives them an incentive to keep going after cargo ships, according to analysts. Intercepting Houthi drones with expensive missiles is not going to stop the attacks, said Sam Tangredi, the director of the U.S. Naval War Colleges Institute for Future Warfare Studies. Despite losing 10 people over the weekend after U.S. Navy helicopters sank three Houthi boats said to be firing on a civilian cargo ship, the militant group shows no signs of being deterred. It will continue to prevent ships thought to be linked to Israel from navigating the Red Sea, a Houthi spokesman said Wednesday in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter. The only way to make it clear that we will not tolerate their attacks on commercial ships and sailors of various nations is by destroying the means of attack, said Tangredi, a retired Navy captain. The destroyer USS Carney defeats a combination of Houthi missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles in the Red Sea in October 2023, according to the Navy. (Aaron Lau/U.S. Navy) The U.S. has the capability to detect the launch positions of Houthi missiles and drones, as well as their storage locations, and it should attack these sites, he said. Such strikes on Yemens soil would be the first, at least publicly, since 2016, when the U.S. launched Tomahawk missiles on three radar sites after two rounds of Houthi missile attacks on the destroyer USS Mason. However, direct attacks on the Houthis risks galvanizing support for the group in Yemen, said Mohammed al-Basha, senior Middle East analyst for the Virginia-based Navanti Group. The Houthis control Yemens capital of Sanaa and much of the northwest coast along the Red Sea. Theyve survived a nearly nine-year bombardment campaign by Saudi Arabia and allied countries, and the militants are confident in their ability to withstand U.S. barrages, al-Basha said. The Houthis string of victories has instilled in them a sense of euphoric hubris, perceiving divine intervention and an alignment with history on their side, al-Basha said. He added that they seem to believe that the U.S. and Western countries do not want a full-scale war, which would undo years of peace talks on ending Yemens civil war. Houthi media outlets have heightened their already significant anti-American rhetoric, al-Basha said. Some Houthi figures are now threatening to target Saudi energy infrastructure if Yemen comes under attack, he added. People stay next to an injured man after an explosion in Kerman, Iran, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Explosions at an event honoring a prominent Iranian general slain in a U.S. airstrike in 2020 have killed at least 73 people and wounded over 170 others, state-run media in Iran reported Wednesday. (Mahdi Karbakhsh Ravari/AP) Islamic State claimed responsibility for Wednesdays attack in Iran that killed almost 100 people and threatened to further inflame tensions in the Middle East. The terrorist group was behind the blasts near the grave of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, according to a statement on the groups Telegram channel. Irans health minister said Wednesday that the bombing had left 95 people dead and 211 others injured. Iran had said the blasts were aimed at punishing its stance against Israels invasion of Gaza, but U.S. officials said from the start that they had the hallmarks of an operation by a group such as Islamic State. Islamic State, an extremist Sunni group, is ideologically opposed to Shia-dominated Iran, regarding Shias as infidels. The explosions took place within 15 minutes of each other outside the graveyard where a crowd of people participated in a ceremony to commemorate the death of Soleimani in a U.S. drone strike in Iraqs capital in 2020. The blasts were caused by bombs planted in a suitcase and a car near the graveyard entrance and detonated remotely, the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported. The attacks came a day after Israel was believed to be behind the killing of a key leader of the Iran-backed Hamas militant group in Lebanons capital, Beirut, but U.S. officials said there was no reason to suspect Israeli involvement in the Iran bombings. Still, the attacks marked a new peak in regional tensions since Israel began its war against Hamas after the group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and European Union infiltrated Israel on Oct. 7 and killed about 1,200 people. Since the conflict began, Houthis an Iranian proxy force in Yemen have fired missiles and drones against commercial ships in the Red Sea, while Hezbollah has launched attacks against Israel from its bases in Lebanon. With assistance from Omar Tamo. An Arabian Fox MAST-13 unmanned surface vessel, attached to U.S. Naval Forces Central Commands Task Force 59, conducts surveillance in the Arabian Gulf on Nov. 21, 2023. (Tyrin Saunders/U.S. Army) WASHINGTON Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have been threatening U.S. forces and commercial ships in the Middle East for weeks, are now using one-way, unmanned attack boats to target vital shipping lanes in the region, a top Navy commander said Thursday. The Iranian-backed Houthis have been engaged in civil war in Yemen for a decade and have dramatically increased their attacks in the region since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in early October. There are no signs their irresponsible behavior is abating, said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, who commands U.S. Navy operations in the Middle East. Since Nov. 18, there have now been 25 attacks against merchant vessels transiting the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. To safeguard key commercial shipping routes for international trade in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the Pentagon last month began Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational security pact to increase patrols and bolster defenses in the area. So far, it is composed of about two dozen countries. The waterways are within range of militant attacks from nations such as Yemen, Egypt and Somalia. In recent weeks, the Houthis have targeted dozens of commercial vessels with rockets and attack drones. On Thursday, U.S. forces spotted a new threat from the Houthis an unmanned surface vessel, or USV. Cooper said the vessels was packed with explosives and detonated about 50 miles off the coast of Yemen. It exploded just a few miles away from U.S. warships and commercial vessels. No ships were damaged, and there were no injuries. Cooper, who is the commander of the 5th Fleet, described the unmanned vessels as low-profile drone boats and said they are a concern. Since Operation Prosperity Guardian was created in mid-December, more than 1,500 commercial ships have safely navigated the shipping lanes with the increased security presence of U.S. and coalition forces, Cooper said. He also said the operation is gaining more international support because the Houthi attacks are affecting dozens of countries. Fifty-five nations have direct connections to the ships that have been attacked, he said. The impacts of these attacks stretch across the globe. As we have said, this is an international problem that requires an international solution. The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea on Nov. 5, 2023. The carrier is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region. (Nicholas Rodriguez/U.S. Navy) Cooper said the increased Houthi attacks pose a danger beyond just the shipping lanes. Because the unsophisticated Houthi weapons often miss their intended targets, he said others in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden are also vulnerable. Since the beginning of Operation Prosperity Guardian on Dec. 18, U.S. and coalition forces have shot down 19 attack drones and missiles and sunk at least three small boats, Cooper said. We have the largest surface and air presence in the southern Red Sea in years, he said of the operation, which is entirely defensive in nature. It is very difficult to discern whether a missile is coming right at you or the merchant vessel adjacent to you, Cooper said. So, we have taken the appropriate approach of protecting ourselves and downing these missiles using prudent self-defense. Easy call. U.S. warships in the region have shot down many missiles and drones fired by Houthi rebels in Yemen in the last two months. For example, the USS Carney downed more than a dozen Houthi-fired attack drones over the Red Sea on Dec. 16 alone. Earlier this week, Cooper visited the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer as it was stationed in Bahrain to present commendations to the sailors for their actions. On Dec. 26, U.S. forces shot down several Houthi missiles and drones in a firefight that lasted 10 hours. Other Iranian-backed militant groups have also carried out more than 100 attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict, but none have caused serious injuries to U.S. personnel or major property damage. Since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, the United States has moved more armed forces to the Middle East with three main priorities: add stability to the region, deter other countries and militant groups from escalating the conflict, and protect American personnel stationed in the area. These attacks threaten innocent lives from all over the world and constitute a significant international problem that demands collective action, the U.S. and 12 other countries said in a joint statement Wednesday that warned the Houthis to stop the attacks. The Houthis will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and free flow of commerce in the regions critical waterways. Retired Army Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, a former service secretary and chief of staff, greets a solider in 2013. Sullivan died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. (Eric Glassey/U.S. Army) Retired Army Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, the services 32nd chief of staff, who oversaw a transformational Army after Operation Desert Storm, died Tuesday, the Association of the U.S. Army announced. He was 86. A career armor officer, Sullivan spent 36 years in the Army serving two tours to Vietnam before rising in the ranks to lead the service as its top officer from 1991 to 1995, according to his service records. For three months in 1993, Sullivan served as Army chief of staff and acting Army secretary. He was appointed to the role by former President Bill Clinton after the previous secretarys sudden dismissal from the job for theft. Sullivan is the only person to ever serve in both top Army positions simultaneously. Retired Army Gen. Bob Brown, the president and CEO of AUSA, called Sullivan a true American hero and an Army legend. He was an inspirational leader of integrity and compassion who served his beloved Army and country selflessly for decades, Brown said in a statement announcing Sullivans death. As the 32nd chief of staff of the Army, he led the service through critical times with strength and a clear vision, ensuring soldiers and their families had the best training and resources. In addition to his decades in uniform, Brown credited Sullivan with a continued commitment to service as a civilian. Sullivan served more than 18 years as president and CEO of AUSA, and he was a member of multiple boards, including the Army Historical Foundation and Norwich University in Vermont, his alma mater. He was an amazing person, and we will all deeply miss his wit, leadership and wisdom, Brown said. The Armys Sullivan Cup, the biennial service-wide competition to crown the Armys best tank crew held at Fort Moore, Ga., is named for the late general. Sullivan was a Boston native who grew up in nearby Quincy, Mass. He was commissioned into the Army in 1959 after graduating from Norwich and was sent to Vietnam for the first time in 1962. During his career, he commanded at almost every level in the Army, including the 3rd Armored Divisions 1st Brigade and the 1st Infantry Division, according to his service records. He also served as the Armys operations and plans chief and its vice chief of staff before becoming the services chief of staff. As the Armys top general, he oversaw a drawdown of some 600,000 soldiers after the end of Desert Storm. Meanwhile, he worked to modernize the Army with efforts to bring new technology to the battlefield, often to improve awareness and firepower at the services lowest levels. I believe the essential nature of the Army has remained constant since the beginning, Sullivan said in 2016 interview with AUSA. It is the soldier. The soldier is the weapon. He or she is the answer. They are the ones who adapt on the battlefield. Ultimately, success will rest on the shoulders of the men and women who had the courage to serve. I believe that. His tenure as chief of staff was also marked with a series of unanticipated contingencies to which he deployed soldiers, including Somalia, Rwanda, Haiti and the Balkans. The Armys experiences in Somalias capital Mogadishu where 18 U.S. soldiers were killed and dozens more injured in the 15-hour October 1993 battle now commonly known as Black Hawk Down were especially scarring for Sullivan. He said in a 2002 Army oral history interview that he continued to think about Mogadishu a lot. I ask myself if I could have done anything to prevent the events of 3 to 4 October 1993, he said in that interview. I expect I will continue to do so for the rest of my life. In 2021, Sullivans hometown Quincy unveiled a 7-foot bronze statue of the former general during a ceremony to dedicate the new Generals Bridge and Park to him and two other four-star generals from the town. In a speech at the dedication, Sullivan told the crowd that he was inspired by the men and women who serve in the military. If you stick your hand up in the air at some recruiting station and say, Send me, send me, you are my hero, Sullivan said in his remarks. Theres nothing like being in a uniform and serving the United States of America. I have told many people, if I could do it again, I would. And I am not kidding. Cobb County, Georgia, resident Eugene Williams on Oct. 10, 2022, holds up envelopes he mailed to addresses that he says are invalid. (Natrice Miller/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS) ATLANTA (Tribune News Service) A federal judge ruled Tuesday in favor of the conservative group True the Vote, deciding that mass challenges of Georgia voters eligibility didnt amount to illegal voter intimidation. U.S. District Judge Steve Jones wrote in a 145-page order that there was insufficient evidence that True the Vote tried to threaten or coerce voters. Jones ruling is a defeat for Fair Fight Action, the voting rights group founded by Democrat Stacey Abrams that was the lead plaintiff in the case. Fair Fight alleged that True the Vote violated the Voting Rights Act when it coordinated roughly 250,000 challenges to voters eligibility before runoffs that decided control of the U.S. Senate in early 2021. County election boards rejected the vast majority of the voter challenges. Not only have plaintiffs failed to overcome the fact that their actions did not result in any direct voter contact or alone include or direct county boards of elections to pursue an eligibility inquiry, but there is no evidence that defendants actions caused (or attempted to cause) any voter to be intimidated, coerced, or threatened in voting, Jones wrote. An attorney for True the Vote, Jake Evans, praised the judges ruling after three years of litigation and a seven-day trial in October. This decision is monumental as it vindicates the defendants in totality and establishes that eligibility challenges ... are a proper method to ensure voter rolls are accurate, said Evans, an unsuccessful Republican congressional candidate in 2022. But Jones faulted True the Votes methods, which relied on huge spreadsheets that listed voters who had submitted change-of-address forms with the U.S. Postal Service. Fair Fight argued that the challenges targeted eligible voters who wanted their mail forwarded but remained Georgia residents with full voting rights, including members of the military, students and relocated workers. TTVs list utterly lacked reliability. Indeed, it verges on recklessness. The Court has heard no testimony and seen no evidence of any significant quality control efforts, or any expertise guiding the data process, Jones wrote. It is clear that TTV did not engage in a quality process to create the list, nor did they have proper review or controls in place. Still, Georgia law allows residents to file challenges against the eligibility of voters who they believe no longer live at the addresses where theyre registered. Under the law, county election boards must hold public hearings to decide on the challenge, which, if upheld, can lead to their ballots being rejected and their registrations canceled. The legality of Georgias voter challenge law wasnt part of the lawsuit. Instead, Fair Fight had sought to banish Texas-based True the Vote from operating in Georgia and from disputing voter eligibility in the future. Fair Fight is disappointed that Georgians and voters nationwide must continue to wait for our federal courts to impose accountability in the face of widespread and mounting voter intimidation efforts, Fair Fight Executive Director Cianti Stewart-Reid said. In recent years, we have witnessed the erosion of our rights unfold on a national level. And the courts do not consistently provide the vindication and protection we seek. Besides its work on voter challenges, True the Vote was also the organization behind the election conspiracy movie 2000 Mules, which alleged widespread absentee ballot drop box fraud in the 2020 presidential election. State election investigators verified voters who were questioned in the film, and the State Election Board dismissed the case. During the voter intimidation trial, witnesses testified about how they had to jump through the hoops, felt confused or wondered if theyd get in trouble for voting. But there was no testimony that voters were contacted by True the Vote or heard of their press releases, according to Jones order. After True the Vote challenged voters eligibility in the run-up to the 2021 U.S. Senate runoffs won by Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock the Republican-controlled Georgia General Assembly expanded the states voter challenge law, making it explicit that it could be used against an unlimited number of voter registrations. Since then, conservative activists have filed over 100,000 more voter challenges, primarily in Atlanta-area counties with large numbers of Democratic voters. Jones also rejected Fair Fights claims of intimidation related to True the Votes offer of bounty money and recruitment of Navy SEALS to monitor polling places. Catherine Engelbrecht, the founder of True the Vote, testified that the bounty money was intended to compensate people who reported election fraud, and statements about Navy SEALs were meant to recruit volunteer election workers rather than to intimidate voters, according to Jones order. Though Jones was appointed by Democratic President Barack Obama, he has ruled against Fair Fight and voting rights groups several times in recent years. Jones upheld a Republican redistricting plan last week after the General Assembly redrew the states political map in response to a ruling that Georgias previous districts illegally weakened Black voting power. And last year, Jones decided against against Fair Fight in its lawsuit from 2018 that opposed Georgias voting laws. 2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 4. NATO will hold an emergency meeting at the request of Ukraine, Trend reports. Referring to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, the information spread says that the alliance countries supported Kiev's request to hold an emergency meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council. One of the main topics of discussion at the meeting will be the strengthening of Ukraine's air defense. The date of the meeting has not been specified. Before that, the adviser to the Ukrainian military leadership, Mykola Beleskov, stated that the failure of the Western allies to provide enough weapons to Kiev leads to the defeat of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Marine Corps veteran Ron Winters and his wife, Teresa, at their home in Durant, Okla. When Winters found out in August 2022 that he had bladder cancer, he braced for the fight of his life. Prior authorization created multiple obstacles that delayed care, including surgery. Winters says his cancer has advanced to stage 4. (Desiree Rios for KFF Health News/TNS) (Tribune News Service) Marine Corps veteran Ron Winters clearly recalls his doctors sobering assessment of his bladder cancer diagnosis in August 2022. This is bad, the 66-year-old Durant, Okla., resident remembered his urologist saying. Winters braced for the fight of his life. Little did he anticipate, however, that he wouldnt be waging war only against cancer. He also was up against the Department of Veterans Affairs, which Winters blames for dragging its feet and setting up obstacles that have delayed his treatments. Winters didnt undergo cancer treatment at a VA facility. Instead, he sought care from a specialist through the Veterans Health Administrations Community Care Program, established in 2018 to enhance veterans choices and reduce their wait times. But he said the prior authorization process was a prolonged nightmare. For them to take weeks up to months to provide an authorization is ridiculous, Winters said. It doesnt matter if its cancer or not. After his initial diagnosis, Winters said, he waited four weeks for the VA to approve the procedure that allowed his urologic oncologist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas to remove some of the cancer. Then, when he finished chemotherapy in March, he was forced to wait another month while the VA considered approving surgery to remove his bladder. Even routine imaging scans that Winters needs every 90 days to track progress require preapproval. In a written response, VA press secretary Terrence Hayes acknowledged that a delay in care is never acceptable. After KFF Health News inquired about Winters case, the VA began working with him to get his ongoing care authorized. We will also urgently review this matter and take steps to ensure that it does not happen again, Hayes told KFF Health News. Prior authorization isnt unique to the VA. Most private and federal health insurance programs require patients to secure preapprovals for certain treatments, tests, or prescription medications. The process is intended to reduce spending and avoid unnecessary, ineffective, or duplicative care, although the degree to which companies and agencies set these rules varies. Insurers argue prior authorization makes the U.S. health care system more efficient by cutting waste theoretically a win for patients who may be harmed by excessive or futile treatment. But critics say prior authorization has become a tool that insurers use to restrict or delay expensive care. Its an especially alarming issue for people diagnosed with cancer, for whom prompt treatment can mean the difference between life and death. Im interested in value and affordability, said Fumiko Chino, a member of the Affordability Working Group for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. But the way prior authorization is used now allows insurers to implement denial by delay, she said. Cancer is one of the most expensive categories of disease to treat in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And, in 2019, patients spent more than $16 billion out-of-pocket on their cancer treatment, a report by the National Cancer Institute found. To make matters worse, many cancer patients have had oncology care delayed because of prior authorization hurdles, with some facing delays of more than two weeks, according to research Chino and colleagues published in JAMA in October. Another recent study found that major insurers issued unnecessary initial denials in response to imaging requests, most often in endocrine and gastrointestinal cancer cases. The federal government is weighing new rules designed to improve prior authorization for millions of people covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and federal marketplace plans. The reforms, if implemented, would shorten the period insurers are permitted to consider prior authorization requests and would also require companies to provide more information when they issue a denial. In the meantime, patients many of whom are facing the worst diagnosis of their lives must navigate a system marked by roadblocks, red tape and appeals. This is cruel and unusual, said Chino, a radiation oncologist. A two-week delay could be deadly, and that it continues to happen is unconscionable, she said. Chinos research has also shown that prior authorization is directly related to increased anxiety among cancer patients, eroding their trust in the health care system and wasting both the providers and the patients time. Leslie Fisk, 62, of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., was diagnosed in 2021 with lung and brain cancer. After seven rounds of chemotherapy last year, her insurance company denied radiation treatment recommended by her doctors, deeming it medically unnecessary. I remember losing my mind. I need this radiation for my lungs, Fisk said. After fighting Florida Health Care Plans denial tooth and nail, Fisk said, the insurance company relented. The insurer did not respond to requests for comment. Fisk called the whole process horribly traumatic. You have to navigate the most complicated system on the planet, she said. If youre just sitting there waiting for them to take care of you, they wont. A new KFF report found that patients who are covered by Medicaid appear to be particularly impacted by prior authorization, regardless of their health concerns. About 1 in 5 adults on Medicaid reported that their insurer had denied or delayed prior approval for a treatment, service, visit, or drug double the rate of adults with Medicare. Consumers with prior authorization problems tend to face other insurance problems, such as trouble finding an in-network provider or reaching the limit on covered services, the report noted. They are also far more likely to experience serious health and financial consequences compared to people whose problems did not involve prior authorization. In some cases, patients are pushing back. In November, USA Today reported that Cigna admitted to making an error when it denied coverage to a 47-year-old Tennessee woman as she prepared to undergo a double-lung transplant to treat lung cancer. In Michigan, a former health insurance executive told ProPublica that the company had crossed the line in denying treatment for a man with lymphoma. And Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana met its match when the company denied a Texas trial lawyers cancer treatment, ProPublica reported in November. Countless others have turned to social media to shame their health insurance companies into approving prior authorization requests. Legislation has been introduced in at least 30 states from California to North Carolina to address the problem. Back in Oklahoma, Ron Winters is still fighting. According to his wife, Teresa, the surgeon said if Ron could have undergone his operation sooner, they might have avoided removing his bladder. In many ways, his story echoes the national VA scandal from nearly a decade ago, in which veterans across the country were languishing some even dying as they waited for care. In 2014, for example, CNN reported on veteran Thomas Breen, who was kept waiting for months to be seen by a doctor at the VA in Phoenix. He died of stage 4 bladder cancer before the appointment was scheduled. Winters cancer has spread to his lungs. His diagnosis has advanced to stage 4. Really, nothing has changed, Teresa Winters said. The VAs processes are still broken. KFF Health News, formerly known as Kaiser Health News (KHN), is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs of KFF the independent source for health policy research, polling and journalism. 2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Supporters of then-President Donald Trump try to force their way through a police barricade in front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, hoping to stop Congress from finalizing Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 presidential election. (Kent Nishimura, Los Angeles Times/TNS) WASHINGTON A Marine veteran who participated in the attack on the U.S. Capitol three years ago could get several months in prison when he is sentenced next week, federal prosecutors wrote in a court document. Ray Epps, an Arizona resident and former member of the far-right, anti-government militia Oath Keepers, was at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as part of a movement to oppose the transfer of power from then-President Donald Trump to President Joe Biden. Video footage from that day shows Epps helping other rioters push past a line of police officers at the building. As part of a deal with prosecutors in September, Epps pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison. Epps is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 9. Prosecutors argued he should be locked up for at least half of that time. The government requests that this court sentence defendant James Ray Epps Sr. to [a six-month] incarceration, which is the high end of the applicable sentencing guidelines, prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo on Tuesday in Washington federal court. The government also requests that this court impose, consistent with the plea agreement in this case, $500 in restitution, as well as one year of supervised release. Epps, 62, previously served as infantry in the Marine Corps for four years and was once part of an Arizona chapter of the Oath Keepers, which supports Trump and calls on members to rebel against laws that it considers unconstitutional. Epps joined the Marine Corps in 1979 and was honorably discharged in 1983. During his service, Epps received military training in riot and crowd control, according to prosecutors. They said Epps military service made his actions at the Capitol all the more troubling. As a former military member, particularly one with specialized training concerning riots, Epps knew better than most the danger that police officers faced on Jan. 6, yet he contributed to it, prosecutors wrote. The court must sentence Epps in a manner sufficient to deter him specifically, and others generally, from going down that road again. They said six months in prison is justified for Epps actions during the attack. The Jan. 6 riot was a violent attack that threatened the lives of legislators and their staff, interrupted the certification of the 2020 Electoral College vote count, did irrevocable harm to our nations tradition of the peaceful transfer of power, caused more than $2.9 million in losses, and injured more than 100 police officers, they wrote. To date, more than 1,200 people have been charged with participating in the U.S. Capitol attack on Jan 6. and more than half of them have been sentenced for their crimes. Most were given prison terms ranging from a couple months to years. Henry Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the extremist Proud Boys militia, has received the longest prison sentence 22 years. The founder of the Oath Keepers, Elmer Stewart Rhodes, was sentenced in May to 18 years in prison for seditious conspiracy. Other military veterans also have been either convicted or have pleaded guilty to crimes stemming from the Capitol riot. For example, Charles Donohoe, a Marine veteran who served two deployments in Iraq, was sentenced to about three years in prison last month on two felony charges and Navy veteran Kenneth Joseph Owen Thomas was sentenced in November to almost five years in prison after he was convicted of several felonies. Though Epps was a Trump supporter, he later became the center of a far-right conspiracy theory that claimed he was a federal agent who had been planted in the crowd to discredit the rioters and persuade them to break the law. The theory, which was promoted by various right-wing media outlets, prompted Epps to go into hiding after he began receiving threats from other Trump supporters. Epps who has never been a government employee or agent was interviewed by the [House Jan. 6 committee], prosecutors wrote. Ironically, given the conspiracy theory surrounding him, Epps repeatedly attributed the violence that occurred on Jan. 6 to undercover members of Antifa posing as Trump supporters and inciting others to hijack a righteous peaceful protest. Antifa is short for anti-fascist and is typically used to describe left-wing activists who are opposed to political extremism and white supremacy. Judge Catherine Hayden imposed a one-month sentence, consecutive to a sentence which Byrne is currently serving. A father of seven who stole 10 legs of lamb from a supermarket was battling an addiction to drugs at the time, a court heard. Niall Byrne (42) had struggled with drugs for more than 20 years, since he was 16 years old, his solicitor said. Judge Catherine Hayden imposed a one-month sentence, consecutive to a sentence which Byrne is currently serving. The defendant, with an address at Mountjoy Prison, admitted stealing 10 legs of lamb, worth 230, from Aldi, Royal Canal Park, Dublin 7, on July 30, 2020. Garda Philip Harvey said Byrne was identified as the culprit from CCTV footage and the meat was recovered in a resalable condition. The court heard the defendant had 81 previous convictions. Defence solicitor Sandra Frayne said that Byrne, a dad of seven, had been in custody for some time, and was not due for release until 2026. The solicitor said Byrne had found prison life difficult and had missed out on many special occasions with his family. Ms Frayne asked the judge to be as lenient as possible, saying Byrne was an enhanced prisoner, was attending school and was hoping to complete a manual handling course. She also said Byrnes offending behaviour was mostly due to a drug addiction, which he developed when he was just 16 years old. Michael Quilligan (44) was trying to stop his partner from leaving a caravan at the time of the attack. An Irishman has been jailed after slashing his wifes mouth with his fingers at a Kent caravan park last year. Michael Quilligan (44) was trying to stop his partner of 20 years, whom he shares six children with, from leaving a caravan at Marlie Holiday Park in New Romney at around 10.30pm on August 11. He grabbed her mouth from behind using a fishing hook motion and pulled her face, causing horrific injuries, Kent Online reports. The wound left her covered in blood and unable to speak with a "flapping" laceration measuring 6cm by 3cm. Canterbury Crown Cour heard last week how the victim told police that Quilligan, of Park Lane, Hornchurch, had been drinking and taking cocaine that night. He "started to become lairy" so his partner decided to leave the caravan "before it got worse". She was initially able to shrug him off as he grabbed her shoulder, but then felt him hooking his fingers inside her mouth. Prosecutor Douglas Scott said: "In a matter of seconds, he assaulted her, causing the injury with his fingers inside her mouth and pulling in a motion away from her face. The victim demonstrated the fishing hook motion used by Quilligan to police but added "he didn't mean to do it". "One of the officers described her injury as horrific, and one of the first witnesses on the scene described the horrific injury with separation between the skin and seeing the teeth underneath," the prosecutor continued. "The victim was complaining of significant pain to the right-hand side of her face and was unable to speak due to her lip. Police also saw blood on her hands, face and legs, as well as her clothing. Her medical records state she lost one-and-a-half mugs of blood with a deep, right lip laceration, flapping and measuring 6cm by 3cm. "The prosecution say, as highlighted by the injuries, it must be that this could not have been a pure accident and the defendant must have intended injury and was reckless to causing serious injury." Quilligan has "demonstrated genuine remorse since his arrest, according to his lawyers, and later pleaded guilty to a wounding offence. He immediately accepted he was in the wrong," defence solicitor Natasha Spreadborough told the court. "He has apologised, through me, profusely to the complainant. He has made it quite clear that no matter what, nobody deserves to be the victim of his behaviour, such as it was on the evening in question." Quilligan has a total of 16 convictions for 26 offences in Ireland and the UK, including for affray and assault causing actual bodily harm. Kent Online adds that he also has a caution for battery against his partner in 2006, but the court heard she neither supported the prosecution nor gave any form of statement to police in respect of the wounding charge. Judge Simon Taylor KC jailed Quilligan for 25 months at his sentencing hearing on Friday via prison video link. He said he could not determine whether the victims wound was caused solely by the force of Quilligans fingers or by combined force as she tried to pull herself free during the attack. The judge added that while he had "no doubt" that Quilligan regretted the assault, he had to "take responsibility" for causing his long-term partners permanent scarring. "Your actions will have a life-long impact and a daily reminder every time she looks in the mirror," the judge told Quilligan. "It was impulsive, spontaneous and short-lived, and it was a reckless assault, deliberately designed to restrain your victim by grabbing her by the face." Winnie McDonald Agu (24) let the man use her bank account. When the money was taken out of the account, he blocked her number and she hasnt heard from him since. A young woman who was deceived into laundering over 4,500 in cash by a man she believed was her boyfriend has been left without a conviction after she made a donation to a suicide prevention charity. Winnie McDonald Agu (24) let the man use her bank account. When the money was taken out of the account, he blocked her number and she hasnt heard from him since. Judge David McHugh heard that Agu had donated 500 to Pieta House. He struck out the charge, leaving the defendant with a clean record. Judge McHugh had previously ordered Agu to complete the restorative justice services programme, which she did. The defendant, with an address at Avondale Park in Mulhuddart, previously admitted possession of 4,822, which was the proceeds of crime, at AIB, Westend Retail Park in Blanchardstown between June 14 and June 19, 2018. Sergeant Maria Callaghan previously told Blanchardstown District Court that gardai were contacted by AIBs fraud unit, who said money from an invoice had been redirected from a company in Germany. The bank tried to reclaim the money but it had been taken out of the account. Sgt Callaghan said Agu was interviewed by gardai, and she told them a male friend had asked her if he could use her account. Agu told gardai she was unaware of the fraud, and she did not gain anything from it. Sgt Callaghan said the company had not been reimbursed the money. The court heard Agu had no previous convictions and had not come to the attention of gardai since. Defence solicitor Liam Cadogan said his client was only 18 at the time of this incident. Mr Cadogan said that the defendant had been fooled by a man who she believed was her boyfriend. He added that the defendant gave the man permission to use her bank account. As soon as he got what he wanted, he blocked her phone and shes had no contact with him since, said Mr Cadogan. Agu felt betrayed by this man, and was embarrassed by her own naivety, the solicitor added. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 4. The "Islamic Resistance of Iraq" Shia armed organization announced that the US attacked the "At-Tanf" base in Syria, Trend reports. According to reports, the attack on American targets in Syria is a response to Israel's actions against the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip, as well as part of the overall effort against the American occupation of Iraq and the surrounding regions of the Middle East. It is not known what kind of blow was struck during the attack. "Al-Tanf" base is located in the refugee camp of the same name in the south-east of Syria. In 2014, Przemyslaw Trebacz received a life sentence after he was convicted of murder by a jury at the Central Criminal Court. Photo: PA A murderer caught with a mobile phone in his prison cell has received a further month in prison. Przemyslaw Trebacz (45) was caught with the phone following a routine search by prison officers at Wheatfield Prison. Judge Maire Conneely imposed a one-month prison sentence, consecutive to a life sentence which Trebacz is already serving. The defendant, with a previous address in Killynebber, Co Cavan, admitted the unlawful possession of a mobile phone at Wheatfield Prison, Cloverhill Road in Clondalkin on March 4, 2023. Blanchardstown District Court heard that Trebacz was found with the mobile phone in his cell following a search by prison officers. Garda Sarah Moloney said the phone was seized and handed to gardai. Trebacz had 13 previous convictions, and was serving a life sentence, the court heard. Defence lawyer Ciaran MacLoughlin said Trebacz had cooperated with gardai and was pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity. Mr MacLoughlin said Trebacz was originally from Poland and was doing well in custody. He asked the judge to be lenient, saying that Trebacz was not being released any time soon. In 2014, Trebacz received a life sentence after he was convicted by a jury at the Central Criminal Court for murdering a man who was guarding two prostitutes in a brothel in Cavan town. The victim, a 38-year-old man, was stabbed once in the chest and once in the back and died at an apartment at Connolly Street, Cavan on October 14, 2012. During the investigation, Trebacz had claimed he struggled with the victim before he stabbed him, but said he was acting in self-defence. Gerard OBrien was convicted three days before Christmas of the sexual abuse of the six men in the 1990s. Sinn Fein has called for the removal of a Circuit Court judge who was last month convicted of sexually abusing six young men almost 30 years ago. Tipperary native Gerard OBrien was convicted three days before Christmas of the sexual abuse of the six men in the 1990s. Sinn Feins justice spokesperson, Kerry TD Pa Daly, called for his removal from the bench in a letter sent to the Judicial Council on Wednesday, The Irish Times reports. He asked the Council, an independent body that oversees judicial standards, if it has taken any decision as to whether it has any role, or will be taking any role, in any disciplinary investigation process concerning Judge OBrien. Mr Daly added that if the judge does not resign, the relevant machinery to remove him should be commenced. Under Article 35.4 of the Constitution, a judge of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal or the High Court cannot be removed from office except for stated misbehaviour or incapacity and then only upon resolutions passed by Dail Eireann and by Seanad Eireann calling for his removal. Although Article 35.4 refers specifically only to judges of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court, its understood the same procedure would have to be followed in order to remove a judge of the Circuit Court or the District Court as these judges are declared to hold office by the same tenure. To date, no judge has ever been removed from office using this mechanism and the phrase stated misbehaviour or incapacity has never had to be judicially interpreted. In one previous instance where a sitting District Court judge, Heather Perrin, was convicted of a serious crime, namely deception, she offered her resignation from the bench before her forced removal became necessary. OBriens conviction and subsequent unmasking as a sexual predator led to Justice Minister Helen McEntee issuing a statement confirming she had contacted the Attorney General on how best to proceed in terms of his removal from the bench. She confirmed she is considering the options open to the Government and the Oireachtas. Mr Daly said: Clearly, his presence on the bench is damaging to confidence in the Judiciary. At a time when trust in public institutions has been under pressure, fair, but decisive action needs to be taken. He said that if the Judicial Council decides it has no role in his removal from the bench, then it's the responsibility of the Oireachtas to consider the impeachment process. If the Government is not going to move, then we will, he added. OBrien, who is missing both hands and a foot as a result of the rare health condition phocomelia, is scheduled to be sentenced for his crimes on March 4. OBrien pleaded not guilty in the Central Criminal Court to one count of attempted rape and eight counts of sexual assault in relation to six complainants, some of whom were his students. His four-week trial was told the offences occurred on dates between March 1991 and November 1997 at locations in Dublin. He was in his 30s while his victims were aged between 17 and 24. He remains in receipt of his 177,554 Circuit Court judges salary pending his future removal or resignation from the bench. When asked by the Sunday World whether there was any comment he would make in light of the verdicts against him, OBrien said: Im devastated for everybody. From talking to people who knew her, we know more about the kind of secrets she was keeping, says her brother 'It just makes us feel like we're not being told the truth' - 30 years on from the disappearance of Imelda Keenan The family of Imelda Keenan believe she was keeping a secret from them in the months and weeks before her disappearance 30 years ago. Ms Keenan (22), from Manor Road, Mountmellick, Co Laois, went missing on January 3, 1994, after leaving her flat on William Street, Waterford, which she shared with her fiance. Marking the 30th year of her disappearance yesterday, her family gathered at a plaque erected in her memory on a bridge in Waterford city where she was reportedly last sighted. Her brother, Gerry Keenan, said the family had uncovered information that suggested his sister was hiding things from them about her life in Waterford. There is a lot of stuff Imelda was going through that we didnt know about back then, he said. I was young and I had young kids myself so I wouldnt have known everything that was going on in Imeldas life at that time. I do believe she was keeping things from her family. Down through the years, from talking to people she was friends with, we know more about the kind of secrets she was keeping. On the day she disappeared, Ms Keenan told her fiance she was going to the post office to collect her dole payment. She washed her hair, gave her partner a cup of tea, did her make-up and headed out. She said she would not be long and mentioned she had to get cat litter. She walked out the door at 1.30pm, but didnt take her bag with her. A witness was driving from the quay into William Street and a woman believed to be Ms Keenan stopped in the middle of the road to let the car pass. That is the last reported sighting of her. The investigation into her disappearance had long gone cold until her brother Gerry and niece, Gina Kerry, embarked on a campaign to shine a light on her case. Last year, they began speaking to the media and sharing the story on social media, which led to a number of witnesses coming forward. Last week, as revealed by the Irish Independent, one of the witnesses gave a formal statement to gardai containing potentially significant information relating to the case. There has been a lot of publicity about Imeldas case in recent days, said Gerry. That is exciting in one way to know that so many people are interested in Imelda, but its a very emotional day for the family. Memories go on, our heartbreak goes on. Our aim this year is to get Imeldas case upgraded to a murder inquiry. Other families have had cases pushed over the line and upgraded and we want the same for Imelda. A few days after she went missing, we, as a family, knew something sinister had happened to her, so we have accepted that she is dead. We would like the gardai here in Waterford to help us get her case over the line. If anyone out there knows anything, please contact the garda confidential line, send an email, do anything, just make contact because its never ever too late. Anyone with information on the disappearance of Imelda Keenan is urged to contact Waterford garda station on 051 305 300 or phone the garda confidential line on 1800 666 111. Calls can also be made to the Missing Persons Helpline Ireland on 1890 442 552 or, for those who wish to remain anonymous, the Help Bring Them Home confidential line 1800 911 999 is available in Ireland only. The 37-year-old suspect in custody today in relation to the drugs seizure is from the Navan Road area of the capital A hydraulic press to be used for drug manufacture was also seized in the operation Gardai have seized over 235,000 worth of heroin and made one arrest in a planned operation targeting a Finglas based organised crime gang. The 37-year-old suspect in custody today in relation to the drugs seizure is from the Navan Road area of the capital and has a number of previous convictions including for serious theft offences. A hydraulic press to be used for drug manufacture was also seized in the operation which sources have described as significant. A number of searches happened in Navan, Co Meath and Finglas. A total of 81,200 worth of the deadly drug was discovered at a location in Finglas while 155,400 worth of heroin was found in a follow-up search in Navan. Separately, a new feud is threatening to break out in Finglas among former associates of James Whelan who was shot dead in an unsolved murder by the rival Mr Flashy drugs mob in April, 2022 on Deanstown Avenue in Finglas. Whelan was once a key ally of Mr Flashy but set up his own rival criminal organisation which has led to the bitter feud which is still ongoing. A hydraulic press to be used for drug manufacture was also seized in the operation A number of young gang members have taken over Whelans patch but sources have revealed that they are now fighting among each other with two young men considered the main players in the gang currently at odds with each other. There has been a lot of tension between them over the Christmas and New Years period and there seems to be now a split in the gang, a source said. They have been robbing electric bikes from each other and goading has already started on social media past experience has shown that these situations often end up with extreme violence particularly in the Finglas area, the source added. The stronghold of the young criminals who have been dealing crack cocaine and cannabis is the Kippure area of the north Dublin suburb. One of the central players is a man aged in his mid-20s who had close links to Paul Farmer Martin a 39-year-old criminal from Kippure Park, Finglas, who was shot dead in the Jolly Toper pub in Finglas on August 23 2008. The young dealers have been using high powered electric bikes and electric scooters to deal crack cocaine, cannabis and coke deals. They are a separate criminal organisation to the outfit targeted by gardai yesterday in raids which they said were part of Operation Tara. The 37-year-old in custody in relation to this previously had links to junior members of the Kinahan cartel, according to sources. At approximately 10am on Wednesday 3rd January 2024, Gardai from the Finglas Drugs Unit, the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) West Search Team and the Garda Dog Unit conducted a search under warrant at a premises in the Scribblestown area of Dublin 15, a garda spokesman said. During the course of this search, approximately 81,200 of suspected heroin was seized and a man was arrested. The man (30s) is currently being detained at a Garda station in West Dublin under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996. A follow-up search was later conducted by the Finglas Drugs Unit assisted by the Meath Drugs Unit at a premises near Navan in County Meath where approximately 155,400 of suspected heroin was seized in addition to a hydraulic press. The seized drugs (totalling 236,600) will now be sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis, he added. Jason Hennessy Senior from Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, had been on a life support machine The 48-year-old man who was shot a number of times in the Christmas Eve gun attack in a Blanchardstown restaurant has died in hospital. Jason Hennessy Senior from Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, had been in a serious condition at the Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown since he was rushed there on Saturday, December 24. However, although he was initially stabilised, its understood his condition worsened and he was transferred to the Mater Hospital where he was on life support for a number of days before he passed away today. Mr Hennessy was known to gardai and was facing money laundering charges before Dublin Circuit Court. He was due to go on trial next year. However it is understood that he had been a working man who had no involvement in organised crime until recent years. He was shot in the neck and suffered other catastrophic injuries when he was hit with bullets during a shooting carried out by Tristan Sherry (26). Mr Hennessy Senior was rushed to hospital in a car driven by a relative after being hit three times with bullets fired from the machine gun. Tristan Sherry Mr Sherry was disarmed and then fatally assaulted at the scene in Browne's Steakhouse on Main Street in Blanchardstown. On Saturday, a 22-year-old man appeared before Dublin District Court where he was charged with Mr Sherrys murder. Michael Andrecut, with an address at Sheephill Avenue in Dublin 15 was brought before Judge Stephanie Coggans at a special court sitting at the Criminal Courts of Justice where he was remanded in custody. Two other men, including an 18-year-old, have also been arrested in relation to the murder and remain in garda custody. Jason Hennessy Senior was considered a key player in an organised crime gang in recent years who have been heavily involved in what is known as the Corduff feud as well as other serious criminal disputes. The gang have also been involved in large scale drug debt intimidation. The Christmas Eve gun attack made international headlines and more arrests are expected as part of the garda investigation into it. There has also been an increase in armed garda patrols in the locality because of concerns of revenge attacks. Sources said machine-gun wielding attacker Tristan Sherry had been the target of a series of attacks over the past year. A gangland criminal who was a known associate of the criminal nicknamed Mr. Flashy, the 26-year-old was said to have been set upon by a gang during an incident in Blanchardstown earlier this year. He was stabbed multiple times with one source describing him as having been butchered. On another occasion, it was alleged a car was reversed into a property where he was staying while another property housing a relative was set ablaze. Gardai are expected to draw up detailed security plans for the funerals of both men. In a statement this afternoon, gardai said they have now commenced a second murder investigation which is being conducted at an incident room in Blanchardstown Garda station led by a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO). "The male in his 40s who was receiving treatment for gunshot wounds following this serious incident has been pronounced deceased at the Mater Hospital Dublin," gardai said. "One of the gunmen, a man in his 20s, was subsequently assaulted and later pronounced deceased at the scene. A murder investigation into that incident is in progress. "A Garda Family Liaison Officer (FLO) continues to liaise with both families regarding this investigation and local gardai continue to receive assistance from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI)." Gardai added that a post-mortem examination will be conducted in the coming days by the State Pathologist. Gardai are continuing to appeal for any witnesses to these incidents or for anybody with video footage to come forward. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Blanchardstown Garda Station on 01 666 7000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station. Cloverhill remand facility is overcrowded and many first-time inmates are absolutely terrified, says governor Tony Harris The solitary confinement cell in Cloverhill Prison where Ashling Murphy's killer Jozef Puska was held after he attempted suicide. Photo: Gerry Mooney The interior of an overcrowded cell in Cloverhill Prison. Photo: Gerry Mooney Tony Harris, the governor of Cloverhill Prison in west Dublin, said the D2 landing is the second-biggest secure psychiatric unit in the country. Photo: Gerry Mooney Severely overcrowded Cloverhill Prison is unique in the Irish penal system in that the vast majority of its inmates have no idea how long they will be there. It could be weeks, it could be months, it could be years, said chief officer Adrian Sweeney during a tour of the west Dublin facility. Cloverhill houses mainly inmates on remand who have yet to be convicted or sentenced. As soon as they are sentenced, they are moved to another prison to serve out the time imposed. The anxiety of not knowing where their future lies takes its toll on the mental health of many prisoners in Cloverhill, according to staff and inmates we spoke with. Prisoners with the most challenging mental health issues are housed on the D2 landing, where several murals were done by a man who was sentenced to life for a gun murder. D2 is the wing where Jozef Puska (33) spent 22 months on remand before being convicted last November of the murder of teacher Ashling Murphy. The Irish Independent was given access to the single cell he occupied while on remand and the padded cell he was put in for his own safety after he tried to take his life during the high-profile murder trial. The interior of an overcrowded cell in Cloverhill Prison. Photo: Gerry Mooney Cloverhill governor Tony Harris said prisoners such as Puska were put in the padded cell for their own safety for a maximum of seven days and never for punitive reasons. D2 is the second-biggest secure psychiatric unit in the country, Mr Harris said. Most of the people here should not be in prison they should be in the Central Mental Hospital, but that has staffing and other issues which prevent this. This landing is effectively a psychiatric hospital and we are suffering from overcrowding, but our job is to make life better for them. You have to remember that the prisoners have already been punished and that punishment is being deprived of their liberty. Mr Harris commended the work forensic psychiatric nurses and mental health consultants do with the inmates on the landing. Mr Sweeney said prison officers were being assaulted on a daily basis and were not adequately trained to deal with the challenging behaviour of mentally ill inmates. There are six officers on the landing at all times, except at night, and they do great work, he said. Last week we had an individual who spent the entire night kicking his cell door this is not unusual here. From talking with staff and an inmate on the landing, it is clear that genuine attempts are being made to make the lives of these challenging prisoners as comfortable as possible. However, overcrowding is putting a serious strain on everyone. Cloverhill has an operational capacity of 431. On the day we visited, 452 prisoners were in the facility. However, that was a significant reduction on the previous week, when on a single day 504 inmates were housed there. It means four prisoners often share a three-man cell with one toilet, with one of them having to sleep on a mattress on the floor. We observed one of these cells on a protection landing in C Division. The solitary confinement cell in Cloverhill Prison where Ashling Murphy's killer Jozef Puska was held after he attempted suicide. Photo: Gerry Mooney On the day of our visit, 114 of the 452 prisoners were on a protection regime, meaning they had to be separated from the general population. Coloured cards are placed outside some cells red, blue, orange and green to differentiate which inmates can be detained together and those who have to be separated. Sex offenders, feuding organised criminal factions and prisoners deemed at risk from other inmates are kept apart. Mr Harris has noticed a trend that more first-time defendants are being sent to Cloverhill by the courts, with many being remanded in custody in relation to domestic abuse cases. He said: They dont know whats going to happen when they come in here. Everything has been taken from them when they land in here and, yes, it can be terrifying for them. Because of the overcrowding situation, this can be a person who is in prison for the first time on a mattress sharing a cell with three other men he doesnt know. These other men could be accused of murder, of immigration offences or anything it can be an absolutely terrifying experience for that person. The 36-year-old hitman who was serving a life sentence for the murder Barry Wolverson was found unresponsive today in his single occupancy cell. Notorious gangland killer Bernard Fogarty has been found dead in his cell at the high-security Portlaoise Prison. The 36-year-old hitman who was serving a life sentence for the murder Barry Wolverson was found unresponsive today in his single occupancy cell. In a statement prison officials confirmed there has been a death in custody, but no cause has yet been determined. The Irish Prison Service can confirm that there was a death of a person in custody at Portlaoise Prison on 04th January 2024 and the next of kin have been notified. This death in custody will be investigated by the Irish Prison Service, The Inspector of Prisons and An Garda Siochana, where circumstances warrant. The cause of death is determined by the Coroners Office. In December 2021, judges at the Special Criminal Court convicted Fogarty of Barry Wolversons murder, who died 13 months after being shot in January 2020. Before he was banged up, Fogarty had been considered one of Dublins most-feared assassins. Fogarty had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Wolverson that occurred at Madigans Yard, Kileek Lane, Swords, Co Dublin, at around midday on January 17, 2020. He originally been charged with the attempted murder of Mr Wolverson but the State upgraded the charges to murder following his death after being in a coma for over a year. He was also found guilty of assault causing harm to Gerard Wildman, who was also shot at Madigans Yard on the same date. Bernard Fogarty Mr Wildman, who was shot in the lower back, refused to make a statement to gardai. Fogarty, from Cromcastle Court in Coolock, Dublin, also pleaded guilty in February last year to the attempted murder of Mark Ivers at Streamville Road, Donaghmede, on September 6, 2019. Six prison officers were in attendance in the court, when Fogarty spoke only to answer "guilty" when the charge of attempted murder was put to him by the registrar at the brief hearing. The murder attempt during which Mr Ivers suffered gunshot wounds to his leg and abdomen, took place four months before Fogarty and an accomplice shot Barry Wolverson. Fogarty was given a 15-year-sentence at the Special Criminal Court in May last year for the attack in which the judges gave him credit for his plea. Judge Tony Hunt remarked it was an organised attempted murder which the court was all too familiar with and that the evidence in the case bore all the normal hallmarks of that type of crime. "The evidence is entirely typical of a crime of this type." Passing sentence, Mr Justice Hunt said the court must compose a proportionate sentence which marries the culpability and gravity of the offence. The Listowel native died peacefully on January 2 at the Palliative Care Unit in University Hospital, Kerry following a short illness Gerry O'Carroll, the detective nicknamed The Sheriff for his role in the Garda unit known as the Murder Squad, has been remembered as a decent, respectable colleague by former members of the force. The Listowel native died peacefully on January 2 at the Palliative Care Unit in University Hospital, Kerry following a short illness. He had a long career in An Garda Siochana which saw him involved in some of the most high-profile cases in the States history. This included helping to solve the case of English serial killers and rapists, Geoffrey Evans and John Shaw. Most notably, he had a central role in the investigation into the so-called Kerry Babies case. OCarroll is survived by his wife Kathleen, sons Conor, Philip and Brian, daughters Margaret and Eleanor. A notice on RIP.ie said he would be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by them and his extended family and friends. His remains will repose at Lyons Funeral Home in Listowel this evening from 5pm to 6.30pm. A cremation service will take place on Saturday at 12.15pm at Mount Jerome Crematorium, Dublin. Several former colleagues are paying tribute to the detective online, sharing fond memories of working with OCarroll and extending their condolences to his family. Retired Central Detective Unit and L District Garda Feargal Foley wrote how The Sheriff did so much to protect our State. He said: The Sheriff has finally left us to his eternal reward. I came to Gerry in the early 90s whilst he was the D/Sgt at Sundrive. To Gerry's family I extend my sincere condolences. You should be so proud of Gerry. He did so much to protect our State. Rest in peace. Tom and Mary Kennedy of Carrickmines wrote: So sad to hear of the passing of Gerry. We served together in The Crime Task Force in 1972-73. What a privilege and pleasure to have known Gerry. RIP. Ex-garda Gerry Crowley, who worked with OCarroll in Dublin, penned: My sincere sympathy to the O'Carroll family on the sad passing of Gerry. I got to know Gerry well from my time in the DMR. A gentleman, a great colleague and some character. May he rest in peace. Philip Galvin described the detective as a dear friend in his tribute, writing: Our sincere condolences to Kathleen and immediate family. I had the pleasure of working with the Sheriff in the G District and learned so much from him. "He had the upmost respect for me and my family and knew my extended family from his days in the Castle. So many fond memories and occasions will stay with me, a decent respected colleague who will be sadly missed. RIP my dear, dear friend. And retired Garda Patrick Hannigan added: My sincere condolences to Gerry's family on his passing. It was my privilege to have known Gerry both professionally and personally. A unique and decent man. The South Dublin Branch of An Garda Siochanas Retired Members Association also expressed their deepest sympathies following OCarrolls death. The Dublin-based detective was a proponent of the highly controversial theory that Joanne Hayes was the mother of two dead babies found in Kerry in April 1984. He was one of the detectives who had interviewed Ms Hayes following her arrest. Ms Hayes had always insisted to gardai that she was the mother of a deceased baby found at her family farm. She explained the infant was delivered stillborn. However, she had vehemently denied being the mother of another baby, subsequently called Baby John, who was found washed up on White's Strand outside Cahersiveen. Baby John had been stabbed 28 times and suffered severe injuries to his neck and spine. Thirty-seven years after he was first discovered, the infant was exhumed in September 2021 from Holy Cross Cemetery in Cahersiveen. Subsequent DNA testing proved that Ms Hayes, as she had always maintained, was not his mother. A major Garda cold case review, based on the DNA evidence, led to a Kerry-based couple being arrested for questioning last year. Both were released without charge and gardai hope to have a file submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the coming months. Ms Hayes and her family subsequently received a formal apology from the State and the payment of damages for what they had endured at the hands of State agencies. Mr O'Carroll had vehemently denied over the years any question of Garda wrongdoing during the original Kerry Babies investigation. Gardai said they are aware of disinformation and misinformation about the proposed use of the derelict building Gardai are investigating if a former Tipperary school was set ablaze after possible rumours" the derelict building was to be repurposed as accommodation for asylum seekers. Gardai said they are aware of disinformation and misinformation about the proposed use of the derelict building. The Department of Integration said it had neither considered or examined this property for use as accommodation for international protection applicants, a spokesperson confirmed. However, the Irish Independent has seen comments on social media mistakenly identifying the building as being earmarked for refugee accommodation. Fire crews in Fethard, Co Tipperary spent several hours tackling a blaze at the old primary school on the Rocklow Road in the town which broke out at 9.20pm last night. Three fire units from Cashel and Clonmel battled the blaze until the early hours of this morning. Gardai remained at the scene overnight. No-one was injured in the blaze. It is understood significant damage was caused to the building which has been left idle for a number of years. In a statement, gardai confirmed they are investigating the cause of the fire and are treating it as suspected criminal damage. Gardai said they are aware of possible misinformation, disinformation and rumour in relation to the use or proposed use of this derelict building. Speaking on Thursday morning just hours after the fire, Fianna Fail county councillor Kieran Bourke said the old school had closed several years ago and fallen into dereliction. While its probably arson, it wouldnt be an attack like weve had around the country. It was an old school house building that was derelict, not earmarked for anything, said Cllr Bourke. There had been certain people in the area who had been in and out of it, causing vandalism and more than likely, thats whats after happening, he said. The long narrow building was completely derelict. It is in close proximity to a creche, but there was no damage to the creche. The building may hold some sentimental value to local people if they or their siblings attended school there, added Cllr Bourke. The scene has been preserved by gardai to allow for forensic investigators to examine the scene today. The arson attack comes just three days after the recently-sold Shipwright pub in Ringsend, Dublin was set ablaze. The building had been earmarked to be turned into a family hub for homeless people by Dublin City Council, but was at the centre of rumours it would house international protection applicants. The scaling-up of that investigation, now to be led by a senior investigating officer at Irishtown Garda Station, comes amid alarm in Government that more such incidents could follow after a spate of deliberate attacks on premises set to be used to house asylum seekers. Concern is growing within the government parties that the deliberate fire that destroyed the intended shelter for homeless families may become the model for copycat attacks. A series of low-level petrol bombings and burnings last year culminated in the loss of the Ross Lake House hotel near Oughterard, Co Galway, before the destruction of the vacant Shipwright pub in Ringsend in Dublin, over the weekend. A forensic examination of the Ringsend scene has now been completed and gardai are treating the fire as suspected arson. Justice Minister Helen McEntee warned on Sunday that arson was a criminal offence punishable by several years in prison. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said all efforts would be made to bring the perpetrators to justice. Anyone with information should contact the gardai, he said. The premises was intended for use as emergency accommodation for families, said Mr Varadkar, reflecting a series of official denials that the former Shipwright pub, also known as Sallys bar, would be used to house refugees or asylum-seekers. The warnings of garda enforcement came as there was a row at local level over claims by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) that its proposed future use of the property at Thorncastle Street as a homeless hub for families had been communicated to local representatives. Two councillors, Labours Dermot Lacey and Fine Gaels Danny Byrne, rejected that assertion, with the latter saying the lack of information had been a factor in what he suggested was a deliberate attack. The DRHE is the arm of Dublin City Council responsible for accommodating homeless people. A DRHE spokesperson was unable to provide a further response last night. A Government source said: This has been brewing for a while in Ringsend. You could see sinister comments online for weeks, with jokes about a fire starting. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris insisted last month that there was no hidden hand behind a series of burnings, but this latest incident will renew questions about the level of information communicated to residents and the gardai. While not all vacant properties in the country can be patrolled throughout the hours of darkness, some ministers want to see action as serious as that in response to the Dublin riots. Ms McEntee last night warned that arson is a very serious crime, adding: Arson carries heavy prison sentences. No one has the right to cause damage to property, to cause fear or to threaten public order. She said gardai were doing everything possible to determine the cause of the fire, and asked for the assistance of locals. Over 2,000 blades seized in 2023 and nearly 200 people treated in hospital Aontu leader Peadar Toibin described the knife-crime figures as 'worrying' and pointed to falling garda numbers as a major issue. Photo: Getty Over 2,000 knives were seized last year by gardai, new figures have revealed, representing a significant increase on other years. Britain has seen a rapid escalation in knife deaths among teenagers in recent times, but Ireland is also seeing a steady and worrying rise. Figures supplied by Justice Minister Helen McEntee show 2,027 knives were seized across the country in the first 11 months of last year. Ten years ago, the total was 1,341 confiscated blades and other sheath weapons. Nearly 200 people were treated for knife wounds in hospital emergency departments last year. We are all, sadly, very conscious of the effect that knife crime can have on the quality of life for local communities, Ms McEntee said. The Government is committed to supporting An Garda Siochana to tackle this issue. An expert forum on anti-social behaviour has been set up to examine a broad range of issues. It is the intention of the forum to tackle factors that give rise to such behaviour. A knife-crime sub-group examined the rise in knife use and will set out a menu of possible approaches in response to the crisis, including new legislative moves that may increase the penalties for carrying a blade. Ms McEntee said she had been briefed on the work of the sub-group, which was considering what sanctions would be most effective to combat knife crime. She added that as well as consulting An Garda Siochana, her department sought input from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Ms McEntee stressed that there is already a comprehensive and robust legal framework in place in Ireland with respect to knife crime, including heavy penalties. In 2009, the maximum penalty for having a knife in public without good reason was increased from one year to five years. There are many complex, interlinked and variable causes for the use of knives in the commission of offences. As a result, there are no quick-fix solutions to tackling knife crime, she said. Long-term, evidence-based strategies are needed to address the issue as part of a wider strategic response to street violence, youth offending and domestic violence, the minister added. The horrific knife attack on innocent children on the day of the Dublin riots stunned and traumatised many people in Ireland, she said. Our thoughts and prayers are with the young girl who remains in hospital, and her family. While we have never witnessed such an attack on children and education staff before, knife crime is far too common Ireland. Aontu leader Peadar Toibin described the worsening situation concerning knife use as worrying. On this trend, more knives will be seized this year than last year and last year saw a 58pc increase in the number of knives seized over 2013. There is a clear pattern happening, and this matches the massive increase in crime throughout society over the last 10 years. Ireland is just becoming a more dangerous place. Yet every year that Helen McEntee has been minister for justice, the number of gardai has fallen. We have one of the lowest numbers of police per capita in the EU, and every year hundreds of gardai are being attacked many with knives. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan expressed its condolences to Iran regarding the victims of two explosions in Kerman province, Azernews reports. This was reported on the X page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "We offer our deepest condolences to the families of those who died as a result of the terrorist attack in Kerman province of Iran. As a country suffering from terrorism, Azerbaijan condemns all its forms and manifestations," the statement said. It should be noted that two explosions took place today in the Kerman province of southeastern Iran during the march held in connection with the anniversary of the death of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. At least 103 people died and 211 were injured as a result of the explosions. Iranian General Qasem Soleimani was killed in an air strike by the US Air Force in Iraq in 2020. Get ready for the essential watch event of the Wonder Week Friendly, dynamic, and inclusive, Time to Watches gathers independent brands with the same mindset. The show proposes a relaxed forum, full of exchanges and informal meetings. Media, retailers, and watch enthusiasts from all over the world are welcome to join at the HEAD Geneve (Haute Ecole dArt et de Design) to discover exhibiting brands marvels. The 2024 poster features Time to Watches bold vision and calls for an ambitious combination between dream and technology, nonconformity and watchmaking tradition, innovation, and emotions. Like on a watch dial, the color range reflects the diversity of all the brands attending the exhibition. For those brands, being there is a key step towards a future made of new opportunities. Fueled by our success in the past two years, we look forward to welcoming all brands, all trends, and all players of the watchmaking world. Only quality and creativity are requested, said Christian Wipfli, Founder and Director of Time to Watches. Indeed, the 2023 event brought together 55 brands and gathered 5,800 visitors. All experienced a stimulating atmosphere and enjoyed a festive program of conferences and open discussions, delivered by sixty experts from various backgrounds. The last day was a Watch&Match day, allowing 31 brands to sell out their timepieces directly to visitors. No doubt that the 2024 edition will continue to shine and grow upon last years success. But aims even higher. Stay tuned ! In the renewed apology affirmation on Wednesday evening, Jon Boutcher then also said: I recognise that the family of Mr and Mrs Cawdery have had to live with the lasting impact of this horrendous attack and the loss of Michael and Marjorie. The family of an elderly couple who were killed by a paranoid schizophrenic man nearly seven years ago say they have welcomed the unreserved apology from Chief Constable Jon Boutcher on behalf of the PSNI in regards to the pensioners deaths. Marjorie and Michael Cawdery, both 83, were stabbed at their home in Portadown on May 26, 2017. Their killer was Thomas Scott McEntee, who had been known to police and the Belfast and Southern Health Trusts in the days leading up to the attack as he had severe mental health issues. Last month, coroner Maria Dougan ruled that the Cawderys deaths were entirely preventable and warned that the brutal killings could happen again. On Wednesday evening, the PSNI issued a new statement, which details that the service apologises unreservedly for failings in our handling of incidents preceding" the killings. The apology comes more than a fortnight after Charles Little, Marjorie and Michaels son-in-law, had told The Belfast Telegraph: The trusts and the police all put out statements, and each of the statements carry condolences to the family. Not one of them apologised. They should. If the coroner is correct and the deaths could have been prevented and they werent then of course they should apologise. After the Belfast Telegraph approached each agency for comment at the time following Mr Littles concern over a lack of apology or admission of liability, the Southern Trust replied: We accept the coroners findings and extend our apologies to the Cawdery family for the failings by the Trust, as identified by the coroner. We are reviewing in detail the coroners written recommendations and will work in partnership with others across the Health and Social Care system and with the PSNI. The Belfast Trust added: We are sorry for the failings identified by the coroner with respect to care provided by Belfast Trust. We are committed to learning from the coroners findings and to working collaboratively with other Trusts and agencies to improve the delivery of mental health services. Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton had then said the PSNI acknowledges the stark comments of the coroner. When told of the apologies issued by the trusts, Mr Little then said the Southern Trust got it right and the Belfast Trust had taken a step in the right direction. However, responding to the PSNI statement he said: I would like to know whether the chief constable [Jon Boutcher] thinks they should apologise or not." PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher (Liam McBurney/PA) In the renewed apology affirmation on Wednesday evening, Jon Boutcher then also said: I recognise that the family of Mr and Mrs Cawdery have had to live with the lasting impact of this horrendous attack and the loss of Michael and Marjorie. We have, following the stark findings of the Inquest, carried out our own internal review, and a Serious Adverse Incident Review conducted by the Health Trust, established a Gold Co-ordinating Group under Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson, Head of our Justice Department, to develop an action plan to address identified shortcomings and develop our engagement with the Department of Health and other partners. I am keen to reassure the family about our commitment to this work. I want to reiterate my sincere apologies to the Cawdery family on behalf of the Police Service of Northern Ireland for all failings which have been highlighted in our handling of this tragic case. It is imperative that we learn the lessons and do everything we can to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. Mr Little told The Belfast Telegraph that this new response acknowledges his familys pain and the terrible outcome that can occur when things go wrong with mental health. He added: We are pleased with the action being taken by the Chief Constable in establishing a Gold Co-ordinating Group to address identified shortcomings and develop our engagement with the department of Health and other partners. Marjorie and Michael Cawdery Mr Little also hopes that an opportunity can now arise for the PSNI to work alongside the Department of Health in developing joint training, operational procedures, and establishing a new regional mental health service. Over the fatal week of the Cawdery homicides two health trusts, three hospitals, and approximately 25 PSNI officers were involved, he continued. "It is essential that such incidents are prevented as neither agency has the resources to deal with mistakes of that magnitude. The PSNI and the DoH must work closely together and integrate their mental health operations to save life, protect the public, and minimise the resources required to do the job efficiently. They must seize this opportunity to work together, be innovative, think outside the box, and set the gold standard for the UK and Ireland. Delivering inquest findings at Banbridge courthouse in December, the coroner identified a series of omission and missed opportunities that, if acted on by police and healthcare workers, would have meant McEntee would not have been in the location of the Cawderys home on the day of the killings. This included four incidents when McEntee had been displaying signs of mental illness and was involved in interactions with either police or health care staff. The first was in Belfast city centre and then the Mater Hospital on May 22. The second was at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry on May 24, the third was the following day in Warrenpoint and the fourth on May 26 at both Daisy Hill Hospital and Craigavon Area Hospital. McEntee, from Kilkeel, Co Down, ultimately absconded from Craigavon Area Hospital and broke into the Cawderys home at nearby Upper Ramone Park when they were out shopping. When they returned, he was still at the property and killed them. The coroner raised particular concern about a police failure to use powers available to them under mental health legislation to take McEntee to a place of safety when they encountered him in the days prior to the killings. Mr Little has stressed that all of the findings will only have been worth it if change within each agency is now produced. The teenager left a nightclub in Deux Alpes but then got lost in the middle of the forest in the valley of Venosc. A 19-year-old Irish woman who got lost after leaving a nightclub in a ski resort in the Alps in just a t-shirt and shorts at 4am had a miracle escape, French police have claimed. The young woman, who has not been named, had been drinking in the club in the popular Les Deux Alps resort before leaving in sub-zero temperatures to return to her accommodation. But according to the French news website, Francebleu, the woman got lost in the middle of the forest in the valley of Venosc and spent more than three hours there before she was rescued. CRS Alpes police chief Commander Ludovic Saint Bonnet told local reporters that the Irish teen is lucky to have survived. She was only wearing shorts and a T-shirt and had no idea where she was going. When we recovered her, she was suffering from some bruises, because she must have fallen while trying to find her way back and she was suffering from slight hypothermia. We can say that she is a miracle, because alone, so poorly dressed as she was, she would not have been able to resist the cold for long. Commander Saint Bonnet also thanked rescue services and said it was not the first time this has happened. Some died and were not as lucky as this young woman to be found in time by emergency services. The woman wandered through the Combe de Venosc mountain forest before managing to dial 112 the number for the emergency services in France as she started to suffer from the effects of the sub-zero temperatures. However, she could not remember personal details, including her own phone number, which was on private. This meant the CRS Alpes rescuers did not know how to locate the young woman through her phone signal. An operator finally managed to get her father's number back in Ireland off her and he was alerted. This finally led to the police sending the woman a text message with the Genloc geolocation app, which allows the authorities to locate lost people the moment they make a call. Her location was then found through GPS beacons picked the woman's position up and patrols found her suffering from hypothermia in the woods, at around 7am. She was transported by helicopter to the Emergency Department of Grenoble University Hospital, but her life is not in danger. Wingmen and best friends try their luck together on new series of First Dates Two best pals and wingmen for each other on nights out finally bit the bullet and decided to go on a double blind date together. James Donohoe and Stephen Hughes will be seen kicking off the new season of First Dates by being paired up with two gorgeous women. Mates James and Stephen confirm they have a policy that if one kisses a girl on a night out then shes off limits for the other, as they enjoy their own bromance too. Me and James are as close as they come. If he likes somebody, my priority would be thats good, man, and leave him to it, says Stephen (28), from Killoe, Co Longford. James (28), from Ballyhaise, Co Cavan, admits their friendship comes first at the end of the day. Women always come second in our relationship, he smiles. Stephens not a bad looking fellow, I feel Im not either. Were both well able to talk. "Neither of us has had that much of a problem with women, so when we go out its more focussed on having fun and having a laugh, and I feel like once youre doing that women are a lot more drawn to you anyway. Luckily, we have never had to fight over a girl. The pals, who met five years ago when working for the same company in Athlone, have both had long-term girlfriends in the past. James and Siobhan on First Dates Stephen has a four-year-old daughter, Ryleigh, from a previous relationship. The pair decided to appear on First Dates when they both became single. I suppose we are the type of lads in our group who are always open to things like this, admits online competition presenter James. We watch programmes like this, and wed turn to our friends and say, would you ever do something like this, so I suppose myself and Stephen would be the type whod egg each other on, like you should do this, that hed have the personality for it, and he said I should do it. Stephen, who is a manager at a sales and marketing company, admits he has a type. I generally go for someone whos a little bit alternative. I usually go for someone whos a bit sweet as well, he reveals. Stephen and Jade on First Dates On the show he is paired with retail worker Jade, who is from Newry and based in Dublin, while James is lined up with healthcare worker Siobhan, who is from Castlebar, Co Mayo. When I showed my mam the girl I was matched up with and even any of the girls Ive been with in the past she said well its clear you have a type anyway, James says. They always have to be small, cute, sort of a girl next door vibe. Im more interested in meeting a girl with a really nice personality than somebody absolutely crazy and mad for going out. I suppose Im a little big quieter. While Stephen admits he likes to flirt and play games with women, James maintains he is more down to earth. I suppose its because Im probably a hopeless romantic, he says. Im not really overly shy when Im single, I go on plenty of dates. I feel like when youre putting yourself out there enough, youre going to meet somebody you like, so thats what keeps on happening to me. The pohutukawa are in full bloom and making headlines. A leading conservationist has described the flowering of pohutukawa in Northland as the most "spectacular" he's seen in 20 years. And he's not just looking through rose-tinted glasses. Botanists call this a "mast seeding" event. It begins with prolific flowering followed by the production of huge amounts of seeds. It's likely happening across a range of species, but the crimson flowers on large, coastal pohutukawa are particularly noticeable. Known as New Zealand's Christmas tree, pohutukawa occur naturally in the upper half of the North Island, although can be found growing nationwide. Both pohutukawa and rata belong to the genus Metrosideros and hold a prominent place in Maori mythology. University of Canterbury plant ecologist professor Dave Kelly, has researched mast seeding since the 1980s and is considered a global expert on the subject. What is it? Many New Zealand plant species show this variable seeding but it's commonly associated with beech trees, Professor Dave Kelly says. When beech trees seed, they produce a bounty of food for native birds - and the mammals that threaten them. In 2019, beech trees experienced a "mega-mast", resulting in more food for insects, birds, and lizards, but also mice, rats, and stoats. Conservationists have known about this phenomenon for decades and ramp up pest control measures in response. Mast seeding happens across tree species in many parts of the world, but it seems to be more common in New Zealand, Dave says. It not only occurs among trees but also harakeke or flax and snow tussocks found in the Southern Alps. There are sites for trapping the seeds of common tree species, to track mast events nationwide. But there's no data on pohutukawa or rata, for the simple reason the seeds are too small to collect and count. "People just notice when it's a good year," Dave says. The synchronised flowering often against a coastal backdrop is hard to miss. Is it rare? It depends on the species, Dave says. Cabbage trees, for example, "tend to be on, off, on off, and occasionally they miss a year and get out of step". Some horticultural plants such as avocados have a good year, followed by a not-so-good year. Most native plants have three or four years of low flowering, followed by a big year. Causes Unlike some folklore suggests, the plants aren't signaling a good summer to come. Rather, mast seeding is in response to previous weather cues. "[Mast events] are driven by weather - retrospectively," Dave says. The obvious cue is rain, right? But Dave says synchrony is important for mast events and rain is often too patchy to affect plants equally. Temperature is more uniformly experienced. "Typically, you'll get a big seed year after a hot summer, which was typically after a cold summer." If it sounds complicated, well, it is. With some species, such as the European beech in England and Scotland, studies have shown mast seeding is triggered by temperature. With others, such as the snow tussock, the trigger is the difference in temperature, year-on-year. Climate change is causing issues for those in the former category. "It's a case-by-case basis, figuring out what will be upset by a half-degree increase in temperature caused by climate change." Consequences So, what will a pohutukawa mast seeding event mean for New Zealand? Dave says it's unlikely to cause a pest outbreak, thanks again to the tiny seeds: "They're not great food for rodents." Though if other species with bigger seeds are also experiencing mast events, that could have an impact. "The birds and bees will be happy," Dave says. And the native, short-tailed bat, he adds, found on Te Hauturu-o-Toi or Little Barrier Island in the Auckland region. "They go crazy on pohutukawa." - Katie Kenny/ RNZ A Fire Emergency NZ fire investigator is at the scene of a Welcome Bay property this morning following a house fire and arrest of a male on Wednesday night. A neighbour is reported to have saved a woman's life by getting her out before the entire house was engulfed by flames. FENZ Northern shift manager Lauren Sika says they received an initial call about the fire at a house on Pennington Place at approximately 8.55pm, Wednesday, December 3. We attended a single-storey house fire, eight by 10 metres, while ablaze, says Lauren. Our first truck arrived at 9.04pm. We had five fire crews in attendance, and two support vehicles from Greerton, Tauranga and Mount Maunganui. Lauren says the fire was extinguished by 9.46pm, with fire fighters continuing to dampen hot spots. Our fire investigator has returned this morning. Emergency services at the scene of the house fire in Welcome Bay. Photo: Cameron Avery. A nearby resident says there had been a major domestic dispute involving a middle-aged man and a woman, both heavily intoxicated at the address. It escalated in the male assaulting the female, and the house getting set on fire, says the neighbour. He hit her. We dont know if she was passed out because he hit her or if she was passed out from the smoke. The male got himself out, but the woman was still inside and was overcome by the smoke, however a neighbour, she raced inside and saved the woman's life by getting her out before the entire house was engulfed by flames. The male that assaulted the female was arrested and was put in the back of a police car, which left the scene after about an hour, says a local resident. Emergency services at the scene of the house fire in Welcome Bay. Photo: Cameron Avery. Neighbours report that multiple emergency units attended the scene. We saw a lot of smoke and realised the house was on fire, says a neighbour. The scene was amazing, Ive never seen anything like it. It was off the charts, Ive never seen so many fire trucks, ambulance and police. There were people everywhere. Police say they have arrested a person at the scene. One person has been arrested following a reported assault after a fire broke out on Pennington Place last night, says a police spokesperson. The woman was transported to hospital in a serious condition. At the scene? Phone 0800SUNLIVE or email newsroom@thesun.co.nz As luck would have it, Claire Bett was a sober driver at a New Years Eve party. She noticed a small dog mixing with the partygoers which prompted her to check out a media website photo of a missing dog and its owner. Still not quite sure, at 10pm Claire messaged a friend and the mother of missing Waihi man, Jordan van Deursen, who responded by sending back a photograph of the missing animal. The dog sitting next to her on a couch was the one in the photograph Claire shed tears realising she had found Bargo, who had been missing in the Coromandel s Wentworth Valley area since October 29, last year. Bargo had made it from the eastern end of the Wentworth River track to the Wires Road and the Maratoto track some six and a half hours of walking. He walked into the isolated house on December 30. The next day in Thames, Bargo was reunited with the mother of the missing man and other family and friends. A fortunate twist was that if Claire had not recognised Bargo, the next day another partygoer who had befriended Bargo, was going to rehome him to Tauranga, meaning the connection would not have been made. Jordan has brown bushy hair, is of a thin build and around 175cm tall. NZ Police / Photo supplied. Jordan van Deursen failed to return from a hike in the Wentworth valley area with his terrier Bagho on October 29, and the official search was suspended after 10 days. Police have now confirmed Bahgo has been found. The dog turned up at a rural address near to one of the track entrances linked to where Jordan was last known to be, police say in a statement. The dog was then reunited with Jordans family and police were alerted. But there was still no sign of van Deursen, 29. Police and Land SAR are assessing the circumstances around Jordans dog being found, and reviewing information provided by the public, the statement says. Claire Bett with Bargo the terrier, which with his owner Jordan van Deursen failed to return from a hike in the Wentworth valley area on October 29. The official search was suspended after 10 days. Photo: Supplied. A relative of van Deursen previously tells RNZ Bahgo was the 29-year-olds best friend. Hes hiking every day with his mate, his little dog, his best friend, he knows a bit about the bush but not enough to be out there this long, says uncle Mario Kerkhof. I doubt he wouldve taken much with him if he was going for a quick hike, he wouldve just taken the basics, he probably wouldn't even have taken any water knowing Jordan, he does rough it a bit. I think he had tramping boots and might have had a jersey. The alarm was not raised until three days after van Deursen began his Sunday hike, after his car was spotted still in the carpark the following Wednesday. By then the weather had turned incredibly bad, with the tail of Cyclone Lola lashing the area. An air and land search had not turned up any clues, and was suspended after 10 days. Now Bargos return has prompted significant social media activity with plans being prepared for locals to take horses into the bush, along with Bargo, to see if they can locate any trace of Jordan. A family spokesman said hope had passed for finding Jordan alive, but they still wanted to bring him home. Police ask anyone with information on Jordans whereabouts to please contact 105 and reference the file number 231101/9734. RNZ and John Freer/CFM Coromandel One lucky Lotto player from Gisborne will be starting the year on a high after winning $1 million with Lotto First Division in Wednesday nights live Lotto draw. The winning ticket was sold on MyLotto to a player from Gisborne. Powerball was not struck on Wednesday and has rolled over to Saturday night, where the jackpot will be $5 million. Strike Four has also rolled over and will be $600,000 on Saturday night. Seven lucky Lotto players will be in for a treat after each winning $27,501 with Lotto Second Division in Wednesday nights live Lotto draw. The winning Second Division tickets were sold at the following stores: Store Location Pak N Save Lincoln Road Auckland Eastridge Lotto Auckland MyLotto Auckland Raglan Four Square Raglan MyLotto Rotorua New World Paremata Porirua Pak n Save Timaru Timaru Anyone who bought their ticket on MyLotto should check their ticket as soon as possible in-store, on MyLotto, or through the MyLotto App. Lotto NZ exists to return 100% of its profits to Kiwi communities through lottery grants programmes run by Te Puna Tahua NZ Lottery Grants Board. Creating maps, taking water samples and filming TikToks with the Mayor are just some of the tasks Western Bay of Plenty District Councils Summer Students have been keeping themselves busy with. The Councils Summer Student Programme offers an opportunity for students to get valuable hands-on experience, an insight into what Council does and a taste of potential career paths they could follow. This summer, 11 paid positions were filled, assisting the building services, compliance, communications, water services, library, emergency management and information technology teams. For most of the successful students, it is their first paid employment in their chosen fields of study. "It's a fantastic opportunity for both the students and Council, says head of people and capability Darren Crowe. The next generation will play a huge role in creating new solutions that make our communities lives better. Having these great young minds on board brings different insights and energy. Whether its responding to climate change, helping deliver affordable housing or growing authentic Te Tiriti based relationships, as a Council were committed to making the Western Bay the best it can be, and our summer students are helping us to address the important issues facing our community, while hopefully inspiring them to pursue a career with Council when they finish their studies. Paris Allum, who has just completed a Bachelor of Science with the University of Waikato majoring in Environmental Science, has been helping out the Compliance Support Team. I have been amazed by how much goes on behind the scenes at the Council, says Paris. There are so many people who are passionate and working hard to make the community a better place for everyone in it there are so many different areas all working towards one goal and I think thats really cool. I would definitely recommend it to other students. It provides you with new skills, introduces you to new people and gives you an insight into how many different jobs there are out there for your degree. It has eased some of my worries about what I want to do in the future as you learn there are more opportunities than you realise. Zac Hemmings, who is halfway through a Bachelor of Civil Engineering with Honours at the University of Canterbury, and Daniel Guilford, who has just finished his first year of a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Waikato, have both joined the Water Services Team for the summer. Most days Ive been getting out in the field doing sampling and surveying, says Daniel. Its really interesting and a great opportunity to get an introduction to so many fields of work that are available after graduation. Zac says he is enjoying applying the skills hes learnt at university and being able to work on real-life projects. When youre studying full time, it can be hard to see how what youre learning can actually be applied in a real-life scenario. Working with engineers who specialise in water services is interesting as I have studied the processes and done sampling before, but the capital works side is different altogether. It will set me up well to continue my studies, with experience in what its like to work as a civil engineer. In the Communications and Engagement Team, Brooke Wilson has been busy behind a camera making council staff TikTok famous. Every day has been so different, going out into the community, creating social media posts, editing, and basically anything to do with creating content, says Brooke, who is studying towards a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Otago, majoring in Marketing and Accounting. Its so valuable, learning about how digital marketing systems are used in real life, and the strategy and branding that happens behind the scenes. Its been super interesting and beneficial. For Ashleigh Keach, who is gaining experience with Councils Building Services team, it holds special significance as it is her first job related to her studies, having just graduated from Te Herenga WakaVictoria University of Wellington with a Bachelor of Architectural Studies. Next year she will return to Wellington to start her Masters of Urban and Regional Planning. The practical experience I'm acquiring here is immensely valuable. University has undoubtedly equipped me with knowledge, but the on-the-job learning at the Council surpasses it, says Ashleigh. I highly recommend it. Not only do you acquire invaluable knowledge, but it's also your gateway into the professional arena. Earning while gaining essential experience for personal growth is a fantastic perk. And the opportunity to forge lasting friendships and establish connections with seasoned professionals is invaluable. These connections can play a crucial role in your journey ahead. Hayley Grieve, Michael Kean, Grace Camplin and Melanie Arron have also been employed by Council as Customer and Library Services Summer Students, while Matthew Adlam is working in IT Support and Jordan Sadlier in Emergency Management. For those interested in future Summer Student opportunities, Western Bay of Plenty District Council advertises the positions in October each year, with the programme running from November to February. Ukrainian TV presenter and showman Igor Kondratiuk has spoken out about the scandal surrounding Kvartal 95. The star believes that the show's creators live "on a separate planet" because they pass off their judgments as reality. ADVERTISIMENT The TV presenter shared his thoughts on the air of the program "Great Lviv Speaks". Kondratiuk also suggested that Yurii Velikiy, who played the role of an IDP from Skadovsk in the scandalous skit, should be sent to the occupied city. The showman emphasized that this is a mockery of people under occupation, "regardless of what language they speak there." "Go to the occupation, sit in Skadovsk, and then they will laugh at you for being bald in life," the guest added about Velikiy. ADVERTISIMENT Kondratiuk noted that he himself lived for many years in Kalanchak, Skadovsk district, Kherson region. "I can tell you what language is spoken in Skadovsk - most likely, it's mostly Surzhyk," the celebrity continued. Star added that people in the city know the language and speak Ukrainian, and to say otherwise is "another stupidity." "Lyosha Arestovych also said that only Russian is spoken in Kyiv," Kondratiuk recalled of the former advisor to the Presidential Office, "He lives on his own separate planet, and 95 Kvartal lives on the same planet". Earlier, OBOZ.UA told how the Velikiy of Kvartal 95 apologized for the scandalous number and explained what they meant: "Skadovsk speaks Ukrainian". ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Dairy farmers, sheep and beef farmers, iwi and other community members are working together to create an ecological corridor in the Waipa district and have high aspirations for 2024. The Taiea te Taiao project will link Maungatautari and Mt Pirongia by planting along the Mangapiko Stream and its tributaries, on farms and other properties. A wide range of other environmental work is also underway, including restoring wetlands and predator control. A key goal is to create stepping stones along the corridor that provide attractive stopping points for native birds and bats to rest and feed, mostly by planting trees. This will help increase wildlife numbers and biodiversity, says project coordinator Bexie Towle. The Mangapiko Stream as it leaves Maungatautari. The ecological corridor is linking Maungatautari and Mt Pirongia by planting along the stream. Photo supplied. The maunga/mountains are more than 40km apart, so the whole community is involved. Dairy farmer Bush Macky says its a fabulous project at the heart of the community. Its so rewarding working with the hundreds of people and more than 20 organisations involved, including DairyNZ and dairy companies, to help native wildlife thrive and enhance local waterways. Key project goals for 2024 include researching native trees and plants unique to the area that have disappeared due to predators like possums and creating a plan to bring them back in the long term. A similar initiative has been launched by DOC, with the support of local iwi, hapu, and the community, to reintroduce tapia/mistletoe on Mt Pirongia. In other Taiea te Taiao project goals, iwi will work to enhance taonga/treasure species within the corridor including kakahi/freshwater mussels and piharau/lamprey. Dairy farmers Josh and Bayley Storey and family have planted more than 25,000 trees on their farm, adding to a remnant forest of Kahikatea and other native trees. Photo supplied. Pou/cultural markers are also planned to recognise cultural sites along Mangapiko Stream. On his dairy farm at the Mt Pirongia end of the corridor, Bush has planted more than 15,000 native trees and plants. He created a duck pond surrounded by planting and retired some land from farming. Bush says theres been no loss in farm production and no impact on business viability. Its a win-win. Weve added value to the community and our property. Were seeing more native birds on our farm than ever before, says Bush. So far, more than 200,000 plants have been added to the corridor. Nine kilometres of waterways have been fenced to protect them and native trees planted alongside. Erosion control and willow removal is also underway on the Mangapiko Stream. Taiea te Taiao ecological corridor project coordinator Bexie Towle and schoolchildren plant for future generations as part of the project. Photo supplied. The corridor planting is regularly maintained, with weed control across 22 hectares. A comprehensive pest management programme includes trap lines and bait station networks on both maunga, and traps on private property. Four iwi are closely involved in the project: Ngati Apakura including Purekireki Marae, Te Ruranga o Ngati Apakura, Ngati Koroki Kahukura and Ngati Hikairo. Nine tohu whenua/Maori heritage sites including pa, lie along the Mangapiko Stream, signifying the relationships between nature and people who once lived between the two maunga. Poto Davies of Ngati Koroki Kahukura says the iwi want the two maunga connected, first and foremost. Beautifying the Mangapiko Stream will enhance its mana. The stream is the veins of the land, and the whenua is important to us all, says Poto. Maori heritage sites alongside the Mangapiko Stream between Maungatautari and Pirongia are being protected as part of the ecological project. Tuna/freshwater eels are being monitored using matauranga Maori methods. A visit to one of the significant pa sites in the ecological corridor, Matakitaki i nga Patupaiarehe o runga o Pirongia. L-R: Hazel Coromandal-Wander (mana whenua representative for Taiea te Taiao), Te Ao o te Rangi Apaapa (Matauranga Maori facilitator for Taiea te Taiao), Angela Roberts (former MP) and Nardene Berry (Waikato regional coordinator, North Island Team leader). Photo supplied. Maungatautari Pirongia Ecological Corridor Incorporated Society co-chair Clare St Pierre says its amazing to be creating biodiversity strongholds for birds. Were providing an environment for our iconic species so people can see them on their back doorstep. More than 20 organisations are involved in the Taiea te Taiao project including funders, sponsors and supporters. The Ministry for the Environment provides funding through the Freshwater Initiatives Fund for two employees, and NZ Landcare Trust coordinates the project. Industry good organisation DairyNZ supports farmers in their work to reduce environmental footprint and organises on-farm fieldays for the project. Fonterra, Nestle and Open Country Dairy contribute funding to the project, and the dairy companies support their farmers with on-farm environmental work. When a person in mental distress calls 111 for help, they may be surprised to find the New Zealand Police is the organisation that responds. Mental health advocates say having a police officer turn up is not ideal for people taking the big step of reaching out. And police officers say they would prefer not to be the lead agency. Mental health responses make up a large chunk of their day-to-day callouts. However a new response model is being trialled, with promising results to date. In 2019, Cabinet instructed the police, health and social sector agencies to jointly develop a plan, to transition from a police-led response to a multi-agency response in the next five years. The multi-agency response aimed to provide more suitable support and help, by sending the most appropriate agencies to an incident. Co-response teams are currently being trialled across six areas: Counties Manukau, Waitemata (Eastern), Taranaki, Wellington, Hamilton City and Dunedin metro. The trial co-response teams include a paramedic, a police officer and a mental health officer. Together they attend a mental health callout and between them work out what skills or personnel are appropriate for that particular incident. Otago University head of the department of psychological medicine and investigator in the Wellington Mental Health Co-Response Team Evaluation, Dr Susanna Every-Palmer, says the benefits would be transferable to different areas around the country. However, it was important that each region evaluate how a co-response team would work for them, as different communities could need a different way of delivering the service, she says. University of Otago head of the Department of Psychological Medicine Dr Susanna Every-Palmer, has been one of the investigators assessing the new response model. Photo supplied. Susanna says there had been a positive response to co-response teams and people were able to offer a better, more personalised service. One thing that stood out from the Wellington trial was how much people valued having a paramedic present, Susanna says. From our research, we found that the paramedic was highly appreciated and that sometimes they could connect with people in a way that police officers and mental health professionals couldnt do. NZ Police Association president of the Chris Cahill, says police officers in the trials spent 30 per cent less time at mental health incidents a big change for resourcing at the police departments. Between January 1, 2018, and October 1, 2023, police attended 199,425 mental health and suicide-related events nationally. For regional police stations, that was a large number of callouts over a five-year period: 10,193 in Manawatu, 6,255 in Taranaki, 4587 in Southland, 2414 in Nelson, 2413 in Marlborough, and 1168 in Timaru. Police Association president Chris Cahill says mental health patients should not be treated like criminals. Robert Kitchin/ Stuff. A co-response approach to mental health callouts would be a vast improvement on how the calls were dealt with now, Chris says. Were very proud of the model. However the association would like to see a response model that did not include the police, Chris says. The co-response model was originally in place under a National government, prior to 2017. When Labour came to power, they scrapped it, which we have always been very disappointed over, because were supportive of the model. However, he says there was a clear view that people suffering with their mental health deserved to be helped by experts in the health field. Theyre not criminals ... this isnt a police role, its a health role, and police should only be involved when theres risk of injury to people concerned. Alister Rose, a retired police officer and paramedic, says the organisations members found that police officers werent well-consulted about the problems they faced when dealing with mental health issues in the community. Alister is the managing director of Hatikvah: Blue Hope Foundation, an independent organisation that helped to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of current and retired police officers. Thats an old-fashioned system, using police, when you dont have police in any of the mental homes around New Zealand, Alister says. Allister Rose is a former police officer and managing director of Hatikvah: Blue Hope Foundation, says police dont want to deal with mental health callouts. Photo supplied. He says in his experience, health departments needed to own the issue, rather than police. That was a sentiment shared by Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand chief executive Shaun Robinson in his letter supporting a national rollout of alternative responses to community mental health to the Minister of Health at the time, Andrew Little. Shaun says the MHF had long supported mental health responses where police presence was the exception rather than the rule. He says police were not usually best-placed to respond to those in crisis, as their involvement could represent a coercive pathway into care. - Kiah Radcliffe/ Stuff Marjorie L. "Marge" Verplank, age 93 of Sidney, NE, gained her wings and departed this life to meet her family just in time for Christmas - on Saturday, December 23, 2023 in Sidney, NE. Funeral Services will be held at 9:00 A.M. on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at the Evangelical Free Church in Sidney, NE with Pastors Kyle Larson and Doug Birky officiating. Burial will follow at 2:00 P.M. Central Time at the Ft. McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, NE. Services will be livestreamed on the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel Facebook page and recorded for later viewing on our website. Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Friday from 1-6:00 P.M. to leave condolences for the family. The family has requested memorials to SRMC Extended Care or the Evangelical Free Church in Sidney, NE. You may view Marjorie's Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at http://www.gehrigstittchapel.com. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Marjorie's care and funeral arrangements. Marjorie Lou (Forman) Verplank was born to Fay and Edith (Kinnie) Forman on April 30, 1930, near Holbrook, NE. Marjorie was the youngest of four children. She received her education in rural Furnace County Schools and later she attended the Holbrook Public School where she graduated with the class of 1948. After her high school graduation, she started teaching in rural schools that same year. Part of her job was firing up the coal stove every morning. She also swept the floors and did other janitorial duties. Outhouses were standard equipment at every school. Marjorie went on to further her education at the Nebraska State Normal School in Kearney, NE. Around this time Marjorie met her future husband, Lee Verplank. They were married on Valentine's Day 1956 in Cambridge, NE. Lee's job took them to Sidney, NE where they spent the rest of their lives. Marjorie continued her career in education, teaching the 4th grade at South Elementary in Sidney for the next 34 years. Marge always said that the 4th graders were the perfect age for schooling! There is rarely any place in Sidney and the surrounding areas that you can go without at least one person remembering her and saying she was their favorite teacher! Though she never had children of her own, the lives she touched while teaching was truly remarkable and each one was a child she loved. For the past year and a half, Marjorie resided at SRMC Extended Care where she was gently cared for. Contributing to her care and doing her best to make sure Auntie Marge had the BEST quality of these later years in life, was her niece, Hillery Medina of Sidney. Marjorie was proceeded in death by her husband, Lee on February 11, 2006 just 3 days before their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Her parents and all three of her siblings Byran, Albert, and Mary went home ahead of Marge and we know they were waiting to welcome her with open arms. Those left to miss and remember Marge include her many nieces and nephews, many great nieces and nephews, three sisters-in-law, and a host of friends. On May 11, 2017, the newly-elected U.S. President, Donald Trump, issued an executive order to form a Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity. He appointed Vice-President Mike Pence as chair, and Kansas State's Secretary of State Kris Kobach as vice-chair. For some time, Kobach had "promoted the myth of voter fraud and supported laws that restricted people from voting." Two other members were "notorious advocates for voter suppression." At least one member was a Democrat, Maine's Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap. The reason the President established the commission was because election officials had certified that Hillary Clinton had won the popular vote, 65,853,514 votes to Trump's 62,984,828 votes, although he won the electoral college, 304 votes to Clinton's 227. This rare event-when a candidate wins the electoral college vote but loses the popular vote-occurred four times before: in 1824, 1876, 1888, and 2000 when George W. Bush won. Trump insisted that as many as "5 million votes were cast illegally in November 2016." A writer for the Brennan Center for Justice wrote the following: "For years, exaggerated claims of fraud have been used to justify unwarranted restrictions on voting access. The president's invented legions of illegal voters are the most extreme such claims in recent memory. His statements have been almost universally rejected." On January 3, 2018, six years ago today, President Trump disbanded the Commission. Its members had met twice. An article dated January 3, 2018 that appears on National Public Radio's website presents a list of comments from those involved or who observed the Commission's work. For example, White House press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders read a statement, "Despite substantial evidence of voter fraud, many states have refused to provide the Commission with basic information relevant to its inquiry." Yet, she provided no evidence. Officials in certain states chose to ignore the Commission's request for "detailed voter data, including names, addresses, birth dates, partial Social Security numbers, and party affiliation." Kentucky's Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes said, "I'm not going to risk sensitive information for 3.2 million Kentuckians getting in the wrong hands, into the public domain." Some states mired the Commission down by filing multiple lawsuits against it. Maine's Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap said, "My ability to participate in the work of the commission was completely shut off. I was walled off from any deliberations." He filed a lawsuit against the Commission demanding that it turn over documents to him. In August of 2018, he said that "drafts of a commission report included a section on evidence of voter fraud that was 'glaringly empty.' 'It's calling into the darkness, looking for voter fraud.'" "In a statement, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said that the Commission, 'was nothing more than a front to suppress the vote, perpetrate dangerous and baseless claims, and was ridiculed from one end of the country to the other." It is sad but true that the stage was set to "perpetrate dangerous and baseless claims" later. On Tuesday, November 3, 2020, a majority of voters elected Joseph Biden President of the United States. He received 306 electoral votes and 81,283,501 popular votes to Donald Trump's 232 electoral votes and 74,223,975 popular votes. Biden won, Trump lost, but not end of story. Trump insisted the election was rigged. Two days later, he said, "If you count the legal votes, I easily win. If you count the illegal votes, they can try to steal the election from us. As everybody saw, we won by historic numbers. It's a corrupt system." None of that is true. On January 6, 2021, 3 years ago this week, a mob of true believers stormed into the Capitol Building intent on halting Congress's official duty to count and certify the electoral votes. Four people lost their lives that day. A sad day in our country's life. You might have heard that Donald Trump is going to be a dictator if he wins the presidency next year. Among other things, he's threatening to target his political opponents. Let's stipulate that Trump is a provocateur who freaks out his opponents even when he's on relatively good behavior. And his conduct after the 2020 election was genuinely alarming and deeply wrong. He shouldn't talk about going after his political enemies, let alone actually do it if he takes power again. But the vapors over Trump's threatening statements are rich coming from people who have targeted their enemy by any means necessary for years now. The Russian-collusion investigation, the Hunter Biden cover-up and the ongoing, politically timed legal onslaught against Donald Trump are among the most shameful and tawdry efforts to destroy a political opponent in memory. They all have involved the abuse of power by national-security or law-enforcement officials, with the connivance of a complicit press. This is Watergate-break-in-level political subterfuge, or the something drawn from fever dreams about Ronald Reagan's "October Surprise," except it has all happened in plain sight. I'm not opposed to, or shocked by, political hardball. Count me out on all the saccharine cliches about how Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neill were great friends despite some polite political differences between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The stakes in our debate are enormous, and that debate should be litigated robustly, even harshly. But that's different from abusing investigative processes and leveraging the presumed professionalism and moral authority of current and former national-security and law-enforcement officials for a political campaign against one man. The press coverage of Trump makes it sound as though we are starting on a fresh playing field, where everything has been strictly by the book since 2016. You'd never know that back then, top law-enforcement officials began a poorly predicted investigation into Trump-campaign officials, lied to the FISA court, connived to win appointment of a special counsel, and then, that special counsel -- puffed up by the press with "walls are closing in," "only Mueller knows" coverage --kept his investigation going well after he knew there was nothing there. It's unmentioned that in 2020, two weeks before Election Day, former national-security officials, some of whom were highly respected, put their names to a letter meant to mislead about the Hunter laptop; Biden, from the debate stage, lied about that laptop and his son's business dealing; and Twitter censored the story and much of the rest of the media treated it as a non-event at best. All of this was meant to keep the laptop's true importance under wraps through Election Day, and -- if Joe Biden and compliant Justice department officials had had their way --until this very day. If Hunter's original sweetheart plea deal hasn't blown up upon first contact with an independent-minded judge, he would have escaped serious legal consequences. The entire affair was a rank distortion of the political and legal process. And, oh yeah, Biden Justice Department officials and Democratic prosecutors are currently trying to put the other side's leading contender for the White House in jail. As a warm-up act, they are also attempting to kneecap his business in a trial, or "trial," in which the verdict has already been decided. Almost all these charges are unworthy, dubious or imprudent, but that hasn't stopped Trump's pursuers, most of whom have wanted their trials to start, for some reason, in March right after the Republican nomination will probably be decided. Trump's critics would be on firmer ground objecting to his declared campaign of vengeance if they had been willing to forebear during any of these episodes; if they had ever insisted on neutrality or fair play; if they'd been willing to look beyond the man they loathe and make judgments based on truth and professional standards. Instead, they've lit a fuse while pretending that they're opposed to pyrotechnics, with consequences as yet unknown. Europa Press Malaga Thursday, 4 January 2024 | Updated 09/01/2024 10:59h. Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram A Malaga court sentenced Jose Arcadio D., known by the nickname 'El Melillero', to 41 years and three months in prison for the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend and a friend after attacking them with acid in the Malaga province town of Cartama in January 2021. In addition, two other defendants were convicted and three defendants were acquitted in this case. The two young women had acid splashed over them through a car window as they sat in their vehicle. The attack left both with serious burn injuries to their bodies that required extensive treatment in hospital. 'El Melillero' denied in court that he wanted to kill or harm the two victims and claimed that "the intention was to scare them". According to the court sentence, Jose Arcadio D. was convicted of two crimes of attempted murder with the aggravating circumstance of gender violence in both cases, as well as of one crime of habitual abuse with his ex-partner, another of harassment and two of threats. He was acquitted of the charge of belonging to a criminal organisation. The trial of El Melillero and five others, among them the co-accused 'El Poti' who accompanied him on the day of the attack, began on 13 November 2023. The trial was originally scheduled for sentencing on 1 December. The Security Forces of the Government of Moscow (SFGM), the security service for the Russian capital, which President Vladimir Putin approved in November 2022, is one example of the long-standing Russian tradition of "paramilitarization." The project allows Muscovites to voluntarily perform patriotic duties while avoiding service on the front lines in Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT This is stated in the UK military intelligence report released on January 4. The agency noted that since July 2023, the has become more paramilitary, including obtaining permission to use firearms. Presumably, several thousand recruits out of the planned 15,000 have been recruited to the service. The SFGM is another example of the long-standing Russian tradition of "paramilitarization " - the increase in the number of armed organizations outside the regular army, British intelligence noted. However, the SFGM was most likely partially reinforced due to concerns about the readiness of Moscow's local security forces "in the face of an offensive by rebel Private Military Company Wagner troops in June 2023," the report said. "The project also provides Muscovites with the opportunity to voluntarily perform 'patriotic' wartime duties while avoiding service on the front lines in Ukraine," the British intelligence service said. ADVERTISIMENT They also noted that Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin was able to limit the direct impact of the war against Ukraine on the relatively wealthy population of the Russian capital. Most of the Russian casualties in Ukraine are from the poorest provincial regions, the agency said. As OBOZ.UA reported, on the morning of January 4, a blackout occurred in Moscow. Power, water and heating went out in three districts of the Russian capital at once. The cause of the emergency was called a fire at a transformer substation, but the Russian authorities remained silent about the cause of the fire. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! 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. Syracuse, NY -- Some residents at a troubled Syracuse nursing home were forced out of their rooms on New Years Eve after a water pipe burst, causing a ceiling to collapse and ruining their personal belongings, two family members of residents told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard. Syracuse firefighters responded to multiple water leaks at 9:40 p.m. Sunday at the Bishop Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 918 James St., fire Capt. Matthew Craner said. One break involved a pipe for the heating system, while another happened at a broken fire suppression sprinkler head, Craner said. Photos submitted by a relative of resident showed a gaping hole in the ceiling of one room. Below, theres debris on the bed and floor next to a Christmas tree and a display of Mickey Mouse collectables. The ceiling of a resident's room collapsed after a water leak New Year's Eve at Bishop Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, in Syracuse.Provided photo Another loved one sent photos of two rooms barricaded by yellow caution tape and an industrial fan blowing humidity out of the hallway. A Bishop spokesman confirmed that residents were relocated from the affected rooms without injury. The incident happened when a heat pipe leaked close to a sprinkler head, activating the fire alarm and alerting the fire department, said the spokesman, Jeffrey Jacomowitz, of Centers Health Care, which is Bishops Bronx-based management company. Its just the latest incident at Bishop, which was designated in March 2022 as a special focus facility. That means its among the nations worst 89 nursing homes and is under special scrutiny by regulators for persistent, serious care problems. Bishop was sanctioned in 2021 for failing to supervise a 79-year-old resident who died after falling from a third-story window. State health inspectors visited it five times in 2022, more than any other nursing home in Onondaga County, and four times in the first half of 2023. More recent inspection data was not immediately available Wednesday. The state health department said that it was investigating the water leak, but did not comment further. RELATED: Inside Syracuses worst nursing home: Screams for help, missed medications, 10 p.m. dinners Sharon Capers, whose mom lives on the floor where the water leaked, said its just the latest example of shoddy care at the nursing home. Its just a reoccurring thing, Capers said. They dont do anything. Another person who contacted syracuse.com expressed frustration that the facility did not alert families of loved ones in the hours after the pipe burst. A lot has happened at the Bishop, but I never thought in a million years that something like this would happen and no one would contact us or keep us apprised of what the next steps are going to be, said the family member. Doors to two residents' rooms were barricaded with yellow caution tape after a New Year's Eve water leak forced residents to be relocated.Provided by Sharon Capers The fire department said that the water leaks forced electricity to be temporarily turned off to some areas of the facility as a precaution. The water leaks were stopped, the sprinkler head replaced and the fire suppression system was refilled, Craner said. However, the fire alarm was not successfully reset, requiring staff to keep watch for fire under fire department protocols, Craner said. The fire department will follow up in coming days to confirm that the system is successfully repaired, he added. Repairs to fix the water damage should be complete in about 10 days, the facilitys spokesman said. Room temperatures were not affected by the problem with the heating system, he added. Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or (315) 470-6070. The U.S. Mint has released new commemorative coins honoring civil rights hero Harriet Tubman that will benefit a historic site in Central New York. Three coins a $5 gold coin, a silver dollar, and a half-dollar coin were made available for pre-order Thursday at usmint.gov. A three-coin proof set can be purchased for $836, while the coins can be purchased individually starting at $47; introductory pricing is in effect until Feb. 5, and coins will ship later next month. The coins with Tubmans image are legal tender, while surcharges on the coin sales will help support preservation and education efforts at the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn, N.Y., now part of a national historical park. Proceeds will also benefit the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati. Tubman, who spent most of her life in Auburn, escaped slavery during the 19th century and helped lead dozens of others to freedom through a network of safe houses known as the Underground Railroad. During the Civil War, she served as an armed scout and spy for the U.S. Army. Each coin features different images from Tubmans life, along with phrases representing her legacy including Civil War, Nurse, Scout, Spy, Combahee River Raid Leader, Freedom, Self-Determination and Social Justice. The coins also include inscriptions commonly appearing on U.S. money, including E Pluribus Unum, United States of America, Liberty, and In God We Trust. The U.S. Mint has released new commemorative coins honoring Central New York civil rights hero Harriet Tubman, including this $5 gold coin.US Mint The House and Senate passed a bill in 2022 requiring the U.S. Treasury to mint the commemorative coins in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the abolitionist leaders birth. Then-Congressman John Katko, a Republican from Camillus, and Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., were among the sponsors for the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act in the House. U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who helped push the bill through the Senate, said the coins will carry on Tubmans legacy by ensuring her courageous story lives on and that the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn can continue to inspire countless generations to come. The U.S. Mint has released new commemorative coins honoring Central New York civil rights hero Harriet Tubman, including this half-dollar coin.US Mint Some lawmakers are continuing to push for Tubman to separately appear on the $20 bill after Trump-era Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin put it on hold in 2019. Tubman was chosen to replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill in 2016, which then-presidential candidate Donald Trump criticized as pure political correctness during his campaign. Ernestine Tina Martin Wyatt, Tubmans great-great-great-grandniece, told CNN that putting Tubman on the $20 bill will be more powerful because theyre used frequently as U.S. currency. The coins are fabulous but that $20 bill, for me, represents something greater about who she was and what she gave to the United States, Wyatt told CNN. She is a symbol of true democracy in this country, and we have to pay attention to the symbols that we want to represent it. The U.S. Mint has released new commemorative coins honoring Central New York civil rights hero Harriet Tubman, including this silver dollar.US Mint For more information and pre-order options, visit catalog.usmint.gov/coins/commemorative-coins/harriet-tubman. The coins are expected to begin shipping Feb. 12. The day after Christmas, a 46-year-old woman from South Glens Falls slipped and tumbled several hundred feet down the side of South Dix Mountain before catching herself on a small spruce tree near the edge of a vertical cliff. The woman, an experienced Adirondack hiker who had twice completed the 46er challenge, wasnt injured in the fall. But she spent a cold, wet night clinging to the cliff face before being rescued by two New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers. She quite honestly thought she was going to die up there, said Ranger Martin, who participated in the rescue. Conditions that day were treacherous, hovering just above freezing with pouring rain, soaking wet spruce tree cover, deep snow, and slippery ice. Martin called it brutal... hypothermia weather. Martin intermittently spoke to the now-stranded hiker by phone as she wiggled there on the cliff face to stay warm, he said. She was afraid of losing her footing in the dark and falling off the cliff. After six hours, rangers finally reached the hiker at 1:30 a.m. They provided her with warm liquids, food, and dry clothes before setting out for a five-hour hike to the womans vehicle. She came to the realization that night that she had been lucky all those other times hiking in the Adirondack back country, Martin said. Its no joke back there. Itll kill you. The following reports are excerpted from DEC: A ranger rappels down a cliff at Minnewaska State Park to rescue a 39-year-old from Singapore who later died after falling 80 feet from the cliff while taking pictures with her husband.NYSDEC A 39-year-old from Singapore died after falling 80 feet at Minnewaska State Park on the afternoon of Dec. 22. The woman was hiking the Beacon Hill trail with her husband when they stopped to take pictures at the edge of a cliff and she lost her footing. Despite serious injuries, she was still conscious when rangers reached her, but her vital signs crashed as they moved her to an extraction point. Rangers working with a state police helicopter hoisted her out. She was later pronounced dead at the hospital. On the evening of Dec. 20, rangers helped search for a suicidal 44-year-old man who had jumped into the Susquehanna River two days earlier. The following morning, rangers took an air boat to the Millenium Bridge, where the man was last seen. State police found the mans body on the north side of the river around noon and turned it over to Owego Police. If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance, help is available. 988 is a free 24-hour hotline to call or text anywhere in New York. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK. On the afternoon of Dec. 22, a 71-year-old from Westport injured his knee and upper leg after a fall on Knob Lock Mountain. Rangers carried the man out using a backpack carrier system, reaching his vehicle after nightfall. The hiker decided to seek further medical attention on his own. Sign up for the CNY Outdoors Newsletter Enter your email address to get weekly updates on CNY outdoors news delivered to your inbox: READ MORE Rangers rescue teen lost on dark, snowy Catskills mountain - newyorkupstate.com Rangers recover body of missing Upstate NY man - newyorkupstate.com Rangers fight forest fires, find lost hunters in Upstate NY - newyorkupstate.com Rangers find missing Upstate NY man dead in Titusville State Forest - newyorkupstate.com Ranger finds, revives missing person in Oswego County - newyorkupstate.com Steve Featherstone covers the outdoors for The Post Standard, syracuse.com and NYUP.com. Contact him at sfeatherstone@syracuse.com or on Twitter @featheroutdoors. You can also follow along with all of our outdoors content at newyorkupstate.com/outdoors/ or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/upstatenyoutdoors. The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. On December 30, NASA's Juno spacecraft flew past Jupiter's moon and captured one of the closest images of the volcanic world of Io in decades. The device has been in Jupiter's orbit since 2016 and in recent months has been moving closer and closer to Io. ADVERTISIMENT According to the space agency, the latest image was taken at an altitude of only 1,500 kilometers above the surface. The photo clearly shows some of the hundreds of mountains, estimated to be more than 10 kilometers high, as well as the long, sharp shadows cast by these mountains. Io is considered the most volcanically active body in the solar system. There are hundreds of active volcanoes on Jupiter's moon. As a rule, they are smaller than these towering mountains and, on average, have a height of 1 or 2 kilometers. So it is difficult to see the volcanoes in the photo. At the same time, this new flyby of the volcanic moon provides scientists with new data to add to those obtained during the spacecraft's previous 56 flybys of Io at various distances. Processing and analyzing this data will allow scientists to learn more about how these volcanoes on the satellite have changed over time and why they are so active. ADVERTISIMENT In addition to Io, Juno is also studying other moons of Jupiter, including Europa and Ganymede. The spacecraft has been collecting data about them and taking the closest images since NASA's Galileo spacecraft visited the area in 2001. In February 2024, Juno is expected to make another close flyby of Io, again at an altitude of about 1,500 kilometers above the surface. All in all, by the end of the mission, which will end in late 2025, Juno will have flown by Io seven more times and will deorbited. However, this will not mean an end to the study of Jupiter and its moons. The Europa Clipper spacecraft is scheduled to launch in October 2024, flying at an altitude of 25 kilometers above the surface of Europe and providing key information about its mysterious inner ocean, which is considered one of the most promising places for life in the solar system. ADVERTISIMENT However, the spacecraft will arrive in Europe only in 2030. Earlier, OBOZ.UA reported that organic elements were found on the surface of Jupiter's moon Ganymede. Subscribe to OBOZ.UA on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. As we stand on the cusp of 2024, technology continues its relentless march forward, shaping how we live, work, and interact with the world around us. Indeed, 2023 was an exciting year in tech, and some of you may enjoy my podcast from a few weeks ago, where I opined during my SmartTechCheck podcast on what I believe were last years most significant tech issues. Anticipating the trends that will define the technological landscape in 2024 requires a keen understanding of current developments and foresight into the evolving needs of society. Its no easy task because of the expansive list of hot topics to choose from. Regardless, lets delve into the top five technology predictions for 2024 from my vantage point. While I believe it will be difficult to argue the trends Ive chosen, some might find the context and perspective controversial. ARM-based PCs finally become a big deal. As we enter 2024, the tech industry is abuzz with the anticipation of Arm-based Windows PCs becoming a significant category. Two key players poised to benefit from this transition are AMD and Qualcomm. This shift represents a departure from the traditional x86 architecture, with Arms energy-efficient design offering a compelling alternative for Windows-powered devices. Microsofts latest iteration of Windows 11, which runs Arm-based processors, is getting close to providing an x86-like Windows experience with little app or peripheral compatibility problems. It also provides power and battery life benefits that classic x86 processors simply cant offer. AMD has been at the forefront of innovation with its Zen architecture, which has proven to be a game-changer in the CPU market. The collaboration between AMD and Microsoft in embracing Arm for Windows PCs aligns with the efficiency and performance goals that both companies have been striving to achieve. AMDs expertise in delivering powerful yet power-efficient processors position it as a critical player in the Arm-based Windows PC landscape. Consumers can expect AMD-powered devices to provide a balance of high-performance computing and energy efficiency, catering to a diverse range of applications from gaming to productivity. In past years, Qualcomms initial Snapdragon-based PCs did not capture significant market share as users and IT managers were reluctant to embrace a new class of laptops that might have app compatibility challenges and not provide sufficient performance for video and photo editing. However, the companys latest Snapdragon X Elite processors are showing promising performance and battery life results (in the same ballpark as what Apple has achieved with its M family of chips). I fully expect customers will take notice as companies like Dell, HP, and others begin offering laptops with Qualcomms new processors. Qualcomm is well-positioned to thrive in the Arm-based Windows PC era. Snapdragon processors are renowned for their energy efficiency and integration of advanced connectivity features. As Windows PCs increasingly emphasize mobility and connectivity, Qualcomms expertise in delivering efficient, connected solutions makes them a natural fit for the ARM architecture. The Snapdragon-powered Windows PCs will likely excel in always-on connectivity, extended battery life, and seamless integration with 5G networks, enhancing the overall user experience. As Arm-based Windows PCs gain prominence in 2024, AMD and Qualcomm stand out as beneficiaries of this transformative shift. These chipmakers commitment to advancing processor technology aligns with the demands of an evolving market, offering consumers a new era of Windows computing characterized by enhanced performance, energy efficiency, and seamless connectivity. The democratization of AI solutions will accelerate, especially with PCs. AMD and Qualcomm stand to gain significantly as the technology sector eagerly awaits the rise of Arm-based Windows PCs as key new devices in the market. This transition signifies a departure from the traditional x86 architecture, positioning these companies at the forefront of this evolving landscape. What used to be the province that only large government agencies or even countries that could afford or fund these types of programs, AI-based data is fueling the kind of supercomputing power at a lower cost, unthinkable just a few years ago. Enabled by its Instinct MI300 Series accelerators, AMD is embracing an industry standards approach that allows it to provide a stronger value proposition from a pricing standpoint versus companies like Nvidia, which is a leader in this space but tends to have a more costly proprietary orientation. AMD is also betting that its Ryzen AI family of Threadripper processors that enable local AI applications with its Zen architecture will broadly appeal to users. While this could be a game-changer in the CPU market, much of this will depend on Microsoft who will carry the industrys water on messaging successfully convincing users that AI truly matters at the PC level. This process will take a long time as PC OEMs often fragment their messaging on big innovation topics, unlike Apple, which speaks in a singular voice. Regardless, the collaboration between AMD and Microsoft in embracing Arm for Windows PCs aligns with the efficiency and performance goals that both companies have been striving to achieve. AMDs expertise in delivering powerful yet power-efficient processors positions the company as a critical player in the Arm-based Windows PC landscape. Consumers can expect AMD-powered devices to provide a balance of high-performance computing and energy efficiency, catering to a diverse range of applications from gaming to productivity. Qualcomms Snapdragon X Elite chips bring significant benefits from an AI standpoint. These advanced chips leverage AI-enhanced capabilities to optimize network performance, ensuring efficient data transmission and connectivity. Integrating machine learning algorithms enhances the overall user experience by predicting network conditions, reducing latency, and improving the reliability of AI applications on mobile devices. The Snapdragon X Elite chips thus contribute to a seamless and intelligent AI-driven connectivity experience, positioning Qualcomm at the forefront of mobile AI innovation. As Arm-based Windows PCs gain prominence in 2024, AMD and Qualcomm stand out as beneficiaries of this transformative shift. Their commitment to advancing processor technology aligns with the demands of an evolving market, offering consumers a new era of Windows computing characterized by enhanced performance, energy efficiency, and seamless connectivity. Intel, a once-dominant force in the tech industry, especially during the 1990s and early 2000s, is facing new challenges despite its recent foray into AI-based CPU technology. Although Intel continues to possess significant market share in the PC industry, which positions it potentially as a key player in AI-enabled laptops and desktops, the company seems to be grappling with issues related to vision and overall user excitement. Given the current financial pressures and evolving market dynamics, it raises questions about Intels ability to meet these new challenges effectively. This shift in Intels market position reflects the rapidly changing landscape of the technology sector, where innovation and adaptability are crucial. Its not 2002 anymore. The maturation of 5G continues, transforming connectivity. The benefits hyperbole of 5G that began in 2018 was clumsy and ham-fisted in many ways. The initial rollout of 5G faced several challenges, contributing to an inelegant launch. Infrastructure deployment complexities, varying global standards, and the need for significant investments hampered a smooth transition. Issues like limited device availability and inconsistent coverage led to a fragmented user experience. Coordinating efforts across telecom operators and addressing compatibility concerns further complicated the early stages of 5G implementation, resulting in a less-than-ideal and somewhat disjointed launch. But things are getting a lot brighter, which could finally unleash the potential of 5G. The rollout of 5G networks has begun, ushering in faster and more reliable connectivity. In 2024, anticipate the widespread maturation of 5G technology, enabling a seamless and interconnected world. Beyond faster smartphone internet speeds, 5G will underpin the growth of the internet of things (IoT), autonomous vehicles, and smart cities. Integrating 5G into various industries will lead to enhanced capabilities, such as real-time remote surgeries, augmented reality experiences, and smart infrastructure management. Moreover, research into 6G technology will likely gain momentum, setting the stage for even faster and more efficient communication systems in the latter half of the decade. The global sustainability movement is shown to have goofed by myopically focusing on EVs. Hybrid cars represent a pragmatic transitional choice for steering the automotive industry away from traditional gas-based vehicles, providing a middle ground that addresses immediate environmental concerns while easing the shift towards fully electric vehicles (EVs). There are several reasons why hybrids might have been a more sensible option during this transitional phase. Hybrid-based cars offer a gradual shift towards cleaner transportation without requiring an extensive infrastructure overhaul. Unlike fully electric vehicles, hybrids can rely on existing gas stations and refueling infrastructure, making them more convenient for consumers and reducing the pressure on rapid charging network development. Next, one of the primary concerns with early electric vehicles is range anxiety due to limited charging infrastructure and the time it takes to recharge. Hybrids alleviate this concern by incorporating an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. This dual power source provides a safety net, ensuring drivers wont be stranded if they exceed the electric range. Environmentally, while hybrids still rely on internal combustion engines, their integration of electric propulsion reduces overall emissions and improves fuel efficiency. This incremental reduction in environmental impact allows for a more gradual transition away from traditional gas-based vehicles, providing manufacturers and consumers time to adapt without sacrificing immediate gains in fuel efficiency. Finally, there is the subject of cost. Without substantial tax subsidies at the state and federal levels, EVs are a challenging value proposition for most consumers. Subsidy-free EVs cost $60,000 or more, limiting their appeal to many consumers. Hybrids often come with a lower upfront cost compared to fully electric vehicles. This affordability makes them a more accessible option for a broader range of consumers, encouraging a faster uptake and contributing to a more widespread reduction in emissions. Generally, the cost difference between a hybrid-based car versus a gasoline-only powered cost is approximately $5,000. Focusing on hybrid cars as a transitional step offers a practical and balanced approach to moving away from traditional gas-based vehicles. By addressing concerns related to infrastructure, range anxiety, environmental impact, and cost, hybrids pave the way for a smoother and more inclusive transition towards a more sustainable automotive future. Unfortunately, the myopic focus on EVs has turned off many consumers, proving once again that indifference to addressing the challenges above with EVs has backfired as hybrids have represented a much more reasonable approach to transition the auto industry. Apples credibility will be put to the test when Vision Pro finally ships. Extended reality (XR), encompassing virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), is set to redefine how we experience the digital and physical worlds. XR technologies will mature in 2024, offering more immersive and interactive experiences. From virtual meetings and remote collaboration to augmented reality applications in education and training, XR will bridge the gap between the digital and physical realms. Whether Apple likes it or not, the company will become the poster child for the future success or failure of the entire AR/VR category once Vision Pro begins shipping in the February or March timeframe (if the industry rumors are true). As Ive maintained before, Apples spatial computing approach will depend mainly on the killer app getting developed, which I believe will not come from Apple. The gaming industry, in particular, will see a surge in XR integration, creating more lifelike and engaging virtual worlds. Additionally, XR will find applications in health care, allowing for advanced medical simulations and remote patient monitoring. As the technology evolves, XR will play an increasingly vital role in enhancing our understanding of and engagement with the world around us. Final Thoughts Unquestionably, AI is poised to become an integral part of our daily lives in 2024, transcending its role as a behind-the-scenes technology. Advances in natural language processing and computer vision will make AI more accessible and user-friendly, leading to a more intuitive and humanized interaction with technology. AI will continue to play a pivotal role in health care diagnostics, personalized education, and content creation. Conversational AI, powered by sophisticated language models, will redefine customer service and automate various business processes. However, as AI becomes more omnipresent, ethical considerations surrounding data privacy, bias, and accountability will demand increased attention and regulation. 2024 promises to be a pivotal year in technology, with the emergence of AI-based PCs and the ripening of 5G, AI, and AR/VR/XR emerging as the driving forces behind transformative change. As these innovations unfold, the challenge will be to navigate the ethical and societal implications, ensuring that we harness the benefits of technology for the greater good. The future is exciting, and as we embrace these technological advancements, we must also remain vigilant in shaping a future that is sustainable and conducive to the well-being of humanity. LinDoz, a sidelined MakuluLinux distro that made an ideal Windows-to-Linux crossover, welcomes the new year with artificial intelligence and virtual camera powers. I spent the last few weeks working with a pre-final release version of this returned-from-the-shelf distro. The developer sent me an even more awesome final version just days before the new LinDoz was scheduled to hit the download servers. MakuluLinux developer Jacque Montague Raymer had paused LinDoz over developmental issues caused by constant upstream changes in the Cinnamon desktop environment. With those issues resolved within the Cinnamon developer community, he decided to bring it back. This re-release of LinDoz reflects the distributions mantra of always pushing boundaries. My hands-on experience with the beta versions assures that the return will not disappoint, even if the notion of AI-powered Linux seems scary. So far, AI has not been an integral part of Linux, Windows, or Mac operating systems. In some OSes, AI is accessible via limited applications and web browsers without being built into the desktop core. That is what makes LinDoz so special. Raymer first dabbled in AI with the release of the MakuluLinux Max distro in June. I have been a fan of the various evolving MakuluLinux releases since the distributions creation in January 2019. The introduction of AI in Raymers newest distro Max impressed me. Raymers innovative customizations, such as buffering the Cinnamon desktop with AI-driven features, make the new LinDoz an irresistible Linux experience. His clever tweaking of AI and the virtual webcam features are too much to ignore. These two concepts already exist in the MakuluLinux Shift and Max distros. Still, their more advanced development and expansion here will be the primary attractions for new users to this uniquely different Linux operating system. Raymers approach to integrating AI into the Linux desktop is an interesting story. First, lets take a quick overview of LinDoz. Desktop Enhancements At first glance, the Cinnamon desktop appears familiar but is modified with the addition of the Conky calendar and system monitoring views. These enhancements give the desktop a non-traditional Cinnamon appearance. The underlying theme of LinDoz has always been to give users a familiar MS Windows look and feel as they transition to the Linux OS. Depending on how much of a Windows style you want, you can select from a variety of appearance options to suit your comfort zone. Selecting theme appearance options and other desktop display alterations is fast and simple. Bundled with the default applications is Winetricks to run Microsoft Windows programs. Also included is the PlayOnLinux app that runs with Wine to play your favorite Windows games and run Microsoft Office apps. One major change is Raymers decision to use Microsoft Edge as the default web browser. He sees more Linux users switching to Edge over Google Chrome. Raymer also considered Edges lower resource drain and its use of the Bing search engine to be improvements over the Chrome browser, despite both being based on the same underlying code. A third reason for his switching to the Edge browser is Microsofts AI-powered Copilot built-in the real-time intelligent assistance application launched as Bing Chat in February. Noteworthy Design Alterations The bottom panel is transparent until you open an application full screen. Unmaximize it, and the panel returns to its transparent look. The one element LinDoz lacks by design is an office suite. You can add your suite of choice, but you might not need one. LinDoz has the Linux gedit text editor along with the standalone Google Docs, Sheets, and Presentations. Also included are web links to the online version of Microsoft Office 365. Last-Minute AI Feature Additions Added just in time for the LinDoz debut anew is Interactive World, a virtual spatial world generated and maintained by AI. You give the AI persona Electra a description of the world you want to create. Once generated, it places you inside that world. You can interact and do anything you want in this world. Go anywhere; do anything there. However, everything you do has consequences, good or bad. You can make your options without limitations. The world never ends. It continues until you choose to end it. When you exit, it saves the world so that you can re-enter it later. Or end it and start a new one, according to Raymer. A demonstration of how it works is on YouTube. Overcoming the AI Fear Factor Giving AI even partial control of an operating system can be scary. The LinDoz guardrails reduce worries about abuse. You can turn off the AI integration or decide just what content on your computer and the internet AI is permitted to access. MakuluLinux has three flavors of AI intelligence. Each one has different tasks to handle, so you might decide only to use one or two of them. Chat Mode and Advisor Mode have no access to your computers files. They are free to use and completely safe, according to Raymer. The AI Control Panel resides out of sight in the main menu until you click it open. Chat is in the persona of Electra and provides text and voice interface options. You interface with the Chat AI via typing in the terminal. The answer is displayed in the terminal for you to read. To use your voice, say the wake-up word Electra and state your question. Electra responds in a classic computer-sounding voice that has a slight echo to it. Raymer has incorporated a key distinction in how Electra responds across these two modes. Posing a question in the text option allows the AI to expand on the information by providing additional related details. However, he found that too many lengthy computer speech responses become tiresome and boring. So, he limited the spoken response to just the essential details for a much shorter answer. Asked and Answered According to Raymer, you can ask the AI assistant Electra anything in conversation as you would a real person. It will run the Linux commands to achieve the goal you ask of it. Advisor Mode is more innovative as it has a different purpose. Unlike the chitchat give and take that occurs in Chat Mode, Advisor Mode provides no-nonsense, straightforward directions on how to achieve the requested task. The Command Mode mentality serves a powerful AI function. Its role is to take the information you provide and tell you the commands you need to execute the intended response. This mode has back-end access to your computer, but this only activates when you click on the Command icon to start it and then point it to a specific location. That access ends when you close the full-screen terminal connection to the AI interface. Advisor Role Brings New Concept Depending on which AI module you activate, Electra takes on changing personalities. For instance, Chat mode uses a conversational flow style of responding. Advisor mode becomes less friendly sounding and more authoritative in tone. You ask a how-to question and get a detailed explanation of what you need to do. This personal AI assistant with Einstein-like abilities makes using Linux easier for newcomers and seasoned Linux users. The AI functions free you from the need to research commands or browse menus for settings. Sidestepping AI Concerns If you think giving AI access to a users computer is dangerous, Raymer agrees it can be. We have tried to limit the access. The AI will only have access to do what you ask it. If you request that it open a file in a specific folder, then it only has access to that folder, he told LinuxInsider. However, it is AI and is still unpredictable, so users should always be careful with it, he added. We have taken as much precaution as we can from our side. I have my guard up about using AI and its potential for privacy intrusions. However, the divided duties approach in LinDoz is novel and makes using AI a bit more settling. Inevitably, more AI-powered Linux distros will join the fray. LinDoz provides enough innovation to influence the direction AI takes in OSes. Virtual Cam Innovation Virtual Cam is an app to customize your live streaming view. As Raymer describes it, this feature is like running Open Broadcaster Software (OBS), to which you add video streams and other features such as a green screen and other customized effects. What impressed me with this video control app embedded in the OS is the extent of its customizability. Other video cam apps only have some of its features. The Virtual Cam app in LinDoz goes even further with the combination of slider controls and choices that take virtual meeting sessions to higher levels of control. Pictured in the Virtual Cam app is MakuluLinux developer Jacque Montague Raymer. Bottom Line LinDoz makes using AI within the desktop an effective venture. Plus, the AI circuitry updates several times daily, guided by the developer, without any user intervention required. So overall, the new concept is easy to adopt. Unlike earlier AI efforts in ChatGPT, Electra has seemingly limitless boundaries. If you direct this AI creation to the internet, it has no imposed limitations on how far and wide to search for information. As a result, the responses you get will be more accurate and include current information. Some of the desktop functions and AI features in LinDoz are available as add-ons with a Pro edition unlock key for a nominal charge. But this new LinDoz release lets you unlock all the pro features in the live session mode to try out. After installing LinDoz, you can select the pro upgrade option to continue using them. That is not unreasonable, as it costs Raymer money to access the AI engines built into MakuluLinux. Download MakuluLinux LinDoz To experience the innovative blend of artificial intelligence and user-friendly features of LinDoz, download the latest version from the official MakuluLinux website. Suggest a Review Is there a Linux software application or distro youd like to suggest for review? Something you love or would like to get to know? Email your ideas to me, and Ill consider them for a future column. And use the Reader Comments feature below to provide your input! Something to look forward to: The requirement for websites to gain visitors' consent to use cookies has given users more control over their data when surfing. However, it's led to endless annoying "cookie permission" banners seen on most websites. Recognizing this issue, EU authorities are considering revising these requirements, although the outcome may hinge on the compliance of major platforms. European Union Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders recently told German newspaper 'Welt am Sonntag' that the European Commission is aware of how annoying cookie consent banners have become and is discussing a remedy. He said that although websites can no longer activate cookies without informing users about them, the stipulation shouldn't turn web browsing into a tiring affair. Most website visitors in recent years have encountered banners or pop-ups requesting permission for various types of cookies, including those essential for basic site functionality, advertising cookies, and others. Fortunately, many sites offer a straightforward choice between accepting all cookies or blocking all non-essential ones. However, numerous sites require multiple clicks to refuse cookies, often tempting visitors to opt for the "allow all" button for convenience. These banners are displayed to adhere to the GDPR privacy regulations implemented by the EU in 2018. Reynders mentioned that the commission aims to alleviate "cookie fatigue" while ensuring users comprehend online advertising mechanics and make informed decisions about their data. One proposed solution is to require websites to remember visitors' preferences, thereby presenting the consent form only once per year. The commission aspires for large platforms like Meta, X, and others to voluntarily commit to a "cookies pledge." This pledge would involve providing transparent information about cookie usage and avoiding user annoyance. It is hoped that smaller websites will emulate this approach. Balancing data privacy with advertising needs is not exclusive to regulators. Google has been working to transition Chrome away from cookies. Innovations like Trust Tokens and Privacy Sandboxes are designed to offer advertisers limited customer information while safeguarding personal data. However, there are concerns that Google might leverage these systems to limit browser functionalities, such as extensions. Google plans to phase out third-party cookies this month. Google's challenge is to find this balance, as advertising is vital to its business model. In contrast, companies like Mozilla and Apple, which do not rely heavily on advertising revenue, have taken more decisive actions against advertising cookies. Something to look forward to: Several manufacturers are unveiling new high-end monitors set to debut during CES this month or sometime in the first quarter of 2024. Samsung is the latest with three new Odyssey models offering 4K and 1440p resolutions at high refresh rates. Some of the company's proprietary technology could give its models a slight edge for some users. Samsung has unveiled the new Odyssey G9, G8, and G6 OLED gaming monitors, which it plans to showcase at CES next week. The upcoming products feature specs similar to anticipated models that are coming from the likes of HP, Dell, MSI, Asus, and LG plan to reveal soon. Like most other companies, Samsung is releasing a 4K 240Hz monitor the 32-inch Odyssey G8 G80SD and a 1440p 360Hz option, the 27-inch Odyssey G6 G60SD. The new Odyssey G8 is the company's first flat 32-inch 4K panel. Both new monitors promise 0.03ms GTG response times. However, Samsung's most unique entry is the 49-inch Odyssey G9 G95SD. The curved ultra-wide 32:9 screen delivers 5120 x 1440 resolution at 240Hz. While the company didn't mention the exact curvature, 1800R seems to be the standard among offerings of similar specs. All three monitors feature VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 and support AMD FreeSync Premium. Furthermore, they include two HDMI 2.1 ports, a USB hub, and a DisplayPort 1.4 input. One of Samsung's exclusive features is OLED Glare-Free, which should improve image quality in various lighting conditions without requiring additional equipment. Another is Multi Control, enabling the Odyssey G9 and G8 to connect to certain Samsung devices like Galaxy tablets and phones for extra screen real estate. These two models can also connect to compatible IoT devices through Samsung's SmartThings Hub. The competition is set to offer generally similar monitors to the G8 and G9, with a few unique features to set them apart. HP's 32-inch 4K Omen Transcend might be the only monitor in the race with DisplayPort 2.1. Additionally, it has the highest power delivery wattage at 140W (Asus and MSI have confirmed 90W) and unique burn-in mitigation technology. Meanwhile, LG's 32-inch 4K UltraGear includes Dual-Hz, allowing it to switch between 4K at 240Hz and 1080p at 480Hz. None of the companies have revealed pricing yet or exact release dates for their monitors. Expect more information from all of them once CES kicks off next Tuesday, January 9. A hot potato: In a rare story about a company that isn't Amazon pushing to replace its human workers with machines, Samsung is reportedly planning to make all its fabs fully automated within the next six years. The Korean giant has already begun development of a system that will lead to human-free facilities, according to a new report. Samsung Electronics has developed a proprietary Smart Sensing System to increase chip yield and improve production. It is used for semiconductor process control and management, writes ET News (via DigiTimes). The smart sensor will measure plasma uniformity for wafers, which influences the performance of processes such as etching, deposition, and cleaning. The sensor is said to be tiny; allowing it to be added to the fabs without significantly affecting the existing space. It's also designed and manufactured in South Korea - these sorts of technologies are usually provided by foreign companies. This might all sound great for Samsung the company, but the report states it is part of a grander plan for its so-called artificial intelligence fab: fully automated plants that don't require human workers. Concerns that AI and automation will eliminate more jobs are exacerbated by reports of companies looking to do just that. In most cases, at least a handful of humans are required to oversee the systems and repair anything that goes wrong. But Samsung Electronics has assembly plants and sales networks in 74 countries and employs more than 270,000 people, so a new technology that can automate more tasks could potentially cause a huge number layoffs. Amazon is leading the way when it comes to warehouse automation. In October, it announced two more types of machine would be joining the facilities to "help" humans: Sequoia, a Roomba-like machine designed to identify and store inventory and reduce order processing time; and Digit, a 5-foot 9-inch 143-pound robot that's very human-like in its abilities. Maker Agility Robotics' CEO later said its machines won't replace humans, though he might have meant to say they won't replace all humans just most of them. With Elon Musk recently predicting that AI and automation will lead to the end of all human employment, one has to wonder how all us jobless humans will be able to afford all these automatically produced goods. Rumor mill: As Nvidia's profits from AI hardware soar, many worry that the company could increasingly divert resources from its consumer-facing RTX graphics cards. Thus, the leak of a previously unknown GPU could spark debate over whether it's an AI card or a new RTX 40 series Titan, especially given its extreme TDP rating. A tracker that lists Nvidia's latest reference DEV_IDs recently spotted a mysterious new GPU from the company. The listing provides little information about the potential role of this product in Nvidia's expanding portfolio. The ID reveals only the card's nickname, "Skinny Joe," and its 700W TDP rating. While it's likely a new variant of Nvidia's AI GPUs, recent rumors about the RTX 40 series suggest other possibilities. Skinny Joe's wattage matches that of the GH100 AI chip but is less than the GH200's 900W. This could imply a scaled-down version of the H200, which is expected to offer a significant improvement over the successful H100 when cloud providers start offering access to instances in the second quarter of 2024. Nvidia might target a "skinny" H200 at Chinese clients to circumvent US export restrictions. The company recently introduced the RTX 4090D for this purpose, slightly reducing performance and limiting overclocking. However, Skinny Joe might also be an upgraded version of the 4090, which has been rumored for some time. The latest information suggests that this GPU, possibly named the RTX 4090 Ti or Titan Ada, has a 600W TDP and could cost over $2,000. Using almost the entire AD102 chip, this four-slot behemoth is expected to feature 18,176 CUDA cores, 192 ROPs, 568 TMUs, and 96MB of L2 cache. These specifications significantly surpass those of the standard 4090, which has 16,984 cores, 176 ROPs, 512 TMUs, 72MB L2 cache, and a 450W TDP. Earlier rumors claimed Nvidia had canceled the new Titan, but it might have been revived. The impending reveal of GeForce RTX 40 Super series adds to the speculation. Nvidia is anticipated to announce upgraded versions of the RTX 4080, 4070 Ti, and 4070 on January 8, with releases scheduled throughout the month. Sources recently informed Moore's Law is Dead that the 4070 Super and 4070 Ti Super will match their predecessors' launch MSRPs of $599 and $799, respectively, while the 4080 Super might be priced at $999 or higher. Consequently, Nvidia might be contemplating the introduction of a 4090 Super. Living in a multi-screen society forces businesses and organizations to build a website optimized for as many devices as possible. The purpose of a responsive web design is to render websites or pages on all devices, regardless of screen size, platform, and orientation, in response to the user's behavior and environment. It prevents unnecessary resizing, scrolling, zooming, or panning when navigating pages on smaller devices like from a smartphone screen. Companies can design one scalable website that automatically matches the screen size of the device it's being viewed on. What are the benefits of a responsive website? A flexible, responsive web design improves the user experience since all images, fonts, and other HTML elements are scaled appropriately, regardless of what device the user is accessing the site. The website is configured for the user's optimal viewing pleasure. Businesses can save money since they only need to invest in single site designs for different prospects and devices. A responsive web design also helps with SEO since Google considers the mobile-friendliness of websites, giving them a boost in search engine results, which can lead to an increase in traffic. It also helps businesses make changes quickly and easily, taking the stress out of managing a website, especially when launching a marketing campaign. All users get directed to a single site where the content is streamlined for all devices. Outlined below are the top 5 best responsive web design agencies in 2023. 1 Reload Overview Reload specializes in designing and developing websites for startups and SaaS companies. It leverages the power of Webflow and other no-code tools to deliver responsive websites in record time, giving customers an edge in the constantly evolving digital landscape. The Webflow agency possesses a team of certified Webflow experts who maximize the use of no-code tools to build exceptional SaaS products, marketplaces, e-commerce, shops, and so on, with the ability to scale and grow in a matter of weeks. It has helped international startups and brands reach their milestones. Some have raised over 180 million and reached a value of 1.5 billion USD, proving its credibility and expertise as a partner for responsive web design projects. Based in the central European time zone, Reload mostly works with companies based in the US. Regardless of the time difference, it is flexible in assessing and accomplishing detailed requests. Unlike traditional web agencies, it is strategy-driven and fast-moving, delivering fast and responsive websites on time and within budget. It values the partnerships it builds with its clients, collaborating closely to ensure customer satisfaction. Reload goes beyond the standard approach to responsive website design. It helps businesses narrate their origins, products, and services through an elegantly designed web experience, driving conversations without hassle and fostering stronger connections with customers. The Webflow agency caters to startups and small-to-medium-sized businesses in legal, finance, education, health, and many more industries. Back in 2021, Reload earned an award from DesignRush as an accredited agency. Features Reload creates top-notch websites using Figma and Webflow, among other web design tools, to deliver a responsive web design. It also offers custom coding, SEO optimization, page speed optimization, copywriting, and even Lottie services. Professional Webflow Partner Reload develops responsive websites using the best practices and standards. It is a professional Webflow partner, leveraging the visual web design tool to transform design ideas into production-ready code. Unlike WordPress, Webflow eliminates the extra code that makes a website load slower, causing users to bounce to another site. This can lead to customer churn and a lack of prospects. The main advantage of using the no-code web design tool is the user-friendly interface for fast updates and other configurations. Developing with Webflow is also 3-4x times faster. Reload can create a simple land page within a few days, while bigger projects can take only two to eight weeks. One client, for example, commended the Webflow agency for delivering a high-quality site on time within a short timeframe. With open communication and regular meetings, both parties worked efficiently to develop a functional, responsive website. SEO Expertise Reload also knows the most effective SEO practices to attract visitors to a responsive website. A well-optimized website can boost traffic and drive user engagement. The web design agency can preserve the relevance of a page by utilizing keywords and links to increase visibility online, regardless of what device it's being accessed from. Figma to Webflow Reload can seamlessly transition designs from Figma to Webflow to create visually appealing and responsive websites. The web design agency has a team of experienced UI and UX Designers and developers to ensure a smooth transition from design to deployment. Customers can utilize the Webflow project calculator of Reload to get an estimate of the cost of designing and developing a Webflow website. The web design agency prepares a detailed proposal for the first meeting. It starts with a simple mood board and wireframes in the design stage. It develops using the best practices and standards, ensuring a perfectly responsive and lightning-fast website. Reload takes pride in its ability to transform any vision into reality. It can provide startups and small-to-medium-sized businesses the edge to succeed in a constantly evolving digital landscape. 2 Brand Vision Overview Brand Vision offers a broad range of marketing services, from branding and SEO to website design and development, custom-tailored to the unique needs of clients. It serves them globally, with teams located in the US, Canada, and the UK. It has a team of award-winning web designers and developers who can create visually stunning websites that are likewise functional and effective. They have the expertise to bring the brand's online presence to life, ensuring its web design solutions align with the vision. They also have a keen eye for the psychology of user experience, yielding a perfect balance of subjective beauty and objective function to create a responsive web design that showcases a brand in an attractive yet elegant and user-friendly manner. They can take care of the entire website design process, actively learning about the needs and goals of the project before developing the design or creating sketches for branding. Brand Vision is a top-rated marketing agency in Canada, highly recognized for its result-oriented strategies and commitment to deliver exceptional results. It has received many web design and branding agency awards over the years. The company can deliver exactly what the client asks, even exceeding their expectations, resulting in numerous 5-star ratings on platforms like Clutch, Upcity, DesignRush, and more. Features Fully-Optimized The web design agency recognizes the importance of a website's responsiveness across all device types and sizes. It optimizes the content and design of a website to ensure they are displayed and represented across all screens in the best way possible. It tailors its designs based on the client's goals and utilizes Figma for dynamic designs and real-time collaboration. Constant Communication Brand Vision assigns a dedicated project manager for each client to ensure constant communication. They will keep the client updated on every step, from the discovery stage to the finalization of the project. In-Depth Testing Brand Vision performs in-depth testing of websites, ensuring they are responsive on all browsers as well as across devices. It tests the functions, performance, load times, optimization, and accessibility of the website to assess whether its quality is up to par with the company's standards. Fast Delivery The marketing agency only accepts projects if there is a complete team available. It does not put projects in the queue, promising fast delivery and high quality for every website it designs and develops. Brand Vision believes in quality and transparency; thus, it only works on projects that are confident in delivering a perfect result. On average, it takes them about 6-14 weeks to launch a website from conception to completion. 3 Lounge Lizard Overview Established in 1998, Lounge Lizard is an award-winning digital agency offering a comprehensive web design service suite. It focuses on impact by creating intelligent, responsive, custom web designs that rank well with search engines to drive traffic and capture visitors' attention. It understands the importance of brand and marketing strategy. Thus, it includes calls to action for its web designs to sell products and generate revenue. It employs full-service staff who have the expertise necessary to conceive new and innovative digital marketing strategies so its clients can build, retain, and acquire new customers, leading to a better ROI. From boosting traffic to improving conversations, Lounge Lizard has proven for more than two decades that it can produce best-in-class responsive websites and digital marketing campaigns, generating over 200 increase in leads, 93% engagement rate, 22 million Google ad impressions, 750% growth in social audience, and 1211% increase in web traffic. Features 7-Second Rule Lounge Lizard utilizes the 7-second rule, a web design and digital marketing strategy to increase user engagement, and conversions, and exceed the expectations of its clients. It crafts powerful strategies and unique selling propositions to drive awareness, tap into the interest of potential customers for conversion, meet key business objectives and ROI metrics, and turn the target user into a lead or a customer. Client-centered Processes It works directly with clients from the initial stages to launch. For 25 years, it has worked with over a thousand companies across different industries, from accounting and hospitality to architecture, law, government, and publishing. It has consistently earned 5-star reviews, evidenced by customer testimonials online. Website Design Professionals It provides a full staff of website design professionals with a wealth of experience, creativity, and commitment to creating a world-class responsive website. They are up-to-date with the latest visual trends and marketing techniques to amplify businesses' digital presence. Lounge Lizard has designed responsive websites for over 600 entities. It has an extensive understanding of graphic design, SEO, and current to deliver world-class responsive web designs. Many customers choose the web design agency because it can offer exceptional value, proven by its consistent 5-star ratings and multiple awards. 4 Unified Infotech Overview Unified Infotech designs with end-users in mind to create a responsive web design. It is a smart and agile software development agency that customizes digital solutions so its clients can stay ahead of the competition and thrive in the ever-changing digital landscape. It has over 12 years of experience delivering custom solutions with a client retention rate of 98%. It has been recognized by Deloitte as one of the fastest 50-growing tech companies, now with 150+ global digital experts. Features Design Principles It follows six design principles to create pixel-perfect results, such as adopting the Hick-Hyman law to increase the chance of user action or consistent branding to make long-lasting first impressions. Human-Centered Design Process Its web design service aims to solve user problems, aiming to understand user behavior to produce an unconventional UI and UX design solution that end-users embrace. From the strategy workshop and defining the user persona to defining the UI guidelines, it follows every step of its design process to create mobile-friendly and visually appealing B2B/B2C designs that acquire, retain, and impress the end-user. Unified Infotech focuses on writing meaningful stories instead of going overboard with content and design elements. This results in a user-centric web design that resonates deeply with the target audience. Unified Infotech works with leading global enterprises and small-to-medium-sized businesses, including forward-thinking start-ups. With end-to-end solutions, it aims to help its clients accelerate their business efficiency in line with its principles and human-centered process. 5 Azuro Overview Azuro Digital crafts attractive, responsive web designs that drive conversions and revenue. It provides cutting-edge web design, development, SEO, branding, and copywriting solutions. It caters to various industries, like healthcare, legal, finance, start-ups, and tech. Features Azuro Digital is a results-driven agency. While it crafts visually appealing web designs, it also aims to generate revenue for its clients. It is motivated to build a responsive website that can drive traffic and motivate visitors to take action. It prioritizes industry research, SEO, and conversion rate optimization. It has gained over a hundred 5-star reviews on customer review platforms like Clutch and Google, highlighting the measurable results clients have achieved from working with the web design agency. It takes a holistic approach by also providing a content outline and editing service, ensuring each section of the content compels the user to take action for conversion. It uses WordPress exclusively for web design and development. It tailors each design based on the client's requirements without sacrificing accessibility and responsiveness for all devices and screen sizes. It uses Elementor, a powerful web development tool, and page builder on the content management system to make a website 100% responsive, ensuring a smooth user experience across all known platforms. While Azuro Digital maximizes ROI as much as possible, it conducts A/B testing to collect data and makes changes based on metrics. It sets up comprehensive analytics to measure traffic and conversions to launch a responsive website that can yield better results for the business. Conclusion Craft responsive and custom web designs by employing the top 5 best responsive web design agencies in 2023. They design and build websites that are mobile-friendly, drive traffic, and retain visitors for conversions, resulting in higher engagement or an increase in sales. These web design agencies also have expertise in SEO, graphic design, branding, and digital marketing, services that complement responsive web design to amplify the digital presence of businesses and non-profit organizations. They bring in the experience and expertise to remove bottlenecks like large image sizes and unminified code, causing higher bounce rates or customer churn. Choose from the outlined service providers and thrive in the digital space. 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. * This is a contributed article and this content does not necessarily represent the views of techtimes.com In Chelyabinsk, Russia, a Su-34 fighter-bomber burned down at the Shagol airfield on the night of January 4. These aircraft are actively used by the occupiers to carry out air strikes on the front line and peaceful cities of Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT Sources in the special services informed OBOZ.UA about the loss of another Su-34 by the enemy. "We state that the enemy aircraft has burned down," the source said. According to the source, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine is behind the operation. As it's known, the 108th Training Aviation Regiment of the Chelyabinsk Aviation School and the 2nd Mixed Aviation Regiment of the 21st Mixed Air Force Division of the The Russian Aerospace Forces of the Russian Armed Forces are based at the Shagol airfield. The servicemen of this air regiment take part in missile and bomb attacks on Ukrainian cities. ADVERTISIMENT In particular, the head of air, fire and tactical training of the 2nd Mixed Aviation Regiment, pilot 1st class, Major Alexander Krasnoyartsev, was taken prisoner when his plane was shot down on March 5 during the bombing of Chernihiv. He was later exchanged for Ukrainian pilots. What is known about Su-34 fighters The Su-34 (Fullback in NATO codification) is a Soviet and Russian multifunctional frontline supersonic fighter-bomber designed to conduct strikes at a distance of 150-600 km from the contact line in conditions of strong enemy air defense and electronic warfare, as well as to engage air targets at any time of the day in simple and difficult weather conditions. In terms of combat capabilities, the Su-34 belongs to the 4++ generation and is capable of performing basic combat missions without being escorted by cover fighters and independently conducting maneuverable air combat with any enemy fighter on equal terms. ADVERTISIMENT The Su-34 can reach speeds of up to 1,900 km/h at altitudes of up to 14.6 km, with a crew of two. The first flight of the Su-34 prototype - T10V-1 - took place on April 13, 1990. On March 20, 2014, the Su-34 was adopted by the Russian Aerospace Forces. According to open sources, about three dozen Su-34s have been destroyed since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. As reported by OBOZ.UA, on December 22, the Ukrainian Armed Forces shot down three Su-34s in the south at once. The Air Force called the destruction of the three Russian fighter-bombers the result of a "brilliantly planned operation." The cost of one such aircraft is at least $50 million. Russian media stated that the Su-34s were shot down by the Patriot system when they were flying to bomb Krynky in the Kherson region. After losing the planes, the occupiers began looking for new frontiers to launch missiles, the Southern Defense Forces said. The number of attacks in the southern direction decreased, but the density remained the same. ADVERTISIMENT On December 29, the Ukrainian Armed Forces said that Russia had again used Su-34 and Su-35 fighter-bombers to launch air strikes along the front line. In one day, 2-3 air strikes were recorded in almost all directions. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Elon Musk's SpaceX is reportedly under fire as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued a complaint stating the rocket and satellite maker has illegally terminated eight employees, after criticizing its Chief Executive Officer's (CEO) several tweets. Reuters reports that the employees circulated an open letter dated June 2022 to SpaceX officials addressing a number of sexually provocative tweets that Musk had sent since 2020. The workers demanded that SpaceX denounce Musk's remarks since such statements were misaligned with the company's regulations regarding diversity and workplace misbehavior. (Photo : Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) C.E.O. of Tesla, Chief Engineer of SpaceX, and C.T.O. of Elon Musk speak during the New York Times annual DealBook summit on November 29, 2023, in New York City. The letter reportedly stated that the employees are frequently distracted and embarrassed by Elon Musk's public actions, especially in the last several weeks, according to the Los Angeles Times. It also states that according to the NLRB's spokesperson Kayla Blado, the complaint alleges SpaceX management allegedly threatened to fire employees if they took part in collective action, informed workers they had fired them due to their open letter, and prohibited others from sharing it. According to Ars Technica, SpaceX promptly fired the workers with its President Gwynne Shotwell sending an email to the company's remaining employees after the firing that the letter, solicitations, and overall procedure had caused the workers to feel uneasy, threatened, or abused because the letter had forced them to sign a document that did not align with their opinions. Read Also: Elon Musk Allegedly 'Illegally Fired' SpaceX Employees for Criticizing Him: Here's What We Know About the Complaints NLRB's Complaint NLRB's complaint reportedly calls for the workers' reinstatement, back pay, and letters of apologies to the dismissed workers. A hearing before an NLRB administrative law judge is scheduled to begin on March 5th, should SpaceX fail to reach a settlement about the charges. It adds that according to a press release from the law firm representing the fired employees, the NLRB complaint accuses 37 labor law violations, including coercive statements, implied threats, unlawful instructions, interrogation, giving the impression of surveillance, and retaliation for taking part in protected concerted activity. Reuters also adds that in the event that SpaceX is found to have broken the law, it may be subject to harsher sanctions in subsequent board cases. Past Labor Cases Against Musk's Companies Los Angeles Times adds that despite Musk's self-professed "free speech absolutism," the US government has charged his businesses several times with attempting to stifle employees. SpaceX reportedly resolved a lawsuit alleging that it unlawfully attempted to silence an employee's speech last year. Elon Musk's social network business X also reached a settlement with a former worker who, according to an NLRB regional director, was wrongfully terminated for opposing a rule for employees to return to the office. Additionally, NLRB members found that Musk's Tesla Inc. unlawfully dismissed an activist and that Musk intimidated employees on social media; Tesla is filing an appeal with a federal court. A separate Reuters report proves to echo this notion as more than 600 SpaceX injuries that Reuters was able to uncover is stated to be unreported, including injuries such as crushed limbs, electrocution, brain injuries, and one fatality. Related Article: Tesla Faces Accusations of Firing Workers Who Criticized Elon Musk 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A new legislative development in California sees Senator Steve Padilla proposing bills aimed at regulating AI systems, particularly those utilized by state agencies. (Photo : NICOLAS MAETERLINCK/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images) Illustration picture shows the ChatGPT artificial intelligence software, which generates human-like conversation, Friday 03 February 2023 in Lierde. Regulating AI Systems Introduced by Senator Padilla, The Verge reported that Senate Bills 892 and 893 focus on establishing a public AI resource and implementing a "safe and ethical framework" for AI within the state. SB 892 mandates California's Department of Technology to formulate standards covering safety, privacy, and non-discrimination for AI services. It also bars the state from engaging with AI services unless they adhere to the established standards. Meanwhile, SB 893 aims to create a California AI research hub, providing computational resources and data access for academic purposes. Following in the footsteps of California Senator Scott Wiener, as reported by Time, Senator Padilla has presented two bills aimed at regulating AI systems used by state agencies. Wiener's bill proposed transparency standards, security measures, and the creation of a state AI research center for "frontier" models. However, that bill was categorized as an intent bill, signifying the need for additional development before potential passage. Senator Padilla's remarks underscore the critical juncture at which artificial intelligence stands, presenting both unparalleled opportunities and considerable challenges for our society and economy. By expressing concerns about the lack of oversight and accountability in the tech industry, particularly about social media, he draws attention to the potential pitfalls of allowing a handful of powerful tech entities to wield AI without proper regulation. The senator's call for California to step into the void left by congressional inaction reflects a sense of urgency. He contends that the public is exposed to the inherent dangers of AI due to regulatory gaps and dysfunction at the federal level. Safeguarding Citizens from AI In positioning California as a proactive leader in establishing guidelines and standards for AI, Padilla emphasizes the state's responsibility to safeguard its citizens from the potential negative impacts of unregulated artificial intelligence. As stated in its press release, his stance reflects a recognition of the need for decisive action to ensure that AI is harnessed for the greater good while minimizing potential risks. In addition to the contractual restrictions outlined, Senator Padilla's proposed legislative package aims to leverage California's economic influence to redefine ]AI services as a public asset. This initiative capitalizes on the state's esteemed research universities, directing substantial investments into essential public infrastructure to establish the California AI Research Hub. Also Read: Europe's First Agreed-Upon, World-Leading AI Rules: What to Know SB 893 mandates collaboration between the Government Operations Agency (GovOps), the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz), and the Department of Technology with academic institutions throughout the state to establish the California Artificial Intelligence Research Hub. The Hub is designed to advance research, development, deployment, and application of AI technology for public benefit. It will facilitate academic institutions' access to computing resources and data, ensuring privacy protection, enhancing security measures, and addressing potential risks to society. Related Article: President Biden Set to Introduce 'Sweeping' Action for Regulating AI 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. 23andMe is reportedly blaming victims of the company's recent data breach incident by sending letters indicating that the users were negligent in not updating their passwords following the incidents. Fox Business states that it independently confirmed the report finding that in a letter to attorneys representing consumers whose data was compromised, 23andMe said that no breach qualified for protection under the California Privacy Rights Act. This is because the users that were the focus of the first breach used login credentials made public by other websites using a technique known as "credential stuffing." (Photo : ERIC BARADAT/AFP via Getty Images) This illustration picture shows a saliva collection kit for DNA testing displayed in Washington DC on December 19, 2018. - Between 2015 and 2018, sales of DNA test kits boomed in the United States and allowed websites to build a critical mass of DNA profiles. Tech Crunch reports that the company is attempting to deny any responsibility for the incident that saw roughly 6.9 million users' sensitive data, such as genetic and health information, accessed by hackers. Following the data breach, a separate report states that cybercriminals released around one million data points linked to Ashkenazi Jewish users and comparable data related to over 300,000 Chinese users. The Verge has previously reported that this data breach incident, as per several reports, has resulted in up to 7 million 23andMe accounts in circulation and may be up for sale on the dark web. Read Also: Genetic Testing Firm 23andMe Confirms Hackers Accessed 14,000 Customer Accounts, Including Ancestry Data 23andMe Denying Responsibility Hassan Zavareei, one of the attorneys defending the victims who got the letter from 23andMe, reportedly claims that the company has chosen to downplay the gravity of these events while abandoning its consumers rather than taking responsibility for its part in this data security incident. Thus, the letter states that 23andMe's supposed inability to maintain appropriate security measures has no bearing on the data breach incident. Zavareei, following the letters, says that 23andMe is "shamelessly" blaming the data leak victims. Following the incident, 23andMe has reportedly increased its security measures by mandating the usage of two-factor authentication for all new and current users; 23andme likewise changed users' security measures by asking all of its customers to update their passwords. Ancestral Data Breach Tech Crunch explains that hackers could only access about 14,000 user accounts at the beginning of the data breach. Using a method known as credential stuffing, the hackers gained access to this initial group of victims by brute-forcing passwords that were known to be connected to the intended clients. However, because the other 6.9 million victims had opted-in to 23andMe's DNA Relatives tool, the hackers could obtain their personal information from the original 14,000 victims. Customers can reportedly choose to have some of their data automatically shared with users on the network who are deemed to be their relatives. The company confirmed the data breach incident last December 2023, wherein Tech Times reported that 23andMe has confirmed that 6.9 million customers' data was exposed due to a recent security compromise. The company's representative, Andy Kill, reportedly stated that the incident affected around 5.5 million customers who had turned on the DNA Relatives function. 23andMe is a genetic testing company that gives customers a "comprehensive ancestry breakdown" through DNA tests, supposedly for health analysis explicitly made for the user. Related Article: DNA Testing Companies Adopt 2-Factor Authentication in Response to 23andMe Data Breach 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A distressing incident unfolded at Salt Lake International Airport in Utah on January 1, where a 30-year-old man lost his life after breaching airport security measures. (Photo : George Frey/Getty Images) SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 18: People wait outside in the cold after being evacuated from the Salt Lake International Airport after an earthquake on March 18, 2020 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Accessing the Secure Ramp in Salt Lake Airport Identified as Kyler Efinger of Park City, Interesting Engineering reported that the victim accessed the secure ramp area by illicitly utilizing an emergency exit door in the terminal. After making his way onto the tarmac, Efinger reportedly sprinted to the southern section of the west runway, where deicing operations were underway. Disturbingly, he entered the engine of a commercial aircraft that was inactive at the time, despite being loaded with passengers. The discovery of Efinger's lifeless body prompted an investigation by the Salt Lake City Police Department's (SLCPD) Airport Division. The security breach has raised concerns about the vulnerability of airport perimeters, particularly in emergency exit areas, and highlights the need for enhanced security measures to prevent unauthorized access to restricted zones. Chronologically, the unfolding events on January 1 began at approximately 9:52 pm when a store manager within the airport alerted dispatchers at the Airport Control Center about a disturbance involving a passenger on the secured side of the terminal. This triggered the commencement of an inquiry into the incident. In response to SLCPD officers' arrival, Airport Control relayed information that the individual had breached an emergency exit door. A collaborative effort between SLCPD officers and Airport Operations personnel ensued as they embarked on a search for the man, leading to the revelation that he had gained entry to the airport's outdoor ramp area through the aforementioned emergency exit. Retrieving the Body Tracking down the man, SLCPD officers discovered him unconscious, partially inside a wing-mounted engine of an occupied commercial aircraft on the deicing pad. The aircraft's engines were rotating, and the specific stage of engine operation is currently under investigation, as mentioned in a statement by SLCPD. Following this, the man was safely retrieved from the engine's intake cowling. The scene was secured, life-saving procedures were initiated, and emergency medical services were promptly summoned. Despite continuous life-saving measures, which included CPR and the administration of naloxone, the unfortunate outcome occurred at 10:15 pm, with the man succumbing to the situation at the scene. Also Read: More Airports Rely on AI to Recover Missing Items of Travelers SLCPD officers are currently collaborating with the medical examiner's office to determine the precise cause and manner of death, and the investigation may involve obtaining a toxicology report. The airport has confirmed that the incident had no impact on the overall operation of the airport. SLCPD is actively conducting an investigation, and simultaneous inquiries are being carried out by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). While the NTSB has conveyed its ongoing process of "gathering information" about the incident, CNN has emphasized that the local police force is spearheading the investigation. The incident's particulars indicate a potential deliberate act of sabotage or a case of suicide. This emphasizes the critical need to fortify security measures at airports globally and ensure the implementation of foolproof systems. Related Article: The Tokyo Airport Incident: Decoding How a Potentially Disaster Was Averted 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. NASA forecasts indicate that glaciers worldwide are anticipated to shed more than 40 percent of their mass, contributing approximately 3.5 inches to the rise in sea levels by the year 2100. However, scientists examined radar datasets to assess the risk of subsidence along the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. (Photo : ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images) TOPSHOT - Cars in floodwater on the FDR highway in Manhattan, New York on September 29, 2023. Experiencing Gradual Sinking A recent study asserts that the US Atlantic Coast is experiencing a gradual sinking, measuring up to 5 millimeters per year. The research indicates that over 50 percent of infrastructure in prominent cities such as New York, Baltimore, and Norfolk is subjected to similar subsidence rates ranging between 1 and 2 millimeters annually. Utilizing radar datasets, Interesting Engineering reported that the study delved into the assessment of subsidence-hazard exposure along the U.S. East Coast. The primary objective of the research was to evaluate the implications of land subsidence on coastal communities, with a specific focus on the hazards it poses to the population, assets, and infrastructure systems in major cities. Scientists emphasize that coastal communities encounter numerous risks, particularly the heightened vulnerability to multiple hazards exacerbated by land subsidence, predominantly due to the concentration of numerous assets in these regions. Mitigating Strategies The prospect of climate change introducing multiple hazards has prompted experts to advocate for proactive mitigation strategies. The investigation unveiled significant findings, indicating that an expansive land area spanning from 2,000 to 74,000 square kilometers, with a population ranging between 1.2 to 14 million people, and numerous properties face exposure to subsidence rates falling between 1 and 2 millimeters annually. Additionally, more than half of the infrastructure in major cities such as New York, Baltimore, and Norfolk is confronted with the same subsidence rates. As reported by Newsweek, specific regions along the U.S. Atlantic coast are experiencing a sinking rate of five millimeters (0.2 inches) each year. The study emphasized that the subsidence rates of 2 mm per year affect a maximum of 2.1 million people, 867,000 properties (median exposure), and significant infrastructure on the East Coast of the United States. Also Read: NASA Warns Rising Sea Levels Could Flood US Coastal Cities by 2050 Lead researcher Leonard Ohenhen, a graduate student from Virginia Tech's Earth Observation and Innovation Lab, expressed concern about the ongoing and unchecked subsidence along the U.S. East Coast. As published in the journal PNAS Nexus, he noted that the continuous subsidence should raise alarms, particularly in regions with high population and property density, coupled with a historical tendency to overlook infrastructure maintenance. To conduct the research, the team utilized measurements of vertical land motion rates obtained from radar datasets. They observed that areas experiencing higher subsidence rates were associated with a reduced extent of exposure to these hazards. The authors underscored the broader implications of their analysis for community and infrastructure resilience planning. They stressed the importance of adopting a targeted approach to transition from reactive to proactive hazard mitigation strategies in the context of climate change. Related Article: New York City's Fastest Sinking Locations Revealed in NASA-Led Study 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. ByteDance's TikTok is reportedly setting an ambitious goal to grow the size of its US e-commerce business, aiming to reach up to $17.5 billion in 2024, according to sources familiar with the matter reported by SCMP. (Photo : SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images) This illustration photograph taken on October 30, 2023, shows the logo of TikTok, a short-form video hosting service owned by ByteDance, on a smartphone in Mulhouse, eastern France. The internal discussions around this target for TikTok Shop in the US have taken place in recent weeks, and while the goal may still be subject to change based on business performance, it could underscore TikTok's intentions to expand its presence in the competitive e-commerce landscape. This move places TikTok in direct competition with major players like Amazon and Chinese-owned retail brands Temu and Shein, both of which have made huge splashes in attracting younger American consumers. TikTok's Foray into the E-Commerce Space TikTok's reported target clashes with Amazon's dominance in the e-commerce space, signaling the platform's intent to carve out a significant market share in the US. The company had a remarkable year in 2023, with global gross merchandise value reaching approximately $20 billion, primarily driven by strong sales in Southeast Asia. Now, TikTok is reportedly eyeing expansion in the US and Latin America, with plans to launch its e-commerce operations in the latter region in the coming months. TikTok Shop, a rapidly growing feature for ByteDance, the Beijing-based parent company of TikTok, operates within the main social media app. It allows users to make purchases seamlessly while scrolling through short videos and live streams. This feature aims to provide a blend of Amazon's shopping convenience with the product discovery experience seen on platforms like Meta's Instagram. Read Also: Russia-Ukraine War: Fake TikTok Accounts 'Amplify Pro-Russian Narratives' Across Platform-What's More Alarming? Outperforming Meta and Tencent ByteDance's success with TikTok and Douyin in China has catapulted the company into the ranks of internet leaders, boasting a valuation of over $200 billion. As the social media advertising market evolves, ByteDance seeks new growth drivers, and TikTok Shop emerges as a key component in this strategy. In 2023, ByteDance's revenue soared by approximately 30% to surpass $110 billion, outperforming growth projections of heavy players like Meta Platforms and Tencent Holdings, according to SCMP. TikTok's global push in e-commerce involves offering free shipping and subsidies to influencers in the US who showcase products in videos and live streams. The platform's user base in the US is around 150 million, and the company reported that over 5 million new customers made purchases on TikTok in November 2023, driven by holiday season deals. In an effort to generate revenue from its e-commerce platform, TikTok recently announced a fee increase for merchants, with commissions set to rise to 6% of each sale in April and 8% in July for most product categories. With the increasing comfort of Americans in using Chinese e-commerce apps for shopping, TikTok aims to leverage this trend and establish itself as a significant contender in the dynamic global e-commerce arena. Related Article: TikTok: Ticketmaster Integration Now Available Outside the US-Buy Tickets on the App 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Researchers at Rice University in Texas may have made a significant breakthrough in cancer treatment by discovering a novel approach using molecular machines termed "molecular jackhammers" (MJH), as reported by news.com.au. "Our technology could have lower side effects in contrast to chemotherapy," Ciceron Ayala Orozco, lead author of the study, said in a statement. "Next-Generation" The team's approach is characterized as a "next-generation" of molecular machines, utilizing a cyanine dye, similar to those employed in medical imaging, affixed to a cancer cell. Subsequently, the cancer cell is stimulated using infrared light, which can penetrate deep into the human body without causing harm. This stimulation induces vibrations in the cancer cell's membrane, leading to its rupture and effectively eliminating the cancer. Ciceron Ayala Orozco, the study's lead author, emphasized the potential benefits of this technology, suggesting that it may have fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy. The key lies in the targeted destruction of tumors, where the molecular jackhammers are activated by near-infrared light directed specifically at the tumor site. This selectivity aims to minimize damage to healthy tissues, enhancing the safety of the treatment. Although human testing is a distant prospect due to the necessity of complying with Food and Drug Administration guidelines, initial trials on mice have yielded promising results, according to the research team. In experiments involving mice with melanoma, 50% of the rodents achieved a state of being cancer-free, and researchers are optimistic that refining testing protocols and dosage could lead to even more significant outcomes. Read Also: World's Smallest Skin Cancer Now a Guinness World Record! Almost Invisible to the Naked Eye The Power of Molecular Jackhammers Dr. James Tour, a chemist at Rice University, underscored the formidable power of molecular jackhammers, stating that they possess more than sufficient energy to obliterate any cell membrane. The team reported achieving an impressive 99% effectiveness in combating human tumors grown on the flanks of mice during their experiments. Dr. Tour characterized the process as uncomplicated, involving the injection of molecular jackhammers, followed by a 30-minute waiting period and a 10-minute exposure to light. This research introduces a promising treatment approach named nanomechanical therapy, thereby expanding the range of available options for cancer treatment. Dr. Tour indicated ongoing investigations exploring the potential synergy between this technology and immunotherapy, aiming to detect and treat lingering cancer cells in the body. While the study functions as a proof of concept, it lays the groundwork for a potential shift in the cancer treatment paradigm if subsequent research and human trials confirm its effectiveness. "Given that a cell is unlikely to develop resistance to such molecular mechanical forces, molecular jackhammers present an alternative modality for inducing cancer cell death," the study's abstract reads. The findings of the research team were published in the journal Nature. Related Article: DeepMind's AlphaFold AI Develops Molecular Syringe That Can Help Cure Cancer, Treat Tumors 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly has unveiled LillyDirect, a telehealth platform designed to streamline the process of obtaining weight loss drug prescriptions. The initiative aims to enhance accessibility to highly sought-after medications, including the recently approved Zepbound, by leveraging the convenience of online consultations (via NBC News). Eli Lilly's LillyDirect offers patients a direct pathway to secure weight loss drug prescriptions through virtual consultations. The platform is a pioneering effort by a pharmaceutical company, setting it apart from existing services like Weight Watchers and Ro. Offering New Weightloss Drug The announcement comes hot on the heels of the FDA's approval of Eli Lilly's Zepbound, the latest entrant into the class of GLP-1 agonists. GLP-1 agonists are a type of medication that can help with Type 2 diabetes and obesity management. They are frequently injection medications. These medications, known for their potency and price, include Lilly's Mounjaro and competitors like Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy. Affordability Concerns While the move promises improved access, the elephant in the room remains to be affordability. With a list price of more than $1,000 per month's supply and limited insurance coverage, NBC News notes that these drugs may remain out of reach for the vast majority of Americans. Despite the convenience of online prescriptions, there are no price discounts available. Experts are also concerned about potential conflicts of interest, given Lilly's financial stake in the success of its drugs. Arthur Caplan, head of medical ethics at NYU Langone Medical Center, questions the platform's motivations, implying a significant financial influence in the weight loss drug market. Read Also: Med Spa Boom in the US Sparks Federal Warnings: Unlicensed Practices Pose Health Risks Collaboration with Form Health LillyDirect's telehealth services are facilitated through a collaboration with Form Health. Importantly, Lilly asserts that neither Form Health nor its physicians receive financial compensation for prescribing Zepbound, addressing concerns about undue influence. As Reuters reports, Eli Lilly emphasizes the responsible use of their obesity and diabetes drugs, standing against their use for "cosmetic weight loss." The company has taken legal action against entities promoting the inappropriate use of tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound. Competition and Underserved Populations While LillyDirect enters a competitive telehealth landscape, it addresses a crucial need for underserved populations. Telehealth platforms become vital for those residing in rural areas with limited access to doctors. Dr. Saurabh Chandra from the Center for Telehealth at the University of Mississippi Medical Center highlights the significance, with 18-20% of the population living in rural areas. Eli Lilly's LillyDirect signifies a paradigm shift in pharmaceutical practices, embracing the digital era to enhance patient access to essential medications. However, the platform's potential impact, ethical considerations, and the broader telehealth landscape underscore this innovative healthcare approach's complexities. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: Diabetes Relief: Major Manufacturers Cap Insulin Prices at $35, Answering Calls for Affordability in the US 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. SpaceX, the brainchild of Elon Musk, faces a storm of controversy as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) accuses the aerospace giant of wrongfully terminating eight employees who openly criticized Musk. The NLRB alleges serious transgressions, including illegal interrogation and retaliation against the dissenting workers. NLRB's Serious Allegations on SpaceX A recent complaint filed by a regional director of the NLRB contends that SpaceX employed illicit tactics such as surveillance, interrogation, and retaliation against employees who authored a scathing internal letter in 2022, condemning Musk's behavior on Twitter. According to USA Today, the complaint specifically accuses SpaceX management of linking the terminations to the critical open letter, limiting its distribution, and threatening consequences for collective action. Related Article: Tech Times Weekly Wrap: SpaceX Starship Static Fire Test, Apple Watch Series 9 Ban, Tinder's $500 Subscription Behind the Scenes of the Open Letter The dismissed employees were contributors to a 2022 open letter circulated within SpaceX, expressing concerns about Elon Musk's online conduct. The letter explicitly pointed out "inappropriate, disparaging, sexually charged comments on Twitter." This critical standpoint led to their termination, creating a contentious backdrop for the subsequent NLRB accusations. Upcoming NLRB Trial and Legal Implications The NLRB complaint paves the way for a trial set to commence on March 5. This legal battle will scrutinize the alleged violations and determine the consequences for SpaceX. While the NLRB can mandate the reinstatement of terminated employees and order back pay, it lacks the authority to personally hold executives accountable or impose punitive damages. "At SpaceX the rockets may be reusable but the people who build them are treated as expendable. I am hopeful these charges will hold SpaceX and its leadership accountable for their long history of mistreating workers and stifling discourse," Paige Holland-Thielen, one of the workers said in an emailed statement. Musk's Free Speech Advocacy and Past Controversies Elon Musk, self-proclaimed "free speech absolutist," finds himself in a paradox as his companies, including SpaceX, face accusations of suppressing employee speech. Previous settlements, such as stifling an employee's speech and a case involving Musk's social media company X, underscore the ongoing tension between Musk's advocacy for free speech and allegations of worker suppression, per Fortune. Broader Implications of NLRB Complaints Validated NLRB complaints can have far-reaching consequences for companies accused of unfair labor practices. SpaceX's legal conflict will not only determine the fate of the terminated employees but also shed light on the broader dynamics between corporate management and employees' rights to collective expression. The battle is not yet over for employees who believed that SpaceX unlawfully fired them. There will be a series of investigations for the next months as to how the event escalated. The stakes are higher for the company as NLRB presents a complaint that aims to side with the workers. It might be the right time for Musk to allow the authorities to take over the investigation on its corporate practices. Read Also: SpaceX Starship: Static Fire Test a Success, Third Launch with Booster 10 Underway 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Halyna Fedyshyn, a 28-year-old combat medic freed from Russian captivity, got engaged to her 30-year-old boyfriend, a marine with the 36th Separate Mechanized Brigade, Mykola Hrytsernyak. The defenders fought for Mariupol, survived Russian captivity and a long separation, but their love did not stop in the face of difficulties and did not break. ADVERTISIMENT This was announced on his Facebook page on January 4 by the commander of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade, Serhii Volynskyi. Ukrainians wished the couple lasting happiness, peace and fulfillment of their dreams. "Today I witnessed not just an engagement, but a real triumph of love! This love has survived the trials that can break the strongest, but it did not allow you to break. The couple of Ukrainian marines showed that true feelings know no barriers, even when it is hell on earth," the military wrote. Halyna Fedyshyn, originally from the village of Svarychiv in Ivano-Frankivsk region, and Mykola, from Donetsk region, fought together in the battles for the heroic city of Mariupol. They were both taken prisoner by Russia in May 2022 when they were leaving Azovstal. The lovers endured the ordeal of captivity and a long separation, but their hearts never stopped beating in unison. ADVERTISIMENT On April 7, 2021, the President awarded Halyna Fedyshyn, a sergeant with the 36th Separate Mechanized Brigade, the Order "For Saved Life". During the full-scale war, the medic was injured. Later she was captured. The defender returned to Ukraine during a prisoner exchange on January 3, 2024 (a total of 230 Ukrainian military and civilians were exchanged). Her beloved Mykola Hrytsenyak returned from Russian captivity as part of the exchange on September 21, 2023 ( 215 soldiers were returned to Ukraine, 108 of them were Azovstal defenders). ADVERTISIMENT "Their feelings and devotion to each other have become symbols of invincible faith and hope. Their love is an all-encompassing light that has overcome the darkness of the most difficult times! I congratulate you on this new beginning! Your story is an inspiration for the whole country," added Serhii Volynskyi. In the comments under his post, Ukrainians expressed their sincere congratulations to the young lovers. "Love always wins! Happiness for many years!", "Until the tears! Thank you for sharing! So happy for the young! May they live all their lives in love and peace!", "God, something incredible. May they be happy," "Glory to the Marines! Strong happiness to the newlyweds!", "Happiness to you, health, strength, goodness", "Divine! Favor of fate and fulfillment of dreams", "This is just an incredible love story! Happiness for many years!" - wrote the netizens. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the Odesa rescuer was proposed to by her lover on her birthday. Mykhailo's colleagues, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine employees, helped to organize a romantic marriage proposal for Anna. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! On Wednesday, Amir Saeid Iravani, the permanent representative of Iran to the United Nations, called for an "immediate and unequivocal" condemnation of the attack in Kerman. Previously, two explosions killed dozens of people as thousands of citizens gathered to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the assassination of Gen. Qassem Soleimani. In a letter sent to the United Nations Secretary Antonio Guterres and the United Nations Security Council, the Iranian diplomat confirmed that thorough investigations are currently underway to identify and apprehend the perpetrators and organizers of the attack. This reprehensible act resulted in the martyrdom and grievous loss of at least 103 lives, including children and women, and has left 211 others injured, Saeid said. Iranian State Media is now reporting that the First Explosion during the Bombing yesterday in the City of Kerman was Triggered by a Suicide Bomber and while Investigations are still ongoing, its believed that the Second Explosion was also the result of a Suicide Bomber; this pic.twitter.com/547KDdi4Xl OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 4, 2024 Concurrently, the Islamic Republic of Iran is committed to leveraging all available mechanisms to ensure accountability for those responsible and their accomplices in this heinous terrorist act... Iran unequivocally condemns such abhorrent acts of terrorism and remains steadfast in the pursuit of justice for the victims, he added. We urgently implore the Secretary-General and the Security Council to condemn this horrific terrorist attack unequivocally," Saeid Iravani stressed. "As one of the primary victims of terrorism and having directly experienced its catastrophic consequences, the Islamic Republic of Iran remains steadfast in its unwavering commitment to leading the fight against this scourge, he concluded. Meanwhile, through a statement released by Telegram on Thursday, the Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the suicide attack in Kerman. Omar al Mowhid and Saifala al Mujahid, two members of this organization, detonated their explosive belts so that "the polytheists know that the jihadists are after them and their projects." Prior to this event, ISIS have also claimed responsibility for other attacks on Iranian soil, the last of which occurred in Shiraz City, where 15 people died in October 2022. A business manager suspected of having ordered the attack on an elected official from Saint-Denis Tigrane Seydoux, the Frenchman behind the fashionable Italians in Madrid in which you always have to visit the bathroom Energy transition: The experts say so, the Court of Auditors says so Ticks: How to protect yourself from the increasing tick population when taking a walk in the forest A member of the Fatwa Council in Britain calls on Western Muslims to adhere to their religion and identity Death and stuff, the worst series of the week: the copy of a copy of a copy of Agatha Christie Alaska Airlines passenger about hole in plane wall: "I kept staring into the hole and hoping it wouldn't tear any further" Alaska Airlines passenger about hole in plane wall: "I kept staring into the hole and hoping it wouldn't tear any further" La Fievre with Ana Girardot and Nina Meurisse: what is the new event series from Canal+ worth? Ines Reg criticized for her attitude in Dancing with the Stars: the comedian breaks the silence Fatal accident in Wesseling: "Don't be a pathetic coward, come clean, turn yourself in to the police" Trump describes Zelensky as the best salesman and calls for him to loan him money.. How did tweeters comment? IN PICTURES - Football: discover the new Blues jerseys for Euro 2024 and the Olympics For the fifth time in a row: Medvedev lost again to Alcaraz in the Masters final in Indian Wells Badminton Akane Yamaguchi "Shidamatsu" pair and others are guaranteed to participate in the Paris Olympics Rugby: here is the program of the French XV for the rest of 2024 Jean-Marie Rouart, the writer-academician, looks back on December 19, 1964, the entry of Jean Moulin into the Pantheon 2nd Bundesliga: FC Schalke 04 is in the black and fears falling into the 3rd league La Unio denounces the second detection of Moroccan strawberries with hepatitis A in nine days Without unnecessary risks: the ruble has risen in price on the Moscow Exchange following the results of the presidential elections in Russia The "wave of rework" after the Spring Festival has driven the rental market in Guangzhou to heat up rapidly In the first two months, the total foreign trade import and export value of Kashgar, Xinjiang increased by 90% year-on-year. King Felipe VI presents Isak Andic (Mango) with the VIII Kingdom of Spain Award for Business Achievement: "Thank you for making a better country" The Government rescues the precedent of Arabic in the UN to defend Catalan in Europe Garibaldi, Pablo Iglesias' bar in Lavapies, vandalized by anarchists before its opening because of the name of a cocktail Doing harm while being playful: how fireworks mortars became the weapon of choice for delinquents The EU supported the use of Russian assets for Ukraine, but the decision was postponed Haiti in the grip of gangs: in Port-au-Prince, at least ten bodies found The Russian Guard shot down a UAV that the Ukrainian Armed Forces wanted to attack an enterprise near Belgorod Civil servants will have the salary increase after Easter and before the Budgets are approved Urgent | Al Jazeera obtains exclusive photos showing the Qassam tracking the movements of officer in the Shaldag unit, Yitzhar Hoffman, before he was killed by a snipers bullet. The central parity rate of RMB against the US dollar increased by 32 basis points to 7.0943 yuan. Niger: what follow-up after the denunciation of the military agreement between Niamey and Washington? Putin: all traitors fighting against Russia will be identified by name and they will not be given peace Operational-tactical aviation and artillery: the Russian Armed Forces struck the site of a meeting of the command staff of the SBU and the Armed Forces of Ukraine IN PICTURES - Football: discover the new Blues jerseys for Euro 2024 and the Olympics Defeat in the FA Cup: Klopp breaks off interview I have no nerves for you Operation seduction of the head of Chinese diplomacy in New Zealand and Australia Communities 2019 - Privacy The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. A business manager suspected of having ordered the attack on an elected official from Saint-Denis Tigrane Seydoux, the Frenchman behind the fashionable Italians in Madrid in which you always have to visit the bathroom Energy transition: The experts say so, the Court of Auditors says so Ticks: How to protect yourself from the increasing tick population when taking a walk in the forest A member of the Fatwa Council in Britain calls on Western Muslims to adhere to their religion and identity Death and stuff, the worst series of the week: the copy of a copy of a copy of Agatha Christie Alaska Airlines passenger about hole in plane wall: "I kept staring into the hole and hoping it wouldn't tear any further" Alaska Airlines passenger about hole in plane wall: "I kept staring into the hole and hoping it wouldn't tear any further" La Fievre with Ana Girardot and Nina Meurisse: what is the new event series from Canal+ worth? Ines Reg criticized for her attitude in Dancing with the Stars: the comedian breaks the silence Fatal accident in Wesseling: "Don't be a pathetic coward, come clean, turn yourself in to the police" Trump describes Zelensky as the best salesman and calls for him to loan him money.. How did tweeters comment? IN PICTURES - Football: discover the new Blues jerseys for Euro 2024 and the Olympics For the fifth time in a row: Medvedev lost again to Alcaraz in the Masters final in Indian Wells Badminton Akane Yamaguchi "Shidamatsu" pair and others are guaranteed to participate in the Paris Olympics Rugby: here is the program of the French XV for the rest of 2024 Jean-Marie Rouart, the writer-academician, looks back on December 19, 1964, the entry of Jean Moulin into the Pantheon 2nd Bundesliga: FC Schalke 04 is in the black and fears falling into the 3rd league La Unio denounces the second detection of Moroccan strawberries with hepatitis A in nine days Without unnecessary risks: the ruble has risen in price on the Moscow Exchange following the results of the presidential elections in Russia The "wave of rework" after the Spring Festival has driven the rental market in Guangzhou to heat up rapidly In the first two months, the total foreign trade import and export value of Kashgar, Xinjiang increased by 90% year-on-year. King Felipe VI presents Isak Andic (Mango) with the VIII Kingdom of Spain Award for Business Achievement: "Thank you for making a better country" The Government rescues the precedent of Arabic in the UN to defend Catalan in Europe Garibaldi, Pablo Iglesias' bar in Lavapies, vandalized by anarchists before its opening because of the name of a cocktail Doing harm while being playful: how fireworks mortars became the weapon of choice for delinquents The EU supported the use of Russian assets for Ukraine, but the decision was postponed Haiti in the grip of gangs: in Port-au-Prince, at least ten bodies found The Russian Guard shot down a UAV that the Ukrainian Armed Forces wanted to attack an enterprise near Belgorod Trump needs 428 million euros by next Monday or he is exposed to the temporary embargo of part of his empire Civil servants will have the salary increase after Easter and before the Budgets are approved Urgent | Al Jazeera obtains exclusive photos showing the Qassam tracking the movements of officer in the Shaldag unit, Yitzhar Hoffman, before he was killed by a snipers bullet. The central parity rate of RMB against the US dollar increased by 32 basis points to 7.0943 yuan. Niger: what follow-up after the denunciation of the military agreement between Niamey and Washington? Putin: all traitors fighting against Russia will be identified by name and they will not be given peace Operational-tactical aviation and artillery: the Russian Armed Forces struck the site of a meeting of the command staff of the SBU and the Armed Forces of Ukraine IN PICTURES - Football: discover the new Blues jerseys for Euro 2024 and the Olympics Operation seduction of the head of Chinese diplomacy in New Zealand and Australia Communities 2019 - Privacy The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. Footage of the first meeting between the border guards, who had returned from captivity the day before, and their families was posted online. The defenders and their families could not hold back their tears of happiness. ADVERTISIMENT The emotional photos were posted on the official Telegram channel of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. The soldiers, whose relatives did not yet know about their return, called their families to inform them that they were alive and at home. On January 3, 230 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians were returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity. Some of them were defending Mariupol and Azovstal. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier it was reported that Ukraine and Russia conducted the largest exchange of prisoners of war on January 3, with 230 Ukrainian defenders returning home. Experts believe that the aggressor country took this step in pursuit of its own goals, which it will later use in information campaigns. ADVERTISIMENT The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine reported that since the beginning of the full-scale war, 2, 828 Ukrainian citizens have been returned from Russian captivity. This process will continue. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Explosions were heard in Yevpatoriya and Seastopol in the occupied Crimea around 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 4. Local media reported arrivals, in particular at the occupiers' military unit, and the Russian Defense Ministry reported the alleged destruction of "ten Ukrainian missiles." The occupation authorities reported one casualty. ADVERTISIMENT Thus, Crimean publics published a photo of the aftermath of the strikes, which shows black smoke. As of 16:05, Crimean media reported an explosion in Sevastopol, and at 16:08 - a flight over Chornomorske and a strong explosion in Yevpatoriya. "Black smoke from the side of 60 years of Komsomol", "It was loud", - eyewitnesses wrote online. It is reported that the arrival in Yevpatoriya was in the area of the memorial complex "Krasnaya Gorka". ADVERTISIMENT As of 16:33, the occupation governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, called for "calm" and said that the invaders "are working to destroy a large number of different air targets." According to him, "a fragment hit a house on Glukhova Street", there is one victim. Some of the debris also allegedly fell in the area of Mostova Street, on the North Side, in the area of Monastyrske Highway and Fedyukhyni Heights. "Rescue services have arrived at the scene," the "governor" said. ADVERTISIMENT And the Russian Defense Ministry issued a statement that around 16:20 (Kyiv time) the occupiers allegedly "stopped the Kyiv regime's attempt" to launch "an attack using airborne guided missiles." "Ten Ukrainian missiles were destroyed over the Crimean peninsula by air defense systems on duty," Shoigu said. As OBOZ.UA reported, shortly before the explosions, an alarm was sounded in Crimea, the occupiers blocked the Crimean bridge and the Chongar checkpoint, which caused traffic jams. Kyiv's mobile air defense groups have enough ammunition for several more large-scale Russian air attacks. But in the medium and long term, Ukraine will need new supplies of ammunition from its allies. ADVERTISIMENT On January 3, the commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Serhii Naiev commented on the situation. "The current situation with man-portable air defense systems for mobile air defense groups is such that there is enough ammunition to withstand several more powerful attacks. But in the medium and long term, we need the help of Western countries to replenish the missile fleet," AFP quoted the lieutenant general as saying. Naiev noted that the availability of ammunition is a priority, as the Russian army "really wants to deplete" Ukraine's air defense. "Of course, we would like more missiles for Patriot and the systems themselves," he added. The AFP agency recalled the latest devastating attacks by the Russian Federation, which killed civilians. Naiev told reporters that Ukraine's air defense system was working effectively - no other army in the world has ever shown such results. ADVERTISIMENT When Naiev was asked whether people in Kyiv could feel safe, the lieutenant general replied: "Improving the effectiveness of the air defense system is our task, and we are working on it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Every citizen of Ukraine should know that the military leadership is doing everything possible to ensure their peace of mind." AFP spoke to a Ukrainian soldier named Roman. On January 2, he and his colleagues from a mobile firing team shot down two cruise missiles using a Stinger man-portable air defense system (which our defenders used for the first time) and a ZU-23 anti-aircraft mount. The shots were fired about six minutes apart. Roman admitted that they have had more work lately. "My wife and child are sleeping at home in Kyiv. I understand that I need to work," the soldier said. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZ.UA previously reported: - Russia's massive missile attacks on Ukraine are not only aimed at causing destruction, but also pursue a larger goal. Moscow is probably trying to force the Ukrainian Armed Forces to spend expensive missiles for the Patriot, Business Insider believes. - The UK Ministry of Defense noted that Russia's recent strikes in Ukraine have shown a change in Russian tactics. The strikes of significant intensity were not aimed at the energy sector, as it was last winter, but primarily at the military industry. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence has begun considering a new draft law on mobilization in Ukraine. During the meeting, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi addressed the MPs. ADVERTISIMENT They explained to the MPs the need to strengthen mobilization. This was reported by MP Oleksii Honcharenko on Telegram. According to him, Zaluzhnyi and Umierov said that today the strengthening of mobilization is an objective component of the war. If conscription is not increased, there will be no one to defend the state. At the same time, Honcharenko said that the Minister of Defense of Ukraine and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces are ready to finalize the draft law and make changes. The MP emphasized that unconstitutional provisions could be removed from the document. "In general, the government's draft law on mobilization is planned to be considered in detail in the National Security Committee over the next three days. On January 8, the deadline for submitting alternative bills expires, after which the National Security Committee must decide what it recommends to the Rada," Honcharenko wrote. ADVERTISIMENT The MP noted that the committee may recommend rejecting all the bills, adopting one of them or drafting a new committee bill on their basis and proposing that the Rada adopt it in the first reading. Earlier it was reported that a group of 12 men were detained near the border with Hungary. They tried to escape from the border guards, but the attempt was unsuccessful. As reported by OBOZ.UA, draft law No. 10378 on changes to mobilization, which was submitted to the Verkhovna Rada on December 25, has not yet been put to a vote, so in January 2024, conscription will continue under the same rules as before. The mobilization is for men aged 18 to 60 who are recognized as fit for military service. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Rick Gallot was born, reared and schooled in 71245 the City of Grambling and Grambling State University ZIP code. He served on the Grambling City Council, as a Louisiana state representative and senator, and worked as an attorney. In 2016, he was appointed president of his alma mater.He recently left the job he thought he might have for at least 20 years to become the University of Louisiana System president. In his new job, he leads a nine-institution system with about 90,000 students, including Grambling State.That leaves GSU without a leader who has known, breathed and loved GSU all his life. Australian shoppers will soon be unable to buy household cleaning products from Organic Choice, Trix, Orange Power and Aware Sensitive from Coles and Woolworths after the cleaning brands parent company collapsed just days into the new year. On January 2, Hiro Brands appointed three KPMG restructuring partners as administrators who ceased Hiros operations after conducting an urgent assessment of its financial position, resulting in 120 job losses. A promotional image for the household cleaning product Orange Power. KPMG restructuring partners David Hardy, James Dampney and James Stewart have assumed day-to-day control of the company and are seeking a buyer for the business. Regrettably, following our appointment it became evident the financial position of the business would not allow the continuation of trading activities. As a result, we have terminated most employees employment arrangements, said Hardy. Looking for a 10-hour historical monster horror martial arts prison epic with a dash of political intrigue and the odd lingering meaningful gaze between two pretty people under fireworks? The South Korean drama machine has produced the show of your dreams. Its also one that threatens to haunt your nightmares. Gyeongseong Creature is set in the Korean Peninsula in early 1945, as World War II rages towards its conclusion. Credit: Netflix Gyeongseong Creature is a 10-part Netflix series set in the dying days of Japans brutal occupation of the Korean peninsula. Its a blend of approximately every genre under the sun, but mostly its about monsters of supernatural and human varieties slicing through each other in various gory ways. Its horrendous, its horrifying, and I cant wait for the final three episodes. A violent assault in the emergency department of a Sydney hospital that left a woman fighting for her life was senseless and unprovoked, court documents allege. Furniture removalist Richard Po Lun Lim, of Russel Lea, was remanded in custody on Friday afternoon after he appeared in Parramatta Local Court over the assaults at Bankstown Hospital. Police allege Lim, 28, grabbed two women, aged 58 and 63, and assaulted them about 3am on Thursday, before punching and choking an 80-year-old woman and hitting her head against a wall, causing her to lose consciousness. The eldest woman was in a critical but stable condition in hospital on Friday afternoon. The younger women believed to be related to the older woman have been discharged. The police taskforce set up to tackle Victorias tobacco wars is now probing a suspicious fire that engulfed a Williamstown ice cream shop on Friday, just metres from another gelateria that a crime gang is suspected of repeatedly firebombing in recent months. Firefighters were called to Nelson Place in Melbournes south-west shortly before 4am on Friday to extinguish the blaze that took hold of Capriccio Gelateria. Fire Rescue Victoria said 16 firefighters brought the blaze under control within minutes and stopped it from spreading to nearby properties, but the shop and apartment above sustained significant damage. Crews remained on the scene until 6.45am to extinguish the fire, then handed the scene to Victoria Police to investigate. The state government will hand out interest-free loans of up to $300,000 to builders in a bid to tackle the mammoth backlog of unfinished stranded residential homes left behind by the pandemic-era boom. The new $10 million builders support facility announced Thursday is designed to help eligible residential builders with cashflow issues complete stalled home builds under construction for more than two years, prevent further building collapses and boost housing supply. Treasurer Rita Saffioti said the initiative was expected to help complete up to 600 stalled home builds. Credit: Jesinta Burton. Treasurer Rita Saffioti said the initiative was expected to aid in the completion of between 100 and 600 homes that had experienced delays in the overheated market and left families in limbo. Its clear that there are many homes out there that continue to be stranded, leaving homeowners unable to move into a house because it is not yet complete, she said. The absence of important cabinet papers on Australias decision to join the war against Iraq should surprise no one. The justification itself, that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and was in the process of gaining nuclear weapons, was dramatically shown to be false. The spin that leaders such as George W. Bush and Tony Blair operated in good faith belies the truth of either falsity, or credulity unworthy of a national leader. Iraq was probably the most surveilled country in the world. There was no place weapons inspectors could not go, including Saddams palaces. The illusion of WMDs was not a failure of intelligence agencies, of which the US has among the worlds most capable. The justification, like the decision to go to war, was a political one, leaving the real motivation as a topic of much speculation. Illustration: Simon Letch Credit: Australias calculation, on the other hand, had less to do with Iraq and more to do with Australias determination to bind itself to the US for moral leverage should it ever need America to come to its defence. Simple, and effective. While passing US presidents such as Donald Trump may be disrespectful to an Australian prime minister, as Trump was to Malcolm Turnbull, the US establishment, from the Congress to the military, honours that bond. But Australia and the West boast of moral and legal decision-making. The decision to invade Iraq failed those high standards. Australias Labor Party was then in opposition and opposed to the war. Now in government, it has rightly initiated a review of why crucial documents were not provided to the National Archives. It is reassuring that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has vowed to make public those missing documents, which were only found just before Christmas, unless their release would put people in danger. At least 73 people were killed and 170 others injured on Wednesday when multiple explosions ripped through an area where a ceremony was being held to commemorate a top Iranian general who was assassinated four years ago by the US, the countrys National Medical Services Organization said, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency. The explosions took place on a route leading to the cemetery in the southeastern city of Kerman where Qassem Soleimani, the former head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, was laid to rest, according to state media. The cause of the explosions remains unknown. Some media reports suggested that they were caused by gas canisters. The incident happened as tens of thousands of people converged in Soleimanis hometown Kerman to commemorate the fourth anniversary of his assassination. Soleimani was killed on Jan 3, 2020, in a US drone strike outside Baghdad Airport in Iraq. Officials of the Red Crescent Society in Kerman were quoted as saying by the state media that they took at least 50 people from the site of the incident to various hospitals. Irans emergency services put all hospitals and health care centers on alert to attend to the injured. Officials in Tehran have not commented on the incident yet. According to Anadolu sources, the venue of the ceremony in Kerman has been vacated by security forces and people have been asked to return home. During the New Year holidays, the Russian occupation forces significantly reduced the intensity of hostilities. After the Christmas celebration in Russia on January 7, active fighting is likely to resume as the invaders continue to move equipment to the occupied territories and amass manpower. ADVERTISIMENT This is stated in the summary of the DeepState project as of the end of the day on January 3. According to analysts, the occupiers continue to attack Synkivka in the Svatove direction from the north but without success. They also tried to attack Ukrainian positions south of Vilshany but also without success. In addition, the enemy tried to improve its tactical position east of Terny, so the fighting continued. According to the commander of the Ukrainian Army, Oleksandr Syrskyi, enemy assaults near Synkivka continue daily to create a bridgehead and further advance in the Kupyansk direction. The enemy continues to put pressure near Khromove and south of Bohdanivka in the Bakhmut direction. Some positions were lost, the Russian troops were advancing near Klishchiivka and Andriivka. The Ukrainian Armed Forces managed to recapture the heights of Klishchiivka, but the enemy managed to improve the tactical position near the railway near Andriivka. ADVERTISIMENT Every day in the vicinity of Stepove in the Avdiivka direction begins with an enemy assault but the occupants are "consistently getting their a***s kicked," according to a DeepState report. Near Berdychiv, the enemy took a couple of positions near the railroad. The occupiers are also trying to gain a foothold in Pervomaiske and attack Heorhiivka from Marinka to gain a foothold in the latter village. No changes in the Berdiansk direction. In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the enemy's December advance between Verbove and Robotyne was clarified at the end of the year. The fighting is now taking place west of Robotyne and west and northwest of Verbove. Defense Forces managed to recapture some positions near Verbove. ADVERTISIMENT The situation in the Tavria sector is difficult, but Ukrainian defenders are managing to hold the bridgehead and even improve their tactical position. At the same time, the enemy controls the river: as soon as our boat appears, "anything is used to attack it," DeepState said. "During the so-called New Year holidays, the enemy has significantly reduced the intensity of fighting. Most likely, after Moscow's Christmas, active hostilities will resume again. Equipment continues to be transferred from the territory of Russia to the TOT. Moreover, the occupation army is being built up by reducing losses, which is a consequence of the decrease in the intensity of hostilities," the analytical note to the report says. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA, according to the morning report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Defense Forces repelled nine enemy attacks on the left bank of the Kherson region over the day. At the same time, they continue to expand their foothold and inflict losses on the enemy, who continues to try to drive the Ukrainian Armed Forces out of their positions. Only verified information is available on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! A top Indigenous group urged Labor to act quickly after the Voice referendum to counter Indigenous disadvantage while Australians remained focused on the issue, and pushed to mandate consultation with First Nations leaders. But nearly three months after Australians overwhelmingly voted No to the Voice, Labor has said little about its agenda to improve living standards among First Australians. Pat Turner at a press conference with then-Coalition minister Ken Wyatt in August 2021. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Pat Turner, head of the coalition of peak Indigenous organisations, wrote to Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney and Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses department head days after the October 14 referendum. In her letter, she argued the benefits that would have been created by the Voice embedding Indigenous advice in decision-making could be achieved by changing the Commonwealth Public Service Act to force bureaucrats to consult Indigenous representatives on matters that significantly impact them. VCE graduate Kiana Mei Jackson wants to study a bachelor of business at RMIT. But university will have to wait because in 2024 shell be focused on growing the successful business she already owns. Throughout years 11 and 12, the Catholic Regional College Sydenham student spent her time after class hitting up Melbournes market circuit, including the Queen Victoria summer and winter night markets. Kiana Mei Jackson gets ready for the crowds at the Queen Victoria night market, where she has been selling her designs throughout her VCE years. Credit: Chris Hopkins Its here her company, Kiana Mei Designs, sells origami artworks that Jackson makes herself. I would literally go to school, then go straight to the market to set up, then sell. It finishes at 10pm, so Id then pack up and go home, and sometimes Id actually have a SAC [assessment] on the next morning, she said. Some famous acquaintances abandoned Epstein after his conviction, including former presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, but many did not. Epstein continued to mingle with the rich and famous for another decade, often through philanthropic work. Reporting by the Miami Herald renewed interest in the scandal, and federal prosecutors in New York charged Epstein with sex trafficking in 2019. He killed himself in jail the same year while awaiting trial. The US attorney in Manhattan then prosecuted Epsteins former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, for helping recruit his underage victims. She was convicted in 2021 and is serving a 20-year prison term. What are these records about? The unsealed documents are part of a 2105 lawsuit filed against Maxwell by one of Epsteins victims, Virginia Roberts Giuffre. She is one of the dozens of women who sued Epstein saying he had abused them at his homes in Florida, New York, the US Virgin Islands and New Mexico. Giuffre said the summer she turned 17, she was lured away from a job as a spa attendant at Trumps Mar-a-Lago club to become a masseuse for Epstein a job that involved performing sexual acts. Giuffre also claimed she was pressured into having sex with men in Epsteins social orbit, including Prince Andrew, the former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, former US senator George Mitchell and the billionaire Glenn Dubin, among others. All of those men said her accounts were fabricated. Prince Andrew settled a multimillion-pound lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre. Credit: AP, BBC Giuffre settled a lawsuit against Andrew in 2022. That same year, Giuffre withdrew an accusation she had made against Epsteins former attorney, the law professor Alan Dershowitz, saying she may have made a mistake in identifying him as an abuser. Giuffres lawsuit against Maxwell was settled in 2017, but the Miami Herald went to court to access court papers initially filed under seal, including transcripts of interviews the lawyers did with potential witnesses. About 2000 pages were unsealed by a court in 2019. Additional documents were released in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Loading The batch currently being released contains around 250 records containing sections that were blacked out, or were sealed entirely, because of concerns about the privacy rights of Epsteins victims and other people whose names came during the legal battle, but werent complicit in his crimes. Only about 40 of those documents were made public on Thursday (AEDT). More will be released in the coming days. What can we expect to see? US District Judge Loretta Preska, who evaluated the documents to decide what should be unsealed, said in December she was ordering the records released because much of the information within them was already public. Some records have been released, either in part or in full, in other court cases. The people named include many of Epsteins accusers, members of his staff who told their stories to tabloid newspapers, people who served as witnesses at Maxwells trial, people who were mentioned in passing during depositions but arent accused of anything salacious, and people who investigated Epstein, including prosecutors, a journalist and a police detective. There are also boldface names of public figures known to have associated with Epstein over the years, but whose relationships with him have already been well documented elsewhere, the judge said. One of them is Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modelling agent close to Epstein who was awaiting trial on charges that he raped underage girls when he killed himself in a Paris jail in 2022. Giuffre was among the women who had accused Brunel of sexual abuse. His name was peppered throughout the documents released this time. Clinton and Trump both factor in the court file, partly because Giuffre was questioned by Maxwells lawyers about inaccuracies in newspaper stories about her time with Epstein. One story quoted her as saying she had ridden in a helicopter with Clinton and flirted with Trump. Giuffre said neither of those things actually happened. She hasnt accused either former president of wrongdoing. Accuser Johanna Sjoberg testified in a newly released deposition that she once met Michael Jackson at Epsteins Palm Beach, Florida, home, but that nothing untoward happened with the late pop icon. I met Michael Jackson, Sjoberg said as part of the deposition. She did not give Jackson a massage. Washington: Donald Trump continued to profit from foreign governments while he was US president, with four of his properties raking in almost $US8 million ($12 million), mostly from China. As the 2024 presidential election year kicks into gear, documents released by Democratic members of the congressional committee that is also investigating Joe Bidens business dealings have shown how foreign entities paid millions of dollars to Trump-owned properties at the same time as they were seeking to influence his administration. Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 2019 G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan. Credit: AP Donald Trump accepted more than $US7.8 million in payments from foreign states and their leaders, including some of the worlds most unsavory regimes, congressman Jamie Raskin, a Democrat, wrote in the foreword of the 156-page report, entitled White House for Sale. By elevating his personal financial interests and the policy priorities of corrupt foreign powers over the American public interest, former President Trump violated both the clear commands of the Constitution and the careful precedent set and observed by every previous Commander-in-Chief. WATCH LIVE: 2024 North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Award Presentation - 11AM ET *AM PT SEE ALSO: NACTOY Archive 1996-2004 Watch it all right here, today, Thursday, January 4, 2024 11:00am New York Time, 8:00am Los Angeles Time Three cars, three trucks and three utility vehicles were named finalists for the 2024 North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) Awards at the recent Los Angeles Auto Show. The vehicles were chosen from a preliminary list 52 eligible vehicles, narrowed to the 25 Best of 2024 at the Detroit Auto Show in September, and test-driven and evaluated at NACTOYs Fall Comparison Drive in October. Jurors then completed their evaluations over the ensuing weeks and cast their ballots before the end of the year to select the winners, which will be announced this morning at M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Mich. NACTOY President Jeff Gilbert commented, Electric vehicles again make up more than half of our finalists. That shows how important they are to carmakers and how many more choices car buyers now have. But there is a lot of variety in this group, including a big work truck, a hybrid and a family sedan. The vehicles were voted on by 50 respected automotive journalists based on criteria including outstanding innovation, design, performance, driver satisfaction and value. NACTOY jurors, who write for a wide variety of print, online and broadcast media outlets from across the U.S. and Canada, each test and evaluate NACTOY contenders in their own way. This unique process and level of expertise involved makes being named a NACTOY finalistand even more so a winnera highly coveted achievement. Presentation begins at 1:40 The day before, on January 3, 2024, the last female marine, Halyna Fedyshyn, returned from Russian captivity. The combat medic went through a difficult period of defense of Mariupol, Ilyich Iron and Steel Works, Azovstal, and almost two years in captivity with the occupiers. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported on Facebook by the commander of the 36th Marine Brigade Serhii Volynskyi (Volyn). Halyna is from the village of Svarychiv, Rozhnyativ community, Ivano-Frankivsk region. "Halyna Fedyshyn, the last girl marine who was in captivity, is at home! She went through a difficult path of defense of Mariupol, Ilyich Iron and Steel Works, Azovstal and hellish captivity," said Volynskyi. The girl studied at the Zvyagel Professional Medical College and graduated in 2015. Upon returning to the Ivano-Frankivsk region, she registered with the military commissariat. Nina Moroz, director of the social and psychological service of the Zvyagel Medical College, told Suspilne about this in a commentary. ADVERTISIMENT "For a year, she was begging at their doorsteps because they did not want to take her. Halyna is small and thin. But in the end, she achieved her goal and was accepted to the team," the woman said. Nina Moroz also said that Halyna was injured and taken prisoner in May 2022 while leaving Azovstal. At the same time, her military boyfriend, who is from Donetsk region, was captured. During their captivity, they were unable to see each other, but the boyfriend somehow managed to find out that Halyna was alive. He was released from captivity a little earlier. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, during her captivity, Halyna Fedyshyn communicated with the occupiers in Ukrainian. The Russians imitated several times that she was being taken for an exchange, but each time they returned her to her place of detention. ADVERTISIMENT When the 28-year-old combat medic returned home from captivity, her 30-year-old betrothed, a marine with the 36th Separate Mechanized Brigade, Mykola Hrytseniak, immediately proposed to her. Their love did not stop in the face of difficulties and did not break after surviving captivity and a long period of separation. Earlier it was reported that on January 3, Ukraine and Russia conducted the largest exchange of prisoners of war - 230 Ukrainian defenders returned home. Experts believe that the aggressor country took such a step, having its own goals, which it will then use in information campaigns. ADVERTISIMENT The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine reported that since the beginning of the full-scale war, 2, 828 Ukrainian citizens have been returned from Russian captivity. This process will continue. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Following the massive missile and drone attacks by the aggressor country of the Russian Federation, which led to serious destruction and deaths of civilians, an emergency meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council will be held. The North Atlantic Alliance supported the relevant request of our country. ADVERTISIMENT This was announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba on his page on the social network X. This meeting will be a response to the terror of the Russian invaders. Ukraine will discuss with its partners how to strengthen our air defense. This will be one of the key topics during the meeting. The Foreign Minister did not specify when exactly it will take place. "It is an important signal of Euro-Atlantic unity amid the escalation of Russian terror," Kuleba said. The NATO-Ukraine Council is a joint body in which Allies and Ukraine meet on a basis of equality to advance political dialogue, interaction, cooperation and Ukraine's aspirations for NATO membership. The NATO-Ukraine Council also serves as a mechanism for crisis consultations between our country and the Alliance. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA: - On the morning of January 2, Ukrainian soldiers repelled the world's largest combined attack, during which the enemy used UAVs, cruise, ballistic and hypersonic missiles. No country in the world has ever fought with such weapons. - The latest Russian strikes in Ukraine have shown a change in Russia's tactics in attacks on Ukrainian regions, British intelligence noted. The strikes of considerable intensity were not aimed at the energy sector, as they were last winter, but primarily at Ukraine's military industry. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Artisanal Spirits Company acquires Single Cask Nation The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) has acquired US-based independent bottling brand Single Cask Nation. Founded by Jason Johnstone-Yellin and Joshua Hatton in 2011, Single Cask Nation joins the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) and J.G. Thomson & Co as part of the ASC portfolio. The move will not impact operations of the SMWS. While Johnstone-Yellin and Hatton will continue to run Single Cask Nation, Steve Hawley, president of the America Single Malt Whiskey Commission has joined the ASC team to work closely on the newly acquired companys strategy and tactics. ASC CEO Andrew Dane commented on the acquisition: "We are thrilled to welcome Single Cask Nation to our family of brands at Artisanal Spirits Company, alongside The Scotch Malt Whisky Society and J.G. Thomson & Co. This acquisition aligns with our ambition to thoughtfully expand the portfolio while staying true to our core mission to captivate a global community of whisky adventurers with rare and exceptional bottlings. This is also very much an investment in Jason and Joshua themselves who have cultivated a global following and stellar reputation as thought leaders in the world of whisky. They will both add a tremendous wealth of knowledge, experience and passion to our business and were looking forward to welcoming them and their followers to the family. Single Cask Nation sources and bottles both rare single-cask and limited-edition whiskies and other spirits for sale both online and through specialist on- and -off premise accounts. It has an audience of approximately 10,000 whisky drinkers, with its largest market being the United States. Co-founder Johnstone-Yellin added: In a way, by joining Artisanal Spirits Company were coming full-circle in our whisky journey. It was actually The Scotch Malt Whisky Society that first inspired us to start an independent bottling business in the first place. Weve admired them (and their whiskies) for years, so to be a sister brand to them now is pretty wild. 4 January 2024 - Bradley Weir BJP protests arrest of activist in Ram temple agitation 31 yrs ago BENGALURU, THE BJP in Karnataka on Wednesday launched a protest in several parts of the State against the arrest of a Hindu activist in connection with the commotion that ensued during the agitation for a Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya in 1992. Srikant Poojari (51) was arrested four days ago by the Hubballi-Dharwad police while disposing off pending cases. Poojari had allegedly taken part in the agitation 31 years ago. Recently, Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara directed the police to pursue pending cases. In this connection, police arrested Poojari in connection with the commotion in Hubballi in 1992. The BJP State president B Y Vijayendra gave a call for protest on Tuesday alleging that the ruling Congress is repeatedly trying to hurt the sentiments of the Hindus in Karnataka. Condemning the arrest, Vijayendra said it clearly showed the State Governments intent behind reopening a 31-year-old case just days before the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. He said the BJP will expose the Congress Government before the people of Karnataka and the country. CM foresees Jabalpur to be first well managed city in Central India Staff Reporter Jabalpur will be developed as first well managed city of the Central India. 5-years roadmap will be prepared for establishment of employment oriented industrial units on the basis of available resources in state assembly constituencies and districts. District level industrial meets would be organised for state and district level industrialists, said Chief Minister, Dr Mohan Yadav while chairing a review meeting at Hotel Kalchuri Residency, on Wednesday. Addressing the meeting, CM, Dr Mohan Yadav said that there are several sectors which have tremendous potentials of investment and employment. Along with inviting outside investors, promotion of local industrials should be carried out. Pointing out the tribal districts of Balaghat, Mandla and Dindori, Dr Yadav said that there are electricity problem for industrialists and directed the concerned officers for making separate scheme and programme. According to the climatic conditions, animal husbandry and tourism should be promoted in these districts. He also said for giving special focus on mining and dairy promotion in these districts. During the meeting, Principal Secretary (Industry), Sanjay Shukla informed that in last 3-months, investment of Rs 9,567 crores has been carried out in Mahakaushal region in cement, textile, iron and steel, agriculture, food processing, ethanol, engineering, FMGC and building construction material while total 19,716 new employments have been generated. He added that new projects have been developed for Mahakaushal region by the Industry Department including trunk infrastructure at 1379 acres land in Sihora with the budget of Rs 240 crores. Similarly, development works of Rs 11 crore for industrial area in Burkalkhapa village in Seoni. Extension of Umaria Dungaria Industrial area is being carried out at 60.5 acres land in Jabalpur while development of Industrial Park Narsinghpur-II and development of industrial area Tikaria in Katni is being carried out with Rs 7.72 crore. Development of Industrial Area Maneri in Mandla district is being carried out with Rs 19.56 crore while distribution pipeline is in progress with the budget of Rs 45.36 crore in Mandla. Besides this, Collector Jabalpur given a power point presentation on projected city development plan. By Bhavana Aparajita Shukla Although two-day transporters strike was called off on Tuesday night and denizens heaved a sigh of relief, but for Shajapur Collector this episode has left bitter experience, he drew severe criticism and action over his reaction to the drivers representative. Consequently, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav removed Shajapur District Collector Kishor Kanyal from his post on Wednesday. Talking to The Hitavada, an official from the Chief Ministers office confirmed that Kanyal was removed from the post of Shajapur Collector on Dr Yadavs directives. The State Government on Wednesday issued an order shifting Kanyal to the post of state deputy secretary. Notably, a video clip, which went viral, showed the Collector asking drivers and others not to take the law into their own hands when a representative of divers asked him to talk nicely. Kanyal got angry and asked the person concerned, Kya karoge tum, kya aukat hai tumhari? The man replied saying they are fighting this battle for the very reason that they dont have any aukat (social standing). In view of the strike by transporters in various parts of the State protesting against the hit-and-run law which had hit normal life, especially panic over fuel availability. District administration across the State geared up to have discussion with the protesters. In this series. The Shajapur collector was holding a meeting with them. In an attempt to convince transporters to let the essential transportation facilities go on in the district, he was asking transporters to not take laws into their hands. That had turned into a heated argument as the video displays. CMO took a serious note over the incident. Despite Collector Kishor Kanyal expressed regret over his act, the action was taken against him the very next day. It is being seen as the Chief Ministers stringent attitude and clear message to the bureaucrats that a zero tolerance policy will be implemented in the State. Collector also posted a video expressing regret over his choice of words after his aukaat video went viral. Kanyal on the District Collectors official X account stated that a meeting of about 250 truck and bus drivers was convened on Tuesday, a day after many of them created a ruckus and staged protests. The meeting was held to tell them to raise their issues democratically but one of them was trying to incite others and threatening to intensify the stir, because of which I used these words. I express regret if anyone is hurt by my words, he said. However, nobody will be allowed to take the law in his hand. But in a strongly-worded statement, CM Yadav said, This Government is of the poor. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are working for the welfare of the poor. Officers should take care of their language and behaviour.He further said, wont tolerate such language. everyones work and feelings should be respected. The Shajapur Collector has been removed from the post following the incident. Now, Narsinghpur Collector Riju Bafna has been given the charge of Shajapur Collector. Notably, a few days back, while addressing a meeting with officers, the CM had said that complacency, corruption and negligence will not be tolerated and action will be taken against officers if they neglect governance. CM frequently used to mention that He is a son of a mill worker. Former BJP National Secretary, Kailash Vijayvargiya while addressing a programme in Indore had said Indore will be known by the name of labour movement after settlement of demands of Hukumchand Mill workers. er taking oath, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav signed the first file for the welfare of the labourers. Complete process of redefining jurisdictions of police stations by Jan 15: CM to authorities Staff Reporter Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav while reviewing the law and order situation of Jabalpur division on Wednesday, asked the authorities concerned to complete the process of redefining jurisdictions of police stations by January 15. For this, the claims and objections will be addressed after preliminary determination of boundaries of the police stations after discussion in the meeting of people's representatives at the SDM level. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav was reviewing law and order situation of Jabalpur divisions. Dr. Yadav said that strict action should be taken against habitual miscreants so that the message reaches far and wide that those involved in criminal activities will not be spared. The Chief Minister said that habitual criminals should be strictly dealt with. He said that there should be a ban on the open sale of meat and fish. A market with shed should be built where space should be provided to vendors. The Chief Minister said that the district jail and the police force should jointly make a plan considering prisoners on human ground when they have completed their sentence in jails. He gave instructions to build open jails in the districts. The Chief Minister said that there should be a police band in every district, so that the official band could be played at national festivals. A police band team should be formed by training the soldiers of SAF companies and new recruits in the police force. Regarding the learning classes started by the police in the districts earlier, the Chief Minister Dr. Yadav directed that in this way, those doing good work in improving service and enhancing reputation will be honoured. Regarding recent promotions in the police department, the Chief Minister said that the eligible and deserving promoted police personnel who could not get promotion will also be promoted. Fulfilled vow on women empowerment with reservation bill: PM THRISSUR (Kerala), PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday lashed out at the Congress and Left parties, alleging that they had delayed the Womens Reservation Bill, whereas the BJP had ensured the passage of the quota legislation that would empower women. In a fiery speech at a womens convention organised by the BJP in central Kerala, Modi also launched a scathing attack on the INDIA alliance, alleging that it is impeding the growth and progress of the State. With the Lok Sabha elections round the corner, he confidently declared that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would emerge victorious in Kerala. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam has now become law, the PM said, emphasising that he has fulfilled his commitment to the cause of women empowerment. Regrettably, after independence, the Leftist Congress Government undermined the strength of our women, the PM alleged. The Congress and other parties delayed the reservation bill in the Lok Sabha. However, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam has now become law. Modi has fulfilled his commitment, he said. Asserting that the progress of the poor, women, youth and farmers will ensure national growth, he also said there is a buzz around Modis guarantee, apparently referring to the Centres developmental initiatives. The Prime Minister also said he guaranteed freedom from triple talaq for Muslim women and fulfilled it honestly. Giant Vs Gentle BY SANDHYA DESHPANDE RECENTLY my younger sister Rakhi developed a peculiar kind of headache. This type of pain was never experienced by her earlier. We became very tense. She too was looking worried. We all started thinking the best that could be done. Well, I always wondered, when our body is made up of trillions of cells, aggregation of these similar cells form the tissues and then tissues form organs then, why do we discriminate among them? Why is it that some organs are given more importance than others? Organs like heart, head[brain], stomach are given more importance than other organs like kidney, liver, bones, muscles etc. These are the same as ignored employees, family members, friends and some students in the class. Who started this discrimination between all these? So, since it was her head, we took the issue to heart and contacted a renowned Doctor Dr.Singh who suggested getting the MRI done and then showing the report to the neurologist. When our pains are serious, our movements for treatment become swift. We as obedient ones followed every instruction very honestly and sincerely. We went to the imaging center to get an MRI done. This was our first encounter with this giant testing machine, meant for MRI. We saw a very spacious room, completely chilled and exactly in the center was this huge machine. It was a bit scary but I masked my expression under a confident smile. My sister is very timid; she is scared about every small thing. She asked me to be with her while this procedure takes place. I promised, and sat on the chair kept in the extreme corner of the same room. I was also given cotton plugs to close my ears. For me all this was very strange, the attendant said, you put these ear plugs in because this machine will be producing some loud, irritating sounds. Just a test and so many adventures! We didnt have any other option but to get it done. I told the receptionist that I am the school teacher of your radiologists sons. Getting an MRI done is a lengthy process, it was about 35 minutes. I was amused and amazed with the whole process. I was continuously chanting Hanuman Chalisa to get strength. We were handed over the report quickly, and now we went to show it to a neurologist. We were asked to show it to Dr. Kabra. We sat on the bench in front of his OPD. We humans think so much before meeting any unknown person. In just a few minutes we were sent inside. A small cozy room and we saw the doctor with a gentle smile to welcome us. It is so important for a doctor to have such a positive outlook. I sat on the chair, and my sister on the examination table. He stood up and started his formal conversation with the patient to know about the sickness and with me too. He is a tall, sober, smart person with a very soft and subtle tone. His way of conversing was so good that I havent seen anyone with all these qualities earlier. Soon, we realised we have so many common friends. I was amazed, the world is really so small. We spoke about our common connections also. He then said, I would like to show this report to our radiologist once. He himself went to another floor of the hospital and returned with a very genuine and positive smile, which was indicating that nothing is much serious about my sister. Oh! What a sigh of relief. His words, his conduct, his gentle gestures are out of this world. Then he wrote a few medicines, and called his attendant and said something. He came along with us to the fee counter. We were returned all the fees we paid, me and my sister were in a state of a pleasant shock. We asked, why so? To which he said, the doctor has told to do so. We both kept on discussing so much about Dr. Kabra, after a long time I might have met a person whose impression is unforgettable. I never believed it before. First impression is the last impression, but people like him are exceptional, exemplar. It is because of such marvelous persons, we still believe in almighty, goodness, humanity and service to man is service to God. Thank you so much Dr. Dinesh Kabra. Irans Goals In Gaza War By Girish Linganna THE war on Gaza, which has been going on for nearly three months since Operation Aqsa Deluge, has revealed that the divisions that exist within the factions that sparked it will be the most prominent aspect of the scene when it is over, provided they continue to play a role. The differences in opinion that exist between the Iranian position and that of Hamas about the motives and objectives of this war are brought to the forefront in recent days. As more information becomes available, it becomes clear that the statements made by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesperson, Major-General Ramadan Sharif, about Operation Aqsa Deluge and its reasons are not accurate. When asked about the motivation behind the operation, he replied that it was a reaction to the murder of Qassem Soleimani, who had previously served as the leader of the Revolutionary Guard. Following the launch of the surprise attack on Israel by Hamas, the supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, expressed his admiration for what he referred to as the destructive earthquake for Israel, stating that Iran acknowledged the hands of those who plotted the strike. Iran, on the other hand, denied any involvement in the attack, which led to the deaths of 2,000 persons and the seizure of more than 240 hostages. This duality in the Iranian positionwith the Iranian leadership denying involvement in the attack on Gaza and claiming today that the goals of Operation Aqsa Deluge are to avenge Soleimanis killingproves that the leadership is divided. However, the essential side is in what this battle has revealed about the untruth of the deceitful slogans raised by Iran and its supporters in the region, particularly Hezbollah, regarding Palestine and the Palestinian cause, as well as their aim to drive Israel into the sea. This war has proved that these slogans are untrue. Esmail Qaani, advisor to the commander of the Quds Force in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, made a statement recently in which he threatened to destroy Tel-Aviv if Israel encroached on Iranian land. This statement is indicative of the illusions that Iran and Hezbollah have marketed to the public and their environment. Does anyone know for certain that Israel will launch an attack against Iran? There is a possibility that Irans unwavering backing for the so-called Axis of Resistance can act as a reminder of the countrys ongoing assistance for Hamas and its support for the organization while addressing the attack. Qaanis statement about destroying Tel-Aviv may be part of a media provocation. Iran was a strategic ally of Israel before the Islamic Revolution in 1979. The situation shifted following the Islamic Revolution when Ayatollah Khomeini returned from exile to assume authority. The Islamic Republic of Iran evolved into a theocratic regime that espouses anti-Israel rhetoric. The Palestinian issue became a fundamental element of the countrys interests and gained great support among the Islamic circles and within intellectual and Leftist communities. Iran played a significant role in providing support to Hamas throughout the 1990s and the first decade of the 21st Century. This support was mostly motivated by a shared hatred for the same opponent rather than shared religious or political ideas. The relationship, on the other hand, became strained in 2012 as a result of Hamass refusal to support Bashar al-Assad, Irans partner in the Syrian civil war. As a reaction, Iran cut back on its support for the violent actions of the Hamas movement and stopped providing financial assistance to the organisation. The reorganisation of the political landscape between Iran and Hamas, particularly since 2017, was brought about by the normalisation of relations between several Arab countries and Israel. The statement made by the spokesperson of the IRGC reshapes the roles between Iran and Hamas. This statement demonstrates that Irans funding of the military wing of Hamas over the years has not been in vain. This is despite Irans efforts to convince the international public not to accuse it of the attack on October 7. There is still considerable uncertainty over Irans actual level of cooperation and its intentions. Nonetheless, a more thorough understanding of Irans changing position can be obtained by concentrating on the fundamental causes, such as the intricate Israel-Palestine conflict, regional power dynamics and internal political issues. (IPA) Lakshadweep small in size, big in heart: PM Modi KAVARATTI, AFTER the inauguration of various projects worth Rs 1,156 crore in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep on Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi said that the area of Lakshadweep may be small, but its heart is huge. The area of Lakshadweep may be small, but its heart is huge. I am overwhelmed by the love and blessings I am receiving here. I pay my gratitude to you all, said PM Modi after the inauguration of several projects in Kavaratti. In 2020, I guaranteed you that you will get a fast internet facility within the next 1,000 days. Today, the Kochi-Lakshadweep Submarine Optical Fiber Project has been inaugurated. Now, the internet in Lakshadweep will be available at 100 times higher speed, said PM Modi. After independence, the only priority of Governments that remained at the Centre for decades was the development of their political parties. Far-off States, border areas or those in the middle of the ocean were not given any attention. Notably, in the last 10 years, our Government has made border areas and areas at the edge of the sea its priority. added the PM. Speaking on the blue economy, PM Modi said, Today, India is focussing on increasing its share in the world seafood market, and Lakshadweep is hugely benefitting from this. Today, the Tuna fish of Lakshadweep is being exported to Japan, and the welfare of fishermen is being fully ensured. Notably, the possibilities related to seaweed cultivation are also being explored in Lakshadweep. Prime Minister Modi said that the Government is committed to the sustainable development of Lakshadweep. Our Government is committed to the sustainable development of Lakshadweep; the Solar Power Plant present here, which is based on the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), is one such example, PM said. MIDC takes back 223.23 Ha unused land in one year Staff Reporter In last one year, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has taken back 223.23 hectare (22,32,265 sq mt) unused land across State. In the year 2015, during the tenure of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the State Cabinet had decided to take back the land acquired by entrepreneurs failing to use it for the purpose within 10 years. Last year, from July 1, 2022 to December 19, 2023, MIDC has taken back 451 unused plots all over Maharashtra. However, according to the sources, there are more plots than 451. Does it mean that MIDC is a bit soft? An official in the office of Uday Samant, Maharashtra Minister of Industry said, We are not soft, but there are certain rules which we have to follow. After following those, we could take 451 plots, the area of which comes to 223.23 hectare or 22,32,265.63 square meters land. Earlier, Government had thought of taking the land back from entrepreneurs and give back to the farmers from whom it was acquired. But the whole process was not done in a scrupulous manner. If one takes a look at the statistics, one would realise, Nagpur Regional Office has taken highest number of plots and more land back after Pune Regional Office. Nagpur Regional Office comprising Wardha, Chandrapur, Gondia, Bhandara, Gadchiroli and Nagpur has taken back 123 plots of the area 5,93,241.63 square meters. Amravati regional office has taken 31 plots of the area 2,83,288 sq meter back. In Pune, the MIDC has taken back 165 plots having the area of 7,60,961.43 sq meters. If total area that was taken back by MIDC is taken into account then more area of industry land in Vidarbha was taken back by the authority than the land it has taken back in Pune. Mahendra Patel, Regional Officer, MIDC, Nagpur told The Hitavada, It is not more or less land or about swift action. MIDC has acted with planning everywhere. We identified the people sitting on the land without doing anything and took action whatever Cabinet had proposed. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in its recent report that was tabled in State Assembly during winter session of State Legislature at Nagpur, has criticised MIDC, for its procrastinating approach in taking action against the owners having unutilised lands. It has also lambasted MIDC for the delays in implementation of land rates, unnecessary concessions given to the owners etc. Police recover Sanas cellphone, laptop Staff Reporter City police probing BJP functionary Sana Khans murder case recovered a laptop and a mobile phone from the Jabalpur residence of her husband-turned-foe and prime accused Amit alias Pappu Sahu on Wednesday. The gadgets are crucial evidence in the sextortion case that was registered against Sahu and his gang members as the cops lay hands on over a dozen videos. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Zone II Rahul Madne said that the gadgets were recovered from the house of Sahus mother near his Dhaba in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Sahu owns two houses in Jabalpur. Sana Khan was allegedly murdered at the residence of Pappu Sahu while the gadgets were recovered from the house of Shahus mother, he said. After arresting Pappu and his accomplices Ramesh Singh, Dharmendra Yadav, Rabbu Chaha alias Ravishankar Yadav and Kamlesh Patel, the police had registered a separate case of sextortion against Pappu and unidentified persons from Nagpur and Jabalpur on August 20, 2023. The gadgets have crucial videos of Sana Khan which could give a new twist to the sextortion case. The gang used to target male victims and send Khan to them to extort money. The police are now suspecting involvement of a person from Nagpur in the murder case. THE DIFFERENCE WITH the official declaration of dates of the next Lok Sabha elections coming closer -- that is any time in the next two months -- political parties and groupings will get engaged in internal discussions and deliberations on candidates and strategies. However, the difference between the styles of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and the Opposition grouping I.N.D.I. Alliance is obvious even to the common people. While the BJP-led camp is very well organised, the one of the Opposition parties is beset by internal differences, oneupmanship, ghetto mindset and serious difference of opinions on who should lead the grouping. Even as the BJP has almost completely formalised its overall strategy, the Opposition grouping is still groping in darkness on most issues. With this major difference underlining both the camps, the outcome of the next Lok Sabha elections is almost foretold, so to say, tilted in the favour of the ruling party. The biggest drawback in the Opposition camp that most parties are refusing to acknowledge that the Congress is the only truly national party on their side of the political divide. It should have been only natural for the I.N.D.I.A. grouping to offer the leadership to the Congress party, thanks to its pan-national presence and its vote share and the number of elected representatives in State legislatures and the Parliament. Yet, this simple logic does not seem to work in the Opposition camp. It is because of this reason that the Congress party appears forced to decide as if it wants to go alone (though in an undeclared manner) in the elections. It has started its strategic planning exercise in its own way -- much against the method and manner of the very well-organised BJP whose leaders have already finalised every detail right down to the election-booth-level allotment of tasks to its cadres. There are many who appear to brush aside the leadership of Mr. Rahul Gandhi as the Congress partys undisputed leader. He may have been beset with personality issues, all right. Yet, there is little doubt that the Congress party does not have any other leader with Mr. Rahul Gandhis mass appeal. And, given the reasonably high vote share of the party nationally, the Congress party does stand a good chance to offer a serious fight to the BJP juggernaut. The BJP often spends much of its energy in pointing to the contradictions in Congress partys stance on various issues. However, to the common voter, such contradictions make little difference. But the trouble is that even in Congress organisation, there are many who do not believe that Mr. Rahul Gandhi can deliver the goods in the final analysis. All these issues bring to fore the stark difference between the BJP-led NDA and the I.N.D.I.A. grouping. When the political community started its activity in anticipation of the election season ahead, the difference between then two camps has become obvious to the common people. That gap appears to have widened in the passage of time. As the strategies of different parties are getting revealed to the nation, the difference gets all the more highlighted. With the atmosphere getting more serious in both the camps, the difference between the two also appears enhanced all the more. At this stage, though hints are available that the BJP-led NDA is slated to register a win, it would be only preposterous to make any definitive prediction about the extent of gap between the two camps. For, in time to come, many changes are slated to take place, altering the current calculations. Yet, it must be said that the difference is getting starker than ever before. Truck drivers end strike Business Reporter The petrol, diesel and LPG supplies are set to be normalised within a few days as the truck drivers strike in the city has ended. Amit Gupta, President of Vidarbha Petroleum Dealers Association (VPDA) told The Hitavada that the petrol, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplies which were disrupted in the city would normalise within a few days. Gupta said, people should not resort to panic buying as there is sufficient stock at the oil marketing company depots of Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum. At present, there is a steady supply of petrol and diesel to the petrol pumps from Borkhedi and Chandrapur depots. By evening of Wednesday most of the pumps would be open, he added. The truck drivers strike against the amendment to the new hit-and-run law passed by the Government under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita affected citizens the most as they were caught by surprise on first day of 2024. Citizens panicked as they got news of a nation-wide strike being organised by the truck drivers. This created a lot of confusion among the people and they started to fill their two-wheelers and four-wheelers with petrol and diesel at an alarming pace. Seeing the long queues at the petrol pumps more people joined the rush. The situation became alarming by the evening of January 1. There was total chaos on January 3. People were seen scrambling from one petrol pump to another to fill their tanks with petrol and diesel. Each petrol pump keeps two-three days buffer stock but some of the dealers did not purchase petrol and diesel from the oil marketing companies as they were under the influence that the Government would decrease the petrol, diesel and LPG rates in the New Year. With less stock at the pumps and heavy demand the situation deteriorated. Currently, the petrol, diesel and LPG supplies have resumed at a fast pace and everything would be normal very soon, assured Gupta. Clarifies that departure tax for Bahamians leaving the country has not increased Royal Bahamas Police Force officers investigate the scene of a shooting on Prince Charles Drive yesterday, in the area of College Gardens. Chinese premier extends condolences to Japanese PM over strong quakes Xinhua) 08:50, January 04, 2024 BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday sent a message of condolence to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida over the strong quakes hitting Japan's prefecture of Ishikawa. In his message, Li said he was shocked to learn of the strong quakes in the prefecture, which caused heavy casualties and property loss. On behalf of the Chinese government, Li expressed deep condolences for the deceased, and offered sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured. Li said he believes that under the leadership of the Japanese government, the people in the disaster-hit areas will be able to overcome difficulties and rebuild their homes as soon as possible, adding that China is willing to provide necessary assistance to Japan in earthquake relief. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attended an exhibition featuring agricultural machinery, such as an unmanned helicopter, and called for the development of farming technology, state media said Wednesday, Azernews reports, citing Yonhap. Kim's remark came as he visited the exhibition at the Three-Revolution Exhibition House showcasing "more than hundreds of kinds of farm machines" the previous day, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). During the visit, Kim said it is "most important" to "make a correct assessment of the existing technical capability for manufacturing farm machines" and lay out a long-term plan to advance mechanization in agriculture, the KCNA said. North Korea has been focusing on boosting grain production as the country's chronic food shortages have been worsened by prolonged COVID-19 border closure and disruptions in state-controlled food supply, with deaths from starvation reported in some regions. In a year-end key party meeting, Kim expressed satisfaction over attaining annual crop output and called it the "most precious and valuable success achieved in the economic work for 2023." As we entered into 2024, a lot of buzz has been created in the crypto world. Options traders had been betting on Bitcoin hitting USD 50,000 buoyed by optimism surrounding the spot ETF. On Thursday, Bitcoins market exhibits continued volatility, trading at a slightly higher level of USD 42,950, following a recent 5 per cent drop. This fluctuation reflects ongoing market uncertainties, especially regarding regulatory developments. Advertisement Also, reportedly, the Grayscale Investments, a leading crypto asset manager, is in talks with major financial institutions like JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs about their potential roles in Grayscales proposed Bitcoin ETF. JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs would have the authority to create and redeem the funds shares, a critical function for maintaining liquidity and aligning ETF share prices with the underlying assets. The development echoes BlackRocks choice of JPMorgan Securities as an authorised participant for its Bitcoin ETF. Experts believe the development could significantly influence Bitcoin prices and further integrate digital currencies into mainstream finance. Another key development in the crypto world is that the Tuttle Capital Management has filed for six new ETFs aimed at amplifying returns relative to a standard spot Bitcoin ETF. These ETFs, including T-REX 1.5X and 2X Long Spot Bitcoin Daily Target ETFs, are designed to offer daily inverse or leveraged returns of up to 150 per cent or 200 per cent. As we entered into the new year, the Cipher Mining has strategically bolstered its operations with the purchase of 16,700 Avalon miners from Canaan, scheduled for Q2 delivery ahead of Bitcoins anticipated April halving. The miners will be distributed across Ciphers Texas facilities, augmenting each sites capacity by 30 megawatts. As per the reports, the CEO Tyler Page anticipated this expansion will significantly advance Ciphers industry position post-halving, reflecting a broader trend in the crypto mining sector towards expanding infrastructure to influence Bitcoins supply-demand balance. Also, excitement builds over the potential approval of a Bitcoin ETF by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. This approval could attract a broader range of investors, including large institutional players. For 2024, there are bold predictions for Bitcoins price as Mark Mobius predicts a rise to USD 60,000, citing heightened interest due to a potential Bitcoin ETF. The Indian Toy industry witnessed remarkable growth in Financial Year 2022-23 in comparison to Financial Year 2014-15, with the decline in imports by 52%, rise in exports by 239% and development of overall quality of the Toys available in the domestic market. These observations have been noted in a Case Study on Success Story of Made in India Toys has been conducted by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow at the behest of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). As per the report, the efforts of the government have enabled in the creation of a more conducive manufacturing ecosystem for the Indian Toy industry. Advertisement Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Mann ki Baat address in August 2020, expressed his desire to establish India as a global toy manufacturing hub. It highlighted that in a span of 6 years, from 2014 to 2020, these dedicated efforts have led to the doubling of the number of manufacturing units, reduction in dependence on imported inputs from 33% to 12%, increase in gross sales value by a CAGR of 10%, and overall rise in labour productivity. India is also emerging as a top exporting nation due to the countrys integration into the global toy value chain, along with zero-duty market access for domestically manufactured toys in countries including UAE and Australia, the report said. The report stated that in order to position India as a viable alternative to current toy hubs of the world, i.e., China and Vietnam, consistent collaborative efforts of the Toy industry and the Government are essential for advancements in technology, embracing e-commerce, encouraging partnerships and exports, investing in brand-building, engaging with educators and parents to communicate with children, valuing cultural diversity and collaborating with regional artisans, etc. Government has undertaken a series of initiatives including formulation of a comprehensive like the National Action Plan for Toys (NAPT) to promote designing of toys, using toys as a learning resource, monitoring quality of toys, promoting indigenous toy clusters, etc. The report highlighted the interventions and initiatives taken by the government in order to propel the growth in the toy industry. Comprehensive NAPT having 21 specific action points, increase in Basic Customs Duty, sample testing of import consignment, Quality Control Order, BIS standard Marks, and Cluster-based approach were some of the initiatives taken by the government to promote the toy business. Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena recommended on Thursday a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged fake lab tests in Arvind Kejriwal governments Mohalla Clinics in the national capital. The Kejriwal government is facing allegations that its Mohalla Clinics referred ghost patients for fake lab tests in private laboratories. As per the allegations, money was paid to the private labs against lakhs of fake tests. According to reports, the scam runs in crores of rupees. Advertisement The LG office said that fake diagnostic tests were prescribed by the Mohalla Clinics to benefit private labs and recommended the matter be probed the CBI. Reacting to the development, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi claimed that vigilance committee report flagged the alleged irregularities in Mohalla Clinics and asked how over 500 patients were attended in a span of four hours. Mohalla Clinics run from 9 am to 1 pm. There are reports that more than 500 patients were seen in a day. Are there CCTVs in Mohalla clinics? If there was a CCTV, then there must be footage of over 500 patients visiting the Mohalla Clinic in a day, he added. Responding to the allegations and the CBI probe recommendation by the LG, Delhi Health Minister Sourabh Bhardwaj downplayed the issue, saying there were some irregularities related to doctors attendance and the government acted against them. We have suspended 26 people, including seven doctors, who were not coming to the clinics but marking their presence using recorded videos. I thinks this is also related to that.. several incidents related to that matter have surfaced, he said. He further added that Directorate General of Health Services and the health secretary should conduct random checks as the staff has not been appointed by the Arvind Kejriwal government. Earlier in December last year, LG Saxena had recommended a CBI probe into the alleged supply of drugs that failed quality standard tests and had the potential of endangering lives to hospitals run by the city government. The Delhi Police Special Cell has apprehended one of the most wanted terrorists associated with the terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, identified as Javed Mattu, a senior police official said on Thursday. Mattoo was arrested from around the DND flyway area at the forenoon of Thursday, the police said, adding that a 9mm pistol and a spare magazine was recovered from him, while the vehicle he was using was found to be stolen. According to the Special Cell, days ago, information was received that a dreaded wanted terrorist from J&K belonging to the banned terrorist Hizbul Mujahideen would be coming to the NCR to collect arms and ammunition. Advertisement Acting on the input, the police kept tabs on sleeper cells and weapon suppliers were activated. As per the latest inputs received by police, Mattu was to arrive in Delhi to collect arms and ammunition from his associates allegedly at the behest of an agency across the border agency. The police further said that according to the input, his Pakistan-based handler would be coordinating the delivery of arms and ammunition, and Mattu would carry out some audacious terror strikes in J&K and at another place on the instructions of his handler. A case under appropriate sections has been registered in this regard at Police Station Special Cell and further probe is underway in the matter, investigation is underway. The police said further investigation will be initiated in the connection of his arrest with the police custody remand. The arrested terrorist was carrying a bounty of Rs 10 lakh and was the last surviving A++ category designated terrorist, who was involved in various acts of terror in the Jammu and Kashmirs Sopore in 2010, 2011 and 2012, till the time he was injured with a bullet injury on his leg. He is a member of the gang of seven dreaded terrorists of Hizbul Mujahideen. His previous involvements include killing of five police personnel, causing injuries to dozens of other police personnel and public, and an IED blast in Sopore J&K. After being injured in an exchange of fire with security forces, he went underground and fled to Nepal, while the J&K police was chasing him. This major breakthrough by the Special Cell in association with the Central agencies is an outcome of the stepped up sensitivity maintained by the special unit as per its mandate in wake of the upcoming Republic Day with the police being on an alert. Actor Akshay Oberoi says the forthcoming film Fighter also gave an opportunity to bond with fitness icon and star Hrithik Roshan. Although a fitness enthusiast from a young age, collaborating with Hrithik on Fighter has given me a fresh perspective on maintaining fitness and a healthy body, said Akshay. Hrithik is a true fitness icon in Bollywood, and working on the same project has brought two fitness aficionados together. His dedication and passion for fitness are truly inspirational, he added. Advertisement Hrithik, widely acclaimed for his chiseled physique and commitment to a healthy lifestyle, has become a guiding force for Akshay. Akshay acknowledged the transformative impact of working with Hrithik. Driving inspiration from my co-actor has given me fresh perspective in leading a fitter life. Its not just about physical fitness; its a holistic approach that Hrithik embodies, and its truly motivating, he said. Fighter is an action film directed by Siddharth Anand. The film stars Deepika Padukone, Hrithik and Anil Kapoor, and serves as the first film in a planned aerial action franchise. Fighter is slated to release on January 25. The Maharshi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya is an outstanding testament to the dynamism of the double-engine government at both the Centre and the state. It has swiftly transformed a compact 178-acre airstrip into an expansive international airport spanning 821 acres in just two years. With an additional expenditure of Rs 1,175.97 crore, supplementing the Rs 287 crore received from the Airports Authority of India, the Yogi government in Uttar Pradesh has showcased the remarkable prowess of the second engine, officials here said on Thursday. The Ayodhya International Airport is an outcome of effective coordination between the executive agencies of the central and the state governments. The construction of this international airport started on 2 December, 2021, and within two years, a huge airport came up in Ayodhya. Advertisement The Airports Authority of India spent Rs 191 crore on pavement grading and design and build basis in EPC mode and Rs 96 crore on construction of pre-engineered building. Notwithstanding the primary challenge which revolved around land acquisition, the Yogi government achieved a significant milestone by acquiring around 500 acres without encountering any dispute. Notably, in this 821-acre project, 182 acres were already registered in the name of the Civil Aviation Department whereas 139 acres of government land were acquired from various departments and institutions of the state government, including 23 acres from Avadh University, 25 acres from the education department, 90 acres from Gram Samaj, and 0.0593 acres from the irrigation department. The biggest challenge before the state government was to acquire the remaining 500 acres (499.68 acres) of private lands. After holding discussions with residents, the state government officials, including the Chief Minister himself, mutually reached a deal on the issue. They not only successfully acquired the private lands but also handed them over to the Airports Authority of India within the stipulated time. Furthermore, the challenges were not just limited to relocating LT and HT power lines and poles spread across the entire area from runway extension areas. It also involved the removal of quarters and department buildings of Avadh University, shifting 132 kV HT transmission lines from the funnel area, relocating the police post located inside the airport to outside the operational area, removing the hangar and generator room of the Public Works Department and shifting 33 kV and 11 kV power lines. The timely completion of all tasks such as arranging proper lighting, establishing a fire station, stormwater drainage, widening the runway from 1,500 meters to 2,200 meters, re-carpeting, constructing a 310-meter-long taxi track, building aprons for aircraft, isolation bays, taxiway strips, runway turn pads, crash gates, etc., and developing the terminal building in a single stretch on a 6,000-square-metre area with pre-engineered, pre-fabricated structures, including a common concourse, check-in area, security hold area, baggage collection, electrical works, airport systems, IT systems, and landscaping, was possible only due to the efficient handling by the double-engine government. Ayodhya, revered as the city of Lord Ram, is heading towards becoming the modern symbol of Indias cultural heritage. The Maharshi Valmiki International Airport will play a pivotal role in this transition by boosting connectivity between Ayodhya and the nation, as well as the world. Both the central and the state governments are making sincere efforts to restore Ayodhyas lost glory. The first phase of the airport project has been completed. It features a terminal spanning 65,000 square feet with a capacity for 2 to 3 flights per hour. The airport boasts of a 2,200-metre runway which will not only cater to small aircraft, but also larger ones like Boeing 737, Airbus 319, and Airbus 320. Initially, eight aprons have been constructed. In the second phase, the runway will be extended to 3,700 meters, allowing all international aircraft, including Boeing 787 and Boeing 777, to land directly in Ayodhya. The airports second phase will also include a terminal spanning 5 lakh square feet. The saints of Ayodhya believe that UP Chief Minister and Gorakhpeethadhishwar Mahant Yogi Adityanath is fulfilling the dream of his predecessors at Gorakshpeeth in Gorakhpur of construction of a grand Ram temple at Ayodhya. Stating that the chief minister is fortunate enough to have the responsibility of Ram temple construction, they said Mahant Digvijaynath was one of the pioneers of the movement to build the temple while Mahant Avaidyanath united Hindus and Mahant Yogi Adityanath kept visiting Ayodhya regularly to discuss the temple even before becoming the chief minister. Later, when he became the chief minister, he started working towards realising the dream of his gurus, they said. Raju Das, Siddhapeeth Hanuman Garhi, Ayodhya said here on Thursday that the credit for taking Ayodhya towards navyata, divyata, bhavyata (newness, divinity, grandeur) goes to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. There was a time when Yogi Ji used to come four to five times a year to discuss with saints how the temple could be constructed. Now, as the chief minister, he visits five to six times a month to take stock of the temple construction and to expedite development projects, he added. Advertisement He further said that while Digvijaynath Ji Maharaj pioneered the movement for the temple by awakening the masses, Avaidyanath Ji Maharaj fostered the spirit of dedication and service among saints. The dedication of Digvijaynath Ji was followed by the sacrifice, austerity, and struggle of Avaidyanath Ji, he pointed out. They worked to end discrimination against the oppressed and the downtrodden organising community feasts to unite Hindus. Not just temple construction, Mahant Digvijaynath, Mahant Avaidyanath, and Mahant Yogi Adityanath have consistently worked to awaken the spirit of independence in people over the years, Das added. He mentioned that they contemplated on how to connect Ayodhya with development and tourism. The international airport named after Sage Valmiki, Ayodhya Dham railway station, and the overall development plan have started taking shape. He said leaders used to run away from Ayodhya, but Yogi Adityanaths visit to Ayodhya on the fourth day of becoming the chief minister and going to Ram Janmabhoomi after having darshan of Hanumangarhi was unimaginable for any leader. Das further said, When Lord Shri Ram was in a tent, Yogi Adityanath took him to an alternative temple, showing a visible representation of the foundation of cultural freedom. Maintaining Ayodhyas development in line with its cultural identity is a matter of pride. Earlier, bullets were fired on those who chanted Jai Shri Ram, but Yogi Adityanath now discusses it in cabinet meetings. Jagadguru Ram Dineshcharya Maharaj, Haridham Gopal Temple, Ramghat, mentioned that after a long struggle of 500 years, Lord Shri Ram is now going to reside in his divine and grand temple. Historically, Gorakshpeeth has played an important role in temple construction. Whether it was the cow protection movement or the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, the previous Acharyas of Gorakshpeeth actively participated in it, he pointed out. Mahant Digvijaynath ji Maharaj or Mahant Avaidyanath ji Maharaj always took bold stands. The credit for fulfilling the dreams of the previous Acharyas goes to Mahant Yogi Adityanath. The entire world is now looking towards Ayodhya and the Ram temple. Whenever the foundation and struggles are recalled, we will remember the previous Acharyas of Gorakshpeeth, he added. The Jagadguru further said it is also becoming a historic moment that CM Yogi Adityanath, as a continuation of that tradition, will witness the consecration ceremony of the divine and magnificent temple of Lord Shri Ram. A clash between BJP and Youth Congress workers erupted at Thekkinkadu Maidan in Trissur on Thursday after the latter attempted to sprinkle cow dung water at the venue where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a huge gathering on Wednesday. The BJP workers stopped the Youth Congress workers who came to clean the venue of Prime Minister Narendra Modis address to the BJPs womens rally a day before by sprinkling cow dung water. The situation turned worse when the BJP activists started attacking Congressmen with poles that were used to erect the stage. BJPs Thrissur district president KK Aneesh alleged that TN Prathapan, the Congress MP from Thrissur constituency and police officials conspired to let the protest happen. We wont let anyone trespass into our venue. We obtained permission to conduct the programme here. If any Youth Congress worker dared to sprinkle cow dung water on BJPs venue, Prathapan would face its consequences. We will spray cow dung water all over, Aneesh said. Advertisement As the clashes continued, the BJP workers pelted stones at the Youth Congress activists when they tried to spray cow dung water at the venue of the PMs programme. The police had to use force to disperse the two groups and restore order in the area. As tensions escalated, the police arrested the protesting Youth Congress workers to bring the situation under control. Congress sources said the protest was in response to the cutting of branches of the banyan tree near the venue, undertaken as part of security measures for Modis programme here on Wednesday. BJPs state president K Surendran said the attempt of the Youth Congress workers to sprinkle cow dung water at the venue where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a huge gathering on Wednesday shows the partys elitist mindset. Since PM Modi is from a socially and economically backward family, the Congress must have thought about how could he be allowed to step foot on the premises of Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple, Surendran said. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday congratulates artisans for their skills and achievements after three more sarees from the state were registered and recognised as Geographical Indications (GI) products. The three handloom saree items that have been given GI products tag are Tangail of Nadia and Purba Bardhaman, Karol and Garad of Murshidabad and Birbhum. Three handloom saree items of West Bengal, namely Tangail of Nadia and Purba Bardhaman, and Korial & Garad of Murshidabad and Birbhum, have been registered and recognized as GI products. I congratulate the artisans for their skills and achievements. We are proud of them. Our congratulations to them!! CM Banerjee wrote on X. Advertisement What is a GI tag? A GI or Geographical Indication is sign given to certain products that relate to a specific geographical location or origins of those products. The GI tag certifies that the particular product is produced using traditional methods and has a reputation because of its geographical origin. It ensures that none other than those registered as authorized users are allowed to use the popular product name. GI tags are mainly given to wine and spirit drinks, foodstuffs, agricultural products, handicrafts, and industrial products. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge held a meeting with the National Alliance Committee (NAC) here on Thursday to discuss the strategy for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The meeting came days after the NAC held deliberations with various party units including UP and Maharashtra over the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The meetings with the senior leaders were held to take their views on seat-sharing for the general elections. The panel led by convenor Mukul Wasnik apprised Kharge about the meetings held so far with the partys several state units. Advertisement Notably, several parties of the INDIA have already stressed the need to finalise on seat sharing at the earliest. The Opposition bloc is an umbrella of Opposition parties formed to take on the ruling BJP in the Lok Sabha polls. Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary in-charge of organisation KC Venugopal were also present in the meeting held at Kharges residence. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Wasnik said, We apprised Kharge ji and Rahul ji about the meetings held so far with the partys state unit on seat sharing. Very soon we will discuss over seat sharing with the parties of INDIA alliance. In response to a question, he said our main objective is formation of INDIA alliance government at the Centre. Earlier in the day, the Congress chief held a meeting with the state Congress presidents and CPP at the party headquarters here. They discussed the general elections and upcoming Bharat Nyay Yatra now called Bharat Jodo Nyay yatra. The yatra which will kick off from Imphal on January 14 will be led by Gandhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated and laid foundation stones of various developmental projects worth Rs 1200 crore in Lakshadweep. The prime minister said that the focus of his government is to uplift lives of people in Lakshadweep through enhanced development. In addition to creating futuristic infrastructure, it is also about creating opportunities for better healthcare, faster internet and drinking water, while protecting as well celebrating the vibrant local culture. The projects that were inaugurated reflect this spirit, he added. Modi also interacted with beneficiaries of various government schemes and heard their life experiences. Advertisement Had excellent interactions with the beneficiaries of various government schemes. Its inspiring to see firsthand how these initiatives are fostering better health, self-reliance, women empowerment, improved agricultural practices and more. The life journeys I heard were truly moving, he added. PM tries his hands at snorkeling The prime minister also tried his hands at snorkelling during the small trip to Lakshadweep. Modi shared pictures of the visit and termed the activity an exhilarating experience. For those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them, Lakshadweep has to be on your list. During my stay, I also tried snorkelling what an exhilarating experience it was!, he said. For those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them, Lakshadweep has to be on your list. During my stay, I also tried snorkelling what an exhilarating experience it was! pic.twitter.com/rikUTGlFN7 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 4, 2024 Congress reacts to PM Modis images in snorkeling suit Reacting to his visit, the Congress party slammed Modi for having fun and clicking pictures in different dresses in Lakshadweep while the north-eastern state of Manipur is burning for eight months. Manipur has been burning for 8 monthsPeople are still being murdered. Indian citizens are being killed, rendered homeless, and tortured. But where is the Prime Minister of India? The Prime Minister of India is having fun. Great photography is taking place on the seashore, Congress wrote on X and shared pictures of PM Modis Lakshadweep trip. The main Opposition party also accused the PM of running away from responsibilities. Photos are being taken in different dresses. A wonderful pose is being given. Sometimes relaxing on the shore, sometimes playing with the waves of the sea. Fun is fun. PM Modi is an expert in the art of running away from responsibilities, the Congress added. In a rare admission, the Chinese Communist Partys newspaper Global Times has stated India has achieved outstanding results in economic development and social governance, and its great power strategy has moved from dream to reality. Writing an Opinion piece in the newspaper on 2nd January, Zhang Jiadong, director of the Center for South Asian Studies at Fudan University concludes: India is indeed a major power, and rapid changes in internal and external strategies pose challenges to both itself and the international community. It appears that a transformed, stronger, and more assertive India has become a new geopolitical factor that many countries need to consider, he wrote. Advertisement The Global Times is a daily tabloid newspaper under the auspices of the Chinese Communist Partys flagship newspaper, the Peoples Daily, commenting on international issues from a Chinese nationalistic perspective. The Chinese writer said I recently visited India twice, marking my first visit in four years. During the trips, I found that Indias domestic and foreign situation have changed tremendously compared to four years ago. However, potential risks and crises have also begun to unfold. He wrote What I feel about the Bharat narrative in India, Jiadong said On the one hand, India has made great achievements in economic development and social governance. Its economy has gained momentum and is on track to becoming one of the fastest-growing major economies. Meanwhile, New Delhi has made progress in urban governance, he wrote. Although the haze is still serious, the distinctive smell that hit you as soon as you stepped off the plane four years ago has generally disappeared. This suggests that public environment in New Delhi has improved somewhat, he said. Jaidong wrote that during his talk with Indian representatives, their attitude toward Chinese scholars was more relaxed and moderate, instead of being stubborn at times. For example, when discussing the trade imbalance between China and India, Indian scholars used to primarily focus on Chinas measures to reduce the trade imbalance. But now they are placing more emphasis on Indias export potential, actively seeking to reduce the trade deficit with China by taking the initiative and increasing Chinese imports from India, he wrote. Furthermore, with its rapid economic and social development, India has become more strategically confident and more proactive in creating and developing a Bharat narrative, he said. In the diplomatic sphere, India has rapidly shifted toward a great power strategy. Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed power, he has advocated for a multi-alignment strategy, promoting Indias relations with the US, Japan, Russia and other countries and regional organizations. Now, Indias strategic thinking in foreign policy has undergone another change and is clearly moving toward a great power strategy. Regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India has distanced itself from the West and aligned itself more closely to the developing world, Jiadong wrote. At the same time, Indias reservations about Western powers have significantly diminished, and its activities within Western countries have become more frequent, extending beyond organizing large-scale diaspora events. The article said in the political and cultural spheres, India has moved from emphasizing its democratic consensus with the West to highlighting the Indian feature of democratic politics. Currently, there is even more emphasis on the Indian origins of democratic politics. Former National General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party Ram Madhav, has stressed the need for Indias version of democracy, the Chinese writer said. India not only seeks to escape the political dwarf resulting from its history as a colony, but also wants to act as a world mentor both politically and culturally. In December 2023, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations organized the first Knowledge India Visitors Programme, which brought together more than 77 scholars from 35 countries, he wrote. Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar emphasized the importance of building a strong Bharat narrative and explained the Bharat narrative in terms of economics, development, politics, and culture. Obviously, India no longer only regards cultural tradition as a channel to achieve its own interests or as a symbol to attract foreign tourists, but also sees it as one of the pillars of Indias status as a great power, the Chinese writer said. Changes like this in internal and external policy are in line with the logic of Indias long-held policy. India has always considered itself a world power. However, it has only been less than 10 years since India shifted from multi-balancing to multi-alignment, and now it is rapidly transforming toward a strategy of becoming a pole in the multi-polar world. The speed of such changes is rarely seen in the history of international relations, the article said. The Kishtwar-based Ratle Hydroelectric Project will supply power to Rajasthan for which an agreement has been signed. The Ratle Hydro Electric Power Corporation (RHPCL), a joint venture company of NHPC Limited and Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC), has entered into a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Rajasthan Urja Vikas and IT Services Ltd for offtake of power generated from 850 MW Ratle Hydroelectric Project, Kishtwar in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. The agreement has been signed for offtake of power for a period of 40 years from the Commercial Operation Date (COD) of the project and as per power allocation to be notified by Ministry of Power. Advertisement The PPA was signed in the presence of senior officers of RHPCL and Rajasthan Urja Vikas and IT Services Limited. The government on Thursday said its legal team was working on the appeal to be filed in the case of eight former Indian Navy personnel, whose death sentence has been commuted by an appellate Court in Qatar. I can confirm that the death penalty of the eight Indians has been commuted. They have been given varying sentences. Our legal team has the court verdictits a confidential document. Sixty days time has been given to appeal in the highest court of Qatar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a media briefing. He said the legal team was working on the matter. The government was in touch with the legal team as well as the families of the eight Indians. Advertisement The Appellate Court in Qatar had on 20 commuted the death sentence of the eight Indians, who were arrested in August 2022 in an alleged case of espionage. They were handed the death sentence by a court in Qatar in October. India had termed the ruling deeply shocking, and an appeal was filed in the case in November. The eight have been identified as Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta and Sailor Ragesh. India has been relentlessly pursuing the case with the Qatari authorities. The Qatari authorities have provided at least three consular access to the eight Indians. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met Qatars Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on the sidelines of the COP28 Summit in Dubai in December. With the Lok Sabha elections drawing closer, the Congress has received a shot in the arm as YS Sharmila, founder of the YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP), joined the grand old party here on Thursday. Sharmila, who is the daughter of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YSR Reddy and younger sister of incumbent Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, joined the Congress at the party headquarters. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge welcomed her to the the party-fold. Advertisement Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and partys general secretary in-charge of organisation KC Venugopal were also present on the occasion. With her joining, Sharmila has merged her party with the Congress. After joining the party, she said, Today, I am very happy to be merging YSR Telangana Party into the Congress party. It gives me immense joy that the YSR Telangana Party is going to be a part of the Indian National Congress party from today onwards. YSR Telangana Party is not going to be separate anymore from the Congress party. It gives me great delight, Sharmila said. Remembering her father, she said, Dr YSR Reddy, the legendary leader of the Telugu people not only served the Congress party all his life but also gave his life serving the Congress. Today, it gives him great joy that his daughter following in his footsteps, is going to be a part of the Congress party itself. Sharmila said the Congress is still the largest secular party of the country. The Congress party has always upheld the true culture of India. The Congress party has built our nation. The Congress party has unwaveringly served all communities, uniting all sections of the people of India, she said. Kerala PCC president K Sudhakaran said on Thursday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who says everyone knows the office where the gold smuggling took place, should clarify what action has been taken against the looters. When the gold smuggling case came into the limelight, five Central investigative agencies stormed into the Chief Ministers Office. However, when the 2021 Assembly elections came, not only did all the agencies go back faster than they had come, Sudhakaran said. In an oblique reference to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans office, Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday said that everyone knew which office was behind the gold smuggling and that there was no need to hide it from anyone. Advertisement The serious allegations of gold smuggling, dollar smuggling, money laundering and violation of foreign exchange rules were levelled against the chief minister at one stage, Sudhakaran said. The principal secretary of the chief minister was made a scapegoat and imprisoned. An important accused in the case pointed out that Kerala was looted with the knowledge and consent of the state chief minister. However, the Central agencies didnt conduct any probe into these allegations, the Congress Kerala chief said. Sudhakaran said instead of ordering a probe into the serious allegations against the Chief Ministers Office, Prime Minister Modi is protecting Pinarayi Vijayan like the apple of his eye. Sudhakaran said the Modi administration, which is hunting the Opposition leaders across the country even in non-existent cases, is going soft on Chief Minister Vijayan. Though there were clear evidence and statements against the Kerala Chief Minister, the probe agencies under the Modi administration have not conducted even a preliminary inquiry into the allegations. H said the Central probe agencies reluctance to probe the allegations against the Chief Minister should be read along with adjournment of the Lavlin case for 28 times, in which Pinarayi Vijayan is a party. Meanwhile, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal asked the prime minister to take action against all those who are involved in the diplomatic gold smuggling case. Instead of making speeches, the PM should see that a proper probe is being conducted against all facing the allegations, he said. Opposition leader VD Satheesan also asked the prime minister why the office behind the gold smuggling was let off without subjecting to the scrutiny of the Central probe agencies. The prime minister has said that everyone knew which office was behind the gold smuggling. Why then the probe agencies didnt raid that office, he asked. There is a general belief that the Central agencies which are seriously probing the allegations against other opposition leaders have gone soft on the allegations levelled against the Kerala CM. Congress leader and Bholath legislator Sukhpal Singh Khaira was on Thursday granted regular bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in an NDPS case. Khaira had sought bail after his alleged involvement came to light during an investigation into possible NDPS Act violations by a new special investigative team. Justice Anoop Chitkara found the evidence gathered against the petitioner was flimsy ground and not convincing. Advertisement The state argued before Justice Chitkaras Bench that the amount of contraband in question belonged to the commercial category and that the state had gathered enough evidence to establish prima facie involvement of Khaira in the drug trade and the connection with the global mafia. Notably, the case in which the police arrested Khaira on September 28, 2023 was traced back to March 5, 2015. The state argued that the investigator had highly credible and top-secret intelligence indicating the presence of an international drug cartel operating near the Pakistani border. Harbans Singh, a landowner on the border between India and Pakistan, was using his proximity to Pakistan to facilitate narcotics smuggling. After completing the procedural requirement, law enforcement officers raided the location and took large quantities of heroin, gold, and firearms from the numerous suspects. Following the investigations conclusion, the investigator filed a police case against 11 accused in accordance with CrPC Section 173(2). However, the petitioner was neither named as an accused in the case, nor in the report under Section 173 of the CrPC. Justice Chitkaras observation on the case was: Given the background, the calls between the petitioner and his PSO, PA, and a handler from the UK; the disproportionate money which the Enforcement Directorate has already seized; absence of any recovery or any incriminating evidence during the petitioners custodial interrogation; and the evidentiary value of a disclosure statement made by a co-accused, whose pardon has been approved, and the absence of any other evidence connecting the petitioner, it can be inferred at this stage that for the purpose of satisfying the rigours of Section 37 of NDPS Act, the petitioner cannot be said to be prima facie guilty for any allegations.This court will put very stringent conditions in this order to ensure that the petitioner does not repeat the offence. Days after BJP MLA Durgesh Lal accused a cabinet minister in Uttarakhand of harassing him on caste lines, he on Thursday backtracked from his claims and termed it a family matter. Uttarkashis reserved assembly constituency Purola MLA Durgesh Lal had on Tuesday alleged that Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal had been repeatedly abusing him over his Dalit identity. Subodh Uniyal has abused me on caste line several times in the past. We are being harassed by local divisional forest officers (DFO) in the patronage of Uniyal, the MLA said in a viral video. Advertisement In the video, he said, Subodh Uniyal has been harassing me. Should I go to the people or give leg massages to the minister? Here is a DFO. All block development councils in my area have passed censure motions against her. She never participates in government work. I do not know on what basis she has been deployed there and what has she taught the minister. He further claimed in the footage that the DFO has stopped all his public interest work. We are being harassed in the patronage of Subodh Uniyal, Lal added. The BJP MLA also protested in front of the forest ministers residence alleging he was not heard despite being made to wait for hours, adding that his complaint against the forest officer was also not heard by the minister. Meanwhile, Uniyal met Lal but the meeting resulted in heated argument between the two sides. As the party legislators allegations went viral and caused embarrassment for the Pushkar Dhami government, state BJP leadership and the chief minister pitched in to douse the controversy. Dhami and state BJP chief Mahendra Bhatt had separate meetings with Lal and Uniyal, and also together to ensure that the warring parties burry their hatchets. Dhami also constituted a panel to look into the charges. Following his meeting with Bhatt on Wednesday, Lal said, It was our internal family matter. Squabbles do happen in a family. I went to the minister with my demands like a child in the family. The Delhi Police Special Cell on Thursday arrested wanted Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Javed Mattoo from the national capital following a joint search operation with the anti-terror National Investigation Agency (NIA). Mattoo, a resident of Jammu and Kashmirs Sopore district had a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on his head. He is the last surviving A++ category terrorist from Jammu and Kashmir. The police said that they have also recovered a pistol, magazine, and a stolen vehicle from Mattoos possession. Advertisement With the coordination of Special Cell of Delhi Police and central agencies, Javed Mattoo, an A++ category terrorist who has a bounty of 10 lakh on him, was arrested todayAfter taking him into police custody remand, we will further action against him, Special Commissioner of Delhi Police HGS Dhaliwal said. Mattoo is accused of killing five police personnel in various incidents. He was also allegedly involved in at least five grenade attacks on security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir. He is reportedly the brother of Rayees, whose video of hoisting tricolor at his Sopore residence on August 15 last year had gone viral on social media. Rayees had also urged Mattoo to give up violence and come back home, saying the situation in the Valley had changed. My brother became one (a terrorist) in 2009, we dont know anything about him after thatIf he is alive, I urge him to come backThe situation has changed, Pakistan cant do anythingHum Hindustani the, hain aur rahenge, he had said. In a pivotal year marked by global concerns over climate change, India has emerged as a beacon of leadership in the quest for a sustainable future. The nations strides in 2023 reflect a resolute commitment to environmental stewardship, setting a commendable example for the world to follow. At COP28, India achieved a remarkable feat by not merely meeting but surpassing its 2030 climate targets. The reduction of emissions per economic output by 33 per cent from 2005 to 2019 signifies a proactive approach, accomplishing the 2030 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) target more than a decade ahead of schedule. This achievement not only showcases Indias dedication but also challenges other nations to accelerate their efforts in the fight against climate change. A significant collaboration unfolded as India and the UAE co-hosted the Global Green Credit Initiative. The launch of this initiative, backed by the G20 nations in the New Delhi Declaration, underlines Indias commitment to fostering innovative environmental programmes on a global scale. It symbolises a collective effort to align financial systems with sustainability goals, echoing the urgency of addressing environmental challenges through collaborative action. Indias National Green Hydrogen Mission 2023 is a testament to its ambition to become a key player in this area. Beyond ensuring cleaner energy domestically, this mission opens doors for India to export green hydrogen and its by-products, positioning the nation as a pivotal contributor to the global green energy landscape. This forward-looking approach aligns with the imperative of transitioning to renewable energy sources on a global scale. Underlining its commitment to a sustainable lifestyle, India, during its G20 presidency, introduced Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment). This initiative transcends national boundaries, creating awareness and encouraging sustainable living practices worldwide. By prioritising climate action and sustainability, India sets the stage for a collective global shift towards responsible consumption and environmental consciousness. The unveiling of Indias first green budget in 2023 was a watershed moment. With a focus on green growth, sustainable agriculture, and clean energy, the budget signalled a paradigm shift in economic priorities. By emphasising on environmentally friendly industries, the budget not only addressed climate concerns but also aims to create green jobs, laying the foundation for a more resilient and sustainable economy. Advertisement Prime Minister Narendra Modis launch of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) underscores Indias commitment to biodiversity conservation. Covering 97 countries, this global effort transcends geopolitical boundaries, emphasising the importance of collaborative action in protecting iconic species like tigers, lions, snow leopards, pumas, jaguars, and cheetahs. The alliance exemplifies Indias role as a responsible global steward of biodiversity. Indias ownership of the worlds largest solar park, the Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan, is a testament to its prowess in renewable energy. Spanning over 5700 hectares with a massive capacity of 2245 megawatts, this achievement solidifies Indias position as a frontrunner in solar energy initiatives globally. The months of lockdown and the pandemic continue to form a part of a blurry scary past. Haunting images of those harrowing times are imprinted in our collective consciousness: images of food lying on the tracks on which a family died, of police and authority spraying pesticides over a group of people during a mass exodus, workers desperately trying to get home in inhumanely crowded buses, trains, bicycles, and even on foot. The common link across these images is that this devastation most afflicted the migrant workers of our country. Once in a while the issue of migration comes into the news. The most recent such incident happened where four migrant workers from Bihar lost their lives while cleaning a septic tank in Gujarat. Earlier this year, 23 migrants from Bengal succumbed because of the collapse of a bridge in Mizoram. Although these incidents did not create ripples, the news that did manage to get adequate limelight was the Coromandel Express accident that took place in Odisha, where about 288 people lost their lives. The train is a popular choice for migrants who move from Bengal to the southern states as seasonal and/or circular migrants in search of jobs to send remittances back home. While this furore erupts and fizzles out as well, we are often ignorant about and discount the crucial role played by migrants in the functioning of our economy. Migration is central to the functioning of society and the economy. A number of theories have been put forth in economics to explain the causes and implications of migration. The popular Lewis model sought to explain the shift of people from the agricultural to the industrial sector, which is hypothesised to eventually lead to economic development. This was followed by the Harris-Todaro model that cited differences in expected wages between traditionally rural areas to more modern and industrial urban areas. These works were followed by scholars who highlighted non-pecuniary reasons for migration. Social network theory talks about how workers migrate to places where they already have people of their family, community, caste, or religion. Advertisement Additionally, push factors (low job opportunities, natural calamities, etc.) and pull factors (better job opportunities and other agglomeration benefits) facilitate the movement of people from their places of origin to destination areas. The system of industrial capitalism is crucially hinged on the creation of migration. As city-centric manufacturing industries expand, traditional occupations are often destroyed and workers are compelled to move to primarily unskilled and low-paying jobs in the industrial sector. Uneven development among states and between rural and urban areas within the states has facilitated the process of internal migration in India. Scholars have noted how labourers or agricultural workers with no land and security generally choose to migrate to the city. The Economic Survey of 2016-17 states that more developed areas like Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala receive the maximum number of migrants, while less developed areas like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have very high out-migration. Further, migration in India is also seasonal wherein migrants shuffle between their rural and urban jobs depending on the agricultural season. The quest for competitive pricing has led to more and more flexible and insecure jobs. Economic development in the globalised world has resulted in the formation of the informal sector. Rural migrants are often absorbed by the informal sector where they are majorly engaged in poor quality jobs with low pay, long working hours, negligible security, and precarious work. They constitute a part of the vulnerable labour force since they are desperate for a job and lack adequate social capital to be employed in better jobs. This makes them more susceptible to exploitation. Migrant workers are often observed to be working for longer hours but at wages lower than what is paid to locals. While local workers are sometimes able to unionise and bargain for better wages and working conditions, migrant workers are generally more cautious, given the greater consequences of losing their jobs. Furthermore, lack of benefits (housing and meal) to be provided by employers requires migrant workers to have their own arrangement of accommodation. High cost of living in cities pushes migrants to reside in slums and squatter settlements that lack basic amenities and are in deplorable condition. Instead of recognising the plight of the migrant workers and arguing for better living conditions, slums and squatter settlements are considered eyesores by the more privileged class. Attempts are made by both the privileged and the State to repeatedly demolish these dwellings on various pretexts. In addition to the pecuniary disadvantages that migrant workers face, the sense of belonging and identity of migrant workers is often challenged. This particularly holds for inter-state migrants. Not knowing the language or not being part of the local political milieu lessens their bargaining power and sets them apart from local workers. Recent reports have shown how migrant workers are treated with suspicion in India. Two migrant workers were beaten to death by locals in Gujarat as they were suspected to be thieves. Residential areas of poor Bengali-speaking migrants in Karnataka were demolished because they were suspected to be illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. While the Inter-state Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act has been enacted by the government of India, the desired result of payment of minimum wages, payment at par with local workers, provision of accommodation, payment of travel allowances and medical facilities are far from what is prescribed. The development that the country boasts about is mostly a result of exploitation of the hard work of migrants. While sympathy is found in abundance when tragedies occur, we fail to acknowledge the crucial role played by migrant workers in the functioning of the economy. As a result, we ignore the necessity of asserting their rights to having decent working and living conditions. They are generally not the topic of discussion and often do not constitute an issue which can make or break elections. Migrants form the base of the society and economy, and thus, need to be at the centre of policy making. Fresh news of migrant-related accidents or tragedies came to light while we were in the process of writing this piece. This highlights the sorry state of affairs related to migrants and their constant vulnerability. We continue to overlook how severely they are impacted by accidents, climate change, hate crimes, and operational failure almost on a daily basis. For most of us, they are numbers which come to us through media reporting and are lost somewhere in the corner of a newspaper. While our ignorance and apathy towards migrants makes them mere numbers, we shamefully forget that these are real people with ambitions, who had to leave their bhitey maati (place of origin) to live on the margins of an unknown place in the hope of securing a better future for themselves and their families. (The writers are, respectively, a PhD scholar at Colorado State University, and a PhD scholar at the Centre for Development Studies (JNU), Kerala.) In the wake of the powerful earthquake that rattled central Japan on New Years Day, the resilient spirit of the nation is once again put to the test. Beyond the immediate devastation, this seismic event prompts reflection on Japans preparedness, resilience, and the delicate balance the country maintains in dealing with natural disasters, particularly in the context of its nuclear energy landscape. The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.6, has left behind a trail of destruction ~ collapsed buildings, fires, power outages, and the ominous threat of tsunamis. The vivid imagery of panicked parents clutching their children in Wajima and the plume of dust enveloping a collapsing building in Suzu evoke a visceral sense of the challenges faced by the affected communities. Japan, a country perched on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is no stranger to seismic activity. The echoes of the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami still reverberate in collective memory, making every quake a reminder of the fragility of life and infrastructure. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishidas call for immediate evacuation and the mobilisation of search and rescue teams underline the gravity of the situation. The resilience ingrained in Japanese society is evident in the face of adversity. However, the earthquake brings forth a sobering reminder of the inherent risks associated with Japans reliance on nuclear energy. The timing, with the recent lifting of operational bans on the KashiwazakiKariwa nuclear plant, adds a layer of complexity to the situation. While the Nuclear Regulation Authority assures no irregularities at the nuclear plants along the Sea of Japan, the spectre of the 2011 Fukushima disaster looms large. The earthquake, occurring on a public holiday when millions traditionally visit temples to mark the new year, adds another layer of complexity to the crisis. The impact on tourism, a significant sector for the Japanese economy, cannot be overlooked. Popular destinations like Kanazawa now bear the scars of shattered stone gates, leaving both residents and tourists grappling with the aftermath. As Japan deals with immediate rescue operations and rebuilding efforts, there is a broader lesson to be learned. Japans intricate web of disaster preparedness, evacuation protocols, and on-going evaluation of nuclear safety measures serves as a blueprint for nations susceptible to natural disasters. The call for constant vigilance, echoed by Prime Minister Kishida, emphasises the need for communities to be proactive in the face of potential calamities. In the midst of tragedy, there is a glimmer of hope in the unity displayed by the affected communities. The collective response, from search and rescue teams to ordinary citizens evacuating promptly, showcases the strength that emerges in the face of adversity. As Japan navigates the aftermath of this earthquake, the rest of the world can draw inspiration from the resilience, preparedness, and community spirit demonstrated by a nation that has learned to live with the unpredictable forces of nature. Advertisement Swami Vivekananda was a Rishi. Truth was the essence of his life. Standing on truth, he fought many a battle and emerged invincible. His struggles to uphold truth amidst untruth were legendary and an object lesson to those who wished to tread the path of truth. The seed of truth was planted in him by his mother in his childhood. It was later watered and nourished by his Master Sri Ramakrishna to grow and flourish enormously. Finding him a stickler for truth, his mother firmly supported him, saying, Whatever might be the result, you must do that alone always which you know as the truth. Sri Ramakrishna inspired him to test the truth of his words and deeds before accepting them. He was sure that he would one day make an exceptionally successful teacher of truth. His teaching in moral, intellectual, social, cultural and religious spheres was unmatched. Its impact on the world was evidently spectacular because it was laden with truth, righteousness and reason. Sri Ramakrishna raised him to be an Acharya. Swamiji learnt from Sri Ramakrishna that the austerity (tapasya) of this age (Kali yuga) was to speak the truth. Advertisement He exemplified and illustrated this in his own life and had earned the reputation of an authentic teacher. He proclaimed in the light of his experience of the truth, It is truth alone that gives us strength. But then he also sarcastically mentioned observing our frivolity: We are always after truth, but never want to get it. The reason he gave for this was because we are selfish. He said: Truth can never come to us as long as we are selfish. Truth is knowledge which reveals itself to those who are pure at heart. Swamiji demonstrated it to others who wanted to learn from him. In one of his classes he taught them, Seek truth for truths sake alone, look not for bliss. It may come but do not let that be your incentive. Have no motive except God. Dare to come to Truth even through hell. His appeal to them being indomitable, they came again and again. Giving her impression, one wrote: The swami held his audiences, for his was the grasp of the master hand and he spoke as one with authenticity. His arguments were logical, convincing, and in his most brilliant oratorical flights never did he once lose sight of the main issue, ~ the truth he wished to drive home. He urged them to speak the truth in order to get rid of bondage, keeping away from intelligent people who do not respect truth. He said: Tell the truth boldly, whether it hurts or not. Never pander to weakness. If truth is too much for intelligent people and sweeps them away, let them go; the sooner the better. He would not stop there. Going further to drive home the idea of truths indispensability, he would say, Truth is to be judged by truth and by nothing else. Doing good is not the test of truth; the Sun needs no torch by which to see it. Even if truth destroys the whole universe, still it is truth; stand by it. People cutting across nations followed him to build their characters in his teaching. His unequivocal instruction to them was, Truth cannot be partial, it is for the good of all. Finally, in perfect rest and peace meditate upon it, concentrate your mind upon it making yourself one with it. Then no speech is needed; silence will carry the truth. His message to them was, To accomplish anything we must be willing to die for truth. He taught, Everything can be sacrificed for truth, but truth cannot be sacrificed for anything. They saw he was a burning example of this cardinal precept. That is why his influence on them was inexorable. An elite American lady had undergone a thorough transformation attending his teaching. She made him her life-long mentor. He also significantly relied on her for his work because of her impeccable faithfulness. She took his message to different lands. Her name was Miss Josephine Macleod. She thought she was born anew having come to him. On 29 January 1895 she heard him first in a crowded class. She wrote in her reminiscences: He said something, but instantly to me that was truth, and the second sentence he spoke was truth, and the third sentence was truth. And I listened to him for seven years and whatever he uttered was to me truth. From that moment life had a different import. It was as if he made you realise that you were in eternity. It never altered. It never grew. It was like the sun that you will never forget once you have seen. Swamiji never shrank to speak truth, even if it was bitter and could invite trouble. Those who loved him were worried lest he suffered the wrath of his detractors whom he exposed as liars in public. What he said in this connection was richly educative. He wrote: I know full well how it is good for ones worldly prospects to be sweet. I do everything to be sweet, but when it comes to a horrible compromise with the truth within, then I stop. I do not believe in humility. I believe in samadarshitva ~ same state of mind with regard to all. The duty of the ordinary man is to obey the commands of his God, society; but the children of light never do so. This is an eternal law. One accommodates himself to surroundings and social opinion and gets all good things from society, the giver of all good to such. The other stands alone and draws society up towards him. The accommodating man finds a path of roses; the non-accommodating, one of thorns. But the worshippers of Vox Populi go to annihilation in a moment; the children of truth live forever. Swamiji brooked nothing that divided humanity. His aim was to galvanize humanity on mans true identity which is divine and one, as well as unalterable. He said, Everything that makes for oneness is truth. Laying exorbitant stress upon such truths, he tried to make mankind one, especially when it was severely divided. He exhorted: Truth is nobodys property; no race, no individual can lay any exclusive claim on it. Clarifying it, he had further stated, The truth can be learnt from the lowest individual, no matter to what caste or creed he belongs. Needless to say, he had incessantly said all that since he keenly noticed how humanity was sinking in the abyss of untruth to perish. Swamiji warned us that, Truth doesnt pay homage to any society, ancient or modern; but it is the society which has to pay homage to truth or die. He wanted us to be conscious about the fact that we cannot have a secure future, unless we apply truth in our way of life. He said society is a graded organization in which each is great in his own place. We must admit this truth and then consider our social development inclusively. He said, That society is the greatest where highest truths become practical. Role of religion in human life is vital because it is the constitutional need of man. Swamiji told: When we come to the real, spiritual, universal concept, then, and then alone, religion will become real and living. He believed that there should be a universal religion beyond sectarianism that could satisfy mans nature and evolve a sense of oneness. He said, Truth religion is positive and not negative. He said religion is realisation of God present in every being. Hence he told us, I shall call you religious from the way you begin to see God in men and women. He thought it was the greatest truth society has to adopt first to make real progress. Religion comes with intense self sacrifice, he said. He brought the idea of service into perspective. He said, Doing good to others is the one great universal religion. Swamiji gave an alert call, saying: When principles are entirely lost sight of and emotions prevail, religions degenerate into fanaticism and sectarianism. He presented religion to us as a science. He said, Religion is the science which learns the transcendental in nature through the transcendental in man. For, he said, religion wants to know the truth. To fulfill its purpose, in his view, Religious teaching must be constructive, not destructive. Thus, Swamiji hammered truth after truth upon us with the immaculate dream of a truthful world. But the world is now in the hands of some inordinately powerful purveyors of lies and subterfuge vigorously active to thwart truth with ulterior motives! Even then, truth must ultimately prevail, vanquishing untruth, as Swamiji had spiritually realised. (The writer is associated with the Ramakrishna Mission, Narendrapur) Ukraine and Russia carried out their largest prisoner swap since February 2022, the Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War has said. Under the exchange on Wednesday, 230 Ukrainian captives, including six civilians, had been returned from Russian custody, the agency was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency reported. Among those freed are service people from the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service and the National Police. Advertisement The exchange marked the first prisoner swap between the parties since August. More than 2,800 Ukrainians taken captive in the Russia-Ukraine conflict have been released so far as a result of prisoner exchanges. BILL ZUCK is angry, concerned, thankful, and hopeful. You can reach him at wcz78@yahoo.com . Infosys co-founder N.R. Narayana Murthy recently opened up about his "big regret". According to a CNBCTV18 report, Murthy revealed that he regrets not allowing his wife Sudha Murty join the company despite her helping him start the company with a seed capital of Rs 10,000 and asking him to focus on export markets. He said she was more qualified than all seven co-founders of Infosys. Explaining his reasons for not asking his wife to join the company, Murthy said he had a feeling that good corporate governance means not bringing one's family into the company as those days it used to be the family rule and children of company owners used to run the businesses and there used to be violation of laws. "I think what I was doing those days was wrong, I was wrongly idealistic and, in some way, I think I was influenced a lot by the environment of those days, he was quoted as saying to CNBC-TV18. He, however, does not want his son Rohan Murty to have a role in Infosys. "I think he's even stricter than I am in these ideas. He will never say that." The cracks in opposition INDIA bloc have come wide open with the Congress and the Trinamool Congressthe two main constituents of the opposition alliancesparring over seat-sharing in West Bengal. The war of words escalated between the two parties on Thursday after Congress state president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury scoffed at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees rumoured offer of two seats to the grand old party to contest in the Lok Sabha elections. "Congress won't beg for seats from the TMC," Chowdhury said, drawing a sharp reaction from the states ruling party which said badmouthing alliance partners and seat sharing talks cant go hand in hand. Addressing a press conference in Murshidabad on Thursday, the Congress leader said the two seats Banerjee reportedly offered to his party were already with them. "The true face of Mamata Banerjee is out. The Congress is not going to beg before TMC for seats; we don't need their alms. Who are they to decide how many seats the party will contest? If needed, we will fight on our own; let the party high command take a call on it," Chowdhury said. The Congress leader said his party is quite capable of waging a solo fight in the state and winning more seats than they did last time. "It is Mamata who needs the Congress to win, not the other way around. We don't need Mamata's pity and are quite capable of retaining these two seats (even if the TMC contests them)," Chowdhury further said. The Congress state chief also alleged that the the TMC was not serious about strengthening or forging an alliance in West Bengal, but was busy pleasing and serving Prime Minister Narendra Modi to protect themselves from the clutches of the CBI and the ED. Congress currently holds two seats in the state, both in minority-dominated districts of Malda and Murshidabad. The Trinamool Congress has 22 seats. Reacting to Chowdhurys criticism, the TMC urged Congress high command to rein in him if they were serious about the alliance. Senior TMC MP Sougata Roy said, "Badmouthing TMC and our party supremo Mamata Banerjee and alliance can't go hand in hand. The regular insults hurled at us by Chowdhury and some leaders of the Bengal Congress have to stop if the party wants an alliance. The Congress high command must rein in Adhir Chowdhury if they want an alliance in Bengal." Roy also dismissed reports that his party had offered only two seats to the Congress. "Who told him that we have offered two seats? Our leader Mamata Banerjee has said that in Bengal, TMC will lead the fight, but across the country, it will be the INDIA alliance that will fight against the BJP, he said. The seat-sharing has become a thorny issue for the INDIA bloc with the Congress facing hard bargain from regional players in at least 3-4 states. In Punjab, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party has decided to go solo in the elections while in Maharashtra, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena has demanded 23 seats. A day after he skipped the Enforcement Directorate summons, the federal agency is likely to arrest Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday, claimed Delhi ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bhardwaj. Taking to the social media platform X, AAP leader and Delhi's Law and PWD Minister Atishi, said, "News coming in that ED is going to raid@ArvindKejriwal's residence tomorrow morning. Arrest likely." She did not detail the source of the input. Minutes later, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj also posted on X, claiming speculations about Kejriwal's arrest by the ED. "It is heard that tomorrow morning, ED is going to reach the house of Chief Minister Kejriwal and arrest him," Bharadwaj said in his post. Delhi | Security heightened outside the residence of Delhi CM & AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal AAP Minister Atishi, in a post on social media X last night, claimed that they had information about the possible arrest of Arvind Kejriwal after a raid by the Enforcement Directorate at pic.twitter.com/IlpkzbjOmy ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2024 In the wake of the speculations, security has been heightened outside the residence of Kejriwal in Delhi. This comes as Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday decided to skip the ED summons. Kejriwal had written to the ED his decision, citing Rajya Sabha polls, Republic Day preparations and the probe agency's "non-disclosure and non-response approach" as reasons for not appearing before it. In a letter addressed to the Enforcement Directorate, the AAP leader also said that he would be "happy to answer" any questionnaire sent by it. He asked the agency to respond to his earlier letters where he sought clarification on the "real intent, ambit, nature, sweep and scope of the purported inquiry/investigation for which I am being called". However, the AAP had claimed that the summons itself was sent to arrest Kejriwal. This is the third summons sent to Kejriwal and the two previous summons were issued on November 2 and December 21, both of which he skipped. The party has also alleged that the roads leading to Arvind Kejriwal's residence here were blocked and police personnel deployed at all gates. "The roads leading to the CM house have been shut and police personnel are deployed at all the entry/exit gates. Event the staff deployed at the CM house has been stopped from entering," an Aam Aadmi Party source said. However, the Delhi Police said the security around the CM house was beefed up to "manage" mediapersons who have gathered there since Wednesday after party leaders claimed that Kejriwal would be raided and arrested. "No one from the CM staff has been stopped," another police officer said, terming the increase in the number of police personnel as "general deployment". As AAP raises alarm that the Enforcement Directorate (ED), probing the Delhi Excise Policy case, may arrest AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday, the Delhi chief minister hit out at the federal agency, stating that the summons sent to him was "false". "I've explained to ED why their summons is illegal, they have no answer to it," Kejriwal said amid that the ED may sent him another summons. The agency had already sent Kejriwal three summons, all of which he skipped. Kejriwal reiterated that the BJP wanted to arrest him on the pretext of investigation. "The BJP wants to arrest me. My biggest asset is my honesty and they want to dent it. My lawyers have told me that summons sent to me were illegal. The BJP's aim is not to probe me, but to stop me campaigning for Lok Sabha elections. They want to call me on the pretext of investigation and then arrest me," he added. The chief minister said all cases against him were false, calliing the ED probe 'open gundagardi'. He said there was no corruption in the Delhi Excise Policy case. "For the last two years, you have heard the words 'sharab ghotala' several times. There have been multiple raids in connection. Agencies didn't find a single rupee. Where did the money go? Did it just vanish in the air? The truth is there has been no corruption," he added, He said many AAP leaders have been falsely implicated in this connection and were languishing in jail while there is no evidence against them. He was referring to AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, who were arrested by the ED in the case, and currently in judicial custody. Deciding to skip the ED summons, Kejriwal cited Rajya Sabha polls, Republic Day preparations and the probe agency's "non-disclosure and non-response approach" as reasons for not appearing before it. He also said he would be "happy to answer" any questionnaire sent by it. However, the BJP accused him of "running away" from a probe. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said, "Aam Aadmi Party leaders are making noises that their CM may get arrested anytime... They have committed theft, and corruption and now they are creating a ruckus." "The investigating agency has given you a chance to testify, but you are running away and behaving like a fugitive," Sachdeva added. The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a plea for consular access moved by a family member of Indian national Nikhil Gupta, who is in a Czech prison following charges by the US relating to a foiled assassination attempt on Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta said, There is nothing much we can do. You are entitled for consular access under the Vienna convention, which you have already got. The bench told senior advocate CA Sundaram, appearing for kin of Gupta that this court should respect the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the foreign court and law of that land and, therefore, it cannot go into the merit of the matter. We will not allow you to speak anything about the foreign court, the bench told Sundaram, when he tried to submit that Gupta has been placed under solitary confinement and was not granted any consular access post his indictment. Sundaram said it is purely a human rights issue and he has sought assistance from the Indian embassy and Ministry of External Affairs, which he has not got. I am an Indian nationalI have not received any assistance to enable me to defend myself in a foreign country. Consular access does not mean that a person once comes and meets you and then it is done and dusted, Sundaram said. The bench said looking at the prayer of Gupta in the writ petition, it cannot do much. When Sundaram sought direction to the Union of India for looking into his representation, the bench said it is for the government of India to consider it and it cannot pass any such orders. The bench noted that on September 17, 2023, Gupta has received consular access in the matter and he has also moved the Delhi High Court, where certain orders have been passed. On December 15, last year, the top court had deferred the hearing on a habeas corpus plea moved by a family member of Gupta. Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic on June 30. He has alleged grave human rights violations in solitary confinement, including being forced to consume beef and pork. He has also alleged that he was denied consular access, the right to contact his family in India and the freedom to seek legal representation. On November 29, last year, Gupta was charged by federal prosecutors in the United States in connection with his alleged participation in a foiled plot to assassinate Pannun on American soil. The 52-year-old was charged with murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of a 10-year jail term. US authorities had said Gupta allegedly agreed to pay an assassin USD 100,000 to kill the Sikh separatist leader living in New York City. The prosecutors had said Czech authorities arrested and detained Gupta on June 30, pursuant to the bilateral extradition treaty between the US and the Czech Republic. Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic at the request of the US in connection with his alleged participation in the plot to kill Pannun. Ram Mandir chief priest on Thursday slammed NCP leader Dr Jitendra Awhads comments on Lord Ram being a non-vegetarian and said the claims were totally false. Responding to the comments, Shri Ram Janambhoomi Teerth Kshetra chief priest Acharya Satyendra Das told ANI, What NCP leader Jitendra Awhad is speaking is completely false. It isn't written anywhere in our scriptures that Lord Ram had non-vegetarian food during his exile. It's written that he used to have fruits. Such a liar has no right to insult our Lord Ram. Our God was always vegetarian. He is speaking demeaning words to insult our Lord Ram." Dr Jitendra Awhad, NCP-Sharad Pawar faction leader on Wednesday sparked a row by saying, "Lord Ram was not a vegetarian, he was a non-vegetarian. Where would a person living in the forest for 14 years go to find vegetarian food? Is it correct or not (question to the public)?, ANI reported. ANI quoted Awhad as saying, "Ram is ours. Ram belongs to the Bahujans. Ram who hunts and eats is ours, we belong to the Bahujans. When you people go to make us all vegetarian, we follow the ideals of Ram and today we eat mutton. This is the ideal of Ram. Ram was not a vegetarian, he was a non-vegetarian." The NCP leader made the comments while addressing an event in Shirdi on Wednesday. Meanwhile, BJP members protested at various parts of Maharashtra on Thursday condemning Awhads comments. BJP leader Ram Kadam filed a complaint with Maharashtra police on Thursday. Kadam told ANI, "Their mindset is to hurt the sentiments of the Ram bhakts. They can't make fun of the Hindu religion to gather votes. The fact that Ram mandir has been built has not gown down well with the 'ghamandi' alliance." Delhi Polices Special Cell arrested Javed Ahmed Mattoo, a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist carrying a bounty of Rs 5 lakh, on Thursday. Mattoo, 32, a resident of Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore, is wanted in at least 11 terror-related cases in the Union territory. He is also an A++ category terrorist. According to police, Mattoo was driving a stolen car when he was apprehended from Delhis Nizamuddin area. Police have also seized a loaded pistol and an extra magazine from him. Mattoo is named in 11 known terror attack cases, including five grenade attacks and killing of at least five police personnel in sperate incidents, in Jammu and Kashmir, Special Commissioner of Police (SCP) H.G.S. Dhaliwal said. The officer claimed that Mattoo is among the the last surviving terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir and that he used to evade security agencies by changing his identity. The National Investigation Agency had already launched a search operation for him. A Delhi police official, on condition of anonymity, told news agency PTI that Abdul Mazid Zargar, a resident of Sopore who is currently in Pakistan, was among Matoo's associate and is involved in cross-border smuggling. Tariq Ahmed Lone, another associate of Matoo, was a Pakistan-trained terrorist. Lone fell to death after he jumped from a bridge when he was surrounded by security forces, the officer added. , the officer said. In a video that went viral on social media platforms ahead of Independence Day last year, Mattoo's brother Rayees Mattoo was seen waving the tricolour in Sopore. The INDIA bloc will meet virtually on Thursday evening around 6:30 pm to decide on crucial topics, including the selection of a new convenor for the alliance. Speculations are rife that JD(U) president Nitish Kumar could be selected for the post. Kumar's is considered a leading contender for the post, considering it was he who took the initiative to bring all opposition parties under one umbrella. He was recently elected as the national president of the JD(U) replacing Lalan Singh. On Wednesday, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Nitish's deputy in the Bihar cabinet, had mooted his name for the post, calling him an experienced leader. "Nitish Kumar is such a senior leader. If such a proposal comes, it will be great for Bihar," Yadav told reporters. The Bihar Congress too has openly backed Nitish Kumar. State chief Akhilesh Prasad ingh told a press conference that his party acknowledged Nitish Kumar's stature and would not flinch from backing him if other constituents of INDIA agreed to make him the convenor. "Nobody has any doubts about the calibre, stature, personality and political acumen of Nitish Kumar. Also, there cannot be any two views about the crucial role he played in bringing together anti-BJP parties across the country," said Singh, a Rajya Sabha member. "The decision of making him a convenor would require a consensus. If other constituents of the INDIA bloc give their consent, rest assured that the Congress will not hesitate in throwing its weight behind such a proposal," he added. Sources within the Congress party told The Indian Express that Congress was now inclined towards conceding the national convener position to the JD(U) to keep the Nitish happy. "At a time when Rahul Gandhi is embarking on an important yatra, we want to keep the momentum going. If Nitish Kumar crosses over to the BJP-led NDA, the effort to unite the Opposition will fizzle out. Most of the INDIA bloc members seem to share this concern. The Congress, anyway, will maintain its primacy as the leading party in the alliance by keeping the position of national president or chairperson with Kharge," The Indian Express quoted an unnamed Congress leader as saying. Other issues that will be discussed in Thursday's meeting include a common strategy to take on the BJP for the 2024 general elections. Seat-sharing talks are also likely to continue as Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray is expected to meet the Congress top brass in Delhi this week to discuss seat-sharing. There are reports that Congress has already prepared a report taking into account state-wise alliances and equations. The report was submitted to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who will initiate talks with alliance partners. YSRT Party leader and daughter of Congress stalwart Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Y.S. Sharmila, joined the Congress party on Thursday. She also merged her party with Congress. Sharmila joined the party in the presence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders of the party. Sharmila said it was her fathers dream to see Rahul Gandhi as prime minister and added she is ready to accept any role assigned by the party. Sharmila told presspersons that her party stayed away from Telangana elections as they didnt want to break anti-BRS votes. The exercise to bring Sharmila back into the fold of her late father Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddys party began before the Telangana elections. However, it hit a roadblock as a section of Telangana Congress leaders opposed her entry into Telangana, citing her roots in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, anticipating a negative impact on the outcome of polls. Sharmila, too, wasnt willing to take on her brother, CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, in AP, as per the wishes of the high command. Post-Congress victory in Telangana, Sharmila, who maintained a low profile during the polls by opting out of it, burst onto the scene again. She held a meeting with her party leaders where she made it clear that she would merge her party with the Congress. Sources in the know of the developments said Sharmila was willing to join Congress unconditionally and has accepted to play a key role in AP to leverage her fathers image to revive the party, which is on its deathbed in the state, with no representation in either the Assembly or the Parliament. The task is cut out for Sharmila. She is expected to position herself strongly as a true successor to her father YSR and attempt to occupy the space of her brother Y.S. Jagan. She is also expected to nosedive into the elections and try to orchestrate defections in her brothers party, YSRCP. For some time now, YSRCP President Y.S. Jagan has made it clear to his sitting MLAs that some of them might not get the tickets due to anti-incumbency against them. This is where the Congress sees an opportunity. It expects many of the disgruntled legislators who are denied tickets to join Congress. The immediate aim of Congress is to improve vote share and strengthen the party with the induction of strong leaders and once again establish an emotional connection with the voters who are yet to forgive the party for bifurcating the state. In a first during the second quarter of 2024, India plans to launch a communications satellite (GSAT 20) utilizing SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket, marking its initial collaboration with a venture spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk, who is also keen on growing his various enterprises within the country. The advanced satellite is designed to enhance broadband communication across India, particularly in its remote and underserved areas, according to a statement released by NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO. But what could have propelled NSIL to choose SpaceX Falcon 9 over ISRO's own LVM3? The GSAT 20 weighs 4,700 kg, surpassing the maximum launch capacity of 4,000 kg through LVM3 currently held by ISRO, India's space agency. NSIL stated that they would completely own, manage, and finance the GSAT-20 satellite, a high-throughput system with a capacity of 48 gigabits per second. ISRO's LVM3 and SpaceX Falcon 9 are two launch vehicles that can carry satellites and other payloads into orbit. They have some similarities and differences in terms of their origin, cost, performance, and reusability. For instance, ISRO's LVM3 is a three-stage medium-lift launch vehicle, whereas SpaceX Falcon 9 is a partially reusable medium-lift 2-stage vehicle. ISRO's LVM3 rocket is 43.5 meters long, weighs 640 tons when it takes off, and has a top section 5 meters wide for carrying the payload. On the other hand, the Falcon 9, designed to carry satellites and eventually crewed space missions, is a first orbital class, reusable two-stage rocket. It has a height of 69.9 meters and a launch weight of 549,054 kilograms (549.05 tons). Space experts, such as Girish Linganna, say that ISRO's LVM3 costs about $54 million per launch, while SpaceX Falcon 9 costs about $62 million per launch for a new rocket and $50 million for a reused one. 'ISRO LVM3 can carry up to 10,000 kg to Low-Earth orbit (LEO) and 4,000 kg to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO), while SpaceX Falcon 9 can carry up to 22,800 kg to LEO and 8,300 kg to GTO and has the capability to transport 4,020 kg to Mars. The interesting aspect is that ISRO's LVM3 has a success rate of 75 percent, while SpaceX Falcon 9 has a success rate of 96 percent. Also, ISRO's LVM3 is not reusable, while SpaceX Falcon 9 can land and reuse its first stage and fairings. Both launch vehicles have ambitious goals, such as launching crewed missions and exploring Mars,' Linganna told THE WEEK. Space experts point out that as far as the payload capacity is concerned, ISRO's LVM3 impresses with its capacity to launch 4,000 kg to GTO and 8,000 kg to LEO. 'LVM3 specifically caters to heavier communication satellites, highlighting India's self-reliance in launching sizable payloads. In contrast, Falcon 9 has historically launched payloads exceeding 7,000 kg to GTO and holds the record for deploying 143 satellites on a single mission. While LVM3 showcases India's capability for self-reliant launches, SpaceX's Falcon 9's prowess extends beyond, being human-rated for NASA missions, certified for national security space launches, and adept at executing complex missions with a remarkable track record across multiple iterations,' remarked Srimathy Kesan, founder and CEO of Space Kidz India, which is into design, fabrication, and launch of small satellites, spacecraft, and ground systems. She further explains that India's consideration of SpaceX for launching its heaviest satellites signifies a strategic move to leverage Falcon 9's robust track record in handling substantial payloads to GTO. 'Falcon 9's capability to transport the heaviest payloads, along with its successful track record, reliability, and versatility across mission types, becomes an attractive proposition for ISRO. Moreover, SpaceX's reusable design brings cost-effectiveness to satellite launches, a factor that India might weigh in as it seeks to optimize resources while expanding its satellite deployment capabilities. The notable success of Falcon 9 in deploying heavy payloads to GTO, coupled with its reusability, could potentially complement ISRO's efforts in efficiently launching heavier satellites,' added Kesan. There are different thrusts for each engine. There are notably three stages of ISRO LVM3, which involves two Solid Boosters carrying 207 tonnes of propellant in 3 segments, generating average thrust of 3,578.2 kilonewtons and a peak thrust of 5,150 kilonewtons each. This initial thrust propels the rocket into the sky, marking the first stage of the launch. Then there is the L110 liquid stage, which is a liquid-fueled rocket stage equipped with two Vikas engines. Together, these engines produce a combined thrust of 1,532 kilonewtons. This stage is named for its fuel capacity, holding 110 metric tons of liquid fuel. Post that, there is the C25 cryogenic upper stage that measures 4 meters in diameter and 13.5 meters in length, carrying 28 metric tons of LOX and LH2 propellant. The propellant is pressurized using helium stored in submerged bottles. This stage is powered by a singular CE-20 engine, capable of generating 200 kilonewtons of thrust. Explaining the two stages of SpaceX Falcon 9, Linganna says that Merlin engines, made by SpaceX, are used in their Falcon 1, Falcon 9, and Falcon Heavy rockets, and these engines run on a type of kerosene called RP-1 and liquid oxygen (LOX). 'They were designed for recovery and reuse. The thrust produced is 845 kilonewtons. The first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket uses nine Merlin engines and tanks made of aluminum-lithium alloy, filled with liquid oxygen and a type of kerosene known as RP-1. The Falcon 9 can produce over 7,561.974 kilonewtons of thrust at sea level. The Falcon 9 rocket also features an interstage composed of composite material, connecting its first and second stages and equipped with pneumatic pushers for stage separation during flight. Additionally, at the base of the interstage, there are four grid fins which play a crucial role in controlling the rocket's descent back to Earth by manipulating the center of pressure. The Falcon 9's second stage uses one Merlin Vacuum Engine to carry its payload to the target orbit. This engine starts up shortly after the first stage separates and can be reignited several times to send different payloads to various orbits. The engine runs for 397 seconds and generates a thrust of 981 kilonewtons,' pointed out Linganna. The intent couldnt have been more clear, or the action so deadly. On Wednesday, two bomb blastswithin 15 minutes of each other and separated by about more than a kmtore into a procession organised to commemorate the fourth death anniversary of General Qasem Soleimani near a military cemetery in the Iranian city of Kerman. The twin blasts, intended to cause maximum damage, killed at least 84 people and injured at least 280. On January 3, 2020, Gen Soleimani was killed in a precision strike by US killer drones near Baghdad airport. A legendary figure in Iran who headed the al-Quds Force, the most elite unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Force (IRGC), Gen Soleimani was considered close to Irans supreme leader Ali Khamenei. His value also lay in the fact that he cobbled together pro-Iran militias under an umbrella outfit in Iraq, Yemen, Syria and elsewhere which included the Houthis. While no one has claimed responsibility for Wednesdays bombings, it has spawned differing narratives on who could have placed the bombs. Iran pointed fingers at the US-led coalition and MossadIsraels secretive spy agency. Mohammad Jamshidi, political deputy to the Iranian president, wrote on X, (formerly Twitter): Make no mistake. The responsibility for this crime lies with the US and Zionist regimes (Israel) and terrorism is just a tool. There are enough reasons for Iran to blame Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Domestic political pressure has been piling on him and his tenure will stay intact only till the conflict with Hamas continues. And end of the conflict will see Netanyahu out of office and may even land him in jail. There is considerable anger against Netanyahu for the massive intelligence failure that led to the October 7 assault by Hamas militants from across Gaza. The failure has already been magnified by Netanyahus daft handling of the hostage crisis as well as by the fact that many Israeli hostages have died in Israeli bombings and friendly fire. The blasts come amid surging tension in the Red Sea trade route where pro-Iran Houthis have launched attacks on merchant and trade ships that ply on one of the worlds most busiest sea routes. A US-led multinational security initiative--Operation Prosperity Guardian--was launched on December 19 to stave off the Houthi attacks turning the Red Sea area into a much militarised zone. Besides the US, other countries in the operation include the UK, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain and a few other countries. On the other hand, western powers say the Islamic State (IS) terrorists or Sunni radicals could also be behind Wednesdays blasts. With Iran promising retaliatory action, the possibility of it being drawn into a non-holds barred conflict with Israel and the US-led coalition cannot be ruled out which will result in a widespread escalation of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. On Tuesday, Israel had killed Saleh Arouri and five others in a drone strike in a southern Beirut suburb. Arouri was the founder of Hamas military wing and the deputy political head. As Iran reels under the aftermath of the twin bombings, which the countrys military and political leaders blamed on Israel, Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is opting for 'strategic patience' to avoid getting into a direct military confrontation with the US at all costs, said a report. Khamenei has been more cautious and has ordered the military to limit retaliation to covert operations against Israel or proxy militia attacks on U.S. bases in Syria and Iraq, reported The New York Times quoting two unnamed sources familiar with Irans internal discussions. Khamenei views the recent assassinations of an Iranian commander in Syria, the Hamas official in Beirut and the bombings as a coordinated campaign by Israel to distract from the international outrage over the war in Gaza, the report added. Though Khamenei, in the statement blamed the attack on Irans "malicious and criminal enemies", he stopped short of naming any group or country. Khamenei said Irans enemies should know that "this tragedy will have a strong response." However, the country's senior officials were quick to blame the bombings on Israel. According to The New York Times, the countrys military and political leaders quickly decided to hold Israel responsible for the bombings. Even if a terrorist or opposition group claims responsibility for the attacks, Iran would insist Israel had a hand in it. Both Irans president and the deputy head of Parliament hit out at Israel. "We tell the criminal America and Zionist regime that you will pay a very high price for the crimes you have committed and will regret it," said President Ebrahim Raisi. A man is being comforted as he sits next to the body of his loved one killed in the explosions in the Iranian city of Kerman in Iran| AP Deputy Parliament head Mojataba Zolnouri said that it was "clear from the style of the attacks that it is the Zionist regime and that the Islamic Republic holds the right to response, but will determine the time, date and place of revenge itself." However, the US intelligence agencies believe early assessments hint that Israel was not involved. "It was also not in keeping with Israels usual methods when striking Iran," said Ali Vaez, the Iran project director at Crisis Group. Though Israel has carried out covert operations in Iran before, they are mostly focused against specific individuals, like Iranian scientists or officials, or at nuclear or weapons facilities. Analysts said there were numerous possibilities for who might have attacked the cemetery, including Sunni Muslim terrorist organisations like the Islamic State or Iranian separatist groups. Senior officials in the US President Joe Biden administration believe the explosions looked like a "terrorist attack" of the kind ISIS has been responsible for in the past. The official, speaking to reporters, said "it does look like a terror attack, the type of thing we've seen ISIS do in the past, and as far as we are aware that is kind of, I think, our going assumption at the moment." The Islamic State claimed responsibility on Thursday for two explosions that killed nearly 100 people and wounded scores at a ceremony in Iran marking the fourth death anniversary of commander Qassem Soleimani. The militant group posted a statement on its affiliate Telegram channels. In a statement posted, the militant Sunni Muslim group said two IS members had detonated their explosive belts in the crowd which had gathered at the cemetery in the southeastern Iranian city. The two explosions minutes apart took place on Wednesday while the the anniversary events were going on in Kerman. Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guard's elite Quds Force died in a US drone strike in Iraq in January 2020. The explosion occurred near his grave site in Kerman. Soleimani was the architect of Iran's regional military activities and is hailed as a national icon among supporters of Iran's theocracy. Before ISIS claiming responsibility, Iran had pointed fingers at US-led coalition and Mossad-Israel's secretive spy agency. However, US had denied the allegations and said they didnot have any role in the explosions. Around 280 people were injured in the two blasts. "A very strong retaliation will be meted out to them by the hands of the soldiers of Soleimani," Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber told reporters in Kerman. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council in a statement on Thursday condemned the attack. "The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers, and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice," read the statement. In the wake of the incident, Iranian authorities have called for mass protests on Friday when the funerals of the victims will be held. Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps had described the attacks as a cowardly act "aimed at creating insecurity and seeking revenge against the nation's deep love and devotion to the Islamic Republic". Earlier attacks claimed by the IS include twin bombings in 2017 which targeted Iran's parliament and the tomb of the Islamic Republic's founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The Japanese coast guard aircraft which crashed into a Japanese Airlines passenger plane at Tokyo's Haneda International Airport was not cleared for takeoff. An official transcript of the air traffic control released on Wednesday reveals that the instruction given to the coast guard aircraft was to "taxi to holding point". The terrifying incident that occurred on Tuesday in the runway claimed five coast guard crew lives. While the 379 passengers in Japan Airlines flight 516 survived miraculously. All the passengers were evacuated safely by the airline crew. The communications between the air traffic controllers and the two planes were released by transport minister Tetsuo Saito. The communications reveal that the passenger flight was given permission to land. According to the transcript, air traffic control gave the JAL passenger plane permission to land at 5:43:26 p.m. local time. However, Saito told reporters that the investigation is still going on. The next step of the investigation would be to focus on the audio recording of the conversation between the coast guard pilot and flight control tower. The Japan Transportation Safety Board (JTSB) said they had retrieved the flight and voice recorders of the coast guard aircraft. However, they are yet to retrieve from JAL plane. Reportedly, probe is likely to take place on the runway lights as well. It is reported that the lights may have been out of service. Meanwhile, Japan Airlines expects over $100 million losses after its plane got destroyed in the incident. The investigation is led by Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB). The Board is joined by 14 overseas investigators from Airbus, French and British authorities as well as one representative from the jet's engine maker Rolls Royce. There were three pilots and 12 flight attendants on board when the incident took place. Initially when the collision took place, the pilots were unaware that their aircraft was on fire. "Right after the plane touched down, the pilot felt a sudden shock, and lost control to stay in the runway. A fire took place but the pilots didn't recognise it in the beginning and learned about it [through the] cabin attendant," the JAL spokesperson was quoted by BBC. The much-awaited secret court documents related to accused sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein was unsealed on Wednesday, with more expected to be released in the coming days. Despite the speculations that the documents, covering about 900 pages, would include a list of rich and powerful men who were Epstein's clients or co-conspirators, there weren't any bombshell revelations and mostly contained material that had been released previously and covered in media before. New York Judge Loretta Preska, while unsealing the documents, said many of those named had already been identified by the media or in Maxwell's criminal trial. She added that many others did not raise an objection to the release of the documents. Judge Preska also ordered that some names remain redacted because they would identify victims of sexual abuse. Besides the deposition of accused Ghislaine Maxwell and complainant Virginia Roberts Giuffre, there is also a deposition from accuser Johanna Sjoberg. The revelations include how Epstein surrounded himself with famous and powerful figures, mentions of Epstein's past friendship with former US President Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew. Clinton is not accused of any wrongdoing but Sjoberg recalled in her 2016 deposition that Epstein spoke to her about Bill Clinton. "He said one time that Clinton likes them young, referring to girls," she said. When asked if Clinton was a friend of Epsteins, she said she understood Epstein had dealings with Clinton. In 2019, a Clinton spokesman had denied the accusations but said the former president had flown on Epsteins private plane but knew nothing of the financiers "terrible crimes." He reiterated that 2019 denial to CNN on Wednesday. As for Prince Andrew, he previously settled a lawsuit accusing him of having sex with 17-year-old Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who travelled with Epstein. Sjoberg has claimed that Prince Andrew groped her breast while sitting on a couch inside Epstein's Manhattan apartment in 2001. Sjoberg's deposition also includes her meeting Michael Jackson at Epstein's Palm Beach, Florida, home, but nothing untoward happened. In her testimony, Sjoberg said that Epstein told her he would contact Donald Trump on their way to one of his New Jersey casinos. However, the documents have nothing incriminating against Trump, and to a question whether she ever gave Mr Trump a massage, Sjoberg replied no. Giuffre alleged in her deposition that Maxwell directed her to have sexual contact with people, including former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, Prince Andrew, tech guru Marvin Minsky, well-known French modeling scout Jean-Luc Brunel and American investor Glenn Dubin. The documents also mentions three unnamed people who Giuffre alleges Maxwell urged her to have sexual relations with. These include "unnamed prince," the "owner of a large hotel chain" and a completely redacted out name. It is not clear from the document whether Giuffre subsequently had sexual contact with any of the people named. With southern Gaza almost ripped apart, Israeli troops has intensified its attacks along the Lebanon border. Hezbollah claimed that its four fighters were killed in southern Lebanon in Israeli strikes on the border town of Naqura. Lebanon's official national news agency said Israeli aircraft "carried out raids on the centre of Naqura, which destroyed a home and damaged surrounding houses. On Wednesday, Hezbollah announced the deaths of five other fighters in southern Lebanon. Amid Israel-Gaza tensions, an airstrike in central Baghdad killed an Iran-backed militia leader. The Popular Mobilization Force's deputy head of operations, Mushtaq Taleb al-Saidi, or Abu Taqwa, had been killed as a result of brutal American aggression. The PM's office in Iraq said that the US-led international coalition bore responsibility for an "unjustified" attack on an Iraqi security force. The strike had killed two people and wounded five, reported AP. Meanwhile, US has claimed it carried out strike in Baghdad. The US military has carried out a strike in Baghdad against an Iraqi militia leader it blames for attacks against US forces in the country, killing him and another person, a US official told Reuters. Israel has accused the UN of "stalling" the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. You cant keep avoiding the facts: There is no collective punishment. Two crossings are open. You said you can transfer 200 trucks a day in Kerem Shalom, yet youre not scraping 100. Over the last 80 days, weve adjusted ourselves, all youve been doing is stalling," said in the post. Tensions across the region are increasing with violence in recent days in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, northern Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, the Red Sea and Iraq. Israel detains 'at least 120 people' in the Nur Shams refugee camp in occupied West Bank. Israeli forces searched houses in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the occupied West Bank city of Tulkarem on Thursday, detaining hundreds of people suspected of militant activities, its military said. IDF forces continue to operate, alongside other Israeli security forces, in a broad divisional operation to suppress terrorism in the Nour al-Shams refugee camp in Menashe, said the military in a statement. A total of 22,438 Palestinians have been killed and 57,614 have been wounded in Israeli strikes on Gaza since October 7, Gaza health ministry spokesman Ashraf Al-Qudra said in a statement. Kolkata, Jan 4 (PTI) Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is scheduled to visit Kolkata on January 6 to inaugurate a government office building complex and meet representatives of jute mills and Tea Board, officials said on Thursday. Goyal, who also holds portfolios of consumer affairs, food and public distribution and textiles, is slated to inaugurate 'Patsan Bhavan' which will house the Jute Commissioner's office and headquarters of Jute Corporation of India and National Jute Board. All three entities come under his ministry. After inaugurating the bhavan, the minister is expected to hold meetings with jute mills and the Tea Board representatives, both of which will take place at a hotel in New Town, according to an itinerary. During the proposed meeting, representatives of mills are likely to raise demand for the implementation of a tariff commission report on the pricing of jute goods procured by the government, industry sources said. The new tariff implementation is due since 2016, they said. The minister is also scheduled to attend a book launch event later in the day. Located in Rajarhat, New Town on the eastern fringes of Kolkata, the 'Patsan Bhavan' is a multi-storied building which was constructed at an estimated cost of around Rs 70 crore. New Delhi, Jan 4 (PTI) NHPC has inked an initial pact to invest Rs 4,000 crore in 750 MW Kuppa Pumped Hydro Storage Project at Chhota Udaipur in Gujarat. Taking a step towards clean and green energy, NHPC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gujarat Power Corporation (GPCL) for investment in Kuppa Pumped Hydro Storage Project (750 MW) on January 3, 2024, a company statement said. According to the statement, the MoU was signed at an event organised at the Secretariat in Gandhinagar under the aegis of 'Vibrant Gujarat'. In the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and state Energy Minister Kanubhai Desai, the MoU was signed by Arun Mahesh Babu, Managing Director, GPCL, and V Srivastava, Executive Director, Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen, NHPC, the statement said. As per the terms of the MoU, the NHPC shall invest an estimated Rs 4,000 crore in the proposed 750 MW Kuppa Pumped Hydro Storage Project at Chhota Udaipur, Gujarat. The implementation of this project will create significant employment opportunities and boost the local economy in the area, the statement said. The NHPC Ltd is India's leading hydropower company with a total installed capacity of 7,097.2 MW of renewable energy through its 25 power stations, including 1,520 MW through subsidiaries. New Delhi, Jan 4 (PTI) The Centre has ruled out the possibility of granting a national status to the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Project, but has assured fund support under other schemes, Telangana Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said on Thursday. Along with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, the Telangana Irrigation Minister met Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekawat and requested him to consider granting a national status to the Palameru-Rangareddy Irrigation project and provide funds. "The Union minister responded saying that we don't have anything like national project status now but considering on the basis of our representation he will try and accommodate in some other schemes and allot funds for this project," the irrigation minister said after the meeting. The Union Minister has ruled out a national status to the project because it has stopped doing it since 2014. In the last 10 years, the central government has not given a national status to any projects, he said. The Palameru Rangareddy Irrigation project, on which the state government has already spent 40 per cent of the project cost, aims to tackle the extreme drought-prone conditions in six districts by irrigating about 12 lakh acres, he added. Asked if the state government will let go its demand for national status and accept funds from other schemes, the irrigation minister said, "The chief minister will take a call." The project is important, especially for the chief minister, because he had promised bringing irrigation water to his constituency in Kodangal ahead of the recently concluded assembly polls. Kodangal was to get irrigation water from the Narayanpet-Kodangal Lift irrigation scheme, which was sanctioned in May 2014 just before the BRS (then TRS) government came to power in 2014, but was not possible to provide water from Jurala. Therefore, the Narayanpet-Kodangal Lift irrigation was included in the proposed Palamuru-Rangareddy irrigation project. Uttam Kumar Reddy said Telangana has about 90 thousand cubic feet of water and sought early approval from the Central Water Commission to utilise this water for the project. He said there was no discussion on the Kaleshwaram irrigation project during the meeting. The minister said a delegation led by the CM will meet the UPSC chief on Friday to discuss restructuring of the Telangana State Public Service Commission on the lines of UPSC to put in place a transparent recruitment process. "Unemployment is a serious problem in Telangana. The previous government failed the youth in providing employment... the little recruitment they did was marred by paper leak and corruption," he said. New Delhi, Jan 4 (PTI) Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Thursday inaugurated a tur dal procurement portal through which farmers can register and sell their produce to NAFED and NCCF at a minimum support price or market price. A similar facility will be launched in future for urad and masoor farmers as well as maize farmers, he said. The minister also transferred via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) about Rs 68 lakh to 25 farmers towards payment for sale of tur via the portal. Cooperative National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited (NCCF) undertake procurement of pulses on behalf of the government's in order to maintain a buffer stock. After the launch, the Minister said before the sowing operation, tur farmers can register on the portal to sell their produce to NAFED and NCCF at minimum support price (MSP). The registered tur farmers will have an option to sell to either NAFED/NCCF or open market, he said and added suppose the open market price of tur remains higher than the MSP, in that case an average rate will be arrived through a formula. Shah further said more farmers were not taking up pulses farming as prices were not assured. With procurement via the portal, the initiative will bring a major reform in the agriculture sector and help achieve self-reliance in pulses production. "Tur will be procured from farmers and it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guarantee," he added. Stating that the country is still dependent on import of some varieties of pulses except for chana and moong, the Minister said, "By December 2027, the country should become self reliant in pulses. We will not import even one kilo of pulses from January 2028." He appealed to Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS), Farmer Producers Organisations (FPOs) and progressive farmers to create awareness about the portal and encourage farmers to take advantage of this facility. Pulses production has increased in the last ten years to 26.05 million tonnes in 2022-23 from 19.2 million tonnes in 2013-14 crop year (July-June), due to more than two times increase in the minimum support price, he said. However, the domestic production of pulses is still short of consumption and depends on imports. Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, Minister of State for Cooperation B L Verma, and Minister of State for Consumer Affairs Ashwini Choubey were also present at the event. Mumbai, Jan 4 (PTI) Actor Katrina Kaif on Thursday said "Merry Christmas" turned out to be a special film as it gave her a chance to work with ace filmmaker Sriram Raghavan and also step out of her comfort zone. Working with Raghavan, the director of critical hits "Ek Hasina Thi", "Johnny Gaddar", "Badlapur" and "Andhadhun", was always on Kaif's "bucket list", the actor said at a press conference here. "For me, working with Sriram Raghavan was always on my bucket list to do and he's been one of my favourite directors. When I heard the story, I was in awe that I was going to get to work with him in a story like this which was so incredible. "And also it was right for me, that's why sir and I came together for this film. He must have also seen that in the character," the 40-year-old actor said. Also starring Vijay Sethupathi, "Merry Christmas" is set over the course of one night and follows the story of two strangers. Kaif said she started the project with an "open mind" as she knew that the movie will turn out to be a different experience for her as a creative person. "It's a different language, it has a different pace and rhythm. For me, to enter this world that is Sriram Raghavan's world, what I need to do is to have an open mind," she said. The "Tiger 3" star revealed that Raghavan gave her a narration of the story and then told her to build a backstory for her character Mariya. "He asked me to write Mariya's back story, like where she was, what drove her to become the way she is and what had happened in her life. So, that whole process was extremely helpful. We worked really hard before coming on set. "I did a lot of workshops with a few different people. Sriram sir has a workshop with us as well. So I enjoyed this kind of a process, it's not all the time that you get to rehearse the scenes with your co-actor and to be able to do that over a few days, so, for me this was a really fulfilling experience," she added. Kaif said she was also excited to collaborate with Sethupati, known for delivering critically-lauded performances in movies such as "Vikram Vedha", "Super Deluxe" and "96". "The minute Vijay sir started speaking about a scene, it was fascinating for me. I just thought that this is the person who views things in such a unique way," she said. "Sriram sir has a very unique take on everything he does, it's the way he sees stories, the way he sees people. It was just about us coming together and finding our rhythm and finding our own way of working and bringing the script to life on film," she added. Kaif said she is always open to newer challenges and believes an actor should be fearless with their choices. "You can feel nervous or a little fearful when you step out of the zone of a large commercial entertainer. But, I think, the solution for that is you be fearless and overcome that fear because the experience is really incredible for an actor. "It is an important thing for my growth as an actor and as a performer. So you feel the fear and feel the nerves, that's good, let that drive you and give every film your heart and soul, that's what I try to do," the actor said when asked if she fears stepping out of the commercial zone and doing a content driven film. Kaif said she personally enjoys acting in both commercial entertainers and unique content-driven movies like "Merry Christmas", a story that drew her instantly. "As an actor, you are looking to tell a story and be a part of a story that is really interesting. And for me, 'Merry Christmas' ticked all the boxes. It was really a unique journey, a unique story about two fascinating characters. The minute I heard it, I was hooked. "There are high octane action films which is wonderful, it is a certain type of cinema. But there are also intimate and unique stories to be told and that story has to be told at a scale that is suitable to that particular story. For an actor to be able to do both is what we are supposed to be doing and it's what I personally enjoy doing." "Merry Christmas", produced by Tips Films and Matchbox Pictures, is set to be released in theatres on January 12. Singapore, Jan 4 (PTI) An Indian-origin security guard at a condominium was sentenced to three weeks' jail on Wednesday for pocketing a wallet valued at SGD 1,800 and the SGD 500 in it. A. Murugaiya, a 56-year-old Singaporean, pleaded guilty to one count of criminal breach of trust by dishonest misappropriation, Channel News Asia reported on Thursday. The court heard that the victim, a 46-year-old man, dropped his Louis Vuitton wallet and keys at the entrance of The Alcove Condominium, where he lived, on August 27 last year. Minutes after the victim left, a passer-by chanced on the wallet and keys and picked them up. The passer-by immediately passed the wallet, which contained at least SGD 500, to Murugaiya, who was manning the security desk at the condominium. However, Murugaiya kept the wallet and money and took them home with him. The next day, the victim met with Murugaiya, his supervisor and told him about his lost wallet. Murugaiya eventually admitted taking the wallet, and signed on a piece of paper along with his supervisor indicating that the wallet was with him. The victim returned his keys on August 29, 2023, but received his wallet only a day later, with SGD490 missing. Only SGD10 was left in the wallet, and the remaining sum was not recovered. Murugaiya did not make any restitution, according to the Channel report. The victim made a police report, and Murugaiya was arrested in December 2023 and remanded. The prosecutor sought at least four weeks' jail, noting Murugaiya's lack of past convictions. However, she said there was a "high quality and degree of trust" placed in Murugaiya, who was a security officer tasked with ensuring the safety of the premises, property and of condo residents. "As such, any resident of the condominium who returns a lost item to the accused would have a high degree of trust in the accused that the item would be safely returned to the rightful owner," said Deputy Public Prosecutor Ashley Poh. She added that the wallet was returned only after the victim spoke with Murugaiya and his supervisor. "The total value of the item misappropriated in the first place, before the accused was confronted, amounted to at least SGD2,300 in value," the Channel quoted Poh as saying. For criminal breach of trust by dishonest misappropriation, Murugaiya could have been jailed for up to seven years, fined, or both. Islamabad, Jan 4 (PTI) Pakistan's former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif has failed to appear before the inquiry commission constituted to probe the 2017 sit-in staged by a radical Islamic political party that paralysed Islamabad and Rawalpindi for weeks, according to a media report. Quoting sources, Geo News reported that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz instead asked the commission to send him a questionnaire on the inquiry they wanted to conduct on the sit-in staged by activists of the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). The commission, the sources added, has acknowledged his request and sent a 21-point questionnaire to reply to within a limited time. The inquiry commission had summoned the PML-N president to appear before it in person and record a statement in the case on January 3, as he was the chief minister of Punjab province when the TLP staged the sit-in in 2017 near Rawalpindi. Meanwhile, former Director of Inter-Services Intelligence Lieutenant General (Retd) Faiz Hamid has been summoned thrice by the inquiry commission, but the former senior military officer has not responded to their summons yet. The sources claim that the commission is mulling over recording Faiz's statement via video link. Following the completion of the probe, the commission will submit its inquiry report on January 22, 2024. In November last year, the caretaker federal government constituted the inquiry commission for the implementation of the top courts 2019 Faizabad verdict. The probe panel was constituted on the order of the Supreme Court of Pakistan under the chair of retired IGP Akhtar Ali Shah after the apex court rejected the fact-finding committee report constituted by the government. On November 15, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa remarked that the commission would be empowered to summon anyone, including former army chiefs, prime ministers and chief justices. Earlier, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, ex-interior minister Ahsan Iqbal, then-secretary to PM Fawad Hasan Fawad and other senior officials serving in Islamabad and Punjab who were involved in the episode had appeared before the probe panel. In November 2017, the top court took suo motu notice of the three-week-long sit-in, which was held against a change in the finality-of-Prophethood oath, termed by the government as a clerical error, when the government passed the Elections Act 2017. The sit-in was called off after the protesters reached an agreement with the government. Lahore, Jan 4 (PTI) Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has nominated its chairman and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as its official prime ministerial candidate ahead of the general elections on February 8, a media report said on Thursday. The PPPs Central Executive Committee (CEC) discussed in detail the partys campaign for the general election. The meeting also discussed the party election manifesto, which decided to give priority to youth and women empowerment, employment, health, and education, The News International reported. Soon after the meeting late on Wednesday evening, a detailed post on PPPs official X handle with photos of the meeting informed that members of the CEC expressed their confidence in the leadership of party president Asif Ali Zardari and chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. President Asif Ali Zardari presented the name of chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as the candidate for the Prime Minister on behalf of Pakistan Peoples Party. The CEC has endorsed Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as the Prime Ministerial candidate of PPP, the party posted on X. The 35-year-old son of slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto is contesting from Lahore (NA-127) constituency, where he would compete with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shaista Pervaiz Malik and a PTI-backed candidate. PPP leaders including Secretary General Taj Haider, Syed Khursheed Shah, Rana Farooq Saeed Khan, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Samina Khalid Ghurki, Murad Ali Shah, Chaudhry Aslam Gill, and Ali Badr were present at the meeting. The newspaper report further quoted Bilawal, as talking to the media after the meeting: Gen Zia imposed the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on us and Gen Faiz Hameed imposed the PTI. He said both the PML-N and PTI were representative of the ruling elite. Both were unable to address the issues confronted by the country. The PPP is the only party that always came up with its vision and manifesto before polls and kept people on priority, said Bilawal, flanked by Haider and former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani. Along with providing details of the partys developmental plans if it wins the elections, Bilawal condemned the incidents of terrorism in the country, saying that to steer the country out of crises, crucial decisions would have to be taken, the report said. Washington, Jan 4 (AP) The United States and 12 allies issued what amounted to a final warning to Houthi rebels on Wednesday to cease their attacks on vessels in the Red Sea or face potential targeted military action. The Yemen-based militants have carried out at least 23 attacks in response to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza since December 19. A senior Biden administration official declined to detail rules of possible engagement if the attacks continue, but underscored that the Iranian-backed Houthis should "not anticipate another warning" from the US and its allies. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House, spoke soon after the countries issued a joint statement earlier on Wednesday condemning the attacks and underscoring that international patience was strained. The statement was signed by the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom. "Let our message now be clear: we call for the immediate end of these illegal attacks and release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews," the countries said. "The Houthis will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and free flow of commerce in the region's critical waterways." For weeks, the Houthis have claimed attacks on ships in the Red Sea that they say are either linked to Israel or heading to Israeli ports. They say their attacks aim to end the Israeli air-and-ground offensive in the Gaza Strip that was triggered by the Palestinian militant group Hamas' October 7 attack in southern Israel. However, the links to the ships targeted in the rebel assaults have grown more tenuous as the attacks continue. The attacks have targeted commercial shipping vessels transiting through the critical Bab el-Mandeb Strait that links markets in Asia and Europe since the October 7 attack by Hamas and Israel's subsequent war against the militant group in Gaza. The US and its allies have formed Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect ship traffic, and currently, warships from the United States, France and the United Kingdom are patrolling the area. On Sunday, US helicopters opened fire on Houthi rebels after they attacked a cargo ship in the Red Sea, killing several of them. The US Navy helicopters returned fire in self-defence, sinking three of the four boats and killing the people on board while the fourth boat fled the area, the US Central Command said. The Houthis acknowledged that 10 of their fighters were killed in the confrontation and warned of consequences. US ships in recent weeks have shot down waves of Houthi ballistic missiles and one-way explosive drones. President Joe Biden has sought to keep the three-month war between Israel and Hamas from escalating into a broader regional conflict. But the official stressed that the US and its allies would respond similarly to such malign action that has impacts on global commerce anywhere around the globe. The official said any potential action against the Houthis will be done in a "very smart way that does not potentially draw us in deep to a situation" with Iran and its proxy groups. Biden last week ordered US airstrikes against Iranian-backed militia groups, including Kataib Hezbollah, after three US service members were injured in a drone attack in northern Iraq. In November, US fighter jets struck a Kataib Hezbollah operations centre and command and control node, following a short-range ballistic missile attack on US forces at Al-Assad Air Base in western Iraq. Iranian-backed militias also carried out a drone attack at the same air base in October, causing minor injuries. (AP) RC Baghdad, Jan 4 (AP) An airstrike on the logistical support headquarters of an Iran-backed militia in central Baghdad Thursday killed a high-ranking militia commander, militia officials said. Thursday's strike comes amid mounting regional tensions fuelled by Israel-Hamas war and fears that it could spill over into surrounding countries. It also coincides with a push by Iraqi officials for US-led coalition forces to leave the country. The Popular Mobilization Force - a coalition of militias that is nominally under the control of the Iraqi military - announced in a statement that its deputy head of operations in Baghdad, Mushtaq Taleb al-Saidi, or 'Abu Taqwa,' had been killed as a result of brutal American aggression. It was not immediately clear who had carried out the strike. Iraqi military spokesman Yehia Rasool said in a statement that the Iraqi army holds the International Coalition Forces responsible for this unprovoked attack on an Iraqi security body operating in accordance with the powers granted to it by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Officials with the US military and embassy in Baghdad did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The primary mission of the US-led coalition is to fight the Islamic State militant group, which continues to carry out periodic attacks in Iraq despite having lost its hold on the territory it once controlled in 2017. Since then, the coalition has transitioned from a combat role to an advisory and training mission. The PMF, a group of Iranian-backed, primarily Shiite militias, were also key in the fight against the Sunni extremist group after it overran much of Iraq in 2014. The PMF is officially under the command of the Iraqi army, but in practice the militias operate independently. Thursday's strike killed two people and wounded five, according to two militia officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. One of the officials said al-Saidi was driving into the garage of the headquarters affiliated with the al-Nujaba militia, one of the members of the PMF, along with another militia official when the car was hit, killing both. Heavy security was deployed around the location of the strike on Baghdad's Palestine Street, and Associated Press journalists were not allowed to approach the targeted area. Iraqi war planes could be seen flying overhead. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, a group of Iranian-backed militias calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has carried out more than 100 attacks on bases housing US troops in Iraq and Syria. The group has said the attacks are in retaliation to Washington's support of Israel in the war against Hamas that has killed more than 20,000 people in Gaza, and that they aim to push US forces out of Iraq. Thursday's strike is likely to increase calls for a US departure. Last week, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani - who came to power with the backing of Iran-linked political factions but has also attempted to maintain good relations with the US - said that his government is is proceeding to end the presence of the international coalition forces. The strike also comes two days after a suspected Israeli drone strike in the suburbs of Beirut killed Hamas deputy leader Saleh Arouri. Asked whether Israel had involvement in Thursday's strike in Baghdad, an Israeli military spokesperson declined to comment. (AP) NPK NPK Bhawanipatna (Odisha), Jan 4 (PTI) The 12-hour bandh called by the BJP in Odisha's Kalahandi district in support of farmers hit normal life on Thursday, with markets and educational institutions remaining shut and vehicles off the roads, police said. Emergency services were exempt from the bandh, which was mostly peaceful, police said. The bandh was called by the opposition BJP demanding justice for farmers who allegedly face problems at different government paddy procurement centres. The saffron party demanded relief from katni chatni (deduction of certain amount of paddy) by millers during paddy procurement. They also claimed that farmers were forced to go for distress sale of cotton and demanded lowering of electricity tariff and removal of country liquor manufacturing units in the district. BJP district unit president Artatran Mohapatra said the party called the bandh against the governments "anti-farmer" policies. "The bandh was aimed at awakening the government from slumber as millers looted the farmers," he said. New Delhi, Jan 4 (PTI) The Income-Tax department on Thursday searched major real estate groups based in Noida, Uttar Pradesh as part of a tax evasion investigation against them, official sources said. The premises of realty groups like Bhutani Infra, Group 108, Logix and some other companies were raided by the tax department, they said. A total of 37 premises in Noida, Delhi and neighbouring Faridabad (Haryana) have been covered during the searches that were launched after noon, the sources said. There was no immediate response from Bhutani Infra, Logix Group and Group 108 when contacted by PTI. The books of accounts and inventories of these groups were looked into by the search teams, the sources said, adding that the raids were going on. Bhutani Infra, which deals in luxury projects, stated last year that it was developing a 15 million square feet area in four projects in Noida and is expanding out of the national capital region for the first time in four locations, including Goa. The Logix group has created large facilities for the Information Technology (IT) sector apart from residential units. New Delhi, Jan 4 (PTI) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday targeted the Modi government for not reducing the prices of petrol and diesel even when crude oil prices were falling globally. In a post on X, Kharge also put out a chart, which said crude oil has reduced by 31 per cent in 19 months but the minister says there will be no reduction in the prices of petrol and diesel. "Crude oil prices are falling, but there is no control on the looting of the Modi government. Modi ji's ministers themselves are saying that 'there has been no talk with oil companies about reducing prices'. Oil companies are earning Rs 8 to Rs 10 profit from the public on every litre of petrol and Rs 3 to Rs 4 profit on diesel," he said in his post. "The country is looking for an account of lowest 'public savings' in 50 years, ... in BJP's false speeches of 'Acche Din' and in their hollow advertisements," Kharge added. Chandigarh, Jan 4 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday raided locations of Haryana Congress MLA Surender Panwar, former INLD legislator Dilbag Singh and some others as part of a money laundering case linked to alleged illegal mining in Yamuna Nagar district of the state, official sources said. As many as 20 locations of the two politicians and linked entities in Yamuna Nagar, Sonipat, Mohali, Faridabad, Chandigarh, and Karnal are being searched under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said. The money laundering case stems from several FIRs of the Haryana Police registered to probe alleged illegal mining that took place in Yamuna Nagar and nearby districts in the past. New Delhi, Jan 4 (PTI) Lt Governor V K Saxena has ordered a CBI probe into the allegations of fake diagnostic tests prescribed by the Delhi government-run mohalla clinics to benefit private labs, Raj Niwas sources said on Thursday. The development comes days after Saxena ordered a CBI probe into the alleged supply of drugs to Delhi government hospitals that had failed "quality standard tests". "Last year, it emerged that doctors were not coming to mohalla clinics but were still shown as present. It was found that despite their absence, tests and medicines were being prescribed. Later, it was found that tests were conducted on ghost patients. Following this, a CBI probe has been ordered," a source said. No immediate reaction was available from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over the development. Noida, Jan 4 (PTI) The Noida Police on Thursday arrested two women near a school on the charges of drug peddling after over two kgs of contraband was seized from their possession, officials said. The women were caught with the contraband by officials of Bisrakh police station near a private school in Naya Haibatpur village, they said. "Those arrested have been identified as Kamala (30) and Roshana (35), both local residents. They were both caught with more than one kg marijuana and were on their way to sell it," a police spokesperson said. An FIR has been lodged under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at the Bisrakh police station, the official said. The Noida Police recently stepped up crackdown on illegal drugs syndicate in the district. In 2023 alone, 55 FIRs were lodged and 646 suspected drug traffickers and peddlers across Noida and Greater Noida were held while around 4,000 kg of drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, MDMA and hashish, was seized by the police, according to official data. Uttarkashi, Jan 4 (PTI) A forest department team in Uttarakhand on Thursday arrested three suspected smugglers with 200 pieces of kajal wood, a forest resource banned from harvesting for commercial purposes, in their possession. Uttarkashi Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) DP Baluni here said that 200 pieces of Kajal wood were recovered from a vehicle during a check at Gangori Barrier on Gangotri Highway under Uttarkashi Forest Division at 5 am. The international market value of the recovered wood has been estimated to be around Rs 20 to 25 lakh. Baluni said that a case has been registered under the Forest Act against the three men Rishilal and Sohanlal, residents of Gumaniwala, Rishikesh, and Ujjan Singh, a resident of Nepal. SDO Kanhaiya Lal, who was leading the checking team, said the accused were carrying Kajal wood, considered a valuable forest resource, from the forests of Saura and Sari of Bhatwadi block. Kajal wood is in great demand especially among the followers of Buddhism who consider it auspicious to use the wood in the making of bowls. New Delhi, Jan 4 (PTI) The Delhi High Court on Thursday extended till January 8 the interim bail granted to Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Ramchandra Pillai, who was arrested in a money laundering case related to the alleged Delhi excise scam. A bench of Justice Swarnkanta Sharma passed the directions on Pillai's plea seeking the relief due to his wife's illness. Advocate Nitesh Rana, appearing for Pillai, urged the high court to extend his interim bail, claiming that after being discharged, his wife has developed further complications. On December 18, a trial court had given a two-week interim bail to Pillai, after he said his wife has to undergo a surgical procedure. Pillai was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 6 following allegations that he represented the "South Group" at meetings with other accused when the 2021 excise policy was being formulated and implemented. The excise policy was scrapped last year after the Delhi lieutenant governor ordered a CBI probe into alleged irregularities and corruption involving its formulation and execution. The ED has claimed that Pillai is a close aide of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha, daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, and the frontman of the "South Group" liquor cartel. It has alleged that the "South Group" paid kickbacks of around Rs 100 crore to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to gain a larger share of the liquor market in the national capital under the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy for 2021-22. Bengaluru, Jan 4 (PTI) The BJP in Karnataka on Thursday launched a campaign, 'I'm also a Karsevak, Arrest Me Too' as it stepped up its protests in several parts of the State over the recent arrest of a Hindu activist in connection with a 31-year-old case related to the Ram Janmabhoomi agitation. Leading the campaign in Bengaluru, MLA and former minister V Sunil Kumar staged a sit-in demonstration near the Sadashivanagar police station, amid chants of "Jai Sri Ram" by BJP workers. Holding a placard with a message 'I'm also a Karsevak, Arrest Me Too', Kumar said he too took part in the Rama temple agitation in 1992, for which he should also be arrested. Later, the police took him into preventive custody. Senior BJP leaders K S Eshwarappa and C T Ravi lead the protests in the district headquarters town of Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru, respectively. Srikanth Poojari , a Karsevak, was arrested by police in the north Karnataka city of Hubballi last week in connection with a case of rioting registered in December, 1992. The BJP has accused the Congress government of being harsh on Hindus, and also indulging in minority appeasement. The Congress has charged the BJP with politicising the issue. The Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has described Poojari as a "social miscreant" and "criminal suspect" and said he is facing allegations of involvement in 16 anti-social activities, including illegal liquor sales, gambling and matka. Talking to reporters, Kumar said, "The campaign 'I'm also a Karsevak, Arrest Me Too' has been launched to condemn the "anti-Ram and anti-Hindu policies" of the Congress government. He said that thousands of people from Karnataka participated in the 1990 and 1992 "Kar Seva" in Ayodhya despite the threats of the government of that time. He alleged that the ruling Congress in Karnataka has resorted to a strategy of intimidating Karsevaks, and Ram devotees. Denouncing the Siddaramaiah government over the arrest, Kumar said the Hindu activist is being portrayed as a criminal but the Mangaluru cooker bomb accused is called as innocent. He alleged that the "Congress leaders are writing letters to the government to set free the accused persons of KJ Halli and DJ Halli riot cases". Westerly, RI (02891) Today A mix of clouds and sun. High around 50F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 32F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. The Associated Press published an article on Wednesday blaming former Harvard president Claudine Gays resignation on Tuesday on conservative attacks using the new weapon of plagiarism accusations and also insinuated that she came under attack due to her racial identity. The article, entitled Harvard Presidents Resignation Highlights New Conservative Weapon Against Colleges: Plagiarism, almost completely ignores Gays lack of response to the soaring antisemitism on campus since October 7th and her outrageous comments at the Congressional hearing, with only one sentence in the entire article referring to it. It also quotes a professor who attributes Gays resignation to right-wing political attacks on higher education. The professor makes no mention of the antisemitism on campus and the fear of Jewish students to speak out in support of Israel and instead ironically claims that Gays resignation will chill the climate for academic freedom. Read the article below: The downfall of Harvards president has elevated the threat of unearthing plagiarism, a cardinal sin in academia, as a possible new weapon in conservative attacks on higher education. Claudine Gays resignation Tuesday followed weeks of mounting accusations that she lifted language from other scholars in her doctoral dissertation and journal articles. The allegations surfaced amid backlash over her congressional testimony about antisemitism on campus. The plagiarism allegations came not from her academic peers but her political foes, led by conservatives who sought to oust Gay and put her career under intense scrutiny in hopes of finding a fatal flaw. Her detractors charged that Gay who has a Ph.D. in government, was a professor at Harvard and Stanford and headed Harvards largest division before being promoted got the top job in large part because she is a Black woman. Christopher Rufo, a conservative activist who helped orchestrate the effort, celebrated her departure as a win in his campaign against elite institutions of higher education. On X, formerly Twitter, he wrote SCALPED, as if Gay was a trophy of violence, invoking a gruesome practice taken up by white colonists who sought to eradicate Native Americans. Tomorrow, we get back to the fight, he said on X, describing a playbook against institutions deemed too liberal by conservatives. His latest target: efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in education and business. We must not stop until we have abolished DEI ideology from every institution in America, he said. In another post, he announced a new plagiarism hunting fund, vowing to expose the rot in the Ivy League and restore truth, rather than racialist ideology, as the highest principle in academic life. Gay didnt directly address the plagiarism accusations in a campus letter announcing her resignation, but she noted she was troubled to see doubt cast on her commitment to upholding scholarly rigor. She also indirectly nodded to the December congressional hearing that started the onslaught of criticism, where she did not say unequivocally that calls for the genocide of Jews would violate Harvard policy. Her departure comes just six months after becoming Harvards first Black president. As the figureheads of their universities, presidents often face heightened scrutiny, and numerous leaders have been felled by plagiarism scandals. Stanford Universitys president resigned last year amid findings that he manipulated scientific data in his research. A president of the University of South Carolina resigned in 2021 after he lifted parts of his speech at a graduation ceremony. In Gays case, many academics were troubled with how the plagiarism came to light: as part of a coordinated campaign to discredit Gay and force her from office, in part because of her involvement in efforts for racial justice on campus. Her resignation came after calls for her ouster from prominent conservatives including Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Harvard alumna, and Bill Ackman, a billionaire hedge fund manager who has donated millions to Harvard. The campaign against Gay and other Ivy League presidents has become part of a broader right-wing effort to remake higher education, which has often been seen as a bastion of liberalism. Republican detractors have sought to gut funding for public universities, roll back tenure and banish initiatives that make colleges more welcoming to students of color, disabled students and the LGBTQ+ community. They also have aimed to limit how race and gender are discussed in classrooms. Walter M. Kimbrough, the former president of the historically Black Dillard University, said what unfolded at Harvard reminded him of an adage from his mother, a Black graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, in the 1950s. As a Black person in academia, you always have to be twice, three times as good, he said. There are going to be people, particularly if they have any inkling that the person of color is not the most qualified, who will label them a DEI hire, like they tried to label her, Kimbrough said. If you want to lead an institution like (Harvard) there are going to be people who are looking to disqualify you. Reviews by conservative activists and then by a Harvard committee did find multiple shortcomings in Gays academic citations. In dozens of instances first published by The Washington Free Beacon, a conservative website, Gays work includes long stretches of prose that mirror language from other published works. A review ordered by Harvard acknowledged duplicative language and missing quotation marks, but it concluded the errors were not considered intentional or reckless and didnt rise to misconduct. Harvard previously said Gay updated her dissertation and requested corrections from journals. Among her critics in conservative circles and academia, the findings are clear evidence that Gay, as the top academic at the pinnacle of U.S. higher education, is unfit to serve. Her defenders say it isnt so clear-cut. In highly specialized fields, scholars often use similar language to describe the same concepts, said Davarian Baldwin, a historian at Trinity College who writes about race and higher education. Gay clearly made mistakes, he said, but with the spread of software designed to detect plagiarism, it wouldnt be hard to find similar overlap in works by other presidents and professors. The tool becomes dangerous, he added, when it falls into the hands of those who argue that academia in general is a cesspool of incompetence and bad actors. John Pelissero, a former interim college president who now works for the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, said instances of plagiarism deserve to be evaluated individually and that its not always so cut and dried. Youre looking for whether there was intentionality to mislead or inappropriately borrow other peoples ideas in your work, Pelissero said. Or was there an honest mistake? Without commenting on the merits of the allegations against Gay, President Irene Mulvey of the American Association of University Professors said she fears plagiarism investigations could be weaponized to pursue a political agenda. There is a right-wing political attack on higher education right now, which feels like an existential threat to the academic freedom that has made American higher education the envy of the world, Mulvey said. She worries Gays departure will put a new strain on college presidents. In addition to their work courting donors, policymakers and alumni, presidents are supposed to protect faculty from interference so they can research unimpeded. For presidents to be taken down like this, it does not bode well for academic freedom, she said. I think itll chill the climate for academic freedom. And it may make university presidents less likely to speak out against this inappropriate interference for fear of losing their jobs or being targeted. President Joe Biden is starting the campaign year by evoking the Revolutionary War to mark the third anniversary of the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and visiting the South Carolina church where a white gunman massacred Black parishioners seeking to present in the starkest possible terms an election he argues could determine the fate of American democracy. On Saturday, Biden will travel to near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, where George Washington and the Continental Army spent a bleak winter nearly 250 years ago. There, hell decry former President Donald Trump for the riot by a mob of his supporters who overran the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Two days later, the president will visit Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, where nine people were shot and killed in a June 2015 white supremacist attack. Bidens kicking off 2024 by delving into some of the countrys darkest moments rather than an upbeat affirmation of his record is meant to clarify for voters what his team sees as the stakes of Novembers election. During both events, he will characterize his predecessor as a serious threat to the nations founding principles, arguing that Trump who has built a commanding early lead in the Republican presidential primary will seek to undermine U.S. democracy should he win a second term. We are running a campaign like the fate of our democracy depends on it, because it does, Biden reelection campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said on a conference call with reporters. Trump, who faces 91 criminal charges stemming from his efforts to overturn his loss to Biden and three other felony cases, argues that Biden and top Democrats are themselves seeking to undermine democracy by using the legal system to thwart the campaign of his chief rival. Joe Biden and his allies are a real and compelling threat to our Democracy, Trump campaign senior advisers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles wrote in a memo this week. In fact, in a way never seen before in our history, they are waging a war against it. Bidens channeling of personal grief and national traumas, often into calls for action, has become his political calling card. Tragedies have defined the presidents own life, from the 1972 car crash that killed his first wife and infant daughter to his son Beaus death from brain cancer at age 46 in 2015. In 2020, Biden won the White House by promising to heal the soul of the nation after he said that seeing hate groups marching in Charlottesville, Virginia, with torches and swastikas in 2017 propelled him to run. Rather than promising to bridge the nations partisan divide as he did four years ago, Biden will instead stress how Trump and top supporters of his Make America Great Again movement pose existential threats. The presidents reelection campaign has publicized Trumps repeating rhetoric used by Adolf Hitler when he suggested that immigrants entering the U.S. illegally are poisoning the blood of our country, as well as the former president joking that hed only seek to serve as a dictator on the first day of his second term. The leading candidate of a major party in the United States is running for president so that he can systematically dismantle and destroy our democracy, said Biden campaign communications director Michael Tyler. Even if another Republican beats Trump in the GOP primary, Bidens reelection argues the victor would be similar enough to the former president that the campaigns themes would change little. Anybody who wins the MAGA Republican nomination is going to have done so by hard-tacking to the most extreme positions that we have seen in recent American history, Tyler said. A majority of Americans are concerned about the future of democracy in the upcoming election though they differ along party lines on whom poses the threat. The Biden campaign also promised it would be out in full force to mark the Jan. 22 anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide for nearly 50 years, before the high court overturned the ruling in June 2022. Bidens team has argued that abortion access and democracy are intertwined in the upcoming election building on the presidents warnings about Trump and MAGA extremists that helped Democrats defy historical precedent by retaining control of the Senate and only narrowly losing the House majority to Republicans in the 2022 midterms. (AP) Russia and Ukraine on Wednesday exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war in the biggest single release of captives since Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukrainian authorities said that 230 Ukrainian prisoners of war returned home in the first exchange in almost five months. Russias Defense Ministry said that 248 Russian servicemen have been freed under the deal sponsored by the United Arab Emirates. The UAEs Foreign Ministry attributed the successful swap to the strong friendly relations between the UAE and both the Russian Federation and the Republic of Ukraine, which were supported by sustained calls at the highest levels. The UAE has maintained close economic ties with Moscow despite Western sanctions and pressure on Russia after it launched its invasion in 2022. Ukraines human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, said it was the 49th prisoner exchange during the war. Some of the Ukrainians had been held since 2022. Among them were some of those who fought in milestone battles for Ukraines Snake Island and the Ukrainian city of Mariupol. Russian officials offered no other details of the exchange. Also Wednesday, Russia said it shot down 12 missiles fired at one of its southern regions bordering Ukraine, as Kyivs forces seek to embarrass the Kremlin and puncture President Vladimir Putins argument that life is going on as normal despite the fighting. The situation in the border city of Belgorod, which came under two rounds of shelling on Wednesday morning, remains tense, said regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov, writing on Telegram. Air defense systems worked, he said, promising more details about possible damage after inspecting the area later in the day, part of a New Years holiday week in Russia. Ukraine fired two Tochka-U missiles and seven rockets at the region late Tuesday, followed by six Tochka-U missiles and six Vilkha rockets on Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry said. The Soviet-built Tochka-U missile system has a range of up to 120 kilometers (75 miles) and a warhead that can carry cluster munitions. Ukraine has received some cluster munitions from the United States but the Tochka-U and Vilkha can use their own cluster munitions. The Russian side of the frontier has come under increasingly frequent attack in recent days. Throughout the war, border villages have sporadically been targeted by Ukrainian artillery fire, rockets, mortar shells and drones launched from thick forests where they are hard to detect. Lately, as Russia fired missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities, Kyivs troops have aimed at Belgorods regional capital, which is about 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city. Belgorod, with a population of about 340,000, is the biggest Russian city near the border. It can be reached by relatively simple and movable weapons such as multiple rocket launchers. On Saturday, shelling of Belgorod killed 25 people, including five children, in one of the deadliest strikes on Russian soil since Moscows full-scale invasion. Another civilian was killed Tuesday in a new salvo. Hitting Belgorod and disrupting city life is a dramatic way for Ukraine to show it can strike back against Russia, whose military outnumbers and outguns Kyivs forces. The tactic appeared to be having some success, with signs the attacks are unsettling the public, political leaders and military observers. On Monday, Putin lashed out against the Belgorod attacks by Ukraine. They want to intimidate us and create uncertainty within our country, he said, promising to step up retaliation. Answering a question from a soldier who asked him about civilian casualties in Belgorod, Putin said: I also feel a simmering anger. Many Russian military bloggers have expressed regret about Moscows withdrawal from the border area in September 2022 amid a swift counteroffensive by Kyiv, and they have argued that more territory must be seized to secure Belgorod and other border areas. Russia describes Ukrainians as terrorists who indiscriminately target residential areas while insisting Moscow only aims at depots, arms factories and other military facilities even though there is ample evidence that Russia is hitting Ukrainian civilian targets. Ukrainian officials rarely acknowledge responsibility for strikes on Russian territory. In another Russian border region on Wednesday, the city of Zeleznogorsk was briefly cut off from the power grid after Ukrainian shelling, local officials said. Authorities were forced to temporarily shut down an electricity substation in the city of 100,000 people in the Kursk region to repair the damage from an aerial attack, Kursk Gov. Roman Starovoit said on Telegram. Residents were without power or heat, he said, although electricity was restored in most of the city about two hours later, he said. Russia has recently intensified its long-range attacks on Ukrainian cities, including using Kinzhal missiles which can fly at 10 times the speed of sound. The Kremlins forces appear to be targeting Ukraines defense industry, the U.K. Defense Ministry said Wednesday. The onslaught has prompted Kyiv officials to ask its Western allies to provide further air defense support. NATO announced Wednesday that it would help member nations buy up to 1,000 surface-to-air Patriot guided missiles in a deal possibly costing about $5.5 billion. That could allow alliance members to send more of their own defense systems to Ukraine. (AP) Dozens of suspected members of the terrorist group Daesh/ISIS were arrested in Turkiye, accused of plotting attacks on churches and synagogues in the country, said judicial and security sources on Wednesday, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency. In operations across nine provinces centered in the Istanbul metropolis, 32 suspects were detained, and 25 arrested, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media. The operations were a collaborative effort between the Turkish Intelligence Organization (MIT) and the Istanbul police counter-terrorism and intelligence branches. Two of the suspects were slated for deportation, while one was put on house arrest, and four were released with judicial control measures. Recon for attack Police teams reportedly found that the suspects, linked to ISIS/Daeshs so-called Salman al-Faris Regiment in Turkiye, did reconnaissance and took photos for a potential attack on Jewish and Christian places of worship in Istanbul. Turkiye is an overwhelmingly Muslim country, but also has members of other faiths, including Christians and Jews, particularly in urban centers such as Istanbul. Last Friday, a similar joint MIT and law enforcement operation in nine provinces, centered in Istanbul, led to the capture of 32 suspects, including three alleged leaders of Daesh/ISIS, for planning attacks on synagogues and churches. In 2013, Turkiye became one of the first countries to declare Daesh/ISIS a terrorist organization. The country has since been attacked by the terror group multiple times, with over 300 people killed and hundreds more injured in at least 10 suicide bombings, seven bomb attacks, and four armed attacks. In response, Turkiye launched anti-terror operations at home and abroad to prevent further attacks. Four years after the last census, almost a dozen small communities in the Midwest are going to be counted again in hopes of getting a new grocery store or more state funding to build roads, fire stations and parks. Eleven small cities in Illinois and Iowa are the only municipalities so far to have signed agreements with the U.S. Census Bureau for a second count of their residents in 2024 and 2025, in a repeat of what happened during the 2020 census. The first year in which the special censuses can be conducted is 2024. With one exception, city officials dont think the numbers from the original count were inaccurate. Its just that their populations have grown so fast in three years that officials believe they are leaving state funding for roads and other items on the table by not adding the extra growth to their population totals. Some also believe that new results from a second count will open up their community to new businesses by showing they have crossed a population threshold. We anticipate a significant increase in population from the special census, particularly given that we have had a record building-permit year, said Marketa Oliver, city administrator for Bondurant, Iowa, a city of more than 8,700 residents in mid-2022, the last year figures are available, which is an 18% increase over the count in 2020. Officials in Norwalk, Iowa, hope the second count shows the city has surpassed 15,000 people, since that is the threshold typically used as a rule of thumb in commercial real estate for when a community can support a business like a supermarket. Once a city hits 15,000, the market opens up tremendously, said Luke Nelson, Norwalks city manager. Unlike the 2020 census, the second counts wont be used for redrawing political districts or determining how many congressional seats each state gets. Instead, they will be used to determine how much the communities will get in state funding that often is calculated by population size. Communities losing population in the past three years have nothing to worry about their declining numbers wont catch up with them until after the 2030 census. Local, state and tribal governments across the U.S. have until May 2027 to ask for a special census from the Census Bureau. While the tab for the 2020 head count was picked up by the federal government, the local municipalities have to foot the bill for their special censuses. The cost isnt cheap, ranging from just over $370,000 to almost $500,000 for the communities. Some communities have already forged ahead with their own do-it-yourself recounts, unwilling to pay the price tag for a bureau-organized special census. Others have challenged their numbers with the Census Bureau and gotten small wins. The cities in Iowa paying for a Census Bureau-run second count Altoona, Bondurant, Grimes, Johnston, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill and Waukee are fast-growing suburbs of Des Moines. The reason special censuses are so popular in Iowa is because the state uses the once-a-decade head count as the official population when it comes to funding based on population size, said Gary Krob, coordinator for the State Data Center at the State Library of Iowa. Other states between censuses use annual population estimates for calculating how much funding local governments should get each year. That means the 2020 census population is currently the official count for every city and county in Iowa, Krob said. The only way to adjust your population count between now and 2030 is to conduct a special census with the Census Bureau and then have this new count certified by the Iowa Secretary of State. The geography of the Illinois cities and their reasons for seeking a second count McDonough, Pingree Grove, Urbana and Warrenville are a little more scattershot than in Iowa. Officials in Warrenville, a suburb of Chicago with more than 13,500 residents in 2020, believe they can get an extra $1.2 million annually in federal and state funding, based on the calculation that they have added almost 1,000 new residents from several new housing developments. The Village of Pingree Grove outside Chicago has experienced rapid growth, doubling from more than 4,500 residents in 2010 to more than 10,300 residents in 2020. Village officials believe there will be 12,300 residents in 2024, so the special census is needed to bring in an increased share of state revenues, versus waiting another six years for the 2030 Census, said Laura Ortega, the village clerk. University of Illinois students make up about half the population of the college town of Urbana and city officials maintain the 2020 census missed a lot of them. During the 2020 census, places with large numbers of students emptied out as campuses shut down in-person classes because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Urbanas expected modest population gain for the 2020 census ended up being a 7% decrease from the 2010 head count, with the largest decreases in student neighborhoods near campus, Mayor Diane Marlin said in an email. The uncounted students are costing the city at least $500,000 to $750,000 annually in missing state and federal funding, the mayor said. The 2024 count in Urbana will be limited to neighborhoods that saw the biggest decreases. If we recapture our population through a more accurate count, we recapture lost revenue, Marlin said. (AP) NATO announced Wednesday that it would help buy up to 1,000 Patriot missiles so that allies can better protect their territory as Russia ramps up its air assault on Ukraine. NATOs Support and Procurement Agency said it will support a group of nations, including Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain, in buying the Patriots, which are used to defend against cruise and ballistic missiles as well as enemy aircraft. According to industry sources, the contract could be worth around $5.5 billion. The purchase could help allies free up more of their own defense systems for Ukraine. The agency said that other user nations are expected to benefit from the conditions of the contract, without elaborating. Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian civilians, cities and towns show how important modern air defenses are, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement. Scaling up ammunition production is key for Ukraines security and for ours. As an organization, NATO provides only non-lethal support to Ukraine, but its members send weapons and ammunition individually or in groups. Russias latest round of attacks began Friday with its largest single assault on Ukraine of the conflict, which has bogged down into a grinding winter war of attrition along the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line. More than 40 civilians have been killed since the weekend. Ukraines two largest cities came under attack early Tuesday from Russian missiles that killed five people and injured as many as 130, officials said, as the war approaches its two-year mark. (AP) A New Jersey imam was shot multiple times and killed outside his mosque Wednesday, and authorities continue to search for the shooter, officials said. Imam Hassan Sharif was in his car when he was shot more than once at about 6 a.m. near the Masjid-Muhammad Mosque in Newark, Essex County Prosecutor Ted Stephens said at a news conference. He was taken to a nearby hospital but died in the afternoon. Authorities are still searching for a shooter, but theres no evidence indicating the shooting was motivated by an anti-Muslim bias, Attorney General Matt Platkin said. Despite that, Platkin said law enforcement has stepped up outreach to houses of worship, particularly Jewish and Muslim ones, since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. I know that in light of global events and with a rise in bias directed at many communities were experiencing across our state particularly the Muslim community there are many in New Jersey right now who are feeling a heightened sense of fear or anxiety at the news of this slaying, Platkin said. Sharif had been a resident imam at the mosque for five years, Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Frage said. He remembered the imam as a leader in the interfaith community who worked to keep the city safe. We share your pain and we promise to utilize the full resources of those here and those who are continuing to partner with us to we make sure that this heinous crime is solved, he said. The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nations largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, said it is gathering information and urged people to contact local police. We are deeply concerned about this incident and pray for the speedy recovery of the imam, CAIR-NJ spokesperson Dina Sayedahmed said in a statement. (AP) Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a ruling barring him from the Colorado ballot, setting up a high-stakes showdown over whether a constitutional provision prohibiting those who engaged in insurrection will end his political career. Trump appealed a 4-3 ruling in December by the Colorado Supreme Court that marked the first time in history that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment was used to bar a presidential contender from the ballot. The court found that Trumps role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol disqualified him under the clause. Trump is asking the justices to reverse the Colorado ruling without even hearing arguments. The constitutional provision has been used so sparingly in American history that the U.S. Supreme Court has never ruled on it. Wednesdays development came a day after Trumps legal team filed an appeal against a ruling by Maines Democratic Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, that Trump was ineligible to appear on that states ballot over his role in the Capitol attack. Both the Colorado Supreme Court and the Maine secretary of states rulings are on hold until the appeals play out. Trumps critics have filed dozens of lawsuits seeking to disqualify him in multiple states. He lost Colorado by 13 percentage points in 2020 and does not need to win the state to gain either the Republican presidential nomination or the presidency. But the Colorado ruling has the potential to prompt courts or secretaries of state to remove him from the ballot in other, must-win states. None had succeeded until a slim majority of Colorados seven justices all appointed by Democratic governors ruled last month against Trump. Critics warned that it was an overreach and that the court could not simply declare that the Jan. 6 attack was an insurrection without a judicial process. Trumps new appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court also follows one from Colorados Republican Party. Legal observers expect the high court will take the case because it concerns unsettled constitutional issues that go to the heart of the way the country is governed. Sean Grimsley, an attorney for the plaintiffs seeking to disqualify Trump in Colorado, said on a legal podcast called Law, disrupted that he hopes the nations highest court hurries once it accepts the case, as he expects it will. We have a primary coming up on Super Tuesday and we need to know the answer, Grimsley said. Along with the formal appeal, Trumps campaign branded the Colorado ruling as an unAmerican, unconstitutional act of election interference which cannot stand. The Colorado high court upheld a finding by a district court judge that Jan. 6 was an insurrection incited by Trump. It agreed with the petitioners, six Republican and unaffiliated Colorado voters whose lawsuit was funded by a Washington-based liberal group, that Trump clearly violated the provision. Because of that, the court ruled he is disqualified just as plainly as if he failed to meet the Constitutions minimum age requirement for the presidency of 35 years. In doing so, the state high court reversed a ruling by the lower court judge that said it wasnt clear that Section 3 was meant to apply to the president. Thats one of many issues the nations highest court would consider. Additional ones include whether states such as Colorado can determine who is covered by Section 3, whether congressional action is needed to create a process to bar people from office, whether Jan. 6 met the legal definition of insurrection and whether Trump was simply engaging in First Amendment activity that day or is responsible for the violent attack, which was intended to halt certification of Democrat Joe Bidens victory. Trump held a rally before the Capitol attack, telling his supporters that if you dont fight like hell, youre not going to have a country anymore. Six of the U.S. Supreme Courts nine justices were appointed by Republicans, and three by Trump himself. The Colorado ruling cited a prior decision by Neil Gorsuch, one of Trumps appointees to the high court, when he was a federal judge in Colorado. That ruling determined that the state had a legitimate interest in removing from the presidential ballot a naturalized U.S. citizen who was ineligible for the office because he was born in Guyana. The provision has barely been used since the years after the Civil War, when it kept defeated Confederates from returning to their former government positions. The two-sentence clause says that anyone who swore an oath to support the Constitution and then engaged in insurrection cannot hold office unless a two-thirds vote of Congress allows it. Legal scholars believe its only application in the 20th century was being cited by Congress in 1919 to block the seating of a socialist who opposed U.S. involvement in World War I and was elected to the House of Representatives. But in 2022, a judge used it to remove a rural New Mexico county commissioner from office after he was convicted of a misdemeanor for entering the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Liberal groups sued to block Republican Reps. Madison Cawthorn and Marjorie Taylor Greene from running for reelection because of their roles on that day. Cawthorns case became moot when he lost his primary in 2022, and a judge ruled to keep Greene on the ballot. Some conservatives warn that, if Trump is removed, political groups will routinely use Section 3 against opponents in unexpected ways. Bidens administration has noted that the president has no role in the litigation. The issue of whether Trump can be on the ballot is not the only matter related to the former president or Jan. 6 that has reached the high court. The justices last month declined a request from special counsel Jack Smith to swiftly take up and rule on Trumps claims that he is immune from prosecution in a case charging him with plotting to overturn the presidential election, though the issue could be back before the court soon depending on the ruling of a Washington-based appeals court. And the court has said that it intends to hear an appeal that could upend hundreds of charges stemming from the Capitol riot, including against Trump. (AP) A Jewish-owned delicatessen in Toronto was intentionally set on fire in what law enforcement is treating as a hate crime. The incident occurred at International Delicatessen Foods, located in the northern part of Canadas largest city. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, according to local Toronto media. The establishments doors were marked with graffiti that read Free Palestine. The business is identified as International Deli Foods in local media, featuring a prominent red sign above its entrance with the acronym IDF. Toronto Police Staff Superintendent Pauline Gray emphasized that the arson attack is considered a criminal act and cannot be justified as a lawful protest. Gray stated, Its criminal. Its violent, targeted, and organized. Well utilize all available resources to investigate, apprehend, and prosecute those responsible. Ive been a criminal investigator the vast majority of my career, and in most of those criminal investigations, there was a tipping point. This is this tipping point, Gray said. This is not graffiti on a bus shelter. This is not lawful protest protected by constitutional right. This is a criminal act. It is violent, it is targeted, it is organized, and it will receive the weight of the Toronto Police Service to exactly what it deserves, Gray continued. We will leave no stone unturned. We will use all the resources available to us to investigate, arrest and prosecute who is responsible for this. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow also weighed in on social media, expressing that acts of antisemitism, hate, and violence are not welcome here. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) JOIN THE TENS OF THOUSANDS WHO ALREADY ARE ALERTED OF BREAKING NEWS LIKE THIS IN LIVE TIME: YWN WHATSAPP STATUS UPDATES: CLICK HERE to join the YWN WhatsApp Status. YWN WHATSAPP GROUPS: CLICK HERE to be added to an official YWN WhatsApp Group. MAKE SURE TO CHECK THIS PAGE FREQUENTLY AS UPDATES WILL BE PUBLISHED IN LIVE TIME THERE IS NO NEED TO REFRESH THIS PAGE AS UPDATES WILL APPEAR AUTOMATICALLY (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The U.S. is confident that Palestinian terror groups used Gazas largest hospital to hold at least a few hostages seized during their bloody Oct. 7 attack and to house command infrastructure, an American intelligence assessment declassified Tuesday and shared by a U.S. official found. The assessment offers the firmest U.S. support for Israeli claims about the Shifa hospital complex, which was raided by Israeli forces in November in an operation decried by global humanitarian organizations and some members of President Joe Bidens party. The U.S. official shared the assessment on the condition of anonymity. The U.S. Intelligence Community is confident in its judgment on this topic and has independently corroborated information on HAMAS and PIJs use of the hospital complex for a variety of purposes related to its campaign against Israel, the assessment states. It continues that it believes the groups used the al-Shifa hospital complex and sites beneath it to house command infrastructure, exercise certain command and control activities, store some weapons, and hold at least a few hostages. The U.S. believes that Hamas members evacuated days before Israel raided the complex on Nov. 15 and that they destroyed sensitive documents and electronics before Israeli troops entered the facility. U.S. officials had previously pointed to classified intelligence, obtained independently from the Israelis, to offer support for Israels raid. I can confirm for you that we have information that Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad use some hospitals in the Gaza Strip, including al-Shifa, and tunnels underneath them to conceal and to support their military operations and to hold hostages, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters a day before Israel entered the hospital. Gazas hospitals have played a central role in the dueling narratives surrounding the war that the Hamas-run Health Ministry says has killed 22,100 people though it does not differentiate between civilians and terrorists. Hospitals enjoy special protected status under the international laws of war. But they can lose that status if they are used for military purposes. Before the raid on the hospital, the Israeli military unveiled a detailed 3D model of Gazas Shifa Hospital showing a series of underground installations that it said was part of an elaborate Hamas command-and-control center under the territorys largest health care facility. (AP) The IDF on Wednesday informed the family of Sahar Baruch, Hyd, of Kibbutz Beeri that he was killed during a failed rescue attempt in the Gaza Strip on December 8th. The IDF, which informed the family last month of Baruchs death, said that it has not been able to determine whether Baruch, Hyd, was murdered by Hamas or killed by IDF fire. Hamas claimed that Baruch was killed by the IDF and published a video of his badly bruised and bleeding dead body. Two IDF soldiers were seriously injured during the rescue attempt. Sahar Baruch, a resident of Kibbutz Beeri and an engineering student at Ben-Gurion University, was abducted from his grandmothers burning house on Kibbutz Beeri, where he was searching for his brothers asthma inhaler. His brother, Idan, Hyd, was shot and murdered after he jumped out of the window of the burning house, gasping for breath. Their grandmother, Geulah Bachar, Hyd, 81, was also murdered. The Baruch brothers, Hyd, are survived by their parents and two brothers. Hashem Yikom Damam. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) An IDF soldier posted a video on social media on Wednesday revealing that he discovered a tunnel shaft in an illegally inhabited area near a Palestinian village in the Har Chevron area of the Palestinian Authority. After months of residents of the yishuvim of Telem and Adora hearing the sounds of digging, we set out to search the houses in the area, houses to which the Palestinian Authority sends the residents of Tarqumiyah [a PA city near Chevron] to settle [illegally] on State land in Area C, the soldier said. To our surprise, we found a tunnel that looks just like the Hamas infrastructure were familiar with from the Gaza Strip. The soldier said that the tunnel shaft descends five meters deep, where it connects to inner rooms preparation for terror infrastructure only several meters from the Telem yishuv, he said. However, it turned out that the soldier had posted the video on his own, without the armys permission. The IDF claims that the tunnel was probably for rainwater. However, most Israeli social media users are not convinced by that assertion, saying that the video definitely reveals a terror tunnel. Many Israelis commented that they have no faith in the IDFs assertions in the wake of the October 7th massacre, with some commenting that the IDF is ruled by leftists. The IDF spokesmans response: Upon receiving the report, professionals were sent to investigate and inspect the opening in the ground. From a preliminary examination, it appears that it is probably a preparation for a septic tank for rainwater. Security forces are treating the matter seriously and are investigating to rule out terrorist involvement. In 2021, the IDF found a tunnel that connected several Palestinian villages in Yehudah. Residents of several areas in Israel have reported hearing the sounds of digging in recent months. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) By Rabbi Yair Hoffman SCROLL DOWN FOR THE REVISED VIEW Recently, the Jewish world was shocked when Pope Francis labelled Israels attempt to remove Hamas from power as terrorism. Attempts to have him walk it back have so far not been fruitful. Let our minds take a tour of a true incident. Imagine a seven-year-old Jewish boy taken away from his parents and never given back. No. This isnt October 7th, 2023, but Bologna Italy, in 1858. One of the pertinent lessons that we learned from Yehudahs approaching Yoseph, the Egyptian viceroy in parshas Vayigash. was that it is important to stand up, respectfully, and call out immorality for what it is. A caveat, of course, is not to make things worse and engender more immorality saichel must be used. The purpose of standing up for a moral truth is to ensure that history does not repeat itself, and that moral calamities that have happened in the past never happen again. One case in point is the kidnapping of a young boy from Bologna, Italy, authorized by Pope Pius IX. The story was made famous by the remarkable researcher, historian, and captivating author David Kertzer in his 1997 historical account of the horrid incident, entitled, The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara. It was a Shabbos evening, June 23, 1858, when the police of the Papal States, of which Bologna was then part, arrived at the home of Momolo and Marianna Mortara. Their purpose? It was to seize one of their eight children, six-year-old Edgardo, and transport him to Rome to be raised by the Catholic church. Essentially, a Catholic servant of a Jewish family had claimed, in her confession to a priest, to have poured water on a sick young Jewish boy for the purpose of baptizing him. She did not want the poor boy to burn in hell for not having been Christian. The church took the child away forever. The pope stated that a Catholic child cannot be raised by Jews. Edgardo was taken to a house for Catholic converts in Rome, built with funds from taxes levied upon Jews. His parents were not allowed to see him for several weeks, and then never again alone. Pius IX took a personal interest in the case, and all appeals to the Church were rebuffed. The church so brainwashed the poor child that he eventually became a priest. THE INTERNATIONAL PROTEST At the time, protests were lodged by both Jewish organizations and prominent political and intellectual figures throughout the world, including Emperor Franz Ferdinand, President Grant and French Emperor Napoleon III. Pope Pius IX was unmoved by these appeals, which mostly came from Protestants, atheists and Jews. When a delegation of prominent Jews saw him in 1859, he told them, I couldnt care less what the world thinks. In 1865 he said, I had the right and the duty to do what I did for this boy, and if I had to, I would do it again. THE ADDED CHUTZPAH As an added chutzpah, the church sent him to try to convert Jews in New York City In 1897, but the Archbishop of New York, Michael Corrigan, told the Vatican that he opposed Mortaras efforts to evangelize the Jews on the grounds that it was embarrassing and, well, awkward. In a speech in 1871 he called the Jews of Rome dogs and said: of these dogs, there are too many of them at present in Rome, and we hear them howling in the streets, and they are disturbing us in all places. Edgardo died in Belgium in 1940, two months before the Nazis invaded. The church had so indoctrinated Mortara into Catholic thought that when he wrote his memoirs years later (published in 2005 by Vittorio Messori) he stated that he had always professed an inexpressible horror toward Jews. This was left out in Messoris English translation from the original Spanish version where it originally appears. THE MOVIE In April 2016, word broke out that producer Steven Spielbergs next movie would chronicle this story of a Jewish boy named Edgardo Mortara in Italy who was kidnapped and raised in the Catholic Church. Spielberh had initially purchased the rights to Kertzers book, a script was written by Tony Kushner, the man responsible for previous Spielberg scripts and actor Mark Rylance, was to portray Pope Pius IX. It didnt happen, and Spielberg allowed his option to produce it to expire this year. Perhaps it may have been too controversial a topic to touch even for Spielberg. It is this authors view that Spielberg or someone else should make the movie (or as my father ah had suggested to me, to at least make a movie about someone making such a movie). NEVER AN APOLOGY The church never apologized for any of this. Indeed, in the year 2000, Pope Pius IX was even beautified, a step that has to happen before an official church declaration of sainthood. At the time this transpired there were Jews who had led and held protests regarding the matter, including Mortaras own great grand-niece Elena Mortara, a professor and published author. THE SURVEY OF GEDOLIM Some people have asked why do we care? The Catholic church has always had a strong history of anti-Semitism and we cannot change that, the thinking goes. But should this really be our attitude? In the 1980s and 1990s, I surveyed a number of Gedolei Yisroel about whether or not Jewish hishtadlus in Vatican Council II, when the Church had re-examined a number of their long-held views on Jews and Judaism, was appropriate hishtadlus or not. The response was a definitive yes. There is a fascinating alternative text to the Midrash Tanchuma, found in the Bodleian library in Oxfors University which may be instructive here. There is a pasuk in the Torah that states Az yavdil Moshe And then Moshe separated the future cities of refuge. The Midrash states that the word Az indicates the recitation of Hallel or shira. Who said Shira?, the Midrash asks. Moshe said it. We see here that Moshe Rabbeinu was so concerned with the welfare and well-being of future fugitives that he recited Shira and Hallel over their good fortune in now having refuge cities even though they were not yet born. We need to be concerned about future Jewish children as well. The story of what happened to a six year old Edgardo Mortara must be told and retold. The movie should be made if that will get the message out that such immorality should never be tolerated even if it comes from a leading religious figure. IF THE MOVIE IS MADE If the movie is made, there is a scene that this author believes should be included. This author carefully researched this material and it reflects on Pope Pius IXs behavior before he became a priest. It deals with jilting a young woman on the day of her wedding. Edward Craven Hawtrey (7 May 1789 27 January 1862) was the provost of Eton College from 1852-1862. Prior to that he was headmaster and an instructor of languages and a serious polyglot. He was featured as one of the six great Headmasters in F.D. Hows book of that name published in 1904. By all accounts he was a moral, upright individual who would not have lied. What follows is from The Story of My Life by Augustus J.C. Hare, printed years after the story had transpired in 1896. Provost Hawtrey before his death, he said to me that he knew I collected curious stories, and that there was one story, intimately connected with his own life, which he wished that I should write down from his lips, and read to him when I had written it, that he might see that it was perfectly correct. THE FIRST PART OF THE STORY Here is the story as the Eton Provost gave it : In the time of my youth one of the cleverest and most agreeable women in Europe was Madame de Salis the Countess de Salis who had been in her youth a Miss Foster, daughter of the Irish Bishop of Kilmore. As a girl she had been most beautiful and the darling of her parents hearts, but she married against their will with the Count de Salis. He was a Swiss Count, but he took her, not to Switzerland, but to Florence, where he rented a villa at Bellosguardo. There the life of Madame de Salis was a most miserable one : she had many children, but her husband, who cut her off from all communication with her friends, was exceedingly unkind to her. She was married to him for several years, and then she was mercifully released by his death. It was impossible for her to pretend to be sorry, and she did not pretend it : she hailed it as the greatest mercy that could have befallen her. Madame de Sails Avent back to Ireland, where her parents, the old Bishop of Kilmore and Mrs. Foster (1744 November 1797), were still alive, and welcomed her with rapture. But she had left them a radiant, beautiful, animated girl ; she returned to them a haggard, weird, worn woman, with that fixed look of anguish which only the most chronic suffering can leave. And what was worst was that her health had completely given away : she never slept, she never seemed able to rest, she had no repose day or night : she became seriously ill. All the best advice that could be procured was hers. There was a great consultation of doctors upon her case, and after it had taken place, the doctors came to the Bishop and said, The case of Madame de Sails is an extraordinary one ; it is a most peculiar, but still a known form of hypochondria. She cannot rest because she always sees before her not the horrible phantom which made her married life so miserable, but the room which was the scene of her suffering. And she never will rest; the image is, as it were, branded into her brain, and cannot be eradicated. There is only one remedy, and it is a very desperate one. It will probably kill her, she will probably sink under it, but it may have happy results. However, it is the only chance of saving her. It is that she should see the real room again. She can never get rid of its image : it is engraven upon her brain for life. The only chance is for her to connect it with something else. When Madame de Sails was told this, she said that her returning to Florence was impossible, absolutely impossible. At any rate, she said, I could not go unless my younger sister. Miss Foster, might go with me then possibly I might think of it. [It is right to say that a very different account of Count de Salis is given by many of his descendants from that which I wrote down from the narrative of Dr. Hawtrey 1860] But to this Dr. and Mrs. Foster would not consent. The happiness of their lives seemed to have been extinguished when their elder daughter married Count de Salis, and if their beautiful younger daughter went abroad, perhaps she also would marry a foreigner, and then what good would their lives do them ? However, Madame de Salis grew worse daily; her life was evidently at stake, and at last her parents said, Well, if you will make us a solemn promise that you will never, under any circum- stances whatever, consent to your sisters marrying a foreigner, she shall go with you. And she went. Madame de Salis and Miss Foster went to Florence. They rented the villa at Bellosguardo which had been the scene of the terrible tragedy of Madame de Saliss married life. As they entered the fatal room, Madame de Salis fell down insensible upon the threshold. When she came to herself, she passed from one terrible convulsion into another : she had a brain fever : she struggled for weeks between life and death. But nature is strong, and when she did rally, the opinion of the Irish doctors was justified. Instead of the terrible companion of her former life and the constant dread in which she lived, she had the companionship of her beautiful, gentle, affectionate sister, who watched over her with unspeakable tenderness, who anticipated her every wish. The room was associated with something else! Gradually, very gradually, Madame de Salis dawned back into active life. She began to feel her former interest in art; in time she was able to go and paint in the galleries, and in time, when her recovery became known, many of those who had never dared to show their sympathy with her during her earlier sojourn at Florence, and who had pitied her intensely, hastened to visit her; and gradually, as with returning health her brilliant conversational powers came back, and her extraordinary gift of repartee was restored, her salon became the most recherche and the most attractive in Florence. Chief of all its attractions was the lovely Miss Foster. When, however, Madame de Salis saw that any one especially was paying her sister attentions, she took an opportunity of alienating them, or, if there seemed to be anything really serious, she expressed to the individual her regret that she was unable to receive him anymore. But at last there was an occasion on which Madame de Salis felt that more stringent action was called for. When a young Count Mastai (b. 1792), in the Guardia Nobile, not only felt, but showed the most unbounded devotion to Miss Foster, Madame de Salis did more than express to him her regret that untoward family circumstances prevented her having the pleasure of seeing him again ; she rented her villa at Bellosguardo, she packed up her things, and she took her sister with her to Rome. The reputation of the two sisters had preceded them, and when it became known that the Madame de Salis who had had so romantic a history was coming to Rome with her beautiful younger sister, all that was most intellectual and all that was most remarkable in the old Papal capital gathered around them. But now the scene had changed. It was no longer Madame de Salis who was the invalid. Miss Foster grew pale and languid and unable to occupy herself. Gradually she became so pale and so changed, and the cause of it was so evident, that Madame de Salis felt that she must choose between two alternatives : she must either break her word to her parents and save the life of her sister, or she must keep her promise to her parents and see her sister sink into the grave. And she decided on the former course. She wrote two letters one letter to Count Mastai, telling him that he might come back and see her sister again, and the other letter to the Bishop of Kilmore and Mrs. Foster. She said to her parents that she knew they measured a foreign marriage by her own dreadful life with Count de Salis: that in Count Mastai they must imagine the exact opposite of Count de Salis that he was honorable, noble, chivalrous, generous, disinterested, in fact, that had she to seek through the whole world the person to whom with the greatest confidence she could commit her sisters happiness, she could not do otherwise than choose Count Mastai. This letter she sent too late to have the refusal which she knew it would bring. Count Mastai flew to the feet of the beautiful Miss Foster, and was accepted at once. The wedding day was fixed, the wedding-dress was made, the wedding-feast was prepared. [Mrs. Fane de Salis told me that her motherin-law had described to her being with Miss Foster on the Pincio when the handsome guardsman, Count Mastai, came courting.] When the day came, all the friends of Madame de Salis collected in the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi, where the marriage was to take place. According to the custom of brides in Rome, Miss Foster, accompanied by Madame de Salis, came first to the altar and waited for the bridegroom. He never came he never came at all he never, never, never was heard of again. And that is the end of the first part of the story. THE SECOND PART OF THE STORY The second part of the story is quite different. It was the time of the great famine and pestilence in the Basilicata. The misery was most intense. Hundreds perished daily everywhere. Everyone who could get away did. Those who could went to Switzerland, others went to Sicily. Bishops abandoned their dioceses, priests abandoned their flocks. There was a general stampede. But in that terrible time, as in all seasons of great national suffering, there were instances of extraordinary devotion and heroism. There was one young bishop of a Neapolitan diocese, who was absent in Switzerland at the time, who came back like San Carlo Borromeo over the Alps, who sold his library, who sold his carriages, who sold at last even his episcopal ring, who walked day and night in the hospitals, and by whose personal devotion many lives were saved, while thousands were cheered and encouraged by his example. The consequence was, that when the famine and the pestilence in the Basilicata passed away, at an early age at a much earlier age than is usual that young bishop was made a cardinal. The third part of the story is again quite different. It was when Pope Gregory XVI lay upon his deathbed ( 1846). There was the greatest possible difficulty about who should be his successor ; one member of the Sacred College was too old, another was too young, another was too much bound up with the princely families : there seemed to be no one. The person who was of most influence at that time was Count Pellegrino Rossi, the French Ambassador, and he was very anxious for a liberal Pope, for someone who would carry out his own liberal views. One day as he was walking pensively, filled with anxieties, down the Corso, there passed by in a carriage that young bishop of the Basilicata, once Bishop of Iraola, now Archbishop of Spoleto, who had been so distinguished during the famine. When Count Rossi saw him, he felt that is the man that is the man who would further my ideas and carry out my views. And by the wonderful influence of Count Rossi on separate individuals, and by his extraordinary powers of combination in bringing the mind of one person to bear upon another, that person was chosen Pope. And on the day on which he mounted the Papal throne as Pius IX, he revealed that he was the person who, as Count Mastai Ferretti in the Guardia Nobile, had been engaged to be married to the beautiful Miss Foster. He had belonged to a Jesuit family. He had been summoned on a Jesuit mission from which no one can shrink. His value to the Church had been estimated. He was sent off to the West Indies. Letters were intercepted, and lie was induced to believe that Miss Foster had ceased to care about him. He was persuaded to take Orders. He became bishop in the Basilicata, Bishop of ImoLa, Archbishop of Spoleto, Pope of Rome and Miss Foster lived to know it. Now, said Dr. Hawtrey, if you ever tell that story, recollect to say that it is no mere story I have heard it is part of my own life. Madame de Salis and her sister were my relations, and I was most intimate with them. I was there when Madame de Salis made her miserable marriage ; I was there when she came back so terribly changed. I shared in the consultations as to whether her sister should go with her : I was with Dr. and Mrs. Foster when they received the letter about Count Mastai. I was there when they heard of the disappearance of the mysterious bridegroom: And I have lived to think of him as Pope. Up until now is the story of Provost Hawtrey of Pope Pius the Ninth. But we know Pope Pius the Ninth as the pope who kidnapped Edgardo Mortara, a six-year-old Jewish child and never, ever, ever gave him back to his parents. REVISED VIEW I believe that Etons provost mis-remembered many of the details and confused things. This is what I researched and my current thinking. Letitia Dorothea Foster was born in 1792, the same year that Count Giovanni Mastai was born). Letitia was the daughter of Reverend William Foster and Catherine Letitia Leslie. When she was younger, she had a crush on John Staunton Rochford (born 1763) and something happened between them. I believe that this happened sometime between 1810 and 1814. She was 18 or so and he was 47. I believe it was closer to 1810. He was widowed in 1810 and he then married his first cousin, Mary Burgh in 1814. She was the daughter of his mothers brother Thomas Burgh. In December, 1818, she married John Henry North, a prominent barrister in Ireland. They had no children. Later in life, (Dec 3rd, 1827) Letitia mentioned this incident in a letter to her older sister MMe. La Comtesse de Salis in Pisa Italy, and, now being an older and wiser 35 year old woman and the wife of a prominent individual decries how parents do not see how a young woman could fall for a significantly older man right under their noses! After this incident happened, Letitia and her older sister and her husband went to Rome, Italy and spent time there from 1814-1815. It was there that Letitia met Count Giovanni Mastai, who had arrived in Rome in 1809 for higher studies. In 1812, he suffered from some sort of disease akin to epilepsy and he had to interrupt his studies. He entered into the Papal Guard in 1815, but because of his illness was immediately discharged. Giovanni Mastai met Letitia and fell madly in love with her. He repeatedly proposed to her. And she repeatedly declined all of his proposals. Her sister and husband, Count de Salis, felt it prudent to move to Paris, perhaps because of the previous untoward incident with Rochford. Later in life, Letitia told her niece, We never drove out in Rome that Mastai was not sure to spring from behind some column or ruin or otherwise suddenly appear. He stalked her. Eventually he developed some sort of seizure and had to leave the Papal Guard. Bereft of his romantic love and his career aspirations, he threw himself at the feet of Pope Pius VII who elevated him, and encouraged him toward theological studies. He served briefly in the Tata Giovanni Educational Institute, he participated as a catechist in 1816 in a memorable mission in Senigallia and, immediately thereafter, decided to enter the ecclesiastical state. Count Mastaie became a priest in 1819. And then, in 1846 he became Pope Pius IX. It seems clear that he still harbored strong feelings for the young woman he had wished to marry, as shortly after he became Pope, he sent a gold and lapis lazuli tiara in a case to Henrietta de Salis who had discouraged the relationship between him and her sister Letitia. He inscribed it with the words, Presented to Henrietta, wife of Jerome, Count de Salis, by Pope Pius IX, in memory of past days. Letitia herself received a small parcel containing an engraving of himself I his pontifical robes. Underneath were the words, You made me pope. [This information as well as photos of the gifts can be found in Letters to the Countess, published by N.C.F. De Salis, in 2014.] When Mastai first became Pope he was a liberal. He opened up the Jewish ghetto. However, he eventually made a complete turnaround and reinstituted the ghetto. In June of 1858, the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition (also called the Holy Office), the body of cardinals responsible for overseeing and defending Catholic doctrine, of which Pope Pius was the head sent the Papal police to take away a Jewish child who was allegedly baptized by a Catholic servant. The six-year-old childs name was Edgardo Mortara. The parents made every effort to get back the kidnapped child. It was in vain. Eventually, Pope Pius IX adopted young Edgardo as his own child. He sat him on his lap and told him that he was his son. Eventually, Edgardo became a priest himself. Was the kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara a repercussion of the desperation seen in his younger years? Was his judgement so warped on account of this that he defied all moral decency in kidnapping and adopting this child? The author can be reached at [email protected] Letitia Dorothea Foster1,2 F, #387872, b. 1792, d. 28 November 1852 Letitia Dorothea Foster was born in 1792.2 She was the daughter of Rt. Rev. William Foster and Catherine Letitia Leslie.3 She married John Henry North, son of Richard North and Lucinda Gouldsbury, on 28 November 1818.1,4 She died on 28 November 1852, without issue.1 From 28 November 1818, her married name became North.1 Citations [S47] BIFR1976 page 428. See link for full details for this source. Hereinafter cited as. [S47] [S2667] Sylvia McClintock, re: McClintock Family, e-mail message to Darryl Roger Lundy, 10 February 2008. Hereinafter cited as re: McClintock Family. [S47] BIFR1976. [S47] [S6289] The History of Parliament Online, online http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org. Hereinafter cited as History of Her father and siblings: Rt. Rev. William Foster was born in 1744.1 He was the son of Rt. Hon. Anthony Foster and Elizabeth Burgh.1 He married Catherine Letitia Leslie, daughter of Reverend Henry Leslie and Catherine Meredyth.1 He died in November 1797, with other issue.1 He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin University, Dublin, County Dublin, IrelandG.1 He was Chaplain of the House of Commons between 1780 and 1789.1 He graduated with a Doctor of Divinity (D.D.)1 He held the office of Bishop of Cork and Ross on 14 June 1789.1 He held the office of Bishop of Kilmore in 1790.1 He held the office of Bishop of Clogher in 1796.1 Children of Rt. Rev. William Foster and Catherine Letitia Leslie The IDF on Tuesday reported major successes by the reservists of the Kiryati Armored Brigade and the 55th Paratroopers Brigade. According to the IDF, these units have inflicted substantial losses on Hamas fighters, particularly those from the terror groups northern and eastern Khan Younis battalions, crediting these operations with severely disrupting the command and control structures of Hamas, effectively thwarting potential large-scale attacks on Israeli troops. The IDF released footage showcasing the actions of the two reserve brigades in the Khan Younis region which highlights targeted operations against Hamas gunmen, including engagements in tunnels and the capture of members of Hamass elite Nukhba force. There is no innocent infrastructure, said Kiryati Brigade commander Col. Mickey Sharvit, detailing encounters with terrorists in civilian settings, including homes, hospitals, and schools. He recounted an incident where IDF forces neutralized terrorists emerging from a tunnel located beneath a school. Col. Sharvit further reported that about 20 Hamas terrorists, including a company commander, were killed by IDF forces within a tunnel. In a separate incident, five members of Hamass Nukhba force were said to have fled the tunnel and subsequently surrendered to Israeli troops. The surrendered gunmen reportedly provided critical information during field interrogations, confirming that IDF strikes on underground Hamas positions in the area had resulted in numerous casualties, including two company commanders from the northern and eastern battalions of Khan Younis. In another part of the operation, Col. Oded Ziman, commander of the 55th Brigade, praised the extraordinary level of cooperation with the Israeli Air Force. He recounted a recent instance where an attack helicopter was able to provide air support within two minutes of a request being made, underscoring the efficiency and effectiveness of the joint operations. (AP) A group of 17 anonymous Biden campaign staffers penned a letter to the President on Wednesday, demanding that the president advocate for a permanent ceasefire to halt the ongoing deadly conflict in Gaza. As your staff, we believe it is both a moral and electoral imperative for you to publicly call for a cessation of violence. Complicity in the death of over 20,000 Palestinians, 8,200 of whom are children, simply cannot be justified, the cowardly staffers wrote. The staffers warned of potential political repercussions, expressing concern over losing the presidential seat to Donald Trump if Bidens stance remains unchanged. They cited a decline in campaign volunteer engagement, attributing this to the administrations response to the conflict. Your administrations response to Israels indiscriminate bombing in Gaza has been fundamentally antithetical to those values and we believe it could cost you the 2024 election, they added. In response to the letter, a campaign official said President Bidens position on the Israel-Hamas conflict isnt changing. When it comes to President Bidens position, he has been unequivocal: Israel has a right and obligation to defend its people after the October 7 terrorist attack. He also knows the importance of earning the trust of every community, which is why he is working closely and proudly with leaders in the Jewish, Muslim, and Palestinian communities in America. Further highlighting the internal division within the Biden administration on this issue, Tariq Habash, a political appointee at the Department of Education, announced his resignation on Wednesday over the presidents stance on the Israel-Hamas War. Additionally, back in November, over 500 officials in the Biden administration signed a letter criticizing his policies toward Israel, underscoring a growing dissent within the ranks. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The only accredited law degree program of its kind, Touro Law provides a supportive, flexible environment that allows students to attend in-person class on Sundays and complete the rest of their coursework when and where it fits their schedules. New for fall 2024 is a Flextime program at Touros new Manhattan campus at 3 Times Square. First-year law student Shira Schneeweiss works as a paralegal at a law firm on Long Island. She finds the work rewarding and challenging and decided to take the next step and earn her law degree. But it was important to Schneeweiss that she didnt have to give up her career or paycheck to attend law school. She applied and was accepted to a number of law schools, but Touro Laws FlexTime JD program appealed to her the most. As an observant Jewish woman who works full-time, I found the FlexTime program the best option for me to obtain my law degree and further my career. I am enjoying law school classes at Touro and the flexibility the program provides which enables me to balance family, work, and law school. Touro Laws hybrid FlexTime JD Program is offered at the Central Islip campus in Suffolk County where Schneeweiss is a student. As of the coming school year, the FlexTime JD Program will also be offered at Touros new, state-of-the-art Cross River Campus at 3 Times Square. The FlexTime JD Program is designed for law students with work, family and/or religious obligations that prevent them from attending law school full time. Ninety-five percent of admitted students receive generous scholarships to Touro Law, and the FlexTime JD Program can be completed in four years or less. FlexTime students attend in-person classes only on Sundays and complete the balance of this coursework on an asynchronous schedule throughout the week on their own time. Students in Touros FlexTime program earn their degrees in only four years and are eligible to sit for the New York State Bar Exam. The new FlexTime program is fully accredited by the American Bar Association. The new program at Touros Times Square campus welcomes women who have left the workforce to raise families, young men in Kollel who have earned their bachelors in Talmudic Law and other non-traditional students, said Jim Montes, Assistant Dean for the Office of Career & Professional Development. Situated in the heart of New York City, the new FlexTIme Program at the Manhattan branch of Touro Law will leverage its location at the epicenter of the worlds largest and most sophisticated legal market. A Board of Advisors compromised of distinguished jurists and practitioners will help foster interactive opportunities and pro bono activities, and will serve as mentors to students, enhancing their career opportunities. A Variety of Careers Benefit from Law Degree Graduates of the program are enjoying success in careers that require a law degree and where having a law degree is an advantage. A law degree can advance careers in related fields including compliance, financial planning, real estate, health care, law enforcement, public policy, diplomacy and more. FlexTime graduates have a variety of career goals. Many are already employed full-time while they are attending law school and are looking to enhance their skills and advance within that same company, such as one of our graduates who moved from a claims adjuster role at a large insurance company into the legal department. Others are looking to change careers altogether and enter the legal field upon graduation. It is a refreshing mix of students who are all dedicated to earning their law degree in a non-traditional way to meet their unique goals, said Montes. The only accredited law degree program with in-person requirements exclusively on Sundays, FlexTime also fully integrates students into the fabric of the law school. FlexTime students have the opportunity to become involved in every aspect of law school life including clinics, pro bono activities, student organizations, and honor societies including Law Review, Moot Court, and Trial Advocacy Practice Society. For Schneeweiss, the opportunity to step up her role at her current firm or another, as a lawyer, is exciting. Im currently working in trusts and estates, which I enjoy, and which is practical for my lifestyle, but my academic background is in math and genetics and ultimately, I am hoping to be able to combine my interests and skills. Perhaps intellectual property or health law could be in my future. I will look to take classes that appeal to me in those fields while in law school and Ill take it from there. Schneeweiss is greatly enjoying her classes and her classmatesa fascinating group of mature, educated professionals who already possess life and work experience. Attending in-person classes exclusively on Sundays considerably streamlines my academic commitments. Also, school is closed on Jewish holidays and professors do not send correspondence on Saturdays. When the October 7 attack happened, we received communication from the dean and program directors immediately, which was very reassuring. Out of all university campuses at this time, Touro is one of the safest places and where I want to be now, she said. The FlexTime program provides uniquely tailored combinations of online and in-person instruction. The program will provide students with maximum flexibility while maintaining a rigorous course of study that will prepare them for the realities of law practice, and will do so using the latest in evidence-based teaching and learning tools, said Elena Langan, Dean and Professor of Law at Touro Law Center. To learn more visit www.tourolaw.edu/flexjd Tipperary County Council has voted to write to the Minister of State for Law Reform to advocate for small racecourses. They say they are concerned about unintended consequences of the proposed Gambling Regulation Bill on the industry. The motion put forward by Councillor Michael Fitzgerald at a recent sitting of the Tipperary County Council plenary meeting read: That Tipperary County Council write to the Minister of State James Browne TD, Minister for Law Reform, expressing concern with the consequences of the Proposed Gambling Regulation Bill on small rural racecourses (Tipperary, Thurles, Clonmel), which are a key economic component of the of our countys development. Cllr Fitzgerald said he fears for the survival of small rural racecourse if the legislation passes. He said that in 2022, there were 50,000 racegoers in Tipperary, which makes the industry a significant economic activity in the county. He said the bill would ban the advertisement of racing between 5:30pm and 9pm. It is designed to mitigate the effects of gambling for people with issues of addiction, an aim the councillor said he supports. However, he said it will have the unintended consequence of preventing broadcasting. It might, he said, that British stations could broadcast Irish racing, but national stations could not. Its like saying everyone who goes into a pub to have a drink to enjoy themselves is an alcoholic, and that is not the case, said Cllr Fitzgerald. Cllr Mairin McGrath said she supports the motion. She said the National Lottery is exempt, and it is the most accessible form of gambling. I think it is detrimental to the horse racing industry, said Cllr McGrath. Cllr John Fitzgerald said the bill would damage the reputation of Ireland in the industry. We would be a laughing stock if people had to rely on British broadcasters, said Cllr Fitzgerald. Online Gambling Several councillors expressed their support for a ban on online gambling. Cllr Eddie Moran said he would be in favour of an outright ban and that if people want to gamble, they can go to a bookies. Cllr Joe Hanigan said gambling on a phone should be restricted. Cllr David Dunne said he knows a lot of people who gamble online, and it has negative effects on families. He said online gambling is just too easy. Cllr Dunne said he understands the aim of the bill being discussed, but it needs amending to protect the horse racing industry. An online meeting of the OPEC+ Monitoring Committee will be held on February 1. At the meeting, representatives of the alliance will discuss the situation in the oil market, Azernews reports,citing foreign media. A meeting will be held to discuss the situation in the oil market The Monitoring Committee of OPEC+ Ministers has scheduled the next meeting of the representatives of the alliance to discuss the situation in the oil market on February 1. The meeting is planned to be held on February 1, 2023 in an online format. At the meetings of the alliance's ministerial-level monitoring committee, the situation in the oil market is usually assessed and recommendations are made regarding the alliance's oil production policy. However, the committee may request a general meeting of OPEC+ at any time if necessary. Monitoring meetings of ministers are now held once every two months. The last meetings of the Monitoring Committee of Ministers and all OPEC+ ministers took place on November 30. Then, several union countries decided on additional voluntary cuts for the first quarter of 2024, which will total 2.2 million barrels per day. At the same time, Saudi Arabia has extended the voluntary production limit (1 million per day) that has been in effect since the summer, and Russia has increased the volume of oil supply reduction by 200 thousand barrels per day to 500 thousand barrels. Some allied countries (Algeria, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, UAE and Oman) will reduce production by another 700,000 barrels per day. People walk during snowfall in Stockholm, Sweden, January 02, 2024. Snow and slippery conditions continue to cause problems in many parts of Sweden. Europe experienced stark weather contrasts on Wednesday, with extreme cold and snowstorms disrupting transportation and closing schools in Scandinavia while strong winds and heavy rain in western Europe caused flooding and at least one death. Temperatures fell below minus 40 degrees Celsius (minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit) in the Nordic region for a second day in a row Wednesday. In Kvikkjokk-Arrenjarka in Swedish Lapland, the mercury dropped to minus 43.6 C (minus 46.5 F), the lowest January temperature recorded in Sweden in 25 years, Swedens TT news agency reported. Extremely cold temperatures, snow and gale-force winds disrupted transportation throughout the Nordic region, with several bridges closed and some train and ferry services suspended. Several schools in Scandinavia were closed. Police across most of Denmark urged motorists to avoid unnecessary trips as wind and snow battered the northern and western parts of the country. Western Russia has been swept by a wave of cold air coming from Siberia and the Arctic region, with temperatures in Moscow and other areas plummeting to minus 30 degrees Celsius. Weather experts say western Russia is recording much colder temperatures than the average in early January, when they typically hover around minus 10 degrees Celsius. Officials in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other areas have issued orange weather warnings, cautioning residents against possible health risks. Mild but wet and windy conditions prevailed further south, where a storm wreaked havoc in parts of western Europe. In Britain, a driver died after a tree fell on his car in western England. Gloucestershire Police said the man died in the incident near the town of Kemble on Tuesday afternoon. The storm, which has been named Henk by the official weather services of Britain, Ireland and the Netherlands, has caused power cuts, transport troubles, property damage and disruption across the U.K. More than 300 flood warnings were in place across England and Wales on Wednesday, while 10,000 homes remained without power. A severe flood alert, meaning a danger to life, was announced for the River Nene in Northampton in central England. Several residents were evacuated from houseboats and caravans at the nearby Billing Aquadrome. The U.K.s rail network was hit by flooding and power cuts, with many operators reporting ongoing issues for the Wednesday morning commute into work. The strongest gales in the U.K. were recorded on the Isle of Wight, just off the coast in southern England, where wind speeds reached 94 miles per hour (151 kilometers per hour). In the Netherlands, police near the city of Eindhoven said strong winds may have played a role in the death of a 75-year-old man who fell off his bicycle late Tuesday as high winds lashed much of the country. Parts of Germany were also grappling with flooding, which could be aggravated by more rain falling in the worst-affected northwestern state of Lower Saxony. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition This locale on the edge of the Plaza was always kinda fishy . . . Most people don't remember it but this location was once occupied by a luxury tower designed by a renowned architect . . . And then it had to be torn down. Accordingly . . . Check another plaza piker closing up shop . . . The upscale seafood spot at 4814 Roanoke Parkway was run by Big Red F Restaurant Group, which has several Jax locations in Colorado. Jax served caviar, Alaskan king crab, lobster rolls and other menu favorites before it shuttered on New Years Eve. Dave Query, owner of Jax and Big Red F, said he wants to focus on his other restaurants in Colorado. To all of our incredible staff we have had in the family for the last ten years, we are so appreciative and honored for all of your hard work and friendship, Query said in a press release. Query opened his KC location in 2014. It was his first venture outside Colorado. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . This upscale Kansas City seafood restaurant and oyster bar just closed after a decade The restaurant served its last Alaskan king crab, lobster rolls and caviar on New Year's Eve. A lot of public safety news to cover this evening . . . In this compilation of EXCELLENT CRIME REPORTING we take a peek at perils confronting drivers, police action, ongoing cases & efforts to encourage tipsters . . . Check TKC news gathering . . . Mother of unsolved KCMO homicide victim asks police for more communication 2023 was the deadliest year in KCMO history, seeing 182 homicides. Some of those remain unsolved, along with other cases from years prior that are still not closed. Police looking for vehicle that struck pedestrian in Blue Springs, drove off The Blue Springs Police Department stated a pedestrian was struck by a car in the 2000 block of Northeast Jefferson Street. Will KCPD name officers involved in deadly pursuit on I-435? Public has right to know | Opinion We call for more transparency on the circumstances of a deadly police pursuit in Kansas City that ended with the death of two motorists. | Opinion KSHB 41 takes closer look at KCPD's pursuit procedures KSHB 41 News obtained a copy of KCPD's pursuit procedures. Tuesday the department said officers stopped pursuing a car before it was involved in a deadly crash in the Northland. 'War for soul of America' has three fronts, says Missouri attorney general - who has helped make the state Ground Zero on this one Just as the 2024 presidential election cycle begins in earnest, Missouri has become Ground Zero in this country's centuries-long fight for freedom of speech. Even as he fights at the U.S. Supreme... Still no charges months after infant boy's death in Olathe ruled a homicide FOX4 is hearing from the little boy's mom who is demanding the person who left her child in that car be charged. Missing woman last seen at 84th and Blue Ridge Blvd. If located, contact the Kansas City Missouri Police Department Missing Persons Unit at 816-234-5043 or call 911. Deputies ID homicide victim found severely beaten at Clay County park Prosecutors charged Elena Delcarmen Flores, 48, with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and abandonment of a corpse. Gypsy Rose Blanchard is free and reflecting on prison term for conspiring to kill her abusive mother Gypsy Rose Blanchard said she has found a way to forgive her mother - and herself. But it has been a long journey from years of abuse and the darkest parts of her life. Olathe police ask for help to find missing woman with medical condition Olathe police are asking for the public's help to find a missing 24-year-old woman with medical needs. Developing . . . Right now hottie actress, entrepreneur and producer Angela inspires our evening peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines. Check TKC news gathering . . . Ranking Amongst The Best Kansas City Chiefs owned TV viewership in 2023 according to Variety The Kansas City Chiefs dominated viewership in 2023 with five out of the top ten most-watched primetime telecasts. Creative Q&A Arts Asylum launches Northeast Arts Survey Michael BushnellPublisher The Arts Asylum, originally housed in the old Calvary Baptist Church at 9th and Harrison in the Paseo [...] Help Sprucing Up Ur Place Flourish Furniture Bank in Grandview alleviates home insecurity by providing free furniture To combat home insecurity, Flourish Furniture Bank in Grandview has stepped up to help individuals and families by providing free furniture and basic house needs. Cowtown Construction Workers Wanted Burns & McDonnell hosts panel to help construction worker shortage Kansas City leaders in the construction industry came together Wednesday to discuss the current construction labor shortage. Newsies Play Doctor Have questions about COVID symptoms, testing or variants in Kansas City? Ask our journalists Can I still get free COVID tests? What's up with the newest variant? Ask us your questions. Smutty Speech Crackdown Porn access blocked for a million Americans Pornhub has blocked its website in Montana, following a new law requiring age verification for viewers. DOX EXPOSE PRINCE & FORMER PREZ BUBBA!!! Unsealed Jeffrey Epstein documents released | CNN Business Hundreds of pages of unsealed documents from a lawsuit connected to accused sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein were publicly released on Wednesday. The documents are expected to include nearly 200 names, including some of Epstein's accusers, prominent businesspeople, politicians and potentially more. Campaigning On Misery Biden will start the year at sites of national trauma to warn about dire stakes of the 2024 election President Joe Biden is starting the campaign year by evoking the Revolutionary War to mark the third anniversary of the deadly insurrection at the U.S. MAGA Mistake?!? Trump's Idiot Lawyer Just Admitted He May Be Guilty of Insurrection Donald Trump keeps hiring the very best. Eastern Europe Switcheroo Ukraine and Russia in 'biggest prisoner swap' so far Both sides thanked the United Arab Emirates for mediating the deal. Abandoning White House US education official resigns over Biden's Israel-Gaza policy A senior official in the U.S. Education Department stepped down on Wednesday, citing President Joe Biden's handling of the conflict in Gaza, the latest sign of dissent in the administration as deaths continue to grow in the war. Former KC Baller Suffers Burnout At Home Tyreek Hill's Florida mansion catches fire The Miami Dolphins wide receiver was not home when the blaze started, but his family was. They were able to get to safety, fire officials say. Wayback Baller Retrospective Remembering the brief Royal career of Jerry Grote It's a law Forecast For Now . . . Conditions are clear until weekend rain and snow chances On Wednesday, the weather closes out with lows in the mid-20s And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. Our main TKC question to spark conversation and match the skeptical & snarky tone of our bloggy community: HOW WILL WORKING TIRED-ASS COPS TO DEATH HELP CURB KANSAS CITY CRIME?!? I'm open to listening to any reasonable answers. Also . . . Is the union good with this surprise workload spike?!? Here's the police statement and we'll focus on blog community reaction tonight and think about this one more overnight . . . "KCPD Chief Stacey Graves promised to deliver a police department that would provide top notch service, reaffirming KCPDs commitment to the safety and betterment of Kansas City. She said one way to accomplish this is to change from a 10-hour to an 11-hour shift for all patrol division officers. Currently down roughly 300 officers, the 11-hour shift will ease a critical staffing shortage and deploy more officers on the street during peak times. It will reduce response times and provide officers the opportunity to proactively address crime issues. The 11-hour shift begins on January 21." After documenting 100 murders . . . Here's the quote . . . Despite the sobering numbers, Graves praised homicide detectives, who currently have a 74% homicide clearance rate. The average nationwide is a shade over 50%. Chief Graves also noted that patrol officers would now be working eleven hour shifts, a change up from the present shift length of ten hours. The Chief also pledged more focused deterrence enforcement initiatives, a practice modeled after the old NoVA (No Violence Alliance) program the department was utilizing under former Chief Rick Smith. That program targets police resources toward individuals and networks involved in criminal activity. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Chief Stacey Graves discusses KCPD's efforts to tamp down on violent crime in 2024 With 182 homicides, Kansas City, Missouri, had its deadliest year on record in 2023 KCPD Chief, KCMO Mayor address record homicide numbers for 2023 Kansas City, Missouri Police Chief Stacy Graves, accompanied this afternoon by Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas, addressed the city's record-breaking [...] KCMO police chief, mayor review year of historic violence, outline plan to reduce crime in 2024 On Wednesday, KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas stood beside KCPD Chief Stacey Graves as she addressed how the department plans to tackle violence in 2024. KCPD Chief introduces 11-hour shifts and crime deterrence model after deadliest year on record Graves said the department is short 300 officers and the strained police force will change to 11-hour shifts on Jan. 21. Developing . . . The meeting will be followed by a working lunch Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will meet on Thursday, at 13:30, with Bulgaria's Prime Minister, Nikolay Denkov, at the Maximos Mansion, ANA reports. At 18:00 the prime minister will attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new ministers and deputy ministers after the recent mini government reshuffle. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Matti Bonfire Night Anna Bliss John Scognamiglio Books, 360 pages, $24.95 Intrepid Irish Catholic photojournalist Kate Grifferty and compassionate Jewish me dical student David Rabatkin are star-crossed lovers in Blisss tender debut about the price of female ambition. They meet by chance in October 1936 when Kate is covering an antifascist protest against Oswald Mosley and his Blackshirts in Londons East End. Although they try to keep their affair a secret from his parents who would disown him if he married outside his religion, David eventually gives in to pressure and breaks up with Kate. Kate joins her widowed sister Orla in Brighton where she helps her run her boarding house and later gives birth to her daughter Margaret. After Britain enters World War Two, Kate finds herself given a professional opportunity to record history in the making, photographing the resilience of ordinary people. At times wrenching but also emotionally rewarding. The Storm We Made Vanessa Chan Marysue Rucci Books, 352 pages, $24.99 Its 1945 in Japanese-occupied Malaya and Cecily Alcantara has a secret. A decade before when the British occupied her country, Cecily became a spy for a charismatic Japanese general who told her she had a knack for invisibility and an instinct for the important. He convinced her that betraying her own husbands work for the British would help create a future Asia for Asians. When her only son, Abel, disappears along with other teenaged boys in the community, Cecily believes that it is her fault, karmic payback for her past. A polyphonic tale from the points of view of Cecily and her children Jujube, Abel and Jasmin, it examines the ambiguity of right and wrong when the cost is survival. The horrors of war, colonialism, racism, and grief are woven through this Faulkneresque narrative. An artful, aching, accomplished debut of a talented new voice in the literary firmament. Diva Daisy Goodwin St. Martins Press, 336 pages, $39.00 In 1957, gossip columnist Elsa Maxwell introduces the worlds most famous Greeks to each other: la Divina, opera diva Maria Callas, and shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. Though both are married at the time, they embark on a passionate affair that lasts years. Flipping back and forth between Marias professional life that began with training in 1940 Athens under esteemed soprano Elvira de Hidalgo who rightly acknowledged her once-in-a-lifetime talent and her performances in the worlds great opera houses, we see how self-reliant Maria has always been. She becomes Tosca, her celebrated role with its legendary aria Vissi darte: she lives for art and for love. On the October 1968 night Onassis weds the widowed Jackie Kennedy, Maria is in Paris with Franco Zeffirelli, who takes her to join Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton at the Comedie-Francaise. There she acts the role of her lifetime: a woman unbroken by her broken heart. Fascinating, tender and richly-imagined. The Winthrop Agreement Alice Sherman Simpson Harper Paperbacks, 384 pages, $23.99 Lithuanian teenager Rivka Milmanovitch immigrates to New York City in 1893, excited to be reunited with her fiance Jacob who sailed ahead. When Jacob does not show, Rivka, pregnant and alone, makes her way to a Lower East Side tenement where her hometown friend Lottie lives and the two work in a sewing sweatshop. Raising her daughter, Mimi, as a single parent, Rivka lives hand-to-mouth. When Mimi is 15, she meets dapper Frederick Winthrop by chance in a local park. From an established family as rich as the Astors, Frederick opens Mimis eyes to a world beyond her imagining. But hes a cruel sociopath at his core, so its unsurprising that Mimi finds herself pregnant and alone, just as her mother had been. When her son Matthew is born, she raises him with the help of kind neighbours. There are many skeleton-in-the-closet secrets and when Fredericks older brothers Thomas and Jonathan learn about Mimi and Matthew they have her sign an agreement intended to protect the Winthrops from scandal but also provide for their nephew. For readers who like their historical fiction with a gothic twist. In recent years, overtourism has emerged as a significant concern for many popular destinations around the globe. This phenomenon, where excessive tourists overwhelm a location, leads to various problems, from environmental damage to the dilution of local culture. As a traveler, you must be aware of these issues and consider how your travel choices can impact destinations grappling with overtourism. In this guide, you will learn about the challenges these five places face and why it is beneficial to consider alternative destinations for the location and your travel experience. We aim to provide you with valuable information that will help you plan trips that are fulfilling and mindful of the local communities and environments you visit. Venice Venice, a historic city in Italy, has long struggled with the challenge of overtourism. This issue, where excessive numbers of tourists flood a destination, has been especially pronounced in 2023, drawing more attention than ever. The city's Grand Canal has witnessed fluorescent green water, and its iconic bridges and squares are often overflowing with visitors. To escape the crowds, CNN advised visiting Venice from November to March. During these months, the city experiences cooler weather and fewer tourists, except during the Venice Carnival from Feb. 3-13, 2024. Staying overnight can help you avoid the day-tripper fee and enjoy a quieter city in the evenings and mornings. For those wishing to contribute to preserving Venice, exploring less crowded European destinations with charming waterways is a great alternative. Annecy in the French Alps, often called the "Venice of France," features picturesque houses by its canals, resembling a scene from a fairytale. Related Article: 5 Must-Visit Philippine Beach Destinations for This Year's Ultimate Getaway Amsterdam Amsterdam, a city with a population under one million, boasts millions of visitors worldwide. a clear example of overtourism, is putting enormous pressure on popular spots like the Museum Quarter and the Red Light District. Notably, the Red Light District has been facing tourist behavior issues, as Conde Nast Traveler highlighted. For those planning to visit Amsterdam, there's a way to be part of the solution. Check out iamsterdam's website for guidance on exploring off-the-beaten-path locations in the city. Using the city card not only offers access to these places but also includes public transportation, making it a convenient option for responsible travelers. Santorini Santorini, a stunning Greek island, has become a textbook case of overtourism. During the busiest months, particularly from June to August, the charming streets of Oia are flooded with visitors. The iconic sunset viewing spots, frequently seen in social media posts, are so overcrowded that finding even a small space to enjoy the view becomes a challenge. This surge of tourists, which reached a staggering 811,000 in 2022, exerts immense pressure on Santorini's resources, infrastructure, and historical pathways. The island struggles to accommodate such a vast influx of visitors, significantly impacting its overall charm and sustainability. For those seeking a Greek island experience without the downsides of overtourism, consider visiting Naxos. This nearby island offers a serene and equally captivating alternative, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of Greece away from the overwhelming crowds. Boracay Boracay, often hailed as one of the top islands globally, faced a significant challenge due to its rising fame. The island struggled with overtourism, leading to infrastructure issues unable to cope with the increasing influx of visitors. In response, the government temporarily shut down the island in April 2018, lasting for six months, aiming to address these problems. As per The Travel, a critical concern was contaminating the island's waters and beaches with sewage. In October 2018, Boracay cautiously began to welcome visitors again, but with strict limits. The island now allows a maximum of 6,405 visitors per day, even though it can accommodate up to 19,215 tourists simultaneously. The busiest time for Boracay is from November to April. If you're looking for an alternative destination to avoid the crowds and impact of over-tourism, consider visiting Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte, Philippines. This location offers a more serene and sustainable travel experience. Ha Long Bay Ha Long Bay, a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site in Vietnam, is facing significant challenges due to its popularity. The destination is now grappling with the adverse effects of overtourism, notably seen in the increasing levels of plastic pollution in its waters. This issue detracts from the bay's natural beauty and threatens the local environment. While the wonders of Ha Long Bay is undeniable, visitors can play a crucial role in aiding its recovery. By exploring other destinations, especially during times of high tourist influx, travelers contribute to alleviating the pressures of overtourism. This responsible approach allows such areas to rehabilitate and manage environmental concerns more effectively. The busiest period for Ha Long Bay typically runs from October to December. During this peak season, Ninh Binh in Vietnam is an excellent alternative to consider. This lesser-known place offers a chance to experience the country's beauty without contributing to the issues of overcrowding, ensuring a more sustainable and considerate travel experience. Read Also: You Won't Believe How Stunning These 5 Most Beautiful Hotels in Canada Philosopher Kohei Saito (Tokyo, 1987) is a Marxist phenomenon in Japan. In his country, the original edition in Japanese of Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto has sold more than a half-million copies. His books synthesize investigations in which he ties together Marxism and environmentalism. In the U.S., but also in Spain, the term communism has negative implications. Something similar takes place in Japan, says Saito in his office at the University of Toyko, where he is an associate professor and the only specialist in Marxism. He has also published Karl Marxs Ecosocialism: Capital, Nature, and the Unfinished Critique of Political Economy. He doesnt think Marxism is antiquated. His ex libris is a fine stamp of a caricature of himself standing next to Karl Marx, seated. After the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Saito began to pay attention to the environmental consequences of capitalism. And he wondered how Marxists should deal with ecological disaster. Question. Where do you start? Answer. We are 8 billion people, much more materialist than before, in the midst of an ecological crisis whose primary cause is capitalism. There are sectors of society that say, with a certain simplicity, that technology will solve everything. But we cannot develop continuously and growth is no longer feasible, especially in the Global North. To get over capitalism, we need something that goes further. The situation is tough. And only human beings can stop this crisis. If we dont, the planet will be completely changed for millennia. It is an ethical and moral responsibility. Q. The environment has entered into the so-called culture war. A. Yes, but at the same time, societal perception with respect to the climate crisis has matured. When the former Spanish minister Alberto Garzon recommended reducing meat consumption, a kind of degrowth, a campaign sprang up against him. A big step forward: not long ago, we could not imagine political leaders defending this. At the same time, a reactionary attitude emerges; a response from the extreme right and conservatives who feel threatened by criticism of meat consumption and cars. The majority of the population is concerned about the environmental crisis, but also about giving up things they once took for granted. Q. Does that cause anxiety? A. We are in a chronic state of emergency. The pandemic was not the last crisis, but rather the beginning of more problems. We should not forget that moment [during lockdown] when, consciously, we halted capitalism. It seemed impossible. But it happened. For a short time. A good moment to establish some distance: people came back more anti-capitalist and inclined towards degrowth. Lets remember that. The majority of the population is concerned about the environmental crisis, but also about giving up things they once took for granted. Q. What is your proposal for the future? A. I talk about a degrowth communism: a society that adapts to the limits of nature and offers universal access to education, health, transportation, internet Due to a variety of crises, access to these services the common good has been undermined for many. But without positive visions of the future, there will be more and more discontent. What we need is to build a broad movement: environmentalist, working-class, feminist, Indigenist To propose an inclusive and emancipatory future. Q. Is capitalism making us bitter? A. We live absorbed by the system; often alienated, poor, indebted by loans, suffocated by rent, without medical coverage Once in a while people enjoy, perhaps, watching Netflix; going to a concert or shopping. Opium. We need to realize that another kind of happiness is possible; another society; another life more enriching, joyful and linked to nature. We would have to establish what is necessary and what is not. Q. What is not? A. Private jets. The majority of us will never use one. They only benefit a few super-rich people who, in addition, utilize them as a status symbol as they destroy the planet. No matter how much money they have, the rich are not allowed to do that. We should ban their use. There are many things that can be restricted. We should start cataloging unnecessary things and then, ban them. In the 21st century, the important thing is not if it contributes to the GDP, but rather that it is sustainable, just, and promotes human welfare. Q. In your public appearances, do you defend these ideas? A. I try to reach out to the public. Currently, I am the only relatively young and explicitly left-wing talk show host. I consider it important to make these positions visible in mass media; otherwise, that space will be occupied by the right. The younger generations are more open; it is a good moment to mobilize them towards the left. The situation is precarious; we have to be careful. The existing parties dont always offer a convincing alternative. That may be favorable to the resurgence of Marxism. Q. There are Marxists who deny the connection you make to environmentalism. A. Marx read and took notes. In those notes, he talks about how nature, in the 19th century, was already being destroyed, criticizing capitalisms destruction. When Marx died, Engels edited the volumes and emphasized the idea that socialism can improve the lives of all, especially the working class. His dissertation became optimistic regarding technological progress. It eclipsed Marxs ecological ideas. Q. Does it seem to you that this techno-optimism is still present, for example, in the galactic ambitions of multimillionaires? A. The Anthropocene signifies that humans have become a geological force, with the ability to modify the planet. But not everyone is equally responsible for this situation. Its primarily the people of the Global North; particularly, the super-rich who think they can do it all with their money, even flee the Earth. That idea of conquest originates with European colonialism, linking imperialism, capitalism and progress. We should also restrict space shuttles, like SpaceX. Spending so much money, effort and time on going to Mars seems stupid to me; we should invest that energy in saving our planet. As a philosopher, Im an optimist. Our perception, our values, can change in two or five years. Opportunities for change are everywhere. I want to explore what they are. Since 2014, over 28,500 people have died in the Mediterranean Sea trying to reach Europe. In 2023 alone, some 2,700 have died. These deaths occurred mainly in the central area, the worlds most dangerous migratory route; according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Missing Migrants Project, over 22,500 deaths and disappearances happened there. These are the human beings who had previously managed to reach the coasts of North Africa; they are the survivors of another brutal crossing, the one they previously made by land. That route never appears on the European news, which focuses instead on the watery grave, but Italian filmmaker Matteo Garrone, 55, has dedicated his latest work, Me Captain, to that land journey. It will arrive in U.S. theaters in February after already winning the Silver Lion for best director at the Venice Film Festival. The movie is also on the shortlist to represent Italy in the best international film category for the Oscars. In 2023, several European filmmakers held up a mirror to the rest of the continents inhabitants so theyd see reflected back at them their racism, so that they would realize for the first time that there is a reality that they will never discover from their living room sofas, and so that theyd recognize that Europe cannot turn its back to reality, and that even with the highest walls, entrenched in the fantasy of the welfare state, it cannot stop other human beings who dont simply yearn to live better, but just to live, says Garrone, who sheds light on the voyage to Italy in Me Captain. In the same vein, Agnieszka Holland, in Green Border, addresses the eastern frontier between Belarus and Poland and the macabre game being played, primarily with Syrians, while Ken Loach, in The Old Oak Tree, focuses on migrant settlements in the United Kingdom; both films force similar reflections. The trio is united by their fear of the far Right, which has gotten further than ever in more European countries, the Englishman says. In Italy, Giorgia Melonis government enjoys total impunity, Garrone observes. But she is not the only one or the main culprit, we are all guilty. This project started before she won, and it does not seem like things will change while she is in power. The migration emergency has always existed; the shame will always accompany us. A scene from the desert crossing in 'Me Captain.' Garrone chatted with EL PAIS in September, when his film was screened at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain. As usual, he talks non-stop, passionately defending his film, which blends magical realism, adventure and social commentary. Previously, he shared his view of immigration in Land in Between (Terra di mezzo; 1996) and Guests (1998), before he rose to fame with his sixth feature film, Gomorra (2008), in an adaptation of Roberto Savianos book. I returned to the subject because I wanted to illustrate an injustice, the violation of the basic human right of freedom of movement. These are people forced to put their very lives at risk in order to undertake a journey, [which is] often a deadly journey. We frequently believe that desperation is born of environmental reasons, war or famine. But there is more. 70 percent of the African population is [made up of] young people who like our own youths pursue their dreams, tangible dreams that they are familiar with because they see them on social media, on their phones. And they do not understand why they cannot travel freely. In the face of their vigor, their vital drive to improve the lives of their families or, simply, to see the world, the walls, barriers and fences we build are useless, Garrone reflects. It has taken me many years to tell this story, and it was only three years ago that I discovered the key. It had to be told from their point of view, from an African perspective, not the good-hearted European bourgeois one. I wouldnt do it if I were you The journey of Seydou and Moussa, 16-year-old cousins and friends, begins in Dakar, where an oracle-like survivor advises them: I wouldnt do it if I were you. Garrone points out the difference between shooting a documentary and a fiction film: I want the viewer to feel the emotional journey of the main characters. Thats why we have tried to reconstruct reality with the help of the people who experienced that migration journey in the flesh. How many sub-Saharans know that pain? I can only tell you that 99% of the extras who participated in the film had gone through that experience, so they were eager to tell it. [Its] a reality that they dont even verbalize for fear that their compatriots wont believe them. I am merely an intermediary, I put myself at the service of these people with my experience and with my vision, although I am telling their truth. Are there feasible solutions to put a stop to these thousands of deaths? Before leaving Libya and other North African countries on ships or small boats, thousands of people die crossing the Sahara desert, locked up in the human traffickers Libyan prisons, killed by the bandits with whom they cross paths. Seydou and Moussa set off from the West African coast, in a stream of migrants that soon becomes a flood. First they go east, and then they head north without ever resting or finding help. The only way to fight injustice, to fight human trafficking, is to regularize the channels of entry and exit. To understand that we need these people, young people who, fortunately, want to work here, because our countries have aging populations, doomed to death, he explains. It has been difficult for me to reach this conclusion, but now I have no doubt. I have never seen a fence that has successfully stopped humans. Garrone came to the interview happy. Since Me Captain premiered in Italy on September 7, it has been earning more and more money each week. At that time Italy had selected the film to represent the country for the Oscars: I just want it to be seen a lot. I just want it to be screened for free in schools, in high schools. Thats how the film connects with Pinocchio [Garrones previous film]: there are protagonists who flee from parental authority, there is magic, there are dream sequences. In both cases, there are even reencounters in whale bellies, real and figurative. The kids wear Barca and Madrid jerseys, like any teenager anywhere in the world. They are not statistics, they are people like us, with their own problems and dreams. If you turn them into numbers in the newspaper or create archetypes on the screen, youve raised yet another barrier. Garrone clears his throat and his tone saddens at the end: What are the classic stories, the fairy tales, like? [Theyre] stories based on horror and violence, difficult moments in which human solidarity is also born. And cautionary tales against the dangers that lie in wait. I want to see how [the film] is received in Africa; I will go to screen it wherever it is necessary. I hope to make an impression on European hearts, but [I] also [want] for sub-Saharan kids to see something they have never observed, which is that before dying at sea you can die in the desert. 'Me Captain' (Io Capitano) Director: Matteo Garrone. Actors: Seydou Sarr, Moustapha Fall, Hichem Yacoubi, Issaka Sawadogo. Genre: Drama. Italy, 2023. Duration: 121 minutes. Premiere: February 2024. The Poor Man Tyre Shop in Valencia and a nearby apartment building were destroyed by fire During the day, the Russian invaders launched eight kamikaze drones and fired off artillery six times in Nikopol region. The head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, Serhiy Lysak, reported this on Telegram, Ukrinform saw. "During the day, eight enemy kamikaze drones targeted the Nikopol district. And six more times the occupiers fired off heavy artillery. Nikopol, Pokrovsk, Chervonohryhorivka, and Marhanets communities came under attack," he wrote. Two men, aged 56 and 67, sustained injuries. In the district, almost two dozen houses were damaged, private and industrial enterprises were mutilated, several garages, cars, and farm premises were damaged. In addition, power lines and gas mains were affected. Earlier it was reported that one of the men, who was injured as a result of the shelling, is in a grave condition in hospital. Germany has sent a new military aid package to Ukraine, which includes air defense missiles, infantry fighting vehicles, radars, trucks and other equipment. The list of military support was updated on the website of the German federal government on January 4, Ukrinform reports. In particular, Germany supplied Ukraine with a Skynex air defense system with ammunition, missiles for the IRIS-T SLM air defense system, ammunition for Leopard 2 A6 tanks, and almost 10,000 rounds of 155mm artillery ammunition. The package also includes ten Marder infantry fighting vehicles with ammunition and spare parts, two Wisent 1 mine clearing tanks, and a Beaver bridge laying tank with spare parts. Read also: Bundestag Defense Committee Chair calls for sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine In addition, Germany provided Ukraine with two TRML-4D air surveillance radars, 3,350 combat helmets, 30 drone detection systems, and ten GO12 ground surveillance radars. The aid package also includes ten Zetros trucks, three 8x8 HX81 truck tractor trains and a semi-trailer, and 34 vehicles (trucks, minibuses, all-terrain vehicles). Ukraine also received 305 MK 556 assault rifles, 750,000 rounds of ammunition for fire arms, and more than 1,000 winter camouflage nets. In 2023, Germany transferred about EUR 5.4 billion worth of military aid to Ukraine and pledged to supply about EUR 10.5 billion worth of aid in the coming years. Photo: Keystone/DPA Betty Ford died in 2011, but her legacy continues to help hundreds of women around the world who, just like Ford herself, suffer from at least one addiction. As our nations first lady, she was a powerful advocate for womens health and womens rights. After leaving the White House, Mrs. Ford helped reduce the social stigma surrounding addiction and inspired thousands to seek much-needed treatment, said former U.S. President Barack Obama on the day of her death. Ford was the first lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977, during which her husband, Gerald Ford, was the countrys 38th president. She arrived at the White House taking opioid analgesics prescribed for her severe back pain, but her addiction to drugs and alcohol worsened in the following years, as she herself recounted in her autobiography. When she was 60 years old, her daughter Susan Ford, upon seeing the severity of her mothers addiction, organized an intervention with members of the immediate family and doctors with whom Ford had discussed her drug problems. She was admitted to the Long Beach Naval Hospital, where she was interned for months. Ford was always very open about her condition. The frankness she displayed in speaking about her problems was revolutionary at the time: a first lady who acknowledged having abused alcohol and drugs. Hello, my name is Betty and Im an alcoholic, Ford shared when she participated in support groups. Following her recovery, in 1982 she founded the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California, one of the first addiction treatment centers designed for women. Today, it continues to set global standards for addiction therapy. The Betty Ford Center was based on fundamentals that have since been adopted by other clinics around the world, which have followed her legacy in treating patients with a gender-based perspective. Such is the case at the Oceanica clinic in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico. The site is a private clinic that specializes in addiction rehabilitation, codependence and other mental health conditions. Oceanica was founded in 1991 by Jesus Cevallos Coppel in his search for the worlds most successful treatment model for alcohol and drugs. At one point he made contact with the Betty Ford Center, with which he established an alliance that lasted for more than a decade. Cevallos was also an alcoholic, like Ford, and that very much motivated him to want to help people to fight their addictions, like they had done, says the Oceanica Clinics director, Mario Gerardo. So much so, that Ford herself attended the opening of his rehabilitation center in 1993, accompanied by her husband. The facilitys protocols were largely based on the services offered by the Betty Ford Center. We often traveled to the clinic in California to receive training on new advances in patient treatments, in order to implement them at Oceanica, Gerardo recalls. Betty Ford at her addiction treatment center in Rancho Mirage, California in 1987. Bob Riha Jr (Getty Images) Fords techniques are based on those of the Minnesota model, which consists of therapy guided by the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, and is used to treat a variety of addictions, including substance abuse and alcohol use disorder. This multidisciplinary approach has subsequently been emulated around the world. In this model, addiction is seen as a disease. A treatable, but not curable disease, says Gerardo. Doubtlessly, what makes these rehabilitation clinics unique is that their treatments are designed with a gender-based perspective: Programs are divided by gender and age, state sources from Oceanica. In his clinical experience, Gerardo has seen how women differ in the way they acquire and deal with addictions. The basis of addiction in women is very different to that of men, much like their consumption patterns and specific drugs of abuse. In addition, the majority of women who come to the center have silent addictions, because they cannot reconcile themselves with being exposed to societal stigmas. They brush off the fact that they have an addiction and try to hide it. Sometimes, their own family asks them to stop using and to keep quiet about it. Additionally, they deal with much more guilt about leaving home for treatment than men do, sources from the clinic say. In Spain, different rehabilitation centers have come to the conclusion that there is a need for a place that specializes in addiction treatment for women. Traditionally, there has been an inequality gap that not only causes the biopsychosocial particularities of addicted women (of whom 84% are also abused women) to be ignored, but also those of the LGBTQIA+ community, which has its own consumption patterns, says the director general of the Guadalsalus Group, Luis Rebolo. At his rehabilitation center located in Sevilla (south Spain) they were able to recognize that some clinics were not safe spaces for women. For many women, the origin of their addictions come from traumatic events or anxieties related to sexual abuse or physical violence they have suffered, says Rebolo. Less than two years ago, the idea was born from these observations to create a facility with a gender-based perspective, where a safe space for women could be formed. This is why they operate two facilities: one for men and one for women, where the trans community is also welcomed. Sometimes its easier to rid yourself of a drug addiction than your abuser. We recognize the differences in consumption patterns between genders, just as we do the particularities of physical, psychological and social consequences. Our model of therapeutic intervention with a gender-based perspective adjusts to these differences, leading to more effective results, says Rebolo. Another facility that focuses on addiction rehabilitation for women is the Temehi Foundation, which has worked with women who have addictions and who have suffered gender-based violence in the past, since 2016. Its common to experience abuse and for that to result in people starting to use substances, because of that mistreatment. There was no place in Spain that was connecting the two, explains one of the centers psychologists, Ana Garcia. Garcia adds that because of social stigmas, it is more harshly viewed when women have addictions, and because of those prejudices it is sometimes more difficult for them to accept that they have a problem. Women suffer in silence, alone, for longer. Although they dont see themselves as following the Betty Ford Centers legacy step-by-step, they have worked for years to rehabilitate the woman addict with the same approach created by Ford in the 1980s. In her autobiography, Ford described herself: I am an ordinary woman who was called onstage at an extraordinary time. I was no different once I became first lady than I had been before. But through an accident of history, I became interesting to people. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition | By Holly Moody-Porter The widespread use of cannabis (marijuana) and its increased potency are associated with a rise in cannabis-related psychiatric conditions, according to a University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) review article that was recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine. It highlights the urgent need for doctors to screen for and treat patients who are experiencing symptoms of cannabis use disorder, which means they are experiencing significant problems from their use of the drug. Nearly one in five Americans ages 12 and older used cannabis in 2021, according to the article, and more than 16 million met the criteria for cannabis use disorder as outlined in the American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Health Disorders (DSM-5-TR). Young adults ages 18 to 25 are disproportionately affected. The review found more than 14 percent of those in this age group had cannabis use disorder. (l-r) David A. Gorelick, MD, PhD, and Asaf Keller, PhD There is a lot of misinformation in the public sphere about cannabis and its effects on psychological health, with many assuming that this drug is safe to use with no side effects, said David A. Gorelick, MD, PhD, a UMSOM professor of psychiatry who wrote the review article. It is important for physicians and the public to understand that cannabis can have addictive effects and to recognize signs and symptoms in order to get properly diagnosed and treated. Cannabis use disorder is defined as problematic marijuana use. Symptoms include craving the drug and failing to control its use despite experiencing negative side effects like problems at work or school. It is most prevalent in people who use cannabis more than four days a week. While the primary risk factors are the frequency and duration of cannabis use, having another substance use disorder or other psychiatric condition also increases the likelihood of the diagnosis. Almost 50 percent of people with cannabis use disorder have another psychiatric condition such as major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or generalized anxiety disorder, Gorelick said. Its vital that patients seek the right psychiatric treatment to address their risk factors. Physical signs and symptoms of cannabis use disorder can range from yellowing of the fingertips to increased depression and anxiety while using cannabis. To be properly diagnosed by a clinician, however, patients must meet two or more criteria for cannabis use disorder as outlined by the DSM-5-TR. These include doing poorly at school or work or missing important family obligations due to cannabis use. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms or cravings for cannabis are other symptoms. Gorelick, who also is editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cannabis Research, conducted the extensive review to educate physicians on the array of health issues that may be associated with short-term and long-term cannabis use as a growing number of individuals use cannabis products. He also aimed to heighten public awareness around cannabis use disorder, both in terms of recognizing its symptoms and understanding treatment options. The paper also highlighted other dangers of excessive cannabis use: Cannabis use accounts for 10 percent of all drug-related emergency room visits in the United States and is associated with a 30 percent to 40 percent increased risk of car accidents. In 2022, 18- to 25-year-olds accounted for the highest rate of cannabis-related emergency department visits. Approximately one in 10 people who use cannabis will become addicted, and for those who start before age 18, the rate rises to one in six, said Mark T. Gladwin, MD, the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and dean, UMSOM, and vice president for medical affairs, University of Maryland, Baltimore. As use of this drug increases, we must delve deeply into basic research to understand the brains cannabinoid system. We must also design translational studies of therapies that target these brain mechanisms to help those with cannabis use disorder particularly young adults and pregnant women overcome their dependence on this drug. A key part of UMSOMs mission is to drive innovation in the field of addiction medicine and to learn more about neurological differences in the brain that make some people more susceptible to drug abuse and addiction. As part of this mission, the school recently opened the Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine, which brings together leading addiction experts to collaborate on studying the brain mechanisms underlying addiction and to train a new generation of medical practitioners in the field of addiction medicine. There is still a lot we dont understand about these conditions, including why some people experience cannabis-related disorders, said Kahlert Institute associate director Asaf Keller, PhD, the Donald E. Wilson, MD, MACP Distinguished Professor and chair of neurobiology at UMSOM. That is what we are trying to better understand through preclinical research studies. We are also working on developing treatments for cannabis-related disorders. There are currently seven recognized disorders related to cannabis use including cannabis-induced anxiety disorder, cannabis-induced psychotic disorder, cannabis-induced sleep disorder, and cannabis-induced delirium, which manifests as hyperactivity, agitation, and disorientation with hallucinations. Often, their symptoms can closely resemble those of their non-cannabis-related counterpart disorders. To properly diagnose patients for cannabis use disorder, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that adolescents and adults be screened for cannabis use disorder (and other substance use disorders) in primary care settings as long as services for accurate diagnosis, treatment, and appropriate care can be offered or referred. Screening is best done with a standalone or within a larger health questionnaire during a health care visit. While the Food and Drug Administration has not approved any medication as effective for the treatment of cannabis use disorder, certain therapies can help those with cannabis use disorder manage symptoms and reduce or stop their cannabis use. These include cognitive interactive therapy and motivational enhancement therapy, which help patients to manage thoughts and behaviors that trigger their use of cannabis and to better understand why they use cannabis. Adolescents may gain additional benefits from family-based treatment options. Therapy is becoming more widely available through telehealth services, but the stigma around mental illness and addiction and the shortage of mental health care professionals still create barriers to treatment for many patients, Gorelick said. The ability to treat infections is essential in medicine. Without it, the risks of transplants or surgeries are multiplied, and cancer patients receiving chemotherapy become vulnerable to lethal infections. Since the discovery of antibiotics, pathogens have been adapting to the enemy created by humans. Super-resistant bacteria are already a global health threat. They cause more than a million deaths each year. Resistance is more common among so-called gram-negative bacteria, which have two membranes that are difficult for many antibiotics to pass through. One of them, Acinetobacter baumannii, is one of the great threats in hospitals. It was very common during the Covid-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization has identified it as an urgent threat, for which new antibiotics are required. It has been more than 50 years since the FDA has approved a new drug against a gram-negative bacteria. This Wednesday, the journal Nature published a work. Authored by scientists from the pharmaceutical company Roche, it explains how zosurabalpine a new type of antibiotic that can overcome the resistance of A. baumannii was discovered and developed. The research team, led by Michael Lobritz and Kenneth Bradley, searched a database of some 45,000 synthetic peptides, or molecules other than those that are usually the basis of most antibiotics obtained from nature. The researchers identified several molecules with antibacterial activity. They then selected one, which was subsequently optimized to improve its effectiveness and safety. The drug which has already cured mice with pneumonia caused by A. baumannii has begun to be used in humans, in a phase I trial, to test its safety. Zosurabalpine overcomes the defenses that usually make this bacteria resistant, by applying a different mechanism. It blocks the molecule lipopolysaccharide from reaching the surface of the bacteria, where its necessary to create the outer membrane of these microorganisms. The antibiotic achieves this by overcoming only one of the two membranes that gram-negative bacteria have. Without that outer membrane, A. baumannii is less likely to survive and it becomes vulnerable to other antibiotics, which could be combined with zosurabalpine to treat these types of infections. Peptides have been studied as antimicrobials for many years. Colistin itself is a peptide, but the place where this new antibiotic acts in the transport of lipopolysaccharides is new, explains Rafael Canton, head of Microbiology at the Ramon y Cajal University Hospital in Madrid. Its interesting that it can be used against [A. baumannii], because there are few therapeutic options. Thats the good part, but its not going to be a panacea, he emphasizes. Theres something that worries me, because [the researchers] see that theres the probability that [the bacteria] will develop non-negligible resistant mutants, concludes the spokesperson for the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC). Bruno Gonzalez Zorn director of the Antimicrobial Resistance Unit at the Complutense University of Madrid believes that this new antibiotic can contribute a lot, because A. baumannii infections are important and are increasing. In Spain, approximately 50% of the samples analyzed are resistant to the usual treatments, so new tools are necessary, Gonzalez Zorn adds. The researcher points out that hes been working with peptides like those that the Roche scientists have tracked for a long time. He explains that bacteria use them to fight against each other. Theyre also a weapon utilized by bacteriophages viruses that attack these microbes and are also used against infections resistant to antibiotics. However, in the work published by Nature, problems of toxicity or distribution have been overcome, making zosurabalpine a promising molecule. In the fight against antibiotic resistance, the obstacles arent only scientific. In addition to how quickly bacteria evolve, the problem is that the antibiotic market has almost disappeared, because after what it costs to launch a new line of research and develop clinical trials if we manage to reach the end and develop a new antibiotic its very difficult to make a profit, says Daniel Lopez, an expert in superbugs at the Spanish National Center for Biotechnology. Due to the very nature of antibiotics which must be used very carefully to kill bacteria, without allowing them to adapt to them new drugs take time to make, while the old ones (which have been off-patent for decades) still work. This particularity has made institutions such as the European Union consider public incentives such as offering the intellectual property rights of other drugs to companies that develop new antibiotics to make their development feasible. In a second study, also published by Nature on Wednesday, information is added about the way in which the lipopolysaccharide transport system works with regard to the surface of the cell, to generate the outer membrane. It also discusses how the new antibiotic blocks it. This knowledge will be used to search for new compounds aimed at deactivating this mechanism and creating tools against bacterial resistance a problem that, according to some estimates, may be the leading cause of global death in 2050. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The resignation of Harvard University's president, Claudine Gay, amid plagiarism accusations and a controversial congressional hearing, has reignited the debate on the pervasive influence of woke censorship on American campuses. Brendan O'Neill, Chief Political Reporter of Spiked Online, argues that US universities are "overrun" with such censorship, creating an environment where certain ideologies are protected while others face cancellation. The Harvard Controversy: Plagiarism and Congressional Hearing Claudine Gay's departure from Harvard was not merely a routine resignation. Plagiarism accusations and her performance in a congressional hearing raised serious questions about the state of intellectual freedom and academic integrity within prestigious institutions. The inability to unequivocally denounce calls for the genocide of Jews sparked particular concern. READ ALSO: How Humanities Plays A Crucial Role In Teaching Higher Education To Future Generations Brendan O'Neill's Perspective on Woke Censorship In a discussion with Sky News Australia Senior Reporter Caroline Marcus, Brendan O'Neill highlights the prevalence of woke censorship in American universities. He points out the apparent double standards, where expressing dissent on certain issues leads to cancellation, while calls for harm against a particular group are seemingly tolerated under the guise of free speech. The Woke Censorship Dilemma: Cancel Culture and Selective Outrage O'Neill's observations delve into the paradox of woke censorship - a climate where challenging certain ideologies or using specific language results in cancelation, while more extreme views escape scrutiny. The nuanced nature of cancel culture raises questions about the freedom of expression and the selective outrage that accompanies it. Free Speech under Threat: Transgressing Woke Norms The assertion that calling a trans woman a man or criticizing aspects of the Black Lives Matter ideology can lead to cancellation points to a growing trend of ideological conformity on university campuses. O'Neill argues that such restrictions on speech undermine the principles of open discourse and intellectual diversity. The Congressional Hearing and Free Speech Limits Claudine Gay's reluctance to categorically condemn calls for the destruction of every Jewish person during the congressional hearing exposes a concerning aspect of the free speech debate. While universities often claim to uphold free expression, instances like these cast doubt on the sincerity of these commitments, particularly when it comes to certain controversial topics. Double Standards and the Moral Left: O'Neill's Critique Brendan O'Neill's critique of the "so-called moral left" underscores the perceived hypocrisy within ideological circles that claim to champion justice and equality. The selective application of cancel culture and the reluctance to challenge extreme viewpoints within certain movements reveal the inherent contradictions within woke censorship. Woke Culture's Impact on Academic Freedom The broader impact of woke censorship on academic freedom cannot be ignored. O'Neill's commentary sheds light on the challenges faced by scholars who wish to engage in open dialogue, explore controversial ideas, or challenge prevailing narratives without fearing repercussions from an increasingly ideologically rigid environment. As US universities grapple with accusations of being overrun by woke censorship, the imperative for a nuanced conversation on free speech, academic integrity, and ideological conformity becomes clear. The Harvard controversy serves as a catalyst for introspection and a call to reevaluate the principles that should guide intellectual discourse within the academic realm. The challenge lies in finding a balance between promoting inclusivity and preserving the essential tenets of academic freedom. RELATED ARTICLE: US Education Department Expands Investigations Into Alleged Discrimination At University Of Virginia And San Diego State University Taylor University, a prominent evangelical institution in rural Upland, Indiana, has secured a historic $30 million grant from the Lilly Endowment to enhance local infrastructure. This significant financial injection marks a transformative moment for the university and the community, aligning with Taylor's commitment to holistic development guided by its Christian values. A Record-Breaking Grant for Taylor University On January 2nd, Taylor University proudly announced the receipt of its largest-ever grant, a generous $30 million from the Lilly Endowment. This grant is part of Lilly Endowment's College and Community Collaboration initiative, aiming to foster partnerships between educational institutions and their surrounding communities. Taylor University's President, Michael Lindsay, expressed enthusiasm about the grant, emphasizing its profound impact beyond mere economic development. READ ALSO: Rutgers University Law Student Alleges Discrimination And Retaliation Over Antisemitism Concerns Upland's Unique Setting and Challenges Nestled an hour northeast of Indianapolis, Taylor University boasts a distinctive campus in the town of Upland, characterized by brick buildings and grassy slopes. However, Upland faces challenges such as limited housing options, a lack of hospitality facilities, and an aging infrastructure along Main Street, which connects the campus to the downtown area. The grant provides a catalyst for addressing these issues and revitalizing the community. Main Street Mile Initiative: A Holistic Approach Taylor University's ambitious Main Street Mile Initiative, fueled by the Lilly Endowment grant, aims to bring about comprehensive changes. In downtown Upland, the initiative will create spaces for dining, retail, and startups, in addition to expanding the town library. On the campus side, the initiative envisions a residential development for individuals aged 55 and older, a college inn, and extended visitor housing. Infrastructure improvements include repaving Main Street, enhancing sidewalks, improving lighting, and extending local trails. Lilly Endowment's College and Community Collaboration Initiative The Lilly Endowment's initiative, launched in February 2023, invited 35 eligible Indiana colleges and universities to participate in a two-phase collaboration. Taylor University's receipt of the grant is a testament to the institution's successful engagement in the program. The first phase allowed for planning grants, facilitating resident surveys, and community gatherings. Approximately 25% of Upland residents participated in the planning process, illustrating a broad-based collaboration between the university and the community. Upland's Ongoing Collaborations and Notre Dame's Inspiring Model A new director at Taylor University will lead ongoing collaborations with Upland's community, working closely with an advisory board comprised of local residents to execute the Main Street Mile Initiative. President Lindsay points to Notre Dame's successful collaboration model, initiated in 2000, where the university partnered with local institutions to revitalize the surrounding neighborhood. This collaborative effort resulted in a thriving commercial district in South Bend's Northeast neighborhood. Taylor University: A Model for Community Partnership President Lindsay sees Taylor University as part of a growing trend among universities committed to revitalizing their local communities. Institutions like Sewanee University in Tennessee, Colby College in Maine, and Colgate University in New York serve as examples of academia actively contributing to local economic and community development. Lindsay envisions Taylor and Upland becoming a national model for how a small university and an engaged community can collaborate for substantial growth. A Christian Commitment to Community Prosperity Drawing inspiration from Jeremiah 29, Lindsay emphasizes Taylor's Christian faith, compelling the institution to actively pursue the peace and prosperity of Upland. The belief that a prospering community contributes to individual prosperity aligns with Taylor University's overarching mission, marking a significant step toward a harmonious and mutually beneficial relationship between the university and its local environment. Taylor University's $30 million grant from the Lilly Endowment signifies more than just an infusion of funds; it symbolizes a commitment to holistic development guided by Christian values. As Taylor and Upland embark on this transformative journey, the Main Street Mile Initiative stands as a beacon of collaboration, offering a potential blueprint for universities seeking to actively engage with and uplift their local communities. RELATED ARTICLE: Victoria College Receives PATH Scholarship Grant To Alleviate Transportation Costs For Students San Diego State University (SDSU) finds itself under the scrutiny of a federal civil rights investigation following an email sent by President Adela de la Torre in the aftermath of the Hamas attacks in Israel on Oct. 7. While such investigations often focus on protecting minority groups, this case takes a different turn, exploring accusations of promoting hatred and racism against Arabs and Muslims. The incident sheds light on the delicate balance universities must strike in addressing global conflicts without inadvertently fostering discrimination on campus. The Controversial Email and Its Fallout In response to the Hamas attacks, President Adela de la Torre sent a campus-wide email expressing support for students affected by the violence. However, the email is now at the center of a federal civil rights investigation, triggered by a complaint accusing SDSU of promoting hatred and racism against Arabs and Muslims. The incident diverges from previous cases where universities faced accusations of failing to protect Jewish students, marking a reversal in the dynamics of civil rights investigations. READ ALSO: Oxford University's Vice-Chancellor Exit Raises Eyebrows: 423,407 Awarded On Top Of Annual Salary Allegations and Counterarguments The complaint alleges that the president's email failed to adequately address the well-being of Palestinian and Muslim students, with the group Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) criticizing the university's response on Instagram. SDSU vehemently denies the accusation of Islamophobia, asserting that the email did not promote hatred or racism. The university highlights various initiatives undertaken to support Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian students, including a task force combatting Islamophobia and an institute dedicated to addressing anti-Semitism. The University's Perspective on the Investigation In response to inquiries, an SDSU spokesman shared that the investigation focuses on whether the administration responded appropriately to allegations of student discrimination. The university insists that the president's email did not contain any Islamophobic elements, emphasizing its commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus environment. The ongoing investigation will reveal whether the complaint has merit and if the university adequately addressed the concerns raised by the Students for Justice in Palestine. Shared Ancestry Discrimination and Its Nuances The SDSU case highlights a shift in the narratives surrounding shared ancestry discrimination on campus. Traditionally, complaints centered around universities failing to protect Jewish students, but this investigation prompts a closer look at how institutions navigate discussions related to global conflicts, ensuring that support is extended to all affected student communities. The delicate balance between acknowledging the impact of international events and preventing discrimination requires nuanced approaches from university leaders. Reactions from Campus Groups and External Entities The Students for Justice in Palestine, co-signed by numerous groups, including SJP chapters from other universities, demanded a reassessment of what they perceived as "hateful and divisive rhetoric" in the president's email. Their concerns ranged from a lack of recognition and condemnation of the state of Israel to urging divestment from corporations involved in alleged human rights abuses. The investigation serves as a backdrop for broader discussions on the intersection of international conflicts and campus discourse. Similar Investigations and Broader Implications The SDSU case is not an isolated incident in the realm of civil rights investigations. Since Oct. 7, the Department of Education's Civil Rights Office has initiated 42 investigations into universities and K-12 schools nationwide. The investigations scrutinize whether institutions appropriately responded to allegations of discrimination against students. While SDSU faces allegations of Islamophobia, other investigations include claims of anti-Jewish discrimination and, notably, two other schools under investigation for alleged discrimination against Muslim students. The investigation into SDSU's president's email underscores the complexities universities face in addressing global conflicts while safeguarding campus inclusivity. As institutions grapple with their role in fostering diverse and respectful dialogues, the outcomes of such investigations will set precedents for future incidents. Navigating the delicate terrain of shared ancestry discrimination requires universities to carefully balance their responses, ensuring that support and understanding extend to all students affected by the ripple effects of international events. RELATED ARTICLE: US Education Department Expands Investigations Into Alleged Discrimination At University Of Virginia And San Diego State University January 4 2024 A former school and one-time hospital in Garnethill is to be restored as part of plans to create 21 build-to-rent homes in Glasgow City Centre. The B-listed Mount Building, which dates back to 1882, was originally established as Glasgow's first Hospital for Sick Children, operating until 1914, when the hospital moved to Yorkhill. Thereafter, it became part of St Aloysius College, housing its Music and Art department. Developer Nevis Properties acquired the Mount Building from the school in October and has partnered with Mosaic Architecture & Design, to preserve the building's heritage through the work. The B-listed main building will be renovated to provide 18 one and two-bedroom apartments five of which will feature private terraces alongside a trio of new three-bedroom mews houses which will all have a private patio. Dan Challis, an associate at Mosaic Architecture & Design, commented: We have worked with the existing building layouts to ensure that any alterations being made will minimise their impact on the existing structure thus safeguarding the building's historic integrity. Furthermore, extensive research has been carried out on the city's traditional Mews style buildings to provide a design for the new build homes that is in keeping with the city's historical language. Nevis Properties aims to commence construction in the summer of 2024 and complete the development by the summer of 2025. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Jan, 2024) A huge fire broke out at Thana Sabzi Mandi (vegetable market) in Sector I-11 on Thursday at 9:00 AM. The fire has reportedly burned down three shops in Sabzi Mandi, including the warehouses in the area, a private news channel reported. The rescue teams and fire brigade arrived at the scene to control the blaze. In early October, the World Health Organization (WHO) made an announcement that Cairo could only have dreamed of a few years ago. It confirmed that Egypt, following an unparalleled national campaign against hepatitis C, has become the first country in the world that is on track to end the epidemic by 2030. The achievement is all the more remarkable given the fact that, just a decade ago, Egypt was the country with the highest rates of hepatitis C in the world. But between 2014 and 2020, it embarked on one of its largest-ever health campaigns, aimed at wiping the disease off the map. It mobilized tens of thousands of its healthcare workforce, screened 50 million people and treated more than 4 million. Now, with success assured, lessons learned and recognition from the global health community, Cairo has decided to go one step further and is helping other low- and middle-income countries, especially in Africa, to replicate its program. Egypts journey, from having one of the worlds highest rates of hepatitis C infection to being on the path to elimination in less than 10 years, is nothing short of astounding, WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in October. Egypt is an example to the world of what can be achieved with modern tools, and political commitment at the highest level to use those tools to prevent infections and save lives, he added. Egypts success must give all of us hope and motivation to eliminate hepatitis C everywhere. An infected country The origin of Egypts hepatitis C epidemic lies in a health campaign that was designed to treat an earlier epidemic. Between the 1940s and 1970s, the country had to contend, especially in rural areas, with a disease caused by coming into contact with parasitic worms that inhabited the infested waters of the Nile, says Imam Waked, professor from the department of hepatology at Egypts National Liver Institute. Every family in Egypt has [on average] at least one member who is infected with hepatitis C. Mohamed El-Kassas, professor and head of endemic medicine at Cairos Helwan University The only treatment that existed at that time for the disease were intravenous injections. But Waked says that hepatitis was as-yet unknown, and disposable syringes were not available. So, when the government began to promote a national campaign to fight the disease, beginning in the 1950s, it inadvertently spread the hepatitis C virus. To treat groups of between 500 and 600 young people, who were the target diseases primary victims, 15 to 20 syringes could be used, the expert explains. Thats the age group that spread hepatitis C. We created a large population that had the virus, which then spread even further through blood transfusions, in health clinics, and through more injections, says the professor. By the beginning of the 2000s, the Nile disease was practically eradicated. But in 2008, a demographics and public health survey found that 15% of Egyptians had hepatitis C antibodies, which indicated that they had been in contact with the virus, and that 10% of people between the ages of 15 and 59 were living with chronic infection. Seven years later, in 2015, another study detected its presence among 7% of adults. But this decline was due to the fact that hepatitis C was more common among older age groups who had been treated for schistosomiasis decades earlier than among the young, a factor which diluted the percentage of people affected by hepatitis C, but that did not indicate that the total number of cases had fallen. For many years Egypt was singled out as the country with the highest rates of hepatitis C worldwide, says Mohamed El-Kassas, professor and head of endemic medicine at Cairos Helwan University. Every family in Egypt has [on average] at least one member who is infected with hepatitis C, he continues. The consequences for the country were equally painful: in 2015, hepatitis C caused the loss of some 40,000 lives, which amounted to 7.6% of the countrys total deaths, and was responsible for a decrease in life expectancy by around 1.8 years in men and one year in women. It also caused a decline in the national GDP of 1.5% per year, or about $5 billion per year, according to World Bank estimates. Faced with this challenge, Egypt set up a national hepatitis C control committee in 2006, and two years later launched its first national campaign aimed at widening access to treatment. The obstacles, however, were significant. Hepatitis C treatment was very expensive, it had severe side effects, few people were ultimately cured, and the treatment could not be offered to people with advanced liver disease. It was not a very good treatment. We treated 50,000 patients a year and cured 15,000 to 20,000, Waked remembers. It was a huge burden on our health and the economy. A mobilized nation The turning point came at the end of 2013, when hepatitis C treatment was revolutionized with a new orally administered antiviral drug that, when paired with other antivirals, raised the rate of recovery to more than 90% and almost completely eliminated side effects. The price of $84,000 per treatment set by Gilead, the pharmaceutical company that patented the drug, then became the main hurdle. But Egypt forced the company to negotiate that price after rejecting Gileads proprietary license. Negotiations managed to lower the price to $900 per case, and then by licensing the drug to local pharma companies, Egypt brought the cost down to less than $84. That constituted a 99.9% price drop, according to a 2021 study. With the new pharmaceutical, everyone who had been treated in the past, but who had not been cured, restarted the process. By 2017, almost all Egyptians who knew they were living with hepatitis C (some 2.3 million people) had been treated, says Waked. Still, health authorities knew that there were between 2 and 3 million people living with the illness who had yet to be diagnosed. This was the point when, at the end of 2018, Cairo switched to a vastly more ambitious strategy, shifting its focus from controlling hepatitis C to eliminating the disease. The 100 Million Healthy Lives campaign aimed to test more than 60 million people and offer free treatment to those living with the virus. Most of its funding came from state coffers, supplemented by a loan of some $250 million from the World Bank. One of the most important aspects of the campaign was its speed. The state opened nearly 16,000 testing sites across the country, including 1,000 mobile units that were accessible to walk-ins. Results were usually available within 20 minutes and those who tested positive were sent to another site for a confirmation test. Within seven days, those who were confirmed positive were directed to a center for treatment, which lasted 12 weeks, after which they were summoned back to a testing site to check their status. Another one of the main factors behind the campaigns success was a strong political will to address the epidemic, including that of the countrys president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The government also unfurled a vast promotional and awareness-raising campaign via media platforms, social networks, text messages and at the grassroots level. And it was equally important that it could draw on the countrys existing, neglected but extensive, healthcare infrastructure. It became a national priority for everyone: government, civil society, industry, says John Ward, director of the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination. There was a real commitment to health equity: all Egyptians were to benefit from the program. By the end of the campaign, around 50 million Egyptians had been tested. Of these, 2.2 million were positive and did a confirmation test, which verified the positive status of 1.6 million. In total, 900,000 cases were treated, and another 700,000 more after the conclusion of the campaign. The rate of recovery was 98%. Then, the campaign was extended to minors. Between May 2019 and January 2020, 3.8 million students were tested, according to the health agencys former spokesperson, Khaled Megahed. Thanks to the campaign the rate [of hepatitis C] has gone from 10% to 0.3% or 0.4%. That is an incredible achievement, says Ward. Its one of the greatest achievements in global public health, at least in this century, he adds. And now, Africa The success of Egypts campaign, and the experience it gained along the way, have become important assets that WHO believes can be employed by other low- and middle-income countries to develop their own plans to eliminate hepatitis C. Globally, around 75% of people living with the disease are located in these two categories of countries, according to the health organization. In Africa, the situation is significantly different to that of Egypt in its most difficult moments, because hepatitis C is much less prevalent. Even in the countries that struggle most with the virus, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria, rates range from 3% to 4%, according to Waked. Due in part to the achievability of the goal, the then-Egyptian health minister Hala Zayed announced at an African hepatitis summit in 2019 that Cairo, which at the time was the chair of the African Union (AU), was prepared to offer countries throughout the rest of the continent technical support, expertise and free treatment for hepatitis C. It set an initial goal of reaching 1 million individuals. When we discovered that hepatitis C was easy to cure and that the drug in Egypt was very cheap, we decided to help African countries in need of treatment by providing technical expertise, technology, counseling and free drugs, says Waked. It is quite commendable that Egypt is extending health diplomacy to these countries, says Ward. One of the first nations to benefit has been Ghana, where a 2021 survey found that the rate of hepatitis C in a sample of 100,000 people was 2.6%, with significantly higher rates in its northern regions. In March 2023, Egypt sent Ghana the first donation of drugs to treat the disease, with an initial goal to make them available to people who have been diagnosed, but who have not been able to access treatment due to cost. Currently, patients still must pay for their own tests to determine their viral load, which cost between $37 and $80. A cheaper price, or alternative tests, would improve our capacity enormously, says Waked. Speaking to the same point, Ward points out that its not enough to just give out free drugs. You have to get the other parts of [Egypts] program in place for those drugs to be used. And thats where technical assistance comes into play, choosing the right partners in each country and then giving them the free drugs, he says. In addition to Ghana, the Egyptian minister of health says that at the start of 2020, a little more than 30,500 citizens in South Sudan, Chad and Eritrea had received hepatitis C tests and that around 400 had received free treatment. Waked says that Egyptian health authorities are also in contact with The Gambia. And Ward believes that Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Zambia and, to some extent, South Africa, could benefit from similar assistance. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition (@FahadShabbir) Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Thursday said that Pakistan would always champion the Jammu and Kashmir cause and its resolution as per the United Nations Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Jan, 2024) Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Thursday said that Pakistan would always champion the Jammu and Kashmir cause and its resolution as per the United Nations Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. He was speaking at the ongoing Envoys' Conference being held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from January 4-6, 2024. Pakistan's envoys from important capitals are participating in the conference and are deliberating on various facets of Pakistan's foreign policy. Welcoming the prime minister, Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani outlined the framework of discussions at the Envoys Conference and its importance as a deliberative forum on diplomatic challenges and opportunities for Pakistan in view of the global and regional developments. He underscored the need for strengthening the anchoring role of the Foreign Office in foreign policy formulation and implementation. The prime minister, in his key-note address, shared his perspective about the pressing demands on the conduct of Pakistan's foreign policy to align it with present-day imperatives. He said that the foreign policy should be guided by a vision of Pakistan as a progressive, economically ascendant state that prioritizes the socio-economic well-being of its people. It should also continue to aim for peace and mutually beneficial relations across the globe, he added. Pakistan would continue to stand for international law and purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, mainstreaming economic diplomacy and support the Palestinian cause, the prime minister said. He termed the conference timely and relevant against the backdrop of profound transformations taking place in the region and around the globe. He reaffirmed his trust in Pakistan's diplomacy and diplomats in their capability to fully deliver despite pressing odds, and expressed the hope that the deliberations of the conference would lead to practical suggestions to navigate Pakistan's foreign policy through present day challenges. PM Kakar extended his best wishes to the Foreign Office and Pakistani diplomats in safeguarding the country's interests and advancing its global stature. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Jan, 2024) Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani expressed deep sorrow and grief on Thursday over the loss of precious human lives due to the blasts in the Iranian city of Kerman. In a condolence message he conveyed Pakistan's unwavering solidarity with its brotherly nation during this time of sorrow. The Chairman Senate Sanjrani also extended sincere condolences to the families of the victims, expressing profound sympathy for their loss. Deputy Chairman Senate Mirza Muhammad Afridi, leader of the House in Senate Senator Ishaq Dar, and leader of the opposition in Senate Senator Dr. Shehzad Waseem joined in denouncing the blasts in Kerman. Expressing solidarity, they affirmed that Pakistan and its people stand with Iran during this challenging time. In their individual condolence messages, they extended heartfelt sympathies to the families of the deceased and offered prayers for the swift recovery of the injured. (@FahadShabbir) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Jan, 2024) World Braille Day was observed on Thursday in Pakistan like elsewhere in the world to highlight the significance of improving access to knowledge for persons with visual disabilities. The theme of the Day for 2024 is 'Empowering Through Inclusion and Diversity'. In his message on the occasion of World Braille Day, President Dr Arif Alvi has reiterated the commitment to advance the rights of persons with disabilities. President Alvi said Pakistan has endorsed the Marrakesh Treaty for visually impaired persons which would help them access millions of books in Braille. He said Pakistan has initiated advanced training programs benefiting students, educators and parents, to facilitate an inclusive environment in public spaces where persons with visual impairments can smoothly access vital information and education. World Braille Day is observed every year on January 4 to honour the birth anniversary of Louis Braille, the inventor of the Braille writing system for blind and visually impaired individuals. Despite the advent of new technologies and systems, visually impaired and blind people still face significant challenges in leading an independent life. The prime objective of observing the World Braille Day is to promote Braille literacy and raise awareness among people about its importance. "China is deeply shocked over the serious terrorist attack that occurred in Kerman Province in southeastern Iran and caused heavy casualties," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Thursday BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Jan, 2024) "China is deeply shocked over the serious terrorist attack that occurred in Kerman Province in southeastern Iran and caused heavy casualties," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Thursday. We express our deep condolences for the victims and sincere condolences to the injured and their families, he said during his regular briefing. He said,"China opposes all forms of terrorism, strongly condemns terrorist attacks, and firmly supports Iran's efforts to maintain national security and stability." According to media reports, nearly 100 people were killed and about 200 injured in the terrorist attack at the commemoration ceremony for the assassination of Gen Qasem Soleimani in Kerman on January 3. APP/asg Paris, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jan, 2024) An explosive interview by the son of French film legend Alain Delon sparked open warfare in his family on Thursday, with the screen legend immediately indicating he was outraged and would file a complaint over his eldest child's comments. Anthony Delon told this week's Paris Match magazine that his father was finding it hard to accept his frail state of health and also accused his half-sister of leaving the star vulnerable by concealing health problems. Now in a "weakened" state, Alain Delon, 88, "can no longer bear to see himself like that, diminished", Anthony told Paris Match. The star of classic films including "Swimming Pool", "The Leopard" and "Purple Noon" suffered a severe stroke in July 2019 and now rarely leaves his estate in Douchy in France's Loire region. "He doesn't speak much, it tires him or it annoys him when we make him repeat, because his voice is no longer always clear, or audible," Anthony Delon said in the interview. There are "major risks" that this was "his last Christmas", he warned. - 'Extremely shocked' - But Alain Delon was "extremely shocked by the media outburst orchestrated by his son Anthony" and will file a complaint against him, his lawyer Christophe Ayela told AFP in a statement. Alain Delon told him "he cannot stand the aggressiveness of his son Anthony who keeps telling him that he is senile", and what is even "more shocking" is that his son "claims that he may have lived his last Christmas". The lawyer said Delon had asked: "'What father could bear that?'" There was already concern about the well-being of Alain Delon after his three children last year filed a complaint against his former live-in assistant Hiromi Rollin accusing her of harassment and threatening behaviour. Rollin, who was evicted in July from the actor's property, disputed the accusations against her and also filed a complaint of her own. French prosecutors on Thursday said no further action would be taken regarding any of the complaints, saying there was insufficient evidence to indicate any crime. Delon rarely appeared on screen after the 1990s. His last major public appearance was to receive an honorary Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019 although he did attend the Paris funeral ceremony for his great friend and fellow star Jean-Paul Belmondo in September 2021. - 'Harm the reputation' - In the bombshell interview, Anthony Delon, 59, the son of Delon's former wife Nathalie Delon, also took aim at younger half-sister Anouchka, the daughter of Alain Delon and Dutch model Rosalie van Breemen. He said he had reported her to the police, while not filing a complaint, for failing to inform the family over his father's performance in cognitive tests from 2019. Anthony Delon said day-to-day care of his father is now in the hands of his father's third youngest child Alain-Fabien Delon, whose mother is also Rosalie van Breemen. "My sister never informed my brother and me that between 2019 and 2022, my father had been subjected to five cognitive tests during his visits to the clinic in Switzerland and that he did not pass any of them," he told the magazine. The results showed "a cognitive degradation which places my father in a position of psychological weakness, and therefore of vulnerability," he added. Alain Delon's lawyer Ayela responded that Anthony "has only one goal, to harm the reputation of his daughter Anouchka and the unique relationship that he has always had with Anouchka." Anouchka meanwhile issued a statement through the same lawyer, saying her half brother's comments were "abject", adding she would file a complaint against Anthony for defamation, slander, threats and harassment. Anthony Delon then hit back with a post on Instagram, accusing his half-sister of visiting their father at his estate on Thursday "to throw the Paris Match in his face and make him sign (this) despicable statement." Israeli bombing killed dozens of people in besieged Gaza, the health ministry of the Palestinian territory said Thursday, as regional tensions have surged over the almost three-months-old war Gaza Strip, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Jan, 2024) Israeli bombing killed dozens of people in besieged Gaza, the health ministry of the Palestinian territory said Thursday, as regional tensions have surged over the almost three-months-old war. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was due to head to the middle East, a US official said on condition of anonymity, the top diplomat's fourth trip to the region since the October 7 attack on Israel triggered the bloodiest ever Gaza war. The Israeli military has reported more strikes in and around Gaza City, now a largely devastated urban combat zone, and Khan Yunis, the biggest city in the territory's south. The Gaza health ministry reported "dozens of martyrs and more than 100 wounded in the continued barbaric aerial and artillery bombardment of citizens' homes in the Gaza Strip". The Israeli army alleged that it targeted the people attempting to "place an explosive device near soldiers" and an arms depot in Khan Yunis. Fires sparked by bombing raged in Gaza's central Deir al-Balah area and the Al-Maghazi refugee camp. "People were safe in their homes, the house was full of children," resident Ibrahim al-Ghimri told AFP. "There were around 30 people. All of a sudden their houses fell on them... What have these children done?" In response to October 7 attack, Israel launched a relentless bombardment and ground invasion that has reduced swathes of Gaza to rubble and claimed at least 22,438 lives, according to the health ministry. The United Nations estimates 1.9 million Gazans are displaced, and the World Health Organization has warned of the risk of famine and disease, with only a minimal amount of aid entering the territory. The UN's human rights chief, Volker Turk, said on Thursday he was "very disturbed" after two Israeli cabinet ministers separately called for Palestinians to leave Gaza, raising fears of forced expulsion. Displaced Palestinians living in tents in Gaza's south were killed in a strike, said bereaved residents who were mourning the dead, wrapped in shrouds at a hospital in Khan Yunis. Baha Abu Hatab said his nephews were killed. They had been living in "a tent to protect them from the cold weather, but Israeli airstrikes hit them in their sleep", he added. "Why?" he asked. "Because they threaten Israel and the United States?" (@ChaudhryMAli88) The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned the terrorist bombing in Iran that killed several civilians JEDDAH, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Jan, 2024) The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned the terrorist bombing in Iran that killed several civilians. OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General in a message to the Iranian government extended condolences over the death of people and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. "The OIC renews its solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran in this tragic event," a statement from the OIC said. A Ukrainian military doctor has become engaged to a soldier she served with their commander said Thursday, a day after she was released from nearly two years as a prisoner of Russia Ukraine, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Jan, 2024) A Ukrainian military doctor has become engaged to a soldier she served with their commander said Thursday, a day after she was released from nearly two years as a prisoner of Russia. The couple was reunited when Ukraine and Russia announced Wednesday they had exchanged more than 200 soldiers each in the biggest prisoner swap since the war began. Viral video on social media showed ex-prisoner of war Galyna Fedychyn kissing her fiance Mykola Gritsenyak after he proposed to her, ring and gigantic bouquet of red roses in hand. "This love has survived trials that can break the strongest," said Sergiy Volynsky, code-named "Volyna", who commanded the 36th Separate Marine Brigade during the siege of Mariupol. "They fought together in the battle for Mariupol, endured the ordeal of captivity and a long separation, but their hearts never stopped beating in unison," he added. The city of Mariupol on the Azov Sea fell to Russian forces after being virtually razed in a month-long siege in spring 2022, and has since been occupied by the Russian army. The defenders of Mariupol -- in particular those of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade who were entrenched in the Azovstal steel plant and resisted Russian fire for weeks -- are regarded as heroes in Ukraine. Fedychyn had been detained since spring 2022 and, according to her fiance, was the last woman from the 36th Separate Marine Brigade still held by the Russian army. "In captivity, she spoke Ukrainian as a matter of principle," the Ukrainian General Staff said on Wednesday, referring to the 36th's doctor without naming her. "The Russian made several mock preparations for an exchange, only to return her to custody," it added. The 36th said on its Facebook page that its marines were awaiting medical treatment, describing the condition of Russian captivity as "inhumane". Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak sent his congratulation to the couple on X, formerly Twitter. bur-alf-mmp/cad/jm Ukrainian volunteers remove debris from the site of a damaged building a day after a missile strike, in Kyiv (Kiev), Ukraine, 03 January 2024. Russia and Ukraine on Wednesday exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war under a deal sponsored by the United Arab Emirates. Ukrainian authorities said that 230 Ukrainian prisoners of war returned home. Russias Defense Ministry said that 248 Russian servicemen have been freed from Ukrainian captivity. The ministry said that the deal was made possible thanks to mediatory efforts by the United Arab Emirates. There was no immediate acknowledgment from the UAE, which has maintained close business ties to Moscow throughout Russias war on Ukraine The massive prisoner exchange followed other such deals earlier in the war, which is nearing the two-year mark. Also Wednesday Russia said it shot down 12 missiles fired at one of its southern regions bordering Ukraine, as Kyivs forces seek to embarrass the Kremlin and puncture President Vladimir Putins argument that life is going on as normal despite the 22-month war. The situation in the border city of Belgorod, which came under two rounds of shelling on Wednesday morning, remains tense, said regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov, writing on Telegram. Air defense systems worked, he said, promising more details about possible damage after inspecting the area later in the day, part of a New Years holiday week in Russia. Ukraine fired two Tochka-U missiles and seven rockets at the region late Tuesday, followed by six Tochka-U missiles and six Vilkha rockets on Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry said. The Soviet-built Tochka-U missile system has a range of up to 120 kilometers (75 miles) and a warhead that can carry cluster munitions. Ukraine has received some cluster munitions from the United States but the Tochka-U and Vilkha can use their own cluster munitions. The Russian side of the frontier has come under increasingly frequent attack in recent days. Throughout the war, border villages have sporadically been targeted by Ukrainian artillery fire, rockets, mortar shells and drones launched from thick forests where they are hard to detect. Lately, as Russia fired missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities, Kyivs troops have aimed at Belgorods regional capital, which is about 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city. Belgorod, with a population of about 340,000, is the biggest Russian city near the border. It can be reached by relatively simple and movable weapons such as multiple rocket launchers. On Saturday, shelling of Belgorod killed 25 people, including five children, in one of the deadliest strikes on Russian soil since Moscows full-scale invasion. Another civilian was killed Tuesday in a new salvo. Hitting Belgorod and disrupting city life is a dramatic way for Ukraine to show it can strike back against Russia, whose military outnumbers and outguns Kyivs forces. The tactic appeared to be having some success, with signs the attacks are unsettling the public, political leaders and military observers. On Monday, Putin lashed out against the Belgorod attacks by Ukraine. They want to intimidate us and create uncertainty within our country, he said, promising to step up retaliation. Answering a question from a soldier who asked him about civilian casualties in Belgorod, Putin said: I also feel a simmering anger. Many Russian military bloggers have expressed regret about Moscows withdrawal from the border area in September 2022 amid a swift counteroffensive by Kyiv, and they have argued that more territory must be seized to secure Belgorod and other border areas. Russia describes Ukrainians as terrorists who indiscriminately target residential areas while insisting Moscow only aims at depots, arms factories and other military facilities even though there is ample evidence that Russia is hitting Ukrainian civilian targets. Ukrainian officials rarely acknowledge responsibility for strikes on Russian territory. In another Russian border region on Wednesday, the city of Zeleznogorsk was briefly cut off from the power grid after Ukrainian shelling, local officials said. Authorities were forced to temporarily shut down an electricity substation in the city of 100,000 people in the Kursk region to repair the damage from an aerial attack, Kursk Gov. Roman Starovoit said on Telegram. Residents were without power or heat, he said, although electricity was restored in most of the city about two hours later, he said. Russia has recently intensified its long-range attacks on Ukrainian cities, including using Kinzhal missiles which can fly at 10 times the speed of sound. The Kremlins forces appear to be targeting Ukraines defense industry, the U.K. Defense Ministry said Wednesday. The onslaught has prompted Kyiv officials to ask its Western allies to provide further air defense support. NATO announced Wednesday that it would help member nations buy up to 1,000 surface-to-air Patriot guided missiles in a deal possibly costing about $5.5 billion. That could allow alliance members to send more of their own defense systems to Ukraine. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Survey Finds AI, Tech Popular in Financial Services in Vietnam Finastra has released its Financial Services State of the Nation Survey 2023. This survey covers several key economies in Asia including Vietnam. In this article, we run through the key findings of the survey. The application of artificial intelligence (AI) and other new technology is playing an increasingly essential role in the long-term development of the financial industry in Vietnam. Not only does it generate a multitude of opportunities for product development, but it also shortens the time it takes to solve many complex problems and can create exceptional economic growth. With this in mind, firms have been eager to monitor the proliferation of new technology and AI in Vietnam. Finastra, for example, released the results of its Financial Services State of the Nation Survey 2023 late last year whereby it revealed a number of key findings with respect to new technologies in use in Vietnams financial services sector. These findings may help to shed light on exactly where key decision-makers see new technology taking Vietnam moving forward. With this in mind, we break down these results and what they might mean in the Vietnam context. AI in financial services According to Finastra, 94 percent of financial institutions in Vietnam are excited about the opportunities AI presents for the industry. But its not just clear from the survey responses. Its also visible in the broad deployment of AI in e-banking applications and e-wallets in Vietnam. TPBank, for example, has implemented facial recognition technology into its LiveBank automated banking channel, increasing client security and convenience. Its AI program has the ability to analyze 128 criteria to reliably identify a person among millions of consumers without the need for identification documents. Furthermore, FaceID identification kiosks are used by VietinBank to identify consumers. This new technology saves the bank 30 percent of the time it takes to process transactions. And they are not alone. Many of Vietnams biggest banks, including VPBank, Techcombank, VIB, and ACB, have embraced AI for a variety of purposes, including asset management, security, and fraud protection, as well as using chatbots to assist their customers. Also, because AI has the ability to analyze massive amounts of data and connect that data with new sources of information, it is capable of recognizing unusual transactions, assisting in the detection of fraudulent actors faster and with more accuracy, while also causing less of an inconvenience for customers. BaaS in the financial sector in Vietnam Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) is an important component of the banking models of many banks in Vietnam. This is essentially the integration of core banking services with the products of non-bank businesses. This innovation helps financial services businesses to develop new products and increase ease of use. According to Finastras survey, institutions surveyed had deployed or improved their BaaS capabilities to the tune of 55 percent of respondents. This is 7 percent higher than the average of the rest of the world. This reflects a high level of interest in emerging banking models among executives at Vietnams financial institutions. A further 89 percent believe these models are key tools for generating business growth and income, ranking Vietnam second after only Hong Kong (95 percent). This is in line with a preference among Vietnamese consumers for smart payment products. In fact, the value of transactions made through mobile payments is currently billions of dollars a day. A further 90 percent of Vietnamese consumers are interested in digital banking and intend to use it in the future, according to a survey by Visa. NLP in the financial sector in Vietnam Natural language processing (NLP) is a subfield of artificial intelligence. This technology enables computers to analyze human language as text or speech and respond accordingly. NLP is popular with financial institutions in Vietnam who have taken to this technology to improve customer service. In fact, 41 percent of financial institutions take advantage of NLP to personalize marketing for their clientele. The increased deployment of AI Chatbots is explained by its usefulness to the financial industry. AI Chatbots that use NLP technology can not only analyze a consumers language and provide relevant responses, but they can also provide service to customers at any time, from any location, using multi-context scenarios and natural conversations. Focusing on improving customer service with AI is a major objective for 45 percent of Finastras Vietnam-based survey respondents. In an era when financial institutions are continually innovating and digitally transforming to obtain a competitive advantage, customer satisfaction through good-quality customer service can be a critical advantage. Technology, financial services, and ESG In Vietnam, 90 percent of decision-makers surveyed by Finastra agree it is important for financial services and the banking sector broadly to support ESG initiatives For Vietnam to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, the application of Environmental, Social, and Governance standards (ESG) is considered a necessity for financial institutions and banks. Not to mention, the value these institutions stand to create from meeting ESG demands head-on. According to a PwC Vietnam report, financial institutions could earn up to US$1.7 billion by issuing green bonds, social bonds, and sustainable bonds for ESG initiatives. Furthermore, financial institutions may be able to realize capital investment opportunities for Vietnams energy transition from 2016 to 2030 worth US$753 billion. Looking ahead The application of AI and new technology has become an essential part of the long-term development of the financial services industry in Vietnam. Not only does it create opportunities for companies to improve their services but it may also result in greater revenues and higher profits. For more information on Vietnams financial services sectors and the myriad opportunities available for foreign investors, contact the business advisory experts at Dezan Shira and Associates. Ambulances line up in front of a headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Force after it was hit by an airstrike in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. A U.S. airstrike on the headquarters of an Iran-backed militia in central Baghdad on Thursday killed a high-ranking militia commander, militia officials said. Thursdays strike comes amid mounting regional tensions fueled by the Israel-Hamas war and fears that it could spill over into surrounding countries. It also coincides with a push by Iraqi officials for US-led coalition forces to leave the country. The Popular Mobilization Force, or PMF, a coalition of militias that is nominally under the control of the Iraqi military, announced in a statement that its deputy head of operations in Baghdad, Mushtaq Taleb al-Saidi, or Abu Taqwa, had been killed as a result of brutal American aggression. A U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide information that has not yet been publicly released confirmed that U.S. forces conducted a strike on a vehicle in Baghdad on Monday against the group Harakat al-Nujaba. The group, one of the militias within PMF, was designated a terrorist organization by Washington in 2019. Iraqi military spokesman Yehia Rasool said in a statement that the Iraqi army blames the U.S.-led International Coalition Forces for the unprovoked attack on an Iraqi security body operating in accordance with the powers granted to it by the Iraqi military. The primary mission of the U.S.-led coalition is to fight the Islamic State, the Sunni extremist militant group that continues to carry out periodic attacks in Iraq despite having lost its hold on the territory it once controlled in 2017. Since then, the coalition has transitioned from a combat role to an advisory and training mission. The PMF, a group of Iranian-backed, primarily Shiite militias, were also key in the fight against Islamic State after it overran much of Iraq in 2014. The PMF is officially under the command of the Iraqi army, but in practice the militias operate independently. Thursdays strike killed two people and wounded five, according to two militia officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. One of the officials said al-Saidi was driving into the garage of the headquarters affiliated with the Harakat al-Nujaba militia, along with another militia official, when the car was hit, killing both. Heavy security was deployed around the location of the strike on Baghdads Palestine Street, and Iraqi war planes could be seen flying overhead. An Associated Press photographer was eventually allowed access to the scene of the strike, where he saw the remains of the charred car. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, a group of Iranian-backed militias calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has carried out more than 100 attacks on bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria. The group has said the attacks are in retaliation for Washingtons support of Israel in the war against Hamas that has killed more than 20,000 people in Gaza, and that they aim to push U.S. forces out of Iraq. Thursdays strike is likely to increase calls for a U.S. departure. Last week, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani who came to power with the backing of Iran-linked political factions but has also attempted to maintain good relations with the U.S. said that his government is is proceeding to end the presence of the international coalition forces. The strike also comes two days after a suspected Israeli drone strike in the suburbs of Beirut killed Hamas deputy leader Saleh Arouri. Asked whether Israel had involvement in Thursdays strike in Baghdad, an Israeli military spokesperson declined to comment. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition From the stress of exams to the pressures of financial obligations, the mental health of college students has become a major issue over the last few years. But not everyone asks for help. As Vanessa McCray reports in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, male undergraduate students are less likely than females to seek help for mental health concerns. (December 2023) Families of Americans killed and injured in Hamas October 7 terror attack in Israel are contemplating a lawsuit against North Korea for indirectly supplying the Palestinian militant group with weapons, according to an Israeli attorney representing the families. Weapons that Hamas used in its surprise attack on Israel were provided by North Korea knowingly and intentionally, said Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, an Israeli attorney and human rights activist who spoke with VOAs Korean Service in Tel Aviv on December 27. North Korea knows its weapons go to Iran, and Iran gives the weapons to Hamas, Darshan-Leitner continued, adding that Pyongyang never once warned Iran not to send the weapons to Hamas. This makes North Korea liable, she said, explaining that she and her legal associates are considering filing a lawsuit in U.S. court against those countries that supported Hamas, such as Iran and North Korea, on behalf of American victims of the October 7 attack and their families. More than 30 Americans, many of them dual U.S.-Israeli citizens, were killed in the attack that initiated the latest round of violence between Hamas and Israel. Darshan-Leitner is representing 10 Americans, including family members who lost their loved ones, as well as U.S. citizens who were injured or who incurred property damage in the attack. VOAs Korean Service contacted the North Korean mission to the U.N. seeking a response to a possible lawsuit against the regime by the American victims of the Hamas attack, but it did not respond. The attorney said she expects more U.S. victims to join the suit, including hostages seized in October if they return safely. The burden is on us, the plaintiffs, to prove the case, Darshan-Leitner said. We are using experts who know a lot about North Korea, know how North Korean weapons wound up in the hands of Hamas. North Korean weapons have been found in Israel and Gaza since the attack on October 7. An Israeli military official said during a media tour in October that about 10% of the Hamas weapons recovered after the attack were made in North Korea. Lieutenant Colonel Idan Sharon-Kettler, deputy commander of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) enemy equipment collection unit, told VOAs Korean Service on December 28 in Tzrifin, Israel, that Hamas modified North Koreas rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) to make them more powerful. We see supplies coming from different countries, among them, North Korea, said Sharon-Kettler at an IDF facility where recovered weapons were displayed. The rockets that we find, even the ones that are produced inside Gaza or the ones that are produced in Iran all of the RPG-7s, for example are using parts that come from North Korea, said Sharon-Kettler. He said the rockets were assembled with North Korean rocket engines, which give them capabilities to penetrate heavy armor and cause greater damage. Darshan-Leiter said the rockets give Hamas the ability to attack civilians without being inside Israel. Once Israel built a fence around Gaza, Hamas terrorists can no longer go into Israel and carry out attacks inside, she said. Before Hamas breached the border fence on October 7, the only way that Hamas could kill Israeli people is by these rockets. Normally, foreign states are immune from being sued in a U.S. court under the Foreign Service Immunities Act, unless an exception applies. But if a foreign state is listed as a state-sponsored terrorist group, U.S. citizens can bring a lawsuit against that country. In November 2017, North Korea was redesignated as a state sponsor of terrorism after being taken off the list in 2008. It was first designated in 1988 for blowing up a Korean Airline passenger flight in mid-air the previous year, killing all 115 people aboard. North Korea was sued a number of times over the past several years. The most notable was a suit brought against the regime by the parents of Otto Warmbier, an American student who in 2017 died shortly after returning to the U.S. in a vegetative state following detention in North Korea. A judge from a D.C. federal court ruled in 2018 that Cindy and Fred Warmbier were entitled to $500 million in damages from North Korea. In October, a federal court in New York ordered the New York Mellon Bank to turn over to Cindy and Fred Warmbier approximately $2.2 million in frozen funds originally owned by a sanctioned Russian bank where North Koreas Air Koryo kept an account. In another case, Americans who were injured and the family members of U.S. citizens killed in an attack at the Lod Airport in 1972 now Ben Gurion International Airport, near Tel Aviv filed a complaint against North Korea in 2022. According to court documents, they are seeking damages from North Korea for its role in sponsoring the attack. The attack killed 26 people and injured 80 and was carried out by three members of the Japanese Red Army who were reportedly recruited by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The U.S. designated the group as a terrorist organization in 1997 but revoked the designation in 2001 when the group disbanded. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken heads to the Middle East late Thursday amid intense diplomatic efforts to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, amid increasing international pressure on Israel to reduce civilian casualties among Palestinians. Blinken's fourth visit to the Middle East since October 7 comes as Israel's war with Hamas militants approaches its three-month mark. Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and others. "The secretary will visit Turkey, Greece, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank and Egypt for meetings with foreign counterparts and others," U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller announced during Thursday's briefing. Blinken will discuss immediate measures to increase humanitarian assistance to Gaza, such as increasing the number of trucks allowed to enter Gaza to deliver food, water, medicine and commercial goods, according to the State Department. The chief U.S. diplomat also will pursue ongoing efforts to bring home the remaining hostages. "You will see us pushing additional steps on what Gaza should look like at the end of the conflict," Miller told reporters. US making post-war roadmap Israel began its military campaign to wipe out Hamas after Hamas fighters crossed into southern Israel on October 7. Israel said about 1,200 people were killed and about 240 captives taken in the terror attack. Gaza health officials say at least 22,000 Palestinians a large percentage of them women and children have been confirmed killed in Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip. The United States has stated its opposition to forcibly removing Palestinians from Gaza. The U.S. also is working on a post-war road map for the Palestinian territories. "Gaza cannot, once again, serve as a launching pad for terrorist attacks against Israel," State Department spokesperson Miller told VOA on Wednesday. "What we ultimately want to see is Gaza and the West Bank reunited under Palestinian leadership," and "certainly there's no role for Hamas in that." Israel plans more targeted strategy On Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant outlined the country's plans for the next stage of its operations in Gaza. The new approach involves a more targeted strategy in northern Gaza and a continued pursuit of Hamas leaders in the south. Gallant said in a statement that after the war, Gaza would no longer be under Hamas control. While Israel retains operational freedom, there won't be any Israeli civilians present in the Gaza Strip. Amos Hochstein, a senior adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden, also will travel to Israel to work toward calming tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told reporters Blinken will hold meetings with Turkish officials on Saturday, according to local media. Senior U.S. officials' meetings in the Middle East come at a time when the risk of a broader regional conflict is escalating, despite the collective efforts of Western and regional powers to confine the Israel-Hamas war to the Gaza Strip. The State Department said the United States remains "incredibly concerned" about the risk of the conflict spreading into other fronts, after the killing Tuesday of senior Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut. The Israeli army said it was on high alert for attacks by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. This follows a drone strike in Beirut that killed al-Arouri, who was closely associated with Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah. In a televised speech, Nasrallah said there would be a "response and punishment," but he did not clearly declare that his forces would escalate attacks against Israel. US sends 'direct message' The U.S. has sent a "very direct message to Hezbollah" and other entities in the region that "now is not the time to think of escalating further," according to the State Department. "You've seen us take deterrence steps to deliver that message. You've seen us take diplomatic steps to deliver it. We'll continue to deliver it," Miller, the State Department spokesperson, told reporters during a briefing on Wednesday. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon also has voiced concern over the potential for escalation, while urging all parties to exercise restraint. Earlier this week, Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, condemned the strike that resulted in the death of al-Arouri, calling it a crime deliberately aimed at dragging Lebanon into a new phase of confrontations. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are backed by Iran, whose militant allies in Syria, Iraq and Yemen also have been carrying out longer-range attacks against Israel. Humanitarian aid The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that Gaza is becoming a public health disaster and that recent mass displacement across southern Gaza is fueling disease outbreaks. More than 400,000 cases of infectious diseases have been reported since October 7, with about 180,000 people suffering from upper respiratory infections. There have also been more than 136,000 cases of diarrhea reported, half among children younger than 5, according to OCHA. "Humanitarian workers need safe, sustained and unhindered access now to deliver urgently needed life-saving assistance," OCHA said. Efforts to release hostages continue Meanwhile, intense diplomatic efforts to retrieve the remaining hostages held in Gaza by Hamas militants continue. There are believed to be 129 people held by Hamas and other militants in Gaza. Last week, Egypt proposed a plan to end the military conflict involving a cease-fire, a phased hostage release, and the formation of a Palestinian government of experts to administer the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Details of the plan were reportedly worked out with the Persian Gulf nation of Qatar and presented to Israel, Hamas, the United States and European governments. But the head of Hamas' political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, stated on Tuesday that the hostages will be released only on Hamas' terms. The State Department said it's a "top priority" for the U.S. government to bring all hostages home but declined to comment publicly on the negotiations. Some material for this report came from Reuters. Freight costs from Asia to northern Europe have more than doubled in recent days as attacks by Houthi rebels on commercial vessels in the Red Sea force shipping companies to re-route cargo around the southern tip of Africa. The Iranian-backed militants have staged at least 24 attacks on commercial vessels since mid-November, according to the International Maritime Organization. The group, which has been engaged in a civil war with Yemens internationally recognized government since 2014, claims to target Israeli-linked vessels in support of Palestinians in Gaza, although several ships with no links to Israel have been attacked. The Bahamian-flagged vehicle carrier Galaxy Leader and its crew, which the militants have held since seizing it November 19, belongs to a company partly owned by Israeli businessman Rami Ungar. Rerouting Shipping companies are increasingly rerouting away from the Red Sea and Suez Canal to avoid the dangers, with many vessels diverting around the Cape of Good Hope on the southern tip of Africa a much longer and more expensive voyage, according to Michelle Wiese Bockmann, a shipping analyst with Lloyd's List Intelligence in London. "Trade [through the Red Sea] is down by about a third. But most of that is container ships. That is the high value goods that are going from Asia through to Europe. Very few vehicle carriers are going through, Wiese Bockmann told VOA. Oil transits of tankers, especially Russian crude say, from [northwestern] Russia to India and China is virtually uninterrupted." US-led operation Late last month the United States launched Operation Prosperity Guardian, an international maritime security force aimed at countering the Houthi attacks. The U.S. says 20 countries are taking part, but there are doubts over its efficacy, said Wiese Bockmann. "The fact that container lines are not transiting shows that they have very little confidence in the in the ability of this U.S.-led coalition to be able to make those traffic lanes safer," she said. UN response The U.N. Security Council held a meeting on the attacks Wednesday, amid warnings that global food security is at risk. "Continued Houthi threats to maritime navigation coupled with the risk of further military escalation remains of serious concern and could potentially impact millions in Yemen, the region and globally," said Khaled Khiari, the U.N.s assistant secretary-general for Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, in the departments of political and peace-building affairs and peace operations. Iran accusations The United States representative at the meeting singled out Iran for supporting the Houthis. "Iran has long enabled these attacks by the Houthis, said Chris Lu, U.S. ambassador to the U.N. for management and reform. Beyond Iran's long-standing provision of financing to aid such Houthi operations, since 2015, it has transferred advanced weapons systems to the Houthis, including unmanned aerial systems, land attack cruise missiles and ballistic missiles used in attacks against maritime vessels. Tehran denies supporting the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Unprecedented threat The level of threat faced by commercial vessels in the region is unprecedented. "The last time we had interruptions in that area was for Somali piracy more than a decade ago, and you're dealing with Somalis on skiffs with AK-47s, trying to board and hijack vessels," analyst Wiese Bockmann told VOA. "What we're now dealing with is a force that has ballistic missiles and drones and a far greater reach and more targeted information about the vessels they want, she said. Make no mistake, I think the Houthis know exactly what they're doing by targeting commercial shipping, because it's getting their headlines and generating the concern amongst world leaders that they want for their aims and ambitions to highlight their opposition to the war in Gaza." An Israeli airstrike in Gaza Thursday killed 14 people, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, as Israel conducted new airstrikes and ground operations against the Palestinian militant group. The health ministry said the Israeli strike happened in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, and that the dead included nine children. Israel did not directly comment on the strike, but reported carrying out an airstrike in Khan Younis that killed three militants who tried to plant a bomb. The Israeli military said its ground forces killed two other militants in a nearby building. Israel also reported Thursday new strikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and new cross-border rocket launches coming from Lebanon toward Israel. The strikes came a day after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, in a televised speech, warned Israel against attacking Lebanon. "If the enemy thinks of waging a war on Lebanon, we will fight without restraint, without rules, without limits and without restrictions," Nasrallah said. His comments followed a drone strike that killed a senior Hamas official in Beirut. Hamas and security officials in the region attributed the strike that killed Saleh al-Arouri to an Israeli drone, although Israel has not directly acknowledged responsibility. The chief of Israel's Mossad intelligence service, David Barnea, said Wednesday the agency would hunt down every Hamas member involved in the October 7 attack on Israel, no matter where they are. Hezbollah like Hamas, an Iran-backed militant group designated as a terror organization by the United States has been firing rockets across Israels northern border since the Israel-Hamas war broke out in October. Some material for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Houthi militants appear to be ignoring U.S. warnings about their repeated attacks on ships in the Red Sea, launching a naval drone Thursday that came within "a couple of miles" of merchant ships and American combat vessels before detonating. U.S. naval officials said the so-called unmanned surface vessel was launched from Houthi territory in Yemen and traveled about 50 miles into busy shipping lanes before exploding. They said it is unclear who or what the Houthis were trying to target, adding the explosion did not cause any damage or injuries. "There are no signs that their irresponsible behavior is abating," Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Navy operations in the Middle East, told reporters. "Shipping lanes in this region are dense," Cooper said. "These Houthi attacks are, for sure, destabilizing and contrary to international law and clearly, as have as has been articulated by many, must stop immediately." Twenty-five attacks since November Since November, the Iranian-backed Houthis have launched 25 attacks on vessels sailing through the Red Sea, claiming the ships are linked to Israel and that the attacks are in support of Palestinians in Gaza. In response, the United States, along with France, Britain and nearly 20 other countries launched Operation Prosperity Guardian in mid-December to protect ships from Houthi attacks. So far, about 1,500 vessels have passed safely through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, with the U.S. and its partners shooting down 11 Houthi drones, six anti-ship ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles. U.S. forces also sunk three Houthi boats Sunday after they attacked a container ship. "We now have the largest surface and air presence in the southern Red Sea in years," Cooper said. "And in the coming weeks, we expect additional countries to contribute, which will only strengthen our ability to deter." But Cooper also said the five warships and other assets taking part in Operation Prosperity Guardian are "entirely defensive in nature" and are separate from any capabilities that might be used to strike at the Houthis. US, allies warn Houthis On Wednesday, the U.S. and 12 allies issued a statement warning the Houthis of unspecified consequences if their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea continue. "Let our message now be clear: We call for the immediate end of these illegal attacks and release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews," the statement said. Signatories on the statement include Britain, which on Monday issued its own warning to the Houthis of "direct action," as well as Australia, Canada, Germany and Japan. Late Wednesday, a senior U.S. administration official briefing reporters on the condition of anonymity said the Houthis should "not anticipate another warning" from the U.S. or its partners. At a time when growing numbers of young Americans are diagnosed with mental health conditions, media are looking at ways to cover the issue more responsibly. Data shows a rise in young adults being diagnosed with conditions such as depression or anxiety. But media reports of public incidents involving mental health sometimes use damaging language, experts say. Terms such as unhinged or erratic language used to describe a homeless man killed on the New York subway last year are held up as poor examples of coverage. Reporters on the health beat and experts who specialize in mental health say that such terms are damaging for those who have a medical condition and that they can be misleading. Media plays an important role in shaping public perception of many things, including mental illness, said Christine Herman, a freelancer journalist. Coverage can make it appear as if the illness is a moral failing or lack of character, Herman told VOA. Sometimes mental health issues are criminalized in our society, she said, citing how some news outlets still use terms such as commit suicide when reporting on someone who has taken their own life. The term dates to when suicide was still criminalized in the United States. The language we use and the way we describe and talk about mental health conditions can really contribute and shape perception, Herman said. Rebecca Brendel, a medical doctor and former president of the American Psychiatric Association, said she believes media plays an important role in explaining health conditions. We know that to get treatment and to be healthy, we need to have health literacy, she told VOA. We need to have an awareness. We need to have reliable information as consumers of health care and mental health care. The late first lady Rosalynn Carter was an early advocate for responsible reporting on mental health. Through the Carter Center, she created a fellowship that offers training to journalists on how to better cover the issue. "Informed journalists can have a significant impact on public understanding of mental health issues as they shape debate and trends with the words and pictures they convey," Carter said, as cited by the Center. When Carter died in November, staff at the Center paid tribute to her legacy. She taught generations of journalists how to report about behavioral health in a way that reduces stigma and stimulates understanding and equitable treatment, a statement read. Since the fellowship started in 1996, more than 250 journalists have benefited from the program including Herman. It's important because the type of coverage we do ... people in our communities read it, or people across the country read this coverage, said Herman, who started her career in public radio. Based in Champaign, Illinois, Herman said that as she started to cover health issues more regularly, her interest in mental health grew. Her reporting on the obstacles for families trying to access mental health care was recognized with an award last year. Herman, who serves on the board of the Association of Health Care Journalists, said the most effective reporting is accurate, based on science and puts a focus on the person not the condition. She advocates for compassionate coverage that includes the voices and perspectives of the people affected. These are all things that can help contribute to dismantling stigma and ending discrimination toward people who have mental health conditions in our society, she said. Data from the American Psychiatric Association shows 1 in 5 Americans experiences a mental health disorder. We know that Americans are struggling with their mental health now more than ever before, following the COVID-19 pandemic, said Brendel of the American Psychiatric Association. In fact, in mental health circles, we've even called it a twin pandemic, a pandemic of mental health. She and Herman say they have seen an improvement in how media reports on mental illness, due in part to the Carter fellowship program. Having the skills to report in a way that is both accurate and actionable, Herman said, ensures coverage that contributes to better public understanding of these issues and ideally to dismantling stigma. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Twin bomb blasts in Iran killed at least 95 people attending an even honoring Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. The United Nations Security Council calls on Yemens Houthis to halt attacks in the Red Sea. And A simple fingerprint test to check for breast cancer could eventually replace mammograms. President Javier Mileis sweeping decree to downsize the Argentine government suffered a legal setback on January 3 when the Labor Court invalidated a portion of the decree he signed on December 20. The temporary injunction was issued in response to an appeal by the General Confederation of Labor (CGT), the countrys largest federation of mostly Peronist labor unions. Various sectors of Argentine society and constitutional law experts have submitted appeals arguing that the presidents decree is unconstitutional. The ruling reviewed by EL PAIS suspended a portion of the decree on the grounds that there is no proven need or urgency for the executive branch to bypass the National Congress. The special decree declaring an urgent national need (DNU) is a constitutional mechanism enacted in 1994 that enables the executive to establish or modify laws when urgent action is required during natural or societal disasters. However, the Labor Court agreed with constitutional lawyers who contended that Mileis decree does not meet the DNU requirements. The Labor Court decided that the proposed reforms, if implemented immediately and outside the usual legislative process, do not provide a clear explanation of how they would create formal employment opportunities. On this basis, the court suspended Title IV of the decree, which proposes the deregulation of an Argentine labor market characterized by very beneficial conditions for white-collar workers. Title IV also restricted the right to strike, eliminated sanctions for irregular labor contracts, authorized a 12-hour work day, lengthened the probationary period for new employees, and enabled compensation changes, among other measures. The government immediately said it would appeal the temporary injunction on the grounds that the Labor Court does not have jurisdiction over the matter. Manuel Adorni, the presidents spokesperson, previously acknowledged that the decree is expected to go through a lengthy legal process. An appeal by the government could eventually reach the Supreme Court, which already has another claim against the decree brought by the province of La Rioja in western Argentina. In this case, the appeal went directly to the Supreme Court since it originated from a provincial government. General strike on January 24 The CGT applauded the courts decision and released a statement saying, They cannot not defeat us as long as we remain united. Labor unions held a large rally on December 27, with an estimated 20,000 people protesting the decree. At the same time, the Milei administration announced that it would send Congress an omnibus law with over 600 articles that had not been included in the DNU decree, signaling that the president intends to fulfill his promise to fundamentally change the political, social and economic structure of Argentina. The omnibus law was deemed significantly worse than the DNU decree by union leaders, prompting the CGT to call for a general strike on January 24. The DNU decree became effective on December 29. It contains over 300 measures to repeal laws without any Congressional input, eliminate government regulations, enable the privatization of state-owned enterprises, open the door to U.S. dollar-denominated transactions, and make the healthcare system more flexible. Not everyone is against the proposed changes, but many believe that the methods are inconsistent with the countrys constitution. The Labor Court just dealt the first blow, and there are another 30 appeals challenging the constitutionality of the decree. The DNU faces another obstacle in Congress, where it requires approval. A bicameral committee of eight senators and eight representatives will work through the summer recess to analyze whether the decree satisfies the need and urgency requirements. If the decree is endorsed by the committee, it will be presented to the plenary sessions of each chamber. Then it will be accepted or rejected in its entirety based on an absolute majority vote. If only one chamber approves the decree (or if it is not debated), it will be considered valid. However, if both chambers vote against it, the decree will be rejected. Mileis La Libertad Avanza (Liberty Advances) party does not have majorities in Congress: it only has 38 of 257 representatives and seven of 72 senators. Milei can rely on support from legislators aligned with ex-president Mauricio Macri, but not necessarily from parties like the Radical Civic Union, which stated that the country needs a change but it must follow established procedures. The Peronists, Argentinas main political force for decades, completely rejected the decree, as did the left-wing parties. The plenary session debates will have to wait until March 1 when Congress convenes again. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The Islamic State terrorist group claimed responsibility Thursday for two suicide bombings that killed 84 people in Iran who had gathered for a memorial at the grave of Revolutionary Guards General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed four years ago by a U.S. drone strike. In a statement on social media, Islamic State said two martyr brothers headed to the gravesite of Soleimani in Kerman on Wednesday in southern Iran and detonated their explosive belts amidst the crowds. The Sunni Islamic State group said the attack was by the grace of Allah and part of its Kill them wherever you find them" campaign targeting its enemies and others it considers infidels, including Shia Muslims in Iran. Soleimani, who headed the Quds Force the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' foreign operations arm was a staunch enemy of IS, a Sunni extremist group that has carried out previous attacks in majority-Shiite Iran. IS last carried out an attack in Iran in October 2022, killing 15 people at a religious shrine. Iran observed a day of national mourning on Thursday for those killed in this weeks blasts. One Iranian official had called the blasts a terroristic attack. The explosions occurred in Kerman, about 820 kilometers southeast of the capital, Tehran. Iran's Tasnim News Agency, quoting what it called informed sources, said "two bags carrying bombs went off" at the site. The ISNA News Agency quoted Kerman Mayor Saeed Tabrizi as saying the bombs exploded 10 minutes apart. Authorities said some people were injured while fleeing the initial explosion. A delayed second explosion is often used by militants to target emergency personnel responding to the scene, to inflict more casualties. People could be heard screaming on state TV footage. In early 2020, then-President Donald Trump said he ordered the killing of Soleimani because the Iranian was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel, but we caught him in the act and terminated him. The U.S. drone attack at Baghdads airport was assailed at the time by then-Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, who called it a brazen violation of Iraqs sovereignty and a blatant attack on the nations dignity. Soleimani was the architect of Iran's regional military activities and is considered a national hero among supporters of Iran's theocracy. He was widely regarded as a hero for his role in defeating Islamic State in both Iraq and Syria. He helped secure Syrian President Bashar Assad's government after the 2011 Arab Spring protests against him turned into a civil, and later a regional conflict that continues today. Relatively unknown in Iran until the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, Soleimani's popularity and mystique grew after American officials called for his killing because of his role in arming militants with roadside bombs that killed and maimed U.S. troops. In the years before the U.S. killed him, Soleimani had become Iran's most recognizable battlefield commander, ignoring calls to enter politics but growing as powerful, if not more powerful, than the countrys civilian leadership. Memorials to Soleimani on the anniversary of his death have drawn large processions in the past. At his funeral in 2020, a stampede broke out, and at least 56 people were killed and more than 200 were injured as thousands thronged the procession. VOAs Jeff Seldin contributed to this report. Some of the material came from Reuters, Agence France-Presse and The Associated Press. Kenya's president is coming under criticism from judges, lawyers, legal experts and opposition groups after saying he won't respect court orders that he perceives as an effort to undermine key policies of his administration. Critics are calling for nationwide protests to protect the judiciary's independence and respect for the rule of law. Kenyan lawyers have called for a demonstration following Tuesdays comments from President William Ruto. The head of the Law Society of Kenya, Eric Theuri, said they will be marching in support of Kenyas judges. The Law Society will be organizing a countrywide peaceful demonstration where we will read and affirm the oath that each and every one of the advocates of the high court took to protect the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and the constitution we have. The lawyers' association has called on each of its members to wear a purple ribbon next week to show their displeasure with the attack on the country's judicial system. On Tuesday, President Ruto said he will ignore some court orders that he sees as aimed at stalling government development programs. He accused some judges of corruption and working with those filing cases against his government's economic plans. "We will protect the independence of the judiciary. What we will not allow is judicial tyranny and judicial impunity," Ruto said. The government led by Ruto has made the construction of affordable houses and provision of universal healthcare two of his top priorities. But critics say in implementing the plans, the government is trampling over the legal process. A Kenyan court stopped the government's plan to raise taxes to construct the houses, saying it was unconstitutional and discriminatory, a decision that has angered the executive. In a statement, Kenyan Chief Justice Martha Koome condemned the president's remarks on matters that are still before the court. Koome called on judges to fulfill their duties in accordance with the law and the constitution. She said the Judicial Service Commission will protect the targeted judges. Theuri said Ruto must use judicial means to challenge the court rulings and judicial officers he thinks are corrupt. "The president, therefore, as the foremost custodian of the rule of law, should refrain from undermining the judiciary and instead utilize legal avenues at his disposal to challenge decisions," Theuri said. Kenya has a history of political violence and ethnic conflict, especially during election campaigns. The constitution passed in 2010 gave the judiciary independence to do its work without the interference of the government, a freedom which has given Kenyans increased confidence in the judiciary. Donald Rabala is an advocate at the High Court of Kenya. He told VOA that when the citizens are aggrieved and laws are broken, their hopes lie in courts, and it's good for the nation's stability. "It's important for the common people for those who are governed. A constitution is basically a social contract between the governed and the governance," Rabala said. "So what we are saying is that that's the only way the common man can be able to challenge any decision by the executive. They cannot change it through a compromised parliament. They cannot challenge it through the executive itself but through the judiciary they can question any decision made by the executive. With that, then you have peace, then you have prosperity in place." Despite the criticism, the government has vowed to crack down on allegedly corrupt judges and judicial officers. Many Kenyans hope any future action does not affect people's confidence in the countrys judicial system, which has taken decades to build. Two Chinese navy vessels shadowed Philippine and U.S. ships conducting joint patrols in the South China Sea, the Philippine military said on Thursday, as tensions flare in the region over disputed territorial claims. "We confirm the presence of two PLA-N [People's Liberation Army Navy] vessels from a distance shadowing the participants of the Maritime Cooperative Activity," said Xerxes Trinidad, chief of the Philippine military's public affairs office. The two-day maritime exercises involving Manila and Washington, which ended as planned on Thursday, were the second in less than two months in the West Philippine Sea what Manila calls the waters in the South China Sea that fall within its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. The activities followed Beijing's warning to the Philippines that any miscalculation in their escalating dispute in the South China Sea would bring a resolute response. "We are hoping that China and other foreign countries will respect our sovereignty and right to conduct the activity that is following international law," Trinidad said. China's embassy in Manila did not immediately comment. The joint patrols were underway when China's military said it would conduct routine patrols with its naval and air forces in the South China Sea from Wednesday to Thursday but did not say where exactly the patrols would be held. Beijing and Manila have traded accusations in recent months over several run-ins in the South China Sea, including charges that China last month rammed a ship carrying the Philippine armed forces chief of staff. The Philippine military said on Wednesday that their second joint patrol this week involved four vessels from the Philippine navy and four ships from the U.S. Indo-Pacific command that included an aircraft carrier, a cruiser and two destroyers. China lays claim to almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual commerce carried by ship, including waters claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 said China's claims had no legal basis, but China has rejected that ruling. Mexican authorities have rescued 31 migrants, including women and children, who were kidnapped over the weekend in the northern Mexican state of Tamaulipas, officials announced on Wednesday. Presidential spokesperson Jesus Ramirez confirmed the rescue on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. "They are already in the hands of the authorities and are undergoing the appropriate medical examinations," he added, along with a photo that showed men, women and children, including one holding a stuffed animal. The migrants were "safe and sound," Mexican Interior Minister Luisa Alcalde wrote on X, citing information from the state's governor. Gunmen snatched the migrants on Saturday from a bus on a highway in the municipality of Reynosa, close to Mexico's border with the United States. The bus was destined for Matamoros, across from Brownsville, Texas. Mexican Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodriguez said earlier on Wednesday that the kidnapped migrants were from Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, Honduras and Mexico. Honduran Foreign Minister Enrique Reina later posted on X that there were six Hondurans among the group, including three teenage girls, whose statements were being taken by Mexican authorities. Colombia's consulate in Mexico City said four Colombian nationals were also part of the group. Asylum-seekers and human rights activists have for months been warning of an escalating kidnapping crisis in the Tamaulipas border region, especially in Reynosa. The area is the site of an ongoing conflict between two factions of the powerful Gulf Cartel, known as the Metros and the Scorpions, according to a former security official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. He said migrant smuggling and trafficking has become the most lucrative illicit industry in the region. Earlier in the day, Rodriguez said the kidnapping was "unusual" due to the large number of victims, although it's not uncommon for migrants to be pulled off buses and kidnapped in Mexico. Usually, the migrants are forced to beg their relatives to pay ransom money. She added that authorities were tracking the cellphones of the migrants in efforts to find them. In May last year, 49 migrants, including 11 minors, were released after being kidnapped in the south of Mexico while traveling by bus to the U.S. border. A record number of migrants traveled across Central America and Mexico in 2023 aiming to reach the United States, fleeing poverty, violence, climate change and conflict. Police in New Jersey hunted Thursday for the killer of a Muslim leader who was shot outside his mosque before morning prayers, offering cash to anyone who can help them make an arrest. Authorities said they had no evidence that religious hate motivated the imam's slaying, but vowed to protect people of faith amid soaring reports of bias attacks across the U.S. The killing of Imam Hassan Sharif as he prepared to open the Masjid Muhammad-Newark mosque on Wednesday has generated an intense law enforcement dragnet. The state's attorney general pledged to assist county and local officials, and the Essex County sheriff announced a $25,000 reward. Sharif's shooting comes amid intensifying bias incidents against Muslims and Jews since Hamas committed terror attacks on Israel on October 7, provoking a punishing war in the Gaza Strip. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, recorded more than 2,000 bias incidents against U.S. Muslims in the first two months since the Mideast attacks began, up from nearly 800 in the same period last year. "While the perpetrator's motive remains unknown and irrespective of this specific incident, we advise all mosques to keep their doors open but remain cautious especially given the recent spike in anti-Muslim bigotry," said Dina Sayedahmed, a spokeswoman for CAIR's New Jersey chapter. Attorney General Matt Platkin said Wednesday there's no evidence yet that Sharif's killing was a hate crime, but he and other officials didn't detail how they determined that, or offer more details beyond saying Sharif was shot more than once in his car at about 6 a.m., and was quickly taken to the adjacent University Hospital, where he died in the afternoon. Even without evidence of a connection to anti-Muslim bias, authorities explicitly acknowledged the broader global context. "I want every resident of our state to know that we are bringing all of our resources to bear to keep our Muslim friends and neighbors safe as well as all New Jerseyans safe," Platkin said. Sharif had been the resident imam at his mosque for five years and was active in the interfaith community, city officials said. Among other things, he helped oversee the mosque's involvement as a safe house where people could go to avoid violent interactions with police, which "greatly assisted" the apprehension of felons and serving of warrants, Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Frage said. In a video statement posted on its website, the mosque offered prayers and said the community would focus on delivering Sharif his last rights and burial. The statement described Sharif as a brother, friend, father and husband and called on the community to be mindful of the family's grief. Sharif's death follows other recent killings of religious leaders or at houses of worship that officials said weren't tied to bias. In Detroit, authorities said there wasn't a "shred of evidence" that a synagogue leader was killed in her home in October. In Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, authorities said the death of a man outside a mosque was the result of a carjacking. North Korea recently sent ballistic missiles and launchers to Russia for its use in its war against Ukraine, the White House said Thursday. "This is a significant and concerning escalation," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters, noting the United States would raise the issue with the United Nations Security Council. Citing newly declassified intelligence, Kirby said Russian forces launched at least one of the North Korean-supplied missiles on December 30, which landed in an open field in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine. He said Russia then fired "multiple" ballistic missiles into Ukraine as part of a mass aerial attack on Tuesday, one of the largest assaults of the war that is now nearing the two-year mark. Kirby said the U.S. and its allies would raise the arms shipment before the U.N. Security Council because it represents a breach of U.N. sanctions against North Korea. Russia also intends to purchase missiles from its ally Iran, he said. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have previously denied the weapons allegations. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in a statement, the U.S. believes North Korea sent Russia several dozen ballistic missiles and launched many of them on Tuesday. We expect Russia will use additional missiles from [North Korea] to destroy more of Ukraines civilian infrastructure and kill Ukrainian civilians, she said. We are concerned about the security implications this cooperation has on global peace and security, Thomas-Greenfield said. Pope Francis has urged prayers for Nicaragua where two Catholic bishops,15 priests and two seminarians are in custody, with the most recent arrests taking place on Dec. 31. Observers fear the government of President Daniel Ortega is trying to eradicate the Catholic Churchs presence in Nicaragua. The pontiff opened the new year with an appeal for prayer for the Central American country, expressing his deep concern for bishops and priests "deprived of their freedom" there and urging the path of dialogue be always sought to overcome difficulties. I follow with worry the events in Nicaragua, where priests and bishops have been deprived of their liberty, he said. I express closeness to families and the people, and I invite all of you of here present and all the people of God [to pray fervently], and hope for peace to overcome the difficulties. Let us pray for Nicaragua. Observers say the pope used his New Years Day address to shed light on the growing crackdown by Ortegas government on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua, where clerics have been arrested, Catholic radio stations and a university have been shuttered, missionaries expelled, and religious festivities restrained. Jason Poblete is a U.S.-based Catholic lawyer specializing in international religious freedom issues. He told VOA that there is no real functioning opposition in Nicaragua, a deeply Catholic country, and that has made the Catholic Church a target for Ortegas government as international sanctions bite. The Catholic Church, its an easy target for Ortega, Poblete said. The priests, to their credit, they dont want to be involved in politics. But they are being thrust into that because the people of Nicaragua are looking for leadership in Nicaragua. There is a civil society outside of Nicaragua, but they have no sway inside Nicaragua. Where do people go to next? The Catholic Church is still a force to be reckoned with. Observers point to the deterioration in relations between the Catholic Church and Ortegas government during protests against social security reforms in 2018. Ortega accused Catholics of supporting the opposition during demonstrations, after the church sheltered protesters. Anyone seen as a government critic is severely repressed, analysts say. International lawyer Poblete sees Ortega carrying out the left-wing Sandinistas policies against the Catholic Church. In 1979, Ortega led the Sandinista revolution, which overthrew the dictatorship of Anastasio Somoza Debayle. But having lost elections in 1990, Ortega regained the presidency in 2007. Analysts, like Problete, say he has squelched any opposition. The Sandinistas ultimate goal is to eradicate the Catholic Church, he said. This is their words. They dont want the Catholic Church in Nicaragua. Martha Patricia Molina, a Nicaraguan lawyer and author of the study Nicaragua: A Persecuted Church? reports that the Ortega government has carried out more than 770 arrests, attacks, expropriations and harassments against the Catholic Church, including impediments to processions, prayers, masses in cemeteries, as well as spread hate messages, since 2018. Gambias Immigration Department has launched a manhunt for immigration smugglers after an increase in the death toll of Gambians attempting to cross the Atlantic Ocean into Europe. Some returnees are holding workshops to tell about the dangers of trying to flee the country. Senanu Tord reports from the capital, Banjul. The young daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is seen as her father's likely heir apparent, South Korea's spy agency said Thursday, its first such assessment on the preteen who was unveiled to the outside world a little more than a year ago. There has been intense outside debate and speculation about her, reportedly about 10 years old and named Ju Ae, since she made her first public appearance in November 2022, when she watched a long-range missile test launch with her father. The girl has since accompanied her father to a slew of major public events, with state media calling her Kim Jong Un's "most beloved" or "respected" child and churning out footage and photos proving her rising political standing and closeness with her father. A senior general knelt and whispered to her when she clapped while watching a military parade at a VIP observation stand in September. She was photographed standing in front of her father at one point during a visit to the air force headquarters in November, with both Kims wearing sunglasses and long leather jackets. In a New Year's Eve celebration at a packed Pyongyang stadium Sunday, Kim Jong Un kissed her on the cheek, and she did the same to her father. Most of these scenes are something that had previously been unimaginable in North Korea, where Kim is the subject of a strong and loyal following that treats him like a god. South Korea's main spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, said Thursday that it sees Kim Ju Ae as her father's likely successor, citing a comprehensive analysis of her public activities and the state protocols provided to her. The NIS public affairs office told The Associated Press that it still considers all possibilities regarding the North's power succession process because Kim is still young, has no major health issues, and has at least one other child. Kim turns 40 on Monday. Earlier Thursday, lawmaker Youn Kun-Young said the nominee for the NIS chief position, Cho Tae-yong, had given him that assessment. In phone conversations with the AP, Youn, a member of parliament's intelligence committee, said Cho's written responses to his questions contained no other details about Kim Ju Ae. The NIS has a spotty record in confirming developments in North Korea, one of the world's most secretive nations. North Korea's state media have yet to make any direct comments on the succession plan, including whether Kim Ju Ae has any siblings. Du Hyeogn Cha, an analyst at Seoul's Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said that while the NIS currently sees a high possibility of Kim Ju Ae getting primed to become her father's successor, few can predict whether she would eventually become the North's next leader. Cha added that Kim Ju Ae lacks political achievements that he said are essential to be formally anointed as the country's future leader. Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at the private Sejong Institute in South Korea, said that Kim Jong Un likely believes his daughter has the capacity and resolve to succeed him as leader. He said Kim Jong Un's obesity appears so serious that "it won't be surprising even if he collapses tomorrow." "By accompanying her father on major events, it's like she's learning kingship and building a human network at a tender age," Cheong said. NIS and officials from other parts of South Korea's government earlier said it was premature to view Kim Ju Ae as her father's heir, given Kim Jong Un's relatively young age and North Korea's Confucianism-influenced, male-nominated power structure. They said the girl's repeated appearances were more likely meant to shore up public support for Kim's family and his plan to one day hand power over to one of his children. Since its foundation in 1948, North Korea has been successively ruled by male members of the Kim family. Kim Jong Un inherited power upon his father Kim Jong Il's death in late 2011. Kim Jong Il took power after his father and state founder Kim Il Sung died in 1994. Revealing the young Kim Ju Ae came as a surprise to foreign experts because neither Kim Jong Un nor Kim Jong Il were mentioned in North Korean state media before they became adults. An imam who was shot Wednesday outside a mosque in New Jersey has died, the US state's attorney general said, adding that the killing did not initially appear to be driven by "bias" or domestic terrorism. Hassan Sharif was shot multiple times near a mosque in Newark, just west of New York, before being taken to hospital where he later died, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said. "We do not yet know the motivation for this crime (but) the evidence collected thus far does not indicate that this was an act motivated by bias, or an act of domestic terrorism," said Platkin. He added that "in light of global events, and with a rise in bias that many communities are experiencing across our state particularly the Muslim community there are many in New Jersey right now who are feeling a heightened sense of fear." The state is home to 300,000 Muslim Americans, he said. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, there has been an increase in Islamophobic and anti-Semitic attacks across the United States. The Essex County prosecutor, Ted Stephens, confirmed Sharif was shot more than once, and that "it does not appear the imam was the victim of a bias crime or that this is related to terrorism." "We are dedicated to bringing justice for the imam's family," said Stephens, who called it a "dastardly crime." The U.S. Transportation Security Administration earlier confirmed that Sharif had worked as a security screener at Newark airport since 2016. "We are deeply saddened to learn of his passing and send our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues," said Lisa Farbstein, a TSA spokeswoman. Images published by the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) showed police vehicles deployed outside the Masjid Muhammad-Newark, a two-story yellow and green complex. In a statement, CAIR described Sharif as "a beacon of leadership and excellence." "As always, and irrespective of this specific incident, we advise all mosques to keep their doors open but remain cautious especially given the recent spike in anti-Muslim bigotry," the organization said. The death of Hamas number two, Saleh al-Arouri, in an attack on Tuesday in Beirut has heightened tensions in the region and increased fears that the war between Israel and Gaza could spread beyond the Strip. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied it was behind the attack. Hamas has warned that the bombing in the Lebanese capital will carry consequences, while Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari stated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are prepared for any scenario. The leader of the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, also issued a warning Wednesday: If the enemy thinks of waging a war on Lebanon, we will fight without restraint, without rules, without limits and without restrictions. A day after the biggest blow to Hamas since the beginning of the war in the Palestinian enclave, clashes continue between Israel and Hezbollah on the border, while pleas to avoid an escalation of the conflict in the region continue. On Wednesday, the West Bank awoke to closed stores, institutions, and businesses and there have been protests in cities such as Ramallah, the administrative capital of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). Other Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah, which governs the West Bank with the PNA, called for a general strike to protest the death of al-Arouri. Hundreds of people demonstrated in Ramallah to the cry of revenge. The attack in which al-Arouri and five other people were killed, including two Hamas military leaders, targeted the Palestinian groups offices in Dahieh, a Beirut suburb controlled by Hezbollah, the militia that has been exchanging rockets, aerial fire, and artillery with Israel almost daily since the beginning of the war. If Israeli responsibility for the attack on al-Arouri is confirmed, it would be the first of its kind in Beirut since 2006. The Hezbollah leader on Wednesday expressed his condolences for the death of al-Arouri and described the bombing as a blatant Israeli aggression. In a speech he had planned to deliver before news of Tuesdays attack broke, Nasrallah said that Hezbollahs swift action on October 8, after the start of the Israel-Hamas war, and the exchange of artillery fire on the border since then, had prevented a wider Israeli bombing campaign in Lebanon. He also vowed that there will be no limits or rules for the Iran-backed Shiite militia should Israel decide to attack Lebanon. " Whoever thinks of war with us, in one word, he will regret it, he said. Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said hours earlier that his government was talking to Hezbollah to convince the militia that they should not respond to Tuesdays Beirut attack. We dont tell them, we dialogue with them in this regard, Bou Habib specified in an interview with the BBC. The minister added it would be seen in the next 24 hours whether they respond or not. We are very concerned, [the] Lebanese dont want to be dragged, even Hezbollah does not want to be dragged, into a regional war, he added. Bou Habib called on the West to pressure Israel to stop all its violence in Lebanon and Gaza. The United States has acknowledged that it is also concerned about a possible escalation. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said he could not offer an assessment of who was responsible for the attack, but emphasized that al-Arouri was a brutal terrorist who was centrally responsible for the attacks of October 7 as well as other attacks against innocent civilians leading back to well before October 7. Washington was not notified of the attack in advance, he added. Demonstrators hold their cell phones in the air during a protest over the death of Saleh al-Arouri. ALAA AL SUKHNI (REUTERS) Several voices have called for de-escalation. The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon has warned that any escalation could have devastating consequences on both sides of the border. We continue to implore all parties to cease their fire, and any interlocutors with influence to urge restraint, said spokeswoman Kandice Ardiel. In Cairo, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi told a delegation of U.S. senators that the priority is to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and emphasized the need to prevent the conflict from spreading in the region. The President also underlined the crucial need to exert intensive and responsible efforts to avert factors conducive to the expansion of the conflict in the region, given the grave and momentous repercussions this would have on regional and international peace and security, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement issued after the meeting. For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday spoke with Benny Gantz, a member of Israels emergency government. Macron said it was essential to avoid any escalatory attitude, particularly in Lebanon, and that France would continue to pass on these messages to all players directly or indirectly involved in the area, the Elysee said, as reported by BFM TV. Macron also expressed his deep concern at the very high number of civilian deaths and the humanitarian emergency situation in Gaza. Meanwhile, the extent of a change in Hamas stance remains unclear. Husam Badran, a member of the militias political bureau in exile, reacted to al-Arouris death by warning the criminal occupation - referring to Israel - that the battle between them and Hamas is open. But Sami Abu Zuhri, another senior official in the Palestinian Islamist group, stated that while al-Arouris death will have its consequences, Hamas position remains that, as long as Israel completely stops its attacks, it is open to talks on all other issues. Hamas and other Islamist factions are still holding 129 hostages in Gaza and there have been talks between the two sides for a possible ceasefire and the exchange of captives in the Strip for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. Iran, which warned Tuesday that the death of al-Arouri will undoubtedly ignite another surge in the veins of resistance and the motivation to fight against the Zionist occupiers, in the words of Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani, also issued a warning to the United States on Wednesday. Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani warned Washington to prepare for the consequences of the assassination of Hamas number two, according to Iranian media. Joe Bidens administration, in his words, has upset the regional balance, and the repercussions will have an adverse effect and beset the Americans themselves. Russia and Ukraine rang in 2024 by attacking each other, as Ukraine continues its quest to push invading Russian forces out. But much of the drama around this conflict is centered in Washington, where Republicans are reluctant to grant President Joe Bidens increasingly urgent request for tens of billions in funding for Ukraine. VOAs Anita Powell reports from the White House. Israel carried out new airstrikes Wednesday in the Gaza Strip, while the Israeli army said it was on high alert for attacks by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, following a drone strike that killed a senior Hamas official in Beirut. Hamas and security officials in the region attributed the strike that killed Saleh al-Arouri to an Israeli drone, although Israel has not directly acknowledged responsibility. The chief of Israel's Mossad intelligence service said Wednesday the agency would hunt down every Hamas member involved in the October 7 attack on Israel, no matter where they are. David Barnea, Mossads head, made a comparison to the aftermath of the 1972 Munich massacre when Mossad agents tracked down and killed a string of Palestinian militants who had killed 11 Israeli athletes at that years Olympic Games. Speaking at the funeral of former Mossad head Zvi Zamir, Israels spy chief at the time of the Munich attack, Barnea said Israel would pursue everyone involved, "directly or indirectly," including "planners and envoys," involved in the shock attack nearly three months ago that killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel and allowed Hamas to capture about 240 hostages. "It'll take time, as it took time after the Munich massacre, but we will put our hands on them wherever they are," Barnea said. Hezbollah like Hamas, an Iran-backed militant group designated as a terror organization by the United States has been firing rockets across Israels northern border since the Israel-Hamas war broke out in October. In a televised speech Wednesday, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warned Israel against attacking Lebanon. "If the enemy thinks of waging a war on Lebanon, we will fight without restraint, without rules, without limits and without restrictions," Nasrallah said. Arouri was a senior official in Hamas' politburo and one of the founders of its military wing, the Qassam Brigades, that carried out the deadly shock assault in Israeli territory on October 7. The United States last year offered $5 million for information on him as part of its Rewards for Justice program. SEE ALSO: The Israeli military declined to comment on Arouris reported death, but such an attack would be in line with Jerusalem's avowed intent to kill key Hamas leaders as the war with Hamas in Gaza nears the three-month mark. "The most important thing to say tonight is that we are focused and remain focused on fighting Hamas," Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said when asked about Arouris killing. Arouri headed the Hamas presence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had threatened to kill him even before the militant group invaded southern Israel in the October attack. Lebanon's state news agency reported that four people were killed in the attack on the Hamas offices in a crowded neighborhood in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital. In a statement, Hezbollah said, "this crime will not go unanswered or unpunished," calling it a "dangerous development in the course of the war." Israel has warned that if Hezbollah does not back down, a full-on Lebanon war looms. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are backed by Iran, whose militant allies in Syria, Iraq and Yemen have also been carrying out longer-range attacks against Israel. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Wednesday the international community must "impose" a solution to the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. "What we have learned over the last 30 years, and what we are learning now with the tragedy experienced in Gaza, is that the solution must be imposed from outside," Borrell told diplomats in Portugal. "Peace will only be achieved in a lasting manner if the international community gets involved intensely to achieve it and imposes a solution," he said, pointing to the United States, Europe and Arab countries. Borrell warned that the strike in Beirut that killed Arouri was "an additional factor that can cause an escalation of the conflict." Post-war governance Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said Tuesday in a televised address that he is open to a single Palestinian administration to govern war-ravaged Gaza, which has been ruled by Hamas, and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority runs some government operations. Haniyeh's position is similar to that of the United States, which favors eventual control of Gaza and the West Bank by the Palestinian Authority, a stance opposed by Netanyahu. The Israeli leader says the Jewish state must control "overall security" in Gaza after the war but left unclear exactly what that would entail. The United States has stressed that Palestinians must be part of any postwar administration, but the future role of the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority remains unclear. The Israeli campaign to crush Hamas has left vast parts of the Gaza Strip in ruins. The Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza said the Israeli offensive has killed more than 22,000 people. The ministry does not differentiate between militants and civilians but says 70% of those killed were women and children. Israel launched its offensive after the October 7 attack when Israel said about 1,200 people were killed and some 240 captives taken hostage, with 129 believed still held by Hamas or other militants in Gaza. The Israeli military said 174 of its military personnel have been killed so far in the fighting. Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and others. About 85% of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been displaced, according to the United Nations. The U.N. has warned of the increased risk of hunger and disease, as desperate families shelter in makeshift tents against the winter cold. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Rafah governate, located in southern Gaza next to the Egyptian border, is the main refuge for those who have been displaced by intensified fighting and Israeli evacuation orders. There are more than one million people there, squeezed into an extremely overcrowded space, the U.N. said. Some material for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Citizens Coalition for Change official and former Zengeza West lawmaker appeared in court Wednesday facing charges of publishing falsehoods. He will appear again in court on Friday. Sikhala also faces charges of inciting public violence. He has spent 18 months in remand prison. (VOA) THE HAGUE The United Nation's top court will hear submissions next week from South Africa and Israel after Pretoria opened a case for what it called Israel's genocidal acts in Gaza. South Africa wants the International Court of Justice to urgently order Israel to suspend its military operations in Gaza, in a case that Israel rejected "with disgust." The United States on Wednesday criticized South Africa for bringing a genocide case, rejecting accusations against Israel over its war in Gaza. "This submission is meritless, counterproductive and completely without any basis in fact whatsoever," White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said during a briefing. U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said separately that from a U.S. assessment, "We have not at this point seen acts that constitute genocide." "Genocide is, of course, a heinous atrocity," Miller told reporters. "Those are allegations that should not make be made lightly." The International Court of Justice "will hold public hearings at the Peace Palace in The Hague ... in proceedings instituted by South Africa against Israel," on January 11 and January 12, the court said in a statement. The South African application, filed last Friday, related to alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the Genocide Convention, saying that "Israel has engaged in, is engaging in and risks further engaging in genocidal acts against the Palestinian people in Gaza." Israel rejected the charge, with Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Lior Haiat writing on X, "Israel rejects with disgust the blood libel spread by South Africa and its application" to the ICJ. "Blood libel" is a reference to ancient antisemitic conspiracies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel displayed "unparalleled morality" in the Gaza war as he, too, dismissed South Africa's charge. South Africa, among other urgent measures, is asking the court to order that "Israel shall immediately suspend its military operations in and against Gaza" and that both countries "take all reasonable measures within their power to prevent genocide." Israel launched a relentless military campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip after the Palestinian militants carried out an attack on southern Israel on October 7. The attack left 1,200 people dead, according to Israel. Israel's ongoing Gaza offensive has killed more than 22,300 people, mostly women and children, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza. South Africa will present its arguments on January 11, while Israel is set to counter on January 12. A ruling by the ICJ on the request for emergency measures is expected to follow within weeks, but the case could still take months, or even years. Set up after World War II, the ICJ is the U.N.'s highest legal body and rules in disputes between countries. Decisions are legally binding, but the court has little power to enforce them. Russia and Ukraine announced Wednesday they have exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war. Ukrainian officials said 230 of their soldiers had been released by Russia. Russias defense ministry said 248 of its soldiers had returned home from Ukrainian captivity under a deal mediated by the United Arab Emirates. The two sides have previously exchanged prisoners at various times during the nearly two-year war. Earlier, Russias defense ministry said Wednesday its air defenses destroyed 12 Ukrainian missiles over the Belgorod region, days after a Ukrainian attack in the same area killed 24 people and prompted a vow of intensified attacks from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Tuesday brought extensive Russian missile attacks that killed at least five people and wounded as many as 130 in Kyiv and Kharkiv, Ukrainian officials said. Ukraine's air force said Russian forces used 35 drones and 99 missiles, launched by air and sea, and that Ukrainian air defenses downed all the drones and 72 of the missiles. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said Wednesday that in response to the latest onslaught on Ukraine, allies should respond by tightening sanctions on Russia and providing Ukrainian forces with long-range missiles. Sikorski said on X, formerly Twitter, that the missiles would enable Ukraine to take out launch sites and command centers. Poland borders Ukraine, and its military dispatched four F-16 fighter jets to protect its own airspace amid Tuesdays Russian attacks. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans office issued a statement Tuesday denying that mine-hunting ships donated by Britain to Ukraine were allowed to pass through the Turkish Straits and reach the Black Sea. Britain said last month it was transferring two Royal Navy Sandown Class mine countermeasures vessels to Ukraine to help counter the threat from Russian mines and allow for Ukrainian export operations through the Black Sea. Turkey said in its statement that since the start of the war in Ukraine, it has closed the Turkish Straits to warships of Russia and Ukraine and maintains its unwavering determination and principled stance throughout this war to prevent the escalation of tension in the Black Sea. Turkey said allies were told the mine-hunting ships would not be allowed through the Turkish Straits as long as the war continues. Some material for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Margot Robbie. Photo: The Hollywood Reporter via YouTube Awards season is the best time of the year, but the ceremonies are rarely the best part. What matters is the press tours where actors, actresses, directors, and the occasional bedraggled writer show off designer goods on red carpets, charm us on talk shows, pose for magazine shoots galore, and have sincere discussions about their art over and over again. The crown jewel is, of course, The Hollywood Reporter roundtables and if youre gay, more specifically, the Actress Rountable, which is a yearly reminder of how powerful it was when Saoirse Ronan said Women! But something feels off: Margot Robbie, star of one the years biggest movie in Barbie, one of the best actresses of our generation, and an almost shoe-in for a Best Actress nomination, should not be there. No, Margot Robbies first title is producer. Robbies production company, LuckyChap which also produced another 2024 awards contender in Saltburn was the driving force behind getting the Barbie movie made in the way it was. Throughout the current awards season, much of Robbies press has been focused on her producing work she talked about the process in depth with Cillian Murphy in her Actors on Actors interview on ABC News with Greta Gerwig and now in her roundtable. Obviously, it was a long process to first get the property, then to get it set up at Warners and Mattel and have everyone trust in us as a production company to make it and honor the brand but also do something relevant and interesting, she says at the roundtable. One of the biggest fights was convincing everyone that it could be a four-quadrant movie because it had a budget that necessitated it being a four-quadrant movie, and that means getting men to go see it. Through this run of discussions, its become clear that while acting Barbie is an interesting enough process, the real meat of the story is in how Barbie was made in the way it was, and Robbie is an integral part of that process, a driving force in its creation. So why does this matter? Well, the value of the roundtables is watching different professionals contend with their peers way of being. In acting, that can mean watching actresses listening to Kirsten Dunst say she intentionally seeks out work with female directors because it helps give the opportunity. But seeing as Barbie is more than anything a feat of producing might, it would be altogether more valuable to watch other producers weigh in on what the producer of Barbie means by four quadrant movie. Of course, other members of LuckyChap Tom Ackerley and Josey McNamara may be at the producers roundtable (out January 14), but its worth noting they are both men. Missed opportunity to bring the woman who produced the most successful film ever directed by a woman into the conversation. Wearing a bright-pink blazer, of course. Rafael Davila and Aigul Akhmetshina in the Mets new Carmen. Photo: Ken Howard/Met Opera You know from the opening downbeat that the Mets latest new production is going to be a Carmen on wheels. Conductor Daniele Rustioni tears through the overture like a driver with a radar detector and a taste for risk. Once the curtain goes up, the action takes place at the side of a road. The smugglers in Act Two dont have a den; they huddle in the empty trailer of a semi, which serves as a truck-stop dance club. After intermission, we see the same truck on its side and in flames. The metaphor applies to the operas theme of fate but also the production itself, which starts off shaky and winds up in a ditch. (Or rather on a turntable: The overturned tractor-trailer rotates slowly and repetitively, giving the audience plenty of time to study its undercarriage and roof, for no evident reason.) The Mets latest stuck Carmen is directed by Carrie Cracknell, who comes to it with two disadvantages. The first is her stated fear that such a dusty classic will bore the young folks, an attitude I find condescending. Surely Gen-Zers reared on fantasy medieval epics, superheroes, and historical mashups can recognize a badass rebel woman when they see one, even if she happens to live in 19th-century Andalusia. Cracknells second struggle is that to overcome this presumptive irrelevance, she moves the action to a setting that opera audiences know even less than they do Spain: Americas industrial heartland. Her Seville is a factory town thats close to a high mountain pass as well as the border, and also has a resident rodeo star. Which is to say, the production explores a geography that, like the America in Saul Steinbergs New Yorker cover, gets pretty vague west of Tenth Avenue. Michael Levine makes it all duly depressing, and lighting designer Guy Hoare adorns it with LED strips that look like headlights zooming by. This is a landscape where only the luckless pull over and stop. (More mysteriously, for a director intent on updating antiquity, Cracknell and her team also seem to have an approximate acquaintance with the present; for some reason, the production has an early-90s slacker vibe.) Theres nothing wrong with modernizing a classic or emphasizing discomforts weve grown inured to. Carmen can be bracing as well as seductive. The sparking currents of class and race are timely. Don Jose is a passive but possessive male who can only assert himself through violence. Carmen deploys her sexuality as a weapon because thats pretty much all the power she has. These elements, as urgent now as they were at the Paris premiere in 1875, make the opera flexible enough to stimulate a directors imagination. Yet theyre already embedded in the score, so theres no real need to invent new sources of what the director describes as shame, anger, and disempowerment gendered harassment, and violence against women. The works power is its specificity. Carmen is a complicated person, not an archetype. She works in a cigarette factory, linking a Parisian gentlemans consumer pleasures with tobaccos brutal labor conditions. The musics flavor is Spanish because an Andalusian setting suited Bizets need for both clarity and projection; exoticism throws the violence into relief. In unstitching this quilt of themes, Cracknell winds up making the opera generic: Its set somewhere, sometime, among unspecified economic conditions. (I doubt the typical U.S. gun factory is a chaotic sweatshop that only employs women in pink smocks or that the Army provides security.) In attempting to make the story more trenchant, Cracknell has effectively softened it. Take the character of Escamillo, the swaggering toreador whos been retrained as a rodeador. Instead of killing bulls for a living, he rides them which would be a clever adaptation, except that the switch makes a hash of the final acts structure, with its parallel stabbings and tragic blood rite. These misconceptions would matter little if they framed a musically spectacular performance. In this case, though, the cast seems unsteady, or at least unconvinced. Rafael Davila stepped in for Piotr Beczala on the night I attended, singing an awkward Don Jose, justifiably anxious about hitting the high notes. Aigul Akhmetshinas mezzo-soprano has the sultriness and burnished-wood tone for the title role, and Tim Scutt has outfitted her in Daisy Dukes and teal cowboy boots to show off her looks. But she never seems at ease with the role, especially when slinking along a chain-link fence or hoisting herself on top of a gas pump for a little precarious shimmying. There is one point in the evening when all the little irritants fade away and genuine, liquid opera pours from the stage: Micaelas Act Three aria of quaking fortitude, Je dis que rien ne mepouvante. The soprano Angel Blue pauses in the spotlight, turns to the audience, and sings ravishing music with subtlety and power, just as divas have been doing for centuries. Its a wonderful few minutes until you realize that the hometown sweetheart with a message from Mom has just upstaged the wild woman of the title. When that happens, it means your Carmen has a problem. Carmen is at the Metropolitan Opera through May 25. Fist bump. Photo: Saturday Night Live via YouTube Update January 3, 2024: Solidarity forever! Fox has listened to the WGA and will be airing the Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series award during the Primetime Emmys. The WGA, Fox, and the Television Academy issued a joint statement announcing the 26th category for the 75th Emmy Awards. Original story follows. The WGA has found a new challenger, and hopefully this one shall be vanquished soon as well. The organization released a petition signed by hundreds of writers in solidarity with the nominees on December 19 demanding that the 75th Emmy Awards air the Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series/Special categories during their main broadcast. The categorys removal was announced in November, according to Deadline, with it being replaced by Variety Special (Live). Previously, Writing for a Variety Series/Special alternated with each other to be broadcast on prime time. Writing is the bedrock of variety programming, and it is unthinkable that the Television Academy would choose to sideline our contribution to the genre only months after writers spent 148 days on strike to receive the recognition we deserve for the work we help create, reads the petition, which was signed by hundreds of writers. The same day as the petition, the WGA also released a letter signed by a select group of 14 writers eligible in the Variety category, including Michael Che and Colin Jost, Jimmy Fallon, Amber Ruffin, and John Oliver. Our programs could not exist without the tremendous work of our writers as proven by the writers strike that shut down late night television for 148 days, the letter states. The Academys decision devalues their work, and our series, by sidelining writers from being honored during the Emmys main telecast. The category is currently set to air as part of the Creative Arts Emmys on January 6 and 7. The Primetime Emmys, meanwhile, will air on January 15 hosted by Anthony Anderson. Next year? Who knows, seeing as most of the potential hosts just signed a letter about how mad they are at the Emmys. Michael Mann breaks down the moments that turn Ferrari from a racing picture into an intimate tale of parental grief. Photo: Neon To those of us who are not racing-history aficionados, and to whom the catastrophic events of the 1957 Mille Miglia are not well known, the ostensible climax of Michael Manns Ferrari might come as quite a shock. Not just because of the carnage in full display onscreen, but because of the subtle ways the picture has maneuvered our expectations up until this point. Throughout the film, Mann has set up this upcoming cross-country race (A thousand miles across bad roads with sheep and dogs anything can happen, as Penelope Cruzs Laura Ferrari memorably puts it) as a make-or-break moment for Enzo Ferrari (Adam Driver). The automakers business is about to collapse under heavy debt and a recent string of failures. Win the Mille Miglia, Enzo. Attract outside financing. Or you are out of business, warns his lawyer and consigliere, Giacomo Cuoghi (Giuseppe Bonifati). We know, of course, that Ferrari the brand survived, so we feel confident that Enzos team will emerge triumphant from the race. The film has also been setting up the young Spanish racer Alfonso de Portago (Gabriel Leone) as an up-and-comer who looks set to turn Ferraris fortunes around. That Enzo initially rejects his appeals to join the team subconsciously solidifies in our minds the idea that de Portago will be victorious, as does the fact that the Spaniard falters in an earlier race, earning Enzos ire and setting up his presumed third-act redemption. Thats how racing movies work, isnt it? De Portago is a classic underdog. So, when his car flies off the road at Guidizzolo and slices through a group of spectators, leaving many dead and the driver himself once so young, charismatic, and full of promise graphically severed in half, we are shocked on multiple levels. The Guidizzolo crash is downright scarring. (It was in reality too. The Mille Miglia race, never a safe race to begin with, was canceled after the events of 1957.) Mann doesnt shy away from showing the full extent of the devastation. Theyre savage, he said about these race cars when I interviewed him about the film. They can kill you in a heartbeat. They have more power than you can handle. They have more power than the brakes can handle. One tiny thing goes wrong and the result is catastrophic. To re-create this sequence, the director and his team did an intense amount of research, including looking at perhaps the most ghastly racing disaster ever recorded on film, the notorious 1955 Le Mans crash that claimed the lives of 83 people, including Mercedes driver Pierre Levegh. That footage, captured by a BBC camera, bears the marks of time and is (thankfully) not entirely clear. Its also very fast; it takes a beat to realize that these are actual people Leveghs car is chain-sawing its way through. In Ferrari, Mann and his team re-create a variation on that incident, but they also let the crash occur slower, so that we actually see the humans being plowed under the car. Editor Pietro Scalia recalls that it was important for Mann that the devastation happen in one single shot, without any cuts. This is a visceral and uncanny horror, the stuff of nightmares. Weve seen lots of car crashes on film; weve probably never seen one this disturbing. You may not ever want to enter a car again after seeing it. While researching the incident and the actual location of the crash, Mann was approached by an elderly man who recalled that his older brother was one of the victims at Guidizzolo. The director then added a scene with this family into the film, to give yet another human face to the disaster. We need the audience to understand, cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt recalls the director saying. Mann wants us to see the brutality of this sport, and also perhaps the consequences of Enzos drive to succeed, his admonition to his racers to throw caution to the wind and to always go faster to brake later, as he puts it. Enzo is not the villain of Ferrari, but he is obsessed with winning, and he may well hold some responsibility for these deaths. In the film, right before the crash at Guidizzolo, it becomes clear that Ferraris drivers are basically guaranteed a win at the Mille Miglia; their chief competitor, Maserati, has abandoned the race after its cars broke down or crashed. De Portago has prevailed over his French nemesis Jean Behra (Derek Hill) after doing what Enzo had advised him to do: not letting up as Behra tried to run him off the road. But then, still eager to prove himself, de Portago refuses to let the pit crew replace his tires, as if taking Enzos words too much to heart. (When you get into one of my cars and no one is forcing you to enter you get in to win.) We all carry things that are in opposition to each other. And they dont get resolved. Michael Mann At this point, Ferraris drivers are all effectively competing against one another, something Enzo encourages as he sends each on his way. The sporting thing to do would be to slow down and play it safe. But these are not sportsmen, as Enzo himself said earlier. They are competitors. His engineers suggest that he should order the drivers to hold their positions, now that a win is virtually guaranteed. Enzos response? Theyll wipe out or they wont! My factory is built on racing. They are racers. To these people, racing is a state of being. Death can come at any second, and theyve accepted this fact. One of the films more moving sequences shows the drivers writing letters to their loved ones the evening before the race, to be delivered in case of their deaths. Has Enzos overwhelming desire for victory led to this catastrophe? Hes clearly asking himself this question as well. Earlier, he reflects that 24 years ago, after a disastrous crash that claimed the lives of his friends Baconin Borzacchini and Giuseppe Campari in the metal I made, he told himself not to let his emotions get in the way of his racing. I knew then that it was Enzo build a wall Or Enzo go do something else. At the crash site at Guidizzolo, we see the soul-crushing consequences of this attitude. Watch the tension on Drivers face as he wanders through this scene at night and you will see a man being torn to pieces inside. Weve come to collect the car, says one of his employees to the authorities as they approach what remains of the vehicle, a mangled and unrecognizable mess of metal and rubber in the darkness. Other people are mourning dead parents and children and friends, but Enzo wont let himself look at them; all he has is a dead car. Later, when hes told that in racing we all know death is nearby, he replies, No, children dont know. Families dont know. One wonders if at this moment he is thinking of his own recently deceased son, Dino, whose illness did not involve racing or cars, but whose death still haunts him, still reminds him of his helplessness. Throughout Ferrari, Mann has juxtaposed Enzos ambitions on the race track with the tense holding pattern of his personal life. He lives with and is married to Laura, in a dark, loveless home filled with grief, while raising another son, Piero, with Lina Lardi (Shailene Woodley) in a sunny farmhouse. Enzo refuses to officially recognize Piero and keeps Laura in the dark about this other family. On the track, all is progress, speed, forward momentum. At home, all is stasis. But now, in a deadly crash that has killed five kids, the two worlds merge in a spiritually tragic way; the grieving father has created more grieving fathers. We might expect at this moment for Enzo to learn some kind of valuable lesson, to come to some kind of climactic self-awareness, so that the film can move toward emotional resolution. We get little indication that he has. He is, after all, one of Manns existential protagonists, simultaneously compelled to his profession and imprisoned by it. All I am is what I am going after, as Al Pacinos Vincent Hanna once put it in Heat. But then the true climax of Ferrari comes. Right after the crash, Enzo learns that Laura has cashed the check that he had given her earlier for her share of the business, something she had agreed not to do until after Enzo had negotiated with Fiat for the sale of his company. (This is a gun pointed at our heads, Enzo had told her. You cash it before I conclude the deal, Ferrari is no more.) The revelation that she has cashed the check is yet another nail in his coffin. Returning home to find her sitting alone in the dark, he tells her that she has bankrupted the company. It turns out, however, that she is one step ahead of him. Earlier, after another fatal car crash, the Italian press was all too eager to depict Enzo as a monstrous, murderous figure. (Ferrari is an industrial Saturn, devouring his children, went one colorful passage.) Now, Laura tells him that the reason she cashed the check was because Enzo will need money to bribe the journalists covering the crash. Go beat the hell out of them. Theyre writers, those cheap hacks. Threaten them, extort them, she says. And those still on their feet, the most sanctimonious and hypocritical, those you give them brown envelopes And for that you need the cash. In essence, shes saved his company albeit by setting up a brazen act of corruption. It is an act that is at once heroic, sacrificial, and totally debased. Again, Mann does not provide easy answers or clean resolutions. Enzo suspects that theres something Laura will want in return. And the conditions are? he asks. No conditions, she says. And then she launches into the films most powerful soliloquy, telling Enzo about the love and warmth she once saw in him: There was a part of you in Dino, she says quietly. Your warmth, your wit, your joy. He had that. I had that from you in our early years. But after a time, I only got what was left when you came home from the fight in the factory. The ambition, the drive, the plots, the paranoia. Its a reminder that we have never once seen Enzo be tender with this woman who is his wife and partner even during their one sex scene, which is more animalistic than intimate. When Laura speaks of how the fight in the factory left Enzo drained of warmth and compassion, shes highlighting something else we might have noticed about this man: Everything for him is about cars and racing. When he talks to Lina Lardi, its about what happened that day at work. When he talks to the 10-year-old Piero, its about engines. When he talks to the grave of Dino, its about the business. (Cuoghi wants to meet, he says to the walls in his sons mausoleum, as if conferring with an assistant.) There is no condition. You have the money, Laura now repeats. But it is my wish for my grief for our son, for the years building this, you do not acknowledge the boy with the name Ferrari while I am alive. When we first hear this, it might seem like a petty request on her part, and a weirdly small note to end this film on. From a spectacular crash to this odd, quiet, tense exchange between husband and wife about a childs name. Where is the longed-for emotional escalation? But think back to the earlier sequence when Laura discovered Linas and Pieros existence, thanks to a gaffe by one of Enzos bankers. In that scene, Laura wanders the grounds of Linas house and happens upon a small toy car sitting on the stoop. Seeing that, she understands that a young boy, presumably Enzos, also lives there. As Laura holds the car tenderly in her hands, we see, in close-up, that its an old toy, its paint wearing away on the sides. And then we realize: This was Dinos car. It is at this moment that Laura understands that the young and very much alive Piero is replacing the deceased Dino in Enzos heart. (Later, in a blink-and-youll-miss-it rack-focus, we will see that she has brought the car back home and put it on a shelf in her room.) Penelopes performance was so stunning that we lived with the imperfections. Andy Nelson, post-production sound mixer Throughout the film, Mann has shown Laura imprisoned in her grief: Cruz is often shot head-on, a shadow across her face, her black hair a curtain of sorrow. We never really see the sun in the Ferrari house, Messerschmidt says, in stark contrast to the soft, gentle light that permeates Lina Lardis home. We understand that Laura will never really be able to move forward from her loss. Nor does she want to. When she visits Dinos grave, she stares at it with a mixture of joy and sadness, almost as if she were looking at an actual person, as if the boy might still be alive. And maybe he is, in a way. Dino is a presence in Lauras life, even though hes dead. And for her, to give Piero the name Ferrari would be the final erasure of her son from the face of the earth. This is one of the essences of Manns cinema. Having worked in genre television for years, he has an intuitive understanding of narrative conventions, so his movies often hit many of the beats that tell us were watching something somewhat familiar but then he swerves away in dramatic ways that sometimes frustrate viewers, at least initially. The cops-and-robbers procedural of Heat becomes a vast, multi-character fresco, Dickensian in scope. The undercover thriller Miami Vice becomes a swooning, drifting romance. The cyberthriller Blackhat becomes a rumination on grids both planetary and microscopic. And now, the racing picture Ferrari becomes an intimate tale of parental grief. Listen closely to the final lines, and you can actually hear the sound levels rise as the camera closes in on Cruzs face. The camera was moving in pretty tight, so we definitely went in tight on that and pushed and pushed, says Andy Nelson, Ferraris sound re-recording mixer. Its an odd effect that seems to go against the dictates of slick moviemaking, but in Manns films, the rough edges are often where the poetry lies. Interestingly enough, the recording at that very moment was just the tiniest bit scratchy sounding, says Nelson, but Penelopes performance was so stunning that we lived with the imperfections because it was a perfect rendition of it. That scratchiness perhaps enhances the idea that Lauras words come from somewhere deep and primal. It is my wish. Mann says this line, and the way Cruz utters it remind him of something almost prehistorical. Its like it comes from a primitive, North Italian tribe, he says. Its preJudeo-Christian, pre-Roman. And her connection to Enzo right now is different too. Everything has been a negotiation, everything has been a transaction up to this moment, Mann observes. But now shes saying, You decide. You think through what this decision is to be. He chooses to say yes from just a complete free will. The director has said that one of the elements that drew him to Ferrari was the unreconciled quality of Enzos life and career. We all carry things that are in opposition to each other. And they dont get resolved. They get resolved in archetypal dramas that we craft, he says. How do these oppositions end in most of our lives? We sit around in a BarcaLounger, or watching daytime TV, and then we die they dont get resolved. Thus, Ferrari doesnt end on some neat moment of catharsis or closure or self-realization. Ferrari is cleared of culpability in the crash at Guidizzolo, but that doesnt make the incident any less horrific, nor does it clear Enzo spiritually. We are forced to hold all these contradictory ideas in suspension. He is a great racing impresario. He builds beautiful machines. And those machines can and will kill people, especially the way he asks that they be driven. His marriage to Laura will continue, even as Lina and Piero will come to Modena to live with him. He loves Laura on some level, but he also despises her and she him. As Enzo himself puts it at one point, Nothing is resolved. But life goes on. Yet there is some kind of hope in the films very final scene. As Enzo arrives at the cemetery for his daily visit to Dinos grave, he finds young Piero waiting for him. Despite the horrors that have just occurred, the boy seems oblivious; he even asks if Enzo finally got de Portagos autograph. For Enzo, the people in his life have all orbited the racing business; that was his way of moving forward. But now, heres an indication that Piero will finally be family. Come, Ill introduce you to your brother, Enzo says. I wish you could have known him. He would have taken you with him everywhere. To Mann, these words reflect an element of Enzos own youth. The origins of this line are that Enzo himself went everywhere with his older brother, the director says. They were very, very close. (That brother also died at a young age, during World War I.) And now, we might wonder if Lauras wish has ironically redeemed Enzo to some degree, at least a little bit. By denying Piero the name Ferrari, she has prompted Enzo to become a more attentive father, inspiring him to bring the child into the fold in other ways. The way I wanted it to work is that he totally acknowledges Piero as his son in ways he hadnt before, Mann says. Enzo has never really allowed himself to be seen as vulnerable up until now. When he visited Dinos grave, he did so alone. But now, hes letting someone else in. Maybe this, too, is a way of ensuring that both Dino and the Ferrari name will live on. His worlds may remain unreconciled and unresolved, but maybe they can now coexist. Qabil Ashirov Undoubtedly, the First Garabagh War created a crisis in the South Caucasus as a whole, along with Azerbaijan. Over one million Azerbaijanis regardless of their ethnic origin lost their homes and turned into refugees and IDPs. Hundreds of thousands of people had to live in tents and wagons under heat, rain, and snow instead of warm homes. Besides, over 16 thousand civilians were killed and over 4,000 people went missing during the war. However, apart from the abovementioned facts, the first Garabagh War also forged mass into a united nation as well. It demonstrated the unbroken will, character, and tolerance of Azerbaijanis to the world. It revealed the heroes that history will speak about them forever. One of these heroes is Natiq Gasimov, who taught the world, especially Armenians, bravery and courage. He was one of the rare samples who sacrificed himself to save innocent civilians. Moreover, figuratively speaking, it was he, who tore the curtain and unearthed the inhuman cowardly character of Armenians. Natiq Gasimov was born on January 2, 1971 in the village of Kichic Garamurad, Gadabay district. His family moved to Mingachevir in 1975. Here he finished the school and joined the Soviet Army and finished his military service in 1991. Having finished his active military service he returned home. Khojaly massacre opened a new page for him which led inscription of his name into Azerbaijani history. When he saw Khojaly's victims, as a human being he could not accept such big atrocities and joined the Azerbaijani Army. At the Army, he was distinguished from other soldiers with his personal character, and therefore he was one of six chosen soldiers to participate in the Khramort operation. This little group took an Albanian church located in Khramort village in Agdam. After four days, Armenian armed groups consisting of dozens of soldiers sieged the church. In an unequal fight, five of his friends were martyred, but Natiq Gasimov continued to fight. The fighting lasted five days and most of Armenian soldiers were slain during this days. The Armenian site thought that there was a single Azerbaijani soldier but a group. Understanding that they would not be able to destroy a group consisting of one brave man, the Armenian side resorted to the trick. They took a school director from Khojaly to the church and instructed him that if the group did not surrender they would kill 22 civil hostages from Khojaly. After this instruction, they send the director to the church. They dropped me off the car stopped near the church and ordered me to enter the church. As I entered the church, I heard a voice. I quickly said that I was an Azerbaijani and that if he did not surrender, 22 people from Khojali will be killed. He said that he was alone and that he had been fighting alone for five days without hunger or thirst. I told him the opinion of the Armenians. He thought for a moment. Then he removed the Azerbaijani flag from the top of the church. He had two bullets left, which he shot in the air and left the church. He did not agree that Khojaly hostages to be killed. He pressed the Azerbaijani flag to his chest and left the church, the school director told in his memories. On that day Italian photographer Enrico Sarsini was there as well and he immortalized this hero with his photos. He took several photos of Natiq Gasimov in the fighting, his surrender, and his questioning. Unfortunately, he was the last person. After that Natiq Gasimov went missing. His family and the Azerbaijani government have looked for him for a long. Different information was received about Natiq Gasimov. One of this information claims that he is alive and is being forced to work in Armenia. There have been more such kinds of information, but the information got by the British company "Broken Pot Media". is more realistic than others. The company made a documentary film about him, and interviewed several people with different military ranks in Armenia and Azerbaijan. General Vitaly Balasanyan was among the interviewed people. He said that he did not recognize Natiq and said that if he had been surrendered he would have been changed with Armenian prisoners. However, other Armenian officers recognized Natiq and confirmed that Vitaly Balasanyan questioned him. Even they showed Vitaly Balasanyan sitting in front of the Natiq in the photo taken by Enrico Sarsni. According to the Armenian officers Natiq was dismembered after questioning. It could be seen as barbaric for normal people, but not for Armenians. Because he destroyed Armenian myth and revealed Armenian characters. So, they revenged him. However, Natiq Gasimov demonstrated such bravery that inscribed his name not only into Azerbaijani history but in the hearts of all Azerbaijanis. With the 44-day War, Azerbaijani soldiers demonstrated to Armenians and the whole world that Natiq is immortal, there are thousands of Natiqs in Azerbaijan, the more they are martyred, the more they are born. Rest in peace dear martyr of Azerbaijan. This nation has not forgotten your birthday and will never forget since you are in our hearts. The Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility on Thursday for the attack in the Iranian city of Kerman that the day before killed more than 80 people and wounded some 300 during a ceremony to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in 2020 in a U.S. drone strike. The extremist group made the announcement through a message on a Telegram channel it uses to transmit propaganda, in which it explained that the two explosions that took place at the gathering were carried out by suicide bombers. The two martyrs Omar al-Muwahid and Saif Allah al-Mujahid may God Almighty accept them set out towards a large gathering of polytheist Shiites, near the grave of their dead leader Qassem Soleimani in the city of Kerman, the group said in its statement, in which it identified the two attackers. The Islamic State does not consider Shiites to be true Muslims and has attacked them on numerous occasions in Iran, Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. They detonated their explosive belts in the middle of the crowd, killing and wounding more than 300 polytheist Shiites. A source close to the investigation of the attacks quoted by the state news agency IRNA explained that it is likely that the attack was perpetrated by suicide bombers, despite the fact that hours after the attack authorities had assured that remote-controlled bombs had been used. After examining the clues and evidence, including security camera footage, all indications are that the first explosion was the result of a suicide attack. The suicide bomber in the first incident was a man who was completely dismembered as a result of the blast, the source explained. The second explosion is still under investigation, but it is likely that it was also a suicide attack, he added. The first explosion occurred at 2:45 p.m. local time and the second, ten minutes later, in a different but not very distant location. Both occurred before the security checkpoints guarding the accesses to the cemetery where Soleimani is buried, where thousands of people had come to pay tribute to the Iranian general. Wednesdays bombings were the deadliest attack suffered by the Islamic Republic since its founding in 1979. Although initially authorities believed over 100 people had been killed, this morning the Interior Minister lowered the death toll to 84. The reason for these changes is that there were many duplicate names. He warned, however, that the death toll could rise, since among the injured who are still hospitalized there are several in critical condition. Ali Vaez, director of the Iran program at the International Crisis Group, believes that the attack fits the MO of ISIS. There have been similar attacks against religious and military targets in the past. The [Iranian] border with Afghanistan is porous, easy for ISKP [ISISs arm in Afghanistan] to enter and pull this off against soft targets, he wrote on X. The Kerman attack has once again highlighted Irans vulnerability and the governments failure in providing security. While the security forces seem adept at harassing women not wearing Hijab, they fail to save their lives and protect them against terrorism, he concluded. Iran has begun to reinforce security on its eastern border. There are points on the border with Afghanistan and Pakistan that are a priority, acknowledged the countrys Interior Minister, who has gone to the province of the attack, where, he said, security forces have restored normality. The Iranian Supreme National Security Council held an extraordinary meeting on Thursday and demanded intelligence agencies to promptly trace the leads and identify the mercenaries who committed the massacre, as well as to clarify the role of corrupt minds who, in different parts of the world, support terrorism. In the hours after the attack, several Iranian leaders pointed to Israel and the United States as the alleged perpetrators. Israel has carried out numerous attacks on Iranian soil, although mostly targeting military and nuclear scientists. However, given the tension in the region following the invasion of Gaza and the assassination by drone of Hamas deputy leader, which, according to various sources, was carried out by Israel the day before, it was assumed in the Islamic Republic that this was a strategy by Israel to drag Iran into a regional conflict. Also on Thursday, the Iranian newspaper Kayhan, known for its closeness to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, attributed the Kerman attack to Israel and called for immediate action. However, the night after the attack, a U.S. State Department spokesman said his country had nothing to do with the attack and asserted that Israel was not involved either. According to The Wall Street Journal, the Israeli government has reportedly conveyed to several allied countries that it was not involved in the bombings. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Photo: Netflix Like Psyduck wandering around in a headache-fueled daze, so we too ponder through a miasma of longing and despair: When will we get more Pokemon Concierge? One of the most adorable arms of the vast Pokemon universe dropped on Netflix December 28; the series follows humans and Pokemon working together at an island resort that caters to other humans and Pokemon who need to reset, recharge, and relax. Like another great Japanese import from early 2023, The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House, the story centers on a burnt-out millennial (Haru, voiced by Rena Nonen) who blossoms amid the slower pace and spontaneous freedoms of her new environment. The animation is fantastic: The creative team, led by director Iku Ogawa and concept artist and character designer Tadahiro Uesugi, pairs stop-motion puppets of different sizes and materials (some fuzzy, some slick, some stony, some feathered; all tactile in their own unique physicality) with colorful digital backgrounds to make layered island landscapes. But four episodes is an appetizer, not a meal, especially when the episodes are only 20 minutes each. Stack all those together and the binge-watch doesnt even reach feature-film length! Netflix hasnt yet announced if Pokemon Concierge will get a second season, a level of inactivity that is only cute when it involves a Snorlax, so for our own wish fulfillment, here are five events, subplots, or moments we want to see play out in the next installment. 1. Haru moving to the resort for her new job as concierge is our entry point into the series, and we see through her eyes how the resort is run which is pretty casually! Her first task when she arrives is to simply enjoy the island and have fun, an assignment that allows Haru to embrace its different pace of life. Trained and wild Pokemon hang out as they please, while there only seem to be a half-dozen human employees, including Ms. Watanabe (Takemura Yoshiko), who hired Haru; the bro-y Tyler (Okuno Eita), who leads fitness lessons and teaches water sports; and part-time summer employee Alisa (Fairouz Ai), who does arts-and-crafts projects, rock-climbs around the resort, and is basically the coolest staff member. I appreciate the ease with which this place is run, but I want to see an instance in which all the humans and Pokemon who work together are brought to one place to perform the menial and tedious tasks anyone working in hospitality has to endure. Is Diglett lightly chastised for tearing up the resort paths? What kind of high jinks would Pansear, Pansage, and Panpour get up to when told to lay off the pranks for a while? Will Rattata and Furret chase each other throughout an entire HR training session? Give me the unexpected absurdity of Pokemon being told to do their jobs! 2. We know what brought Haru to the resort: a bad breakup, a disappointing setback at work, and a general sense of malaise. Working as a concierge forces her to let go of her obsessive need to prove her worth, and those lessons come to her through Ms. Watanabe, who tells her in the premiere to have some fun instead of thinking too much about what the job entails. Thats a nice let-go-and-let-live message, but Id love to know what led Ms. Watanabe to the resort in the first place. Was she, too, escaping a boring life? Did she actually build the resort, and is she its benefactor? What are her qualifications aside from being maternal and wise? Shes so pleasant and put together, like Ms. Frizzle if that kooky science teacher dialed back her eccentricities. I think there are hidden depths to Ms. Watanabe, though, and a stand-alone backstory episode could give them to us. (No trauma, please!) 3. Photo: Netflix When Haru arrives at the resort, Ms. Watanabe tells her it both employs Pokemon and welcomes wild ones like Wooper. In a later episode, Haru has to spend a night in the islands forest in case a wild Pokemon needs human help. Lets see what that situation would entail! What constitutes a Pokemon emergency, and how would the staff deal with it? As the more seasoned employees, Alisa and Tyler let Haru figure out her own path this season; Im open to an episode where they team up to help a wild Pokemon in trouble or encounter a wild Pokemon who rejects their help. Keep those humans in their place, you know? 4. The creative team behind Pokemon Concierge said in this behind-the-scenes featurette that when they were crafting the island and resort, they included details in the background so you can find something new every time you watch. Lets find them! What if the resort held some kind of treasure hunt for trainers and their Pokemon, encouraging them to work together to find hidden items (or maybe elusive Pokemon?) around the island during their stay? That would allow viewers to hunt down all those background details, let the show feature a variety of Pokemon with different skills and personalities, and show us more of the areas geography and topology. Third episode I Hope I Can Evolve Too has a lovely moment of this when Haru and Psyduck ride on top of Dragonite to check out the resorts beaches, then shows how the Magikarp, who relies on a pool float to swim more capably, evolves into the gigantic Gyarados, who can easily swim against the tide of a falling waterfall to get to the islands higher levels. Lets see some more of that, especially since the series begins with Haru being amazed by the high cliff walls, dense greenery, and overall lushness of the island. 5. Obviously. Psyduck is the star of Pokemon Concierge and deserves an installment befitting its status as a relatably anxious introvert who just wants to eat ice cream, move things around with telekinesis, and reassure other Pokemon that theyre doing just fine and dont need to live up to whatever stereotypes or cliches their trainers expect from them. Not all who wander are lost! Let us see through Psyducks eyes on that journey. The recent U.S.-Mexico talks over the Christmas break aimed at addressing the thorny issue of migration have started to produce some results. Mexico took steps to alleviate the flow of migrants towards the northern border by breaking up the caravan that departed from Chiapas (southern Mexico) on December 24. The government promised them a document for legal stay in the country and arranged transportation to shelters near the Guatemala border, prioritizing families and vulnerable groups. However, there was no mention of the humanitarian visas that have been issued in the past. In return, the United States took several steps to ease tensions with Mexico. The Biden administration urgently petitioned the Supreme Court to allow federal agents to remove the barbed wire that Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered to prevent the entry of irregular migrants. Mexicos Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also happy about the the imminent opening of four border posts in California, Arizona and Texas. This will help goods flow across the extensive US-Mexico border, addressing the economic concerns discussed in the recent meetings. The constant and growing influx of migrants poses a significant challenge for Mexico and the United States, as they are each others largest trading partners. Irregular migration is also a major issue in U.S. domestic politics, particularly in an election year. The Biden administration has repeatedly urged President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to take stronger measures to control migration. Discussions led to political actions, with a 35% rise in arrests of the tens of thousands amassing at the border. Political friction that leads to stricter anti-migration measures can create confusion for foreigners, who often dont know what to expect. When the Mexican government promised to give unspecified documents to the large migrant caravan that departed from Chiapas, some chose to accept and boarded buses to shelters, hoping for a legal stay in Mexico. Others rejected the offer and continued on foot toward the northern border. In early January, 30 migrants went missing while traveling on a bus in Tamaulipas, one of Mexicos most dangerous states. In this part of northern Mexico, organized crime groups kidnap foreigners for ransom or as forced recruits. The government labeled this incident as atypical due to the large number of people involved, but similar incidents with tragic outcomes have happened before. Political strife over migration is also escalating in the United States. The federal government and the state of Texas are involved in a legal dispute to determine responsibility for installing or removing border fences. Governor Abbott has spent over $11 million on 70,000 rolls of razor wire. The Supreme Court is now tasked with making the final decision after multiple rulings and appeals in lower courts. When the migration crisis worsens, the focus shifts away from walls and fences. The United States starts closing customs posts along the border, disrupting the daily flow of merchandise worth millions of dollars. Freight trains are emptied of their cargo and fill up with thousands of migrants heading north. The gruesome deaths of migrants atop trains cause a public outcry in Mexico, leading to stoppages by private railway companies. Negotiations then intensify to resolve the stoppages and avoid substantial financial losses that impact Mexican employers. During the final meeting on December 27, an agreement was reached to intensify efforts to disrupt human trafficking, crack down on criminal networks, and promote legal pathways for migration. The United States has committed to addressing the root causes of irregular migration, opening doors to trade and easing the economic sanctions that contribute to the unprecedented human exodus. However, economic factors are not the only reasons that drive people into exile. Political repression and human rights abuses have forced thousands to flee Nicaragua, Cuba, Venezuela and other countries. In response to the U.S. measures, Mexico is expected to take action to prevent migrants from traveling through the country to the United States. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The results of the election, widely denounced as neither free nor fair, suggest that the Kremlin is now more focused on creating a cult of personality around Putin as Russias undisputed national patriarch. 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 In Kitty Greens recent thriller, The Royal Hotel, the outback is more than just a setting its a main character. Inspired by Pete Gleesons 2016 documentary, Hotel Coolgardie, two broke American backpackers (played by Julia Garner and Jessica Henwick) take on a live-in job at a remote mining town pub to earn some money. But during their stint at the Royal Hotel, which is surrounded by nothing other than red dirt and dusty plains, the walls begin to close in on the women. The men of the town, most of them boorish and drunk, tell them to smile more. One of them intrudes on their living quarters late at night. Another refuses to leave past closing, harassing fellow pub-goers. The physical threat imposed by the men of the town looms large, too easily dismissed by others around them. Yet on they go, pouring drink after drink in the suffocating pub, wondering whether it is all just a cultural misunderstanding. From The Royal Hotel to Wake in Fright, the Australian outback has long been a go-to setting for horrors and thrillers. Credit: Compiled by Marija Ercegovac The Royal Hotel isnt the first film to utilise the outbacks remoteness to enhance an element of danger. In fact, the vast setting has provided the backdrop to countless thrillers and horrors over the past five decades. Advertisement So, what is it about the Australian bush that proves so spine-chilling on-screen? Where it all began The outback or bush is in Australian films DNA, says Dr Jessica Balanzategui, an RMIT media and communications scholar who has studied horror film and TV. It appeared as early as 1906, when The Story of the Kelly Gang was filmed in the bushland of Mitcham in Melbournes outer east (then a rural outpost). However, it gained traction in the 1970s, when arthouse features, such as Nicolas Roegs Walkabout (1971), took advantage of the perceived mystery and inhospitality of the vast landscape. It operates in parallel with the expansive canyons and deserts of the North American wild west, Balanzategui says. Its a space off the grid in which nature and primal instinct can take over and things can go terribly wrong out of the reach of the law. Wake In Fright, starring Donald Pleasance, Jack Thompson and Chips Rafferty. Credit: NLT Productions Advertisement Wake in Fright (1971) follows a schoolteacher who descends into a downward spiral after becoming stranded in a brutal outback town. Meanwhile, Peter Weirs 1975 mystery-thriller Picnic at Hanging Rock sees several schoolgirls disappear while on a school picnic in central Victoria, capturing the mysterious might of nature. The outback is made up of stunningly distinctive and diverse topography that makes it perfect for scary film settings, Balanzategui says. There are huge mysterious cliffs and boulders for girls to mysteriously disappear into, long stretches of sunburnt desert to get lost or murdered in, swampy crocodile-infested billabongs and creeks, and ominously dried-up vast bodies of water for ghosts to materialise in. Outback horror featuring Ozploitation Alongside 1970s art-house classics came the New Wave genre, aka Ozploitation films many of which also explored the depravity and unknown of the outback. Another Peter Weir film, The Cars That Ate Paris (1974), depicts a fictional town that profits off car accidents by selling parts of the wreckage. Mostly shot in the rural town of Sofala in NSW, it explores the apparent lawlessness of the outback, similar to themes examined in Wake in Fright. A car from The Cars That Ate Paris being driven through Cannes during the film festival in 1974. Credit: AP Advertisement The land can be simultaneously sublime and threatening, says Bruce Isaacs, an associate professor in film studies at The University of Sydney. These movies imagine a very explicit relationship to the land in their stories and characters. For example, Mario Andreacchios Fair Game (1986) which follows an animal sanctuary manager who takes revenge on a group of unruly kangaroo hunters uses the outback setting to amplify a physical human threat. Elise Rosser, a lecturer at Charles Sturt University who has written about the Australian outback in film, says using such a location is relatively cheap, making it perfect for Ozploitation films, which are generally known for being low-budget. You dont need expensive or intricate set design to convey the outbacks beauty or its desperate isolation, Rosser says. Creature features The potential dangers of the outback are arguably most explicit in films that depict wildlife and the natural world fighting back. In Richard Franklins Long Weekend (1978), a couple on a camping trip are attacked by the surrounding wilderness due to their environmentally toxic behaviours. In Razorback (1984), a vicious wild boar is hunted down, and Greg McLeans Rogue (2007) sees an American journalist terrorised by a man-eating crocodile while trapped on a flooding mud island. Advertisement Though such attacks arent very common, these films respond to anxieties around the unfamiliarity of such vast spaces. The outback remains primarily an imagination-fuelled site, Balanzategui says. Its easy for stereotypes and dark shadows to define audiences understanding, when so many have limited first-hand experiences of so-called outback regions. And while the characters are often trapped or cornered by the outbacks inhabitants, the vast landscape prevents escape in its own way. The physical isolation of the outback functions as a cage without bars, Rosser says. This is an inversion of the common claustrophobic horror setting. Its so open and remote, so far from help and life-saving resources, that the viewer experiences those same feelings of being trapped. A modern twist The concept of the outback as inhospitable and daunting is a product of colonialism, Isaac notes. The vast landscape felt unfamiliar and dangerous to the white settlers who colonised it. These feelings were later reflected on-screen. Some of the earliest outback horrors/thrillers have interrogated this colonialist project, such as Picnic At Hanging Rock. However, Isaac says the symbolic depiction of colonialism as violence has become even more explicit in contemporary films. Advertisement Sex abuse victims and underworld informants whose testimonies could be leaked online after a hack of the Victorian court system are highly unlikely to be able to sue for damages, according to a University of Melbourne law professor. The Victorian government is still unsure how many people have been exposed by the hack as it tries to determine what actions those affected can take. Court Services Victoria confirmed that hackers had gained access to a system that manages audiovisual recordings for all courts. Credit: Darrian Traynor Professor Jeannie Paterson, the co-director of the Centre for AI and Digital Ethics at the University of Melbourne, said if an affected person sued the State of Victoria, they would need to show that a Court Services Victoria officer had been negligent. Its not clear that anybody was negligent in this case, said Paterson, pointing out that hackers were constantly trying to breach systems and when they succeeded, it was not always an indication of fault on the behalf of an organisation. President Daniel Noboa made a campaign promise to purchase prison ships to house the leaders of the gangs that operate in the countrys penitentiaries 80 miles off Ecuadors Pacific coast. Delivering on that promise, he now says that he has seen three barges that could reach Ecuador within seven or eight months. Although this security measure received the most attention during his campaign, the president now recognizes that it is not the solution to the serious situation in which the country finds itself. They are a complementary and provisional measure to segment and remove prisoners who are real threats to the public and national security and keep them isolated until the maximum and super maximum security prisons are completed, Noboa said at the beginning of December. Just a few days later, he announced that, in January, construction will begin on two maximum and super maximum security prisons like the ones Nayib Bukele has built in El Salvador. Two months after Noboa came to power, with historic levels of criminality reaching 40 homicides per 100,000 of the population, the security and penitentiary policy he called Plan Phoenix has been revealed in dribs and drabs, through the few interviews that the president has given to various media outlets. Since December 11, EL PAIS has been requesting an interview with a representative of the countrys Ministry of Interior, which has not yet been granted. Part of the security strategies that the last three governments have promised without success is that the state would take control of the prisons, where 31,300 people are imprisoned. Until now, it has not been possible to break the direct link between prisons and the violence on the streets that is getting worse with each new day. From inside the prisons, criminal gang leaders direct and order hitmen, plan attacks and extortions, and move the logistics for drug trafficking. This is all done under the protection of the state, which is responsible for the countrys penitentiaries and that are guarded by the police, the military, and civilians. An example of this is the assassination of the former presidential candidate, Fernando Villavicencio, which was ordered from the Cotopaxi prison, according to the first investigations by the police. An order was also issued from the Litoral Penitentiary to carry out a wave of simultaneous bomb attacks that caused 24 hours of terror in Guayaquil in November 2022. Strings can be pulled from the penitentiaries so that corrupt judges and prosecutors rule in favor of prisoners seeking benefits such as choosing the prison where they want to be incarcerated, a gym, bringing in drugs, weapons, communication equipment, and even fighting cocks. According to the government, the purpose of the prison barges is to separate the incarcerated criminal gang leaders and isolate them from any communication that they are currently using freely from inside the countrys prisons. The prison ships that the Noboa government has seen have the capacity to house up to 400 people and would cost about $8 million. A barge can arrive in seven or eight months, depending on how far away it is. Many of the barges are not operational or are not autonomous, so they have to be towed by another ship, the president explained. He also pointed out that they were from Australia, the United Kingdom, and another that is in the United States. For security analyst Luis Carlos Cordova, the announcement to bring barge prisons is another bandaid to fix the countrys serious insecurity problem. The Noboa government, he says, has no clear idea of how to put into practice many of the ideas that it came up with during the campaign. Furthermore, for these prisons to operate, legal changes should be made, such as creating a system of permanent state of exception, which is exactly what El Salvador has with the Bukele model, and which has allowed all types of human rights guarantees to be violated for those who are detained, explains Cordova. But before the barges arrive, two maximum and super maximum security prisons are supposed to be ready, like the Terrorism Confinement Center mega-prison inaugurated by the president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, in February 2023. We have already finished the conversations with international groups that built the prisons in El Salvador and Mexico, and we will start construction on those prisons in January, said Noboa in one of his last interventions. The first two prisons should be in place in 200 days maximum, according to the governments schedule, without specifying how much they will cost or where they will be built. Minister of the Interior Monica Palencia gave other details on the Ecuavisa television channel of what those two prisons would be like, which she stated would have super-mega security in terms of technology, although not necessarily in size. The technical standard, according to Palencia, establishes that a super maximum security prison cannot hold more than 35 people. We are going to have two specific prisons and other maximum security prisons, she added. It will be the same as those in El Salvador because the government has ensured that it will be the same people, the same designers, the same company. It is Israeli cooperation in the design of maximum and supermax prisons and the segmentation for minor crimes and misdemeanors. It is a system that was not invented by Bukele, but came from Mexico, and before then it was already in use in Thailand and Singapore. Then came Mexico, El Salvador, and now Ecuador will have it, said Noboa. Ecuador already has a maximum security prison called La Roca, which is within the Litoral Penitentiary complex in Guayaquil. It remained closed for six years and was renovated in 2022 to keep criminal gang leaders isolated. The problem, therefore, is not only one of infrastructure, but of how organized crime is embedded in the judicial system. The evidence of this was how Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar, alias Fito, from Los Choneros criminal gang, who was transferred to La Roca. He was not there for more than a month because a judge ordered that he be returned to his stronghold, the Regional prison, where he has remained with privileges for 10 years of incarceration. The main challenge is to stop the enormous degree of involvement of criminality in state institutions, says Cordova, today we know from the Prosecutors Office that there are police generals working for different criminal gangs and it would be very naive on the part of the government to believe that they can solve the problem with more prisons, when they should first create a policy that reviews the internal control mechanisms, he adds. Ecuador has a total of 20 prisons, housing 31,300 people. Their capacity, however, is for 27,500, which means that there is 13% overcrowding. Another of the governments goals is to reduce overcrowding. Noboa said that 1,000 foreigners who are detained with sentences in prisons qualify for immediate deportation from the country. If one of the underlying problems is overcrowding, building two super prisons for 35 people each, how does it solve the problem? Fernando Bastidas of the Permanent Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CPDH) asks, adding that it is an anti-technical decision because if the government hope to lock up the ringleaders in those prisons, in the logic of organized crime it has been proven that once they arrest one leader, ten more appear [to take their place]. But the secrecy surrounding the governments security plan has deepened the uncertainty of whether violence will be controlled in the country where businesses must pay extortion to operate, where classes are interrupted by shootings, and where there are 21 serious crimes every day. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Id never heard of Lord Howe Island until a year ago. Perth folk flee to Bali in their droves for a cheap island getaway. Or hop on a ferry to Rotto. Or if you can splurge, the Maldives. Nestled off the coast of Sydney, halfway to New Zealand, this delightful South Pacific island is a tropical time capsule. No mobile coverage means a fleet of coin-fed relics, the once ubiquitous Telstra phone box, are dotted around the island. A stunning aerial view of Lord Howe Island off the coast of Sydney. Credit: wallix Making the journey from Perth to Lord Howe Island is anything but low-cost. Return flights via Sydney were north of $3000 per person in the shoulder season. A nights accommodation in Sydney thanks to Qantas cancelling our same-day flight inflicted additional financial pain. Accommodation on the island is limited to a spattering of operators and strictly limited to 400 guests ensuring that even at the height of summer there are never more than a handful of people on the islands beaches. Tokyo: A Japan Coast Guard plane didnt have permission to take off and was asked to hold short of the runway before colliding with a larger Japan Airlines passenger jet, based on a transcript of Tuesdays incident at Tokyos Haneda Airport. The readout of communications just before the crash was released late on Wednesday (Tokyo time) by Japanese officials. It appears to contradict the coast guard captain, who reportedly said he had obtained permission to take off. The De Havilland Canada Dash 8 acknowledged instructions to taxi to holding point C5 at 5.45pm, eight seconds after receiving the request from air traffic controllers, according to the transcript. Taxi to holding point C5 JA722A No. 1, Thank you, the flight crew responded, according to the transcript. It hasnt been confirmed yet whether the captain or his co-pilot, who died in the crash, was speaking with the tower, officials said at a news conference. Washington: US intelligence officials have determined that Russia has acquired ballistic missiles from North Korea and is seeking close-range ballistic missiles from Iran, as it struggles to replenish supplies for its war with Ukraine. Recently declassified intelligence found that North Korea has provided Russia with ballistic missile launchers and several ballistic missiles, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on Friday (AEDT). The first hours after the debris from the rocket hit the building where people live in the centre of Kyiv on January 2. Credit: Getty Russian forces fired at least one of those ballistic missiles into Ukraine on December 30 which landed in an open field in the Zaporizhzhia region, he said. It launched multiple North Korean ballistic missiles on January 2 as part of an overnight attack on Kyiv, and the US was assessing the impact, he said. The missiles have a range of about 885 kilometres. Dubai: Islamic State claimed responsibility on Thursday for two explosions in Iran that killed nearly 100 people and wounded scores at a memorial for top commander Qassem Soleimani who was killed in Iraq in 2020 by a US drone. In a statement posted on its affiliate Telegram channels, the militant Sunni Muslim group said two IS members had detonated their explosive belts in the crowd which had gathered at the cemetery in the southeastern Iranian city of Kerman on Wednesday for the anniversary of Soleimanis death. People gather at the site of an explosion in the city of Kerman, about 820 kilometres southeast of the capital Tehran, Iran. Credit: ISNA Tehran earlier blamed the explosions on terrorists and vowed revenge for the bloodiest such attacks since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The twin blasts also wounded 284 people, including women and children. A very strong retaliation will be meted out to them by the hands of the soldiers of Soleimani, Irans First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber told reporters in Kerman. Several previously confidential documents related to Jeffrey Epstein have been made public in a New York court after a years-long battle over their release. The first of what are expected to be hundreds of documents identifying more than 150 individuals were unsealed on Thursday (AEDT) after an order last month by US District Judge Loretta Preska. The documents were filed in redacted form as part of a 2015 lawsuit against Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 of participating in Epsteins sex crimes. Jeffrey Epstein poses for a mugshot in 2013. Credit: AP While it was speculated the documents would reveal an Epstein client list, many of the names featured in the unsealed documents were widely reported former associates of the late financier, including former US president Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew. The first documents included emails, transcripts of depositions and legal filings. Ties to Epstein have led to career downfalls for former Barclays chief executive Jes Staley and Apollo Global Management co-founder Leon Black and have tarnished the reputations of billionaires Bill Gates, Leslie Wexner and many other prominent men. All have denied knowing about or participating in inappropriate conduct with Epstein. The trial of the man accused of stabbing British writer Salman Rushdie in 2022 has been postponed after the magistrate in charge of the case ruled that the alleged attacker has the right to read the authors memoir about the incident, which will be published in April. Chautauqua County (NY) Judge David Foley had indicated Tuesday that Hadi Matar, 26, has the right to access the manuscript and any related materials in order to prepare his defense. But because the volume is not yet published, Foley left it up to Matars attorney, Nathaniel Barone, to decide whether to wait until the book is available. On Wednesday Foley announced the postponement of the trial, which was scheduled to have started next week. Jury selection was set to begin on Monday, January 8. The delay will allow Matars lawyers to request delivery of certain materials underlying the planned publication of Mr. Rushdies book, according to the prosecutor in charge of the case, Jason Schmidt. Schmidt had asked the publishers for a copy of the volume, a request that was denied on intellectual property grounds. The prosecutor has played down the significance of the postponement, which he says will not affect the outcome of the trial. Nor does he believe that the existence of the memoir will have a great impact on the development of the hearing, given that the attack occurred in public in front of a large audience and there are numerous eyewitnesses and recordings of what took place. Its not just the book, Barone told the AP news agency. Every little note Rushdie wrote down, I get, Im entitled to. Every discussion, every recording, anything he did in regard to this book. The volume, titled Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, will go on sale April 16, according to Penguin, the authors publisher. Rushdie revealed in October that he was working on the book, at a time when preparations for the trial were already underway. Rushdie was due to give a talk in Chautauqua on August 12, 2022, when a man approached the podium and stabbed the author of The Satanic Verses a dozen times in the neck, stomach, thigh, chest, and eye. The writer was hospitalized for a month and a half and ended up losing the sight in his right eye and the sensation of touch in several fingers of his left hand. In an interview given to The New York Post after his arrest, Matar alleged that Rushdie had attacked Islam and praised the late Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini, who in 1989 issued a fatwa, or Islamic edict, calling for the writers death for the content of The Satanic Verses, which some Muslims consider blasphemous. That sentence forced Rushdie to live in hiding and under the protection of Scotland Yard for several years, although after Khomeinis death he has been able to travel freely. Matar has dual U.S.-Lebanese citizenship. His mother has stated that the young man changed and became more introverted and moody after a visit to his father in the Arab country in 2018. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The apocalyptic image shows a field overgrown with weeds and littered with motionless bodies in green military uniforms. Theyre Russians, look at them, Stella mutters. Some of the bodies rise after a few minutes. Most do not. After that, others will come, and then more, like sleepwalkers. We see it every day, says the soldier, serving with an aerial reconnaissance unit on the Avdiivka front in Donetsk province, the focus of the fiercest fighting in the Kremlins war against Ukraine. Russian forces have been pouring in like this for weeks, in waves, like zombies, against the industrial city of Avdiivka, an anthill of tunnels, factories, bunkers and trenches thrown up during the 2014 war in Donbas. Russia punishes it with constant shelling, as it did earlier in the war in the Battle of Bakhmut. Avdiivka today a heap of rubble, sinkholes, and buildings shattered by shells. Another frozen hell. It looks like theyre charging again, spits Aleksandr, a sergeant in the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade. The burly serviceman advances through the slimy, sticky Donbas mud toward one of his units positions, a few kilometers from the besieged mining town, where a U.S. Paladin howitzer is operating. They have been stationed on the Avdiivka front for months, sinking in that mud. They are resisting the onslaught of Moscows troops, who are trying to pocket the town on the flanks to avoid the street fighting they faced in Bakhmut. The sergeant lights a cigarette. He cups his ear. That [shot] was incoming, he remarks. Shelling sounds nearby, but he doesnt even blink. A Ukrainian commander in a trench on the Avdiivka front, in the east of the country, on December 16. Anadolu (Anadolu via Getty Images) The 47th Brigade, like many others, is starved of ammunition. Their arsenals are depleted. They are fighting with what they have available, not always with what is best suited to hit their targets, Aleksandr acknowledges with a shrug. Kyiv hopes to receive more shells from its Western allies. The EU promised Ukraine one million artillery rounds, but has only managed to supply less than half and is still struggling to increase its industrial capacity to meet that commitment. Last Thursday, the U.S. announced another shipment - which may be the last for some time because of Republican reluctance to approve further aid packages - with various types of air defense, high-mobility artillery, and anti-armor ammunition. Meanwhile, Russia has focused its war economy on the invasion. Western sanctions and isolation in the markets have not prevented the Kremlin from devoting most of its productive capacity to armaments. They make missiles in bread factories, assemble ammunition in tractor industries. They try at all costs to resupply themselves. Vladimir Putin has not shelved his goal of subduing Ukraine. His main war effort is now focused on capturing the entire Donbas region. Ukrainian weapons, some of them supplied by its Western allies, are overstretched at many points on the front lines. Russia does not have better weapons, but it has more materiel. And their strategy is to throw everything at us, explains Yevgeni, one of the soldiers of the 47th, which was established with weapons such as U.S.-made M-2 Bradley and German Leopard 2 tanks, supplied by NATO allied countries. The Kremlin is firing artillery and drones of various types and employing frontal assaults, feigned attacks, and smoke to conceal the onslaughts. It is also closely guarding all roads to Avdiivka, where alongside Russian regular troops, convicts recruited to go to the front, and various contractors, a unit composed of ex-mercenaries of the Wagner Group is also fighting, according to Russian military bloggers. In recent weeks, Russian forces have been laying mines, rendering roads and fields impassable for troops and the few remaining civilians in an area of eastern Ukraine that Putin said he wanted to liberate, and which is bearing the brunt of one of the worst periods of a full-scale war heading into its third year and carrying on its back the consequences of the Donbas conflict against Kremlin-supported separatists. For the hard-pressed people of the mining lands of eastern Ukraine, every day for a decade has been a new episode in an endless war. Putin covets Avdiivka, once one of the heartlands of Donbas, as his next strategic piece. He attempted, unsuccessfully, to gain control of it in the 2014 war, through his pro-Russian separatist backers. Since then, the mining town, which had 32,000 inhabitants before the current invasion, has become one of Ukraines reinforced military strongholds. However, at immense human and material cost, Russia has managed to encircle it. A little further south, after a brutal siege, Moscow has taken control of the ruins of Marinka. Of what was once a town of 10,000 inhabitants before the war, with its schools, parks, and stores, only charred rubble remains. According to a report by the Estonian Defense Ministry, the Kremlin managed to take more territory than it lost in 2023. However, none of those ruined enclaves conquered in the east and south represent a turning point that will tip the balance on the 1,300-plus-kilometer front line, which, after the Ukrainian counteroffensive stalled, has not changed significantly in a year. Destroyed Russian military vehicles on the Avdiivka front in eastern Ukraine, December 23. Libkos (Getty Images) Ukraine is launching artillery strikes on the Avdiivka front to halt the Russian advance and the amphibious movement of its assault groups. Andrei, an almost six-foot-tall soldier of few words, has just recovered from a wound sustained in one of these assaults. He operates a heavy Soviet-made machine gun and was hit by Russian fire a month ago. He still has a piece of shrapnel in his back. There it stays, as a souvenir, he says with a shrug. After taking Marinka, the Russian assault on Avdiivka has spaced out a bit. On New Years Eve, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited the gateway to the city and some of its bunkers to decorate the servicemen stationed there. Meanwhile, Russia has increased its reserves in the area, according to Oleksandr Shtupun, spokesman for the Ukrainian General Staff. Russian forces have been pushing for weeks to advance toward a coke mining plant, once among the largest in Europe and now another apocalyptic landscape. The situation is difficult and we try to joke about everything, says Sergeant Aleksandr. Seeing how they are moving towards the plant, we make the joke that they are going to see how the coke is snorted. They dont know what kind of coke they are looking for, they go there like drug addicts. Russias war against Ukraine has become a battle of attrition, of positions, where the Kremlins forces try to capture small pieces of ground regardless of the human cost. The UK intelligence agency claims that Russia is suffering its highest number of casualties so far in the war, mainly due to the bloody battle for Avdiivka. The British Ministry of Defense points out that the daily number of Russian casualties in Ukraine has risen by almost 300 over the course of 2023 and that if it continues at this rate, it will have lost more than half a million troops by the end of 2024. U.S. intelligence also claims that Russia executes retreating soldiers on the Avdiivka front. Ukrainian forces have also suffered heavy losses. Neither Kyiv nor Moscow report casualty figures. Last week, during a rare press conference, the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, noted that for Russia the loss of life is not a variable for changing strategy, and admitted that it might come to the point where Ukrainian troops will be forced to retreat to positions outside Avdiivka. The Ukrainian military will defend Avdiivka as long as they have the strength, but if they are not enough, it is important to save people, he said. Kyivs strategy of holding Bakhmut for nine months under Russian siege at a very high cost, which also diverted forces from other positions, still weighs. Anton Filipovich, a resident of Novoselivka Persha, a small town on the Avdiivka front. Maria Sahuquillo Meanwhile, Russian troops are advancing towards Novoselivka Persha, about 10 kilometers from Avdiivka, taking positions seven kilometers from the small town. Artillery thunders in a landscape already scarred by the Donbas war. In a small square, in front of the cultural center that Russian shelling destroyed a few weeks ago, a statue to a fallen Soviet soldier during the Second World War, which Russia calls the Great Patriotic War, stands intact. Stupid bastards, Anton Filipovich says. The man, who served in the Soviet Army next to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, looks through the gate of his house and sits on the bench in the driveway. He shakes his head: I dont like all this. Putin is a real asshole. I dont understand why hes attacking us. Doesnt he have enough land? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The great mosque in Arura, a small town of 4,000 residents in the West Bank, has been decked out in green flags for the occasion. From the loudspeakers of its minaret, a string of verses from the Quran plays on a loop. It will be this way for three days in an extraordinary display of mourning unusual in Palestine. The most famous man in the area has died. A missile launched by a drone over a suburb of Beirut (Lebanon) ended the life of Saleh al-Arouri, Hamas number two man, on Tuesday. Israel has not acknowledged responsibility for the attack, but anonymous sources in the U.S. Administration have attributed it to Israel. In Arura no one has any doubts about who it was. It was an expected murder. Sooner or later, it was going to happen. Even 57-year-old al-Arouri himself knew it. Last August, he asserted that the time for his martyrdom had arrived. That he had already lived long enough. Just a few steps from the temple, the women of the family receive condolences at home from the neighbors who approach while the men serve coffee. At the back of the house, surrounded by other women, sits Misliman, 81, mother of the deceased. He got what he wanted, she explains calmly and without shedding a single tear. I thank God because his wish to become a martyr has been fulfilled, continues the old woman who, due to her sons stays in prison and exile, had not seen him for 20 years. We are proud of him and everything he did. He knew that sooner or later what happened would come. The al-Arouris recently moved into the house where the condolence ceremony is taking place; It is not the one they had occupied for generations. On October 31, in a search and capture operation against Hamas, Israeli soldiers blew it up in an attempt to eliminate one of the symbols of the Islamist organization, the residence of the second in line of command. They also took his nephew into custody, interrogating and threatening him for five hours. Dont even think about making public anything related to Hamas, the Israeli military told him, according to his own account. If you upload a video or add a like on social media, youre gonna get it, they warned him. Hamas is the same as the Islamic State, you better stay as far away from them as possible. On the right, Um Quteiba, sister of Hamas deputy Saleh al-Arouri, in her home on Wednesday. Manuel Altozano Of all the family members, the last one to see al-Arouri was his sister Um Quteiba, 52. Last July she made the hadj the pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the five commandments of Islam with him. Both traveled to the sacred Saudi city along with several members of the leadership of the Islamist movement that Israel has vowed to eliminate. A photo from her cell phone (the one at the top of this article) provides evidence. Along with Um Quteiba and her brother Saleh, there are the leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the political bureau, Khaled Mashal, and another of its members, Khalil al-Hayya, with one of the founders, Izzat al-Rishq. Everyone is wearing the typical white robes to comply with this religious rite that grants special status those who do it and turns them into people of respect. The smile that Um Quteiba shows in that photo is no longer there today. Sitting on a sofa in her home and covered with a beige woolen shawl, she says that when she heard on the news on Tuesday afternoon that something had exploded in Beirut, her heart skipped a beat. At first they didnt say anything, but I knew it was Saleh, she says. As soon as I saw it, I started calling him again and again, but he didnt answer. Then I called his wife, who told me that she knew he was in Lebanon, but she didnt know where exactly. I didnt have the slightest clue. That is until the news confirmed that her prediction had come true. Among the six fatalities caused by the attack was Hamas number two, Haniyehs lieutenant, Saleh al-Arouri. In his office in Ramallah, Hani al-Masri, general director of Masarat, a Palestinian think tank specialized in the conflict, analyzes the murder of al-Arouri. The attack occurred just when a new truce was being negotiated, says the expert. The message that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to send with this is clear. He needs to continue the war to escape his own responsibility for not having been able to prevent the attacks of October 7, and he believes that opening a new front in Lebanon will prolong it even more, he says. Neither Hezbollah, nor Syria, nor Iran want a conflict with Israel, but the Hamas attacks showed that Israel is vulnerable. A small party like Hamas has defeated an entire state and returned Palestine to the international agenda. Now no one can ignore the rights of their people. Achieving unity of Palestinian factions Al-Masri knew al-Arouri well. He met him twice in Cairo, the Egyptian capital, during conferences on Palestine held in 2017 and 2021. He was a distinguished person within the political and military apparatus of the organization, but he was not only a politician and a soldier, he was also an intellectual, a very educated and well-read person, he says. His greatest interest was to achieve the unity of the different Palestinian factions [broken after the 2006 elections that Hamas won in Gaza, but which Fatah, which still governs in the West Bank, did not accept]. He wanted Hamas and Fatah to form a single electoral list and had outlined a program on which he had worked with great effort. In one of our meetings he asked me to be part of that candidacy. I said no. But al-Arouri was also a loose cannon in the organization and ordered armed actions on his own, without consulting with the rest of the leadership. He admitted that the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank was the work of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, after Hamas had denied responsibility. The military success that Israel celebrates with his death will not bring any solution to the conflict, according to this analyst. Israel only believes in security solutions and it has killed a lot of leaders of different Palestinian factions, he points out. But it has been of no use because every time one disappears, a new one appears. Many, many have been murdered, he adds, waving a list of several pages in which he has them written down. The only solution is to recognize the rights of the Palestinians and end the occupation once and for all, but Israel demonstrates with each of its actions that it does not want to. Hani al-Masri, general director of Masarat, a Palestinian think tank specialized in the conflict, this Wednesday. Manuel Altozano Israel will not achieve its goal of destroying Hamas just because it eliminated al-Arouri, he continues. The only thing it has achieved for now is to freeze the negotiations to exchange the hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Netanyahu doesnt care about his kidnapped citizens. Nor do some of his ministers, who have openly expressed it, he adds, alluding to the ultra-nationalists and ultra-Orthodox members of the Israeli government, who are calling for a military occupation of Gaza and the construction of new settlements in that territory. Now, in addition, there is the risk of a strong response from Lebanon by Hezbollah, he warns. At the house in Arura, the string of condolences continues and the leaders sister, Um Quteiba, speaking in a soft voice, appears surprised by the influx. Saleh was a very normal person and we did not know that he was so popular in Palestine and throughout the Arab world, she says. We are aware that he worked discreetly and silently for many years for the Palestinians, but we did not know that he was so famous. At noon, after prayer, the men and children go through the town in a march filled with Hamas flags and calling for revenge. Your blood has not been shed in vain, dear Saleh! they shout. Tell the world that Hamas and its flag are here! In protest of his death and in solidarity with Gaza, a general strike was called this Wednesday in the West Bank. Almost all businesses, except bakeries and pharmacies, were closed. The last news that al-Arouris family had about him reached them precisely on October 7. We have entered several towns in Israel with our weapons, Um Quteiba remembers him saying on the phone. Our victory is about to come; ours and that of all Palestinians, he added with great optimism. Please be proud of us because we are going to achieve it. Just because Hamas number two man knew that sooner or later Israel would try to kill him does not mean that he did not take precautions to prevent it. From that day on, the leader of the Islamist militia cut off contact with his relatives to prevent Israel from locating him. He managed it for three months. Since Tuesday, the recording of the Quran coming from the speakers of the Arura mosque has not stopped playing. Demonstration for the death of Saleh al-Arouri through the streets of his town, Arura, on January 3. Manuel Altozano Pastor Roger Gillming and Kathy Welfl, volunteer leaders with Operation Christmas Child in the Nebraska Panhandle, expressed gratitude to all who helped this amazing ministry grow significantly in the region this past Christmas season. Gillming and Welfl said 572 more shoeboxes were filled this year than last year thanks to assistance in the goodwill effort from volunteers, the Observer and other media. With your help, 3,372 shoeboxes from the Panhandle were filled (with donations) and delivered to our central drop-off site in Alliance, where they subsequently found their way to th... READING, Pa. Berks County Commissioner Christian Y. Leinbach announced at a commissioners meeting Thursday morning, that the Reading Regional Airport on Wednesday had a closing for the purchase of the two existing FBOs at the airport. The acronym FBO stands for fixed based operator, which is a commercial operation that provides aviation services to both major and small airports and hangars. The FBOs purchased were Reading Jet Center and Millennium Aviation. The agreements to purchase the entities - $9.1 million for Reading Jet Center and $4.7 million for Millennium Aviation- were approved in August. Leinbach noted the two FBOs have now been merged into a single fixed based operation called Reading Aviation. This puts us in a position where we can be competitive in a way that we've not been, Leinbach said. If you look at surrounding airports, virtually all of our surrounding airports have already done this many years ago. Leinbach cited Lancaster, Harrisburg and Lehigh Valley International as examples of neighboring airports which own sole fixed based operations. Now our objective is to build the business, the aviation business in particular at the airport, and I'm excited about the things that are ready are beginning to take place and will take place with the future of the Reading Regional Airport, Leinbach reported. Our stated objective for the airport is to become the number one general aviation airport in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania based on economic impact. We're number 12 today, and of the 12, all but two or three have commercial air service already. Leinbach also noted that a financial impact study done by PennDOTs Board of Aviation last spring found the local impact to be around $77 million. In October 2022, the commissioners took control of the Reading Regional Airport in Bern Township to improve operations and enhance revenue. In other business, the commissioners adopted a resolution to authorize the Adult Probation and Parole Department to submit a grant application to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for a Violence Intervention and Prevention grant in the amount of $950,000 for a 3-year period from April 1, 2024 through March 31, 2027, to support two probation officer salaries, benefits and overtime. Daniel C. Heydt, chief at the Adult Probation and Parole Office, said the grant will hopefully bring in some additional funds to help alleviate some of the cost to the county. READING, Pa. The Berks County Commissioners met Thursday morning as the Berks County Board of Elections for the first time in over a year. The board approved the addition of a third ballot box drop site for mail-in ballots at the countys south campus at located 400 East Wyomissing Avenue in Mohnton, starting with the 2024 primary election. Commissioner Christian Y. Leinbach noted that two years ago the election board discussed adding a drop box at the south campus, but at the time, the building was not fully operational or secure. The reason I am supporting this for the 2024 election is because of the sheer number of mail-in ballots we received in the last presidential election, which was around 81,000 ballots, Leinbach said. Leinbach further stated that he is also open to considering locating a drop box at the Reading Regional Airport for the November general presidential election. Leinbach said the new location and the potential airport location will be fully secured as are the other two locations at the Berks Agricultural Center in Bern Township and the County Services Center in Reading. In 2023, two of the commissioners could not sit on the election board because Christian Y. Leinbach and Michael S. Rivera were up for reelection. Lucine E. Sihelnik, who was appointed commissioner by the court and did not seek reelection, served on the board along with two Berks County judges. As part of the first meeting of 2024, the election board reorganized by electing Rivera as chairman and Leinbach as vice-chairman. In addition, the board reappointed Christine M. Sadler as the solicitor and Cody L. Kauffman as assistant solicitor for the board of elections. The board also reappointed Anne Norton as director of elections and Stephanie Weaver as the assistant director of elections. I want to user this as an opportunity to once again encourage the legislature and its leadership, particular the governor, to get together on serious election reform, Leinbach said. Virtually nothing has happened since the 2020 election and counties are getting beat up constantly by individuals that believe the county has more authority than it actually does. Commissioner Dante Santoni, the newly-elected commissioner and the third member of the election board, agreed. In my past life I served in the state legislature for 20 years and I know how things work there and Im going to do everything I can to get them moving on some of these issues, Santoni said. They are hesitant to put an election code bill on the floor of the House or Senate because it generates a lot of controversial amendments, which is part of their job. READING, Pa. Reading City Council held an evidentiary hearing Wednesday night to consider the transfer of a liquor license from Richmond Township to an establishment in the city. Chirag Patel, owner of PM Beverage Inc., has requested the intermunicipal transfer of a license for his new food market and sandwich shop located at 1558 N. Ninth St., in the former V&S Sandwich Shop. The liquor license in question previously was used by the former Giannotti's Restaurant in Richmond Township. Patel testified he plans to sell six-packs at the site, but does not intend to allow patrons to consume alcohol at the restaurant. If permitted by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, Patel said he would like to operate his shop from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m., seven days a week. Council solicitor Michael Gombar explained that the quota of liquor licenses for the city is 41, but it currently has 48 active restaurant licenses, with one available in safekeeping and none available for sale. Gombar also noted that the current retail quota of licenses for Berks County is 142, and there are currently 278 active licenses. Councilman Jaime Baez said his main concern is that the city is currently over its limit. Salvatore Folino, solicitor for the applicant, said every single township and borough is over its quota set by the LCB. "Only being seven licenses over the quota is actually one of the lowest I've seen," Folino said. The North Ninth Street site is located in a residential district, but no residents commented during the public hearing. James Gaffney, a resident of North Ninth Street, supported the application by sending a written statement that was read into the record. "I support the transfer of a liquor license to 1558 North 9th Street," Gaffney wrote. "The license will be good for the business and good for the patrons. The renovations done thus far bode well for the future and I look forward to the opening." Council plans to render a decision at its regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Authorities have issued an arrest warrant for a man in a shooting that left a woman and a one-year-old boy dead in Allentown last Friday. Officials consider Gabriel Cartagena, 43, armed and dangerous, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan announced in a news conference Thursday. He faces several charges, including homicide, attempted homicide, and aggravated assault, Holihan said. Anybody who sees him is asked to call 911, and to not approach him. "I would say for a man who shot and killed a grandmother and child he's a danger to the public, if those allegations are correct," Holihan said. 44-year-old Ada Ortiz and 1-year-old Sebastian Serrano were killed at their home in the 100 block of Chestnut Street on Allentown's north side Friday night. Holihan said Cartagena broke into the home and shot Ortiz and Serrano. Holihan said Cartagena then ran away from the scene. According to the Lehigh County coroner, the baby was pronounced dead inside the home. Holihan said police found a third victim, who had a gunshot wound to his upper left side chest, in the kitchen of the home. The third victim told police the shooter was armed with a gun and took aim at a 7-year-old child. The third victim told police he was shot when he stepped between the shooter and the child, Holihan said. A GoFundMe page is set up for the victims. The DA did not specify the relationship between the man and his alleged victims. In a news release Thursday night, the Allentown Police Department said enhanced patrols and resource allocation is taking place to ensure the safety of the community. City police encourage anyone with further information to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 610-437-7721 or to submit tips to its Tip411 site. "This abhorrent crime strikes at the very core of our community and the Allentown Police Department remains committed to working ceaselessly with our partners in this case," city police said. State Rep. Josh Siegel issued a statement Thursday afternoon on the latest developments: I commend the swift and decisive action of Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan, the Allentown Police Department, and our state and federal law enforcement partners in quickly identifying a suspect in the tragic and senseless murder of two Allentonians. We owe them a debt of gratitude for once more ensuring that violence in our streets will neither be tolerated nor go without the harshest possible punishment and response. This was a particularly heinous crime, and the suspect in question not only murdered a grandmother and child but attempted to murder a second child. The speed and determination of our law enforcement community sends a strong message to the those who would seek to deprive our community of safety and security, that Allentown and Lehigh County will not surrender its streets and communities to murderers and violence. I further commend the Allentown Police Departments continued commitment to community engagement which has helped create trust within our neighborhoods and resulted in the public providing information instrumental in identifying the suspect. It demonstrates that when the community comes forward, there is both justice and accountability, and that public safety, requires public faith in our system of justice to remove violence from our streets. We must take from this moment of grief, a renewed sense of urgency to eradicate gun violence in our community, one life lost is too many, one less child in our community is too much to bear and one more family made less whole is all our loss. We have more work to do together." SALISBURY TWP., Pa. - A house fire in Lehigh County left a firefighter injured and brought out the bomb squad and FBI. A Salisbury Township police officer was in the area of Meadowbrook Circle North on Wednesday evening and found smoke and flames coming from a basement window, according to a news release from the township police department. Police used extinguishers to keep the fire from spreading until the Western Salisbury Fire Department, along with neighboring fire departments, arrived and provided fire suppression, township police said. An occupant said that fireworks and black powder may be inside the home along with other chemicals, according to township police. "The Allentown Bomb Squad was called to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of responders and neighbors," township police said. Once the home was determined to be safe, the Salisbury Township police fire marshals office started their fire investigation to determine the origin and cause of the fire. The streets in the area were lined with flashing lights Wednesday evening, as officials investigated. Township police say the Red Cross was contacted to help displaced residents. The Red Cross said it was helping five people. "It's a bigger thing than just a house fire," said Mickey Brown, who lives by the house on fire. Neighbors say it was after 4 p.m. when they first noticed the flames. "Ran inside and went to my mom and was like, 'I think the neighbor's' house is on fire. And so, she was like, what?" Mitchell Zimmerer, another neighbor, said. Neighbors say they saw the fire coming out of the basement of the home. "My mom's like...'Oh my God.' Phones 911," Zimmerer said. "And fire trucks started pulling in," Brown said. "And the house victims were sitting on our front lawn." Neighbors say they watched crews put out the fire. "From what I understand it was in the basement and the kitchen," Brown said. "I can't believe that's actually happening," Zimmerer said. "I'm uncomfortable with it, there's no doubt about that," Brown said. "Who knows what was going on over there, it's been a house of concern for a while." Mickey Brown didn't want to go into detail about what he meant, but other neighbors tell 69 News they've seen police and firefighters called to the house multiple times in recent years. "Let's just say the place wasn't kept very neatly," Brown said. Neighbors tell 69 News one person owns the house, but multiple renters live inside. Some of those renters tell 69 News they're relieved to learn their two cats are okay. One firefighter was injured and treated at the scene, according to the news release. The fire is currently under investigation. Anyone with information should call 610-797-1447 or call township police's Tip Line at 610-402-2400. BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Pennsylvania is working to repair a school funding system that was ruled unconstitutional by the courts. Education advocates held a virtual meeting sharing some potential fixes Thursday afternoon. "Every year, compared to an equitable formula for all 501 school districts, a Bethlehem Area School District kid is shorted over $4,000 to be able to have the opportunity to reach what the state says are its standards for academic achievement," said Dr. Jack Silva, superintendent of the Bethlehem Area School District. For about 13,000, that leaves the district short $52 million. "I was fortunate enough to be able to testify back in September about some of the needs of the Bethlehem Area School District and similar school districts," Silva said. The Basic Education Funding Commission has its report due in a week, and change is expected, after the ruling of a case brought by a group of districts, including Panther Valley and Shenandoah. "Almost one year ago, the Commonwealth Court declared Pennsylvania's school funding system unconstitutional and charged the General Assembly and the Governor to create a new system," said Deborah Gordan Klehr, the executive director of the Education Law Center. "State funding is inadequate and inequity is its defining feature, and so our students are denied the opportunity to succeed academically, socially and civically." Education advocates recommend the state distribute a big chunk of money over the next five years. "When you actually look at what successful schools are spending in Pennsylvania relative to their needs, and you say, we're gonna get all school districts to that level, it will require an additional $6.2 billion in annual funds," said Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg, a senior attorney at Public Interest Law Center. "I think that our inability to fund our public education system is perhaps one of the greatest moral failings of the Commonwealth," said state Rep. Joshua Siegel. "Our budget is a moral document." Siegel says the Allentown School District is underfunded by over $200 million a year. He believes progress is possible. "It's a matter of where our priorities lie, and in terms of what makes the Commonwealth richer, more prosperous and more successful, I think there's no better investment than that of our children," said Siegel. "In order for kids to be successful, we need to invest in them from cradle to career." Gov. Josh Shapiro has called for historic public education funding and stressed the need for equity, while stressing he's mindful of where the money comes from. State Sen. Scott Martin also pointed out historic investments during the last few budget cycles and the importance of meeting educational needs, but respecting taxpayers and being realistic, too. He says Pennsylvania spends $17.8 billion on education statewide. "The new money these groups are proposing wildly exceeds what the state expects to receive in terms of revenue growth," said Martin. Martin said this is an issue that can't be boiled down to just dollars and cents. "Our focus should remain on ensuring any new resources dedicated to education meet the intended goal of supporting students," said Martin. "I don't want to diminish the difficulty of the task that they have," said Silva. "I've been around long enough to know that you don't get into the situation overnight. You probably won't get out of it overnight, but to have some predictability in a system that addresses the real needs." BETHLEHEM, Pa. - If you haven't been able to fill out the new 2024-25 FAFSA application, you're not alone. The new and already-delayed application for college student aid has seen issues in the first few days of its release, with many unable to access the form online. "Originally we were told mid-December and then about early December they said Dec. 31 it'll be released," said Jennifer Mertz, Assistant Vice Provost for Financial Services at Lehigh University. That Dec. 31 release was just a "soft launch," meaning issues and maintenance were to be expected, but it's creating confusion and frustration, Mertz said. "One of our biggest messages we put out to students is do the forms, do them fast, do them on time, and you know this is definitely sending some mixed messages there." In addition to the FAFSA, Lehigh uses the College Board CSS profile for financial aid determinations, so it has started sending out tentative aid offers but not Pell Grant determinations. However, many schools only use FAFSA and colleges are not expected to get the information until late January, but aid letters usually arrive by March. "They will be scrambling to get those turned around so that students and families have an adequate amount of time so that they can consider all of their options and make their enrollment decision," said Karen McCarthy, VP of Public Policy and Federal Relations at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA). The Department of Education said it's aware of these issues and is working to resolve them. "The best thing that families can do is to continue to read any communication that they get from their aid office, you know, if they're already an applicant, or go on websites and see," Mertz said. BETHLEHEM, Pa. The Bethlehem Historical Architectural Review Board rejected two options for a new Walnut Street parking facility proposed by the Bethlehem Parking Authority on Wednesday night at city hall. Both denied plans envisioned a garage that is taller than the current Walnut Street Garage, located at 33 W. Walnut St., which is scheduled to be demolished. A concern cited by the board, which is an advisory board and makes recommendations to city council, was that each proposal offered a smaller footprint than the current facility, while seeking a taller height. Each plan included retail space and residential development on the property's western edge, the side nearest Main Street. The first proposal, submitted Nov. 8, would encompass 278 feet or 58% of the existing garage length. Because the building is on a slope, the building's height would vary throughout. For example, in the north overlay portion or Walnut Street's commercial side, the existing structure rises about 51 feet. The proposed structure would top out at 64 feet, thus producing a 13-foot increase. Another example is the south elevation overlay portion which borders a residential zone. The existing garage height is 46 feet with the proposed garage in this version registering nearly 60 feet a 14-foot increase. Overall, the original parking garage submission is about 10 feet taller on average that the existing building.. The revised proposal, submitted Dec. 14, finds a 12-foot increase from the existing structure, taking it from 51 feet to 63 feet. On the side bordering a residential zone, there would be a 4-foot increase from 46 feet to 50 feet. Other than the shorter south wall, both plans were identical. The first proposal would have reduced the number of parking spaces at the Walnut Street Garage by 180, for a total of 585 spaces. The newer proposal would eliminate an additional 63 spaces. There is now a total of 770 spaces in the current Walnut Street Garage. In his presentation to the board, Bethlehem Parking Authority Executive Director Steve Fernstrom said his organization's goal was to provide a facility to serve the entire community. "Unfortunately, we can't solve every problem that exists," Fernstrom said. "But we can, should, and have worked hard to create opportunities to gather feedback and do what's best to balance the diverse needs of Bethlehem." Fernstrom also lamented what he called "the spreading of misinformation...which has created chaos and uncertainty" about the proposed project. On Nov. 24, Fernstrom said the Walnut Street Garage had 366 unoccupied parking spaces at its peak between 5:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. At that same time, the North Street Garage had 474 unoccupied parking spaces, for a total of 840 unoccupied spaces across the two facilities. With a reduction of 180 spaces in the initial Walnut Street proposal, there would be a total of 660 unoccupied spaces based on the study. Fernstrom went on to document that other days during the recent holiday season had similar results. "The data decisively advocates for a reduction in parking spaces," he said. "This conclusion is not rooted in personal opinions, particularly of those individuals who openly acknowledge they don't care about or use the parking system." BPA representatives added Wednesday night that an agreement with a "preferred developer" will occur in this year's first quarter for a mixed-use building. That building would feature retail and apartment units for the other half of the demolished building. HARB members who spoke questioned whether either proposal complemented the nearby neighborhood to the immediate south when mass, scale, height and width were considered. During a public comment session, various members of the historic district asked the board to reject the proposals. Various businesses also opposed the plan, saying it would negatively impact their operations. Others who spoke noted lack of details about the mixed-use building. "The proposed replacement plans for the Walnut Street Garage are seriously flawed," Bruce Haines, managing partner of Hotel Bethlehem, said. BPA officials said they would "move forward" with their plans through the legislative process, seeking to gain approval for one. The 108th Pennsylvania Farm Show starts on Saturday, but organizers have already unveiled a show-stopping display. The 2024 butter sculpture reflects the theme "A Table for All: Pennsylvania Dairy Connects Communities." It shows people gathering around the dinner table full of food, celebrating how the work of local farmers helps bring communities together. Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and dairy industry leaders unveiled the statue on Thursday. The sculpture was constructed over several weeks by artists Jim Victor and Marie Pelton of Conshohocken, using more than 1,000 pounds of butter donated by Land O Lakes in Carlisle. It will be on display at this year's farm show, which runs January 6-13. What happened? Some 84 people were killed including six children and 220 injured in an attack in Iran on Wednesday, January 3. Two explosions occurred near a cemetery in the city of Kerman, located 820 kilometers (510 miles) southeast of Tehran. A ceremony was being held there to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, one of the most charismatic figures in the countrys recent history, who was killed in 2020 in a U.S. drone strike. Witness accounts reveal that both explosions happened within 10 minutes of each other. The first occurred 700 meters from Soleimanis grave and the second, 1,000 meters away, according to IRNA news agency. The authorities first spoke of more than 100 victims, later lowered the figure to 95 and on Thursday again to 84. The reason for these changes is that there were many duplicate names. Why was Qassem Soleimani so symbolic? General Qassem Soleimani was considered by many experts to be the most powerful person in Iran after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and is considered the architect of Iranian intelligence and military power. He began his military career in 1979, joining the Revolutionary Guard weeks after the corps was established by Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini in order to protect the newly proclaimed Islamic Republic. He was the mastermind of the Iranian intervention in Iraq and since the 1990s served as commander of the elite Al Quds force. From this position, Soleimani directed clandestine operations overseas and was a key figure in the Iranian campaign to try to drive U.S. forces out of the Middle East. He also played important roles in Irans fight against the Islamic State and in the Syrian Civil War, in which Tehran was instrumental in maintaining Bashar al-Assad in power. In Iran he was treated as an almost mythical figure, while the United States and Israel had considered him a terrorist since 2011. Months before his assassination, the Trump Administration included the Al Quds force on its list of terrorist organizations. Soleimani was killed on January 3, 2020, in a drone strike at the airport in Baghdad, carried out by the U.S. military on orders from former president Donald Trump. In what context did the bombings take place? The explosions took place one day after the attack in Beirut that killed Hamas number two Saleh al-Arouri. Lebanese and Palestinian authorities have accused Israel of the drone strike, although it has not claimed responsibility. If confirmed, it would be the greatest Israeli military success since the beginning of the war in Gaza on October 7. Tensions between Iran and Israel, along with its ally the United States, have reached a new high as a result of the conflict. What has the impact been in Iran? Iran on Thursday declared a day of mourning out of respect for the victims of what it considers the most serious attack since the creation of the Islamic Republic in 1979. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it will use all international means to identify and bring to justice those involved in the attacks, and their supporters. A crowd gathered at the cemetery where the explosions took place on Wednesday night, chanting Death to Israel and Death to America. Who is behind the attack? It is not clear. This Thursday, via Telegram, the Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility, more than 30 hours after the attack. The jihadist group that came to control a large swath of land in Syria and Iraq a few years ago was responsible for several attacks in Iran between 2017 and 2022. After more than a day of investigations, Iranian authorities said Thursday that the blasts were carried out by suicide bombers and not by remotely detonated devices, as previously thought. Shortly before, ISIS had said in the statement that the attack had been perpetrated by two martyrs and added their names. The Iranian government has not yet reacted to the Islamic States statement. Previously, Iranian authorities had not publicly blamed anyone and had limited themselves to promising revenge. However, Esmail Qaani, a senior commander in Irans Al Quds force, has stated that the attacks were perpetrated by agents of the Zionist regime [Israel] and the United States. Tehran often accuses its bitter enemies, Israel and the United States, of backing anti-Iranian militant groups. What role does Iran play in relation to Hamas and Hezbollah? This is one of the great unknowns that only the passage of time can answer. But any upheaval in the Iranian regime can immediately spill over into the Middle East, especially considering Tehrans ideological, military, and financial ascendancy over Hezbollah, which has far greater military strength than Hamas. Hezbollah, in turn, is sometimes referred to as Hamas big brother, although the Lebanese militia is Shiite and the Palestinian group is Sunni. A direct confrontation between Iran and Israel seems unlikely. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Workers at an Ohio Costco are a tightknit group, and one employee has his work family to thank for likely saving his life. The holidays are a busy time for retail workers, and Jesse Orsborn says it's not unusual for one of his coworkers at the Mayfield Heights Costco to oversleep. But they have each others' backs, and usually make a call to their sleeping coworker to get them moving for the day. Jesse says one day last week he got a little concerned when one of his team members didn't show up for work for his 5 a.m. shift. He and the assistant manager, Dave Mackin, made the call that may have ended up saving their coworker's life. "I couldn't understand what he was saying on the other end. That alarmed us, (so) we started calling several times, eventually back in touch with him, again more mumbling, it was obvious he was having some sort of medical emergency," Mackin said. It turns out that the coworker was having a stroke. While Dave and Jesse kept their coworker on the phone, their other team members called EMS who responded and got the man to the hospital. The man has since been released from the hospital, but he still has a long road to recovery ahead of him. His work family says they love and miss him. Two nurses who saved a man's life on a flight back in May are now working together once again. The nurses were inspired by each other, and it all began last spring when they just happened to be on the same flight. Rio Ratermanis has been a nurse for a long time. Mina Emmons just became one. In May, they were on the same flight from North Carolina to Florida when a man on the plane started having a medical emergency. Airline attendants asked if there were any doctors or nurses on board, and when Rio got to the back of the plane, she saw Mina already there helping the passenger. Rio says she was instantly impressed by how Mina, who was just a nursing student at the time, had jumped in to help. At the same time, Mina says she was impressed by how Rio was taking control of the situation, and they worked together to get the man stabilized and safely off the plane. Mina had just moved to Florida, and says she wasn't sure where she wanted to work as a nurse, so after the emergency was over and they were back on the plane, Mina asked Rio where she worked. Months later, Mina showed up at the new nurses orientation that Rio was running at St. Lucie Hospital. They now work together at the same hospital. Social media has made celebrity breakups part of our daily lives. Instead of issuing official press releases, as had been the norm, well-known personalities now prefer to announce their breakups via posts on their social networks, without the need for third parties. Thus, between posts from our family and memes, our social media feeds are also filled with news of famous couples separating, which in turn strengthens our parasocial relationships with our favorite celebrities and makes us feel we are somewhat closer to them And this is precisely the reason why, when we find out they separated and hid the news for some time, we feel not only surprised, but in a way, even betrayed. Although more and more celebrities seemed to be opting for separations that could have very well been coordinated by Gwyneth Paltrow, with texts announcing their breakup that read more like love letters filled with affection, respect and empathy, we are now witnessing the phenomenon of silent separations. We are talking about breakups that occurred some time ago and that we are just now finding out about. Perhaps the first case that comes to mind is that of Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith, who had been separated for seven years without us having any idea. Shortly after Pinkett Smith broke the news, however, we discovered that Meryl Streep and Don Gummer had also been divorced for six years. In the world of over-information and lack of privacy, these secrets come as a surprise, while also raising the question of whether it is healthier to prioritize self-care over rushing to announce a separation. What if a silent divorce is the best way to heal? When secrecy and silence are the new luxury The truth is that, in Hollywood, secret divorces are not so rare thanks to the private judges that well-known figures like Elon Musk and Chris Pratt have made use of. Popular private judge Jill Robbins, who oversaw the divorce of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, explained to The Cut that contrary to what we might think, in reality most of those who hire her are not celebrities, but dentists, doctors, life insurance executives, lawyers... Quietly separating from ones spouse is not exclusive to celebrities. Normal folk desire privacy as much as any A-lister. In a world where secrets are scarce, enjoying secrecy and silence is a new luxury. The wonderful thing about this is that this way we avoid people giving us their opinion about it. In the end, everyone thinks they have the right to give their opinion and, really, opinions that are not contrasted with professionals (lawyers or psychologists) can create a huge mental mess and can even cause disagreements with our partner Friends and relatives, with all their good intentions, do not know about our particular case and can do more harm than help, says Nieves Aparicio, director and founder of Valory, a company specializing in divorces for women with children. Having some time to ground ones ideas, to manage the grief and even to look for a new home, makes it easier for us to process the emotions that arise after a separation. Often, after a breakup or a divorce, were forced to listen to comments and questions from friends and relatives, which make an already complicated situation even more tedious. In the face of a society engulfed in noise, keeping silent, at least in emotional matters, can help. At the same time, we have become accustomed to the fact that celebrities and those around us have turned social networks into a megaphone for their private lives, so we often feel that we are required to let everyone know where we stand in our relationships. We feel almost obligated to keep everyone informed of our relationship because, if we uploaded photos [together] at some point and we stop doing it, they will think we have broken up. In fact, this is how, on many occasions, we find out about celebrity breakups, because they stop following each other on social networks, delete photos together, etc. It is also common to see that one partner pressures the other to post photos or videos showing that he or she is in a couple, as it is common for some people to interpret the absence of photos with a boyfriend or girlfriend with the person being single. And it doesnt have to be that way. We have the right to not want to keep anyone informed of our private life, explains Elizabeth Clapes, author of Perderte para encontrarme: Supera una ruptura y vuelve a enamorarte de ti (Losing you to find myself: Overcome a breakup and fall in love with you again). During the holidays, communicating a breakup is especially complicated. Any relative who shows up to a family gathering without his or her partner will immediately be subjected to an interrogation. For this reason, there are those who prefer not to let the family know and wait for time to pass. Not telling [others] is a way of avoiding that they bring up the subject, [of avoiding their] questions and [reopening] the wound. The ideal would be to reach an agreement with the ex-partner in this regard to avoid misunderstandings and unnecessary conflicts, Clapes says. We must not forget the fact that culture, ethnicity, social norms and expectations may also play a role in keeping a separation a secret. Depending on how divorce or separation is understood in the persons environment, he or she will tell or not, will separate earlier or later, or even will or will not do so. It will always depend on the persons involvement in that culture or ideology, but it has a great influence. Lets remember that there are religions in which divorce is not allowed and is even punished, the psychologist says. Silent separations attract our attention because they are completely opposite to the emotional exhibitionism that now reigns in social networks, where our own family and friends often issue authentic communiques about the state of their relationships and their breakups, as if they were celebrities themselves. As Dan Lyons says in STFU: The Power of Keeping Your Mouth Shut in an Endlessly Noisy World, The noise will never go away. But we can. For the sake of our physical health psychological well-being, we must. In a world that encourages us to talk more, shutting up may be the ultimate act of self-care and rebellion. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition 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 Escalation is in the nature of war. When weapons corner politics, only the spiral of violence governs. We see it these days between Ukraine and Russia. It is part of the logic of warfare that Kyiv responds to attacks on its citizens in its territory with attacks on Russian territory in which innocent Russian civilians are also killed. And that Russia strikes back, in turn increasing shelling. This is also how it works between Hamas and Israel. Perhaps even more virulently. If in Russia the war fuels the nuclear threat, the Gaza war spills over at full speed to the Lebanese border with Hezbollahs missiles and drones; in the West Bank with the provocations of extremist Israeli settlers; in Lebanon with the targeted assassination of Hamas number two, Saleh al-Arouri; and on the coasts of Yemen with the Houthis attacks on maritime traffic. And this Wednesday in Iran, with the double bombing that killed more than 100 people in the Iranian cemetery of Kerman, where they were commemorating the anniversary of the targeted assassination of Qasem Soleimani, the supreme commander of the guardians of the revolution. Washington is focused on a strategic objective for both wars: to prevent them from spilling over, threatening world peace and even trapping its troops in the hornets nest, once again, like so many others in the last century. All major wars began as local feuds that then escalated and spread. To achieve this, the United States does one thing and the opposite. It carefully graduates military aid to Ukraine and gives unlimited aid to Israel. It is thus seeking an impossible and difficult to explain balance that will allow its allies to make moderate progress without unleashing an open international war. Discrepancies over the future are huge for Israel and Palestine, where Washingtons responsibilities lie. Joe Biden warmly embraces Netanyahu, but he is fed up with his extremist government and his bad annexationist ideas about Gaza and the West Bank. With so much military aid and such blatant diplomatic support, the U.S. president wants to lead Israel to the only solution that preserves democracy and the Jewish character of the state, namely the recognition of the Palestinian state, precisely what his Israeli ally and protege has wanted to destroy once and for all. In Israels victory, Biden seeks Netanyahus defeat. At the moment, the response he is getting is disturbing: the war is not letting up in Gaza and has all the signs that it is spilling out of control on all sides. It would be in Washingtons interest for regional actors to organize the way out of war and toward peace. The future of Ukraine is quite clear: within the Atlantic and European framework. The responsibilities of Brussels in the war in Ukraine, finally a candidate for EU membership, will increase in the future. And decrease, on the other hand, when it comes to the Gaza war. Not only because of the divergent positions of the Europeans who could not agree on voting for a ceasefire but also because of the doubts about the future of NATO with a Trump White House. Hence the difficulty Washington faced in finding allies for its naval operation off the coast of Yemen without the support of NATO or the EU. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Zheng Xin (sixth from right), wife of Chinese Consul General in San Francisco Zhang Jianmin, presents certificates to three award winners of "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competitions Andrew Fowler (fifth from left), Ivana Moreno(sixth from left) and Sage Houdek (fifth from right) on Saturday night at the Chinese consul general's residence in San Francisco. [Lia Zhu/China Daily] In a vibrant awards ceremony at the residence of the Chinese consul general in San Francisco, three US students, who recently took home top honors in the "Chinese Bridge" global Chinese-proficiency competition, stood proudly, their fluency in Chinese and passion for Chinese culture on full display. Ivana Moreno, a high school student in a black kung fu uniform, captivated the audience with a dynamic display of martial arts. Andrew Fowler, a college senior, showcased his newfound talent in the ancient art of Chinese bamboo weaving. Sage Houdek, a bright elementary schooler, filled the room with the delicate melodies of traditional Chinese folk music played on her violin. The three students were not just celebrating their victories at the competition; they were ambassadors of cultural understanding, building bridges of friendship between the US and China with every spoken word and graceful performance, said Zheng Xin, wife of Chinese Consul General Zhang Jianmin in San Francisco, who hosted the three students, their families and other Chinese-language learners from the Bay Area at their residence on Saturday night. Moreno, a student at Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco, won the second prize and the best potential award at the global finals of the 16th "Chinese Bridge" World Chinese Proficiency Competition for Secondary School Students. "I feel like my whole life I've benefited from learning Chinese just from a really young age. I started learning Chinese when I was 3," she told China Daily. "I think in the future, this is going to be extremely beneficial for me, since I'm interested in a teaching job. I love teaching kids, and I would love to go to China and experience more about the culture and language and then bring that back to the US," she said. From kindergarten all the way to eighth grade, Moreno said all of her friends spoke Chinese because they went to a Chinese immersion school. As she grows up, she has made new friends who don't understand her experience. "But they've all been very supportive and are extremely impressed every time I can just speak Chinese. Now two of my friends have been inspired. They're taking Mandarin class, and it's been really fun to be able to teach them and help them out when they need it," she said. Fowler, who studies languages and mathematics at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, was inspired by a passionate teacher in high school and then discovered Chinese as a gateway to new ways of thinking and learning. "When I started learning Chinese, I had never truly learned a foreign language before, so it's very difficult," Fowler said. "First, I felt Chinese taught me to think in a new way and taught me how to learn something that was very difficult. "After that, I was able to self-study German well enough and self-study a few other languages to a certain degree of proficiency. So the first way in which Chinese helped me was to help me become a better learner," Fowler told China Daily. He participated in the 22nd "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students in China and finished third in the global final. Beyond language-learning, the experience in China "helped me immensely to enrich my life because I was really interested in literature, philosophy, and art", he said. "It opened a whole new horizon for me of a foreign country. I did not go out of the US until late into high school. So the experience of learning Chinese helped broaden my horizons and gave me a sense of what's awesome," he added. "It also helped me make new friends and to see that people around the world, even if they vary in some things, are very similar in a lot of ways. We can make friendships across the seas even though it's a far distance," he continued. After graduation in 2024, Fowler said he planned to intensively study the Chinese language in China and potentially pursue further graduate work and look for a job in academia. Similarly, Houdek, drawn to the vibrant traditions experienced at her immersion Yinghua Academy in Minnesota, embraced Chinese customs like celebrating Lunar New Year with fervor. Having been studying Chinese for seven years, Houdek won the Best Performance Award at the third "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Show for global elementary school students. "China is a beautiful country with a long history. I appreciate the opportunity of visiting China and communicating with Chinese people. The journey of Chinese Bridge not only helps me to learn the language but also make more friends. In 2024, I will work harder to learn Chinese and become an envoy for US-China friendship," she told the audience in fluent Chinese. Beyond individual journeys, these young students represent a desire for cultural understanding and friendship with a nation and its people on the other side of the Pacific. As Deputy Chinese Consul General in San Francisco Zou Yonghong aptly noted, "Learning Chinese can broaden one's horizons, share the benefits of China's development it can promote the healthy development of China-US relations." (Source: chinadaily.com.cn) With the assassination of Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut, where he presumably acted as a liaison with Hezbollah and the Iranian regime, Israel has scored a military success in line with the goal of liquidating the terrorist organization, which underpins its war in Gaza, but at the same time it has increased the risk of the conflict spreading to the neighboring country. The government of Benjamin Netanyahu could well take advantage of it to meet the requirements of the United States to move to a phase of the war that is less bloody for the Gaza population, compatible with letting in humanitarian aid and more focused on surgical operations in the Strip. But this selective action abroad, carried out with a missile delivered by a drone, not only eliminates a prominent military commander but also removes one of the leaders with the most experience in political negotiations. The Israeli prime minister is surrounded on all sides. His government, filled with messianic and racist supremacists, is pressing to take advantage of the war to steal more Palestinian territory in the West Bank and keep the entire Gaza Strip, even at the cost of expelling the majority of Gazans. The families of the hostages demand that their release be made the main objective of their government through negotiation with Hamas. The White House is asking him to temper his militaristic and expansionist impulses, avoid escalation and set the negotiation of a Palestinian state in the occupied territories as a political objective after the end of the war. The international community is clamoring almost entirely for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. The Supreme Court of Israel, finally, has just disavowed the judicial reform of his government by which the latter sought to avoid any judicial control over the conformity of its decisions with the basic law of the state, which, in the absence of a written Constitution, requires the executive to respect the criteria of reasonableness in its legal initiatives. Netanyahus response to so many political and judicial difficulties has been to maintain the war tension and even to increase it. To the murder of al-Arouri, which nobody has claimed responsibility for, are added the attacks this Wednesday in Iran, which have caused more than 95 fatalities and about which little is known at the moment, except that they have the potential to also contribute dangerously to an escalation in the region. Netanyahu does not have much room to react to the judicial setback, in a ruling that contains the seeds of a state crisis, since the Supreme Court has rejected a law tailored to remove judges current power of arbitration over government decisions. The current prime ministers executive, unanimously described as the most extremist in the history of Israel and at the lowest moment of voter support, has entered the realm of illiberal democracies, just when it is looking suspect before international organizations and even judicial bodies of war crimes, genocide and of building an apartheid system. A charge of particular relevance has been brought by South Africa, as a signatory of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, against the State of Israel, which also adhered to said United Nations legal document, and is now in the process of answering for its actions in Gaza and submitting to the arbitration of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which resolves disputes between partner countries. Weather Alert ...Elevated Fire Danger Today and Tuesday... ...Hard Freeze Expected Tonight... The combination of very dry air and northwest winds gusting up to 20 mph will create an elevated risk of uncontrolled fire spread this afternoon. Relative humidity values will fall to 20 to 35%, with the lowest humidity levels over the Ozark Foothills of southeast Missouri. A more substantial fire danger is expected Tuesday, as southwest winds increase significantly, with gusts of 25 to 40 mph forecast Tuesday afternoon. Relative humidity values Tuesday afternoon will fall to 25 to 35%. If you are planning outdoor burning today and Tuesday, use extra caution and have fire suppression equipment ready. Tonight, very cold and dry surface high pressure will allow temperatures to drop into the middle and upper 20s throughout the region. Although the growing season has not officially started, tender vegetation could be impacted by these cold temperatures. Please take necessary actions to protect any tender vegetation tonight. Amman is set to host the Droidcon Global Conference, the largest Android developer conference series outside the US, from January 18 to 20, 2024. This event is organised by OMNES Media and OMNES Technologies, under the name 'droidconamman.' The conference is organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship and the Digital Skills Association, proudly sponsored by the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB). Droidcon Global Conference will be focused on Android app development, attracting industry professionals, experts, and enthusiasts from around the world. The event promises a deep dive into the latest trends, innovations, and best practices in the Android app development sphere. Industry insights In addition to being a hub for the latest industry insights, the Droidconamman 2024 will also serve as a prime networking opportunity, allowing attendees to connect with experts and fellow developers, fostering collaborations and partnerships. Furthermore, the event will introduce job opportunities for new graduates, offering them a chance to enter the field of Android app development. One of the standout features of this conference is the impressive lineup of speakers who are set to deliver captivating talks on cutting-edge topics. These experts hail from renowned organisations and are at the forefront of Android development. Kotlin's reflection package During the event, attendees can look forward to engaging sessions such as "Exploring Kotlin Reflection: Behind the Mirror" by Danny Preussler, Android Lead at SoundCloud, where he will unravel the mysteries of Kotlin's reflection package. Filip Floreani, Android Team Lead at Infinum, will introduce attendees to the future of authentication with his session "Passkeys: The Future of Authentication," including live demonstrations of passkey implementation. Abdulah Osoble, Senior Software Engineer at Careem, will delve into the concept of bootstrapping server-driven UI with design systems in his session, offering the attendees the key concepts and techniques involved in using a design system to bootstrap a server-driven UI implementation.-- TradeArabia News Service Israel has assassinated Saleh al-Arouri, a Hamas military leader who was ranked number two in the organization, in an operation in Beirut. The procedure is not new. Israel has a long history of targeted assassinations of Hamas leaders and, before that, of all sorts of Palestine Liberation Organization leaders, from members of the Marxist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine to the social-democratic Fatah. The Palestinian resistance has never been weakened by this, on the contrary: the martyrs constitute an essential element for the internal cohesion of a society that disagrees with each other about almost everything, but that reveres its fallen indiscriminately. Nor is the Israeli violation of the territory of another state anything new: Lebanon, Tunisia, Syria, the United Kingdom, and more recently, Qatar, Iran, Turkey and Jordan have been the scene of special operations by Israeli security forces with various names: Mossad, Shin Bet, Shabak, Aman... Israel has made great use of the name game. So what we will witness after the assassination of Saleh al-Arouri along with two other Hamas military leaders is a greater Hamasization of both Palestinian society and regional confrontation. Netanyahu knew it when he gave the order, nobody should fool themselves about it. The plan had been there for weeks, since the evacuation of the towns near the border with Lebanon began, involving some 60,000 people. And the recent withdrawal from Gaza of an elite brigade heralds preparations for an escalation with Hezbollah. Al-Arouris head had a price on it for a long time: in 2018 the U.S. State Department announced a reward of $5 million to anyone who might offer clues leading to his location. But at the same time, al-Arouri has been a decisive mediator in secret talks, prisoner exchanges and building bridges to benefit the intersecting interests of Israel, the United States, Iran, Syria, Turkey and Lebanon. If just now the Israeli government has made the decision to eliminate him, it is undoubtedly due to Netanyahus needs. The assassination of al-Arouri is, among other things, a provocation to Hezbollah that is unlikely to go unanswered. In these three months of destruction in Gaza, Hezbollah has practiced a containment policy that could almost be considered a policy of state, if such a thing existed in Lebanon. Its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has the last word. The massacre of around 100 people in Kerman, Iran, in a tribute to Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, killed in Baghdad in 2020 by U.S. drones, will also have an influence. Netanyahu knows he has no future when the war ends and he is rushing headlong. Regarding the assassination of al-Arouri, the prime minister has imposed silence on his people, both civilians and the military. Not doing so would be to recognize an extrajudicial execution, prohibited by the First Geneva Convention. And it would expand on Israels international discredit, which is beginning to become alarming after the genocide charge that South Africa has brought before the International Court of Justice. It is something that is of concern in Israel, which has announced that it will defend itself, an unusual gesture in its dealings with international organizations. Luz Gomez is chair of Arab and Islamic Studies at Madrid's Autonomous University. Almost every animal experiences aging. As time passes, their bodies function less effectively, reproduction becomes more difficult, and the likelihood of mortality increases. From an evolutionary perspective, it may seem counterintuitive that natural selection doesnt favor mutations that extend lifespan and the years of fertility. In 1952, scientist Peter Medawar proposed the theory of mutation accumulation to explain this. According to the theory, natural selection prioritizes the survival of organisms capable of reproducing. After reproduction, the evolutionary pressure to prevent bodily malfunctions decreases, resulting in the accumulation of harmful mutations. A child born with genetic variants causing death at 60 isnt disadvantaged compared to one living trouble-free until 80 because their children should pass on their genes by then. In 1957, George Williams from the University of Michigan built on Medawars theory. He proposed that mutations related to aging, despite being fatal later in life, could still have positive selection effects if they cause the individual to reproduce earlier and more abundantly in his or her youth. Humans have shown cases of this type of compensation. For instance, genetic variants that promote coronary heart disease tend to be associated with a higher number of offspring. In the Framingham heart study, a negative correlation was observed between the number of children and life expectancy in women. However, some studies question this hypothesis due to the complexity of establishing clear genetic links. Factors like life expectancy, number of children, and social aspects in humans are influenced by numerous genetic variants with minor effects. Erping Long and Jianzhi Zhang from the University of Michigan recently published an article in the journal Science Advances. They conducted a study using genetic, reproductive and mortality data collected from the U.K. Biobank, which contains information on over 276,000 individuals. Long and Zhang found that people with high scores on polygenic factors favoring reproduction were less likely to live beyond age 76. Additionally, they observed an increase in genetic variants associated with a greater number of children and shorter life expectancy. This pattern aligns with the existence of positive selection, as predicted by the Williams hypothesis. One possible explanation for this phenomenon, as described in the Science Advances article, is another theory about aging. According to this theory, since organisms have limited resources, they prioritize investing more in reproduction at the expense of DNA repair. This leads to the accumulation of mutations, which ultimately contributes to aging. A recent study published in Nature found a negative correlation between the rate of somatic mutations in 16 mammal species and their life expectancy. This finding lends support to the hypothesis that limited resources are a contributing factor to shorter lifespans in species with more offspring. Long and Zhangs study suggests that genetic factors promoting fertility may lower life expectancy. However, they recognize that social impacts are more significant than genetic impacts for humans, particularly in recent decades. There are instances where environmental and biological factors intertwine, leading to effects that dont align with their hypothesis. For instance, a mutation impairing learning abilities can simultaneously reduce reproductive capacity and life expectancy. Additionally, different cultures show disparate outcomes. In China, women who have more children tend to have shorter lives, whereas the opposite is observed among the Amish. The study presents data that highlights the complexity of this phenomenon: women with two children lived longer than those with three, yet they also enjoyed longer lifespans than childless individuals. Over the past few decades, life expectancy has greatly increased in almost every part of the world, now averaging over 72 years. This is nearly 30 years more than the average of 46 in 1950. During this time, birth rates have declined significantly due to various social and technological factors. These two trends counterbalance natural selection of genetic variants, as shown in the Science Advances study. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Britain is stepping up its military provocations as part of the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian, the naval operation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen. The main aim is to ratchet up tensions with Iran, as a precursor to direct military action against Tehran. Backing Israels genocidal onslaught against Gaza, the Biden administration authorised a significant increase in the naval and air power it deploys in the region. HMS Diamond in waters off Bournemouth, England in 2018 Operation Prosperity Guardian was mounted under the guise of protecting the flow of trade through the Red Sea, following a series of attacks on merchant ships by the Houthis in Yemen. It was launched by the US alongside a group of imperialist powers including Britain, France, Spain, Italy and Canada, plus the Netherlands, Norway, Bahrain and the Seychelles. The Guardian noted that such are the sensitivities involved with military deployments in one of the worlds critical trade choke points that nine others [countries] do not want to be named for now. It added, There are some notable absentees: India (although they might send ships), Egypt and Saudi Arabia, for example. Britains main military asset in the operation is HMS Diamond, described by the Royal Navy as A jewel in the naval crown. It is the third of the highly capable Type 45 air defence destroyers and one of the most advanced warships in the world. The ship is loaded with the Sea Viper missile system capable of launching eight missiles in under 10 seconds, and up to 16 missiles simultaneously. Also onboard is a Wildcat helicopter with Martlet air-to-surface missiles. HMS Diamond was already in the Middle East region before Operation Prosperity Guardian was announced by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on December 19. It was sent to the Persian Gulf earlier in the month as part of an operation to bolster the UKs main warship in the region, the Type 23 Frigate HMS Lancaster, which has been in the Gulf since November 2022. Also backing Lancaster, to ensure the safe and free flow of trade by sea, were minehunters HMS Chiddingfold, Middleton and Bangor, their command/support ship RFA Cardigan Bay and the RNs headquarters east of Suez, UKMCC in Bahrain, announced the Royal Navy. At the same time a joint statement by the Ministry of Defence, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and Home Office, headed UK military activity in the Eastern Mediterranean, announced, In support of the ongoing hostage rescue activity, the Ministry of Defence will conduct surveillance flights over the eastern Mediterranean, including operating in air space over Israel and Gaza. Having transited the Suez Canal on December 14, the evening of the next day HMS Diamond downed with a Sea Viper missile an attack drone launched from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen. The Royal Navy said the drone had been targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Britain has maintained a permanent maritime presence in the Persian Gulf since 1980. The Royal Navy boasted, Diamonds actions in the small hours of Saturday morning is the first time a Type 45s Sea Viper missile has been used in action and the first such shootdown by the Royal Navy since the 1990-91 Gulf War. While the Royal Navy statement announcing Diamonds deployment to the Gulf put it in the context of protecting sea lanes and combatting Houthi attacks, Minister of Defence Grant Shapps made clear that the real target was Tehran. Diamonds deployment, he said, would send a very clear message to Iran in particular and their proxies not to get involved in opposing Israels decimation of Gaza. With the activity in the Red Sea [and] the Houthis from Yemen, not just firing missiles, but also now intervening with vessels, we think its the right time to step up that force presence to really assure our many partners there. Shapps added, They [our partners] have been asking for it. They want us to be there. They want us to provide that level of reassurance. In the last days, military action under Operation Prosperity Guardian has escalated. On December 31, US helicopters associated with the Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier strike group fired on and sank three boats used by Houthi militants in the Red Sea. Their crews were reportedly killed in the attack. A fourth boat fled the scene. US Central Command said they acted in self-defence to protect a commercial ship, the Maersk Hangzhou, which is registered to Singapore and operated and owned by a Danish firm. The previous day, the USS Gravely shot down two ballistic missiles it said had been launched at the Hangzhou from Houthi-controlled areas. Following these actions, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron said he had informed Irans foreign minister that Tehran shares responsibility for preventing these attacks given their long-standing support to the Houthis. Britains media were immediately onboard as Downing Street stepped up its offensive, with articles by the BBC state broadcaster and the Times upping the ante, alongside a Telegraph op-ed by Shapps warning Iran that military action was being prepared. In the article UK preparing for attacks on Houthi rebels with US, the Times reported, Britains military is preparing to launch a wave of air strikes against the Iranian-backed Houthis creating chaos in the Red Sea, raising the prospect of a significant spiralling of tensions in the region. The newspaper cited Shapps who said, If the Houthis continue to threaten lives and trade, we will be forced to take the necessary and appropriate action. The Times revealed, Under the plans the UK would join with the US and possibly another European country to unleash a salvo of missiles against pre-planned targets, either in the sea or in Yemen itself, where the militants are based. The co-ordinated strikes could involve RAF warplanes or HMS Diamond. UK Typhoon war planes stationed at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, and currently carrying out missions over Iraq and Syria, could be used in the attacks. The widening war aims of British imperialism are made clear, with the Times noting that the mission over Iraq and Syria has already expanded to spy on Iranian-backed militia believed to be smuggling weapons into Lebanon. The annihilation of Gaza and the expanding military operations of the imperialist powers in the Middle East is only one front in a developing global conflict. NATOs war against Russia in Ukraine, in which Britain is involved up to its neck as provocateur-in-chief, has already claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. In his Telegraph comment, after first drawing attention to the first time that our Navy had shot down an aerial target in anger in more than 30 years, Shapps declared, There is a wider issue at risk here as well. This is a test for the international communitynot least in terms of contested waterways elsewhere in the world. In a warning made against Russian and China, he added, If we do not protect the Red Sea, it risks emboldening those looking to threaten elsewhere including in the South China Sea and Crimea. Shapps concluded, As HMS Diamond illustrated earlier in the month, we are willing to take direct action. Israels Supreme Court has narrowly overturned the reasonableness amendment passed last July 14 by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus far-right government. This was nominally a political victory for last summers mass protest movement against Netanyahus efforts to remove minimal checks on his government by ending the Supreme Courts power to strike down decisions of elected officials by citing their unreasonablenessthough the retirement of two liberal members of the court, Esther Hayut and Anat Baron, means the conservatives are set to have a 7-6 majority. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a press conference in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 28, 2023. [AP Photo/Abir Sultan] The amendment, one of a package of planned curbs of the judiciary, met unprecedented opposition because it would enable Netanyahu and his fascist and ultra-religious coalition partners, Jewish Power and Religious Zionism, to assume virtually dictatorial powers to mount an assault on social and democratic rights in Israel and press ahead with plans to annex large swathes of the West Bank through the expansion of illegal settlements, while denying the Palestinians citizenship rights. The amendment, if successful, would also have paved the way for legislation enabling Netanyahu to evade conviction on charges of corruption. One of the issues that brought Likud into conflict with the Supreme Court was its January 2023 ruling that it was unreasonable in the extreme for Aryeh Deri, chair of the Shas party, to be appointed as a cabinet minister due to his past criminal convictions. Israel has no constitution and its pretensions to be a Jewish and democratic state rest on just 12 Basic Laws passed since 1958, portrayed as the basis for a future constitution of the State of Israel. The majority of one in the 8-7 ruling against the Netanyahu-backed law pitted previous Basic Laws against Netanyahus amendment, also a Basic Law passed as an amendment, which was judged to be incompatible with its predecessors. Moreover, in a separate vote of far greater significance, 12 of 15 Supreme Court judges ruled for the first time that the court had the authority to exercise judicial review of Israels Basic Laws, in exceptional and extreme cases where the Knesset had exceeded its legislative powers and authority, and to prevent unprecedented and severe harm to the democratic values of the state. During the mass protests, preserving the authority of the Supreme Court was proclaimed by their Zionist leaders as the central aim of an oppositional wave that included more than 10,000 army reservists refusing to serve in the Isarel Defense Forces. But there was never any real concern for democratic rights represented by the Supreme Court and its political advocates, who prevented the development of a genuine oppositional movement through their insistence on loyalty to the Zionist state. As the World Socialist Web Site explained, the sole concern of Netanyahus opponentsformer ministers, generals and security and intelligence chiefswas that he was destabilising Israel and risked discrediting it politically, under conditions where Israel is a social and political powder keg and the entire Middle East has been destabilised by the deepening global economic crisis, the pandemic, climate change and US-led plans to escalate the war against Russia in Ukraine and its regional allies, Iran and Syria, with Tel Aviv as its chief attack dog. The democratic bona-fides of the Supreme Court never withstood scrutiny. As was noted by Amnesty, Israels judiciary has regularly upheld laws, policies and practices which help to maintain and enforce Israels system of apartheid against Palestiniansthe Supreme Court has signed off on many of the violations that underpin the apartheid system. This has included signing off on the demolition of thousands of Palestinian homes and even entire villages, and upholding administrative detention orders imprisoning Palestinians without trial or charge. Above all, the Supreme Court upheld the 2018 nation state law, defining Israel as the exclusive nation state of the Jewish people and endorsing settlement expansion as a national value. In addition, in a January 1 op-ed complaining, If only the reasonableness law, nixed by Israels top court, had never been initiated, Times of Israel editor David Horovitz writes of how The fiercely independent and world-renowned top court, it should be noted, has been vital to Israels capacity to push away efforts by international courts and tribunals over the years to prosecute the IDF [Israel Defense Forces], its commanders, soldiers and political overseers for war crimes and other alleged offenses. He fears that without a credible judiciary that is ostensibly capable of examining human rights abuses and war crimes, Israel will be open to investigation and prosecution by the international courts. If further proof of the reactionary character of Israels Supreme Court were needed, then its response to Israels genocidal assault on Gaza provides it. Time and again it has cited the compelling reason of the October 7 incursion by the Palestinians and Israels one-sided war as providing compelling national security considerations justifying the abrogation of democratic rights that have included not providing information on Palestinian detainees to civil rights groups, and allowing the government to ban pro-Palestinian speech and the police to ban demonstrations calling for a ceasefire. At the same time, Israels senior law enforcement officials and the courts have taken no action against the plethora of genocidal statements loudly proclaimed by senior Israeli officials. Israels genocide in Gaza refutes forever all claims that democratic rights can be defended in Israel other than through a movement centred on opposition to the systematic and bloody dispossession and repression of the Palestinians, and rejecting any support for the Zionist state and all its political representatives. Almost every commentary on the Supreme Court verdict, when speculating on its impact on Netanyahus future, acknowledges that it is likely that the preservation of wartime unity will for now keep him in power. More grotesque even than the Supreme Courts role is the rush by Netanyahus putative opponents to back the mass murder and ethnic cleansing in Gaza and advanced plans for a wider military conflict led by the US and targeting Iran and its allies in Lebanon, Syria and Yemen. National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz joined Netanyahus war cabinet on October 12, less than a week after hostilities began. The former defence minister, in calling for the Supreme Court ruling to be respected, declared on X, We are brothers, we all have a common destiny. These are not days for political arguments, there are no winners and losers today. Today we have only one common goalto win the war, together. The other main opposition leader and former prime minister, Yair Lapid of the Yesh Atid Party, warned that if the government did not abandon its struggle against the Supreme Court, then They have not learned anything from October 7th. They have learned nothing from 87 days of war to defend the homeland. It should be added that the other declared hero of the protest movement was none other than Netanyahus Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, who opposed the amendment and was temporarily fired, but who now once again leads the IDF. Given the unswerving loyalty of Gantz, Lapid and their ilk, the major concern expressed over the impact of the Supreme Court verdict is that Netanyahu does not jeopardise this by trying to appease his Minister of Justice Yariv Levin and the fascist Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir of Jewish Power who has stridently denounced the Supreme Court for weakening the morale of the fighters in Gaza and undermining the war effort. Recognising his weakened position, Netanyahu has not yet commented on the verdict while his Likud party has complained that the Supreme Court has gone against a national desire for unity by bringing a ruling at the heart of the social dispute in Israel precisely when IDF soldiers on the right and the left are fighting and risking their lives in the campaign. Horowitz declares in the Times of Israel, For now, the war comes first. And as far as the Zionist bourgeoisie is concerned, war always comes first. Any professed commitment to democracy, even for Jews, is a sham. Netanyahus position is increasingly precarious, so that even a war he has actively sought may not save him in the end. Already deeply unpopular, he faces a mounting crisis over revelations that the security services and the military under his command knew about the planned October 7 incursion and allowed it to take place to serve as a pretext for a long-planned assault on Gaza. On January 1, a group of survivors injured at Israels Supernova music festival initiated legal action seeking $56 million in damages from the Shin Bet security service, the Israel Defense Forces, Israel Police and the Defence Ministry for failing to make even a single phone call calling for the party to disperse immediately, that would have saved lives and prevented the physical and mental injuries of hundreds of partygoers, including the plaintiffs. However, should Netanyahu fall on this basis alone he or his entire government would only be replaced by political forces equally committed to the war against the Palestinians, most likely led by Gantz, who commanded the IDF in the 2014 Gaza War. Launching his 2019 election campaign, Gantz bragged about sending parts of Gaza back to the Stone Agea policy he is now implementing in toto as a member of Netanyahus war cabinet. It is urgently necessary for the most farsighted workers and young people in Israel to follow the lead taken by many Jews internationally and take a determined stand against the war in Gaza. Without this, their future, as citizens of one of the most hated states in the world, one built on repression and slaughter, is bleak. They face the imminent prospect of being used by Israels paymaster in Washington as cannon fodder in a conflict pursuing US imperialist domination that could set the Middle East and the entire world alight. The new year has begun in the US with fake bomb reports forcing the lockdown and evacuation of multiple state capitols. This takes place amid a wave of death threats from fascist Trump supporters against officials in Colorado and Maine, the two states that last month moved to bar the former president and leading Republican presidential candidate from the ballot on the grounds that his role in the January 6, 2021 insurrection in Washington D.C. made him ineligible to hold elected office under the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution. That post-Civil War amendment, enacted in 1868, bars any person who took an oath to uphold the US Constitution and then engaged in insurrection against it from ever holding public office. It was directed against former officials of the Confederacy. The fact that it is now being invoked to prevent the reelection of would-be dictator Trump by certain states, and rejected by others, underscores the historic and unprecedented character of the political crisis ripping apart the United States. What remains of American democracy is collapsing, its institutions and conventions having been rotted out by staggering levels of social inequality and the turn by the entire ruling class to a state policy of genocide, as in Gaza, and global war. Capitol buildings, statehouse offices and other state government buildings were evacuated Wednesday morning in at least nine states, including Alaska, Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi and Montana, after the state governments received emails claiming that the sender had hidden explosives inside the buildings. Most of the state buildings reopened shortly after having been closed, when state police using bomb-sniffing dogs searched the premises and found no sign of explosives. A Capitol Police officer warns off passersby as they respond to a bomb threat at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday morning, Jan. 3, 2024. The building was emptied, the grounds cleared of vehicles as officers investigated. [AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis] In Michigan, however, the capitol remained closed the entire day as police canine teams searched the building. Lawmakers in Kentucky and Mississippi had already begun meeting in legislative sessions. A number of states received the bomb threat but did not close, including Wyoming, where police concluded there was no security threat. The bomb threats came after a wave of false reports of shootings at the homes of public officials in recent days. Three months ago, US Attorney General Merrick Garland said government workers had seen an astounding number of threats in recent months. The bomb threats and evacuations also came less than two weeks before the first presidential nomination contest of the 2024 election cycle, the Iowa caucuses on January 15, and three days before the third anniversary of Trumps attempted coup in 2021. It was a mass email sent to several (secretaries of state) and state offices across the country, said Michon Lindstrom, a spokesperson for the Kentucky secretary of states office. CNN reported that it had obtained a copy of the emailed threat, which showed government offices in at least 23 states listed as recipients. A Kentucky television station reported that the email received by the Kentucky secretary of state contained the subject line Explosives inside of your State Capitol. The email read: I placed multiple explosives inside of your State Capitol. The explosives are well hidden inside and they will go off in a few hours. I will make sure you all end up dead. Gabriel Sterling, the chief operating officer for the Georgia secretary of state, said in an online post: Starting 2024 with a bomb threat at the Georgia State Capitol. Sterling, a Republican, played a prominent role in publicly debunking Trumps claims that he, not Biden, had won the closely contested presidential vote in Georgia in 2020. In December 2020, he publicly denounced threats of violence against state election workers instigated by Trump, warning, Someone is going to get killed. A month later, Trump made his notorious hour-long phone call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to demand that Raffensperger find a sufficient number of votes to change the outcome in the state. Challenges to Trumps ballot status have been filed in at least 32 states, and according to the Lawfare website 14 states have active lawsuits and more are expected to be filed. Oregon is expected to rule on the matter very soon. The Colorado state Supreme Court and the Maine secretary of state have upheld suits or requests that Trump be denied a place on the state primary ballot, citing Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment. Trumps lawyers have now appealed both decisions, which had been stayed by the two states, pending such legal appeals. This means that Trumps name will likely appear on the Republican primary ballot in Colorado and Maine, both of which are scheduled for the Super Tuesday raft of primaries on March 5. Thus far, efforts to bar Trump from state primary ballots in Michigan, California and Wisconsin have been initially denied, and it is expected that the US Supreme Court will agree to hear appeals from the Trump camp to quash the ballot exclusion efforts. However, the dispute has demonstrated that the 2024 electionassuming that it even takes placewill be deemed illegitimate by large sections of the population and further undermine any remnant of political stability in the US. A number of Republican state governments have threatened, should Trump be barred from the November ballot in some states, to retaliate by excluding the presumed Democratic candidate, Biden. Within hours of the Colorado courts December 19 ruling to exclude Trump from the states primary ballot, the justices and other state officials were barraged with death threats from Trump supporters, replete with home addresses and other personal details placed online. What do you call 7 justices from the Colorado Supreme Court at the bottom of the ocean? a social media user wrote. A good start. This ends when we kill these f---ers, a post on a pro-Trump internet forum stated. The nonpartisan group Advance Democracy found that justices home and office addresses, email addresses and phone numbers had been posted online. It said that online threats included references to hollow-point bullets, rifles, rope and bombs. The head of Advance Democracy told NBC News: We are seeing significant violent language and threats being made against the Colorado justices and others perceived to be behind yesterdays Colorado Supreme Court ruling Trumps statements, which have sought to delegitimize and politicize the actions of the courts, [are] serving as a key driver of the violent rhetoric. A number of justices have been swatted, i.e., victimized by provocateurs who called the police and made false reports of attacks on their homes in order to generate a major police response. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said she has received 64 death threats since the lawsuit to remove Trump from the ballot was filed by six Republican and unaffiliated voters in Colorado. There is a similar situation in Maine. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows wrote in a December 30 Facebook post that since she issued her ruling on December 28 to exclude Trump from the Maine primary ballot, she and her staff had received non-stop threatening communications. She also reported that her home had been swatted over the New Years holiday weekend and denounced the pro-Republican Maine Wire for posting extraordinarily dehumanizing fake images of me. She added, I know from my previous work that dehumanizing a person is the first step in paving the way for attacks and violence against them. The electoral and legal disputes are only a pale reflection of the violent social conflicts and tensions that dominate American life, exacerbated by the absence of any democratic or progressive tendency within either of the two capitalist parties. Trumps Republican Party is increasingly and openly fascistic, but Bidens Democratic Party is spearheading US imperialisms global war drive, including genocide in Gaza, preparations for war against Iran, escalating war against Russia via Washingtons proxy Ukraine, and feverish preparations for war against China, in which the use of nuclear weapons is very much deemed an option. The domestic side of this war policy is a massive attack on immigrants and a McCarthyite witch-hunt on college campuses to stamp out opposition to the genocide against the Palestinians, based on the vile lie that opposition to Zionism and its fascistic policies is antisemitism. It is within this toxic political context that fascist MAGA Trump supporters are issuing death threats against Colorado Supreme Court justices and election officials, as well as Secretary of State Bellows and her subordinates in Maine. A federal appeals court in Texas ruled on Tuesday that a long-standing US law could not be used to require hospitals and doctors in the state to perform emergency abortions in the event of a pregnancy that threatens a womans life. The US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit sided with a lower court and ruled that the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) of 1986 could not mandate an abortion by healthcare providers under its emergency-care provisions as maintained by the Biden administration. Following the Supreme Courts decision in June 2022 to overturn the constitutional right to abortion, Texas and other states moved swiftly to ban all or most procedures through trigger laws or by reactivating laws that had been previously struck down by the courts. Chief Nurse Executive Danielle Maness stands in an empty examination room that was used to perform abortions at the Women's Health Center of West Virginia in Charleston on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. After the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v Wade, the clinic had to suspend abortion services because of an 1800s-era abortion ban in West Virginia state code. [AP Photo/Leah Willingham] In Texas, the Supreme Courts Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision activated a law signed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2021 that revived a 1925 law banning all abortions with very few exceptions. The Biden White House then issued its executive order under EMTALA to ensure access to abortion in certain emergency situations. The language in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) directive stated, When a state law prohibits abortion and does not include an exception for the life of the pregnant personor draws the exception more narrowly than EMTALAs emergency medical condition definitionthat state law is preempted. Emergency abortions are mandated under the stabilizing stage of the EMTALA provisions, the guidance stated. Within days of the guidance from HHS, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit in US district court in the Northern District of Texas claiming the EMTALA provisions would force abortions to be carried out in hospitals across the state. The lower court ruled in Paxtons favor, supporting his argument that the Biden administration was flagrantly disregarding the legislative and democratic processand flouting the Supreme Courts ruling before the ink is dryby having his appointed bureaucrats mandate that hospitals and emergency medicine physicians must perform abortions. In the unanimous three-judge appeals court ruling, Justice Kurt Engelhardt wrote, EMTALA does not address any specific medical procedures or treatments besides the requirement to deliver (including the placenta). Judge Engelhardt further wrote, We agree with the district court that EMTALA does not provide an unqualified right for the pregnant mother to abort her child especially when EMTALA imposes equal stabilization obligations. The three-judge panel also said the Biden administration did not adhere to the proper rule-making process when the administration instructed healthcare providers that they were protected by EMTALA if they believed an abortion was medically necessary. The panel also said claimed the federal emergency-care law did not directly conflict with the Texas abortion ban which includes exceptions for medical emergencies. The participation of extreme right-wing and reactionary forces in the Texas decision reveals the political alignment against the fundamental democratic right to abortion. President Donald Trump appointed Judge Engelhardt in 2018 and Judge Cory Wilson in 2020, and Judge Leslie H. Southwick was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2007. Two weeks after Texas Attorney General Paxton filed the lawsuit against the Biden administration, the state amended the complaint to include as plaintiffs the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians & Gynecologists (AAPLOG) and Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA). Such groups are among the those who were in the forefront of the decades long political campaign to overturn the Supreme Courts 1973 Roe v. Wade decision and are continuing to push to ban abortion outright nationwide. The appeals court decision follows by three weeks another significant case in Texas attacking abortion rights. As reviewed here on the WSWS, the Texas Supreme Courts decision to block Kate Cox, a 31-year-old woman whose life and future fertility were endangered by a pregnancy marked by serious medical problems, from having a medically necessary abortion was made for transparent political purposes. It serves as a green light for similar decisions to be made in states across the US that will have the greatest impact on working class and poor women who do not have access to alternatives such as traveling out of state to obtain an abortion legally. Meanwhile, doctors and hospital staff have been placed in a precarious position, according to Ellie Schilling, a lawyer who consults on abortion issues with hospitals in Louisiana, and who told the Washington Post, It just puts them on notice that you may either be violating state law and get thrown in jail or you may be violating federal law and could get sued. The amphibious assault ship USS Bataan, front, and the landing ship USS Carter Hall, back travel through the Red Sea, Tuesday, August 8, 2023. [AP Photo/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Riley Gasdia/U.S. Navy] The US military has prepared options for attacking Yemen, the Wall Street Journal reported, amid a major escalation of war throughout the Middle East. The Journal reported that potential targets could include launchers for antiship missiles and drones, targeting infrastructure such as coastal radar installations, and storage facilities for munitions. In a threat to Yemen, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday the US will not shrink from the task of defending ourselves, our interests, our partners, and the free flow of international commerce. He added, To accomplish these goals we have established and will continue to maintain a significant force presence in the Middle East. This includes an aircraft carrier strike group centered around the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, with its embarked air wing of some 80 aircraft, as well as an amphibious ready group with its embarked 26 Marine Expeditionary Unit. These ships, Kirby said, contain more than 4,000 sailors and more than 50 aircraft. He added, These ships and their Marines are augmented by three additional squadrons of fighter and attack aircraft that are based ashore and additional highly capable warships at sea. These ships, Kirby said, represent offensive military power. The belligerent statements cap two days of major escalations of tensions throughout the Middle East. On Tuesday, Israel carried out a strike in Beirut, Lebanon, killing Saleh al-Arouri, the deputy head of Hamass political committee. While Israel denied its responsibility for the strike, US officials later confirmed to Al Jazeera that the attack was conducted by Israel. The US effectively endorsed the murder of al-Arouri, with White House spokesman Kirby declaring that Israel has a right and responsibility to go after the threat that Hamas poses, which means they have a right and a responsibility to go after the leadership of Hamas. He added, I would just tell you that al-Arouri was a noted designated global terrorist. And if he is, in fact, dead, nobody should be shedding a tear over his loss. Then, on Wednesday, over 100 people were killed at a memorial ceremony for Maj. Gen. Qassemi Soleimani, the Iranian general murdered by US President Donald Trump while on a diplomatic mission in Iraq four years ago. While Israel has for years carried out a string of bombings throughout Iran, in this case both the United States and Israel denied responsibility. Mojataba Zolnouri, Irans deputy Parliament head, said that it was clear from the style of the attacks that it is the Zionist regime which is responsible for the bombing. But White House spokesman Kirby declared, We have no indication that Israel was in any way involved in this. Last week, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant claimed that Israel is at war with multiple countries. We are in a multi-front war. We are being attacked from seven frontsGaza, Lebanon, Syria, Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), Iraq, Yemen and Iran, he said. We have already responded and acted on six of those fronts, in a clear threat to Iran. The US media continues to incite direct war against Iran. On the day in which 100 people were killed in a terror attack on Iran, the Wall Street Journal published an editorial calling Iran the fulcrum of Mideast violence, and declaring, Sooner or later the US and its allies will have to reestablish deterrence if they want a more stable Middle East, and that means dealing with Iran. This week, Israel announced that thousands of troops would be withdrawn from Gaza, raising the prospect that they will be used in an attack on Lebanon. Israel has evacuated 70,000 residents from its northern border with Lebanon and has amassed troops and tanks there. Israeli forces have launched daily bombardments across the Lebanese border since October 7. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will depart Thursday to the Middle East, including a trip to Israel. The death toll in Israels genocide is quickly nearing 30,000, with Gazas Government Media Office declaring that 29,313 people in Gaza are either killed or missing since October 7. Against the backdrop of escalating war throughout the region, the US has been thrown into crisis by the Israeli regimes openly genocidal rhetoric. In a statement on Tuesday, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield declared, There should be no mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, and we reject the recent inflammatory statements from Israeli Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir. In a separate statement, the US State Department declared, The United States rejects recent statements from Israeli Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir advocating for the resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza. This rhetoric is inflammatory and irresponsible. We have been told repeatedly and consistently by the Government of Israel, including by the Prime Minister, that such statements do not reflect the policy of the Israeli government. They should stop immediately. Regardless of what the United States claims it was told in private, Netanyahu has categorically endorsed the ethnic cleansing of Gaza in public, telling a meeting of his parliamentary faction, Regarding voluntary immigration This is the direction we are going in. Of course, these statements do in fact represent the policies of the Israeli government, which is engaged in a conscious genocide and ethnic cleansing campaign against Gaza. The United States, which declares it has no red lines on what Israel is allowed to do, is fully complicit in this genocide. On Thursday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced that it will hold public hearings January 11 and 12 on South Africas accusation that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. The United States, however, continues to deny that Israel is committing genocide and that the US is an accomplice to it. We have not at this point seen acts that constitute genocide, said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. Asked to comment on the filing by South Africa with the ICJ, White House spokesman Kirby called the submission meritless, counterproductive and completely without any basis in fact whatsoever. (Unlike the International Criminal Court [ICC], which hears charges against individuals, the International Court of Justice hears charges by UN member states against other states. The US government does not recognize the ICC but does recognize the ICJ, and its current chair, Joan Donoghue, is an American.) Public denunciations of Israels genocide by human rights experts are mounting. In a statement on Twitter, Balakrishnan Rajagopal, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to housing, declared, Forcible transfer of Gazan population is an act of genocide especially given the high number of children. On Wednesday, the Euro-Med Human Rights monitor declared in a statement that Israel is determined to carry out the forcible displacement of civilians in the Gaza Strip, beyond the bounds of international law. Britains Labour Party is considering detailed plans for processing asylum claims offshore. Leader Sir Keir Starmer admitted for the first time in a speech early in December that the party would look at any scheme. On December 25, The Times published an extensive account of the discussions at Labour HQ, under the headline, Labour plots watertight alternative to Rwanda migrant plan. From left, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, former prime ministers Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown ahead of the Accession Council ceremony at St James's Palace, London, where King Charles III is formally proclaimed monarch, London, September 10, 2022 [AP Photo/Kirsty O'Connor] Rishi Sunaks Conservative government is seeking to implement legislation which would see all those who arrive in the UK illegally permanently barred from ever claiming asylum and deported to Rwanda, whose government would process asylum claims. Those with successful claims would be settled in the African country, with the rest deported back to their home countries. The scheme has been repeatedly delayed by legal challenges and threatens to widen the divide between the UK and the European Union, whose cooperation the British government needs to help police its border. Labour intends to solve these problems. The Times writes, Shadow ministers and party officials working on Labours asylum policy have set three tests that must be met, including cost-effectiveness, deterrence and avoiding the main legal hurdles that have stalled the governments Rwanda scheme. These are the United Nations Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Although specific destinations for offshore processing schemes had not yet been drawn up, the options on the table are indicated by the involvement of former Labour home secretary under Tony Blair, David Blunkett, now a Lord. Starmers current Shadow Home secretary Yvette Cooper and Shadow Immigration Minister Stephen Kinnock have both discussed Labours proposals with him. During his time in office in the early 2000s, Blunkett drew up his own plans for the offshore processing of asylum seekers, officially opening talks with Tanzania in 2004. This much was already publicly known. But on December 29, Cabinet Office documents from the period became available revealing the far-reaching assault on the democratic right to asylum being considered by the early 2000s Labour government behind the scenes. A direction given by Blair to the civil service to search out even more radical measures prompted a brainstorming session with officials and advisers from across government which produced a 2003 report titled, Asylum: The Nuclear Option. Chief of Staff Stephen Powell wrote in the report, The AGs [attorney generals] office suggested we set up a camp on the Isle of Mull [a small island off the coast of Scotland, population 3,000] and detain people there till they could be returned. Worrying that the nimby factor (not in my backyard) might be a problem, he went on, we have commissioned work to look at tagging, detention, etc to help deter people and ensure we are able to return them as soon as their appeals have been heard. The Falkland/Malvinas Islands 8,000 miles away in the South Atlantic, sovereignty over which led to Margaret Thatchers 1982 war with Argentina, were suggested as an alternative. The paper references the great success of the Australians, whose brutal system of detention on the islands of Nauru and Manus is infamous. Officials involved in administering the Australian scheme have been invited on the strength of their record to advise the Tory government on asylum policy in recent years. Powells report also suggested regional safe havens to which failed asylum applicants could be returned, allowing for far more applications to be denied since they would not have to be deported back to a country where they would be deemed at risk: like Algeria, Iraq and Somalia. We would be able to return Iraqi asylum seekers to a centre in Turkey, Zimbabweans to a centre in South Africa, Somalis to a centre in Kenya. The Foreign Office believed Turkey to be the best bet, in return for financial support. Essentially the same scheme has since been established by the European Union to deal with Iraqi and, predominantly, Syrian refugees fleeing imperialist wars and proxy-wars. Though these plans were not enacted, other draconian policies were implemented to deter migrants from travelling to the UK, including legally distinguishing asylum seekers from refugees, restricting their entitlements and encouraging their segregation from society; creating mass detention centres; reducing rights of appeal; and stepping up deportations. The Times says of Starmers latest plans that there would be a key difference with the Tory governments policy, that Those with genuine claims for asylum would be granted the right to come to the UK rather than settled in a third country. The released Cabinet Office documents show that Blairs Labour government was entirely prepared to legislate incompatibly with the ECHR to allow us to remove people (Iraqis, Somalis, Algerians, Chinese) despite the risk that they might subsequently be persecuted. The paper continued, We would like to try to extend this to return any illegal immigrant regardless of the risk that they might suffer inhuman or degrading treatment. Acknowledging that We would almost certainly lose this case when it got to Strasbourg [the location of the European Court of Human Rights], Powell countered, But we would have 2-3 years in the meantime when we could send a strong message into the system about our new tough stance. And we would make it clear that if we lost in Strasbourg we would denounce the ECHR and immediately re-ratify with a reservation on Article 3. In handwritten notes on a guidance document from Home Office ministers warning that this would breach the UN convention on refugees, Blair wrote, Just return them. This is precisely the point. We must not allow the ECHR to stop us dealing with it. Starmer would continue this reactionary legacy, taking back the anti-migrant baton passed from Blair to the Conservatives. The European Union is no bulwark against this process. Blunkett, The Times writes, was close to agreeing an EU-wide deal in his time. Today, Leaders in Austria, Germany, Italy and Denmark have said they are exploring proposals to process asylum claims outside the EU, while President Biden is considering sending illegal migrants attempting to cross the Mexico-US border to safe third countries where their asylum claim would be processed. There is not a single faction of the ruling class anywhere which is not hurtling to the right on questions of migration and democratic rights. The moves in Germany and Denmark have been initiated by Social Democrat-led governments, and those in Austria and Italy by Conservative and far-right governments. Green parties are coalition partners in Germany and Austria. The danger of the Israeli genocide in Gaza, which is unconditionally backed by US imperialism and its European allies, turning into a region-wide war is growing. The spread of war is a serious risk, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told reporters on Wednesday, warning NATO and other Israeli allies of the consequences of regional escalation. US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken meets with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara, Turkey, November 6, 2023 [Photo: US State Department] Fidans comments came amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. On Tuesday, Hamas deputy head Saleh al-Arouri was assassinated in the Lebanese capital Beirut. On Wednesday, bomb attacks in the Iranian city of Kerman killed 84 people at a memorial service for General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed by the US four years ago while on a diplomatic mission in Iraq. We are deeply saddened by the heinous terrorist attacks in Irans Kerman province... I send my condolences to the friendly and brotherly Iranian people, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on X/Twitter after the attack. Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for such attacks, but it is no secret that it carries out illegal assassinations in Iran and across the region. These latest attacks come on the heels of Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallants recent declaration, We are in a multi-front war. We are being attacked from seven frontsGaza, Lebanon, Syria, Judea and Samaria [the West Bank], Iraq, Yemen and Iran. As the World Socialist Web Site has explained, the Israeli genocide in Gaza has given impetus to Washingtons preparations for war to establish its domination in the Middle East, targeting in particular Iran and its allies. In connection with Israels war against the Palestinians, preparations are being finalised for an operation against the Houthis in Yemen in order to secure the Red Sea. According to the Wall Street Journal, the US military has prepared options for attacking Yemen. It wrote that potential targets could include launchers for antiship missiles and drones, targeting infrastructure such as coastal radar installations, and storage facilities for munitions. On this issue, Fidan said, 'Now the activity in the Red Sea, especially on the trade routes... America's efforts to form an alliance with the West on the grounds that 'we want to get this under control'... ... The issue of a naval alliance and the launch of a joint operation for this purpose... This is precisely the issue of escalation, i.e., regional expansion, to which we have drawn attention. This question of regional expansion, of sprea6ding the war, is a serious risk.' Regarding the attack in Lebanon, Fidan said that the target of this operation was not only Hezbollah, but Lebanon itself. He added that the Israelis are trying very hard not to go to war with Lebanon. Among his most striking remarks were his warnings to NATO allies about the consequences of a regional war: Every country must learn hard lessons from this. There will be those who think that alliances are so useless that if the same thing happens to them tomorrow, no one will do anything. He continued, The unconditional support of the US or some Western countries for Israel is a serious problem. In an equation where the US is fighting on behalf of Israel, the countries in the region will want to develop a counter-force. I think that those who do not want the kind of massacres in Gaza to happen again may start looking for rearming and power. Ankara fears that it could be drawn into such a war against Iran, which would undermine its interests. Turkey and Iran share a long border that has remained unchanged for almost four centuries. Turkey is home to a number of US and NATO bases, including Incirlik Air Base in Adana and the Kurecik Radar Base in Malatya. In the event of a war between the US and Iran, these bases could become flashpoints. Turkey and Iran also share the Kurdish question. The Turkish bourgeoisie fears that a victory for Washington and Tel Aviv in a war in the Middle East could lead to the creation of a Kurdish state. During NATOs regime-change war against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Kurdish nationalists have become the main proxy force of Washington. Against this backdrop, and shortly after the assassination of al-Arouri in Beirut, 34 people were detained in Turkey on Tuesday for allegedly carrying out international espionage activities on behalf of Mossad, Israels foreign intelligence service. In early December, unnamed Turkish intelligence (MIT) officials told Reuters and Anadolu Agency that they would not tolerate Mossad targeting Hamas leaders in Turkey. Before October 7, Ankara had renormalized its relations with the Netanyahu government in the interests of exploiting oil and gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean. The Erdogan government fears that the Gaza genocide will disrupt plans to seize and share these Palestinian resources. Such concerns are the basis for the Turkish governments calls for restraint, mediation initiatives and warnings against ongoing US-NATO support for Israels massacres since October 7. Fidan's remarks expose the dilemma and hypocrisy of the Turkish ruling class, which has close ties with imperialism and Israel and has been defending its interests in foreign policy through NATO for decades. In late December, during Israels NATO-backed genocide in Gaza, the Turkish parliaments foreign affairs committee, with Erdogans endorsement, sent Swedens application for NATO membership to parliament for approval. Ankara also maintains Turkeys critical trade with Israel, including steel and fuel, and refuses to impose any sanctions. According to the Turkish Trade Ministry, exports to Israel, which totaled $319.5 million in November, rose by 35 percent to $430.6 million in December. This figure is even higher than exports of $408.3 million in July. However, Trade Minister Omer Bolat said in mid-December that Turkeys foreign trade with Israel has fallen by 48 percent since October. This support for the Israeli genocide is covered up with rhetorical condemnations and symbolic protests and boycotts. On January 1, hundreds of thousands of people protested in Istanbul against both the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and Israel, in demonstrations called by pro-government organisations and members of Erdogans family. Ankara accuses Israel of attacks targeting civilians and illegal assassinations that violate international law, but it uses similar methods. The Turkish army and intelligence services recently against the PKK and its Syrian ally, Peoples Protection Units (YPG) militias in Iraq and Syria, whose governments considers this a violation of their sovereign rights. Fidan declared they would continue these illegal operations even if the Iraqi and Syrian governments did not authorise them, stating, We tell them [Iraqi officials] that if you want, you can solve it, if you want, we can solve it together. Let us solve it, so we will continue to fight. Whether you want to or not. We have no problem with that. We are clear about that. The tensions between Ankara and Tel Aviv have manifested themselves in mutual accusations of genocide and massacres. Last week, Netanyahu took to X/Twitter to respond to Erdogans comparison of him to Hitler, saying, Erdogan, who commits genocide against the Kurds, who holds a world record for imprisoning journalists who oppose his rule, is the last person who can preach morality to us. He added, The [Israel Defense Forces] is the most moral army in the world that fights and destroys the most abhorrent and cruel terrorist organization in the world, Hamas-ISIS, which committed crimes against humanity and which Erdogan praises and hosts their senior officials. Israels genocide in Gaza and its preparations for war together with its NATO allies against Iran cannot be stopped by complicit bourgeois leaders such as Erdogan. The slide towards catastrophe can only be prevented if the workers of the Middle East unite with their class brothers and sisters in Europe, the US and around the world on the basis of an international socialist programme against imperialism and its regional proxies. As President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party work to strike a deal with the Republicans that will effectively abolish the right to asylum and virtually close the US-Mexico border to desperate migrants in exchange for $61.4 billion in additional military aid to Ukraine, Democratic Socialists of America Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) has maintained a complicit silence. This is all the more damning given Bidens pledge to hire more Border Patrol agents after his border police doubled deportations last year, and the fascistic immigrant baiting of the White Houses Republican colleagues. On Wednesday, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and over 60 Republican House members descended on Eagle Pass, Texas, where they held a press conference demanding sweeping changes to immigration laws and polices in exchange for their votes for the $110 billion supplemental funding package proposed by Biden. The package includes, beyond the tens of billions for the war against Russia, an additional $14.3 billion to fund Israels genocide in Gaza and $13.6 billion for border protection, i.e., more border gestapo and jails for migrant men, women and children. US House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks while standing with Republican members of Congress, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. [AP Photo/Eric Gay] In his speech, Johnson made clear that House Republicans would not support Bidens supplemental war package unless the White House agreed to adopt all of ex-President Donald Trumps anti-immigrant policies, including Remain in Mexico and completion of Trumps border wall. Johnson praised Governor Greg Abbott for signing Texas Senate Bill 4, which illegally empowers state police to deport suspected illegal aliens, superseding federal immigration law and congressional authority. He also praised the governor for deploying buoys in the Rio Grande River and razor wire along the border. The Department of Justice on Wednesday sued Texas over SB 4 after Abbott refused to give assurances that the state of Texas would not enforce the law. Only 21 Democrats asked the Justice Department to intervene on SB 4, with only one DSA Democrat, Rep. Greg Casar, signing the letter. Ocasio-Cortez has maintained some support among workers and left-leaning youth by falsely presenting herself as a socialist willing to fight the Democratic Party establishment. Leveraging her Puerto Rican ancestry, Ocasio-Cortez previously pledged to defend the democratic rights of black and brown people while being photographed weeping outside a migrant childrens facility. One of the reasons Ocasio-Cortez amassed 14 million followers spread across her two X/Twitter accounts and another 8.4 million on Instagram was her stated opposition to Trumps fascistic immigration policies. Ocasio-Cortez frequently trended on social media by declaring her intention to abolish ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). However, after stumping for Genocide Joe Biden in 2020, Ocasio-Cortez denounced socialist opponents of Bidens anti-immigrant policies as privileged while keeping quiet about his attacks on immigrants. Her congressional office has not issued a press release on the border situation since October. In that statement, Ocasio-Cortez implored the Biden administration to not waive environmental laws in order to fast track construction of Trumps border wall through the Rio Grande Valley. Her letter was ignored. Throughout the entire month of December, neither of AOCs X/Twitter accounts mentioned the words immigrant or asylum, even after Texas Governor Abbott signed his trio of anti-immigrant bills in the middle of the month. Instead, she has continued to sow illusions in the Biden administration and the Democratic Party. In one of the few social media posts she has made in the past two weeks, on her Instagram account just before the New Year, Ocasio-Cortez listed our 23 wins from 2023. The video is a summary of what AOC presents as wins or accomplishments. Speaking of her ninth win of the year, Ocasio-Cortez boasts, We hosted a dozen members of Congress to tour the migrant response in New York City and successfully secured additional resources and Temporary Protected Status for half a million Venezuelans. Rep. Ocasio-Cortez boasting about politicians touring migrant shelters in an Instagram video. [Photo: aoc] She makes no mention of the fact that New York Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, is in the process of evicting thousands of immigrants from these shelters, many of which are overrun and in poor condition. Ocasio-Cortezs silence is matched by that of her organization, the Democratic Socialists of America. The last article published by the DSA in Democratic Left criticizing Adams and the Democratic Partys attacks on immigrants was on October 3, 2023, three months ago. Since that article was published, the Republican presidential front-runner Trump has used Hitlerian language to attack immigrants, accusing them of poisoning the blood of country, while promising to carry out the biggest deportation operation in US history. This has not prevented Biden and Democratic lawmakers from conducting secret talks with Trumps allies in the House and Senate over trading incalculable suffering for hundreds of thousands of migrants for more missiles, bombs, drones, tanks and warplanes to increase the carnage in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. On Wednesday, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates released a statement that sought to outflank the Republicans from the right by linking the so-called border crisis to their failure to back Bidens supplemental spending bill and the billions more for border security it provides. Action speaks louder than words, read Bates statement. House Republicans anti-border security record is defined by their attempt to cut Customs and Border Protection personnel, opposing President Bidens record-breaking border security funding and refusing to take up the Presidents supplemental funding request. Since mid-December the Sri Lankan government has been conducting a massive police operation known as Yukthiya (Justice) under the banner of suppressing drugs and crimes. The operation, which also involves military and security personnel and the targeting of poor neighbourhoods and random people in the streets, is another example of Wickremesinghes increasing resort to police-state methods. So far over 20,000 people or an average of nearly 1,500 people per day have been arrested. Sri Lanka Minister for Public Security Tiran Alles addressing a media conference in Colombo. [Photo: Tiran Alles/Facebook] According to the Ministry of Public Security, detention orders have been obtained for about 800 of those arrested. More than 100 detainees are being investigated for alleged illegal money-making activities. Announcing the operation, Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles declared that he had authorised the police to use maximum force and that he would support all police officers who took such measures. The police, he said, have been instructed to locate them [the alleged criminals] There will be shootouts and they will end up being killed. These threatening remarks constitute an attack on the presumption of innocence and other basic democratic and legal rights. Does Minister Alles mandate mean that the police will decide who is guilty or not and then determine their punishment? Alles also claimed underworld and drug money were behind opposition to the Yukthiya operation and criticism leveled against him and the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) T.M.W.D. Thennakoon. On December 14, Thennakoon and three other police officers were convicted of torturing a suspect at the Mirihana Police Station in 2011. Several other serious accusations have been made against Thennakoon, who was only recently appointed acting IGP. Alles has publicly claimed that lawyers opposing the Yukthiya operation are legal spokesmen for drug traffickers. These accusations are all aimed at silencing opponents of the governments operation, which is a dress rehearsal for other police-state methods being developed by President Wickremesinghe and his government. The principal target of the latest police measures is the working class, which is increasingly coming into struggle against the governments austerity attacks dictated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The criminalisation of poverty is a key feature of Colombos latest operation. The overwhelming majority of those being arrested are poor drug addicts, small-time drug dealers or others being pushed into petty crime to try and make a living under conditions of rampant poverty and mass unemployment. In fact, the drug and crime networks in Sri Lanka could not exist without the support of politicians, top businessmen and sections of the police, something the government denies and the media rarely speaks about. Instead, the government utilises drug addiction and its associated crimes, which are created by capitalism, to criminalise poverty and advance its own repressive agenda. Successive Sri Lankan governments, moreover, refuse to provide any humane or rational programs to rehabilitate drug addicts. The Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in the North Central Province is like a concentration camp. In June 2022, one inmate was killed in an attack by a group of military personnel serving as so-called counselors at the facility. Sri Lanka Bar Association president Kaushalya Navaratne has sharply criticised Alles provocative statements: How can a senior minister make such a statement in public when there is a governance system in the country held by the executive, legislature and judiciary. This is not a police state to shoot and kill persons on sight when a legal system is in place. In a statement made to BBC Sinhala News on December 23, lawyer Hijas Hezbollah pointed out that Sri Lankan security forces do not have the authority to search houses or buildings in a targeted area without a warrant obtained from the courts. Sri Lankan media outlets and television networks, however, have been regularly broadcasting police raids on homes using drones and dogs and aided by the military and police special forces. Police checks and searches of ordinary people as they are walking along streets and roads are also featured. A video exposing the brutal nature of the Yukthiya operation on December 26 in the Doratiyawa area in Kurunegala (northwestern province) went viral on social media. It shows two police officers forcing a drug suspect to the ground. While one police officer sitting on the suspects chest, pressing him against the floor, the other officer tried to tie up his legs. A police spokesman publicly justified the violent assault. On December 25, Prisons Commissioner Gamini B. Dissanayake told the Daily Morning newspaper that steps are being taken to build open prisons because the current facilities were overflowing because of the mass arrests. Currently there are 30,000 inmates in Sri Lankan jails, double their normal capacity. No one should have any illusions about the real reasons for Yukthiya or that it is a one-off operation. Forcible detentions, brutal torture and illegal abductions were used by Colombo during its racialist war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Claiming this was necessary in order to fight terrorism, these measures were used to suppress their political opponents and the working class. Successive Sri Lankan governments likewise implemented similar measures against the Muslim community in the wake of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks in 2019. These laws were also used indiscriminately to suppress the mass uprising that brought down the hated Rajapakse regime. The economic crisis now facing the Sri Lankan ruling class is intensifying in line with the worsening crisis of global capitalism, which has been deepened by the war against Russia in Ukraine and the Zionist genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. President Wickremesinghes response to these developments is to strengthen the repressive state apparatus in preparation against the mass working class struggles that will inevitably erupt in the coming period. His government has prepared new draconian laws, such as the Online Safety Bill (OSB) and the Anti-Terrorism Bill. The OSB, which contains sweeping attacks on freedom of expression, will be presented to the parliament at the end of this month. Voicing its concerns about the growing social tension in Sri Lanka, the IMFs December 12 report warned about the reemergence of social unrest due to conditions such as a collapse in real incomes. All factions of the Sri Lankas ruling elite and its lackeys are terrified about the eruption of a mass uprising by the working class that could surpass the popular anti-government protests and strikes in 2022. That fear lies behind the deathly silence of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the Janata Vimukthi Peramuna and the pseudo-left Frontline Socialist Party about the reactionary and repressive Yukthiya operation, and their fundamental agreement with the IMF austerity attacks. Analysing the break-down of bourgeois democratic forms in periods of intense class struggle, Leon Trotsky, co-leader of the Russian Revolution, powerfully observed in 1929: If electrical engineering is taken as an analogy, democracy can be defined as a system of safety switches and circuit breakers designed to protect against the overloaded currents of national or social struggles. There has never been a period in human history so full of contradictions as ours Under the influence of fiery class and international antagonisms, the security keys of democracy either burn or explode. This is exactly what short-circuiting in dictatorship is all about. It is urgent to understand these political dynamics in order to arm the working class with an international socialist perspective and lead a unified mass movement to put an end to the capitalist system, the source of the escalating attacks on basic democratic rights. On January 8, 2020, when Diego Bellos family and friends were told that the 32-year-old had died in a police shootout in the Philippines, nobody believed it. It was as if they were being told about a stranger. The surfer from Spains Galicia region had been living in Siargao since 2017, and had started several businesses on the island. But according to police, he was a drug lord an accusation that rang false with all who knew him. Now a new investigation, triggered by the familys protests and diplomatic pressure, has reached the same conclusion, and the three police officers who shot Bello have been charged with murder, perjury and falsifying evidence. According to Human Rights Watch, Diego Bello is one of the 12,000 people who have died in the Philippines at the hands of the police in alleged drug operations since 2016, when President Rodrigo Duterte began his violent war against trafficking. Bellos case is also one of 52 that have been reviewed by the countrys Department of Justice (DOJ), following years of protests from human rights organizations. In all 52 cases, investigators found signs that the deaths were extrajudicial killings. The Duterte administration, which faces elections soon, has promised to analyze another 6,000 homicides. The official report from the DOJ, which is the equivalent of Spains public prosecutor, debunks the police version of Bellos death thanks to witness statements, an analysis of police archives and a review of the crime scene. Bello was shot to death outside his home. It was 1.35am and he had just gotten back from working in the restaurant that he managed. Both his neighbors and his girlfriend, who was inside his house at the time, heard the shots. The shots were fired by captain Wise Vicente Panuelos, the police chief who is one of the three officers now charged with murder, perjury and falsifying evidence. Panuelos maintained that Bello was killed in a drug operation. According to this version of events, Panuelos was leading a team to arrest the businessman from Galicia by setting a trap. The story went that one of his men, sergeant Ronel Pazo, who is also being investigated, had arranged to meet Bello outside his home to buy drugs. Once the deal was done, the third accused officer, sergeant Nido Boy, was meant to arrest the 32-year-old. But the three said that they were forced to defend themselves, after Bello, realizing he had been set up, shot first and tried to escape. The new investigation, however, concludes that the shootout never happened, but was rather an invented scenario. Bello never took a pistol from a belt bag, as alleged by the three police officers, nor did he fire twice as he tried to flee. At the scene of the crime, bullet casings from two different calibers were found: one belonged to the guns used by the officers, and the other allegedly to the weapon wielded by Bello. But according to the investigation, the position of the casings indicates that the shooters were standing so close to one another that it would have been impossible for Bello to have been the only victim. That is not all: there is a large amount of evidence that disproves the first official version of the murder. The trajectory of the bullets allegedly fired by Bello does not match with the officers description of how he fled. Blood stains and the damage at the crime scene also contradict the officers version of events. The last shot, for example, did not come from the gun supposedly used by Bello, but rather the police chief. And it is believed it was fired when the surfer had nearly fallen to the floor. Protest in A Coruna to demand justice for Diego Bello in February 2020, in a ceded photo. According to the DOJ, it is evident that accusing Bello of carrying a weapon was part of a big plan to justify the illegal homicide. The investigators discovered that the gun alleged to have belonged to Bello was in the name of a business based in Manilla, which denied that it stocked the weapon. It was impossible, the investigators said, to establish a link between this company and Bello, given that the Spaniard had only been living in the Philippines for three years, while the gun had been registered by the firm more than two decades ago. Bellos name was also not on the official list of drug traffickers, which has been kept since 2016. Panuelos also insisted that the 32-year-old was a regional trafficker despite the fact that there was no reference to him in the Philippine Drug Control Agency. This body also confirmed that it had not been involved in the operation led by Panuelos. The autopsy carried out in Madrid concluded that Bello had not taken any kind of drug in the six months prior to his death. At the scene of the crime, which investigators believed was staged, 15 grams of cocaine was found as well as a belt bag, which Bello allegedly used to carry his gun. But he was not wearing this item when he left his restaurant to go home, as is clear from security camera footage recorded at the establishment. The investigation accuses the officers of shooting a defenseless person, when they themselves were armed and had support from other police officers working in the area. The autopsy carried out in the Philippines showed that Bello had been shot six times, with the last bullet hitting his right ear. The DOJ report concludes that the three officers shared a common goal, a unity of action and a common interest: to kill Diego. Unanswered questions This twist in the case has surprised the relatives of Diego Bello, who have been fighting for nearly two years from A Coruna in Galicia to get justice in the Philippines. They have faced enormous difficulties, but were finally able to find a law firm in the country that has appeared on their behalf in the suit. The family, however, have said they will take their case to Spains High Court, the Audiencia Nacional, or the International Criminal Court (ICC), if the process is not carried out with the proper legal guarantees. Now they are also calling on Spains Foreign Affairs Ministry to help them cover their legal fees. We were not expecting anything [in the Philippines], and now, suddenly we see the light, said Guillermo Mosquera, who has been working on the case with Manuel Olle Sese, an expert in international law. The Foreign Affairs Ministry says that it has been closely following Bellos killing and has promised to continue giving special attention to the case against the three police officers. One of the officers, Captain Panuelos, met with the Spanish consul days after Bellos murder to say that there was solid evidence against the Spaniard, according to local press. Later, representatives from Spain held meetings with the justice and interior ministries of the Philippines to urge the country to review Bellos case. This review has debunked the first official version of the murder, but has not reached a conclusion on the motivation for the crime. My opinion is that the narco campaign was used to settle something personal against him and thats why they put the drugs and the weapon there. But the only person who can tell us what that something personal is is Diego, said Mosquera. I dont know what happened, nor if we will find out some day. What we are looking to do is to clear his name and show that it was all a set-up to kill him. The Commission of Human Rights in the Philippines, which was the first organization to call into doubt the police version, has found a connection between Bello and one of his accused killers. Panuelos comes from Camarines del Sur province, where the governor is Migz Villafuerte, a member of a powerful political family. According to the commissions report, which was published before Panuelos was accused, five months before the murder, Villafuerte went to one of Bellos businesses to complain about the noise and threatened Bellos partner: Dont you know who I am? I could shoot you and make you disappear by throwing you in the swamp. UPS workers: Is your facility being impacted by layoffs? Tell us what is happening by filling out the form below. All submissions will be kept anonymous. A UPS driver puts his seat belt on before driving following a rally in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. [AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes] Logistics giant UPS announced hundreds of layoffs across the United States as 2023 drew to a close. Based on press reports and on information provided to the World Socialist Web Site, the layoffs appear to be concentrated among part-time warehouse workers, especially those working daytime sort shifts. Only three days after Christmas, the company announced it would eliminate the entire day sort shift at Louisvilles Centennial Hub, a ground facility which employs over 2,000 people. Approximately 225 workers are affected by cuts, according to one Centennial worker who spoke with the WSWS. Centennial is separate from the much larger Worldport facility, also in Louisville, which is central to UPS shipping network. The Centennial layoffs have been widely reported, but less well-known are layoffs at other facilities. Another daytime sort shift has been cut at the Alderwood facility in Portland, Oregon, affecting about 100 people. The company also announced it would eliminate the day sort at its 81st Street facility in Indianapolis, Indiana, according to a statement by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 135. It is not clear as of this writing whether day sort operations are being eliminated at other facilities. A Louisville-area member of the UPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee, founded last year to oppose the Teamsters sellout contract, told the WSWS: Ive heard rumors that some of this volume is going to be diverted to Lexington, Kentucky, more than an hour away. According to the contract, workers should be offered to be relocated in order of seniority, but whos going to relocate to follow a part-time job that pays $21 an hour? The elimination of these shifts is not due to seasonal variations as the company exits its peak holiday delivery seasons. It is part of deep cuts to the workforce, particularly concentrated among warehouse workers, who comprise most of the 340,000 members of the Teamsters at UPS. Warehouse workers are a highly exploited, mostly part-time segment, with starting pay at only $21 per hourup from as low as $16.65 an hour before the ratification of a new contract over the summer. UPS intends to use massive job cuts to offset the costs of modest pay increases under the new contract, which still leaves part-timers making far less in real terms than what they made in the late 1970s. A major factor in this assault is the implementation of new automated technology. Last November, less than three months after the new contract was passed, the company opened a massive robotic facility in Louisville. Called UPS Velocity, the warehouse uses over 3,000 robots but employs only 200 people. It is expected to process 350,000 packages per day. The sort jobs impacted by the layoffs are among those most vulnerable to being replaced by automation. UPS is going to try to trim down the fat that they see in the company, the committee member continued. Theyve already changed operations in Dallas, Texas; Rockford, Illinois and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where sort went to completely nighttime operations. Were going to see a continuous slowdown in the economy, and UPS is going to cut jobs. Its directly correlated to volume for them. Now, are they diverting to the new automated facilities? Yeah, I could see that. Obviously, these facilities over time are going to cut labor costs. I see this as a huge push in their long term. Were at the precipice of a new age of work with this technology. They are going to get rid of people, and they wont have to pay these machines healthcare, pensions. People need to pay attention to whats going on. The alarm bells are ringing all over the place. I think were probably looking at what some view as a fourth industrial revolution. The layoffs are also an exposure of the role of the Teamsters bureaucracy, which sold the new five-year UPS contract to members as supposedly the richest in history, which would reverse decades of sellouts by previous union administrations. The Teamsters administration under Sean OBrien used empty threats of a national strikewhich workers overwhelmingly wanted but which the officials never had any intention of callingto paint the deal worked out behind the scenes with management as the product of a pressure from below. In reality, the contract did not meet any of workers demands, including a bare minimum starting wage of $25 per hour and full funding for pensions and healthcare. Most significantly, it contains no protections against job losses due to automation. Last month, OBrien publicly threatened to call a strike at Centennial over the companys decision to lay off 35 people, mostly in administrative positions, who had voted to join the Teamsters. The company quickly rehired the workers a few days later, suggesting there may already have been a deal in place by the time OBrien made these empty threats. But now that 200 jobs are being eliminated at the same facility, neither OBrien nor the IBT have said anything. Local 89 In Louisville issued a complacent statement that the day shift sort is a relatively small operation, and most or all its volume can likely be absorbed by the other, larger [Centennial] sorts. Local 89s statement also claims that the union is not privy to the details of how UPS intends to accomplish the layoffs. This is a lie. No such employment decisions are ever made by management except without close consultation with their partners in the union bureaucracy. But even if it is true that the bureaucracy is not privy to how the layoffs will take place, then that only means there is no basis for its claim that the cuts will have little impact on Centennial workers. Meanwhile, the Teamsters bureaucrats are deliberately isolating UPS workers both from each other and from other logistics workers. It did nothing, for example, to mobilize UPS workers in defense of a strike by more than a thousand workers at DHL Express in Cincinnati last month, before the union ultimately shut down the strike after 12 days. Nor has the union acknowledged the nationwide extent of the current layoffs at UPS, nor explained where and how many workers will be affected in total. The layoffs at UPS follow a national pattern of attacks on jobs. Also last month, the auto industry announced thousands of factory job cuts only weeks after the passage of a supposedly historic new contract, following a piecemeal strike called by the United Auto Workers which did little to impact operations. On the railroads, Union Pacific is cutting 1,300 maintenance of way jobs, reducing its total workforce to barely half of what it had been only a few years ago. The jobs bloodbath with which corporate America is ringing in the new year exposes the claims of bureaucratic self-reform by OBrien at the Teamsters and Shawn Fain at the UAW, who were elevated into the leadership in the last union elections with the support of the Democratic Socialists of America and so-called reform factions within the union apparatus. In reality, they are responsible for overseeing the bureaucracys collaboration in the next stage in the attacks on jobs. They are doing so in close collaboration with the Biden administration, which was heavily involved in contract talks at UPS and the auto industry last year. These attacks underscore the need for workers to rebel against both management and the corrupt, pro-company union bureaucracy by building the UPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee. As the WSWS warned last August, workers who voted for the UPS contract under the influence of the militant posturing by OBrien will rapidly discover that they have been sold a bill of goods when promised wage and pension increases, air conditioning for vehicles and other improvements never materialize. This is now taking place. In a Perspective article published at the end of the year, the World Socialist Web Site described 2023 as the year of the total COVID cover-up. We wrote: the contrast between the objective reality of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the delusional fantasy promoted by capitalist politicians and the corporate media has never been greater. This assessment applies in full to Germany. [AP Photo/Elaine Thompson] The year 2022 ended with a massive campaign by establishment politicians and the media declaring that the pandemic was over and all protective measures had to be lifted. In 2023, this was aggressively put into practice: even the obligation to wear masks in local and long-distance transit, as well as in health and care facilities, was lifted nationwide and the Coronavirus Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance abolished. At the same time, monitoring of the virus was discontinued. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) published its last COVID-19 weekly report in June and since then has only reported COVID-19 developments in one or two paragraphs of its eleven-page weekly report on acute respiratory illnesses. The RKI also discontinued the pandemic radar on July 1. Only a few reports about the virus can still be found in the bourgeois media and even these do not describe the real situation in any way. However, contrary to the official propaganda about its supposed end, the pandemic continued to rage in 2023 and cost many lives. By the end of the year, almost 180,000 people in Germany had officially fallen victim to the virus, almost 18,500 of them last year. It can be assumed that the actual figure is significantly higher: The last estimates of excess mortality in Germany from April 2023 already came to 180,000 deaths at that time (ifo Institute) or even 195,000 for 2020 and 2021 alone (WHO). The effects of the pandemic are also particularly evident in the fact that life expectancy in Germany has fallen by almost six months since the start of the pandemic. In addition to the thousands who died from the virus last year, there are hundreds of thousands who have developed long-term consequences as a result of infection. Although the exact extent of how many people are affected by Long COVID is barely known, more and more is coming to light about the severity of the long-term effects of the virus and the impact on the daily lives of hundreds of thousands. In a recent article in taz newspaper entitled CoronavirusLong-term consequences: The statistics are breath-taking, the head of the Long Covid Outpatient Clinic in Koblenz, Astrid-Weber, reports on the everyday lives of many of those affected: Many voluntarily reduce their [working] hours and go part-time. Others just drag themselves to work. They can just about manage, but their hobbies, leisure time and family are reduced to zero. There are a lot of people who cut everything but their joband they dont appear in any statistics. Jena psychiatry professor Martin Welter also supports these observations. He told taz: The post-infectious disease situation is not over, and at the moment we are helping to increase the problem for the future. The article also refers to Epiloc, a study from Baden-Wurttemberg with almost 12,000 participants, which concluded that a quarter of COVID-19 sufferers were still experiencing symptoms six to twelve months later. Another study by the University of Greifswald, which has not yet been published, observed the progress of 200 patients who attended the universitys Long COVID consultation for an average of eight months after a coronavirus infection. At their first visit, 47 percent of these patients were unable to work. Six months later, this proportion was still 33 percent. The lie about the end of the pandemic is most clearly refuted by the fact that the highest incidences ever were reached towards the end of the year. The RKI officially reported 29,051 cases last week. That is 10,000 more than in the previous week. However, the RKI itself states that it estimates the actual 7-day incidence rate at 3,000 per 100,000 inhabitants, based on information from FluWeb. This corresponds to just under 2.5 million new cases per week. For the previous week, the RKI had estimated the incidence rate at 2,600. Other indicators also confirm the sharp rise. The RKIs Wastewater Monitoring for Epidemiological Situation Assessment (AMELAG) currently indicates a value of 727,275 detected gene copies of SARS-CoV-2 per litre of wastewater. This also represents a new record value for wastewater data, which has been evaluated since June 2022. Just the previous week, the value was 687,386 gene copies per litre of wastewater. SentiSurv, a project of the Mainz University Medical Centre, which collects data from 14,000 people from Rhineland-Palatinate who regularly test themselves and make the results available, also reported an incidence rate of between 3,000 and 4,000 for the last few weeks. In recent days, the BA.2.86 Pirola sub-variant has become the dominant strain in Germany and currently accounts for around 55 percent of infections. Pirola is characterized by its approximately 30 mutations in the spike protein, which make it more difficult for the variant to be recognized by the bodys immune system in vaccinated and recovered people. At the same time, the proportion of the Pirola offshoot JN.1 has increased to 35 percent. JN.1 has an even better immune escape and is classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a variant of interest, the precursor to a variant of concern. JN.1 is currently causing an increase in the number of cases worldwide. It is particularly worrying that there has also been a high number of severe cases recently. Over the last six weeks, there have been consistently more than 7,000 hospitalizations per week; in calendar week 49, the number was as high as 8,710 and in calendar week 50, it was 7,998. In view of the fact that follow-up reports are still outstanding, the hospitalization incidence rate is therefore between ten and twelve. In comparison, at the peak of the first wave in 2020, the hospitalization incidence rate was 7.5, at the peak of the second it was 15 and at the peak of the third wave it was 9.8. Contrary to claims that the virus has become harmless, the hospitalizations are thus around the level of previous coronavirus waves. Infectiologists such as Julian Schulze von Wiesch from the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) suspect that even the hospitalization incidence rate is only of limited significance. There will be a high number of unreported cases, he explains, as many patients are not even tested for COVID-19 in hospital. Hospitalization rates are particularly high in Berlin. The rate there is currently at 19, an increase of 20 percent compared to the previous week. The Charite hospital also announced that the number of coronavirus patients requiring intensive medical care was increasing. Nationwide, this figure currently stands at 1,254 (previous week: 1,214). The number of deaths is also rising again. Over 300 people have died every week since November. Last week there were 361, in the previous week 347. Charite expert Leif Sanders warned on broadcaster Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB) that the time of severe cases was not over. A coronavirus infection could still make you quite ill, he said. This included the kind of manifestations we saw a few years ago, which could be due to the fact that many people were vaccinated a long time ago. Numerous hospitals across Germany are responding to these drastic developments by independently introducing masking requirements and visitor restrictions. The government had lifted the statutory masking requirements in care and health facilities at the beginning of the year. The murderous let-it-rip pandemic policy of Germanys coalition government can be seen in all areas. While it intensified the war against nuclear power Russia in Ukraine last year, it is supporting the Israeli governments genocide of the Palestinian population in the Middle East. This policy has its roots in capitalism. The ruling class will literally walk over dead bodies to defend its profit interests. The fight to end the pandemic, like the struggle against war, therefore requires the mobilization of the working class on the basis of an international socialist programme. Opposing political parties in Thailand have proposed drafts for a supposedly wide-reaching amnesty bill to pardon those either charged or imprisoned for political reasons. Such a bill would both whitewash the crimes carried out by the Thai military and ruling class over the last 20 years and be aimed at preventing a genuine struggle for democratic rights by workers and youth. Former Thai general and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha surrounded by at media at the Thailand-Japan Youth Center stadium in Bangkok, April 3, 2023. [AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit] The proposed drafts for an amnesty bill would retroactively pardon or grant amnesty for political crimes beginning from February 2006. This encompasses events such as the military coup that year against then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the 2010 protests during which 91 people were killed, the 2014 coup against Thaksins sister Yingluck Shinawatra, and the mass demonstrations in 20202021 against the military government of coup leader General Prayut Chan-o-cha. The main opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) first submitted a draft amnesty bill in October and includes those accused under Thailands infamous lese-majeste law. Also known as Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the law forbids criticism of the royal family. It is regularly used to trample on the rights to free speech and to protest under the claim that demonstrators are insulting the monarchy. Exempt from the MFPs amnesty bill would be state officials who carried out repression against protesters and those charged under the Criminal Codes Section 113, which deals with insurrection and overthrowing the government. While the MFP is posturing as a defender of protesters and democracy, Section 113 has been used against protesters calling for the reform of the monarchy and the ousting of military figures from government. The MFP is in reality stating that the current government cannot be changed and giving its approval to the present Thai state, dominated by the military and a conservative bureaucracy. In response, the pro-military United Thai Nation Party (UTN) is preparing to submit its own draft bill. UTN is affiliated with 2014 coup leader Prayut, who is now a privy councillor to King Maha Vajiralongkorn. The bill will supposedly absolve people in cases of political expression against the state or its representatives. Its time to call a permanent truce, said UTN deputy leader Witthaya Kaewparadai on December 17. The bill does not cover those accused under the lese-majeste law. Representatives from the Democrat Party, the Chart Thai Pattana Party, and the Thai Teachers Party have publicly ruled out supporting any bill including Section 112. The government of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his ruling Pheu Thai Party (PT) have not submitted their own bill. Instead, PT is calling for a special house committee with representatives from each party to discuss the matter behind closed doors. We dont want to see a new amnesty bill provoke a new wave of social division when it is submitted to the House for deliberation, said PT parliament member Chusak Sirinial, warning: That kind of division would likely end in a major new political conflict, which is why we need to be extra careful. Hundreds of protesters face time behind bars including for cases related to lese-majeste. Thai Lawyers for Human Rights has reported that of 100 cases between 30 November 2021 and 30 October 2023, 79 defendants were found guilty for supposedly insulting the monarchy and 21 were acquitted. The longest prison sentence imposed during this period was 28 years. Political offences by bourgeois politicians on the other hand are being quietly dismissed and settled. Thaksin Shinawatra, who founded Pheu Thais predecessor Thai Rak Thai, returned from self-imposed exile in August facing corruption charges as part of a deal hatched between the monarchy and the current Pheu Thai leadership. Upon his return, Thaksins sentence was reduced by the king from eight years to one and it may be reduced even further come February. Citing poor health, the 74-year-old Thaksin has avoided a single day in prison and is comfortably serving his time in the Police General Hospital in Bangkok. His sister Yingluck, who is living a privileged existence in exile, had a corruption charge dismissed by the Supreme Court on December 26. She now only faces one arrest warrant on corruption charges from the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Among the other main beneficiaries of the bill include the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), commonly known as the Red Shirts and which has been allied with Pheu Thai and its previous political incarnations since 2006. In 2013, then-Prime Minister Yingluck pushed for an amnesty bill in order to clear the record of the UDD and that of her brother, Thaksin. The bill was aborted as a result of the 2014 coup, which kept Prayut in power until Pheu Thai formed a government last year. These bills have nothing to do with defending the democratic rights of protesters or working people more generally. Instead, the entire political establishment is conscious that it is sitting on a social powder keg. Household debt has reached record levels, totaling 90.7 percent of GDP according to the Bank of Thailand. Nearly one-third of workers and the poor are forced to spend as much as 50 percent of their monthly income on paying off debt. At the same time, the economy remains sluggish. The World Bank has projected Thailands growth to be the lowest among the ASEAN countries for the next 20 years at 3.2 percent. The economy grew by only 1.5 percent for the July-September quarter this year, lower than the widely predicted estimate of 2.4 percent. In order to improve growth, the central bank has recommended reining in public spending particularly in healthcare and education to improve growth. No doubt this is currently being considered by all the parliamentary parties as they deliberate over the next budget for 2024. The amnesty bills are meant to give the impression that Thailand has entered into a peaceful political period while behind the scenes uniting the different parties to push through attacks on workers social and economic conditions. In a December 25 interview with Thailands Matichon newspaper, former UDD leader Worachai Hema stated that it was necessary to reduce conflict through an amnesty. Appealing against demonstrations and for all discussions to be conducted on the platform of parliament, he warned that if this did not take place then every group of people will come out and take action. This causes the country to have problems and a bad economy. Alongside the amnesty bills, the Srettha government is also calling for a referendum to initiate discussions on a new constitution. According to Thai law written by Prayuts military government, discussions on a new constitution cannot even begin without a referendum. This is an anti-democratic measure that allows the military to squash any talks of a new constitution that it does not approve of. From the perspective of Pheu Thai and its supporters in the MFP, a new constitution would play a role similar to that of the amnesty bills. It would give the impression that the government is righting the wrongs of the past while in actuality seeking to prevent an independent movement of workers and the poor from developing outside the confines of bourgeois politics. Mass protests continued across Australia over the weekend against the Israeli onslaught in Gaza. This was the twelfth consecutive weekend of rallies. Attendees demanded an immediate ceasefire and condemned the Albanese Labor governments continued support for the genocide. A section of the Melbourne rally. Below are comments from attendees in Melbourne and Sydney. **** In Melbourne Andrew, an education worker, said, I think what is happening in Gaza is the latest chapter of Zionism. Israel has found itself presented with an opportunity to make significant progress in what they have been trying to do over this long period of time. I think western leaders are at a stage where they are stalling and trying to make it look like they are stopping this, but they are essentially buying Israel the biggest window of opportunity to create as much destruction as possible. To create a situation where there will be fewer Palestinians in Palestine, where the infrastructure will be dismantled to a point where people cant return, and then, if there is any pretence or effort to rebuild, it will be done under heavy Israeli and US backed controlif there are any Palestinians left in Gaza when this ends. Commenting on the mass global opposition, Andrew said, This has caused a big period of realisation for people, in terms of what they thought democracy was, or in what ways they thought they were actually represented by people put in positions of power and influence. Theres lots of interconnected series of realisations that people are having and dont necessarily know what to do with, myself included. I think that people are unsure of whats next. Were starting to get a clearer sense of what the problems are, but its harder to see what we can do about this. There probably is that fear of what happens next? Robert, a retired teacher, said that he has been studying the history of Palestine, After doing the research, I ended up blaming the British because of things they said during the First World War to get certain groups on side. Its then snowballed from there, and led to the 1948 declaration, the establishment of Israel. Its a shocking situation that goes back many, many years. However, whats happened in the last three months or so, is just on another level. It is not justifiable. I cannot understand how the Israelis can get away with theyre doing. But Ive tried to be very clear in all my discussions of not saying the Jewish people, but the Israelis. It is the Israeli government. Netanyahu is a criminal, and he is trying to cover up his misdeeds by focussing on thisit is a classic politicians way of distracting from internal issues, to have an external enemy. A member of a new organisation Mums for Palestine, who asked to remain anonymous, explained that she became politically active because of the Israeli assault on Gaza, After October 7 there was a lot of rage against what Hamas had done, but there was little conversation about what Palestine had been experiencing for more than 70 years. I stumbled across this group Mums for Palestine, when it was just like 5 to 10 people. Our shared goal and ambition is the freedom of Palestinians and particularly the children. Mums for Palestine The images and statistics that were seeing are horrifying theyre starving children, they are creating mental health problems that will likely be for life. If this doesnt stop, then this cycle of violence doesnt stop either, because you cant get to peace through violence. Katie told the WSWS, Im an American living in Australia and Im here today because I am horrified to see what the Australian and American governments are supporting in their support of Israel. The deaths must stop, Palestinians deserve to have a homeland as much as anybody else. I think for Americans there is a long history of supporting Israel regardless of what they do. There is a long, awful history of America supporting Israel regardless of how they treat Palestinians. For the US government there is an international incentive to have an ally in the Middle East. She added, Protesting absolutely does make a difference, it keeps it in the public eye, it makes sure the governments know were not falling into not caring about something horrible that is going on. In Sydney, Dennis said, Im here to take a stand against whats happening in Gaza, but also the West Bank. Now its broadening. There are Israeli strikes on Lebanon, threats against Yemen, and theres an attempt to get Iran involved. Its looking like World War Three. Dennis There are gas reserves off the coast of Gaza. I think thats one of the reasons Israel has been given the greenlight to carry out genocide. They couldnt be doing this without the support of the US and the other western powers. The Australian government has supplied weapons to Israel. Thats something I didnt know about until recently. And then the US is sending billions of dollars for the Israeli military. Its quite disgusting. A young woman named Aisha, said, Im here to support Palestine, and to show the Australian government that we oppose the genocide. Just because the government has ties with Israel, and is okay with that relationship, does not mean that Australians are. Whats happening is a crime against humanity. Its innocent people suffering at the hands of an occupation, and they have been for seventy-five years. I see the ties between the colonialism that we have here in Australia with our First Nations people We have not done enough here to make amends, so its fitting that the Australian government is supporting Israel, because they have not taken the correct actions to help the oppressed people they have hurt in this country. Money is a byproduct of war. If it wasnt, this wouldnt be happening. The genocide is all part of a longer-term plan for broader wars and control in the Middle East. Money, power, oil and resources are what keep governments and this system going. A Newark Police vehicle is parked outside the Masjid-Muhammad-Newark Mosque in Newark, N.J. on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. A New Jersey imam was critically wounded in a shooting outside a mosque on Wednesday. Officers sought to identify and arrest the shooter, and while the motive wasnt clear, the governor promised to do whats possible to protect houses of worship. The cleric was shot after 6 a.m. outside the Masjid-Muhammad-Newark Mosque, Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Frage said in an emailed statement. The victim was taken to nearby University Hospital and is in critical condition, authorities said. Hours later, police had no one in custody. Its unclear what led to the violence and if the imam was targeted. Frage said the shooting is under investigation and no other information is available. A message seeking more information was left with the mosque. Gov. Phil Murphy identified the victim as Imam Hassan Sharif. He noted that authorities have no information about who shot him, or why. At a time when the Muslim community is concerned by an increase of bias incidents and crimes, I want to assure the Muslim community and people of all faiths that we will do everything in our power to keep all residents safe, especially in or near our houses of worship, Murphys statement said. The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nations largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, said it is gathering information and urged people to contact local police. We are deeply concerned about this incident and pray for the speedy recovery of the imam, CAIR-NJ spokesperson Dina Sayedahmed said in a statement. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has collected enough signatures to appear on the 2024 presidential ballot in Utah, election officials say, marking the first state where the independent candidate and prominent anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist has qualified. Kennedy has met the 1,000-signature requirement needed to qualify in Utah and can officially file to run as a presidential candidate in the state before a March 5 deadline, state Elections Director Ryan Cowley said. Utah is the first state where Kennedys campaign submitted signatures and qualified for ballot access, campaign spokesperson Stefanie Spear said. She did not indicate which day he would file for candidacy. A scion of one of the nations most famous Democratic dynasties, the longtime environmental lawyer veered from the party last fall and announced his independent bid for the White House. He is a son of former senator and U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and a nephew of Democratic President John F. Kennedy. The candidate rose to prominence during the Covid-19 pandemic for his embrace of public health conspiracy theories and has a loyal following of people who reject the scientific consensus that vaccines are safe and effective. His success at gaining ballot access in Utah reignites questions of whether the independent could play spoiler for the eventual Democratic and Republican nominees. While its unlikely that an independent or a third-party candidate would win the presidency, they could siphon support from the major candidates in a way that tips the scales. Allies of both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, the likely nominees for their respective parties, have questioned whether Kennedy could be a spoiler for their candidate. Both Biden, a Democrat, and Trump, a Republican, are unpopular among voters, increasing the likelihood that third-party support could play a deciding role in 2024. In an increasingly polarized political climate, Kennedy is playing the middle, aligning with influential people on the far right while touting his background as an environmentalist. Its unclear in how many states he will qualify for ballot access. Each state sets its own requirements, and the process for collecting signatures and navigating legal hurdles can be costly for candidates not backed by the major parties. American Values 2024, a super PAC supporting Kennedy, has pledged to spend up to $15 million to help him gain ballot access in pivotal states. His success in Utah was made possible by a legal victory in the lawsuit he and others filed last month to push back the states candidate filing deadline. Kennedys anti-vaccine organization has a lawsuit pending against a number of news organizations, among them The Associated Press, accusing them of violating antitrust laws by taking action to identify misinformation, including about Covid-19 and Covid-19 vaccines. Kennedy took leave from the group when he announced his run for president but is listed as one of its attorneys in the lawsuit. The AP and the other news companies have asked a court to dismiss the lawsuit. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Donald Trump is the standout issue of the year at the U.S. Supreme Court. Although there are already several cases that affect him directly or indirectly, the appeal filed by the former president will define the electoral future of the United States. Trump has appealed before the nations highest court against his exclusion from the ballot in the Colorado primary, a decision that was made last month by the state Supreme Court. A similar and which also taken in Maine and which could yet be replicated by other states. There are more than 30 states where his participation is contested on the same grounds. The implication is simple: the nine justices who sit at the top of the US judicial system will have to decide whether Trump should be left out of the election for having participated in an insurrection, alluding to his attempts to alter the electoral outcome of the 2020 elections, which he lost to Joe Biden, and which led to the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. In his appeal, Trump argues that it was not an insurrection. On Wednesday, the National Republican Senatorial Committee filed a brief with the Supreme Court in support of Trumps appeal, The New York Times reported. That Trump would file an was taken for granted. The former president and now candidate had until January 4 to go to the Supreme Court, which has a conservative supermajority of six judges, three of them appointed by Trump himself during his presidency. The appeal joins another one filed by the Colorado Republican Party. It also comes the day after another challenge filed by Trump in Maine against a decision by that states top election official to declare him ineligible for another term. In both states the primaries are to be held on March 5, known as Super Tuesday, the date on which more than a third of the delegates who will designate the Republican presidential candidate are chosen. The Colorado Supreme Court decided by a four to three vote that Trump should have Section 3 of the 14th Amendment applied to him, declaring him ineligible for public office, and that his name should therefore not appear on the primary ballot ahead of the November 5, 2024 presidential election. Said provision reads: No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. It adds that this veto may be lifted by Congress through the vote of two-thirds of each Chamber. It is an amendment passed in 1868, three years after the end of the Civil War, that sought to prevent Confederate rebels from occupying positions of power. The 43-page appeal filed with the U.S. Supreme Court shares the arguments of the one filed before the Maine Superior Court a day earlier. These sorts of appeals to the Supreme Court are formulated as questions and in this case the issue is tackled head-on: Did the Colorado Supreme Court err in ordering President Trump excluded from the 2024 presidential primary ballot? The lawyers argue before the Supreme Court that Trump did not take part in any insurrection. The public speeches he gave (including one on January 6, 2021 before the assault on the Capitol), are protected by freedom of speech, they say. Moreover, they consider that it is up to Congress and the electoral college to decide on the eligibility of a candidate. The question of eligibility to serve as President of the United States is properly reserved for Congress, not the state courts, to consider and decide, the former presidents lawyers argue. By considering the question of President Trumps eligibility and barring him from the ballot, the Colorado Supreme Court arrogated Congress authority, they explain. The appeal also says the Colorado court was wrong in how it described President Trumps role in the events of January 6, 2021. It was not insurrection and President Trump in no way engaged in insurrection. Trumps lawyers believe that the 14th Amendment prohibits certain persons from holding specific offices, but not from running for or being elected to them. They also point out that it cannot apply to the former president because that office is not expressly cited in the rule. They note that it lists offices in descending order, from senator to any civilian or military office, but never names the position exercised in the Oval Office. To expressly cite the position of electors or delegates who vote for the president, but not mention the president and to want to include the presidency as another civilian office defies common sense, they argue. Furthermore, it applies to anyone who has participated in an insurrection while an officer of the United States, a term which, according to their interpretation, does not apply to the president. They point out that the term appears in three other constitutional provisions, all of which exclude the president from the phrase. Interestingly, in the New York fraud case, the former presidents lawyers were saying that he should move to federal court because Trump was an officer of the United States and the prosecution argued, successfully, to the contrary. Another argument of Trumps legal team is that upon taking office he did not take an oath to support the Constitution; rather, the presidents oath is to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. Most courts that have ruled so far, including the state supreme courts in Michigan and Minnesota, find that the 14th Amendment is not preemptively applicable to bar Trump from running for office, and that this is a very strained interpretation. With those precedents and the Supreme Courts conservative supermajority, Trump stands a good chance of winning the case. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The Epstein case and its derivatives continue to generate great expectation years after the death of the financier and sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein, who was found dead in August 2019 in his cell in a high-security prison in Manhattan. The judge in charge of the case stemming from a lawsuit filed in 2015 by one of the victims, Virginia Giuffre, against Epsteins lover and partner, Ghislaine Maxwell, has unsealed hundreds of pages of documents from that case, which ended with an out-of-court settlement. The documents mention victims of sexual assault, people who interacted with Epstein, lists of potential witnesses and friends and collaborators of the financier. Although many of these documents have so far cited people generically as John Doe and Jane, there were also numerous personalities who had ties to Epstein and whose names were already known, such as Prince Andrew and former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump. But the list of people and the reasons why they appear are so varied that their presence in the documents must be treated with enormous caution. The vast majority of people whose names appear in the documents are not accused of any crime. If anyone expected a list of Epsteins clients, this is not the case, despite the misinformation and conspiracy theories that have circulated on social media. For example, former President Donald Trump is mentioned, but only in a question to a witness who was asked if she had relations with him or gave him massages, to which she answered no, in a series of questions that also mentioned the scientist Marvin Minsky, the filmmaker George Lucas and the lawyer Alan Dershowitz, in all cases with negative answers. Giuffre withdrew an accusation she had made against Dershowitz, who was Epsteins lawyer, in 2022, saying she may have made a mistake in reporting him. In another statement, a witness is asked if she saw Trump at one of Epsteins homes, on his island in the Virgin Islands, in New York or in New Mexico, with the same answer on all four questions: Not that I remember. Interest in the documents was so intense that within minutes of their being unsealed, the website that distributed them, CourtListener, crashed. The unsealed material is distributed between 40 documents, mostly witness statements, but also emails, subpoenas and other legal documents. Epstein was arrested in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2005 after being accused of paying a 14-year-old girl for sex. Dozens of other minors described similar sexual abuse, but prosecutors finally allowed the financier to plead guilty in 2008 to a charge involving a single victim. He served 13 months in a work release program. Some famous acquaintances broke ties with Epstein after his conviction, including former presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, but the millionaire continued to associate with the rich and famous for another decade, often through philanthropy. Reporting by The Miami Herald renewed interest in the scandal, and federal prosecutors in New York charged Epstein in 2019 with sex trafficking. He took his own life in prison while awaiting trial. His partner, Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of media mogul and fraudster Robert Maxwell, was convicted of sex trafficking of minors and sentenced to 20 years in prison in June 2022. It was The Miami Herald that requested the release of the documents, to which the judge has finally agreed, although some names of victims remain crossed out. Giuffre stated at the time that the summer she turned 17, she was hired at the Trump-owned Mar-a-Lago club to become Epsteins masseuse, which included performing sexual acts. She also claimed that she was pressured to have sexual relations with men in Epsteins orbit, including Prince Andrew, with whom she reached an agreement in 2022 to withdraw the sexual abuse lawsuit. Prince Andrew is mentioned on multiple occasions in the documents that have been unsealed. Johana Sjoberg statement One of them contains a 179-page long statement by Johana Sjoberg, in which she describes how he touched her breast while they took photos. Although the story was already known, her testimony had remained under wraps until now. She recounts that at a meeting where Virginia Giuffre was also present she discovered that it was Prince Andrew because there was a puppet of the prince himself and that she thought it was funny. I just remember someone suggested taking a picture, and we were told to get on the couch. So Andrew and Virginia sat on the couch, and they put the puppet on their lap. And then I sat on Andrews lap, and I think of my own free will, and they took the puppets hands and put them on Virginias chest, and then Andrew put his hands on mine, she recounts. In the same statement, the victim claims that Epstein once told her that [Bill] Clinton likes them young, referring to girls. In 2019, the former president acknowledged that he had flown on Epsteins private plane on several occasions in 2002 and 2003, but claimed he knew nothing of the billionaires terrible crimes. Sjoberg also said that once she was on the tycoons private plane and the pilots said they could not land in New York and that they would divert to Atlantic City, and then Jeffrey [Epstein] said, Great, well call Trump and go [...] to the casino. Sjoberg also said that she met Michael Jackson at the Epstein mansion in Palm Beach, and on another occasion she saw the magician David Copperfield. The investor Glenn Dubin, the modeling agent Jean Luc Brunel (who committed suicide in prison in France before being tried for rape) and the former CEO of Limited and Victorias Secret, Leslie Wexner, are also mentioned in a compromising way. Those names had previously been made public. In one statement, Giuffre says she had sex with businessmen, politicians and others, including the billionaire Tom Pritzker, CEO of Hyatt Hotels; former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson; and scientist Marvin Minsky, as well as others whose names she could not remember. In another statement, she said that in the case of the owner of a large hotel chain she was sent to Paris to give him a massage around the time of the birthday of supermodel Naomi Campbell, with whom she had already appeared in several photographs. Some of the names on the documents remain secret at the request of subpoenaed individuals. One of these, according to U.S. media, might be Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who has publicly regretted the meetings he had with Epstein, according to him to discuss philanthropic collaboration. There are also legal documents and subpoenas requesting Virginia Giuffre to provide any photographs and videos she may have in which she appears with a number of people, without it being clear why they appear on the list or whether such material actually exists. Among them are Bill Clinton, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and scientist Stephen Hawking. Likewise, celebrities are mentioned who at some point flew in Jeffrey Epsteins private plane or who coincided with him at a party, but there are no incriminating elements that would cast doubt on their conduct. Police said foul play is not suspected, but the investigation is ongoing Don C. Bragg Four members of the Bragg family were killed in the Dec. 30, 2023, house explosion. A 16-year-old Arkansas boy survived a house explosion in Michigan that killed four members of his family on Saturday, authorities said. The Northfield Township Police Department said that the blast was caused by an "undetermined fuel air explosion." In addition to destroying the home, the explosion killed Hope Bragg, 51, Don Bragg, 53, and their kids Kenneth Bragg, 22, and Elizabeth Bragg, 19. The family, including 16-year-old Stephen Bragg, were visiting Hope's father, Richard Pruden, 72, for the holidays when the explosion occurred, police said. As of Tuesday, Stephen was in stable condition, while Pruden remained in critical condition. The department said foul play is not suspected, but the investigation is ongoing and "will take time." "Please stay clear of the area and allow investigators time and space to conduct the investigation," police continued. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims." Related: Mom Says She Fears Son Died in Minnesota House Explosion That Killed 1: 'There's Nothing Left' According to ABC affiliate WXYZ, Michigan State Police fire investigators and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are helping in the investigation to determine what caused the fatal blast, which, per the Detroit Free Press, scattered debris over more than 2 acres. 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. "There's nothing left of the property," Northfield Township Police Lt. David Powell said, according to the paper. "I've never seen anything like it." Related: 4 Children, 1 Adult Killed in Penn. House Explosion Identified By Authorities, 2 More Injured Now, friends are grieving their deaths and paying tribute to the family. Northfield Township Supervisor Ken Dignan, who went to high school with Hope, told WXYZ that the 51-year-old mother was one of the smartest people hes ever known. Its heart-wrenching, he said. She was a very caring, loving individual." Related: Utah Couple Dies in Car Crash on Drive to Announce News of Pregnancy to Family Family friend Matthew Rooney, 40, told the Detroit Free Press he was devastated by the family's deaths, saying he just kept "imagining their last moments." Meanwhile, two GoFundMes have raised nearly $40,000 to support Stephen and Pruden. "Stephen recently lost his parents, his brother, and his sister in a tragic house explosion," one organizer wrote in one of the tributes. "Stephen had severe injuries and faces many months of recovery. I am establishing this fund to cover out-of-pocket funeral and care expenses including regular visits from long-distance family." The organizer added that any remaining funds will be passed along to Pruden. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Dry January is a growing trend in the United States where people don't consume alcohol for the first month of the year. For some, it aligns with health goals set for the new year; others just want a break after the holidays. On top of that, more U.S. consumers are not drinking alcohol, according to research by Mintel as reported by Beverage Daily, a news and analysis site for the beverage industry. With that, nonalcoholic beverage options have popped up in more places. I visited various cocktail lounges around the city in search of ones that offered the best nonalcoholic options not just kiddie cocktails, but well-crafted mocktails, including some made with nonalcoholic spirits. Whether you want a drink that doesn't give you a buzz for Dry January or other reasons, here are seven cocktail lounges in the Milwaukee area with great NA options. This nonalcoholic cocktail at Bittercube is made with Ritual Zero Proof Rum Alternative and has flavors of coconut and orange. 5900 W. North Ave., (414) 207-6262, bittercube.com/places I sat down at Bittercube's North Avenue Market space and was disappointed to see no nonalcoholic drinks on the menu, especially because that is a criteria I used to decide on places worth visiting. I trust the bartenders at Bittercube, however, so I decided to stay for one, and I asked the bartender what he could make. "Do you have any no-nos? Coconut, grapefruit...?" the bartender asked. "Nope, I'll try anything, just hold the alcohol," I responded. Im not sure what the bartender concocted, and with the bar packed I didn't have a chance to get all the details, but it was delightful. The receipt showed Ritual Zero Proof rum, and there were flavors of coconut and orange in it, with the latter flavor likely coming from Bittercube's Trinity bitters that I watched the bartender add to the drink. While my goal was to only include places that had nonalcoholic options on their menu, Bittercube made the cut because the drink was so good, and they recently launched new menus with NA cocktails. General Manager Brandon Reyes said in an email that Bittercube launched new cocktail menus at both the main bar and their downstairs bar, Molser's Vault, with six new mocktails between the two. A few of the new drinks include Bittercube's nonalcoholic versions of a mai tai, old fashioned, Singapore sling and mint julep. Bittercube is open 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. 818 S. Water St., (414) 212-8115, boonemilwaukee.com This bar makes everyone from a beer drinker to a whiskey aficionado feel welcome, and when looking for an NA option, you'll feel just as welcome, too. Its tagline, after all, is "Pretentious drinks without the pretentiousness." Boone and Crockett has one of the city's largest nonalcoholic menus with five drinks, all $8, along with multiple NA beers. On a previous visit I had the High & Dry, made with nonalcoholic Giffard aperitif syrup and a nonalcoholic hop drink. With those flavors, it's about as close as one can get to feeling like they are drinking alcohol without actually drinking alcohol. The bar is open 4 p.m. to close Wednesday and Thursday and 3 p.m. to close Friday through Sunday. Bryant's cocktail lounge offers both a nonalcoholic gimlet, left, and a nonalcoholic old fashioned. 1579 S. 9th St., (414) 383-2620, bryantscocktaillounge.com While one of my criteria was to include places that had nonalcoholic drinks on the menu, Bryant's doesn't have a menu, so I let that one go. Their process to order a drink is to talk to your servers about what you like, and the bartender will concoct something for you. I asked for something nonalcoholic and said I gravitate toward drinks with bitters. The server recommended their NA Wisconsin old fashioned. It was the closest nonalcoholic version of an old fashioned I've had after trying versions at multiple places. I also had a nonalcoholic gimlet, which was not the same as a regular gimlet, but the server did warn me that the usual gin flavors don't transfer to the NA counterpart because the ethanol helps give gin its flavor. Bryant's is open 5 p.m. to bar close Wednesday through Sunday. 2718 N. Bremen St., (414) 374-2587, foundationbar.com The NA drinks at this Riverwest tiki bar have just as much coconut, pineapple and other tropical flavors as the bar's alcoholic drinks, but without the buzz. The fruity mocktails fall on the sweet side, but on a previous visit I asked for something custom and not-so-sweet, and the bartender made it perfectly. The nonalcoholic drinks also come at one of the more affordable price points of $7. The bar opens at 4 p.m. daily and closes at midnight Sunday through Thursday and 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Great Lakes Distillery released its first nonalcoholic spirit, Sans Junipre, in 2022. 616 W. Virginia St., (414) 431-8683, greatlakesdistillery.com This Milwaukee distillery has its own nonalcoholic spirit, the Sans Junipre N/A Botanical Spirit, which can be used in a cocktail or simple mixed drink like any other spirit. One easy-to-make but tasty drink is the spirit mixed with seltzer water the carbonation helps bring out the spirit's strong flavors of juniper, basil and orange. The distillery's bar uses the spirit in two cocktails on the menu: the Crantini ($10), a low-alcohol drink made with Sans Junipre and the distillery's Good Land Wisconsin Cranberry Liqueur; and the nonalcoholic Every Cone ($8), made with the botanical spirit, lemonade and rose water. Great Lakes Distillery and Tasting Room is open noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to midnight Friday, 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. DINING: Fox Den's smash-patty burgers find a home at Great Lakes Distillery A seating area provides a spot for sipping a cocktail at Lost Whale in Bay View. 2151 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 249-3188, lostwhalemke.com This Bay View bar is one of the best cocktail lounges in the city, and their NA options live up to that standard. The menu changes periodically, but their winter Candy Cane Lane was one of my favorites for its unique flavors including nonalcoholic rum and vermouth, candy cane-infused coconut milk, cacao bitters and more. The bar is open at 4 p.m. daily and closes at midnight Sunday through Thursday and 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The La Qua at The Pharmacy bar is a nonalcoholic drink that resembles a cosmopolitan, with sweet and citrusy flavors. 2238 N Farwell Ave., (414) 763-9081, facebook.com/thepharmacymke The Counter Day Bar might not have lasted at Crossroads Collective, but that doesn't mean this space should be passed over by non-drinkers this Dry January. Two of the nonalcoholic cocktails on The Pharmacy's regular menu are among the best I had in this venture to find the city's best alcohol-free drinks. One NA drink, the La Qua, resembles a cosmopolitan. The other drink, the ABJ Elixir, was my favorite among all the mocktails I tried while compiling this list. It had the perfect balance of ginger, chai and orange and it felt just as elevated as anything else, with alcohol or not, on the menu. The bar also had hot seasonal drinks, two of which did not have alcohol to start, though the menu advertised adding bourbon or Baileys. The Pharmacy is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: These Milwaukee bars offer great mocktails and NA options Alan Dershowitz epstein docs Alan Dershowitz epstein docs.jpg - Credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images Alan Dershowitz, the attorney who secured the late pedophile Jeffrey Epsteins so-called 2008 sweetheart non-prosecution deal when the financier was first charged with sex crimes, took to his YouTube and Rumble channels on Wednesday ahead of the release of court documents expected to link more individuals to Epstein. He titled this livestream The Epstein list and guilt by association, but it wasnt long before he went on a tangential tirade about Israel and Hamas. Dershowitzs association with Epstein is well-established, and he acknowledged again in this online monologue that he had known Epstein in a personal capacity before representing him. Of course Im on the list, Dershowitz said. I was his lawyer. I flew on his plane with other lawyers several times for legal meetings in Florida and other proceedings. He also reiterated that, along with his wife and daughter, hed visited Epsteins private island in the Caribbean shortly after Epstein had purchased it, but had seen nothing that led him to suspect his acquaintance of criminal activity. More from Rolling Stone The two men became necessarily closer, Dershowitz explained, when Epstein required his legal services to contend with charges of soliciting prostitution, including from someone under the age of 18. With Dershowitzs counsel, Epstein was able to cut a plea deal that saved him from federal prosecution and allowed him daytime work release as he served a short jail sentence, though Dershowitz said Epstein hated the favorable arrangement. In fact, he wouldnt pay me my fee because he thought I had done a terrible, terrible job in getting him a plea bargain that required him to serve some time in jail, and also to register as a sex offender, the attorney said in his livestream. Dershowitz also repeated his wish to see all court documents pertaining to Epstein those set to be unsealed come from a settled 2015 defamation suit brought against convicted Epstein co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre released for public review. Then he attempted to draw a bizarre analogy between the list of Epstein associates and a hypothetical list of feminist activists he excoriated for failing to condemn the militant group Hamas, which orchestrated a deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel. I want to list produce of radical feminists, people from the #MeToo movement, people who accuse others, people who believe that you should believe any woman, Dershowitz said. Where is #MeToo? Dershowitz continued. #MeToo, but not if youre a Jew? Is that what #MeToo is about? he asked. The tirade continued: Where are radical feminists? Where are those who think that the worst thing in the world is to be on an Epstein list, but its okay to rape and mutilate and behead and kidnap and murder innocent Israelis? Dershowitz went on to lament that people can make false accusations with impunity without fear of being of being sued. Earlier in the livestream, he had referenced how Giuffre had previously accused him of sexually abusing her when she was being trafficked by Epstein. She dropped a defamation case against him for accusing her of extortion and perjury last year, when she admitted she may have been mistaken in identifying him as one of her abusers. On that occasion, Dershowitz also took to his livestream to denounce the #MeToo movement. (Among the Maxwell documents being unsealed this week is an older statement from Dershowitz dismissing Giuffres original claims against him as pure fiction.) I have a rule, he continued. If youre a radical feminist, and you havent in any way protested the rapes and murders and the beheadings and the sexual assaults [] then you have no credibility. Nobody should believe a word you say. All in all, Dershowitz neednt have bothered with these strained and confusing parallels to the Epstein case or his involvement in it, except in the interest of discussing anything else. As he himself observed, the mere fact of being named in court documents related to an infamous criminal does not implicate someone in a crime. Of course, hes always been one to talk in circles around the actual topic at hand. Best of Rolling Stone Originally appeared on E! Online Tragedy has struck a prominent German family. Steakhouse heiress Christina Block's children Klara, 13, and Theodor, 10 were kidnapped while watching fireworks with their father Stephan Hensel at a New Year's Eve celebration close to the Germany-Denmark border, according to German newspaper Bild, per a translation by People. The alleged abduction took place at a restaurant in the Danish town of Grasten shortly after midnight on Jan. 1, when a group of men knocked Hensel to the ground and forced the kids into two cars, local police said, per U.K. outlet The Telegraph. The vehiclesa Mercedes-Benz and a Citroenbared German license plates, according to the publication, though it is unclear if they crossed the border after the incident. Klara was last seen wearing light cargo pants and a green sweater with a teddy bear on the front, per The Telegraph. Meanwhile, her brother Theodor was in light blue jeans, a blue-and-white striped shirt and a dark pullover. Both Danish authorities and German police have launched an investigation into the matter. Craziest True Crime TV Moments More from E! Online The kidnapping comes amid a custody battle for the children between Block and Hensel, who divorced in 2018, according to The Telegraph. Daniel Reinhardt/Picture Alliance via Getty Image Per the outlet, a police official said investigators are looking into "whether there is a connection between the night's events and the question of parental authority." Block, 49, is the daughter of restauranteur Eugen Block, who founded the Hamburg-based steakhouse chain Block House in 1968. Her father's fortune is estimated to be worth $330 million, according to the German newspaper Hamburger Abendblatt. Neither she or Hensel have publicly spoken out about the incident. E! News has reached out to German and Danish authorities for comment but has not heard back. For more true crime updates on your need-to-know cases, head to Oxygen.com. Gia Giudice celebrated two special occasions with one very special treat. In recent Instagram Stories, The Real Housewives of New Jersey daughter was seen enjoying a sweet dinner in the Bahamas with her dad, Joe Giudice, her boyfriend Christian Carmichael, and a group of pals and family members. Keep scrolling to catch a peek inside Gia's special night, and to check out the dual message on her customized dessert. Gia Giudice kicks off the new year with a birthday celebration In his January 2 Instagram Stories, Joe shared a heartwarming video of his daughter seated at a restaurant, smiling in a gorgeous floral dress. In front of Gia, there was a glossy plate with a message scrawled in icing: "Happy Birthday and happy new year!" The plate also held a chocolatey dessert that was topped with a scoop of oozing ice cream and a drizzle of sauce; it was also studded with colorful fruits. In Joe's video, Gia smiled sweetly as her friends and family serenaded her with the birthday song. Gia Guidice smiles with her birthday celebration on Joe Guidice's Instagram story. Joe Guidice of The Real Housewives of New Jersey posts Gia Guidice's birthday celebration on his Instagram story. Photo: Joe Guidice/Instagram This isn't the first time Gia has had an epic birthday in paradise. Last year, the aspiring lawyer rang on her 22nd birthday in a beachy locale. A January 9 2022 Instagram post showed Gia celebrating with a sparkler on during a group trip to Mexico. Style Living Ig Rhonj Gia Giudice 22nd Birthday Cake Gia Giudices 22nd Birthday Celebration Included Tequila Shots & a Gorgeous Dessert (PICS) Teresa Giudice wrote, I hope your special day is as special as you! Nothing lights up my world more than you! Wishing my sweetheart a very happy birthday. May all your wishes come true today and every day. Gia shared a series of photos from the same evening, captioning her post in honor of her birthday, feeling 22. Gia Giudice Work Look Gia Giudice Turned 21 with 2 Gorgeous, Gilded Cakes Plus, let's not forget Gia's milestone 21st birthday. In 2021, the RHONJ daughter headed to Miami for a celebratory weekend that included plenty of fun in the sun and multiple gorgeous birthday cakes. Teresa Giudice, Joe Giudice, and their daughters celebrate New Year's Eve in the Bahamas At BravoCon 2023 in November, Teresa Giudice shared an update on Joe Giudice. "My ex-husband Joe is doing great, he's living in the Bahamas," The Real Housewives of New Jersey cast member said. "As a matter of fact, we're going to spend New Year's Eve with him, so we're all going with the family. It was [my husband Luis "Louie" Ruelas'] idea, it was really nice. The girls are so excited that we're gonna be together." Teresa Giudice at the RHONJ reunion; Joe Giudice. Go Inside Teresa and Joe Giudice's Reunion, Along with Daughters and Louie Ruelas, in the Bahamas (PICS) In his December 29 Instagram Stories, Joe shared the sweetest snaps documenting the family reunion. One pic showed him standing in the middle of all four of his daughters, with a decked-out Christmas tree as the backdrop. In the next photo, the family matriarch had joined the crew. Teresa looked festive and elegant in a floor-skimming, black-and-white gown. Joe Giudice, with his daughters and ex-wife Teresa Giudice in the Bahamas together. Joe Giudice posts a series of instagram stories with his daughters; Gia Giudice, Milania Giudice, Gabriella Giudice, Audriana Giudice, and ex-wife Teresa Giudice in the Bahamas together. Photo: Joe Giudice/Instagram Joe Bidens campaign unveiled a new 60-second ad on Thursday, their first of 2024, that signals a primary campaign theme: Donald Trumps threat to the republic. There is something dangerous happening in America. There is an extremist movement that does not share the basic beliefs in our democracy, Biden says in the spot which you can see in full below. More from Deadline The ad is part of a $500,000 ad buy that will run over the next week during local and national newscasts in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, according to the campaign. Shorter and more tailored versions will run on YouTube, Instagram and connected TV outlets. Biden doesnt mention Trump in the spot, but its heavy in images from January 6, 2021, when the then-presidents supporters stormed the Capitol. As such, the spots focus on Trump assumes that he will receive the Republican nomination. Its probably a good bet. Trump is way ahead in the polls against Republican rivals, and even or bests Biden in some recent surveys of a repeat matchup between them. Biden is scheduled to travel to Pennsylvania on Friday to give a speech near Valley Forge that is tied to the third anniversary of the January 6 attack on the Capitol. Vice President Kamala Harris is traveling to South Carolina this weekend, and the president plans to give a speech on Monday at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. That was the site of a mass shooting in 2015. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Kristine Barnett has largely stayed out of the public eye, but she commented Thursday on the new docuseries about Natalia Grace and abuse accusations Shutterstock, Discovery Kristine Barnett, Natalia Grace Upon the release of The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks and a DNA test that seemingly confirmed the protagonist's age after years of speculation, Natalia Grace's wild story is making headlines once again. Natalia who has a form of dwarfism called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita arrived in the United States in 2008 from Ukraine. In 2010, she was adopted by Indiana couple Michael and Kristine Barnett. At the time, the couple believed they were adopting a 6-year-old girl but the Barnetts soon became suspicious of her age and alleged that she was an adult posing as a child. The Barnetts, who have since divorced, also claimed that Natalia tried to harm them and their biological children. She was accused of attempting to poison Kristine and dragging her towards an electric fence, PEOPLE previously reported. Related: Inside the Bizarre Tale of Natalia Grace, Adopted from Ukraine: Is She a Child or an Adult 'Sociopath?' In 2012, the couple had Natalia's age legally changed from 8 to 22. The following year, the couple moved with their three sons to Canada without Natalia, leaving her alone in an apartment in Lafayette, PEOPLE previously reported. In 2019, Michael and Kristine were charged with multiple counts of neglecting a dependent after a five-year investigation, but neither was convicted. Michael was found not guilty of three counts of neglect and conspiracy to commit neglect of a dependent in 2022, the Associated Press reported. In March of 2023, charges against Kristine in connection with the abandonment of Natalia were dropped, WTHR reported at the time. Investigation Discovery/YouTube Natalia Grace In the Jan. 1 premiere episode on ID of the three-part The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks, a DNA test conducted by the medical lab TruDiagnostic seems to refute the claim that Natalia was posing as a child and revealed that Natalia is approximately 22 years old, which suggests she was 9 years old when she was adopted by Michael and Kristine, PEOPLE previously reported. Related: DNA Test Seemingly Confirms Natalia Grace's Real Age: 'They Knew It' This one little piece of paper throws every single lie that the Barnetts has said right into the trash with a match, Natalia claims in the episode, which began airing on ID on Jan. 1. Kristine Barnett Is Divorced from Husband Michael and Is an Author Kristine has largely stayed out of the public eye since Natalia's story captured the attention of millions. Related: Who Are Natalia Grace's Adoptive Parents, Who Now Say Girl From Ukraine is 'Sociopath? In February 2014, Michael filed for divorce from Kristine, the Journal & Courier reports, and according to the outlet, in 2019, Kristine's address was listed in Bradenton, Fla. In 2014, Kristine's memoir, The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing, Genius, and Autism, was published. In an alternate cover, Kristine is pictured with her son Jacob. "Kristine Barnetts son Jacob has an IQ higher than Einsteins, a photographic memory, and he taught himself calculus in two weeks," the book's description reads in part. Accusations Against Kristine In Natalia Speaks, Natalia alleges that she was abused by Kristine. In the episode, she alleges Kristine pepper sprayed her multiple times and hit her with a belt. Another shocking moment came when she confronted her former adoptive father face-to-face. During their conversation, Michael alleges that he was also manipulated and mistreated by Kristine, his ex-wife. Related: Natalia Grace Confronts Her Father and Accused Abuser in New Episodes of ID's The Curious Case of Natalia Grace (Exclusive) Kristine Speaks Out and Denies Abuse Kristine does not appear in the series. However, in a public Facebook post on Jan. 4, Kristine addresses the accusations from both Natalia and Michael and adamantly denies any form of abuse. "Natalia was a very much loved and cared for member of my family," she states. "She was not abused by anyone in my family." She then calls the allegations of being beaten "just plain false." "If there had been any abuse of Natalia or evidence of it, I would have been found guilty of it and I would be in jail," she wrote while also claiming that Natalia was never abandoned. "I believe Natalia takes advantage of that sympathy to manipulate people," Kristine adds later in her post. "I believe this because I sat through numerous hospital visits and therapy visits trying to understand and help Natalia and thinking we might be able to find the root of the issue. In the end I learned she is a sociopath." She ends her post by stating that she is not Natalia's or Michael's "monster," as Michael had claimed in the docuseries. "Michael Barnett and Natalia Barnett may have the same monster but that monster is not me," Kristine writes. "That monster whether its mental illness sociopathy or whatever it actually is may be different for each of them. But its within their own psyche." Where Is Natalia Grace Now? After the Barnetts moved without Natalia, Antwon and Cynthia Mans took her in in 2013 where she has resided ever since, but the closing minute of last night's episode of Natalia Speaks seemingly revealed that the couple were also growing to mistrust Natalia. Related: Natalia Grace Docuseries Ends with Shocking New Allegation Watch the Jaw-Dropping Final Moments Something ain't right with Natalia. This girl is tweakin," Antwon claimed to show producers in a voiceover. "I feel like she's the enemy in the house. And she said to us, we have held her hostage. Made us look like we're the enemy." "Natalia does not have emotions for nothing but herself," he adds later. "We're done. We're done with her." The Mans family often shared photos with Natalia on their Instagram page. The most recent was on Nov. 23. "Happy Thanksgiving from the Mans family," the caption reads. All 6 episodes of The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks can be streamed on Max. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. President Ronald Reagan signed Martin Luther King Jr. Day into law in 1983, but the federal holiday's first observance didn't occur until Jan. 20, 1986. South Carolina became the last in the union to recognize as a paid holiday for state employees. For anyone who skipped history, King was a Baptist minister and a prominent leader in the American Civil Rights movement, leading nonviolent protests for voting rights, desegregation, labor rights and against the Vietnam War. King led the Montgomery bus boycott, the 1963 March on Washington and the Selma to Montgomery march in 1965. Martin Luther King speaks in Atlanta in 1960. King won the Nobel Prize in 1965 and is also known for his speeches, including his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech, and writings, including his Letter From a Birmingham Jail, which outlined his philosophy of nonviolent resistance. King was assassinated in 1968. A 15-year battle to honor Kings legacy with a federal holiday followed. When is MLK Day? King was born on Jan. 15, 1929, in Atlanta. However, Martin Luther King Day always falls on the third Monday of January each year, so it falls on or near the civil rights leader's birthday. The date the holiday is observed usually ranges from Jan. 15 to Jan. 21, depending on the year. Occasionally, the holiday falls on his actual birthday, as is the case in 2024. What's opened or closed on MLK Day? Since it's both a state and federal holiday, all state and federal offices are closed, including courts, city halls, post offices and other government services. Also, some employers still don't recognize the holiday, so check and see if where you work will let you stay home that Monday. When was MLK Day first recognized in Ohio? An Ohio Senate bill signed into law by then-Gov. Jim Rhodes, on May 2, 1975, officially declared the third Monday of January Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Buckeye State. The state first observed the holiday on January 19, 1976. MLK Day was approved as a federal holiday years later, in 1983. Some states initially resisted the holiday by calling it different names or combining it with other holidays. Alabama and Mississippi notably combine the holiday with Robert E. Lee Day to honor the birthday of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, who was born on January 19. 2000 marked the first year that all 50 states celebrated the holiday, with South Carolina joining the fray. How to observe Martin Luther King Day in Ohio Martin Luther King Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service, encouraging all Americans to volunteer and improve their communities. Several celebrations of Kings legacy are taking place across Ohio. The Ohio History Center in Columbus will hold an annual open house from noon to 4 p.m. The event will feature musical and theatrical performances, art activities and an art exhibition. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati will hold a morning of music, reflection and a call to action on MLK Day. Doors will open at 8 a.m. with a continental breakfast served until 8:30 a.m. when the program begins. Tickets can be purchased online and are $50 for in-person attendance and $25 for a virtual livestream of the event. The Cleveland Museum of Art will host a free celebration of King from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring music and art activities. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland will offer free admission virtually and in-person to a celebration of Kings Life and Legacy. Tickets must be reserved online. The Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition in Cincinnati will hold its 49th annual freedom march at the Freedom Center at 10:30 a.m., followed by a community celebration at noon. The event is free and open to the public in person and online. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: When is MLK Day 2024? How to celebrate the civil rights leader in Ohio Tom Sandoval is yet again embracing his well-practiced villain persona. Hes facing a barrage of criticism from fans and fellow cast members. Why? Oh, just for casually hanging out with a confined tiger. PETA immediately entered the chat to educate the Vanderpump Rules star with a sternly-worded letter after a video surfaced of him cozying up to a tiger at Tiger World Thailand. Toms Thailand tiger experience angers PETA Tom took to his Instagram Stories on Tuesday to share pics and vids of his captive tiger experience. His content showed him feeding the undoubtedly miserable big cats some chicken. Their handlers then attempted to get them to cooperate for a photoshoot with poo-poo head Tom. Even though Toms Story is now obsolete, the internet is forever, and the backlash was swift. PETA took notice quickly and fired off a letter to Tom, which TMZ got a hold of. In their letter, PETA lectures Tom on the apparent ignorance behind his little photo session. When popular folks like you pose with wild animals, people are moved to support pay-to-play animal experiences, for which big-cat cubs are torn away from their mothers prematurely and denied their freedom as well as anything remotely natural and important to them, they scold. PETA then took the opportunity to school Tom on tiger behavior, emphasizing that wild tigers steer clear of humans (Id assume Sandy especially, since even many of us humans dont want to be around him either) and prefer the solitary, reclusive life. They drive the point home, stating, Any human interaction with big cats poses dangers for both humans and the felines, and captive big cats have attacked and killed their captors and visitors. PETA gave Tom some parting advice, saying he should consider consulting them before his next impromptu visit to the zoo. Some of Toms VPR castmates also spoke out against his tiger stunt Photo Credit: Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen via YouTube While Tom managed to escape the tiger encounter physically unharmed, the online world is buzzing with criticism from fans and even his VPR colleagues, Lala Kent and James Kennedy. Lala made a post in her Instagram Stories rebuking her unnamed cast member for patronizing a business that keeps animals in captivity. Photo Credit: @lalakent via Instagram Stories And James, the Statler to Lalas Waldorf, was disgusted by Toms decision as well, speaking out against animal cruelty and resurrecting his oft-quoted Tom-aimed insult of worm with(out) a mustache. Though Id love to see Tom thrown into the lions den and torn to shreds by his angry co-stars when VPR returns, thats the only time he should be messing around with big cats! Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules premieres on January 30 at 8/7c on Bravo. TELL US ARE YOU DISGUSTED BY TOMS TIGER PHOTO OP? SHOULD HE APOLOGIZE? DID TOM KNOW HED RECEIVE NEGATIVE ATTENTION FROM PETA? The post PETA Angry at Tom Sandoval for Posing With Tiger in Thailand appeared first on Reality Tea. To kick off 2024, Pornhub has blocked its website in North Carolina and Montana in protest of the bills from the two states regulating online pornography access. As reported by 404Media, Pornhub has restricted access to its website and other Aylo-operated pornographic content services, which include Brazzers and Redtube, because the states introduced legislation prohibiting users from enjoying porn online without ID verification proving they're 18 or older. Pornhub isn't against the idea of age-gating adult content, but the company wants device identifiers for age verification instead of the methods imposed by the legislation in these states. Per the Associated Press, North Carolina snuck the ID verification to view porn law into its bill on high school computer curriculum, while Montana passed a standalone ID verification law in May, 2023. If people in these states want to view pornographic material online, they will need to present "digitized identification" to verify their age or use a third-party verification tool. If users in these states attempt to access Pornhub, they will be greeted with a video with adult video star Cherie DeVille explaining why they can't use it. In addition, there's a message from the company explaining how the legislation could potentially cause more harm than good. "While safety and compliance are at the forefront of our mission, giving your ID card every time you want to visit and adult platform is not the most effective solution for protecting our users, and in fact, will put children and your privacy at risk," the statement reads. "In addition, mandating age verification without proper enforcement gives platforms the opportunity to choose whether or not to comply. As we've seen in other states, this just drives traffic to sites with far fewer safety measures in place. Very few sites are able to compare to the robust Trust and Safety measures we currently have in place. To protect children and user privacy, any legislation must be enforced against all platforms offering adult content." Montana and North Carolina join a growing list of states with restricted access to Pornhub. Louisiana, Virginia, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Utah already passed legislation similar to that in the other two states. More on this The couple deny that they assaulted the Air Force veteran in a Los Angeles hotel room in 2005. Prince Williams/Wireimage T.I. and Tiny, a.k.a. Clifford and Tameka Harris The Grammy-winning rapper T.I. and his wife, Xscape member Tiny, have been accused of sexual assault in a new lawsuit filed by an anonymous woman in Los Angeles. According to a complaint filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court and reviewed by EW, the plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, claims that T.I. and Tiny, whose real names are Clifford and Tameka Harris, drugged and raped her in a hotel room in 2005. She also alleges that the couple may have victimized other women. Doe's complaint says she was in her early twenties at the time of the alleged incident, and that she was stationed in L.A. as a member of the U.S. Air Force. She claims that Tiny gave her a drink at a club, and shortly after, Doe accompanied the couple to a hotel with two other unknown women. Doe alleges that T.I. and Tiny sexually assaulted her while she was "dizzy and lightheaded" before she lost consciousness, and says she suspects that the couple engaged in similar behavior with other women. T.I., 43, and Tiny, 48, denied the allegations in a statement provided to EW by an attorney. "This plaintiff has been threatening to file this lawsuit for THREE years," they said. "For THREE years, we have emphatically and categorically denied these allegations. For THREE years we have maintained our innocence and refused to pay these extortionate demands for things we didn't do. For THREE years, we've maintained the same position while the claims in this story have changed time and time again. Our position is clear We are innocent of these fake claims, we will not be shaken down, and we look forward to our day in court." Doe's complaint alleges that "T.I. and Tiny have an infamous reputation for drugging, kidnapping, falsely imprisoning, raping and assaulting women and forcing them to engage in sexual acts with the couple for their own sexual gratification," citing a 2021 New York Times article wherein multiple individuals including Doe accused the couple of assault. The accusers also enlisted a lawyer at the time to request criminal inquiries from law enforcement. Los Angeles prosecutors previously declined to pursue charges against T.I. and Tiny in the alleged incident with Doe, citing the statute of limitations. Doe's complaint Tuesday was filed under California's Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, which extended the statute of limitations for sexual abuse claims. Related content: Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly. New Zealand authorities reported that the victim "received a significant laceration to her leg that required treatment from emergency services" Getty A tiger shark front view as it breaks the water surface with mouth open and teeth showing A woman was bitten by a shark on Monday around 2 a.m. local time while "walking in knee-deep water" in a Riverton, New Zealand estuary, the Southern District Police said in a statement on Facebook. The 21-year-old unidentified victim received a significant laceration to her leg that required treatment from emergency services," the Southern District Police said. A Hato Hone St John ambulance spokesperson said that the victim was in a serious condition" and was "transported to Southland Hospital," reports RNZ. The victims mother told the New Zealand Herald that her daughter was in the ICU and "doing well after surgery," but she still has a long recovery ahead of her." She is a very strong woman, and I know that she will get through this," added the mother. "Recovery will be slow; however, in time, she will be okay. Law enforcement said in the statement that the "time of day is a possible factor" of the attack. Additionally, authorities speculate the shark is a sevengill shark due to the species presence in the estuary. The sevengill shark is also one of the countrys more common inshore sharks, per New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. Related: School Teacher Believed Killed in Shark Attack at South Australia Beach: 'I Saw His Board' DAVID ROWLAND/AFP via Getty New Zealand beach in Orewa, north of Auckland, on March 5, 2021 This shark is a bit of a biter, and may be aggressive when provoked, and can survive in just a meter of water," the NIWA notes. NIWA principal scientist Dr. Malcolm Francis shared that when the sevengill sharks jaw is open, it looks like a saw-edge. The shark has serrated teeth that slant sideways and have multiple sharp cusps. Related: How to Prevent a Shark Attack and What to Do If Bitten? An American Lifeguard Association Expert Weighs In Getty Great white shark swims off the coast of Monterey Bay, California. Riverton Coastguard president Ross McKenzie told RNZ that he was surprised by the attack. "As far as I am aware that's the first shark attack of that kind in the estuary around Riverton, McKenzie told the outlet. I have been here around 20 years and it's the first I've heard anything like that. "But as I say this is the first one I've known of, I don't know the history in years gone by, McKenzie added. But I don't think there have been any shark attacks in this area. One out of the blue you'd hope." 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. While McKenzie was surprised by the news, he told RNZ that local fishermen see and catch the sharks in Riverton often, especially during the evening. Per the police statement, authorities ask those entering the water to follow safety guidelines and avoid late-night swims. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Berlin-based sales agent Pluto Film has pounced on international sales rights to Brazils Malu, the only completely non-European production in this years Sundance World Cinema Dramatic Competition, inspired by first feature director Pedro Freires troubled relationship with his mother Malu Rocha, a Brazilian actor. Since we love to work with new voices in global cinema, we were immediately convinced, that Malu would fit perfectly to Pluto Films line-up, said Pluto Films Benjamin Colle, its managing director and head of sales. More from Variety The film offers a unique storytelling approach from an up-and-coming director, who tackles complex themes like ambition, family, and survival in a specific cultural context with boldness. The films narrative is rich with interpersonal drama and cultural context and its multi-dimensional characters add depth, he added. Freire has taken the personal and structured it around the relationship between three generations of women, the daughter, Joana, is played by Carol Duarte (La Chimera, The Invisible Life of Euridice Gusmao), with Yara de Novaes tackling the challenging role of Malu, and Lili, Malus own mother is a part taken on with gusto by Juliana Carneiro da Cunha (Vazante, Lavoura Arcaica). Malus vocal warmup consisting of laughter opens the film. The levity is fleeting. Malu is used to those around her following her often-changing moods. Her high spirits are often followed by bursts of jealousy, hope, love and anger. Circulating through the film like a wind is trauma. Each character in their way is gripped by it, and it blows in varying ways between them. Over time I began to realize how the trauma of one generation affects the next, how there is an invisible line that connects Lilis traumas to Malus madness. At the end, theres a transmission of ancestral trauma that is very recurrent in real life, said producer Tatiana Leite at Rio-based Bubbles Project. In the film Rocha is troubled by her past glories and hopes: Malu Rocha was an artist of the collective, she lived art as a way of being in the world politically, through the theater companies she participated in, such as Teatro Oficina de Sao Paulo, said Freire. I believe that her self-centeredness emerges as a way of protecting herself from the troubles of life, she added. In the film, we dont know if her emotional instability comes from the traumas of the dictatorship, a difficult separation with her ex-husband, her violent relationship with her own mother, the lack of money, the structural sexism that makes it difficult for a middle-aged actress to get a job. Probably all of these things at the same time. She is a meteor, powerful, burning fast, Freire observed. We are convinced that Malu will resonate with audiences across the globe, as it is not only a film for people interested in independent global cinema, but for all who like to engage with varied and non-traditional life experiences: Audiences who like to reflect on diverse family dynamics and gender role discussions, as well as social issues and challenges, Colle added. Malu, heads to Sundance as its only fully Brazilian production. Producing any project in Brazil under Bolsonaro was a challenge. Pedro presented to me the idea of Malu right after President Dilmas impeachment, a moment when several things in our country started to fall apart, Leite told Variety. Development for the project was completed without external support, and the completed script sat waiting for funds to open up. Finally the Rio City cinema agency Riofilme, after a few years paralyzed, opened a new call for film projects, a tough one, with more than 650 submissions, because there were many projects like ours, waiting for an opportunity, but we won a subsidy, and one year after, among the adversities of a low-budget film in a big city like Rio, weve made it, Leite added. Bubbles Projects, whose recent titles include co-producing San Sebastian winning and Goya-nominated Puan, produced Freires debut alongside TvZero (Gabriel and the Mountain), its production partner on prior Sundance title Loveling. The production prioritized the craft of acting by carving out a rare three-week rehearsal period from their tight budget. Embracing a modified Cassavetes methodology, the cast engaged in unscripted improvisations, using the screenplay as a loose guide rather than a strict blueprint. This preparation enabled the crew to capture the essence of each scene in just one or two takes. The 100-page script completed shooting in 18 days. Rehearsals are very important in my work, I rehearsed with the actors in all my short films, and I think I learned some of that from directing theater. Its during rehearsals that I discover what film were making, and adapt everything to fit the actors souls. I dont look for actors who fit pre-conceived characters, I write and rewrite the characters for the actors Im interested in working with, said Freire. The prestige of Sundance is a marker of quality projects being produced in a culturally revitalized Brazil. Leite is optimistic of what the return of Lula could bring given his track record, particularly with regards to a regional approach to cultural funding. Lulas previous government generated a very singular phenomenon in Brazil, that I dont see anywhere else in the world: New filmmakers (directors, producers, technicians) emerging from all the different regions of the country started to make their own films, telling their own story, regional funds were established (some even resisted even during Bolsonaros government, like for example in Pernambuco and Minas Gerais), and together with the regional quotas system for the main public funds, FSA, (reopened last year), new voices from North to South can be noticed. she said, I believe Brazilian cinema now is really representing the diversity of the country with the genuine gaze of those who belong to these places and realities. Such a diverse country can finally be represented in images with its diversity. Malu world premieres at Sundance Jan. 21. Led by Daniela and Benjamin Colle as co-CEOs since Jan. 2022 and ocusing on arthouse and cross-over films, especially those by emerging talents, but with a passion for family films and elevated genre, Pluto Films latest pickups take in Empty Nets from director Behrooz Karamizade, which won the Special Jury Prize in main competition at Karlovy Vary and Feature Fiction Award, the top prize at Australias Adelaide Film Festival. This year, Pluto Film also acquired Forever-Forever, Ukrainian filmmaker Anna Buryachkovas first feature which world premiered at Venices Horizons Extra. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Inspiration is all around, or so the adage goes. Its certainly true of nature photography. The ordinary bluebottle or whiskered dandelion can take on otherworldly qualities when captured by the right person. Serhii Miroshnyk is one of those people. This month, the Ukrainian photographer won Wiki Loves Earth, an international photography contest now in its 10th year, which received over 60,000 entries from 50 countries. His winning entry, of a common tiger beetle resting on top of an acorn, was captured using a macro lens. Macro photography is a wizardry of sorts, capable of making the tiny titanic: a dew drop clinging to a leaf, a caterpillar curled up in the bark, or in Miroshnyks case, the glinting exoskeleton of a beetle magnified. Miroshnyk first picked up a film camera when he was at school. Growing up in Kyiv, he was surrounded by creatives. At that time, my friends were people who drew, wrote poems, learnt to make translations of literary works, says Miroshnyk. His father who painted in his youth and played guitar helped cultivate his creativity but after graduating from art school in 1938, Miroshnyk abandoned the art world altogether for 20 years. He didnt pick up a camera again until he was almost 40. At the age of 38, I had this inexplicable, obsessive desire to buy a digital camera and start taking photos again, Miroshnyk explains. He turned to books by the American photographer, Scott Calby, which brought him up to speed with the technicalities of digital photography. It wasnt until 2014 that Miroshnyk began exploring the possibilities of a macro lens, after meeting fellow Ukrainian photographer Serhii Golubenko. I was captivated by this genre of photography, he explains. That captivation grew stronger with time. Today, he names Vyacheslav Mischenko as one of his key influences, another macro photographer from Ukraine who won the Discovery of the Year prize at the 2014 International Photography Awards. Macro photography allows us to see what we cannot see in everyday life, to move into the wonderful world of insects and flowers, writes Mischenko. Early in the morning, when I am somewhere between dream and reality, a viewfinder creates a sense of presence in some incredibly beautiful and mysterious world. Miroshnyk tends to take his photos in forests near where he lives in Kyiv. Occasionally, hell stay overnight in a faraway dacha, which are seasonal homes in rural idylls that resemble something like a cottage out of a fairytale . His winning photograph of the beetle was taken in the Kyiv nature reserve a context that brings with it an acute awareness of the natural worlds increasing fragility. Miroshnyks long career in nature photography has taught him a robust sense of patience, as well as a sensibility to the whims of the natural world. I know what time of year and where to find a particular flower or insect, he says. Each has its own habitat and time of life. Wind speed, humidity, time of the day these are all factors he must consider before setting off with his camera. He enjoys a broad variety of subjects, not just the little wonders of this world. Miroshnyk is also a gifted landscape photographer, having produced spectacular images of the Carpathian mountain range in Central Europe as well as the golden woodland of his home country. He hopes to visit Iceland one day, to connect with nature in what he believes to be its purist form. Iceland is the place where I dream to go to feel the power of huge waterfalls, majestic mountains, the eternal glaciers of pristine nature, he says. I want to get in touch with its pristine nature. The war in Ukraine has inevitably had a huge impact on the lives of artists. Regardless of whether you are a salesman or a photographer or a cook, if you are a patriot of your country, you will go to defend your homeland, says Miroshnyk, who volunteered as a soldier in 2022. He was later wounded and suffered a concussion, which took him out of action entirely. The winner of Wiki Loves Earth 2023 (Serhii Miroshnyk) I know many photographers who are on the frontlines now, defending their country, Miroshnyk says. Since the beginning of Russias invasion, he adds, photography bans have been implemented across the country, limiting the creative scope of photographers. The ban includes such subjects as military personnel, equipment, government buildings and the sites of missile strikes. Despite the war, however, the countrys arts scene has not come to a complete standstill. Photography exhibitions and competitions continue to take place amid the fighting. You could say that photography has absorbed me completely, Miroshnyk says. I cant imagine myself without it. Im always trying to convey peace, calmness, contentment and love for the environment through my photography. The microscopic perspective, he says, offers a new entry into the natural world. Miroshnyks photographs are a part of that; its hardto walk away from his work without a new childlike awe at the world around us not least the tiny wonders that inhabit it. The sale, with discounted flights across nearly its entire network, ends tomorrow. Chad Slattery/Courtesy of Alaska Airlines Airlines continue to roll out deals to jumpstart bookings in the New Year. Alaska Airlines' "2024 Takeoff Sale" has flight deals available from nearly all of the 115 destinations Alaska flies to. The sale is currently available until tomorrow, Jan. 5, at 11:59pm. The discounted flights vary in departure dates with the top deals including: Las Vegas to Los Angeles for $39 or 4,500 miles Austin to San Diego $69 Tucson,to Orange County, California for $69 Austin to Portland, Oregon for $99 New York (JFK) to Palm Springs for $149 New York (JFK) to San Diego for $119 or 10,000 miles Anchorage, AK to Honolulu for $232 The fare sale also extends beyond cash transactions, as members of Alaska's Loyalty Plan can redeem miles for discounted rates for some of the flights. Alaska Airlines is based in Seattle, WA and operates a fleet of 231 Boeing 737 aircraft and 83 Embraer 175 aircraft. The airline recently made headlines for a proposed purchase of Hawaiian Airlines, which is currently subject to government approval. Beyond the domestic and international destinations Alaska Airlines serves, the airline has an extensive route map within Alaska servicing Barrow (known for views of the Northern Lights), and Kodiak (known for fishing and hiking) from Anchorage. The airline has been expanding its flights operations with the announcement of flights from New York JFK to Anchorage, Alaska with daily service starting on June 13, 2024, and a new partnership with Porter Airlines in Canada to provide flights to Toronto. For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. Garment factories in Bangladesh have sacked hundreds of workers following October and Novembers violent protests over the revised minimum wage, while still more are in hiding from potential arrest, unions representing half a million workers told Reuters. The unionsthe Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation, the National Garment Workers Federation and the Bangladesh Garments Workers Unity Council, estimate that between 1,000 and 5,000 workers have either been fired over the past two months or are currently on the run. More from Sourcing Journal But Faruque Hassan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, an influential trade group, told the outlet that he was unaware of any contractions in the workforce, adding that it would act if any such incidents are brought to our notice. Bogu Gojdz, campaign coordinator at the Clean Clothes Campaign, the garment industrys largest consortium of trade unions and labor rights groups, told Sourcing Journal that its members on the ground are keeping track of terminations, which they peg at somewhere between 3,000 and 4,000, though a clearer picture will emerge over the next two weeks. Nazma Akter, president of the union Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation and executive director of the advocacy group Awaj Foundation, also puts the number of axed workers at around 3,000, though she said the number could be more. The workers are still miserably suffering, she said. Many of them have lost their job [or faced] attendance deduction. Furthermore, injury, lack of proper treatment and medical cost, Legal support, food and other daily necessities of living are missing. So now they are [living] a very insecure life with multiple crises, including mental trauma and fear, to save both life and job. Akter said that the police have continued to threaten workers. Even factory owners, she noted, have been forcing their employees to resign from their jobs without compensation. Her organizations have been doing what they can to ameliorate the situation. They are still scared to come forward, to complain and come to us, she said. We gave shelter to some of the workers in our office against whom false cases were filed. We tried to come to an agreement with the factory management for the withdrawal of the lawsuits. Also we have helped those workers to reinstate their jobs who have lost their jobs. Conditions are particularly fraught as the South Asian nation heads into general elections this weekend, with 300 parliamentary seats up for grabs. The ruling Awami Leagues chief rival, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, is boycotting the Jan. 7 polls over its insistence that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas government cannot ensure free and fair votes. This all but guarantees that the 76-year-old leader will cinch her fourth straight and fifth overall term in office despite a wobbly economy and shrinking dollar reserves that necessitate a $4.7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout. In December, the IMF executive board cleared its first review, instantly releasing a second tranche of $468.3 million that brought total disbursements under the extended credit facility to $936.6 million. The boards approval also unlocked $221.5 million in support of the countrys climate financing needs. Bangladeshs economy has continued to face economic challenges. External headwinds, coupled with initially inadequate domestic policy response, have made macroeconomic management challenging, Rahul Anand, IMF mission chief for Bangladesh, said at a press briefing at the time. An unprecedented reversal of the financial account deteriorated the overall balance of payments in FY2023, leading to continued pressures on FX reserves and the taka. It was skyrocketing living costs that brought garment employees to the streets en masse to demand a higher floor wage, one that was ultimately set at 12,500 Bangladeshi taka ($114), or far less than the 23,000 taka they said would rescue them from the knife-edge of poverty and starvation. Four workers were killed in the ensuing chaos and at least 115 were thrown in jail alongside political dissidents who were demonstrating at the same time. Scores more risk arrest: some 43 First Information Reports listing more than 20,000 unnamed workers have been filed in police stations, according to the Worker Rights Consortium, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group. Those in the know say that separating politics from the wage-setting process has been difficult, meaning that a better understanding of where things stand will only be possible after election day. Security will have an outsized presence at the polls with the deployment of nearly 750,000 police, paramilitary and police auxiliaries, plus members from the army, air force and navy. Some 127 foreign observers will be overseeing the voting process, the initial results of which should be available by Jan. 8. An appearance of democracy, at minimum, will be crucial. Already, the United States has said that it would impose visa sanctions on individuals undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh. That, along with a recent presidential memorandum outlining the Biden administrations commitment to global worker rights, including a desire to hold to account those who threaten, who intimidate, who attack union leaders, labor rights defenders, labor organizations has created an additional frisson of unease. Meanwhile, opposing stories have emerged from workers and their employers. Delowar Hossin, a garment worker with Ducati Apparels, a Boohoo supplier in Ashulia, told Reuters that he was fired in early December without explanation or severance. I was just blocked from entering the factory, he said. Ducatis managing director, Khayer Mia, on the other hand, said that no workers had been axed. And that even though the factory had to shutter for 10 days at the height of the protests, during which 15 to 20 workers vandalized the facility, Ducati paid full salaries to all its employees. I love my workers and factory like my family, Mia said. Gojdz said that brands sourcing from Bangladesh must publicly condemn any retaliation against the workers, as well as immediately investigate cases of firings and blacklisting among their suppliers. Many brands sourcing from Bangladesh, including Inditex and Puma, have publicly committed to protecting the workers right to freedom of association specifically in the context of the Bangladesh minimum wage revision, yet failed to take meaningful action to fulfill this commitment, she said. Brands need to live up to their own promises and use their leverage to end the retaliation against workers who exercised their right to protest poverty wages. On a deserted island off the west coast of Australia in the summer of 1629, mayhem reigned. Pitted against one another were several groups of sailors, naval officers, civilians and their wives and children, all of whom were competing either for vast, almost ludicrous amounts of treasure or, in many cases, their very lives. The whole murderous shebang was presided over by a failed businessman-turned-would-be warlord, who saw the whole thing as the opportunity of a lifetime, even as he was responsible for limitless amounts of misery. Yet as these factions struggled to outdo one another in bloodshed and treachery, they could never have imagined that, centuries later, their shenanigans would give rise to one of the most popular television series of recent years. The historical events that led to the carnage and, as we shall see, to the BBC hit The Traitors were themselves unprecedented. On October 29 1628, the Dutch vessel Batavia set sail from Texel in Northern Holland, bound for the Dutch East Indies over 7,000 miles away. It should have been a relatively routine trip, with its purpose being the acquisition of spices, a hugely valuable and desirable commodity that was traded by the Dutch version of the East India Company, the so-called VOC, which had established itself as one of the most powerful and affluent businesses on the earth over the previous two decades. The VOC was considerably more than just a trading company, and held a range of powers that meant that it literally held matters of life and death in its hands. It was legally able to do everything from waging war on other territories and businesses to executing convicts and even establishing its own colonies, which would then be funded by currency that it had itself struck. Claudia Winkelman in The Traitors - Mark Mainz/BBC It was through this mixture of ruthlessness and pragmatism that the VOC had built a reputation as the leading spice trading company in the world, and those who captained its ships were highly regarded sailors and deeply ambitious men who wished to make their own fortunes and reputations in the process of these long and hazardous voyages. Complete the lengthy and dangerous journey safely, and you could make your name forever, but there were enormous risks, not least the knowledge that, in a time before accurate maritime measurements, the ships could easily end up wrecked or hundreds of miles off course. And, just as dangerously, a clash of characters between men dominated some might say blinded by ambition could lead to uncertain, even fatal, consequences. It did not help that there was an existing animosity between the fleets commander Francisco Pelsaert, who was responsible for the eight vessels that the Batavia was serving as the flagship of, and the Batavias skipper Ariaen Jacobsz; the two had previously encountered one another in India two years previously, in the Dutch trading post of Suratte, and an angry Pelsaert had humiliatingly scolded Jacobsz for becoming drunk and disrespectful. Jacobsz had not only brooded on the slight ever since their meeting, but was determined to take revenge. He enlisted the assistance of Pelsaerts deputy commander Jeronimus Cornelisz, a former apothecary who was in desperate need of funds, and presented him with a simple solution to their troubles. If they could seize control of the ship, loaded with vast quantities of gold and silver, then they would be able to lead carefree new existences somewhere thousands of miles from Holland, far from the reach of the VOC. And if Pelsaert, and others, had to perish to make this a reality, then so be it. An image from the 1647 Dutch book 'Unlucky Voyage of the Ship Batavia' - Alamy Cornelisz bided his time until the Batavia passed the Cape of Good Hope, and then deliberately steered the ship away from the others in the fleet, as well as provoking incidents on board that were designed to paint Pelsaert in the worst possible light, not least by orchestrating the sexual assault of the female passenger Lucretia Jans, a merchants daughter who was travelling to join her husband in the newly formed colony. All told, there were around 340 passengers on board the Batavia, a mixture of sailors, officers and soldiers and wealthy private citizens; the presence of women and children was far from unusual, but would soon prove combustible. Given Corneliszs behaviour, it was unforeseen but almost inevitable that, on June 4 1629, the Batavia struck Morning Reef, off the coast of Western Australia, and was shipwrecked, leading to the death of many of the passengers. Those who survived were able to travel by longboat to the deserted Houtman Abrolhos Islands, where they, led by Pelsaert, swiftly realised that the absence of drinkable water and edible food meant that they would not be able to survive for long without rescue. Pelsaert elected to take a small, hand-picked crew, including Jacobsz, and head to the ships original destination itself called Batavia in search of rescue and fresh supplies. After a suitably torrid journey, they eventually reached safety, and were given a new ship, Sardam, with the mission both of rescuing the survivors marooned on Houtman Abrollhos, and, more pressingly, the riches that would have been left on the Batavia. Yet when they returned, they could barely have imagined the horrors that had ensued in their absence. It might seem a strange leap from a 17th century tale of piracy, bloodshed and betrayal to the BBCs current hit show, the Claudia Winkleman-fronted The Traitors, returning for its second series, but the events that ensued on a deserted island in Western Australia initially inspired the Dutch series De Verraders, the basis of the British show. As everyone who saw the original series knows, the tension and intrigue of The Traitors is derived from the two warring factions, the Faithful and the Traitors, who are pitted against one another in an attempt to win a cash prize. A replica of the Batavia in the Netherlands - Alamy The setting for both the British and Dutch shows is a grand castle, but according to the programmes original developer Jasper Hoogendoorn, the original idea was to stage it on board a ship, and essentially recreate the events of the Batavia in 1629, albeit one where the violence is psychological rather than bloody. As Hoogendoorn said at the Edinburgh TV festival in 2023, Its a story about people who murder each other, backstab each other, betray each other. Its a horrible story. But it was such a fascinating story and I was thinking its also exciting. Its so exciting to read that story and thats where the whole idea came to create the show. The Dutch broadcaster RTL balked at the cost that the shipbound antics would have led to, and so the castle location was regarded as an acceptable compromise. But the idea of two warring factions, implacably vying with one another in order to obtain riches, remained albeit, and necessarily, in diluted form. As Pelsaert and his men left the islands, Cornelisz made his way back to the survivors, after vainly attempting to plunder the shipwreck of the Batavia for profit. Although he had no military or naval experience, he was able to take control of the remaining men and women, creating a council that would impress his authority on the survivors. Yet he swiftly realised that, with limited supplies, there was little chance of being able to keep everyone alive, and, in due course, the resentful and angry population of this makeshift colony would turn on him. What he then did was, in its own grotesque way, a stroke of genius. He divided up the survivors into groups, and anyone who was a potential threat was marginalised. This included a group of soldiers led by Wiebbe Hayes, who were sent off to Wallabi Island on the pretext of finding drinkable water, and told that they would be rescued when they did so, but were instead stranded. Cornelisz himself retained all the weapons and such food and water as they possessed, meaning that he now had the power of life and death over everyone. It would be the latter that he mainly exercised. The fort on West Wallabi island constructed by Dutch soldier Wiebbe Hayes following the Batavia shipwreck - Alamy Cornelisz then convinced many of the survivors that their fellow shipmates had committed crimes such as theft, and that they deserved to be executed for their offences. Over the subsequent days, he saw to it that those who might have remained loyal to the VOC were either publicly murdered or surreptitiously drowned or stabbed. The women including Jans, who was reserved for Corneliszs own use were turned into sex slaves and raped repeatedly. With the only men who could have proved a serious threat to his authority, in the form of Hayes and the other soldiers, exiled without weapons, he began to consider his options, which included hijacking any rescue ship that Pelsaert and his men returned with, killing everyone he considered disloyal, and eventually founding his own kingdom, paid for with the gold and silver left on the Batavia. He could have succeeded, had it not been for the inconvenient fact that Hayes and his fellow military men both discovered drinkable water on Wallabi and had been alerted to Corneliszs nefarious activities by his fleeing victims. After they returned to the main settlement, a pitched battle ensued between the two factions, which nearly saw Cornelisz and his men gain the upper hand before the return of Pelsaert and his men aboard the Sardam. Appraised of the horrors of the situation by Hayes, Pelsaert swiftly ordered that Cornelisz and his lieutenants should be hanged on nearby Seal Island, although not before having their hands removed, and most of the other malefactors were subsequently tortured to death by grim methods including keel hauling and being broken on the wheel at sea. Jacobsz, perhaps surprisingly, escaped this fate, by refusing to admit his culpability, even under torture, and was believed to have died in prison subsequently. A sign marking the fate of the Batavia on East Wallabi Island - Alamy Although Hayes was promoted and hailed as a hero, Pelsaert was regarded as culpable for the incident, and, after being stripped of his assets, died in disgrace within the year. Still, from the VOCs perspective, the incidents, while horrendous, were not financially ruinous; of the 12 cases of gold and silver that the Batavia had been sailing with, 10 were recovered and safely transported back with the Sardam. The incidents remain a source of grim fascination in Holland, and beyond, and an indication of how venal and bloody human nature can be, especially where vast riches are involved. At the time, they were more or less hushed up, never to be spoken of, but there has been continued fascination as to the murderous goings-on of 1629. The recent discovery of archaeological relics that reveal everything from a mass grave containing the bodies of a dozen victims of the massacre to the presence of makeshift weapons and the remnants of the gallows where Cornelisz and his fellow malefactors were summarily executed reminds us that this story and its grim legacy continues to linger in the popular imagination. Sorry, Claudia et al, but The Traitors even at its most backstabbingly complex cannot come close to the real-life events that lurk in its DNA. 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 California State Assembly Select Committee on Retail Theft held its first meeting days before Christmas, with legislators and industry stakeholders discussing the ongoing retail crime epidemic. Participants at the Dec. 19 meeting addressed Californias current legal landscape and how crime affects retail businesses. Much of the hearing focused on how Proposition 47 has changed the way shoplifting is prosecuted. Some believe lax standards encourage retail theft and organized retail crime. More from Sourcing Journal The 2014 law raised the threshold for felony shoplifting charges from $400 to $950. A 2022 amendment specified that if the value of stolen property exceeds the felony threshold via distinct but related acts that are motivated by one intention, one general impulse, and one plan, the value can be aggregated to a grand theft charge. That means repeat shoplifters can be charged for the totality of their crimes. Under California law, grand theft is a wobbler offense, meaning that it can be prosecuted as either a felony or a misdemeanor. After the point of arrest, people arrested for felonies or wobblers are taken to jail and booked and held in jail until arraignment, whereas the default is the reverse for crimes that are straight misdemeanors, and theyre typically cited in the field and released, said Caitlin ONeill, a fiscal and policy analyst with the Legislative Analysts Office. While many legislators, retailers and law enforcement officials blame Prop. 47 for emboldening criminals, panelists largely agreed that more data is needed in order to better assess retail crime trends and identify actionable targets. Magnus Loftstrom, policy director and senior fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California, said part of the confusion around retail crime trends stems from the way theyre defined and charged. Its important to look not only at shopliftinga subcategory of larceny involving goods valued at less than $950but higher-value retail theft, which is categorized as commercial burglary, and commercial robbery, involving theft by force. Agencies vary in how they report and categorize offenses, and there is no specific designation for smash-and-grab incidents or organized retail theft. Whats more, theres no statewide data beyond December 2022, and the intel involves what people decide to report to law enforcement agencies. Retail theft is likely underreportedespecially low-value theft, Loftstrom said. Current data shows Californias big cities have seen increases in shoplifting, with incidences up 29 percent in San Francisco from a 2019 baseline. Commercial burglaries increased by 29 percent in Los Angeles and 54 percent in Orange County. L.A.s commercial robbery jumped 13 percent during the same period, making it the states highest in 2022. The largest net increases in commercial robbery were seen in Fresno County (51 percent) and Sacramento (29 percent), and incidents have recently appeared to be on the uptick in smaller counties, Loftstrom said. Despite the data collection challenges, California Retailers Association (CRA) president Rachel Michelin told the committee that retailers are not exaggerating the problem of retail theft. Some of the trade groups members claim law enforcement told them not to contact police unless store associates or customers are threatened with violence. Some retailers do not call law enforcement for every instance of shoplifting due to the volume of theft happening, she added. While we know some retailers have internal policies do not call law enforcement for every single incident, we also know law enforcement may have internal policies on what crimes they will respond to, Michelin continued. This creates a patchwork of policies that vary from city to city, law enforcement agency to law enforcement agency, which leads to skewed data on the real impact of retail theft. Even without concrete numbers, the focus should be on tougher penalties for retail criminals, especially repeat offenders Michelin said. CRA wants suspects charged with petty theft who have prior convictions to face harsher charges. It also wants changes to the penal code that clarify the rules for aggregating thefts into a single grand theft charge, and wants shoplifters subject to multi-jurisdictional prosecution when they commit crimes across the state. The growth of retail theft and the damage it causes communities dictates that something needs to be done to ensure there are consequences to prevent this criminal behavior from entering our stores and deter it from continuing to escalate, Michelin said. Costa Ricas trade czar wants to solidify the countrys relationships with North Americas biggest markets. Minister of trade Manuel Tovar has recently traveled to Canada and the U.S. in hopes of persuading state officials to allow Costa Rica to join the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement (USMCA). While Costa Rica is a part of the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement, the CAFTA-DR jacket is a little tight for us and we need one that fits us better, he said during a November interview with the Americas Society. There seems to be good consensus that Costa Rica, like no other country in Latin America, can fit in this agreement. More from Sourcing Journal Tovar said that CAFTA-DRs provisions and benefits dont suit the Central American nation. But USMCA would complement Costa Ricas participation in CAFTA-DR, allowing the nation of some 5.1 million to bolster exports. President Rodrigo Chaves, a former finance minister and World Bank official elected in 2022, has focused on driving economic growth by pursuing new free trade agreements and courting foreign investment from global companies that make semiconductors, electronics and medical devices, which account for some 40 percent of national exports. Costa Rican officials met with President Joe Biden and lawmakers from Barbados, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Uruguay in November at the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (APEP) Leaders Summit. The framework for regional cooperation, which Biden introduced in 2022, aims to strengthen Western hemisphere supply chains focused on clean energy, semiconductors and medical supplies. It will include an investment platform to funnel capital into green infrastructure and an accelerator program for entrepreneurs. APEP is not a traditional trade agreement, however, and its provisions and benefits to participating partners have not been fully fleshed out. U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Katherine Tai called it a new type of economic arrangement, anchored on cooperation to build our economies from the bottom up and the middle out. Tovar, who has repeatedly said that the agreement isnt moving along as quickly as he hoped, believes Costa Rica is more eager for progress than Washington. It doesnt mean that theres no progress. Its just that right now, the U.S. has entered a few months ago into the electoral mood, and certainly this could have impacts on progress under APEP, he told Politico. Tovar is determined to strengthen Costa Ricas trade status through existing trade agreements. Last month he visited Canada to meet with Mary Ng, the countrys minister of export promotion, international trade and economic development, to discuss their 21-year bilateral trade relationship and shared commitment to sustainable innovation. Costa Rica, Canadas second-largest Central American trading partner, is committed to reaching $1 billion in bilateral trade with the North American nation this year. Tovars efforts to promote Costa Ricas inclusion in USMCA havent fallen on deaf ears, according to Q Costa Rica, an independent news outlet, which last week reported that the country is in talks to sign the three-nation agreement. The trade ministry hasnt released an official statement regarding the discussions, though Tovar shared the article on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday. Three Kings Day, January 6th, marks the beginning of festivals in Black communities with cultural branches from New Orleans to Brazilbut there's more. Erika Goldring/Getty Images Carnival season typically marks the beginning of Lenta period of fasting with Roman Catholic roots. But before the Romans adopted this idea of a big feast and celebration before a period of religious abstinence, the concept of carnival had already originated as an annual pagan festival in ancient Egypt to celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring. There would be processional dancing, singing, and big, theatrical presentations depicting their great ancestor and God, Osiris. Through invasions, the celebration migrated to the Greeks and then to the Romans where it was given a Christian focusit then spread throughout Europe. Through rampant colonization and slavery, the concept of carnival was exported further around the world. Colonial powers would continue their Christian traditions and have masquerade balls on the days leading up to Lent. They would dress up, dance, and indulge in various foods, especially meat. Eventually, enslaved Africans started incorporating their traditions and styles from back home. Importantly, they added their flair to the celebrations, influencing what pre-Lenten carnival and other celebrations looked like in these regions. For example, Caribbean carnival celebrations first involved the burning of sugarcane. In them, enslaved Africans would do processions with drums and sticks, to reconnect them to their ancestors while acting as a show of defiance to their white masters. Post-emancipation, this celebration continued. Music wasand still isan essential part of these festivities. Enslaved Black people felt it necessary to create musical forms and realities to which they could relate so that they could survive the horrors of their situation. Calypso music, for example, is associated with plantation slavery. It was brought to the Caribbean islands by enslaved West Africans and further developed in Trinidad during the 17th century. People from West and West-Central Africa had their own musical, spiritual, parading, and masking traditions that encountered European-influenced opportunities for celebration in different ways, explains Laura Rosanne Adderley, associate professor of history and Africana Studies at Tulane University in New Orleans. This is true of pre-Lenten carnivals, but also of activities at other times of the calendar year such as Christmas season (which might see jonkonnumany spellings with complex historiescelebrations in Jamaica, Belize, The Bahamas and formerly in some parts of North America) and specifically around Three Kings Day; or Holy Week. So mixing of African influences on Christian-related performance and celebration is importantly not limited to pre-Lenten Carnival. Professor Adderley further acknowledges that we can see influences of indigenous cultures in these celebrations in parts of the Americas where significant indigenous populations survived the colonial encounter. Although you sometimes hear things that try to make explanations for these cultural interactions seem quite tidy, it was usually a complicated and messy business that occurred in multiple places. So it is very hard to definitively say how one thing or another developed in a certain way. It is also important to think about the ways these traditions continued to change over the years after slavery and colonialism ended. CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images Like in the Caribbean, Brazils current form of their world-famous carnival has strong African roots. When Brazil became a colony of Portugal, the Portuguese brought the idea of carnival to the South American country as a street festival. What once was characterized by European dances such as the waltz and polka, was transformed into African-influenced samba and batucada. So while Europeans provided the timing around lent, what really gave life, meaning, and substance to carnival as we know it is enslaved Africans and indigenous cultures, almost as a reclamation of their traditions. Without them, carnival would not have been shaped into what it is today. Connecting Communities Many Black people have been regularly visiting Black-influenced carnival traditions. And we should do more of itespecially families. A lot of the parading and musical traditions around the Americas have either adult themes or boisterous and crowded contexts that would be challenging for families with young children, acknowledges Professor Adderley. But in many places, there are specific events or specific times where families with young children can enjoy these activities. Unfortunately, in some places, there might be fees charged for attending a specific musical event, or getting access to seated areaseither in public or private locations. She goes on to say that despite this, in most circumstances, there are opportunities to sit by roadsides or other public places to experience parading, costuming, and music at no charge. In a place like New Orleans, families can ask locals where would be a good place to sit or stand with kids. Planning is essential, but it is completely doable. Ask good questions, and ask multiple people what they recommend, she suggests. What is great for Black families too is that with a little bit of online research, caregivers can look up some basics about the history of any place to make sure they include facts about the presence of both Africans and Europeans in locations such as Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago or New Orleans. She further addresses the fact that mainstream media often leaves out the large presence of Black people either in the past or in the present. Even tourist-oriented marketing in countries led by people of multiracial heritage often paints pictures for visitors that de-emphasize the origins of present-day populations. When large numbers of Africans encountered European pre-Lenten carnival traditions and opportunities to celebrate, parade, and masquerade in different ways, very interesting things happened, she explains. Despite the horrific origins of slavery, Black creativity is something to be celebrated. We should also remember that many Black communities, especially from the Caribbean, have reproduced pre-Lenten style carnivals, either for touristic purposes at other times of the year, or on other festive occasions in other parts of the world. Three that come to mind are carnivals in summer in Brooklyn (New York, USA), in Toronto (Canada), and in Notting Hill (London, the UK), Professor Adderley continues. These are heavily influenced by immigrants from Trinidad and Tobago, reproducing parts of the carnivals they knew from home. There is also an Antigua and Barbuda carnival for Emancipation Day in August that was in part influenced by immigrants from Trinidad. Families can look into other summer festivals such as the Crop Over in Barbados which had early beginnings on the sugarcane plantations during slavery. Sean Drakes/Getty Images Professor Adderley says that there is no need to be a purist about these celebrations. There can often be a lot of movement around carnival traditions, but this can have advantages for families as they may be able to make trips or plan holidays where the kids can see the legacies of African and Black brilliance and creativity across centuries, at different times of the year. I do think too, especially for kids, it is worth looking into some of the smaller less mass-marketed activities too: kids do not really care what the most popular thing is. If they see stilt walkers in the Virgin Islands for example, and get a little bit of learning about African masking and dance and parading traditions, they will enjoy it, she advises. Her biggest piece of advice is for caregivers to go to a reliable source (such as an online Encyclopedia like Britannica or official tourism sites) and get a little bit of background for their kids to fill in the Black History gaps. Mardi Gras Indians/ Black Masking Indians (in both Trinidad and New Orleans) or stick fighting in the Eastern Caribbean are things you can just look up and get a little education, she says. I think it would be a great goal for Black families to decide that they want their kids at least once, to see how even under the oppressions of slavery, African ancestors made their mark on some of the best-known celebratory traditions in the world. For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Parents. They're pink and the latest must-have consumer fad. Winter pink Starbucks x Stanley cups are flying off the shelves at Targets throughout the country at dizzying speeds and in some cases becoming a hot commodity on eBay and Mercari. The limited edition 40-ounce quenchers were released on Wednesday and have quickly been selling out leading to an after-market run on third-party e-commerce sites. The shimmery bright pink cup is the third product released between Starbucks and Stanley Quencher, with a peachy-pink matte cup released in May and a bright red cup released in November. Many Starbucks stores have already sold out of the cup, but theres still a chance you might be able to snag one before they are sold out everywhere. We are seeing an enthusiastic response to the Starbucks x Stanley Quencher, a company representative shared with USA TODAY Wednesday afternoon. People have flocked to Target since the cup's release, arguing with one another, waiting in long lines, and camping out overnight to get a chance to purchase the cup as soon as the store opened. Where can I buy the winter pink Starbucks x Stanley cup? The glittery pink cup was only made available for in-store purchase at Target locations nationwide. If your local Target has already run out of winter pink tumblers, your best bet is to head over to eBay or Mercari to see if you can find a dupe. Two other Stanley tumblers, one in Target Red and Cosmo Pink that were reportedly released Sunday online and in Target stores are also out of stock. How much does the winter pink Starbucks x Stanley cup cost? It all depends on where you buy it. If you are fortunate enough to find one at Target, you'll pay $49.95. On eBay, you can find the tumblers up for auction with the lowest price sitting at $72 with zero bids and two days left in the auction so that price won't stay there for long. Of course, this is a hot item and capitalism being what it is, you can buy one without bidding for $2,000. There is a happy medium with many tumblers sitting in the $200-$300 range. Will the pink Starbucks x Stanley cup be restocked? A Starbucks spokesperson shared that the cup will not be restocked and will only be available for sale while supplies last. Where are Target stores in Delaware If you're feeling lucky and want to head over to Target, here's a list of locations in Delaware. 3240 Kirkwood Hwy, Wilmington, DE 19808-6130 1050 Brandywine Pkwy, Wilmington, DE 19803-1492 800 Christiana Mall, Newark, DE 19702-3216 148 John Hunn Brown Rd, Dover, DE 19901-4708 Got a favorite mug?: Starbucks customers can now use their own personal cups with purchases Leap Day is coming: Why do have Leap Day? What's a Leapling? Here is what you need to know about Feb. 29. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Winter pink Starbucks x Stanley cup are selling out at Target Meteorologist Chris Tomer once again brings the heat (actually, in this case, colder weather predictions...) with a weather forecast that will strike joy into skiers across America, especially those on the East Coast. In today's morning Mountain Weather Update, Tomer details not one, but three storm systems with the potential to bring serious snow. The first storm, which Chris details as happening on the 4th and 5th, is part of the Southern track storm system, moving out of Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico tonight. Tomorrow, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado see "appetizer", pre-storm snow, somewhere between 2 to 6 inches. But between the 6th and the 13th there are two more storm cycles to watch! On 1/12 or 1/13 the storm even brings an "arctic blast", so pack those layers for the hill. Many ski areas see over a foot of snow between the 9th and 13th, with 13 inches for Stevens Pass and Heavenly, 20 inches for Park City, 21 for Alta, and over two feet for Timberline, Mount Shasta, Grand Targhee, and Jackson Hole. Best yet, all three storms are positive for the North East, and they deserve it. At the tail end of last month, resorts across New England were forced to close due to torrential downpours that wreaked havoc on trails and roads alike. Related: Vermont Ski Area Closes After Getting Drenched By Rain Mad River Glen in Vermont, for example, saw 3 inches of rain that damaged mountain operations and snow cover. Ultimately, the mountain paused operations to give the resort "time to drain." MRG wasn't alone: Sugarloaf, Sunday River, Okemo, and Loon were among the long list of paused resorts after the flooding. But now, Chris Tomer is back with the news of snow on the way! From the 4th to the 13th, Sugarloaf is predicted to get 25 inches, Sunday River sees 26, Mt. Washington gets 35 (over three feet!), and Mount Snow gets 26. All Vermont resorts are predicted to receive over a foot of snow, with Jay Peak getting 14 inches, Stowe getting 17, Mad River Glen at 18, Sugarbush at 21, Killington at 16, Okemo at 16, and Magic Mountain at 18. The snow may change to rain in some parts of the storm and then shift back. High winds are also predicted. But, that sounds like sweet redemption to us. Here's to hoping the forecast delivers! Related: Nor'easter To Slam 50+ Million Americans With Snow, Wind, Rain Don't miss another headline from POWDER! Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing. We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging ski-related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you're a professional or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on POWDER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality ski videos. Lululemons billionaire founder Chip Wilson blasted the company for prioritising diversity and inclusivity efforts over exclusivity. In an interview with Forbes, the 68-year-old former athleisure CEO insisted that making Lululemon products more accessible would hurt the brand. He told the outlet, Theyre trying to become like the Gap, everything to everybody. I think the definition of a brand is that youre not everything to everybody, he continued. Youve got to be clear that you dont want certain customers coming in. This isnt the first time Mr Wilson has courted controversy and expressed disdain towards Lululemons whole diversity and inclusion thing, with him having repeatedly sparked outrage over his anti-Asian, sexist, and fatphobic comments. In an interview for Bloomberg Televisions Street Smart in 2013, the founder responded to mounting criticisms that the companys popular leggings were low-quality and see-through, telling the outlet that they were not meant for everyone - namely, curvier women. They dont work for some womens bodies, he said, blaming womens bodies for the leggings becoming see-through. Its really about the rubbing through the thighs, how much pressure is there. A Maryland Lululemon store clapped back at the then-CEOs comments in a poignant window display that said: Love: cups of chai/apple pies/rubbing thighs? It was soon taken down and Lululemon posted an apology on Twitter, now known as X, saying that Mr Wilsons remarks were not reflective of the companys stance. The businessman stepped down as CEO in December of that year, and two years later in 2015, would completely leave the companys board. But before he was publicly ousted, he claimed that he chose a brand name including three Ls specifically because the sound does not exist in Japanese phonetics. Its funny to watch them try and say it, he told Canadas National Post Business Magazine at the time. Despite his claims that inclusivity efforts would spell doom for the company in the long term, he has continued to profit from the company, having recently added nearly $4bn to his net worth since 2020 due to an 8 per cent rise in stake in Lululemon stock. The Canadian company has been actively trying to shake off its reputation as a brand exclusively made for upper-middle-class white women via marketing and instating diversity and inclusion initiatives. In November 2020, the company formed a new department named Inclusion Diversity, Equity, and Action - also known as IDEA - that was tasked to improve the diversity of staff and take the lead on DEI training, development, and discourse. Unfortunately, dozens of employees revealed that the move had been nothing more than tokenistic, and hadnt amounted to any real, substantial change within the company. Employees explained to Business of Fashion that the departments creation was a move to protect the companys reputation, rather than having the best interest of its employees and customers at heart. They claimed that the company would often deny Black employees promotions in favour of less-qualified white counterparts. The company responded to the allegations in a statement to BoF, saying they have made considerable progress since launching IDEA, and we are proud of the goals we have achieved, which include maintaining a continuous two-way dialogue with our people. The world has a new billionaire among its ranks. Nikesh Arora, the CEO of the cybersecurity company Palo Alto Networks, is now worth $1.5 billion, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday. That sum may be impressive enough all on its own, but its even more noteworthy because it makes Arora one of the rare non-founder tech CEO billionaires. More from Robb Report Much of the 55-year-olds wealth comes from his work at Palo Alto Networks. Back in 2018, he was hired by the firm with a $125 million stock and options compensation package. Since then, cybersecurity software has become more lucrative, Bloomberg noted, thanks to notable hacking scandals at casinos, ports, and Treasury markets. Because of that, the companys share price has increased to more than four times what it was in 2018. As a result, Aroras stake in Palo Alto Networks is now worth a whopping $830 million. (A spokesperson for the firm didnt respond to Bloombergs requests for comment.) That eye-popping dollar amount has built on lucrative deals from Aroras past, catapulting him into the stratosphere when it comes to wealth. In 2012, the businessman became the highest-paid executive at Google, with a compensation package worth some $51 million. By the time he left the company in 2014, his stock awards totaled at least $200 million. Arora jumped ship to become the president and COO of SoftBank, where his $135 million first-year compensation package broke records in Japan and made him the highest-paid executive on the planet. As long as he stays at Palo Alto Networksand the company continues to do wellArora seems poised to retain his billionaire status. His 2023 compensation package included up to 750,000 stock awards that vest once certain performance criteria are reached. Currently, theyd add up to $220 million, Bloomberg wrote. Those awards were given to Arora in response to his contributions to the company since he joined five years ago, allowing him to vest $102 million of value each year, according to a proxy statement from Palo Alto Networks given to Bloomberg. Because of this significant vested ownership and the amount that Mr. Arora was projected to vest in over the next several years, the board determined that a meaningful equity award would be necessary to ensure that such award retains and engages Mr. Arora, the company said. Perhaps its time to add some Palo Alto Networks stocks to your portfolio Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. As Daley proclaims, Irish is the future of whiskey." Courtesy Mike Daley has a large personality. And hes got one of the largest private collections of whiskey in the United States to match. Despite owning a sprawling estate in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the boisterous multi-millionaire is running out of bar space to display his liquid bounty, which currently amounts to several thousand bottles of scotch, American, and Irish whiskies. So he squirrels some of it away in filing cabinets, office drawers, and his beach house in coastal Delaware. Some of that effort is just to hide it from my wife, he admits. She seems to think I have a hoarding problem. Related: 21 Whiskey Cocktail Recipes for Every Enthusiast Nevertheless, his latest outsized purchase is one hell want to keep prominently displayed for all visitors to see. Its a walnut-ensconced treasure chest featuring a solitary ovular decanter of the Emerald Isle from The Craft Irish Whiskey Company. Alongside the 30-year-old juice in the box is a bespoke Faberge egg containing an actual emerald gem a custom timepiece, and even a couple of Cohiba cigars. Only seven such sets are in existence. Daley just paid a whopping $2.8 million to call one his own. Last month, a 1926 vintage expression from The Macallan grabbed international headlines as the worlds most expensive whisky ever. It nabbed $2.7 million at auction. Daley outspent that unknown buyer by $100,000, which would mean that he is, in fact, in possession of the priciest aged spirit of all time. Critics argue, however, that The Emerald Isle doesnt qualify for the title because it comes packaged with all those other not-so-insignificant luxury trinkets. But whether its the most expensive or merely one of the most expensive boozes of all time, what possesses a collector to spend so obscenely on one bottle of whiskey? I was on a luxury yacht during the Monaco Grand Prix, and I was surrounded by billionaires playing poker, recalls Daley of the moment he decided to make the purchase. They would continually bet on hands even if they knew they werent going to win. Because losing wasnt an issue. Losing face was the most important thing to avoid. This echelon of people is always going to want what other people cant have. So when it comes to whiskey, theres always going to be a market for something so extravagant and so rare. Courtesy A brand ambassador from The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. happened to be on that same boat and was happy to ensure that the avid collector left Monaco with something quite extravagant and rare, indeed. Daley, who labels himself as an opportunistic collector, sees Irish whiskey, in particular, as the category of spirit with the greatest potential upside. Its no coincidence that the majority of his stockpile consists of limited edition releases from Teeling, Midleton, Redbreast, and various other expressions from Craft Irish. The rebirth of Irish whiskey is relatively new, so I feel like Im getting in on the ground floor, he explains. Luxury scotch, to me, is already a crowded type of market. But were only just starting to see luxury Irish make a name for itself. I guarantee you that in the years to come, it will get to where scotch is today. His powers of prediction have already reaped remarkable dividends. Daley made his fortune in the pharmaceutical space by investing heavily in hyaluronic acid in the previous decade, before it became a hot trend. His big bet in the spirits sector isnt a shot in the dark, either. Its supported by prolonged movement observed on Irish whiskey shelves. Data from the Distilled Spirits Council shows that some super premium spirits within the category have soared by nearly 2,800% in price over the past twenty years. He sees Craft Irish leading that charge in the next twenty years, hence why hes spent millions on their products. Thankfully, for those with more limited budgets, that brand has been veering into more accessibly-priced offerings. Earlier this year, it released The Donn, a dynamically aged single malt brimming with dark chocolate, prune, and cinnamon notes. The bottle, which is expected to retail in the U.S. for around $200, recently won double gold at the John Barleycorn Awards, an international spirits competition. It even inspired one judge to say, I literally have to stop tasting now because following this pour would be like following Hendrix at Woodstock. And that might serve as even loftier praise than someone spending $2.8 million on a luxury set piece. Because, ultimately, it all ought to come down to how the whiskey tastes, not how much it costs. And not how it looks displayed on a countertop or in a filing cabinet, as the case may be. Irish is the future of whiskey, Daley proclaims. And Im excited to be part of it, as a collector, but most importantly as a drinker. For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Food & Wine. Diplomacy is not a subject that many designers dive into, but increasingly some are inclined to air their beliefs cautiously just as select major brands and retailers have too. Without question, cultural milestones like the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements sparked many to share their opinions more publicly. But more recently, social media backlash and threats of boycotts which even large companies like Target, Zara and Adidas have faced have some reconsidering what they choose to speak about publicly. More from WWD Some retailers, fashion brands and high-profile models know that firsthand. Last year, Target came under fire for its tuck-friendly swimwear that was sold and then later pulled from stores during Pride month. Gigi Hadid and influencer Kelly Piquet have faced social media pushback for their views on the Israel-Hamas war. The Palestinian-American Hadid has been criticized for her pro-Palestine views. In November, she apologized for an Instagram post that falsely claimed that Israel is the only country in the world keeping children as prisoners of war. And last month Zara pulled a campaign that some consumers found insensitive to the destruction and human loss in Gaza. With the first U.S. presidential primary just two weeks away and geopolitical unrest around the globe, the opportunity for hearty clashes is only likely to increase in the year ahead. The exterior of a Zara mens store. The publics debates surrounding politics, the environment, and societal and racial relations is well-entrenched nationwide. In fact, the U.S. is the second most polarized country in the world behind South Korea based on a May 2022 study by Pew Research. That trend that is likely to only accelerate as we head into the heated 2024 election, according to Mark Penn, chairman and chief executive officer of the private equity firm Stagwell Global. Brands and high-profile people who decide to speak out on possibly controversial issues must remember that in a 50/50 country, wading into political conversations can pose great risk, he said. More in What to Watch: Womens and Activewear Economy, Election Key Challenges Facing Sportswear Makers At 70, French Luxury Association Comite Colbert Is Firing on All Cylinders Alessandro Micheles Potential Return, New Debuts in Milan Luxury Price Growth Set to Slow Down The Politics of Speaking Publicly About Controversial Issues Deciding whether and how to take action, companies should keep in mind the five key pillars of building a strong brand reputation: know your customer; bring people together; back it up with a track record; dont flip-flop, and get advice from both sides, Penn said. Dennis Basso is of the mindset: The less said, the better. In general, in todays world no matter what the subject is everyone needs to keep their opinions to themselves, he said. Thomas Murphy, a Clark University associate professor of branding and sustainability, compared the relationship between consumers and brands to friendships. You dont want to have your friend lecture you on politics and social issues, even when you generally agree with what they say. Brands should not tell consumers what to think they should engage consumers in ways to add meaningful value, he said. Having consulted with fashion brands, Murphy said, At the end of the day, consumers do not buy from brands that talk about how socially relevant they are. Consumers buy from brands that include them in actually doing good for others, citing Toms and Bombas as examples. A Harris Poll released in May seems to support that stance. Eighty-four percent of the American respondents said companies need a track record of acting on their values to be taken seriously. Neil Saunders, managing director at GlobalData, highlighted how extremely polarized consumers are in relation to politics. That means that any company that takes a side risks alienating some of its consumers, he said. Like all things, there is a balance to be struck. My view is that most corporations will continue to back things like inclusiveness and environmental issues, but they will shy away from more overt political and party politics matters, Saunders predicted. However, the exception would be companies that have well-established stances on various issues such as Patagonias roots in sustainability, he said. Then it makes sense for the brand to continue to push that agenda as it is arguably part of its DNA, Saunders said. Designer and stylist Herve Pierre has dealt with his share of unsolicited opinions for working with Melania Trump in her former role as first lady. If he mentioned that he was working for the Trumps, people would immediately ask why and how he could work with these people without knowing them, Pierre said. It was bizarre because to me, its a job. Pierre continues to worked with Trump as a stylist and did so for her just-out Paris Match profile. His association with the former first lady has cost him some friends. Acknowledging how now more and more people prefer to keep things to themselves, Pierre noted how that is very contradictory to [the fact] that we are extremely lucky to live in a country where we are able to communicate and express our ideas through communication and social media. First Lady Melania Trump donates her inaugural gown, designed by Herve Pierre, to the First Ladies Collection at the Smithsonians National Museum of American History. But Pierre cautioned that a blogger or anyone else could take some of his work or that of a journalist out of context. Consumers need to consider the professionalism of every source, and not immediately jump into a topic and think that what you are reading is true or accurate. Allowing that we always walk on tiptoes, he said, I dont know how to be politically correct, because suddenly I could make a mistake. Its fascinating how everybody is offended immediately. From Pierres standpoint, thats a reality of life people will always disagree about everything. But you cant be offended immediately and immediately comment about how offended you are. Thats a little bit too easy. Despite living in a world absorbed by near-constant communication, he finds it very interesting that some are increasingly inhibited to speak about their views. Everything is controversial. You cannot have a point of view without someone having an army-type battle or having people who are with or against you, Pierre said. Noting how many no longer say things openly that they would have a decade ago, he said, It looks like we are going backwards a little bit. We protect ourselves behind emojis and whatever. That goes back to caveman people and that type of civilization. The cavemen didnt know how to write so they were sketching. Now we are not expressing ourselves with words and explanations, but with images, LOLs, WTFs or whatever, he said, adding that preference does not bode well for word-based professions like journalism. He added that culinary trends have turned in a more primitive direction too with utensils-free food becoming more popular even in France, where he was reached Tuesday and had seen that advertised. What matters in the end for every individual, he said, is your integrity, and how good and smart you are as a person, because unfortunately you wont be able to win [over] a lot of people. Thats what it is. As long as you are OK with yourself, it makes it a bit easy. But sometimes its really tough. Describing some freelance assignments, Pierre said, Sometimes when I go to a job, its interesting to see how they operate and communicate. He has been advised, You cannot say that or We dont have trash so you cannot use paper. However polite that approach might be, given the ongoing discourse about myriad subjects, many consumers are more inclined to sound off about their views. Reminded that some people are more readily sharing their standpoints unsolicited, Basso said, Most of the people that we know as clients or socially stay away from controversy. Nobody wants to be confrontational. Unless, you are really with someone who is like-minded and you share the same view [about a topic], thats a different situation altogether. Then you are basically speaking privately, Basso said. Designer Nanette Lepore recently took action after her alma mater Youngstown State University tapped Bill Johnson, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, as the schools president. She returned an honorary doctorate that she had received from YSU and publicly criticized the choice of the new leader. Some critics suggested that she had been motivated by her brothers status as a local politician, Lepore said during an interview last week. However, Lepore said her father, a former YSU professor, had advised that she had to return it so she did. Its a hall of education its not where politics should be played out, Lepore said. This university has worked so hard to get accreditation. My dad had worked through the whole period of it changing from a private college to a state college to accreditation. And then they bring in these people who have no regard for education. She added, Its just fascinating how our world is becoming less about education. They just want to control people through ignorance. Nanette Lepore Despite her willingness to air her disapproval about that matter, Lepore said corporations and other individuals are being more conservative in speaking out about certain issues. For a few years, you had to take a stand. Now people are feeling like its dangerous to take a stand, because of the backlash that has happened in so many places, she said. Lepore prefers to tread lightly around certain issues, not wanting to weigh in on every issue. But when it comes to Democratic politics and womens health care rights, she will weigh in. But all in all, there are a lot of subjects that she avoids now and those issues were too tempestuous to identify, Lepore said. However, she does plan to use her voice to support Joe Biden in his presidential re-election run. But I think I will limit that to abortion rights and our president. People dont need a fashion designer weighing on everything, Lepore said. From her perspective, there was a point where women were in a safe zone about sharing their views. That is no longer the case, according to the designer, who cited the backlash to the female presidents of Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania, who were widely criticized for their tetimony about campus antisemitism during Congressional hearings last month. Both have subsequently resigned. All in all, Lepore said, Its a hard moment. There is a lot of pain in the world and people dont want to rub it in. Another designer Shoshanna Gruss doesnt find it very tricky to comment on situations that she feels that she cannot be silent about. I also dont feel the need to put my two cents in on every situation that happens on planet earth. she said. However, she will speak up if doing so could possibly help improve a situation such as sharing news of her companys contributions to relief efforts for natural disasters. I would never dare comment about something that I did not fully comprehend or that I could not add something too. Since my brand is named after me, and I own the company, I do not feel that I have to worry about internal politics. Gruss said, adding that she always takes into account her entire team. As a very proud Jewish, American woman and the daughter of two Holocaust survivors, Gruss said she will speak out about Jewish hatred when she sees the need to. Naming the brand Shoshanna was a very conscience decision not to anglicize my name or the brand, to be more accepted. the designer said, I knew that certain people in the world might not want to buy my brand, and I was always absolutely ok with that. Stagwells Penn noted that consumers and fans are more suspicious than ever about false sincerity from their favorite brands and influencers, but they still respect consistency. The aforementioned Harris Poll, which was released in May, seems to support that idea. Seventy-seven percent of respondents said they think most companies apologies for controversies are insincere. Penn said, Consumers ultimately care most about the quality of products and services a lesson that applies just as much to fashion brands selling style and luxury. Former Gap executive Jennifer Sey, who caused a social media firestorm and news coverage with her essay advocating for school reopenings during the pandemic, expects bigger broad-reach brands to start to back away from weighing in on highly polarizing and controversial issues. Last years backlash against Bud Light (for partnering with the transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney) served as a warning of the potential business impact of doing so, according to Sey. Weve seen very few, if any brands, weigh in on the current war in the Middle East though plenty weighed in on Ukraine, she contended. Over time, Sey thinks businesses and brands with large target audiences are going to get back to product and inspiring product-centric marketing in order to sustain and grow their businesses. Smaller, more targeted brands will continue to appeal to their narrower audiences by sometimes weighing in on issues. Because that engages their consumer and they dont need to worry about who it turns off because they arent trying to be for everyone. Sey expects individuals executives, regular employees, influencers and anyone else to continue to hold back if their views are counter to what she described as coastal, left-leaning Democratic Party platform views, since that doesnt ever go well for anyone who does. However, leaders will feel free to express views that are consistent with these left-leaning views because there seems to be no harm in doing so. So its will be POV centric approved views versus unapproved views (which will remain under wraps/un-expressed), Sey said. Best of WWD Handles (on cabinet bench), Anthropologie ; Pendant Lamp and Sconces, Original BTC ; Hooks, Harto ; Wall Paint, Tikkurila ; Floor Tiles, tdk_toprus . When designer Elina Mussakulova toured this 925-square-foot apartment in Almaty, Kazakhstan, she was first greeted not by her client but by a funky odor. Somehow the previous owners made some mistakes while remodeling: The sewage in the bathroom was done incorrectly, which led to an unpleasant smell, recalls Mussakulova, the principal designer at sdelaemremont.kz . But if she was going to make the place even the least bit welcoming for the new owner, she and her team would have to tackle more than just the plumbing. This long apartment appeared uninteresting and even ugly to us, she continues. At first, it seemed impossible to make a good hallway, and, generally, the flat [felt like] some kind of trailer. Today, as you step into the (stench-less!) foyer, youll be greeted by handcrafted Metlakh floor tiles and the sound of music bumping from a retro GPO Bermuda record player. Ahead, in her own words, the designer reflects on how she turned an eyesore of an apartment into an escape. Flowers, Something Else ; Pendant Lamp, Harto ; Desk Chair, Knoll ; Desk Lamp, Original BTC ; Rug, Finarte ; Armchair, Marga von Dardel ; Record Player, GPO Bermuda . blue library wall The biggest design challenge: We didn't like the vast load-bearing transoms coming down from the ceiling in the living room and the bedroom (they happened to be in the middle of the rooms). We didn't understand what to do with them or how to play with them so they could blend nicely into the interior. Another headache was the long corridor. Eventually, instead of trying to hide these construction elements, we decorated them! Now the transoms attract attention with plaster corbels, and the seismic hallway looks like a nicely framed passageway. Flowers, Something Else ; Wall Paint, Tikkurila . The extra-personal touch: The kitchen started with wallpaper by Zak + Fox. I wanted to use this particular wallpaper with monkeys, as they reminded me of our client, Raushan, who is an active young woman with curly red hair. I was honest with her and said I saw the parallel between her and these monkeys while presenting this wallpaper. She laughed and said that she could see the resemblance, too. The purple fruit in the wallpaper gave us the color for the kitchen cabinets. Sink, Blanco ; Faucet, Grohe . Flowers, Something Else ; Towel Ring and Cabinet Handles , Anthropologie; Sink, Creo ; Faucet, Lemark ; Tile, Kerama Marazzi ; Sconces, Socialite Family; Chair, Driade . The decision that felt like a risk: The layout was our biggest risk. In order to create a spacious entry hall, we connected the bathroom directly to the kitchen. But do you really want to have a toilet next to the oven? No! So we created a small room inside of the bathroom to hide the toilet. Pendant and Ceiling Lights, Palefire Studio ; Wallpaper, Zak + Fox ; Green Chair, Vitra , Rug, Finarte . The scrappy storage addition: We found the yellow freestanding cabinet at a flea market. We liked its form and size, but the wood was not in the best condition, so we just painted it. The detail the homeowner sold us on: The soft bench in the kitchen. Initially, we wanted to install a narrow kitchen island with some stools. Ceramics (on top of kitchen cabinets), Svetlana Plotnikova; Flowers, Something Else . The unconventional material that just made sense: Our client infrequently cooks, and she wanted the kitchen to be more like a relaxed area for meeting with friends. When you have a brief like this, you can easily go for a tiled countertop. Wallpaper, Studio Atkinson ; Wall Paint, Tikkurila ; Library Lamp, Palefire Studio ; Sconces (over sofa), Hay . The nonnegotiable: The rolling library ladder was our dream. We really like ladders; they visually pull out the ceiling. So when we can, we add a ladder. The coolest artisan we uncovered during this project: For the first time, we worked with the plaster specialist who created the plaster corbels under the transoms. He wanted to go crazy with these decorations, [so much so] we had to stop him. Chair, Zara Home ; Wallpaper, Studio Atkinson ; Sconce, Original BTC ; Rug, Finarte , Wall Paint, Tikkurila . Pendant Lamp, Warm Nordic ; Cabinet Handles, Anthropologie ; Fabric (on cabinet fronts), Sanderson . The trick to making art stand out: In general, we really like to create unexpected effects with the wall art. The classic technique of placing pictures in the center of a bed or sofa is quite boringtwists like this corner are better. The detail Ill use again in a future project: Stained-glass doors! We have never done them before, but we are so in love after this project. We blew up the whole city trying to find either a specialist or someone making ready-made stained glass (we went with ready-made glass). The colors of the glass were quite limited, but we like how we combined the chosen ones into one complete picture. The Goods A British tourist made waves in the world of science after encountering three animal species thought to be extinct during his travels. The tourist, Michael Smith, shared with The Daily Star that a local in Papua New Guinea had told him about a colorful bird known as the Louisiade pitta. The Louisiade pitta looks similar to a robin, according to the Star, and is native to a tropical lowland forest environment likely on a single island, per BirdLife International. Its numbers are likely in decline due to habitat loss. Smith embarked on an adventure through a secluded islands jungle to find the bird back in July 2022. After successfully photographing the bird, Smith left it to scientists to identify the species officially, according to The Jerusalem Post. It is great to have the birds presence confirmed, Dr. Ian Burfield, global science coordinator at BirdLife International, told The Daily Star. While in Papua New Guinea on the same trip, Smith also discovered a possum species that was thought to be extinct, known as the Telefomin cuscus. However, the discovery was more unconventional compared to the Louisiade pitta. While hiking a mountain and seeking the species, Smith encountered a tribe cooking the possum and confirmed it to be the once-thought-extinct species by its skull, according to the Post. At least I could see various [cuscuses] before theyd ended up on dinner plates and was able to examine the bodies, Smith told The Daily Star. Once they had been eaten, I was able to photograph their skulls and take measurements. Despite the discovery of the Telefomin cuscus survival, it remains a critically endangered species. Animal scientists had believed it went extinct in 1997 after El Nino forest droughts brought intense wildfires, destroying its initial habitat. The third discovery that Smith has made during his travels in Papua New Guinea was the Wondiwoi tree kangaroo. Smith reportedly encountered the Wondiwoi during a previous trip in August 2018; the animal had not been seen since 1928, the Star reports. The kangaroo remains very much in danger, with as few as 50 remaining, according to the World Wildlife Fund. Sadly, in contrast to the good news about Smiths sightings, 21 other species were declared extinct by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2023. Scientists cited increasing temperatures and consequential changes to local habitats as key factors in making survival harder for many species, particularly aquatic life, which is sensitive to temperature changes outside of specific ranges. Although Smiths day job is unrelated to animal science, he is happy to bring awareness to the beauty of Papua New Guinea. Even though it is a small island nation that occupies only 1% of the Earths land mass, it hosts almost 7% of the worlds biodiversity, according to a United Nations source. I thought this might help get a bit more interest in the area, which could do with more support, Smith told The Daily Star. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Still image of a video that doctors captured of inside the man's abdomen showing one of the brown liver flukes When a man in China went to the hospital for routine surgery, his doctors found something far more unusual: live worms squirming inside his abdomen. Using a small camera inserted into the 70-year-old's abdomen who was due to undergo surgery to remove a tumor to treat colon cancer doctors discovered five large, brown parasitic worms in his biliary tract , the collection of organs and connecting tubes that the body uses to produce, store and secrete bile a yellowy-green fluid that aids fat digestion. The doctors extracted the critters and identified them as Clonorchis sinensis , more commonly known as the Chinese or oriental liver fluke . The doctors published details of their find on Dec. 28 in the New England Journal of Medicine . C. sinensis is normally found in East Asia and eastern Russia, but cases have been reported in non-endemic countries such as the U.S. Across the globe, more than 200 million people are estimated to be at risk of infection. Related: Australia woman's brain invaded by parasitic worm that normally infects pythons Humans become infected with C. sinensis after ingesting the parasites' larvae. Usually this happens when people eat raw or undercooked freshwater fish or shrimp in areas where C. sinensis is found, although it is unclear how this particular man got infected. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people may become infected with C. sinensis in the U.S. as a result of eating contaminated fish imported from endemic areas. Once inside the digestive system, the larvae emerge from sac-like pockets in the small intestine before migrating to the biliary tract, which includes the liver , gallbladder and bile ducts. The liver produces bile, which the gallbladder stores and the bile ducts transport to the small intestine . Most people who are infected with C. sinensis have a small number of worms in their body so don't experience any symptoms . However, having higher numbers of worms can cause abdominal pain, headaches and dizziness. If left untreated, the parasite can spend the rest of its life in the body, sometimes living for up to 30 years and cause serious symptoms, such as liver enlargement and malnutrition. Doctors normally diagnose C. sinensis infection after identifying the parasite's eggs in a patient's stools. However, in this case no eggs were found. Instead, the man was undergoing a medical procedure called a cholangioscopy , where doctors use a long, thin tube with a camera inside to examine the biliary tract. RELATED STORIES Rat 'lungworm' that can invade the human brain found in Georgia rodents Man's 'shifting' rash caused by worms crawling under his skin Doctors film microscopic worms dancing inside man's scrotum This was because a week beforehand he'd been diagnosed with a type of colon cancer which affects the glands lining the final part of the large intestine that connects to the rectum . Doctors were subsequently planning to conduct keyhole surgery to remove his tumor and gallbladder when they stumbled across the slimy surprise. They then removed all of the worms and prescribed him antiparasitic drugs to clear the infection. He also started a course of chemotherapy to treat the cancer in his large intestine. Ever wonder why some people build muscle more easily than others or why freckles come out in the sun ? Send us your questions about how the human body works to community@livescience.com with the subject line "Health Desk Q," and you may see your question answered on the website! Mammoet, a global leader in engineered heavy lifting and transport, has announced the successful completion of its scope for the Sheybarah Island resort, in collaboration with Red Sea Global. Its scope of work involved the transportation of 73 prefabricated villa orbs from Sharjah to Sheybarah Island in the Saudi Red Sea as well as the installation. The resort, featuring a hyper-luxury hotel designed by Killa Design, with uniquely shaped overwater and beach villas, front-of-house, and F&B buildings, now stands as a testament to Mammoet's commitment to precision and excellence in engineered heavy lifting, said the company in a statement. The project, a crucial element of the world's most ambitious regenerative tourism endeavour - The Red Sea destination - has achieved a significant milestone with the installation of the last villa on Sheybarah Island. This marks the conclusion of a transformative journey that commenced with the signing of the contract in May 2022. From the initial contract award, Mammoet said it had demonstrated its expertise by overseeing the complete factory-to-foundation process and ensuring a seamless integration of these architectural marvels into the pristine landscape of Sheybarah Island - a habitat rich in mangroves, white sand dunes, and vibrant coral reefs. The installation of the last villa is a momentous occasion that reflects the companys dedication to executing complex projects, it stated. The use of tailor-made solutions, including the deployment of a 650 tonne capacity Demag CC3800 crawler crane on Mammoets modified barge, ALE 250, underscores Mammoets commitment to minimizing environmental impact, it added. Jack van den Brink, Managing Director for Mammoet Middle East and Africa, expressed his excitement, stating, "We are proud to have played a pivotal role in bringing RSG's vision to life. We remain committed to delivering excellence in every project, in this case contributing to the creation of the world's most spectacular and sustainable hotels." Explaining the successful operation, Brink said: "The shallow draft of the barge, coupled with a retrofitted 300 tonne spud jacking system from Mammoet's partner Combifloat, ensured minimal disruption to the delicate marine environment during the installation process." "Precision engineering, hyper-accurate GPS systems, and locally controlled jacking mechanisms contributed to the flawless placement of the overwater villas onto their foundations," he stated. The Red Sea, a key giga project announced as part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, spans 28,000 sq km and is expected to provide a significant boost to the country's GDP, supporting economic diversification and generating employment opportunities. The completion of the installation of all orbs on Sheybarah Island Resort marks a pivotal moment in the realization of this visionary project, he added.-TradeArabia News Service Moose usually prefer to avoid close encounters with humans, but during the winter months when the animals are cold, tired and hungry, their tempers can start to fray. One woman walking in Anchorage, Canada was lucky to escape alive after a seemingly unprovoked attack from a moose that followed her along a snowy footpath and knocked her down without warning. A video of the incident, which happened in February last year, has begun recirculating on social media this week thanks to infamous Instagram account TouronsOfNationalParks. The account usually highlights examples of bad behavior at sites of natural beauty around the world, such as people poking moose and chasing elk, but sometimes people just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The clip, which you can watch below, was shot by passer-by Kate Timmons, who noticed the moose stalking the walker, later named as Tracy Hansen. The snow banks were too steep for the witness to easily reach her, so they could only shout to warn Hansen as the animal drew closer. A post shared by @touronsofnationalparks A photo posted by on Hansen didn't hear the warnings in time, and didn't realize anything was amiss until the moose jumped and kicked her in the back of the head. I thought someone had not been paying attention and hit me with a bike or something, Hansen told Alaska's News Source at the time. I had put my hands up to my head, and Im like, 'Im bleeding'." After witnessing the attack, Timmons' family sprang into action, and her husband managed to pull Hansen over the snowbank to safety. It definitely seemed unprovoked from our standpoint and it happened so fast it was just like, a matter of getting her out of the situation, getting her help, making sure, you know my big thing was that she didnt have a head trauma, that there wasnt a bleed or something," said Timmons. Moose safety It's possible that the moose may have been spooked by Hansen's dog, Gunner, who she was walking along the footpath. Dogs are known to provoke moose, which can't tell the difference between them and wolves. If you encounter a moose while out hiking, you should talk to it in a calm voice while backing away to give it space. It's wise to stay at least 50ft from moose at all times. Don't turn your back on it, and never get between a cow moose and her calf. For more advice, take a look at our guides what to do if you meet a moose on the trail and wildlife safety: eight tips for unexpected encounters. A 72-year-old Florida man was arrested Wednesday morning for apparently threatening to kill a member of Congress -- apparently Bay Area Rep. Eric Swalwell -- and his children, according to the Southern District of Florida United States Attorney's Office. Michael Shapiro, a resident of the Palm Beach County city of Greenacres in Florida, allegedly left multiple threatening voicemail messages at a Congressperson's congressional office in Washington, D.C., according to a release issued by the U.S. Attorney's Office. The criminal complaint noted that Shapiro allegedly made the calls from his home on Dec. 19, 2023. The statement said that in one of the messages, Shapiro stated that he was going to "come after you and kill you " In another message, he stated that he was going to "come and kill your children " The criminal complaint against Shapiro further alleges that he pleaded guilty in federal court in 2019 for making threatening communications to another victim. While the statement from the Southern District of Florida United States Attorney's Office did not specify who was targeted by the threatening voicemail messages, Rep. Swalwell posted on social media regarding the arrest. No threat is going to stop me from representing my constituents. MAGA Republicans have chosen violence over voting and this is what it looks like. But Im not going away and neither should you. https://t.co/A4GcATb5GR Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) January 4, 2024 "No threat is going to stop me from representing my constituents. MAGA Republicans have chosen violence over voting and this is what it looks like," his post read, linking to coverage of Shapiro's arrest. The U.S. Attorney's Office said Shapiro made his initial appearance Wednesday morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce E. Reinhart for the Southern District of Florida. Swalwell, who represents California's 14th congressional district covering most of eastern Alameda County and a portion of central Contra Costa County, has regularly been targeted by threats. A 22-year-old Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty to making threatening phone calls to Swalwell's Bay Area offices in the fall of 2022. Last year, Rep. Swalwell reported former 49ers fullback Bruce Miller after Miller threatened him on social media. Swalwell also spoke of receiving "multiple death threats" daily last summer. "My kids don't play in our front yard because we get letters to the residence that are also threats," he told CBS News on "The Takeout" this week. "People have shown when they call and say, 'I know where you live' and then you get a letter at the house, it shows they probably do." Unsealed Jeffrey Epstein court documents name accusers, world leaders and Hollywood stars Melting Himalayan glaciers pose risk to world How is U.S. democracy faring 3 years after Jan. 6? The White House said Thursday that it had evidence Russia has used North Korean ballistic missiles in its war against Ukraine and believes the former Soviet country intends to purchase missile systems from Iran. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby noted that as Russia has become increasingly isolated on the world stage because of U.S. sanctions and export restrictions, it has looked to "like-minded states" for military equipment. "Our information indicates that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea recently provided Russia with ballistic missile launchers and several ballistic missiles," Kirby said. On Dec. 30, Russian forces launched at least one of these North Korean missiles into Ukraine, Kirby said. The missile appears to have landed in an open field. On Jan. 2, Russia launched multiple North Korean ballistic missiles into Ukraine, part of an overnight aerial attack. Survivors of a Russian missile attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, gather belongings amid the debris of their destroyed home on Jan. 3, 2024. "We expect Russia and North Korea to learn from these launches, and we anticipate that Russia will use additional North Korean missiles to target Ukraine's civilian infrastructure and to kill innocent Ukrainian civilians," he said. Kirby said the missiles have a range of about 550 miles. Kirby called the development a "significant and concerning escalation" of North Korea's support for Russia. In return for its support, White House believes, North Korea is seeking military assistance from Russia, including fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles, ballistic missile production equipment or materials, and other advanced technologies, Kirby said. "This would've concerning security implications for the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region," he said. Kirby said the United States is concerned Russian negotiations to acquire close-range ballistic missiles from Iran are advancing. In mid-December, the Iran Revolutionary Guard Aerospace Force deployed multiple ballistic missile and missile support systems to a training area inside Iran for display to a visiting Russian delegation, Kirby said. In response to Russia's activities with Iran and North Korea, the U.S. is taking a range of steps with its allies and partners, Kirby said. "First, Russia's procurement of ballistic missiles from the DPRK directly violates multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions. We will raise these arms deals at the U.N. Security Council alongside our allies and partners, and we will demand that Russia be held accountable for yet again violating its international obligation. "Second, we will impose additional sanctions against those working to facilitate arms transfers between Russia and the DPRK and between Russia and Iran. Third, we'll continue to release information to the public and expose these arms deals as we are doing today, because we will not allow countries to aid Russia's war machine in secret." The most effective response to Russia's violence against the Ukrainian people is to continue to provide Ukraine with vital air defense capabilities and other types of military equipment, Kirby said, and he appealed the Congress to take action. "To do that, we need Congress to approve our supplemental funding request for Ukraine without delay." Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Russia using North Korean missiles, seeking Iranian ones: White House Dear readers, Another year has come and gone, but one thing hasn't changed: Delaware's stories must continue to be told now more than ever. Throughout 2023, we uncovered stories that you wanted and needed to hear. From lead in school drinking water and a botched police response, to the complicated nature of attempting to treat mental illness in the criminal justice system and a dark state secret our reporting touched it all. And the stories aren't easy. They required reporters to spend days sifting through public archives, fighting for documents and interviews, and asking hard questions, even when repeatedly rebuffed. It's this work though that got so many members of our staff into journalism: work that challenges us and the work we know makes a difference to and for Delaware. They're the stories that make you feel, that challenge your expectations and that get you talking around your dinner table. And they're the stories that only Delaware Online/The News Journal can bring you. Here are eight stories we believe made an impact on Delaware this past year. Maybe you've read some of them or maybe you've read them all. They showcase just a slice of the dogged work Delaware Online/The News Journal reporters do every day to bring you the stories you deserve and ought to hear about, especially in the communities in which you live. And while they're not all easy to stomach or accept, they remind us of the importance journalism serves in our democracy and that truth matters. This is the second of what will continue to be an annual report on the impact of Delaware Online/The News Journal and its journalism. Its not a comprehensive list of our best work. Instead, it represents a selection of our stories that reflect our core mission. Thank you for coming back to us again and again for your news. We couldn't do this work without you. Brittany Horn, news director, Delaware Online/The News Journal They trusted this assisted living facility to protect their mother. Then came the call on Christmas As Delawares population ages, more and more people are finding themselves needing the help of an assisted living facility and even more are struggling with dementia, something many of these facilities are just not equipped to handle despite advertising that they are. Delaware Online/The News Journal continued its coverage of gut-wrenching stories featuring families who trusted these facilities with their loved ones, only to watch them suffer harm within these places and eventually die. Reporter Meredith Newman's investigation uncovered that Delaware has failed to police these types of facilities in the past decade, even as high numbers of abuse, neglect and falls are reported to the Division of Health Care Quality. Its also left families with little recourse other than to sue the state and demand change for future families, even as legislation fails to make headway. Additionally, Delaware Online/The News Journal was able to make the inspection reports Meredith fought to obtain available to the public through a database. Everyone has their secrets, but Delawares role in the countrys eugenics movement is an especially forgotten one unless your family felt its impact. Thats what reporter Meredith Newman spent months digging into, getting to know people whose mothers and grandmothers were forcibly sterilized at the Delaware Colony for the Feeble Minded and uncovering the long-lasting damage these acts caused. Relatives of Ethel Benson stand near the entrance of Stockley Center Cemetery in Georgetown, Delaware, as they visit Benson's headstone. Benson was sterilized in 1932 and died weeks later. In her reporting, she also uncovered that some of Delawares most prominent names played a role in these decisions, actions that until this past fall remained legal in Delaware code. In addition to the moving deep-dive Meredith took readers on, she also penned a How we reported this column that gives readers a glimpse into the nuance and challenges that came with investigating this story and piecing it all together. This story is a reminder that without the bravery of Delawareans willing to share their story and reporters willing to listen, many of these accounts would go untold. After dogged reporting by Delaware Online/The News Journal revealed the state botched water sampling for lead in schools during the pandemic, the EPA got involved and forced the state to not only admit its missteps but also redo the testing in a much more public manner this time. Delaware Secretary of Education Mark Holodick speaks at a press conference on Monday, May 8, 2023, where legislation was announced that hopes to address lead remediation in homes and schools. Along the way, this watchdog reporting laid bare the negligence and failures that contributed to these efforts, all while Delaware children were at risk from the water in their schools. Reporter Amanda Fries has fought for records, revealed overgeneralizations in state reports and shined a light on an issue that too many Delaware communities didnt realize was affecting its children. In May, the state announced it will spend $3.8M to install water filters in schools statewide a move that lead advocates credit Amandas reporting for wholeheartedly. Any progress we have made in the last year has been a direct result of your reporting. We are forever grateful, one of the leading advocates wrote in an email. And the reporting is far from over, as the state continues to tackle this issue that extends far beyond schools. THE IMPACT: This Wilmington child was lead poisoned. How it could have been prevented About a decade ago, the state of Delaware set out to redevelop a former military fort that had fallen into disarray. Single-family homes, a hotel and shops would be paired with a new marina to create a vibrant waterfront community. The development project proceeded for years without scrutiny as a quasi-public body created by the state took control of hundreds of acres of land and received millions in taxpayer dollars. It began to show cracks last year when the director of the project abruptly resigned. In the time since, Brandon Holveck's reporting revealed that the development group had sold protected space to a private developer, rented properties to employees for below market rate and faced little state oversight, and the director of the project had a trail of tax liens of other financial issues from previous business. READ THE FULL STORY: How Delaware's plan to resurrect Fort DuPont as a 'vibrant' riverfront haven went wrong When a caller threatened to kill Delaware students just before dismissal, the head of school did what anyone would lock down the school and call 911. But what happens when police dont come? Parents forced their way into the Academia Alonso Charter School on Oct. 24, 2022, after the school was placed on lockdown after a threat was called in to the building. Delaware Online/The News Journal has edited the photos to blur the faces of parents involved. A total of 19 calls were placed to 911, but state police didn't show up for 76 minutes, leaving school leaders to deal with the fear of imminent danger and frantic parents distressed over what was happening and trying to take their children home. Rather than send officers, a dispatcher accused the school of holding kids hostage and a teacher was assaulted. Reporter Isabel Hughes spent months reviewing 911 audio, examining phone records and surveillance footage, and battling for public records to piece together what went wrong on Oct. 24, 2022, and why things failed to improve in the weeks that followed. Her reporting also shined a light on the stress both educators and police find themselves under in an effort to keep kids safe. READ THE TWO-PART INVESTIGATION: A caller threatened to kill Delaware students. It took police 76 minutes to respond. We all see people experiencing homelessness on the streets, some more frequently depending on where we live or where we drive. But what happens when society criminalizes homelessness, the act of asking for money or more importantly, mental illness that often contributes to those life circumstances? And furthermore, what happens to those people when they end up in the criminal justice system? A Downtown Visions vehicle moves past Bardea on Market Street in downtown Wilmington, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. Reporter Xerxes Wilson spent weeks unraveling one womans story of spending a year in jail after begging for money in two of Wilmingtons upscale dining experiences and the challenges she faced in a system that was designed to help her but could only keep her locked in jail for a long time. The story is complicated though, showing that while everyone said they had her interests in mind, no one was truly able to help her. The result? Youll have to read the story here. Continued coverage leads to change at Delaware State University First, a student protest rocked campus, as hundreds of Delaware State students left classes, flooded a university street, and protested for better campus security and handling of sexual assault cases in January 2023. Protesters made noise in Dover that would lead to community meetings, news coverage and discussion during a state budget hearing for the public HBCU. The Safe Space Coalition, central to President Tony Allens response to campus unrest, was formed in late January to assess existing protocols on safety, sexual violence, response services and more. Then, students felt that very catalyst was muzzled. Delaware State made any student who wished to join the Safe Space Coalition, through the core membership or nine steering committees, sign a confidentiality agreement. Shortly after Delaware Online/The News Journal reporter Kelly Powers reported about these agreements in the spring, free speech organizations wrote to the Dover institution. Both the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and ACLU-DE condemned the documents, citing the condition "plainly violates" student rights. Delaware State rolled back. "Simply put: On the confidentiality agreements, we went too far," penned Allen to his university community in March. Allen took responsibility for the measure, echoing that Delaware State's initial reasoning concerned the protection of sensitive information. By early that April, the same reporter would learn Police Chief Bobby Cummings was set to step down from his post. From a "Safe Space Project to campus lighting and camera upgrades, university response continued thanks to the increased spotlight aimed by Delaware Online/The News Journal. Reporting on high school graduate's arrest leads to national attention, dropped charges and shakeup Last summer, a July school board meeting came with a shakeup. Christina School District voted to move its graduations off the University of Delaware's campus, after a violent arrest of one of its high school students. Delaware Online/The News Journals coverage of the arrest led to national eyes on the case a month after an 18-year-old Newark High School graduate was thrown to the ground and arrested by UD police less than an hour after his graduation. The controversial arrest spurred reaction throughout the community, with eyewitness accounts and videos calling into question the charges and the actions of the police officers. As pressure mounted, and an extensive review of the case by the Delaware Department of Justice continued, University of Delaware eventually released body cam footage. By late July, the graduate no longer faced charges. Charges of reckless driving and resisting arrest were dropped after the state examined footage, spoke to university police and mandated a "Department of Justice-sanctioned course, according to a letter submitted to the clerk of court. But as Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights leader who formerly served as president of the Minneapolis NAACP, reminded: The impact of the arrest might not recede as quickly. The physical harm and the emotional trauma will likely live with him for the rest of his life, Levy Armstrong said. No young person, especially an innocent young person should have to experience that." This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware stories that matter: Our Delaware Online 2023 impact report A 31-year-old Florida man faces several felony charges after allegedly hiding a 16-year-old teenager from another state. Detective Henrik Osthed of the Marion County Sheriffs Office arrested Thomas Ebersole on Wednesday, according to a press release from the MCSO. FBI officials asked Det. Osthed for help locating a missing 16-year-old girl from Ohio. Investigators used the victims account on World of Warcraft, an only role-playing game, to locate her whereabouts, according to the press release. They saw the account was used at Ebersoles home address in Dunnellon, Florida. When law enforcement contacted Ebersole, he initially denied knowing her. He later admitted to driving to Ohio to meet the victim and bringing her back to his house. He told authorities he was in a relationship with the victim and planned on hiding her in his home to become his wife. Ebersole also showed Osthed messages that he planned to meet the victim in Ohio and have sex with her, even though he knew it was a crime. Authorities charged him with traveling to meet a minor to engage in sex, child custody interference and sheltering an unmarried minor. Officials are holding him without bond at the Marion County Jail. As Northfield Township police continue to investigate what caused a house explosion that killed four family members who were visiting from Arkansas, many in their hometown are grieving. "Yesterday, I was crying on and off all morning thinking about them," family friend Matthew Rooney, 40, told the Free Press. "I cant get it out of my head. I just keep imagining their last moments." Hope and Don Bragg, in their 50s, along with their three children Kenny, a Michigan Tech student; Beth, a college freshman in Arkansas, and Stephen, a schoolboy were in the house with Hopes father, Rich Pruden. The aerial picture was taken on Dec. 31, 2023, of the debris field where the residence once stood. The white cover on the ground is from snow this morning, Rooney who said he was a family friend and colleague and has a son in the same school as Stephen, who along with Pruden, survived and is hospitalized called the unexplained Saturday afternoon explosion "horrifying." By early Tuesday, national news outlets were reporting more details, and the Democrat-Gazette, which is sold throughout Arkansas, said mourners were holding candlelight memorials at St. Mark Catholic Church, where the family worshiped. A police photo shows the blast leveled the house in the 8200 block of Winters Lane. Rooney said Hope and Don Bragg frequently visited it and planned to retire there. Debris, the police report said, scattered debris over two acres. More: Arkansas family identified as victims in explosion near Whitmore Lake The Free Press left a message Tuesday morning with Northfield Township police, who had not yet released the names of the victims, seeking more information about what caused the explosion. Saturday, township police said that three were killed. By Sunday, however, they confirmed to the Free Press the death toll had climbed to four, with two more in the hospital. Don and Hope Bragg, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported, were a Forest Service scientist and a University of Arkansas Extension Service 4-H instructor, respectively, adding that they were originally from the Midwest. Kenny, Don, and Hope Bragg u002du002d who died in a Northfield Township explosion u002du002d screen for artifacts at a sharecropper house site in Drew County, Arkansas in May 2022. But the Democrat-Gazette added that the couple moved to Arkansas decades ago, and had become a vital part of the small community with a population of a little more than 8,000. The Braggs were involved, the newspaper said, in state and local archaeological activities. Don Gragg, Rooney said, had a doctorate and taught at the University of Arkansas, Monticello; while Hope, was still earning her doctorate, and seemed to know someone everywhere she went in the city. On Facebook, the College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources posted that it mourned "the tragic loss of two of our colleagues and friends," and confirmed, "Don and Hope Bragg were lost along with their daughter and one of their sons in a house explosion." Hope and Don Bragg, pictured in August 2022, recruiting for their local chapter of the Arkansas Archeological Society at "Our Festival" in Monticello, Arkansas. Kenny, the oldest of Hope and Dons children in the home, was preparing to graduate from Michigan Tech, Rooney said. While Beth who Rooney recalled "made the best desserts," particularly her cheesecakes had just left home in the fall to start college at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Stephen, a student in the Monticello School District, survived the blast. But, Superintendent Sandra Lanehart said in a social media post, said Stephen has a "broken pelvis and lacerated liver." And Pruden, she added, is "in a coma," with burns to 20% of his body. She asked for prayers for Stephen, his family, their friends, colleagues, and classmates, and ended with a touching verse from Psalms about healing broken hearts. "They were some of the most generous and kind people Ive ever known and had the pleasure to be around," Rooney said on his Facebook page. "I wish it had been far longer. Weve really lost out big time." Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Deadly Northfield Twp. explosion devastates tiny Arkansas community House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized President Joe Biden on Wednesday for the mayhem he witnessed at the US-Mexico border, saying in an interview with CNNs Jake Tapper that the Biden administration isnt doing its job. This catastrophe can come to an end if the Biden administration will do its job, and they refuse to do it, he said. Johnson traveled with more than 60 House Republicans on Wednesday to Eagle Pass, Texas, at the same time that Republican and Democratic Senate negotiators are trying to hammer out a bipartisan border agreement as part of a broader funding package for Ukraine, Israel aid and border security and questions are swirling about how House Republicans would react should a deal be reached. In the interview Wednesday, Johnson threw cold water on the Senate negotiations, arguing the House Republican border bill passed last year was what was needed. But he also didnt rule out putting a Senate bill to a vote, saying that it was too soon for him to say because there is no draft bill yet. Johnson argued that the problem wasnt going to be solved simply with more money the Biden administration requested in its supplemental $14 billion for the border along with additional funds for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan and said that the House-passed provisions were needed to reduce the number of people crossing the border. This is not about sending more money down here, its about changing the policy, and the White House seems not to understand that, Johnson said. You cant just pick and choose single policy changes, like reforms to asylum rules, Johnson said, and expect that youre going to solve the problem. Johnson visited Eagle Pass with a large group of his members as the GOP conference has made the border a focal point of its criticism of Biden and his administration. CNN reported Wednesday that House Republicans are forging ahead with steps to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his handling of the border. House Speaker Mike Johnson, center left, and Texas Department of Public Safety chief Steve McCraw, center right, lead a group of Republican members of Congress during a tour of the Texas-Mexico border. - Eric Gay/AP Mayorkas, however, said during an apperance on CNN This Morning on Wednesday that the border security funding is needed now. In the absence of a border deal, Mayorkas warned, We will not have the resources to perform our jobs as fully and completely as we could do so. And that would be a very sad state of affairs. We need additional personnel to advance our security at the border. We need technology to advance our fight against fentanyl. We need additional asylum officers to really accelerate the asylum adjudication process, he said. The Houses conservative hardliners want a border bill that mirrors the Republican House-passed HR2, which Senate Democrats say is a non-starter. But a growing number of House Republicans are also signaling theyre prepared to reject a Senate compromise, too. The Senate negotiations over the border have been ongoing for the past several weeks as Republicans have said they will only agree to the Biden administrations request for additional money to Ukraine if a border package is also included. The supplemental to provide additional money for the border, Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan is just one of the difficult funding challenges facing Congress in the new year, as a partial government shutdown is now less than a month away, too. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters Wednesday that he wanted the Senate to reach a border deal first when asked whether Johnson should be more involved in the talks. Hes been quite involved in the budget negotiations. On the border, since their position has been theyre not budging off H.R. 2, we want to get the Senate to come to an agreement first, Schumer said. Ahead of Johnsons visit, Biden administration officials said they were encouraged by the progress being made in border negotiations in Congress, while highlighting a dramatic drop in border crossings this week. On Monday, border authorities encountered around 2,500 migrants at the US southern border a dramatic drop from mid-December when daily arrests topped 10,000, according to a senior administration official. Fewer than 500 migrants were apprehended on Monday in the Del Rio sector, which was slammed with thousands of arrivals in late December. The White House national security supplemental request also includes $14 billion in border security, and Biden on Tuesday urged Congress to provide the funding. We gotta do something. They ought to give me the money I need to protect the border, Biden said when asked by a reporter what he is going to do about the Southern border. This story and headline have been updated with additional developments. CNNs Priscilla Alvarez, Lauren Fox, Morgan Rimmer and Ted Barrett contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Bernie Moreno answers a question during a debate among Ohio's Republican U.S. Senate candidates in Akron in October. U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson endorsed Bernie Moreno for U.S. Senate on Thursday, the latest nod for the Cleveland businessman as he seeks to consolidate support across Ohio. Moreno is running for the Republican nomination against Secretary of State Frank LaRose and state Sen. Matt Dolan, R-Chagrin Falls. The winner of the March 19 primary will take on Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in one of the country's most consequential Senate races. "We need conservative leaders in the Senate, and Bernie Moreno is building the campaign it takes to defeat Sherrod Brown," said Davidson, a Republican from Troy. "Bernie is a proven leader. He understands and has embraced the policies that not only defend freedom but restore a government small enough to fit within the Constitution." Davidson's endorsement came weeks after Moreno secured the support of former President Donald Trump, which helped propel Sen. J.D. Vance to office in 2022. Davidson is the first member of Ohio's congressional delegation to endorse in the GOP Senate primary. A prominent conservative group, Club for Growth PAC, also announced this week that it will back Moreno after lobbying Davidson last year to join the Senate race. The congressman seriously considered the move before opting instead to run for reelection in Ohio's 8th Congressional District. The Club spent millions of dollars in 2022 to boost former state treasurer Josh Mandel and tear down Vance, a decision that put the organization at odds with Trump. This time, the group and its vast resources are aligned with the former president. Bernie Moreno is a principled constitutional conservative with a firsthand understanding of the damage Bidenomics has inflicted on the economy and families across Ohio and the country, said the PAC's president, David McIntosh. His perspective will be a welcome addition to the United States Senate, and we look forward to doing whatever it takes to ensure he wins the race. Rep. Warren Davidson arrives to speak before former President Donald Trump at a rally for J.D. Vance in 2022. Moreno builds momentum in Ohio Senate race Moreno is racking up key support in the final months of the race, which got drowned out by last year's August and November elections. The endorsements suggest Republicans want to avoid a repeat of the messy 2022 primary that left Vance's campaign in shambles at the onset of the general election cycle. They could also help Moreno, who's never held elected office, boost his profile in Ohio. He trailed LaRose and Dolan in multiple polls conducted before Trump's endorsement and fared the worst against Brown in a potential matchup. With that in mind, LaRose and Dolan aren't backing down. Illinois billionaire Richard Uihlein recently dropped $3 million into a PAC supporting LaRose, Cleveland.com reported, which will help LaRose compete against his wealthy opponents. Dolan has commanded the traditional conservative lane and can use personal funds to prop up his campaign as needed. An adviser for Dolan did not respond to a request for comment. "Weve been able to have a strong campaign," LaRose spokesman Ben Kindel said. "We continue to keep convincing voters and showing voters that Frank is the best candidate to beat Sherrod Brown. Ohio's Nexstar stations, which include NBC 4 in Columbus and Fox 8 in Cleveland, will host a debate between the three GOP candidates at 7 p.m. on Jan. 22. Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. Get more political analysis by listening to the Ohio Politics Explained podcast This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Warren Davidson backs Bernie Moreno in Ohio 2024 Senate race Ohio Rep. Mary Lightbody, a Democrat from Plain Township who represents the state's 4th House District, announced her resignation Wednesday. Her last day will be Tuesday, Jan. 9. The Ohio Democratic Party will choose her replacement. Ohio Rep. Mary Lightbody, a Democrat from Plain Township who represents the state's 4th House District, announced Wednesday that she is resigning her post, effective next Tuesday, Jan. 9. "During the holiday season spent with my family and loved ones, I came to the realization that now is the time for me to turn my full attention to my personal life, specifically my grandchildren, and dedicate my time and energy to ensuring their lives are happy, healthy, and successful, Lightbody said in her resignation letter submitted to House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) and Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington). Therefore, I have made the decision to retire from both professional and public life and relocate out of state so I can support my family. The Ohio Democratic Party will select her replacement for the post, which paid $69,876 annually in 2023. The 4th Ohio District represents Westerville, New Albany, Gahanna and parts of Columbus' Northeast Side and Blendon, Jefferson, Plain and Sharon townships. Lightbody, 71, is a former K-12 and college teacher and more recently a senior lecturer at Ohio State University's Newark campus who first won election to the Ohio House in 2018, flipping the seat from Republican to Democrat control. She has twice since won reelection, in 2020 and 2022. Ohio representatives can serve no more than four two-year terms, or a total of eight years by law. Had Lightbody sought reelection this year and won, it would have been her last two-year term. As a member of the Ohio House, Lightbody has been an advocate for affordable health care coverage for Ohioans, gun control, policies that support working families, defending the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and a supporter of COVID-19 protocols, such as wearing masks and enforcing social distancing. A native of Pepper Pike in eastern Cuyahoga County, Lightbody received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and a doctorate in science education from Ohio State University. She is the mother of three grown adult children, all of whom graduated from Westerville North High School and live out of state. Her late husband, Rick Noss, whom she married in college, died in 2009 after a lengthy illness. Ligthbody has served as a deacon at her church, on the Westerville Public Library Board of Trustees, and in leadership positions with state and national science teachers professional associations. @ShahidMeighan smeighan@dispatch.com Get more political analysis by listening to the Ohio Politics Explained podcast This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio House member Mary Lightbody, D-4th, resigning effective Tuesday Reverge Anselmo, the wealthy East Coast donor whose vendetta against Shasta County has influenced local politics over the last three-plus years, has upped his ante to oppose the recall of District 1 Supervisor Kevin Crye. Anselmo recently gave $250,000 to the Water Users Committee, a political action committee (PAC) that supports Crye, whose fate will be determined March 5. That's when District 1 voters go to the polls to decide whether Crye should be recalled. The $250,000 contribution accounted for nearly all of the $303,935 the PAC raised from July 1 to Dec. 13 of 2023, financial disclosure statements show. The Water Users Committee received Anselmos money on Nov. 20, and then on Dec. 20, it gave $117,059 to Stop Newsom: No on Crye Recall. That's the PAC Crye established to fight the recall. Before Anselmo's contribution, Stop Newsom: No on Crye Recall had raised just under $135,000 for the period of July 1-Dec. 13. Anselmos $250,000 contribution to the Water Users Committee is more than double the $113,367 that the opposing PAC, the Committee to Recall Kevin Crye, has collected, the latest financial disclosure reports show. The PAC's largest donation to date comes from Eric Silberstein, a retired Redding resident who gave the PAC $11,019. Anselmo's deep pockets was the golden ticket to the board of supervisors' shift to the far right. Financial disclosure statements show that Anselmo has given $1.94 million to Shasta County candidates and political action committees since 2020, when he contributed $110,000 to District 4 Supervisor Patrick Jones to bankroll his victory over incumbent Steve Morgan. Sign off Highway 44 in April 2021 says Anselmo Vineyards is closed. Reverge Anselmo sold his winery several years ago after the bitter legal dispute with Shasta County over permits for the business. Anselmo didnt immediately reply to a phone message and text seeking comment. Anselmo sold his Shasta County winery and moved to Connecticut several years ago after the bitter legal dispute with the county over permits for his winery, Anselmo Vineyards off Inwood Road in the Shingletown area. Shasta County prevailed in two lawsuits filed by the former vintner, owner and restaurateur. His latest contribution to the Water Users Committee came a little over a year after he gave $100,000 to the PAC. That money was used to run campaign ads in support of Crye and District 5 Supervisor Chris Kelstrom in the runup to the November 2022 election. Both candidates were victorious. The money later paid for TV ads and mailers last spring and summer opposing the signature-gathering campaign to put the Crye recall on the ballot. Ultimately, the recall supporters collected the required signatures. The Water Users Committee was formed in August 2022 by far-right political activists Mark and Lyndia Kent, the brother-and-sister team who also backed the recall of former District 2 Supervisor Leonard Moty. Mark Kent was a principal in the Shasta General Purpose Committee, which bankrolled the Moty recall thanks in large part to financial backing from Anselmo, who gave $450,000 to the recall. Mark Kent also was Jones' pick to represent District 4 to help redraw the county's five district maps in 2021, a process that happens every 10 years. Crye, Jones and Kelstrom make up the board's far-right majority, which has shifted power on the dais. Their actions helped fuel the attempted recall of Crye, just months after he was seated. District 1 Supervisor Kevin Crye at the Tuesday, April 25, 2023, board meeting. That means that now, for the second time in two years, the chairman of the Shasta County Board of Supervisors will be facing a recall. Crye was elected chair in December and will gavel his first meeting on Jan. 9. Moty was elected chair in January 2022. He was recalled less than a month later in a special election. Crye contends that the attempt to recall him is being driven by a small group of far-left activists who want California Gov. Gavin Newsom to appoint a far-left Democrat if the recall is successful. A law that took effect last January gives the governors office the job of selecting a temporary replacement in a successful recall. Recall supporters have rebutted Cryes claims. They also sent a letter to Newsoms office that asked the governor not to make a temporary appointment and wait for the next election. The letter was signed by 78 Shasta County voters, including business leaders like Sierra Pacific Industries co-founder Archie Aldis Red Emmerson and District 3 Supervisor Mary Rickert. Read more: Shasta group asks Newsom not to appoint a new supervisor should Crye recall go through What's more, Newsoms office has taken no action in Glenn County, where the District 5 supervisor seat has been vacant since June 2022. Spokesman Jeff Gorder and other supporters of the effort to recall Shasta County Supervisor Kevin Crye gather in front of the elections office in downtown Redding on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. In Modoc County in 2021, Supervisor Patricia Cullins resigned after moving out of her district. The county notified Newsoms office in May 2021 about the resignation. But nothing happened and the seat sat empty for about a year. Finally, in the June 2022 primary election, Shane Star won the vacant Modoc County seat convincingly by taking 63% of the vote. David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. Hes part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on X, formerly Twitter, @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 1-530-338=8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Reverge Anselmo's money gifts total $2M in Shasta County elections By Rupam Jain and Sumit Khanna GANDHINAGAR, India (Reuters) -India's Gujarat state is in talks with chipmakers in Japan, South Korea and the United States for investments in the state, its top minister said on Thursday, in pursuit of India's ambitions of becoming a chipmaker for the world. Semiconductor manufacturing is one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's key business agendas but initial bids to offer $10 billion in incentives to the chipmaking industry have floundered, with some proposals stalled or cancelled. Gujarat, which is Modi's home state and one of India's major industrial hubs, has recently held investment talks with some chipmakers, and officials have visited Japan to meet some executives from the chips industry there, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel told Reuters in an interview. "We continue to hold investment talks with semiconductor companies in Japan, South Korea and the U.S.," he said, without disclosing names of the companies citing "non disclosure agreements". India's chipmaking ambitions, first laid out in 2021, have suffered setbacks and the country does not yet have any semiconductor manufacturing plants. Taiwan's Foxconn backed out of a $19.5 billion chips joint venture with India's Vedanta, saying "the project was not moving fast enough". Foxconn and Vedanta have since decided to go solo, and billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries is also exploring opportunities. Gujarat has also held talks with Foxconn over a semiconductor plant, and U.S. memory chip firm Micron Technology Inc is also building a chip assembly and testing facility in the state. Patel's comments come ahead of the biennial Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit next week in which the state expects to secure investments in sectors including renewable energy, electric vehicles and electronics manufacturing. The summit is expected to draw a record number of foreign and domestic investors to the western state in what is seen as Modi's big push to promote investment in the country just months ahead of national elections, in which he will seek a third term. India is increasingly becoming a sought after investment destination, especially as companies look to diversify their supply chain beyond China. Tom Bailey, head of ETF Research at HANetf, said India was at an advantage due to its large size and an increasingly educated population. "The moves are emblematic of the rise of the so-called 'China plus one' supply chain diversification strategies of multinationals," he said. (Reporting by Rupam Jain and Sumit Khanna in Gandhinagar, and Bansari Mayur Kamdar in New Delhi; Writing by Shivam Patel; Editing by Jacqueline Wong, Mark Potter and Emelia Sithole-Matarise) Viola E. Deanda appears via Zoom in Yakima County Superior Court Friday, July 15, 2022. She is one of four people accused of smuggling drugs into the Yakima County jail. She entered an Alford plea Jan. 3, 2024, to a single count of delivering fentanyl. This story first appeared in High Country News (hcn.org), and is reprinted with permission. Yakama bands once gathered at Mool Mool springs in what is now Washington state to use the areas bubbling waters for medicinal purposes. In 1855, the Yakama bands signed a treaty that ceded millions of acres to the United States in exchange for specific reserved rights. The next year, the U.S. Army built Fort Simcoe over a tribal campsite near the springs, and in 1860 established the Fort Simcoe Indian Boarding School there. It was the first boarding school built in the U.S., the beginning of an era marked by the forced removal, abuse and neglect of thousands of Indigenous children in several hundred similar institutions across the country. Educating was never an actual part of these schools, said Theresa Sheldon, a citizen of the Tulalip Tribes and director of policy and advocacy for the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition. It was just the label to use for assimilation and colonization. In October, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced the appointment of five people from federally recognized tribes around the state to a newly formed Truth and Reconciliation Tribal Advisory Committee. The committee will investigate the states history of Native boarding schools which Ferguson called a shameful part of Washingtons past including at least 17 schools. A report of the committees findings is expected to be released in 2025, once the committee members have finished interviewing boarding school survivors and their descendants. The United States is just starting to reckon with its long history of genocide. In May 2022, the Department of the Interior published a report listing 37 states where federally funded Indian boarding schools operated. The report gave eight recommendations for how the country can improve its relationship with tribal nations, including by encouraging Indigenous language revitalization, promoting Indigenous health research and providing support to non-federal entities who wish to release records in their care. This comes as some state governments have begun working on their own truth and reconciliation projects, a process that has lagged in the U.S compared to other countries, such as New Zealand, Australia and Canada. Currently, Californias Truth and Healing Council is carrying out its own investigation into the states relationship with local Indigenous people, with a report expected to be released in 2025. That initiative follows reports released by Colorado in 2023 and Maine in 2015 that delved into boarding schools as well as into Indigenous peoples experiences in the state welfare system.The Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission the first of its kind to examine Indigenous child welfare in the United States uncovered cultural genocide and institutionalized racism in the states treatment of Wabanaki children. Washington state efforts Asa K. Washines (Yakama Nation), a tribal liaison for the attorney generals office, has been advocating for an investigation into Washingtons boarding schools for years. He said that the federal report is a good starting point but pointed out that there are other things that were not included in that federal boarding school study that Washington can add. Were going on a truth-finding mission to figure out what to say, what Washington had in involvement, faith-based institutions had any involvement, Washines said. This is just the beginning. Despite their stated goal of educating Native children, the Washington attorney generals office has acknowledged that corporal punishment, military drills and forced labor were all a part of life in the states boarding schools. The schools also prevented children from using their own Indigenous languages, religion and cultural practices in order to assimilate them more quickly into settler society. The facts make it clear that these institutions were not designed to give Indigenous children a decent education. Edward A. Washines, a Yakama Nation citizen and advisory committee appointee who is himself a graduate of a boarding school, calls them concentration camp schools. I do believe that trauma exists and that we can deal with it, but it's gonna take a lot of work not only by our Indigenous tribes, but also by the United States government in trying to help us to provide the services that are needed for our families that are still affected. The impacts of these schools are still felt today in Washington, where Native students lag in reading proficiency and are about 20% less likely to graduate high school than white students, according to a National Indian Education Association 2022 report. Washines, who would like to see increased federal funding for Native students in primary and secondary education and college scholarships, hopes the committees work can help achieve that. He also believes that the committee could help shape public school education through Washingtons Since Time Immemorial curriculum mandate since a high percentage of Indigenous youth attend public school in the state and deserve culturally competent education. That mandate requires educational programs designed to teach students about local Indigenous culture and history. If the state is serious about requiring schools to teach about Indigenous people, Washines said, it needs to be honest about Washingtons historical treatment of them, too. Listening sessions planned The Truth and Reconciliation Tribal Advisory Committee has no enforcement powers, meaning that the majority of its work is centered on community outreach and making recommendations to the state. Rebecca Black (Quinault), a committee appointee, sees this as an opportunity to fill the gaps between the states acknowledged history and Indigenous peoples own knowledge of the boarding school era. She got involved because she was intrigued by the attorney generals office willingness to ask what genuine reconciliation could look like. Its important that all of those be heard, said Black. One challenge involves how to interview traumatized survivors with the courtesy and the respect that they deserve. Thats part of our job, is to make sure that those spaces are Indigenized, and not colonized in their collection of data so we can provide a safe cultural space. The committee plans to hold listening sessions throughout the state at which Indigenous people will be invited to testify about their boarding school experiences. It is coordinating with other Indigenous leadership organizations to host sessions at conferences of the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board and Washington State Indian Education Association, among others. I believe that if we start speaking truth, and we move to healing, that we can then maybe start to build a healthy relationship, explained Black. Weve been waiting 150 years for anyone to even acknowledge that these harms happened to our people, to our children. Shana Lombard is a High Country News intern. An enrolled member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, she lives in Tacoma. 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. 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. Mesajul lui Piedone pentru USR: V-o servesc la urna! Mesajul lui Piedone pentru USR: V-o servesc la urna!Cristian Popescu Piedone, edilul de la Sectorul %, continua lupta pentru fotoliul de primar general. In vizorul lui au intrat acum cei de la USR, carora le-a transmis un mesaj pe facebook."Ospatarul PiedoneAsa ma alinta, batjocoritor, rezistii [citeste mai departe] (VIDEO) Revolta in Cuba pentru lumina si mancare Protest neobisnuit in al doilea oras ca marime din Cuba, Santiago. Locuitori au iesit in strada scandand lumina si mancare, in timp ce in anumite zone se intrerupe curentul electric timp de de 18 ore sau mai mult pe zi. S-a strigat de asemenea, Libertate! Cuba se afla intr-o criza [citeste mai departe] A left-wing columnist urges opposition parties to unite before they lose the positions they conquered in the 2019 municipal elections. In Nepszava, Gabor Czene laments the state of the opposition with just six months to go to the municipal elections. After a crushing defeat by Fidesz in last years parliamentary elections, he writes, the opposition alliance fell apart and the Democratic Coalition remains the only one that can be sure of passing the 5 percent threshold to get into the European Parliament in June 2024 when MEPs will be elected along with mayors and local councillors. The rest either hover around the 5 percent limit or far below, Czene remarks. He believes there is an urgent need to forget grievances and rebuild their alliance, or surely lose many of the significant positions they won in Hungarys main cities at the last municipal elections. He praises the Democratic Coalition for refraining to respond in kind to the vitriolic criticism from Momentum, as a first step towards reconciliation. (For Momentums attack on the DK. A liberal take on 2023 A liberal commentator chastises the population for withdrawing into their private lives instead of changing the course of events in Hungary. On the Heti Vilggazdasag website, Ivan Zsolt Nagy laments that the year 2023 did not produce any remarkable change in Hungarian life. After the crushing electoral victory of the government side in 2022, he writes, most people resigned themselves to what they saw as the perennial nature of the regime. That reminds him of the early 1970s when communism seemed immutable and perennial to most of the populace. Welcome back to 1974! he exclaims. Nagy concedes however that fifty years ago Hungarians could not leave their country, nor could they murmur on Facebook or read opposition-leaning newspapers and that is a huge difference, he admits. This opinion does not necessarily represent the views of XpatLoop.com or the publisher. Your opinions are welcome too - for editorial review before possible publication online. Click here to Share Your Story Six months before local elections, an environmentalist, and an alt-left critic of Budapest mayor Gergely Karacsony acknowledge his good intentions but find his performance unsatisfactory. On the Heti Vilaggazdasag website, LMP co-chairman Peter Ungar rejects an accusation by the liberal weeklys commentator who condemned the LMP for intending to run their own candidate at the mayoral elections. Sandor Revesz wrote that the LMP is playing into the hands of Fidesz and perhaps also to its playbook. Ungar writes that Karacsony chooses not to confront Fidesz on individual projects and has thus made concessions on the environment which justifies the small green partys decision to put forward its own candidate for mayor of Budapest. On Merce, Noemi Lehoczki admits that Karacsony has a vision but finds his strategy controversial. The mayor, who leads Parbeszed (Dialogue), a tiny Green Party, would like to help underserved inhabitants and protect the environment, she writes. Her problem is that the mayor thinks he can achieve his goals by taking the lead of the corrupt lot. By corrupt lot, she means the main opposition parties whom she accuses of basically agreeing with the right-wing government. She hopes Karacsony will win the mayoral elections but would find it difficult to be enthusiastic about him. This opinion does not necessarily represent the views of XpatLoop.com or the publisher. Your opinions are welcome too - for editorial review before possible publication online. Click here to Share Your Story MTI Photo Join local travel addict Orsi Szombati as she reveals the beauty of this lesser-known jewel of a destination that's not in most guidebooks: the highest mountain in the Danube Bend area in Hungary. Anyone who has ever seen the Danube Bend from a birds-eye view will surely not forget it. The most popular hiking spot is Nagymaros and Visegrad together with Predikaloszek lookout tower. From these points, you can enjoy a truly eye-catching view of the bend of the Danube that twists like a snake. However, there is one other place that is rather off the guidebooks, even though it can easily compete with the places mentioned above. This is the Naszaly, the highest mountain in the Danube Bend, which I climbed twice in the past few months. If you are looking for a scenic panorama and love high mountains, I would recommend you Naszaly Mountain as a hiking spot with a warm heart. About Naszaly Like a sentinel of the Danube Bend, the mountain towering over Vac is geographically classified as Cserhat, but geologically it resembles the sedimentary volcanic rock of the Visegrad Mountains. Its highest point is 652 meters, making it the highest mountain around the Danube Bend. The main character of Naszaly is the huge wound on its side, which is the result of three decades of limestone mining here. Although coal and sandstone are still excavated on the western side of the mountain, the traces of this are hidden. Hiking route There are several ways to climb up to Naszaly. From Katalinpuszta you can take the road through the enchanting Gyadai Meadow. Or you can start your hiking from Vac from Gombas piheno well as from Kosd. Whichever option you choose, you will face a steep uphill, however, the efforts will be crowned by a panorama unlike any other. We voted for Kosd, where we started our hiking. The length of the full hiking route from Kosd is 10 km, which can be completed in 5 hours at a comfortable pace, together with photography and visiting the sights on the go. There is no water supply on the route, so in addition to proper hiking boots, prepare for the trip with enough liquids and food. The route is quite well signposted. Up the blue line signed road takes you, and on the way back you can descend on the yellow cross back to the starting point, Kosd. Attractions on the trail Miners memorial From Kosd into the forest, the path is bordered by a monument erected in memory of seven miners who died in the mine in 1931. The coal field in Naszaly has been known since 1770. The first drillings were carried out in 1899 and were immediately successful. At a depth of 130 meters, high-quality coal of 1-1.5 m thickness was found. However the production has been quite loss-making over the centuries. Only 211 tons of coal were mined from the mountains stomach during the 27 years. The main reason for this lies in the tunnels. The underground cavities were constantly subjected to water intrusion due to the karst water coming up from the depths. For the first time, no casualties were claimed by the flooding, but in 1931 the work area was flooded resulting in the death of six miners. Their bodies have been resting inside the mountain ever since. Nasznep Cave You can reach the summit of Naszaly on the national blue trail, during which you can see the silvery line of the Danube. But before the view is revealed in all its glory, it is worth taking a short detour to the third largest cave in the mountain. The limestone mountain is home to several cavities, of which Nasznep Cave can be explored independently. According to tradition, the cave owes its name to excavations carried out in the early 20th century, during which several tiles were found in the cave alongside the bones. It led archeologists to conclude that there must have been some kind of big feast here, like it used to be at weddings. Although there are explanations for the caves saga from other eras, it is sure that this cave 510 m above the sea level can be a special color spot for our excursion. The total length of the cave is 225 meters, from which three larger rooms open. As visitors, you can tour the Guano Hall, which is believed to have been named after the excretion of bats hanging from the ceiling. Geodesy Tower At the top of the 652 m high mountain, there is a geographic height measuring tower, that has no longer functions today. In the 1970s and 1980s, a number of similar geodetic towers were built in Hungary. Most of them are in a very bad (i.e.: life-threatening) condition, while others like Galya Lookout have been restored and are free to visit. The geodesy tower on Naszaly is a three-story tower with iron ladders leading up to the top. I would recommend going up only at your own risk. Although the climbing was challenging for me as I have fear of heights, the strong iron railings at the top gave me some confidence. If you dont want to go up there, you dont miss out on anything. Although the view from the tower is nice, there is another point on Naszaly, from where the view of the Danube Bend is at least the same, if not more beautiful. Plus, you dont even have to climb for it. Lato Mountain You should leave the national blue trail and continue your journey along with the blue triangle towards Lato Mountain, during which you pass an Arpad-era hillfort. Although you can already see the silhouette of the Danube Bend from here, walk to the Margarets Cross on Lato Mountain (534 m). From the rock edge, you can enjoy amazing views of the Danube ring, while in the horizon you can even admire the cityscape of Budapest. In addition to enjoying the Danube, the natural lookout point is also a popular starting point for paragliders. So dont be surprised to see people flying over the Danube in the sky. On the side of Lato Mountain, there is a landscape wound and limestone quarry mentioned in the introduction. Similar to Bel-ko, it gives the appearance of a cut-in mountain. Sandstone quarry Descending down the yellow cross trail from the mountain, theres one more sight to visit before you get back to Kosd. The quartz sandstone mine, known as Nagybanya-ko, has been known since the 1680s. The well-carved, resistant yellowish-brown-reddish rock is recalled in late-Baroque architectural masterpieces of Vac, but it has also been used as a binder for many buildings in the area. The area of the marble quarry in Naszaly is free to explore and information boards give us an insight into the history of the formation of sedimentary rock. Source: traveladdict.hu - republished with permission Photo credit: Orsi Szombati You can taste the history of Hungary through their modern take on classic dishes, and theres no better place to do so than its capital. In this MUNCHIES Guide to Budapest, host Jesse Burgess of TopJaw investigates the citys recent cultural revolution. Jesse begins his journey at Rustico, a restaurant devoted to bringing traditional dishes from the Hungarian countryside to the city center sustainably. He then visits My Choccy to experience Hungarian dedication and experimentation in chocolate. Finally he ends the night at Szatyor, a reimagined ruin bar reinventing Hungarian cuisine with a gastronomic twist. A 27-year-old woman died and another was critically injured after a Thursday night crash on U.S. Highway 75 in Bellevue. The circumstances leading up to the crash are still being investigated, according to the Bellevue Police Department. Lenzea Stark, 27, of Plattsmouth, was killed in the crash. According to a press release from the department, police were called to northbound U.S. Highway 75 and Fairview Road about 7:45 p.m. Thursday to reports of a two-vehicle crash. Responding officers found two vehicles, a 2023 Nissan Sentra and a 2016 Ford Escape, that had both left the roadway. The two occupants of the Nissan, including Stark, had been ejected from the vehicle. Stark was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center with CPR in progress. An unnamed 32-year-old woman who was also ejected from the Nissan was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center, where she remains in critical condition, police said. The driver of the Ford Escape, an unnamed 48-year-old man, was not injured. A GoFundMe has been set up to raise money for Stark's funeral expenses. Government should be open, effective, and responsive. It should serve taxpayers well. In our system, the best way to ensure a high level of customer service is for Americans to have meaningful, transparent communication with those who represent them. Since entering the Senate, Ive made it a priority to offer Nebraskans a variety of ways to stay connected. This year Ive held in-person meetings and events across Nebraska. Our team has hosted Mobile Office Hours in every Nebraska county. Quarterly telephone townhalls and Instagram Q&As allow folks to ask me questions directly from wherever they are. Nebraskans have multiple ways to share their perspective with me. Still, we can always do more. Thats why in 2024 Im launching a new initiative to enhance our communication with Nebraskans: Ricketts Replies. Your input is invaluable as I navigate the many policy debates in Washington, D.C. My office received tens of thousands of letters, emails, and messages from Nebraskans this year. They expressed the thoughts, concerns, and hopes of our state and our nation. My team and I work to ensure every Nebraskan who writes in receives a response from our office. Our new series, Ricketts Replies, will let your voice be heard and questions answered in a new way. Heres how itll work: each month, I will read and respond on camera to a sampling of letters from constituents. The issues will range from the border crisis to the rising cost of living and more. These responses will be featured on my social media accounts and on my website. I hope this will provide another transparent forum for addressing your questions. Ill share updates on policy matters and discuss the issues facing our country. Your stories matter. Your perspectives matter. Your good ideas will continue to guide me as I fight for Nebraska in the United States Senate. Ricketts Replies will supplement the great work my team is already doing for constituents. In addition to meeting with Nebraskans on policy and legislative matters, our four permanent offices across the state offer a variety of constituent services for those navigating the federal bureaucracy. My team hosted Mobile Office Hours in all 93 counties to further assist Nebraskans with casework needs. We also launched a new feature on our website where you can request a Mobile Office Hour in your community. As we navigate the complex challenges facing our nation, I believe everyone should have the opportunity to feel connected to the people who fight for them. My hope is that Ricketts Replies will strengthen the ties that bind us as Nebraskans. Im excited for the conversations and insights that Ricketts Replies will bring as we work toward a more prosperous future for our country. Whether you have questions about proposed legislation, want to share your perspective on an issue, or are having problems navigating the bureaucracy, my team and I are here to serve you. Contact us anytime by phone at 202-224-4224 or on my website atwww.ricketts.senate.gov/contact. Im honored to be your voice in Washington and will continue looking for ways to better serve you. Happy New Year! IndiGo, one of the largest Indian air carriers, has announced to stop the collection of fuel charges on tickets. The change comes into effect after three months after the introduction of fuel charges, as a surge in jet fuel prices was seen. Precisely, the airline started levying fuel charges early in October last year, which is now withdrawn from both domestic and international routes, as prices of Aviation Turbine Fuel have come down. "As ATF prices are dynamic, we will continue to adjust our fares and components thereof, to respond to any change in prices or market conditions," IndiGo said in a statement. Fuel cost accounts for a significant chunk of a carrier's operational costs. The fuel charge was applicable on the airline's domestic and international routes. IndiGo said the fuel charge had been introduced in October 2023, following a surge in ATF prices. Also, the airline will start commercial operations for direct flights between Ayodhya and Delhi from Jan 6, 2024. As revealed by the operator, Ayodhya will then be connected with Ahmedabad from January 11 onwards. From January 10, 2024, IndiGo will start operating daily direct flights from Delhi to Ayodhya and back. The flight will take off from Delhi at 11:55 AM and will land in Ayodhya at 1:15 PM. As for its way back, the plane will take off from Ayodhya at 1:45 to land in Delhi at 3:00 PM. On January 6, 2024, the plane will operate on the same schedule. From Ahmedabad, IndiGo will only operate flights on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The flight will depart from Ahmedabad at 9:10 AM to arriva in Ayodhya at 11:00 AM. From Ayodhya, the plane is scheduled to depart at 11:30 AM to arrive in Ahmedabad at 1:40 PM. The Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board (UPPRPB) has released the notification for the UP Police Computer Operator and Programmer Recruitment 2023, in which there are a total of 985 posts. Applicants who are interested in the examination can apply online from January 7, 2024, to January 28, 2024, on the official website of the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board (UPPRPB). UP Police Computer Operator 2024: Steps to Apply Visit the official website of the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board at uppbpb.gov.in. Click on the link that reads, Uttar Pradesh UP Police Computer Operator and Programmer Recruitment 2023. Fill in all the information, like eligibility, ID proof, address details, and basic details. Submit all the required scan documents related to the recruitment form (photo, sign, ID proof, etc.). Before submitting the application form, check the preview. Take a hard copy for future reference. UP Police Computer Operator 2024: Eligibility Criteria Age Requirement: Applicants should fall within the age range of 18 to 28 years as of July 1, 2023. Relaxations in the upper age limit are applicable for candidates belonging to reserved categories. Educational Qualifications: Candidates are required to have completed the Intermediate (Class 12) examination in Physics and Mathematics. Additionally, candidates should have completed the O-level examination in computers from the Department of Electronics Accredited in Computer and Communication (DOEACC), or they must have completed a diploma in computer engineering, information technology, or electronics engineering from the Council of Technical Education, Uttar Pradesh. Further details can be found in the advertisement. The decision whether a patient will be admitted to the ICU or not is now in the hands of the family, based on these guidelines prepared by a team of 24 experts. Understanding these guidelines can help you navigate hospital admissions, assert your rights, and engage in meaningful discussions with the doctor. The criteria for ICU admission include organ failure, deteriorating medical condition, impaired consciousness, abnormal vital signs, respiratory distress requiring ventilator support, continuous monitoring needs, worsening illness, or significant past surgeries. On the other hand, certain patients may not be admitted to the ICU if the family objects, if the patient has expressed a desire not to be admitted through a will, if medical treatment is unlikely to be beneficial, or during emergency situations with limited beds where prioritization is necessary. These guidelines were developed by a team led by critical care expert Dr R.K. Mani, providing insights into how ICU beds differ from regular beds and the basis for admitting a patient. It's a response to cases like the one in Kolkata where a patient's denial of ICU admission led to tragic consequences, prompting the government to establish these guidelines in 2016. Also read: Recreational Activities Are More Than Fun, It's Therapeutic For Elderly - Check Key Benefits The guidelines explicitly state that if the family believes hospitalization won't improve the patient's condition, they have the option to take the patient home, though financial constraints might influence this decision. The responsibilities of monitoring vital signs rest with the hospital until an ICU bed becomes available. In India, with over 20 lakh hospital beds, only around 1.25 lakh are ICU beds. Despite the government setting a maximum rate of 5400 rupees for ICU care for central government employees in April 2023, the average cost for a private hospital ICU bed ranges from 30,000 to 1 lakh rupees per day. These guidelines, though not a definitive solution, provide some empowerment to the families of patients, addressing the challenges faced in obtaining ICU admission and the financial burden associated with it in India, where over 48 percent of people resort to loans for medical treatment. New Delhi: China's Global Times has lauded India's evolving global stature under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. Zhang Jiadong, Director of the Center for South Asian Studies at Fudan University, Shanghai, notes India's substantial advancements in economic growth, social governance, and foreign policy over the past four years. The Global Times recognizes India's strategic confidence, attributing it to the nation's proactive efforts in shaping a compelling "Bharat narrative." The article emphasizes India's departure from traditional Western-centric democratic ideals, now spotlighting the distinctive "Indian feature" of democratic politics. "In the political and cultural spheres, India has moved from emphasizing its democratic consensus with the West to highlighting the 'Indian feature' of democratic politics." This shift signifies India's ambition to break free from its historical colonial legacy and emerge as a global influencer both politically and culturally. India's Economic Resilience And Trade Reorientation India's economic resilience is spotlighted, particularly its robust growth and urban governance improvements. Zhang notes a pivotal change in India's approach to trade discussions with China, shifting focus from China's measures to reduce trade imbalances to India's burgeoning export potential. "For example, when discussing the trade imbalance between China and India, Indian representatives earlier used to primarily focus on China's measures to reduce the trade imbalance. But now they are placing more emphasis on India's export potential." Foreign Policy Triumphs Under PM Modi The article applauds Modi's foreign policy strategy, commending India's multi-alignment approach. India's adept management of global relationships, including strengthened ties with the US, Japan, and Russia, is highlighted. Notably, India's nuanced stance in the Russia-Ukraine conflict underscores its evolving great power strategy. "Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed power, he has advocated for a multi-alignment strategy, promoting India's relations with the US, Japan, Russia and other countries and regional organisations," the Global Times article stated A Rapid Shift Towards Multipolarity Since PM Modi assumed office, India has strategically aligned itself with key global players, transitioning from multi-balancing to multi-alignment. The article underscores the unprecedented speed of India's transformation towards becoming a pole in the multipolar world, a feat rarely witnessed in international relations history. "India has always considered itself a world power. However, it has only been less than 10 years since India shifted from multi-balancing to multi-alignment, and now it is rapidly transforming toward a strategy of becoming a pole in the multipolar world. The speed of such changes is rarely seen in the history of international relations." India: A New Geopolitical Force In conclusion, Zhang asserts that a transformed, stronger, and more assertive India has emerged as a significant geopolitical factor demanding consideration from nations worldwide. As India takes centre stage on the global platform, its strategic achievements reverberate across diplomatic, economic, and cultural spheres, marking a major milestone in the nation's trajectory. Amid the speculation that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal could be arrested by the Enforcement Directorate today, the Delhi Police has increased security around the Chief Minister's official residence. The arrest alarm was raised by AAP ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bhardwaj. However, the ED has repotedly refuted the Aam Aadmi Party's claim of Delhi CM's arrest. According to latest report, the ED is going to issue fourth summon to CM Kejriwal. On the other hand, AAP sources told Zee News TV that Kejriwal is likely to go to Gujarat tour for three-four days. "Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will be on a three-day visit to Gujarat from January 6 to 8, in view of Lok Sabha elections. During his visit, he will hold meetings with party workers and also take part in public events in the state. He will also meet jailed party leader Chaitra Vasava and his family," said AAP. Kejriwal has so far skipped three summons issued by the ED in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case. AAP leaders like Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh have alreday been arrested by the ED in a money laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy case. Earlier yesterday, taking to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Delhi's Law and PWD Minister, Atishi, said, "News coming in that ED is going to raid Arvind Kejriwal's residence tomorrow morning. Arrest likely." After Atishi's post, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj also made similar claim. "It is heard that tomorrow morning, ED is going to reach the house of Chief Minister Kejriwal and arrest him," Bharadwaj said on X. The AAP has claimed vendetta politics saying that Sisodia has been in jail for around one year but the ED has failed to provide any proof against him. On the other hand, the BJP asked that if the Delhi CM has done no wrong, then why is he evading ED summons. The ED issued a third summons to CM Kejriwal on December 22 last year, in connection with the alleged Delhi liquor scam case, asking him to appear before the agency on January 3. However, CM Kejriwal termed the summon illegal in his reply to the ED. However, he expressed his readiness to cooperate with the investigation but declined to appear on the summoned date. Kejriwal further questioned the timing of the notice as a move to stop him from electioneering ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections in 2024, as per the party sources. The Delhi CM was first called by the central agency to appear on November 2, but he did not depose, alleging that the notice was "vague, motivated, and unsustainable in law." He further alleged that the said summons appeared to be politically motivated and issued for extraneous considerations. NEW DELHI: In a dramatic turn of events indicative of a widening rift within the INDIA Bloc, the Congress has openly criticized the Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Mamata Banerjee, accusing the ruling party in West Bengal of hindering progress in seat-sharing discussions. Congress Hits Out At Mamata Congress MP and West Bengal unit chief, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, has expressed doubts about Mamata Banerjee's sincere engagement in seat-sharing talks with his party. Speaking at a press conference in Murshidabad district, Chowdhury dismissed Mamata's reported offer of two Lok Sabha seats to the Congress, emphasizing that those constituencies were already in their possession. Don't Need Mamata's Pity: Congress "The true face of Mamata Banerjee is out. They (TMC) are saying that they are ready to give us two seats in West Bengal. The seats in question are already with us. Both these constituencies elected Congress MPs. So, what new are they giving us? We won these seats defeating Mamata Banerjee's TMC and the BJP. Are they doing us a favour? Who will trust her (Mamata) with seat allotment?" Adhir said. He questioned the TMC's offer, stating that the contested seats were won by Congress in the previous elections, defeating both TMC and BJP candidates. Tensions Rise Within INDIA Bloc The TMC, a key constituent of the INDIA Bloc, reportedly proposed two seats for the Congress in the upcoming general elections. However, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury declared that his party needed ''no favours'' from the TMC, expressing confidence in Congress's ability to go solo in West Bengal and secure victory. INDIA Bloc Grapple With Seat-Sharing Challenges While the INDIA partners convened for their fourth meeting in the national capital, the contentious issue of seat-sharing in individual states remained unresolved. Major friction points were observed in Bihar, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, with regional parties driving a hard bargain with the Congress. Congress Prepares For Solo Battle In Punjab In Punjab, Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring announced plans to compete on all 13 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Dismissing discussions on seat-sharing or alliances, Warring emphasized the party's determination to contest independently and formulate a broad strategy for the upcoming polls. Shiv Sena Remains Firm In Maharashtra Over Seat-Sharing Meanwhile, Shiv Sena's (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut asserted the party's dominance in Maharashtra, hinting at no compromise in seat-sharing negotiations. Raut highlighted the Shiv Sena's historical presence in 23 seats and affirmed their commitment to maintaining this stronghold in the upcoming elections. Reacting to Shiv Sena's claim, Congress leader Milind Deora asserted the grand old party's position as the leading opposition force in Maharashtra. He emphasized that no alliance could proceed without consulting the local leadership of the state. New Delhi: The Delhi Police Special Cell arrested a wanted terrorist of the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit in the national capital on Thursday. The terrorist, identified as Javed Ahmed Mattoo, was carrying a bounty of Rs 5 lakh on his head. He was nabbed from a hideout in Delhi after a tip-off from the intelligence agencies. Mattoo, a resident of J-Ks Sopore, was involved in several terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir. He had also visited Pakistan and received training and weapons from the Hizbul Mujahideen commanders. He was a close associate of Riyaz Naikoo, the former chief of the outfit who was killed in an encounter last year. In a video that went viral on social media platforms ahead of Independence Day last year, Mattoos brother Rayees Mattoo, was seen waving the tricolour in Jammu and Kashmirs Sopore. Rayees, who runs a grocery shop, had said that he was proud to be an Indian and that he had nothing to do with his brothers activities. He had also appealed to his brother to shun violence and return to the mainstream. How Delhi Police Nabbed Mattoo? According to the Delhi Police Special Cell, the team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has launched a search operation for Mattoo. The police have recovered a pistol, a grenade and some documents from his possession. The police are interrogating him to find out his plans and his links with other terrorists. The police are also trying to ascertain if he had any role in the recent attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. New Delhi: CCTV footage retrieved from a Gurugram hotel has unveiled the haunting sequence of events leading to the alleged murder of former model Divya Pahuja. The chilling CCTV visuals reveal Pahuja's presence at the hotel's reception with the main accused, hotel owner Abhijeet Singh, in the early hours of Tuesday. Last Moments Captured: Body Dragged Down Hotel Corridor The gripping CCTV footage shows two unidentified men dragging Pahuja's lifeless body down a hotel corridor. Astonishingly, this marked the last sighting of the victim. Subsequent investigations by the police have revealed that her body was transported in Abhijeet Singh's BMW towards Punjab and subsequently discarded. While the vehicle has been located in Patiala, the police are intensifying efforts to locate Pahuja's remains. Former Model's Complicated Past Unveiled The 27-year-old Pahuja had spent seven years behind bars for her alleged involvement in the fake encounter of her then-boyfriend, Gurugram gangster Sandeep Gadoli, in 2016. Released on bail in June last year, her past seemed to intertwine with the tragic events leading to her murder. Incident Captured On Hotel's CCTV: Timeline Of Events CCTV footage from Hotel City Point, timestamped at 4.18 am on Tuesday, captures Singh, Pahuja, and another individual entering the premises. As per the visuals, the trio engages with the receptionist, with Singh and the third person continuing further into the hotel, leaving Pahuja behind. Later footage around 10.45 pm reveals two men dragging Pahuja's wrapped body down a hotel corridor, emphasizing the sinister turn of events. Allegations Of Blackmail Sources suggest a chilling motive behind the murder, claiming that Pahuja possessed compromising videos of Singh on her phone. Allegedly refusing to delete them, she became the victim of a gruesome shooting. Pahuja's family vehemently denies these accusations. Arrests Made, Manhunt Underway Singh, alongside alleged accomplices Omprakash and Hemraj, has been apprehended. However, the police continue their pursuit of two or three aides reportedly paid by Singh to dispose of Pahuja's body. 2016 Encounter Pahuja's connection with Sandeep Gadoli's controversial encounter in 2016 adds a layer of complexity to the unfolding tragedy. The former model, who was present in the hotel room during Gadoli's demise, faced imprisonment, along with her mother, for alleged involvement in revealing the gangster's whereabouts. The alleged murder of Pahuja, who had secured bail in 2023, has left the investigators and the public grappling with the dark intricacies of her past and present. Gurugram Police has arrested at least three people in a case connected to the alleged killing of a 27-year-old model in a city hotel on Tuesday night. The victim has been identified as Divya Pahuja, a former model from Punjab. Police said Pahuja was shot dead allegedly by the hotel owner because she extorted money from him after blackmailing him with his 'obscene pictures'. Pahuja was also accused of bullying and running a prison gang in Mumbai's Byculla prison during her prison sentence before being released on bail five months ago. However, this was not the first controversy involving Pahuja. She was out on bail in connection with an alleged fake encounter of a Haryana-based gangster Sandeep Gadoli in a Mumbai hotel room in 2016. Pahuja was arrested by Mumbai police on July 14, 2016 when she was 18 years old. The police said she went with gangster Sandeep Gadoli to Mumbai and shared information about his location with his enemies and the Haryana police through her mother. Based on information shared by Pahuaj, a team of Haryana police officials then killed Gadoli in an alleged fake encounter. According to reports, the Haryana police officials did not keep Mumbai police in the loop for the operation against Gadoli. This led to Gadoli being killed on February 6, 2016, at a hotel near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. She got bail in June 2023 from the Bombay High Court because she had already spent six years in jail, and the trial was expected to take more time to finish. The Maharashtra Police then lodged a protest with the Haryana police for their involvement in the fake encounter and had subsequently registered a murder case against five Haryana Police crime branch officials for allegedly killing Gadoli. NEW DELHI: In the heart of the country, millions of Indians eagerly await the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The air is thick with excitement as citizens from every corner aspire to witness this historic day. For those without invitations, the hope lingers for a chance to be part of the Ayodhya experience. Even those unable to attend are crafting unique ways to contribute to the sacred event. However, the spirit of devotion has ignited a bitter controversy in Maharashtra. The spark began when BJP MLA Ram Kadam appealed to the state government to close liquor and meat shops on January 22, the day of the Pran Pratishtha program in Ayodhya. This appeal set the stage for discord, leading to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Sharad Pawar, organizing a conference in Shirdi, attended by the party's prominent leaders. During this conference, NCP leader Jitendra Awhad injected controversy by bringing Lord Ram into the debate against the politics of opposing meat consumption and alcohol. Awhad asserted that Lord Ram himself was a meat-eater, introducing a perspective that is not only provocative but laden with political charge. His statement adds a new layer to the already complex political landscape surrounding the Pran Pratishtha program in Ayodhya. Awhad's statement reflects the two factions emerging in the politics surrounding the Ayodhya event. On one side, political parties and leaders welcome the program, while on the other, politicians fear that supporting it might benefit the ruling parties and their allies. Awhad's statement, particularly targeting Ajit Pawar through this Pran Pratishtha program, hints at the underlying political motives. In tonight's edition of DNA, Zee News conducts a thorough analysis of Jitendra Awhad's disrespectful remarks towards Lord Ram and delves into the Opposition's intriguing political manoeuvres regarding the Ram temple issue. Stay tuned as we unravel the intricate political landscape behind the Ram Temple consecration ceremony and the controversies it has sparked. New Delhi: A Hizbul Muzahideen wanted terrorist, who was involved in several attacks in Jammu and Kashmir was arrested by the police and the central agencies in Delhi on Thursday. The terrorist has been identified as Javed Mattoo, who had a bounty of 10 lakh rupees on his head. He was involved in terrorist activities since 2010. Many of his associates are in Pakistan. The police have recovered a pistol, a grenade and some documents from his possession. The police are interrogating him to find out his plans and his links with other terrorists. Mattoo Carried A Bounty Of Rs 10 Lakh On His Head Speaking to Zee News, HGS Dhaliwal, Special CP, Delhi Special CELL said, "Mattoo had a bounty of more than 10 lakh rupees on his head. He was arrested today by the joint operation of the central agency and the Delhi police. A pistol magazine and a stolen car were seized from him. Involved In Multiple Grenade Attacks In J&K Mattoo was involved in five grenade attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, where the police and the forces were also injured. He was involved in terrorist activities since 2010. "He is an A++ category terrorist. Many of his associates are in Pakistan," Special CP Dhariwal said. "He had attacked the police several times in Sopore between 2010 and 2011. He had carried out an IED attack outside the police station, in which a constable was killed. He had also thrown grenades at the CRPF. He had attacked the BSNL office," he added. Proud To Be Indian: Brother Of Arrested Terrorist In a video that went viral on social media platforms ahead of Independence Day last year, Mattoos brother Rayees Mattoo, was seen waving the tricolour in Jammu and Kashmirs Sopore. Rayees, who runs a grocery shop, had said that he was proud to be an Indian and that he had nothing to do with his brothers activities. He had also appealed to his brother to shun violence and return to the mainstream. New Delhi: The fate of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as the coordinator of the opposition I.N.D.I.A bloc remains unclear as the scheduled meeting of the alliance leaders has been postponed. The meeting, which was supposed to take place on Wednesday (January 3rd), was expected to finalise the role of Nitish Kumar in the coalition ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. However, the meeting has now been rescheduled for a later date, with no confirmation on the timing. Bihars Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, who is also the son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, said that the meeting was deferred due to some unavoidable reasons. Meanwhile, the BJP has mocked the delay in the meeting and accused the opposition parties of avoiding Nitish Kumar. BJP leader Sanjay Mayukh said that the I.N.D.I.A bloc leaders are showing Nitish Kumar a mirage and that nobody wants him as the leader of the coalition. He also claimed that Nitish Kumars popularity in Bihar has come to an end and that he has no future in the state politics. Tejashwi Supports Nitish Kumar As Convenor On the other hand, Tejashwi Yadav has expressed his support for Nitish Kumar as the convenor of the I.N.D.I.A bloc. He said that Nitish Kumar is a senior and experienced leader and that it would be great for Bihar if he becomes the coordinator of the opposition alliance. He also said that the issue of seat-sharing among the coalition partners will be sorted out without any problem. The I.N.D.I.A bloc, which comprises of the Congress, the RJD, the JD(U), the SP, the BSP, the TMC, the DMK, the NCP, the CPI, the CPI(M) and other regional parties, is aiming to challenge the BJP-led NDA in the upcoming general elections. The bloc last met on December 19, 2023, and decided to finalise seat-sharing as soon as possible. However, the bloc has not yet declared its prime ministerial candidate, with some leaders suggesting the name of Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, while others saying that the issue will be decided democratically after the polls. The rumour mills are abuzz after several Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders claimed that the Enforcement Directorate may arrest Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case. If you are wondering whether the ED has the power to arrest a sitting Chief Minister, then the answer is yes. The central agency can arrest Delhi CM under PMLA Section 19. What Is Section 19 of the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act? Section 19 of the PMLA allows any authorised ED officer to arrest a person basis of material in his possession indicating the involvement of the said person in an illegal act. Section 19 (1) of The Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002 reads, "If the Director, Deputy Director, Assistant Director, or any other officer authorised in this behalf by the Central Government by general or special order, has on the basis of material in his possession reason to believe (the reason for such belief to be recorded in writing) that any person has been guilty of an offence punishable under this Act, he may arrest such person and shall, as soon as may be, inform him of the grounds for such arrest." The second provision under Section 19 of the PML Act says that the Director, Deputy Director, Assistant Director or any other officer shall forward a copy of the order along with the material in his possession to the Adjudicating Authority in a sealed envelope immediately after the arrest. The third provision of Section 19 says that every person arrested shall be taken to a Special Court or Judicial Magistrate or Metropolitan Magistrate within twenty-four hours. The ED has already arrested AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanajay Singh in cases related to the Delhi Excise Policy. New Delhi: In a shocking incident, Divya Pahuja, a 27-year-old model who was once the girlfriend of Gurugrams most-wanted gangster Sandeep Gadoli, was found shot dead in a Gurugram hotel on Tuesday. The police have arrested three persons, including the hotel owner, for allegedly trying to dispose of her body. Divyas family has accused the hotel owner of being hired by Gadolis relatives to kill her. Divya had a troubled past, as she was involved in the underworld since she was 18 years old. She was arrested by the Mumbai police in 2016 for allegedly tipping off the Haryana police about Gadolis location, leading to his encounter in a hotel near the Mumbai airport. The encounter was later found to be fake, and several police officials and Divya were booked for murder. Divya spent seven years in jail before getting bail from the Bombay High Court in June 2023. However, her life did not improve after her release, as she met a tragic end in a Gurugram hotel on Tuesday. According to the police, the hotel owner, Abhijeet Singh, shot her dead after an argument over some obscene photos that he claimed she had of him. He then tried to get rid of her body with the help of two of his employees, Hemraj and Om Prakash. He also called two other associates and gave them his BMW car, in which the body was kept, to dump it somewhere. The police intercepted the car and arrested the three accused, while the other two are still absconding. Divyas sister, Naina, however, has alleged that Singh was lying and that he was paid by Gadolis sister Sudesh Kataria and brother Brahm Prakash Kataria to kill Divya. She said that Divya had no relation with Singh and that he was trying to frame her. She also pointed out that the CCTV footage of the hotel showed Singh and his employees carrying the body to the car. She said that Divya had met Singh on January 1 and that the family had last spoken to her on January 2 at 11:50 am. She said that they became worried when they could not reach her phone later that day. The police have registered a case of murder and destruction of evidence against the accused and are investigating the matter. They are also trying to recover the body and nab the other two suspects. The motive behind the murder and the role of Gadolis family members are yet to be ascertained. New Delhi: The police in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam have cracked down on a terror module by arresting 07 terrorist associates in Beerwah area on Thursday. The police said that the module was involved in spreading anti-national propaganda by pasting inflammatory posters in and around Beerwah area. The posters were aimed at inciting the local youth to join the militant ranks and disrupt the peace and normalcy in the region. The police have identified the arrested terrorist associates as Romain Rasool Sheikh, Irfan Nazir Sheikh, Rizwan Nazir Sheikh, Sahil Javid Sheikh, all residents of Bonet Beerwah, Jahangir Bashir Mir, Tariq Ashraf Sheikh, both residents of Utligam Beerwah and Shakir Lateef Pathan resident of Gandhipora Beerwah. The police said that they were affiliated with the banned outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and were acting on the directions of a Pakistani handler. The police said that the module was led by Romain Rasool Sheikh and Irfan Nazir Sheikh, who were the main motivators and recruiters of the group. They said that during the interrogation, it was revealed that the duo were in touch with a Pakistani LeT handler, who used to provide them with funds, weapons and instructions. They also said that the duo had instructed the other five associates to carry out the poster campaign and other subversive activities in the area. The police have also recovered incriminating materials from their possession, including posters, mobile phones, SIM cards and cash. The police said that further investigation is going on to unearth the network and links of the module. They also said that they have registered a case under relevant sections of the law and will ensure that the accused are brought to justice. KYODO NEWS - Jan 4, 2024 - 09:22 | All, Japan A woman was arrested after allegedly slashing and stabbing other passengers with a blade on a train of Tokyo's Yamanote loop line on Wednesday night, police said. The woman, believed to be in her 20s, attacked passengers as the train was running between JR Okachimachi and Akihabara stations, the police said, adding that the suspect was apparently unknown to those assaulted. Four men sustained injuries to their sides, backs and arms in the attack, the police said. Police arrested her on suspicion of attempted murder and seized the blade, they said. Responding to the attack, people pressed emergency buttons installed in the train and on the platform of Akihabara Station once the train arrived, and a station staffer called the police at around 10:55 p.m. The incident led JR East to temporarily suspend part of the loop train service in the capital. The suspect was subdued by passengers on the train and handed over to police, the police added. NEW DELHI: In a thrilling escapade during his two-day visit to Lakshadweep, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a plunge into its crystal-clear waters, indulging in snorkelling and capturing breathtaking moments to share with the nation. PM Modi's Snorkelling Expedition PM Modi called his snorkelling experience an ''exhilarating and remarkable adventure.'' Through his social media platform X, he shared stunning visuals, giving the nation a glimpse of the underwater marvels that Lakshadweep holds. For those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them, Lakshadweep has to be on your list. During my stay, I also tried snorkelling - what an exhilarating experience it was! pic.twitter.com/rikUTGlFN7 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 4, 2024 Lakshadweep Sojourn: Awe-Inspiring Islands And Warm Hospitality During his visit, PM Modi was awe-struck by the beauty of Lakshadweep's islands and the warmth of its people. Interacting with locals in Agatti, Bangaram, and Kavaratti, he thanked them for their hospitality. The Prime Minister emphasized the government's commitment to uplifting lives through comprehensive development, focusing on futuristic infrastructure, improved healthcare, faster internet, and access to clean drinking water. The inaugurated projects showcased this commitment. Tranquillity And Reflection: PM Modi's Beach Stroll Sporting a relaxed black kurta and white slippers, PM Modi took a leisurely walk on the beach, with endless waters and sand as his backdrop. The scenic beauty, coupled with Lakshadweep's tranquillity, provided a moment for reflection on ways to work even harder for the welfare of 140 crore Indians. And those early morning walks along the pristine beaches were also moments of pure bliss. pic.twitter.com/soQEIHBRKj Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 4, 2024 Morning Bliss: A Glimpse Into PM Modi's Lakshadweep Mornings The Prime Minister shared enchanting pictures from his morning walks along the pristine beaches, emphasizing the mesmerizing tranquillity that Lakshadweep offers. These moments not only showcased the natural beauty of the islands but also served as an inspiration for deeper commitment towards the well-being of the nation. In this thrilling adventure, PM Modi not only explored Lakshadweep's underwater wonders but also reaffirmed his commitment to comprehensive development and the welfare of the Indian populace. This venture into snorkelling echoes back to 2019 when the world witnessed PM Modi's adventurous side during the 'Man vs Wild' show with Bear Grylls, showcasing his calm and cheerful demeanour in the untamed wilderness of Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand. The snorkelling expedition adds another chapter to PM Modi's adventurous endeavours, bringing forth a leader unafraid to delve into uncharted territories. New Delhi: Divya Pahuja, a 27-year-old model who had a turbulent relationship with Gurugrams most-wanted gangster Sandeep Gadoli, was found dead in a hotel room on Wednesday. Pahuja was accused of tipping off the Haryana police about Gadolis whereabouts, leading to his alleged fake encounter in a Mumbai hotel in 2016. She was out on bail after spending almost seven years in jail for the murder charge. Who Was Divya Pahuja? Pahuja, who hailed from Baldev Nagar in Gurugrams Sector-7, had a troubled past, as she was involved in the underworld since she was 18 years old. She met Gadoli, a notorious criminal who had over 30 cases of murder, extortion and robbery against him, through a common friend in 2014. She became his girlfriend and accomplice, and often accompanied him to different cities. She also worked as a model and participated in several fashion shows and events. All You Need To Know About Divya Pahuja Murder Case: Pahujas family raised an alarm when they could not reach her on her phone. They informed the police that she was last seen at a hotel owned by Abhijeet Singh, a 56-year-old businessman. The police raided the hotel and found blood stains on the stairs. They also checked the CCTV footage and saw two men dragging a body wrapped in a bed sheet and loading it into a blue BMW car. The police arrested Singh and his two employees, Hemraj and Om Prakash, for the murder. Singh confessed that he shot Pahuja after an argument over some personal photographs that she had of him. He said that she was blackmailing him and demanding money. He also said that he tried to delete the photos from her phone, but failed as it was password protected. The police are probing the motive behind the murder and the possible involvement of Gadolis relatives, who had a grudge against Pahuja for betraying the gangster. The police are also searching for the body, which is believed to be dumped somewhere in the city. The police have seized the BMW car and the weapon used in the crime. The case has been registered under sections 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of projects worth Rs 1,156 crores in Kavaratti. The projects included a fast internet facility through the Submarine Optical Fiber Project. Addressing people, PM Modi said that the NDA government is committed to the sustainable development of Lakshadweep. "The Solar Power Plant present here, which is based on the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), is one such example. Notably, this is Lakshadweep's first battery-backed Solar Project. This project will usher in lesser pollution and lesser impact on the ocean ecosystem of the State," the PM said. While PM Modi talked about development projects and initiatives of his government, it can be seen as a message to China and Maldives that New Delhi has its eyes on the islands as well. Lakshadweep, an archipelago of 36 islands having an area of 32 sq km, is strategically importance given its location and threat from China. Given China's increasing engagement with Sri Lanka and Maldives, Lakshadweep could be vital for forces in case of any conflict. In an interview with a leading daily, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu said that if India does not withdraw its forces from the island nation, then it would put democracy there in peril. Muizzu is said to be a pro-Beijing leader and came to power following his campaign against the presence of the Indian military in Maldives. With China's increasing influence in Maldives, India is looking to strengthen its bases in the area. Given the strategic importance of Lakshadweep, the Modi government is planning to set up an Air Force station or an airport on Minicoy Island. This will provide for civilians as well as forces in case of need. Also, this will help the BJP politically in the region as well. As Lakshadweep is mostly dependent on Kerala for its needs, Lakshadweep could prove to be a crucial gateway for the BJP to the communist-ruled state. If the island gets air connectivity, that may surprisingly boost the BJP's poll prospects. New Delhi: Samsung is gearing up to unveil its much-anticipated Galaxy S24 series, including the Samsung Galaxy S24, Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, on January 17, 2024. The details surrounding the Galaxy Unpacked event have been disclosed, shedding light on the expected features of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, according to reports from HT Tech. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: Expected Colour Option The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus is anticipated to make its debut in four color variants: Black, Gray, Violet, and Yellow. (Also Read: Good News For Government Employees! 4% Expected DA Hike In March 2024: Reports) Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: Expected Specifications Tech Radar suggests that the Plus edition will feature a 6.7-inch QHD+ display, boasting a refresh rate of 120Hz and a peak brightness of 2500 nits. There are also hints that it might incorporate the innovative M13 screen technology for an enhanced visual experience. (Also Read: First Gold Bond Of 2024 Opens For Subscription On February 12: Check More Details) Camera enthusiasts can look forward to a robust camera setup on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, expected to include a 50MP primary camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto camera offering 3x optical zoom. The camera system is rumored to integrate novel AI capabilities, promising advanced imaging features. Powering the Galaxy S24 Plus is a 4900mAh battery, supporting rapid 45W charging. In terms of performance, rumors suggest that the Galaxy S24 Ultra might be equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, while the Galaxy S24 Plus is expected to run on Samsung's Exynos 2400 processor. The exact RAM configuration, whether 8GB or 12GB, remains uncertain, but the smartphone is likely to offer storage options of 128GB and 256GB, catering to varying storage needs. Hours after 95 people were killed and over 200 were injured in two explosions caused by 'terrorist attacks' at a ceremony in Iran to commemorate top commander Qassem Soleimani, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has said that culprits will pay the price. Qassem Soleimani was killed by a US drone in 2020. Iranian President Raisi told a crowd in Tehran that the Zionist regime will pay the price. "I warn the Zionist regime, don't doubt it, you will pay the price for this crime. These crimes that you have committed (you) will deeply regret." Iran's elite force leader blamed America as well for the incident during a ceremony to pay tribute to Soleimani. "And you will see by the power of God that the one who has failed in this field and will leave this field more disgraced than today is the Zionist regime and the criminal America," said Esmail Ghaani, head of Iran's elite Quds force. Iranian Health Minister Bahram Eynollahi confirmed that the death toll stands at 95 instead of the 103 reported earlier. He told state TV that 211 others were injured, making it the deadliest attack in the history of Iran. The Islamic Republic has faced similar incidents in the past from various groups, including ISIS. Several countries, including Russia and Turkey, condemned the attacks. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for those responsible to be held accountable. While Iran has in the past blamed Israel for attacks on individual people or places, Israel has not responded to these allegations. However, as per reports, there was no indication of any involvement of a foreign hand in the cemetery explosions. (With agency inputs) KYODO NEWS - Jan 4, 2024 - 22:05 | All, World, Japan Japan has accepted a U.S. offer to assist in response to the powerful quake that rocked the central region on New Year's Day, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said Thursday, noting that logistical support from the military as well as food and other supplies are being readied. "When Japan is in a time of need, we're here to support them, both civilian with resources, military with logistics," the ambassador told Kyodo News. Initially the aid will be worth around $100,000 but that would be a "down-payment," he said. The announcement comes as Japan continues with its search and rescue operations in Ishikawa Prefecture as the death toll rises above 80 following the magnitude-7.6 quake on Monday. Access to the disaster-hit areas by land has been hampered due to severed roads. The ambassador said helicopters would help in moving resources in and out of the area, and a range of assistance -- from food, water, blankets, medical support to military engineers for bridges and roads -- is on the table. "We've offered it (assistance), it's been accepted. And this is a down-payment, if they need more, they know they can always call," he said. While countries and regions around the world have offered support and sent messages of condolences, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said earlier in the day that his government has so far declined to receive personnel and material support from overseas apparently because the affected areas are not yet capable of receiving material support or housing volunteers. But Kishida also told a press conference that Japan will be grateful for support that would not create any "burden." Emanuel said Japan's latest move to accept U.S. offer does not contradict its position, citing the U.S.-Japan alliance and the resources that already exist in the Asian country. "Without getting in the way...we're going to do whatever Japan says to move the resources wherever...This is a Japan-led effort. We're in an assistant, secondary role," he said. As for when the aid will start, the ambassador said, "I don't want to put a timeline of when it will be delivered but the wheels to deliver are already starting." U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement issued after the Monday quake that his country "stands ready to provide any necessary assistance for the Japanese people." When the massive earthquake-tsunami hit northeastern Japan in 2011, the U.S. military conducted a disaster relief mission known as "Operation Tomodachi," which came to symbolize the bilateral alliance. Related coverage: Quake death toll in central Japan tops 80, with 72-hr window closing 73 killed in Noto earthquake, search operations continue Fault responsible for recent Japan quake may stretch 150 km: experts KYODO NEWS - Jan 4, 2024 - 20:48 | All, Japan The pilots of the Japan Airlines jetliner that collided with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft at Tokyo's Haneda airport told an internal probe that they could not visually confirm the presence of the JCG plane when touching down, according to the company. The flight control data unveiled Wednesday showed no sign of controllers directing the JAL plane to abort its landing, suggesting both the airline's pilots and the flight controllers were unaware of the JCG aircraft entering the runway that the jetliner was approaching. The JCG aircraft is believed to have come to a stop on the runway for around 40 seconds just before the accident, sources close to the matter said, with JAL saying one of the three pilots aboard its plane said he saw something right before the accident that caused him concern. The flight control data showed controllers greenlit the jetliner to land while directing the JCG plane to proceed to a holding point, stopping short of allowing it to enter the runway where the collision happened. The 39-year-old captain of the JCG aircraft, who survived the accident, said he was cleared to enter the runway, according to the coast guard. The JCG added he said the back of the aircraft suddenly caught fire. JAL said it is providing all the necessary information to Japan's transport authorities and police, which are investigating the cause of the deadly accident on Tuesday that killed five of the six people aboard the JCG's Bombardier DHC8-300 aircraft. All 379 passengers and crew aboard the JAL Airbus A350 escaped through emergency slides without life-threatening injuries. The aircraft was engulfed in flames shortly after they all evacuated. The airline said Thursday that it will book a loss of 15 billion yen ($105 million) on an operating basis due to the plane being destroyed, although the loss will be covered by insurance. The overall impact of the accident on its earnings for fiscal 2023 is still unknown, JAL said. For the business year, the company is expecting to post a net profit of 80 billion yen on sales of 1.68 trillion yen. The JCG said its aircraft was heading to Niigata Prefecture to deliver relief supplies for people hit by the magnitude-7.6 earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula and surrounding areas on the Sea of Japan coast on New Year's Day. Related coverage: Canceled domestic flights due to Tokyo airport collision strand many JAL jet passengers recount 18 minutes of terror while awaiting escape Coast guard plane not given OK to enter runway in Tokyo collision KYODO NEWS - Jan 4, 2024 - 19:57 | All, World, Japan Taiwan pledged Thursday to donate 60 million yen ($418,800) to Japan to help its disaster relief after a powerful earthquake jolted Japan's central Noto Peninsula and surrounding areas on New Year's Day. At a press conference in Taipei, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said the government donation would be for the Japanese authorities' rescue operations and post-disaster reconstruction work, in hopes of returning life to normal as soon as possible. "Taiwan and Japan have close relations. Japan has always been the favorite country of the Taiwanese people," Wu said, adding that both sides have been acting like family members in recent years by lending a helping hand to each other in times of need. In addition to the aid, the self-ruled island's Health and Welfare Ministry has set up a fundraising campaign that is asking Taiwanese people to donate to assist those affected by the temblor in central Japan, Wu said. Kazuyuki Katayama -- chief representative of Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association's Taipei office, Tokyo's de facto ambassador to the territory -- also attended the press conference. Katayama thanked Taiwan for its help and praised the relief efforts. The association, headquartered in Tokyo and with offices in Taipei and Kaohsiung, represents Japanese interests on the island, in the absence of official diplomatic ties. Since the magnitude-7.6 quake hit the peninsula Monday and caused extensive structural damage, the death toll has risen above 80. Meanwhile, Beijing on Wednesday sent a message of condolence to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for the earthquake victims and offered sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured, according to China's official Xinhua News Agency. In the message, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said he was shocked to learn of the quake, which caused heavy casualties and property loss, adding that China is willing to provide necessary assistance to Japan's relief activities, according to the Xinhua report. Related coverage: U.S. to provide Japan quake support including through military: envoy Quake death toll in central Japan tops 80, with 72-hr window closing 73 killed in Noto earthquake, search operations continue KYODO NEWS - Jan 4, 2024 - 10:56 | All, World, Japan Japan plans to provide Ukraine with biofuel manufacturing technology to support reconstruction efforts of the Eastern European country torn by the war with Russia, Japanese government sources said Wednesday. The plan will be presented at a meeting in Tokyo next month of officials from the two countries' public and private sectors to discuss support for Ukraine's recovery. Tokyo expects the biofuel technology to create a new industry in Ukraine, an agricultural nation abundant in resources that can be used as fuel. Unlike the United States and Europe, Japan under its pacifist Constitution has a self-imposed ban on arms exports, and it is instead focusing on ways to aid in recovery and reconstruction following Russia's invasion. It is expected that Japanese firms will agree to provide renewable energy production technology and related equipment at the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Reconstruction to be held Feb. 19. Biofuels, which are produced from crops and livestock waste, can be used for power generation and have been attracting attention as one of the technologies that can lead decarbonization efforts. "If the business gets off the ground, it will provide promising export products" for Ukraine and potentially help increase the country's foreign currency earnings, a Japanese government official said. The Japanese government has been surveying Ukraine's needs ahead of the meeting, aiming to provide medium- and long-term support with the help of private investments in the fields of energy, medical care and infrastructure, the sources said. In addition to biofuels, Japan is also considering providing prosthetic legs made with 3D printing technology, and technology for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. Japan also plans to support the introduction in Ukraine of remote medical care and smart farming technologies, according to the sources. Related coverage: PM Kishida says Japan to play leading diplomatic role in "tense" 2024 Biden signs $886 billion defense bill to boost Indo-Pacific deterrence Japan eases rules on weapon exports to enhance security ties Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and head of a leading group of the country's fifth national economic census, inspects a private tech firm in Haidian District of Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 3, 2024. Ding made an inspection of the census work in Beijing on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang stressed during a Wednesday inspection in Beijing that the source data of China's ongoing fifth national economic census should be true, accurate and reliable. The economic census should comprehensively and objectively reflect China's high-quality development, grasp new development changes and characteristics accurately, provide information support for scientific planning and policy formulation, and promote Chinese modernization, said Ding, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. On a visit to a state-owned aviation fuel company, Ding said that enterprises should fill in every form truthfully, check every index item by item, and submit data accurately and in a timely manner. When inspecting a private tech firm, Ding said that personal information and business secrets will be under strict protection, and the data will be limited strictly to economic census purposes. As China's new economy develops rapidly, statistics related to new industries, business forms and models will provide a reliable basis for the formulation of more accurate and effective policy support, and for the accelerated formation of new productive forces, Ding said. In an office supplies store, Ding emphasized that there are more than 100 million self-employed businesses in China, and called on these micro business entities to cooperate actively during the economic census to help improve data quality. Ding also provided encouragement to enumerators in a sub-district office, urging them to strengthen their sense of responsibility and follow procedures strictly. Related census agencies should also improve their coordination and publicity to ensure a smooth census process, he said. Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and head of a leading group of the country's fifth national economic census, inspects an office supplies store in Haidian District of Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 3, 2024. Ding made an inspection of the census work in Beijing on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat, speaks at a meeting attended by the country's publicity officials in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Cai Qi, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), called for the thorough study and full implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture on Wednesday. Cai, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat, made the remarks at a meeting attended by the country's publicity officials. Cai called on the officials to focus on the foremost political task of equipping Party members and educating the people with the Party's new theories. He said that related efforts should be made to provide solid ideological guarantees, powerful inspiration and favorable cultural conditions for building China into a stronger country and rejuvenating the Chinese nation on all fronts. He said that it is necessary to follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, acquire an accurate understanding of new situations and tasks, and open up new horizons continuously for communication work. Cai underlined the importance of consolidating and building on the achievements of the Party's theoretical study program, and of focusing on confidence-boosting and consensus-building to create new momentum in mainstream public opinion. He also called for efforts to apply China's core socialist values extensively, ramp up the country's production of excellent cultural works, enhance its preservation and inheritance of cultural heritage, and deepen exchanges and learning among different civilizations. For culture, Party leadership should be upheld to ensure that the Party's publicity, as well as its ideological and cultural work, progresses in the right direction, Cai said. Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting and delivered work plans. Li urged the publicity officials to make efforts to understand and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Culture in depth, improve their capabilities to guide public opinion, and work to gain fresh perspectives and make new accomplishments in publicity, ideological and cultural work. Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, presides over a meeting attended by the country's publicity officials and delivers work plans in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) Children are seen at a temporary shelter in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, Jan. 3, 2024. A series of strong earthquakes, with a major one of 7.6 magnitude, on Monday struck at a shallow depth in the Noto region of Ishikawa prefecture. To date, 22 temporary shelters have been provided to quake-affected people in the most stricken city of Wajima in Ishikawa. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) by Xinhua writers Guo Dan, Zhang Yiyi, Li Guangzheng, Zhang Xiaoyu TOKYO, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- "I am now 79 years old, and this was the largest and most terrifying quake I've ever experienced," a resident from the central Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa recalled the darkest hours he went through when a 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck on Monday. "The walls of my house collapsed, and as roof tiles kept falling the entire roof was about to disappear," the elderly man told Xinhua while sheltering at Tomi Elementary School in the town of Shika, Hakui city, on Tuesday. "My daughter, granddaughter and I escaped through the sliding windows on the side, and had to spend a trembling night in the car." A series of strong earthquakes, with a major one of 7.6 magnitude, on Monday struck at a shallow depth in the Noto region of Ishikawa prefecture. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has officially named it the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake. Centered around 30 km east-northeast of Wajima, the devastating quake registered a maximum intensity of 7 on Japan's seismic intensity scale, which would make it impossible for people to stand. According to the JMA, it was the highest-level quake in Ishikawa prefecture since 1885, and the most severe temblor in Japan nationwide since 1995 apart from the 9.0-magnitude earthquake which hit northeast Japan on March 11, 2011. A JMA expert said that the earthquake, categorized as a seismic swarm, had a length of up to 150 kilometers in the epicenter area, leading to unprecedented scale and shaking intensity. All means of transportation to the quake-stricken area were disrupted on Monday, and on Tuesday morning, Xinhua reporters flew to an airport approximately 150 km from the hardest-hit Wajima City before driving towards the quake-affected zone. During the journey, cracks and damage were seen along the road, and at around 40 km from Wajima, the ground displayed crisscrossing cracks every five to 10 meters, some as wide as half a meter. Numerous houses along the road suffered severe roof damage, with a few collapsing entirely, leaving large stone fragments scattered over the roadside. The reporters were forced to detour at 30 km from Wajima, as the road was completely blocked by large amounts of tree trunks, debris and soil brought down by landslides. However, the road saw another collapse further ahead, making it impassable to reach the city. On the way to the quake-stricken area, Xinhua reporters witnessed residents heading towards Tomi Elementary School, carrying essential supplies. After the earthquake, the school became a shelter, with every classroom packed with people of all ages lying on the floor. After the earthquake struck, people gathered here to escape potential tsunamis and stayed as continuous aftershocks rendered many homes unsafe to return to, the person in charge at the shelter told Xinhua. As of 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, about 230 people have sought refuge in the school, and water supply is becoming a pressing issue. "The entire school is without water and its stored disaster-prevention water supply is quite limited. We have been fetching clean water from the nearby river to flush toilets for everyone," a 22-year-old man surnamed Kuida told Xinhua. Kuida lives nearby and went to the school as a child. "We can't go back home now, and I don't know what will happen in the future now seeing my alma mater turn into such chaos," he said, while aftershocks continued to take place. Various certificates and trophies in glass display cases at the entrance of the school building had fallen, the wooden corridor at the entrance was crooked, the ground had risen by more than 10 centimeters, and there were significant cracks in the walls. It was 32 km away from the severely stricken city of Wajima and as the winter night fell, the temperature suddenly dropped. As the cries of babies and the coughs of the elderly can be heard intermittently inside the school building, the night would undoubtedly be a difficult one for the sheltering residents to sleep through. People rest at a temporary shelter in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, Jan. 3, 2024. A series of strong earthquakes, with a major one of 7.6 magnitude, on Monday struck at a shallow depth in the Noto region of Ishikawa prefecture. To date, 22 temporary shelters have been provided to quake-affected people in the most stricken city of Wajima in Ishikawa. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) People rest at a temporary shelter in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, Jan. 3, 2024. A series of strong earthquakes, with a major one of 7.6 magnitude, on Monday struck at a shallow depth in the Noto region of Ishikawa prefecture. To date, 22 temporary shelters have been provided to quake-affected people in the most stricken city of Wajima in Ishikawa. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) A woman reads about earthquake news at a temporary shelter in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, Jan. 3, 2024. A series of strong earthquakes, with a major one of 7.6 magnitude, on Monday struck at a shallow depth in the Noto region of Ishikawa prefecture. To date, 22 temporary shelters have been provided to quake-affected people in the most stricken city of Wajima in Ishikawa. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) A man reads about earthquake news at a temporary shelter in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, Jan. 3, 2024. A series of strong earthquakes, with a major one of 7.6 magnitude, on Monday struck at a shallow depth in the Noto region of Ishikawa prefecture. To date, 22 temporary shelters have been provided to quake-affected people in the most stricken city of Wajima in Ishikawa. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) People rest at a temporary shelter in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, Jan. 3, 2024. A series of strong earthquakes, with a major one of 7.6 magnitude, on Monday struck at a shallow depth in the Noto region of Ishikawa prefecture. To date, 22 temporary shelters have been provided to quake-affected people in the most stricken city of Wajima in Ishikawa. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) People rest at a temporary shelter in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, Jan. 3, 2024. A series of strong earthquakes, with a major one of 7.6 magnitude, on Monday struck at a shallow depth in the Noto region of Ishikawa prefecture. To date, 22 temporary shelters have been provided to quake-affected people in the most stricken city of Wajima in Ishikawa. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) People rest at a temporary shelter in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, Jan. 3, 2024. A series of strong earthquakes, with a major one of 7.6 magnitude, on Monday struck at a shallow depth in the Noto region of Ishikawa prefecture. To date, 22 temporary shelters have been provided to quake-affected people in the most stricken city of Wajima in Ishikawa. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) BEIRUT, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Seven Hezbollah fighters, including Hezbollah official Hussein Yazbek, were killed Wednesday night in confrontations on the Lebanese-Israeli border, local media reported. According to Al-Jadeed local TV channel, Yazbek and his three bodyguards were killed in an Israeli air raid on a house in the southern town of Naqoura. Meanwhile, the other three fighters were killed in an air raid on a house in the southern village of Markaba, according to the National News Agency. Hezbollah announced earlier in the day that two of its fighters were killed due to Israeli airstrikes and heavy artillery shelling in several villages and towns in southern Lebanon. The Lebanon-Israel border witnessed increased tension since Oct. 8 after the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Israel in support of the Hamas attacks on Israel the previous day, prompting Israel to respond by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. The confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel killed 201 on the Lebanese side, including 146 Hezbollah members and 35 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources. TOKYO, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the massive earthquake in Japan climbed to 84 in the central Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa while the number of people unaccounted for surged to 179 as of 18:00 local time on Thursday, as a critical 72-hour window for search and rescue operations has closed. A series of earthquakes of up to 7.6 magnitude struck the prefecture and its vicinity on Monday. The powerful main tremor, followed by hundreds of aftershocks, injured a total of 305 people in the prefecture, local authorities said. Many were still believed to be trapped under rubble in the hard-hit coastal city of Wajima, where 48 deaths were confirmed so far, Kyodo News said. The first 72 hours after earthquakes are especially critical for rescues because the prospects for survival greatly diminish after that, experts say. However, miracles did happen as Japanese rescue workers pulled out a woman in her 80s from a collapsed house in Wajima City at around 4:28 p.m. local time, just over 72 hours after the major tremor hit the Noto Peninsula, noting that the woman was conscious and responsive. The extent of the damage from the earthquake and the tsunami it triggered remains unclear. Rubble and severed roads added to challenges in search and rescue operations, three days after the disaster struck on New Year's Day. Some roads have become impassable, leaving some areas cut off and without any help. According to Ishikawa prefecture, at least 750 people were cut off in 29 districts as of Thursday morning, public broadcaster NHK said. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida earlier called for an "all-out effort" to save as many lives as possible during the first 72 hours following the disaster at a meeting of the emergency disaster response headquarters. Ishikawa Governor Hiroshi Hase told a disaster management meeting that as of 4:00 p.m. local time, 72 hours after the quake, "the survival rate of those in need of rescue is said to drop precipitously." The government plans to allocate roughly 4 billion yen (28 million U.S. dollars) from reserve funds to beef up its response while doubling the number of Self-Defense Forces members engaging in rescue operations and other efforts to 4,600. With many running out of food and water supplies in affected areas, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced on Thursday that a transport ship carrying food and essential supplies was set to arrive at either Wajima port or Nanao port in Ishikawa prefecture by Friday evening. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said it will continue to provide food supplies to the quake-hit areas, after having sent about 240,000 meals with bread, rice and instant noodles, as well as 500 packages of powdered milk by Wednesday, at the request of Ishikawa prefecture. The ministry said the supplies have already reached the relay point in the prefecture and will be delivered to shelters and other destinations, adding that they shipped 190,000 bottles of drinking water on Thursday. Meanwhile, a Maritime Self-Defense Force transport ship has arrived off the coast of Wajima and unloaded heavy machinery that will be used for disaster cleanup work. As of Thursday, nearly 95,000 households, suffered water outages in several parts of Ishikawa due to water pipe damage, and some 34,000 people have stayed at evacuation centers in Ishikawa, according to media reports. The land ministry said that areas of at least 100 hectares in Ishikawa were flooded by tsunami waves following the earthquakes, and the true extent of the flooding will likely be larger. MANILA, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Suspected extremists have killed two soldiers in an ambush in Lanao del Norte province in the southern Philippines, a military general said on Thursday. Major General Gabriel Viray, the commander of an army infantry division, said at least six members of the Islamic militant group Dawlah Islamiya attacked a team of three soldiers aboard two motorcycles while heading back to a military base in Munai town around 3:00 p.m. local time on Wednesday. Viray said the soldiers, clad in civilian clothes, were in the village to gather intelligence information. One soldier survived the attack, he added. Last December, Philippine troops killed 11 alleged members of Dawlah Islamiya in a clash in Maguindanao del Sur province in southern Philippines. The military also blamed the extremist group for the bomb attack on Dec. 3 inside the gym of the Mindanao State University in Marawi City that killed at least four and injured some 50 others. BEIJING, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- The recent decision by the U.S. states of Maine and Colorado to bar former President Donald Trump from their ballots marks an unprecedented moment in the evolving U.S. political landscape. The moves unveil the deepening divisions within the country's political arena, where escalating political polarization and legal battles are increasingly defining the narrative of national governance and public discourse. POLITICAL RIFT On Dec. 19, the Supreme Court of the state of Colorado -- all seven of its justices appointed by Democratic governors -- banned Trump from running in the state's presidential primary in a divided 4-3 vote. The ruling represents an unprecedented use of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to disqualify a presidential candidate for the first time in history. "This ruling, issued by the Colorado Supreme Court, attacks the very heart of this nation's democracy," said Alina Habba, Trump's legal spokeswoman. On Dec. 28, U.S. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows also decided that Trump was disqualified from the state ballot in the upcoming presidential primary election due to his role in the U.S. Capitol riot. Bellows made history by prohibiting a presidential candidacy based on the same reason -- the rarely used insurrection clause of the 14th Amendment, which bars individuals who have participated in insurrection from holding office. Trump on Tuesday filed an appeal of the decision by Maine's top election official ruling him ineligible to appear on the state's primary ballot. He also asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday to invalidate the ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court. HARASSMENTS Days following Bellows's decision, she fell prey to a "swatting call," the state police said in a statement. Swatting is a false report of a crime or emergency that is intended to draw a police presence to a location. "We were not home yesterday when threats escalated, and our home address was posted online. Swatting incidents have resulted in casualties although thankfully this one did not," said Bellows in a statement she posted on Facebook. "It's designed to scare not only me but also others into silence, to send a message," she said. Colorado's justices have also been the targets of threats, local media reported. A gunman broke into the Colorado Supreme Court early Tuesday and took a security guard hostage while firing multiple gunshots before being arrested by local police. Although the state police said the break-in was most likely not related to the controversial ruling, some local media outlets pointed out such a connection. "The shooting is the latest example of violence and intimidation against Colorado's high court and its justices after the court's 4-3 decision last month," Forbes said in a story covering the shooting. "RIGGED ELECTION" The banning of Trump from states' 2024 primary ballots gives the appearance of "a rigged election," said Sara Haines, the host of The View, a U.S. daytime talk show. The recent decisions in Colorado and Maine to remove the former president from their ballots will only push more people to believe that voting systems are unfair, said Haines. "We have a nation that doesn't believe in democracy, doesn't believe in the voting," she said. "There is no doubt that Donald Trump is a threat to our liberties and even to our democracy," said California Governor Gavin Newsom in a statement. "But, in California, we defeat candidates at the polls." "Everything else is a political distraction," he said. In a recent article published by The Hill, David Axelrod, a former Obama adviser, said that a judicial ruling to exclude Trump from the primary ballot would rip the country apart. As the United States heads towards a critical election, Trump's exclusion from two state ballots may set the stage for a highly contentious electoral journey. "I saw the progress in infrastructure, technology, and the level of comfort, which had changed completely my previous imagination about China that people had told me about." Kaula Fahmi, an Indonesian scholar who studied in China, has said. #GLOBALink Produced by Xinhua Global Service PHNOM PENH, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Villagers in southern Cambodia's Takeo province have found two buried statues of the Buddha, which were crafted in the sixth or seventh century, the Takeo Provincial Department of Culture and Fine Arts said in a news release on Thursday. A 1.5-meter-high standing Buddha statue and a 0.8-meter-high cross-legged sitting Buddha statue were uncovered on Wednesday in Treang district's Sra Ngae commune when villagers were digging the ground for a pond. "The two sandstone-made statues were sculpted in the Phnom Da style, sometime in the sixth or seventh century," the news release said. Photographs released on social media by the Takeo Provincial Department of Culture and Fine Arts showed that the standing statue was broken at its feet and fingers, and the seated statute was fractured in its neck. "Both ancient artifacts were handed to the National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh on Thursday for restoration and preservation," the news release said. ISTANBUL, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- As visitors enter the exhibition hall at Istanbul's Taksim Square, they are greeted by an image, albeit of its childish strokes, vividly depicting a rocket-propelled grenade piercing the heart of a woman. This poignant artwork is the creation of Mona, a six-year-old Palestinian girl who lost her mother during the 2009 Gaza War. Her painting, generated into a clip of animation with the help of artificial intelligence, provides a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the most traumatic episode of her young life, offering a candid perspective seen through the eyes of a child. Mona is one of the many Gazan children who have poured their hearts and souls into their artworks, depicting the horrors and hopes of living in a war zone. Their paintings are part of the "Bulletproof Dreams: Gazan Child Painters" exhibition, which showcases 266 pieces of art by Palestinian children from the Gaza Strip. The month-long exhibition, which opened on Dec. 29, 2023, aims to raise awareness and empathy for the plight of the Gazan people, especially the children, who have suffered from decades of violence and oppression. The exhibition is the brainchild of Abdullah Aytekin, a Turkish journalist who covered the Gaza War of 2008-2009. He was moved by the stories and drawings of the children he met in Gaza, who expressed their pain and trauma with honesty and innocence. He decided to collect and display their paintings, hoping to give them a voice and a platform to share their experiences with the world. "The paintings express purely the pain without any kind of biased view," Aytekin said, adding that the children's art is more powerful and authentic than any news report or documentary. He collaborated with Palestinian authorities to transport the paintings from Gaza to Turkiye, overcoming many obstacles and losing many artworks along the way. Out of nearly a thousand paintings he gathered, only 266 survived the journey. The exhibition has drawn a lot of attention and praise, including from Turkiye's First Lady Emine Erdogan, who attended the opening ceremony. She said that the exhibition conveys the experiences and feelings of Gazan children in the most straightforward manner. "Indeed, their drawings serve as a reflection of their suffering," the first lady added. Fahrettin Altun, the presidency's director of communications, also spoke at the opening, stressing the importance of the exhibition in highlighting the impact of conflicts and massacres on children. "This exhibition, consisting of paintings of Gazan children drawing on paper with their little fingers what they perceive and feel in their own world and their own hearts and souls, clearly reveals their experiences and feelings," Altun said. WASHINGTON, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate a recent ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court, which removed him from the state's 2024 presidential primary ballot. Two weeks ago, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Trump, who is the 2024 Republican frontrunner, isn't an eligible presidential candidate, with a vote of 4-3. The ruling cited a U.S. constitutional provision prohibiting people who have engaged in "insurrection" from federal office. Lawsuits in Colorado, as well as some other states, argue that Trump should be disqualified from ballots because he engaged in inciting the Capitol Hill insurrection on Jan. 6 of 2021, in an attempt to block the 2020 presidential election victory of Joe Biden. The Colorado Supreme Court's ruling marked the first time a U.S. state court agreed that Trump should be disqualified from the 2024 presidential election citing the rarely used insurrection clause. The Trump campaign said earlier that it would ask the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the ruling, which would be placed on hold until Jan. 4, one day before the state's primary ballot was to be certified. It was unlikely the high court would resolve the case as quickly as this week, according to a CNN report. Last week, Maine's Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, barred Trump from the primary ballot, making Maine the second state to block the former president from running again. Trump appealed the decision in the state court on Tuesday, and could turn to U.S. Supreme Court as well. Both states hold their primaries on Super Tuesday, March 5, but ballots must be printed "well before then," according to The Washington Post. BUENOS AIRES, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- An Argentine court Wednesday suspended the labor clause included in President Javier Milei's Decree of Necessity and Urgency, an executive order he signed last month to make changes to laws regarding layoffs and the right to strike, among others. Judges from the National Chamber of Labor Appeals issued the ruling as a "precautionary measure" in response to a request from the General Confederation of Labor, the country's main labor union. According to the court's ruling, adopted by a 2-1 vote, several labor norms Milei intends to modify through executive order, "without giving intervention to legislators, are repressive or sanctioning in nature," and it was not clear how the order would benefit Milei's objective of "creating real jobs." Milei announced the decree in a message broadcast over the national radio and television network, saying the reforms would "unblock an oppressive legal and institutional framework." The decree's 366 articles aim to lay "the foundations for the reconstruction of the Argentine economy," according to its title. WAJIMA, Japan, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- As rain fell sluggishly down, the architectural integrity of each block crumbled with collapsed houses dotting the landscape in the Japanese city of Wajima, only 30 km away from the epicenter when a series of strong earthquakes on Monday rocked the Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture. Battling through torn-apart roads and bridges strewn with scattered debris and glass remnants, it took over nine hours for Xinhua reporters to drive their way into Wajima city on Wednesday from Takayama, which is about 100 kilometers away. A series of strong earthquakes, with a major one of 7.6 magnitude, on Monday struck at a shallow depth in the Noto region of Ishikawa. The Japan Meteorological Agency has officially named it the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake. Centered around 30 km east-northeast of Wajima, the devastating quake registered a maximum intensity of 7, which would make it impossible for people to stand. As of Thursday afternoon, prefectural government data showed that the Noto Peninsula Earthquake has claimed 82 lives in Ishikawa, with 48 fatalities recorded in the hardest-hit Wajima city, best known for its fisheries, lacquerware and markets. The earthquake also triggered a severe fire at the renowned Wajima Asaichi morning market, a century-old shopping district, destroying over 200 buildings. Less than one km from where the fire broke out, two stone pillars stood tilting awkwardly in the middle of the road. They were, astonishingly, sections of sewer pipes lifted about a meter high from below the ground. Adjacent to them, two houses presented a surreal sight, one reduced to just its roof after collapsing, with the other elevated, resting on top of two cars in the front yard. In the pattering rain, the devastated city was falling short of water and food, and residents were lining up holding umbrellas along the roadside. A girl in her 20s in the queue told Xinhua that this was the only open supermarket in Wajima after the temblors and that she had traveled for over half an hour with her family upon hearing the news of the supermarket's reopening on social media. Having queued for more than three hours already, she remained uncertain about when she would reach the front, and even then, the availability of food was unknown. Recalling the scene when the earthquake struck, the girl was still in a state of shock: "Our family lives on the beach in Wajima City. When the earthquake occurred, the underground water pipe may have burst and the entire entrance was flooded. Just when my family and I were at a loss for what to do, we learned there was a tsunami warning, so we immediately ran for the hills. I only realized halfway through that I hadn't even put on my shoes." "I was staying on the fifth floor of the hotel when the earthquake happened. The windows of my entire room flew out." A white-haired old man in the queue told Xinhua that he was a tourist from Aichi Prefecture and nearly 30 people of their tourist group were trapped in the city after the earthquake, staying at a nearby shelter. "I haven't had a meal since the earthquake except for some snacks and a bottle of drinking water given by the shelter. When I saw everyone queuing up here, I followed suit. I didn't expect to wait in line for more than three hours. I feel like I can't hold on any longer," he said. Reporters went to the front of the queue to find out what was going on, and saw clear purchase restrictions posted on the wall: each household could purchase up to one case of water, one case of instant noodles and two boxes of instant rice. After the earthquake, almost all traffic to Wajima City was blocked, and relief supplies were unable to enter the disaster-stricken area in large quantities. The shortage of water and food is currently the biggest difficulty here, according to media reports. A group of firefighters were still carrying out the rescue as the rain got heavier and the sky turned completely dark. "A four-storey building collapsed on the residential house next to it. We have found a woman under the rubble." Firefighters had no time to talk too much, but a Japanese journalist told Xinhua that the rescue team began their operation here on Wednesday morning, but the woman had not yet been rescued. Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Jan. 3, 2024. The Ministry of Health in Gaza on Wednesday updated the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks to 22,313 and the number of wounded to 57,296. The ministry said in a statement that the Israeli army killed 128 Palestinians and wounded 261 others during the past 24 hours. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua) Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Jan. 3, 2024. The Ministry of Health in Gaza on Wednesday updated the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks to 22,313 and the number of wounded to 57,296. The ministry said in a statement that the Israeli army killed 128 Palestinians and wounded 261 others during the past 24 hours. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua) Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Jan. 3, 2024. The Ministry of Health in Gaza on Wednesday updated the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks to 22,313 and the number of wounded to 57,296. The ministry said in a statement that the Israeli army killed 128 Palestinians and wounded 261 others during the past 24 hours. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua) Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Jan. 3, 2024. The Ministry of Health in Gaza on Wednesday updated the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks to 22,313 and the number of wounded to 57,296. The ministry said in a statement that the Israeli army killed 128 Palestinians and wounded 261 others during the past 24 hours. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua) Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Jan. 3, 2024. The Ministry of Health in Gaza on Wednesday updated the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks to 22,313 and the number of wounded to 57,296. The ministry said in a statement that the Israeli army killed 128 Palestinians and wounded 261 others during the past 24 hours. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua) Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Jan. 3, 2024. The Ministry of Health in Gaza on Wednesday updated the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks to 22,313 and the number of wounded to 57,296. The ministry said in a statement that the Israeli army killed 128 Palestinians and wounded 261 others during the past 24 hours. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua) People gather in front of a building destroyed after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Jan. 3, 2024. The Ministry of Health in Gaza on Wednesday updated the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks to 22,313 and the number of wounded to 57,296. The ministry said in a statement that the Israeli army killed 128 Palestinians and wounded 261 others during the past 24 hours. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua) People are framed by a building destroyed after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Jan. 3, 2024. The Ministry of Health in Gaza on Wednesday updated the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks to 22,313 and the number of wounded to 57,296. The ministry said in a statement that the Israeli army killed 128 Palestinians and wounded 261 others during the past 24 hours. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua) People are framed by a building destroyed after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Jan. 3, 2024. The Ministry of Health in Gaza on Wednesday updated the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks to 22,313 and the number of wounded to 57,296. The ministry said in a statement that the Israeli army killed 128 Palestinians and wounded 261 others during the past 24 hours. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua) People are seen through the structure of a building destroyed after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Jan. 3, 2024. The Ministry of Health in Gaza on Wednesday updated the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks to 22,313 and the number of wounded to 57,296. The ministry said in a statement that the Israeli army killed 128 Palestinians and wounded 261 others during the past 24 hours. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua) A man inspects a building destroyed after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Jan. 3, 2024. The Ministry of Health in Gaza on Wednesday updated the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks to 22,313 and the number of wounded to 57,296. The ministry said in a statement that the Israeli army killed 128 Palestinians and wounded 261 others during the past 24 hours. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua) This photo shows the UN Security Council meeting on Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea at the UN headquarters in New York on Jan. 3, 2024. (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday held an open meeting on Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea, amid growing concerns for global trade and regional stability due to the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict in Gaza. UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari told the council that "no cause or grievance" could justify continuing Houthi attacks against freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, adding that all incidents originating in Houthi controlled areas "must stop." He encouraged "all concerned parties" in the wider region to avoid any further escalation and de-escalate tensions and threats and called for a return to the regular flow of traffic to avoid the risk of Yemen being "dragged into a regional conflagration." The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, described the attacks as unacceptable, saying ships "must be allowed to trade worldwide unhindered and in accordance with international law." He reiterated a call for de-escalation "to ensure the safety of our seafarers, freedom of navigation and stability of supply chains." A significant number of companies are already rerouting their ships around South Africa to reduce their risks, which takes an additional 10 days to journeys on average and negatively impacts international trade, and costs of freight, said Dominguez. He reminded of earlier recommendations agreed in December on how to deal with the crisis, saying IMO had a program already in place on security in the Red Sea region. Nicolas de Riviere, the permanent representative of France to the United Nations, which holds the presidency of the council this month, said that it is the collective responsibility of this council to ensure that the peace process in Yemen continues according to the road map of the UN special envoy on Yemen. Vassily Nebenzia, Russia's permanent representative to the United Nations, said that restrictions on freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden were "not happening in a vacuum." He said nobody should deny that "what is happening in the Red Sea is a direct projection of the violence in Gaza, where Israel's bloody operation has been ongoing for three months." Escalation is also happening in other occupied Palestinian territories, he continued, as well as across the Israel-Lebanon border. He blamed the United States for covering up Israel's actions and holding the remaining members of the Security Council "hostage" by vetoing any resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire. In his inaugural address as a Security Council member, Algeria's permanent representative to the United Nations, Amar Bendjama, recognized the crucial role of the Red Sea passage as of "paramount importance for the whole world." He said the crisis at sea must be seen within a broader regional context. He noted that the Red Sea is "far more than just a trade route," hailing it as a historic region with legitimate aspirations and hopes. The Security Council issued a press statement on Dec. 1, addressing the Houthi threat and condemning the attacks "in the strongest terms." The Security Council's most recent meeting about the crisis on Dec. 29 saw UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warn of the widening risks of further spillover. Nicolas de Riviere, the permanent representative of France to the United Nations, which holds the presidency of the council this month, speaks at the UN Security Council meeting on Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea at the UN headquarters in New York on Jan. 3, 2024. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari speaks at the UN Security Council meeting on Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea at the UN headquarters in New York on Jan. 3, 2024. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) A Cuban expert has spoken highly of China's strength in clean energy development, noting that China leads the world in clean energy investments and production. Produced by Xinhua Global Service UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday expressed China's steadfast commitment to collaborate with all involved parties in ongoing efforts to facilitate de-escalation in the Red Sea. "China stays committed to working with all parties to make unremitting efforts to promote de-escalation in the Red Sea, a political settlement of the Yemen issue, the cessation of hostilities in Gaza, and long-lasting peace and stability in the Middle East," Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, told the Security Council. Geng emphasized the critical role of the Red Sea as an international transportation route. "Ensuring unimpeded access to the waterway and the safety of passing vessels contributes not only to the security and stability of the region, but also to global supply chain security and the maintenance of international trade order," he stressed. "We call on the relevant party to cease assaulting civilian ships and respect and protect the freedom of navigation of all countries in the Red Sea," Geng articulated China's position when addressing the recent security breaches in the area. Geng further highlighted the broader geopolitical implications of the situation. He pointed out that "the Yemen issue is at a critical juncture," with the tensions in the Red Sea introducing new challenges and complexities to the already unstable Middle East. "We call on all parties concerned to remain calm, exercise restraint, stay committed to dialogue and consultation, and promote a political settlement," the ambassador urged, emphasizing the need for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions. Moreover, Geng drew a connection between the situation in the Red Sea and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He stated: "The current tensions in the Red Sea are one of the manifestations of the spillover effects of the conflict in Gaza." The envoy asserted that resolving the Gaza crisis is crucial, as "only by achieving an early ceasefire in Gaza and easing the humanitarian crisis on the ground can we avert any further escalation in the Red Sea." BEIJING, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Recently a Reuters report cited a speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping as saying that China is reviving "wolf warrior diplomacy," but upon examination, Xinhua discovered the report was the result of a misreading of official Chinese literature. The Reuters report quoted a speech Xi made before Chinese diplomatic envoys in late December as saying that the Chinese ambassadors were urged to "forge a diplomatic iron army." The report went on to say the phrase "iron army" revived "the abrasive Wolf Warrior rhetoric propagated by some diplomats as a sign of China's increasingly assertive foreign policy." By making the association, the Reuters report implies that the call for forging an "iron army" is an order to carry out "wolf warrior diplomacy" in disguise. In reality, this association is misleading. "Iron Army" is a frequently appearing phrase in official Chinese literature and carries a specific meaning. It emphasizes the discipline of government officials and has nothing to do with the armed forces. That's why the phrase has been around for ages and can be found in official speeches across government agencies, ranging from law enforcement to environmental protection. For example, in an interview in 2021, Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu called for forging "an environmental protection iron army", using the phrase in the sense of strengthening discipline. If the Reuters report provided a more complete context for the phrase iron army, readers would realize that the envoys were not being urged to put on a menacing face before the world. Instead, they were being encouraged to act on their best behavior and not bend the rules. Admittedly, for Western readers, the phrase iron army conjures up an intimidating image that can easily be interpreted as a synonym for wolf warrior, but it doesn't really mean that. Wrongly associating phrases and basing entire news stories on them does no good in offering readers an accurate understanding of what China is saying. A girl tries to get food relief in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Dec. 31, 2023. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) GAZA, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Ahmed Masoud, a Palestinian young man living in the Gaza Strip, is one of the volunteers helping to provide food and shelter for the thousands of displaced in the southern city of Rafah in the war-torn coastal enclave. "We need to provide about 5,000 meals daily for the newly displaced families here," the 26-year-old man told Xinhua. "They do not have any access to basic needs as they had just escaped from death and run into unknown fate amid the ongoing Israeli attacks." People wait for food relief in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Dec. 31, 2023. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Masoud, a displaced person himself, said he came up with the idea three months ago when he and his family were forced to leave their home in Gaza City and relocated three times ever since. "Whenever we are displaced to different places, we have suffered a lot until we manage our life. We barely can find food after five or six days ... sometimes, we were forced to sleep in the streets without having any accommodations," he recalled. His suffering inspired him to help other displaced families. Masoud established a group where he and 30 other young men contacted local businessmen, international organizations, and foreign donors, trying to get the needed funds for the displaced. "Once we got the needed money, we started to cook and build temporary tents for our people," Masoud said, adding that "day by day, our project has been expanded and our contributors have been increased." However, "we are still struggling to cover all the needy families as the number of displaced families reaching Rafah is soaring," the young man said. This photo taken on Dec. 31, 2023 shows a temporary camp between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Since Oct. 7, Palestinians in the war-torn coastal enclave have been living under the bloody conflict between Hamas militants and the Israeli army, which has killed more than 22,000 Palestinians as of Tuesday, and wounded more than 57,000 others, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry. The military offensive has displaced more than 1.9 million people in Gaza, with a majority of them being squeezed into the small area in the southern border area, according to the Gaza government media office. "Nearly 1.4 million of these displaced people were registered in 155 UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) facilities," the UNRWA said Sunday. People are seen on a street with damaged buildings in Gaza City, on Jan. 2, 2024. (Photo by Mohammed Ali/Xinhua) However, "about 400,000 displaced people were forced to take refuge in their relatives' homes or temporary tents," Mohammed Nijim, another Palestinian young man who works with Masoud, told Xinhua. "We are in the winter season and people need to live in suitable accommodations that could protect them from the cold." "So far, we have built about 20,000 tents and provided them for free for the displaced people," he said. "We aim at building more and more tents for our people." Safaa Shihada, a woman from southern Khan Younis city, said what these young men are doing is a "rescue boat" for her and her family during their displacement. "Without such help, neither my family nor I would be able to deal with such a tragic situation that has been imposed on us," the 39-year-old woman told Xinhua. KABUL, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan caretaker government has condemned the recent twin blasts in Iran's Kerman province, which caused heavy casualties. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan condemns the two blasts," foreign ministry spokesman of the caretaker government Abdul Qahar Balkhi said on his X or former Twitter account on Thursday. "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan also expresses sympathy and offers condolences to the government of Iran, its people and particularly to the families of the victims of the blasts," the spokesman added. The two explosions occurred Wednesday near the burial site of Iran's slain general Qassem Soleimani in Kerman, in southeast Iran, when many people gathered to mark the fourth anniversary of Soleimani's death in a U.S. drone strike. The blasts killed nearly 100 people with more than 210 others injured, according to Iranian media reports. ISLAMABAD, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on Wednesday reaffirmed his country's commitment to continued engagement and mutually beneficial ties with Afghanistan. During a meeting with an Afghan delegation led by Governor of Kandahar and Deputy Head of Military Intelligence and Strategy of Afghanistan Haji Mullah Shirin, Jilani underscored the importance of addressing all issues of concern to harness the full potential for regional trade and connectivity, according to the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two sides exchanged views on key issues of mutual concern, including peace and security, as well as people-to-people contacts during the meeting, said the foreign ministry. Shirin appreciated Pakistan for the generous support extended to millions of Afghans for over four decades and agreed to continue high-level engagement and dialogue to further strengthen bilateral relations, it added. Earlier, the Afghan delegation also participated in the 6th session of Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Coordination Committee (JCC). In the JCC meeting, the two sides discussed coordination mechanisms to facilitate cross-border movement with a view to promoting people-to-people contacts, according to the ministry. YANGON, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's State Administration Council on Thursday pardoned over 9,000 prisoners to mark the country's 76th anniversary of Independence Day, according to the council's orders. The prisoners, 9,652 from Myanmar and 114 from other countries, were remitted sentences for the peace of the people and on humanitarian ground, the orders said. Last year, 7,012 prisoners were granted amnesty on the country's 75th anniversary of Independence Day. On Aug. 1 2023, the Southeast Asian country also pardoned more than 7,000 prisoners in an amnesty to mark the Dhammacakka Day, a significant Buddhist occasion that falls on the full moon of the second Waso lunar month of the Myanmar calendar. RAMALLAH, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Israeli forces arrested at least 51 Palestinian women from the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing war with Hamas, two Palestinian groups said Thursday. The Palestine Liberation Organization's Detainees and Ex-Prisoners Affairs Authority and the Palestinian Prisoners' Club said in a joint statement that the women were being held in Israel's Damon prison. They said the detainees included an 82-year-old woman and several of her relatives. The groups said the actual number of female detainees from Gaza was higher, but they only had clear data on those in Damon prison. The statement said the women faced "torture and humiliation" and were detained in "tragic conditions" like all Gaza detainees. It said Israel prevented lawyers from human rights organizations from visiting the detainees and learning about their situation, and also denied access to the International Committee of the Red Cross. The statement said the Israeli Prisons Administration only disclosed that there were 661 Gaza detainees, whom it labeled as "unlawful combatants." TOKYO, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- The death toll has risen to 78 in the central Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa as of Thursday morning, after a series of earthquakes of up to 7.6 magnitude struck the prefecture and its vicinity. The most stricken city of Wajima in Ishikawa has confirmed a total of 44 deaths, the national news agency Kyodo reported, citing local authorities. In a series of aftershocks, nearly 95,000 households, as of Thursday morning, suffered water outages in several parts of Ishikawa due to water pipe damages. Rubble and severed roads added to challenges in search and rescue operations, three days after the 7.6-magnitude quake on New Year's Day rocked Ishikawa and nearby areas, setting off tsunami warnings. The land ministry said areas of at least 100 hectares in Ishikawa were flooded by tsunami waves following Monday's earthquakes, and the true extent of the flooding will likely be larger. The first 72 hours after earthquakes are especially critical for rescues because the prospects for survival greatly diminish after that, experts say. "More than 40 hours have passed since the disaster. This is a race against time, and I feel that we are at a critical moment," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told a press conference on Wednesday. "We have received reports many people are still waiting for rescue under collapsed buildings." A series of strong earthquakes, with a major one of 7.6 magnitude, on Monday struck at a shallow depth in the Noto region of Ishikawa. The Japan Meteorological Agency has officially named it the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake. Centered around 30 km east-northeast of Wajima, the devastating quake registered a maximum intensity of 7, which would make it impossible for people to stand. CANBERRA, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Australia's biggest celebration of cars has opened in the nation's capital city, drawing thousands of visitors. The 36th edition of Summernats began in Canberra's Exhibition Park on Thursday. Held annually since 1987, except for 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the four-day festival is a celebration of modified specialist cars, featuring competitive driving events as well as music, exhibitions and trade shows. The 2022 edition of the festival was the biggest yet, attracting over 120,000 visitors and 2,700 vehicles but was marred by poor crowd behavior that forced police to close the cruise circuit early due to safety concerns. Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Policing at the time criticized organizers of Summernats for inadequate crowd control. Despite those concerns, Summernats co-owner and managing director Andy Lopez has promised a bigger and better event in 2024. "What the Summernats promises to bring to Canberra is more of the same fun and color that we do every year, as well as over 30 million Australian dollars (20.1 million U.S. dollars) in economic impact," he told online publication Canberra Daily in December. "It's a great event for Canberra, and a great event for a quiet time of year." At midday on Thursday, hundreds of Summernats vehicles will depart from Exhibition Park in Canberra's north to cruise around the city. Alongside the main festival at Exhibition Park, the Braddon Fringe Festival will run for three nights, bringing vehicles, live music and food and drink to Canberra's inner-north. Andrew Barr, chief minister of the ACT, said in December that the festival would "kickstart" a big year of tourism in Canberra, with 5.5 million people expected to visit the Australian capital in 2024. GAZA, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Ahmed Masoud, a Palestinian young man living in the Gaza Strip, is one of the volunteers helping to provide food and shelter for the thousands of displaced in the southern city of Rafah in the war-torn coastal enclave. "We need to provide about 5,000 meals daily for the newly displaced families here," the 26-year-old man told Xinhua. "They do not have any access to basic needs as they had just escaped from death and run into unknown fate amid the ongoing Israeli attacks." Masoud, a displaced person himself, said he came up with the idea three months ago when he and his family were forced to leave their home in Gaza City and relocated three times ever since. "Whenever we are displaced to different places, we have suffered a lot until we manage our life. We barely can find food after five or six days ... sometimes, we were forced to sleep in the streets without having any accommodations," he recalled. His suffering inspired him to help other displaced families. Masoud established a group where he and 30 other young men contacted local businessmen, international organizations, and foreign donors, trying to get the needed funds for the displaced. "Once we got the needed money, we started to cook and build temporary tents for our people," Masoud said, adding that "day by day, our project has been expanded and our contributors have been increased." However, "we are still struggling to cover all the needy families as the number of displaced families reaching Rafah is soaring," the young man said. Since Oct. 7, Palestinians in the war-torn coastal enclave have been living under the bloody conflict between Hamas militants and the Israeli army, which has killed more than 22,000 Palestinians as of Tuesday, and wounded more than 57,000 others, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry. The military offensive has displaced more than 1.9 million people in Gaza, with a majority of them being squeezed into the small area in the southern border area, according to the Gaza government media office. "Nearly 1.4 million of these displaced people were registered in 155 UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) facilities," the UNRWA said Sunday. However, "about 400,000 displaced people were forced to take refuge in their relatives' homes or temporary tents," Mohammed Nijim, another Palestinian young man who works with Masoud, told Xinhua. "We are in the winter season and people need to live in suitable accommodations that could protect them from the cold." "So far, we have built about 20,000 tents and provided them for free for the displaced people," he said. "We aim at building more and more tents for our people." Safaa Shihada, a woman from southern Khan Younis city, said what these young men are doing is a "rescue boat" for her and her family during their displacement. "Without such help, neither my family nor I would be able to deal with such a tragic situation that has been imposed on us," the 39-year-old woman told Xinhua. VIENTIANE, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Lao officials have convened in the Lao capital Vientiane for discussion and exchange of opinions in preparation for the 31st ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council meeting in 2024. Officials attending the meeting Wednesday expected to showcase the country's products and services to tourism professionals at the upcoming ASEAN meeting. The 31st ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council meeting will take place from March 25 to March 30 in northern Laos' Luang Prabang province during Laos' chairmanship of ASEAN, Lao News Agency (KPL) reported on Thursday. The meeting will focus on three priority topics. The first of these is promoting the role of culture and art in ASEAN to make these aspects both comprehensive and sustainable. The second topic will involve discussions on environmental cooperation and resilience to climate change, while the third will center on the advancement of the wellbeing of women and children in ASEAN nations. BEIJING, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent a message of condolences to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi over the serious terror attacks in the country. Xi said he was shocked to learn that serious terror attacks have taken place in Iran's Kerman, causing heavy casualties. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi expressed deep condolences to the victims and sincere sympathy to the injured and the bereaved families. Xi stressed that China opposes all forms of terrorism, strongly condemns terrorist attacks and firmly supports Iran's efforts in safeguarding national security and stability. TEHRAN, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Two explosions near the burial site of Iran's slain general Qassem Soleimani killed at least 95 people and wounded more than 210 others on Wednesday, reported local media. The blasts occurred as many people gathered at the cemetery in Iran's southeastern city of Kerman to mark the fourth anniversary of Soleimani's death in a U.S. drone strike. The first blast was about 700 meters from Soleimani's tomb and the second was a kilometer away, according to the official IRNA news agency. Rahman Jalali, the deputy governor of Kerman province for political and security affairs, said the explosions were carried out by "terrorists," the IRNA reported. Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network said the cause of the blasts was still under investigation and that rescue teams were at the scene. It added that most of the injuries were caused by overcrowding and panic. The Iranian government has declared Thursday a day of national mourning. Soleimani, one of the most powerful military commanders in Iran, was killed on Jan. 3, 2020, near Baghdad's international airport in a drone strike ordered by then-U.S. President Donald Trump. He was buried in his hometown of Kerman after a funeral that drew millions of mourners across Iran. Iran denounced the assassination as "state terrorism" and vowed revenge. Following the latest incident, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said the attackers will face "a harsh response." Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said that, "Undoubtedly, the perpetrators and leaders of this cowardly act will soon be identified and punished." U.S. officials, meanwhile, rejected any suggestion that it or its ally Israel was behind the deadly blasts. "The United States was not involved in any way. And the suggestion to the contrary is ridiculous. And No. 2, we have no reason to believe that Israel is involved in this," Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters Wednesday. The United Nations, European Union, and several countries including Russia, Turkiye, and Germany denounced the blasts. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms and said those responsible must be brought to justice, according to a statement issued by the UN chief's office. In a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell strongly condemned the deadly incident, and extended condolences to the victims' families and the Iranian government and people, wishing a speedy recovery for the injured. According to a statement from the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin had sent a message to Khamenei and Raisi, saying that Russia strongly condemns terrorism in all forms and reaffirms its commitment to the uncompromising fight against it. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a phone call with Raisi, condemned the twin attacks "targeting civilians," reiterating his call for Iran to act jointly in the fight against terrorism. It was also decided at the phone talk to postpone Raisi's visit to Turkiye, originally scheduled for Thursday, "to a later date," said Erdogan's office, which was also confirmed by Mohammad Jamshidi, the Iranian president's deputy chief of staff for political affairs. "We are deeply saddened by the many deaths in today's explosions in Kerman, including many children," Germany's Foreign Ministry wrote on social media platform X. "We condemn this act of terror." The people of Iran deserve a future in peace and security, the ministry added. MOGADISHU, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has wrapped up training for the Somali Police Force (SPF) officers to improve their skills in tackling violent extremism and acts of terrorism in communities. The Training of Trainers course aimed at enhancing knowledge, and skills and improving the attitude of the SPF regarding community policing, the ATMIS said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, Wednesday evening. ATMIS Police Commissioner Hillary Sao Kanu, who closed the training, reiterated ATMIS's commitment to supporting the enhancement of police capabilities, enabling them to assume security responsibilities ahead of the AU Mission's exit from Somalia in December. "I want you to use these skills as a yardstick when you go out to fight al-Shabab militants and other criminals because community policing is all about inclusivity, cohesion, and working together to combat crime," Kanu said. During the week-long training, which is part of a series of initiatives organized by the ATMIS Police Component, participants were taken through the role of police and media in community policing, the legal framework of policing in Somalia, community safety volunteers, and introduction to intelligence gathering, among other topics. Osman Abdullahi Mohammed, SPF deputy police commissioner, said the training would contribute to the improved efficiency of policing services and commended ATMIS for its support in boosting the police force's capabilities. "The training will help improve the efficiency of police services in the community as well as bolster cooperation between the police and the community," Mohammed said. ATMIS Police Training and Development Coordinator Samuel Asiedu Okanta stressed the significance of community policing in complementing traditional methods, such as patrols and guard duties, in preventing violent crime. "We believe that community policing, if well implemented, will help reduce radicalism and prevent acts of terrorism because persons involved in violent extremism activities are in the communities," Okanta said. The ATMIS Police Component is mandated to train and mentor the SPF to enable them to assume security responsibilities once ATMIS exits Somalia at the end of December. ATMIS police have successfully trained 1,101 SPF officers across the country, including 193 female officers, since the beginning of 2023. KABUL, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Police in Afghanistan's capital city Kabul have recorded 320 criminal cases over the past month, Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said. "Around 320 criminal cases including 12 murders have been recorded in Kabul within one month," a local television channel Tolonews quoted Zadran on Thursday as saying. Zadran made the remarks amid an increase in criminal activities recently as Kabul residents believe that the criminal activities have gone up over the past couple of months. The private media outlet citing a Kabul resident Abdul Jabar reported that after 8:00 p.m. local time the robbers would rob everything from anyone on the streets. Police, according to Zadran, had arrested about 4,000 individuals on charges of involvement in criminal activities in 2023. HOUSTON, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Wednesday sued Texas over its new law known as SB 4 that makes illegal immigration a state crime, arguing that the federal government, not the state, has "exclusive authority" to enforce immigration law. The state's "efforts, through SB 4, intrude on the federal government's exclusive authority to regulate the entry and removal of noncitizens, frustrate the United States' immigration operations and proceedings, and interfere with U.S. foreign relations," said the DOJ in its lawsuit filed with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. "SB 4 is invalid and must be enjoined," the complaint said. "SB 4 is clearly unconstitutional," Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said in a statement. "Under the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution and longstanding Supreme Court precedent, states cannot adopt immigration laws that interfere with the framework enacted by Congress." The Biden administration also accused the Texas law, which is set to take effect in March, of preventing immigrants from requesting asylum in the country, a civil right they have regardless of how they enter the United States. Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the highly controversial bill to police immigration on Dec. 18. Under the law, state law enforcement officers will be authorized to arrest migrants who cross the border illegally. Afterward, the detained migrants could either agree to a Texas judge's order to leave the country or be prosecuted on misdemeanor charges carrying a punishment of up to six months in prison. Repeat offenders could face more serious felony charges with a punishment of two to 20 years in jail. Two immigrant rights groups, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Texas Civil Rights Project, filed a lawsuit against the state law with an Austin federal court later last month. They are on behalf of El Paso County, the largest border county in Texas, as well as two other immigrant rights organizations -- El Paso-based Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center and Austin-based American Gateways. Up to 30 former U.S. immigration judges, who served under both Republican and Democratic administrations, signed a letter last month condemning the measure as unconstitutional. U.S. law enforcement agents dealt with more than 300,000 migrants in December alone at the U.S.-Mexico border, hitting an all-time monthly high, according to internal government data obtained by CBS News. In the fiscal year that ended in September, there were more than 2.4 million apprehensions across the U.S.-Mexico border, breaking the record of 2.3 million from a year earlier. Tourists enjoy the food during the Paotang banquet held in Zhongba Village of Shiquan County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 3, 2024. A week-long tourism event is held here, attracting tourists coming here to experience the local culture. Shiquan Paotang banquet is a provincial intangible cultural heritage in Shaanxi Province, held annually to entertain relatives, friends and neighbors during the twelfth month of the Chinese traditional lunar calendar. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) Tourists enjoy the food during the Paotang banquet held in Zhongba Village of Shiquan County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 3, 2024. A week-long tourism event is held here, attracting tourists coming here to experience the local culture. Shiquan Paotang banquet is a provincial intangible cultural heritage in Shaanxi Province, held annually to entertain relatives, friends and neighbors during the twelfth month of the Chinese traditional lunar calendar. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) This aerial photo taken on Jan. 3, 2024 shows the Paotang banquet held in Zhongba Village of Shiquan County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. A week-long tourism event is held here, attracting tourists coming here to experience the local culture. Shiquan Paotang banquet is a provincial intangible cultural heritage in Shaanxi Province, held annually to entertain relatives, friends and neighbors during the twelfth month of the Chinese traditional lunar calendar. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) This aerial photo taken on Jan. 3, 2024 shows the Paotang banquet held in Zhongba Village of Shiquan County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. A week-long tourism event is held here, attracting tourists coming here to experience the local culture. Shiquan Paotang banquet is a provincial intangible cultural heritage in Shaanxi Province, held annually to entertain relatives, friends and neighbors during the twelfth month of the Chinese traditional lunar calendar. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) Staff members prepare to serve dishes during the Paotang banquet held in Zhongba Village of Shiquan County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 3, 2024. A week-long tourism event is held here, attracting tourists coming here to experience the local culture. Shiquan Paotang banquet is a provincial intangible cultural heritage in Shaanxi Province, held annually to entertain relatives, friends and neighbors during the twelfth month of the Chinese traditional lunar calendar. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) Tourists watch a performance during the Paotang banquet held in Zhongba Village of Shiquan County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 3, 2024. A week-long tourism event is held here, attracting tourists coming here to experience the local culture. Shiquan Paotang banquet is a provincial intangible cultural heritage in Shaanxi Province, held annually to entertain relatives, friends and neighbors during the twelfth month of the Chinese traditional lunar calendar. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) Tourists visit a market during the Paotang banquet held in Zhongba Village of Shiquan County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 3, 2024. A week-long tourism event is held here, attracting tourists coming here to experience the local culture. Shiquan Paotang banquet is a provincial intangible cultural heritage in Shaanxi Province, held annually to entertain relatives, friends and neighbors during the twelfth month of the Chinese traditional lunar calendar. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) SEOUL, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Six local and foreign automakers in South Korea will voluntarily recall some 73,000 vehicles for manufacturing defects, the transport ministry said Thursday. Tesla Korea will recall 63,991 units of four different models, including Model Y, for a software error in the auto pilot system along with 1,992 units of two models such as Model X to fix a defective door lock system, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Hyundai Motor will recall 2,463 units of two models, including G80, for a faulty drive shaft of the rear wheel, while Ford Sales & Service Korea will recall 2,156 units of Mustang due to the failure of warning over brake oil depletion. Nissan Korea will recall 1,101 units of two models, such as Altima 2.0, for a defective rear-view camera system, while Kia Corp. will recall 922 units of Seltos to repair a faulty air bag system. Honda Korea will repair faulty engine parts in 49 units of Odyssey minivan. Vehicles owners can visit repair and service centers to replace faulty parts free of charge. CHONGQING, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality is famous for its incredible mountain views. However, it also boasts a less famous but equally impressive structural feature: large clusters of former air-raid shelters that are being transformed into bustling commercial venues, including hotpot restaurants, coffee shops, bars, bookstores and sci-fi exhibitions. Chongqing was China's temporary capital during WWII, building a large number of air-raid shelters in which people sought refuge during bombing raids. There are over 16,000 former air-raid shelters in Chongqing, covering an area of around 1.1 million square meters. In Chongqing's districts of Yubei and Jiangbei, 18 underground shelters have been combined into a tourism project called "Underground City," covering an area of 20,000 square meters. In October, the project opened its first venue: Chongqing's biggest underground 24-hour hotpot restaurant, covering an area of 4,500 square meters and boasting 208 tables. The eatery has already attracted numerous customers since opening its doors. Tai Xin, a 26-year-old woman working on the project, has always loved the city's cool, underground spaces. "In the past, people built this shelter for safety, and now people come here to enjoy this local delicacy. I think this kind of hotpot restaurant is meaningful as it reminds people to cherish a happy life," said Tai. The original walls and structures of the shelter have been largely preserved, to maintain the link with the past. This minimalist approach has also helped to control renovation costs, according to Liang Huan, 40, who is in charge of the project's marketing. "In the future, there will be places like museums, live-streaming bases, creative markets, coffee shops and other commercial venues in the 'Underground City,' reviving the mysterious air-raid shelters that were idle for years after the war," he said. In Jiulongpo District, an underground bookstore that has been in operational for over two years has already become a cultural landmark among the city's bookworms. Built in a 45-meter-long air-raid shelter, the bookstore boasts over 15,000 second-hand books about Chongqing's history and hosts Chongqing-related lectures and salons, making the place a living record of history. "The shelter is a very good place to open a bookshop. It's moisture-proof and is cool in the summer, which helps me control the costs of preserving the books," said Gou Jun, 56, the store owner. Gou added that, for the people of Chongqing, the shelters are filled with many different memories, with the older generations associating them with survival. When he was a child, Gou used to explore the abandoned shelters with a flashlight, like he was on a treasure hunt. Now, he hopes the young generation can find new meaning in these structures, in a more casual, relaxed and joyful way. Chongqing began to develop this underground space in 2018, devising individual plans for each shelter and putting them to new use while documenting the local history. The air-raid shelters have witnessed various business formats, including hot pot restaurants, wine cellars, gas stations, parking lots, museums, bookstores, car washes and eateries, among others. So far, these renovated shelters have attracted over 1 million tourists and provided jobs for over 100,000 people. People mourn during the funeral of three members of Iraqi paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces killed in a drone attack, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Jan. 4, 2024. Three members of Iraqi paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces were killed and five wounded on Thursday in a drone attack in eastern Baghdad, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua. The attack occurred at midday when an unknown drone bombarded the headquarters of the Hashd Shaabi's 12th brigade in Palestine Street in the eastern part of Baghdad, killing the brigade leader Talib al-Saiedi, one of his aides and a fighter, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood) BAGHDAD, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Three members of Iraqi paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces were killed and five wounded on Thursday in a drone attack in eastern Baghdad, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua. The attack occurred at midday when an unknown drone bombarded the headquarters of the Hashd Shaabi's 12th brigade in Palestine Street in the eastern part of Baghdad, killing the brigade leader Talib al-Saiedi, one of his aides and a fighter, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. The explosion also wounded five Hashd Shaabi fighters, destroyed two vehicles, and caused damage to the headquarters, the source said. Iraqi security forces rushed to the area and cordoned off the scene while ambulances evacuated the victims to hospitals, he added. The 12th brigade belongs to the al-Nujaba Movement, a Shiite militia affiliated with the Hashd Shaabi forces. Yahya Rasoul, the military spokesman of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, said in a statement that the attack is a "blatant assault and blatant violation of Iraq's sovereignty and security." The Iraqi authorities "hold the international coalition forces responsible for this unjustified attack on an Iraqi security body," the statement said. People carry a coffin during the funeral of three members of Iraqi paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces killed in a drone attack, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Jan. 4, 2024. Three members of Iraqi paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces were killed and five wounded on Thursday in a drone attack in eastern Baghdad, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua. The attack occurred at midday when an unknown drone bombarded the headquarters of the Hashd Shaabi's 12th brigade in Palestine Street in the eastern part of Baghdad, killing the brigade leader Talib al-Saiedi, one of his aides and a fighter, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood) People hold pictures during the funeral of three members of Iraqi paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces killed in a drone attack, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Jan. 4, 2024. Three members of Iraqi paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces were killed and five wounded on Thursday in a drone attack in eastern Baghdad, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua. The attack occurred at midday when an unknown drone bombarded the headquarters of the Hashd Shaabi's 12th brigade in Palestine Street in the eastern part of Baghdad, killing the brigade leader Talib al-Saiedi, one of his aides and a fighter, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. (Xinhua UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes the exchange of 230 Ukrainian and 248 Russian prisoners of war, the largest swap in the almost two-year-old conflict, a UN spokeswoman said on Thursday. "He commends the efforts of both parties and the third-party facilitation by the United Arab Emirates that contributed to this positive development," said Stephanie Tremblay, associate spokeswoman for Guterres. "The secretary-general hopes that this important step will be followed by additional exchanges of prisoners of war and by other de-escalation efforts," she added. CHICAGO, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- A shooting that happened at a high school in Perry Town, U.S. state of Iowa, on Thursday killed a 6th-grade student and injured five others, while the shooter, a 17-year-old student, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to law enforcement officials. The five injured, including four students and an administrator, are in Des Moines hospitals for treatment, local media reported. Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante said earlier at a news conference that local authorities were called to Perry High School at 7:37 a.m. Thursday on the report of shooting, and there was no further danger to the public. In response to the shooting, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called on Congress to pass legislation to combat gun violence. The president is tracking the shooting, and senior White House staff has been in touch with the Iowa governor's office, she added. Thursday was the first day back to school for Perry students after the winter break, and the shooting happened before the school day began, local media reported. Several nearby school districts have taken security precautions after the shooting. Perry is a town with a population of about 8,000 in Dallas County, located nearly 40 miles northwest of Des Moines, the capital city of Iowa. ADEN, Yemen, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) on Thursday issued a decision to consolidate the country's fragmented security services under a new centralized security agency, the state-run Saba news agency reported. In a decree by the PLC, the new centralized security agency would merge intelligence and security units previously affiliated with various factions involved in Yemen's long-running civil war. Specifically, the Political Security Organization, National Security Bureau, and other intelligence departments of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), as well as the Republican Guard Forces, and Giants Brigade will all be integrated into the new security agency. The newly formed agency will be headquartered in the country's southern port city of Aden, and its branches will be set up across Yemeni provinces controlled by the government. The agency will report directly to the chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, and receive orders from his office, according to the decree. A six-month transition period was approved to oversee the merger process, it added. In a related move, the PLC also established a new counter-terrorism unit with its own budget and organizational structure. Shalal Ali Shayea, former security commander of Aden and a prominent leader in the STC, was appointed as its chief. The PLC said the decisions were part of efforts to enhance security and stability across Yemen amid the current challenging circumstances. This move was seen as an effort to boost functional state institutions and coordination against ongoing threats like terrorism. However, the full implementation may face resistance from local power brokers reluctant to cede control, they added. Yemen has been embroiled in a devastating civil war since 2014, with the Houthis fighting against the Yemeni government. The Saudi Arabia-led coalition intervened in the conflict in support of the Yemeni government in 2015. Premier calls on firms to pursue innovations 09:01, January 04, 2024 By Mo Jingxi ( China Daily Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, learns about development of the laser industry while visiting HGLaser Engineering Co., Ltd. in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, Jan 3, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Li says more targeted policies should be introduced to support enterprises Premier Li Qiang has emphasized the need to further enhance the leading role of enterprises in making scientific and technological innovations and to achieve breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields. He made the remarks during a fact-finding trip to Central China's Hubei Province on Tuesday and Wednesday. Li visited a water conservancy project, enterprises, an industrial park, a key national laboratory and an airport during the tour, which took him to Yichang, Wuhan and Ezhou. In Wuhan, the provincial capital, Li learned about the development of flash memory chips when visiting the production lines of Chinese memory chip company Yangtze Memory Technologies Co, and about the laser industry during a visit to HGTECH, an industrial technology enterprise that produces laser equipment. He called for efforts to promote closer collaboration among industries, universities and research institutes, and to introduce more targeted policies to support enterprises so that more scientific research achievements can be better turned into productivity. At Wuhan University's key national laboratory of information engineering in surveying, mapping and remote sensing, Li fully recognized the laboratory's progress after listening to a report on its research and development of major projects as well as the industrial application of advances. He expressed the hope that the laboratory staff will make vigorous efforts to gather and integrate more innovative resources and make greater breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, thus making contributions to the country's goal of promoting high-level self-reliance and self-improvement in science and technology. The premier's trip comes after the tone-setting Central Economic Work Conference last month, which emphasized using scientific and technological innovation to advance the construction of a modern industrial system. The meeting also stressed the importance of implementing high-quality development actions for key industrial chains and boosting the resilience and safety of industrial and supply chains. When visiting a battery material industrial park in Yichang that boasts a sound supply chain, Li affirmed the efforts there to develop a circular economy. He also encouraged the enterprises to aim at the high end of industrial and value chains and take the lead in developing the green and low-carbon economy. Noting that the Central Economic Work Conference outlined the priorities for the country's economic work this year, Li said Hubei Province should forge ahead with determination and hard work, in order to make new contributions to the country's overall growth with its achievements in high-quality development. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) TEHRAN, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic State (IS) terrorist group on Thursday claimed responsibility for two deadly bomb blasts in the southeastern Iranian city of Kerman. The IS released a statement saying two of its suicide bombers had used explosive belts in two "operations," according to Iran's official news agency IRNA. At least 84 people were killed and 284 others injured on Wednesday in the twin bombing near the tomb of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Kerman while there was a crowded gathering to mark the fourth anniversary of Soleimani's death in a U.S. drone strike. Earlier, IRNA citing an informed source reported that surveillance camera footage and other evidence around the first blast pointed to a suicidal attack. The second blast, still under probe, was "most probably" also a suicide attack, said the source. The first blast was about 700 meters from the tomb and the second was a kilometer away. Rahman Jalali, the deputy governor of Kerman province for political and security affairs, told the agency the explosions were carried out by "terrorists," according to IRNA. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed on Wednesday in a statement that a "harsh response" would be given to those who perpetrated and ordered the deadly "act of terror." Soleimani, one of the most powerful military commanders in Iran, was killed on Jan. 3, 2020, near Baghdad's international airport in a drone strike ordered by then-U.S. President Donald Trump. He was buried in his hometown of Kerman after a funeral that drew millions of mourners across Iran. Iran denounced the assassination as "state terrorism" and vowed revenge. People attend the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 3, 2024. Featuring some 100 photographs, the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People addresses Lange's innovative approaches to picturing people, emphasizing her work on social issues including economic disparity, migration, poverty, and racism. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) Photo taken on Jan. 3, 2024 shows Dorothea Lange's artworks at the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the United States. Featuring some 100 photographs, the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People addresses Lange's innovative approaches to picturing people, emphasizing her work on social issues including economic disparity, migration, poverty, and racism. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) People attend the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 3, 2024. Featuring some 100 photographs, the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People addresses Lange's innovative approaches to picturing people, emphasizing her work on social issues including economic disparity, migration, poverty, and racism. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) People attend the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 3, 2024. Featuring some 100 photographs, the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People addresses Lange's innovative approaches to picturing people, emphasizing her work on social issues including economic disparity, migration, poverty, and racism. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) People attend the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 3, 2024. Featuring some 100 photographs, the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People addresses Lange's innovative approaches to picturing people, emphasizing her work on social issues including economic disparity, migration, poverty, and racism. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) People attend the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 3, 2024. Featuring some 100 photographs, the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People addresses Lange's innovative approaches to picturing people, emphasizing her work on social issues including economic disparity, migration, poverty, and racism. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) Dorothea Lange's artwork Human Erosion in California (Migrant Mother) (1st L) is seen at the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 3, 2024. Featuring some 100 photographs, the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People addresses Lange's innovative approaches to picturing people, emphasizing her work on social issues including economic disparity, migration, poverty, and racism. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) People attend the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 3, 2024. Featuring some 100 photographs, the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People addresses Lange's innovative approaches to picturing people, emphasizing her work on social issues including economic disparity, migration, poverty, and racism. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) Photo taken on Jan. 3, 2024 shows Dorothea Lange's artworks at the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the United States. Featuring some 100 photographs, the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People addresses Lange's innovative approaches to picturing people, emphasizing her work on social issues including economic disparity, migration, poverty, and racism. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) A Namibian cheetah has given birth to three adorable cubs in Kuno National Park. This remarkable news was joyfully shared online by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, marking a significant achievement for the ongoing Cheetah Reintroduction Project in India. Initiated in 2022, this project involved the importation of several felines from Namibia and South Africa. "Exciting news from the wild! The Kuno National Park celebrates the arrival of three new members. These delightful cubs belong to Namibian Cheetah Aasha," tweeted Environment Minister Yadav, expressing his delight. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed, "Today, three cheetah cubs were born at Kuno National Park located in Sheopur district under the Cheetah Project initiated under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Madhya Pradesh Government. This marks a significant day worldwide. There was a time when cheetahs were extinct from Asia. Now, a new sprout has sprouted, referring to the birth of the cheetah cubs." Online visuals capturing the playful antics of the cubs as they frolic in the grass have garnered admiration, with netizens labeling them as "adorable." Purrs in the wild!????#KunoNationalPark has welcomed three adorable cheetah cubs. The cubs have been born to Namibian #Cheetah Aasha. These cubs are a roaring success of India's conservation efforts under #ProjectCheetah - a visionary initiative by PM @narendramodi to restore pic.twitter.com/fmrM0kb2k5 Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) January 3, 2024 The cheetah, once declared extinct in India back in 1952 after the last known one died in 1947 in the Korea district, formerly part of Madhya Pradesh, now sees a promising resurgence thanks to the concerted conservation efforts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi kickstarted the Cheetah Reintroduction Project in mid-September 2022 by releasing the first batch of eight Namibian cheetahs into the Kuno National Park. Following this, approximately two dozen cheetahs from South Africa were translocated in the ensuing months. However, this extensive translocation process posed inherent risks, resulting in the unfortunate mortality of eight out of the initial 20 cats. India celebrated its first cheetah birth in 75 years last March, when a translocated cheetah from Namibia gave birth to four cubs. Despite the challenges, one cub has thrived, exhibiting a healthy growth trajectory. After a Long Wait, Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Is Formed Today Check Out the List Here The President of Maldives, Mohamed Muizz, has reportedly called upon the Indian government to remove its military presence from the country to safeguard its democratic principles. Muizz expressed concern that India's continued military presence could undermine the democratic will of the Maldivian people and pose a threat to the nation's democratic future. "The people of Maldives strongly oppose the idea of having foreign military personnel stationed in our country. Presently, India maintains such a presence in Maldives," stated Muizz, emphasizing that neglecting the desires of the majority could endanger the country's democratic stability. Muizz highlighted that having foreign military personnel without parliamentary consent contradicts the country's constitution both in letter and in spirit. He expressed optimism that a resolution could be reached through dialogue, underscoring the historical ties and growing relations in trade, commerce, investment, and tourism between India and Maldives. Reiterating the strong bilateral relationship, the Maldivan President supported defense cooperation, particularly in fortifying the Maldives National Defence Force. "Our nations have a long history of cooperation, especially in maritime defense. We believe India's association with us is rooted in mutual principles," Muizz emphasized. Additionally, President Muizz clarified the status of the hydrographic survey agreement with the Indian Navy, stating that Maldives would not be renewing it as the country possesses its own national hydrography agency. However, he indicated openness to seeking support from 'external partners' if necessary. World Hypnotism Day Celebrates the Power and Truth of Hypnosis World Braille Day 2024: Honoring Louis Braille's Legacy and Promoting Inclusion National Spaghetti Day 2024: Celebrating the Beloved Pasta Dish Description Boston, MA--Kenneth Gloss, internationally known rare book specialist and appraiser who runs the Boston's Brattle Book Shop, will give a virtual talk for Roslyn, New Yorks Bryant Library on Thursday, January 4, 1:00 pm. Ken will talk about the "improbable finds" of his decades-long career and discuss the value of old and rare books. The event is open to the public. Ken, who is frequently seen on national TV, will talk in part about the history of his historic bookshop (www.brattlebookshop.com/about), which goes back to circa 1825. He is a second-generation owner. Ken will discuss growing up in the book business, show some of his favorite finds while enjoying the thrill of the hunt, and explain how he appraises books and manuscripts. He has many fascinating anecdotes to share about private and institutional collecting as well as guidelines for building and maintaining a significant collection. There is also a Q&A session at the conclusion of his talk. Following the talk and question-and-answer session, Ken will give free verbal appraisals of books participants have on hand or will do so at his shop in Boston at a later scheduled date. For more information on this event, please visit https://www.eventkeeper.com/code/ekform.cfm?curOrg=BRYANT&curID=677174. Yankee Magazine Editor's Choice Award for Best of New England, the Brattle Book Shop is one of Americas oldest and largest antiquarian bookstores. 2024 is the 75th year of Gloss family ownership. Kenneth Gloss succeeded his late father, George Gloss, a well-known figure both in Boston and national antiquarian circles. Among the many organizations of which Kenneth Gloss is a member are the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America, the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, the New England Antiquarian Booksellers of America, Southern New England Antiquarian Booksellers, the Committee for the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair, and the Boston Society. He also is a Fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society as well as serving on the Board of Overseers of the USS Constitution Museum. The Brattle Book Shop is proud to have been a contributor to the WGBH Annual Auction each year that the station has held this fund drive. Ken has appeared on national and local TV numerous times over the years and has been a popular guest on WBZ Radio as well as other radio, TV, and cable stations numerous times. His bylined articles continue to appear in various antique journals and in print and online consumer publications. The Brattle Book Shop is also the recipient of several Best of Boston awards in the categories of Best Book Shop or Best Antiquarian Book Shop. In addition, it has been included in a list as one of North Americas best bookstores. For further information about this talk and more about book-collecting, appraisals, and future free and open talks, call the store toll-free at 800-447-9595, or visit their website, www.brattlebookshop.com. To learn of some of Kens more fun and unique finds, listen to Brattlecast, his new podcast: http://www.brattlebookshop.com/brattlecast (also available on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/brattlecast/id1295728623?mt=2). When you find growth stocks that have been hammered despite their long-term investing thesis still being firmly in place, it's time to jump right in. Although 2023 was a rebound year for growth stocks, some failed to join the recovery as industry-specific concerns clobbered their businesses. As a result, opportunities abound. For example, growth hasn't come easy for Albemarle (NYSE: ALB) in recent quarters as lithium prices crashed over the past year or so. Albemarle stock ended 2023 down 33% after plunging more than 50% at one point during the last quarter of the year. Thanks to last year's fall, the growth stock is now down nearly 55% from its all-time highs. I believe the market's fears about Albemarle are overdone and it's time for investors to get greedy. With shares hovering at levels last seen in 2021, Albemarle is one growth stock you'd want to buy hand over fist now for 2024. Double-digit sales growth, catalysts in place For a stock that fell so rapidly in one year, you'd expect growth at the company to have stalled. That's far from the case for Albemarle. To be sure, Albemarle recently cut its sales outlook for 2023, so the market's fears aren't entirely unwarranted. What appears unwarranted, though, is the market's strong reaction and the pace at which the stock fell. Albemarle still foresees 30% to 35% growth in sales for 2023. That's unarguably solid growth in a market that saw lithium carbonate prices plunge 80% in 2023 alone, according to data from Trading Economics. The thing is, lithium is Albemarle's primary product, and the bulk of the company's sales volumes are sold under long-term contracts. That means volumes can still drive Albemarle's top line higher even if prices plunge. That's precisely what's happening now, and Albemarle's volume growth should continue beyond 2024. Driven by capacity expansions, Albemarle expects its sales volumes to grow at a compound annual rate of 20% to 30% between now and 2027. Story continues Put another way, Albemarle expects to triple volumes by 2027. While it's hard to predict commodity prices, the demand for lithium is only expected to rise in the long term, in which case Albemarle could be setting itself up for big things to come. The company projects global demand for lithium to 5x by 2030, driven by electric vehicle (EV) sales. EVs are the largest driver of demand for lithium as most EVs run on lithium-ion batteries. Image source: Albemarle investor presentation. To ensure it remains at the forefront of the EV and lithium boom, Albemarle is also looking for opportunities to acquire. It was planning to acquire Australia's Liontown Resources for around $4 billion in 2023 when complexities, including an activist investor's intervention, forced Albemarle to call off the deal. During Albemarle's third-quarter earnings conference call, management stated that while it will continue to pursue acquisition opportunities, the scale of those opportunities isn't as big in the current environment. That may sound detrimental, but it also means Albemarle wants to use its cash judiciously during these challenging times. In fact, CEO Kent Masters even hinted recently that Albemarle could cut its capital spending in 2024 to adapt to the changing market conditions, but it'll ensure its moves don't impact any growth project that's already under development. For perspective, Albemarle expects to spend a whopping $1.9 billion to $2.1 billion in capital expenditure in 2023. A rare opportunity to buy a solid growth stock The long-term prospects for lithium look rock-solid, and as the largest lithium producer in the world, Albemarle has already positioned itself firmly to benefit from the boom. The company is expanding capacity aggressively, has a strong balance sheet, and also pays a regular dividend. The best part, though, is that Albemarle stock is cheap now based on most valuation metrics. ALB PE Ratio Chart It's rare to find a growth stock that also doubles as a value stock -- that's the kind of rare opportunity Albemarle is offering investors right now. And when the company is also a leader in an industry that could grow exponentially in the years to come, it becomes a growth stock you'd want to buy hand over fist right away for 2024 and beyond. Should you invest $1,000 in Albemarle right now? Before you buy stock in Albemarle, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now... and Albemarle wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of December 18, 2023 Neha Chamaria has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 1 Growth Stock Down 55% to Buy Hand Over Fist for 2024 was originally published by The Motley Fool TORONTO, Jan. 4, 2024 /CNW/ - According to a new survey, 84.2% of SMBs list rising costs as their top business concern. Peninsula Logo (CNW Group/Peninsula Canada) Peninsula Group conducted a survey of 79,000 SMBs across 5 countries Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the UK to see what the top priorities and concerns were for employers in 2024. Growth is the main business goal for 44.7% of SMBs; a significant drop from 58.7% this time last year, reflecting the tough economic environment faced by businesses around the world. Australia and New Zealand appear hardest hit, with 22.4% and 26.6% respectively listing survival as their main goal for the year. It's more positive news for the UK and Ireland, however, with just 18.8% in both countries listing survival as their top goal, compared to 38.4% and 34.7% respectively a year ago. Rising costs are the top concern for 84.2% of all businesses, while staffing continues to be a big issue. Labour shortages came in second highest at 45.6% with retention in third place at 41.5%. The cost-of-living crisis and staffing shortages are having a significant impact, with 56.3% of employers offering financial remuneration to help retention. Canada ranked highest here, at 64.9%. Those who are unable to give financial incentives are turning to reward and recognition to aid retention; this saw a huge 131% increase year-over-year. While mental health support was highly valued in all countries last year, this year it's only in the UK where mental health is the second highest retention aid, with 48.7% of employers continuing to offer it - an increase of 8% from last year. Employers are also getting creative as they look to offset the ongoing skills shortage with 46.5% investing in upskilling and training their existing staff. Apprenticeships are also on the rise, with a 36% increase globally. Canadian employers especially are turning to apprentices with a massive 217% increase year-over-year. 25.7% of employers list recruitment as their biggest challenge staffing wise, with pay increase requests coming in second at 22%. Story continues In terms of working patterns, despite all the headlines surrounding a 4-day work week it's clear that this is not a reality for many businesses. Only 2.2% of SMBs globally have moved to a 4-day working week, with a further 0.6% having trialled it and found it did not work for them. Instead, 50% of all employers say that their employees are all in the workplace full-time, 14.7% have flexible working hours, and 10.1% have made hybrid working a permanent policy. Raj Singh, CEO at Peninsula Canada says "Despite the tough economic climate, there is an air of optimism amongst small business owners as we move into 2024. Compared to this time last year there has been a notable surge in employers dedicating greater resources to the development and growth of their staff. Globally, apprenticeships have seen a remarkable 36% increase, while upskilling and training have witnessed a 28% increase. And more than half of employees were given a pay raise or offered flexible working." "In 2022, we found that the top two concerns for employers were labour shortages and employee retention. Faced with these obstacles, SMBs acknowledged that fostering employee retention was key. And one of the best ways to overcome these challenges, was to invest in their employees and that is what we saw happen last year." "By prioritizing the professional growth of their employees, businesses not only mitigate the effects of labour shortages but also cultivate a skilled and motivated workforce, fill in gaps in the workplace, and set the foundation for continued success in the ever-evolving business landscape." "As January starts traditionally the time of year when most people look for new jobs it's no surprise that business owners are looking at ways to upskill and retain their own employees, rather than having to spend time and money recruiting." Notes to editor Full survey data is available to download here. SOURCE Peninsula Canada Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2024/04/c1876.html If you are a dividend investor looking at the energy sector as the new year gets underway, you'll want to consider Enbridge (NYSE: ENB), ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM), and Devon Energy (NYSE: DVN). All of them offer material yields, but each serves a different purpose in a diversified portfolio. Here's a quick rundown on what you need to know to get started. 1. Enbridge is a reliable middleman The energy sector is broken into four broad areas: upstream (energy production), downstream (chemicals and refining), equipment & service contractors, and midstream (pipelines). The first three can be highly volatile, while the fourth, midstream, is boring. That's where Canada's Enbridge sits, with a massive collection of energy infrastructure assets spread across North America. It charges fees for the use of its assets, or they are regulated or contract-based (it owns a natural gas utility and has some clean energy exposure). The boring nature of the company's business is highlighted by its 28 consecutive annual dividend increases. The dividend yield today is a very attractive 7.4%, which will entice investors looking to maximize current income. The trade-off is that the yield is likely to make up the lion's share of total return, with only slow business growth likely in the future. Indeed, the company's recent agreement to buy three regulated natural gas utilities from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D) cements the slow growth view. Distributable cash flow growth is expected to be around 3% through 2025 and 5% thereafter, neither of which will light anyone's world on fire. However, slow and steady (and high yield) could be just what some investors are looking for. 2. ExxonMobil rides the wave like a pro ExxonMobil's claim to fame on the dividend front is its 41-year history of annual dividend increases. That's so incredible because oil and natural gas are highly volatile commodities prone to swift, and often dramatic, price swings. Story continues For more than four decades, Exxon has survived them all in relative stride. The current dividend yield is around 3.8%, which isn't huge, but is more than twice what you'd get from an S&P 500 index fund. There are two keys to Exxon's success. The first is its diversified business model, with assets spanning across three areas of the energy sector (upstream, midstream, and downstream). That helps to soften the blow when times are tough, though in fairness it can also limit upside when times are good. Most dividend investors will probably see that as a fair trade-off. The second notable factor here is the company's balance sheet. Exxon's debt-to-equity ratio is a modest 0.2 times today. That gives it the leeway to take on debt to support its business and dividend during a period of low oil prices. When prices recover, as they have historically, leverage is reduced. If you are looking for oil exposure and a reliable dividend, Exxon is one of your best options. 3. Devon's dividend is volatile by design Devon Energy is an acquired taste that won't be right for most investors. The reason for this is that the company's dividend is tied to performance, so it rises and falls over time. And the company operates exclusively in the upstream space, which is the most impacted by energy price swings. To put some numbers on this, the dividend was $1.55 per share in the third quarter of 2022, but fell to $0.49 per share in the third quarter of 2023. The dividend yield today is 6.3%, but that's not a figure you can really count on, given the variable dividend policy in place today. If you need consistent income, you don't want to own Devon. But if you are a bit more aggressive and active, it could provide a hedge against real-world energy prices. Essentially, just when you are likely to be paying more for gasoline and heating fuel, Devon's dividend is likely to be increasing. Of course, the dividend will also be falling as your energy costs decline as well. While not for every investor, some might find the variable dividend policy a good fit for an otherwise diversified income portfolio. Three ways to invest in dividends in the energy patch There is no right way to invest -- it all depends on the type of investor you are. If you like big yields from boring companies, Enbridge is worth a deep dive in January. If you are looking for oil and natural gas exposure but don't want to sacrifice a reliable income stream, Exxon is a great choice. And if you want a way to hedge your real-world energy costs and don't mind a little dividend volatility, Devon could be just what you want. Should you invest $1,000 in ExxonMobil right now? Before you buy stock in ExxonMobil, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now... and ExxonMobil wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of December 18, 2023 Reuben Gregg Brewer has positions in Dominion Energy and Enbridge. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Enbridge. The Motley Fool recommends Dominion Energy. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 3 Dividend Stocks to Buy Hand Over Fist in January was originally published by The Motley Fool Key Insights Institutions' substantial holdings in V.S. Industry Berhad implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price The top 8 shareholders own 51% of the company Insider ownership in V.S. Industry Berhad is 27% Every investor in V.S. Industry Berhad (KLSE:VS) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 37% to be precise, is institutions. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn). Because institutional owners have a huge pool of resources and liquidity, their investing decisions tend to carry a great deal of weight, especially with individual investors. As a result, a sizeable amount of institutional money invested in a firm is generally viewed as a positive attribute. Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of V.S. Industry Berhad, beginning with the chart below. View our latest analysis for V.S. Industry Berhad KLSE:VS Ownership Breakdown January 4th 2024 What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About V.S. Industry Berhad? Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices. V.S. Industry Berhad already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of V.S. Industry Berhad, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too. KLSE:VS Earnings and Revenue Growth January 4th 2024 Hedge funds don't have many shares in V.S. Industry Berhad. Because actions speak louder than words, we consider it a good sign when insiders own a significant stake in a company. In V.S. Industry Berhad's case, its Top Key Executive, Kim Beh, is the largest shareholder, holding 15% of shares outstanding. With 9.1% and 7.0% of the shares outstanding respectively, Kumpulan Wang Persaraan and Employees Provident Fund of Malaysia are the second and third largest shareholders. In addition, we found that Sem Yam Gan, the CEO has 5.3% of the shares allocated to their name. Story continues We did some more digging and found that 8 of the top shareholders account for roughly 51% of the register, implying that along with larger shareholders, there are a few smaller shareholders, thereby balancing out each others interests somewhat. Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily. Insider Ownership Of V.S. Industry Berhad The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it. Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances. Our most recent data indicates that insiders own a reasonable proportion of V.S. Industry Berhad. Insiders own RM853m worth of shares in the RM3.1b company. It is great to see insiders so invested in the business. It might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying recently. General Public Ownership With a 35% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over V.S. Industry Berhad. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies. 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. To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with V.S. Industry Berhad . 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. Key Insights Given the large stake in the stock by institutions, City of London Investment Group's stock price might be vulnerable to their trading decisions A total of 3 investors have a majority stake in the company with 52% ownership 37% of City of London Investment Group is held by insiders To get a sense of who is truly in control of City of London Investment Group Plc (LON:CLIG), it is important to understand the ownership structure of the business. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are institutions with 46% ownership. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk). Because institutional owners have a huge pool of resources and liquidity, their investing decisions tend to carry a great deal of weight, especially with individual investors. Therefore, a good portion of institutional money invested in the company is usually a huge vote of confidence on its future. In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of City of London Investment Group. See our latest analysis for City of London Investment Group LSE:CLIG Ownership Breakdown January 4th 2024 What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About City of London Investment Group? 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. We can see that City of London Investment Group does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. 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 City of London Investment Group's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story. Story continues LSE:CLIG Earnings and Revenue Growth January 4th 2024 Hedge funds don't have many shares in City of London Investment Group. George Karpus is currently the largest shareholder, with 33% of shares outstanding. U.S. Bancorp Asset Management, Inc. is the second largest shareholder owning 12% of common stock, and Aberforth Partners LLP holds about 7.4% of the company stock. Additionally, the company's CEO Thomas Griffith directly holds 1.1% of the total shares outstanding. To make our study more interesting, we found that the top 3 shareholders have a majority ownership in the company, meaning that they are powerful enough to influence the decisions of the company. Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. While there is some analyst coverage, the company is probably not widely covered. So it could gain more attention, down the track. Insider Ownership Of City of London Investment Group The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO. Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances. It seems insiders own a significant proportion of City of London Investment Group Plc. Insiders own UK58m worth of shares in the UK158m company. We would say this shows alignment with shareholders, but it is worth noting that the company is still quite small; some insiders may have founded the business. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling. General Public Ownership The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 13% stake in City of London Investment Group. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies. Next Steps: It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand City of London Investment Group better, we need to consider many other factors. For example, we've discovered 2 warning signs for City of London Investment Group (1 shouldn't be ignored!) that you should be aware of before investing here. 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. The U.S. government has revealed the list of electric vehicles that qualify for the full federal tax credit under the newer, more stringent guidelines, and you can count them on one hand. General Motors' outgoing Chevy Bolt, plus certain variants of the Ford F-150 Lightning and Tesla's Model 3, Model Y and Model X are now the only EVs that are eligible for the $7,500 rebate. Beyond that, certain variants of Rivian's R1S and R1T, plus a handful of plug-in hybrids, qualify for $3,750. Chrysler's Pacifica plug-in hybrid was able to stay eligible for the full credit. Otherwise, that's all. Until this list was published Monday, the new requirements had many people scratching their heads about what, exactly, would qualify. Even Tesla admitted in its own way that it wasn't exactly sure. The reason the list is so anemic is because lawmakers are trying to force the EV supply chain to shift -- or at least diversify away -- from China to North America in the long run. In the short term, that means automakers who rely heavily on Chinese suppliers, specifically for battery materials and components, are losing eligibility. This is on top of a few other baked-in restrictions, like the fact that the vehicles must be built in North America, and must retail for less than either $55,000 or $80,000, depending on vehicle type. While it will be harder to find a vehicle that qualifies for the federal EV tax credit, the credit itself is much better for consumers in two key ways. First, the credit is now applied when buying the car, meaning you won't have to wait to claim it on your tax returns. Second, buyers no longer have to have a tax liability equal to or greater than the amount of the credit -- a rule that previously kept a lot of buyers from accessing the credit in the first place. (That said, buyers still have to have certain adjusted gross income to qualify. Here's a list of FAQs from the IRS.) Some automakers, like GM, have said they are working on replacing components that are disqualifying their EVs from the credit, so the list could grow as the year goes on. A slew of automakers and suppliers are rushing to build new factories in North America in order to ease the burden in the years to come. But until that happens, here's the full list of what's eligible: Story continues Full $7,500 tax credit Chevrolet Bolt EV Chevrolet Bolt EUV Chrysler Pacifica PHEV Ford F-150 Lightning Extended Range Ford F-150 Lightning Standard Range Tesla Model 3 Performance Tesla Model Y All-Wheel Drive Tesla Model Y Performance Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive Tesla Model X Long Range $3,750 tax credit Here are seven issues that rail industry stakeholders are keeping track of in 2024. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves) Railroads, shippers and unions are tracking hot topics ranging from service improvement to government oversight to safety regulations in 2024. Here is an overview. Reciprocal switching, common carrier obligation The Surface Transportation Board is continuing work on rail service issues, including finalizing a rulemaking on reciprocal switching in the first half of the year, if not in the first quarter, industry stakeholders told FreightWaves. Under reciprocal switching, shippers that have access to one Class I railroad can gain access to the network of another at an interchange point between the two railroads. STBs proposed rule, announced on Sept. 7, would allow shippers to seek reciprocal switching if the railroad that they have access to fails to meet certain service thresholds. The proposal also would make permanent the collection of first- and last-mile service data from the Class I railroads. This would include data such as industry spot and pull, which addresses rail service at the local level, and on-time performance for manifest trains. STB began requiring the railroads to submit that data regularly following an April 2022 public hearing on deteriorating service. While shippers generally supported the boards proposing a rulemaking on the longstanding issue, some had also hoped STBs proposal on reciprocal switching would address more ways to promote rail competition and incentivize the railroads to better serve their customers. These shippers say the board needs to strengthen how it defines adequate rail service. Tying reciprocal switching to poor service is an interesting approach. But the devil is really in the details, and were going to need to really make sure were not setting up a race to the bottom or a minimum service level, said Rob Benedict, vice president of petrochemicals and midstream with American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers. Jeff Sloan, senior director of regulatory affairs for the American Chemistry Council (ACC), said: The bottom line is that a catastrophe shouldnt be a measure [for] when you are able to access reciprocal switching when it comes to service issues. Competition more generally should provide more incentives for the railroads to keep service at adequate levels. If youre worried about losing your business to another railroad, youre more likely to offer quality service to your customers. Its really about putting something in place that prevents and heads off problems in the first place. Story continues Industry stakeholders are also keeping an eye on whether Congress will pass any bills that address revising the definition of the common carrier obligation so that railroads have more clarity on whether they are adequately meeting their obligation to move freight. In addition, rail shippers are looking at whether STB will further simplify proceedings regarding rate disputes for larger shippers, as well as how the board will manage its new responsibilities per the 2022 infrastructure law to oversee passenger rail service. The overall thing is just keeping freight rail service a priority when were not in a service crisis and using this time to actually think through and identify additional policies which would translate into stronger statutory tools for the STB to provide oversight that meets the current market situation, said Ann Warner, spokesperson for the Freight Rail Customer Alliance. Shippers do not want re-regulation. Were in a highly concentrated, anti-competitive market and its the job of the STB to facilitate competition and address that. Related links: Uncertainties over STB chairmanship and makeup of the board STB Chairman Marty Oberman, who directed the board to focus on rail service issues, surprised many in December when he announced he would not seek another term on the board. Oberman said he would remain on the board until sometime in 2024. Obermans departure raises several questions for stakeholders: Who will replace him as chairman and whom will the White House appoint to ensure there are five members on the board? And how will his departure impact the boards momentum for addressing issues such as reciprocal switching? Were going to have to try to get a new chairman in place and someone who will hopefully maintain the same sort of vigor in terms of overseeing the industry, said Greg Regan, president of the Transportation Trades Department (TTD), which is affiliated with the AFL-CIO. Said Ian Jefferies, president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads (AAR): I do expect Chairman Oberman to maintain a very active docket until he leaves the building. First and foremost, the board will be working to finalize its reciprocal switching [rulemaking]. I believe the chair has stated that he would like to get that done by the end of the first quarter. And to the chairmans credit, hes been working very hard to maintain consensus. The initial proposal was a five-vote decision. I think the chair deserves credit for balancing very strong views from five very intelligent, sharp, strong-viewed individuals. But I do believe the board will continue to be focused on service, making sure railroads are delivering for their customers just as railroads are. So well stay engaged over at the STB. What could complicate the appointment of a new board member as well as the reappointment of STB member Patrick Fuchs as his term expires in January is the presidential election and if the appointments become politicized, according to Warner. I think the most pressing issue is taking steps to ensure a full complement of board members on the STB. I think the concern is that it takes so long for a new board member to get acclimated to the issues, no matter what your background has been or what your professional experiences have been, along with [getting adjusted to] the culture of the Board, Warner said. So, I think the concern is trying to find a Democratic person who can be nominated and successfully get through the process, but also is experienced enough to go through a learning curve and go through it fast. I think that is the overriding concern and how much can be done in an election year. She continued, But if youre looking at [re-nominating and re-confirming] Patrick [Fuchs] and if youre looking at a Democratic nominee due to Chair Obermans retirement announcement, youre doing that in an election year, [which can be] always fraught with mischief or difficulties. If the Republicans feel that they are going to take the Senate in 2024, then the Republicans arent going to want to move much, [whether its] nominees or some pending legislation. Related links: Government action to bolster the supply chain and fund infrastructure Rail shippers also told FreightWaves they are looking at supply chain issues beyond rail, such as rulemakings on the ocean carrier and trucking sides. That broader perspective is necessary because our expectations and I think even the railroads are looking at this is that there will be more freight to move next year, said Scott Jensen, ACC communications director. Were looking at a bit of a bumpy patch right now for chemical production, but were looking at 2024 as a year when things can pick up. So, the freight rail network will be tested next year. While shippers arent anticipating a supply chain crunch similar to the one seen in 2021 and 2022 after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still concerns about I hate to use this word but we use it the elasticity in the system on being able to handle increased demand, Jensen said. Rail shippers are also keeping an eye on how regulators, including the Federal Maritime Commission, will resolve issues surrounding rail demurrage and detention charges at port when the bill of lading originates from the ocean carrier. They are looking as well at whether the European Unions decision to remove antitrust exemptions for ocean carriers will affect ocean shipments to the U.S. Meanwhile, the trade associations for the railroads are watching how the federal government grapples with a number of national security and budgeting issues, which could in turn impact either cross-border freight rail operations or funding for federal grants for infrastructure. On the surge of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, AARs Jefferies said: Weve got a very challenging situation on the Southern border with the humanitarian crisis, and weve got to make sure that commerce can continue to be able to move as well as we try to manage through what is a very challenging process. Said Chuck Baker, president of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA): Were so excited about what [the CRISI grants] can do for short-line infrastructure and service and capacity and safety. We really just want to continue to double down on supporting that at the federal level. CRISI stands for the Federal Railroad Administrations Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements program. Baker continued, Theres [also] an increasing level of interest in states on supporting short lines and what short lines can do for their freight networks and their industries. Theres more and more states that are putting together meaningful grant programs at the state level for short lines to help with infrastructure, almost like mini [CRISIs]. And then theres also an increasing number of states that have a version of the 45G tax credit. So, thats an exciting development. The federal 45G tax credit is available to short-line railroads for conducting track maintenance. Congress made the tax credit permanent in 2020. Related links: Californias transition from diesel locomotives to zero-emissions configurations Freight railroads are also eyeing in 2024 how the federal courts will handle their challenge to an April 2023 decision by the California Air Resources Board that compels railroads to transition their trains operating in California away from diesel-powered locomotives and to zero-emissions power configurations by as early as 2030. The new rules, which CARB says are aimed at reducing the emissions of locomotives operating in California, have two notable deadlines: Switch, industrial and passenger locomotives built in 2030 or after will need to operate in zero-emissions configurations, while locomotives built in 2035 or later for freight linehaul operations will need to comply with the zero-emissions configurations. AAR, ASLRRA and others sued CARB in June, saying that interstate commerce makes the viability of CARBs new mandate challenging. We certainly as an industry are focused on the evolution of power in our industry, and whether thats battery electric, whether thats hydrogen, whether thats increased use of biofuels, our railroads are all deep into R&D and demonstration projects, even into revenue service, AARs Jefferies said. But our view strongly is that you cant just flip a switch on this. Its got to be done in a responsible, phased way, not losing sight of the fact that right now, rail is by far the most environmentally efficient way to move goods, and if you want to reduce emissions, lets get goods off the highway and put them on the rail. Said ASLRRAs Baker: Ignoring for a moment the fact that we dont think they are legally justified in making such a rule because we think its preempted by federal oversight, CARBs proposal is an existential threat to many short lines in California. They want two things, neither of which is realistic. One, they want to say that by 2030, no locomotive operated in the state of California can be older than 23 years old, full stop. And if it werent such a threat, it would almost be laughable for short lines. There are many short lines who literally only have locomotives older than 23 years old. And they do that because theyre small businesses, running barely viable lines. In many cases they have to run as efficiently as possible to be able to stay in business and continue to serve small-town and rural America. We are very, very concerned that that idea could spread to other states and make a bad idea worse, and were also concerned about what the EPA may consider doing on a national basis. And so were very involved in conversations on all of those fronts. We want to make sure that the conversation on rail and environmental issues starts with how were a solution, not a problem. Related links: 2024 as next stage for intermodal collaborations 2023 saw a number of partnerships between rail carriers and others to grow intermodal offerings. Indeed, one of the years themes at rail industry conferences was forming collaborations to increase service options and ultimately take volumes from trucks. This year could reveal how these partnerships many of which seek to bolster connections between the U.S. Southeast and Mexico, or Mexico with Canada and the Upper Midwest play out. The partnerships, announced following the merger of Kansas City Southern and Canadian Pacific (NYSE: CP), include: There are a lot of exciting partnerships, be it between various railroads or between railroads and broader logistics companies, that are coming online. , AARs Jefferies said. I think railroads are positioning themselves to compete in lanes that maybe werent deemed as competitive between rail and truck historically. But its really exciting. And the goal is not to get back to 2018, 2019. Its to blow right through those numbers and reach new highs. Related links: Federal action on rail safety The rail safety bill currently in the Senate has yet to be debated on the Senate floor. The delegation from Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as senators from other states, introduced the bill last spring following the February 2023 derailment of a Norfolk Southern train in East Palestine, Ohio. Movement on the bill, as well as any similar legislation in the House of Representatives, may depend on recommendations that the National Transportation Safety Board will provide when it releases its final report on the derailment in the first half of 2024. In the meantime, FRA has a number of safety-related proposed rulemakings that union leaders and other industry stakeholders are waiting to see. FRA submitted its final rule on train crew staffing to the Office of Management and Budget this week. The rule could come out in March. Were hoping its our year of safety, said Jeremy Ferguson, president of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transport Workers Transportation Division (SMART-TD). Theres a lot of exciting things that are probably going to happen, but obviously [the election outcome] next November is going to be crucial to which way we go here. Unions leaders are watching FRA for rulemakings on hours of service for dispatchers, train crew certifications and train crew sizes. Train crew size is controversial, with unions calling for a minimum of two crew members for freight trains and rail carriers arguing that safety data doesnt back requiring more than one. There are also discussions at FRA related to track inspection and hotbox detectors and related wayside detection. TTDs Regan is calling for rules letting first responders know what commodities are being carried by trains passing through their communities should the workers need to respond to a train accident, and he is calling for standardizing the training and certifications of first responders. One of the issues that we always have to contend with is that we have a vast mix of career, full-time firefighters in this country in some areas, and in other areas, theyre almost entirely volunteer, he said. And there are oftentimes different training standards and different levels of certifications that happened between the two. So, standardizing that is an important aspect of this. Regan said he and other union leaders will continue to push for the U.S. operations of the Class I railroads to sign on to a confidential federal tip line known as the confidential close call reporting system (C3RS). The tip line would help unions and others understand possible underlying safety issues at a railroad. I think that once we get a single railroad engaged in a confidential close call reporting system, I would expect the others to follow suit and get in line there, Regan said. But we cant let that be it. And thats where I think our focus is. Yes, were going to continue to push on C3RS, but we know that is a diagnostic tool more than anything. That doesnt solve the underlying problem. It helps identify where there might be a breaking point. And so its up to us, collectively members of Congress, regulators, unions to make sure that the bare minimum is not enough here because thats not going to solve the underlying problems. Addressing safety culture at the railroads seems to be happening in at least a piecemeal fashion. Ferguson noted that SMART-TD received a CRISI grant in 2023 to bolster safety education and training. Were working closely with some of the Class I railroads on big changes as far as safety and culture goes, Ferguson said, referring to CSX and NS. Meanwhile, as stakeholders wait for a rail safety bill to be debated in Congress in 2024, ASLRRAs Baker wants to ensure that short-line railroads would be excluded from some of the regulations, such as those pertaining to crew sizes, pre-departure inspections and locomotive inspections. Baker would also like to see FRA grant programs such as the CRISI program continue to support rail safety projects, and he would like federal endorsement of the Short Line Safety Institute, a nonprofit that provides impartial assessments to short lines about how they can improve safety. Short-line railroads come with the original sin that its expensive to maintain them, and they dont always have the traffic to really justify it, Baker said. And so thats always been Congress and the federal governments interest in supporting short lines. They want these lines to stay viable. And thats what we want too, and the CRISI grants are just a huge help. The biggest cause of accidents is just old rail. Its just worn out, beat-up rail that are ties that just degrade. And theres no magic to fixing that. We can do better and better on inspections, and people focus very, very hard on inspections. But the only way to really fix that stuff is to invest in the rail, invest in the track, invest in the infrastructure. Related links: Labor contract negotiations The U.S. operations of the Class I railroads and the rail unions will start negotiations for a new labor contract on Jan. 1, 2025, but preparing for those discussions will take place in the second half of 2024. The last collective bargaining round, which officially started in January 2020, culminated in a negotiations impasse between two of the largest unions and the rail carriers, with Congress eventually intervening in November 2022 to compel both sides to support the labor agreement and prevent a strike by union members. Were right back where we were basically last year at this time, so its going to get interesting quick, SMART-TDs Ferguson said. Theres a lot of things that could happen. Were hoping we see safety remain a priority for this nation. Brendan Branon, chairman of the National Railway Labor Conference and the National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC), told FreightWaves in an emailed statement in November, The railroads are committed to working with rail labor, delivering on their promises and maintaining railroadings place among the best jobs in our economy. NCCC represents the freight railroads at the bargaining table. We hope to extend that positive momentum throughout 2024 and into the start of the next bargaining round. The most recent national agreements provide that opening proposals can be served starting in November 2024 ahead of the January 1, 2025 amendable date, Branon said. He noted the railroads and the unions in 2023 reached local agreements expanding paid sick leave to more than 90% of all unionized rail employees at NCCC rail carriers. Related links: Subscribe to FreightWaves e-newsletters and get the latest insights on freight right in your inbox. Click here for more FreightWaves articles by Joanna Marsh. The post 7 hot issues for rail stakeholders in 2024 appeared first on FreightWaves. (Bloomberg) Amazon.com Inc.s share of online orders spiked in the final days of the holiday shopping season, demonstrating how big investments in delivery speed paid off with procrastinating shoppers looking for a wide selection of products they could get quickly. Most Read from Bloomberg Amazon captured 29% of global order volume in the final two weeks before Christmas, up from 21% the week of Thanksgiving and Black Friday, according to Route, a package-tracking app that captured holiday season data from 55 million orders. Its a pretty sharp shift in how consumers shop, said Michael Yamartino, Routes chief executive officer. The top priority in the days leading up to Christmas is on-time delivery, and when Amazon says it will take two days, it only takes two days. Its a combination of speed and confidence. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has touted speedy delivery as a key competitive advantage, saying shoppers are more inclined to buy something if they get it quickly. The companys logistics prowess has become increasingly important amid rising competition from such stalwarts as Walmart Inc., as well as Chinese e-commerce upstarts like Temu, Shein and TikTok, which offer steep discounts but can take a week or more to deliver packages. Amazon in July announced plans to double the number of same-day delivery facilities in the coming years. The company said it reached its fastest-ever delivery speeds in the second quarter of 2023. Amazon currently operates more than 50 US same-day facilities in the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Miami, Boston and other big metro areas that ship about 200 million packages a year, according to MWPVL International Inc., which monitors the companys delivery operation. Story continues Amazons fastest deliveries mostly benefit members of its Prime subscription program. About 70% of Prime orders in the US arrive within two days, and almost one in four are delivered within a day, according to Consumer Intelligence Research Partners. Fewer than 15% of orders arrive that quickly for shoppers without Prime subscriptions, the Chicago-based firm said. With assistance from Matt Day. (Company corrected timing of delivery speed milestone in penultimate paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. JetBlue has officially touched down in Tallahassee. Just outside Gate B6, students with the Raa Middle School steel drum band played upbeat, island-inspired songs as city staff, parents and others gathered and waited inside the terminal of Tallahassee International Airport. They peered out the large bay windows as the flight came into view and cheered. The moment had finally arrived. The inaugural JetBlue flight touched down in Tallahassee on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. The airline will now offer direct flights to and from Tallahassee. The New York-based carrier is introducing its low-fare service with the inaugural direct flight from Tallahassee to Fort Lauderdale a moment more than 10 years in the making. The full flight was made up of a mix of passengers, including college students returning to the capital city from winter break and Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey and his chief of staff, who were greeted by City Commissioners Curtis Richardson and Dianne Williams-Cox. Commissioners Jeremy Matlow and Jack Porter were not in attendance. Passengers deplaned and received gift bags from the airport. Several had no idea they were a part of history. Mya Postell, a junior Florida State student from Miami, was pleasantly surprised to learn about the inaugural flight. From Fort Lauderdale's airport, she said there were balloons and cameras inside the terminal. "I was like, 'what's going on? It's free food. Like what's happening?" she said, standing outside the baggage claim, adding there were giveaways on the plane, too. "I researched it and looked it up: what was the first ever JetBlue flight to Tallahassee, and it said January 4, arriving at 9:50 a.m. And, I was like, 'oh, that's me.' " The direct flight to South Florida provides international access to more than 100 destinations, including Latin America, South America, the Caribbean, Canada and the United Kingdom. Tallahassee's new flight is the latest route for JetBlue as it expands its air travel network throughout Florida. Its most recent in-state travel route was launched in Jacksonville with direct flights to Fort Lauderdale. Maria Streety, executive pastry chef at Artistic Confections Inc., designed a Tallahassee and JetBlue themed cake to celebrate jetBlue now offering flights at the Tallahassee International Airport, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. "It's done phenomenal," said Rob Land, who heads government affairs and is general counsel at JetBlue. "So we're hoping that this route starting with one a day on a big jet plane, the most legroom, the TVs, the Wi-Fi, people are going to say, 'Wow, I like this. I don't like that drive and it's better for the environment.' " Story continues JetBlue currently offers service in its focus cities of Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, along with Miami, West Palm Beach, Key West, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, Sarasota/Bradenton and Tampa. Within the state, JetBlue currently offers flights from Fort Lauderdale to Jacksonville. With Tallahassee service starting, JetBlue will now serve over 40 destinations from Fort Lauderdale. The inaugural flight was capped off with a celebratory reception and remarks from a host of speakers, who applauded all those involved to see the day come to fruition. Mayor John Dailey speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the inaugural JetBlue flight on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Mayor Dailey shared the tone of the morning that started in Fort Lauderdale, including several legislators who came out just to witness the occasion. "There was a lot of excitement," he said. "The synergy between Fort Lauderdale and Tallahassee, with the nexus being JetBlue, has been absolutely phenomenal. We are going to be the best partner that you have ever seen. We look forward to expanding our flights with JetBlue all over the world." Big leap for TLH airport JetBlue's debut is the latest milestone for Tallahassee's airport, which continues to see a steady increase in passenger traffic. The airport served about 214,900 total passengers in the third quarter of 2023, a 5% increase (10,290) compared to third quarter 2022. City Manager Reese Goad speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the inaugural JetBlue flight on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Tallahassee City Manager Reese Goad said the airport is on track to increase its economic impact on the region to $1 billion and reach one million total passengers by the end of 2024. "We've got a five-year strategic plan. ... In that plan, it says that our airport will be a billion-dollar contributor to our economy," Goad said. "That's significant. We just eclipsed $850 million." He added: "And so now the sky's the limit with JetBlue coming into town." David Pollard, the city's aviation director at TLH, said a $28 million capital project to build an "International Passenger Facility" is underway at the airport. In a few years, residents will be able to book non-stop flights overseas, including charter, business or general aviation flights. Some could include flights to the Caribbean, Central and South America and Canada. David Pollard, Tallahassee International Airport director, shares his excitement for the addition of JetBlue flights to the airport during a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Pollard also touched on other improvements in and around the airport that include the establishment of a Foreign Trade Zone, a terminal modernization project and the widening of Capital Circle Southwest. "Each effort is part of our larger picture to ensure Tallahassee meets the needs of our growing community and economy while providing exceptional service," Pollard said. JetBlue's debut in Tallahassee is already being used as a recruitment tool to attract new businesses to the capital city. Keith Bowers, who heads the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality, said having another major carrier here in the area sends a message that "Tallahassee is a player" and there's a ripple effect that takes place in attracting a major company like JetBlue. "One trip to Fort Lauderdale per day is a great start but we do anticipate that increasing over time," Bowers said. "We've been talking to different companies, and that's one of the major selling points: we have an international airport, we've got the Foreign Trade Zone that is imminent ... It's part of the city's overall strategic plan, to have all these things kind of come online at the same time." Rob Clarke, newly appointed chairman of the board of the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, said transportation is a key part of a community's quality of life. "To have more accessible air transportation within the state is just so helpful for making Tallahassee more accessible to business leaders and to others that come to Tallahassee on business. (It's) going to be a tremendous asset in the community," Clarke said. Contact Reporter TaMaryn Waters at tlwaters@tallahassee.com and follow @TaMarynWaters on X. Here's what you need to know about JetBlue's service in Tallahassee Flight details JetBlue will offer year-round flights from Tallahassee to Fort Lauderdale using the airline's Airbus A320 aircraft, which has a capacity of up to 170 seats. Schedule between Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Tallahassee (TLH) FLL- TLH Flight #2396 TLH-FLL Flight #2397 8:12 a.m. to 9:40 a.m. 10:25 a.m. to 11:51 a.m. Short-time flight deal In honor of the inaugural flight, JetBlue is offering a limited time special on $49 one-way fares for flights between Tallahassee and Fort Lauderdale and Tallahassee online only on jetblue.com. Deal ends Jan. 5, 2024. Will Tallahassee get more flights? The new permanent flight from Tallahassee to Fort Lauderdale is largely viewed as a stepping stone. Rob Land, JetBlue's head of government affairs, said "the more people that do it, the more flights we add." "It's a pretty simple formula," Land said. So encourage residents to utilize the low fares, including the two-day special being offered in honor of the inaugural flight. He said every JetBlue city, including the No. 1 routes in New York and Fort Lauderdale that get over 2,000 flights a day, started with one flight a day. He said, "People came, we added another. People came, we kept at it. That's how JetBlue works." This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: JetBlue debuts new Tallahassee direct flight to Fort Lauderdale Technavio The beer market is seeing a rise in demand, notably in emerging economies such as India, China, Brazil, Vietnam, and South Africa. beer-market Beer Market Analysis North America, Europe, EMEA, APAC : US, Canada, China, Germany, UK - Size and Forecast 2023-2027 New York, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Beer Market is a dynamic and diverse industry encompassing the production, distribution, and consumption of popular alcoholic beverages. It is shaped by changing consumer preferences, cultural influences, and technological advancements. This market offers various beer styles, flavors, and packaging options to a global consumer base. The report encapsulates a comprehensive understanding of the market dynamics, encompassing an array of driving forces, trends, and challenges boosting the evolution of the beer market. Request Sample Report What's the projected growth and size of the beer market from 2022 to 2027? The beer market is estimated to grow by USD 141.28 billion between 2022 and 2027, accelerating at a CAGR of 3.7% during this period. What are the key drivers fueling the growth of the beer market? The beer market is seeing a rise in demand, notably in emerging economies such as India, China, Brazil, Vietnam, and South Africa. This growth is fueled by various factors, including evolving beer consumption trends, innovative beer marketing strategies, and the rise of e-commerce in beer sales. Moreover, beer festivals, tasting events, and brewpubs contribute significantly to enhancing beer distribution, while industry regulations play a significant role in governing beer production, distribution, and sales. Beer pairing with cuisines further adds to its popularity among consumers. What trends are shaping the beer market's growth? The beer market is witnessing a notable trend with the introduction of diverse beer flavors, particularly in the realm of craft beer, microbreweries, lagers, ales, wheat beers, and alcohol-free options. This innovation in flavors aligns with evolving consumer preferences and is further supported by creative beer packaging solutions. Additionally, the concept of craft beer subscriptions is gaining traction, contributing to the market's dynamism and catering to the evolving tastes of beer enthusiasts. Download sample report here Story continues What challenges hinder the beer market's growth? Health concerns related to beer are significant challenges impacting the market, affecting both imported and domestic varieties like IPA, stout, pilsner, and seasonal brews. These concerns prompt a closer examination of brewing ingredients such as hops, malt, and yeast, boosting discussions about healthier alternatives. Additionally, the rise in home brewing signifies a shift towards more controlled and health-conscious beer production. Beer export-import dynamics are influenced by these health considerations, influencing market patterns and consumer choices. How is the beer market segmented by distribution channel and packaging? Distribution Channels: On-trade (bars, pubs, restaurants) and off-trade (retail). The on-trade segment is expected to grow significantly, especially in APAC and MEA due to increased consumption in bars and pubs. Packaging: Bottles and cans. The bottles segment, preferred for traditional reasons and sustainability, is growing. Cans are also popular due to their lightproof nature and recyclability. Get sample report now Which regions are the key contributors to the beer market's growth? APAC, led by countries like China, Australia, Japan, Vietnam, and India, is estimated to contribute around 42% to the global market growth. Economic growth, rising middle-class populations, and a preference for beer among millennials drive this growth. Who are the major players operating in the beer market? Notable players include AleSmith Brewing Co., Anheuser Busch InBev SA NV, Beerwulf BV, BrewDog Plc, Diageo Plc, Heineken NV, Molson Coors Beverage Co., The Boston Beer Co. Inc., among others. These companies employ various strategies like alliances, mergers, and product launches to strengthen their market presence. Buy the report here Related Reports: Ginger Beer Market: The ginger beer market share is expected to increase to USD 4.08 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 7.68%. Commercial Beer Kegerators Market: The commercial beer kegerators market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.07% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 19.15 million. About US Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavios report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavios comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Attachment CONTACT: Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ The Scoop The battle over free speech and antisemitism that has swept across Americas elite college campuses has so far left its biggest companies alone. That may change soon. A small group of lawyers and investors is sketching out plans to use the machinery of corporate law to pressure companies to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion policies that they adopted en masse in recent years as social-justice matters careened into the boardroom. The theory, members of the loose coalition said, is that preferential hiring may have deprived shareholders of the best talent, a potential breach of boards duties to shareholders. And if workplace policies are unequally applied if, for example, HR complaints lodged by one racial or religious group are investigated more thoroughly than those from others companies may have violated federal employment laws. The discussions show that this fight wont end with the resignations of the presidents of Harvard and Penn, and how the loudest critics of those administrations most of them hailing from the business world are pulling levers they know well to press their cause. And while theyll be cast in the neutral language of shareholder law and process, they could represent a dramatic new attack on the push in recent years for more diverse workforces. Shareholders have every right to question whether the DEI programs that made us feel good in the past are now unjustified because their true economic and social effect is simply replacing one form of discrimination with another, said Mark Lebovitch, a veteran plaintiffs lawyer who has been part of the talks. The effort would start with a request for HR data at a handful of companies, including on hiring and how discrimination claims have been handled. (Any shareholder can ask to see a companys internal records, usually trying to gather ammunition for a lawsuit, and its up to a judge to decide whether they get a look.) Even before the current battle, conservative groups were taking their grievances against corporate wokism to the courts, emboldened by last years Supreme Court decision striking down affirmative action at universities. Story continues Lizs view Bloombergs Matt Levine often says that everything is securities fraud: A company secretly does a bad thing and when everyone finds out about it or regulators punish them for it, the stock falls. Saying they misled investors is a shortcut to a civil lawsuit. Another road to the courthouse is the notion that everything is a breach of fiduciary duty. Boards of directors have a legal obligation to ensure their companies do things that make money for shareholders and dont do things that lose money for shareholders. If they fail to do that, they get sued. The new attack on DEI is taking this approach, which is likely to rattle some CEOs and board members who find themselves personally named as defendants. But it might also give many of them air cover to backtrack from policies they have come to regret. Executives are now being vilified for the diversity policies they were pushed to embrace in the wake of #MeToo, George Floyds murder, and the broader social-justice sweep of the late 2010s. A lot of them regret that turn and, as I wrote a few months ago, are desperate to drop the do-gooderism, quit getting yelled at by Vivek Ramaswamy, and get back to business. The View From Seattle In one closely watched case, a federal judge in September dismissed a shareholder lawsuit claiming that Starbucks diversity goals violated federal civil rights laws. Despite increasing scrutiny of DEI policies, there will be substantial defenses to [shareholder] litigation in this area, attorneys at the corporate law firm Gibson Dunn wrote in the wake of the Starbucks ruling. Courts tend to disfavor judicial meddling with reasonable and legal decisions made by the board of directors of public corporations. Notable Transparency Market Research Growing demand for blinds and shades focusing on stylish designs and trendy aesthetics in home decor. Wilmington, Delaware, United States, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transparency Market Research Inc. - The global blinds and shades market is estimated to flourish at a CAGR of 4% from 2021 to 2031. Transparency Market Research forecasts the total sales revenue of blinds and shades to potentially achieve approximately US$ 18 billion by the end of 2031. Increasing awareness of the impact of natural light on well-being fuels the demand for window treatments that optimize light exposure for improved mental health and productivity. Companies focusing on this aspect cater to consumers seeking products promoting a balanced indoor environment. While automated systems are known, a new wave involves seamless integration of blinds and shades with smart home ecosystems. Brands emphasizing compatibility with various home automation platforms or voice-controlled assistants gain traction, appealing to tech-savvy consumers seeking unified home solutions. Download Sample Copy of Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=34463 Blinds and Shades Market: Competitive Landscape The blinds and shades market thrives amidst a competitive landscape shaped by established leaders and innovative entrants. Dominated by prominent players like Hunter Douglas, Levolor, and Springs Window Fashions, the market boasts a diverse array of offerings, from traditional to smart solutions. Emerging brands focus on niche segments, emphasizing sustainable materials or customizable designs. Regional manufacturers in Asia-Pacific and Europe contribute unique variations to cater to local preferences. With a growing emphasis on energy efficiency and smart functionalities, intense competition fuels continuous innovation, creating a vibrant market where quality, design, and functionality intersect to meet the ever-evolving demands of residential and commercial consumers. Some prominent manufacturers are as follows: Story continues Ching Feng Home Fashions Co. Ltd. Griesser AG Hunter Douglas NV Lafayette Venetian Blind Inc. Legrand Lutron Electronics Company Mechoshade Systems LLC Nien Made Enterprise Co Ltd. Persianas Canet S.A Qmotion Shades Schenker Storen AG Solarfective Products Limited Springs Window Fashions LLC TOSO CO. LTD. Growing concerns for child safety prompt the adoption of safer designs in window treatments, with a focus on cordless or inaccessible operating mechanisms. Manufacturers investing in child-safe solutions to prevent accidents foster trust among families and caregivers. Key Findings of the Market Report Roller shades emerge as the leading product type segment in the blinds and shades market, valued for their versatility and sleek designs. Synthetic fabric dominates the blinds and shades market due to its versatility, durability, and wide range of design possibilities. Automated operating systems lead the blinds and shades market, driven by convenience, smart features, and increased demand for automation technology. Blinds and Shades Market Growth Drivers & Trends Rising demand for smart blinds and shades equipped with automation and remote control features drives market growth. Increasing preference for eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient window coverings influences market trends. Consumers seek tailored designs and functionalities, driving the market towards customizable options. Rapid urban development and expanding residential constructions globally propel the demand for window treatments. Adoption of new materials, such as recycled fabrics or advanced light-filtering technologies, shapes evolving market trends in blinds and shades. Customization Request for the Research Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=CR&rep_id=34463 Global Blinds and Shades Market: Regional Profile North America displays a robust demand for blinds and shades, driven by a penchant for innovative window coverings that blend functionality with aesthetics. Established brands like Hunter Douglas and Levolor dominate this region, emphasizing smart features and customization options, appealing to tech-savvy consumers. In Europe, the market thrives on a combination of heritage and modernity, with brands like Velux and Somfy offering sophisticated designs and energy-efficient solutions. European consumers prioritize sustainability and high-quality craftsmanship, influencing product development and marketing strategies. Asia Pacific represents a burgeoning market, propelled by rapid urbanization and a rising middle class. Local brands and international players cater to diverse consumer needs, focusing on affordability and technological advancements. This regions market growth is driven by an increasing awareness of home aesthetics and functional window treatments. Product Portfolio Griesser AG excels in creating innovative shading solutions, offering a diverse portfolio of blinds, awnings, and external sun protection systems. Renowned for precision engineering and design, Griesser provides customizable, energy-efficient solutions, setting benchmarks in comfort and aesthetics for residential and commercial spaces. Hunter Douglas NV stands as a global leader in window coverings, showcasing a spectrum of blinds, shades, and shutters. Their extensive range emphasizes cutting-edge design, functionality, and sustainability, meeting diverse consumer needs. With a focus on quality craftsmanship, Hunter Douglas elevates interiors while ensuring optimal light and privacy control. Lafayette Venetian Blind Inc. specializes in elegant window treatment solutions, offering an array of blinds, shades, and draperies. Renowned for craftsmanship and style, Lafayette's tailored designs cater to residential and commercial settings, providing sophistication, light control, and privacy customization for discerning clients. Blinds and Shades Market: Key Segments By Product Type Roller Shades Vertical Shades/Blinds Panel Blinds Roman Shades/Blinds Venetian Blinds Honeycomb Pleated Shades Others (Mini Blinds, Micro Blinds, etc.) By Fabric Natural Synthetic By Operating System Manual Automated By Application Residential Commercial By Distribution Channel Online Company Owned Portal E-commerce Portal Offline Hypermarkets/Supermarkets Departmental Stores Specialty Stores Others By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa South America Contact us for Special Discount and Pricing: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=34463 More Trending Reports by Transparency Market Research Snail Beauty Products Market - The global industry was valued at US$ 1.2 Bn in 2021 and it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2022 to 2031 and reach US$ 2.1 Bn by the end of 2031 Lip Oil Market - The global lip oil market is expected to reach US$ 862.6 Mn by the end of 2031 and it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2022 to 2031 About Transparency Market Research Transparency Market Research, a global market research company registered at Wilmington, Delaware, United States, provides custom research and consulting services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insights for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools & techniques to gather and analyses information. Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports. Contact: Nikhil Sawlani Transparency Market Research Inc. CORPORATE HEADQUARTER DOWNTOWN, 1000 N. West Street, Suite 1200, Wilmington, Delaware 19801 USA Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Website: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter | Blog | YouTube BROCKTON While Brockton has its share of empty storefronts and under-utilized buildings, a wave of construction projects, both major and minor, should shape the city in 2024. If schedules hold, you'll have a new drive-thru Starbucks across from the high school, a flurry of activity at the city's new public safety complex, resolution for what the Merian Tuxedo site will become, a design for new public space next to Joe Angelo's and the opening of new Hilton hotel at the mall. Oh, and maybe, just maybe, the future of the old fairgrounds will finally become clear. Here are six development projects that should be completed or make major progress in the new year: Starbucks on Belmont A new Starbucks is being built between the McDonalds and Taco Bell on Belmont Street, right across from Brockton High School. The city's planning board approved the project in April 2023. The parcel is part of Belmont West Plaza at 683 Belmont St. It's under construction now. The new coffee shop will feature a drive-thru. The spot was previously part of the sprawling parking lot. So, even with the new building, the plan calls for more trees and green space than it had before. Starbucks customers will be able to use the larger parking lot, but 15 spaces will be available at the front door. New Starbucks construction on Belmont Street in Brockton near Brockton High School, on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023. Public Safety Building The $98 million transformation of the old Brockton High School site into the new home for Brockton's fire, police, emergency management and information technology departments made big strides in 2023. Most notably, crews demolished the old school, while saving some decorative elements for reuse. The project takes up an entire large block along Warren Avenue between Highland and West Elm streets. The current timeline calls for the building to open in summer 2025, as Mayor Robert F. Sullivan announced in his inaugural speech on Monday. In 2024, residents should see most of the construction work finished. Construction at the site for the Brockton Public Safety Building on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023. Merian Tuxedo Various plans for the iconic Merian Brothers property at 137, 141 and 147 Main St. downtown have come and gone over the years, including a charter school that wound up in Campello instead. The planning board unanimously approved the current proposal on Dec. 5. The previous proposal was for 99 market-rate units. Story continues "Merian on Main" would be a five-story, 83-unit multifamily housing project. The second, third and most of the fourth floors would be rented out as affordable units with 15 one-bedrooms, 35 two-bedrooms and six three-bedrooms. Family-friendly three-bedroom units have been rare in recent downtown developments that focus on one- and two-bedrooms aimed at professionals commuting to Boston. The fifth floor would be condos for sale with 19 one-bedrooms and eight two-bedrooms. The two-bedroom ownership units would two stories, with the bedrooms on the fourth floor. Developer Mark Pillotte of Dakota Partners was granted up to three years to start the project. He told the planning board he would need to secure tax incentives to move forward. Some city councilors bridled at the approval process, saying it needed further vetting in council's finance committee. In the end, council voted 7-2 with one abstention to declare a city-owned parcel surplus, paving the way for the project to go forward. The Merian Brothers property at 137-147 Main St. in Brockton would become "Merian on Main," an 83-unit multifamily housing complex. This rendering shows the project as envisioned on Dec. 5, 2023. Sycamore Grove The new year could be a turning point for a public-spirited plan to turn an alley and parking lot by Joe Angelo's into green space. "Sycamore Grove" would transform the area, once home to a bus depot, into outdoor public space. City officials said in December that they are working with a handful of abutters to obtain clear title so work can begin. The goal is to have a design approved by summer so the project can be eligible for $2M in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Daniel Pallota, a consultant the city hired to manage ARPA projects, told city council he wants to make sure all land issues are settled before spending money on design. One proposal, as of November 2018, for what's known as "Sycamore Grove." The former bus depot would be transformed into a green space with patios and a stage. Brockton Fairgrounds The 800-pound gorilla of Brockton development projects is no doubt the old Fairgrounds. Mayor Robert F. Sullivan had floated a plan to pay the Carney family, which owns the 65-acre site, about $55M to give the city control over how the area gets developed. The idea had some momentum in summer 2023, despite skepticism from some residents and politicians. That was before the revelation of multi-million-dollar deficits and mismanagement at the Brockton Public Schools. Fresh off reelection, city councilors may take up the mayor's proposal in 2024. Meanwhile, the site remains in private hands, and the Carneys could sell or lease it as they wish. Proposed damages to be paid to Carney family by city of Brockton for taking six parcels at the old fairgrounds. Figures are as of July 25, 2023. Tru by Hilton Hotel Brockton's newest hotel is now being built at Westgate Mall. It is slated to be a Tru by Hilton. The developer of the four-story, 78-room hotel agreed not to use the facility for long-term residents. That's to allay worries by some residents that homeless persons and refugees will be put up there. The hotel would open in late summer 2024 if the current schedule holds. The future site of Tru by Hilton Hotel, 0 Westgate Drive in Brockton, on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. Send your news tips to reporter Chris Helms by email at CHelms@enterprisenews.com or connect on X at @HelmsNews. This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Starbucks, Fairgrounds: 2024 Brockton construction projects to watch 'They should have their butts kicked': Dave Ramsey says this Oregon woman's ugly fight with her siblings proves you need a detailed estate plan and yet boomers are putting off writing wills Planning for life after your death is unpleasant and easy to put off. And even those who eventually get around to the task of estate planning can leave some loose ends untied. Sheryl from Medford, Oregon, called in to the The Ramsey Show to give a prime example of this dynamic. Her mother passed away recently, leaving a trust for her farm. But even though the terms of the trust held that she and her siblings were to divide the estate equally, family discord has nonetheless ensued. Dont miss They should have their butts kicked in for not doing this properly, Ramsey responded, referring to basically the whole family. Forget doing it properly an increasing proportion of boomer America is failing to do it at all. Between 2008 and 2018, the percentage of Americans older than 70% who have wills or trusts dropped from 70% to 63%, according to research out of Boston College. Here's how Ramsey thinks the aging population should be handling their business for the sake of posterity. The situation Sheryl is in her late 60s and happily married. When her mother passed, she left behind an estate Sheryl claims is worth $2.2 million. The farm property is held in a trust, according to which the assets are to be split evenly between Sherly, her brother and sister. However, Sheryls siblings have invested in the property, adding some buildings over time. And thats created disagreement about a fair split. How is that [equal split] fair if they put money into it and you didnt? Ramsey asked. Story continues He said he believes the siblings and mother should have outlined specific terms about how the estate would be divided, given the fact that some have contributed more than others. Let me tell you, the whole idea that they would build a building on someone else's property without having everything lined out in the trust in detail was pretty stupid because it sets up a big argument, he contended. A lack of estate planning is pervasive. As of 2023, only 34% of all Americans had wills, according to Caring.coms 2023 Wills and Estate Planning Study. About 40% of the remainder without wills said that a medical diagnosis would encourage them to make an estate plan, but roughly one in four said nothing would motivate them to do so. Read more: Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now cash in on prime real estate without the headache of being a landlord. Here's how The solution Ramsey said he believes the trustee (Sheryls brother) is legally mandated to follow the trust terms and split the assets evenly. However, trusts are complex structures and the level of flexibility a trustee has depends on the trusts terms and state laws. Nevertheless, Ramsey believes the siblings could come to a mutual agreement on a split that they would accept as fairer. For instance, they could separate the fair value of the properties built by the siblings over the years and then split the leftover value equally. Ramsey said this would be the ethical solution. All adults should have a will Then there is the general question of who should write a will. If you're 18 years old or older you need a will, period! Ramsey said. It's what grown-ups do, and by the way, the government's going to end up with a bunch of this, too, if you don't. Depending on the size of the estate, beneficiaries might owe estate taxes on a state or federal level. A formal plan could potentially minimize this tax liability. You can also minimize liability and confusion by updating the will everytime theres a major life event. Sheryls family, according to Ramsey, should have revised the trust when the siblings invested in the property with new additions. In fact, the Ramsey team and his family get together every year for a meeting titled If Dave Dies This Year. We sit and talk about my death for an hour and a half, he said, [and about] what has changed since last year in the operation of Ramsey. Ramseys net worth is estimated at $200 million with a reported $150 million in real estate, according to TheStreet. Given that kind of nine-figure wealth, an annual succession planning session isnt just pertinent; it could prove the best path to avoid the kind of infighting Sheryls family has dealt with since losing their mother. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Magnificent Seven stocks are worth more than the stock markets of Japan, Canada, and the UK combined. Bloomberg/Apollo Chief Economist The Magnificent Seven stocks have ballooned to the size of three nations' stock markets combined. The group was valued at $11.7 trillion yesterday, about equal to the UK, Japan, and Canada's stock market. Concerns are growing that a handful of richly valued stocks are driving the unsustainable performance of the S&P 500. Our Chart of the Day comes from Apollo Global Management, which shows that the market value of the "Magnificent Seven" stocks has ballooned to the size of three developed nations' stock markets combined. The Magnificent Seven Amazon, Apple, Alphabet, Meta, Nvidia, Tesla, and Microsoft had a total market value of $11.7 trillion at the closing bell on Tuesday. That's worth about the same as the entire stock markets of the UK, Canada, and Japan combined, according to Bloomberg data compiled by Apollo's chief economist Torsten Slk. The group of tech titans reaped monster returns in 2023, rising 107%. In fact, the seven stocks accounted for most of the gains in the S&P 500 last year, with the rest of the index trading relatively flat. That's sparked concern of a speculative AI bubble forming in the market, making mega-cap stocks like Microsoft, Amazon, and Nvidia overvalued as investors chase the hype. The valuations of the Magnificent Seven stocks are "extreme," according to Richard Bernstein Advisors. That could lead the market to see-saw in the other direction, producing a once-in-a-generation investment opportunity in virtually every area away from the Magnificent Seven, the investment advisor said in a research note at the end of last year. "The Magnificent Seven's significant outperformance might be justified if they were truly unique. Unfortunately, that is not the case," the firm said. "Rather, it increasingly seems investors' enthusiasm for these seven stocks is a reflection of today's speculative, momentum-driven market. But investors' myopia has resulted in tremendous opportunities elsewhere." The Magnificent Seven have taken a hit to start the new year, with their collective market cap tumbling by $250 billion on the first trading day of 2024. Apple saw the steepest decline, sliding 4% to lose $100 billion in market value. Read the original article on Business Insider (Bloomberg) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited the countrys foremost developer of memory chips, in the latest show of government support for US-sanctioned Yangtze Memory Technologies Co. as the two powers clash over technology. Most Read from Bloomberg Chinas No. 2 official visited Wuhan-based YMTC and Wuhan Huagong Laser Engineering Co. during a two-day trip in Hubei province, according to a Wednesday report by the official Xinhua news agency. Li called for further efforts on technology innovations and more targeted policy support to translate research results into real productivity, Xinhua said. He took a tour of the two companies production lines and held discussions with their executives. Lis trip comes as President Xi Jinpings administration is trying to revive an economy struggling to arrest a slide in the property sector, while strengthening national security amid rising military and trade tensions with the US. High-end technologies have become the focal point of that collision, with US limiting Chinese investments in sensitive fields like semiconductors and AI. Read more: Xis Mixed Messages Leave Whiplashed Investors Wary of China YMTC competes with global peers including Micron Technology Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. in developing memory chips used for storing data in PCs, smartphones and other gadgets. Its inclusion in a US trade blacklist in late 2022, along with broad export curbs, deprived it of access to the latest manufacturing hardware. A YMTC spokesperson declined to comment on Lis visit. In March, Li visited companies including electric car maker BYD Co. and Lens Technology Co., an Apple Inc. supplier, in the central province of Hunan, his first trip out of Beijing since becoming premier that month. He took the occasion to rally the private sector to boost innovation and self-reliance. Story continues --With assistance from Gao Yuan. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Newly released legal documents are renewing focus on the Jeffery Epstein, with public scrutiny of the court papers also reigniting interest in the late sex offender's wealth and how he amassed it. Accused of abusing dozens of teenage girls before dying by suicide in a federal prison in 2019, the politically connected multimillionaire never graduated from college, but still wound up socializing with a range of major public figures, from former U.S. presidents and software moguls and to members of the British royalty. The grandson of Jewish immigrants, Epstein was raised in Brooklyn, where he excelled in math and graduated from high school early, briefly attending Cooper Union and New York University, according to published reports over the years by multiple news outlets, some citing court documents. What was Jeffrey Epstein's net worth? When the disgraced financier was found dead at 66 in a Manhattan jail cell in August of 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges, a filing in his criminal case pegged his net worth at roughly $560 million. Epstein's assets also included a number of lavish properties. Epstein owned a palatial townhouse worth more than $50 million on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. He also owned a mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, worth about $12 million, a ranch in New Mexico valued at just over $17 million and an apartment in Paris worth an estimated $8.6 million. This photo shows the Manhattan residence of Jeffrey Epstein on July 8, 2019. / Credit: Bebeto Matthews / AP After Epstein's death his private Caribbean islands Great St. James and Little St. James were together valued at $86 million, but purchased for $60 million in 2023 by billionaire Stephen Deckoff, founder of alternative investment firm Black Diamond Capital Management. Epstein also owned a private jet. What did Jeffrey Epstein do for a living? While in his early 20s, Epstein in 1974 started teaching math at The Dalton School, one of New York's most prestigious prep schools, and left in 1976, with an administrator telling the New York Times he'd dismissed Epstein for poor performance. Story continues But the stint at Dalton had him tutoring the son of Bear Stearns CEO Alan Greenberg, which led to a job at the investment bank before it collapsed in 2008 following the housing crash. Epstein then became a money manager for billionaires including Les Wexner, founder and CEO of L Brands, and Apollo Global Management Chairman Leon Black. Black paid Epstein $158 million for tax and estate planning services, according to the Senate Finance Committee. A law firm retained by Apollo's board to review Black's dealings with Epstein found that Black who stepped down as chairman and CEO of the private equity firm in 2021 cleared him of any possible wrongdoing. Black in July of 2023 agreed to pay $62.5 million to the U.S. Virgin Islands to be released from any potential claims arising from the territory's probe into Epstein's sex trafficking operation. The four-page settlement stipulated that it didn't constitute an "admission of liability" by Black, according to the New York Times. For more than a decade, Epstein was Wexner's personal money manager and business adviser, making hundreds of millions of dollars managing Wexner's billions. "Epstein's crimes are abhorrent, and we applaud every effort to bring justice to those harmed," L Brands told CBS MoneyWatch in 2019. Wexner said in an email to employees at the time that he regrets that he ever "crossed paths" with Epstein. "When Mr. Epstein was my personal money manager, he was involved in many aspects of my financial life," the email stated. "But let me assure you that I was NEVER aware of the illegal activity charged in the indictment." Where else did Epstein get his money? JPMorgan Chase loaned Epstein money and regularly let him withdraw large sums of cash from 1998 through August 2013, according to a class-action lawsuit settled by the nation's largest bank last year. Payouts are expected to be made to nearly 200 women. In an emailed statement to CBS MoneyWatch in June of 2023, JPMorgan called Epstein's behavior "monstrous," and said it regretted any association with the disgraced financier. Epstein also had financial dealings with Deutsche Bank, which in May 2023 agreed to pay $75 million to settle a lawsuit alleging the German bank "knowingly benefited" from his sex trafficking and profited from doing business with him. Deutsche Bank declined to comment on the settlement. In 2020, it acknowledged its "error of onboarding Epstein in 2013 and the weaknesses in our processes." How much did he buy his island for? Epstein owned two neighboring islands. He paid $7.95 million in 1998 for the 75-acre Little St. James, according to the New York Post and New York Magazine. In 2016, Epstein paid more than $20 million for the 165-acre Great St. James, according to CNBC and the Wall Street Journal. Strategic shift to deep-water port enhances trade links between Ecuador, Asia, and Europe; Posorjas advanced capabilities attract major shipping lines. POSORJA, Ecuador, January 04, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Earlier this week, DP World in Posorja, Ecuador welcomed the first of three key service routes for Maersk. Maersk recently announced that beginning in January 2024, it would reroute three service routes from the Port of Guayaquil to the deep-water terminal at the Port of Posorja. The AC2 weekly service which connects Ecuador with Asia arrived on January 2, to be followed by ECUMED Ecuador-Mediterranean loop on January 5, and the regional Guayaquil Feeder shuttle on January 7. The shift to Posorja was largely due to a technical analysis of its efficiency, productivity, and deepwater capabilities. Posorjas draft which is over 15 meters enables it to handle ultra-large container ships (ULCS), including those with capacities up to 22,000 TEUs. This allows shipping lines to deploy larger capacity vessels; for example, Maersks AC2 service includes vessels of 13,000 and 15,000 TEUs capacity. When it comes to maritime transport, ship size and scale are emerging as indicators of efficiency and sustainability. By virtue of their larger capacities, UCLS provide fuel efficiency through economies of scale, resulting in less CO 2 emissions per container. This development positions the terminal at the Port of Posorja, Ecuador, as a key enabler for maritime trade across Latin America, Asia and Europe. The Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2022 ranked DP World Posorja as the second most-efficient port in the region of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, and 19th globally. "Maersks decision to choose Posorja as a new hub for its operations reflects our ongoing commitment to maintaining a high level of productivity, with minimal port congestion and cost-effectiveness for our customers. Our ability to guarantee service levels and provide exceptional security has been crucial in cementing this long-standing partnership with Maersk," said Morten Johansen, chief operating officer, DP World Americas. Story continues With this move, Maersk joins other leading shipping companies such as Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM in capitalizing on the strategic advantages offered by DP World Posorja. ABOUT DP WORLD: Trade is the lifeblood of the global economy, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for people around the world. DP World exists to make the worlds trade flow better, changing whats possible for the customers and communities we serve globally. With a dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 103,000 employees spanning 75 countries on six continents, DP World is pushing trade further and faster towards a seamless supply chain thats fit for the future. Were rapidly transforming and integrating our businesses Ports and Terminals, Marine Services, Logistics and Technology and uniting our global infrastructure with local expertise to create stronger, more efficient end-to-end supply chain solutions that can change the way the world trades. What's more, we're reshaping the future by investing in innovation. From intelligent delivery systems to automated warehouse stacking, were at the cutting edge of disruptive technology, pushing the sector towards better ways to trade, minimising disruptions from the factory floor to the customers door. WE MAKE TRADE FLOW TO CHANGE WHAT'S POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE. Follow DP World on Twitter and LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104003729/en/ Contacts DP WORLD AMERICAS MEDIA CONTACT: Melina Vissat, Head of Communications, North America M: (+1) 704-605-6159 E: melina.vissat@dpworld.com Key Insights Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Colliers International Group fair value estimate is CA$186 With CA$155 share price, Colliers International Group appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value Analyst price target for CIGI is US$156 which is 17% below our fair value estimate How far off is Colliers International Group Inc. (TSE:CIGI) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine. Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model. Check out our latest analysis for Colliers International Group What's The Estimated Valuation? We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$272.7m US$305.0m US$381.0m US$409.0m US$439.0m US$461.5m US$480.7m US$497.5m US$512.6m US$526.4m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x3 Analyst x2 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 5.13% Est @ 4.17% Est @ 3.50% Est @ 3.03% Est @ 2.70% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 8.2% US$252 US$260 US$301 US$298 US$296 US$287 US$277 US$265 US$252 US$239 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$2.7b We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (1.9%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 8.2%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = US$526m (1 + 1.9%) (8.2% 1.9%) = US$8.5b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$8.5b ( 1 + 8.2%)10= US$3.9b The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is US$6.6b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of CA$155, the company appears about fair value at a 17% 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. TSX:CIGI Discounted Cash Flow January 4th 2024 Important 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 Colliers International Group as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.2%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.257. 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 Colliers International Group Strength Debt is well covered by earnings. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Real Estate market. Shareholders have been diluted in the past year. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Canadian market. Good value based on P/S ratio and estimated fair value. Threat Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow. Annual revenue is forecast to grow slower than the Canadian market. Moving On: Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For Colliers International Group, we've put together three additional items you should look at: Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 5 warning signs for Colliers International Group (of which 1 is significant!) you should know about. Future Earnings: How does CIGI'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 Canadian 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. Exponent Founders Capital, an early-stage venture firm founded by alumni of startups such as Plaid, Robinhood and Ramp, has closed on $75 million in capital commitments, TechCrunch is the first to report. The firm, which is emerging from stealth today, raised $50 million for its first fund in November of 2021. Managing Partners Charley Ma and Mahdi Raza co-founded Exponent after meeting while Ma was leading fintech growth at Plaid, and Raza was leading growth and payments at Robinhood. At the time, Robinhood was one of Plaid's largest customers, so the pair often found themselves on opposite sides of the negotiating table. The pair invested separately as angels before teaming up to start their own venture firm. Exponent, which focuses on enterprise SaaS, fintech, infrastructure and GTM (go to market) software companies, invested in about 40 startups out of its first fund. Among those startups are Apollo.io (which raised $100 million at a $1.6 billion valuation in August), observability platform Chronosphere (which raised $115 million at a $1.6 billion valuation in January) and legal-tech startup EvenUp (which raised $50.5 million in June). The firm has already had some exits, as well, including software startup Tactic being sold to TaxBit earlier this year and other deals Ma says will be disclosed soon. As angel investors, the pair backed the likes of Modern Treasury, Unit, Moov, Lithic, Persona, Stytch and Persona, among others. Ma was one of the first business hires at Plaid where he led the fintech and developer sales vertical in San Francisco and helped build out the companys New York office. Later, he was one of the first business hires at expense management startup Ramp and helped launch its corporate card as that startups head of growth. More recently, Ma served as the head of growth at Alloy, an identity and risk infrastructure platform for financial institutions. Raza became an operator after roles in fintech and technology investment banking at Evercore and investing at GIC. He worked in growth and payments at Robinhood before joining Stytch to lead early growth there. Story continues A big shift for us in fund one was moving upwards in ownership from our typical friendly-sized angel check, to being one of the larger investors in the round, to outright leading and pricing early-stage rounds, he told TechCrunch. In fact, when investing out of its first fund in 2023, the firm led or co-led the rounds of all the companies in which it invested. Investment thesis Exponents check size depends on the round dynamics, but can range from $500,000 to $5 million. Ma said. The firm aims for minimum 5% to 10% ownership in the companies in which it backs. Seventy-five percent of the firms new fund will be used toward investing at the early stage, including pre-seed rounds. The remainder is reserved for follow-on investing. Exponent is focused on investing in the U.S. and Europe. The second fund close was oversubscribed, according to Ma, who cites Carnegie Mellon University, Cook Children's Health Care System, LGT Group and Next Legacy as some of Exponents limited partners (LPs). The firm plans to invest in 20 to 30 companies out of its second fund. We are a thematically focused, generalist firm covering all parts of enterprise software -- including vertical AI, infrastructure and applied AI -- and fintech and payments, Ma said. In particular, were excited by the opportunity for services and outputs as software, building core necessary workflows across customer experiences in many domains. Over time, well continue to add new themes into our arsenal -- as an example, recently weve been going deep into legal services, pharmaceutical workflows and core banking infrastructure, he added. Lessons learned The pair believe their backgrounds as both operators and angel investors gives them an edge as investors. The most important lesson we've learned is how to approach problems from a first principles perspective. Every company that we've worked for has gone through different periods of growth and each also had very different GTM motions, Ma said. We found that trying to apply a framework that worked in one company, rarely worked directly at another and is in fact a common trap that many former executives and founders fall into when working with new companies. What's more important is asking the right questions and going as deep as possible into figuring out what's blocking growth across GTM, product, team, market, customers, etc. Fundraising as an emerging manager in 2023 was definitely not easy, Ma admits. Everyone we talked to gave us the advice that this was the worst time to fundraise in the last decade, but we were starting to get pulled into a few institutional LP conversations, so we decided to kick off our fundraise in earnest in April, Ma said. We were deliberately targeting long term, nonprofit institutional investors for fund 2 with a target of $60 million and a hard cap of $75 million. Want more fintech news in your inbox? Sign up for The Interchange here. Key Insights The projected fair value for Fiamma Holdings Berhad is RM1.35 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Fiamma Holdings Berhad's RM0.93 share price signals that it might be 32% undervalued When compared to theindustry average discount to fair value of 19%, Fiamma Holdings Berhad's competitors seem to be trading at a lesser discount Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Fiamma Holdings Berhad (KLSE:FIAMMA) by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple! We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. 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 Fiamma Holdings Berhad Crunching The Numbers We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. 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, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM56.7m RM56.2m RM56.4m RM57.2m RM58.3m RM59.8m RM61.4m RM63.3m RM65.3m RM67.5m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ -2.81% Est @ -0.90% Est @ 0.43% Est @ 1.37% Est @ 2.02% Est @ 2.48% Est @ 2.80% Est @ 3.03% Est @ 3.18% Est @ 3.29% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 11% RM51.2 RM45.9 RM41.7 RM38.2 RM35.3 RM32.7 RM30.4 RM28.3 RM26.4 RM24.7 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM355m 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 11%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = RM67m (1 + 3.6%) (11% 3.6%) = RM994m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM994m ( 1 + 11%)10= RM363m 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 RM718m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of RM0.9, the company appears quite good value at a 32% 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. KLSE:FIAMMA Discounted Cash Flow January 4th 2024 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 Fiamma Holdings Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 11%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.031. 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 Fiamma Holdings Berhad Strength Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry. Debt is not viewed as a risk. Weakness Shareholders have been diluted in the past year. Opportunity Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%. Threat No apparent threats visible for FIAMMA. Moving On: Although the valuation of a company is important, it 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. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Fiamma Holdings Berhad, we've compiled three essential items you should assess: Risks: For instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for Fiamma Holdings Berhad (1 doesn't sit too well with us) you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does FIAMMA's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. peeterv / Getty Images The real estate market has made it very challenging for many Americans to achieve their dream of homeownership. Indeed, a high cost of housing, soaring rates and low inventory have left many homebuyers on the sidelines in recent months. See: 7 Safest and Cheapest Cities To Live in Florida Find: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000 California and New York for instance where the high cost of living, especially for housing present a persistent challenge. These two states lost around 31,000 and 27,000 wealthy millennials, respectively, according to an Upgraded Points survey. Yet, some states such as Florida and three more East Coast states are attracting more first-time homebuyers thanks to specific attributes and affordability, according to a Placer.ai report. Affordability is a key for all the states that attract first time homebuyers. Housing prices in Tampa and West Palm Beach are relatively affordable compared to other coastal areas. Its a good choice for retirees, remote workers and tourists, said Dottie Herman, vice chair and former CEO of Douglas Elliman Real Estate, adding that, for instance, Florida also has business-friendly tax policies and a warm climate that adds to its desirability. Since the pandemic, work-from-home has facilitated migration choices driven by two factors: lifestyle and housing costs at least according to Jason Sorens, senior research faculty at the American Institute for Economic Research. More affordable places with higher quality of life have been attracting new residents, often from major metro areas that offer high wages to skilled workers but suffer from high crime, high taxes, or expensive housing, he said, adding that economic changes associated with technological change and the global marketplace have also driven migration. Also: In Less Than a Decade, You Wont Be Able To Afford Homes in These 20 Florida ZIP Codes Sponsored: Get Paid To Scroll. Start Now Story continues Florida Florida has several advantages, including its warm climate and endless beaches. Between August 2019 and August 2023, domestic migration boosted the Sunshine States population by 2.6% of its August 2023 headcount, according to Placer.ai. Beyond Tampa, Jacksonville and Orlando, some mid-size cities are also attracting newcomers. For instance, the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metro area is one of the fastest growing mid-sized markets, according to Your Observer. David Druey, Centennial Bank Florida regional president, said that first-time homebuyers are increasingly drawn to Florida due to a compelling blend of economic advantages and enticing incentives. Its the land of milk and honey. The states appeal lies in its robust provisions, including attractive tax incentives for businesses and the absence of income tax. Stable housing prices over the last three years indicate a promising window for newcomers in 2024, he added. Druey noted that while individuals relocating from the Midwest might initially face sticker shock in terms of housing costs, Florida counters this with opportunities. Tailored bank incentives such as the Dream program, aiding those with financial challenges, the FHA First-Time Homebuyers program requiring less upfront investment, and USDA loans, provide diverse pathways to homeownership, he said, adding that Floridas mix of economic benefits and targeted programs make it an attractive destination for first-time homebuyers. The average North Port home value is $352,247, compared to the average United States home value, which is $346,048 up 2.2% in the past year, according to Zillow. Maine As Placer.ai noted, the state is known for its low crime rates and robust job market and has emerged in recent years as a top destination for domestic relocators seeking greener pastures. Indeed, between August 2019 and August 2023, Maine experienced positive domestic net migration more Americans relocated to the state than moved away from it. Younger generations are particularly attracted to the Portland-South Portland metro area, according to Placer.ai. Danielle Hale, chief economist with Realtor.com, said that Portland-South Portland has become a refuge for big-city East Coasters looking for more affordability. Along with affordability, its important these relocators still have access to the high-quality food and culture theyve become accustomed to. In particular, the Portland metro area attracted half of its home shoppers from New York City and Boston in the most recent data according to Realtor.com, she said. With median home prices slightly or well below other Northeastern markets, affordability is a driver. Hale added that the median home listing price in November in Portland was just shy of $600,000 according to Realtor.com data, while all other metros in Maine saw prices under $400,000. By comparison, the wider New York City metro area had a median home price of $728,000 and Boston had a median home price of nearly $825,000. South Carolina This is another East Coast state that has gained traction, as it has a net positive migration equal to 4.3% of its August 2023 population, according to Placer.ai. Realtor.coms Hale noted that in South Carolina, out-of-staters are also driving shopping interest as the warm weather, tax friendly climate and affordable homes with ready beach access spur some markets. According to data on shopping patterns from Realtor.com, two-thirds or more of recent online home shoppers in Columbia, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Hilton Head came from out of state, she said. While beach-front living does come at a premium relative to other in-state housing markets in Charleston ($519,000) and Georgetown ($509,000), Myrtle Beachs market offers ocean access at a below US median listing price point of $350,000 according to Realtor.com data. North Carolina In addition to a pleasant climate, the state boasts an affordable cost of living. Raleigh was recently named a top city for first-time homebuyers, and is particularly attractive to millennial movers looking to settle down, according to Placer.ai. Another city Cary also ranks high among millennial newcomers. The Raleigh-Cary metro is particularly good fit for young families, with favorable housing prospects, a thriving job market and good public schools, noted Placer.ai. In North Carolina, out-of-state home shoppers in major markets such as Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh-Cary and Durham-Chapel Hill make up roughly half of recent online shoppers, per Hale. Major vacation destinations, however, like beachy Wilmington or mountainous Asheville, have even higher shares of out-of-state home shoppers, she added. Home prices in vacation spots are higher than the U.S. median with a November listing price of $500,000 in Wilmington and $575,000 in Asheville, but larger urban areas with a wealth of job opportunities are priced more competitively. Charlotte ($415,000) came in just below the U.S. median ($420,000) and Raleigh-Cary ($452,000) and Durham-Chapel Hill ($490,000) came in just above it, she added. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Florida and 3 More East Coast States Are Attracting First-Time Homebuyers Heres Why Sebastien de Montessus delivering a speech during the inauguration of an Ivory Coast minue in 2019 - Issouf Sanogo/AFP/Getty The chief executive of a FTSE 100 mining company has been fired over claims he greenlit an irregular payment in breach of the companys policies. Endeavour Mining, the largest gold producer in West Africa, told investors after markets shut on Thursday it had terminated the employment of Sebastien de Montessus for serious misconduct after uncovering an irregular payment instruction of $5.9m (4.7m). Endeavour said the payment was discovered in the course of a review of acquisitions and disposals. Last night Mr de Montessus told The Telegraph: In 2021 I instructed a creditor of Endeavour to offset an amount owed to the company to pay for essential security equipment to protect our partners and employees in a conflict zone. The decision had no additional cost to the company and did not benefit me personally in any way. I omitted to inform the board that I had arranged for this offset, which I have freely accepted was a lapse in judgement. This week I was given 48 hours notice of the concerns and no proper opportunity to answer them. Separately, the board said it was considering what actions to take, if any, after being handed the findings of a report into Mr de Montessuss personal conduct with colleagues. An external review was triggered after a complaint to the companys confidential whistleblowing hotline. Mr de Montessus denies any misconduct. The French-born businessman has run Endeavour Mining since 2016, during which time he has earned tens of millions of pounds. He received 18.8m in 2021 as a reward for successfully shifting the companys primary listing to the London Stock Exchange from Canada in June that year. His salary dropped to 8.9m in 2022 after an investor revolt and as the company fell to a loss. Endeavour Mining, which was founded in 1988, runs mines in Burkina Faso, Cote dIvoire and Senegal. It is a member of the FTSE 100. Mr de Montessuss unexpected sacking follows a series of recent, high-profile chief executive scandals in the US and UK. Story continues BP chief Bernard Looney was ousted in September 2023 after he failed to disclose details of his relationships with colleagues. In 2019, McDonalds boss Steve Easterbrook was dismissed over relationships with a colleague. In both cases, their former employers opted to claw back pay. The board of Endeavour is understood to be planning to discuss a potential clawback of Mr de Montessuss pay and has promised to announce full details in its annual report. The company has appointed deputy chair Ian Cockerill as chief executive, who previously worked at Anglo American. Prior to running Endeavour, Mr de Montessus held several senior roles in the industry and spent time as a banker at Morgan Stanley in London. Endeavours most recent accounts show the company lost 21.9m on a turnover of 2.5bn. In its most recent annual report, the mining group said it had received 17 complaints through its whistleblower hotline, including one case of fraud which led to an employee being dismissed. 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. 7 Brew Drive-thru Coffee will officially open its Columbia location Monday on Nifong Boulevard. Choice is increasing in Columbia for community members looking for their morning buzz, mid-afternoon pick-me-up or even a late night cuppa joe. 7 Brew, the Arkansas-based drive-thru coffee stand, officially opens 5:30 a.m. Monday at 200 E. Nifong Blvd, where Lutz's Barbecue once was. It is the first location in Columbia. A second location on Providence Road could come by the end of the year or in early 2025. Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission discussed the Providence Road proposal this week. This is the 17th location in Missouri and 22nd location owned by franchisee Brandon Sebald, who also has locations elsewhere in Missouri, Arkansas and Texas. 7 Brew locations are in more than half of U.S. states. We are excited to make our grand entrance into Columbia and show Mizzou fans, college students and members of the Columbia community what were passionate about with every drink served. Sebald said. Not only do we look forward to fueling this community, we are eager to get involved and give back while pouring into our Brew Crew. To get ready for the grand opening, 7 Brew is holding soft opening events starting Friday, giving Columbia residents a chance to "taste the revolution." One small drink of choice will be available free to customers 7-10 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-noon and 2-5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Once officially open, store hours are 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The only other Columbia coffee shops that remain open as late are the downtown Lakota Coffee and south location of The Grind on John Garry Drive. The first customer in Lane 1 of the drive-thru on opening day will win one free 7 Brew drink of choice per week for a year. A ribbon-cutting is planned for 8 a.m. Monday, along with a check presentation for Children's Miracle Network. Customers also will get a chance to receive a T-shirt with purchase of a large drink on the Jan. 13 "Swag Day" during normal business hours. Story continues 7 Brew Drive-thru Coffee opens Monday on Nifong Boulevard. Soft opening events where customers can get a free small coffee drink will happen Friday through Sunday. What is 7 Brew Coffee? According to the 7 Brew Coffee website, it all started in February 2017 with a store in Rogers, Arkansas. It also states that 7 Brew Coffee is a "revolution that treats people like people that makes them feel warmed, loved, and important, all before they take a sip of the best drink in town." The menu features its seven original coffee drinks, along with other coffee shop classics, teas, a blended energy drink, smoothies, shakes and sparkling water infusions. The seven original drinks can come hot, iced or as a blended chiller. Coffee shop classics and teas can come hot or iced. There are various syrups for all beverages and milk alternatives of oat, almond or coconut for drink customization. Other customizations, including extra espresso or sweetness levels are possible as well. All told, there are upward of 20,000 drink combinations, 7 Brew said in a news release. Why is it called 7 Brew Coffee? The name 7 Brew Coffee is derived from the Bible. Biblically, the number 7 indicates completion or perfection, according to an Arkansas Democrat Gazette story. It also refers to its seven original drinks. Every 7 Brew Coffee store is a double drive-thru. The coffee served by 7 Brew Coffee comes from a blend of beans sourced from Ethiopia, Columbia and Brazil, said 7 Brew president and co-owner Ron Crume in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette reporting. More: From Hawaiian grills to late-night fare, these Columbia restaurants opened in 2023 Ann Albers of Florida Today, a USA Today Network newspaper, contributed to this report. The Columbia Daily Tribune is part of the USA Today Network. Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism. This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Columbia's first 7 Brew location is opening, and a second is planned For beginners, it can seem like a good idea (and an exciting prospect) to buy a company that tells a good story to investors, even if it currently lacks a track record of revenue and profit. Unfortunately, these high risk investments often have little probability of ever paying off, and many investors pay a price to learn their lesson. Loss-making companies are always racing against time to reach financial sustainability, so investors in these companies may be taking on more risk than they should. Despite being in the age of tech-stock blue-sky investing, many investors still adopt a more traditional strategy; buying shares in profitable companies like Ashtead Group (LON:AHT). While profit isn't the sole metric that should be considered when investing, it's worth recognising businesses that can consistently produce it. View our latest analysis for Ashtead Group Ashtead Group's Earnings Per Share Are Growing If a company can keep growing earnings per share (EPS) long enough, its share price should eventually follow. Therefore, there are plenty of investors who like to buy shares in companies that are growing EPS. Impressively, Ashtead Group has grown EPS by 29% per year, compound, in the last three years. If the company can sustain that sort of growth, we'd expect shareholders to come away satisfied. It's often helpful to take a look at earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins, as well as revenue growth, to get another take on the quality of the company's growth. While we note Ashtead Group achieved similar EBIT margins to last year, revenue grew by a solid 18% to US$10b. That's encouraging news for the company! You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. Click on the chart to see the exact numbers. LSE:AHT Earnings and Revenue History January 4th 2024 While we live in the present moment, there's little doubt that the future matters most in the investment decision process. So why not check this interactive chart depicting future EPS estimates, for Ashtead Group? Story continues Are Ashtead Group Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders? Owing to the size of Ashtead Group, we wouldn't expect insiders to hold a significant proportion of the company. But thanks to their investment in the company, it's pleasing to see that there are still incentives to align their actions with the shareholders. As a matter of fact, their holding is valued at US$37m. This considerable investment should help drive long-term value in the business. Even though that's only about 0.2% of the company, it's enough money to indicate alignment between the leaders of the business and ordinary shareholders. Does Ashtead Group Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist? For growth investors, Ashtead Group's raw rate of earnings growth is a beacon in the night. With EPS growth rates like that, it's hardly surprising to see company higher-ups place confidence in the company through continuing to hold a significant investment. On the balance of its merits, solid EPS growth and company insiders who are aligned with the shareholders would indicate a business that is worthy of further research. It's still necessary to consider the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with Ashtead Group , and understanding this should be part of your investment process. Although Ashtead Group certainly looks good, it may appeal to more investors if insiders were buying up shares. If you like to see companies with insider buying, then check out this handpicked selection of British companies that not only boast of strong growth but have also seen recent insider buying.. Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) stock is about to trade ex-dividend in 4 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. In other words, investors can purchase Verizon Communications' shares before the 9th of January in order to be eligible for the dividend, which will be paid on the 1st of February. The company's next dividend payment will be US$0.67 per share, on the back of last year when the company paid a total of US$2.66 to shareholders. Calculating the last year's worth of payments shows that Verizon Communications has a trailing yield of 6.8% on the current share price of $39.16. Dividends are an important source of income to many shareholders, but the health of the business is crucial to maintaining those dividends. So we need to investigate whether Verizon Communications can afford its dividend, and if the dividend could grow. Check out our latest analysis for Verizon Communications 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. Verizon Communications paid out more than half (53%) of its earnings last year, which is a regular payout ratio for most companies. 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 paid out 80% of its free cash flow as dividends, which is within usual limits but will limit the company's ability to lift the dividend if there's no growth. It's positive to see that Verizon Communications's dividend is covered by both profits and cash flow, since this is generally a sign that the dividend is sustainable, and a lower payout ratio usually suggests a greater margin of safety before the dividend gets cut. Story continues Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends. Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? When earnings decline, dividend companies become much harder to analyse and own safely. If earnings decline and the company is forced to cut its dividend, investors could watch the value of their investment go up in smoke. Verizon Communications's earnings per share have fallen at approximately 7.6% a year over the previous five years. When earnings per share fall, the maximum amount of dividends that can be paid also falls. Another key way to measure a company's dividend prospects is by measuring its historical rate of dividend growth. In the last 10 years, Verizon Communications has lifted its dividend by approximately 2.6% a year on average. That's interesting, but the combination of a growing dividend despite declining earnings can typically only be achieved by paying out more of the company's profits. This can be valuable for shareholders, but it can't go on forever. The Bottom Line From a dividend perspective, should investors buy or avoid Verizon Communications? It's never good to see earnings per share shrinking, but at least the dividend payout ratios appear reasonable. We're aware though that if earnings continue to decline, the dividend could be at risk. It's not an attractive combination from a dividend perspective, and we're inclined to pass on this one for the time being. Having said that, if you're looking at this stock without much concern for the dividend, you should still be familiar of the risks involved with Verizon Communications. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Verizon Communications you should know about. 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. Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE: TD), also known as TD Bank, is one of the largest banks in North America. Although its home market is Canada, much of its growth is coming from the U.S. market. That turned into a big problem in 2023 thanks to an acquisition that ended up getting scuttled. There's more pain to come on that front, too. But don't think TD Bank's growth is going to stop. TD Bank had a mixed year in 2023 In 2022, TD Bank inked two acquisition deals. One was for First Horizon (NYSE: FHN), which would have materially expanded its banking footprint on the East Coast of the United States. The other was for Cowen, an investment banking firm, to augment TD Bank's investment banking activities. Image source: Getty Images. The Cowen deal was closed in early March 2023. The First Horizon deal was scuttled just a little later in May 2023. That's why it was a bit of a mixed bag on the growth front for TD Bank in 2023. The bigger problem, however, is that the First Horizon deal was called off because regulators were upset with TD Bank's efforts to control money laundering. There are three negatives here on the growth front. First, it seems highly likely that TD Bank will resolve the issues, but that it will also end up paying a fine related to its weak money laundering controls. Second, until the issue is resolved, more U.S. acquisitions are probably off the table. And third, potential acquisition targets may not want to work with TD Bank until this history is well in the rearview mirror. In other words, TD Bank's growth could slow down materially from here. The problem could linger for a little while as it works with regulators on a resolution and then has to build back trust with potential takeover targets. It's understandable that investors would be a bit downbeat on the stock. Notably, the bank's 4.6% dividend yield is near its highest levels over the past decade. TD Bank isn't done growing Clearly, TD Bank is facing headwinds, some of its own making. That's not good news. But there's no reason to think the investment-grade-rated bank's dividend is at risk even in the event of a material economic downturn. In fact, its Tier 1 Capital Ratio, a measure of a bank's ability to handle financial adversity, is the second highest in North America at 14.4%. Story continues While growth may not come as rapidly, TD Bank hasn't stopped expanding. It opened 18 new locations in the U.S. market in the third quarter alone. Sure, that's far less exciting than buying hundreds of locations in one quick transaction, but slow and steady isn't a bad thing. Moreover, with a largely East Coast presence, TD Bank has a lot of room to expand its geographic footprint before it has exhausted its opportunity in the U.S. market. As for the potential fine: Clearly, TD Bank can't talk about that issue in any detail, but it has basically said that a fine is on the way. That will make whatever quarter it gets charged to look really ugly. But the bank is strong and should be able to take the hit in relative stride. Once that's in the past, it can start to look for acquisitions again. So the short-term pain of a fine will actually help to clear the slate for future growth. TD Bank has some warts There are some material negatives in front of TD Bank. But investors who think in decades should step back and consider just how bad the current state of affairs really is. In the end, TD Bank continues to grow its business. It's in a strong financial position, and once it takes the regulatory hit, it can look to expand via acquisition again. If you don't mind muddling along for a little while, collecting a historically high yield, you might want to look at TD Bank today. Should you invest $1,000 in Toronto-Dominion Bank right now? Before you buy stock in Toronto-Dominion Bank, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now... and Toronto-Dominion Bank wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of the S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of December 18, 2023 Reuben Gregg Brewer has positions in Toronto-Dominion Bank. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This High-Yield Stock Is In for a Regulator Wallop, But That Hasn't Stopped Its Growth Any was originally published by The Motley Fool An aerial view of the Cottages at Lexington located off Lexington Highway in east Athens. A new 200-unit housing complex on the east side of Athens has opened and is already mostly leased out, according to Jim Chapman Construction Group, the builder headquartered in Atlanta. The Cottages of Lexington is a complex of single-level townhomes located off Lexington Highway on a 41-acre lot adjacent to Walmart. A main attraction for The Cottages is that they are for single families, according to Carol Morgan, a spokeswoman for Denim Marketing. Many people want to rent a house rather than an apartment. They want a yard for their dogs and the amenities of a house without the burden of yard maintenance and exterior maintenance, she said. Babies: New year, new life: Meet the first babies born in Athens in 2024 The project, completed in 25 months, is not a student housing complex, but rather targets people who work at the University of Georgia and other companies in the Athens area, according to Morgan. The project is the second housing complex that Jim Chapman has constructed in Athens. The Cottages at Ridge Point was previously constructed in west Athens off New Jimmie Daniel Road. Were providing a mix of lifestyle and comfort that appeals to a broad demographic of renters that college towns attract, Jim Chapman said in a statement released with the announcement. The Cottages at Lexington in Athens are already occupied by many residents. Chapman started his general contracting business in 1998 and besides Georgia, is licensed in five other southern states. The homes range from 1,020 square feet to 1,466. Morgan said each one has a washer and dryer, rather than having those in a common area such as one finds in many apartment complexes. The gated community includes a pool, clubhouse and a fitness center, and is lined with sidewalks and street lights, according to the news release. This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: New 200-unit housing complex opens in east Athens for families, not students Transparency Market Research As healthcare infrastructure and personalized medicines become more prevalent, immunoassay demand is expected to grow. Wilmington, Delaware, United States, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transparency Market Research Inc. - The immunoassay market was valued at US$ 31.5 billion in 2022. A CAGR of 5.0% is expected from 2023 to 2031, reaching US$ 48.7 billion in 2031. Immunoassay testing is more efficient and productive when automation is incorporated in laboratories. Systems that automate workflows increase efficiency, minimize human error, and enable greater testing capacity. Many diseases and conditions associated with aging are associated with the global aging population. Older adults face several health issues, such as immunoassays, which increase the demand for diagnostic tests. Grab Sample of this Research Report@ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=19703 As personalized medicine becomes increasingly important, immunoassays are in high demand as specific biomarkers are identified for targeted therapies. Individual biomarkers associated with patient profiles are identified and monitored by these tests. Key Findings of the Market Report A large portion of the market share is expected to come from North America in 2024. Based on the product type, consumable demand will drive immunoassay market growth. Based on technology, enzyme-linked immunoassays (ELISAs) are driving immunoassay demand. Infectious disease will drive the market demand for immunoassays. Hospitals & diagnostics laboratories are a major market driver for immunoassays. Global Immunoassay Market: Growth Drivers Diagnostic tools like immunoassays are becoming increasingly popular because chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disorders are becoming more prevalent. Detecting and managing these conditions early is crucial to their treatment. Advances in immunoassay technologies, such as multiplex and high-sensitivity assays, make diagnosing diseases with increasing sensitivity and accuracy possible. Platforms for assays are also improving, resulting in improved workflow and reduced turnaround time. As point-of-care diagnostics and decentralized testing become more popular, immunoassays are growing. Health providers can make faster decisions with POCT, especially when resources are limited or in an emergency. Personalized medicine and targeted therapies are driving the need for precision diagnostic tools. Biomarkers and molecular targets can be identified through immunoassays, which guide personalized treatment methods. Identifying infection-related antibodies and antigens is crucial with immunoassays, including serological tests. Diagnostic markets, including immunoassays, are growing as healthcare spending rises worldwide. Governments, companies, and individuals are investing in advanced healthcare solutions. Story continues Global Immunoassay Market: Regional Landscape North America is expected to lead the immunoassay market. Several chronic diseases are prevalent in North America, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The use of immunoassays in diagnosing and treating these conditions contributes to the sustained demand for these tests. Infectious disease immunoassays have become increasingly popular since the COVID-19 pandemic. Monitors and managers of infectious outbreaks heavily rely upon assays of antibodies. Among advanced diagnostic technologies, immunoassays are supported by a well-developed healthcare infrastructure in North America. These tests can be integrated into hospital, clinic, and diagnostic laboratory patient care. Advances in immunoassay platforms have contributed to developing more accurate, sensitive, and specific assays. Markets for new and improved immunoassay products are often driven by demand for cutting-edge technology. Point-of-care testing has increased in North America, increasing the demand for immunoassays. Rapid results from POCTs are crucial for emergencies and efficient management of patient care. Research and development is facilitated in North America because of the presence of leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. By discovering new biomarkers and developing new immunoassays, the market grows. Immunoassays in the region are credible and accepted due to high regulatory standards and approval processes. Medical professionals become more confident in products that comply with regulatory requirements. Public health initiatives and government programs drive the demand for diagnostic tests, including immunoassays. North American healthcare costs are relatively high, so advanced diagnostic technologies are being adopted. Increasing healthcare spending benefits immunoassays, which are crucial diagnostic tools. Customize this report according to your needs@ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=CR&rep_id=19703 Global Immunoassay Market: Key Players Leading companies are launching new diagnostic products based on innovative immunoassay market trends. They are forming strategic partnerships and mergers to expand their production capacity and reach a wider market. Key players improve business performance by improving diagnostics and treatment of infectious diseases. Cancer biomarkers can also be identified using immunoassay techniques. F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Danaher Corporation Abbott Laboratories Siemens Healthineers (Siemens AG) DiaSorin S.p.A. Sysmex Corporation bioMerieux SA Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. Becton, Dickinson and Company Merck kGaA Key Developments In November 2023, Roche released Elecsys HBeAg quant, an immunoassay to detect hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in human plasma and serum. In December 2023, AMSBIO launched its MagSi-STA beads, which are designed to detect antibodies in magnetic immunoassays and serve as solid support phases in immunoassays. Streptavidin covalently attached to silica matrix enables these beads, varying in size, chemistry, and binding capability, to be used for in vitro diagnostics. Global Immunoassay Market: Segmentation By Product Analyzer Consumables By Technology Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA) Enzyme-linked Immunoassay (ELISA) Enzyme-linked Immunofluorescent Assay (ELFA) Radioimmunoassay (RIA) Others By Application Infectious Disease Endocrinology Oncology Cardiology Orthopedics Others By End User Hospitals & Diagnostic Laboratories Blood Banks Others By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa Buy the Comprehensive Market Research Report - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=19703